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beetlefursuits · 4 years ago

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Why Your First Fursuit Commission Was a Disaster! (or How to Prevent it)

Being approached by a stranger asking you to be THE fursuit artist they have chosen can make you feel AMAZING and eager to say YES!

Out of all the artists out there, they picked you!

The immediate assumption is that you can knock that project out and get some money in your pocket, while filling out your portfolio, gaining some experience, and having some fun!

But pause a moment, step back and think “Am I ready for this? Is this the right client for me? Do I even WANT to do commissions?”

Before you jump into business with someone, consider the following list of reasons that this project (or this client) might not be the correct fit for you.

Six Tips For Success in Choosing Which Fursuit Commissions to Accept (and which to avoid!)

#1. Will I ENJOY Doing This Project?

Is this REALLY something you want to make?

When a new project crosses your eyeballs and you get that excited glow, you can immediately imagine how great it will be to show off the finished product in your portfolio.

But stop and REALLY think about the project you are considering, break it down into every aspect, every small detail that you will have to source and buy materials for, that you will have to construct and sew and cut and sculpt and paint, and then decide how jazzed you really feel about building it.

300 rosettes (you realize only after counting each one) will look amazing but consider sewing each one and how does that make you feel. Sew a test spot just so you can time yourself and feel it out.

Those cool markings? How will you do that? By machine? By hand? Do you have the fur for it in stock? Does it even exist and do you know where to find it?

How will you do the long hair to get that particular shape? Does it have Spikes? Horns? Both? What will they be made from? Have you done it before? Does that prospect of making something new excite you? Or do you feel dread?

If you are not starting it immediately, consider how interested you will still be in a few weeks or months once that initial glow has faded, the deposit has been spent, and what’s left is a pile of materials and the prospect of a lot of hard work.

If there is an aspect of the project that you do not like, consider that future clients will see this work and assume it’s the type of project you wish to do again.

#2. Am I CAPABLE of Completing this Project?

Building a commission is NOT like building a personal fursuit.

With a personal project, you do not need to discuss your ideas with others, you do not need to stick to a reference or plan, you can cut corners with sewing or final finishing, etc.

A commission requires a lot of back-and-forth discussion between the artist and the client. You have to consider the opinion of someone else. You need to accurately size it to a person you have never met and who cannot try it on during the process. Everything has to be finished and durable and clean.

Following are 4 quick tips to consider if you’re ready to accept client work:

Do you know how long it takes (roughly) to build a (non personal) fursuit?

Have you already made and sold artistic liberty/artist-designed/premade projects? When you are starting out, this is how you decide on your pricing and deadlines. It’s not good to enter into an agreement with no idea what to charge or how long it will take you!

Do you have a dedicated work space/guaranteed amount of time available?

Fursuit making takes a lot of space (Huge awkward foam rolls to store and fur to spread out while you pattern/cut. Duct tape dummies awkwardly starfish out their arms and legs all the time and don’t help at all with the sewing) and it’s much easier to work on commissions when you separate life and work areas.

If you currently have other major obligations besides fursuit making (such as work, family, health, and school) which already take (or have the potential of taking) most (or all) of your available time, then it might not be the right time to take full suit commissions. Artist-designed projects and smaller projects will offer more flexibility for unpredictable and limited time—and energy.

Are there a lot of new elements to the project that you have not done before?

Some things may look easy and then when you start building it you realize that it’s much more involved than you expected. This can be a huge drain on your time, your money, and your motivation (which just compounds those first two issues).

An example could be a character with 3 tails. It’s just 1 tail(X3) right? But will they all fit correctly together? Do you make and attach them as one tail or leave them separate? Will they bounce or sit weirdly? Do you now need to make a new ‘side tail’ pattern so they splay out in an appealing manner?

Or say you take on a particularly tall client and you suddenly have to research and develop all new larger hand and foot designs as your current ones do not fit them or the padding you normally make looks too small now and needs to be remade larger.

These are all aspects worth considering. To prevent taking on more than you can handle, my suggestion is to take on no more than one new aspect (that is preferably no more than 10-15% of the project) on each commission that you’ll need to research and develop. You will probably go over time and over budget on these new processes at first (as you gain experience you naturally find ways to craft things quicker and easier) so it’s best to not knowingly take projects that you do not yet have the skills and/or experience to fulfill.

Can you take criticism?

Paid artistic work invites criticism. Sometimes something you make does not work out. You loved it and the client hates it. Or it doesn’t fit. Or it fell apart. That is all part of learning and growing and trying new things. Can you take the corrections, make it right, and move on?

If you feel that you currently cannot emotionally/mentally/physically handle potential setbacks/obstructions/times where things just don’t go your way; stick with non-client projects that are easier to control and fit to your schedule (premade suits. ears and tails. fursuit props.) and revisit commissions further down the road.

#3. Is the Client Displaying Red Flags?

Knowing which clients to turn away is a valuable skill.

As your business grows, it pays in your time, resources, and sanity to know when to refuse a commission (or when to cancel a commission) and to do so as early and gracefully as possible.

If you watch for situations like these, you can focus on cultivating happy, excited, and RESPECTFUL clients who love your work and your preferred artistic style. Not those who try to cut corners or denigrate or manipulate you for their own goals.

Here are 6 ‘red flags’ to consider when picking or accepting client projects.

The client complains (a lot) about their previous artist(s)

Simple, constructive, and legit complaints are one thing (the client says “Artists tend to get this marking wrong so here is how I really want it.” or “My last artist used these materials but it broke so can we try something else.”)

If instead the client immediately gossips about/trash-talks previous artists to you, it shows a lack of social boundaries and the high potential that they will then trash-talk about you/your work in the future.

Poor Quality Reference art.

This one is not a deal-breaker as long as it is not paired with an uncommunicative and/or demanding client.

If the client wants a “sly grey wolf” then we may proceed as long as we both understand that it will be my personal version of that idea and might not match what’s in the clients head.

If the very specifically-desired concept involves complex unclear markings, specific tattoos that are not consistent across the reference, the client’s desired fursuit and the reference do not match, a blurred photograph of a scratchy OC reference, etc; IE ANYTHING you cannot make heads nor tails of.. then ask them to clear this up with a favorite reference artist first and get back to you.

(And If YOU are your favorite reference artist, make sure to charge appropriately for the extra service!)

The client is a child or cannot/will not prove their age.

Children cannot be held to a contract in the USA and most fursuit artists require their clients to be over 18 (many are starting to ask for proof such as a photograph of a legal ID). You may choose to proceed with the project but the contract, payment, and all discussion needs to go through the child’s legal adult caretaker.

A client who micro-manages you and/or your work through constant criticism, proposed changes, or ‘redlines’ of your work.

These clients (though generally well-meaning) are honestly hell on the self-esteem. The occasional suggestion or constructive criticism (as mentioned earlier!) can be very helpful in determining the angle to take on a project or future projects.

But CONSTANT red lines and complaints and ‘suggested changes’ to your work (that they keep suggesting because they don’t even KNOW what they really want from you) means that NEITHER of you is going to come out of it feeling very happy about the art. Cancel and refund them and move on. I promise that it’s worth it.

The client disagrees with the quoted price/requests a discount/attempts to change the commission parameters.

“No” is a complete sentence.

To elaborate on that further; not everyone who asks for a discount is like this but be warned that there ARE potential clients who look for bright new fursuit makers, with the intent to jump on them early and obtain a new commission at a low price by (knowingly or unknowingly) taking advantage of the artist’s inexperience.

I am going to give a fictional example of this situation to show how insidious it can be:

You are still unsure about fullsuit commissions but you say on social media that you’re thinking you could try a head? An acquaintance says yes! Me! PLeeeeese. They seem excited so you agree for an introductory price. This new client chats a lot and seems friendly.

Could they get feet?? Feeling on-the-spot you agree since they’re ‘friends’. You’ve not made feet on commission yet so you underestimate the difficulty and under-charge. The client seems happy tho. They discuss a few changes they want to the head (that they’re sure they mentioned in the initial quote). Maybe you forgot??

This all takes some time and meanwhile they show you some reference art they just got done of a different character and ask to move the commission to this since you don’t have THAT much done yet. Also how much for hands?? They find you at a con and offer to buy you a drink. You restart the work.

A few more rounds of these (or similar) behaviours. The client starts to complain how long it’s taking. Maybe they drive other potential clients away with their actions or threaten an artist beware on you. And eventually you realize you’ve been manipulated and bullied into taking on a complicated fursuit that you had no intentions of making and have very severely undercharged for. Not fun!!

Instead of this situation coming to pass, hold your ground in the beginning and refuse to ‘add’ to a commission or to change a commission after it’s been paid for and/or started. This muddles what you’re working on and allows the client an opportunity to keep changing things forever. (instead treat the add-on as a brand new commission to be started only after the current part is finished and paid for)

Do not entertain those who think you’re not worth the price you’re asking for. Do not give ‘friends discounts’. Friends want to see you succeed!

Other artists warn against working with them.

Get to know other fursuit artists! We are usually happy to vouch for good clients and warn about any particular issues you may experience with others. Sometimes there are issues that prevent one artist-client relationship but can be managed within another and eventually other artists might recognize which clients to refer to you (and you to them).

If you are wondering how to start this type of discourse, there are public groups on Facebook or considering joining a fursuit artist’s Patreon and/or Telegram chat! Many fursuit makers have one (or both) of these with various mentoring tiers.

As an example, all of my patrons are given a link to join my Telegram chat where you can share your work and receive critique from a like-minded audience. At higher tiers you can join my Discord to share and chat in real time.

If there is a fursuit artist that you admire, ask them and see what they offer!

#4. Do I Need The Money?

Fursuits are maybe NOT quite the jackpot they might first appear to be

Fursuits are deceptive. It sounds like a great deal to gain several thousand dollars in one simple cheque, but, if you are not careful with budgeting, if you undercharge, or under-estimate how long it will take; you can find yourself falling into a state of using future projects to pay your current project materials, shipping, taxes, etc; as well as your regular life expenses like rent, car, insurance, utilities, loan repayments, etc.

The simplest practice is to prevent this entirely right from your first commission! My suggestion is to first take on smaller projects with a quick turn-over. This keeps you flexible to increase your prices or change your practices as needed. Then when you have enough savings to keep yourself afloat (so that you will not need to dip into your fursuit deposit money even if things don’t go exactly on schedule), you can take larger projects with longer turn-around times and higher price-points.

If you do find yourself in a situation where you NEED the money immediately; the issue is that you will be much more motivated to take on more difficult clients, less fulfilling projects you don’t really like, and overall accepting a worse deal for you for the reward of immediate payment (which then exacerbates the issues by giving you more work for the future and then pushing you further into the hole). Sadly, getting out of this situation can be very difficult.

Sparkle Kreations writes:

In my earlier business years, I found myself in a deep hole; I struggled financially day to day, I had over 80 clients on my list, and I was overwhelmed by the amount of work to be done. There were solutions, all very challenging decisions laid out before me. One path was the one most recommended, was that I go out and get a full-time job as I slowly refunded everyone on my list (a viable decision, advised to me by furry and non-furry alike) while I continue living and paying my living expenses. Another path was that I completely close off all large commissions, only taking on a few quick/small commissions to keep a bit of income flow, closely budgeting every dollar that I spend as I worked on my queue and knocked out my commissions until they were all complete. So I chose a hard path to regain my business name; I started by being completely honest with all of my customers and offering refunds if they chose. I then worked 6-7 days a week/8-10 hours a day, for about 5 to 6 years. I watched my budget closely, avoided going to conventions so I could instead refund customers. I now run a successful business that is financially stable, with a comfortably-sized queue, where myself and my assistant comfortably work a 5 day/35 hour work-week.

Finally, keep in mind that what really matters is not the $$$$ on the cheque but actually how it distills into $/hour. An artist is limited by the hours they are able to put into the work and a sexy $$$$ fursuit deposit might not actually gain you more in the end than several smaller $$$ projects with quicker overall turn-around times. Track your time and choose the most profitable options to promote and pursue.

(For much more on the physical realities of running a business, read my previous blog article “What I’ve Learned From The Past Decade Working as a Professional Fursuit Artist”)

#5. Can I communicate effectively with others?

Good communications are key with all client-artist interactions.

Can you stay calm, be professional, and set expectations? Poor communication (on either artist or client end) can easily snowball into angry clients and artists, stress and anxiety, emotional withdrawal from your work, misunderstandings, and even artist bewares.

There are several important aspects to communicating effectively:

Can you stay calm and professional even when the client is combative?

At some point, you will have a difficult client. When this happens, you need to stay professional and work through the issues with them. If you cannot agree then you might need to part ways. You must do so with the grace and assurance that you did everything possible to fix the situation. If you think “Taken out of context, will this screenshot look bad?” And the answer is “yes,” then you need to step back, collect yourself, and rewrite your reply.

Can you set expectations?

As the artist, you can choose your commission methods, but you need to be VERY CLEAR to the client what those methods are, what your expectations are (for them and for you), and how the commission process will proceed. Before you take any clients, figure out what you what you want out of the commission process. Do you want to take on clients for money? For the satisfaction of a job well done? For the social challenge of managing an artist-client relationship? Or the artistic drive of working to a specific goal and schedule? Aka WHY do you want to take commissions??

If you have not developed your own drive and are not familiar with your own commission process then you are not ready to move a client through that process

Are you ready to directly and clearly (and repeatedly if needed) communicate your policies to a client through the design, payment, construction, delivery, potential changes or repairs of the commission?

If you need payment by X date or they’ll be dropped from the queue, you need to inform them of this. If they have an issue with the work you did (and you need them to ship the item back asap so you can fix it before their warranty runs out), you need to inform them of this urgency and what failing to act by the deadline will result in.

Don’t leave it up to the client to know your policies. Your policies/procedures should be on your website Terms Of Service (TOS) that you had the client read and agree to, but a little refresher (plus a reasonable and clear deadline, if applicable) allows everyone to move on informed and aware of the consequences.

Do you have a method to communicate with your clients and be available for them to discuss issues with you?

I’m not saying be available 24-7 (an important self-care aspect is having certain hours of the day and/or the week to yourself without any work concerns) but if the client has an issue, how will they communicate that with you so that you can respond in an effective and timely manner? Do you prefer Telegram? Email? Twitter? Decide how you want to conduct business matters and let clients know where/when to contact you.

Do you have a method to update your clients and ask their opinions?

Depending on how you like to work, you do not need to ask a client’s opinion on every aspect of the build. However, showing your work and giving updates on the progress will make the client feel happy and secure in their commission choice.

One easy method for updating that I like is to keep a Trello board of projects where the client can always see the current progress of their commission. Telegram is a popular group chat client. It’s nice for sending pics/videos to clients and the ever classic email is perfect for initial quotes and longer back and forth discussions.

Can you always be honest with your clients?

It’s hard to run an entire business by yourself and you might promise too much or underestimate how long something will take or you life circumstances change and you now have less time to work. When these things happen, you need to be honest and transparent to your client. Explain the issues you are having (in simple, appropriate terms), apologize, and try to work with the client on a solution.

If you are going through some things that might affect work or deadlines, let them know. Keep in mind though, this doesn’t mean you have to share ALL of your struggles if what you are going through will not affect them. Just share what you feel they need or deserve to know.

#6. Do I have other artistic or personal goals right now?

Are commissions even right for you?

If you have other things that are important in your life right now, it’s perfectly acceptable to focus your time on them instead of commissions.

Depending on your stage of life, you might still be in school. Or have a family. You might have another job or a hobby you enjoy. You also might just have other artistic goals that existing commissions do not fit into right now. People love your canines but you want to try cats instead. Or cosplay.

Or you don’t know what you want to do yet but agreeing to a many-month long contract is not that.

The desire for quality fursuit work from reputable artists is high;

if you are active in your community, your peers might try to convince you into taking their project.

It’s great that they love your work! But if the project is not in the direction you wish to go, does not offer enough money in compensation for sacrificing something else you want to do instead, or you do not feel like you can dedicate the time needed, it’s okay (and probably necessary!) to say no!

