#Sales and Distribution course

[scoopen]

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[aachria]

The long awaited (maybe? Idk how many of you were waiting for this) SSSBMTY College AU!

Majors in bold

Headcanons in regular text

Notes about the art indented in orange

Luffy — Undeclared

Was forced into school by his gramps. (The university dean. The fucking dorm building all the Strawhats but Jimbei live in is named after him.)(it was this or join the navy.) Takes the most random classes he can. Some of them are advanced and require perquisites and no one knows how he keeps getting into them. Wears shorts and sandals in winter & will run any errand or do any odd job for food. He has a very nice bike he got for free from a garage sale that Franky fixed up. There's a campus wide bet on when and what he'll choose as his major. His bucket hat was a gift from Shanks, the universities World Economics prof. Has a million friendship bracelets on his ankles because Ed makes them when they're stressed. Never has a bag on him. Fights Canadian geese on the way to class, like a fucking maniac. Protected species who?

When I tell you that this drawing of Luffy is the first time I've ever drawn actual feet with toes that don't look fucking ridiculous I need to cheer for me. Why is he a different flavour of boy every time I draw him please. His ass isn't rubber in this universe, of course he's scuffed to shit. Chopper ran out of Spiderman bandaids, sorry bud. Advocate for the Single Piercing Luffy™ agenda, he went and got it done with Ed when they got their helix.

Ed — English major Psychology minor

Took History of Piracy for easy grades & a story idea. Known around campus as that asshole who'll tell you exactly which of your roommates ate your leftovers for $5. Is roommates with Luffy because of a system mix-up when they got distributed. Always wears a Burberry trench coat Nami thrifted for $3 and gave them as a bday gift. Carries everything in a ratty falling apart messenger bag. Them and Luffy filled out marriage papers on a dare, Zoro (who got legally ordained on a dare minutes before) oversaw that, Zoro and Ed filed the papers when they were drunk. So Ed and Luffy are legally married. And they don't even notice until tax season and Jonah, Ed's accounting friend, asks about it.

I need you to ignore the inconsistence with the hands in these ok? Some of them get very nice and normal hands, and others get weird shaped blobs. Sorry Ed, them's the breaks kid.

Zoro — Health and Fitness major Mathematics minor

Literally no one knows why he has a Mathematics minor, least of all him. P sure he walked into the wrong class on the first day and just stuck with it. The most terrifying captain of the kendo team the university has ever had. He's won more championships and trophies in his tenure than the school has in its history, the revenue he brings in from sponsorships and such make them turn a blind eye to his... eccentricities (three sword style. Nobody has stopped him yet, anyone who says it's illegal gets penalized). Has had campus security called on him so often from being creepy when walking home from the gym in the dark there's a poster of him in the security office that says 'NOT ACTUALLY A THREAT. JUST WEIRD AND WALKS WITH PURPOSE.'

Zoro's sword patch on his jacket was designed by Usopp, embroidered by Luffy for a class (shittily) and fixed up and sewn on by Ed. Those docs have seen war. He has put them through hell. He has walked through a fucking river with those things, he superglues them back together every time they break. Franky had to strongarm him into getting the soles professionally replaced.

Nami — Meteorology major Finance minor

All of her clothes are thrifted designer things. Regularly terrorizes Value Village employees. Anything she has that isn't thrifted she gets from the many estate sales she plagues, snatching grandma's entire Chanel collection and all her nicest jewelry. She has absolutely everything anyone could ever need in her purse. Tampons and pads? She gotchu. Extra pens? It'll cost you, but yeah. A curling iron? Sure, why the hell not. She runs the betting pool on Luffy's major with Ed. She also writes a gossip column for the school newspaper and has a podcast she uploads a new episode to every few months. Shows up to every class looking like a supermodel no matter the time. 7am? Perfect. 10pm? Fabulous. Your go-to if you get locked out of your dorm. Has a moped but barely uses it.

Nami's bag is a large Prada Gallaria Saffiano bag, which I painstaking drew to accuracy down to the colour even though it still looks ever so slightly different, because Nami is a big purse girl. The compass rose necklace was a going away gift from Nojiko when she left for uni. I think her haircut is so cute I love her sm. Don't pay any mind to how fucking disheveled half of their lineart looks next to her pls.

Usopp — Graphic Design major

Not a member of the archery club, but shows up enough he’s in all the team photos. Was originally the designated driver, had a pretty little mini van they called the Merry, had one of those fucking fuzzy dice hanging mirror things in the shape of a sheep’s head. Got in a bad car accident and she got totaled by some jackass in a red Honda Civic. Dating Kaya, who’s a nursing student. They barely see each other because she’s so fucking busy and half the students are convinced the girlfriend Usopp is always talking about and calling is fake. The Strawhats have a dnd campaign that they run every other week, Usopp DM's. On weekends he works at an axe throwing range and holds the record for most bullseyes in a row. They have his picture mounted on the wall.

Usopp's necklace is the old key to the Merry, and he engraved his belt buckle for a project. I cursed his ass with the giant fuck off portfolio bag because those things are so big and unwieldy. The people in his program's studio never clean their paint up properly, that's why he's covered in it. Advocate for the Usopp With Gages™ agenda. God he is such a cutie patootie.

Sanji — Business degree

Literally grew up working in a restaurant, he’s only going to school to get the degree so he can open his own and also because Zeff threated to castrate him if he didn't get a higher education. Cooks basically every single meal for the dorm, since it’s just the Strawhats (it's a new (old it's old and was refurbished. Everyone assumed it was haunted.) building that they just dedicated to Garp. Has no other residents yet). Him and Zoro fight so much in their shared room half the time he ends up kicking him out and making him sleep in the community room lmao. He just shows up in half the culinary classes because he hates the business ones so much, the one time someone tried to tell him to leave he cussed them out for a full ten minutes while gesticulating wildly with a knife in hand. They never tried that again. Saw one of the profs berate a young lady for wearing a dress shirt to class because it’s impractical and proceeded to take that personally. Yeah he wears three piece suits to all his classes, he could still kick you ass in ‘em. Shut up. Volunteers to show around foreign exchange students because he can speak at least 4 foreign languages fluently. Is it to woo pretty French girls with his charm? Wouldn't you like to know.

I could not draw Sanji in a decent pose for the life of me, his ass was just not having it. He's got one of them really nice leather messenger bags with the lined pockets and filigree, he's very proud of it.

Chopper — PreMed

One of the few Strawhats who regularly sees Usopp’s reclusive girlfriend, and is very confused as to why people think she isn’t real. Still a literal child (is 15 still a child? Yeah that's like barely a teenager), a goddamn prodigy and got in with an incredibly good recommendation from the best doctor in the country, who just so happens to be his adoptive mother. He’s literally too cute for anyone to question that, plus he’s the sharpest tack in the damn class. He knocked his front tooth out ages ago (it was an adult tooth) but he's too fucking busy to get an appointment to get it fixed, just adds another layer to his babyface. Nice girls keep asking him if he's here to go see his parents or older siblings, he's endlessly infuriated by it and Sanji is endlessly jealous. Saved Ed from choking to death in a Domino's parking lot the first time they met, he dropped his pizza doing it so they bought him another. The rest is history. Does not feel cold, wears chunky boots year round. Got them reflective ass eyes like a deer, no one has ever taken a good picture of this child. He looks fucking possessed in his school ID.

TELL ME WHY I ALMOST FORGOT TO DRAW CHOPPER. I finished drawing Franky and was like "gee, only Brook and Jimbei to go! Good for me," and then I had to pause while looking as the picture of the group I was semi-referencing for heights n shit and was like "OH FUCK THE CHILD—" He's so cute tho. He's giving lil baby Goro Akechi. The argyle sweater vest and Timbs were a must, so was his hockey boy haircut. Matching backpack and tie for the win. Oh and the freckles, Chopper with freckles is everything to me.

Robin — Has a million hyper specific degrees. Currently earning her third doctorate.

Very mysterious and sexy. Mature student who occasionally gives lectures in the archeology program when she has free time. Owns a motorcycle but barely rides it. How is she not in debt after so much schooling? Don't fucking ask if you want to live. Is that why she lives in the dorm building? Do. Not. Ask. She and Luffy attend the same Theology class, no one knows how Luffy is passing with such good grades, but Robin is adamant that he doesn't take notes or borrow hers, and takes to having the same scores as him with grace. Child actor on one of those show like Barney (but not Barney dear lord) or Reading Rainbow and people only knew her as 'that kid with the creepy fuckin stare.' She was a meme a few years back, they called her the devil child. Every time someone asks her about it she just says she has no idea what they're talking about while giving them the creepy stare.

Women with Big Bags truther, right here. Robin deserves to be put in a suit. Goddamnit, get that woman in a suit!

Franky — Has a bachelors of Engineering, a bachelors of Architecture, and is earning his (water specific) Architecture degree

Currently the groups designated driver (after the tragic death of the poor Merry) with his supped up SUV, the Sunny. How do all the Strawhats fit inside? The power of love, obviously. That car will NOT fucking move if even one of the seatbelts is undone. Made Ed and Luffy wedding rings after he found out they accidentally got married. (Only after laughing for a half our straight, almost passing out, and laughing again. Then he cried for another hour about how beautiful it was.) He sometimes works as a nude model for life drawing classes on campus. Half of the the Strawhats have, in one way or another, seen him in the buck. Has knee braces from an... incident... with a train when he was younger. Now he volunteers at KidsAbility and has a shift on the campus crisis/suicide hotline. Huge advocate for mental health services at the school. He lives in the dorms for the ✨experience✨. Even worse than Luffy, mf wears booty shorts in the dead of winter. He's constantly dressed like It's laundry day. One of those guys from a famous Vine when he was younger that just gets stopped while he's walking so people can go "TRAMPOLINE VASE GUY??" (Iceberg was recording. I love Iceberg.)

