#now all we need is for tuesday to be a support and for argus to be a dps to fully come circle

[please-let-this-work-oh-my-god]

2.1's trailer made me realize something

[g00seg1rl]

Outtakes Tuesday

Happy Tuesday lovelies! These are horny as hell, or as horny as everything else on this blog 🤭

And we are so back baby, apologies for missing the previous one, last week was a shit show for me, there’s a long one or two in there as penance 😫

Last Week | Next Week 💗

Azriel might have been the one with the anaconda of a dick but Eris was the one who’d unhinge his jaw for survival; that might sound a bit backwards, but who are we to argue with nature’s needs?

“Fucking Hel, Autumn, I don’t know how you do that,” Az groaned out, wonderlusted by the kittenish licks of Eris’s tongue across the bulging vein underneath his third leg completely add odds with the rabid hunger reflected in the molten amber pools of Eris’s eyes, or the violent gluggagglug he’d been maintaining for minutes at this point; minutes might not seem remarkable but you try and take a shin-length dick past your tonsils.

Eris considered starting a support group for bottoms or switches of partners with egregiously sized dangalangs. He’d revisit when the current mission was completed. He would get this second load in him no matter how quivering Az was, and how overstimulated the Illyrian was.

He’d already taken Az bent over the Shadowsinger’s desk for a good—no, perfect—four rounds, just to plop on his knees the moment the fourth rodeo ended to taste himself off Az. Eris had a very sophisticated palette and very slutty taste buds.

And then he wanted more. So now, Azriel was gripping the arms of his chair, entire body vibrating from delightful ruin. The misty musky taste of him saltied as they went on, overexertion and sweat mingling with the sploogy ambrosia steadily leaking down his needy throat.

People told her that in order to get over a man, you gotta get underneath another. That’s how Elain found herself wedged between a LeBron James sized Aussie piece of eye candy named Lucien and a rickety futon.

“Fuckin’ crikey, babydoll,” the tall glass of smooth marmalade ground out above her as he ground his hips deep into her, the tip of his rock-hard cock violently kissing her cervix with each thrust, sharpening her moans.

“Riddle me this, Tammy-tam-”

“Don’t call me that, Rhys.”

“Oh you’ll forgive me, this one is great-“

“You think everything you come up with is better than the invention cock rings,” Lucien noted.

Rhysand needed friendlier fuckbuddies.

“And I am typically accurate, shush,” he directed and cleared his crisp voice, “Clay could cement from my heat, diamonds could sparkle from my pressure, raisins could regress back to grapes from my wetness and the saddest of sacks would develop a serotonin disorder from my regular services, what am I?”

“Lucien’s asshole.” Tamlin solved it easily, the grin on his face validating enough for Rhys to feel like he had indeed come up with something to rival the novelty of cock rings.

“Ding-ding-ding!”

“I need new fuckbuddies.”

(a/n: I am totalllyy writing more of these three)

Viscous, drooping jizz spurted across her tanned, freckled cheekbones. Despite emphatically asking for it, Elain cringed in a way that shriveled Lucien’s heart.

He scooped up part of his eruption (he was such a caring father) as he helped her to her feet after she’d been on her knees for… a period of time unknown to Lucien’s post-nut addled mind. He was such a caring husband.

“Hibernating after collecting all your nuts for the season, my dear?”

“You make me sound so spoiled, Azriel,” Eris whined, pouting at him from the cove of covers he was now huddled in after riding his boyfriend like a professional bronco.

“I was aiming for resourceful.”

Thank you x100000~ @the-darkestminds for checking these over and all your support, ily mami

I’ve been putting it off because keeping track of lists is one of the worst things in existence for me, but let me know if you wanna be tagged for these!! Until then, behold my bitches: @astro-h0e-4azris @nus4y @jules-writes-stories @mistandmemories @iftheshoef1tz @mudandmire @fourteentrout @queercontrarian @buffy-vanserra @fingerpoppingood @makinglongwordsslutty @pippsmcgee @ejkreader @brunetterebel010 @thesourcabbage @nightsandflamess luv u all dearly 😘 CHUNKY IM SORRY ILY2 😭💗💗

[thezombieprostitute]

So, unsurprisingly, I haven't been able to stop thinking about IT!Ransom since this week's Tech Tuesday. To go no contact with his parents, give up all that money, that would take a lot of strength we don't often attribute to him.

So, what I'm dying to know is, did he have any help or support in that process? Is he or has he been in therapy? Or was there a rare friend that pointed him in that direction?

I genuinely don't know if I'd be able to handle Ransom in therapy. My sad-boy-who's-trying loving heart would explode.

So you know those scenarios where you realize your lived experience either isn't the norm or isn't "the way it has to be"? That's what happened with Ransom. He realized his family's version of "love" and "support" wasn't how it was for a lot of people, and that it wasn't something he had to just accept for himself. He wanted something better and he's smart enough to know he couldn't get it from his current environment and connections.

Ransom knows he needs money and lots of preparations that require money. He can't let his family know what he's doing or it'll be sabotaged before he's even begun. That means he needs cash. Cash can't be traced by his family. He starts small, pawning cuff-links, watches and the like, but it's not getting him enough money.

He looks at his BMW. It's his pride and joy. It enables him small escapes, a token of independence in the form of getting arrive and leave whenever he wants. But it could also be the key to actual escape and independence. He argues with himself about for quite some time but the numbers part of the plan doesn't lie. He needs to sell it.

The cash he receives for it pays for his little apartment. It's at least a year's rent, as well as food and utilities for while he job hunts, learns to cook the basics, and just lays low until his family stops searching for him. Every day he's out, he's scared. He's truly alone and he doesn't know what to do about it other than his usual cold, irritated demeanor.

He knows he probably should go to a therapist, but right now he's just trying to figure out life without his family and their money.

[acr1ms0n-d3scend]

You want Sleep Token Incorrect Quotes? Sure, here is Part 1.

Also I included my ocs.

Let's begin!!

( Been inspired btw. )

Vessel: So, Sleep is no longer allowed to take the trash out at night.

Espera: Why?

Vessel: Because I've caught them trying to train raccoons to fight five times in a row.

Sleep, arms crossed and pouting: You'll be thanking me when the third raccoon battalion saves your ass.

-

II: Good night.

Vessel: Sleep tight.

Sleep: Don't let the bedbugs crawl up to your ear and whisper threatening things that make you question yourself.

II: Great, now Vessel's crying.

-

Azul: The Ocean is a soup.

Descend:

Descend: Do elaborate.

Azul: What are needed for something to be a soup?

Descend: Erm... Water, salt, some form of vegetation, and personally I prefer some meat in mine.

Azul: *Tilts head*

Descend: The Ocean is a Soup.

Azul: The Ocean is a Soup.

-

III: Name something you believed in as a child that you no longer do as an adult.

II: Myself.

-

Ace/VII: I'm usually that person who has no idea what's going on.

-

Sleep: What does “take out” mean?

II: Food.

Ace/VII: Dating.

III: Murder.

IV: It can be all three if you’re brave enough.

-

III: Do you support gay rights?

IV: I’m literally gay.

Sleep: They’re avoiding the question!

-

Azul: We need to distract these guys.

Ace/VII: Leave it to me.

Ace/VII: Centaurs have six limbs and are therefore insects. Discuss.

II and III: *immediately begin arguing*

-

Azul: Am I right, Descend?

Descend: I’m almost certain you’re not, but to be fair, I wasn’t listening.

-

II: What? I'm not aggressive!

III: Last Tuesday, you wacked me with a pair of crocs and stole my chocolate chips?

II: Survival of the fittest, [B-WORD!]

-

Vessel: Self-care is suppressing all your trauma until it comes back and hits you in the face with the force of 7 very large trucks.

-

II, to III: All right, let’s tell each other a secret about ourselves. I’m going to go first– I hate you.

