THE WARRIOR MERMAID’S NEW HEIGHTS 33 – A STROLL THROUGH THE JEZEBEL MUSEUM CORRIDORS (Part 1) Every time Cindy Ling steps into a room, it feels like the universe itself is gearing up for an unforgettable performance. She has a commanding presence, endless creativity, and that sharp intelligence she clearly inherited from her dad. And the over-the-top, theatrical fashion sense? That comes straight from her Rhode Island mother. Honestly, it’s impossible not to notice her. When she landed by helicopter, the buzz among students and faculty was electric. But Cindy wasn’t there to bask in applause; she had business to attend to. Waiting for her at the JFK entrance was her striking purple electric Chery limousine, accompanied by an attached trailer. On the trailer’s door, a shiny golden star gleamed, with CINDY LING proudly displayed in both English and Chinese. Strutting through the airport as if it were her personal runway, Cindy kicked her boots — still dusty from Iowa — onto the trailer’s small step and waved to her fans before slipping into her mobile dressing room. Just ten minutes later, she reemerged like a fairy-tale character: a snug red-and-white sarong that radiated 1920s gangster chic, a stylish cloche hat adorned with a flashy pheasant feather — artificial, of course — long pearl necklaces, and sunglasses that seemed to hold endless secrets. “Can we just imagine someone else wearing that in public?” Jenny chuckled. “Now, Jen,” Fantine jumped in “you might want to keep that opinion to yourself if you hope for Cindy to play nice!” “Hey, Lass-Kickers!” Cindy called as she flung open the limo door. “Ready to start the show? The ride may be modest, but it’s got room for everyone!” As the group piled in, Cindy was the last to slide in, poking her head out the sunroof for one last cheeky tease to her fans: “I know the city’s eager to see me a bit more… But that was all the time I’ve had, so you can head home now, okay? Zaijian!” With that, they cruised toward the Plaza, with Heidi and Soozie tailing them in Heidi’s souped-up Motorized Grill SUV. The paparazzi trailed right behind, practically racing to capture every thrilling moment. Once they entered the Plaza, Cindy paused. “Hey, Jennifer, do you mind if I hold your little girl? I came back to New York mainly because Daisy Dee was a fantastic mediator…” “Of course,” Jenny agreed, handing over her daughter to her long-time foe. Cindy gently cradled the little one, treating her like a precious doll, which prompted a chorus of “aww” from their friends. Even Jenny felt a wave of warmth wash over her. Not missing a beat, Fantine gave Jenny a encouraging pat on the back that said so much without saying much at all. When they approached the entrance to the Plaza, a bald man in a sharp navy suit was waiting for them. He had a neat goatee and was holding a bouquet of Violet Carsons – Cindy’s top flower choice. “Xièxiè, Mr. Reeves. How’s business treating you?” “Going splendidly, Miss Ling. Were all your requests taken care of?” “With an electric limo, I figured everything else would be top-notch. Come on, ladies, let’s head straight up to the penthouse!” The former teammates looked at each other, eyes wide with disbelief. Even poor old Reeves got caught off-guard. “Are you for real, Ling?” Jenny barely could believe it. “Absolutely! If there’s space for one Lass-Kicker, there’s room for all of us!” Mr. Reeves, the hotel manager, nearly stumbled from shock. Despite knowing Cindy for years, he had never witnessed “commoners” waltzing through that luxurious lobby. “Oh, Reeves, some of my pals will drop by later. They’re tall, strong, and built