#olga lane

[polishmodels]

Olga Lane - editorial "Blazniva Svacina" for Vogue Czechoslovakia, September 2024

Photographers: Katie December and Hubert Zielinski

source: models.com

[vlij]

[s-c-kh]

[echantedtoon]

Oh, Rats

You find a wounded rodent on a stroll by Big Ben and being the kind lady you were, you take it home and tend to it until it gets better. Little do you know what you've done.

(This was really inspired by @sindysugar and @lilgrimmapple   I really adore their artwork and story involving The Great Mouse Detective and If you get a chance please check out their stuff. Warnings for Ratigan being in bad shape with some broken bones.)

"I don't like that."

"Don't like what?"

A thunderstorm rolled across the sky that night. The sun was just setting over the horizon with the last few rays of daylight disappearing but it was hard to tell when the dark storm clouds took over the sky and claimed them as their own. Thunder shaking the lanes of the windows and lightning sounded off like an angry whip from whatever deity was angrily stomping around the clouded skies, lighting up the sky and city below for nothing but a brief second. 

It would've been absolutely dark if you hadn't lit up a few candles inside the comfy room and placed them on the table to light up the room. The warm light comforting against the scary night sky that just appeared as the last few daylights were chased away. The candlelight lighting up the scowling scrunched up face of the old maid that peered downwards at the rather large vanity in the room. It was large enough to be used as a vanity, work desk, and table so you used it as such. But lately it's had a new purpose. And it's purpose being the temporary home for your temporary new roommate. 

"I swear whatever this...this THING is it's evil!," she spoke pointing out a little but decently sized caged sitting on the vanity. It had been an old bird cage stored in the attic but you'd brought it out again to use it for someone else. "The way it just looks at everyone..." She shivered. "I swear it's almost human like! It's disturbing!"

"Calm down, Olga." Your calm voice usually soothed the older woman of any worries but lately her insistence has been a bother. Soft hands closed the curtains to your window hiding the sights of the gloomy storm outside. "He's just a harmless little mouse, and you don't have to take care of him. So why does his presence in one room of the house where you can just easily avoid him forever bother you so?"

The woman never looked up from where or more accurately WHO and WHAT she was staring at giving a loud huff of disapproval. "Hmph. It's his look that bothers me. I swear that evil smugness he always gives me is unlike a rodent!"

You sighed again as she finally turned up her nose, laundry in her arms. This happened every day since you first brought it home. Brought HIM home. Ignoring her worries, your footsteps echoed in the room making the small journey across the room to the vanity and smiled at the little occupant of the cage. 

"Hello there. Is Olga being a worrier again?" Your voice softly cooed.

Black eyes turned up towards you from the inside, teeth on display but you knew it wasn't malicious. He just seemed to like his teeth showing. Honestly it looked almost like a smirk but that was ridiculous. Mice couldn't have enough thought process to smirk. Olga was just imagining things as usual. 

"I find it disturbing how you treat it?"

"Don't like how I treat him how?," you questioned playfully wagging a finger at the cage like it was a kitten instead of a mouse.

"That! Like THAT!!" A finger released itself from the laundry she held to point at you. "You talk to that creature as if it was a human! It's disturbing and not normal!"

You again sighed tiredly before looking at her. "I talk to them the same as I do everyone else. Is that so wrong?"

"YES! It's not an equal it's a filthy vermin!"

"He's not filthy. He had a bath yesterday and I cleaned the cage this morning."

"That isn't what I meant and you know that."

Another soft sigh left your mouth along with a tired eye roll. This has happened over and over again with Olga. Honestly the older woman didn't like any animals unless it was cooked on a plate for her to eat, so this wasn't an unusual occurrence but it has been the first time she's been so insistent about you getting rid of the animal. She must really not like like mice. 

She hated him the moment you brought the poor thing home with you. It was on a similarly stormy night actually just like this one some weeks ago. You were taking a stroll through the streets of London after a day of shopping but lost track of time. A storm was coming in from the thick fog and made itself known. You decided to take a short cut past the famous Big Ben to get home faster but something else had caught your hurried attention.

As you hurried down the sidewalks with thunder sounding overhead and the fog clouding the streets, your footsteps echoed throughout the dark streets eerily, something caught your eye. A single black lump laid out upon the middle of said sidewalk making you slow down to a stop until it was but a yard away from you. What was..that? It looked at first like a black blob a little larger than a single one of your hands within the fog but as you slowly approached, it began to form more clearer and take shape. It was a-..

A large mouse? Rat maybe?

Whichever one it was, it laid face down splayed against the concrete covered in some kind of tattered black cloth. ..Poor thing. Many people considered rodents in general a burden and considered it good fortune at seeing one dead but you couldn't help but feel sorry for it. Maybe it was because you loved animals but you did feel sorry for it. It must've been stepped on by someone or maybe run over by a moving carriage the wheels throwing it onto the sidewalk with their momentum. Although you hadn't the faintest idea why it was covered in black fabric. Maybe it crawled out from a dumpster tangled in it? Or had someone tied a bag around it only for the animal to shred it apart? You had no idea. 

But SOMETHING important caught your attention as you took a closer look at it. It's chest slowly and shakily rising and falling in shaking breaths. A wheezing breathing gasping sound exiting it's mouth as it desperately clung onto life. It's body shook lightly with every gasp. It was-

"You're alive."

Olga shrieked when you got home shopping bags around your elbows and a half dead unconscious rodent in your hands wrapped up in your handkerchief. She shrieked at you that it carried diseases and it was dirty and it should die and you should throw it out the door right that second! You ignored her of course because she always reacted this way whenever you brought home an animal and sent for the local veterinarian. 

"He's incredibly lucky to be alive," the doctor had told you after the animal had been properly cleaned up and treated. "Any more time out there, especially in the rain, and he would've died. I don't know where you find these beasts but as my best customer my service is yours."

"Is he going to be alright?"

"Certainly! He has some broken bones specifically some broken ribs and some wounds but with proper treatment he should be back to normal again in no time! I'll write down the care he needs and prescribe some medicine that ought to help."

Your care had been going on for a while now since then and he's been doing so much better! You made sure he was given a good clean space to stay in and comfortable things that seemed to make him feel better. Though it was quite odd for a mouse. He seemed to prefer the water you gave him in a smallish wine glass (small to a human not him), and he seemed to not like the scraps you tried giving himself. You tried giving him fresh food cut from your daily meals, which worked better. It was almost like he preferred to be served actual meals like you were a maid instead of feasting on scraps like mice usually do. But you supposed after spending so much time outside any animal would want fresh food instead of old scraps. His bed was an old cushion that was torn apart by a cat you were also caring for but had managed to sew the scrapped fabric up enough to make him a small pillow to rest on. Which he was doing now.

"You said that about every animal I've cared for," you pointed out to her raising a brow. "Like the dog with the broken leg. You said he was possessed by an evil spirit. Or the carriage horse. You say that he's waiting for you to get in front of him to run you over!"

"I stand by both of those statements still thank you very much! But this thing-" she shuddered hard. "There's something else about him that's borderline evil!"

"He's not evil. He's a mouse-"

"That thing tried to bite me through the cage first week he was here!," he accused.

"That's because you yelled at him and hit his cage which I told you NOT to do!," you countered back with a frown and crossed arms. "He was hurt, irritated, and you scared him being aggressive like that." 

You remembered that day. Olga shrieked and SWORE he was smirking at her and called him a qoute 'disgusting, filthy, disease carrying, germ and flea infested, ugly RAT' before hitting her fist on top of his cage. She almost got bit when the mouse let out a rather loud squeak. A rage fueled squeak that sounded almost like a shriek itself as it lashed out and was almost able  to catch her pinky finger in his teeth. To this day you've never heard any rodent sound like that. You had to physically shove the hysterical screaming woman out of your room and lock the door to prevent her from swinging the broom at the cage and it took nearly an hour and a half for the mouse to calm down enough for you to safely look over himself. Thankfully both were ok but you've banned Olga from going into your room at all unless you were there and made it clear if anything were to happen to him, she'd be fired immediately. You were now tired of her continued antics.

"Just leave him alone!," you ordered firmly. "He's very well behaved and he's not staying here forever. It's just until he gets all better then I'm going to release him back outside."

"Hmph. Well that's the only good thing about him being here! I swear that thing is evil and I won't change my mind. "

"Oh come now. If he was really bad he would've done something to me by now. He's so good even the kitty I'm looking after likes him."

"You mean that obese beast that eats all our good fish and lazes about all day? She's almost as bad as him."

You scowled harder at her making her sigh. The poor kitty had fur torn from her making bald spots and looked like a pack of stray dogs got her. You brought her back home to recover about two weeks before you found the mouse. Both seemed to like each other very much when you accidentally left the door open one day and came back to find both cuddled up with each other. But surprise surprise Olga didn't like her either. 

"She's on a diet so she's not used to not getting so much food. Whoever owned her previously probably just over spoiled her so she's not used to portions." You didn't see it but the mouse gave you an eye roll of slight irritation before you smiled back at him. "He's a little extinguished gentlemen. Here. I'll show you."

Olga looked physically disgusted before you reached out and with a click slide the door wide open. Her face immediately paled as your hands reached in cupped and you cooed at him like you would a kitten to come over to you.

"W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

You looked up at her shriek not seeing how he stood up on two legs before turning on a heel and flopping onto your palms smugly. "I'm taking him out. He's always so well behaved." Her expression worsened as you pulled your hands out with the mouse in it and smiled brightly holding him up. "See? Isn't he such a cute little guy?"

Instead of answering she squealed out as the mouse stuck it's tongue at her not that you saw and pressed herself Against the doorway in her panic fumbling with the doorknob. Wretching it open a sheet dropped from her arms as her fearful squealing continued down the hall and towards the downstairs. You blinked for a moment as the door slowly creaked closed again and more thunder rolled above you. Eventually sighing as the mouse flipped onto his stomach and regarded you with a smile as you shook your head. 

"I swear that woman just hates any animal she doesn't eat. You're certainly a gentleman no matter what anyone says. Let's get you back to bed now."

Gently your hands pushed him back into the pen and laid him stomach down on the comfy pillow. However his front paws caught onto your pointer finger and a small kiss like motion was felt on your skin. Blinking you pulled your hand away from him to look at it then at him.. before shaking your head and relocking the cage. Kissing your hand. Too many of Olga's fears was getting in your head. He probably just licked you as any animal would do. 

After all he was just a rodent and nothing more.

[wileys-russo]

the one where the kids go bowling II barça femeni

part of the 'pollito' universe, stuck tiny silver flash the one where the kids go bowling II barça femeni

"-and you will message me once you finish up and get to jana's, sí?" you pushed off alexia's hands which fixed your necklace so the clasp wasn't showing with a huff.