-

Descend: *Gets down on one knee*

II: Oh my god! It’s finally happening! Descend: *Collapses* II: The poison’s kicking in!

-

Sleep: I have met some of the most insufferable people. But they also met me.

Well, done I guess-

[rjmartin11]

As My Lord Wishes

Chapter Fourteen

Summary: Young Madelyn is forced into a loveless arranged marriage with the King of Memphis. Life with Elvis isn't easy, especially when he treats her less than what a queen deserves. Over time, the relationship becomes something more. Love.

Word Count: ???

Warnings:

Author's Notes: Welcome to Chapter Fourteen! If you made it this far, thank you for all your support!

If you enjoy this chapter, like, follow, comment, and repost!

・ʚ♡ɞ・・ʚ♡ɞ 👑 ʚ♡ɞ・・ʚ♡ɞ・

For the next few weeks, Elvis stays at Madelyn's bedside. He supervises the doctor, the assistant, and the handmaidens. He's glad Madelyn has around the clock care. He reads to her in quiet moments.

Madelyn feels so weak, but she doesn't show it. She's so grateful that Elvis is with her, seeing over her. Her throat was so sore that it was difficult to eat. With encouragement from Elvis, the physician, and her handmaidens, Madelyn would eat little bite throughout the day. She wanted her baby strong.

The physician fears Madelyn wouldn't make it to full term with the baby. Madelyn felt the same.

"Doctor," Madelyn says weakly. "Tell me the truth. Am I going to lose my baby?"

The tension in the room is as thick as smoke. Elvis feels he could choke on it. He was so nervous for Madelyn and his unborn child. His eyes sting with as the news hangs over them. Elvis holds Madelyn's hand.

Even before the physician speaks, the look on his face says it all.

"My Queen... with your illness and the stress on your body, I don't believe you can make it another month. Let alone two more months."

Elvis is ready to burst into tears but remains strong.

"What do we do then, Doc?" Elvis asks.

"My king, we have to take the baby from her in order to save both of them, or we risk losing both."

"No," Madelyn answers.

Elvis looks at in shock. She could die, and she doesn't want the doctor to take the baby. Elvis can't fathom losing her.

"My queen..."

"Leave us," Elvis says. His eye never left Madelyn's face.

The physician doesn't argue with Elvis. He takes a bow and exits the room. Elvis feels himself shaking. He tries to calm himself down. He feels like he's experiencing the stages of grief. He has denied this entire situation, which includes denying Madelyn. Right now, he's livid and ready to bargain with Madelyn because he refuses to accept anything that will tear them apart.

"Elvis..."

"Maddie, please. Please let the doctor help you."

"No. He wants to take the baby prematurely."

"It's to save you! I can't lose you!"

"If you lose me, at least the baby will be here for you to love. And you..." Madelyn pauses, thinking about the words he said to her. "You can find the queen that your heart desires."

"I don't want anyone else!" Elvis kneels by her bedside. "It's always been you. You're it for me. We can have more children."

"I want this one. He's kept me company for the last five months. Playing with me. Loving me when I felt unloved."

"The stress on your body is too much."

"Call for the doctor."

Elvis stands and walks for the door, bringing the doctor inside. Madelyn worries about this situation, but she knows she must be strong.

"If you induce me. Can you save my child?" Madelyn asks with tears rolling down her face.

"I can try, my lady. It would be a miracle if you both survive," the physician says.

"Okay. Let's pray for a miracle. You have my blessing to induce me next Tuesday. I need to get word to my mother."

"We'll send a messenger pigeon to Queen Escalus immediately," the physician says.

Elvis kisses her hand, grateful for the time given.

"Thank you, Maddie," Elvis whispers.

"I'm doing this for our son," Madelyn says. "And my mother wanted to be here for his birth. I won't disappoint her. Whatever the circumstances."

Madelyn's handmaiden, June, writes a letter for Queen Escalus about Madelyn's premature birth of her baby to get to Memphis immediately. The physician gets everything ready in preparations of the new royal baby. All of Graceland is buzzing busier than a hive of bees. Word gets out of the palace and spreads across Memphis and the surrounding townsfolk. Everyone loves the thought of the newborn baby.

Everyone from Beale to Memphis brings tokens of love for the baby and new parents. As exciting as it is, Madelyn is still sick and worried about her baby. Her handmaids do everything in their power to comfort her. Elvis stays by her side. He worries most of all.

Three days later, Queen Escalus comes to Graceland. She walks quickly to Madelyn's aid, worried about her daughter's health and well-being.

"The Queen Gloria Escalus," Joseph the Herald shouts as she walks into Madelyn's room.

"Mother," Madelyn says, reaching out to her.

"My darling, Madelyn," Queen Escalus says, taking her clammy hand.

"Scarlett fever and pregnancy plague you. And yet you remain beautiful."

"My lady," the physician says. "Should we begin the induction?"

"No! It's not Tuesday yet. I said Tuesday. Mother, he wants to take the baby. I won't lie to you, I'm afraid."

"If it will save the babe... then let's be done with it," the Queen says. "I'm here, my darling daughter. You will be fine."

I'm not ready," Madelyn cries.

"You are my love," Elvis says, tears streaming down his eyes. "I believe in you. You are ready."

Elvis looks into Madelyn's eyes, seeing her fear. The love she was missing those five months of silence revealed at this moment between them.

"Fine. Do it now," Madelyn orders, regaining her strength.

The physician preps the bed, sitting Madelyn up and propping the pillows behind her back. He orders the handmaidens to get hot water to sterilize all his tools. He takes his needle and syringe full of horse tranquilizer and carefully puts it in her left hip. Madelyn cries out loud from the pain. The doctor also gets her warm red leaf herbal tea to help with the induction. The tea is warm, and it helps to soothe her throat. The taste dulls her senses, and a drowsy feeling takes her body.

A few moments later, Madelyn's lower abdomen starts to tighten and cramp. Her breathing changes. Elvis and her mother take her by the hand.

"Maddie?" Elvis asks.

"He's coming!" Madelyn shouts.

The physician takes off his jacket and gets to work. With his physician helping with whatever is needed.

"My lord, you need to leave," the physician tells him.

"I'm staying," Elvis says.

"My lord, it's not fitting..."

"I said I'm staying," Elvis says in a stern tone. "I will not leave you, Maddie. Never again." He whispers to her.

"Thank you," Madelyn says, a single tear falling from her eye.

The physician pulls up the sheets and covers at the bottom of the bed. The assistant holds open Madelyn's legs as the doctor inspects further.

"The baby is crowning, my lady."

"Breath, darling," her mother tells her. "Deep breaths. In through your nose and out through your mouth."

Madelyn follows through a little bit, realizing this help in some way.

"And remember that you can squeeze our hands as tight as you need to," her mother says.

"My lady, are you ready to push?" The physician asks.

Madelyn shakes her head no.

"I'm not ready. I can't do this."

"Yes, you can, Maddie. You are stronger than anyone I know. You are courageous and true. I have all faith in you. You can do this," Elvis says, kissing her hand.

"My lady, when the next contraction comes push," the physician orders.

The contraction hits her like bricks, and she pushes with all her might. She yells at all the pressure she feels in the action. She feels the baby's head slips out inch by inch, but she's not done yet.

"The head is out. Rest for another moment for another moment, my as we what for the next contraction."

Madelyn's breathing is labored as she gasps for air. Her mother takes a small cloth and wipes the sweat off her brow.

The next contraction hits, and she pushes again. The physician works the umbilical cord from around the baby's body as he holds it.

"My lady, one more push should do it, and the baby will be out."

"One more push, Maddie," Elvis whispers.

"One more push," Madelyn repeats. "One more."

The last contraction hits, and with all her might, Madelyn pushes the baby out of her body. She falls on the bed, trying to catch her breath.

"How is he?" Madelyn asks, not hearing the baby cry yet.