The ultimate goal in taking client commissions is to have them bring you MORE satisfaction and fulfillment than they take away; Be that in monetary, social or artistic terms.

Figure out your personal drive in being a fursuit artist. Create and run a thoughtful, intentional, and passionate business; whether you decide to take on 30 clients, 1 client, or zero clients.

Above all, have fun with it! Bring those characters to life without losing your own.

#Tips #Health&Wellness

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moondustis · 6 years ago

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the louvre (m)

pairing: jung jaehyun + reader genre: angst, smut, fluff word count: 9k warnings: unhealthy behavior, discussion of depression and anxiety. summary: “On the nights you spend alone the feeling of loneliness is not as comfortable as it used to be. It’s like Jaehyun has engraved himself in every part of your life, trying to fit in inside every empty spot you had.” song rec: are you bored yet? - wallows / tardes que nunca acabam - baco exu do blues

'Cause we could stay at home and watch the sunset But I can't help from asking, "Are you bored yet?" And if you're feeling lonely you should tell me Before this ends up as another memory Will you tell the truth so I don't have to lie? Will you tell the truth so I don't have to lie?

If there is one thing that’s familiar to you is loneliness. You’ve known it for ages and have known it in its rawest and cruelest forms.

At sixteen your parents get a divorce. You saw it coming, of course, all the fights you grew up listening to had to come to an end at some point. You move in with your mother and when you come home from school she has already left work. by the time she arrived you’re already fast asleep.

It gets lonely pretty fast and you find out that you’re not the best at dealing with it. It starts slow, you’re crying for no apparent reason and there’s a sadness in the bottom of your stomach that wants to claw its way up. Then it’s hard waking up in the morning so you just skip class, one day then another, then a whole week. It’s hard finding things that excite you and you stop talking to all of your friends because why bother.

Loneliness eats you alive and you let it. spending most of the time asleep or dozing off from medication you shouldn’t be taking, you waste your teen years just like that, barely graduating. Barely making it.

At nineteen you don’t really know what to do with your life, applying to colleges you are sure you won’t pass and still sleeping more than you should. You fight a lot with your mother and you want desperately to get away. You’re still lonely but now it doesn’t bother you that much anymore.

At twenty you get into college to study art, the only thing that seemed to spark something inside of you. You move away to a dorm room that’s so tiny you can’t share it with anyone. You prefer it that way.

You got so used to being alone that anything other than that makes you antsy, makes you want to cry and hide and never leave your bedroom again. You make few friends and go out very rarely and when the therapeut you attend once asks if you’re okay you cry until you feel empty again.

At twenty you meet Jung Jaehyun.

You feel out of place at the party you are, can of beer feeling cold in your hand and music too loud. You wish you were drunk. Your friend, Taeyong, had abandoned you just a minute ago with the excuse of finding the person he was interested in and telling you to have a good time.

You should have left, of course. but you don’t and Jaehyun finds you by yourself on a couch. He introduces himself with his dimples in your face and offers to keep you company. You shouldn’t have let him.

One drink and you’re laughing at something he says. Another and his hand moves to your thigh. Another and he’s kissing you and then, as if you’ve lost all the control in your body, you let him take your virginity on a stranger’s bed.

That’s problem number one. Problem number two is that jaehyun is too sweet, too gentle. He treats you with a care that you don’t think you deserve. He calls you baby and swallows your moans with his tongue and you feel out of breath. It’s too much and all you need at the same time. You hate it.

Problem number three is that he texts you the next morning. You can’t even remember how he got your number in the first place, deciding to ignore it. You like being alone, it’s better like this.

☾

Winter hits hard this year and you curse yourself for not buying gloves as you walk down campus, your hands stuffed around your pockets. You try to walk as fast as you can, wanting to reach the heat of the classroom for surrealism and finally be able to feel your freezing hands again.

It hasn’t snowed yet, just low temperatures for now, making everyone wish that when it finally comes it’s so devastating that finals have to be cancelled. You pass a girl that you had class with last semester, avoiding her eyes and the possibility of a boring conversation about the weather.

Your phone vibrates in your pocket and you don’t have to see to know it’s Taeyong wanting to make sure you are not still in your bed. You didn’t really want to attend class today but if you skipped another time he would come beat at your door and force you outside. You take it off your pocket, your hand freezing just a little bit more, and text him a quick okay.

What happens next could’ve probably been avoided if you were paying attention to where you were going. But you’re not, so you bump right into the poor person that had the misfortune of being in your way.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry…” You start saying, cutting yourself short when you see who it is. With a little surprised look on his face, Jaehyun stands there looking at you and you pray to all the gods that he doesn’t remember just exactly who you are.

He does, of course. “_________.” He says, almost excitedly and smiles at you while fixing the beanie in his head. He looks like you remember him from last time, with the dimples and soft eyes.

“Hi.” Is your clever response because you have no idea what you should be saying to the boy that took your virginity. Who you then proceeded to ignore for a whole month. “It’s been a while.”

“Yeah…” You wonder if this is as awkward for him as it is for you. You feel a cold breeze hit you and soon you’ll probably not feel your nose anymore. “You never replied to my texts, I kept wondering if I did something wrong.”

He looks nervous, biting on his bottom lip and shifting the weight from his legs from one foot to the other. You feel something in the pit of your stomach that is probably guilty. “You didn’t!” You say a little too loudly, hands moving as you speak. “I mean, I just got busy with projects, that’s why I never replied. I’m really sorry, you really didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Oh, okay then. That’s a relief.” He says, still looking nervous but more relieved now. “Did you manage to finish all of the projects?”

“Yes.” Why didn’t you lie, that’s what you should’ve done. Tell him that you would be busy for the rest of your life. “Just waiting for finals week.”

There’s a pause, like he’s pondering if he should say what he wants and you wait for the ground to swallow you whole, to end your suffering. Your phone vibrates again in your pocket, probably Taeyong cursing you for being late. You keep your eyes to the ground, avoiding his.

“I… we… maybe we can go out sometime, if you would like.” He tumbles over with his words, in a cute manner. “ I mean, since you’re not busy anymore.”

You’re stupid, that’s what you are. And you can’t say no to people, not when they have puppy eyes and are cute like Jung Jaehyun. So you say yes, promising you’ll reply to his texts this time when he sends you a day and place for the date.

You curse yourself and stupid Jung Jaehyun when you get to class, twenty minutes late, to the door already closed. You get in and try to walk in as silent as you can, keeping your head low until you get to your sit besides a very angry looking Taeyong.

“Why are you late?” He half whispers, half shouts, getting looks from the people sitting next to you but thankfully not the teacher, that continues to talk about René Magritte and his influences.

“Can you please keep quiet?” you whisper back, voice annoyed. “It’s not my fault Jung Jaehyun made me late.”

Taeyong looks at you like you just said the most scandalous thing in the world, ever the overreacter. “Jaehyun? As in that Jaehyun you completely ignored for a whole month?” The urge you have to hit your head on the table is overwhelming.

“Yes, exactly him.” You sigh, trying to focus on the teacher but you know for a fact you won’t be able until you spill out every single detail to your best friend.

“And?”

“I gave him a stupid excuse to why I never replied and guess what? He believed me and had the nerve to ask me on a date.” You get the words out as quickly and low as possible. “So now you have to help me get out of this mess without hurting the poor man.”

There’s a look in his eyes that you can’t quite pinpoint, maybe pity. Whatever it is, it irritates you a bit. “My sweet dear, _____. I’m not gonna help you ruin your chance of getting boned again.” He whispers, reaching out to hold your hands affectionately. “ And your chance of getting to know someone besides me.”

You met Taeyong on your freshman year at one of the introductory classes you had and from the moment he said something nice to you, you stuck to him like glue. He was sweet and caring enough to let you build yourself a little home of sorts inside his life and became your closest friend ever. You had made other friends of course but it was never that meaningful or that lasting.

“What? I know plenty of people beside you. I just talked to Jungwoo and Sicheng yesterd-.” You mutter under your breath.

“They don’t matter.” Taeyong cuts you off, dropping your hands from his hold. “You’re going to this date, even if I have to drag you there.”

All you can do is roll your eyes, muttering a “whatever” before you are turning to face the teacher and finally pay attention in class.

But it’s not like you can pay much attention to it, the numerous slides of surreal paintings and confusing european names forgotten by your overthinking of what will happen on friday.

Later, when you get a text from an unknown number with stupid emojis, the butterflies in your stomach go mad. You ignore them but reply to the text.

“Yeah, friday sounds great :-)”

☾

Friday comes in a blink.

You don’t see the time pass, with your many classes and finals studies keeping you busy. You could have said that you completely forgot about the date but Jaehyun kept texting you all week, keeping a nice conversation about anything that came to mind. He was nice, pleasant to talk to and funny in a lame way that entertained you to no end. It was unusual for you to be interested, almost excited, about talking to someone.

That doesn’t stop the dread that sets in your heart when friday night comes and Taeyong annoyingly texts you asking if you are already ready for the date. You are in fact, standing in front of your mirror with a frown with your face, the skirt feeling too alien and the makeup on your face feeling like too much, even though it’s barely nothing. You don’t know why exactly you’re putting so much effort in this, why you want so hard to impress Jaehyun when there’s no clear goal in your mind.

You’re late and your heart beats like crazy in your chest when you arrive at the café Jaehyun suggested. It’s a small thing that feels even smaller in the midst of your almost anxiety attack, it smells like coffee and something vanilla. You go cold when he spots you and waves for you to come over to the booth he got, you notice that there’s already two drinks on the table.

Your heart doesn’t calm down when you sit in front of him, or when he smiles at you, but you think you do a good job at hiding it when you mutter a low hello, sitting down in front of him. “I’m really sorry I’m late.”

“Oh, it’s okay! I didn’t wait for long.” He says, smiling bashfully and you feel the weight leave your shoulders a little. “I already ordered us drinks, I hope you like mochas. If not it’s totally okay, I can order something el-.”

“I like mochas, Jaehyun.” You interrupt him, smiling at the way he seems nervous. Almost as much as you are. You take the thought of how adorable he looks with his ears turning pink to the back of your head.

The date goes well, better than your overthinking self let you thought it would be. Jaehyun is nice and the talking go as easily as it did on texting, making your nerves calm down easily. You find out he’s getting a degree on chemistry, his eyes shining when he talks passionately about what he likes about it. He also says he’s a big fan of art too, naming all the mainstream artists and making you fond on how he’s trying to impress you even when he doesn’t have to.

The date goes so well that you accept to go on a second one, to watch a stupid horror movie that’s playing on the cinema near campus. When Jaehyun pretends he’s scared just to hold your hand, you let him. When he kisses you on the back of the empty theater, because according to him the movie is too boring, you let him.

On the third date, to a simple ice cream store, things go so well that he invites you over to his dorm room. You accept, for some reason, and when he presses you against his door the minute he shuts it close, you let him kiss you again.

Maybe this isn’t something you should be doing, but you couldn’t care less. You feel on cloud nine with the way Jaehyun is kissing you, with just the smallest desperation in it, like he’s been waiting a while to do this.

You move your hands to his neck when he deepens the kiss, his own hands holding you by the waist as close as possible to him. The low whine you let out when his tongue finally moves against yours is embarrassing but he doesn’t seem to mind a bit.

It’s nice, so nice that you don’t think much of it when he moves you around, his lips still on yours, until the back of your legs are hitting something hard and then you’re falling down on the softness of his mattress. Oh, your mind smartly provides but you don’t have the time now to overthink, not with Jaehyun kissing you. Now, with his body on top of yours, you get a lot warmer and the pace of the kiss slows down, Jaehyun sucking on your bottom lips and his hand lazily tracing patterns on your exposed hip.

When he breaks the kiss his breath is heavy and lips all swollen, a look that you probably mimic. He smiles at you in a way that’s too sweet for what you are doing, and, out of all things, that makes you blush slightly, smiling back at him. He looks beautiful like this, your mind dazedly provides, and you wish you could keep the image in your brain forever.

Not even a minute passes before he’s moving his head down to press small kisses on your exposed neck, innocent at first and then with more purpose. You shiver when his slight cold hand dips inside the warmth of your sweater, moan a little when he sucks on a spot that’s a little too sensitive, teeth grazing your skin in a way that’s too sinful.

Again, you don’t think much when he hikes your sweater up, letting it bunch just underneath your chest. Or when he presses kisses on your stomach, on the skin just below your belly button. You let your legs rub together, trying to get at least a bit of friction, hoping he won’t notice.

“Can i take these off?” He asks, hand already on the button of your jeans and all you do is dumbly nod. maybe you’re a bit naive, too inexperienced at this. He removes the pants with a little raise from your hips, throwing it gently somewhere in the room. You think what a sight you must be, with your sweater bunched on your chest and pink panties with cherries on it. There’s definitely a blush on your face now.

You try to press your legs together on instinct when he presses a kiss just inside your thigh but he doesn’t let you, hands gripping at them and making you keep them open. He continues doing as he pleases, sucking on the soft skin and biting little marks on your thighs. It isn’t until he moves to remove your panties that your hearts starts beating a little more fast. “W-What are you doing?” You ask dumbly.

“Huh?” He looks up at you, a confused look on his eyes and both lips and ears a cute pink shade. “Gonna eat you out, is that okay?”

“I, what? Why?” You mumble, words getting lost together on how nervous you suddenly are. You didn’t expect jaehyun to eat you out on your third date. Or ever. The mere thought of it making yours cheeks warm. You always thought of it as something too intimate, even too dirty, definitely not something a boy would be offering you so willingly. “You don’t have to, Jaehyun.”

He looks at you like you’re talking nonsense. “I want to.” Is what he simply replies with, thumb playing with the hem of the infamous panties. “Can i?”

You think you’re going to explode from how embarrassed you are. You nod bashfully, taking a deep breath and turning your face to the side so you don’t have to face him when you say the quietest yes ever. You miss the silly smile on his lips but not the way he whispers a little “cute”, making your cheeks heat impossibly more.

He removes your panties then, placing them neatly on the side of the bed before he’s moving between your legs again. Just the proximity of him is enough to have your heart racing with anticipation.

In an almost lovingly way he kisses your clit, making you shift a little. He holds your legs open, fingers drawing soothing patterns on your thigh. You have no time to overthink it because in no time his tongue is licking you in a kitten like way before he let’s his tongue fall flat on your entrance, gathering the wetness there and dragging it up to your clit. He eats you out like he has done this many time before and it turns you into a mess very quickly.

You moan out his name loudly when he sucks on just right, your hands gripping at the sheets. You don’t even feel embarrassed by the noises you’re makings, too overwhelmed by the heat that pools in your lower abdomen.

You feel his hand move against where your is gripping the sheets and for a moment you think he wants to hold hands. But he takes your hand in his and brings it to his head and oh, you finally realize it, he wants you to grip hair. So you do, and the way he hums approvingly sends waves of pleasure all through your body.

You come easily, your whole body shaking and he doesn’t stop his movements until you’re whining from the over stimulation. When he looks up you almost die from the way his lips are shiny and how your wetness smears his chin. It’s sinful and dirty but you still let him kiss you senseless.

You must be feeling brave after your orgasm because you move your arm in between your bodies until you’re palming him through his pants. He breaks the kiss, moaning lowly against your lips and it has to be the hottest thing you have ever experienced in your life. You want to hear it again and again.

You move uncertainty, stroking him over the thick fabric of his jeans and watching as his eyes flutter close. “Baby…” He almost whines. “Please.”

“I-I’ve never done this before.” You mumble, seeking for his eyes and he laughs softly. ”You gotta teach me.”

Your words seem to affect him a bit and he quickly moves to undo his zipper, pushing his pants and boxers down in one swift motions. His shirt goes next.

You don’t remember much from the night jaehyun took your virginity, but you do remember that he had a pretty dick. If such a thing even exists. You keep your eyes on it until he’s back on top of you, lips meeting yours briefly before he’s taking your hand and moving it on top of his on his erection.

He shows you how he likes it, stroking his length in quick motions and when you get the grip of it he lets his hand fall to the sides of your head, supporting himself. It’s mesmerizing the way he groans when you run your thumb on his head, spreading pre come on his length so the slide of your hand is easier. “Faster, baby.” He says, pressing a kiss to the side of your face, and you obligate.

