#traditional costume rental

[kinsleymorrison]

Outsourcing Retro Outfit and Traditional Costume Rental in Singapore

Finding the right retro outfit or traditional costume for your event can be a challenging task, especially in a bustling city like Singapore. Whether you're gearing up for a 70s-themed party or a cultural festival, outsourcing your outfit and costume rental can save time and effort while ensuring you look the part. 

If you are one of the people who want to go glam at parties with a cool retro or traditional outfit, this guide will help you in sourcing traditional costumes and retro outfits in Singapore, offering valuable tips and insights for a seamless rental experience.

Understanding Your Needs

The first step in outsourcing for retro outfits or traditional costumes is understanding your specific requirements. Are you attending a themed party, cultural event, or a photoshoot? Knowing the event’s theme and your role can help you narrow down your choices.

For retro outfits, identify the specific decade you want to emulate. The fashion of the 60s, 70s, and 80s each has distinctive characteristics. For traditional costumes, consider the cultural or regional specifics. Whether you need a Chinese cheongsam, an Indian saree, or a Malay baju kurung, defining your needs helps streamline the rental process.

Researching Costume Rental Shops

Singapore offers a variety of shops that specialise in retro outfits and traditional costume rentals. Conduct thorough research to find the best providers. Look for shops with a wide selection and positive reviews. Online directories and social media platforms can help locate reputable rental services.

Pay attention to the rental policies, including pricing, rental duration, and deposit requirements. Some shops may offer additional services such as tailoring adjustments or delivery and pickup options, which can be a great convenience.

Evaluating Quality and Authenticity

When renting a retro outfit or traditional costume, quality and authenticity are paramount. Authentic retro outfits can be hard to find, so ensure the shop offers genuine vintage clothing or well-crafted replicas. Examine the fabric, stitching, and overall condition of the outfits to avoid any last-minute disappointments.

For traditional costumes, authenticity is key to achieving the right look. Ensure that the costumes are made from quality materials and reflect accurate cultural details. If possible, visit the shop in person to inspect the outfits and try them on to ensure a good fit and comfort.

Considering Cost and Budget

Budget is an essential factor when outsourcing retro outfits or traditional costume rentals. Compare prices across different rental shops to find one that offers good value for money. Be mindful of hidden costs, such as late fees or damage charges.

It’s also worth considering package deals if you need multiple outfits or accessories. Some shops offer discounts for bulk rentals, which can be a cost-effective option for group events. Always read the rental agreement carefully to understand the terms and conditions.

Booking in Advance

Booking your retro outfit or traditional costume in advance is crucial, especially during peak seasons or festive periods. Early booking ensures a wider selection and avoids the disappointment of your preferred outfit being unavailable.

Most rental shops allow you to reserve outfits weeks or even months ahead of your event. Confirm the booking process and any advance payment requirements. Keep a record of your booking details and stay in touch with the rental shop to reconfirm closer to your event date.

Accessorising Your Outfit

Completing your look with the right accessories is essential. Many costume rental shops in Singapore offer a range of accessories that complement their outfits. For retro outfits, think about vintage jewellery, hats, or shoes. Traditional costumes might require specific accessories such as headpieces, footwear, or jewellery.

Ensure that the rental shop provides all the necessary accessories or consider purchasing them separately if needed. Having a complete outfit will enhance your overall appearance and ensure you stand out at your event.

Returning the Outfit

Adhering to the return policy of the rental shop is vital. Understand the return deadlines and any cleaning requirements. Some shops might handle the cleaning for you, while others may require you to return the outfit in a clean condition.

Check for any damage or wear before returning the costume to avoid unexpected charges. Keeping the outfit in good condition will also build a good relationship with the rental shop, making future rentals smoother.

Engaging with Costume Rental Shops

Effective communication with the rental shop enhances your overall experience. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek recommendations from the staff. They can offer valuable advice on fitting, styling, and accessorising your outfit.

Visiting the shop personally, if possible, allows you to see the outfits first-hand and make a more informed decision. If shopping online, ensure that the shop has a reliable customer service system for addressing any queries or issues.

For an extensive selection of retro outfits and traditional costumes in Singapore, contact Costume N Parties today for all your rental needs.

[regheart]

there's something i find particularly annoying in this fandom and it's the way purebloods are written as highly sophisticated extremely rich and straight up a rip off of regency period novels

i understand the choice of this specific portrayal, i can see it as an approximation to historical drama, where the social restrictions are compelling and are relevant to the story, and a good writer can make any concept believable and good

HOWEVER as much as the worldbuilding on wizarding costumes (and a lot of other things) is extremely inconsistent and gets progressively worse towards the later three books, the implications that i see don't point towards this version of a sophisticated performatic elite who interacts only with itself

while i tend to see the blood status in the harry potter universe as a distinction of class and not at all a distinction of race, i don't think the difference is, in practice, as marked as it is in real world contexts, mostly because of how numerically small and insulated the wizarding community is

this post is part of my personal vendetta against purebloods as charming aristocrats & what appears to be the necessity of writing each and all of them as so very well spoken and politically savvy and never-caught-dead-speaking-to-a-half-blood

for once, the sacred twenty-eight is extra canon information and is disputed IN UNIVERSE, because it was anonymously published and received backlash for the inclusion (weasley, ollivander) and exclusion (crabbe, goyle, potter) of certain names

the malfoys are the only extremely rich family we see in canon. extra canon information tells us they made money before the statute of secrecy by trading with muggles

compare that to the potters who are also very rich (there's no scale to tell us who is the richer family), but made most of their money from the invention of sleakezy in the 20th century

the blacks are also implied to be wealthy: sirius manages to live off his inheritance after buying harry an expensive broom, and he says his grandfather likely paid for an order of merlin

there's a lot to be said about the blacks (e.g. they should have at least a couple more properties other than grimmauld place), but the big picture and the similarity with the gaunts (not about the incest, stop fixating on that) suggest they were a family in decadence by the time sirius was growing up

i believe that the implication is that neither of them had a proper job, which creates a similarity with gentry, but gentry lived off rentals and while it is possible they had a country state i don't think grimmauld place was making a lot of money

lucius malfoy also didn't work and spent a portion of his time being a school counselor (and obviously not being paid for it, as it was a way to exercise his political power over the main learning institution in his community)

it's also extra canon that the nott family had equal footing with the malfoys, so we can assume that crabbe, goyle, parkinson and bulstrode were slightly beneath them, either in social standing or money, despite the later two being part of the sacred twenty-eight (or it could appear to be so because pansy and milicent are girls)

the weasleys are obviously the main example of a poor sacred twenty-eight family, as were the gaunts

the crouch family was most like rich (they could afford a house elf), but it's likely that most of that money came from mr. crouch having a high level ministry job. his family and connections were probably an advantage to getting the job, but it's possible he wouldn't be able to maintain the lifestyle without work

longbottom, prewett and macmillan are families that appear to be very traditional, but not remarkably wealthy

other working members of the sacred twenty-eight are: horace slughorn (school teacher, but it can be argued that teaching hogwarts is a prestigious position), garrick ollivander (wand maker and shop owner, but, again, the only wand maker, which holds a certain prestige in itself), mr. burke (shop owner), arthur weasley (ministry employee), frank longbottom and kingsley shacklebolt (both aurors). amycus and alecto carrow are also temporary hogwarts teachers

the blacks married out of the sacred twenty-eight many times (max, gamp, crabbe, potter)

all of these people and every single muggleborn goes to the same school, buys magical supplies at the same place, drinks from the same pubs, etc. that alone should serve as evidence that there aren't many exclusive pureblood hangouts around

the only place that seems to attract the malfoys (arguably the richest and most important pureblood family in the 90s) and not most other people, is the knockturn alley, which is hardly a high brow sophisticated spot

except for malfoy and flint, no slytherin quidditch player during the 90s is in the sacred twenty-eight, so that's hardly a criterion for making it into the team

mulciber is not a sacred twenty-eight name, they could very well be half-bloods

tom riddle and severus snape were half-blood students who formed ties with purebloods while in school and held blood supremacist views, assimilation to a certain level was possible

[stagefoureddiediaz]

RWRB costume/ colour meta!

Ok, lets do this!!

Man have I missed writing costume/colour meta, so its good to have something to write about again! This took me far far longer than it should have - I kept getting distracted by the film while I was working on this - I'd go looking for a clip or to grab a still and end up just watching the film again 😂😂😂 but I've finished it and I hope you all enjoy it! Grab a beverage of your choice because this thing is a beast coming in at over 7000 words - I totally understand if you want to skip, but I have ADHD and do not know how to be concise 😂😂😂

Red white and royal blue employs several fun and interesting costume and colour theories (also made use of in the set design) to help tell the story of Alex and Henry. I’m not going to write a detailed meta for each costume - I just don’t have the time - but I am going to look at some costume/ colour details in focus, especially for Henry and Alex as well as highlighting other interesting choices! I also do not have the picture limit (I need more than 30!!!) to include every image I would like to, so if you want to see what I'm talking about, you might have to go check out the relevant scenes (I'll try to give you timestamps where I can!) I’ve kind of tried to do things chronologically, but I’ve left Alex and Henry to the end so if I don’t talk about them very much in the rest of this meta - that is why! putting it under a cut because its so long!

The royal Wedding

There are a couple of key themes here, the wedding party (consisting Lady Martha, Bea and Henry) have a distinct colour palette - dusty blue, dusty pink and Ivory, with the exception of Prince Phillip who is in his red Dress uniform - they’ve used a red uniform to make him stand out, convey that he is more important than the bride (what with his being in line for the throne and all that jazz) and hint at power - red is a power colour. 

I’m not sure what royal orders the collar and riband that Henry is wearing are supposed to represent as they don’t belong to a specific British order - if I had to take a punt I’d say his red collar is meant to be a AU version of a Knight Grand Cross of the order of the bath but the one he’s wearing certainly isn’t a real order in the UK (it isn’t meant to be an order of the garter as that is the highest ranking order and Henry would then also be wearing the light blue riband we see on Prince Phillip) the royal blue riband with the red edging is more i line with the night grand cross of the order of Victoria, although in real life that riband should be for in the opposite direction. My feeling is that they wanted a red collar on Henry to play into the red as a symbol of power theme they’ve used on Prince Phillip, placing Henry as having the ‘power’ in his conversation with Alex (as he is on home turf) and the royal blue sash is a deliberate choice that I will talk about later when I focus in on Henry and I think its actually pretty significant as a choice. essentially the order insignia he is wearing are not real orders which is totally fine as this is essentially and au royal family!

We do have to talk about that wedding gown - not royal in the slightest - spaghetti straps and a low back would never be allowed for a royal bride, the dress is also too long on her (but that’s a different conversation about budgets and rental gowns so we’ll let it slide here!!) and her hair should also be fully up - not in the half up do she has going on! The colour is also wrong - she would have been tied to a very limited colour palette of white or ivory - no colour in a royal wedding gown, so the blush colour we see is a no go! I totally get why they did what they did with her gown in terms of colour and I’m fine with that choice (i’ll explain more in the next paragraph), I even get the fairytale princess look they were going for with that dress -  but when you’re trying to portray a family so stuck in tradition and history etc, I can’t help but feel that they missed a trick to show her as buttoned up, conforming to the crown etc, especially as we never see her again!

At the reception we see pretty much everyone in colour of some description, with the exception on Alex and Nora who are both in black - this is why Lady Martha’s wedding dress is a pale blush pink colour rather than white. The only reason that the men aren’t in colour (if they’re not in dress uniform) is because they are wearing white tie for the formality of a royal wedding, otherwise I think we would’ve seen coloured ties or some such on them. This is intentional because the room has a general (muted) wash of colour which serves to highlight Alex and Nora, making them stand out and look like they don’t really belong. 

Its a way of creating a them and us vibe and helps to establish the rivalry between Alex and Henry - we have a British scene, full of colourful clothing and the only identified foreigners are in black and white. We actually only see a black and white colour palette for the clothing of the Americans until Alex returns from his PR fix it trip to London after cakegate, while nearly all the Brits all were colour of some description - we can see this clearly in the hospital - all the children in colour, Henry in blues and - Henrys security in coloured ties while Amy is there totally in black.

Alex himself does wear navy blue but its a dark navy and that jacket is actually two tone - black and navy and its paired with black trousers in this scene - we see it again later - paired with taupe trousers which really helps to establish this idea of colour entering Alex's world once Henry is in it.