The physician cleans the baby's face and mouth out. As he does, the baby lets out his first breath of life. A sign of relief takes over the room as the baby cries.

"He's just fine, my lady. He has a strong set of lungs. That's healthy."

"Thank God," Madelyn says.

"It really is a boy?" Elvis asks.

"Yes, my lord."

"Madelyn, how did you know?" Her mother asks.

"I know my son," Madelyn says weakly.

Elvis lets go of her hand and walks towards the baby, curiosity about the baby filling his mind. Elvis gets a glimpse of his newborn son crying for attention. He's so small. About seven inches long. His skin is fresh, but somehow paler than he believed he'd be.

"Would you like to hold him, my lord?"

Elvis doesn't give it another thought. He takes his son in his arms, cradling him closely. He's the most beautiful baby Elvis has ever seen, and he's his own son. Everything Madelyn promised came to pass. Elvis walks over to Madelyn and Queen Escalus with the newborn.

"Maddie, look at him. He's so precious."

Elvis places the baby up to Madelyn's face so she can have a better look at her son. She strokes his face with the back of her fingers. True love at first sight as hit her twice. She cries tears of joy for her newborn son. Queen Escalus is in awe of the scene before her.

"Would you like to hold him, Maddie?"

"I... I can't. Get him away. I'm still sick," she says weakly.

Madelyn closes her eyes, and her entire body goes limp.

"Madelyn, darling. Are you okay?" The Queen Escalus asks.

"Maddie?" Elvis says, fearing the worse.

He turns to one of the handmaidens.

"Take him. Wash him. Cloth him. Now," Elvis orders her.

Elvis marches back to Madelyn's side.

"Maddie. Maddie, wake up. Why is she so still?" Elvis asks the doctor.

"She's lost a lot of blood, and she's still sick with scarlet fever, my lord. I'm working as fast as I can to help her."

"Your grace," Elvis says to Queen Escalus. "You need to leave now. Go check on your grandson. The handmaidens will work you to him."

"I'm not leaving..."

"Do as I ask, please," Elvis says to her sternly.

She can't argue with Elvis. So she walks out of the room without another question.

Elvis takes Madelyn's face in his hands lightly, tapping her face.

"Maddie, look at me, love."

Madelyn stirs. She opens her eyes and looks at Elvis as he kneels down by her.

"Garon."

"Who?"

"Our son's name is Garon. After your brother."

Elvis recalls telling her about his brother. Never in a hundred years would he have believed Madelyn would name their child after his brother. It warmed his heart.

"Be with Garon," she tells him.

"I want to be here with you. I will not leave you."

"He needs you more than I do."

"But I need you. I love you, Maddie," Elvis says, tears running down his cheeks.

"I love you," Madelyn whispers back, touching his face.

"Your majesty, you have to let the physician help her," his guard tells him.

"I will not leave her. Not again."

The guards pick Elvis up by his arms. Elvis fights them off of him, pleading for them to leave him alone. His pleads fall on deaf ears as they escort from out into the hall. They guards block the doorway from Elvis, not allowing him access.

Elvis falls to his knees and cries, believing that he has lost the love of his life.

Taglist: @missmaywemeetagain @beeandheroddobsessions @headfullofpresley @everythingpresley @epforeverohyes @vintagepresley @pianginferno @powerofelvis @ab4eva @foreverdolly @searchingforgravity @thatbanditqueen @daffieapple @18lkpeters @dkayfixates @epsgirl @richardslady121 @literally-just-elvis-fics @eptodaytommorowforever @vintageshanny @iloveelvisss @dreamingofep @aliypop @littlehoneyposts @msamarican @i-r-i-n-a-a @your-nanas-house @elvispresleyxoxo @iloveelvis2 @elvisbdoll

[nosebleedsturn]

twenty-six ; frappe

Words: 2,741

frappe - (french) a ballet term, directly translated to 'strike' or 'hit' in english; a quick or precise movement.

tuesday, december 17th, afternoon, 2:00 pm

vega was running late. her teacher had been ten minutes late to class, then she had 20 minutes to study before the final was pushed out on canvas, and she had taken a lot longer than she intended when testing. and how she was running around her room like a mad man trying to get her shit together.

malerie only had class on monday's, thursday's, and friday's, so she had spent the whole night working out the kinks in vega's dress. it was a beautiful satin creme colored dress, with a thigh slit on either side and an open halter neck. she was originally supposed to have some lace details, but mal was too tired to finish and barely got nine hours of sleep within the last two days. she had however cut out little cups for added breast support, chained together a bracelet, and added a few rhinestones in the v neck part to bring more attention to vega's tit's. ("they're your best feature!" "thanks? i don't really know what else to say about that...")

but at least the dress wasn't difficult or tight when she put it on. it flowed, it curved, it was soft and thick in the right way. malerie's dress was sparkly black. it was floor length, with a thigh high slit on either side. 

camille had disappeared to the theatre hours ago for warm ups, leaving mal and vega to their own devices. the triplets were going to be coming later on, closer to when it actually started so that cami wouldn't notice chris or any of the same faced trio in the crowd and make her more nervous.

i pin my hair up in a slicked back messy bun. i don't know when she did it, but mal's hair was a little bit darker of a blonde, a bit more brunette than it was for her party, a few strands were a shiny black color. "when did you add hair tinsel?" i asked, tugging lightly on her hair. "before you got out of school." mal waved off. "you want some?"

"nah, my hair's already done." mal shrugged. "we can add them in another day then. i ordered a whole bunch." mal and vega agreed to do a few strands another day. "chris and nick were wondering if we all wanted to do a secret santa with each other." mal asked, sitting at vega's vanity, borrowing a pair of her earrings. "i guess so." vega shrugged, adding a tiny bit more hair gel to curl her face framing pieces. "as long as i don't get matt. if i get matt, we gotta switch."

malerie laughed. "alright, i promise."

they were supposed to be at the theatre at 3:15, and they were probably going to get there at 3:10 if they didn't leave right now. it was fine, considering it didn't start until 4:00, but vega hated being late. it was disrespectful. plus, she didn't pay $120 to be late.

so they left, hopping into vega's car, bumping into nick and chris on the way. they were leaning against the van, the garage door wide open. "hi guys." mal smiled at nick. "ya'll look cute." she complimented.

nick was wearing a black button up and a dark red tie with matching red pants and black chunky shoes. chris was wearing a white long sleeve button up, a blue tie, and striped blue and white pants. "you guys look cute!" nick argued back, bringing mal into a short hug and smiling awkwardly at vega. vega reciprocated the smile, saying nothing else. "i love your dress." nick continued to compliment and vega thanked him. "i made it." malerie bragged. "i didn't know you made clothes too?"

"yeah, i'm in school for it. i wanna be a fashion designer."

"if you keep making shit like that, i'm sure you'll get there." mal blushed and thanked nick. "alright, we gotta go. cami's begging for a snack before show starts, and we need to pick up sammy." vega said, pushing the conversation along. nick's eyes widened. "i didnt know sammy was coming."

"yeah, we invited a couple extra people, people cami would have wanted to see her perform. like you, chris." mal explained. "well, we better get going!" vega interrupted, tugging on mal's dress to pull her along. they crossed over tp where all the cars were parked, getting into vega's car. "that was kinda rude v."

"so what? we're late to picking up sammy and we were supposed to pick up cami's lunch to, we'll see them at four, there'll be enough time to chit chat later, we're gonna be sitting all together for almost 2 hours." vega ranted, waving it off as no big deal. vega really just didn't want to wait around for matt to come outside. she's seen him enough times in her life.

sammy was dressed and ready to go, leaving his apartment in no time. the three sped off to a bakery closest to cami's theatre and ordered some sandwiches for them all. no sauces or anything liquid for camille, just cheese and meat (can't get anything on her warm ups or costume).

they arrived at the theatre, camille standing outside in an old pair of ballet flats, pinkish white tights, and her big warm coat, ankle length to keep her warmed up. "what are you doing outside?" vega asked loudly, gripping onto cami and tugging her back inside. "you're going to freeze to death first of all, second, aren't you supposed to stay warm?"

