#yes this is me projecting my love for cacti onto her. if i can love prickly pears then so can she :] | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

serararku · 3 years ago

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Dancing in the Sand Pt 3

The sun had ducked beneath the horizon by the time Zevi made it to the designated area at the edge of the territory. Just like Era described, the half-sundered boulder concealed a crevice only a young kitten could run through. Between the dry shrubs clinging to life rested the path he was instructed to follow, but he couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched. He half-expected an animal had made its home in the widened opening halfway through this secret passage, but what he found was far more intriguing.

A small clay pot filled with hastily made arrows sat along what looked to be an old campsite; half of them were of terrible quality, with the others not even finished. A pile of rocks cut and sharpened sat in the corner of this little hovel. But the paintings are what held his attention the longest. There were two Miqo'te standing side by side with the sun shining over their heads; one was short with black hair and blue eyes, and the other was disproportionately tall, with long white hair and an over emphasis on its bright orange eyes. There was no doubting it- this was Era’s doing when she first left her tribe to search for S'tage. This place was cut off from the elements, meaning these paintings would last for decades… perhaps even much longer. She had to be down here for a few days in hiding to make these drawings, as well as all the projects she started but never finished.

"Would she do this for me?" A thought crept along the back of his neck to whisper doubt into his ear. "If I were captured… would she devote this much energy to save my life? If he returned from beyond the grave… would she run off with him?" R'zevi couldn't decide if it was the dropping temperature of the desert night or his waning confidence that was responsible for the chill running up his spine, but he could no longer ignore this dreadful cold. But he wasn't here to sit in this cave to witness the obsessive adoration his lover once had for another man. With nothing else left to look at, he promptly turned to leave this place behind.

As soon as he stepped out of the narrow passage and into a wide clearing between the crags the hair's on the back of his neck stood up; immediately he stopped and looked upward, locking eyes with a band of tribal women wearing beige leathers for camouflage, and armed to the teeth with stained bone spears and longbows. They stood along the edge of the cliff, their eyes glowing dimly against the backdrop of the starless sky. Was he caught? Was this a search party he was supposed to avoid? Zevi’s mind was abuzz with questions with limited ways to find answers. They knew this area far better than he did, so running was probably not a good idea. On the other hand, Era would likely never forgive him if he fought them, especially if he managed to wound, maim, or even kill any of them. Against his better judgement he remained perfectly still, his pale blue eyes glimmering right back at them. This silent staring contest would have to continue until one of them made a move.

“It’s alright. This is the one she promised.” A voice called out in that familiar huntspeak, provoking Zevi to turn his head. A tribal woman stood beside a bed of flowering cacti, armed with only her flowing brown hair and glowing green eyes. It was like looking through time to stare face to face at Era twenty summers into the future. He knew they would look alike, sure, but he expected her to have some features from her father; the resemblance was almost uncanny. She looked up at the women and nodded, sending the hunting party away to give them some privacy. “Come closer… we have much to discuss.”

Zevi’s ears flattened for a moment as he warily watched the hunting party move away. Gradually his ears lifted as it seemed that the party had no intention of doubling back. Satisfied that he wasn’t about to take an arrow -- or worse, to the back, he turned his attention to the woman before him, taking a few cautious steps in her direction. “S’yuun?”

“Yuun is fine. You must be Zevi, yes?” She calmly smiled, seemingly relaxing once she heard his voice.

“Yes, my name is Zevi.”

“Wonderful.” Once she was close enough to touch, she began to circle him, poking at his chest and stomach inspectantly, before running her fingers along the scars and muscles on his arms; she seemed to be grading him. “So you’re the one who convinced my daughter to abandon her duty for so long, hm?”

He watched as she sized him up, his brow furrowing for a moment while she touched his form; he’d expected an inspection of some kind, but this wasn’t quite what he had in mind. “Convinced?” He repeated, indignantly. “I was concerned for her when she decided to return, to visit the tribe, but I never tried to convince her not to go. Era’s will is her own and I’ve known that from the beginning.” His gaze continued to follow the older Miqo’te, cautious -- but trying not to be overly guarded.

Just as Era warned, her mother had a poor grasp of personal space. She reached up to run a hand through his hair, traced his jawline with a finger, and pressed her palm against his chest in several places. Zevi struggled to resist pushing her hands away; she was making him feel more like a prized pig or a slab of meat than an actual person. Even worse, she either didn’t notice or didn’t care how uncomfortable she was making him. “That’s not entirely true. Era is governed by her emotions. Just like her father.” At last her inspection ended when she wrapped her arms around her waist, and he could breathe easy- for now.

“She...can be a bit emotional at times, yes...” He admitted.

Yuun didn’t seem to hear him while she practically undressed him with her eyes. “Plenty of scars and muscles. And not bulky, ugly muscles. Lean. Practical. A real body befitting a real man… unlike our Nunh.” She then motioned for him to follow her, but she didn’t walk far. Just a few paces away she unfolded a fur blanket and draped it along the ground. She sat crossed-legged before patting the blanket beside her. “Have you… come to kill him?”

Zevi waited for her to sit before easing down onto the blanket, with an eyebrow perking at the comparison. His ears tilted back as his brow furrowed - he’d had these talks before. “It’s not my intent, no. Era doesn’t seem too keen on sharing, and when I left my tribe I made the decision to live in the Free Cities, rather than attempt to become a Nunh -- I hear the life expectancy is a bit better for Tias there.”

“How peculiar…” Yuun’s smile was soft but fleeting. “I have three sons. One is still with us, too young to yet survive on his own, and two sons out there training to become Nunhs. A part of me hopes they succeed… but the chances of that are… very slim. They were frail kittens when they were born, and…” She trailed off to wring her hands together. “I wish they had the courage to leave this life behind. Maybe… they’re in your tribeless cities with lovers of their own?” Her voice was more hopeful than factual, as if she was trying to convince herself of what she was saying.

“Maybe they did make the decision to give the Free Cities a go - there are many Tias out there, quite a few of them with families of their own. So it is a possibility…” He trailed off, swallowing roughly and lacing his hands together, unable to stop the frown that formed as she spoke of the choice he knew was inevitably going to come.

Not eager to dwell on the idea of her dead sons any longer, she cleared her throat and promptly changed the subject. “Well… if you’re not here to kill Vahli, then there’s only one way this ordeal will play out. My daughter will be found out eventually, and she’ll have to make a choice. Her family… or you.”

His gaze dropped to his hands, his hair long enough to cover his eyes. “I know that. I’ve always known that there would be a choice. First with Tage, and now with her family. I’ve never hid my wishes...for her to stay with me, have a family with me...but as I said, Era’s will is her own. Whatever she decides I’ll stand by - even if that means watching her leave.” He exhaled sharply before looking up once more.

Yuun couldn’t hide her laughter, or perhaps she didn’t even try. “Hahahah! If you think Era wouldn’t choose you over us, you haven’t been paying attention! This is bigger than a fawning obsession for a man she’s never mated with. What you two have is real, is it not? You have given her what no Nunh ever could. Happiness… happiness and the freedom to pursue it.”

Zevi blinked slowly. “I...yes, it’s very real. I just want her to be happy - whatever that means. I’d very much like for it to be with me...I enjoy our time together and she makes me happier than I can remember being. But I also know she loathes the idea of losing you. We’ve...briefly talked of the future before, of children...and the one damper on the conversation was the thought that you wouldn’t be able to see them.”

Yuun turned to watch the flashes of lightning far off in the distance, falling silent for a few long breaths. “I would love to be there when she gives birth to her first kitten. To hold my granddaughter in my arms… or grandson.” Her gaze flicked to Zevi for an instant as a smile danced along her lips again. “But I know she would never be happy as a tribewife. The bloodlust of her father courses through her veins. She’s a warrior, through and through.” Yuun eventually turned her body to face Zevi directly. “I want you to do something for me.”

He watched her for a moment, before letting his gaze get pulled away by the distant lighting - a small smile gracing his features as he recalled another impactful thunderstorm not all that long ago. His attention was pulled back as she spoke of ‘tribewives’ and he tilted his head as she turned to face him. “What’s that?”

"Protect my little kitten. Be her voice of reason when next she does something reckless." Her stare was piercing. "And I want grandkittens. Lots of them. I may never see or hold them myself, but… knowing she is happy will always be more important."

Zevi nodded as she spoke, turning to focus on Yuun once more - rather than watching the distant lightning. “I’ll do my best...in all regards. And maybe...one day...you will get to see and hold your grandchildren. I mentioned we talked about children - but we did note it might not be for a little while…”

Yuun didn't seem to mind, simply shrugging and turning back to the storm. The wind was beginning to pick up, tossing her auburn hair aloft before she reached up with both hands to tame it. "When she left us to chase after that dead man, I was convinced my oldest daughter would never return, or worse- get herself killed out there. Many nights I had nightmares of her laying in a pool of her own making, calling out for me as she faded away. I don't expect you to understand the loss of a child, but… it was all I could think about for moons on end. And just when I thought I had grown numb to the pain, I turned around and she's standing there smiling like she never left." She gave Zevi a side glance before continuing with, "Knowing she's alive and happy is good enough for me. Take her far away from this place when the time comes, Zevi of the Raptor Tribe. She deserves a peaceful life… you both do."

He reached up and ran a hand through his hair - a nervous habit. “I’ll take care of her, Yuun. I never felt at home with my tribe. I didn’t feel at home in the Free Cities. I didn’t know what home was until I met Era.” He paused, before his ears folded back a bit. “I...didn’t mention my tribe. How did you know?”

She gave him a playful smile before reaching over to trace her fingers along his chin to wipe away any comfort he had built up since sitting down alongside her. "Your markings gave it away. It's difficult to tell at a distance… but up close it's obvious." Yuun licked her lips before continuing. "More than a few Tia from your tribe have come to challenge our Nunh." She leaned over and took his hand to trace the markings on her own face. "See? Every woman from the Zu Tribe has the same markings. We check those to ensure a bought tribewife or upcoming Tia isn't from another sect… to prevent inbreeding."

“That...doesn’t surprise me. The fact that there have been more than a few Tias from my tribe. There were quite a few Nunhs when I was growing up who didn’t last very long. My father was one of them.” His brow furrowed and he hummed thoughtfully, as he lowered his hand. “I never paid any attention to the markings, but then again - I didn’t have any intention of remaining with the tribe, so I suppose I didn’t need to.” He reached up to rub the back of his neck before glancing out towards the storm in the distance once again. Yuun must have noticed the tonal shift when he mentioned his father; and she had just the thing to distract him.

"The love for my children is boundless. However the intimacy between two kindred spirits is something I will never know firsthand…" The woman casually untied her fur wrappings, letting what little clothes she wore slide down her figure. She then turned to gaze at him with a familiar hunger in her eyes, as naked as the day she was born; and when she reached out for him, she draped a leg over his lap to straddle him.

It took a moment for Zevi to process what was happening. His eyes widened as she settled herself onto him, the action effectively knocking him from his shock induced stupor. He’d known there might be an attempt - he’d been acutely aware of just how close the older woman was as he’d sat down on the blanket. "Lay with me like you do with my daughter.” Her voice was soft and eager now, but it sounded more like a command than a request. She could feel his heart pounding against his chest, and it only made her devious grin grow. “I want to taste true love for myself. These desert nights are so cold… won't you warm yourself inside me?" Yuun didn't even wait for his reply before she pressed her breasts against him when she leaned forward, her hands slipping between them to undo his belt.

