#southern screen festival

[teasertrailerfilm]

Get ready for a WHOLE NEW SLEW OF PREMIERES!!

So excited to announce our LOUISIANA, COLORADO, AND SOUTH CAROLINA PREMIERES!!! Catch us in Lafayette, Grand Junction, and Columbia!

[mysunshinetemptress]

She is Heaven

Leah Williamson x Cowgirl!reader

Warning:Heaven is out of reach and you can’t blame anyone else but yourself

The roar of the crowd at the CMA festival was almost drowned out by the pounding of your heart. You'd never been to Nashville, never been further east than South Dakota, but here you were, all because of Mitch and his rodeo star girlfriend, Dakota. You shuffled through the throngs of cowboy hats and rhinestones laughing at locals trying to fit into the cowboy narrative, the air thick with the sweet tang of barbecue and spilled beer.

Mitch had given you your pass to the VIP section just behind the sound desk, flashing your lanyard you walked up the steps letting out a breath you didn't even realise you were holding in, you turned looking at the other people that had gathered in the section your eyes flicking around for Mitch or Dakota when your eyes landed on a small group of women laughing before turning as Mitch placed his hand on your shoulder "Hey, you good Oakley." you turned fully facing him "Yeah all good." Mitch had been calling you Oakley as long as you could remember refusing to call you Y/n, you were Oakley to him only to him after Annie Oakley a famous female gunslinger.

You were broken from the conversation by the sound of the three women walking past you and exiting the VIP section, your ears seemed to prick up at the sound of the unfamiliar accent, but the world seemed to go quiet as the taller girl turned her blue eyes catching your greenish gold ones.

"My God she's gorgeous." you thought to yourself.

The festival was in full swing and you were sipping a beer talking to Mitch about his upcoming rodeo gig in California when you felt a tap on your shoulder, You met the same blue eyes you had locked with a short while ago before your eyes drifted to her lips as she started talking "Hi, would you mind taking a photo of us please." You handed Mitch your beer wiping your suddenly sweaty hands in your jeans before reaching for the phone in her hand mumbling out a small sure.

"Alright saw cheese." you smiled at the screen as the three women wrapped their arms around eachother saying a loud cheese as they smiled for the photo.

You smiled at the taller girl as she said a soft thank you taking the phone before you began speaking, your Montana twang thick in the southern air, "that accent's somethin' else. Where you from?"

The woman smiled, a smile that could light up a rodeo arena. "England. I'm Leah." you outstretched your hand shaking hers "I'm Y/n."

Your knowledge of England extended as far as tea and the Queen, but Leah's accent, when she spoke to you, sent a shiver down your spine. It was melodic, a complete contrast to the twang you were used to. Hesitation warred with curiosity. You weren't exactly known for your social graces – you were more comfortable wrangling a stubborn steer than making small talk. But something about Leah propelled you forward.

"England, huh? That's a long way from Nashville." you drawled, trying to sound nonchalant despite the butterflies erupting in your stomach.

Leah, seemingly unfazed, laughed, a light, tinkling sound. "It certainly is," she admitted, her eyes sparkling. "I'm here with my Nan and cousin for the festival."

"Cool, that there is my best friend, Mitch, we're here to watch his girlfriend play it's her first major festival." Leah smiled "Wow, what's her name." God her accent was something else "Eh Dakota, Dakota Jones." Leah's eyes seemed to shine "No way, no way we love her."

A smile bloomed on your face, a genuine one that crinkled the corners of your eyes. Maybe Nashville wasn't so bad after all. "Well, you'll get to see her then, she's on next!" The music thrummed through the ground, a contagious beat that made you want to tap your boots. You glanced at Mitch, who was busy chatting with a group of cowboys, then back at Leah. "You guys should stick around, you might even get to meet her."

Leah's smile widened the kind that seemed to reach her eyes. "That would be amazing! Like I said we're huge fans." Her enthusiasm was infectious, and you found yourself wanting to share Dakota's success with them. "Come on, then," you said, gesturing towards the open chairs near Mitch. "Let's get you settled in for the show."

As you led them over, you stole a glance at Leah. The way the stage lights twinkled in her hair, the way her eyes sparkled with excitement – it was like something out of a dream. You weren't sure what it was, but there was definitely something about this English girl that made your heart skip a beat.

As you reached Mitch, you introduced Leah and her companions, a petite woman with a kind face who you assumed was her Nan, and a bubbly blonde you learned was her cousin, Jordan. Mitch, ever the charmer, greeted them with a southern drawl that had Leah and Lily giggling, "Don't mind him he's as southern as the state of Wyoming." Leah laughed at your little dig.

The conversation flowed easily, filled with questions about rodeo life from the wide-eyed English girls and tales of your Montana ranch from you. You found yourself captivated by Leah's stories of quaint villages 1000s of years old, a world far removed from your own.

"So what do you do for a living then?" You asked taking a swig of beer. "I play football," Leah answered nonchalantly with your eyebrows "Football, they have girls football in England." Leah laughed "Yeah like soccer, I play soccer only in England we call it football." Football? Soccer? You furrowed your brow, completely lost. "Like...kicking a ball around?"

Leah laughed again, a sound that was starting to feel dangerously intoxicating. "Something like that, yes. Though it's a bit more complex than that." She gestured towards the stage, where Dakota had just appeared on. "This is quite the experience, though. The music, the energy, it's electric."

But even as the crowd roared and the lights pulsed, you couldn't help but steal glances at Leah. There was a connection there, a spark that you couldn't quite explain. And as Dakota's powerful voice filled the arena, you knew this trip to Nashville, with all its twists and turns, was going to be one you wouldn't soon forget.

As the night began to draw to a close you found yourself feeling anxious over the thought of never seeing Leah again, "How long are you here for." Leah sighed "Not long I'm afraid we came just for this and i have to be back in England by the end of the week cause I'm heading into another England camp."

Your stomach clenched. A week. It felt like mere seconds since you'd locked eyes with Leah across the crowded VIP section, and already the thought of her leaving felt like a punch to the gut.

"England camp?" you repeated, hoping to buy yourself some time to process the information.

"Yeah," Leah explained, her smile dimming slightly. "I play for the national team. We have a big tournament coming up."

National team. Wow. You weren't sure what was more surprising – the fact that Leah was a world-class athlete, or the fact that you, a simple ranch girl from Montana, had managed to strike up a conversation with her.

"That's incredible, Leah," you managed to stammer, forcing a smile.

"Thanks," she replied, her gaze lingering on yours for a beat too long before glancing away.

You had only just met this girl, but the thought of her flying halfway across the world and never seeing her again felt earth-shattering.

An awkward silence descended, broken only by the faint sounds of roadies dismantling the stage and the distant chatter of departing festival-goers. You stole another glance at Leah, catching the flicker of disappointment in her eyes. Was she feeling the same way you were? A crazy, exhilarating hope bubbled up within you.

Mitch, sensing the shift in mood, nudged you playfully. "Well, Oakley," he drawled. "Looks like it's time for us to head back to the hotel. Long drive tomorrow."

You shot him a grateful look. Mitch always knew how to read a situation.

"Yeah, you're right," you agreed, standing up a little too abruptly.

As you said your goodbyes, Leah's hand lingered in yours a touch longer than was strictly necessary. Her blue eyes held a hint of something you couldn't quite decipher, a mix of sadness and a spark of something else entirely.

You stole another glance at Leah, hoping to catch her eye. Maybe, just maybe, there was a way to stay in touch. But her head was bent over her phone, fingers rapidly typing a message. Disappointment gnawed at you, but you forced it down.It wouldn't be fair to get ahead of yourself.

As you said your goodbyes, Leah's smile returned, a hint of something warmer in her eyes. "It was lovely meeting you,Y/n," she said, her voice dropping to a soft murmur. "And good luck to Dakota, she was amazing."

"Thanks, Leah," you replied, your voice thick with unspoken emotions. "You too. Enjoy your camp."

As you walked away with Mitch, a part of you ached with the thought of leaving Leah behind. Yet, another part, a more hopeful part, clung to the memory of her lingering gaze and the way her voice had softened when she spoke to you.

Maybe, just maybe, this wasn't goodbye. Maybe, despite the miles and the vast differences in your worlds, this Nashville encounter was just the beginning of something special.

Oh who were you kidding this was the closest you had ever gotten to heaven and you didn't even ask for her number to stay there even for just a short while longer.

[hollywedits]

Selena Gomez arrives for the screening of the film "Emilia Perez" at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 18, 2024.

[mickandmusings]

felt good on my lips

part of the 'hangman & honey' series! (stand alone story)

summary: as the sun settles over the texas air on the most patriotic day of the year, honey and jake find themselves encased in a different kind of heat, the kind that had little to do with the burning star in the sky. that night, as fireworks erupt against the starry sky, a different kind of spark flames between the two.

word count: 3.4k

warnings: sticky sweet fluff, southern american traditions, a fourth of july special, some slightly suggestive thoughts from jake and honey's mind (nothing spicy)

*timeline: this takes place the summer after part III!