like fancy refrigerators. Just let them through, nǐ dǒng le ma?” They hopped on the elevator, and the stunned expressions of fellow guests were hard to miss. Meanwhile, the ever-observant Fantine was scanning for exits, plotting escape routes like she was planning a heist. “Don’t sweat the chaos Juzz and Betty left in the library, Jennifer,” Cindy reassured her. “I’m happy to chip in for half the repairs if I can help resolve Jezzie’s puzzle. Interior design is kind of my jam – I can make the floors look like they did back in ’63. And honestly, I’m not struggling financially.” Jenny was left speechless. Could this genuine, caring person really be the same Cindy who used to glare at her like a hawk from the sidelines? “Good thing I didn’t ask Heidi and Soozie to dig it up instead, huh?” Jenny teased, and laughter erupted in their group. When the elevator doors opened on the top floor, they all gasped in unison at the sight of Cindy’s opulent suite. A stunning display of Violet Carsons and a crystal tulip welcomed them right at the entrance. Just a few steps away, there was a row of fifteen bottles of sparkling wine, each chilling in its own ice bucket etched with the Plaza’s emblem. Cindy picked up a tulip glass, took a whiff, and scrunched up her nose at the selection. “Rao le wǒ ba… Château Villette? Does Reeves think I’m still ten years old? Nuit d’Amour? This is basically fizzy rainwater!” “Wow, a little picky, huh, Cinderella?” Betty teased. “Not picky, B.B.,” Cindy shot back, reaching for a different bottle. “Wine is fine, champagne is divine… but nothing embalms me like Judy’s moonshine. Now that’s the true ‘Fountain of Youth!’” Laughter rang out in the room, and Fantine glanced around in utter disbelief. “I’ve seen it all during my time with Audrey… but this place makes the Bourgeois Mansion look like a trailer park!” “Well, what are we waiting for, ladies? To the garden! It’s not even eleven A.M yet, but that sparkling wine won’t drink itself!”
3 weeks ago | 1
THE WARRIOR MERMAID’S NEW HEIGHTS 34 – A STROLL THROUGH THE JEZEBEL MUSEUM CORRIDORS (Part 1) The Plaza penthouse in Manhattan had gained new life under the touch of Cindy Ling, the supermodel. Once known for sheer ostentation, it now was a perfect blend of oriental style and New York’s pulsing modernity — almost like a floating oasis above the city. Almost entirely glass, the view of Central Park was breathtaking. The rooftop garden, lovingly cared for, displayed oriental flowers, vines, and shrubs trimmed with precision. Discreet fountains and marble benches made the place feel more like a private retreat than part of a hotel. That Monday morning, Cindy was preparing for a meeting with the Lass-Kickers, while Juzz was locked in an arm-wrestling battle with Heidi, the Dutch Giant, drawing curious waiters. With her cap turned backward and an intense glare, the Warrior Mermaid tried to withstand the colossal pressure of the three-time “Strongest Woman in New York.” The veins swelling in her arm looked like the Plaza’s own plumbing; the table creaked under the strain, almost begging for mercy. “Relax, Hyde…” Juzz growled, grinning like a beast. “This table will turn to dust before you beat me!” Soozie pumped her fists, hopping in place like a stadium mascot. Betty, meanwhile, barked technical instructions as if victory depended on perfect shoulder alignment. Beside them, Fantine and Jenny whispered tensely. “I don’t buy Cindy’s new sweetness,” Jenny muttered, rocking Daisy Dee, who was crying in her arms. “She called you Captain, and only I call you that, Fantine!” “Oh, come on, Jen! Would you rather she stayed rude?” “She