He blinked hard several times and swallowed roughly, but he reached down to still her hands before the belt could be removed. “Yuun...no.” He looked up with a face flushed red, his gaze locking with hers. “I love your daughter, and I made a promise to her. I won’t break that promise.”

She paused from undressing him, but didn’t make a move to get off him. "You know what she had to do in order for our Nunh to listen to her, yes? Was that not fair to you? Why should you keep a promise when she did not?" She slowly brushed her nose against his, and brought her alluring voice down to a whisper. "Tell me you don’t want this..."

“I know...what she did with the Nunh, yes. She told me the day she returned.” He gave a shaky exhale as he paused to gather his thoughts. “I was...angry, hurt - on some level I still am-...but I knew it was a possibility when she left.” His ears flattened against his head. “I almost expected it, to be honest. She wanted to see her family again, and there was going to be a price to pay. But that...that was Era’s choice. When I give my word, Yuun, I do my best to see it through. I gave Era my word - I won’t betray that trust, even if she betrayed mine.”

A warm smile lit up her face as she stared into his eyes, eventually pulling her hands away from his waist to caress his chin. "My, my… you are a strange one." She then looked hungrily at his lips, silently contemplating whether or not she would push him onto his back and sleep with him anyway; instead she leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek, before lifting her leg and to slide out of his lap. "I won’t tempt you any further." Yuun assured, running her hands through her hair one last time before she began reaching for her furs. "But I should warn you about that other Tia. He had no such restraint to reveal how he felt about my daughter." Her bright green eyes flashed in his direction again once she pulled her clothes over her head. "He loves her, I think. A different kind than you two share, but just as passionate. Safe travels… and thank you for humoring me."

Zevi relaxed as she slid off of his lap and dressed before his gaze narrowed in her direction. “...What other Tia? K’thalen??”

Yuun simply shrugged, visibly disappointed that her night would end with far less excitement than she had planned. "I didn't catch his name, but he's certainly of the Hipparion Tribe. Dark skin and yellow eyes… does that sound familiar?"

He nodded as he focused on fixing his belt. Era had the same air of disappointment when he told her no; yet another personality quirk she inherited from her mother... “K’thalen. She was living with him when we met and was intimate with him for a time.”

"People don't change so easily. Passion doesn't burn out at the snap of one’s fingers." With a gentle sigh and a subtle frown, Yuun reluctantly rose to her feet to begin preparing her trip back to the heart of her territory. "Era may be obsessed with you, but that doesn't mean her previous lovers have let go of their desires. Just some food for thought."

He stood, casting one more glance out at the horizon and the distant storm. Appropriate. “We’ve discussed Thalen. Part of the reason she moved into my apartment was because of the...of my discomfort with her living with him.” He frowned as he reached up to rub the back of his neck. Yuun on the other hand simply pretended she knew what an ‘apartment’ was. “...I wouldn’t expect other’s passions to fade overnight. Maybe it’s naive - but I trust her, Era - to be honest with me about what she wants...even when it’s painful to hear. If she wanted to be with K’thalen, she would be.”

Yuun silently stalked Zevi while he was distracted by the distant lightning, before running her hand down his arm and across his stomach to feel his muscles again; if she wasn’t attracted to his body, she certainly would have fooled him. "My daughter isn't the one you should be worried about. Men are driven by their desires… and even the best of them can succumb to their cravings. This Thalen seems harmless and kind enough, but the desire for her remains."

Zevi gave a long, slow exhale - focusing on what she was saying rather than the trail of her fingers. “The warning is duly noted. I can’t stop Thalen from wanting her, but I can do my damnedest to make sure that Era’s needs and desires are met...that she doesn’t have the need to look elsewhere to be satisfied…”

She turned away to pull the blanket off the ground before casually suggesting, "You could always challenge him for Era's affection. If you think you can take him, it would make him think twice about pursuing her when you're not around… or you could eliminate all doubt entirely and kill him."

He frowned as he glanced back over his shoulder at her. “I will do what I have to in order to protect Era, but she is also able to choose and take care of herself. Thalen can pursue - but that doesn’t mean she has to give in to his requests or desires. Ultimately, it’s Era’s choice to make.”

“It is her choice.” Yuun repeated, smiling briefly. Her sharp whistle carried far over the Thanalan wastes, as if she was calling something… or someone. Out of the darkness a lone woman came running, armed with a scimitar and small round shield. “Unfortunately this is where we have to part ways, unless you’ve changed your mind?” She gave Zevi a playful wink, but she didn’t wait to listen to his refusal again. “Chaje, I am ready to leave.” The stranger undressed Zevi with her gaze as well- he was beginning to notice a trend around here. She gently took the woman by the arm to usher her back to her territory. Yuun glanced over her shoulder one last time and waved, choosing to depart without muttering another word.

Zevi watched them leave, his form finally relaxing. He had played this scenario over and over in his head for the full week before tonight, and he was still woefully unprepared for what actually happened. Yuun was, in an uncomfortable number of ways, just like her daughter; she knew what buttons to press to get a reaction out of him. A fully developed woman straddling him while completely naked was not something he was prepared for as well; still his heart was pounding against his chest and his face remained vibrant red. That was perhaps the biggest difference between mother and daughter. Yuun was bold and definitely not lacking any confidence.

He could stand there like an idiot all night trying to process what just happened. A part of him-- a throbbing part, couldn’t help but wonder what would be happening right now if only he had taken Yuun up on her offer; but he had officially worn out his welcome, and he needed to leave. A sigh slipped from his lips before he turned to make his way back, following the same route that he’d used to arrive at his destination.

---

Collaborated with @rzevi-tia-ffxiv

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brideofedoras · 5 years ago

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The Loft: Redemption

Disclaimer: the usual... I only own my OC. Photo found on google.

Word count: 2300+

Warnings: Allusion to past abuse and being triggered

Link to Chapter 2 (with Ch. 1 link)

Monday morning rolled around faster than Sam would've liked. She felt her stomach churn at the prospect of not having Linda there to talk to.

She headed to the office early with a quick stop at the bakery along the way. Armed with fresh donut holes (plain glazed, cookie dough stuffed, cinammon sugar sprinkled, and maple glazed) and a toasted white hot chocolate, she halted in her tracks when she reached the door to the office suite.

"What the... When the hell did he have this done?"

Her grey eyes began to burn as she studied the frosted glass of the door.

VMS Architecture, LLC. Vincent M. Stevens, NCARB Samantha Monroe, Administrative Assistant

She stared at her name, beautifully scripted in gold lettering on the glass.

Linda hadn't even had that honor.

Her hand trembled as she unlocked the door and stepped into the office. My office.

As she flipped on the light and started toward her desk she paused again, startled to find her name beautifully engraved onto a walnut name plate settled on the corner of the desk, next to a matching business card holder complete with a stack of cards with her name, extension and email.

A ceramic flower pot sat next to the computer monitor at the opposite corner of the desk with an artfully planted variety of small cactus plants. She let out a watery laugh at the wording on the pot: Free Hugs. She knew the cacti were from Linda, an inside joke between the two of them based on something Linda had told her earlier in the week. Vincent will come off as prickly for a while, but he will eventually warm up to you, Dear. Give him time, give him space, occasionally make sure he eats and drinks if he has a very busy day. One day he will surprise you.

A gift bag and a card were placed on the center of the desk. Sam shook her head as she set her cup and the donut holes down, busying herself with putting her purse away and hanging her jacket on the coat rack next to the door.

She had just finished starting the coffee and setting the box of breakfast goodies on the refreshment table when she heard the door open. She turned around and offered a warm smile when Vincent shut the door behind him. "Good morning, Mr. Stevens," she greeted him. "Thank you for..." she gestured to the desk set.

"Don't mention it," he frowned at the desk. "Ready to start your first official week?"

"Yes, sir," she nodded. "The coffee should be ready in five minutes, and I picked up an assortment of donut holes," she made her way to the window and the cords for the wooden blinds. "I wasn't sure what you would like so I picked four different kinds."

"I know Linda told you I have a sweet tooth," his tone was wry as he made his way to his office. "I'm sure whatever you got is fine."

Sam made her way back to the desk. As she waited for the computer to start she picked up the card propped up against the small gift.

Sam-- Our Vincent struck gold when he hired you to take over the office. You will do just fine as his new assistant. Don't let his prickly demeanor get to you, it's become his default setting ever since that happened. And don't forget, you can decorate your office however it suits you, you can bring stuff in to keep in the bathroom, you can listen to your music, and you can dress however you feel most comfortable as long as you still look professional. And if Vincent ever treats you wrong, don't be afraid to call me. I might be moving out of state, but I can always make a trip back to knock some sense into that thick skull of his. You can also call me anytime you want, keep me up-to-date on the gossip. I'll miss everyone there, and even though I'd only known you a short time, I've come to view you as another daughter. You take good care of our Vincent, spoil him with breakfast sweets and good coffee. Make sure he eats, make sure he goes home to get some rest when the project consumes him (and it will, I've come in many a morning to find him sound asleep at the drawing board or on that damn couch. He's a real bastard when he doesn't get enough rest, but don't let that scare you off). Keep in touch.-- Love, Linda. P.S.- Don't forget, I left you a set of "How To Care For Your Architect" instructions tucked away in the second drawer to your left. It includes a list of everything I know he likes, hotels and airlines he prefers, restaurants he uses for business dinners. His favorite color is steel grey, he's a sucker for Hershey Hugs, and if he misplaces his pen, you'll find it on your desk.

Sam dashed away the tear that had slipped down her cheek as she set the card aside. She had grown to love Linda as a second mom and already missed her. She smiled as she reached for the gift bag and nearly cried when she pulled out a black resin cat paper weight.

She set it next to the phone on the left side of the desk before turning to the computer to log in.

Sam settled into a routine. Up at five, out the door by six-thirty, stop by the bakery for breakfast and for that yummy hot chocolate, arrive at the office by seven-thirty, have coffee ready by seven-forty-five, lunch anywhere between eleven and one-thirty (depending on Vincent's schedule), out the door whenever Vincent finished up for the day, home within half an hour, in her pajamas and eating a quick supper, in bed by ten-thirty. Wash, rinse, repeat. By her third day Vincent tried telling her she could leave at four-thirty if she wished, there was no need to stay passed office hours. She declined. "I was hired as your administrative assistant, Mr. Stevens. I leave when you leave."

She found an old-fashioned candy bowl at a flea market one weekend and brought it in to place on her desk with Hershey Hugs. She had also found a few other things she wanted to bring in, but hesitated on personalizing the office. She worried Vincent would not appreciate finding a framed blueprint of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 or a replica of the Death Star plans data chip.

She feared they would clash with that hideous knock-off Jackson Pollock painting that hung on the wall behind her desk, above the shelves. She hated that painting. Why it hung in an architect's office she had no idea. It was the only thing out of place in the office suite. Vincent's office proudly displayed his degrees, certificates and licenses, a few framed blueprints and a framed crudely-drawn blueprint of the Castle Grayskull. "I grew up on Masters of the Universe, had all the action figures and the castle. I was home sick for a week with chicken pox, miserable as hell, bored out of my mind and missing my friends. Dad came home early from work one afternoon with a bag full of crayons, coloring books and a sketchpad, gave Mom some cash and told her to go shopping, go eat, get out of the house and enjoy herself for a while. I sat down on the floor after Dad cleared off the coffee table and we colored for a while. Then I started drawing. I'd always been fascinated by the design of Castle Grayskull and wanted to build one of my own. I was seven years old when I drew that. That's when I knew I wanted to design and build things."

