#that camera person doing the best they can to capture the magic

[jmdbjk]

omg, He's back.

We've waited so long. He's here, he still has it all and he's here to claim his throne back. Get out of the way people. Here he comes... omg.

His pure joy. The story he tells with just his body. I'm trying to be nice about it all but damn... no one else comes close. Just stand back and admire his art.

Choreographed by Jimin, Yoon Seong Eun and @l_kunmuk (worked with JK on his recent MVs).

[lost-and-ephemeral]

Hi 👐 I have some ideas for our LDS Boys that could be interesting to see 😁 some headcanons for Boys x reader on vacation for two whole weeks (what destination they choose, how they plan this trip, what would they do, some sfw etc). Another one - Let's say the boys have a friend who has a crush on them and she interferes in their lives and tries to make reader jealous. How will they cope in this situation? Thank you ♥️

HCs: Vacation With Them

Pairing: Xavier x reader, Zayne x reader, Rafayel x reader (seperate)

Tags: fluff, established relationships

A/N: thanks for request ♡ i decided to write the first idea, but! later i'm planning to write the second one!

-`♡´- MASTERLIST -`♡´- 

Rafayel

As an artist, Rafayel often travels to other cities for various reasons. Sometimes he's looking for inspiration, sometimes his help is needed somewhere.

But a two-week vacation with you?

Just perfect.

Rafayel will personally handle the preparations for this trip.

He'll probably decide to visit a city with beautiful architecture that will "help inspire him". Like Rome, Florence or Venice. Or any other equally beautiful city in the world.

And have no doubt that he'll pick the best hotel he can find.

Rent a big room with a view on the most picturesque part of the city? Sure.

Especially if this will make you happy.

Will definitely take you to the sightseeing spots and tell you about their historical/architectural value.

Either he's very smart or he researched all this information on the internet before coming here. Just to impress you.

Rafayel likes to visit small cafes that have their own special (ahem, romantic) atmosphere. They don't have to be too fancy.

Loves to take you out late at night. You look magical in the streetlights.

Speaking of which, Rafayel always has his camera close to him. He likes to take pictures of you, being able to capture every special moment when your eyes shine with joy.

At the end of the day, he makes sure to cuddle with you in bed while listening to you talk about what you enjoyed the most that day.

Probably fall asleep at the sound of your voice. But he can't help it, you soothe him very much with your presence. He's not doing it on purpose, so don't feel bad.

On "lazy days" likes to stay in the room with you, no going out for walks or anything. After all, you came here to relax.

Rafayel teases you all the time for different reasons, that's his nature, but in this atmosphere he seems to soften a lot. After all, even here you are his favorite sight.

When you point to something you think is beautiful, he keeps looking solely at you and says, "Yes, beautiful."

And then starts blushing like crazy as soon as he realizes exactly what he just said.

Even on vacation, he continues to make some scetches about your trip.

By the end of your vacation, he'll have a couple of drawings of you in his sketchbook. Like you sitting in front of the window with a glass of wine or reading a brochure while lying in bed.

Xavier

Let's face it, Xavier just needs a vacation.

This poor guy is ready to sleep even while he's standing because sometimes he spends days and nights without proper rest.

So a two-week vacation with you is just what he needs.

And it will be the most relaxing type of vacation.

You will prepare everything for the trip together, consider different options and choose the most suitable one.

It is best to choose a warm place somewhere by the sea. So both of you can relax and let go of all your worries.

Just imagine a hotel with windows that are facing the sea. Falling asleep and waking up to the lulling whisper of the waves. Right thing for a good rest, yeah?

During your vacation, Xavier's favorite thing is waking up next to you in this serene atmosphere.

Xavier loves it when you wake up before him (which is almost every morning) and gently caress his face or his hair.

He doesn't have to rush anywhere and can just enjoy your time alone with each other.

Especially when you look so beautiful in the morning sunlight.

Xavier could spend every day, from morning till night, in your arms. And it would be the real paradise for him.

Hold him, cover every inch of his face with kisses. As long as he doesn't have to put everything aside and rush to fight Wanderers, he's happy.

I think he wouldn't mind visiting cute small cafes either. The ones with a cozy and almost homely atmosphere.

When you're at the beach, splash water at him and get ready for a playful battle until he catches you and pulls you into the water with him.

Usually reserved Xavier will finally allow himself to fool around a bit.

Cherish this moment.

After that, he will 100% help you dry yourself.

Xavier wouldn't mind napping on your lap right on the beach. Even the sun won't bother him. His one and only sunshine is already with him.

He likes to watch sunsets with you. When you rest your head on his shoulder and talk about anything you can think of.

But even more than that, he likes to stargaze with you.

Spread a blanket on the sand and get comfortable next to him. Even if you fall asleep in the process, he can carry you to bed, don't worry.

The cool night breeze from the sea can't make you cold as long as Xavier is by your side. He'll keep you warm.

He likes to buy souvenirs so that even when you return home and get back to work, he can look at them and remember something nice.

Zayne

Zayne is a doctor, and that's the reason why most of the time he works until exhaustion. Even if it seems that he hardly gets tired, this is not so.

He needs rest as much as any other person do.

And a two-week vacation with you will be a breath of fresh air.

It's going to sound cliché, but Zayne wouldn't mind going somewhere a bit more colder.

Vacations aren't always about warm places, right?

A city like Reykjavik would be ideal, the nature of Iceland itself is so beautiful and breathtaking.

How about combining a vacation with hiking in beautiful places? Sounds good.

Even if you insist, Zayne will still do all the preparations by himself. He will select a city, a place to stay and make sure that you take everything you need. Especially warm clothes.

Don’t worry, he won’t force you to travel miles on foot in order to look at pure and untouched nature.

Most of the time, he won't mind walking around the city with you and popping into a couple of shops in search of local sweets.

Zayne is the type of person who puts both your and his hand in the pocket of his coat when you're holding hands. This way your fingers will definitely not freeze. And also he just doesn't want to let go

Sitting in warm and cozy cafes with you while drinking hot chocolate is something he loves the most. Your smile, your reddened from the cold cheeks. Just beautiful.

It's hard for him to show his care verbally, but his actions speak louder than any words, so he doesn't mind hugging you from behind to keep you warm.

Allows you to take as many photos with him as you want. And there's so much love in his eyes as you show him those photos.

He, too, prefers to fully enjoy his vacation and rest, not dazedly run back and forth. And that's understandable.

But that doesn't stop him from waking you up with breakfast in bed every morning. He says it's easier to keep track of your nutrition, but it really melts his heart to see how sleepy and happy you look at that moment.

It's a huge plus if the room you're renting has a fireplace.

In that case, you can spend your evenings warming up next to it while Zane sits behind and holds you in his arms.

He rests his forehead against your shoulder and lets himself relax completely. You don't have to speak at this moment, just gently stroke his scarred hands, hold them, showing your love and care for him.

He will be sure to keep a few photos from your vacation. Always. So that your warm moments together will never be erased from his memory.

[endthedream]

hygge

pairing: model!niki x photographer!reader

summary: meeting at a time where the both of you need a supportive person the most, a beautiful friendship (or more) rises from similar struggles.

words: 6k

story colour: gray

notes: I know this story is shorter than the other ones but I still feel a bit awkward writing about Niki. I tried my best tho and hope all of you can enjoy this story! <3

masterlist of 'enhypen as jobs'

Hygge

noun

a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).

If there was one word your father would describe you with it would be ‘vivacious’. You have always been full of life, walking around with a smile on your face and appreciating the small, little things in life. He called you a ray of sunshine, touched by the angels, and graced with the gift of never-ending happiness. He said you were his inspiration, his muse, his realization of how magical the world can be, and how there is always good in bad. He said you were everything he ever wished for in life.

He used to tell you stories about his travels around the world, places that he captured with the lens of his camera and people he remembered in his heart. Your father told you everything about the world, the cultures, and the unimaginable love he felt when he visited those places. How inspiration was at every corner, how he could see beauty in the tragedies of the world and how everything he felt changed him. He was just a little boy, when he thought he knew the world he never even saw before, but when he came back, he was a man, full of knowledge and respect.

One place he still carries deeply in his heart is Denmark. Not only because it is a beautiful country, so full of wonders and stories, but also because there was one thing he learned from his visit, one thing he still carries with him. ‘Hygge’ is what it is called. A word he now lives by. A word with a greater meaning that inspired the way he was thinking. Hygge is finding happiness in the little things in life. He was the one that taught you from when you were a child that happiness is made out of those small little moments rather than just grant events, finding magic in the ordinary, commonplace, imperfections. You think that he was the one that turned you into the vivacious person you are today.

Your father stopped traveling the world when he met your mom, but his love and passion for photography stayed. He sent his pictures to every agency, working his way up until this point. Until he started taking pictures of the most famous people in the world. It’s not something that he originally wanted or planned, but it is definitely something he enjoys. Because instead of traveling to meet people around the world, he invites them to his studio and takes photos of them. He has met dozens of people without even having to leave town.

It’s been two weeks since you ‘officially’ started working for your dad. You have been helping him at his studio ever since you can remember, and when he offered you to work for him full-time, you couldn’t say no.

Much like him you love photography, always taking pictures of everything and everyone. It has become your thing, your passion as well. And while working at your dad’s studio isn’t the kind of photography you originally wanted to do, it is a start that will hopefully take you far. Like him, you want to travel the world, appreciate every single country and capture everything you see with the lens of your camara. You want to have a blog where you can post those pictures and write about the experiences you have during your travels. You want to inspire people to follow their dreams, to pick up a camera and express themselves, to find who they really are. You want to be able to close your eyes, take a deep breath and know that the moment you open your eyes again, the view that will wait for you is worth every single dollar on this planet.

“You are daydreaming again.”, you can hear the voice of your father right next to your ear, making you snap out of your thoughts and turn around to him. He is grinning from ear to ear, arms folded.

“Sorry.”, you say, showing him a sheepish smile before looking back into the computer right in front of you, showing a picture of a woman who came in her just two days ago. “I am almost done with editing though. How do you like it?”

Your father leans down, eyes skimming over the picture for a few seconds before looking at you again. “I like how you enhanced the colors of her dress, but I think it’s too dark. We wanted to go with a more tropical, summery vibe and now it looks like fireworks on a stormy night. Brighten the picture and see what you can do to get rid of the white dots in the background.” You never said working for your dad was easy. He is your loving, kind, devoted father, but he is also a businessman. He knows what looks good and what doesn’t and whenever he takes the pictures, he has an exact vision of how it has to turn out.

“Oh, and we also got a last-minute photo shoot for tomorrow. I think this is your chance to show off your photographer skills.” In an instant you spin around in your chair, eyes wide and mouth hung open.

“What? But dad, I’ve never taken professional photos before. What if I mess up the shot and you will get a bad reputation?” Until recently, photography was a hobby to you, just capturing small things you saw while taking walks, taking pictures of your friends and family or sometimes even creating abstract pictures, but never have you ever done it professionally. Not with an expensive camera or twelve lights around you or with a model in front of you. God, especially not with a model that has probably high expectations in you.

“Y/n, sweetheart, this is a good opportunity for you. And I will just be two rooms away, if you struggle or have any questions, you can always get me. But you will never make it if you don’t step over your own boundaries. How will you travel the world and capture everything with a lens, when you can’t do it right now? That’s how you learn it and that’s how you grow within it. Don’t see this as a challenge, see this as an opportunity to come out big into the world of photography.” It’s quiet for a moment, you taking the time to think about your fathers’ words and your father taking the time to study your face. He knows that this is a big step for you, but he needs to push you over your own boundaries and help you over the fear of failing.