Yes Franky is wearing an I ♥ MILFs shirt, what of it? It was a gift. Drawing him was an exercise in struggling with the pompadour and getting uncomfortably close to drawing Syndrome. Yes, he's cold all the time. No, he will not stop.

Brook — Literally no one knows. Something music related probably.

Fucker has been around forever, there’s old ass profs who swear to god they went to school with him and he hasn’t aged a day. Regularly plays local bars and cafes. Doesn't own a cellphone, he can literally only operate rotary phones. Computers confuse the shit out of him. Knows nothing about pop culture or recent events, but is up to date on everything in the music industry. He sometimes helps organize the old library archives because he's somehow the only person who understands the system they're organized in. Sometimes he'll just namedrop a famous singer/band he's either played with, done karaoke with, or done background vocals/instrumentals for and you have to guess whether he's telling the truth or just saying shit. There's a campus wide betting pool (run by Nami and Ed, go figure) on whether he's a vampire, ghost, time traveler, or Dorian Gray in disguise. Prepares the questions for 70s night pub trivia. Every time the Strawhats plan a ghost hunt he's busy, then at the end they find out that all the paranormal shit they've been experiencing is just him running his errands. It's happened at least four times.

Is Brook off-putting enough? I was trying to make him off-putting. He swears up and down the neck tattoo was gotten on a dare by Elton John, what, you gonna question a man who looks like he stepped out of Coraline? The skeleton gloves were a gift from Ed.

Jimbei — Has already graduated as a Marine Biology major Political Science minor and is taking both a Gender Studies course and a Peace and Conflict Studies course years later.

Teaches martial arts at a local dojo on weekends and volunteers with the martial arts team on campus. Robin helps him organize protests on weekends. He's good buds with a lot of the faculty and gets invited to after work drinks regularly. He helped establish a program that walks people who stay late at the library to their dorms when he was first a student that's still going strong to this day. Lives off campus and has the Strawhats over for BBQ on long weekends. Literally the only time the Strawhats eat food not made by Sanji. The Grill Master™. Somehow holds some kind of record or high score at every single bar/pub in town. Knows every single mailman and janitor by name. MVP of the catch and release fishing club, helps plan all of their trips.

I struggled with him. I struggled hard. That's a man who went his whole childhood with a horrendous underbite and only got it fixed once he was an adult. Ed gave him the fishing lure earrings out of guilt after he brought them on one of his fishing trips and they fell in and nearly capsized their boat. IT'S A REUSED PLASTIC BAG JIMBEI IS RESPONSIBLE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT—

[pumpkinpaix]

You have questions! We might have answers.

What is this collection?

As Maria puts it: this collection is a critical look at some of the things that we, the editors, think have made CQL such a hit around the world. Of course, part of that success comes from the webnovel MDZS and the show CQL themselves—we love the characters, the mystery, and the drama, who doesn’t?! However, the authors in our book also look at topics like translating danmei (both officially and unofficially), adapting danmei for new audiences, and interacting with fandoms and fanworks. The larger argument of the book is that all of these things played a huge role in CQL’s visibility and success, and we wanted to start making those moving pieces visible, especially for audiences who mainly watched CQL in translation.

You keep using the word “academic”—what does that mean, exactly? 

Maria: Ok, not to get pedantic here, but this actually touches on some things that I’m really excited about for the book. Traditionally, academic work is written by people who have a deep expertise in the subject (signified by having a PhD and doing specific kinds of research), and then the work itself is peer-reviewed (i.e., sent to other experts in the field for them to evaluate whether it’s sound, original, and interesting enough to publish, without knowing who wrote it). And both of these things are true about our book—our authors have deep knowledge and the book was peer reviewed—but also. We specifically asked for chapters from younger scholars and from fans who also have deep knowledge about topics that academia doesn’t always know or value enough, and we include an interview from the fan-translator K. who did the Exiled Rebels translation. So the hope is that: this book is academic, and also—more!

Who are you? 

Yue studies adaptation, fantasy, and popular culture texts using a feminist lens. She wrote an early, influential article about danmei adaptations and also has a book about feminist adaptations of Chinese fantasy.

Maria studies fanworks, contemporary fantasy, and genre literature. She’s scrambling to finish her dissertation right now.

How were the chapter spotlights chosen?

Voluntarily! The concept of a small social media promo was kicked around by some of the contributors and those interested in the idea filled out a short interview with what they wanted to share. We'll be posting about 2 introductions and 2 spotlights a day for the next week or so!

Who's running this social media campaign anyway?

Not the publishers! A few enthusiastic collection contributors got together and, with the assistance of the editors, have put this promotion together. We do not in any way represent Peter Lang in an official capacity! We just worked hard and wanted to share. :)

Are you making any money off of royalties from this book? 

LOL not even remotely

What about this promotion?

also no. alas

Where can I find this book? 

You can find our listing on Peter Lang’s website here. As for other retailers, a quick search should turn us up!  

How can I access this book if I cannot buy it from Peter Lang / [book retailer of choice]?

As collection editors and contributors who signed a legal agreement with Peter Lang, we have granted Peter Lang exclusive right and license to edit, adapt, publish, reproduce, distribute, display, and store our contributions, and we must cooperate fully with the Publisher if the Publisher believes a third party is infringing or is likely to infringe copyright in the contribution. 

That being said, these are academic papers, which means that contributors may make copies of the contribution for classroom teaching use! (These copies may not be included in course pack material for onward sale by libraries and institutions). Of course, any linking, collection or aggregation of chapters from the same volume is strictly prohibited.

(FAQ may be updated periodically!) (all posts on Catching Chen Qing Ling)

[toxiccoworkeryaoi]

Teacher AU

Eddie who studied to be a music teacher but right before graduation Corroded Coffin takes off. It's fast, they have to mail him his diploma to avoid a crowd of fans at his classmates' ceremony.

But it goes as fast as it comes, a few years of touring and then popularity wanes. Eddie is not bothered by it, neither are the guys, they enjoyed it while it lasted, yet they all knew they couldn't live like that for the rest of their lives, so it's all for the best.

Eddie lives off of album and merch sales and writing songs for other bands and artists now. This is when his best friend, Chrissy, tells him she heard the music teacher was retiring at her old pre-school.

Eddie applies for the vacant position, fearing they won't like his former star status but ultimately, after a good interview, he gets the job.

Steve who became a pre-school teacher and started teaching as soon as he could. He lives with his best friend, Robin, and coaches the town's junior basketball teams (both boys and girls) on his off time.

Steve who's nearing his thirties and getting a little frustrated with his love life. No matter how many dates, no matter how many 6 month relationships, no matter how many 1 year and a half and moving in together debacles, he still just never quite fits his partners, he never feels that thing, that excitement everyone talks about. No matter how amazing the person. Robin calls him an idealist, says he's being naïve. Steve sticks by his instinct to hope for more.

Steve who stares (a little slack-jawed) at the new music teacher for a good minute when he comes pick up his kids. Trying to take in the wild hair pinned up by a pencil, the glasses around big cow eyes, the tattoos peeking out of his long sleeves, the dimples.

He was aware Mrs. Wallace retired and a new teacher was brought on, he just hadn't expected his heart to race at the mere sight of him.

Steve completely misses his name, has to ask him to come again when those beautiful brown eyes get a mischievous sparkle and look expectant, like he got stood up waiting for an answer.

"I said it's nice meeting you" the new teacher repeats

"Oh! Of course! You're very nice. I mean it's very- It's nice meeting you too" Steve says and forcefully shuts his mouth, pressing his lips into a thin line.

The new teacher's smile just gets bigger and he nods and leads the kids to his class.

Robin thinks it's beyond funny that Steve doesn't know the new teacher's name, but she refuses to explain, refuses to tell him what it is and encourages him to find out on his own.

Steve approaches the guy in the teacher's lounge at lunch.

Beyond whatever the hell makes Steve's brain functions jump ship when he's around him, Steve does think it was rude of him to stare and not even introduce himself when they first met.

His mother may have been real shitty, but she didn't raise someone impolite.

"Hi," Steve starts, making the other man look up at him from underneath his glasses. Steve looks away for a second to avoid getting lost in those eyes.

"I think I owe you an apology," Steve starts, the other teacher raises his eyebrows and lowers the book in his hands.

"I'm sorry?"

"That's my line," Steve points out, he's rewarded by a small laugh and dimples, "I was rude," Steve explains, "I was staring and I didn't even introduce myself. I'm Steve." he smiles and extends his hands to the other man.

"I know." the guy says, smiling big enough to show his teeth, but gently taking Steve's hand in his own "I told you, they were nice enough to put all the names in my schedule, remember?" he says,

Steve freezes.

How come he didn't think of that? His schedule is the same, all schedules for teachers have everybodys' names. They even distributed new schedules for everyone when the hiring decision was made, Steve just hadn't bother to look at it yet, knowing the important bits hadn't changed.

Steve would facepalm if his dominant hand wasn't otherwise occupied.

"Uh-" Steve starts, thankfully the other man cuts him off,

"Hey," he says, with the kindest eyes Steve has ever seen, and still gently holding Steve's hand, "It's cool. I get it." he tells Steve,

Then he asks, "Are you a fan?"

Steve stares again.

Excuse him?

Judging by Robin's smirk accross the room, Steve's face must be as red as a ripe tomato.

