#spring training 2018

[mostlysignssomeportents]

The Immortal Choir Holds Every Voice

I'm in the home stretch of my 20+ city book tour for my new novel PICKS AND SHOVELS. Catch me in PDX THIS FRIDAY (June 20) at BARNES AND NOBLE with BUNNIE HUANG and at the TUALATIN public library on SUNDAY (June 22). After that, it's LONDON (July 1) with TRASHFUTURE'S RILEY QUINN and then a big finish in MANCHESTER on July 2.

Margaret Killjoy writes fantasy stories of relentless tension, boundless wonder, thrilling adventure…and completely radical, unflinching anarchist politics. Her 2024 YA novel "The Sapling Cage" is a queer coming-of-age epic that motors with all the narrative energy of a genderbent Conan epic:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/24/daughters-of-the-empty-throne/#witchy

Today, Strangers In a Tangled Wilderness Press publishes The Immortal Choir Holds Every Voice, a collection of three linked short stories set in Killjoy's celebrated Danielle Cain series, which Alan Moore called "ideal reading for a post-truth world":

https://www.tangledwilderness.org/shop/p/the-immortal-choir-holds-every-voice

Danielle Cain is a freight-train-hopping, anarcho-queer hero whose adventures are shared by solidaristic crews of spellcasting, cryptid-battling crustypunk freaks and street-fighters. In Immortal Choir, the action opens with Danielle and a motley band around a campfire in a dark Idaho woods, surrounded by the night-screams of some distant demonic presence. It's Samhain, and the veil between the realm of the living and the dead is as thin as it gets. Bad things are stalking the night.

To save themselves, they must court their own dead, welcoming them to their circle. They pile a camp-plate high with food for the dead to eat, build the fire up, and begin the tell the stories of their dead comrades, summoning them as a defense against the monstrous forces that stalk the All Saints night. This is the setup for the three linked short stories that make up this short book.

This is a great setup: a group of endangered comrades, huddled together against the darkness without, telling tales to buoy up their bravery. It's the framing device that makes The Decameron an enduring classic after 800 years and counting. In Killjoy's hands, it sings.

The first story is "The Troll King's Court," a ghost story about a Norwegian troll cult that came to America in a failed Manhattan-Adjacent Project to create a mystical superweapon with which to win WWII. It's ultimately a story about how the competent people who have their shit together in our lives are just as broken as the rest of us, and about the many ways that release, fulfillment and actualization can take place. It's spooky as fuck.

The middle story is "The Fairies of the Spring," which summons up the old, mean roots of the Fair Folk, the cruelty behind their beauty and merry laughter. Pratchett did one of these (Lords and Ladies), and so have many others – but no one's done it where the resistance comes from a motley band of queer punk club-owners in a rural town, who team up with local shitkickers to hunt the elves and banish them to their realm.

The final tale is "The Battle of Miami," a story about a streetfighting anti-globalist battle. It's a tale of Black Bloc tactics and true queer love, that lights up with joy.

Killjoy's really onto something with this series. She's tapping into the deep roots of fantasy – maybe the socialist parables woven into William Morris's stories. She's also connecting with the roots of urban fantasy (I was delighted to see a reference to Terri Windling's superb, absolutely amazing Borderland series).

These three tales stand alone, so there's no need to read the previous volumes before diving into this one. But you should read the other two, because they're great:

The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion (2017):

https://reactormag.com/excerpts-margaret-killjoy-the-lamb-will-slaughter-the-lion/

The Barrow Will Send What It May: (2018):

https://reactormag.com/excerpts-the-barrow-will-send-what-it-may-margaret-killjoy/

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/06/18/anarcho-cryptid/#decameron-and-on

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

Kool & the Gang - Too Hot 1980

"Too Hot" is a song recorded by the American R&B, soul, and funk group Kool & the Gang for their eleventh studio album, and first Platinum-selling album, Ladies' Night (1979). The Gold certified single reached #5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on Billboard's R&B survey in the spring of 1980.

Kool & the Gang have won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and, in 2006, a Music Business Association Chairman's Award for artistic achievement. The group has been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame and been given a MOBO Award for Outstanding Achievement, the Soul Train Legend Award, the Marian Anderson Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well. In 2007, the group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. During 2018, the Bells, Brown, and Taylor were also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the group were selected as inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. Their discography includes 23 studio albums and almost 70 singles.

"Too Hot" received a total of 55,8% yes votes.

[sashayed]

I Knew I Loved You When You Showed Me Your Minecraft World

It wasn’t the upside-down crosses in your mansion or even the lone, giant cigarette burning in the sky. You walked me around and I watched the back of your head suddenly overcome by the feeling of knowing I was beyond what could be recovered from the dark pixels of the forest vibrating in a virtual wind distant panpipe music blowing through your speakers It’s not that I didn’t love you before it is just – there are some things which cannot be said and some feelings which, if articulated too early and forced towards the surface go blind & it’s better to hold them off, or wait them out & never say their name aloud until the pressure of what is unspoken becomes impossible to hold back and articulates itself within the body like mice, running wild through a field of burning grass. The train disappears underground and comes back up again The cigarette distributes its vague cancers into the sky Outside the sky is firing navy shadows like a T-shirt gun And spring is on the wind like wifi ​ When I was miserable you came and showed me card tricks When the moon was full we pissed into the bushes like animals I watch you sleep, like a security guard looking at a famous painting with a searchlight walk me to the graveyard on the edge of your map nothing must hurt you, not even me

Hera Lindsay Bird Pamper Me to Hell and Back, 2018

[anyab]

Via NasAlSudan

Learn about the Sudanese revolution, the significance of December 19, and a legacy of resistance and resilience.

Join our call to action today and everyday during Sudan Action Week.

December 19 2023

Transcript:

Breaking it down

What is the Sudanese Revolution?

The Sudanese Revolution refers to the popular uprising in Sudan that began on December 19, 2018 and eventually deposed 30-year dictator of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, on April 11 of 2019.

How did the Revolution begin?

Protests first began in Atbara, a city with historical significance to the labor movement in Sudan, in response to the rising costs of basic supplies such as bread and fuel.

Protestors set fire to the national party headquarters, and the news of their revolt quickly spread, inspiring protestors first in other cities, and then in the capital of Khartoum itself.

Online, the caption #TasgutBas, translating to #JustFall, grew in popularity and helped connect the diaspora to those in Sudan.

Was it really just bread?

No. The rising cost of bread in developing nations is an indicator of how badly the economy is strained, to the point where it impacts members of every social class.

At this point in time in Sudan, subsidies on essential goods had been rolled back, funding for social and state services such as healthcare and education was nearly nonexistent, and it is estimated that nearly 90% of economic activity took place in the informal sector, all while the military budget continually increased.

Transcript:

Who led the charge? Creating a revolution

Group: Sudanese Professional's association (SPA)

Who they are:

Group of labor and trade organizations formed in secret in 2012 and publicly declared in 2016

Backbone of grassroots organizing in Sudan

Role played:

Led action on the street, organized national protests, like the initial march on Khartoum for increased wages before the transition to calls for regime change, and worker strikes.

Group: Local Resistance Committees (LRCS)

Who they are:

Initially formed as groups of students and youth organized together on the more local, neighbourhood basis during the Bashir era

Membership is extremely diverse across socio-economic, ethnic, tribal, religious, and political lines

Role played:

Considered the lifeblood of the revolution, with youth organizing local protests and ensuring safety against governmental repression by standing on the front lines + providing security, food, water, and medication to people

Group: Forces for freedom and change (FFC)

Who they are:

Coalition comprising the SPA, LRCS, the Sudan Revolutionary Front (group of anti-governmental Darfur militias), political parties, and civil society groups

Role played:

Essentially became the political mouthpiece of the revolution and signed onto the transitional government with the military on behalf of Sudanese civilians

It is also crucial to note that from a demographic perspective, it is youth and women that largely led and comprised the Sudanese Revolution.

Trabscript:

How did the revolution succeed?

01. Learning from the Past

Following the Arab Spring wave, Sudan also attempted a revolution in September of 2013

Civilians faced violent crackdowns within the first three days of protest. 200 killed, 800+ arrested

Activists were deterred from mobilization + felt a lot of guilt at the massive loss of life and spent the next 5 years grounding themselves in the study of nonviolent theory and action

02. Building a Movement

Coalition Building and People Power

Diversification of the reach of the movement to make sure all sectors of Sudani society were represented

Decentralization of Activism

Past revolutions in 1964 and 1985 were concentrated in the labor movement and educational elites in Khartoum

This time, experienced nonviolent activists trained those in the capital and ensured ethnic, religious, and tribal diversity

Newly trained activists then taught others locally across the Sudanese states

Transcript:

Why december 19?

On December 19, 1955, the Sudanese parliament unanimously adopted a declaration of independence from the Anglo-Egyptian colonial power.

The declaration went into effect on January 1, 1956, which is why Independence Day is officially January 1, but December 19 is when the Sudanese people were truly liberated from colonial rule.

The flag shown is Sudan's independence flag. The blue is for the Nile, the yellow for the Sahara, and the green for the farmlands.

The current Sudanese flag was adopted in 1970, with the colors used being the Pan-Arab ones.

During the 2019 revolution, protestors often carried the independence flag instead as a form of resistance to the narrative of an exclusive Pan-Arab Sudanese identity.

December 19 is ultimately a tribute to Sudanese strength and resilience. It honors our independence and revolutionary martyrs - not just those of the 2019 revolution, but the democratic revolutions of 1964 and 1985 as well.

Transcript:

Why is the revolution ongoing?

The goal was never just the fall of a dictator. The goal was, and is, to build a better Sudan, one free from military rule. One with equal opportunities for everyone, with economic prosperity and safety and security - the key principles of freedom, peace, and justice that the revolution called for.

