#the purple and gold background was the perfect choice

[myflagmeansace]

@aha-my-villainous-thoughts I just...this means the world to me like you fucking did this you took that wonderful talent of yours and lovingly made this. Like I am at a complete loss for words. My heart feels so full right now. You are a fucking amazing, talented, generous, and creative person and this is utterly perfect ❤️

And now I'm listening to this song on repeat and omg why can't I stop crying 😭😭😭

With the will to look to away When I was falling down Crawling in the dirt Is it fair enough to say That I needed you through the crazy pain Of living here with all this hurt And what I feel All I touch and how I steal The fantasy was far too real

Oh, so I let it slip away

(no one make eye contact with me today.)

@myflagmeansace this ok?

[robobarbie]

Hello hellooooooo! We recently had a banner contest in the discord server, and I wanted to show y'all the awesome entries that didn't win. They're all really cool in their own ways, so I wanted to give them each a lil moment.

(by @/jestie)

Love the focus on xyx!! He reminds me almost of what I'd think teenage him would look like. Very chill, sporty, and out with friends on a beautiful spring day. The linework in this feels really soft as well -- especially on those hat details. AND THERE'S CAT!! CAT!!!

All other submissions under the cut!

(by @/hunddenseje)

I like the details in the flowers a lot for this one. The way people draw roses and how they choose those inner patterns is always neat. And the little plants and mushrooms on his shoulders are fun!! They go well with that striped shirt pattern!!!

(by @/stintsy)

The way this artist circled the boys with that pink rosy pattern will stick in my brain for a while. It's v pretty, and it's like they opened a bush and found us in there for some reason. "Hello! Happy Spring!" Thanks boys please close it back up!!! It's my cry hour in the bush!!!!

(by @/emmascient)

This person's artstyle is so unique and full of life. The little spots of light coming through the trees just adds to whole thing, too. And I really like seeing fanart of owl with textured hair!!! Also check out xyx's fucking biceps holy fucking sh-

(by @/.mewo.)

Just a bunch of bros on their lunch break bayBEEEEEEEEEE!!! I like the detail of toast's coat tied around their waist and the fucking anti-societyboy shirt quest is wearing LMFAO. Also cat is ADORABLE in this. God. More cat art. Always need more cat art!!

(by @/c1nnadoll)

Every time nightowl is drawn in a croptop, two months is added to my life. I just know it's true. God bless that cute ass flower crown and the perfect little peace sign. Man looks so stable and happy. I hope he had a nice day after this picture!!!

(by @/fluffydeer21)

Toast and Quest look so content and cute with their flowers. And there's another neat rose with a lil interior pattern! Held, of course, by this artist's fave LI. Xyx looks pretty good with gold jewelry, I cannot lie. I have no idea why I made them green in game. LMFAO

(by @/noneivly)

I like how this feels like a painting. Like those brush strokes and even the palette choice just look like something you'd see hung on a wall? It's really cool. Also the little detail of the chibi picnic boys in the background makes me giggle. Small!!!!! So fucking small!!!

(by @/kiki_221)

The energy in this is excellent. You can almost hear them laughing together at Toast's expense (deserved I'm sure). I'd like to imagine they're all relaxing at a park after a big lunch. I hope they got to discuss all the good things that happened to them this week.

(by @/01noxxie10)

Another excellent chillin in the grass pic! Purple actually looks really good on Quest. I don't think I've ever drawn him in that color before? So this image made me think about that a LOT. Also look at fuckin chill ass xyx. Calm beautiful motherfucker. Fuck you!!! Fuck you!!!

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

There's two more images, but those are the discord banner winner and the one I chose for my twitter! If you want to see those excellent drawings, check out my twitter here or join the discord server here!

Thank you everyone for all the submissions! I treasure them deeply!!

[bramblesbriars]

I wish we could see Daniel wear something other than blue in CK : / Blue is absolutely NOT his color and makes him look dull and washed out. Or rather, the shades of blue they put him in. Put our boy in jewel tones! Even though he is not tan like he was as a teenager, he is still olive-skinned, and his undertones are warm. Rich reds, scarlets, warm pinks, jewel-toned greens, blues and purples would suit him wonderfully. Mustard yellow! Rust and copper! Turquoise blue and emerald green! All great colors for him that will flatter his skin complexion and his dark brown hair and eyes. He is a gold-toned guy, not silver. Unless the type of silver is called Terry. Then that suits him well ;)

This seriously made me think about the color schemes and why they decided to do this (or may have, I'm just guessing). I agree Daniel doesn't really look good in the blue tones, really at all. He kind of blends into the background, and he's someone, given his feisty personality, needs to be front and center. But I assume the choice was made because of the white/blue association with Miyagi and Miyagi-Do? It contrasted with Cobra Kais brash red, black and yellow scheme so it needed to be softer to show that peaceful heir. That's just my guess. But it's run its course and Daniel just looks...bland.

You're absolutely right that he would be handsome in vibrant reds or greens. His skin tone is perfect for that. The first thought that came to mind was the outfit at the end of Karate Kid 2 when he fought Chozen. The ruby blazer! I always thought that outfit suited him so much better than some of the others (though it was a little big on him, but that's a given).

I hunted and searched for a picture of Daniel/Ralph in ANYTHING remotely green and turned up nothing. I'm so distraught. I feel like emerald would look amazing on him or just anything green in general. That it would bring out his eyes way more than anything blue ever would.

As far as gold/yellow, I did find one image, and he looks good. It suits his olive tone surprisingly well, and I honestly wouldn't have thought so. But I'm officially a believer.

As far as silver, well-

The color might not look good, but I agree Terry definitely looks good all over him. ;)

[prismartist]

ID: a flushed logainne staring at her left hand in awe, sparkles around her. she wears glasses, a light brown vest with a white collar and pink ribbon, a light blue blazer, and a purple beret. she has blonde hair in bangs and twin braids. End ID.

ID: chip and leaf embracing each other. chip stares off into the distance, blushing with wide eyes, thinking “marigold…” leaf tucks his head into chip’s neck also wide-eyed, blushing and thinking, “warm…” leaf wears a wolf hat, a pink shirt, and a brown vest with patches. chip wears a white-and-teal striped collared sweater with a white cardigan tied around his shoulders. End ID.

ID: leaf collapsed in a passageway between two seats, one side seating logainne, who jumps. they are both startled. there is a “fwump!” onomatopoeia. in addition to their previously described clothes, leaf wears light blue sweatpants and white sneakers, logainne wears a grey skirt, translucent stockings, white socks and sneakers. End ID.

ID: leaf pointing at a shiny sticker on his arm and simply stating, “i got a sticker.” End ID.

ID: marcy staring up at jesus gliding in the air. jesus is smiling serenely with closed eyes, twirling a yellow ribbon. his hair is very shiny. marcy is awed. jesus has a large heart on his chest surrounded by gold. marcy wears her hair in high pigtails and a large red ribbon, a yellow sweater, and orange tartan overalls. End ID.

ID: a blurry mitch in the background sprinting towards panch, who looks back at mitch in a crab-like position, anxious and sweating. mitch’s eyes are red and flared. above him are the words in asterisks, "protective mode activated". mitch wears a denim vest and pants over a white shirt and a blue bandanna. panch wears a dark blue vest over a light blue shirt and black bowtie, glasses, and brown flannel pants. End ID.

ID: carl dad holding a drink, sprinkling something on the ground with a popped leg. logainne watches in the background, jaw dropped in horror. above in red all caps text reads, “vine boom.” carl dad is wearing glasses, a purplish-blue blazer over a dark pink shirt, light blue sweatpants and dark blue shoes. End ID.

ID: illustrations of carl dad. 1: he moves to the left with a raised limp wrist, exaggeratedly saying, “Miss Peretti, you’re so funny!” 2: he cups his cheek, looking distressed, saying, “Oh my god, this isn’t the bathroom!” 3: he gestures behind him at logainne, who is saying “beeee!” and angrily says, “clap!” slightly behind him is dan, who smiles enthusiastically with closed eyes. dan wears a colorful striped shawl over a dark blue shirt. End ID.

ID: barfee and olive sitting next to each other. they hold out their hands flat in front of them. olive grins up at barfee, slightly hunched, while barfee stares at her hands, intrigued. barfee wears a yellow shirt, a blue vest with yellow cloud-like objects on it, brown shorts and a straw hat with a chin strap. olive wears purple fingerless gloves, a green hoodie over a white-and-green striped polo, and blue pants. she has her hair in low pigtails and a green headband with a small ribbon. End ID.

–––––––

Some of my favorite lil moments in my local production of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!! It has been so much fun interning for this lovely show and i wanted to share some propaganda via fanart. If you're in or around the Makati area, please pleaaase check it out, i implore, it's so creative and energetic and fun. This was my first proper exposure to the show and honestly i think it was perfect. The direction, choreo, costumes, character choices, are all SO amazing!!!!

Information can be found at the Sandbox Collective's Instagram or Facebook page :D

also yes, these are all things that more or less really happened in the production. including the vine boom (kind of. it was a different dramatic sting but still).

can you tell leaf is my favorite fjkdfjs

[adamarks]

Sex scene haunts me because Stede took off his blue (his color when he’s putting up an act, a front, toxic masculinity wins etc), so he removed any fronts. But the scene is entirely devoid of reds. Red is Stede being obvious with his love, and the color of Ed’s vulnerability. There’s purple, Ed’s love color. And there’s gold— gold being just the same as Stede in yellow— scared, unsure, in season one the yellow robe was his battle jacket. He has to get rid of the red suit because it’s bright loud bravado lined in gold— aka fear and insecurity. He keeps the shirt because it’s a darker red, more mature, more grounded, but still “fine” and still frilly and him. The sex scene is all yellows, purples. It really was a mistake, it was driven entirely by desperation, fear, confusion, massive upset. And then that TOTALLY makes La vie en rose the perfect song choice. You don’t actually see the red— the rose color— but it’s there. It’s overlaying the entire thing. Like Stede loves Ed, of course he does, and Ed is being vulnerable, of course he is, but that’s the melody in the background, not the driving force, not what you see.

[fraeuleintaka]

Online Lottery for Investigations Collection Merchandise

This is the 14th post in the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection Countdown: 67 days left until release!

Today's topic: the Cap Kuji Online Lottery for Investigations Collection Merch in Japan!

It’s Japan-exclusive sadly, as most of the Ace Attorney merch and goodies are, but I still want to talk about it because the items you can get are awesome. (Though this kind of lottery is pretty horrible for actually getting any specific ones…) Hopefully, after the lottery closes and the prizes are shipped there’ll be opportunities to get this stuff for a reasonable prize from resellers in the West. I’d really really love to have some of these!

There are six different prize tiers and sometimes multiple possible items in each tier:

S Prize: Mega Big Capcorom Miles Edgeworth Plush – So cute! Yeah, I totally get why this is the number 1 prize. I’d definitely love to have this. Maybe they’ll release some other kind of plushes of the main characters in the future, I’d buy them immediately!

A Prize: Sealing Stamp with the image of the Prosecutor’s Badge – This looks beautiful! Not sure what I’d do with it other than admire it so this isn’t the highest priority for me but it’s definitely neat. I’ve always loved the design of the Prosecutor’s Badge (much better than the Attorney’s Badge).

B Prize: Towels in the form of Kay’s scarf and Shi-Long’s scroll – I don’t know what Shi-Long would think of the idea of people drying themselves off with something that looks like the scroll of his revered ancestor 😅 But damn it, I want it! Such a creative idea. You could even „unroll“ it like he always does 😄

C Prize: Acrylic stands of six possible characters (Miles, Kay, Shi-Long, Justine, Sebastian and Ray) – Can I have all of them, please? I love figurines! Okay, if I bought them by themselves, I’d probably only take Miles, Shi-Long and Sebastian but they do make a nice set, don’t they? Too bad Gumshoe isn’t part of it, I’d love one for him too. (And why is Ray in this one but he’s missing from the Checkmate Set figurines who had all of Gumshoe, Franziska and Gregory instead? Make up your mind who your important characters are, come on! 😂) They all come with different speech bubbles, too: Miles has “Objection!” (obviously), Kay has “Eureka!” (even though Miles and Gregory are the only ones who use this but I guess nothing else would’ve fit better either), Shi-Long has “Not so fast!”, Justine has “Overruled!”, Sebastian has “Take that!” (this fits so well for some reason 😄) and Ray has “Hold it!”, all in Japanese, of course. Their stands look like chessboards with their respective names written on it and a different colour pattern for each character. Such a great look!

D Prize: Ringed notebooks with five possible designs – These look so pretty! Really great design choices too! Kay’s Promise Notebook is the obvious one and I also love the Yatagarasu Calling Card one and the one with Miles’ silhouette and the puzzle pieces. My favourites are the remaining two though: The one with Miles large on the cover (including name scrawl and everything) and the Prosecutor’s Badge on the back (the gold frame is a particularly nice touch!) and the one with the character images like on the original game covers just even better! Miles and Gumshoe are in different poses and Sebastian and Gregory are completely new additions. Perfect choice of characters and it looks awesome! I want these so badly!

E Prize: Tin badges of ten possible characters (Miles, Kay, Shi-Long, Justine, Sebastian, Ray, Franziska, Gumshoe, Gregory and Shih-na) – Wow, that really is everyone you could possibly count as a main character in the Investigations games! Nice! I’d mainly want Miles, Shi-Long, Sebastian, Franziska, Gumshoe and Gregory but I’d love to have all of them as well. They all have different colours in their backgrounds, too: Miles has this purple-burgundy shade (like the colour of the Investigations logo), Kay has a rosy tone (it looks similar to the colour of her shirt and hair tie, I guess?), Shi-Long has light-green (for whatever reason? I’d have given him yellow or a golden shade like the accents on his shirt), Justine has red (fits to the accents on her dress), Sebastian has orange (nice compromise to not have red again but still keep it somewhere between the shades of his hair and his jacket), Ray has light-blue (like the colour of his tie), Franziska has a darker blue (she’s commonly associated with this silver-blueish tone so it fits well), Gumshoe has green (like his coat), Gregory has dark red (like his tie) and Shih-na has pink (like her eyes and the accents on her dress). Bit of a weird colour choice sometimes but they look great anyway.

So sad that you can’t specifically buy what you want out of this (and in the West too). Here’s hoping there’ll be some way to get these in the future!

[cobragardens]

Things I love about this:

The mix of iconography and portraiture is really doing it for me.

The way the black smears and splashes in Crowley’s background look like smears of ink and expand the form of the snake to outline a suggestion of Crowley’s wings. The way the white filigree and Aziraphale’s wings in the background are rendered to match those black ink splashes but look like curled feathers and clouds. The parallel curl on Aziraphale’s forehead with the curl of the wing behind his shoulder.

The way the dove and the snake have both been rendered accurately—no venom-dripping fangs or evil look on the snake, but instead a snake as it really is: a beautiful and fragile animal that intends no harm to anyone. The scales are beautifully done and reminiscent of feathers.