**i'm not sure if this is common knowledge anywhere outside of the southern US, so some explanation: window air conditioning units are necessary for most older homes (they get extremely hot), the 'pig' is a local grocery store aka piggly wiggly, and also, kids are always sort of everywhere at family get-togethers, and the closest adult will take care of whatever kid, whether they belong to them or not, lol. southern americans give their grandparents weird names.

-

Under the scorching rays of the Texas sun, Jake lifts his shirt to wipe the sweat dripping down his face. It's nearing lunchtime, and it's prime time for the heat index to reach its max temperature. He'd been outside for an hour or so now, setting up folding tables and taping cheap red, white and blue tablecloths to them. His extended family would be trudging down Seresin Farm Road in an hour's time, and the day's festivities would be off and away. His grandmother had all but stormed into his bedroom at eight that morning, startling not only him, but Honey who was sleeping peacefully between his arms. (They were both more startled at the fact that they weren't technically supposed to be sleeping in the same bed anymore, and that they'd been caught, but Janet had seemed more focused on the fact she had a dozen more people to feed.)

After he sets up the last table in the front yard, he sighs and decides to shed the sweat-drenched shirt plastering to his chest. He wipes his face with it and takes a moment to look at his work before he went to retrieve his next task from his grandmother. The tablecloths were uneven and more than a little wonky, but they would do good enough. He shrugs and begins to make his trek back to the farmhouse. Jake's bad mood had already begun to seep in, he truly despised most of his extended family. They only visited on holidays, despite only living an hour or so away in Austin. They never visited for any pure reason, they always came when they needed or wanted something-primarily monetary-from his well-off grandparents. They would come and complain incessantly about the heat or the simplicity of small-town life, and it drove Jake absolutely mad. As he walked up the porch steps, he heard Honey's boisterous laughter filtering through the screen door he was opening. Her sweet happiness made the tension fall from his shoulders, and his face broke into a small grin.

His eyes found her immediately-she's standing at the kitchen counter next to his grandmother, a pair of denim shorts adorning her legs and her his well-worn, thin white shirt on her torso, doing little to hide the red and white striped swimsuit top underneath it. Jake felt heat fill his blood, and he knew the Texas sun had nothing to do with it. Her hair fell in waves across her shoulders from the braid she'd slept in, and she stood barefoot as she stirred something in a mixing bowl. Neither Janet nor Honey had heard him walk in, so Jake stood in the door frame, a smirk painted across his face. He watched them work in perfect tandem-there's no chatter between them, they navigated the kitchen without having to say a word-Honey working on sweets while his grandmother seemed to be making something in a casserole dish. Country music filled the kitchen from the radio on the opposite counter, and the hum of the window air-conditioning unit sounded over it, providing the ambiance of Jake's idea of a perfect southern, summer day.

After standing staring at his girlfriend for probably far too long, Jake decided to make his presence known. He sneakily slides his hands around Honey's waist, causing her to jump and let out a small yelp. She turns around in his arms, her eyes wide as she looks at him, her mouth open like she has something to say but she falls silent when she looks down at his bare torso. Jake laughs and places a chaste kiss on her cheek, and she sends him a pointed look when she composes herself.

"You scared the absolute mess out of me, Jacob Thomas!"

He kisses her other cheek, distracting her long enough to snatch a cookie from the plate in front of her. Janet watches from the corner of her eye, smiling as she chastises and shoos Jake out of her kitchen. He shuffles up the stairs to his and Honey's room to get in his own patriotic swimwear, leaving Honey with a rosy blush on her face. Honey tries to swallow her visions of the sight of him down, focusing on icing the cupcakes in front of her with red icing and white and blue sprinkles, but her cheeks still flamed.

"You alright, Honey, need me to bump up the air in here? You're looking a little red," Janet's voice is dripping with faux sympathy, she's not stupid, she knows why Honey is blushing.

"Uh, n-no, I'm fine," Honey gives her a bright smile, focusing back on the desserts she was supposed to be finishing up. The sound of Jake's heavy footsteps come down the stairs, American-flag printed swim trucks on his tanned legs, a white and blue Cowboys shirt on his torso. Honey rolled her eyes, had she really fallen in love with the most stereotypical American dream boy known to man?

"Jake, dear," Janet's voice pipes up, turning to face her grandson. "Alice is bringing her grandkids along, the younger ones. I bought some water balloons the other day, they're in that Pig bag on the back porch. Why don't you and Honey fill those up, hm?"

"Yes ma'am," Jake nodded heading towards the back door, Honey right behind him. He holds the door open for her, and slides his hand across her waist and into the back pocket of her shorts as they walk around back. Honey looks over at her boyfriend, not surprised by his action, but more so his constant affections today. She uses the plastic bag full of water balloons to slap his chest playfully.

"You're touchy today, Seresin." Honey's voice is humorous, simply jabbing at him as a joke.

Jake's green eyes shine in the sun, his eyebrows furrowing as he shakes his head, his favorite Longhorns cap backwards against his head. Once they reach the back of the house, Jake (unfortunately) lets go of his hold on her, turning on the water at the faucet. Honey dumps the bucket full of rainwater next to it, making room for their tied balloons.

"Sweetheart, after you meet my asshole family members you might run like hell, got to hold on to you while I can."

Honey frowns, she knows all about asshole family members.

"Jake you've met my mother and didn't run, I think I'll be just fine."

Jake fills a blue balloon with water, handing it over for her to tie off. He lets out a dry chuckle, pausing his actions to look up at her.

"Take your mother, times her by like eight, and give her four kids a piece, and grandkids. Then, give them all better-than-you attitudes and lookin' down their noses at you. Honey, baby, they're monsters."

It was Honey's turn to feel heat wash over her, and, under the shade of the house, she knew it had little to do with the heat and the new pet name Jake had just used. She'd never say it, too embarrassed to admit something like that to him, but she certainly liked that one the most. She stands stock still, holding the completed balloon in her hand, only staring as Jake fills another one, this time red. He hands it to over to her to tie, and notices her not moving.

"You alright, Hon?" He ties off the balloon himself, noticing the flames painting her cheeks. "Damn, you're already red. Can't stand in the sun five minutes before your skin starts burnin'."

He slings his hat over her head, the bill facing forward now.

"That'll at least keep your face from peelin' tonight."

Honey could've told him the truth, that the red was from a blush, but she didn't. She simply smiled, tucking her hair into the back of the hat to fashion a ponytail as she helped him finish the task at hand. As Jake slung the bucket into his arms and the pair started walking back towards the house, the rumble of vehicles sounded down their gravel driveway. Jake stops in his track, using his spare hand to hold onto Honey's, his voice annoyed as he spoke:

"Fuck me! They're already here."

Honey only laughed and shook her head, pulling her dramatic boyfriend back towards the house as she spoke:

"Hey, look at this way, we hang out here for a few hours, and then we have fireworks out at Willie's family's place at nine, and we're leaving before then to swim with Brett and Willie, and then you won't have to see them again until Thanksgiving."

Jake sighed, pulling her into him by the waist. The backyard was secluded enough that they could have a private moment, so Jake leaned in for a deep kiss. Honey felt her skin tingle with goosebumps, Jake's hands on her hips sending them down her spine. They broke apart and he winked at her, walking around the front to greet his family.

-

After meeting Jake's family, Honey realized he hadn't been exaggerating when he thought they were the worst. The adults had a sort of holier-than-thou air about them, with the exception of his Uncle Danny who seemed to be relatively down to Earth. Danny's only downside was that he came with his overly judgmental wife, Yvonne, who sneered at the dirt on the bottom of her fancy-looking sandals, and his six kids. Jake seemed to like Danny, and the two carried on a conversation over one of the tables. Honey found herself off to the side, not wanting to interrupt. She nursed a solo cup of lemonade as she watched the Seresin family interact with one another-a perpetual wallflower in any social situation. Janet and Jacob Sr. sat with a group of older family members, swapping laughter and memories of those long gone. Honey felt herself pick at the skin around her fingernails, swallowing a set of tears that loomed behind her eyes. Even if Jake despised his family, with their attitudes and short looks, at least he had a family to see each other on holidays. Honey thought of her mother, likely at a party with her new boyfriend's family, before she shut the thought down completely, her bottom lip between her teeth. Without much thought, she went around to the back porch, overlooking the group of kids playing in the sprinkler. All of Danny's kids (all under ten, and completely wild) played with Alice's two granddaughters peacefully, and Honey smiled. She had a slew of cousins back home in Mississippi, and, in times like these, she missed them terribly.

When she looked back up at the kids, she saw the scene of disaster unfold before her eyes. One of Danny's older girls had all but barreled into Alice's youngest granddaughter, who couldn't have been older than two. The toddler hit her head against the ground hard, and it was obvious by the look on her face a round of tears were coming. Honey's instinct kicked in before her logical thinking, and she shuffled down the stairs of the porch and scooped the little girl up before her loud sobs filled the air.