was only rude to me, remember? Four straight years as my backup, picking on me nonstop. To this day I don’t know why!” “She played with your daughter, offered help in the library… People change! Do you really need to poke at a wound every time?” Then Heidi lost the match, and silence was shattered by the click of Cindy’s red heels across the garden. Each sharp step made Jenny tense. The Chinese-american’s fitted red suit gleamed in the morning light with the boldness of someone who never asked permission to enter. “Hahaha, another lesson from the Warrior Mermaid!” Justine raised her fist, sweaty and triumphant. “Vuilnis, what a blast, Juzz!” Heidi laughed, massaging her wrist. “To me, you and Sooz are already at the same level!” “Whoa! Justine, what a phenomenal physique!” Cindy exclaimed, rushing to hug her former teammate. “Your videos don’t do you justice!” “Thanks. But I owe it all to B.B.” Juzz pointed at Betty. “The biggest gym rat in New York!” “This freak is the best student I’ve ever had,” Betty shoulder-bumped Cindy. “In ten months I’ve turned her into 78 kilos of pure steel!” “Jí hǎo de! In less than a year?” “Her motivation is pathological, Ling. Plenty of times she trained in my garage from six in the evening until midnight, nonstop.” “And ate like crazy!” Justine roared with laughter. “I don’t even check the weight anymore. I just close my eyes, breathe, and lift it.” “Did you know her deadlift record is… 360 kilos?” “Wāsài!” Cindy nearly choked. “You two are incredible, wǒ bùshì kāiwánxiào!” Jenny tapped her fingernail against her champagne glass, slicing the mood like a blade. Her gaze was as cold as the drink itself. “Well, the place is gorgeous, the champagne is great, but it’s time to work. And, Ling… no alcohol during the mission!” Soon the seven gathered around Jezebel’s black little box, scribbled with grotesque skulls and the word SCRAM! painted in bloodlike letters. Cindy peered through a jeweler’s loupe, dead serious, as if holding a diamond. Inside was a key on a Rubik’s Cube keychain. Cindy whipped out her phone with the dexterity of someone about to win an auction. “Using an X-ray app?” Betty mocked. “Laugh while you can, B.B.,” Cindy smiled venomously. “This one’s real, my team developed it. I use it at fashion shows to catch industry spies.” Jenny shot Betty a sharp glare, and Betty raised her hands in peace. Cindy activated the app, and the outline of a tiny vial appeared on the screen — with a rolled-up paper inside. The group held its breath. It was like a message in a bottle thrown into the sea — but trapped inside a Rubik’s Cube. “Wāsài…” Cindy wiped her forehead. “This time she really surprised me.” “Totally,” said Justine, pulling off her cap and wiping sweat. “Now,” Fantine cut in firmly, “the question is how to get it out.” “Maybe the cube itself is the clue…” Cindy let it spin on its chain. “Normally, red’s opposite is orange on a Rubik’s Cube, but here it’s purple. Look at the three adjacent colors: white, purple, green. Remind you of anything?” The six looked at each other and reacted in unison, like a roaring crowd: “THE SCHOOL COLORS!” “Exactly!” Cindy grinned, savoring the moment. “If Jenny’s guess about a combination lock is right, Jezzie wants us to only turn those three faces to unlock the secret. Hah… I never thought that crazy girl could be this brilliant…” She snapped her fingers. “Timur, my tablets. I need some insights.” The Russian assistant appeared instantly, posture flawless, two devices balanced in his hands like Moses’ tablets. His suit was so starched it looked like it could cut the wind. “At your service, Miss Ling.”
