#irish dancing costume

[wiseoldowl72]

Addictive Rhythm Alert 🥁💃 #shorts

This is my favorite type of Irish Dance, a capella with lots of rhythm.

[chaoticstabby]

I'm covered in glitter and feeling the adrenaline leaving my body. Average post-show experience

[k00291998]

Movement wk.5 The history of Irish dancing costumes

The root of Irish dancing came from the Celts and Durids who roamed Ireland before the on set of Christianity. Many Celtic religious rituals are believed to have involved dancing in circular fashion around sacred trees and or burial sites. Traces of their formation and patterns in dance can still be seen in modern Irish dance today.

At the first feis in 1904 a photograph of Cassie McNeill was taken. In this photograph she Is seen dancing in a simple white dress and black boots, “Her Sunday best”. This allowed for her to be able to move comfortably while dancing, it also didn’t distract or draw force away from her talent while dancing.

Irish dance costumes soon started to be introduced. They were very simple at the time and were loosely based on the Celtic Leine (tunic, a long sleeve shirt that went to the knee) along with a brat (a cape).

Example of a traditional celtic leine and brat.

As time progressed and the popularity of Irish dance grew a governing body was established in 1930. An Coinisuiuan le Rinci Gaelacha was formed to provide a governing body for both teaching and competitions. CLRG is still established today and issues regulations on costume, the use of makeup and even fake tan.

Around 1940 dance schools were being to adopt specific colours and Celtic embroidery motifs for class costumes in order to identify them as a team.

Marcy Hunter

https://www.mutualart.com/Artist/Mercy-Hunter/BCA8CF6B430713EB

In 1950 Marcy Hunter began designing solo dresses for Irish dance. These dresses included elements of folk art and were used in Patricia Mulhallands Balletnin Belfast in 1951.

From the 1950s on dresses continued to get more detailed including embroidery and sequins. They became a tool for solo dancers to catch the eye of judges and began to lose all ties with Celtic design elements. Solo dresses began to get extremely heavy and restrictive all to be the most eye catching and aesthetically pleasing on stage.

Joan Bergin

https://www.mutualart.com/Artist/Mercy-Hunter/BCA8CF6B430713EB

In 1994 Joan Bergin designed the costumes for the first ever showing of river dance during the interval of the Eurovision Song Contest. Joan Bergin stipend form the traditional costume to a very simple,elegant, flowing, easy to move in dress. “I thought I would take a fashion slant on the old Celtic myths”. Even after river dance the popularity of curly wigs and elaborate dresses continued to grow.

All leading to the extravagant, heavy and restrictive solo dresses worn by Irish dancers today. These dresses in my opinion represent nothing Irish dancing should be about. I find them very difficult to dance and preform in due to their weight and rigid structure. I also thing they have lost all connection to Celtic folk art an element I admire from older costumes.

[emiliosandozsequence]

not be like me kin id, but....that's also literally what i looked like when i was 7 in addition to Everything Else

[arytha]

im catching up on the dash but yeah @joelleity i was a mime. like the makeup and everything. i had my own box routine and i also had a hat one where i'd 'put on' different hats and it was literally that one long tumblr heritage post where the hats influence you

it was an elective at my school, it was fun, and it was basically like freeform dance with choreography and shows. we had two 1 1/2 hour shows, one being christmas themed and the other was literally prince of egypt, set to parts of the soundtrack. i was the archangel gabriel in the christmas one and i had a stage fight scene with a girl who played satan lol. we would perform at schools and churches and we connected with other (more well known) mimes and other freeform performers at conventions and stuff! i was gearing towards being a more fleshed out mime towards the end because the school was going to shit and then it all stopped when the school (small church school) closed down on christmas break and my teacher couldnt put together a way to keep the troupe going. i still have videos circulating the internet of us ahaha

[hugefreakinnerd]

My goal is to be just the right kind of weird to give people a funny story to tell their friends.

[big-biwi]

Welcome to…

THE CINDERELLA BOY IRISH DANCE AU!!

(Bet you didn’t see that one coming!)

I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time… I mean, every fandom has an ice skating or theatre AU, so why not? Here's our best boys at a feis (Irish dance competition).

Three things to note here:

100% drew this with the idea that Chase got mocked for being short by another competitor, and then proceeded to beat their ass at the Heavy Jig or something, so now Chase is showing off his medal to take the piss out of the offender. Buddy is pretty proud of both Chase’s accomplishment and Chase roasting this other competitor. These two have got such mean girl vibes together hahaha.

They have swapped number clips because Chase ripped his number card, but Buddy has one of the fancy number clips that include a little wallet to put the card in (as opposed to clipping the card straight onto you) which can hold the bits of paper together somewhat

Buddy’s costume violates about 40 costume modesty rules. Wearing this to a feis would kill a seasoned adjudicator in the same way that a tango ice blast would kill a small Victorian child (this will not stop him bitching about being made to put a shirt on, however).

I've got more planned for this AU! There will be comics! There will be doodles! There will be a small gang of middle aged women tackling Buddy to the floor in a desperate bid to get an appropriate jacket on him! But for now, I'm going to go and decide what colour backing paper to put it onto. And I'm going to go an tidy away the 4 billion pens that have spawned in my flat hahaha

[syoddeye]

kinktober - day 26 - seduction

price x f!reader | 1.4k words cw: alcohol, flirting, bad pick up lines, Mr. Blobby, the cowboy hat rule a/n: liberties? taken. smut? look elsewhere. a silly time. my type of seduction. summary: john never saw the appeal of halloween. then he met you. banner by @/cafekitsune | kinktober list

What John would do for the quiet of his room.

There’s another hour to go. Another hour of shit beer, stilted conversation, and sweating more profusely than when he was last in Urzikstan.

Heaving a sigh, John pours the dregs of his drink onto the ground, pulls the mask over his face, and returns indoors to the Twilight Zone: Gaz and Soap’s Halloween party.

“Looking goood Michael,” a nun with a crooked habit croons, looking over the shoulder of a familiar mohawked head, its face buried in her neck. “Y’wanna take the other side?” 

