#xia xia technique

[polkadotjohnson]

X.X.T. - Steve Jobs bts

[mermazing-art]

The real name of the Furious Five 

After the Kung Fu Panda 4 movie I started thinking about what Zhen's first conversations with the Furious Five would be like. I imagined her nervous about making a good impression but fitting quite well with her group dynamic given her mischievous attitude and enjoying their adventures with her, establishing a relationship of trust. Which led me to a thought "Would she, wanting to know them more, ask them what their real names are?"

This theory has been circulating in the fandom for years since it is said that their names actually refer to their fighting styles or their species (as well as Master Ox, Crocodile or Rhino) since those who retain their own name within this discipline are those who have a superior role such as Oogway, Shifu or Po and those who do not have a title such as Zhen or Tai Lung.

Well, I decided to look for a suitable name for each one, one that fit their physique or personality, that was easy to remember and that would distinguish one another, let's go!

Mantis: Xun Yu ( fast jade )

With Mantis I was clear that I didn't want to look for anything that had to do with his size but I did want to highlight his most powerful abilities such as his speed.  That's where his first name, Xun, comes from.  His middle name, Yu (Jade), is because of his green color although this can also mean ''insect'' depending on the kanji with which it is written.  My idea is that Mantis calls himself ''the green lightning'' referring to his real name.

Crane: Zimo ( refined ink )

At first I wanted his name to be related to the sky or the air due to his avian species or his techniques, but it made me think that one of the things that catches my attention about this character is his interest in Chinese calligraphy.  Therefore, I decided to name him Zimo (ink or writing) to reflect his beloved hobby in his name.

Monkey: Wong Sang ( yellow mulberry )

For Monkey, I researched his voice actor, the one and only Jackie Chan, born Chan Kong-Sang. I wanted to take it as a reference by changing the name Kong since it is the name of the Monkey's brother to Wong (yellow), relating it to the color of his fur. I wanted to make a reference to his comic side but I couldn't find a suitable name for the guidelines I had assigned to it.

Viper: Jia Ling ( beautiful tinkle )

As with Monkey, I researched on her voice actress, Lucy Liu, whose full name is Lucy Alexis Liu Yu Ling. I wanted to reflect her charming and sweet personality, so I took the name Ling (tinkerbell) as a reference of the hiss' snake she produces, as well as her happy attitude.  But her first name would be Jia to emphasize the beauty of this character.

Tigress: Xia ( sunrise )

For her, I thought I would delve deeper into her story and her development as a character in order to give her the appropriate name.  This is her story:

When Tigress lived in the orphanage, she received the name Xian ("who lives in seclusion") from the other children perpetuating their contempt and fear of her. When Shifu finally decided to adopt her, after He heard that name many times, almost always accompanied by the word "monster", he asked her what new name she would like. She simply accepted Tigress because she didn't believe she could deserve a name. Shifu pondered and decided to call him Xia. Tigress at first didn't like this idea because it sounded similar to the previous one, but Shifu explained his choice to her. Both names, although similar, did not have the same meaning because now she would no longer be in the darkness, secluded and alone, but rather she had the opportunity for a new life, a path marked by the light that emanated from her, a new sunrise.

So yes, Zhen would ask the furious five their names, giving the situation that Po would find out right then and there about this. Everyone except Tigress would answer this question since for her it is still a very personal matter related to her past and Shifu and she still doesn't feel comfortable sharing it with everyone. Could Tigress talk to a certain panda about this?

[jedineedlove]

Weapons of the Monkie Crew

Khakkhara

The basic design of a khakkhara is of a central staff, normally in wood, topped by a finial in metal, with a looped design, from which smaller metal rings hang on each side (similar to the stringing of traditional Chinese cash). Various numbers of loops and rings are employed, with each number being assigned symbolic significance on the basis of a variety of Buddhist numerical formulas. Historical examples from the Famen Temple include staffs with one, two, or four loops and four, six, or twelve rings on each loop.

Several versions of the staff's origin are given in the Sarvastivadavinaya, but in all of them the staff is recommended to monks by the Buddha in order to ward off animals- either for protection from dangerous predatory animals like tigers and lions, or for scaring off small creatures like spiders and snakes that might be trod upon by wandering monks. The ringing of the staff can also alert donors within earshot of the monk's presence, as monks traditionally remain silent while collecting alms.

The number of loops and rings featured on the staff was also assigned symbolic significance, according to a variety of Buddhist numerical formulas- four loops symbolizing the Four Noble Truths, six rings representing the Six Perfections, or twelve rings representing the twelvefold chain of cause and effect

Tripitakas / Tangs staff has four rings and with the added LMK universe flare magic.

Yue Ya Chan (Crescent Moon Spade)

Also known as the monk spade, the yue ya chan (月牙铲) is a typical weapon associated with the Shaolin warriors. It features a crescent-moon-shaped blade mounted on a wooden shaft and a flat wedge-shaped blade on one end.

In ancient China, the Shaolin monks carried spades when traveling to bury corpses they might find on their journey as part of their religious obligation. Eventually, it turned into a self-defense weapon with the addition of the crescent blade, which allowed hooking and sweeping techniques.

Chinese Bronze Swords

Of course, Meis is made of Jade but the Bronze sword I think bests fits her TYPE of sword. Chinese Bronze swords first appeared during the notable Xia and Shang Dynasties in China. They were an advancement from the prior Chinese Dagger, boasting a considerably bigger blade. These weapons stood out because of their wide and robust blades. Initially, people used these swords in ceremonies and rituals. As time passed, these swords played a pivotal role on the battlefield, which significantly altered the course of China's history. Along wth this I put a video of some people showing of Chinese Swords including the one I mentioned.

Nine-Toothed rake/ Baoqin Gold Palladium

This weapon is hard to find much of in the real-world use besides as a gardening tool but in the JTTW the Nine-toothed rake is a polearm with nine teeth. Pigsy’s weapon more closely resembles agricultural tools that were traditionally used by farmers since the Yuan Dynasty. It is said to have been handcrafted by Laozi from divine ice steel and etched with arcane symbols. I may not have been able to find much in words but I did find two videos of some guys showing off how it can be used in a fight.

Staff

Both MK and Macaque currently use a staff. The Chinese staff is considered the grandfather of all weapons. The long staff is the most common, usually about 7ft long, and constructed from hardwoods like oak or white wax. It originated from the long spears used by classical warriors. The Shaolin monks removed the spearheads and trained with only the shafts suited for their peaceful monastic environment.

NOW heres the BIG Question with just about everyone in the Monkie Kid Crew welding a weapon what about...... WUKONG!!

Look his hand-to-hand is awesome and has crazy powers but seriously after his staff has been passed down and this new chaos coming it might be time for Wukong to wield another weapon.

While looking up the other's weapons I found others on theme with other old Chinese weapons.

San Jie Gun (Three-Sectional Staff)

The san jie gun (三節棍) consisted of three short staves connected by chains. It functioned as a self-defense weapon, suited for either short-range or long-range combat. Unlike a long staff, it can be easily concealed and carried. It also allows various methods of attack and defense. Versatile and hard to learn, it is among the weapons of choice for many advanced martial artists.

To stay in the staff family like the other monkeys but still change things up.

or

Chui (Hammer)

A type of mace, the chui (​​锤) was a round hammer, usually used in pairs. It had a heavy head on the end of the handle for delivering powerful strikes. This ancient Chinese weapon was most popular in the Shang and Zhou dynasties.

The chui was known as the copper hammer because it was often made from copper, though other materials were later used. Since they are typically heavy and require great strength to wield, these weapons are not popular among kung fu practitioners.

I picked this for its blunt and powerful hit. Similar to the Monkey King's own fists.

or

Tie Jian (Iron Rod)

The term jian��(鐧), written in a different character from the sword (劍), is also used to describe a heavy bar mace with a smooth rod. They were typically made from iron and called tie jian (鐵鐧) or “iron rod,” but there were also tong jian (bronze rod). The name iron rod is a reference to its plain metal rod.

In the West, the tie jian is regarded as a type of Chinese sword breaker—a heavy weapon capable of breaking swords and other weapons. During the Ming dynasty, the military used large two-handed versions of tie jian. By the Qing dynasty, single-handed versions were more common.

This weapon has the blunt power similar to a staff and having the reputation of a sword destroyer it seemed to fit the powerful hit from the Monkey King.

or

Hu Die Dao (Butterfly Saber)

Widely referred to as butterfly swords, the hu die dao (蝴蝶刀) is a type of double saber. These weapons developed due to merging typical Chinese fighting knife blades with Western-inspired hilts. They featured distinctive D-shaped guards, though their blades came in various forms.

The narrow types were efficient for heavy cuts and were likely to be used by the Chinese military units and the local militia. On the other hand, the broader types were efficient for disabling opponents without killing them and remain popular today among martial artists.

I picked these ones because they would be the only dule weapon. Giving some variety.