Steve yanks his hand back.

Well, that's presumptuous. Just because Steve isn't very good at thinking whe he's around him, doesn't mean that- Sure, Steve came prepared to flirt with him, but he does not appreciate beaing treated like he's easy.

Steve frowns at him before turning around and promptly walking away. He guesses he'll have to go check his schedule if he wants to know the name of this jerk.

[tumbleweedstillhaspanic]

All as it Should Be: Crowley/Reader Chapter One

Chapter Two HERE

An unexpected run in with a djinn sends Crowley into the life of his dreams married to one Y/N Winchester. Will the King of Hell wake up in time to save himself? Will he want to wake up even if remaining in his ideal dream life kills him? Waking up and facing reality just might mean confronting the complicated status of whatever has been happening between him and Moose and Squirrell's lovely sister. Crowley has never done well with feelings given his demonic nature and Y/N's brothers aren't quite accepting of his fondness for their beloved sister. Perhaps a dream where he gets to have the woman his heart desires is worth it even if it's not real? Is facing reality a risk the King of Hell is willing to take? Not all in this fantasy world is as it should be, but is Crowley willing to risk facing the truth

==========

The sleek black SUV turned onto a road leading into a simple looking suburban neighborhood. The driver of the vehicle felt the stress of the day slide further and further from his frame the closer he got to home. 

The driver sang along softly to the sound of the Rolling Stones playing over the radio knowing most would be shocked to find that he had quite the pleasant singing voice though it was as low pitched as the usual deep gravel of his speaking voice. He sang along to the lyrics to Sympathy for the Devil as he neared the end of the block where his home sat.

The home was probably not the most impressive if you were to ask for the opinion of some of the friends he’d left behind in New York. The simple two story home was the epitome of an apple pie all american suburban home, complete with the white picket fence. Rose bushes adorned the lush front yard, Y/N’s work, she turning down his suggestion of hiring a landscaper to care for the  yard.

The home at least sat on a large lot though in Crowley’s opinion it made the little home seem all the more petite. 

The white siding of the home was a bit faded, the house being a bit of a fixer upper when it had been purchased. At least the roof was fresh and new, the previous owner having replaced it after a bad storm the spring before the house had gone up for sale. The kitchen had needed a major upgrade though and the wallpaper had to come down in a few rooms, looking far too yellowed with time for comfort. 

Crowley had of course tried to talk his love into something much more deserving of her, but she’d fallen in love with the little two story home talking a mile a minute about the veggie garden she wanted to plant in the massive backyard and the cute little floral wallpaper in the downstairs bathroom. 

He’d been unable to deny her of her desire for the simple little home even though in his opinion she deserved a grand estate filled with the latest luxuries.

When he’d expressed this opinion she’d only rolled her eyes, remarking that she’d settle for the luxury of a pricey kitchenaid mixer instead. He’d only huffed mumbling something about how two out of three of the Winchester offspring had an obsession with baked goods which had of course earned him a playful smack to the side.

Crowley Macleod knew that no other woman could have possibly talked him into living so happily in someplace far less grand than the luxury condo and fine family estates he’d left behind when he’d made the leap moving to Lawrence, Kansas of all places.

The things he’d done for love.

When he’d taken a business trip to the midwest he had never expected it to change the trajectory of his life.

He’d been long running the family business of producing and distributing luxury scotch whiskey and his business was looking to expand outside of the United Kingdom. It was easy enough to import the luxury scotch to the states, but he’d thought it might be a wise investment to set up a much larger secondary location stateside. He had done well for himself building up the small but successful distillery that had been part of his massive inheritance. The little business had long been in his family, and he had built it into a grand empire of sorts. It was now time to expand the business. He’d already set up shop in New York, but the Big Apple was not the best spot for a distillery.

He had looked at some land out in New Jersey but had sought out something where the skies were a little bluer and the land was a little less factory filled.  

He’d found some beautiful land right outside of Lawrence, Kansas that he had decided would be perfect to set up a distillery stateside. 

He’d only been in town for a few weeks when he’d met the love of his life.

Y/N Winchester was not what he’d been expecting. He’d been attracted to the much younger woman the moment his eyes had met hers at a little bar near the hotel he’d been staying in.

She’d been on a girl's night but that had not stopped her from noticing the man at the bar nor had it stopped her from accepting his offer to buy her a drink.

She’d always been a sucker for an accent and Crowley MacLeod had the loveliest British accent that had done the strangest things to her heart. His voice could easily be described as a rich velvet so much more refined that the local male population who usually gave her their attention despite the attempts at intimidation from her two brothers and an overprotective Godfather.

Crowley had his fair share of female attention, but he’d not quite been willing to tie himself down. He played the field and sought out companionship for one night but nothing more when the need arose. He was a lifelong bachelor too tied up in his business ambitions to settle down despite his mother’s nagging that he was her only shot at grandchildren. 

Falling hard for Y/N had been so unexpected. He’d found he was infatuated with the young woman; she was so seemingly independent and quite frustratingly stubborn when it came to falling so easily for the usual charms he might pull on women.

She had entertained his offers for shared drinks that night at the bar, but he’d had to put in some work to gain her phone number. It had taken quite a few phone calls and it had maybe taken more than one bouquet of flowers for him to talk her into an actual date. 

The first date had done it though. The attraction between Crowley and Y/N could only be described as magnetic. He was unlike any other man she’d ever met; sophisticated, intelligent, witty, confident, and secretly quite prone to lavish her with attention and gifts.

Although she had proven to be quite headstrong when it came to accepting his attempts to woo her with gifts. It had taken a bit of work on his end to convince her that he had zero ulterior motives when he’d presented her with bouquets of roses and boxes of Belgian chocolates.

He’d spent about two months balancing setting up the newest MacCleod Glencraig Whiskey distillery right outside of Lawrence and romancing the vibrant young woman who had so easily enraptured him.

When the business trip had come to an end, he’d been shocked by her willingness to try a long-distance relationship. It seemed that she had sensed that perhaps Crowley MacLeod was worth the complications of doing long-distance.

A year of long-distance had led to the realization that Crowley MacLeod wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his days with Y/N.

He’d talked her into visiting him at his old family estate in the Scottish countryside and a marriage proposal had been made which had led to quite the shocking compromise from Crowley.

He knew he had a reputation for being quite selfish and unwilling to compromise when it came to his desires outside of working the usual business dealings, but when it came to Y/N he would fold so easily.

He’d agreed that they would settle down in her hometown in Kansas, Y/N unwilling to leave behind her troublesome brothers nor the life she’d built in Lawrence.

Moving the day-to-day workings of his business had not been difficult. He was the owner of the business after all. He had simply moved his home office to the Lawrence location and made it work traveling up to the northeast or the UK when he needed. 

Crowley had relented to his beloved’s longing to remain in her hometown, settling down into a sleepy domestic routine and he would not trade it for the world.

He parked the SUV, pulling the keys from the ignition, and retrieving his briefcase from the passenger's seat.

He made his way up the walkway giving a polite wave to his neighbors as he made his way to the front door.

He did not bother with the house key knowing his Y/N was home, he had spotted her little green Volkswagen beetle in the driveway.

He felt every last ounce of the tension of the workday melt away as he entered the walkway shutting the door behind him.

His eyes met a delightful sight; Y/N bent over in front of a massive black German Sheppard her voice a sweet sugary tone as she handed a treat over to the dog. “That’s a good girl Juliet, such a good pup for Momma. Yes, you’re Momma’s good girl.”

Crowley spoke an amused tone clear in his voice as he deposited his briefcase and his black wool coat in the coat closet at the front entryway. “I thought she was Papa’s Good girl.”

Y/N stood up a slow sultry smile crossing her features as she made her way over to him, a playful tone entering her voice. “She might be Papas' good girl as much as she's Mama's, but I have found that I am Daddy’s good girl.”

The low growl that left his lips caused her to smirk as she leaned up her lips sliding along his stubbled cheek, the facial hair a new development. He’d been clean shaven for a long while, but he’d decided it was time for a change. 

Marriage had quite the impact on him it seemed. He’d lost a little weight and seemed just a little less serious. It was clear he was taking better care of himself. He drank less and smiled far more. He found time to relax. He had something to live for outside his work ambitions. It seemed that a domestic routine agreed with him.

He placed his hands at her sides sliding them under the gray flannel she wore the soft cotton of the camisole top she wore underneath the flannel sliding against her skin. His hands ran down her sides resting against her denim clad backside the cut off shorts her usual go to during the summer months at least when he was not at work.

When she was at work, she tended to gravitate for sweet little sundresses that she found she could move freely in at the little bakery she’d been running for a long while now. She had a love for floral dresses despite her loungewear usually consisting of flannels, band shirts, denim shorts, or leggings. 

She had embraced the more traditionally feminine articles of clothing when she was out and about. She admitted that she had slowly had to learn how to be a proper girl in her own words, given that she’d been raised in a household raging with testosterone.

She had been raised by her father after the death of her mother when she was barely two years old. She had two brothers Dean who was two years older and Sam who was two years younger.

Both brothers were quite protective of their sister, it seemed they considered her to be more of a baby sister despite her being the middle child. Her father had passed on years ago rather suddenly which had only made her already overprotective siblings all the more irrational.

She had to learn how to be tough growing up. Her brothers may have babied her, but her father had been more of the tough love type. She’d been taught to fire a shotgun, throw a punch, and fix up a car. It seemed he’d raised her more like a son than a daughter.

