#sg street art

[kazuchuu]

Shattered Glass Knock Out Headcanons

These are my personal interpretations of how Knock Out would be in the alternative Transformers universe. I’ve seen a lot of interpretations of him and I’ve also thought about it a lot, so here is an extremely self-indulgent list of purely Transformers brainrot. I just had to put this somewhere before he took over my brain.

APPEARANCE

A blue-green paint coat (the color of hospital scrubs) as the primary color. White markings, or maybe silver for a little contrast.

Bright blue optics.

The elf ears stay.

PERSONALITY

A lot of headcanons portray him as callous when it comes to his appearance, which is great! But allow me to offer: SG!Knock Out who still cares about how he looks, but for completely different reasons.

He doesn't mind being covered in scratches, marks, dents, or the like. He only hates it because it's unhygienic and thus unsuitable for a doctor's office/surgical ward.

He also thinks having a clean appearance gives off a more professional and comforting impression to his patients.

Sometimes, on bad days, it can get a bit...obsessive.

"Um, doc, didn't you already clean-" / "I HAVE TO MAKE SURE BREAKDOWN I HAVE TO MAKE SURE!!!!"

Sometimes it's funny.

"My liege, you know how I respect you, but I swear if you set a pede into this ward without disinfecting your servos at least-"

RELATIONSHIPS

Breakdown: His partner and most trusted confidante in every universe<3 Knock Out tends to worry too much about his health, and insists on a check-up after every battle. Breakdown indulges him, but also makes sure to soothe his worries.

Starscream: My idea of SG!Starscream is that he always downplays how bad his injuries actually are, leading to Knock Out running after him (or, better yet, sending Breakdown to drag him to the medical ward). I like to think they exchange the same playful quips, but with a more somber undertone, because anytime Starscream actually allows himself to stay put in the medical ward means he's been severely injured.

Megatron: Knock Out takes his duty as the leader's official physician way too seriously. He has everything organized: Megatron's daily routine, optimal energon intake, regular check-up appointments. Megatron doesn't really need all that, but he humors him because he knows this is Knock Out's way of dealing with the guilt when he can't save a patient.

OTHER DETAILS

Speaking of guilt - Knock Out is really bad at not blaming himself. When vehicons are offlined and he's forced to disassemble them, he will later still remember where each piece came from, even if it's been attached to another bot.

I like to think this version of KO still likes the art of disassembly, but less out of a delighted, morbid curiosity and more out of a desire to learn more about Cybertronian anatomy.

He still street races with humans, but again, for entirely different reasons: he's fascinated by them, and has since picked up an e-book on human anatomy. And when he street races them, he always plays fair, and takes quite a great offense if another participant doesn't follow the rules. Allow me to demonstrate.

Racer: [keys Knock Out's side door]

KO, swerving to face him: Excuse me, are you out of your mind? Why would you ever ruin the joy of a good race with this childish behavior? And I have patients, you know! What would they think of their own doctor if they saw him in such unseemly fashion?

Racer: Wh-

KO, full on ranting: And I barely squeezed this race in between my busy schedule! Now I have to go back to base, disinfect the scratch, get buffed, all in time to prepare my office for the next line of patients! Do you have any idea how demanding it is to be a doctor on a warship? Always on call! I had this one hour to myself-

[It is at this point that Breakdown shows up to calm his favorite doctor. They end up just racing together<3 ]

And that's basically all I can think of, for now. My version of SG!KO because I know I'll never write this. Feel free to add more in the tags or whatever you like :)

[tmctales]

Im out of touch and Im out of time. PT 1

SG Club

Date and Time: 23/5/34 9.23 pm

Location: The SG Club, Tokyo, Japan

Name? My name is TMarsh-Connors and this is my story of how I came “Out of touch and out of time”

As I sit here with pen in hand and a notebook before me, Look around at the diverse cast of characters that populated this bar. Each person has a unique tale etched on their face, a tapestry of joy, sorrow, and everything in between. Adrian the bartender, a seasoned soul with tired eyes, shared anecdotes and listened to the heartfelt confessions of patrons who sought solace in their drink. The bar was an intimate stage where stories intertwined and emotions danced in the flickering candlelight.

In the corner, a young couple whispered sweet nothings, their laughter filling the air like the delicate brushstrokes of a masterpiece. A group of friends engaged in animated conversation, their voices rising and falling like a symphony, weaving a tapestry of friendship and camaraderie. And there were those, like myself, who sought refuge in the bar's embrace, finding comfort in the presence of others without needing to participate.

As I sit here at the bar, a sense of calm settled over me they have smooth jazz over the speakers it fills the air. The melodic tunes swirled around the room, weaving a tapestry of soothing sounds that resonated with my introspective spirit. Each note, each rhythm, seemed to speak a language of its own, transcending words and reaching directly into the depths of my soul.

I guess it would be rude of me if I didn’t tell you about Adrian he’s been the bartender for as long as I have been coming here.  his gentle demeanour and warm smile, Adrian created a haven within the walls of the bar. He was a confidant, a shoulder to lean on, and a voice of reason in a world that often seemed chaotic. Patrons would often find themselves divulging their deepest secrets, their joys, and their sorrows, finding solace in the bartender's empathetic presence.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the murmurs of conversation, I sit at the far end of the bar the dimly lit ambience created an intimate space for introspection, allowing me to retreat into the depths of my mind. I give Adrian a look to come over.

TMarsh-Connors: How is Adrian lately?

Adrian: Oh, work, my friend. It has its ups and downs, as any job does. But you know, I find solace in the art of tending the bar and connecting with people. It's more than just mixing drinks; it's about creating an atmosphere where people can unwind, share their stories, and find a sense of belonging. So, despite the challenges that come with the territory, I must say that I find fulfilment in what I do. How about you? How's your day been?

TMarsh-Connors: Well Adrian, here’s the thing I feel somewhere in between out of touch and out of time. Do you know what I mean?

Adrian: Well I have known you a great many years and “out of touch and out of time" is a phrase that typically describes a feeling of being disconnected from current trends, ideas, or events, and feeling like you have missed out on something or are no longer relevant. TMarsh-Connors are you alright?

TMarsh-Connors: Adrian honesty I do believe I lost my creative spark. I have found myself exploring the hidden corners of the city, where the past intertwined with the present. These labyrinthine streets of Tokyo have become like a home I never knew I needed.

Adrian: Ah, Tokyo, a city that captivates the soul and leaves an indelible mark on those who wander its labyrinthine streets. It has a way of embracing us, even when we least expect it. I understand what you mean about it feeling like a home you never knew you needed. There's a certain magic in finding a sense of belonging in a place that was once foreign. Remember, amid this vast metropolis, you are not alone. There are others who, like you, have found solace and a sense of home within Tokyo's embrace. So, cherish this newfound connection and allow the city to continue to unfold its mysteries, revealing the layers of its beauty that resonate with your soul.

TMarsh-Connors: Thank you Adrian you have always been a great source of wisdom. May I have a drink?

Adrian: Anytime and what kind of drink would you like? We have a wide array of options, from classic cocktails to unique concoctions. Is there a particular flavour profile or spirit you prefer? Let me know, and I'll be more than happy to craft a drink that suits your taste.

TMarsh-Connors: Do you have any Toki Suntory?

Adrian: Absolutely! Toki Suntory is a fantastic choice. Its smooth and delicate flavours make for a delightful sipping experience. Allow me to pour you a glass of Toki on the rocks. Adrian reaches for a bottle of Toki Suntory, gracefully fills a tumbler with ice, and pours a generous serving of whiskey into the glass. Here you go, my friend. Enjoy the subtle nuances and exquisite craftsmanship of Toki Suntory. If you'd like anything else or if there's anything else on your mind, feel free to let me know. Cheers!

