#tech stack guide

[dbajaj48]

From Startup to Scale: A No-Nonsense Guide for Real-World Growth

Let's be real, choosing a tech stack is like picking what to eat at an all-inclusive resort. There are so many options, and while it might seem tempting to just pile everything onto your plate, you know that's a recipe for disaster. Similarly, you can't just pick every trendy tool out there for your business. If you do, you might end up with a bloated, dysfunctional mess that doesn't do anything particularly well.

The goal here is to help you pick the right tech stack for your business, allowing it to scale efficiently without giving you heartburn. Whether you're a startup just figuring things out or an enterprise looking to streamline, this guide is for you.

The Tech Stack Basics: What Are We Even Talking About?

Let's get one thing straight: a "tech stack" is not a literal pile of technology (though that would be cool). It's the tools, programming languages, and frameworks your business uses to build and run applications. Think of it as your company's digital toolbox. And just like with real tools, you don't use a chainsaw to assemble IKEA furniture—so you need to pick the right tools for the job.

Your tech stack is always divided into two parts

Front-end

This is the stuff your customers see and interact with. It's like the shiny chrome on a sports car—it looks nice, but if it doesn't perform well, people will quickly notice.

Common tools: React, Vue.js, HTML, CSS

Back-end

This is the engine of your operation. The invisible stuff powers your business and keeps everything running smoothly.

Common tools: Node.js, Python, Ruby on Rails

But enough with the definitions—let's get into how you can pick the right tech stack for your business. Spoiler alert: there's no one-size-fits-all answer.

Start with your Business needs (not your cousin's tips)

It's tempting to go with whatever your cousin or that random guy on LinkedIn is raving about, but let's be honest—just because a tech tool works for them doesn't mean it's the right fit for you. Would you wear your cousin's jeans? No. So don't copy their tech stack, either.

First things first: what are your actual business needs? Are you a startup trying to build the next Uber for cat-sitting (we've all thought about it), or are you an established company looking to streamline operations? Here's what you need to consider

Your Growth Goals

Are you planning for world domination or just happy to expand locally for now? The tech stack you choose should support both your short-term needs and long-term aspirations.

Your Industry

What industry are you in? If you're in e-commerce, you'll want tools that make online transactions easy and secure. In healthcare, you need technologies that comply with privacy laws like HIPAA. And if you're in finance, good luck with that.

Your Team's Skillset

Who will be using this tech stack? If your team is fluent in Python, don't make them suddenly learn Ruby on Rails unless you want a mutiny on your hands. Pick tools that fit your team's existing skillset—or be prepared to invest in serious training.

Think About Scalability (Because Growth Happens Faster Than You Think)

One minute, you're a cozy little startup, and the next thing you know, your app has gone viral, and your server has crashed more times than you can count. Growth is exciting, but if your tech stack can't handle it, you will have problems. Big ones. Scalability is the magic word here. You need a tech stack that evolve with your business, not one that buckles under pressure. When considering scalability, here is what you need to know

Cloud-Based Solutions

Hosting your infrastructure on cloud platforms like AWS or Microsoft Azure can give you the flexibility to scale up or down based on demand. It's like adding more chairs to the table when unexpected guests arrive—except, in this case, thousands of users are hitting your platform all at once.

Performance

Some programming languages and frameworks are great for large-scale operations. If you're dealing with a high volume of transactions or users, choose something built for speed. Node.js, for example, is known for handling multiple connections simultaneously, making it great for real-time applications like chat apps or online games.

Database Choices

Your database is where all the magic (or chaos) happens. For startups, a simple database like MySQL or PostgreSQL might be enough. Still, as you grow, you'll need something that can handle larger data loads—think MongoDB for non-relational data or Oracle for enterprise solutions.

Don't Forget About Integration (Because No One Likes a Silo)

Ever tried to put together a jigsaw puzzle where none of the pieces fit? That's what it feels like when your tech stack doesn't integrate well with your existing systems. And trust me, nothing grinds productivity to a halt faster than a bunch of disjointed tools that refuse to work together.

When choosing your tech stack, consider how it will integrate with the tools you already use. Does your CRM need to interact with your email marketing platform? Are you planning on syncing your sales data with your accounting software? The right integrations can save you hours of manual work—and possibly your sanity.

Here's the secret sauce: APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). They're like the universal translators of the tech world, helping different tools communicate with each other. When evaluating a new tool, check if it has an API that plays nicely with your other systems.

Example: HubSpot is a great all-in-one marketing platform that integrates with dozens of other tools. HubSpot's smooth integrations can make life much easier if you're already using a CRM or email marketing service.

Budgeting for your Tech Stack (Spoiler Alert: It's going to cost way more than you Thought)

Let's talk about money. Every business has a budget—unless you're backed by a billionaire who's just in it for the fun, in which case, please introduce me. For the rest of the world, picking a tech stack means balancing performance, scalability, and cost. You don't want to go broke paying for shiny new tools that only make things marginally better. Here's the deal: open-source technologies like React or Node.js are great because they're free. Yes, free! But there's a catch-free doesn't always mean zero cost. You must still consider maintenance, updates, and the cost of developers who can work with these tools.

The Airbnb Approach for cost saving

Take Airbnb, for example. The company used Ruby on Rails for its web platform in its early days. Rail is an open-source framework that helped Airbnb get started without sinking too much money into licensing fees. As the business grew, the team heavily invested in infrastructure and switched to React for the front end to handle the scaling needs of their user base. The lesson here? Start small with cost-effective solutions, and be prepared to invest in your tech stack as you grow.

Now, let's talk about enterprise-level tools. These often come with hefty licensing fees. If you're considering Salesforce or Oracle, know you're entering premium territory. These tools provide advanced features, but they come at a price. If you're a small business, this might not make sense yet—but for larger operations, these solutions can pay off in the long run by streamlining processes and reducing human error.

Shopify's Early Tech Stack Struggles

Shopify initially relied on PHP and MySQL to power its platform, which worked fine when serving smaller e-commerce stores. But as it scaled, it ran into performance issues with large traffic spikes. Shopify then transitioned to Ruby on Rails and focused on horizontal scaling to handle requests more efficiently. The learning is that budgeting for future growth and tech debt will save you headaches later.

Make sure your Stack is secure (or pay the price later)

We've all seen those scary headlines: "Massive Data Breach Exposes Millions of User Accounts." No one wants to be the next headline, especially when the damage to your reputation (and your wallet) can be severe. Security must stick in your mind when choosing a tech stack.

Some technologies are more secure than others. For instance, large enterprises often favor Java for its robust security features. Similarly, Python has excellent libraries for encryption and data security.

But security isn't just about picking a tool; it's about implementing the right practices. Ensure your developers regularly update your tech stack, apply security patches, and follow best practices like two-factor authentication (2FA) and encryption for sensitive data.

Target's Massive Data Breach

Remember Target's massive data breach in 2013? Hackers were able to access 40 million credit card numbers just because of a vulnerability in their network access system. They may have avoided that disaster with more secure protocols and better monitoring practices. Don't be like Target.