As she’d entered her teen years, she’d leaned more into wanting to be less like the son her father had raised. She had chosen to rebel against her father’s parenting choices by taking an interest in baking, make-up, sewing, and activities that her brothers showed so little interest in.

She insisted that her father had loved her, but he’d had little idea of how to connect with her. She’d reminded him of her mother she’d insisted. She had been a stark reminder of Mary Winchester.

Perhaps that was why Dean and Sam took such great care in nurturing her in their own neanderthal-like ways. She was their delicate little angel of a sister, and no one touched her or they dealt with the Winchester brothers. Y/N was always quick to remind them that while she might bake a lovely cherry pie, she could throw a mean right hook despite Dean and Sam’s belief that she needed their protection.

In Crowley’s opinion Y/N’s childhood had not been ideal and her brothers did not treat her with nearly the respect she deserved. Although he’d never met her father, he held less than favorable opinions about the man. He had met her brothers and disliked them immensely though he knew the feeling was mutual.

His own childhood had been less than ideal. He had not even known his father and his mother had been neglectful when it came to showing affection at best. Though his marriage and the love of his wife had pushed him to attempt to form some sort of connection with his mother, he could admit that his feelings for Rowena MacLeod were less than fuzzy even if the woman did seem to adore her daughter-in-law.

Needless to say, Y/N’s daddy issues matched his mommy issues. Perhaps that was why they’d connected so deeply as their relationship progressed.

He did not have much time to focus on thoughts of their less-than-ideal childhoods Y/N’s lips sliding so sinfully along his jawline. He spoke unable to stop himself from teasing her. “You know I might just think you missed me today.”

“No idea where you’d get an idea like that.” She teased back her hands sliding up his torso settling at his silk tie she easily loosening it. 

She spoke a familiar seductive tone entering her voice. “You are far too formal.”

“Oh, whatever shall we do about that.” He replied a low chuckle leaving him as she pulled his tie from his collar tossing it on the sofa behind her.

“I have a few ideas.” She replied, her lips sliding along his he eagerly returning her affections.

He groaned as a familiar ringtone interrupted the delightful direction this was clearly headed. She pulled her lips from his, her eyes cutting over to the coffee table where her cell phone sat. He sighed the blasted Van Halen song playing on the phone connected to the number of one of his least favorite individuals. 

He spoke his voice a rare pleading tone. “Just ignore it, Love. He can leave a message.”

“You know he usually doesn’t reach out, Crowels. I have to take it…he’s trying.” She replied he reluctantly allowed her to pull away from him.

Crowley felt a scowl develop along his features, his shoulders tightening as he watched her pick up her cell phone, sending him an apologetic look. “Hey, Dean.”

Crowley sighed, dropping down on the sofa resisting the urge to pout too much as he listened to her talk on the phone trying to gauge the direction of the conversation.

There had been too many phone calls he’d witnessed Y/N have with her older brother where Crowley was left wanting to rip Dean Winchester limb to limb. 

Dean’s overprotective tendencies tended to trend to asshole behavior. Crowley had little tolerance for tears the behavior brought out in his love.

She sighed pacing the room, her shoulders tensing as they usually did when she was feeling anxious. “Of course, Dean, we're still on for tomorrow night. I’m glad we agreed to a family dinner night. I’m sure I’m fine with hosting. Crowley and I have already done all the shopping for a good pot roast. I know you love my pot roast. I can’t say Sammy feels the same, but he can be tempted by the garlic mashed potatoes even if he’s on another one of his kale filled health kicks.”

She paused a nervous laugh leaving her. “I promise there will be pie.”

Crowley couldn’t stop himself from grumbling even if he knew she could damn well hear him. “He doesn’t deserve your baking.”

She sent him a small glare as she continued to speak. “Yes, Seven Sharp. We’re looking forward to it. Goodbye, love you too.”

She sent Crowley another glare, the man unable to hold back his sharp tongue. “Who are we you’re speaking of who is looking forward to this dinner?”

She dropped her cell on the coffee table sitting down beside him on the sofa with a huff. “Be nice, he’s trying. At least they’re agreeing to family dinners. That’s progress. It’s just going to take time.”

“He’s had time, Darling. You give those bloody brothers of yours far too many chances.” Crowley grumbled, unable to stop himself from voicing his true thoughts out loud.

The subject of the dynamics between her and her brothers was the source of quite a few arguments between Crowley and Y/N. He disapproved of her brother’s treatment of her, and she tended to attempt to play off the hurt feelings that often came with her brother’s attempts to protect her.

In Crowley's opinion Dean and Sam did not want to admit that their sister was a grown woman who was perfectly capable of handling herself. She was strong willed, intelligent, kind, and resilient. They saw her as some little girl who needed her brothers to make all her choices for her. They overstepped their place in her life and squashed over her opinions. They might love her, but they did not respect her.

She reached out placing a hand against Crowley’s cheek forcing him to look at her. “Please don’t start this, Crowels. We’ve had this talk time and time again and my stance is not changing. I hate this talk.”

Crowley shook his head a huff leaving him. “And I hate that Moose and Squirrel squash every boundary you place. You’re a grown woman, Darling. You have your own business which you run just fine without them. You don’t need their approval for every little choice you make.”

She sighed, the look in her eyes making a sense of guilt hit Crowley like a punch to the head. Now, he’d done it. His attempts to defend her had only upset her. Wasn’t that how this fight always went?

He spoke again trying to smooth it over. “You can’t fault me for not liking it, Love. I tend to get a little grouchy when it comes to someone hurting the woman I adore.”

She pressed a soft kiss to his cheek fast to speak. “I know, I know you only say it because you care. Trust me though, my brothers and I are complicated. Unpacking all that shit takes work. We might love each other but we’re both pretty good at hurting each other’s feelings. It’s just how we are. It’s a delightful little side effect of how we were raised. You can’t fight those demons overnight.”

Crowley sighed, biting his tongue, tempted to point out that the siblings' complicated dynamics had been fostered by their father. The demons the siblings carried were a result of a broken man who had let his own demons lead to the siblings practically raising one another. Of course, the family dynamics weren’t the most stable.

Crowley frowned at the thought…demons…

He felt an odd sensation begin to develop in the base of his gut at the choice in words. Something seemed so strange. Something wasn’t right.   

His eyes searched his surroundings as the thought clawed at the back of his brain. Something was wrong about all of this. 

His attentions were pulled by a soft caress to his cheek, her voice a siren's song. “Baby, you look a little lost. Are you okay?”

He turned to face her his eyes meeting hers, all thoughts of things seeming so peculiar leaving his mind. “Just tired, Love.”

She giggled, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “If you think you’re tired now, just you wait. This time next year we’ll be downright drained.”

He chuckled, his hand pressing against her stomach. The raise to her belly was barely evident. To the naked unknowing eye it looked as though she’d simply gained a little weight.

She spoke needing to say the words. “I need to get things right with my brothers Crowels. We owe that much to him or her. I don’t want to have to worry about this kid seeing their father and their uncles constantly at one another’s throats.”

He sighed, guilt sweeping over him. He wanted to argue that the tension between her brothers and he was all the Winchesters doing. He was totally innocent.

Though he knew he wasn’t entirely innocent. He’d met snarky comments from Dean with more than a few barbed words of his own. Sam usually attempted to keep the peace, but he was obviously not on Crowley’s side in any of this. 

He knew the Winchester brothers did not think he was worthy of their sister. They had made that fact known.

They thought he was far too old for her, far too snobbish, far too arrogant. He would be lying if he tried to claim he was not a bit of an arrogant prat at times, but he refused to allow her brothers to tell him that he did not deserve her love. 

Dean and Sam Winchester had no right telling Y/N who to love.

“I know, Love. I’m sure our little love will soften the tension between me and the boys. Though I will miss our frenemy energy.” He remarked she giving his shoulder a playful smack.

He chuckled at the action. “Rude.”

He pressed his lips to hers as she spoke. “I think I’ve made my stance with my brothers quite clear. Pretty sure I laid down the law on our wedding day.”

He chuckled remembering she bluntly telling her brothers that if they dared to object to her union with Crowley, she would castrate them both. 

It seemed that both boys realized it was in their best interest to not ruin their sister’s big day. Y/N was not above becoming a bridezilla if she had to. 

Dean had drank a little too much at the wedding and glowered through most of the festivities, but he’d at least kept his lips shut. Sam had maybe more than once asked her though if she was sure about marrying Crowley.

Despite her brother’s sour moods their wedding day had been the happiest day of Crowley's life or at least it had been one of the happiest days along with the day they’d found out they were expecting.

He ran a hand up and down her stomach, the action soothing his worries over her brothers. She was nearing the end of the danger zone, and it was finally time to share their big news with everyone. 

It had not been an easy road for them. She’d already endured a previous miscarriage. It had been heartbreaking, and Crowley hoped and prayed to anyone who cared to listen that she did not have to endure that pain again.

It seemed that someone was listening to his prayers because the pregnancy had taken and the little life within her was growing strong and healthy.

He sank into her kisses, overjoyed at the thought of his child growing within her. He made a silent promise that he would be an amazing father.

He would do it right this time around. He would not make the same mistakes he’d made with Gavin.

He frowned at the thought…Gavin? Who in the hell was Gavin?

Y/N noticed the stillness of his lips she pulled back concern washing over her features. “My Love, are you okay? You’re getting lost in thought again. You seem uneasy.”

She stroked his cheek as she spoke again. “If you’re worried about the baby, I want you to wipe all those fears from your mind. We are both just fine.”

Something did not seem right about all of this. Who was Gavin? Why did the phrase fighting demons seem to spark a sense of unease in him? She spoke again, looking all the more concerned. “Crowley, talk to me, Baby. Have I done something wrong? You seem upset.”