"sí ale! por favor can i go now?" you groaned, hovering by the door with an overnight bag in hand feeling like a little kid going to a sleepover as alexia fussed over you.

it was jana's birthday and she'd invited a few of the younger girls to go bowling and out to dinner, offering for you to spend the night at hers with bruna and ona which you'd happily accepted.

with all of the girls backing you up and promising to keep an eye out for you and vicky, the captains had no choice but to agree though you knew you largely had patri to thank for that who shockingly had been the voice of reason in the scenario.

"sí, enjoy yourself but do not do anything i wouldn't do nena!" the older girl warned as you heard olga snicker from the sofa and you leaned around alexia to shoot her a grin which she returned with a wink, mouthing for you to have fun.

"don't listen to her! bad influence." alexia tutted ushering you out the door and glaring playfully at her girlfriend over her shoulder who blew her a kiss and turned back to typing away at her laptop perched on her knees.

"alexia!" you whined as she grabbed the back of your jacket to stop you racing off, following after you to bruna's car who paled at the sight of her captain gesturing for her to roll down the window which she did.

you managed to tug yourself free of the catalans iron grip, slipping into the backseat beside ona. "hola alexia." bruna swallowed nervously as the corner of the older girls mouth tugged upward a little in amusement.

"feliz cumpleaños superestrella!" bruna sighed in relief and loosened her grip on the steering wheel as alexia's stern facade melted and she gave jana a dazzling grin where she sat in the passenger seat.

"gracias ale." jana returned the grin gratefully. "no invite for me to come bowling? the disrespect for your captain chica's." alexia tutted, pushing away from the car with a wink.

"no abuela's allowed!" you called from the back with a grin, smacking bruna on the shoulder and ordering her to drive as alexia shot you a glare and opened her mouth to respond, bruna pulling out quickly from the curb before she could do.

"if she makes us run extra laps for your mouth pollito i'm gonna kill you!"

~

"hola mis chicas!" you launched yourself into the middle of the small group of girls who'd already arrived and were sat in the booth by your designated lane, groans of pain greeting you where you'd landed on them, shoved to the side as ona bonked you on the head with your bowling shoes and handed them over.

you let out a yell as no sooner did you bend down to lace them up a body slammed into you nearly taking you off the bright blue leather lounge entirely.

"lópez!" you shoved her back, the two of you wrestling around for a moment before salma stepped in to break it up and sent vicky off for her turn.

"you know you are supposed to knock the pins over bru, sí?" you teased as the girl bowled a zero and stomped back to the lounges with a scowl.

"sí its not like golf bruna, lowest score loses not wins!" jana added on sitting down beside you with a smirk as bruna flipped you both off and sat down herself with a huff.

you all cheered as vicky bowled a strike, taking a photo for your social media and squealing as janas hand moved to brush the back of your neck as she set something down behind you.

"why is your hand so cold! dios mío." you cringed at the icy tips of her fingers as jana laughed and prodded at you. "this is yours." jana tapped one of the bright red slushees she'd put down and poked your cheek before getting up to take her turn.

what she failed to mention was the utter importance that you drank only the slushee which was yours.

but too busy laughing at your friends woeful attempts at bowling you grabbed jana's without realising, frowning a little at the odd taste but unsure what flavour it really was you paid it no mind, sticking your bright red tongue out at vicky who giggled and did the same.

vicky was also too busy laughing at ona who routinely bowled gutter ball after gutter ball and swore so much that a mother on the lane over came and gave her a talking to about family friendly language, the older girl going bright red and stammering out an apology.

what your friends failed to mention was why it was so important the two of you drank the slushees that were given to you, and that was that on a perhaps poorly minded decision the older girls had snuck in a flask of vodka and spiked their slushees.

not enough to get them drunk of course just...a little pleasantly buzzed.

but with you and vicky having little to no experiences drinking, the small amount of alcohol had gone right to your heads though neither of you had tweaked the reality of your situation just yet.

which is why you weren't sure what was so funny as you stood to take your turn to bowl, or why your fingertips suddenly felt weird and your legs a little tingly, or why you couldn't work out which lane you were supposed to bowl in given you had to squint to narrow it down from three to one.

"apresúrate pequeña we have dinner reservations at eight!" jana groaned impatiently, tapping her foot with a roll of her eyes as you closed one of yours to try and stop the lanes from moving.

giving it your best go you wound up and let go of the ball, tripping over your own feet and crashing to the ground with a thump as the ball sailed up and over the gutters, landing in the lane of the group beside you who jumped in shock.

you felt hands on your body trying to help you up an voices muffled like your head was underwater but their faces were a blur and all you could do was giggle, poking at the weird blobs in front of you as a warmth spread through your body and you let out a loud and sudden peal of laughter.

"is she..." salma trailed off with wide eyes at bruna who was on your other side helping you up. "no. she can't be? hers and vickys didn't have anything in them, we made sure." bruna denied with a firm shake of her head though as vicky fell off the edge of the lounge with a giggle her certainty faded.

"what is wrong with them?" esme asked worriedly, helping vicky up as you were sat back down and went limp, closing your eyes and giggling to yourself at nothing, enjoying the feeling of the warmth sitting comfortably now in your rosy red cheeks.

with the other girls distracted arguing over who spiked what you sat up and grabbed your slushee, downing the last few mouthfuls as your elbow brushed jana's side and she turned.

"aye pollito no!" the birthday girl groaned snatching the now empty cup from your hand, vicky already having finished her own as she tried to stand up to take her turn and promptly fell right back down nearly into emse's lap.

"sniff that bruna. idiota i told you this was a bad idea!" jana seethed smacking the younger girl across the back of the head and shoving your empty slushee cup in her face which indeed smelled like vodka, esme doing the same to vickys which was the same story.

"me? this was your idea amiga its your birthday!" bruna scoffed as the two began to bicker, ona trying her best to break it up as you took the opportunity of them being distracted to sneak off, suddenly having an overwhelming urge to run away.

knocking your knee against vickys she shared your grin, the two of you dropping to your knees and crawling away to the booth beside your own lane, grabbing one anothers hands with a giggle and racing off.

"hey vuelve aquí!" salma noticed the back of your heads race off and yelled out, yanking the others up as ona stayed back to reset the lanes so you could all leave.

you and vicky didn't make it far, tripping over your own feet and grabbing out for her to steady you, instead accidentally pulling her down to the ground with you as the two of you collapsed into a pile of giggles and hiccups.

bruna apologizing quickly to the staff who wandered over to check everything was okay jana and esme hauled you up as salma grabbed vicky, ona joining her as the group made their way out of the bowling alley.

"mierda i don't feel good." vicky mumbled and salma barely turned before the younger girl threw up the entire contents of her stomach onto the asphalt, bright red bile pouring from her mouth as everyone cringed and you took the brief moment to again run off.

"chica no!" jana moaned in annoyance dragging her hands down her face, her and bruna racing off after you as the others hung back to look after vicky.

"can't catch me chica's!" you sang out with a wild grin, racing between parked cars and ducking and weaving your way to escape the two older girls chasing you down.

"i don't think we're making that dinner reservation amiga." bruna doubled over trying to catch her breath as jana just missed you, groaning tiredly as you took off again with a joyous whoop but then suddenly you stopped, careering over and vomiting up your own bright red bile making them wince in disgust.

"we need back up, now."

~

when mapi had seen jana's name and number flash on her screen she'd frowned, assuming it was just an accidental call and letting it ring out, returning to the crossword on the table in front of her.

but when it rang again curiosity got the better of her and she clicked accept and tucked it into her shoulder. "hola jana? está todo bien?" mapi had questioned with a frown.

"vale vale slow down chica, she is what?" ingrid looked up at this, sitting up from where she'd been sprawled out across their lounge reading a book, sending her girlfriend a curious look whose frown deepend.

"vale. have you called alexia? oh, i see. sí message me the address and i will leave now amiga, get them some water, small sips." mapi sighed, sending ingrid an odd look as the norwegian snapped her book shut and pushed up to her feet as mapi uttered a few more words and hung up the phone. "whats wrong amor?" ingrid asked as mapi tucked her phone into her pocket with a sigh.

"believe me mi vida, you do not want to know."

~

jana could have cried in relief when she saw mapi's car pull up, the girl parking and making her way over as bruna rubbed your back and vicky was slumped into salma mumbling nonsense with a giggle every now and then, both of you having spent the last ten minutes voilently throwing up until there was nothing at all left in your stomachs.

"what happened?" the older girl sighed at the sight in front of her, wincing as all of the girls launched off with their own recall of events. "mi dios chicas, one at a time! bruna, go." mapi rubbed her temples and waved as everyone fell silent bar yours and vickys giggles.

"we didn't mean to mapi, promesa. we just wanted to have a little fun and we only put the alcohol in our drinks. but they got mixed up and they both ended up drinking the spiked ones and now they're drunk." bruna winced at the dissapointed sigh that came from the defender stood in front of her.

"i will take pollito home and she will stay with ingrid and i. who is looking after vicky? should i call patri?" mapi asked with a raised eyebrow as a chorus of no's rang out, nobody wanting to involve any of the captains.

"she will stay with me, esme is too." salma confirmed as mapi nodded, wincing as the girl in question lurched forward and threw up again. "you might want to take a bag in the car with you." the older girl suggested pulling a face as everyone got to their feet.

"vamos pequeña, up we get!" mapi grunted grabbing your hands and pulling you to stand as you giggled and your legs gave out, jana steadying you on your other side as she and bruna helped walk you to mapi's car.

"we really are sorry mapi, it was a complete accident." bruna blushed bright red as you were buckled into the back seat and mapi slid into the drivers seat and lowered her window.

"you did the right thing by calling me amiga's. but this stays between all of us, nobody else in the team will ever never know this happened or i was here. vale?" mapi warned sternly as both younger girls nodded hastily making the defender soften and chuckle a little.

"feliz cumpleaños jana, i do not think this is a birthday you will forget anytime soon mi amiga."

~

"oh dios mío pequeña, stay still!" mapi groaned, grabbing the collar of your shirt as you tried to race off again, the car ride seemingly recharging your battery as you were giggling and babbling nonsense the entire elevator ride up.

hearing her voice on the other side of the door ingrid hurried to pull it open as mapi wrestled to get her keys from your grip where you'd snatched them.

"liten!" ingrid gasped as mapi pushed you inside her apartment and you tripped over your own feet tumbling to the floor and sprawling out on the hardwood giggling to yourself.

"is she-" ingrid realised offering you a hand up which you battered away as you rambled something inaudible in spanish and covered your face with your hands, body shaking with laughter.

