#regular get dusted party after party activity

[dayabot]

daya betty’s dick is so big, when i was doing a line of coke off of it i had time to stop and reflect and i realized, i’d become lux kween

common dayalux W

[rquerdo]

OOAK Kingdom Hearts Chest

Hey party people!

So a while back, I had two boxes that were from a DIY Thanksgiving kit and thought, "wouldn't it be cool to make a Kingdom Hearts Chest?" As a kid, I've always wanted one-and now that I'm old enough to buy the materials, now's the perfect opportunity. Funny yet, later on the process, I've decided that it wasn't going to be for me but for my nephew in his upcoming baby shower. I bought a lot of gifts for him so I thought this would be a cool add-on.

Here I will send you screenshots as well as my thought process/encounters; First off, materials.

I have used the following (Quantity depends on the sizing of the box):

Cardboard (I recommend stiff boards), Acrylic Paint (Warm Yellow, Blue, and Black), Door Hinges, Paint Varnish, Modeling Foam*, Foam Rolls*, fabric, Spackling, scissors, x-acto knife, plaster rolls. Sanding paper or blocks.

*I recommend using Worbla instead of both the modeling foam and foam rolls, I explain why further down.

DISCLAIMER: I'm no professional. I will be pointing out the flaws that I've encountered throughout the process-it is up to you if you want to follow along or find a better alternative.

First off, here's what we are working with. Ideally the shape is more rounded I bought about 3 to 4 stiff boards to act as my foundation. After I've placed the stiff boards down in place, I then placed some plaster rolls to hide the seams from each stiff board planks.

At this point, I figured the bottom looked weird. So I did the same process for what I've done on the top.

I'm glad that I ended up doing this because I knew the cardboard base was not going to hold for a while. I've made some supports (don't know what these would actually be called) so that I don't have to stack the stiff boards two or three times. If this was regular cardboard, I wouldn't do it since cardboard's weak when it comes to carrying weight, but luckily this held up throughout the process of making it.

Time for the speckling.

Overall, this process was overwhelming. At this point, I thought I messed up since the speckling didn't want to adhere to the chest at first. However, with lots of patience and elbow grease, I've managed to get it done! I had to do this in multiple layers since soft speckling tends to go everywhere. When it's harden, it's easier to work with.

Oh, and yes this step was very messy. Especially when it came to sanding.

Overall, the chest ended two of my sanding block's lives and created a huge mess. Please sand with caution; don't inhale the dust! I know that there are methods to reducing the dust flying everywhere (like using water), but I was afraid to do since I've never used speckling for a project before; not sure if it would affect the cure process of some sort.

Once sanded, I then made a sketch of where everything will be going and how I want the pattern to be. I knew I wanted to make my own version of the chest instead of trying to make it a carbon copy of it, so I've implemented some key parts (like the keyhole and crown), but everything else was loosely altered.

Just cutting the keyhole alone took me about 2 hours. I wanted to make sure that it was symmetrical and stayed in place nicely. I used Foam Rolls to create the trimming however I highly recommend using worbla instead. My local art store did not have any more worbla so I figured that this was another alternative. I found it difficult to work with and when gluing it in place, it would want to come out. Worbla tends to get sticky when heat is applied so glue might not even be necessary if you plan on applying a lacquer on the entire chest.

To hide the foam seams, I decided to use modeling foam. This...was another medium that I found interesting. Applying it is not as difficult but when it's exposed to air for about 10 minutes, the foam gets extremely sticky. Imagine slime without the activator, or imagine playing with a melted marshmallow. Again, it would just be easier to use worbla.

I knew I wanted the chest to open...like a chest so I got some door hinges. So the screws provided were too small for the chest so I ended up buying longer screws. Overall, I wish I had a drill to better secure the screws and bolts together, but not the worst thing ever. Still stays in place.

The paint job was fun, but difficult..my goodness...

I knew the modeling foam would stick out like a sore thumb and unlike other clay or pastes, you can't sand it. So I got my hot glue and created some texture which I think did a well-good job on hiding the foam. While contemplating about the overall design, I thought it would be cool to give the yellow a metallic, gold sheen to it. I thought it was a good move. I love how the hot glue sticks out with the gold compared to just using the yellow paints.

Oh the inside... It's a hot mess.

Instead of trying to paint, sand and use even more modeling foam. I've decided to hide this ugly mess with some fabrics that I have around from previous projects.

I've glued some gold fabric onto some felt (not necessary to be honest). and applied it on the base and the roof of the chest. I didn't have any blue fabric but I did have some shiny purple fabric. I think it works well with the gold.

(I know the base looks like silver but I guarantee you that it's gold)

After applying two layers of lacquer to prevent the paint from chipping, I'm finally done!

So happy with how this turned out! To be quite honest, this project took forever to finish. I think I spent about 15 hours on it? I know for some people, that sounds ridiculous but let me remind you that this is the first time for me and this entire project had a lot of trial and error.

I know there's a lot of flaws with it but one thing about me, I like to cherish my artwork-even if it's a hot mess.

Self Critiques:

Not use foam rolls/ modeling foam but rather worbla.

Pay more attention to how the chest looks opened and closed

Be more patient when applying the fabrics inside the chest. It looks messy in my opinion and I know I could've been more patient when cutting and folding the seam allowance.

Invest in a drill. the latch is not exactly the most secured when opening.

[pureblisscleanings-blog]

How Housekeeping Services in Dade City Can Help During the Holidays

The holiday season is often a time of joy, celebration, and family gatherings. However, it can also be a stressful time, especially when it comes to maintaining a clean and organized home while preparing for events, hosting guests, and managing daily responsibilities. Fortunately, professional housekeeping services in Dade City can alleviate the burden, allowing you to enjoy the festivities without the hassle of constant cleaning.

Here’s how housekeeping services in Dade City can be your secret weapon during the holidays:

1. Pre-Holiday Deep Cleaning

Before the holiday season kicks off, many people feel the urge to declutter and deep clean their homes. Whether it’s scrubbing baseboards, dusting hidden corners, or giving your floors a thorough cleaning, a housekeeping service can take care of all these tasks. This deep clean sets the stage for a holiday season that feels fresh, inviting, and stress-free.

2. Ongoing Cleaning During the Holidays

Holiday parties, family gatherings, and the usual holiday rush can create a mess in no time. From spills at dinner parties to tracking in dirt from the outdoors, it’s easy for your home to get dirty quickly. A housekeeping service can help by performing regular cleaning during the season to maintain tidiness and keep your home looking its best. They can handle everything from sweeping and mopping to sanitizing bathrooms, ensuring that your home remains spotless even with all the added activity.

3. Guest Preparation

When you’re expecting guests, the pressure to have everything perfect is immense. A housekeeping service can help prepare your home for visitors by cleaning guest bedrooms, changing bed linens, and ensuring that bathrooms are stocked and fresh. This service can also extend to cleaning common areas, such as the living room and dining room, where guests will spend the most time. With professionals on hand to handle these tasks, you can focus on other aspects of hosting, like cooking and enjoying the company of loved ones.

4. Post-Holiday Cleanup

After the holiday festivities have ended, cleaning up can feel like a monumental task. Whether it’s cleaning up leftover food, wiping down surfaces, or tackling the aftermath of a Christmas tree, the post-holiday clean-up can be overwhelming. Housekeeping services can assist with this by handling the cleanup so you don’t have to. They can remove decorations, pack away holiday items, and thoroughly clean your home to restore order, leaving you with a fresh start for the new year.

5. Time for What Matters Most

The holidays are about spending time with family and friends, creating memories, and enjoying traditions. Housekeeping services in Dade City allow you to free up time so you can focus on what truly matters. Instead of worrying about cleaning tasks, you can devote your energy to holiday activities, whether it’s baking with the kids, enjoying a festive movie night, or relaxing after a long day of shopping.

6. Customized Services

Housekeeping services can be tailored to fit your specific needs, making them even more beneficial during the holidays. You can opt for one-time deep cleans, weekly touch-ups, or even specialized services like carpet cleaning or window washing. By customizing your cleaning schedule, you can ensure your home stays in top shape throughout the busy holiday season.

7. Reducing Holiday Stress

The holiday season can be a source of stress for many, from shopping and cooking to managing family dynamics. By delegating the cleaning to professionals, you relieve one significant source of stress from your plate. Knowing that your home will be consistently clean and ready for any occasion provides peace of mind and allows you to enjoy the season without feeling overwhelmed.

Conclusion

Housekeeping services in Dade City offer a valuable solution to keep your home clean, organized, and welcoming during the holiday season. Whether you're preparing for guests, deep cleaning before the festivities, or recovering after the holidays, professional housekeeping can handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on creating memories. This holiday season, give yourself the gift of a spotless home and more time to enjoy the things that matter most.

Housekeeping Dade City

abliss@pureblisscleaning.com

Call: - +1 813 838 2810

[ritacleaningservice]

10 Surprising Benefits of Hiring a House Cleaner: Save Time, Stay Stress-Free, and Keep Your Home Sparkling Clean

In today's fast-paced world, keeping a clean and organized home can often feel like an overwhelming task, juggling work, family, and personal time. The thought of scrubbing floors or dusting shelves may feel like the last thing on your to-do list. That's where a professional house cleaner comes in. Hiring a cleaner can transform your home and your life in ways you might not expect. In this blog post, we will explore the many benefits of hiring a house cleaner. Answer frequently asked questions,

Why Should You Consider Hiring a House Cleaner?

1. Save Time and Energy

One of the most compelling reasons to hire a house cleaner is the significant amount of time and energy you save. According to a recent study, the average person spends about 6 hours a week cleaning their home. For many, this time could be better spent on more enjoyable or productive activities. By hiring a professional, you can reclaim those hours and use them to do what you love. Whether that's spending time with family, pursuing hobbies, or simply relaxing.

2. Enjoy a Healthier Living Environment

A clean home isn't just about appearances; it's about health. Dust, allergens, and bacteria can accumulate quickly, especially in homes with pets or young children. Professionals have the tools and knowledge to eliminate these harmful elements effectively. Ensuring a healthier environment for you and your family. Regular cleaning by a professional can reduce the risk of allergies, asthma, and other health issues. Making your home a safer place to live.

3. Experience Stress Relief and Peace of Mind

Let's face it—coming home to a messy house can be incredibly stressful. It’s a constant reminder of the chores that await you. Hiring a house cleaner can alleviate this stress. Imagine walking into a spotless home after a long day at work. The floors are vacuumed, the countertops are gleaming, and the bathrooms are spotless. A clean home can help reduce stress and improve your overall well-being Providing a sense of calm and order in your life.

4. Access Professional Expertise and Quality Cleaning Supplies

Professionals are trained to clean efficiently and effectively. They know the best techniques and products to use on different surfaces to avoid damage and achieve the best results. Moreover, they come equipped with high-quality cleaning supplies. That is often more effective than the typical household products you might use. This means your home gets a deeper, more thorough cleaning. Than you could likely achieve on your own.

5. Get Customizable Cleaning Plans

One of the great things about hiring a house cleaner is the flexibility they offer. Professional cleaning services typically provide customizable cleaning plans. Tailored to your specific needs and preferences. Whether you need a deep clean once a month, a weekly tidy-up, or something in between. You can find a service that meets your requirements. This customization ensures that you get exactly what you need without paying for unnecessary extras.

6. Protect Your Investment

Your home is likely one of the biggest investments you'll ever make. Regular cleaning and maintenance are crucial to preserving its value. Over time, dirt, grime, and mold can cause damage to surfaces and materials. Leading to costly repairs or replacements. A professional house cleaner can help protect your home from such damage by keeping it clean and well-maintained.

7. Impress Your Guests

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or having friends over for a casual get-together. A clean home makes a great impression. Hiring a professional ensures that your home is always guest-ready. You can welcome visitors without the worry of having to clean up beforehand. Allowing you to focus on being the perfect host.

8. Reduce Pet-Related Mess and Odors

Pets are a wonderful addition to any home, but they can also bring extra mess and odors. Professionals can help manage pet-related cleaning challenges. From pet hair and dander to accidents and smells. They use specialized products and techniques. To ensure your home smells fresh and looks spotless, regardless of how many furry friends you have.