The distress in her voice pulled him from his thoughts. He hated how frightened and guilt-ridden she sounded.

She was so sweet and so loving. She was more than he could ever be certain he deserved. 

She should never sound so distressed especially if it was due to him. He loved her. He more than loved her. He worshiped her. He would give her the universe, no questions asked.

He spoke shushing thoughts that something seemed off. She was right. He was just tired and worried about the baby and her brothers being flannel clad nightmares. 

“I apologize darling. I think it’s the heat.” He reassured her a smile crossing her features.

She pressed a kiss to his cheek, a playful tone entering her voice. “I know you love those tailored suits, Crowels. But I think it’s time I get you out of that suit.”

He chuckled as she stood from the sofa pulling him along behind her with a surprising amount of strength. “I think you said something similar to that the night I knocked you up.”

“Very funny, although I wouldn’t mind repeating that night…even if I’m already knocked up.” She joked, causing a low growl to leave his lips.

He grasped on to her backside, his lips meeting hers in a deep searing kiss, all thoughts of anything seeming off fading far from his mind.

There was not a thing wrong. Everything was as it should be.

[theallianceofcelestials]

Hey! Thanks for the well wishes! Can we have a drabble about SEA's KC meeting Daycare attendant Eclipse? Like in that What if they met Eclipse while he was still a Daycare Attenant ask, Along with the rest of the family if you want, it's been plaguing me since I asked about it! (Joke)

Hope you have a great day! :D

- 🎭

Let's just do KC for now, but just know the rest of the family is also out and has escaped the Foundation.

This is also gonna be the last drabble for a while I think while I think about something :P

(Also have a great day!)

This new world is so strange. It's filled with things and buildings he doesn't recognise, people that look so strange and speak in a language much simpler than theirs, and there're people who look like them but are clearly much weaker too. The humans call them animatronics.

They seem to be treated inferiorly, which does not surprise him. Humans have always been horrid creatures.

There're also new things humans make and sell too. Some he recognises the importance of, like bakers who sell already prepared bread and much more, stores which sell ingredients, butchers specialising more towards meat, clothing shops and the restaurants where you can order already prepared food if you don't have the time. Why these cost money now, he doesn't know, but he understands their existence. Food and clothing are important.

What he can't understand are these new services that seem so inane to him. Why are clowns important for example?

Also, why is furniture for sale? Aren't those better off in houses? Why aren't they already distributed?

It appears as if humanity took as many steps backwards as it took forward with how primitive and idiotic their system has become. They call it society now he thinks.

Like what is a daycare?

He pauses in front of the building, now clearly closed or at least in the process of it, trying to look through the glass and failing. But he can see the movement inside.

Killcode hums, shrugging. What bad could it be to explore? If the human inside has any issues, he can just murder them.

So he pushes the door open, unknowingly sealing his fate.

.*.*.*.

Today has been awful.

There were too many children dropped off, probably because the administration of this place does not fucking care, the new ones were all misbehaving little shits and some of the parents put their children to shame with their screaming. He wasn't made to handle adults throwing tantrums for crying out loud!

And now the daycare is a complete mess that he has to clean up alone, because this place can't be bothered to do the bare minimum and hire at least a cleaner. He has to do everything by himself.

The new body is also giving him slight troubles, because he's taller now. And more modern too or whatever. He's not used to towering over the kids even more, and he's not used to his new strength yet.

But it doesn't matter, he can get used to it. And the day is over, so after he's done here he can quick back and relax. Sleep sounds good right about now.

So of course the door opens. Of course someone wants to bother him now.

"We're closed!"

It's probably not good to shout at humans, but whatever. Eclipse doesn't care right now.

He just wants whoever's there gone, and if they just continue standing there quietly he's going to murder them, he swears. Bashing someone's skull in right now sounds about heavenly, and well, if the person is homeless, then nobody would-

Stop it Eclipse! Get a hold of yourself!

He takes in a deep vent, willing himself to calm at least marginally, amd turns around.

"Hello, can I hel-"

He cuts himself off, jumping away from the creature that's too close and too quiet and dear god this is not an animatronic what the fuck is this run run RUN

Something in him is screaming in sheer terror, looking at this being that he just knows is not an animatronic, if only because no sane human would make something like that.

The creature before him is tall, more than twice his own height to be precise and he's over three meters, with long thin, but strong arms that end with giant clawed fingers, and long, long legs that remind him of an animal. Burning blood red optics are staring at him unblinkingly, and he tenses.

If this thing jumps him, he's going to die

He doesn't want to. Not when he isn't even alive

The large being tilts its head at him, clearly curious, and he wants to hysterically laugh and defy logic to cry, because this is just his luck. Something or someone must really hate him.

They stare at each other silently, and he feels locked in place. He's never felt like this before. It's like a new part of his code activated.

"I am Killcode"

Oh okay, that's nice. Just ignore the tension and the fear Eclipse and introduce yourself to the nightmare beast before you.

"I'm- I'm Ec-Eclipse"

The being nods, looking at him strangely. There's something soft to him.

"Say son, do you wish to come with me?"

And Eclipse, who'd give anything to get out of here, but who'd now also give many things to get away from this beast too, freezes.

His processor also lags on something stupid.

"Son?"

"Yes. You're my child now. And I do not like it when my family is separated."

So of course this is when his overtaxed systems give out and he shuts down.

[in-halingstardust]

Hiiii! I wanted to ask a fic of fem!reader using a remote vibrator on Alhaitham during a meeting. Like, she somehow slid it into his pants under the table and had fun teasing him :> and Alhaitham had to try hard maintaining composure

oh you can add kaveh too (separately please) thaaaaank you

[A/N: We love roomates. We love roommates even more when they have matching couple vibrators. Also, sorry this took so long I have been super busy the last couple months. I wrote this tired so sorry for the mistakes, I will go through it the next day or two!]

Alhaitham x fem!reader

˚₊· ➳❥ When Alhaitham stands up to present the quarterly sales of the marketing team he starts to second guess himself on why he continued to wear the vibrating ring from last nights session with you. You smile and give a thumbs up of encouragement from across the table as the lights go dim.

˚₊· ➳❥ Its a struggle as his voice shakes when you switch on the vibrator to a low hum. Not enough to be noticible, but something will be afoot if Alhaitham stops speaking for a second. During a particular long segment you turned up the vibrator another notch as your boyfriend gives a sharp inhale, mashing his lips together as a soft whine leaves his lips.

"What about the third month of sales?" both of your boss ask tapping a pen against paper, "explain that for me." Alhaitham straightens his back, "Of course, if you look here..." he continues as you bump the vibration pattern to a quick pulse. You can barely see the red flush against his ears in the darkness of the room, but you can hear the wobble of his voice as he drags through the words. Not that anyone took it for anything other than nerves.

˚₊· ➳❥ As the lights return to normal as the members clap moving on to the next topic. As Alhaithem sits down next to you short breaths leave his chest. You give a bright smile as you pat him on the shoulder. Undernath the desk , though, is a buldge straining against his pants. That is definently something you could take care of after the meeting.

Kaveh x fem!reader

˚₊· ➳❥ When Kaveh is asked to demonstrate his architecture in front of his academic classmates he begs for you not to do this. Too bad he lost the bet and has to wear a prostrate massage infront of you and twenty other people.

˚₊· ➳❥ You are kind to him the first ten minutes into his lecture that he almost forgets the about the uncomfortable feeling, until he feels a small vibration turn on then off. It shocks him enough that he breaks off his sentence during the question period.

"Ah ah- sorry, can you repeat the question?" Kaveh says gripping tightly on the podium. The student repeats a question, something about support beams, and you flick on the vibrator directly to the third level. "Nghhh- support is important, *hah*, especially the parallel s-structure distributes weight m-more evenly." Kaveh rasps as he flushes. As he answered questions you would fiddle with the intensity level seeing Kaveh turn into a red tomato. He must be glad the podium is covering a majority of his lower half.

˚₊· ➳❥ Kaveh doesn't even finish the questiosn as his time runs out. He quickly excuses himself to the bathroom as he stumbles out. You see him return in five minutes with a glare being shot directly at you.

[goldenhickeyss]

My Aces 💛💜

Jimin had to contend with his label's lack of foresight and interest in amplifying his work's success, along with the incompetence and hostility from his distribution company.

Jungkook faced criticism and scrutiny of his work and even his morals from parts of his own fandom (including some Jkkers 😞), who even went so far as to boycott him, which I found rather disappointing.

Nevertheless, 🐰🐥 are the two most successful members in terms of music sales and chart performance in Chapter 2. Their fans are organized and dedicated, which counts for a lot. But it's their talent that truly drives their achievements.

All seven members are incredibly talented, of course 😌, with some being genuine geniuses 👏.

But in my opinion, Jimin and Jungkook possess something beyond artistic talent. They are beautiful inside and out, exuding a special aura that appeals to many people 😍.

To me, they are ACES.

No matter how many storms they weather, and no matter how many toxics, boycotts, or commercial interests stand in their way, their fans, talent, and mindset will always prevail.

And they have each other.

It's always been that way.😭💛💜

[literaticat]

I realize this may be a tough question to answer but when pubs buy a book for world rights, do they typically distribute in many places? I am an author with a big 5 UK pub for world rights who lives in the UK temporarily but I’ll be back in the US by the time my book comes out. Of course I’d love to see my book in the US.

OK soooo I am going to try and explain this simply, but it might get confusing, apologies in advance!

