#hAVe to SAV E THIS

[hopecomesbacktolife]

oh Stansborough farm & weaving mill… if you are ever, ever hiring, please pls pls pls consider me xoxo

[ittybittybumblebee]

i have no energy 2 draw lately i need motviation for when i have more time 2 do stuff again

[karlachfan86]

cats are my all time favorite animal crossing villager. when the switch 2 comes out i might download acnh on there too and make a new all cat island..................

[herpsandbirds]

please sir .my son is dying and the doctor said the only thing that will sav e him is pictures of birds feeding brood parasite chicks way larger than they are. please you have to help

YOU DEPRAVED BASTARD!!!

Yes, of course...

Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia), family Parulidae, order Passeriformes, feeds the parasitic chick of a Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), family Icteridae, order Passeriformes, Maryland, USA

photograph by Mike Strzelecki

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia), family Passerellidae, order Passeriformes, feeds the parasitic chick of a Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), family Icteridae, order Passeriformes, Eastern US

photograph by Christine Haines

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), family Cardinalidae, order Passeriformes, feeds the parasitic chick of a Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), family Icteridae, order Passeriformes, Eastern US

photograph by Robert Visconti

[theloveoffootball10]

sᴛɪᴄᴋᴡɪᴛᴜ - ᴛ ᴡ ᴇ ɴ ᴛ ʏ ғ ɪ ᴠ ᴇ

s e r i e s m a s t e r l i s t / c o m p l e t e m a s t e r l i s t

ᴛ ᴡ ᴇ ɴ ᴛ ʏ ғ ɪ ᴠ ᴇ

"So how hungover are you?" Lando asks as I stir in bed.

"Very. I don't remember getting back last night" the whole night after a certain point is a blank. All I want to do is sleep the day away and feel sorry for myself.

"I'm not surprised. When you got me to pick you up, you were just sat on the kerb talking shit to be honest"

"You know it's serious when the thinking kerb happens" I say with a laugh seeing Lando's confused look "it started when we were teenagers. It happens when you're so drunk you think you're having the deepest conversation with anyone who will listen and they usually happen in the most random of places, for me and my friends it always ended ip being a kerb outside of a club or wherever we were"

"So when you start having conversations with me like that I need to remember to be serious?"

"Pretty much" I say snuggling myself under Lando's arm resting my head on his chest "I didn't make an idiot of myself with your parents did I?"

"Not at all. You, Flo and Sav were hilarious when we got back here my mum and dad were thoroughly entertained. Thank you for making an effort with my family, it means a lot"

"Lando I'm always going to make an effort with your family. You've given my friends and family a chance, I'm not going to write off your family. They've all been amazing with me from the moment I met your parents at the race" I genuinely like Lando's family. They've all taken me in as one of their own and it's nice to be treated like one of the family. I've never felt as comfortable with a boyfriends family as I do with Lando's. I've never got on with a ex's siblings the way I do with Lando's either, I can see myself becoming really good friends with the girls.

I fall back to sleep in Lando's arms needing to sleep off this hangover, we have a three hour drive back to my house at some point today the last thing I want is to still feel like a corpse when I'm stuck in a car. Eventually waking up I notice Lando is no longer in bed with me, I don't blame him. I drag myself to his bathroom to make myself more presentable. When I say presentable I mean having a shower, brushing my teeth and pulling one of Lando's hoodies on with a pair of leggings. My hair is scraped up into a birds nest on the top of my head, it can't even be considered a messy bun the sheer state of it.

"I'm pleased you two look as hungover as I feel" I say walking into the living room where Flo and Savannah are both lying on either side of the sofa with a blanket and a can of full fat coke in front of them.

"it's hell Lucía. Being this hungover with two kids is not for the weak. I've had to get Oliver to take the girls to a park so I can recover" I had noticed the house is quiet, I'm assuming Lando has also gone with his brother.

"Morning Lucía, I'm making a roast beef dinner if you'd like some" Cisca tells me as she joins us in the living room "you all look like you need it"

"That would be amazing if you don't mind" the thought of a Sunday roast makes my stomach growl, I'm at the hungover stage where all I want is to eat "do you want some help?" I ask not wanting to take advantage of the hospitality I've been shown.

"Don't be silly. Lando should be back from the gym soon" Cisca tells me as she walks back into the kitchen answering my unspoken question as to where my boyfriend is. Laying on the other sofa I decide to follow Flo and Savannah's lead and will this hangover away.

"Hi baby" I feel Lando lifting my legs so he can sit next to me, he's freshly showered and I'm the human version of the heart eyes emoji looking at him "you look better than you did the morning"

"I don't think I feel it. I'll miss you when you go to Baku" I say quiet enough so only Lando can hear me. I know once Lando leaves on Wednesday it's going to be near enough two weeks until I see him again as he's leaving Baku and going straight to Singapore for media work in the run up to the race.

"I'm going to miss you as well baby. I would love for you to come to every race with me. I know we've had this conversation and I understand you have work but if it was up to me I wouldn't leave you" one of the things I really like about Lando is that he doesn't try to get me to give up working, he understands I have my own career and respects that I won't just drop it for him.

"I hate that that we have to leave each other as well but we can make this work Lando" reaching out I take Lando's hand in mine playing with his fingers "I'm going to watch every second of both races. I'm watching the Baku race with Liv, I haven't seen her for ages and I need to know how her and Max are doing" I've been a terrible friend lately, all of my time has been dedicated to Lando and I've barely seen my friends.

"He's completely smitten with her. He talks about her a lot and I know she's spent a lot of time in London with him and he's going back to Manchester with her when she goes" I know Max and Lando talk all of the time but it's always amusing for me when I hear men gossiping the way women do.

"That sounds like someone else we know" Flo joins in obviously listening to what we're saying about Max and Liv "in fact you're not even just smitten, you're completely in love"

"No one asked you, brat" Lando says throwing a cushion at Flo and I can't help but think he's embarrassed his younger sister is calling him out.

A few hours later we're back in my car on our way back to Cheshire. We had the most beautiful roast off Cisca followed by a nap before we decided it was time to leave. We've probably been in the car around an hour or so but I can't take my eyes off Lando. The way he's holding the steering wheel, his muscles flexing and the veins in his arms popping. I've tried crossing my legs and holding back but I can't.

"Lando?"

"Yeah baby?" He has no idea what's about to come out of my mouth especially when he's driving.

"I need you to finger me" the look on Lando’s face is priceless. The car practically comes to a stop in the middle of the motorway, he did not expect this.

“What the fuck you can’t just come out with that when I’m driving” I can tell Lando is trying to concentrate on the road but I’d happily pull over onto the hard shoulder to get what I want.

“I’m not just saying it for the sake of it. I need your fingers in me Lando. I thought I could wait until we got back but I can’t”

“Are you actually serious?”

“As serious as a heart attack” taking Lando’s left hand I bring it to the waistband of my leggings “don’t make me do it myself”

“Fuck you’re well and truly hungover and horny” feeling Lando’s fingers push their way into my waistband I gasp feeling his fingers on my clit “fucking hell you’re soaking!”

“All for you Lando” Lando runs his fingers up and down my soaked slit pushing two fingers in. I don’t even need him to get me ready, I feel like I could orgasm just looking at him today. Spreading my legs as far as I can I give Lando as much space as my car allows.

“Is this what you wanted? My fingers curling inside of you. My thumb on your clit?” Lando’s words only spur me on, throwing my head back in my seat I let out a guttural moan. This feeling is exactly what I wanted.

“Keep going…right there” as Lando’s thumb gives my clit more attention I feel myself getting close “fuck…feels so good”

“Come on baby, cum for me. Let me taste you” I have no idea how Lando is concentrating on driving right now. I couldn’t even tell you if the car is still moving I’m so overcome with pleasure.

I feel the all too familiar feeling building up in my lower body. Pushing my head back into the headrest I let out a loud moan and I dig my fingers into Lando’s arm needing something to hold on to. As I come down from my high I look over at Lando watching him suck my juices from his fingers. It’s probably one of the most attractive things I’ve seen him do.

