#melon pan meeting

[convexicalcrow]

"Look, I know you're impatient, but just trust me, okay? We can't let them know ConCorp's behind this. Not yet, anyway," Cub said.

He was talking to Captain Jack, ConCorp CEO, who was currently sitting on the other end of the boardroom table, clutching a piece of melon in a claw that he was currently eating rather contentedly. The parrot seemed to pay no attention to him.

"What about Scar? Nah, nah, not Scar. He doesn't need to know. Besides, I told you before why we need Grian to front this. Not just because it was his idea, but because he's better at running things like this. And it keeps it all separate from me, so if it does end up failing, well, I can swoop in later to take over," Cub said.

The parrot chirped softly. Wandered across the table, gazing at things. Seeking more fruit. He caught Cub's gaze, and Cub laughed.

"Look, I promise I'll keep you updated, okay? Just let me work. I know what I'm doing," Cub said.

-

The meeting with Captain Jack had happened in Vexspace, of course, like all good ConCorp meetings, and it had happened just as the Hermetheus was arriving at their new home planet. Grian had been talking about running the shopping district on permits this season, something he'd been thinking about during stasis. Give each Hermit their own monopolies and see how that panned out. Cub had only gotten involved after Grian asked for help coming up with all the permits that might be needed.

Cub, of course, could see the potential. Monopolies for some resources could be very lucrative indeed. If this could infect the other Hermits with the same capitalist drive that ConCorp thrived on, well. They could go far indeed. And better have the Hermits in the arms of ConCorp than in the arms of GigaCorp. At least ConCorp was openly unethical. They wore their war crimes with pride.

And so it was that Cub spend much of the first day on the server, after they'd gotten geared up, locked in a dirt hole with Grian, figuring out permits, and how to sort them. Because, of course, if he rigged the distribution system well enough, perhaps he too could profit handsomely from it.

-

Hermit Time was a rather finicky thing. It happened when it happened. Once everyone had settled down in whatever space they wanted, it was easier to figure out where the shopping district would go. The permits were on their way, and Cub did not miss the hours spent crafting them all and sorting them into their iron, gold, and diamond tiers in the randomiser system he'd built. And then, once it was done, he stepped back, and let Grian run the show.

Grian sold it so well though. He was uniquely capable of ensuring the permit system was adopted by everyone. Unlike other Hermits, who didn't know exactly which permits were up for grabs, Cub knew which ones he wanted, and he would make sure he got them one way or another. Horns and fireworks, once he had those, he was set.

-

It's not that Cub was necessarily letting Grian fail, but the man's obsession with fishing up a mending book probably had wrecked his brain a little, so he wasn't at all surprised to find him rather reluctant to actually run the permit office once it had been set up. Hiring Scar and Skizz as Permit Office Enforcement agents definitely said a lot about Grian's care in selecting good people to help run the place. Cub had laughed when Grian told him he'd only hired them because they happened to be there at the time. Of course he did, that was the kind of slapdash Permit Office Grian seemed to like to run.

Cub didn't mind, though. If his Higher Ups wanted him to step in, he would, but they had other plans still. Give them a chance to fail on their own first. Patience. The time will come.

-

In some ways, Cub thought he was doing more permit office work than any of those three combined. He was fastidious about checking for permits being hung in shops, the presence of ender chests, making sure shops were kept in stock, all the work the Permit Office staff should be doing. He didn't keep his records out of spite, but perhaps he did send some anonymous mail to the Poe-Poe to tip them off if he found any egregious offences.

But of course, Grian would get lazy, the Poe-Poe would shirk their responsibilities, distracted by other crimes such as Doc's diamond ore thefts, and so the shopping district would lie neglected. And thus came the message from Captain Jack: It was time to step in.

-

Cub arranged a meeting once his ultimatums to Grian to step up his game went unanswered, which he knew they would be. He also sent summons to Scar and Skizz, just to get everyone together. Was calling it a disciplinary hearing a little strong? Well, perhaps, but it would get his attention. Set the stakes. Let them know he was serious. Well, the Higher Ups were serious. They wouldn't know it was him until he arrived.

Captain Jack was chattering in his ear as he floated down in front of the Poe Poe HQ where Grian, Scar, and Skizz were waiting for him. Cub wasn't always one for a dramatic entrance, but he felt this one mattered. Got himself a whole Permit Office uniform and a shiny gold badge, just to make it feel official. He was pleased they all showed up, and he definitely had to suppress a smile as he heard Scar reply, 'hello God' as he touched down in front of them, the slow falling having done its job.

It wasn't necessarily in Cub's nature to be dominant and bossy, but sometimes, it was just how things were gonna be, and it was vital to make it clear to them that he was in charge now and his orders would be obeyed. And, look, if he laced in a little Vex magic to sway the non-Vex, well, that wasn't a bad thing, right? The thunderstorm was a bonus, and honestly, he didn't mind the ominous evil atmosphere it created as he very calmly said things would be fine. And they would be fine, in time. All he had to do was make sure Grian didn't get in the way too much, and when the time was right, well. Perhaps Captain Jack would come to visit, and the server would once again belong to the ConVex.

[strawberrystepmom]

gojo x f!reader. cw: food mentions and suggestive theming. he refers to reader as sunshine.

this is a bit of a love language exploration. reader’s giving love language is acts of service (😔 never beating those allegations) and gojo’s is giving physical touch with a dose of words of affirmation. wc 1.3k

divider thanks to @/cafekitsune

There are times when the simple daily acts of taking care of Satoru feel like the sole thing you were put on earth to do.

Not in the fashion of the maids he was raised by, tutting over his wrinkled yukatas and forcing him to eat the slimy natto he’d swallow through a pout with eyes as watery as the oceans that color them, but as if you’re the well from which his energy springs. He wouldn’t think about little things like slowing down to eat, rest, drink, and enjoy without someone there to remind him to do it. The curse and blessing of being as close to otherworldly as one can be without entering the uncanny valley.

This realization came to you long before you admitted to anyone that you were enamored with him. Back when you were a pair of bratty teenagers and you’d only ever seen him munch on konpeito with a hand wrapped around a bottle of melon soda to wash the scratchy sugar crystals down. You were appalled at how little he cared about himself (you didn’t take excellent care of yourself either in those days, judgmental one…) but you took it upon yourself to start taking better care of yourself and him by proxy in the process. A small act of compassion for a friend would never hurt, you reasoned easily at 17.

At that point, your role was merely sharing bentos or onigiri you made for yourself with him, trading a bite of your tuna filled rice for a sip of his soda - the indirect kiss aspect of this ritual made him giddy for more years than he’d like to admit aloud - or some of the star shaped sugar crystals in his palm that he’d toss between your lips and teeth when you’d open your mouth wide enough to catch them.

(You’d stick your tongue out far enough to allow him to watch the sugar melt away and turn into a colorful splotch. His big eyes, animated as ever, widened further with each bright green and orange spot that appeared and washed away in a flash. This little ritual is also how both of you learned to French kiss but that’s a memory to reminisce upon another morning.)

The two of you experienced some terrible things your first year and his second year of high school. A certain part of you felt bad for how unapproachable and closed off he seemed after Suguru’s departure and you know now that the acts of kindness had a larger impact than intended. A stray cat that gets fed always returns, after all.

He keeps returning. You thank the stars above morning, noon, and night.

Now, caring for him is as steady and effortless as the click, click, click of the knob thay controls the flow of gas on your stove as a flame ignites beneath your rectangle shaped tamagoyaki pan. Oil sizzles and the sound of it mingles with the shower running across the apartment and Gojo’s singing that is somehow louder than both of these happenings.

No wonder the neighbors hate you.

