#master of fire february 2023

[bluescreenvirus]

Week 2: Destiny

--

Decided to try and edit this one digitally? not my best coloring but I wanted to get it done :p

[polyphonial]

something that was intended for week 1 of master of fire feb but. well. close up on kai's friendship bracelets under the cut.

[id: a digital painting of kai and nya from lego ninjago. they are both shown from the knees up, standing and facing each other. nya stands on the left, kai is on the right. nya has brown skin, shaved sides, gauges, and a wave and trident tattoo sleeve. she wears a black cropped tank top and light grey sweats, her hair up in a bun with a pencil through it, except for two strands near her face, which are wavy. she looks angry and holds up one hand to her temple, pointing with the other at kai. she says: ' (caps) WHY (end caps) are you (caps) LIKE THIS (end caps)'. kai has light brown skin, a spiky mullet, an eyebrow piercing and a lot of scars, including top surgery ones. on his hands there are several friendship bracelets, and he wears chipped red nail polish. he is shirtless, wearing only grey sweats. he makes a hand puppet gesture with his hand, looks away annoyedly, cringing, and puts the other hand in his pocket. he says: 'blah blah blah...' end id.]

[id: a close up of kai's arm. it shows the friendship bracelets he is wearing. from top to bottom they are: cole's (brown with orange beads), jay's (blue with yellow beads and a lightning charm), skylor's (orange with red heart beads), nya's (purple with blue waterdrop beads), zane's (light blue with blue beads) and pixal's (lavender with square grey beads). they each have a name close to them, labeled with an arrow, and done in my hc handwriting. end id.]

[everyfandomsprincess]

Master of Fire February

Week 1: Brother/Family

[crysi9988]

Master of Fire February week 1: Brother

this was my first thought when thinking of Kai being a brother

[dontlookforme00]

Master of Fire February 2023, Week 1- Brother/Family

The Calm Before the Storm

Just before everything went to shit, an amazing brotherly moment <33 the angst

[gas1le]

MASTER OF FIRE FEBRUARY 2023

Week 2: Fire / Destiny

When Kai entered the city, the first thing he felt was the smell of smoke, such a sharp, acrid, bitter smell - not the one he was used to. But that wasn't the worst of it. The city was on fire from newly built buildings, parks that had recently pleased with their beauty, and people who were doing their own business, they all burned like firewood on a bonfire.

Kai heard the heavy and frightened sighs of his friends, everything turned inside him, an unpleasant feeling devoured him, as if he was the cause of these sighs. Dismissing this thought, Kai slowly turned towards them, and the moment the red ninja saw their faces, he forgot how to breathe. Fear and horror were written on their faces.

And the only thing that was spinning in Kai's head was that they also look at him like that when he uses fire?

Aspheera and her troops continued to advance and they spared nothing .

The fire spared nothing.......

***

The unbearable cold pierced Kai's skin with its icy claws, and the warm blanket of sheep's wool in which he wrapped himself did not save him, nor did it help the others.

After the attack of the ice emperor 's army , most of the people from the village were frozen and no one knows how to save them . Everyone else is hiding in an uninjured house from the attack and trying to keep warm. Kai looked around at the people around him, their skin turned pale bluish, and their breathing became weak at any moment they are all ready to fall asleep.

The red ninja bit his lip from rage if only he had the strength then he would have warmed them, no to save people from falling, no he could have stopped Aspheera and then Zane did not have to sacrifice himself to save Sensei Wu. It was his fault.

A frosty wind burst into the house, a whirlwind of prickly snowflakes fell people and they shivered from the cold. This was the last straw for Kai. He abruptly stood up, startling others, ignoring the glances, Kai headed for the hearth. Stretching out his stiffened hands next to the dry logs, the red ninja began to concentrate. He felt a slight warmth on his fingers, small lights appeared and disappeared. Kai missed the fire even though he knew that it only brings destruction, but not today, not this moment.

Ice fishermen cheerfully shout "kindler of fire" when Kai lit the hearth

Fire gives protection

***

Kai woke up from the unbearable roar of the dragon, everything was blurry, but he could still make out the silhouettes of his friends who gathered around him to protect him. It should be the other way around.

No , Kai whispered softly , looking at his family .

I have to protect them

- No - his gaze was fixed on the dragon, and his voice was breaking with anger, clenching his fists in which small sparks of fire appeared

I must have it destroyed

 - No - Kai shouted, splashing a stream of fire at his enemy. He smiled wryly as he heard the dragon growling in pain until it was completely destroyed .

From fatigue, Kai fell on the snow. He heard how the guys ran up to him and began to ask anxiously if he was in order

Everything was fine, because fire can destroy and protect at the same time.

[enha-hirose]

ENHYPEN KAI HIROSE'S PROFILE

Personal Information:

Stage Name: Artemis

Birth Name: Kai Hirose (히로세)

Date of Birth: April 17, 2001

Position: FOTG, Main Rapper, Lead Vocal, and Main Dancer.

Nicknames: Riri, Ari, Rosey, Hiro, and Kai

Zodiac Sign: Aries

MBTI: INTJ

Nationality: Korean-Japanese

Training Period: 2 and a half year

Blood Type: B

Facts about her:

Hirose was born in Tokyo, Japan but her family also maintains a residence in Seoungbukdong Village, Seoul, Korea, thus, allowing them to be able to travel back and forth between two countries.

Hirose's father holds the position of CEO at a prominent Japanese multinational investment holding company while her mother is a renowned chef. In addition, Hirose has an older brother who is two years older than her and who is also actively engaged in the business world.

Kai is a proud cat mom to two feline companions, Tsuki (Moon) and Hoshi (Star), who undoubtedly hold a special place in her heart.

She has a passion for baking pastries, using it as her love language to express affection.

Not only does Hirose demonstrate proficiency in classical instruments such as the violin, piano, and cello, but she has also delved into the realm of martial arts, having learned taekwondo and honed her equestrian skills through horseback riding.