“That was fucking incredible. I can’t wait until we’re home so you can fuck me properly” I can’t help but notice the bulge in Lando’s joggers, it’s a dead giveaway that he enjoyed this just as much as I did. I can only pray the rest of this journey is over soon.

emselucia

Liked by landonorris, daniellemitch and 19576 others

esmelucia swipe to see the after effects of a bottomless brunch with flonorris1 and savnorris 😅

View all comments

flonorris1 we had the best day with you!

↪️ esmelucia miss you already 🩷

savnorris Mila has not stopped asking for her auntie Lulu since you left!

↪️ esmelucia I'll FaceTime soon 🩷

↪️ landonorris not only did you steal my girlfriend I've also been replaced as Mila's favourite person 😭

↪️ esmelucia cry me a river Norris 🤷🏼‍♀️

user478 it must be serious when she's meeting the family! So cute!

↪️ user954 she's still a desperate whore Lando deserves better

↪️ esmelucia I might be a desperate whore but he's sticking his dick in me not u so who's the real winner here 🤷🏼‍♀️

The next few days I spend every breathing second with Lando. It’s been so nice to have him with me all of them time and wake up to him on a morning. It was painful to say goodbye to him knowing I won’t see him until after the race in Singapore. Granted after that we have around a month together but 2 weeks is going to drag. I’m like an obsessive girlfriend who wants to be with him 24/7.

It’s been two days now since he left and Liv has came over so we can spend some time together. I’m like a love sick puppy and nothing other than Lando is putting a smile on my face lately. I really think I love that man.

"Max is going to Singapore next week, he's got stuff to do with Quadrant but he's mainly going for the race"

"Are you not going?" I ask thinking Liv would be going with Max not wanting to be apart from him, I know I’d be with Lando if I could be.

"No I have work but I also think Max and Lando need to spend some time together. They've both been so busy lately I'm sick of Max telling me he misses Lando"

"They're like a married couple. I find it highly entertaining when they're on a stream together" the times when I hear Lando on a stream with Max, I leave him to it however I do always find myself sitting in another room laughing at them bickering "I think I might go to Monaco when Lando comes back from Singapore. I haven't told him yet but I'm going to see if work will be okay with me not going into the office but essentially working from home even if it's from a different country"

"Do you think they'll agree to it?"

"I have no idea. I guess it's a case of me logging on from Monaco or potentially taking leave and not working at all" I say with a shrug. I don't see why work would have an issue especially if I'm still working.

"There's no harm asking I suppose" Liv says with a shrug "do you think you'd move to Monaco for Lando?"

"I wouldn't write the idea off as a point blank no and I do think if that's what it came to I would consider it I just don’t think it’s an option yet" I think it's a long way off but if I had to move to Monaco with Lando to make our relationship work I'd take it into consideration. This man makes me want to fight for every fibre of him. The more I think about him the more I really do think I love that man.

[starvows]

            PINNED BLOG

ACC INFO⠀+⠀ABOUT THE CREATOR

ABOUT ME

Xavi or Sav.  he/him.

Some of you might know me from TikTok but I've become rather inactive there these past few months — however, I still wanted to pursue my interest in reality shifting, and thought it was better to do so in a less toxic environment. I am an indigenous Australian shifter. I have had an interest in the multiverse and all that surrounds it for around three years now. My other interests that aren't stemming from this include criminology, philosophy, typology, psychology, and classical literature. I have adhd and do struggle to be active, so I can disappear for months at a time. Bear with me.

En(T) NeTi sp783 ILI VPBN ELVF(2323) sc/U|E[I] melancholic sanguine

ACCOUNT INFO

Like I've said in my other accounts, I use my profiles to share my perspectives and understanding on ideas and reality shifting as a whole — I also use my platforms to share scripting ideas, especially for safety precautions, and ideas for drs that don't have much content surrounding them.

In addition to the above, I actively take requests and encourage questions. Please use the ask button in my bio if you have anything you want to talk to me about.

This account leans more towards information and ideas, not anything focused on me personally or my DRS, but that can change depending on my mood.

MY DRS

Bungou Stray Dogs (Armed Detective Agency)

The Quarry (Post canon)

Supernatural

Genshin Impact (Modern)

Criminal Minds

The Umbrella Academy (Pre Apocolyse)

Fame/Singer/Songwriter DR

MPHFPC

DO NOT INTERACT

Basic DNI — if you're a pro/comshipper or you condone slander, mistreatment, or violence in any way; this includes if you are shifting to willingly harm, hurt, or kill someone.

Shifting for my stated significant others (Osamu Dazai and Dylan Lenivy). I have jealousy issues, and have trouble maintaining them. This is a boundary. Follow it.

I don't have an age DNI per se but I do prefer if you were over fourteen if you want to be mutuals. If you're a mutual from TikTok, just tell me, I'll follow you back IMMEDIATELY!!

[gryficowa]

Boycott!

Now that I have your attention:

[ladylooch]

https://www.tumblr.com/ladylooch/778673161672720384/okay-question-waaaay-out-left-field-but-with

what is the equivalent for the men?

All links are 18+ content

Nico: adores sex as a form of connection. Really needs to have that emotional, loving attachment with his wife to get off. Known to say I love you during sex so much that Lexi is like "shhhhhh, I know, baby. Focus." Exhibit A

Timo: Enjoys the challenge of getting Emma cock drunk and out of work mode. Exhibit B

Kevin: Making babies with Sam. Kevin loves fucking for a purpose. Entranced at the idea of his wife being pregnant with his baby time and time again. Exhibit C

Miles: Loves using his strength and having sex in a standing position. The shower, the wall, a stall in a Boston bar bathroom. Loves the feel of her weight in his arms when she comes because her whole body shudders, taking him right away. Exhibit D

Lio: Ironically, looooooooves eating 🐱 with Sav. Never cared for it before. Wasn't good at it either. But it's become their thing. Exhibit E

Connor: Big fan of Lucie's 🍑 Got either his hands or his eyes on it. She has the best looking jeans on at all times too. The way they curve and dip in the right places, highlighting her curves. Makes Connor go stupid. Exhibit F

David: Sex with Mack anywhere on the farm. Loves the wildness of the environment and the way it scratches his domestic kink. In the farmhouse, in the tractor, on top of the truck bed, and now in the barn. Exhibit G

Luca: Doggy. Starting off teasing then going hard until Livy is begging to come. Exhibit H

[idkwhatimdoinok]

Hey guys, this seems really out of place for a blog like this, but I definitely appreciate your time to sign this petition.

For some context, the New York magazine is protecting an animal abuser in their platform. The person openly talks about neglecting their pet cat, Lucky, and completely disregards animal welfare which is absolutely mind boggling that they would allow such a story to be published.

The person takes ZERO responsibility for their actions and the NYMag is victimizing themselves when they're protecting a literal animal abuser and giving them a platform.

NYMag and The Cut are silencing people talking about the blatant abuse.

Here is some more info regarding the situation:

[inafieldofdaisies]

WIP Wednesday | Tagged by @madparadoxum and @thesingularityseries ❤️

Stopping by this midweek with a little bit from Sabrina and John's morning from Chapter 2 of their AU, I will try to get back to the main WIP soon, but a monster of a dialogue has been making me procrastinate. Also, something I thought would be fun: if you have any suggestions of wild things (misfortunes) you'd like to see happening to John (take part in making him go through it), you can drop them as an ask (short prompt), I suspect it would be a fun challenge to tackle.

"I wanted to hear your voice." John's words from the previous night haunted Sabrina's thoughts while she prepared breakfast. She found herself unable to shake off the feeling of familiarity from the moment she found him standing in the foyer of the precinct, looking like he was about to snap at poor Lenny. "Morning.", Savannah greeted as she entered the kitchen, her nose scrunching up, "Is something burning, Rin-Rin?" The question prompted Sabrina to flip the last pancake she was working on, finding the bottom darkened. Wonderful. The last thing she needed was to be distracted, especially by someone that was passing through. And a lawyer. "Did you sleep well, Pumpkin?", she asked as she placed her sister's plate in front of her. Savannah nodded, "I wish I didn't have to wake up so early." "And so do so many adults." "Mommy asked about you.", her sister said in between bites, making Sabrina's smile drop for a second, which thankfully was conceived by her coffee mug she took a sip from at that moment. "Like what?" "If you have a boyfriend. And about uncle Les. She said she saw a picture he had posted…" Jesus. Maybe mind your own love life, Candice. And leave the lack of mine alone.