Whatever off key song he has come up with at least makes you giggle while pouring enough egg into the pan to start the process of making breakfast. Some days you are both too busy to sit down and share these moments but you still make sure he eats, a bento always tucked into his bag that matches the one in yours. Thankfully you are both off today so you get to enjoy the process rather than rush through it.

“It smells amazing.”

You didn’t hear him shut off the shower, too busy pouring and positioning egg to notice wet footsteps across the floor and heading directly toward you. A towel is slung carelessly over his hips and you giggle when he drapes himself over your shoulder, his hands dangling down the front of you. Shifting your face, you meet his with a smile and pretend to frown when water droplets fall out of his hair and onto your shirt.

“Whatever happened to good morning?”

He looks up at you from the corner of his eye and then feigns a bright idea coming into his head, shaking it and making more droplets fall on you at the same time. Giggling, you try to simultaneously monitor your eggs and him at the same time.

“You’re so right, how could I forget!” He clears his throat dramatically and stands up, hands wrapping around your waist. He bends to whisper in your ear. “Good morning, sunshine.”

You glance up at him with a too fond smile. When did you become so soft? You’re no better than the sugar that used to melt on your tongue, more than charmed by his sweet words and tender touches. It may be written all over your face but you do your best to hide it, raising your brows and sighing dramatically.

“That’s better.”

Clicking off the heat and shooing him as much as you possibly can, you pull the hot pan off of the stove and deposit your eggs onto a cutting board. Even a few seconds of time apart makes Satoru antsy so he’s by your side long before you can miss him, an arm draped around your shoulder and a hand on his hip.

“Thank you for doing this. I know the sun makes you hiss before 10 so it means a lot.”

Rolling your eyes, you slice the tamagoyaki and he hums his approval immediately. Steam wafts through the air and you have to admit that it’s making your mouth water, too.

“You’re the only person I’d do it for,” you mutter under your breath and he laughs, leaning to kiss your cheek. “You’re a liar. You’d do this for anyone who needed it.”

You continue slicing and he removes his hand from his hip, reaching to grab one of the already cooling slices off of the cutting board and stuffing it into his mouth. It’s still too hot and whatever he was going to say next is lost completely when he burns his tongue. He breathes through his mouth for a second to cool the eggs down the rest of the way and you groan.

“Mouth closed. You’re an adult, I shouldn’t have to tell you this.”

Now that it has been sufficiently cooled down, he chews the mouthful and swallows. He knows you’re joking so there’s no hurt feelings, just a cheeky grin and a dramatic eye roll.

“I was going to say, before your breakfast tried to murder me, that I’m grateful you do it for me and not just because we live together.”

The way he beams down at you is all the thanks you need, his smile as big as he is, but the words make you squirm. You’ve never been good at accepting praise or compliments no matter the amount of them you’ve been given.

“Yeah, yeah. I did it willingly when I was just your late night call too, I know.” He scoffs and shakes his head, reaching for another piece of egg. You slap his hand away playfully. “You’ve never been just a late night call to me, you know that.”

This is true and you lean into his side, aware again that he’s naked except for that damn towel. Wrapping your arm around his waist, you tickle his side and he whines.

“Go get dressed. I’m feeding you natto this morning.”

Satoru Gojo, alleged grown man, whines again. Loudly, childishly, pathetically. You giggle at his dramatics and slump when he puts most of his weight on your shoulder, drooping.

“Really?” He asks and you shake your head. “No, we’re having salmon. Go get dressed.”

He shakes his hips and the towel wrapped around them threatens to fall right in the kitchen and you tap his side with a coy smile.

“Goooooo,” you urge. “The sooner you do the sooner we can eat and then our day can really begin.”

Raising your eyebrows suggestively, he picks up on your meaning immediately and holds the knot of the towel against him while he hurries to your room to pull on some sweatpants. They’re his favorite for easy access and he’s more than prepared to give you his thanks in the form of as many orgasms as you want as soon as you’ve both fueled up.

[crazy-grrrl-on-the-computer]

Here I am back at it again with the Boueibu food analyses //bricked

I’ve been staring at the Melon Monster for years, trying to unpack what “the melon was just playing melon” and “melons are tops” meant because it’s definitely interesting wording, but nothing was coming up… until I came across a collection of articles and videos talking about the Yubari King Melon, a hybrid cantaloupe that has been specifically cultivated for its desired traits and is subsequently considered “the best melon” in Japan.

To be considered a top-grade melon, one must be perfectly round and have an exceptionally smooth rind. Upon harvest, part of the stem is left on top to add to its aesthetic appeal. [x]

Hmmmm don’t you look familiar!

As the Melon Monster alludes to, the Japanese fruit industry is an interesting rabbit hole to fall down, but this video offers a pretty good insight into the Yubari melon specifically.

According to this article, the Prince melon was developed in Japan and first sold in 1961, gaining immediate popularity in average households due to its low price. On the opposite end of the melon spectrum, the Yubari melon (developed in 1951) is exclusively grown in Yubari, Hokkaido and is so expensive it is considered a luxury fruit, which is in no small part due to its limited availability each year and sought after sweetness/aroma. Yubari melons are often given as gifts to show appreciation during the summer gift-giving season Ochugen and there are annual auctions where pairs of these melons regularly sell for millions of yen.

Furthermore, according to another article I found, the history of melons in Japan goes all the way back to the Makuwa (oriental melon), which Uriya gets his name from and which allegedly came to Japan during the Yayoi period (3rd century BC to 3rd century) via China. How prestigious! That certainly explains the choice of costume and no wonder the poor Melon Monster remarks that his existence is anachronistic when told by his peers that melon is just another fruit nowadays!

Here he is, trying his best to be a Yubari melon, cherry-picking what he thinks are his best and most interesting traits in an attempt to meet the expectations of others around him as someone with value, and the Battle Lovers immediately curb stomp every single one of his efforts by not only outsmarting him in the most effortless way possible (using the internet to solve his riddles and surviving his traps as though they were a children's obstacle course) but mistaking him for a common melon. The melon (Makuwa) was only playing melon… playing at something he could never hope to be… pretending that anyone could ever see value in him. But he is only an ordinary melon, so why would anyone go the extra mile for that?

[With this in mind, I feel like this monster must have sprung into existence as a result of a conversation about the popularity of melons similar to the origin of the Chikuwabu Monster (many thanks again to @intra-fiducia for the wonderful translations!! <3). XD]

On a side note, I wrote briefly about the paulownia box being a representation of how Uriya is trapped by his own anxieties and self-consciousness in his attempt to meet everyone’s expectations, but I didn’t realize that sometimes the gift of melon is delivered very cutely in one. So there’s an extra layer to that line about no longer needing to stay in one! Melon can be enjoyed in many forms and varieties, like the Battle Lovers said! He doesn’t have to be the best because the people who like melon pan, melon soda, and shaved ice will like him just the same for what he already is.

[apteryxparvus]

Congrats on 100! I’ve a request

Scaramouche/Wanderer (genshin impact) x reader roommates au. They’re doing mundane things together like cooking, cleaning, lounging, etc because they finally both got a day off work

Two months later, I finally finished this piece 😭

Part of my ✨ 100 followers milestone event ✨ that ran from September 2nd to September 9th.

Pairing — Scaramouche / Reader

Word count — 1,288 words

Content warning — slightly suggestive themes, Scaramouche might seem a bit OOC

“Wake up, sleepy head,” you whisper in Scaramouche’s ear, breath gently tickling his skin. His slumbering form stirs, mumbling something unintelligible as he instinctively turns, pulling the blanket closer to himself.

You can’t help but stifle a chuckle at his adorable drowsiness. Nestling deeper beneath the cozy blanket, you draw your body closer to his, hands gently resting upon his waist. His skin radiates a comforting warmth that contrasts with the coolness of the morning air.