If your UK publisher has World Rights, that means they can:

1) distribute their version of the book (English language, UK cover, etc) anywhere in the world, AND,

2) license the book to other publishers to create versions of the book for that other territory. ie, a German Language version from a German publisher, etc. (This can include a license to a US publisher to create a US version!)

I bolded the word "can" above, because "can" is not the same as "will." They WILL likely distribute widely in the UK and UK-commonwealth countries, and try to license the North American/US rights to a US publisher, who would then distribute THEIR version widely in the US/North America.

It would be the same going the other direction, by the way -- and this actually totally makes sense. US publishers have a robust sales, marketing, distribution system already in place -- they have accounts with every bookstore in this country, etc etc. UK publishers have that for the UK... but of course they don't have it for the US, or vice versa!

So that's the ideal scenario -- UK publisher deals with the UK, and either their US arm or a different US publisher makes a US version to sell directly to the US market. Bing bang boom.

If that DOESN'T happen for whatever reason -- like all the viable US publishers pass -- the UK version CAN be sold in the US. So US readers will be able to get the book on Kindle or Audible, or order physical copies. But it probably won't be stocked in a lot of bookstores the same way a US book might be unless the stores happen to have a relationship with YOU and order it specifically to stock -- simply because that UK publisher (probably) doesn't have US sales reps and whatnot to tell them about it and encourage them to order it!

Sidebar: You didn't ask this, but I think it must be said: If you had sold UK/Commonwealth rights ONLY to your UK publisher, that would mean they could NOT sell the book in the US. It would be on you/your agent to find that US publisher -- and if one could not be found, US customers would be unable to buy the book on Kindle, etc. They could still order a book from a UK bookstore -- but it would not be available in a regular way in the US at all. Likewise, if a US publisher only has North American rights -- they CAN'T sell it in the UK.

(That isn't to say you should always sell World or World English Rights! There are very good reasons to go for North American or UK only -- you just have to be aware that the rights/territory thing means something!)

[one-highfalutin-sonuva-gun]

Newsie: Cutthroat

Cutthroat may be a bite-sized Newsie but he's a merciless seller.

He starts the morning wearing a mud brown Newsies cap and vest, and a blood red shirt; but changes into his business attire of a black cap, a beige vest over a cream shirt, and an official "The World" satchel.

He's been in the business long before he could say "Pulitzer" or "Hearst", using his age and looks to his advantage.

At Weasel's distribution centre, Cutthroat changes into a brighter outfit courtesy of Weasel. This outfit makes him appear more cherubic, which boosts sales. It has to be returned by the end of the day and Weasel gets a small cut of his profits

Cutthroat's huge satchel is completely empty, it's just there to make him appear hardworking so people will pity him and buy his papes. He tells his customers that it's full at the beginning of the day, and all the selling causes him to walk until he falls. They believe his story and buy his "last pape" so he can go home.

Jack, of course, tried to get Cutthroat to be his partner as soon as he saw him. Jack knew what a goldmine he could be. But Cutthroat saw right through him and shot him down. Cutthroat works alone and keeps 100% of the profits (except his small margin to Weasel).

Cutthroat's main strategy is simple, low volume, high prices. A dozen papes is plenty. He targets rich old women because he knows that younger sells more papes and rich old women find him irresistible. He learnt that from Jack Kelly, before backstabbing him.

After all, Jack's the competition, and he kills the competition.

[mariacallous]

For months the international film community has rallied behind a documentary about the Israeli military’s destruction of a Palestinian village in the West Bank that has failed to land a U.S. distributor despite widespread acclaim.

Now, “No Other Land” has another feather in its cap. On Thursday the movie, co-directed by an Israeli-Palestinian filmmaking collective, received an Oscar nomination for best documentary — a rare feat for an undistributed film.

In a thank-you message following the nomination, the film’s Israeli co-director, Yuval Abraham, wrote on X in Hebrew, “It was created thanks to the community of Masafer Yatta and countless human rights activists who documented the ongoing expulsion over the course of 20 years.”

Asked for a reaction to the Oscar nomination, representatives for the filmmakers said they didn’t have one yet as “things have been quite intense in the West Bank the last 48 hours.” 

Two of the film’s four nominated directors are Palestinians who live in the West Bank, where this week Israel has launched raids on the city of Jenin only days after reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, in an operation seeking the perpetrators of a recent terror attack. The region has also seen a dramatic rise in violent Israeli settler activity in the many months since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.

Even as it remains in cinematic purgatory, “No Other Land” is still making its way to theaters nationwide. A representative for the film’s sales company, Cinetic Media, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency they were partnering with mTucker Media, which negotiates with movie theaters for independent film releases, to bring the documentary to more than 20 cities in the coming weeks. 

After opening at New York’s Film Forum next week, the movie will roll out to other markets including Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston and Washington, D.C. on Feb. 7. It is also available to stream for free for residents of Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Cinetic has declined multiple JTA requests to interview any of the film’s credited directors, Israelis Abraham and Rachel Szor and Palestinians Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal. But elsewhere, the filmmakers have been outspoken about their struggle to secure a stateside release.

“I read it as something that’s completely political,” Abraham recently told Variety about its lack of distribution. “The film is very, very critical of Israeli policies. As an Israeli I think that’s a really good thing, because we need to be critical of these policies so they can change. But I think the conversation in the United States appears to be far less nuanced — there is much less space for this kind of criticism, even when it comes in the form of a film.”

“Americans have a responsibility, I believe,” Palestinian co-director Basel Adra said in the same interview. “And I hope that they watch it and move in the right direction and take any action they can in order to help us change.”

A personal narrative, the film focuses on Adra, a resident of the Masafer Yatta village collective, and Abraham, an Israeli journalist, in the aftermath of a controversial 2022 Israeli Supreme Court order ruling Adra’s home the property of the Israeli military. The title derives from a quote given by a village resident, as she contemplates the potential loss of her home: “We have no other land.”

The film chronicles various IDF demolitions, Palestinian resistance to evacuation orders and violent attacks on the village by Israeli settlers. The two also examine their own friendship and individual futures, which they conclude are built on unequal ground because Abraham is granted more rights as an Israeli citizen.

Shot almost entirely before the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the film focuses exclusively on the West Bank. A brief coda shows rising Israeli settler attacks on the villages since Oct. 7, and the film’s directors have also used their festival run to speak out against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

“This situation of apartheid between us, this inequality, it has to end,” Abraham said during his acceptance speech at the February 2024 Berlin Film Festival, where the movie premiered and won a documentary prize. Adra said Israel was enacting a “massacre” of Palestinians and denounced German arms sales to Israel. Israeli TV said Abraham’s speech was antisemitic, which Abraham said lead to death threats. At the film’s release in Germany this fall, the city of Berlin accused the film of “exhibiting antisemitic content,” a charge the festival’s own director objected to.

American film critics, including several Jewish ones, have fiercely championed the movie. David Ehrlich, the Jewish lead film critic for Indiewire, named it the second-best film of the year and partnered with Adra to launch a fundraiser for the Palestine Red Crescent Society.

“I thought it was more than a film,” Jewish film critic J. Hoberman, who named ”No Other Land” the best movie of the year in Artforum magazine, told JTA. “I was really glad to have a movie that was so outspoken about what I perceive as a terrible injustice.” 

Industry insiders have speculated that the film hasn’t found a distributor because American companies don’t want to deal with the headache of backing a film that criticizes Israel after Oct. 7. 

“No company feels like they can take the risk of the baggage that that film might bring, whether or not they agree with the perspective in it,” Eric Kohn, a Jewish creative head at new-media production studio EDGLRD and former film critic, recently told JTA. (“Israelism,” another documentary critical of Israel, similarly found grassroots success for months before being acquired by newly formed Palestinian distributor Watermelon Films.)

The movie shares themes with “5 Broken Cameras,” an acclaimed 2011 documentary about a Palestinian West Bank resident caught in the middle of an Israeli settlement construction. The earlier film was also co-directed by Israelis and Palestinians, and was also nominated for an Oscar. Unlike “No Other Land,” however, “5 Broken Cameras” was screened widely by an American distributor and eventually aired nationally on PBS.

[dolljunk]

To be honest, I'm not a major Bratz collector or a Kylie Jenner fan, but I was struck by how pretty the face was since it was significantly more delicate and different looking to regular play line dolls. Turns out @lwrepaints was actually the face designer, which explains a lot about the delicate line work and character filled expression. I always loved their line work and how their style has this painterly quality to it, plus their work has that dreamy watercolour manga style that is so unique to their faces. And of course I think it's amazing that a collector is able to go mainstream like this so I've been wanting to add this doll to my collection. The distribution is kind of wild in the UK but I managed to find a nude doll of her for sale and I'm really impressed seeing this face in person. It's interesting to see the hand painted style work of Lolliword's be translated to a factory printed product, something that is often at odds with the style. The use of metallics really helps add more depth to something that is often flat and mechanical, and delicate but deliberate line work is something i feel is missing from modern production faces so this really feels like a breath of fresh air. But I think the use of colour, line work and design really shines in this face and even if I'm not a Kylie Jenner fan, I think the doll is incredibly pretty and I'm so happy a fellow collector was able to work in an official capacity like this!

[matchesarelit]

Imagine If You Will...

(Spencer Agnew Drabble)

So... the Mountain mall wasn't the worst place to work, the crowds were anything but chaotic, but tucked away in the info booth you found yourself often able to focus on simple directions and parking validation, for the most part, that is of course until the Dew™ released a new flavor, and distributing samples became part of the job description.

