#latest mobile brands

[rashid92786]

Online Mobile Shopping Sites in India.

Online Mobile Shopping Sites in India-भारतीय डिजिटल बाजार का विकास उचित है औ�� इसका मुख्य कारण है ऑनलाइन शॉपिंग साइटें। विशेष रूप से मोबाइल फ़ोन जैसे उत्पादों को ध्यान में रखते हुए, भारत में कई साइटें हैं जहां उपभोक्ता अपने इच्छानुसार मोबाइल को खरीद सकते हैं। Amazon India Flipkart Paytm Mall Reliance Digital Tata Cliq Online Mobile Shopping Sites in India. 1. Amazon India: भारत का सबसे…

[hederasgarden]

Okay you’ve mentioned several times about Scott’s breeding kink, so I just need to know how he’d react when he finally knocks his girl up. Or how he’d be with a pregnant reader, especially if they’re with Storm Par or Tyler’s crew and is out chasing storms all day

On Tuesdays my movie theatre does $6 movie tickets and with reading all your Scott and Tyler stories I’m thinking I need to go see Twisters again!

I love this ask so much!

This might surprise people who think I'm going to say he’ll become all mushy and sweet, but I think he’ll turn into an even bigger asshole. His worst qualities will come out during this time because there are so many variables he can’t control and deep down he's worried about you and the baby but probably not able to articulate it. This will manifest as him trying to exert even more control over the situation to manage his anxiety. Expect him to argue about you being out in the field with Storm Par, especially if it’s storm season. He'll have 100 different reasons why it's unsafe and won't relax until you're sitting safely in your office.

You’ve been with Scott long enough to understand how he operates, and you know his actions are driven by his desire to keep you and the baby safe and healthy. That doesn't make him less annoying though because as soon as he finds out you're pregnant, he’ll be reading What to Expect When You’re Expecting and diving deep into the latest research. Once he’s armed with all the facts, he’ll obsessively monitor what you’re eating and doing, quoting the book chapter and verse.

Those prenatal vitamins you picked up at CVS? He’ll throw them straight in the trash and tell you to take this fancy brand you’ve never heard of, claiming it’s verified by an independent lab and superior to your drugstore brand.

That cute little mobile you want to hang over the crib? Absolutely not — it’s a strangulation hazard. The old bassinet your aunt wants to give you? That’s going in the trash too because, from an engineering standpoint, it looks structurally unsound and is probably covered in lead paint.

He’ll be annoyingly confident about everything right up until the moment the baby is born. When the doctor hands him his son and he looks down at that tiny, scrunched-up face, all he feels is a wave of panic. How are the two of you supposed to take care of this fragile little thing? This is a person, not a problem to be solved and accounted for.

He’d never outwardly panic, but he knows you can see through him when you say his name softly and reach for his hand. 

"Look at me," you'd whisper, smiling at him — tired, sweaty, and beautiful after going through hell to bring his son into the world. You would look so at ease and happy that suddenly Scott would know everything would be okay because you’d be right beside him.

Together, you've got this.

Talk Shop Tuesday

[maliciousblog]

Smile for the camera (Eunwoo)

He was binging on your latest drama. You had finally caught your big break as a lead in a successful drama as the main lead.

The drama ranking No.1 in many countries ,shooting you into stardom. Earning you much critical acclaim and praise not only for your talent but also your beauty with a whole new army of fans with it.

Him included he initially admired your talent his guilty pleasure being watching your interviews and saving the cute fan edits that were made of you. His admiration for your work blooming into a little crush for you.  He was taken for your personality and work ethic.

He tried to get his agent to book a project with you but given your sudden shooting up in popularity you were booked and busy.

Music video shoots , runway shows , ad campaigns you name it your face was on it.

Not that you would complain about it.

You loved working the job you had genuinely bought you joy.

As you were able to make dreams a reality through your work you could make art come to life.

You knew you busted your ass to get where you are.

Months of auditions only to be faced with constant rejection and when you finally did land a job it was a minor role not even noticeable to most.

When those countless hours of work finally paid off it was a dream come true a dream you had put your blood and sweat into.

The dream you spent your whole life working towards and you sure as hell weren't about to let these new opportunities pass you by.

So you took them as they came agreeing to every intriguing project your manager bought to you.

Currently you were at the launch of a beauty brand collaboration. You were appointed as the ambassador of the beauty brand star dust releasing a line for makeup inspired by your favourite desserts. The lip  products named after the sweet treats you enjoyed to eat and the eyeshadow palettes inspired by your favourite colours.

To no one's surprise the launch went well and you were back home letting your aching feet get some rest.

Just as you were about to dooze off the shrill ring of your mobile woke you up half asleep your hands reaching in search for your phone.

Picking it up your manager's voice coming through telling you that you had an audition for a drama first thing in the morning you hummed in agreement and tossed the phone across the room. You were worn to the bone this was tomorrow's problem right now you had to rest in order to make your best impression tomorrow.

As you close your eyes in sleep another pair lay open restless at night.

Eunwoo lay awake nothing particularly stopping him from sleeping it was just one of those days.

When the air was stale and the bed was a little too warm to be comfortable.

Maybe a walk would help.

Rustling out of bed he pulled on a black hoodie and a cap. Conceal his face as he aimlessly walked down the city streets in an effort to tire himself out.

Looking into the buildings that lined the streets lit up with bright lights luring unsuspecting customers inside.

That's when he saw a poster of you advertising your makeup line.

He had some time on his hands and wouldn't do him much harm to go check it out.

He was supporting a fellow actor it was the right thing to do.

Birds of the same flock should look out for each other right?.

Before he knew it he was at the counter inspecting the products not that he would get much use out of them he did use makeup while filming but not exactly the sparkling and glittery kind but that didn't really matter now did it.

His desire for coming in wasn't for the makeup it was for you.

He grabbed a box set of your entire collection and headed for checking out.

The underpaid store clerk didn't take too much notice of him.

Monotonously scanning his items and bagging them not forgetting to slip in the complimentary photo cards of you.

Handing the bag to him before turning their eyes down back to scrolling through their phone.

He grabbed his bag thanking the clerk ,heading back to his apartment.

Excitement blooming in his chest wondering which photocard he had gotten.

It felt weird is this what his fans felt like when they bought his merch.

He never thought he would be able to be in the shoes of his fans but here he was in their position.

It felt weird. He couldn't place what exactly it was you barely knew him.

Yet here he was getting giddy at the thought of which mystery little piece of cardboard with a selfie he would pull.

He grabbed some take out on him way back to his apartment.

Placing his food on one side of the table the other side he placed your merch tearing into the packaging inspecting the contents inside admiring it.

Saving the photocard for last it was a selfie of you holding a macaroon. He had to agree it was cute.

Slipping it into his wallet the action seemed so natural to him.

He had become a full on fan boy now. There was no going back.

The following days were spent buying out more of your merch in fact all the merch you had to offer.

Finding its place into his house.

The best of all was when he got a call from his agent that he was given an offer for a drama where you were cast as the female lead.

He agreed to it with a little too much enthusiasm that his agent had to ask him to at least check the script out first.

He replied that he would but for now to immediately inform production that he would accept the job.

He didn't care what the drama was about as long as he got the opportunity to work with you.

Imagine his joy when he discovered that it was a romance drama a sweet collage love story with you as him love interest and him as your leading man. The story was sweet and touching.

It was bound to gather success . the story was good , along with both of your talent and star power it was bound to be a hit.

He managed to rush production into starting filming as soon as possible stating that he would have scheduling issues if they didn't.

You were more than happy to get back into work.

Especially with someone like Eunwoo.

The first day on set went like any other day

The usual outfit fittings and test runs. Nothing out of the ordinary apart from your over enthusiastic costar.

It was endearing at first his enthusiasm to spend time with you.

His insistent demands to rehearse your scenes together before filming.

You couldn't deny them he was your senior and had much more power over production and executives than you did.

One word from him and you could get kicked off set.

You didn't have an option but to go along with what he said and agree to rehearse the scenes over and over again.

You guessed that he was just a perfectionist.

But it didn't end at that he insisted on spending as much time with you as he possibly could giving you the sorry excuse that he was method acting and he was just doing it in order to stay in character to make sure the emotional scenes were more believable and realistic.

In his perspective it was just a crush and he was just doing what he had to do to make sure you were in his sight and eventually fall for him.

Who could resist him.

He knew he had to play it safe with you he had to make sure his moves were precise and calculated.

You were too focused on your career to be dating.

Not that he didn't try.

The constant flirting and dropping one hint after the other.

He got your message loud and clear you weren't interested.

Honestly it was a little insulting and he would be lying if he didn't admit that it didn't sting his ego a little. He knew his worth and knew that he was more than a fine catch.

But you were just too stubborn. Weren't you but that was just a small issue he could easily fix.

You were so perfect together.

Everyone around you saw it.

The staff were head over heels for you both.

Your chemistry ozzed off the screen mostly because you were a good actor.

But something was missing in the plot.

Something that would send your life into a spiral.

Your pair was a little too perfect it would make the story boring to the audience.

Most of the filming was completed over the past 4 months but the story was a little flat. It lacked the drama that was needed to keep the audience hooked.

The writing department had to predictable idea of adding a second lead creating a love triangle.

It wasn't anything ground breaking or new but it was a good way to spice things up and add some drama enough to keep the audience hooked.

You didn't mind the change added to the script.

You could work with it.

But one member on set wasn't as flexible he spent the next few hours arguing with executives on the plot changes but their hands were tied the sponsors had invested too much into the drama for it to possibly not do well.

They had to do what production told them too.

There wasn't anything they could do to change it.

But at least it would only add a few more weeks onto the filming schedule he could work with that.

He knew it was a game of patience.

For now he just had to suck it up and choke back down the bile that raised in his throat each time he saw you and the second lead Yunho film together.