The dove. I have been waiting for someone to use the white dove of Christianity/the Holy Spirit/mercy in an Aziraphale icon, because it’s perfect for him; this is the first time I’ve seen it, and I think it fucking rocks (more on why later). Snakes and birds have been associated in many cultures throughout the world with divinity because in a literal sense each one is capable of crossing between worlds: the snake from the human world to the underworld and the bird from the human world to the overworld. In the West (by which I mean the ancient religions and art of the Middle East and the ancient and contemporary art and religions of Western Europe, including Christianity) both snakes and birds are invariably associated with female divinity, so these symbols are perfect for an angel and a demon in a universe where the Divine is female-coded.

Their faces. I’ll get to their facial expressions in a sec, but just in terms of their faces, both of them are rendered to be as beautiful as possible, and very successfully so. Crowley’s mouth is soft rather than in his characteristic upper-lip-eliding frown, his skin is dewy. I’m not a visual artist, but I think it must be very difficult to render both Aziraphale’s beauty and the characteristics that make him Aziraphale at the same time: his unassumingness; his disguise as pastel, which so poorly suits him; the way he’s remarkably pretty if you look at him for a moment and the way that beauty sits beneath and within a thin veneer of wornness. I love the way @murmaladeee uses the latter to enhance the former here: are those crow’s feet, or is it holy light glancing off the top of Aziraphale’s cheekbone? Are those shadows around his eye literal or symbolic or a technical choice to make the silver eye stand out? In art they can be all three at once.

The almost-grey purple bow tie on Aziraphale and how that both hints at his new Supreme Archangel status at the end of S2 and blends into the background of his other clothes, leaving all the focus on that eye and from there his facial expression.

And let’s talk about that eye! Aziraphale's actor Michael Sheen’s eyes are hazel, but blue eyes are a ubiquitous iconographic feature for Aziraphale, because his personal code color is blue the way Crowley’s is red and because British Christianity and art have associated light features with Heaven and purity since Christianity’s earliest incursions into the British Isles. I love @murmaladeee’s eerie silver-blue eye for Aziraphale; it’s the palest possible color without draining color completely, which suits him perfectly; it forms an absolute color contrast with Crowley’s eyes (gold/silver like black/white and red/blue), but it’s also a color that in irises suggests the uncanny.

And that uncanniness matches his facial expression, which is fucking striking. That is the face of someone who has secrets and is up to Trouble. Which brings me back to the dove, that symbol of mercy and of the Holy Spirit. Is she alighting on Aziraphale’s shoulder, or is she leaving him? That is a delicious ambiguity.

Both their expressions here are complete reversals from the way Aziraphale and Crowley are usually depicted as icons. Crowley looks guardedly melancholy, which in iconic (as opposed to narrative) art of him is so rare as to be unheard-of. Aziraphale looks dangerous, which is just as rare. And that—the reversal of their usual facial expressions, and the crystal clarity of those expressions--is my very favorite part of these pictures.

[indian-wedding-saree]

How to Match Your Bridal Saree with Jewelry for a Stunning Look

Your bridal saree and jewelry are two of the most important elements of your wedding day look. Together, they create an ensemble that reflects your personal style, cultural traditions, and the grandeur of the occasion. Striking the perfect balance between your saree and jewelry is essential to achieve a harmonious and stunning appearance. Here’s a guide to help you seamlessly match your bridal saree with jewelry for your big day.

1. Consider the Saree’s Fabric and Embellishments

The fabric and embellishments of your bridal saree play a crucial role in determining the type of jewelry you should wear.

Heavy Silk Sarees (Banarasi, Kanjeevaram, etc.): These sarees often feature rich zari work and intricate patterns. Pair them with traditional gold or temple jewelry to complement their grandeur. Chunky necklaces, layered chains, and jhumkas (traditional earrings) work beautifully with such sarees.

Lightweight Fabrics (Georgette, Chiffon, etc.): If your saree is made of a lightweight material with subtle embellishments, opt for delicate jewelry. Diamond or pearl sets with minimal designs can add elegance without overwhelming the look.

Embellished Sarees (Zardozi, Sequins, etc.): For sarees with heavy embroidery or sequins, choose statement pieces like chokers or bold earrings. Keep other jewelry minimal to let the statement pieces and saree shine together.

2. Match the Color Palette

The color of your bridal saree should harmonize with your jewelry.

Red Sarees: Red is a classic bridal color and pairs well with gold jewelry for a traditional look. If you prefer a modern touch, diamond or Kundan jewelry can also enhance the richness of the red.

Pastel Shades: Soft pinks, peaches, and mints go beautifully with rose gold, diamond, or pearl jewelry. These colors create a romantic and contemporary bridal vibe.

Bold Colors (Green, Blue, Purple): These colors stand out when paired with contrasting or complementary jewelry. Emeralds and rubies can bring out the vibrancy, while antique gold jewelry adds a touch of tradition.

White or Off-White Sarees: White sarees, such as Kerala Kasavu sarees or Christian bridal sarees, look stunning with gold jewelry or diamonds for a clean and elegant appearance.

3. Coordinate with the Saree’s Border and Pallu

The border and pallu of a saree often have distinct designs or embellishments that can guide your jewelry choices.

If your saree has a heavy border with intricate patterns, opt for jewelry that mirrors those motifs. For example, if your saree features floral designs, look for floral-inspired jewelry pieces.

A heavily adorned pallu calls for statement necklaces or layered jewelry that enhances the overall richness. For a simple pallu, keep the jewelry understated to maintain balance.

4. Focus on Neckline and Jewelry Coordination

Your blouse’s neckline plays a critical role in selecting the right necklace.

High Neck or Collared Blouses: Pair these with long necklaces or skip the necklace altogether and focus on bold earrings or maang tikka.

Deep Neck or Off-Shoulder Blouses: These necklines are perfect for chokers, multi-layered necklaces, or collar necklaces that draw attention to the neck.

Boat Neck or Round Neck Blouses: Choose medium-length necklaces that sit just below the collarbone to maintain symmetry.

5. Choose Jewelry Based on Cultural Traditions

Your cultural background may influence your choice of saree and jewelry. Incorporating traditional jewelry styles can add sentimental value to your bridal look.

South Indian Brides: Temple jewelry with motifs of gods and goddesses pairs beautifully with Kanjeevaram sarees.

North Indian Brides: Polki or Kundan jewelry sets are a popular choice for lehengas and sarees alike, offering a regal appearance.

Bengali Brides: A red Banarasi saree paired with gold jewelry, including broad bangles and a traditional nath (nose ring), is a timeless combination.

6. Balance Statement Pieces with Subtle Accessories

If your bridal saree and jewelry are both heavily embellished, your overall look may become overwhelming. To achieve balance:

Choose one or two statement pieces, such as a choker or maang tikka, and keep the rest of the jewelry minimal.

For sarees with bold designs, consider skipping heavy bangles and instead opt for sleek, minimalistic bracelets.

Let your earrings and necklace complement each other without competing. For instance, if you wear a dramatic necklace, opt for smaller earrings.

7. Don’t Forget to Accessorize Thoughtfully

Your bridal jewelry isn’t limited to necklaces and earrings. Additional accessories can enhance your bridal look.

Maang Tikka: Perfect for framing your face and adding a traditional touch, a maang tikka should match the style of your necklace and earrings.

Nose Ring (Nath): This classic bridal accessory adds an air of elegance. Choose a design that matches your saree and other jewelry.

Bangles or Bracelets: Stack your bangles to match your saree’s colors or opt for a single statement bracelet for a modern twist.

Waist Belt (Kamarbandh): A kamarbandh accentuates your waist and works wonderfully with sarees that have detailed pleats.

8. Pay Attention to Your Hairstyle and Jewelry Placement

Your hairstyle can also influence how your jewelry is displayed.

Updos allow for dramatic earrings and maang tikkas to shine.

Open hairstyles can pair well with subtle necklaces and earrings, keeping the focus on your overall look rather than specific elements.

If you’re wearing a saree with a long pallu, ensure your jewelry doesn’t get hidden behind the drape.

9. Keep Comfort in Mind

While it’s important to look stunning, don’t sacrifice comfort. Ensure that your jewelry is not too heavy or restrictive, especially if you’ll be wearing it for long hours. Choose pieces that you can move and dance in comfortably while still looking radiant.

Conclusion

Matching your bridal saree with the perfect jewelry is an art that involves balancing tradition, style, and personal preferences. By considering your saree’s fabric, color, and embellishments, as well as choosing jewelry that aligns with your cultural roots and personal comfort, you can create a cohesive and unforgettable bridal look. Remember, your wedding day is about celebrating your unique story, and your attire should reflect the joy and elegance of this once-in-a-lifetime moment.

[madhavmarblesandgranites]

13 Best Granite Flooring Colors in India

Granite, one of nature’s most exquisite creations, is a symbol of durability, elegance, and luxury. Its natural beauty, combined with exceptional strength, has made it a preferred flooring material for centuries. Unlike other flooring options, granite tiles offer a unique combination of aesthetics and functionality, making it suitable for both homes and commercial spaces.

In India, the rich variety of granite colors and patterns ensures there’s something for everyone. In this article, we’ll learn about 13 of the best granite flooring colors, showcasing their unique characteristics and aesthetic appeal.

13 Best Colors for Granite Tiles Offering a Timeless Look

What sets granite apart is its ability to withstand the test of time. It’s highly resistant to scratches, stains, and weather conditions, ensuring your flooring remains as stunning as the day it was installed. Furthermore, the types of granite flooring colors and patterns available in granite allow homeowners and designers to create spaces that exude personality and sophistication.

Below, we explore 13 of India’s best colors for granite tiles. Whether you’re designing a cozy home or an expansive office, these are some of the best granite for flooring. Let’s see which one suits your vision!

1. Black Galaxy Granite

Black Galaxy Granite is preferred for its deep black base adorned with gold or white flecks, creating a starry-night effect. Ideal for modern interiors, its reflective surface adds depth and sophistication to spaces. This low-maintenance granite is perfect for flooring, countertops, backsplashes, and tabletops. Its exceptional resistance to abrasion ensures longevity, making it a favorite in both homes and high-traffic commercial spaces.

2. Kashmir White Granite

Kashmir White Granite exudes elegance with its white background, accented by grey and golden veins and occasional purple speckles. This granite creates a serene ambiance, effortlessly blending into traditional and contemporary spaces. Durable and weather-resistant, it’s suitable for flooring, wall cladding, countertops, and even outdoor applications like stairs and monuments.

3. Tan Brown Granite

Tan Brown Granite combines black and reddish hues on a deep brown background, evoking warmth and earthiness. Its unique blend of colors makes it a stunning choice for flooring and other applications like kitchen backsplashes, vanity tops, and pavements. The stone’s resilience to wear and tear ensures its beauty lasts for years.

4. Imperial Gold Granite

Imperial Gold Granite is a mix of golden hues with intricate patterns of grey and pink veins. Its warm tones add a regal touch to interiors and exteriors alike. Resistant to scratches and moisture, this granite is ideal for kitchen countertops, wall cladding, and decorative elements. Its lustrous finish enhances any space with understated elegance.

5. Black Pearl Granite

Black Pearl Granite features a black backdrop interspersed with shimmering silver flakes. Its versatility allows it to complement light-colored interiors, creating a striking contrast. Highly durable and water-resistant, Black Pearl Granite is ideal for flooring, countertops, and wall cladding. Its adaptability to finishes like polished or leathered ensures a tailored look for any project.

6. Viscount Waves Granite

Viscount Waves Granite, also known as Madanapalli White Granite, is distinguished by its white base adorned with mesmerizing grey waves. This durable stone is a favorite for flooring, kitchen countertops, and wall cladding. Its minimal maintenance needs and timeless design make it a go-to choice for homeowners and builders alike.

7. Paradiso Bash Granite

Paradiso Bash Granite showcases a blend of brown, grey, and golden swirls on a rich brown background. Its unique, earthy patterns lend a contemporary edge to flooring and other applications like staircases, backsplashes, and vanity tops. Highly durable and low-porosity, this granite is a reliable and stylish option for both interiors and exteriors.

8. Spice Black Granite

Spice Black Granite stands out with its fine-grained dark grey surface highlighted by lighter inclusions and fine black veins. Its subtle shine and texture make it a luxurious addition to modern and traditional spaces. This granite’s durability and ability to pair with diverse styles make it ideal for flooring, countertops, and other architectural elements.

9. Indian Juparana Granite

Indian Juparana Granite’s swirling patterns of pink, grey, and darker hues create an artistic masterpiece. This granite is a favorite for both residential and commercial spaces, thanks to its eye-catching design. Whether used for flooring, staircases, or countertops, its durability and aesthetic appeal make it a standout choice.

10. Bengal Black Granite

Bengal Black Granite is a minimalist’s dream with its deep black surface adorned by fine white grain-like patterns. Its glossy finish and high durability make it ideal for kitchen countertops, flooring, and vanities. This granite seamlessly integrates into modern and classic designs, offering a sleek and polished look.

11. Andromeda White Granite

Andromeda White Granite features a gleaming white background with intricate specks of black, beige, and golden hues. Its serene design makes it perfect for creating welcoming and peaceful spaces. Durable and resistant to climate changes, it’s a great choice for both interiors and outdoor flooring.

12. Moon White Granite

Moon White Granite captivates with its creamy base, accented by heavy grey veins and wine-colored flecks. Its hard-wearing nature makes it suitable for various applications, including flooring, countertops, and wall cladding. This granite’s neutral tones brighten up spaces, adding an airy and expansive feel.

13. Royal Ivory Granite

Royal Ivory Granite features a white background with cream waves and shimmering brown and white sugar-like particles. Its delicate design lends an airy and bright aesthetic to any space.

With excellent durability and stain resistance, it’s a versatile choice for interiors and outdoor features like pillars and sculptures.

Why Choose Granite Tiles for Flooring?

Granite is synonymous with elegance and functionality. Its natural strength, resistance to stains and scratches, and low-maintenance nature make it a popular flooring option. Whether you prefer bold and dramatic patterns or subtle and serene tones, granite offers a wide range of choices to suit every taste and design preference.

Choosing the right color for granite tiles can lift the aesthetics of your space while ensuring durability and timeless charm. From the luxurious Black Galaxy to the minimalist Royal Ivory, each granite color has its unique personality, offering endless possibilities for customization.

Enhance your interiors and exteriors with premium granite from Madhav Marbles and Granites Ltd., a trusted granite tile manufacturer. With a diverse range of stunning colors and finishes, we deliver excellence for all your flooring, countertops, and more. Contact us today to transform your spaces with timeless beauty!

[vannklay7]

Minnesota Vikings Grinch Merry Christmas Special Hoodie

The Minnesota Vikings Grinch Merry Christmas Special Hoodie is a playful and spirited blend of team pride and festive cheer, designed to stand out during the holiday season. The deep purple base, symbolic of the Vikings’ iconic color, exudes boldness and loyalty, making it a perfect tribute to the team. This vibrant background creates the ideal canvas for the bold, colorful graphics that combine the mischievous charm of The Grinch with the proud identity of the Minnesota Vikings.

The front design is clean yet impactful, featuring the signature Vikings logo in bright gold, perfectly paired with a mischievous Grinch graphic, whose playful expression adds a touch of humor to the design. The Nike swoosh placed prominently on the chest emphasizes the hoodie’s connection to premium sportswear. These elements come together seamlessly to balance team spirit with holiday fun, ensuring it appeals to both football fans and lovers of festive apparel.