“Okay, yeah, okay, you are right, dad. I can do this. Who will I have the photoshoot with?” Placing one hand comfortingly on your shoulder, your dad smiles proudly at you. You love that look on his face, the love and pride radiating from it. It fills you with joy and the determination to always give your best in every situation. It has made you turn into the efficient and hard-working person you are today.

“His name is Niki Nishimura. He is a model from Japan, and I thought that this would be perfect for you since the two of you are the same age. I think that you will be able to hit it off perfectly.” There is something in you that stops for a second. You have heard of Niki before from girls in your class, have seen the covers of magazines he is on and commercials on the tv. He is popular, well, more than that actually. Niki is the face of the most well-known brands, walks on fashion week catwalks and on top of that is known for his sweet and polite personality. He is the whole package, and you are going to meet him tomorrow.

“Are you okay?”, your father asks you after you’ve been silent for a while. “Do you know Mr. Nishimura?”

“Know him?”, you say, voice suddenly rising. “Dad he is so popular. Everyone knows him. How do you expect me to do a photo shooting with him when he has literally been on every single magazine I see? How am I supposed to keep my cool when he walked for fashion week in Paris? Dad, this is a huge responsibility, I can’t do that.”

“No, you cannot change your mind now. Y/n, what happened when you said ‘Yeah, dad, you are right. I can do this. Thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity. You are the best dad in this whole world, and everyone should be jealous because they don’t have such a kind, loving, fantastic, talented, handsome father like I do.’”, he says, mimicking your voice in a high-pitched tone, and you can’t hide the small grin on your lips.

“First of all, that’s not how I sound. Second, you are so full of yourself.” You dramatically roll your eyes as you let your head fall into your arms. “And third, that was before I knew the photo shoot was going to be with the freaking Niki Nishimura. This changes things, dad, this changes things drastically.”

“Y/n, stop being so hard on yourself. Famous or not, that boy is still a human being. He is the same age as you are, so don’t think of him any differently. This is the first lesson you have to learn in this kind of work. Celebrities are humans too. They are just known by more people, but they go to the toilet like you, and they probably also do dance parties in their room late at night when they think their dads are asleep.” Your cheeks turn red as you hear the last sentence, not having known that your dad actually heard you dancing late at night in your room before. But before you can open your mouth and defend yourself, your dad continues. “They are like you and me, sweetheart. So, don’t worry, okay? If anyone can do this, then you. I believe in you, with all my heart.”

-

Your hands are shaking as you set up the camera. The lights are already on and directed right at the boy in front of you, who is currently watching you with attentive eyes as you fiddle around with the tripod. You were aware that Niki is known for his respectful personality, but when he walked into your dads’ studio, you didn’t expect him to be this… shy. He really seemed like a little boy who lost his parents in a supermarket. Niki was barely able to mumble a quick hello to you and tell you his name.

“Are you ready?”, you ask him, looking up at the boy who quickly- almost as if he was caught doing something wrong- looks down at the ground, nodding his head. “Okay, I’m just going to fix this light, since I think it makes you look to pale, and then we can start.”

Without waiting for an answer, you walk over to the softbox, changing its position a bit.

You are so caught up in your head that you get startled as you hear the boy in front of you start to talk. “Your hands are shaking.” It’s a simple sentence, a simple statement, but it makes you stop in your tracs. You look up at him yet again, noticing that he has taken off the sunglasses he has to wear for the shoot. There is something in his eyes- softness, you think- that makes you feel comfortable, less nervous.

“Yes.”, you stutter, clearing your throat a few times. “I’m nervous. This is my first time doing a real photo shoot, and I’m… just terrified that I will make a mistake.” Niki just nods at your words, taking a few seconds to look around the room, which gives you time to take in his outfit for this shoot. You haven’t really looked at him closely, not wanting to make him uncomfortable in any way.

He wears an all-black outfit, black slacks with a black shirt underneath a black blazer. The red and white collar of his shirt gives the outfit the finishing touch, hinting just a bit of color that is needed to compliment him. He looks amazing, dashing, like he is out of a movie- a James Bond movie probably. And you realize you have never seen a more gorgeous person in your whole entire life.

“I’m sure you will be doing just perfect.”, he says, giving you a tight-lipped smile at a thumbs up. You have to scoff slightly at his try of encouragement, showing him the same tight-lipped smile, before continuing to change the position of the softbox.

Somehow your hands are even more shaky as you stand in front of the camera again, your breaths come in shallow, and your vision become blurry. You have to close your eyes for a few seconds, trying to calm yourself down, trying to remind yourself that it’s just a photo shoot and that Niki is just a normal boy. But it doesn’t work, your mind is spiraling with all these bad thoughts and can’t stop them from coming over and over again, attacking and breaking you into pieces.

“Hey, are you sure you’re fine? You look like you are about to faint.” You hear Nikis’ voice, but it is somewhere in the distance, you can’t grasp if it is miles away or right beside you. The world starts turning and you really think you might actually lose control over your whole body.

“Yeah.”, you can hear your own voice, but you can’t feel your lips moving. “Just… just give me a second.” You stumble backwards, eyes still closed and somehow you land right on your behind. You don’t open your eyes, still too afraid of how your surroundings look. You don’t even flinch when you feel two hands taking yours.

“Listen to me, okay? Just follow what I am saying.” There it is again, Nikis voice. There is a mix of concern and determination in it, but you don’t have time to think about that any longer. “Breath in, and out. Again. In and out.” You continue this pattern for a few minutes. Niki guiding your breaths and you following his orders. And you can slowly start feeling yourself calm down.

When you open your eyes again, the world has stopped spinning, your heart beats at a normal speed again and your hands stopped shaking. Niki is sitting beside you, watching you carefully. “Thanks.”, you just mumble, letting out a long and deep sigh.

“No need to thank me.”

There is a comfortable silence surrounding the two of you, and for a moment you forget that there is someone sitting right beside you, until Niki speaks up again. “Did that happen to you before?”

You shake your head, letting a hand glide through your hair. “No, never. I think I was just worrying too much about everything that my body just couldn’t handle it anymore.”

Niki nods slightly, eyes fixated at a point in front of him. “I used to have panic attacks all the time. Before photo shootings, before catwalks, before pretty much anything.” You look at him as he speaks, seeing the pain on his face as he remembers past moments. “I was nervous, terrified of messing up, of not being good enough, of failing every single person in my life. Those thoughts never left my mind, and I did not know how to stop them. I felt helpless, and I didn’t want to talk to anyone about it, afraid they might laugh at me or think I am a pathetic little boy.”

“What did you do to change that?”, you ask him, attentively listening to him and hanging onto every word that was coming out of his mouth.

“Well, I started believing in myself more. Because why would people book me for modeling, if they didn’t think I was good at it? I started telling myself that I am good enough, that I made it this far, because I am good at what I am doing. Believing in yourself is always the first step to a healthier mindset.” You watch as he nervously picks at the skin on his fingers, before continuing. “And then I started telling myself that we are all just tiny little humans on a tiny little planet in this big universe. Why would I waste my time caring about my looks, or the way I walk and talk, when nothing of that is important? I mean, it is important, but you know what I mean. It seems like nothing compared to the universe. Why should I care about the opinions of others, when I will probably never see them again in my life? Why would I give my precious time to people who will just waste it, if I can surround myself with nothing but happiness? After all, we are all just little humans having dreams and hopes, having a life of our own and chasing one thing. Happiness.”

There is a silent tear rolling down your cheeks as you hear his words, but you quickly wipe it away before he can notice it.

“And then I started to talk to people about my thoughts, and it helped so much. Other models told me about their worries, about their problems. And suddenly, I didn’t feel alone anymore. I felt understood, like someone tuck me into bed with a warm blanket and kissed my forehead.” There is a short moment where you both smile into the distance, caught in your own heads, before Niki directs his gaze back at you. “I’ve seen your dads’ work, that’s why I wanted to come here and get my pictures taken by him. And when he told my agency about you, his prodigy daughter, I knew that if a person as talented as him recommends you do the photo shoot with me, then you must be just as talented as he is. When I saw you today, saw the way you took so much care of the equipment and about every single person on this set, I knew that I wouldn’t want anyone else to take photos of me. You just have to believe in yourself more, trust yourself and your abilities and stop the spiral in your head. Stop thinking and just do what you love to do.”

-

“So, I went up to him and told him to get lost. I mean he is famous, yes, but that doesn’t give him the right to treat other people like that. Especially since my dad was having a photo shoot with him. Like be grateful that at least someone is taking pictures of you.” Niki laughs at your story, long having forgotten the hot chocolate in front of him. After your panic attack, Niki proposed a little break, so you took him to one of the best cafés in town.

“It’s so good that you gave him a piece of your mind. Sometimes fame really gets into peoples’ brains and they start thinking they are above anyone.” You nod your head, smiling at him widely and taking a bit of the cake you ordered. You close your eyes, enjoying the different flavors melting on your tongue. And when you open your eyes again, you find Niki staring at you, a fascinated look on his face. You show him a questioning look, swallowing another bite of your cake.

“I find it fascinating.”, he says, fork poking his own cake. “The way you seem to soak up every single small thing in life. Just a second ago, you looked like you were soaking up the flavor of this cake with your whole body. On the walk here, you stopped walking just to watch a bee on the flowers of the flower shop we passed by, and your eyes were actually sparkling. And it’s the way you talk about things, especially your dad. You have this way of making me feel like I was actually there with you throughout all your little stories. It’s just fascinating how much someone can enjoy life and all its little wonders.”

There is a faint tint of blush slowly creeping up your cheeks and you quickly try to hide it by covering your face with your hair. “Do you know the word hygge?” Niki shakes his head at your question, waiting for you to continue. “It’s a word from Denmark and it basically has the meaning of enjoying the small things in life and finding happiness in them. I learned it from my father and been living by it all my life.”

“That is so beautiful.” You can feel the air shift. Niki lowers his head, fork dropping beside his cake. “Sometimes I feel like my life is moving so far. I have to be somewhere new every single day. I rush from one place to another without having time to appreciate the stuff I get to see and do every single day. Everything moves so quickly, and I feel like I can’t just be a simple kid, living a simple life. I have to be a mature role model who knows everything and behaves perfectly at all times. I had to do that since I was fifteen. And it’s just… exhausting. Sometimes I just want to stop time and be… me. I want to appreciate things, stuff myself full of food until I’m nauseous, play pranks on my friends without being titled as mean. I want to act goofy without being called childish, even though I am still seventeen.”

Sniffling down your tears, you reach over to grab Nikis’ hand. “Listen to me, Niki. You are the bravest, most talented, kind-hearted person ever. Life isn’t treating anyone fairly, but we should not let that decide our whole future. If you really want to enjoy life to its fullest, then do it. Take a break, talk to your management or something like that. If you really want something, you can always get it, if you want deeply want it. People will always have something they won’t like about you, because they are jealous and miserable, but just remember that you don’t know those people and you never will. So, don’t let them decide who you are, and definitely don’t let them have power over who you want to be. Life is too short to waste it, and we won’t stay young forever. It’s important to enjoy every single little thing before it is too late.”

There is a single tear rolling down Nikis’ face, but he catches it with his thumb before it can land on the table. He takes a few breaths, calming himself down, before looking into your eyes again. He shows you a sad smile, the hand that is still holding yours squeezing in an appreciating manner. “Thank you so much for telling me all that. You don’t know how much this means to me, Y/N.”

