One Nice Bug Per Day
TVSTRANGERTHINGS
let's talk about Bridgerton tea, my ask is open

shark vs the universe
wallacepolsom

Product Placement
dirt enthusiast

⁂

Kaledo Art
sheepfilms

No title available
he wasn't even looking at me and he found me
AnasAbdin
tumblr dot com
almost home

Origami Around

oozey mess
Three Goblin Art
hello vonnie
occasionally subtle

seen from United States
seen from United States

seen from T1
seen from United States
seen from T1

seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from Germany

seen from Brazil

seen from United States
seen from Brazil

seen from Australia
seen from Canada
seen from Brazil

seen from United States

seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
@kuratio
@pseudohorror
“Green, black, or white?” Details are important in her line of work. Clarification draws a thin line between frustration and understanding. White noise is usually the first that fills silence, allowing just enough room for doubt to creep in and plant the seed for miscommunication. Jiyoung knows what she does is senseless from an outside perspective, but is only interested in how he reacts to her behavior when she chooses to sit beside him in the waiting room instead of allowing her intern applicant to arrive at her office by himself.
“Ah...excuse me.” She drops her hand from beneath her chin to straighten in her seat, crossing one leg over the other. The same hand waves through the air, as if to erase her previous mistake from an invisible board. “I meant what type of tea do you prefer? Assuming you like it at all.”
It would be strange of him not to be surprised. Her face is not all that forgettable, and definitely not one to be so callously greeting interviewees this way. Her published articles on mental institutions and the psychological correlation between diaspora youth creates the history behind infamous disputes. Yet she is still most recognized for the court cases she offers her medical assessments for. At least, that is how the general population has seen her face. From one controversial trial to the next on the news.
But this boy--and very impressive student Do Kyungsoo--knew all of this, at least most of it. So why was such a face like hers the one coming to him?
“I actually prefer coffee,” she comments easily, ignoring how her secretary across from them both is staring at her as they speak quietly into their headset. Likely to another client arriving soon. Jiyoung glances down at her wrist. “We’re running a bit late already, so which do you like?”
Kwak Ji Young @ Elite by Donald Gjoka
― Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy (2013) Mary: I wanna go left. Is that really my choice? Or am I being controlled by some force? And if I go right? Am I overcoming the force? Or is the force controlling me all the same?
darkmay
The familiar voice of the waitress who was standing near his table had him listening again. An exchange of money for coffee, he realized, after she said the amount that was owed. $4.19? They were awfully overpriced. He hadn’t even intended to remember their menu and the prices, but the numbers and words stuck in his head as if they belonged. It helps the headache…
He caught her gaze immediately upon her pushing the cup of coffee towards him. The scent of the coffee was as bitter and strong as he knew it tasted - dark roasted black without cream or milk. He tilted his head away slightly to avoid the steam that was touching his skin, swallowing down his words. Unless momentary blindness is what you’re after, then–… Her lips kept moving - and it was fine, because he didn’t let himself hear a thing. Instead, he took his time to memorize her features. She was ordinary looking - but far more fresh than anyone else here, effortlessly put together with minimal makeup.
It had become a habit to casually pick a person’s facial features apart upon meeting them. He needed to remember the people that spoke to him, and of the people that surrounded him as much as he possibly could. None of this was out of genuine interest, but rather a hypersensitivity that he was forced to learn, which had now become a part of him. He didn’t need to make sure to be aware - he simply was aware of those he came across more than twice, and those that frequently spoke to him or saw him.
There was a slight shift in his air, and he felt almost weightless again as he let his muscles relax - face, shoulders, hands. He rested his hand back down on the table where his menu was, letting her voice slowly drown out by the cafe noise. A headache was a headache, and it would pass. Nevertheless, it had been a mistake to come here, and he briefly contemplated walking out in the rain. His uncle didn’t care what he did as long as he finished what he started - even if that meant temporarily abandoning his assignment halfway through just because things weren’t going as planned.
It’s not poisoned, she had finished. And he would have smiled just to shut her up, if that line itself wasn’t so concerning. It gave her away.