Beneath the mask, his nose wrinkles. Handy thing about Myers, his silence. He doesn’t feel a lick of guilt ignoring chatter.

He nearly collides with Simon around the bend. The big man leans against the wall, arms crossed, the distressingly realistic machete clutched in a mitt. His head angled toward where John just passed.

“Are you…?”

From behind the shadow of the hockey mask, Simon huffs. “Yes, sir.”

“Right. Behave.” A chuckle follows him around another corner. 

In the main thoroughfare of Kyle’s home, John hugs the walls. His other sergeant is occupied on the makeshift dance floor, four bodies deep on every side. The younger man’s got a nurse in the front and a Beetlejuice in the back. Ambitious.

He pushes toward the kitchen, stopping short at the sound of cheering. A sigh rattles out from his chest. He swore he’d stay until one. Gave his word. But pulling an Irish goodbye grows all the more enticing. With the men thoroughly distracted, it’s not as if they’d notice his departure.

“You look like you could use a drink, Mike.” A voice chirps in passing, coming from the rear.

His head swivels and his breath catches. Pretty. A feast for the eyes disguised as a cowgirl. A cow print shirt with nacre buttons tied loose in the front, exposing ample skin above and a sliver below. A bandana knotted at her throat. Deep brown leather chaps worn over jeans with a big buckle. Topping it all off is a cowboy hat, tilted slightly, casting a shadow over the top half of her face.

“Gruesome work by the way. The IV bag? Brutal.” She grins, walking right on by.

Her outfit has no lasso, but John feels her tug anyway.

It’s chaos in the matchbox-sized kitchen. A group of men egg on a lobster necking a boot, whose face matches the shade of his costume. A man’s slotted between the legs of a woman perched on the counter, their faces melded together by spit. He locks eyes with the lone ranger as she hip-bumps the refrigerator shut, two longnecks in hand, before she slips through another archway.

He follows.

She winds through a cluster of people, not once glancing back to see if he’s behind her. Works for him. Her jeans hug her arse perfectly, the chaps creating the perfect frame for its lovely shape. A more animal part of him disconnects, wandering off to imagine her with only the leather on. He swallows a pool of saliva as he crosses over into the sitting room. He finds her hovering beside a bookcase. He closes the distance and yanks off the mask.

“Beer?”

His eyes fall to her hands. “Yeah, let me–”

“I got it. Hold this.” She relinquishes a beer then fixes the other bottle to her belt buckle. With a metallic clink, the crown finds a groove, and the cap pops off with a twist of her wrist. Her free hand snaps out to catch it before it falls, but John doesn’t look away from her waistline. Without a word, she exchanges the bottles and repeats herself. A small, triumphant smile breaks across her face. “There.” An introduction rolls off her tongue as she taps their beers together.

Christ.

“Thanks.” The back of his neck is damp, as is his hair, something he didn’t think to mind until now. Sheepish under her obviously appraising gaze, he rakes a hand through his mussed hair in an attempt to tame it. His eyes dip briefly to her belt again, stuck on the patch of skin below her navel. Looks like a nice, soft spot for a kiss. His name sticks to the roof of his mouth briefly. “I’m John.”

“John.” she echoes. Best he’s ever heard his name sound. “Well, John, you’re welcome for the beer and for doing you a favor.”

The wry smile on her face is infectious. His mouth twitches. “And what favor is that?”

Her lips shine from a sip. “You were gonna bolt and miss out on the show.”

“The show.” He repeats, squinting. “How did you…?”

“I’ve pulled enough French exits to see the signs. With or without that mask,” she points to his face. “You radiate I don’t want to be here energy. As for the show, everyone knows the best shit goes down after midnight. Especially on Halloween.”

 Doubtful. Yet, who is he to refuse such company?

“I didn’t realize I was that obvious.”

“Most people are open books without realizing it.” A smirk forms on her face, her voice light but pointedly cheeky. “You know, I read palms, too.”

It’s a bit. John plays into it, returning the expression. “Yeah? You want to try mine?” 

She swallows a drink and sets the bottle on a shelf, gesturing for him to give her a hand.

He chuckles, obliging her. 

With a waggle of her brow, she steps closer and turns his palm up, immediately inspecting it as if it’s the most interesting thing in the world. She’s silent the first few moments, and though the party buzzes around them, he’s glued to the feigned expression of severity. Focused on the soft pressure of her fingers gliding across his skin, tracing its lines and the calluses.

“Hmm.” she hums knowingly, tapping one juncture of lines. “Your career line. Says you’re doing well, that you’re on an upward trend. Similar story for your travel bug line,” she recites the platitudes for several minutes, eyes flicking up to meet his as she goes. She’s gorgeous, better up close, and funny. She effortlessly riffs off his comments, cracking the both of them up over her more far-fetched predictions. Admittedly, the plunge of her tied shirt tempts his focus once or a dozen times.

A playful lilt teases the edge of her words. “We can’t forget your heart line, John.”

“Can’t imagine it’s very interesting.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Something impish glints in her eyes. “In fact, I see an encounter or two in your future.”

The air goes thin—charged, electric, each syllable dangling like a worm on a hook. “Is that so.” he angles closer, fingers slowly closing to catch hers. “These ‘encounters’…Anything you can tell me about them?”

She abruptly flattens his fingers again, smoothing over his palm without looking down. “Something about taking a cowgirl home to put her in cow—What the fuck?” Her eyes break away, widening in a mixture of disgust and disbelief.

He turns just in time to see a Mr. Blobby barge into the room, purposefully trip, and fall down onto a coffee table. The wood cracks and splinters beneath the monstrosity’s weight, while whatever psychopath inside the costume does his best impression of the creature’s demonic voice. There’s an accent to it. Vaguely familiar, but ultimately unplaceable.

Gaz appears in the doorway, Beetlejuice face paint smeared on his cheek. His mouth hangs open, then shuts in a snarl. “What the fuck—”

John swears, his hand slipping free, and abandons what might’ve been the ride of his life to interject.