"drunk? sí." mapi sighed watching you with a shake of her head before catching ingrid up on the nights events which had lead up to this. "alexia is going to flip." ingrid whistled knowingly, mapi cursing as your leg lashed out to kick her in the shin and you laughed.

"el diablo." the defender huffed, ingrid gently pushing her back as she went to advance on you, your usual love language which would have meant mapi kicking you back hardly appropriate right now.

"alexia will not know, i already messaged her from pollitos phone saying she arrived to jana's. she is a good kid, this is the first time anything like this has happened and really it was an accident." mapi sighed, a small smile curling onto her lips as you spotted bagheera wandering out of the bedroom and gasped crawling across to him on your elbows.

"maríaaa!" you sang out suddenly breaking the two older girls out of their conversation. "sí pequeña?" mapi sighed with a smile of amusement, shaking her head at the way bagheera had settled himself on your chest.

"i'm hungry make me food." you demanded, giggling at nothing as your fingers felt tingly and you ran them through bagheeras soft fur. "what have you eaten today kjære?" ingrid interrupted before mapi could.

"i made avocado toast and eggs this morning but we-oh we were supposed to go to dinner! its janas birthday!" you clapped excitedly and sat up, scaring bagheera who jumped about a foot in the air and scurried off back to the bedroom.

"they'll be picking me up soon-oh mierda!" you swore as you tried to stand and the room span, sending you tumbling right back down onto your ass with a groan of pain followed by a fit of laughter.

"vamos estúpido, we need you in one piece por favor." mapi chuckled moving to help you up, slinging your arm over her shoulder and maneuvering you to lay down on the sofa as ingrid started to make you some toast.

"maps...the room is spinning make it stop!" you whined covering your face as the defender patted you on the head with a smile. "sí pollito, you are drunk. remember this feeling the next time someone ever offers you a drink!" mapi chuckled and you let out a deep sigh, removing your hands and rubbing your eyes furiously.

"i'm not drunk!" you scoffed once the room stopped spinning, wiggling your toes which felt all tingly and electric. "sí mi amiga you are, do you remember the red drink from bowling?" mapi asked gently and you looked at her like she had three heads.

"i haven't been bowling! i tried to go and you manhandled me onto the lounge and now my legs won't work. are they broken?" you began to panic as the pins and needles spread and your eyes widened.

"no idiota, they're not broken." mapi laughed, moving to massage your knees as you sighed in relief and ingrid chuckled from the kitchen.

"maría." you started as mapi hummed still massaging some feeling back into your tingly legs. "i love you, so much." you sobbed out, mapi's head whipping sideways in shock as you started to cry.

"i know we fight and mess around but you're like a big sister to me and i love you so much!" you sobbed out, sitting up and throwing your arms around her neck as the defender bit down on her lip to stop from laughing, rubbing at your back.

"i think we've moved through the stages. from giggling, throwing up, running away, falling over to sappy mess." mapi spoke to ingrid as you cried into her shoulder and the norweigan set down a plate of toast on the coffee table.

"ingrid!" you sobbed letting go of mapi and opening your arms as the brunette stifled a laugh herself and allowed you to wrap her in a tight hug. "i love you both so-oh toast!" you spotted the plate behind their backs and wiggled free reaching out for it.

"imbécil." mapi mumbled with a chuckle as you munched away happily, eyes beginning to droop with each minute that passed as your giggles returned, both girls sitting beside you on the lounge as ingrid clicked the tv on.

"so...vamos whose dropping me to bowling?"

[nangel]

Paparazzi, part six

✍︎ words count | 4745 words

✈︎ missing out parts? | series , part 1 , part 2 , part 3 , part 4 , part 5

We’ll be staying in Paris.

We were walking through Paris and basically doing a sightseeing tour. We four walked together and I told them a lot about France. After we visited the Notre-Dame Cathedral which was our last destination we had free time. We went shopping and visited a bakery. We even visited the memorial for princess Diana and took a lot of pictures. Now we were walking around trying to find a place we could visit. “I think I’ve never felt so clueless in Paris” I said frustrated. “Don’t worry…we’re gonna find something” Annabelle said going through tiktok while Olga was already flirting with a 30-year old french man. I watched it and gasped shocked. “How is she doing that?” Maureen asked and I laughed. “I can tell you” i said as I pressed my boobs together which made Maureen laugh and me too. I admired my outfit in the window of a boutique. “Hell yeah…you look good” Olga said smirking and I lifted one leg playfully so my white nike’s touched my butt.

We ended up in a cafe called Café de Flore and ate some with chocolate filled croissants while talking. I loved it and we even saw some people recognising us. Two girls came up to us and tapped my shoulder. “I’m sorry…are you Madeleine Sinclair and Maureen Lilac-Lane?” the blonde asked us, both a bit younger than us, maybe 16. “Yes” we said smiling. “Can we take a picture with you?” she the other blonde asked sweetly. I looked at Maureen and she nodded. “Yeah sure” we said and stood up to stand behind them. They took some pictures and then they left. I couldn’t hide my smile. “Okay that was impressive” Annabelle said smirking. “I liked that” i said smiling. “It was nice” Maureen said and we chuckled like little kids. Charles sent me a message. “What are you doing right now?” “Nothing enjoying my free time with Olga, Maureen and Annabelle” i texted back. “Really? Where are you?” he texted with a laughing smiley. “Café de Flore a nice cafe super cute and romantic” i texted back with a smiling emoji.

He left me on read and I was confused but I put my phone away cause Olga was flirting with the waiter so we’d get free coffee which we found extremely funny. “Yolo” i said and she winked at me. “I could never” Maureen said amused. “Me neither” i said laughing. We were in the middle of a conversation and I was telling them something about the portrait I was having in my head and wanted to paint as soon as we’re back in Berlin. They listened to me and we talked about it until I saw how Olga jaw dropped and her eyes widened, she looked like she was about to choke on her spit. “Olga?” Annabelle asked sitting next to her. Someone tapped my shoulder and I turned around. I couldn’t believe my eyes and my eyes widened as I saw Charles standing in front of me. “Oh my god” i said holding my hands to my mouth in shock. “Hey” he said casually but with the smile I missed desperately. I stood up snd looked at him in disbelief. “What are you doing here?” i asked shocked but in a good way. “I wanted to see you” he said and I smiled like a little child. “You wanted to see me?” i asked with a wide smile not able to stop it. “Yeah…it’s kinda risky but I…I thought about what you said and Paris and Monaco only have one hours distance” he said and I was speechless. “You came here for me?” i asked speechless. “Of course…” he said looking into my eyes with me not knowing what to say. “I’m speechless” i said covering my eyes with a chuckle. “So you can see him too?” Olga asked in a whisper to Maureen and Annabelle. “You’re here…” i said blushing trying to hide my face and he smiled at me and wrapped his arms around me. “I am” he said laughing while his arms were wrapped around me. I couldn’t stop chuckling. “I need to get some…croissants” Maureen said standing up. “Me too” Annabelle said in a happy mood. “Toilet” Olga said and they stood up and walked inside giggling. “I really don’t know what to say” i said as he let go of me. “I thought I’d surprise you” he said softly and I blushed again. “Oh god” i said embarrassed because I was flushed like a tomato. “Hey…don’t be like that” he said resting his hands on my shoulder. “Wait…what if people spot you?” i asked looking around. “This cafe is secluded and there are only old people” he said laughing and I laughed too. “Good that you told me about this trip and that you have free time right now” he said and I chuckled. “I have some questions” i said still speechless. “Go on” he said and laughed. “How did you make it I mean…did you plan this or was it spontaneous?” i asked him. “After you told me about this trip I thought about coming but I wasn’t sure and when you said that you hoped to see me again I couldn’t help…I needed to see you again and Paris is the perfect place” he said smiling down at me. “I am glad you are here, really” i said smiling at him. “I’m glad to see your smile again” he said and we licked eyes. “I wish I wasn’t on a school trip right now” i said tilting my head. “I also have a plan for that” he said grinning and I shook my head. “Oh no” i said and he nudged me. “I’m staying till Friday” he said and I laughed. “No way” i said stunned. “If I can only meet you like this…I want it to last as long as possible” he said and I looked into his eyes. “You’re sweet” i said with a nod. “How long do you have your free time” he asked smiling. “Until dinner actually…the teachers are quite casual with that” i said proudly. “Would you like to spend some time with me?” he asked smiling in the most handsome and charming way I have ever seen. “Are you joking? I’d love to” i said happily. “Good…If your girls are okay with that I’d like to…take you with me” he said playfully. “They’re not gonna say no…they’re probably in there watching us while laughing and giggling” i said and he looked at the window. “They are…” he said swallowing hard while smiling a little unsure about their acting.

“Oh no…” i said grimacing after 30 seconds of silence with him looking at me. “What is it?” he asked carefully. “This is way too risky for you…people are gonna recognise you instantly” i said shaking my head. “Yeah I don’t care” he said shrugging his shoulders. “I can’t do that to you…I already got you into so much trouble” i said concerned. “I came here for you…not for the people and even if they spot me…I’ll get through it” he said rubbing my shoulders. “Are you sure? I mean we can meet up after dinner too…it’s dark then” i said pointing at him while nodding. “We can do that too but right now I just want to spend time with you” he said and I smiled. “If you say so…” i said still unsure as my best friends came outside again with a big smirk and definitely not planning on hiding it. “Hey…uhm…” i started but Annabelle cut me off. “We already heard it…don’t worry…you can go” she said smirking at me. “Wait…Why…but okay” i said a little confused. “Yeah…you deserve this” Maureen said hugging me and I chuckled. “After all you waited long enough” she added and Olga rolled her eyes. “Ola?” i asked her and she nodded “Yeah go…” she said smiling at me. “Oh take that with you” Olga said handing me a bag with bakery. “You actually bought croissants?” i asked amused. “Yeah…not only croissants a lot more! You need to try the…those with the weird name” she said and I laughed. “They’re probably Tartes” Charles said and Olga snapped with her fingers. “Exactly that…” she said and he laughed. “You are the same girls that were in Monaco right?” he asked smiling. “Yeah” Olga said. “It’s nice to meet you, Madlen told me a lot about you three” he said and I looked at him as he introduced himself like a gentleman and saying my name with his french accent. “Madlen?” Olga repeated smirking. “Actually…it’s nice to meet you too…Madlen told us nothing about you” Olga said and emphasised the Madlen. “Absolutely nothing” Maureen repeated and rolled her eyes. “I think I’ll just introduce myself in the right way…” he said and my jaw dropped a little in admiration. “I’m Maureen” Maureen said holding her hand out. “Charles, as you know, nice to meet you…you’re modelling with Madlen right?” he said charming shaking her hand. “Yeah” she said and I knew she already liked him cause she gave me a thumbs up as he turned to Olga. “I guess Olga” he said looking at Olga before shaking her hand too “You better remember it for later cause I’m gonna make you two a hard time” she said laughing tho we all knew she meant it. “You should definitely try the french toast here…they make it nowhere better than here in Paris” he said and Olga was impressed. “You know what? I will” she said with a hint of friendliness, true friendliness. “Then you must be Annabelle” he said as he turned to Annabelle. “That’s me” she said smiling. “Nice to meet you” he said shaking her hand. “The pleasure is all mine” she said laughing. I smiled at him and then looked away. All three scanned us but were mostly looking at me impressed, impressed that he came, impressed that he was actually here, impressed that he introduced himself and impressed by him. “If it’s okay for you I’d like to take her with me” he said respectfully. They were trying their best to keep everything in. “Just go already” Olga said smirking and I smiled at Charles which he returned. “Take those with you” Maureen said giving me my black sunglasses. “Alright, bye!” i said wanting to get out of this with Charles waving at them. “Have fun” Annabelle said and Olga came up to me. “Do everything I’d do” she said winking at me and Annabelle pulled her back. “Not everything” Annabelle said and I waved at them. “Bye” i said as I left with Charles.