Sets

I’m going to pause on clothing here to quickly talk about the sets in the film and their colour palettes because they fall into three distinct categories;

We have the sage dusty greens, gold and bright reds of the British spaces - they have a regency and victorian air to them, all very traditional, opulent and royal in feel - they are the definition of a gilded cage and are ostentatious and Henry’s bedroom even fits into this mould (its very telling that we only see very limited physical intimacy between the two of them in this space - because its a space that neither of them truly fit or belong in) with its sagely green walls that echo the green walls of the state room the big royal family showdown occurs in. 

Then we have the creams, taupes and beiges (with a bit of minty green for the walls of oval office) of the America spaces combined with the very intentional colour choice of that rusty orange (there is also the red room but that is a whole other conversation - I’ll go into it later).

The Rusty orange is such a colour choice, its rich and eye-catching. All colours have meanings associated with them - these can vary wildly depending on where and how they are used and have both positive and negative connotations.

Generally speaking, orange is an attention grabber - its energetic and stimulating, but it also conveys transformation and endurance. This orange has brown undertones which means we should also reference brown colour meanings when thinking about what the colour means on screen - brown is a safe colour and it is also strong and reliable, but it can also portray a sense of loneliness - that is something I think is a really interesting concept - we see Henry in Alex’s world (through the text chats as well as in the first blowjob scene) on the rusty orange sofas and one of the underlying major parts of who Henry is, he is enduring like the orange (and his royal status make him an attention grabber without needing to try) but there is that underlying sense of loneliness - yes he might’ve had a crush on Alex since the climate conference, but as soon as the air had been cleared between them during the PR trip Henry reached out and pursued Alex because he was lonely and wanted a friend - not knowing if it could ever be more than a friendship.

Then, finally we have the spaces Henry and Alex occupy - spaces which are just theirs to occupy - spaces when they are themselves - these are predominately yellow and blue spaces, with some deep colours such as the teal we see on the walls of Alex’s room and the red room.

I’ll go into more detail about all the yellow and blue in this film a bit later on in this meta, but to provide a comment on the red room - red is a colour of passion and love, but this shade of red they’ve chosen maintains that orange undertone we see in the rest of the American spaces.

I wrote a post on the choice of red calla lilies and how they are both a symbol of love and commitment, as well as a phallic symbol of sexuality, and I know Alexander Hamilton was on the wall in the book, but he is there not only because he was very likely bi, but also because he was the subject of what is known as the first political sex scandal - something our boys are essentially also themselves going to end up becoming!

Once Alex does return stateside we start to see colour begin to fill his world. This is a really interesting thematic choice - think how the wizard of Oz (a film very much associated with gay culture - ‘a friend of Dorothy’ was a slang code used by gay men to identify one another and there is obviously the rainbow connotation) begins in black and white and then transitions to colour as soon as Dorothy wakes up in Oz. This film is playing on that same trope/ concept - this is a story essentially told from Alex’s perspective, so Henry and his world is already in colour - its only when Alex enters that world and becomes entwined with it that colour starts to seep into his life - its done in a much more subtle way, but it is there - even during the text bantering they have going one while he is watching a film with Nora - it is a black and white film (‘Some Like it Hot’ - its self a film that helped open conversations about queer identity and the queer community at a time when the Hays code was still in operation and when Sodomy laws still existed in the US, but that is a whole other conversation and lots has been written about it before, its one of my favourite films and if you want to know more then head to your search engine of choice or hit up my inbox! It’s also a film our director Matthew Lopez adapted for the stage which is possibly partly why it was chosen for this scene- as a nod to his other work!)and they are both wearing grey while Henry is in colour (cream and blue - playing into the queer coded yellow blue theming) and sits on the bright orange sofa.

I cannot tell you how much I am in love with the Koi carp on Alex’s dressing room wall because the symbolism - the symbolism!!!!! Koi are seen as a symbol of strength, patience, perseverance, love and bravery they symbolise success through courage. Koi are known to swim against the current and overcome great obstacles - there is a Japanese proverb ‘Koi no Takinobori’ which translates as 'koi swim up waterfalls' and as the word Koi in Japanese also translates to mean love the proverb therefore means that love can go against the current and overcome great obstacles and if that isn’t the perfect metaphor for Alex and Henry’s relationship then I don’t know what is!!

I am obsessed and I adore the set designer for including that wallpaper in general, but especially in their text banter flirty developing relationship - the writing is essentially on the wall for where their relationship is going and how its going to unfold - they are literally Koi swimming agains the current and overcoming great obstacles to be together!!

Back to the costuming!

As I said previously - when Alex returns from the PR trip we start to see increasing amounts of colour and it starts with blue - Oscar is wearing a blue shirt - a colour we only see him in for that scene and then again at the end of the film - during election night. Its an important choice - Henry's colour is blue - its the colour we nearly always see him in some form of blue so for this to essentially be the first colour that appears in the clothing in Alex's world is telling in its own way - it is the beginning of the slow saturation of Henry in the world of Alex. Oscar is always in tan colour-ways apart from those two scenes and generally speaking we see him wearing Mexican tribal and geometric prints/patterns and cowboy boots - playing into his Mexican heritage, but also establishing him as Texan.

Miguel is clearly set out as the baddie to us all - head to toe  in black all the time expect at the PM dinner - when he has to wear a white shirt because its etiquette - but they do make sure to give him black buttons on that shirt - which separates him from everyone else in dinner dress very clearly and keeps the undertone of untrustworthiness going.

The other thing to note is the grey fuzzy jacket he wears when being interviewed on the news. I’ve spoken before in my 911 meta’s about how the use of the grey fuzzy patterning is symbolic of confusion or obfuscation and that holds true here - Miguel is called out as being the one who hacked and leaked the emails by the presenter and he tries to bluff his way out - to obfuscate the truth.

We see the idea of green and jealousy play out a couple of times in the film - the flirty girl that tries to commandeer Alex and kisses him at the NYE party is wearing a very blatantly iridescent green dress which sets her apart from the rest of the crowd and then when the crowd drops low we also get the green lights on the DJ desk - while the scene is a play on the I saw you across a crowded room idea, there is also that undercurrent of jealousy - Henry is Jealous of Alex’s ease and that he cannot have him loudly and in the way he wants - highlighting that jealousy helps to build into Henrys later actions when he throws caution to the wind and kisses him under the tree. 

Ellen Claremont has a narrow colour palette as well - we only see her in black in that first scene and in the ‘new Texas strategy’ arguement with Alex, after that her dominant colour is cream and we also see plenty of red which is a power choice - she wears it in scenes when she needs to convey power and status such as at the PM dinner or when she is shutting down his Texas strategy. The cream is the base colour for her - its a colour of elegance, sophistication, it is also a neutral colour - playing into her position as POTUS, but also when she wears it in one on one scenes with Alex, it is a sign of her being a mother rather than the POTUS.

Zahra tends to wear blacks with one blue/grey cashmere jumper and when we do get colour on her they are jewel tones - purple and teal. We also get some more grey fuzzy patterning - again playing into my previous statements - here it is very much about confusion rather than obfuscation - she only wears the fuzzy grey when she finds out about Alex and Henry and has her mind blown by the knowledge. Its a perfect costuming choice for this scene as it conveys so much about where her brain is - that her mind has been blown by this huge thing she as just become privy to and it helps make her facial expressions even louder!

Nora wears a full spectrum of colours, the stand ones are obviously the red bodice and trousers she wears for new years and the pink shirt she wears in the office when Alex is having a mini bi panic and figuring himself and his attraction to Henry out. Generally speaking a characters costumes are meant to be about them and their own character, however with a film like this, everything is a driving point for the two main characters and so, other characters costumes will, at key points be less about the character wearing them and more about driving the story of the mains forward - this is very much the case with Nora’s red outfit (and we have already talked about the green of the flirty girl at new years representing jealousy).The red is very very red, it is meant to stand out and is a nod to romance - for both herself with Pez and for Alex and Henry, but Red is also a colour associated with passion and sexuality as well as fire and heat - essentially it is a marker that things are about to kick into action on the romance scale - we are heading from friends to lovers.

The pink shirt plays into the same theme - its a continuation, but a cooling down - less about the heat and passion of a sexual encounter, and more about the concept of romance and relationships - because that is what the conversation is ultimately about in this scene. We have the bi flag background helping to visually tell us what the conversation is about, but we also need to have that subtle reminder that this is not about fire and passion it is about the potential for romance - for love - because if Alex is going to hook up with Henry, it isn’t going to be a hook up, it going to be real. We do of course see things heat back up in the red room (as they should), but ultimately that is the last of the fiery heat we see - from then on anything connected with Alex and Henrys relationship is much more steadfast - the blues and yellows I will talk about in a minute!

Lets talk signet rings!! We see them worn on the male members of the royal family - so King James, Phillip and Henry - as well as Alex when Henry gives him his ring. their use is telling and significant. James and Phillip both wear their signet ring on the little finger of the right hand, while Henry (and Alex) wears his on the little finger of the left hand. in a general sense one would usually wear a signet ring on the little ringer of the non dominant hand - so if you’re a lefty you wear it on the right hand and vice versa if your right handed. This is not what is being portrayed here - all three of them are naturally right handed (yes I did spend far too much time on google to find this out!!) which would in theory mean all of them should have their rings on the left little finger and yet only Henry does.

There is however another explanation -  a ring worn on the right hand is symbolic of tradition conformity and rigidity and royalty (traditionally the monarch would wear a ring on the right hand and this was offered to subjects to kiss), wearing it on the dominant hand as a sign of power/ dominance. Henry and then Alex wear Henry’s ring on the left hand - the traditional hand that wedding bands are worn - because of the concept of the main artery running from the heart down the left arm and into the left hand, it is a symbol of love and life and connection to another person and is where the concept of the red string of fate comes from (which ties in nicely with Alex referring to the rope in his chest pulling him towards Henry). This all gains greater significance when Henry gives his ring to Alex and that he choses to also wear it on the left hand, its essentially a symbol of engagement and eternity - it is a sort of pre engagement I guess - and is a low key statement from Henry he is giving Henry Fox to someone for eternity - to Alex. 

Right, shall we talk about the yellow and blue theming that I keep mentioning. This specific theming, tends to be seen more in sets and lighting than costumes - although we do see it used in costuming too (looking at you Bea!!). For those not aware, there is a tendency to use yellow and blue colour-ways for queer story arcs - if you look at Heartstopper (esp s1) they have been using it to great effect , and it can be seen in other shows and films with queer character arcs to such as 911 (and Lonestar), as well as plenty of other mainstream media if you’re looking for it. I don’t know when or how it became a colour way associated with queer relationships - especially mlm relationships - I’ve not had the time to deep dive into that particular research spiral - but suffice to say we see it put to very very great effect here in Red White and Royal Blue - we only ever see it used as a colour way when it is regarding Alex and Henry and their romantic relationshipI’ve included some of the blue and yellow we see (couldn’t fit it all in - 30 pictures is apparently not enough!!!) surrounding Alex and Henry and there is plenty of it. The first time we see this yellow/blue theming come into play is at the turning point - when Henry opens up the lines of communication with his text message. Alex is in his room - the first time we’re seeing into his room - a room painted dark blue and full of yellow accents - the lamp on his desk and the unit to the side of the sofa, as well as the very yellow and blue painting we see above his bed (which was commissioned for the film and so the colour choice was very much deliberate). Just to show how prolific the yellow/blue colour way is here is a list of most of the occurrences - I've tried to include as many of them in the pictures as I can as well.

The copy of People is yellow and blue, the Jacket Alex wears for new year has gold and blue embroidery. The PM’s dinner has blue lighting with gold curtains and there are a lot of blue and yellow dresses being worn in the crowd when Alex is watching Henry. The cushion on the sofa behind Alex is yellow and blue. Then we get to the French hotel room and the Eiffel Tower - it is literally all yellow and blue - everything - even down to the blue (extra safe) condom packets. the New York hotel room is dark blue and gold another is a blue bottle of lube on the side (the condoms and lube are very much a deliberate colour choice - there are a million different colours you can buy both in so if the colour wasn’t important they could’ve chosen any, esp as fuchsia and red is the most common colour for both in the durex brand in the UK).

In England - Henry mostly occupies green spaces - in keeping with the royal theme I wrote about earlier - however the room he is most himself and most comfortable in is the music room/ library which is yellow and any time we see him in that space, he is wearing blue. It is telling that when the emails between Henry and Alex are hacked, his sanctuary is full of ‘old white men in suits’ and Henry cannot go in there - symbolic that who he is - his true self - has been violated and he is being forced into ‘royal coded’ spaces - back into his box as it were!