"Hey, hey, you're okay, you're okay," Honey rocked her in her arms, the toddler now sobbing against Honey's shoulder. Honey looked down at her for any possible bruises or knots on her head, but she seemed fine, the fall had most likely just startled her. "How about we go get you a popsicle, yeah? That sound good?"

The toddler, whom Honey still didn't know the name of, nodded against her shoulder, and Honey sighed in relief. She brought the young girl onto the porch and wraps her in her Barbie towel, plopping her into the rocker on the porch. Honey slings open the freezer and spots the plastic bag of different colored popsicles.

"What color, little lady?" Honey smiles at the toddler with sopping wet pigtails. A grin forms on the young girl's face as she shyly responds. "Blue."

Honey smiles and retrieves the popsicle and hands it to her, popping it open and smiling down at her.

"You alright?" Honey speaks, sitting down in the rocker opposite her. "That was a pretty hard hit."

The toddler nods as blue begins to stain her mouth, her big brown eyes looking over at Honey. "I okay, thanks."

Honey laughs at the toddler babble and begins to look out at the other children again, the children still running through the sprinkler safely. It isn't until she feels a cold hand on her leg that Honey looks down, the toddler looking up at her with her arms raised. She wants to be picked up. Honey picks her up and places her into her lap, the girl looking at her with a blue, toothy grin.

"I'm Presley."

Honey grins widely, "Hi Presley, my name is Honey."

The toddler smiles again, getting more comfortable in Honey's grasp.

"You're pretty."

"Me?" Honey jokes with the girl. "You Miss Presley are so pretty."

Presley giggles and Honey finds herself laughing too. The two are so absorbed in conversation about Barbies and Presley's preschool friends that they don't notice Alice and Janet rounding around to the front in the search for Presley, Jake behind them, in search of Honey.

"There you are, sweetheart," Alice coos to her granddaughter. Honey grows shy, not knowing Alice well. When Jake spots her, his eyes grow wide, his blonde-haired baby cousin sitting in Honey's lap. Honey was relaxed, her body language comfortable. Jake stops in his tracks, another feeling coming over him that he couldn't explain. The sight of the girl he was in love with, sweetly comforting the toddler in her arms made his emotions stir.

Presley looks at her grandmother from Honey's lap. "I okay, Gigi. Honey gave me a 'sicle!" The toddler waved the partially melted treat in the air. Honey's sweet smile formed across her face as she looked down at Presley, and Jake's heart hammered. He'd never seen Honey so comfortable with strangers, but he knew his girl's heart, and she had a soft spot for babies. Presley launched into her grandmother's arms and Honey went to meet Jake down at the bottom of the stairs. His jade green eyes glimmered down at her, her sun-kissed face hidden under his baseball cap that still sat on her head. All he wanted to do was pull her in for a heated kiss, but he decided against it, given that their company was made up of children and his own grandmother.

Honey smiled up at him, "You alright? They annoy you that much already?"

Jake only shook his head, grabbing her hand and intertwining with his own.

Honey gave him a look, as if she didn't fully believe him. "Ready to head to Willie's place?"

Jake nodded, kissing her cheek. She smiled.

"Did you grab our towels? I can go get us some if not it's-"

"I got it, baby, go get in the truck."

Honey stilled in his arms. That damn nickname was going to kill her.

-

Later that night, Jake and Honey found themselves sitting on the sandbar of the river under the moon, Willie and Brett both drunk off of Willie's dad's beer he'd stolen. Jake nor Honey had been as brave, Honey had half of one before she'd tossed it to the side, and Jake had finished it. Jake laughed as Willie tossed Brett into the water, both of them mock-fighting one another. Honey had long since had her fill of swimming, her hair damp and a beach towel around her shivering body. Jake had one arm slung over her, pressing her against his side for more warmth. If he was honest, he'd spent less time swimming with his friends and more staring at Honey in her swimsuit. She lazily floated on her back as his stupid friends all but drowned one another. Now she sat next to him as Brett and Willie picked themselves up out of the water and headed back towards the cabin that Willie's family owned, getting ready to set off fireworks with his family.

Jake had appreciated their offer for he and Honey to join them, but Jake knew Honey would much rather enjoy the fireworks without Willie's entire extended family around. Selfishly, he wanted a moment alone with her anyways. She smiled up at him in the silence, her eyes shining in the moonlight.

"It always ends with just us, huh?" Her voice comes out.

"You complainin'?" Came Jake's retort.

She shook her head, leaning up to kiss his cheek, resting her head against his shoulder. Silence settled over them, and someone shouted in the distance before a display of lights burst across the black sky. Honey smiled as she watched the display, but Jake's focus was on her instead. They hadn't had a true moment alone since his 16th birthday a few weeks before, and he was going to savor every second he had. Her eyes darted at the lights in the sky, Jake's hand resting on the bare skin of her torso, the spot not covered by her swimsuit. His thumb brushed against her skin, and she smiled up at him again. When they caught eyes, Jake couldn't stop himself, his opposite hand coming to her chin to connect their lips. As a round of blue fireworks filled the air, neither of them caught the display, Honey's hands in Jake's blonde locks, and both of his now pulling her into his lap. She giggled faintly as they pulled apart, that kiss had been more heated than she'd intended. Honey feels brave, pulling him back into another kiss just like the last. Jake's hands move to her hips, his heart racing at her touch. He thinks back to Brett's comment about him already being 'whipped', and as Honey's lips meet his again, he knows he's done for. Soon it's messy, clashing teeth and fumbling hands. Jake gently pulls her back, his southern gentleman instinct kicking in. His eyes are dark, darker than Honey's ever seen them, and he's breathing heavy.

"We should probably slow down, baby."

She stills again, her entire frame encapsulated in flames. Her hands go back to Jake's hair. Their faces are close, but their lips aren't touching.

"I love it when you call me that," her voice is a whisper, and Jake almost doesn't hear her over the fireworks popping in the sky. His eyes dart between her own, his lips barely meeting hers before he mumbles.

"Baby," His lips crash against hers, and Honey, in an act most definitely unusual to her nature, let's herself go completely. There's no shy hesitation, she's unabashedly aflame for him, the name feeling ridiculously good against her lips.

As much as Jake wanted to let this progress, the logical part of his brain refuses to allow him to take her on the dusty sandbar of his friend's spot on the river. He pulls away and pushes the hair that had fallen into her face behind her ear, kissing her forehead and pulling her into his chest. He watched the rest of the firework show with Honey in his arms, placing relatively innocent kisses to the side of his neck as he whispered sweet nothings into her ear. When Brett and Willie had come back to retrieve them, they'd teased them relentlessly-kissing noises and snarky comments about the couple-but Jake let it roll of his shoulders as he carried Honey piggy-back up the hill and back to his truck, her head resting on his shoulder on the way home. His hand rests against her thigh, his thumb lazily rubbing against her skin.

The night is quiet, the country music in his truck at a low volume. When he pulls up to the house, Honey's fast asleep against him. He shakes his head fondly and slides her out of the truck, tossing their towels and wet clothes across the front banister of the porch. His grandparents had long since gone to bed, and Jake was thankful, he was too tired to try to sneak Honey from her room across the hall into his. He simply brings her straight into his room, and places her carefully onto their bed. He carefully peels off her shoes and chucks them across the room before falling into bed beside her. He pulls her close, and his eyes are fluttering shut before he can even remember to shut off the lamp on his bedside table. He only mumbles down to her before he falls into deep sleep:

"G'night, baby."

-

taglist:

@djs8891

@unattainablesillygoose

@psuedochakra

@fraaaaankiiiiieee

[allthegeopolitics]

On 23 May, hundreds of far-right British nationalists and Israel supporters gathered outside the entrance of a small arthouse cinema in North London. Brandishing Union Jacks, Israeli and Israeli military flags, they swarmed round a group of some 80 pro-Palestine activists who were staging a vigil on the far side of the road. The vigil was part of a campaign to protest against the cinema’s hosting of a private screening of a documentary about the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on 7 October, as part of the Israeli-government sponsored film festival, Seret.

Continue Reading.

[bamboo-muse]

Should there ever be a Legend of Zelda movie it should be done by Illumination like the Mario movie.

It should be an original story where the new big bad -or rehash Vaati -is trying to resurrect Ganon, Zelda should be the main focus and be a badass queen with tons of inventions with Link as a supporting character.

Impa will be an Edna Mode equivalent.

Malon will be in it and will be who gets kidnapped (this will be due to the fact that at the time there is a festival going on and one of the events is a Princess Zelda look-alike contest where different maiden are dressed up as all the different Zelda designs at varying degrees). She is here as she has a petting zoo open in the festival and Epona is there.

Epona got saaaass, and teams up with Link and Zelda. Zelda and Malon will have a conversation about the kingdom prospering or something or other, Zelda will allude to a dream she's had about a dark cloud looming in. The camera will flip to Link with Epona, Malon saying she thinks the Kingdom is in good hands as Link tries to pet Epona she'll either snort at or head-butt him.