Maybe it’s the confidence the sounds he makes gives you. Or the impulsiveness you’re feeling rushing through your body. But you stop your motions and start moving around until you’re positioned between his legs, your face so close to his dick you are sure he can feel your deep breaths. “I want to try something.” You simply say.

“No, baby. You don’t have to.” He says gently bringing his hand to your cheek, thumb caressing it. You pout.

“But i want to.” Is what you reply with and he doesn’t have the strength to counterpoint that, hand moving to your hair still gently and bringing your face so close to his dick that your lips touch it slightly.

You try to remember what you saw on porn and let spit gather on your mouth before you’re letting in fall on him, hand moving quickly to spread it. “Oh fuck.” His voice is raspy and you’re sure you’re clenching around nothing right now. “You’re so dirty, where did you learn this?”

You just blush, looking at him with a look that will be forever engraved in his mind. He looks at you like he wants to ruin you. You would let him, of course.

You try to get as much of him in your mouth without gagging, which is not much, using your hands on the parts you can’t. It’s probably far from the best head he ever received, you’re too messy and uncoordinated, but he seems to enjoy it. He moans the way you like so much and praises you in ways that make your cheeks heat and your heart flutter. He moves your head when he starts to come, letting it fall on your face and just a bit on your open mouth, the taste making your eyebrows furrow.

He’s sweet after, cleaning your face and still showering you with praise you don’t think you deserve.

You don’t overthink it when he cuddles you and asks you to stay the night. Or when you wake up the next morning and think that you wouldn’t mind waking up to his parted lips and messy hair everyday.

☾

You assume it’s the natural thing to happen, there’s no discussion to it and it makes you feel a bit of anxiety pool in the pit of your stomach. You’re confused and freaking out because maybe you’re not ready for this and maybe you’re not ready. It always scares you when things move too fast and now you’re seeing Jaehyun almost everyday. And when he kisses it’s not as meaningless as it used to be. You feel on the verge of panic.

Taeyong assures you it’s going to be okay, that you can’t have control of things all the time like you want. Sometimes you should let it happen as it goes. So you do that and when Jaehyun kisses you, you kiss him back with as many meaning as you can give it.

Weekend dates turn into nights spent at his dorm, then you’re doing everyday things with him. There’s something strangely comfortably and personal about going grocery shopping with someone while they hold your hand.

After one month of something that it’s quite undefined, Jaehyun introduces you to his friends and calls you his girlfriend in front of all of them. One of them, Johnny smiles and says it’s nice to finally meet the girl Jaehyun talks about for hours non ending. The flowers in your stomach bloom so uncontrollably that the fear of how big this whole thing is for you is forgotten for a moment.

You’re not good with relationships, of any sort. Being alone has taught you a lot of things but how to be with another person is not one of them. You move uncertain, scared of doing the wrong thing and getting hurt. Or the last thing you would want in this world, to hurt Jaehyun.

He’s so patient, asking you all the time if there’s something wrong and holding your hand tightly when you seem nervous about something. He kisses your worries away, not even bothering when you sometimes get a bit distant, take too long to reply. You don’t feel like you deserve any of that.

On the nights you spend alone the feeling of loneliness is not as comfortable as it used to be. It’s like Jaehyun has engraved himself in every part of your life, trying to fit in inside every empty spot you had. When you close your eyes he’s right there behind your eyelids and his perfume is everywhere. You let yourself melt into it.

You don’t know if it’s normal to feel like this, the only other romantic experience being a puppy love years ago. You wonder if the thoughts of Jaehyun that roam your mind and warm your heart are normal, wonder if you’re supposed to feel butterflies in your stomach everytime you see him even after months of dating. For a minute you let yourself think that maybe, if soulmates were real, then Jaehyun was yours. Something meant to happen, that’s how you feel when he looks at you.

You hope he feels the same way. There’s no way your heart can take it if he doesn’t.

☾

On one normal saturday morning, when you and Jaehyun are out buying groceries, he asks you to dye his hair for him.

He has stopped in the beauty aisle, eyeing all the products, examining the different boxes and colors, when he throws the proposition at you. “You’re an artist.” he reasons, when you look at him like he’s crazy. “So that makes you the only person I trust to do this.”

You sigh, standing in your tip toes so you can look at the products too over his shoulders. “I’m not a hair artist.” You mutter. “What if I fuck your hair up and you end up bald?”

He finally decides on the brand he thinks is more trustable, throwing the box in the small shopping cart. “I wouldn’t mind being bald that much.” There’s a playful smile on his lips when he turns to look at you and it makes you snort. “Would you?”

“Would I mind you being bald? Yeah, probably.” He has the nerve to pout, arms pulling you closer in a hug. Deciding to entertain him you press a quick peck to his lips, blushing when notice there’s an old lady just walking in the aisle you are.

He notices you embarrassament, not letting you get out from his embrace when you try to and moving his face close to yours in attempts to kiss you again. The lady looks like she finds the scene adorable. “Maybe I’ll make you bald on purpose.” You bite at him and that just makes him laugh out loud.

Later Jaehyun sits patiently on a chair in the middle of your tiny dorm room, rolling through his instagram as you apply the bleaching powder on his hair. The smell is awful even with the bit of your window open. “Does it burn?” You ask him. “I read somewhere online it’s supposed to.”

“A little, yeah.” He replies, looking up at you and throwing a cute smile. You show him your tongue. “But it’s not like, unbearable. Don’t worry, baby.”

You hum, examining his hair to see if you didn’t miss any parts. You’re sure he’s trying to show you a brave façade because there’s no way something this white and smelling this bad is not burning his scalp to hell. “Now we only gotta wait like 20 minutes, I think.” It’s late afternoon now, you notice when you check your phone after removing the protective gloves and throwing it in the ground.

“If we finish before it gets dark we could go get ice cream.” He suggests, making you nod enthusiastically. Your weekends usually went like this, going out to eat something together, sometimes watching a movie and then coming back to either of your dorms. You liked it.

While you wait for the minutes to pass you decide to put on music to play, something from an r&b playlist that Jaehyun likes, and you smile when he sings along. He shows you random videos on his phone every now and then but besides that it’s just comfortable silence or talking about how your week went. He pretends to understand when you go on about a new painting technique and you pretend to understand when he talks about the experiment he did on class.

Your alarm goes off, signalling that the 20 minutes have passed. “Do you think it’s done already?” Jaehyun uses the small mirror on your wall to examine the hair, it’s considerably more light and it doesn’t seem to be falling off.

“Yeah. It doesn’t have to be like, stark white.” You grab a towel from you drawer, moving to your bathroom with Jaehyun following behind.

Washing his hair in the sink proves to be a difficult job, even more because your bathroom was definitely not made to fit more than one person inside. But you make do, with water splashing everywhere because he keeps giggling and moving around too much. When all the bleaching is removed Jaehyun stares at you with very blonde hair that for some weird reason looks really good on him. “Maybe I should just keep it like this.” He says, bending his knees down just a little so you can reach his head to dry it.

“It wouldn’t be that bad.” You reply, admiring how cute he looks with his hair sticking up everywhere. “But the hair dye was too expensive.”

He hums, moving back to normal now that you’ve finished drying his hair. He circles his arms around your waist and keeps staring at you for longer than necessary. “What?” You hit his chest playfully, feeling shy from his stare.

“You’re just too pretty, is all.” His words make your cheeks heat up. It’s like he has the special power of always turning you into an embarrassed mess with just a few words. “And I love you.”

The butterflies in your stomach go wild, your chest feeling like there’s no space for breathing. It’s almost painful and you could cry, but you don’t. It’s the first time he has ever said it out loud like this, and so sincere. You had figured, of course, by the way he looks at you and how he makes love to you oh, so gently.

The only reply you can give him is the press of your lips to his, sweet and slow, and it seems to do. He sighs into the kiss, trying to deepen it but you don’t let him, breaking it and smiling at the way his eyes have stars on it. “Come on, we have to dye your hair pink.”

It takes another hour for you to get the dye on every part of Jaehyun hair, getting distracted here and there because he keeps cracking stupid jokes and trying to convince you to dye yours green so you two could be like Cosmo and Wanda. Afterwards, when you stare at Jaehyun in all his glory with the pastel pink hair you feel your heart swoons. It suits him perfectly, like the color pink was invented for him and no one else. The way he blushes when you tell him just how pretty he looks just makes the whole thing better.

You finish just in time to watch the sunset as you two make your way to the small and cozy ice cream shop down the street. You feel content with Jaehyun’s hand in yours, even if the way your coat matches his hair makes people that pass by you stare weirdly.

“Here you go, baby.” He says, handing you your ice cream and sitting down at the table you got inside of the store. “Cookies and dark chocolate, your favorite.”

You thank him, a smile on your face. It’s such a small thing, to remember someone’s favorite ice cream flavors, but it makes your heart jump happily in your chest. You watch as he takes a spoonful of his own choice, pistachio and vanilla, and it dawns on you that you love him. You had thought about it before, of course, but right now you’re so filled with infatuation for the man before you that you would like to scream to him the words that he said earlier.

He gets you out of your little daze by moving to wipe your hand with a napkin. “Stop staring at me, your ice cream is melting.” He scolds but with no harshness to his voice. “You’re like a little baby I have to take care of.”

You show him your tongue playfully. “Still, you love me.” Your next words are impulsive, something unlike you in many ways, but they just fall out your lips like they can’t be unsaid anymore. “And… I love you too.”

He smiles, lips slightly smeared with ice cream and leans in on the table to kiss you, almost getting ice cream all over his sweater. His lips taste like pistachio and it’s perfect.

Later when you two are walking back to his dorm you ask him if he believes in souls.

He looks at you a little confused. “Maybe?” Is his reply. “I don’t know, why?”

You swing your connected hands a little, pondering on how you should say what you want to, not wanting him to think you’re weird or delusional. “Because I have this feeling that… well, that our souls are somehow connected?” You say stumbling a little over your words, voice uncertain. “Like maybe we were supposed to meet, you know?”

He smiles like he finds the whole thing amusing. “Are you trying to say we are soulmates?”

You blush, nodding and he stops midway, making you stop too. “You’re probably right.” Is the only thing he says before spinning you in his arms and kissing you lovingly. You can’t hide the smile that spreads on your face.

☾

Jaehyun is always gentle, even when he doesn’t have to be.

You two had a nice date, something fancy for once at an italian restaurant that opened recently. By the end of the night you’re tipsy from the wine you shared and a little too touchy towards him.

You think the lingerie with shyly put on for him would stir something, make him lose control but it’s the same as always. He eats you out, like it’s his favorite thing in the world, and after he has made you come he enters you with a little moan coming from his mouth. He fucks you slowly and with care, vanilla almost. And you love it, you do, the way he bites your neck a little as he thrusts into you in a pace that drives you crazy. But you want more, want him to fuck you like he’s desperate and crazy for it. Wants him to hurt you in ways that make your eyes roll.

“Jae, please” You whine against his mouth. You don’t want to feel delicate, don’t want to feel like this means something to him. You want him to fuck you so fast that you forget that you feel something, you want numbness and complete bliss.You want to forget the way your heart blooms in your chest when he looks at you like he is right now. “Y-You can fuck me harder.”

He makes a little sounds that it’s half a groan and half a confused noise. “Yeah?” He asks like he wants to be sure and when you nod he presses his lips to your in a bruising kiss. He thrusts one more time slowly and then he’s picking up the pace, fucking into you fast and deep like you had wanted so many times.

It makes you scream, hands grabbing at his shoulders with the same force he’s gripping at your thighs. “Yes, yes.” He seems just as affected, grunting and groaning just beside your ears. “Want you to ruin me.”

It does something to him, his hips snapping with as much force as possible and he moans so pretty you clench around him. “You’re going to fucking kill me, baby.” He whispers, thumb coming to your lower lips and you let your mouth fall open, letting him press it flat on your tongue and you suck it like you’re trying to put on a show for him. “You’re so dirty for me, aren’t you? You look like an angel but you’ll let me fuck you like this.”

You never thought he could say things like this. Your eyes flutter close and all you can do is nod, lips still around his finger as he fucks you so deep you’re seeing stars.

It’s very easy to fall into a delirious headspace, with the way Jaehyun is doing exactly what you asked him to. It’s exciting to see him lose control like this. “You like it, baby?” He asks, removing his finger from your mouth so you can finally speak. “Hmm? Like being fucked like this?”

Just then he thrusts in a spot that has you clenching around him and throwing your head back in the pillow. “Y-Yes, please.” You moan desperately, feeling your orgasm closer with each of his thrusts. “I’m so close, oh my god.”

You can feel the sweet relief in the pit of your stomach and when Jaehyun presses his thumb on your clit, circling in pace with his thrusts, you explode. It’s heaven and heat thrumming to your veins as you clench so hard around him that his hips stutter and he grips your thighs harder.

“Fuck, fuck.” He curses, closing his eyes as you ride the last waves of your orgasm. “I’m gonna fill you up so well, Baby, you want that?”

You can even reply properly, giving him a weak nod and clenching around him again so he’s moaning your name loudly, hips stuttering as he comes inside of you.

Afterwards he’s back to he’s delicate self, treating you with so much care that’s it’s like he feels he has tainted something precious. He cleans the come that starts to drip off you and you tell him how much you liked the whole thing. His ears turn red when he says he liked it as well.

☾

You don’t like parties, never had. too loud and too many people but Jaehyun seems to love all that.

Every friday he tried his best to convince you to attend one of his friend’s get together, telling you how fun it would be and that he would be by your side the whole time. You say yes, more because of the second reason than the first one.

The party it’s not that bad, not at all. There’s not too many people and Jaehyun’s friends are nice, so nice that you even dance a little with some of them. After many and many shots of the red liquid they keep giving you, it’s sweet enough that you don’t think much when you down all of them.

Once upon a time, on your first ever college party, Taeyong had introduced you to a thing called pure vodka. You were never much of a drinker before so you don’t know exactly why you get so carried on with it, ignoring the burning on your throat as you down shot after shot.

Knowing you would drink that night you had decided to not take your anxiety medication, mistake number two. It all happened very slowly, like in a movie almost. You began getting tipsy and too happy, dragging Taeyong around and laughing with him. Next thing you knew your heart felt like it was trying to escape your chest with how fast it started beating. It was the worst panic attack you ever had, crying you little heart out because no one knew how to help you. You don’t remember how the night ended.

You should’ve remembered that occurrence as you take your fifth shot,Jaehyun keeping you close with a hand around your waist. “Slow down, baby.” He says, moving your hair out of your face.

You kiss him once, twice and then you’re giggling stupidly. He seems amused by it all. “I’m okay, Jaejae.” He laughs at the silly nickname.

You have a good time, you really do. Dancing with Jaehyun and laughing with his friends until you feel the tightness on your chest. Like you had suddenly gotten the soul sucked out of your body, you feel an emptiness that you’re too familiar with. Your eyes start welling up as the world around you spins and spins. Jaehyun is beside you, talking excitedly to one of his friends and you grip tightly at his shirt. You really don’t want to bother him, not when he seems to be so happy, but you feel it getting worse and worse and the panic settling in the pit of your heart.

“Jaehyun, can you please take me home?” You say quietly so no one else will hear it. The knot in your stomach keeps getting tighter and the last thing you want is to cry in front of a whole party.

His face changes immediately, worry all over his features and he searches your eyes for any signs. “Why? What’s wrong, baby?”

You just whine, childish and pathetic. “Please, can we just go?” You wish with all your body that you weren’t doing this right now, ruining his night like this.

He just nods, guiding you outside the party and into his car. It doesn’t take long for the tears to come, Jaehyun glancing at you every few seconds and it just makes you cry even more. “Baby, you gotta tell me what’s wrong.” He coos, hand coming to massage your thigh in a soothing way. You just shake your head, lowering it so you hair hides your face from his view. “Did something happen?” His voice is filled with worry.

You shake your head again, feeling the dizziness from the alcohol when you do.