His crush escalated into obsession when he saw the both of you film for the first time.

It looked so natural.

It made his blood boil.

Especially when he heard some of the staff on set say that they were team Yunho. The thought of which made him white with rage.

The worst of it wasn't even when you were on camera.

It was your willingness to spend time with Yunho off camera.

It perplexed him.

You would constantly try to make stupid excuses to avoid spending time with him.

But here you were giggling away at the stupid jokes this boy cracked.

He couldn't see how much his presence suffocates you. Constantly hovering around you using every excuse to be near you.

Adding unnecessary intimate scenes to the show. Stealing kisses from you while on camera to make things seem more "believable".

It was pathetic and you saw right through it at first it was flattering but not it just felt like you were being taken advantage of and the worst thing about it was that there was nothing you could do about it.

It was a man's world and you knew that.

One wrong move from your side to piss off the wrong man in power and poff you would just be another star forgotten by time.

You just had to suck it up for a while longer it was just a couple more weeks of filming and everyone knew you would end up with him.

It was all part of the bigger picture.

Filming went by in a haze and you and him were filming a commercial for one of the sponsors of the show.

It was a perfume brand warranting a steamy little commercial.

It was the first look the public had to your pair and they ate it right up.

Buzz for your show skyrocketed as they couldn't help but to start shipping the both of you.

The chemistry was undeniably mesmerizing.

Which wasn't because you liked him it was just because you were a good actor.

Your dislike for him only grew with how cocky he was about the success of your advertisement.

The interviews and promotion that followed you drama was even more insufferable.

He made it his mission to sell the image of the ideal couple to the public.

It was a trap and you knew it.

He would post you on his social media and be flirtatious and  drop constant hints of your make belief relationship.

He very well knew that if he had the public on his side he could get you to do anything he wanted.

If they believed that the both of you were a couple and began shipping the both of you.

You would have no choice but to be his.

If you broke it off with him the public would brand you a slut.

Breaking the heart of a man that loved you so dearly and sincerely.

How could you be so heartless.

Offers for work would start to drop and he would conveniently drop a cheating scandal on you and then poof overnight your career would be non existent.

It was a sick and twisted trap but one that would surely work.

Once the show aired to no one's surprise it was a hit. The numbers are higher than you had ever seen before.

Within weeks the both of you were being offered roles by big media houses to work together again.

Your agency was pressing you into dating him publicly.

Threatening to terminate your contact and black list you if you denied.

They knew that they would make huge profits off your relationship and were more than willing to squeeze out every last bit of it off you no matter what the price.

It was either that or losing the career you had spent your whole life building up.

You were in your apartment sobbing into your pillow when you heard the door to your room creak open.

There he stood with a beautiful bouquet of spider lilies in hand.

In the low light of your bedroom he almost looked like a statue his beauty was sickening in different circumstances you would consider yourself the luckiest girl in the world to have a man like him.

But only you could see behind his beautiful mask that hid his cruel intentions for you.

He came up to you wiping away your tears.

"You wouldn't have to go through all this if you just said yes.

Not that you have much of an option not to.

I can give you the world.

And you have to be such an ungrateful little bitch don't you."

You felt your scalp burn and he yanked you up by the hair to face him.

"You will go along with whatever I say.

You will do anything I ask of you.

Either that or I'll destroy you and everything you love.

I'm honestly being kind to you I could destroy your career and still have you.

But I'm being kind , agree to be my doting love struck girlfriend and you get to keep your precious little career.

I'm a reasonable man but I'm not a very forgiving man so don't take advantage of my kindness.

It would be unfortunate if I were to leak your family's private information now wouldn't it.

Just imagine what our crazed fans would do to them when they find out you hurt me and our relationship by being a selfish cunt."

You shoved him off you.

'Please just leave them out of this you want me right fine. Ju.. just please leave them out of it I'm begging you.'

You pleaded to him.

"See that's my good girl look how reasonable you are right now.

I would hate to see something bad happen to my in-laws.

So now be a good girl and pick up that bouquet and go post about how amazing of a boyfriend I am and how much you fucking love me alright."

He said as he left a kiss on your forehead leaving you there in shambles.

" By the way. You look really pretty when you beg. I should make you do it more often."

Once the news of your relationship was aired out into the world it has gone just as he predicted it would.

So the both of you had become the No.1 power couple of the entertainment industry.

He made sure you did a convincing job at playing the devoted partner who always supported him and stood by him no matter what.

He made sure to pick out your roles for you making sure you mostly worked with him or did solo lead movies and shows.

Making sure to keep your interaction with men that weren't him to an absolute minimum.

And it did work for a while but that didn't stop men from flirting with you or asking you out despite being in a very public relationship.

Who could blame them you were beautiful and off camera anyone could see your dislike for your boyfriend that occasionally showed on your face.

You always tried your level best to make sure that he would always be happy.

And his happiness was at the direct proportion to how well you behaved.

You soon realised he didn't just want a girlfriend he wanted to make sure you were his forever.

He wanted to put a stop to this unwanted male attention that you always drew onto yourself.

It wasn't enough. This relationship was enough it was too fragile it was too rocky.

You always felt like you were walking on thin ice when you were around him.

Trying to make sure you smile didn't falter, making sure the hugs and kisses you gave him felt genuine.

The words of affection you uttered towards him were genuine.

It wasn't too hard to convince him of it , you were an actor after all.

It wasn't too hard to give him the illusion of the perfect life he wanted.

What was hard was for you to accept defeat.

It was all part of his plan after all wasn't it.

The final piece of the puzzle.

He stood at the other side of the room as your sobbing echoed through the walls reaching his ears.

You slid down the walls clutching a positive pregnancy test. Knowing that all hopes of ever leaving him were gone.

There was no leaving him now.

Him baby trapping you would force you to marry him as soon as possible before anyone knew that you were pregnant.

He had it all now.

Successful career.

Loving wife and now a beautiful family.

You were finally defeated.

You were stuck with him now for life.

You loved your children and he did too.

You managed to convince the world that you loved him maybe one day you could convince yourself too.

You were no longer a person just another accessory that he paraded around on his arm.

Show off like a trophy that he had won.

He lived the life others could only ever dream of having. While you were stuck in a nightmare that he had carefully woven for you.

[fairuzfan]

My sister found a app called 'No Thanks' that helps you identify whether a brand supports Israeli or not. I feel like this could help a lot in boycotting. Can you help spread more awareness of it?

Yes! I do use it myself! It is the more advanced boycott list but I'm trying to challenge myself to avoid brandnames and go local for most of my things next year. I think it will be fun to see what I can make myself and buy from around town.

[cheesy09]

[CN] Kiro's Wrapped in Silk Date

🌸 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date that hasn't been released on the EN server yet! 🌸

Note: This date explores some very suggestive themes, so if you do not meet the game's recommended 17+ age rating, I'd suggest to avoid reading this date.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[PART 1]

The clear night sky seems to have been washed by spring water, and the stars are akin to diamonds against the dark blue gauze.

[MC's Company Name] has recently discussed collaboration with LEEZY, a well-know foreign fashion brand, and therefore I personally made the trip to come to their headquarters in West Asia.

The first reason being because they attached great importance to this collaboration, and second one being because Kiro too was filming in this city.

It's been three months since Kiro came here to film a movie. During this time, all we could do was accompany each other through the tiny screens of our mobile phones every day.

So when this opportunity to "visit work" presented itself, I immediately applied for a visa and flew over.

After several days of meetings and visits, the contract was successfully signed. The other party hoped that we could promote the latest season of their clothing.

I was also invited to attend this charity dinner party being held by the lake tonight.

In my drunken stupor, a slight sense of dizziness floods my head. I lift the shawl of my dress, shake the wine glass in my hand and look at the figure standing close by--

Kiro smiles and talks to the person in front of him, his golden hair shinning brightly in the darkness of night.

Seemingly noticing my gaze, he turns his face slightly, and his blue eyes catch my sight.

I raise my glass, smile at him, and take another slow sip. His eyes flicker for a moment and he calmly looks away from me.

Not long after, he smiles, nods, and comes to me with a glass of wine, lightly touching it to mine.

Kiro: I'm back!

MC: Was that the producer who invited you to the dinner just now? Why don't you chat for a little longer?

Kiro: We've already chatted for quite a bit. He even asked for my autograph for his little daughter.

Kiro: So, from now on, my time is all yours, MC.

Kiro: That being said... how much have you had to drink?

He seems to have noticed the unyielding warmth on my face. He raises his hand and gently touches the side of my face with the back of his hand.

That familiar body temperature departs as soon as it touches, leaving me feeling a little disappointed. I simply pinch his fingertips and take the opportunity to slip my fingers into the gaps between his.

MC: Not a lot, maybe... five or six glasses.

Kiro: That's not a lot...?

He lowers his head slightly and draws closer to me, the glimmer of expectation in his eyes quietly falling into mine.

Kiro: MC, should we run away?

MC: Now?

Kiro: Well~ You're going back to Loveland tomorrow afternoon, and I won't be back in China for another three weeks.

Kiro: There are less than 15 hours left. I don't want to waste another minute.

That reluctance tucked away in my heart is outlined by his words and tugs at my heartstrings.

All the work that needed to be discussed has been taken care of, so I nod. After paying our respects to the organizer, Kiro takes my hand and leaves the venue.

-

The taxi takes us all the way back to the hotel. After getting out of the cab, I stop, shake our intertwined hands and look at him eagerly.

MC: ...My feet hurt.

A smile seems to flash across those blue eyes. The next second, my body grows light and I'm being held in his arms.

Kiro: [chuckles indulgently] Hold me.

Amidst the cool night breeze, the embrace I am nestled in is particularly affectionate. I put my arms around his neck, and from time to time I run my lips across the side of his face, which is now slightly cooled by the night wind.

After entering the room, he bends down and gently places me on the small sofa.