3 weeks ago | 1
THE WARRIOR MERMAID’S NEW HEIGHTS 30 – MUCH ADO ABOUT ALMOST NOTHING Cindy Ling had hated her birthname, Cinderella, since she was little, and it wasn’t hard to see why. The only time it didn’t bug her was during games at Jeff Hyman High, when the crowd would go wild, chanting like it was a Sonics concert: “Cinderella, where have you gone? I found a glass slipper For you to try on…” The gym would shake with fans jumping and hollering, and for a few minutes Cindy could almost forget her annoyance with her name. Even though she spent four years mostly sitting on the bench with Sheena and Judy, only playing when absolutely necessary, she remained the school’s golden girl — smart, beautiful, charming, and impossibly popular. But Coach Fantine Williams was superstitious and rarely ever touched her sacred lineup: Juzz–Jenny–Betty. Time, however, has a funny way of shuffling the deck. Cindy went on to become the world’s top supermodel, proving she was more than just a pretty face. Jenny followed her love for math, becoming a teacher and, years later, the principal of Jeff Hyman High. So nearly twenty years later, when Jennifer Bennett’s name lit up Cindy’s phone on the porch of Shoody Acres ranch in Iowa, everything froze. Sheena almost spat out her drink. Judy and her wife traded nervous glances with the supermodel. The laughter that had been bubbling on the porch died instantly. — Zěn me yàng? Jenny’s calling me? She didn’t even invite me to the Lass-Kickers’ reunion herself; she sent Fantine instead! — So… you gonna answer? — Sheena asked. — No way. We never got along. — But she’s calling you now. That has to mean something. — Judy held the phone out. — Tiān nà… — Cindy buried her face in her hands. — Well, supermodel, you either pick it up… or you’re having goat stew for dinner! — Judy teased. Cindy’s eyes widened. She remembered all too well how awful that stew looks during their video calls. — Ugh, you sadist! Fine, give it here. …Hello? Jennifer? On the other end, a hesitant voice. — Hi… Cindy? Long time, huh? — Sixteen years, six months, four days, nineteen hours, twenty minutes, and forty-five seconds. Just a wild guess. — Okay, I know I’m meticulous. No need to tease me… — Chill, star player! Did you see my latest campaign? The one with the tiger? — Yeah, I saw it. The CGI tiger looked pretty fake… but you looked stunning. As always. Cindy blinked, caught off guard by the compliment. — Huh… thanks? And the slogan was my idea, too. — “Sure it’s electric, but the tiger still roars under the hood.” Definitely… unique. The playful banter carried on until Jenny suddenly held something up to the camera. — A Rubik’s Cube keychain? — Cindy frowned. Sheena and Judy leaned in, equally puzzled. — Yep. Jezebel told us to find it in the school library. Since the cube’s already solved, we think it has to be scrambled a certain way — like a combo lock. Can you help us, Ling? — I could try… but you do realize there are, like, 43 quintillion ways to scramble it, right? — Ling! — Sheena and Judy snapped. — Not the time for jokes! — Okay, okay! — Sorry, Jenny… we’ve been drowning our skulls in moonshine. Mrs. Picky Lips here downed ten shots without breaking a sweat — but can’t handle my goat stew? Go figure! — Judy cracked up. — Ha, ha, ha… — No problem, Jude. — Anyway — Cindy leaned in again. — Have you tried shaking the cube? Maybe something might fall out. — And what if that sets off a mechanism that erases whatever Jezzie hid? — Sure, and maybe a monk with a gun will barge in too… This isn’t a Dan Brown novel, Jen! — You… are… testing… my PATIENCE, Cinderella! Jenny slammed her hand on the table. The camera shook. Daisy Dee, her baby girl, burst into tears. — Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry! — Jenny scooped her up, rocking her and softly singing Hatebreeders by the Misfits until the baby calmed down. — You see what you girls put me through? On the porch, the trio melted. — Awwww! — Sorry, cutie-pie! — Cindy’s tone shifted instantly. — How old is she? — One year and four months. Daisy Dee’s my everything. Her dad… not so much. Total jerk. They all laughed. The farmers quietly carried snacks inside, leaving Cindy and Jenny alone on the line. — We’ll be there Saturday, Jen. Lass-Kickers reunion. Corn’s on us! — Haha, can’t wait, Shee! — See you then, Jenny. Daisy Dee’s as beautiful as her mom! — Aww… thanks, Jude. And your eyes are still stunning! — Tiān nà … — Cindy smirked. — Saved by your baby-girl, huh? You know what, Jen? Tell the Brooklyn crew to wash the sidewalks, because Cindy Ling’s bringing glam back to New York! Oh, and let Audrey Bourgeois know my left side’s the photogenic one. I’ll see you at the airport tomorrow morning. Jenny froze, blinking. She had expected coldness, sarcasm, maybe even rejection. Not this. — I, uh… I… Cindy winked at the camera, flashing the old Lass-Kickers wrist-cling gesture. — Once a Lass-Kicker… Jenny’s throat tightened, a warmth she hadn’t felt in years pressing at her chest.