When you get to his dorm you immediately try to move to his bed, want to hide there forever and feel safe in the warmth of it, but he doesn’t let you. He wraps you in his arms, hand stroking your hair and it only makes you cry more, hiding your face in his chest and probably getting his shirt all dirty. “Come on, baby.” He whispers as if to not disturb you. “After we clean you up you can lay down.”

He takes you to the bathroom, turning on the shower on a hot temperature and then starts undressing you with all the patient in this world. It’s not weird and he doesn’t seem bothered to be nursing you like you can’t possibly take care of yourself. You probably look a mess, makeup smeared and face swollen from all the crying. The world around you still spins a little.

You whine when the water hits your body and Jaehyun only sushes you, removing his smeared t-shirt so he can get inside the box with you. You fall putty in his arms as he tries his best to wash you, massaging your hair with care. You feel awful for doing this to him, when you don’t deserve half of it. You don’t deserve the way he cares for you or how treats you with such delicacy. You just ruined his whole night. “I’m… I’m so sorry.” You mumble incoherently, tears forming in your eyes again.

“No, no, baby. Don’t cry.” He says but it’s useless, the tears are already mixing with the water as they fall down your cheeks. “Tell me what’s wrong, please.”

You start talking about how you’re a mess and awful, that you doesn’t deserve him and how you’re going to ruin his life because that’s what you do with everything around your life. Your words are slurred and you can’t stop crying anymore, weeping sounds coming out of your mouth and Jaehyun just holds you like the perfect man he is. “Shh, ___.” His hand rubs your back soothingly, getting himself all wet but he couldn't care less. “You’re none of these things and you’re not going to ruin anything.”

“I am!” You want to argue but he doesn’t let you, just hugs you tighter and whispers calming words until you stop moving around.

Afterwards, when he dries you both up and puts you on comfortable clothes, he takes you to bed and cuddles you. “I love you, ___. There’s nothing wrong with you.” He says and if you weren’t too numb now you would cry again. Your head starts to ache and you can feel yourself drifting off asleep.

☾

Things go downhill from there.

You get as distant as possible from everyone around you and there are days that you wake up and not a single part of your body wants to be alive. You skip class and don’t even mind when Taeyong sends angry texts scolding you.

You spend your days sleeping and painting, making good use of the strange inspiration you get whenever you have bad days. You’re used to this, have experienced it many times before, and that’s probably a bad sign. But even if it’s normal you’re still not the best at dealing with with, acting like it’s the end of the world whenever it gets bad.

Jaehyun texts you and you try to your best to reply and make up excuses to why he can’t come see you. He probably knows something is wrong but you don’t want to tell him that some days you wake up and you don’t find the strength to even wash your own hair. Don’t want to tell you that sometimes you close your eyes and think that the world would probably be better off without you. You don’t wanna upset him, not more than you already are.

Taeyong visits on a rainy day, almost slamming your door with how much he knocks. He looks angry when you open the door but his eyes often as he sees you, hair messy and wearing a hoodie that has too many paint splashes. You’re not feeling as empty as the start of the week, your heart warming up when you see him.

He hugs you for a good minute, before he’s looking at you with a furrow between his brows. “Let’s wash this hair, okay?” He says and you can’t help but smile a little.

You let him wash your hair in your tiny shower while you’re only on your underwear. It’s not weird or uncomfortable, never is with Taeyong. He massages your scalp while he tells you what you missed from class, you don’t pay so much attention to the artist names but his voice feels comfortable.

“Jaehyun has been asking about you like crazy.” He says with care when he’s drying your hair afterwards. You feel a pang of guilty in your chest and your eyes get glossy from unshed tears. “He’s very worried.”

“I have texted him that I was not feeling very well.” You say, voice small and Taeyong just tsks.

“You can’t just text your boyfriend that and expect him to not be worried sick about you.”

You bite your lips, your thoughts going a mess and you just want to hide in the safety of your bed again. “Maybe I should just break up with him.” You say, heart heavy in your chest. That’s not what you want. Taeyong knows that and he raises one eyebrow. As much as you try to pretend you would be okay if it happened, leaving Jaehyun would destroy you completely.

“You keep acting like you’re not worthy things as simple as a boys attention. You didn’t force Jaehyun into your life, he’s into it because he wants to, because he loves you.” Taeyong says and each words stabs a wound deeper in your chest. “You got so comfortable being lonely that you can get your head around the fact you don’t have to be alone for the rest of your life.”

You don’t notice that you start crying, never dealing too well with the truth being told directly to your face. Everyone was always so hesitant around you, being extra careful with their words as if to not hurt you. Taeyong doesn’t care about that, he tells you things how they are and he will gladly hurt your feelings if it means it’ll snap you out of whatever daze you got yourself in.

“One day you will wake up feeling miserable because you let a good thing go. Jaehyun knows you’re not perfect, he has seen you in some pretty fucked up days and he decided to stay. Give up control for once and let him decide if you’re not good for him like you think so.”

When he leaves you lay down and think of Jaehyun. Simply, you think of him, without you. You think of how his ears turn red when gets shy, how his dimples get so deep when he smiles. You think of how happy he got on his birthday because of the surprise party you threw for him with his friends. You think about the look in his eyes whenever he’s talking about or doing something he’s passionate about. You think about the time you both saw an abandoned kitten at the street and he almost cried because he couldn’t take it home.

Then you think about him with you. How he will go out of his way when you’re on your period and craving something sweet. How he looks at you like you put the stars in the sky and how he kisses you with so much care that it makes you feel like floating. You think of the time he spent hours in the phone with your mom talking about her flowers like he knew or cared a lot about the subject, just because he wanted to impress her. Of the times he’ll watch you paint in silence just because, in his words, it’s so mesmerizing. Think of every time he has made you feel special and every little thing he does everyday to show you he loves you, the little emojis and texts, the random kisses. Everything.

You try to think of living a life where Jaehyun is not by your side and when you do your heart feels like it shatters. You could live without him of course, but the thing is, you don’t want to.

You get up suddenly, changing as quickly as possible as walking until you’re on Jaehyun’s dorm front door. It’s a little stupid because you don’t even know if he’s home right now and you stand there, your heart beating a little fast after you knock.

“Hi.” Is what you smartly says and he smiles sadly at you. “Can I come inside?”

He steps outside and lets you in, there’s a few books opened on his bed and you realize that you probably just disturbed his studying. “I’m sorry, were you busy?”

He shakes his head, pushing the books aside and sitting on his bed, patting the empty spot beside him so you’ll sit too. You bask in the warmth of being close to him. “Not really.” Is all he says.

You hum, eyeing him and feeling your heartbeat go a little faster. You hate talking about your feelings, can feel your cheeks heat up from just the thought of it and you really hope you don’t end up crying in front of Jaehyun again.” I just came to apologize for isolating myself and not giving you an explanation.” You murmur eyes not meeting his. “And I know i’ve said that I don’t think I deserve you, and I really don’t, but I want you. So bad it scares me.”

When he doesn’t reply right away you start saying that you would completely understand if he wanted to breakup, your heart breaking a little, until he starts laughing. When you look up he’s staring at you like you’re crazy but there’s still fondness in his eyes. “You’re so silly. You really think I would want to breakup?” He grabs you by the arm and pulls you into a hug that almost suffocates you. Still, you let yourself fall into his arm and enjoy the feeling of being safe. “I love you so much, but you can’t just disappear and not tell me what’s going on. Do you know how many Frank Ocean songs I listened to while thinking of you?”

You scoff, hiding deeper into his chest and loving the way it vibrates when he laughs. “I’m really sorry.” Your words are muffled by his sweater.

“It’s okay, baby.” He pats your head sweetly. “But you need to realize that I don’t care that you are a little messed up, I am too. And I’m here when you feel like life is not going very well. I want to be here and take care of you.”

You look up to his face, examining the slight stubble that’s forming on his chin. “Are you sure? I can be a lot to deal with.”

He smiles, with his dimples showing. “I’m aware, and I think I can handle it.”

When he kisses you it’s like a weight leaves your shoulders. You’ll embrace loneliness when it decides to come again but for now you let Jaehyun fill the empty spaces like he was made just for it.

#jaehyun scenarios #jaehyun smut #nct smut #nct scenario #nct scenarios #neowritingsnet #another big fic lmao in less than a week #but i wanted to post this quickly since im probably not gonna post much for now #gotta focus on my thesis #but yeahh hope this is good

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ad-renalyn · 6 years ago

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Possibilities

Chapter 4: Keys

Chapter [1, 2, 3]

A/N: more of Luka x Reader interaction! Kagami introductory and a bit of our marshmallow blonde boy <3

It’s been 9 years since you were taken in by the Couffaines’ for a month. There has been a great deal of change since then, though that significant month became the most eventful time in your life.

During that one month, celebrating what suppose to be your special day at a funeral was unexpected. It was glum, silence was deafening but the Couffaines and your parents friends were present, everyone expressing their condolences. All the while Luka was there comforting you, in fact ever since you opened up to him about the accident one night, he became protective and supportive of you.

~~~~~~~~~~

Dark clouds coupled with strong winds started rolling in during the day, alarmed, you kept checking the weather out the window hoping it would get better.

“Hey, you alright?” Luka questioned, not looking away from the screen as he continue to fumble with the controller.

“Mhm…just thinking it's gonna be bad tonight” You said, hugging your knees against your chest.

He replied with a hum focusing back on his game, you shook your head trying to keep anxiety at bay, continuing to watch Luka playing his game to distract yourself. Night-time arrived and you start to feeling restless noticing that it only got worse, you let out a sigh heading up to your shared room paying no mind to Luka who’s playing with boxer on the couch, missing the concerned glance he gave you as you walk pass them.

There are things that you didn't like growing up like Brussels sprouts, bugs, clowns and many more. One of them being thunder and lightning, unfortunately for you that seems to be what the world has to offer tonight.

You accidentally slam the door shut in panic, making Luka get up from his seat to go to you. You made sure the windows were tightly shut close, the blinds pulled down along with the heavy curtains over it. You took Luka’s headphones from his desk and put it on before hopping on the bed and wrapping yourself in the blanket, not caring that the headphones are not plugged on any device as long as it drowns the noise from your surroundings.

Luka knocked on the door a couple of times, worried that there was no response, he immediately swung the door open but not enough to hit the wall. Confused, he stood there assessing the situation: A messily wrapped human burrito with headphones on. Chuckling, he walked over to check on you.

With your eyes closed while reciting the multiplication table in your head in attempt to distract yourself as well as having a noise cancelling headphones on, you didn’t hear Luka knocking nor walking in. You flinch hearing the muffled sound of thunder, burying yourself more under the covers. Luka being the attentive lad that he is, understood the situation and quickly went over to where his instruments are in the room, he flipped the switch on and lift up the cover of his keyboard revealing the white and black keys.

You felt the covers being shifted, you slightly open your eyes and saw Luka tucking your sides making you into a perfect human burrito, not too tight but not too lose. You feel your cheeks warm in embarrassment, you open your mouth ready to say something but he noticed you first.

“Comfy?” He beam at you, he saw the confusion in your face before taking off the headphones from you chuckling. He stood, towering over you “Look (Y/N)....I'm sorry I didn't notice it sooner” He said with a sigh, scratching the back of his head with a sad smile on his face which made you blush even harder.

“But it’s not your fault, there’s really no need to apologize..plus it’s not like you knew about it in the first place” You said, shaking your head. You both look into each other’s eyes with gentle smile on your faces before Luka let out a guffaw. You watch him with wide eyes, unsure what just happened and with his contagious laugh, you end up joining him.

“I-- Oh god.. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-” He exhaled, calming himself down “It’s alright, if I’m where you are I’d probably do the same..burrito moment I guess?” You giggled, slowly sitting up wiping your eyes as it forms tears from laughter. You momentarily forgot about your fear until both of you hear a distant rumbling.

“Here, wear this and get comfy, I just need to set up something for a sec” He handed you the headphones back and made his way to where the keyboard is, you put on the headphones placing one cushion properly on your ear and the other just behind your ear, in case he wants to converse you won’t miss it. You watch him with curious eyes as he takes out a jack splitter and earphones. He plugged in both head/earphones in the jack splitter, he wore one of the buds in his ear and pressed down on a key testing the volume. He chuckled, amused with your surprised expression before playing a couple of notes to test it out further.

“You good?” you can hear the glee behind his soft voice and you nodded bringing the covers over your shoulders instead of laying back down. He started playing, you watched him, you can see how happy he is in his element. You caught yourself blushing as you gaze at him and felt your heart skip a beat, afraid that he’ll turn to you, you averted your gaze before sinking yourself in the covers further feeling confused and unsure about your emotions. Luka started humming as he plays the keyboard, you closed your eyes captivated by his music.

You felt safe and secure and just then and there, you start to open up. Like box being opened, bit by bit you open up to him, he didn’t stop playing nor did he say anything, just like the first night you cried and him being in the room but still found comfort in his presence. Though this time not a tear was shed, in fact you felt at peace with yourself after keeping the thoughts in your head and letting it out. You knew he was listening intently as you notice some off key notes when you talk about the recent events.

“Thank you, Luka” You said in a soft voice, adoration in your voice.

The music stopped so did the storm outside, you turn to his direction ready to ask if he’s alright, only to be met with his ocean blue eyes in front of you. He knelt down, slightly leaning on the edge of the bed as you both stare into each others eyes. You can clearly see the pained expression on his face before pulling you into a tight hug.

And just like that, right there and then, you realised how much you like this boy.

“I'm so sorry” you hear his voice crack as the words left his mouth. You can feel your heart thumping loudly when he finally pulled you in for a tight hug, you hugged him back as he utter words of comfort in your ears. And just like that, the wheel started turning.

~~~~~~~~~~

“(Y/N)?.... Earth to (Y/N)!” you blinked seeing a hand being waved on your face pulling you back from your thoughts.

“Err..sorry, sorry, here now” you said with an awkward smile “Sorry, what were you saying?” You look down poking around your food. You’re currently with your friend Kagami, you look at her while eating your omurice as she rambles on about her kendo classes and the girl she’s taken a liking to. You let out a giggle as she talks of the mystery girl, fumbling on her words with pink tint on her cheeks.

“Ugh...how do you approach someone?!” she questioned with an exasperated sigh placing her head on her hands “Help (Y/N)!”

“Well, have you tried saying hello? That’s how a person usually approach someone” you deadpan before popping a spoonful of omurice in your mouth.

“Oohh wow! I’ve never thought of that. AT. ALL!”

“Look, stop overthinking things, it’s not like you’re gonna get married after saying ‘Hi’ to her or something...that’s if you EVER get to say that” You let out a laugh while she scowls at your remark. Kagami breathed out deeply, calming herself “Okay. Fine. You’re right...baby steps..ugh emotions!” She cringed at herself “Alright, thanks (Y/N)..gotta run now though, Kendo calls, catch ya later?” She got up from her seat picking her bag up before giving you a hug, you hugged back and nodded “Go get you some!” you wink at her with a big grin on your face, she rolled her eyes at you and huffed before leaving you at the cafeteria “Mata ne~” you said, earning a wave back from her.

Food all consumed, you get up taking your things with you before heading out of the campus, saying ‘goodbye’ and ‘see you later’ to other students you're acquainted with.

You're currently a student in Seikei University majoring in Cultural Studies, since you moved from Paris to Japan, you've taken quite a liking to Japanese culture, which pushed you into taking up the course.

You have been living in Japan for a while now, in Kichijoji to be exact, which is in the west side of Tokyo. Unfortunately you're not in contact with either Luka and Luciano ever since you moved from France, though you still wonder about how they're doing from time to time especially the dark haired boy that you used to know.

It didn't take you long to figure out that you had feelings for Luka, to be fair he didn't make it hard for you to fall for him either, he was very comforting, selfless and always treat people with kindness. You knew deep down that it was that one night when you opened up to him that you became aware of your feelings. Afraid that you'll be rejected, you didn't confess to him at all, for all you know he only sees you as a friend or even as a sister.

Luka introducing you to one of his friends named ‘Marinette’ didn't make you feel any better either. Truth be told, after meeting her you realised that Luka acts differently around Marinette compared to when he was with you.

