#prestigious international competition

[chantireviews]

The 2024 Little Peeps Awards Long List for Early Readers and Children's Books

The Little Peeps Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Children’s Fiction. The Little Peeps Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs). Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring stories of all shapes and sizes written to an audience for Early Readers. Story…

[pookalicious-hq]

˚₊‎‧welcome to the all-japan youth summer games‧₊˚

description: the all-japan summer league is a prestigious event that runs from may to the end of august, with only the best players from various sports associations, leagues, and clubs from across Japan receiving invitations. we hope to see you there.

guidelines: - only sfw // there will be suggestive things but no smut - you are free to send in requests about a certain character - each reader insert will be specific to their own story/fic (differentiated by last names) unless otherwise specified - this IS a crossover au

˚₊‎‧♡‧₊˚ welcome - 0.0 (intro)

For years, a vast stretch of land just outside Tokyo’s beating heart had been draped in secrecy. It sat quietly, like a slumbering giant, only fifteen minutes from the city’s restless hum, yet worlds away from prying eyes. Tall walls and guarded gates kept it hidden, while the murmur of construction whispered through the air. It was as if the earth itself had been stirring beneath the surface, preparing for something grand, though no one quite knew what. Rumors danced through the city—some claimed it was the site of a new stadium, others a corporate headquarters.

Then, as if the secret could no longer be contained, the truth was finally revealed.

The land had been transformed—not into a simple complex, but into a world of its own. A sprawling, exclusive sports facility, rivaling anything ever seen before. This was no ordinary venue. The gates would not open to the public, nor would casual spectators ever stroll its paths. Instead, a self-contained village now stood where dirt and machinery had once ruled—a place carved out for only the best of the best.

Here, in this enclave, Japan’s finest young athletes were to be housed, nurtured, and tested. Handpicked from high schools across the country, they came not just to compete, but to stake their claim on something far greater. This was the All-Japan Youth Summer Games—where talent would be sharpened to its finest edge, and where the fire of competition would burn hottest under the summer sky.

sports clubs to watch out for:

haikyuu (the monsters)🏐

MonstersJV is a Japanese volleyball league that spans from U14 to U19. This elite, non-profit organization represents the pinnacle of Japan’s youth volleyball scene, showcasing the nation’s top players on a global stage. Athletes from across the country go through rigorous tryouts, where they are selected to form a rotating roster of elite teams. These teams compete against one another within the league, constantly pushing the limits of their abilities in preparation for international exposure.

miya atsumu... ˚₊‎‧♡‧₊˚first glance... 2.6k words: atsumu realizes love at first sight is a real thing when he falls victim to it himself. tags/tws: crossover au, insta stalker atsumu, swearing, fighting, love at first sight, jjk!mma!reader ˚₊‎‧♡‧₊˚ loading...

blue lock (the infinities)⚽

Blue Lock Academy earned its invitation to the All-Japan Youth Summer League following its explosive success in the Neo-Egoist League. Known for its revolutionary approach to developing strikers, Blue Lock has handpicked its top players to form elite teams that will represent the academy in the AJYSM. These players, already sharpened by fierce internal competition, now stand ready to showcase their unique talents on an even larger stage, further solidifying Blue Lock’s claim to producing Japan’s next great soccer prodigies.

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kuroko's basketball (the miracles)🏀

KNGenBasket was established to spotlight the key players who transformed Japan’s youth basketball landscape. Over the years, the league expanded, bringing together more exceptional individuals to form elite teams. However, its true rise to fame came with the emergence of six extraordinary players, each possessing unique strengths that captivated the nation. Now, these teams represent the very best of Japan’s youth basketball, standing as a testament to the league’s evolution and the incredible talent it has fostered.

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jujutsu kaisen (the curses)🥊

The Jujutsu Kaisen Curse is an elite MMA gym that exclusively trains and houses the top fighters in Japan. Known for producing ruthless and extraordinary athletes, the gym has earned a fierce reputation within the global MMA community. After years of dominating the sport, The Curses were invited to the All-Japan Youth Summer League to showcase their raw talent and unrivaled power on a new stage. Each fighter that steps into the ring under their banner carries the weight of the gym’s legacy, feared for their relentless strength and skill.

sukuna ryomen... ˚₊‎‧♡‧₊˚ bestest friend... 2.5k words: they've always been best friends since anyone could remember, what's changed now? tags/tws: crossover au, childhood friends to lovers, swearing ˚₊‎‧♡‧₊˚loading...

attack on titan (the titans)👟

AttackElevate stands as Asia’s most elite and expansive Track and Field club, rising from Japan’s competitive landscape to earn international recognition. From the age of 10, the club selects only the most promising young athletes, putting them through rigorous training with one goal in mind: to reach Olympic-level excellence. These athletes, forged through years of intense discipline and competition, represent the pinnacle of track and field talent. Now, AttackElevate has been invited to the All-Japan Youth Summer League, where their relentless pursuit of greatness will be put to the test against Japan’s finest.

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more coming... (send an ask)

[probablyasocialecologist]

The story of palm oil is difficult to tell because responsibility for its horrors is slippery. Who should be held accountable for environmental destruction, the abuse of migrant workers, the theft of Indigenous lands, the murder of activists or the annihilation of whole species? Local landowners and plantation managers point to pressures from above while corporations plead ignorance or helplessness for what happens deep in the jungle. Governments claim to be trying to encourage best practices without endangering a major source of economic growth and international competitiveness. Transnational buyers, including prestigious and brand-sensitive corporations, point the finger at their suppliers and note (with some degree of honesty) the near-impossibility of monitoring their entire supply chain while still providing affordable products to consumers and satisfying shareholders.

Max Haiven, Palm Oil: The Grease of Empire

[blackgirlsrxck]

Guys My Age

Lewis Hamilton x Black!Fem NASCAR Reader

Summary: What happens if the reader decides to go to her first Grand Prix? Who will she meet? What will happen?

Note: Let's face it. Lewis looks AMAZING for almost being 40. He doesn't look a day over 27. Anyways, hope you enjoy let me know what you think in the comments. :)

Word Count: 1.5k

 I've always been passionate about racing. It's been my dream since I was a little girl to become one of the best drivers of my generation. I've faced numerous challenges and obstacles along the way, but I never let them deter me from pursuing my goals.

While NASCAR has been my main focus, I've always been a huge fan of Formula 1 as well. The sport’s glamour, speed, and international appeal fascinated me. One race that stood out in my mind was the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix. The glitz and glamour associated with the event seemed like a dream, and I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to witness it firsthand. So, when I received an invitation to attend the Monaco Grand Prix as a guest, I couldn't believe my luck. It was an opportunity of a lifetime, and I eagerly packed my bags and headed to the beautiful principality.

As I arrived at the track, the excitement in the air was palpable. The sound of engines revving and the smell of burning rubber filled the atmosphere. I watched in awe as the sleek F1 cars zoomed past me, each one a marvel of engineering and speed.

Little did I know that fate had something extraordinary in store for me. As I made my way through the paddock, I caught the attention of a few drivers. There stood Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Daniel Riccardo. They made their way towards me. “No way am I meeting you, Y/n Y/L/N one of the greatest NASCAR drivers in this generation.” Spoke Daniel. He recognized me as one of the best drivers of my generation. I didn’t know what to say. This was so surreal to have these F1 superstars fangirling over me, a young NASCAR driver.

We quickly struck up a conversation, bonding over our shared love for racing. They invited me to join them for dinner later that evening, an opportunity I couldn't pass up. Eager to meet more of the F1 drivers and learn about their experiences, I accepted their invitation. If someone would have told me that I would be talking to some of the best drivers on the paddock and it would result in me being invited to dinner with them, I would have laughed square in their faces. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I just hope they don’t pick the most expensive restaurant. Hey, I might be a race car driver, but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to spend $100 on a burger that I could get for $7 at Burger King.

The race went on as usual. A few of the drivers had to DNF due to car problems. Max Verstappen ended up winning which wasn’t a shocker to anyone. Fernando Alonso P2, and a Esteban Ocon P3. I decided to make my way to my hotel to get ready for the dinner. 

The dinner took place at a luxurious restaurant overlooking the stunning Monaco harbor. By the looks of it, I would probably be paying $100 for a burger.  As I walked in, I couldn't help but feel a wave of nervousness wash over me. All the top drivers of the 2023 F1 season were present, including the legendary Lewis Hamilton, a man who had broken numerous records and established himself as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport. Not knowing what to do with myself, I just stood there awkwardly. Daniel finally noticed me and made his way over. 

