#i tried to source the photographer

[blondebrainpowered]

Kodachrome photograph of Bettie Page, mid 1950s.

[samixayn]

I can't do this anymore guys .

[kommabortsig]

Cimetière_de_Grenelle_@Paris(30769381803).jpg

[mariamlovesyou]

bisan's live video on her 2nd acc is piercing my heart

she started off expressing (in arabic) how sick she is of the constant sharing, photographing, capturing, having to speak english and how she wants to speak in her native tongue instead.

she explained that the leaflets that were dropped again are ordering evacuation to rafah so they are forced into the sinai, and how impossible it is for over 2 million people to go to an area that's only 151 square km, so many have no choice but to stay in khan younis. they are trapped and have no international passports. rafah is the southernmost point of palestine after khan younis and she said - this part in english - "after rafah there is no more palestine. if we are forced into rafah there is no more palestine."

someone asked her if she has eaten and whether they have any food, her response was no, not at all; one loaf of bread has to be divided between everyone in her tent.

the video kept freezing because of how bad the internet service is in gaza right now so i lost bits and pieces, but at some point an older woman joined the live, a journalist outside of the country. it's unclear whether they knew each other previously, but a lot of warmth was exchanged. the woman got tears out of bisan when she told her "dont listen to people who tell you to be strong, i don't want you to be strong, i want you to be you. if you are sad i want to know, if you are happy i want to know." she explained that she tried entering rafah but the occupation refuses to let any foreign journalists in anymore.

after the woman left, bisan talked about her life before october. she said her life was beautiful and fruitful and any source of strife was solely on israeli hands; namely her inability to travel or pursue placements for her education outside of palestine. other than that she had nothing to complain about. if im able to watch the video after it ends, i will add any pieces i missed

[seithr]

Accidentally clicking the wrong part of a page during a wiki dive of a series I loved when I was younger, and being sent back in time and space as I see people organizing massive closed rp roleplay families events [PINGLIST FULL], posting fursona redesigns, fursona vent gore, colouring in bases for ocs and coming out as gay to each other all in the same feed for a series that, i promise, does not involve any of these . Not even the gay part. Someone is posting splatoon yuri. Where the fuck am i

[the-muppet-joker]

Bloody hell. As I lie here in the park, covered in dirt and scarfing down apples as fast as I can (I have eaten five in the past ten minutes) I have been getting some awfully rude looks from this newly married couple and their photographer. I don't care if you dirty heteros are getting some gay ass photoshoot, I am a PROUD KINNIE trying to reconnect with my source material (The Book of Genesis). I tried to shout FUCK OFF! I AM FROM TUMBLR DIRTY NORMIE! GET SCARED! But I choked on my sixth apple and the groom had to give me the heimlich. Why couldn't the Bride save me from kin related apple death? So much for feminism

[brucewaynehater101]

The Tim and Dick bonding ask made me think about the angst of eidetic memory but specially for Dick.

He tries really hard to make really good memories with Tim, knowing they'll be well kept. Something he fails to consider is the fact that all of their fights (which is a normal part of being siblings, especially under the stress of being also vigilantes) are also perfectly recorded in Tim's memory. I think Dick's hot temper gets the better of him sometimes but he doesn't mean it, so to him it doesn't register as something particularly memorable ("Yeah I had an argument with Tim but that happens sometimes").

It's not until Tim makes a remark about something Dick said in one of their arguments (maybe even the one about Robin) that Dick suddenly has that realization: Tim remembers EVERYTHING. And it's so nonchalant, like Tim isn't bothered by it (there were times when he was more insecure about his place in the family, but now he understands that fights are normal and Dick isn't really mad at him). But Dick is having an absolute crisis about it.

Not only does his little brother remember every single shit he didn't mean to say but blurted out in anger, he's also coming to terms with the fact that he must remember every traumatic shit his witnessed in HD. Obviously there's the very graphic death of Dick's parents to start with, but also the corpse of Tim's father, just to begin with.

Cue to Dick having a breakdown trying really hard to remember all of the extremely graphic and brutal shit he deletes from his brain on a daily basis to cope with their way of life while Tim's just beating the shit out of him at Mario Kart.

Dick: Bruce. Bruce, were you aware of Tim's photographic memory??

Bruce: ....yes? It's a valuable skill for-

Dick: Bruce. B. Dad. Have you consider the horrors we see on an average night?

Bruce:...

Bruce, sweating: hmm.

One, I love the notion that the Bats are extremely intelligent detectives, but they also overlook a lot on accident (like Tim's memory being as much a curse as it is a blessing [they maybe somewhat realized this, but not to this extent]).

The idea that Tim has an instant replay of every harsh word, disgusting comment, and traumatic event he's been through? Yeah. No wonder Dick is freaking the fuck out.

Anyways, it'd be interesting to see how the Bats treat Tim's memory. If he remembers everything in HD, he might be the most trustworthy source if there are no cameras (to an extent. His memory is a biased account and will be affected by his emotions. It's also dependent on what he notices, catalogs, and focuses on). Therefore, gaslighting Tim by saying stuff like, "I never said that!" doesn't really work.

I want to know more about the ins and outs of how Tim's memory operates

[jorrated]

Redid my Maya Knux gijinka! Now with notes and sources on how I did the design (It's kinda long, around 2k words jsyk):

The hairstyle:

Knux has pretty long spikes, so I knew I wanted to give him long hair! Braids or dreadlocks look pretty fitting, so I tried looking for references of hairstyles to see if any fit what I was looking for:

Source: Mayavase.com (Photograph by Justin Kerr)

http://research.mayavase.com/kerrmaya_hires.php?vase=1092

http://research.mayavase.com/kerrmaya_hires.php?vase=1453

http://research.mayavase.com/kerrmaya_hires.php?vase=694

http://research.mayavase.com/kerrmaya_hires.php?vase=1340

While all the vases show a variety of interesting hairstyles, I particularly loved the look of the braids in K694 (the third picture). Being tied upwards wouldn’t really fit Knux however, so something like the man in K1340 (fourth pic) with his hair fully down, or the 5th man from left to right in K1092 (first pic) with a cloth holding the hair would be really nice!

I didn’t want to give him a headpiece, if only to not clutter his head, but also I didn’t think it’d fit Knux as a warrior. The ruler’s headpiece in K1453 (second pic) however allows the hair to come off it, and seems to have some dangly adornments on the end of the strands/braids/locks, which I found super pretty. Plus:

“Elite Mayan men and women styled their hair to show off their pointed heads, crafted through the careful head flattening they experienced as children. Women gathered their long hair on top of their heads in flowing ponytails. For special occasions they braided their ponytails and decorated them with ornaments and ribbons. Mayan men grew their hair long but burnt the hair off their foreheads to accentuate their elongated profiles. They would bind their hair into one or many ponytails or tie it in a bundle on top of their head. Mayan slaves had their hair cut short as one visible mark of their inferior status.” p.399

Source: Fashion, costume, and culture: clothing, headwear, body decorations, and footwear through the ages (Sarah Pendergast and Tom Pendergast, Sarah Hermsen as Project Editor), 2003.

https://archive.org/details/fashioncostumecu0000pend/page/n5/mode/2up

Taking all of that! I settled on tight braids with a few adornments made of jade and wood, with a red cloth to keep his hair from his eyes. Almost all of the braids are pulled together into a ponytails, but there are some smaller braids loose.

It’s somewhat of a mixture of styles, combining ornaments of special occasions, with the long hair of elites on a character like Knux. But I kept these ‘contradictory’ aspects of the design to remember that Knux kinda learns about his ancestors on the go, through murals, writings and technology, so I doubt he’d have a great grasp on what he should and shouldn’t wear. I think it adds character as someone who’s trying to figure out himself, his history and his place in the world.

Shoes and Accessories:

For footwear I kept it simple, just turned Knux’s existing shoes into sandals:

“Ancient Aztecs and Mayans of Central America adopted a thick-soled sandal with a protective legging attached at the heel, while the top of the foot and shin remained exposed.” p.135

Source: Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion (Valerie Steele), 2005

Although my gut instinct was to cover Knuckles from head to toe in accessories, I also tried to keep it simple like the shoes. He’s a very mobile fellow so he can’t have too much weight or annoying bits flying everywhere and getting in his face. So I kept his moon necklace, like in Fleetway, just adjusted the shape to have a bit more of details:

“The jewelry worn by the Mayan, Aztec and Inca people was rich in variety and quite beautiful. Without metalworking skills, Mayans made jewelry from many materials. Mayan men wore nose ornaments, earplugs and lip plugs made from bone, wood, shells and stones, including jade, topaz, and obsidian. Necklaces, bracelets, anklets and headgear were made with jaguar and crocodile teeth, jaguar claws and feathers.” p.402

Source: Fashion, costume, and culture: clothing, headwear, body decorations, and footwear through the ages (Sarah Pendergast and Tom Pendergast, Sarah Hermsen as Project Editor), 2003.

https://archive.org/details/fashioncostumecu0000pend/page/n5/mode/2up

As stated here, Mayans didn’t have metalwork, so I imagine this is an artifact that his ancestors got from another group of people.

Just a page before they also mention how the Maya people used to file points into their teeth, to make their mouths more appealing. This includes shaping them into pointy teeth, (like the classic shark teeth), but they could also file them into other shapes, like in this picture:

Source: https://www.archaeologynow.org/blog-3/blog-post-title-two-txwxl (I’m pretty sure this isn’t the source of the image, but I couldn’t find an actual source that wasn’t an uncredited blog)

The Maya people are also notorious for their good dentistry, as seen the stone ornaments in the teeth above. I think the filling is something Knux could do on his own, but anything that would involve actual dentistry would be too much. But it’s still interesting to read about!

(Here’s an article named “Mayan Esthetic Dentistry: Using Modern Techniques and Digital Imaging Technologies to Link the Past to the Present” by Yassine Harichane if you want to learn more!)

While a non-permanent version of stones on teeth seemed cool, like Jade incisor-coverings, at the end of the day I don’t think Knuckles is too vain, so I didn’t add that to the design. Although I think he’d definitely try out a bunch of things like this, just to try to understand them.

For additional outfits I gave him a red layered cape and a green huipil! The red cape is just to bring back more red into the design, since I gave him a lot of green. And the huipil is a nod to his poncho in the comics! (Although huipiles are commonly associated with women and girls, I still wanted to give him one, not only to bring up his partial detachment to his ancestors, but also because Knux probably wouldn’t think much about gender in general let’s be honest)

Source: Mayavase.com (Photograph by Justin Kerr)

http://research.mayavase.com/kerrmaya_hires.php?vase=638

Somewhat based the red cape on the 4th man in this picture, from left to right, but I kept it simple, as maybe just some fabric Knux found around the island, nothing too fancy.