There will be a huge chaotic mess and it won't be known that Vaati has Malon at first. The King will be questioning guards running past them asking "Where is my daughter?!" And the doors of the hall will fling open with Link leading in with dramatic lighting -When Malon is kidnapped she's got a potato sack over her head and when Vaati goes to reveals his "Zelda" "I have your --" *RIPS BAG OFF WITH THE WIG showing a very unimpressed Malon*

"W-who're you?"

Malon with a southern drawl, "The farmer, duh"

*Outside shot of the evil lair* Vaati, voice cracking & hollering "THE FARMER?!"

Link steps aside to the left and reveals Zelda is safe.

Link is lefthanded in this and is silent or as he's about to talk the camera cuts somewhere else and a random guard/ soldier will just reiterate and agree with what he says -his audio will otherwise be adult Link from OOT. The only time he talks is at the very end after the credits have rolled where Zelda or Impa is making a light-hearted jab at him and he's standing off screen and you hear the iconic:

"Well, excuuuuuse me Princess."

Everyone is shocked he's finally said something.

I have more ideas, about how it should go -will probably post later.

[gatheringfiki]

The following ficlet was written by @marigoldvance​ based on this photoset.

Fili/Kili, G.

You might also be able to read this story on AO3.

If you’ve enjoyed this story, please leave a comment either in replies or on AO3.

—

The snowy mountains of Gondor passed outside the window as the train rumbled through small towns and villages, all decked out for Yulemas. Sparkling lights and strings of fluffy garlands hung on the eaves of every platform the train pulled into.

Fili had been sitting quietly in the first-class carriage, his laptop open on the table, looking over a couple of remaining depositions when Kili had called. As soon as Fili had accepted the call, Kili’s troubled face had filled the screen, eyes narrowed, brows weighted. It hadn’t taken more than two words before Fili had mildly regretted answering.

                “He’s repainted.”

And now, there they were, Fili trying to ease Kili’s mind as Kili complained about the state of Erebor Hall.

                “It’s all green.” Kili grumbled. “Everything.”

Amused, Fili asked, “Everything?”

                “I’m not kidding, Fee. Everything. Even our bedrooms. Green.”

Fili chuckled, a minute shake of his head as he listened to Kili grouse. It was the 276th annual Yulemas ball, the 100th hosted at Erebor Hall. A tradition that spanned generations to signify the signing of the Treaty of Greenwood between the Elves and Dwarves that had, at the time, brought peace to Southern Middle-earth. Of course, now there were extremist factions of Orcs attempting to undo that peace, but the significance of the Treaty remained steadfast.

That year, it happened to be Uncle Thorin’s first year in charge of the ball. His father—Fili’s grandfather—had passed in Lithe, leaving the responsibility to wine and dine and woo the Elves entirely on Thorin’s shoulders. And Thorin…wasn’t known to be particularly festive. In fact, he’d usually be found glowering out of a corner at most events that involved any of the Elven delegations, sipping Elven wine like it was poison through a look twisted into insurmountable displeasure.

                “What color of green?” Fili asked, if only to get a rise out of Kili who was visibly at his wit’s end.

                “I don’t know,” Kili threw up his hands, dropped them, falling back in his chair on the other side of the screen, “It’s like being smothered by a fir tree.”

                “Or embraced,” Fili suggested. He was very reasonable, after all, and tried to see things from all sides. Across from him, he heard Tauriel snicker loud enough to cut through the noise-canceling effect of his earphones.

                “Certainly not!” Kili argued, and then, quite vehemently, “Strangled.”

                “You sound like Uncle.”

Kili leaned close to the camera, eyes sharp and twitchy, “I sound like a concerned nephew worried for his Uncle’s sanity.”

                “Certainly not,” Fili grinned, dimpled and with teeth, his gaze mischievous.

                “You’re the worst.” Kili decided, fishing for something beside him that Fili couldn’t see. “Look at what he wants us to wear!” And then he produced a swathe of dark, velvety cloth that shimmered green where it caught the light.

Fili’s expression slacked into shock, “Oh,” a long pause, “…No…” He recognized it as an old-fashioned cloak worn by his forefathers’ forefathers. Hundreds of years ago. Ceremonial and dreary and, “We can’t wear those. We’ll look like we’re in a cult!”

                “I tried to tell him that, but he insisted.” Kili rolled his eyes, reaching for something else. “And he wants us to pin these to them.” He held up a gold broach shaped like the Greenwood seal: The head of a stag with long, twisty antlers. Gifted, Fili knew, 200 years ago to Fili’s great-grandfather as a symbol of the persevering alliance with the Elves. There were definitely enough of those broaches to go around. Twice.

Fili winced. “Alright, you’ve made your point. Uncle’s gone mad.”

                “More than mad,” Kili corrected primly, “He’s frazzled.”

                “In his defense,” Fili began, see-sawing his head and readjusting in his seat, “This is Bilbo’s first ball at Erebor.” Bilbo being Uncle Thorin’s partner of several months. Since last Frery. “And the first year that Lord Thranduil will attend himself rather than send his son in his stead.”

                “Green, Fee.” Kili repeated before holding up and shaking the cloak, “With culty formalwear.”

Fili pressed his lips into a line to keep from laughing, attempting to respect his brother’s maudlin temper. “What does Balin have to say about all this?”

                “Balin decided to temporarily step down as Uncle’s counsel until after the holidays due to,” Kili lifted his other hand, finger quoting, “Mental distress.”

He couldn’t stop it this time. Fili threw his head back and laughed, earning a look of interest from Tauriel.

Once Fili recovered, a chime alerted him to another call. He gave Kili a grin, “It’s Uncle. I’m just going to add him to the call.”

                “Oh, God, please don’t.”

But it was too late, Fili had already answered. Thorin’s face—or most of it, anyway—appeared on the screen, his nose and right eye practically pressed to the camera.

                “Fili? Where are you?” Thorin questioned, clearly on the move. “Is the train almost in?”

                “Not until four-thirty,” Fili replied, doing everything in his power not to dissolve into another fit of laughter. “Uncle, maybe just…” He gestured, “Pull the phone away from your face.”

                “What?” Thorin squinted into the camera and then muttered to himself, “Bloody thing.” He distanced the phone enough for Fili to see Thorin’s face properly as well as a bit of the room he was in. Which included Kili’s back and the laptop he sat in front of, the cloak pooled on the floor and a stack of boxes the height of a large Man that likely held within them the broaches Thorin wanted every Dwarf attending to wear.

The room was, indeed, painted a deep emerald green, the color brilliant against oak and brass accents. Fili also noticed ancient, ceremonial swords had been hung between portraits of kings and queens, Elven and Dwarven alike.

                “Where did we get those?” Fili peered over Thorin’s shoulder though he was speaking to Kili out of the corner of his mouth. He clarified, “The Elvish ones.”

                “I think we might’ve stolen them. Dwalin hasn’t looked me in the eye since they were installed.” Kili’s head dropped into his hands.

Fili grimaced, “Recently?”

Kili lifted his head and fell back in his seat, “Not recently, but likely before the end of the Battle of Blue Frost Steppe.”

Thorin piped up, scoffing “Bah, they won’t remember them, surely.”

Fili watched Kili turn around, both in Kili’s screen and in Thorin’s, glaring as he scolded, “Oh, no, of course they won’t. It’s not like any of the thousand-year-old, immortal Elves won’t recognize their own faces painted in the cultural treasures nabbed from them by our great-great-grandad who they still hate.”

                “Exactly.” Thorin nods solemnly.

Kili leaned toward his camera and gave Fili a pointed look, “We’re all going to die tonight.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder, “And he’ll be responsible. I hope you’ve written your will, Fee.”

Fili snorted at Kili’s dramatics and turned to address Thorin, “We’ll tell the Elves that, upon finding what we understand to be precious artifacts to Greenwood, we wish to return them. A show of goodwill as we move forward into a new era of union between the Dwarves and Elves.”

Thorin seemed to debate Fili’s proposal, miserable and severe. After a few beats, he reluctantly declared, “Fine,” as if it was pulled from the depths of his conscience.

                “I’m not dying for you!” Kili called over his shoulder toward Thorin.

Turning his head, Thorin returned, “I agreed to what Fili said, didn’t I?”

                “We’ll need to do something for the Men, in that case,” Kili said when he brought his attention back to Fili. “Can’t have anyone left out.”

                “Right, we should call the Daleïn Museum of Fine Arts and ask if they’re willing to loan us something. Perhaps that chess set Rivendell offered Lady Griselde for her Centariath.”

Kili grabbed a pen and opened his notebook to scribble down Fili’s suggestion; understood that he’d have to be the one to make the call and organize delivery as Fili was still in transit.

                “And the Fae.” Fili realized. “We likely won’t have to do anything too fancy.” It took a second for Fili to register the expression on Thorin’s face. Rather, the part of his face that Fili could see. “They were invited, right?”

No one said anything for long moments. Fili stared at Thorin while Kili slowly turned to do the same, brown eyes turning lethal.