Today, though, before we rebuild Sudan, before we free it from foreign interests and military rule and sectarianism, we need to save it. Each day that passes by with war waging on is one where more civilians are killed. More people are displaced. More women are raped. More children go hungry. To live in the conflict zones in Sudan right now - whether that be Khartoum, Darfur, Kordofan, or now, Al Gezira, is to be trapped in a never-ending nightmare, a fight for survival. And to live elsewhere in Sudan is to wonder whether you're next.

Sudan Action Week calls on you to educate yourself and others about Sudan, and then to help the Sudanese people save it, because we can no longer do it alone.

Transcript:

What can you do? Uniting for Al Gezira and North Darfur

As we witness the unfolding events in Al Gezira and North Darfur, the communities of Abu Haraz, Hantoub, Medani, El Fasher, and many others are reaching out for assistance. Sudanese resilience persists to this day, with individuals on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok seeking and providing guidance on transportation services, medical care, food, shelter, protection, safe zones, operational markets, and more. This isn't new for the Sudanese community. A legacy of unity emerged, notably during the 2019 revolutions, where nas al Sudan [the people of Sudan], both within the nation and in the diaspora, rallied together to support each other online. Beyond merely sharing stories on social media, this was about strengthening collective action, enhancing mobilizations, and building a resilient community rooted in solidarity. The essence of the Sudanese community lies in people supporting people, notably during the uprising in 2018 and following the events of April 15th, 2023

Swipe to see how you can help.

Transcript:

What can you do?

This week, on a day nearly mirroring Sudanese Independence and the popular 2018 uprising, Sudanese resilience endures as war follows nas al Sudan to Al Gezira and again in North Darfur. Our call to action this week is not just to share; it's a collective effort to uplift one another.

Share Resources:

If you have access to resources that can help such as transportation services, medical assistance, food, shelter, etc., please comment below.

Community Requests:

If you are in Al Gezira or North Darfur and require specific support, please comment on your needs

Connect Individuals:

For those unable to share resources directly, help amplify requests by sharing this information within your personal networks. Your connection may lead to support from individuals who can assist.

Spread the Word:

Share this call to action on your social media platforms to broaden the reach and encourage more people to contribute.

Transcript:

Hanabniho

حنبنيهوا

[We will rebuild]

#keepEyesOnSudan

#SudanActionWeek

[mybeingthere]

Baikai Sōshun (Plum Blossom in Early Spring) by Youna Ichikawa, Bamboo.

Ichikawa Youna was born in 1988 in Ibaraki Prefecture in Kanto.

Joining the TANABE studio in 2018 after initial training at the Oita Bamboo Crafts Training Center.

“I love solitary loop braiding and feel the cosmic order in this practice. I wanted to express that this world here and now is the Universe,” the artist explains.

[rafayelslittlestar]

After Wisteria Waltz

~*~ a/n: omg hi okay i haven't written fan fiction since like 2018??? but i was really inspired by the wisteria waltz card (rafayel my beloved) and i was uh...going through it...so here's nothing but smut! it's filthy so be warned

MDNI!!! if you continue to read this under the cut, it is your responsibility warnings and other notes: SMUT, there is no plot, takes place right after the cut off from the kindled so if you want more context i would seek that out, dom!rafayel, edging, teasing, dumbification, aftercare !!!, unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it), rafa is controlling, there is a safe word mention (not used), not proofread (im lazy), i think that covers it

The smell of the flowers and the fresh grass overwhelm your senses as it mixes with Rafayel’s oceanic cologne. You can feel yourself heating up the more he kisses you, the more he lets out small groans and whimpers. You gently put a hand on his chest, the necklaces tickling your fingertips. 

“Wait, Rafa-” He steals another kiss as he moves to be on top of you. 

“Yes, my little conch shell?” He has that look in his eyes again. That love drunk and will bend-to-your-will look. 

“S-should we go home first?” You stammer as his lips work on your jaw and neck, not wanting to interrupt what you had to say. 

Rafayel chuckles softly. “Why should we, cutie? Scared someone’s going to decide to come to this nearly abandoned place?” He pauses for a moment to get a clear answer. You bite your lip and nod slowly. 

He sits up against the tree and pulls you into his lap. “Well, considering the fact that we just fixed the train and I haven’t seen any posts about it being open,” His eyes keep wandering around your face, trying so hard to not push your boundaries. “I think we’d be pretty safe.” 

You bury your face in his neck as your face flushes. Rafayel’s arms wrap around you in a tight embrace, letting the wind accompany your thoughts. “You’re right, we would be fi-” before you can finish your sentence, his lips are devouring yours again. 

“Trust me, princess.” His voice shakes and whines. 

“I trust you.” You gasp between long, greedy kisses.

His hands start wandering up your dress, massaging your plush thighs. The breeze sends a shiver up your spine, forcing you closer into him. Your hips brushing against his leaves his mouth agape with a soft moan. 

You grip onto his shirt tightly as he starts down your neck again, muttering praises to you. “I will never leave you.” When he reaches your shoulder, he moves the dress sleeve out of the way and bites down causing you to squeal and squirm. 

“Raf…” You whine softly, tangling your fingers in his hair. “I love you.” 

Releasing your skin with a pop, he brings himself back to look at you, drooling. “I love you, too, cutie.” His cheeks flushed and eyes hazy. 

Rafayel’s hands grip your hips and force you to move slowly against his clothed erection, earning a moan from you both. 

The more you kiss and grind on him the more desperate you both become. “Please, please, please.” You whine into his ear, gently biting his lobe. 

“Please, what, hm?” Rafayel’s purr ignites a fire in the pit of your stomach. “What does my beloved so badly need?” He makes a makeshift ponytail to pull you back to look at him. 

Your head is already spinning, whether it’s from him, the aroma of the flowers mixed with sweat and spring, or from the fact that you’re in such a need for him, is unknown to you, but he’s already laying you back down on the grass, keeping his hand behind your head until you land. 

As he moves on top of you, you start unbuttoning his shirt, swearing as your shaky hands let go. He chuckles at you and helps you with one hand still holding himself up. When Rafayel shakes the shirt off, you yank him down by his necklaces. His wide, bambi, eyes make you giggle before you pull yourself closer to his ear. “Don’t hold back.” Your taunt makes him groan as he’s fussing with your panties.

“What makes you think I was going to any way?” You shiver feeling the cool breeze run up under your dress, making you fumble the button on his pants. Rafayel chuckles at you. “I know we’re both eager, but, you don’t have to move so fast you can’t think, darling.” 

You pout at him before yanking down his pants and boxers. “I can think just fine, even if all I can think about is you inside me.” You thought his face couldn’t get anymore flushed. 

He teases you by rubbing his cock against you, smirking when you whine and push into his touch. Grabbing your hips, he holds you up. “Be a good girl and stay like this for me, hm?” You nod frantically, even though you wanted him to just ruin you without any second thought.

Rafayel grabs a pillow from your picnic set up to slide under the small of your back before gently placing your hips on it. “Comfy, honey?” He brushes the hair out of your eyes. “Don’t forget our safe word.”

You nod. “Safe word is red.”

He gives you a soft smile while helping you adjust. He focuses on the upper half of you again, lips dancing across your collarbones as he moves your dress down low enough to free your chest. The closer he gets to your nipples, the harder your grip on his hair is. “Rafayel, please.” You whimper, trying to move your hips to meet his. 

He lets out a soft hiss when you come into contact with him. “Since you asked so nicely, cutie, I suppose I can hurry up.” He sits back on his knees briefly to take in the sight of you. Cheeks flushed, hair becoming messy, the marks he left earlier already bruising. “You’re a masterpiece.” He scoots closer and teases you with his tip. “My masterpiece.” When he leans back over top of you, he slowly pushes himself in. 

You gasp and immediately wrap your arms around him, digging your nails into his back. The air leaves your lungs as he drags himself out painfully slow before plunging back in. Keeping himself propped up with one arm, he uses his free hand to grab your jaw, making you look at him. His eyes are darkened with lust, but still sparkle with love and passion. “Eyes on me, love.” His voice has become raspy and breathless. You fight to keep your eyes open, panting with every stroke, drool slowly pooling in the corner of your mouth. 

Rafayel dips his head down and kisses the corner of your mouth. “Such a messy, girl.” You couldn’t even retaliate like you usually would, your mind so focused on his cock filling you up at the devastatingly sluggish pace he started with. He knew this would melt your mind into a dumbified state and he knew how much you loved it. 

You could tell he was starting to get antsy. “Use your words, my pretty little pearl.” His smirk tells you all you need to know. He wanted you to beg for him, need him, plea for him. “I know you want more than this.” He gasps softly, feeling you clench around him. “I can feel it, princess, you don’t want to let me go.” 

You whimper and sputter at his words, moving your hands to rest on his chest to try and ground yourself. You’re dizzy and all you can think of is Rafayel. 

Rafayel, Rafayel, Rafayel. 

“Please, I need more of you.” You’re breathless, gasping like you’ve been stuck underwater. 

He grabs one of your hands and gently bites your palm. “Good girl.” You inhale sharply as you feel his pace quicken and his lips travel up your arm. You use your other hand still on his chest to grab the necklaces chiming against him to drag him to you again. 

Rafayel becomes greedy. Kisses become harsh, sloppy, and intense. Your vision is becoming hazy, tunneling in on his flushed and fucked out face. Babbling is all you can do as you grab at him, clawing and marking his pale flesh. 

You can feel every inch of him, pounding into you. Greed, lust, hunger. Losing himself in you like he’s never devoured your body before. 

His words become whines, losing his dominating tone. “Is my honey close, huh?” You nod frantically, tears threatening to spill. Through your clouded vision, you see a mischievous look dance across his face.

“D-don’t stop, ple-ease.” You sob, knowing what his idea is.