Written on

May 27th, 2023

5.13 am (United Kingdom Time)

TMarsh-Connors©

[makhonkit]

Things To Do In Kuantan, Pahang (Day 1, Day 2)

We went for a short trip in Kuantan during the school term break. Here are some places and restaurants we visited. They were super amazing! We stayed at Swiss-Garden Resort Residences, there is a mini water park in the hotel. Our first two days we went to :

1. Restoran Mei Hiong (Pronounced as Ming Hiong) 2. Black Stone Beach 3. Rock Turtle Mural 4. MLT Cafe 5. Teluk Cempedak 6. Kuantan River 7. Menara Kuantan 188 8. Laman Kuantan 188 9. Kuantan Art Street 10. Tjantek Cafe 11. Sate Zul

🎹SHEET MUSIC & Mp3 ▸ http://www.makhonkit.com 🎹LEARN MY SONGS ▸ https://go.flowkey.com/raymak 🎹Listen on Spotify ▸ https://sptfy.com/raymak 🎹Listen on Apple Music ▸ https://music.apple.com/sg/artist/ray-mak/1498802526 🎹Full Song List ▸ http://www.redefiningpiano.com

Talk to me : 🎵 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/makhonkit 🎵 Facebook ▸ http://facebook.com/raymakpiano 🎵 Twitter ▸ http://twitter.com/makhonkit

[thejoyofviolentmovement]

Happy May Day! And with Spring fully upon us, that means more festival announcements, y’all! So let’s get to it. Richmond, VA-based music festival Iron Blossom Festival is presented in collaboration with: Starr Hill Presents, an independently owned and operated concert promoter based in Charlottesville, VA that promotes over 300 events each year, ranging from small club shows to multi-day festivals. The company operates multiple local venues and have partnered in festivals across the country, including Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, SXSW, Pilgrimage and more. IMGoing Events, a full-service, independent entertainment company providing first-class live experiences and an innovative leader in the production, booking and marketing of live entertainment events including festivals, concerts and all types of special events. The company creates creates premier concerts and event experiences by offering the most intimate engagements. Haymaker Productions, a production and promotion company that has been producing and promoting concerts in the Richmond area since 2002. The Haymaker Productions team also provides production support for events such as the Olympics, Burning Man, World Cup and Formula One racing while continuing to curate the area’s favorite outdoor concerts at Maymount. Grand Rising Curations, an independent concert and festival promoter producing shows and providing talent buying, marketing, ticketing and production services throughout the United States. Iron Blossom Music Festival will return to Richmond, VA for the second year. Taking place September 21, 2024 – September 22, 2024, the festival will be an end of summer celebration with two days of incredible music, food, art and fun at the Training Center on Leigh (formerly Bon Secours Training Center). The festival draws from its host city’s vibrant and diverse community to bring fans a unique musical experience, with local artists sharing the stage with regional acts and national headliners. This year’s headliners include indie folk-leaning indie rock outfit Mt. Joy; CAAMP, who will be playing their only Southeast show this year; Americana group Turnpike Troubadours and Grammy-nominated soul outfit Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. The festival’s lineup also includes Trampled by Turtles, Hippo Campus, Joy Oladokun, Indigo De Souza, The California Honeydrops, Royel Otis, Sumbuck, Chance Peña, Say She She, River Whyless, Susto, SG Goodman, Julia Pratt, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Victoria Canal, Dogpark, Jack Wharff & The Tobacco Flatts, and Kenneka Cook. Iron Blossom Music Festival’s second edition will be expanding this year’s footprint to include a larger food court an artisan bazaar, a GA+ Lounge and additional free water stations and shade structures while still offering the best of Central Virginia’s food, beverage and maker communities. Fans will continue to enjoy farm to table and delicious street foods, craft beats and cocktails, and wears from dozens of artisan vendors. A VIP experience is also being offered, giving fans up-close views, an exclusive lounge with cash bars, vendors, and more. Fans can guarantee themselves Tier 1 ticket pricing by signing up for the exclusive email/text presale at IronBlossomFestival.com. Tickets will be on sale to the general public tomorrow at noon at IronBlossomFestival.com. “Last year’s event truly was a celebration of the vibrant community here in Richmond. We can’t wait to bring everyone together again for another amazing weekend of music,” IMGoing Events’ Ken MacDonald says. “The city of Richmond continues to grow and thrive and the success of Iron Blossom is because of the people who live here and their enthusiasm for art and culture, especially live music. From the top notch lineup to the incredible food and beverage programming, Iron Blossom will again be one for the books�� Haymaker Productions’ Tom Beals says. Iron Blossom Lineup  Mt. Joy CAAMP Turnpike Troubadours Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Trampled by Turtles Hippo Campus Joy Olado...

[gingerhotelsindia]

Traversing History, Architecture, and Flavors of Ahmedabad with Ginger Ahmedabad

Step into the rich tapestry of Ahmedabad, which stands as a testament to India's cultural and historical heritage. The city captivates travellers with its seamless blend of ancient traditions and modernity. From majestic monuments echoing tales of bygone eras to bustling marketplaces teeming with life, every corner of Ahmedabad beckons you to embark on a journey of discovery.

Ahmedabad, formerly known as Karnavati, has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the ebb and flow of trade, and the evolution of diverse cultures. Today, Ahmedabad stands vibrant with ancient monuments that stand in harmony with modern skyscrapers, and traditional crafts that thrive alongside industrial complexes.  

In this blog, we will explore the secrets and hidden treasures of Ahmedabad that make it one of India’s most captivating destinations. Travel through our recommended spots to discover the authentic essence of the city. 

Before beginning the journey, let us recommend the ideal stay for your adventure. With well-designed rooms in Ahmedabad RTO Circle, Ginger Ahmedabad stands out as the symbol of comfort and style. Although Ginger Hotels in Ahmedabad RTO Circle are one of the popular destinations, the hotels are located across the city for your convenience. 

Ginger Ahmedabad: Your Ultimate Getaway is Here

With a seamless blend of chic and style, Ginger Ahmedabad crafts every detail of your stay to elevate the experience. Ginger Hotels are adorned with contemporary decor and minimalist design, where every corner is a picture of understated charm. From thoughtfully designed rooms to our culinary creations, every aspect of your stay is crafted to inspire and delight.

After a long day of exploration, retreat to your comfortable room at Ginger Ahmedabad. The rooms in Ahmedabad RTO Circle are a sanctuary, where sleek design meets cosy comforts to create a haven. Sink into the ergonomically designed beds and relax within the serenity of your room. With thoughtful amenities like a tea/coffee maker, high-speed WiFi, and satellite TV, your comfort will be unparalleled at Ginger Ahmedabad. 

Ginger Ahmedabad offers an array of exceptional services and facilities, designed to elevate your stay to new heights of comfort and convenience. Stay connected with your work or business with our meeting rooms, equipped with high-speed WiFi. The state-of-the-art gym at the hotel will ensure that your fitness journey does not pause during your trip. The dedicated staff are on hand to anticipate your every need, ensuring a comfortable experience from start to finish. 

Indulge in a feast of culinary delights at Qmin, located at Ginger Hotels in Ahmedabad RTO Circle, where every dish surprises you with a burst of flavour. The diverse menu includes local delicacies and international cuisine to satisfy every palate. Along with amazing food and refreshing drinks, Qmin offers a warm atmosphere and lively conversations, which elevates the dining experience. 

Nestled in the heart of Ahmedabad, Ginger boasts an enviable location that effortlessly blends convenience with charm. In addition to the Ginger Hotels at Ahmedabad RTO Circle, it is also situated at SG Road, Vastrapur, Changodar, and Satellite. Step outside and find yourself surrounded by an array of cultural landmarks, vibrant street markets, and entertainment venues, all within easy reach. 

Since we have confirmed your comfortable stay during the adventure, let us now explore the popular attractions around the city. 

A Traveller’s Guide to Ahmedabad

Sabarmati Ashram 

Our journey begins at Sabarmati Ashram, the serene abode of Mahatma Gandhi during India's struggle for independence. This historic site served as the epicentre of the non-violent movement against British rule. Visitors can explore the simple living quarters of Gandhi Ji, walk through the tranquil gardens, and gain insight into his philosophy of truth and non-violence. 

Jama Masjid

From the peaceful ambience of Sabarmati Ashram, we move on to the architectural marvel of Jama Masjid. Built in the 15th century by Sultan Ahmed Shah, this magnificent mosque is a blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, featuring intricately carved pillars, domes, and minarets. The imposing structure and the vast courtyard can accommodate thousands of worshippers during prayers. Visitors can admire the exquisite craftsmanship and soak in the spiritual atmosphere of this revered place of worship.

Adalaj Stepwell 

As we venture further into Ahmedabad's outskirts, we encounter the breathtaking Adalaj Stepwell, an architectural marvel dating back to the 15th century. This five-story stepwell served as a resting place and water source for travellers and pilgrims. The stepwell's intricate carvings, ornate pillars, and underground chambers leave visitors spellbound, offering a glimpse into Gujarat's rich cultural heritage. 

Kankaria Lake 

No visit to Ahmedabad is complete without experiencing the vibrant ambience of Kankaria Lake. Built in the 15th century by Sultan Qutb-ud-Din, this artificial lake is a popular recreational hub for locals and tourists alike. Visitors can enjoy leisurely boat rides, explore the bustling promenade lined with food stalls and amusement rides, or simply relax amid the scenic surroundings. 

Manek Chowk 

Our journey concludes at Manek Chowk, the heart of Ahmedabad's culinary scene and bustling night market. This vibrant square transforms into a bustling marketplace by day and a food lover's paradise by night. Visitors can sample an array of mouthwatering street food, from savoury snacks like dhokla and khandvi to sweet treats like jalebi and fafda. The aroma of spices and the hustle-bustle of the crowd create an electrifying atmosphere that captures the essence of Ahmedabad's culinary heritage.

In conclusion, Ahmedabad is a city of contrasts, where ancient traditions coexist with modernity, and historical landmarks stand alongside bustling marketplaces. The city has something to offer for everyone with its timeless charm and vibrant energy. Whether you're here for work or leisure, Ginger Ahmedabad is committed to excellence to ensure that every moment of your stay is marked by unparalleled service and attention to detail. Book your stay at Ginger Ahmedabad, where your comfort is the top priority!