                “Right. Uncle?” Kili asked through gritted teeth. “We would never forget the Fae after their support in rescuing Dwarven hostages from Mordor, would we?”

Abruptly, Thorin’s screen went black before it disappeared. Fili saw Thorin march out of the room over Kili’s shoulder, close the door with a loud creak and snick, and then heard footsteps scampering down the hall toward what Fili knew was the library cum Thorin’s home office.

Kili pressed his thumb and forefinger into his sockets, grumbling, “If we manage not to insult anyone tonight, I’m taking the next forty years off and moving to Khand.”

                “Mm, the meditation temples there are the most relaxing in all of Arda,” Fili agreed, wondering if he had enough PTO to follow his brother.

                “Fuck a meditation retreat,” Kili growled, “I’m joining one of the nomadic horse tribes and I’m going to learn to read coffee grounds and constellations and have one of their old wise women show me how to curse idiot Uncles who paint everything green and forget entire embassies.”

Fili gave Kili a fond smile, “Right, so you’re going to abandon me?”

                “Absolutely not,” Kili replied and then said as if it were painfully obvious, “You’re coming with me.”

                “And who will take over the legal department while I’m gone?”

                “Tauriel could do it,” Kili flapped a hand, “She’s better than you are, anyway.”

With a deep laugh, Fili answered, “You’re such a twat.”

                “I’m strategic,” Kili countered, “We should cut and run before war is declared over Yulemas lamb.”

                “Lamb? That’s a choice. We couldn’t get goose?”

Kili groaned, “Bilbo doesn’t like goose. Can’t even stand the smell of it, according to Uncle.”

                “Lamb it is. The Fae aren’t going to love that.”

                “Probably why Uncle put off sending their invitations. Didn’t know how to explain the Fae’s blessed animal is on the menu.” A brief moment of silence on either end as Fili and Kili contemplated what a disaster the ball could be left in Thorin’s hands. Finally, Kili gave Fili a desperate look, voice pleading, “Can’t you just use a key and get here quicker? We don’t have time to waste and you’re the only one Uncle listens to.”

                “I can’t just use keys willy-nilly, Kee. The Fae entrusted me to use them wisely.”

                “This is wisely!” Kili insisted, “How much more wise can it get!? You’d be saving lives, Fee. Ours included! Or do you want to be outfitted for a military regalia? Because I sure as shit don’t.”

Fili cast his gaze to Tauriel over his laptop, silently asking permission to abandon her to travel to Erebor alone. She pretended to give it some thought, but quickly agreed, mouthing, go on then as she waved a delicate hand in dismissal. Fili nodded his head in thanks and then told Kili he’d see him soon, not giving Kili a chance to respond before Fili ended the call and turned his laptop toward Tauriel so she could finish reading through the depositions Fili had been working on.

Standing and buttoning his suit jacket, grabbing his coat and weekend luggage, Fili gave Tauriel a wink and then trotted toward the back of the first-class carriage to ask an attendant where he might have found a door with a keyhole.

The attendant smiled politely, “In the next car,” she instructed, “Right beside the women’s toilets.”

                “Thank you,” Fili bowed his head and then made his way through to the next car, all the way to the end where the women’s toilets were located. He recognized the Travelers’ door immediately, pretty florals leafed in gold all along the doorframe. The door itself was dry-brushed in a green similar to the color Thorin had every room in Erebor Hall painted and Fili snickered, shaking his head.

He produced a large key ring jingling with a dozen massive, antique skeleton keys from the front pocket of his travel bag and flipped through them until he found the right one, slotting it in the keyhole without resistance. He turned it easily, heard the telltale click of the lock unlatching, and waited for the transition to happen. A bright light filtered through the cracks between the door and its frame though it dimmed quickly. As soon as it disappeared, Fili returned the keyring to his bag and pressed down on the handle, opening the door to reveal his childhood bedroom. A lot greener than it had been when he’d last seen it.

He stepped through the door, shut it behind him, and deposited his bag and coat on his old bed. The room smelt like fresh paint and pine, a smell that persisted when he exited into the hallway. He gracefully swaggered down the hall toward the staircase, passing a suit of Dwarven armor on his way that clanked as it shifted. Pausing, Fili inspected the armor with a smile.

                “Hello?” He said, lifting the visor to see who was inside.

Bofur heaved a sigh of relief, “Thank Mahal it’s you, Fili.” He clamored down from the pedestal. “I’ve been hiding in here for ages. Your uncle’s gone—”

                “Mad,” Fili finished, entertained.

Bofur removed the helmet and tucked it under his arm, huffed a breath to blow his matted fringe out of his eyes, “He’s frazzled, Fili, it’s much worse.”

                “So I’ve heard.” Fili sad as he studied Bofur, “Have you been in there all day?”

                “Four days!” Bofur said, “Don’t ask.”

Fili’s face pinched, “I don’t think I will…”

Bofur clinked and clanged as he followed Fili to the grand staircase, each metallic step louder than the last as they descended to the main hall. Kili greeted Fili at the bottom, bundling him into a tight hug that restricted Fili’s arms at the elbows. Hoisting Fili off his feet, Kili carried him rather unceremoniously into the sitting room where he’d been during his conversation with Fili. There, he placed Fili on his feet and then swept his arms out to indicate the space and all the changes that had been made for the Yulemas ball.

                “Look at the state of this place!” Kili hissed, pointed at everything in quick succession.

Fili glanced around, a bubble of laughter shaking through his dense Dwarven bones as he took in the large tree that tilted sideways under the weight of ill-strung ornaments, all strangely placed on one side. The presents under it were decorated in bows to cover as many gaps and tears in the wrapping as possible, though not concealing all of them, and the tree skirt was…

                “Is that a bath towel?” Fili blinked in surprise.

                “That’s several bath towels.” Kili groaned, “I don’t think he noticed. He just saw the seasonal embroidery and assumed.”

                “Frazzled,” Bofur sighed from behind them.

                “Frazzled.” Kili and Fili agreed in unison.

A short moment of thought later, Fili squared his shoulders, “Give me twenty minutes,” and swept out of the room, marching with purpose toward Thorin’s office. He entered without knocking, his gaze traveling across the shelves along the walls to the colossal desk in the center of the room. His uncle was nowhere to be found. Until, that was, Fili heard something that sounded distinctly liked crinkling paper coming from the corner to his right.

Fili’s jaw dropped.

                “Thank fuck you’re hear,” Thorin’s muffled voice rose from beneath a Dwarf-shaped pile of colorful Yulemas wrapping, sellotaped at all the seams, a silver bow where the top of Thorin’s head was beneath it.

                “Uncle?” Fili asked, making a monumental effort not to laugh, “I just wondered where we were with the invitations to the Fae. I heard you’d requested the caterers serve lamb.”

The pile of paper gestured toward Thorin’s desk, “I can’t figure out the tubes.” Thorin said, either defeated or frustrated, Fili couldn’t tell without seeing Thorin’s face.

Spurred into action, Fili went to the desk, promptly took a seat and began to shuffle through the invitations. He reread, rewrote and then re-enveloped every single one, spending thirty minutes waxing and stamping the Durin seal on the closures before sorting them into neat piles. Once the pneumatic tubes were set to the correct destinations, he placed each pile accordingly into the carriers and off they went.

During that time, Thorin had managed to free his arms and legs and hunkered down to continue clumsily wrapping empty boxes to join the others under the tree in the sitting room. Fili stopped on his way out of Thorin’s office to snip little eyeholes into the paper covering Thorin’s face.

                “Tauriel will be here in a couple of hours,” Fili said, “I think she should be in charge of…all this.” He straightened as he looked over the pile of poorly wrapped presents, cringing. “In fact, you should probably relinquish the tape and retire altogether from gift wrapping. It is not your forte.”

                “I’m doing alright,” Thorin replied mildly.

                “You’re wearing a paper dress, Uncle, enough is enough.”

Thorin didn’t say anything for a beat before, “I think I look quite dashing.”

Fili laughed along merrily, “A sight to behold,” he concurred, heading out of the room. “I’m going to talk to the chef about Fae-friendly options, and we should slice the lamb before it’s served. I don’t believe they actually know what cooked lamb looks like if it’s already cut, so we might get away with it. We just have to make sure they don’t eat any.”

                “Good thinking,” Thorin said, giving a thumbs up when he realized Fili couldn’t see his face.

The following afternoon, the tree was upright; the parcels were wrapped with sharp corners and fancy ribbons; the chess set had been procured from the Daleïan Museum; Bofur had come out of the suit of armor; and the eerie, cult-like cloaks had been exchanged for smart, polished three-piece suits for the Dwarvish men and elegant gowns for the Dwarvish women, all in emerald green with gold threading to complement the décor.

Balin had returned, accompanied by the Elvish delegation, his beard just as festive as the other Dwarves who’d glittered and adorned theirs in gold, though he’d also looped tiny Elvish-esque baubles into his. Purchased, he said later as he and Fili commiserated over Mannish mulled wine, from a craftswoman in Rohan where he’d fled when Thorin began to show signs of—

                “Downright senility,” Balin told Fili. “He’d gone mad!”