On cue, Rafayel pulls himself out of you, making you cry out in frustration. “No, no, my little starfish. You don’t get to have a say.” He cups your face and covers you in tender kisses, helping you calm down. “This place is too beautiful to not be here for hours, swallowing you whole, making you squirm,” he pauses and kisses your tears away. “Making you scream,” he cups your jaw and pushes your face to the side. “The wisteria is going to remember this moment for years to come, cutie.” He giggles and licks up your neck. 

You whine in protest at him, but he knows that’s exactly what you want. You want him to control you, to ruin you, to own you. You dominate him in every aspect of his life, especially being his bodyguard, but this is where you shows you who’s really in charge. 

Moving the pillow from under your hips, he gently pushes it under your head as he turns you over. “Do your knees hurt at all like this, princess?”

“N-no.” Your head is still reeling, your voice weak. 

Rafayel hums softly as he traces your body with his hands, resting on your ass. Gently massaging you as he guides himself back into you. A loud moan escapes you and you dig your hands into the picnic blanket. 

“Still so soaked for me, my little pearl.” He’s breaking already and you can feel it as his hips stutter in you. 

“Please, please, please.” You squeeze your eyes shut as you feel him start at that ruinously slow pace again. “I can’t take it, please.” 

His low grumbles weren’t meant to be heard. “Darlin’ neither can I.” He curves himself over you holding your wrists down. “Do you want me to ruin you like this?” He thrusts hard and deep, making you flinch forward slightly. “Just like this, huh?” Rafayel’s taunts make you almost scream in frustration. “Don’t be mean to me, cutie, you know I control you.” 

Before you can spit another word, his hips are hammering into you. Both of you become whining messes, almost drowning out the squelches and skin slapping. “I l-lo-” You can’t even say it. Stars block your vision forcing your eyes shut. 

He laughs between moans. “Uh-huh? Who do you love, honey?” He purrs close to your ear, peppering you with kisses to keep you on this planet. The easiest sentence “I love you” was difficult to sputter between his brutal pace and the saliva pooling out of your mouth onto the pillow. “I love you, too.” His voice is gravely and low. 

Begs and pleads leave your lips as you feel your climax approaching again. You try to turn your head to look at Rafayel, desperately needing your lover's lips on yours. Noticing your weak attempt, he shifts his weight to look at you. You finally see his beautifully flushed face in front of you through the tears. 

“D’ya wanna cum, sweetheart?” His voice is sickly sweet, finally breaking down to the desperate man you’re used to. 

“Yes, please!” You practically scream. “I’m begging.” 

He pants heavily as he gives you a passionate kiss. “Who am I?” 

Your eyes roll back, trying to hold on to your last bit of sanity. He’s never asked this question before. You whimper, unsure of what to say.

When he repeats himself as he sneaks a hand down to hover over your clit, you spit out the first thing you could think of. “A god.” 

He groans and rubs your sensitive nub in small quick circles. “Cum for your god, my beloved bride.” 

Your orgasm crashes into you, leaving you breathless and unbelievably loud. His name spills off your lips in a mantra as you squirm and convulse under him. 

Rafayel wraps his arms around your waist as he pulls you up against his chest, resting his chin on your shoulder. His pace becomes slow and rough as he bucks up into you. His hold on you stays tight as you feel him feel you up. His gasps and sloppy kisses on your neck are music to your ears as he comes down from his high. 

Your ears are ringing as you grab his arms. You feel weak, but so relieved and satisfied. 

“Are you okay?” Rafayel’s soft voice breaks through your clouded thoughts. “Was it too much, cutie?” 

You shake your head gently. “Not…too much. ‘M okay.” Your voice is barely above a whisper. 

He nuzzles his nose into your neck and chuckles. “Good.” 

Once both of you catch your breath, he gently pulls out of you. You hiss softly. “S-shit.” He picks you up to move you to lay on your back. 

You see his brain working as he looks around. A soft melody leaves his lips as he digs through the bag you brought. “Ah-ha.” He looks at you through his lavender hair. “Lemme clean you up.” Before you could agree, he’s already gently pushing your legs a part. 

He gives gentle kisses to your knees and thighs as he uses the small blanket to wipe you down. “I didn’t think I’d have to prepare for something like this, so I’m sorry this might not feel the best.” His voice has a hint of guilt. 

You prop yourself up on your elbows to get a better look at him. “It’s okay, my love.” His cheeks flush at the name. “It feels just fine.” You give him a gentle smile. 

When he’s finished, he starts to button up his pants, but you stop him. His eyes flashed to you. “Darling, there’s no way you want more after that, look at you.” He teases and smirks. 

“Nooo.” You giggle and start buttoning his pants for him. “I just wanted to ‘clean’ you up too.” Grabbing his shirt, you drape it over his shoulders while he picks up your panties. 

“These are cuuute.” He grins. “You were planning to get frisky weren’t you? That’s the only time you wear ones like this.” He dangles them in front of your face. 

Your cheeks burn. “Yeah, but not until we got home.” You pout at him, crossing your arms. 

He laughs. “How can I wait to get home when you look this good?” He eyes you before gracefully putting them back on you.

You sit up the rest of the way and wrap your arms around him in a tight embrace. “I love you, Rafayel.” You whisper gently into his neck. 

His heart beat thumps through your ears. “I love you, too, my little pearl.”

[acourtofthought]

Credit goes to @acourtdelaluna as she was the one to draw this conclusion. I just loved it so much I asked if I could create a post!

Sarah J Maas 2024: ""Azriel is someone I'm going to be exploring more."

Sarah J Maas 2021: "Because I know this is where I wanted things to go, it allowed me to plant things for Nesta's journey and even Elain's journey early on."

Sarah J Maas 2018: "When spring came, I was heavily pregnant - so I was really nesting - and we realized that the garden beds were pretty overgrown with ivy. There was literally ivy everywhere: in the garden beds, wrapped around the trees, crawling up the sides of the house. So I went into this obsessive, I-need-to-rip-out-every-last-strand-of-ivy-before-I-have-this-baby mode. And I remember the entire time I was ripping out the ivy, and trying to get some semblance of order into the garden beds, I just slipped into Elain's head. Elain is a gardener, and everything I did during those weeks became research for her book. I'm not even joking, Elain's now going to have dreams about ripping ivy out and the ivy creeping in through the windows to strangle her at night, because let me tell you, that ivy does not want to let go"

In 2021 (after the release of SF) Sarah did mention being excited to write Az's journey but never once mentioned laying crumbs for him in ACOMAF, ACOWAR, or even the novella, never once mentioned that she knew early on where she wanted his character to go. If we look back on the trilogy and the novella, we also don't find that Sarah set him up for anything plot related whereas we saw Cassian's desire to train Nesta in ACOWAR, his visit to Ramiel and meeting Emerie in ACOFAS, his desire to see female Illyrian's training. Instead she's spoken of Az's journey as if it's a more recent development since SF and the crossover and that makes sense when Az's plots finally seem to be established as of HOFAS (time travel related things / his connection to TT and Enalius).

If E/riel was always endgame then why would Sarah suddenly talk of exploring Azriel's character ONLY with the release of SF and HOFAS? To state in 2024 that Az will be someone she'll explore more in the future? If E/riel was endgame, shouldn't she have already explored his character alongside Elain's? Already been excited back in 2016 / 2017 for where she was going with him? She's clearly got no issues discussing that she'll be focusing on him at some point so why did she never bring his journey up before the release of SF?

One could argue that Sarah didn't often speak about Cassian's future journey but we still saw the direction she was taking him in the novella, we already knew he had feelings for Nesta in ACOMAF and ACOWAR when he was trying to reach his hand out to her while she was in the Cauldron, where Feyre noted him looking at Nesta with longing. Compare that to how Sarah wrote Az holding Mor's hand and snarling at the King over Mor in ACOMAF? Compare that to how Sarah wrote Az still looking at Mor with heat and yearning in the novella? She didn't need to mention Cassian's journey when it was clear that his journey would be wherever Nesta was and she had already spoken about Nesta and Cassian as a thing in multiple interviews. But Sarah spoke of Elain's journey and then Az's journey. Meaning two separate journey's and she did not speak of their love interests (i.e., Lucien / Gwyn) in the same way she spoke of Nesta's journey but did not often speak directly of Cassian's journey (outside of the Twitter interview / vacation interview where Elain and Lucien were also mentioned).

Sarah doesn't only explore a characters future journey in their book, evidenced by the fact that she herself stated she planted hints for Nesta and Elain's journeys early on (so 2016 / 2017) yet neither sister had a POV at that point. If she knows the direction they're headed she lays those crumbs out well before then especially when it involves their love interest. If Az was always meant to be Elain's endgame then why wouldn't Sarah have explored his character alongside Elain's as she planted the seeds for Elain's journey? Why not lay out clues on how Az's journey will mirror that of Elain's the way she did Elain and Lucien in ACOWAR (Elain was the one with the visions of Vassa and Koschei and Sarah wrote Lucien as the one to go after Vassa, becoming friends with her and meeting Elain's father. Sarah doubled down on the Elucien parallels in SF what with Lucien being permanently stationed in Spring, with the Spring Court continuing to fall apart though the readers is reminded that the NC needs the Spring Courts army back in shape and with Nesta then thinking how the Spring Court had been made for someone like Elain). Why is she suddenly eager about Az's journey, talking about Az's journey only now if it's something she always knew about?

Also, there are no parallels in plot for Elain and Az even now, even after she talked about being excited for Az's journey. If Sarah always knew Az and Elain were going to end up together then why not explore his character in more detail back in ACOWAR? Why not connect Elain and Az's future plots back then? Why give Elain and Lucien the complimentary characteristics of being happiest in nature, her needing sunshine and revealing him as the heir to Day Court? Sorry, that became very long winded and rambling. To sum it all up, it's telling that Sarah is only now speaking excitedly about Az's future journey which seems to suggest she finally realized where she'll be going with his character. Compare that to how she knew early on where she wanted Elain's character to go and I think it's a sure sign that Az's journey and Elain's journey were never one in the same.