“How comforting,” he brought the cup to his lips to take a sip, glancing away to see if the kid who had looked at him earlier was still around. Apparently not. The coffee was bland, but he didn’t care. It was during times like this that nothing mattered - he had already lost the sense of time, stuck in an over-crowded place that was beginning to feel sticky, with rain pounding down ceaselessly against the windows.
He placed his cup of coffee on the table, thumb following the curve of the handle. If she were to take notice of his hand, she would see the several old scars the drew up crookedly on the skin, alongside a fresh cut that was plastered over by a band-aid. Maybe she would realize it wasn’t only a headache, but the lack of sleep that made his eyes hurt. He hated when strangers were at such a close proximity, because they could confirm what they could see. Besides, there was something about the force of her gaze that he couldn’t quite place - it had him questioning her actions - because he knew she hadn’t offered him a cup of coffee out of kindness. She was aware and observant - and it showed.
“If I die - it’s on you.”
The menu was cool against his palm, and it was only then that he realized how humid the cafe had become. It seemed the weather wasn’t going to give, unfortunately. The same waitress came by again and glanced between the two of them, before carefully picking up his cup of coffee. With a tray in her one hand, she held out her other for the menu, to which he gave without a word. She left without smiling or thanking them, and that was cue for him to leave. His uncle had his way of installing trusted people in every location that needed monitoring - the waitress and the kid were only two of the many. This way he didn’t need to wait for a phone call, or a text, to know everyone was in their place, and that the only thing left was for him to proceed comfortably knowing he could finish his assignment without fail. He was still alone though, but if anything went wrong, the blood wouldn’t be on his hands.
The clock on the wall near the exit read 3:14 p.m., and he was due for 4:30 p.m. - so he had a little over an hour to spend waiting for the rain to stop.
It is undeniable in moments that she does not want to be needed by the government or relied on by the people in her life. She wants to be somewhere she can observe. This is a form of her escaping a rigid routine, no random act of kindness in a corner café for a stranger. So she listens to the one who fits this scene in a placed manner. As if he were planted, but groomed to fit neatly into the folds of an every day situation.
She believes he is an odd boy with peculiar reactions. Not the worst, or even questionable—but far from average. She notices significant motive in his words. A potential end to her curiosity if she dared act on such an eccentric thought. Whether he would leave the situation first, or tell her to leave. It does not matter to her. She does not expect more to result from this. Instead she pays attention. Tilts her head and feels long strands of hair fall across her cheek.
There is a statement in his tone when he mentions his death just to blame it on her, and the fact that he is not ignoring what she says speaks louder than that possibility. There is not ‘if you really poisoned me’ in his voice, but a definite result from even considering it. Jiyoung contemplates, and folds her hands on the table. Fingers thread together. She presses lips to a closed fist and dares to think he is interesting.
“Are you waiting for someone?” Her throat itches to ask more, but she forces herself to remain simple. Wondering if he would catch the shift. It may be something or nothing he wants, after all. “A nice boy like you with a face like that. I wouldn’t be surprised if you had a date.”
Nice. Handsome. Punctual. She wonders if he’ll deny any of her assumptions. The glaring menial detail in a loud room remains from the bandage on his hand. Camouflaged only by an array of activity. She would not have noticed. Not the pressing weight. This heaviness on their actions is just as normal as their hands, and she assumes it is not typical at all. Even the way he holds the coffee is with automatic detachment. Perhaps from the entire situation and not necessarily her. She’s sure he would notice the hesitation if she paused too long. So she wraps fingers around his hands and brings them closer. Touching his hands reminds her of her brother. There are callouses in the same places. Not worn hands, but precise hands accustomed to the same movements over and over.
“You have good circulation,” she comments, more because she probably should say something. Though he does not seem like the type to think silence is uncomfortable, her actions are often premeditated based on the one she speaks to. Rules of social exchange run together in her line of work and this is just her observing him. Even the way shoulders rise is with purpose, and she fakes a shiver (though the steady fall of rain presses an unnatural chill upon the room). Touching has nothing to do with the weather. It is an exchange of attention. “My hands are so cold all the time. I’ve been told it’s like holding hands with a dead fish.”