Fili chuckled, “Yes, I witnessed some of it for myself.”

                “I swear, he should know better than to undertake organizing parties,” Balin remarked, nodding his head in the direction of the tree where Fili caught Thorin standing, glowering over his glass of Skin-changer mead at all the foreign attendees. Especially Thranduil who was in deep conversation with Thorin’s partner, Bilbo, discussing something Bilbo apparently thought was hilarious.

Probably about Uncle, then, Fili mused.

                “Yes,” Kili’s voice said from behind Fili just before Fili felt an arm band around his waist, “Thank every deity in existence that Fili got here when he did, or we’d be tits deep in battle strategy and blood.”

                “Don’t be dramatic, Kee,” Fili chided, giving Kili a cheerful grin, “We would’ve been able to trade Uncle Thorin as a sacrifice for peace.”

                “I can hear you!” Thorin shot out over the party, sidling further into the tree’s shadow when heads turned to look at him.

Kili pressed a kiss to Fili’s temple. “You’re a hero,” He praised, taking Fili’s glass and taking a deep drink, “and now we’re going to celebrate your victory by getting blackout drunk and dancing until our feet fall off.”

Fili raised an eyebrow at Kili, “Are we, now?”

Kili snorted and acquiesced, “Fine, I’m going to get blackout drunk and dance until my feet fall off. Or until you carry me to bed. Whichever comes first.”

                “That sounds more likely,” Fili acknowledged with a hearty laugh, taking Kili by the hand and dragging him onto the dancefloor.

-*-

Lithe = June

Frery = January

[mimi-0007]

African Americans have been a part of Utah's history since the early 19th century, when the first Black people arrived as fur trappers. Black history in Utah includes:

Early African Americans

The first permanent African Americans to settle in Utah were Green Flake, Oscar Crosby, and Hark Lay, who arrived in 1847 as slaves of Southern Mormons.

Slavery

Slavery was legal in Utah Territory for almost 20 years, and about 800 enslaved African Americans lived in Utah before the Civil War.

Railroad work

Many African Americans found work on the transcontinental railroad in Ogden, Utah, and settled there.

Black community

A small Black neighborhood formed in Ogden, with businesses and organizations to support the community.

Jazz musicians

Joe McQueen in Ogden would jam with visiting jazz musicians until their train left for the next gig.

Donovan Mitchell

A Jazz star and NBA player who has become a leading voice for racial equality in Utah.

Black History Month

Salt Lake City celebrates Black History Month with film screenings, festivals, concerts, and unity events.

Juneteenth

Salt Lake City officially recognized Juneteenth as a holiday in 2021.

Utah Black Business Expo

A place to connect with Black business owners, sample food, and participate in workshops.

[b4mpyre-k1zz3s]

You’re writing is so good, just had to get that out of the way.

I’d love to see an x reader with Johnny where the reader goes with him back to Knoxville to his childhood home

Down Home Christmas

Y/N doesn’t know what to expect when Johnny asks her to go with him to visit his folks for the holidays, but she has a Christmas she’ll never forget!

Johnny Knoxville X Fem!Reader

(Fluff)

1.6k Words

Warnings: Drinking, kissing, shit, play fighting

An: Thank you so much for the request and happy holidays if you celebrate!!!! So sorry for the wait but I thought this would make an amazing holiday special :) I’m sure we’ve all had experiences with family holiday parties, and this in part is inspired by my own whacky extended family! One of my friends suggested that I look to the film Four Christmases (2008) for an idea of what Johnny’s family may be like, so I’m sure you can see some of the inspiration there XD Anyway, thank you for the request and please keep them coming!

As you walked up to the front door from where your taxi dropped you off, the snow was painted rainbow colors from the bright Christmas lights strung about the house as powder crunched under your feet. Breathing puffs of hot air on your hands, you cursed yourself for not wearing gloves as you rang the doorbell. Oh, but it was all worth it when you saw Johnny running to the door like he was a kid on Christmas morning, all smiles. Throwing the screen door hard enough to nearly break it, he practically tackled you into the snow when he hugged you, burying you in the warmth of his arms, “Y/N, honey! M’so great to see you!”

He showed you inside the house- tiny, but god, was it packed. The place radiated this human warmth, the air swimming with smells of festive spices that made you practically drool. Holding your frigid hand in his, Johnny led you to the kitchen where those wonderful smells were coming from. As you squeezed past the people clustered in the front hall, Johnny gave you the rundown on a few notable characters you wiggled past, “Oh! That’s Aunt Dotty- her girl does pageants, Earl over there’s gotta taxidermy gig on the side, and Maureen’s the proud mom’a those five little maniacs out back playin’ with the ax.”

As the two of you stopped in the doorway, you ogled the heavenly spread of food on the table as your boyfriend called to a woman who stood at the stove, “Hey, mama!” She turned around and Johnny nudged you towards her a little, sounding so proud as he showed you off excitedly, “This is Y/N!” She turned away from the pots and her face just lit up, walking over to you and giving you one of those heart melting mom hugs, “Oh, my PJ’s finally gotta girl! I’m so happy’t meet you, sweetheart!” You were initially a little supprised- you weren't used to this kind of touchy-feely southern hospitality, but strangely enough, it didn't feel weird. It was actually pretty nice. Pulling back, she smiled teasingly as she noticed that look in your eyes, “What’s the matter? You're lookin’ like you haven't eaten all day!”

“That’s not it- I’ve just never seen that much food before. It’s just…wow.” The most your family ever did was maybe a turkey, nothing like the banquet this miracle woman had prepared. Johnny could’ve sworn he saw you drool a little. He chuckled, charmed at how enamored you seemed by something so basic to him, a grin spreading across his face as he handed you a plate, “C’mon, fill up, girlie!”

There were people sitting just about everywhere in the living room. Little kids clustered on the beige carpet around the Christmas tree with toy cars and dolls, parents and grandparents all had seats on the floral upholstered furniture talking sports or politics or whatever, leaving you and the adult children to fit in wherever you could. You and Johnny shared the seat in front of the oak piano at one end of the room with a couple other people sitting on the closed lid of the piano itself, all drinking and sharing stories together like a scene right out of one of those hallmark movies, only maybe a little less conventional.

“So that’s why m’cousin Dusty’s not allowed to show off his ‘talent��� at family gatherings anymore.” Johnny chuckled, taking a bite of his sweet potato casserole as the room buzzed with laughter. It was a wonder how he could make even the grossest subjects hilarious. Even you couldn’t keep from cracking up, placing your plate on the coffee table, “Hey, speaking of, d’ya know where the bathroom is?” Standing up, Johnny gestured for you to follow him, stepping carefully around people.

He led you down a dim hallway stopping in front of a wall when his eye caught something, “Hey, check this out.” Johnny took a picture off of a nail on the wall and handed it to you. Through the darkness, you could make out most of the general features. It was your boyfriend and he looked pretty young in the photo, maybe around high school age, but god, it was awful. “You actually had a mullet?” He broke out into snickers and you quickly followed as he tried to stabilize himself against the wall, his voice shaking from laughter, “I mean, business in the front, party in the back- It was nineteen eighty nine!” Once one of you caught your breath, your eyes would inevitably drift down to that damn photo and you would succumb yet again, the two of you laughing there until you had tears running down your faces.

Aunt Lynn excitedly passed you a tray of horderves- Ritz crackers with spray cheese on top- as you sat back down, “Oh, honey! You’re just in time!” Confused, you looked up to your boyfriend when he stood up with this little glin of anticipation in his eye as the people sitting in the center of the room cleared out, pushing away furniture to form a circle. A freckle faced kid at your feet took a cracker himself, making weird eye contact with you as he licked the cheese right off. Pushing aside all speculation, you shoved your cracker into your mouth. Not half bad.

Johnny stood with his stance wide and low at one end of the circle, starting up some friendly trash talk, “Hey, how’d your last tour go, Rodge?” Johnny’s cousin Rodger, the one that was a country musician, glared at him from the opposite side, “Yeah? Why don’t we talk about that last movie y’did?” Your boyfriend’s eye twitched and in an instant he was on him and the two started fighting like animals. Johnny had his hands around the other man’s neck as he swung his long legs up to try and pin him but his weight wasn’t enough leverage to take Rodger down. The whole room roared as a scene straight out of a backyard wrestling tape played out when Johnny was slammed onto the carpet, landing on his back hard enough to knock the wind out of him. On the side, someone started a count and Rodger leaned back, grinning as he held him down, “I think you lost your edge, Holl’awood.” Just as quickly, your boyfriend gasped, catching his breath with an exhausted smile. He slipped to one side and lunged forward with gritted teeth, throwing him into a headlock, “No way! You’re goin’ down, hoss.”

