#why are we wearing plain leotards on stage???
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superioritea-complex · 7 months ago
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new ballets russes
ngl if i ever ended up with a ridiculous amount of money i'd probably found a ballet company, i'd wanna do something new and interesting like the ballets russes did back in the early 20th century- minus Diaghilev being a strange and quite frankly gross individual- I feel like so much of ballet has gotten repetitive, in the sense that we've focused to much on perfection we've forgotten that we are a performing art form- so often we get hung up on body proportions and things like hyper extension and body shape that we end up losing the emotion of the dance completely. I've recently watched dying swan- the og version with anna pavlova and now i can't help but feel newer versions are overly santized, like the concern is to look beautiful and not the real tragedy that is happening on stage. I think it's not only a disservice to audience members but to dancers as well as we are robbing them of developing their creative expression. That and it would also help with the fact that many ballets are quite frankly dated- for example the bolshoi black face scandal for their production of la bayadere (this happened in 2019 btw).
I would love to see a new fantastical adaptation with elaborate costumes, choreography, sets, and music- (bring back camp!!). Plus there are so many myths and cultural things to chose from a ballet could be done on Sappho's life, or on La Maupin (if you don't know who she is PLEASE look her up- she's unhinged and my hero), or even take from more myths like eros and psyche, or apollo and hyacinth, or a full length version of orpheus (i know balanchine did a short version with music by Stravinsky but imagine an entire set for the underworld- like fully fleshed out costumes for hades and persephone- it's actually a shame how minimalist balanchine's sets and costumes are given the inspo (bc they weren't originally!!- look at old apollo costumes vs the more recent ones- like bro HOW did we get here???) or we could start adapting Dostoevskyballet and Kafka like we've been adapting Shakespear (METAMORPHASIS BALLET GUYS- I MEAN COME. ON.) and these are just the ones off the top of my head.
I think now would be a good time to reinvigorate the artform especially with increased interest due to the overall ballet core trend- it could be a great way to bring in more people not only as those who take classes but also as viewers. Also ballet company's have shitty marketing- ofc if you only push the nutcracker for the entire year then you're only going to get people to watch the nutcracker and your other repertoire is gonna flop. duh. By investing a bit in marketing instead of lining the artistic director's pockets (be so fr do u really need a second vacation home?) the company would be more successful overall-( more people to come in and see shows, more artistic outreach, more outreach means more tickets means more money so hopefully better conditions for the dancers, etc. etc.)
tldr. people only say ballet is boring bc y'all have made ballet boring, the lack of artistic expression, lack of new creative sets and costumes, elitism, racism, homophobia, etc. etc. etc. are what have made people less engaged with the art form over the years NOT the actual style of dance itself.
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writingfortheheart · 10 months ago
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Counting to 30: Marcianna 2
Marcianna stood in front of the bathroom mirror, a pair of pins held in her mouth as she attempted to tie her hair up into a bun. "I think I..." she grabbed one of the pins and threaded it carefully through her hair. It never got any easier for her, even though she had done it a million times or more. Competition hair styles were so much worse than a simple bun, but at least she had help with those.
She slipped the second pin into her hair to secure it in place, then stopped to admire herself in the mirror. Plain black leotard, white tights, a lime green wrap draped over her shoulders. She looked the part, could she be the part? She gently slapped her cheeks to get a bit of color in them. Waste of makeup if she's not on stage, that's what every coach told her, just slap a bit of rouge into them.
A few springy steps into the hallway, Marcianna finally felt good. She slipped her polyester booties on over top of the leather ballet slippers she was already wearing. She almost wanted to lie down in her new bed, she felt cozy. There would be time for that later. Right now she had an appointment with the doctor before her first class. She grabbed her keycard and stuffed it into her bootie, folded up her requisition form, and headed out the door.
There were at least four other girls before Marcianna. None younger than 18, all sitting in the hallway outside Dr. Kirby's office, all dressed to go to their next class. Marcianna plopped herself down beside a thin, pale girl. She had sad eyes, or maybe it was just how thin she was, her eyes were sunken. She looked to be out of breath, and she was shaking a blue inhaler, almost out of habit it seemed like. After a good shake she raised the inhaler to her lips and took a puff.
A name got called and one of the girls stood up and went into the office. Marcianna looked over at the pale girl. "Are you doing okay?". The pale girl smiled. "Yeah, just a minor asthma attack. No big deal. I was coming here for my daily albuterol anyway, go figure".
"A ballerina with asthma. I guess it happens no matter who you are..." Marcianna wanted to laugh at the idea, but she had used an inhaler for a small part of her life. "They taste like crap, right?"
The pale girl started to chuckle. "Yeah, it depends on how fast you inhale".
"How serious is it?"
"Not too bad. I've only been hospitalized twice. Dr. Kirby keeps me in line now".
Another name is called, and the second girl gets up and goes into the office as the first girl leaves. "How long have you been at this academy?", Marcianna asked. The girl sat back and searched her thoughts. "3 years, I'm on a 5 year program. I have the option to do another three years after that, or I can join a ballet company, or I can just teach."
"Here?"
"Maybe, or I could start a dance studio of my own".
"That sounds like it would be lovely", Marcianna had dreams of teaching, as well, but not right away. She wanted to join one of the major dance companies, perform one of the big shows. "I have my sights set high..." she kind of muttered to herself.
The pale girl chuckled again, this one turning into a cough, then a wheeze as she got her breath back. "We all do. That's why we're here", she shook the inhaler again, put it between her lips, and took another puff.
The second girl exited the office door and Dr. Kirby poked his head out. "Trina?" he said. "That's me", said the pale girl. "Marcianna, you come in as well", said Dr. Kirby, "I won't be long with Trina here".
Marcianna stood up and followed Trina inside.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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bolbianddolanhouse · 5 years ago
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BNHA self insert AU [Book 2]
Lost and confused? See this post to catch up!
Chapter 3: *Nicki Minaj Only Meme on Loop*
“Who did you choose Lili?” Hoshi asked me on our way to lunch at our usual spot “you kept quiet when some of us were sharing in class.”
“I chose the other offer” I stretched my arms “my parents were freaking out over it, so it must be good.”
“Oh dang both of them?” I nod as we sat at the stone table “well I trust your mom’s word, so I guess you chose well.”