For the huipil I wanted to do something more detailed but was having a really hard time coming up with designs. And I didn’t want to straight up plagiarize someone’s else work, so I kept it vague, maybe some day I’ll sit down and give it a more detailed version. I did come across a very nice store/ catalog that sells traditional Maya textiles, and this one was very gorgeous! Highly recommend give this and the other textiles a look!

In the end I made the huipil look vaguely like the ones shown in page 128 of the following book:

“In the Museum collection, costumes that looked very much alike usually turned out to be from villages that shared a language. Among Cakchiquel villages, dialect differences were usually mirrored by costume differences. Working on this principle we were surprised by the striking similarity of style in the huipils of San Antonio Aguas Calientes (fig. 195) and San Martín Jilotepeque (fig. 196). These villages, while both Cakchiquel, spoke very different dialects and were separated geographically (map, below). The similarity of their huipil was so remarkable we felt the need to investigate these two villages more thoroughly and found that a multi-cultural history probably accounted for these unexpected similarities of style. Huipils from these villages may well illustrate the earliest examples of pan-Maya acculturation after the Conquest.”p. 127

Source: Threads of identity: Maya costume of the 1960s in highland Guatemala (Patricia B. Altman, Caroline D.West), 1992.

https://archive.org/details/threadsofidentit0000altm/page/n7/mode/2up

Lastly on accessories, which I don’t know if it counts as an accessory but I didn’t know where to put it: the body paint. Last time I gave Knux a human design I couldn't find a good resource on Maya people painting their bodies. Every source mentioned and was in consensus that some of the people did paint their bodies, but that was the extent of the info. I wasn’t able to find any patterns or meanings of the body paintings, or even good visual reference for it. But! This time I was able to get a bit more:

“Body painting was a common Maya practice. Classic Period murals and polychrome vases depict warriors covered with red or black paint; sometimes their bodies were striped with red paint. Paint was also used around the eyes and nose to give a fierce expression. In the 16th century, these practices continued. Women also applied red paint to their faces and bodies, but presumably to make themselves look beautiful, not fierce. Small paint jars of red hematite mixed with mica were found in the houses at Cerén, and these may have been for cosmetic use. Unmarried young men painted their bodies black, and so did those who were undergoing periods of ritual purification and fasting. Priests often wore blue body paint. “p. 338

Source: Handbook To Life In The Ancient Maya World Lynn (V. Foster), 2002.

Source: Mayavase.com (Photograph by Justin Kerr)

http://research.mayavase.com/kerrmaya_hires.php?vase=2800

http://research.mayavase.com/kerrmaya_hires.php?vase=2573

http://research.mayavase.com/kerrmaya_hires.php?vase=7996

I of course wanted to give him red paint, and I really liked this design of the red lining the cheeks on the face down to the neckline. However in most of these depictions the red on the body is accompanied by the white face, which I can’t actually tell if the face has white paint, or the body has black paint, like described in the quote before. Either way I chose to only use the red, to keep in line with Knux’s original design.

(It’s worth mentioning that these vases shown depict rulers, as you can see the intricate thrones and altars, which isn’t really fitting with Knux. But again, I want to keep some mismatched aspects into his design, not only warrior-related things.)

The main outfit:

Last but not least, the main outfit. Don’t have much notes on this I’m going to be honest, I just tried to keep in line with descriptions of warriors clothing:

“While some warriors may have been resplendent on the battlefield, the common Maya soldier fought with little clothing other than loincloth and body paint, based on battle scenes in the few Maya murals that remain (see figure 2.9, page 54).” p.147

Source: Handbook To Life In The Ancient Maya World Lynn (V. Foster), 2002.

I considered putting him in a loincloth for accuracy, but tbh I was scared people were going to be weird about it, and so I gave him a skirt with some fabric that emulates the look of a loincloth and some scrap fabric around his waist and limbs! He actually ended pulling up a lot from the dude I mentioned in vase K1092 (the very first ref pic in this post) lol!

And that´s all, hope y’all liked it :P

[certifiedlovergirlsstuff]

city of angels | s.r. x liaison!fem reader

a/n: of course there is a 1x18 blurb. essential for spencer fics. pt2

“enjoy your swim?” not able to hide the bite of sarcasm as you eyed the soaking spencer reid.

he looked embarrassed as he toweled off his hair, trying to soak up his clothing. “uh, it’s- it’s not what- she pulled me in.” rolling his lips into a straight line, eyes bouncing around.

you hummed and looked at the confiscated camera in your grasp, “so these pictures of you two kissing is, also nothing?” a harsh glare pointed at the doctor, tone dripping with judgment.

he stayed quiet, his mouth was opening and closing, not able to respond. you pursed your lips and nodded, “okay, well i hope it was worth it. putting both of your lives in danger for a little…taste.” walking off before more could be said from either of you.

you handed over the evidence to one of the cops saying that there was photos of lila and spencer in the pool, kissing. your stomach went nauseous at the word. you excused yourself from the actresses house to walk towards one of the black suvs and leaned your back against the hood.

crossed arms over your chest as your chin leaned to your collarbone, mouth twisting as your felt your eyes grow misty. a hiccuped cough escaped when you tried to suppress an impending whimper.

“you okay?” a male voice startled you. you jumped and saw hotch standing straight as his resting face stared at you.

you lightly rubbed at your left cheek and messed with your hair, “yeah. yeah i’m fine. just- just need some air for a minute.” fixing your clothing and stepping away from the car, “did- did the photographer mention anything?” trying to change the subject.

hotch watched you for moment then replied, “nothing yet. says he doesn’t want to give up his inside source.” a tilt of his head, “spencer’s asking for you.” his usual neutral tone with a hint of concern.

you licked your lips and looked off to the side, “not- not to be unprofessional, but i’m kinda upset with him right now.” sweeping a foot over the gravel of ms. archer’s driveway.

hotch hummed, “would this happen to pertain to some photos?” you didn’t responded, just looked up to see hotch stuff his hands into his suit pants pockets, he gave slight raise of his brows.

“…he could’ve gotten hurt. she could’ve gotten hurt. he’s lucky it was just the photographer and not some lunatic with a gun. i- i don’t want him hurt.” waving your hands around then slapping your palms to your outer thighs. one half of the truth.

hotch nodded, “he knows what he did was wrong and unprofessional, especially in this dire situation. but i think the two of you need to properly talk this out, we can’t have this affecting your work.” and then he returned to the house leaving you alone to think.

[focusonkayjay]

Wildly Wealthy Koreans (3); inspired by Crazy Rich Asians

Pairing: Jungkook x (f.) Reader

Genre/Tags: photographer/ filmmaker! jungkook, rich girl/ fashion designer! reader, established relationship, angst, fluff, potential smut

Series summary: When you invite your boyfriend, Jungkook, to accompany you to your brother's wedding in your hometown, Daegu, he’s overjoyed, eager to meet your family and experience a side of your life you’ve never shared with him. However, once he uncovers the truth about who you really are, he’s unable to grasp the full extent of your reality. The situation becomes even more complicated when a certain someone makes him feel profoundly unwelcome, leaving him to question not only your world, but also his place in it.

Disclaimer: This series is heavily inspired by the movie Crazy Rich Asians, with the storyline closely following the original film's plot. However, I wanted to reimagine it as a fanfiction, where Jungkook and OC take center stage as the main protagonists. While I’ve kept the core elements and themes from the movie, I’ve added my own touches here and there, such as altering certain character dynamics and incorporating a few original settings. Some scenes are directly inspired by the movie, and I’ve worked to recreate them in a way that it hopefully resonates with the fans of the movie. Hope you enjoy!!

Word Count: 5.4k+

Chapter Warnings: high society vibes and events, jungkook is a simp.

A/N: this is inspired by the iconic tan hua blooming party that happens in the movie. "BY DAWNNNN THEY'LL BE GONEEEE." anyways, wishing jungkook all the luck because this is literally just the beginning. I can’t wait for you all to read the upcoming chapters. let me know your thoughts, and stay tuned !! 💖

part 3

As you and Jungkook stroll through the expansive premises of your sprawling home, he tries to focus on your words, your cheerful explanations about the house's history and quirks.

Yet, the interaction with your mother lingers in the back of his mind like an unwelcome shadow. The knot in his stomach tightens with each step as he wonders about the impending introductions to the rest of your family like your father, your brother, your grandmother, your cousins, your relatives.

What if they look at him with the same quiet judgment your mother had? What if their gazes hold the same piercing scrutiny, the same silent question of whether he’s truly worthy of you?

He swallows hard at the thought but masks his anxiety, instead focusing on the way your face lights up as you guide him around. You point out pieces of art, family heirlooms, and stories from your childhood, your voice warm and animated.

He tries to focus on you, your smile, your laugh, and the way your hand feels so steady in his. But the thoughts persist.

“Not going to introduce your lover boy to me?” A teasing voice cuts through his spiraling thoughts, breaking the quiet hum of your conversation.

Both of you turn towards the source of the voice, and a smile immediately spreads across your face when your eyes land on Taehyung and the stunning woman beside him, his fiancée and also your best friend, Miyeon.

“Tae…” you say warmly, letting go of Jungkook’s hand to approach your brother. Taehyung looks effortlessly suave in a luxurious maroon suit, its tailored fit and rich fabric oozing sophistication. The soft sheen of his black tie complements his polished look, giving him an air of effortless charm.

Beside him, Miyeon exudes grace in a long halter-neck gown of soft gold, the dress flowing elegantly around her with every step she takes. Her hair is swept back into an intricate bun, leaving a few loose strands to frame her delicate features. Together, they look like they’ve stepped out of the pages of a high-fashion editorial.

You greet them with warm hugs, the joy evident in your voice as you briefly chat animatedly. Meanwhile, Jungkook stands rooted in his spot, unsure of how to approach the pair. His nerves bubble up again, and he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t intimidated... not just by their presence but by the possibility of yet another round of judgment.

He shifts slightly, feeling his palms grow clammy as he debates whether to bow, introduce himself, or wait for you to take the lead.

“You think I’d bring my boyfriend all the way here and not introduce him to you?” you tease, raising an eyebrow at Taehyung. Then, glancing back at Jungkook, you offer him a small, reassuring smile before speaking. “Tae, this is Jungkook.”

You pause, gesturing towards the couple. “And Jungkook, this is my brother Taehyung and his fiancé and also one of my best friends, Miyeon.”

Jungkook steps forward cautiously, forcing his nerves to the side as he extends a hand towards Taehyung. He feels this is the most appropriate greeting in such a formal setting. Taehyung, however, bursts into laughter at Jungkook’s stiff posture.

“Man, quit the formals!” he exclaims, stepping past Jungkook’s outstretched hand and pulling him into a hearty hug. He pats Jungkook’s back firmly, laughing. “You’re practically part of the family now since you're my sister's boyfriend!” he beams.

Jungkook blinks, taken aback by the warmth and ease of the embrace. For a moment, it feels like all his earlier apprehensions and insecurities are swept away, replaced with a feeling of tentative belonging.