“By the way…if I didn’t say it before, you look great” he said as we walked out of the cafe. “Thank you” i said blushing. I looked around. “What are we gonna do now?” i asked him putting on my sunglasses. “Walking through the Paris” he said softly getting black sunglasses out too. “I think I saw quite everything today” i said amused. “But not with me…I’ll show you some hidden gems” he whispered and I chuckled. I probably didn’t look now as confident as always cause I was constantly looking around and practically hiding myself behind Charles while walking really slow to not stand out or get into trouble. He looked at me behind him. “Don’t worry” he said reassuring as his hand took mine and pulled me right next to him before letting go again. I have never been more unsure and insecure in my life. “We’re in side streets…nothing’s gonna happen” he said chuckling. “I feel like I am the dirty affaire” i said quietly. “You know that it’s not like that…but I don’t mind proving it to you” he said and I shook my head. “You already did…no one ever did something like you for me…coming to Paris for me” i said looking up at him. “Being me has advantages…I got a private jet” he said smirking and I nudged his arm. “You’re famous all over the world…I still can’t believe that I didn’t recognise you back then” i said amused. “You made me curious” he said and I smiled. We walked along the streets and slowly got to a more crowded street. The whole time we walked next to each other I asked myself how I could be that lucky. No one would believe me if I said that me -a girl from Germany- is spending time with THE FAMOUS Charles Leclerc. “How is it being a model?” he asked me and I saw a mocking smirk on his face. “It’s fun…yet it’s fun…but with enough I’m gonna walk for Chanel in about one month” i said smiling excited. “Now that you’re saying it…I have some connections” he started and I stopped and looked at him. “What did you do?” i asked him unsure. “I just played a little around and found a connection to Dior…just in case that you want to improve your future” he said snd my jaw dropped. “Are you insane?” i asked shocked. “Who knows what’s gonna happen in the future? You are really talented and you should definitely think about it” he said turning to face me. I tilted my head and shook it. “Why did you do this? You didn’t had to” i said and he just shook his head. “I know but I wanted to do it…as I said…I want to see you up there” he said and I narrowed my eyes remembering when he said that to me back then. “I can’t” i said and he nodded “Of course you can, I did it because I wanted it and you are gonna accept that after all it is just a connection I am telling you about not a contract I am forcing you in the hands” he said chuckling. “I don’t want to be intrusive” i said to him and he looked down at me through his sunglasses. “You aren’t…you are the greatest and most special person I met in a long time” he said and I smiled. Since when is he handsome too? “And you are actually the most handsome guy I’ve ever met and I met a lot” i said with a nod. “Come on…I want to show you something” he said as we walked to a little store. In there were funky painting and I immediately admired all of them. “I knew you would like it” he said proudly crossing his arm. “Look at all the pictures” i said as I showed him one that was completely filled with different shades of pink. “Funky” he said with his french accent and I chuckled. The next stop we made was at an old bookstore. “It’s giving Lana del Rey vibes” i whispered looking through the book that really gave me Lana del Rey vibes since I adored her. I lived books so it was no surprise I was walking out of the store with a bag of books while he led us to a beautiful park through which we walked.

We talked a lot about my exams and school in general. “It’s calming down now…I only have one test left and that one is in art history, we are gonna paint something but not just something…it can be everything but the task is to paint something that really intrigues you and we should dig deep in our brain and soul” i said amused. “And do you already know what you’re gonna paint?” he asked me while looking at me as we still walked next to each other. “I think yes…” i said softly with a smile while looking into his eyes. “Tell me…” he said and I shook my head. “Nuh-uh…that’s gonna be a secret” i said smirking and he groaned frustrated wrapping one arm carefully around my shoulder to pull me close. “Is this okay?” he asked smiling and I nodded. “Hey…can I tell you something” i said in a happy mood. “Everything” he said smiling. “I…I kinda missed you” i confessed looking at him. “That’s the best thing you ever said to me” he said and I smiled. “To be honest…I missed you too” he said pulling me even closer. I rested my head carefully on against his chest. It was weird…I couldn’t really believe it that this was really happening. Every time I realised that it was Charles I didn’t want to look away from him I wanted to scream around but that would be weird.

We ended up going through the whole park because we somehow couldn’t stop talking and since I still had Olga’s beloved bakeries we started to snack them. “Ils sont si savoureux” (those are so tasty). “Oui, c'est vrai?” (yeah right?). I chuckled it away. It was 5 p.m and we were walking through some streets. “And what happened then?” i asked him excited. “I crashed and wrecked the car” he said laughing. “But they told you that it was a bad idea” i said amused. “I was drunk” he said laughing and I started to laugh too. “Please don’t do this ever again, a ferrari is really expensive” i said amused. “But it’s my favourite car too” he said and I rolled my eyes amused. “I wouldn’t have thought” i said sarcastically. “I’m full of surprises” he said and I just nodded. “You are” i said locking eyes with him for a short second. He told me a lot of stories back when he was younger. “Even my friends asked me about you” he said with his arm around my shoulder. “What did you tell them?” i asked him smiling. “What is your love language?” i asked him smiling. “Love Language?” he asked and I nodded chuckling. “Love Language” “Physical Touch” he said and I chuckled. “Mine too” i said amused. “We’re matching” he said and I smirked. “It’s so good to finally have you close” he said again wrapping his arm tighter around me. “You too…The distance is sometimes…killing me” i said moving my head from side to side. “True” he said and we both looked at each other again.

It was 6 p.m and I had to get back for dinner so Charles walked me to the hotel. “What are you gonna do now?” i asked him smiling. “Going back to the hotel” he said smiling. “Can I call you later?” i asked chuckling. “Of course you can” he said and I smiled at him. “Thanks for today” i said gratefully. “You’re welcome” he said and I waved at him before going back inside. As I closed the door of our hotel room I slid down with my back against it, smiling. “How was it?” Olga asked smirking at me. “Beautiful” i said smiling. “Someone seems quite happy” Maureen said and I couldn’t stop chuckling. “I think Charles Leclerc just made our MADLEN the happiest girl in the world” Annabelle said and her and Maureen laughed. “Shut up” i said not stopping to smile. “Are we still going out tonight?” Olga asked. “No way…I’m soo tired from all the walking” Annabelle said dropping herself on the bed. “Yeah…I need my beauty sleep” Maureen said and Olga shrugged her shoulder. “Fine…I’ll walk to the store down the street to get some drinks” she said and left with Maureen following her so Olga wouldn’t get into trouble. “I just chuckled thinking of Charles as Annabelle smirked at me. “Tell me” she said and I immediately jumped next to her to tell her everything.

I was the whole night up reading the books I got yesterday while walking around with Charles. We were going through a museum. I loved the french style people here had, it was no comparison to Germany. I was wearing Charles’s jacket while we walked through the museum. After the museum we visited the Versailles palace which was magnificent and after that me and my girls had a picnic on a bench at the seine. “So he is staying until Friday?” Maureen asked excited as we two were alone. I nodded. “He is a dream” Maureen said and I nodded chuckling. “And you’re wearing his jacket” she said getting emotional while I was cuddled into his jacket since it was a colder day. “Weren’t you scared that people would recognise you?” she asked handing me her cherry coke. “I was and I still am pretty unsure but I just try to not think about it too much” i said taking a sip. “Just think about his girlfriend” she said devilish. “To be honest…I think that he is under a lot of pressure because of it” i said concerned before adding “She isn’t making things easier for them and they don’t talk much…I think it’s going to break…” i said carefully. “Okay…that sounds awful” she said and I just nodded. We went shopping and bought super cute clothed and I had the chance to improve my style. We walked down the streets with our bags. “What about you and Charles?” Annabelle asked me since the other two were already going without us because we took too long. “He said he would pick me up at the hotel” i said smiling. “Good…I’ll get your bags and you can go” she said as we walked to the hotel. “I hope no one’s noticing” i said looking around. “Trust me…they’re all in the hotel because of the weather and I just saw Stacie’s story everyone is in the hotel” Annabelle said as we were right in front of the hotel. “Great…could you uhm…” i started and she nodded. “I’ll cover you” she said smirking and I gave her a thanking look. “Give me your bags” she said and I gave them to her. “Alright…thanks” i said and she nodded. In that moment Charles stood behind us. “Bonjour ladies” he said and I smiled at him. “Bonjour” i said and Annabelle just nodded. “I’ll go inside…bye” she said and kissed my cheek. “Bye” i said and she winked at me before waving at us to go inside. “So…you’re ready?” he asked smiling and I nodded. “Yup” i said smiling and he started walking with me. “Where are we going?” i asked him smiling. “Since you are studying art history and probably totally into paintings I thought I’d take you to Louvre” he said smirking and I chuckled. “But I am going there tomorrow” i said softly. “But not with me” he said smirking and I chuckled. “Okay” i said smiling and we started walking to the trains in the underground.

I was wearing a wine red top with a collar and long sleeves, boots in the same colour and a white skirt with black check pattern, Charles’s black jacket over my top. “You look great…the jacket is fitting perfectly” he said in a whisper and I chuckled. “Thanks” i said and he wrapped his arms again around my shoulder which kinda gave me butterflies while we walked to the Louvre. Inside I was really stunned cause I’ve never been there and all the art and painting were insane. “You like it?” he asked and I nodded chuckling. “Let me take a picture of you” he asked as I took some pictures with my phone. “You sure?” i asked and he nodded which made me smile as I gave him my phone. I stood right in front of a painting as he took some pictures and then handed it back to me. “Look’s great” he said and I brushed some hair behind my ear.