“Y/n, I’m so glad you could make it, we saved you a seat next to Lewis,” I nodded my head and made my way to sit down. I introduce myself to everyone. A few of the drivers started to ask me questions about my career. That was until Fernando Alonso asked me how I got into NASCAR. 

“Becoming a NASCAR driver wasn't an easy journey for me. It required hard work, dedication, and a lot of determination. From a young age, I had a deep love for speed and competition, and I knew that racing was my true calling. Growing up in a small town, my exposure to motorsports was limited. However, my passion burned brightly, and I immersed myself in everything related to racing. I devoured books, watched races on TV, and even tried my hand at go-kart racing whenever I could.

As I got older, my dream of becoming a NASCAR driver became stronger. But I faced a significant hurdle – lack of representation. As a young Black woman in a predominantly white and male-dominated sport, I knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy. However, I refused to let that deter me. I started by joining local racing clubs and participating in regional competitions. Every weekend, I would head to the local tracks, ready to prove myself on the asphalt. The adrenaline rush I felt as I sat behind the wheel, the wind rushing past me, was exhilarating.

With each race, I pushed myself to the limit, fine-tuning my driving skills and honing my instincts. I learned from my mistakes, analyzing every lap and seeking guidance from seasoned racers who were willing to share their knowledge with me. But it wasn't just about my driving skills. I realized that to make it in NASCAR, I needed to be physically and mentally strong. I hit the gym, working on my endurance and building the strength required to handle the powerful machines I would eventually drive.

As I continued to race, word started to spread about my talent and determination. It wasn't long before I caught the attention of sponsors and racing teams. The opportunity I had been waiting for finally arrived when I received an invitation to join a development program for aspiring NASCAR drivers. The program pushed me to my limits, testing every aspect of my abilities. But I thrived under the pressure, constantly improving and proving myself on the track. The hard work paid off when I secured a spot on a NASCAR team as a rookie driver.

My NASCAR journey had officially begun. I faced challenges along the way, both on and off the track. There were moments of self-doubt when the weight of the industry's expectations felt overwhelming. But I refused to let those moments define me. I pushed through, determined to break down barriers and pave the way for future generations. I knew that my success wouldn't just be a personal victory; it would be a symbol of progress and representation in a sport that desperately needed it.

As I raced in NASCAR, I became a role model for aspiring drivers who shared my background and dreams. I aimed to inspire them, to show them that they too could break down barriers and achieve greatness. Becoming a NASCAR driver wasn't just about winning races and championships. It was about proving that dreams know no bounds, and that passion and talent could overcome any obstacle. It was about changing the face of the sport and leaving a lasting legacy for others to follow.” I see the way Lewis looked at me as I finish my story. He had this sparkle in his eye that I saw only one time before. With my ex boyfriend, before he became a douchebag. 

As I mingled with the drivers, I felt a connection with each of them. They were incredibly supportive and shared stories of their own racing journeys. Lewis, in particular, seemed intrigued by my background and accomplishments. His charisma and passion for the sport were captivating, and I found myself drawn to him in ways I hadn't expected.

Over the course of the evening, Lewis and I spent a lot of time talking. We discovered that we shared many interests outside of racing and had a similar outlook on life. Lewis talked about how he became vegan and how he eventually got his dog Roscoe on the diet. There wasn’t one thing uninteresting about him. Despite the 20-year age difference, our connection seemed undeniable. But as the night came to an end, doubts began to creep into my mind. Would our age difference become an obstacle in the pursuit of a romantic relationship? Would people judge us? Would the age gap eventually become a source of tension between us?

As I returned to my hotel room that night, my mind was filled with conflicting emotions. On one hand, I couldn't deny the feelings I had developed for Lewis. On the other hand, the practical side of me worried about the challenges we might face. I open the door to my room and make my way to the king sized mattress where I fell on. Closing my eyes, I slowly start to let myself drift to sleep, until my phone vibrated. 

It was a Instagram notification from lewis. I clicked on it to see what said. I know you felt what I felt tonight. In the two hours we’ve known eachother, I feel like we were supposed to meet. It just makes sense. We make sense. Despite the fact that  I’m old enough to be your father.  If you feel the same way meet me at room 388 in 30 minutes. -lewis <3  Was this really happening? Am I hallucinating? I think I need a drink. Besides I’m in Monaco, its legal. 

To be continued… 

[nomhano]

Hinata is so underwritten/develop rant

Hinata is often described as kind, gentle, and compassionate. She dislikes competition and conflict, and although she becomes more "shinobi-like" in Shippuden, her care for her friends and comrades remains constant (Third Naruto Databook). According to the First Naruto Databook, "Although she is the heir to the renowned Hyuga Main House, she is full of compassion and dislikes competition and fighting: such is Hinata’s personality." She is also referred to as "The kind and gentle dancing fighter with feelings for Naruto" (First Naruto Databook). While these traits are admirable, they are not typical of a shinobi. In the Land of Waves arc, we learn that becoming a shinobi requires following strict rules in the field, where emotions must be suppressed to prevent them from interfering with the mission. The shinobi's primary duty is to be a tool for their village and country, even if that means sacrificing personal relationships or friends. Naruto, however, rejects this traditional idea of a shinobi and vows to follow his own nindo, or ninja way. Hinata, deeply inspired by Naruto, adopts his nindo of "never giving up" and "never going back on your word," hoping to grow stronger and more assertive. However, her adoption of this nindo seems more rooted in her own internal struggles than in a desire to become a shinobi.

During the Chunin Exams, it’s revealed that Hinata feels trapped by the immense expectations placed on her as a member of the prestigious Hyuga clan. She battles low self-confidence and feels inferior to her younger sister, Hanabi, who is more skilled in the Gentle Fist technique. Hinata resents her inability to be assertive, a quality she wishes she could change. Her father, Hiashi, essentially gave up on her, favoring Hanabi and showing little concern if Hinata were to die on a mission. As the First Naruto Databook states, "It can be said that Hiashi possesses an even callous strictness concerning the protection of the Hyuga’s dignity, and so he completely abandoned Hinata, who was of lesser ability, and gave thorough training to her younger sister, Hanabi." Additionally, "Currently, her father has given up on her, and she is assigned to difficult missions as a Genin. Even being in that dire situation hasn’t broken her; she hasn’t lost that kindness of hers, and that’s because Naruto was there, inside her heart. And now, Hinata is strengthening herself, soundly and steadily" (First Naruto Databook). Hiashi’s harsh motto, as described in the First Databook, is: "No place for the weak."

This motto only adds to Hinata’s struggles: "Shackled by the strict laws of the Hyuga clan, and further weakened by her inferiority complex towards her younger sister, Hinata is always seeking strength and power. Hinata is never assertive about anything, something she tends to hate about herself" (First Naruto Databook). She admires Naruto so much because he’s the exact opposite of her. Naruto is overflowing with strength, courage, and self-confidence, qualities Hinata aspires to have. She wants to become like him, which is why she applies for the Chunin Exams—to prove that she too can become strong, just like Naruto. Though she dislikes conflict, she fights fiercely against Neji, driven by her desire to change herself.

From my perspective, Hinata’s desire for strength seems more introspective than driven by the need to defeat enemies or gain glory. For her, strength is a path toward self-confidence, self-worth, and faith in herself, rather than a tool for combat. This raises the question: did Hinata truly want to become a shinobi? While I love seeing her in action, being a shinobi doesn’t seem to fully align with her character.

Being a shinobi isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. In this line of work, one may have to take another's life. It’s not entirely improbable that Hinata, despite her gentle nature, would face a situation where she had no choice but to kill in order to protect herself or her comrades. As a member of the Hyuga main branch, Hinata possesses the Byakugan, a highly sought-after dojutsu, which could easily place her in dangerous situations. Given the harsh realities of being a kunoichi, it’s difficult to believe she never took a life throughout her career.

For someone like Hinata, who values kindness and compassion so deeply, how must she have felt in those moments? The emotional toll of taking a life, especially for someone with her personality, would likely be profound and deeply conflicted. I can only wonder how she reconciled that with the path she chose.