9. Save Money on Cleaning Supplies

While it may seem like an additional expense, hiring a house cleaner can actually save you money in the long run. Think about the cost of cleaning supplies and equipment. Many of which you might use only a few times a year. Professional cleaners come fully equipped with everything they need. Which means you don’t have to spend extra money on cleaning products. That could end up collecting dust in your cabinets.

10. Enjoy Consistent Cleaning Results

Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining a clean home. Life can be unpredictable, and finding time to clean regularly can be challenging. A professional house cleaner ensures that your home is consistently clean. Regardless of your schedule or energy levels. This reliability is especially beneficial for busy households or those with demanding careers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring a House Cleaner:

1. How often should I hire a house cleaner?

The frequency of hiring a professional depends on your lifestyle, budget, and cleaning needs. Some people prefer weekly cleanings to keep their homes consistently tidy. While others opt for bi-weekly or monthly services. It’s entirely up to you and what fits best with your schedule.

2. What should I look for in a house cleaner?

When hiring a house cleaner, consider factors such as experience, references, and the services they offer. It’s also important to ensure they are insured and bonded. Which provides protection in case of accidents or damage during cleaning. Reading reviews and asking for recommendations from friends and family.

3. Are house cleaners worth the cost?

For many, the benefits of hiring a professional far outweigh the costs. The time saved, reduced stress, and improved home environment. Make it a worthwhile investment for those who can afford it. Additionally, the professional-level cleaning can help prolong the life of your home’s surfaces and materials. Potentially saving you money in the long run.

4. Do I need to provide cleaning supplies for the cleaner?

Most professionals bring their own supplies, but it’s always good to check beforehand. If you have specific products you prefer or require. You can discuss this with your cleaner. Some people choose to provide their own supplies due to allergies or personal preferences.

5. How do I prepare my home for a house cleaner?

To get the most out of your cleaning service, it’s helpful to declutter areas you want cleaned. This makes it easier for the cleaner to access surfaces. Ensures a more thorough cleaning. It’s also a good idea to communicate any specific areas of concern. Any particular instructions before the cleaning begins.

Hiring a house cleaner can be a game-changer for your home and your lifestyle. From saving time and reducing stress to enjoying a cleaner, healthier environment, the benefits are numerous. By choosing a professional cleaner, you can ensure that your home is always in tip-top shape. Leaving you more time to focus on what truly matters. If you’ve been on the fence about hiring a house cleaner. Consider taking the plunge. You might just find it’s the best decision you’ve ever made!

[goforcleaningservices]

Boosting Property Value with Professional Cleaning in London

Most people lead very busy lives. They don’t always have time to do all the necessary jobs around the home. The same can apply to a business, where the day-to-day activity comes before any cleaning that needs to be done on time.

The professional cleaners know how important time can be to you (home & business owners). That is why Go For Cleaning gathered together some of the best cleaning professionals in London to help you. It means that if you need professional cleaner’s assistance, Go For Cleaning provides the reliable cleaning service you need. Whether you need carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning or after-building cleaning, they can do it all.

Professional cleaners offer a range of services that assist both home and business owners in London, ensuring cleanliness, hygiene, and a presentable environment. Below are the primary methods by which they provide their support.

For Homeowners

Regular Cleaning: Routine cleaning services of professional cleaners London include dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and bathroom cleaning. Kitchen cleaning, including appliances and countertops.

Deep Cleaning: The professional cleaners in London thoroughly clean all the areas. It includes hard-to-reach spots, behind appliances, and inside cabinets. In addition, they provide services for cleaning carpets and upholstery.

End of Tenancy Cleaning: Specialized cleaners in London assist tenants & landlords in their moving-in & moving-out cleaning service. They ensure the property is in pristine condition that meets the standard of rental agreements. 

Spring Cleaning: Specialized cleaners in London offer spring cleaning which seems to be a great way to reset the home. They remove the yearly chore, winter's accumulated dust and dander before allergy season reaches full swing. Intensive spring cleaning reduces allergens and gets your home refreshed.

Specialized Cleaning:  What will you do when it comes to window cleaning, oven cleaning, mattress cleaning and curtain cleaning? How to handle specific materials or areas, such as leather furniture or hardwood floors. Professional cleaning services in London can handle this task on your behalf.

For Business Owners

Commercial cleaning encompasses the suite of services offered by specialized cleaning firms to business establishments and commercial organizations. These services will foster a healthful and agreeable atmosphere for staff, clientele, and guests.

Office Cleaning: Regular office cleaning, includes desks, common areas, restrooms, and kitchens. The professional cleaners in London aim to uphold the standards of cleanliness and sanitation across diverse commercial settings.

Commercial Property Cleaning: How will you clean your retail spaces, warehouses, and other commercial properties every day? What will you do when it comes to floor cleaning and maintenance? Take the help of professional cleaners in London right away. It will be economical and time-saving.

Post-Construction Cleaning: Specialized cleaners in London offer after-renovations or after-building cleaning to clients. They ensure the property is ready for use.

Event Cleaning: What will you do with the mess created after a long night of fun or a fun-filled birthday or any event?  Professional cleaners in London offer pre and post-event cleaning for corporate events, meetings, and parties.

Specialized Cleaning Services: Cleaning sensitive environments such as healthcare facilities or laboratories requires extensive experience and expertise. Professional cleaners in London provide deep cleaning services for all commercial facilities, including healthcare settings. Equipped with the necessary tools and skills, they ensure a thorough and meticulous cleaning from the ground up.

Additional Advantages of hiring Professional cleaners in London:

Efficiency in Time Management: Professional cleaning services provide significant time savings for both homeowners and business proprietors, freeing them to concentrate on their essential daily tasks or business endeavours.

Specialized Expertise and Tools: These experts possess the necessary skills and state-of-the-art equipment to execute various cleaning operations with efficiency.

Health and Well-being: A well-maintained environment mitigates health hazards and promotes the overall health of those within the space.

Tailored Cleaning Solutions: The cleaning offerings are adaptable, and designed to align with individual preferences and timetables, ensuring client convenience.

Enhanced Appearance and Work Efficiency: Maintaining a pristine environment not only improves the visual appeal of a location but also contributes to heightened productivity within a workplace.

Professional cleaning services offered by Go For Cleaning in London play a crucial role in maintaining clean, healthy, and aesthetically pleasing environments. Both home and business owners should call them to take the benefits of their experience and expertise.

[nbcdubai]

Top House Cleaning Services in Dubai: Your Ultimate Guide to Home and Deep Cleaning

Dubai, a bustling metropolis known for its luxury and high standards, demands pristine homes and living spaces. Whether you're a resident or a property owner, maintaining a clean environment is essential for health and aesthetics. This is where professional house cleaning services come into play. In this guide, we'll explore the best home cleaning services in Dubai to help you keep your living space spotless.

Why Choose Professional Cleaning Services in Dubai?

Expertise and Experience: Professional cleaners have the skills and experience to handle various cleaning challenges, ensuring every nook and cranny is spotless.

Time-Saving: Hiring a cleaning service saves you valuable time that you can spend on other important tasks or leisure activities.

Advanced Equipment and Eco-Friendly Products: Top cleaning companies use the latest equipment and eco-friendly products, ensuring efficient and safe cleaning.

Customized Cleaning Plans: Whether you need regular home cleaning or a one-time deep cleaning, services can be tailored to meet your specific needs.

Types of Cleaning Services Available

House Cleaning Services:

Regular cleaning: Dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and sanitizing bathrooms and kitchens.

Move-in/move-out cleaning: Ensuring your new home is ready for you or preparing your old home for the next occupants.

Deep Cleaning Services:

Intensive cleaning: Focus on areas that are often overlooked, like under furniture, behind appliances, and in air ducts.

Specialized cleaning: Services for specific needs, such as post-renovation cleaning or cleaning after a party.

Best House Cleaning Services in Dubai

NumberOne Cleaning Services:

Overview: Known for their exceptional service and attention to detail, NumberOne Cleaning Services offers a wide range of home and deep cleaning solutions.

Services: Regular home cleaning, deep cleaning, window cleaning, and upholstery cleaning.

Why Choose Them: They use eco-friendly products and have a team of trained professionals dedicated to providing top-notch service.

MaidFinder:

Overview: A popular choice for busy families and professionals, MaidFinder provides reliable and efficient cleaning services.

Services: Regular and deep cleaning, as well as maid services on a weekly or monthly basis.

Why Choose Them: Flexible scheduling and personalized cleaning plans to suit your lifestyle.

Spotless Cleaning Solutions:

Overview: Spotless Cleaning Solutions is known for their thorough and meticulous approach to home cleaning.

Services: Full home cleaning, deep cleaning, carpet cleaning, and specialized cleaning services.

Why Choose Them: They offer competitive pricing and use the latest cleaning technology for optimal results.

How to Choose the Right Cleaning Service

Check Reviews and Testimonials: Look for feedback from previous customers to gauge the quality of service.

Compare Prices: Get quotes from multiple companies to find a service that fits your budget.

Ask About Products and Equipment: Ensure they use safe and effective cleaning products and tools.

Verify Credentials: Choose a licensed and insured company for peace of mind.

Conclusion

Maintaining home cleaning services in Dubai is made easy with the plethora of professional cleaning services available. Whether you need regular house cleaning or a deep cleaning session, companies like Number One Building Cleaning Services LLC, MaidFinder, and Spotless Cleaning Solutions are there to meet your needs. Invest in professional cleaning services to ensure your home remains a sanctuary of cleanliness and comfort.

[rewirelessify]

Rugged Speakers Designed for Backpack Mounting

Music lovers know the importance of having a good set of speakers to listen to their favourite tunes. But what if you need a speaker that can be taken with you on your adventures? Are there any rugged speakers that can be mounted or attached to a backpack? The answer is yes. Yes, there are several rugged speakers that can be mounted or attached to a backpack. These speakers are designed to withstand tough outdoor conditions and provide great sound quality on the go. This article will explore the options available for those looking for Rugged Speakers Designed for Backpack Mounting.

What are Rugged Speakers?

Rugged speakers are made to be strong and last for a long time. They can handle things like water, dust, and shock. Most of the time, they are made of high-quality materials that won't break when dropped, bumped, or scratched.             

Rugged speakers are great for camping, hiking, and trips to the beach, where they might be exposed to different elements that could damage regular speakers. They are also popular with people who work in rough places, like construction workers and people who work at outdoor events.   Read More:  Rugged Speakers for Outdoor Activities    

Characteristics of Rugged Speakers for Backpacks

As a big fan of hiking and backpacking, I've had to learn the hard way that not all speakers are the same. When going on adventures outside, a rugged speaker is a must-have item. Here are some of the things I look for in a rugged speaker for my backpack. Waterproof or Water-Resistant Features First, it needs to be waterproof or resistant to water. Even if it doesn't rain, the speaker will get wet from sweat or splashes. A good rugged speaker should be able to withstand getting wet without breaking. Durability It's also important that it lasts. The speaker should be able to handle being dropped, bumped, and scratched by things like rocks and trees. Portability Another important aspect is portability. The speaker should be small and light so that it fits easily in a backpack and doesn't take up too much room. Mounting Options Lastly, options for mounting are a must for backpacking. The best kind of speaker is one that can be attached to a backpack. This keeps the speaker out of the way while still giving you good sound. Overall, when it comes to rugged speakers for backpacks, it's important to look for options for mounting and durability, portability, and water resistance. With these features, the speaker will be able to withstand the elements and give you high-quality sound when you're outside.

Benefits of Using a Rugged Speaker that Can Be Attached to a Backpack

I love hiking and camping, so I can't fathom going without my rugged backpack speaker. It has improved my outdoor time. 