The back design takes the festive theme to the next level, showcasing an intricately detailed graphic of The Grinch dressed as Santa, holding a football in one hand and carrying a sack adorned with the Vikings logo. The phrase “Merry Christmas” floats above the image in playful, whimsical lettering, adding to the hoodie’s festive appeal. Crafted with high-quality materials, this hoodie provides warmth and durability, making it ideal for chilly game nights or holiday gatherings. The Minnesota Vikings Grinch Merry Christmas Special Hoodie is more than just team merchandise—it’s a celebration of holiday joy, team loyalty, and playful creativity, making it a standout piece for fans this holiday season.

Style & Design of Minnesota Vikings Grinch Merry Christmas Special Hoodie

The Minnesota Vikings Grinch Merry Christmas Special Hoodie is a vibrant statement piece that perfectly blends holiday cheer with the bold spirit of team pride. The rich purple base serves as a striking nod to the Vikings’ iconic color, symbolizing strength and loyalty. This bold foundation is enhanced by a festive design that combines the mischievous charm of The Grinch with the team’s identity, creating a unique and eye-catching hoodie. The balance between sporty and playful elements ensures this hoodie stands out during the holiday season, whether worn at a game or a Christmas gathering.

The front design captures attention with the bright Vikings logo in gold, prominently displayed above the bold wordmark “VIKINGS.” Beside it, a cheeky Grinch graphic adds a whimsical touch, incorporating a playful element into the otherwise sporty aesthetic. The inclusion of the Nike swoosh reinforces the hoodie’s premium quality, aligning it with high-performance sportswear. This combination of festive fun and team spirit ensures it appeals to Vikings fans who want to showcase their loyalty in a unique way during the holidays.

The back design takes the festive theme to another level, showcasing The Grinch as Santa, holding a football and carrying a sack filled with gifts marked with the Vikings logo. The playful “Merry Christmas” text above the graphic is done in a fun, celebratory font that ties the holiday theme together. The detailed and colorful illustration stands out against the purple backdrop, making the hoodie visually engaging from all angles. Crafted with high-quality materials, this hoodie combines style, comfort, and warmth, making it a perfect choice for chilly winter days. It’s more than a piece of team merchandise—it’s a celebration of holiday spirit and Vikings pride in one fun and festive design.

[lisardrew]

Unicorn Nail Designs: A Magical Touch for Your Manicure

Unicorns have long been a symbol of magic, whimsy, and fantasy. Their enchanting appeal has found its way into various aspects of style, from clothing to makeup, and of course, nail art.

Unicorn nail designs are not only fun and creative but can add a touch of mystical charm to your manicure. Whether you're attending a themed event, expressing your inner child, or simply wanting to add a little sparkle to your day, unicorn nails can be a stunning choice. Here's a guide on how to achieve these magical designs and some ideas for your next nail art session.

1. Unicorn Color Palette

The foundation of any unicorn nail design is a dreamy color palette. Think pastel shades like soft pinks, purples, blues, and yellows. These hues mimic the gentle and light aura of a unicorn. However, to make your nails even more magical, don't hesitate to include holographic or metallic polishes to add some extra sparkle and shine.

Pastels: Baby pink, lavender, mint green, and sky blue.

Shimmery Finishes: Iridescent and metallic polishes give your nails a fairy-like glow.

Bright Accents: For those who love a more vibrant touch, neon pinks, electric blues, and sparkling silvers can be great accent colors.

2. Unicorn Nail Art Designs to Try

Here are some enchanting designs to try out:

Unicorn Horn Accent: One of the simplest ways to incorporate a unicorn theme is by painting one nail with a gold or silver spiral to resemble a unicorn's horn. Surround it with pastel gradients or solid pastel colors on the other nails for a soft contrast.

Rainbow Swirls: Rainbows are synonymous with unicorns, so why not bring them to your nails? Use a striping brush or a fine nail art pen to create delicate rainbow arcs across the nails. This design can be paired with a glittery or holographic background for extra sparkle.

Unicorn Face: Turn your nails into a magical canvas by painting a cute unicorn face on one or two nails. Use white polish for the base, and add black and gold details to create the unicorn’s eyes and horn. You can even add little accents like hearts, stars, or sparkles around the face.

Pastel Ombre: A soft pastel ombre effect can evoke the feeling of unicorns soaring through the clouds. Transition between two or three pastel colors in a gradient fashion for a serene and elegant design. You can make it even more magical by adding some fine glitter at the tips.

Unicorn and Stars: Paint a simple pastel background and add some tiny stars or moon shapes scattered across your nails to invoke the feeling of a unicorn in the night sky. Glitter polish can be used to highlight the stars for added dimension.

Unicorn Glitter Bomb: For lovers of all things glitter, you can opt for a full-on unicorn-inspired glittery design. Use holographic glitter polish or a chunky glitter topper to create a mesmerizing effect on each nail. Mixing different shades of glitter in rainbow colors will give your nails a beautiful, multi-dimensional look.

3. Tips for Perfecting Unicorn Nail Art

Prep Your Nails: Ensure your nails are clean and filed before applying any polish. You want a smooth canvas for your unicorn design.

Use a Base Coat: To ensure your manicure lasts and the colors pop, always apply a good base coat before starting your nail art.

Practice with Nail Stamps or Decals: If freehand art isn’t your thing, try using unicorn-themed nail decals or stamps. They are easy to apply and can give you a professional-looking design without the hassle.

Top Coat for Shine: Seal your design with a glossy top coat for a shiny finish that locks in the colors and protects your nails.

4. Unicorn Nail Art for Special Occasions

Unicorn nails are perfect for any event that embraces fun and whimsy. Whether you're dressing up for a fantasy-themed party, a birthday celebration, or simply want a playful twist on your everyday look, unicorn designs will make your nails the star of the show.

Birthday Nails: Add a festive flair to your birthday manicure with a unicorn design. Consider painting each nail in a different pastel color and adding cute birthday-themed accents like balloons or confetti.

Fantasy or Fairytale Events: Going to a cosplay or fairytale event? Unicorn nails are a magical way to complete your look.

5. Incorporating Unicorn Nails into Everyday Style

While unicorn nails are perfect for special events, they can also be incorporated into everyday wear. For a more subtle take, opt for pastel ombre nails or a unicorn horn accent on a single nail. You can even keep the base color neutral and add a pop of unicorn magic with a sprinkle of glitter or tiny unicorn decals.

Conclusion

Unicorn nail designs offer a perfect mix of whimsy, elegance, and fun, making them ideal for anyone looking to add a magical touch to their look. Whether you opt for soft pastel gradients, a bold unicorn face, or sparkling rainbows, these designs will surely add a dose of fantasy to your manicure. So, unleash your inner unicorn and let your nails sparkle with enchantment!

[inspirdgz]

Baltimore Ravens New Version 2024 T-Shirt

Product link: https://inspirdg.com/product/baltimore-ravens-new-version-2024-t-shirt/

Store link: https://inspirdg.com/

Baltimore Ravens New Version 2024 T-Shirt

The Baltimore Ravens New Version 2024 T-Shirt offers a perfect blend of bold sports fashion and team spirit, making it an ideal choice for any Ravens fan. The front of the T-shirt features a sleek and clean design, with the Nike swoosh placed prominently, alongside the iconic Ravens logo. The simplicity of this front design enhances its versatility, allowing fans to wear it not only on game day but also as a stylish everyday piece. The combination of high-quality black fabric and the minimalistic details gives this T-shirt a polished, contemporary look.

On the back of the T-shirt, the design becomes bolder with a large, vibrant depiction of the Ravens mascot. The fierce bird logo, in its distinct purple, gold, and black colors, captures the strength and tenacity of the Baltimore Ravens. Below this striking emblem is the “Baltimore Ravens” text, ensuring that the wearer’s allegiance is clear from any angle. This bold and vibrant logo makes a powerful statement, showcasing the team’s identity in a visually impactful way. The detailed mascot design also adds a sense of power and loyalty to the shirt, making it more than just a piece of fan gear.

Additionally, the NFL patch on the sleeve adds an extra level of authenticity, cementing this shirt as official merchandise for true fans. The combination of style, comfort, and team pride makes the Baltimore Ravens New Version 2024 T-Shirt a standout choice for those who want to support their team while maintaining a sleek and modern appearance. This shirt is not just a symbol of fandom but also a versatile piece of sportswear that can be worn both casually and on special game days.

Style & Design of Baltimore Ravens New Version 2024 T-Shirt

The Baltimore Ravens New Version 2024 T-Shirt captures the perfect blend of minimalism and bold team pride, making it a versatile and stylish choice for fans. The front design is clean and understated, with a prominent Nike swoosh on one side and the Ravens logo on the other. This balance between sportswear branding and team loyalty creates a sleek, modern look, allowing the wearer to express their Ravens pride without overwhelming the overall style. The use of black as the base color enhances the simplicity and elegance, ensuring that the shirt is both practical and visually impactful.

Turning to the back, the design takes a more dramatic turn, with a large, striking depiction of the Ravens mascot logo. The vibrant purple, gold, and black tones of the raven head stand out vividly against the dark background, symbolizing the strength and fierce spirit of the team. This oversized logo gives the shirt a more bold and assertive feel, perfect for fans who want their allegiance to be seen from afar. Below the logo, the “Baltimore Ravens” text is cleanly printed, adding a final touch of team representation without detracting from the central design.

The attention to detail is also present in the NFL patch on the sleeve, lending an air of authenticity to the T-shirt. The Ravens logo appears on the opposite sleeve, ensuring that team branding is visible from all angles. The overall fit is designed for both comfort and style, making it ideal for game days, casual outings, or even pairing with everyday streetwear. The Baltimore Ravens New Version 2024 T-Shirt is more than just a piece of fan gear—it’s a versatile, high-quality statement of team pride that suits a wide range of occasions.

[awesomerextyphoon]

I love your writing. May I have Loki x Reader? The reader is a sweet, delicate dreamer. Loki has come to conquer the world. He saw her and wants her to become his Queen of Midgard. He kidnapped her. She pleads with him to let her go while she is tied to the bed. He caresses her hair and says she will love him (he doesn't want to use the scepter on her).

***Can I have White Reader x Loki, please? Loki just escaped from the Helicarrier. He saw the reader who is a sweet and innocent creature. Loki doesn't want her dead when he will start battle. Loki kidnaps her and locks her up to keep her safe. When he wins, Loki tells her that she will become his queen.***

Hi! I decided to combine the prompts and make the reader plus-sized. I hope you enjoy! 

His Match

Pairing: Dark!Loki x Plus-Sized Female Reader 

Summary: You’ve tried to live by your grandmother’s rule  of being kind to others, even when the world gives you the middle finger. What if a Norse God decided reward you by becoming his Queen?

Word Count: 1,745

Rating: 18+/Mature

Warning: Kidnapping, Implied Dub/Non-Con, Angst, and some Violence

A/N: Thanks goes to the amazing @angrythingstarlight for beta reading this!

Loki was walking around New York City, scouting Stark Tower making sure the final preparations of his plan was perfect when something, or rather someone, caught his eye.

She walked out of what looked like a women’s clothing store with a forlorn smile. She was plumper than the average female Midgardian last time he frequented the realm. His eyes did not miss the enticing curves that lied beneath her clothes despite her efforts to ensconce herself into the background.

She was a vision.

Her eyes met his for the briefest of moments and it felt like time stopped. His heart quickened in his chest and a rush of blood surged to his groin.

He had to follow her. His Elskan.

“Barton, tell the others I’ll be out for a few more hours. Proceed as planned.”

–––––

He found you entering a rather destitute apartment complex. Its lights and foundation were a bit unsound and gave off a seedy ambience.

Loki grimaced at her living conditions. When he ruled Midgard, she would have only the best.

Casting a simple concealment spell, Loki entered her fairly small apartment. She began mixing ingredients together for what looked to be ‘chocolate chip cookies’. He smiled as he inhaled the sweet aroma knowingly; Asgard had only recently started consuming the sweet. She soon laid out a batch of thick, scrumptious cookies with a satisfied expression.

They reminded him of better times when he and Thor would sneak into the kitchens and swipe confections from under the baker’s nose. Loki chuckled at the memory; those were the days.

Not ten minutes after she placed the last cookie onto the cooling rack did her phone ring. It was her mother. Loki felt dread coming off his Elskan in waves.

Loki could only make out bits and pieces of the conversation, if you could call it that. Her mother constantly nagged her about her weight, life choices, and her ‘pathetic’ attempts to get over her ex-boyfriend. His heart broke as he saw tears begin to fall and the croaking of her voice as she bid the odious creature goodnight.

Several minutes after she cried herself to sleep, Loki entered his Elskan’s bedroom. He spied her diary on the nightstand and decided to read a few pages.

He was fuming within two minutes.

How dare that caustic pig sow treat his Elskan, her own daughter, in a such ghastly manner! Her ‘perfect’ sister always slighting and reminding her on how ‘she’ll never be good enough for anything’ and her father’s callous indifference to her cries for help and solace only added to his rage. Combined with the way her ex-boyfriend, the repugnant gnat, treated her (he cheated on her with someone who ‘wasn’t built like a blimp’ and ‘the only thing you thing you had going for you were your tits’) and he wanted to speed up the invasion just to watch the horror become engrained onto their faces.

And yet, she endeavored to treat everyone with kindness harkening back to your grandmother. She strived to be the one light in one’s otherwise miserable existence.

Well, she can be his light as his Elskan and Queen.

Loki took a deep, cleansing breath. He needed to stick to the plan. When he conquers Midgard, she will be their queen. She will grace the undeserving masses with her elegance and beauty and he will worship her every chance he got.

He just had to make her see it that way.

Gently, the light forest green glow of Loki's magic flowed from his hand to the crown of her head like a halo. He leaned in and kissed her cheek with a smile as he left.

He hated to leave her, but he had a realm to conquer. Though he hoped she’d enjoy the introductory gift.

––––––

You were in your grandmother’s living room; spacious yet comfy with all of her quirkiness and splendor included. It was odd since you haven’t been in her house since your parents sold after her death seven years ago. You tearfully smiled remembering all the good times you had with her, the only member of your family you gave you any true warmth or love.

Her piano was in the corner, barely aged a day with all the music sheets, pens, a light scratches you came to know and love. You took your seat and started to play the piano version of one of your favorite movie themes.

You were so engrossed in playing, you failed to notice someone materializing into your dreamscape.

“What a lovely tune! What is it called?” A smooth, honey-tinged voice broke your concentration.

You turned your head and saw what had to be the most beautiful man you’ve ever seen. He was tall (6’ 10” / 2.08m) easily towering over any man you’ve ever met. He had smooth alabaster skin, light rose undertones with a little blue-red just under his eyes. His cheekbones were immaculate, somehow looked sharp and soft at the same time. He had thin lips with a fair plumpness to the bottom one. His slicked-back, shoulder-length Ponzu/Shadow Purple hair kissed his lean, battle-hardened physique (if the way he’s filling out his outfit was anyway to go by). All of this deliciousness was clothed in a casual Palm Green suit with a Glossy Black tie and shoes.

It took you a full minute to stop ogling him, “Wha-What did you say?”