She had been shocked that he had so willingly shared that childhood memory with her. And his smile. She'd seen ghosts of smiles before, but a full-blown smile displaying dimples had left her weak in the knees. He looked ten years younger with that smile, and she couldn't help but smile back.

But ever since that rare moment of camaraderie he'd thrown up a wall once again, bringing their working relationship back to strictly professional, and borderline cold. She knew he could be an easy-going man to work for, she'd witnessed the banter between him and Linda multiple times during her trial week. She just wished he wasn't so cold toward her.

Vincent had a meeting across town and would likely be gone all afternoon. As he set his briefcase and suit jacket on one of her guest chairs and tossed his steel grey tie around his neck, he leveled his patented stern look on her. The Look (TM) was supposed to be intimidating, and it used to scare the hell out of her the first few times she'd seen it (usually directed at someone else, but she'd been caught in the crosshairs a couple of times). Unfortunately she (for some weird reason she couldn't explain) had begun to find that frowny glare to be sexy as hell. "Ms. Monroe, if I'm not back by four-thirty, lock up shop for the day and go home," he turned toward the bathroom. "You don't need to be pulling ten hour days because of me."

She smiled despite the blush staining her cheeks from The Look (TM). "As I've said before, Mr. Stevens, I'm your administrative assistant, and it is my job to be here for you should you need me."

"I don't recall contracting you to work ten hours a day, Monroe," he turned away from the mirror as he finished his impeccable Windsor knot.

"Technically I'm only working nine," she pointed out as she leaned back in her chair.

"You eat at your desk half the time, Monroe," he walked out of the bathroom. "I've seen you working through lunch."

"Only when I have a deadline to meet for your meetings," she shrugged. "I need to finish putting together the portfolios for Thursday's meeting."

"Today's Tuesday, you have all day tomorrow."

"I'll be setting up the conference room and inventorying supplies so I know what you need."

He snorted. "Remind me again why I hired such a stubborn assistant?" He grabbed his jacket and shrugged into it.

She scooped a small handful of Hugs from the candy bowl and held them out when Vincent approached her desk. "At first I thought you were very impressed with my resume, then I suspected for my looks... but now I honestly believe Linda probably threatened you into hiring me."

"Your resume certainly clinched it, Monroe. And Linda did hound me." His face darkened a little as he carefully took the offered chocolate from her hand. "You're going to spoil my lunch, Monroe."

"No, I'm not," she denied, watching him slip the Hugs into the pocket of his jacket. "I know you would have snuck a handful on your way out, to go along with the handful that's likely already stashed in your briefcase."

His head snapped up.

"I had to refill the bowl, Mr. Stevens," she leaned back in her chair. "I'll definitely need to work longer hours to afford the chocolates and the breakfast sweets."

"Use the company card, I'll figure it into the expenses," he narrowed his eyes at her. "Refreshments for clientele."

She nodded. She didn't mind buying the chocolate or the morning sweets, but she knew better than to argue with him on it. Arguing had always gotten her into serious trouble when she was a teenager. Do not go there, Sam.

"All right, I will," she agreed softly.

"If you still have receipts, bring 'em in, I'll make sure to cut you a check to reimburse you."

"That's not necessary, Mr. Stevens," she shook her head.

He shot her a glare. "Yes, it is. I can't keep allowing you to pay out of pocket for pastries and candy that my clients and associates are eating."

I can't keep allowing you... Sam stiffened at his words. She quickly tore her eyes from his. "I... I didn't think it was that big of a deal, I'm... I will find those receipts and bring them in," she flinched when Vincent moved toward the door.

That flinch was not lost on the architect. He turned to look at her. "Monroe, are you all right?"

Sam drew in a breath before nodding. "I'm fine," she kept her eyes glued to the cat paper weight in front of her.

"Monroe, look at me."

The sudden and uncharacteristic softness in her boss' tone drew her eyes to him. The look on his face told her he didn't believe her. He took a step toward her and it was all she could do to not flinch away.

His frown morphed into one of worry. "Monroe, don't worry about it," he took a step back. "I just don't want you spending your money on things benefiting the company's clientele and associates." He turned toward the door. "Why don't you take your lunch, lock up the office and get some fresh air somewhere. You don't have to stay in here when I'm out, let the calls go to voicemail. They can wait."

She nodded. "Okay."

"I mean it, Monroe. Leave the office for an hour."

With that, he was gone.

Sam's eyes slid shut and she drew in a slow, shaky breath. She exhaled heavily, shaking off the fear that had gripped her for a moment. He won't hurt me. He's not a predator. He's not Terrance.

But those words echoed in her head, words her stepfather had used quite often when she had disobeyed him. Words he had whispered so smoothly, so silkily, as he forced her to her knees or forced her over his desk.

"Don't go there, Sam," she ground out. "He won't hurt you anymore."

She shifted in her seat, angling her chair to face her computer more comfortably, saving the proposal she was drafting for Vincent before closing out open programs and putting the device to sleep. She reached for her phone and dialed her cousin's desk extension. "Hey, I'm getting ready to head to lunch, wanna join me?"

#the loft #vincent stevens #karl urban #redemption #slow burn #romance

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fearofaherobrine · 7 years ago

Text

Roleplay Server Log #212

“Dress Fitting, Mouse Hunt, Judge and Painter”

-The next day-

[Doc] Is standing on a block in the vine room hanging a poster on the wall. The main image is three birds inside a bulb of glass, but there's lots of small things in the background too.

[Deer] Comes up from the lab- Doc? What is that?

[Doc] Steps down and backs off to look at it proudly- I have no idea! But I got it while I was irl and it just spoke to me for some reason. I've seen mideavil artwork online plenty of times and it looks like it must be a very old image.

[Deer] - It is certainly pretty, hey did Lie ever tell you what CP got her?

[Doc] No, I hope it was worth the trip though, what a miserable mess.

-HerobrineCP has left the server-

[Doc] Hmph. Let's hope he's just running errands. I certainly don't feel like I'm missing anything- Xe turns to look at Yaunfen, who's dozing lightly on the bed near the stairs and then returns hir gaze to Deerheart, touching the corner of her cheek lightly with one gloved hand - Everything I need, is right here.

[Deer] - Aww, you are my everything as well

[Doc] Makes a rather sappy contented face, but it's geniune. - OH! I have something for you too. - rustles around - close your eyes and stick out your hands.

[Deer] Gives them a curious look before following their directions-

[Doc] Puts the string of star- shaped lights in her hands, the little battery pack is glowing faintly orange from the mix of red and glowstone dust inside of it. The stars themselves are each lit and cycling slowly through a rainbow of different colors. - You can look now.

[Deer] Looks and makes a small happy little gasp- They're so pretty!

[Doc] Not as pretty as you, but I thought you'd enjoy them all the same. I think you're supposed to string them along the walls or drape them over tihings.

[Deer] - Ooh! We could make some copies to hang in Lie's green house! I bet that would look pretty as well!

[Doc] With all her colorful flowers? That is a really good idea, and maybe some on the porch by the mushroom umbrella? Make a regular garden party out of it.

[Deer] - Oh absolutely!

[Doc] But this string... I was thinking... could maybe be in our bedroom? A bit of mood lighting for playtime? - Eyebrow wiggle-

[Deer] - Of course, or maybe it would look better around me?

[Doc] Makes a very low noise that's purely sexual-

[TLOT] Is in the next room and takes a deep breath. - Ahhhh, that's nice... My lamb?

[Steve] Yeeess?

[TLOT] Perhaps you should do our housemates a favor and volunteer to watch Yaunfen for a bit?

[Steve] fake put-upon look - Oh must I?

[TLOT] I think I can make it worth your while later. I'm going to go give Lie her dress and make sure it fits. I'll be back in a bit.

[Steve] Oh all right-

[TLOT] Love you.

[Steve] Love you too.

[TLOT] Walks outside and takes a nice breath of air and rolls down into his cat form in a burst of fog. With a happy little roar he goes dashing through the sunlight dappled grass towards Lie's home.

[Endrea] Is lounging out front while her children play-

[TLOT] Playfully sneaks up on her in the grass.

[Endrea] Is too focused on Willow and Oak to notice-

[TLOT] Jumps onto her shoulders and gives a small triumphant roar

[Endrea] Looks and snorts at him- Hello TLOT

[TLOT] Gives her a big lick on the nose-

[Endrea] Rolls her eyes- If you're looking for CP you just missed him

[TLOT] Nope! Not after the sour puss today. I'm looking for Lie.

[Endrea] - I believe she's tending to an injured dog...

[TLOT] Then I may be of help. Thank you dear lady. - Does a little bow, switching his tail around, and then leaping to the ground. - dog pen? Or in the house?

[Endrea] - Dog pen

[TLOT] Ah, curses. I guess I need to shed my fur - He pofs up in the fog again and goes striding down the yard with his cloak flowing in his wake- Hey Lie?

[Lie] - In here! Stay still!

[TLOT] Goes to the gate. - Do you need any blood Lie? Is it bad?

[Lie] - Oh, this one just ended up playing a bit too hard and got bit

[TLOT] Silly dogs- leans on the fence- I brought you something when you're done. Though you may need to clean up first if you've been doing chores all day

[Lie] - Probably- She stands up after wrapping the dogs legs and she's covered in dirt, manure, and a bit of blood

[TLOT] Yeeeah, you may need a bath first....

[Lie] - I'll go set one up

[TLOT] How come you don't have one as part of your house Lie? I know you have some issues with the lava hardening on you.

[Lie] - Because normally CP is here and he'll usually toss me into the lava pool and then help me get it off

[TLOT] Get it off huh....? I presume that's a prelude to other things? - grins

[Lie] Freezes and blushes- Shut up

[TLOT] Pffft! I brought you your dress for the coronation, you should tidy up a bit and try it on.

[Lie] - Oh, okay- Lie quickly throws down some stone bricks and fills the space between them with water. She also puts up some banners so she has privacy, but TLOT doesn't have to leave

[TLOT] Pulls out a block to sit on and faces away from her- For the queen's modesty, of course.

[Lie] - I'm not a queen TLOT

[TLOT] Smiles softly- You're Cp's queen.

[Lie] Embarrassed noises-

[TLOT] I'm god to my mate, it's just a thing. It's nice to feel special.

[Lie] Slips into the tub- I'm not sure he has a term for what I am for him yet... Well, other than his

[TLOT] What do you consider him? The same?

[Lie] - My mate, my love...- Then jokingly- My constant project

[TLOT] Snorts - That he is! What's the saying? No work of art is ever finished, only abandoned?

[Lie] - Perhaps, oh, by the way, could you give me some Nether rack?

[TLOT] Sure! - He opens the creative and pulls out a stack- Do you have a new project? Or just planning on refacing some walls and floors?

[Lie] - Some more plants, I created a tree for the Nether some time ago, but I want to try and make some more

[TLOT] Ah, some potted plants for his office at least. Doc told me it's huge.