This wasn’t the greeting he had braced himself for. If anything, he had imagined your brother might be even tougher to impress than your mother. But he was wrong, completely and wonderfully wrong.

As Taehyung pulls back, a broad smile lights up his face. “Y/N’s told me all about you, man. I’m so glad to finally meet you.” His voice is full of sincerity, and Jungkook’s heart skips a beat at his words.

You’d spoken about him? To your brother? He hadn’t expected that, and the thought that you’d shared pieces of him with someone so important in your life fills him with a strange mixture of pride and disbelief.

For the first time since entering this house, he feels a flicker of confidence returning to him, and he can’t help but smile back at Taehyung, feeling a bit more at ease.

He finally turns his attention to the woman standing beside Taehyung, the soon-to-be bride. She radiates elegance and warmth, her soft gold halter-neck dress catching the light as she steps forward. With a gentle smile, she extends her hand to him, her demeanor welcoming and kind.

Jungkook immediately reaches out to shake her hand, his own movements less hesitant now after Taehyung’s reassuring gesture. Her grip is delicate but firm, and he finds himself smiling back at her easily.

“Thank you so much for coming.” Miyeon says, her voice carrying a warmth that instantly puts him at ease. Her eyes hold a genuine kindness that feels worlds apart from the cold, probing gaze of your mother.

Jungkook nods, his nerves settling just a little more. “Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to meet you... both of you.” he responds sincerely glancing at the couple, grateful for the way they make him feel so included.

Miyeon’s smile widens, and she exchanges a quick glance with Taehyung, who is already beaming at the interaction. “Y/N’s told us a lot about you... She basically wouldn't stop, ever since she got back.” she giggles, her tone holding an encouraging note, as if to subtly let him know he’s already made a good impression.

Jungkook can instantly sense the close bond you share with the couple... there’s an ease in the way you laugh with them, a familiarity in the way your eyes light up when they speak. It’s heartwarming, and knowing you had spoken about him to them fills his chest with a sense of belonging, a feeling he hadn’t dared to hope for earlier.

“Make sure you’re here for all the events before the wedding, man. It’s going to be so fun.” Taehyung says enthusiastically, his energy contagious. “And we should definitely hang out more around the city! I’ll show you all the spots that Y/n and I love going to”

Jungkook can’t help but let out a smile, the tension he’d carried ever since meeting your mother melting away entirely. He nods, his earlier apprehension replaced with genuine excitement. “I’d love that.” he replies, his voice steadier now.

Taehyung pats him on the back again, his grin wide and reassuring, and Miyeon gives him another warm smile. For the first time since he arrived, Jungkook feels like he might actually enjoy these following three weeks.

The heaviness that once lingered in his chest is long forgotten, replaced by the comfort of knowing there are people here who truly welcome him.

//

As the four of you finally step onto the huge lawn, the scene before you unfolds like something out of a timeless painting. The sprawling grounds are alive with elegance, the soft hum of a traditional korean song playing in the background along with polite conversation mingling with the crisp evening breeze.

Pristine white canopies dot the lawn, their chiffon drapery billowing gently in the wind, casting delicate shadows across the jade-green tablecloths beneath them.

Each table is a work of art, adorned with intricate porcelain tea sets painted with orchids, their vibrant purples and soft whites capturing the flower’s delicate beauty... a tribute to the event’s name, The Jade Orchid Tea Ceremony.

This ceremony is not just a gathering, it’s a tradition in your family that has stood the test of time. It’s a day your grandmother cherishes, designed to bring the entire family together along with many friends in a moment of unity and reflection.

The orchid, her favorite flower, symbolizes elegance, strength, and the fragile beauty of life... qualities she embodies and expects her family to honor. The atmosphere feels both intimate and monumental, steeped in meaning.

The air is fragrant with the delicate aromas of freshly brewed teas... jasmine, oolong, chrysanthemum, and a rare orchid blend that your grandmother herself oversees.

The attendants, dressed immaculately in white uniforms, glide effortlessly between guests, carrying silver trays laden with delicate tea cakes, miniature macarons, and neatly cut finger sandwiches.

Strings of fairy lights are woven artfully through the hedges, their twinkling reflections catching the faint glimmer of jade ornaments placed strategically around the space.

Jungkook walks beside you, his eyes flitting across the scene, taking in every detail... the grandeur, the meticulous precision, the understated opulence.

You catch the way his shoulders stiffen slightly, the overwhelming weight of the moment settling into him. “Wow.... This is... this is something else.” he mutters, his voice tinged with awe and just a hint of nerves.

You lean closer, your voice soft and reassuring. “This isn’t just a tea party. It’s a tradition. My grandmother's tradition. For her, it’s more than the tea... it’s about family, about friends, about unity, about legacy. She’s been hosting this for decades.” you explain.

Jungkook listens intently and as you stop talking, his ears are instantly catching the soft traditional korean song that's been playing in the background, carried gently by the breeze. The serene notes create an almost meditative atmosphere, mingling with the quiet chatter of the guests.

It’s a song Jungkook doesn’t recognize but feels the weight of... a melody that seems to carry history, steeped in the same elegance that the event exudes.

He glances around the gathering, trying to soak it all in, but he can’t help noticing the way a few pairs of eyes dart towards him, then to your intertwined hands, before turning away to whisper among themselves.

It’s subtle, but he feels it... a faint ripple of curiosity, perhaps judgment, passing through the crowd like an unspoken conversation.

Jungkook shifts slightly, his fingers tightening around yours. The warmth of your hand steadies him, even as the faint unease lingers in his chest. Are they wondering why he’s here? Judging the way he’s dressed? Or perhaps questioning his right to stand beside you in such a deeply rooted family tradition?

“Hey...” your voice breaks through his thoughts, soft but purposeful. You turn to look at him, your expression calm but full of understanding. “Ignore them. You belong here, Jungkook. With me.... So don't even bother paying any attention to them.”

He exhales quietly, nodding as his gaze meets yours. Your words settle something inside him, though the weight of the stares doesn’t entirely dissipate. Instead, he chooses to focus on you... your voice, your touch, the way you seem so effortlessly at ease amidst all of this.

“It’s just... a lot.” he admits in a hushed tone, his eyes darting briefly back to the crowd. You offer him a gentle smile, brushing your thumb across his knuckles. “It is. But we’ll get through it together.”

As the song swells in the background, Jungkook finds himself grounding in the moment... not in the whispers or the glances, but in the soft rhythm of your voice and the steady anchor of your hand in his.

As you continue walking, you finally spot your grandmother. At the center of the gathering, she's seated beneath the largest canopy. She exudes the quiet authority and grace of someone who has long been the anchor of this family.

Her ivory hanbok, accented with subtle jade embroidery, catches the light as she gestures elegantly to a guest beside her. Her silver hair is swept into a bun so flawless it seems to defy time itself.

Her sharp, observant eyes scan the crowd, taking in everything with a calm yet commanding presence. Despite her composed exterior, you know that today is her favorite day of the year... a day she has poured her heart into preserving.

Beside her, your dad is busy talking to a few men in suits. You wonder what the conversation is about, but you shake your head, bringing your focus back on Jungkook. "Come, let's meet my grandma." you say.

He doesn’t know what to expect from the interaction, but the unease lingers, gnawing at him. Even though Taehyung and Miyeon had managed to ease some of his nerves earlier, a deep-seated fear remains. Meeting your grandmother feels daunting enough, but when you casually gesture towards your father, Jungkook's anxiety spikes.

“And that’s my dad...” you say, motioning towards the man engrossed in conversation with a few people. “Hopefully, he’ll stop talking to them when I need to introduce you.” Your smile is lighthearted, but Jungkook’s heart sinks a little further.

Meeting two more significant family members at once feels overwhelming, but he knows there’s no way around it. Quietly, he follows you, his steps careful and uncertain.

As you approach your grandmother, her presence exudes a quiet elegance. You stop beside her, immediately catching her attention. Bowing respectfully, you greet her, and she takes your hands in hers with a warm, familiar grip.

“Y/N-ah, you’re here…” she says, her voice carrying the softness of years and wisdom. “Hello, Grammy.” you reply, your tone affectionate. “Everything looks so beautiful... as always.” You glance around, admiring the event she’s clearly poured her heart and soul into.

She chuckles softly, her hands tightening around yours. “You barely come to visit me, Y/N-ah. You know my days are numbered.” she says with a playful yet bittersweet complaint.

A frown tugs at your lips. “You’re going to live a very long life, Grammy.” you reassure her gently. “And I’m sorry. I’ll make sure to visit you more often.”

Her laughter is light, but her eyes soon shift behind you, landing on Jungkook, who’s standing awkwardly, unsure of where to place himself. The moment feels charged, and you realize it’s time for introductions.

“This is Jungkook, Grammy.” you say, a soft fondness lacing your voice. “Remember I told you I wanted you to meet someone special? This is him. We met in New York, and he’s my boyfriend.”

You place a comforting hand on Jungkook’s arm and gently bring him to your side. He nibbles on his lower lip, his nerves evident in the subtle tension of his posture. Once you finish speaking, Jungkook steps forward and gives her a respectful bow, hoping to make a good impression.

Before your grandmother can respond to Jungkook, a familiar voice interrupts.

“Y/N!” Your father’s voice calls out, pulling both of your gazes towards him. He’s approaching with an easy stride, a soft smile etched on his face. Jungkook immediately adjusts his posture, his shoulders squaring as he stands straighter beside you, his nerves suddenly heightened.

You smile warmly at your father. “Hi, Dad.” Then, with a playful tone, you tease. “Didn’t Grammy tell you there’s no work talk allowed at events like this?”

He lets out a small chuckle, shaking his head. “Not work, sweetheart. Just planning a golf session for next weekend.” he replies casually, his tone lighthearted.

You laugh softly, the teasing exchange easing some of the tension in the air. Then your father’s gaze shifts to Jungkook, his curiosity evident. “And who might this be?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

Jungkook suddenly feels the full weight of two sets of eyes on him... your father’s sharp yet kind gaze and your grandmother’s intrigued expression. He swallows hard, his pulse quickening, but he doesn’t let his nervousness show.

Bowing respectfully, he introduces himself. “Hello, sir. My name is Jeon Jungkook.” he says, his voice polite but firm.

Your father studies him for a moment, his face unreadable, and Jungkook’s nerves threaten to surface again. But then, a broad smile spreads across your father’s face. “Ah, so you’re the one who’s captured my daughter’s heart all the way in New York.” he says, his tone playful but warm.

Jungkook blinks, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected reception. “And such a handsome face, too.” your grandmother finally chimes in with an amused grin, her sharp eyes twinkling as she gives Jungkook a once-over.

The heat rushes to Jungkook’s ears, turning them a shade of red so vivid it’s almost comical. He lowers his gaze for a moment, caught off guard by the lighthearted approval.