      First, a robust speaker's longevity is a game-changer. Hiking and camping require it to withstand harsh weather, bumps and falls. I'm glad it's unbreakable. Rugged speakers are portable. I can attach it to my backpack to hike, climb, and put up my tent hands-free. When you're hauling a lot and walking in rough terrain, this helps. Rugged speakers sound great. Most of them sound nice, which helps set the mood when camping or having a party outside. I can enjoy nature and my favourite music with a rugged speaker. Finally, outdoor adventurers need a backpack-compatible speaker. It is durable, lightweight, and sounds great, making it a great outdoor friend.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Rugged Speaker for Backpacking

When I first started backpacking, I wanted to bring music with me to make the experience more fun. But I learned quickly that regular speakers weren't made for the rough conditions outside. After some trial and error, I've learned what are the most important things to look for in a rugged speaker for backpacking. Budget The budget is the most important thing. Rugged speakers can be expensive or cheap, so it's important to set a price range before you start shopping. Battery Life The battery life is also very important. I like a speaker with a long battery life or one that can be charged with a portable power bank for trips where I'll be backpacking. Sound Quality The sound quality is another important thing to think about. Speakers that are bigger and put out more power usually have better sound quality. Compatibility with Devices Device compatibility is very important. Before buying, I make sure the speaker works with my phone or music player.   Read More: Using Rugged Speakers with Multiple Devices Additional Features Lastly, extra features like being waterproof or water-resistant, having lights built in, or having options for mounting can make a big difference when backpacking. Finding the best-rugged speaker for backpacking depends on what someone wants and what one needs. By thinking about these things, you'll be able to find the right backpacking speaker so you can listen to your favourite music in the great outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions About: Are There Any Rugged Speakers That Can Be Mounted or Attached to a Backpack?

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about rugged speakers that can be mounted or attached to a backpack: What Does It Mean for a Speaker to Be Mounted or Attached to a Backpack? Mounting or attaching a speaker to a backpack means that the speaker has built-in features or accessories that allow it to be secured to a backpack, such as straps, hooks, or carabiner clips. What Should I Look For in Rugged Speakers Designed for Backpack Mounting? When choosing a rugged speaker that can be mounted or attached to a backpack, consider factors such as battery life, sound quality, durability, portability, and additional features like waterproofing, Bluetooth connectivity, or mounting options. Can I Charge My Phone with a Rugged Speaker? Some rugged speakers have a USB port that can be used to charge other devices, such as a phone. Can I Use a Rugged Speaker in the Rain? Yes, most rugged speakers are designed to be waterproof or water-resistant and can be used in the rain. Can a Rugged Speaker Withstand Extreme Temperatures?             

Yes, most rugged speakers are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, such as hot summers and cold winters. How Loud Are Rugged Speakers? The volume of rugged speakers can vary, but most produce high-quality sound that is loud enough to be heard outdoors. What Is the Range of a Rugged Speaker? The range of a rugged speaker can vary depending on the speaker, but most have a range of around 30 feet. Can I Use a Rugged Speaker with My Phone or Tablet? Yes, most rugged speakers are designed to be compatible with smartphones and tablets. Can I Use a Rugged Speaker for Indoor Use as Well? Yes, rugged speakers can be used for indoor use as well as outdoor use. Can I Connect Multiple Devices to a Rugged Speaker? Yes, most rugged speakers can connect to multiple devices at once, allowing you to switch between them easily.

Conclusion

After much study and personal experience, I've concluded that a rugged speaker that can be mounted or attached to a backpack is a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts. I enjoyed my favourite songs and the scenery on my last backpacking trek without worrying about my speaker breaking. I loved how rugged the speakers were because they could withstand rough terrain, drops, and splashes of water. My backpack speakers freed up my limbs and allowed me to move freely. Battery life is crucial when selecting a rugged camping speaker. Choose a speaker with a long-lasting charge to avoid running out of power on your trip. Mounting choices should match your backpack's size and style. In conclusion, outdoor enthusiasts who want to listen to their music on the go should buy a robust backpack-mounted speaker. You can find a speaker that meets your wants and budget because there are many types.   I hope you all have liked our Article on Rugged Speakers Designed for Backpack Mounting. To get more articles visit us: Rewirelessify. Read the full article

[nathcnielarchibald]

higher ground | self-para

When: March 10th, 2023

Location: Nate’s apartment & the old Archibald townhouse

Summary: After a sleepless night, Nate decides to go for a run and ends up in front of the place he used to live in with his parents.

Trigger Warnings: mention of drugs, childhood trauma (implied), therapy

4:08 am. Nate groaned into his pillow as if he could will the numbers on the digital clock to change with the sound and make it an actual reasonable hour to be wide awake. He hadn’t caught much sleep this night - or any night for a couple of weeks now, though he usually slept better when Serena was around. And whenever either of them couldn’t sleep they found much more fun ways to tire each other out enough to eventually fall asleep. Truth be told, nights spent alone had rather become a rarity than the regular but tonight was one of those rare nights he spent alone in his apartment and it wasn’t a great one on top of that. He had too much on his mind. Eventually giving up on his fruitless tries to fall asleep again, Nate made his way downstairs to grab a cup of coffee, rubbing his tired eyes while he waited for the cup to be filled almost to the rim with the life-saving beverage. Honestly, he had no idea how he’d get through the day without it. It was still dark outside but the city lights and the moon were bright enough to shine enough light into his apartment through the floor-to-ceiling windows that he could walk around the apartment without turning any lights on, deciding to stand by the windows to watch the city while he was sipping on his coffee. The streets were still bustling with life. It was certainly true whenever people called New York City the city that never sleeps but true New Yorkers also knew that in about an hour, the streets would be a bit more empty for an hour or two - it was just a little transition period from those who came home from gatherings or parties or whatever other activity in the early morning hours to those who were getting up to get to work - and then the streets would be bustling with life again. Despite everything that he’d been put through living in this city all his life, he still had so much love for it and he was sure that would never fade away. Truthfully, as its mayor he’d become aware of quite a few more problems than he had known of before but that never diminished his urge to change it for the better.

When his coffee mug was empty and placed in the dishwasher, Nate decided to tidy up the apartment. Sure he had the money to hire staff to do so, and he does have a cleaning lady that comes by his place two times a week to dust his furniture and well, keep the apartment clean and pick up his dry cleaning as well as drop off the clothes that needed cleaning but he wasn’t like Blair or Serena or especially not like anyone in his family who hired maids that were around 24/7. He liked to get his hands dirty from time to time as well and it wasn’t like he was too messy for that to not work out just fine anyway. Once there was nothing left that needed to be put in the right place or in a hamper, Nate went upstairs to get dressed in gym shorts, a t-shirt and a hoodie planning on using the time he still had left to get to work at 8 for a morning run. Putting his fitness tracking watch on his wrist and his running shoes on, he then grabbed his phone, AirPods and keys on his way out making sure to lock the door properly. The elevator doors opened with a muffled bing, he’d already put his AirPods in but there was no music playing yet as he was still scrolling through Spotify to find a playlist, looking up briefly and smiling at the doorman as he exited the building, finally pressing play when he found something he wanted to listen to and with that already started one of his routes to Central Park.

Obvious routines were bad, that much his security people had told him. It was safer to pick different routes and to not do the same thing at a specific hour every single day so Nate made sure to follow that safety measure, especially whenever he decided to walk (or run) around the city without a security detail. He fell into a rhythm very quickly, the music in his ears somehow influencing it a little, his breathing perfectly controlled much like a professional athlete would handle it while he let his feet carry him wherever they felt like running today. The sun was slowly rising, truly one of the best backdrops one could get and the bright orange beams touching the slowly blooming trees was very likely one of his favorite sights. As much as he loved the bustling streets, he also appreciated the quieter moments of the city. There were only a few people who were getting their morning exercise in like him, some would probably call them crazy to be up this bright and early and to start their day like this but to him it was the only time of the day he could really shut all his thoughts out and truly grant himself some time all to himself. He zoned out so much that he didn’t really pay attention to where he was going, didn’t recognize the familiarity of the Alice in Wonderland statue when he passed it in Central Park and the fact he took one of the exits to 5th Avenue. A few more blocks down the street, he crossed it to end up in East 74th Street - a street that he was very familiar with when he suddenly came to a halt in front of the gates to the townhouse that at least was supposed to be his home at some point. Although it never really was, not in the actual sense of what a home should feel like at least. And also in the literal sense of him spending most of his time there, he’d spent much more time anywhere but at his parent’s place. Only that it no longer was that - his parent’s place. It hadn’t been for a long time, though his mom had still been the owner as of recently. When she’d put it on the market and Nate eventually found out through a third party, Serena did help him get a hold of the place without him having to contact his mother or even confront her about the reason why she was selling it in the first place... without even informing him or asking if maybe, just maybe, he’d want to keep it in the family. But that was just a typical Anne Archi- no, correction, Anne Van der Bilt move and honestly, to be expected because why would she include him in any decision she made ever? Anyway, it was his now. But he wasn’t quite sure if he truly wanted it to be, his that is, and what to do with it and if he would ever feel ready to actually walk inside and see if it still looked the same. His gaze dropped to the keys in his hands, which he’d pulled out of his pocket a minute ago. Maybe there was a reason his feet carried him to this place, maybe it was a sign that he felt emotionally ready to enter this ghost of the past even though he still was uncertain. Nate let out a deep breath, pausing the music and tucking the AirPods back into the case before he stepped up to the front gate and unlocked it with the fitting key he’d added to his keychain - just in case he’d ever spontaneously decide to come to this place. Perhaps there was a slight chance he knew himself better than he was ready to admit. The front door didn’t unlock as smoothly as the gate did but he eventually managed to open it, instantly being hit with a familiar and yet at the same time unfamiliar smell as he carefully entered the home. Almost as if he expected to disturb someone. The only someone he could disturb was himself though and maybe he was being this careful because he wanted to be aware of how being in this house made him feel. After all, there was a chance it could help him decide what he wanted to do with this townhouse.

One step after another... it quickly became clear that the house did look the same. Only that it was empty now, the furniture they’d used to stage the house gone and the house stripped of any personal belongings, which prompted a memory of a time that gave him chills. Certainly not the kind of memory he wanted floating in his mind while walking through his childhood “home” and yet he couldn’t help it because it did feel like the time when the FBI had taken most of their personal belongings and Nate didn’t have any idea where things would go from there on out. The dark wood and the red walls caused him to frown, truthfully he’d always hated that choice of wall color and how dark and unwelcoming it made the house look and he seriously questioned why his mother hadn’t changed that while getting the house ready to sell. His own apartment on the Upper West Side was the opposite now - aside from the already natural light flooded apartment due to the floor-to-ceiling windows, every other wall that he had in his home was painted in a warm and cozy cream color. And if there was any wooden furniture, it was light wood. If he’d keep this place, that would probably be one of the first things he’d change. He kept walking through the house, eventually ending up in his old and separate compartment of the house (which was more of his own apartment with its own entry, really) that did make it easy to have guests over without having to let his parents know (not that they would’ve really cared though). His curiosity won over the dark thoughts currently clouding his mind when he reached for a specific tile on the floor, lifting it off the ground after applying a little pressure to it to discover that his hiding spot for his weed did remain untouched and there was still a small bag with pot in it, which he pulled out with a slight grin on his face. They obviously hadn’t searched the house thoroughly before selling it but he didn’t mind that his mom didn’t discover this. It probably wouldn’t be wise to smoke it still because it was fairly old, at least over a decade or two but it triggered a few of the more fun memories of times when he had friends over and they pretended like their lives were perfectly fine, smoking weed and eating amounts of pizza that would probably make his stomach turn these days. His attention was caught by the numbers on his watch when he put the tile back in its place. If he wanted to make it to work in time and shower first, he had to make his way back to his apartment now or else he’d be running late. Even if he was technically his own boss and running late didn’t necessarily have any consequences, Nate still decided to end this little tour of the past. Honestly, he’d gone farther than he actually expected himself to without getting too overwhelmed by everything that happened in this house and the not so happy times, so he deemed it a good thing. One that he could and definitely would discuss with his therapist at their appointment later today.

[aoonu]

5 Ways to Maintain Your Car While Stuck In Quarantine

The testing times are about the global lockdown, with the least movement because of which our vehicles seem to have been parked eternally in the garage. However advanced a car model is, every car needs to move and simply becomes a huge piece of metal if it is static. To make your vehicles feel alive they have to be well-maintained in glory.