Back to costumes and he two blue hoodies. I’m gonna get a bit of hate for this, but the blue hoodie is actually two different hoodies! - they are slightly different shades of pale blue - Alex’s is much more dusty blue, while Henry’s is much more baby blue, they are also different cuts - Alex’s a traditional sleeve cut while Henry’s has a raglan sleeve cut (think baseball tee). There is the idea with these two hoodies that they are at different points in their journeys, but still connected and i love that we see them in them at really key points of crisis - they are a comfort blanket in a way - Alex wears his during is bi crisis and again when he's watching Miguel on the news and figures out who the hack was, while Henry wears his when he lets Alex in - when he opens up and unspokenly confesses his love for Alex, when he agreed to take the step and be brave - both are wearing these hoodies in moments when they need/want comfort the fact that they are wearing such similar hoodies speaks to the fact that in it is the other they want that comfort from (even if Alex doesn't actually realise it during his min bi crisis).

And now to our two mains - lets start with Henry.

Henry

The bulk of Henry’s wardrobe is double breasted suits - a key theme for the members of the royal family - not one else where’s them - its a fun costuming choice, cease generally speaking the double breasted suit isn’t in fashion at the moment - the film fit single breasted suits we see on the rest of the characters is. It's a very clear choice to create a them and us concept in a visual and telling way. the other thing to note about these db suits is that only Henry wears plain fabric - the ones we see on Phillip and James are pinstripe or woven stripe. I want to quickly mention the tie King James is wearing because of its very obvious pattern. it is the only loudly patterned tie in the entire film - all others are either, plain , striped or spotted. In the book Henry says that patterned ties are considered too political (i'm paraphrasing and can't find the actual quote!!) and here we have a king playing with politics wearing a patterned tie - I love tiny nods like this to the original source material that only those of us who love the book will pick up on - its just a tie to the ga!

Henry himself wears pinstripes - when he is at his most royal - so for example when he is taking part in the PR exercise post cakegate. His ties also fit into this theming - he almost exclusively wears striped ties excepting at a couple of key moments - when he’s undertaking skulduggery and the yellow one he wears for the election. at all other times he has stripes on his tie. the stripes get wider or skinnier depending on the situation - the wide ones tend to be for royal events while the skinnier stripes tend to be connected to Alex.

Another thing to note with Henry is the lack of black he wears - the only time is at the most royal of occasions - the wedding - all the rest of his suits are varying shades of blue or grey (and cream) even the tux he wears to the PM dinner is a dark navy with black lapel rather than black - it differentiates him from everyone else in the room (esp Miguel) and shows him as the object of Alex’s gaze. I also want to mention the royal blue theme we see on him - something I love Keith Madden for doing - Henry nearly always has something blue on him and a lot of the time (especially connected to times when he is doing something connected to his status as a royal) we see him wearing something royal blue - its why his riband at the wedding is royal blue rather than the lighter blue of the order of the garter - but we also see it in the royal blue socks we see him in several times, the royal blue pyjamas when the hack/leak comes to light and the blue shorts in Texas when he’s lying on the bed before he leaves to return to England. We also see him in a lot of blue shirts keeping that blue theme connected to him.

Then there is my most beloved check theory - (its a theory connected to 911 for those who don’t know my costume metas already) Check is connected to foreshadowing of trouble - Henry wears a check/plaid pattern at a couple of very very key moments - at the bar in Texas - when we see Alex realise his love is the forever kind, when he is back in England having broken his own heart in a misguided attempt to save Alex (gingham shirts in pink and blue) and then the suit he wears when he choses himself over the crown and steps out onto the balcony with Alex to greet the crowds has a subtle check pattern (not sure if you can see it its the pictures but if you watch the scene you should be able to) all of these are moments which foreshadow the upcoming or current trouble in his life.

Yellow roses - symbol of Texas being flipped - from Mexican to independent (and eventually becoming part of US) - symbol of the fact Texas is about to flip blue from red. Yellow roses are also a symbol of good luck more generally and the yellow tie is a great choice to suggest neutrality in the election scenes (at this point in time Henry still has royal status). We see Henry in a grey suit with this yellow tie - this only further highlights his escape from royal life - when he is un the US we do not see him wearing the navy blue suits we see him in in England - the only exception is the dark navy dinner jacket he wears to the PM dinner . In the US he wears either a grey suit or the cream/light blue suit we see him in when he visits the lake house and the light blue linen jacket we see him on his light back to the UK is the only single breasted jacket we ever see him in - I would have loved to have seen the grey suit at the end also have been single breasted, but I'm guessing budget constraints prevented that from happening, as it really would've highlighted the difference between Henry George Edward James Hanover-Stuart Fox and Henry Fox!

At the lake house we get a piece of costuming that I love - the slightly differing short lengths we see on Henry and Alex - it Alex’s shorts are always shorter than Henry’s - it maintains that sense of Henry be more closeted and buttoned up - the overhead shot of them on the pontoon shows it really clearly - the two of them have similar leg lengths which serves me well here to show this point - the shorts Henry is wearing are at least 3 inches longer (possibly more) than Alex's - it isn't just that one pair of shorts - all 3 pairs of Henry's shorts are longer - its a costuming choice thats s perfectly in keeping with their respective characters.

The final thing to talk bout is Henry’s rainbow turtle swim shorts - a cute nod to his being gay - especially as Alex is is his purple bi swim shorts. But there is also the fact that they are turtles. Turtles are a symbol of steadfastness, longevity, perseverance and transformation. they can also be seen as a symbol of everlasting love. there is also the concept of carrying the weight of the world - which is seen in its most explicit way in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels - where a giant turtle carries the world on its back. All of these metaphors and symbols perfectly fit Henry and his relationship with Alex - it is a symbol of the enduring nature of their love for each other, the perseverance we will see for them to overcome the obstacles thrown at them, the steadfastness of their love, as well the transformation we are seeing Henry go through - from closeted gay thinking he has to conform to the very rigid and dated ideals of his family - to the freer Henry we see in the US - the real Henry and the version of himself he so desperately wants to be but thinks he can’t - he has the weight of the world on his shoulders at that moment a la the disc world turtle.

Alex

Alex, obviously has the largest number of costumes, as well as the largest colour palette, but even that is pretty limited. In the same way we see Henry’s wardrobe go through a subtle transformation, we also see the same for Alex, almost in the opposite direction - while Henry’s wardrobe becomes freer, Alex’s becomes more grown up - more mature and conveys his growth as a person - becoming more certain in who he is. I’ve already written a fair amount throughs this meta about Alex’s costumes, so this section is a little shorter than Henry’s for that reason! 

We get rebellious Alex to begin with - the leather jacket easily conveys this to us, its almost a universal symbol or rebellion in costuming speak at this point and one of the reasons I like its use here is that it very quickly sets him apart from everyone else in the film - yes its early on, but he is the most casually dressed character by a long way - and this jacket it the antithesis of the buttoned up penguin suit from the wedding - it emphasises how uncomfortable Alex was in that environment and as a result gives the heavy drinking we saw before the cake went flying purpose and visually sets him up as the lead and as a rule/ convention breaker. The same is true of the greyscale with leopard print Hawaiian shirt which is meant to contrast him dramatically with Henry, who is still stuck in that stuffy double breasted suit prison of convention and expectation to behave a certain way - the costuming does a big chunk of the work in giving us rebel v prince in those opening scenes. I actually like that they brought the leather jacket back for the drive to the lake house - it sets up Alex’s falling in love arc nicely - in that it allows the idea of rebellion to continue flowing through the story - Alex wanting to be outing proud in Austin and not grasping that that isn’t an option Henry at this moment in time and is a nod to his not really understanding the different places he and Henry are in when it comes to what being out means for them respectively.

I’ve already written about the black and white colour way we see him in until his PR stint when we start see colour appearing in his wardrobe. I’ve put the pictures roughly in chronological order because it helps to show his progression, but it also shows the increasing amount of blue in his wardrobe, especially in moments connected with Henry.

To pick out some of my favourites - the Mexican pattern shirt with the red cardigan is wonderful - we have the shirt hinting at Alex’s heritage - in blue with the chunky knit red cardigan - I’ve written above about the use offered as a colour of passion and how that passion ebbs and flows - this cardigan also plays into that idea - it is the first time their texting becomes flirty - even the text message is in a red bubble on screen. This idea carries on with the orange red tee he is wearing during the turkey conversation - I made a post about that outfit being the same colour way as the turkey in question and how to talk turkey means to talk honestly and openly with someone - the very thing we see in that scene. 

I adore the subtle yellow and blue jacquard embroidered New years jacket - the moment our boys connect and we move further into the lovers part of the enemies-friends-lovers trope and it keeps the yellow/blue theming an active part of the storyline. - the contrast with Henry’s orange tie is a choice - while there is a lot of colour at the NYE party Alex blends into the background while Henry is quite literally tied into the orange theme we’ve already seen in the furniture and sets - orange stands out and now we the audience are being drawn into unconsciously making the same connection that Alex is making - Henry is lonely, but he is an enduring and attention grabbing part of Alex’s life - it only further reenforces the direction of Alex’s gaze - green wearing flirty girl who??

We have a fair amount of Alex and the bi colour ways and we subtly see it coming into play from more or less the moment they start messaging - the light purple tee and purple message boxes, flowing through to the women sufferage wall and the fact he is wearing blue and purple in that scene with Nora in pink to round out the there colours. then we have the blue and purple colour ways he wears at the lake house - bolder and brighter - contrasting with the more muted shades from before - showing that he has recognised and accepted that part of who he is - he’ now out and proud and his parent know about him. I’ve used the old subtle a lot, but this is yet another example of transformation and growth for a character done subtly through colour. We also see him bathed in bi lighting at the bar when he has his 'OH I feel forever about him' moment at the Texas bar - he is the only one in that whole scene lit in that way - Henry is blue lit, while there is a more general lighting scheme that is blue/red dominant for the bar as a whole.

On to Alex’s suits and ties - he seems to have 5 suits and a jacket (not including the formal wear - tux and tails) a black one, 2 navy blue ones (one with a woven pinstripe that he wears in Paris) a bright bluish grey one and a grey one along with the black and blue waffle jacket we see him wear both on the PR trip and at the Polo match. I am obsessed with the fact that when he is in England he wears the navy suits and jackets whereas in the US he wears the other colour s suits - in the same way we see Henry less buttoned up and wearing grey and lighter blues in the US, here we see Alex fitting into Henry’s world and the navy blue suit uniform of the Royal family - its a wonderful piece of costuming that tells so much of how each of them are fitting into the others worlds, especially wen the black and navy waffle one is only worn early on - it is the cross over garment!

The ties have  a similar story to tell - we see him wearing 4 ties - a yellow one we see in the beginning in the news reel and never see him in again and then we get the lighter blue striped one at the polo match - the one most similar to the striped ones we see Henry wear - suggesting he is trying to fit into this new world - Henry’s world - that he’s been invited into - its somewhat jarring for his character and plays on the idea of trying too hard - its therefore telling we don’t see it happen again - we only see hi in a striped tie again at he end during election night and accompanied by the black suit we saw him in a couple of times on the campaign trail in Texas. the blue tie is the only other tie we see him wear and it nicely connects all the key moments he has while in his suit - key political moments - his speech at the DNC followed by his speech to the press after the email hack and when he is at Buckingham Palace facing up to the King.

The final ting to talk about is the khaki green shirt jacket - I cannot tell you how happy I was with this costuming choice (and not because it was screaming Eddie Diaz from 911 vibes) khaki is so associated with military - with the army - anti is the most perfect choice for this scene - army are about war - they go somewhere to fight - to storm the palace etc so to have Alex - who has never worn anything remotely like this before rock up to KP to fight for his relationship - for his love - is the perfect choice, its a subtle yet clever way of emphasising the Alex has chosen to fight for what he wants - for his relationship with Henry and what makes it more telling is that we only see him change out of it once Henry has explicitly stated that he will try to be brave and that he wants history to include his love for Alex. It is why we see Alex in the yellow and blue Mexican patterned jacket - he no longer needs fight for his love because he has won - this yellow/blue jacket is a piece of costume tied into pivotal moments - we see the jacket twice - when he wins his bid to get the Claremont campaign to focus on Texas and Ellen tells him he’s going to Texas, and again when he has won the day with Henry and they are back together - in some ways that makes this his victory jacket - victory in his own personal battles - battles that are central to who he is and his development and I think that’s petty neat!

Hopefully you've enjoyed this deep dive into the sets and costumes of the film - I've loved writing it and I can only hope its coherent! Feel free to hit me up with any questions or comments and likes and reblogs are love ❤️🤍💙 thank you for reading and until next time...