For a moment, he’s almost speechless. This is nothing like what he’d braced himself for. Where he had expected judgment or skepticism, he’s met with warmth and gentle teasing. The contrast between their welcome and your mother’s frosty demeanor feels striking, and the relief flooding his chest is palpable.

Your grandmother extends her hands, the delicate gesture prompting Jungkook to glance at you for reassurance. You give him a small, encouraging nod, and with a slight hesitation, he steps forward, bending down to her level.

For the first time, he gets a closer look at her... a face adorned with kindness, her gaze steady yet tender.

“Thank you for being there for our Y/N.” she says softly, her voice carrying a warmth that feels like a comforting embrace. “And thank you for coming today.”

Jungkook feels a lump form in his throat at her words. Her tone is so genuine, so welcoming, that it tugs at his emotions in a way he hadn’t expected. The world around him seems to quiet for a moment, and the air feels lighter.

A smile slowly spreads across his face as he nods, his voice steady despite the emotions bubbling inside. “I’ll always be there for her.” he affirms, his sincerity shining through. “And thank you for having me here. It’s an honor.”

Your grandmother smiles back, her eyes crinkling in delight as she gently pats his hand. “Make sure you have lots of fun in the days to come, okay? I’m sure Y/N has a lot to show you.” Your dad quips from beside her.

Jungkook stands back up straight, his gaze shifting to your father. The easy, genuine smile on his face is contagious, and Jungkook feels a sense of inclusion he hadn’t anticipated.

"We’re all so glad to have you here, Jungkook. These events are only the beginning... plenty of moments to enjoy and memories to make. Take it all in.” your father adds.

“I will.” he says, nodding, his own smile widening as the earlier tension dissipates completely.

You can’t help but smile as you watch the interaction unfold. There’s a softness in Jungkook’s expression now, the earlier tension in his shoulders melting away. Seeing him engage so naturally with your grandmother and your father fills you with a quiet relief.

You knew how nervous he’d been about meeting your family, especially after the interaction with your mother. But now, as he stands there with that gentle smile, looking at ease, you feel a surge of gratitude for how welcoming the rest of your family has been to him.

You step a little closer to Jungkook, your hand brushing against his arm in a subtle show of support. He glances at you briefly, his eyes meeting yours with a warmth that says everything he doesn’t need to put into words.

“Looks like someone’s fitting right in.” you tease softly, your smile widening. Jungkook chuckles under his breath, the sound light and genuine. “It's going way better than I'd expected.” he admits quietly, his voice low enough that only you can hear.

And in that moment, you know he’s starting to feel like he belongs... not just in your life, but in the world you’ve invited him into.

//

The evening carries on, the lawn glowing softly under the amber lights strung across the trees. A gentle breeze wafts through, carrying the mingled scent of flowers and freshly brewed tea.

Jungkook is doing his best to enjoy the event, but his gaze keeps drifting back to you and, occasionally, your mother who stands by one of the tables. He notices how she eyes the two of you every now and then, her expression unreadable but heavy with something he can’t quite place.

He tries to brush it off, reminding himself that the rest of your family had been warm and welcoming. Still, the occasional icy glance from your mother leaves a harsh unease in his chest.

The tea ceremony itself goes beautifully, the delicate clinking of porcelain teacups harmonizing with the soft hum of conversation. You guide him around the crowd, introducing him to childhood friends, cousins, and relatives. Jungkook experiences a whirlwind of interactions, from genuinely sweet greetings to snobby little elites.

He quickly learns there are two distinct types of people here. Those who embrace him with genuine warmth and curiosity, and those who are impossibly preoccupied with their designer outfits, designer bags, carefully manicured appearances, and the weight of their family names. It’s not unexpected, but it’s exhausting nonetheless.

Eventually, the two of you part ways for a brief moment as you and Miyeon head off to the restroom. Jungkook, left on his own, finds himself standing near the buffet table when a familiar voice cuts through the chatter.

“So, how’s it going?” Yoongi asks casually, appearing beside him like a shadow and helping himself to a finger sandwich. Without waiting for a response, he bites into it and groans dramatically. “Fuck, that is so fucking delicious.” he mutters through a mouthful.

Jungkook can’t help but laugh lightly at Yoongi’s unfiltered commentary, though it quickly turns into a sigh. “I met her family...” he starts, keeping his voice low. “Her mom, brother, dad, grandma… the whole lineup.”

“And?” Yoongi prompts, already reaching for another sandwich.

Jungkook runs a hand through his hair, his frustration barely contained. “Everyone was nice... like, really nice. Her brother, her grandma, even her dad. But…” he pauses, glancing around before lowering his voice further. “I think her mom hates the sight of me.”

Yoongi chews thoughtfully, leaning against the table with a raised brow. “Hates the sight of you? That’s a strong statement. Did she say something?”

“No.” Jungkook admits. “She doesn’t have to. It’s the way she looks at me. Like I’m…” He hesitates, the words catching in his throat. “Like I’m not good enough for her daughter.”

Yoongi takes another bite, nodding slowly. “Hmm, classic rich mom move. She’s probably just protective or has some weird standards. You’re not a legacy or some corporate heir... guess that’s what she’s used to.”

Jungkook frowns. “I know, but… I just-”

“You just want her to like you.” Yoongi finishes, smiling knowingly. Jungkook sighs again, his shoulders slumping slightly. “Yeah. I mean, I’m not perfect, but I’m trying. For Y/n... For her.”

Yoongi nods, placing a firm hand on Jungkook’s shoulder. “You’re doing fine, man. Honestly, you can’t please everyone. Her dad and brother like you, her grandma seems to adore you as well, and most importantly, Y/n chose you and brought you here because she wanted to. Her mom? She’ll eventually come around. Or not. Either way, you’ll survive.”

Jungkook lets out a small laugh, the tension in his chest easing slightly. “Thanks, hyung.”

“Anytime. Now, stop sulking and grab one of these sandwiches before I eat them all.” Yoongi teases, shoving the plate closer.

Jungkook chuckles, finally picking one up. The simple moment feels like a breath of fresh air, grounding him in the midst of a night that had felt overwhelming until now.

Yoongi was right. For all the unease simmering in Jungkook's chest, one truth cuts through it all like a guiding star... you’re by his side. And for now, that’s enough.

The weight of the evening’s events lingers, a mix of warmth from the family members who embraced him and the quiet sting of your mother’s disapproval.

But in the larger scheme of things, it’s your unwavering presence that grounds him. Every time you looked at him tonight, every gentle touch or whispered reassurance... it all stitched him back together in ways he couldn’t articulate.

He watches the way you move through the crowd now, returning from the restroom with Miyeon. Your laughter carries softly through the air, and though you’re not directly looking at him, Jungkook knows... he feels... that you’ll turn to find him soon enough. It’s an unspoken understanding between you two, a gravitational pull that brings you together even in the most unfamiliar spaces.

“Man, you’ve got that dreamy look again.” Yoongi teases, snapping Jungkook out of his trance. “Relax, Romeo, she’s just ten steps away.”

Jungkook huffs a small laugh, shaking his head. “Shut up, hyung.” But there’s no bite to his words, only a quiet gratitude for Yoongi’s knack for lightening the mood.

Yoongi’s smirk lingers as he leans casually against the buffet table. “Seriously though, kid. You’re doing fine. Hell, better than fine. And trust me, I’ve seen guys crash and burn in these kinds of situations. But you? You’ve got something real with her. That counts for more than her mom’s icy stares.”

Jungkook hums thoughtfully, his fingers fiddling with the edge of his cuffs. He glances around, taking in the splendor of the event once more... it’s a world far different from his own. Yet, somehow, he doesn’t feel entirely out of place anymore.

“Thanks again, hyung.” he murmurs, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“Don’t get all sentimental on me.” Yoongi side eyes, though his tone is warm. “Now go back to your girl before she starts thinking I’ve stolen you away again.”

Jungkook chuckles softly, straightening up and smoothing his jacket. As he makes his way towards you, his heart feels lighter, his steps steadier. Because for all the challenges tonight has thrown at him, Yoongi’s words echo in his mind... Y/n chose you. And that’s what matters.

And as your eyes meet his from across the room, a radiant smile blooming on your lips, Jungkook knows... Yoongi is right. For all that matters, you’re by his side. And that’s more than enough.

//

As the evening winds down and the last of the guests leave, you, Jungkook, and Yoongi stand near his car under the warm glow of the driveway lights. Yoongi helps Jungkook unload his luggage from the trunk. Turning to one of the guards stationed nearby, you kindly request. “Can you please take these up to my room?”

The guard nods, efficiently gathering the bags and heading towards the house. Jungkook murmurs a quick "Thank you." his voice polite but subdued. You catch his tired gaze and offer him a small, reassuring smile.

Yoongi stretches, letting out a low sigh as he looks at you. “Well, I’d say tonight went better than expected.” he quips, his tone light. “Thank you for having me, Y/n. It was an honor to spend an evening at The Kim Mansion.”

You chuckle softly, shaking your head at his dramatics. “You’re always welcome, Yoongi.”

As you linger near the steps, you watch Jungkook walk Yoongi to his car, their figures illuminated by the soft glow of the driveway lights. “Thanks for today, hyung.” Jungkook says sincerely, his voice steady despite the weight of the day. “Drive safe.”

Yoongi nods, sliding into the driver’s seat. “Always.” he replies with a small smile. Just before the car starts moving, he lowers the window and quietly adds. “Don’t forget to take it easy, alright?”

Jungkook gives a faint nod, his lips curving into a grateful smile as Yoongi’s car disappears into the night, leaving you and him to make your way towards the front door. You hold his hand tightly, sensing his lingering unease.

But as you approach, you spot your mother standing by the entrance, her eyes fixed on the two of you. Jungkook instantly stiffens, his grip on your hand faltering slightly. His gaze drops to the ground, avoiding her piercing stare.

“Hi, Mama...” you greet her, your voice laced with exhaustion as the day’s events catch up with you. “How was the evening for you?”

She offers you a tight smile, her expression carefully neutral. “It was great, honey. Everything turned out well.” she says, her tone pleasant but impersonal.

Then, with a pointed look, she adds. “I’ve asked the guards to move your friend’s luggage to one of the guest rooms.”

You pause, your eyebrows knitting together in mild confusion. A soft, incredulous laugh escapes you as you shake your head. “Oh, no, Mama. Jungkook is staying with me... in my room. Plus, he’s my boyfriend... so, it should be fine.” you say firmly, your voice steady but polite.

Your mother’s smile falters just slightly, her composure slipping for the briefest moment. Before she can muster a response, you grip Jungkook’s hand a little tighter and step past her, your movements confident and deliberate. "Goodnight, Mama." you mumble, walking away.

Jungkook doesn’t miss the way your mother's hands clench into fists at her sides, nor the way her jaw tightens as if she’s swallowing back words she desperately wants to say. Her disapproval hangs heavy in the air, but she doesn’t voice it, merely watching the two of you walk inside.