After we walked through Louvre and argued about some things we walked to the La Galerie Dior. “I’m so excited” i said clapping my hands excited and he chuckled. “It’s just a museum” he said as we walked inside. “It’s not…it’s fashion…fucking fashion…and history…and fucking Dior” i said excited and he wrapped his arm around my shoulder again. “I am shaking” i said as we walked inside. We looked at all the dresses set up there and they were so impressing and I could’ve sworn that I fell in love in that moment. “Look, look, look!” i said pointing at the red dress which was a really special one for me. “You’d look great in it…red is your colour” he said softly and I chuckled. I couldn’t stop taking pictures. As we reached the white dresses I wanted to die, I’d die to wear such a dress. “Unbelievable” i said stunned. It was an unbelievable experience especially as we reached the iconic stairs that we walked up. Charles was following behind me while I found myself adored to all the pretty fashion pieces. “Fashion is a work of art” i said and he laughed from downstairs. Since there also were many teenagers in the museum it was no wonder that a lot of girls ran up to him asking him for a picture or an autograph. As I noticed I walked a little more upstairs so no one could really see me. He took a quick look at me before nodding at them to take pictures, give autographs and answer their questions. I chuckled from upstairs though I was a little scared. I was scared that we wouldn’t find a quiet moment anymore. He followed upstairs to me after he left them and asked if I was okay. “Of course” i said smiling brightly which made him sigh in relief. “That’s gonna be quite hard here” i said softly and he just nodded. “Yeah” he said and I kept admiring all the colourful pieces behind the glass while walking upstairs. I never had such an experience. We reached the thing I was excited most about. The dark rooms with the glitter all over the room, even running down and the dresses in there. I gasped in admiration and we went through it talking a lot and chuckling a lot. Cause it was dark there he placed hus hand on the small of my back which made a shiver run down my spine but also made me smile at him from in front of him. There were also some films and moments projected in the rooms which we watched and I noticed him smiling at me while he watched me. I knew that he wouldn’t understand my admiration but he tried his best and that made me weak even tho I tried not to be.

“But it was a good design” i protested. “It was like in middle ages” he said amused and I boxed his arm. “Shut up! It was good” i said annoyed and he just laughed. “I can’t believe you did this with me” i said chuckling. “Me neither” he said and I laughed. I looked at my phone and noticed that it already was 8 p.m, we spent like 4 ours in both museums and I asked myself how the could fly so fast. “And now?” i asked him smiling. “Dinner?” he asked and I nodded. “I’m down” i said smiling and I dialled Annabelle’s number. “Who are you calling?” he asked looking at me with a smile. “Annabelle…she should excuse me for dinner” i said as I held the phone to my ear. “She really is a good friend if she does this” he said laughing and I just rolled my eyes. I told her about going for dinner with Charles and she laughed but said that she’d excuse me whereupon I thanked her. “We can go…I have a headache” i said smirking and he smiled. “Where do you want to go?” he asked me as he got his phone out. “I don’t know I’m not familiar with the restaurants here” i said walking next to him. “I could show you my favourite” he said smirking and I nodded. “I’m excited to see” i said smirking and he led us to the hotel with me following him. “You’re gonna like it” he said and I chuckled. In the meantime we walked I posted some pictures.

Next part

[movies-to-add-to-your-tbw]

Title: Spellbound

Rating: PG

Director: Vicky Jenson

Cast: Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, John Lithgow, Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, Miguel Bernardeau, Giovanna Bush, Dennis Stowe, Jenifer Lewis, Dee Bradley Baker, Susan Fitzer, Olga Merediz, Rich Moore, John Ratzenberger, Vicky Jenson

Release year: 2024

Genres: adventure, fantasy, comedy

Blurb: When a powerful spell turns her parents into giant monsters, a teenage princess must journey into the wild to reverse the curse before it's too late.

[because-its-eurovision]

Congrats on 10 000 posts! 🎊 To celebrate, I have a question for you (sorry if you've already answered this): I was just wondering earlier today (while reading the Viisukuppila bulletin board out of boredom), based on the "clues" we have been given of next year's UMK contestants so far, do you happen to have any theories, hopes or sophisticated guesses on who might be participating? 👀

Thank you darling! ❤ My weak spot is that I don't really follow Finnish music scene and only have a vague idea which artists are popular 😅 But let's see what others have to say!

1. A talented artist’s first 90s-style dance song

The Finnish clue specifies that this is the debute song of the artist in question. Reminds me of Keira last year (success in The Voice of Finland and now releasing their first single). Timmy Tattari reached 3rd place in this year's TVoF and has a record deal with Capitol Finland (same as Keira) but hasn't released anything yet. He follows UMK, Cornelia Jakobs and Monika Linkyté on IG but that doesn't prove anything other that he watches Esc. Another candidate is Olga Heikkala, a singer and an actress who announced this month that she's leaving the soap opera Salatut Elämät after five years. No apparent UMK connections or label afaik, but is friends with KUUMAA boys and has performed on their music video.

2. A power song by a true vocal talent

Finnish fans are speculating about Diandra every year, but I have my doubts. Someone suggested Neea River, who rose to Tiktok fame covering Celine Dion. She is Warner’s artist, co-wrote a song for Blanka (Poland 2023), is friends with Benjamin and IG mutuals with Käärijä & Jesse.

3. Perhaps the best song of an indie favourite’s career

Stoned Statues just released their second album. Music magazine Soundi called them “the most promising young rock band of the moment” and Helsingin Sanomat “the new hope of Finnish heavy metal”. They had three Emma nominations and were awarded “upcoming artist of the year” in Indie Awards 2023. I also saw suggestions for Maustetytöt, but are they still considered indie?

4. Two big name performers doing a surprising duo with a serious refrain

The Finnish version of this hint suggests the refrain being “hard”, meaning catchy. Now we only have to find out which artists are considered “big names” 🙃 Abreu & Pihlaja did release a single together in August, although it must be mentioned that Abreu has previously stated that she’s not interested in Eurovision (although people can change their mind like Robin did). Fans are suggesting Sexmane, Isac Elliot and Costee to be the other half of the duo. I just hope we’re not getting the senior department who have no actual chance or desire to compete in Eurovision, like Danny/Tommi Läntinen 💀 Perhaps this is another Pandora & Teflon Brothers situation.

5. A thunderous rock anthem by a world-touring band

I saw rumours considering The 69 Eyes, but-- god please no. Their heydays are over. My own suggestion was Lost Society who could be the Blind Channel of this year. Shiraz Lane is also a possibility and they are from Ranka Kustannus as BC and Cyan Kicks were.

6. A seriously intense song from one of the most listened-to artists in Finland

The streets (X/Twitter) are saying that BESS is back and I wouldn’t mind it at all! Other suggestions are Gettomasa & Sexmane, the latter of which already had his brother Isaac Sene competing in UMK 2022. “Intense” can mean anything though. One possibility could be Bee who just released her first album and was selected as “breakthrough of the year” by YleX. Jodel rumours suggested Evelina, but I have no idea how reliable that is.

7. A hard-hitting club banger by a well-known artist making a comeback

Jenni Vartiainen just returned from a five-year hiatus, moved back to Finland and published a new single. I doubt she’d participate in UMK as a contestant though since she is one of the most successful Finnish female artists of all time and could easily sell out an arena. Perhaps she’ll be the host this year and in return gets to perform the interval number like Antti Tuisku, Paula Vesala & Samu Haber? I'm leaning more towards Tuuli, who was kind of a teen pop star and is now making a comeback with new label and new style of music. One of the nominees for YleX's breakthrough of the year, released her newest album in August.

Bubbling under: At Tapiola Festivaali Käärijä asked the audience how many of us voted for him in UMK, and said “the rest of you voted for Kuumaa and Portion Boys, right?? next year you’ll get Arttu Wiskari and that’s exactly what you deserve” 😌

[blueberrywhale123]

I really like your writing. Can you what a Leonetta one shot?

Absolutely! Sorry for the wait, it took me some time to figure out a plot that I could wrap up in one post 😄

I'm still longwinded, so my apologies!

I got the idea from a headcanon I saw that said Violetta slips love notes into Leon's locker, which I thought was adorable!! Here ya go!

~~~~~

It was a perfect day for a walk; the sun was streaming through the trees, their branches so full of leaves that they formed a canopy of glowing green overhead and a light breeze whispered gently through the park. Many people were out enjoying the fine weather, walking and biking their way down the paths. León and Violetta strolled together down one of the few quiet walkways, arms wrapped around each other as if to ward off a chill that wasn’t even there. Violetta had her head resting on León’s shoulder, occasionally closing her eyes, perfectly content to let León lead her where he wanted to go.

“Are you asleep,” The chuckle that came out of León’s mouth rumbled under Violetta’s ear and she smiled to herself.

“Maybe,”

“I guess I’ll just have to carry you, huh?” Violetta felt him stop and bend to scoop her up and quick as a whip, she jumped out of reach, giggling like mad.

León grinned, holding out his hand and Violetta drifted back, shaking her head. “Fine, I’m not sleeping.”

“I can see that,” León murmured into her hair. They stayed silent for a moment, meandering out of sight from joggers and bikers, just enjoying each other’s company.

“I’ve got a surprise for you,” Violetta was instantly standing straight as could be, her attention focused solely on her boyfriend. León fought to keep a nonchalant look when he wanted to smile at Violetta’s wide brown eyes boring holes into his head.

Violetta forced him to stop walking and laid both hands on his chest. With a bright and cajoling grin, Violetta asked, “Where is it?”

León’s lips quirked in a smirk as he leaned down into her face, “It’s-” here he paused to tap his finger on the tip of her nose- “not ready yet.”

Violetta took the collar of his shirt loosely in both hands and ever so gently but ever so insistantly tugged, her beautiful smile transforming into an equally enchanting pout. “León, you can’t tell me you have a surprise and not be ready to give it to me! Can you at least tell me what it is?”

“Then what’s the point of it being a surprise,” León asked, finally allowing himself to fully grin at his girlfriend’s pouty face, rubbing his thumb along the hem of her shirt where his hand rested on her waist.

“Please,”

“No, no,”

“Please,” Violetta tried once more.

“Nope,”

Seeing that León was not budging anytime soon, Violetta dropped the issue with only a small venomless glare, roughly scooping up his hand to hold as she tugged him further down the lane. León merely laughed at her and followed along. They walked for five minutes in companionable silence, admiring the blooming flowers and the warmth of the sun when León spoke.

“Next week you can have your surprise.”

Violetta flashed a mild scowl. “I’m trying to forget about my very distance surprise, please.”

“Okay, sure,” León put his free hand in the air to surrender, but when Violetta turned back to watch a butterfly land on its flower of choice, León leaned close and whispered in her ear. “It’s pretty big. You’ll love it. Totally worth the wait you’ll have to go through.”

“León!” Violetta whirled around on her snickering boyfriend and fought back her disbelieving laugh.

“That was your hint,” León defended himself. She raised her hand to lightly hit his arm and León only snickered harder. Violetta covered her mouth to hide the laughter that was escaping, allowing León to tug her back into his embrace.