When the world was a better and busier place two months back no one had enough time to spend with the vehicle apart from driving it. When was the last time you wanted to check on your car’s looks and upgrades like new car accessories online it had? When was the last time you created something new on it to make it appear more contemporary? You won’t be able to recall apart from those regular semi-annual sessions your car went for regular service to the third party.

Let’s throw some important tips here that you can implement to keep your cars well-maintained even when stuck in quarantine:

Don’t let your battery run out of the charge

To keep the batteries working you need to make sure that you start the engine of the car on frequent intervals. Though the movement is restricted around the respective cities, it is okay to take your car out for the drive at least till two-three blocks that is the first step that you can take towards car maintenance. 

Keep a check on your tires

It is crucial to keep an eye on your tires, keeping at one place your car tire can get disproportionate and even acquire flat spots because the same is not moving. To keep away flat spots and punctures, you should get the inflation done to avoid tire failure once the lockdown is over.

DIY some cool accessories for that glam look

Your car deserves some cool upgrades like interior lighting accessories to adorn your cars.  You could choose from the range of LED cup holders and an LED interior car lights by AoonuAuto to render your car that beautiful ambiance. The best part is that the accessories are an absolute DIY and you will be excited while installing them.

Wash your car on regular intervals

This activity could be the easiest way to make your car freshen up totally! How do you feel after taking a bath? Exactly! That’s how your car would feel once it takes it a ritual bath once a week. You can make it even interesting by inviting your kids to help you. Of course, it will be a cool activity that your kids could be yearning to do in quarantine. It would be relieving to get rid of that lump of dust on your car wipers and tires.

Find a good parking area

It is suggested to keep your car parked in a well-shaded area if you don’t have a garage to keep it. The long-time parking in the sun-lit area can cause the car all heated-up on the inside too that can even damage the car interior accessories like leather seats and other soft items. The heat will be locked inside, even would create distracting odor which is not welcoming.

Well, now when you have enough time, why not innovate during this quarantine? AoonuAuto’s car accessories are all served on the shelves at their online store, waiting to enter your cars very soon

[dailyadventureprompts]

Plancescape: The Palace Moon

Hovering beyond the reach of mortals and beneath the notice of gods, this eerily tranquil wasteland awaits those who would explore its mysteries and discover the fate of a vanished pantheon.

Gods die, this is known, as their fossilized bodies are sometimes found floating in the astral sea or interred in great monuments hidden throughout the cosmos. Sometimes they are slain by other gods, or die as part of their own mythology, or shift and reoccur as new deities as the people who they are pledged to go through ideological changes.

This does not explain the absence of the gods that built the palace moon, a demiplane hanging just outside the material realm in much the same way that a regular moon might orbit a celestial body. In its time it was a hanging garden, a lush green paradise where one might lounge in mountain sized castles and observe the goings on of the material plane, basking in riches and radiance and all the splendor their divine might could conjure. Today the moon is a dust-riven wasteland, with its halls and city sized gardens smothered under colorless particulate with those remaining edifices exposed to the air slowly being worn away by time. It is a land ripe for exploration, as the relics of divinity lay scattered among the towering pagodas and basilicas covered with petrified ivory, amounting to not only the treasures of unknown gods but to the flotsam of various celestial courts and clergies born to serve the now absent divinities. It is for this reason that both scholars and terrible warlords choose to make the Palace moon their home, sifting through the rubble of the dead world in the hopes of finding some fossilized trace of the ineffable.

Hooks:

The a powerful druid who’s influence once kept the region stable has gone missing investigating strange omens from a set of ancient megaliths contained within the foundations of an overgrown temple. As tensions between the region’s factions escalate, those who would seek peace reach out to the party to find her and bring her back. After delving the dangerous ruins (and having to overcome some of the druid’s on defenses along with the local critters) they discover her journal. In attempting to stabilize the ruin, the druid activated some kind of portal and pulled something through, after which the party can deduce that whatever it is she summoned dragged her back with it before the portal closed. Their only hope of rescuing the peacekeeper is to retrace her steps, activate the portal and plunge through themselves, surviving the lunar wasteland and get her back, all before war breaks out at home. 

In the light of the full moon, the silver inlaid skull of a particular aasimar possesses the power to teleport those holding it to a graveyard on the moon, the spirit of it’s departed owner desperate to return to the land from which it was banished. A fortune hunting thief has purchased this skull from an occultist, and has been using it to loot the graves of the celestial court and turn a tidy profit. The players might find a few of these objects in the local magic shops, with a chance to trace them back to their source.

Seeking visions of the divine, a group of mystics cast their mind out to the aether and were cursed with visions of the lunar tomb palace. Extracting from this foreboding omen that the true gods of their world were dead, and all others were merely invading presences, they set about forming a heretical order and stirring up no end of trouble, even after their deaths. These followers of the Lunatic’s Canto can be responsible for all manner of blasphemous crimes across the realm, eventually drawing the party into one of their moon mad rituals the way that cultist are wont to do.

Further Adventures:

It’s up to you whether the palace moon is one of the ACTUAL moons of your campaign world,  or whether it exists in a parallel space to one of those satellites, the way olympus as unreachable home of the gods existed parallel to the quite scalable mountain in the Grecian countryside. If it’s the latter, then the Palace Moon may only be accessible by specialized rituals and at particular times of the year, then the palace is accessible to anyone with a strong enough teleport spell, making it a great “ staring you in the face since level 1″ twist to where the villian has their lair.

Not to play into the old “ That Wizard came from the Moon” meme, but the moon really is an underexploited place for weird monsters to come from, ranging from old classics like mooncalf , or stranger aberrations that have taken up residence on the moon’s marble halls (thanks @thirdtofifth and @dm-tuz). Let your party enjoy a bit of flash-gordon weirdness, you know you want to! Plus it’s also a good home for angels and other godly beings to hang out that’s not so distant as the afterlife.

The vanished pantheon of the Palace moon is a great way to explain “ Silent gods” in your campaign world, regions that are cut off from the divine while others are in communion with their gods and have a LOT to say about that fact. Likewise, a partymember with Aasimar heritage may be descended from one of the celestial courts that dwelt on the palace moon, escaping to the world below after their masters left.

[xowlan]

Nice to meet you, Birdy| R. SMITH

p a i r i n g: raymond smith x fem!reader

f a n d o m: the gentlemen

s u m m a r y: you meet Raymond in very unexpected circumstances

w a r n i n g s: violence, guns, hints at sexual assault

m a s t e r l i s t

The door opens.

Stepping inside you took of the black leather gloves that shielded your hands from the harsh cold winter. Your eyes looked around and you noticed the barman eyeing you. You probably weren't the first stranger he saw that night as you expected that your friends had already arrived. But by the looks of the warm-colored bar, you wouldn't be surprised that the place had its regulars.

Looking away from the barman, you found your friends at a table in what seemed to be a backroom that had several tables at the side with one round table in the middle. The place was very crowded, but no one sat at that round table.

Walking over to your friends, you greeted each other. Smiling at them, you took off your coat and nestled on one of the wooden chairs.

Saskia, your talkative friend, ordered you a glass of wine before she turned to you. "So how was Texas?" She wiggled her eyebrows. You just came back from Texas where the rest of your family lived.

Being born a Texan, you never really felt at home there. The only thing that kept you there were the horses your parents trained. But when you were twenty, you met a guy from New York who was on vacation in your hometown. You both quickly fell in love and after a couple months, you decided to move in with him in his New York penthouse. His way of living was different from yours. You changed your hard days at the barn for paperwork in a car selling room. Parties, where your brother sang around a bonfire, were replaced by fancy balls where you met people with all kinds of titles.

It was a big change, and while you expected you would have difficulties adapting to that kind of life, you actually rolled into it. You loved it because you had everything you dreamed of when you were a kid. When you and your ex decided to each go their own way, you moved to the UK after deciding to live a life of success. And so far, that was going good.

Your eyes lingered on the freckles of your friend. "Texas was good, although my family looked at me as if an alien lived with them."

"How come?" Felicia asked, pushing a stray of blonde hair back. You sipped from your wine and shrugged. "They are farmers. Although money isn't strange to us, it always goes towards the horses. You should've seen their faces when I arrived with the Lamborgini I rented."

Samantha snorted, her sitting opposite of you. "Who the fuck rents a Lambo to drive through dust and horse shit?"

"I do." You wink at the three girls. They laugh at you. "You're truly one of a kind, y/n," Saskia muttered.

The rest of the night was filled with laughter and wine, and you even swapped sides with Samantha, as you now faced the entire bar. The number of customers had extremely lowered. You had noticed that all over the bar, men were sitting, clothed in what seemed to be very expensive long coats. A bad feeling had kicked in and you looked at the full glasses of you and your friends.

They hadn't noticed anything at all, so while they kept talking, you had your eyes wandering. The barman seemed to be on edge as he made a fast call, his eyes keeping guard on the different men.

There truly was something going on.

You knew about the criminal activity in London. Its rate wasn't very low and you were truly hoping that whatever was going on, it hadn't anything to do with the mob.

"I think we should go." You muttered to your friends, realizing you, your friends, and the odd men were the only ones left at the bar. Saskia nodded. "Fine, but I'm going to pee first." Before you could protest, she stood up and stumbled over to the bathroom.

Turning to your other friends, you thought of a way to get them out while you waited for a drunk Saskia. You knew they all came with a taxi, so digging into your purse you threw them your car keys. "Why don't you guys warm up the engine while I wait for Saskia. The car`s around the corner."

Samantha gave you a strange look but did take the keys before leaving the bar with Felicia. Some of the men watched the two girls leave before they turned their gaze onto you. You swallowed and decided to make yourself look busy by putting on your coat. You hadn't realized that the barman had reached your table. "You should leave, we're about to close."

"I'm just waiting for my friend then we will go." You said. Seeing the look in your eyes, the man knew you had figured out about the group of men. His mouth opened to speak but he was interrupted by the front door opening.

You peeked around him and your breath hitched when you saw three men walking in, each strong and big. But the one in front caught your eyes. The blonde slicked back hair, the blonde beard that just called out for you to run your fingers through it and the blue eyes enhanced by a pair of glasses truly did it for you.

They all stood tall and the blonde walked towards you and the barman while the two stayed at the door. Blue eyes pierced into yours as the stranger neared. "I thought I said to make sure that all the customers were gone, Jordan."

"She is just waiting on her friend."

"There is someone else?" The stranger raised an eyebrow, looking at you. "She is in the bathroom, drunk." You muttered. Looking over the shoulder of the tall man in front of you, you saw one of the others standing up before reaching for a gun. "No one is leaving. She knows what the fuck is going on Ray. We're both from the same world, you know she needs to die." The man chuckles.

But you didn't find his words funny at all. Freezing up, you stared at Ray with scared eyes, silently pleading to keep you alive. "Please", you try, "I don't know what's going on, just let us go." A sob escaped you. Ray lifted a finger and hushed you quietly. He took a step forwards, covering your body fully with his, and leaned in so he was breathing right next to your ear. "Hide." He whispered the one word that made you run.

All hell had burst loose.

Hiding underneath a table, you covered your ears from the gunshots while silently praying that Saskia stayed in that bloody bathroom. Your ears were ringing and your wide eyes stared at the cold floor that was hard against your knees. Silent tears streamed down your face.

Not noticing the sudden silence, you jumped when a hand wrapped around your arm and pulled you from underneath the table.

"Hey, hey, it's me," Ray shouted, holding you firmly in his large hands, the golden ring around his left pinky digging into the skin of your arm. "You're okay."

You slowly calmed down. Your breathing evened out as you focused on the blue eyes of Ray. His deep voice finally got through you. You wanted to look around but the moment you shifted in his hold, he held you still.

"Don't. You don't wanna see this." Ray muttered, features soft as he noticed the fear in your eyes. "Are you gonna kill me?" You had to ask. You just witnessed the murder of five men. You saw something not meant for your eyes.

Ray sighed and looked over his shoulder. "Bunny," the tall dark man looked up from the body he was dragging around. "call the boss, tell him what happened and that I will come in with a witness tonight. Frazier, why don't you check up on the lady in the bathroom?"

The men did as ordered and Ray turned his attention to you. "You're not going to die, but you will have to understand that because of this you are now pulled into a world where you will have to learn to keep your mouth shut to your family, friends, boyfriend, anyone."