"well yes, technically. but i'm starving!" camille moaned, grabbing her sandwich and bustling away in a hurry. "alright, nice to see you too." sammy waved after cami. "oh don't be offended. she gets like this during performances."

they moved aside, standing in the line waiting to be let in. it wasn't a long line since they got there considerably early. a little closer to 3:40, the triplets arrived, matt parking the car at the front of the building to let nick and chris out. mal found it odd that chris had sat in the back with nick, but didn't say anything more on it. matt rounded, searching for a spot to park the van.

"matt's probably gonna have to meet us inside, the parking lot was so fucking chaotic, it's annoying." nick huffed, greeting the girls, and sammy with a warm smile. nick immediately went into explanation mode, talking non-stop about the parking lot. it was rather hilarious and helped pass the time, plus it even got a few other bystanders attention and everyone seemed to be having a good time listening in to nicks dramatically explained story.

"and when matt rolled the window down, the cop, who let me be clear, is just a fucking rent-a-cop, was all like 'listen here mister, you've circled the parking lot twice, if you do it again on my watch i'll give you a ticket for loitering! does she even fucking know what loitering is! we're trying to fucking park lady!"

a group of people, including chris, mal, and sammy were giggling listening in to nick's story, except vega who was staring off into the distance. her warm fur coat wasn't doing much to keep the bitter wind off her legs. why did the one day she decided not to wear fur lined tights be a windy, cold december day?

and finally when vega was about to blow a fuse, the ticket master booth opened and he began letting people inside. he handed everyone their own menu and a script of the ballet. when the acts were, when the breaks were, how many people were behind the creating process, the choreographer, and underneath all main titles, were the names scribbled in a neat cursive, the dancers name. vega took a picture of camille's name written under her two parts, smiling and posting it to her story. she had tried out only for snowflake, the fear of being under so much pressure had gotten to her head long before they even really began practicing. aside from snowflake, she was given the role as lead dew drop.

of course, she explained that almost every had multiple roles aside from main ones. like there were a few times cami would just simply be on stage.

behind the curtain, in dressing room number three, camille sits at one of the large yellow lightened vanity sets. she's warmed up, in hair, makeup, and costume, and absolutely panicking. her friend, eloise, another dancer, is pinning camille's hair up in a pretty bun, adding in the diamond decorations with a sewing needle and thread. "it's fine cami, don't worry." eloise tries to calm her down.

eloise was given the role as sugar plum fairy, but also had a couple other rather important roles for the ballet. "it's not going to stay!" cami argued back, sewing together the elastic on her pointe shoes. they had ripped earlier during practice and she had barely any time to re-sewn them now, but with the help of eloise, it was coming along a lot (sorta) smoother than if she were alone.

"it's gonna stay. just add more spray." eloise explained calmly, holding down the bottle lid to spray out more hairspray. the thick plume of scented spray clouded the two as they worked profusely on putting everything together. "i don't know why i'm so nervous." cami said, shaking her head to make sure the diamonds were going to stay in now.

the first scene portrayed in the nutcracker was the party scene. a bunch of kids and parents were going to be surrounding the stage and having fun, it would give the introduction to clara and the nutcracker.

when the diamonds stayed in place and cami was satisfied, she slumped in her chair. her soft faux fur shawl dropping lower over her shoulder. "you know." eloise drawled, sitting down on the old wooden vanity. camille glanced up at her curiously. "you're so nervous. you wouldn't be nervous if you didn't think there was a chance of being picked tonight. i'm not nervous." cami rolled her eyes. "elle, you literally have just a good a chance of being chosen tonight, if anything, more than me. you're the sugar plum fairy, you're every girls dream role. the attention is gonna be all on you and isa." isabella was chosen tonight as clara, the main character.

"we all know that the sugar plum is popular, but that's why it's always overlooked. no one who really knows ballet wants to pay attention to the sugar plum fairy anymore. it's almost the tea's and coffee's now."

"i'm not tea or coffee. i'm a fucking snowflake."

"okay, but still. snowflake and lead dew drop are popular! maybe not mainstream popular, but there every ballerina's favorites." elle tried reasoning. "i really appreciate it though. i don't want to leave vega or malerie, they're my best friends but at the same time, this is my dream school! the only reason my dad didn't enrole me there was because vega, malerie and i were planning on moving to la."

"so if it weren't for them, you'd already be at your dream school?" elle asked. it didn't sound all that great. mal and vega hadn't exactly talked her into moving with them, but it was brought up between vega and mal so many times that eventually camille just placed herself in. she had always felt a little out of touch in vega and malerie's friendship. not that it was a bad thing, she had always been more of a loner between the three. she prefered being home, not parties like vega and mal loved attending. most nights, her father wouldn't even let her go out to the farm house to feed the chickens. camille had grown up a bit more restricted than mal and vega. which is why she adored hanging out with them so much. she got to go to cool parties, she met chris because of malerie, she's having much more fun than she did while living on the farm.

"not exactly. i knew i'd make my way back to the school eventually, but this is a scholarship, everything is on the line. i know my father wouldn't mind paying for school, but it would be a relief not to have to rely on my parents." elle nodded in understanding.

"three minutes to places everyone, three minutes!"

a voice shouted, barging into the dressing room. cami jumped, immidiately putting on her game face. "ready?" cami asked, interlocking her pinkie finger with elle's. the other woman nods, becoming serious as well. the two head off to their places after checking over their outfits once more.

"when is it starting?" chris grumbled for the hundreth time. "i really don't know!" vega snapped, her head resting in her palm, which was set down on the retracting arm rest. mal rests a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. chris was sitting beside vega on her left, matt was supposed to be on his right but he was stuck in the long ass line still. on vega's right was mal, then nick, then finally sammy. vega wished she hadn't been squished between chris and mal, she'd rather be next to sammy but she unfortunately ended up there.

the orchestra had finally set up their stands and papers, a few small ballerinas with older women skirted the room making sure that everyone was finding everything alright and passing out flyer's for new dancers, as well as taking up any fundraiser offers.

other that that, there hadn't been much to look at. nick and sammy were off in their own little world, mal chiming in here and there. which left vega to chris' entertainment. he had already been to the bathroom three times, got two sodas, got everyone popcorn, helped a janitor pick up trash, go through snapchat filters. the thing's chris could accomplish in 30 minutes was astounding. "i just wanna see her dance vega!" chris groaned, practically rolling around in his chair like a small child. "enough!" vega reprimanded. "we are in a theatre! and you are gonna behave. sit down, be quiet!" vega reprimanded as if she was talking to a child. chris' eyes widen and her sat up in his chair, folding his hands over his lap neatly and calmy. "thank. you."

vega huffed and began to shift in her chair, turning forward to face the front but someone caught her eyes. matt. she suppressed a smile. he looked nice. too nice? who was he looking nice for? "hey guys. sorry about that. buying tickets last minute was so shitty, i didn't know it'd take so long."

"who'd you have to buy a ticket for? i already saved you some?" mal asked, leaning over to look at matt. he was wearing an outfit similar to chris'. a black shirt, a black leather jacket, a belt, and a pair of black and white vertically striped pants, like chris'.

matt moved out of the way, revealing justina standing right behind him.

she smiled sheepishly, instantly grabbing onto matt's hand as he sat down beside chris, tugging her closer to him. "hi everyone's, sorry i wasn't even going to come but matt said i should. i hope you don't mind that i'm here, i know it's a kind of family-friend moment and i don't fit in there."