She has a driving license and a pokemon collection (mostly pikachu).

However, it's Hirose's early fascination with archery that truly sets her apart. Starting at a young age, she dedicated herself to the sport, mastering the art to such an extent that she was able to compete at prestigious events like the Tokyo Olympics and the SEA Games, making her nation proud as she won gold medals in both events.

She is a huge fan of Red Velvet and BTS.

She was casted by Big Hit Entertainment when Hirose caught the eye of BANG PD himself during a BTS concert in Japan who recognize her overflowing potential.

She made a surprising lovely appearance in the BTS Highlight Reel, assuming the roles of J-Hope and Jimin's partner. Her exposure made her earn a substantial and passionate fanbase. From then, J-hope and Jimin immediately took her under their wing and treated her as their little sister.

She had a cameo and acted in the movie "The King" in her pre-debut.

She spent 2 years of intensive training with TXT which solidified the bond between Hirose and the members. The boys were actually hoping and looking forward for Hirose to be their female member.

She ranked 1st in the final episode of I-Land.

Hirose is often described as a tsundere, displaying a mix of a tough exterior and a warm, caring interior, revealing her softer side to those close to her. Despite her initial aloofness, her actions and gestures speak volumes about the genuine affection she holds for her friends and loved ones.

The I-Land trainees affectionately nicknamed Hirose as "Archer Siren" due to her exceptional talents, combining her mastery in archery with a voice so enchanting it's reminiscent of a siren's call. The trainees also acknowledge her as an all-rounder.

In the 1st episode of I-Land, Hirose and Heeseung were in a powerful sub-unit that left everyone in awe. Their synergy and breathtaking performance not only earned them full votes and set a high standard for the competition right from the start.

Hirose has forged strong bonds with all ITZY members, fostering particularly close friendships with Ryujin and Yeji, Aespa's Karina, IVE's Yujin and Gaeul, StayC's Isa, Viviz's SinB, and Red Velvet's Wendy and Irene.

Hirose has endeared herself to fans not just for her artistic talents but also for her pure and compassionate heart. Demonstrating her commitment to philanthropy, she donated 50 million won to aid the victims of a devastating forest fire in Gangwondo. On February 14th, 2023, she extended her generosity further, contributing another 50 million won to support those affected by the earthquake in Turkey.

Likes: classical music, mocha bread, rose tteokbokki, spicy and savory flavors, Harry Potter series, baking, traveling, coffee, photography, color green and blue, archery, and painting.

Dislikes: dust (she is allergic), tapping noises, injustice, unreliable and arrogant people, mint choco (she can tolerate it), loud crowds, disorganization, crying, invasive paparazzi or fans, and selfishness.

[natlacentral]

Forget The Haters, Avatar Live-Action Star Elizabeth Yu Is Our Princess Azula

When Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbenderannounced that newcomer Elizabeth Yu was cast as Princess Azula, some fans of the original Nickelodeon cartoon immediately took to social media to complain. Some thought she looked too innocent to play the Fire Nation princess, an antagonist in the Nickelodeon series that takes place in an imagined world with people who can master and manipulate the different elemental energies of Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. Others lamented that her face wasn’t angular like Azula’s is in the cartoon, or that she looked too young for the part. (An especially odd critique considering, though never specified, Azula’s age is believed to be 14. Yu herself is now 21; she was 19 during filming.) But when it comes to the fan reaction, the young actor is completely unphased. “I’m a hit with the kids,” she jokes to Refinery29, adding that she doesn’t take it personally. “I think anybody playing this part would’ve gotten some kind of backlash.”

Yu is confident that when the show premieres February 22, fans will see the live-action show is doing more than recreating the cartoon. In the original, Princess Azula, the ambitious daughter of the Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim), doesn’t appear until Season 2 when she emerges as a new threat to the Avatar, the boy with the power to control all four elements and unite the nations against Ozai’s dictatorial rule. In this iteration, Azula is a recurring character, allowing fans to see her in a brand new light. “It’s an origin story for her,” Yu says. “It’s this foundation being laid out for a lot of things to make sense when we eventually pick up where we first met her in the original series.” So if you were worried Yu’s Azula had lost her villainous edge, don’t be. Yu describes her as “a girl boss,” but “evil.” Still, she says, “Azula is my baby girl, she’s my boo thing. I love her.”

Not only is she unbothered by the early reactions, she’s not at all nervous when thinking about how the show might be received by hardcore fans. Instead, the actor is more concerned with what her two younger sisters will think. The actor has seen Asian American representation grow from Disney Channel’s The Suite Life of Zack and Cody — “All I had growing up was London Tipton,” she says, giving a shoutout to star Brenda Song — to recent Oscar-nominated films, like her 2023 favorite Past Lives starring Greta Lee. As half-Korean, Yu is proud to be a part of this current shift. “The idea that my little sisters are going to be able to watch TV and movies, and the likelihood of them getting to see someone that looks like them is so much higher, is such a win. It’s so healing to know that we’re creating an industry where little girls — little anyones — can feel like that.” 

The fact that Avatar: The Last Airbender stars Asian actors is arguably the new show’s biggest break from the original series. When the cartoon first premiered in 2005, it only featured a few Asian and Asian American voice actors, despite the fact that it took place in a world inhabited by mostly Asian and Indigenous peoples. When the beloved series was adapted into a widely panned live-action film, The Last Airbender (2010), the cast also remained mostly whitewashed, save for members of the Fire Nation, who were depicted as South Asian. Now, two decades after the original’s debut, Asians are finally getting a seat at the table. “It’s monumental,” Yu says.. “It’s so important to be able to see yourself in stories. That’s what storytelling is about.” 