[yaycheese]

KYOTO Shijo West - Kohchosai (bamboo items)🪑 - Weekenders Coffee☕️ - Daishodo woodblock prints🪑*** - Isoya (veggie focused izakaya) 🍗** - Bungalow (yummy izakaya) 🍗** - Bar rocking chair 🍺 - Calvador 🍺 - Ki no bi🍺 - Nishiki market / Aritsugu 🔪 - Nishiki market / Kitchen shop Kawataki🪑*** - Mumokuteki (Large homewares shop) 🪑 - Muku / teramachidori (ArchDigest reco) 🍵 - Wakabaya (ceramics) 🍵 Gion - Shinmonzen-dori (antique shopping) 👺*** - Maiko antiques 👺 - Kishin kitchen (Japanese breakfast) 🍗 - Bar Talisker 🍺 - Birdland (piano) 🍺 - Kyoto Handicraft center 🪑*** - Black cat lemonade 🍋*** - Jazz spot yamatoya (12-10p)🎵*** Philosophers path - Kanaamitsuji (metal strainers) - Kodaiji temple🪑 - Kiso artech (wood items) 🪑 - Brown eyes coffee☕️ - Suirokaku water bridge🏛️*** - Ofuda👺👺👺👺👺👺👺👺👺👺👺👺 Kyoto station - Kurasu (Coffee) ☕️** Sannenzaka - Otowa Waterfall (longevity spring water) 👺*** - Kiyomizu dera (large wooden structure) 🏯 - Arabica ☕️ - Nittodo☕️🪑*** - Unir coffee (has flan, cakes) ☕️ - Koma Gallery Coffee☕️ - 高台寺中谷本店 (chinaware)*** - Minatoya Yurei Kosodateame Honpo (spooky candy) 🍬 - Ichinenzaka street - Kongoji temple # TOKYO Daikanyamacho / Nakameguro - Tempura Motoyoshi Imo (micheline star takeaway tempura sweet potato)🍵 *** - Drip☕️ ** - Jasmine Yi Jiang Nan (Chinese)🍗** - Monkey Cafe & Boutique ☕️* - Café Façon Roaster Atelier (small roaster) ☕️ * - Debris (event venue, check calendar) 🎵 - Maison Kitsune (nice interior) 👚 - Minä Perhonen (nice interior)👚 - Udatsu Sushi🍗* - Kinto (tableware)🪑 - Tableaux (jazz lounge) 🎵 - 3110NZ (modern gallery) - Tam (used clothes)👚 - Lanterne (modern izakaya)🍗 Harajuku and Omotesando - Binowa cafe (canneles)☕️ *** - Funktique - vintage👚*** - Ragtag - vintage👚*** - Kinji - vintage👚** - Rakeru - omurice🍞*** - Cafe Mameya ☕️*** - No.501 - natural wine shop 🍺*** - Roastery ☕️ - Local coffee stand ☕️* - Cafe Reissue ☕️** (3D latte art) - Double Tall - near hotel ☕️ - Pain Au Soirire - near hotel 🍞 - Chatei Hatou ☕️ - Chachanoma 🍵 - Cibone + HAY🪑*** - Spiral Market🪑*** - Found MUJI🪑*** - Nihonbashi Kiya (Tokyo plaza Shibuya)🔪*** - Kihara🪑*** - Grapevine by K3 👚 - Boutique Takenoko 👚* Aoyama / Roppongi - Aoyama Farmers Market (Sat+Sun 10-4)🥕*** - Jazz House Alfie 🎵 ** - Sakurai (Tak) 🍵* - Spiral (Tak) * - Down the Stairs (Arts & Science)🍗* - Cusavilla (italian, lunch available) 🍗* - Butagumi 🍗 - Kyu Yasui cocktails🍺 - Bunon (japanese vibe) 🍺 Ginza - Chuo Dori (no cars Sat+Sun 12-5p)*** - Okuno Building (many galleries)🛒*** - Yurakucho food stalls (below station built into brick arches) 🍗** - Chukasoba Ginza Hachigou (French-trained ramen) 🍗** - The Stand (Yurakucho) 🍗** - Heart's Light Coffee ☕️* - Dover Street Market 👚* - Daimaru Department Store 👚 - Itoya 🛒 - Chanoha - in a mall 🍵 - Tachigui Sushi Akira🍗* - Shibire Noodles Rousoku-ya (Chinese-Japanese ramen) 🍗 - Higashiya (sweets and tea) 🍵 Akihabara - Chuo Dori (no cars Sunday 1-5p) - Tonkstsu Marugo (pork cutlet)🍗 Misc - Gotokuji temple (lucky cat temple) ⛩️** - Manhattan (Asagaya) tiny jazz bar with Thursday 19h jam sessions 🎵** - Gout de Jaune 🍺 - Vineria Il Passaggio (bread with faces) - very small 🍺 - Tanakaya Liquor Store🍺 Shibuya - Shin-pachi Syokudo (breakfast)🍗 *** - Heart's Light Coffee ☕️*** - Nojima (yellowtail bowl) [Kei]🍗** - Body & Soul Club 🎵** - Ahiru Store 🍗🍺* - SG club🍺*** - Libertin (natural wine) 🍗🍺 - Fuglen ☕️** - Tamotsu (ramen) [Kei] 🍗 - Watarium museum (contemporary) [Tak] - Nezu museum (traditional) [Tak] Shinjuku - Edomae SS (4000 JPY counter sushi) 🍗*** - Bar Benfiddich 🍺*** - Akomeya 🛒** - Jazz Bar Samurai 🎵** - Bar Hermit 🍺* - Zoetrope 🍺 - Don-Don Yakiniku 🇯🇵 * - Jazz SPOT Intro🎵 * - Shinjuku Pit Inn 🎵*

[whattheabcxyz]

2023-03-03

Singapore

Iswaran says passenger traffic at Changi Airport expected to recover fully by 2024 or possibly earlier

Hillside condo management seeks damages from Gojek after driver’s car ends up in pool - stupid people shouldn’t be allowed to drive

Construction worker who fell from roof in Marsiling Lane is 6th workplace fatality so far this year

Monsoon surge over South China Sea responsible for recent increase in rainfall

Healthier SG participants can get $20 in vouchers & opt for enhanced chronic drug subsidy tier

LTA to trial initiative to create pedestrian-friendly streets in 5 neighbourhoods by 2025

Government to set up dedicated unit to resolve serious noise disputes between neighbours

SMRT makes police report after 11-year-old boy allegedly causes train delay - he had prevented a platform screen door from closing ...the retard probably thought it was funny or amusing, & that he was so smart for doing that

Police appeal for information on missing teen - 3 others previously reported missing have been found

Health

Various headache types & how you can prevent them naturally

Internet

A slew of free/paid newsletters on a wide variety of subjects

Travel

SIA to review customer feedback after paper serviceware trial sparks mixed reactions

Society

Juror reveals what convinced him of Alex Murdaugh’s guilt

Art

^ Find out which famous artist you are - apparently I’m most like Monet

Gossip

Nicholas Tse & Faye Wong rumoured to be back together again

[studiomoonchild]

Kingdom Hearts 3 Personal Work MOX Co-Working Space, Singapore (2019)

[iczer-ryuga2]

I haven’t posted here for a while but this one needs some attention. This was posted for a recent event called AFA SG Illustration Contest ‘22 and I doggedly posted submissions like there’s no tomorrow. This one was originally meant for a birthday present for a cosplay - Elin-Kuzunoha who dresses up as Chun-li a lot but was shelved. I decided to bring it back as a piece for the contest and since SF6 is doing numbers, I decided why not? You can see my pieces here since the contest has ended but now is in the judgement phase: https://www.pixiv.net/contest/afasg2022

I used her colors from the SF2 Anime movie look and wow, it does look like it, doesn’t it?

[brokehorrorfan]

Prints and original artwork from Spoke Art's Draw Me Like One of Your Final Girls exhibit are available online. I’ve highlighted 10 of my favorite pieces, but be sure to peruse the site to see everything.

Final Girls Sleepover by Steenz (14x11, limited to 50, $35)

Texas Chainsaw Massacre by Chelsea Lowe (20x16, limited to 100, $35)

The Craft by SG Posters (11x14, limited to 25, $35)

The Descent by Hannah Templer (12x18, limited to 25, $35)

Crimson Peak by Nan Lawson (11x14, limited to 50, $35)

A Nightmare on Elm Street by Cryssy Cheung (12x12, limited to 25, $45)

Cat People by Sister Hyde (20x15, limited to 50, $75)

Baby Jane by Jemma Klein (18x24, limited to 30, $80)

Aliens by Bella Grace (16x24, limited to 100, $35)

Midsommar by Sara Deck (11x17, limited to 150, $40)

[alittlebirb]

Some stuff and nonsense from the MCC Pride 22 Yellow Yaks!