Keep an Eye on Trends, But Don't Chase Every Shiny New Tool

The tech world is always changing. Every week, a new "next big thing" promises to revolutionize how we do business. Blockchain, quantum computing, AI, Web3—it's easy to feel FOMO when you hear about these groundbreaking technologies. But just because something is trendy doesn't mean it's the right fit for your business.

The Slack Boom

Look at Slack. It became the go-to communication tool almost overnight, pushing out older tools like email and Skype. It was not only because it was shiny and new. It was because it effectively solved a pain point for businesses, making communication faster and more collaborative. However, not every tool has a lasting impact, like Slack, so pick your tech wisely.

That said, you want to pay attention to trends. In an industry where innovation is key, like fintech or healthcare, you may need to adopt new technologies faster than others to stay competitive. The trick is to strike a balance—stay current without feeling like you must overhaul your tech stack every six months.

The Talent Factor (because even the best Tech is useless without the right people)

You could have the most advanced, scalable, and secure tech stack on the planet, but you're sunk if no one on your team knows how to use it. When choosing your tech stack, consider the talent pool. Can your current developers work with this stack? If not, are you willing to invest in training or hire new developers specializing in those tools?

Netflix's Engineering Talent Strategy

Everybody knows it: Netflix hires the best engineering talent to manage its complex tech stack, which includes everything from Java and Node.js to Kubernetes and AWS. By focusing on hiring top-notch developers, Netflix ensures that their tech infrastructure runs smoothly, scales efficiently, and adapts to new trends.

But let's be real: hiring top tech talent is tough, especially if you're not on Netflix. Tha's why choosing a tech stack that aligns with your team's existing skills is smart. If your team is well-versed in JavaScript, don't force them to learn Python unless there's a compelling reason to switch. You'll save time and money and avoid unnecessary headaches.

Future-proofing your Tech Stack (because the future is coming whether you're ready or not)

Ah, the future. It's unpredictable, exciting, and a little terrifying. When choosing your tech stack, you want to pick tools that will grow with you and adapt to future innovations. No one wants to be stuck with a tech stack that becomes obsolete in two years.

Adobe's Move to the Cloud!

Take Adobe, for example. A few years ago, they shifted from selling standalone software (like Photoshop) to offering Adobe Creative Cloud. This switch to a subscription-based model helped them scale and ensured they could keep up with the industry's shift to cloud computing. They might have fallen behind if they had stuck with the old model.

So, how do you future-proof your tech stack? Look for tools that are modular and flexible. Think of Microservices architecture as one that allows different parts of your system to scale independently. That way, when one part of your app becomes a runaway success (fingers crossed!), you won't need to rebuild your entire system to handle the load.

Concluding Thoughts: The Tech Stack Balancing Act

Choosing the right tech stack balances meeting your current needs, planning for future growth, and monitoring costs. But with the right approach, you can build a scalable tech stack that's secure, and ready to handle whatever comes your way. Remember, it's not about picking the shiniest or most popular tools—it's about finding what works for you and your team.

So, move forward and start building that tech stack! And if you ever get overwhelmed, remember that even Amazon started as a small online bookstore with a simple tech setup. They scaled, and you can, too!

We can put you on track!

Feeling a little overwhelmed by your tech stack choices? Don't worry—we're here to help. Contact our team today for a free consultation, and let's build the perfect stack for your business's future growth.

[rajni875]

A Complete Guide to Mobile App Tech Stack

From selecting frontend and backend frameworks to databases and cloud services, this guide to mobile app tech stack helps you choose the right technologies. Learn best practices to build a scalable, high-performance mobile app that meets business needs and delivers a seamless user experience.

[cumulativeapps]

Choosing the right tech stack can make or break your project's success. CumulativeApps provides expert insights on evaluating technologies, key factors to consider, and how to choose the right one for your unique needs. Learn how to make an informed decision that supports the long-term growth of your web or mobile application.

[starmaidengarden]

Could i request a reader became a baby by alchemy accident, i want to see their feelings and how they deal with w/ Riddle, Leona, Idia and Sebek♥️♥️

contexts: where you accidentally turned into a baby via an alchemy mishap

— riddle : leona : Idia : sebek : x gn!reader. no cw/tw. Pic: Leo08ph on twt, dividers: uzmacchiato

Riddle Rosehearts༉⋆｡˚

He would panic! Rifling through rulebooks and stacks of alchemy books that are stuffed with complicated spells, trying to find a solution to the mess. Riddle isn’t really used to babysitting or being around kids, especially babies, so this was definitely going to be a challenge for him. Pacing around the room, trying to figure everything out while you, a sweet and curious little baby, just watched him with wide eyes. he would hold you snugly in his arms, worried that you might slip.  

Over time, you’d see a softer side of him. Even if he tries to stay composed, he can’t help but be gentle, especially when you giggle at his serious face or playfully tug at his red hair. And if you start to cry, he’ll do his best to soothe you by reciting bedtime stories from memory. It might come out a bit stiff and funny, but he’s truly trying to make you feel better!

Leona Kingscholar༉⋆｡˚

“Ugh, what a pain,” is his first response when Crowley dumps you in his lap. He tries to pass you off to someone else… but you grab his braids and giggle. Looking down at you with piercing emerald eyes, all the while you’re just staring up at him, giggling. Only for Leona to scoff and tell you to go play and not bother him, but instead you continue to mess around with him.

Low-effort parenting, he stretches out on a warm, soft blanket spread across the grass. As you curl into his side, he allows the gentle rhythm of sleep to envelop you both, offering nothing more than the bare minimum of care. However, the moment you let out a soft whimper or a cry, He grudgingly holds you in one arm like a sack of potatoes and tries bribing you with shiny objects. Surprising Natural Instincts, Despite his lazy attitude, he's actually calm with babies. When you fall asleep on his chest, he’ll pretend to scoff but won’t move for hours.

Idia Shroud༉⋆｡˚

Idia freaks out when he’s told he’s responsible for you. “What do I even do with a baby?! I’m not built for this!” He googles baby care and ends up deep in parenting forums, watching tutorials like it’s a boss fight guide.

Eventually sets up a baby-friendly tech area in his room: plushies, lullaby remixes, and a soft blanket pit. If you crawl toward his gaming chair, he lifts you onto his lap and lets you press glowing keyboard buttons while he talks to you in a baby voice only when no one's listening. Ortho offers to help and is the one who actually knows how to handle you, but Idia tries to keep up so he doesn’t look like a total noob.

Sebek Zigvolt༉⋆｡˚

Sebek is horrified at the thought of you being reduced to a helpless infant. Treats you like a sacred duty. He stands at attention while holding you in a baby sling. You cry every time he raises his voice, so he struggles very loudly to learn to whisper. (“I-I AM USING MY INSIDE VOICE!”)