1 month ago
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THE WARRIOR MERMAID’S NEW HEIGHTS 35 – A STROLL THROUGH THE JEZEBEL MUSEUM CORRIDORS (Part 2) Since she was little, Fantine Williams had dreamed of giving back to the community what her mother never gave her. Her mother vanished early, her father switched between jobs constantly, and she ended up becoming almost a second mom to her friends—intense, demanding, and a bit nerdy. A basketball ace and Knicks fan, at 14 she, Jenny, and Betty took over the school’s girls’ team and renamed it the Lass-Kickers. In three years they became legends at Jeff Hyman High, and in 2008 they crowned it with an undefeated season and three straight championships. Fantine was the fearless coach/captain; Cindy Ling, the brilliant strategist. Despite her talent and popularity, having won chess tournaments before hitting her teens, Cindy spent high school on the bench, a victim of a silent boycott. Even after becoming a supermodel, designer, and businesswoman, she still dreamed of wearing the uniform as a starter. Now, sixteen years later, fate handed her a new chance: to lead the team in the strangest puzzle of all—Jezebel Escovedo’s Rubik’s cube. They had already found a vial hidden inside with a secret message, but they still had to open it without breaking anything. Patiently—with a lot of online research—each one tried different moves, taking notes, then resetting the cube to its original form. “More French rose water, Timur. And massage my shoulders, qing?” Cindy asked. “Yes, Miss Ling.” “I hate these twenty-five-cent cubes! Impossible to twist!” she grumbled. “If Judy were here…” Betty laughed. “She’d tell us to lubricate this toy with goat grease.” “Absolutely!” Cindy burst out laughing. “First the puzzle, then the jokes, ‘Cinderella’…” Jenny said. And she pressed the forbidden button. Cindy had always accepted that name coming from fans, even from her closest friends—even from herself. But when Jenny said it, it always carried resentment. “Call me Cinderella again and I’ll—” Cindy could barely string two words together from sheer anger. The fork shook dangerously in her hand, and Fantine had to intervene. “Ladies! Really? Jenny! Calm down! Ling! Tthink straight, act like an adult! Remember, we agreed: no fighting!” They glared at each other until the tension broke. “Sorry, Captain!” They both muttered at once, still grumbling. Jenny and Cindy could spar like that for hours. The others just watched. “They were always like this while planning plays…” Heidi said. “Yep,” Justine grinned. “Stick with us and you’ll never be bored.” That Monday, Jezebel woke up strange. After twelve years locked away for a crime so horrific the media wouldn’t even describe it, her fate was sealed: from twenty years, it had turned into life without parole, in absolute isolation. Other inmates feared her, known for being wild and unpredictable. But now she lay on the cell floor, catatonic from her morning shots. Her yellow eyes stared blankly at the ceiling. Inside, though, she was torn: had she made a mistake opening her monstrous heart to her old friends on Saturday night? Meanwhile, four hours had passed at the Plaza penthouse. Everyone sat around the table, exhausted—smudged makeup, wrinkled clothes, hairpins falling loose. No one cared anymore. The Rubik’s Cube had become a real battle. “Shīwàng…” Cindy sighed. “This is too much, even for my 140 IQ! I won solving competitions as a kid, but THIS? Pure torture!” “Jezzie wasn’t playing games…” Fantine munched on her always-there baby carrots. “We’ve tried everything…” Jenny said while changing Daisy Dee’s diaper. “Normal method, Petrus, Heise, Waterman… even some weird ones! Nothing!” “We all thought Jezzie was just some kook with a funny hair,” Fantine sighed. “All done, my precious little gem. Clean and fresh!” Jenny kissed her daughter. “But now what, Captain?” Cindy took the cube again, squinting at it. “Hmm... Dad used to say, ‘Sometimes the most obvious bet… is also the wisest.’” She twisted the corner where the school colors met. The simplest move she could remember… CLICK! In her cell, Jezebel’s eyes snapped open. At the table, Cindy stared in disbelief. “It unlocked! The corner unlocked!” “That’s it, Ling!” Fantine hugged her. “Well done, Cindy!” Jenny, overjoyed, kissed her cheek. Cindy froze, such was the surprise. She wanted to laugh and roll her eyes—but her heart pounded like she was stepping onto the court for the first time. “Sangre de Dios, at last!” Betty laughed. “I couldn’t take losing to Juzz in video games anymore!” “And I was done bench-pressing Hyde!” Soozie added. “Rào le wǒ ba…” Cindy muttered. “Mark my words. I’ll try the same on the other three corners. If the cube opens… I’ll pay to rebuild the WHOLE SCHOOL!” The Plaza erupted in celebration. But even amid the laughter, one thing was clear: Jezebel’s game had only just begun.