It would have been fascinating if Hinata's story had explored the darker aspects of the shinobi system, where children are forced to become soldiers for their village. Given the weight of her clan’s expectations, Hinata had little choice but to follow the path of a shinobi. Perhaps she secretly yearned for a normal life—one free from the constant weight of clan politics, her obligations as the firstborn of the head of the clan, and the pressure to earn her father’s approval. She might have longed for the simple joys of friendship, acceptance, and genuine love from her family. I personally like this idea because it connects back to Kishimoto's original concept for Hinata as a regular city girl, which I just find cute haha. In this idea, Hinata doesn’t walk the path of the shinobi. I don’t think it’s impossible for her to walk the path of a shinobi, but her motivations for doing it will have to change.

I believe Hinata is the type of person who fights primarily to protect her loved ones. However, being a shinobi often means fighting not just for those closest to you, but for your entire village and country. While protecting your village may include safeguarding your loved ones, the broader duty of defending your nation extends beyond them. Hinata's kindness and compassion seem to be what drive her as a shinobi—her desire to protect her comrades, family, and others around her. Growing up feeling unwanted likely fuels this need to protect. As someone who was overlooked and abandoned by her own father, being able to feel needed by others may have given her a sense of purpose as a shinobi. But I still wonder how Hinata will feel if killing someone is a means to protect the one she loves. How would she process the emotions of taking someone's life?

I guess what I want to know is what you think about all this? What path would be more interesting to explore with Hinata’s character?Anyways, thank you for reading this long rant about a side character I have a bit of an unhealthy hyper fixation for lol. 💜

[canonsinthehead]

Naruto Modern AU/Hollywood pt.2 - Kiri & The All-Star Team

There is a silent hierarchy among all countries and the terrible assumption that bigger countries are better than smaller ones. The large presence and funds of various territories, like the country of fire, wind, earth, and lightning, overwhelms and overshadows small nations, especially in sports where each country dominates certain disciplines.

The land of fire (Konoha): badminton, soccer, gymnastics, and martial arts

The land of lightning (Kumo): Tennis, basketball, and athleticism

The land of earth (Iwa): cross country, marathon, weightlifting, and cycling

But in the last decade, the land of water emerged in the sports scene. It was coming out of years of political conflict that left the country in shambles with record levels of poverty, putting them at the bottom of the economic ladder. Not only was it a smaller nation, but a lot of its endeavors and way of life were unknown to the rest of the world because of the long-lasting reign of violence that controlled the country for decades.

Well, Kiri has been perceived as "these islands far away" with the highest crime rate in the world for the longest but Its newly found peace brought interesting things; industrialization,  a new economy open to the world, the exportation of its products, but specifically the creation of various social classes. This was not the case before, since it was, the government/military vs the rest of the population in poverty.

This modernized economy brought the country a new middle class and other social statuses. It recently started experiencing the concept of celebrities like the rest of the world and most are athletes.

Being surrounded by large bodies of water, any form of water activity has always been intuitive to them. To the point where many accuse them of having a "genetic advantage". Athletes from Kiri/Country of Water can now join world competitions and are killing the game in the water department and making a serious name for their country. They are undefeatable in all forms of swimming kayaking, boat racing, surfing, diving, synchronized/artistic swimming, water polo, etc. Now most of the competitions for these sports are held there.

Kiri is getting recognized overseas for many things, but recently certain people have attained celebrity status for unconventional reasons building a solid international fan base

Mei Terumi, the female president, for her breathtaking beauty

Haku is the new sensation in figure skating. A discipline Kiri started to dominate recently but the young man’s high level of skills made him reach first place in all competitions. His likeability, pure heart, and pretty looks opened many doors for him, he often features in variety shows and commercials. He is also a good friend of the #1 YouTuber/streamer and boxer Naruto Uzumaki and often appears on his channel

Ever since basketball was invented, Kumogakure dominated the sport, but in the past year, the mysterious national basketball team of Kiri has made a name for themselves.

Overnight, a team of 195 cm tall men came out of nowhere and climbed up the world ranking to second place. The team’s name is the Swordsman of the Mist and the current coach is Gengetsu Hozuki It may not seem like it, but many of the members have interesting inheritances and backgrounds.

Kisame Hoshigaki: leader and tallest. Surprisingly decent from a prestigious clan from Kiri. Kisame is an academic genius, who has a diploma in biology from the most prestigious universities in the country of Water but decided to use the basketball scholarship he received instead.

His son Shizuma Hoshigaki is a part-time social media influencer. He is problematic in his own way, but not enough to be canceled yet. Shizuma is not worried because he is a trust fund kid but wishes to outshine his father as a professional swimmer. The jokes write themselves since he barely practices the sport but is among the greatest and fastest the world has to offer (his shark DNA, I guess). He is dating Raiga’s daughter Buntan, and her father is really salty about it

Zabuza Momochi: nobody knows about his background. He is the most muscular. Him and Kisame get the most brand deals and promotions. Zabuza is also one of Haku’s coaches. He took him under his wing under unknown circumstances. He is the first to recognize the boy’s unique talent and aiding him in his journey as an athlete regardless of their differences. Zabuza always had a sweet spot for Haku and considered him like a son. So, he is often absent to prioritize the figure skater’s training.

Kisame knows Zabuza well, they are lifelong friends. The leader lets him get away with missing practices (even if it drives their coach insane). His best friend is a man of a few words, and above all works extremely hard and exercises double their training schedule in his own free time.

Juuzo Biwa: He is the third star player along with Kisame and Zabuza (The Killer Trio). He has no sense of personal space. Ironically, he is the wealthiest because he owns a successful brand of luxury cars coveted by the new high class. He is genuinely funny, and the variety show's favorite.

Raiga: Loudest laugh. Lost a lot of money due to his jewelry addiction. He smokes a pack with the blood of his enemies. The mother of his child is still getting child support payments, and he is bitter, even if they’re legally separated.

Because of His herratic behaviour and anger issues, he is kinda of a self-made outcast. The other members can cooporate as co-workers and teamates but nothing beyond that (Raiga has is own circle of friends). Since Raiga is so unhinged, no matter their coach's efforts, him and Zabuza do not get along.

Hassaku Onomichi: professional dunker. He befriended a lot of Kumo basketball players. He often gets caught up in beefs with anyone.

The popularity of the basketball team has offered them fans all across the world for their incredible talent, pleasant chemistry, unique sense of humor, and good looks to the point where tabloids from Konoha have launched a misinformation campaign to stain their image and effort to defend their basketball teams after getting constantly crushed by those "foreigners".

The last match of the International Basketball League’s series opposing The Swordmen of the Mist from Kiri against The Lightnings from Kumo was the most anticipated and heated match ever organized. Taking place in Konoha, it made record engagement and attendance. For the first time in history, Kumo lost the finale to first timers. The news traveled all across the world and, certified Kiri’s team's celebrity status since they won.

With their success, many shady investors like Gato started to take interest in basketball as a means of proposing Kiri overseas and for other shady dealings. The weight of all those rumors pushed many fans who knew Gato’s involvement in Haku’s career to beg him to change his manager/owner ASAP.

PART 1 next part

[ellianasdeadpointeshoes]

You dont know how big it is for a true comp kid like crystal to be chosen for a competition like prix de laussane. The ballet world even today is still very biased against competition kids even when there are plenty of professionals with an extensive competition history already debuting in principal/soloist roles today. Comp kids are rarely represented in more prestigious ibcs (international ballet competition) and pdl. ITS A BIG DEAL. GET UP AND SHOW RESPECT TO OUR PRESIDENT. She's literally the only one on the list with a competition history that is extensive.

Izzy was the same case back in June, she was literally the only kid with an extensive comp history ( definitely less extensive than crystals though) at usa ibc which a comp that only happens every 4 years. She made it all tge way to the final 3 and got a an award from the jury.