Sebek was actually not bad at parenting. Yes, he might get a bit loud and forceful, but aside from that, he was actually a decent caretaker. He’s quite protective. If he were to take you out, he would ensure that other students maintained their distance, making it clear that he’s looking out for you. (Lilia secretly takes a photo of Sebek bottle-feeding you.)

[flwrkid14]

The Batfamily’s Christmas List Tradition (and how Tim gets lost in it)

The Batfamily has a long-standing Christmas tradition: the List. With so many members in the family, it’s a necessity. Everyone writes down what they want (within reason, of course), and the list serves as the ultimate gift guide. It’s efficient, especially for such a big family, and it ensures no one ends up with seven pairs of socks or the same gadget twice.

Tim takes the list seriously. It’s his chance to ask for the small, thoughtful things he wouldn’t usually splurge on for himself. Things like:

New makeup brushes. His old ones are worn out and falling apart, and it’s not until he’s on a mission that requires cross-dressing that he realizes just how bad they’ve gotten. Having a new, high-quality set would make everything feel a little smoother—and maybe even a little fun.

Cozy hoodies. Between Wayne Enterprises business casual and his Robin gear, Tim rarely gets the chance to wear something soft and comforting. His favorite hoodies are all fraying at the edges, with loose threads on the pockets and fabric that’s stretched too thin. A fresh one would feel like a luxury.

A new game console. Tim is rarely ever not working, but on those rare days off, he realizes he doesn't have much to entertain him that's not work related, that doesn't require him to leave his nest. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with his siblings during low-stakes, playful nights.

Nice coffee cups or tumblers. His caffeine habits are legendary, but the chipped and mismatched mugs he uses don’t exactly scream "Tim Drake." A sleek, stylish tumbler or a high-quality ceramic mug would elevate the most important part of his day.

Random indulgences. Books, stationery, weighted blankets, maybe a nice figuring from his favorite movie, a cool gadget he wouldn’t think to buy himself—little things that spark joy and make him feel cared for, anything he knows his own parents would have never bought for him to help heal his inner child. He's never had the luxury of writing such lists before becoming a Wayne.

Tim doesn’t just take the list seriously for himself; he makes sure to go the extra mile for his family, too. He’s always had a knack for gift-giving, and he loves curating the perfect presents for his siblings. For Dick, it might be a rare vinyl of his favorite band. For Jason, an antique first-edition book he’d mentioned once in passing. For Damian, something handmade and unique, like a custom leather-bound sketchbook or a rare art supply. Tim remembers the little things—the throwaway comments, the subtle preferences—and builds his gifts around them, ensuring every box under the tree feels deeply personal.

But Christmas rolls around… and none of the thought Tim puts into his gifts is reflected in what he receives.

Instead, he gets tech. More tech. External hard drives, cables, chargers—things he already has backups for because, well, he’s Tim. He doesn’t need more, and he didn’t ask for more.

And the worst part? It’s not that they’re bad gifts. It’s that the family assumes they know him so well that they don’t even look at his list.

“Tim’s the tech guy,” they think. “Of course he’d want more tech.”

But he doesn’t.

He’s grateful, of course—Tim is always grateful—but there’s a hollowness that creeps in every year when he unwraps another stack of USB drives and ethernet cables. It’s not about the gifts themselves. It’s about the realization that the people he loves, the people who should know him best, don’t see him the way he wants to be seen.

In a way, it feels painfully familiar. Janet had always made sure his presents as a child reflected her vision for him, not what he actually wanted. New tailored suits instead of the hoodies or tees he longed for. Sleek, professional office stationery to replace his Robin-themed pens and notebooks. Vintage collectibles meant to sit on a shelf, collecting dust, instead of toys he could actually play with. The gifts always came with a message: who he should be, not who he was. And now, even with the bats, the gifts still feel like expectations—like they see him as "the tech guy" rather than Tim, with all his quiet wants and overlooked needs.

So, Tim starts dreading Christmas. Not because he doesn’t love his family or the season, but because it reminds him of how little they seem to notice the little things about him.

And maybe one year, he stops adding personal things to the list altogether. Maybe he starts asking for tech, just to avoid the disappointment.

But deep down, he wishes someone—anyone—would surprise him with a new hoodie, a weighted blanket, or a set of makeup brushes. Something that says, “I see you, Tim. I really see you.”

[kylecrusoe-captions]

A college nerd finds some body swap pods in the dusty storage basement of the science building. He tries to lure hot athletes or frat bros down there... but does he know how they work?

(Big old body swap pods are my OG fave, thank you so much for this prompt, anon)

Henry was a college nerd through and through—21, lanky, with wireframe glasses and a mess of brown hair he never bothered to comb. He spent his nights in the science building, tinkering alone while the campus jocks and frat bros lived their golden lives. One evening, rummaging through the basement storage, he hit gold: two sleek pods, faintly humming, labeled “Neural Sync Prototype.” A worn manual claimed they could “exchange consciousness,” and Henry’s mind raced. He could slip into a hot guy’s body, live the dream for a night. After days puzzling over the tech, he was convinced it’d work: step in, sync, swap. Now he needed a guinea pig.

Todd fit the bill—22, a lacrosse god with short sandy blond hair, a sharp jaw, and a physique that screamed power. He was all frat-bro energy, the kind of guy who’d flex just because he could. Henry caught him after practice, pitching nervously: “Quick experiment for extra credit, beer’s on me after.” Todd, sweaty and bored, shrugged. “Yeah, whatever, nerd.” They trekked to the basement, the pods glowing softly as Henry mumbled about “brain scans,” dodging details. Todd peeled off his tank top, exposing a chiseled chest Henry couldn’t ignore, and climbed in. “Let’s get this over with,” he grunted. Henry took the other pod, hit start, and everything went dark.

Henry jolted awake, hands flexing—bigger, calloused. He looked down: Todd’s body, tan and stacked, lacrosse shorts snug around thick thighs. He laughed, Todd’s deep voice rumbling out. “Holy shit, it worked!” He ran a hand over his new abs, cock twitching at the thrill. Then the second pod hissed open, and Henry’s old body stepped out—scrawny, glasses crooked, exactly as he’d left it. But the eyes locked on him, wide with shock. “Wait—what the fuck?” came his own voice, high and shaky.

Henry-in-Todd froze. “You’re… me?” Henry-in-Henry stumbled forward, staring at his hands, then at Todd’s body. “I thought we’d swap! You’re in Todd—how am I still here?” They both gaped, scrambling for the manual, flipping pages in a frenzy. The truth hit like a brick: “Neural sync complete—consciousness duplicated, original preserved.” The pods hadn’t swapped them—they’d copied Henry’s mind into Todd’s body, overwriting Todd entirely, leaving two Henrys standing there, stunned.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” Henry-in-Todd muttered, flexing Todd’s arms, still reeling. Henry-in-Henry adjusted his glasses, voice trembling. “We’re both me. Todd’s just… gone.” They stood in silence, the hum of the pods mocking them. Then Henry-in-Todd caught his reflection—Todd’s perfect face, smirking back—and a spark flickered. “Well… we’ve got this body now,” he said, voice low. Henry-in-Henry glanced over, eyes tracing Todd’s abs, and nodded slowly. “Yeah. Might as well see what it’s like.”