[Lie] - More for like outside, if I have to end up spending time over there, then I will add more foliage

[TLOT] What kind of theme are you going for? Things that match the surroundings? Or contrast?

[Lie] - Mostly just seeing what will grow, the one thing I have gotten to grow is a tree

[TLOT] You need hardy stuff that likes the infernal heat... maybe like cacti? Without the spiky bits?

[Lie] - Maybe, like I said, we'll see what springs up

[Lie] Finishes her bath and redresses herself before removing the bath and the banners-

[TLOT] Is still facing away and tosses the stack of netherrack over his shoulder so it bounces into her inventory- Can I look now?

[Lie] - Yeah, I'm done

[TLOT] Swivels around and takes a sniff of the air- Much better.

[Lie] - Hey! I didn't smell that bad!

[TLOT] sniggers- I'm just sensitive- he pulls out the dress- here you go-

[Lie] Takes the silk item, it's a long strapless white dress that has a short jacket which covers her neck shoulders and arms. The jacket sleeves end in a light flair. The jacket is a periwinkle blue and the edges of the actual dress are too, as is the mesh which covers her back which dips in a sharp v. The entire outfit should fit her form well once it's adjusted-

[TLOT] Pull it on and I'll nip or tuck anywhere you need it.

[Lie] Turns away and hesitates before quickly switching clothes-

[TLOT] Well? Is it okay?

[Lie] - Yeah, I mean the shoulders are a little tight, but I think it's supposed to be like that, it's not like my movement is inhibited though

[TLOT] I can give it a little slack if needed...?

[Lie] - I think it will be fine, thank you, now to work on those plants...

[TLOT] Well go ahead and shuck it off so you don't get it dirty.

[Lie] - Oh, right- Starts hurriedly changing back

[TLOT] Fumbles around and drops something, - ah dammit! - The spawn egg breaks on the floor and a very tiny mouse scurries away from him-

[Lie] - Er, was that a mouse?

[TLOT] Yes! Sorry Lie! I was carrying it to give to Grinny. Dammit, it went under your armor stand!

[Lie] - Don't worry, either the Vulpix's will get it, Hope, or one of the barn cats

[TLOT] You know... maybe you should get it.

[Lie] - Me?

[TLOT] Yes, try out your cat-like reflexes. I bet you could nab it easy.

[Lie] Blushes- Um... Uh...

[TLOT] You're already half undressed anyway, give it a shot. It doesn't have hardly any programming, all it can do is run from you.

[Lie] - Mmm... Oh alright- She concentrates and shifts into her cat form

[Mouse] Peeks out from under the boot on her armor stand and scoots back underneath.

[Lie] Crouches down and focus' on the boot-

[Mouse] Moves a little bit behind the stand and makes a break for the bookcases, wiggling between two volumes.

[Lie] Takes off after it and sticks her paw between the books-

[Mouse] Scuttles up the back of the bookshelf and tries to run past her-

[Lie] - Get back here!

[TLOT] laughs- Sounds like me when it's Karen's bathtime.

[Mouse] runs up the side of the butts pumpkin and tries to wiggle under the sign with no luck-

[Lie] Leaps at it, getting into the hunt-

[Mouse] Panicky squeak as it jumps off the pumpkin and tries to go under the bed instead -

[Lie] Tears after it-

[Mouse] Climbs the sheets as fast as it can-

[TLOT] Go Lie go!

[Lie] Jumps on top of it-

[Mouse] Poofs into a morsel with a bitty squeak-

[Lie] There's a tiny bit of blood on her fur now- Oh!

[TLOT] Good job! That was some nice leaping and pouncing!

[Lie] - I... I got a little caught up in it...

[TLOT] Hehe, I do some of our hunting the same way. Chickens are nicely challenging, and they taste good to boot.

[Lie] Bats the morsel towards TLOT- Yeah... You can keep this

[TLOT] Ah, no taste for the prize, Lie is only about the challenge. - He flips it into his mouth like a mint. - Your loss.

[Lie] Can't get to the bit of blood on her- uuuuuuuuungh

[TLOT] Little floof is fussy about her white fur huh? - He takes the damp towel from her bath and cleans off the little bit of blood. - Perfect.

[Lie] - Thank you- She stretches a little and flops

[TLOT] So where did Cp jet off too? You seem relaxed, so I'm presuming it was something mundane?

[Lie] - He went to get the ingredients Sam asked for, he'll probably stop here first to check over with Sam what he got to make sure it's all correct before taking it to his server

[TLOT] Ah okay. So still no on the plumes for Cp's armor? -grinning-

[Lie] - He'd burn it before you could even add it

[TLOT] I know. But it's a fun thought. I know a little secret too.... - conspiritorial wink-

[Lie] Perks- What is it?

[TLOT] I saw Doc's outfit...

[Lie] - Share the secret?

[TLOT] It's a dress...

[Lie] - CP won't be happy about that

[TLOT] Too bad. I think it looks nice.

[Lie] Giggles- Now where did my clothes get to...

[TLOT] Points-

[Lie] - Thanks- She jumps down and rubs against TLOT as she passes him

[TLOT] Reaches down to scratch her ears. - Little huntress

[Lie] - Mind opening the door to my room for me?

[TLOT] Reaches for her- of course.

[Lie] Let's herself be picked up and purrs-

[TLOT] Happily pets her and takes her to her room, he squeaks open the door and sets her daintily on the bed.

[Lie] - Thank you, she pulls her dress out of her inventory- Will you put this in that chest under the window?

[TLOT] Sure - He walks over and squeaks open the chest, pausing there for a moment with the lid open - wanted me to put it in your toybox huh?

[Lie] Freezes as her shape becomes indistinguishable from glowing so brightly-

[TLOT] Blinks in consternation- That's a bit blinding!

[Lie] Whines and tries to hide under the blankets-

[TLOT] Takes out a vibrating egg and it buzzes in his palm. - That's a bit weak though. I think I could juice it up a bit... - He tips out the batteries and lets them clunk back into the box. He pulls out a bit of restone and picks a few pixels off it before slipping some inside.

[Lie] - What are you doing?

[TLOT] Just some minor repairs. - He twists the vibe to high and the buzzing increases a lot- that's better...

[Lie] Tries to slip under the bed-

[TLOT] Aww don't hide. I have something nice for you.

[Lie] - So I can hear...

[TLOT] I can feel that curiousity radiating from you....

[Lie] - Shut up... I can't hear you!

[TLOT] Turns the little device off. - can you hear me now?

[Lie] Grumbles and her head pokes out from under the bed-

[TLOT] You're adorable.

[Lie] - So everyone says- She darts to the other side of the bed and crawls out, transforming back once she's clear of the bed and without her clothes

[TLOT] Eh, if you've got it, might as well flaunt it. Did you need anything else while I'm here?

[Lie] - No, I think I'm good- She pulls on her shirt

[TLOT] Maybe you should have some fun while you wait for Cp to come back? - with a quick twist he turns the vibe back on and reaches around to poke it up inside her-

[Lie] Shrieks and falls back onto the bed- TLOT!

[TLOT] Backs off quickly. - Just a thought.

[Lie] - Ngh!

[TLOT] I'm headed back. Take your time Lie, have a nice afternoon.

[Lie] - I hate you right now...

[TLOT] Wipes his upper lip with his forked tongue- that tastes like a bit of a lie...

[Lie] Groans and buries her face into the blankets-

[TLOT] Feels her growing arousal and sends a bit of it back to her -I'll just leave you to it. - waves cheerfully and departs

[Lie] Is muttering "I hate you" into the blanket over and over again. However her legs clamp tighter as her pleasure grows, but it's not quite doing it for her leaving her in a state of frustration-

[Splender] Perks as he receives a message from his brother and he rushes off to Doc's-

[Doc] Is talking to Alexsezia about the poster-

[Alexsezia] It is really interesting. What's with the green cat eating the sun?

[Doc] It's a lion. I don't know why it's green.

[Splender] - Doc? Are you here?

[Doc] Splender? I'm in the vine room.

[Splender] Teleports in- Oh, I didn't know you had a guest, am I interrupting anything?

[Doc] Nah, just a bit of chatting about art.

[Alexsezia] I've been doing lot of embellished stuff lately. Doc got me into looking at really old illuminated books on the internet.

[Splender] - Oh, okay, um, I have a message from my brother...

[Doc] Oh dear... not more bad news I hope? I saw Cp go out earlier...

[Splender] - No! Not at all! He's decided to send Judge and Painter here under the pretense of them checking on the others...

[Doc] They're okay in a digital enviroment? Mostly human?

[Alexsezia] There's a Painter? Judge sounds a bit serious though.

[Splender] - If it's brief they'll be fine, we've done it many times with the other pasta's when we needed to get them quickly from one area to another

[Doc] Okay... Splender? You're the expert, do I need to do anything in advance? Topics to avoid?

[Splender] - I think brother mostly just wants them to get used to this place and meet you before introducing them to the idea of having a child. Those two can get pretty defensive around strangers...

[Alexsezia] Can I stay? Or will they attack me since I'm obviously digital/human?

[Splender] - So long as you don't offend them it should be alright...

[Doc] Offend?

[Splender] - Like harsh criticism, violence towards children...

[Doc] I'll be gentle.

[Splender] - Then are you ready for me to get them?

[Doc] Gives hir coat a bit of a tug and fluffs hir hair- Ready

[Alexsezia] Tries to brush some of the cat hair off her, but it's hopelessly woven into her chainmail shirt - I hope they aren't allergic to cats....

[Splender] - Not at all- He creates an opening and steps through, quickly returning with two in tow

[Doc] Hello.

[Alexsezia] Cheerful wave-

[Judge] Is a young looking girl with short blonde hair in a short white dress with tall white boots, She carries a white sword but the thing which stands out about her are her eyes, they are deep and black with small specks like stars-

[Painter] Is taller than Judge with messy short black hair, he has a blue jacket and jeans on with sneakers. His white mask has a blood painted smile on it-

[Splender] - Judge? Painter? This is Doc and Alexsezia!

[Alexsezia] Looks only slightly unnerved by Painter's mask.

[Doc] Nice to meet both of you. I understand you wanted to check up on the others?

[Painter] - That's what Slender told us to do, he's starting to get a bit antsy what with so many people gone from the house

[Doc] Well the pokemon trainers are mostly downstairs if you want to come with me. Strangled has taken to crashing in Lost Silver's room, and Glitchy is often hanging out with them too. I've offered Strangled his own space but he usually tells me to go die in a fire or something similar.

[Judge] - I suppose we could start with them...

[Alexsezia] Opens the lab door for them

[Doc] Thank you-

[Alexsezia] So you're an artist? I am too.

[Painter] - I doubt we think of the same thing when we think of painters

[Splender] Teleports off to warn BEN-

[Alexsezia] Oh... do you only do walls and houses or something? I work mostly on canvas-

[Painter] - Oh no, I use canvas, it's my paint that's different

[Alexsezia] Neat! I make all my own pigments and dyes too!

[Doc] Watch out for the button at the bottom of the steps.

[Painter] - I gather my own paint

[Judge] Is getting a tad irritated at Alexsezia-

[Alexsezia] cheerfully- We're all crafty around here. Doc built this house.