[theworldisyonces]

Beyoncé just launched her own brand of whiskey called SirDavis. The name is in honor of Davis Hogue, Beyoncé’s paternal great-grandfather, who was a farmer and a moonshiner in the American South during Prohibition. He stashed whisky bottles in the empty knots of cedar trees for friends and kin to find and enjoy. And I’m sure “Sir” is also in honor of her son Sir. ⁣

⁣Beyoncé partnered with Moët Hennessy and five time International Whisky Competition Master Distiller of the Year, Dr. Bill Lumsden for the brand. Master Distiller Dr. Lumsden on SIRDAVIS, Beyoncé's new whisky brand: "I think whisky drinkers are going to be blown away because it's really quite different from anything I've tasted before." Beyoncé, a Japanese whisky enthusiast, sought out Moët Hennessy to help craft a one-of-a-kind flavor profile that reflected her whisky ideal. Meanwhile, Moët Hennessy had been exploring ways to deepen its presence in the American whisky market, making the timing kismet for a partnership between the world-leading luxury group and Knowles-Carter.⁣

⁣"I've always been drawn to the power and confidence I feel when drinking quality whisky and wanted to invite more people to experience that feeling," says SirDavis Founder Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. "When I discovered that my great-grandfather had been a moonshine man, it felt like my love for whisky was fated. SirDavis is a way for me to pay homage to him, uniting us through a new shared legacy. In partnering with Moët Hennessy, we have crafted a delicious American whisky that respects tradition but also empowers people to experience something new and unique in the category. You can taste it better than I could ever tell you — welcome, SirDavis."⁣

⁣Beyoncé secretly submitted SirDavis to prestigious whisky contests in 2023 under the pseudonym “Davis Hogue Distilling Company” and won several awards:⁣

🏅 Best of Class at SIP Awards⁣

🏅 Gold Medal at NY Intl Spirits Competition⁣

🏅 Highly Recommended at Ultimate Spirits Challenge⁣

⁣SirDavis already has signature cocktail drinks. SIRDAVIS' signature cocktail recipes include the "Honey Bee" and the "Texas Buckin”. 🥃🍸🍹

The whiskey costs $89.99, and will be available on Bey’s birthday September 4th. But, you can preorder on SirDavis.com right now.

[chantireviews]

The 2024 Shelley Long List for Paranormal Fiction!

The Shelley Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Paranormal Fiction. The Shelley Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs). The Shelley Awards were formerly known as the Paranormal Awards. We are delighted to be able to honor the mother of science fiction with this award! Chanticleer…

[k-nayee]

Cookout Hyung Line + Jimin

wc: 3.4k

Dreamer M.List

ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙.·͙*̩̩͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩̥͙　✩　*̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩͙‧͙ .‿̩̥̩‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ‿̩̥̩‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ‿̩̥̩‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ

NAMJOON

• 𝐍𝐎𝐓 gonna lie, it was a rocky ass start when y'all first arrived

• having the meeting-the-family for the first time jives and all

• boy way shaking and sweating bullets the moment he stepped through the backdoor

• and to add salt on to the wound, almost the entire yard went silent when they spotted him

• with a strained smile and wave, you walk over to your parents

• Namjoon of course stayed close to your ass like white on rice

• the tension slowly went away as you spoke to the older generations of the family

• sweet baby Joon just sitting there quietly, ain't saying nothing in fear of messing up

• even though it wasn't being spoken, everyone was curious of the new face, hence the side glances every now and then

• it wasn't until your LEAST favorite loud mouth no filter having ass boy cousin came over to start some shit up

• "Aye ____, why you bring this anime non-speaking Nigga up in here? Black men ain't too good enough or something?"

• you purse your lips at his words, ultimately done with the bullshit

• it became even more awkward when you heard murmurs of agreement around

• "First off, I very much can speak and understand English. Secondly..." Joon steps closer, towering over the froggy male with a look of contempt, "What does me being Asian have to do with it?"

• "......."

• "........"

• ".........MYYY NIGGA! WASSUP MANE. Aye you know I was just testing you right? Gotta see who right for my cuz and all."

• people let out forced laughs while [Cousin Name]'s dumbass try to cover up his mistake

• surprisingly after that, Namjoon begins to open up and talk more with the family

• more so the younger ones, but at least he trying and that's all that matters

• the little kids think he's some kind of dog whisperer since all the dogs crowd around him for some reason as he tells them stories

• your parents damn near teared up when they found out he was smart

• "Oooh, ____ got a smart one y'all! Not only is my baby in college, but she also dating an Einstein! Oh [Auntie Name], I almost forgot to ask how your daughter doing with that locked dope dealer boyfriend of hers. Chris was it?"

• "Mama, please. Now is not the time to be starting stuff. This ain't a competition between me and [Cousin Name]."

• "Yeah yeah, whatever. Now baby, now that I know ____ got somebody like you around. Please help her raise them grades up, cause whew chile!"

• "Mama!"

• since he's still afraid to go out of his way to socialize unless being approached, Namjoon decides to spend most of his time with your mother

• bastard even got a chance to see the photo album that held ALL of your baby photos

• "Awwww, look at this photo! You were so cute ____!"

• "I swear Joon, Imma beat your ass if you don't get them photos out my damn face."

• "But why? You're adorable in these~"

• "Adorable? Adorable?! Just cuz you fucking me doesn't mean you gotta lie. We both know those some questionable ass baby pictures."

• he's so soft spoken and polite in conversations but wouldn't mind starting some shit up if needed for your sake

• ...words be so sly that it'll take a few minutes before your brain finally process what he said

• "I'm surprised ____ was able to get into [prestigious university], let alone in a whole 'nother country!"

• "It's really hard to get into [prestigious university] of Seoul while even being an international student. Then again, I don't even know why I'm telling you this. Not like you could meet the entry requirements needed to attend."

• not a roaster, but definitely one to throw light jabs and heavy shade

• being your grandma's favorite (even tho she says she loves all her grandkids equally) you knew it was over when finding out that she likes him more than you

• at least you still got your Uncle Pookie. It always take a few years before he warms up to the outsiders of the famil-

• "Oh yeah, did I mention I did a collab with Nicki Minaj and Juice Wrld before?"

• all hell breaks loose

• everybody asking questions left to right

• even Uncle Pookie don left your side to talk to Namjoon about it

• "...did...did he just...?"

• ....yeah, he stole ya family

════════════════*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═════════════════

SEOKJIN

• despite having met your parents before, he was still nervous about meeting the whole family

• that doesn't mean he was gonna show it tho

• with a mask of full confidence on, he walked through the back gates and into the backyard

• even when feeling eyes on him, he kept it up. 'just fake it til you make it'

• eventually, the confidence quickly became real once speaks to your parents

• it wasn't until he saw the amount of food at the table did he fully relax

• your mama saw the dazed look on his face and immediately walked him over

• "Nice to see you again Jin! That food caught your attention huh? Don't worry baby, what you want to eat? Just tell me and mama will fix a plate for you. And don't be shy either, especially when ya looking like ____ ain't feeding you right!"

• "Really mama?!"

• "Hush now! You can't blame me, look at him! Now come on sweetie, let's go get you some food~"

• ate every and anything placed in front of him

• finished damn near five plates before he decided to take a break for desserts

• so many of the serving ladies (who were mostly your aunties and older cousins) dropped their panties when they saw the number of empty plates and tried to feed him more.

• "Here sweetheart, you want some more greens?"

• "Edna don't nobody want them dry ass greens! Here, try some of my chicken. Saved the biggest piece just for you~"

• "Please, we already know you bought that shit from the store so it ain't no use trying to act all brand new Zelma. Know damn well you ain't fooling nobody with ya fake chicken having ass!"

• a war would've broken out had you not stepped in and took Jin away as he continued to watch the fight while stuffing his face with some of the chicken

• even after, he went back to try the spicy foods on the other side of the table

• quickly fell in love and got everything he could put his hands-on

• "What's this?"

• "They're homemade jalapeño poppers."

• "I'll take 50 of them."

• "Jin that's damn near all of them!"

• "Well it's homemade right? So they can just make some more then...problem solved!"

• seeing him gobbling down the food, your grandma comes over and the two end up in an intense conversation

• what's it about?

• you guessed it: food

• Jin became really good at dancing to the Wobble once he studied everyone's movements for a few moments

• but immediately goes in a corner out of embarrassment until your grandma calls him back to talk (about food again lol)

• when he found out she made those jalapeño poppers...extreme fanboy mode on

• your grandma enjoyed his enthusiasm so much she gave him the recipe and a to-go plate before y'all left

• rest assured that he's definitely been invited for the next social event

════════════════*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═════════════════

YOONGI

• it's kinda a good thing that it's a cookout because he refuses to handle a family gathering in one room

• "I don't got time to be breathing in all that shit, what if somebody got the 'Rona over there?"

• "Yoongi...you really ain't shit. You know that?"