Each one of these I found could fit Wukong in one way or another. But if you have any other ideas for the Monkey King leave them in the comments

:) Thank you for reading.

[tk-duveraun]

15/? Luo Binghe is SO NORMAL about Shen Yuan

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 (here), 16

Read up through even numbered parts on Ao3

[Objective Complete: Rendezvous with Shen Qingchun.]

I fucking know, Luo Binghe directed at the System even as he slashed at the Black Moon Rhinoceros-Python. Small spatial rifts cut through the clearing, hovering in the air and buzzing like a combination of bees and bad dial-up. Functionally, the tears served as atom-thin blades removing chunks of whatever passed through them. They didn't last long, but they were easily the deadliest thing in Jue Di Gorge.

Shen Yuan fought alongside him. His guan was missing a chunk and a thick lock of hair ended at his shoulder from the rifts. Worse, his eyes were bloodshot and his upper lip stained from a nosebleed, but he'd had those when arrived in the clearing and jumped off of Xiu Ya.

Luo Binghe lost a chunk of his bicep and his leg burned with venom, but finally the beast was dead. He shoved a mediocre panacea in his mouth and approached Shen Yuan to check on his injuries.

[Quest "Pledges of Frost and Flame" Updated! Objective: Survive.]

The System text froze Luo Binghe with his hand outstretched. With effort, he tore his eyes away from where Shen Yuan was panting and clutching his chest to look directly at the System display. What do you mean survive? What kind of objective is that?

[Answering Host: When not debuffed by status effect "Without a Cure" Shen Qingchun's power level easily eclipses that of Luo Baixiao]

Luo Binghe barely managed to dodge Xia Ya in his shock. The blade cut a thin line over the bridge of his nose. He jumped back, holding up Zheng Yang in defense even as his thoughts spun.

"Shizun, why? Surely you don't think that I-" He had to cut himself off to dodge another thrust.

Though not poisoned, Shen Yuan was clearly debuffed by something. Luo Binghe shouldn't have been able to dodge the Sword of Qing Jing at his level, strongest disciple or no.

Shen Yuan was still panting. He clutched his right bicep with his left arm, his hand leaving bloody creases. A thin stream of blood leaked from his right eye. When he spoke, his teeth were bloody. "Run, Disciple Luo. Run!"

Luo Binghe blocked a strike from Xiu Ya, the impact rattling his entire body. Zheng Yang screeched in protest at being used against Xiu Ya. Luo Binghe wholeheartedly agreed, but he also didn't want to die.

Despite bleeding from several orifices, it didn't look like Shen Yuan was undergoing a qi deviation, but he definitely wasn't in control of his actions.

"Shizun what's wrong?" Luo Binghe asked as he tried to make space between them. From his time reading IRS and then the years spent as a personal disciple he knew he had to stay at mid-range. If he went too far from Shen Yuan, his master would transition to using sword seals and qi techniques. He was called the Sword, but his offensive power was primarily long range with Liu Qingge or Wei Qingwei dealing with the opposition up close.

Shen Yuan closed the gap with a vicious overhead strike that Luo Binghe only just blocked in time.

"I told you to run!"

That close, Luo Binghe saw that the blood vessels hadn't just burst in Shen Yuan's eyes, but they wiggled and writhed gruesomely against the whites. His horror was so great that his concentration wavered and Xiu Ya broke through his guard, slashing deep into his shoulder, breaking his collarbone and rupturing the top of rupturing the top of his left lung.

For a moment, his vision blacked out and all Luo Binghe could see was the System blinking at him.

[Quest Objective: Survive]

The text morphed from a bright cyan to a blinding red as the characters swirled and then melted across his vision. He tasted blood. His muscles tore under his skin like cheap cotton. He only realized he was screaming when his voice gave out and he spat out what felt like a gallon of blood.

Luo Binghe came back to himself on his hands and knees in a puddle of blood. But his hands were wrong. They weren't his or Luo Baixiao's. His fingers were black and tipped with sharp claws that glittered with blood. He tried to send a thread of qi through his body to triage his condition, but it hurt like acid injected directly into his veins.

Focus brat, the seal locking away your demonic heritage is broken. Meng Mo's voice had never before been comforting, but any kind of answer in this situation was a blessing. You'll go into qi deviation and die if you're not careful. Few half-demons survive this, do you plan to be one?

Luo Binghe clenched his teeth and nodded silently to the demon in his head. He took a deep breath and then raised his head.

Only for the sight to make him spit another mouthful of blood.

Across the clearing, Shen Yuan was pinned to a tree by Xiu Ya. The gorgeous blade was pierced through his stomach. He was bleeding from all of his seven orifices, but despite everything his expression was grimly satisfied.

Luo Binghe tried to take a step toward his beloved only to feel like there was a collar around him neck yanking him back. He glanced over his shoulder and saw that a massive gash had opened in the ground under the corpse of the Rhinoceros-Python. The Endless Abyss had opened. He was well and truly in the climax of the arc but unlike Snowballing, he couldn't just jump to another POV.

With a howl, Luo Binghe fought the tether holding him back and surged toward Shen Yuan, collapsing on the ground at his master's feet. He lifted his hands and let them hover on either side of Xiu Ya.

"Shizun… who… how..?"

"Nevermind that, listen to this Master," Shen Yuan said around the blood dribbling from the corner of his mouth. His perfect, blood-stained hands reached down and cupped Luo Binghe's cheeks. "The sect masters won't stand idly by." Each word was a struggle.

"Save your energy! This is, this- Mu-shishu will be able to heal you fully, Shizun." So close, Luo Binghe was able to better-judge the placement of Xiu Ya. While it was a horrible sight, it seemed like it could be at the perfect angle to have avoided all of Shen Yuan's major organs. It was just a macabre taunt.

"Listen!" Shen Yuan's hands tightened on Luo Binghe's face. "My little demon… Disciple Luo is part Heavenly Demon. They will kill you on sight. The barriers surrounding the gorge were reinforced." Shen Yuan turned his head to spit more blood before continuing. "The only way out is down. Go into the Endless Abyss."

Some part of Luo Binghe suspected that Luo Baixiao had survived the conference by exiting stage Abyss, but the order still struck him cold.

"Shizun, I-"

"No, listen." Shen Yuan panted heavily, his strength draining quickly from the wound in his stomach. "There's a sword, Xin Mo, in the Abyss. You need it to kill him. Linguang-jun. Get it and be free, my little demon."

"Shizun, please! At least let me-"

"There's no time." More blood leaked from Shen Yuan's eyes. It looked like he was crying. "Save us both."

Luo Binghe felt Shen Yuan gather what remained of his spiritual energy, but he could do nothing to resist the sharp push that launched him back and into the crack in reality. As he fell, the sky disappeared above him.

[chirpycloudyrobin]

Goddess of Freshwater Springs, Zhang Shu

Faceclaim: Jing Tian (Heavenly Official form) // Zhao Lusi (Mortal cultivator form)

Zhang Shu 张澍 is a Heavenly Official of the Middle Court and a subordinate of Jiang Yanli in her Palace of Zhong Xia. Her courtesy name was Zhang Yinhe 张银鹤. She is a minor goddess of freshwater springs, abundance, and clarity. Her specialty lies in ‘purifying’ paths and she assists Jiang Yanli in prayers for clarification in certain aspects of life.

Under the cut are more details about her mortal background, her abilities as a Heavenly Official, and her cover story as one of Jin Ling's retainers.

MORTAL BACKGROUND

Zhang Shu in life was a Meishan Yu cultivator who was given to Jiang Yanli as her personal attendant the same way Jinzhu and Yinzhu was given to Yu Ziyuan. Zhang Shu was their junior and was trained in the same techniques and skills as they were. In life, her specialties lied in talismans and diplomacy. She was one of the many cultivators who perished during the Nightless City Massacre, but she was only there to protect Jiang Yanli. She remained as a ghost flame unable to move on after she ‘failed’ her duty, but was eventually found by Jiang Yanli who chose to bring her up to the Middle Court as her deputy.

Like Yinzhu and Jinzhu, Zhang Shu had a partner Cui Jinhe 崔金鹤 as Jiang Yanli’s attendant but unlike them, her partner had survived til the modern day. Both Jiang Yanli and Zhang Shu have no knowledge of where and how she is.

ABILITIES

Heavenly Official - Zhang Shu has all the basic Heavenly Official powers such as immortality and the lack of need for necessities like food or sleep. She is also immune to things like temperature and has an accelerated healing factor. She is also able to utilise spiritual power

Elemental God - As Jiang Yanli’s deputy, Zhang Shu has the ability to control water using her sword and whip. However since she is simply a deputy, Zhang Shu’s control over water is limited and can be downgraded or upgraded if Jiang Yanli wishes. Her domain is specifically freshwater springs.

Talismans - Zhang Shu’s grasp on talisman usage, making, and theory is strong enough that she has made a name for herself in Meishan for it and she was able to assist Wei Wuxian at it.