“I apologize for disturbing you, my lady. I asked what you were playing.” His voice had hints of mirth which was odd considering his appearance. Most people in his league would give you a thinly veiled sneer of disgust, but he seemed genuinely interested.

“Um, well, it’s called Merry-Go-Round of Life from the movie Howl’s Moving Castle. It’s a favorite of mine. I used to play it all the time until…” You trailed off, not wanting to revisit how your grandmother died.

“You do not have to tell me if it brings you such displeasure.”

“Thank you, um…”

“Loki. Please, call me Loki.”

“Loki,” he inwardly moaned at the way you said his name, “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. Please, continue playing.”

And you did for what felt like hours, all while your sexy dream companion asked about your hopes, dreams, anything he could think of really. You in turn asked him about his life and interests; you even laughed at a story of his brother having to dress like a bride to get his hammer back.

You soon became enamored with Loki. It was refreshing to be noticed with actual interest, not ridicule or pity. He seemed to taken with you as well, if his gentle caresses and not-so-subtle lustful glances he gave you were any indication.

You were glad this was just a dream. You didn’t want your heart to break like last time.

Loki was about to lean in for a kiss when everything faded to black.

–––––

You jolted up from the mattress and screamed once you realized you weren’t in your room.

No, this room was…spectacular for lack of better word. It had high ceilings, large windows, ornate chandeliers, and magnificent balcony. Luxurious dark greens, gold, and black covered the room in splendor. Extravagant pieces of furniture dripped with precious stones metal worthy of queens or royal mistresses of old.

“What is this place?”

You tried to leave but was forced back onto the bed by a force field. You tried to take calm breaths just like your therapist taught you in order to make an escape plan.

No sooner did you calm down than the door open to reveal-

“Loki!”

Only Loki was wearing radically different clothing; looked like he walked right out of a fantasy epic. And yet, his smile was enchanting.

“What am I doing here? I need to go back home.”

He tutted in response, “That would not be wise, Elskan Mín. This world is mine now and this is safest place to be.” He was right. His brother’s team of desperate souls were no match for his cunning and Chitauri Forces. Midgard’s pathetic leaders gave up in less than an hour once their beloved ‘heroes’ were defeated, broken, and laid bare before them.

“You can’t be serious, Loki. I need to leave.”

“And go where? Like I said, this realm is mine now. That rat poison of a dwelling is no more and I have dealt with your ‘family’ as needed.” Loki smirked at the memories. It gave him extreme joy squeezing the life out of that worthless pig of mother, breaking every bone in your father’s body one by one, and leaving your ‘perfect’ sister alive with partially rotten skin. Not even the scavengers or maggots would find or want the remains of the scurvy insect of an ex-boyfriend, though he was still alive..just barely.

Well, at least until he decided on how to destroy the blight of creature.

Though he did make sure to leave two of your real friend were treated well. You needed to have someone to talk to while he was away.

You gazed into his Spearmint colored eyes in one last attempt, “Please Loki! If you love me, you’ll let me go!”

For a split second, you could’ve sworn you saw hurt in his eyes and he glided across the room. You back hit the headboard in you sad efforts to get away from him.

“Elskan Mín, I promise to always love, cherish, and worship every part of your glorious body. You will become Midgard’s queen and my goddess. No. One. Will. Ever. Demean. Or. Slight. You. Again.” he punctuated each word of the last sentence with soft, open-mouthed kisses to your face, neck, shoulders, and collarbone.

You tried to fight him, but it felt so good. His touches sent shots of lightning to your core; plus his lips and fingers were cook to the touch provided excellent contrast to the spike in heat.

You started crying realizing how pathetic this was, to have the first person to profess such feelings be a kidnapper. You were actually contemplating whether or not he was telling the truth.

Loki sensed your sorrow and kissed your tears away. “I know this might be ‘difficult’ at first, but you will love me in time.” He hoped he did not have to use the scepter.

You thought about your dream and all of the effort he was putting into this. It was frightening, but it came from a place of love.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to stay.

–––––––

@lookiamtrying @jtargaryen18 @sapphirescrolls @jobean12-blog @sweeterthanthis @gotnofucks @mcudarklibrary@saiyanprincessswanie @golden-ariess @navegandoaciegas @stargazingfangirl18 @opheliadawnwalker3 @tilltheendwilliwritee  @imanuglywombat @bucky-the-thigh-slayer @navybrat817 @anyatheladyclown @buckysbunny @nacho-bucky @donutloverxo @stephanieromanoff @threeminutesoflife @angrybirdcr​ @angrythingstarlight @chixkencxrry @hurricanerin @marvelfansworld @the-soulofdevil @captain–barnes @drabblewithfrannybarnes @thebanprincess @winteralpine @leslie2898 @buttercandy16 @propertyofpoeandbucky @hevans-angel @thorfanficwriter @afriendlyblackhottie @avintagekiss24 @syntheticavenger @phant0m-queen @tuiccim​ @blueberrythor​ @river-soul @justthehiddleswrites @sweetkingdomstarlight-blog

[arvandus]

Icarus (Overhaul x F!Reader)

Ah yes, once again so late on this. This one gave me grief because the characters kept deviating from what I had originally planned. >.< But I worked through it, and here we are.

This is for the BNHarem's “On The Job” Collab for May, which you can find here.

Also, don’t judge my super simple title headings for my fics 😂 I always do these late at night when I should be asleep, so generic background with fancy text is the best I got to offer.

Trigger Warnings: 18+ ONLY!  1 instance of aggression/abuse (hair grabbing/pulling - nonsexual), unprotected sex (fun in fiction, dumb IRL), mutual masturbation, overstimulation, bondage via quirk abuse, degradation...

I think that about covers it.  Once again, I’m terrible at TWs so let me know if I missed anything or if anything is inaccurate. 😬 I just kinda write what I want and don’t really think about the labels when I’m doing it.

Pairing: Overhaul x F!Reader

Word Count: 8281

You hadn’t meant to get caught.  Really, you weren’t even sure what had possessed you to do it in the first place. Desperation? Horniness? Stupidity?

 All of the above?

 All you knew was that it was a poor decision brought forth by the gradual culmination of a single annoying, unavoidable fact: you were disgustingly, shamefully, sinfully attracted to Kai Chisaki.

You weren’t exactly sure how or when it started. There was no “aha” moment, no “big bang” of desire.  Instead, it was subtle, gradually coating your unsuspecting mind like layers of sediment. A shiver down your spine when he spoke your name.  The quickening of your pulse at the briefest of eye contact. And the ever-growing presence of intrusive, curious thoughts.

 Like his hands.  You always noticed them, the white of his gloves drawing your attention like a beacon whenever he was within eyesight.  They were dangerous hands, deadly weapons that you’d seen in action firsthand.  They were a thing to be feared and avoided.  But some strange part of you couldn’t help but wonder... what did they feel like?  You imagined they’d be soft and perfectly manicured, oddly delicate for such a violent man; gentle hands packed with destructive power.

 Or his lips.  They were always covered by his mask.  You never, ever saw him without it.  You imagined what your name would look like on them as he spoke, how they’d feel on your skin.  Would his lips also be soft? How about his kisses? Would they be cautious and controlled, or rough and hungry?

 It didn’t help that he was, in his own way, very attractive.  Just like how his dangerous hands were hidden within innocent white gloves, he was the devil hidden behind a pretty face. A sharp, beautiful jawline. Smooth porcelain skin. A crown of auburn red hair, closely cropped, but still long enough to run fingers through.

 You bet that part of him was soft too.

 The one part of him that wasn’t soft were his eyes.  They were beautiful, certainly… as gold as Heaven’s gates and framed in long, perfect lashes.  But they lacked the warmth of Heaven.  Instead, they spoke of cold arrogance. And if you stared into them long enough, you could see a barely contained disgust lurking beneath their haughty exterior.

 The disgust didn’t bother you, not anymore.  Everyone disgusted Chisaki, and everyone in the Shie Hassaikai knew it. He even made his closest confidants, some he’d known since childhood, wear masks so he wouldn’t share the same air with them.  

 He had you wear a mask too, of course. Simple and white, it covered only your lower face, much like his own.  That much you were grateful for, considering some of the masks you’d seen others wearing.  Your only explanation for the slightly less coverage was that your secretarial position made you a frequent point of contact for those outside of the organization.  You handled incoming calls, visitors, and scheduled meetings between Chisaki and his affiliates.  No doubt he wanted to ensure you were making a good impression while still operating within his mysophobic requirements.

 First impressions were everything to Kai.  Even more so since he took the Boss’s place under dubious circumstances. Still, his long-held reputation for extremist thinking and violence preceded him, and not everyone was in support of his unexpected promotion.  As a result, many people within the organization parted ways following Chisaki’s rise to power... and soon after they mysteriously went missing, never to be heard from or located again.  You had no doubt that it was Chisaki tying up loose ends by sealing loose lips.  After all, they say the mouth is the source of disaster.  And Chisaki valued confidentiality above all else.

 The message he sent was clear: adapt or die.  When given such colorful options, the choice on whether to go or stay became a simple one.

 So, you adapted.  As long as you followed orders, kept your eyes down and your mouth shut, you were safe. After all, it was better to be the right hand of the devil than to be in his path.  The only person you really had to fear was Chisaki himself, and you knew him well enough by now to know how to stay on his good side.

 And all in all, it really wasn’t all that bad.  Sure, you had to orchestrate the occasional clean-up when he disposed of someone who displeased him.  But that wasn’t much different than what you’d dealt with when you worked for the Boss, either.  Sure, the aftermath was messier and it happened far more often.  But violence was violence, and when you worked with the Yakuza long enough, you got used to it.  And despite the odd working conditions and ever-present undertone of danger, you remained good at your job. As such, Chisaki brooked no complaint. He tolerated you, and you tolerated him. Interactions were brief, words exchanged were polite and respectful even though they lacked warmth.  But it was just a job, right?  You didn’t need warmth.

 So why did you feel so dissatisfied?  Why did you constantly feel that something was missing, a longing you couldn’t entirely describe?

 The need only ever waned when Chisaki was in your presence, whether it was to discuss upcoming meetings or simply passing by your desk to get to his office. The dissatisfaction would melt away into a warmth that extended deep into your fingertips whenever the cold-hearted man bothered to look you in the eyes. And when he wasn’t looking at you? It was like being thrown into a winter blizzard, the aching cold returning to pull the corners of your mouth down into a silent frown.

 You craved his attention.  It was shameful and pathetic and you could only imagine the scorn he’d give you if he knew, but you didn’t care.  To be graced with the attention of a man who cared for no one brought a different kind of satisfaction.  The rare treats of attention Chisaki did grant you, whether intended or not, scratched an itch that only he could scratch.

 As time passed, the intrusive thoughts became more frequent, evolving from odd curiosities to shameless lust.  They began to occupy your dreams, forcing you awake with a hot ache between your legs. That was when you really began to realize how in deep you were.  It wasn’t just a simple “attraction.”  You wanted him.  At first you tried to deny and ignore, suppress and excuse.  After all, this was Overhaul.  Wanting him was like wanting the sun in your hand, and just as dangerous. Apparently though, it made little difference to your hormone-addled brain.  It didn’t help that the secretive, forbidden thoughts brought their own special addictive flavor of the taboo.  

 You began to act different in front of him.  Nothing too obvious, of course.  After all, you knew Chisaki wasn’t the type to indulge in desperate women. To be honest, you weren’t even sure Chisaki indulged in women at all.  All you did know was that whenever women tried to gain his favor through flirtation, Chisaki quickly and harshly shut it down.

 So, it was little things... the extra second to release a paper from your grip after he’d grabbed it, the lingering of a glance.  You didn’t so much change the style of your attire – skirts and blouses were already the norm for your position – but you changed the colors. A blouse that matched the purple feathery softness of his jacket, golden jewelry that matched his eyes.  Little messages waiting in secret to be picked up, yet subtle enough that they could be excused as nothing more than coincidence. It was risky, but the thrill of the game gave you an outlet for your roiling feelings.  In the end though, it made no difference.  There was nothing about you that seemed important enough to turn Chisaki’s head more than was professionally necessary.

 Which is where the state of things were when you found yourself alone in his office one evening. You had thought he was still working at the time. You’d stepped away to shred some incriminating documents and burn the scraps in the kiln outside.  It was your last task for the day, so you’d entered Chisaki’s office to announce your departure for the evening.  Except when you entered, the space was empty, with all traces of him gone.  No papers remained on his desk.  His gloves and plague mask were gone.  With an annoyed huff you had stood there, bothered that you’d missed him.

 Quietly, you walked to his desk, and gently caressed the mahogany wood.  It was immaculate of course, free of dirt and fingerprints.  You knew it would be because he cleaned his space every evening before he left, and you cleaned it every morning before he arrived.

 You sighed as you retrieved the paper towels and cleaning solution.  No harm in giving it a second scrub to save yourself some time tomorrow morning. It wasn’t like anyone would be foolish enough to enter this space without Chisaki present anyway.

 You should have just left it at that.  But as you walked around his desk to wipe the surface with the damp towel, your bare legs just below your skirt bumped his chair. Soft leather, still warm from where he had sat, greeted your exposed skin.

 That should have been your first clue.

 But your mental alarms never sounded.  Instead, you figured you had just missed him.

 You should have just left, but you didn’t. The warmth on the chair was enticing you. He was gone, right?  Left for the evening.  What harm could it do to indulge just a little bit?  With your heart pounding with excitement, you carefully sat down in the warm leather. Immediately the scent of Chisaki’s body wash and clean clothes cradled you.

 That should have been your second clue.

 But you were already too wrapped up in your enjoyment.  You relished in the sensations, leaning back as you closed your eyes.  It was the closest you’d ever felt to him, as if his very presence was there with you. Your desire purred deep in your gut at receiving its first nibble of satisfaction.  If you closed your eyes, you could pretend he was there, holding you.

 Your kept your eyes closed as your imagination began to take root like weeds in your mind, making your skin feel hot.  Your fingers grazed the inside of your thigh, dipping beneath your skirt while your heart pounded.  What if those were his fingers?  The vision combined with the sensations of touch and smell were delicious, and you wanted more.  You dragged the pads of your fingertips up even higher, your arm starting to push your skirt up with it.  Your legs parted easily, as you let out a shaky breath.

 You shouldn’t be doing this.  Not here of all places.  But there was something so sinfully satisfying about it, the danger only heightening the sensations.  After all, the reward was only as great as the risk it took to earn it.  And this was the highest risk you could take, short of literally throwing yourself at him.  Besides, it wasn’t like your fantasies were ever going to come true. Maybe satisfying yourself - right here, right now – would be enough to finally give you the peace of mind you needed.

 And dear God, did you need it.  You could already feel the heat growing in your loins, the moisture dampening your panties.  Your fingers finally brushed against the warm cotton fabric covering your sex and you let out a soft gasp.

 What Chisaki didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.  He was gone, right?  And you were going to clean up any traces of your little visit before you left.  He’d be none the wiser.

 Your fingers slipped beneath your underwear to meet the hot, slick flesh of your folds, your clit already plump and ready with arousal. You knew it wouldn’t take you long to cum, but you wanted to enjoy this, to savor it as the only opportunity you’d get.  You certainly weren’t going to do this again.