CPK and Oli hanging out in order to record the event

Shubble being unsure whether Grian is alive while they wait for him to show signs of presence

Scott reassuring his chat that Owenge is in fact a streamer too, and not a random man he pulled off the street to watch him play MCC!

Grian decreeing that they have the "world's strongest Build Mart team!"

Grian freaking out that he's "forgotten all of Pete's training already!" at the start of Grid Runners.

"Grian's just gonna ragdoll and see where he lands, it's like in Gangbeasts." -Scott

"Pete's gonna be so proud of me, figuring out strategy!" -Grian

The gang deciding on positioning and Gem calling herself "Basement Girl."

Gem then promoting herself to "Ground Floor Girl".

Scott making a clock and everyone around him throwing redstone at him, just in case

Grian falling behind and running towards the exit door and everyone cheering him on, semi sarcastically

"You're doing amazing sweetie!" -Scott

"C'mon, emotional support straight!" -Gem

The bakery being so depleted from all the players devouring the cake supply that now they're just asking for them to make cakes for them, please

None of the builders being able to figure out the redstone for the final room right away

Everyone being so conditioned from previous GRs that they have to reload their definition of "beasts" for the chicken room

New drinking game! Take a drink every time Grian mentions his favorite MCC buddy Pete! It's happened 3 times so far!

Grian watching the Simmers do the redstone room and just saying "redstone is hard..."

Everyone getting so invested in Blue that they start shouting at the screen

"Grian has like, PTSD from being one coin behind in a Pride MCC." -Scott

Gem disappointingly saying they didn't get cosmetics this time, just breakfast...

Grian relating how one time he went to a US restaurant and ordered a child-sized serving of pancakes, and he had "far too many left over!"

"CHILDREN, HOW MANY PANCAKES ARE YOU EATING??" -Grian

Gem waiting to see when Grian would see the rainbow chicken in the cosmetics section and holding a running bet with her chat

Grian admitting he doesn't watch the update videos, getting lambasted by Scott, and demanding "I didn't start my stream until 8 minutes after the event, you think I have my life together??"

"My content is so poor that my cat can't even stand it!" -Grian

Scott lamenting that he can't call people hitting him a hate crime this time around, because almost everyone is queer!

"How can I weaponize my sexuality now??" -Scott

The Pridebowl PKT map being inspired by a League of Legends piece of art in which the flags were incorporated throughout the background

"Gimme some 🌶 spicy 🌶 callouts!" -Gem about PKT

Gem carrying the second round against Lime!

Everyone being terrified of Jojo hunting them

"I was humbled by that other team because I couldn't catch them." -Shubble as hunter

Gem suddenly becoming British while complaining about PKT?

"I like being British!" -Gem

Scott saying that Vixella "appeared below me like a shark hunting her prey!"

Grian admiring how good Zeuz is

Grian getting mixed up with Shubble and Gem's names many many times

"One of the girls!" -Shubble

"There's no way I should be alive right now, just so you're aware!" -Scott, fighting for his life against TapL

Scott somehow winning against TapL, getting in his head, and everyone surviving that round??

"Just so everyone knows, I have physically peaked tonight! Whether I go home with a coin or not, I've won!" -Scott

Scott then ascending in the decision dome, and being forced to give his Love Bow to Shubble

"Someone in my chat said <he's becoming gay god>. That, contrasted with another saying <he's being abducted>" -Scott

Scott calling the SG remix Pokémon!

Gem and Shelby being on the same wavelength today, The Girls™

Yellow being sacrificed for the Greater Gays in SG

Shubble reassuring everyone to not let it get to them, and Grian responding "it's gotten to me already! It's sitting on my spine!"

Scott and Shubble cheering on The Girls, and Scott saying that Jojo can make it solo, she doesn't have "solos" in her name for no reason

Scott trying to spectate Kara and continuously getting doors shut in his face

"This is very rude." -Scott

Grian warning Shubble "if you're a runner in Build Mart, our friendship might be on the line."

"I am no longer sure." -Shubble

"During Build Mart, our friendship goes into a little box. Afterwards it comes back out." -Grian

Everyone gathering and ascending into the flamingo together

The BB map only half loading, and Scott calling it a trust fall experience

Everyone planning to ride Grian during Terra Swoop Force in TGTTOS

Shubble and Geminislay carrying in the first round of BB!

"I really need to learn how to pvp." -Grian (please, sir)

"I killed Jojo, so it's like the equivalent of killing Dream, right?" -Grian

"I lost my plot armor, Dream killed me." -Grian

"It's fine Grian, it's non canon! It's the equivalent of another universe in comics!" -Scott

"I hit a man!" -Gem

Scott going out against Pink in a kamikaze potion of harming

"You get style points for that one." -Grian

Scott getting an ace against Orange! He's a PVP god!

"Grian's like, I aged 13 years, just in these last few games." -Scott

Grian and Scott both getting 420 coins in BB! Ayyyyy!

Grian scheduling himself to go to Ghana, and getting a little nervous about meeting with Nana and the village, as he is "a socially anxious man who has spent his mid 20's behind a computer screen".

Grian rambling about editing and his videos during the break so long that he completely forgets to get his anticipated glass of water

Everyone responding "Aye aye Captain!" to Grian directing in BM

Y'all I'm actually just watching in awe with my jaw dropped while Yellow absolutely dominates BM. I'm so impressed. They didn't move from first place ONCE.

Scott talking about how he and Shubble always hold hands during SOT

"I smell. I didn't smell before this, but now I smell." -Grian

Gem deciding she'd going to punch and be a menace this TGTTOS, and everyone telling her it's fine, it's non canon, it won't hurt her vibe.

Wilbur joining the vc on Shubble's account and talking with Grian and Gem during AR, because he heard "it's Ace Race time."

"Scott sounds a little different." -Gem

Wilbur beginning his AR podcast in his "sensual voice" with Grian and Gem listening in shocked horror while he talks about "doing" her, how he's "a bit of a demon" with both AR and SOT, discusses the intimate workings of his complex relationship, and him and Grian agreeing to both put each other down for teams next MCC

Shubble giving her account to Wilbur for AR, and Scott giving his account to Owen, saying if Owen gets top 3 he'll donate 1000 pounds (he did)

Gem getting her best AR performance yet with Wilbur in her ear

"I just want Wilbur to know that my chat did not enjoy that. He was talking to Ace Race, but it was a little bit charged." -Grian

"When the wall says Gay, you shout Gay!" -Scott about HITW

Gem and Scott missing the yellow platforms this time around, while Shubble is glad to have the HITW she knows and loves back

"Yellow! That's...the color of the wall. I'm not speaking again." -Shubble

Everyone calling the Green wall "Grian, Grian, Grian."

"Shelby it's Hole In The Wall, not Ace In The Wall, so you had your game." -Scott

Shelby tragically dying to a zombie and saying "that's it, I'm getting toxic with my eggs now."

"Noo there's so many mobs!" -Gem

"You're welcome!" -Scott

Grian winning the second round and SCREAMING into the mic!

"Grian is reaching octaves previously unknown to man!" -Scott

"Grian just picks a new game each MCC to pop off this time." -Scott after Grian gets in the top 5 players of HITW

"When the stars align, I'll pop off in every game!" -Grian

Scott introducing everyone to the Hard Button™ in Terra Swoop Force

The NPCs in TGTTOS being the straight MCC players

Scott and Shubble getting into a cycle of getting on top of each other

"Me and Shelby keep mounting each other!" -Scott

Owen and Scott reading out Gumi's message demanding which "BOOT LICKING BEAN SLURPING FELLAS" HIT HER in tandem

Owen encouraging Scott to be nice, and then watching him get hit and doing a heel turn straight into KILL THE MAN

Everyone continuously mourning that if they'd just gotten a normal Survival Games...

Geminislay carrying TGTTOS!

Scott and Gem getting wings, becoming " a gay butterfly" and "a pride fairy!"

Shubble and Scott calling for donations to them, two gays

"They say charity starts at home, and home is me!" -Scott

Shubble breathing heavily and murmuring "Let us in." about 20v20 DB

Grian asking "is this what is was like to watch me?" during Red's 1v3

Grian taking a moment to address this one guy Brady in the chat who has been consistently asking how Maui and Pearl are doing the entire tournament, and saying "they're doing great, they're my cats, they're all cute and snuggly!"

Gem just admiring her pride wings and comparing them to her Empires wings

Grian killing his one-sided arch nemesis, Zeuz, in the 20v20

"I ate it." -Grian after dying

"That one almost came for me, I felt it on my chin!" -Shubble

Shubble almost rounding out her MCC story by doing a Shubble once again in the 20v20, but losing to Jacksepticeye

"He's an ally, he's carrying a gay!" -Scott about Grian's gay chicken buddy

Yellow Yaks finished MCC Pride 22 in 4th place!