[c-rowlesdraws]

some more drawings from my sketchbook that I did while in Thailand at the beginning of the month!

The top one is of a cool house in Chiang Mai with a little iced tea/drinks stand out front-- I loved all of the tiny businesses all crammed next to each other in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, especially the ones with hand-painted or otherwise unique, eye-catching signage. It seemed like you could buy any sort of thing you could want, from produce to snacks to clothes to electronics, just walking down any single block. I loved the abundance of power lines in the cities, too, as another visual sign of life and activity.

The bottom two sketches are some stealthy life drawing I did in Suvarnabhumi airport, and drawings of passerby from photos I took while visiting Wat Arun in Bangkok. There were lots of people strolling around and taking photos of one another at Wat Arun in beautiful traditional dress, and at first I thought they were a wedding party or something-- but then I noticed the signs for costume rentals, and also heard a few of them speaking Korean. I wondered if there was any controversy about a religious site being used as a place for dress-up and photographs, but I didn't see anyone shoot the tourists any obvious dirty looks. Part of me was jealous of them in those beautiful outfits, but as a white person I'd stand out a lot more than the Asian foreign tourists, and maybe just look kind of silly.

[calabria-mediterranea]

Gizzeria, Calabria, Italy

Gizzeria is an Arbëreshë village situated on the Gulf of Lamezia Terme, on the Thyrrenian coast of Southern Italy's Calabria.

The center of town is 625 metres (2,051 ft) above sea level. Mount Mancuso is the town's highest point at 1,290 metres (4,230 ft) above sea level.

In ancient times this area was occupied by Italic and Greek settlements, which were later destroyed by the Saracens.

Gizzeria, was actually re-founded with the arrival of the Arbëreshë Albanian settlers fleeing from the Turks. These brought to Calabria, in addition to the language, their traditions, habits and customs which significantly changed the character of the native populations.

Today in Gizzeria the arbëreshë imprint remains only in a few words and in the traditional female costume, which has now almost disappeared.

The coast of Gizzeria has been rediscoveredas a spot for kiteboarding and windsurfing, thanks to the constant presence of winds. The place hosts in fact European kitesurfing championship.

There are several kitesurfing schools on the spot, which offer lessons, rentals, and recovery services.

Follow us on Instagram, @calabria_mediterranea

[jasfhercallejo]

Gyeongbokgung Palace is the primary palace of the Joseon dynasty that was established in 1395 (the 4th year of King Taejo's reign) after the foundation of the dynasty in 1392.

If you time your visit right, you’ll get to see the royal guard-changing ceremony, an experience that allows you to witness full Joseon-era regalia in all its glory. The ceremony takes place twice daily (except Tuesdays) at Gwanghwamun Gate—the imposing main gate that separates the palace from one of the busiest parts of the city—at 10am and 2pm. Luckily, we arrived at 10am and we saw the ceremony first hand.

Also, it is extremely popular for visitors to wear Hanbok, their traditional costume (of course we had to try haha) when visiting the palace because (1) the entrance fee will be waived, (2) you get to feel like royalty when it's picture taking time. There are actually many affordable and easily accessible hanbok rental shops near the palace. We got ours for 30,000 won for 4 hours.

Besides the brightly-coloured ceiling, you can find interesting animal and human figures perched on the hips of palace roof to ward off evil spirits and ensure peace within.

The National Folk Museum is located on the eastern side of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Founded in 1945, the NFMK has mainly focused on exclusive research on Korean folklore as well as acquisition, preservation and exhibition of artifacts related to Koreans’ folk life. The museum exhibits Korean folklife artifacts, and all visitors can learn about the domestic and agricultural lifestyles of the people, as well as their cultural beliefs.

[divinum-pacis]

May 2023: Bangkok, Thailand Tourists dressed in Thai traditional costumes rented from a clothing rental shop visit Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Photograph: Rungroj Yongrit/EPA

[morulezopelforever]

El Sopo & Friends - Dancing and Partying in Tbilisi

Here are some tidbits from my new ATWD fanfic, which is part of a series but which can be read as an individual story as well. It involves trick-or-treating at Halloween, a party at Sopo's restaurant (El Sopo, the only Tex-Mex eatery in the Caucasus) and some unexpected romantic enhancement for Merab, Mary and Irakli!

A Halloween charity run.

When they were back on the pavement Irakli, Merab and Ninutsa lit cigarettes and checked Sopo’s goodie bag. It was fairly full after dozens of visits at various houses. Most people had given dinner leftovers. ‘The boiled potatoes and the khinkali are all smushed,’ Sopo grumbled. ‘And they gave us gravy, too, without a Tupperware box…Yuck, those chocolates are fucked. It smells revolting.’

Aleko was the treasurer. He counted the pecuniary donations. ‘Five euros, seventeen lari and six hundred Austrian shillings.’ He frowned. ‘Oh damn, those are worthless. The currency was abolished over twenty years ago. But still, people give from the goodness of their hearts and we should all be grateful.’

Sopo flung the bag onto the pavement and trampled on it with her Mexican boots. ‘It’s nothing, bloody nothing!’ she growled. ‘Makes me wonder why I bothered to come along.’

Merab smiled at her. She had recently quit smoking and had been in a continuous state of PMS ever since, as David put it. But she smiled back at Merab. It’s because I’m looking so cute in my old corduroy coat and the tartan cap, he thought.

He had Doggie with him on a leash. She was wearing a pumpkin costume that looked absolutely adorable on her. It had earned her some dog treats from nice people earlier on. It was a pity that Sopo had devoured them. Now that Sopo no longer smoked she had the most outrageous food cravings.

****

Sopo is throwing a costume party dressed as Madame de Pompadour. Pity her friends aren't.

The environment and its first visitors where looking pleasant. David had shaved his upper lip and his chin clean, leaving only hair on his cheeks. He had donned a top hat, a black suit with a white collar and a cloak. Nino was dressed as a chimney sweeper with a cardboard ladder and a brush on a string attached to her jacket. She was a luck charm.

Mary was very Victorian. Her hair was parted and braided into buns over her ears. The plainness of her black dress suggested grateful servitude. Dear Mary. She had graduated with a master diploma from London Uni a few weeks ago, but she had come home for good and she did not like it. Her boyfriend Stanley was still in England. Sopo’s heart ached for her.

The ache turned into ire when Irakli entered the room from the kitchen. He had been working at his (her) pub next door and never bothered to change into fancy dress. In his wake was a yellow something – yes, something.

‘Why are you wearing an Ajax Amsterdam shirt?’ she snapped at him. ‘They plummeted in the Dutch National League last year. You’re supposed to look extravagant tonight, not embarrassing.’

Irakli shied away wordlessly, and then the yellow something stepped forward and kissed her exuberantly, nearly causing her to lose her wig. ‘Happy birthday, Sopo!’ he piped.

‘Merab, why the eff are you wearing a Pikachu suit?’ she fumed.

He shrugged. ‘Akh, the rental agency was all but cleaned out by the other guests. They only had this thing left, apart from Playboy bunny or dictator costumes.’

When Aleko walked in she lost it. He was wearing a chokha over a plain shirt and press-fold trousers, no fancy dress, just traditional Georgian garb. He must be getting senile.

‘Happy birthday!’ he said to her. ‘What a nice party this is…Oh hello Merab, hello Irakli!’

Her madness now took over. ‘Bow down and pay your respect to Madame de Sopodour!’ she shrieked at the three freaks. ‘Bow down and acknowledge my superior being!’

They obeyed and sank onto their knees before her. Merab instantly assumed the role of the poor citizen. ‘But milady, how could we? We can’t even afford bread! Akh, have mercy!’

‘If you can’t buy bread, have khachapuri,’ she snarled. ‘And begone, or else my faithful valet shall slay you!’

***

David is sorting out some clean washing.

David was sitting on a bench outside the kitchen porch of the restaurant with a large basket of washing beside him. When he heard the clicking of Irakli’s leather soles, he looked up with a bleary gaze. Irakli felt a pang of guilt, but he was going to make good for this morning’s success, so he clutched his gift bag and sat down on the bench. The basket was between them, creating a certain distance as had been custom ever since the pandemic, but he was still close enough to elicit a grumbled greeting from the other man.

‘Bro, you smell like a duty-free airport perfumery.’

Irakli sensed David’s unintentional hostility, fished a pack of Astras out of the bag and offered him a cigarette as a token of reconciliation.

They both lit up, blew out smoke and stared at the mess in the courtyard.

‘I-rak-li…!’ a venomous, high-pitched voice sounded from the flat over Mr. Beerakli’s Pub. ‘Did I tell you that you could take my car this morning to drop off Aleko at the airport and to meet your idiotic business partners? I didn’t, did I?’

‘It’s O.K., Merab, I’m only having a smoke with your brother!’ Irakli roared back. ‘I’ll be up in a sec.’

Merab now leaned over the railing of the veranda on the first floor. He was dressed in faded house clothes and wearing an old rag on his head like a bandanna. In his right hand he held a mop as if it were a spear. He looked at Irakli and David and then at his Mercedes, snorted and went back inside.

‘Merab has continuously suffered from PMS ever since he quit smoking,’ David observed. ‘I never knew that men could be like this…’ He sighed. ‘Well, Sopo has kicked the habit as well, and she’s in no better state, but it’s different with women.’

Irakli nodded, too confused to speak. He had been with women, he knew how they were, but all this had turned into a parallel universe ever since he had been in love with Merab. Love was supposed to be a ride in the sky, a fun fair of joy and bliss, but in Tbilisi, or rather in this little realm that was completely owned and ruled by Sopo, it was overtaken by everyday life, and everyday life in modern Tbilisi meant that men not only suffered when their lovers were doing major cleaning, but were also expected to help with household chores.

[providencepeakrp]

𝕮𝖍𝖎𝖑𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕾𝖕𝖎𝖓𝖊 𝕿𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖌 —

Skate on over to High Rollers in Claret Part for a night of dazzling orange and purple lights, a rink full of the creepy and the cute, and a coordinated performance by Providence's own roller derby to Thriller. Seek out spooky-themed snacks at the snack bar or spend time in the darkness of the arcade area where traditional games have been swapped out for horror themed versions.

𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔞𝔦𝔩𝔰 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔈𝔳𝔢𝔫𝔱 —

The official date of the event is Tuesday, October 24th at 7pm.

Location is High Rollers in Claret Park.

Skate rentals are available if attendees are not bringing their own.

All admission tickets come with a free snack and drink voucher.

Themed snacks at the snack bar include pumpkin spice popcorn, candy corn slushies, Beetlejuice cotton candy, and tangy tarantula bites.

Members will be able to submit their character's costume to the main for anonymous voting and a chance to win a prize! (please title the submission with Spooky Skate Night Costume Contest)

[sofiamantegafan110]

NEW X-MEN EPISODE 10

EPISODE 10- THE ST. CROIX TAPES

WE OPEN UP ON A CAMERA FEED AS CESSILY EXCITEDLY ANNOUNCES THAT OVER WINTER BREAK, SHE IS GOING TO ONE OF MONET’S FAMILY’S ESTATES IN FRANCE. APPARENTLY, IT’S A CHEER SQUAD TRADITION, AND AS THE NEW CAPTAIN, SOFIA APPROVED OF THE BONDING EXPERIENCE. BUT WHAT INTERESTS CESSILY IS THAT SHE’S HEARD RUMORS THAT THE PLACE THAT THEY’RE GOING TO, THE CHATEAU ST. CROIX IN THE FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE, HAS HAD SEVERAL MYSTERIOUS AND SUPERNATURAL SIGHTINGS, ALMOST LIKE IT’S HAUNTED. SO, AFTER LEARNING THAT THEY’RE ALL ALLOWED TO BRING MINIATURE CAMERAS, CESSILY HAS DECIDED TO CATCH SIGHT OF THESE HAUNTINGS AND GET SOME GREAT POSTERITY IN THE PROCESS. SHE GRINS BRIEFLY AT THE CAMERA, WHICH TURNS OFF.

THE CAMERA TURNS ON AGAIN TO REVEAL A FROM-THE-NIGHTSTAND SHOT OF CESSILY IN A DOLLAR STORE KNOCKOFF WHITE QUEEN COSTUME, STARING AT A MIRROR. SHE EVEN HAS A CHEAP RIDING CROP AS SHE PUCKERS HER LIPS AT THE MIRROR, POSING AND TRYING TO PULL OFF SOMETHING THAT IS DEFINITELY NOT SEXY.