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - October 1-7

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my Dandelion Doodles on Patreon!

1. Arctic ozone reaches record high in positive step for climate

“Above-average ozone levels continued to persist through September 2024. This is significant as, previously, spring has been associated with ozone depletion[….] The March 2024 ozone average peaked at 477 Dobson units (DU), which is 6 DU higher than the previous record in March 1979 and 60 DU higher than the average for the study period (1979 to 2023).”

2. Why Massachusetts loves Nibi the beaver and [won the fight] to keep her out of the wild

“Nibi, now 2 years old, is roughly the age when wild beavers embark on their journey to find a mate and build a home. [… But] if Nibi is released in October, she would be ill-prepared for the winter[…. The governor has] issued a permit for Nibi to remain at a wildlife rescue as an educational beaver and inspire folks to protect our natural world."”

3. In Madagascar, Taniala Regenerative Camp aims to heal deforestation scars

“Residents of the villages around Lambokely manage the nursery and market garden crops. “Local communities receive training in agroecology and agroforestry, benefit from improved soil fertility, and earn additional income from intercropping in the agroforestry plots. In addition, community members are incentivized to participate in tree-planting activities.””

4. Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Breaks Ground on $6.4 Million Affordable Housing Project

“The project’s first phase will create three-bedroom homes designed for multiple purposes, including elderly housing, emergency shelter, and support for displaced and low-income Tribal citizens. These homes will be built to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, ensuring accessibility for all.”

5. Scientists say painting roofs this colour could save lives: How does it keep cities cool?

“[Researchers] found that cool, light-coloured roofs installed across all of London’s roofs could have cooled the city by around 0.8C [in 2018]. [… Solar panels] could have cooled the city by around 0.3C, preventing the deaths of 96 people [… while generating] more than half the energy [used by] London during the entire year of 2018.”

6. Travis County [TX] opens center to help keep people experiencing a mental health crisis out of jail

“The walk-in urgent care facility is open 24/7 and provides immediate support for people experiencing mental health crises. From there, some patients may be referred to a residential facility[… where] patients will be able to stay for up to 90 days[….] Jailed individuals may also work with their legal teams to coordinate admission to the facility.”

7. Spain’s first transgender soccer team makes debut in regional men’s league

“A soccer team consisting entirely of transgender men has[…] become the first all-trans squad to achieve federated status in Europe. […] Spain passed a pioneering trans rights bill last year designed to make it easier to change a person’s legal gender identity. […] Players may also choose to use a name that’s different from their legal one[….]”

8. Green Status of Species: Pushing Conservation Ambitions Beyond Preventing Extinction

“[… T]he Green Status of Species [is] a new part of Red List assessments that helps tell “a species’ full conservation story.” […] In addition to quantifying species recovery, the Green Status of Species […] will help to better inform future conservation actions by shedding light on which past actions have contributed most to species recovery.”

9. Hell froze over in Texas – the state will connect to the US grid for the first time via a fed grant

“[The projects will] boost grid reliability, lower energy costs, and support the clean energy transition. […] They’ll also generate nearly 9,000 jobs, supporting local economies[…. In particular, the Texas portion is] designed to prevent outages like the ones during Winter Storm Uri that hit Texas hard in 2021.”

10. Pine martens released to be reintroduced to Devon

“Work to release 15 pine martens into woods across Dartmoor has been completed[….] The eight females and seven males have all been fitted with a radio collars to allow their movements to be tracked. […] They were kept in soft-release pens for three days to get them used to their surroundings before being allowed to run wild, staff said.”

September 22-28 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[cv01doodle]

Kirby Light Novel Masterpost!

(latest update: 6/14/2025)

if you want to be added, just ask me in the replies!!! i’m open to adding multiple translations btw

(I’ve been planning to make my own list for a long time—this isn't intended to overshadow the one that's already out, it's just my personal list to keep track of the dates, translators, and upcoming/unfinished projects)

(i'm using the names from the wikirby btw tysm)

thanks to all the translators mentioned for their hard work 🙏 and thanks to the creator of the previous list as well! also thanks to takase-sensei for writing the novels lol

-2013-

Kirby and the Dangerous Gourmet Mansion?! translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

-2014-

Kirby and the Big Panic in Gloomy Woods! translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

Kirby Meets the Squeak Squad! translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

-2015-

Kirby: Meta Knight and the Puppet Princess translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

Kirby: Big Race in Pupupu Land! translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

-2016-

Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue! translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

Kirby and the Great Planet Robobot Adventure! translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

-2017-

Kirby: Meta Knight and the Galaxy's Greatest Warrior translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

Kirby Clash Team Unite! translated by makerofmadness (complete)

-2018-

Kirby's Decisive Battle! Battle Royale!! translated by makerofmadness (complete)

Kirby Star Allies: The Great Friend Adventure! translated by Mangosteen (complete)

Kirby Star Allies: The Universe is in Trouble?! translated by theultimateultimateweapon (complete)

-2019-

Kirby: Big Trouble in Patch Land! translated by rosakikoza (incomplete)

Kirby: Save the Rainbow Islands! translated by makerofmadness (complete)

Kirby: Super Team Kirby's Big Battle! translated by makerofmadness (complete)

-2020-

Kirby and the Search for the Dreamy Gears! translated by owls-gamblegalaxy (complete)

Kirby: Meta Knight and the Knight of Yomi translated by theultimateultimateweapon (complete)

Kirby: Uproar at the Kirby Café?! translated by hoshi-no-mahoroa (complete)

-2021-

Kirby Fighters: The Destined Rivals!! translated by owls-gamblegalaxy (complete)

Kirby: King Dedede's Great Escape Mission! translated by owls-gamblegalaxy (complete)

Kirby: The Mysterious Incident on the Pupupu Train?! translated by kachikirby (complete)

-2022-

Kirby: Welcome to the Starlight Theater! (untranslated)

Kirby: Lor Starcutter and a Magician of Falsehood translated by starcutter-and-lying-wizard (complete, deleted)

Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Start Running to the New World! translated by makerofmadness (incomplete)

Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Break Out of the Dreams of the Isolated Isles! (untranslated)

Kirby: Full Stomach, Perfect Circle, Dream Buffet! translated by kachikirby (incomplete)

-2023-

Kirby: Sever Evil with a Slash in a Flash! translated by owls-gamblegalaxy (incompete)

Kirby: Come on Over to Merry Magoland! translated by starcutter-and-lying-wizard (incomplete, deleted)

Kirby: Having a Blast at the Music Festival! (untranslated)

-2024-

Kirby: The Dream Onsen is a Good Hot Spring♪ translated by dumdrawer (incomplete)

Kirby: Meta Knight and the Monster of the Magic Stone translated by tanooki-hut (incomplete)

Kirby: Snowy Mountain Nights are Eventful! translated by Mangosteen (complete)

-2025-

Kirby: Great Duel at a Quick Draw Contest! (untranslated)

Kirby: Waddle Dee's Great House-Sitting Decisive Battle!! (upcoming)

[bisexualmcqueen]

The Cars Apocalypse AU

little masterpost!

APOC AU BLOG TAG

Ao3 SERIES

spotify playlist

--***----***----***----***--

Summary:

Main story takes place over a 30ish year period between 2018 and 2048.

Story starts a few months after the ending of Cars 3, partway thru the epilogue. (~mid 2018)

Cruz is a road-car turned racer, a rookie a few months into her first Piston Cup season. Her life has turned around, and she's finally living her dream, and as her true self.

Lightning nearly died in his wreck about 8 months ago now, and has paused his racing career to train Cruz. He’s spent the past few months acting as her crew chief.

Chick still hosts his talk show on RSN. Between everyone's busy schedules, he finally makes time to visit Radiator Springs to catch up with his old pal Lightning, and to meet his new protege…

Chick and Lightning are already an established casual-relationship at this point. They've been together on-and-off since 2005. Sally is still Lightning's life partner. Chick is his weird boyfriend.

Lightning, Cruz, and Chick (+ RS residents) are all in Radiator Springs, Arizona, when the blast goes out. Instantly, most of the entire town and all the tourists are killed. After the last stragglers pass away, the only survivors in the region are our three main protagonists.

This is Lightning’s home, his family. The most important thing in the world to him, ripped away in a few seconds, visceral and right in front of his eyes. Emotionally, he’s out of commission for a bit. Chick doesn't mind picking up the pieces. 

Chick and Cruz are forced to bond, grating as Chick can be, as there is literally no one else left to talk to. They're both of the belief that there are survivors out there, that the world truly isn't over. The three stay in town as long as they can… until they start to deplete any fuel left nearby.

They have to pack anything they can carry, and set out into the world, out of isolation. 

The trio find themselves in the crosshairs of other roving groups of desperate cars, terrified and fighting over whatever resources are left in the world. Through this, Lightning gets a leg up on his grief when he realizes he still has Cruz and Chick to live for.

They bond, hone their survival skills, and narrowly escape trouble, again and again. The three are a family unit now, protecting each other with their lives. But time starts to pass, and there are only so many gas stations and stores to loot. Resources start to run out, start to go bad. Tensions amongst the various factions rise to a boiling point...

Eventually, when the dust settles, several groups of racers have bound together to work at an oil field and oil refinery. They get it working again, and begin to rebuild infrastructure in the area. A small city forms, and civilization (sort of) returns.

Of course, this is when other factions strengthen too. New allies emerge… and new wars. (this is the part where you picture Mad Max)

--***----***----***----***--

Current Collaborators: Twerk, Non, (planes offshoot by BAVV) inspo: Mad Max Fury Road, The Walking Dead, Warrior Cats Warnings: major character death blanket warning, graphic depictions of violence, various mature themes.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

The surprising truth about data-driven dictatorships

Here’s the “dictator’s dilemma”: they want to block their country’s frustrated elites from mobilizing against them, so they censor public communications; but they also want to know what their people truly believe, so they can head off simmering resentments before they boil over into regime-toppling revolutions.