Diplomacy - She was trained in the art of diplomacy, specifically how to help her charge (Jiang Yanli, Jin Ling) in navigating a political landscape with the clever use of words and assessment of the situation alone.

Present Cover

In present times, Zhang Shu acts as one of Jin Ling's retainers under her birth name. In this form, she appears just around two to three years older than Jin Ling. She poses as a Meishan Yu cultivator who was given to Jin Ling by virtue of his mother being the niece of their current Clan Head. She helps Jin Ling navigate the pit of vipers that is Koi Tower and hand delivers correspondences between mother and son. Additionally, she tutors him in his talisman studies.

Outside of Jin Ling, only the Meishan Yu clan leader is aware of Zhang Shu's true identity.

[slimyalienfreak]

Beaten with love

(Knuckles the echidna x reader)

Hey 👋 thanks for the request,

I’m glad that you like my writing, reading this request puts a smile on my face knowing that people like my work. I also realise how many people like knuckles which I honestly don’t blame them.

Speaking of the headcanon I can actually see that happening, although I do imagine knuckles being a bit embarrassed overall I definitely imagine him being head over heels for someone stronger than him.

Hope you have a good year as well! ~Blaze/Dawn

Also sorry for not getting this out sooner I tried to get this out the same day this request came in but I got too distracted while play sonic frontiers.

Pronouns: they/them

Warning:❌

Requested: Yes/No

Characters: Knuckles

Proof Read: ❌

Credits: Photo by verry0dd on Pinterest + Banner by xia sini (Edited By Me) on Pinterest

———————————

- ‘The weather is really nice today’ Knuckles thought to himself. Knuckles had arrived back onto his home angel island after recently having an adventure. He always enjoyed going on adventures to other places discovering new things about angel island and doing something else except guarding the master emerald. Although he did enjoy the trip he needs to get back and do his job.

- As soon as returned a certain thing caught his eyes, he saw a stranger in front of the master emerald. This immediately cause knuckles to panic, what the hell is that person doing and why are they in front of the emerald, are they trying to steal it? “Who are you and what are you doing near the master emerald?” Knuckles asked the stranger. He took a closer look at the stranger he noticed something in their hand…a spear? They must be looking to fight someone judging on the weapon they are holding. “Am i to assume you belong to the echidna tribe?” The stranger spoke up with a harsh voice to which caused knuckles to jump back slightly. “I am but why would you need to know that and you still haven’t told me why are you near the emerald?” That’s when the the stranger suddenly charged towards knuckles with the spear in hand. Knuckles instinctively raised his arms in front of himself which helped him escape harm. Knuckles than gave a barrage of punches but the mysterious person blocked all of them.

- That’s when the unknown person used the spear to jab knuckles a bunch of times which caused knuckles to stop the punches and receive a beat down causing him to fall on his back leaving him shocked. Feeling satisfied with the outcome mysterious person walked away and returned to who knows what. The shocked knuckles just stayed lying on the ground questioning what just happened. He just got beaten by a stranger, for some reason he isn’t embarrassed well a tiny bit at least but in general he isn’t ashamed but instead he is feeling happy is the best way he can put it. After staring off into space and thinking about what happened he got up and returned to guard the master emerald with a slight tint of red appearing on his face.

- After that day all knuckles has been thinking about is that person, ‘god dammit’ knuckles sighed to himself. Why the hell was this person still in his mind. It was starting to distract him from the master emerald. But if had to admit he was very impress with the person fighting techniques if he was to met them again he might ask a question or two about how they fight and lucky for him he did meet this person again. It was a normal day were knuckles was guarding the emerald when the stranger appeared at the bottom of the stair case unbeknownst to knuckles. That’s when the stranger shouted “hey echidna!” That’s when knuckles shot his eyes to the bottom of the staircase and gave a shocked look “you!” He said bracing himself for a fight despite knowing he was going to fail “are you here to fight me again [animal of choice]? Don’t you dare think you’ll win this time!” “Calm down echidna I’m not here to fight you , I’ve came to apologise” “…huh!” Knuckles shouted, did he hear that right? Almost as the person read his mind they replied “you heard me just come down and I’ll tell you” the person gestured their hand as if telling knuckles to come down and without thinking about the possible consequences he complied. “What do you want to say?” Knuckles asked “I’m sorry for my actions I come from [tribe name] and I have been ordered to come here” “oh well i guess I forgive you, you were just following orders” knuckles soften his appearance since he understood where you came from “thank you some much, you can call me [NAME]” you put your hand out to shake knuckles hand “my name is knuckles” he shook your hand officially calling a truce between you and him.

———————————

[dailycharacteroption]

Okayo Corsair (Swashbuckler Archetype)

Have you ever sat down and watched martial arts movies? Not just the ones that get big advertisements in the west, but even a cursory deep dive into them? That shit get zany as heck, maybe not Bollywood levels, but still pretty wacky stuff, and it’s awesome.

We’re talking things like a young inventor coming home to his village to bring the wonders of progress but realizing how estranged he’s become to his own culture and how ruthless his new big-city ‘friends’ are, as well as comedy stories about an apartment complex where everyone is a secret martial artist, including the crabby landlady. There’s so much mixing and matching of genres and setpieces and some truly stellar fight choreography.

I bring all this up because today’s subject smacks a little bit of such things, given we’re talking about swashbuckling pirates from a nation in Tian Xia that pick up on some of the martial arts of the continent and even emulate some of their mystic arts.

Now, there’s a decent amount of evidence here and there that the ki used by monks and ninjas and the grit/panache used by gunslingers and swashbucklers are different applications of the same force, and nowhere is that more expressed than in these corsairs, in an archetype that is, stripped of setting context, a hybridization of swashbuckler and monk.

In-context, the style arose among pirates of the Dragon Empires, and has since spread as far as that Mecca of piracy in the Inner Sea Region known as the Shackles.

The result is a swashbuckler, whom may or may not actually sail at your discretion, that has some neat monk tricks in their arsenal, so let’s have a look!

Unsurprisingly, these swashbucklers demonstrate incredible finesse when wielding monk weapons, and their charisma can serve for those combat feats with wisdom requirements in addition to those that require intellect.

They can also use their panache for some very monk-like deeds, starting with the ability to use ki to enhance their attack speed, movement speed, or reaction speed.

They also gain other staples like using walls to slow their fall, using panache to leap high, and even do a short-range teleport, though that last one is a bit costly.

Finally, they also train to be able to utilize fighter and monk techniques with their combat training.

This archetype trades out some of your deeds and alters your key abilities so they work with monk feats and the like, but overall you’re still going to be playing them the way you would any swashbuckler, though you don’t get to do things like purposefully miss to get a feint next turn and the like. As such, I would highly suggest looking up the feats that require monk levels as a prerequisite and see how you can blend the two.

It is interesting to see more acknowledgement of the connection between ki, grit, and panache, but this also begs the question about how characters in the setting react to it. How to monasteries and martial arts academies feel about some pirates stealing their styles and better yet, manifesting expressions of ki without any formal training or discipline. I’d imagine that a decent percentage aren’t too happy about it, could be very useful for conflict between characters and in the story itself.

While researching at a local library, the party stumbles upon an account from a dashing and spiritually-empowered pirate captain that stumbled upon a strange island, where they found ruins tied to some lost civilization of insectile people. However, they also found it rife with a monstrous fungus that reanimated the giant insects of the island as spore zombies. Recognizing the danger, they quickly fled, and destroyed anything which might have harbored the spores. However, with the right protection, perhaps another group could learn more of this lost civilization?

Where other peoples boast great power, humanity often has to make do with innovation and creativity. Such is the case with the sailors and pirates of the Singing Sea. Many cultures of aquatic peoples jockey for control of those waters, and many see those sailing on the surface as useful sources of supplies or thralls. However, humanity adapts, and many such sailors learn Sea Dragon’s Blade, a style of martial arts adapted from the dragon style founded inland to include weapons and the daring acrobatics of ship combat.

Scuttlebutt in the port town taverns says that there is a new pirate crew running the nearby waters. Very little is known about the captain of this vessel, but they say he leaps and runs as if striding on air and wields a curious weapon resembling a heavy spherical weight on the end of a rope. If nothing else, they seem to be quite competent as a sailor as well as a combatant.