They didn’t overthink it. Henry-in-Todd tugged down the lacrosse shorts, Todd’s thick cock springing free, already stirring. Henry-in-Henry stepped closer, nerdy hands hesitant but curious, wrapping around it. “Fuck, it’s unreal,” he whispered, stroking slow. Henry-in-Todd groaned, the dual sensation hitting hard—his mind feeling it from both sides. “Keep going,” he rasped, guiding his old body’s head down. Henry-in-Henry sank to his knees, lips parting, taking Todd’s cock in with awkward eagerness.

They moved together, two Henrys lost in the shared rush—one reveling in Todd’s power, the other tasting it. Henry-in-Henry sucked harder, glasses fogging, while Henry-in-Todd thrust shallow, hands gripping his own hair. It built fast—Henry-in-Todd came with a growl, spilling into his old mouth, and Henry-in-Henry swallowed, flushed and dazed. They collapsed, Todd’s body slick with sweat, Henry’s old frame panting beside it.

"Not what I planned, but fuck me I'm not disappointed," said Henry-in-Henry, clinging to Todd's stolen body.

Henry-in-Todd held him close, enjoying the strength he had. "Can't wait to see what else we can get up to with these pods," he chuckled with a menacing grin.

[adviceformefromme]

LOCK-IN SZN [YOUR 8-WEEK ACCELERATOR] Week 5

NEW MONTH ENERGY - MOVEMENT MARCH

This is literally the month of all months for transformation. This is where you take your embodiment to ANOTHER level. This month you are showing up. No more writing goals, no more wishing and waiting. This month is for MOVEMENT. You move. You take action. You make better choices. That is all you do this month. Move towards the version of you that has the things you desire. Move towards a life you dream of. Move with grace, with flow, just keep moving. 

Here’s what I’m doing to accelerate my transformation this month. 

Dr Joe Dispenza Meditations daily - 1hr (these guided mediations are backed by science and are PROVEN to create transformation on a cellular level. But it requires a daily practice).

Daily journalling - the morning pages which is 3 pages of free writing to empty mind and access deeper wisdom within. Also this is a proven method in The Artists Way a book written by Julia Cameron that unblocks creativity. 

Finding my community. I have joined a conscious business accelerator programme which is 2-3 sessions per week for the month of March. This is going to support mindset shifts for my transition from employment to self employed as I leave my career in tech this month and surround me with the energy for high level income and business success. 

Investing in my image. As a visual person seeing myself as a representation of my next level is HUGE. This means dressing and looking like the thriving, abundant, radiant version of myself that has the dreams I desire. Investing in skincare treatments, ensuring my wardrobe reflects the woman I envision myself as. This means dropping cash. Removing items from my wardrobe that no longer align. Booking appointments. 

Doing the most important tasks before 12pm. This is KEY. Feeling accomplished feels GOOD. Doing those difficult tasks before midday means I don’t feel guilty, or skip putting myself and my goals first. The world no longer comes before me. I am the most important person in my life, and it’s time my actions show this. 

Letting go of the past once and for all, limiting my references to my past trauma in conversations. Redirecting my speech and thoughts towards what I want, not what I don’t want or what has hurt or harmed me. The more I do this, the more I shift my energy towards the life I desire. 

Daily connections with God, through gratitude, daily prayer, reading the word and listening to sermons. This is key for my character development and grounding with the one who loves me the most. Receiving and accessing this love daily allows me to flourish and is a priority in my transformation journey. 

Habit stacking. Reading during my sauna session. Doing my workout during my daily dog walk. Listening to a podcast as I walk to across the city. Preparing lunch as I prepare breakfast.  

There’s a lot going on this month, but the most important thing is choosing yourself daily. Choose you EVERY single day. That is the practise, you choose you, and do it again and again and again. The more you make you a priority, the more you respect yourself, the more you invest in yourself, the more life will start to mirror that, the more shifts you will see in how people treat you, how your income becomes a reflection of your self investment. 

So this is your opportunity for DRASTIC change. More so than January. March is for MOVEMENT with nature, shedding the old, making way for the new. It’s truly the most magical time of the year. So come out of your hiding place, your hibernation, your excuses, and MOVE into a new you. Shed your old skin, it’s not serving you, it never was. A new beginning awaits. 

[elbiotipo]

I also believe that in a "tech level" approach, though of course I dislike that term, trying to get blood out of the stone of pseudo-medieval settings just constrains you. There are plenty of very, very well researched guides to medieval life and technology, mostly about Europe but you will find them about the Islamic world, Eastern Asia, and so on...

but the thing is, even with well researched settings, even with very welcome switches to other historical inspirations, it's just done and tired. We are talking about fantasy, a genre that can encompass the entirety of human imagination, and people always go back to the same time period of 476-1453 like stuck in a time loop, it's maddening.

There is a lot to talk about this but let's focus on tech for a little. Do you know how ingenious bronze age technology was? Did you read about pre-columbian cities and engineering? What about something beyond the Middle Ages, the inventions of the Renaissance or Early Modernity? I think there has been quite a lot on fantasy with industrial technology but it often feels (especially in things like popular RPGs) that it's a couple of steampunk things stacked upon a medieval-inspired world. How about a world that just skips the medieval aesthetics and goes to an industrial revolution?

And since this is fantasy, you can mix and match technology and inventions. What's more, you can explore art styles and philosophies, that's more complex to reflect but very well worth it. There is simply no need to return again and again to the tired aesthetics, true, but you can also learn how technology shaped history and do something more creative about it that researching just the same time period over and over and over.

I think we're just done with castles and plate armor.

[feetpiclovers]

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[marlynnofmany]

Squishy Cybernetics

“Hello!” I said. “Where would you like this?” I waved an arm at the large pallet of boxes, bags, and miscellaneous other packaging. It was on one of our biggest hoversleds, and accompanied by some of the biggest crewmates.

The Waterwill at the loading gate burbled thoughtfully, sounding like a water jug given sentience. She extended what passed for an arm of her own and pointed indoors. “You’d better bring it all the way in. Over here.” She glided inward, moving in that mysterious way I’d never figured out. Someone shaped like a column of jello had no business scooting forward that quickly, no matter how much their lower end rippled against the floor.

But I didn’t have time for galaxy-gazing; I had to help steer the hoversled. Regulations said we needed someone on all four sides for a load this big, just in case of antigrav mishaps. Didn’t want it slamming into something breakable at this client’s facility — or slamming into anything at all, really, but this place was some sort of high-tech manufacturing plant, and I didn’t want to think about what kind of damage a crash could do.