"damn right." vega hissed under her breath.

was she going crazy?

was she going fucking insane? was the whole world seriously out to get her? "you can sit down, you're not supposed to be blocking the aisles." vega grumbled. "oh, i'm sorry. i've never been to a ballet before. i did ballet when i was a kid, but i stopped."

"clearly." vega choked through fake coughs. mal's eye's widen, grabbing onto vega she yanked her from her chair. "we gotta go to the little ladies room."

N O S E B L E E D S

[canyouhearthelight]

Not the Chosen One, Ch. 9: Sometimes We Struggle

Happy Tuesday, my loves!

Being a full time adult and running a rescue slash nature preserve slash farm is... a bit much at times. Here we see Stef be a normal human being with a supportive family and found family. Inspired by interactions with my actual sibling.

Thank you, so much, @writing-with-olive and @baelpenrose for your beta-reading on this. And yes, I cried reading it for the third time, even though I wrote it. Sue me.

I added the last of the pancakes to the platter that was being kept warm in the oven, then set them on the table, grumbling internally to myself.  Trey was already seated, having set the table and poured himself some of the orange juice from the night before.  Benji inched around me carefully, a bowl of leftover chips already cut into home fries in her hands.

As the potatoes started sizzling in the hot skillet, Trey gave me a hesitant look. “Are you okay, Stef?”

I nodded, eyes closed while I rubbed my neck. “Just having a rough morning.  In my head, not…” My left hand waved vaguely at the breakfast table. “Not this.  Didn’t sleep well, and sometimes I just don’t have good mental health days.”

“There has been a lot going on,” Trey suggested, offering me a pancake.  When I waved him off, he put it on his own plate and started smearing peanut butter on it. “Is it always like that?”

“Not even remotely,” I groaned.  A fresh cup of coffee landed next to me, my sister’s doing. “And with the harvest, it couldn’t possibly have come at a worse time.  I still need to gather and bundle all the greens, the garlic, cucumbers…”

“Trey can do cucumbers while I get started on the greens,” Benji suggested, scooping potatoes on my plate and nudging the ketchup and hot sauce over to me. “And then he can help me with those. I think the carrots can wait a day.”

Sipping my coffee, I definitely took notice that she had left me out of that suggestion all together. “I can do carrots,” I argued. “Or get started on garlic and kohlrabi.”

“Or,” she drawled, staring at me meaningfully. “You can eat something and take a nap?”

“I just woke up.”

“From not sleeping well. Eat some food, have a nap now that the sun’s up, see how you feel after that. Please?”

“Aunt Benji and I can work on the vegetables,” Trey added around a mouthful of breakfast. “I promise. She can even show me how to do the other stuff if we have time.”

Benji snorted. “Depends on how fast you pick up bundling the greens - Stef always grows a ton.  The pretty ones for the farmer’s market, the perfectly edible but less pretty ones for here.  Spinaches and kale first, since we’re going to want to hold more of those back.”

“Yum,” I grumbled. “Cooked spinach and kale…”

She waved me off, pointing her fork at Trey. “Ignore her, she’s tired - she fucking loves dark greens. All the more reason she needs a nap after breakfast.  I don’t have any work for the next week, so we’ll get everything around here sorted and the wards up, even if she takes a morning off for once in her life.  The Tanners are going to bring us the meat I called about when they stop by to pick up what we get together today, so it’s all going to work out fine.”

I just stabbed my potatoes with more force than necessary, smothering them in spicy ketchup mixture. Unfortunately, when I went to shove them in my face, the entire forkful fell on my shirt.  With a hand that I now realized was shaking, I picked them off and started to eat them that way.

A scraping chair forced my attention up. Trey had grabbed more pancakes and the entire jar of peanut butter before standing. “Stef, Aunt Benji, is it okay if I eat outside in the backyard? I think I know what you’re going through, Stef, and I wouldn’t want an audience, so I don’t think you want one right now either.”

“Good call, kiddo,” Benji approved softly while I nodded, tears welling in my eyes.  Once Trey had made a swift but polite retreat, she gave me her undivided attention. “He’s a really good kid. Fuck his parents.”

“I got so lucky with that one,” I agreed hoarsely, tears spilling over despite my best efforts. “He’s such a great kid.”

“And he deserves a caretaker who takes care of herself,” she pointed out. “I know there’s been too much going on. Harvest is busy enough, but add to the fact that Dex was basically attacked, your sanctuary was violated, this warding coming up… How many times did you beg Mom or me to rest when we were like this?”

“I can’t count that high at the moment,” I admitted.

“Exactly.  Please, just eat enough that I won’t worry about you, put on a shirt that doesn’t have ketchup on it, and go back to bed for a while. I promise you, Trey and I won’t mess things up while you sleep.”

I laughed unexpectedly, picking up a piece of potato with my fingers. “It’s greens… how badly could you mess them up?”

“And fresh kale to boot,” she sighed. “Who eats kale fresh? It’s supposed to have a hard frost before you eat it.”

I shrugged, chewing carefully. “Health nuts. Nothing you can do with them.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll freeze what we keep,” she assured me. “Do I need to sit here and play on my phone while I pretend I’m not making sure you eat enough?”

“Please?” I choked out, upset with myself but unashamed with what Benji was offering. It was a ritual of its own, just between us: quietly exist together and ensure the other eats, let the rest go.  At some point, Benji’s subconscious calorie and macro counting was satisfied, because she silently picked up my plate and scraped it into the trash.  I took the dismissal for what it was and padded back to my bedroom, changed shirts, and hid under the covers.

Eventually, I emerged. The sunlight slanting in my bedroom windows could have been hours or days later, but I felt better despite the dehydration headache that screamed ‘you’ve been asleep at least five hours’.  Still, I was steadier than I had been before my forced isolation when I put on my pajama pants. I walked towards the kitchen for some water, making one vain attempt to finger comb my hair before giving up at the first snarl.

Benji and Trey were side by side at the sink, giggling and bumping shoulders while they washed kale. Since Trey was closer to me, Benji noticed me first. “There’s fresh lemonade in the fridge - the bees are getting a bit enthusiastic in the hot house, so we had to do something with them. Half sugar, just the way you like.”

I groaned in delight and yanked the pitcher from the fridge, pouring in a glass someone had helpfully stacked on the table. “What day is it?”

“Same one,” Trey chirped. “But you missed lunch, so Aunt Benji said we need beans and veg, for sure.”

My sister snorted. “And this rascal fails to mention that the greens have been in the crock pot for hours already with a smoked turkey neck. Mama Tanner strikes again.”

I sputtered, spitting half my lemonade back into the glass. “Mama Tanner was here?”

“The boys told her what we are planning with the wards,” Benji explained, setting down a bowl and the ingredients for cornbread in front of me. “She demanded to see you when I met them at the street.”

“Fucking Nate,” I muttered, taking another swig of my drink before I started pouring dry ingredients into the bowl. “He’s always been a snitch.”

“He loves you,” Benji admonished. “You are literally the sister they never had.”

“I am?” I scoffed. “Says the woman who Nate earned his first two black eyes over.” When Trey’s eyes widened, I quickly explained. “A boy in their grade grabbed Benji’s butt when she wasn’t looking. Nate got suspended, but he walked away with two black eyes and the other guy walked away with a broken hand. Love that kid. Even if he does tattle on me to his mom.”

Trey started laughing so hard he couldn’t even wash veggies any more. “You weren’t kidding when you said you were like family… I wish mine was like that.”

“It is,” I ventured quietly.

Trey stopped, turning to stare at me.

“I know people say blood is thicker than water,” I assured, steeling myself for what I was about to say. “But the entire quote is ‘the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb’.  Even Jesus thought you choose your family. If my sister is your ‘Aunt Benji’, then your family is our family. You want your family to be like ours? It is. End of story. And I will fight any gods over that - real, fictional, or made up on the spot.”