There is her reason. Her hands are cold, so she takes his. Waiting for his as rain drums against the roof. This wave of noise joins the interference of every voice in her head. It becomes a game of plucking out the noteworthy tones and ignoring the crash of sound hollowing out her thoughts to observe his expression. There is the smell of chocolate pouring over into the poignant odor of coffee. She leans forward just as a plate smashes against the floor. Her attention lingers over shards peppering the floor. Concentration is just as broken. She presses the toe of her boot over a white sliver of a plate and applies pressure until she feels the edge barely against the underside of toes.
Silence envelopes each voice in the room just so they can all watch a waitress struggle to sweep up remains and apologize to customers. She of course says it is fine, as it always is, and her only question is pointed. Not a whisper between familiar people and just meant for him.
“What do you think?”
The woman who doesn’t need validation from anyone is the most feared individual on the planet.
Mohadesa Najumi (via godmaking)
❝Tʜɪs ɪs ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇsᴛ ᴅᴀʏ ᴇᴠᴇʀ❞
illota:
Soaked to the bone and irritable, a quiet fury begins and ends when he sees exactly who it was that has become his least favorite person on the planet. A plethora of imagined reactions - most of them involving one of his limbs meeting the other’s face - are dropped as he hears plastic clattering to the ground.
Stunned is perhaps a good word to use in this situation. He is stunned into silence for the first portion of their interaction, after the initiation. He doesn’t know who she is or why she’s here, but he definitely has to do a double-take.
She’s a natural beauty, weathered by more than just the rain today.He’s not the only one disgruntled by the sudden collision, and it’s pretty easy to tell.
He finds himself wanting to apologize but tripping over the words even in his head, so he doesn’t. But she does. It’s hard for him to tell if it’s genuine or sarcastic until the passive-aggressive statements start rolling off of her tongue.
He decides that he likes her already. He finds his voice again as someone else’s eyes find him.
“Not really, no,” he says, “But insults aren’t supposed ta give ya the warm ‘n fuzzies, ‘r they?”
There’s an umbrella in his hands now and he barely manages to oblige her, pressing himself into an endcap of beef jerky and fun-sized candy bars until she passes.
His feet move without his consent and he’s trailing a couple steps behind. It takes his brain a second to come up with a good (or not-so-good) reason.
“I’d prefer one’a those, if ya wouldn’t mind givin’ it up. Don’t look like ya smoke too much anyway.”
The second squeak of shoes against floor does not escape her attention. Little ever does. This kid is actually following her. She’s calm, but not unguarded. Her posture reveals that much. Overhead lights flicker in trance with the smash of thunder. Eyes close. Her ears are ringing, and she waits for a storm of noise to subside before speaking--first slowly, as if the weight of rain is pressing down on her tongue and she’s learning how speech feels again.
“I suppose not.” Even if her question had been rhetorical, she’s nearly surprised he replied.
Even so, Jiyoung remains unimpressed that he seems to tail after her and compares him to a wet stray bumping its nose against her heels. Not that she voices that thought. She’s learned most of them are better off kept to herself. Most.
“Correct assumption,” she agrees, choosing to refill her coffee as she speaks. Not looking at him yet. “They are not for me, which by extension also means you. As much as I’d like to trade a pack of smokes for being accosted and hearing the obvious, I think I’ll decline. Imagine my disappointment.”
Then again, would her brother really notice one cigarette? She finds some sort of amusement in the fact he’d probably pop a vein over talking to such a kid on this side of town, much less supporting their nicotine call. Fingernails raking through short black hair, face red with irritation. The controlled officer releasing a childish round of fury in her face. Then the idea is gone, because she has more important things to worry about than short-lived satisfaction. Entertaining whatever interest this guy had with her was not one of them. One cigarette means more than she’s willing to give.
“I don’t pay for strangers’ bad habits.” She does not realize she muttered that into her armful of random picks, or register she’s still next to him until thunder rattles the novelty keychains strung up near a line of cheap sunglasses. His blond-haired, pierced reflection catches in the blue pair of bifocals, and she notices her expression is pensive next to his. She watches her lips form a shut down.
“The umbrella wasn’t an invitation to talk.”
In fact, she was hoping he’d take it and leave, but there’s little hope for that now.
In the wrong light anyone can look like a darkness.
Richard Siken,
War of the Foxes
[ x ] (via aaronwarnerr )
.:‡:. sweats