[macarelstyle]

PSG X FLAVIEN

[koboldsoul]

a new little day within my hand

this was supposed to be for sg week but I’m bad at finishing things period, much less on time. in any case, we get to have some indulgent h/c between our two emotionally constipated wizards. as a treat. special thanks to @strwpup for betaing! 4585 words, shadowgast, gen, ao3

“I have more of Caduceus’ mixture,” Essek said from the doorway, the little ceramic pot in his hands testament to the words. Caleb nodded his assent to a question that had not been asked.

“Ja,” he said aloud, rather unnecessarily. The hoarseness was new, but welcome: for two days after that final, awful battle, he hadn’t been able to speak at all. Maybe he was still relishing the ability to coax sound from a shredded throat. “Thank you.”

That seemed all Essek needed to be confident in his approach, and this, too, was new. Since reuniting in Eiselcross, mutual hard worry had softened into gentle concern somewhere along the course of relearning their dynamic, and though Caleb had warmed at the change, there was no telling what had inspired it.

In any case, Essek settled beside Caleb on the low settee without apprehension, and removed the lid from the little pot. A week into his recovery, Caleb no longer flinched at the sharp smell of herbs; now, as Essek took his battered hands and carefully unwrapped the bandages, there was a comfort—nearly a sweetness—to both the touch and the scent.

Caleb’s hands immediately began to tremble without their wrappings, the tendons flexing in uncontrollable spasms. Time had yet to complete its work on their appearance, either: to Caleb’s eyes, they seemed a stranger’s, warped and scarred beyond what his past teachers (the archmage, the streets, the call of adventure) had managed on their own. There were many things he used to know like the back of his hand—they were a mystery, now, and the limbs themselves unrecognizable.

He glanced at Essek’s face instead of contemplating that further. His impeccable recall wouldn’t let him forget what his ravaged flesh looked like, anyways, and he would much rather commit to memory the dusting of silver across the bridge of the drow’s nose and the sharp angle of his cheeks, a shade darker than the platinum of his lashes and hair. His brows, knit together in concentration, matched.

They were seated close enough that Caleb could feel the puff of air from Essek’s soft sigh. It accompanied a flash of hurt in his eyes, something vulnerable and sad, when he brought Caleb’s exposed fingers up for inspection. “Your hands look…” He trailed off, apparently searching for the words. Caleb was not sure what would hurt most, what would ache best—there were no words for the destruction he had wrought on his one infallible tool. “...better,” Essek eventually decided, and got to work applying the salve.

Caleb could argue, but it was true enough. Each day of intensive healing, of careful application of potions and poultices and therapy, had made them more closely resemble what he remembered. Neither cleric was sure if they would ever be the same, though Veth was—as always—recklessly optimistic, promising he’d be back in fighting form in no time. Sometimes it chafed, the hope. It burned and blinded the same as any raw magic.

“Any sensation, yet?” Essek asked, voice low.

Caleb watched the salve spread over his skin and imagined it cool and smooth, faintly tingling as was typical of many of Caduceus’ blends, but...he shook his head. “Nothing,” he rasped, and tried not to let the terror behind the admission show on his face.

He must not have been able to keep it out of his voice, however, for Essek paused in his application to shoot him a look of concern. Why he had elected to oversee Caleb’s treatment when he was not well-versed in the healing arts—and moreover, why Caleb preferred his fellow wizard in the role as opposed to another, better-suited member of the Nein—was still something of a puzzle to them both.

Perhaps it was reassuring to be tended by someone who understood, better than anyone else, that a wizard’s hands were his life. Perhaps—and this was a notion Caleb loathed to put words to—he simply enjoyed Essek’s company, the practiced motion of his fingers. Or perhaps Caleb was simply a coward, and could not bear to look the Nein in the eyes, not after what he had done to ensure they all returned to the Material Plane alive.

Saved us, Veth had said. Scared us, Beau had said. Really done a number on yourself, Caduceus had said, and Jester: Protected us, so now it’s our turn to protect you for a little bit, okay?

Caleb knew they meant well, and a part of him longed for their companionship and their care; the rest of him, however, could not bear to see them, or to be seen. Because...for a little bit was optimistic. For a little bit implied a promising prognosis. For a little bit was not—was not what was in the cards for a scholar who could not write, an adventurer who could not fight, a mage who could not cast.

But even after a week alone with these thoughts, Caleb was hardly about to articulate this to himself, much less say this to his friends. So he let Essek finish his treatment in silence, patiently massaging the salve into each hand and working them through stretches that Caleb could not feel. When he was done, they simply sat, hand in hand. Breathing. Thinking.

Essek cleared his throat and absentmindedly rubbed some circles into Caleb’s ruined palms. “I…” he started, trailing off, and Caleb tensed; these treatment sessions were not habitually accompanied by conversation. “I understand, how...how difficult this must be—”

“Difficult?” Caleb repeated, the consonants catching in his throat so sharply he had to bite back a cough. He knew he was meant to be resting his voice, but although there was no vocabulary to describe his present circumstance, not in a way that captured it faithfully, difficult was so woefully inadequate that reticence was out of the question.

“Essek,” he went on incredulously, “I—I cannot do anything like this—write! Eat! Dress, even. I can’t cast or light matches or turn doorknobs or—anything. Without my hands, what am I supposed to—how do I—” It was too many words at once, and he tugged his hands out of Essek’s grip to muffle a round of coughs with his arm. When his eyes watered, he blamed it on the discomfort and could only hope that his nurse also ascribed the symptom thus.

Essek remained quiet through the outburst and fit alike, but out of patience or unease, Caleb did not know. Palm-up and empty, his hands rested loose and...forlorn, almost, in his lap. Oily residue from the salve gleamed in the lantern-light, gold on the dark of his skin.

Lanterns, for once. Lanterns—because Caleb could not muster the dexterity for even a simple cantrip he had learned to cast at six years old. His eyes continued to burn even when the fit passed. His throat remained tight.

“I don’t...I don’t know what to say.” Essek addressed their knees, knocking together on the narrow couch, but the unexpected honesty still hit Caleb full in the face. Uncertainty, Essek had once said, was the surest way to lose one’s footing in the court, and though his time with the Nein had given him ample opportunity to labor at vulnerability, it seemed to Caleb that developing the habit was a glacial process. “You are...such a gifted mage, and I—”

He broke off again, but Caleb had nothing to add. Was, he might have corrected, but the past tense would have grated like broken glass, and he choked it back with the tears.

“I cannot begin to imagine,” Essek said at last, studying his own hands, flexing his fingers and rubbing at his palm with the pad of his thumb, “how it would feel to lose my own hands. How...terribly feeble, and exposed, and...and useless I would suppose I seemed to others.”

Caleb scoffed to cover up his sniffle, and turned his head away and down so that he wouldn’t have to see the pity in Essek’s eyes when the drow inevitably looked up to meet his gaze again. “Ja,” he said, harsh and bitter, “you have the right of it.”

“But,” Essek went on, louder, more firmly, “I am not any of those things, and neither are you, do you hear me, Widogast?”

Essek might have thought this a kindness, these trite words, but all they did was sour the hopeless feeling in Caleb’s chest. It was heavy enough on its own without the gall of false affirmations.

“Like this, I can open a locked door, blur my form, and cross a space, and that is all,” Caleb said, and the rasp only made him sound angrier. He had catalogued his spells over and over again, every morning and evening, mentally flipping through the books whose pages he could no longer physically turn.

“That is all,” he repeated, and it was wet where he wanted scorching. Fire was familiar. Anger was easy, and burned better than sorrow. “That is the extent of my ability without my hands, you understand? I cannot protect them this way. I cannot—I cannot even summon a place for them to stay, a place for us to regroup while they plan around my...my inability to—”

“They don’t keep you merely for your ability to—”

“I know!” Caleb burst out, and there were tears falling in earnest now, landing on his useless, scarred-up hands and leaving dark splotches on the blanket over his legs, left there lovingly by Veth some hours ago. “I know. But I...I need this, Essek. You have to know this. You know this better than anyone else I have ever met.”

Essek did not do him the disservice of trying to argue. “I...I do.”

“If I don’t…” Caleb dashed uselessly at his eyes, and it was clumsy and humiliating the way he couldn’t feel what he was doing, the heel of his hand catching on his nose before he could reach his cheek to brush away evidence of at least this one failing.

Foolish, this attempt at subterfuge. As if he were without an audience. As if Essek had not already seen him at his lowest. As if crying like a child was the only sign that things were terribly, terribly wrong.

“If I don’t recover, all I can do is get them killed.”

“Do you regret it, then?”

That brought Caleb up short. He abandoned his attempts to scrub his face dry. “Was?”

“You could have let go,” Essek explained, kindly, as if this weren’t the most obvious thing in the world. “As soon as you felt the magic begin to burn, you could have let go. Let the gate close. If you could go back—do it over—would you have let go?”

“You know I wouldn’t have.” He said it softly, like a dirty secret, even though it was insultingly self-evident. The alternative—it didn’t bear even considering.