She could sense her sister's mood soaring after each short visit with Candice, and it hadn't taken long to figure out why. Their mother had become an expert at fishing for information from Savannah since her eldest daughter refused to entertain her poor attempts at "bonding", knowing full well any interest shown wasn't paired with the best intentions. She wasn't going to be shocked if Candice Donovan's intent was to introduce her to some raising entrepreneur, so she felt like she needed to figure out if Leslie would be standing in the way of tricking her into helping with her latest grift. It wouldn't have been like she hadn't tried it before, gone as far as to arrange a date for Sabrina, only for her to figure out what was going on halfway through the dinner. Nothing like having a daughter in law enforcement to make your target feel secure enough and open for any business advice his lawyer would throw his way, let her hold the purse strings. "I will talk to her, Sav. She promised me she won't ask you stuff like that." Sabrina took a final sip of coffee, "How about you watch something and finish breakfast while I go shower?" "Okay. Are we still going to the fair with uncle Les?" "Of course, he hasn't been able to stop talking about it. I think he's more excited than you even." Savannah's frown dissipated at the confirmation, a grin taking over her freckled face, "He promised to win me a big plushie." "He absolutely will.", Sabrina retorted and matched smile, feeling glad she had someone in her life she could actually depend on.

As she left the kitchen and found herself alone in the bathroom, stripping off her T-shirt and shorts, her mind drifted back to the night before. How she'd flown out of the shower and grabbed her phone, hoping she was about to hear back from the lab about her current missing persons case. Instead, John Duncan's voice had came through, perplexing her to an extend she hadn't even bothered to inquire how he'd gotten her number. His excuse for the late call had given her a pause, the real intent behind it revealing itself the moment he had made a comment about his state of undress, asked for her personal number. A part of her made sure to assure her how he'd been so quick to reach her he hadn't even wasted time putting on underwear, confirming she clearly wasn't the only one feeling this strange drawn between them. "He wants you. So much he become a rambling mess the second you casually mentioned whoever he asked for his hotel information.", the foolish side argued. "Sure.", she muttered under her breath, "Romantic much? Trying to turn a woman he just met into his midnight bootycall…" Sabrina shampooed her hair, then moved onto washing her body, completely ignoring the irksome longing within her, the same one she refused to entertain from the second their video call had ended. The desire in his deep blue eyes, his questions, all made his expectations clear as day.

It was unfortunate for him she had more important things that required her full attention. A missing girl to be located and brought home safely. A baby sister to take care of. A trainwreck of a mother to keep at bay. Numerous visions to figure out and could save people's lives. A faceless man that awaited her in so many of them and clutched her heart in his tattooed hands. John Duncan wasn't him. He was bored, slightly entitled, looking for an outlet, for someone to get him off after having a day from hell. It was what she reminded herself as she came into her bedroom to find a new message waiting for her, from a number she hadn't even bothered to save into her contacts.

Good morning. No crimes or accidents to report so far, though, it does feel slightly criminal how you've been occupying my thoughts since last night.

John stared down at the message he had finally hit sent on after typing and deleting versions of it so many times, he had felt close to hurling his phone at the nearest wall. "Occupying his thoughts" seemed like an understatement the second he'd woken up from a dream involving Sabrina that had come off as way too real. He threw the covers off himself with a sigh and left his phone on the bed before he made his way over to the bathroom. "It's morning. It's a normal body reaction. Nothing to do with her.", he said to his reflection, "Get your head back in the game. You're meeting Mooney. Who cares she didn't respond?" Reluctantly he opened the door, leading into the shower, and turned the knobs after a silent prayer for his morning to start off without a hitch. Or at least he attempted to. Until one of them came off into his hand. "No fucking way. NO.", he practically shouted out, not giving a damn about the early hour and how his voice echoed around the room while he stared down at the chrome piece clasped between his fingers in complete disbelief.

A growl left him as he threw it on the ground and turned on his heel, the glass door rattling when he slammed it shut and exited the shower stall. "I'm not taking another arctic shower. I don't care how much you want to take care of my goddamned boner.", he had no doubt the shower would be freezing, because the knob that had fallen off, was for no other than the hot water. He didn't care about the neighboring rooms and what the other guests might have been thinking after screaming the last part on top of his lungs. Not in that moment. Not when he was close to breaking something else in the bathroom as desperation to find a way to release the pent-up frustration brewing inside him settled in. "One accident to report, Detective. And I also hate your city so much.", John whispered before taking a deep breath. As he brushed his teeth he did his best to school his features back into a serene expression, refusing to let the facade of the well-adjusted, charmant attorney to slip. He put the boxers from the day before on, hating the fact he didn't even have a change of underwear and promising himself he'd go shopping for new clothes and other necessities as soon as his meeting had wrapped up. Another frown was aimed at his reflection when he remembered he had no means to even style his hair properly, that all he could do was freshen up in the goddamned sink. He dragged himself back to the bed, sinking down on it as he contemplated how excited he was when he had received the case, yet from that day like domino everything had decided to fall apart in some way.

"At least the guy didn't steal my files. Doubt Clive would appreciate any of that information leaking out.", he reminded himself as clasped his watch back on his wrist, "So what if one of my favorite suits was in that suitcase?" The thought made him reach out for his phone in hope the detective that was going to look into his case had reached out already. He ignored all the unread messages and emails he was yet to go through, opening the text that sat as most recent notification.

Sabrina: Good luck.

Two simple words was all she had to offer him. No "I thought of you too" in sight. "Could be worse. Like her blocking my number.", he uttered out finally, deciding that the fact she had even responded was a good sign, better than simply leaving him on read now that he was another Detective's problem. Just then his phone pinged with a new message. Unknown number. His thumb acted before he could think better of it, and he regretted the decision immediately. A photo. Penny showing off a red lacy number as she cupped her breast with her free hand. Face in full view, a proud gleam in her blue eyes. A pose she had most definitely deemed alluring enough to make him crack.

Wrong number.

He texted, scowling at the realization Penny was getting bolder, crossing a line, using her personal number to pester him. Her reply followed way too fast.

Penny: Come on, John. We both know it's not. How long are you going to play hard to get, baby?

John: I will be contacting HR if this reoccurs.

Penny: You're no fun, Mr. Duncan. You're headed for your meeting, right? Good luck.

John: I'm serious. NO MORE lingerie pictures or passes at work.

Penny was good at her job, better than any of his previous assistants, but it wasn't enough for him to continue tolerating her advances in hopes she'd take the hint and cease with her attempts to get him into bed. He was one to bent the rules, but bending over someone that he worked with was where he drew the line. Reality was that one night of "fun" (mostly for her, because for him it would end up as usual: in self-loathing) would blow up in his face sooner or later.

Another buzz signaled a new message, but instead of the expected complaint from Penny, the reply made him almost drop his phone as he realized his mistake. That he'd texted in the wrong conversation.

Sabrina: John? Sabrina: I'm just going to assume you meant to send this to somebody else.

"I'm done with technology. So done.", he groaned out and chucked his phone across the bed, the pillows softening its landing against the headboard.

John: NO MORE lingerie pictures or passes at work.

More? Initially she had tried to laugh off the text, then unwanted bitterness had set in. If Sabrina needed any proof about the kind of man John was, just based on her intuition and past experiences alone, the words he accidentally sent her minutes prior only confirmed it further. "Bye, Rin-Rin.", Savannah exclaimed and leaned over the console to give her a hug as the her truck came to a stop in front of her elementary school. "Have fun.", Sabrina retorted and placed a quick kiss on her forehead before her sister was scrambling out of the vehicle and rushing over to her best friend, Brandy, that was waiting for her outfront. The blonde girl gave her an enthusiastic wave before the two ran inside the building and she put her Bronco back into drive, heading down her favorite route to the precinct. Her eyes drank in the early runners, people on their way to work, parents walking hand in hand with their children. She had grown to love Portland. The life she and Savannah had built there. The fact that Candice seemed to avoid it like the plague most of the time was an added bonus.