The room is bathed in a gentle golden glow as the morning light filters through the window, illuminating the dust particles suspended in the air.

“It’s nearly noon,” you murmur, placing a tender kiss upon Scaramouche’s forehead. He furrows his brows, letting out a low grumble. “You’ve had your beauty sleep, and now it’s time to rise and greet the day!”

Scaramouche slowly turns towards you, eyes fluttering open to meet your gaze. Blinking a few times, he adjusts to the sunlight streaming into the room. Despite the slight frown adorning his face, his eyes are filled with a mix of affection and a sleep-induced grogginess. 

“How about we stay like this a little longer?” he mumbles, voice husky and laced with the remnants of sleep.

“Nope,” you laugh softly at his request, a mischievous glimmer dancing in your eyes. “Now get up,” you assert, and with a swift movement, you wrap your legs around his, drawing him closer. You give his cheek a playful, yet gentle nip, eliciting a surprised reaction from him. 

Scaramouche looks at you with wide eyes. “Was that really needed?” he asks, feigning a hurt expression. “Ruining my precious beauty sleep, as you called it.”

Realizing that you’ve successfully disrupted his peaceful slumber, you giggle at his protest. "Oh, come on," you tease, tracing a finger along his jawline. "Who needs beauty sleep when you're already the most handsome person I know?"

“Fine, fine,” Scaramouche murmurs under his breath. A smile tugs at the corners of his lips, and he shakes his head in mock annoyance but the twinkle in his eyes betrays him — his lips meet yours in a gentle kiss. You feel yourself melting as the warmth of his lips linger against yours.

“Breakfast time then? How do you feel about some chazuke?”

Scaramouche’s eyes brighten at the mention of breakfast. “Sounds perfect,” he replies. “I love how you always know exactly what I crave.”

You can’t help but blush at his words. “Stop buttering me up, and let’s get to work.”

The kitchen is alive with the sounds of your synchronized movements — the clinking of utensils and the gentle sizzle of the grill pan. The fragrant aroma of the grilled eel permeates the air, its tantalizing scent mixing with the comforting earthiness of freshly brewed green tea.

Scaramouche takes charge of preparing the bowls of rice, submerging them in the tea. When the eel is perfectly seared, you transfer a few tender pieces into the waiting bowls, and sprinkle furikake over them, watching as the colorful seasoning melts into the rice.

Your attention is drawn to your boyfriend across the low table. You watch him pile several plump umeboshi onto his bowl, their deep color standing out against the white grains of rice, followed by a large assortment of pickled vegetables — radish, carrots, large pieces of lavender melon and seagrass.

After mumbling a quick thanks for the food, you lift your wooden chopsticks, savoring the blended scents wafting from the steaming bowl.

Scaramouche lifts his own chopsticks, a satisfied smirk gracing his lips. 

“Are you even going to taste anything beneath this mountain of pickled stuff?” you taunt.

He shoots you a playful sideways glare, before snatching the plumpest-looking umeboshi and tossing it whole into his mouth. You watch both fascinated and appalled as he continues to devour the pickled vegetables. Your nose scrunches involuntarily as you imagine the sourness on your own tongue, yet Scaramouche seems utterly unaffected, clearly enjoying the taste.

“You simply don’t know what you’re missing out,” he says, waving his chopsticks dismissively. "This is reserved for those with refined palates."

“Says the madman who thinks wasabi is too mild!” you shoot back.

Your morning banter dissolves into laughter as the two of you continue to enjoy the meal. Once your bowls are empty, Scaramouche insists on taking care of the clean up. 

From your seat on the low table, you watch as your boyfriend begins to clean up the plates. His movements are purposeful and efficient. The sigh of him — sleeves rolled up and focused on the task at hand — and the domesticity of the scene ignite a warmth within you.

You stand up and make your way towards Scaramouche, closing the distance between you as you stand up on your toes. With a light touch, your lips graze against the sensitive skin of his neck.

As you press your lips against a specific spot, his pulse quickens beneath your touch. Scaramouche pauses in his task, his body tensing before he relaxes into your embrace. His hands, still holding the dirty dishes, momentarily falter. A soft moan escapes his lips, mingling with the sound of running water and the clattering of plates.

You press your body against his, feeling the heat and strength of his figure against your own. Lingering for a moment, you savor the connection between you, before pulling back slightly.

“Thanks for the cleanup,” you tease. With a light skip in your step, you turn away from him and make your way towards the living room, laughter trailing behind you. Letting out a contented sigh, you sink into the plush cushion of the couch.

Scaramouche enters the living room a few minutes later, eyes locking onto your relaxed figure, curled up on the couch with a blanket draped over your body, a peaceful expression on your face as you doze off slightly.

A devilish smile tugs at the corners of his lips as he quietly approaches. He takes in the sigh of you — your form wrapped in the softness of the blanket, your gentle, rhythmic breathing filling the room.

He crouches down, and leans in to get a closer look at your serene face. His eyes roam over your features — he traces the contours of your lips, the curve of your cheeks; he watches as your eyelashes flutter.

His touch is feather-light as he brushes a strand of hair away from your face.

You open your eyes slowly, momentarily confused by your surroundings. The sigh of your boyfriend crouching before you, his intense gaze locked with yours, brings you back to the present moment.

“Now look who is sleeping,” he teases. "All the work you put into waking me up, only to end up dozing off the moment you're away from me."

“Mmm, that breakfast did leave me feeling quite sleepy,” you murmur. Your hand emerges from beneath the blanket, reaching to grasp his own. You pull him towards you, his body falling atop yours. “Now, come join me for a short nap.”

Scaramouche chuckles. “Whatever this sleeping beauty wishes,” he responds as he slips under the blanket, snuggling his body against yours.

His arms wrap around your waist, pulling you closer to him. With every breath, you feel the rise and fall of his chest against your back, a rhythm that synchronizes with the pounding of your heart.

As his hold tightens, your body instinctively responds, melting into his embrace. The world around you fades away as you surrender yourself to the comfort and safety he provides — his hold becomes your little sanctuary.

"Don't forget, we still have chores to do," Scaramouche whispers, interrupting your blissful state of relaxation. "The apartment won't clean itself."

"Fuck the chores," you mumble, your voice barely audible as you press your head against Scaramouche's chest. "Now sleep."

Author's note: I failed one of my exams, so uh... I'll be studying for the resit and might be as online as I hoped to be 😫

[love-and-deepspace-wiki]

Maltosio

Maltosio is a restaurant located in Linkon City. It's where the protagonist and Dr. Zayne meet for a late lunch (in the Falling For You: "A Frozen Promise" Bond story). The protagonist mentions that she used to walk by this street often on her way home.

Apparently, the location was previously a pet store. From what I could see, there are two separate Honest Coffee locations right next to it (one across the opposing street and one across the street directly to the right of it). And, according to Zayne, there's a bookstore nearby.

Here's what their menu looks like:

Today's Special:

Sirloin Steak:

Sirloin Steak with Garlic Sauce, Pan Seared Asparagus. Cream of Mushroom Soup, Matcha Almond Tofu, Taro Ice Cream

Grilled Salmon:

Grilled Salmon with Morel Mushrooms, Coconut Seafood Stew, Vegetable Salad, Iced Coconut Latte, Wild Berry Cheesecake

Seafood Pasta:

Seafood Pasta with Basil Crisps, Slow-roastsd Tomatoes, Nachos with Guacamole, Garlic Bread, Caramelized Apple Tart

Lunch Special (Available 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM on weekdays):

Lunch Special for One:

…se & Egg Toast, Honey Garlic Chicken Wings, Spicy Fries, Creamy… Soup, Chocolate Mochi Cook-... Taro Ice Cream

Lunch Special for Two:

Creamy Bacon and Mushroom Pasta, Shrimp Risotto with Parsley, Fried Cod Fillet, Fried Onion Rings, Crab Salad with Green Melon, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Honeyed Grapefruit Juice, Berries Ice Cream, Taro Ice Cream

In this scene, we can see that the protagonist ordered the Lunch Special for One while Zayne ordered the Sirloin Steak.