“Don’t thank me for something like that, Niki. I just said what you needed to hear a long time ago.”  A few seconds of silence fill the air, Niki just looks around, trying not to think too much about your words. He doesn’t want to tear up yet again. “Okay, before any of us will start bawling their eyes out, how about you finish your cake, and I will take you to a cool place?”

-

Nikis’ eyes widen at the scene in front of him. The towns autumn festival is known for being breathtaking, decorations of pumpkins, leaves and mushrooms everywhere, a fairy’s wheel laced with moos and fairy lights, games you can play at every corner and a big campfire where people laugh, talk, sing and grill marshmallows. Niki doesn’t know where to look first, his eyes trying to take in every single little thing at once, before eventually landing on you, again.

“This is, wow, Y/n, this is the coolest thing I have ever seen.” You smile brightly at him before tugging on his sleeve, silently telling him to follow you. You walk up to a stand selling waffles, smiling at the elderly guy.

“Hey, Mr. Kim. Can we have two waffles, and please give them a bit of extra chocolate sauce, my friend here has never tried your waffles before.”

“Y/n, my dear, anything for you.” Niki and you both watch as Mr. Kim prepares the waffles, adding sprinkles on them and even an extra amount of whipped cream. Before you can take out your wallet to pay, Mr. Kim shakes his head violently. “No, it’s on the house. You have never brought a friend here before. Enjoy the waffles, okay?” With red cheeks you nod at the kind man, taking the waffles from him and walking to a free table with Niki.

“So, you never brought a friend here, huh?” You can hear the teasing tone in Nikis’ voice, but you are too ashamed to look at him. It’s not like you never wanted to bring a friend here, but it just never felt right. Friends weren’t really a permanent thing in your life, having had too many bad experiences with them. And whenever you had a friend that you started to trust, you always felt like they would destroy this magical festival for you. But with Niki it was different. You just felt so comfortable with Niki, so understood. Niki is different than anyone you have ever met, and after his confession earlier, you just knew that you had to share this with him. You had to share this beautiful place with him.

“I never really had friends. Whenever I did, they only seemed to like me because my dad is somewhat known. They wanted to get some fame as well. So, I just stopped looking for friends. You are the first person I feel like could actually like me for me, you know.”

Niki smiles at you, for the thousands time today, taking a bite out of his waffle. “I already do like you for you, Y/n. And I really appreciate it that I am the first person you bring here. But I just want to say that, wow, these waffles are amazing. I feel like I’ve been kissed by an angel, like I am at the beach hearing the waves softly crash against the sand, like I am floating on a cloud, like I am a changed man.” You laugh at his words, holding your stomach and tipping your head back. Niki watches you, eyes trained on your face, and he realizes how much he loves being the reason for your laughter. “Like I want to marry this waffle, that’s how good it is. And then we have little waffle children running around, spreading sugary joy all over the world. And then me and this waffle will watch those waffle children grow up and have waffle children themselves. We will sit on the porch, in little rocking chairs and watch our waffle grandchildren play in the front yard.” Tears are flooding down your cheeks from laughing at his words. There are people staring at the two of you, but you don’t care, you just live in this moment together.

-

“And that cloud looks like a cat eating ice cream.” The sun is setting painting the sky in different shades of pink and yellow, as you stop at the top of the fairy’s wheel. This is your third time riding the fairy’s wheel, not caring about the amount of money you are spending on it. You subconsciously hug the unicorn plushie Niki has won you earlier- after at least twelve tries- tighter to your chest as you look up at the sky with him.

“Oh, and that cloud looks a big popcorn bucket.” Rolling your eyes at the boy sitting beside you, you can’t help the grin that creeps itself up on your lips.

“You are so bad at this, Niki.” He just chuckles at your comment, eyes focusing on you again. “It’s not a popcorn bucket it is obviously a dragon drinking a cup of Pepsi.”

“Okay, this is the first one that I cannot see, Y/n. How is this a dragon? It is just a big blob, nothing more.” Gasping at his words, you shake your head in disappointment at his lack of creativity.

“How could you say that about Mr. Dragon. Has he done anything to you? No, he hasn’t. He is just enjoying his Pepsi, and you are insulting him like that. I cannot believe you right now.” Niki tips his head back in laughter, wiping at his eyes.

“Thank you.”, he says between laughs, voice raised a few pitches higher than normally.

“For what?”, you ask him.

“For this day, Y/n. This has been the coolest day ever, and all that thanks to you. I never had so much fun, I never laughed so much and so hard. I swear my belly and my jaw hurt from laughing so much.” There is this happiness, this pride, filling your heart as you hear his words. You have never felt this way before, never had someone tell you such sweet words, and thanking you for company. You swallow your tears, blinking a few times up into the sky, before you can face him again.

“You’re welcome, Niki. I hope that you can have many, many more days like this one in the future with a lot of people all over the world. Because that is what you deserve.”

“Well, I hope I can have many more days like this as well with you, right? After this day we won’t just pretend we never met, we won’t just become strangers, right? This day will lead to an amazing friendship that will last until we are old and gray, right?” You smile at him, scooting over to him and softly taking his hand in yours.

“Of course, Niki. I won’t let you leave. You are stuck with me now.” You grin brightly at him, squeezing his hand appreciatively.

“Oh, no. I take back what I said. You scare me.”

“Nope.”, you say. “No take backs, Niki. This is only the beginning.”

“So, if you are that confident in our friendship? Will you do the photo shoot with me now?”

-

“Those photos are amazing, Y/n. God, I am so proud of you. You did everything just as I imagined it to be, even better actually. I knew you could do it.” Your father wraps you into a tight hug, holding you against him and a bright, proud grin on your face. Pride fills your entire body as you hear those words out of your father’s mouth. You have been editing those pictures, making them perfect, for the past few days, night and day, and knowing that it turned out amazing, was worth all the stressful hours.

“Thanks dad, but I don’t want to have all the credit. Without my muse I wouldn’t have been able to pull everything off.”

Your dad breaks the hug, giving you a stern- not serious- look. “Your muse, huh? I heard Niki and you got really cozy at the autumn festival. You can’t fool me; I have eyes and ears everywhere. I tell you, before anything he becomes your boyfriend, I want to formally meet him first. I want to know everything about this boy and then I will decide if he can date my precious daughter.”

“Dad!”, you complain, cheeks redder than the tomatoes your dad is growing in his garden. “It’s not like that. I mean not yet. We are friends, dad.”

“Yeah, but if, sweetheart, if he becomes your boyfriend, I want to meet him first.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Let’s just get out these photos.” With one last smile in your dad’s direction, you walk back to your desk, the pictures of Niki still on your screen. But before you can do anything, your phone ring tone breaks the silence in the room. Smiling as you see Nikis’ contact, you open the text message he sent you, seeing a picture of him at a zoo somewhere in Japanese with the caption ‘Enjoying the little things right now and thinking about you. I’m already counting down the days till we meet again’.

Holding the phone to your chest, you can’t help but grin like a lovesick idiot. Life is great, it’s hard and exhausting sometimes, but it’s great. And you can’t wait to continue enjoying the small little moments it gives you with Niki by your side.

Bonus

“Only three more days.” Nikis’ voice says through the speaker of your phone as you look at the screen of your laptop.

In three days, it will be the fifth time you and Niki will attend the autumn festival in your town. It’s already been five years since you met, five years since you grew up together and five years since you started to enjoy the little things in life together. It still feels surreal to you, having him by your side for such a long time now.

“Three more days till I see you again, Y/n.” The excitement in his voice is evident and it warms your heart, fills it with so much appreciation for the boy on the other side of the planet. Niki is currently in Paris, attending his last fashion week for this year, and you are in Thailand, one of the countries you always wanted to visit. You have taken thousands of pictures, talked to hundreds of people and learned so much about their culture. It has been a dream, these past few weeks, and you wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in this world. But part of you misses your home, misses your dad, and misses Niki. You had one of the greatest times of your life, but you are ready to go home again.

“I can’t wait to see you.”, you say after a while, closing the laptop, grabbing your phone and sitting down outside on your little balcony. “God, I’ve missed you so much, you don’t even know.”

“Aw.”, he coos. “Are you getting emotional my sweet tiny little baby.”

“I take my words back.” You can hear his laughter through the phone, smiling at the familiar noise that became your favorite sound over the years. “But all jokes aside, I really do miss you, Niki.”

“I miss you too.”, he says, sighing softly after his words. “But it’s only three more days, right? We did five months before, so we can easily do three more days.”

“Those three days feel longer than the five months though.” You wrap your jacket tighter around yourself, slightly shaking in the cold evening wind. It’s times like this that you long for him the most, that you wish he was by your side. Traveling has shaped you in so many ways, helped you find who you really are and taught you so much about the world, but it also made you realize how much you value having a fixed place to stay, to settle down. It made you realize what you really want.

“What are you thinking about right now?”, Niki asks you, shifting from his position on his hotel bed. You can almost imagine him, messy hair, make up stains still left on his face and his SpongeBob pajamas on.

“You, I’m thinking about you. And us. Our future.”, you answer him honestly, eyes raised up into the deep blue sky.

“This is only the beginning.”, he whispers, voice low and deep with emotions. “This is only the beginning of our forever together, of our hygge together. It’s crazy to think about that sometimes, you know. The fact that we came into each other’s lives at a time where we needed it the most, and the fact that we made it so far. It’s crazy, but so indescribably beautiful. I can’t wait for these three days to pass by Y/n. And I can’t wait for every single day to pass by with you by my side. This is only our beginning, Y/n. And I already know where we can start together.” Niki stops his sentence, taking a small breath, making you anticipate his next words. “In Denmark.”

[phantombanquet]

Main Story: Diasomnia Book Chapter 8 Episode 7-117: Preparation for Departure! (Translation)

Episode 7-117

⚠️ Major Diasomnia spoilers! Proceed with caution.

translation by: phantombanquet

Idia: MALLEUS-SHI, HUH~~~~! 

THIS GRUDGE… SHOULD I LEAVE IT UNSETTLED~~!! ¹

If that happens, that pretentious inexpressive² guy, who usually keeps up his strong chara moves up in his sleeves…..

I can't help but feel sorry for myself if I don't see his pathetic figure sobbing with a runny nose and begging for forgiveness!

Now, what should I do…… Heh… Ehehehehehe!

Ortho: W-What a malicious scheming face…

This… May have angered someone who shouldn't be angered~

Idia: Heheh…… I'll show you. The ultimate power of a lone wolf³ trained in the gloomy “underworld.”

Just you wait, Malleus Draconia……

I'LL GET REVENGE BY SEIZING YOUR SPECIAL WEAKNESS!!!

Ortho: ……That's all.

From the magical disaster caused by Malleus Draconia until the awakening of Idia Shroud. This concludes the progress report.

Grim: Oohh~~! While we were fightin’ over in Lilia's dream, that's what happened to you guys.

Silver: I see. So Idia-senpai and Ortho are outside of the magical realm. It means that there is support coming from the real world. 

Idia: Y-Yeah, t-that sort of thing…… Well, for now, we'll be playing a dummy video on the surveillance camera for a short while……

I can only do this much.

Sebek: So, even if you have woken up, Malleus-sama will fail to notice and the “darkness” will not attack you.

Ortho: Yes.. And like I said earlier, Malleus-san is currently……

Focused on putting Lilia Vanrouge-san to sleep. 

So, I expect that he has not traced down the whereabouts of Silver-san and the others.