The warmth that came from being close to each other seems to escape. Just as I am about to reach out and hug him, I suddenly feel my clothes tighten. Seemingly pulled by something, he too, falls towards me--

Those slightly wide blue eyes suddenly close in within my field of vision, and a warm softness unexpectedly falls against the corner of my lips.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[PART 2]

The bright moonlight falls on the tip of his slender eyebrows, creating a faint white circle, akin to a piece of fallen snow.

His blue eyes appear deeper than usual. Through the moonlight, I can clearly see myself reflected in that clear spring.

The tenderness lingering at the corner of my lips stays for a moment, then departs slightly.

Kiro: Sure enough, you still smell like champagne.... I'll get you a glass of water.

I don't let go of the hands holding him. All I do is blink my eyes and soften my voice.

MC: ...I don't want to let go.

Noting my retention, he doesn't get up and just gently kisses my ear.

Suddenly, he pauses slightly, picks up the beaded chain on my clothes with one hand and shakes it.

Kiro: Turns out that there was a "trap" waiting for me here.

I follow his line of sight and see that the pearl chain from my clothes had somehow managed to get entangled with the accessories on his outfit.

Kiro: I won't leave. So... there's no need for this.

Those slender fingertips travel along the intricately wound chain and slowly disassemble it under the moonlight. Every now and then the silver chain reflects a cold silver light, like starlight dancing along his fingertips.

The alcohol gradually takes over my brain, and the person in front of me appears to be covered in a layer of mist under the moonlight.

My hands slowly slide along his arms to his back, feeling the familiar contours of his muscles under the thin layer of fabric. And when his tight buttons block the path of my fingertips, I gently undo them--

His white collar falls open a bit, revealing the lines of his collarbone.

Kiro: [Almost breathlessly] ....Why are you still being naughty?

MC: How could I....

When my nails gently scratch his waist, I feel the body under my fingertips stiffen slightly, and the breathing in the air suddenly grow heavier.

I blink innocently, finding some kind of pleasure in this long wait, and gently squeeze along his waistline.

Just as I'm busy enjoying myself, he suddenly grabs a hold of my wrist and then raises it above my head without any explanation.

At some point, he manages to untie the longest chain of beads and holds it casually between his fingertips.

His eyes, which have always been clear, are now stained with a hint of drunkenness, influenced by my own, and even his voice sounds hoarse.

Kiro: [huskily] If you keep making trouble like this, we won't be able to finish undoing this tonight.

Kiro: [x2] Leave your hands to me for now.

A cold touch falls on the skin of my wrist. Along with the slight rustling sound of metal, something wraps around my wrist one after another. Belatedly, my somewhat sluggish brain realizes that it's the chain that was untied from my dress.

My heartbeat inexplicably speeds up.

MC: [blushing] Kiro....

Kiro: [voice soft yet seductive] Don't move, it'll be fine soon.

As he says this, he deliberately slows down and enjoys every minute the peaceful moonlight has to offer.

The cold tassels brush against my skin from time to time, leaving at the first sign of touch. Tiny stimulations flow along my skin and blood vessels, causing my heartbeat to grow a little faster.

MC: Mmn...

I shrink on reflex, and he gently holds me down.

Taking in my state, he smiles softly, supports my knees and raises them slightly, lowering his head and kissing the spot where the chain grazes me.

His overwhelmingly hot breath seems to carry with it a small fire, burning along the blood in my veins.

As time passes by, the body's sensitivity seems to be heightened, feeling the other person with every ounce of strength.

I want to hug that warm back, but I find my hands tied together, unable to move freely. So I simply raise my ankle and gently press it against his calf.

As if eager to occupy the little time we have left, the breath tracing the side of my neck grows more and more rapid.

In the room soaked in moonlight, the tips of my fingers are tightly clasped, as if the vacancy formed during this period of time is being filled.

The overlapping of shadows is reflected on one side, almost blending together, blurring the slowly approaching moment of separation.

This night seems to go on forever, but also seems to pass by in an instant.

And amidst the chaos, I feel as if I'm being held in a scorching embrace.

-

Wanting to turn over a bit, I felt my wrist tighten. And when I open my eyes, I find a familiar metal chain still hanging on my wrist.

The other end of the chain is loosely wrapped around Kiro's wrist. Looking at the bright white pearls, my mind goes blank for a while.

At that moment, the mobile phone screen next to my ear lights up, and a travel information prompt pops up.

"The pre-scheduled flight has arrived. Please arrive at the airport two hours before departure to complete formalities..."

In that instant, the strength against my waist tightens slightly, and a tired warmth presses up against it.

Kiro: [sleepily] ...Is it morning already?

MC: Mm. It's time to get up.

I forcefully turn over and peck him softly on the lips.

He lets out a "Huh", turns over and pushes me under him. Using the grip of the chain, he grabs my wrist and nuzzles my neck.

Kiro: Okay, Kiro is attempting to get up. Progress is 1%, 14%...

Kiro: [sighing in mock defeat] Kiro has failed to get up and has now entered the Miss Chips mode with a five-minute countdown...

The person behind me mutters and hugs me tighter.

-

I don't know how many five-minutes pass before we finally get up from the bed and wash up.

Holding me in his arms, he helps me tie the straps behind my back.

Kiro: You really don't need me to take you to the airport?

MC: No need. Didn't the director give you an "ultimatum" to arrive on set by 1 o'clock in the afternoon at the latest?

MC: You concentrate on filming. I'll contact you when I get to the airport.

Hearing this, he curls his lips in frustration.

Kiro: Sigh... I wish I had a time machine. It could take us back to last night, or take me to 20 days later, when my filming ends.

I suppress the longing in my heart, raise my head and gently kiss his lips.

MC: You can rest for a few days when you get back. There are several new handicraft stores that have opened on Huapu Street. We can wait in line to visit them.

MC: Or we can play games together at home and rest together.

Kiro: Okay, it's settled.

Warm fingertips occasionally glide across my skin through the chiffon fabric, taking their time, fearing that this little time will quietly slip away from our fingertips.

Feeling a sense of comfort in my heart, I change my position and lean into his arms, gazing up at him.

MC: How long will it take you to fasten them?

Kiro: It's a bit complicated. Might take a while.

He looks at me and says earnestly.

Kiro: So, before you get ready and leave for the airport... let me hold you like this for a while.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[PART 3]

After returning to China, I put the new collaborative project on the agenda. And in the storm of work and overtime, three weeks quickly pass by.

Kiro has successfully completed his filming and returned to China. Our reunion lasts for about two nights, but I'm unable to find the time to fulfill the promise I made to him about going shopping together--

The release date of LEEZY's new season of clothing gradually approaches, but I still haven't formulated a promotional plan that I'm sold on yet.

MC: What's missing....

Facing a dozen documents on my computer, I find myself feeling a little distressed.

Just as I am about to pick up my mug and take a few more sips of black coffee to refresh myself, a warm embrace greets from behind.

Kiro: What are you sighing about?

I put down the black coffee, smile, turn around and hug him back.

MC: Did you sleep well?

Kiro: Mm-- I just dreamed that my Miss Chips was being chased by the document monster, and I quickly woke up.

MC: ...Don't tell me. That dream is quite vivid.

Noting my slight frustration, he rubs his chin on the top of my head and looks at my screen.

Kiro: Are you still writing about LEEZY's announcement?

MC: Yeah... Their latest season's clothes were the ones they gave me before, with a lot of straps on them.

MC: I've made several promotional plans, but they all seem to lack a bit of novelty...

Kiro: Generally, brands will focus on a theme when designing a new season clothing line. Wouldn't it better to explore options based on their theme?

MC: Their clothes this season all have a lot of straps and chains on them. Their theme of design is said to be "Entwining".

MC: But this theme has been done by other brands before, so I couldn't find a unique direction to take it in.

Kiro: If you can't get any ideas by just looking at the information, shouldn't you try out some other methods?

MC: For example..?

Kiro thinks for a moment and then snaps his fingers.

Kiro: I've got a good idea. Besides, I've got nothing to do today, so let me be Miss Muse's inspiration-finding assistant!

MC: [excited] What?

He pulls me up from my seat and winks.

Kiro: Of course, we're going to use the method we're both good at - shooting!

Kiro: But this time, let's switch roles. You can be the model.

-

Kiro: Hmm... This angle of the light box should be fine. For the lighting...

I change my clothes, walk into the huge dance studio, and see Kiro adjusting the bracket of the lighting board.

The backdrop has been decorated by him in a simple manner, with various colorful ribbons hanging loosely but not messily. A stool is placed in the center of the background wall.

When he sees me come in, his eyes light up, and he comes over and takes my hand.

Kiro: I want the opinion of a professional producer: What do you think? Is it pretty good?

MC: It's very layered, and the color and backdrop complement each other well!

Watching my eyes light up fills him with a sense of pride.

Kiro: Feeling the theme for yourself might give you different ideas.

He leads me to sit on the stool, guides me to hook my hand on the hanging ribbon, raises his camera and presses the shutter.

After taking a few photos in various positions, we lean in front of the camera and look at the pictures.

Perhaps because of his rich shooting experience, Kiro is very good at guiding postures and states.

Kiro: What do you think?

MC: The composition and lighting are very good, and can be used as a photo album. It's just... I still feel clueless.

I look through the pictures carefully one after another, but I still get the sense that something isn't right.

MC: ....Is it possible that the characters don't fit the environment well enough?

After listening to my words, Kiro also lowers his head and thinks for a while.

Kiro: Wait for a moment.

I watch him drag out a box from the standing cabinet on the side and rummage through it. Then he picks up a large number of differently styled decorative chains and ribbons.

MC: Why do you have so much of this stuff?

Kiro: They were all leftover props from previous shoots. I had a feeling that they'd come in handy sooner or later.

Kiro: Now, let me "transform" the model and scene.

-

After we add some of them to the background wall, we open the stool up wide and I sit directly in the middle of this tangled up scene.