“But… what if they don’t…”

“You let me and Mama Tanner worry about that,” I said, sipping my drink so I wouldn’t cry. “And gods forbid anyone try to stand on the property and argue their case against it where Dex can hear it. I’m not dumb enough to ignore the fact that you inherit the property if I do something stupid.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Trey laughed, turning back to kale leaves and starting to carefully cut the veins from them.

He may not have noticed, but I definitely caught the lack of objection from Dexter

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Grist:

After spending more than two years drafting a plan to manage and protect the nation’s old-growth forests as they endure the ravages of climate change, the Biden administration has abruptly abandoned the effort.

That decision by the U.S. Forest Service to shelve the National Old Growth Amendment ends, for now, any goal of creating a cohesive federal approach to managing the oldest trees on the 193 million acres of land it manages nationwide. Such steps will instead be taken at the local level, agency chief Randy Moore said.

“There is strong support for, and an expectation of us, to continue to conserve these forests based on the best available scientific information,” he wrote in a letter sent Tuesday to regional foresters and forest directors announcing the move. “There was also feedback that there are important place-based differences that we will need to understand in order to conserve old growth forests so they are resilient and can persist into the future, using key place-based best available scientific information based on ecological conditions on the ground.”

President Biden launched a wide-ranging effort to bolster climate resilience in the nation’s forests in an executive order he issued on Earth Day in April, 2022. In complying with the order, the Forest Service sought to bring consistency to the protection of mature and old-growth trees in the 154 forests, 20 grasslands, and other lands it manages. Such a change was warranted because the agency defines “old growth” differently in each region of the country depending on the characteristics of the local forest, but generally speaking they are at least 100 years old. 

Much of the nation’s remaining ancient forests are found in places like Alaska, where some of the trees in the Tongass National Forest are more than 800 years old, and California. In the East, much old-growth is concentrated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. All told, old-growth forests cover about 24 million acres of the land the Forest Service manages, while mature forests cover about 67 million.

The plan would have limited logging in old-growth forests with some exceptions allowed to reduce fire risk. The Forest Service spent months gathering public comment for the proposal, which the Associated Press said was to be finalized any day now. Many scientists and advocates worried the amendment would have codified loopholes that allow logging in old-growth forests. On the other side, Republican legislators, who according to the AP introduced legislation to block any rule, and timber industry representatives argued that logging is critical to many state economies and they deserved more input into, and control over, forest management. Such criticism contributed to the decision to scuttle the plan, the AP reported.

[salvia-plathitudes]

By ELENA SCHNEIDER
04/15/2025 10:48 PM EDT

David Hogg, a controversial Democratic National Committee vice chair, is pledging to upend Democratic primaries by funding candidates who will challenge “ineffective, asleep-at-the-wheel” Democrats.

The move puts Hogg, the now 25-year-old who first gained national stature as an outspoken survivor of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, on a collision course with his own party and some Democratic House members.

Leaders We Deserve, which Hogg co-founded in 2023, announced plans on Tuesday to spend $20 million in safe-blue Democratic primaries against sitting House members by supporting younger opponents. In an interview with POLITICO, Hogg said the group will not back primary challenges in battleground districts because “I want us to win the majority,” nor will it target members solely based on their age.

“We have a culture of seniority politics that has created a litmus test of who deserves to be here,” Hogg said. “We need people, regardless of their age, that are here to fight.”

It's an unprecedented, and controversial, move from a national officer within the Democratic Party that will enrage some insiders. Democratic Party committees, like the DNC, have traditionally not opposed incumbents in their own party, focusing instead on attacking Republicans, while the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is explicitly set up to protect incumbent members by providing resources, fundraising and strategy.

Hogg’s decision comes at a time when the Democratic Party is grappling with how to confront President Donald Trump — and with what kind of Democrats can be their most effective messengers against the administration. Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have faced intense pressure from base voters to ramp up their opposition to Trump’s administration.

When asked if DNC Chair Ken Martin supports his plan, Hogg said Martin “certainly has different views” on challenging incumbents.

“There are disagreements in our party about the right way to approach this moment. There are certainly disagreements we have,” Hogg said. “What I will say about Chair Martin, even if we do have disagreements, he’s doing an excellent job of building and reforming our party.”

In a statement, Martin said that “in order to ensure we are as effective as possible at electing Democrats to office, it is the DNC’s longstanding position that primary voters — not the national party — determine their Democratic candidates for the general election.”

He praised Hogg as a “passionate advocate,” adding he is grateful for his service “whether it be in his role as a DNC Vice Chair or in an outside capacity.”

A DNC aide, granted anonymity to discuss internal party dynamics, also noted that all DNC officers other than Hogg signed a “neutrality policy,” pledging to stay out of primaries in their official and personal capacity.

The New York Times first reported the news of Hogg’s decision.

Hogg burst onto the political scene as a survivor of the high school shooting in Parkland, Fla., in 2018 and was elected as a vice chair of the DNC in February, over the objection of moderates who complained about his history of far-left rhetoric. Traditionally, DNC vice chairs are largely ceremonial roles with little public attention and even less power. But Hogg is testing the limits of the position — and the DNC’s willingness to stomach internal dissent.

Hogg argued that backing primary challengers is in line with what he ran on for his DNC role. “I am not in this position because I want to bank my political capital. I just want change. I want to see a stronger Democratic Party,” he said.

He acknowledged “there are going to be people who are very, very upset about this” but argued Democrats “are in a crisis right now,” citing a recent CNN poll that found the party’s approval rating at 29 percent, a record low for the party.

“Our base is craving dramatic change,” Hogg said. “We need to show our base we’re here to fight for them. We need to show there are younger faces stepping up.”

But Hogg did name-check two exceptions: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is 85, and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), who is 80. He described them as “fighters who are delivering.”

But they’ve also both drawn generational challengers — Saikat Chakrabarti, the 39-year-old former chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who is running against Pelosi, and YouTube influencer Kat Abughazaleh, 26, who is running against Schakowsky.

[brightdarkness-2013]

Chapter 12: Wake up

Summary: Redwave and Bluelight wake up.

It was a Tuesday. Cloudy and threatening to rain, but just continued to loom ominously rather than do so. I was debating on pestering Shadowmaru at this point. Everyone was doing secretary work at the moment. Paperwork needed to be done and reports made, unfortunately. It’s how police stations were run and kept track of things, but boy was it boring. Nothing, no amount of exciting battle, made it fun. The only exciting thing I’d done lately was stop some brats from getting away with their first little offence with Deckerd. Other than that I was acting like the actual secretary by answering phones. That and training for no reason other than boredom.

“I’m bored. Gonna go shoot for awhile.”

I didn’t wait for a response. I found that stating where I was going put them more at ease to the point that they let me be for a while. I stood and started toward the door. However, I only made it a few steps before something unexpected happened. That tightness that had been with me since I woke back up in the repair bay suddenly released. It was suddenly gone and I stumbled, grasping the desktop for support. I could hear chairs scrape as some of them stood up swiftly.

“Gunmax!”

That sense of wrongness replaced by feelings that I knew weren’t my own. Relief, excitement, happiness, irritation. That… It had to be Redwave and Bluelight. I had the sudden urge to find them, close that distance. There was a pull. Telling me, beckoning me.

I jolted at a touch on my arm. I met Deckerd’s gaze. He looked rather concerned. A quick glance cast about the room and I noted that as did everyone else.

“Gunmax, what’s wrong?”

I took a moment to gather myself. “I need to go to the repair bay.”

That simple response made him react. He moved to support me, no questions asked.

“Then I’ll get you there.”

With that sudden change I felt a bit dizzy and off kilter so the help was needed. I had to get to the repair bay. They were waiting for me. It was mostly quiet as he guided me down. My world was narrowing down to just getting to them. Systems focusing on finding the shortest and fastest path, but it never seemed quick enough. That need wasn’t diminishing no matter how close I got. Go, go, move faster, get there. No matter what, get there. And I couldn’t do anything other than obey it.