Minutes later she pulled into her regular parking spot, locking the car doors before shouldering her bag and shoving her hands in the pockets of her jacket to avoid the chill that hung in the morning air. She quickly crossed the street and pushed her way inside the building, muttering a quick hello to Simon, an officer that was in his last year before retirement and usually worked the day shift at the welcome desk. "Rina, always on time.", he retorted with a smile as she set for the elevator, memories of John following her down the same path threating to emerge. The hallways were mostly empty, signaling she was among the first people to arrive as per usual. "Ollie. Did you sleep here?", her sights settled on Oliver who was slumped over his desk, head full of messy blond hair resting in the crook of his arm, green eyes shifting to the door as she entered before he shut them again. His voice was sleepy, muffled against his shirt, "I'm just trying to one-up you, Rina." Sabrina let out a laugh and nudged him on the back on her way to her own desk, "Want a coffee?" "Did that well-dress fucker yesterday had the hots for you? Hell yes." She could only shake her head at his blunt observation, feeling glad Leslie hadn't arrived yet, "Oliver. We're not talking about him. Am I clear?" "Why not?", he inquired with way too much interest, his Detective senses kicking in despite his sleepiness.

She ignored the question and felt his gaze on her back while she watched the coffee machine like a hawl. "Uh-oh, there's definitely something there." "No.", she placed his the mug in front of him and sent him a look of warning, "And don't be starting any rumours, you hear?" "Too late.", his cheeky smile screamed nothing but bad news. From the team, Oliver McKenzie was the one closest to her age, and unarguably the most daredevilish, and she had quickly learned to read the signs of incoming trouble in his expression. "What did you do, Oliver?" The silence from his side put her on edge as she lowered into her chair and rubbed away at her temples before she let out a groan, "How bad is it?" "Eh.", was all he granted her as explanation. "God, Ollie.", she mimicked his earlier position just as the door to their division swung open and footsteps carried in her direction. A paper sack crinkled when it was set down on her desk, making her look up, eyes stopping on Stockton who had taken one of the seats across her. "A little 'thank you' for yesterday, Rina.", he gestured to the brown bag, bearing the logo of her favorite bakery, "Croissant, salted caramel and chocolate. Got you a coffee to-go, too. The one y'all have here is shit." "Aye, Maxwell, if it's shit, why not get one for me, too?", Oliver teased. Arguing for sport with Maxwell Stockton was one of his favorite activities and he'd oftentimes stop by "Robbery" just for that reason alone. Yet deep down, the two were close friends from their academy days and would often grab drinks on Fridays.

Stockton's dark eyes shot up to Oliver for a second before returning to hers, his hand rubbed at his cleanshaven cheek, "So, what should I expect from this guy?" "Meaning?", Sabrina asked before tearing into her croissant, "Like if he's difficult to deal with?" Oliver snorted in responce, while the darkhaired man in front of her nodded. "He was polite.", she paused, "But he's also a defense attorney." A whistle, "Oof. And he was fine with you takin' the report?" "It's not like we're going to trial now, are we?", a chuckle left her, "He wants his stuff found, that's all." "How the fuck can he get his suitcase stolen like that?", Oliver interrupted, "Like I heard his story, but damn, I tried so hard not to laugh." "Ollie." "What, Rina? Tell me it wasn't funny. Hell, imagine going to meet a client and not having even a clean pair of undies." Stockton laughed at that, pointing back at Oliver, "Is it true what this one said, he 'looks like Leslie, but shorter'?" "Maxie, when have I lied to you?" "Only the last time we played cards, asshole." Oliver blew him a kiss before he took a sip of his coffee. "Well?", Stockton pushed for an answer, "Leslie look-a-like or nah?" Sabrina chewed on the bite of her pastry slowly, images from the video call invading her mind, "Absolutely not." "Now that's a lie, Rina.", Oliver argued and spun around in his chair to regard them both, "Not only does he look like Leslie, but he also wants in her pants as much. Probably."

"You're lucky I love this croissant, or it'd be flying at your head, Oliver." He stuck his tongue out, "Love ya, too." The door opening cut out his laughter, "Speaking of the taller Devil." "Morning, guys.", Leslie Parish muttered in a greeting and walked over to the desk next to hers and dropped off his things. The strange expression on his face gave her a pause and prompted Stockton to clear his throat before he rose up to leave. "I will get going, better start looking into the case. Recover our lawyer friend's luggage back." On his way out saluted Leslie, then patted Oliver on the back, "Later, folks." "The lawyer?", Leslie started, peeling off his coat and placing it over the back of his chair. Sabrina shook her head, "He's not our problem." He strode over, taking a seat at the edge of her desk as he stole the final bite of her croissant, "Not from what Ollie told me." "How many people did you tell, Oliver?" Oliver shrugged, hiding his face behind one of the files he had open on his desk, "I plead the fifth." The eyebrow Leslie quirked told her everything she needed to know before he even elaborated, "Oliver was straight up updating us all live in your Birthday group chat." "Unbelievable. And here I thought you were working hard, McKenzie." A wink was sent her way, "You're underestimating me. I can absolutely multitask, Donovan." "So, back to this guy…", Leslie's blue eyes searched hers. "Later." A nod, "Deal. I'm taking you out for lunch, you can tell me all about him then." Oliver spun around with a victorious smirk, "See, I knew there was something. He asked you out, didn't he?" Sabrina turned to her computer monitor, logging in and pulling up the CCTV footage she had spent half of the previous day combing through, "I plead the fifth, too."

Tagging, @adelaidedrubman @socially-awkward-skeleton @aceghosts @poisonedtruth @chazz-anova @strafethesesinners @strangefable @trench-rot @josephslittledeputy @josephseedismyfather @g0dspeeed @direwombat @voidika @theelderhazelnut @v0idbuggy @euryalex @florbelles @corvosattano @purplehairsecretlair @dumbassdep @cassietrn @simplegenius042 @jillvalentinesday @nightbloodbix and anyone with something to share <3

[danvolodar]

Pathologic and the Town's Russianness: 4

This part will deal with a relatively major topic in Pathologic - religion. Or, well, with the major discrepancy between religion in the Town and in historical Russian Empire.

Most of this post will be about the denizens of the Town, but let's briefly mention the Kin. They have a pretty clear-cut pagan religion, with multiple personified deities: Bos Turokh, Boddho, Suok (the difference with historical religions, of course, being the fact that the magic actually works in the Steppe). The state's apparent non-interference with them practicing their religion fits well enough into the Imperial policies of the early XX century. What doesn't is the lack of control. The Empire was very much a bureaucratic behemoth, it sought to control anyone who influenced the minds of its citizens. The Interiour Ministry had a Department of Spiritual Affairs, and its officials had their fingers in every pie, demanding the right to veto religious leader assignments in the local communities, paying state wages to those of these leaders who played nice, etcetera. However, apparently, the historical Department was chronically understaffed (to the point of its aforementioned veto rights being unenforceable), and the game is very reductive when it comes to the official state apparatus in general, so all in all, the way the Capital-based civilization treats the Kin religion is a passable fit for the Russian Empire.

Quite a different story with the majority religion. In the Russian Empire, Orthodoxy was de-facto a state religion. While ethnic minorities were allowed to practice their religions undisturbed (by early XX century, mind, that hadn't exactly been that way throughout the entire Imperial history), ethnic Russians were mandated by law to be Orthodox Christians. Not being a practicing Orthodox was literally a felony.

Historical precedent showed that even for a scion of one of the Empire's most noble families a single religious misstep could lead to fatal consequences: in the 1730ies, Mikhail Alekseyevich Golitsyn was forced to become a court jester for secretly converting to Catholicism to marry a German, his marriage was dissolved and he was ordered to remarry another jester.