Kiro holds a long ribbon and casually wraps it around my thigh.

The cool silk gently touches my skin, making me shiver and my entire body tenses up.

As if noting my slight nervousness, Kiro chuckles, drawing the ribbon around my waist, and then wrapping it loosely around my wrist.

Kiro: Don't be nervous. Do you still remember the lesson in perception you took before?

I follow his voice and recall that in the greenhouse, he had once taught me bit by bit how to use senses other than sight to feel.

Note: This is a callback to Perception Date :>

Kiro: [voice enticingly soft] Try searching for the feeling of having your body wrapped in ribbon.

Following his voice, I carefully feel the silk wrapping around my skin - soft and thin.

Kiro's mirthful voice is akin to the ribbon entwined around my body. He gently lifts it, leaving my heart feeling a bit itchy.

Kiro: [x2] Raise your right hand a little higher... yes.

The hand holding the ribbon moves, and the soft fabric slowly slides along my skin and tightens slightly. My eyes subconsciously follow it.

"Click"--

The soft click of the shutter occasionally dissipates in the quiet air.

He adjusts the position of the ribbon around my body, arms, neck...

And the soft fabric seems to come to life in his hands, ensnaring all of my thoughts and following in his lead.

Occasionally, he adds one or two thin pearl strands that make a crisp sound every time my body sways.

I think of the chain wrapped around my wrist on that moonlit night.

My heart beats loudly, and my ears are so hot that they are on the verge of bleeding. I can't help but move my body.

MC: ...You - please be serious.

Kiro: Hm? But I am seriously trying to help you find that "entwining" sensation.

His eyes widen slightly, but the curvature at the corners of his lips betrays the cunning in his heart. It's as if he's playing an interesting "game".

I purse my lips, suddenly curious about the "reason" that has captured his interest, and with a bit of force, I grasp a hold of his wrist.

His surprised face gradually enlarges in my field of vision. He stretches out his hand to the wall beside my face in order to support and steady his body, and for a moment, his breathing becomes chaotic.

MC: In addition to being entwined, I too want to experience what it's like to entwine someone...

MC: Can this superstar help me out?

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[PART 4]

There's a hint of a smile present in his brow.

Kiro: Sure.

The hand holding me tightens. He turns me over and my entire body presses up against him.

A scorching body temperature comes from our closely connected skin, and the side of my face and the base of ears are also dyed in a slight warmth.

I prop up my body, and following his example, I slowly pull a ribbon from the side and gently touch it to his ear.

His whole body seems to relax, lazily waiting for my next move.

Kiro: [whispering temptingly] Need help?

MC: I - I want to experience this for myself first.

Even though I say this, I'm unsure as to what to do next. I aimlessly wrap the ribbon around his slender fingers and slowly slide it down...

Stopping on his well-jointed wrist.

I wrap the ribbon in my hand around his wrist, imitating his actions from that night, and tie it into a somewhat clumsy knot.

He arches his eyebrows slightly and glances at me.

Kiro: [I HV NO IDEA HOW TO DESCRIBE HOW SEDUCTIVELY HE DRAGGED HIS VOICE HERE BUT HNNG-] I see... I reasonably suspect that you're trying to "avenge yourself".

MC: I'm just serious about set design!

Another pale yellow ribbon is loosely wrapped around his neck. I hold the other end of the ribbon and trail it across his arms, chest, the curves of his sides...

Then, gently tighten it.

The hair of the person in front of me is slightly tousled, and entangles with the strings of ribbon scattered on the side.

Among these bright and beautiful colors, those blue eyes gazing at me get darker and darker.

Kiro: [temptingly soft again] Does this give you inspiration?

MC: My eyes have captured it... But I also wanted to capture this on camera.

I lift up my camera and capture this scene.

His languid eyes look directly into mine through the lens, like a warm current hitting my chest.

Kiro: [x2] Actually, there's something else that could also help you.

MC: ...What?

Kiro: [x3] Unlike entangling something, untangling these entanglements could also be fun... Do you wanna try it?

He holds my hand, guides my fingers to pick up a ribbon that had dropped onto his skin, and slowly pulls it away.

I look down at him, wrapped in colorful ribbons, and at this moment, he looks as if he's waiting to be unwrapped...

Like a gift.

The memory hidden in the recesses of my mind cause my heartbeat to pound a bit out of control.

Noting the pause of my hand, Kiro raises his eyes slightly, a couple of doubts present in his eyebrows.

Kiro: ...What's wrong?

MC: It feels like I'm opening a gift...

He startles slightly, and then a smile appears on his lips.

Kiro: I've always been a gift belonging to you alone. You can open it at any time.

The black ribbon absentmindedly wraps around his fingers, drawing out lingering memories and taking me back to that Valentine's Day filled with the scent of essential oils.

This time, I take over the role of "signee". I lower my head a bit and approach him, gently tugging on the silk threads in my hand.

MC: You are also the most precious gift given to me by God.

All of this is a call back to Entwining / Unwrap the Gift Date released for the game's first Valentine's day event :>

What answers me is a gentle pressure on the back of my neck and a soft kiss to the corner of my mouth.

The pounding in the left of my chest grows faster and faster, as if mirroring my desire to open this long-awaited gift to see what surprises are kept in store.

One by one, the ribbons are pulled away from him and scattered to the side.

After tearing them all off, I am left confused for a moment. He takes my hand and gently places it on the button of his shirt.

Kiro: [voice dark & husky] You're not done yet.

A burning sensation comes from beneath the thin silk fabric.

Kiro: [x2] Continue.

Bewitched by his gentle voice, my hand slowly travels down from his collar, and with just a slight flick of my fingers, the buttons of his white shirt come undone.

One, two...

Those blue eyes seem to bear an indescribable gravity. Just the way he gazes at me alone prompts me to draw closer and closer.

By the time the last button comes undone, our breaths completely merge.

His slender fingers grasp my wrist unobjectively and he lowers his head a bit, biting the chiffon string on the bust of my dress and gently tugging it open.

His scorching hot breath falls on the skin of my chest, like a falling spark, setting my entire chest on fire.

Kiro's eyes are half-lidded, and his somewhat hoarse voice carries an inexplicable rough quality to it that gently caresses my eardrums.

Kiro: [x3] Did you like that?

His headless and baseless words are so soft that they almost scatter with the heat of his breath, but they fall heavily onto my heart.

MC: Of course I liked it... In this world, I like you the most.

Upon hearing my answer, his breath suddenly surges and almost melts into my body.

Even though it's obvious that there is no pull from any thread, my body feels bewitched. I unconsciously murmur his name.

MC: Kiro....

My fingertips glide over his skin, seeking out his deeper exploration. He deliberately feigns ignorance, however, and tilts his head in curiosity.

Kiro: What's wrong?

His curled fingers tighten a bit, and the breath in my ears makes me feel as though my ears are about to combust into flames.

I bite my lip, unwilling to lose in this silent tug-of-war, and turn my face a bit to the side.

MC: I was just thinking that I do have more ideas... Mmn.

As if dissatisfied with my answer, he lightly nips at my collarbone, causing me to tremble slightly.

Kiro: [with the hint of a sulk] I can't believe you're still thinking about "work" right now, Miss Chips.

Kiro: Looks like I'm gonna have to get even more "serious" to make you think of me with all your heart.

There's a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice, and he presses the tip of his tongue to my collarbone and gently licks it.

He unties the chiffon straps on my chest bit by bit, slowly and carefully, his gaze, now shrouded in desire, still feeling extremely precious.

Due to the time we spend together, this throbbing that almost engulfs me never seems to fade away. It only gets stronger and stronger.

MC: I always think of you with all of my heart...

I close my eyes and allow our interlocked fingers to tightly intertwine.

The last strap of chiffon is finally undone. He gently releases his teeth and the soft strap drops to the floor beside him.

Daylight gradually fades, hiding away all the warmth and turbulence of the night.

[END]

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

More Translations: Here

[cupidddd-d]

you like what i represent, i like the attention

in which you're both selfish-- greedy, even.

cw: age gap

the reader doesn't have any pronouns addressed towards them, so feel free to read in whatever gender you prefer :)

what was it called when animals would use each other for their own benefits? like the crocodile and the plover? the crocodile would allow the plover to pick bits of meat from its teeth, and in turn, the plover would get a meal. a symbiotic relationship.

you were a model plastered on every magazine cover, every billboard. the type of model that children dreamed of becoming. the type of model who drowned in designer clothes and luxury brand deals.

tony was a billionaire, of course. everyone knew who tony stark was. and he didn't like you. not really, anyway. he only paraded you around because the paparazzi was always watching, and he needed you to hold his arm and look pretty, which you did.

he bought you expensive gifts and took you to fancy restaurants, and of course you'd go along with it. who wouldn't? you got even more attention, and tony's fame was only adding to yours.

and of course, the age gap between the two of you was very controversial. he was almost 40, and you were barely in your 20s. it made for a lot of bad press, and people were constantly making judgmental comments. but the way you saw it, all publicity was good publicity.

"i have to make an appearance at some nascar race on the 25th," tony said offhandedly. "there's gonna be a lot of reporters there."

you were having your monthly meeting about syncing up your schedules-- which was, of course, an essential piece in your ruse.

"i can't-- i have a photoshoot then from 8am to 4pm. but that's the latest date we can see each other unless we want to risk rumors about a break up between us," you frowned, pausing your mobile game to think.

"maybe it's good, right? it'll get people talking again. we've been too stable. people are getting used to us-- that's what my publicist said."

"no, no...people were waiting for us to break up. they'll cheer for, like, two seconds, and then they'll move on. is it possible for you to be late to the race?" you mused, tapping your nails on the side of your phone.