CESSILY: YOU ARE MY BEST STUDENT, MS. KINCAID. YOUR PAPER ON THE PSYCHOLOGY OF REGINA GEORGE IN MEAN GIRLS WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE, MUCH BETTER THAN MONET OR SOFIA’S ASSIGNMENTS.

SUDDENLY, SOMEONE KNOCKS ON THE DOOR AND CESSILY BACKS UP, KNOCKING THE CAMERA FROM THE NIGHTSTAND. SHE CURSES AND SAYS THAT THE CAMERA BETTER NOT BE WORKING NOW BEFORE TURNING IT OFF.

THE CAMERA TURNS ON AGAIN WITH THE GROUP IN A VAN TOGETHER, DRIVING TO THE AIRPORT. CESSILY SUGGESTS GOING THROUGH THE PROGRAM ONE MORE TIME, DODGING A FEW CRUMPLED PAPER BALLS. SHE THEN CALLS THEM HEATHENS AND SAYS THAT LEARNING IS HALF THE BATTLE. SO BEGINS A COMPETITION BETWEEN THE WIND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, CESSILY’S VOID ATTEMPTS TO ORGANIZE THE TRIP, AND THE HECKLING FROM SOFIA AND ALANI, MOSTLY.

THE CAMERA THEN TURNS ON AGAIN FOR A BRIEF MONTAGE OF THE GROUP, INCLUDING LAURA AND THE STEPFORD CUCKOOS (IN THEIR FIRST OFFICIAL APPEARANCE IN THE SHOW), AT THE AIRPORT TO THE TUNE OF ‘YOU MIGHT THINK I’M CRAZY’ BY WEEZER. THE MONTAGE THEN MOVES OVER TO THE PLANE, WHICH FEATURES ALANI LOOKING EXCITED TO BE FLYING FIRST CLASS WHILE THE STEPFORDS LOOK LIKE THEY BELONG THERE, MONET AND CALLIE TALKING ART NOUVEAU, CESSILY AND SOFIA WATCHING FUNHOUSE ON THE IN-FLIGHT MOVIE SCREEN, AND LAURA IN HER BEST ‘I’M HIDING FROM THE CIA’ LOOK.

THE FINAL SHOT IS AT NIGHT FROM CESS’S POV AS SHE SLEEPS IN THE PLANE BESIDE SOFIA, WHO SEEMS TO HAVE FINALLY GOTTEN TO SLEEP AFTER SEEMINGLY BINGE-WATCHING SCREAM QUEENS. CESSILY’S HEAD TURNS TOWARD THE AISLE WHERE A VERY SHORT MAN IN A TUXEDO WALKS INTO THE FRAME. THE CAMERA GLITCHES AND FRAMES SKIP IN HIS PASSING, THE TWISTED SMILE ON HIS FACE BEING APPARENT ONCE HE TURNS TOWARD THE SLEEPING MERCURY. HE PICKS SOMETHING UP FROM OUTSIDE THE SHOT AND PLACES IT UPON CESSILY BEFORE MOVING ON TO CALLIE.

FADE OUT…

CUE INTRO AND CREDITS (POSSIBLY THE LONGEST PRE-CREDIT SCENE I’VE EVER WRITTEN)

FADE IN…

WE THEN SHOW ANOTHER MONTAGE, THIS TIME TO ‘GOOD AS HELL’ BY LIZZO AS THE GROUP STRUGGLES TO MAKE IT ACROSS THE DIRT ROAD IN THEIR RENTAL CAR. MORE THAN ONCE, CESSILY HAS TO GO OUT AND PUSH THE CAR UP STEEP HILLS WHILE THE LOCALS ARE NO HELP WHATSOEVER, GETTING MORE SILENT THE DEEPER THE GROUP GO TO THE BEAUTIFUL AND PICTURESQUE VISTAS OF THE FRENCH COUNTRY.

THEY THEN ARRIVE AT THE IMPRESSIVE CHATEAU ST. CROIX, WHICH IS AN ENORMOUS MULTI-STORIED MANOR THAT HAS ONLY BEEN KEPT STANDING BY THE CONSTANT INFLUX OF ST. CROIX RESOURCES. UTTER SILENCE SURROUNDS THE AREA, THE ONLY SOUND BEING THE RUSTLING OF TREES AND THE CAWING OF BIRDS, AND TO THE DISTANCE IS A SIMPLY-DRESSED MAN IN LINEN PANTS, A COTTON SHIRT, AND VEST. HIS CAP IDENTIFIES HIM AS WILLARD, THE GROUNDSKEEPER.

AS LAURA EXITS THE CAR, SHE LOOKS AROUND BRIEFLY, LIFTING HER NOSE IN THE AIR AND STICKING BESIDE CESSILY, WHO COMMENTS ON HOW DUMB THE COUNTRYSIDE IS. CESS ADJUSTS HER STYLISH BERET WHICH GOES PERFECTLY WITH THE BLACK AND WHITE STRIPED FRENCH SAILOR SHIRT WHICH SHE PRESUMABLY BOUGHT OUT OF IMPULSE. LAURA, MEANWHILE, REMOVES HER HAT AND SUNGLASSES AND IS IRONICALLY DRESSED AS A MEMBER OF A BIKER GANG. IT’S QUITE POSSIBLE THAT CESSILY ‘PERSUADED’ HER TO TAG ALONG WITH THEM.

CESSILY THEN STATES HOW IMPRESSED SHE IS AND SAYS THAT SHE KIND OF WANTS TO VANDALIZE THE HOUSE A BIT. SOFIA, DRESSED STYLISHLY IN A MULTICOLORED HERMES SCARF FOLDED INTO A HEADBAND, A WHITE SHOULDER-BEARING CASHMERE SWEATER, AND A PAIR OF RALPH LAUREN AVIATORS, REMOVES HER EARBUDS AND TELLS HER THAT SHE’S GOT TO BE JOKING. ALANI LAUGHS, SAYING THAT AIRPORT SECURITY WOULDN’T LET HER THROUGH WITH SPRAY PAINT AND SHE GUESSES CESS DIDN’T GET ANY WHEN THEY STOPPED FOR PETROL.

THE STEPFORDS AGREE, SAYING IN UNISON THAT THEY DON’T THINK SPRAY PAINT WOULD IMPROVE THE LOOK. MONET, DRESSED IN A FLOWING BLACK TOP AND WHITE CUTOFFS, REMINDS THEM THAT THIS IS SOMETHING OF A MAUSOLEUM PIECE. IT HASN’T BEEN IN SERIOUS USE SINCE HER GRANDFATHER’S TIME, AND SHE DOES RECALL HER PARENTS HOSTING A PARTY THERE WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG.

CESSILY, MEANWHILE, MAKES A YAP YAP YAP GESTURE WITH HER HAND WHILE PERFORMING HER BEST MONET VOICE TO SAY ‘MEEP MEEP MEEP MEEP MEEP!’ WHEN MONET MENTIONS THE WORD MAUSOLEUM, SHE STOPS AND ASKS MONET WHY HER FAMILY GETS CREEPIER EVERY TIME SHE MENTIONS THEM.

MONET THEN BREAKS OFF TO MEET THE GROUNDSKEEPER, WHO SHE GREETS IN FRENCH, APOLOGIZING IN ADVANCE FOR THE MESS THE MORE EXCITABLE ONES WILL LEAVE. WILLARD SAYS THAT IT WILL NOT BE AN ISSUE, HIS VOICE VERY DUSTY AND HIS SKIN ALMOST CRACKING ALONG HIS HOLLOWED HUSK. HE THEN MOTIONS THEM INSIDE AS CALLIE ADMITS THAT THE PLACE IS GIVING HER THE HEEBIE-JEEBIES.

THE INTERIOR OF THE CHATEAU IS BREATHTAKING, WITH COMPLEX PATTERNS ON THE FLOOR TILINGS THAT RESEMBLE COMPLEX MATHEMATICAL FORMULAE ALONG WITH LOTS OF FANCY FURNITURE, CURTAINS AND DRAPERY, AND OTHER RICH PEOPLE SHIT. WILLARD SAYS THAT THE EAST WING, WHICH IS RESERVED FOR MONET, IS WHERE THE MASTER BEDROOM LIES. THE OTHER ROOMS HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THEM, WITH WILLARD MAKING NOTE THAT THEY WERE TOLD TO PREPARE ONLY FIVE ROOMS AND NOT SEVEN.

WILLARD: THE INDOOR POOL, GAME ROOM, AND THE LIVING ROOM ARE OPEN FOR VISITATION, BUT THE WEST WING IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN, AS IS THE ATTIC. MASTER LOUIS WAS VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT THAT.

HE THEN HANDS MONET A SMALL KEYRING, WITH ALL THE KEYS TO THE ROOMS MENTIONED. HE ALSO ADVISES TO SLEEP EARLY IN THE NIGHT, SINCE THE HOUSE IS OLD AND ITS BONES NEED THEIR REST. CESSILY, MEANWHILE, SEEMS TO HAVE HER ATTENTION PIQUED WHEN WILLARD MENTIONS THE WORDS ‘STRICTLY’ AND ‘FORBIDDEN’ IN THE SAME SENTENCE, AND THEN RAISES HER HAND TO ASK A QUESTION.

CESSILY: YEAH, OVER HERE DUDE! QUESTION! DO YOU KNOW KEVIN KLINE? AND LIKE, IS HE COOL IRL?

MONET IGNORES HER AND THEN TELLS WILLARD THAT SHE MUST INSIST ON KEYS TO THE WEST WING AND THE ATTIC AS WELL. SHE PROMISES TO KEEP THEM LOCKED AND TO NOT ALLOW THE OTHERS TO ROAM FROM HER SUPERVISION. WILLARD THE SKELETON MAN NODS SILENTLY.

WE THEN CUT OVER TO EVERYONE IN THEIR ROOMS. CESSILY DROPS OFF HER BAGS AND LOUDLY ANNOUNCES THAT SHE’S SEEN THE HORROR MOVIE ‘THE RESORT’ AND IT’LL TAKE MORE THAN A GAUDY MANSION TO SCARE HER, BEFORE THEN PRAYING THAT SHE WON’T RUN INTO THE HALF-FACED GIRL, A REFERENCE TO THE MOVIE SHE JUST MENTIONED. MEANWHILE, SOFIA UNPACKS AND LOOKS AROUND AS IF SHE SENSES SOMETHING ON THE WIND, BEFORE MEETING CALLIE AT THE DOOR SO THEY CAN MAKE A TO-DO LIST. THE STEPFORDS TELEPATHICALLY GOSSIP ABOUT THE HOUSE AND THE OTHERS WITH THEM, WHILE ALANI TURNS ON HER MINICAMERA AND STARTS RECORDING.

MEANWHILE, LAURA SITS DOWN ON HER BED. LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW. SHE THEN LOOKS IN THE DIRECTION OF THE WEST WING AND SAYS TO HERSELF THAT IT WILL BE LATER, WHEN THEY ARE SLEEPING. SHE THEN BEGINS TO CHANGE, BUT BRIEFLY LOOKS BACK OUT THE WINDOW, AND REPORTS THAT THERE IS DEATH EVERYWHERE.

LATER, LAURA’S CAMERA CLICKS ON TO SHOW A POOL OF WATER. SHE SETS THE CAMERA DOWN BY THE POOLSIDE AND LEANS BACK, DIPPING HER LEGS INTO THE WATER. CLAD IN A BLACK BIKINI, SHE SLIDES INTO THE POOL AND TURNS TO FACE THE CAMERA BLANKLY, PROPPING HER CHIN ON HER FOREARMS. SHE THEN SLOWLY DIPS BELOW THE SURFACE UNTIL ONLY HER FINGERS ARE ABOVE, BEFORE RISING UP AGAIN AND FOLDING HER ARMS ONCE MORE, HER WET HAIR SLICKED BACK FROM HER FACE AS SHE OPENS HER EYES.

LAURA: …HI.

MEANWHILE, SOFIA AND CALLIE WALK THROUGH THE HALLS OF THE MANOR, CHECKING OUT ITS SIGHTS. AT SOME POINT, THEY ENTER THE LIBRARY AND SOFIA DOES A PANORAMIC SPIN AROUND BEFORE NOTICING A PECULIAR-LOOKING BOOK. SHE CAREFULLY RETRIEVES IT AND READS ITS TITLE ALOUD.

SOFIA: ‘THE BOOK OF THOTH: A SHORT ESSAY ON THE TAROT OF THE EGYPTIANS, BEING THE EQUINOX VOLUME III, NO. V.’ CALLIE, THIS BOOK IS OVER TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.

CALLIE LOOKS OVER IN INTEREST.