No mishaps today, though. The Frillian twins paced along on either side, all muscles and tight clothes (they’d left the flowy silks behind today; a solid choice). I couldn’t see Zhee in the back, but I heard the quiet click of his bug feet. My own feet were silent in proper Earth shoes as I tugged the steering handle and followed the Waterwill.

I thought we’d just take the thing to the far side of the big loading dock, unload it in an out-of-the-way spot to be unpacked later. But the Waterwill kept going. We passed hovercars and wheeled carts, storage cabinets and bins, along with a baffling arrangement of pipes along one wall. Windows showed glimpses of the busy manufacturing facility. I had no idea what they were making. Maybe I’d get a better look on the way back out.

Oh hey, a human, I thought in surprise as I passed a bigger window. With a Strongarm on his back? What in the world are they making together? I was already moving past, and could only speculate about intricate manufacturing projects that needed hands and tentacles at the same time.

I was still wondering why the Strongarm hadn’t just pulled up a chair next to the human when the Waterwill signalled me to stop. “Stopping,” I announced for Zhee’s benefit. We all came to a halt, and nobody crashed into anything. Hallelujah.

“Here, please,” the Waterwill said. She stretched her arm out into a long tendril to pick up a scrap of something blue that had fallen on the floor, and pointed at an empty space near several foam-topped tables. “I’m needed out front. Heeme, can you oversee?”

“Sure thing,” said a voice from nowhere, then a Strongarm climbed out from under one of the tables. “Found the last of the broken bits, by the way.” Two of his tentacles were curled around pieces of the same blue stuff the Waterwill had picked up. The blue stood out against the dark red of his skin, but not as much as the four mismatched tentacles on other side did. They were a transparent blue-green much like the Waterwill’s own tendrils. I tried not to stare, and failed.

“Thank you,” the Waterwill said. “I’ll be back in a bit.” She set her broken piece of whatever on the nearest table, then scooted through a door that was apparently soundproofed, because a cacophony of whirs and whooshes filled the air until it closed.

“Right,” I said. “Over here, then.” I steered the hoversled into position, then we all worked together to guide the detachable gravity platform onto the ground. That part always made me nervous, since it looked like the giant pallet that could crush me was floating through the air with just a touch of technological magic to make it go. I understand other models of industrial-sized hoversleds have more mechanical-looking gravity platforms, or regular forklift arms. Ours was the glowy magic kind, and it deposited the giant stack of objects with all the precision of the best fairytale enchantment.

“Perfect,” said the Strongarm. “We’ll unpack it from here. Thanks.”

“Our pleasure,” I said.

Zhee, finally able to see over the hoversled, got a good look at who I was talking to. “Oh, I’m sure you’re fast at unpacking,” he said, pointing with his pincher arm. “Does that model form into blades?”

“Sure does!” the Strongarm said, holding up a see-through tentacle that instantly flattened into a shape like a steak knife. “Good for packaging, stubborn latches, and all manner of other things.”

“And stabbing!” Blop put in, to be immediately shushed by his sister.

“No stabbing on the job,” she told him.

The Strongarm laughed. “Yeah, just respectable tool use. They don’t give these out to anyone who’s going to do violence with them.”

I asked, “Is that Waterwill tech? I haven’t seen one before.”

“Yup.” He turned the knife back into a tentacle, then into a variety of other shapes. “One of the perks of working here, for sure. They’re cagey about sharing tech. This is the best prosthesis I’ve ever encountered.”

I thought of the hard metal-and-plastic replacement limbs that were standard on Earth. They would be wildly out of place on this guy’s squishy octopus body. And no amount of interchangeable attachments would be able to beat this kind of easy shapeshifting. I said, “That looks really useful.”

“It is!”

The loud door opened to admit a wall of sound, along with the human-and-Strongarm pair. Which I realized with a start was actually just a human wearing more transparent tentacles on his back.

“Here’s the new set,” he said to the Strongarm, placing a clear box on the table that was full of a stack of more flat blue things. They appeared to be cut into very specific shapes. I might have been curious about what they were for if not for the much more interesting thing to be curious about.

“Hello,” I said. “Does everyone who works here get extra limbs?”

The tan human grinned. “If they want ‘em! And they pass the screening, of course. But you’ve got to leave them here each day if they’re the bonus kind, as opposed to replacements.”

The Strongarm wiggled his tentacles in a taunting manner. “I can open packages and slice food so easily at home.”

The human made a face and wiggled the tentacles on his back. “Yeah yeah, we’re all jealous. Someday I’ll convince the bosses that there’s an actual market for these, and I’ll be the first in line to buy my own.”

“They think there isn’t?” I asked in shock. “Those look so useful! I can’t list the number of times I’ve wished for more hands. Using teeth and feet only goes so far.”

Zhee made a disparaging hiss. “You have that many fingers, and still want more? Greedy.”

“I’m just saying that re-weaving a cargo net would go much faster if I could hold all of the fibers at once,” I told him, then turned to the Frillians. “Back me up. Two arms just isn’t enough sometimes, right?”

Blip and Blop looked at each other and shrugged. “I guess?” Blip said. “But that’s just when it’s time to get another person to help.”

Zhee clicked a pincher. “Exactly so. Or approach the problem differently.”

The human told me, “I’ve had this conversation more than once. Apparently not all species grow up imagining what it’s like to have bird wings or monkey tails or whatnot.”

“Surely other people want to fly,” I said. The expressions around me were dishearteningly blank. “Surely!”

“I wouldn’t bet on it,” the human said. “See why I couldn’t convince the bosses?”

“But even on a practicality standpoint!” I exclaimed. “They have you using them here; why wouldn’t they think you’d want to use them at home?”

He shrugged, moving the tentacles in a graceful wave as he did. “Alien brains. I’ve given up trying to fully understand.”

The Strongarm spoke up. “If there are actually a large number of humans who would buy these, then it couldn’t hurt to put together a request from outside sources. The bosses don’t listen to random employees who are probably biased, but they might take an interest in actual buyers.”

I shook my head slowly. “Our courier ship isn’t going to be that kind of buyer, especially not at the scale they’d probably need.”

“What about big human ships?” Blip asked. “We could suggest it to the next one we meet.”

“Or human colonies,” Blop said. “Or large groups at space stations.”

Zhee said, “I heard Captain Sunlight talking about a delivery to Basal Station soon. There are plenty of humans there. You could suggest it to them, if you think this is really that widespread an interest.”

“It couldn’t hurt,” I said, thinking. There was indeed a significant human population on that space station, which might even include the crew I’d met from the droid jousting ship Hold My Beer. They were definitely the type to appreciate some extra arms. Both for working on finicky electronics and general slapfight shenanigans.

“Here, we should have something with the contact information,” said the Strongarm. “Jon, is there a notepad over there?”

“Yeah, got it.” The human leaned over a table and used his tentacles to lift a stack of books so he could pull out the small notepad at the bottom. That may have been showing off. “Here you go!” He handed it to me with his regular hand.

“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll see if I can find the right ears to whisper into.”