“See, like, I’m not sure if I made the right choice” I opened my lunch bag “yea we have the same quirk but what can he show me that I already don’t know?”
“He was a top hero before, I’m sure he can bestow some knowledge on how things used to be?” he peered into my bag “did your mom pack lunch?”
“How can you tell?”
“I don’t recognize a single food product in that bag aside from the cut mango” he snickered “what’s for lunch?”
I peer in my bag “A torta, hot cheetos, mango con chamoy and an Arizona green tea” I gasped as I grab one of the items “OH BOY A TWINKIE YESSSSSS!”
“What’s a twinkie?” 
All jazz music stopped in my head “You’ve never had the joy of having the delicious, golden, creme filled wonder that’s a twinkie?!” I watch him shake his head cautiously “here, today I’m blessing you with some American culture that my mother took for granted when she lived there.”
He looks at me presenting the twinkie in my open palms “You sure? From your guttural screech earlier, seems like you want it more.”
“As a proud half latina-American, I can’t be selfish with food experiences” I put the wrapped snack cake in his hands “on my momma’s word they’re good!”
“I did say I trust your mom” he unwrapped the twinkie and took a bite, his eyes widened and glistened “oh my god, Lili what the fuck?” he took another bite and savored it “this is the best thing in my sad, pathetic life!”
“I said the same thing when I was 6 years old” I recalled “good times! Now my siblings and I get in near fist fights over them. Mom keeps them under lock in the snack pantry so we never know if there’s any.”
“Fist fights? You 4 seem to get along so well” he finishes the snack “I guess nobody gets in the way of your imported snacks huh?”
“Yup!” I pick up my torta and take a bite “oh fuck yea! she put extra queso fresco in mine!”
After a very passionate lunch of me just explaining ethnic eating, we go about the rest of our day as usual. I countdown the days until I need to go to my internship, according to his requests, I have to bring a lot of extra things. 
“That’s quite the line of luggage you got there” Hoshi commented on my 3 rolling suitcases and large duffle bag “you need help?”
“No, I’m fine” I take a calming breath “my ride is going to come any minute now” I look at my phone for the time “looks like you should get a move on too, the train to Saitama is departing soon.”
“Okay then, I’ll see you in 2 weeks” he grabbed his costume case “um text me when you get to your destination?”
“I will, take care!” I smile at him. I watch him start to walk away, then turned back to hug me “Oh?”
“Sorry it’s just that I needed this” he squeezed a little tighter “my mom would hug me good bye all the time when she had to go away for days at a time, it doesn’t feel right for me to say bye without a hug.”
That made me soft and a little sad that I reminded him of his mom. The best I could do was hug him back until he had to run off to catch his train. Not long after, a town car rolled up to where I was waiting.
“Hello Miss, are you Iida Lili Perla?” spoke the man in the drivers seat.
“Are you from the Best Jeanist agency?”
“Yes I am! Very nice to meet you” he gets out from the car and I can see the tent like pants in full view “I’m Jinko Punky from the Best Jeanist agency” he bows “it’s an honor to escort one of Agent 19′s very own.”
“You know my mom?” I was very confused on how this man knows my mother’s agent number and why he addressed her as such.
“Yes, she’s a very beloved agent in the agency” he gestured to my luggage “but lets load these into the car and I’ll explain things as we go.”
I help him put my things in the trunk and sat in the front of the car. The more I think about it, the more I’m confused on this man’s appearance “Alright, let me explain more, I bet you have a lot of questions.”
“Yes, my parents were freaking out over this offer. But all I know is that he’s a retired hero and my mom interned under his agent sector.” I couldn’t stop looking at his ugly tent pants “what does he want to do with hero work after all this time?”
“He’s an eccentric man, and he adored your mother when she was your age” he chuckled “I’ve never seen him so soft after interacting with her, like something in him changed for the better.” He sighed “Your mother showed her loyalty to us and helped in solving cases and gaining very valuable intel that no other could get! But what a strange twist of fate that her daughter is doing the same thing?!” We drive another 20 minutes and we arrive somewhere in Taito “Alright, this is your first destination.”
“First destination?”
“Yes, for this week you’ll be with the man himself” he unloads my bags “and next week you’ll be at the agency.”
He leads me into the building and tells me which floor and room I should go to. As I ascend to the top floor, I get nervous on how this man is going to be and what my mother felt when she met him. Finding the room wasn’t hard and I knocked on the door.
“Who’s there?” responded a semi-robotic voice.
“This is Lili Iida, from UA heroics program.”
I heard a click and the door opened “Please come in!” greeted a long-haired, white cat “I’ll let my owner know you’re here, please have a seat on the couch.”
I watched the cat trot away in awe. It was one of the fancy cat robo models my mom’s company developed! If I remembered correctly, the model name is Chiffon and was named after somebody’s beloved cat that passed away of old age. I looked at the room around me, it was spacious and clean. Seemed almost too big for just one person to be living here but there wasn’t any pictures of a family to show that more people lived here. Actually, there wasn’t any pictures on the wall, just artwork and hanging houseplants. I caught a glimpse of a silhouette of a tall figure coming closer from the hall the cat went in. I stood up and there he was, tall and in all denim.
“Hello there” he stopped in his tracks when he saw me “it’s very nice to see you after so long. My how you’ve grown up!”
I felt so comforted somehow after he spoke to me like we were family “I wish I could say the same about you” I bowed “I’ve heard so much about you!”
“Oh child, don’t bow to me” he walked up to me and tilted my chin up “we’re like distant family. Did Jinko explain things?”
“Yes he did” I stood up straight, unsure on how I should be addressing him “I’m going to be under your guidance this week and next week with the agency.”
“Correct” he turned toward the other side of the room “come this way, I’ll show you to your room for this week.” I follow him with all my things “here’s your room, it’s a bit plain but you’ll have your own bathroom and don’t mind the mannequin busts.”
I walk into the room and it was white and gray with a large window and decent sized wardrobe “Thank you, um”
“Um? OH my name!” he caught on to Lili’s struggle “call me Mr. Hakamada, I don’t like being called sir.”
“Okay, got it Mr. Hakamada!” I smiled.
“Great, I’ll let you get settled and meet me up in the loft when you’re done” he turns to leave “and wear a practice suit, training starts today.”