[mimeo-tan]

vokatua ripped apart the door with glee. doors on zakaz were rare — a sign of great authority and order, alongside a certain kind of neuroticism. it was important to make it hurt. that was her job. stark white splattered with purple in rough-cast concrete halls. fresh bodies. a messenger.

the forgemaster was her first priority. she would be home soon. between her and home was order. hit and run. a statement of authority. of pointless cruelty. this was good.

she crackled with electricity. her protodermic code burned, vibrating apart. a breath. a breath. stillness. stillness is strength and a message. calm.

the door. yes. the door. the door buckled under her force. clawed hands sunk into a heavy dent — not the first the door had seen, an unfortunate byproduct of life on zakaz.

the screeching of metal against metal is unpleasant. ideal.

another room. more victims. a scorching hot forge-room, away from prying eyes. crude protodermic technique compared to xia. compared to zakaz's past.

a room full of experimental arms crafted by desperate peoples. a poor choice to announce her arrival.

the skakdi cursed at her. the skakdi made threats, mockery, dismissal. she stood wordlessly. static. the skakdi grew erratic. one hit another. one shot her.

she exploded. a storm of energy. anticipation stored for precisely this purpose. the room froze cold, static filled the air, white ash filled the space in the blink of an eye.

and then she fell atop the skakdi. her full weight crashing down. electromagnetic force pulling her into the floor — pulling the ash together into her.

where she stood, the entrence to the forge, warped and wristed. matter seemed to invert on itself. the protodermic code of reality scrambled in a loose sphere.

some of her ash eviscerated before it returned to her. she could compensate. she understood this risk. yet more coalesced into a silver javelin, and she was moving again. she sought heartlights, and she would have them.

skakdi lived in chaos. chaos brought invention. an explosion of violence followed. unstable contraptions flew to life, and quickly destruction. a microcosm of what was done to zakaz at her fingertips.

a single arbiter was enough. the skakdi's powers were mighty, but she did not allow them to coordinate. their inventions wrought terror, and so she let them turn on themselves. their elemental power demanded an impossible cooperation.

another forge broken. her condition was nominal. she would continue deeper into the volcano-fortress until she met the forgemaster.

[loxare]

A game I've been playing in early access for the past half year, Immortal Life, came out fully wednesday, and I love it so much and think that everyone should play it. Anyways I wrote a thing

Mu Xia hummed as she carefully placed the plate of dumplings in her basket. They were a new recipe, pork and chive, and she really hoped her shijie liked them.

Carefully balancing her basket on her arm, pushing aside the kitchen curtain with the ease of long practice, she nearly dropped everything when Ji Yaohua’s voice called out, “Mu-shimei! I was just speaking to your mother about importing things for the inn. She told me to ask you about anything you needed for the kitchen.”

Basket balanced once again, Mu Xia smiled. “Oh course, Ji-shijie, thank you. It will be our usual list, but could you see if you can get more of the chives? If these turn out, I think they’ll be a hit with the customers.”

Yaohua leaned in, curious. “What are they? They smell good.”

“Pork and chive dumplings! I have some extra in the back if you want, but these are for Shijie!” In this context, there could only be one Shijie. The farmer of the Misty Valley was the reason she was even a part of Guiyun Sect after all.

Li Mengqing appeared from around the corner, summoned by the call of a new food to try. “I’ll get them! Just on the serving table?” Not waiting for an answer, she slipped into the kitchen.

“What’s the occasion?” Yaohua’s eyes narrowed slightly. “If it’s her birthday you have to tell me. She refuses to say.”

That sounded like Shijie. “No, not at all. I just haven’t seen her in a few days, so I wanted to check on her and make sure she was eating well.”

A strange look crossed Yaohua’s face. It looked pained, but also glum and mischievous for some reason. “I see. I think she’ll enjoy those a lot. Say hi for me.”

“I will!” Ji Yaohua’s strange moods wouldn’t deter Mu Xia. “See you later Ji-shijie, Li-shimei!”

After Mu Xia was gone, Mengqing came out and passed Yaohua a dumpling. “Ji-shijie. If Shijie hasn’t been seen in a few days...”

“Yes.” Yaohua took a bite of the dumpling. It was very good indeed. She’d have to research where to obtain chive seeds. The Misty Valley could support nearly any kind of plant in its soil, so it was just a matter of sourcing. And having Shijie grow them would be much cheaper in the long run than importing chives. As for Mu Xia... “She’d have to find out sometime. Besides, if it’s been a few days, Shijie could probably use the food.”

“Hm. True.” Mengqing ate another dumpling. “Hey, do you think it’s possible to make a red bean dumpling?”

She’d never had a sweet dumpling before. “I’m sure you can convince Mu-shimei to try.”

The walk to the Misty Valley was pleasant. The weather was warm, and a bit breezy. There was rain on the horizon, but it wouldn’t hit until tonight. She spoke briefly to Zhou Qian’er about the day’s catch, and to Chen Yuanzhou about fishing her up a few puffer fish for an upcoming banquet.

The Misty Valley hummed with power as it always did. She could almost see the crops growing as they absorbed the spiritual energy, cycling it and sending it back into the earth, stronger. That was one of the things that had surprised her, after she’d started cultivating. Mu Xia had been to the Misty Valley before, usually on her way to the Sunset Forest to pick scarlet sage, but never before had she been able to see the energy she had always felt in the place. It had always felt alive to her, vibrant in ways that she hadn’t been able to comprehend. It was no wonder that Shijie was so strong, if this was where she lived, worked, cultivated.

Speaking of. “Shijie? Are you here?” She checked both fields, poked her head into the Blessed Land, knocked on the door of the freshly renovated house. But she was nowhere to be seen.

Then, suddenly, a flash of light. The same as the others when they teleported somewhere else. Mu Xia couldn’t wait to learn that technique. “Shijie, you’re home! I brought- ” She stopped short.

It... was Shijie. She could tell. But the usual flowing robes and perfectly styled hair were in horrible disarray, and covered in... substances. Mud was the least egregious of the substances, but Mu Xia could also see some sort of green-grey plant sap that smelled horrible, more green goop, and blood (?!) in various shades and consistencies. “Shijie?!”

Instead of asking for help or something, Shijie wobbled and mumbled, “whatimezit?”

“I...” Mu Xia checked the position of the sun. “Almost dusk.”

“Mmm,” Shijie nodded. “Worms.”

And she teetered off, in the direction of her silkworm hut. Mu Xia followed helplessly. As Shijie pulled a large bundle of mulberry leaves from her storage ring, Mu Xia asked, “Shijie, are you alright?”

Shijie nodded again. “Jss tired. Still got,” she paused, trying to visibly count up her remaining tasks.

That wouldn’t do at all! “No, you’ve got nothing to do until you’re cleaned up and rested!” Mu Xia spread the rest of the leaves over the worms, grabbing Shijie’s arm and pulling her towards the house.

Shijie pulled away before they could enter, detouring to the waterfall. To Mu Xia’s shock, she stood under it for a few minutes, allowing the water to wash away the substances. Then she stripped her clothes off, replacing them with a clean, dry set from her ring, while Mu Xia went “Eep!” and turned around.

Finally, Shijie sat down at her table, Mu Xia across from her. The waterfall had woken her up enough to speak in full sentences, so when Mu Xia set down the basket and opened the lid, her eyes lit up and she said, “Dumplings! Thank you Mu-shimei, I was starting to get hungry.”

“Aren’t you capable of inedia?” It wasn’t healthy, to survive on inedia for too long, but at the very least it prevented the feeling of hunger. Shijie didn't usually rely on it, but it was useful when she went to the secret realms and didn't want to fill up her storage rings with food.

Shijie made a noise of affirmation and swallowed her dumpling. “Yeah, but not for more than a few days. Maybe once I hit Core, but not yet.”

Mu Xia subtly pushed the plate closer. “What were you doing anyways?”

“I needed more golden disks. I used them all up learning spells, which means I don’t have enough for research and development, or to upgrade my axe.” Shijie ate another dumpling. Jin Li crept off of his nest and sniffed at one, then wrinkled his nose. “If I can do that, I can get past those ironwood tree roots that are blocking the path to the eastern forest, see if I can find out what’s in there. Maybe there’s a great treasure that we can use to rebuild the sect.” She looked critically at the half of a dumpling she was holding. “Do you think I can get seeds for chives? I’d like some more aromatics to work with, and these are good. Do you have the recipe?”

Mu Xia nodded. “I finished developing it today. If you liked them, I was going to introduce them to the inn menu.” Shijie had very good taste. If she liked something, odds were it would do well with many customers.

“The usual arrangement then.” Ingredients, to repay the time Mu Xia spent developing her recipe, and to thank her for her generosity. “Assuming I can get chive seeds in.”

“If you can, I’ll see about getting more recipes with them in.” Mu Xia fidgeted with her sleeve. “Shijie, is that. Is that how you usually look when you leave town for a few days?”

Shijie huffed, offended. “I wasn’t gone for a few days, I have to be back every day to feed the worms. They’re very important Mu-shimei.”

“Of course,” she said, conciliatory. “But why didn’t I see you yesterday then?”

A long moment of silence. Shijie was more awake, but still not to her usual calibre, it seemed, as it was taking her a minute to think that through. “Oh, I guess I did feed them at 3 in the morning yesterday. And the day before. And then it was straight back to the desert.”

“Shijie! How long has it been since you slept?” Another long pause, that Mu Xia didn’t let her finish. “Go to bed! Right now!”