Once you’re safely inside the house and up the stairs, you turn to Jungkook and offer him a tired but genuine smile. “Don’t let her bother you.” you say softly. “She just has a hard time adjusting to new people.” you reason, even though you know that might not be the case.

He nods, his shoulders relaxing just a little, though the weight of the interaction still stays. But as you tug him gently towards your room, your warmth and unwavering confidence start to ease his worries, even if it's just a little.

//

Once you ensure all of Jungkook’s luggage is safely in your room, you close the door behind you with a quiet sigh. Jungkook stands in the middle of the space, his soft smile illuminated by the warm lighting. His presence feels like a balm after the chaos of the evening.

Without hesitation, you walk towards him, exhaustion evident in your every step. Like second nature, you fall into his chest, your arms wrapping around his waist. He holds you instantly, his embrace firm yet comforting, his touch grounding you.

“Thank you for coming here with me, Kook.” you murmur against his chest, your voice barely above a whisper. “And thank you for hanging in there throughout the evening. I know that must’ve been exhausting.”

Jungkook shakes his head gently, his hand coming up to smooth over your back. “It wasn’t so bad.” he replies, his voice soft but sincere. “Not when I had you by my side.”

He presses a fond kiss on the crown of your head, lingering for a moment as he inhales the familiar scent of your shampoo. The gesture is so tender, so him, that it brings a sense of calm you didn’t realize you needed.

You slowly pull away, though his arms remain securely wrapped around you, as if he’s reluctant to let go. Giving him a small smile, you lean forward and press your lips to his. The familiar warmth of his kiss washes over you, and you sigh softly, your arms looping around his neck to pull him even closer.

Jungkook didn’t realize how much he needed this until now. The kiss... gentle yet passionate, stirs something deep within him, a mix of emotions he can’t quite put into words. All he knows is that, in this moment, everything feels right.

When you finally pull away, your foreheads rest against each other, breaths mingling in the stillness of the room. “Well...” you start, your voice soft but teasing. “tomorrow’s going to be a long day.”

His eyes remain closed, a small smile playing on his lips as he listens. “Tae and Miyeon want to hang out with you around the city.” you inform him, a hint of excitement in your tone.

He chuckles, the sound low and comforting. “Well, I can’t wait.” he replies, pulling back just enough to look into your eyes. His gaze is tender as he studies your face, and he presses a soft kiss to your forehead, a gesture so affectionate it makes your heart flutter.

With the night finally winding down, the two of you change into something comfortable and climb into bed. The exhaustion of the day melts away as you settle into his arms, finding solace in the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

Moments later, sleep claims you both, the promise of tomorrow dancing in the air.

<- part 2 // part 4->

taglist: @mirinaeii @taetaecatboy @tsukiesimp @lovingkoalaface @taekrve @jaytheatiny @loverofannabeth @jaerisdiction @whoa-jo @parkinglot-nights @reneeblack6230

[northgazaupdates]

14 April 2024

Concerning reports coming out of north Gaza this morning

Resistance News Network claims on Telegram that the occupation supposedly allowed some women and children under the age of 14 to return to their homes in north Gaza via Rashid Street.

However, journalist Hossam Shabat says that the IOF has denounced this as completely false, advising people not to approach the area or try to return to the north, as it is still an active war zone. RNN provides photographic and video evidence, while Hossam directly cites the words of the occupation.

Journalist Anas Al-Sharif reports this on his Telegram channel as well, citing the same evidence.

Meanwhile journalist Saed Al-Zaneen reports on Telegram that some people are trying to return to their homes in the north of their own initiative. Some occupation squads *may* be allowing this in certain areas, but it is not sanctioned by IOF leadership and could change at any time. He warns that the troops may suddenly attack the people trying to return, and that the occupation is not to be trusted.

We will continue monitoring the situation, but advise our followers not to spread word of any return of displaced people to the north right now, at least until circumstances are much more clear

UPDATE AT TIME OF PUBLISHING: Hossam Shabat reports occupation vehicles are now advancing on Al-Rashid Street in Gaza City. Saed Al-Zaneen reports this as well. He now also reports one martyr and one wounded person have arrived at Al-Awda Hospital in north Gaza after they tried to return to the north via Al-Rashid Street. He reports they are being attacked from helicopters and provides documentation. Resistance News Network reports this as well. Journalist Momin Abu Owda also documents this Journalist Ismail Al-Ghoul is at Al-Nabulsi Roundabout on Al-Rashid Street and reports no sign of people being able to return.

The situation is obviously in flux. I need to go to bed, but I will review the situation when I wake up. Please follow the cited sources and use a translation software as needed.

[cdlum]

I just wanted to say I think your art style is awesome! I was wondering if you had any tutorials on how you draw anatomy in your style (hips and legs especially)? Sorry if there's already one posted and I just didn't see it 🥲. Happy New Year :>

thanks for the kind words. i tend to draw people pretty stylized and then some so a good bit of artistic licence gets used. these tips are just what i use so feel free to take them with a grain of salt. with anatomy in particular you can kind of talk in circles because human/animal bodies are that complex so ill just zone in on the points you specified. here's a little image with a bunch of pointers:

the above image condenses a lot of the points I'd make, but basically the key parts are to start with the bare essentials and build up that complexity. using a line of action is a good way to get a quick, rough start. you draw a line out in the general direction of the pose and do your best to adhere to it to give the pose a sense of flow.

you can also draw smaller, thumbnail versions that throw a lot of caution to the wind but capture the basic energy of what you're going for. even having a tiny little stick figure version of your idea can make for a good guideline of where to take it forward.

when it comes to actual limbs, you wanna consider how they integrate and work together, kind of like how chains do. you can see on some of the parts of pear i've drawn out these wireframes to kind of portray how the mass of her legs works in a three dimensional space. for aspects like the waist/hips, i use that X technique i highlight above a lot, particularly for the lower torso. a lot of the times, even when drawing a character totally naked, imagining them wearing things like skintight underwear can help a lot to guide you in the right direction.

its also a good idea to consider things like gravity and weight to a degree. humans are essentially big meat sacks and gravity is always pulling down on that, but theres all kinds of aspects that effect that, such as character build or clothing. pear technically isn't naked in this, but i've tried to imagine her as such and take that into account.

if you are drawing digitally, don't be afraid to take advantage of the convenience you get with that workflow. you can retry and iterate on things a lot faster that pen and paper, and do things that aren't really feasible at all when it comes to editing and modifying your existing work. things like resizing certain bodyparts, instantly flipping the canvas, or using selection tools to completely adjust the positions of parts of your drawing. to give you an example heres a timelapse with all the little edits i made just to this demo drawing:

you don't have to use these techniques linearly, either. sometimes ill have a really solid idea for a piece in my head, and go back to basics with certain elements if they’re not coming out right or i just want to brush them up a bit more. some of the tutorial-y parts i added in i didn't actually use during the drawing but often do use so they're there just for demonstration. not every drawing i do starts as building blocks or a really basic version, often ill just start with a face and build it out from there.

i always encourage liberally using references (this can include yourself) and trying out stuff like life drawing or looking at things like existing photographs of real people/places/things if you can, the more you use learning material the better you'll draw up a mental inventory in your head that you can rely on more and more. some of these tips are things i've learned from other artists over the years (the chin one especially i remember seeing a tutorial about lol), so this is a lot of knowledge i've amassed from other sources over time myself. there are plenty of times ill use all sorts of reference material and its all in service of arriving at the final destination as smoothly as possible. learn by doing, as they say. hope this helps!

[estapa-edwards]

is there any way you could make an imagine about matt rempe and y/n going to her highschool reunion and she’s super nervous about it because she was bullied and an outcast and he’s all sweet and reassures her the whole time

BULLIED - M. REMPE

paring: Matt Rempe x reader

word count: 1.1k

requested? yes

warnings: use of y/n.

*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*

Y/N fiddled with the hem of her dress, her fingers trembling slightly. The high school reunion was something she had dreaded for months, ever since the invitation had arrived in the mail. She had been an outcast in high school, bullied for her unconventional interests and quiet demeanor. The thought of facing her former classmates again made her stomach churn with anxiety.

Matt, her boyfriend, stood beside her, his warm hand enveloping hers in a reassuring grip. "You okay, babe?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

Y/N forced a weak smile. "I'm just... nervous, you know? What if they haven't changed? What if they still see me the same way they did back then?"

Matt leaned in, brushing a gentle kiss against her temple. "Hey, listen to me," he murmured, his voice soft but firm. "You are amazing, Y/N. You've grown and blossomed into this incredible person, and anyone who can't see that doesn't deserve a second of your time. You're going to walk into that reunion with your head held high, and I'll be right there beside you, every step of the way."

His words sent a surge of warmth through her, easing some of the tension that had knotted in her chest. Taking a deep breath, Y/N nodded. "Thank you, Matt. I don't know what I'd do without you."

He smiled, his eyes sparkling with affection. "You'll never have to find out. Now, shall we go?"

With Matt's hand still firmly clasped in hers, Y/N nodded again, steeling herself for what lay ahead. Together, they made their way to the venue, the chatter and laughter from inside growing louder with each step.

With Matt's hand still firmly clasped in hers, Y/N nodded again, steeling herself for what lay ahead. Together, they made their way to the venue, the chatter and laughter from inside growing louder with each step.

As they entered the brightly lit hall, Y/N felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her. The decorations were a mix of old and new, with photographs from their high school days displayed on one wall, and a DJ spinning modern hits on the other side of the room. Groups of people clustered together, chatting and reminiscing, while others danced on the makeshift dance floor.

Y/N's heart pounded in her chest as she scanned the crowd, searching for familiar faces. It didn't take long for her to spot them – the popular clique, still as loud and obnoxious as ever, their laughter cutting through the air like a knife.

Suddenly, a flashback hit her like a freight train, transporting her back to a time when she was a timid freshman, desperately trying to navigate the treacherous waters of high school social hierarchy.

/N walked through the crowded hallways, her books clutched tightly to her chest as she tried to make herself as small as possible. She had always been shy, preferring the company of her books and her own thoughts to the chaos of high school social life.

But today was different. Today, she had caught the attention of the popular clique, a group of girls who seemed to rule the school with an iron fist. They had singled her out during lunch, mocking her awkward attempts at conversation and tearing apart her appearance with their cutting remarks.

As Y/N rounded a corner, she heard their voices up ahead, and her heart sank like a stone in her chest. She knew she should turn around, find another way to class, but she was frozen in place, unable to tear herself away from the source of her torment.

"Look who it is," one of the girls sneered as Y/N came into view. "Little Miss Nobody, wandering the halls like she actually belongs here."

The others laughed, their cruel taunts echoing off the walls. Y/N felt her cheeks burn with humiliation, her eyes burning with unshed tears. She tried to push past them, to ignore their hurtful words and disappear into the crowd, but they blocked her path, their sneers turning into malicious grins.