When we reached it Deckerd was pulling attention over to me as I scanned the area for who I knew would still be here. In the far back they were finally up. They met my gaze and… smiled. I moved forward, but was stopped by Deckerd. His arm still around my back, another resting over my chest. A sound that could only be described as a whine left me and had I been in a clearer mindset I would have been embarrassed about it.

As it stood now that sound got my unit moving. They were closing that distance between us and I was more than grateful that I had made it. Pride was useless here. I needed my unit. Deckerd was tense beside me and turned to block them. I was quick to crane my neck around him to keep them in my sight.

“Stay back.”

“He needs us.”

“You’re the ones causing this.”

“You don’t get how we work.”

They were arguing. I couldn’t get to them like this. I was shaky and without them… what would happen? But so long as this stalemate continued nothing would happen and I wasn’t sure how much of this I could take.

“Deckerd, I need my unit.” I forced out and he blinked down at me, seemingly stunned.

He looked conflicted before silently letting me go. I didn’t waste a second, collapsing into my units hold. That urgent tugging fell away and I relaxed. They sunk down and I followed limply. Everything was going to be fine now. I didn’t bother moving when I started getting prodded at. There was conversation, but all I could focus on at the moment was them. The way their systems sounded this close, the ventilations, those feelings of content that I was mirroring at the moment. Safe, safe, safe. I was where I needed to be. Slowly that haze began to lift. Voices filtering through.

“They’re syncing.”

“How do we stop it?”

“Separate them so they can’t.” Came the simple response and all three of us stiffened.

“Won’t that hurt him? He seemed to be in pain.”

“Perhaps. This has never happened before, remember? Usually all this is done while fused. They sync up and everything sets during the fusion.”

“So how do you know that separating them will stop it at all?”

“They weren’t syncing when they were separate. So logically it will stop when they are again. There is the possibility that it won’t.”

“Then there’s nothing we can do about this.”

“Some more risky experimentation is going to be needed to break the bond so why not start now?”

“The risks have been far too big. So far every option we’ve come across could put them all out of commission. We can’t just hack away at it and see what happens. Don’t you care what happens to them at all?”

“Of course. They’re our latest and greatest achievements, but without a little risk we can’t keep advancing. If you want to get the coding out then you’ll need to actually do something about it. Not just poke and pull at it only to retreat when it does something you don’t like.”

“It could destroy them!” A fist slammed down on a hard surface. “Don’t you understand that?!”

“You’re overreacting. Coding can be rewritten. Machines can be fixed. That’s why we send machines into danger. Isn’t it why you made them? If a person loses a limb then that limb is gone. No replacement is ever the same or as good as the real thing. Phantom pains still occur and the trauma can crush an individual. Machines on the other hand can recover from anything so long as the right parts are available. If we make a mistake then it can be fixed.”

“And what about their personalities? Their memories? What about how they’re feeling? Doesn’t it bother you for them to be in pain? To be scared?”

“There really is no working with you, is there? As amazing as they are, they aren’t human. You can’t trust or get too attached to something that’s not human.”

I slowly willed myself to look up. Toudou was standing defensively as he stared down Miss Monica and Mr. Saido. He looked angry. They looked inconvenienced. I didn’t like the idea of them being in charge of my unit's care. Who knew what they did to my unit before.

“If you’re going to be so stubborn about it then what do you suppose we do?”

“I’d rather you stay out of it. I don’t want you touching any of them. Not even Redwave and Bluelight.”

“They belong to us. You can’t just deny us from touching them.” Miss Monica only looked slightly bothered by this encounter.

“One of our own is linked with them so anything you do with them could harm him. So just let us figure this out if you’re just going to try and do whatever you like regardless of the consequences.”

“Fine, fine. Struggle along for a perfect solution you’re never going to find. Just hurry it up. We’ve been here far longer than needed.”

He didn’t retreat from that stance until they had finally disappeared out the door. Then he looked at us.

“How are you three feeling?”

“Fine.”

“Perfect.”

“Like I have a virus.”

That got his attention fast. “What’s happening? What are you feeling?”

“I don’t know. I just feel like I’m processing things slower. I’m finding it difficult to stay focused. It was worse before.”

“It’s ok.”

“We’re just syncing up. Once it’s done you’ll feel better.”

Redwave and Bluelight protested. They… didn’t want me telling him. They didn’t want him to know or try and fix anything.

“Are you both feeling it too?”

“They are.” I answered when they said nothing.

They were not appreciative of that, but he was far safer than those two were. He wouldn’t hurt us. Though their upset roiled I wasn’t deterred.

“The Chief is safe. Family.”

“He wants to separate us.”

“He’s not going to hurt us to see what happens.”

“We don’t trust them either, but they could be persuaded.”

“Well I’m not going to just sit and feel like scrap when he’s here. So suck it up.”

Despite how they didn’t agree they made no move to leave. That was fine with me. Any thought to move away just made me uncomfortable.

“Alright. Anything else? If not then I would like to take another look at you.”

Next

First

Masterpost

[rgr-pop]

leadership’s meeting was monday night. the previous week i had workshopped the idea of a multi month political ed arc on gender and marxism for the general meeting. i thought i had some good ideas and was willing to start trying it out at the next general. was almost optimistic and excited to do it. all year i’ve been working on a reading list for the chapter anyway (it will someday be better than any other reading list…) i specifically told them that nobody other than me or maybe a should be allowed to undertake this (unless we turn up another experienced marxist feminist or maybe even a woman—but not anybody else.) so after they have their leadership meeting monday night i get the okay for a certain amount of time and i submit an outline for the agenda, of a half hour discussion . no readings or anything, just some foundations and breakouts.

the next morning i get that message from the chair saying that they don’t want the discussion to blindside the man who was screaming and waving the hammer against feminism in the last meeting. i immediately respond that i think it’s ridiculous to ask me to accommodate him in this way and that i would not be doing this discussion, would not be coming to the meeting, and may or may not come to any after that. another man (not leadership) had a conversation with me where he said that i could do or not do the political ed discussion as i please but either way i should not mention the incident at all. we argued, i stopped talking to him. this was tuesday.

i argued with a, who didn’t bring up the issue in leadership, and let them all think it was just a me problem again, even as i privately was supporting her and, you know how it goes, her crawling back to this man over and over again is why he escalated and dragged the only other woman he could find into it. so i resent that sometimes. so she talked to the chair and said she needed to be allowed to make a statement or she also would be bouncing. chair agreed. her statement turned out amazing, really incredible narrative piece on gender in socialism. she co drafted a statement for the rest of leadership. she told me that her vision was to ask each of them to sign it individually. (we are watching all of their responses.. they are all good, really, i swear, but right now nothing feels good enough.)

the meeting is sunday and the chair never sent out the announcement or agenda. they have a problem with chronic lateness on this. but i found out last night, when a sent her final statement to leadership, that none of them knew what had transpired with me. they had assumed that i was still on the agenda. days passed. it appeared to me that it was making me look like i had pulled out last minute in an act of dramatic sabotage, instead of what actually happened, which was that basically immediately after getting word from leadership about my spot on the agenda, i withdrew.

the agenda finally went out tonight at 9 am and i read it and it still had my work on it. like they’re going to do it themselves and fucking make something up. like they had any idea what i was planning to do or had any ability or baseline of knowledge about this issue. literally as if to scab. i lost it and almost sent a hell of a text but i decided to wait for a to do it. i truly could not

i’m so insanely hopeless and miserable. i would fuck myself up if i hadn’t been preparing for months for peoples pop 2015 noms tomorrow morning lmfao. i made plans to thrift with a coworker after. i am going to see matias at his lake michigan place sunday with the aforementioned woman friend. she’s really been taking care of us, i love her. we may watch the meeting via zoom but i want my absence felt. i don’t want any of the good parts of this because i’m so over being alive.