Essek nodded, and when Caleb turned his head away—tried to escape some of the intensity in Essek’s gaze—the drow dropped to his knees on the rough wood floor, equally unyielding. “You weighed the risk,” he agreed, and insisted, “and you chose their lives over—” Essek bit his lip, one sharp canine peeking out as he laced his fingers, folded his hands in front of him. “Well. You...you have to understand what you—what I—what...what it looked like to...to watch.”

Caleb could only imagine. The gate had resisted his touch with violent intent, endlessly fed by a wellspring of terrible, raw planar magic. He remembered...pain. Remembered the iron conviction that his friends—the Nein—his family—needed more time. He remembered...counting out the seconds, holding the gate open with his bare hands, even as his skin bubbled and melted and his nerves weathered the assault of surging magic, waves whipping the Weave about with the furious abandon of a storming sea, and the burn burn burn of power—too much, not enough, everywhere.

He didn’t remember screaming, but by the state of his voice afterwards, he must have. He didn’t remember Veth and Jester making it out, though they must have—they were here, safe. He certainly didn’t remember passing out, but that must have happened, too. So no, he supposed he did not fully know what his suffering must have looked like to an outsider, but...

He chuckled entirely without humor. “I assure you it felt worse.”

Essek nodded. “I don’t doubt that,” he said quietly. “I don’t doubt that. And you knew, if not before, then certainly very quickly after, what was at stake. Am I wrong?”

He was not. Caleb didn’t need to say the words aloud for Essek to know.

Shoulders slumping, Essek settled on his heels and rubbed at his eyes with the back of his wrist. “And you would do it again,” he said. “Even knowing you might never cast again, even if it cost you the magic you love, the alternative...that price would have been too steep, and no one would disagree with you on that. Caleb,” Essek said, leaning forward and taking his face between his hands, brushing away frustrated, shameful tears with his thumbs, “they both would have died. Veth, Jester—neither of them would have made it out.”

Instinctively, Caleb’s hands came up to take Essek’s wrists—not to tug them away, but just to hold—but he could neither feel them nor sufficiently flex his fingers for a satisfactory grip. It was the final straw.

“I know,” Caleb said, voice cracking along with what remained of his composure, and he did not fight when Essek pulled him down into an embrace.

This, too, was new, and—Caleb hesitated to call it good, because touch had always been a fraught thing between them. There were so few touches they had ever shared without pretense, but...he did not have the energy for pretense now. He didn’t even know what agenda he would be pushing if he had.

Numbness in his hands aside, every other inch of skin seemed abruptly hyper-sensitive, and Caleb rattled apart in Essek’s hold, blind and trembling. Careful fingers found their way into his hair, gently guided his head into the crook of a neck, encouraged his hands into the tiny gap between their chests as arms tightened about his shoulders. Claustrophobia warred with the awful certainty that he would shatter without this grounding pressure to hold his pieces together.

It had been a long, long time since Caleb had cried with such abandon. He had tipped past some long-forgotten (or long-buried) threshold, found himself drowning in the great whelm of fear—grief—fury—relief—and knew, suddenly, that this was why it was always Essek who insisted on treating Caleb’s injured hands, who never suggested Caleb accept help from one of the clerics. That Essek had been patiently anticipating this—and had wanted to spare Caleb the anguish of losing control in front of the others.

Trust was a complicated thing, and this was not trust so much as it was understanding. Essek was not safe in this sense, but—he was a place free of condemnation. Hypocrites they were, both, but playing at judgment was a thing of the past, and despite the uncertainty, the still-healing rift, they had both silently agreed to turn their eyes towards the future.

And so Caleb sobbed like a child and ignored the many warring voices inside of him that by turns berated and applauded him for this show of weakness. All the while, hands that had rent reality, started wars, plucked at the threads of fate like the taut strings of a harp—these hands cradled him like something precious. Comfort and protection in one.

There were no words for this, not even those that could be expressed in touch. If Essek tried to speak, Caleb could not hear him over the blood roaring in his ears, the hiccuping gasps and involuntary wails coming out of his own mouth. If any of them resolved themselves into intelligible speech, he had no inkling of what he was trying to say.

He had saved his friends, yes, and in so doing had damned himself beyond the point of no return.

It was a long time before the shaking stopped, and when it did, Caleb slumped, exhausted. He ached from his knees to his sinuses, scooped out and hollow. He was warm here, tucked up against Essek’s chest, and stooped—Essek was slightly shorter than him—but Essek’s fingers were cool where they rested against the back of his neck.

Embarrassment quickly rushed in to fill the empty space left behind by this great purge of emotion. Though it tested what little reserves of energy Caleb had left, he tensed. Essek’s grip tightened in response, and faintly, over the sound of his own rattling breaths, Caleb heard him whisper shh, shh, shh.

This is alright, he seemed to say. This is alright for a little while. And Caleb did not have the wherewithal to argue, so he curled in tighter and resolutely did not think about the arms wrapped around his torso.

“Let me teach you something,” Essek murmured into his hair after some time. “Something new.”

The words were difficult to find, and when they came, they were rough. “How would that work?”

“We will start small.” Essek pulled away—Caleb mourned the contact briefly, though the relief of being able to breathe freely again washed over him in a confused wave with his release—but only to resituate at Caleb’s side and stretch his right arm out over Caleb’s, his left underneath. Caleb’s palm, he sandwiched between both of his hands. “You will remember if I show you, I have no doubt, but...this is better.”

Wish I could feel it, Caleb thought, absurdly, but that was fruitless thinking. Wish I could feel you was even more sincere, but that was a step too far. “What does it do?”

“Does it matter?” Essek asked, and Caleb supposed it didn’t.

For several long minutes, Essek manipulated Caleb’s shaking hands and useless fingers into careful shapes, puppeting him through a series of somatic gestures that he narrated in a soft voice directly into Caleb’s ear.

Fingers curled, wrists twisted. Over and over again, they formed poetry in angles and strokes, some of the elements—the careful geometry—familiar from past lessons in the dunamantic arts. Their hands blurred together, deep blue-gray-purple and angry red-pink-white, exhaustion or the lingering burn of tears painting their shapes with a singular uniformity.

Perfect memory had Caleb anticipating each movement by the second sequence, and it felt good—even satisfying—to trace out the gross motor elements with his arms, though he could only watch the finer motions take shape. He was putty, malleable clay. And then...Essek’s ministrations stuttered, an uncharacteristic hesitation.

“Did you just—” Essek cut himself off. As if trying to forget the moment entirely, he made as if to finish the sequence. It was slower, though, and sloppier, and no sooner had he completed the final flick than he seemed to reconsider. “I thought I…” he started, faltering. “Did you…?”

“Do it again,” Caleb whispered. Seven times Essek had gone through the motions, and on the last...Caleb could hardly dare hope, knew he was likely imagining things, but…for a split second, maybe…

They traced the rune on the air together. Essek tugged Caleb’s pointer finger in, extended the outer three. Brushed them through imaginary gossamer, lack of intent unable to bring them in proper contact with the Weave, and then—a simple thumb stroke. But Essek’s gentle grip was just a split-second behind the movement of Caleb’s thumb against the outside of his index finger.

Neither of them spoke. Bringing it to light, giving voice to it—it was not up to them to tempt fate in this manner. They only sought out fate with intent to control it, and this was too fragile a thing.

But Caleb could hear the tension in every inhale-exhale. Excitement—curiosity—very nearly hope—was in the very air they breathed. There was no sensation in his hands, but the frisson of thrill was an illusion of lightning arcing down his arm, making the hairs stand on end and...and easing the tremble in his fingers.

They repeated the somatic component one final time, but Essek did not let go of his hand. He laced their fingers together and let both fall to Caleb’s lap. “Now with the material component?” he suggested, and it was the most tentative sort of excitement Caleb thought he had ever heard from the man. Essek was a reserved individual, yes, but his anticipation had never been a frail thing.

“What is it?”

In lieu of answering, Essek freed one hand from their tangle and reached back. Caleb heard the jingle of metal and precious stone, much closer to his ear than he’d expected and—he craned his neck, curious.

“Ah,” Essek said, and just as he managed to free one piece of jewelry from his left ear, he said, “any crystal will do, though of course quality can, ah, affect the spell’s potency. Not in the shape standard for this particular spell, but it will do in a pinch.”

And how like a mage to ensure he was never without his tools of trade. How like Essek to ensure that his components were both beautiful and quick to hand. They were both ever-practical, but where Caleb’s pragmatism was, by necessity, ruthless, Essek’s had always been a touch elegant.

“Between your third and fourth fingers,” Essek instructed softly, and demonstrated himself. The stone shimmered between his knuckles, and when he twisted his hand, it caught the lantern-light and flashed like a tongue of flame. “Here.”

Essek slipped the gem into place—Caleb dutifully raised his arm to an appropriate casting height—and used both hands to mold Caleb’s into proper formation.

“I’ll drop it,” Caleb warned, as Essek went to release his fingers in order to begin guiding him once more through the somatic sequence.

“You won’t,” Essek replied, and it even sounded sincere. “We will...we will go slow. All you need to do is hold on.”