“But I have to sweep the forest for flowers, and then I have to schedule some classes for tomorrow, and I need more krill so I have to fish some of those up tonight, and having more pearl dust is always useful and -”

“Go to bed!”

It took another few minutes of corralling her, but eventually Shijie was laying in her bed, Jin Li curled smugly on her chest, preventing her form moving. In just a few seconds, she was asleep.

Mu Xia breathed a sigh of relief. Then she got out her paper crane talisman. Shijie did so much for them. They could do a few things for her, at least for tonight.

[wolfgirlandfarmboy]

Since Jack isn't too combat savvy, has Nana ever tried to help him out & show him some of her moves?

Yep yep.

In Briar Patch, since Xia has the most combat experience, they wind up giving lessons to everyone so they know how to defend themselves and use their Märchen . Nana often winds up being a teaching assistant and aids during some lessons as she has the second most combat experience.

Jack has a rough go of things when it comes to hand-to-hand stuff so Nana gives him bonus solo training lessons.

Of course, Nana's methods of combat are very straight to the jugular and "no hesitation" so there are certain battle techniques in there that might raise some brows. Like her teaching Jack how to rip out someone's throat with his fangs and the best locations to bite someone to make them bleed out.

She does teach him how to throw a punch and put more force in the swing and how to kick like you mean it like many would expect. She also teaches him how to use restraining pins.

It might surprise some that these lessons rare ever escalate to more intimate things but Jack is actually a rather focused learner when someone is teaching him something and Nana puts teaching her boyfriend how to fight over making moves on him. That's for after the lesson.

The biggest difficulty when it comes to Nana's training lessons is getting Jack to mock fight her so she can test him to make sure he's putting in what he's learning because he is always scared of hurting her. But every single battle always ends with her sending him on his ass with a "Good work". The mock fights are never really meant for him to beat her-just her to know he's paying attention so when he does get into a genuine fight, he's prepared.

[genyukandojo]

Martial Art: Definition, History, Types, & Facts

Definition of Martial Arts

Martial arts refer to a variety of combat practices and traditions that have been developed over centuries for self-defense, military, and law enforcement applications, as well as mental and spiritual development. The term "martial" is derived from Mars, the Roman god of war, indicating a connection to combat and warfare. Martial arts encompass techniques for unarmed and armed combat, and they often emphasize discipline, respect, and the development of the practitioner's mind, body, and spirit.

History of Martial Arts

The history of martial arts is as diverse as the many forms it encompasses, spanning thousands of years and multiple continents.

Ancient Origins:

Martial arts have ancient roots, with early evidence found in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece. The earliest recorded instances date back to 3000 BCE in Egypt, where depictions of combat training were discovered in tombs. Ancient Greek wrestling and pankration, a combination of boxing and wrestling, were popular in the Olympic Games and highlight the early significance of combat sports.

Asian Martial Arts:

Asia is often regarded as the cradle of martial arts. Chinese martial arts, known as kung fu or wushu, have a rich history that dates back to the Xia Dynasty (2070-1600 BCE). The Shaolin Monastery in China played a crucial role in the development and dissemination of martial arts. Monks at Shaolin developed techniques for Martial Arts self-defense and physical conditioning, which eventually evolved into various styles of kung fu.

In Japan, martial arts like jujutsu, kendo, and kyudo have deep historical roots. The samurai, Japan's warrior class, practiced bushido, a code of conduct emphasizing honor, discipline, and martial prowess. Judo, developed by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century, and karate, originating from Okinawa, are also prominent Japanese martial arts.

Korean Martial Arts:

Korean martial arts, such as taekwondo, have a rich history influenced by indigenous practices and interactions with Chinese and Japanese martial arts. Taekwondo, characterized by its high, fast kicks and jumping and spinning kicks, was officially named in the 1950s but has historical antecedents in earlier Korean martial traditions.

Southeast Asian Martial Arts:

In Southeast Asia, martial arts such as Muay Thai from Thailand, Silat from Indonesia and Malaysia, and Arnis from the Philippines have long traditions. Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing, emphasizes strikes using fists, elbows, knees, and shins. Silat encompasses a variety of fighting styles, often including weapons training. Arnis, also known as Eskrima or Kali, is focused on stick fighting but also includes empty-hand techniques.

Types of Martial Arts

Martial arts can be broadly categorized into traditional and modern styles, each with distinct characteristics and purposes.

Traditional Martial Arts:

These styles often have deep cultural and historical roots, emphasizing techniques passed down through generations.

Kung Fu:

Chinese martial arts that include various styles such as Wing Chun, Shaolin Kung Fu, and Tai Chi. Wing Chun focuses on close-range combat, Shaolin Kung Fu emphasizes a wide range of techniques and forms, and Tai Chi is known for its slow, meditative movements aimed at cultivating internal energy (Qi).

Karate:

Originating from Okinawa, Japan, karate emphasizes striking techniques, including punches, kicks, knee strikes, and elbow strikes. Styles such as Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, and Kyokushin have unique characteristics and training methods.

Judo:

Founded by Jigoro Kano in Japan, judo focuses on throws, joint locks, and grappling techniques. It is a modern martial art and Olympic sport that emphasizes leverage and balance to overcome opponents.

Aikido:

Developed by Morihei Ueshiba, aikido combines joint locks, throws, and blending movements to redirect an opponent's energy. It emphasizes harmony and non-resistance, Aikido Classes NYC.

Taekwondo:

Korean martial art known for its high, fast kicks and jumping and spinning techniques. It emphasizes speed, agility, and dynamic footwork.

Muay Thai:

Thai martial art and national sport known for its striking techniques using fists, elbows, knees, and shins. It is often referred to as the "art of eight limbs."

Silat:

Martial art from Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. It includes strikes, joint manipulation, throws, and weaponry.

Modern Martial Arts:

These styles often incorporate elements from traditional martial arts and are adapted for contemporary self-defense, sport, and fitness.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA):

A full-contact combat sport that combines techniques from various martial arts, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Muay Thai. MMA has gained immense popularity through organizations like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ):

Developed from jujutsu and judo, BJJ focuses on ground fighting and submission holds. It emphasizes technique, leverage, and positional control.

Krav Maga:

An Israeli martial art and self-defense system developed for military and law enforcement. It focuses on practical techniques for real-world situations, emphasizing aggression and neutralizing threats quickly.

Kickboxing:

A hybrid martial art that combines elements of traditional karate with boxing. It is practiced for self-defense, fitness, and as a competitive sport.

Jeet Kune Do:

Developed by Bruce Lee, Jeet Kune Do emphasizes simplicity, directness, and efficiency. It incorporates techniques from various martial arts, aiming to be adaptable and practical.

Facts about Martial Arts

Mental and Physical Benefits:

Martial arts training provides numerous physical benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and coordination. It also enhances mental well-being by reducing stress, increasing focus, and promoting discipline and self-control.

Spiritual Development:

Many martial arts emphasize spiritual growth and inner peace. Practices like meditation, mindfulness, and breathing exercises are integral parts of arts such as Tai Chi, Aikido, and certain styles of Kung Fu.

Global Popularity:

Martial arts have a global following, with millions of practitioners worldwide. They are popular not only for self-defense and sport but also as a means of cultural preservation and personal development.

Martial Arts in Media:

Martial arts have a significant presence in movies, television, and literature. Icons like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li have brought martial arts to mainstream audiences through their films, showcasing the beauty and effectiveness of various styles.

Olympic Recognition:

Several martial arts have been included in the Olympic Games. Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964, Taekwondo in 2000, and Karate made its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Martial Arts and Self-Defense:

While many martial arts are practiced for sport and fitness, they remain effective self-defense systems. Techniques from Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai are widely taught to law enforcement and military personnel.

Cultural Heritage:

Martial arts are often deeply intertwined with the cultural heritage of their countries of origin. They reflect historical traditions, philosophies, and values, and are often preserved and promoted as national treasures.

Martial Arts Schools and Dojos:

Training in martial arts typically takes place in specialized schools or dojos, where students learn under the guidance of experienced instructors. These environments emphasize respect, discipline, and camaraderie among practitioners.

Conclusion

Martial arts encompass a vast array of combat practices and traditions, each with its unique history, techniques, and philosophies. From ancient origins to modern adaptations, martial arts continue to evolve and thrive, offering physical, mental, and spiritual benefits to practitioners around the world. Whether practiced for self-defense, sport, or personal growth, Martial Arts Schools in Queens NY remain a powerful and enduring aspect of human culture and heritage.

[queermtl]

Queer MTL things to do : November 2024

As the weather grows colder in November, indoor activities heat up all over the city! And like every month, Montréal is stuffed to the brim with events, parties and unique experiences painted in all the colours of the LGBTQ+ rainbow. From drag to community, circuit to underground, here’s some of our picks for the best LGBTQ+ things to do in the city. For further announcements, including those not announced at time of publication, follow QueerMTL on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr! Got an event coming up? DM it our way!