• "Didn't hear you deny it tho."

• "...Whatever let's just go."

• "Now don't forget your facema-"

• "Yoongi!"

• "Okay, okay!...I'm still bringing that can of Lysol spray with me."

• even though he's quiet, he doesn't hesitate to talk some shit if needed

• is only nice with the adults, but not the kids caus-

• "Fuck dem damn kids! They ain't mines, and even if they were...fuck my own kids then. I don't talk to people younger than me like that."

• he snaps at your rude ass aunties and shows off some of his unfinished raps and beats

• the kids and your cousins are amazed

• "Woah...that's so dope!"

• "____! Why didn't you tell me how cool your boyfriend was?!"

• they watch him with their mouths dropped open in awe, eagerly hanging on to every word he spits out in a freestyle rap despite it being in a language they didn't know/understand until the food is ready

• your parents (low-key only your dad cause momma still didn't forgive him from that stunt he pulled at church) smile at how soft he is when he looks at you despite having a glare as his resting bitch face

• eats only one plate that was made by you

• the same older cousins and uncles that silently talked shit about him suddenly does an 180 and tries to kiss his ass once they find out he's a producer and rapper of big company

• "Aye mane, you think you could listen to my demo or sum cuz? 'Preciate it."

• reluctantly agrees to listen, but Yoongi -being the way he is- straight up stops the music by middle chorus and gives his honest opinion

• "Um...what the fuck is this?"

• "Whatchu mean mane? It's fye huh? So you can put me on an album or sum?"

• "You do know that the background music is the goddamn theme song from that Sofia The First show right?"

• "...yeah, I wanted to add a 'lil twist to it. Was there a mistake in it?"

• you immediately remember how brutal the idol can be from time to time and step in before he can get an asswhooping from dudes that's three times his size

• "...mistake? My guy, I don't know if you know this, but yo whole so-called song is a mis-"

• "Yoongs..."You give a strained smile, ignoring the wondering gazes at what you're suddenly saying in Korean, "please shut the fuck up."

• "Wha-why the hell do I have to shut up?! If anything, we know who needs to, and not to mention that wonky-ass Disney Cinderella song they call a beat."

• "You do know they just got out right?"

• "Of what? Kindergarten? 'Cause that's all I can tell from those barely basic ass rhyming words they put up in there. Pssh, you would think they would learn how to actually rap with all that free time they had."

• "Yoongi!"

• he's...an overall good guest...somewhat

• will help clean up because he trying to get back in your mother's good graces (and not because you promised to give him some sloppy toppy if he at least tried)

• dances...very very aggressively

• accidentally don electric slide right into the poker table

• y'all gonna mostly be by yourselves because he doesn't really want to socialize

• keep in mind that he is blunt and aggressive, which is a type of attitude a lot of black family members hate with a passion

• but does Yoongi care about what your family thinks of him?

• "Do I really look like I give a fuck? Well too bad...cause I FUCKING DON-"

• he will snap off if they say something shady, even if there's a little hint of it: hands will be thrown

• "Waste of my goddamn time right here...you made us come all the way to Korea when you could've easily came to the states, and for what?"

• "To watch her become the best fucking [dream profession]. And it's not like yo broke ass paid for the tickets and hotel, probably wouldn't have been able to afford a cardboard box to spend the week in if it was up to you."

• he ain't gonna sugar coat SHIT

• might end up fighting a relative if it comes up to it

• "Now listen here young man-"

• "No you listen here you ungrateful ass excuse of a person, you've been nothing but a pain in my balls since the moment we met. So you better back the fuck up before you get smacked the fuck up. I don't give a rat's ass who or how old you are. Whether you a man, woman, non-binary, or a damn tree, I don't give a FUCK. But I do know one thing: these fists are pansexual and rated E for everyone, so you can catch 'em if you want."

• depending on how prideful they are, they might not like that

• when you guys leave and go back to your apartment you cuddle

• "You didn't have to do all that Yoongi. Some family are just like that, gotta roll with the punches."

• "I don't care who they are to you, you deserve the same respect you give them. Not any of that petty bullshit they love to spew out. And speaking of petty, that's why I took both pans of the peach cobbler and banana pudding too."

════════════════*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═════════════════

HOSEOK

• he's excited

• not a single drop of nerves running through his body at all

• he's super happy that the two of you finally reached the next level of a relationship which meant meeting your family

• greeted the cousins casually but with a mega watt ass smile

• some even came up to you complaining about it

• "Damn ____, tell your man to calm down with all that smiling shit! Almost went blind."

• "...but ain't you already blind Cousin Brian...?"

• "And? It gotta mean something if I was able to see a bright ass light in all this darkness."

• "I-well okay then. Hobi stop smiling too much, you messing up my blind cousin's eyesight."

• "Oh oka-what?"

• everyone adores him, yes even that one messy cousin that's always trying to ruin a family member's day (and relationship) with their new boyfriend/girlfriend

• you tried to keep Hoseok away from her, but he just had to say something when he saw her standing alone in a sheer dress that was clearly once a t-shirt

• "No Hoseok, let's go this wa-Hoseok!"

• "Hello! Very pretty dress you wearing~"

• "...okay and? The fuck you telling me that? You want your lil dick sucked or something Asian boy?"

• he laughs brightly at her words

• "No no thank you. But you should smile more, very pretty face to waste by frowning."

• with that, he takes your hand goes over to the kids which damn neared baffled the whole yard of the two's interaction

• and thanks to him having to be a nice piece of shit, you now gotta fend him off from ya messy ass cousin who now crushing on him

• plays games with the little kids, all the women swooning as he chases them around and picks them up like a father would with their child

• "Awe ____, you got you a cute white boy."

• "Thank you grandma, but he's Korean."

• "Well I like him!"

• when at the table he proudly brags about your achievements at work while also handling the process of obtaining a degree at the same time

• when you bring up his world-known status they are   s h o o k

• goes with you and your cousins to the liquor store when all your low-key alcoholic aunts and uncles drank them all

• "____, I like your family. They're all really fun to hang out with!"

• "Mmmm, you say that now. But give it time, I'm sure you'll change your mind."

• as stated before, he naturally gets along with everyone

• but just because he's safe doesn't mean that the shit relatives you have won't try to come for you

• and after learning some tips from Yoongi, he's ready to defend your honor

• "Want to talk all that smack about ____, just wait. She's gonna be the greatest [dream profession] there is! Bet you won't be able to say shit then."

• this definitely gets him more respect from your parents and older male cousins

• he won't stand for anyone trash-talking you

• not at all

• so yeah, they overall love him because hello? He's Jung Hoseok

• he fixed the younger kids plates, even sneaking in extra desserts which made him a long time favorite amongst them

• complimented every food he tried, even if the macaroni and cheese Cousin Brian made was dry

• "Hey now, it wasn't my fault! I didn't notice that the dial was turned all the way up when I first turned on the oven."

• "Cousin Brian...you blind my guy, how could you have known?! Now, matter fact...who the hell gave this man the responsibility of cooking in the first goddamn place?!"

• ...ANYWAYS

• ate at least 3 plates and quickly danced all that food off when the music started

• cupid shuffled right into ya grandma's heart while grinding into your aunties'

• courtesy of ya [Uncle's Name] giving him a cup of 'juice'

• poor baby had passed out not too long after drinking too much of it and woke up without his watch and shoes

• luckily, you knew that something like this would happen and was easily able to retrieve them all before leaving

════════════════*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═════════════════

JIMIN

• socially awkward, but is still a good person to be around

• and since babes got that shmoney, he made sure to bring expensive presents along even when you said not to

• if any of your family try to mooch off him you shut that shit down real quick

• "Aye now, if you don't keep your crusty ass hands away from my boyfriend them $90 nails gonna be a waste of money when I get through with them."

• he just loves it when you get defensive over him sometimes, a little blush grazes his face

• they ask all sorts of questions about his life back on back without even giving him a chance to answer

• seeing him visibly flustered from the lack of understanding what they're saying, you blurt out the first thing that comes to mind to sidetrack their focus on him

• "His parents are in Empire."

• "Really? Say sike right now."

• "N-no for real! Y'all don't remember the those few episodes...with...those Asian parents?"

• "..."

• "..."

• "...you know, now that you mention it..."

• "Oh shit! ____, you gotta keep him. And if y'all break up, you know where to hit me up."