2 weeks ago | 1
THE WARRIOR MERMAID’S NEW HEIGHTS 31 – MADNESS AT FIRST SIGHT The love story of Sheena and Judy, who became known as Shoody, seemed straight out of a movie. They had moved from New Jersey to Queens on the same day, never having met before, and ended up attending the same school: Jeff Hyman High. Sheena Colwin, a shy redhead with violet eyes that could melt an iceberg, had grown up in a rural family. Judy Cummings, on the other hand, was a bold brunette, daring since her teenage years. Legend has it that, in the school courtyard, Judy pushed through the crowd and stole a kiss from Sheena in front of everyone—without knowing whether Sheena was in a relationship or even liked girls. The audacity left Sheena shocked, but also enchanted. The next day, they formally introduced themselves in the cafeteria and became inseparable. Despite prejudices and cruel remarks, they won championships with the Lass-Kickers and graduated—Sheena in agronomy, Judy in veterinary medicine. Ten years ago, they sealed their story with a wedding. In 2018, they moved to Sheena’s grandparents’ farm, now called Shoody Acres. Even legends, however, need routine. That Monday, the sun gilded the fields, roosters crowed in the distance, and the scent of burning wood mingled with the sweet aroma of apples Sheena was chopping for a pie. The kettle on the cast-iron stove began to whistle. Peace filled the air—except for one staggering figure: Cindy Ling, the quirky supermodel. The beginning of her hard-earned vacation with her BFFs in ther ranch couldn’t have gone any weirder: she could handle any alcoholic indulgence, but right now the return of Jenny Bennett to her life was the true source of her headache... Her purple helicopter, painted with dragons on each side, was ready to take off—but the pilot was not. “Ugh, my head…” Ling muttered, her hair slightly tousled and eyes shadowed with dark circles. She tried to apply lipstick in a tiny mirror. “These shadows look like caves!” “I told you not to overdo it with moonshine last night! How are you going to fly like that?” Sheena asked, keeping an eye on the whistling kettle. “Ráo le wǒ ba, Sheena! I got my license while hungover, remember?” Cindy said, swallowing pills with a cup of coffee so dark it could have passed for ink. “Sure… Miss Lass-Kicker.” Judy poured more coffee into her friend’s mug, raising an eyebrow. “But our whiskey isn’t for amateurs. If two shots make us stumble, imagine you after a dozen!” “Relax, Jude… it’s just a two-hour flight to New York. What could go wrong?” Cindy massaged her forehead. “I just need more coffee. Imagine if I land looking like a blue pumpkin?” “Classic!” Sheena laughed, spreading flour over the pie dough. “Cinderella and the pumpkin, the perfect match.” The three burst into laughter. Soon after, Cindy took off, wrapped in her purple aviator jacket, dark sunglasses, and a scarf fluttering in the wind. “See you Saturday, girls! The ride to the meeting still stands! Zàijiàn!” “Zàijiàn, Ling!” Sheena and Judy waved with their straw hats, watching the helicopter disappear into the Iowa sky. From above, Cindy watched the farm shrink to a tiny green square amid golden fields. The roar of the engines replaced the rural calm, bringing back the gray skyline of New York—glass, concrete, and smoke instead of wheat and apples. Along with the landscape, the uncomfortable memory returned: the school where it all began still held secrets. Meanwhile, Principal Jenny Bennett was devising a rather eccentric plan: close the entire school and take the students to the airport, just to buy time and hide the mess the Lass-Kickers had left in the library. In Heidi’s imposing red