It takes some doing to wrangle the diseased yam outdoors, with Simon and Soap hauling it by each of its arms. John lingers in the doorway, watching the pitiful man be dragged off by his lieutenant and cursing sergeant. The latter’s sore about missing the good word from his girl in the veil. Somewhere in the house, Gaz plays the aggrieved host, surely seeking the comfort of his nurse. A dejected Beetlejuice tosses one back in a corner.

John slowly oscillates through the rooms in a loop, his expression carefully neutral, but his eyes dart past every shoulder and over each head, searching. He returns to where he left her, but the cowgirl’s nowhere in sight. Probably left with the small group scared off by the disturbance. His hand twitches at his side, feeling the ghost of her fingertips. 

A slight weight touches his head as he turns to finally make for the exit himself. He catches his surprised look in a mirror on the wall, then the cowboy hat on his head.

And her sly grin poking over his shoulder.

“You still interested in a roll in the hay, or did I misread that?”

[kordeliiius]

A Cut From Every Cloth

Series of vintage photo mockups to commemorate Tarsier Studios turning 20 this year, featuring the main members of their pantheon in cultural clothing

Outfit descriptions and references below

Little Nightmares

Six - Japanese hakama, haori, and hair ornaments Mono - Swedish Dalarna suit Runaway - Embroidered Baju Melayu with headwrap

LittleBigPlanet Vita and Tearaway Unfolded

Sunshine - 19th-century Yorkshire dress with bonnet and lace shawl Atoi - Scottish tartan kilt and flat cap Sean - Regency-era suit with cybernetic motifs Flounder - Ringmaster uniform with Russian punk rock motifs Marianne - French folk dress with gothic accessories Otis - Appalachian denim overalls with decorative trim

The Stretchers, Statik, and Fists of Plastic

Red medic - Mexican serape wrap and sombrero Blue medic - Zoot suit with fedora and metallic accessories Dr. Ingen - Victorian pinstripe suit Hero - Hainanese bamboo dance costume

The City of Metronome

Ten - Irish-inspired coordination with walking hat and Galway boots New - Bai and Hmong Hoa-inspired outfit with traditional headdress and Hong Kong embroidery

[rustingcat]

Spookycorp

Lena sighed, picking up the toy train from the floor. She must've told them to pick it a hundred times already, not that she was deluding herself that any of them would listen to her today, no, they were far too excited to be doing that. She shook her head and cleared the rest of the scattered toys on the floor, and reached her work table. She had a last minute file she had to send before she could be free for the day.

"Muuuuuuum!" The shout from the hall got closer by the second. "Mum look!"

Lena turned her head to see her six years old son wearing an elaborate pirate costume, holding their new puppy up in the air.

"Mum, look at Krypto!" He said, biting his lip in excitement, practically vibrating from joy.

The dog had colourful cloth wings tied around his neck and a little hoodie with a beak and painted eyes.

"He's a parrot?" She tried.

Connor nodded enthusiastically. "Jeju dressed him!"

"Very cute. Then you were free to clean up the toys I told you to collect?" She raised an accusing eyebrow.

"Uhhh…" He started, but was cut off by his sister who quickly appeared on his left.

"Mum, you're not ready!" Lori pointed at her mother with her little hand. She was dressed in a pirate costume as well. It was their family costume after all.

Lena smiled. She knew full well her daughter tried to distract her in order to help her twin, but it was a rather exciting day so she could let them go this once. "I'll be ready in a moment, there's still some time. Go help your Jeju with setting everything for our guests. They should be here soon."

"Okay!" They shouted in unison and disappeared from her view before she could say anything else.

Lena let out a small chuckle and finished her work. She turned to leave the room when she noticed the crooked picture on the wall and stopped to fix it. It was a picture from their wedding day both smiling as they stood under the chuppah dressed in white Kryptonian dresses, Lena's dress had a small handkerchief tied to hers with a small embroidered shamrock. An Irish tradition she thought was beautiful. They decided to make a multicultural wedding, they exchanged Kryptonian wedding bracelets they specially made themselves, along with rings. J'onn, who acted as the pastor, married them, and they both broke the glass together. The kids were there as well, laughing and dancing with joy and delight.

Lena smiled at the memory, and continued to their bedroom. The costume wasn't too complicated to put on, an important aspect she insisted on after the year they all dressed up as astronauts. Getting in and out of that costume was a nightmare, not to mention the kids were three at the time. Lena put on her captain hat and went to join her family in the living room.

"How Rrrr you my beautiful wife?" Kara asked her in a very exaggerated pirate accent. The twins giggled at the attempt.

"I'm fine, darling," she said with a smile as she walked closer to her. "How Rrrr you?" Lena smirked, side-eying the kids who started laughing at her poor pirate accent. She tried to keep a passive expression, that was made harder with their children's laughter and her wife's growing smile. Lena went to kiss her on the cheek when her captain's hat bumped into Kara's. After a long family discussion that involved more arguments than necessary, it was decided that both Lena and Kara would be the captains of the ship, and as captains it was very important that they wear the hats.

Read the rest of the chapter on AO3

[achaoticeternal]

in and out of wanting us

modern!Aemond Targaryen x Reader halloween special

summary: hanging out on the outskirts of a Halloween party, Aemond pulls together enough courage to invite you up to his room. word count: 1.7k warnings: mention of drugs/drug use, mention of alcohol, fingering, dirty talk, sarcasm, afab!reader, MDNI, 18+ a/n: I just wanted to write something for my boy for Halloween - based on the song erase me by lizzy mcalphine

The off-kilter feeling never seemed to escape your body. Though you had never been a party animal, you could at least find some enjoyment in attending the functions held by friends, peers, or wherever your friends had dragged you off it. With it being Halloween weekend in your senior year of university, all of your friends pledged to make it the most memorable of all. The original plan was to spend each night out partying until the morning, sleeping all day, and doing it again.

However, on the third night, you find yourself just out of it. Your friends had been fantastic - hyping you up and hosting a great pre-game. But as you looked around crowded rooms at faces that you had seen the previous two nights, the usual satisfying mixture of booze and dancing didn’t linger. Sure, you could indulge further, but the typical two tequila shots were really all you wanted to settle for.