MEANWHILE, CESSILY AND MONET WALK UP TO THE DOOR TO THE WEST WING. UPON OPENING IT, THEY FIND A HALLWAY FULL OF DOORS THAT ENDS IN A SHINING WINDOW. CESSILY OPENS THE FIRST DOOR, REVEALING A VERY WELL-DONE BED WITH FURNITURE MADE TO FOLLOW THE FLOOR’S MATHEMATICAL FORMULAE. THEY CHECK THE NEXT ROOM AND NOTICE THAT IT LOOKS TO BE THE SAME AS THE FIRST, SOMETHING THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE OTHERS THAT THEY CHECK, TO THE POINT WHERE ANYTHING THAT THEY DROP IN INSIDE A ROOM WILL BE IN THE SAME SPOT AS THEY OPEN THE NEXT DOOR. THE CAMERAS BEGIN TO GLITCH AS BOTH MONET AND CESSILY FIND THEMSELVES SLOWLY DRAWN TO THE BED.

MEANWHILE, THE STEPFORDS EAGERLY DIVE INTO THE POOL AS ALANI LOUNGES POOLSIDE, WAVING AT LAURA AND ASKING HER IF SHE’S ENJOYING THE TRIP. MEANWHILE, CELESTE AND MINDEE BRIEFLY GET OUT OF THE POOL TO DRY THEIR HAIR WHILE PHOEBE STAYS IN. AS SHE SINKS IN, HER SISTERS FIND THAT THEY LOSE CONTACT WITH HER IMMEDIATELY. COMPLETELY ALONE, PHOEBE’S EYES OPEN WIDE AS SHE SURFACES QUICKLY, FLAILING ABOUT IN THE WATER. SHE LOOKS DOWN AND SUDDENLY NOTICES LONG HANDS REACHING FROM THE BOTTOMLESS DEPTHS AS IF TRYING TO GRASP PHOEBE’S FOOT. SHE QUICKLY KICKS WHENEVER THEY REACH FOR HER AND USES HER ARMS TO PROPEL HER TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE POOL, FRIGHTENED.

LAURA’S CAMERA, MEANWHILE, CUTS OVER TO SOMETHING BLURRY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF A WINDOW PANE. SLOWLY, SHE NOTICES A SMALL, DEAD BIRD LYING IN A BUSH. SHE BRIEFLY TURNS AROUND AND FILMS PHOEBE LEAVING THE WATER BEFORE TURNING TO LOOK BACK AT THE DEAD BIRD, WHICH IS NO LONGER THERE.

LAURA: …WRONG.

INSIDE THE LIBRARY, SOFIA AND CALLIE ARE TRANSFIXED BY THE BOOK THAT THEY’RE READING, WHILE THE SONG ‘UNHOLY’ BY SAM SMITH PLAYS. SOFIA BRIEFLY READS ALOUD IN A HUSHED WHISPER, READING ABOUT THE PERSONAL NOTES AND MEMORIES OF LORDS AND LADIES OF CENTURIES PAST, GIVING EXPLICIT DETAILS INTO DECADENT AFFAIRS OF COURTLY INTRIGUE AND LOVE AND BETRAYAL, LEAVING SOFIA EQUAL PARTS HORRIFIED AND MESMERIZED.

CALLIE FINDS HER FAMILY’S NAME AMONG OTHERS, INCLUDING ‘STARSMORE’, ‘SLADE’, ‘KILGORE’, ‘ENDUQUE’, ‘KENSINGTON’, ‘SHAW’, ‘LELAND’, ‘PIERCE’ AND ‘FRANKENSTEIN’ INVOLVED IN PALATABLE DEBAUCHERY, SACRIFICE, WEALTH AND BLOOD, TOXIC SIN AND PARANORMAL WORSHIP, ALONGSIDE THE FOUNDING OF SOMETHING CALLED THE ‘HELLFIRE CLUB’ AND ‘CLAN AKKABA’. AS THEY READ, THE CAMERA MANAGES TO PICK UP SHAPES FORMING IN THE DARKNESS OF THE CEILING, REACHING FOR SOFIA AND CALLIE IN AN ATTEMPT TO SNATCH THEM.

BACK IN THE POOL, LAURA SINKS DOWN UNTIL HER NOSE AND MOUTH PROTRUDE BELOW THE SURFACE. WITH HER HAIR SWIMMING ABOUT IN EERIE, DARK STRANDS, SHE KIND OF LOOKS LIKE A GREEN-EYED JELLYFISH. SHE THEN PULLS HERSELF TO THE LIP OF THE POOL AND HAULS HERSELF ONTO THE RIM, HER BIKINI AND HAIR STICKING TO HER SKIN.

SHE TURNS TO LOOK AT ALANI AND LIFTS HER CHIN SLIGHTLY BEFORE SPITTING SOME WATER OUT AT HER LIKE A FOUNTAIN. ALANI GIGGLES AS LAURA TRIES TO PULL HER INTO THE POOL, COMMENTING THAT SHE’S BEEN SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME WITH CESSILY.

SUDDENLY, LOA PAUSES, AS IF IN A TRANCE, AS SHE WALKS TOWARD THE POOL, DROPPING THE CAMERA AS IF SHE’S THE VICTIM OF A SIREN’S CALL. LAURA LOOKS CONFUSED AND THEN TURNS OVER TO SEE THE HANDS MATERIALIZING AS GLOWING APPENDAGES OF LIGHT THAT YEARN TO HUNGRILY TOUCH AND TAKE PHOEBE, EVEN AFTER SHE TRIES TO LEAVE THE WATER.

IN THE WEST WING, CESSILY ASKS MONET IF THERE’S SOMETHING BIZARRO ABOUT THESE ROOMS. SHE YAWNS SLOWLY, SAYING THAT SHE FEELS KIND OF SLEEPY BEFORE WALKING TOWARD THE BED. MONET, MEANWHILE, EXAMINES THE FLOOR, TRACING IT BACK TO THE FORMULA IN THE FOYER. SHE MURMURS TO HERSELF ABOUT A PRACTICAL MANIFESTATION OF THE PRINCIPLES, OR AN OUTGROWTH OF…

SUDDENLY, CESSILY YELLS TO SOMETHING TO STOP MESSING WITH HER AND SHE KICKS THE BED WITH FOUL CESSILY KINCAID STRENGTH, JOLTING MONET OUT OF HER TRAIN OF THOUGHT.

CESSILY: TAKE THAT, DUMBASS BED!

MONET SPINS AROUND, CAMERA IN HER HANDS, AND SAYS THAT THEY BOTH NEED TO LEAVE, BACK TOWARD THE MAIN HALL. CESSILY TURNS AND NOTICES TALONED FINGERS SEETHING OUT OF THE FLOOR BENEATH THE BED, GRIPPING AND PULLING AT ANYTHING THEY CAN FIND. CESSILY’S FACE TURNS WHAT WOULD BE THE EQUIVALENT OF WHITE IN HER CASE, AND SHE LOOKS BACK AT MONET.

CESSILY: NO NO NO NOPE NO NOPE NOPE NO… OKAY, YEP IT’S TIME TO GO MONETYOURFAMILYISREALLYWEIRDIMSORRY-

UNLESS THE BED FIGHTS BACK, THE TOUR OF THE WEST WING ENDS WITH MONET FIRMLY LOCKING THE DOOR BEHIND THEM.

MEANWHILE, LAURA CEASES HER ANTICS OF SEMI-BULLYING SOCIALIZATION AND HER HEAD WHIPS AROUND SO FAST THAT HER WET HAIR FLINGS OUT FROM BEHIND HER. SHE QUICKLY GETS OUT OF THE POOL AND IS ABOUT TO DIVE IN TO HELP PHOEBE WHEN SHE SEES ALANI WALKING TOWARD THE POOL. SHE THEN GRABS LOA AND PICKS HER UP OVER HER SHOULDER. SHE THEN RUNS AROUND THE SIDE OF THE POOL TOWARD THE GAGGLE OF TRIPLETS, WHO SHE WARNS TO GET OUT IMMEDIATELY.

IN THE LIBRARY, SOFIA IS JOLTED FROM HER TRANCE WHEN SHE HEARS A HISS IN HER EAR. SHE PAUSES, AND THEN CLOSES THE BOOK WITH A SNAP, WARNING CALLIE THAT ‘THEY’ ARE HERE. BOTH GIRLS SHOOT UP AND LOOK AT THE SHADOWY HANDS, WHICH DISAPPEAR AS A CRY RIPPLES OUT THROUGH THE CHATEAU. CALLIE AND SOFIA LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND DASH OUT THE LIBRARY, THE BOOK STILL CLUTCHED IN SOFIA’S HAND. SOFIA SLOWLY TAKES A LAST LOOK BACK AND NOTICES A WICKEDLY SMILING SHORT-STACKED MAN IN A COLONIAL FRANCE OUTFIT, BUT SHAKES HER HEAD AND CONTINUES TO RUN.

THE GIRLS BEGIN TO RUN THROUGH THE HALLWAYS OF THE CHATEAU ST. CROIX. MONET AND CESSILY ARE OUT OF BREATH AND PANTING, SOFIA IS HOLDING THE STRANGE TOME SHE DISCOVERED AS SHE RUNS WITH CALLIE, AND LAURA AND THE CUCKOOS ARE DRIPPING WET. LAURA IS HALF-NAKED AND IS STILL CARRYING ALANI DESPITE THE POOL’S SIREN SONG CLEARLY HAVING WORN OFF. THEY ALL BEGIN TO CONVERGE IN THE FOYER FROM THEIR OWN SMALL HELLS.

MONET: EMPLATE! IT’S EMPL-

SUDDENLY, THE DOORS THAT LEAD DEEPER INTO THE CHATEAU OPEN, AND BEHIND IT IS A SHORT CREATURE DRESSED LIKE SOME COLONIAL FRENCH NOBLEMAN WITH A HUGE, DISGUSTING SMILE ON ITS FACE, DISTORTED BY SOME FLESHCRAFTING DISFIGUREMENT. THE GROUP STARES AT IT IN MIXED FEAR AND CONFUSION.

CESSILY: AGH! EVIL HOBBIT!!

LAURA’S CLAWS POP OUT AS ALANI STRUGGLES TO GET DOWN. SOFIA JUMPS BACK IN FRIGHT WHILE THE DISFIGURED CREATURE HANDS A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS TO MONET, TELLING HER THAT SHE LOOKS BEAUTIFUL AND CALLING HER ‘LITTLE MISTRESS’. THE THING CHEF’S KISSES AND STARES AT THE OTHERS, SAYING THAT THE MASTER WISHES THEM A GOOD TIME, EVEN IF HE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO JOIN THEM AT THE MOMENT, AS HE IS OTHERWISE ENGAGED.

CESSILY: STOP CREEPIN’, YOU ASSHOLE!

CESSILY THEN TAKES A SWING AT THE LITTLE DEATH’S HEAD HOBBIT AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY TOPPLES OVER AS HER FIST SWIPES DISSOLVING AIR. THE CREATURE, MEANWHILE, BEGINS TO DISSOLVE WITH AN EAR-SPLITTING HOBBIT SHRIEK AS CESSILY’S REWARD.

CREATURE: AH… SWEET AGONAHHHHHHHHH!!!!

WITH THAT, THE THING IS GONE, LEAVING THE ENTRANCE TO THE ATTIC. CESSILY GETS UP, ASKING WHY SHE CAN’T HIT ANYTHING WITHOUT SOMETHING CREEPY HAPPENING, BEFORE LOOKING AT THE ATTIC. SHE THEN SAYS THAT THIS IS CLEARLY A TRAP, RIGHT? WHEN WAS IT NOT BAT-SHIT CRAZY TO LISTEN TO ANYTHING THAT WARIO AND SMEAGOL’S LOVECHILD SAYS IN ANY SITUATION? LAURA’S CLAWS RETRACT AND SHE INHALES, LOOKING AT THE DOORS THAT LEAD OUTSIDE, BEFORE LOOKING BACK AT MONET.

LAURA: WILLARD IS DEAD. OUTSIDE.

SOFIA NODS, SAYING THAT SHE COULD FEEL HIM FADE. SHE ALWAYS SENSED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THIS PLACE. THE WIND’S ATMOSPHERE WAS WRONG. SHE THEN SAYS THAT SHE CAN FEEL FOUR OTHER PRESCENCES; THE STEWARD, WILLARD, AND TWO MORE, BUT SHE CAN’T MAKE IT OUT. SHE LOOKS TOWARD THE CUCKOOS FOR HELP.