Situation: In a shared dream/Hotel Lobby (i accidentally shuffled twice so combined)Sentence: “How likely is that?”
She finds herself memorizing architectural schemes of hotels they shuffle her into. We need your professional opinion in New York, they say. Pyongyang, Shanghai, Sicily, and now—Gangnam. The expenses for her are usually paid, so she never complains about the requests. Some businessman wants his employees assessed, but she would not be here if she wasn’t curious about one thing in particular.
Each city is different—a culture reflects in its structure even if she does not see the distinction. Jiyoung wants to claim Korea as her home, but there is always a slight disconnection. Not born, not raised, and valid here only by blood. She feels placeless, even if her role in the world is not. All it takes in return is her mind and her sleep. She’s begun to journal again at the suggestion of her sister (her devout father’s voice rings around her head unsound, mentally unstable, family disgrace, locked away, why would you listen to her). Jiyoung experiences recurring dreams. Each night, one boy tells her how she will die (beware of false prophets). The subjectivity of art is comforting when she records it by sketch.
Fate, as it is, remains impartial to human circumstance. The randomization of life events lead her to this case, but the decision to accept was at no fault but her own. Holding tight to only your own interpretations can shrink the world into a one-sided view when it is truly multifaceted. So she observes, and listens, and decides.
She hears footsteps, and sees the line of men in suits. Light shudders across each of their grim faces from the open check-in window where the receptionist is flustered–can I help you, can I help you, sir–one seems too young and out of place among such serious men.
No one is quick to smile, and she decides to bow.
[ We want you to meet someone. ]
Of course.
[ He’s very important. ]
His name?
[ Not important. ]
–ah.
Jiyoung’s brows press together before the weight of her gaze falls to the row of shiny black shoes and then back up. The likeness of this kid is inked on her personal sketchpad. She should be at least embarrassed, if not perturbed (he is no longer product of just a nightmare). Instead, she’s thankful it’s tucked in her briefcase so no one will ask questions.
Do not project irrational feelings onto a stranger.
“How likely is that?” she asks after a moment, holding their eyes for as long as she can. “We’ve met before.” This is true to her, and she speaks matter-of-factly. People in your dreams are drawn from experience, so they had to have met before. She’s been staring at the boy too long, but hopes he has something to say in return. Even if it only is to prove her wrong.
In front of him, she is reminded of how powerful a conviction can be.
One need only wholly and completely to believe themselves; the rest will follow.
.:‡:. BABY DONT HURTZZ ME DONT HERTZZ ME NO MORE ( pls hurt me)
Situation: On a Blind DateSentence: “Sorry, my mistake.”
A prologue
She has readabout grief, and in that aspect prepared patients and case studies on how tohandle it. Her mind is attuned, and the steps may as well be tattooed to theback of her eyelids. The world moves on and her feet are still rooted inmoments no one else realizes the importance of (it is intimate, the memories betweentwo people). Impossible to replace and many waste time in an attempt toduplicate a feeling.
Pain, asmost things, remains relative. She convinces herself she is okay after hisdeath due to her job description. Mental stability is an ideal in psychiatryand yet she is bothered by her own stagnant observations. Is she alreadyruined, or just accustomed?
What was not enough–
“Jiyoung—“
She is atwenty-something in the United States in the middle of her busiest years. For aface so young, the eyes that glance up remain heavy with thought glancing overtheir slim shoulder. She had been expecting a man. Her friends never askedabout her sex life, her preference, and now she feels foolish for assuming (always overanalyzing and never seeing) when she notices a woman in front of her.
“Christ,”she immediately interjects, hand about to cover her mouth but pinching the bridgeof her nose instead. She’s already apologizing and they seem unbothered by hersurprise. Jiyoung decides she hates the spontaneity of blind dates now and cannot tell if they find her reaction funny or off-putting. For once grateful the music in this club is loud.
It’s good—her eyes widen only slightly as sheremembers other words—if you meet otherpeople.
She’s askedagain if her name is Jiyoung, and straightens her shoulders. Draw a breath in.
“No,” shefinds herself disagreeing, and standing. “I mean yes, I am. You would know,wouldn’t you?” Closes her eyes–exhale–opens them again. “I believe there’s been a mistake.”
This world is still turningand she is so focused on its senseless internal workings. Fingers curl around the crook ofher arm and she pulls her purse further up her shoulder.
“Sorry,” sheexcuses herself without moving while her words fall apart. “My…mymistake.”
They remainquiet. She feels like a child.
“Is thatright?”