[Doc] Blushes slightly-

[Painter] - I gather blood

[Alexsezia] Oh, so you just do monochrome work?

[Painter] - In a sense

[Silver] Is feeding his smaller pokemon-

[Doc] Hey Silver! Hows the team faring?

[Judge] Narrows her eyes at Silver-

[Alexsezia] Oh the little pink critter is adorable! I mean they're both cute but still!

[Silver] - Good, just feeding the smaller guys now, Strangled's taking care of the others

[Sylveon] Looks at Alexsezia- Syl!

[Alexsezia] Holds out a hand to see if it's okay to pet them-

[Doc] Silver has been a huge help with my own pokemon too.

[Espurr] Comes over and puts a morsel of food in her hand-

[Silver] - Er, Espurr? She can't eat that...

[Alexsezia] No, I can't, but thank you little one.

[Espurr] Takes it back using telekinesis-

[Alexsezia] Psychic kitty...

[Doc] So how's the Zweilous? Do you need another helmet for the second head or is it behaving better now that you have the badge for it?

[Silver] - It's doing better now, I don't think it needs another helmet

[Doc] Excellent. Any progress with MissingNo?

[Silver] - Not really... But it's not so loud anymore

[Doc] Hopefully it's because it's more relaxed now that it's not trapped? Poor thing might be a tad traumatized.

[Silver] - Maybe...

[Painter] - to cut down on time, mind telling us how Strangled and Glitchy are Silver?

[Silver] - Oh! Well... They're pretty good, I think Glitchy is exploring outside...

[Doc] I take it Strangled is still holed up in your room pouting?

[Silver] - Not right now, he's holed up down there feeding the larger pokemon and his

[Doc] Looks at the group - Up to you guys, bug him or leave him be?

[Painter] - I don't think we need to see everybody, that would take too long, just so long as we can get the general idea of how everyone is... That should be good enough

[Doc] Okay. - Looks at Silver- Do you need anything while I'm down here Silver?

[Silver] - No, I'm good

[Doc] Alright. last I saw Grinny he was in the kitchen. Smile is outside somewhere probably playing with Liu-

[Judge] - Liu? Oh, that's right, Jeff's brother's, right? He was somehow brought back?

[Doc] A bit proudly- I had a bit of help from a friendly witch. She helped me reclaim his soul. So yes, he's alive, in a sense.

[Painter] - Can we continue now? I'd like to get back to my projects...

[Alexsezia] Perks up a little - What are you working on? Subject-wise?

[Doc] Let's go then.

[Painter] - This and that

[Alexsezia] Been doing illuminations myself. Really old school. TLOT made me some gold ink so it really pops.

[Judge] Her hand is getting closer to her sword-

[Alexsezia] Trots ahead to hold the outside door politely-

-It's a lovely day outside with the sunlight sparkling off the deep blue waters of the bay and the sugarcanes bending lightly in the breeze.

[Judge] - It is bright out here...

[Doc] Yeah, it's nice. I prefer a good lightning storm though. - Leads them up the steps towards the road to the spawn

[gem] -is standing outside at spawn with eddy and Edward and her guardians-

[Doc] Hi Gem, got the whole group today huh?

[Alexsezia] Kneels and offers her arms to hug the little enders-

[gem] yea it's a nice day

[eddy and Edward] -hug alexsezia-

[Painter] - Who are they?

[gem] I am just you friendly space angel brine with my guardians and baby Endermen out for a day on this server.

[Doc] She's a digital glitch much like I am. Anyone with unusual eyes you encounter will likely be either a type of Herobrine or one of your creepypastas.

[Judge] - So many...

[Alexsezia] She's also a very nice neighbor. And BEN and Aven's roommate.

[gem] -sees judge angel's eye- wow your eyes are pretty

[Judge] Is surprised by this compliment-

[gem] they remind me of the beauty of space

[Judge] Has no idea what to say-

[Alexsezia] Looks at her straight on- Yeah! They do look like they have stars! I thought they were just black.

[Judge] Starts to hide behind Painter a little-

[Doc] Ah, don't be shy. we don't bite.

[gem] -makes a small cluster of stars and offers it to judge angel-

[Judge] Shies away-

[Painter] - She doesn't really like having her eyes talked about...

[gem] oh sorry I didn't know

[Doc] Oh, I see. It's just a thing around here. Lots of people with unusual eyes. - shows off hir own subtle green glow- Your housemate Cp's glowing white is almost the norm on this server.

[Painter] - Speaking of, he's been gone from the manor for some time...

[Doc] You guys don't know? He got married.

[Painter] Laughs a little- Yeah, that's a good one

[Doc] Honestly, I have a picture! Hang on- flips around in hir files

[Alexsezia] Nonono, I can do you one better - She pulls out a screenshot attatched to a bit of paper. It's Cp looking annoyed on the floor with Lie to one side and Notch and Stevie on the other. - The brine with the pretty white hair is his wife Lilinthia.

[Painter] Scrutinizes the picture, trying to remember details for later paintings- Interesting...

[Doc] Where did you get that?

[Alexsezia] I know people...

[eddy and Edward] -go over to judge angel-

[Judge] Looks down at them- Such strange little creatures...

[Doc] Ah, they're a miniature version of a common mob around here. The big ones are called Endermen, they're harmless unless you look directly at them, eye contact makes them go ballistic. But the designers who coded them were inspired by stories of Slenderman. - gestures at the little enders- Imagine those, but three blocks high; as tall as Cp.

[Painter] - Yeah we'll not mention that to him...

[Doc] Minecraft is a super popular game. I bet he already knows. It's not like it's an unflattering reference. Endermen are extremely formidible foes if you anger them. If they weren't deathly allergic to water, the players would be quite outmatched.

-There's a bit of laughter and the sounds of children playing a game up the hill-

[Doc] Ah, that reminds me. Lj's circus is down the coast. Our friend Herabrine and him worked super hard to repair everything. If you don't want to make the hike I can call for him in chat. If he's outside the woods he should hear me.

[Judge] - Please, the sooner we can get home, the better

[eddy and Edward] -wiggle there arms-

This message has been removed.

[Painter] - Such odd anatomy...

[gem] they are my cute little sweeties

[Doc] One of their game functions is to take random blocks, so the proportions were likely chosen to accomdate the block size. -types- Hey Lj? Two of your housemates are here to check on you. Can you come to the spawn for a minute?

[LJ] Pops into the air above them- Yeeees~?

[Doc] Gestures to Painter and Judge -

[Alexsezia] Hi Lj! You look great.

[gem] hey LJ how is the weather up there just as good as down here?

[LJ] - Well hello you two!

[Painter] - What happened to you?

[Doc] I removed his Insanity and... - xe turns to Lj can't see and points to the children playing nearby- a few other things got fixed too.

[Judge] - How odd... I think you looked better monochrome

[gem] doc fixes a lot of things I swear xe is the best at it

[Alexsezia] I'm suprised... I'd think Painter would prefer the monochome considering his artistic mein.

[Doc] Blushes- Thank you Gem

[Painter] - No, I prefer a bit of color

[Judge] - He'll paint in normal colors if the mood strikes him

[Doc] Hey Lj, hows the candy crop coming?

[LJ] - Alright, I'm not much of a gardener though

[gem] -starts to make a tiny nebula-

[Doc] If you need any help, let me know. Can't wait until those ice cream cone trees start 'fruiting' Haha.

[LJ] - Nor can I

[Alexsezia] Wants to poke Gem's nebula-

[gem] -notices alexsezia looking at the nebula- do you want to see it?

[Doc] Turns to Painter and Judge- Should I try and find Jeff? He tends to avoid me. But he might want to go back with you guys.

[Alexsezia] Please?

[Painter] - Sure, it's him, Jane, BEN, and Herobrine left I believe...

[gem] -hands it to alexsezia-

[Doc] Uses hir pinpoint to look for Jeff before calling out to him over the chat- Hey Jeff? Judge Angels and Bloody Painter are here. Did you want a ride back to the manor?

[Jeff] - Nah, I'm good

[Doc] Calls out to Jane in a similar way-

[Jane] - Not right now

[Doc] I presume you can read the chat? Jeff and Jane say they're good.

[Painter] - Chat?

[Doc] Oh, I guess technically you're not signed in. Hang on - Xe takes out a command block and turns on the chat for them - Just think about what you want to type and do the hand motions-

[Judge] Puts in garbled gook-

[Alexsezia] Good effort, keep trying!

[Painter] - It's okay Judge, I know you have to look at the keyboard usually...

[Doc] Jeff? Jane? Can you repeat? I've got Judge and Painter in the chat now.

[Jeff] - We're staying for now!

[Jane] - For once I agree with the moron

[Doc] Anybody seen Liu? I'm sure he's got Smile.

[Jeff] - How the fuck should I know? Although I'd like to have my dog back...

[Doc] It was just a general question for anyone to answer.

[Steve] Over chat - I saw him yesterday?

[TLOT] also chat - Not helpful Steve

[Steve] chat- Sorry....

[liu] -in chat- I am at my house

[Jane] - I don't know, maybe somebody should keep track of their damn dog!

[Jeff] - Bitch

[Jane] - Cunt

[LJ] Is snickering-

[Alexsezia] Chuckles and speaks aloud. She's holding the nebula gently- He's just mad that his brother played the hero last week and Jeff was nowhere to be found.

[Painter] - I don't understand...

[gem] -puts on her star crown-

[Alexsezia] One of our more belligerent Herobrine's kidnapped Jane for a lark and Liu battled valiantly to save her. MB just likes to rumble and if you kill him he'll usually just admit defeat and go home.

[LJ] Bursts out into raucous laughter-

[Alexsezia] You know Mix right? She delivered the killing blow!

[LJ] - You mean the little female brine?

[Alexsezia] Yeah! She has some kind of... of... power glove that shoots energy stuff!

[Judge] - I don't mean to be rude, but can we move onto the others?

[gem] -makes a rainbow planet crown and puts it on lj's head-

[LJ] - Ooo! Pretty!

[Doc] Well... we can go by Lie's house if you want to meet her. It's on the way to BEN's place and I think that's everybody.

[Painter] - And why wouldn't we be seeing Herobrine?

[gem] which herobine

[Judge] - Ours

[gem] ah cp you mean

[Doc] He stepped out for a minute. Lie probably knows why. He's free to come and go and he still has loyal mobs on his home seed.

[Painter] - Then lead on

[gem] -pick up eddy and Edward- adventure

[Gk] Flaps down from the sky and lands near them - More pastas?

[Alexsezia] They're just visiting-

[Painter] - The hell is that?

[Gk] I'm a dragon, duh.

[Doc] He's also a Herobrine.

[gem] hey gk

[Judge] - So odd...

[Gk] Minces along, obviously in a good mood-

[Doc] Herobrine's are as varied as the seeds that generate them.

[Lie] took the vibrator out but is now a bit frustrated sexually and is heading outside to work on more plants for the Nether-

[Gk] Gallops a bit ahead and startles her intentionally-

[Lie] Yelps- GK!

[Gk] a bit too loud- Hey Lie! Have you seen Endrea? I'm supposed to help her babysit.

[Lie] - She and the kids moved to the back of the house where there's a bit more shade

[Gk] Okay! Goes trotting around the back of the house-

[Doc] walking up the path with the group- I swear helping Cp's dragon Endrea take care of her babies has taken 100 years of cynicisim off his shoulders

[Lie] - Perhaps, out for a walk Doc?- She starts putting down some Nether rack

[Alexsezia] We have guests Lie!