I watch him leave and the nervousness sets in. Never in my life has fear struck me! Dad said I was a fearless baby and rarely cried but I’m feeling a bit like a child. Probably just the fact that this is a pro-hero that’s way more experienced than my dad and has the same quirk. I put on my leotard and muslin stash and make my way to the loft. His place has hard wood, so you can hear me clicking about on my pistons. If I were sneaking, I’d be so dead, but I put on my rubber soles so I don’t ruin his floors. The loft was just as spacious but it looked more like a dance studio but without the mirrors. He sees me and starts to give me that ‘what are you wearing?’ look.
“Is there something the matter?”
“It just that” he pointed at my sash “that muslin doesn’t go with your whole look, what do you use this thing for?”
“Oh this is my extra layer when I do quirk practice” I explained “I can control any fiber cloth material and make anything! As long as I have a mental reference of said thing or I’ve practiced making something.”
“Any fiber?” he said in awe “then I’ve underestimated you!” he unraveled his denim turtle neck “you have a wider range than I do, but can you think fast!”
I almost got caught in his string attachment attack, thank the lord for rocket feet! I unraveled my sash “I can do more than that!”
“Lets see how you feel about not being able to move!” he wrapped my ankles together “hard isn’t it?”
“Two can play at that game!” I binded his pant legs together with my sash “now who’s vulnerable?!”
“You, you don’t have anymore cloth to use” he smirked “you have much to learn.”
I pulled the ribbons out of my hair and used them to bind his wrists together “You don’t tell me when the fights over, I DO!”
“Okay okay, I surrender” he chuckled “you really are your mother’s child.”
I un-binded him “How so?”
“She has the same battle attitude” he freed me from my ankles “it’s a little dangerous how that passed down to you, actually, it’s strange how she created such a child.”
“What do you mean?” I was curious “I’m just doing what feels right.”
“I saw your spars at the sports festival and I was just impressed that you graced the stage with your presence and dance-like moves” he sat on the floor and I followed suit “all the techniques you did like the puppeteer move and the sling were very reminiscent of your mother and I knew I had to mentor you.” He picked up the piece of ribbon that hanged on his wrist “I consider your mother more like my daughter, and I guess making you my grand-daughter.”
“Like a daughter?” that make me think “do you have a family?”
“I don’t, it’s one of my regrets in life” he sighed as he tied the ribbon into a bow “I spend my time working on being a top hero that I just lost contact with anybody remotely interested in me. All my friends were in hero work so it didn’t hit me that I was alone until one of my side-kicks asked for paternal leave because his wife was due any day and he wanted to be there for her and the baby. That really put my life in perspective, what does it matter if I’m a top hero if I don’t have anybody to come home to?” he pulled at the bow to undo it “then I met your mother, a young but tragic girl that wasn’t ready to leave her parents. I felt the need to care for her, so I’d check up on her and such. I went as far as giving her some spending money and giving her gifts on her birthday and Christmas! In return she always lends her abilities and comes to me for help.” He gasps “I can show you actually, come with me.”
He leads me to his workroom, bolts of fabric on the wall and other cloth pieces scattered about. He hands me a photo album “What’s this?”
“I have pictures of your mother when she was your age and other life stages” he opened the book “That’s her when she first arrived, that’s on her last day of her internship” he flips a few pages “here’s what I wanted to show you, I’ve created all of your mother’s iconic looks.”
“All of them?! I’ve only seen some of these in magazines and video!” I was in awe at all of my favorite looks “the whole reason I got into making my own costumes for dance was because I was inspired by some of these iconic looks” I pointed at a picture “like her blush pink power-business suit and the electric blue geometric dress at her Techies Gala premiere!” I turn the page and saw pictures of my parents “you made those too? My dad must’ve really loved my mom to be matching with her in these get ups!” I turn another page “that’s the wedding! You made her wedding dress?! Mom won’t even let me near that dress! I loved the sleeves and the shape of the train, especially the obi.” I pointed at my sash “it was my inspiration to my hero costume, I have an obi like middle that I use in battle.”
“You like my works to that point?” he was flattered “oh sweet child, I hoped you liked my designs” he turned to the next page “do you remember this dress?”
“Oh hey thats me!” I look at the picture of me in my toddler years “I loved that dress so much I never wanted to take it off! I cried when I out grew it but by then I could make another one with my quirk.” I looked at the pictures before it “oh, those are also me. You did hold me when I was a few weeks old.” I look up at him “why didn’t you visit?”
He sighed “I joined the fashion scene under an artist name and got very busy” you could feel the guilt in the air “I was traveling to China and Milan, parts of Europe for work and I just didn’t really have time to come by and visit.” he smiled “but your mother always sent me pictures of you and your siblings. On those rare days when our schedules align, we go out for some dim sum in disguises. On my rough days, I look at the pictures of you guys and it makes me feel like I’m working hard for my family and it gives me purpose to keep going.”
“Well, if it gives you purpose then I’m happy to be part of your family” I smile back “should we go back to training?”
“I think we’re good for today” he checked the time “it’s nearly time for dinner, what would you like to eat?”
“Rice and cold dish!” I tap my feet excitedly.
“Alright then, lets start cooking” he makes his way to the kitchen and I follow him. We have pleasant conversation over food and I felt less nervous around him. “Oh and before I forget! We’re going on a day patrol in plain clothes, be sure to be ready to go at 8am.”
I paused before I made my way to my room “Plain clothes at 8am, got it!”
“Good night Lili”
“Good night Mr Hakamada”
-Next morning-
“Alright, it’s just a short ways this way” he said as we hopped off the train “reason why we’re patrolling here is for more insider experience.”
“What do you mean?” I was a bit confused on why he couldn’t just tell me.
“You’ll see” he stops in front of a 3 story building “we’re here.”
After a few turns in the winding hallways of this place, he opens the door to a large professional fashion workroom “Oh my goodness! It’s the ICONIQUE workroom!” I turn to him “you work for them?!”
“I do, after your mother’s wedding dress went viral” he took off his scarf and light coat “it caught wind of this place that wanted to know who I was and wanted to give me a spot to design and create without the media knowing it’s me.”
“That’s so cool! What do you design here?” I look at the half finished gown on a mannequin “I’ve only seen snapchat stories of this place and they have different featured categories.”