~~~~~~~~~

“Someone’s in a good mood today,” Olga crowed from where she was leaning in the doorway. “Could you have seen a special someone; a Mr. You-Know-Who?”

Violetta grinned so hard her cheeks felt like they were splitting as she tried to answer as nonchalantly as possible. But it was no use; León had her so besotted with love that it was impossible not to enter the house after spending time with him without the whole house taking notice of her giddy happiness.

“Well I have something that’ll fix that,” Angie said as she descended the stairs, a chipper smile on her face which foretold of doom. Hoisting a textbook into the air, Angie spoke the dreaded subject’s name: “Geography.”

Violetta sagged, “Oh no, Angie, please, not now. I won’t be able to concentrate.”

But Angie was not to be swayed. “Nuh-uh, let’s get up to your room and get busy so your dad doesn't have a reason to ban your little dates because of schoolwork, okay?”

Violetta trudged up the stairs after Angie and they cracked open the textbook, pouring over its contents for a good hour before Angie finally declared they could take a break. Violetta fell back against her mattress with a sigh and stared blankly at the ceiling, willing the maps dancing across her vision to dissipate.

“So, how was your date,”

“Great,” Violetta couldn't stop the dreamy sigh that escaped her lips, nor did she really care. It was Angie, her tutor was like a mother - well, no she was too young to be her mother, perhaps her aunt - and Violetta had never felt safer with another woman, like she could tell her anything and trust it would be kept in confidence.

Violetta sat up in bed, that special smile that peeked its way through when anything involving León came up forcing itself across her lips. “He said he has a surprise for me. Next week. He won’t tell me what it is, though.”

Angie smiled, “That does ruin the whole point of them, doesn’t it?”

“That’s not my point, Angie,” Violetta groaned goodnaturedly. “Anyways, it’s not too big of a deal. I’m excited about the surprise now, but I just really wanted him to tell me earlier.”

“Well, you’ve never liked surprises,” Angie eyes went distant before she shook out her waves and leaned forward. “You’re really happy with León, aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” Violetta’s eyes shone with her happiness in tandem with her response.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I was a little surprised when you said you liked León. Only because I knew León before. But, I can see why you love each other so much. All the teachers think you’re precious, by the way.” Angie patted Violetta’s knee, her smile still firmly in place.

Violetta scrunched up her shoulders, almost shy, her fingers looping around the loose thread on her bedspread. “León takes such good care of me, Angie. I didn’t even think it was possible to be so cared for and not feel smothered, but León doesn’t try to control me, he just supports me and respects me. I feel so safe with him.” Violetta looked up to ensure that she wasn't boring Angie and Angie nodded encouragingly.

“I love all the little gifts and things we do. Even when I’m upset, he finds a way to make me feel better.” Violetta’s hands sought her diary out of habit. “Sometimes I feel like I’m not doing enough for him. He does so much for me.”

“Well, you could think of something to give him. What about flowers? Even boys might appreciate some flowers every once and a while. Or a card? Something that really tells him how much you appreciate him.”

“Oh, I could write him a song,” Violetta burst out, delighted with herself.

Angie nodded approvingly. “You definitely could.”

Violetta suddenly deflated. “But it’ll take a while. What can I do in the mean time?” She sat in deep thought, geography forgotten.

“What about a note?” Angie suggested. “You write a lot so it shouldn’t be too hard.”

“Angie that’s perfect!” Violetta pulled Angie into a tight hug and scrambled to grab her pen. Angie laughed quietly to herself and left her charge to her project. The last sight she saw before her mind swarmed with words all begging to be expressed was Angie’s fond look as the door closed.

The next day, Violetta had held tighter to her diary than usual, her precious note to León tucked safely within its pages. It had taken her far longer than she’d thought to compose it, all her inner thoughts that she couldn’t find a way to say vying for a chance to be put pen and paper, but in the end, her desire for conciseness won out and she was able to fit a rather meaningful letter onto one page. All morning, Violetta had been near giddy with excitement and nerves, her mind conjuring scenario after scenario of how León would react to her little gesture.

She finally had her chance to slip into his locker before dance class. She had changed earlier than most and was happy to see that León was nowhere in sight - most likely getting his dance clothes on. With silent steps, Violetta crept up and slipped the note between the slots. Then she hid behind the door, partially peeking to watch for León.

He was not long in coming, Andres by his side as they chatted. Violetta watched with bated breath as he waved Andres on and unlocked his locker. The letter fluttered to his feet and León stooped to pick it up, examining it and opening it.

“Vilu!” Cami called; her and Fran all but ramming into her with a chorus of giggles. “Come on, you’ve gotta start stretching.”

“But-”

“Come on, girlie. Girl Code. We need to talk.” Camila pleaded and Francesca let out a nervous giggle that signified something erring on the important side. With a sigh, Violetta allowed herself to be dragged away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

León flipped the piece of paper over for any identifying marks but found nothing. With a shrug, he opened the letter and was met with a handwriting he was getting more and more familiar with each day. Violetta’s neat, loopy words greeted him.

Dear León, I wanted to show you how much I love you, even if it’s just a letter. I am happy that I chose you when it comes to love. You came into my life like a knight in shining armor, a blessing, and I will forever be grateful to you for making it so easy to fall in love with you. I just know that every love song I ever write from now on will be inspired by you and your beautiful smile. Mi amor, you have my heart.

León’s lips stretched into a wide grin of their own accord. He reread it before folding it back up and slipping into the pocket of his jeans which lay rolled up in his duffel bag; already he knew that he would be rereading it many times throughout the day. Heedless to the lovesick smile he wore, León entered the classroom that was filled with students in various stretching poses. He spotted Violetta immediately, like a bright light shining through the foggy night and his heart flipped in his chest when she laughed at something Francesca said. She caught his eye and his heart went from flipping to racing.

Without a thought, León strode up to Violetta, leaned in close, and pressed a kiss to her cheek. He was faintly aware of Camila and Francesca squeaking and the fact that they were fairly close by, but in the moment, nothing else mattered but Violetta’s soft warm cheek against his lips, the swift intake of breath to her lungs, and the hand that she laid to rest on his waist.

“What was that for?” Violetta asked when he pulled away, her eyes sparkling like stars, and it was all he could do not to pull her into his arms and hold her all class.

“Nothing much,” León’s cheeks hurt from smiling but he could do nothing else.

Violetta nodded, nibbling on her bottom lip to keep her smile from stretching from ear-to-ear. León gave her hand a quick squeeze, nodded to Camila and Francesca, and moved to do his stretches as if floating on a cloud.

It wasn’t until the end of the day when he brought up the note. As they walked along the path that led towards Violetta’s home, León said, “Thank you for the letter.” Violetta turned her face into her shoulder and grinned, clinging tight to his arm.

“I’ll write you more if you’d like.” She promised, her sweet, expressive eyes falling on him in such a way that León felt for a long time that no one else in the world existed but the two of them.