[Doc] This is Bloody Painter and Judge Angels, guys this is Cp's lovely wife Lilinthia. Lie for short. She's also a Herobrine.

[gem] -is flying just above the group- are you bringing the nether out of the nether lie?

[Lie] - Hello

[Judge] Steps uncomfortably close to Lie, scrutinizing her-

[Lie] - Er...

[Judge] - Innocent

[Doc] I guess that's accurate?

[Painter] - It means she has Judge's approval

[Doc] Ah. She's Cp's everything. His queen.

[Alexsezia] chuckles - The keeper of the little red cat.

[Judge] Backs off-

[Painter] - Well, at least we'll have something to report back about Herobrine and his mate...

[Doc] He's happy. Things aren't always perfect, but he's got a rather volatile personality, even without his Insanity, and a lot of pain inside that he has a hard time expressing.

[Painter] - No shit

[Alexsezia] At least he's not trying to randomly grief us all the time anymore.

[Lie] - That's true

[Doc] So why did he jet out again Lie? Painter and Judge came partially to check on him.

[Lie] - Oh, he's getting the food supplies Sam requested

[Doc] Almost time for the party huh?

[Lie] - I suppose so, TLOT just brought over my outfit for a final fitting

[Doc] Do you like it?

[Lie] - Yes, I do

[Doc] Okay, as long as you're happy Lie.

[Alexsezia] Ooooh! I want to see! I'll catch up with you guys.

[Lie] - But... But my plants...

[Alexsezia] You don't have to equipt it! I just want to see! Real quick.

[Painter] - Onto BEN?

[Lie] - Oh alright

[gem] yay to the house

[Doc] It's a ways away, would you like a ride?

[Judge] - A ride?

[Doc] Oh yes. I get creative with a lot more then just my patients.

[Painter] Frowns beneath his mask- How so?

[gem] -is flying above the group in the circles with her guardians-

[Doc] Takes a few steps back and does a little flourish with hir lab coat; uncurling into hir dragon shape. Xe shakes out hir mane and tail, luxuriating in being essencially naked in the sunshine.

[Painter] Stumbles backwards- What the!?

[Doc] I needed to be bigger, there's plenty of things that would like to get in here and wreck this sanctuary. Cp and I are the strongest brines on this seed.

[Judge] - Well we know our Herobrine is strong

[Doc] And adaptable. Happily, so am I. It came in super handy when he was still being randomly violent. - Xe lays hir head down - just climb on and I'll carry you-

[Painter] Helps Judge on before climbing on himself-

[Doc] Ready Gem? We probably shouldn't race this time so I don't lose my riders.

[gem] we are ready

[Doc] Prances up on the air blocks and runs along, xe skims over Lie's horse pen to give them a good view and snakes around the roots of the gigantic tree.

[Painter] - So many painting subjects...

[gem] -is following close her guardians right behind-

[Doc] Look down there, some of our imported wildlife.

-Some of the mammoths are happily grazing-

[Judge] - So big...

[BEN] Is waiting out front-

[gem] -lands near ben- hey ben

[Doc] Makes a point of running near Aqua's pen to see if they'll pop out-

[Aqua] Looks at them from beneath the water-

[BEN] - Hey

[Doc] Makes a spiral down to the ground and loafs in Gem's yard. - Hi BEN, brought some old friends to visit.

[BEN] - Oh joy

[Judge] - Well hello to you to

[Doc] Clucks hir tongue- Better a friendly visit than a fight. I've had enough nonsense lately.

[BEN] - Whatever, you two have seen me, now get lost

[Splender] Comes out from inside the house where he had been playing with Hyrule- BEN that's not nice

[gem] oh splenderman I didn't know you where over would you like a cookie I made sugar cookies resently

[Doc] Twitches hir tail a bit- I had one, Snake gave it to me. They're quite good.

[Splender] - Oh yes! Absolutely!

[gem] I know I gave one to snake because he wanted to go over to your castle I wanted to make sure you guys had some -goes inside and come out with a stack of sugar cookies- if anyone wants of do take some

[Doc] Leans over and flicks out hir tongue like an open hand - pwese?

[gem] -puts a cookie on hir tounge-

[Painter] - Well, I suppose this is good enough for now, Splender? Can you take us back?

[Splender] - Certainly, Doc? I'll be right back

[Doc] Slurps it up and munches happily- Thank you-

[Splender] Takes the two pasta's and creates an opening, shepherding them through-

[Doc] At BEN - Well that went smoothly.

[BEN] Slumps a little- I'm just glad they didn't find out about Hyrule...

[gem] why?

[BEN] - Because Judge would have my head if she found out I had achieved something they had been trying for for so long

[gem] that makes it ironic because you weren't trying

[Doc] Well if they want to have a baby, I mean they'll find out eventually. But I'll protect your family as well.

[BEN] - Thanks

4 notes · View notes

uncleyarn2-blog · 5 years ago

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Our 2018 all-Chicago holiday gift guide

Sustenance

1/ Local coffee subscription: Back of the Yards, Dark Matter, or Metric Coffee

Coffee is the social lubricant that wakes you up, keeps you awake—or maybe puts you to sleep. You can drink it hot in winter to stay warm! But drink good, fresh coffee. Chicago is home to many fine craft coffee roasters, and may offer subscriptions for a steady supply. Metric Coffee offers espresso ($20) and blend ($20) subscriptions as well as a Roasters Choice Subscription ($22) and Single Origin Subscription ($24) each with two different eight-ounce bags in every weekly or monthly delivery. Dark Matter Coffee offers three, six, and twelve-month subscriptions to their monthly limited blends for $20 per month—with discounts for longer subscriptions. Back of the Yards Coffee Co.'s Coffee Club subscriptions page is currently under construction. Hopefully that will be available again soon. In the meantime, they do sell their espresso and 47th Street Blend medium-dark roast coffee in twelve-ounce bags ($15.99), with one dollar from every 47th Street Blend going to their Social Impact fund to benefit the neighborhood.—John Dunlevy Prices vary at backoftheyardscoffee.com, darkmattercoffee.com, and metriccoffee.com.

2/ Coffee maker Nº3 by Manual.is

Manual's newest coffee maker is four usages in one: pour over, French press, cold brew, and a pitcher. It can keep its liquids hot for about an hour in the double-wall insulated design. With this elegant, hand-blown borosilicate glass vessel, even a person who doesn't drink coffee regularly (me) will savor the ritual of making, and serving coffee. —Sue Kwong $140 at Manual Shop & Studio, 3251½ W. Bryn Mawr, 312-870-0799, manual.is.

3/ Mushroom tree ornaments by Facture Goods

The handcrafted mushroom Christmas ornaments come in earthy brown clay glazed in gray and flecked with 22-karat gold. They typically sell out in minutes when creator Aron Fischer puts a fresh batch in his online shop. But on November 24 you can find them at Martha Mae in Andersonville during Small Business Saturday. The mushrooms come in enoki, morel, shiitake, and straw varietals. Plus, while you're there, you can snag plenty more gifts for loved ones in Jean Cate's magical shop. —Maya Dukmasova $18 each or $60 for a set of four at facturegoods.com and on November 24 only at Martha Mae, 5407 N. Clark, 872-806-0988, marthamae.info.

4/ Malort soy candle

Everyone's favorite drink in candle form. —Vince Cerasani $30 at reuse-first.com.

5/ Tellicherry Black Whole Peppercorns from Reluctant Trading Experiment

Pretty amazing pepper from an outfit started by Scott Eirinberg, the entrepreneur who founded, and later sold, The Land of Nod. —Suggested by Kate Schmidt, written by Reader staff Starting at $6.50 at reluctanttrading.com.

Self Care

1/ Houseplant from Foyer

This little plant and stationary store opened in Andersonville a few months ago. It's run by a tremendously helpful and non-judgmental Alma Vescovi, who wants you to get past your fear of killing houseplants. The stock is refreshed weekly and she carries hard-to-find varietals like pilea, monstera, and satin pothos alongside all kinds of succulents and cacti. There are also vintage planters and pots as well as ones made by local artists. If things don't go well with your new plant friend, you can always bring it back for a check-up with Vescovi. She once helped me resuscitate a delicate plumosa fern. It's doing great. Plants are the gift that keeps on giving.—Maya Dukmasova Starting at $8 at 1480 W. Berwyn, 713-994-0302, foyer.shop.

2/ Sound wave art, Soundwaves by Mordecai

Kathleen Mordecai turns sound waves from parts of songs or special moments (for example Pat Hughes saying "Chicago Cubs win the World Series" or children's laughter, as pictured) into sculptures she handcrafts using reclaimed wood. Whether you're shopping for someone who lives in a tiny studio, or in a mansion with plenty of wall space to fill, there's likely an option that will fit; the current selection of sculptures in her online shop runs from 12 inches to 4 feet. Mordecai also takes custom orders, and for those who want to be able to hear the sound while enjoying the visuals, she offers an option for audio playback. —Jamie Ludwig Starting at $76 at etsy.com/soundwavesbyMordecai.

3/ Soap Distillery

The brand tagline for Soap Distillery may promise "Small batches. No hangovers," but no such claim can be made about whether these boozy body care miracles are addictive. Because they are, friends. A bottle of the Beer + Cigarettes hand and body wash disappeared so quickly from my bathroom that I'm not entirely convinced my partner wasn't drinking it. Perfect for the person on your list who always smells so damn good. —Karen Hawkins Prices vary at soapdistillery.com. Catch up with founder Danielle Martin at a holiday shopping event or click here for a list of retailers.

4/ King Spa & Sauna

King Spa & Sauna, the Korean spa in Niles, does not fulfil the glossy magazine ideal of the spa day. There are no fluffy white robes, no soothing music or nice-smelling oils and lotions. Instead, there's a series of saunas, each filled with a different substance that will relieve you of a different source of stress, each more baroque than the last: amethyst geodes, living crystals, 350-million-year-old salt rocks, a 23-karat gold pyramid. The admission fee gets a person access to all of them, plus the soaking pools, food court, and movie theater. (Massages and other spa treatments are extra.) The spa's open 24 hours, so guests can stay as long as they like. In Korea, entire families go to spas for an easy weekend getaway. Maybe they're onto something? —Aimee Levitt $40 admission at King Spa & Sauna, 809 Civic Center Drive, Niles, 847-972-2540, kingspa.com/chicago. Gift cards available.

5/ Mochimochi Land knitting kits

Forget sweaters and scarves, Mochimochi Land gives you the tools to show off your needle skills by knitting something truly unique: cute miniature characters like tiny burgers or tiny walruses or tiny robots and really any other tiny thing you can dream up. The kits go for $12-$15 and include yarn, stuffing, notions, and patterns��all you need are knitting needles, available separately on the website. Mochimochi Land creator Anna Hrachovec features her knitted friends in stop-motion animated videos and GIFs of everyday life in the mystical, yarn-covered land of her own creation. Hrachovec also used the style in her book, Adventures in Mochimochi Land, which follows the adventures of a talking doughnut and a lovelorn balloon, of course. The online shop offers patterns for larger, equally adorable knitting projects ranging from $5-$8 and, for the less crafty among us, pre-knit gnomes, hedgehogs, zombies, and unicorns for $25 each. —Brianna Wellen Prices vary at mochimochiland.com.