These two strategies are in tension: the more you censor, the less you know about the true feelings of your citizens and the easier it will be to miss serious problems until they spill over into the streets (think: the fall of the Berlin Wall or Tunisia before the Arab Spring). Dictators try to square this circle with things like private opinion polling or petition systems, but these capture a small slice of the potentially destabiziling moods circulating in the body politic.

Enter AI: back in 2018, Yuval Harari proposed that AI would supercharge dictatorships by mining and summarizing the public mood — as captured on social media — allowing dictators to tack into serious discontent and diffuse it before it erupted into unequenchable wildfire:

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/10/yuval-noah-harari-technology-tyranny/568330/

Harari wrote that “the desire to concentrate all information and power in one place may become [dictators] decisive advantage in the 21st century.” But other political scientists sharply disagreed. Last year, Henry Farrell, Jeremy Wallace and Abraham Newman published a thoroughgoing rebuttal to Harari in Foreign Affairs:

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/world/spirals-delusion-artificial-intelligence-decision-making

They argued that — like everyone who gets excited about AI, only to have their hopes dashed — dictators seeking to use AI to understand the public mood would run into serious training data bias problems. After all, people living under dictatorships know that spouting off about their discontent and desire for change is a risky business, so they will self-censor on social media. That’s true even if a person isn’t afraid of retaliation: if you know that using certain words or phrases in a post will get it autoblocked by a censorbot, what’s the point of trying to use those words?

The phrase “Garbage In, Garbage Out” dates back to 1957. That’s how long we’ve known that a computer that operates on bad data will barf up bad conclusions. But this is a very inconvenient truth for AI weirdos: having given up on manually assembling training data based on careful human judgment with multiple review steps, the AI industry “pivoted” to mass ingestion of scraped data from the whole internet.

But adding more unreliable data to an unreliable dataset doesn’t improve its reliability. GIGO is the iron law of computing, and you can’t repeal it by shoveling more garbage into the top of the training funnel:

https://memex.craphound.com/2018/05/29/garbage-in-garbage-out-machine-learning-has-not-repealed-the-iron-law-of-computer-science/

When it comes to “AI” that’s used for decision support — that is, when an algorithm tells humans what to do and they do it — then you get something worse than Garbage In, Garbage Out — you get Garbage In, Garbage Out, Garbage Back In Again. That’s when the AI spits out something wrong, and then another AI sucks up that wrong conclusion and uses it to generate more conclusions.

To see this in action, consider the deeply flawed predictive policing systems that cities around the world rely on. These systems suck up crime data from the cops, then predict where crime is going to be, and send cops to those “hotspots” to do things like throw Black kids up against a wall and make them turn out their pockets, or pull over drivers and search their cars after pretending to have smelled cannabis.

The problem here is that “crime the police detected” isn’t the same as “crime.” You only find crime where you look for it. For example, there are far more incidents of domestic abuse reported in apartment buildings than in fully detached homes. That’s not because apartment dwellers are more likely to be wife-beaters: it’s because domestic abuse is most often reported by a neighbor who hears it through the walls.

So if your cops practice racially biased policing (I know, this is hard to imagine, but stay with me /s), then the crime they detect will already be a function of bias. If you only ever throw Black kids up against a wall and turn out their pockets, then every knife and dime-bag you find in someone’s pockets will come from some Black kid the cops decided to harass.

That’s life without AI. But now let’s throw in predictive policing: feed your “knives found in pockets” data to an algorithm and ask it to predict where there are more knives in pockets, and it will send you back to that Black neighborhood and tell you do throw even more Black kids up against a wall and search their pockets. The more you do this, the more knives you’ll find, and the more you’ll go back and do it again.

This is what Patrick Ball from the Human Rights Data Analysis Group calls “empiricism washing”: take a biased procedure and feed it to an algorithm, and then you get to go and do more biased procedures, and whenever anyone accuses you of bias, you can insist that you’re just following an empirical conclusion of a neutral algorithm, because “math can’t be racist.”

HRDAG has done excellent work on this, finding a natural experiment that makes the problem of GIGOGBI crystal clear. The National Survey On Drug Use and Health produces the gold standard snapshot of drug use in America. Kristian Lum and William Isaac took Oakland’s drug arrest data from 2010 and asked Predpol, a leading predictive policing product, to predict where Oakland’s 2011 drug use would take place.

[Image ID: (a) Number of drug arrests made by Oakland police department, 2010. (1) West Oakland, (2) International Boulevard. (b) Estimated number of drug users, based on 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health]

Then, they compared those predictions to the outcomes of the 2011 survey, which shows where actual drug use took place. The two maps couldn’t be more different:

https://rss.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1740-9713.2016.00960.x

Predpol told cops to go and look for drug use in a predominantly Black, working class neighborhood. Meanwhile the NSDUH survey showed the actual drug use took place all over Oakland, with a higher concentration in the Berkeley-neighboring student neighborhood.

What’s even more vivid is what happens when you simulate running Predpol on the new arrest data that would be generated by cops following its recommendations. If the cops went to that Black neighborhood and found more drugs there and told Predpol about it, the recommendation gets stronger and more confident.

In other words, GIGOGBI is a system for concentrating bias. Even trace amounts of bias in the original training data get refined and magnified when they are output though a decision support system that directs humans to go an act on that output. Algorithms are to bias what centrifuges are to radioactive ore: a way to turn minute amounts of bias into pluripotent, indestructible toxic waste.

There’s a great name for an AI that’s trained on an AI’s output, courtesy of Jathan Sadowski: “Habsburg AI.”

And that brings me back to the Dictator’s Dilemma. If your citizens are self-censoring in order to avoid retaliation or algorithmic shadowbanning, then the AI you train on their posts in order to find out what they’re really thinking will steer you in the opposite direction, so you make bad policies that make people angrier and destabilize things more.

Or at least, that was Farrell(et al)’s theory. And for many years, that’s where the debate over AI and dictatorship has stalled: theory vs theory. But now, there’s some empirical data on this, thanks to the “The Digital Dictator’s Dilemma,” a new paper from UCSD PhD candidate Eddie Yang:

https://www.eddieyang.net/research/DDD.pdf

Yang figured out a way to test these dueling hypotheses. He got 10 million Chinese social media posts from the start of the pandemic, before companies like Weibo were required to censor certain pandemic-related posts as politically sensitive. Yang treats these posts as a robust snapshot of public opinion: because there was no censorship of pandemic-related chatter, Chinese users were free to post anything they wanted without having to self-censor for fear of retaliation or deletion.

Next, Yang acquired the censorship model used by a real Chinese social media company to decide which posts should be blocked. Using this, he was able to determine which of the posts in the original set would be censored today in China.

That means that Yang knows that the “real” sentiment in the Chinese social media snapshot is, and what Chinese authorities would believe it to be if Chinese users were self-censoring all the posts that would be flagged by censorware today.

From here, Yang was able to play with the knobs, and determine how “preference-falsification” (when users lie about their feelings) and self-censorship would give a dictatorship a misleading view of public sentiment. What he finds is that the more repressive a regime is — the more people are incentivized to falsify or censor their views — the worse the system gets at uncovering the true public mood.

What’s more, adding additional (bad) data to the system doesn’t fix this “missing data” problem. GIGO remains an iron law of computing in this context, too.

But it gets better (or worse, I guess): Yang models a “crisis” scenario in which users stop self-censoring and start articulating their true views (because they’ve run out of fucks to give). This is the most dangerous moment for a dictator, and depending on the dictatorship handles it, they either get another decade or rule, or they wake up with guillotines on their lawns.

But “crisis” is where AI performs the worst. Trained on the “status quo” data where users are continuously self-censoring and preference-falsifying, AI has no clue how to handle the unvarnished truth. Both its recommendations about what to censor and its summaries of public sentiment are the least accurate when crisis erupts.

But here’s an interesting wrinkle: Yang scraped a bunch of Chinese users’ posts from Twitter — which the Chinese government doesn’t get to censor (yet) or spy on (yet) — and fed them to the model. He hypothesized that when Chinese users post to American social media, they don’t self-censor or preference-falsify, so this data should help the model improve its accuracy.

He was right — the model got significantly better once it ingested data from Twitter than when it was working solely from Weibo posts. And Yang notes that dictatorships all over the world are widely understood to be scraping western/northern social media.

But even though Twitter data improved the model’s accuracy, it was still wildly inaccurate, compared to the same model trained on a full set of un-self-censored, un-falsified data. GIGO is not an option, it’s the law (of computing).

Writing about the study on Crooked Timber, Farrell notes that as the world fills up with “garbage and noise” (he invokes Philip K Dick’s delighted coinage “gubbish”), “approximately correct knowledge becomes the scarce and valuable resource.”

https://crookedtimber.org/2023/07/25/51610/

This “probably approximately correct knowledge” comes from humans, not LLMs or AI, and so “the social applications of machine learning in non-authoritarian societies are just as parasitic on these forms of human knowledge production as authoritarian governments.”

The Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Workshop summer fundraiser is almost over! I am an alum, instructor and volunteer board member for this nonprofit workshop whose alums include Octavia Butler, Kim Stanley Robinson, Bruce Sterling, Nalo Hopkinson, Kameron Hurley, Nnedi Okorafor, Lucius Shepard, and Ted Chiang! Your donations will help us subsidize tuition for students, making Clarion — and sf/f — more accessible for all kinds of writers.

Libro.fm is the indie-bookstore-friendly, DRM-free audiobook alternative to Audible, the Amazon-owned monopolist that locks every book you buy to Amazon forever. When you buy a book on Libro, they share some of the purchase price with a local indie bookstore of your choosing (Libro is the best partner I have in selling my own DRM-free audiobooks!). As of today, Libro is even better, because it’s available in five new territories and currencies: Canada, the UK, the EU, Australia and New Zealand!