"oh, tony, you shouldn't have!" you gushed, your arms barely able to encase the massive bouquet of gold-dipped roses.

your mouth felt too big for your face, as if it was stretching your cheeks awkwardly, but it always felt this way when you were faking your enthusiasm. were your eyes crinkling enough to make your smile seem realistic? nobody ever commented on it, so perhaps you were better at acting than you thought.

"i just wanted to give my baby a little gift before taking you to the nascar race," tony flashed you a charming grin, his whitened teeth sparkling in the bounce lights. his expression seemed natural, but you supposed he had more experience in crafting his persona than you did.

you ducked your head to smell the flowers, hiding a triumphant grin as you noticed the flashing of a camera in your peripheral vision.

[indelicateink]

awesome

NASA is about to voyage into the streaming-verse. The federal space agency is announcing a new “NASA Plus” streaming service that will bring the on-demand non-sci-fi space content you crave to TVs and mobile devices everywhere. And best of all, NASA says it will be “ad-free, no cost, and family-friendly” (via Gizmodo).

You’ll be able to watch live coverage of future launches, documentaries, and brand-new original series the agency is producing exclusively for NASA Plus. The agency is looking to “better tell the stories of how NASA explores the unknown” and connect with more people by transforming its digital presence, Marc Etkind, NASA’s associate administrator of communications, states.

[mekkyz-dubz]

!! PLEASE SHARE AND REBLOG THIS POST ASAP !!

Update: 7/9/2023 (I will update the listings if they are added to the stores.)

Drawing Tablet Buyer's Guide 2023

Are you looking for help to get into digital art? Are you confused for what models would you pick? Do you want success in your art career? Then this blog is for you. These are the buyer's guide for artists who wanted to take approach on digital art. As always, you don't need a latest and greatest tools just to make good art. Your handy mouse and a trusty old tablet can do fine art at the time. My Intuos 4 L still works today, even if it was released on 2009.

Here are the basic categories you'll fit into: Beginner, Intermediate and Professional.

Beginner - This is where you start making digital art for the first time.

Intermediate - These are experienced artists who are on mid-range level at a greater value.

Professional - These are same as intermediate but who are on to take approach an high-end level to mimic the meaning art.

There are three types of pen tablets for you to decide. These have pros and cons on these tablets.

Pen Tablet - A pen tablet doesn't require a screen and can benefit for a user experience such as good posture, portability and pricing, but this requires hand-eye coordination as this type of tablet has a steep learning curve and drawing on it feels unnatural to use.

Pen Display - A pen display is a monitor that can be drawn into. It is easier to learn how to use pen displays and can mimic a sketchbook you were drawing. However, there are issues such as bad posture, expensive pricing and limited portability. Sometimes, your hand gets in the way through pinpoint cursor while drawing.

Pen Computer - These are pen tablets that can be used by themselves and don't require a computer, it can be portable for travel use. However, they are very expensive, limited to none upgradability, difficult and costly repairs and have a short battery life. As such, I do not recommend getting these pen computers for these reasons above and instead look for other mobile tablet alternatives such as iPad Pro, Surface Pro 8 or Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Here are the list of drawing tablet recommendations based on three categories.

NOTE: Prices may vary due to sale discounts so I only put links to the official store from drawing tablet brands so I'm gonna keep the original price for future references. However, Amazon is safer for returns and good units and eBay is the way to go for second hand offers.

If you're an osu! player looking for a pen tablet, I'd suggest getting an Intuos Pen and Touch Small 2013 (PTH-480) on eBay. One by Wacom Small (CTL-472) has the same performance yet cheaper. The only good alternative that doesn't suck is Gaomon S620. I recommend getting OpenTabletDriver for that purpose.

If you want to invest digital art, I highly recommend getting a medium size tablet for larger hand gestures.

Beginner

Pen Tablet: $30-100 Range

Wacom:

One by Wacom Small (CTL-472) - $49.95

One by Wacom Medium (CTL-672) - $99.95

Huion:

Huion HS611 - $79.99

Huion Inspiroy H1161 - $89.99

Huion Inspiroy 2 S/M/L - $49.99 - $89.99

Huion Inspiroy H640P - $49.99

Huion Inspiroy H950P - $59.99

XP-Pen:

XP-Pen Deco Fun XS/S/L - $29.99- $49.99

XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 - $59.99

XP-Pen Deco M/MW - $49.99 - $69.99

XP-Pen Deco L/LW - $69.99 - $89.99

Pen Display: $170-420 Range

Wacom:

Wacom One (DTC-133) - $399.95

Huion:

Huion Kamvas 12 - $239.99 w/ stand

Huion Kamvas 13 - $264.99 w/ stand

Huion Kamvas 16 (2021) - $419 w/ stand

XP-Pen:

XP-Pen Artist 10 (Gen 2) - $169.99

XP-Pen Artist 12 (Gen 2) - $249.99

XP-Pen Artist 13 (Gen 2) - $299.99

XP-Pen Artist 16 (Gen 2) - $399.99

Intermediate

Pen Tablet: $100-200 Range

Wacom:

Wacom Intuos Small Wireless (4100WL) - $59.95

Wacom Intuos Medium Wireless (6100WL) - $199.95

Huion:

Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 - $139.99

Huion Inspiroy Giano - $199.99

Huion Inspiroy Q11K V2 - $139.99

XP-Pen:

XP-Pen Deco Pro S/SW - $99.99 - $129.99

XP-Pen Deco Pro M/MW - $129.99 - $159.99

Pen Display: $260-1300 Range

Wacom:

Wacom Cintiq 16 (DTK-1660) - $799.95 ($649.95 on Amazon)

Wacom Cintiq 22 (DTK-2260) - $1299.95

Huion:

Huion Kamvas Pro 13 2.5K - $399.99

Huion Kamvas Pro 16 2.5K - $599.99

Huion Kamvas 22 Plus - $549

Huion Kamvas 24 Plus - $899

XP-Pen:

XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro (2019) - $259.99

XP-Pen Artist 13.3 Pro (2019) - $279.99

XP-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro (2019) - $369.99

XP-Pen Artist Pro 16 (2021) - $449.99

XP-Pen Artist 22R Pro (2020) - $599.99

XP-Pen Artist 22 (Gen 2) (2021) - $499.99

XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro (2020) - $899.99

XP-Pen Artist 24 (2021) - $799.99

Professional

Pen Tablet: $140-500 Range

Wacom:

Wacom Intuos Pro Small (PTH-461) - $249.95

Wacom Intuos Pro Medium (PTH-661) - $379.95

Wacom Intuos Pro Large (PTH-861) - $499.95

XP-Pen:

XP-Pen Deco Pro MW (Gen 2) - $139.99

XP-Pen Deco Pro LW (Gen 2) - $179.99

XP-Pen Deco Pro XLW (Gen 2) - $199.99

Xencelabs:

Xencelabs Pen Tablet Small - $199.99

Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium - $279.99 for standard, $359.99 for bundle, $379.99 for special edition

Pen Display: $800-3500 Range

Wacom:

Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 (DTH-1320) - Formerly $799.95 but less than $379.99 on eBay

Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 (2021) (DTH-167) - $1599.95 ($1529.99 on B&H Photo Video and Amazon)

Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 (DTK-2420) - $2199.95

Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 Touch (DTH-2420) - $2699.95

Wacom Cintiq Pro 27 (DTH-271) - $3499.95

Huion:

Huion Kamvas Pro 16 4K Plus - $899

Huion Kamvas Pro 24 4K - $1299

XP-Pen:

XP-Pen Artist Pro 14 (Gen 2) - $419.99

XP-Pen Artist Pro 16TP - $899.99

Xencelabs:

Xencelabs Pen Display 24 - $1899

Resources:

Brad Colbow: YouTube | Brad.site

Teoh Yi Chie: YouTube | 2nd Channel | Parka Blogs

The Seven Pens: YouTube | Website

[satoshi-mochida]

Goat Simulator Remastered launches November 7 - Gematsu

Goat Simulator Remastered will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store on November 7, Coffee Stain Publishing and developers Coffee Stain Studios, Coffee Stain North, and Deep Silver FISHLABS announced.

Here is an overview of the game, via Coffee Stain Publishing:

About

Goat Simulator Remastered is the latest in goat simulation technology. Your favorite chaotic sandbox is back and more beautiful than ever, with updated graphics, every downloadable content, and more bugs that you can shake a goat at. WASD to rewrite history. Your goal? Chaos! Your muse? Pilgor the goat! If you’ve had your horns in the sand for the last 10 years, Goat Simulator is a game about causing as much destruction as you possibly can, as a goat. Headbutt, backflip and ragdoll your way around each level to earn points, and come up with creative ways to ruin an NPC’s day. Goat Simulator Remastered is the remaster no one asked for. It comes with everything you loved about the original game and more, with new and improved visuals, updated textures, shiny new lighting, and some brand-new foliage showing off the finest in advanced goat simulation technology. We’ve also completely reworked Mutators, allowing you to pick and choose whichever “goat” you desire from a handy in-game menu. You just have to catch them all first! The remaster also includes every downloadable content from the PC version, and one of our favorites from the mobile version, including:

“GoatVille” – The Big Apple of Goat Simulator, as some would say…

“Goat City Bay” – The coastal jewel of northern GoatAsia.

“Goat MMO” – A fantasy adventure across lands unknown.

“Goat Z” – Can you survive the apocalypse?

“PAYDAY” – Gather your crew and prepare for a heist!

“Waste Of Space” – Explore the outer reaches of space and see what popular sci-fi references lie within…

“Buck to School” – From Goat Simulator Mobile, GoatVille high has a new jock in town.

There are also less exciting new things, like general optimization and bug fixing—but we promise we mainly fixed the boring ones.

Key Features

You can be a goat… again.

No really, that’s still the main selling point.

A brand spanking new mutator menu that lets you mix and match goats to your heart’s content—if your contentment means abominations.

As buggy as you remember—just because it’s a remaster doesn’t mean we haven’t left in an unhealthy dose of physics-based bugs because why not?