At some point, your friend Sara approached you with a tempting smirk - her pen displayed between two fingers. Some assistance from a hit would smother out the intense flame inside of your head and heart. It wasn’t typical for you to mix two vices, however, the urge to slip away and forget the reality around you couldn’t hurt for one night.

Now you stood against the fence lining the backyard, one arm crossed as the other lazily scrolled through your phone. If the all-black spy costume didn't ward people off, then the unpleasant expression that lived on your face certainly did. From their perspective, you were intimidating and mysteriously unapproachable. Though you lost concern for the perception of others, lost in the digital world you occupied your time with.

“Mind if I sulk here with you?” His voice cut through the chill of the night and immediately grabbed your attention.

You lifted your gaze to catch a glimpse of the intruder, face void of emotion, “I’m not sulking.”

He chuckled slightly at your quick defense, his hands now buried in his pockets, “Could’ve fooled me…”

Aemond Targaryen back against the fencing, head lulled back as he gazed up overhead. He was also dressed in all-black clothing which wasn’t too far off from his typical everyday chosen outfits. The large black trench coat had clearly been tailored for him, though the touches of the necklace and sunglasses choice had clearly been selected by his sister, Helaena. She had dressed him up as Neo from The Matrix, as it was all he had in his closet, or at least that’s what you had overheard. All in all, the costume suited him.

“What’s your reason for sulking?” You questioned.

“Just bored,” he shrugged, letting out an aspirated sigh, “Needed a place to breathe.”

You nodded, pushing yourself off the wall, “Understandable. I’ve been thinking of leaving for a minute now.”

Slipping your phone into your back pocket, you were unsure of if you really expected an answer from him. Though you and Aemond knew each other relatively well and shared a few classes in your schedule, you still didn’t know him on a personal level. And not many people did besides his family.

“Taking the Irish exit? Or do you need to say goodbye to Charlie’s other angels first?” He raised a questioning brow, motioning to your costume.

His usual arrogance didn't sit well with you. The eye-roll you responded with made that clear. Silence hung between the two of you though the thumping music of the party continued.

Other stragglers had made their way into the yard. Some chose to take photos, others were hanging in their smoke circle, and another couple occupied a corner that didn’t hide their provocative activities very well.

“They should really get a fucking room.”

“I can show you up to mine,” He cheekily followed up.

The quick statement should have been enough to make your jaw drop. Aemond had never been so forward with anyone, and no one else had the confidence to approach you with such a question. And though every alarm seemed to be going off in your head, you silenced them with a taunting question.

“And why would I want to do that?” You turned towards him, attention fully focused on the lean silver-haired man before you.

He took a small step closer, eyes flickering over your face, “I’m bored. You’re bored. And I stole a joint from Aegon, so…”

“I didn’t know you smoked, Targaryen,” You cocked your head to one side in mock surprise.

If it weren’t for the twitch of the corners of his lips, you’d have thought him indifferent to the statement, “I could say the same for you. What do you say?”

“Fine.”

--

After making your way back inside and sneaking around the piercing gaze of the university gossipers, Aemond tugged you up the stairs and into his room. It was decently sized for a college bedroom and well-decorated. It was inexplicably presentable in a way that only he could perfect.

With ease, he stripped himself of the black trenchcoat, neatly placing it in his closet once more. He stood in the closet a moment more before chucking a navy crewneck in your direction, “Here.”

Luckily, you managed to catch the clothing item before it could hit the floor, “I didn’t ask for this-”

“You were shivering during our entire conversation,” Aemond cut you off, looking at you from his closet door, “You’re welcome.”

Instead of thanking him, you nodded your head. The material of the crewneck was soft and thick, clearly well-made and cared for. Nothing surprising. Without a second thought, you tugged it over your head.

Once comfortable, you took a seat at the edge of his Queen bed. Part of you expected him to drop the stoic persona and relax. Though he did no such thing. Aemond remained propped up against the closet door, observing your movements. He didn’t seem to care that you caught him doing so either.

After a moment more of silence, you finally spoke up, “You’ve got a nice room. It’s really well-kept…”

“For a college guy,” Aemond easily finished your sentence.

Embarrassed by his correct assumption, you simply nodded your head. Suddenly, the carpet beneath you was the most interesting thing in the room. God, this is ridiculous, you thought. Before you is a man that nearly every girl would like to find in their bed and you just gave him an unintentional backhanded compliment.

Your thoughts held your attention until a calloused slid down the length of your jawline, then guided your head up to gaze a him. You felt caught underneath his gaze, holding your breath just in case. The smirk that played at his lips caught you off guard as he released his hold. As Aemond moved back toward his desk, he continued the conversation, “I didn’t take you as one to smoke.”

“Dito,” you nodded, feeling comfortable once more. Taking in a deep breath, you leaned back onto your hand, observant eye still following him, “But I also thought you were a party vampire, yet here we are…”

A low chuckle escaped him, but it wasn’t quite sarcasm, “You’re funny,” Aemond turned around, approaching you once more. He held his own pen, taking a hit of it while keeping eye contact. Once he released it from his lips, he lowered the device to offer it out to you.

Feeling a rush of confidence, you accepted taking a hit but felt the urge to tease him. Your lips wrapped around the device as Aemond still held it, expecting him to hit the button for you. He quickly took the hint and held it down as you breathed in. Once taking your own hit, you looked up at him and exhaled in his direction. It felt slightly intimate and a warmth fluttered into your chest. Still, Aemond appeared to enjoy your boldness.

Aemond’s hand quickly returned to cradle your jaw, “Why don’t you ever fight for my attention?”

“Why should I fight for what I already have?” You replied up at him.

His eye seemed to be scanning yours for permission, your tightlipped smirk serving as all the approval he required.

With ease, he bent down and captured your lips in stride. A rush flushed through your body, an interesting mix of desire and your high building inside of you. There was something so right about this that you couldn’t help but tug him closer.

A moment later Aemond conceded to catch his breath, “Eager, I see?”