• They treat him like a long lost son that's been reunited with his family once more

• "Has ____ been good?"

• "Yes ma'am. She's been working so hard lately that she even got promoted!"

• "Oh that's good to hear. But sweetpea you don't need to so polite!"

• "Sweetpea, you want another plate?"

• "I-if you don't mind ma'am."

• "Oh please with all that ma'am nonsense baby! Call me Grandma~"

• he likes the vanilla wafer cookies in the banana pudding the most

• good with baby cousins

• "Can you get the water hose and play with us ____'s boyfriend? My momma said the kids can't do it by themselves."

• low-key got all the single relatives checking him out.

• Especially when his shirt became translucent from the water which shown a slim waist and built abdomen that was hidden while some old shorts he borrowed from you showed off his thicc thighs and ass that's even plumper than yours

• "Ooh, look at ____'s boyfriend! Bet he taste just the way he look: real good huh~"

• "Yup, and he's mine too [Cousin Name]. Better watch yourself before a few tracks go missing boo~"

• "Damn ____! Where you been hiding him? Mmm mm mm. What's good ____'s boyfriend, you looking for some fun later on tonight?"

• "Um...n-no t-thank you. I-i'm fine."

• "Aight no pressure, just let me know when you need me."

• "[Cousin #2 Name], you ain't in no damn prison penitentiary anymore and Jimin ain't one of those 'lil he-bitches you can fuck just because he got ass. So back the fuck off."

• "Aight damn cuz, you ain't gotta get all territorial and shit....so Jimin...do you got a snap or some-"

• "I swear if I see you, [Cousin Name], and any other of y'all thirsty hoes around my boyfriend one more goddamn time! I'm beating some asses."

• ANYWAYS

• everybody adore him

• like there is not one single family member that dislikes him

• even if y'all were the type to be messy and filled with drama, he'll fit right in once they saw that he didn't take shit from nobody

• and when they do try to for either of you, cut off and put in their place immediately

• "I still can't believe it. How did ____ manage to get someone like him?!"

• "Oh? You mean Just like how you managed to get divorced five times?"

• the whole table done exploded with 'oh shit' and 'he got you [Auntie Name]'

• some even had to walk away from that one

• Jimin definitely earned a place in the family

[justrandomfanfictionskh]

We Should have Stayed in Gotham ch1

(Almost every Maribat fic I read has the akuma class going to Gotham. But tell me which is more likely, a class touring the city of crime, or a class touring the city of lights? So here it is, the Daminette fic that only I asked for, where Gotham goes to Paris, and the poor students have to grapple with the fact that they have competition for the most dangerous city in the world. I wonder what will happen?)

ao3

The Gotham students stepped out of the airport and immediately had to squint against the sudden bright light of the mid-morning sun. Already the differences between Gotham and Paris were making themselves known causing every single Gothamite to scoff, laugh, and shake their heads at the Parisians' apparently unwarranted paranoia. There was absolutely no way Paris was more dangerous than Gotham. And yet for some strange reason the Parisian administrators of the International Friendship Conference petitioned to have the conference in Gotham? It was pure insanity.

Even the smallest child knew that having over a dozen schools from five different countries gather together in one place was a recipe for disaster in the city where the opening of a new bank could be the precursor for a terrorist attack. And yet Paris was insistent, that Gotham take its turn hosting the celebration, saying that it was “Too dangerous.” Everyone had laughed at that, literally. There was not a single Gothamite who had heard the news and not laughed. Even now driving the buss to their first location, even Damian “Ice Prince” Wayne was fighting an amused smirk and a soft chuckle, as his peers laughed at the naive and clueless Parisians walking the street below.

In Paris, the sun was shining. In Gotham, the sun barely ever broke through the smog and the rain. In Paris, pedestrians chatted amicably while walking at a leisurely pace. In Gotham, if you didn’t rush to your next location with your head down then you were asking to get mugged. In Paris, police directed traffic and waved to children. In Gotham, the police were always running from one armed robbery to another. Damian scoffed. Paris was like Metropolis, shiny and clean. Gotham was dark and dirty.

“It was probably a prank,” one of the Gotham High students said to his fellows. “You know a joke to get on our good side!”

“Ha!” one of the Gotham Academy students scoffed, “They should know that unlike Two-Face we don’t have a good side.” The bus was filled with laughter, and even Damian’s smirk twitched into a brief smile at the words.

It was no secret that the class divide in America's most dangerous city was as wide as the Grand Canyon. In fact, the only reason the students from the public high school were able to afford this trip was because of the Thomas and Martha Wayne Scholarship Foundation, which—among other opportunities, provided money for Gotham High Students to attend international trips with Gotham Academy. Damian could appreciate the elegance of the arrangement. The spoiled brats, that were unfortunately his peers, could jet off to Paris for the weekend whenever they wished and cared little for school functions where they could not display their wealth. But students from lower income families would probably never leave the city. So why not have them tag along on one of the prestigious rich school field trips where half of the students would opt out of going anyway?

Now, usually this meant that the trip was split into two very distinct groups with each side antagonizing the other, while Damian scowled in the middle. But whenever anyone said anything bag against their shared city, the class divide vanished. Suddenly they were one group united against the outsider who dared insinuate that Gotham was anything but superior in every way. So at that moment the bus was filled with rich and poor laughter as another student said,

“Can you imagine what would have happened if these people had actually come to Gotham!”

“They would’ve folded to Condiment King!”

Damian saw that even the chaperones were smiling softly at the front of the bus. They were probably predicting their easiest trip yet, and Damian found himself agreeing with them. He liked Paris. He had gone here on a mission with his mother. It had been one of the more pleasant ones, considering he had not had to kill anyone. And it was a beautiful city full of art, culture, and history, and since the class seemed to be united, Damian predicted a nice relaxing vacation with no troubles whatsoever. He found himself actually a little excited.

Eventually their laughter was cut off by the fact that they had arrived at their destination. Collège et Lycée Françoise Dupont was the host school for the conference, and they had requested that all of the attending schools participate in a brief assembly with their corresponding classes before going to their hotel and seeing the city. Damian’s class filled into a large classroom with teared desks facing a chalkboard with a projector in front of it. Two teachers were waiting for them. One was a stern looking woman with sharp features and sharp eyes, and the other was her exact opposite. One look and every Gothamite silently agreed, the second woman would not last two minutes in their home, while the first might last long enough to run screaming.

Damian found his way to the back of the class and glared at anyone who got too close, but he needn’t have bothered. The GA students knew him too well, and the GH students were subconsciously separating themselves from the “rich kids.” Once everyone settled the soft teacher cleared her throat and spoke in a sickly sweet voice that made all of the Gothamites cringe against the unfamiliarity of such a tone. No one in Gotham spoke with that level of cheer, unless they were brainwashed…or a villain…or a brain washed villain.

“Greetings everyone!” she said in English, “I am Mme. Caline Bustier, and this is Mme. Mendeleiev. We are the French chaperones for this trip. For the next week you will be partnered with our advanced English Class as you tour the sites and participate in other Conference activities. But before we begin, our class representative and her co-representative have prepared a little presentation to ensure that your time in Paris is as safe and as enjoyable as possible.”

The Gothamites snickered quietly as three girls entered the room each carrying a stack of binders which they stacked on the teacher’s desk at the front of the class. Damian narrowed his eyes at the three girls and found them…strange. They were just too different from each other and yet they moved together with familiarity. It didn’t make sense to him. First there was the blonde girl dressed almost entirely in yellow and black. With her perfect posture, designer clothes, and her narrowed eyes looking down her nose at everyone, she could easily fit right in among the Gotham Elite. Damian assumed that she would take the presenters position, but all she did was narrowly examine everyone with too knowing eyes and scoff, before sitting on the teachers desk and pulling out a nail file.

The second girl who entered the room, had all the appearance and attitude of a lacky. The first word that popped into Damian’s head was lapdog. But the demure girl with auburn hair and round glasses simply giggled at the first’s antics and took her position in front of the teachers with a confident yet shy smile.

That left the third girl. However, Damian did not get a good look at her before she glanced around the room, blushed, and promptly tripped over nothing sending all of her binders flying. The Gothamites snickered as the second girl rushed to help the third. Damian internally groaned at the blatant incompetence. But everyone was silenced by a sharp, “Hey!”