Yu’s confidence is impressive, especially considering Avatar: The Last Airbender is only her third credit on IMDB. She gives off the air of an old pro. And in some ways, she is. Born and raised in New Jersey, she’s been auditioning for acting roles since she was 16. She’s also been dating Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo since they were 15. They currently live together in New York City with their three cats, and she’s had a front row seat to his rise to global celebrity. Though she insists she has always tried to keep their careers separate from their relationship, she admits, “Getting to see someone with such a huge heart navigate this industry is the best advice that I could be given.” She adds, “We’re both still trying to figure it out, and it’s really cool to be able to do it together.” 

She continued to audition throughout her last years of high school, though “it was a struggle,” she says. During her senior year, she debated whether or not to go to college or commit to acting full time. In the end, she stuck with her passion. Then, in December 2021, just months after her high school graduation, she booked Avatar. “‘Oh, thank God,’” she recalls thinking. “I’m doing what I should be doing.” She has since gone on to appear in the Oscar-nominated May December, opposite Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, and Charles Melton.

It wasn’t until her fourth and final audition came around that Yu finally learned what role she was fighting for. “It was insane. I cried on the phone with my mom.” Months later, she was standing on the Fire Nation set next to the legendary Daniel Dae Kim in full armor and regalia, acting between bursts of flames. (“Before they’d call action, they’d be like, ‘Pyro!’ and the flames would ignite from these sconces on the walls. It was insane.”) And though she admits acting opposite Kim was intimidating at first, it was also pretty damn cool. “Who wouldn’t feel like the baddest bitch in the room sitting next to Daniel Dae Kim as Ozai?” 

It sounds lucky, but her road to Azula had more than a few bumps. First, there was the fact that she didn’t know what project she was actually auditioning for. “They sent this completely fake, made-up storyline for this fake TV show. I was auditioning for a character named April,” she explains. After getting a callback, she hit the internet to do some sleuthing. “I became an FBI agent trying to figure out what I was actually auditioning for, because I was like, ‘Something about this does not feel real,’” she says. When she realized that it might be an adaptation of Avatar, a show she watched growing up, she couldn’t believe it. (“I was like, ‘No way. That is definitely not what I’m auditioning for.’”) Then there was the “minor car accident” that she got into right before her first callback. (She made it safe and sound and “did the damn thing!”). 

As for what big names she hopes to work with next, Yu is open for whatever comes her way. For now, she’s got her eyes set on a not-yet-confirmed Season 2 of Avatar, which she hopes will include Azula’s time on Ember Island with her brother Prince Zuko (Dallas Liu) as well as some of her character’s famous lines. “I’m really excited to go into a second season and finally do these iconic line reads that Azula has,” she teases, adding, “I quote them all the time to myself. There’s this one scene in the original where she says, ‘Do the tides command this ship?’ And she’s basically threatening this soldier that she’ll throw him overboard if he doesn’t do what she says. It’s just so badass.”

Live action or not, Princess Azula will always be badass.

[cowboydisaster]

The Fire In Your Eyes

part I: tumbleweed

originally posted on 14 february 2023

pairing: Arthur Morgan x fem!reader

word count: 3.9k

summary: you're running from the law and stealing your way across the country. What happens when you meet a man who offers you kindness in an ever bleak world?

a/n: new series! Also happy valentines day! This is a little galentines gift for @.margowritesthings . I debated how and when to post this for a while now but here we are!

SERIES MASTERPOST

taglist: margofiore, woman-with-no-name, mrsarthurmorgan7, tillith, luvliewriting (you were all tagged in the original post, I didn't wanna blow up your tags <3)

The Tumbleweed Saloon is loud tonight, bustling with drunk fellers looking for a good time, and others looking to drown their sorrows. You’re the only woman in the saloon not for hire. It’s obvious, your dirty jeans and work shirt signal as much, but it hasn’t stopped the men from eyeing you with greed and asking for a price. Each of them receives a little something for their questions; One left the saloon with a black eye, another left with a slice in his arm from his advances. They all got what they deserved. Now onto what you deserve. 

“Another whiskey.” You order, tossing two shining quarters down onto the old worn bar. The barkeep ignores the thirsty cries of the men beside you, knowing what will happen if he doesn’t get you your drink. You’re much smaller than them, but you can put up a hell of a fight, winning every time. The bartender, a local man with a dark handlebar mustache and a big hat, grabs the finer alcohol from the shelf underneath the bar. The golden liquid pours downwards, swirling in your glass until it is full once again. The bartender slides your shot down the length of the bar, and just as you catch it in your palm, a man slides into an open spot next to you. He’s big, standing over six feet tall with broad, sculpted shoulders. He’d be difficult to knock on his ass, but luckily he hasn’t come to bother you. Hell, he hasn't even noticed you yet. He’s turned slightly away from you, talking to a big, greasy lookin’ feller with a raspy voice. Pleased that the men aren't bugging you, for once, you turn back to your drink, slamming back the shot and bringing it down to the counter with a loud clunk. You savor the burning warm sensation that the whiskey sends down your throat, letting yourself drown away your sorrows with the liquid. You can feel a slight buzz working through your system, as your head feels a little fuzzy and your body radiates with warmth. The big man standing next to you at the bar takes a step back, accidentally bumping into you. After a little trip, you steady yourself and then turn to the man with the heated glare. You’re just about to tell the big brute off when a glint of reflecting light catches your eye.

Sticking out of the pocket of the larger man beside you is a platinum pocket watch, reflecting the light at the perfect angle to catch your eyes. Well shit, the day just got a whole lot better for you. His black jeans held up by fancy leather suspenders have a decent sized pocket, and the watchchain pokes out just enough for you to grab it. He won't notice if you do. You’ve become a master at this. Oftentimes pickpocketing poor, unsuspecting strangers is the only way for you to get money. You’re on the run after all, you can't just go pick up a job in town.