León smiled, lifted her hand to his lips, and kissed her knuckles tenderly. “I’d love that.”

~~~~~~~~~~

León was attempting his tie for the fifth time, hoping that one of his groomsmen would notice and take pity on him and his shaking hands but also hoping that they wouldn’t. It was his wedding day, he was allowed to have nerves without being ridiculed. Somewhere in the same hotel, Violetta was surrounded by her bridal party, fussing and primping to the last minute, waiting for the moment when they would finally walk down the aisle and become husband and wife. Just the thought of her sent his heart racing faster than ever. Was she as nervous as he was? All day long, León had a bundle of nervous energy pooling in the pit of his stomach as the minutes ticked away like hours. Why was it taking so long? And why couldn't he tie his tie correctly?

“León,” Andres sidled up next to him nonchalantly, his eyes flickering from side to side before he slipped a piece of paper into his hand. With a firm pat on the back, Andres turned to face León’s front and fiddled with the tie around his neck, leaving León to examine the paper.

It was a letter, Violetta’s loopy script as familiar as home now after so many years. Peace flooded his body as León unfolded the letter, only remembering the outside world when Andres tilted his head for better access to his collar.

Mi amor, Today is the day. It is such a special day that I thought I would do something for old time’s sake. You don’t know how much I’ve longed for this time to come, where I can walk down that aisle as the wife of León Vargas, the love of my life. Knowing you has been the adventure of my life. This is our beautiful love story and we are never meant to be apart. And I want you to know that although singing is who I am, so is loving you. Throughout the years, you’ve been my support and my strength, I have flourished with you by my side and I can’t wait to continue this next step of life with you. I will never regret choosing to love you, my prince, my precious love. There is no one I feel safer with than you. Let’s walk hand and hand forever. Be the lyrics in my song. Te quiero mucho, Your soon-to-be wife, Violetta

León folded the letter, his eyes misty, his mouth beaming, and looked up when Andres patted his shoulders. “Tie’s done.” His best man said before leaning closer. “Feel better now?”

León laughed, his nerves replaced with or perhaps revealing themselves to be overwhelming excitement, and said, “Yeah, let’s not keep the bride waiting.”

[rpking99]

Girlfriend Experiance RP's

RP's on this list are ones where your muse and the one you are interacting with have a relationship before the Rp beginins. Where you are dating and get to have some fun.

How each RP will be presented will be as followed: Name of RP (Franchise, Character)

COMICS

The Hunted (Marvel, She-Venom)

Not So Invisible Love (Marvel, Sue Storm)

Van Dyne Original (Marvel, Wasp)

From The Ashes (Marvel, Jean Grey/Phoenix)

Say My Name (Marvel, Madelyn Pryor/Goblin Queen)

Workout Hangout (Marvel, Wolverine/Laura Kinney)

Best She Is At What She Does (Marvel, Wolverine/Laura Kinney)

Batwoman Is Your BatBabe (DC, Batwoman/Kate Kane)

The One And Only Birds of Prey (DC, Batgirl & Huntress & Black Canary)

Blackfire's Bae (DC, Blackfire)

Amazonian Submission (DC, Donna Troy)

In Brightest Day, In Needy Night (DC, Green Lanter/Jessica Cruz)

Not So Killer Frost (DC, Killer Frost)

Late Night At The Daily Planet (DC, Lois Lane)

ANIME

Lend A Hand, Please (Monster Musume, Zombina)

18+ Pampering (Dragon Ball Z, Android 18)

Ranamon's Number 1 Fan (Digimon, Rana/Ranamon)

Riding Romance Acceleration (Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds, Aki Izayoi)

Get Away With Thorn Princess (SpyXFamily, Yor)

Alone At Night (SpyXFamily, Yor)

Forger Forever (SpyXFamily, Anya Forger (Aged Up))

Race Queen Union (SSSS//Gridman, Rikka Takarada)

Instance Domination (SSSS//Dynazenon, Mujina)

Alone At Last With Scanty (Panty And Stocking With Garterbelt, Scanty Demon)

Gift From A Sinful Angel (Panty And Stocking With Garterbelt, Stocking Anarchy)

Preassure & Relations (Kill La Kill, Ryuko Matoi)

Kiryuin Submits (Kill La Kill, Satsuki Kiriyuin)

Sister Vs Sister (Kill La Kill, Ryuko Matoi & Satsuki Kiriyuin)

CARTOONS

Cosplay Cowabunga (TMNT, April O'Neil)

After The Show (Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Jessica Rabbit)

Wanna Ride? (Transformers Prime, Arcee)

New High Score (Kim Possible, Shego)

Help Zip Me Up? (Kim Possible, Shego)

Date With Daphne (Scooby Doo, Daphne)

Break From Mysteries (Scooby Doo, Velma Dinkly)

They Cast A Spell On You (Scooby Doo, Hex Girls)

Bratty WolfGirl GF (Helluva Boss, Loona)

Third At The Wedding (Hazbin Hotel, Charlie & Vaggie)

WhiteRose Swap Chaos (RWBY, Weiss Schnee & Ruby Rose)

All In: Betting It All, Loosing It All (RWBY, Team RWBY (Ruby Rose & Weiss Schnee & Blake Belladonna & Yang Xiao-Long))

GAMES

Distracting Samus (Metroid, Samus Aran)

Womb Raider (Tomb Raider, Lara Croft)

Failed Salvation (Kingdom Hearts, Aqua)

Edenian Consort (Mortal Kombat, Kitanna)

New First Wedding (NiER, Unit 2B)

Star's Party (Lolipop Chainsaw, Juliet Starling)

Quarian Love (Mass Effect, Tali)

Strain of Combat (Street Fighter, Chun-Li)

Princess Pride's Partner (Megaman Battle Network, Princess Pride)

Jack-In, Adult Upgrades (Megaman Battle Network, Roll)

High-Cut Try Out (Persona 4, Chie Satonaka)

Amagi Challenge Victorious (Persona 4, Yukiko Amagi)

Detective Prince's Problems (Persona 4, Naoto Shirogane)

Distract The Gamer (Persona 5, Oracle/Futaba Sakurai)

Oracles Gift (Persona 5, Oracle/Futaba Sakurai & Shadow Futaba)

Ms Okumara Getting Heated (Persona 5, Noir/Haru Okumara)

TOKU

Secret Revealed (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Pink Ranger/Kimberly Hart)

Night With The Tiger (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Yellow Ranger/Trini)

Sins Of The Slayer (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Ranger Slayer/Kimberly Hart)

Ranger Girlfriends (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Pink Ranger/Kimberly & Yellow Ranger/Trini)

Visiting Violet Marine Maintinence (Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger, KyoryuViolet/Yayoi Ulshade)

The Exhausted Soverign (Ohsama Sentai KingOhger, Papillon Ohger/Rita Kaniska)

The Beautiful Flower Never Wilters (Ohsama Sentai KingOhger, Kamakiri Ohger/Hymeno Ran)

AIMS For the Right Spot (Kamen Rider 01, Kamen Rider Valkyrie/Yua Yaiba)

Star Of The Star Of The Stars Of Her Eyes (Kamen Rider Geats, Kamen Rider Geats/Magical Girl Geats/Ace Ukiyo)

Perks Of A Superheroine Girlfriend (Kamen Rider Geats, Kamen Rider Na-Go/Neon Kurashima)

MISC

Marriage To The Dark Elf Queen (Kuro Inu, Olga Discorida)

Wedding Of The Dark Knight (Taimanin, Hell Knight Ingrid)

CROSSOVER

Two Deadliest Women Together (SpyXFamily, Yor Forger + Street Fighter, Chun-Li)

[polishmodels]

Olga Lane - Rokh Spring 2025 Ready-To-Wear, Paris Fashion Week

source: vogue.com

[randomvarious]

Today's mix:

Caught in the Act by John Thomas 2001 Techno

Good lord, this was quite an extensive journey, folks. Back in 2001, France's John Thomas, who'd been DJing since the late 80s, *finally* put out the only mix that he'd ever release commercially in his entire career: Caught in the Act, on French label Logistic Records. The way this story goes is that Thomas decided to start producing sometime around '96, and then in '97 Logistic would launch with his own debut release, soon followed by some records that he had also made with a guy named Olivier Micheli too, under the name of Static Drum. In fact, although Thomas didn't found Logistic himself, it was pretty much either he or Static Drum that was responsible for the label's first 15 releases altogether, until Detroit techno legend Robert Hood broke that trend in 2000.

And in the run-up to releasing his debut LP, Blackstage, Thomas also put out this simply wild mix that same year, which really seems to serve as a contemporaneously multi-flavored and super dense clinic of highly rhythmic and throbbing techno music. It's not much to start, but eventually, when Thomas decides that he wants to solidify in a dark and dystopian direction, this thing ends up developing into a total monster.

And this isn't one of those linear mixes where tracks simply fade into and out of one another, either; JT's doing some pretty sweet multi-deck blending here. For example, he lets this mix's very own crown jewel, Umek's "Mamomit"—a song whose melody sounds like you asked a robot to play the most fucked up kind of jazz that it could possibly come up with—bleed all the way throughout the succeeding track, S.B. Project's "Cultural Co-Operation (B2)."

Some people may balk at Thomas' choice to not stay in one lane here, though. I mean, 33 tracks is quite a lot for just a 74-minute mix, after all. And while nothing beats the extended section of sci-fi madness on here, which on top of those two aforementioned tracks also includes Robert Hood's "Moveable Parts Chapter 1 Untitled 2," Olga+Jozef's "#07 B1," "A4" off of Ben Long's Imperial Leather EP, and the stunning "So Big So Close" by Diskordia as well, it does feel a little bit off when he decides to keep going after venturing outside of that realm. Like, I'll never say no to Andrew Mc Lauchlan's Brazilian-sampled "Love Story," one of the most essential techno tracks of the early 2000s, but it really would've served as a nice bow on this thing, especially since Thomas opened up his mix with a different Mc Lauchlan track too; it just doesn't really feel like there was a need to keep going with four more tracks after that one.

But be that as it may, the long and meaty middle of this mix is where it really truly shines; it takes some time to get going, and then it takes some time to peter out, but between all that is some terrific techno music and mixing, and after you give this one a complete spin, it'll probably have you wondering why this is the only set that this long-seasoned DJ ever ended up releasing 🤔.

Listen to the full mix here.

Highlights:

Sterac - "Liteon" Percy X - "Track 2" Alkahest - "Elemental" Umek - "Mamomit" S.B. Project - "Cultural Co-Operation (B2)" Robert Hood - "Moveable Parts Chapter 1 Untitled 2" Olga+Jozef - "Olga+Jozef #07 B1" Ben Long - "The Imperial Leather EP (A4)" Diskordia - "So Big So Close" Oliver Kapp - "Bella Figura" Andrew Mc Lauchlan - "Love Story"

[rachel-sylvan-author]

Favorite Books of 2023

Favorite Book 2023 Most life-changing “I Who Have Never Known Men” by Jacqueline Harpman Second Favorite 2023 Wildest ride “Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead” by Olga Tokarczuk Third Favorite 2023 Most feminine “The Wall” by Marlen Haushofer

Descent into madness Bakery – hilarious “Sourdough” by Robin Sloan Descent into madness Dystopian – tragedy “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins Dragged into madness Family “My Sister, the Serial Killer” by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Most horrifying “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” by Neil Gaiman Most haunting “Our Wives Under the Sea” by Julia Armfield Best yearning “This is How You Lose the Time War” by Max Gladstone

Happiest “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” by Jesse Q. Sutanto “Chivalry” by Neil Gaiman Cutest “Cackle” by Rachel Harrison Best Found Family “A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking” by T. Kingfisher “Nettle and Bone” by T. Kingfisher

[ruinenekami]

Umineko no naku koro ni Shared VAs - Stakes

Others:

Main Three

Cousins

Adult Siblings

Spouses

Servants

'98 Squad

Heavenly Court

Golden Land

Lucifer - Yuka Saitou

Chizuru Akaba (Seitokai no Ichizon)

Ena Seishuuin (Campione)

Cotton (One piece)

Tae Takemi (Persona)

Subaru Nagayoshi (Idolmaster)

Tamamo Sakuraba (Daitoshokan no Hitsujikai)

Lian Lu (Gin no Guardian)

Misalie (Gate)

Satan - Yoko Hikasa

Diana Cavendish (Little Witch Academia)

Rias Gremory (Highschool DxD)

Shino Amakusa (Seitokai Yakuindomo)

Hina Tachibana (Domestic Girlfriend)

Qiang Lei (Kingdom)

You Asakura (Shaman King)

Mio Akiyama (K-on)

Kyouko Kirigiri (Danganronpa)

Leviathan - Madoka Yonezawa

Ui Hirasawa (K-on)

Tsugumi Shirasaki (Daitoshokan no Hitsujikai)

Rika Ichinose (Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm)

Lashara Aasu XXVIII (Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari)

Setsuna Ogiso (White Album)

Olga-Marie Arsimilat Animusphere (Fate)

Yaya Tushan (Huyao Xiao)

Izumi Akazawa (Another)

Belphegor - Seiko Yoshida

Zest (Shinmai Maou no Testament)

Misaki (Toki wa meguru: Tokyo Station)

Demon King (Level E)

Kyousuke Kamijou (Madoka Magica)

Rika (Amnesia)

Sanae Mizuno (Another)

Kayo (Manyuu Hikenchou)

Ruka (Naruto)

Beelzebub - Yuri Yamaoka

Ai Shindou (Kyoukai no Kanata)

Erika Yano (Shirobako)

Fumi Hoshiya (Ore no yubi de Midarero)

Chocolat (Yumeiro Pattissiere)

Choi Mochimazzi (Tamako Market)

Kanon Otosaki (Tribe Cool Crew)

Yuuko Yoshikawa (Hibike Euphonium)

Admiral Hipper (Azur Lane)

Asmodeus - Aki Toyosaki

Kofuku (Noragami)

Medaka Kurokami (Medaka Box)

Yunyun (Konosuba)

Momo Belia Deviluke (To love ru)

Altair (Re creators)

Yui Hirasawa (K-on)

Isuzu Souma (Fruits Basket)