"I don't have a boyfriend." You remarked and you almost missed the small smirk on Ray's lips. Frazier appeared at Ray's side as he looked at you. "Your friend is passed out."

Ray sighed and nodded. "Take her in the car, we will bring her home before we take this Birdy to the boss." Two pairs of eyes turned to you.

Oh, how you wish you had canceled that night.

t a g l i s t: add yourself here

[bamfdaddio]

Uncanny X-Men Abridged: 1982: Fairytales & Nightmares Edition

The X-Men, those fantastical mutants that have sworn to protect a world that hates and fears them, are a cultural juggernaut with a long, tangled history. We’ve been untangling that history for a while, but sometimes, you really want a more in-depth look. Interested? Then read the (un)Abridged X-Men!

(X-Men 153 & 160) - by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum, Josef Rubinstein, Bob Wiacek, Brent Anderson

I love how every character gets hit with a good dose of magical fairy dust except for Wolverine and Nightcrawler, who get turned into the Tasmanian Devil and a horny smurf, respectively

1982 is a pretty arc-based year. Most of it is dedicated to space operas, the Brood and Shi’ar politics (yawn), but there are a few outliers. Most notable of these two exceptions are issue 153 - Kitty’s fairytale - and issue 160, the introduction of Limbo. I’ve chosen to highlight these two issues because they are fun, fascinating and, moreover, they are sort of dark mirrors of one another.

Both feature Illyana as a catalyst for the action; both of them feature someone spinning her a little fairytale..

Both feature alternate takes on X-Men: one high fairytale, the other grimdark.

Both are standalone issues that barely feature into the main Shi’ar-plot of 1982 -- seriously, you can take them out without disrupting any narratives -- while still introducing plot points that would become a part of the X-Men mythos. (The Lockheed dragon; the bamf and, most importantly, the introduction of Illyana as Magik.)

It’s funny how the Brood saga takes up almost 80% of the narrative space this year, whereas the whole Limbo/Belasco/Illyana-thing is almost a throwaway plot that is arguably more iconic for the X-Men currently than the Brood are.

Anyway, context. The mansion is in shambles after the attack on the Hellfire Club. Illyana hasn’t returned home after being kidnapped by Arcade -- perhaps to give Colossus a little relief of his homesickness. Illyana then tempts fate:

Take note of that stuffed Fozzi toy, wocka wocka!

Illyana prefers Kitty to tell the story, and I get it. Colossus is a sweetheart, but the dude’s not exactly light of heart. Piotr would probably tell something dreary and fatalistic about three old sisters in a decaying orchard, while Kitty is a lot more fun.

Claremont shows that he is familiar with the workings of the teenage mind, because when faced with the challenge to tell a story, she does the same thing I did when I was thirteen: she goes for a self insert. And she incidentally writes in the boy she has a crush on as her boyfriend.

Look, all I’m saying, we’ve all been there, right?

Anyway, Kitty’s fairytale. Kitty is a pirate, Peter is her shipmate and they stumble upon a quest when ruffians accost a blind prince -- Scott -- and a wizard on his own personal flying carpet -- Xavier. They help out and get roped into the prince’s quest to save his princess from an evil corrupting influence. Sound familiar?

In true Final Fantasy-fashion, all the other party members are introduced one by one. Kitty calls upon a dragon called Lockheed she befriended while Piotr saves a weather goddess trapped in a bottle by the cursed princess. Best highlights, however, are Kitty’s versions of Kurt and Wolverine.

Way of X, I love you, but take note. Kurt was never meant to be puritan.

One of the best parts of this issue is the reaction shots of the other X-Men who listen in to Kitty’s tale. Most of their alternative versions fit stock fairytale characters, although Bamf is more a Disney sidekick than anything else. Wolverine is straight up a Looney Tune though:

At some point, someone looked at this character design and first thought of Sabretooth, right?

The kicker of all of this Kitty wasn´t actually there for the Phoenix Saga: she only met Jean once, briefly, when Jean saved her and the other X-Men from Emma. Kitty never met Dark Phoenix, she only ever heard the details secondhand. Still, she gets it mostly right: prince Scott and princess Jean are star-crossed lovers until Jean is cursed by a corrupting force. As Dark Phoenix, she is hellbent on stopping wizard Xavier and the prince in their tracks, lest they lift the curse by confronting her with her one weakness.

THE HUMANITY

Xavier uses Jean’s humanity to fight off the dark Phoenix and, in this particular universe, they succeed. Scott and Jean get the happy ending they didn’t get in the actual timeline: Kitty even cures his cursed eyebeams. It’s kind of funny that this is the only happy ending the X-Men will ever get during Claremont’s reign.

Speaking of a lack of happy endings, the dark counterpart of Kitty’s fairytale also starts with someone telling Illyana some sweet little lies:

I’m assuming that the whole Stranger Danger-campaign only got big after the eighties? Illyana has all the self preservation skills of a lemming.

Kitty notices that Illyana has vanished and is curious, following her. She steps on a strange light disk and vanishes.

As a slightly piquant aside, I was pleasantly surprised when reading this one digitally. I own a copy of this comic in Dutch (straight from the eighties) and apparently, they censored the version for the low lands. In a comic with creepy assaultey Nightcrawler and many, many, many naked Storms and Wolverines, this page was a bridge too far:

Look, maybe they weren’t entirely wrong. Last time three guys were bouncing around me and I invited them for a shower, I wasn’t entirely innocent either.

I was “also not welcome in that gym again” but that’s besides the point.

Who knows, maybe they just wanted to cut out the clunky exposition of storylines recent. In any case, the X-Men decide to investigate and they are also whisked away: those disks of light are apparently teleportation circles.

Also, can someone please tell Chris Claremont that German sometimes does have i before e?

They’re pulled into a pocket dimension where time and space are treated as guidelines rather than hard and fast rules. While Belasco taunts Kitty (and pulls her skeleton from her body to keep her from escaping), the other X-Men get separated, wandering about this utterly foreign dimension and encountering future/alternative versions of themselves.

I still love how alien this first version of Limbo is. The comic is titled ‘Shoots & Ladders’ and it’s exactly like that, except in creepy, never-ending tunnels and topsy-turvy, shadowy caverns.

Both Wolverine and Colossus are confronted by their dead selves, killed by S’ym, Belasco’s brutish lackey. The alternative Nightcrawler, meanwhile, has been perverted into a freaky little toady who has no qualms about touching Kitty inappropriately. (He's essentially the creepy, disturbing version of a Bamf.) Storm, meanwhile, is aided by an older, jaded version of herself. She’s also the one in charge of teleportation disks, which she uses to aid the X-Men:

Kitty’s casually waving skeleton always sends me

Storm is furious with what Belasco has wrought onto Kitty, her Mother Bear Instincts activating. She wants to give chase, but that’s when older!Storm intervenes. She warns Storm that this is a crossroads. In her variant universe, the X-Men chased after Belasco and it went badly for them: Wolverine and Colossus died, Nightcrawler turned evil and Storm became trapped in Limbo.

There’s no word of what happened to their Kitty or Illyana, but I think that’s because Limbo does not play by any of our regular rules. See, if Belasco wanted Illyana, wouldn't he have one now? But he doesn’t. So maybe Limbo is the Schrödinger’s place, where the X-Men both did and didn’t chase Belasco. Because if they didn’t give chase, they wouldn’t have the older Storm to tell them they shouldn’t give chase, which they end up not doing. But if they don't, there wouldn't be a Storm to warn them from not going, so they would. But they wouldn't.

Got that?

Just when older!Storm prepares to send them home, Belasco returns with an army of demons.

See? I told you that paying attention to that Fozzi-toy would pay off! (Wocka wocka)

And it ends there, with Illyana rescued from her nightmare, but with the promise of more darkness in her future.

I love how Chris Claremont takes a soap opera trope -- aging up a child in the shortest amount of time possible to an age where there’s more to do with them narratively -- and makes it fit into his crazy X-Universe.

And that’s it. Two relatively pared down stories where the normal rules of reality take a backseat: one to lift Illyana’s spirits, one to break her beyond belief. In a year that’s defined by space opera, these two stories have always stuck out to me, simply because of the way they break the mold of the X-Universe. More importantly, they've given us Magik. And Bamf!

Next up: Brood, Brood, Brood, and Shi'ar.

[pureblisscleanings-blog]

How Housekeeping Services Can Help You Prepare for Dade City Events and Festivals

Dade City, with its charming historic downtown and lively community, hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year. Whether you're gearing up for the Kumquat Festival, the Country Christmas Stroll, or any of the town’s many local gatherings, preparing your home for these special occasions can be both exciting and stressful. Amidst the hustle and bustle, enlisting the help of a professional housekeeping service can be a game-changer, allowing you to focus on enjoying the festivities instead of worrying about cleaning. Here’s how housekeeping services can help you prepare your home for Dade City events and festivals.

1. Deep Cleaning Before Hosting Guests

If you’re hosting out-of-town visitors or throwing a party, a professional deep clean can ensure your home is spotless and ready to impress. Housekeeping services can take care of the detailed tasks that often get overlooked in daily cleaning routines—like wiping down baseboards, cleaning under furniture, or scrubbing stubborn bathroom grout. With a thoroughly clean home, you can welcome guests with confidence.

A professional team will know how to make your home shine, from polishing hardwood floors to ensuring that every corner is free of dust. Plus, they can help with organizing, decluttering, and setting up guest rooms, so your house feels cozy and inviting.

2. Efficient Preparation for Large Gatherings

If you're planning to host a family reunion, dinner party, or festive celebration at your home, housekeeping services can assist with both pre-event preparation and post-event cleanup. Prepping for a gathering involves more than just tidying up—it's about creating a comfortable, organized, and welcoming environment for your guests. Professional cleaners can help by ensuring all key areas, like the kitchen, bathrooms, and common spaces, are pristine.

In addition, they can assist in setting up your home, arranging furniture, and even helping to manage pre-event tasks like setting tables or organizing decorations. With their help, you’ll have more time to focus on menu planning, event details, or simply enjoying the lead-up to your event.

3. Post-Event Cleanup Support

Once the festivities are over, the last thing you want to deal with is the mess left behind. After an event, your home can feel chaotic—dishes, spills, and general clutter tend to accumulate quickly. Instead of spending hours scrubbing and tidying up, you can rely on housekeeping services to restore your home to its pre-event cleanliness.

These services can manage all aspects of post-event cleanup, from washing dishes to taking out trash and recycling, vacuuming, mopping, and ensuring that your home looks as good as it did before your guests arrived. Hiring professionals for post-event cleaning allows you to relax and unwind, instead of dreading the cleanup process.

4. Regular Maintenance During Festival Season

For Dade City families who attend or participate in multiple events throughout the year, keeping up with housekeeping can be a challenge. Between preparing for the next festival, managing daily responsibilities, and spending time with family, regular cleaning can easily fall by the wayside. Hiring housekeeping services for regular maintenance can ensure that your home stays clean and organized, even during your busiest times.

Whether it’s weekly or bi-weekly cleaning, these services can help keep your home in tip-top shape throughout the festival season. Having a consistently clean home means less stress and more time to enjoy Dade City’s events, knowing your space is always ready to host friends and family.

5. Specialized Services for Unique Needs

Dade City’s festivals often have special themes or activities that can lead to specific cleaning challenges. For example, the Kumquat Festival often includes outdoor activities, which can result in extra dirt, dust, or mud being tracked into the house. A professional housekeeping service can handle these challenges with ease, offering specialized cleaning for areas like patios, outdoor furniture, and floors that see more wear during the festival season.

If you’re hosting a themed event or party, some housekeeping services also offer specific event preparation support, such as ironing linens, polishing silver, or making sure your decorations are set up perfectly. Tailored services like these ensure that your home is both clean and aligned with the festive spirit.

6. Save Time and Reduce Stress

Perhaps the most significant benefit of hiring a housekeeping service before or after a Dade City event is the time it saves you. Preparing for festivals, whether you’re hosting guests, attending, or simply managing a busy household, can take up all your energy and time. By outsourcing the cleaning, you free yourself to focus on what matters most—whether that’s enjoying time with family and friends, getting involved in the community, or simply relaxing.