 Perhaps it's the whiskey swirling through your system, loosening your limbs and your thoughts, but you get a sudden burst of courage, slipping your hand towards the man’s pocket. Typically you would never rob a man of this caliber. You stick to weaker men, smaller men without revolvers strapped to their belt. But something in you wants to take it, wants to rob this man and boast of the good steal from a gunslinger. A platinum pocket watch would keep you on your feet for a while. You could rent a room at the saloon and stock up on canned goods. Hell you could buy a cheap horse. You’ve been needing one ever since the lawmen shot down your mare Flower. She was a hell of an animal, mane and coat as red as a flame, and a heart of gold. She was your partner, your best friend. You haven’t had the heart to replace her since she passed, but you know that you can't rely on walking and sneaking onto trains for transportation forever.

Confident with your decision, you very carefully sneak your supple fingers into the man’s back pocket. The sounds of the bar fall away as you steady your breathing, focusing entirely on being as quiet and gentle as possible. You barely brush the denim of his jeans, keeping a close eye on the back of his head before you feel the cool metal of the chain. He hasn’t noticed. You’re fine. He’s talking to the other man, laughing and joking about something as you pull the chain up until the watch is free from his jeans. With a quiet breath of relief, you slip it into your vest pocket. Relief washes over you, and your hyperfocus falls away, letting the sounds of the saloon rush back to your ears. That is, until a large hand grabs your wrist, squeezing it so tight that the bones feel like they're cracking. You gasp at his grip on you. The hand belongs to the larger man, he’s still not facing you, but he's extended his arm behind his back just enough to grab your wrist. 

“You best put that back, Mister.” He growls, drawl deep and southern, rumbling through the room. Because he hasn’t turned around yet, he assumes you’re a man. He’s a bastard and he won’t let you go. You’ve garnered the attention of a few drunkards by now, especially as you futilely try to pull your arm back.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you lie, “Now let go of me!!” You yell, pissed off at your failure and regretting your decision to cross this man. 

The man's eyebrows draw together at your voice, and he turns around to face you. He was not expecting it to be a lady stealing from him. Especially not in a town as rough as Tumbleweed. But regardless, that's his watch. And he’s getting it back. He comes inches away from your face, looking straight into your eyes with the most threatening look you’ve ever seen. Despite your racing pulse, which he can surely feel, you straighten your shoulders to meet his stance.

“Put. It. Back.” The man growls again. A deep scowl plays out on his face and you kick yourself for ever thinking you could rob him. But you need the watch. For a second you think over your options. Well, he’s a man in a saloon. There’s one sure as shit method to get your way, feigning ignorance. You can probably cry your way out of this one, make up some sob story and get off easy.

“I- I’m really sorry, mister. It’s just… Well, I’ve been real hard up for money.” You whimper, tears pooling in your eyes as you peek up to him with the best puppy dog eyes you can manage. 

He looks you over for a second, scowling. His eyes are an enchanting mixture of green and blue, greatly contrasting his tan skin. Subtle crows feet outline his eyes and a scar rests on his chin, long since healed. His nose has been broken, but those eyes. Everything about this man speaks of a rough life, of hatred, cruelty, and being hurt, but those blues… there's something deeper there.

“I ain’t fallin’ for that, lady. Now give it back.” He’s getting rather irritated, and his grip on your arm tightens.

 Oh well, you’re not sweet talkin’ your way out of this one..

“You’re not fallin’? Really?” You chuckle, leaning in before swiping your leg out as hard as you can and undercutting his ankles. You swipe his legs out from underneath him, and even though you’d love to see the look on his face when he hits the floor, you waste no time, turning and running towards the saloon doors. The pocket watch is still in your vest, and you clutch the material in an effort to not lose it. Multiple people are shoved out of the way as you beeline for the door, pushing it open and searching your surroundings. It's dark out, not many people are in the street, but a line of horses are hitched to the wooden posts in front of the saloon. You need something fast and you need it now. Scanning down the line of horses quickly, you spot a chestnut mare. She’s a little more skittish than you would like, pawing at the ground with her hooves and whinnying loudly into the night, but you can tell she’s bred to be quick with lots of stamina. 

“Sorry, your man ain’t comin for you, just me now.” You whisper, jogging towards the mare and throwing yourself up into the saddle. It's a fine saddle. Expensive, hand-tooled leather with a saddle tree custom fit for this mare. It's probably worth over $500, which boggles your mind. The owner of the mare must be tall, as you can’t reach the stirrups, but you spur her on anyway, galloping as fast as you can ride away from Tumbleweed. You don’t even know what direction you’re going in, you’re just getting away. The few little oil lights around the town get smaller and smaller until they dissipate into nothingness behind you. You get farther and farther away, pushing until you're well away from the town. It would take an expert tracker to find you. 

The red mare slows into a nervous canter as you whoa her, going up a little hill of orange and red rocks. You’re somewhere not far past Benedict Point, up on a flat topped landscape that you have no name for. It’ll work for the night. There's good visibility to the roads below, so if he follows you, you can spot him.

After hopping down from the mare, the first thing you do is untie her saddle cinches and gently place the saddle down onto the ground. Luckily, it's equipped with a bedroll and saddle bag as well, but you'll get to that later. You check the mare’s sweat marks, and are pleased to find that despite her hot breaths, she’s not overheated from the run. She was bred for this, so it shouldn’t surprise you, but you’ve never had the pleasure of being around a horse as high quality and presumably expensive as her. You take her bridle off, tossing it to the ground and replacing it with a rope halter that you’d found on the saddle, that way she can’t get away. As you tighten the coarse rope, the mare pins her ears at you, lifting her top lip in a show of aggression and annoyance. 

“Yeah, I know. I took you from your man, well he shoulda kept a better eye on you. Anyone dumb enough to leave an animal like you hitched outside instead of droppin’ you off in the stable, doesn’t deserve you.”