 So, you teased yourself, fingertips softly dragging slow circles around your entrance before dipping in.  A shaky moan left your lips, the quickening of your breaths matching the racing of your heart.  In and out you dragged your fingers, relishing in your sleek, sensitive walls, occasionally breaking your rhythm to spread your juices over your swollen labia. You revisited your clit and stifled your moan with a bite of your lip as you began to slowly massage it with practiced skill.  It felt so fucking good.  The scent of yourself mingled with the scent of Chisaki, and you spread your legs wider, leaning back farther into the seat.  You could feel the surge beginning to swell, and you knew it would be soon. Vivid fantasies danced on the inside of your eyelids, and you were fully enthralled, fingers skimming fast circles over your swollen bud as your other hand began to massage your breast through your blouse.

 “Fuuuuuckk....Kai....” You moaned.

 “What do you think you’re doing?”

 The familiar voice made you jump so hard, you nearly fell out of the chair as your eyes flew wide open.

 There was Kai Chisaki, staring down at you from across the desk – his desk. And there were you, sitting in his chair, spread eagle.

 Your breath was knocked out of you and you felt light-headed with panic.  You caught sight of the shoji screen behind him, wide open to the evening air.

 FUCK. Of course.  You forgot to check outside.  He must have stepped out for some fresh air before returning to his office.

 Shit. Shit, shit, shit.  You hadn’t heard him enter.  How long had he been standing there??

 “I asked you a question.” The man seethed through his plague mask.  His gloved hands were clenched into angry fists, and his eyes... eyes that you’d always craved to see you... well, they saw you now, and you were terrified.

 Immediately, you closed your legs and stood up from his chair. Your mouth babbled soundlessly before your voice finally came, tight and small.

 “I’m sorry.  I’m so so sorry.”

 “I didn’t ask for an apology.” He hissed.

 “I know, I’m sorry.” You blubbered.

 “Come. Here.” Chisaki demanded.

 You obeyed, struggling to adjust your skirt as you approached him from around his desk.

 “I didn’t tell you to touch your clothes.” His tone was quiet and constrained yet sharp as a razor’s edge, each word uttered with meticulous precision.

 You stared at him in shock as you slowly removed your hands from your rumpled clothing.  His eyes raked over you, top to bottom, and left you feeling... exposed.

 “Look at you...” he grumbled.  “Disgusting.”

 His mask was unnerving, blocking the lower half of his face and keeping you from being able to fully read his facial expression.  His gold eyes were threatening – predatory like a wolf.

 He was going to kill you.  You knew it was coming. He’d killed others for far less.  But you weren’t ready for it.  You didn’t want to die.

 You dropped to your knees and bowed low in front of him, shrinking yourself to fit beneath his harsh glare.  “Please, Mr. Chisaki-“

 “Overhaul.”

 “Overhaul!” you corrected, as you bowed your head lower to the ground. “Please forgive me.  I meant no disrespect.”

 “No disrespect?” he sneered.  “You debase yourself in my seat, my place of business, and claim no disrespect??”

 His left hand reached forward at lightning speed and grabbed you by your hair, forcing your head back until you were looking him straight up at him.  You winced against his harsh hold on you, yet clenched your teeth in an effort to keep your silence.  He glared down at you as his next words came out through what you could clearly hear as clenched teeth.  

 “Clean it up.”

 With that, he shoved you away from him. On shaking, clumsy legs you pushed yourself to your feet and made your way back to his desk, your skin hot with shame and your ears ringing.  

 You did as he commanded, grabbing the cleaning solution and spraying his seat before carefully, meticulously, wiping every inch of the rich leather.  Minutes passed in silence as you made sure that no spot went unnoticed, even ensuring that the table was once again cleaned as well. By the time you had finished, Kai’s temper seemed to have dwindled to a simmering flame.  His hands were no longer clenched in fists at his sides. Instead, they were tucked deep into his pockets as he supervised you.  It did little to comfort you though... you knew that Chisaki’s reflexes were faster than you could dodge.  He’d catch you before you even reached the door.

 Not that you’d try to.  You knew better.

 When the chair was finally pristine, you disposed of the last of the soiled paper towels in the wastebin and returned the cleaning solution to its home. The task was done, but you didn’t stop. You picked up the trash can with the intent of disposing of its contents; you knew Chisaki wouldn’t want it sitting in his office.  

 It was all to buy you time. Time to figure out what to say or what do to convince Chisaki to spare your life.  But you didn’t even make it to the door before Chisaki’s voice halted your retreat.

 “Where do you think you’re going?”

 “I... I was just...” you stammered.

 “I didn’t give you permission to leave.”

 You swallowed and set down the trashcan.  He approached you slowly, until he was a mere few inches from you. He was so close that you could smell his cleanliness and see the pupils of his eyes dilate as he stared at you.  Slowly, he grabbed the mask that was covering your mouth and nose and removed it from your head.  You stopped breathing.

 There was something... electric in the air.  You could feel it on your skin, making your hairs stand on end and your flesh tighten with goosebumps.  His eyes peered at you intently, taking in every subtlety of your face.  Your lips, your eyes, your skin... and beneath the weight of his stare, you could feel the fear start to transform, replaced by something else entirely.  Something familiar that’d been plaguing you for months, lighting your veins with fire and threatening to incinerate you if it wasn’t released.  After all, part of his allure was the danger. And he hadn’t killed you yet, which meant... something.

 Chisaki’s gaze began to wander beyond just your face, taking in your still rumpled clothes.  The top couple buttons of your blouse were undone, exposing the skin of your neck and the edges of your bra.  Your skirt was still askew, and although he couldn’t see it, you became acutely aware of your still-damp underwear trapped between your folds from when you had hastily closed your legs earlier.  You stared back at him, waiting for him to do something, say something.

 And that’s when you noticed it... a faint flush across his pale cheeks, peaking out from beneath his mask. His chest was rising and falling with each breath, and it was as if he were contemplating something, silently weighing a decision in his closed-off mind.

 A strange bubbling sensation began to build within your chest, foreign and oddly out of place.

 Hope.

 Finally, Chisaki spoke, his voice unusually calm considering the trouble you were in.  “Follow me.”

 Not one to disobey him, you did as he requested as he made his way over to his desk and sat down in his chair.  Then, with an open hand, he gestured at his desk.

 “Sit.”

 Confusion.

 “W-What??” you stuttered.

 “I said sit.” He replied.

 You did as Chisaki commanded, fitting yourself between his legs and his desk before hopping up slightly onto the surface you’d just cleaned. You were right in front of him now, your hands in your lap and your ankles crossed as you realized just how perfect this arrangement was for him to see directly up your skirt.  You worried your lip between your teeth as you watched him assess you.  His elbow was resting on the armrest of his chair, his fingers supporting his face along the jawline as he stared at you with his head cocked at an angle. If it were any other situation, you’d say he looked almost bored... but the glint in his eyes spoke of something else entirely.

 “Continue.” He stated.

 “What? What do you mean?” you asked.

 His eyes stared at you knowingly.  “You didn’t get to cum, did you?”  You shook your head, stunned at his words.  “Continue.” He repeated.

 “Right here?”

 “Where else?  It was good enough for you earlier.”  His tone dropped slightly as his eyes narrowed.  “Continue.”

 Your heart pounded in your ears as you uncrossed your ankles, and with shaky hands began to trace your fingers up your thighs just as you had done before. Except this time, the experience was entirely different. Instead of closing your eyes like before, you kept them open to stare at your observer, watching for his reaction.  So many times you’d fantasized about this... about his eyes being on you and only you... and you weren’t going to miss a moment of it.

 With your eyes locked on each other, you inched your way up to the space between your thighs, your legs parting to grant you access.  Chisaki didn’t look down.  Not right away, at least.  Instead, he continued to watch your face, his body still and silent.  With the heat of his gaze on you, you finally reached your center where your warmth greeted you.  It was still slick from earlier, your fingers sliding easily along your labia as you began to tease yourself for the second time that evening.  You let out slow, shaky breaths as your fingers rubbed slow, lazy circles over your glossy lips.  

 Chisaki still didn’t break his gaze from your eyes, and a part of you wanted him to.  You wanted him to acknowledge what you were offering him and know that he liked it. A small, devious smirk found itself on your lips as you pulled your fingers away from your pussy to show him the evidence of your arousal stretched across your fingers.  It caught his attention just briefly, eyes flicking to your display, before he watched you lick the glistening strands from your fingertips, the soft sounds of your sucking filling the empty, quiet room.

 Chisaki’s eyes narrowed, and the smirk on your face widened.  Soon your fingers were back between your legs, massaging your clit again as your skin began to feel flush with heat.  Round and round the pads of your fingers went, with painstaking slowness that you drew out just for him.  You wanted to show him how good his presence made you feel.  You wanted him to see how badly you wanted him.  Your lips became more swollen, your clit more sensitive. Already you could start to feel the tension build.  It was almost too easy, your body ready to surrender at the drop of a hat.  But you weren’t going to let it happen, not yet at least.  You wanted to draw this out, to savor it in case it never happened again.

 With half-lidded eyes you stared at him as you parted you folds for him, fully exposing yourself. For the first time, his eyes drifted from your face to stare directly at your desire for him – your tight hole open and waiting, every inch of your swollen cunt drenched in glistening arousal.  Chisaki was captivated and you felt your blood surge.  You needed more. With your fingers still spreading yourself open, you dipped your middle digit into your tight heat.   Pleasure bloomed within you and a soft groan vibrated from the back of your throat. With each draw of your fingers, your breaths quickened, your back arching as the tension began to build.

 You struggled to keep your eyes open, to watch Chisaki as you brought yourself closer to orgasm, but it became increasingly difficult. You were single-focused now, chasing your much-needed release with each plunge of your finger into your soft depths.  Your body accommodated it welcomingly, and so you added a second, once again relishing in the renewed stretch that caressed your inner walls. The faster you pumped your fingers, the better it felt until your nerves were singing that familiar hum.  You flowed seamlessly into the final phase, your wet fingers leaving your entrance in favor of rubbing hard, fast circles over your clit.  The finish line was in sight now as your body sprinted with tense, aching muscles and breathy moans.

 You came with a gasp, back arching and thighs twitching as you rode out your orgasm. As you neared the end of it, you dipped your fingers in one last time as your walls gave one last final spasm of pleasure.  Gradually the wave of your euphoria calmed, returning to the gentle, lapping waters of desire that still moved within you to the rhythm of your heartbeat.

 You opened your eyes to see Chisaki still staring at you silently, his eyes once again locked onto yours. The flush across his cheeks was very much apparent now, yet his posture remained unmoved. Still, out of curiosity, you dared a quick glance down to his lap to see his hand strategically placed over the bulge in his pants.  Was he trying to hide it?  Because he was failing.  Or was he stroking himself through his clothes when you weren’t looking?

 “Again.” He ordered.

 Your eyes bulged.  “Again?”

 He didn’t bother to answer, instead waiting silently.  You were a bird trapped in the golden cage of his eyes as your mind struggled to recover enough from the hazy aftereffects of your orgasm to think straight.  He wanted you to do it again?

 At first you were hesitant. You knew your body was still sensitive from what had just transpired.  But then again… your eyes stared at Chisaki’s crotch again as he waited for you.  No doubt he saw you staring, yet he did nothing, said nothing.  It almost felt like an invitation… or a dare.  Do it again and see what happens.

 Fuck. You’d already gotten under his skin... might as well see how deep you could go.

 Between your orgasm only moments before and the juices still coating your pussy, the sensations of your touch at first felt almost... numb.  Except for your clit.  That part was still sensitive, making your muscles twitch and your breath hitch in your throat as you moved your fingers over it experimentally. You kept your touch gentle at first, careful to give your body time to respond as you reawakened the lust that still lurked in your core.  With dark eyes you began to stroke yourself for him again, pulling soft pleasurable moans from your gently parted lips.  It was definitely more intense this time, and you could already tell that this next orgasm would surpass the one before it.  Still, you drew it out as you watched Chisaki.  Or, more specifically, watched his free hand.

 It didn’t take long... you watched his fingers grip around his hard-on through his pants, his hand slowly moving up and down his restricted length.  You bit your lip at the sight and immediately felt a generous wave of hot arousal bloom between your legs, your nipples hardening achingly.  It wasn’t enough to capsize you into ecstasy, but it certainly pulled a needy whimper from your lips.  

 You dipped your fingers into yourself, feeling your walls flutter as you imagined what it would feel like to have Chisaki inside of you.  With each curl of your fingers the heat grew, like the sun reaching its zenith.  You wanted it.  You wanted to cum so badly.  But you wanted to see him even more.  So, you neglected your puffy clit in favor of unbuttoning your blouse just enough to grant you access to your sensitive breasts.  You pushed aside the cup of your bra to free the plump flesh, the bud at its center tightly puckered.  With deft fingers you massaged the soft skin before rolling the nipple slowly between your fingers, pulling more soft gasps and gentle hums from your lips.  The more you groaned and teased yourself, the more Chisaki stroked himself as he watched you, his eyes glowing with hunger.

 It wasn’t until you began to lose yourself, your eyes beginning to drift closed as you moaned and whined to the ebb and flow of your pleasure, that your patience was finally rewarded.

 You could hear it over the sounds of your lewdity – the ‘click click click’ of a zipper being pulled down.  You opened your eyes, not even attempting to hide your eagerness, as Chisaki freed his cock from his pants.

 It was beautiful just like the rest of him; long with a slight curve, its tip red and shining with precum.  Veins stood out in relief, trailing his length like vines, thick and beautiful. You swallowed at the sight of it, desperately wanting to know what it would feel like to have that in you.

 You hadn’t realized your own movements had frozen until Chisaki’s smooth voice cut through your thoughts.

 “I didn’t tell you to stop.” He said, as cool and professional as ever as if he didn’t currently sit before you with his dick in his hand.  

 He was gloating, you knew it... your stunned silence at the sight of his cock stroked his ego just as much as you touching yourself for him did. And you knew that, above all else, Chisaki loved to have his ego stroked.

 “Y-yes Mr. Chisaki...” you whispered, before your fingers began moving again.

 You continued to stroke and play, penetrate and rub as you watched him take his long cock in his hand and begin long, steady strokes.  Even now, he still kept his gloves on, and somehow that made his every move even hotter.  He was no longer propping his face up with his other hand.  Now, he was sitting up straight, eyes on your needy cunt as you put on your show for him.  You could see it, the tension in his temple that came and went, hear the ragged, quick draws of his breaths through his mask.  Your own arousal grew in response, egged on by him searching for his own sweet relief at the lewd sight of you.  It blossomed like a watered seed as you drank in the man in front of you – his hand pumping, precum dripping.

 It was the push your sensitive body needed.  You came surprisingly fast, your orgasm crashing over your body with greater intensity than the first.  Moans and gasps ripped from your throat as your body spasmed, and you made no effort to quell your cries, too consumed by your own pleasure.  With eyes squeezed shut, your hips rocked as you grinded yourself against your hand, your entire body singing in unbridled bliss.

 You were given no respite.  As soon as the pleasure eased just enough for your hips to still, Chisaki spoke.

 “Again.”