“I don’t think I’m the only one that’s eager,” you chuckled, slightly tugging at the hem of his shirt. Instead of immediately removing it, he stood up, taunting you. Taking the bait, you stood and helped him get it off, peppering kisses against the pale skin of his neck.

Both of you broke apart to kick off your shoes, and when you stood once more, he caught you by surprise. Aemond caught your belt loops and pulled you back toward his frame. He brushed all your hair over to one side and began to nip at the juncture of your neck and shoulder. A small gasp escaped your lips, causing him to trail his kisses and bites up your neck. One large hand then came to press against your abdomen and began to slowly crawl down. As his hand disappeared into the waistline of your pants, he began to nibble on your ear.

Aemond thoroughly enjoyed the small whimpers escaping past your lips in reaction to his hand. He moved your thing to the side, tracing over your lips teasingly. He’d dip them into, only to pull them out and cup your mound. This continued until his was satisfied of the slick he spread between your legs. Two fingers then delved between your folds again, brushing over your clit, which caused a shudder to run down your spin. His hand then retreated, only for him to bring it to his mouth in order to taste your slick, “How lovely…”

Your head and body felt completely disconnected from reality. But Aemond was there, keeping you tethered to him. It was everything you really needed.

“Don’t worry, love. We’re just getting started,” Aemond led you back toward his bed, “And this will not be a one-time thing…”

--

if you enjoyed this, please like, reblog, and comment! requests are currently open!

[purpleprincessonfyre]

Halloween Night - Trick or Treat? Liane's POV

Liane X Ethan @ethan-lensherr

Features: Liane Felton, Ethan Lensherr, Belladonna, Eleanor Lane (Bella's GF) and Mia Parker @ask-missparker

Location: Avengers Tower, Halloween in NYC

Liane was busy touching up her lipstick in the mirror of her vanity, smiling at her reflection as Ethan walked up behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Looking good, Mistress of Evil," He smiled as Liane looked up at him. "I think we look amazing, but these horns are not comfortable at all." She sighed, adjusting her headpiece. Ethan grinned, hooking on his feathered cloak.

"I suit this look, the all black, the cloak, the hair? Who knew dressing as Maleficent and Diaval would be so fun?" He replied as Liane smiled. "I am sad Bella didn't want to be Aurora though.." she trailed off as Ethan snorted.

"Babe. She was never going to agree to it! And this way she gets to match with her girlfriend, so she's happy." Ethan states, rubbing Liane's shoulders soothingly. "All we have to do is make sure she doesn't terrorise any kids, she doesn't pull her idea of tricks on neighbours and doesn't set anyone's house on fire. Right?"

Liane groaned. This was Belladonna's first Halloween with her new girlfriend and every time before she'd been uninterested in Trick or Treating. But since it was Eleanor's favourite pastime on Halloween, Bella couldn't say no to her. And in Liane's experience, Bella had a habit of taking things very literally.

"Right. Just don't let her take any real knives out with her. Fury would not be happy, ditto Hill." Liane reminded as Ethan shuddered. "I still remember the April Fools incident...but relax. Maybe having Nora there will mellow her out. Just a smidge. Have hope Lia, okay?" Ethan smiles, kissing her on her pale, contoured cheek. Liane smiles back, her fake fangs gleaming. "Alright. And if all goes well, maybe we can treat ourselves tonight..." she muttered softly, stroking his cheek gently as a naughty grin crossed her lips. "Of course, my Queen."

They were interrupted by JARVIS who popped up over their alert system. "Miss Felton, a young lady wishing to see Belladonna is at the door. Shall I let her in?" He asks as Liane gets up, dusting herself down. "Yes JARVIS, thank you." She replies, heading to the door to greet Eleanor, dressed in a long blonde wig, a washed out blue dress and white pointed boots with little fingerless gloves and a purse that looks like a white rabbit, smiling.

"Hey Miss Felton! Wow, you look amazing! Love the teeth and horns, is Bella ready?" She asks, stepping inside. "She's just in her room, come on I'll show you. So you're the Tim Burton version I assume?" She asks, gesturing to the outfit as Nora beams, lifting her skirt and doing the silly dance with her feet from the film. "Alice Kingsleigh, Bells did mention having a crush on the actress when she saw the movie." She replied, following after her to Belladonna's door, knocking on it carefully.

"One minute!" Came the reply as Nora smiled. "I'm guessing Mr Lensherr is Diaval then?" She asked as Liane nodded. "Yup, feathers and all. But don't ask him to do the accent, he gets embarrassed. And he does not sound Irish." She chuckled as the door opened and Belladonna stepped out, dressed in a darker blue dress with a white pinafore, patterned with symbols, wearing black and white hooped tights, tall black buttoned boots, her bangs styled to the sides and covered in fake blood carrying an ornate knife as Nora squealed in delight.

"Alice Liddell! You look so beautiful! And the blue suits you." She smiled as Bella smirked. "Any costume that lets me wear fake blood and play a mental patient is worth it in my books." She replied, admiring Nora's costume. "The detail is impeccable, you even lined the inside of the skirt with stripes like in the film costume. I knew you'd suit this look well." Bella stated as Nora grinned. Liane smiled, admiring her terrifying daughter's look.

"Very you. So this one is from a video game?" She asked, pointing out the knife and blood. "American McGee's Alice: Madness Returns. A story where Alice is a mental patient discharged from the hospital into the care of an orphanage and has to make it through Wonderland alive in order to face her trauma learn about her twisted past. I played it last year at Nora's when our study sessions became more like...hang outs." Bella finished. Nora grinned. "I always hated horror games but when I wanted to find excuses for Bella to hang out, I bought it for her after she'd told me all about how she wished Wonderland was more twisted and psychedelic."

Liane sighed happily. "Okay that was adorable. Now Bella you know the rules, right? And please tell me that knifes fake." She said as Belladonna handed over the knife. "I assume you found a plastic, vacuum molded alternative?" She replied as Liane handed her a replica knife, painted to look bloody. "You're lucky I know you so well. And I think it's actually acrylic? Some guy with a 3D printer makes those kinds of props for cosplayers." Liane explained as Bella handled the prop.