SUV sat Jenny, Juzz, Fantine, Betty, and the Hysooz couple. “Will you EVER act like adults?” Jenny exploded, losing patience. “Thirty thousand dollars in damages! As soon as Ling leaves town, I want every detail of the 1963 floor restored.” “Could you yell any louder, Jenny?” Betty muttered, calculating on her phone. “Thirty thousand divided by six… five thousand each. Ay, mami…” “I hope Ritch helps cover my share,” Juzz huffed. “And why did you bring Daisy Dee?” “Because I found out Cindy loves kids,” Jenny explained, adjusting her daughter in her arms. “My little one here will make sure Ling and I don’t fight.” “My dear…” Fantine shook her head, incredulous. “New strategy: use a baby as a shield.” “And you should’ve dressed up too, Juzz.” “No way, Jenny. After that prank by Ritch’s mom, I’m not wearing a suit even at my funeral!” The purple helicopter appeared on the horizon, and the roar of the rotors made the students cheer like it was a championship final. Flags waved, hair flew, and teachers struggled to control the most excited ones. Cindy remembered Jenny’s call: in the past, the team star and her reserve had been rivals. That’s why the invitation was a surprise—even more so with the unexpected sparkle in Jenny’s eyes. For a moment, Ling felt that her former colleague was genuinely happy to see her again. But more than reunions, there was a puzzle waiting to be solved: a mystery connected to the Lass-Kickers’ past, perhaps even to the school itself. Taking a deep breath, Cindy sent a text to the Plaza as she landed. The wind from the rotors brought shouts and applause from the students. A corridor of former classmates opened up, all cheering like a rock concert. Cindy adjusted her scarf, lifted her chin, and smiled at the cameras, hiding her hangover with her usual charm. “Showtime, Cinderella…”
1 month ago
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THE WARRIOR MERMAID’S NEW HEIGHTS 32 – GLAMOUR IS BACK! Cindy Ling, the dazzling supermodel who always flaunted her own brand of style — and somehow loved homemade moonshine — left the press stunned by accepting a call for help from her old high school rival, Jennifer Bennett. Sixteen years without a word, and now out of nowhere, she showed up in New York in the most spectacular way imaginable! From the sky, a shiny purple helicopter covered in golden dragons spiraled down toward the airport runway, sparkling like it belonged in a pop music video. The crowd froze — students, teachers, even the security guards, all wide-eyed and speechless. “Whoa…” Jenny muttered. “She… flew that thing herself?” With surgical precision, the helicopter touched down, sending dust and loose papers everywhere. “JING YA, BIG APPLE! GLAMOUR IS BACK IN TOWN!” Before anyone could breathe, the legendary Jeff Hyman High chant shook the air: “HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY CINDERELLA, WHERE HAVE YOU GONE?” For a moment, Cindy was back in 2007 or 2008, when her popularity was so over-the-top that even as Jenny’s benchwarmer, the crowd begged to see her play — leaving coach Fantine Williams torn between nerves and pride. The door swung open. Cindy stepped out — pure glamour with a streak of mischief — grinning from ear to ear. She laughed so hard she nearly tripped, last night’s moonshine still twinkling in her eyes. A teenager held up a sign: “Cindy, marry me!” while dozens of phones livestreamed to TikTok, hashtags blowing up: #LingIsBack #CinderellaLanding. Fantine, flawless in a sharp blue suit with a bright red bow tie, adjusted her jacket nervously: “Welcome back, Cindy! So… can I hug you? You never know with celebrities…” “Relax, Captain, I’m home!” Cindy shot