Sebek: Hm. I honestly want to praise your skills, but it is quite complicated when you are outsmarting Malleus-sama……

Idia: Well, that other guy is a battleship-like⁴ cheater so… We're still far off from completely capturing him.

Silver: However… I had no idea that Malleus-sama continued to expand his magical realm beyond the island……

Sebek: Furthermore, if the area is forcibly destroyed from the  outside, there is a possibility that the trapped person's psyche could also become destroyed!?

Grim: Somehow it's a real mess for real.

[Choice 1] Yuu: Can we do something about this?

[Choice 2] Yuu: (If this continues on, Tsunotarou will become the enemy of mankind.) 

Ortho: Yes. That's why we need your power!

Silver: Our… Power?

Ortho: Currently, the S.T.Y.X. staff is working together to assign ID numbers to the dreams of those trapped in the magical realm. 

During that time, we captured your magical reaction as you “moved around on your own” in the dream.

Silver: Could it be that it was my “Meet in a Dream?”

It's my unique magic that allows me to cross between dreams……

Ortho: Yes! That one, that one!

When traces of someone moving from one human dream to another were discovered, the engineers at S.T.Y.X. were in a commotion.

So that was Silver-san's unique magic, after all. Magic is a really mysterious power, huh.

Silver: However, my magic is to reliably travel to the dream of the person I'm targeting after, like you guys. I can't call someone into my dream.

I don’t know what else to say; it's hard to explain… It's a very intuitive kind of magic……

That’s why I was really surprised when Ortho appeared in the Dream Corridor and led us here. 

Ortho: What are you saying?

S.T.Y.X. prides themselves on their super computers and experts in magical engineering and magical analysis. 

They tried their best to analyze magic and they finally found a way to travel from dream to dream. 

Moreover, it is difficult to say that the current method is 100% reproducible so they said: “it's still a beta version.”

The mere fact that you can do it intuitively is astonishing.

Sebek: Hm. So the “power” that you need is Silver's unique magic?

Ortho: That's a part of it, too, but…

Sebek Zigvolt-san, Grim-san, and Yuu-san, your cooperation is essential.

Grim: Hmph! You're just trying to make us do the messy work, aren't ya!

Ortho: Wow♡ Grim-san, you talk too fast. 

[Choice 1] Yuu: This pattern is similar to the headmage……

[Choice 2] Yuu: I don't see any other reason to  be called out……

Sebek: Hmph, I don't like this sluggishness. Get to the point!!

Idia: S-So, uhhh……. While you guys were chattering in Lilia-shi's dream..

I-I was trying to think of a way to escape from my dream world……

Or rather, I've been trying to come up with a strategy to deal with Malleus-shi.

[Choice 1] Yuu: Is your strategy to get him to cry and beg for forgiveness while his nose is runny?

[Choice 2] Yuu: Is it a strategy to take revenge by capturing their special weakness?

Idia: Y-Yeah. That… Hih, hihi.

Anyhow, I made a video to explain that strategy…… W-Would you like to watch it?

Grim, Silver, Sebek: Video?

Idia: Waah~♪ Only good things have been happening lately~ It's so fun every day~ It's just like a dream~♬ Well. It was, in fact, really just a dream. Welcome, all you carefree people who live in the world of empty dreams. I am Idia Shroud. So for today, a cheat trick to create a dream world using magic — — was used by The Most Evil☆Final Boss Mage. Let me explain the strategy used by Malleus-shi. The magical realm that Malleus-shi created is kinda like a server running a huge MMORPG. And each dream of someone sleeping is managed individually. Malleus-shi is using himself and his alter ego to keep an eye on this server. To give you an idea, Malleus-shi is a server admin. And his alter ego is cracking down on users to commit violations in the online game — like a gamemaster. Malleus-shi, with the authority to operate and manage over the entire server, is currently in the state of a demon king who has the world right under his thumb.

Under Malleus-shi's control, we have NO chance of succeeding…… BUT! Because of the super geek hacker group S.T.Y.X. and Ortho's attack, all of the server's source code (construction formulas of the magical realm) has been analyzed and is now completely visible!

So — I'm going to use that data from my dream to develop and build a cheat tool. And then get rid of that damned invulnerable status! It seems like a perfect strategy at first glance, but in fact, there’s actually a flaw in this cheat strategy……. If Malleus-shi (the server admin) discovers this during development— IT'S GAME OVER IN AN INSTANT. But hold your horses! Despite that his alter ego uses autonomous magic, with the total population of Sage Island, monitoring and managing the dreams of about 20,000 people is not an easy task — even for Malleus-shi. If a problem happens here and there in your dream, there's a high chance that you'll have to deal with it by yourself! Therefore — I’ll be developing a cheat tool. I want you guys to catch Malleus-shi's eye and gather party members so we can subdue the demon king.

When everyone wakes up, we'll hand out invite codes that will allow them to travel to my dream.

Then, when all the preparations are ready, Malleus-shi will be lured to my dream and that's when the cheat tool that I developed turns on!! As planned, Malleus-shi's invulnerability will be canceled. And by using the invite codes that were diligently handed out, everyone will gather in my dream! We're going to beat him up with our sheer numbers of forces!

If things go as expected, Malleus-shi will also lift the spell and free us—! How was it!? “A lone wolf magician engineering guy explains how to capture the demon king in three minutes video.” If you think this video was good, leave a like! And this was Idia Shroud.

Grim, Silver, Sebek: ............

Idia: Ummm, e-everyone… Thank you for your attention. ⁵

Th-that’s why……

I ask you guys to go on a journey to gather “the strongest party members who will take on the challenge of defeating the demon king!”

Grim, Silver, Sebek: EHHHHH~~~!?

TO BE CONTINUED...

translator notes:

¹ - 「この怨はらさでおくべきか」 is an old Kansai (Osaka) dialect phrase. This phrase, although it seems like one will forever hold a grudge, actually means something along the lines of: “Shall I leave this grudge unresolved? (No, I actually have to solve this),” due to how the phrase is structured (which would be too deep to delve into but it’s mainly because of the か and べき/べし in the phrase).

² - 「スカしま」 is a Japanese slang usually used as an insult

³ - 「陰キャ」 is yet another Japanese slang used to describe someone with a gloomy or reserved personality or introverts. I used a known English slang instead of translating literally to preserve the meaning of the word.

⁴ - 「弩級 (どきゅう)」 is the Japanese translation of “Dreadnought,” which is a type of battleship in the early 20th century. Idia was just being a nerd again by using game-like terms so I decided to stick with using “battleship” instead of the literal translation.

⁵ - I wanted to note that Idia addressed them as 「皆様」which is a polite way of addressing others due to the inclusion of 様 (sama). Also, the “thank you for your attention” line was written as 「ご清聴アリガトウゴザイマシタ」 in the text instead of the usual 「ご清聴ありがとうございました」 which I think it's just to note Idia's personality www.

personal notes: this wasn't jp proofread so there might be inaccuracies;;; additionally aniplex jp actually posted the "how to subjugate the demon king" video but it's only available in japan.. you can still access it by using a vpn though~

[twistedwonderlandimaginesblog]

Could i request Love language hcs for heartslabyul? Thank you 😊 💓

Ace Trappola:

Give: Words of Affirmation.

He's such an honest person you know that if he's praising you, it's genuine. Ace is actually a far better listener than you give him credit for and he proves that he has some sort of emotional intelligence when he managed to pinpoint the things you were most self-conscious about; if it was something you were actively changing, he'd make it clear that he'd be by your side and that he knew you could make it through anything just because you're you.

Receive: Quality Time.

Ace really does want a partner he can just do fun things with. You don’t have to have everything in common, but he does want to be able to run off and do something at a moments notice. The nights where you go out with no destination in mind and end up with a new favorite eatery or shoe store or park to play around in are his absolute favorites, the kind of nights he’d be happy to look back on when you were both too old to do anything considered spontaneous anymore.

Cater Diamond:

Give: Physical Touch.

It’s pretty easy to him, though most of it is mimicry at first. He’s good at playing the doting boyfriend, brushing hair out of your face and having an arm draped around your shoulder when you’re in bigger groups of people (and he doesn’t want to get separated from you). When you do request that he only touch you in the way he wants to, he still plays with your hair, but he much prefers having your pinkys hooked or snuggling only when it’s the two of you.

Receive: Off camera Quality Time.

Cater likes being around you, and he wants you to like being around him whether there’s a camera there or not. He can’t quite get rid of the habit of taking pictures of everything but he does grow to learn that there’s magical moments that a picture can’t capture. Helping him live in the moment and maybe even indulge in moments that shouldn’t be on camera, like skinny dipping in a nearby lake with your hair getting all messed up and make-up dripping down your faces—might not be a good photo, but Cater can’t help but think you were as beautiful as ever.

Deuce Space:

Give: Acts of Service.

He’s a little better at being ordered around to do things rather than picking it up himself, but he’s not completely remiss when it comes to taking care of things around the house. You always did enjoy watching him work on machinery but that’s not all he’s good for—He actually finds some peace in cleaning the house if you’re out for the day doing something else, showing great pride when you come home to find the place sparkling.

Receive: Words of Affirmation.

It’s not something he can articulate well, and he’s certainly not good with words, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like being reassured. He’s always wanted you to be honest with him about your relationship and if he needs to be doing more for you, so hearing compliment after compliment can have him soaring on cloud nine. He never knew words could have such a great effect on people but your praise has made it clear how you view him.  

Riddle Rosehearts:

Give: Words of Affirmation/Acts of Service.

Riddle wants you to be your best self. He wants to motivate you to achieve your dreams and he never wants you to stop learning, because life was about a constant stream of new information becoming pertinent to the world. You would continue learning and evolving outside of NRC and Riddle wanted to go along with you on that journey. Hearing him praise your intelligence or learning a new skill, or even having him learn a new skill alongside you, is something he does as he learned people are more motivated by praise than threats.

Receive: Quality Time.

He thinks it’s important for a couple to be around each other, and to not fight or snip at each other every moment. He enjoyed having conversations with you, hearing your opinions on this or that, or sharing new knowledge you had learned in your own life that he might never have discovered if it weren’t for you. It’s important to him that you communicate in a meaningful way and that you have activities you can enjoy together, like tea time.

Trey Clover:

Give: Gift-Giving.

He can be an Acts of Service type of lover too, he really just likes to use his hands and do things for you to display his love. He’s not bad with words but he feels like he can come across poorly, especially when he’s annoyed and needs that little moment to himself. But he’s always got you in mind, baking little snacks that he knows you like, making dinner on a night when it’s your turn, and he’s not above buying you a little treat that he knows you would appreciate. He just prefers going with the homemade method, so he might even learn how to sew or do some crafts.

Receive: Acts of Service.

He just likes when you go out of your way to help him out, it always makes him feel loved when he left something a mess to clean up the next day and when he’s down in the kitchen again he discovered you got to it first. Picking up chores when you know he’s got a lot of orders, helping him handle the finances, even offering a helping hand in the kitchen or acting as cashier in the bakery—he appreciated all of those things and expressed his gratitude at the end of every day.

[childotkw]

Can we hear a bit about your original stories? I just started writing one and it is So Hard just to come up with the characters and their environment so I wanted to hear how you came up with those if you didn’t mind

Very interesting question! For me, a lot of my ideas come from wisps of inspiration from tropes or other concepts.

Characters and worlds and environment go through some pretty intensive edits in my head, so the roots aren't always obvious - and often I smash together multiple ideas, carving and chopping and smoothing things out until I have something workable that gets me excited.