"Almost as good as the real thing. And you need not worry. I understand the concept of Trick or Treating now. But I am disappointed by the fact tricks are now frowned upon." Bella stated as Ethan walked up. "Bella your idea of a trick is not the same as anyone else's. Trust me, we are doing everyone a favor." He replied before kissing her cheek smiling. "You both look great. But yes the rules are, don't stay out past 10pm, if it gets to 10 and you aren't home either stay at Nora's or bring her here, whichever is closest, do not terrify the little children and do not threaten anybody. Please?" Liane pleaded as Belladonna rolled her eyes, sighing. "You take all the fun out of the best holiday of the year. But fine. For you." She replied as Liane's shoulders relaxed.

"Good. And have fun! We love you and be safe." Liane finished, squeezing Bella's shoulder kindly as the two headed out into the night as Mia walked up from behind, her eyes narrowed. "You two are sure this is fine?" She says, raising an eyebrow. Ethan laughs but nervously. "Sure! What could go wrong?"

A few hours later...

"Shall we retire to the bedchamber, my Queen?" Ethan smiles, holding out his hand to Liane's as she chuckles. "I thought you'd never ask..." she replies, her eyes gleaming as her cell starts to ring from an unknown number. Frowning, she picks up. "Hello?" She says and her face drops as she answers to the voice and what she hears. "She did what? I- no no Officer that won't be necessary, I am on my way right now, just hang on." She hangs up and looks at Ethan and everyone else who looks dumbfounded. "Lia what's happened?" Mia asks slowly as Liane rushes to grab a coat. "Bella's been arrested."

Stay tuned for Belladonna's POV where you find out just how our melancholy girlie got into this mess! Hope you enjoyed 🎃🍁 oh and moots feel free to add your own POV of this Avengers Tower Halloween

Tags: @jackiequick @gcthvile @blueboirick @meiramel @aidanxsophxoxo @askstevella @ask-starrk @the-x-ladiesofnyc @therealdaydreamstark @marvelsfavoriteuncle @luna-d-marsh @rickb-chaos @sci-fi-lexcon @elzabeth-stark @wizzzardofoz @trulysummersprivate @missstrawbs2001

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Story and photographs by Ronan O’Connell

September 26, 2023

In the middle of a field in a lesser known part of Ireland is a large mound where sheep wander and graze freely.

Had they been in that same location centuries ago, these animals might have been stiff with terror, held aloft by chanting, costumed celebrants while being sacrificed to demonic spirits that were said to inhabit nearby Oweynagat cave.

This monumental mound lay at the heart of Rathcroghan, the hub of the ancient Irish kingdom of Connaught.

The former Iron Age center is now largely buried beneath the farmland of County Roscommon.

In 2021, Ireland applied for UNESCO World Heritage status for Rathcroghan (Rath-craw-hin). It remains on the organization's tentative list.

Rooted in lore

Spread across more than two square miles of rich agricultural land, Rathcroghan encompasses 240 archaeological sites, dating back 5,500 years.

They include burial mounds, ring forts (settlement sites), standing stones, linear earthworks, an Iron Age ritual sanctuary — and Oweynagat, the so-called gate to hell.

More than 2,000 years ago, when Ireland’s communities seem to have worshipped nature and the land itself, it was here at Rathcroghan that the Irish New Year festival of Samhain (SOW-in) was born, says archaeologist and Rathcroghan expert Daniel Curley.

In the 1800s, the Samhain tradition was brought by Irish immigrants to the United States, where it morphed into the sugar overload that is American Halloween.

Dorothy Ann Bray, a retired associate professor at McGill University and an expert in Irish folklore, explains that pre-Christian Irish divided each year into summer and winter.

Within that framework were four festivities.

Imbolc, on February 1, was a festival that coincided with lambing season.

Bealtaine, on May 1, marked the end of winter and involved customs like washing one’s face in dew, plucking the first blooming flowers, and dancing around a decorated tree.

August 1 heralded Lughnasadh, a harvest festival dedicated to the god Lugh and presided over by Irish kings.

Then on October 31 came Samhain, when one pastoral year ended and another began.

Rathcroghan was not a town, as Connaught had no proper urban centers and consisted of scattered rural properties.

Instead, it was a royal settlement and a key venue for these festivals.

During Samhain, in particular, Rathcroghan was a hive of activity focused on its elevated temple, which was surrounded by burial grounds for the Connachta elite.

Those same privileged people may have lived at Rathcroghan. The remaining lower-class Connachta communities resided in dispersed farms and descended on the site only for festivals.

At those lively events they traded, feasted, exchanged gifts, played games, arranged marriages, and announced declarations of war or peace.

Festivalgoers also may have made ritual offerings, possibly directed to the spirits of Ireland’s otherworld.

That murky, subterranean dimension, also known as Tír na nÓg (Teer-na-nohg), was inhabited by Ireland’s immortals, as well as a myriad of beasts, demons, and monsters.

During Samhain, some of these creatures escaped via Oweynagat cave (pronounced “Oen-na-gat” and meaning “cave of the cats”).

“Samhain was when the invisible wall between the living world and the otherworld disappeared,” says Mike McCarthy, a Rathcroghan tour guide and researcher who has co-authored several publications on the site.

“A whole host of fearsome otherworldly beasts emerged to ravage the surrounding landscape and make it ready for winter.”

Thankful for the agricultural efforts of these spirits but wary of falling victim to their fury, the people protected themselves from physical harm by lighting ritual fires on hilltops and in fields.

They disguised themselves as fellow ghouls, McCarthy says, so as not to be dragged into the otherworld via the cave.

Despite these engaging legends — and the extensive archaeological site in which they dwell — one easily could drive past Rathcroghan and spot nothing but paddocks.

Inhabited for more than 10,000 years, Ireland is so dense with historical remains that many are either largely or entirely unnoticed.

Some are hidden beneath the ground, having been abandoned centuries ago and then slowly consumed by nature.

That includes Rathcroghan, which some experts say may be Europe’s largest unexcavated royal complex.