[Image ID: An altered image of the Nuremberg rally, with ranked lines of soldiers facing a towering figure in a many-ribboned soldier's coat. He wears a high-peaked cap with a microchip in place of insignia. His head has been replaced with the menacing red eye of HAL9000 from Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey.' The sky behind him is filled with a 'code waterfall' from 'The Matrix.']

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

 — 

Raimond Spekking (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acer_Extensa_5220_-_Columbia_MB_06236-1N_-_Intel_Celeron_M_530_-_SLA2G_-_in_Socket_479-5029.jpg

CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

 — 

Russian Airborne Troops (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vladislav_Achalov_at_the_Airborne_Troops_Day_in_Moscow_%E2%80%93_August_2,_2008.jpg

“Soldiers of Russia” Cultural Center (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Col._Leonid_Khabarov_in_an_everyday_service_uniform.JPG

CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by  Shachar Kleiman

According to NGO Monitor, the "Open Society Institute" also funded both "Al-Haq" and "Al-Mezan" branches. Between 2020 and 2023, it provided $800,000 to "Al-Haq," and from 2023 to 2025, transferred $250,000 to "Al-Haq Europe." Al-Mezan received foundation grants exceeding half a million dollars between 2021 and 2024. This foundation operates in the US with expenses totaling $1.7 billion in 2023, the last reported tax year.

The Rockefeller Brothers Fund represents another funding source, having transferred $100,000 to DCI-P between 2020-2022, alongside substantial grants to anti-Israeli campus organizations. The New York Post reported that since 2018, the fund has transferred over $2.6 million directly or indirectly to at least six anti-Israeli organizations, some of which openly celebrated the October 7 attacks.

"The Palestinian Center for Human Rights" also receives support from Grassroots International, which identifies it as a long-term partner, though specific funding amounts remain undisclosed.

The "Culture of Resistance Network" serves as an additional funding source, transferring money to DCI-P, "Al-Haq," and Al-Mezan. This network claims to support culture and oppose war. It also funds the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) – a designated terrorist organization in Israel that Americans define as "the agricultural front of the Popular Front." A Dutch government study found dozens of UAWC employees belong to the Popular Front. The organization's financial managers are currently detained for involvement in the murder of Rina Shnerb in the Danny Spring attack.

Despite these connections, the research shows US-based financial services company Stripe, Inc. facilitates donation transfers to "Al-Haq Europe" and the Hind Rajab Foundation.

The Hind Rajab Foundation, established in Belgium in 2024, was founded by Lebanese terrorism supporter Dyab Abou Jahjah, who maintains Hezbollah connections. Abou Jahjah himself has testified to receiving Hezbollah training and meeting with the organization's eliminated secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah.

[cankersoregirl]

i'd be interested in your recent movie list - it's nice to hear what people are watching 🥰

OOOHHH thank you for asking!!! This gives me the perfect excuse 2 talk abt some of my favs ty hehe <3 The genres, years, countries, etc. might be wildly different and there’s no particular order to what I’m gonna list but here we go:

1. The Spook Who Sat by the Door

Ivan Dixon; action/political drama; America; 1973

EVERYONE needs to watch this honestly… it’s probably my favorite film I’ve seen this year. The movie’s about the first Black man, Dan Freeman, to be trained by the CIA, who then quits and takes the techniques he’s learned to create a team of Black youths to fight for freedom and against racism. Even though it’s a fictional plot, the real FBI pulled it from theaters for being too radical, and it has indeed been described as “the only true Black radical movie ever made.” I seriously can’t recommend it enough

2. Medicine for Melancholy

Barry Jenkins; romance/drama; America; 2008

If you’re familiar with Moonlight, you already know this filmmaker. Medicine for Melancholy is Barry Jenkins’ first film, about the romance between Jo and Micah after a one night stand that takes place in San Francisco. Some things I like about it are the ways the city and its racial issues so heavily influence the characters’ relationship so much so that it essentially becomes a character in itself. Since this is Jenkins’ first film, the budget was smaller ($15k) and it has a different feel from his newer movies which I personally really liked

3. They Cloned Tyrone

Juel Taylor; sci-fi/mystery; America; 2023

This movie was released on barbenheimer day and was WAY BETTER THAN BOTH OF THEM!!!! When Fontaine, a drug dealer played by John Boyega, seemingly gets shot and killed, Slick, a pimp, is shocked to see him walking around the next day as if nothing happened. Together, Slick, Fontaine, and Yo-Yo, a sex worker, work to uncover what actually happened and find that it’s much bigger than they could’ve imagined. This is a FANTASTIC sci-fi film with some fantastic writing (a lot of great one-liners lmao) and all the actors do amazingly. Also, the title goes hard!

4. Bad Genius

Baz Nattuwat; thriller; Thailand; 2017

I literally watched this last night (happy birthday Nonkul!) lol. In this movie the character Lynn gets paid to work with her friends to help other high school students cheat on tests. When I tell you this had me SWEATING from stress. It was very entertaining, I really liked the way it was shot and how it consistently kept the tension up

5. Do the Right Thing

Spike Lee; drama/comedy; America; 1989

Taking place on an unbearably hot summer day, racial tensions rise between the Black civilians and the Italian owners of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. This is a v famous movie, directed by Spike Lee, and honestly many of the themes still ring true today

6. Sorry to Bother You

Boots Riley; sci-fi/comedy; America; 2018

Set in the Oakland, Cassius Green becomes a telemarketer and uses a “white voice” to do better at his job. But when his coworkers form a union, he decides to take a promotion instead, leading to unexpected consequences. I don’t want to spoil anything, and this is another famous movie that many people have probably already seen and have probably been spoiled BUT. there is a crazy twist. I really enjoyed the messages and craziness this movie had to offer

7. Marry My Dead Body

Cheng Wei Hao; comedy/mystery; Taiwan; 2022

I saw this with my friend on my birthday and honestly it could not have been a better way to watch it. A homophobic cop accidentally gets into an arranged marriage with a dead gay ghost. Is that not one of the best plot descriptions u have ever heard. It’s horror, it’s comedy, it’s gay, it’s a romance (TO ME! And like everyone else who watched it)… WHAT MORE COULD U WANT!! It gave me a similar feeling as Secrets in the Hot Spring & Pee Mak, two movies that somehow seem to cover So Many Genres & that I love sooo much (the former is my fav movie ever). I literally laughed so hard I almost peed myself at times <3

Other than that some other movies I watched & enjoyed this year are: Love Lies Bleeding (2024), Claudine (1974), Eve’s Bayou (1997), and Bottoms (2023). I don’t wanna make this too long so I’ll stop it here but I hope you enjoy these films too if you decide to watch any!!

[yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere]

so, alright, here are the movies/MEDIA that make me go *oh shit I'm so bi, omg bisexual panic*

so, alright, here are the MOVIES that make me go *oh shit I'm so bi, omg bisexual panic*

(it can be very bi-vibes movies or simply movies that make me feel how very deeply i love being bi, or the ones i just enjoy rewatching-not necessarily with bi/queer representation!) : Red, White & Royal Blue 2023 , Wicked (Part 1) 2024 , The Mummy 1999, The Little Mermaid 2023, The Little Mermaid 1989, Anne Of Green Gables 1985, Anne Of Green Gables:The Sequel 1987, Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story 2000, The Road to El Dorado 2000 (the iconic Both. Both is good), Mulan 1998, RENT 2005, The Cutting Edge 1992, Ten Inch Hero 2007, Rebel Without A Cause 1955, The Fallout 2021, Better Off Dead 1985, According To Greta 2009, Anastasia 1997, Serendipity 2001, Running for Grace 2018, The Christmas Secret 2014, Cinderella 2021, The Idea of You 2024, Rise Of The Guardians 2012, 10 Things I Hate About You 1999, Do Revenge 2022, Charlie’s Angels 2019, Bottoms 2023, Cadet Kelly 2002, Lemonade Mouth 2011, The Perfect Man 2005, The Lizzie McGuire Movie 2003, A Cinderella Story 2004, Agent Cody Banks 2003, Roman Holiday 1953, My Babysitter's a Vampire 2010(MBAV), Purple Hearts 2022, Carry-On 2024, The Little Vampire 2017, John Tucker Must Die 2006, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies 2016, The Princess and The Frog 2009, The Addams Family 1991, Addams Family Values 1993, Treasure Planet 2002, Atlantis: The Lost Empire 2001, The Favourite 2018, Challengers 2024, The Runaways 2010, Upgraded 2024, Fallen 2016, The Half Of It 2020, A Biltmore Christmas 2023, Feel The Beat 2020, My Old Ass 2024, Time Cut 2024, Ice Princess 2005, Zootopia 2016, La Dolce Villa 2025, Heart Eyes 2025, Picture This 2025, Starstruck 2010, To All the Boys I've Loved Before 2018 + To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You 2020 + To All the Boys: Always and Forever 2021, The Princess and the Pea 2002, The Life List 2025, Love, Simon2018, Coraline 2009, The Greatest Showman 2017, The Game Plan 2007, The Craft: Legacy 2020, Descendants (2015) & Descendants 2 (2017) & Descendants 3 (2019), Tom and Jerry: The Movie 1992, Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior 2006, Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School 1988, (but also like SD anything, tv & movies 60s 70s 80s 90s 00s and more!!), The Hating Game 2021, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief 2010, The Perks of Being a Wallflower 2012, The Duff 2015, Beauty & the Briefcase 2010, Raise Your Voice 2004, Winter Spring Summer or Fall 2024, Death of a Unicorn 2025, How to Train Your Dragon 2010 & How to Train Your Dragon 2 2014 & How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World 2019, How to Train Your Dragon 2025, Snow White 2025, The Cutting Edge: Chasing the Dream 2008 & The Cutting Edge: Fire and Ice 2010, (+ will probably keep adding to this soon-ish)