(Buckle up, this post might be a long one)

Coming up with a concept

I'm not sure how it might work for other people, but I am constantly on the look out for inspiration for stories - asking myself 'what if this happened?', 'how cool would it be if this person had to do this thing?', or 'how could this trope work in a different genre?'.

Keeping myself open to these kinds of outlandish and sometimes hilarious thoughts means I've trained my brain to constantly churn up interesting concepts and ideas. Some barely have life breathed into them before I'm moving on. Others cling to me and live in my head for years.

The point is, be on the hunt for interesting ideas, and let your imagination have room to run free. Don't get boxed into an idea in its infancy. Let it grow crazily, let it get wild, before you break out the pruning tools. You're human. Let your mind have fun. Let your imagination explode.

Coming up with a character/s

So when I'm thinking of a character to inhabit my crazy new concept, I tend to go for vibe before anything else. I ask myself things like:

What kind of character do I really want to play with? Good, bad, morally grey? Cool, morally grey it is.

What species do I want? A god, a human, some fantasy creature? Human.

What type of human? A fighter, or more cerebral? Both? How 'bout a strategist? Okay that works.

And I go from there. I basically build a vague construct before worrying about things like physical description, name, age, gender, sex, etc. Those come later, once I've got a vibe I find interesting for a main character. Then comes the fun part.

Bringing concept and character together

For this to work, I've gotta figure out how these two elements to interact. To do that, I ask myself a whole bunch of questions.

How does my shiny new character fit in this world? Are they a grand figure or are they a nobody? What do I want them to do? What challenge would be interesting to watch them overcome? What can only they do? Why should my audience care about this random little guy?

This is normally where plot comes to me in fits and bursts, and once I have an idea on the overarching aspects, I start hammering out the finer details. This is where I really let my imagination out to play. I go wild, spinning off in multiple different directions, chewing on ideas and concepts and finding what works best for me.

Here you can also start developing things like other characters, relationships, dynamics, worldbuilding (e.g., currency, religion, factions, hierarchy, magic, science, how the bloody postal system works, etc.).

An example (through a conversation I regularly have with myself)

So, here's an example of an idea I've been playing with the last week.

Coming up with a concept

Okay! I've been inspired by the Old Guard, so I want to explore immortality and the idea of humanity and what life actually means. But how do I make this concept even cooler? What would make being immortal hard to conceal in a modern world?

How about instead of a modern world it's a futuristic society where everything is captured on some form of phone / camera / recording - and that makes dying and coming back to life extremely difficult to get away with. Where it's getting harder and harder to be able to cover their tracks, where falling through the cracks of society is damn near impossible with instant identification and other such measures.

Nice, nice. What else? How does the immortality work?

From the moment of their first death, the person now has increased healing and cannot age; though they can physically change (i.e., gain or lose weight and muscles, grow their hair and whatnot). Injuries heal at a rate relative to the seriousness of it - even amputations.

How does amputation work though? What if they lose their head? Does a new body grow or does the body grow a new head?

I'll have to iron this out but maybe it depends on the largest body piece? So the body would regrow the head, but if the body was completely blown apart, then whatever piece was biggest would become the 'main' one that the rest of the body would regenerate from?

What causes the immortality?

(I have an idea but wanna keep it a secret for now 😉)

So how does this world work then? It's futuristic - but how futuristic?

I'm thinking we've just achieved space travel. There's a colony on the moon and one being developed on Mars. We're spacefaring but it's not quite to the level of say, Star Wars or Star Trek. No aliens yet either! We've also got rudimentary robots running around, but they're machines more than fully autonomous. Basically, it's that time just before a massive technological leap in human history. We're on the verge of realising a lot of 'sci-fi' technologies.

Coming up with characters

Who are our main characters?

I was thinking of using Helen of Troy, since she's a mythological / historical figure that I've always found really interesting! So instead of her dying way back in the day, she actually became immortal during the Trojan War and has been enduring through the last 3500ish years as best she can.

The other main character I was planning on focussing the story around was Aethiolas - Helen's (disputed) son and former Prince of Sparta. I thought it'd be cool to explore an immortal mother and son dynamic, where almost 4000 years of sorrow and bitterness have tangled their relationship into something complex and...heartbreaking.

So what are they both like?

Helen has turned towards pacifism, whereas Aethiolas is and always will be a warrior. Helen is a leader - usually calm and collected and capable of commanding respect. Aethiolas, for the longest time, acted as her second in command and is quite a confident person. While Helen might long for the past, Aethiolas looks to the future with excitement and fascination.

Helen's group have become more observers, whereas Aethiolas takes an active role in shaping history - joining causes that speak to him and seeking to bring positive change into the world.

Aethiolas is viewed as reckless and dangerous to their way of life, killing humans who threaten him without hesitation; whereas he views his mother and the others as too rigid and afraid of change, and far too morally righteous and superior. A common argument between them would include lines like -- "Just because we can't die, mother, doesn't mean we should allow ourselves to be killed."

Helen views their immortality as a punishment. Aethiolas views it as a gift. But there is still love and loyalty between them. Despite everything, Helen is Aethiolas' mother, and he cares for her. And she for him.

Bringing concept and character together

How do these characters fit in with the world now?

Well, Helen is in charge of their group of immortals; whereas Aethiolas has become more of a 'lone wolf'. While he and his mother have had a falling out, and they fundamentally disagree on the use of violence and interacting with the world, Aethiolas still acts as the group's sword and shield. He doesn't live with them but he protects them from threats and they rely on him when issues crop up that do require swift action. There's some hypocrisy there, and it is one of the major points of conflict between them.

The story would likely kick off with several new immortals being born - and in a rather public and difficult to cover up manner. This has the risk of dragging all of the immortals into the spotlight, and prompts them to have to quickly decide whether living in the shadows is even possible any more.

--- -- --- -- ---

This became very long and rambling, but this is essentially how I create ideas from scratch. I'm super tired atm so it might not be super coherent! But if anything particular jumps out at you or you want me to focus in on something, please let me know!

[horsesteak]

“Now thank the good lordy above this absolute belter of a nook is still open in the wee hours of the day!”

The sudden blast of energy the newcomer radiated as his voice joyfully boomed through the tiny, cramped eatery was an immediate overdose for the overworked waitress. It was far too late (or rather, early, according to the man) for this sort of social interaction.

Check out Everything and Nothing by beans (with 6 e's and 6 a's) on AO3! Also check out my co-artist @gearbroth 's (!!!) art on their blog!