Professional cleaners can handle the heavy lifting of cleaning, leaving you with more energy to enjoy the events and less stress about the state of your home. For busy families, this extra time can make all the difference.

7. Eco-Friendly Cleaning Options

Many housekeeping services in Dade City now offer eco-friendly cleaning options, using products that are safe for your family, pets, and the environment. These green cleaning solutions are particularly beneficial if you’re hosting guests with allergies or sensitivities, or if you’re conscious about reducing your household’s environmental footprint. Eco-friendly cleaning methods can also ensure that your home smells fresh and clean, without harsh chemical odors that could detract from your festive atmosphere.

Conclusion

Whether you're hosting guests for a Dade City festival or just want to keep your home in order during a busy event season, housekeeping services offer invaluable support. From deep cleaning and decluttering before your guests arrive to tackling the post-event mess, professionals can help you maintain a spotless home while you focus on the festivities. By outsourcing your cleaning needs, you can enjoy Dade City’s vibrant events and festivals stress-free, knowing your home is in expert hands.

abliss@pureblisscleaning.com

Call: - +1 813 838 2810

[animeangsteng]

Special Christmas with Shigaraki

▂ ▃ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ █ ▇ ▆ ▅ ▄ ▃ ▂

ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : Special Christmas with Shigarak

.

⋘ 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎… ⋙

Warning: Anxiety, ¿Panic attack?, Tsundere like hypocris, Mommy kink implied (SFW)

.

Christmas gift for: @krystalwithakay

I adore her.

She’s been a great support ever since I began chatting with her (and she’s probably the one I chatted the most with) so I decided to go for a special gift.

And I can’t help but insist you check her out her blog (not minors, though) because it is awesome!

It may have some dark content but I really like it!

Her writing and characterisation is on point and, if her works weren’t enough of an incentive, she’s an adorable human being!

She’s kind, helpful and despite me annoying her for anything I do she didn’t ghost me, block me or anything yet she helped me so.. thanks!

All of this to tell you to check her out!!!

.

Krystal… you’re amazing!

Thanks for all of the time you helped me out and thanks for writing me first (I would probably never have gathered such courage) and I hope you enjoy this!

.

Songfic

Warning: Mommy kink implied, canon criminal activities implied.

Song: Mommy by Betta Lemme

Base Idea: “Who says criminals don’t have Christmas holidays?”

.

█ █ █ █ █ 100% *Tuning complete*

.

Short version:

“Get to work, you slackers. Ever heard of criminals who take a break during holidays?!” he growled, pissed off by the incompetents he had to work with.

*Krystal appearing and gesturing him to follow her*

“What are you doing here?! It’s Christmas time! We’re taking a break!” He said turning to the confused bunch of criminals.

“B-but… Criminals don’t take breaks!” Murmured one brave soul.

“Who said that!? Who said villains don’t have Christmas holidays, huh?”

Seeing him turn a glass to dust everyone made the wisest decision: they kept their mouths shut.

.

.

Short song fic:

Warning: Anxiety, ¿Panic attack?, Mommy kink implied (SFW)

(Of Age) Shigaraki x Krystal

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«Don't you think you'll miss me

If you don't come and kiss me?»

.

Said the text that illuminated Shigaraki’s face.

Oh, how he wished to go home, back to her.

Back to his Krystal.

Unfortunately he was stuck in that stupid reunion.

«Shut up» he just rapidly typed before returning his attention to the Villains in front of him.

Boring.

.

I know you're with your friends

But maybe take a chance

.

Unfortunately his mind couldn’t help but go back to her every second.

To calm down he quickly looked at the phone again, checking his messages and how much longer he’d be stuck there.

Too long for his taste.

He was so tired and impatient he felt his senses amplify themselves, making the ticking clock in the room even louder, penetrating his mind and dictating every second.

“I want to go home” he kept thinking, until it became like a karma.

No longer paying attention to the reunion he began tapping on his thigh and imagining her.

Krystal’s smiling face coaxing and calming him.

With deep breaths he tried to concentrate but no matter what he couldn’t.

Home was the only thing in his mind.

Growling in frustration he hit the table and left without a word.

.

So baby, leave the party

To come and play with Mommy

Head home, please use your key

Come party just with me

.

Quickly he walked, almost ran, back home.

He hastily opened the door and went looking for Krystal.

Once he set sight on her, before she could say anything, he just threw himself on her, his breathing slowly becoming more regular.

-I’m here, baby. Don’t worry- she smiled, caressing his back.

It wasn’t the first time he just needed to be cuddled without questions and she knew she’d have time afterwards to ask him about it, thought she had already in mind the reason.

-Mommy is here-

After he calmed down he grumpily asked: -I came home to celebrate Christmas with you, since you insisted, so let’s get to it-.

Seemed like Krystal wasn’t going to get her answers anytime soon so she just nodded.

-I’m glad you came home, my little boy-

Leaving her comforting embrace he began walking towards the kitchen: -Is there anything to eat?-

Krystal followed him, ready to spend a lovely Christmas with him.

Who said Villains. can’t spend Christmas with their loved ones like everyone else?

After all... they’re human too.

[immaturityofthomasastruc]

IOTA Reviews: Optigami

For the first time this season, we're actually acknowledging what happened at the end of the last season. Of course, it's the thirteenth episode chronologically, so you can tell the writers really wanted to strike while the iron was hot.

Let's get into the ninth (chronologically the thirteenth) episode of Miraculous Ladybug's fourth season: Optigami.

We start off with Nathalie recounting the events of “Miracle Queen” to Gabriel, where Chloe exposed the identities of the temp heroes, which is kind of odd considering they were both there. Then again, it's entirely possible Gabriel forgot what happened given we're literally halfway through the season chronologically. According to Nathalie, she created a Sentimonster the very next day to spy on the heroes. After a lot of surveillance by the Sentimonster, named Optigami, all Nathalie and Gabriel really found out was that the heroes were just regular teenagers who occasionally got a Miraculous from Ladybug without even learning her identity, all while we learn she continued to give Miraculous out to the heroes despite the risk to their safety.

Okay, a few questions here. First, why the hell didn't Hawkmoth/Shadowmoth or Mayura try something like this from the beginning? It took you two lucking out in finding out the identities of seven heroes to think about spying on your enemies? Second, Mayura created Optigami the next day? Wasn't she in a lot of pain as a result of using the Peacock for a whole season? At least when she created a Sentimonster in the New York special, it was set a vague amount of time after “Miracle Queen”. Third, Ladybug is seriously recruiting the same heroes again after the rules that she imposed onto Chloe? You know, the person who couldn't use the Bee Miraculous again because of the risk to her safety, and ultimately betrayed Ladybug because she hated the rule? Seriously, the video footage shows Ladybug recruiting Ryuko, someone whose identity Shadowmoth already knew before “Miracle Queen”, so this makes even less sense. If Chloe doesn't get her Miraculous after exposing her identity to the whole world, the same should apply to the other heroes too. If they wanted to make Chloe an exception, all they had to do was have Ladybug bench Queen Bee because she didn't trust Chloe in her civilian life. This just makes Ladybug come off as a hypocrite who serves to justify Astruc's warped mentality that Chloe doesn't deserve a Miraculous even though she lost hers for the same reason as the others.

Nathalie calls Optigami a failure, but Gabriel actually uses his brain for once and comes up with a plan to take out all of the temp heroes at once by putting them in a situation where Ladybug is forced to recruit one of them in order to stop an Akuma. He calls Audrey Bourgeois, a major fashion magazine writer and praises her idea to give a monthly award to a fashion icon, and Gabriel says “there's no better introduction than giving it to his son”, so I'm not sure if he told Audrey to give the award to Adrien, or if he already got the award and Gabriel was just capitalizing on the chance.

So we cut to Marinette and Alya hanging out in the former's room, and surprise, surprise, Marinette is gushing over Adrien. It isn't a love story if there's a single scene not talking about the love interest according to Astruc.

Yeah, despite not being on the list of targets, Marinette got a ticket to the award show because the writers weren't sure how else they could work her into the plot. The Kwamis ask if they can come along, forgetting about the fact that they need to be a secret or be with an owner (guessing Marinette learned her lesson after “Furious Fu”). I'm starting to think I was a little too harsh on Master Fu considering he managed to put up with these godlike idiots for 176 years.

Alya and Trixx, the Fox Kwami, bring up a decent point that now that Alya knows she's Ladybug, she can take a more active role in helping her as Rena Rouge if she had the Fox Miraculous full-time, while Marinette points out the fact that it's too risky for anyone but her to hand out Miraculous. This is brief, but I like this little disagreement here. While I think Marinette could have brought up the fact that Shadowmoth knows Alya's identity in her argument, both sides still make a good point, and this will come into play later on, for better or for worse.

So Marinette and Alya head out to the award party where they meet up with Adrien, Kagami, Luka, Kim, Max, and Nino, with Alya doing a secret handshake with him that I'm sure won't be important later on. We also get a hilarious scene of Alya once again trying to force Marinette into an elevator with Adrien with the explicit intent to have her get closet to Adrien, while she unsurprisingly freaks out, leading to some brief Unfunny Marinette Slapstick.

So much for Marinette growing after the second umbrella scene.

Optigami is set up, and Shadowmoth creates a Sentimonster of the man hosting the award ceremony, and takes the opportunity to do what we've all wanted to do since Audrey's first appearance in late 2018.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but thank you, Gabriel Agreste. You're the real MVP of this episode.

So Shadowmoth sends out an Akuma to akumatize Audrey into his “magnum opus”, Style Queen, once again (Audrey is also implied to be willingly akumatized like Chloe in “Queen Banana”). And since the titular Sentimonster plays a big role in Shadowmoth's plan this episode, I think now's a good time to talk about Optigami.

Optigami has a simple design, a butterfly colored like Mayura, but I like the role it plays. It has the power to hide in any solid object and observe the environment like a camera Nathalie watches, all while Style Queen chases after the temp heroes and turns them into piles of gold dust. Whether that's because she's been powered up by Shadowmoth or because the animators can't afford to create new models of the characters as gold statues isn't clear. It still really shows the writers are taking advantage of the concept of Sentimonsters as support for Akumas outside of more muscle.

So Kagami tries to distract Style Queen while Adrien runs, and she is the first to be taken out. Chloe then tells Style Queen where Ladybug went, but she gets targeted because she laughed at her mother earlier, and then tries to use Zoe as a human shield before getting blasted. Oh, thank God. I thought Chloe was going to appear in an episode where the writers didn't remind the audience how much of a terrible person she is and anyone who supports her is just as bad.

Marinette and Adrien both run off to transform, but get into the same elevator together, which then gets broken thanks to Style Queen's interference. This leads to an interesting setup where neither of them can transform and hope their partner will save them, leading to some real tension. There's also thankfully little to no stammering from Marinette in these scenes. It's almost like the writers only have her struggle to talk with Adrien so they don't actually have to write scenes like this. Alya briefly teases Marinette for saying she's stuck in an elevator with Adrien before realizing she's trapped in an elevator with a civilian and can't transform.

After Max and Luka get taken out, Marinette calls a phone she set up near the Miracle Ball to call the Kwamis, pretending to talk to the fire department and secretly tells them to send Kaalki to help her, but Adrien sees Optigami spying on them in the elevator, so Marinette is forced to hang up. Marinette and Adrien are about to transform and reveal themselves to each other, but because neither of them are on the list and because Shadowmoth felt like actually being a decent father today, Optigami retreats with Style Queen, who then takes out Kim, leaving only Alya and Nino left.

Marinette tells Alya to call the Kwamis, but while she does so, she gets a call from Nino, who is soon taken out by Style Queen and... is replaced... by an... evil... doppelganger... The eighth one in four seasons...

The only question I have is how did Shadowmoth create two Sentimonsters in the same day? Did he recharge offscreen? Either way, he sends “Sentinino” after Alya to lure her out, but Kaalki arrives and portals her to Marinette's room, leading to the funniest joke of the episode.

Alya takes the Fox Miraculous and transforms into Rena Rouge and creates an illusion of Ladybug to distract Style Queen while she meets up with Marinette with the Bee Miraculous, but she decides to take the Turtle Miraculous even though Marinette didn't tell her to just to be safe.