Not only has it never been dug up, but it also predates Ireland’s written history.

That means scientists must piece together its tale using non-invasive technology and artifacts found in its vicinity.

While Irish people for centuries knew this site was home to Rathcroghan, it wasn’t until the 1990s that a team of Irish researchers used remote sensing technology to reveal its archaeological secrets beneath the ground.

“The beauty of the approach to date at Rathcroghan is that so much has been uncovered without the destruction that comes with excavating upstanding earthwork monuments,” Curley says.

“[Now] targeted excavation can be engaged with, which will answer our research questions while limiting the damage inherent with excavation.”

Becoming a UNESCO site

This policy of preserving Rathcroghan’s integrity and authenticity extends to tourism.

Despite its significance, Rathcroghan is one of Ireland’s less frequented attractions, drawing some 22,000 visitors a year compared with more than a million at the Cliffs of Moher.

That may not be the case had it long ago been heavily marketed as the “Birthplace of Halloween,” Curley says.

But there is no Halloween signage at Rathcroghan or in Tulsk, the nearest town.

Rathcroghan’s renown should soar, however, if Ireland is successful in its push to make it a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Irish Government has included Rathcroghan as part of the “Royal Sites of Ireland,” which is on its newest list of locations to be considered for prized World Heritage status.

The global exposure potentially offered by UNESCO branding would likely attract many more visitors to Rathcroghan.

But it seems unlikely this historic jewel will be re-packaged as a kitschy Halloween tourist attraction.

“If Rathcroghan got a UNESCO listing and that attracted more attention here that would be great, because it might result in more funding to look after the site,” Curley says.

“But we want sustainable tourism, not a rush of gimmicky Halloween tourism.”

Those travelers who do seek out Rathcroghan might have trouble finding Oweynagat cave.

Oweynagat is elusive — despite being the birthplace of Medb, perhaps the most famous queen in Irish history, 2,000 years ago.

Barely signposted, it’s hidden beneath trees in a paddock at the end of a one-way, dead-end farm track, about a thousand yards south of the much more accessible temple mound.

Visitors are free to hop a fence, walk through a field, and peer into the narrow passage of Oweynagat.

In Ireland’s Iron Age, such behavior would have been enormously risky during Samhain, when even wearing a ghastly disguise might not have spared the wrath of a malevolent creature.

Two millennia later, most costumed trick-or-treaters on Halloween won’t realize they’re mimicking a prehistoric tradition — one with much higher stakes than the pursuit of candy.

[3584-tropical-fish]

Guess who just remembered this really old document they have sitting in their notes. Anyways woe empires smp season 1 dance style headcanons be upon ye

Pixandria: Dancing on sand is hard, so dances are specifically meant to be done on stone. Because of this, Pixandrians started dancing with the intent of making sounds with their feet and dance with a sort of tap shoe. Since the Anthill has the hardest rock of Pixandria, structured dances are done there. The Anthill has the added bonus of being the place closest to the sky, and dance is heavily associated with the winds and the storm. Dances are mostly calls for rain or a celebration of it. They are accompanied by drums, which mimic thunder, and the dance is very percussive and grounded. Wearing copper jewelry is also a large part of the dances, since it is so important to Pixandrian culture, calls the storm, and adds extra noise when it clinks together that sort of mimics rainfall

Mythland: I’d imagine partner dances are a very big part of their culture, and large group dances even more so. A lot of interlinking arms and Maypole style dances, because connection is very important to Mythlanders. This probably stems from the blood magic, and a major theme of Mythland blood magic is feeling connected to those around you. Mythland dances are grounded, and often done barefoot

Gilded Helianthia: Like Mythland, they have a heavy emphasis on partner dances, but group dances are less of a thing there. Duets are a large part of their culture in general. They’d dance a style similar to Irish, and their music is also in that style. Their dancing has two major styles: a down-to-earth, grounded style often done barefoot or with hard shoes, and a more lifted and airy style meant to praise the sun and mimic sunflowers

The Overgrown: The Overgrown dances are incredibly airy, they use a lot of flowing fabrics and include the fabric in their movement. Dances are always performed outside because it’s a celebration of the flowers and magic around them. Dances are often done solo as a coming of age rite. There are a series of set dances that everyone learns that are done on important days. Typically fast paced

Rivendell: Think French aristocracy, court dances. Performed with small steps on the balls of your feet, typically as a partner dance. Slow, measured, and lifted. There are very strict guidelines for how these dances are done, and are often meant to be a display of power. Ornate costumes are an important aspect of the dances

The Crystal Cliffs: Dancing is incredibly informal here, and not done often. Because the Cliffs are mainly a place of study and not a proper sovereign state, there are students from all over the world. So, styles from all different empires mix as the students share their native styles during their free time. The dance styles that have evolved here are short and quick, since students often fit them in between other things the need to do

The Grimlands: Like in Mythland, group dances are important to Grimlands culture. However, instead of dancing together, dances are done like breakdance cyphers where steps are exchanged in a turn based system. The Grimlands style stems from an older, more syncopated version of Mythland dance. It is grounded, and a major aspect of it is the way that their boots scuff across the ground to provide accents

The Undergrove: Shrub doesn’t dance much, but she tried to teach the wolves a gnome dance once. Gnome dances are known for their use of dizzying turns and focus on arm movement. It’s common to sing/play an instrument and dance at the same time, though when that occurs the steps are less complex than when one can put all their effort into just dancing. Dancing together is important to gnome culture

The Lost Empire: There are four very spiritual dances, one for each of the temples. Each has a slightly different style, but they’re not overly difficult so no one dies due to the heat of the jungle. These dances are only done by the emperor and the ones who upkeep the temple, and there are many rules surrounding these dances that apply to attire, where the dances are done, when they are done, as well as the importance of knowing why the dances are done. Secular dances focus on stomping rhythms out with your feet and a lot of improv, as well as up and down movement with the arms and torso which mimics bird wings