For the 2023 TF2 Big Bang! @tf2bigbang

~~~

See below for bonus sketches and infodump!

It's been a while since I did a big art piece like this. It was fun, and it got me experimenting with watercolour pencils for the first time. I'm still learning the craft, and as much as I want my first ever watercolour painting to be perfect, it'll have to do. I'm satisfied with my attempt this time.

Although I do wish I could capture the painting in a higher resolution; phone camera and scanner couldn't cut it, everything is still a bit blurry. Here's the best I can take on my phone:

It's also the original colours, before digital shenanigans were done to it. The work of a sleep deprived art wizard waving his silly little magic wand tool to get everything to look nicer.

The original concept for this mini-comic came to me while I was sitting under a tree, halfheartedly trying to study for my two exams the next day. I quickly sketched this:

I honestly like the lineart of this sketch better than the final. What could be better than demo's sparkley anime eyes?

I was excited I finally came up with an idea after being high and dry for weeks. Basically my mental state:

I was going to have Demo stride in, burst through that door with exuberant energy that filled the Spy's shitty dead-end cafe. And also showcase his traditional Scottish garb, which let me tell you is a whole rabbithole that I eagerly leapt into while researching for cultural accuracy. (I tend rely on real life references alot. Trying to branch out to stylised drawing would be cool.)

What happened next were these little sketches on post-it notes. I draw on them first before committing paper because...it's fun :)

Also in this case, this is a comic, so I could rearrange the drawings how I liked, so this was actually goated.

In the second image, see another case of liking the lineart more than the final. I had half a mind to keep that sketch of Spy and paint over it, but that wasn't watercolour paper, so no... :(

I was surprised how well the sketches turned out. Bloody hell, I'm an artistic genius! Now lets see how that translates to paint, eh? Well, you already know.

Some things to improve on, personally, is to make the lineart cleaner next time, so the paint doesn't mix with the pencil to make this weird greyish colour. Anatomy, always. Clothing folds is another big one. And finally, time management. Man, art is a passion, but damn does having too little time screw my art quality over. Well as they say, scarcity breeds innovation.

If you've made it this far, I am putting a virtual turtle (vurtle) in your hand, because turtles are cool, and you are too.

As a bonus bonus to this info-dump, have the original concept sketch while I was feeling out how to draw Demo in formal Scottish suit and kilt.

THAT IS ALL.

[15billionyears]

When asked how we got together, we always answer: ‘Liz Taylor and James Dean.’ But we really owe it all to Richard Miller, the freelance entertainment and stills photographer, who captured the image of them relaxing on a sofa in Houston, Texas in 1955.

In truth, saying ‘Richard C. Miller’ doesn’t carry the weight and humour of saying ‘Taylor and Dean’, but it should. We have all heard the adage, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’, and we don’t disagree – but what of the person who took it, or the people in it, what we take from it, or what happens because of it? We feel that those stories are equally as captivating, should be shared, and well… at times, they may take a thousand words to tell.

So, we thank Hollywood Authentic and our dear friend, Greg Williams, for indulging us with this opportunity in the forthcoming issues to share the stories of how some of the most iconic images were taken, pay homage to the extraordinary photographers behind them, and take you on the journey of how the love of photography changed our lives forever.

Over the course of his career, Miller took photographs of celebrities and stills on more than 70 movie sets, with his work appearing in The Saturday Evening Post, American Weekly, Colliers, Time and LIFE. He was one of the first photographers who took pictures of Norma Jean for the Blue Book Modeling Agency long before her transformation into Marilyn Monroe, and he covered the set photographs of what would be Dean’s third and final film, Giant. Which brings us to this photograph.

Miller studied to be a cinematographer and was an actor prior to establishing himself as a photographer. Dean aspired to be a film director and shared a passion for photography – among his closest friends were notable photographers Phil Stern, Dennis Stock and Roy Schatt (the latter being Dean’s photography instructor who had also given Dean his Rolleiflex). Hence why when Miller met Dean, they became fast friends who bonded over their love of Porsches, cameras and the filmmaking process, and Miller told his wife, ‘This is a guy who will be a best friend for life.’

A great image is typically generated by knowing when to click the shutter, but it also needs the right elements of composition. Between the photographer and the subject, cooperation and collaboration, magic can happen. Miller recounted that when Dean saw him about to take the photograph, he would do something to make it better; a look, a stance, a gesture, and in this case, simply grabbing the LOOK magazine featuring Taylor on the cover as Mother of the Year, while she napped beside him.

This very photograph is what brought Gary into the gallery where I worked and now hangs proudly in our home. It’s the image that we bonded over, and began our conversations on cameras, film and photography; it is what started us on the path to becoming best friends and partners for life. And come to think of it, Gary did drive over in his Porsche.

[soupedepates]

Jennifer and Veikko (both mentioned) belong to @corneille-but-not-the-author

"Tonight on your favourite rendez-vous we're so, so, so happy to have here, just right there, Hollywood's little prodigy, America's golden boy, the only director forever banned from every award ceremony due to "too many awards received", cinephiles' favourite man... Seung-Il Pak!"

Seung-Il — It's a pleasure to be here, Jim.

"And you've got some lovely company too!"

Seung-Il – Oh yes! (giggle) Her name is Tahel. She is my girlfriend and I don't know what I would do without her by my side.

Tahel – I'm just here for moral support.

"How have you two met?"

Tahel – Irrelevant.

Seung-Il – She was doing an internship on my technical team and she was by far the best of them all. And she started quite early on to call me out on my bullshit!

Tahel – That happened, yeah. You're quite unsufferable on set with your actors.

Seung-Il – Awww, come on!

Tahel – Mister Jim, I think this man has indubitably a great sense of aesthetic when it comes to scenes and shots, but he fell in love with a girl with greasy hair, a Pikachu hoodie and pants stained by motor oil. Who happened not to put up with his bullshit. (Smirk)

Seung-Il – And she was, and is still, the most beautiful woman in the whole world.

[The audience sounds moved.]

"Isn't it so sweet! But let's talk about cinema. You're about to release next Wednesday your new masterpiece, 'Hello Sunshine'."

Seung-Il – Yes exactly! It isn't as ambitious as my last projects I fear...

"Don't be modest! Talk about it!"

Seung-Il – It's... It's a really personal project, to be fair. With limited crew.

Tahel – Meaning: I was the only technician.

Seung-Il – And limited cast.

Tahel – Counting him, me, his parents, my aunt, some friends and random people.

Seung-Il – It was filmed with my good ol' camcorder, cam in hand, and... there is no true screenplay. Everything was captured live, which was a premiere for me. I'd say the film is experimental.

Tahel – You make it sound so high-brow.

Seung-Il – Aw, really? (giggle) No, like, it's experimental as a director, you know? When you used to control every millimetre of a set, filming contingencies is sure a new experience. Sure, it's rare that everything goes according to plan when you're filming on set, and sometimes you have actors who propose such genius moves you just have to roll with it. I'm thinking about Jennifer Madison, who was absolutely breathtaking in all of her roles. With this kind of actor, you just turn on the camera and let the magic unfold. But this time, I wasn't filming actors nor professionals.

Tahel – I never took an acting class in my entire life, to say.

Seung-Il – Nevertheless, I think everything turned out more perfectly than I could ever hope.

"So, what is 'Hello Sunshine' about?"

Seung-Il – A lot of stuff. But mostly intimacy. And hope. (he takes Tahel's hand) Thanks to this grump, I must say.

Tahel – (the woman is too stunned to speak)

Seung-Il – Without her, nothing would have been possible. The film wouldn't be half as beautiful without her.

"So this is a love story?"

Seung-Il – It's so much more than that. It's about lighting up the stars.

Tahel – (with tenderness) You're getting sentimental.

Seung-Il – Oh, I am very much sentimental, I wouldn't be doing cinema otherwise.

"Do you have other projects after 'Hello Sunshine'?"

Tahel – Oh fuck yeah. He's a workaholic.

Seung-Il – Heyyyy! But yeah she's right. Can't say much about it because we're still working on the plot and the storyboard, but I would absolutely LOVE to have Veikko Lajunen for the soundtrack. I love his work, I love the way he plays with unusual sounds to create melodies... Well, if 'Hello Sunshine' is a very minimalistic project, the next one will surely be a blockbuster.

"Well, that promises! And 'Hello Sunshine' sounds like almost a return to your roots, right?"

Seung-Il – Oh, yes! You surely can draw some parallels with 'Ddalgi', my first film, but I'm not sure if it's available in the US...

[The interview continues on and on.]

[phykios]

Review: I Become Supreme Lord of the Bathroom

Yes, yes, the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the meetcute of the century, it’s very exciting, but I have to ask–why is it framed like a horror movie? 

To be clear, I’m not saying I don’t like it. I can easily believe that it’s a character choice, that Leah decided Annabeth had been practicing that line over and over again to sound as cool and aloof as possible, and then not realize it makes her look super weird. That is the kind of intense, “formative years in magical summer camp” awkwardness that I always associate Annabeth with. But combined with the storm, the blurring of the curtains, and the sinister musical underscoring, it’s just a very odd choice. 

For me, personally, peak delivery of “You drool when you sleep” will always belong to Kristin Stokes, mostly because the comedic value of her cutting off Percy in the middle as he musically waxes poetic about how beautiful she is is very, very high. But, because it’s literally Leah’s first (technically second) line in the whole series, and because I think it does make sense with her character as the episode unfolds, I won’t say it’s the wrong choice. I won’t even say that I don’t get it. Just that, when combined with the rest of the framing, it’s an odd one. (Remind me to return to this point once the season is over, and we’ll see if my feelings have changed at all!)

I’m going to do my best to be normal about Luke, and I promise you, I will fail. Luckily for all of us, Luke is not yet babygirl; he is still only baby. As several others have pointed out, the fact that Luke’s first interaction with Percy is one of immediate sympathy, and that he more explicitly takes Percy under his wing, taking book!Annabeth’s position of being the lore explainer and confidante, is going to be so heinous in retrospect when the betrayal comes. As a side note, I loved the way that the other cabin members were side-eyeing Percy as the camera slowly picked its way through the room. Also, the fact that Luke’s words were repeated by the shadowy figure (presumably Kronos) in Percy’s nightmare? When Percy calls Luke his friend, still in the middle of his emotional separation from Grover? Amazing. It’s going to hurt so bad. 

You can tell Luke has a lot of sway in his cabin, from the little entourage–including Chris!–that follows him around camp, but I wish we had seen more of his status in the greater camp social circle, beyond him getting Clarisse to successfully back off. Even something as simple as people just calling out to him in greeting would help fill the gaps in. (Think “Hi, Barbie!”) This could easily bog down the pacing, though, so I get why it’s not here. You can also tell that Luke and Chris have their little grooming (ideological, not the other kind) routine down pat. “They like the smell of burnt mac and cheese?” “They like the smell of begging.” Might be my favorite exchange of the whole episode. 

Speaking of favorites, favorite performance this episode goes to Dior Goodjohn during capture the flag. However, Clarisse’s characterization here feels almost like the inverted version of Gabe from the previous episode–he’s been dialed down, but she’s been dialed up. In the books, she starts out as a bully, yes, but more of an ineffectual one, since she gets hit with a faceful of toilet water in her first appearance. Dior plays her much, much scarier than she ever was in text… but at the same time, could she be scarier just because the act of seeing someone in a fight can be scarier than reading about it? And again, the reverse for Gabe: was his character dialed down because seeing acts of domestic abuse at that level was a worse experience than reading about them? For Clarisse, this change works, but for Gabe, the jury's still out. 

Now, onto the claiming scene. Was it everything I hoped it would be and more? 

Not really. It was fine. (I thought the fight choreography was great, though–quick but still visceral, much more grounded than the standard Marvel featherlight beam fights.) For one thing, a glowing sea-green trident just doesn’t have the same visual oomph against a daylit background. For another, the drama of a hellhound coming out of nowhere and almost mauling Percy to death immediately raises the stakes, necessitating this equally dramatic resolution. But for a third, the claiming scene in the books is a hard subversion of what should be this triumphant, cathartic moment, where Percy is recognized by his father, but is instead immediately ostracized by his newfound community because of it. It’s a brilliant piece of writing, and it makes me go feral at the drop of a hat, and when the show decides to almost gloss over it, cutting from Percy in the water to Chiron’s exposition dump, it doesn’t feel like it has the time to settle, to impact the audience the way it should–or at least, the way that I want it to, the way it knocked me on my ass at age 12 and age 26 and age [redacted]. 

A lot of these last two episodes feel that way, in my opinion. I fear that, as someone who is clinically deep in the lore, my background knowledge fills in the gaps of the story that would otherwise be a detriment to a blind watcher. I recognize that there is a lot of book to get through in a relatively short amount of time, but we are skating along the plot at breakneck speed, and I worry that we are missing some key, grounding tentpoles in the meantime. 

So, with all that in mind, let’s talk about character arcs. 

Annabeth in the books clocks Percy as powerful from the moment she meets him–I think Annabeth in the show takes that to another level, using that fact to force Chiron’s hand in order to get her out of camp and on a quest. She is determined that Percy is “the one,” and if he isn’t, then she is going to make him so. It’s kind of hilarious to see a twelve year old as a kingmaker, but as Luke says, she’s always six steps ahead of everyone else. Based on this, I see why they’ve swapped some of Luke’s and Annabeth’s book personalities, because I predict that their show counterparts will switch roles as the season comes to an end. Annabeth will take Luke’s place as Percy’s friend, lore reservoir, and confidante, and Luke will become the cold, calculating one. Similarly, I bet that Grover and Percy’s arc will probably be about overcoming Percy’s feelings of betrayal towards Grover for getting him kicked out of Yancy. Percy’s new forged bonds with Grover and Annabeth will come in handy once Luke tries to stab him in the back. 