+TV SHOWS that my bi heart loves:

One Tree Hill(OTH), Shadow and Bone, Roswell 90s(OG), White Collar, Reign, Mary & George, Heartstopper, XO, Kitty, Wild Cards, Living for the Dead, Warrior Nun, Wednesday, Maxton Hall : The World Between Us (2024), Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous(JWCC) & Jurassic World Chaos Theory (JWCT) , Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Dawson's Creek, Anne Shirley 2025 (Anime) + AWAE/ Anne with an E 2017-2019, Vampire Academy 2022, Fallen 2024, Willow, Dickinson, Heartbreak High, Bridgerton (S2!), Teen Titans, Legacies, TheAddamsFamily(1964-1966), Love Victor, My Babysitter's a Vampire(MBAV)(2011-2012), Finding Carter, Lab Rats, Star-Crossed, Lockwood&Co, Queer As Folk, The L Word, Sabrina The Teenage Witch 90s, Shadowhunters, Lizzie McGuire, Ginny & Georgia, Get Even (2020), Geek Girl (2024), Agatha All Along, Sabrina: The Animated Series 1999 , Never Have I Ever, Lucifer, DC' Titans, The Royals, Cruel Intentions 2024, Adventures of The Gummi Bears, The Duck Tales, Tom and Jerry, Fantaghiro 1999, The Scooby Doo Show (70s), Scooby Doo Where Are You? (60s-70s), What's New Scooby Doo?(2002), The Trouble with Miss Switch+ Miss Switch To The Rescue, Pulse 2025, Motorheads 2025, We Were Liars, My Lady Jane,

-also bi4bi stories: Fiyero Tigelaar & Elphaba Thropp(FIYERABA)(Wicked (Part 1) 2024), Morticia & Gomez Addams(The Addams Family), Li Shang & Mulan(Mulan1998), Peyton Sawyer/ Rachel Gatina & Brooke Davis (BREYTON/BRACHEL)(OTH-One Tree Hill, canon to me idk), Ariel & Eric (ERIEL)(The Little Mermaid-TLM, also canon for me), Alina Starkov & Mal Oretsev(MALINA)(SAB-Shadow And Bone, also canon f me), Kate Sharma & Anthony Bridgerton(KATHONY/KANTHONY),(Bridgerton since S2, yup, this is how i see them), Kitty Song Covey & Min Ho Moon (MOONCOVEY/KINHO)(XO, Kitty), Kenji Kon & Brooklynn(KENLYNN/BROOKJI?)(JWCC-JWCT-Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous-Jurassic World Chaos Theory), Percy Jackson & Annabeth Chase(PERCABETH)(Percy Jackson and The Olympians), (ANYHOW let’s stop assuming any f&f or m&m couples are lesbian/gay and f&m straight because BISEXUAL PEOPLE EXIST!)

+MUSICALS on Broadway/ West End that my bi heart adores just beyond:

Wicked, Anastasia , Hadestown, RENT , Tick Tick BOOM, Redwood, The Little Mermaid, Next To Normal, The Phantom Of The Opera, Moulin Rouge! , The Lightning Thief (The Percy Jackson Musical), The Addams Family, Gay Card, Dear Evan Hansen, EPIC The Musical, Maybe Happy Ending, SUNSET BLVD. 2024.,THE JONATHAN LARSON PROJECT, Evita, The Great Gatsby, Little Shop Of Horrors, West Side Story, Beetlejuice, Aladdin, The Color Purple, Les Misérables, American Idiot Musical, Jekyll & Hyde Musical, The Outsiders, Spring Awakening, The Secret Garden musical, Some Like It Hot Musical, The Greatest Showman musical,

+BOOKS/ BOOK SERIES that my bi heart absolutely LOVES:

Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer, Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi, The Folk Of The Air Series by Holly Black, The Diviners Series by Libba Bray, The Devouring Gray Duology by C.L. Herman, GRISHAVERSE books (Six of Crows!!, Shadow and Bone, King of Scars-3 mini series) by Leigh Bardugo , This Woven Kingdom Series by Tahereh Mafi , Fallen Series by Lauren Kate, Elixir Series by Hilary Duff, The Cemetery Of Forgotten Books Series by C. R. Zafón, The Keys To The Kingdom Series by Garth Nix, Infinity Cycle Series by Adam Silvera, Anne Of Green Gables Series by L. M. Montgomery, Bloodlines Series & Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead, An Ember In The Ashes Series by Sabaa Tahir, The Selection Series by Kiera Cass + STANDALONES Lauren Kate-Unforgiven (standalone book in my opinion), Eoin Colfer- Airman, David Nicholls- One Day, Gayle Forman-Just One- Day & Year & Night (mini series), Vanessa Len-Only a Monster (mini series here too), Adam Silvera- History Is All You Left Me, Adam Silvera- They Both Die At The End , Adam Silvera- The First To Die At The End, Becky Albertalli-Imogen,Obviously, Mason Deaver- I Wish You All The Best(+short novella here!), Casey McQuiston-Red, White & Royal Blue, Casey McQuiston- The Pairing, Casey McQuiston-I Kissed Shara Wheeler, Casey McQuiston-One Last Stop, Aaron H Aceves-This Is Why They Hate Us, Page Powars-The Borrow a Boyfriend Club, M. K. Lobb-To Steal from Thieves, Wen-yi Lee- The Dark We Know, Mason Deaver-The Feeling Of Falling In Love, Sophie Gonzales-The Law Of Inertia, H.E.Edgmon-The Witch King & The Fae Keeper (duology!) , H.E.Edgmon-Godly Heathens & Merciless Saviors (mini series here!) , Carlos Ruiz Zafón- The Midnight Palace, Isabel Abedi- Whisper Haunted House, Francis Scott Fitzgerald- The Love Of Last Tycoon, Leo Tolstoy- Anna Karenina, S. E. Hinton- The Outsiders, Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera-Here's to Us & What If It's Us (duology), Amanda Woody- Exes & Foes + They Hate Each Other,

+ATM Magazine(Anything That Moves Magazine)(1990-2001) : .https://anythingthatmovesarchive.carrd.co/ &https://anythingthatmovesarchive.carrd.co/#scans &https://anythingthatmovesarchive.carrd.co/#about

(will keep adding here probably!)

+https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/139102124?shelf=bi-bisexual-characters-done-well

-also bi4bi stories: Violet Saunders & Isaac Sullivan (The Devouring Gray + The Deck Of Omens (duology), Kit Fairfield & Theo Flowerday(The Pairing), Noah Byrd & Asher Price (The Borrow A Boyfriend Club),Jonah Collins & Dylan Ramirez (They Hate Each Other), Nathan Allan & Ben Benjamin De Backer (I Wish You All The Best +I’ll Be Home For Christmas),

https://www.instagram.com/the_bi_library/ & @ the-bi-library here on tumblr!!

BOOKS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BISEXUAL HISTORY & ACTIVISM:https://www.tumblr.com/ruimtetijd/686000390089621504/list-of-books-about-bi-history-and-activism-from

+ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q--nIkJu0OS0BgiyZmdKVwOVg1G90SFzWijNDWFTt58/edit#heading=h.wqkaxpi7o5je

+about THE MUSIC:

love you all, we need MORE bisexuality in media!!

+some links:

The Bisexual Flag, its meaning and history!:https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/762664140472008704?source=share + Lani Kaʻahumanu talking about how bisexuals have ALWAYS been around!:https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/762663819491328000?source=share

.https://anythingthatmovesarchive.carrd.co/ &https://anythingthatmovesarchive.carrd.co/#scans &https://anythingthatmovesarchive.carrd.co/#about

also i recommend this podcast ‘A Little Queer Podcast’ by two incredible bisexual people Capri Campeau and Ashley Whitfield. episode linked here, ‘Debunking Bisexual Myths and Stereotypes’ :https://open.spotify.com/episode/3wcP8HBIY0IyVxROjpZPNg?si=TIHDv-eFQi-mdsCS6zKzNA (all covered here for real!) +also check ‘A Bit Fruity Podcast’ by Matt Bernstein (very educating one!!) + Bisexual Brunch Podcast (UK) by 3 bisexual people, 2 men and 1 woman! here:https://open.spotify.com/show/3tH2DAjYrk2cXdYRSqt5nS?si=2ae6bb60b1534366

let’s talk about biphobia/Kit Connor (Max Hovey TikTok) important video:https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/770851818143186944?source=share +Bisexuality has never excluded trans and non-binary people. Please stop spreading this lie. It actively harms trans/n-b bi people and bi people with trans/n-b partners. STOP BI ERASURE :https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/770848612526735360?source=share + WHAT IS BISEXUAL ERASURE:https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/770848534830399488?source=share + ‘ANYTHING THAT MOVES’ ATM 90s Bisexual Magazine is Shockingly Relevant Today--- Despite the joy of reading this bi-centric work, however, it's telling how little has changed since 1991--The first several stanzas of "This Poem Can Be Put Off No Longer" by Susan Carlton, featured in the first issue of 'Anything That Moves.' Credit: Anything That Moves / The poem continues, but the point is clear from the start: Bisexual people aren't believed for who they are. They're belittled and told to "choose a side," that they're bisexual for attention. It's difficult to think that this poem is over 30 years old. The poem "truly could've been written yesterday... or 50 years ago," said Marshall. "How long do we have to keep screaming the same things to the world over and over until people stop pretending we're speaking another galaxy's language?" --- The solace of Anything That Moves, however, is that even though progress has been slow, fellow bisexual people can relate to the shared experience detailed in its pages.:https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/770848263124500480?source=share

THIS song (bi bi bi THIS IS OUR SONG!!) by Sub-Radio (the lead vocalist Adam Bradley is bisexual♥) :https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/765512527066087424?source=share &https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/765512891127480320?source=share + THIS BAND SINGING THE BLACK PARADE but make it ever more queer pride parade♥ :https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/765565710891155456?source=share &https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/765565917201612800?source=share (you’re scaring Ron you’re scaring Rooonn) + an awakening with HSM(?) :https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/765565797378719744/mndvx-subradioband-happy-pride-yal-anyone?source=share

(+IMPORTANT) (Nov,2023)-A Bit Fruity Podcast (created by Matt Bernstein (gay American Jewish man) Ep with Moe Dabbagh, a gay Palestinian American with family currently in Gaza. ‘Queers for Palestine & The Power of Pinkwashing’. Palestine has been occupied for more than 76 years now, since 1948 year. This ep gives you a LOT of information, especially if you are one of the people who can’t see right through the propaganda; or the ones who go ‘well if you’re gay then go to Gaza and see how that goes for you’. Queer Liberation is a liberation of Palestinian people. We can’t have one without the other. Free Palestine. Free all the people that are not yet free. This is where we start!! Ep on youtube :https://youtu.be/Xsgdk-DDSXc on spotify :https://open.spotify.com/episode/62WOjKJYih6lhuisP8tmZH?si=soRArGs1QeWqEzEaiSVlUg on iheartcom:https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-a-bit-fruity-with-matt-ber-117844074/episode/queer-palestinians-the-power-of-129612460/(keep learning & keep showing up!)