Of course, quite some time had passed since that incident, yet the Church remained intimately intertwined with the state. The semi-independent Patriarchate was replaced as its governing body with the Most Holy Synod, a state organ with mixed clergy and layman membership, during Peter I's reforms, which factually made the Church a part of the state apparatus. Ever since then, caesaropapism remained the norm. The Church had multiple functions that nowadays would only be expected of the state, such as birth registrations or running primary schools. A church was an essential part of any settlement, the presence of one differentiating a small hamlet (деревня, derevnya) from a village (село, selo). Vital events such as marriages or burials could only be done through the Church (and since the Old Believers could not participate in the Nikonian rituals, bribes from them sometimes formed a large part of parish incomes). The Church as an institution - much like the other parts of the Imperial state machine, - was facing a crisis of confidence by the early XX century, but common folk were still expected to regularly come to service, confess and receive communion. The faith became so ingrained into the language that even the Soviet militant atheists could not remove all the "thank god"s and "help god"s on every occasion from it (starting right with thanking someone: the word for "thanks" in Russian is spasibo - спасибо, literally means "god sav[e you]") .

None of that is present in Pathologic. There is not a single church in the Town, apparently - not even family chapels. References are sometimes made to religion, and that implied baseline seems to be Orthodox Christianity, but nothing indicates anyone in the Town is an active, practicing believer. The game actually takes it to a hilarious degree: in the Diurnal ending, when Saburov tells Artemy that Katherina is going to bring Cathedral back to life, he shoots back: "Just tell me she's not religious. Anything's better. Even a second plague".

To be fair, the educated class being fashionably atheist matches the late Empire well enough - both because of the aforementioned crisis of confidence in the Church, and because of the general naïve positivism of the era. Dankovsky is pretty stereotypical in that regard (and his talk of angels does not really contradict that atheism, or even hints at him being brought up a Christian, to begin with, given that there are of course angels in Judaism).

However, just like the Soviets, IPL apparently haven't been able to get rid of Orthodox sentiments altogether. A remarkable example is a dialog snippet with Big Vlad, when he's in the Termitary and Capella is dead (if memory serves). The only thing he says to Artemy, essentially, is "forgive me if I have ever wronged you": a very Christian repentance before death. One of Artemy's dialog options then is even more so. In the English translation it's "God is merciful", the Russian original is literally "God will forgive": a characteristic non-answer which sounds like a blessing, but actually means something like "God will forgive [you, but I will not, despite you asking, because Lord's mercy is without limit, while mine isn't]".

Finally, time to mention the elephant... well, animal... steppe creature... in the room - Clara and her sainthood. Ironically, that is the most Orthodox plotline in the game. Just like the other Christian denominations, Orthodoxy recognizes multiple modalities of sainthood, which of course has to do with it being, like Catholicism also, two different religious practices in one coat: one for the monks, the other for the laymen and the clergy who have not taken up the vows. Saints can come from both parts of the divide, they just need a feat for the betterment of the faith and the humanity at large: a martyrdom, or converting a large number of non-believers, or protecting the Orthodox flock from depredations... The Changeling, however, can be understood as a yurodivy - an Orthodox saint that is a fool for Christ, that is, operates outside the usual societal norms on direct divine inspiration. Usually coming from laymen stock, such saints don't earn their veneration by following the canons of monastic or even layman life, but rather, submit themselves to God immediately. Clara's "God reveals himself to people by my hands" is a 100% hit on that modality: it's not her performing miracles by God, but God revealing himself to the world through her. It is, in a way, like the Sufi mystics seeking to suppress the nafs (ego) to reach communion with God.

Then, of course, comes the blood sacrifice. Well, I don't think there's a long explanation needed here on why this is not an Orthodox Christian idea. Yes, the sacrifice of Jesus redeemed the Original sin, but Jesus is God. One cannot be saved by another man's sacrifice in Orthodoxy, much less by turning another man into blood sausage. Yes, repentance is commendable (based on Luke 15:7), and sacrificing yourself for others' sake, too (John 15:13) - so the Humbles themselves can be seen as repentant sinners; but there can be no justification for these who slaughter them. Worse still, establish a process of slaughtering them, requiring ever more victims. That, naturally, runs against the foundations of Orthodox Christianity (the sixth commandment).

So, to sum this part up. The way the Capital treats the religion of the Kin passably resembles what the Russian Empire could've done; the atheist educated class also fits the mold. But the rest of the game's setting, particularly the lack of day-to-day organized Church presence in the Town, could not be any further from the historic Imperial society. Similarly, Clara's sainthood in itself fits into the religious life of the Empire well enough; but the Humbles ending absolutely destroys it.

[memesandmusicalss]

need to be having a conversation with someone right now . sav e me

[akaakeis]

HEY HEY HEEEEYYYYYYY bokuto moment

HI SAV<33

first of all shut up and pretend I didn't see ur sideblog posts THE THING IS I LOVE LOVE LOVE SENDING ASKS BUT LIKE I DIDN'T KNOW IF ITD BE FREAKY TO SEND RANDOM ASS ASKS TO YOU EVEN THO I BLEAT IN UR DMS EVERY OTHER SECOND

N E WAYS HIIII im having lunch rn !! IT RAINED SO BAD SO ITS LIKE 5PM AND IM STILL IN MY UNIFORM AND STUFF i had like.. stuff planned on my schedule and stuff :cccccc

dude the way i do NAWT feel like writing at all but also im dying to get yns pov in the first chapter like PICK A FUCKING SIDE OMFG literally had to pause writing this to think

TODAY I CORRECTED THE ENGLISH TEACHERS GRAMMAR IT WAS SO FUNNY LIKE I WAS WRITING AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS HUGE ASS WHITEBOARD SO I WAS KNEELING ON THE GROUND AND SHE GOES TO CORRECT SOMEONE'S (ALREADY CORRECT) GRAMMAR AND I LOOK UP TO HER LIKE UH NO THAT'S RIGHT ACTUALLY AND SHE DIDN'T EVEN QUESTION IT JUST TOOK IT LIKE A CHAMP??? LIKE GIRL WHEN EVEN U KNOW UR WRONG????

THE SENTENCE WAS monica went to her grandmother's house for summer vacation AND SHE MADE IT WEIRDER SOUNDING "during vacation" LIKE GIRL NO??????????? sorry for ranting god im such a hater

AND LIKE THESE FUCKASS TEACHERS WONT SEE MY TEXTS (i love them) BUT THE EXACT SECOND I PULL UP TO THEM AT SCHOOL IM GETTING MY CHEEKS TUGGED AT LIKE "oh em gee alina u did such a great job we r sooo proud of u" DIE. AND IM SO SCARED CUZ IM NOT STUDYING PROPERLY OR ENOUGH I THINK AND MY SCHEDULE IS SO FREAKY AND WEIRD AND THE !! RAIN !! EW 🤮🤢🤮🤢 not that i hate the rain, it just conveniently happens NOT when im at home ready to go to school, but rather otw to school or otw home so i'm just late everywhere. also MY WATER BOTTLE DISAPPEARED?? AND THERES A GIRL W THIEVING TENDENCIES IN CLASS LIKE IM NOT POINTING FINGERS BUT BUT BUUUUUUUT um. ANWYAYS I SAW A SUBMERGED MOTORCYCLE AND ALSO MY CHEM TEACHER TAKING PICS OF THE FLOOD LIKE WTF HE WANT THEM FOR "look wife im not cheating im actually trapped in school"

dude.. biceps r so..... like... kuroo... IM LOWK A KUROO ENTHUSIAST HE IS SO YUMMY LIKE U JUST KNOW HED LET U BITE IT (my intrusive thoughts r like. if he existed irl. nom nom time) NOT EVEN IN A SEXUAL WAY BTW I JUST NEED A CHOMP

ANYWAYS I FOUND OUT LIKE RN THAT I GOT 77/90 IN PAPER 1 AND 95/110 IN PAPER 2 OF BANGLA AND I ONLY GOT AN A* BECAUSE OF THE THRESHOLD (171) LIKE WHAAAT. (I GOT 172)

ITS 5:18PM RN AND IM GNA TAKE THE FASTEST FUCKING SHOWER OF MY ENTIRE LIKE CUZ MY HAIR GREASY ASF AND ITS SO EW AND THEN ILL DO CHEM NOTES HASHTAG STUDYING TRUST ME ! ! !