“I do the statement and traditional designs” he points to a covered mannequin “this is what I just finished but yet to be featured on the platforms” he pulled the cloth covering to show me “a chiffon kimono with the obi to match.”
“OOOH! Translucent!” I loved this bold traditional piece “what an honor to get the insider on the next feature!” I remembered why I was here, not to tour this place but to do my internship “oh! what’s the reason to bring me here?”
“The point of being plain clothes patrolling is to lead a double identity” he hands them a lanyard with a badge “today, you are my understudy, Miss Natalan Ono. You are an arts student that was selected to observe and assist me on my next piece.” He sat at this work chair “You’re a legacy child because you’re related to Yoko Ono and is following in their footsteps. Now, back-stories aside, your role is to observe everyone and report suspicious activity to me. Nobody knows who I was before and I’ve noticed some suspicious heads.”
“Got it! One question though” I pointed at my badge “why Yoko Ono? Doesn’t the arts community hate her?”
“Yes but I’m not that creative” he chuckled “your mother is the master of backstory, maybe you can fill in some of the blanks that I left.” He swiveled to his work bench “now, can you get me some tea from the lounge? We passed it in the hallway.”
“Sure thing!” I put the badge on and made my way to the lounge. There were quite a few people in there and I was on high alert for any suspicious activity.
“Hi there!” called out a cheery voice as I poured some tea “haven’t seen you around here before? Are you a new hire?”
I gulped hard before turning to them, think of something Lili! “Um hello, I’m sadly not a new hire” I fixed my glasses shyly “I’m just interning for someone.”
I see their eyes shift to my badge, their smile disappeared “Oh...you’re that Ono legacy child Hakamada-kun has been talking about” she gave me a dirty look “I don’t care how good you are, you don’t deserve to be in his presence!”
“Um if I may ask, why do you think I’m not worthy?” I was getting whiplash from their change of tone.
“He’s a genius! Not to mention tall and brooding, nobody understands him except me!” she was giving off major yandere vibes and I was getting scared “he might turn down my help but it should be me in that workroom!”
I watch her turn away and the others in the room were staring at me now. Oof I probably gave myself away for everyone to pester me. Making my way around that office was harder now, everyone was giving me dirty looks and didn’t talk to me.
“Ready to go?” He asked as he put on his scarf.
I check the time, it was 5pm “Let me just get my bag and I’ll be ready.”
“How was your patrolling?”
“Awful, everyone was giving me dirty looks after that one yandere lady approached me.”
“You had the displeasure of meeting her huh?” he cringed “I have a feeling she’s taking her obsession a little too far.”
“What makes you believe that?”
“Well, some of my key patterns come up missing and it forces me to talk to her because she’s in the patterns department” he recalls “some of my embroidery hoops get roughed up when I want to use them, and my mannequins get moved around every time I come in the studio.”
“If that’s the case, then I guess some confrontation will have to do” I walk with him down the hall to leave and we run into her.
“Oh! You’re heading out for the day?”
“Yes I am, my intern and I were going for some dinner before going home.”
My heart stopped, why the fuck did he say that? Now it sounds like we’re in a relationship! Say something Lili! “As a thank you for taking me in! We should get going Mr. Hakamada! My parents are waiting at the dim sum place” I bow to the lady “it was nice meeting you! Have a nice evening.” We scurry out of earshot “What the hell are you trying to do! Get yourself accused of romancing your intern in front of a yandere?!”
“I realized my mistake the second it came out of my mouth” he turned red “I have a feeling I’m going to see a lot of things missing tomorrow.”
We get home and spend time just hanging out, cooked dinner and pleasant conversation. Just like a family, but I knew in the back of my mind that it’s not a pleasure stay here. It was almost like he arranged things to be like this so he wouldn’t be alone. We went to the studio the next day to find no mannequins in the room.
“Oh this is bad Lili” He said as he checked all around the space for one “I have to present this chiffon kimono today for the media directors to post on the platforms.”
Think Lili, THINK! “Does it have to be on a mannequin?”
“No but where am I going to find an alternative in time?”
I give twirl “I might of gained some muscle on my slender physique but I’m a good clothes model” I point to the bolt of muslin “we can make a full body suit of muslin on me to mimic the look of one but I do some movement and complex posing.”
“You know what, I love that idea” he took the bolt out of the wall of fabric “Lets get started!”
It took almost an hour to get me ready for the spread but of course the yandere lady walks in on him dressing me in the kimono.
“Oh! Is that what you’re presenting today?! It’s gorgeous!” 
“It’s my greatest work yet” he sighed “say, have you heard of all the mannequins going missing?”
“Can’t say that I have!” her tone was so fake, I wanted to punch her in the face “why? Have yours gone missing?”
“They have! But my intern is on the case” he was ad libbing “She’s amazing and quick thinking! She’s at the head of security right now checking the security cameras for theft.”
“Is that so? I hope security doesn’t give her trouble” you can hear the panic in her voice, wish I could see her face “well I’ll go fetch her for you.”
He waits for her to leave “Thanks for not moving, that would’ve set her off.”
“I was trying so hard not to call her out or punch her face!” I huffed “seriously, the nerve of her!”
The people came in to take pictures and such. They were surprised to see that I was the mannequin and said that it adds to the aesthetic of the garment. It was cool to see how they set things up for showcasing, I couldn’t wait to tell Rosa and my mom that I was the model for the garment! Once everything was done, I unraveled the muslin off me and I looked at myself in the mirror with the kimono on. I loved the shade of pink and the shape of it, I couldn’t stop looking at myself.
“You really love that garment huh?”
“I do! I’ve been a fan of kimono and all the traditional Japanese clothing” I look at him from the mirror “when I get married, I want to have a Japanese wedding and wear my mother’s obi and a custom kimono.”
“I hope to be in attendance then!” he chuckled as he came up behind me in the mirror “will this old man have a place in the audience?”
I turn to face him “Always, aren’t we family?” I hugged him “I don’t care if this is a little weird.”
“Oh child” his voice cracked a bit “you’re as loving as your mother” he hugged back “I wish I could’ve been there to see you grow up.”
“Well, I’m still growing” I didn’t break the hug yet “it’s not too late, you can still be in my life as I go through hero school and become a dancer.”