 Your eyes, still closed, flew open to look at him with incredulity.  You weren’t even recovered yet, your cunt still twitching with the aftershocks of pleasure. You knew that touching yourself without some sort of break was going to lead you down a jagged, torturous road of overstimulation.  It made your legs start to close up instinctually in denial.

 Your mouth moved silently before you pushed the words out.  “B-But... I can’t....”

 Chisaki’s eyes narrowed, his brows lowering... and along the edge of his mask, you could see his cheeks lift slightly.  He was smirking at you. Cruelly.  

 “You can, and you will.” He said.  A wave of his fingers told you to reopen your legs for him, and you did, slowly, as if you were a puppet on strings.  “Again.” He repeated.

 Chisaki took a moment to remove the glove from his stroking hand before giving his cock a couple more languid strokes.  You stared at the exposed skin in awe.  It was everything you imagined it’d be... pale, smooth, nails clean and perfectly trimmed.  Between his hard cock and his ungloved hand, you stared in shameless longing as an excited chill coursed down your spine.  Maybe… maybe if you were good…

 You swallowed the dryness in your throat and returned your fingers to your core, flinching as you brushed against your sore, overstimulated clit.  Chisaki returned to pleasuring himself as you performed for him, his hand pumping steadily.  Watching him masturbate to you was delicious.  He didn’t rush, instead opting to taking his time, his hand moving smoothly from base to tip, occasionally pausing to run his precum over the head, the shine glinting in the light.  You subconsciously licked your lips, wondering what it would taste like. Would you lick it from his tip? Or his finger?  Maybe both?

 You matched your pace with his, letting his own strokes guide your hand.  The synchrony made your pussy ache more than ever, even as your body screamed for freedom – a break from the constant wave of stimulation that you were subjecting yourself to.  It made you feel closer to him, more connected - as if he were a part of your pleasure without actually touching you.

 But dear God, you desperately you wanted him to touch you.

 He continued his strokes, slow and easy.  Whether it was for him or for you, you weren’t sure... you weren’t even sure if he was aware that you were pacing yourself with him.  His speed gradually quickened, the muscles of his forearms tensed and twitching as he pumped his hard cock with growing fervor. It was the hottest thing you’d ever seen, his eyes starting to roll back in his head as he began to lose himself to the pleasure, legs twitching slightly as he came close... Your heart pounded with excited anticipation as you dipped your fingers into your core, feeling your walls flutter with need.  It was happening... he was going to cum...

 But he never did.  Instead, his pace began to slow as his eyes refocused on you. That was when you realized….

 Chisaki wasn’t trying to cum yet… he was edging himself.

 Maybe he was waiting for you.  Or maybe he had his own agenda.  But either way, it was clear to you that he was delaying his orgasm.

 The hypocrite.

 Still, you wanted to please him. You wanted to give him want he wanted, because then maybe he could give you what you really wanted.  But no matter how hard you tried, no matter how fucking hot the entire situation was, your own orgasm evaded you.  

 It was more than just the repeated orgasms and overstimulation.  The real issue was that your fingers no longer satisfied. Not after seeing what he had to offer, and certainly not after seeing how horny you made him.  You wanted him to touch you, to put his hands on you, to feel his cock in you... A frustrated whine escaped your lips as you felt your resolve break.

 “Please, Mr. Chisaki...” you begged.  Chisaki’s eyes left your open pussy to lock with yours.  Their golden depths burned holes into you, and you licked your lips under the heat of his stare. “Please touch me...”

 Chisaki froze mid-stroke.  “Touch you?” He said it as if the idea repulsed him, yet his eyes betrayed him as he looked back down between your open legs.

 “Please,” You begged.  “Don’t you want to?”

 His brow was deeply furrowed, and you knew he was having his internal debate, just as he’d had before.  After all, what you were asking was no small order.  You knew how he felt about touch.  No doubt he would have already been balls deep in you had it not been an issue for him.

 But that was why you begged. And pleaded.  And groveled.  Anything to make him set aside his golden rule, even if just for one night.

 “Please...” you whined one last time.  “I’ll do anything.  I need you, Kai...”

 Something about you using his given name did something.  His eyes widened slightly, his flush reaching down to his exposed neck.  Then his eyes narrowed, as he stood from his seat.  You watched with a mix of excitement and trepidation as he carefully removed his jacket and loosened his white tie.  He towered over you, his stare pinning you somewhere between his contempt and his hunger as he undid the cuffs of his black shirt and rolled up his sleeves to the elbows. It made your pussy throb and your heart pound as you stared back at him, completely vulnerable.  He stepped forward slightly, filling the space between your legs with his presence.  Even just the graze of his pants against the inside of your knee was enough to set off fireworks on your skin, causing your breath to hitch in your throat.  His cock was still out and hard, mere inches from your tight, needy cunt, and it took every ounce of willpower not to scoot down and close the gap between you.

 You waited.

 “Touch you...” he muttered through his mask, his voice low.

 Chisaki’s eyes raked over you, taking in every inch of you.  Your trembling, parted lips and large pupils; your exposed breast with its perky, hard nipple; your swollen and glossy cunt framed in ruined underwear that was carelessly shoved aside; the sweat from your thighs coating his desk.

 “So fucking filthy.” He breathed.  The profanity sounded strange on his lips, almost more like a prayer than an insult.

 He stared at one of your thighs as he slowly placed a warm, gloved hand on it. You reacted immediately, gasping at his touch, and his eyes darted to yours.

 “...And needy.” He added.

 From your peripheral you could see his other hand grip his cock and begin to pump it. You tried to watch... you wanted to watch.  But the heat of his hand on your thigh made nearly everything else fade away until it was all you cared about.  Your breaths began to come in hot pants as your body trembled beneath him.

 “I didn’t realize that you were so desperate for me.” He said calmly as he continued to stroke himself.  His gloved hand squeezed your soft flesh until you were moaning from the mixture of pleasure and pain. “Pathetic.”

 You were pathetic.  But you didn’t care.  You’d say anything, do anything, just to have him keep touching you.  And if he wanted you to beg?  To cry? To humiliate yourself to earn his cock?  You’d do that too.

 His hand slowly eased its grip as it began to move up, up, up until his thumb nestled in the crook of your thigh, just shy of your sensitive, swollen folds. Your hand immediately made way for his as you laid down completely onto his desk, your world spinning.  A warmth fell over you like a blanket, every fiber of your being pulsing at a low hum; you were a glass vibrating at a frequency just shy of shattering.

 Chisaki’s voice floated through your haze like a faraway song carried on the wind. “You were so eager at first.  So willing to shame yourself – shame me – to get what you wanted.”  He scoffed. “Now you can’t even do as I say.”

 You could feel his thigh twitch against yours as he began to pump himself faster. His cock was so close to your pussy that it was torturous.  It made you want to cry.  You could feel the warmth of fresh juices begin to flow from you, coating your entrance in invitation, as you prayed to all the gods above and below for him to enter you without mercy.

 But it never came.  And his hand never ventured further.  Slowly, your thoughts trickled back ever so slightly, and you realized he was waiting for you to speak.  Slowly, around a heavy tongue, you made clumsy words.  “I... I’m sorry...I’m trying... is hard...”

 Chisaki tsked.  “You’re afraid.  Afraid of pushing past your limits. So now I’m going to help you.”

 His gloved thumb crossed the threshold to your swollen bud, and your world exploded into color as a sharp zing of pleasure erupted from between your legs. You cried out, your body spasming, hips writhing to escape his touch. It was too much...

 “Where do you think you’re going?” he demanded.

 Then he did something you didn’t expect – his bare hand released his cock and slammed down onto the desk.  The surface rippled beneath you, transforming until smooth arches of dark mahogany wrapped themselves over your arms, effectively pinning you down.

 Your heart pounded wildly in your chest, your breaths coming out in quick, panicked gasps.

 “Kai!” you protested.

 He bent over you and grabbed your jaw in his gloved hand, his plague doctor mask inches from your face. “You wanted me to touch you,” he whispered.  “Now you’re going to get what you asked for.”

 The look in his eyes wasn’t as controlled as before.  Sure, the disgust and hunger were still there.  But there were more emotions now, peaking through the cracks of his practiced façade.  Anger, contempt, fear, desire, longing... and something else; something wild and unhinged.

 Something within him was on the verge of breaking, of being set free, and you were the one responsible.

 He straightened himself up and returned his gloved hand to your sopping core, his cock once again in his bare hand.  His thumb found its home again, nestled firmly against your engorged clit.

 He wasn’t gentle, he wasn’t slow.  Instead, his thumb ran swift, relentless circles, the digit igniting every frayed nerve. Each swipe had you crying out as wave after wave of sharp, jagged pleasure assaulted you, without so much as a second of recovery in between.  And as Chisaki raced you towards that inevitable cliff, his own hand pumped himself hard and fast.  His strokes began to become erratic, his composure slowly slipping as you began to unravel before him, your whines and cries luring him to follow you to the point of no return.  You could feel his own legs began to spasm against your inner thighs, his hips beginning to jut forward with each drag of his palm along his hard shaft.  The gap between your two bodies began to close, until you could feel the tip of him brush against your core. In that instant, you came undone beneath him with his name spilling from your drooling lips.

 The temptation was too much.  He entered you as you came, his cock burying itself within your clenching walls with a single thrust.  Your legs wrapped around him instantly as your body exploded into a mess of tears, shrieks, and trembles.  With one hand on your hip and one working your clit, he fucked you through your orgasm as you cried and panted, his own grunts joining your one-person symphony as you felt every fiber of your being shatter with white hot pleasure. It was all-consuming, disorienting.  You weren’t even sure you were a person anymore.  You could feel nothing else, see nothing else except the man inside of you, hovering over you, filling your existence.

 It didn’t stop. Even after you were a blubbering mess, tears streaming down your cheeks, your thighs and cunt sore, Chisaki kept going, his cock reaching new depths as it dragged against your spasming, sensitive walls.  His breaths were heavy, each pant labored until he ripped his mask off his face.  It was like a switch had been flipped, changing Chisaki from a man in control to nearly animalistic.  Teeth bared, sweat beading across his forehead, golden eyes absolutely feral. His thrusts took you past your orgasm, unrelenting, and you cried and babbled for him to stop, it was too much, your body couldn’t take anymore.  But even as your string of incoherent words begged for the end, your body spoke of a different kind of freedom, your legs tightening around Chisaki’s waist in an effort to pull him impossibly deeper into you.

 Chisaki snarled, releasing his hand from your cunt as he continued to fuck you, and removed his remaining glove with his teeth.  Suddenly, the white fabric was being shoved into your mouth, gagging your broken words behind its white cotton that smelled and tasted of you.

 “Shut up.” He growled.

 You could see the hives breaking out across his damp, flushed skin now at the contact, but it no longer seemed to matter to him.  And it didn’t matter to you either.  You were wrapped up delirium, your eyes glossing over and rolling into your head with each drive of Chisaki’s hips. Your hips couldn’t even keep up with his thrusts anymore; his movements were too rough, too fast.  All you could do was lay there and receive him as he pounded you without restraint.  That familiar knot was forming again, a dark beast built from the broken pieces of the last. It was a terrifying thing, a formidable presence that you felt building within yourself that would surely decimate you.

 “This is what you really wanted, isn’t it?” Chisaki grunted through clenched teeth. “You wanted me to fuck you senseless, to ruin this tight pussy of yours like the greedy, selfish bitch you are.”

 His words washed over you and you gave the faintest of nods, your mouth still gagged.

 “So, you’re going to take what I give you. You’re going to cum when I say, as often as I say.”  His cock hit deep as his thumb gave a final press against your clit. “Now.”

 You screamed around the cotton in your mouth, back arching and arms straining against the wood trapping you as the tension finally erupted.  It tore through your veins, making your fluids gush and your pussy clench like a vice around Chisaki’s pumping cock.  Not a moment later, you heard him groan followed by the hot sensation of his cum coating your walls.  It only enhanced the waves of pleasure still wrecking you and your pussy milked him greedily as he emptied himself in you.

 The comedown felt like it would never arrive. Your nerves still sang too loudly, the aches echoed too deep.  But finally, Chisaki’s hips stuttered to a stop and your own body lay limp beneath him. It felt like you were submerged under water, every sense dulled or muted, as you stared hazily at the ceiling.  Chisaki was still in you, his dick twitching sensitively each time your body gave a weak aftershock. You had thought he would pull out, leave you there like the ruined mess you were to go clean himself up.  Now doubt he’d return to his senses any moment and be repulsed by what transpired.

 But he never did.  Instead, he braced himself over you, his heavy, hot breaths coating your exposed skin as he settled through his own comedown while you warmed his cock.  You felt the desk ripple beneath you and suddenly your arms were freed from their restraints, the wooden surface back to its original state.  A moment later, he filled your view as he leaned over you, and you had a brief moment of panic, wondering if you were next. Was he going to overhaul you now? After all, he got what he wanted...

 But he never did that either.  Instead, he removed the glove from your mouth as his eyes traced over your face, marking every feature, every nuance.  Your parted, chapped lips... your glossy, sweat-stained skin... the exhaustion in your eyes...  His thumb came up to wipe away at the tears drying along your cheekbones before running the smooth pad over your lower lip.

 Then he did something you didn’t anticipate, something that surprised you above all else. He bent down and captured your mouth with his, his wet tongue gliding into your stunned, open mouth.  It was strangely slow, uncharacteristically tender, and entirely unexpected.  The fog you’d been swimming in a moment before lifted slightly, and you began to kiss him back, your arm wrapping up around his shoulders before tangling your fingers into his damp, auburn locks at the base of his neck.

 Whatever it was, it was short-lived.  He brought a hand up to grasp the hand you had around his neck, his fingers twining with yours as he placed your hand back down on the desk, pinning you within his hold. He pulled away from the kiss and stared down at you with a dark smirk tugging the corners of his wet lips.  And his eyes... his eyes burned gold like the sun. Not a beautiful, gentle gold that kissed open delicate flowers and melted winter snow.  No, this was a force of unrelenting destruction, the kind that burned deserts, scorched forests... and melted wax wings.

 You were Icarus, fueled by foolishness and arrogance. You’d flown too close, fueled by a false sense of confidence that you could handle whatever it was that lurked within him, that your lust was enough to match his.  But you were quickly learning you couldn’t.  His fire burned too hot, his hunger too deep. He was going to devour you until there was nothing left.  And really, what did you expect from a man who denied himself every human urge in his quest for perfection?  

 The sun could never be controlled.

 And Pandora’s box can never be closed.

 Slowly, he lowered his face next to yours until you could feel his lips brush against the shell of your ear.

 “Again.”

[night-unfurls-its-splendour]

The Critique of Manners Part VI

~Or~

An Attempt at an Objective Review of Emma (2009)... VOLUME TWO

Haha, bitches you didn't think I could wait a whole week did you? Nah, not me. and guys, I added to it--all total, it's 9,023 words now. this half of the review is 5,214. HOW DO I HAVE SO MANY WORDS FOR THIS THING? I'm not gonna split it into a third part, because I don't need to for picture limit purposes, but buckle in.