back, clearly enjoying herself. “A Lass-Kicker doesn’t waste time with formalities. And wow, this suit! You’d slay on one of my runways!” Jenny blinked, caught off guard. Captain? Until now, only she had called Fantine that. Cindy’s jab was loud and clear. Cindy went down the line, hugging everyone: “Hyde, Sooz! Our giants, finally a couple! I lost my mind over that Hawaii selfie — partied so hard they had to sedate me just to finish my makeup! And Betty, we need to talk — does the Torture Chamber still exist? I ate like a lunatic in Iowa. My trainer would’ve stomped me flat on the sidewalk!” “Anytime you want, Cindy…” Betty chuckled. “And waaaa, Juzz! What are you eating, beast? Those muscles are insane!” “Chicken. Tons of it…” Betty whispered to Jenny, making the crowd burst out laughing. Juzz, in her signature sleeveless purple hoodie and backwards cap, flexed her enormous arms, and Cindy’s jaw nearly hit the floor. “So, like what you see?” The stunning brown woman grinned, proud of her hard work. “Woooo de ma yaaaaa, Justine! Someone better chain those prisoner balls! They could fit FIVE Cindys inside you! Funny though… you look thinner in your videos…” “Wait… you follow me online?” Juzz blinked. “Of course! Kids in Shanghai love your silly workout clips!” “Seriously? Hear that, Jeff Hyman? I’m viral in China!” Juzz flexed again, and the crowd erupted like a rock concert. Fantine, smiling proudly, murmured: “And to think, just two days ago Cindy was strutting as a Kung Fu warrior in Guangzhou…” Meanwhile, Cindy spun her sunglasses around her finger while talking on the phone: “Hello, Mr. Reeves? Morning. I’ll be at the Plaza in an hour. Send clothes and makeup straight to the airport. Prep the penthouse with a garden round table for seven. And champagne on ice — the good vintage. Zàijiàn!” “Drinking before lunch, Ling?” Jenny teased with a crooked smile. “Oh, the ‘life of the party’… almost forgot.” They exchanged a quick kiss on the cheek and a lightning-fast hug. Cindy ran her hand along Jenny’s lapel like it was a rare gen: “Wow! This suit is…?” “That’s right. A Cindy Ling 2022 collection,” Jenny smirked. “No blazer fits me better.” “Ooooh…” Cindy blushed slightly. “Maybe reconciliation isn’t so impossible after all.” Then she spread her arms and spun like a diva on an improvised runway, grinning at the bleachers and the livestream cameras: “SO, JEFF HYMAN? READY FOR CINDY LING?” Behind her, the helicopter blades still spun. Fans screamed themselves hoarse, the school band blasted the old welcome anthem, and phones lit up the sky like stars. Sooz leaned toward Hyde and whispered: “Looks like glamour’s back, babe. Should we start charging admission?” “Only if she brings the champagne…” Hyde just grinned.
3 weeks ago (edited)
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LadyxNoir_Editz
Hey guys!!!❤️🔥❤️🔥
I missed u all sm!!!😭😭
Sorry for being so inactive..I am really busy with college and stuff!!
And with whatever free time I hv I edit as much as possible!!!💙
Here's a new Rosè edit I made!! Check it out pls<3
youtube.com/shorts/FxbDgjCB6g...
And belated happy birthday bestie @Carameditz !!!💗
I am so sorry for wishing u late:(
And Miraculous is flopping recently.. I Mean whatever Miraculous edits I upload barely gets 200 views....
So that's why I edit a lot of Blackpink recently and I am actually in My Blackpink era too!!!❣️❣️
I feel like I am losing interest in Miraculous so u guys will get only a few edits!!
I will make a MIRACULOUS 10 Year special anniversary edit next!! I am working on it rn:)
I will try to upload it by next week!
Ly all sm !!❣️💗
Bug out!!💖
1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 994