Alors que le temps se refroidit en novembre, les activités d’intérieur nous réchauffent dans toute la ville! Et comme tous les mois, Montréal propose une foule d’événements, de soirées et d’expériences uniques qui font briller toutes les nuances de l’arc-en-ciel LGBTQ+. Entre prestations drag et activités communautaires, festivals bien en vue et événements underground, voici notre sélection des choses les plus gaies à faire dans la ville. Pour rester à l’affût de tout ajout, suivez QueerMTL sur Instagram, X, Facebook et Tumblr! Vous présentez un événement? Écrivez-nous!

LEGEND

🎥 Cinema 👑 Drag 🥳 Parties 🎶 Concert ✊ Activism 🏳️‍⚧️ Trans 🏳️‍🌈 Community 😆 Comedy 🎭 Performance 💪 Sports 👯‍♀️ Dance 🎤 Karaoke 🎨 Arts 📚 Literary / Educational 👠 Ballroom / Vogue

Friday, November 1, 2024

🎨 Pointe-à-Callière’s exhibition Witches—Out of the Shadows runs until April 6, 2025, Pointe-à-Callière 🥳 Pikete returns with Ori Lababy, La Niña Kiwi, Jashim, Culturalex, Anaconda Lasabrosa, Sisi Superstar, Queefy Latina and MCHERRY, La Sotterenea  🥳 GIRLS THEYS RAVE present GTR | Lesbian & Sapphic Halloween with DJs GwineStefani, Dracvla and Medasking, Cabaret Berlin 🥳 Cerise Noire goth night with UN, Esther Splett and DJ JTA, Notre-Dame-Des-Quilles 🥳 BIMBO presents BIMBOWEEN with Ian Jackman, DISKOMMANDER, DJ G3MINI and Esirena, plus a multi-category costume contest, Le Livart  🥳 Psychdelic Babylon presents the Psychedelic Halloween Masquerade with Electric Universe and Phase, Le Sainte-Catherine Hall 🎭 Closet d’Alibabette presents Le Cabaret des Curiosités : Spécial Halloween with La Freak du Show, Demone Lastrange, Sir Vergon, Xtra Dip and others, Centre de médiation culturelle “L’éphémère 💪 Montréal Roller Derby hosts Champs at Champs: Global Championship Roller Derby Watch Party Fundraiser with DJs and crafting, Champs 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Tracy Trash, Carmen Sutra, Erica and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Vendredi Fou with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Saturday, November 2, 2024

🎤 Bareoke: Strip Karaoke, Café Cléopatra 👑 Doll Domination featuring an all-trans cast with Esirena, Denim, Jay Show, Casanova, Bijoux, Shasha and Safierce Diamonds, Complexe Sky 🥳 Homegrown Harvest presents Halloween Rave 2024 with WATA IGARASHI, Marie Davidson, Lis Dalton b2b Esme, Xia b2b urmumsfavdj, Hidi, Kris Guilty b2b Gene Tellem, Lexis and Alina b2b Guthrie, venue announced day of 🥳 Queen & Queer hosts their Halloween Dance Party with Sandy Duperval, DJ Mc Coy, Lisa Dalton and Lia Plutonic in B2B and DJ Sam, Bain Mathieu 🎭 Voulez Vous Productions presents an Affordable Costume Making Class with Rosie Bourgeoisie, book for location 😆 Le brunch with Raquel, a queer and trans bilingual comedy show with Raquel Maestre, Kě, Lucy Gervais, Carmina Berbari, Nat Pace, Alo Azimov and Caro Monast, Agenda 💪 Montréal Roller Derby hosts Champs at Champs: Global Championship Roller Derby Watch Party Fundraiser with DJs and crafting, Champs 🥳 🏳️‍🌈 Studio ZX, FANTOM and PUMP present PUMP with DJs FLLEUR, Technique Nado and Syana and rhythmic cardio by Mags, Place du Village 🥳 SUPER TASTE MTL presents 90's DANCE PARTY : Édition Halloween, Ausgang Plaza 📚 L'Euguélionne, feminist bookstore hosts a book launch for Monia Mazigh’s Farida, L'Euguélionne 👑 Jackbox Games with the Gahds with Uma Gahd and Selma Gahd, Bar Le Cocktail  👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Tracy Trash, Carmen Sutra, Erica and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Drôles de Drags with Miss Butterfly, Ciathanight, Crystal Starz or Emma Déjàvu in rotation, Bar Le Cocktail

Sunday, November 3, 2024

🎭 Ligue d’impro Gailaxie, Cabaret Mado 💪 Montréal Roller Derby hosts Champs at Champs: Global Championship Roller Derby Watch Party Fundraiser with DJs and crafting, Champs 👑 Le Tracy Show with Tracy Trash and Bobépine, Carmen Sutra and Gina Gates, Cabaret Mado 👑 Dimanche Show with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Monday, November 4, 2024

👑 C’est juste lundi, place à la relève !! with Sally-D, Bar Le Cocktail

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

👑 Full Gisèle : Top et bottom with Gisèle Lullaby, Lady Guidoune, Victoire de Rockwell, Clay Thorris and Tracy Trash, Cabaret Mado 😆 Stand Up St. Henri Open Mic focusing on women, non-binary, queer and allied comedians, Impro Montréal

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

🎭 The Poly Mic open mic, Bar Notre-Dame-des-Quilles 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts a book launch for Martina Chumova’s Je mets mes rêves sur la table, L'Euguélionne 👑 Sasha Baga presents DIVAAS with Pétula Claque and Adriana, Cabaret Mado

Thursday, November 7, 2024

���� Krystella Fame presents Girls’ Night Out with Crystal Starz and Zahra Bizarre, Cabaret Mado 👑 Butterfly de nuit with Miss Butterfly, Bar Le Cocktail 🥳 L’Orage presents Jeudi diversité !, L’Orage Club

Friday, November 8, 2024

📚 L’Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts reading and signing with Chanel Sutherland and Murgatroyd Monaghan, L’Euguélionne 🏳️‍🌈 Eros and JAG host the Le VibraFonds 2024—Soirée Bingo!, Longueuil  👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Crystal Starz, Ciatha Night, Velma Jones and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Vendredi Fou with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Saturday, November 9, 2024

📚 The Violet Hour Book Club reads Alice Winn’s In Memoriam, Librairie Pulp Books & Cafe 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts a book launch for Eve Martin Jalbert’s Promesse d'un monde encore incertain, L'Euguélionne 🥳 🏳️‍🌈 Studio ZX and FANTOM present Oxygen with DJs Bullshit Artist and Persuasion, Place du Village 🥳 SUPER TASTE MTL and Homopop presents Hot To Go: Chappell Roan & Friends Dance Party, Bar Le Ritz PDB 👑 Jimmy Moore personifies Taylor Swift, Cabaret Mado 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Crystal Starz, Ciatha Night, Velma Jones and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Drôles de Drags with Miss Butterfly, Ciathanight, Crystal Starz or Emma Déjàvu in rotation, Bar Le Cocktail

Sunday, November 10, 2024

👑 Le Brunch aux Folles with Misty Waterfalls, Sisi Sinatra and Miss Fountain, Social Verdun 👑 Afternoon Drag Cafe with Itsh and Timothy Toxic, Agenda Co-op Bookstore 🎭 Reines Stones present Sunday Sin Day: Circus of Hell with Quinzy Chase, Sasha Désir, Siren Mayhem and Mina Minou, Wiggle Room 🎭 Ligue d’impro Gailaxie, Cabaret Mado 👑 Le Tracy Show with Tracy Trash and Kiara, Kelly Torrieli and Marla Deer, Cabaret Mado 👑 Dimanche Show with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Monday, November 11, 2024

👑 Vous êtes invité.e.s featuring the wedding ceremony of Val de Freak and Prudence, officiated by Heaven Genderfck with special performances, Cabaret Mado 👑 C’est juste lundi, place à la relève !! with Sally-D, Bar Le Cocktail

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

👑 Full Gisèle : Pop Y2K with Gisèle Lullaby, Saltina Shaker, Sunshine Glitterchild, Lady Boom Boom and Pétula Claque, Cabaret Mado 😆 Stand Up St. Henri Open Mic focusing on women, non-binary, queer and allied comedians, Impro Montréal

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

🎭 The Poly Mic open mic, Bar Notre-Dame-des-Quilles 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts a bilingual discussion on Mandi Gray’s Suing for Silence: Sexual Violence and Defamation and Kharoll-Ann Souffrant’s Le privilège de dénoncer with the authors in attendance, L'Euguélionne 👑 Dance Again with Amy Haze, Gabriella, Kelly Torrieli, Kitana, Miss Butterfly, Rita Baga and Sasha Baga, Cabaret Mado