Stray thoughts:

Jason Mantzoukas, my beloved!! I’m glad he can dial down the insanity when necessary. As Dionysus, he has a really interesting dynamic switch between Percy (merciless trolling) and Grover (semi-stern authority). I wonder if it’s because technically Grover as a satyr kind of falls under his purview? Or am I overthinking it? 

At some point, if I can get good enough screencaps, I want to go through the set design and use my newfound ancient architectural knowledge to see where they pulled inspiration from

I wish Luke’s scar were bigger. And a little grosser. 

When Luke said the word “kleos,” I actually stood up and started pacing around the room. That, plus Chris name dropping an obscure god, makes me extremely happy.

It is so nice seeing Riordan’s continued commitment to expanding his world so that all kinds of kids can see themselves in his work!

It’s pronounced like “They-lia” with a soft th and I will die on this hill. But also, “forbidden kid” is kind of great and I kind of love it? 

One teeny nitpick: it looks most of the campers all have five bead necklaces, and I wish they had ones with different numbers: four beads, three beads, two beads, hell, throw in a 7 bead, just for fun

[hologramcowboy]

Hello. I have a couple of questions that I’d love to read your answers to, if you’re willing. I hope they aren’t redundant, but I can’t remember seeing answers to these on your blog recently.

Do you enjoy Jensen's performance in "my Bloody Valentine: 3D"? I find him too sullen and cold to sympathize with much. I think it’s the least interested I have been in one of his characters (from the movies/shows I’ve seen him in), but I’m not a remotely trained critic. I think I once saw you write that you find something you like in pretty much all of his performances. So, could you give me your basic critique of him in that role, even if it’s just a short one?

On another note: what are you 3 favorite characters of his (they don’t have to be technically best, just your most enjoyed)? And why are they your favorite (again, you can totally be brief if you prefer but I’m fascinated to know)? I think mine are Dean, Alec and Beau (I don’t think this is his best, but I am enjoying seeing him play a regular man and a dad).

Have a lovely rest of your week and weekend!

What a beautiful ask!💕

When it comes to his Tom Hanniger role, I think a lot of what didn't work was due to the weak script. Jensen did a pretty good job capturing the duality of his character. I really think he is better suited to play layered villains rather than good guys. He does have the face of an angel but the complex layers of a darker person so I think he did a pretty good job potraying Tom's inner struggle. What he did lack was charisma in the scenes that weren't intense and where he wasn't in tune with his dark side. He made very weak choices so the character didn't have much personality. Not saying he wasn't captivating, just that he could have added more layers to Tom. Also, when he was in full psycho mode he seemed too histrionic so I had a very hard time finding him believable.

That being said, those scenes where they showed him Sarah with he vibed the archtype of the perfect boyfriend. 🥰🥰🥰 You know that quote from Dawson's Creek that goes something like "If I were to draw the perfect boyfriend", I think that quote fits him perfectly.

As for my favorite characters that he's played:

Eric - not because of the plot, I hate soap operas, just because instinctively I connected deeply to that character and some scenes will forever be etched in my mind. I can't really put it into words, there was something so ethereal about him and also a bit of danger somehow. I get teary eyed when I accidentally remember certain moments of his on camera. There's this scene where he is with Greta in a park on swings and they are holding hands and I think it was snowing and just that whole image hit me so hard, I just found it endlessly beautiful.

Alec in The Berrisford Agenda episode. - might be an unpopular opinion but I deeply love that episode and Jensen's acting was breathtaking in some of the scenes. I love Alec especially in that episode where we get to see his heart and the pure love that wounded him.

Dean Winchester - Dean had so much inside and I am really sad they didn't explore and instead ended up turning him into a clichè at some point.

Jason Teague - prior to his psychotic phase lol, I fell so in love with that character, there's a gentleness that came through that was really moving, mixed with a mysterious side that really fascinated me.

Also, Jensen embodies an archtype on screen and perhaps even in real life, at least to me and lookwise he is very iconic.

I do fall in love in some way with all of his characters and this is aside from his performances, he's just magic to me and it's not something that can ever be put into words because it has to do with endless emotions that are impossible to capture.

What I love the most about Jensen's acting is when he truly steps into his character and feels the emotions, there's just so much beauty and intensity and there's this innocence mixed with dark layers and he can truly be a flawless actor sometimes, I'm sorry that he doesn't value his talent enough to empower it with the help of a great coach. His performances can take my breath away sometimes.

Thank you for the really beautiful question. May the upcoming week be full of magic for you!

🥰🥰🥰

[thejvslab]

Create Social Media Videos: A Guide for Everyone

Social media has become an integral part of our lives. We share stories, connect with friends, and explore the world through the lens of our smartphones. Amidst all this, videos have taken center stage. They're engaging, entertaining, and a powerful way to express yourself. But how can you create social media videos that capture the essence of your message and engage the general public? In this article, we'll guide you through the process, step by step, in plain and simple language.

Table of Contents

Why Social Media Videos Matter

Understanding the impact of videos in the digital age.

Choosing the Right Platform

Tailoring your content for the platform of your choice.

Crafting a Compelling Story

The art of storytelling and its significance in video creation.

Lights, Camera, Action: Shooting Your Video

Practical tips for capturing the perfect shot.

Sound and Music: Setting the Right Mood

How audio enhances your video's impact.

Editing Magic: Making Your Video Shine

The power of editing in transforming your raw footage.

The Art of Captions and Subtitles

Ensuring accessibility and engagement.

Optimizing for Mobile Viewing

Tailoring your videos for the small screen.

Engagement Through Hashtags and Descriptions

Boosting your video's discoverability.

The Power of Consistency

Building a loyal audience through regular content.

Measure, Analyze, Improve: Analytics for Success

Understanding the numbers that matter.

Conclusion: Your Journey Begins

Summing up the key takeaways.

Why Social Media Videos Matter

Social media videos have become the heartbeat of online interaction. They are a dynamic medium for conveying messages, emotions, and stories. Think of them as your digital campfire - a place where people gather to hear your tales and share their own. But why do they matter so much?

In a world inundated with text, videos offer a refreshing change. They engage both our visual and auditory senses, making the experience more vivid and memorable. Videos have the power to transmit complex ideas in a simple and entertaining manner. They're like a universal language that transcends borders and cultures.

But remember, you don't need an army of professionals or fancy equipment to create social media videos. All you need is your smartphone and a creative spirit.

Choosing the Right Platform

Now that you understand the importance of social media videos, the next step is to choose the right platform. Each platform has its own unique style and audience. Are you creating short, snappy videos for TikTok or sharing in-depth tutorials on YouTube? The key is to tailor your content to your chosen platform.

It's like choosing the right outfit for an occasion. You wouldn't wear a tuxedo to a beach party, right? Similarly, you wouldn't post a lengthy educational video on a platform meant for quick entertainment.

Crafting a Compelling Story

No matter the platform, your video needs a compelling story. Stories are what captivate your audience and keep them hooked. They are the thread that weaves your video together, from the beginning to the end.

Think of your story as the heart of your video. It could be a personal anecdote, a tutorial, a funny incident, or even a product review. The key is to keep it engaging and relatable. Imagine you're talking to a friend, sharing something exciting. That's the tone you want to strike in your video.

Lights, Camera, Action: Shooting Your Video

When it comes to shooting your video, good lighting is essential. Natural light is your best friend. Stand in front of a window or go outside to capture that flattering glow. If you're shooting indoors, use lamps or softboxes to create a well-lit environment.

Don't worry if you don't have a high-end camera. Modern smartphones can capture stunning videos. Just make sure your lens is clean, and your phone is steady. You can use a tripod or simply prop your phone up on a stable surface.

Remember, you're not just recording a video; you're creating an experience.

Sound and Music: Setting the Right Mood

Sound is a powerful tool in video creation. It sets the mood, enhances emotions, and keeps your audience engaged. If you're recording in a noisy environment, consider using an external microphone for better audio quality.

Background music can be your video's soul. It can evoke emotions, emphasize key points, and add a professional touch. However, ensure you have the rights to use the music to avoid any copyright issues.

Editing Magic: Making Your Video Shine

Editing is where your raw footage transforms into a polished gem. There are various video editing apps and software available, some of which are free. Trim unnecessary footage, add transitions, and spice it up with text and graphics.

Editing is like a painter adding the final strokes to their masterpiece. It can turn an ordinary video into something extraordinary.

The Art of Captions and Subtitles

Not everyone can turn on the sound when watching videos. That's why captions and subtitles are crucial. They make your content accessible to a wider audience. Plus, they can be a creative element in your video, adding a layer of engagement.

Including captions and subtitles is like being a good host. You ensure that everyone at the table understands the conversation.

Optimizing for Mobile Viewing

Most social media users access their platforms through mobile devices. So, your video needs to be mobile-friendly. Ensure that your video looks great on small screens and loads quickly, even with slower connections.

It's like designing a compact, easy-to-read menu for a cozy cafe. Your video should be a treat, not a chore to watch on a smartphone.

Engagement Through Hashtags and Descriptions

To increase the reach of your video, use relevant hashtags and write catchy descriptions. Hashtags are like signposts that guide viewers to your content. Use them wisely to attract the right audience.

Descriptions, on the other hand, should provide a glimpse of what your video offers. They're like the blurb on the back of a book, enticing readers to explore further.

The Power of Consistency

Consistency is the key to building a loyal audience. Post your videos at regular intervals, and stick to a theme that resonates with your audience. This helps viewers know what to expect and builds anticipation for your content.

Think of it as a TV show with episodes. Your audience eagerly waits for the next one, knowing it'll be just as entertaining as the last.

Measure, Analyze, Improve: Analytics for Success

After creating and sharing your videos, it's essential to track their performance. Most social media platforms offer insights and analytics. Pay attention to views, likes, shares, and comments. This data can guide your future content strategy.

Analytics are like a compass, showing you the right path. They reveal what's working and what needs improvement.

[arcprintindia]

Top 9 Terrace Decoration Ideas for Birthday Party to Make Success

When it comes to birthday decoration ideas in terrace, there are plenty of ways to make it special, but one of the most unique and fun ways to do so is to decorate your terrace. A terrace is a great location for a birthday party because it allows you to take advantage of the beautiful outdoor scenery and create an intimate and cozy atmosphere. 

This blog post provides small terrace decoration ideas for birthday party for throwing a memorable and special birthday party. From choosing a theme, adding greenery, and creating a comfortable seating area, to setting up a bar, adding colorful decorations, and serving delicious food, this post covers all the details needed to make your terrace party a success. With these terrace decoration ideas, you can create a beautiful and magical ambiance that your guests will love and remember for years to come.

Here are some terrace birthday decoration ideas that can make your birthday celebration a memorable one.

9 Creative small terrace decoration ideas for birthday party 

Create a Lounge Area

One of the best ways to make your terrace feel more comfortable and inviting is to create a lounge area. This can be achieved by adding comfortable outdoor furniture, such as a sectional sofa, chaise lounges, or even a hammock. Make sure to add plenty of cushions and throws to make it feel cozy and welcoming.

Hang String Lights

String lights are an inexpensive and easy way to add ambiance to your terrace. Hang them from the ceiling, or use them to create a canopy over your seating area. You can also wrap them around trees or railing to add more light and create a magical ambiance.

Add Plants and Flowers

Adding plants and flowers to your terrace can create a natural and beautiful setting. Use potted plants to decorate the corners of the terrace, or hang baskets of flowers from the ceiling or railing. You can also create a beautiful centerpiece using a large planter filled with colorful flowers.

Set Up a Bar

Setting up a bar on your terrace can be a fun and interactive addition to your birthday party. You can set up a simple bar with a few bottles of wine, beer, and some basic mixers, or you can create a more elaborate bar with a variety of cocktails and garnishes. Don't forget to add some comfortable seating around the bar, so your guests can sit and enjoy their drinks.

Serve Delicious Food

No birthday party is complete without delicious food. You can grill burgers, hot dogs, or kebabs, or serve a variety of finger foods, such as chips and dips, cheese and crackers, or fruit skewers. Make sure to have plenty of napkins and plates on hand, and consider hiring a caterer or food truck to make your party even more special.

Use Colorful Decorations

Adding colorful decorations can make your terrace feel more festive and celebratory. Hang colorful banners, streamers, or balloons from the ceiling or railing. You can also use colorful tablecloths, napkins, and plates to add more color and vibrancy to your party.

Create a Photo Booth

Setting up a photo booth on your terrace can be a fun way to capture memories and create lasting mementos of your birthday party. You can create a simple backdrop using a colorful sheet or fabric, and set up a camera or smartphone on a tripod for your guests to take pictures. Don't forget to add some fun props, such as hats, glasses, and mustaches, to make your photos even more memorable.

Add a Fire Pit