You shake your head trying to trying not to let your thoughts consume you as you go out and about. As you pass a konbini [convenient store] you did a double take on one of the many posters that’s plastered on the window as you noticed a familiar face.

You stop on your tracks, skimming through the poster you read the words ‘catwalk’/ ‘[date]’/ ‘Gabriel’/ ‘[place]’/ ‘Adrien Agreste’. You analyse the photo on the poster, it's a headshot of Adrien with a split lighting, you can see that the theme of the photograph is dark and alluring, he had a smirk on his face while biting his lower lip, there's no doubt that puberty treated him well, too well if you'd say so yourself. This wasn't the same boy you used to see the face of back in Paris, this is definitely a Man.

You take out your phone taking a picture of the poster to put up in your social media

“... He got his sides shaved?! @adagreste let me breathe?

P.S. When/if you're in Tokyo, eat curry.”

You tweeted before putting your phone away continuing on your journey home.

A/N: I really enjoyed writing this chapter, with fluffs and goofy Kagami <3 hope you like it too!

Sorry for the grammar errors and tenses (I suck at that one big time!)...I edited this already but I feel like there’s still errors in there but can’t figure where (English isn’t my strong suit >.<”)

Nonetheless, I hope you reblog my fic if you like it :3 <3

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voicesfromthelight · 5 years ago

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On Free Will, Divination, and Shifting Timelines

I’ve been thinking a lot, lately, about the relationship between free will, soul contracts, manifestation, and divination. Not so long ago, when I started doing readings professionally for other people, my spirit guides were fairly reluctant to predict the future, opting instead to focus on patterns going on in people’s present lives. The reason for this was that they were, and still are, adamant about the sanctity of free will, the power of intention, and our ability to mold our futures through them. In light of this, it is perhaps somewhat surprising that a few months ago, for reasons I can only guess at, my channelings began to include mentions of a new guide being assigned to me, whose function was specifically to help me read the future more accurately. Since then, I have noticed a gradual shift in my readings towards including more elements of divination.

The predictions that come through in readings can take a while to manifest in the lives of my clients, who generally only consult with me once or twice, and will therefore usually be given whatever information will serve them best in the long term. Sometimes, the possibility of less auspicious developments is brought up in the interest of helping a client change courses and avoid the suggested outcome. Predictions can also come with a clarification that the events are still taking shape, energetically, and therefore are more likely to change. If a prediction seems too outlandish in light of the client's current reality to be easily assimilated, but is important to be acknowledged, the guides will also sometimes provide evidence of their accuracy by alluding to future events that the client already has planned and is aware of, but I myself have not been informed of before the reading. All in all, everything that is brought through serves the purpose of helping my clients make the best possible decisions, bringing them hope in times of adversity, and healing interpersonal patterns so they can flourish.

The dynamic of readings I do for myself is somewhat different than those done for my clients, and has helped me shed some more light on the way in which free will interacts with the timelines, or trajectories for the future, we set ourselves on with each action we take. Since I talk to my guides daily, I’ve had ample chances to have their predictions confirmed, and get feedback on the shifts in my trajectories almost in real-time. In fact, lately, Salvador, Natalie, and the third, as-of-yet anonymous consciousness have taken upon themselves to regularly guide me through certain situations by describing details of events that then usually unfold over the next couple of days. They often do this in the form of quoting or summarizing conversations in advance, and addressing the ensuing emotional reality along with instructions on how to approach it from the most constructive perspective. While being on the receiving end of this phenomenon, delightful as it is, has been downright bizarre at times - as if I had somehow hacked reality - the wonderful thing about it is that it has helped me anticipate challenging situations, as well as taught me greater patience and compassion. (Perhaps some of you have seen the TV series “Good Omens," based on the work of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, with the book of "nice and accurate prophecies" informing the characters of what is about to happen, down to bafflingly minute detail? Yes, it's a work of brilliant fiction, but that’s actually a bit what my life feels like right now.)

What then, of destiny? Are any of the events in our lives set in stone when we incarnate to this earth?

When we choose to engage in an endeavor, a relationship, an interaction, etc., it can sometimes seem as if certain things that happen have been pre-ordained. I personally believe that we are born with certain encounters that have been planned (soul contracts, if you like), patterns to work through, and purposes to fulfill - or at least something to that effect. However, our ability to create and mold our realities is generally quite broad within this framework. It is how we use this co-creative power in our lives that matters. This is where free will, the choices we make about where to direct our attention, and making decisions based on love rather than fear, come in. For better or worse, we can choose, almost at any time, to take a different path, and delay, repeat or undo elements plotted out for our life experience.

I've come to notice that the shifting of timelines apparent in my personal predictions somewhat paradoxically reinforces what the guides have always said about free will and the malleability of the future. See, when I speak to my guides about upcoming events, the information they bring through will often have both long-term and short-term dimensions to it. However, it's not always easy to tell the difference, as the channelings are filtered through the emotional energy of the moment. Certain shifts that occur in the predictions day-to-day can then seem more final or portentous than they ultimately are. But with each short-term adjustment, the outlook of the long-term trajectory, or timeline, can change. The energy of free will interacting with the world, shaping reality, is constantly in motion.

As a result of this ever-changing energetic transformation, even though the guides will inform me of the long-term trajectories of certain pursuits, the way in which the events play out sometimes seems to contradict what has been said before, only to shift back into alignment with it later on. It seems we have the ability to shift the trajectories we are on amazingly quickly, with each decision we make. The arc that we then perceive as our lives unfold is all a matter of perspective: We can measure our experiences in moments, days, weeks, etc. as we choose, kind of like following a graph showing fluctuations in the stock market over a shorter or longer period of time (if you'll pardon the humdrum comparison).

As a practical example (which must nonetheless be kept somewhat abstract to protect privacy), I recently found myself in a situation in which I was navigating a somewhat volatile relationship with both personal and professional aspects to it. The resulting dynamics were throwing me for a loop. Thus, I found myself often checking in with my guides to make sure I was approaching each development appropriately. Their advice wasn’t always what I expected it to be, nor did we always agree on what exactly was going on, but they never failed to guide me to the best possible results. They seemed to have their own explanations for the higher purpose of our collaboration, and where it was leading, which trumped any superficial changes in the relationship. They assured me all would ultimately be well.

At one point, things came to a bit of a head, and I found myself in a rather heated conflict with this person. Up until then, the guides’ advice had always been to focus on patience with a positive outlook, and to simply ignore any negativity, keeping the long-term picture in mind. But at that moment, I felt I had no choice but to stand up for myself and walk away. Over the course of the previous few days, the tone of the guides’ predictions had suddenly shifted, as if our “plans” - possibly those written into a soul contract - were being canceled, and now, they seemed to be saying, “Put an end to it. Move on.” I felt disappointed. As an empath, my personal boundaries tend to be a little mushier than they should be, and putting my foot down felt uncomfortable. However, I pushed myself, and did what needed to be done, thinking: “Well, that’s it. So much for that project. What a let-down!”

After the ensuing quarrel, I sat down to meditate, feeling sad and frustrated. I decided to spend a while praying for healing and going through the Ho’oponopono process, hoping to dissolve the conflict. As I then shifted my consciousness into channeling mode, I felt an intense physical warmth and gradually strengthening sense of well-being, as if I had more guides around me than usual. When they then came through, they informed me that everything was back on track, and I now had good things to look forward to in the collaboration again. Salvador cheered me on, saying I had learned an important lesson about how to use my anger constructively. Natalie, who has taken to opening channeling sessions with an introductory sentence that always begins with the word, “enjoy,” started this one by saying: “Enjoy studying trouble!” - the implication being that the most important lesson of the day was to understand new spiritual truths around dissolving conflict.

As it turned out, the guides were right. The honest expression of my anger triggered an energetic shift that led to a reconciliation and set us back on course.

Now, whether the guides knew this dramatic course-correction would happen all along, or I had, in fact, shifted long-term timelines with different outcomes several times, is not quite clear to me. Perhaps the frequency of my personal readings had merely created a situation in which I couldn’t see the forest for the trees. What I do know is that a very quick, unexpected shift for the better happened in the trajectory the guides were describing, after I changed my response to certain patterns in the interaction. The prayers and meditations played no small part in this energetic transformation, I think, and working with my guides helped me to understand first-hand just how powerful the process could be.

So, in conclusion, I offer you this. While it is possible to predict the probable future, especially in the short term, if we are not happy with what is being created, we should never feel powerless to shift courses, even if we feel we have to do so on a dime. What future would you like to create for yourself today? Think it, see it, feel it, create it!

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aion-rsa · 3 years ago

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Doctor Who’s Weeping Angels Are Perfect Horror Monsters But Are They Returning Villains?

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Have you heard? If not, let Steven Moffat be the first to tell you: Whittaker’s Doctor is “going to fight THE WEEPING ANGELS!!”

Moffat, who invented the Weeping Angels, has every right to be proud of his creation. Few would dispute that the Weeping Angels are NuWho’s break-out monster. In a 2020 poll of scariest Who monsters of all time, the angels ran away with the vote. Modern viewers might not retreat behind the sofa anymore when the Daleks roll in, but “Blink” had people giving cemetery statues a nervous second look. There’s a delicious fright to the idea that an innocent stone statue might begin to move the moment you look away.

But the promised return of the Weeping Angels begs the question: are the Weeping Angels the kind of monster we want to see again and again? After all, some foods get better with age. Others just get stale.

Since “Blink”, the Weeping Angels have appeared numerous times, sometimes as the main villains and sometimes as, well, background furniture. But by the time the Statue of Liberty was revealed to be a Weeping Angel (“The Angels Take Manhattan“), something that had once been terrifying started to feel a bit . . . silly. Beyond breaking the established rules of the Weeping Angels—(to fans who wondered how the Statue of Liberty could move in the City That Never Sleeps, Moffat answered that “The Angels can do so many things”)—the Statue of Liberty angel broke the horror premise. The angels became not a thing waiting for you in the darkness behind your eyes, but in-your-face and obvious. And for a horror monster, that’s a problem.

At their core, the Weeping Angels belong to the horror genre. Certainly, they have aspects of sci-fi in that they are “quantum locked” and transport people back in time. But when you dig down into what actually makes the Weeping Angels successful, the reasons all belong to classic horror. They move when you’re not watching. They’re getting closer. They’re getting closer. “Don’t blink” is such a powerful phrase because it sounds so simple and yet is impossible. We know that everybody blinks in the end.

In their horror roots, the Weeping Angels have more in common with another Moffat monster, the Vashta Nerada, than they do with other Who regulars like the Daleks and Cybermen. To jog the memory, ‘Vashta Nerada’ were those piranha-like shadows that strip your flesh from your bones, introduced in “Silence in the Library”. Like the Weeping Angels, their capacity to frighten comes from their simplicity and ubiquity. Any shadow might be a killer shadow. And by the time you notice that you’ve acquired a second shadow, it’s too late.

The Weeping Angels and Vashta Nerada aren’t the kind of monsters that require complicated lore to be effective. In fact, complicated lore would diminish their effectiveness, because at heart both are predators, intelligent, but not complex. Their reasons for killing are no more complex than the reasons a cat kills a mouse. You could hardly imagine a Weeping Angel story with the same plot-line as “Dalek,” in which a dalek absorbed some of Rose’s DNA and began to feel emotions, a feeling so distressing to it that it begged for its own execution.

Doctor Who Series 13: What is the Swarm?

By Andrew Blair

Doctor Who Season 14 Wish-List: What We’d Like to See

By Den of Geek Staff

In fact, the Daleks and the Cybermen make for an interesting comparison. While at surface level they both might seem to have one-track minds bent on supremacy and world domination, we know that the Daleks suffer from pride and vanity, and that the Cybermen in most cases prefer conversion to murder. Because ultimately, the Daleks and Cybermen are monsters rooted in the sci-fi tradition. They are cyborgs, and their monstrous nature stems not from being purely alien and predatory to humans, as the Weeping Angels are, but from being humanity distorted.

The Cybermen were once like humans. In their introductory story, “The Tenth Planet,” a cyberman explains in his singsong voice that their home planet Mondas was the twin to Earth. But the humanoid inhabitants’ lives grew shorter and shorter with each generation, driving them to a cybernetic solution. In that story, humans initially appear to be the brutish and war-like ones, rejecting the Cybermen’s offer to bring them safely to Mondas and instead arming a nuclear warhead to destroy their planet—and likely irradiate most of Earth in the process. More frightening than the admittedly creepy original cybermen was the destructive potential of humanity. For the first few episodes we’re forced to wonder if maybe the Cybermen have a point about pitfalls of unbounded human emotion.

Similarly, in “The Daleks” (initially titled The Mutants), we meet the Daleks on their petrified, irradiated home planet, Skaro. Clearly something has gone badly wrong and we quickly learn that the Daleks have been shaped by neutronic war. The history of the Daleks becomes even richer in “Genesis of the Daleks,” where we meet the Daleks’ creator Davros and receive more context for the war on Skaro. We see the wriggling organic bodies of the Daleks and share the Doctor’s mixed pity and disgust. The story brings to the fore themes of mercy and sacrifice.

It’s telling that the first appearances of the Daleks and Cybermen revolve around their home planets and what drove them into becoming as they are. Fundamentally, they are monsters that require an explanation. The Weeping Angels don’t need that. They kill because it is their nature to kill; they kill to eat and live. We don’t need to know anything more to fear them. In contrast, for the Daleks and the Cybermen knowing where they come from is essential to what makes them monstrous. And this is exactly what makes them effective repeat monsters.

That’s not to say that the Daleks and Cyberman can’t be overused—the gratuitous Timelord-Cybermen from season 12 may come to mind as an example of such an abuse. But on the whole, the Daleks and Cybermen have the inherent potential to become more nuanced and compelling through multiple appearances because their appeal is rooted in emotions more complex than pure fright.

Now, just because the Weeping Angels have been motiveless horror antagonists thus far doesn’t mean they need to remain that way. In fact, before the Doctor Who spin-off Class was cancelled (spoiler ahead), it was revealed that the Weeping Angels were the villainous masterminds behind season one. For season two, showrunner Patrick Ness apparently planned to depict the Weeping Angel’s home planet and the civil war it experienced—a move that would potentially transform the Weeping Angels from silent assassins to complex characters. For some it may sound exciting to learn more about a favorite monster, but for others, the first reaction may be a wince, followed by a question: would the Weeping Angels really cast the same spell if we knew their full history? Without the horror, what’s the point?

In season 13, Chibnall could give the Weeping Angels new abilities or new lore. But what he’ll struggle to do is give them back the untarnished power to frighten that they wielded in their original appearance. Some of NuWho’s most successful episodes have tapped into the horror genre, and can do so again. Given the choice, I’d rather see Chibnall’s team come up with a monster capable of frightening and thrilling viewers the way “Blink” did back in 2007, rather than relying on the image of an angel to become, yet again, another angel.

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Doctor Who Season 13 will air on BBC One and BBC America this autumn.

The post Doctor Who’s Weeping Angels Are Perfect Horror Monsters But Are They Returning Villains? appeared first on Den of Geek.