“Hmmm, why did you go the hero route?” he broke the hug “you clearly have a passion for dance and costuming.”
“Well, aside from not getting into any of the schools I applied to” I felt like I got caught “I’m attending UA to spite my dad. He puts pressure on me as the oldest to follow in his footsteps but I don’t want to be one of the great and noble Iida family!” I stomped my feet to show my frustration “I want to go to a dance academy but mom says I’m too young to be sent away like that. So the plan is to get strong and more than capable to be sent away for dance academy like I were to go to college. That way I can defend myself to give my parents the ease of mind while I’m away.”
“Are you planning to use your hero skills in anyway?”
“Um, uhhh I’m not sure” that really got me thinking “maybe if dad decides to step down as Ingenium, then I could take over if need be.”
“So you’re here with no plan and no real motive?”
“No sir” if he put it like that, then I feel guilty for being here.
“Child, I’m not here to shame you” he got down to my level “I want to give you motive to be the best hero you can be, even if you don’t plan on being one per-say.”
“Huh? How can I be one without being one?”
“You can inspire a new type of hero” he put his hands on my shoulders “being the dancing hero that graces the stage and apprehends villains. Who knows, you might even start an academy of your own!”  
“Dancing hero...I like the sound of that!” I smile and hop in place “do you really think I can be an inspiration?”
“Your mother did, I don’t see how you can’t” he stood up and put his hand on my head “come on, we have some more work to do.”
I take the garment off and get back to being his intern. His words filled that void of belonging in this hero world. He tells me more stories of his hero days when we got home, like a grandfather telling stories to their grandchildren. Now I really feel like I’m at a family member’s house and not at my internship!
“Hey can I call you grandpa?” I asked before going to my room for the night “like in a respectable way?”
He looked at me in shock but then thought about it “You may as long as it’s respectable.”
“Okay then!” I watch him walk to his room “good night grandpa!”
He stopped to respond “Good night Lili.”
The next day we did actual training and I was engrossed in everything he was teaching me. From the way I’m supposed to move to the new techniques I’ve never heard of...everything was being soaked in. Because now I have purpose, I don’t want to spite my dad, I want to make grandpa proud of me! I want to be a hero that little 5 year old me would be inspired by to start dancing and feel confident in their rocket feet...I know what I have to do now.
-Chapter 3, End-
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- L o r d
- Okay so Tom has finally quit, we’re proud of him. But now there’s two other guys working the sound right- This guy Chris who I vaguely recognize did the shows when I was in them but never spoke to, and this kid Ian who has a streak of grey hair that I was unable to discern if it was done intentionally or if he’s just That Stressed
- So it was hectic with that because they like....lowkey couldn’t figure out what they wanted me to do lmao like I was working and stuff but I think currently their only plan is to have me run the sound effects during the show and there’s like...only five of them lmao. They’re trying to figure out a better plan
- When I came in the Lion King soundtrack was playing over the speaker but then it snagged and just started going ‘hehehehehehehehehe’ the kids were Shaken
- So I personally hate the Lion King and these two guys have never seen it so I actually had to sit there and explain everything that was happening and give character names and they just. Were not absorbing the information omfg
- The costumes......................................................
-The costumes
- Listen
- The Grown Lions(tm) have those cool head pieces that look like African Masks but they wear as hats, those are good. The baby lions look a little ridiculous but they’re cute as hell so no one cares. Zazu’s costume doesn’t really inspire ‘bird’ but it’s cute. They all like....fit the usual color scheme of the show, you know?
- But then we got these Giraffes....oh my God. Like, they’re ADORABLE- the girls are in yellow leotards and they have long giraffe necks+smiling heads strapped on their back and they carry the legs. It’s super cute but like....they’re BRIGHT yellow. Like, cartoonishly yellow. And it just super clashes with all the other costumes????
- And then the other animals are pretty much just in tights and brown or grey shirts. THE FUCKING ELEPHANTS THO. They have these poor girls in plain grey sweats, right, but then they gave them these fucking.....bright pink sparkly hats with the ears and the trunks on them?? And the trunks are like, above their foreheads, like they don’t cover their face, so when they stand profile on the stage they jus tloook like a bunch of flamingos flying away asdfghjk. AND THEN. They came onstage for Circle of Life....waving their arms.....as if they were their trunks??????? The trunk is already on the costume????? What happened to these elephants lord
- The kid playing Scar....listen. He’s having fun. That’s clear. That’s great! Does he have to scream every line at the top of his lungs????
- The script: SCAR(whispers)- Long Live The King
This kid: “LOOOOOOONNNNNGGGG LIVE THE KIIIIIIIIN NGGGGG MWUHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” 
-like please calm down a bit asdfghj
- Wait back to those fucking giraffes for a hot sec. There were like....two different music numbers where they just came out without the heads or legs??? Just some girls in some bright yellow dresses???? What in the world????
- They actually made it to act two? Literally everyone was shocked
- Like they got thru act one and the director was like ‘what time is- oh? We still have an hour and a half? Uhhhh okay?????’ like there were audible gasps throughout the theater lmao
- Did not finish act two tho omfg they got to the scene where Nala finds Simba, Timon and Pumbaa and after a couple takes the director literally just Quit lmao she was like ‘we’re just gonna call it here since apparently no one knows their lines you can all go home’ sdfghj
- I told the man that I had worked on the soundboard before but his was Slightly More Complicated so he thought I couldn’t handle it and he tried to go through and explain how everything worked to me and I got so lost I was literally like Sir Listen The Spirit Just Inhabits My Body And Presses Buttons When Shit Goes Down. We needn’t add science or reason to that 
- Lmao but I was in fact able to run it fine when he ducked out for a bit
- THERE IS NO SET
- N O S E T
- They have??? I guess???? It’s supposed to be Pride Rock???? Sure. And then it turns around and theres a little nook in it so it’s the Hyena’s lair or whatever the hell.
- Nothing else?????????? There’s a giant screen in the back and I was like “Oh, okay, they’re just gonna use projections for setting like we did with Hair. Fine, cheap, not a big deal” BUT THERE’S NO PROJECTIONS??????
