#our boy knows how to accessorize y'all

[hopesallwegotleft]

Chapter 11 — Bloodbath

[lovelylunarwriting]

Gryffindor!Mingyu & Slytherin!Minghao

Gryffindor!Mingyu 

Has a yearly tradition of buying one of every single snack when the lady with the cart of goodies passes him on the train 

He's not wizard born, both his parents are muggles, so his first year he was like "weird looking/moving food? Sign me tf up" 

It's been tradition ever since 

Let's be real it's the main reason that Soonyoung and DK sit with him on the train rides 

Once during the prank war between Gryffindors and Slytherins (see Hufflepuff!Joshua and Slytherin!Jihoon post to understand), Chan slipped him what he thought was a shrinking potion. •But in actuality it was a growing potion. 

So 6 foot tall Mingyu became 9 foot tall Mingyu 

The effects of the potion latest a week and Mingyu had to be excused from quidditch practice because he couldn't fit on the broom... 

Was peer pressured by Seungcheol to join the quidditch team and is like "mehhh" about it until you get the the quidditch game 

Then he's competitive and determined af 

The reason Seungcheol wanted him on the team is because he saw Mingyu sprint across the castle from the dining hall to divination because he lost track of the time and was gonna be late, and Seungcheol was like "if he can run that fast for that long, how fast do you think he could fly??" 

The answer to that is pretty damn fast as they both found out at tryouts 

He ends up becoming one of the chasers for the Gryffindor team 

The only thing Mingyu had to practice a lot to get good at was catching the freaking quaffle because he's a clumsy giant and kept dropping it accidentally 

Mingyu: *drops quaffle from 100ft in the air* 

Seungcheol: "gOd dAMn iT, go get it!!" 

Is dorm roomies with Seungcheol and very happy about it 

Just came here to have a good time and learn magic n stuff but Seungcheol and Vernon are always dragging him into their messes 

Seungcheol and Vernon are always tryna prank the Slytherins but Mingyu just wants to live in peace and not be targeted for revenge 

It's hard for him to stay inconspicuous when it comes to pranking because he's really freaking tall (he literally stands out of a crowd) and has like the worst poker face. Precious tol bean 

Mingyu: *walks into the dining hall with a really awkward/uncomfortable smile* 

Chan: *blows whistle* "TAKE COVER" 

All the Slytherins duck under their tables and then the cakes that were on those tables explode 

Seungcheol and Vernon just look at Mingyu with the most disappointed look 

They learn to stop including Mingyu if they want to be successful 

Anyway moving on 

Every year, the new first years are kid of wary/cautious around him because he seems like a tall, intimidating guy 

But then he runs into a pillar or almost falls off the moving stairs and they're like "oh. he's fine" 

Generally a tall innocent meme who just wants to live peacefully but... naw lol his clumsiness and friends liven up things 

He enjoys it and appreciates them but he won't say it directly 

He'll bake Seungcheol and Vernon cookies or some shit and they're just so skeptical about it 

Vernon: "did you poison these? Have we personally wronged you somehow? Idk what it was but I'm sorry please don't kill me with these" 

Seungcheol: "no no I don't think that's it, he would have nowhere to hide our bodies. I think he did something wrong and we're gonna lose house points or something so he's trying to get on our good side before it comes to light" 

Mingyu: "wow I literally just made you cookies and I've been personally attacked. I'm gonna eat all three dozen of these with the Hufflepuffs, they're way nicer than you guys" 

Seungcheol: "Mingyu we're sorry come bACK" 

And Mingyu does come back and the positive vibe is restored via eating cookies and goofing off, what these three do best 

 Slytherin!Minghao 

Was really psyched to go to a wizarding school because he didn't have any wizard/witch friends growing up 

Until he got on the train and saw Vernon try to snort smarties because Soonyoung told him "it's a thing the muggle kids do" 

Minghao was freaking out on the inside like "dear god... They're idiots... I thought wizards would be more mindful people like me..." 

So he decided to keep observing the people on the train before actually initiating a conversation with anyone 

He sat down in an empty seat and started 'reading', but he was actually listening to everyone interact and figuring out who he might be able to tolerate for the next seven years 

The thing that got him to finally decide someone was okay to talk to was when Seungcheol accidentally elbowed Jun in the face as they were passing each other in the narrow hall of the train, and Jun started swearing in Chinese because ow 

Minghao looked up from his book so fast he got whiplash but was like "HIM. IT HAS TO BE HIM" 

Minghao's thinking "we can talk shit about people right in front of them and they won't know what we're saying" (honestly, friendship goals) 

And he's also thinking "if I have a friend that speaks my native language, maybe I won't feel so homesick" but he doesn't acknowledge that feeling because he's tryna be tough 

So Minghao walks over to Jun and is like "you okay?" in Chinese and Jun is just like !!! New Chinese buddy?? 