And for their dessert choice, they both selected the Taro Ice Cream pictured below.

Here are some more photos of their offerings:

The cheesecake this customer is seen enjoying doesn't look like a Wild Berry Cheesecake to me. Perhaps there's a secret menu we don't know about lol. But it still looks delicious!

[4littlefishies]

The 36th Floor

Chapter 1 - Monday morning

Chapter 2 - Nice Shoes

Chapter 3 - The Mandarin

Chapter 4 - Coffee Beans & Corporate Meetings

Chapter 5 - Spicy Shoyu Ramen

Chapter 6 - Drink Some Water

Chapter 7 - I'm so Tired

Chapter 8 - Kiss the Cook

Chapter 9 - See You At 8

Chapter 10 - Raspberry Cream Cake & a Chocolate Eclair

Chapter 11 - Consider it Payback

Chapter 12 - Seven Mismatched Candles

Chapter 13 - Sleeping Beauty

Chapter 14 - One Heart-Shaped Melon Pan

Chapter 15 - Who's Paying for This?

Chapter 16 - Flowers in the Fridge

Chapter 17 - Summer Tulips

Chapter 18 - Something to Cherish

Chapter 19 - Give it Some Thought

Chapter 20 - That One Looks Like You

Chapter 21 - Welcome Back

Chapter 22 - Could've Been an Email

Chapter 23 - Deal.

[elamorsys]

alter intros!! AUBREY🏏🌼

im 17! and i age on my birthday which is may 23 i am pan and my sys roles are mood booster and social alter!

my sign off is -aubrey🏏🌼

im a prn and gender hoarder!

my genders: Watermelon gender, Pink gender, :3 gender, Paw gender, Paw thing, Cloud gender, Pretty gender,Doodle gender, Bunny gender, Sillythinggender, Bunny sighting, Softpinkfrillic, Sweetcloudic , Neapolitanbungender, Dollibunnic, Bunnic, Pinkbungender, Dollcute, Cutebunthinggender, Rabbitgender, Bubblegender, Nyancatgender, Gummy cat gender, >:3gender, Jumpincatgender, Mewgender, Wondergender, Flowergender, Strawbcloude, Angelbunian, Yellowbungender, Vanillabungender, Marshybungender, Strawberrybungender, Bunribbonic, Lovebunnygender, Scrunklygender, Fizzygender, Lovesickbunnygender, Bungender

my prns: They/them/themself It/it’s/itself He/him/himself She/her/herself Melon/melons/melonself Pink/pinks/pinkself Yippee/yippees/yippeeself Paw/paws/paw self Thump/thumps/thumpself Doodle/doodle/doodleself Hop/hops/hopself Bun/buns/bunself Bunny/bunnies/bunnyself Silly/sillies/sillyself Icecream/icecreams/icecreamself Love/loves/loveself Thing/things/thingself Bubble/bubbles/bubbleself Mew/mews/mewself Kit/kits/kitself Cat/cats/catself Flower/flowers/flowerself Gummy/gummies/gummyself Fizz/fizzs/fizzself

what i do most on this acc: i mostly am the one who posts gender, prn and anme hoards! i also am usually the one making gender flags and coining genders!

nice to meet you all!! -aubrey🏏🌼

[tootyfruities]

alchemical equations (chapter 3)

     "So what's the difference between healing and regeneration, again?" Petra piped up as they all waited. [Y/N] was annoyed that they'd explained this exact thing to her before, though she must've forgotten. "Just for, uh, those that don't already know," She quickly corrected after one look at their expression even in the dim lighting.

     "Healing is instant and cheaper to get, and regeneration is slow but more rewarding. And more difficult." They hummed, pulling some gold nuggets and a whole melon out of their bag as they too waited. [Y/N] use their axe to carefully split the melon into slices then took to their crafting table to make it glistening. "In my opinion, regen is better. It fortifies you - makes your body work faster to fix everything going on. You come out of it energized and ready to go." Petra could attest to that one, given her increased energy after [Y/N] had tried to heal her just the other day. "Healing is much quicker, sure, but it only targets the main problem rather than boosting your whole body's health."

     When the netherwart was adequately soaked into the potions [Y/N] took one glistening melon slice, setting it atop the blaze rod to disperse the juice that would come out. "Healing does taste much better, though. You use ghast tears to make regeneration." As they waited for the rest to pan out they took their leftover melon slices that they didn't have enough gold to glisten, dispersing them among those that were there. Axel seemed particularly grateful as he sunk his teeth into the sweet fruit. [Y/N] subtly smiled.

     "Man, you must know all about potions," Lukas muttered appreciatively, watching the bottles as their contents gradually reddened. "You would've loved Ivor's creepy basement."

     [Y/N] raised a brow, paused. "...Actually, I won't ask."

reblogs > likes

we hit 3.9k words for this chap !!!! i figured they'd be steadily growing in length ehehe. and finallyyyyyy you get to meet jesse. i think you get a crumb of a 'he's charming' comment in there but otherwise the reader does NOT care. theyre too busy being annoyed. also piggy moment

[kitkat-artcorner]

Day 15 + 16 Meme and Food ♡♧

Decided to combine the two prompts!

First one is with Alexie and Manya, who seems to be disappointed in her cousin

Next is Maksim, no one knows how he got a melon or a gun, he just. does.

Also small drabble of my main 4 Papers Please OC's bc I wanted to make a chart originally but got lazy

Alexie ♡

Alexie has a sweet tooth when it comes to food, but his favorite sweet is White Chocolate! It's a difficult treat to get considering Arstotzka's economy so he's been working to make some himself! (So far he's made 15 unsuccessful batches but that doesn't stop him!)

Manya ♤

Manya is.. a strange one. She loves onions, not pan-fried or anything, just. Raw Onions..

Of course she usually tells ppl she likes chicken or something as to not ruin (what's left of) her reputation.

Maksim ♧

He's a simple guy, loves oranges with a side of soft bread! He mostly got his love for bread from his upbringing as a homeless broke guy in a dystopian, capitalistic country such as Arstotzka.

"Biker" ◇

Biker's diet is very exact as he needs to make it have enough energy for a drive across towns but not too much to slow him down. He loves baked potatos, not only does it meet his food standards but he feels a bit nostalgic about the meal, one of the few things of his old memories he can cling onto.

[loveephia]

my genshin impact oc profile. (masterlist included!)

note: i decided to make my genshin oc profile as well because i'll soon be adding my bnha one, too. ^^

maiko (舞子)

meaning: dancing child.

﹙background﹚

maiko was born in inazuma, but once she turned the legal age, she moved to mondatadt and has been living independently. ever since she was younger, she'd heard stories about mondstadt's festivals from her parents. her current occupation is a baker. she specializes in inazuman pastries.

﹙how she earned her vision﹚

it randomly popped up on the table in front of her because she needed something to cool her dough down while the refrigerator was still being wired.

﹙happy birthday﹚

"happy, happy, happy, birthday! i heard that the amount of candles you put on a cake is the exact amount of years you have left to live. m'just joking, traveler~ even if it was true, don't fret. i made sure to add a lot on yours. baked by yours truly, of course. make sure to eat every last crumb!"