- They’re just using it to bounce light off please kill me....like the director was all ‘light is a very important part of lion king’ and it is!!! But like it went from a red-orange backdrop for the dessert and then Simba goes to the jungle right and like....you’d think maybe just. Project a pic of some jungle trees??? Nope!!!! Just green lights!!! There’s a scene where they’re talking about the stars and there just. Aren’t even any stars projected on this thing just...blue purple lights alright fuck me I guess
- I was cackling during circle of life bc for the part where Raffiki is presenting baby Simba they deadass have like the stuffed Simba toy you’d get at the Disney store asdfgh but I lost it because instead of like, reverently picking up the kid and slowly holding him high over the crowd the girl just. Roughly grabbed it in one hand and held it out at arms length asdfgh it was so funny okay
- For a solid 40 minutes the two guys I was with were trying to discreetly figure out how old I am like at first they were like ‘do you.......Know this cast?’ and I was like ‘uhhh I recognize the one kid from batb and Pippin but they’re all really young you know’ and they were like ‘hmm’ and then the director mentioned I used to be in shows and they were like ‘so did you just stop or did you........age out?’ and I was like ‘yeah pretty much. My last show was West Side Story’ and this man’s jaw DROPPED he was like ‘that was......like four years ago!’ and I was like yeah it was!!! and then finally after a while of this the other guy just flat out asked ‘so are you a high schooler or like a college student’ please kill me I am 22 years old asdsdfgh
- They went to some different company for all the equipment and they were so proud because ‘wow the mics sound really better :) We won’t have any problems with this show :)‘ and I was like uh dudes something always goes wrong with the mics and they wouldn’t listen
- mic one started acting up
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- they were so shocked lmao
- And tbh still not sure what they issue was???? At first I thought it was just young Simba’s costume bc with the other two shows I've worked with that kid on, his costumes ALWAYS refuse to cooperate with the mics, it’s his brand at this point lol
- But then it was crackling and getting feedback when he wasn’t even moving and THEN when we switched it to Grown Nala it got even worse lmao. They tried changing the station, the batteries, the back, and the wire like dear God
- When I was collecting mics at the end of rehearsal Timon handed me hers and it was just....fucking shredded what did this girl do!!! 
- We couldn’t find the girl to give mic six to so I asked the director and she’s like ‘she’s absent today...........she’s barely been to any of the rehearsals’ JUDI. JUDI JUST RECAST HER JFC YOU’VE HAD WEEKS!!!!
- Oh and mic seven broke before we could even get it on a kid so uh yeah....normal enough I guess
- like inherently I know there’s gotta be some 12/13 year olds in the cast but we are all terrified to trust the kids to do mic switches themselves backstage lmao like please no. Not for the Infants!!! so tomorrow I might just camp out back there to make sure nothing gets broken again lmao
- young simba mic switches with grown nala and the dude on soundboard was so....weird about it like apparently it messed up a frequency or something??? I couldn’t really follow but apparently it was an Issue that nala’s voice was deeper than simba’s like he kept going on about it and I'm like ‘one of them....is a four foot tall boy who hasn’t hit puberty and the other....is a teenage alto’ but this just did not Connect for him that it made sense that girl had the deeper voice help me
- Also I'm not....much of a conversationalist around strangers, and I've got a nervous giggle, and he was so lowkey offended by it like he assumed I just didn’t give a shit about anything he was saying bc I just kept saying ‘yeah yeah’ with a giggle like sir!!!! it’s my default setting!!!! I just already know what you’re talking about what am I supposed to do!!!!!!
- like just the fact that he felt the need to Call It Out like please dude I'm just hear trying to help like??? I literally don’t have to be there why would he assume I didn’t care????? 
- we somehow started talking about Les Mis 2014 for some reason and he was trying to tell me how stressful it was with the band and all the solos and stuff and I was like.....sir yeah I was a soloist in that show I Know lmao. I remember the band. No One was calm during those rehearsals lmao
- We were apparently told that this would be a Keyboard Only production but then like....other people with other instruments....just kinda.....showed up lol
- I'm missing stuff but I only slept for like an hour and a half last night so....I'm dead. anyway I currently have zero predictions for how this show is gonna turn out???? send prayers 
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lyralumina · 7 years ago
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~ ✨ YGO Dance/Ballet Headcanons ✨ ~
These Headcanons are based off of @sergle and  @ochidump ‘s YGO Dance AU and is inspired by this:  http://sergle.tumblr.com/post/162623521861/yugioh-dance-au-its-ochidump-s-fault
Principals: Anzu (Tea) Mazaki and Atem
Soloists: Seto Kaiba, Yugi Muto, and Mai Kujaku
Apprentices: Joey Wheeler, Tristan Taylor, Marik Ishtar, and Ryou Bakura
Corps de Ballet: Mokuba Kaiba, Weevil Underwood, Rex Raptor, and Serenity Wheeler
Yugi, Joey, and Tristan are ballet dancers within Juilliard. Seto and Anzu are ballet dancers within The New York City Ballet. Marik and Ryou are ballet dancers within the Miami City Ballet. Mokuba and Serenity are ballet dancers within the American Ballet Theatre. Mai is currently abroad in the Paris Opera Ballet School. Weevil and Rex are in japan still, trying to get into a ballet school.
Seto and Anzu are dancers within the New York City Ballet, they have been dancing since a very young age. Seto actually started dancing a year after Anzu. Since both Seto and Anzu are both within the school, They actually share a studio apartment together and why yes, they own a dog together. Well it is more of Anzu’s dog. She pitched the idea and Seto let it slide. They have a tiny York Terrier named Lily. She is often brought to the school since many of the other dancers do bring dogs to the studio, even the ballet masters. Their dog is very chill but once they get home, Lily gets very restless. It’s really bizarre but they put up with it. She’s a real sweetheart. Lily is their comforter when a day gets bad. She brings them something a normal person would have since they did not have normal lives as ballet dancers. Did you know that the New York City Royal Ballet lets their dancers bring their dogs to the school and lets them stay in the dance rooms? They do actually.