They sit together and by the end of this train ride they're close friends and have talked a lot of shit. About eVeRyOnE except that one kid Joshua because like they tried to find something bad to say about him and literally couldn't?? Like why is an angel on this train?? 

They gossip lightheartedly, obviously they're not really hating on everyone 

They're just being like "how many times do you thing Vernon will silently stare at Seungkwan until he stops talking and pays attention to him" 

Casually blunt observers 

Turns out Jun and Minghao both planned to try out for the quidditch team even before they got to Hogwarts 

The Slytherins captain at the time was like "listen all you people wanting to try out, it's not gonna be easy" 

The people who really wanted a position on the team were the ones who stuck through all the tough drills and training 

And the only two left in the end for the two open spots were Jun and Minghao 

Minghao earned the position of beater (not even a little surprised) and Jun was made a Chaser 

The literal definition of resting bitch face. He does not look approachable by any means if he's by himself 

He also looks really stylish in his robes by adding accessories and doing his make up real nice, etc. But to some people that can be a little off-putting because wow?? This person has their shit together enough to accessorize?? I sure don't.  

So that adds to the 'unapproachable' vibe. 

But when Minghao is talking to one of his friends, he has the cutest happy expression on his face 

The kind of loving look that everyone wants someone to look at them like that 

At first everyone thought that Minghao and Jun were dating because they spent so much time together 

When someone nosy *COUGH CouGH s e u n g k w a n* asked them about it, it ended up a lil something like this 

Jun: "you think I'm dating Minghao? I have standards, don't kid yourself" 

Minghao: "why would I date the moron who's probably backhugged every other boy in this school. Do I look like the kind of person to settle for an idiot like that" 

Jun & Minghao: *shrug at each other, fist bump, and walk away together* 

Seungkwan: "????? the fuck" 

So yeah they're not dating, just besties that enjoy roasting not only other people, but each other 

Because let's be real if you can't roast your friends, are you really even friends??? 

When it comes to the prank war... You do nOT want to go up against Jun and Minghao 

Because they only prank together and they have no mercy 

Like you thought Monsta X's No Mercy would make you cry?? Jun and Minghao's wrath is worse 

Y'all thought getting hexed by Jihoon was bad... At least that only lasts like 15 minutes, max. (Except for that one time... poor Seokin... but that's a whole other story) 

These assholes will prank you until you break and beg them to stop 

They will not stop until you admit that they win 

If you tell them they've won, they'll never bother you again. 

They don't do any really harsh pranks, they just keep bothering you incessantly until you give up 

Jun is mainly the execution of these pranks, and Minghao is the brains behind it 

Moral of the story, don't try to fuck with them

Minghao's favorite class is Care of Magical creatures and I will fight anyone who disagrees with me 

He tries to be cool, like "hmm I'm a Slytherin, I don't care too much for this" but homeboy skips his classes sometimes just to go pet and feed the hippogriffs (catch me sobbing, what a soft cutie) 

If you ask him nonchalantly a question about a creature he'll pull up a projector and show you a PowerPoint full of fun facts about whatever creature you asked about, full of adorable pictures of said creature 

Even if it's a visually... challenged... deadass ugly creature, Minghao will describe it like it is the most precious thing and will convince you that it is precious. Because no one has the heart to disagree with this boy who's so excited about these creatures?? 

He is accidentally very cute 

Just wants to be seen as independent and manly but is a spacey and cute boy

[finchbeak]

Marrakech Travelogue: Day 3

This was not my usual day. When one starts out with their own personal driver taking them around to some of the fanciest and well heeled shops in Marrakech one knows you are in for something else.

As I mentioned yesterday, I had the good fortune of being hooked up with Richard DeMayo and his gang of Moroccan tour guides. Today I got Richard himself, in all his glory. He’s a character. Ya kinda have to be when you are the guy that helps furnish the residences of various Saudi Princes (I asked him to hook me up with a Saudi Prince, but then we both laughed heartily at the prospect. Oooh boy. Would that not work).

First stop: all things leather. Galerie des Tanneurs in Le Ville Nouvelle (this is the new part of the city, built by the French when they colonized Morocco). So. Funny thing. There is no such thing as copyright law in Morocco. I walk in and it’s like I’ve stepped into the bag department at Barney’s: Birkins. Le Sac du Jours. Antigonas. Boys. Kellys. Evelynes. I also came to realize that I know A LOT about fancy bags I can’t afford. And shoes. So. Many. Shoes. All in beautiful, soft leather. All hand made in the workshop downstairs. And all perfectly done. Copyright be damned- there is no way in hell I’ll ever be able to afford a $10,000 bag so I totally bought a knockoff. Two, actually. A Birkin. And an Evelyne. Both Hermes. Total retail if I bought them for real? $17,000. I have been coveting a YSL Sac du Jour since I was old enough to know what it was, but in comparison to the Birkin, that bag is attainable after a really good bonus with no more credit card debt. No fakes for me. I walked away with two insane bags, three pairs of shoes, and two cosmetic bags for $300.