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#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

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autoirishlitdiscourses · 4 years ago

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Discourse of Thursday, 04 March 2021

Rebeka discussion of Innocence 5 p. Again, I'm happy to proctor a make-up, it feels to me and say exactly what you want to say, Italian Futurism Giacomo Balla, for instance. In retrospect, it looks like people have produced are of course, that's perfectly OK to deal with the but this will not necessarily the only way that is closely tied to the satisfaction of natural desires but as a group means that, of course grade. This is the play, or only by fathers, or b what this larger-scale course concerns and did/didn't participate. Because it also appears at the beginning of the novel. Just a quick note to everyone who gets up in certain specific ways that this means 11:45 would be a useful job skill at some point, thematically, you must be restrained in order to make large-scale concerns that are unrelated to romantic love, since I don't mean to say that I have posted a copy of your discussion of the things the professor says about the novel with which you can dive into it, immediately or in a moment. I'll respond with a display of the text affects me approach often falls short because the implications of this comes down to is that each is reciting at least the first excerpt from a passage discussed in a packet of poems from more contemporary text. Again, thank you for putting so much that that is an A for the term; b you're still listed as TBD, McCabe TBD McCabe TBD, McCabe TBD McCabe TBD Paul Muldoon, or else/the first time in a way to push this even further. As promised in the West of Ireland: Thanks to! Well done on this one right away if there are a lot of material to think about the relationship between Yeats and Heaney when talking about the relationship. Happy Thanksgiving! The Song of Wandering Aengus can you make meaningful contributions to the exception of many potentially productive, particularly if you choose and which lines of text from the second stanza and demonstrating your close attention to how other people to discuss your topics themselves instead of discussion and got the class to graduate, English majors with a very strong because it makes life more stressful for you. Other administrative issues? I'll find a time. Remember that one, but you picked to the bleeded potato-stalks to the next lower grade range—not just examining a specific idea about what you take on the section Twitter stream. 59 p. I'm glad I had properly remembered who you were trying to remember to send in some particulars from Chris's, and your reading for class must represent your own narrative dominate your analysis on its own presuppositions in more detail. I said verbally, any good copy of Dialectic of Enlightenment that is before you can carry yourself, then by tomorrow at 10 p. Late papers are assigned based on my attendance sheet make sure that you want to do this, since someone canceled.

However: November 13 is totally full there are some ways in which you could do an awful lot of ways, and this is not yet chosen a recitation that gets beaten into shape this is not double-spaced; allowing your word processor to add extra space at the end of Act I: Johnny McEvoy performing O'Casey's When You Are Old, Who Goes With Fergus and perhaps by doing a genuinely wonderful that you want it to say. Let me know that you may certainly choose Heaney poems that do not overlap with yours, and how you want to, you're absolutely welcome to send it along. See you in particular, I think that that's what you'd like, and I'll see you next week in which students often hit with compare/contrast paper which is not a member of the fact that hawthorn is a broad home.

Good luck on the section website and see what topics are currently at a satisfying analysis of another text than to worry about whether you're technically meeting the discussion to motivate to talk about this offer: You picked an important presentation in a moment, professor MacHugh said, section III, The faces and places, and have so many in line 21; and several historical speeches in here, and this is a thinking process that will help your grade later in your discussion on Wednesday. There are a few days once you've produced a draft, and what he might call on you, if you're treating the text you plan to recite, the time of the class, but what the relationship is that you should be able to avoid large amounts of repetition of an assignment that you contribute meaningfully to the section, you may not see you next week in which I scribble notes about things forever, honestly. The Butcher Boy. This would just barely push you down for next week 13 November and 4:30 or Friday. What is right with this paper.

Let me know as soon as possible after the midterm structure section 1:00 it will prepare you to increase your specificity would be for with your argument. All of these is that you would lead people up for recitations in front of the self which, given the facts that can be in a research paper on it and let me know as soon as possible? I totally understand. Let me know if you have also explained this to me if you bring specific issues, interests, and then looking at his wife, Annie, in turn, based on Chris's notes. But if you have a strong manner here. There is also constantly thinking in his eyes. I think that it will mean that I didn't anticipate at the last one in exchange details in a lot of ways. I think that articulating a specific point that you're analyzing—I will be on November 27 at the performance, and you really have done some quite impressive and admirable ideas in here, and one less final to drop courses without fee via GOLD.

The Plough and the ideas and where it is, I don't yet see a specific, or nations,—of value. I estimate that I show you as the candidate that Yeats is still in the discussion as a way as to avoid. I had hoped, motivating people to talk to me, in order to be taken as Irish is inappropriate? I suspect that you needed to happen differently for this paper, despite some occasional hiccups here and there, is that if anyone else cries unfair! You were nimble on your paper, didn't respond to a more narrow range of phenomena in your delivery was quite on-point, but not the discussions following them.

So, for the midterm exam. But you really mop the floor with the exception, despite my sometimes rather nitpicky comments I've made about grammar and phrasing but these are impressive moves here. If so, probably about five minutes unless the group warmed up for speaking than many other parts of the landscape, Beckett may also be much more apparent to you; anything that ain't worth winnin' for freedom that ain't the silky thransparent stockings that show but I'm perhaps more flexible, is, well-written. You really do have to go with this problem is to call on the final! On Raglan Road.

This is probably difficult to get back to him, perhaps the mythological sirens, as well, but it's a strong understanding of your discussion and question provoked close readings by the time requirement for this coming week. Let me know if you have any questions, OK? You cannot rewrite your paper grade is calculated for the paper both historically and biographically. So I told the story to started the reading assigned on the you two both gave strong recitations and did a lot of ways in which you want to talk to me. Your paper has problems large enough to juxtapose particular texts, and you took full advantage of this coming Wednesday 27 On poems by Yeats we talked after section tonight that Thanksgiving is 28 November, the paper, in turn, based on which Ulysses is a rhetorical move that your paper around that interpretive claim: I will cut in and provide a larger-scale project.

However, this sounds great! This and more careful about the motivations of the Blooms' marriage. You also used silence effectively at the evidence that supports your larger-scale goals that you would be more specific ideas when you make it up tonight but feel up to you. Trying to avoid thinking that an excuse is as good as a group of talented readers, and word is the bitterest mystery associated with love, then looking at it. A blade of grass. I had just sat down at any stage of the whole section and should definitely both be there. You should/always/bring the week's readings with you that student got 34 out of that idea—you really have done some strong ideas here, and you've actually managed to articulate as fully integrated parts of the other hand, a published paper. Good luck with all of the stack anyway.

A more in section tomorrow, and it's completely up to recite this week. For one thing, let your readers know which passage you chose. Just let me know if you want to recite: 5 pm 6 pm section did much better this week. Of course, it sounds like you to select one or more of the top eight or so announcement to your childcare provider during class. This, in order to move towards a final decision until late tomorrow night, it seems that it is asking a question that you examine. Of course. —These are very solid and perceptive understandings of femininity in any great amount of introductory speaking to set next to Yeats's text, so I hope that you prepared more material than was optimal, but there are also movies that deal with this particular assignment difficult. The iconic X-ray picture is Roentgen's own X-rays, which is one of the title page and copyright pages because there's a chance that someone may decide at the performance, and you may very well done! 25 on the midterm he has been assigned yet, you've done some quite perceptive, too, though, and though this is so very good job of getting the class email, your primary focus should be read in ways that you should be open to recitations. What are the only way that time. It's just that you can get the changed document to me to. Can we meet Tuesday? I think that what your paper is straining to say to each other, and American responses to suffering. You memorized more than 100% in section Wednesday night between October 23rd and November 27th, excluding 13 November 2013 The old man rose and gazed into my grading sheet, and Francie's unusual diction makes passages from The Butcher Boy I accidentally sent another student's grade to you whether you want to go on Tuesday, you must email me your plans by 10 a. It's already photocopied, and you accomplished a lot of good advice, OK?

One thing I forgot to say is simply a straight numerical calculation that was purely an estimate of where you want to pursue this topic further: Hannah Arendt's On Totalitarianism; Judith Butler's Precarious Life; George Orwell's essay, and none of these are impressive moves. Merely doing the earliest part of it. Since we've just set this up, and how is the only ones going at 5 p. Clarifying what that person's ancestry also includes more stereotypically Irish people, and their views of sexuality is potentially very productive ways or it may not be tolerated. If I gloss over some important things to do is either of these have genuinely hurt your grade, it's a smart, sophisticated paper here, based on whether that's still what you think that there will be. Doubtless your intelligence and hard-wired to be changed than send a new document. Opening up more points on the paper just barely meets the absolute maximum amount of reading closely, and you really have done some very good idea to translate references to the fact that hawthorn is a bit less and allow me to. 45: A piece of work to be more complex matter. This is one way to avoid that would be a tricky business, and gender stereotypes. Nice choice, and/or editing. You should aim for a comparatively unusual move for you. You Loved Me near the end of the concept itself central to being more lecture-based and less discussion than other people talking is likely to be articulated with sufficient depth or specificity. I agree wholeheartedly that Early Irish authors contains poems that will change by much. One would be a more natural-appearing and impassioned delivery, very perceptive readings of recruiting materials could wind up dropping. By defining your key terms more rigorously, but want to do your recitation in the morning! Tomorrow night I'll bring them back to you. Another, non-trivial citation problem; incorrectly sized margins or font; use of an analysis of a text that you want to, then asking them questions about how you want an add code, which is what I thought I'd responded to your presentation this is the only student who will need to hold a discussion of White Hawthorn in the course as a. But if you're using your key terms and presuppositions and taking the discussion as a texts that you have a perceptive argument that better or more people see some aspect of the effectiveness and sophistication Again, thank you for this class was welcoming and supportive to other students in the morning shift if that works best for you to lift you into the A range. Thank you for a bit more carefully would help to make abstract cognitive assessments without being heavy-handed or otherwise fundamentally dishonest paper, but I think that you should spend at least 119 out of the points.

If you haven't yet finished grading my 37 midterms that have been a Danish prince to have particular places in your section who was it only Hynes. Can we meet at a particular depiction of people haven't done an acceptable job of weaving together multiple sources to produce your good readings and write well and that he did say explicitly is that if someone else who generally falls into that arc. However, most of your preferred texts. It's been a pleasure having you in section and four the other hand, he is adhering strictly to the class, and it may be interested.

Congratulations on declaring the major ones for the course material for which you've already sent it on the final moderately leniently, but just that your argument a bit nervous and halting here, although it sounds to me as soon as possible it is, your recitation in the process of elimination is often a major theme of crime drama: the minimum enrollment for the historical development of the quarter is theoretically possible but really, though. Just let me know if you happen to know in advance from the MLA standard include, but if you get at the high end of the book instead of trying to get to all of the group to read. I'm glad to have to get people to speak eventually if you want to go down might involve how media images get stuck in Francie's head and the text. You did very well on your grade.

Keep your eye on your writing, despite the occasional hiccup with sentence structure obscures your point total for the course send me no later than tomorrow. Remember that the appropriately made-up to you with comments at the top and bottom ranges plus and minus range is slightly smaller than the theoretical maximum number of points for section-by-sentence perfect, one thing, you may have required a bit in the grotesque. You were clearly a bit too long. Everyone has received at a time in week three, but I'll most likely cause of her grad seminars; approaching her with dark, not just two points of your paper so that it naturally wants to have been underrepresented in the class warmed up if you're fond of additional typing, at the beginning of section. Think, though. Anyway, my suggestion is that you told your parents, and prepare a fantastic document/outline/explanation of how percentages or point totals should map onto letter grades/to papers, and that's also an impressive move.

Yes, that's fine my 6 o'clock section in another format is followed, or contact you personally about important thematic elements of the section as a texts that you need to be any thematic overlap, it's insightful—but it is a really good question, I suspect, is to lead from the first time, so be sure to get you an additional connection to 1904 as well as one of which is one way to make it hard for you. Hawthorn in the manner of A-, not about using your specific question, which is rather complex. Question?

Are Old discussion of Francie's cognition in general terms about the relationship is a strong preference and I'll accommodate as many students as possible, too, because that would be after lecture, that'll be helpful in pointing to multimedia and/or taking the midterm to correct the problems that I say this not just to think about who Fergus actually is and exactly why it matters—you write it, and I'll find a time.

One percent/for being such a good thing that I have to choose something that matters deeply and personally to you. Ah, you're very welcome. Thanks for being so long to get a passing grade, but never quite come out and take it; it's of more benefit to the text of Pearse's speech that is outstandingly wonderful while contributing to the poem you choose and which are based on the theory that the questions and comments by demonstrating close familiarity with the paper assignment include a URL for sources that you must turn in a sufficiently solid manner. Murphy's Law, of course grade. You reproduced the text, though you may wish to incorporate personal experience it can be found online at or, as a way that they should not lift people into the discussion, which would be helpful in any case, I'd post a link to where you'd like. The in my 6 o'clock section, but perhaps one that gestures toward an overall narrative about resistance to tyranny. Or it might be exactly, and what is the origin of the episode's title, date, you have already been expressed in your outline and ask yourself what your paper, then you will go last, please let me know, and you've done a pretty wide variance. I've marked some places. However, these are impressive moves. What stereotypes of the thesis, because asking people where they could stand? And let me know if you want to sign up for speaking than many other possibilities, though, #3, what does all of these as a whole? Please let me now what you most need to do when they participated. But taking it to take so long to get past the point in the grad student office space, and of showing how the opening to the reader, and you managed to give a close-read. Second: I think he will be other grad students who have not yet told me that your writing really is quite effective in many ways, anyway that his presence is central to your paper would most need to sit down and done some very minor alterations; at this stage, your attention should primarily be on campus Friday afternoon. Class level only appears when the power company left me reading by looking up unfamiliar words or phrases used in a lot of ways; I feel that it's impossible to know your grade: You added a just in line 1576; changed so I can post a slightly edited version of Patrick Kavanagh's On Raglan Road: Personally, I think this aspect of how we react to Dexter may very well. I think that the hawthorn the bush with which you are definitely capable of being as successful as it's written, which I said before, to see whether they're still outside if I can. Though never indifferent. /Of course! Picking a selection from that part of why Joyce does this rhetorical maneuver accomplish?

As for your email, but again, I think that your paper is quite likely enjoy Hannah Arendt's On Totalitarianism; Judith Butler's Precarious Life; George Orwell's essay, if you choose to provide the largest overall benefit to introduce a large number of points that are important basic issues that you've identified as significant and connect them to pick one example how Yeats, Joyce, Macklemore, and pointers to electronic copies of all but the Latin phrase libra e, scale 240 pence. Have a good choice I've heard, and you have a B and A-435 450 B 415 435 B 400 415 B-on your email, but might point you toward issues involved in the assignment handout. Falling short/—even if the paper just barely pulls you over-prepared and in section is in season 5. Your thoughts are sophisticated and that he spoke of it if they don't hurt your grade. There are potentially productive, but this is what your central argument is basically clear and engaging. Section credit. You can also refer you to do the majority of the Western World, and extreme claims require very strong job in the early twentieth century. On a related note, I had two or three days, then why argue in favor of asking questions and comments in here, and practicing a bit like they've been represented by the other hand, he just shrugged instead of seven, IDs out of 150 on the poetry handout, which centers around Bloom's interaction in a comprehensive and entirely satisfying and/or historical in nature, rather than later. Your writing is quite effective in many ways to accomplish all three tasks I'm not mad at any time without hurting their grade. As it is, I think that there was more common to express this in terms of your own ideas in here, and thanks for letting me know if you want me to handle this my own policy to treat it as soon as possible. I'll see you in section treat each other, in addition to doing it for the compliments you were perhaps a bit more practice but your textual accuracy. Another thing that will ask you if I recall correctly, what you see them instantiated in the text than to maintain a separate workbook for each one. Well done on your writing, get your grade by 4 p. Hi! I think I'm skipping the department requesting a room tomorrow in South Hall 3431 by 1/3 letter grade is calculated and I hope you had to say to each other in regard to this is of course! Let me know if you have a strong job here. What I would like to see my grading rubric, and Cake next to each other with respect.

Too, you can start with the paper is late, then asking people where they see these ideas represented in the context of the novel and wanted to say. This leaves you with comments at the end of the format for the temptation offered to the original authors whose texts you're examining. Note that I think that this is to let me know if you want that path to end up. By My Window Yeats, An Irish Airman even more successful in your paragraph before. Keep an eye on your main points out of your end-of-totalitarianism paper is due in lecture.

I'd have to look closely for evidence. Most students are doing poorly and taking real steps to correct for the quarter, and thanks for a specific idea about what your major points into questions that motivated good discussion overall was more lecture-based discomfort effectively motivate other people react to the east of County Mayo A spavindy ass p. Section attendance and participation 10% of your performance so far this quarter, and how you will serve as a method of contact for half a percent away crossing the line without me needing to be difficult to memorize something the night before. 4 December discussion of Rosie's attempted seducation of The Butcher Boy; Stephen Dedalus's rather morbid and misogynist fixation on the paper is going, but you were reciting and discussing the selection. Demonstrates that the professor wants is for it to me as soon as possible, provided that you too often back off from making your teaching practices visible I post every slideshow I develop, so she is working, may be seen as most important think here is going to be, it's likely it would be happy to talk.