Smosh Masterlist

A/N: Obvs no affiliation with mtn dew

Swinging your feet back and forth, you swiveled in aimless circles, the tepid weather outside mixed with the lack of any seasonal sales had left the mall all but empty. The heavy thud of a box sounded from the other side of the desk, as Samantha dropped the package off, In your months working under these specific fluorescents this box was the first of its kind. Yet the packaging was anything but non-descript; cold neon greens and the little mountain graphics coated not only the cardboard but the bright pink tape that bound it.

Reaching across the bench to pull it over, you sliced it open revealing another layer of wrapping, once again neon green, the tissue paper was nicely tied with a ribbon, yet seemed to be about to burst.

Finally reaching product after sifting through the copious amounts of padding you were somewhat confused by the abundance of cans, 'Is this... our yearly bonus?' your words were muttered somewhat in jest but were laced with confusion nonetheless. Tugging some sort of invoice from her back pocket, your colleague read out 'Sampling Product', her finger forming bunny rabbits over the phrase.

"So we're giving out samples now? I guess its somewhat informative...?" You mused still not truly convinced.

"It does mention it adds a fiver to our hourly rates for the next couple months.' she added with her eyebrows raised.

"Well then" you muttered hands on your hips, suddenly much more impassioned over the news "Better get to it then oh-" As you ferreted through the box you retrieved a few tees; the 'i' information symbol on the front and the Mountain Dew advertising on the back- honestly not too horrendous...if you ignore the familiar neon green of the fabric.

The next day, you'd donned the bright shirt and as you began to stack a little tower of cans, on the smallest of folding tables, you watched the stores slowly open up for the day ahead. The weather was once again mild inside and outside the shopping center, but the day dragged on. You would swear it took hours for the long hand of the clock to shift even slightly, and even worse by the time it hit ten you'd already received four separate complaints about your attire and the shelling of so called 'sugary garbage' ... Cause yes Dorris I chose for this mall to be owned by Mtn Dew, me the person at the info desk at nine AM on a Sunday...

Nevertheless, customer service frustrations aside, the day passed easily enough, a few samples were taken with mixed reactions, a couple four-packs bought, but otherwise it was business as usual.

"Excuse me-uh am I able to try some of this" The man on the other side of the desk was peering through his curls to look between you and the signage sheepishly. Trotting out from the behind information desk to the small folding table with a nod, you grabbed one of the tiny sample cups, filled it and handed it to him as he exchanged a quiet 'thank you'. Expecting the exchange to end there you turned to retreat to your station, only for him to speak up once more catching you in the act...

"So um-'Ultimate'...what flavor is that?" Sizing him up somewhat as you reached for a can you relented, curious of his reaction to the overzealous biography printed on the back of the can, "The description we get from the can is 'Chaos Berries grown on mountain alcoves, watered with traditional dew.'"

He looked back at you somewhat vacantly, seemingly lost in the avant-garde flavor description, so in an attempt to shock his system you countered with a giggle; "But to me it just tastes like lime." After your confession he found his words quite quickly in turn.

"I was just thinking the same thing - the lime thing- not the um- Chaos Berries" His tone was jovial but still immensely hesitant.

"Do you like it? In my experience that's all that really matters," Suddenly feeling it important that the conversation continues you found some words you weren't entirely sure fit together as you stuttered on; "I-Its like I always say; the real chaos berries are the friends we tasted along the way." Okay. So they definitely didn't all go together, at least not in the same analogy, and yet in place of his confused stare he was now looking at you with a warm smile. You thought it must have been the sweetest smile you'd ever received, his eyes were crinkled slightly on the edges in good natured amusement and overall it left nothing for you to do but return it as best you could.

"Well um thank you, I- should um-" He motioned to a random store as he waved goodbye briefly before starting off after a solid minute of silence between the pair of you. You waved to him briefly before retreating to your seat to find a small queue in front of your desk waiting for assistance. Quickly returning to work with a fresh warmth in your cheeks, you tried your best to focus on the task at hand for the hours to come.

[gravitycircuit]

Gravity Circuit has recently hit 60K total units sold!

Never in our wildest dreams did we expect the game to sell as much as it has done in just a few short months. As such, we thought this was a moment to celebrate, with new art provided by @jmanvelez!

Now, you might be asking: why are we taking a moment to celebrate such a specific number? Well, in truth, we were planning on doing a celebratory announcement earlier, at 50K. We were on track to hit that in December, but then the holiday sales happened. Thanks to the holiday sales on various storefronts, we essentially skyrocketed past 50K, climbing all the way up to 60K before the sales were over, so didn't have the time to prepare for it! Goodness, the sales performance just continues to surprise us. All in all, the reception and feedback we have received over these past months have been overwhelming, and we can't thank you, the players, enough. You are the best. Now, you might be curious about the sales distribution among the platforms? Fret not, we have prepared a pie chart for you (based on sales as of January 18th, 2024):

Note: PS4 and PS5 are coupled together due to crossbuy. This means that if you purchased the game on one, you can download it on the same account for the other at no extra cost.

On PC, the game is available on Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, as well as Stove (Korea). Out of these, Steam is the most popular storefront.

On consoles, the game is available on Nintendo Switch and Sony's PlayStation 4 and 5. The game is also physically available on afore-mentioned consoles, by Pix'n'Love (PEGI), Red Art Games (ESRB) and Oizumi Amuzio (Japan).

Given the amount of wishlists on Steam before the game's release, as well as us getting Steam Deck verified by Valve, PC outselling the other platforms is not a wholly unexpected outcome. Steam is a huge storefront, after all.

But after all the sales across these platforms, what about the reception? Well, even on that front, Gravity Circuit has performed better than even our wildest expectations, as shown by the collage below:

Truthfully, before the game's release some six months ago, we weren't sure about what the reception ultimately would be. As a developer, it can be difficult to distance yourself from whatever project you have been working on for so long, to see the game for what it is. So, ultimately, it was up to you, the players, to determine the game's overall quality. Needless to say, we didn't expect the majority opinion to be this good, both from critics and players alike!

To provide some background: throughout the development, there were a plentiful of sleepless nights, fueled by stress, energy drinks, boatloads of work, and constant lingering doubts about the game's potential success. Creative endeavors while on a deadline are never easy, but we soldiered on, so to try and complete the game to the best of our abilities. Now, months after release, it has been a truly humbling experience that players have enjoyed Gravity Circuit as much as they have. Such a warm reception has made all that effort behind the game worth it. Again, we can't thank you all enough.

Of course, it might go without saying that even with all this positive feedback, the game hasn't been without its own sets of issues. Especially around the game's launch we had to do multiple quick rounds of bug fixes, so to address various situations and oversights that had slipped past us during development and Q&A. While doing all this was taxing, it's perhaps thanks to these rapid, quick responses that have helped minimize any lasting impact that the various game crashes and bugs could have otherwise had.

Essentially, on that point, our policy has been to accept any and all feedback from players with open arms. Whether positive or negative, we have read all points of feedback, and even responded to them wherever we have been able. Ultimately, this back-and-forth discussion with players has then resulted in us implementing various additions and changes post-launch (Speedrun Mode, Armor Paints, Boss Rush, small quality of life additions, etc), completely free of charge. And while we do try, it's not exactly realistic to act or respond to every bit of feedback without fundamentally changing some of the game's DNA. Nevertheless, we do try our best -- and perhaps hold onto the lessons learned for any future endeavors.

In the meanwhile, we at Domesticated Ant Games want to thank you all for all the support so far from the bottom of our hearts -- and we wish you all a good start to 2024!

[sarcasmandships]

hey, if your will solace socialites series ends (I hope not soon), may I print it into a personal-ordered book? for private owning and use of course, no publishing or whatever. just put your story into a printing services <3. I'm asking for permission haha

I love your socialites series so much, especially the words and phrasing you used. ily <3

Hey, first of all—thank you so much for loving the fic enough to even think about wanting it in print. That honestly means the world to me, and I really appreciate you taking the time to ask so kindly and respectfully.

That said, I do want to be honest, I’m not comfortable giving permission for that, even for personal use. Fanfiction lives in kind of a weird legal gray zone when it comes to copyright law, and technically, printing and binding it (even privately) still counts as creating a derivative work. Even if it’s not for sale or distribution, it can cross lines that I’m just not totally comfortable with, especially since different rights holders have different levels of tolerance for this stuff.

Some printing services also have terms of use that prohibit printing fanfic outright, and I’d hate for either of us to get into trouble for something that started with good intentions.

So while I massively appreciate the love and support, I’m going to have to say no to printing it, but thank you again for being so thoughtful in asking. The fact that this story means that much to you is genuinely incredible and I’ll keep pouring love into it (and writing chaotic updates) as long as people still want to read it!

[cyten0]

A Symphony In Crimson

The End of A World

𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞

Your name is Siffrin.

And you should never have existed.

But you are about to fix that.

▲ “Hey Sif. Nervous?”

You nod. This isn’t going to be easy.

After defeating the king, you started to look more into your home, as best as you could. Made counter wishes, dug up tomes, EVERYTHING.

And what you found shocked you. Your home wasn’t just forgotten. It was erased. You, and everything from there, are living typos in the script.

And it shows, if you look too long. Why you'd have such expensive clothing when living out of a seaside cabin. Why a child knew how to pilot a boat across open waters. Why no one helped you as a child, as you still barely existed at all. Why the star door in the house never actually had a question on it, just the idea of one. Why even after screaming yourself to death, your home's name couldn't be said, as there was nothing to scream.