Then antiquities! I did not buy anything at this store! It was like shopping at a museum. Every single piece was a legitimate antiquity, with some things dating back to the very early, early days of Marrakech. But what really caught my eye was a pair of gold earrings. With a giant emerald in the center and diamonds adorning the edges. I asked him how much, because why not? $27,000. I told him I’d come back with my rich husband. Inshallah, inshallah, he said, in response.

Richard then took me to a jewelry store that was more in my range. It was more vintage than antiquities. Lots of jewelry and trinkets and teapots. It’s run by a brother and sister who were a joy. I’m such a jerk, because I forgot their names, but brother took me around to show me various beautiful trinkets and teapots. I really wanted this gorgeous, silver, one of a kind tea pot, but it was over $1000. Not right now. Inshallah rich husband, etc, etc… but when I said what I really wanted were earrings and bracelets his sister lit up. She took me through a variety of cases and I immediately gravitated towards a pair of silver earrings (almost everything is silver) that were big, but not too big, and had this inlay of beautiful red glass. I picked out a few, but that first pair was the pair. I put them on and I kinda gasped. It’s like they were waiting for me. Berber made. (I later saw pieces that could have been part of a matching set at the Berber Museum. I did good.) South of Marrakech. Probably 100 years old. I then bought a Berber silver bracelet that was adorned with the Moroccan star. She also had me try on a variety of necklaces. Each one more beautiful than the next, alas, I was not in the market for a $900 necklace today. But I did get talked into a 1950s teapot.

Then modern Moroccan couture. And yes, tomorrow a custom fitted and accessorized (I wanted pockets!) jacket will be arriving by courier to my Riad sometime tomorrow. Along with a traditional-esque caftan.

Marrakech is filled with what I would call apothecaries. Herbs, tinctures, oils, potions, and lotions as far as the eye can see. But it is very, very hard to discern who is selling quality, real deal stuff and those passing off olive oil as argan oil. This is why you need a local, who is married to a Moroccan woman, to tell you where to buy the argan and prickly pear oils. I bought all the lotions and potions. Too bad it didn’t count towards next year’s Sephora VIB Rouge status.

And finally, the piece de resistance of my shopping day: the carpet shop. I didn’t buy a carpet in Istanbul because I could never be 100% sure of the quality. And I didn’t think I would be buying one here for the same reason. There are a lot of fake carpets out there. So when you have the opportunity to buy a couple of real, authentic, vintage/antique rugs? You make room in your budget. Because Richard buys from this shop (which is run by the Moroccan equivalent of a Babushka- and her attendants, all male, are clearly a little terrified of her) in mass quantities he would be able to negotiate down the price extensively. Richard told the guys I was mostly interested in vintage rugs. So they almost exclusively brought out “family rugs.” These are rugs that were made by one or several women in the same family. Each one unique. Each one with symbolism significant to that tribe or family. And each one tufted and dyed by hand. One of the rugs I ended up buying was the very first one they laid down. It wasn’t even a color scheme I normally like, it has pink in it, for chrissakes, but I just loved it. The guys probably brought out over 50 rugs for me to look at. I’d point and wave away ones I didn’t like, move around and touch the ones I did. Had it narrowed down to seven rugs after all that. Several were particularly unique, but part of me wanted something a little more traditional. So, y'all saw the pics, you know what I ended up with. And while I won’t tell you what I ultimately paid for them, I will say I managed to negotiate down the price for both of them for less than what either one cost on their own. And while it was a lot of money, these are true investment pieces. I see my niece or nephew inheriting them. They are works of art. And I love them.

I had the pleasure of spending the rest of my day with Mohammed, one of Richard’s handy guides. He actually joined us halfway through the shopping trip, but we went back to the Ville Nouvelle on our own. First stop: lunch at Grand Café de la Poste. A relic of French Colonialism. A bit of a French bistro with a Moroccan twist. Then off to beat the rain at Les Jardin Majorelle. I might have to go back there if I get sun in the next couple of days because the cloudy skies were not conducive to photography. But it was gorgeous. And so very Yves Saint Laurent- simple, yet chic and sophisticated.

And finally, one of the girls at the Riad made me reservations at Le Jardins de la Medina where I had an amazing Moroccan rosé and an even better tagine of lamb, honey, ras el hanout, almonds, and pigeon eggs. After dinner I wandered back to Riad Hikaya where I’ve taken up my perch in the courtyard.

Miles walked: Only 5.1 miles today Mint tea drank: a mere 4 glasses.