Thursday, November 14, 2024

🎭 Slaysians with Manny, Ad’horrible, CC Chanel, EmmÖtional Damage, Jebbie, Justin, Kajol, Khann, Korra Anarch’key, Psyberia, Rameez Karim, Song, Suri Racha and Ken Antonio, Cabaret Mado 👯‍♀️ Montréal Heels Festival, dedicated to the art of dancing in heels, Hôtel Bonaventure Montréal 🎭 Sis Void and Dark Felina present Cabaret Nocturna with Diana Bastet, Celesta O’Lee, Tristan Ginger, Miss Pretty Pretentious, Royal T and Sasha Désir, Cabaret Berlin 🎥 Queer Cinema Club of Montréal and Image+Nation hosts two screenings of Gregg Araki's Mysterious Skin, Cinema Moderne 👑 Butterfly de nuit with Miss Butterfly, Bar Le Cocktail 🥳 L’Orage presents Jeudi diversité !, L’Orage Club

Friday, November 15, 2024

📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts a book launch for Aimée Lévesque’s Parmi les femmes, L’Euguélionne 👯‍♀️ Montréal Heels Festival, dedicated to the art of dancing in heels, Hôtel Bonaventure Montréal 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Barbada, Daisy Wood, Peggy Sue, Krystella Fame and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Vendredi Fou : Pants Free Evening with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Saturday, November 16, 2024

🎤 Bareoke: Strip Karaoke, Café Cléopatra 🥳 Lez Dance hosts Soirée entre elles! LEZ DANZE together! with DJ Franklyne, Stock & Soda 🥳 Butch-Femme Prom, Champs Bar 👯‍♀️ Montréal Heels Festival, dedicated to the art of dancing in heels, Hôtel Bonaventure Montréal 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts the roundtable discussion Littérature et révolution with Sayaka Araniva-Yanez, Liza Hammar, Paola Ouédraogo and Missila Izza, L’Euguélionne 👑 Jimmy Moore personifies Madonna: The Celebration Tour, Cabaret Mado 👑 Mary J. Kay presents Patsy Gallant, Bar Le Cocktail 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Barbada, Daisy Wood, Peggy Sue, Krystella Fame and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Drôles de Drags with Miss Butterfly, Ciathanight, Crystal Starz or Emma Déjàvu in rotation, Bar Le Cocktail

Sunday, November 17, 2024

😆 A Very Pretentious Comedy Show #20 with Raquel Maestre, Eve Parker Finley, Lou Laurence, Brad MacDonald, Sara Meleika, Andrina Learmonth, Jason Houle and Sarah Boivin, Café La ligne Verte 🎭 Ligue d’impro Gailaxie, Cabaret Mado 👑 Le Tracy Show with Tracy Trash and Sasha Baga, Pétula Claque and Lady Boom Boom, Cabaret Mado 👯‍♀️ Montréal Heels Festival, dedicated to the art of dancing in heels, Hôtel Bonaventure Montréal 👑 Dimanche Show 19th Anniversary! with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Monday, November 18, 2024

👑 C’est juste lundi, place à la relève !! with Sally-D, Bar Le Cocktail

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

👑 Full Gisèle : Wicked with Gisèle Lullaby, Marla Deer, Johnny Jones, Kiara and Rowena Whey, Cabaret Mado 👑 Lulu Shade and Sally-D present Shade-D Show with Mike Oxlong, Bar Le Cocktail 😆 Stand Up St. Henri Open Mic focusing on women, non-binary, queer and allied comedians, Impro Montréal

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 🎭 The Poly Mic open mic, Bar Notre-Dame-des-Quilles 😆 The Alt Comedy Show #2 with Raquel Maestre, Mike Carrozza, Mason Terry, Sadie Moland, Shawn Stenhouse and Carmina Berbari, Notre-Dame-Des-Quilles 👑 Bobépine presents Céline Dion... en Fête with Victoire de Rockwell, Marla Deer, Jay Show, Clay Thorris and Tracy Trash, Cabaret Mado

Thursday, November 21, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 🎭 The L Word Season 2—Live! with Sarah Laurendeau, Marie-Soleil Dion, Florence Blain Mbaye, Marie-Fanny Guay, Camille Léonard, Noémie Lira, Mélodie Noël Rousseau and Geneviève Labelle, Cabaret Mado 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts the poetry evening À la santé de ce qui nous a pas encore tuées with Emmanuelle Riendeau, Marie-Pier Lafontaine, Marie Darsigny, Rosie Desbiens and Mélopée B. Montminy, L’Euguélionne 🏳️‍🌈 Festival Jouissif Montréal hosts Noël Jouissif, and erotic and other curiosities market, Bain Mathieu 🎭 MainLine Theatre hosts performances of Michel Marc Bouchard’s Tom à la ferme, MainLine Theatre 👑 Contestant Uma Gahd hosts screenings of Canada’s Drag Race Season 5, Bar Le Cocktail 👑 Butterfly de nuit with Miss Butterfly, Bar Le Cocktail 🥳 L’Orage presents Jeudi diversité !, L’Orage Club

Friday, November 22, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts Les disparitions qui nous habitent, a discussion on Sarine Demirjian’s Un froid qui ne me quitte pas and Nada Sattouf’s Requiem d’un après-midi with the authors in attendance, L’Euguélionne 🏳️‍🌈 Festival Jouissif Montréal hosts Noël Jouissif, and erotic and other curiosities market, Bain Mathieu 🎭 MainLine Theatre hosts performances of Michel Marc Bouchard’s Tom à la ferme, MainLine Theatre 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Jessie Précieuse, Lady Boom Boom, Celes and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Vendredi Fou with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Saturday, November 23, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 👑 Xtra Dip! hosts A Verry Glee(k) Show with Uma Gahd, Casanova, Coco Charlemagne, Champagne, Hollie Woods, Alexandra Moss, Muz’Emma and Psyberia, Bar Le Cocktail  👑 Jimmy Moore personifies Céline Dion, Cabaret Mado 🏳️‍🌈 Festival Jouissif Montréal hosts Noël Jouissif, and erotic and other curiosities market, Bain Mathieu 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Jessie Précieuse, Lady Boom Boom, Celes and Nana, Cabaret Mado 🎭 MainLine Theatre hosts performances of Michel Marc Bouchard’s Tom à la ferme, MainLine Theatre 👑 Drôles de Drags with Miss Butterfly, Ciathanight, Crystal Starz or Emma Déjàvu in rotation, Bar Le Cocktail

Sunday, November 24, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 🥳 Vol X. rave with Hector Oaks, x3butterfly, Solitary Dancer and Runa & Asha, details at link  👑 Celebrate 15 years of drag with Emma Déjà-vu, Bar Le Cocktail 🎭 Ligue d’impro Gailaxie, Cabaret Mado 👑 Le Tracy Show with Tracy Trash and Victoire de Rockwell, Daisy Wood and Misty Waterfalls, Cabaret Mado

Monday, November 25, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 👑 C’est juste lundi, place à la relève !! with Sally-D, Bar Le Cocktail

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 👑 Full Gisèle : Full Céline with Gisèle Lullaby, Nana, Crystal Starz, Bobépine and Gina Hamilton, Cabaret Mado 😆 Stand Up St. Henri Open Mic focusing on women, non-binary, queer and allied comedians, Impro Montréal

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 🎭 The Poly Mic open mic, Bar Notre-Dame-des-Quilles 👑 Marla Deer presents Popcorn Extra Beurre with Gisèle Lullaby, Tracy Trash, Bambi Dextrous, Bobépine, Clay Thorris and Johnny Jones, Cabaret Mado

Thursday, November 28, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 🥳 QUARTZ Soirées Lesbiennes presents To The Moon and Back with DJ Lavender May, Club Confessionnal 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts a book launch for Aimee Wall’s Nous, Jane, L'Euguélionne 👑 Celebrate Canada’s Drag Race Season 5 contestant Uma Gahd’s Birthday with special guests, Bar Le Cocktail  🎭 Zize Dupanier presents Zize, Cabaret Mado 👑 Le Sami Party with Sami Landri and special guests, Cabaret Mado 👑 Contestant Uma Gahd hosts screenings of Canada’s Drag Race Season 5, Bar Le Cocktail 🥳 L’Orage presents Jeudi diversité !, L’Orage Club

Friday, November 29, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 🥳 SUPER TASTE MTL presents ABBA and Friends Dance Party: 5th Anniversary, Bar Le Ritz PDB 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts De corneilles et de tantes / Of crows and aunties: a conversation with Jessica Johns with Catherine Leroux and Éric Fontaine, L'Euguélionne 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Gisèle Lullaby, Marla Deer, Sasha Baga and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Vendredi Fou with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Saturday, November 30, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 🏳️‍🌈 CASA Cares hosts Q-Hour, spotlighting queer-owned and operated businesses, Concordia University 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Gisèle Lullaby, Marla Deer, Sasha Baga and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Drôles de Drags with Miss Butterfly, Ciathanight, Crystal Starz or Emma Déjàvu in rotation, Bar Le Cocktail

OTHERS / LES AUTRES

👠 Twice a month on every second Tuesday, Bring It! hosts an OTA night of ballroom and vogue with commentator and DJ. Follow their Instagram for dates and details.