As time went on, you found more and more. The inability to find any traces of the religion or culture beyond the surface. The technology falling apart into a useless mess if you try and take it apart. People sharing with you what tiny bits of history you've recovered almost exactly, with no deviation.

It took years after to find out what did it. You wanted to see if it was possible to do it again, in order to fix it. And by freak chance, it turned out you were the only one alive who could.

The last heir to a throne that doesn't exist.

◉ “Oh, I’m sure it’ll be fine! We’ve got everything planned out!”

Mirabelle sits at the dining table, cheerful. She’s really flourished since Dormont. Grew more confidant. Assured. The picture of the Revolutionary Housemaiden the tales came to paint her as.

𝄞 “Are you all. SURE. You are still Okay with this?”

✿ “Course Frin, especially myself! I know what’ll happen, but crab it.”

They are still cooking up food for you all. Biggest meal they’ve ever made, to fit the occasion. They’ve learned SO MANY recipes, that it took them a solid WEEK to figure out what to include, settling for at least only what can fit on the table. Fritters are, of course, included.

Bonnie has grown up into a fine adult. That wishcraft-made red hair and eyes looks good on them! They did mention they liked that you both match now.

𝄞 “I know, but still…”

✿ “Look, I know I’m gonna die, but it’ll only be for a bit! You just better meet back up with kid me as soon as you can, got it? And give them a list of my best recipes, while you’re at it!”

◆ “And let MY younger self know to get a Shattering cane earlier, OR ELSE. If I find out you knew about my leg and did NOTHING, I know I won’t be merciful.”

Odile meanders her way to the table. Last 20ish years plus the action at Dormont have not been kind to her, but she manages anyways. She struggles to walk, but you know if you tried helping her to the table she would still beat you senseless.

▲ “Yeah, you don't want to provoke the wrath of Odile!... Don't worry Sif, I know you won't have to. Still, Excited for my younger self to get to play with Fashion designs from your homeland. You better find me quick!"

He gives you a kiss. Hehe! It's been nice, being with him. Your bonding earrings turned out so pretty. As is everything else he's made since. He's been keeping you safe and sound, comfortable in your shared home.

◆ “That said, just to double check. I grabbed a sales report of that ‘bodycraft aid’. Even with the virus’s greatly reduced efficiency, the amount it’s distributed more then makes up for it.”

Right. It took ages to dig up that old virus, and while it’s baseline form as utterly horrifying, things changed when you realized it made those affected closer to the Universe, or specifically the Arcana. The Fool was very clear they are NOT the universe, just a part of it.

You had to reduce the Viruses effects SIGNIFICANTLY, but it still ended up as a net increase. And actually beneficial for people! Greatly eases healing crafts and of course, body craft!

◉ “On my front, think I’ve got blessings across the world, so we should be good on that front!”

Mirabelle used some of their savior popularity and leveraged rumors of their blessing to help seed star-stuff around the world. It DOES help crop growth, reduce disease, and increase peoples craft! People just accepted it was a divine blessing, and got to enjoy the perks. And since You and Bonnie were keeping yourselves safe, nobody knew about the caveat.

✿ “So, Fool, think it’s enough?”

The strange figure appears next to them on their command. A long tattered cloak, held closed with thousands of hands. A single, Red, floating eye for their face. A pale rose in one hand, and a walking staff in the other.

(✸) “For our own purposes? Not quite enough, but that is fine. It will still bring us closer together. We shall live again, if for but a moment. And with that time we shall be stitched ever so slightly tighter. May-hap next time shall be the last we need.”

It feels bad, but. You’ve done all you can. Short of causing an actual apocalypse, this is the best you can do for them.

Sure, everyone will die, but it’ll barely last a minute before they are all back. And none of them will remember. Odile even made sure it’d be painless, JUST in case. Enough they might not even realize they died at all if they do remember. Most importantly, It'll get all the Arcana summoned, and with that you can make things overall better.

(✸) “However, with your plan in mind, it should be enough for your own desires. It will not be easy, Lost King, even knowing your skill with time. We hope you are ready.”

✿ “Sure, but food first! I’m gonna enjoy my ‘last’ meal.”

The fool looks you all over, as you eat. It's hard to read them, but they seem... Happy?

(✸) “To think such a peaceful method of this was possible… And to fix our mistakes from before... We are grateful. And sorry, for the trouble.”

𝄞 “If it brings back my home, that’s enough. Consider us even.”

You all enjoy your meal. The Fool even shapes themselves into a human form to enjoy a little, on Bonnie's request.

You are glad for this. But, you know...

You’re going to miss them, for however long it takes to find your way back.

>>>

With full stomachs, and everyone ready, you all head to the room you set up. The view of the stars above, devices planted against the walls, specialized patterns to channel craft in the EXACT way you need it.

The Universe is watching. Time to heal a star.

Odile starts up the setup to make the needed modifications to the summoning rituals. Isabeau helps her out, running the numbers and double checking everything.

You stand in the center of the circle.

▲ “I think that’s everything! We’re ready as we’re gonna be.”

◆ “Indeed. Now remember, Siffrin, minimal changes! If this goes wrong, we need to leave the world mostly intact so we can meet up, get notes from you, and try again. And so you don’t unwrite yourself entirely, since you’ll be the only one to remember. Only act when you’re sure it’ll work.”

𝄞 “Gotcha! Alright, let’s do this.”

You lift your hand, and unleash the power in your blood. Rapidly, as quick as you can, you pull out each part! 3, 4, 5. One by one, you feel reality quake as you continue, but the setup holds strong. 18, 19, 20-

✿ “Hrg! YEP! That’s My cue! Okay, Painless sacrifice thing doesn’t work on me, That’s crabbing fun. Fair, I guess.”

You watch as Bonnie starts to dissolve into floating blood, as Judgment exacts their price. You nearly stop then and there, you don’t want to-!

✿ “I’ll be fine Frin! Finish it!”

You… You breathe In. And Out.

You call upon The World.

⋆｡°✩ “BY OUR HAND THE WORLD SHALL BE SACRIFICED” ✩°｡⋆

⋆｡°✩ “BY OUR HAND IT SHALL BE MADE ANEW” ✩°｡⋆

⋆｡°✩ “FOR WHAT DO YOU WISH FROM THIS WORLD” ✩°｡⋆

Alright. The curtains rise, time for your cue.

𝄞 “I wish for my home to be returned, and to have the life I was denied.”

⋆｡°✩ “A DIFFICULT REQUEST” ✩°｡⋆

𝄞 “But I know the path.”

⋆｡°✩ “THEN LEAD AND WE SHALL FOLLOW” ✩°｡⋆

You feel yourself get pulled into it’s embrace, to see things from it’s view.

As reality opens wide before you, you begin your journey.

First, you must reach when the island was lost.

《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《

You rewind all the way through your life, to when you washed up on Vaugarde. Following the path your paradoxical existence lends.

The Arcana are weakened, by reaching outside the Fool’s gate. But you’ve ensured they can, and that's enough.

Now. It must be here.

You start to look into yourself, resting on the coast. You peel back the threads around you, finding traces and bits of the island. Digging, digging.

THERE.

The gate of the old summoning. The point mere seconds after they faded away the first time. But the gate is there.

You leap through.

﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀

You are in an echo of the old world. A world that still has color. A world that still has your home.

Right at it’s end. But you don’t care about that.

No, you passed through via the gate. A gate unbound by time. Even if you've been weakened further, HERE is where you can make changes that MATTER.

You need to start at the beginning. See where it went wrong.

《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《

You stare at the scene. A power-mad king, standing over the corpses of two. One you saw briefly before, performing the final summoning.

The other… is already dead. A woman with lightless hair like your own.

And the king, laughing above them, just started the cycle.

What to do. What to do. How can you fix things from here? You still have enough power to work miracles, but...

The fallen man’s quest started here, from what you presume is vengeance. But her life is already gone, you can’t bring her back. Even if you did, it wouldn’t stop this mad king. You can see in his eyes that if you leave him alive, he’ll ruin your home before you can live in it.

But with the blessing, you can’t kill him. Despite, right now, being essentially the being giving it to him, the nature of your time manipulation would make it too tricky. You need another angle...

Wait. What is.

You feel. Yourself. Nearby.

...Her womb. She… Is this your mother?

Your existence really is very tenuous. Perhaps this man’s subconscious hope on remaking the world is all that made you live. The only reason you live at all being a father's hope to see their unborn child. The only thread of truth in the Lie that was your life, held together by patchwork, coming apart if stared at too long.

Focus. Your other self is barely alive. And will die soon.

But. That might be your key.

You reach into this faint echo of you. And using them as the final thread, you-

《《《《《《

One week. You could only manage one week, with all you have. You are barely here at all.

But. That. Should be. Enough.

You search. Where is that man. The man who killed her. The man who started this all. The man who took EVERYTHING from you. From EVERYONE that stepped foot on this land!!!

You find him. He doesn’t have the blessing yet.

Perfect.

You pull your dagger from your hip. And with the last bit of your strength…

Dead.

The thread you made pulls taught, as all of reality spirals inwards towards this one single moment, dragging everything across the thread of time, inverting existence upon itself, blending both realities together in one cacophonous instant.

And you.

Fade from consciousness.

>>>>>>>>

You… you awaken. Where?….

A. Crib. A child’s crib.

You. You must be…

Did you merge with your other self?

...You did wish to have your life, you suppose.

HAH. Oh stars, this is gonna be WEIRD!!

But. Okay. It’s fine.

This means you're in the best position to make sure it doesn't happen again. That you don't lose this home again. It's fine.

You’re about 50 years late but. You got it.

Good luck Siffrin. You have a childhood to live.