Mezalea: Dance isn’t a major part of Mezalean culture, since the entire population is Joel and his clones and Joel wasn’t much of a dancer. Instead, Mezalea focuses on visual art more than performing art. For the scattering of Mezaleans that do dance, dance is a means of creating art by painting the soles of their feet and dancing across a canvas or slab of terracotta with the sole purpose of creating patterns. So, Mezalean dance is categorized by the dancer dragging their feet across the floor and many repeated motions

The Ocean Empire: Dances here are very swing, there are a lot of weight shifts and partner dances where on person spins another around. Since it’s the Ocean Empire, most dance is done underwater, which leads to a very unique way of dancing that can’t be done anywhere else. Vertical height is played with a lot, as well as the use of loose clothes and long ribbons held by the dancers

The Cod Empire: The dances in the Cod Empire are quick and lively. They also use swing rhythms, as well as many dances that are meant to be performed in canons. Cod Empire dancing is very informal, and spontaneous challenges are issued from one person to another which starts off a round of dancing that may last for hours

Bonus, Mangrovia: Mangrovia is the home of refugees from all over, and the dancing reflects that. Like in the Crystal Cliffs, there is no one clear style, and instead an amalgamation of shared dances from all over. It is common for musicians from one empire to start up a song and dancers to match the feel, then another group of musicians will jump in and take over in a sort of call and response. Many people in Mangrovia know not only their native dance style, but also pick up many other styles so they can jump into any dance

[rayspookyhistory]

𓉸ྀི HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 𓉸ྀི

Halloween, celebrated on October 31st, has a rich history rooted in ancient traditions and diverse cultural practices. While today’s Halloween is known for costumes, trick-or-treating, and eerie decorations, its origins reveal a complex tapestry of customs from various cultures.

Origins in Samhain

The origins of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, observed by the Celts in Ireland and other parts of Europe over 2,000 years ago. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was believed to be particularly thin. On the night of October 31st, the Celts believed that the souls of the deceased returned to the earth. To honor these spirits and protect themselves, they lit bonfires and wore costumes, often made from animal skins.

The festival held significant agricultural importance and was imbued with spiritual beliefs. The Celts thought the presence of the dead could bring either fortune or mischief, prompting rituals to appease these spirits. It was common to leave food and drink outside homes to satisfy wandering souls.

Transition to Halloween

By the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as All Saints' Day, intended to honor all saints and martyrs. The evening before became known as All Hallows' Eve, which eventually transformed into Halloween. The Catholic Church's efforts to Christianize pagan practices led to a blend of religious observance and folk traditions, paving the way for the Halloween we recognize today.

In the 19th century, Halloween began to gain traction in the United States, especially among Irish immigrants fleeing the Great Famine. These immigrants brought their Samhain customs to America, which evolved into practices like guising—children dressing in costumes and going door-to-door for treats. This practice laid the foundation for modern trick-or-treating, which became widely popular by the early 20th century.

Halloween Today

Modern Halloween features a variety of customs, including costume parties, haunted houses, and trick-or-treating. The holiday has transformed into a significant commercial event in the United States, with billions of dollars spent annually on costumes, decorations, and candy. This commercialization has shifted some aspects of the holiday away from its spiritual origins, emphasizing entertainment and community engagement.

Cross-Cultural Parallels

While Halloween has distinct origins, many cultures worldwide celebrate similar festivals that honor the dead and explore themes of the supernatural. These celebrations reflect local customs, beliefs, and historical contexts.

Dia de los Muertos (Mexico)

Celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a vibrant holiday honoring deceased loved ones. Families create ofrendas (altars) adorned with photographs, food, marigolds, and candles to welcome back the spirits. This celebration blends indigenous beliefs with Catholic traditions, emphasizing joyful remembrance rather than fear of death. Festivities include parades, traditional dances, and the creation of intricate sugar skulls, symbolizing the connection between the living and the dead.

Obon (Japan)

Obon, celebrated in mid-August, is a Buddhist festival honoring the spirits of ancestors. Families light lanterns to guide the spirits home and engage in traditional dances called Bon Odori. Offerings of food are made at gravesites and altars, reflecting the belief that ancestors return during this time. Obon emphasizes gratitude and respect for ancestors, mirroring Halloween's focus on honoring the deceased but with a stronger communal aspect.

Chuseok (South Korea)

Known as the Korean harvest festival, Chuseok occurs in late September or early October, providing families with an opportunity to gather and pay respects to ancestors through Charye (ritual ceremonies). Traditional foods like songpyeon (rice cakes) are prepared, symbolizing gratitude for the harvest. This celebration emphasizes family ties and respect for heritage, akin to the familial aspects of Halloween.

Hungry Ghost Festival (China)

Celebrated during the seventh month of the lunar calendar, the Hungry Ghost Festival honors spirits believed to return to the living world. Families prepare offerings of food, incense, and paper money to appease these wandering souls. Performances, such as Chinese opera, are often held to entertain the spirits. This festival underscores the importance of honoring ancestors and reflects cultural beliefs about the interconnectedness of the living and the dead.

Pchum Ben (Cambodia)

This 15-day festival, occurring in September and October, honors deceased relatives through offerings and prayers at pagodas. Cambodians believe that during this time, the gates of hell open, allowing spirits to receive offerings from the living. Families gather to share meals and remember their ancestors, emphasizing communal ties and respect for the deceased, similar to the communal aspects seen in Halloween celebrations.

The history of Halloween is a complex interplay of ancient traditions, religious practices, and cultural adaptations. While it has evolved into a festive occasion marked by fun and frivolity, its roots reflect humanity’s enduring relationship with death and the afterlife. The global parallels found in other cultures emphasize a universal desire to honor those who have passed, highlighting both shared values and unique interpretations of life and death. As Halloween continues to evolve, it serves as a vivid example of how cultural practices can transform and adapt, preserving essential human connections across time and geography. Understanding these connections deepens our appreciation for Halloween, revealing it as part of a broader human narrative that spans cultures and centuries.

dont kill me i know this is rushed im posting this last minute

[haveamagicalday]

Duel of the American Girl Dolls: Dance (Round 4)

This is a poll in the Duel of the American Girl Dolls. Other polls can be found here