All downloadable content included—we could have sold them separately to you again, but if we’re honest this is already a cash-grab.

New and improved graphics, lighting, VFX and animations – as well as revamped foliage for the prettiest leaves you’ll see in a Goat Simulator game excluding Goat Simulator 3.

Disclaimer

Goat Simulator Remastered is a completely stupid game and has been a completely stupid game since we first invented goat simulation over 10 years ago. We’ve said it before, but you should absolutely be spending your money on something else, like a neat hat, a pile of bricks, or maybe pool your money together with your friends and buy a real goat.

Watch a new trailer below.

Gameplay Trailer

[oldphonepreservation]

Thanks to yet another donation from Rare Noggin Stuff, the following phone firmware images have been dumped:

Kyocera:

* Kona (Boost Mobile and Cricket versions)

* S1360 / Jax (Assurance Wireless branded)

LG LX5350 (LX53501D)

Samsung SPH-A900 (ZJ23, latest version thus far)

Firmware images and new JTAG pinouts are available on the Dumbphone Repo as usual!

As well as the fact that all known Kona carrier variants have been dumped, the Cricket Kona firmware is notable for being the only Kyocera Kona with functioning BREW runtime support out of the box.

[cartoonedin]

sapphire dorm + video games hcs. probably ooc but idc <3

sophia touches grass too much to be considered a gamer girl but after rory introduces her to first-person shooters? you're dead. you're gone. you're her dad you're reporting her but she'll never be dead or gone because pro teams all over the country are trying to recruit her. which country. who knows. she only plays at her friends' houses on saturdays because she doesn't want her brother to snitch on her swearing but sometimes she uses her 'oops i fell off a cliff again and need to call for help' projection and gets banned from those houses too. she and her horse-poop-covered hands hate mobile games. her parents are the reason new candy crush levels are still being added but she has neither the patience nor the long-term planning skills for level one. did the genocide route on undertale in record time because she thought it was how the game was meant to be played. into red dead redemption for the horses and the bearded cowboys who learn about fatherhood via gunfights.

ava is a handheld console girlie. if pokemon nurse were an actual profession she'd be employee of the month thirteen times a year. her animal crossing island has a better economy than every continent combined. that being said the day her brothers introduced her to warioware was the day the world was introduced to true bloodshed. has broken at least one controller because of sheer emotional attachment to a cute character. treats pikmin like a survival horror game and dead space like a sci-fi romcom. got the pacifist ending in undertale and does not understand why other rpgs don't have the mercy option. unless rory's in the game at which point she brings out the laser guns or whatever to get back at him for making her reveal her middle name. you know he's let that slip to more than one call of duty lobby ok let a girl live.

layla's favourite game is google chrome. she's boring and i love her for that. she speedruns minesweeper and solitaire to get her mind off particularly devastating biographies. she's friends with everyone's parents on candy crush and scrabble. she could be a gm on chess.com but she overthinks her moves to the point of losing on time despite playing as white. she's almost been hacked so many times because she can't resist correcting bad moves on word formation advertisements and gets led to online casino #infinity or something. she has a lifelong streak on every new york times game except vertex because you cannot tell me wildstar's constant use of her magic didn't destroy her eyesight even further.

isabel puts the bro in smash bros. rotates between king k. rool, sonic, and greninja because she has a brand and it must be tangential to adhd medication. in the same vein as sophia i think she touches grass too much to be considered a gamer girl but she makes rory keep up with madden and fifa news just to figure out if she's been added to the latest installment. she has a skateboard on her dorm wall but never uses it so i'm thinking she played through the og trilogy of tony hawk's games as a kid and echoed every voice line to the point of perfect memorisation. take the word dude away from her and she's mute. also i think she discovered happy wheels on her mom's computer and ruined several important business presentations that way.

valentina is a slightly grown ipad kid. i'm sorry but you can't tell me she didn't steal her style from dress to impress. also she rates everyone one star on those games not because she's a corrupt voter but because she has a sixth sense for when a bitch is hiding bacon hair beneath a hundred layers of sparkles. up there with isabel in terms of lacking screen time video game wise because i truly believe her family would spend their money on better (read: elite-r) past times but she 1000% plays the sims. one world is for planning fashion moments and carrying on the digital furi bloodline. one world is for drowning people by deleting their pool ladders and saying "not now sweetie mommy's cyberbullying the mayor" to her baby who's on fire.

rory's room looks like a gamestop. idc about his canon phone case he is SILLY. he will play anyone in smash as long as it looks funny next to the other character but he has a soft spot for kirby, yoshi, zero suit samus (isabel side eyes him very hard for this at first but it's still a very gay choice i promise) and wii fit trainer. his personality is held together by goat simulator, untitled goose game, and donut county. also duct tape and blue raspberry gum. he trolls a little (a lot) on first person shooters and mmorpgs mostly so he can pretend with an ounce of plausible deniability that he's just having a fun unserious time when sophia and/or ava beat his ass at both even though they're on the same team.

[mariacallous]

On the final evening of a trip to China this summer, I went out to dinner with friends at a shopping mall in central Shanghai and had my eyes opened by something unexpected.

Shopping malls have been the rage in China for decades, never falling out of fashion as some would say they did long ago in the country that invented them, the United States. Although a definitive count is hard to come by, in Shanghai alone, China’s largest city and one of its richest, there are said to be hundreds of malls, and I’ve been visiting them frequently since the early 2000s, when I lived in the city.

This might make malls an unlikely backdrop for an insight into ongoing social currents in the country, but that’s exactly what my dinner experience delivered to me on this night. First of all was the location. When I received the invitation, I immediately recognized the address, Middle Huaihai Road, in the city’s elegant former French Concession. And as I approached the place in a car hailed using an Uber-like app, I remembered the neighborhood as having once been home to one of the city’s biggest and most famous fake-goods markets. For decades, this was where airline crews and foreign visitors flocked to purchase knockoffs of Western luxury brands at rock-bottom prices, as well as pirated copies of DVDs of the latest Hollywood releases, among other goods.

Upon approach, the mall announced just how much China—and the world—has changed in the last 10 years, through the gigantic, illuminated lettering of its anchor business: an enormous Prada store, replete with the ritzy and distinctive architecture that normally goes with such things. Other pricey brand stores included Gucci, Miu Miu, and Dolce & Gabbana.

Even before I stepped inside, I knew that I was in for a special experience. Neatly dressed valets and doormen greeted arriving customers pointing them, a bit superfluously, toward the automatic doorways, where even from the outside, the welcome blast of air conditioning could be felt in the warm and thickly humid night.

I have long been aware that Chinese shopping malls, like malls in other countries, exist on a spectrum, from low to high end, and I had been to other high-end malls in China before, including in other cities, from Beijing to Chengdu and Xi’an. The celebration of luxury on display at the IAPM Mall struck me as a whole new level, though, and this went well beyond its collection of commercial tenants. What impressed me more that evening was the clientele. No small number of the people sauntering through its white decor looked like customers in a Paris or Milan fashion show, and, often enough, like the models themselves, complete with looks of haughty self-contentment and practiced ennui.

One of the most prevalent storylines about China in the wake of COVID-19 has been the dearth of consumer demand. This was clearly not the problem, though, for the occupants of the small world that I encountered that evening. There have been related storylines about weak investment data, both from Chinese and foreign sources, as well as an even longer-running topic, an ongoing crisis over overcapacity in the housing market.

I am admittedly limited to appearances, but on this one Friday night the people in this one mall didn’t seem to have a care in the world. Not only were they dressed to kill, but they were filling the many shops and restaurants, where they were eating fancy meals and, yes, spending money and buying things. My visits to more ordinary malls on this trip and other recent visits have revealed very different behaviors to me. The foot traffic in them appears reasonably healthy, even busy, but the stores, from jewelry shops and mobile phone dealers to clothing boutiques, have most often been empty, or close to it, and the food consumption on display heavily favored low-end restaurants and fast food.

The point that I have been working my way toward is that more than ever before, this trip left me with the impression of China as a deeply and increasingly bifurcated society, one in which inequality is high and seems to be growing, where people are living in increasingly separate worlds.

As I noted in my last column, which also drew from this trip, large numbers of Chinese people have recently been seeking ways to exit their society, pessimistically voting with their feet, in effect, about their country’s prospects after a long period of world-beating and transformational economic growth. The question is whether this matters to the country’s leadership, or better put: At what point would an exodus of people be deemed a crisis or emergency?

There is an argument to be made that the flight of many thousands of people who are struggling in China’s current economic environment actually benefits the state, by serving as a form of social release or, in other words, an escape valve. People from the countryside, from third-tier cities in the country’s interior, members of the working and lower-middle classes enjoy little political influence in today’s China. What the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and state pay much closer attention to are the sentiments and behaviors of the more prosperous elements of the society that are concentrated in the giant and relatively rich cities of the country’s east.

If religion, for Karl Marx, was famously called the opium of the masses, then material comfort; dernier cri fashion; access to the most prestigious brands; and lifestyle enhancements, like the endless fancy dining choices on display in the mall I visited, from the sumptuous and elegant Singapore soup dumpling restaurant where we ate to the embarrassment of choices of specialty dessert places (I chose chocolates from an expensive Italian-named place), would seem to be the pacifiers of China’s upper-middle classes.

By the standards of Americans with decent professional incomes, the cost of living in China’s most affluent cities often seems quite reasonable. Foreign luxury goods may be expensive (and heavily taxed), but restaurants, clothes, transportation, and many services are downright cheap. If this is true for an American, it is also true for an affluent Chinese person, like those in evidence on this Friday night.

For me, this helps make sense of a lot of what is going on in China today. Scholars have long explained the post-Tiananmen Square social contract in these terms: Stay out of politics, the sole preserve of the CCP, and focus on that era’s newly sanctified secular goal, getting rich.