No, it neveris. She is already sitting back down.
They meet inLos Angeles.
Situations & Sentences RP Meme
Rules: Send me a “ .:‡:. ” and I will generate TWO random numbers. The first for a situation, the second for a sentence I have to incorporate into my character’s reply for a drabble/starter [specify].
Class: Mix of fluff, angst, drama, silly, etc. Trigger warnings may apply.
List 1 (situations): 1-35 List 2 (sentences): 1-45
Keep reading
❝Tʜɪs ɪs ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇsᴛ ᴅᴀʏ ᴇᴠᴇʀ❞
It’s warm enough that he doesn’t need his jacket. The protective layer of leather has been abandoned, forgotten in a fury that has him walking fast with some sort of purpose.
The streets are damp and the heavy clouds overhead foretell more rain is to be had, but they’re the only ones who know when it’s going to come down. They don’t spill their secrets to anyone on the ground. It’s just a matter of time.
The insatiable desire for nicotine starts up again as he passes block ten, and he knows that he’s going to be gone for a while. He digs around in his pocket for a package of cigarettes but comes up empty of anything but lint and his keys.
Maybe he should’ve worn the jacket after all.
“Fuck.”
Things just aren’t looking up for him, these days.
He wants to clock himself. Even his wallet was left behind, sitting on the kitchen table next to a broken pair of cheap chopsticks. His fingers find their way to the blond mess on his head and he feels like he should be pulling. He wouldn’t feel it anyway. But they skate over his scalp and his arms fall back to his sides and he’s about to turn around when it finally starts pouring.
He’s soaked in seconds.
It takes a moment or two for him to actually register that he should move. For that precious few seconds, he finds himself just staring up at the gray sky, wondering what this is all about. Those thoughts are abandoned just like everything else as soon as he makes it to the nearest awning. He’s mostly shielded for now, but it’s going to be a while before he can get home.
So he might as well go inside.
It’s a 7-Eleven that he finds himself entering. The bell over the door rings as he squeaks his way past the counter and towards the chips. He’s not the only one here to get out of the storm, it seems. He’s squeezing past several patrons on his mission to find something to do.
Someone shoulder-checks him.
“Watch where yer goin’, shithead!”
[ 7 missed calls – 18 messages ]
Today is tired and heavy. Everyone carries the rain in the sky as if it has sunk into their minds instead of soaked their clothes. Children understand. They play in puddles and smile even without the sun. Adults make a wrong turn into a grey area. Attempt to organize the senseless mechanics of this world and then blame the weather.
Her watch beeps—beeps—beeeeps—she shuts it off and closes her eyes. Feeling the vibration of her phone.
The NIS has not stopped calling her since she disappeared from the office and she wonders how long she can stare out a pock-marked window until they track her down. Van parked outside her apartment.
Miss Kwak. You are not supposed to leave our protection until the case is closed—
Phone in her hand, she glances across the first text and ignores the pulsing CALLING icon. Maybe she should answer it.
[ 14 missed calls – 22 messages ]
Breath sucked between her teeth when shoulders collide. The distinct sound of plastic scattering is hard to disregard. Phone busted. Her irritation is hard to hide, but pools from the heat of coffee splashing the front of her shirt followed by their sharp, “--shithead.”
How colorfully unoriginal.
“Would an apology make you feel better?”
This is not her inviting confrontation. Just thinking for a moment, realizing her shoulder is wet from running into him, and meeting his eyes. Slightly narrowed.
“I’m sorry.”
Mostly because she’s not--really, and if she were a better person she would just leave it at that. Jiyoung does not lie to herself. Her mind is too heavy with other’s secrets to keep facts inside her mouth.
“I’m sorry you have a terrible attitude,” she continues, brushing fingers over her shoulder as if the water will evaporate from threads. “I’m sorry you were so distracted that you could not pay attention to anyone aside from yourself. I’m sorry insults involving limited profanity is all you can come up with. I’m sorry that I was in your way in a crowded convenience store where people are taking shelter from the rain—does that make you feel better?”
An older woman is gawking. Mostly at the boy’s piercings and hair. White—blond?—how adventurous.
She shifts her purchase—two packets of cigarettes (not for her), and a coffee (black, and if you look down notice her blouse is stained)—to her other arm before handing off what she held clutched in her free fist.
“If you want an umbrella,” she offers and does not really care if he decides to take it. “You’re in my way.”
Organizing the senseless mechanics of this world is horribly contradictory and she’s the worst culprit.
[ 0 missed calls -- 0 messages ]
Shut IT PSYCHIATRIST WHORE
Ji Young Kwak for ELLE Korea, by JDZ Chung