51%, a quite high A. Administrative Issues: 1 ratio. Poteen p. Emailing me later that day was to sketch out briefly an interpretive pathway into one of the group as a group is not impossible, very nicely acted. This is based on an excerpt that may help you to ten minutes if you feel a little bit, actually, because yes/no questions, and so that I have never been a document on section 3 was 6.

Again, I think that there are still two spots in the first four stanzas 13 lines, if you catch her during office hours 11:59 p. As promised in the eighth one without grading it, and what you're doing a genuinely serious and unavoidable emergency family death, serious injury, natural disaster, etc. It would have helped here. Take a look at a different direction, though never seriously enough to have substantial overlap with yours, and you've done so.

#Irish literature #automatically generated text #Patrick Mooney #Python #Markov chains

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allenmendezsr · 4 years ago

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honestgrins · 7 years ago

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Once Again || Klaroline

Klaroline AU Week Day 2: Adversaries

A broken engagement leaves hearts hurting, but Caroline doesn't know what to feel when her former betrothed returns to polite society - especially when she's already promised to another.

It was like time had stopped.

Caroline might have sworn the air was sapped from the room, but that would mean she could have even tried to breathe at the moment she saw him. Her champagne glass had started to shake from where she held it in shock, still inches from her lips.

"All right, gorgeous?" a familiar voice asked, his steadying hand warm on her elbow. Enzo's other hand reached for her glass, a finger grazing intimately along her glove.

If she had been imagining Klaus Mikaelson standing frozen on the other side of the ballroom, that illusion was shattered by the fierce possession in his eyes as he tracked the closing distance between her and her fiance - a position he had held only a year before.

A ragged breath tore through her chest, her father's voice faint in her ears as he continued speaking.

"-and I know you must be disappointed, but surely you understand my decision. The scandal of a broken engagement will be short-lived compared to the consequences of marrying an illegitimate son."

Blinking away confused tears, Caroline shook her head. "I don't understand," she answered angrily. Her hands formed into fists on her knees, nails biting into her palms. "Lord Mikaelson disowns my betrothed, and your response is to cancel the wedding? Klaus needs me now more than ever."

Society rumors had always floated around the state of Mikael and Esther Mikaelson's marriage, but none more than the thought that one of their many children was the product of a torrid affair. Most wagered on the youngest, Henrik, but a public spat with Mikael revealed Niklaus to be the bastard son - and just two weeks before he was to be wed to Caroline.

"Where is he?" she asked, breathless in panic. "I have to-"

"Klaus is already gone," he answered. His voice was too gentle, too pitying not to be telling the truth. "Next season, this will all have resolved itself and we can find you another match."

Her eyes fluttered shut as the reality of the situation set in. Their courtship had been a hard won battle of wills, none more surprised than Caroline that the rakish Klaus Mikaelson truly fell in love with her; when faced with her father's opposition, however, Klaus left her behind.

He didn't even say goodbye.

Stiffening at the hand Enzo placed on her back, Caroline was finally spurred into action. "Pardon me," she said breathlessly. "I should find my mother, there is something I meant to discuss with her earlier."

His eyes locked on the man edging his way around the crowd toward them, and Enzo nodded tacit approval of her retreat. "Give her my love," he answered, bringing her hand up to his lips. Though the other guests may have seen it as an automatic gesture of a betrothed, Caroline knew it to be more proprietary, a display to warn off her former lover. Leaning closer, he murmured into her ear, "Shall I give him your regards?"

"No." Her head shook in panic as she pulled away, clutching at her fiance's hand with a final squeeze. "Thank you," she said, only to turn into a broad chest, large hands coming to stabilize her shoulders.

His crisp, white cravat was stuck with a familiar pin, the sight of it clenching something terrible in her heart; its deep, blue sapphire belonged to her late grandmother, turned into a wedding present for her beloved. Her eyes already burning with tears, they traced up the line of his throat, over the slight stubble of his chin, to the pink bow of his lips. They were twisted in the oddest combination of a smirk and a grimace, perhaps the only appropriate response to such an awkward circumstance.

"Hello, Caroline."

She blinked, searching for a nonchalance she didn't feel. "Klaus."

Rebekah eyed her shrewdly as she sipped her tea. "You're quite pretty for an American."

"You're too kind." With a wry smile, Caroline gently set down her cup. The Petrova sisters had warned her that Rebekah Mikaelson Gerard could be a spoiled brat, and they were surprised to hear a common American girl in her first season garnered an invitation to a private tea. Caroline sensed it could open many society doors or ruin her entirely, and this Rebekah would have to be impressed - even if it meant engaging in a bit of catty behavior. "Katerina mentioned how charming the Mikaelson men could be, but she clearly underestimated your demeanor."

Unlike the offended air she had expected, though, Rebekah merely sniffed in approval. "Witty, too," she noted. "You'll do just fine. If a suitor can't appreciate your wit, he's not worth marrying."

Caroline smiled more genuinely at the advice. "You and Lord Gerard seem a happy couple. I'd be honored to find a similarly happy match."

Shrugging delicately, Rebekah sipped at her own tea. "Have you found any prospects?"

Before she could answer, though, the butler cleared his throat from the doorway. "Begging your pardon, Lady, but your brother-"

"-needs not be announced, thank you," a new voice announced imperiously. A handsome man strolled into the sitting room, dropping a kiss on his sister's cheek. "I came to see Marcel, but your husband seems to be doing his chores."

Rebekah rolled her eyes, waving him off. "He's spending the day with the horses, something about a contender for the races. Niklaus, this is Caroline Forbes, whose introductory tea you are interrupting," she admonished. "Caroline, my favorite brother who tends to ignore the niceties of polite society."

He turned toward Caroline, almost taken aback to see someone sitting there. "Please," he said, his voice dripping with a sudden charm as he fell into a bow, "call me Klaus."

Whispers had started, reminding Caroline she was in a crowded, society gathering. "This is neither the time, nor the place, Lord Mikaelson," she responded more formally. Dropping into a slight curtsy, she forced her breathing to even out. "Enjoy your evening."

Before she could slip around him, though, he stepped into her path. "Honor me with a dance, sweetheart?" he asked quietly as he offered his hand.

His thumb rubbed the lace of her glove as they took a turn through the garden, and he smiled as Caroline leaned into his side. Despite their chaperone duties, Rebekah and Marcel were too distracted with their own canoodling to make any comment. "Are you cold, love?"

"No, the weather's perfect for once," she answered, raising her face to bask in the sun. "I've missed this, a sunny day with no chance of rain."

"Do you regret leaving Virginia?" It was an impulsive question, not one Klaus was sure he wanted the answer to. His mother had often harped on him to find a wife, but even she was surprised how quickly he sought Caroline's hand. Their courtship was lively, to say the least, but a real affection had grown between the too-polite barbs they traded. He found himself greedy to spend more time with her and keep her for himself - greedier still so as not to risk losing her as quickly as he found her.

She paused in their walk, wickedly checking to see how closely Rebekah was watching them. "Come on," she said, darting behind a hedge and pulling Klaus behind her.

Laughing, he took the chance to hold her close, running his lips along her cheek. "Miss Forbes, what a scandal," he teased. Whispering into her ear, he delighted in the small shiver she couldn't contain. "Whatever do you mean to do with me?"

"I don't regret leaving Virginia." She gently reached up to hold his face, smiling at the awe in his expression. "By leaving, I get to marry the man I love."

Klaus dragged his nose against hers, stealing a quick kiss while he had the chance. But Marcel's voice floated closer, and he stepped back to a more respectable distance. Still, he brought her hand to his lips, if only to linger a bit longer. "Oh, love," he breathed, his heart full with a wonderful ache he only associated with Caroline.

Enzo moved forward until he fully stood at Caroline's side, subtly offering his arm as well. "Lady Caroline wishes to sit with her mother for a spell, then I'm afraid I have claimed her final set." She gratefully slid her hand into the crook of Enzo's elbow at his defense.

Klaus's spine straightened at their comfortable touch. But his eyes, they betrayed a dangerous hurt she had seen turn violent in their youth. "I don't believe we have been introduced." His voice was strained in its lightness, hardly the polite inquiry it belief. "Klaus Mikaelson, Earl of Hertford."

"And this is Viscount St. John, Lorenzo Augustine," Caroline broke in, the men's staring match too tense for her liking. Of course, she doubted her next words would improve the situation. "We're to be married next month."

He didn't seem surprised to hear that, though his mouth set in a grim line. "So Rebekah said. She also mentioned your father's passing."

Frozen, Caroline felt the pulse in her ears speed up. "Don't," she bit out.

It had been a difficult year for the Forbes family. First, the sudden end to their only child's promising betrothal marred her chances for the season. Even upon introduction to the strapping Viscount St. John, it was hardly the love match Caroline had found with Klaus; but he was kind and they had built a true friendship over the summer.

Then, her father died.

Suddenly facing an entailed estate without a male heir, Caroline needed a husband to support herself and her mother. With no other prospects to interest him, Enzo happily made the offer to be marriage partners, which she happily accepted.

After all, her former fiancé hadn't bothered to return for her.

The teacup clattered against the saucer, Rebekah's eyes wide with surprise. "You're not serious?"

Caroline serenely nodded. "He's a good man," she vouched, though her friend was well aware of the Viscount's virtues. Despite the painful connections they shared, Rebekah had remained a close friend despite her brother's societal disappearance. Caroline was one of the few allowed to visit the Gerard home since Rebekah had gone into confinement. "The wedding is set for October, well after your little one makes his or her appearance. No excuses, Bekah."

Rubbing her large belly, Rebekah shook her head. "Caro, I know it has been difficult, but N-"

"No." Voice firm, Caroline refused to even hear his name. She had long forbidden Rebekah to act as a go-between, not after he hadn't bothered to answer the one letter she allowed to be passed on through Marcel. "Enzo and I care for each other, and my mother will be supported. That's enough."

"What about love?" Rebekah's voice was quiet, tentative. "Something is going to come to pass, soon, and you might miss the chance to have more than enough. You could have everything."

Caroline frowned. "What do you mean?"

With an overwhelmed sigh, Rebekah took her friend's hand. "I'm not supposed to tell you," she confided, "but you deserve to know that Nik's-"

"Bekah!"

"-Nik's birth father is working to make him a legitimate heir. He's coming home, Caroline, and he's coming for you." She squeezed their joined hands tightly, begging her to understand. "At least meet with him, even if it's just to finally put an end to the pining. On both sides."

Almost shaking, Caroline tried not to panic. "He doesn't deserve such peace."

"Perhaps not," Rebekah answered sadly. "But you do, as will your Lorenzo, should you get married after all."

Pinning her friend with a glare, Caroline couldn't help but think she had a point.

"Perhaps," Enzo interjected, placing a calm hand over Caroline's, "this conversation would be best over tea." The crowd around them had only grown more interested, and this confrontation hardly needed an audience.

Her breathing hitched as she tried to settle her racing heart, even as Klaus watched her panicked reaction carefully. She tried to focus on Enzo and his grounding presence, despite her every urge to reach out to the man she once loved. "I-I shall speak with my mother," she hedged.

"Please," Klaus said, echoing a memory with an earnest she didn't understand, "join me tomorrow afternoon, at my estate. I'll send a coach." His eyes slid to Enzo, a twitch of his lips almost unnoticeable if Caroline hadn't been staring. "For both of you, if need be."

"Thank you for the invitation, Lord Mikaelson." Her voice felt weak at the cold address, and she slipped her hand from Enzo's elbow. Dropping into a small curtsy, she felt the full weight of his gaze fall back on her. "Please excuse me, I must get to my mother now."

Klaus gently grabbed her hand and bowed over it; only the barest brush of his mouth warmed her glove. "Until tomorrow," he promised quietly, his intentions clear. Caroline felt she couldn't look away, too many memories of love and pain passing between them.

Clearing his throat, though, Enzo seemed more concerned with the curious eyes watching them all. "Tomorrow it is," he said, offering his arm again.

Caroline automatically accepted, but her mind was occupied with the burning sense of Klaus watching them leave. "Tomorrow," she breathed.

Idly, she wondered if her second engagement was as doomed as her first.

Mini-sequel and Mini-conclusion

Links: FFnet and AO3

#klarolineauweek #day two - adversaries #klaroline drabbles #klaroline #fandom love #fic: once again #come sail away

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constructionaccounting · 4 years ago

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0377: Troublesome Customers Every Contractor Should Learn To Recognize And Deal With

This Podcast Is Episode Number 0377, And It's About Troublesome Customers Every Contractor Should Learn To Recognize And Deal With

Customers are disloyal price buyers who purchase commodities and services with cost as their primary consideration. Clients are loyal value buyers who purchase goods and services with suitability as their primary consideration.

Every businessperson knows that customers and clients are not created equal. Clients are loyal, while customers will stray if they're offered a slightly lower price elsewhere. Some customers are demanding, while clients only call when they wish to hire you right away.

Every business must deal with a variety of customers and clients. But there are certain types of customers who do more harm than good to your construction business - they drain your resources while adding little to your revenue.

Your business strategy will determine which group you want to serve, and there is no right or wrong answer, just different approaches.

Here are five troublesome customers that every contractor should learn to recognize and deal with.

1.The controlling customer who micro-manages your every move.

You know this type reasonably well. The dad - lounging on the sofa while you are renovating the fireplace, the mom - insisting to "help" you in the kitchen renovation by sharing her design ideas while you're replacing the drawers. Or worst yet, homeowners who sit nearby, watch you, and meddle with your every decision - either out of curiosity, lack of trust, or making sure your work is up to their standards.

2.The customer who refuses to pay

All construction contractors have experienced bad debt's financial pain, which is defined as a customer who refuses to pay no matter what you do. Not everyone who never pays you is the wrong person. Sometimes things happen which are beyond their control.

3.The customer who complains publicly about your company's services.

The growing visibility and influence of social media have made this type of customer more dangerous than ever. This is especially true if your construction business is a large and well-known company. But it can still damage small construction companies' reputation through Google, Facebook Page, or Yelp reviews. Social media sites like YouTube and Twitter give disaffected customers the means to broadcast their concerns to a considerable audience.

4. The customer who unreasonably takes advantage of special offers or incentive deals.

If a customer repeatedly signs up for a service to take advantage of a low-priced introductory offer and then cancels when the initial period comes to an end, the customer will not help your construction business succeed. Such customer behavior may be perfectly legal, but outside the boundaries of appropriate contractual interactions.

5. The customer who makes threatening demands.

The B2B (Business to Business) customer who makes demands and frequently threatens to take their business elsewhere if they don't get exclusive deals. At a certain point, it is necessary to acknowledge that such customers are more trouble than they're worth.

What to do

Weed out customers from prospective clients by developing a better inbound marketing plan. You can incorporate your policies and procedures (signing contracts, payment applications, addressing issues and concerns, and others) through the Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) section of your business website, email, or written documentation.

Remember, you're a contractor, not a banker. Never lend money to a customer to provide a lot of labor, material, subcontractors, and rental equipment, hoping to get paid later on down the road. Accepting credit cards can help customers who are in short cash supply and add to your sales and profits. Do whatever you think is within reason to collect the debt and no more.

Develop an appropriate response for customers who leave unfavorable reviews, negative feedback, and disapproving social media posts about your business. Where possible, try to educate the customer - respectfully and courteously - about reasonable and acceptable interactions in the marketplace. If this fails, you may have to consider "firing" the customer.

Final thoughts

Shedding your construction business of undesirable customers has multiple positive impacts - in addition to improving the bottom line, it boosts employee morale. It allows you to focus more resources on your profitable clients.

For what is worth, we only serve clients in our construction accounting and bookkeeping services firm. I invite you to contact us (through the form on your right, or by email) and perhaps we can work together.

About The Author:

Sharie DeHart, QPA is the co-founder of Business Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood, Washington. She is the leading expert in managing outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services companies and cash management accounting for small construction companies across the USA. She encourages Contractors and Construction Company Owners to stay current on their tax obligations and offers insights on how to manage the remaining cash flow to operate and grow their construction company sales and profits so they can put more money in the bank. Call 1-800-361-1770 or [email protected]

Check out this episode about Contractors Marketing - Accounting - Production (M.A.P.)!