And wasn’t that always the case? Wasn’t that how Caleb had gotten here in the first place, what he had told himself as he counted down the seconds through a haze of pain? All you need to do is hold on.

He took a deep breath in. Held it.

Hold on.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could just see the edge of Essek’s profile. His chin rested lightly on Caleb’s shoulder. His cheek brushed Caleb’s jaw.

We will go slow.

Caleb thought about dancing, and circling, and spiraling inevitably towards gravity’s center until you were close enough to walk hand in hand. He was human; he was not accustomed to going slow. Essek, with his elven lifespan and his particular expertise in the arcane, had so much more time at his disposal—

And he had chosen to spend it here. With Caleb. All you need to do is hold on.

Caleb breathed out, focused hard, and steeled his will. “Ja, okay. I can...I can do that.” He felt Essek nod, then heard his verbal acknowledgement.

“Just hold on,” Essek said again, and Caleb did. He honed in on the crystal between his fingers, bid his deadened nerves and healing muscle to bend to his will. And when Essek let go, left the gem entirely at the mercy of gravity and Caleb’s grip, it—it shook in his grasp, but it didn’t clatter to the floor.

The sharp laugh that Caleb barked out startled them both, but the sheer delight—sunlight breaking through clouds, the first POP of a corn kernel in the pot, the last term slotting into place to make a formula work—could not be contained to his chest. How ridiculous to be so pleased by so simple an act, and yet—

Essek let out a disbelieving chuckle that quickly gave way to several more in succession before devolving into a full bout of giggles that he tried and failed to muffle in the crook of Caleb’s neck. Had Caleb been wearing his scarf, the sound might have found some measure of cover, but clad as he was in clothing for sleep, each giddy exhale was a spark against his skin and deafening in his ears. Infectious.

They did not manage even half the somatic sequence with the crystal in hand—it fell to the ground when Caleb curled his arms over his aching abdomen, quaking with hysterics—but he had not laughed like this in...in...he did not know how long. He was wrung out. There was nothing in him left to dampen the hilarity of it, to absorb the heady, intoxicating spread of this great wildfire feeling.

Was this it? Was this the tipping point? Where the simple act of holding a stone between two fingers was enough to promote wonder? Had he finally cracked entirely, gone over the edge?

(Maybe. Maybe. But was that so awful? Especially when it might be enough, too, to send them both over a different edge entirely?)

Briefly, Caleb considered the fact that this small victory was no indication that things would truly improve, that the future held anything more than the tragedy of a slow and incomplete recovery, but nevertheless...he laughed. It was something. It was something. Hearing his voice and Essek’s mingling—wordless mirth—and reveling in a shared moment over a personal triumph...it was something.

When the laughter died, Caleb became aware that they were leaning solidly against one another, foreheads pressed together and Essek’s nose brushing his cheek as they both recovered their breath. Joy—the first he had felt in weeks—faded to simple hope, but that was no small thing. It ached, still, but...not quite as unbearably as before.

“What is the incantation?” Caleb panted, drunk on the feeling of it.

“Ah, it is—” Essek cleared his throat. “Gyllenek’eroth zere. Be careful not to—ah, to agitate your throat. Repeat it...repeat it slowly. You should feel it, ah, here.” And so saying, he pressed his fingers to the vulnerable skin under Caleb’s jaw, just to the outside of his jugular. It should have been a viscerally distressing sensation, intrusive at best, and though it certainly wasn’t what Caleb would call comfortable, he found he didn’t mind.

“Gyllenek’eroth...zere,” Caleb repeated. With Essek’s hand there, he was keenly aware of the vibrations of the rumbling consonants.

“Nearly,” Essek whispered, breathless. “Again. Slower.”

Letting his eyes fall shut, Caleb complied. “Gyllenek...eroth...zere.”

“Again?”

He repeated the incantation, softer. Then again, even softer, tilting his head. They both sighed when their noses brushed, when Essek’s hand slid around the back of Caleb’s neck. Once more—carefully enunciated—Caleb murmured the incantation, and felt the warmth of his own air against his lips. It would be a matter of millimeters to press their mouths together.

“Is this okay?” he breathed, and wondered how many steps were left in this dance.

He felt Essek’s answer, a breath against his skin, before he heard it. “Your pronunciation is perfect.”

Just a few more steps, then. “Okay.”

“Once more?” Essek asked, and Caleb was braver with his eyes closed.

He whispered the incantation into Essek’s mouth and swallowed the gasping reply.

[studiomoonchild]

Royalty and Loyalty Personal Work MOX Co-Working Space, Singapore (2018)

[stranger-who-writes-fiction]

Back at it again with my self-indulgent comic posts. This time! It’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #3, perhaps the most tonally-distinct entry yet, with shades of The Twilight Zone. 

Spoilers!

So, as mentioned, this issue is the most deliberate in terms of both its pacing and its tone, IMO.

What is that tone, you ask?

To quote Alex Danvers, from “Midvale”: Hello, darkness.

THE STORY:

Kara and Ruthye are still looking for Krem Clues in the alien town of Maypole.

(Which is actually just Small Town, USA, complete with vintage 50s aesthetics.)

But the locals are clearly hiding something! So Kara and Ruthye continue to investigate, and they eventually discover what it was that the residents of Maypole were so keen to keep hidden. 

Genocide, basically. 

As I said, this issue struck me as very Twilight Zone; a genre story involving the build-up to a dark twist, all set against the backdrop of an idyllic small town. (Think, like, “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street” but instead of focusing on the Red Scare, it’s classism and racism.)

The wealthier blue aliens kicked all of the purple aliens out of town, and when space pirates showed up to pillage and plunder, the blue aliens made a deal with them: the lives of the purple aliens in exchange for their safety.  

Which is where the episodic story connects to the larger mission; it was Krem who suggested the trade, and then joined up with the Brigands (space pirates) when he was freed by the blue aliens.

The issue ends with no tidy resolution to the terrible things Kara and Ruthye discovered, but they do have a lead on where to find Krem, now, as well as Barbond’s Brigands.

KARA-CTERIZATION:

Ironically, it’s here, in the darkest chapter yet, that we get the closest to what might be considered ‘classic’ Kara. 

Which I think comes down to that aforementioned deliberate pace--this issue is a little slower, a little quieter. It gives the characters some room to breathe.

That’s not to say Crusty Kara is gone. Oh no. She is still very much Crusty. XD 

But anyways. A list! Of Kara moments I loved!

I mentioned a few of these in a prior post when the preview pages came out: I like the moment where Kara blows down the guy’s house of cards, and I like that the action is echoed later in the issue when she grabs the mayor’s desk and tosses it aside. A nice visual representation of the escalation of Kara being, like. Done with these creeps. (Creeps is an understatement but you get the idea.)

Another one from the preview pages: Kara explains to Ruthye that her super hearing won’t necessarily help her detect a lie, especially if she’s dealing with an alien species she’s not familiar with.

It not only reveals her level of competence and understanding of her super powers, it also shows that, you know. She’s a thinker. She’s smart. 

Amazing! Showing, rather than telling us, that Kara is smart! Without mentioning the science guild at all wow hey wow.

(Sorry, pointed criticism of the SG show fandom.)

Anyways.

I dig the PJs! 

And Kara catching the bullet! Not only are the poses and character acting great, it’s also a neat bit of panel composition:

We start with Ruthye’s POV, and then move to the wide shot of the room. The panel where Kara actually catches the bullet is down and to the side of the wide shot panel--we move our eyes the way her body/arm would have to move to intercept the bullet. Physicality in static, 2D images!

Also, like. It’s a very tense moment, life-or-death, but. Ruthye’s wide-eyed surprise at the bullet in Kara’s hand? Kind of adorable. 

I was pretty much prepared for the page of Kara shielding Ruthye from the gunfire to be the highlight--it was one of the first pages King shared and I was like, ‘yeah, YEAH.’ But, shockingly? The TRUE highlight of the issue?

Where do I BEGIN?!?!

EVERYTHING. About this moment. Is lovely.

From Kara holding Ruthye above the bench to explaining the concept of a piggyback ride, to telling her:

“I’m going to hold my hands here, and these hands can turn coal into diamonds, so they’re not going to let go. I’m going to keep you safe.”

HNNNNNNNNNNNG.

Ruthye’s narration--about how Kara had avoided flying as she was concerned it would freak Ruthye out--just adds a whole additional layer of YES, GOOD, YES, and her line on that splash page is great: “You see, all that time, she was worried about me.”

HNNNNNNNNNNNG. AGAIN.

To say nothing of the STELLAR ARTWORK.

And SPEAKING of that stellar artwork, Evely and Lopes continue to knock it out of the park. Each issue is distinct and beautifully crafted, a true joy to look at.

Before I jump into more of the art, a few final notes of character stuff in general.

Ruthye is the one most affected by the experience in Maypole, as she can’t comprehend how a society of people that look so nice and gentle and peaceful could have been party to such a horrible act.