ANYWAYS last anyways of the day HRU MY BABY POOKIE PIE DARLING SWEETHEART POPEYES MUFFIN CUPCAKE HONEYPIE POPSICLE POOKIEBRO HOW WAS UR SLEEP HOW WAS UR YESTERDAY HOW IS UR LIFE WHATS GOING ON AND ALSO ALSO ALSO i forget give me a sec um erm ueueue OH I GOT IT I ABSOLUTELY ADORE U FOR READING ALL OF THE THINGS I SEND U LIKE!!!!! SHIRRJSKSKSOKSKS ILY okbye!!

HEY LINA!!

yeah im gonna act like u didnt see that sideblog post bc i SAID i wasnt trying to hint at anyone... AND NO THATS NOT FREAKY?? idk man i send in asks to ness like every day bc i think its fun to talk that way!! paragraph asks are genuinely so fun to receive!! ALSO USING THE WORD BLEAT IS CRAZY YOU R NOT BLEATING IN MY DMS

omg i hope you had a good lunch!! im answering this like an hour later so i assume u already finished? idk its weird that we're 12 hrs apart 😭 AND NOOO THATS AWFUL :(( sorry to hear that love :( hopefully the rain didn't flood any area and you and your fam are all good!!

HELP THATS SUCH A REAL FEELING i was battling with that yesterday so bad omf... i feel like sometimes we can attach somewhat negative connotations w writing bc sometimes it can feel like a chore? so sometimes it's a struggle to get up and decide to write? maybe thats js me but like yeah 😓 BUT GENUINELY SO EXCITED FOR YOUR APOCALYPSE AU!! ITS BEEN AMAZING SO FAR!! AND ANYTHING IVE READ FOR IT MAKES ME WANT TO LET OUT AUDIBLE SOBS ‼️ that sounds negative but i feel like you get why i want to LIKE GOOD GRIEF anyway write whenever you feel like it!! dont force it <3

THERES NO WAY??? PLEASE THATS SO FUNNY TO ME 😭 I LOVE THAT SHE DIDNT EVEN QUESTION IT OMG? YOU PROBABLY SPEAK MUCH MORE FLUENTLY THAN HER ANYWAY LMAOAOAO BUT PROUD OF YOU!!

okay like maybe im stupid but i feel like both of those sentences make sense? like "monica went to her grandmother's house for summer vacation" makes sense but so does "monica went to her grandmother's house during vacation" it's just that it doesn't specify whether it's during summer vacation so it can sound awkward ig?? idk man ive been stuck reading old english for the last couple of days bc of the hobbit (I DESPISE THAT BOOK IT CAN GO DIE) sigh

HELP?? I MEAN IM SO HAPPY YOURE GETTING GOOD GRADES THO!! AS LONG AS YOURE ABLE TO STUDY JUST ENOUGH SO THAT YOURE CONFIDENT IN THE TOPIC THEN I THINK YOURE GOOD HONESTLY 😨 and the rain sounds like its out to get u thats wild??? PLEASE im not pointing my finger at anyone... im just agreeing here... there's a chance 😭 having classmates with tendencies to steal is such a pain in the ass tho i hope you're able to retrieve your water bottle!! AND HELP I LOVE THE WAY YOU DUBBED THAT "im not cheating im actually stuck in school" had me giggling sm

HELLO? BITING KUROO'S BICEP IS INSANE (but lowkey i would too VERY LOWKEY because i feel like im not super attracted to big biceps and stuff idk?? but just a little chomp 😋😋)

WHATATATAT AT LEAST YOU GOT A* THOUGH ‼️ GOOD JOB!!!

AAA ENJOY YOUR SHOWER! I HOPE IT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER!! AND YES WE LOVE A RESPONSIBLE STUDIOUS GIRL 😋

AND IM ACTUALLY DOING GOOD MY POOKIE WOOKIE SUGAR PLUM COOKIE BROWNIE PUMPKIN PIE HONEY LOML (i laughed an obscene amount while writing that)!! TODAY IM GONNA BE SUPER BUSY.. I HAVE SPEECH AND DEBATE AFTER MY SCHOOL DAY IS OVER AND THEN I HAVE VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE UNTIL... 7 PM???? I THINK???? GOD. AND I SLEPT SUPER DUPER WELL I WOKE UP RLY COZY IN MY BED AND IM STILL HUDDLED UP IN HERE LMAOAOAO 😭 YESTERDAY WAS GOOD!! I DIDNT HAVE ANYTHING I NEEDED TO DO SO I GOT TO CHILL AT HOME AND LISTEN TO MUSIC AND LITTLE PODCASTS (i listen to the bit my tongue podcast by nailea devora SOOO MUCH) AND AWHAGSHHA LINA!! I ADORE EVERYTHING YOU WRITE AND ANYTHING YOU SEND TO ME!! ILL ALWAYS MAKE TIME TO READ SOMETHING YOU SEND ME!! ILY!! <3

[therappundit]

PUNDIT PICKS: "THE CREAM" of the Crop [My Favorite Albums of 2024 (*so far*)]

ICYMI, my ongoing series on the best of 2024: https://therappundit.tumblr.com/post/756082881246461952/the-pundits-picks-more-of-2024s-finest-part

***Please note: the selections on this list had to have dropped by 8/31/24, FYI***

Back in June/July, I began compiling what would become my ongoing "best of" list for 2024. I wasn't trying to rank my favorite music at that point, I was mostly concerned that the weekly onslaught of new music throughout the year could lead to a noteworthy piece of art missing these ears, and slipping through the cracks. I wanted to close out *the summer* with a list of my favorite albums of the year up through the end of summer, and I planned on releasing that list to public scrutiny at the end of Labor Day weekend...

It is now October.

Welp, plans are meant to be flexible, I guess. 😬 Timing be damned, I want to share with the world all of the shout-outs I possibly can, the cream of the crop, my favorite albums of the year as we closed out the summer season (bring on hoodie season, that tends to be when I feel like me the most).

And in no particular order, here are some of my favorite albums of 2024 [*up through the end of summer*]: Out Of The Blue by Blu & Shafiq Husayn, Lil Old Town by DJ Lucas & DVNTBEATS, WE DON'T TRUST YOU by Future & Metro Boomin, Pinball by MIKE & Tony Seltzer, For Hustlers Only by WB Nutty, MMCHT by Nickelus F., The Pride & Glory by Teller Bank$ & Ed Glorious, Nubian Cruiser by Ronday, Black Box: JOSHUA IS DEAD by Joshua Virtue, Black & Whites by Big Hit, Hit-Boy & The Alchemist, the First to Make Contact When We Dap by R.A.P. Ferreira & Fumitake Tamura, Shadowbox by Mavi, EMBERGO_ by Nakama., DOOF & ESCEE 2 by Doof, Escee & August Fanon, So Much Enrgy & Sav by Ysr Gramz & enrgy beats, Mr Beat The Road by Bossman Dlow, soul food for the family by rimhan, WATCH THE THRONE by Jaeychino, Marciology by Roc Marciano, PLAYWAY OR NOWAY by RRB LILMEL, My Story Got Stories by Bruiser Wolf, BIG MYAAP, NOT THE LIL ONE by Myaap, The Tonite Show The Sequel by Curren$y & DJ.Fresh, Nobody Planning To Leave by ShrapKnel & Controller 7, CHUPACABRA by JasonMartin & DJ Quik, Scoob Wav by WTM Scoob, LOYALTY: BIRTH OF SUPER RUFUS by Rufus Sims & Billionaire Boyscout, Flint 2 Detroit by YN Jay, Plea$e Don't Think I'm Actin Funny by Bub Rock, BLUE LIPS by ScHoolboy Q, Memoirs In Armour by Navy Blue, Can't Go Bacc by Nino Paid, Day Shift, Vol. 1 by Lil Tre, Pigmen In the Vitreous by Knoweye, Brown in America by HOODLUM, Alchemy by Jay Cinema & Chow, All Infinite by Kooley High & Tuamie

24. A Forsaken Lover's Plea by Chuck Strangers

(I always look forward to new Chuck, who frequently racks up accolades as a producer, but never seems to get his just due as the great MC that he is. A true double-double threat with every release.)