﹙about shikanoin heizou﹚

"heizou's very lively. he's playful like the wind, and he gets the job done. ahem, his job as a DETECTIVE. sometimes i wonder what led him to the profession since it's a real contrast to his personality.. oh, oh! i remember when we were younger, we'd always compare heights and try to win against one another. last i saw him, i won by a landslide! three whole centimeters, traveler! ..hm? do i like him? hehe, why so out of the blue? of course i do."

﹙about kujou sara﹚

"kujou sara can be a stern meanie. she has this "no-nonsense" demeanor and is always strict on my diet. she warns me to stop eating melonpan because a melon might grow inside me. haha!.. that's not true, though, right..?"

﹙about yoimiya﹚

"yoi.. who now? kidding! me and yoimiya would always play with the kids back in inazuma. i'd bring them some homemade sweet melon pan bread while yoimiya would put up a little firework show for them. with the things that have been going on in the nation, we felt the need to.. distract them, y'know? if i could bring them all here to mondstadt, i'd be the happiest."

﹙about mona﹚

"the great ol' astrologist mona megistus is a real spender. have you seen her house? it's decked out in tons of expensive thingy majiggys! i always offer to send her some of my own pastries because almost every time we meet, her stomach could be heard rumbling from a mile away! the poor girl has got to save wiser or else she'll go hungry.."

﹙about venti﹚

"that bard is always so free, wandering around without a care in the world. i.. kinda wanna be like him some day."

﹙about jean﹚

"i think she's.. a bit too uptight. these days, all she's been focusing on is varka's paperwork of nonsense. when is he even coming back? anyway, me and lisa have to drag her out of the office ourselves just for a meal together. aren't me and lisa such good friends for jean?"

MASTERLIST:

(nothing here as of now..)

© lowercase intended | loveephia

[crownofconvergencerp]

𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐃𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐁𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐄𝐑

caspian domergue built himself a life as warm and familiar as the bread he bakes for a living; unfortunately, that life began to crumble when his brother disappeared, and fell to pieces entirely when a vampire claimed the lives of his wife and eldest son. now living in laras with his two remaining children, the forty-five year old human owns and runs the bakery hearth & crust. caspian takes pride in his work, and loves his home–but he’s begun to fear it, too. fearful as he is for the safety of what family he has left, caspian can’t help but feel hopeful about the changes the courts hope to make in destarin–not that he’s going to go around telling the neighbors that, of course.

TW: murder, death, child death.

As a child growing up in Destarin, Caspian Domergue knew no fear. Why should he? Destarin was not exactly a safe place–perhaps especially for a human child–but it was his home. Caspian knew which species to be cautious with and which nights any human ought to lock themselves away just as well as he knew the all the best alleyways to slip through and trees to climb. Life was not without its challenges–there was his mother’s insistence on propriety and decorum to contend with for one thing, his elder sister’s seriousness for another, and his younger brother’s nose for trouble for a third, and all that without even mentioning his inability to craft a decent boot, despite years helping his cobbler father–but fear was not among them. He was a kind, joyful young man, and he spent his days composing silly songs on his lute, playing with his siblings and the little girl who lived next door, and bailing his brother out of trouble.

Which was not to say that Caspian never caused trouble of his own, only that he got caught less than Alexandre. Caspian was no fighter, but he ate his share of stolen candies and was even ejected from a few taverns when he took to the stage with his lute to sing the bawdiest songs he knew. For a time, when he was very young, he even horrified his mother by insisting he was going to grow up to be a bard, making a living off his songs—a most impractical and embarrassing occupation, by her standards, and one that had her cursing the day they’d bought him the instrument in the first place. 

In the end, when it came time to find a trade, it was not his music that Caspian pursued. He’d long been friends with Daphne, a human girl a year his junior, whose family lived next door to the Domergues. Daphne’s father, Andreas Kollouras, owned a bakery in the trade district, and given that Caspian had been in and out of his kitchen for nearly as long as he’d known how to walk, pestering the man for samples and lessons, it seemed natural for the boy to begin an apprenticeship under him when he was old enough. 

For years, Caspian worked for Andreas, and when the time came that he had learned all Andreas had to teach, he began to travel the continent, trekking to meet some master or another and learn how to make mlewi and farinata, melon pan and mantou. He never stayed away long, for he always found himself missing home. He’d never been a man who dreamed of traveling for its own sake–he hardly needed to when his home spanned three kingdoms already–and anyway, Destarin was home to everyone he loved. As far as Caspian was concerned, the only reason he had to leave his home was to better serve it–after all, one could not be a baker in a place like Destarin without knowing how to bake for all of the different cultures within it.

He was twenty-five when he and Daphne began their courtship, and twenty-nine when they married. This was much later than either of their families thought it would be–everyone who knew them knew they were in love, but it had taken them twenty-five years to notice. They had a house in Rocheilles, complete with flower boxes in the windows and a cat to catch mice. Life was simple; it was good. He worried, sometimes, about Alexandre, who showed no signs yet of growing up, but there was still time. 

Except it turned out there wasn’t time at all, because Alexandre disappeared when Caspian was thirty. The family looked for him, of course, Caspian most diligently of all, perhaps, but he was gone, vanished, and eventually they had to assume he was dead. These things happened, after all–people disappeared, humans were killed, and in Destarin there was no law, no justice to seek.

Alexandre’s disappearance was only the first domino to fall in a series. First Andreas passed of a fever, leaving both his bakery and his grieving widow to the care of his son-in-law. His parents sold their shop, departing Destarin to live out their final years on warmer, calmer shores, and Starla, his older sister, found work in the Crirthan court. Eventually, the only Domergues left in Destarin were Caspian and Daphne–and, by his thirty-seventh year, their three children–first two boys, Jasper and Finn, three years apart, and then, five years later, a girl, Alexis.

Like their father, Caspian’s boys were fearless. Why shouldn’t they be? They knew the town they lived in as well as their father–knew all the best places to hide, and all the best trees to climb–and just like their father, they knew that the very best climbing tree of all lay just past the border of Ashharran and the woods. They were still young the year a vampire began stalking the woods. Vampires were always a danger, of course–there was no shortage of deadly species in Destarin–but this one was particularly bloodthirsty, terrorizing residents who lived too near the woods. With the bodies piling up, citizens began to take extra precautions, Caspian and Daphne among them. Alexis was still only an infant, but the boys were forbidden, in no uncertain terms, no matter how much they begged, bartered, and pleaded, to enter the woods.

If only they’d listened.

The boys told their mother they were going to help their father at the bakery one Saturday, and went to the woods, instead. When Caspian and his wife realized what they’d done, Daphne took off to find them without hesitation. By the time Caspian had roused help–for after all these years, he still was not a fighter–it was too late. The vampire was slain that day, but it took Daphne and Jasper with it. Caspian returned home with a traumatized young son, an injured knee, and a gaping hole in his heart.

Caspian buried his wife and his eldest son when he was thirty-nine, and though it felt like the world ought to have ended, somehow life went on–and so Caspian went on with it. He had to, didn’t he? He still had two children to raise. He closed the old bakery in the trade district to move to a new location in Laras, where he and the children could live in an attached house. He made bread; he tended scraped knees and sang lullabies; and he learned to feel something he’d never felt for his home before. Now, Caspian was afraid.

WHAT ARE YOU...?

species: human. weaknesses: mortal. strengths: n/a. physical description: picture a tall, gangly dude with a knee brace; now imagine he won’t stop feeding you bread. additional info: n/a.

caspian domergue is played by phoebe and their fc is michael huisman

[roserosanna]

Fruits basket boyfriend reaction, season 1 episode 25

“He’s a daddy’s boy” He’s such a daddy’s boy, like me (Kyo)

He’s such a son’s father? What’s the opposite of daddy’s boy, but the same (Kazuma)

I thought it was just going to pan down and show him sleuthing in the water (Kyo)

You know, for a show where the whole thing is the gender hugging thing, I’m surprised there’s no gay relationships

Tohru meet my dad! Like smiling teeth emoji (Kyo)

Again, hello you rat bitch (Yuki)

I’m sorry, did he just call him a femboy? (Kyo at Yuki)

I’m sorry I just remembered the “I can prove to you my natural hair color” (You know that Haru scene if you’ve seen the show)

What a boar! (Kagura)

Those ugly fucking feelings uggghhhh (Yuki)

Why’s he being freaky?