Rena Rouge meets up with Sentinino and gives him the Turtle, alerting Shadowmoth to the fact that Alya may have a bigger role than he anticipated. Sentinino transforms into Carapace (or would a more accurate term be Sentipace?) while Optigami hides in the Turtle Miraculous, leading to another interesting conflict. If Style Queen gets Ladybug's Miraculous, Shadowmoth wins, but even if Ladybug wins, Sentipace can swoop in and steal Ladybug's Miraculous when her guard is down. This is David Xanatos levels of planning here.

Rena Rouge escorts Adrien out of the elevator via one of Kaalki's portals, and Marinette transforms into Ladybug before unifying with the Bee Miraculous into Ladybee.

Ignoring the creepy look on her face, I think Ladybee has a pretty good design. I think the black and gold go well with her suit, and the ponytail with the gold streaks is a nice touch. I'm not sure if it's referencing Queen Bee's design, but I like it, as well as the slight antennae on her head. I still prefer Dragonbug's design, but I can see why so many fans love this one too.

Ladybee is surprised Sentipace is there, but accepts his help anyway. Ladybee summons her Lucky Charm, a compact mirror, but when looking around, she doesn't see how to use the Lucky Charm with Sentipace as he isn't highlighted in her vision like certain objects/heroes that play a part in stopping an Akuma. Ladybee uses Venom, and with Sentipace's Shelter, manages to tank Style Queen's blasts and stun her before de-evilizing her.

Cat Noir tries to cataclysm the golden shield Style Queen placed around the building, but shows up too late, being surprised at the presence of Rena Rouge and Sentipace. He jokes about it, but this will somewhat come into play in future episodes.

Ladybug prepares to throw the compact mirror to use Miraculous Ladybug and fix the damage, but through the mirror, sees Nino fail to do the secret handshake with Alya. Ladybug pulls a John McClane and swings off the top of the building and tells Cat Noir to use his Cataclysm to destroy the Turtle Miraculous, releasing Optigami, and giving Nathalie a major headache. Shadowmoth undoes the creations of Optigami and Sentinino and retreats.

Alya is naturally upset that she screwed up and almost let Shadowmoth find out Ladybug's identity, but then, well...

Like with “Gang of Secrets”, I'm very mixed on this ending. Both Alya and Marinette make good points here. Alya knows she almost let Shadowmoth win, but Marinette points out how invaluable Alya was today and realizes how helpless she was doing a lot of things on her own. Even if Alya didn't give the Turtle Miraculous to Sentinino, Marinette still had to face the possibility of revealing herself to Adrien. Like it or not, she needs someone to help her more, and Alya is the only one able to fill that position.

The problem I have is that because of how Marinette phrases that sentence, it comes off like Alya is being rewarded for what happened this episode. I get she helped, but I just find it weird that Marinette doesn't feel a little uncomfortable trusting Alya more after going behind her back and almost screwing up the entire mission in the process. I think the scene could have worked if Marinette was a little more stern towards Alya and realized she had no choice but to give her the Fox, creating a little tension between the two as a result.

So the episode ends with a post-credits scene where Gabriel and Nathalie realize they need to focus more attention onto Alya due to her connection to Ladybug.

But yeah, this was honestly a really good episode. It's become my favorite this season.

The plot has a fair amount of suspense and tension, most of it derived from the very clever plan Shadowmoth has this time, taking full advantage of the repaired Peacock in order to make what was already a very powerful Akuma even more of a threat. There were jokes, but unlike in other episodes that focus on humiliating Marinette or interrupting the tension, they're well-placed. The same goes for the elevator scene. The writers easily could have made Marinette stammer all of her words around Adrien, but for once, they realized that they needed to have her actually interact with him in order to maintain the tension of the episode.

Granted, there are still some flaws, like Marinette really had no reason to be invited to the award ceremony. All they really had to do was have Adrien invite her himself, which would justify her eager reaction at the beginning. It's also strange that nobody brings up the fact that all of Adrien's friends who were invited were temp heroes. I've already gone over the problem with timeline at the beginning as well as the ending and I plan to talk about Rena Rouge's partnership with Ladybug next time.

Overall, this was still a really good episode. Even the evil doppelganger plotline had an interesting twist to it. What's the next episode about again? What? Another evil doppelganger of Nino?

[cheri-translates]

[CN] Shaw’s 2021 Birthday R&S

🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for an R&S which has not been released in EN! 🍒

Knowledge of Shaw’s 2020 Birthday R&S is highly recommended before reading this!

[ This R&S was released on 16 June 2021 ]

[ Chapter One ]

This is the fifth month that Shaw is learning how to skateboard. The little buddies who started out with him had given up one after the other because they couldn’t endure the bitter taste of tripping and falling. In the end, he’s the only one left.

The wheels grate against the ground in a regular rhythm. Leaping over the obstacle, it makes a swerve, accelerates, and flips... the skateboard is lithe and graceful beneath Shaw’s feet, akin to a reed leaf as it brings him into the largest skatepark in Loveland City with a wilful rush.

“Shaw! Shaw!”

Shaw halts the skateboard and turns around.

A little fatty with a band-aid on his knee walks over, smiling and revealing his missing front teeth. “Finally found you.”

Shaw laughs scornfully. “Why’s a defeated opponent looking for me? Do you want to lose the remaining half of your front teeth?”

“You!” Little Fatty flushes red in an instant. He straightens his neck and points to an area behind him. “I’m not competing with you. Someone else wants to!”

Shaw looks in the direction of his finger. A boy who is obviously taller than him by a head smiles at him, the skateboard beneath his feet sliding back and forth. At a glance, it’s clear that he’s experienced.

“My Bro Zhou is in the Loveland City Qing Xun Team,” Little Fatty hugs his arms with pride, as though he’s the one in the team. “So? Dare to accept it?”

So that’s how it is. He’s a scaredy cat who only dares to call in reinforcements.

Shaw purses his lips. He steps on the tail of the skateboard, and it responds by flipping upwards, the the edge of the board landing steadily in his palm. “Why not? What are we competing in?”

Bro Zhou shrugs. “I won’t make things hard for newbies. We’ll compete in tic-tacs and going over obstacles. How’s that?”

“Sure.”

[Trivia] Tic-tacs are a series of consecutive heelside-to-toeside kickturns where your feet remain on the skateboard. I copied this from Google and have no idea what it means LOL

-

THUD-

Losing his balance for just a moment, Shaw falls heavily onto the ground. His knees, elbows... waves of pain bloom on every joint. It isn’t a good feeling, but what makes Shaw even more frustrated is the arrogant laughter of Little Fatty. t’s even noisier than the cicadas from afar.

“HAHAHAHA Shaw lost! Let’s see if you still have the guts to be proud!”

He has a lot to say despite being a noob. Shaw rolls his eyes. Enduring the pain, he’s just about to lift himself up by the elbows when Bro Zhou walks over to him, offering him a hand. “Not bad.”

“Thanks.”

The other party continues. “But at your age, it’s best to stick to the basics. There’s no hurry to learn high difficulty moves like the dolphin flip. You’ll definitely fall.”

Shaw’s expression immediately turns cold. “I don’t need your pointers on what I can learn at whatever age.” He doesn’t touch the hand, standing up by himself. Lifting his head, he gives the other party a look over. “Do you come here often?”

“The Qing Xun Team practises here every day.”

“Okay. Next time, I’ll definitely win against you.”

Shaw doesn’t bother about the expressions on Bro Zhou’s and the Little Fatty’s faces after hearing his words. He casually pats off the dust on his body, picks up the skateboard which is flipped over on the floor, and leaves the skatepark.

-

[ Chapter Two ]

The moment Shaw enters through the doors of the antique store, the Old Man’s uproar begins. “Little Ancestor, did you wreck havoc in the Heavenly Palace again?”

[Note] Here, the Old Man calls Shaw “小祖宗”, which literally means “Little Ancestor”. This term is used in an affectionate way to address a naughty child

“Wrecking havoc in the Heavenly Palace” is a reference to a novel called Journey to the West (西游记), which features a troublemaking Monkey King Sun Wukong

“I’m hungry. What’s there to eat today?” Shaw doesn’t respond to the shopkeeper’s words. Placing his bag and skateboard behind the counter, he reaches out to play with the silly parrot at the entrance - it’s truly silly. Even after teaching it for a month, it can’t even say “welcome to the shop”. It causes Shaw to wonder if the Old Man was perhaps duped of his money once again.

“All you know how to do is eat...” The Old Man sets down the ancient text in his hands and props up his presbyopic glasses. “Old Qian from next door boiled chicken soup today and is giving us half. I’ll stir-fry two dishes. You can ask if the chicken soup is ready.”

Shaw makes an “mm” of acknowledgement, then turns around and heads next door.

The shopkeeper gets up and takes a few steps towards the kitchen. Then, he abruptly returns to the counter, reaching out to touch the coarse scratch marks at the edge of the skateboard. Inexplicably, he sighs.

The chicken soup is a little bland, and the stir-fried dishes are a little salty. Mixing and eating them together is just nice. Shaw lowers his head and pushes rice into his mouth with chopsticks. In his left ear, he hears the news of how the GDP of Loveland City has risen. In his right ear, he hears the nagging of his mentor:

“...I’m not discouraging you from playing with this thing. It’s good to toughen yourself up while you’re young and your bones and muscles are sturdy. But don’t be too rash. This... this thing of yours...”

“Skateboard.” Shaw speaks.

“Yes, skateboard. I remember that it’s only been a month since it was bought, and it’s already tormented to such a state. You have such an impulsive temperament. You should be more level-headed.”

What does this have to do with temperament? If I were to truly be impulsive, I wouldn’t need a month. Just three days would be enough to break a skateboard. Shaw looks at the chicken leg in his bowl, not saying these words aloud.

“Also, remember to report to the shop early tomorrow. Old Qian and I are preparing to head to the neighbouring city to look for goods. You should come along to broaden your horizons.” The shopkeeper taps his chopsticks against the rim of the bowl, signalling for Shaw to pay more attention. “Isn’t it your birthday tomorrow? I could pick out a gift for you! Sigh, I actually had my eye on an agate snuff bottle, but the guy suddenly decided not to sell it...”

“I’m not going tomorrow.” Shaw interrupts the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper furrows his brows. “Why are you throwing a tantrum?”

“I’m not. I have proper business to attend to tomorrow. The school organised a visit to the museum.” Shaw lifts his eyes, and his thin lips curve upwards. “The things I see there will be much more valuable than those trivial things you fiddle with.”

“You little rascal!”

Shaw laughs, wedging the chicken leg between his chopsticks and sending it into his mentor’s bowl. “I’m full, so I’m heading to the back to do my homework. Chicken legs are really nutritious, so you should have it.”

“Tsk tsk, and you still said you weren’t throwing a tantrum. You aren’t going home again?”

“I don’t want to go back today. I’ll definitely go back tomorrow.” Shaw has already walked to the entrance. He suddenly thinks of something, and turns his head to ask a question. “Mentor, your shop will always be open, right?”

These words came out of nowhere, and the shopkeeper isn’t able to comprehend them. “What?”

“Nothing much. I’m just worried that I won’t have a place to have dinner if an old man like you were to throw in the towel someday.”

The shopkeeper fumes with a glare. “What do you mean by that? You only care about the food? Also, my shop can continue running for a decade or two. I’m still waiting for you to bring back a disciple or a wife to serve me tea!”

Shaw lets out an “oh”, and his eyes crinkle. “In that case, you’ll have to wait for another twenty or thirty years.”

The eyesight of the shopkeeper is no longer as good as before, but he can clearly see that the smile of this child didn’t reach his eyes. After Shaw leaves, he suddenly recalls the fortune that he drew for Shaw half a year ago: “What awaits this catastrophe is a new beginning...”

This child is will meet his predestined fate this year, so what’s left is to see how he endures through it. The shopkeeper shakes his head, sighing once again.