"Where do you think you're going?" another girl asked, her voice dripping with contempt. "We're not done with you yet."

And then, before Y/N could react, they were upon her, their hands grabbing at her books, tearing them from her grasp and sending them scattering across the floor. Y/N's heart raced as she scrambled to retrieve them, her cheeks burning with shame as the laughter of her tormentors echoed in her ears.

As the flashback faded, Y/N blinked back tears, her hands trembling with the weight of memories long buried. She felt Matt's steady presence beside her, his arm wrapping around her shoulders in a comforting embrace.

"It's okay," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm to her frayed nerves. "You're safe now, Y/N. They can't hurt you anymore."

Drawing strength from his words, Y/N squared her shoulders and forced herself to walk forward. As they approached the group, she could feel the weight of their stares, their whispers echoing in her ears.

But then Matt stepped closer, his presence a steady anchor by her side. "Hey, everyone," he greeted them with a charming smile. "I'm Matt, Y/N's boyfriend. It's great to finally meet you all."

The reaction was mixed – some of them greeted him warmly, while others eyed him with thinly veiled suspicion. But Matt remained unfazed, his easygoing demeanor putting Y/N at ease.

Throughout the evening, he never left her side, his unwavering support giving her the courage to mingle and reconnect with old friends. And whenever she felt overwhelmed, he was there to offer a comforting word or a reassuring touch, grounding her in the present moment.

As the night wore on, Y/N found herself relaxing more and more, the weight of her high school years slowly lifting from her shoulders. She laughed and danced with newfound confidence, no longer haunted by the ghosts of her past.

And when it was time to leave, Matt wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as they made their way to the exit. The cool night air was a welcome relief after the warmth and bustle of the reunion, and Y/N couldn't help but lean into Matt's embrace, grateful for his unwavering support.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the sounds of the city. "For everything."

Matt pressed a kiss to her forehead, his love for her shining in his eyes. "Anytime, babe. Anytime."

And as they walked off into the night, hand in hand, Y/N knew that with Matt by her side, she could face anything – even her high school reunion.

[circeyoru]

Unwanted Soul _ Part 9 = Requested

[Yandere!Alastor x Owner of his Soul!Reader]

Part 1 — Part 2 — Part 2.5 (ask) — Part 3 — Part 4 — Part 5 — Part 6 — Part 7 — Part 8 — Part 9 (here)

The days when you worked for Lucifer were dull and boring, you saw nothing to gain even though you’re the one doing all the information searching and collecting. You went belong Lucifer’s expectation when you said you’ll infiltrate and plant yourself close to the source so that the information collected was reliable 

Lucifer told you directly that he expected for you to just listen and gather what rumors were around and tell him, or what information was available then you report to Lucifer in a neat pile. Never did he think you’ll go above and beyond, considering your mood and status of wanting to get yourself a second death

Well, you didn’t really mind it all. Back when you were writing your novel, you had a ton of characters, each with different backgrounds and personality. You tried just researching online to get the information, but there wasn’t that feeling when you were writing them. You needed to get the feel of it. So you actually tried out part-time jobs from all over the place to get it

Turns out it worked since even a copy of the novel got such fame and wealth…

Now, you realized you didn’t need to create something for you to know what you have. With your new power, you seem to have something akin to photographic memory to the point you’ll be able to keep what you see and know like a compute file system. Very convenient and steal-proof

Your main target happened to be Vox, the TV Demon and an Overlord that is acquainted and in alliance with another two Overlords Velvette and Valentino. Lucifer requires newer information of the modern Overlords, so you went to the V Tower to sneak within their ranks

That was before your charm abilities from your pages developed to what you have today, so Lucifer gave you an entirely new look and some common powers so you didn’t make an impression on Vox or the other two Overlords

It was through Vox that you learned of Alastor as well. While you never saw him, you heard plenty from Vox to know they weren’t overly fond of the other. Alastor seem to tolerate Vox and didn’t even see Vox as a treat since it was all so childish from on outlooker’s perspective

But what you learned from within was even worse. Vox was controlling, very controlling. He not only hypnotizes the customer and reporters to boost his fame and gain loyalty, he treats his employee the same and than some. His people were treated as slaves, dehumanized, and worse than animals. All for Vox’s entertainment

“Don’t.” You firmly declined, “Let’s just get on with it.”

“Wow, you’re really into all that redemption thing? Goody-two-shoes huh.” Vox smirked condescending, “Can I get your name or?”

You glared, feeling the shadows riled up by the second, you back up away from Vox. “No. This is strictly business. I hope we don’t see each other after this.”

“Hot and feisty. I like that in a demon. Let’s see how you’re at persuasion.” He turned to the lift and gestures for you to follow him. “Well, come on then, representative.”

Throughout the entire time Vox was bringing you to the ‘meeting room’, he had been so annoying with his small talk. There were a few times he tried hypnotizing you already but you acted like nothing happened, it was fun to see him try

You declined any drinks and food he offered, he set them on the coffee table between the two couches you two were sitting on. This setting was quite perfect for him to try a more direct hypnotizes, even if you were to accuse him of so, he can say it was a glitch in the system or it’s just his screen acting up

Everything was set to give himself the advantage he needs and wants

As expected the only thing he had against the hotel and Charlie was the fact that his merchandise were all destroyed without his knowledge. Though he even come clean as to why he would be aware of they were gone or not, he lied and said it was to ensure his services were top-notch and that he could send his employees to repair or replace them with new ones

Why he was doing this was to show his appreciation to the epic battle Charlie and the hotel put up. To defend all of Hell and the other sinners even when no one asked, to give everyone hope that there was good in this hellhole. It moved Vox’s metallic heart beyond words

Such flattery. You know information that Vox tried to watch the battle, you panicked when you wonder if Vox saw your powers when you defended and saved Alastor. It doesn’t seem like he knows by the annoyance and degree he went to ensure the hotel was under surveillance. He’s finding that one demon that interrupted his show. He’s looking for you

To compensate, the hotel is to either send someone to work for Vox, of course without a soul contract but a business deal only, or give them Angel. What it means was that Angel was to stay at the V Tower for as long as it take for him to individually produce all the cost of the materials used to make the devices Vox installed in the hotel

It was basically a contract that would ensure that Angel doesn’t get redeemed, stays under the Vees’ or rather Valentino’s hold, and continues to bring profit or even more to the three Overlords. You heard that Angel’s boss was Valentino, you also heard about the little stunt Angel did to his boss outside of the studio. Valentino sworn revenge. This was it

When you weren’t agreeing immediately, you were in for a shock when Valentino and Angel appeared through the doors. They took a seat in the couch between yours and Vox’s, Angel forcefully gapped between Vox and Valentino so that if anything happened, they’d have a hostage. Because unlike them, the hotel and its people are oh so very kind

“Angel here volunteers to work on top of our contract on this little mishap.” Valentino grinned, playing with his pipe as he released a puff of red smoke. “Angel came all on his own too.”

“Then why isn’t he speaking on his own?” You challenged, it’d take a blind person to ignore the nervousness and uneasiness Angel was displaying. From what you observed, Angel truly likes it at the hotel. He wouldn’t willingly leave it and everyone. “Why are you speaking in his place?”

Vox raised a hand, answering as if it was all rehearsed. “Val is Angel’s boss, so it only makes sense he speaks on Angel’s behalf on something so important.”

Your eyes narrowed, “You got it backwards. On matters as important as this, the one directly involved should be the one talking.” You glared at Valentino, “Not to be spoken on behalf by.”

Vox laughed, “You forget. You’re at our mercy now, we don’t need to care for your wants.” He got up and strolled over to you, “You know, you’re quite talented. We could use someone like you here. If you agree to take Angel’s place, then Angel can go free from this deal. I’m sure with your talent, you can make up that number in no time.”

“That wasn’t what you offered.” You hissed, you could feel Alastor growing rage as well. 

“Oh, need more incentive?” Vox smirked.

The moment he said that, the doors opened and revealed Velvette though it was what was dragged behind that caught you off guard. Husk, all beaten up and bantered, was being pulled into the room by some hellhounds that was in servitude to Velvette, or maybe the Vees. 

Velvette gave a cunning grin, “You called?”

This was obviously a bad situation. Two hostages and three Overlords, one of them were in the worse pairing possible as well. This was all a trap

There was a high possibility that Angel didn’t want to answer Valentino’s calls and was dragged to the V Tower where he’s be powerless. Husk most possibly saw what happened and tried to stop it since you were going to the same place later on

In the end, two were caught and used as leverage to convince you into servitude of Vox. Maybe you shouldn’t have came, but you didn’t want them to get hypnotized again and this was their domain so Vox holds more power here

You’ll admit, you’re cornered. Do you call for Alastor? But Alastor couldn’t care less about Angel or Husk went you were on the line. He’d even agree with the deal Vox offered just because you would be out of harm’s way. You just know Alastor will do that. While he cares for your decision, but when it was your time away from him on the line, he’ll do anything to keep you within his hold

In that case, you’re left with one option

“You want compensation for your broken devices, yeah, I can handle it. But I will not be working here.” You spoke firmly, “The hotel has a 16 floors, each floor has around 10 rooms, each room has a VoxTech TV and a pair of speakers that were installed, in total that’s 160 TVs and 320 speakers. The lobby has a large screen made of 6 TVs and 8 pairs of speakers to provide high quality sound transperance, the top floor has a cinema that is made with 10 TVs and 10 pairs of speakers aligning the walls.”

As you were listing, everyone was surprised with how well you knew everything. Especially Angel and Husk since you were rarely out of your room or around. How you knew all this was a mystery to them.

“So in total, you require the compensation of 176 TVs and 356 speakers. I can provide all of them back to you in the newest condition, but I will not be working here.” You concluded.

“Wow, crazy math, but how can we be sure you can give us high quality goods?” Vox questioned, “We can’t trust that you’ll leave us high and dry after we agree. You can even give us cheap knockouts like some copycat off the streets.”

You opened your hand, “Give me something, anything.”

The Vees all looked at each other, then Valentino passed a gun of his to you. They eyed you suspicously while you plainly inspected the object, Angel and Husk watched in confusion of what you were doing

You ignored all the stared. This was your last result. You’ll show them your power and ability with a page, they wouldn’t know how you did it and they wouldn’t be able to control you since you have Alastor’s protection and you could always put Lucifer on the table. They wouldn’t dare touch a servant of the King of Hell

Your fingers brushed through the curves and texture, feeling where the edges were and how they felt. Then you began taking it apart. Vox kept Valentino in place when you began, Vox keeping an extra close eye on what you were doing. You laid out the parts in front of you, then you inspected each part like how you did to the gun as a whole

When you were done, you reassembled it all. You quickly aimed a shot into the wall behind you so they wouldn’t say you attempted assassination to add compensation. You got the gist of what was used to make it and how it was made. You remember the parts and you remember how to assemble and take it apart. The conditions are set. You can do it

You moved away your oversized coat and took out your book, writing the words ‘Valentino’s gun’ on the page before tearing it out and blew on it. Then in your hand appeared the exact same. You gave to Valentino to inspect them

He was surprised his gun was replicated to perfection. He didn’t mean to say it since he was shocked and covered his mouth

That’s all you need to hear. You took Angel and Husk to your side, telling Vox, without giving him the room to deject your offer. You will reproduce those TVs and speakers, Vox just need to wait patiently and you can have it done within a few days. Someone will come delivery them. End of story

“It’s you! Hahahaha! So it’s you all along!” Vox laughed, falling back down into the couch, “You win this! So you’re not bad at persuasion too.” He grinned, “Now I really like you.” 