How is this the season finale compared to Kyo turning out to be a demon who smells? Like he wants to talk about his feelings more?

Don’t ask her on a date, she’s taken!

He needs to go back to be yaoi where he belongs

He’s queer, I can tell (Kakeru)

Let him go (Kyo and Kagura)

My favorite bit!!! (Ayame)

Everyone’s here

Oh they’re bringing over all the zodiacs

Schplit the melon! Vant to play schplit the melon? (Momiji)

Lemme guess, neigh? (Rin)

[leelee120000]

Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS) [방탄소년단] Melon Music Awards 2019 Review

December 5, 2019

The Melon Music Awards aired on Nov. 30. in Seoul. During the awards show, Bangtan Sonyeondan [방탄소년단] almost exclusively known as BTS here in the west, performed a 40 minute set of “Intro: Persona” “Boy in Luv” “Boy With Luv” “Mikrokosmos” a dance break, and “Dionysus.”

The opening video shows the members resting on a sofa, similar to the “I NEED U” music video, hinting at BTS’s fictional story universe and that this concert might be a reflection of it. The video features motifs of lights and shadows, making fans excited that the potential albums of “Map of the Soul: Shadow” or “Map of the Soul: Ego” might be confirmed soon. It ends with Rap Monster (RM) being the only one awake, playing with a lighter.

RM starts the performance with a solo, “Intro: Persona.” His rapping is spectacular. The stage is themed like a Korean classroom and was littered with clues about fan-speculations and references to their old songs. The clack board was made to look like the scribbles of a mad man. Once RM finishes, the rest of BTS joined him for “Boy in Luv,” a 2014 song from the Skool Luv Affair era. A surprising throwback and a hint that this concert was more than meets the eye.

The song jumps into BTS’s 2019 megahit, “Boy With Luv” which is a direct continuation of the story. The screen changes from a school to the iconic movie theater from the 2019 video. Since Halsey was over here in the States, the boys sing the high notes alongside her backing track. Jimin kisses a rose and throws it into the crowd, triggering rose petals to blast out of cannons into the front rows. The boys held up hand signs of the number two, again hinting at the Ego album.

Then, everything stops and fades to black. RM speaks over a soft piano, as the white text is the only thing visible: “In the beginning, I did not shine so bright. I only knew to do my best to shine. But we found each other and our universe was born. Now let us shine on each other.” The music swells, “We’re no longer small. Just as the universe expands,” The camera cuts to the crowd filled with lights, “Our universe would last forever.”

The song “Mikrokosmos” starts, the staging mimics the Love Yourself: Speak Yourself tour, the projection and screens of stars make it appear like they were floating in the galaxy. At the softest part of the song, the stage blacks out and shows only a screen with the words “I love you” in 100s of different languages.

The video from the opening continues, Jungkook woke up and look at old TVs playing old BTS music videos. He says, “I’m still looking for who I used to be,” the camera pans back to his face, he smiles, and says, “who I am now.” RM smiles and hugs him. Shadows fill and become the other band members. Their silhouettes are overlaid with the scenes of their deaths from the “Fake Love” music video. It cuts to them all standing in the living room, the TV shows static, as Jungkook says, “Who I will be in the future.” It zooms in on his eye and showing space. The BTS logo flashes.

A greek horn blazes, like a warning before, their song “Dionysus.” Greek imagery is everywhere. The screen is lifted and we see men highlighted by a dark red light. They march like soldiers, and people on spinning rings drop for the ceiling. V raises from the ground in a white and gold suit leaning heavily into Apollo imagery. His dance is dark and moody set to an old BTS song “No More Dream.”

Then it shifts to Jin, in an all-white suit, on a horse figurine before dancing to an orchestrated new version of “Danger” as his imagery leads to hot debates and the two conclusions that he is representing either Athena or Ares. His dancing is his controlling of an army to fight.

Everything fades to blue as a long flowing sheet is ran across stage and Jimin is shown alone as Artemis, in a silk outfit illuminated by simple light bulbs meant to look like stars. He ballet style dances to “I NEED U,” while using the piece of cloth to highlight his movement and incorporating a traditional Korean dance in his set.

The stage then lights up with red lights and actual fire for Suga’s song and dance “Fire.” He is representing Hephaestus and is costumed like he was back in the Hwa Yong Yeon Hwa era of BTS’s music.

Water falls over and stops the fire and Jungkook is shown sitting in a pool of water and smoke. His song is “Save Me” and he represents Poseidon. He spends and splashes water everywhere, his tasseled shirt helps with the movement.

Then the lights struck down as J-Hope dances to a techno style remix of “Fake Love,” he is Zeus shown with a laser light show.

Lastly, the leader, RM enters to “Dionysus” powerfully walking onstage as Dionysus and picking up his mythical thyrsus. He holds it over his head and rolls his eyes back as he plants it into the ground. The stage burst into life.

Then BTS performs “Dionysus” surrounded by Greek imagery. The insane choreography is some of BTS’s hardest yet and the staging is overly grand. Men in boring uniforms and men leading real horses enter. BTS sits on a Mount Olympus court as the song kicks off. RM jumps onto the table and walks across, then pounds his fist and the other members rise. They dance on the front table before moving to the front. Before the final verse, they revealed “Dionysus” remixed “N.O.” again emphasizing that they haven’t lost the love for their old music. Right before the hardest part of the dance RM asked the audience: “You ready for this? Is you ready, see your hype! Jump! Come on, let’s go!” The show finished with all of the band members sitting on thrones.

The entire BTS performance from the awards.

At the award portion of the night, they won eight awards, four of those being daesangs, or “grand prizes.” The group won Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

LeAnne McPherson

[more-than-a-princess]

Maybe it was cruel, but it gave Sonia a little comfort that heartbreak, something she'd used to label as her heartbreak, was a universal situation. That is, if she and Shinobu made up the entire universe. On the snowy, empty streets, it rather felt like it. She smiled a little, her hand squeezing hers gently in support. She wasn't the only one hurting, or had hurt before. "How did you move past your feelings, Yaguchi-san?" She asked softly. Not that there was anyone else around to hear their conversation, but it was in honor of the sensitive topic at hand. "Some days I feel like I am doing well, and others I feel so inescapably lost and lonely without his companionship. I would not mind advice, if you are willing to share it."

Saying horrible things about Gundham wouldn't help, and she was glad Shinobu understood that. Her friend did not seem to have much in the way of male friends, but it would not go unappreciated by her if she was cordial towards Gundham at the very least. "I wonder if it hurts more," She wondered aloud, "Because it makes sense. And because I want the best for him, what will most give him happiness and fulfillment. Even if it is not with me."

That was what she hoped for, anyway: the best for Gundham, and that eventually, when she could no longer put off the topic of marriage, that someone would come around who loved her just as much as they loved the idea of living a life in service to something larger than themselves. A tall order, but in the meantime she could at least enjoy a normal life without constant romantic complications. Even if that in and of itself seemed strange: Shinobu as an example aside, it seemed to be one of the most prevalent conversations around girls at Hope's Peak. One of the reasons why she adored Chiaki's friendship: her best friend wasn't interested in mulling over her love life at all. Only the fictional love stories in video games when she happened to be playing one with a romantic storyline, and Sonia was always happy to weigh in on those.