You roll out the thick blue bedroll in front of the saddle on the ground so that you can use the saddle as a pillow before resting down on it. Eyeing the red mare, you chuckle. It's clear that she’s been exceptionally well cared for. Her coat shines like polished copper, indicating that someone brushes her very regularly. You can’t see her ribs, instead you can see thick, powerful muscles; someone is working this horse daily. She’s been shown an impeccable amount of physical care but the softness to her eyes, along with her fiery attitude show you that she has been shown love and companionship as well, not just treated as a means for transportation, but a partner. Tears well up in your eyes as you think about the fate of your horse Meg, but you brush them away, grabbing the saddle bag and placing it in your lap. Crickets and cicadas chirp in the night, providing a calm sensation as you lift the leather flap. The first thing you see is some clothes, a few outfits for different types of weather, a kit to make a tent, a wad of cash and some canned food. Well shit… you got lucky. 

You grab one of the metal cans, leaning back against the saddle to look up at the stars while you open the can with your knife. It's peaches, and you smile at the treat. Peaches aren't so cheap, and typically you find yourself eatin’ offal just to get by. You pop them into your mouth one at a time, savoring the thick, sweet juice as you go. You offer one to the mare, but she is wholly uninterested in you, keeping her head down to graze on the few little weeds that sprout through the rocks. After the can is completely gone, you toss it aside and lay down, resting your head on the seat of the saddle. You reach into your pocket, pulling out the expensive watch and looking it over for a moment before returning it to your vest.  

The stars shine brightly, casting the ground in a soft light. A few constellations can be made out, and you think of your mother as you try to name them.

Sleep comes easily, the quiet call of animals in the night soothes you, the rustle of wind and the low noises that the mare makes, walking around the camp and slowly plucking up the bits of grass. It's entirely peaceful. That is until you wake up completely startled by the sound of galloping hooves approaching you. You jolt up, unprepared but ready to start throwing fists. A buckskin horse, weak and exhausted from running approaches you with a man on its back. 

“First my watch and then you stole my goddamn horse?! The hells the matter with you, madwoman?!” He yells. 

It’s the man from the bar. You take a few steps back as he jumps down from the buckskin. You’re sure that he’s going to storm over here and kill you. Maybe he’ll shoot you, or maybe he’ll push you off the cliff’s edge. You reach for your knife, but hesitate when he stomps over to his mare instead of you. 

“Well I didn’t know it was yours. Plus, if this is your horse, then where in the hell did you get that one?” You bite, confused as to whether or not you can trust this stranger. A black hat obscures his eyes from you as he saddles up his mare. The man chuckles, deep in his chest before turning to you. 

“Got me there, I stole it.”

You squint your eyes, taking in his sarcasm and the calm, sarcastic demeanor that he has taken on. A little unsure of yourself, you sit down on the dirt. If you need to, you can grab your knife, but if he was going to hurt you, he would have already.

“So you’re no better than me. We’re both thieves.” You say, ready to pull your knife out and gut this man if he approaches you. 

“No, I ain’t no better than you… I ain’t knockin’ fellers down in a saloon though, put me right on my ass.” He chuckles, working on the straps to his mares saddle. 

That gets a laugh out of you. After securing the saddle, he steps over a few feet from you and sits down in the dirt. He sees the way your hand rests on the handle of your blade, leaving it sheathed but ready to pull out. But he doesn’t plan on pushing you. He pulls out a cigarette and places it between his lips before striking a match against the bottom of his boot. 

“Why you out here by yourself anyway? Ain’t safe out here, especially not in these parts.” He asks, bringing the lit match up to his lips and igniting the cigarette. You shuffle, adjusting your legs to bring your knees to your chin. Dangerous out here? Whatever's out here should be afraid of you.

“I'm perfectly capable of takin’ care of myself.” You hiss, more forward than intended. At this, he smiles, raising his hands into the air in mock surrender. A puff of smoke leaves his lips as he talks. 

“Yeah, that you is…”

Puffs of smoke color the air gray instead of black, swirling up and away until they disappear in the night. You study him again, taking note of the two fully decorated revolvers on his hips, the worn state of his boots, and his expensive outfit. His horse was packed for travel, and the other man he was with at the bar shared a similar look. Puzzle pieces click together in your head and it all makes sense. 

“You a wanted man, mister?” You ask, resting your chin on your knees, ignoring your brain which is screaming for you to grab a horse and run. 

The man before you picks up a small twig in front of him, toying with it and breaking it into pieces before looking up to meet your eyes. You have to avert yours from his blue-green gaze, you know if you look, you’ll stare. 

“You a wanted woman?” He projects.  

The fact that he diverted your question answers itself. He is a wanted man. You can't find a good enough reason to completely lie, even though you feel it would be a safer option. 

“Yeah… I didn’t do it though.” You lie, averting his gaze as you pull on your boot straps. 

“Sure ya didn’t,” He laughs, “now what they want ya for?”

You feel the emotions bubble up in your chest, but you shove them down. You won't allow this stranger to see you cry. 

“Killin’ a feller…” You whisper

The man whistles lightly, eyebrows raised as he takes in your form. You? Killing someone? He can see it, honestly. 

“What’d the bastard do?” He asks patiently, still playing with the stick. 

“He killed my father, the only person I had left,” Your jaw sets and you feel that familiar rage  come over you as you tighten your grip on your knife handle. “and so I killed him for it.” 

His eyes fall a little, and he nods his head. 

“So he deserved it then.” 

Wanting to change the subject from your first account of manslaughter, quite the uncomfortable topic, you ask this stranger about his own. 

“And you? What are you wanted for?” You ask quietly. The man laughs a little, bringing his hand up to run over his beard. 

“Shit, darlin’. There ain’t much I'm not wanted f-” He begins, but you scowl, cutting him off with your bite. 

“I’m not your darlin.” You growl, scowling up at the stranger with an annoyance beyond anything he’s seen. He smiles at your constant bickering and attitude. You are something else.

“Yeah I know.” he chuckles. 

It grows quiet, a bit uncomfortably so. You’re not sure what happens now. Is he going to leave you here and take both horses? You wont make the walk back to Tumbleweed, not through the desert. You’re about to ask the plan when he speaks up. 

“You need a place to stay?” He asks, eyes soft on yours. There's a wrinkle in between your eyebrows from concentration and confusion as you think over his offer. Surely he wants something out of this. You can’t trust him, you’ve known him all of five minutes.  