Everyone’s attention snapped to the first girl who was now glaring at them with the intensity of Poison Ivy when someone touched one of her plants. “If all you can do is laugh at someone when they fall, then you wont survive two minutes in Paris. Now apologize to my friend, and—”

“Chloe,” the third girl said and despite her flushed face and her nervously darting eyes her voice was clear and calm, and almost commanding despite the fact that it was also soft and melodic. “It’s ok. I’m not hurt, and it wasn’t their fault. It was an accident. Just take a breath, and help Sabrina pass out the binders. Please?”

The rich girl, Chloe, grumbled under her breath but obeyed (even if she slammed the binders in front of the students who had snickered). As this was happening, the clumsy girl brushed herself off and took her place in front and center. Now that Damian could examine her, he found that she was even more different than the other two, and he could not comprehend how she could have possibly commanded this Chloe. She was small, with black hair pulled back in pigtails like a five-year-old. Her bright bluebell eyes and blinding smile screamed innocence and naivety. Every single Gothamite thought the exact same thing,

“She would have died in Gotham.”

But despite her earlier clumsiness and the thoughts of the visitors, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Damian stared in fascination as a change came over the girl. Her posture straightened. Her shoulders squared. She lifted her head, and when she opened her eyes, there was nothing but confidence and clarity in them. Damian huffed in consideration and leaned back in his chair suddenly very interested in what this girl had to say as the other one, Sabrina placed his binder in front of him with a smile.

“Hello,” the girl up front said in near perfect English. “My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng, and I am the class representative for Lycée Françoise Dupont Troisième Class. Or as you would say, sophomore year, same as all of you. This is my co-representative Sabrina Raincomprix.”

“Hello!” Sabrina waved as she took her place at the front of the class. “It’s nice to meat all of you. By the way this is our friend, Chloe Bourgeois. She’s a little overprotective.” Chloe just huffed and retook her seat on top of the desk, electing to ignore everyone else.

“Any way,” Marinette continued with that same blindingly bright smile. “Due to the current state of Paris, we felt it only fair to walk you through a ‘How to Survive Paris Crash Course’ before the conference gets into full swing.” The Gothamites stared at the small Parisian girl in astonishment. She wasn’t serious was she? Didn’t she know who they were? Where they were from?

Apparently she was because she ignored their incredulous stares and pulled up one of the extra binders and presented it to the class. “You were all handed a Paris Survival Guide made by the student council for the conference. In it you will find everything you need to know about our villain, our heroes, and the protocol for surviving their battles, including a map to the akuma shelters near the conference’s various locations, and a list of apps that you will be required to download in order to ensure you and your friends safety. Now if you all open your guides, I will briefly go over the most important information before turning you back over to your teachers.”

“You can’t be serious!” Damian saw Chad, one of the GA students, stand up and stare at the girl in amused disbelief. “All this for a villain? Singular? You know we’re from Gotham right? We can handle whatever cutesy little trouble maker you throw at us. We have the Joker.”

 While no one particularly liked Chad, Damian thought he was an idiotic prick, the students couldn’t help but mutter and nod in agreement. But Damian only raised his eyebrow as a change came over every single Parisian in the room. They all stood up straighter, their shoulders tense. They watched the Gothamites with a mixture of fear, frustration, and annoyance. But before any of them could speak, Chloe leapt from the desk and stomped up to Chad.

Everyone fell silent, before the fire in her eyes and the fury in her step. She slammed a hand on his desk forcing him to flinch back in his seat so that she was looming over him in a storm of black and yellow. “Oh, you think you’re so clever, huh? Oh we have the Joker! We can survive anything!” she said mockingly, “Well Monsieur ‘I’m from Gotham,’ I wish we had the Joker. Do you know why? Because—”

“Chloe!” Everyone snapped back to Marinette. Her voice was suddenly as sharp and as cold as her expression as she glared at her friend. Damian unconsciously flinched at how closely this small girl’s ferocity resembled his father’s patented expression. And everyone recognized the quiet command she held, as even those who had continued to snicker at Choe and Chad were silenced into rapt attention.

“Take a breath, Chloe,” Marinette said a bit more gently. And Damian watched in amusement as the other girl visibly relaxed as she made her way back to her friends. Once her view was unobstructed, Marinette studied the Gothamites and sighed. She set down her binder and fell into a more relaxed posture as she leaned against the desk. She then turned her gaze on Chad. From his position behind the other boy, Damian saw yet another thing in the girl that threw him into confusion. Exhaustion. “What would you do,” Marinette asked Chad calmly, “If the Joker was robbing a bank and you told a tourist to avoid that street, but they just laughed and continued walking?”

“Um,” Chad said, his eyes searching desperately for support, “I would wish them a speedy death, cause that’s all they deserve for being so stupid.”

The Gothamites chuckled, and Marinette nodded with a soft, understanding smile. “Exactly,” she said. “In your city, you respect you villains and the danger they pose, and you ask everyone to do the same. All we ask is for the same curtesy. Is that too much to ask?”

Damian found himself impressed as he watched his peers silently straighten in their seats, and begin fingering their binders. With one question, she had gained the attention and the consideration of an entire group intent on mocking her. Now she was in complete control, as she nodded and straightened. She turned, opened her binder, and said, “Now, Paris only has one villain and his partner, however, he is probably the worst villain you will ever encounter outside of Gotham. The reason is simple, he enslaves people.”

Everyone jerked up, confusion filling the classroom as Sabrina picked up the thread, “If you will all turn to page one under the section marked ‘Heroes and Villains,’ you will see the latest picture of our villain, Hawkmoth, as well as a list of his powers. On page two you will see a picture of his partner, Mayura. The rest of the chapter is a list of the heroes currently fighting them.”

“Right now Paris is at war,” Marinette said, her calm seriousness perfectly contrasting with Sabrina’s light lecturing. “But the soldiers are not willing henchmen and crooks like in Gotham. They are people, normal people just going about their lives, until Hawkmoth strikes.”

“The magic item he wields allows him to create akumas,” Sabrina said over the sound of pages turning. “Akumas are magic purple butterflies that possess Hawkmoth’s victims transforming them into villains that will do his bidding. But do not be alarmed, in order for Hawkmoth to possess you, certain qualifications must be met.”

“Negative emotion,” Marinette said, her exhaustion seemed to seep into her words as she said it. “Anger, sadness, fear, pain. These are the thoughts and emotions that Hawkmoth uses to possess his victims. Should you at any moment feel any of these emotions then you are at risk of being akumatized. And once that happens you will only care about two things. The first, will be the thing that caused the negative emotions. Be they a person, or an action, you will become obsessed with fulfilling the need the negative emotions created. The second is obeying Hawkmoth’s will without question or choice.”

“Section two in your Paris Survival Guide,” Sabrina said with unwavering cheerful professionalism. “Has a list of the most common akuma, their negative emotion, and the actions that created them. Section three has a list of self-calming techniques, as well as meditation apps, and the number for the Self Care Hotline in case you need immediate assistance. If you do not have a phone, one will be provided for you curtesy of Wayne Enterprises.”

Damian felt all eyes glance at him, but he ignored them as Marinette continued. “Akumas vary from person to person. The only thing they really have in common is bad fashion sense. But you never know how dangerous they are going to be. Some will only cause a traffic jam. Some…some will make you think the world is ending.”

“A complete list of every akuma to ever appear,” Sabrina declared, “Is listed on the website miraculousparis.gov, as well as on the only hero approved blog, SpotsOn.com. On both sites, the akumas are organized by their danger level. The weakest being a level one, the strongest being a level ten. On both sites there is also a list of protocols to survive each akuma, which can also be found in section four of your guides.”

“Your going to want to download the Akuma Alert App,” Marinette said with an almost bored air, “It is the most efficient way to avoid and survive akumas since it will alert you of their location, threat level, and which protocols to follow. Teachers, you are required to have the app, and to report on it whenever one of your students are akumatized.”

“Due to the number of visitors here for the conference, and Hawkmoth’s patterns,” Sabrina said her cheerfulness giving way to something akin to sternness. “It is very likely that we will be experiencing at least one akuma a day. Our calculations have predicted, that at least one of you will be akumatized before the end of the week. All of you will be caught in at least three akuma attacks, and since you’re from Gotham, should any of them be higher than a level six, then at least half, if not all, of you will die.”