One of the big criticisms of the book thus far is that Supergirl is not the main character, and I guess I can agree with that observation. Typically, in Western media, the main character is the one who goes through the most change in the story. 

And, yeah. That’s Ruthye.

As I was reading the end, where Ruthye sits on the curb and Kara hugs her, I was imagining how the scene would’ve played, had King stuck with the original idea for the series: Kara as the one learning to be tough/experiencing all of this for the first time, and while I think that could certainly work...

I continue to appreciate that King literally flipped the script; that Kara, especially in this issue, is like, ‘I’ve seen this, I know this,’ as opposed to being the one going through a loss of innocence.

*Marge Simpson voice* I just think it’s neat!

Because Kara’s been a teen in DC comics for so long--ever since she was reintroduced to the main DCU continuity, actually--so this is all brand new territory, here. Having an older Kara who’s SEEN SOME STUFF.

(Alsoooooo, since Bendis made the destruction of Krypton not just inaction and climate disaster, but rather, genocide, and the subtext of a Kryptonian diaspora text, the waitress’ derogatory comment regarding the the destruction of Kryton, as well as Kara picking up the bad vibes the entire time, suggests not just a broad commentary on discrimination in all its forms, but specifically allegorical anti-Semitism. The purple aliens being forced out of their homes and into substandard living conditions, then the blue aliens--their neighbors and once-fellow residents--essentially allowing the space pirates to kill them, making them literal scapegoats, Kara discovering the remains of the purple aliens, and Ruthye’s horror at the ‘banality of evil’...yes. A case could be made, I think.) 

(Which would probably require a post unto itself and a lot more in-depth discussion, nuance, and cited sources.)

(Should mention that King has brought up that both he and Orlando--the other Supergirl writer he talked to--are Jewish, and for him personally, that shaped his views on Kara’s origin story.)

I guess my point is that this issue is perhaps not as out-of-left-field as some might think, and just because there isn’t as obvious an arc for Kara, doesn’t mean there isn’t some sharp character work at play. 

(I could be WAY OFF, of course, and I’m not suggesting it’s a clear 1:1 comparison. I’d actually really love to hear King talk about this issue in particular.)

Anyways.

Here’s the final page, which I think works, because as I mentioned before, there is no easy answer/quick wrap-up to the story of Maypole:

THE ART:

I mean. How many times can I just shout ‘ART! AAAARRRRRRRRRRRTTTT!’ before it gets old?

I dunno, but I guess we’re gonna FIND OUT.

There are some panels in this issue that I just. Like ‘em! From a purely artistic standpoint! Because they’re so good!

Like, I just really love the way Kara is drawn in that top panel. Her troubled, confused expression, the colors of the fading light, the HAIR. 

Evely draws the best hair. I know I’ve said this before. I don’t care. I will continue to say it, because it continues to be true.

The issue I find myself running up against when I make these posts is that I really don’t want to post whole pages, as that’s generally frowned upon (re: pirating etc.) but with something like this, you just can’t appreciate it in panel-by-panel snippets.

(Guided View on digital reading platforms is a BANE and a POX I say!)

Anyways.

LOVE the implied movement of the cape settling as Kara speeds in and stops. 

And, obviously, Kara flicking the bullet away is just. A+. 

And the EYES, man. LOPES’ COLORS ON THE EYES???!?! BEAUTIFUL.

Also, should note the lettering! The more rounded letters for the ‘WOOSH’ of Kara’s speed (and, earlier, the super breath) work nicely, and contrast with the angular, violent BLAMS of the gunshots. 

And, I gotta say, the editor is doing a really great job of not cluttering up the artwork with all the caption boxes. Which is no small task.

(I assume the editor is placing them, as editors usually handle word balloon/caption box placement, but I suppose it could be Evely? Sometimes the artist handles it. Either way, whoever’s taking care of all the text, EXCELLENT WORK! BRAVO!)

Okay I think that’s everything.

Ah, nope, wait.

MISC.

Just a funny observation, more than anything else: Superman: Red and Blue dropped this week, and King had a story in there, “The Special” (which was very good, btw.) Both Lois and the waitress swear a lot so I’m beginning to think that this is just how King writes dialogue for any adult character who isn’t Clark. XD

This is absolutely a personal preference but when Kara was like, “And my name IS Supergirl,” I was like nooooo. I know King is trying to simplify all of the conflicting origin stories and lore but I LIKE KARA DANVERS, SIR. XD

It’s almost assuredly a cash-grab/an attempt for DC to get all the money it can out of a book they don’t have much confidence in, but I like the cardstock covers! Very classy, much Strange Adventures.

(OH my gosh, can you imagine that issue 1 cover with spot gloss???? Basically the only way you could possibly improve on it.) 

Okay NOW I’m done. For real. XD NEXT TIME: Kara and Ruthye go after Krem and the Brigands!

[fashionfoodforthesoul]

Using Self-Quarantine to Practice Self-Care

With COVID-19 slowing down our way of life, it is important to use this time of isolation to do some soul searching. While this pandemic is tragically affecting our global citizens, it makes room for long moments of self-reflection. You are most-likely going to be spending a good deal of time alone, so you should get to know yourself a bit better. Here are a few ways to fill the silence:

1. Read a book. It may seem obvious, silly, or even boring, but it is a great use of time. If you are a student like myself, then it is important to keep yourself educated and sharp. Read books that intrigue you and push your thinking. This is a perfect time to read a book that you aren’t forced to read. A few on my book list are:

It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Educated by Tara Westover

Just Kids by Patti Smith

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

History is all You Left Me by Adam Silvera

Happy reading!

2. Go on a walk. Staying in the house all day helps no one. Make sure you take at least 1 10-minute walk a day. If you have a dog, take them outside a little more than usual. Breathe the fresh air. It makes a world of a difference. It is also a great way to clear your head.

3. Listen to a Podcast. Part of living in a pandemic means staying informed. Spotify Podcasts such as “The Daily” or “The Journal” allow you to get valuable facts, as well as stay up to date, on the world around you. “BBC One Minute” gives you a 1-minute recap on the news if you are not up for a long segment. Some other podcasts that aren’t so serious that I love on Spotify are “Modern Love” if you are into short stories, “My Favorite Murder” if you enjoy true crime, “Life Kit” if you want a few lessons in adulting, and “Call Her Daddy” if you want something a bit more risqué (wink wink).

4. Arts and Crafts! Buy a coloring book, some cool pens, and have at it! Coloring or drawing can be a great stress reliever. Put on some tunes and let the beautiful colors take you away. You could even try something new like knitting, crochet, or embroidery. The sky is the limit!

5. One word: music. One of my resolutions for 2020 was to ditch pop music- and I’m never going back. Find some cool new artists that aren’t on the radio. I promise you’ll fall in love with them. Additionally, make some new playlists, or manage the old one that you have. Some new artists that I’ve just discovered are BROCKHAMPTON, SG Lewis, Sinead Harnett, Raveena, and Emotional Oranges. 

6. CLEAN. YOUR. SPACE. Clean the space that you will be living in because you will most likely be spending more time than usual there. Declutter and disinfect the area that you will be sleeping, living, and working in. Nothing will drive you crazier than a messy space. 

7. Give yourself a spa day. paint your nails, do a face mask, exfoliate, do a hair mask, take a hot bath. Take this time to pamper yourself. You deserve to destress in this stressful time. Make yourself a priority. 

8. Keep up with you mental and physical wellness. Go to sleep at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning. Plan your day the night before. Though gyms may not be open, keep your fitness a top priority. Work out three times a week minimum. Do yoga in your home, do no-equipment workouts, take a run. Do anything that will get your heart rate up. Please eat well. Nothing will make you feel worse than crappy food. Eat a balanced diet each day- maybe oatmeal and some protein for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and any other whole food for dinner. Be sure to eat your fruits and veggies throughout the day. And, of course, treat yourself! Keep a chocolate stash for “emergencies”. Get dressed each day even if you are not going anywhere. Nothing feels more bleh than staying in pajamas all day. STAY. HYDRATED. Make sure you drink a liter of water each day. Give yourself daily affirmations. We will all get through this. I know this period of isolation, as well as the pandemic in general, could trigger many people. To my beautiful humans dealing mental illness, take it day by day. This too shall pass. 

9. Keep up with your target language, or maybe try a new one. I’m pretty far along with my Spanish studies, but I definitely have some brushing up to do. Use this time to keep up with your proficiency. Or maybe you could try a new language. This is the perfect way to keep your mind sharp and just as active as your body. Buena Suerte! (That’s so embarrassing if that is wrong lol)

10. Try poetry. I know it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I’ve been loving my exploration of this art form. “Button Poetry” on Youtube is great for beginners like myself. I enjoy hearing it and reading it, rather than writing. But I’m sure one day I will have the courage to write my own. Helium by Rudy Francisco and Pillow Thoughts by Courtney Peppernell are two poetry books I’ve been loving.

I’m wishing all of my followers and beyond a happy and healthy 2020. This is only temporary, everyone! There is no need for panic. Breathe. We’ve got this!