“Why? You want me to go back with you? What, keep me safe so I can lay with you as a payment?” You hiss, feeling threatened and cornered. Once again you grip onto your hunting knife. The stranger runs a hand over his face, seemingly offended by your assumption. His brows draw together and he looks kind of pissed off. 

“Jesus- No!” He yells, pinching the bridge of his nose before gesturing to you with his hand. 

“Got a camp, a group of people. There’s a kid, older folk, women. We ain’t good men, but we ain’t exactly bad neither.” He says, resting his hands on his gun belt as he awaits your response. You’re nothing short of shell shocked. You met this man ten minutes ago, you don’t even know his name, and he's invited you to his camp. But the one thing ringing in your head is the child. How bad can a group truly be if they’re taking care of a child?

“There’s a kid?” You ask, so quiet that it seems foreign. Shelter would be wonderful, and real food. But you’re afraid for your safety. 

“Yeah, little Jack.” The stranger chuckles, seemingly looking back on a specific memory. 

Your eyes fall down to your lap and you play with your fingers, utterly confused by the choice he’s given you. Would it be worth it? To get off the roads? He’s watching you, looking over the emotions playing out on your face, waiting for a response. He sees the uncertainty in your eyes, and speaks up.

“You could stay for a while, hide out from the law and get back on your feet. Camp’s a ways away, closer to Blackwater than here, but we could be there by tomorrow.” He says, gauging your reaction. You bite your cheek, playing over the pros and cons in your head. 

“Why are you helpin’ me?” You ask sincerely. Kindness is a rarity, something that you’re not used to. In fact you’ve built walls around your heart to protect yourself from the unkind world, and the people that inhabit it. 

“I've been on my own before, beggin’ in the streets, sleepin’ in the woods with no bedroll or nothin’. Was a little younger than you back then, it's no way to live. Someone took me in when I needed it. And if he didn’t I'd be dead by now. Figured you deserve the same.” He says, keeping his eyes on you the entire time. 

Nothing can be heard but the slow grazing of horses as you think. You need to get out of the wilderness, you need to get back on your feet. But joining a group of strangers? It’s risky. The man before you hasn’t hurt you. He easily could have killed you as soon as he rode up here. With a small scowl, you reach your resolve. 

“Alright… I’ll go. But if anyone tries anything, I'll kill em.” You mumble, standing up and dusting your knees off. He looks to you with sincerity, offering you a little nod in understanding. 

“It ain’t a trap.” He says, mounting up into the saddle. 

“Say, what's your name, anyway?” He asks, adjusting himself on the red mare as you climb onto the buckskin. You tell him, and he thinks over your name for a moment. 

“You?” You ask. 

“Names' Arthur Morgan.” He says, spurring his horse back towards the road. 

“Well, Arthur Morgan, I figured you should know that this little agreement doesn’t mean you’re getting this watch back.” You yell up to Arthur, galloping after him on the poor buckskin and tapping the pocket of your vest. Arthur genuinely laughs, turning around to yell back. 

“Yeah well you can keep it. I stole it anyway.”

[dreamaze]

.⟡. 2023 Year in Review .⟡.

cc year in review — every month in 2023 : link your favorite and/or most popular post from each month this year

tagged by: @shorelinnes, @xiaojuun, & @gnanii, thank you lovelies! ♡ tagging (no pressure, & the gifs were extra!): @ye-xiu, @eggheons, @nervousnotion, @honeyimissjoo (if you’ve already done this, feel free to drop the link! ♡)

Hello!! A brief(ish) recap before the actual list. It’s been a pretty wild year in wingsland, mostly thanks to finishing up my second master’s degree in December (finally, BYE!). Looking back, I’m surprised at how much content I actually created, but this has been a refuge and source of comfort for me while running on fumes between work and school and general adulting. 2023 also marked some changes in my listening and sources of inspiration. I fell more out of interest with txt (apologies to all followers who were here for them… this is the second time this has happened, oops?) but fell even more in love with Monsta X while discovering some other new or new-to-me artists (more on that in another post). Reason was my first official comeback with them, and it really lit a fire in my brain. I have a few ongoing series that I intend to continue, whether they’re gifs or audio compilations. I giffed a LOT of besties (minhyuk + hyungwon, the soulmates of soulmate besties). It brings me so so much joy to work on those sets and the various audio edits or just being excited about musical details in my music box tag. I also managed to squeeze in a few angsty mv sets along the way, because tbh I feel like I am thriving most as a creator when something is pulling at the heartstrings. I know mbbblr has been quiet lately (and must seem exceedingly so to those who were around years ago), but I will keep being noisy about them until mx6 is reunited and beyond. Thank you for sticking around with me ♡

(P.S. I am calling these my favorites and audience favorites because what even is popularity on tumblr, and also I am horribly indecisive and can rarely stick to one. Please enjoy the occasionally unserious post descriptions!)

January ⟡ My favorite(s out of an unusually prolific month): ‘Beautiful Liar’ lyrics + reflected shots, control imagery, & Minhyuk/Changkyun choreo; besties livestreams ft. minhyuk about to get his ass kicked by an indignant noodle & besties again not fighting ⟡ Audience favorite: Reason concept ver.3 (where did all those notes come from) followed by Hyungwon in Love Killa/Gambler/Beautiful Liar

February ⟡ My favorite: Besties Lone Ranger recording, Honey PD ’괜찮아’ Recording (ft. bonus honey threatening offering to kiss minhyuk on the lips), Hyungwon ‘Beautiful Liar’ mv + photoshoot behinds, & the following ⟡ Audience favorite: Unofficial art director Lee Minhyuk

March ⟡ The (only) favorite: Hyungwon FRED x Marie Claire (my favorite photoshoot coloring of the year)

April ⟡ My favorite: Minhyuk in Reason era & besties ft. not-very-tsundere hyungwon ⟡ Audience favorite: Hyungwon John Varvatos x GQ