Especially when one of the male leads looked and sounded like he came right out of a Victorian vampire romance novel. Rare, but not impossible to find: sometimes she was simply happy to fantasize about the men of Castlevania while Chiaki cleared various bosses beside her.

Now, instead of some haunted castle dungeon, they faced the bright lights of a convenience store at night. Still a suitable challenge though: fewer demons, but more delicious treats. Sonia grinned, rubbing her hands together in delight this time as she took an empty basket for herself. "Of course it is an adventure! I have never been to one so late at night, who knows what might be available and exciting?" She insisted, already mapping her plan of attack. And by attack, she meant filling her basket to the brim. "I shall meet you in front of the store upon the completion of my shopping!"

Which took, if anyone was counting, at least twenty minutes. Sonia had needed to go up and down every aisle three times, hemming and hawing over every limited edition soda offering, the various brands of skincare and cosmetics on display, looking wistfully at the hot food bars and rummaging through the dozens of magazines and periodicals on display. Along the way, her basket became fuller and heavier until she was seemingly playing real-life Tetris, fitting in packets of premade pastries and bottles of sweet drinks in wherever there was an opening.

It took another ten minutes to ring up all of Sonia's purchases, the cashier torn between amusement and annoyance at the foreigner, far too cheerful for so late at night, and her stack of dorayaki and melon pan, half a dozen bottled drinks, a three pack of lipglosses featuring characters from Esper Ito on the sides, two packs of various sheet masks, a bottle of hand soap, an assortment of clip-in barrettes, rice crackers, gummy candies, chocolate mushroom cookies, nail polish with accompanying nail stickers, a tiny pale blue manicure set in its own glittery hardshell case, and no less than five magazines and weekly manga editions.

"I do wish it was not quite so cold and I was not quite so full," She lamented to Shinobu as she half-walked, half-waddled over under the weight of four heavy shopping bags, two in each hand, alongside her purse. "The curry and pizza buns looked scrumptious, as did the thick-cut chips and limited edition karaage flavors! Curry and chips rather reminds me of parts of Europe anyhow: those, and kabobs, and sausage, and almost anything covered in cheese are quite popular amongst late night drunken revelers. Our version of the ramen cart, I think."

She sighed. It became increasingly more difficult, when she thought of it, to ignore the wistfulness in her heart when she spoke of home. There was plenty about Novoselic she didn't miss: the rules, the lack of privacy, the need to be a princess at all times. But there was plenty she did: disguising herself enough to buy a crepe or a packet of cheesy chips and a sausage, wrapped in thick paper that became transparent as the grease of fried fat and cheese leaked through. There was an unsettling shortage of Nutella in Japan, too. A travesty, really.

"But I have everything I am looking for, thank you. Assuming you do too, shall we continue back? I doubt it is far now."

"I don't think it's hard to understand." No, not when Sonia explained it so clearly as she had, where the circumstances were so clear and the conflict so obvious. "I believe I understand the meaning." It was easier, she thought, when there was some point of failure that stood out. When it came to Shinobu herself, and the relationships she'd had, most of her ex-girlfriends were unmemorable. Most of them simply faded into the background a week or so after being dumped. The ones that stuck in their memory a bit more strongly were largely like Miss Hara - those who had done something especially egregious, and thus were not so swiftly forgotten.

But not all cases were quite like that. To call Ji-yeon an 'ex-girlfriend' seemed to Shinobu to miss the point, for while they'd sat together in the shade beneath the trees behind the school, far from prying eyes, and held each other, nuzzled noses, and even softly kissed, they'd never dated. Never been official, in so far as that term mattered. Was that because Shinobu had been so neck-deep in the affection of others that Ji-yeon hadn't wanted to take up the space? Had she seen the writing on the wall as it related to her own graduation, and not wished to pursue something with an obvious expiration date? Or had they both just been too afraid to broach a complicated subject, preferring to leave things unsaid?

"It's hardly the same situation, but there's a part of me that can more-or-less relate, I suppose," Shinobu murmured, not quite willing to commit to the sentiment, not when Sonia's stakes were so much higher, and the circumstances so much more defined. "Having wanted to be with someone, but it not being possible for various reasons that had little to do with the strength of the affection, and then needing to find a way to grow beyond that affection. Difficult as it was.." More often than not, the archer chose to avoid thinking of that day, but on a night like tonight, having seen Ji-yeon, and then Miss Uesugi not long after, and now in this sort of conversation with Sonia, it seemed unavoidable.

She'd wanted to see her. It was an unspoken rule that if Shinobu's face was bruised, or her lip was split, or if there were visible marks upon her neck, that she remained at home. As a first year at the time, there was no reason save the sentimental for her to attend graduation day, and yet she'd slipped out in the late morning after her father had left the estate, just to see her. There had been something she'd hoped to get from Ji-yeon, perhaps, some act or some words, that had never come. In the end, she'd probably done Shinobu a favor, for theirs wasn't a life cut out for love, even if it had taken some amount of time to excise what remained of it in their heart after she left.

"In any case, even if Tanaka-san's reasoning makes sense, I can still be sorry that the situation is painful to you, Miss Nevermind, though if he's still someone you care for, then I suppose I'm under no friendship obligation to speak poorly of him. That's fortunate, for him." Her sense of humor really was awful. Anzu always chided her for how dry her jokes were, and she'd likely roll her eyes if she were still here. "Though..." Yes, the boy Princess Sonia was dating, because she was straight. Something important to keep in mind, she supposed, due to how it informed the differences between their experiences. Surely that was the only reason it stuck out to them.

"Never mind." A small shake of her head punctuated Shinobu's thought. "I'm sure that when the time comes, the right person would be quite happy to be 'the gentleman Sonia Nevermind is dating', that's all." That Sonia was a princess, and came with a great deal of additional baggage perhaps wasn't ideal for most, but Shinobu could imagine that for the right person, that would hardly matter. Sonia had so many unique and interesting traits of her own, not to mention her kindness, and the care with which she approached most interactions. That Tanaka's future desires were incompatible with Sonia's life was unfortunate, but Shinobu was sure that any number of good men - rare though that classification was - would easily cherish her warm smile, her good company, the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke about her hobbies.

It was only after they'd stepped inside the convenience store that Shinobu let go of Sonia's hand. "An adventure?" Someone could be forgiven for mistaking the expression that worked its way upon her face for a smile. "Truly, I'm just picking up some comfort items and hangover cures for Anzu, but if you're interested in exploring on your own, please don't allow me to stand in your way." Faintly, she was aware that turning Sonia loose in a convenience store had the potential for... something, but after the heavy conversation they'd had, Shinobu found herself prioritizing some happy moments for her friend over her general desire for things to stay orderly.

"Please, pick up what you like, and I'll meet you at the front when we're both finished?" For her part, it wasn't anything that required too much searching, and the convenience store layout was familiar enough that it was quick work. Drinkable apple-flavored konjac jelly, in the event that Anzu didn't feel like eating solid foods. C.C. Lemon White Peach Mix, for vitamin C. Maple CalorieMate, for when she did want to eat something more filling, without needing to do much work about it, and some stomach-settling tablets just in case she was still nauseated. At least, to the best of their knowledge, Anzu wasn't so intoxicated that they needed to worry about someone holding her hair. Hopefully, none of this would be needed, either, but one could never be too prepared.

After a few short minutes, Shinobu stood at the front of the convenience store, out of the way of any other late night customers who might be trying to pay, a small bag in her hand as she waited for Sonia. Focused as she'd been on finding things for Anzu, she hadn't paid extraordinary attention to the other girl, but she'd seen enough to know that Sonia seemed to be traversing the entirety of the store with the same sort of excitable abandon as a child in a candy shop. Still, she was rather ill-prepared for the sight of Sonia's rather-full basket, eyebrows arching up over the frames of her glasses. "I hope you found everything you were looking for, Miss Nevermind?"