23. Deathtape 2: We Gon' Need Each Other by Quelle Chris, Cavalier, and Denmark Vessey

(Any time one of these artists releases anything, you know it's must-cop art....so naturally when they all collaborate, they make one hell of a short but sweet haymaker of a project.)

22. DECON$TRUCT!ON by Maassai

(What was pitched as a collection of loosies recorded over the past few years came off as a sharp, memorable showcase for one of Brooklyn's most talented MC's.)

21. Save The Bees by Big Flowers & Messiah Musik

(Big Flowers is part of one of the greatest communities of exciting NY talent that we have seen in years, so pairing the thoughtful MC/producer with Messiah Musik - one of the most potent producers in underground hip-hop right now - yields a palette of sounds and messages that feel stronger with every listen.)

20. WOODSTOCK '99 by Nick Satchel & dp0mmy

(Nick really seemed to put his foot down into this one, shining alongside an old friend in Atlanta-by-way-of-St. Louis producer dp0mmy...who continues to raise the bar of what he can achieve sonically, remaining one of the greatest secret weapons in hip-hop right now. More on dp0mmy in the weeks to come...) 👀

19. Bag Man Julio by Jaysanityy

(A name you are sure to be more familiar with in the near future, the DMV's Jaysanityy is one of the most complete artists you will find in underground hip-hop. Check out any of his work, and I guarantee you will wonder why he's not already mentioned in the same breath as artists like Mavi, Pink Siifu, and Maxo.)

18. 74: Out of Time by Ol' Burger Beats

(Another fantastic, less heralded producer helms this compilation album, which is stacked with great songs from some of the indy world's finest, and sounds far too cohesive to leave off of my favorite album list.)

17. WAKING UP AND CHOOSING VIOLENCE by YUNGMORPHEUS & Alexander Spit

(Few MC's are able to sound so cutting with their words without sounding enraged quite like YUNGMORPHEUS, who has steadily put out some of the best rap music out of anyone's catalogue over the past 5-6 years. He's joined by another one of 2024's MVP's, Alexander Spit, who happens to be one of the most skilled producers at creating cool instrumentals to help support, rather than outshine, the messages of his MC's collaborators.)

16. This Too Shall Pass by Yo OG

(Rapidly becoming onf of my favorite MC's, No Label collective's Yo OG - sometimes shortened to just OG - is strong enough to carry an album on his own, but when he joins forces with other talented affiliates from No Label, it's clear that this whole team is about to be a force in hip-hop music.)

15. Black Blues Brothers by HALAL BOYS

(Representing Phoenix AZ, I knew nothing about Lord Ra and Gorgeous Jefe heading into 2024, but leaving 2024 they're high up on my radar as one of the most exciting duos I have heard in a while.)

14. Memory(ummm) by Sleep Sinatra & bloomcycle

(Speaking of 2024 MVP's...Sleep Sinatra is a tried and true veteran MC/producer that seems to be going the fine wine route, while bloomcycle - the producer alias of previously mentioned Big Flowers - also seemed to be making an impact on various different projects this year. Together they created a standout album, equally effective as a tightly made cohesive personal work as it is a collection of great collaborations with fellow amazing artists.)

13. SOLACE by Marco Plus

(To make a name for yourself coming out of Atlanta's deep, deeeeep music scene, and to do so without being already tied to a major industry name, or even delivering the "typical" type of crossover rap music that the ATL is known for, is pretty impressive. But once you hear Marco Plus spit, it's not too surprising. His ear for beats is only surpassed by his hungry delivery on the microphone, so of course it's no surprise that this year he has received dap from some of the most established artists in the ATL, like JID. I would say keep an eye out for Marco more in the future, but my guess is that he will knock down more doors and make a name for himself without anyone having to dig too deep to find his work.)

12. Almighty So 2 by Chief Keef

(Am I surprised that Chief Keef dropped one of my favorite albums this year? No, I'm more surprised that in 2024 I am so eager to hear his work at all. I was woefully late to - dare I say, straight up refused to board - the bandwagon for Keef. He has been buried on my "happy for him and his success, but I don't feel the need to hear anything else from this man" list since the "Bang" video. Sure, I dug more than a few Keef cuts over the years, here and there, while he was putting in work on project after project to become a better all around producer and recording artist. He really understands rap, trap, and how to deliver a sonically appealing album that in spite of his relatively limited subject matter, doesn't come off as cookie cutter. Almighty So 2 has been very well received, but garnered some "meh" responses from his core base, since this is probably his most accessible, polished, mainstream-ready project to date. But make no mistake, there is no lacking in raw energy and clever commentary, both are provided in abundance here, and we're all better for it. I can now say what I began to feel back with 4NEM in 2021: I am a Chief Keef fan.)

11. PERSEVERANCE by Jay Cinema & JUNE! as JUNECINEMA

(Sure they share great chemistry as MCs & Producers, but what shines through the most on PERSEVERANCE is their pure love of music. It's one thing to come off hungry, but to come off as being excited just to make and release music? That's become an increasingly rare commodity. JUNE! and Jay Cinema have really put their mark in underground hip-hop over the past two years, and this album feels like a culmination of their growth and confidence as recording artists. Take Jay's classic NYC MC swagger, plus JUNE!'s delivery that often reaches construction site levels of gravelly, then interweave clear shout-outs to their loves and musical influences, and you get a dope underground collaboration with strong replay value.)

10. Sour Dub by Rich Jones & SINAI.

(A unique talent that threads the needle between singing and rapping in a casual and authentic way - possibly the best to juggle both since a certain famous Canadian actor/rapper/singer, Rich Jones is always guaranteed to put out some interesting work. Here he joins forces with SINAI. a.k.a. Sleep Sinatra - and boy what a year he's had - and the two deliver some of the most grounded, feel-good somber music that I have heard in quite some time. I'm not sure if "feel-good somber music" is even a thing, but if it is, Rich & Sleep are maestros at the artform.)

9. 3rd Shift by J.U.S. & Squadda B

(I'm not as familiar with Squadda B as I probably should be, but I know he made an impact as one half of Oakland's Main Attrakionz. Here he delivers engaging, diverse production for Bruider Brigade's J.U.S, who I am more familiar with, as he has been near the top of my personal "most slept-on MC" list for several years strong now. Together their chemistry is sublime, with Squadda's slappin' beats providing ample space for J.U.S to speak his mind over.)

8. F.U.N. T.O.Y. by Sideshow

(Alexander Spit got busy on this one, tossing a varied collection of sounds at Sideshow to work with. In turn, the L.A. MC delivered another interesting piece of work, touching on a rolling list of thoughts, but not staying long enough in any one passing thought to reach a completion. While this could be problematic for a lot of artists, for Sideshow it works quite well, in my opinion. F.U.N. T.O.Y. feels like the equivalent of going on a long drive alone to clear your head, and jumping from song to song on the car radio. That might not be the most purposeful and effective drive in the world, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable or thought provoking. Sideshow is the epitome of a "leave them wanting more" MC.)

7. The Thief Next to Jesus by Ka

(The writer's writer returns. At this point, I don't know what else can be said about this man's pen, but from a longevity standpoint, let's talk about how challenging it must be to maintain a certain level of elite rapping - and well into one's fifties. Ka's experience as a MC is well documented, but as a producer, Thief lives amongst his finest, dare I day accessible production work. Here he keeps the darkness at bay with powerful soul, grit, and determination, delivering a fantastic album that doesn't denounce the purposes of devout faith, but parses the complexities behind keeping a religious mindset in today's world.)