i have a labor project meeting wednesday to survive. i was so excited about how this was going. what are they going to come up with to push me out of that too

[24worldnewsnet]

The government has made an offer to rebel Labour MPs over its controversial welfare reforms.More than 120 Labour MPs were poised to vote against the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Bill on Tuesday. The changes come after a ring-around by cabinet ministers failed to bring rebels on side.The bill was intended to restrict eligibility for the PIP - the main disability payment in England- and limit the sickness-related element of universal credit, to help shave £5bn off the welfare budget by 2030.Politics latest: Government to make offer to rebels 'We have listened'A spokesperson for Downing Street said: "We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system."This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system."Our reforms are underpinned by Labour values and our determination to deliver the change the country voted for last year." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:43 Govt makes offer to rebels on welfare reforms Liz Kendall, the welfare secretary, said in a letter to MPs there would be two changes to the bill, including ensuring that all of those currently receiving PIP "will stay within the current system."The new eligibility requirements will be implemented from November 2026 for new claims only," Ms Kendall said."Secondly, we will adjust the pathway of Universal Credit payment rates to make sure all existing recipients of the UC health element - and any new claimant meeting the severe conditions criteria - have their incomes fully protected in real terms."A "reasoned amendment" on the welfare bill was tabled by Treasury select committee chairwoman Dame Meg Hillier, who had argued that disabled people have not been properly consulted and further scrutiny of the changes is needed.But she said the government have offered a "good deal".She said: "It is massive changes to ensure the most vulnerable people are protected… and, crucially, involving disabled people themselves in the design of future benefit changes."Sky News political editor Beth Rigby was earlier on Thursday told existing PIP claimants will be able to keep their payments, which means 370,000 people will not lose out.This will cost the government at least £1.5bn, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.Sky News understands that a senior source has accepted the change, but it will be up to each individual rebel to make a decision on whether to withdraw.Read more:Welfare bill: A humiliating blow for StarmerThe source said they think the changes are a "good package" with "generous concessions".A reasoned amendment signed by 126 Labour MPs argued that disabled people had not been properly consulted and further scrutiny of the changes is needed. If passed, this would have killed the bill. Sky News understands that some senior rebels are willing to accept the concessions - with one saying that "the concessions will be positively received, and I expect to vote with the government now".Other MPs who had not wanted to rebel were also expecting to change their votes.However, several Labour MPs on the left of the party have gone public to say they will still oppose the government, including Diane Abbott, Richard Burgon, Nadia Whittome and Brian Leishman.Conservative shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said the change would mark a "screeching U-turn" - and claimed the changes mark "another unfunded spending commitment".Meanwhile, Helen Whately, shadow work and pensions secretary, said: "This is another humiliating

[bllsbailey]

Crockett Responds To 'Gov. Hot Wheels' Abbott Remark Backlash, Claims She Was Referring To Migrants On 'Planes, Trains, And Automobiles'

US Representative Jasmine Crockett, Democrat from Texas, speaks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19, 2024.

Texas Democrat Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett quickly responded to the immense backlash she has been receiving after referring to paralyzed Texas GOP Governor Greg Abbott as “Governor Hot Wheels.” 

On Tuesday, Crockett (D-Texas.) shared a series of posts on X after her “classless” remarks went viral.

Rather than apologizing to the governor of her state, Crockett doubled down and claimed that everyone had misunderstood her comment, as she “wasn’t thinking about the governor’s condition.” 

“I was [actually] thinking about the planes, trains, and automobiles he used to transfer migrants into communities led by Black mayors, deliberately stoking tension and fear among the most vulnerable,” Crockett tried to argue.

“Literally, the next line I said was that he was a ‘Hot A** Mess,’ referencing his terrible policies. At no point did I mention or allude to his condition. So, I’m even more appalled that the very people who unequivocally support Trump—a man known for racially insensitive nicknames and mocking those with disabilities—are now outraged,” she continued.

— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) March 25, 2025

In a second thread, she then went on to say that “this is yet another distraction.”

“Keep that same energy for all people, not just your political adversaries,” Crockett wrote. 

“Finally, this is yet another distraction. Instead of obsessing over and hanging on to my every word, maybe my political foes should focus on doing the work of the people who elected us to improve their lives,” she concluded. 

— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) March 25, 2025

On Saturday, Crockett had delivered a speech at the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) 2025 Los Angeles dinner — where she purportedly mocked Abbott (R-Texas.) and his disability in her speech. 

“Listen, if you’ve ever paid any attention to me, y’all know that I always have remarks, and then something else happens,” Crockett began. “And so we’re gonna do just a couple of remarks and then something else gonna happen and y’all just pray for me cause who knows what I’m gonna end up sayin’?”

“I can tell you that Morgan (Morgan Cox, an HRC board of director) has always been one of those people who will ask ‘What is it that you need?’ You know, a lot of people see you out front, fightin’, but nobody’s really asking you, ‘What do you need to maintain that fight?’” she said a couple of minutes later. “So thank you so much, Morgan, because we in these hot-a** Texas streets, honey. Y’all know we got Governor Hot Wheels down there, C’mon now.”

“And the only thing hot about him is that he is a hot-a** mess, honey,” she continued.

In 1984, when Abbott was 26-years-old, he went out for a jog and a large oak tree along his path cracked and fell on his back — leaving him permanently paralyzed from the waist down after crushing multiple vertebrae.

“Doctors discovered several crushed vertebrae splintering into his spinal cord, broken ribs, and damage to vital organs,” Abbott’s website noted.

Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts

[fat-packer]

Too angry to sleep in today. I’m glad I won’t be alone today. I’m seeing friends for lunch and then I have a date with one of my FWBs for dinner. But in the morning as I’m lying in bed trying to get an extra 10 minutes of sleep before I start the day I can’t. I can only think of how she ruined our Valentine’s Day last year. I’m actually glad I don’t have to deal with whatever shit he would pull this year. Last year we had an agreement that it worked out for our schedules if we saw each other on the 13th and he would see his other partner on the 14th.

The weekend before we went to a friend’s birthday party. When I was about to leave I asked her when I would see her next since there was still a bit of a gap in between then and the 13th. And she said “at the latest…Wednesday.” Wednesday was the 14th. And I was like “Wednesday not Tuesday?”

And he went “oh yeah well [other partner] got the day off for Tuesday so I thought you and me would just do it Wednesday.” And this was the very first time he EVER mentioned this change in plans to me, never asked me about it. Just decided it between himself and his other (white) partner and announced it to me in front of a whole party of people.

And I told him “I can’t do that I have class on Wednesday” and he was like “you have class…on Valentine’s Day?” As if Valentine’s Day was a federal holiday????? What I’m realizing more now is that he expected me to skip class for him. The classes that I pay money for. The classes for an industry where a degree means nothing and the quality of your portfolio and connections are what matters, so you actually need to put effort into developing your skills and relationships with your peers not just pass your classes.

This would also make sense considering how after our breakup I found out how he would complain about me to his white partner about how I would “drag him” to campus all the time. When he knew full well what my class and work schedule was and I kept him updated on it all the time. It was a pinned message in our discord chat. He CHOSE to only give me one or two days a week to see him, and gave me the option of bringing him along with me, or skipping class for her. The fact that I had to later find out that she was secretly resentful over the fact that I wouldn’t skip class for her shows me she was never supportive of what I was trying to do in the first place.

When I confronted him about changing plans on me because it was more convenient for his white partner, and how he just announced that in front of a whole party of people, she responded with “are you sure you’re not just upset that I didn’t go home with you that night?”

We did eventually have our Valentine’s Day on the 13th, she slept over and we got breakfast on the 14th before parting ways. But it was tainted. I hate that I had to argue with her about it. I hate that she made me feel like she didn’t really want to be there. I should’ve just cancelled our Valentine’s Day entirely.