!!.http://alqaws.org/siteEn/index & https://queersinpalestine.noblogs.org/ + https://www.instagram.com/queersinpalestine/

[buckbuckbarnesstuff]

Ongoing/Unfinished series

Get yourself a snack, enjoy these wonderful series and leave some love for the creative writers :)

♤ - includes sexual themes

Bucky fic recs Masterlist

Also, his hair is so perfect

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Time after time [60.6k+] @intrepidacious

Bucky x time witch!Reader

Summary: After what starts out as a fairly normal mission, you find yourself stuck in a time loop. Which would already be bad enough in itself if it didn’t also mean having to watch Bucky die over and over again.

{personal comment: Everything about this is perfect. From the characters, to the tiniest details. I'm in love}

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Reflections @breadqueen95

Bucky x Hydra experiment!Reader

Summary: Steve and Natasha lead the fight against Hydra in 2014, they had no way of knowing just how many secrets there were left to uncover. They suddenly have one more person to add to their list as they search for Bucky Barnes.

Fast forward to 2018. Bucky Barnes is living with the team at the Avengers Compound, trying to settle into life as an Avenger and as a free man. Steve and Natasha, with the help of the third part of their leadership trio Tony Stark, have finally managed to track down the human subject that escaped four years ago.

And you...you've been on the run for four years. Desperately avoiding any detection by hiding your identity, resisting your memories, and suppressing any flicker of power raging to get out. What happens when an unexpected arrival forces you to face everything you've been running from?

{personal comment: This is the first series I've read on this app and it's still stuck in my head. It’s that good}

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Smog & Spirits @artficlly ♤

Gangsterboss!Bucky x Witch!Reader (fantasy 1920s Gang au)

Summary: Barnes, the leader of Sootstone's Smog Boys, needs a favour. A nasty curse has been cast on him, and he needs a witch to help him break it.

{personal comment: I'm so excited about this. I love the reader's powers and the storyline is so interesting. I'll be patiently waiting for more of this delicious piece}

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Friendship is Mandatory @sarahwroteathing

Bucky x reader

Summary: With the help of a new therapist and a recklessly kind and unapologetically damaged new roommate, Bucky learns how to start living instead of just surviving.

{personal comment: I enjoyed the insights in Bucky's therapy session and how they grew a friendship. Also I love the reader's sarcasm. Would certainly love to read more of this}

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Moth to a Flame @tmpestuous

College!Bucky x College!Reader

Summary: Bucky Barnes was the love of your life, and you were his. There was no denying it. But after two years of dating, you found yourselves on different paths and decided it was best to go your separate ways. The only problem was how drawn you’d always be to him even after moving on.

{personal comment: I was so anxious when I started this and it gave me so many feelings. I truly appreciate and love how soft and sweet Bucky stays even after the breakup and the way they still interact and communicate with each other. It’s beautiful and I'm so excited to read more}

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All We've Got is Time @hispeculiartreasure

40s!Window Washer!Bucky x Typist!Reader

Summary: In a world where Bucky never falls off a train and Steve lives after crashing the plane, Bucky is trying to adjust to a new peace-time normal. Spring 1946, Reader starts a brand new typist position in one of the many New York office buildings after being displaced from her factory job once the war ended. An unconventional friendship starts which leads to all the romance and fluff.

{personal comment: This is such a wonderful series, so deeply touching and meaningful. I love all these characters and interactions and even if this won't ever be continued, I'll keep it in my heart and hope people will stumble upon it, it deserves more recognition}

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Ashes to Embers @redwing4life ♤

Firefighter!Neighbor!Bucky x reader

Summary: When an unfortunate event forces you to confront the crush you’ve had on your neighbour since you moved in, you learn that Bucky knows you better than you know yourself. As the two of you grow closer, how does he deal with his past without pushing you away?

{personal comment: Loved Bucky being vulnerable and letting her be there for him. I also enjoyed the teasing and the way it got so heated, damn}

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The Day after Yesterday @bombsonboard

40s!Bucky x reader

Summary: Time travel is volatile, dangerous, playing god. And then sometimes  it drops you in just the right place at the perfect time. It’s a matter of perspective. You decide.

{personal comment: This made me realize just how much I love 40s!Bucky! He's so charming and the storyline is really interesting and I'm dying to read more of it}

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The Bet @bucky-at-bedtime

College!Bucky x College!Reader

Summary: You’ve been at college for a year and have managed to avoid the party lifestyle. That is until you meet Bucky Barnes and he decides to educate you on the benefits of being social.

{personal comment: I love oblivious idiots in love! This is wholesome. Bucky is lovely and I enjoyed the many friendships with the others}

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Point of Ignition @sunriserose1023 ♤

College!Fighter!Bucky x College!Reader

Summary: A fresh start.

That’s what you’re focusing on. You’re leaving your past behind you and starting fresh, joining your best friend at college. You’re focused on your studies and nothing is going to get in the way of you being “normal,” for once.

Enter Bucky Barnes.

The campus bad boy has his sights set on you, but you are determined not to become just another notch in his bedpost. When his best friend falls for your best friend, the two of you are stuck in close proximity, and you are set on staying strictly in the friend zone.

However, the more time you spend with him, the more you like him, and the more time he spends with you, the less he feels like hanging around anyone else. You’re set on being just friends, but Bucky has other ideas on that, and he’s determined to convince you to follow his lead.

{personal comment: So glad I stumbled upon this, I'm obsessed. I love this dynamic between her and Bucky and I can’t wait to read more}

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[fountainpenguin]

🍒 Cherry Lane Arc

Fairly OddParents

(June 2018 - Ongoing)

Cosmo and Wanda burst into view with twin poofs beside the tree. “Timmy!” But Timmy ignored them. Keeping his arm outstretched, he looked Jorgen in the eye. His teeth ground together, his buck teeth scraping loudest of all. “Yeah, you heard me right. I’m happy, and I don’t need my fairies anymore!”

- You may also like the Pink Train arc, which precedes this one

- Romance, Angst, & Fluff

- Works related to the main FOP cast and close adjacents in their teen years: Timmy, Chloe, Kevin, Chester, A.J., Vicky, Mark, Tootie, Trixie, Sanjay, Elmer, Dale... and a quietly watching Poof

-> This arc picks up after Pink Train and focuses on humans. If you're looking for pieces centered around Poof and Foop, see Lavender Train

Summary

20 years pass between the end of Season 10 and Timmy raising Tammy and Tommy in his parents' home. Every year brings new developments, and this arc's main multichapter (Along the Cherry Lane) explores each one. Several other works fall under the designation of "main cast in their teen and adult years," so they're here too. The road to adulthood is long and bumpy, but it's about the friendships we make along the way.

☁️ This is a Cloudlands AU arc. It is not compliant with City Lights AU or the "A New Wish" spin-off. However, Dale and Hadley's arcs have been soft reset so they're the same in both AUs.

-> Hazel, Dev, and their schoolmates do not appear in this AU (except in relation to Dale or Hadley's arcs). Works that follow their journey from kidhood to adulthood are in the City Lights arc.

Any Rating - This is the "teenage growth & married lives" arc. Some works are mild while others are more intense. This arc contains flirting, dating, and sexual content.

This arc follows the "Channel Chasers" implication that Timmy had his kids young.

Read on FFN | Read this arc on AO3

130 Sums | Full 130 Prompt Series (AO3) | Other Arcs

Cloudlands AU - Detailed warnings & other AU info

#130 arc guides - More posts like this

More Fairly OddParents 'fics

Highlights of this arc:

- Timmy parts ways with his fairy family early. Chloe doesn't. Poof isn't bitter... Not even a little - Remy hides things from his parents while still living in their mansion... including the orphan child he invited to stay - Teen Dale Dimmadome in recovery (If you can call it that) - Elmer struggles against Bob for control of his body - Tootie wobbles between the lines of morality, fighting to change her life for the better all the while - Trixie garners the courage to show up for D&D night with the boys. Maybe this could work? - The unbearable lightness of raising Tammy and Tommy - Several weddings, some of which go more to plan than others - Vicky and Mark living their best(?) lives - Kevin Crocker makes an unfortunate discovery about his witch genes - Foop runs away from home... and stumbles across familiar faces - Poof watches his godbrother grow up... Very maturely and non-stalker-y, I'm sure

Read on FFN | Read this arc on AO3

"A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys... Painted wings and giant springs make way for other toys..." (x)