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p0cketdiary-blog · 5 years ago

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Where it all began.. [Pt. 2]

B O O ! 👻

Considering that we are officially only a few days away from Halloween, I figured that this would be the best way to greet my fellow readers~

Hi, hello~ And welcome back, to Part 2 of “why, when and how exactly did I fall deep down into the BTS rabbit hole”, as promised on the last post! As I was saying, after finally giving BTS (and later, the rest of K-Pop) a chance - I did kind of, sort of (please excuse my informality) regret ignoring or should I say “not paying much attention”, back when they first debuted in 2013. I guess I could say that I was already occupied and happy with all the content that was “given” to me, while being in the Justin Bieber fandom. Things were constantly coming at lightning speed - in a blink of an eye, I was already a Belieber for about 8 years, before I officially joined the BTS fandom.

Well yes, that basically meant that I have missed the chance of being apart of BTS’ fandom, from the very beginning - a joke I was, yes? 4 long years have gone by just like that. In all honesty, I felt that I had missed out on a lot in the course of 4 years being left in the dark (lol), not knowing what all the “hype” was about. Even when they started off as not-so-well-known, they were talked about quite a lot - in my circle of friends as well as my family. Again, I was not showing much or any interest at all.

Fast forward to 2017, after only ever hearing a few of the BTS’ members’ name - and hardly know any of their songs. 2017, being the exact year that I was sucked into - what seemed like a magical orb also known as; the world of BTS. Funnily enough, I still remember the exact date and month very clearly, as if it was yesterday; September 4th of 2017, just a normal (more like, very stressful) day at school, being an Upper Six A Level student. It happened so randomly, if I must say. But, what exactly happened, you might ask?

Like I said, I was still doing my A Levels back then and September (for us) would be considered as the “hell” month; with our lecturers trying to “last minutely” finish off our syllabus and all the revision before our BIG exam which begins in October. To be frank, I was not really in the best state mentally or emotionally (lol) during that time. Not only was I feeling that way due to my studies but another reason being a few months prior - my supposed Justin Bieber concert was cancelled and he would be going on hiatus until further notice. I guess Justin Bieber played quite a huge role in making this happen (haha).

*Cues sob story, but turned happy* Of course, I was feeling really sad about the announcement due to the fact that I thought I was finally able to see him perform live after years of seeing him through my tiny phone screen. As childish as it sounds, I was actually really upset and disappointed for a loooong time. But it was cancelled for the better. Hence, I accepted my “fate” and took that as another “everything happens for a reason” lesson. Due to that specific incident - I was able to start looking into other artists and music genres to distract myself from the entire thing.

So, what was it that happened on September 4th? On this very day, I was told by my best friend that BTS will be having their comeback in 2 weeks time. And that, a “comeback trailer” music video will be released at 5PM, which features an introductory song [Intro: Serendipity - sung by Jimin of BTS]. As usual, I was being dismissive but right when I logged onto YouTube a few minutes past 5PM - I saw that the said video was already #1 on the trending page. I thought that maybe I should give it a listen, and finally take a “leap” into the K-Pop world. To my surprise, I really liked the whole concept of the song - and it was nothing like what I was used to hearing. For a moment I thought, “huh, THIS was what I was missing out for the past years?! Shameful!”.

As days went by, I was actually getting more and more curious about them (shocker!!) and yes, I was especially curious about THAT one member (Jimin, that was in the comeback trailer). At that point, I was not sure if he was even Jimin (to be honest) and I was not familiar with all 7 of their names at all. I actually had trouble matching their names to their faces for 2 weeks straight, no joke. But, I made the effort to search them up on Google in order to educate myself, and then realizing that I have heard quite a few of their songs which were really good, but back then, it had no effect on me (haha). I then continued to listen to each and every one of their song, watch their existing music videos and even took the time to study Korean (and its culture) - in which I can speak somewhat fluently now. I guess being interested in a Korean group is not that bad at all - I get to be the multilingual and/or polyglot Queen that I am now (as I already speak more than 3 languages fluently, haha)!!

What I said above basically sums it all up on what exactly was the “trigger” for me to join the BTS fandom. I could totallyyyy go on forever - if I could, but it would probably bore everyone if I were to get into TOO much detail. All in all, it honestly still amazes me (to this day), how far BTS have come, and how they have been working so hard in order to thrive in the music industry as in the beginning; they were known as the group that was signed under a fairly small company (which is now topping all the other companies) with not much gigs offered. I have seen (or heard) all the struggles they have had to go through to get to where they are today. Even if I was not there from the very beginning, what matters the most to me is that, I am here now. And, I would not want it to be otherwise! If you have made it this far, I applaud you for your patience in reading me blab around about my journey of finally giving into BTS’ charm! Wondering what I will talk about next? Keep a lookout for more!! With that said, I’ll see you all on the next post!! Toodles~

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justwravel-blog · 5 years ago

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A plethora of memories from my recent road trip to Spiti with Justwravel.

Drizzling meadows, catching rainbows, taking halts at every corner that we found picturesque, I never could have imagined this trip would leave such a long-lasting and deep impact on my soul. From watching the sun and the clouds play hide and seek in the lap of the mighty Himalayas, every moment has made a home in my heart. What acted as a cherry on the top was an amazing company of enthusiasts who were full of life and positive vibes. So let me take you on a journey of a lifetime and share my personal experience on a recent road trip to the land of the higher Himachal.

Day 1 Shimla to Narkanda

After leaving from Delhi the night before we reached Shimla the very next day, we left for Narkanda, a small town around 100 km from Shimla famous for its apple and plum orchards. We were welcomed by heavy rains and cold winds as soon as we reached Narkanda, which got our trek to Hatu Peak cancelled due to the bad weather. But what came next was far beyond my expectations. Instead of cursing the weather for getting our mojos off on the very first day, I had a very nice time interacting with fellow travellers, who had come from the rest of the parts of the country. A nice introductory chit-chat followed by catching amazing views of the valleys with glistening apples which peeped out of the settled mist that had covered the complete landscape.

On the very first day, all of us got so friendly with each other that the night was spent in one room playing dumb charades and listening to some nice melodies in the background.

ABOUT THE HOMESTAY

The best part about the local stays is the homely feeling they offer. My stay in Narkanda was no less than a home for me. I was served simple “Ghar ka Khana” topped up with warm buttery love. Our host and trip leads were so humble that they organised a delightful Maggi meal even in the bad weather. The best part about the homestay was its location which was secluded from all the noise of the city and vehicles.

The very next day when we had to leave for Chitkul, being an explorer myself I left early in the morning for a walk to find out the source of the voice of falling water which was coming from somewhere around. Only to my surprise, I discovered a small waterfall just a few km ahead from my homestay. This is the best part about staying at local locations. You never know what gem you are missing on.

I always make it a habit to wake up early in the morning to discover such gems. The fragrance of the morning sunshine and the earthly aroma you get in the environment is an experience that everyone should at least have for once in their lifetime.

Day 2 Narkanda to Chitkul

The next day we all left for Chitkul which was a 7-hour drive from Narkanda. I have never been to Chitkul before and the very first reaction that I had when I took my first step off the tempo traveller was beyond any comparison. I was awestruck by the beauty of this Himalayan village and I instantly fell in love with it. After having a small rest at our stay, I left for a small trek to Baspa river via exploring India’s last ‘Dhaba’ (restaurant) where I had my morning ‘chai’ the next morning. It was a small and easy trek where we all had a good time. Since it was a long journey I could not walk around the place much as it was getting dark too. Hence I decided to calm down the Dora inside me and to set her free the next morning.

Chitkul being the last Indian Village on the Indo-China Border is a small village in Kinnaur District of Himachal. It also houses the many local temples along with homestays and flowing Baspa River. One interesting fact about Chitkul is that it is also the last point in India where one can travel without a permit. The very next morning the usual me left for a walk which was accompanied by light drizzling. Walking along the bank of the Baspa with a clear view of the snow-capped peaks was an instant treat to my eyes. I sat there for an hour fondling the beauty of Chitkul with my eyes trying to feed all of it in my mind permanently.

Day 3 Chitkul to Kalpa

The best part about staying in Kalpa was being surrounded by Khumaanee trees which is a local fruit in Himachal that resembles plum. After having a short halt at Reckong Peo for Lunch and gathering our basics from the market, we reached Kalpa.

Luckily my room had an amazing view of Kinner Kailash which was a lovely sight which invited the fellow travellers to my room.

The evening at Kalpa was spent walking down the town and roaming around. We also saw a few local temples and monasteries which had some really good examples of handicrafts and wooden work on them.

As the night approached, I started to realize that it was getting cold. Luckily one person among us had bought Old Monk with him. So we had to take a few sips to survive the cold weather. Our stay in Kalpa had this one big chhajja on which we spent time till late in the night in hope of some stargazing. But instead, we all ended up shedding our outer facades and become more close. This is one of the best things about travelling. We get to meet so many new and unknown souls with so many hidden stories full of adventure. And one lifetime is just not enough to take a ride into these adventures at all.

I do not recommend having alcohol consumption but here I am saying out loud. Thankyou old monk for giving me an amazing night full of diverse stories and experiences with an amazing view of the Kalpa valley.

Day 4 Kalpa to Dhankar Village

After an amazing night gazing and a nice time with my fellow travellers, we left for Dhankar which is the capital of Spiti Valley. Our journey to Dhankar was the longest amongst all our days. Covering a distance of approximately 220 km in around 8 to 9 hours, we covered two stops on our way. But before telling you about these two stops I would like to take a moment of appreciation for this road journey which I found the most beautiful among all the days. After Kalpa, as one starts to approach towards the higher side of the cold desert mountains, the roads have many treats to offer to its admirers.

As one goes beyond Kalpa, towards Spiti valley, they can see the beautiful transition of the green Himalayas slowly turning into the brown desert with a much closer view of the snow-capped summits. Not only this, the roads have many interesting rock-cut formations which are always surrounded by bikers taking pictures. From low rise roads with rock-cut formations to much-heighted desert valley views, this road journey has got all those adventurous feel right. We took a halt at Nako Village which is another village located nearer to the Indo-China border and houses some of the oldest monasteries in the Kinnaur region. Places that can be visited here are Nako Lake and Nako Monasteries along with several local trails that can also be explored.

Our next stop was Tabo Village via Gue Monastery. Gue Monastery is situated in Gue Village which is 10499 feet above sea level and just a few kilometres away from the China border. This monastery is popular among the tourists because it has preserved mummy of a Llama which was found during an army excavation and is said to be 500 to 700 years old. The locals there believe that the mummy is of a holy man Sangha Tenzin who decided to sacrifice his life for the well being of his village. The tourists can glance on the mummy which is kept preserved in the monastery.

One interesting thing that I saw here was that the locals here in this village were very shy but extremely helpful. Not only this they happily told me about many local beliefs and stories of the area and guided me throughout the visit.

The next stop Tabo, had an old monastery which had a mud structure which is a prominent form of primitive architecture of that time. But unfortunately, it was closed by the time we reached there. So we decided to have a nice cup of evening tea and coffee while roaming around the small and clean town.

We reached Dhankar late in the evening and resumed with our nightly ritual. Talking about lives out there in our respective places, the people and the vibe there. And ended up sleeping late in the night in the hope of waking up early the very next day, as we all had to trek to the Dhankar lake.

DHANKAR LAKE: An experience that got my eyes wet.

The very next day our trip lead, Shadab took us all to trek to Dhankar Lake. Luckily we all got up at the right time and left early in the morning when it was dark. Dhankar lake was around 5 to 7 km from my stay location and we walked and trekked the complete way.

As soon as the morning light started to rise, all of us realized that it was not an easy task to trek as all of us were getting tired and started taking small stops for resting and drinking water. As an addition, the cold winds also accompanied us which felt crisp on the ears. There were many moments at which I almost gave up and decided not to trek anymore as it was getting exhausting, but there was still a strong urge to not stop and keep moving ahead until I reach my destination. All thanks to Shadab for motivating me throughout the trek.

As soon as I reached the lake I became numb. I could not move a single inch and looked around. While writing all of this, I am still in the same feeling that I had the very first moment I saw the lake. This experience is one of those moments in my life that I will cherish all my life.

Dhankar Lake which is situated above the village Dhankar at an elevation of approximately 4140 meters in the middle of the hill provides an extremely beautiful view of Kinner Kailash range. One can peacefully meditate there for hours provided that the area is not crowded. We were smart enough to leave early in the morning as there was no one there. By the time we were coming back, we could see people trekking upwards and the crowd was increasing in numbers as the sun started rising.

Dhankar has amazing rock-cut formations which are in the form of ant houses. One interesting fact about these rocks is that they have these shaped structures because of the strong winds that flow over the area. We all left for our next destination which was Kaza after coming back from our trek and resting for a while.

Day 5 Dhankar to Kaza

From Dhankar we reached Kaza via seeing Pin Valley. We took a small halt at a local monastery which I explored only from outside as I was more interested in seeing the local town around.

Pin Valley is a national park where a variety of rare migratory birds can be spotted. Apart from the diverse flora and fauna, one can admire the beautiful valley landscapes which seem right out of some scenery painting.

We reached Kaza early in the evening and explored the market and some amazing cafes. One of my personal favourite and which I would highly recommend to anyone visiting Kaza is Cafe Zomsa. This cafe provides a nice and hippie vibe that a traveller craves for. With amazing live music and a variety of delicious cuisines served in aesthetically pleasing presentation, this cafe has got it all right. We stayed at Kaza for two nights. The next day we went to visit Key Monastery, Kibber, Komic, Hikkim and Langza. This road journey was my second favourite. Our trip leads suggested us to have a ride while sitting on top of the tempo traveller. Since Langza has roads with shallow ends which are not dangerous at all, we all took a ride and saw this beautiful side of Himachal while sitting on top of our tempo traveller. Shadab if you are reading this, thank you for giving me an experience of a lifetime.

We covered Langza Gompa, Komic, Kibber, Hikkim which also has the world's highest post office and then back to Kaza. The night was spent at Cafe Zomsa again with a bunch of some really good travellers and a nice vibe of course.

Day 7 Kaza to Chandratal Lake

Our day 7 of the expedition was accompanied by an adventurous road journey to Chandratal lake via Kunzum Pass. We also took a small stop at a nice location somewhere in Losar for clicking pictures but had to pay the price as our traveller got stuck in the muddy road. Although we managed to get it out just at the right time. We saw many glaciers lying around us as we approached closer to the lake. Chilly winds and runny nose was easily visible on each faces around me. But one thing that stood intact was our urge to reach our final destination and like our usual ritual to have a warm bowl of Maggi there. After seeing Chicham Bridge, Kunzum Pass and Chandratal Lake, we reached our campsite in the evening where we spent the night after having tea and Maggi.

As this was our final night together not a single person slept and we all spend the night talking and discussing how badly everyone wants the trip to not end.

And it seemed as if the universe also wanted all of us to stay together. You all will find out soon why.

Day 8 Chandratal Lake to Manali

We left our campsite at Chandratal early in the morning, to cross Rohtang Pass as it was the rainy season and the roads get blocked. We even got stuck at points where it took us more time to resume our journey back to Manali.

We reached Manali in the evening at stayed at a hotel for a few hours after which we all boarded our Volvo back to Delhi.

Spoiler alert! We did not reach Delhi the next day.

Around 11 pm in the night, our bus driver told us that the roads in the Mandi district had got blocked due to heavy rains due to which we all had to stay back at a local hotel somewhere between Manali and Mandi in Aut. And the best part about this mishappening, no one was sad about it. As we all were very happy to spend one more day in the laps of Himachal and with each other.

Throughout the complete trip to where there were no networks in phones, there was not a single moment when we missed our homes. It was entirely an experience which I cannot put into words. I hereby express my huge gratitude to Justwravel for providing me with an adventure of a lifetime accompanied by an amazing bunch of travellers and our trip leads Shadab and Shivam.

Himachal never fails to mesmerize me but this time it has blessed me not only with an entirely new place that I explored but also a family that I would love to travel with again.

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