Seto is one of the few men that have gone on pointe. Men do not go on pointe though, Seto found that to be a bit saddening so he tried it. Yes, Seto has faced scrutiny of it. He faced the gender oppositions of wearing pointe shoes but he did not falter. He kept practicing it. He eventually got better and now he is really good with pointe. He stands on the same ground as any other female who does pointe. Seto and Anzu do have what we call “Dancer Feet”. Where their feet is blistered and when a bone seems out of place. That does not stop Seto from dancing at his best. His feet might show the pain and the “ugly” side of ballet but from all that hard work he has put in for so many years, he shows the true beauty of ballet. With that being said though, Seto’s feet often bleed a lot so he makes sure to bandage up his feet and ice them. He takes several pain killers throughout the day to ease the pain. Ballet is beautiful but the true beauty of it hurts. Seto and Anzu and the rest of the dancers know that well.
Anzu is a Principal ballet dancer while Seto is just in his second year as Soloist. The two often get paired up for pas de duex and you best believe that they have such a wonderful chemistry together. No, they are just friends who love to dance, actually, many of the other dancers think they are going to start dating but nope. They just laugh and continue to dance. Never had they had feelings for one another like that. Yugi and Anzu though, that is another story. It would be a long time till she even sees Yugi though. She does keep in great contact with Yugi and the others though, even Mai who is off in Paris. Seto only keeps tabs open with of course Anzu, Yugi since he is a little brat and could never dance as good as him, Atem since the same applies with him just like Yugi, and Mokuba.
Anzu, Seto, Joey, Yugi, and Ryou have gotten injuries within the ballet schools. Anzu had a sprained ankle which made her sit out for a week to heal and she felt really bad for that. Seto during a partner lift, he had to gently arch his back during a lift but due to so much strain, his back gave out and he spent a month healing his back. He lost his role and someone gained his role. He did not cry but Anzu could feel his pain. Joey during a leap combination, he stumbled over himself and twisted his foot. He spent two weeks and yes he lost his role, he sat in his dorm for the week healing his foot. Ryou broke his hand during a show stopping lift. They all got better and continued to dance. They all know that one injury can send them home, that one injury can ruin their career forever. They try not to think about it but it always does creep into their minds.
Anzu’s favorite role that she has danced for is Odette from Swan Lake. She has a big dream to dance as Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, or the Rose Adagio is her ultimate dream. She has loved that adagio her whole life. She wants to be the one on center stage, in a pink tutu fit for a princess, to get those roses. She is so close. She is very close. Seto’s favorite role he has danced for is The Nutcracker, or better known as The Prince. Anzu was actually Clara or better known as The Sugar Plum Princess at that time so they got the job done perfectly. Yugi’s favorite role he has danced for is Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid. Atem’s favorite role he has danced for is Warrior Solor from La Bayadere. Mai’s favorite role she has danced for is Giselle from Giselle. She did such an amazing job. Joey’s favorite role he played was Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast. When he got the role he cried. He was just so happy and he played the role to perfection. Mokuba’s favorite role he has danced for is one of the flowers from Alice in Wonderland. This boy piroquette his way into people’s hearts.
All of them take pain killers and supplements. Painkillers are a dancer’s best friend. Yugi needs a little bit more of that extra pick me up since being so small and frail and light so protein is his best friend. Seto takes a ton of pain killers but not to the point where it would send him to the hospital. He is fine. He just feels a lot of pain. All of the them take band-aids, and painkillers in case they need it. Atem, Yugi, Anzu, Seto, Tristan, Mokuba, and Ryou stock up on cold compresses and just go to town with them.
Anzu does own three practice tutu’s. One in white, one in black, and finally one in performance pink. The white one is more of a ankle skirt while the black one is more of a tutu. The black one was a gift from Mai all the way from Paris on her birthday, she sent her photos of her dancing in it. She loves that black tutu.The pink tutu is also like the black one but that one she bought with her own money. Pointe shoes are a no biggie for them, Their school supplies them for them. Seto though, he has to buy his own. This all goes back to him being a male and that males do not wear pointe shoes, they wear a different kind of shoe. Both Seto and Anzu do own demi pointe shoes. Seto owns a pair of bedazzled pointe shoes since it was a gift that he received from Anzu on his birthday. He loves them so much, he just rarely openly shows it. Anzu is that type of dancer who will wear long leg warmers when she dances. Black and Maroon are her personal favorite colors. She also owns a lot of hair scrunchies to tie her hair, ranging from neon colors, to ones with patterns, to ones that are plain black. Bobby pins are her best friend for when it comes to her ballet buns, “ Would you like me to help you Anzu? You seem to be having a hard time putting the bobby pin in. “ Seto asks as he watches her struggle. Seto does help her with that ballet bun but she is a capable young lady, she can do it herself.
Leotard and makeup shopping sprees are a frequent thing. Serenity loves a good pink leotard that makes her chest not hurt and one that makes her not wear a bra. Mai needs some support for her breasts so her leotards are either custom made for her or just very pricey. Mai has a problem with dancing and getting into costume due to her large chest. Yugi spends a ton of time looking for some great quality makeup at Sephora with Atem and Joey. “ Joey relax, I am sure they have your blue eyeshadow somewhere, just keep looking. ATEM NO! Your role does not even need that silver eyeliner! “ -Yugi Muto
Anzu, Joey, Atem, and Mai are Fuoette masters, Anzu is better though, she has amazing balance. They all have their aerial cartwheels down, except for Rex, Weevil, and Marik is almost there.
Anzu internally screams when rosin gets on her black leotards. Seto just tells her to wash it off but she just wants to cry. “ Anzu, it’s no big deal. Please, don’t cry. “ “ You don’t understand! “
“ Seto do you need help sewing your pointe shoes? “ “ I can do it Anzu, Im fine. “ “ Really? You have been stuck on putting the string through the sewing needle for the past five minutes. “ “ Leave me alone Anzu! “ Seto may wear pointe shoes but he takes forever to get the ribbons sewed on. With that being said, Yes they do carry a small sewing case around in case anything goes wrong.
So at the New York City Ballet, the dancers do not use the term “Break a leg!“ for good luck. They use the term “Merde!”. Why? “ According to my French teacher (who was a ballet dancer), in days gone by, when members of high society went to see an event in their horse drawn carriages, the horse crap would pile up in front of the theater. The more successful the show, the bigger the pile -- hence the expression ‘merde’ as an expression of ‘good luck’” Robert L. Friedman So this happens a lot and well, “ Merde! “ Anzu says, as she gives Seto a thumbs up as well, stretching her body on one of the ballet bars off stage. Seto half smiles and goes off telling her thank you as he has to wait in the stage wings to run on for his cue to start the leap combination.