SOFIA: WHAT DO YOU THINK, HERMANAS? CAN YOU SENSE ANYTHING?

MONET PAUSES AND THEN SAYS THAT SHE FEELS SOMETHING VERY FAMILIAR ABOUT THE RESIDUE HERE. SHE FEELS SOMEONE WHO SHE HAS KNOWN BEFORE, SOMEONE WHO IS CONNECTED TO THIS PLACE. AND SHE IS SURE HE IS ONLY HERE TO GLOAT. SHE WALKS FORWARD, FLOWERS IN HAND.

CALLIE: NASTY WAY OF DOING IT, HUH? BUT IF THIS GUY IS CONNECTED HERE, WE CAN BREAK THAT CONNECTION, RIGHT?

ALANI: WELL, INTO THE ABYSS WE GO. AND MAYBE AFTERWARDS, WE CAN SPEND CHRISTMAS IN GAY PAIR-EE.

CESSILY: I’M TOLD THAT’S A STEREOTYPE.

AS THE GIRLS ENTER THE ATTIC, THEY NOTICE IT LOOKS VERY MUCH LIKE EVERY HORROR MOVIE ATTIC. THERE ARE HISSING NOISES, A SMELL OF BLOOD AND GUTS, AND LOTS OF RELICS BELONGING TO THE ST. CROIX. THE TEAM FANS OUT, EXAMINING EVERY ARTIFACT AND TRINKET.

CALLIE STOPS AND PICKS UP A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN ALMOST A CENTURY AFTER THE INVENTION OF PHOTOGRAPHY. IT SHOWS A FAMILY ASSEMBLED ON A FIELD ALONGSIDE A YOUNG MAN WITH SPIKY HAIR AND VERY DARK SKIN HOLDING A SICKLE WITH LONG FINGERS. MEANWHILE, ALANI NOTICES A NAMELESS AND LEATHERBOUND BOOK. SHE PICKS IT UP AND READS THROUGH IT, NOTICING MATHEMATICAL FORMULAS, MANUSCRIPTS OF A STUDENT OF THE ARTS AND SCRIBBLES IN FRENCH THAT TALK ABOUT THE SPACE IN BETWEEN. THE PAGES FEATURE DROPLETS OF BLOOD ON THEM AT ALL TIMES, AND ALANI WRINKLES HER NOSE AT THE SMELL.

SOFIA LOOKS OVER AS ALANI FLIPS THROUGH THE PAGES. SHE RUNS HER FINGER THROUGH THE BLOOD, WHICH IS STILL FRESH, AND SHE THEN TAPS HER CHIN, ACCIDENTALLY SMEARING BLOOD ON HER FACE. ALANI CLOSES THE BOOK AND SOFIA WALKS FORWARD, TRACKING BLOOD IN HER FOOTPRINTS. SHE THEN NOTICES A FRAMED PICTURE OF THE ST. CROIX FAMILY, LOOKING AT A PLAQUE UNDERNEATH WITH THE NAMES. CARTIER AND JAMILA, THE DOTING PARENTS, STAND BY THEIR CHILDREN, MARIUS, A SERIOUS YOUNG MAN, MONET, HAUGHTY AND PRIDEFUL, AND THE TWINS, CLAUDETTE AND NICOLE. SOFIA PAUSES WHEN SHE SEES MARIUS’S FACE SMEARED WITH BLOOD.

CESSILY: M… IS THIS YOUR FAMILY?

SUDDENLY, A SHADOW FALLS ON THE ATTIC, WITH HAIR LIKE NEEDLES AND IT’S RED EYES FLASHING. SOFIA JUMPS BACK, FRIGHTENED, AS MONET GLARES.

VOICE: I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD COME, CHILDE…

THE FIGURE BREATHES SLOWLY BEHIND A MASK AS IT PHASES IN AND OUT OF THE PHYSICAL WORLD. BY ITS SIDE, ANOTHER DOES THE SAME, PHASING LIKE ITS PARTNER. THE MAN COULD HAVE BEEN BEAUTIFUL ONCE, BUT UNDERNEATH HIS ROBE, IT’S CLEAR THAT HIS SKIN IS A PATCH OF SCARS. THE YOUNGER CREATURE TELLS MONET THAT SHE HAS FROLICKED WITH DULLARDS FOR TOO LONG. IT IS TIME TO FEAST UPON THEM AS ONE.

THE OLDER, SCARRED MAN SAYS THAT SHE WILL NOT LISTEN, BUT THE FIRST CREATURE RESPONDS THAT SHE WILL, BEFORE PULLING SOFIA TOWARDS HIM. ITS HAND EXTENDS, REVEALING A RAVENOUS MAW FULL OF TEETH, ITS TONGUE SURGING FROM THAT MOUTH AND WRAPPING AROUND SOFIA’S NECK AS HE HOLDS HER UP IN THE AIR.

CREATURE …ONCE SHE SEES WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE WHO GO AGAINST BLOOD…

MONET: JULIUS. MARIUS. YOU PROMISED YOU WOULDN’T HURT THEM.

CESSILY SUDDENLY CHARGES FORWARD, HER HAND FORMING INTO A SILVER MERCURY BLADE AS SHE SLASHES AT THE CREATURES. SOFIA SCREAMS AS MONET YELLS THAT THEY NEED TO STAY MATERIAL TO KEEP AHOLD OF HER. CALLIE NODS, ENSNARING THE CREATURES IN VINES THAT SPROUT BETWEEN THE FLOORBOARDS. SOFIA SCREAMS AGAIN AS SHE LETS LOOSE A MIGHTY WIND THAT BLOWS MARIUS BACK WHILE ALANI PHASES THROUGH A FALLEN BOOKSHELF. THE CUCKOOS LET LOOSE A PSYCHIC ATTACK, WHICH, COMBINED WITH MONET’S OWN TELEPATHY, CAUSES A PSYCHIC WHAMMY ON THE CREATURES. THE ELDER LOOKS FURIOUS AS SOFIA DROPS TO THE GROUND, THE BOOK SHE LOOTED FROM THE LIBRARY FALLING ALONGSIDE HER, AND BEGINS TO PHASE OUT ALONGSIDE THE OTHER CREATURE.

ELDER CREATURE: NO MATTER… THEY HAVE SEEN YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE BECOME… LET’S SEE HOW THEIR LOVE HOLDS AGAINST YOUR HUNGER, CHILD… FOR YOU WILL HATCH… MY BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY…

WITH THAT, THE CHEERLEADERS (AND LAURA) ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO A PSYCHIC VISION AS MONET STANDS IN FRONT OF THEM. TO THEM, SHE APPEARS AS RED-SKINNED AND EERIE, WITH HER HAIR AND FINGERS LONG AND SHARP. THIS HAPPENS FOR A MOMENT, AND THEN THE SAME PERFECT GIRL APPEARS INSTEAD.

CALLIE: WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?

ALANI: DID YOU ALL SEE THAT TOO?

LAURA: IT’S A MESSAGE. FROM MONET’S FAMILY.

SOFIA: NO, CHIQUITA, IT’S MORE LIKE… A PROMISE.

MONET: I WILL… CALL THE POLICE. WE CAN STAY IN LYON TONIGHT AND THEN GO TO PARIS FOR THE REST OF THE BREAK.

CESSILY: YEAH. UM… WE SHOULD BAIL. I’LL… I’LL GO GET OUR CRAP.

SOFIA: I HEAR LYON’S MORE INTERESTING THAN PARIS ANYWAY.

ALANI NODS AND SAYS THAT WHEREVER THEY’RE STAYING, SHE NEEDS TO GET DRUNK. IT’S ALREADY BEEN A DAY AND THEY’VE COMPLETELY WRECKED THE PLACE. CALLIE THEN SAYS TO LOOK ON THE BRIGHTSIDE. THEY SAVED SOFIA AND DEFEATED THE BAD GUYS. SOUNDS LIKE A SUCCESSFUL X-MISSION TO HER. AS THEY HEAD OUT THE ATTIC, SOFIA NOTICES THAT SHE DROPPED THE BOOK FROM THE LIBRARY. SHE SLOWLY PICKS IT UP AND TUCKS IT UNDER HER ARM, BEFORE TAKING A PICTURE OF THE FALLEN FRAME OF THE ST. CROIX FAMILY.

AS THE GROUP EXITS THE ATTIC, THEY FIND THE LIBRARY DEVOID OF BOOKS, THE POOL DEVOID OF WATER, THE EMPLOYEES’ HOUSE WITHOUT EMPLOYEES, AND THE GARDEN EXTREMELY UNKEMPT. THE CAMERA FOCUSES ON SOFIA AS SHE CLUTCHES THE BOOK CONTAINING MONET’S CURSED BLOODLINE, AND SHE LOOKS OUT AT THE HOUSE. SHE SQUINTS BRIEFLY AS SHE NOTICES THE SHADES OF THE CHATEAU WATCHING THE YOUNG MUTANTS AS THEY REMAIN FOREVER BOUND TO THE HOME WHERE THEY WERE SACRIFICED TO SLAKE THE HUNGER OF THE ST. CROIX CLAN.

SOFIA: I KNOW NOW. I KNOW YOU WERE TRYING TO WARN US. TO PREVENT US FROM VISITING THE ATTIC. I KNOW.

SOFIA THEN DIPS HER HEAD INTO THE CAR, WHICH DRIVES OFF, LEAVING THE ESTATE ALL ALONE.

[enkisstories]

First thing Ruan did that day was to collect the Reed family’s alibis, but they weren’t very helpful. Being in town only for a short trip, the Reeds hadn’t paid much attention to the residents and were unable to identify them on sight.

The parents had revised his lessons with Byron (whom they had called in sick to be able to go on this vacation together - fortunately Ruan wasn’t on the case of a little truant from Detroit), and afterwards briefly played at the rental’s swimming pool until Daniel had very nearly fallen in (what seemed to be something to dread?).

The family then had taken a hike to the lighthouse, where the lighthouse keeper had gifted them juicy red apples in keeping with an old tradition.

They had made sure to be back in town by five o’clock for tea time in the Ginger Cat cafe on Byron’s insistance, but then had arrived there much earlier, around 16:20. They had had tea and salmon sandwiches, sitting at an inside table.

Afterwards the family had returned to the rental and donned Halloween costumes. 18:00 they had been on their way to the pub, planning to go ghostwatching at the Pol Stones come nightfall - what they obviously hadn’t been able to do on account of the murder.

[delhirajasthancartour]

Places to Visit in Jaipur on Weekend with Family

Amber Fort: Amber Fort is a historic gem offering stunning views and architectural beauty. The elephant ride to the fort entrance and light and sound show in the evening is a highlight for families.

City Palace:The majestic City Palace, home to Jaipur's royal family. Families can tour the museums to see royal costumes, weapons, and artifacts, making it both educational and entertaining for kids and adults alike.

Jaipur Zoo: Located near Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur Zoo is a favorite among children and wildlife enthusiasts. The zoo houses various animals and birds offering an educational yet enjoyable experience for the entire family.

Nahargarh Fort: Nahargarh Fort offers beautiful views of Jaipur. It is ideal for a relaxed family picnic with scenic surroundings. Sunset at the fort is the highlight of the trip.

Chokhi Dhani: This cultural village resort offers an immersive Rajasthani experience, with folk performances, puppet shows, camel rides, and traditional cuisine.

Jaipur has numerous attractions perfect for family outings. For a comfortable and affordable journey, consider Tempo Traveller Rental Jaipur to explore the city with ease. It offers ample space for everyone, making family travel comfortable and enjoyable at the best price.