“Best of luck!” he said. “My partner has asked me no less than half a dozen times if I could sneak my set home to play around with, but I’m not gonna risk the job.”

I laughed, hoping I wasn’t blushing. “Oh man, I wasn’t even going to mention the bedroom applications.”

Of course Zhee had to ask, tilting his head with faceted eyes shining. “The what?”

“Remember how most humans find tentacles a little creepy?” I asked him, pocketing the notepad.

“I recall. It makes this insistence all the stranger.”

“Well, some humans aren’t creeped out at all. Kind of the opposite. They like them a lot. In a, uh, private fashion.”

Jon the human spelled it out for him. “Mating rituals.”

Zhee’s antennae did a complicated dance, then settled in something that looked like disgust. “I was about to ask why, but I’ve decided I don’t want to know.”

“Yeah, best not to,” I agreed. “Anyway! Very useful extra arms. Good for a wide variety of activities. Other humans will likely be interested.”

“Very likely,” Jon agreed.

I activated the hovercart with a nod, and we said our goodbyes. The employees wished me luck. They returned to work while we headed back toward our ship.

Zhee grumbled disparaging things about my species the whole way, but that was nothing new.

~~~

The ongoing backstory adventures of the main character from this book. More to come! And I am currently drafting a sequel!

PS: the story with the good ship Hold My Beer is here, if you're wondering about that. It's fun.

[rpking99]

Emma's Not So Invisibe Love

Closed with @a-fantastic-time

Continued from here

Emma smiled as she happily watched Sue reveal herself. She hadn't expected to actually enjoy being a family woman. She had spent so many years keeping people at a distance to seeing how shady they were in their minds. But after feeling her pain, she needed to do something to help. At first it was mostly to gain access to Reed's tech and money, but she started helping on missions and even around the home. Finding Sue's children to be so open and good, that it became fun to actually spending time with them. Which lead to "date" nights with sue, mostly just play dates that ended with her in the guest room. But one night drinks turned into talks, and talks turned into making out and so much more. Emma held a glass of wine in one hand, while she flipped through some papers of more proposals to ensure that Tony didn't try and take over the Baxter building again, but she sighed and sipped away before looking over to Sue. "Mm, I gotta say. Its a bit tame compared to what I am used to." She said putting down the files and her glass. Walking over to Sue and wrapping her arms around her wide hips, yanking her closer and pressing her huge chest against her own. "You know, I have been fiddling around with something and I think you will enjoy it if you want to play around this evening." She said guiding the two towards their bed.

"Anything I wear is tame for you, dear." Sue hummed as their full breasts pressed together. Both blonde women where amazingly stacked and sexy, it was just a fact.

The sensual pair where a match made in a wet dream, a fact they definitely took with them into the bedroom~

"Hmmm. You certainly know how to catch my attention, Emma. What is it~?" The Invisible Woman asked, squeezing the White Queens amazing ass through her tight white pants

[vodika-vibes]

ive been having a really really rough week. my depression has been kicking my ass and ive been just rotting in my bed most days. but would it be too much for me to request something where the reader (gender neutral please) is essentially doing that (rotting in bed, barely eating, and not leaving their home) when their boyfriend (tech) comes home and sees his partner like that.

i think i just need something really comforting and sweet with tech taking care of the reader, and being really gentle and understanding about everything.

For You

Summary: When your depression hits you hard while Tech is away, you struggle to force yourself to do anything more than lay in bed.

Pairing: TBB Tech x GN!Reader

Word Count: 693

Warnings: Reader is depressed

Tagging: @trixie2023 @n0vqni @imabeautifulbutterfly

A/N: I'm sorry to hear that you've been having a rough time. I hope this fic helps, even if it's only a little bit. I will admit that this isn't my best work, Tech was fighting me every step of the way, but I hope you like it anyway.

Your gaze is locked on the holo at the end of the bed. You’re not quite sure what you’re watching, it looks like an infomercial about some kind of super towel.

It’s dumb. It’s dumb and stupid and pointless…but rolling over to change the channel to something else feels hard and impossible, so instead you just curl around your pillow and keep watching the infomercial.

You haven’t gotten out of bed for longer than it takes to go to the bathroom in days. Though, you did force yourself to eat some instant noodles this morning. And the reminder from Tech that he was coming home today did prompt you to drag yourself to the shower earlier.

But even so, when you hear the front door open, you can’t seem to work up the will to go and greet Tech, and you kind of hate yourself for it.

The last thing you’ve ever wanted was to be a burden for him, and yet here you are. Burdening him.

You hear silence for a moment, just a moment, and then familiar heavy footsteps through the apartment, before your bedroom door slides open. You do manage to twist so you’re able to peer up at the man standing in the door.

Neither of you say anything for a moment, and you watch as Tech’s gaze slides from you, bundled up in your most comfortable blanket, to the stack of water bottles next to the bed, and the empty cup of instant noodles.

And then his gaze slides back to your face, and there is something soft and warm on his face, “Having a hard time, love?”

“...m’sorry.”

“You do not have to apologize. Not for this. Not to me.” Tech walks around the bed, and picks up the trash, before he leaves the room for a few minutes.

And then he’s back, and he’s no longer wearing his armor.

“Do you feel up to getting up with me, love?” He asks as he sits on the side of the bed.

You sigh quietly, “That sounds hard.”

“That is alright, you do not have to.” He reaches over and lightly brushes his fingers against your cheek, “How long have you been in this condition?”

A shrug, “A couple of days. Maybe.”

“Have you been eating?”

“...sorry.”

He smiles at you sadly, “It is alright. Do you think you will be willing to curl up on the couch while I make you food?”

You consider his words for a long moment, and then you nod, “I guess I can do that,” You admit, and you’re rewarded with a beaming smile and a gentle hand on your shoulder. 

“I am glad,” Tech admits, his touch so gentle as he encourages you to sit up and then swing your legs off the bed. 

“I’m sorry for being such a…pain.” You mumble as you lean into him and press your face against his shoulder.

“You are not a pain. You are just having a hard time right now. And that is okay.” Tech folds his arms around you, “Is there anything specific that you would like to eat?”

“...something easy?”

“How about pancakes?”

You rub your nose against his shoulder, “I suppose pancakes don't sound too hard.”

“Good. I know that they are your favorite.” Tech guides you towards the living room and gets you settled on the couch, before he tucks a blanket tightly around you, and he kisses your forehead, “One plate of pancakes, coming right up.”

“Thank you, Tech.”

“For what?”

“Taking care of me. For not being mad. For being you. Take your pick.”

“You do not have to thank me for that.” Tech presses a light kiss to the top of your head, “I am happy to take care of you. And I would never be mad. Not at you. Not for this.”

He presses one more kiss to your forehead, and then, finally vanishes into the kitchen to start making food.

You curl up under the blanket, and watch him move around the kitchen, and a small smile crosses your face. You love him so much…you’re just glad that he loves you just as much.

[matsmi13]

Devoted to his club forever