Becoming affluent has become much more difficult in recent years, with the Chinese economy’s gradual but steady slowdown, with a trend toward rapid aging well underway, and with the costs of the COVID-19 pandemic and its sluggish aftermath. Brought up to date, a newer disposition might go something like this: If you’re rich, good for you; enjoy, indulge, and don’t make waves. If you’re not, though, well, you’re largely on your own.

When one looks at the rest of the Chinese population—meaning the hundreds of millions who don’t live in the most prosperous eastern cities, don’t rank above the middle class, or worse, live in the countryside—the material comforts and purchasing-power advantages enjoyed by urban elites are shrinking or nonexistent. For many rural Chinese, the most economically vulnerable portion of the population, in fact, state pensions only provide about $25 a month for many retirees.

Understood in this way, my night out at the mall may have offered me the most distorting mirror imaginable about the actual state of China and its economy. Not only are people seeking to leave via emigration, but Chinese also seem to be expressing their feelings and confidence about the future in another, even more telling way: their decisions about when or whether to get married and have children.

Narratives about falling fertility rates have become commonplace around the world in recent years, but that only obscures the drama of what is happening around decisions like these in China. As the demographer Nicholas Eberstadt has pointed out, since 2013, the year that Xi Jinping became the country’s leader, the number of first marriages in the country has fallen by more than half. There were only half as many births in 2022 as just six years earlier, meanwhile, and these numbers are still falling. Not even the collapse of the Soviet Union, Mao Zedong’s Great Famine, or the genocide in Cambodia managed to cut the fertility rate, or average number of births per woman, by as large a percentage as China has seen during these years.

Almost all well-regarded demographers agree that China’s population is going to shrink dramatically over the coming decades. This, of course, doesn’t mean that the country is going to disappear. No society facing declining fertility has figured out how to reverse this trend. To even slow it down, though, China will have to revise its social compact yet again, doing much more to provide opportunity, affordability, and economic security not for the fancy mall shoppers, but for everyone else.

[whitebunnie]

The Strategic Ballet of SEO Consulting: Crafting Digital Excellence

In the intricate ballet of the digital landscape, SEO consulting emerges as a choreographer, gracefully navigating the complexities to elevate businesses to new heights. This blog unveils the artistry behind SEO Consultant Services, exploring the nuanced dance between technical precision, content finesse, and the harmonious link-building that defines their unique approach to digital optimization.

Setting the Stage: SEO Consulting Beyond Conventional Wisdom

Decoding the Essence of SEO Consulting:

Beyond the common narrative of SEO as a means to visibility, SEO consultants are akin to creative directors shaping a narrative. They delve into the essence of a business, understanding its brand story, goals, and aspirations. SEO consulting is not a formulaic process; it's a choreography tailored to showcase the uniqueness of each business.

Strategic Choreography:

SEO consultants don't believe in off-the-rack solutions. Instead, they engage in a strategic choreography, conducting a thorough analysis of a business's digital footprint. This forms the basis for a customized dance, aligning SEO efforts with the specific needs and objectives of the business.

Unveiling the Choreography of SEO Consulting

1. Technical Ballet:

SEO consultants showcase their prowess in the technical ballet of website optimization. From streamlining site structures to ensuring seamless mobile experiences, their technical finesse lays the foundation for enhanced user experiences and improved search engine rankings.

2. Content Waltz:

In the graceful waltz of SEO, content takes center stage. SEO consultants curate a narrative that transcends mere keywords, focusing on creating a dance of information and engagement. Each piece of content is a step in the ballet, designed to resonate with the audience and lead them to conversion.

3. Link-Building Pas de Deux:

Similar to a pas de deux in ballet, SEO consultants engage in a delicate dance of link-building. They cultivate relationships with authoritative websites, earning high-quality backlinks that lend credibility to a business's online presence. It's a strategic dance that contributes to higher search rankings.

The Artistry of SEO Consulting

1. Adapting to the Digital Rhythm:

The digital landscape is a dynamic rhythm, ever-changing and evolving. SEO consultants are choreographers in tune with the latest beats, adapting their strategies to the nuances of evolving search engine algorithms. This flexibility ensures businesses dance seamlessly with industry trends.

2. Transparent Choreography:

SEO consulting is not a mysterious dance. Unlike performers guarding secrets, SEO consultants believe in transparent communication. They demystify the intricacies of SEO for businesses, fostering collaboration and ensuring clients actively participate in the choreography of optimization.

The Crescendo of Impact

1. Amplifying Visibility with Elegance:

SEO consultants orchestrate a crescendo of visibility with elegance. Through strategic optimization, they ensure businesses stand out in the vast expanse of search results, capturing the attention of their target audience with finesse and maximizing visibility.

2. Sustained Applause of Growth:

Beyond the immediate applause of improved rankings, SEO consultants focus on the sustained ovation of growth. Their strategies not only attract visitors but cultivate long-term relationships, transforming casual clicks into devoted patrons of a business's performance.

In Harmony with Success

As businesses pirouette through the digital ballet, the expertise of SEO Consultant Services emerges as a guiding choreography. Their ability to craft unique strategies, dance through technical intricacies, and adapt to the ever-changing digital rhythm positions SEO consultants as choreographers in the art of online optimization. In a world where online presence is the grand stage, SEO consulting becomes not just a service but a transformative dance orchestrating businesses toward the crescendo of digital success.

[centrally-unplanned]

I have begun watching House of the Dragon btw - it is fun! I like it just fine. I think the core cast is very good - Emmy D'Arcy & Olivia Cooke imbue a ton of pathos into their roles while keeping everything grounded, and Matt Smith, I mean he is Matt Smith I don't think anyone alive holds a candle to him when it comes to bringing aggressively compensating levels of caustic superiority to a character. They work these scripts really well.

I think the core of the changes are right. The Dance of Dragons, in the books, is a Madness of War story; everyone is an asshole. Rhaenyra is a murderous autocrat, Alicent is a scheming backstabber, both sides are run by awful people. Those awful people sometimes do glorious things, but their glory or loves are in service of foolish ends that destroy the Targaryen dynasty and ruin the country for the common man. It is told as a history book after the fact, and I really like it - I know some don't, but I think as a match to the medium it works well.

That was never gonna work on TV. There is the idea of doing the "everyman" approach, where the main characters are commonfolk soldiers trying to survive or the like. Not saying no one could make that work, but it is a problem of adaptation; the source material gives you nothing to work with there. It is a story of queens and battles, it would tonally be a mismatch to the previous Game of Thrones show as a brand, as an audience expectation, but (unlike say the Hobbit) a mismatch with the source material as well. And doing like a high concept "historian's tale" ehhhh again someone could do it but that is a risky bet. Telling a period drama is what the market can bear, and the story's details are amazing for a period drama; it just needs protagonists.

So you change up the characters. Rhaenyra is now motivated by justice and a desire to rule well alongside ambition, Alicent believes Viserys changed his mind at the last minute, miscommunications and the chaos of war cause the most heinous early actions as opposed to pure malice. I think this works well because the core darker elements are also preserved; the fear that Rhaenyra must kill Alicent's sons to preserve her rule motivates Alicent to roll the dice, her character doesn't matter so much for that dynamic, and so on for other changes. The story's core is still there, but now it has more depth to it, more realistic political dilemmas causing the level of tragedy.

I do think they are going a bit too far on a few of these tracks though? The latest episode (S02E03) screams of modern morality mucking things up as Rhaenyra, despite the fact that she murdered the King's son and the opposing faction is openly mobilizing armies to attack, is not only saying "let's give peace a chance" (that is fine) but refusing to do anything proactive to prep for the alternative. Her counselors propose flying around via dragon to make houses join her cause, and she is like "no, we can't use them, it's too violent"...then don't use them. Just threaten to use them, fucking bluff, get people on your side. Burn just one little household, as a treat. Be trying to make deals with Lord Paramounts, be gathering sellswords, show us something active so you don't look incompetent.

I feel the same way about Viserys deathbed statements to Alicent that trick her into thinking he changed his mind - why do you need this? You already did all that work showing me that Alicent felt she had to put her sons in power to protect them, that most of the council was already planning to do it, and all that season of buildup. Just let that good, justified stuff happen without a silly name mixup from a dying guy. Let Alicent be a little evil.

There is more than one whiff of "boys rush to war while women in their wisdom counsel restraint" in this show, and it is a bad look. For one it is a little sexist, and for two by mixing it with modern sensibilities, they look like rubes in their non-modern war. God forbid a woman do a single coup, that is my gender equality.

Hopefully they get this out their system as the war ramps up - I do think they will.

[beautifullache]

🦄The Sims 4🦄

👠Shoe Career👢

💕EARLY RELEASE 7.12.2024💕

Journeys

PTO 3 days off

Journeys is a teen retail leader with an emphasis on footwear and unique specialty items including apparel, backpacks, hats and accessories. With more than 800 stores in all 50 US states, Puerto Rico and Canada, Journeys offers the most popular brands that cater to the teen lifestyle such as Converse, Vans, Dr Martens, UGG, Adidas, Timberland, Birkenstock, Crocs and Hey Dude. Through strategic artistic partnerships, event sponsorships, exclusive content, creative collaborations with musicians, and a focus on giving back to the community through charitable events and volunteer programs— Journeys has become more than just a retailer, but a universal part of teen and youth culture. The in-store Journeys experience features an energetic environment, friendly, passionate staff, and an inclusive atmosphere where self-expression is not just accepted – but encouraged and embraced. Journeys is an attitude you can wear.