[Note] The actual fortune is “河图数九，洛书数七，脐于九陵，七日来复” but I don’t have the energy to explain it so what I’ve translated above is the overall meaning :>

-

[ Chapter Three ]

When Shaw awakens on the next day, the shopkeeper has already left to inspect the goods. The shop is empty, and he’s the only one left.

Westmoon Street is lined with old houses, and there’s no soundproofing. Lying on the bed, Shaw can hear the chirping of birds outside the window, the yelling of people on the street, and the babble of the Chinese opera from the old bookstore next door: “I’m just like a caged bird with wings that can’t be outstretched. I’m just like a shallow water dragon trapped on a beach...”

Shaw rubs his face, then sits up on the bed.

The school had set the assembling time to be 9am. Heading out now will give him more than enough time. Shaw quickly washes his face and rinses his mouth. Just as he walks towards the front counter with some rice grains from the kitchen for the parrot to eat, he suddenly discovers that there’s something on the counter.

Walking over, Shaw sees that there’s a cake box as well as a t-shirt which has been washed clean.

There’s a slip of paper on the shirt. The strokes are clean and thin. At a glance, he knows that this is the Old Man’s handwriting: You need energy and drive to participate in the school activity. Don’t wear yesterday’s dirty clothes. Change into this.

The shirt look slightly familiar. He probably changed out of it one day and forgot about it, leaving it in the antique shop. Shaw pays it no mind, turning his head to that small cake once again. The various calligraphy and writings in the antique store are considered relatively charming. Yet, why does he always buy such unsophisticated cakes?

When his classmates celebrate their birthdays, what they eat are high quality custom-made cakes - red velvet, matcha crepe, chocolate molten lava... such a traditional longevity cake is probably found only in a place like Westmoon Street. It’s clear from the light red and light green colours that the embellishments on the cake were made by hand. Eating it would definitely dye his tongue. If he were to speak later, wouldn’t he get laughed at by his classmates?

Shaw bunches up his brows, but the fork in his hand doesn’t stop. The cream is plant-based and tastes bad. He eats a small egg shell at the base of the cake and it tastes bad. The “Happy Birthday” was written using peach jam, and it tastes really bad.

The silly parrot at the side tilts its head, watching as the boy eats mouthfuls while shunning it with every bite, finishing the cake entirely.

Shaw wipes his mouth, then rinses it with the barley tea on the table. Picking up that t-shirt, he returns into the house and changes his clothes. 

-

[ Chapter Four ]

“...this ‘Painting of the Elevated and Pre-eminent’ depicts four famous scholars enjoying themselves. Students, do you know who the Seven Sages of the bamboo forest are?”

[Trivia] If you’re interested in seeing the actual painting, search for “高逸图” (“gao yi tu”)

“It’s such a waste that you didn’t watch yesterday’s episode. That scene where the main lead destroyed the opponent like a boss is unparalleled!”

“Aside from the both of us, did anyone else have fun at Anime City?”

“Are you done with the math homework? Lend it to me - I’ll find a place to copy it.”

...

The question posed by the museum guide is drowned out amidst the laughing and frolicking of the kids. He forces a smile while shaking his head. All of a sudden, he notices that a boy with bluish purple hair isn’t the same as the other kids. He’s staring at an ancient painting in the showcase, lost in thought.

As though seeing a saviour, the guide quickly points at him. “Student, why don’t you give me an answer? It’s fine even if you get it wrong. Uncle will explain to you!”

“...” Shaw turns his head, opening his mouth to say some words, but his voice doesn’t reach the guide’s ears.

“Student, what did you say?” The guide raises his volume.

“I said that the four people in ‘Painting of the Elevated and Pre-eminent’ are Shan Tao, Wang Jie, Liu Ling and Ruan Ji.” Shaw’s face is pretty much expressionless, and there aren't many fluctuations in his tone. “The one sitting down with his hands on his knees at the far right is Shan Tao. The one holding the ruyi sceptre is Wang Tao. The one next to him and drinking wine is Liu Ling. A boy is serving him. The one at the far left needs no mention - he’s the first of the Sages, Ruan Ji. So this painting is missing Ji Tang, Xiang Xiu and Ruan Xian.”

“...”

The surroundings gradually quieten down, and only Shaw’s voice echoes in front of the showcase.

"The scholars in this painting evoke a refined and tasteful sentiment, and the lines are beautiful. This is an extremely precious treasure in the realm of silk scrolls. This is why the ‘Painting of the Elevated and Pre-eminent’ has always been kept in the royal palace. It’s a pity that in order for our predecessors to avoid taboos, only Si Ma Zhong’s inscription is left on it.”

The youth lifts his chin, shooting a playful smile at the guide. “Okay Uncle, you can explain the next museum piece now.”

“Shaw, you’re incredible!” His classmates flock over to him, bumping him on the shoulders. “You were staring at that painting for such a long time. Did you memorise the words on the museum label?”

“Tch. These’s no need to memorise the museum labels for such things. You’ll know it from a glance.” Shaw laughs. “Also, I wasn’t looking at this painting...” When he says this, he pauses for a moment, swallowing his words.

If he wasn’t looking at this painting, which one was he looking at? The students follow Shaw’s gaze, and realise that there’s a floral painting hanging next to the “Painting of the Elevated and Pre-eminent”.

“Painting of a Courtyard and Dayliles”, Northern Song Dynasty, Xuan He Imperial Art Academy, anonymous... The students read the explanatory note on the museum label.

[Trivia] If you’re interested in seeing the actual painting, search for “霜庭萱草图” (“shuang ting xuan cao tu”)

The painting seems to depict a corner of a courtyard. A few daylilies display the patterns on their leaves. One big and one small dragonfly are perched on the flower. Aside from that, there isn’t anything else interesting about it. This painting doesn’t seem to have a name or seal, neither does it have a detailed explanation. Even the guide skipped past it. Since it isn’t a rare and precious ancient painting, what exactly was Shaw looking at?

His classmates are a little puzzled.

-

[ Chapter Five ]

All the classes assemble in lines at the entrance of the museum. The teacher very patiently reminds the students not to forget to do their homework over the weekend, and to remember to write down their reflections about the museum. The students drawl out “got it”, but their hearts have long since flown a million miles away, ready to keep toys and snacks company.

“Shaw!” After dispersing, Shaw’s classmates wave at him.

Shaw walks over. “What’s up?”

“All of us know that you aren’t in a good mood because you lost to a senior in skateboarding yesterday. Isn’t it your birthday? Bro Lu bought the newest game, so let’s head over to play at his place.” His classmate smiles while putting an arm around his shoulder.

“Who told you that I lost yesterday?” Shaw speaks coldly.

“Who else but Fatty? He was so proud yesterday.” The classmate gives Shaw a pat. “Relax, we’re on your side. Don’t think about these unhappy things. Next time, we’ll have lots of opportunities to get revenge...”

“If I wanted revenge, I wouldn’t wait till next time.” Shaw purses his lips. “I’m heading to the skatepark now. You guys coming?”

-

Since it’s the weekend, quite a number of skateboard hobbyists are already practising by the time Shaw reaches the skatepark. Very quickly, he locates Bro Zhou from yesterday.

Shaw gets straight to the point. “I lost yesterday. Today, I want to have a race with you. Do you accept?”

A hint of shock is in Bro Zhou’s eyes. He has probably never met a kid who is this unwilling to lose. “You fell so badly yesterday but still want to compete with me? You should practise more!”

“There’s no need to practise more when competing with you,” Shaw says.

With this, Bro Zhou’s temper starts to flare. He tilts his chin. “Fine, come on. Just don’t cry if you fall and break your arm today.”

A short while later, the news of how a “junior high school newbie dared to challenge Bro Zhou from the Qing Xun Team” spreads throughout the skatepark. Everyone gathers at both sides of the race course, curiously sizing up the main lead for today.

“S-Shaw...” His classmate pulls on Shaw’s arm. Looking at the deep bowl in front, he gulps. “Are you sure you’re competing with him in this? It won’t be good news if you fall!”

“If I want to play, of course I’ll only play the fun stuff. Just watch.”

Shaw walks to the starting line and takes a deep breath. When moving his limbs, his hand subconsciously touches the hem of the t-shirt - there’s a small Chinese trumpet vine. The green leaves and red petals cover the hole which was originally on the shirt. It’s just that the stitches are crooked, and it’s incredibly crude. At a glance, it’s clear that it wasn’t sewn by someone familiar with needlework. 

[Fun fact] Chinese trumpet vine is 凌霄花 (“ling xiao hua”)

Shaw’s name in CN is 凌肖 (“ling xiao”)

Mentor is the best <3

He bites his lower lip.

The referee raises both hands. “The old rules apply. After getting past the Cola can obstacles, cross the bowl. The first person who reaches the goal will win. Ready... go!”

In the midst of a clamour, a bluish purple light rushes forward, taking the lead.

-

[ Chapter Six ]

The friction of wheels against the ground results in ear-piercing screeches. The skateboard brings Shaw forward at a high speed, and the cold strong wind accompanies the summer heat waves, brushing past his cheeks. The upright Cola cans aren’t enough to faze him. With the continuous twisting of his waist and a skateboard which moves naturally like flowing water, he and his opponent seem to bypass the obstacles comprising of twelve Cola cans at the same time-

There are three consecutive rows of Cola can structures in front of him. He has to use all sorts of techniques to jump over them. That way, he can rush down the bowl, and enter the final stage.

The arm he injured from the fall yesterday is still aching faintly. His feet seem to be protesting as well. He successfully jumps over the first row, the second row... Shaw holds his breath. He steps on the tail of the skateboard with his left foot. Gravity takes over quickly, and his right foot causes the skateboard to rise. The skateboard beneath his feet is akin to a flying fish jumping out of the water surface, creating a rotating arc above the Cola cans!

“It’s a dolphin flip!” Members of the audience exclaim.

Clack! Shaw’s shoulders wobble slightly when his feet return to the skateboard. When he finally stands steadily, he continues rushing forward. The final bowl is right in front of him. 

The moment the skateboard dives downwards, Shaw feels a brief moment of weightlessness. This feeling is reminiscent of being thrown out of the entire world, making one want to continue falling like this until they plummet into the bottom of the swamp. The deep bowl is like the trough he’s currently going through. If he’s unable to climb out of the trough, he will drown in hatred, anger, powerlessness, disappointment... and lose to that weak heart of his.

But he’s Shaw, and he won’t lose just like that.

With a rapid dash, he soars upwards without trouble - underneath the brilliant blazing sun, the youth leaps out of the bowl!

After flying out of the bowl, the inertia causes Shaw to stumble a few steps. He falls onto the ground, lying on his back while pressing the finish line.

At the same time, he hears a dull thud from the bowl - his opponent had fallen back into it.

“Shaw won!” “Shaw reached the goal first!” “That rascal actually won against Bro Zhou?” “This competition was so awesome!” ...all sorts of voices emerge in the surroundings in a disorderly fashion, and a set of footsteps walk towards him.

“Your name’s Shaw?” A masculine voice asks from above his head.

Shaw doesn't speak.

“I’m Coach Wang from Loveland City’s Qing Xun Skateboarding Team,” that voice continues. “I see that you have lots of talent, and will make a good young successor. Are you interested in joining the Qing Xun Team?”

While saying this, a registration form is handed to him.

The late afternoon sun illuminates the sheet of paper, reflecting a glaring light akin to snow. Shaw takes one look at the registration form, then shifts his lips slightly. “I don’t want to.”

“Why not?”

“My shirt’s really expensive, so it isn’t worth tearing them.”

The coach is rendered speechless.

Just as he’s about to say a few more words to persuade the kid, he suddenly spots the small flower at the corner of Shaw’s shirt from his periphery - this is clearly not an expensive t-shirt. These days, few shirts are mended using embroidery. And the fact that he’s willing to wear it despite the clumsy embroidery...

This kid has family members whom he cares very much about. The coach seems to understand this. His lips open and shut, and he swallows back the lines he prepared. In the end, he simply says, “...that dolphin flip you did earlier wasn’t bad.”

“Of course.”

The coach laughs as he leaves. Amidst the cheers from the surroundings, Shaw lies on the ground. Covering his eyes with his hand, he laughs.

“I won. Happy birthday to me.”

🛹 Shaw’s Date Prologue: here