“Well, I still don’t like you.” You snarled. 

“Playing hard to get, huh.” He waved his hand, “Sure, I’ll wait and see. If it’s not delivered in time, I’ll expect you to work for me.”

As quickly as you came to the bright studio that blinds your eyes, you left with Angel and Husk hand in hand just in case they tried something. The moment you were out of the building, Alastor reappeared and hugged the living daylights out of you, you returned the hug, melting into his hold

It was such a scary experience, but you know you got through it because Alastor was watching and listening all that time to support you

Alastor sent Husk and Angel back through the shadows to retell the message of a smooth negotiation and nothing else. They were to have the cover story of meeting you and Alastor on the way back and to pass the message along while the two of you enjoyed a stroll for the hardwork. Needless to say they agreed easily to that plan

You walked with Alastor arm in arm, leaning against him for a more physical support. You closed your eyes to rest a bit since it was way too bright in the studio and you trust Alastor enough to lead you on the right and safe path

Being the radio host he is, he talked and talked about anything and everything he could to fill the silence and give you the perfect voice to listen to. At the sight of Alastor, a number of demons left the area and stayed clear of him

Everything was very peaceful, just you and him strolling down the streets. It reminded the two of you during those days when you both were in your home area. You’d sometimes want to just stretch your legs and walk around. Alastor would accompany you to keep you safe

In the beginning, it was just you and your music while Alastor was busy with whatever bloody methods to keep the demons’ eyes off of you. Then you and Alastor made small talk so Alastor’s attention wasn’t on destroying some poor demon that was minding their own business. Turns out, that was one of moments that got you to see another side of Alastor

You smiled as you hugged onto Alastor’s arm, you felt Alastor’s miniature jerk before he relaxed again. You really wanted to tickle him, but you’ll save it for when you two are back behind closed doors to have more fun

“You! You in the giant stupid coat! Stop!” A voice shouted behind you and Alastor. 

Alastor looked down to you, you nodded as you opened your eyes again. Alastor turned around, shielding you from the unknown demon’s sight. “What is it that you need from us?”

“I’m not talking to you, f**ker!” The demon exclaimed at Alastor, “Move aside or else.”

“Else?” Alastor’s head tilted to the side with his smile growing to a threatening grin, “Quite bold of you to assume you have a chance here.”

You peeked from behind Alastor, this demon was unfamiliar to you, not someone you messed with nor did you gather information on them for anything in discriminating. You wonder if you should let Alastor have at her since you already dealt with Vox today. But something bugged you with how desperate she was acting, very familiar. So you stepped out, “What is it?”

Her eyes seemingly light up and came over to you, gripping onto your shoulders tightly with that crazed look in her eyes. “You’re the one he wants. It was never me. Whatever he wants with you has nothing to do with me. It was all a lie. The contract, the flattery, the money, everything!”

“Huh?” You glanced over to Alastor with confusion, Alastor didn’t return the sentiment as he looked ready to rip the demon apart. “Uh, what do you mean?”

“I saw your powers over the pages, you’re the one he wants! I don’t know how we have similar powers, but yours is much more superior. Trade places with me, I’m begging! I can’t work for Vox!”

You backed up and slapped away her hands, retreating back to Alastor’s side. “Similar powers?”

You wondered if it was her, that friend of yours. You watched she continued to rant on about the benefits of working for Vox like she prepared to pitch it to a customer. This desperate plead was like her asking (demanding) that you continue writing that novel she stole so she can go publish it in her name

Do it in the name of friendship, she said. It started small, she asked for some tips to writing, it moved to asking for character reference sheets, then ideas on a sequel, last was your help to write the entire thing

She knew you have written it beforehand, she was aiming for that in the beginning. Again, she stole it while you were distracted with setting up a sleepover for her. You remember that empty look you had when you saw the barely closed front door, the pillow you were hugging fell from your grasp

The next week or so, the sequel to her (your) novel was out. Millions and billions of people flooded the bookshops, mass sell out signs for that book was taped to the display for the novel. She came back and praised you for a job well done, you hanged out with you and shared so much with you

All that time, you smiled and enjoyed the peace. Anything to help a friend, you innocently spoke. After all, she was there for you when you broke up with your boyfriend. She was your closest friend, things like these happen. See? She’s back at your side

She appeared on TV, she appeared on podcast, she appeared in interviews, she appeared in best selling author signing sessions, she appeared as a professor to teach young aspiring writers. She was everywhere. That was because the novel was everywhere, it was adatped into movies, TV shows, cartoon series, it has audiobooks and was references in a number of places

People loved your work. You were content with that. It was fine. As long as your friend is by your side. You can take it all. Yet you can’t help it when tears flow down your face in the dead of night. You hugged your pillow so tightly

It was all supposed to be yours, yet it wasn’t… You gave it all up to someone that’s not worthy of it

“See?” She threw a bunch of papers into the air from her side bag, with a snap of her fingers, the pages turned into paper daggers and flew around her at command. “If you can summon things, then you’re a such better fit! Please, come back with me to the V Tower and take my place.”

“Shut up.” You spoke, your hands unconsciously gripped onto Alastor’s wrist tightly that it could have snapped. Reacting to your obvious hatred, Alastor snapped his fingers and fires burn down the pages that she was so proud of. “Ha, I can’t believe you haven’t changed.”

She raised a brow, “What?”

You sighed, “Karolina, so you died, huh. Did you have a good life? Must be good as the famous author, right?”

Kat’s eyes widened, now it was her turn to back up, “No way… You can’t be serious…”

“Dearest, do you know her?” Alastor inquired with a cute head tilt, his ears moving along. 

“Yeah, I know her.” You smiled, you know what will happen after your words because you know Alastor, “Meet Karoline, my former best friend while I was alive, but most importantly… The one that stole my precious writing.”

Note: Another one~ There's one more part to this and the involvement of Kat arc is done. I think I might end this series after that. The unanswered questions could be counted as trivia or extra mini moments. Cause I feel like this series is getting a bit too long. What do you guys think?

Circe Y. 

My Works: MASTERLIST

Taglist: (those that don't specify to being in all the works' taglist will automatically be assumed to be in whichever series they comment on)

@aconfusedwonderland @crowleysthings @donustellaron @mistpurpl3 @lucifers-silhouette @fluffy-koalala @nevermore-ramblings @justboredforreal @youroneandonlysimp @falsemain @scenteddelusion5 @anni1600 @readergirlstuff @salutations-demonsanddappers @mistpurpl3 @haruskrd @biadoll21 @speedycoffeedelight @wendds @paninibit @emperatris-rinaka @lucifers-silhouette @an-idyllic-novelist @cyannese-rose @type-ink

[marzipanandminutiae]

Hello!

I am an aspiring author who struggles with accurately portraying historical clothing, and I stumbled across your blog while searching for photographs and information on late 19th century/USA Gilded Age fashion. From the research I've seen compiled across books/the internet, the clothing of the upper class from that area is very well documented in paintings, garment catalogues, photographs, museums, etc....but finding information on what the day-to-day wear of normal people was like is proving much more difficult. Since you seem to be knowledgeable in the subject of historical clothing in this approximate time period, I was wondering if you knew about any good resources to learn more about what people who couldn't afford to follow upper class trends were wearing in the general era as well as any general information around these items.

If it helps, I'm focused on eastern and southeastern United States farming/small railroad town/mountain mining/gulf coast wetland communities, but even just more general resources about what sort of clothing that the average poor person during the Gilded Age wore would be greatly helpful. I've been able to find a few photographs here and there, but these probably aren't an accurate depiction of a persons' 'day-to-day' wear, and I also haven't found much on how women learned to sew homemade clothes, what garments if any would have been bought, where people in rural areas would have sourced their cloth, what undergarments were like, how work shoes were made & aquired, ect.

Please feel free to ignore this if it isn't something you're interested in answering as I'm sure you get a lot of asks, but I'd greatly appreciate it if you have any pointers!

So here's the thing about 19th-century clothing:

in many ways, it's the same all the way down

now, that's a serious generalization. is a farm wife in Colorado going to be wearing the same thing as a Vanderbilt re: materials, fit, and up-to-the-minute trendiness? obviously not. but because so much of what people wore back then has only survived to the present day in our formalwear- long skirts, suits, etc. -we tend to have difficulty recognizing ordinary or "casual" clothing from that period. I also sometimes call this Ballgownification, from the tendency to label literally every pretty Victorian dress a Ball Gown (even on museum websites, at times). Even work clothing can consist of things you wouldn't expect to be work clothing- yes, they sometimes worked in skirts that are long by modern standards, or starched shirts and suspenders. Occupational "crap job clothes" existed, but sometimes we can't recognize even that because of modern conventions.

A wealthy lady wore a lot of two-piece dresses. Her maid wore a lot of two-piece dresses. The trailblazing lady doctor working at the hospital down the road from her house wore a lot of two-piece dresses. The factory worker who made the machine lace the maid used to trim her church dress wore a lot of two-piece dresses. The teenage daughter of the farm family that raised the cows that supplied the city where all those people lived wore a lot of- you get the idea. The FORMAT was very similar across most of American and British society; the variations tended to come in fabrics, trims, fit precision, and how frequently styles would be updated.

Having fewer outfits would be common the further down the social ladder you went, but people still tried to have as much underwear as possible- undergarments wicked up sweat and having clean ones every day was considered crucial for cleanliness. You also would see things changing more slowly- not at a snail's pace, but it might end up being a few years behind the sort of thing you'd see at Newport in the summer, so to speak. Underwear was easier to make oneself than precisely cut and fitted outer garments for adults (usually professionally made for all but the poorest of the poor for a long time- dressmakers and tailors catering to working-class clientele did exist), but that also began to be mass-produced sooner than outer clothing. So depending on the specific location, social status, and era, you might see that sort of thing and children's clothing homemade more often than anything else. Around the 1890s it became more common to purchase dresses and suits ready-made from catalogues like Sears-Roebuck, in the States, though it still hadn't outpaced professional tailoring and dressmaking yet. Work shoes came from dedicated cobblers, and even if you lived in isolated areas, VERY few people in the US and UK wove their own fabric. Most got it from the nearest store on trips to town, or took apart older garments they already had to hand and reused the cloth for that.