6/ Mano y Metal handmade accessories

These aren't your basic accessories. Mano y Metal offers handmade metal jewelry that spices up any look. Owner Desiree T. Guzman features hand stamped metal rings, cuff bracelets, earrings, necklaces, dog tags and more with empowering sayings engraved on them like "be badass" ("chingona" in Spanish) or "me vale madre" which translates to "I don't give a damn." The online shop even offers options available for customization and a Chicago collection. —Marissa De La Cerda $10 for keychains, $16 for rings, $20-$22 for double finger rings, $16-$28 for bracelets, $17-$58 for necklaces at manoymetal.com.

7/ The WasteShed Art Supplies

Help fuel your loved one's winter craft addiction and help rescue markers, knitting needles and paints from the landfill. Cultivating a more sustainable culture, The WasteShed accepts donations of art supplies and repurposes art, craft and school supplies. Pull together a gift basket for a DIY project from their low cost offerings, or grab a gift certificate for the creatives and teachers on your list. While you're there, drop off the crocheting you gave up on. The WasteShed is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) so your donations are tax deductible! See their web site for complete list of acceptable donations. — Jamie Ramsay Prices vary at 2842 W. Chicago, 773-666-5997, thewasteshed.com.

8/ Mermaid lessons at AquaMermaid

Who doesn't know someone who once dreamed of being a mermaid? (If your answer is "me," feel free to skip this item.) Fortunately, AquaMermaid exists for the sole purpose of helping people fulfill this glorious dream. Weekly lessons are available on Sunday afternoons at the UIC Sports and Fitness Center pool for both kids and adults; parties can also be arranged. You'll learn basic mermaid maneuvers, like how to glide gracefully underwater, flip your fins, and wave gracefully with your tail. And yes, tails are provided—though you'll have to wear your own bathing suit, or a seashell bra if you want to go full Ariel. Be warned: being a mermaid is a lot harder than it looks, but you'll get a great core workout. —Aimee Levitt Starting at $60 at UIC Sports and Fitness Center, 901 W. Roosevelt Road, 866-279-2767, aquamermaid.com.

Community Care

1/ Chicago Community Bond Fund donation

What better way to spread holiday cheer than to help someone in jail get home to their family? CCBF accepts donations large and small to pay bail for those awaiting trial in Cook County Jail. —Maya Dukmasova Visit chicagobond.org to see the criteria they use to select whose bail to pay.

2/ Women & Children First gift certificate

This post-#MeToo moment is a really good time to give all the sexist jerks in your life a gift certificate to one of the oldest and most significant women-owned bookstores in the US. Making people support women-owned businesses and select from an array of books including a higher-than-average spate by women and nonbinary folks is truly a gift that will benefit generations to come. —Anne Elizabeth Moore Prices vary at 5233 N. Clark, 773-769-9299, womenandchildrenfirst.com.

3/ My Block, My Hood, My City gear

Founded by Jamal Cole, MBMHMC is a connectivity-encouraging, mentoring nonprofit that focuses on providing underserved teenagers exposure to opportunities beyond their familiar neighborhoods. Through excursions in STEM, art, entrepreneurism, and community development, called the Explorers Program, as well as service projects like shoveling snow for seniors, MBMHMC fosters experiences to nurture and empower Chicago youth. Twenty percent of all apparel sales go toward the Explorers Program. On December 1 and 8, volunteer to help hang holiday lights from 51st to 87th Streets along historic Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Like their Facebook page or check https://www.formyblock.org/events/ for updates on projects, calls to action, and to learn about volunteering. —Jamie Ramsay from $50 for hoodies (available in English, Spanish and Mandarin), $25 for skullies, at formyblock.org.

4/ Haymarket Books Book Club

If there's a radical or revolutionary on your shopping list, or, at the very least, someone who cares about social and economic justice, odds are they already know about Haymarket Books, the Buena Park-based publisher of Angela Davis, Rebecca Solnit, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, and Eve Ewing, among many, many others. Membership in Haymarket's book club provides regular monthly shipments of all the publisher's new titles, in either print or e-book format, plus discounts on everything on the backlist. Not only will you provide someone with the foundation of a great personal library, you'll also be supporting a local business. It's a win for everybody. —Aimee Levitt $20-$30/month at haymarketbooks.org.

5/ T-Shirt from the Silver Room

I discovered Silver Room when I first saw Eve Ewing wearing a "Make Chicago Great Again" Harold Washington T-shirt at Pitchfork last year. But the store has a lot more to offer, with shirts by local artists ranging from a profile of Colin Kaepernick made out of tiny red fists to one that looks like a hand-painted bodega advertisement for Hyde Park. The store is full of hand-crafted leather goods, jewelry, and home decor, many by black makers. —Maya Dukmasova $20-$30 at Silver Room, 1506 E. 53rd St., 773-947-0024, thesilverroom.com.

6/ Rebel Betty Arte prints and zines

Support a Latinx artist this holiday season by buying zines, prints, buttons and other artwork by Rebel Betty, an Afro-Latina artist, DJ, and educator. Her work focuses on raising awareness and creating discussions about gentrification and issues affecting black and brown communities. —Marissa De La Cerda $5-$35 for prints, $5-$15 for zines, $10-$15 for buttons and other items at rebelbettyarte.com.

Good Times

1/ Hollow Leg cocktail class

Contrary to popular belief, Hollow Leg is not a store where you can buy a leg lamp a la A Christmas Story, it's a company that offers mixology classes at various venues around the city. Founded by Devin Kidner, Hollow Leg aims to share the art and science behind crafting cocktails so that anyone who attends their events leaves with the knowledge, taste, and skill to finally make a decent drink—and since they offer plenty of non-alcoholic options, everyone can join in on the fun. You can purchase individual tickets or gift certificates to workshops such as Liquid Confidence: Mixology 101, or book them for a holiday shindig so you can give a whole bunch of your friends the gift that keeps on giving (and giving, and giving . . . depending on who you hang out with). Though most classes are hands-on, they also offer tastings, so you and your guests can just sit back, sip, and learn. The best part might be that they'll play "cocktail whisperer," and tailor the menu for their audience, so if, for example, you hate sugary sweet drinks, you won't have to waste your time—or your booze—mixing one. —Jamie Ludwig $60-$95 for gift certificates at hollowleg.com.

2/ Fat Tiger Workshop hat

Streetwear boutique Fat Tiger Workshop first set up in a small Congress Theater storefront four years ago. Founding designers Vic Lloyd, Desmond Owusu, Terrell Jones, and Joe "Freshgoods" Robinson quickly made the space a home for friends, aspiring artists, and established musicians. One day I wandered in to find Chuck Inglish and Sulaiman filming a music video behind the storefront; on another I bought a Save Money shirt during a pop-up helmed by Joey Purp. Fat Tiger has changed locations twice since then, and the owners still make sure its large West Town headquarters is an open-door community space, even as their individual profiles have risen. Robinson has become a streetwear celebrity since he made a one-off clothing line in homage to our previous president, "Thank U Obama" (Chance the Rapper wore one such hoodie while collecting his first Grammy), and he's since been enlisted to make clothes for the Chicago Bears, McDonald's, and the MCA. All four designers make gear for their individual brands, but they also have a run of Fat Tiger clothes. The simple, bold Fat Tiger hat is a great way to show love for all four of these independent, community-driven designers. —Leor Galil $30 for a signature hat at 836 N. Milwaukee, fattigerworkshop.com.

3/ Custom handmade guitar strap from Souldier

In 2004, Chicago musician Jen Tabor started making instrument straps for her friends, and soon began selling them at shows. Nearly 15 years later, her company Souldier, which specializes in hand-cut leather guitar, bass, and banjo straps, has helped support the instruments of artists such as Jeff Tweedy, Tom Petty, and Kim Gordon, and has practically come to have rock-star status of its own. You can find Souldier straps at a number of instrument shops and other retailers throughout the city, or purchase directly through their website, where there's more fun to be had by customizing a strap of your own. Choose between dozens of color and fabric patterns to match anyone's personality and/or artistic aesthetic. And though Souldier is most known for their instrument accessories, their product line also includes camera straps, headbands, wrist cuffs, dog collars, and more, so there are plenty of gift options for your non-musician human and canine friends. —Jamie Ludwig Prices vary at souldier.us.

4/ Fine Prints cassettes

Chicago's rock scene–if you can say there is one single community–is a lot broader than it often gets credited. Local label Fine Prints gets it. Founded by Robby Haynes (who helps run Hermosa studio Strange Magic Recording) and Ziyad Asrar (of Baby Blue, formerly of Whitney), Fine Prints has put out only a handful of cassette releases, but the small catalog shows how weird and wonderful Chicago rock can get. The label launched in August by releasing tapes from prog misfits Mayor Daley, art punks Wage, and synthpop hypnotists Desert Liminal; in October, Haynes and Asrar dropped the second EP by bedroom-pop wizard Adam Schubert, aka Ruins. The acts Fine Prints have worked with don't overlap stylistically, and that's partly why these four cassettes work well as a single package; they're great individual documents, and all together they unintentionally function as a reminder that there's a lot of great music happening in the city beyond the sounds on these tapes. —Leor Galil $7 per cassette at fineprints.bandcamp.com.

5/ Sharkula T-shirt

Can you really claim to be a Chicagoan if you've never met Sharkula? For the past couple decades, the oddball rapper who also answers to Thigahmahjigggee and Dirty Gilligan has roamed around the city's streets, selling his wares hand-to-hand: usually that means CD-Rs of his unpredictable raps housed in a photocopied sheet of paper littered with his drawings. He recently started making his own T-shirts, and his detailed, gritty graffiti style gives his pieces a lived-in quality. Sharkula designs each shirt by hand and no two are identical, which means this is the most unique gift you can give the Chicago hip-hop fan in your life. And, since buying a shirt requires that you call Sharkula, this also gives anyone who has never met him before the opportunity to finally meet a local legend. —Leor Galil Starting at $30 at 773-647-4995.

6/ Experimental Sound Studio tickets

Experimental Sound Studio, founded in 1986 and based in Edgewater since 2006, is one of the city's great incubators of avant-garde and experimental music. The nonprofit's facility houses a full-service recording studio, of course, as well as a small public gallery that hosts exhibitions, workshops, and other events. ESS also provides a home for the Creative Audio Archive, which it describes as "an invaluable collection of recordings, print, and visual ephemera related to avant-garde and exploratory sound and music"—including a trove of Sun Ra material dating back to the 1950s and thousands of improvised and underground shows captured between 1981 and 2006 by Chicago sound recordist Malachi Ritscher. The concert series that ESS presents in its cozy live room, including Option and Oscillations, feature internationally celebrated Chicagoans—drummer Hamid Drake, sound artist Olivia Block, visionary multi-instrumentalists Ben Lamar Gay and Douglas Ewart—as well as renowned out-of-towners such as trumpeter Greg Kelley, saxophonist Don Dietrich, and pedal steel guitarist Susan Alcorn. —Philip Montoro $40 for a pack of five tickets good for any concerts, which usually cost $10 apiece—and if you e-mail [email protected] in advance to make a reservation, they'll even get you into one of the handful each year that sell out, 5925 N. Ravenswood, 773-998-1069, ess.org.