They went at it for maybe ten minutes and even you couldn’t help yourself from getting caught up in all the excitement, cheering and whooping with the rest of his family. “Ah! Uncle! Uncle!” Panting, Johnny tapped the ground next to him as a plea for mercy. You should’ve known- your boyfriend had a physique comparable to Gumby. Rodge pulled away with a smirk on his face, giving him a playful shove, “Always knew y’were a pussy, cuz. Love ya.” It was an oddly sweet moment between the two of them, even as Johnny sat up, coughing a little with a faint smile on his face as he got in one last jab, “Beatin’ me don’t mean shit. S’like beating a girl!”

And the night went on, with just as much laughing and drinking and bad behavior, but once midnight rolled around, people started peeling off. Johnny spent the later part of the evening clinging to your side, surprisingly sappy as he begged you to stay a while longer, “D’aww, c’mon…just one night won’t hurt.” Maybe you were more tipsy than you thought, judging from how nice that idea sounded. Sipping your rum punch- the one you got out of the big bowl with the ice ring of fruit- you giggled, laying your head on his shoulder,“I can’t…I gotta be at work t’morow!” You never knew your boyfriend to be a sentimental drunk but maybe coming home flipped some switch in him. Either that or you.

Johnny followed you like a lost dog as you got up to get your coat on, squeezing past the people trickling out the door, “But’cha gotta promise to call me, okay?” The headlights on the taxi you called shined bright in the darkness as it sat parked outside. You slipped your shoes on, “I promise!” As you were about to leave, someone stopped you in the doorway with a tap on your shoulder. It was of Johnny’s cousins. He grinned, pointing upward at the sprig of mistletoe hung above you, “Hey, mistletoe. You know what that means!”

“Yeah.” Your boyfriend chuckled, shoving him out of the way. Johnny looked down at you lovingly, wrapping his arms around you, his voice low as he nearly whispered an inch from your face, “I know exactly what that means.” Pulling you close, he dipped you, giving you a kiss like a soldier who just came back after the war. You didn’t even notice the cold that nipped at your skin as the onlookers inside whooped and hollered at the spectacle Johnny was putting on, kissing you with fervor, only pulling away an inch or two to catch his breath, the warm air between you turning into little puffs of white smoke as it began to snow.

[d-criss-news]

Darren Criss To Headline Long Wharf Theatre's Annual Benefit Concert This May

Long Wharf Theatre has announced that award-winning stage, music, and television star Darren Criss will headline their annual benefit in A Concert for Long Wharf Theatre. The event will take place on May 13, 2024 at Southern Connecticut State University's John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts for the second year in a row. 

“This past season at Long Wharf Theatre has been awe-inspiring to witness and I could not be more thrilled to join the celebration in May,” said Darren Criss. “Long Wharf embodies artistic bravery at its finest and most exhilarating; its new model should serve as an example for the entire industry as we look to innovate and imagine new possibilities for presenting and performing work. I can't wait to spend what's certain to be an unforgettable evening with audiences in New Haven and hope you'll join us.”

“Darren is an incredibly dynamic, innovative performer whose acclaim spans theatre, film, music and more,” said Jacob Padrón, Artistic Director, Long Wharf Theatre. “He embodies the groundbreaking, energizing artistry that Long Wharf Theatre aims to bring in all of our performances across New Haven. We're honored to have him join us for an incredible night of celebration and support for performing arts in our community.”  

----------

Darren Criss: A CONCERT FOR LONG WHARF THEATRE will begin with a cocktail hour and speeches from institutional leadership. This will be followed by a paddle raise to support Long Wharf Theatre's vision to bring theatre, without barriers, to spaces and stages across the region. The festivities will include hors d'oeuvres, dinner and drinks, and an after party.

[onlyzhuyilong]

Zhu YiLong’s box office hit Lost In The Stars is shortlisted for the “Southern Cross Star” Award at the Australia-China International Film Festival 2024 was screen at Adelaide Hoitz Cinema this week (14-21 November)

[bittersweetcanary]

Artw Fun Facts, Lore Tid Bits, and Game Tips

A collection of those Game Tips that flash by while the game is booting up that I can never manage to read before they disappear so I screen shotted them and typed them down because FUN FACTS!! LORE TID BITS!! AND SOME ACTUAL GAME TIPS!!

(I posted the images once before but I decided to just type them all down because this makes it easier to quickly read in my opinion, and less clunky. I'll update this if I see any new Game Tips in the loading screen.)

Sirius

“The name of the emoji that sorcerers use is Polar Bear’s weird Magic School Life.”

“Arcturus is easily deceived but he is not ashamed”

“In the suburbs, you can often see Sirius carrying a candy case.”

“Unlock Milky Way and get various rewards!”

“Forbidden magic is forbidden for a reason. Memory magic as one of them is…”

Alpheratz

“Be careful! Alpheratz might cling to when he is helpless.”

“Change the icon! Various icons are waiting for you!”

“Please help Apheratz if he is clasping his hands. He would be worrying about something bothering him.”

“Be careful as to not get caught by a Professor when you have a dorm war!”

Vega

“Ruled by the seven archmages of Ursa Major. The North Boundary is a land of snow and ice.”

“Is Vega fiddling with his earrings? If so, it means he’s calming down.”

“Vega does gymnastics every eary morning. Wait, gymnastics… … ?”

“Once every 24 hours! Don’t miss your chance to get a free scouting opportunity in the Possession Room!”

“If you need help while playing the game press the ? Shape above!”

“It doesn’t mean that you can give a psychology test just because you’ve taken Magic Psychology”

Arcturus

“Green Blossom Hill on the East Boundary that’s where Arcturus learned to shepherd.”

“Check the diary if you want to know more about the Sorcerers!”

“Lookout for disasters from beyond the universe.”

“Eating meat is prohibited on the East Boundary. We are only allowed to eat meat on commemorative days.”

“Stay tuned for Scouts what will be updated seasonally!”

Spica

“Spica personally has a managing office for Mythical Creatures.”

“Spica’s average sleep per day is 4 hours and 30 minutes.”

“The first disaster started from the collapse of the Tower of Babili when a rusty herald appeared.”

“Contell Acedemy of Magic has an annual event for each period.”

“You can check the affection, clothes, and profiles in the closet!”

“There are many large and small islands in the sea facing the southern border.”

Pollux

“Be careful not to get lost in the tower of Babili.”

“Sometimes we come across short stories after the visit.”

“Of five siblings in the noisy red-roofed house, Pollux and his twin brother are the only sorcerers.”

“Calls are made when certain conditions are met! Save up your story keys!”

“When the festival is held in the Viaduct Plaza of the central zone, guests from all over the world star to gather.”

“Pollux named his magic weapon Dioscuri.”

[hollywedits]

Selena Gomez arrives for the screening of the film "Emilia Perez" at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 18, 2024.

[eretzyisrael]

by Dion J. Pierre

A famous theater in the Ontario province of Canada is facing widespread criticism over its “postponement” of the upcoming Hamilton Jewish Film Festival, a decision that many observers have interpreted as a cancelation motivated by anti-Israel animus.

“After receiving numerous security and safety related emails, phone calls, and social media messages, the Playhouse Cinema reached a difficult decision to postpone the Hamilton Jewish Federation’s venue rental,” the Playhouse Cinema, located in the city of Hamilton, said in a statement posted to X/Twitter on Tuesday. “On Saturday, March 16, our decision to postpone this venue rental was reached amid security and safety concerns at this particularly sensitive time.”

Organized by the Hamilton Jewish Federation, the event was slated to feature six films across three days, April 7-9, with each exploring different eras of Jewish history, from life in modern day kibbutzim bordering the Gaza strip to Poland during the communist purges of Jews in the 1960s. Several of the films were written and produced in Israel by Israeli creators.

On Wednesday, the Hamilton Jewish Federation said that Playhouse Cinema, in canceling the festival, has acted dishonorably and adhered to the wishes of antisemites.

“The Hamilton Jewish Federation is outraged by the recent decision made by the Playhouse Cinema to backtrack on its commitment to host the 2024 Hamilton Jewish Film Festival after the theatre received a small number of complaints and threatening emails objecting to the fact that Israeli films are included in this year’s line-up,” the group said. “The decision, coming just weeks before the scheduled event, is a lost opportunity to engage the Greater Hamilton community in a Jewish cultural event during the highest rise of antisemitism we’ve seen in recent history, and in the aftermath of the bloodiest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust.”

Antisemitism has skyrocketed in Canada since the Hamas terror group’s onslaught across southern Israel on Oct. 7.

The Hamilton Jewish Federation added that the films that would have been screened are culturally relevant and valuable for portraying the past and “contemporary Jewish experience,” as well as the “reality of co-existence” between Jews and Arabs living in Israel as neighbors and citizens. One of them, it noted, is the final project of a filmmaker Hamas murdered during its Oct. 7 massacre, a tragedy that has left an indelible scar on Jewish communities throughout the world.

Jewish nonprofits commented on the matter on Tuesday and Wednesday, describing the festival’s scrapping as an injustice and calling on lawmakers to intervene and restore the original agreement between both parities.