I guess the biggest thing I want to emphasize is that, to modern eyes, it can be very hard to tell who is rich and who is anywhere from upper-working-class to middling in Gilded Age photographs. Because just like nowadays a custodial worker and Kim Kardashian might both wear jeans and a t-shirt, the outfit format was the same for much of society.

Candid photography can be great for this sort of thing:

Flower-sellers in London's Covent Garden, 1877. Note that the hat on the far right woman is only a few years out-of-date; she may have gotten it new at the time or from a secondhand clothing market, which were quite popular on both sides of the Atlantic.

Also London, turn of the 20th century.

A family in Denver, Colorado, c. early 1890s.

Train passengers, Atlanta, Georgia, probably 1890s.

Hope this helps!

[milliesfishes]

౨ৎ꣑ৎTied With a Ribbon౨ৎ꣑ৎ

౨ৎ꣑ৎ12 Days of Christmas Masterlist౨ৎ꣑ৎ [fem reader] contains: kidnapping, angst pairing: fem reader x billy the kid summary: christmas with billy, fish, and willow author’s note: a kidnapping fic for you in honor of christmas! thank you for reading this month darlings <3 <3 Spotify Playlist

My dearest, Billy,

I've missed you terribly from the second you left me, but right now it feels different. Christmas is nearly here, and I only wish that you're safe and well. My heart couldn't bear it otherwise.

I've included the photograph of myself you've requested. It warms my heart that you want to keep me so close when you're wherever you may be. When you come back I can't wait to smother you in kisses and hold you close again. The door is always unlocked for you my love, in our little corner of heaven.

Every time you return, I hope this will be the time you're able to stay. And I won't give up hope this time, darling. You're worth waiting for, worth hoping for.

All my love.

Your letter was burning a hole in his pocket, a string practically attached to his beating heart. The picture you'd sent was lovely, and your eyes seemed to sparkle through the black and white. He wished he had one to send back.

Whenever work called him away he was reluctant to go, to leave you in your cozy cabin with snow frosting the roof. Before his departure, he'd made sure to pile firewood inside, determined not to let you freeze. His heart was also eased by the fact that he wasn't leaving you alone.

The cats were a great source of comfort to you, and they had been ever since they'd been brought home. Willow, the calico, was a sweetheart, always cozying up beside Billy when he came home. Fish, of sleek, black as midnight fur, was a different story. He glued himself to you, hardly leaving your side. He seemed to have a vendetta against Billy, which was normally annoying, but he was glad something was protecting you now.

Cool wind sharpening his cheeks, Billy tugged at the reins of his horse, trying to move him impossibly faster. You were at the end of this road, and he was determined to make it home. Christmas Eve was today, and it'd put him in a certain mood. You weren't expecting him home, but he'd finished up early, wanting to spend Christmas with his girl.

There was a shift in the air as he made a turn into the forest, the atmosphere silent save for the hooves of his horse in the snow. Frowning, Billy tried to gain back the spirit he'd had all the way here. He summoned the image of you warm in your shared bed, swaddled in blankets with the cats purring at your side, but they did not bring him the comfort they usually offered.

He was cautious as he wove through the trees, trying to find the source of his discomfort. You were safe. Weren't you? When Billy had begun to leave you by yourself, he'd taught you how to use a gun and left one with you, in your bedside table. It was the best he could do.

Despite this, he treaded carefully, trying to rid himself of the anxieties that suddenly plagued him. It was somewhat easy until he spotted the drop of red in the snow.

All the air escaping his lungs, Billy fled the scene, running to make it to you. The second the cabin came into view, he threw himself off his horse, legs carrying him the rest of the way. Your name echoed in his head the whole way, giving him energy to make it without giving out.

The door was half open, and Fish was on the porch, eyes blown wide. He meowed, the sound bordering on distress, and Billy bounded up the stairs into the house. Blood dotted the floor, and his chest constricted. Willow was wandering around, and she meowed at Billy when she heard him. He swore there was distress on her little face.

"Hey." Billy knelt, letting her come to him. When she rubbed against his knee, he exhaled, petting her gently. "It's okay sweetie, it's okay." Standing, he called your name, heart still pounding. then again, to no response. When he entered the bedroom, the covers were thrown aside, the bedside drawer half open. And...

The gun on the floor, stray bullets aside.

No.

Panting, Billy practically tore apart the house, calling for you. "Baby? It's me! It's okay!" The silence was making him crazy, and he panted, stumbling outside. Fish was still on the porch, eyes on the horizon. Once Billy spotted the red in the snow like before, he scooped Fish up, setting him inside and shutting the door despite his meowing.

There were other hoof prints in the snow, and he strained his eyes to see them, noting the faint red surrounding. It could have been the blood of whoever had taken you, but his mind was swimming.

His horse had wandered back, a testament to the loyalty of the animal. Billy took in a shuddering breath, petting the horse's nose and trying to sort out his thoughts. He half thought it out before hoisting himself up onto the saddle, casting one last look at the house before riding off. The cats would be fine, and he was going to have you back before sundown.

Following the hoofprints was a shot in the dark, but it was the only one he had. His heart jolted at the occasional dot of red, but he pressed forward. Over and over, he tried to sort out who would do this. Who would dare kidnap his sweet girl, a person who'd never done wrong in her life? You weren't ever supposed to see this side of his life, and now you were swimming in it.

The footprints led to a gaping mouth in a hill what felt like miles away. There were horses outside, and he tensed at the trail of scarlet leading inside. Pulling out his gun, Billy dismounted and peered around the corner, keeping his steps quiet. Pausing at the entrance, he tried to make out the sounds.

Whimpering. He felt a pang in his chest, but recognized it as a good sign. You were here. You were alive. Tying his horse in a nearby thicket of trees, Billy crouched down, peering through the leaves.

He waited until the men's voices ceased and became quieter, ducking out of sight when they got closer.

"She wasn't any help," one grumbled, and Billy crouched lower behind the trees, frozen still.

"Guess we'll have to check up north again. Somebody's gotta know where he is." A horse whinnied, and Billy held tight to his gun.

"Kinda feel bad 'bout leavin' her here." Boots on the ground, then the rustling of a saddle.

"'S not like this is worse 'n followin' the Kid around," the other one said. With a crack, hoofbeats sounded, and then he heard them no more.

Billy waited awhile, longer than he wanted to, but he knew getting caught would be worse than you waiting a few minutes longer.

When he was sure the coast was clear, he snuck carefully into the cave, looking around to make sure nobody was waiting inside. It wouldn't be the first trap he'd walked into. He didn't have to walk far before seeing you.

Tied up with scratches showing through your torn dress, you were slumped against the cold wall of the cave, shivering with your hair falling over your face. He approached you slowly, not wanting you to be startled by his sudden appearance. "Baby?" He spoke softly, breathing out when you lifted your head.

Tears both old and new streaked your face, and he reached out to cup it, smiling softly when you leaned into his touch. Billy was gentle, voice quiet as he undid your binds. "Hey, sweetheart. Hey, it's okay now. I'm here. I'm gonna get you out."

You mumbled, seeming distressed. "Billy...Billy you're here?"

"I'm here," he promised, pushing the ropes to the side and gathering you into his arms. "Oh, my sweet girl," he breathed, stroking your hair as he held you close. "I'm so sorry this happened. Ain't ever gonna happen again." Lifting you up, Billy tried to soothe you, at the same time as getting you out as soon as possible. He kissed your head, still wary of the surroundings.

Managing to make it out without getting either of you killed, he lifted you to sit on his horse, mounting behind you and keeping a steady arm around your waist. Clicking his tongue, he guided the horse forward, making sure to rub your side every little bit. You didn't say a word the whole way home, slumped into Billy's chest with your eyes shut.

Arriving home, he swung you off the horse and into his arms, gratitude made him hold you closer. Your rescue had been quick, and he hadn't had to end any lives over it even though he would have done so in a heartbeat. You were here with him, safe in his arms, and he would never let anything hurt you again.

The location was compromised now- he knew that. But the men who'd taken you were far away for now, and they likely would be for awhile. Billy silently made plans to contact his gang, to take care of it so they'd never again be able to darken your doorstep. But for now, he had you home, and he was going to get you all better.

He didn't let your feet touch the ground, climbing the porch steps and managing to open the door. The cats came forward instantly, Fish meowing up at you in a way that broke Billy's heart.

Objective in mind, he carried you to the bedroom, laying you down and kneeling to look at your arms and legs. You were perfectly still, as he looked over you, eyes almost blank.

Billy exhaled softly, squeezing your knee. "Alright. Alright, baby. We're gonna clean you up, alright? I'll be right back." As he got up to leave, both Fish and Willow brushed past him, jumping on the bed. He smiled to himself, happy they'd be there for company and distraction.

Returning with a wet rag, Billy held it to your scratches, wincing along with you as he cleaned off the blood. "I know. I know, sweetheart. But you're gonna be okay." Fish rubbed against your arm, and you ran your fingers through his fur.

Willow settled against your leg as Billy lifted your torn dress over your head, replacing it with your favorite of his shirts. His movements were gentle, and he kept an eye on you as he removed his own clothes, opting for his sleep pants and no shirt so he could hold you to his chest.

You cuddled right against him when he got in to bed and opened his arms, and he pulled the blankets right over you as the cats got comfortable. Rubbing your side, he whispered, "I'm sorry, baby. I shoulda come home earlier-"

"I should have used the gun," you murmured, nuzzling into him. "I froze and-"

Billy shook his head, kissing your hair and snuggling you closer. "You didn't do a single thing wrong, sweetheart." Stroking your head, he said, "'m just glad I got to you in time."

"I didn't know you were coming home," you smiled softly, hand splayed on his chest, fingers rubbing lightly. "You're here."

"Wanted to surprise you," he mumbled, and you giggled softly. He relished at the sound, happy that your place in his arms had been reclaimed. Willow meowed above his head, and he reached up to give her a little pet. "You too."

"I love you," you mumbled, and he rubbed your back gently, wanting you to get some rest. There was still much to go over, but he'd save it for later. It wasn't the time, and you still needed to recover.

"I love you," Billy repeated, touching his lips to your forehead. Turning his head, he smiled at the sight of snow falling on the other side of the window. Almost Christmas at last. And he was right where he wanted to be- with his girl in his arms and the cats purring above your heads. Rubbing your side, he murmured, "Merry Christmas, sweetheart."

"You're the best gift I've ever been given, Billy," you mumbled, already half asleep. He smiled against your head, tempted to echo the sentiment, but your breathing was slowing and he didn't want to interrupt your body's rest.

On Christmas morning, he would show you his gift, a little box buried beneath his shirts with a promise of forever accompanying it. He would revel in the joy of the day and kiss you without mistletoe and be grateful a thousand times over that you were here and you were his. And that he could protect you.

You were his star, his angel. No gift could ever be as good as the one he'd hardly earned.