If you didn't catch it, read part 1 here

Here it is, the stunning conclusion to my Emma Adaptation Review series (but this isn't really the end because I plan on doing some rankings later). In this half of my review of BBC'S Emma (2009) we'll discuss Costumes and all the very specific things that I love about this version, and some things I don't like, and some things I'm here to defend.

Let's dive in!

Costumes

Generally I liked these costumes pretty well. They were designed and facilitated by Rosalind Ebbutt, also known for her work on PBS’s Victoria and Vanity Fair (1998). And her work is, as her filmography would suggest, by turns, great and so-so.

These costumes are definitely in line with the adaptation’s general aesthetic: warm pinks and golds, with mints emeralds and blues to cool it off a little, are the order of the day. I really appreciate that every character has a definite color palette. The tradeoff is that this adaptation is the WORST EVER offender for the Jane Fairfax Blue™ trope.

Daywear

Emma’s daywear is full of warm and muted colors. Salmon and magenta are commonly seen. I love that most of Emma’s daywear consists of sleeveless or short-sleeved gowns with wide-sleeved linen blouses underneath. It’s not a commonly seen aesthetic so it feels light and fresh. My favorite of Emma’s daywear dresses is the pale yellow with purple floral print.

There’s one other in particular that I love.

Emma’s blue, sleeveless dress. I love this because of HOW OBVIOUSLY it’s a reference to this portrait of Charlotte, Princess of Wales. I mean...

I’M NOT IMAGINING THIS, RIGHT? WHY DOES NO ONE TALK ABOUT THIS? This is a REAL dress. They still have this exact gown of Princess Charlotte’s. It’s on display. It’s faded, but it’s the same dress.

Harriet has a fresh and innocent green, white and purple color scheme with healthy doses of peach and pink showing. I particularly like her white and purple floral print dress.

Mrs. Weston’s color palette varies, but leans heavily on tans and purples, which is very flattering, I must say, to Johdi May’s coloring and is really refreshing for Mrs. Weston who seems to get stuck in pinks and yellows a lot. No idea what’s going on with the laced-front dress though? This doesn’t quite read as authentic to me, but I do like that her first dress seems to be an apron-front.

I know I already said that this is the worst Jane Fairfax Blue™ offender, but guys I can’t stress it enough. WE ARE 5/5 ON DAYWEAR HERE. LOOK AT THAT. (Also of note, Jane 5 is one of Gwyneth Paltrow’s dresses from the '96 Emma.)

Mrs. Elton seems, at all times, to be wearing some form of pink, but I think I’m right in saying that the white day dress with the rose patterned bodice under the yellow and pink spencer is one of Jane’s dresses from P&P ’80. Can anyone confirm that? They did sneak in some Mrs. Elton Orange™ though, for Box Hill, and it’s worth noting that Mrs. Elton is the only lady who’s appropriately dressed on that occasion.

Isabella gets some understated day gowns that are very nice and also VERY “Jane Austen” in the sense that I feel like Jane Austen herself might have worn them.

Miss Bates, unfortunately is slapped with brown at just about every turn, but at least her “Nice” day outfit has some subtle leaf patterns, which is refreshing. Also Mrs. Goddard has a slappin’ cap. Love that.

Also, Harriet’s Grecian costume for the painting (upper right hand corner). What can I say, but that I love it. I love that it hints at the neoclassical influences on Regency fashion too. This is my favorite interpretation of the painting too.

Evening Wear

You know what I love about this version? It’s the first version of Emma where her gown for the Crown in Ball isn’t WHITE. I know, I know white was fashionable, but it’s just… it’s nice for not EVERY gown in a ball scene to be plain white friggin muslin and also, it’s not one she’s ever worn before, which is great.

Harriet does have only white evening gowns but that’s okay. My only complaint is that, specifically on her Crown Inn dress and in a lot of her costumes in general, the waistline seems just a little low. Hmm. I really like the pale blue pattern on her first evening dress though.

Mrs. Weston though. Woo. Look at those. She has a dark chartreuse gown with black lace trim that any other version would have put on Mrs. Elton, so you know from the dark tones that she’s a bitch. Not so with Emma '09, and that’s good. And her teal dinner number is a favorite of mine. I never paid much attention to her green and gold ball gown but it has some really beautiful, subtle leaf or maybe peacock feather patterns on it and I love that. My only problem is that there seem to be some fit issues. She’s got muffin top way too often. Her orange evening dress is a bit of a dud though, firstly, because it has long sleeves (which is an evening gown no-no) and the fabric slaps a bit too much of sari fabric for my tastes.

Jane, not only is put in blue with both of her evening gowns (although one is so pale it borders on white), ONE of them is another Emma ’96 repeat and not only that, it’s one of Jane Fairfax’s dresses in that film! Perhaps that’s enough to make it an homage, and I have to say, I think Laura Pyper wore it better.

Miss Bates only has one evening wear ensemble, but at least it’s cream and not brown.

Mrs. Elton’s gowns are surprisingly understated, and yet still seem to be annoyingly fussy and, what’s better? They’re not sickly green. One of them is actually a very pleasant mint.

Outerwear

Outerwear is roundly pretty great here. Emma’s primary choice of color for spencers is emerald/evergreen and one of them is Elizabeth’s Bennet’s from the 1995 P&P (though to be honest, I think Jennifer Ehle filled it out better.) I do love Mrs. Elton’s pink and yellow number with the slashed sleeves. Jane Fairfax’s only spencer is, you guessed it, blue, but her friend Miss Campbell has a rather fun mauve one.

There’s no shortage of pelisses and redingotes either. Harriet can be seen in one borrowed from Elinor Dashwood in the '08 S&S, Mrs. Weston has a rather fabulous purple one which she wears with the most delicious looking hat I’ve ever seen.

Emma has two. The first one is a great magenta number with military braiding (and I think she wears with it one of the brown slouch hats that Kate Beckinsale wore in the same role) and while the other pelisse is brown, they had the sense not to make her wear a hat with it that was also brown. Instead, they gave her a contrasting color. Good on ya, Rosalind!

Speaking of hats, I don't often single them out for commentary, but I want to here because… the hat authenticity is… kinda spotty. Let me show you.

Okay first of all, Emma may be a teenager in this pic on the upper left, but she is not dressed formally enough for her sister’s wedding (which is what’s going on in this scene) but at least her hat is pretty good. You can see the ribbons are on the inside of the hat here, which is as it should be… but she never wears this hat again. At any point in the series. Instead, we next see her in the one on the upper right and ye gads this is atrocious. WHY IS HER HAT NOT PINNED ON? IT’S SLIDING DOWN THE BACK OF HER HEAD. SOMONE FIX IT. PLEASE. But wait, there’s more. This kills me because these bottom two are so similar to the one she wore earlier (the correct one) but crappier looking. Jeez.

This is not a hat. It’s a peanut. You know who doesn’t have this problem? Harriet. She only has one sun hat but at least it’s correct.

I also wanna touch briefly on this ^ costume continuity issue.

WTF is this? She’s in the hall, her ribbon is contoured to the line of her dress; she goes into the drawing room and… it isn’t anymore? Wha happun?

I took more menswear screencaps for this version than any other version. And that’s because the men just have more outfits that are, y’know, different from each other.

Mr. Knightley is as understated as ever, but I wanna highlight the first pic there and why I love it. This is Knightley’s first appearance in the series and it’s the perfect establishing shot that shows the viewer everything they need to know about Emma and Knightley’s relationship and how it has always been. He sort of materializes, out of focus in the background, but Emma immediately knows he’s there. And to accentuate how much Knightley is part of her home and scenery, his clothes (similar shades of pale tan, white and minty green to the wall behind him) almost camouflage him and make him seem at one with the moulding.

He also has a rather lovely blue evening waistcoat that I WISH I could have gotten better shot of (although I do believe it’s also worn by Henry Crawford in the '07 Mansfield Park, so for further reading…)

Mr. Weston finally gets to wear clothes that aren’t all brown! He only has ONE brown outfit. He gets PATTERNED waistcoats, one of them a rather spiffing blue and brown striped number. And he wears TROUSERS! Because he’s a gentleman, and he’s not that old and trousers are worn by fashionable gentlemen in this period!

You know who else gets to wear trousers and at least one fun waistcoat? Mr. Woodhouse. Check out that lovely Sunday Best™ waistcoat. The red striped one. That’s delightful.

John Knightley’s evening wear intrigues me. That’s a double-breasted jacket, and you know I’m not totally sure that’s very authentic for evening-wear of this period, but it is different. Unfortunately he also has a flared top hat and that is definitely not on for this period.

One of my favorite things about this version is that they don’t dress Mr. Elton as a clergyman all the time. Yes, he may be the vicar, but he’s also allowed to dress like a fashionable, handsome young man. So I’m really happy that he gets to flex his fashion muscles here.

And speaking of fashionable young men, FINALLY frank gets to be COLORFUL and his trousers are even tight enough. Both he AND Elton are often seen wearing TWO waistcoats, as I would expect them to, and even though Frank’s a dandy, he knows that flashiness is gauche so his pops of color are bright, but not in your face. His green and red waistcoats are always worn under more muted colors, and I just love it.

The only problems are… what’s with the turned-down waistcoat collars? There’s no precedent for this, in fact I think it’s directly contradictory to the style at the time, and also it makes the cravats look a bit unruly.

A Critique of Manners

A lot has been said about the manners in this adaption. Like, the actual manners, body language and facial expressions, specifically vis-à-vis Romola Garai.

And, oh yeah, there’s a lot to pick at here, but first I’d like to talk about the facial expressions.

I'm mostly gonna be talking out of my ass here, but this is my take, so if anyone can make a better argument against my points, I am listening, because I don't really like talking out of my ass and I like to be informed. That said...

I tend to be lenient on the… exaggerated facial expressions because, something I’ve noticed reading Austen’s works through the last several months is that Austen is very descriptive when it comes to facial expressions and I just find it hard to believe that people in the Regency Era never made exaggerated expressions like this.

I’ve heard a lot about how Garai’s Emma is not dignified or lady-like. But let’s think about the context of Emma Woodhouse – she’s never been in society. She’s only had a governess to teach her, and we know Emma’s always been sort of averse to being told what she can and can’t do. Emma is the highest ranking woman in her social circle (barring Isabella’s occasional presence). Emma doesn’t have to be ladylike. At 21, she’s already her local Lady Catherine. She puts a lot of stock in her position in society but, as Mrs. Elton will be the first to hypocritically point out, she’s very poorly behaved. I'd be very curious to see what would happen if Emma went to London for the season. Probably, she'd be seen, comparatively, as a country bumpkin. Can you imagine how she might get on in a sea of accomplished young ladies? She can barely handle having ONE rival with any kind of grace.

Austen never describes bodily movements of the kind we’re looking at when we watch adaptations, so why not have Emma’s body-language be un-ladylike in the conventional sense of the time? I’m not saying this to excuse the absolutely inexcusable (Frank’s head in her lap, kneeling on the sofa backwards etc.), but while Emma’s mannerisms aren’t exactly ladylike for her time, they’re not overtly masculine either (which was one of my biggest problem with Death Comes to Pemberly for example.)

Yes, there’s an ideal for manners. But we know real people didn’t always follow those ideals. In dancing for example, many dancing guidebooks of the day were full of repeated instructions not to be too loud or rambunctious when dancing. What this tells us is that people were doing just that, and probably quite a bit, too. I think that, while taking societal strictures into account, we shouldn’t totally discount the idea that people in the Regency weren’t really that different from us, and young people especially.

Now I’ve already mentioned some of the inexcusable aspects of interaction in this adaptation and they’re so notorious at this point, I don’t think that I really need to go over them much here. Although I will say: is it ridiculous to have Frank Churchill put his head in Emma’s lap? Yes. Did it make me more viscerally uncomfortable with the situation on Box Hill than any other version? Yes.

I was like, 14 when I watched this the first time. This was an effective way to telegraph to young people like me that Emma is being extremely inappropriate here in a way that no other version really managed to, even when I watched them when I was older and understood the period more. I’m far more acquainted with Regency manners than I was then, but to be honest – if they had been accurate with the manners here, when I was 14 I would not have understood what the big deal was. Is there merit in circumventing historical accuracy in favor of reaching a less-informed but still-interested audience? Yes, I think so. There were three other versions of this, at that point, that did this scene with more or less pristine manners. Not every version has to follow the manners of the time to-the-letter to be good. That’s my feeling on the matter.

There are things that do really bother me though. Like the idea that Harriet Smith doesn’t know how to spoon soup, for instance. As I said in my review for the Miramax version, table manners are pretty basic, there’s no reason Mrs. Goddard wouldn’t have taught Harriet this. It does provide a good moment to show Emma tacitly coaching Harriet and showing the trajectory in which this relationship will go, but personally I don’t think it was necessary—there are plenty of other ways that could be done.

Also: kids at the dinner table? I know this is part of building the familial atmosphere but it really does annoy me, because apart from building the familial atmosphere (which they do very well and frequently in other ways) it really didn’t need to happen, and it doesn’t add anything.

The Heart of Highbury

So, as I’ve hinted at throughout this review, the bread and butter of this adaptation of Emma is emotion. This version goes hard and heavy on showingthe relationships – Emma’s relationships with Mrs. Weston, Mr. Knightley, her father, her sister, her brother-in-law, Miss Bates; Jane’s relationship with Frank; Frank’s relationship with his father; The John Knightleys’ home life – and it illustrates things that can be surmised from just reading the story, but really draws your attention to them in ways that other adaptations just don’t.

It does this from the very beginning with the prologue which explains in detail (not just in quick exposition between characters) how Jane and Frank were separated from their families at young ages. We know now, from psychological study, that being taken away from their primary caretakers during their formative years is one of the most psychologically traumatizing things for a child. This is deeply important context which is explained in detail by the narrator in 2-3 large pages (in my Barnes & Noble anthology) in the book.

In the featurette on the houses, they talk particularly about Hartfield and the Woodhouses being the heart of Highbury and how they particularly wanted it to feel homey because Hartfield is Emma’s house and they wanted the audience to feel why everyone is so drawn to it, and to Emma; to me that is what they did with the whole adaptation in microcosm.

I usually talk a bit about the dancing and I'm going to here as well because this is maybe the most special dance scene in any Austen for me. Of course I'm going to link to Tea with Cassiane as usual because she knows what she's talking about and I don't. But I wanna add some comments. She gives this a pretty low rating in spite of a generally favorable commentary because of two big oopsies, the circle dance formation is one, and the other is I believe, an issue with the style of dance not matching the tune in Emma's dance with Knightley. Throwing out any objective technical analysis though, this is my favorite Ball in any Austen and it all comes down to the cornerstone of this adaptation--emotion.