6. sunscreen by shemar & Child Actor

(Likely the shortest project on this list, but surely one of the year's most potent. shemar speaks to a generation of artists that have grown up in and around NYC accepting the music of artists like Armand Hammer, and not as "alternative underground rap", but simply where the bar happens to exist today. In turn, on sunscreen shemar comes off with a stream of consciousness flow and a chip on his shoulder, which when combined with the raw and majestic smokiness of Child Actor's instrumentals, makes for an ear gripping listening experience. This is peak 3:00am on the L train music.)

5. Los Angeles by Blu & Evidence

(I'm not sure if any other MC can brag about having the sheer volume of dope music drop within the first 3/4 of a calendar year at Blu's level. The underground vet seems to be enjoying a hungry renaissance, releasing three albums by my own personal deadline for this list (another great piece of work with Exile has also been released since). The news of Blu releasing a full project with fellow west coast underground legend Evidence, was only surpassed by the actual final product. Los Angeles is a sonically phenomenal, lyrically on-point love letter/indictment of the coast's most infamous city. Hip-hop history is stacked with unforgettable releases that perfectly capture the soul and feeling of L.A. life, but I don't know if it's ever been done this successfully with such a full a collection of beautifully curated vintage 90's underground vibes.)

4. Different Type Time by Cavalier

(Cavalier had a great year. Folks in the know have been not-so-patiently waiting for this one, because whenever Cav drops anything it might not be the loudest album in the room, but it will always be one of the finest. When fans learned that this album was going to be released through modern day Def Jux-esque powerhouse and bily woods boosted record label Backwoodz Studioz, even higher expectations were bestowed upon Different Type Time. Cavalier might not be a New York City resident anymore, but the feeling across this album is an open diary of a wizened New Yorker, a grown man in the rap game that's seen enough light and darkness to know that day to day life will always end up being somewhere in the middle. Similarly to other razor-penned MC's like Ka and Skyzoo, Cav is not preoccupied with knockout punchlines as much as he is focused on making each bar land like it's own story, each a bittersweet memory over a swooning jazzy backdrop.)

3. Service Merchandise by Previous Industries [Open Mike Eagle, Video Dave, Still Rift]

(Sometimes the only thing capable of being funnier than a great stand-up comedian, is a group of old friends just shootin' the shit together. Comedy is dependent not only on well-written jokes, but also impeccable timing, chemistry, and a certain level of connection with the audience. Open Mike Eagle, Video Dave, and Still Rift have no trouble making a connection with their audience, and they know their voices well enough to probably finish each other's sentences, and stick the landing on any cultural reference within a verse. Service Merchandise is an underground rap album that could only be made during these times by middle-aged hip-hop artists that have long since come to terms with the fact that they just aren't destined to be flashing rollies in glossy rap videos surrounded by gyrating bikini models...and that's okay. Stacked to the brim with nerd nostalgia, pop culture references, and thematic homages to fallen retail chains - not to mention expert rapping, lyricism, and a laundry list of some of hip-hop's finest underground producers - Previous Industries excel at balancing the art of waxing nostalgic without dismissing the positivity that could come from the present and future. Fellow writer/music thirster, the great Son Raw, spoke positively of the album as well, matching it to De La Soul vibes, and surely that's a comparison to be proud of.)

2. #RICHAXXHAITIAN by Mach-Hommy

[The mysterious Mach man strikes again. After what felt like a long enough delay to start asking "is it actually dropping, or was it scrapped?", Mach-Hommy released #RICHAXXHAITIAN in May to strong reviews, albeit with less hype than what came with the first album listening session back in 2023. A handful of familiar guests, as well as a handful of expected trademarks (Mach is still successfully "flippin' _____ like" whenever possible) made the album feel like a Mach album, but musically he was working with a higher level of pristine selections. Without losing any hint of his unpredictability or raw delivery, Mach managed to work in an additional layer of polish or two, curating each song on the album as if "this could be the one". Thoughtful, culturally attuned to his Haitian American status, and as willing to dip a toe in experimental territory as he's ever been, if #RICHAXXAITIAN isn't Mach-Hommy's most well-rounded album thus far, it's damn near close.]

1. Sewaside III by Mike Shabb

(Montreal, stand up. Whatever Mike Shabb may lack due to his youth, he more than makes up for it with his body of work in hip-hop, utility knife of talents. Shabb is an elite beatmaker and MC, and he possesses a rare assortment of skills that work equally well with both trap and boom-bap sensibilities. He may have the highest ceiling of any MC on this list, because like other gifted artists like MIKE, Earl Sweatshirt, and Vince Staples, he represents a modern MC that doesn't see a problem with placing Lil Baby and Roc Marciano back to back on the same mixtape. Sewaside III is a great representation of how Shabb continues to grow more polished with each release, without sacrificing his raw underground essence. Staring at the last few months of 2024, if this one ends up being my favorite rap album of the year when the ball drops on Dec. 31st, I will be quite fine with that.)

Next up...my favorite SONGS of the year (*as of the end of summer*)...thanks for reading, and stay tuned!

[gryficowa]

Boycott!

I just realized it's September…

Now that I have your attention:

[chenfordswopez]

Welcome to my blog where I show love for a hundred billion wlw ships, hundred million mlm ships, and eight hundred something het ships haha.

@randomwriter23 is the Eric to my Donna (platonically)

@vintageholls is the Donna to my Jackie

Oh, and I track the #donna pinciotti defense squad tag <3

PSA: This blog is a safe space for everyone. Doesn’t matter if we have some different interests from each other or anything like that. Just as long as everyone is kind and respectful.

Edit 1/6 (OC ask game): here

Character ask game (edited 9/18): here

Edit 11/11: another ask game

Monthly Prompts (Edit 5/2):

Current polls (TBD):

Another edit 7/18: list of colors for each ship/dynamic I make edits for

I do take giffing requests, so feel free to send me any ship or character and I’ll make an edit!

Sideblogs: @stebekahappreciationblog (stebekah blog), @bennxttwitch (Bonnie rp), @ao3feed-forwood (forwood ao3 blog), @that90sgifs (gifs and content for t9s), and @sabrinaswifts (Taylor Swift side blog), @creativewritingthings (prompt blog), @tophzulapolls (my Tophzula poll blog), @ask-danger-force (my danger force blog)

And if you wanna know more about me: here

Be sure to check out my video edits @bosesmikas in ig and @itspoorni18 on TikTok (a lot of them can’t fit into tumblr)

Pinterest: @nikkisruncks

Twitter: @chenfordswopez

Upcoming fic list:

T7S/T9S drabble pack masterlist:

Psa: if there’s ANYTHING on my blog labeled as mature, please assume it’s tumblr being dumb. I may no longer be a minor, but I’m not comfortable making that kind of content.

Ships: Bose/Mika, Buddy/Miles, Chapa/Ruby, Chapa/Mika, Bose/Miles, Miles/Sissy, Chapa/Miles, Gwen/Nikki, Jay/Leia, Nate/Nikki (part 3 won me over), Jackie/Eric, Toph/Azula, Nate/Leia, Gwen/Leia, Jay/Nikki, Brooke/Kelso, Kelso/Fez, Eric/Buddy, Jackie/Donna, Eric/Donna (mostly s1-2), JT/Liberty, Peter/Darcy, Sean/Ellie, Sean/Emma (mostly s1-2), Ellie/Jimmy, Jimmy/Trina, Jay/Manny, Holly J/Sav, Spinner/Jane, Chantay/Anya, & Jackie/Hyde, along with many more ships

One last psa: I will be writing my own posts with several of my opinions. If you don’t agree, then just don’t interact and all is good. You’re allowed to have your own opinion and I’m allowed to have mine. So there’s no need or point or state how you disagree with mine and think x. If you want to state your opinion, then I suggest writing your own post instead of going onto mine.

I am accepting gif requests, so feel free to send me any ship, dynamic, character from any fandom and I’ll make a gifset.

My main T7S/T9S opinions if anyone wants to know: (TBD)

The T7S & T9S (T2S as well) timelines for my verse: