#off the top of my head i think i only have info on 2 people��� but ill check their links.

[lesbiangiratina]

What if i posted the 07 testament anthology scans today. I dunno. We’ll see after therapy

[prosk8r]

started reading a beginners guide to anti-capitalism and its articulating things that I like, knew but didnt have the economic or historical context for and its sooooo gratifying. makes me wanna write an essay lmao

[mejaemin]

easy - lee jeno

wc: 0.8k

summary: loving lee jeno comes so easy to you

warnings: fluff, best friends to lovers, implied fem reader, definitely not proofread or edited im to emotional for all that bs rn

an: piece of advice to everyone- love is NOT easy despite what im saying in this fic :( im literally in the trenches rn feeling like crying every second over a man i have yet to even speak to !! this drabble is the product of my emotions and what i WISH love felt like for me so i hope you all enjoy this little thing ab one of my comfort people :>

pt. 2 !!!

───── ⋆⋅ ⊹ ⁺ 𐔌 ᩧ ຼ ͡ ৯ ♡໒⁀ ᩧຼ ꒱ིྀ ⁺ ⊹ ⋅⋆ ─────

loving jeno has always come easy.

it’s nearly second nature when you lift your head up or your energy picks up just from sensing his presence in a room. you don’t even notice how your head ends up on his shoulder whenever you sit together, or how easy it is to say “i love jeno!” whenever he’s brought up when he’s not around. it’s so easy to excuse the emptiness in your heart for having a bad day when it’s really because he’s not with you, and on top of that not even in a romantic way.

loving jeno comes so easy to you that when your friends accuse you of being in love with him, your heart rate quickens and your cheeks heat as you quickly shoot down the idea. it’s so easy and so natural that whenever you’re upset you look at old videos and photos of him your smile comes back like it never left. whenever you miss him you can ask to facetime or for him to send a photo and he always says yes.

loving jeno is so easy that when you call him your favorite nickname, jenjen, that he always says he hates, you feel a sense of pride knowing he won’t let anyone else call him that. when you ask him to get something or do something for you, he’ll do it without question, but if your friends ask that of him he’ll say for them to do it themselves. your heart flutters at the exclusivity of his affections.

loving jeno is so easy that you always know how he feels or what he needs. for almost any of your other friends, you have a folder in your notes app that consists of their likes and dislikes or any other info on them. with jen you don’t even have to think twice about it. there’s a pout on his lips? you already know to scoot next to him and give him a hug. he’s upset? all he wants is your company. let him rest his head in your lap and maybe take a nap. don’t worry about asking him to let his thoughts out, you already know he will when he’s ready and you’re the only set of ears his worries will fall upon.

loving jeno is so easy that when you finally come to terms with your feelings, things make a little more sense. your ongoing question of why you care so much for your best friend finally has an answer; you’re in love with him. when you meet with him again, you don’t even feel nervous at this crush, you feel confident that no matter how things go, he’ll never leave your side.

loving jeno comes so easy to you that the next time you hang out, you’re not as responsive because you’re hung up on how to confess. you know that even if the outcome isn’t what you want, you’ll still be together but you want to make sure you say it in a way you won’t regret. you care so much for him you want to make sure you say it the right way. however, when he puts a hand on your thigh and asks if you’re okay with the sweetest, most concerned look in his eyes, it all spills out and your strategic confession falls apart.

“..jeno?” you ask softly.

“what is it? don’t be scared, you know you can tell me anything.” your nickname falls off his tongue so smoothly that your fear of rejection finally comes and you nearly tear up.

“jen i really can’t hide it anymore so i just have to tell you okay? please don’t be mad i don’t care what your response is just listen, okay? i really, really like you jen. more than a friend does. at this point, i’m already sure i love you. i don’t care whether or not you reciprocate, because i really just love you so much.” you sniffle, a tear dropping from your eye. “i really can’t hold it in so i’m sorry, but i love you so much and i really want to be more than just your best friend so please-“ jeno cuts you off with a soft call of your name, your real one.

“please, you didn’t have to work yourself up so much. i feel the same way. i should’ve been more obvious.. don’t you know i’m only this way with you?” he smiles, the hand on your thigh moving up to your cheek to wipe your tears.

loving jeno comes so easy to you that when he leans in and your lips finally connect, your heart is finally full. all the broken pieces of your life come together and you feel complete, like you have nothing else to want or wish for, because now you have your best friend. in every way you wanted, he’s now yours.

───── ⋆⋅ ⊹ ⁺ 𐔌 ᩧ ຼ ͡ ৯ ♡໒⁀ ᩧຼ ꒱ིྀ ⁺ ⊹ ⋅⋆ ─────

[absolutebl]

Phi. Not BL related. You have hacks to avoid pickpocketers? Please share if you are willin.

Oh sure, just quick ones off the top of my head

Tips to Avoid Pickpockets and Thieves

from someone who is always travelling

I'm not gonna go over the usuals (just google), but I do have some esoteric approaches.

Research the specific pickpocketing (and related scams) in the city you're visiting. I like YouTube for this. Each city has its own little quirks of evil. I like to know what specifically I'm keeping an eye out for. (Like those damn clowns in Barcelona, shudder.)

I prefer sports gear over stuff designed for travel. I find it's more comfortable and stylish, less expensive (and easy to thrift for). So I don't wear a money belt but I do have one of these belts designed for runners which works the same way. Bonus it also makes for a pretty cool actual belt and you can use it to strap your luggage in a pinch.

I don't have any special all weather travel gear with tons of pockets and zippers etc... but I do like a golf jacket or vest. They usually have a nice inner pocket and fun other bells and whistles.

Strong large safety pins are great. You can use them to pin your wallet to you (if you don't do the chain thing), or a pouch (with spare cash and card, or your passport etc...) to inside your pants or undergarments. You can also use them to pin pockets closed (that don't have zippers) for extra safety.

By wallet I mean this kind of thing, more versatile, rfid and fits into the aforementioned belt.

I will literally sew inside pockets into things I like to wear for travel that don't have them already. Sometimes I will sew in a canvas pouch with a zipper top. 'Caus I fancy!

I travel with 2 credit cards, about $200 cash in the local currency (1 card and 1/2 cash sashed separately different places), and no ATM card.

I have a laminated 3x5 card of all the necessary info in case my phone or credit cards get stolen as well as emergency phone numbers. This info lives in my toiletry bag. I know, but no one thinks to look there and it stays back in my hotel most of the time.

Purse - if you insist on a purse go for something cheap, outrageous, hard sided, and with a loud closure like large snaps or a click. Outrageous because then everyone is looking at it all the time, so it's hard to snake it away, loud so you can hear it opening. Also I would say don't carry your wallet in that purse, but elsewhere on your person, say the belt or inside pocket? Purses are for, oh I don't know, lip gloss? Bandaids?

Backpack - ditto no wallet in it, but actually I always go for a crossbody instead of a backpack. Backpacks are the worst. I loathe them.

Crossbody - if you're waring a jacket wear the jacket over the strap (and bag, if you can) for goodness sake! I love a cape or a poncho in rain for these exact reasons. Yes I said cape, I'm a superhero.

Don't LOOK like a damn tourist, for the LOVE. I know everyone says this, but I mean - do the fashion research. I like to look up on YouTube those street camera "walking a shopping district" things for the destination city and time of year I'll be there. Then I actually pack planning to dress like a locals. Specifically color preferences, outerwear, and shoes. CLEAN shoes.

More on this: did you know people in Scandinavian countries rarely wear sunglasses? Mediterranean countries = no hats. Most Southeast Asian countries hate a backpack (yay!). I have no idea why, this just is.

Four signs you are a target tourist: 1. backpack, 2. fleece, 3 sensible shoes, 4. a baseball cap.

Don't keep your valuables in fancy pretty cases. I have a fancypants iPad, it travels in a manilla envelope. Why? No one wants to steal my damn mail. My laptop has the same thing, only made of faux leather so it only looks like an envelope from a distance, but still works for my needs.

I'm rarely out and about in danger zones with my work laptop. If I have to, I will wear one of those cheep slim not-backpacks (I KNOW) underneath my jacket with my computer flat against my back, you know the ones where the straps are string? It's very innocuous.

Stock up on cheap zipper pouches: I carry a lot of my other expensive tech in things like cheep makeup pouches (they're water resistant and often padded, ideal for tech). I'm a sucker for stupid looking but secretly well made baggies, easy pick-ups at a thrift store. And since they are miss-matched i always know which ones hold what.

Okay, hopefully that was helpful!

[sevs-corner]

Tf 141: Mafia AU!

Chapter 2: Jobless? More like Job-bless

A/N: Link to prev ch + mini epilogue of the chap (where it goes to another character’s pov aside from the reader :DD) :

Preface:

After the mess of a morning, you instantly got roped into the orderly chaos of the bakery. Under a contract (a list of chores really) you are now tied to the place Nonna and Nonno calls home.

Although, you soon come to learn that it is the home of other certain individuals as well.

With a groan, you wonder how many things are left on the chore list posted on the to-do board, pinned with all sorts of menus, post-it notes, old recipes, and photos of people you don’t really care to know or recognize; although, you were curious of who that one handsome man was.

Which you kept at the back of your mind to ask Nonna during your break later.

For now, you had to focus up and sort this damn mountain of trash.

You even got scolded by the trash guy for having mixed the recyclables and non-recyclables! You pouted, mumbling that it wasn’t your fault but the old couple who ran this place— yet all he did was wave you off, saying that he’d make an exception and come by tomorrow, ‘as long as the trash is sorted.’

To be honest, you’d rather sort him to the non-recyclables pile.

Rancid- the whole lot of it was! You couldn’t believe it got stocked up until the second floor of the building… but you kinda have to wonder if they threw it from below with an underhand throw or dropped from the room you were currently in.

The latter seems more plausible.

Until you saw Nonna, spin and accurately place another bag on top- winking at your gaping form, knees bent with your elbows resting on it exhaustion.

“Is that nasty sickness gone?” She asks, arms folded on her chest as she leans by the doorway.

“I think I got another type of nasty sickness,” you raised your arms and showed the dirty yellow rubber gloves and apron covered in grime.

She laughs and nods, “well better get to finishin’! Else, you wouldn’t make it to the lunchtime rush.”

“Is that part of the list too?” You asked, stunned, you were very sure that was on there until Nonna waved you in. Pointing at the pin board by the doorway.

You slightly let yourself, making sure none of the guck got in the place you just cleaned. Bending and craning your neck upward, you gasp at how the checklist just became double its size from before, a stapler at both ends of the first one connecting to the next.

You quickly turn your head, tone accusatory- “you added onto it!”

“There’s a lot to do,” she shrugs, “didn’t quite give you the full list.”

She points to the first saying how that was Nonno’s list while the next was made by her. You pouted, finding it unfair- knowing how it wouldn’t be completed in a day, actually more than a week no less!

“How am I supposed to help you guys tomorrow if I can’t find my place today?”

She hums, tapping her chin before snapping her fingers and roughly pinching your puffed out cheeks.

“You stay upstairs with us, of course!”

“WHAT?”

You reflexively scream reacted, falling to your dramatically as your hands catch your upper body before it fell into the door way face first.

“Not a bad deal, right dearie?”

“Rightly so, dear wifey!”

You could hear the old couple tease you (with the old man coming in to see what the racket was that disturbed him from his cooking routine, only to see his wife amusing herself once more with the new kid she “adopted” (nonna’s words not his)) making you feel even more depressed, wondering what made you think it was a good idea in the first place to sign up to this deal.

You wanted info- and they needed a helper. The end.

You should have read the Terms and Conditions really. (The non existent one aka, reading between the lines and the vibe of the couple.)

Alas, you accepted your fate, resigning to it really as you stood up, looking at the list before retuning to the trash area, where the old couples kisses and giggles were still echoing by the back door way. A reality slapping reminder of what you needed to get back to immediately.

Kneeling by the pile you left, you spot a cat- a strangely pristine white one with bright blue eyes. It looked a bit fancy to be wandering around this part so you checked its neck for a collar yet there was none.

Humming to yourself, you called to it softly as you removed your stickily sweat gloves.

The cat, as if heeding your call, comes closers to your whispers of encouragement and ultimately sits before you meowing and nudging its head towards you.

“Aww!” You gleamed, immediately petting it with your finger tips, but melt even more as it long and fluffy tail wrapped around your fingers- as if urging you to continue your pampering.

“You’re such a cutie! Aren’t ‘cha?” You continue cooing at it, and with how immediately comfortably attached the cat was with you- you decided to try and carry it by opening your arms.

The cat crawls pause, sensing your pets has stopped and stares at you.

You stare it back.

Like a lightbulb popping up, the cat meows and stand up, crawling closer and…

“Now who the hell is there?”

You and the cat screech, both jumping in the air.

Although the difference between the two of you was one landed on their ass while the other ran away.

Unceremoniously once again.

You heaved, looking at the man intimidatingly making himself known by the entrance of the alleyway to the back door of the bakery, smoke in hand while the other was on his side- a holster you assume as you see something gleam below the morning light.

You noticed that he wore a suit quite similar to the men you met last night. Although this time, it was dark navy blue in color with a heavy coat on top, and brown shoes that seemed quite shinier that the jewels he wore on his fingers.

As you picked apart his outfit, he came in closer, noticing how you shivered at his presence (you weren’t it was just cold and he surprised the beejeebus out of you.)

So he stopped a bit aways away, five feet apart to be safe of the unexpected accusation that might come along by strangers at the street side.

“Got any business with this place?”

“Huh?” You look up at him, finally looking at his- less irritated, more confused than anything- face. His slicked back blonde hair made his eye brow raise and forehead creases even more noticeable as he tossed to you his questionable stare.

“Oh, uh yeah- I do.”

He nods, “right.”

You deadpanned, with you not believing him and him not believing your words— you decided to start the conversation again by standing and introducing yourself.

“I’m Graves,” he does the same, and stuff his hands in his pocket, offering a nod and grin.

“Like…” you paused, “the tombstone?”

He deadpans this time and sighs, shaking his head.

“You... you can put it that way,” he waves his hand, “but what’s your business here anyway, shortstack?”

You grumble to yourself about his nickname but placed in the back burner for later, where you would also burn him- but that’s a plan in the making.

“Why do you need to know?” You reply, a bit apprehensive of his prying. It’s not like he lived here- as far as you know.

…Maybe he was going to hustle you for messing with his favorite smoking spot?!

“Oh!” You turn to him, making his mouth clamp shut. “This might have been your smoking spot right? My bad.”

You bowed your head in a slight bow when apologizing, “its just that the owners of the bakery told me to clean up here,” you pointed to the pile of dump on the trashcan, “but as you can see, its taking me some time.”

He laughs, finally connecting the dots in his head and figuring who you were.

“Those old hags giving you trouble?”

Suddenly his arm was on your shoulder, slinging you forward and into his space which made you slightly flinch away, half uncomfortable and the other half making you hope wouldn't dirty his- clearly expensive- suit then blame it on you and pay for cleaning or worse... replace it.

Yeah, you didn't want to think about that.

So, you shook your but deeply sigh anyways, "it's all good."

You didn't know why but you wanted to reassure the stranger. In hope of getting him off your case? Maybe so- but it was more likely that his suit quite stank from the smell of cigs and alcohol, but with the mix of his- high end- cologne- it was just a smell that spelled disaster for your senses.

"Really now?" Unconvinced he was again but at this point, why did you continue to care?

So you huffed, sliding out of his grasp- surprisingly easily- and went by the back door, arms crossed just like a certain someone had done moments ago.

"Really," you rolled your eyes, "but its up to you to believe it or not."

Graves' eyes sparkled, smirk widening as he sniffs out a challenge- a challenge to his authority.

He scoffs out an amused chuckle as he sees you stomp back into the bakery in a huff, clearly cutting short your interaction with him and the conversation.

A conversation he quite wanted to continue.

So he follows, interest now piqued, wondering if you were a new face in town or simply a fleeting face he'd forget in a momentary notice. Whatever it was, he wanted to know.

His gut feeling says he has to--

it hasn't proven him wrong after all.

Entering the warm bakery as compared the cold breeze the outside gave made you shiver, hoping your body would better quickly adapt to the temperature change.

Quickly hanging your apron, you called out to the two that you came back for the lunch rush, all the while washing your hands in the kitchen's sink.

Whistling a tune, you think back to the words of Nonna earlier, having said that you would have to stay here until you get the end of your bargain. At least, that was what you think she meant until the list is done and dealt with.

Your actions slow as you think of an alternative-- you could text your co-worker and ask them right now, but that was embarrassing to think of doing. They gave simple instructions of how to get at the place, yet you somehow got lost and stumbled upon so much more people than you think you would have before coming into this reputable city.

To be honest to yourself for a moment, you didn't want to admit it to them not because of embarrassment- but because of how you felt ashamed of yourself. You didn't like having yourself in this position, squandering away for any penny you can make, scraping by with each paycheck, and most of all, for being so stupid that you can't even repay the kindness your co-worker has shown you. It felt like a waste, that you weren't using it right now-- staying at their place and slowly making it up to them by paying back every single money they spent to pay for rent, utilities, and food that they provided.

So you resolved yourself, slapping your face with the washed hands to wake yourself up from the quite long (short) introspection of your situation right now.

You did owe Nonna and Nonno for staying here, but for the boss of Soup? No... Suds-? Anyways, you had to repay that guy's boss as well for the lodging last night.

Maybe you can rearrange the agreement with the couple to provide- at least- the minimum of minimum wages so you wouldn't be just free labor for their amusement.

Despite thinking that they really might need some help, looking around at the state of place.

"Seems like you washed your hands extra clean."

You hear a sip behind you, jumping once more as you naturally glared at the person that spooked you.

"Could you like," you waved your hands around trying to find words, "not spook me every time you appear-- are you the boogeyman incarnate or something?"

This man in front of you, as formal as he looks, just breaks into cackles.

Downright fits of laughter that continuously bubble out of him.

Wheezing and all that-- but you wait, staring at him strangely and for him to catch his breath.

After a couple minutes pass and he doesn't, even leaning against the doorway as he covers his face (which was bright red) in attempt to limit his giggles, you sigh and untangle your arms. Pushing yourself off the sink and moving him aside so you could start the lunch shift.

"Wa-wait!"

You hear the man wheeze out and in frustration, you grumble out a- "what?"

"I- I was only ask-asking about you earlier bec-because--"

"because he's la famiglia, cara!"

You turn to the sudden pop of Nonna at your side, looking at her in question, "what do you mean-?"

"He-!" She quickly slaps his back to cough out his remaining laughter, "is one of my sons!"

"Son?" you ask, head tilting as you think back to that photo on the board. You turn to the board, checking if you were right-- and it was as if fate checked mate you as your eyes locked onto the boy at the far right side of the one completed family picture (you assumed) which had a lot of members.

'Blonde and blue eyes...'

The man, who has just been a disaster a couple of minutes ago, had now regain his composure and grinned at you as if it didn't look like he was losing his balls earlier.

"That's why I was concerned shortcake," he wraps his arm around Nonna (who just snuggles into him), "'cause I'm her son."

'Oof. '

Well, now that you know that they were all their (adopted) children in that picture, you find yourself more at ease in Graves' presence as Nonna chats to him about what happened ever since you showed up, with him humming and commenting from time to time.

As they sat at the side, you continued to do your job, managing the register and the back of the house- sending orders in and plates out.

You did it so much that by the time another table came, you were in auto pilot, customer service mode.

"Hello and welcome! What can I get for y'all started with--"

"Well, aren't you worse for wear."

Hearing that out of place comment made you snap out of your stupor, finally taking in the faces before you.

"The guys from last night!" You gasp, "and Suds' boss!" you glanced at the man with a beard and you could see him smile and nod, reaffirming who he was.

"Yes, that's me-"

Yet he gets cut by the rounding laughter of the table, making you confused, muttered a small, "what?"

"Suds--" The kind man from the other night manages out before falling into another fit of wheezing.

"His name ain't Suds, darlin'," the guy with a rough, scratchy voice talks and you now see that he was wearing a skull mask on the upper part of his face, then a black clothe covering his lower half.

"It's not?"

The man in question groans out, "its Soap you nest-head!"

You clicked your tongue, "Now I'm less inclined to call you that, Suds."

Now even Price chuckles at this exchange, making 'Grickky' looking at him in shock.

"Did you sleep well?"

Price redirects the conversation and you turn to him with a smile and nod, "thank to you sir."

You politely bowed your head and told him how you were gonna pay him back for it, but he just shakes his head- telling that you "shouldn't worry your pretty lil' head over a lil' cash."

"But its not a little amount!" You protested and they looked at you in shock. Thinking that you would just accept it and be done with it.

"I know better than anyone how both kindness and money is precious, so I'll work to pay you back sir."

The determination flaming in your eyes makes them quite stunned at the moment before Price just chuckles, "do as you wish." He says in contentment of the moment, and he was quite satisfied from how you reacted- bubbling and smiling as if you weren't laying sick mere hours ago when they last saw you.

"Cara!"

You hear Nonna call for you and you pause, asking for the four to wait a moment while you walk to see what Nonna needed until you see her approaching in excitement.

"Nonna-?"

"Oh my gosh!" She squeals into your arms, "I can't believe you're meeting all my boys today!"

"Your...boys?"

You stare at her for a moment before redirecting it to the sheepish four who sat there.

Welp... now your proclamations sounds a little awkward...

There was no way she would let her own son pay for lodging at his parent's place.

Even though you've only known Nonna for a couple hours, you were quite sure. A conclusion which made you throw your head back in embarrassment once again.

"just how many sons do you have?!"

A/N: Long chapter for the 2nd one because I got inspired! And also for the warm reception and the attention my silly lil AU for Tf 141 is getting hehe so thank yall <33 Cheers to more chapters to come !!

[harmonyrae]

Power Couple

CHAPTER 9 - Dirty Work

You can't stop thinking about that night. How intoxicating Sylus was. His aura, his voice, his taste in wine, the conversation. It's definitely making work much harder than it should be...

*NSFW 18+ Content Ahead*

Hazy memories of you and Sylus in the dining room. Candles glowing, the chandelier swinging above you, red wine. You find yourself looking around for the fireplace, you don’t remember there being one in the dining room. The heat was nearly unbearable, sweat dripping down your face, your hair clinging to your neck. You reach for your wine, but before your fingers even touch the glass your core tightens and you can barely breathe. 

Your breathing is punctuated and shallow. You throw your head back and before you register what’s happening, a breathless moan leaves your lips. The breathlessness is accompanied by warmth and… pleasure. 

You’re finally able to lean back and you look down at the table. How could you forget? You weren’t seated at the table. You were on the table. And you are the meal. 

Seeing Sylus’ head between your legs, his hands holding your thighs… The sight is intoxicating, but what he’s doing with his tongue shuts down every thought in your mind. Your toes curl as he traces circles around your clit. He brings a hand down from your thigh and slides a finger into your pussy. You hear him moan your name as his finger swirls and strokes. You arch your back off the table as he slips another finger inside you. He drags his tongue down to drink you in before returning to your swollen clit and sucking, hard. You grab his hair with one hand as Sylus tightens his grip on your thigh and begins thrusting, faster and faster. You slam your other hand down on the table. 

Bang

Your eyes fly open. 

Bang Bang

“Boss, wake the hell up, we have a problem!” Dorian’s voice is loud and angry. 

You stare at your ceiling, breathing heavy. You did not… you absolutely did NOT have a wet dream about Sylus. Of all fucking people. Didn’t you just rip Dorian a new asshole for bringing up the not-date for the 10th fucking time? Jesus. Are you that desperate? You have a vibrator for a reason. It takes care of you just as good as a man. Okay… maybe not “just as good” but pretty damn good.

“Boss! Seriously, you need to wake up!” His voice is getting more irritated.

“I’m awake, just let me get dressed!” You sit up and wipe the sweat from your forehead. You swing your legs off the bed and hurry to your closet to throw on a pair of black sweatpants and a tank top. You just hope whatever this “problem” is, you’ll have a chance to finish getting ready before going out in public. 

You swing your bedroom door open and Dorian shoves a folder into your arms. Glancing down you see Ridgeway Liquors stamped on the front. 

“Ridgeway burned down this morning.” Dorian turns to land face first on your couch. Grabbing a pillow to cover his head. You flip open the file and start to read.

“Who’d you send to walk the grounds?” Your brain shifts into what Dorian lovingly calls “high-functioning boss bitch mode.” Basically, you’re going to sound like a bitch with no heart, only talk about business and there’s a 95% chance you’re going to hurt someone’s feelings.

“Hugh just got back. He’s writing something up.” Dorian’s voice is muffled by the couch cushions.

“Get your face out of my couch and make me a coffee.” Checking your phone, you see you have almost half a dozen missed calls from the CEO of Ridgeway. Thankfully, when you call he picks up immediately.

“We’re on it, I will have an answer by the end of day. Contractors are working on an estimate. And you’ll get the address for your backup location in the next 2 hours.” Before he has a chance to speak, you info dump Ridgeway in an attempt to dampen the hell storm this has, no doubt, started for Himitsu. 

“I want the name of the fucker who lit the match. I want the name of the fucker who gave the order. Hell, I want the name of the gas station attendant who sold the gas to fuel the flames. End of day TODAY or I break the contract.” Click. He hangs up.  

“Yep, that stick is still up there.” Dorian snorts at your comment and focuses on foaming the milk for your coffee. You thank him as he sets it down in front of you. You stare at your mug, the largest in your collection with “Best Boss” printed on it. You immediately look up at Dorian.

“There’s more, isn’t there?” Dorian sits down across from you, looking at his phone. 

Ding

Your phone buzzes with a new message. It’s a picture of a ship with hundreds of containers. Dozens of men cover the boat. You try to zoom in but everything is too pixelated. But there’s a clear logo on the side of the containers. A black bird in a red circle. 

“An Onychinus freight ship? The docks are off limits, who took these photos?” Your voice strained as you try to reign in your frustration. 

“I’ve had a PI looking into Onychinus for months now. He got these last night. Personally, I don’t think it violates your - so called - deal with Sylus.” 

“And if Sylus finds out we have this information?” 

“Then we deal with it. Right now, it’s important you know this. Onychinus is bringing new shit into the zone. And they can dispose of things with that ship too.” Dorian rubs the back of his neck.

“Can we focus on one thing at a time please? The Ridgeway issue is more pressing to us. I need the phone number for our contractor. I also need you to find a new site for them to continue their operations as soon as possible.” Dorian nods and stands up from the table. Pacing in front of the windows making call after call.

Ding

A text message, not from your usual phone. You’re not sure why you decided to start carrying around your burner phone. But on days like today you’re glad you do. 

(Sylus) They’re serving a Chardonnay at this meeting that tastes like I’m biting into a tree. (You) Wine. That’s a good idea actually.  (You) Forget coffee. I definitely need wine at 10am on a Tuesday. (Sylus) Who has you riled up? (You) Besides you? It’s just a normal day in paradise.

You couldn’t tell him anything, but teasing each other via text made you smile. And you needed that, especially today. You sit at your kitchen table for nearly four hours making endless phone calls to get every tiny detail about the fire. You read the reports a second, third, fourth time to make sure you don’t miss anything. You only take a break to make another coffee and eat a banana. Everything is falling into place, but your anxiety is getting worse by the minute. Or maybe that’s the coffee? You’re not sure at this point.

Ding

A text from Dorian. He left about an hour ago to pick up something. You’re hoping this text will confirm delivery.

(Dorian) Delivered. Want me to get started? (You) No. I want to deal with this.

You go to your room to change into black jeans and a fitted black turtleneck. You slick your hair back into a bun and slip on your favorite chunky moto boots. When you don’t get a reply from Dorian you sigh. He always asks, but never listens. You hurry to the elevator and click the basement level button. Show time.

The elevator opens and you’re greeted with the sound of loud thuds and men shouting. You pick up your pace as you head for the door at the end of the all too familiar hallway. The men stationed beside the door give each other a worried look, wondering if they should have intervened when the shouting began. You fling open the door letting it bang against the wall. 

Dorian’s fists are bloody and the face of the man cuffed to the chair is already starting to bruise. Dorian looks up at you, his brow furrowed and forehead glistening with sweat. His eyes burn with anger and he doesn’t lower his voice from a shout.

“He’s close. I’ve got this.” You grit your teeth as you watch Dorian hit the man again.

“I’m not telling you shit you fuck!” The man yells before he spits. Saliva and blood splatter against Dorian’s face and Dorian pulls a knife from his belt. 

“Stop.” Dorian is inches away from slicing the man's nose off. He slowly turns his head to look at you. “Outside. Now.” Straightening up, Dorian tucks his knife away and walks out of the room. 

Dorian loosens his tie and glares at you.

“What the fuck are you doing?” You shove him. He was unprepared so he stumbled backward, but he never breaks eye contact with you. 

“I had it handled.” Dorian damn near growls back at you. 

“I’m taking it from here. Leave.” Dorian stares at you for a moment before turning to stomp off down the hall like an angry toddler.

“Sorry about that.” You say as you re-enter the room. The man in the chair looks up at you, there’s a hint of humor in his eyes.

“No problem princess.” Your smile widens. 

“Do you know why you’re here?” You lean against the wall in front of him, your face hidden in the shadows. 

“Not a clue. Your boy thought it’d be better to just fuck up my face than tell me shit.” And it was true, his face was bloody, black and blue. Dorian worked him over.

“Ridgeway Liquor. What do you know?” You sink your hands in your pockets.

“They have good Vodka.” He chuckles. 

“So good you make late night trips for a bottle or two?” He remains silent, so you continue.

“If it was so good, why did you burn it down?” He throws his head back to laugh.

“Bitch, I didn’t do shi-” Before he can finish the sound of metal on bone cascades through the room. You stand fully in the light, looking down at the man. His nose crumpled against his face, blood gushing down over his mouth and chin. 

“WHAT THE FUCK?!?” The man spits, splattering blood on the floor in front of him. A tooth included.

“Dorian usually goes bare knuckle. I prefer a bit of sparkle.” You stare down at the brass knuckles that adorn your clenched fist. Custom made, diamond encrusted, now painted with a hint of blood.

“The next words out of your mouth will be the reason why your car was in the alley behind Ridgeway last night.” The man looks at you, surprised by your strength and terrified by your question.

“I don’t- I don’t know what-”

THUD

Another punch lands on the man's face. More blood and another tooth falls to the floor.Another punch lands on the man's face. A loud crack of bones breaking and wails of pain flood the small room. Blood gushes from the mans nose and mouth.

“OKAY okay okay okay… I was there. I was there okay?” There’s desperation in his voice.

“What was the job?” You pick up a towel off the nearby table and clean your brass knuckles. 

“I don’t know…” You raise your fist again. “I DON’T KNOW because… because I just had to put a USB in the computer and I don’t know anything else besides that.”

“Who did you deliver it to?” The man drops his gaze. He stares at the floor and cries out in pain.

“I answer that I die. You can hit me all you want, but I can’t…” 

“Die now or die later. Up to you. At least I’m giving you a choice.” You pull your gun from your holster and place the barrel to his forehead. He cries out, his eyes widening.

“Okay, okay OKAY - I delivered it to a man on 2nd and Vine. He only gave me the name Oni.”

“How’d you communicate with him?” 

“A burner phone. Texted me the details.” 

“Where’s the phone now?”

“Bottom of the ocean. His instructions.”

“Where’d you toss it from?” 

“Whitesand Pier.” You turn and walk to the door. “Wait wait WAIT, you gotta let me go. Please! They'll kill me for this!”

“Don’t worry. Oni won’t kill you.” 

Bang

It takes a few minutes for the ringing in your ears to subside. You holster your gun once more and face the door. You swing it open to see Dorian running towards you from down the hall. He slows when he sees you.

“You good?” He glances over your shoulder to see the man slumped forward in his chair.

“Fine.” You stride forward down the hall, Dorian follows you. “We need divers at Whitesand Pier. If you find a phone, send it to Mack. Get a clean up crew in here.”

Lord Almighty Feel my temperature rising

You pull your burner from your back pocket.

“What the fuck is that?” Dorian picks up his pace to look over your shoulder at the screen.

“Elvis Presley.” You answer curtly before sliding to answer the call. “Hello.”

Sylus laughs before saying, “It’s a video call, sweetie.”

“Wait, that’s-” You push Dorian out of the elevator before the door closes so you’re in the elevator alone. You take a deep breath and pull the phone away from your ear.

“What happened?” Sylus looks shocked when he sees your face. You quickly tap the screen to show yourself. Your face is lightly splattered with blood.

“Oh, I’m fine. I was… painting.” Sylus stares at you for a minute.

“Sure.”

“Why are you calling anyways?” You try to clean some of the blood away with your sleeve. Switching hands to make sure your brass knuckles don’t come into frame.

“Just confirming I have permission to enter your territory to pick you up on Saturday?”

“Yes, of course. I still fail to see why a video call was necessary?” 

“I wanted to see you. Is that a problem?” The blood could have blended in with how red your cheeks were turning. When you don’t respond, Sylus continues, his eyes sparkling.

“I’ll see you Saturday, kitten.” 

The screen goes black as Sylus hangs up leaving your reflection in the glass. Specks of blood still splattered on your face, a bead of sweat drips down your back. He couldn’t have picked a worse time.

Tag List (comment if you wanna be added!): @trishiepo0 @not-so-quite-human

[airandyeah]

Warm The Kettle Steb X Reader Pt.2

Authors note: Please, please, PLEASE read the character sheet. Please. This character sheet, PLEASE! Also you can find more info from chapter 1, the hyper link is in the series masterlist. The Series Master list is here My personal Master list is here

Your eyes were drawn back to the commander as she continued to ask you a few questions and finally, after what felt like the millionth, she approached you and offered her hand to shake. You shook her hand, both of your grips firm, sealing a bond as team mates and she lets go before the rest of the team steps forward, each introducing themselves. You learned that the red-head was named Maddie, the violet haired woman was Vi, the older looking man was Loris, and now, as you shake the vastayan's hand, there is silence. You wait for him to give you his name but all he does is stare at you. The woman, Maddie, chuckles at the interaction before introducing him, "That's Steb, he doesn't talk much. Or ever. It's only happened once since we met", her tone is light hearted, seemingly friendly and you shake Steb's hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you Steb.". He nods before dropping your hand. You followed them to track back to their grouped household, they didn't stay in the traditional barracks but it wasn't like they were in their own homes or alone at any given time. All of you women were in bunk-beds in the same room. Vi and the Commander had the two lower bunks, while you took the top bunk above Caitlyn. You almost found it unfair that there were only two men, meaning their room was far less cramped and probably more organized. This room was more lack-luster than you would've thought it to be. There were clothes everywhere, including some off pieces of lingerie and other undergarments that you did your best to avoid looking at, finding it unsanitary and frankly, you would be embarrassed if it were yours. You found that bags were already packed of your items from your usual barrack, and were placed atop the bed you would be sleeping in for the foreseeable future. You also discovered after adventuring through the building that there was a chore board. Who would cook for the day, who would do dishes, etc. Your name had yet to be added and you were grateful, you needed time to learn how everything worked around here. You came to sit on the couch in the common room and you found Steb sitting on the couch aswell. "Oh, I had a question for you Steb", you speak to him and his face turns to look at you, making eye contact. You sit down next to him, making sure your wings were comfortable off the ledge of the couch before looking at him again. "Can you communicate in sign language?", you ask him. You had learned sign language long ago, after working with many people who didn't have working vocal cords, or even a few vastaya who found it plainly uncomfortable to talk out of their normal environment. He looks at you a moment longer before nodding his head up and down, yes. You smile before signing to him 'You can talk to me like this then'. He gives a small smile then, the frills on his cheeks fluttering in harmony as he signs back 'It is nice to meet you'. He tells you many things after that, he is a medic also, but is skilled enough in combat. He also explains that he is glad to have the help of a healer in the trying times facing the city of progress. You both got lost in your signing, so much so that you hadn't noticed Loris and Maddie watching you both from the window that connects to the kitchen. They wore matching smirks, thinking that maybe you might be the one to get the silent guardian out of his hard-set shell.

[danvssomethingorother]

Reasons I can remember off the top of my head why Chris is a himbo in the first game:

The cut scene shows he had a gun but by the time you reach the manor he must have thrown it at the dog when running out of bullets because you no longer have it.

The storyline is about trust and figuring out who would betray them. Jill got this. She was off with her suspicions but got the right idea. Chris watches Wesker be shady as he can and is just like what a joker. So trustworthy.

Finds detailed step by step instructions about how to kill plant with an antidote but doesn’t. Not because he’s not a scientist. Not because he’s afraid of doing more harm. His literal dialogue is “I’m not reading this”. He didn’t even have the flame thrower yet, he was ready to fight a mutated plant with a knife…because he didn’t want to read a few notes.

He leaves a note in the weapons locker? Hoping to cover his tracks by stating exactly where he’s going but trying to make it like he’s only trying to score chicks. Neither Claire or Leon seem to think this is true after reading the note and the note is the reason Claire goes to Europe to find Chris. If I remember right, in the original it was more specific than that. Chris you are bad at lying low and going off the grid.

Doesn’t consider his sister might wonder where he is and why he isn’t answering any of her calls. You know that dumb note he left in the weapons locker? Maybe he could have thought a few more minutes and told his sister his dumb lie over the phone. She wouldn’t buy it but she also wouldn’t have gone to raccoon city.

Bonus: Leon just finding his email address implies he is super bad at covering his tracks and yeah anyone can just find him. The only way Leon would have known it and known he would answer and see it is if the government had personal information on him…this isn’t completely on Chris so it’s just a side note but it is on him if this was his S.T.A.R.S. email address and not a new one and the government obviously got access to it because he wasn’t trying to hide personal info…

I don’t think Chris is stupid and in other games his reasoning is usually a bit more sound and not stupid but oh my god Chris. This is why some people think you are all muscle and no brains. You make the strangest decisions in your introductory game and even when mentioned in 2 your actions are stupid.

[forsoobado137]

The anon from the country-people getting hurt again!

1) thank you for the compliment on my English:D

2) can't imagine being in a coma for so long is fun rip Feliks

3) While yes Poland as a country wasn't there but people still learned polish and tried to keep the nation alive in any way possible

Examples cuz I'm a nerd:

- one of the books called "Syzyfowe pracę (Sisyphean labors)" by Stefan Żeromski is autobiographical novel which described the school life under Russian occupation. One of the scenes I remember of off the top of my head is that in school children were secretly being taught Polish and one of the teachers had to stand guard outside the classroom

- Maria Skłodowska-Curie kept (most of the times) signing her name as Skłodowska-Curie and named the element she discovered Polonium. Poles often get annoyed when people just say Maria Curie because it erases the polish heritage she had and (most likely) tried to keep alive by signing with her maiden name and the name of the element, yes she was a french citizen but Poland wasn't on the map back then so she had to do it that way (<- dunno if I'm making sense sorry if not)

There are many other examples but that's not the point I'm trying to make. Back to Hetalia, I like to think that Feliks wasn't in a coma but lived in hiding, quietly fighting among humans, teaching the language and helping as much as he could. Of course he would have been much weaker, maybe chronically sick? (Which is what I head canon is happening to Gilbert, chronically sick and pretty weak) After all he was only alive in the hearts of his people

Personally, I like the idea of him being presumed dead, I mean most people wouldn't think a country that got wiped from the map 3 times one time for over 100 years would came back and yet here he was, sick yet still standing

I'm polish so that's why I'm so into it lol sorry for the long read but I just really love thinking what happens to nation-people when the nation is basically gone -✨Anon (<- naming myself in case I will want to write in again lol)

Wow, thank you for the history info! Especially about Marie Skłodowska-Curie. I will definitely call her that from now on. Thank you, ✨ Anon!

And I like the idea of Feliks being chronically sick instead of a coma. He is very resilient, and I think that he was in a similar situation to Gilbert now, where he lost most/all of his healing powers.

So that also means he was probably dodging assassination attempts left and right! God damn, Poland!

[skeletoninthemelonland]

I'm sorry about what you're going through with your family. Personally I've never had to move out quickly, but I've been in tight situations to stay out and this is what worked for me. Everything I'm outlining is assuming you're in the US and that you're 18+. If you're younger than 18 you're parents can report you missing and that's a whole shitload of problems.

1. If you don't have a job, get one. Even if it's part time and entry level. Barely any money is better than no money. If you can get a job making good tips, even better. But do what works for you. If you're worried about transportation, look for jobs in a city that has public transport and jobs near either bus or train stops. You can also Google how to build a resume if you don't have one.

2. Try to make a budget as best you can. That shit is hard and frustrating and it seriously sucks. But you'll be able to figure out exactly how much you need for rent, groceries, transportation, and utilities. To get an idea for rent prices, check out Zillow or apartments.com in cities you're interested in. Preferably close to your job so you can spend less on transportation, but not many people get that lucky.

2.5. Look in Facebook, Craigslist, and other sites to find roommates. Roommates will DRASTICALLY decrease your rent cost. But meet them ahead of time, make sure they're legit. Online stalk them, talk with them, their contact info EVERYTHING you can know about them to make sure they're a good fit for you.

*you can do 1 and 2 interchangeably. If you don't know how much you'll need to make to afford an apartment, check out apartment prices first, then look for jobs in that area*

3. Reach out to anyone who can help you move. I know that's hard, but the worst people will say is no (I know that sucks too and I'm sorry I even had to write it) but if people in your life know your situation and that you're trying to leave, that you're working on a tangible plan, they'll be more likely to help.

4. If you're worried about not being able get back in once you're gone, try to pack things discreetly as possible and take only what's important so you can get it in one go. If you've got money to rent a moving truck, even better.

5. Keep tabs on any bills your parents might be paying for you, like a phone bill. You'll need reliable internet to help find jobs and places to live. If you don't think you'll get to have that, get a library card. Libraries have public access to computers and the ability to hook you up with a TON of community services. Plus library cards are free which is nice.

I'm sorry that's all I've got off the top of my head. I hope you get the help you need!! You are loved 💜

thank you so much!!!

though i'm not from the US, some of the things you listed might work for me. i also wanna figure out how i can leave with someone else so we can both work together to sustain ourselves, so i think that should count as a roommate? i can't really abandon them.

i wanna try finding a temporary job (though college classes are suspended now, once it returns they'll take majority of my day) and make comissions.

[crabsnpersimmons]

thanks for the tag @scarredlove and @ravenwriter16!!

Last Song: "Emergence" by Sleep Token i have been listening to this on loop since it came out two weeks ago. it's brilliant. i can't wait for the rest of the album 🤩

Favourite Colour: orange i've always loved orange. i dunno why. it's such a cheerful yummy colour.

Last Movie: Inside Out 2 yes, i cried. it's good. a beautiful exploration of how growing up and being human is messy and complicated. it's not that we outgrow simple emotions like joy and sadness, but that our perception of ourselves and the world evolves as we do.

Last Show: Under the Skin, season 2. it was alright. i liked how season 2 expanded into art therapy and psychology, but i feel like season 1's story and themes were much more cohesive and concrete. season 2 felt a little too abstract in comparison. i also didn't like how the main character's reckless behaviour was rewarded despite his friend's repeated cautions and 100% valid worries (the same problem i have with Frozen 2). like, i think there was an opportunity for the main leads to develop further if they had addressed this issue—how the main character's recklessness is worrying the people closest to him and how his "ambition" appears to be rooted in his need to fix everything because of his failings in the past. but it was all settled too conveniently. maybe they'll dig into that for season 3.

but yeah, i recommend the show if you like crime shows. it's about a portraitist helping to solve crimes with his admittedly unrealistic ability to draw portraits. it's available free on YouTube in Mandarin with English subtitles (Trigger Warning for very dark subject matter, i don't remember all of them, but off the top of my head: violence, on-screen murder, death, rape, abusive relationships, abuse of power, child abuse, drugs, cyber crimes, lots of crimes)

Sweet/Spicy/Savoury? Savoury. i don't have a sweet tooth and i can only really handle certain types of spice (i LOVE numbing spices and onion spice and wasabi spice, but i don't like hot pepper spice, but hot pepper spice is in EVERYTHING labelled as "spicy") but i need something savoury for every meal.

Relationship: happily married to all my friend's silly OCs IRL single and content

Last Google Search: "integrated rangehood" i'm trying to look up a specific type of range hood for a fic, i just don't know what the name of it is. i now know it is NOT an integrated range hood—it's the kind that looks like a black panel that extends outward to cover the area above the stove top. then when it's not in use, it closes back up. (basically chef Sun is going to geek out about a range hood in a future HYE story, but in order for him to info-dump, i need to info-absorb because my biggest hurdle as a writer is that i am not as smart as my characters 😂)

no pressure tagging: @starriegalaxy/@starriesbackupblog, @vacantfields, @random-tail, @hexcii, @eggcromancer

[austinslounge]

I really don’t understand some people in this fandom at times. A rant incoming but with context I promise

Firstly I’m more upset that knowing how loving and sensitive Austin is then he wil have had many very personal things in his house and his Elvis leather suit and other props he may have kept for memories. Plus other stuff he may have kept from when he was with V that would have personal memories for him, stuff from when he was a kid or sentimental presents from friends/family etc. But what really truly breaks my heart is that they could have took something that would be irreplaceable in every sense - something that belonged to his mum or something she gave him. That hurts and as someone who lost their mum this cuts deep. It could be jewellery or a picture or even something small like an ornament that they may smashed when they ransacked the place and yet all these so called fans care about is - he had a gun 😭

A few things I need to get off my chest though but I wanted need to give little context on why some ppl may feel a bit shocked but let me be very clear I DONT CARE ABOUT A GUN IN HIS HOUSE!! To the fans that do care a few things for you to think about - you don’t live there he does, he’s not dating you and until he does his then sorry but your view point doesnt matter to him and last I checked he’s a fully grown man who can make his own choices on what he keeps in his home!