All of the songs and dances were original compositions and choreography made for this adaptation. So they're not period per se, but the tunes at least are representative of how Regency dance music should sound. These dances are upbeat, and lively and, damn they look like fun. Everyone is excited here and it makes me understand why dancing was such a big thing. Best of all that excitement adds to the emotional charge of the scene. "The Ship's Cook" is the most fast paced dance and I'm glad they made this the dance where Elton snubs Harriet because it really hits for me just what Harriet would be missing out on if Knightley wasn't so fucking aptly named. In all other versions you get the insult, but the dance that's taking place is usually a Baroque walker so it doesn't seem terribly like she's missing out on much. Here, this is like not getting picked for kickball-- not only is it a slight that no one wants you on their team, but you miss out on even playing the game. Harriet looks so lonely, and her feeling of being out of place rolls off of Louise Dylan so forcefully it chokes me up just thinking about it because I've been there, man. I feel this shit. *dabs eyes*. Ahem. So, yes, when Knightley engages her for the dance the excitement the viewer feels is that much more forceful and Harriet's exuberantly starting to jump in when the timing is off and Knightley gently pulling her back, it just hits me in the feels center, guys. (I wanna take a moment to give a shout out to every camp counselor who ever partnered with me for any game at summer camp.) Emma's reaction too, is gold. Her genuine relief at Knightley swooping in is one of those great reminders that Emma is Harriet's friend, and she does care about her.

Finally on the dancing front, I wanna talk about Emma's dance with Knightley and why I prefer it to the one in the 2020 version. I already talked about this a bit in the 2020 review, so I'm gonna try and keep it brief. That shouldn't be too hard, because I'm probably mostly going to repeat a lot of what I've already said about Emma and Knightley in this version as a whole.

The big thing everyone loves about the Crown Inn dance in the 2020 is the yearning, the sexual tension, the quivering touches etc. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE all of those things but... not all the time. Not in everything, and definitely not in Emma. Because Emma, to me, isn't about repressed sexuality or heated tension or seething passion. Emma and Knightley are the opposite of that, to me, really. One of my mutuals put it best, I think: "Emma and Knightley are more suited to stolen glances than hot touches."

In Part 1 I talked about how Knightley is Emma's comfort object. When Emma is out of sorts, Knightley re-centers her. It helps set up, and puts emphasis on, the crisis of the story in the last act--Emma not knowing what she has until [she thinks] she's lost it. Emma and Knightley are Friends to Lovers done as it should be. She is already so comfortable with him she doesn't even realize her own feelings. She just feels right with Knightley and that's what this dance is here to show you--a foreshadowing of matrimonial harmony.

The dance itself, of course, is always up to interpretation, because Austen never describes how it goes, just that Knightley asks Emma to dance and Knightley doesn't dance (barring charitable causes). If you prefer the sexual tension take, if that, to you is an improvement on Austen's story and gives you what you've always felt was missing, I'm glad that there is a version now that gives you what you've been looking for, but for me, I think the 09 approach hits closer their dynamic in the book.

Now do I do think the Emphasis on emotion maybe went a little too earnest in some places in this adaptation? Maybe. Just a little.

In my last review (1972) I went on a rather lengthy tirade about the scene where they turn Emma’s appeals to Harriet to exert herself and move on following Mr. Elton’s marriage into Emma guilting Harriet into thinking she’s a bad friend for being heartbroken and then throwing her into the situation most likely to rub salt in that particular wound.

In this version, while I love the emphasis they put on the stress Emma puts on her own guilt for being the reason for Harriet’s situation in the first place, I think it’s maybe a little too… much.

That’s the only way I can put it. I know I’ve just said that I think there should be a bit more expressiveness in period drama, but this doesn’t quite match the way I read it (Emma’s a bit less desperate in Austen’s prose. Very dedicated to helping Harriet feel better, but just a skosh more composed). I think she’s even crying in this scene.

While we’re here let’s go over to Box Hill ONE. MORE. TIME.

First of all, this is where this screenplay shines, in my opinion. This is the big turning point in the story and as such, should be a touchstone for the judgment of any adaptation. This sequence in the 2009 version is a perfect crystallization of everything I love about this version—namely that this is the version that, to me, most feels like someone read the book thoroughly, paid attention to what Austen was describing and then actually tried to convey it on screen. A lot of other versions sort of feel (to me), like the director glanced at the page and said “here’s what I want to convey in my version”. Insofar as making a piece of art goes, that’s good. Directors are artists as much as painters are and movies are their canvass, but it’s seldom that you find a director who honestly wants to hit as close to the author intent as possible and this Box Hill sequence makes me feel like that’s what Jim O’Hanlon was going for. I have the book open next to me as I write this and it’s shocking to me how minutely the atmosphere described in the book is conveyed here. Most of all, the fact that Emma’s insulting Miss Bates is not the only thing faux pas she makes here. Box Hill as a whole is a disaster, and it’s largely because of Frank.

“When they all sat down it was better; to [Emma’s] taste, a great deal better, for Frank Churchill grew talkative and gay, making her his first object. To amuse her, and to be agreeable in her eyes, seemed to be all that he cared for—and Emma, glad to be enlivened, and not sorry to be flattered, was gay and easy too, and gave him all the friendly encouragement, the admission to be gallant, which she had ever given in the first and most animating period of their acquaintance; but which now, in her own estimation, meant nothing, though in the judgment of most people looking on it must have had such an appearance as no English word but flirtation could very well describe. “Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Woodhouse flirted excessively.” They were laying themselves open to that very phrase—and to having it sent off in a letter to Maple Grove by one lady, to Ireland by another. Not that Emma was gay and thoughtless from any real felicity; it was rather because she felt less happy than she expected. She laughed because she was disappointed…” --Emma, Chapter 43

Most other versions rush through Frank’s “excessive” flirting with Emma (Right in front of Jane) to get to “Three Things Very Dull Indeed” as fast as possible, and yes that’s the crowning horror of Box Hill, but there’s a very intricate setting here, too, and this version has the time to lay back and let it all unfold in the oppressive discomfort of an English summer day.

Even better than all of that though is Knightley confronting Emma after it all goes down. This treatment is neither plaintive, nor aggressive as it was in ‘96 and ‘97 respectively. I’ve already extolled the virtues of Johnny Flynn’s Box Hill rebuke, but for a change I’m not going to zero in on Miller’s performance which is, at least as good as Flynn’s, but on Romola Garai’s, which I find superior to Anya Taylor Joy’s. Specifically, her reaction once she’s alone.

ATJ in the 2020 version immediately breaks down sobbing and it’s hard for me to feel that she’s sobbing for “anger against herself, mortification, and deep concern” or that there’s much self-reflection going on there. To me it rather just feels like she’s crying because she got shouted at. The theatrics of it, to me, feel childish and self-centered.

I don’t feel that with Garai’s performance.

“She was vexed beyond what could have been expressed—almost beyond what she could conceal. Never had she felt so agitated, mortified, grieved, at any circumstance in her life. She was most forcibly struck . . . How could she have exposed herself to such ill opinion in anyone she valued! And how to suffer him to leave her without saying one word of gratitude, of concurrence, of common kindness!

Time did not compose her…” --Emma, Chapter 43

Of course one can make the case that Emma's reaction should be a bit childish because Emma is an immature character, but that's the thing--I can agree with you anywhere else in this story but this is Emma's maturing moment. This is her turning point as a character. It's where we should see her reactions shift from the same childish denial we're used to seeing when Knightley scolds her, because this is different. It's not the usual brushing off of big brother Knightley, this is a young woman reacting to an esteemed friend pointing out how abhorrently inappropriate she's been and her having to admit that to herself.

I didn't really want to drag comparisons to the 2020 film into this, not on this scale at least, but this just jumped out at me the last time I watched the new film and I have to express it somewhere.

What I see in Garai’s performance is desolation and mortification. That shocked tearfulness of knowing you’ve been justly reproached for wrongdoing, but being too frozen in a pretense of composure to actually cry about it until you’re quite sure that no one will see you. And especially when it’s someone you esteem rebuking you, the horror of them leaving before you can admit that they’re right. There’s so much more depth here, I think, and I can’t even quite express what it makes me feel.

The aspect of time not composing her is another thing that they decided to put stress on in this version. Emma looks fucked up in the following scenes. When she goes to see Miss Bates, she clearly either hasn’t slept or has slept very badly. I feel like this is maybe an anticlimactic conclusion to this section but I’m afraid I’m very close to reaching incoherence, so I’m just gonna leave it here.

My absolute favoritest thing about this version though—something that sets it apart from ALL other versions and even adaptations of other Austen stories—is the inclusion of the post-confession conversation.

This is something of a trope in Austen books but it very rarely finds its way into adaptations: confessions of love are out of the way, the hero and heroine settle into an easy an comfortable conversation, glowing with happiness as they explain and laugh over their actions and misinterpretations of each other’s choices. It happens in Pride and Prejudice, in Persuasion, and yes, in Emma. This is the only Austen adaptation, that I've seen, to include this kind of conversation in any kind of detail. The 1995 Pride and Prejudice alludes to the corresponding scene in it its source material, but the lines pulled from it get tossed into the confession scene itself and then it flies through to get to the obligatory wedding—a side effect of rushing through endings, a convention I’m rather tired of.

Emma (2009) takes its time with this, as with all other aspects of this adaptation. For a version that’s so full of energy, its pacing is extremely laid back and comfortable, without dragging. When you hear the gentle musical swell and Emma and Knightley have their kiss (this whole confession sequence is so sweet and wonderful in its own right), you expect that to be it. But no, we cut to them, the picture of contented happiness, sitting together on a bench overlooking Hartfield’s garden, just talking and enjoying being together, with no teasing, no pretense. If Jane Austen stories emphasize anything, it’s the importance of communication in relationships, and I think that’s maybe why she made it a point in almost every story to show her characters communicating their feelings in words, even after all the conflict has been resolved. This is my favorite scene in the whole series (In case it being my header image didn’t make that obvious.)

This is followed rather promptly by a cut to the next day, with Emma bursting in to Donwell in hysterics about how they can’t be married because she won’t leave her father alone.

This is one of those maybe over-the-top choices that a lot of people don’t like, but guys, it was so funny to me when I was fourteen and it still makes me laugh. It might seem outlandish, but to me it’s just the emphasis on personal relationships and emotion coming through again and it always makes me smile.

Final Thoughts

It’s hard for me to give a proper round up of my feelings for this section because I think I’ve poured just about all of my feelings on each aspect into its dedicated sections.

At the end of the day, the only thing that really disappoints me about this version is the number of missed opportunities there are here. One of my favorite parts of reading Austen is when I run across a line in dialogue or narrative that just… slaps. But they never make it into the adaptations. Emma is full of them and I just wish that Sandy Welch could have taken an opportunity to slip a few of them in.

In summary, I think this is a wonderful, heartfelt adaptation aimed at getting to the emotional heart of a story that often gets caught up in the Mean Girl-ness of its main character than the coming of age story that it is. It's one of my favorite period dramas because it's one of the few that really captures the spirit of the source material as it's always felt to me. There's really only two other period dramas that I esteem on the same level as this, and they're North & South (2004) and Jane Eyre (2011) and it's for the same reasons; because they impact me deeply on an emotional level--which is what art is supposed to do--because of how well it captures the essence of the story that I know and love.

So did I succeed in a more objective review of Emma 2009? I' feel like probably not. But I tried my best. It’s so hard to be objective about something that makes you as happy as this adaptation makes me.

Ribbon Rating: Most Agreeable (83 Ribbons)

Tone: 10

Casting: 9

Acting: 9

Scripting: 7

Pacing: 10

Cinematography: 7

Setting: 9

Costumes: 6

Music: 8

Book Accuracy: 8

[rathologic]

What are your character design ratings (P1 in contrast to P2, better or worse) for all Bound/ non-NPC Patho characters? :)

i love your ambition! but I'm limiting this to top 5 and worst 5 plus comments for my own sanity. since there are 24 Bound and a sum total of 34 named characters who appear (with model) in both games

gorkhon's 5 top superstars:

WOW this ended up biased a lot towards p1. in my defense p1 is better and has better characters with better designs haha

p1 rubin: rubin's size is important and by god did the character designers make the most of it. his leather outfit is A) unique, B) fairly practical, and C) homosexual (in a loving men way and an outcast breaking societal rules about bodies due to necessary and innate circumstances way), emphasizing how despite All That he leans into his own distinctiveness and trusts his abilities. it all contributes to a clear concept of his background and motivations- you can tell he's gone through a lot for his age, even while his head scar usually can't be seen without fly mode or parkour. special note to the animation where he raises his arm to match the medical poster on his wall... overall so so lovingly well done. (p2 rubin: to be discussed later)

p1 anna: just such a visually solid and interesting figure! her hair went through a lot of development stages and I think the blond wig deserves its final spot, both as a representation of her character & as a design capstone... I really love the texture and detail on her face it's just totally contradicted by the game saying she's 18. (p2 anna: give her shoes for God's sake. I can't abide like this. Decent coat but it obscures so much potential)

p1 andrey: perfect. the desaturated color of his long coat matches really nicely with his white clothing, and who can resist a guy with spurs. his red eyeshadow genuinely iconic for our 1 canon bisexual man. only complaint is I think his handkerchief was too hard to see in the game and could've been made more distinctive (p2 andrey: the color coordination gets soooo unbalanced with his chest out. #boyboss but it's really not fun to look at him)

both vlad jrs: the designers did an INCREDIBLE job of representing young vlad through his clothing, height, and mannerisms, as an anxious, unlikeable young man under a lot of pressure who tries to do his best while espousing deeply fucked up ideals... evidenced by the success of tai lopez vlad and the number of comments ive seen saying "he looks libertarian" this is stellar character design

p1 lara: her crying cat face... again a really coherent design, the purple/olive layered clothing is distinctive and pleasant to the eye. I especially like the embroidery as a hint of textile history in the patho setting and a reflection of the Town's gender roles. her hair's lovely and the sturdy boots are a perfect allusion to her family history & willingness to take action (p2 lara: hate looking at her :( they smoothed her face they took away her details. she has nothing distinctive except implausible hair physics)

honorable mention: marky mortel :) both designs slap but again p1 is more appealing in terms of varied, balanced color choices

gorkhon's cringe compilation:

2bin (p2 rubin): gets his own separate paragraph because I despise him. he looks bad I think it's perfectly in line with how deeply the writers fucked up his motivation and character but he loses so many points for his plastic looking bald head texture. doesn't even get to keep the scar! his eyes also get lightened 50% which is a baffling choice (although 2's engine is awful at displaying dark eyes anyhow)

p2 eva: sighing and moaning and sobbing. "this woman 'dresses' in skimpy and half-undone clothing because it adds to her appropriation of the kin's customs character" it really doesn't. concept art had a lovely nose but it's not IN the game. miserable. might I add the 3 primary colors are a nice attempt but not adequately balanced with yellow, which is jarring (p1 eva: honestly I do think her attire makes sense for her character in this one, and the gold/white color coordination is lovely. narrowly missed the top 5 bc she also needs shoes)

p1 victor: literally the most nothing man. guess you don't need a "character design" when you sit behind a desk anytime you're not being observed. kind of works with his being underestimated in the story but Man (p2 victor: yay he has visual personality now :) the details like his torn shirt add a lot, but they /are/ details that are sort of hard to catch)

p1 khan: off the top of my head I can't remember anything about how he looks, which is usually bad from a character design standpoint. he's an important figure and a leader of imaginative children, so it feels really jarring to have him in average normal clothing (p2 khan: also a big improvement! p2 did a lot with the Kain family resemblance, and his attire mirroring and diverging from his estranged father's slaps... however khan's haircut feels odd given the setting)

alpha marble nest georgiy: If You've Ever Seen Him, You Know