“Unacceptable and appalling,” tweeted HonestReporting Canada, a nonprofit that promotes fair media coverage of Israel. “Silencing Jewish voices in a time when Jews are the #1 targeted religious group for hate crimes in Canada is a dangerous precedent and only gives more ammunition to those who hide their antisemitism under the guise of ‘anti-Zionism.'”

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, whose mission is to combat antisemitism and spread awareness of the Holocaust, added, “We denounce Playhouse Cinema’s decision to reverse its commitment to host the Hamilton Jewish Film Festival this year, in the latest example of an organization yielding to threats and intimidation from anti-Israel activists.”

[p-h03n1-x]

Yibo Official Weibo update 2.8.2024 (part 4 of 6) Welcome to play UNIQ-Wang Yibo’s key frames of the year. Recall frame by frame, wonderful and colorful. Indulge in the beautiful changes of light and shadow, enjoy expressing your true self in music, explore the unknown in different fields, and progress in life. Keyframes are drawn one by one on the strip. In 2023, you will be rewarded with diligent study and hard work, and in 2024, we will embark on a new journey with steady steps! A new chapter is about to begin. I wish you all to move forward in the Year of the Dragon, and be happy and prosperous!

Part 4 Live Events

Accumulate strength and move forward, the stars are shining brightly Forge ahead with determination and unremitting ambition. Focus and shine and gain recognition

【Movie Roadshow】

Anonymous (top left to right)

·Shanghai press conference of the movie "Anonymous"·

·Beijing Press Conference of the Movie "Anonymous"·

·Movie "Anonymous" Shanghai Roadshow·

·Movie "Anonymous" Guangzhou Roadshow,

·Movie "Anonymous" Wuhan Roadshow·

·Movie "Anonymous" road show in Suzhou and Wuxi

·Movie "Anonymous" Ningbo Roadshow·

"Born to Fly" (top left to right)

·Beijing premiere of the movie "Born to Fly"·

·Shanghai premiere of the movie "Born to Fly"·

Screening of the closing film of the Beijing International Film Festival

Southern War Zone Special Screening Event

Rocket Force Command Academy Station Road Show, Air Force Airborne Force Station Road Show

"One and Only" (top left to right)

·Global Surprise Party for the Movie "One and Only"·

·World premiere of the movie "One and Only"·

·Movie "One and Only" Beijing Roadshow·

·Movie "One and Only" Hangzhou Roadshow·

·Movie "One and Only" Yueyang Road Show·

·Thailand premiere of the movie "One and Only"·

Events (top left to right)

·2023 Dragon TV Spring Festival Gala, Singing the theme song of the same name from the movie "Anonymous"

·2022 Weibo Night·

·The 13th Beijing International Film Festival· Closing Ceremony

The 18th and 19th China Film Huabiao Awards Ceremony·

·Wang Yibo Chunzhen brand meeting.

·2023 Douyin Movie Adventure Night·

·2023 Weibo Movie Night·

·The 20th Movie Channel Media Attention Unit·closing ceremony

· Closing Ceremony of the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival

·Moncler Moncler Shanghai Hang Lung Flagship Store Opening Ceremony

·2023 Bay Area Rising Moon Greater Bay Area Film and Music Gala, singing the theme song of the same name from the movie "Unknown"

"Infinite Style" ·2023 Shu Uemura Professional Makeup Competition·

·Yuehua 2023 Family Concert joined with "Exclamation Mark" to perform the stage

·The 36th China Film Golden Rooster Awards Nominee Recognition Ceremony

·The 36th China Film Golden Rooster Awards Closing Ceremony

·2023 iQiyi Scream Night·

·Redmi 10th Anniversary and K70 Series New product launch

·GQMOTY Annual Personality Ceremony·

·2023 Tencent Video Starlight Awards·

Participated in singing·2024 Cross-Strait New Year's Eve·Song "Tomorrow Will Be Better"

·Set Sail 2024 China Central Radio and Television·New Year's Eve Party Singing "Dragon"

·2023-2024 Hunan Satellite TV Mango TV New Year’s Eve Party, Singing "The Song That Never Ends" and "Bystander"

·2023 Weibo Night·

·"This is Street Dance" Season 6 Finals·

Go far with practice and persevere every moment. Every brief moment merges into a rich present

Link here for parts 1-3

[calciumdeficientt]

I know I already asked you for headcanons, but could you do some headcanons with my OC Mary and Gord? 👉👈

This is so perfect!!! I was about to make a post of Mary hcs anyway so I’m going to kind of co-opt this ask to kind of do some solo Mary hcs but dw Gord will be here!

MARY BROWN HCS (FEAT. GORD)

SOLO MARY HCS

Shes the most kindhearted prep, it really shows. She does her best to act cruel and snobbish but she just doesn’t have the heart to do it, she’s so genuinely nice that it kind of rubs off on everyone around her. It’s pretty infectious, even though most of the preps don’t want to be infected. This endless kindness does get her in everyone’s good graces. It sort of acts for a force field, especially on bullies. There’s nothing that a small gift cannot solve, its not TECHNICALLY bribery if you don’t actually want the service the other party is providing, right?

Her interest in drama leads her to join the school’s drama club. She has every right to use her power and influence as a prep to buy her way into lead roles but she thinks its unfair, so she auditions the same way everyone else does. In the drame club, she got to know Trent a little better, he’s usually the leading man, and that energy follows him offstage too. He’s a pretty cool goy once you get past all the borderline torture he puts other students through and a good friend of Mary’s too

Comes from a good, loving family who despite admitting they’re not fully on board with her dreams of being an actress they’re more than willing to pay her way into it. They just want to see their daughter happy, and if she feels more comfortable in front of a camera than she does behind a jeweller’s desk than that’s the way it’s going to be. They moved from Cambridge to Bullworth when Mary was a baby, but she retained the accent because all their house staff moved to America with them. Nannies, maids, chefs. Everyone Mary interacted with in her formative years had a southern English accent.

Cares for Bif after tough fights. They have a good sibling relationship going, so if he’s particularly down or injured, she likes to take him out somewhere for coffee or yknow… to the emergency room. Mary comes to every fight, she makes time specifically to come and watch the fights, she’s not got a great stomach when it comes to violence, she likes to let Bif know he’s supported whenever he fights. Even if he’s just sparring. It’s a real testament to her incomparable niceness. She comes, despite her hatred for fighting, to support her friend.

Started and funded their first Bullworth festival with the help of Miss Phillips, every student can make any film they like (with a few restrictions, no snuff films, no nudity -tasteful or otherwise- and no profanity unless its absolutely VITAL to the plot) they have six weeks to write, film and produce their films and then at the end of that time the films are submitted, screened and a winner is voted for by the student body. The winner receives a shitty plastic Oscar dupe, 20 bucks each and an instant pass on all art and photography classes for the semester. It’s a good morale booster, and almost everyone gets involved. To avoid any clique wars, there is one final rule that Mary introduces… each film cast/crew must contain a member from at least one other clique or the film is disqualified. It makes a difference around the school for like a month before everyone forgets and starts fighting again.

GORD X MARY HCS

Gord and Mary are very much a picture book couple, they’re so happy together. There’s never been a moment that they’ve ever fought, or even frowned at each other. They’re very happy, very healthy and so in love. It’s almost poetic, its the kind of thing any kid dreams about. They assume that they’ll marry their childhood sweetheart and live a good life, usually in a castle. Well for Mary and gord who’ve been playing happy families since they were tots, its their reality. They took a small break through middle school and the start of high school but there’s a very good chance that even during those years, their minds were still on each other.

Shopping dates are an absolute must. Gord prides himself on his fashion taste, so one thing he really likes to do is style outfits for her. They go out and he gets busy creating outfits for her based on what’s seasonal and trendy. Gord really has his finger on the pulse of fashion, a fact he’s really not modest about, so Mary always looks stunning and chic. Not one to miss out on any fashion fun, Gord buys matching outfits when he can, and complimentary outfits when he can’t.

Gord is too sentimental for his own good. He remembers every single milestone possible, and he gets Mary gifts for every one. Wether it’s the day they held hands for the first time, the day they first kissed or the day they both said i love you, a slew of fancy gifts is crammed into her dorm. It’s a little much, but it really proves to her that he cares about her.

Both of them are allergic to flowers, so Gord has to get creative. Her uses anything from his limited crochet skills to dried flowers, if its an important event Gord will usually get some bespoke flowers made. For their 1 year anniversary he commissioned a French artist to make a bouquet of roses out of blown glass and solid gold. They’re absolutely beautiful and as a bonus, he even had a vase made or them.

They have tea dates in Harrington house, an event that requires the rest of the preps to clear off. It’s more intimate than a fancy dinner or a night being paraded around at a gala. They light candles and sit around Harrington house’s smallest dining table to drink real tea, and spill metaphorical tea. If the preps weren’t so worried about hearing something about themselves they’d rather have not known, they probably would linger dunring these dates.