Adding a fire pit to your terrace can create a warm and cozy atmosphere, especially on cooler nights. You can set up a simple fire pit using bricks or stones, or you can purchase a portable fire pit that can be moved around your terrace. Make sure to add plenty of seating around the fire pit, so your guests can enjoy the warmth and conversation.

Personalize Your Decor: 

Adding personalized decorations, such as custom banners, balloons, or photo displays, can make your birthday party extra special and unique.

In conclusion, small terrace decoration ideas for birthday party can be a fun and unique way to celebrate your special day. By using these terrace decoration ideas, you can create a beautiful and memorable ambiance that will make your birthday celebration unforgettable. Make sure to take plenty of pictures to capture the memories and share them. By using some of the ideas listed in this blog post, you can transform your terrace into a magical space that sets the tone for a fun and celebratory atmosphere. Remember to choose a theme, add greenery, comfortable seating, and colorful decorations, and don't forget to serve delicious food and drinks. Your guests will appreciate the thought and effort you put into making your terrace party special, and you'll create memories that will last a lifetime.

If you also want to decorate your terrace for your birthday with these ideas and decoration items search online for different birthday decoration items or look no further than ARC Print India. It’s also an online e-commerce site that specializes in custom-printed products. You can get a wide range of custom products that can be perfect for unique terrace birthday decoration ideas too.

[thephototales]

4 Perfect Reasons to Hire a Family Photographer in London - A & M Mazur Photography

What's more vital than the bond you share with your family? The beauty of family dynamics, the strength it brings - you should hire a family photographer to cherish the love. Children who grow up in a house full of family photographs have more confidence. They feel valued and develop a sense of belonging.

Now, you might think, who needs a family shoot when you have a high-end smartphone. SLRs and phones have made shoots accessible at home. But you cannot look away from the beauty of planned shoots.

Don't worry. A family photographer London will make sure you feel relaxed. Sounds good? Now that you are keen, we mention why you should hire a professional for family shoots.

For the Best Experience

A family photographer knows the ins and outs of using camera equipment. Of course, you might own a good camera and can take excellent shots. But post-processing may not be your forte. This is where a pro photographer comes in!

Professionals know the methods to invoke authentic expressions and make them last forever. Photographers capture the magic through the lens, no matter how fleeting a moment can be.

Wondering whether your toddlers will be patient throughout? Photographers can use their mischief to showcase organic moments. They make everyone feel at ease and ensure a seamless experience.

To Get Natural Shots

Do your children get shy before strangers? A good family photographer goes the extra mile to get children in their element. They use fun props and interact with them to get the photographers they need.

Photographers have strategies and ask questions to encourage engagement. You will see pure love and their personalities flourish through the images.

For Professional Printing

You only get clarity when you call a professional to print the images. Thinking of making a family calendar? A family photographer in London can deliver a lively calendar with clear sharpness and vibrant colors.

Professionals offer fine-art prints that will remain the same for years. They use premium canvases and non-reflective glasses that will not wear and tear with time. You can get unparalleled quality that is impossible to find on the high street.

Something to Pass Down

A marvelous family photograph makes a thoughtful gift to your kids. Humans are mortal, and life will always run its course. When your kids look back at the classic photos, they can reminisce about their childhood and relive the bygone era.

Physical photographs are tactile in nature, unlike digital snaps on the phone. You can pass it down through generations, whereas digital images have physical limitations.

Last-minute Takeaway

Feeling inspired already? Hire a family photographer in London from A & M Mazur Photography. You can order wall decor, photo albums, and calendars online. From family portraits to maternity photo shoots in London, this is the one-stop solution. Call Today!

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Sparkle and Shine: The Secrets of Jewelry Photography

Photographing jewelry is an art and a science. The right balance of showing the fine details, getting the shine just perfect, and portraying the true color and texture of a piece is the fine art of taking pictures that make potential buyers drool. Whatever the purpose of your photography—an e-commerce site, a social media platform, or your personal portfolio—learning how to shoot jewelry effectively can make a big difference in how your brand is perceived and how much you sell.

Jewelry is truly magnificent and requires a magic angle to capture its stardom. At UKClippingPath, we perceive each piece uniquely. We’ll cover the best methods for photographing jewelry from experts in the field, specifically how to catch the light, maximize the luster, and ensure your jewelry grips attention in a competitive market.

The Science Behind Lighting and Its Importance

Lighting in jewelry photography is one of the major factors. Non-traditional jewels (rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings) are usually reflective in nature and require good lighting to bring out their best. Fine jewelry can also look drab and lackluster with poor lighting.

Key Lighting Tips:

Make the Light Soft, Diffused: Direct light can cause hard shadows and reflections. It’s better to create soft light using a softbox or light diffuser to evenly illuminate the jewelry while reducing glare and reflections.

Steer Clear of Overexposure: Jewelry usually has delicate details and intricate textures that tend to disappear into overexposed photos. Ensure the piece shines but still retains its detail.

Think About Light Direction: The direction of light is important for highlighting certain elements of jewelry. Side lighting brings out textures, and backlighting can increase transparency and give your jewelry a ghostly glow.

Choosing the Proper Background

The background you select for your jewelry pictures significantly affects the final image. The proper background enhances the jewelry without distracting from it. Pools of light and stark space or neutral backgrounds usually do the trick, allowing the materials to take center stage.

Background Tips:

Neutral Backgrounds: White, black, or grey backgrounds offer a clean, distraction-free canvas and allow the jewelry to take center stage.

Textured Backdrops: For an artistic touch, try textured backgrounds, either fabric-based or made from natural materials like wood. Ensure the texture complements the jewelry without competing with it.

Use Non-Distracting Backgrounds: Avoid busy backgrounds or landscapes that steal focus from the intricate details of the jewelry. Simple backdrops enhance the jewelry’s appeal.

Using the Correct Camera Settings

Your camera and its settings can make or break your jewelry photography. Professionals often rely on DSLR or mirrorless cameras with manual settings for flexibility in manipulating image quality.

Recommended Camera Settings:

Maintain a Low ISO: A low ISO (100-200) reduces noise and grain. Jewelry photography demands finer details, and high ISO can blur or create a grainy effect.

Only RAW Files Keep More Info: Shooting in RAW retains details such as textures, colors, and lighting nuances far better than JPEG, providing greater post-processing possibilities.

Use a Small Aperture: A small aperture (high f-stop number, e.g., f/8 or f/11) leads to a greater depth of field, keeping your jewelry sharp and in focus from edge to edge.

Adjust Your White Balance: Different light sources create color casts. Adjust the white balance according to your light source (daylight, tungsten, etc.) for accurate color reproduction.

Zoom In: Close-ups and Macro Photography

Jewelry is all about the details—tiny stones, delicate settings, and intricate designs. These features need macro photography or close-up techniques to capture the piece’s essence.

Macro Photography Tips:

Go with a Macro Lens: A macro lens enables the closest focus and captures extreme details such as engravings, stones, or textures—essential for showcasing jewelry.

Focus on the Important Part: Ensure the focus highlights the right part of the jewelry. For example, when photographing a ring, ensure the stone or design is in sharp focus.

Take Quadrants of Shots: Photograph your work from various angles to ensure you capture an ideal version of the piece. Include shots from the top, side, and close-up for an all-around view.

Flaunt the Sparkle: Reflective Surfaces and Shimmers

The shine and sparkle are crucial aspects of jewelry photography. Jewelry is made using materials like diamonds, gold, or silver that are highly reflective, and capturing their brilliance requires precision.

Tips for Capturing Shine:

Use Reflective Surfaces: Placing your jewelry on a reflective surface (like glass or a mirror) can enhance its shine and create depth in your photos.

Use a Polarizing Filter: Control unwanted reflections and allow the sparkle to shine without filling the photo with distractions.

Avoid Too Much Glare: Adjust the angle to hide excessive reflections while maintaining the jewelry’s details.

Jewelry Photography: The Art of Styling

Proper styling can make the image more eye-catching and aesthetically pleasing. While jewelry photography is often simple, styling can further elevate the presentation.

Styling Tips:

Utilize Jewelry Stands or Props: Using props like a jewelry stand, wooden box, or fabric can enhance the presentation. Ensure the props complement the jewelry without overpowering it.

Think About Scale: For small items like rings or earrings, consider adding a hand model or prop to give viewers a sense of scale.

Showcase Versatility: Photograph jewelry in various contexts—on a model, paired with other pieces, or styled alongside complementary items.

Post-Processing: Enhancing the Image

The final stage of jewelry photography is post-processing, where you can refine your images to perfection. This step is vital for ensuring your jewelry looks crisp, professional, and true to its brilliance.

Key Post-Processing Steps:

Adjust Exposure and Contrast: Use editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop to adjust the exposure, contrast, and brightness, enhancing the piece’s true colors and shine.

Retouch Water Spots: Eliminate dirt or dust while maintaining the organic appearance of the jewelry.

Sharpen Details: Accentuate the features of intricate designs or gemstones without over-sharpening.

Color Correction: Ensure the jewelry’s colors are accurate, as lighting can alter their appearance in photos. Use color-correcting tools to align the image with the actual product.

Different Jewelry Styles and Materials

Jewelry comes in many styles and materials, from classic gold and silver to ornate designs with precious gemstones. Each style and material requires specific techniques to showcase its unique essence.

Finding the Right Angle:

Rings: Capture a tilted shot to highlight the width, stone, and engravings. Use a lightbox or soft lighting to avoid shadows.

Necklaces: Style necklaces on a mannequin or jewelry stand to show the pendant and chain in full view.

Bracelets: Photograph bracelets on a wrist (model’s or prop) to help buyers visualize the piece in real life.

Gemstone Jewelry: Highlight the sparkle and color of gemstones by directing light at various angles to emphasize their facets.

Conclusion

Jewelry photography is a demanding and fulfilling field that blends technical expertise with artistry. Using these tips—from selecting the proper background and camera settings to refining images with post-processing possibilities—can help you create stunning shots that highlight each piece’s brilliance. Whether you’re shooting for an e-commerce site, portfolio, or social media, these techniques ensure your jewelry shines.

For expert assistance, explore UKClippingPath’s jewelry retouching service and ecommerce image editing services. Together, we can ensure your jewelry captures attention and leaves the right impression on your audience. Reach out to us at ukclippingpath.com for a free trial and elevate your jewelry photography to the next level!

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Convert Your Social Media Game with iFoto: A Personalized Artistic Revolution

Hey there, digital denizens! Ever scroll through your feed and feel like your profile picture just doesn't quite capture the wild and wonderful you? I've been there, and let me tell you, it's a feeling that can make your online presence feel a bit...blah. But what if I told you there's a game-changing tool out there that can turn your everyday photos into masterpieces? Enter iFoto, the magic wand for your social media imagery!

Ditch the Dullness, Embrace the Vibrance

You know those moments when you're out and about, and everything just feels right? The sun is shining, the music's blaring, and you catch that perfect moment in your camera. But then reality hits, and you're left with a photo that doesn't quite do the memory justice. Enter iFoto – it's the digital equivalent of taking a brush to a canvas and making every color pop.

A World of Styles Awaits

Whether you're into the vintage charm of black and white or the bold, edgy look of a high-contrast filter, iFoto has got you covered. Imagine your favorite vacation snapshots changed into a retro scene or your daily grind photos looking like they're straight out of a movie. The possibilities are endless, and the best part? It's all at your fingertips.

Personalize Your Profile Like a Pro

Your pDownloadrofile picture is the first impression on your social media page. It's the first thing people see, and it sets the tone for your online persona. With iFoto, you can tailor your image to reflect your personality, mood, or even the season. It's like giving your avatar a little facelift every time you feel like it.

It's Like Having an Artist in Your Pocket

Think about it: do you have a friend who's a photographer or a graphic designer? They always seem to have an eye for the perfect shot and the knack for making any image look amazing. With iFoto, that talent is now portable. You can be your own photographer and graphic artist, anytime, anywhere.

The Easy Peasy Process

You know how some apps promise a quick fix but leave you pulling your hair out? Not iFoto. The interface is intuitive, the steps are straightforward, and the results? Impressive. Upload your photo, choose your style, and voilà! You've got a profile picture that's uniquely you.

And the Best Part? It's Free!

Yes, you read that right. iFoto is free to use, and it doesn't come with any of those pesky ads or watermarks. You can experiment with as many styles as you like, and when you find the one that speaks to your soul, you can save it for all eternity – or until the next time you want a change.

So, What Are You Waiting For?

Are you ready to elevate your social media game? iFoto is the key to unlocking your inner artist and making your online presence as vibrant and unique as you are. It's time to let your photos do the talking and your profile picture set the stage. Give it a try, and watch the compliments roll in!

Your Turn to Be the Star of Your Story

Got a photo you think would look amazing with a twist? Share it with us and let's see what iFoto can do! Remember, everyone's an artist waiting to be finded. What's your next big conversion?