[berezina]

"The Garden"

How vainly men themselves amaze To win the palm, the oak, or bays, And their uncessant labours see Crown'd from some single herb or tree, Whose short and narrow verged shade Does prudently their toils upbraid; While all flow'rs and all trees do close To weave the garlands of repose.

Fair Quiet, have I found thee here, And Innocence, thy sister dear! Mistaken long, I sought you then In busy companies of men; Your sacred plants, if here below, Only among the plants will grow. Society is all but rude, To this delicious solitude.

No white nor red was ever seen So am'rous as this lovely green. Fond lovers, cruel as their flame, Cut in these trees their mistress' name; Little, alas, they know or heed How far these beauties hers exceed! Fair trees! wheres'e'er your barks I wound, No name shall but your own be found.

When we have run our passion's heat, Love hither makes his best retreat. The gods, that mortal beauty chase, Still in a tree did end their race: Apollo hunted Daphne so, Only that she might laurel grow; And Pan did after Syrinx speed, Not as a nymph, but for a reed.

What wond'rous life in this I lead! Ripe apples drop about my head; The luscious clusters of the vine Upon my mouth do crush their wine; The nectarine and curious peach Into my hands themselves do reach; Stumbling on melons as I pass, Ensnar'd with flow'rs, I fall on grass.

Meanwhile the mind, from pleasure less, Withdraws into its happiness; The mind, that ocean where each kind Does straight its own resemblance find, Yet it creates, transcending these, Far other worlds, and other seas; Annihilating all that's made To a green thought in a green shade.

Here at the fountain's sliding foot, Or at some fruit tree's mossy root, Casting the body's vest aside, My soul into the boughs does glide; There like a bird it sits and sings, Then whets, and combs its silver wings; And, till prepar'd for longer flight, Waves in its plumes the various light.

Such was that happy garden-state, While man there walk'd without a mate; After a place so pure and sweet, What other help could yet be meet! But 'twas beyond a mortal's share To wander solitary there: Two paradises 'twere in one To live in paradise alone.

How well the skillful gard'ner drew Of flow'rs and herbs this dial new, Where from above the milder sun Does through a fragrant zodiac run; And as it works, th' industrious bee Computes its time as well as we. How could such sweet and wholesome hours Be reckon'd but with herbs and flow'rs!

~Andrew Marvell

[thebirdandthebee]

Easy As

A Carmen Berzatto Universe

Here's another chapter from my request box - friendly reminder that you can submit requests for these two.

Vanessa Monaghan is the breath of fresh air that Carmen had been gasping for.

Page 9: Webbing

Vanessa Monaghan really was an Instacart type of girl. Grocery stores were loud and busy and she didn’t meal plan much, so that left her just swiping at shelves and in the produce section at whatever looked good.

Unfortunately for her, the next available delivery across any app she could download to her phone wasn’t for two and a half days. So, she vowed that on her way home from her friend Gina’s, she’d find a grocery store and knock out a few items for the week.

It was the height of summer and she knew no matter what, she was leaving the supermarket near River North with a watermelon.

Grabbing a small cart, mostly a basket on wheels, she set off through the medium-sized super market. She knew she wanted to hit the produce first.

Pulling through the berries, she grabbed a carton of nearly every kind. She loved berries and could likely sustain on them alone. She piled a few other veggies she could cut up and toss in a fry pan, dropping zucchini, yellow squash and red onions into individual plastic bags. She did feel bad about the excess plastic and would remember to re-use them somewhere in her home.

Then, she found the large pallet of watermelons. Standing over the bin, she crossed her arms over her chest. She knew it was silly but she could never remember how to pick the right one. 

“It’s a tough choice,” she heard from her left and she turned to see a handsome man with curly hair and striking blue eyes. His hands were tucked into the front pockets of his jeans.

“It is,” she laughed politely, “always a hard decision.”

“For me,” he took a step forward, “I like to pick a pretty uniform one,” he stepped up next to her, eyeing the bunch carefully before reaching in. She could tell he worked out, watching as his biceps flexed enticingly. “It uh, it has an orange field spot,” he turned it over, showing her the discoloration on the bottom, and it’s got a lot of this webbing,” he flipped it over again. “Webbing?” She asked doubtfully.

“Uh like scratching almost,” he offered, running his fingers along the marring. “You don��t wan a shiny one, either, nice and dark is best,” he added.

Vanessa drank him in. Not tall but not too short, sharp features, humble aura. He was handsome for sure, there was no denying that.

“And what,” she asked, accepting the melon as he handed it over to her, “makes you a watermelon expert?”

“I uh, I work with food,” he rubbed the back of his neck, gesturing at the watermelon.

“In grocery?” She asked, setting the watermelon down in the basket.

“I’m a chef,” he replied, fighting a blush as her eyes lit up.

“Really? That’s amazing,” her smile was stunning. “Where do you work? If you don’t mind me asking,” she said, inching forward with her cart.

“Uh, The Bear,” he rattled off, “it used to be The Beef, until a few months ago, we’re transitioning,” he explained. “It’s still The Beef, it’s going to be The Bear shortly,” he continued.

“I’ve been there,” she replied, grinning. “Well, I’ve had sandwiches from there,” she elaborated. “One of my interns loves that spot and will run and get lunch for us from time to time,” she explained.  Carmen was too busy studying her features and realized it was his turn to talk.

“And what was the verdict?” He asked, clasping his hands behind his back.

“We love it,” she smiled, “we’ve ordered out many times,” she added.

“Well I may have made your lunch,” he shrugged.

She stopped walking, turning to give him her full attention.

“I’m Vanessa,” she stuck out her hand. He got a whiff her perfume and felt the hairs on his arms stand on end.

“Carmen,” he replied, gently taking her hand in his.

“It’s really nice to meet you, Carmen,” she smiled, “thank you for your help.”

“Enjoy your melon,” he gestured. Enjoy your melon?! He wanted the tiled floor to open up and swallow him whole. A beat passed and 

“Would you happen to have any tips for the deli section?” She asked, wondering if her eyelashes were doing what she paid so much money for them to do.

“I’ve got tips,” he replied, almost immediately. He knew he was blushing then.

The pair wound their way through the supermarket, talking about anything their eyes landed on as Vanessa’s cart slowly filled up. Carmen knew the two men working at the meat counter and got her a great deal on a sirloin steak. 

She didn’t know how the hell she was going to cook it, but she was excited nonetheless. She thought Carmen was incredibly cute, and was particularly fascinated with the way his mouth formed certain words.

Carmen couldn’t believe Vanessa was speaking to him at all. It wasn’t that she was out of his league – she was playing at Soldier Field and he was tailgating at Wrigley. Her hair looked silky to the touch and her big doe eyes were mesmerizing to him. 

Sooner than he’d like, they found themselves rounding on the checkout lane.

She blushed a deep red as he bagged all over groceries, at her insistence he didn’t need to and suddenly they were both at the front door.

“I don’t cook a lot,” Vanessa said intently. “But I do go out a lot,” she added. “Maybe you could show me your favorite place some time?”

Carmen nodded enthusiastically, pushing an errant curl out of his eyes.

“Yes, I could do that,” he nodded. He pat all four of his pockets. “I uh, clearly left my phone at work,” he huffed. “But I have a pen,” he pulled out sharpie from his pants pocket. Vanessa laughed as he scribbled out her phone number on his arm. “I will text you as soon as I get back to my phone.” He reassured.

“I look forward to it, Carmen.”

“Me too.”