I have always been a big fan of the Paris Saint Germain football club. So, when I won a contest for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Parc des Princes stadium, I was over the moon. A whole day to explore the secret nooks and crannies, meet the players, and maybe even get a first-hand look at the world of professional soccer.

The visit began in the classic way. I discover the dressing rooms, the press room, the benches where so many legends have sat. It's all fascinating, but it's at the end of the tour that things get really interesting.

“For the more passionate like you, we've prepared a never-before-seen immersive experience where you have the opportunity to “live in the skin of a player”. Would you like to try this experience ?” announced the guide with an enigmatic smile.

I accepted immediately, all excited. I thought it was a kind of virtual reality simulation, an interactive experience where I could feel what it's like to play for PSG.

I had no idea what was going on when I was taken to another part of the stadium, an area normally off-limits to the public.

Once inside an ultra-modern room, I was taken aback by the atmosphere. The room is filled with high-tech equipment, complex machinery, and scientists in white coats bustling around various devices.

“Before we start this experiment, we need you to sign a few waivers. It's standard procedure to make sure everything goes smoothly” said the guide. He handed me a stack of documents to sign. The sheets were dense, full of legal and scientific jargon I didn't really understand. But my excitement won out. I told myself it was probably just a formality.

I signed without hesitation, then was ushered into a small booth off to one side.

“ Please enter this cabin. We need you to undress and leave all your belongings here, including any digital devices”. I obeyed, thinking it was to put on some special equipment, maybe even real PSG match gear. But once undressed, one of the scientists took all my stuff and closed the cabin door behind you.

The cabin I was in was simple, with white walls and soft lights. I was starting to feel slightly nervous, but I pushed those thoughts aside. After all, I was here for a unique experience.

But something wasn't right. The cabin began to emit a dull hum, and the walls around you lit up in a strange way. Suddenly, a breath of fresh air escaped, followed by a strange tingling sensation on your skin. The buzzing intensified, and waves passed through your body, leaving you with a sensation of warmth, first slight, then increasingly intense.

I felt strange, as if my body were reacting to something invisible. My skin began to stretch, my limbs lengthened inexplicably. I wanted to move, but I felt frozen in place, unable to control my movements.

My heart was beating faster, but it seemed to be beating outside me, as if my body had become a mere shell. Sensations multiplied as I gradually lost the perception of myself as a human being. My muscles contracted, then relaxed, slowly breaking down, fiber by fiber.

My mind was in total confusion. I didn't understand what was happening to me, but I felt that something irreversible was happening. My thoughts scattered, your identity slowly faded away as your body was transformed into malleable matter.

Once the dissolution was complete, my remaining residues were transformed into fibers. I was stretched, twisted and reassembled into a continuous thread. During this process, I gradually lost my human consciousness, turning into a textile material. I became a material, a textile substance ready to be used and shaped for a new creation.

Once the thread was formed, the machine stopped and the cabin opened. The scientists reappeared, exchanging satisfied glances.

“Let's see the final result” says one of them. He runs his fingers along the wire I've become, while another scientist checks data on a screen. “The transformation is very conclusive. The texture is homogeneous, and the molecular structure is stable. The yarn is very strong, yet light. This is exactly what we needed for the rest of the process”. “We finally have the perfect organic material to make what sir has been waiting for. After several attempts, this person was the right one. And to think that this young supporter didn't even take the time to read the documents he signed. His blind enthusiasm and unthinking devotion have led him to a unique destiny: to become a piece of clothing for his club forever. Send the wire to the factory for assembly. We have to meet the deadline”

I was wound into spools, taken away and transported to a new destination.

I was shipped to a specialized textile mill, woven into a solid, uniform navy-blue fabric, cut into pieces according to a precise pattern and assembled to create the undershirt. The sewing process finalized my transformation into a ready-to-wear garment.

I was carefully packed and sent straight to the Parc des Princes stadium. I arrived in the dressing room, where the kitman in charge of the players' equipment unpacked me and placed me carefully folded in Kylian Mbappe's locker.

The locker room was quiet as we waited for the players to arrive. Not a sound. It took forever. Then the players arrived, including Kylian Mbappe. I felt his hand close over me and inspect me for a moment, his fingers gliding over your surface, before slipping me under his main jersey.

“Hmm, this feels really different” Kylian murmurs as he adjusts the sleeves, testing the sensation against his skin. “It's light, but it's like it's breathing with me” He makes a few movements to check my flexibility. “Not bad at all. It's exactly what I needed. The fabric is soft, but it has this... sturdy feel. I feel like I'm going to be able to move freely without it bothering me”. Kylian continues to test me, raising his arms, bending down, jumping slightly on the spot. “It keeps me dry. Even here, in the changing room, I can feel it regulating the temperature. I don't get that clammy feeling you sometimes get with other undershirts”.

On the pitch, the sensations run wild. Every time Kylian sprints, makes a technical move or changes direction, I'm subjected to compression and stretching forces. The constant pressure and friction are new sensations for me. Every impact has to be absorbed in such a way as to minimize disruption to Kylian.

My fabric, designed to wick away moisture, is in constant interaction with Kylian's sweat. This persistent absorption seems crucial to maintaining his comfort and performance. As an undershirt, my fabric body have to effectively manage this moisture, distributing it throughout my fabric to avoid accumulation that could cause discomfort.

As an undershirt, I have to provide constant support. The cut and seams are made to fit Kylian's body perfectly, offering both support and comfort. Every seam, every insertion must be impeccable to avoid chafing or distortion that could affect his game.

The match is over. Every fibre of my being is saturated with sweat, soaked in Kylian's warmth. I've been worn, I've been useful, I've been... his.

But the happiness was short-lived. In one swift movement, Kylian pulls me off and throws me in his locker, like a worthless object. The air is now freezing. I lay there in the corner of his locker, motionless and useless.

Time passes... or maybe not... because the notion of time is escaping me more and more.

Finally, a hand grabs me. It's that of the person in charge of the equipment. I'm handled and tossed into a dirty clothes bag. I find myself among other clothes, all soaked with sweat, all marked by the effort of the person wearing them. We're crammed together, pressed against each other.

The bag starts moving, carrying me towards the launderette. Each jolt reminds me of my new reality. I'm just another garment to be cleaned, stripped of all traces of life and human warmth.

I'm thrown into a machine without the slightest consideration. The cold water overwhelms me and cleanses me. Every fibre of my body is abused, turned inside out, wrung out. Kylian's sweat is washed away, his musk erased... and with them, that little feeling of belonging disappears. I have become a simple piece of cloth, washed and disinfected, with no soul, no memory.