[pankajs123]

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Jain Collections make reasonably priced luxury accessible. Premium trends can be accessed without getting money by rental expensive, designer clothing. The affordability of renting is especially alluring to young couples who wish to have a special wedding without going over budget. Tailored suitable for and Design Services:

One of the most notable aspects of Jain Collections'in Mumbai offerings is the customized matching and style advice they provide. Based on body types, personal tastes, and wedding themes, their knowledgeable staff helps clients locate the ideal fit and styling ideas. This guarantees each client's comfort and confidence on their special day. Tips for Selecting the Ideal Wedding Gown at Jain Collections Identifying Your Colors and Theme: Take into account your wedding's theme and color scheme before visiting Jain Collections. Finding a look that fits the wedding's overall style will be made easier by this process of reducing the number of possible outfits. Examining the Collection Online: Before going to the store, buyers can peruse the fashions, designs, and style that are available in Jain Collections' online catalog. During in-store consultations, this is a quick and easy method to identify clothes that appeal to you. Looking for Professional Advice: The staff at wedding gowns on rent in mumbai Jain Collections provides professional advice to clients who are unsure which outfits should be wearing in order to help them select outfits that meet their body type, personal style, and occasion specifications. Because of their knowledge of fashion, everyone enters the store feeling comfortable and prepared to dazzle. "My favorite wedding-related choice was getting amens sherwani on rental from Jain Collections. When I donned a gorgeous sherwani that seemed to have been custom-made for me, I received several remarks. In addition to the overall convenience of the transaction, the rental help was excellent. Greatly recommended! The Rental Process at Jain Collections :

Choosing Your Clothes Based on your personal style, you can select from a wide range of alternatives, including blazers, Jodhpuri suits, tuxedos, and sherwanis. Make an appointment Jain Collections offers individualized fittings and styling guidance; make an appointment. Their staff will make sure your outfit suits you perfectly. Jain Collection Best wedding dress on rental in Mumbai is bringing elegance, convenience, and sustainability together in its rental business, which is changing men's wedding apparel. Jain Collections makes sure that every man can stand out without blowing money with everything from sleek tuxedos that radiate refinement to sherwanis that honor Indian culture. Renting enables you to responsibly enjoy high fashion while also being an environmentally responsible alternative. See how simple you can make it to look amazing on your special day without breaking the bank by visiting Jain Collections right now. Accept the grace and simplicity of renting, and allow Jain Collections to assist you in crafting stunning wedding memories.

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Agave at South Congress Apartments in Austin, TX

When it comes to two bedroom rentals in Austin area, you need to be smart in choosing an apartment unit. If you want to be familiar with amazing options, start by checking out the website of Agave at South Congress Apartments. If you’ll check out their website, you’ll discover remarkable things. First, their welcoming clubhouse features a 24-hour athletic center with fitness on-demand, gourmet coffee and tea bar, lounge with billiards, pet spa, demonstration kitchen, business center, and on-site bike repair shop and storage. Moreover, they are situated near several area schools and employers, such as University of Texas, St. Edward's University, Austin Community College, Austin Independent School District, Amazon, and more.

Austin, TX

Are you find of preparing travel plans? Since there are many amazing travel destinations featured online, you’ll have fun doing it. If you’re making one today, you can check out these Eventbrite posts. First, there will be a free event named Longhorn Market this coming Sunday, November 3, 2024, at around 12:00 in the afternoon at Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. Second, the W Presents activity is scheduled on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at around 8:00 in the evening at W Austin. Moreover, you can also opt to attend the free event named 2024 Taste of Korea in Austin this coming Saturday, November 2, 2024, at around 11:00 in the morning at Oak Hill Baptist Church.

Blanton Museum of Art

Have you visited the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, TX lately? Basically, the Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art that is often referred to as the Blanton or the BMA at the University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest university art museums in the U.S. In addition, it has 189,340 square feet space devoted to temporary exhibitions, permanent collection galleries, storage, administrative offices, classrooms, a print study room, an auditorium, shop, and cafe. Furthermore, their permanent collection consists of more than 21,000 works, with significant holdings of modern and contemporary art, Latin American art, Old Master paintings, and prints and drawings from Europe, the United States, and Latin America.

Colorful costumes and live music to highlight downtown Austin's Viva la Vida parade

There are many inspiring and exciting news reports in Austin, TX. In a recent news article, the topic was about Austin’s Viva la Vida. Reportedly, the Mexic-Arte Museum has announced the return of its annual Viva la Vida Festival and Parade that will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 12:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon. It will be held in downtown Austin, too. Aside from that, it was mentioned in the news that this celebration is the city’s largest and longest-running Day of the Dead event. Moreover, it honors the rich traditions of the multi-day holiday while inviting the community to participate.

Link to map

Blanton Museum of Art 200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78712, United States Get on I-35 S/US-290 W 3 min (0.9 mi) Follow I-35 S to S I-35 Frontage Rd. Take exit 229 from I-35 S 5 min (4.5 mi) Follow S I-35 Frontage Rd and E Stassney Ln to your destination 3 min (1.8 mi) Agave at South Congress Apartments 625 E Stassney Ln, Austin, TX 78745, United States

[travelarii]

These Spooky Things To Do In Florida For Halloween Made My Trip Unforgettable With My Friend!

Halloween in Florida is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. As someone who loves the spooky season, I was thrilled when my friend Olivia suggested a Halloween-themed trip. Florida’s blend of sunshine, eerie stories, and festive fun makes it a perfect destination to celebrate Halloween. If you’re looking for things to do in Florida for Halloween, this guide from my adventure will help you plan the ultimate spooky getaway.

After a day filled with Halloween excitement, you’ll want a cozy place to unwind. I’ll also guide you to the best accommodations in Florida. Despite the busy tourism season, the area offers a wide range of excellent vacation rentals to consider. Even if you’re looking for luxury vacation rentals, home rentals, hotel stays, resort accommodations, beach rentals, or cabin retreats, you’ll find a variety of options to suit your needs.

Before I dive deeper, here’s a sneak peek of the spooky things to do in Florida for Halloween that we covered –

Pumpkin Patch Picking

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

ZooBoo at ZooTampa

Ghost Tours in St. Augustine

Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens

Spooky Things to Do in Florida For Halloween

Last October, my friend Olivia and I decided to embark on a spooky adventure to experience Halloween in Florida. We’ve always been huge fans of Halloween, and Florida is packed with events that blend thrills, fun, and plenty of scares. With pumpkin patches, haunted houses, and some of the best Halloween events you could imagine, our trip was nothing short of unforgettable! If you’re planning a visit for the first time, these are the things to do in Florida for Halloween that will make your trip as memorable as ours.

1. Pumpkin Patch Picking

We kicked off our Halloween adventure with a visit to a pumpkin patch near Orlando. There’s something nostalgic and heartwarming about picking out your own pumpkin, especially when you’re surrounded by families, fall decor, and the crisp autumn air (well, as crisp as it gets in Florida!). The patch we visited had more than just pumpkins – there were hayrides, corn mazes, and even food trucks serving fall-themed treats.

The best part? Olivia and I turned it into a competition to see who could find the most perfectly shaped pumpkin for carving later that evening.

Pro tip: pumpkin patches in Florida are a bit warmer than those up north, so dress comfortably and bring water!

2. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Olivia and I are both Disney fans, so naturally, we had to check out Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World. It was an absolute blast! From the moment we stepped into Magic Kingdom, the entire park was decked out in Halloween decorations, with pumpkins, spooky lights, and even costumed characters greeting us.

What makes this event unique is that it’s perfect for all ages. The trick-or-treating stations were a hit (even for two adults like us!), and the Halloween parade was one of the most magical experiences. The fireworks show? Breathtaking! We also couldn’t resist dressing up, as adults are allowed to wear costumes at this event, which added to the fun. This is hands down one of the best Halloween events in Florida, and if you’re visiting during the spooky season, it’s a must-see.

3. ZooBoo at ZooTampa

Next on our spooky tour was ZooBoo at ZooTampa. Olivia had never been to Tampa, so this was an exciting first for her. What’s great about ZooBoo is that it combines both a traditional zoo experience with Halloween-themed attractions. From haunted houses to lighthearted scares for younger kids, ZooTampa really knows how to put on a show.

One of our favorite parts was the “Scare Zones,” where costumed actors jump out and surprise you as you enter the zoo. But don’t worry, it’s not too intense—more fun than fright. We also got to see the animals during the day, which was a nice break from the haunted excitement.

4. Ghost Tours in St. Augustine

I’ve always been fascinated by history, and Olivia is a sucker for anything supernatural, so we couldn’t pass up a ghost tour in St. Augustine. As the oldest city in the U.S., St. Augustine is packed with eerie tales, and the city itself has a spooky vibe, especially at night.

We booked a night tour through old cemeteries, haunted inns, and even the famous Castillo de San Marcos. Our guide told us chilling stories about past residents whose spirits are said to still wander the streets. The atmosphere was surreal – lanterns flickered in the distance as the guide whispered about ghost sightings. It was easily one of the best ghost tours I’ve ever been on, and it’s a must if you’re looking for spooky things to do for Halloween. Read more…

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Halloween Howl & the HCSO Safety Fun Fest Bring Fun for All Ages to downtown Brooksville October 26!

Brooksville Main Street has partnered with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office to bring the Safety Fun Fest to Halloween Howl. This year’s event just got even bigger and everyone is invited! WE CANNOT WAIT! Get ready for a frightfully fun time! The highly anticipated downtown trick-or-treating event promises an evening filled with spooky entertainment, family-friendly activities, and plenty of tricks and treats for all ages. Taking place on Saturday, October 26 from 4 pm-8 pm in Downtown Brooksville, Halloween Howl and the Safety Fun Fest will feature a wide range of activities, including: - Trick-or-Treating: Take a stroll downtown through a trick-or-treat trail of downtown businesses, where kids and adults alike can fill their bags with sweet treats from participating vendors and downtown merchants. Continue down to South ‘Booville Ave where you can visit the scary neighborhood, enjoy a movie on the lawn and trick or treat for even more candy. - Costume Contests: Come dressed in your Halloween best for a chance to win exciting prizes in various age categories, including Best PET costume, Best Individual Costume, Best Group Costume, and Scariest Costume. - Dance Contests: DJ Jacob Hunt will be in the Bandshell doing the Monster Mash and a few other contests that even Casper the Friendly Ghost can handle! - Spooky Carriage Rides from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm – * Reservations are required along with a small fee. Please contact John @ Country Depot @ 813.297.6276 The Safety Fun Fest will showcase all of Hernando County’s first responders from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, the Hernando County Fire Rescue, the Brooksville Fire Department, and the City of Brooksville Public Works Department. The HSCO Marine and Aviation Units, the Civilian Mounted Unit, K-9 Units, the SWAT team, and the Drone Unit will also be at Safety Fun Fest! Get an up-close look at the first responder vehicles, speak with officers and emergency personnel about their jobs, and discover more about community safety. In addition to exploring the vehicles, attendees can participate in safety demos and interactive games. Families will also have the chance to meet our local heroes, the men and women who serve and protect the community, including firefighters, police officers, and EMTs. We can’t forget to mention that there will be food trucks, arts & craft vendors, non-profit organizations, face painting and so much more! Halloween Howl and the Safety Fun Fest is a free event, open to all ages in a family-friendly environment! The event also includes free downtown parking and the opportunity to stroll throughout downtown enjoying restaurants, merchants, and retail stores as you trick or treat! Thank you to our “Grand Ghost” presenting sponsor Lowman Law Firm, and “Goblin” sponsors, Farmer in the Dell Rustic Event Rentals and Lowman Family Foundation and “Pumpkin” Sponsors, Family Chiropractic, Justin Noe Real Estate, and Brewer & Sons Funeral Home. Our Community partners include the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, The City of Brooksville, Hernando County Government, Hernando County Recycling, Hernando Sun, Hits 106, WWJB Radio, Naturecoaster.com, Jacob Hunt Talent Agency, Stir Up the Gift Talent Group, and Monocle Designs Photography. Brooksville Main Street loves to have fun and it shows! Halloween Howl and the HCSO Safety Fun Fest is a must-do fun date night for the entire family!  For more information visit www.welovebvl.org or visit https://www.facebook.com/share/ufa6CZuhrLPiMWL9/ About Halloween Howl Halloween Howl is an annual community event that brings people of all ages together for a spooky celebration. With fun-filled activities, entertainment, and a welcoming atmosphere, Halloween Howl has become a beloved tradition that highlights the best of Halloween festivities. About Safety Fun Fest Safety Fun Fest is an annual event dedicated to promoting safety awareness through fun and interactive experiences. The event brings together local first responders, safety experts, and community members to educate families on the importance of safety while providing hands-on activities for children. About Brooksville Main Street We are Main Street. A local 501(c)3 non-profit agency tasked with economic revitalization of historic Downtown Brooksville. Our mission is to honor the small-town charm and spirit of our hometown by fostering a strong sense of community and family. We are dedicated to historic preservation and revitalization ensuring Brooksville's unique character and deep roots thrive for future generations. Through our committees: Design, Economic Vitality, Organization, and Promotions, we host a variety of events that bring visitors downtown to enjoy all there is to offer.   Brooksville Main Street is pleased to be recognized as an accredited member of Main Street America and Florida Main Street as well as a proud partner of the City of Brooksville, Hernando County Government, Florida Adventure Coast Brooksville & Weeki Wachee, the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, Florida Humanities, Florida Wildlife Corridor, the Florida Division of Arts & Culture and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, please visit www.welovebvl.org or https://www.facebook.com/brooksvillemainstreet Read the full article