Joey has amazing leaps, he has incredible height. Anzu has amazing flexibility. Tristan and Mokuba are turning kings. Yugi has amazing technique along with Atem. Atem has stellar endurance. Mai and Seto are extension royalty. They can kick really high. Seto can only do that since being really tall.
Seto needs some work on dancing with emotion but he is a capable dancer. He is often picked on for that but he is working on it. He can smile. He is not poker-faced on stage at all unless needed to.
Yugi and Atem are often placed in the very front since they are very tiny men. Yugi hates that but he has to live with it. Some of the other dancers have a joke where they use Yugi as an arm rest for when the ballet instructor is telling them what to do and what to work on. Yugi used to hate it so much but now he is used to it, he doesn’t bat an eye. Even Joey and Tristan do it for fun.
Serenity has a slight technique problem, she tends to sickle her feet a lot. Its an old habit but she is working on it. She gets nitpicked on for that. It could lead her to injury if she does not stop. Rex has the same problem as Serenity.
Atem, Ryou, Marik, and Ishizu are very keen on La Bayadere. All of the people who are associated with ancient Egypt love La Bayadere. Atem loves that Ballet so much since it reminds him of home for its scenery. Atem has a little secret that only Yugi knows of. Atem loves the role of Nikiya. He has a dream of playing her role but alas, he is a man. Nikya is to be played by a woman.
Pegasus is a world famous ballet instructor. Ishizu and Odion are ballet instructors and are teaching Weevil and Rex. They love their jobs so much. They wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Pegasus is really famous in the ballet world, he is a coveted icon, he has danced since he was a very young boy, he has directed, he has just done so many things that his name is very big. Seto aspires to be the next Pegasus in the ballet world, he is close. Very close.
Ryou is a master at strong theatrical emotion when he is dancing. In fact, Ryou got his apprentice acceptance one week before Marik got his. They both were so emotional that they spent their time crying. Marik called his older siblings the great news and he would not stop crying. Ishizu was so happy for him, especially Odion. Odion teared up just hearing the great news. They both celebrated together with a good ole day at the beach to soak in the sun and later that night, Ryou treated Marik to some steak at a steakhouse within the city. It was fun.
Anzu spent a lot of time as a soloist actually. She spent three years as a soloist. Seto witnessed her get very moody when she was at that time where she didn’t know if what she had done was enough to get her rank up. Seto and Anzu both entered together at the same time actually. I stated up at the top that Seto is a soloist. He is not a principal but he is almost there. He is very close. Yugi is also very close to getting his rank up to Principal as well. He wants to stand by Atems side. He wants to break the gender rule of females being lifted and for females to be paired with a partner. He wants Atem to lift him up over his head. He wants to feel Atem’s strong hands on his hips. As I stated before up at the top, Yugi is a soloist and Atem is a principal. Joey and Tristan are apprentices and envy Yugi and Atem just a tad but they are great friends who will support each other through thick and thin.
Mokuba is trying his absolute hardest to get into the New York Royal City Ballet to be with his older brother.
Here is the more refined HC Post Sergle, I am so sorry, I just wanted it to look really neat for you~
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end-of-paradox · 7 years ago
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[FE/General] Armor Talk
Time for a rant on armor. Hope you’re ready for a little ranting, since I’ve talked this over with some close friends of mine and we find ourselves on the same page. Examples will be taken from Fire Emblem. Keep in mind; this is an opinion-based post.
Chest Armor A first beef of mine is the way chest armor is designed, particularly on females. Allow me to start by saying I loathe form-fitting breastplates. They usually don’t even look good and do exactly the opposite of protecting a woman’s chest. Why and how so, you may ask? Due to the plate(s) fitting around the breasts, there is an inward curve in the armor. As a result, it becomes much easier for weapons to be directed right into the center, piercing the victim right through her vitals. Examples of such chest armor in Fire Emblem are Effie (FE14), Mae and Delthea (FE15), and the Pegasus Knights from FE13. For just looking plain bad and most of all endangering the lives of their wearers, tittyplates are an absolute eyesore for me.
Shoulder Armor Now, this is a trope that’s appeared frequently for me as a watcher of Shounen media. That being said, I’m not terribly forgiving when it comes to excessively large shoulder armor. It doesn’t look plausible to wear, and most of the time it just looks bad to me, just like tittyplates do. Used to be a really bad thing in the early stages of FE, although it might just be due to the nature of the art in the early 90′s; example being Draug. The same can be said for the GBA General sprites, but I’ve seen far more egregious examples from other franchises (I’ll specify once I remember).
Implausible Exposure I know some female characters are designed to look alluring or sexy, but that mindset is pretty much incompatible with the premise of a lady blazing across the battlefield in heavy armor. This is where such design traits emerge as the aforementioned breastplates (sometimes with cleavage, which is even worse), as well as thigh boots exposing the upper thighs, leotards and high heels. Now, consider me a dick for saying this, but high heels on infantry are a cardinal design sin for me. Heels are not suited for running and far from mandatory to make a heavy-armor lady still look ladylike, if that is the designer’s intent.
Case in Point: FE14 Fire Emblem Fates is particularly awful in this regard. The Cavalier, Paladin, Knight, Great Knight and General all suffer from these design flaws and possibly more. No, I do NOT want to see Effie’s ass while she’s fighting. She’s heavy-armor front-line infantry, so if anything, I’d like to see her hip region and buttocks covered. I’d like her design so much better if she just had flat-sole boots, full covering of her hips and legs and no form-fitting breastplate. Effie’s design could’ve been amazing, but these traits just completely break her for me. Sheena could do without the heels and the battle skirt isn’t terribly practical, but she’s a major step up from Effie.
Conclusion I sound pretty damn strict when it comes to (heavy) armor, but I’ve seen ladies in armor done right, ergo without all of the bullshit I’ve criticized. Aesthetic is a huge part of all character design, but it is possible for characters to look both aesthetically pleasing AND functionally plausible within the context of their media. If male heavy-armors are properly covered, then why not females as well? Armor serves to protect, not to show off.
Feel free to reply with your own thoughts on the matter. Thank you for reading, and enjoy your day.
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