7/ Ninja Zombie DVD

In 1992, aspiring writer-director Mark Bessenger and a small crew filmed a low-budget Super-8 horror comedy in Chicago, the exurbs, and Wisconsin. No distributor wanted to touch his movie, Ninja Zombie, though I have a little trouble understanding why; the sight of a green, shirtless zombie adeptly fighting off a small army of ninjas would've sold me in 1992, but I was also seven at the time. Bessenger made a few VHS copies for friends, but the film otherwise disappeared. More than two decades later a copy wound up in the hands of cinema fanatic Zack Carlson, who helps run Bleeding Skull, a site and film distributor that documents obscure horror pictures. In 2014, Carlson brought the VHS to his Bleeding Skull collaborators (writer Annie Choi and site founder Joseph Ziemba, an Illinois native) who were so charmed by the goofy, light-footed picture they decided to find a way to release it. Last month, Bleeding Skull and Austin-based nonprofit the American Genre Film Archive co-released Ninja Zombie on DVD. I just hope with this wide release it may soon become a midnight staple. —Leor Galil $13.99 at americangenrefilm.com/releases/ninja-zombie.

About the artists

To accompany our gift guide, we commissioned two local artists to create the gift wrap featured on our two variant covers. To take full advantage of the festivities, pick up a paper copy of this week's Reader.

Justin Clemons from Chicago Lawn is also the Production Manager at Magnolia Printing. His gift wrap features hands spelling "C-H-I-C-A-G-O" in American Sign Language. The piece started as a hand study he painted at age 17 in the program After School Matters, and his instructor noted that it evoked the feeling of people being deaf to the youth of Chicago and their issues. Years later, Justin completed the painting in acrylics. It was featured in Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition hosted at the Museum of Science+Industry Chicago 2014.

Laura Berger is an artist living in Chicago who paints, sculpts and also animates. Her beautifully minimalistic work often focuses on themes of nature, dreams, or travel. Sometimes, her images feature a host of culturally diverse naked bodies—as appear on one of our variant covers. She is interested in how people create meaning and a sense of belonging to a greater whole.

For more info on Justin's work: justinianart.com. For more info on Laura's work: lauraberger.com. v

Source: https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/chicago-reader-2018-holiday-gift-guide/Content?oid=63481605

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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nofomoartworld · 8 years ago

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Artist Laura Amphlett Hides the Desert's Magic in Collaged Boxes | #50StatesofArt

Through slivers of shattered light, a mirage forms in the desert; less an oasis than one's own mirror image, the works of Arizona artist Laura Amphlett present the possibility of paradise, but only on the other side of the looking-glass. The Arizona State University sculpture major works across a number of mediums, her primary roster including laser-cut acrylic, found objects, and neon. Although her works are deeply enigmatic, their allure is less in their solutions than in their precise compositions and constructions; they're beautiful puzzle-boxes, in the most literal sense.

Long-exalted as a source of spiritual energy, the desert has historically been an inspiration for American artists seeking a point of connection with the ethereal. It finds a home in Amphlett's small-scale objects. They're a little Duchamp, and some Flavin and Turrell, with a dash of the earnestness of Mendieta (to taste). Creators reached out to Amphlett to talk divination, inspiration, and the magic hiding in plain sight in Arizona.

Self Portrait. Found suitcase, neon, laser etched acrylic, mirror film. 25"x40". 2017

Creators: Your use of reflective surfaces, whether physically reflective or implied, suggests that a certain bit of scrying is required on the part of the viewer.

Laura Amphlett: Yes, I'm glad you picked up on that correlation in my work. I believe in the philosophy that art reflects reality, especially when using the intuitive approach that I employ. My work is complex, there are numerous facets to it, and not necessarily a linear story being told—but a story nonetheless. To me, it's really up to the observer to decide and play with that narrative, that is the most satisfying part for me as an assembler. I would implore any viewer to spend more time with a piece than is normal for them. The small revelations that one can discover in the details are so important to any artist, as this sums up the whole (especially in my more layered pieces).

21 (Detail). Laser cut/etched acrylic, found image, cacti, astroturf. 24"x32"x5". 2014

How did you get to the work you're doing now?

There are so many paths that led me to the materials and ideas I'm using in my work presently, but I will attempt to sum it up in a digestible way. I actually went to an art-focused charter high school in downtown Phoenix called Metropolitan Arts Institute, which gave me the best foundation I could've asked for as a young artist. One of my teachers from Metro and mentors in my life is an incredible artist and painter, Sue Chenoweth. She was incredible at getting us students to let go of preconceived ideas about what an end result of a piece should be, that there is something magical that happens when you let go of the image you're holding onto in your head. Her prompts for projects would be very open-ended and elusive, I remember one prompt that I especially loved, was using a book of a collection of poems by the philosopher Rumi. Everyone in the class took turns opening the book to a random page and pointed without looking and used that passage as their starting point. I still have my quote:

"Inside me a hundred beings are putting their fingers to their lips and saying, 'That's enough for now. Shhhh.' Silence is an ocean. Speech is a river."

The piece I made from this was a self portrait:

Shhhh. Inkjet print, found text, found paper, ink, thread, stickers, cardstock. 8.5"x11"

I also got comfortable using mixed media at that time, the classrooms at Metro Arts had collections of materials from any and everywhere, with unique items like yearbooks from the 30s, yarn, just an endless amount of weird little trinkets and such, things you'd find at thrift stores. I was always interested what happens when using a translucent material, like tracing paper on top of an image, to give an image more dimensionality. By slightly removing or altering the original, the original takes on separate meanings and this has always fascinated me. Since I was a child I've been an avid drawer, so it's naturally a big part of my work. In more recent works, I've been using small sketchbook thoughts, collages, drawings etc. to create more significant pieces that can exist in the real world, which has been the inevitable progression for me, where the dimensionality can be real and implied. I do this by appropriating those little works via a laser engraver, vinyl cutter, printer, etc.

I prefer for art to be true, and for that to happen for me, it has to start from an uninhibited place—that magical space when you don't have to think, you just "do." This idea always reminds me of the point in the sleep cycle where you're just about asleep but not quite, when your mind wanders and starts to take you under.

Cherchez La Femme. Inkjet print, laser etching, cut vinyl on stonehenge. 10"x10". Edition of 15. 2016

Do you spend time in the desert? If not, why not? Can you tell me how your surrounding environment plays into your process?

I used to spend more time in the desert camping with my father, and is something I look forward to when I don't have as much on my plate. When you have two jobs and go to school full time it can be hard. Also a lot of people don't realize that up north we have so many beautiful and lush places, like Sedona and Flagstaff, so it's a nice mini-escape when the heat takes over.

Like many people that live in Arizona, I wasn't born here. I was born in Northern California and moved here when I was 10. Due to the fact that I was moved from a place with nearly perfect weather, I've always had a love–hate relationship with AZ. When it gets to be 125 degrees in the dead of the summer you can feel trapped, like you need to escape, and this feeling lasts a few months. Then monsoon season rolls around and it's the most beautiful sight—the storms here are incredible and you fall in love with it again; it's this never ending cycle.

The desert is a really special place, it holds a kind of double meaning. It seems really desolate on the surface but is filled with so much vibrance when up close, when you're paying attention. I still have never seen another place with sunsets as good as what we have here, and those warm color palettes have managed to seep into my work. Another reoccurring theme that is definitely from the AZ landscape are pools (90% of homes here have them), I am always returning to a simple image of a pool, or some form of representation of it. I love the symbolism of a pool, it's reflection from the water can create an illusion that it's a flat surface, but when you get up close you realize the depth below.

Grapes. Found image, pencil. 5"x7". 2015

Can you tell me about a particularly formative moment you've had in Arizona, and how it contributed to a piece of work or a line of thinking?

Community is such an important factor for artists and without the support of peers we all diminish. When I was around 17 or 18, I was living with some friends in Central Phoenix and was introduced to people that were connected to the underground music scene here. I remember going to a house way out in Southern Phoenix and seeing one of Marshstepper's first shows, which featured a ritualistic performance involving masks, cauldrons, mass amounts of fog, low red lights, and of course loud distorted sound backed up by indistinguishable vocals. I remember being pretty blown away and excited that there was this whole other dimension to Arizona that I wasn't aware of.

That event opened to the door to many other shows, people, and art that was incredibly inspiring. Although at the time I wasn't aware that I was in such an essential moment for underground art in AZ, I am so glad I was around and got to experience that. It was then I that I realized there were actually so many other like-minded people who could relate to how I was feeling in this weird little place we were all residing in. There was something magical about that time that we shared together, and I know those who were a part of it cherish it as well. There is still some of this happening today, and it happens in cycles, but many of the key players have since moved away to places like LA and NY.

Loose Lips. Laser etched acrylic, neon. 13"x12". 2017

Do you find the people around you to be receptive to your work? And where, if at all, does your work fit in?

AZ has cycles of creativity, and I can get really nostalgic for the old days when it was in that thriving moment. People feel that they outgrow AZ and tend to move away, and this creates a dynamic that can be hard to keep up with, since it's constantly changing. To make a good city like NY, LA, or SF successful, it takes roots, people who want to create that type of community, and doing the work to make it happen. It's definitely harder to get the kind of exposure you would get if you lived in one of the major coastal cities, so I don't blame anyone who seeks that out. The good thing is I've been seeing a recent upswing in art, music, and community that I'm pretty excited about. I've had more opportunity for art shows than ever, and I've seen more galleries opening, which is extremely important.

Daggers. Cardstock, acetate, ink, acrylic paint. 5"x7". 2014

I get the impression that your process involves spending a lot of time purely looking at your work. Can you describe the feeling of looking, and the one that comes when you've found something to be finished?

There's lots of time spent looking and experimenting, and when something works out, the feeling is truly euphoric. The final moments of finishing a piece can be very tricky; when assembling, it's like a balancing act to know when to stop and to know when to walk away. You have to go with your gut and not compromise on this. I can get stuck in the studio so easily for hours because I feel an overwhelming need to complete a work, but most of the time it's actually more beneficial to get some separation from it and get out of my own head for a bit. It's almost like I have an obsessive quality to creating these things. They're my way of sorting everything out that I'm taking in, a way of visually communicating the inner workings of the mind. I suppose the true answer comes in when I receive feedback from the viewer, their observations, the validation that the ideas I'm trying to get across are coming through, this is when a work is truly complete to me.

Untitled. Pencil. 5"x7". 2016 24"X32"x5"

What are you reading right now?

Virginia Woolf's The Waves is on my bedroom nightstand. Her use of soliloquies from different characters is very intriguing to me, and it's written in such a poetic way. I am a big fan of poetry and try to write a poem every week. It can be hard to follow along with this style of writing, but I'm very interested in the non-linear narrative she uses in this particular book. The way she interprets the human condition and its many layers is inspiring.

Click here to visit Laura Amphlett's website.

All year, we're highlighting 50 States of Art projects around the United States. This month, we're covering Arizona, Mississippi, Nebraska, Maine, and Virginia. To learn more, click here.

A Mirrored House By Doug Aitken Reflects California's Desert Beauty and Solitude

A Desert Museum's Ode to Black Assemblage Art

[NSFW] A New Erotic Art Book Tells the Tale of a Nude Female Desert Cult

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