However I can see both sides because in England we have EXTREMELY strict guidelines and I know this personally. I live in N. Yorkshire and am surrounded by the countryside and plenty of farms and my brother helped the farmers hunt rabbit etc so he had 2 hunting guns and he had to do a lot of things to keep them in our home - not only did he need to get a full gun license but also have a police officer come round and sign off that his gun cabinet was dead bolted to the wall, in a secure place and had deadbolts to lock it. So I understand why some people may find it alarming that Austin had a gun in his house because when we had people visit they were very nervous about guns being there. Being a military kid i remember the soldiers weren’t allowed them at home and had to sign any they used in/out from the secured gun room with another person to countersign and they had to keep logs for security reasons and even then only those with firearm licenses were allowed too do this. Do guns that are kept LEGALLY at home is usually unheard of unless your into hunting, clay pigeon shooting or farmers etc.

However saying you’re no longer a fan or view him differently is absolute madness! He lives in the US where laws are different and on top of that we have NO IDEA where the gun was, maybe it was a prop or maybe it was one that he was using for training for an upcoming movie so he could get comfortable with it and knowing him as an actor who takes his work very seriously this would make complete sense to me. But does any of that actually matter - he’s a grown man with a sensible head on his shoulders and maybe he felt safer knowing it was there in case he was home when in this situation. If cash was stolen too it was probably locked in a safe as I doubt money was just sitting in an unlocked drawer or kept under his mattress 🤦‍♀️ and even then we don’t know how much money was actually taken - give your head a shake people - it’s just a very small amount of info from a gossip site who used the right words for click bait!

I’m just glad he wasn’t at home or the outcome might have had a very different ending and probably not a good one - let’s not forgot what happened to Kim K!!!

Thanks for your input on this Anon.

Yea girl, I'm not really understanding the backlash and the think pieces on this whole gun thing tbh. You can't base your view on Austin having a gun in the home when you're not from the US and don't have the same context and background.

Here in the US, it's not uncommon for people to own guns or to have them in their homes. Having the right to bear arms is literally written into our nation's Constitution. My grandfather was in the military and owned a gun in our home. I saw it all the time, but we knew not to touch it. I never saw him actually use it, but he always had it there "just in case" someone tried some funny business.

As for Austin, we don't know anything about the gun. It could have been a family gift, it could have been passed down to him, it could have been something he purchased on his own, it could have been from a film he did, etc. I'm also willing to bet that he's probably had it for years. As I posted yesterday, he and Vanessa used to go to the gun range all the time. As long as people are responsible with guns, it's perfectly fine to own one, and I have no problem with what people choose to own in their own home.

I'm also not understanding the hypocrisy of fans enjoying watching Austin actually shoot stuff up at the shooting range while training on the tactical training facility, but then having a heart attack about the fact that he has a gun in his home. 🤔 That makes absolutely no sense to me.

Also, I hate to burst people's bubbles, but a lot of celebrities own guns lol. It's nothing new. 😅

With all of that said, I agree with you that fans are focusing on the wrong thing. Like you mentioned, we don't know what the burglar(s) could have taken. I would be freaked out just coming home to a ransacked house just in general. Who knows what precious things they may have gone through. When something like that happens to you, no doubt you feel like your privacy has been violated. 😔

As you mentioned, I'm just glad Austin wasn't at home. Can you imagine?

I just wish fans would focus more on this very grave reality instead.

[starstruck-sillies]

Could you provide a list of reasons why you believe "system" should be exclusive to CDD collectives? Something like, whatever the first thing is that comes to mind, if it hypothetically wasn't the case, what would your next reason be, repeat until you'd have no reasons for CDD-exclusive "system"

Sure thing! Here's a list of our reasons! 1. Calling yourself a system when you don't have a CDD is pretty much inherently comparing yourself to pwCDDs, insisting that whatever you're experiencing is "just like us" 2. Saying systems can exist outside of CDDs is honestly watering down the meaning of it. Our alters are completely intertwined with our disorder, it's impossible for us to separate them because they're a symptom, one that's constantly being affected by our other symptoms and the disorder as a whole. Sure, it affects our identity, but it's so so so much more than that, it's our symptoms, it's our trauma, it's our life being turned and twisted in all directions constantly. So hearing people say that they can exist in a vacuum in the same capacity as a CDD and calling it an identity is infuriating, to say the least. 3. Having tons of people claiming to be systems when they don't have a CDD and pretty much demanding to be let in to CDD spaces is, at best, obnoxious and irritating, and at worst outright harmful. These are spaces meant for people who have a specific disorder, one that makes them vulnerable, and having people come in that don't have it and insisting they're the same, making a ton of things up, and just generally confusing and stressing out the people there is really fuckin awful 4. While there have been quite a few systems with CDDs that have benefitted from mixed origin spaces, there are also plenty that have actively been harmed by these spaces, been left confused and disoriented, people that go years without knowing important thing about systems, etc. And there have been plenty (us included) that have benefitted greatly from being in anti-endo spaces. We learned so many things about ourselves that has helped us so much, we've found amazing communities with great people, and we've just been helped so much by it, far more than I think we would've from mixed-origin spaces. Obviously this isn't to erase the experiences of those who have benefitted from mixed-origin spaces, if you have that's awesome, and I'm glad it has, but you also can't just ignore the people who were hurt by these spaces either, their experiences are just as real and valid. 5. There's also the problem of rampant misinformation. Not to say that pro-endos only misinform, and don't give out any useful info at all, or that anti-endos aren't also doing it, but I've noticed this a lot in pro-endo spaces. People saying that there shouldn't be any CDD diagnoses, people insisting that system hopping is real, that any trauma survivors (Even those without CDDs) do belong in CDD spaces, the list goes on. I'm aware that not every pro-endo believes these things, and that it's only one part of the community and not the whole, but it's worth pointing out that yall are no better about misinformation. 6. Adding on to a few points, there are many people in endo spaces that try to convince younger people with CDDs who aren't as aware that they're actually endo in some way. Typically pointing out something they're experiencing and going "Oh nonono that's not a CDD thing that's a tulpa thing" or some other endo label. I have seen this quite a bit, many horror stories of people having their experiences brushed over and labeled as endo when it very much isn't. Yes, there are many anti-endo spaces that are extremely gatekeepy, and those spaces are awful, the anti-endo side of things definitely needs a lot of work, but I wanted to point out that this wasn't an uncommon experience people have had in endo spaces.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head, will likely add onto this if I think of something else lol. Feel free to add your own points to this, I'd love to hear some other antis reasons! -Milkyway

[whiskeythefishski]

hi i am very curious about everyone’s roommate situations in ur college au and honestly just any other cool n random bits of info you have bc im so excited for it lol

i actually finally watched Nerdy Prudes Must Die(its been in my ‘watch later’ playlist on youtube) because of this au!! im personally craving more spommy content in general but im also a sucker for like college/highschool aus bc im currently that age and ig its something i can actually imagine/understand 😁😁

Omg hello! I'm so, SO glad to hear that you're enjoying this story so much! It's easily the most self indulgent thing I've ever written, so the fact that other people are resonating with it means a lot! Also - congrats on finishing NPMD! I loved it so much (if you couldn't tell, haha), I hope you did too! And don't worry - this AU has plenty of Spommy moments coming up! :D

Roommate situations:

Trevor has a roommate, but they aren't a character in the story so I haven't thought about who they are too much. They share a traditional college double. Trevor has the top bunk. He just transferred in for the spring semester, so he hasn't made many friends yet.

Arasha, Angela, and Chanse have a little college apartment with a common room and a shared bathroom. Arasha and Angela share a room and Chanse has his own.

Erin and Heidi share a double.