May ⟡ My favorite: Besties All In mv + filming (for the 7th anniversary of All In) & the following ⟡ Audience favorite: Lights album preview

June ⟡ My favorite: Overdrive & “always you and me” besties ⟡ Audience favorite: Minhyuk x Singles

July ⟡ My favorite: Hyungwon x MV water imagery ⟡ Audience favorite: 1/2 of besties enlists (sobwail)

August ⟡ My favorite: Fighter performance video (…ft. besties), besties massage (fail), & the following ⟡ Audience favorite: Changkyun x Marie Claire

September ⟡ My favorite: Jaechan ‘Time’ ⟡ Audience favorite: Minhyuk vs the prop pear

October ⟡ My favorite: Besties with or without mx ⟡ Audience favorite: A pretty Joohoney

November ⟡ The (only) favorite: Minhyuk x Floun

December ⟡ My favorite: Giuk 'My Blue' & the consequences of putting besties next to each other in dance relays ⟡ Audience favorite: Hyungwon Givenchy Beauty x Singles

[bluescreenvirus]

Week 1: Brother / Family

--

I know I'm a bit late, but here it is! Kai's scene from Skybound deserves more attention tbh :( Poor guy

[panimoonchild]

Life goes on for the world, but for Ukrainians, it never will be the same

Soldier Daniil Kondel, call sign Viking, died on April 2, 2023, near the village of Khromove near Bakhmut, Donetsk region. While performing a combat mission at an observation post, restraining the advance of enemy units of the Wagner PMC, a group of Ukrainian soldiers came under enemy artillery fire, as a result of which Viking was fatally wounded. On May 25, he would have turned 22 years old.

Daniel was born and lived in Kyiv. He graduated from the National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine with a degree in sports management. He has received many awards and honors in sports (sambo, judo, combat sambo), participated in competitions for the honor of the district and city from the Triumph club, and was a candidate for master of sports in sambo.

With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he did not hesitate to defend Ukraine. He fought against the invaders in the ranks of the Honor Company of the 1st Battalion of the Da Vinci's Wolves 67th separate mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was an operator of weapons for Special Forces units. He performed combat missions in the Kharkiv and Donetsk directions and took part in the liberation of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi in the Kharkiv region. Since mid-February 2023, Danylo's unit has been defending the Bakhmut-Chasiv Yar road, which was an important area for Ukrainian soldiers.

"Daniil is an extremely kind, strong, and courageous person. A man for whom honor and justice have always come first. He was an example for his colleagues. His colleagues remember him as a true leader with iron discipline. A true fighter and hero. Danylo was an example of what a real man, a real warrior, a real Ukrainian should be. And he proved it at the highest cost - the cost of his own life!" - this is how friends described the fallen soldier.

Danylo was buried at the Forest Cemetery in Kyiv.

His father Oleksiy and his mother Hanna were waiting for him at home.

Don't be indifferent. Make Russia pay. Please hear our cry out to the world, keep spreading our voices, and donate to our army and combat medics (savelife.in.ua, prytulafoundation.org, Serhii Sternenko, hospitallers.life, ptahy.vidchui.org, and u24.gov.ua).

[everyfandomsprincess]

Master of Fire February Week 4: Photo/Together

Pixal’s taking the photo

[gideonthefirst]

2023 Books

favorites bolded, least favorites have an [x], rereads have an *

January

The Flash: The Death of Iris West by Cary Bates, Frank Chiaramonte, Jack Abel, Vince Colletta, Frank McLaughlin

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones [x]

When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb

Princess Floralinda and the Forty-Flight Tower by Tamsyn Muir

February

Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer [x]

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

The Love Song of Ivy K. Harlowe by Hannah Moskowitz

March

Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes on a Tribe Called Quest by Hanif Abdurraqib

April

The Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

May

They're Going to Love You by Meg Howrey

June

July

Where Are Your Boys Tonight?: The Oral History of Emo's Mainstream Explosion 1999-2008 by Chris Payne

The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud*

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy, books 1-7*. specifically book 7 gets a [x] for being so bad it killed the reread

Nimona by N.D. Stevenson*

You Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Jeffrey Cranor and Janina Matthewson

August

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett*

September

Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket

A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurraqib

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

A Punkhouse in the Deep South: The Oral History of 309 by Scott Satterwhite and Aaron Cometbus

October

Trick to Catch the Old One by Thomas Middleton

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Stephen Florida by Gabe Habash

Wage Labor and Capital by Karl Marx

November

Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism by Vladimir Lenin

Trust by Hernán Diaz

Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov

December

The Holocaust Industry: Reflections on the Exploitation of Jewish Suffering by Norman G. Finkelstein

A Master of Djinn by P Djèlí Clark [x]

Prosper's Demon by K.J. Parker

Blackouts by Justin Torres

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

The Book of Eels: Our Enduring Fascination with the Most Mysterious Creature in the Natural World by Patrik Svensson [x]

Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson

[colormepurplex2]

Play With Fire | JHS

▻ Play With Fire ↳ Arsonist!Hoseok x Criminal!f.Reader ⤜ Crime AU ⤜ Infatuated Lovers ⤜ WC: 8,170 ⤜ Rating: MA🔞 ⤜ Summary: Together forever- a promise. I'll never leave you- a guarantee.

Like a moth to the flame, you were drawn in from the moment you laid eyes on Jung Hoseok. Clouds of smoke and ash billowed around him, dark smudges on his cheeks and a wild, manic grin on his face. You had just finished emptying out the safe in the back office when some psycho threw a molotov through the front window of the convenience store. As you scrambled through the window you used to enter, you made the snap decision to run after the pyromaniac.