💪 Montréal Roller Derby hosts regular matches and open boot camps throughout the year. Follow their Facebook page for additional info. 

🤠 Club Bolo—Danse Country Montréal meet on Fridays at the Association sportive et communautaire du Centre-Sud.

👯 Tango/Salsa Queer holds lessons every Saturday, visit queertangomtl.com for information or contact tango.queer@hotmail.com or call +1 (514) 709-4678 for prices and signup information, Espaces des Arts.

🏐 Les Ratons-Chasseurs (Montréal’s LGBTA dodgeball group) holds regular events. Keep an eye on their Facebook for upcoming opportunities to join in and play. 

🕹Montréal Gaymers hosts regular gatherings including board game nights and gaming gatherings. Check their Facebook for what’s next!

🏃🏾Join the Out-Run run and workout club for people relating to the queer / sapphic experience. Details on their Instagram!

🐦 Bird lovers should keep their eye on Queer Birders' regularly scheduled birdwatching events and excursions. Join the Facebook group and get those binoculars at the ready.

[grand-theft-carbohydrates]

omg i found this clip with a side by side comparison of MDZS cartoon vs Untamed, and I thought it was a good way to demonstrate the different film techniques and why they're effective.

Scene 1: Props: WWX carries two cumbersome clay wine jugs over the wall, it highlights his reckless nature and voracious appetite. instead of a dinky ceramic bottle, he's got the xian-xia equivalent of two massive 12-packs. the wine jugs get incorporated into the fight later on, getting smashed up and tossed around. Camera: #1 wide establishing shot, WWX peers out furtively from behind a roof projection, making it clear that he's hiding + climbing a roof. #2 the whip-pan (i think?) to LWJ who was right behind him, adds surprise, tension and highlights LWJ's high cultivation ability. its more effective than a slow pan AROUND him.

Scene 2: costume: Cartoon WWX and LWJ's are styled distinctively, and in ways that match their personalities. there's never any confusion about who i'm looking at when the camera cuts. music: transitions from the quiet, rapid-fire pipa for the sneaking-around scene to the swooping, joyous flute when WWX is needling LWJ.

camera: #1 medium shot, attention is drawn to props and faces. hard-working LWJ is reading a book AND writing at the same time. WWX is slouching on the table. there is variation in the high vs low angles, the characters are positioned on different levels, the shot compositions are slightly off-center with clear foreground + background. just overall more dynamic and purposeful camera work. #2 WWX pops in and out of the frame like a jack-in-the-box, and crowds LWJ's shot, because he has to be the center of attention. #3 WWX's mouth gets sealed. lingering closeup, claws at his mouth to indicate he's being gagged -> wide-angle overhead as he frantically runs around the table and tries to escape the spell. (UNTAMED DIRECTOR LAOSHI! THERES NOT POINT IN A WIDE OVERHEAD IF. HE. DOESN'T. MOVE!!!! DONT JUST COPY SOMEONE ELSES HOMEWORK!!!) #4 LWJ is super duper pissed off: rapid cut from medium shot -> (skip the closeup) -> extreme close up with Kubrick glare. background has menacing waves of energy emanating from him.

[fandomside]

Nirvana in Fire Rewatch Episode Twenty

It's the birthday party episode.

Events:

MCS has given Jingrui a bottle of valuable heart protection pills as a birthday present.

Xia Dong and Meng Zhi want to make Master Zhuo display his martial arts so they can prove he was involved in the New Year murders. Xia Dong spars with him at the banquet, but he fights poorly and avoids displaying the signature sword through the neck technique.

Gong Yu plays a sad song.

Yue Niuze, the Southern Chu martial arts master, turns up uninvited, accompanied by the Chu prince and princess. He says he simply wants to challenge Master Zhuo to a fight under jianghu rules. Xie Yu doesn't want Master Zhuo to fight in front of witnesses, but he's overruled.

Master Zhuo throws the fight to avoid displaying his sword technique, and injures his sword hand. MCS very portentously tells Jingrui to give him a heart protection pill.

The Southern Chu prince and princess confront Jingrui and Liyang, revealing the secret relationship.

MCS gives Gong Yu the signal, and she reveals Xie Yu hired her father to kill the illegitimate child, and murdered him when he failed. Xie Yu attacks her and Zhuo-furen stops him. Xie Yu fills the courtyard with heavily armed men and seems willing to kill the Zhuo family if they defend Gong Yu.

MCS reveals Fei Liu has broken into the armory and cut all the bowstrings. Also that Prince Yu has his own army stationed outside waiting. MCS basically admits to orchestrating all this.

Names and titles:

Yue Niuze and Master Zhuo call each other Surname-xiong.

The Chu prince calls Yue Niuze Yue-shu.

Characters:

Zhuo-furen makes overly fancy clothes the boys don't like.

Meng Zhi and Master Zhuo have never met before.

Xia Dong isn't wealthy, she only has her salary.

There's a resemblance between Jingrui and his half-sister Niannian.

The Chu prince and princess aren't siblings, they're cousins.

Yujin is very protective this episode - he tells the Chu princess to stop talking, and is standing guard over Gong Yu when she's threatened.

The Chu prince and princess greet Liyang formally and bow to her, but I don't think they really give a shit about her. Their actions are both cruel and dangerous for her.

Weapons and costumes:

Jingrui's 'overly fancy' blue and gold is nice. Yujin, meanwhile, is wearing PURPLE ZEBRA PRINT.

Feiliu has a dagger for cutting bowstrings, which he continues to wear when he turns up later. He also plays with a sword in the armory.

Prince Yu's red leather armor would barely turn away a sword, let alone an arrow. Put him in proper lamellar!

Misc:

A first rank marquis is entitled to keep 800 soldiers. Are they all living in the manor grounds?

Is Gong Yu's music supposed to sound... good? Or is it just that I can't appreciate it?

There's a very weird thing that happens three times this episode, where Xie Yu goes on about Xia Dong's status as a woman. Has he done it before?

[rhetoricandlogic]

The Death I Gave Him: Review

A queer, locked-room thriller reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet with a sci-fi twist. We review Em X. Liu’s The Death I Gave Him

By Burt Peterson 19-09-23

n The Death I Gave Him by Em X Liu, Hayden Lichfield’s world shatters when he discovers his father has been murdered and crucial camera logs in their lab have been deleted. The motive is clear: the coveted Sisyphus Formula, capable of potentially defying death. To draw out the killer, Hayden attempts to abscond with the research, and in doing so stumbles across a recording left by his father, beseeching him to avenge his death…

Trapped in the locked-down lab, Hayden is surrounded by four potential suspects: his uncle Charles, lab tech Gabriel Rasmussen, intern Felicia Xia, and her father and security head, Paul — any one of whom could be the killer.

Hayden’s only trustworthy ally is Horatio, the lab’s AI, a trusted companion since its inception. As Hayden grapples with a crumbling reality, he must unravel the lab’s enigmas, expose his father’s deceptions, and teeter on the edge of reason to exact his revenge.

Billed as a queer retelling of Hamlet through the lens of a locked-room thriller, Em X. Liu’s novel is built around a cleverly and deliberately constructed narrative. A woven tapestry of fabricated interviews, autobiography excerpts, AI recordings, and speculative sequences, the story is then contextualised with a selection of footnotes serving as commentary from an unidentified narrator.

This framing technique creates enough distance from the Shakespearean inspiration such as to allow the story to breathe on its own merit. The parallels to Hamlet and its themes of life, death, madness and privilege are clear and present, but by serving them within a near-future setting where the promise of eternal life through advancements in science are just within humanity’s grasp, Liu is able to provide a freshness to the preconceptions that would normally weigh down the concept.

Addictive and nuanced, this is not just a Hamlet rip-off, but an intelligent evolution of a classic. Deploying innovative storytelling techniques acts as an intelligent distraction from assumed foregone conclusions. Dressed up in a science fiction jacket, Em X. Liu is able to lean heavily into character, leveraging assumed tropes to smartly captivate readers despite the fact that we all think we know the ending.

[oc-menagerie-archived]

Tia: 😇❣️🎁

Xia: 😇❣️🎁

How Does Your Muse React/Feel When...

😇- They are given praise

Tia blushes and acts modest about it, saying it was no big deal and what not, though gladly accepts the praise.

Xia gladly accepts all praise, giving a simple thank you with a brush of her long hair.

❣️- They see their crush

Tia gets a bit shy around her crush but will still try to talk to them and even attempt to flirt a little.

Xia gets excited and rushes all over. No shyness for her, she'll go straight for the kill with her seductive techniques.

🎁- They are given a gift they like

Tia happily accepts with glee and thanks the person a ton, wishing to give them a gift in exchange (unless it's her birthday or something).

Xia also gladly accepts with thanks and if it was given by her lover, a kiss or more. ;)