Sales Associate

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Assistant Store Manager

Store Manager

District Manager in Training

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Hibbett Sports

PTO 3 days off

Hibbett, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is a leading athletic-inspired fashion retailer with nearly 1,100 Hibbett and City Gear specialty stores, located in 35 states nationwide. Hibbett has a rich history of serving customers for more than 75 years with convenient locations, superior personalized customer service and access to coveted footwear, apparel and accessories from top brands like Nike, Jordan, and adidas. Consumers can browse styles, find new releases, shop looks and make purchases through our best-in-class omni-channel platform. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @hibbettsports and @citygear. At Hibbett I City Gear, we make it easy for you to have an edge up on the competition when it comes to your style. Whether it’s the brands we keep on our shelves or the people who work in our stores, we are here to help you reach your next level of play. You’ll get the latest products first and exclusive items that are harder to find. If you want to put your game in the right hands, you’ve come to the right place at Hibbett I City Gear. With names like Nike, Jordan, Adidas, The North Face, and Costa, we bring fashion and footwear together for you and your game. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or the whole team, at Hibbett I City Gear we have you covered from toe to head.

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Store Ops Projects Specialist

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Foot Locker

PTO 3 days off

Foot Locker, Inc. leads the celebration of sneaker and youth culture around the globe through a portfolio of brands including Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, atmos, and WSS. With approximately 2,700 retail stores in 29 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, as well as websites and mobile apps, the Company's purpose is to inspire and empower youth culture around the world, by fueling a shared passion for self-expression and creating unrivaled experiences at the heart of the global sneaker community. Foot Locker, Inc. has its corporate headquarters in New York. At Foot Locker, Inc., our purpose is to inspire and empower youth culture through our family of brands by fueling a shared passion for self-expression and creating unrivaled experiences at the heart of the sport and sneaker communities.

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Finish Line

PTO 3 days off

Finish Line is an American retail chain that sells athletic shoes and related apparel and accessories. The company operates 660 stores in 47 states, mostly in enclosed shopping malls, as well as Finish Line-branded athletic shoe departments in more than 450 Macy's stores.

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Champs Sports

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Champs Sports is one of the largest, athletic sports-specialty retailers in North America. We bring to the table an arsenal of the finest, freshest athletic apparel, footwear and accessories you’ll find anywhere. We believe that through our brands and our knowledgeable sales associates, we can claim the high ground as the authority on Game, and we’re here to help you up your own personal Game.

Cashier

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[eddie-redmayne-italian-blog]

‘Cabaret’ Review: What Good Is Screaming Alone in Your Room?

Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin star in a buzzy Broadway revival that rips the skin off the 1966 musical.

Eddie Redmayne, center, as the Emcee in Rebecca Frecknall’s revival of “Cabaret” at the August Wilson Theater in Manhattan.Credit...Sara Krulwich/The New York Time

By Jesse Green April 21, 2024

Just east of its marquee, the August Wilson Theater abuts an alley you probably didn’t notice when last you were there, perhaps to see “Funny Girl,” its previous tenant. Why would you? Where the trash goes is not usually part of the Broadway experience.

But it is for the latest revival of “Cabaret,” which opened at the Wilson on Sunday. Audience members are herded into that alley, past the garbage, down some halls, up some stairs and through a fringed curtain to a dimly lit lounge. (There’s a separate entrance for those with mobility issues.) Along the way, greeters offer free shots of cherry schnapps that taste, I’m reliably told, like cough syrup cut with paint thinner.

Too often I thought the same of the show itself.

But the show comes later. First, starting 75 minutes beforehand, you can experience the ambience of the various bars that constitute the so-called Kit Kat Club, branded in honor of the fictional Berlin cabaret where much of the musical takes place. Also meant to get you in the mood for a story set mostly in 1930, on the edge of economic and spiritual disaster, are some moody George Grosz-like paintings commissioned from Jonathan Lyndon Chase. (One is called “Dancing, Holiday Before Doom.”) The $9 thimbleful of potato chips is presumably a nod to the period’s hyperinflation.

This all seemed like throat clearing to me, as did the complete reconfiguration of the auditorium itself, which is now arranged like a large supper club or a small stadium. (The scenic, costume and theater design are the jaw-dropping work of Tom Scutt.) The only relevant purpose I can see for this conceptual doodling, however well carried out, is to give the fifth Broadway incarnation of the 1966 show a distinctive profile. It certainly does that.

The problem for me is that “Cabaret” has a distinctive profile already. The extreme one offered here frequently defaces it.

Let me quickly add that Rebecca Frecknall’s production, first seen in London, has many fine and entertaining moments. Some feature its West End star Eddie Redmayne, as the macabre emcee of the Kit Kat Club (and quite likely your nightmares). Some come from its new New York cast, including Gayle Rankin (as the decadent would-be chanteuse Sally Bowles) and Bebe Neuwirth and Steven Skybell (dignified and wrenching as an older couple). Others arise from Frecknall’s staging itself, which is spectacular when in additive mode, illuminating the classic score by John Kander and Fred Ebb, and the amazingly sturdy book by Joe Masteroff.

In this production, Gayle Rankin’s Sally Bowles is meant to be taken medicinally and poisonously, projecting instead of concealing her character’s turmoil, our critic writes.Credit...Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

But too often a misguided attempt to resuscitate the show breaks its ribs.

The conception of Sally is especially alarming. As written — and as introduced in the play and stories the musical is based on — she is a creature of blithe insouciance if not talent, an English good-time gal flitting from brute to brute in Berlin while hoping to become a star. Her first number, “Don’t Tell Mama,” is a lively Charleston with winking lyrics (“You can tell my brother, that ain’t grim/Cause if he squeals on me I’ll squeal on him”) that make the Kit Kat Club audience, and the Broadway one too, complicit in her naughtiness.

Instead, Frecknall gives us a Sally made up to look like she’s recently been assaulted or released from an asylum, who dances like a wounded bird, stretches each syllable to the breaking point and shrieks the song instead of singing it. (Goodbye, Charleston; hello, dirge.) If Rankin doesn’t sound good in the number, nor later in “Mein Herr,” interpolated from the 1972 film, she’s not trying to. Like the cough syrup-paint thinner concoction, she’s meant to be taken medicinally and poisonously in this production, projecting instead of concealing Sally’s turmoil.

That’s inside-out. The point of Sally, and of “Cabaret” more generally, is to dramatize the danger of disengagement from reality, not to fetishize it.

The guts-first problem also distorts Redmayne’s Emcee, but at least that character was always intended as allegorical. He is the host to anything, the amoral shape-shifter, becoming whatever he must to get by. Here, he begins as a kind of marionette in a leather skirt and tiny party hat, hiccupping his way through “Willkommen.” Later he effectively incarnates himself as a creepy clown, an undead skeleton, Sally’s twin and a glossy Nazi.

Having seen Frecknall’s riveting production of “Sanctuary City,” a play about undocumented immigrants by Martyna Majok, I’m not surprised that her “Cabaret” finds a surer footing in the “book” scenes. These are the ones that take place in the real Berlin, not the metaphorical one of the Kit Kat Club. She is extraordinarily good when she starts with the naturalistic surface of behavior, letting the mise en scène and the lighting (excellent, by Isabella Byrd) suggest the rest.

And naturalism is what you find at the boardinghouse run by Fräulein Schneider (Neuwirth), a woman who has learned to keep her nose down to keep safe. Her tenants include a Jewish fruiterer, Herr Schultz (Skybell); a prostitute, Fräulein Kost (Natascia Diaz); and Clifford Bradshaw (Ato Blankson-Wood), an American writer come to Berlin in search of inspiration. Soon Sally shows up to provide it, having talked her way into Cliff’s life and bed despite being little more than a stranger. Also, despite Cliff’s romantic ambivalence; over the years, the character has had his sexuality revamped more times than a clownfish.

The Schneider-Shultz romance is sweet and sad; neither character is called upon to shriek. And Rankin excels in Sally’s scenes with Cliff, her wry, frank and hopeful personality back in place. The songs that emerge from the boardinghouse dramas are not ransacked as psychiatric case studies but are rather given room to let comment proceed naturally from real entertainment. Rankin’s “Maybe This Time,” with no slathered-on histrionics, is riveting. It turns out she can properly sing.

The interface between the naturalism and the expressionism does make for some weird moments: Herr Schultz, courtly in a topcoat, must hug Sally goodbye in her bra. But letting the styles mix also brings out the production’s most haunting imagery. The intrusion of the Nazi threat into the story is especially well handled: first a gorgeously sung and thus chilling version of “Tomorrow Belongs to Me,” then the swastika and then — well, I don’t want to give away how Frecknall stages the scene in which Schultz’s fruit shop is vandalized.

That so many of these moments arise from faithful attention to the original material should be no surprise. “Cabaret” hasn’t lasted this long for nothing. Created at the tail end of Broadway’s Golden Age, it benefited from the tradition of meticulous craftsmanship that preceded it while anticipating the era of conceptual stagings that followed.

All this is baked into the book, and especially the score, which I trust I admire not merely because I worked on a Kander and Ebb show 40 years ago. That the lyrics rhyme perfectly is a given with Ebb; more important, they are always the right words to rhyme. (Listen, in the title song, for the widely spaced triplet of “room,” “broom” and, uh-oh, “tomb.”) And Kander’s music, remixing period jazz, Kurt Weill and Broadway exuberance, never oversteps the milieu or outpaces the characters even as it pushes them toward their full and sometimes manic expression.

When this new “Cabaret” follows that template, it achieves more than the buzz of chic architecture and louche dancing. (The choreography is by Julia Cheng.) Seducing us and then repelling us — in that order — it dramatizes why we flock to such things in the first place, whether at the Kit Kat Club or the August Wilson Theater. We hope, at our risk, to forget that, outside, “life is disappointing,” as the Emcee tells us. We want to unsee the trash.

Cabaret At the August Wilson Theater, Manhattan; kitkat.club. Running time: 2 hours 45 minutes, with an optional preshow.

Jesse Green is the chief theater critic for The Times. He writes reviews of Broadway, Off Broadway, Off Off Broadway, regional and sometimes international productions. More about Jesse Green

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/21/theater/cabaret-review-eddie-redmayne.html