Little did you know you'd catch fire in an instant and burn hotter than hell. But, you're not the only thing burning. When a job goes sideways, you both vow to make the world burn...starting with the asshole that's betrayed you. He wants to play with fire; so you'll see to it that he burns. This is the first installment for a new mini-series, Burning Up. ⚠️  Blowjob, theft, dark thoughts revolving around arson and petty crimes, Yoongi is a crime kingpin that you and Hoseok work for, talk of murder, outdoor sex, sub/dom tones, manhandling, fire play, creampie, orgasm denial/edging, praise, restraints, fingering, guns/someone gets shot, blood, it’s all a little dark. Each part will have specific warnings at the top.

Chapter 1. Strike A Match

Chapter 2. Going Up In Smoke

Part of the Bangtan Writers HQ February 2023 “Hearts On Fire” Writing Event.

Can also be found on: Ao3 | Wattpad

◅ Back to Master List ©️   2023-02-07   ColorMePurplex2  

[mariacallous]

Since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian authorities have begun integrating ideological and military-themed lessons into school curricula. However, their plans for the upcoming academic year are even more drastic. Children will receive instruction in combat training and learn how to use grenade launchers and automatic weapons, all as part of the required school curriculum. The Russian government has radically revised the list of social sciences, replacing them with militarized or ideological equivalents. Now, instead of economics and law, students will study “traditional values” and the “Russian world.” The independent outlet Holod explained Russia’s new educational model. Meduza shares an abridged version in English.

Russia's educational landscape has experienced significant shifts since the start of the full-scale war. In September 2022, schools across the country rolled out a new class called “Important Conversations,” a state-designed, “patriotic” lesson series meant to bring students’ spiritual and moral values in line with the Russian Federation’s National Security Strategy.

A year later, the Russian authorities supplemented this ideological teaching with military instruction. In addition to things like fire safety and first aid, students began learning “basic military training” in their “Fundamentals of Life Safety” classes. In 10th grade, they learn about the workings of the Kalashnikov assault rifle and “information-psychological warfare.”

Now, the Kremlin is looking to further expand ideological and military teaching in schools. From September 2024, “Fundamentals of Life Safety” will be replaced by something called “Fundamentals of Homeland Security and Defense.” (While related amendments to federal education law were made in July 2023, the program was only officially registered with the Justice Ministry on February 29, 2024.)

A child today, a soldier tomorrow

“Fundamentals of Homeland Security and Defense” (FHSD) is approved for students as young as those in fifth grade, but from eighth grade, the course is mandatory. Among other things, eighth and ninth graders will be taught about the tactical and technical characteristics of the Dragunov sniper rifle, the RPG-7 handheld anti-tank grenade launcher, the Kalashnikov assault rifle, and various hand grenades. Students will also study drill training, general military regulations, “the essence and importance of military discipline,” and “the essence of unified command.”

Instructors are tasked with fostering specific “personal results” in students by the program’s conclusion, including “a responsible attitude toward fulfilling one’s constitutional duty of defending the Fatherland” and “an understanding of the significance of the military oath.”

By ninth grade, students are expected to master skills such as putting on equipment and body armor, “assessing the risks of violating military discipline,” and performing drill exercises. Over the two following years, the program goes even deeper. Tenth and 11th graders will learn the basics of combined arms combat, how to set up a combat unit’s position, and how to use more modern firearms such as the MP-443 Grach pistol and the AK-12 assault rifle.

The FHSD program has between 136 and 238 lessons, depending on the grade level at which it’s introduced. Since schools can independently decide how many hours to allocate for each unit (there are still traditional topics such as disaster preparedness and response), this could add dozens of military lessons to those already required in the “basic military training” block. As a result, a significant portion of the school curriculum will focus on military training and preparing future soldiers for combat. 

The Russian authorities plan to tap “special military operation” veterans to help teach the new subject, according to First Deputy Education Minister Alexander Bugaev, who said the ex-soldiers will fill an “invaluable niche [in schools by transferring] their personal experience.”

These veterans will be prepared for their new teaching career at the Vertex Center for Military Patriotic Education at Russia’s Federal State University of Education. After just 36 hours of training, a former soldier can get a document certifying them to teach in schools. In addition to retraining war participants as teachers, the center will organize military games for children. Officially, the university’s vice rector, Alexey Ryabtsev, heads the program, but the actual work is likely to fall to his deputy, Pyotr Ishkov, who served as deputy education minister of the self-proclaimed “Luhansk People’s Republic” in 2022. However, details about the center itself and its educational programs remain scarce. 

Integrated ideology

Russian schools are also set to make big changes to core classes. Russia’s Education Ministry has already drafted a law that would replace social studies in sixth through eighth grade with something called “Our Region’s History.” While social studies will still be taught in high school, many Russians leave school after ninth grade to go to trade schools.

Less than half of the topics covered in “Our Region’s History” will actually touch on local history because the course is meant to incorporate topics from an existing discipline, “Fundamentals of the Spiritual and Moral Culture of the Russian Peoples.”

Course topics include: “The Traditional Family,” “Risks and Threats to the Spiritual and Moral Culture of Russia,” “The Russian World,” “Russian Language — the Basis of Russian Culture,” “Spiritual and Moral Values of the Russian People,” “Unity of Values in Russia’s Religions,” “Heroes of the Armed Forces,” and “The Citizen’s Duty to Society.”

Students will still have separate “Important Conversations” classes, but now state ideology will also be integrated into and dispersed across regular subjects.

Previously, ideological subjects could be mostly ignored. While they might influence awards at school, they didn’t have an impact on college admissions. Now that ideology has been added to the core school curriculum, though, related topics will be included on Russia’s college aptitude test, the Unified State Exam (EGE).

Students planning to take the history EGE are now required to know the reasons for “The Revival of the Russian Federation as a World Power,” “The Reunification of Crimea with Russia,” and “The Special Military Operation in Ukraine.” In 2023, only Russia’s annexation of Crimea was included.

In 2024, the list of topics students should know for the EGE in social studies includes things like “The Spiritual Values of Russian Society,” and “The Russian Federation’s State Policy to Counter Extremism.” Neither of these topics was on the exam last year.