All of the Gothamites dropped their jaws on the floor before Marinette continued with a half-amused smile, “Try not to worry too much about dying though. If you look at our main hero, Ladybug, on page three you’ll see that one of her powers is the Miraculous cure. She reverses any damage done during an akuma attack, and yes that includes resurrecting the dead. But still, do try not to die. Dying sucks, and you will remember it. If not when you’re awake, then at least when you sleep, and nobody wants a nightmare akuma, anytime soon. They suck!”

All of the Parisians stared at nothing, as they nodded in unison, before Sabrina continued in her chipper tone, “At the back of your guide there is a list off all of the apps and websites we just mentioned. We recommend you study them thoroughly before you begin your tour of the city this afternoon!”

“But please,” Marinette said almost pleadingly, “Above all else remember this, the people who are akumatized, are not the enemy. They are the victims. They will do terrible things to anyone who get in their way. But they will remember none of it. No matter who they hurt, or what they destroy, they will never remember the things they did while akumatized. It does nothing to blame them except create an opportunity for another akuma. They are not at fault no matter what happens. The enemy is Hawkmoth and Mayura. They are the villains of this city. The only villains. Please keep that in mind, and do your best to be kind and respectful to others. You do not want to be the cause of an akuma.”

“Anything else you need to know is in your guides and on the sights mentioned,” Sabrina said closing her book with a snap.

Let me know if you want to be tagged, or check out this fic on Ao3!!

“Welcome to Paris!” Chloe said with a scoff, and with that, the girls left.

Next

[probablyasocialecologist]

These various mechanisms are not just 'ideological'. A journalist need not accept the dominant news values of editors, and may even find ways of subverting them. But a bureaucracy like the BBC functions in such a way that makes the opportunities for this somewhat limited. Furthermore, the pressures for conformity are not merely internal to the BBC. Class and educational background influence who is recruited in the first place, and those lucky enough to win out in the competition for a highly prestigious post will not only have to develop a strategic understanding of 'office politics’ and what is expected of them by colleagues and superiors: they will also enter a broader set of relations with individuals and institutions outside of the BBC. A political correspondent, for example, is not only required to develop a certain understanding of what BBC editors expect in terms of what they report and how. They are also required to familiarise themselves with the broader world of formal politics and authoritative political commentary. This is all part of the BBC's Establishment culture. Indeed, its 'corporate ideology' is essentially an institutionalisation of political compromises negotiated and renegotiated between senior BBC management and the broader Establishment of which they are a part. As Tom Burns perceptively remarked in his study, 'the relationship between the producer and his superiors reflects the relationship between the BBC and the powers that be outside'.

Tom Mills, The BBC: Myth of a Public Service

[good-old-gossip]

Palestinian writer Basim Khandaqji, jailed 20 years ago in Israel, won a prestigious prize for Arabic fiction on Sunday for his novel A Mask, the Colour of the Sky.

The award of the 2024 International Prize for Arabic Fiction was announced at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi.

The prize was accepted on Khandaqji’s behalf by Rana Idriss, owner of Dar al-Adab, the book’s Lebanon-based publisher.

Khandaqji was born in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Nablus in 1983, and wrote short stories until his arrest in 2004 at the age of 21.

He was convicted and jailed on charges relating to a deadly bombing in Tel Aviv, and completed his university education from inside prison via the internet.

The mask in the novel’s title refers to the blue identity card that Nur, an archaeologist living in a refugee camp in Ramallah, finds in the pocket of an old coat belonging to an Israeli.

Khandaqji’s book was chosen from 133 works submitted to the competition. Nabil Suleiman, who chaired the jury, said the novel “dissects a complex, bitter reality of family fragmentation, displacement, genocide, and racism”.

[taraross-1787]

This Day in History: America's Cup

At about this time in 1851, the New York Yacht Club’s schooner, America, races and defeats fifteen yachts of the Royal Yacht Squadron. Did the Americans forget that they were supposed to lose?!? The New York club was then still relatively new, whereas the British one was older and more prestigious.

Yet again, Americans began as the underdog—and emerged victorious!

That 1851 race laid the foundation for the international racing competition today known as the America’s Cup. In modern times, hundreds of millions of dollars are spent by those striving to win, but that first race in 1851 set the stage for everything that was to follow.

The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-americas-cup

[infjinthecity]

Teaching At A Chinese Public School

So I work at a relatively prestigious Chinese public school. Without completely doxing myself, some of the most powerful and wealthiest people in the country sent their kids to my school, so I understand that when I talk about my experiences teaching in China, I’m definitely coming from a place of privilege. Not all the schools are like this, and not all the schools have this caliber of kids, but there are some things about my experience here that is universal across the board.

For example, in high school (years 10 – 12) the kids live at the school. Even at less prestigious public schools, this remains true. Parents can opt out and keep their kids at home if they want to, but most don’t. It seems to serve a dual purpose: the kids are scheduled into classes from 7.30am until 9.00pm at night, therefore maxing out on their learning time, and the parents are free to work as much as possible, ensuring the productivity of the country. I’m not quite sure how I feel about it yet. The kids seem to like and accept it enough and don’t complain about it at all, but maybe that’s just because it’s the expected norm in the country. I will say this: of my students who don’t live in the dorms, and I do have a couple, those particular students tend to have more personality than their counterparts.

Another universal is that school in China is utterly cut-throat and competitive. When it comes to actually enrolling in a high school, all students are required to sit an entrance exam. Your score on that exam determines the kind of high school that you can go to, or whether you can go at all. Obviously, the score to get into my public school is exceptionally high, so I have some of the smartest kids in China walking around my campus. But for kids that don’t do so well on the high school entrance exam, their future is pretty much determined for them at a young age. Kids who don’t do well on those exams end up going to schools that take them out of the running to sit the Gaokao (which is the college entrance exam) and there isn’t a chance for them in the future to go to university. One of my students told me a story this week that his 15-year-old cousin didn’t pass the high school entrance exam at all. When I asked what he’s doing now, my student said that he ran away from home, stole his parent’s car, and is off not attending any school because he couldn’t get into one. He’s basically running around the country getting himself into mess. So yeah folks, that kind of stuff does happen in China too.

I work at the international center at my school. There are a few thousand kids that attend my school, and about 400 of them go to our center. We’re kind of like a school within the school. Our classes are all in English, and our students are all attending university abroad, unlike the other kids they share the dorms with, who are all sitting the Gaokao and will be competing for the elite positions at universities in China. This is another huge decision that kids and families make from an early age. If a student opts into the international center, they immediately take themselves out of the running to sit the Gaokao. That means, despite the fact that they’re Chinese nationals, they cannot go to university in China. And once that decision is made, as soon as high school starts for them, they cannot undo that decision. However, if a student starts on the path of the Gaokao exam, but changes their mind half way through high school, they can then opt into the international center and switch curriculums. They just can’t do it the other way around. So, my kids are all going to university overseas, and some of them will go to the most prestigious universities overseas as well. I currently have a student sitting in my year 10 class that is Oxford bound. Oxford takes only one Chinese international student a year, apparently. Just one from the whole country, and she’s suposedly in the running so we’re all rallying around her to make sure she has the most competitive edge possible.

Obviously, the families that I’m working with have money. You have to, in order to be able to go through the international system. Sending your kid abroad to study is extremely expensive so that means that the kids I’m working with are definitely among the very privileged in the country. It doesn’t matter how smart you are, if your parents don’t have loads of cash, then your only option is to go through the Chinese system, take the Gaokao and stay in China. Which is also a good option. China’s university system has come leaps and bounds and now, apparently, seven of the top ten science programs in the world are here in China. The only problem is, the Gaokao exam is so incredibly difficult and competitive that it’s making the kids mentally ill. China’s youth suicide rate is pretty shocking at the moment and it’s because of this exam the pressure put on the kids.

Not so fun fact: the windows at our school don’t open more than a handspan wide. When I asked why, I was told it’s a preventative measure to stop the kids from jumping. Which – my god. It’s a lot to take in.

As I sent all my kids home from the dorms yesterday and waved them into Golden week (a national holiday to celebrate the unification of the People’s Republic of China) they all told me their parents have scheduled them into private tutoring sessions all week, so they wont be resting and they won’t be playing video games or having fun. They’ll be doing school away from school. I hope they at least get to eat some great food, sleep in their own rooms and in their own beds, and get doted on by their parents. They work so hard and they deserve it.

Till next time, peace.