Aoi Kunieda (Beelzebub)

[natalieleenorment]

Something didn't dawn on me while I watched Buffy and I've decided to form something of my own version of the nine harsh realities for one of my stories.

I decided to go with the Harmonizer story for now, because I want to get something out of the way.

9. The possibility of an immortal being paired with Regina Lordwell as a teenager would've been possible as long as she was eighteen or nineteen years old. But I didn't think about that, because I wasn't sure how long before Regina got a girlfriend or boyfriend.

8. The Shadowhound Gang would've treated Regina with respect and humility and understanding to her personal problems. Unlike the Scooby Gang, it would've taken less than a chapter for Regina's friends to realize that she was in pain. I mean, her best friend Aria Dreyfus would've consoled her whenever she had a problem during a mission. And there are times when the Harmonizer will get her period and her powers will leave her for a temporary time, making her defenseless against danger. Her friends will do their best to protect their best friend while they fight enemies.

7. Mental health would have been one of the most important topics when it comes to all the members of Shadowhound, Shadow Eyes and Shadow Storm Walkers. In fact, there's a group for counseling for anyone willing to get help for their problems. In some cases, Regina and Aria meet up with a certain counselor in order to keep tight on their relationship with each other, in order to make sure nothing gets in the way of their love life with each other.

6. I can tell you one thing: some of the characters would have gotten their feelings reciprocated, while other characters would've had to force themselves to move on. Being a half faerie hybrid with complications, Sunny Talbot would have had to deal with one of her stalkers who couldn't handle being rejected by her. Regina would've dealt with her lovelorn feelings for someone who just happens to be one of her childhood friends, moving on from him after dealing with heartbreak as a teenager, even though she ends up with her daughter Wendy Lane being born, resulting in the Harmonizer becoming a teenage mother.

5. Every single character would've been held responsible for their actions, especially Takayuki 'Yuki' Sanai who carries a grudge against Shadowhound before he falls for Regina.

4. Ethan Lane is pretty much a crossover between John Constantine, Harry Dresden and Atticus O'Sullivan in the professions he chose as a teenager. But unlike Angel from Buffy, he wouldn't have been a dull character from the get go. Due to unfortunate circumstances that leads him into becoming a teenage parent to Wendy Lane, Ethan would make the choice of becoming a father to his daughter while he dated someone else. However, his love for Regina would not have died, even if he started dating Baba Yaga priestess Olga Petrova and got married to her, resulting in having a kid together.

3. Bernadette Lordwell would not have left her daughter's side even if they lived far away from each other, because it's part of the important rules made specifically for the Lordwell family who are born as Harmonizers. The Thirteen Lordwell Commandments shares knowledge that you should never give up on family, even if it means accepting the impossible. Bernie makes it clear to Regina that if she died, then she would come back from the dead as a spirit to help both her only daughter and her friends.

2. While Giancarlo Salavtoire, one of Regina Lordwell's future husbands and a Shadow Demon, would've started as an antagonist, he would break away from being the villain because of his love for Regina Lordwell. He would eventually enter a relationship with her for a short period, until he either meets his end or goes far away. But the story can change.

1. If things were truly chaotic between Regina Lordwell and her lovers, she would have broken away from them because she decided to focus on herself. However, since her love interests don't treat her like she's beneath them, Regina would have stayed with them.

[beardedmrbean]

FISHERS — Fishers junior Polina Sopova blends in with the crowd at swim practices and meets.

She wears the same black cap and red coat on the pool deck as everyone else. She chats with teammates between drills and events. She fist-bumps opponents after events. She reviews races with her coaches after getting out of the pool.

Sopova wants to win — just like any of her Fishers teammates, any other talented swimmers in Central Indiana.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

"She's a hard worker, really committed, never missed a practice — the prototype of the athlete in swimming that you want to coach," Fishers coach Joe Keller said.

Clean sweeps and fast times: Vote for Central Indiana swimmer of week

It's hard to fathom a completely fresh start.

But Sopova has lived it. The junior and her mother moved to the U.S. in Feb. 2023 because of family troubles, joining her older brother in Chicago before moving to Fishers in July 2023. They brought a handful of personal items and clothing but left almost all their belongings in Russia. Sopova's mother Olga left behind a career as an accountant, while Sopova left her best friends and years of normalcy.

Swimming, through it all, has been a constant for Sopova. She discovered the sport on a family trip to Miami at 7 years old, trying to swim in the hotel pool. Sopova decided she wanted to learn to swim, and her mother put her in lessons when they returned to Russia.

Sopova and her mother lived in Blagoveshchensk then, a small city along the eastern border of Russia and China. The town had one pool with six, 25-meter lanes. Swimming was a lonesome activity.

"It was very, very small, and we didn't have a lot of opportunities," Sopova said.

Sopova and Olga relocated to Moscow when she was 11 in pursuit of better swimming opportunities and schooling.

They liked their new home — the infrastructure and the city, Sopova said. She was in a special class with three other swimmers, which allowed them to practice before school and after. She could walk around the city center and hang out with her best friends.

But, when family problems arose, Sopova and Olga left the country in just a couple days. Leaving everything from belongings to their lives behind was the most difficult part of the move, Sopova said. And she still misses her friends, whom she stays in touch with via Telegram.

Sopova and her mother attended an English language school in Chicago for four months, and Sopova tried to stay in shape after moving to Chicago. They found some normalcy by going to a Russian grocery store and making dishes from home, like Sopova's favorite meal: a salad with potatoes, chicken, carrots and pickles.

But Sopova, used to a rigorous school and swim schedule, found herself adrift.

"It was the hardest months in my life because I had to switch from the Russian language to English, and everything was different — from food to people," Sopova said. "And I couldn't practice but I tried to. I went to local gyms, but because I didn't swim before because of the moving process, I lost all my progress."

Swimming, once a source of comfort, became burdensome and stressful. Developing a swimming routine was difficult. Sopova thought she would never get back in shape and wanted to quit.

But, at the same time, Sopova and Olga planned their next steps around swimming. After a few days in the U.S., they started researching American towns with good swim clubs. Fishers, which has some of Indiana's premier high school and club programs, stood out.

That drove Sopova and Olga's move to Indiana. Sopova's brother also knew a family in the area with a son who had gone to Fishers that assisted with the transition.

Sopova soon joined Fishers swim program. Keller met her at practice that fall.

"She had a pretty good feel for the water, and I felt that she could be pretty good," he said. "I felt she had, no doubt, a decent background and preparation with how she swam."

But his biggest concern was communication. He had coached Spanish-speaking swimmers before. Communicating to a Russian speaker, however, was unfamiliar. But Keller realized Fishers had another Russian-speaking swimmer during Sopova's first season. The excitement was written across her face when that student first spoke with her, Keller said.

Sopova took English in Russia, so she said learning the language wasn't too difficult. She said speaking, however, remains difficult. She started in English as a New Language (ENL) classes during her sophomore year before transitioning to less sheltered classes this school year.

ENL teacher Taylor Meador said Sopova was initially very quiet in a big class with "a lot of big personalities." But Meador could see Sopova's discipline and ability to rise to any challenge, which she said was "unmatched for someone her age."

Meador saw this effort when Sopova had to give a speech in front of the class at the end of her sophomore year. It was a challenge for Sopova, Meador said, given her humble, quiet nature.

"She was really, really nervous to give a speech in front of the class, so we spent a lot of time building her confidence," Meador. "I remember when she gave the speech and was done, the whole class clapped and kept giving her compliments. That was pretty cool."

Meador, who Sopova said was "so kind" and motivational, helped ease the transition to a totally different schooling experience. In Russia, classes were shorter and began at 10 a.m. Her school wasn't strict about students skipping or missing class. Fishers High School is much bigger in size and student population, which Sopova said "shocked" her when she first arrived. She now likes the rules and structure in American schools.

The first week of swim practice was also a challenge, Sopova said, as practices started at 5:45 a.m.

"The first week of practicing, I didn't understand anything — from the schedule to workouts," she said. "(My teammates) helped me. Some of them drove me home."

Sopova likes the schedule now. But, like everything else, it took some adjustment.

Keller said it was easy for teammates and families to rally around Sopova. Carpooling and supporting each other is part of swimming, he said, plus Fishers' swimmers take pride in their team culture and performing at a high level. They knew Sopova could be part of that.

With time, Sopova has blossomed in the pool and in the classroom. She specialized in breaststroke before attending Fishers. Now, Keller said she is quite proficient in the butterfly and 200 IM. And, while Keller said Sopova is "pretty stoic," he can make her laugh at times.

At the end of Sopova's sophomore year, she was ready for a new challenge in the classroom: leaving Meador's sheltered English class. Meador kept in touch with Sopova, emailing her and saying hi in the hallway. Now, Sopova reaches out to her. She shared her swimming schedule with Meador, asking if she could attend her meets.

"Those little moments show me she's feeling more comfortable, more confident, starting to come out of her shell," Meador said. "And she has a really funny, dry sense of humor that will sneak out every once in a while. She doesn't have a big, boisterous laugh or a big, loud personality, but she'll say these little funny comments that maybe one other person will hear. They always have me in stitches."

Meador attended Fishers' Tigers College Events Classic on Jan. 24, sitting in the upper deck of the stands and taking videos and photos to email Sopova. Olga was there as well, taking videos and photos. Sopova won the 200-yard breaststroke in a thrilling, .12 second victory.

"I knew she was good, but she would never tell me how good she was," Meador said. "She's humble."

Fishers, long one of the region's premier swimming programs, is poised for another strong finish at state next weekend. Key to Sopova's mindset?

"My biggest goal is to have fun, because I'm always upset about my races," she said. "I will try to be as positive as possible. The other thing: maybe place top-eight at state."

That positivity has seeped into Sopova's races. She fist-bumped an opponent at the College Events Classic and threw up a peace sign for the camera between events.

As the state meet approaches, Sopova spends most of her free time at the pool. There, she practices in sight of banners draped across Fishers' natatorium celebrating everything from Luke Whitlock, an Olympic swimmer, to traits core to Fishers' swimming: respect, excellence and sportsmanship, among others.

The legacy of excellence drew Sopova to Fishers. But the club's embrace of traits like kindness and sportsmanship has defined the experience. She loves her coaches, whom she said she can talk to if something is bothering her and have become like family. She's also appreciative of her teammates and how helpful they've been since the move.

The IHSAA state meet, held at the IU Indy Natatorium, is a joyous celebration of the sport that features hundreds of athletes. It's a far cry from a quiet pool in western Russia, the laps quiet and lonely. Win or lose, goals made or missed, Sopova will have her teammates, coaches and her mother rallying around her. That, after months of uncertainty and hard work, is worth celebrating.