Spencer and Alex Tran share a double. Tommy and Kiana both have singles in the same hallway/floor as Spencer and Alex.

Kimmy and Jackie live together off-campus. They rent a small 2-bedroom house cheaply from Kimmy's aunt.

All of the seniors in the story - Shayne, Courtney, Damien, Olivia, and Keith - share a college apartment with a common room and a full kitchen. Shayne and Damien share a room, Court and Olivia share a room, and Keith has his own room.

Amanda and Sarah weren't roommates when they were in school, but they were friends and probably had a lot of sleepovers.

And finally, when Ian and Anthony were in school, they were roommates all four years! (oh my god, they were roommates)

Other tidbits:

Before he transferred, Trev did a year at a culinary school. He also went to a high school that offered a culinary program.

Trevor is shown on his phone a lot in this AU because he's texting his friends from his old school. One of them is Josh (as in Mythical Chef Josh), who was childhood friends with Shayne. Josh asked Shayne to look out for Trevor, and Shayne is happy to do so!

Arasha skipped a grade in elementary school, so even though she's a sophomore, she's about Trevor's age.

On the other hand, Spencer and Damien both took a gap year, so they're a little older than their counterparts in the same year.

Chanse, Angela, and Arasha have weekly wine and movie nights, where each of them brings a bottle of wine to try and they pick a show or movie to watch in their PJs.

Kimmy and Jackie have parties fairly frequently, probably about once a month. I think nearly everyone in the cast has probably spent the night there at least once.

Spencer is one of the only ones with a car on campus, so he often finds himself carting his friends to the grocery store, pharmacy, etc. Sometimes he and Tommy go on late night drives when Tommy's feeling overwhelmed.

That's all I've got for now! In the next few chapters there will be POVs from more cast members, so we'll get to see into their heads a little more :) I hope you enjoy! And thank you so much for the ask! :D

[eclipse-ofthe-sun]

heres info about my weird hw link modern au in my head because everything i have for a modern hw link is absurd and hilarious to me and its been cooking for several months now and i wonder if anyone else will enjoy it

this is a modern with magic au but not in the everyone is a cool wizard and society is epic way but in the. kinda shitty and not everyone cares about it because its normal and there's laws restricting it so doing wizard shit is kinda just the equivalent of how society works around various substances, is the best way i can put it. some magic is completely normal and commonplace and never thought about as such and others are illegal and people do it anyway and its cool or not cool depending on the circles youre in or how you're doing it. its politics. its annoying teens messing about. its boring.

so. link does history and magical law at university. he's a couple years late to uni, had to get a shitty job and survive for a few years before he could actually pursue an education, and he's learning about legislation of various magics in the present and throughout history, one part as a genuine interest, and another part bec he knew a kid (sprout, mm link) that he tried to take care of in those days of working a shitty low income job (he's the manager of that place now. better pay still shit) that suddenly just fell off the face of the earth and he's pretty sure that time travel magic was involved but that means if he wants to get around the insane time travel laws and the Committee of the Guardians of Time to find his kid again he needs to understand how and that's where the research via his uni comes in. he also doesn't know actual magic himself so he needs to find someone he can trust enough to help him with this.

the other main thing is that on top of working a full time job and doing uni full time he's also a twitch streamer. which i know sounds absurd at first but 1) i think he'd be really good at war and strategy games and could get really into doing challenge runs of games you wouldn't expect to have a big scene of that sorta stuff and have a lot of fun with it and 2) being a streamer/youtuber is a surprisingly good modern translation of the 'sorta famous guy that is liked by many but also has haters that get intense with it for no goddamn reason and also has a weird stalker' situation he's in in canon. he doesn't use a facecam all the time he's streaming he also has a pngtuber that Ravio made him (they met in uni randomly one day, Ravio does art and product design) and the text to speech function of chat messages goes through a little widget on his stream that looks like proxi. bec its the chat proxy.

theres a linksmeet aspect to this where i put my favourite links in with my headcanons for their modern vibes but ill save that for another post. what its relevant for here is that somewhere along the lines link managed to snag a needs tlc house for cheap as hell rent and and made a deal with the landlord to eventually buy it from the guy at a discount if he fixes it up himself and when he put out a roommate post along with his friend from uni who happens to also be called link (albw link) (shes nicknamed mage, the person he thinks could potentially help with his time travel issue but they haven't gotten to that yet) apparently every funnyman also named link in the city decided to apply and now there's six of them all in one house. hw link is the only one with a car. he becomes taxi whenever he's free. he's very tired.

anyway yeah thats my cringe little modern au link is overworked and good at videogames and is trying to break the law on an extreme scale to try to see his kid again but nobody knows it yet they just think he's a chronic overworker because he doesn't have the money for therapy which isn't entirely incorrect but he really just hates his service job and wants to stop getting weird dms. yeah. 👍

[raayllum]

I know you like to analyze thematically in TDP a lot and you write top down the same way, so I’m curious, what are some of the themes/motifs in your upcoming novels? and do any of them coincide with TDP?

(GASP you get a gold star oh my god thank you!! and i will try to not make this too Long but i'm very excited!!)

Basic premise for ppl who have never heard of my novels before:

Latest generation of a reincarnated group of chosen ones have to grow up in a world of increasing violence and political instability that they're supposed to fix while also facing their own choices and demons. The main character, Ally, starts off as an 'unchosen one' — she lost her powers as a young child and has been trying to get them back, which kinda makes her resent her chosen one friends just as much as she loves them. The other two co-leads are her twin sister, a former child soldier with death powers she doesn't want, and her friend / one sided rival, a draconic-powered prodigy looking for redemption and to escape her past.

The funny thing is that when I was writing out my series (2014-2017 has all the pieces we currently have, though things have ofc been finessed since then) only ATLA existed as an inspiration point, which was, "How do you always know the Avatar is going to be a good person (and what if you didn't? What if they weren't)?" + "what if there was more than one running around?"

The rest was all from my head. There's a mystical magical heart broken into pieces. A continent divided in two with a long history of war. Characters anchored to the idea of Autonomy who then go through a loss of powers arc (hi Callum s2) and then brainwashing/possession arc (hi arc 2 Callum) that was probably by far the funniest coincidence. Circles and cycles and children and choices. The fact that these all just also found their way into TDP shows just how much it feels like the show was Made For Me in the best way creatively, and one of the reasons I think I've found TDP so personally rewarding to analyze—happy coincidences all around.

There's other coming-of-age themes of course that are shared between the two—grief, identity, friendship—but being prose I get to lean more into religious and political worldbuilding in much more detail.

I think my novel(s) are also more grey and angsty (especially later on) than TDP was at the start, too. A good chunk of my protagonists don't have any moral reservations about assassinations or killing/torturing people push come to shove while also still wanting and trying to be Good People, but that just makes the ethical dilemmas more interesting to explore. That said, everything is ultimately more Hopepunk, I just prefer to never pull punches on the way there

Motifs I like to use:

a tarot inspired in-universe version of chess for foreshadowing purposes

stage motif (who are you when you're performing for everyone around you / constantly fronting?)

birds / ravens

wolves

knives

eyes / the ouroboros (snake eating its own tail)

Themes: gods vs monsters (vs humanity), complex family and friend dynamics, living vs survival, grief and cycles, loss of sense of self, idolization and scapegoating as two sides of dehumanization, etc.

I also wanted to have unique power sets (Moon is one of my favourites with leaning into shadow magic and being able to make things temporarily out of moonlight, or Life not just being all fuzzy plants and animals and showing more of the well, brutality of being alive).

People have said my main protag is basically if Claudia and Rayla were the same person and yeah that's a fair assessment, Unfortunately for her.

I feel like I blabbed enough here but if you want more info on writing things from a top-down approach / what it's like to build from theme first I'd love to talk about it more in relation to TDP (and also my books, mayhaps!)