The spinning compresses me, crushes me. I'm emptied, compressed, reduced to a state of pure fabric, without warmth, without life. Drying... the hot air passes through me, making me lighter, but also emptying me of any trace of what I once was. I'm nothing more than an undershirt, clean, dry... and empty.

Finally, I'm taken out of the machine. I'm folded, put away and placed in a dark closet with the other undershirts. I'm no longer struggling. I'm in the dark, motionless... but this immobility, this waiting, is no longer important. Waiting... that's all clothes do.

The closet is silent. I am among the other clothes, perfectly folded. Time no longer has any meaning for me.

Where am I ? Who am I ? What is my real nature ? I'm... what ? An undershirt ? Yes, an undershirt. But… where do I come from ? What have I become ? The questions float unanswered, in the void. Here in the dark, all I know... is wait. Wait…why ? Why wait ? My role... is... to be a piece of clothing.

My only thoughts are of serving, of being worm. I want the sweat. I need the musk... need to comfort and support my owner. I no longer have conscious thoughts, desires or dreams. My humanity is gone, replaced by the pure essence of a piece of clothing. I no longer feel the emotions and thoughts of a human being.

I am an undershirt, a simple fabric, entirely devoted to serving my master, Kylian Mbappé. When the time comes, when he wear me again, I will be ready. But until that day, I remain here, still, accepting my destiny as clothing.

Thanks to @inanimatetffantasies for his support and advice in writing this story

[jublubdubs-cone]

How do you glitter-ify an image? (Like what you did with the Centaurworld autism creature)

@hat-stack

YAY!!! I’VE BEEN WAITING TO TALK ABOUT THOSE GIF FOR AGES! Thank you so much for the ask!

(here are some examples of some glitter stuff I did)

First of all, I really think that knowledge is the best thing ever, so I am going to tech how to make those gifs in this post. BUT! If you don’t have the time or just don’t want to, my requests are open for glittering images. Without no further ado, let’s start!

TUTORIAL

In this post we will go through the steps of making this gif:

First thing you’ll need is the starting image. The best starting images are one with LOW TO NO COMPRESSION and flat colors (I know I used pixel art for this exemple, but glittering pixel art is hell, I only did it because the image was extremely clean).

Once you have your starting point, you need to find glitter images. Just go on google and search “X-color glitter”. Then chose the shade of glitter that best matche your reference and save them, the shade doesn’t need to be perfect, we can edit it slightly once in the editing program. Some glitter finding tips for better end result:

1) Avoid images with gradients

2) Avoid images where the glitter is in perspective or have any variation in size

Now that we have all the images that we need, we can go on to IbisPaint (or any other app or software that has clipping layers). Then, with the wand tool or the select by color tool, cut the parts that will turn into glitter in separate layers

Import your glitter images and fill the entire canvas with them, them clip them to the part

repeat for all colors

If you wnat stars:

Import the stars that you want. The amount you want in your gif can be different from mine, but have in mind that the image you import needs to have 4 times the number of stars than the amount of them you want per frame

LETS START EXPORTING OUR FRAMES!!

FIRST FRAME

For the stars: Duplicate the layer. Hide one of them and in the other delete 3/4 of all of the stars

For the glitter: Nothing for now

Export

SECOND FRAME

For the stars: Invert the color of the stars from the previous frame to use them as a guide to not repeat any of the stars.

Then duplicate the origional layer, and delete 3/4 of all of the stars again, but make sure to delete the ones you marked in your guide

For the glitter: Flip all glitter layers horizontally

Export

THIRD FRAME

For the stars: Invert the color of the stars from the second frame and merge them in your guide layer. Repeat the last step

For the glitter: Flip all glitter layers vertically

Export

THIRD FRAME

For the stars: Delete all the stars that arent in the guide from the origional

For the glitter: Flip all glitter layers horizontally

Export

Here is the result I got

The FINAL STEP is assembling the gif in this site, import the images, and here are the settings I use:

Make gif and TA-DA!!!!! ITS DONE!!!!

Hope this helped anyone out there! Happy glitter!

[whohasthecards]

part 1/add on

Fic Idea

Goose finally gets Jake to more or less accept that he was always welcome in Goose's home, and they get closer, and start bonding more. Jake comes over so often that a lot of his stuff gets mixed in with Goose's and Bradley's belongings. Jake and Bradley start to get closer to, they still annoy the heck out of each other, but in a more playful manner.

However, Jake starts coming over less and less, and slowly stops replying to Goose's messages. Goose starts counting the days. 12 days since he last saw Jake. 9 days since the last call. 6 days since the last decent text conversation. 3 days since the last small talk text reply.

The only reason why he refrained from acting was because of Bradley who mentioned how there were admirals on base, and although everyone was on high alert and busy, Hangman was called on more than others. The admirals seem to highly value his opinion, and the only time he really sees the other man is during hops. Most of the time he sees Hangman speed walking to various meetings or working on multiple stacks of paperwork.

It worried Goose, but Jake was an adult, and work is important to him.

However, it was 3 days since the last small talk text exchange, and it's been 3 hours since he sent another text, which was seemed to be left unread.

It was supposed to be an off day today.

Jake, like many in the younger generation is very tech-savvy, and with promptness instilled by the military, usually replies very quickly.

Goose managed to cook a 3 course dinner and Jake still hasn't responded.

Goose decides, fuck it, and goes to visit the younger aviator's house and knocks on the door.

He hears a lot of concerning thuds and crashes before Jake opens the door. Hair messy, dark circles around his eyes, wearing thick clothes, and

"Goose-?" Jake croaked out in a scratchy voice.

“Come here, kiddo,” Goose said softly beckoning Jake to step closer and press his palm against his forehead, frowning at the warmth radiating off him. “You’re warm, buddy, how are you feeling?”

“Exhausted,” Jake croaked, shrugging as he shoved his hands in his pockets and looked down, swaying forward. Goose put a hand on the younger man’s shoulder to steady him, and tensed when Jake moved closer and rested his forehead on his shoulder.

Alarm bells were ringing in Goose’s mind as he instinctively wrapped an arm around him, and stroked a hand through his hair. He let them stand there for a bit as he felt Jake take deep and shaky breaths, while he rubbed circles on the boy’s back.

He squeezed the nape of the boy’s neck gently to bring him to attention, as he pressed his lips on the boy’s head, “Hey, son, why don’t we move to the couch, yeah?” Goose asked.

“Okay,” Jake mumbled, as he stood up, stepping back before Goose pulled him back to his side and guided him back inside to rest at the couch.

He managed to find out that Jake has been forced to overwork himself due to certain admirals who was holding the permanent status of the Dagger Squad against him to get him to do multiple tasks. He was doing way too much for one man. Overworked himself, until body just crashed on him. Jake felt horrible, everything felt heavy and achy, he couldn't breathe properly, and he was very much, exhausted.

Goose was angry for the boy, and begins to dote on him. Feed him, get him Gatorade, snacks, hugs, and manages to pack him a bag and before Jake realizes what was happening, he was bundled up in Goose's car to stay at the Bradshaw household to recuperate.

Goose brings Jake to the house with Bradley helping Jake into the guest room and arranged the pillows and blankets to be set around Jake like a hybrid of a nest or a cocoon. Goose comes back up with actual food on hand, and feeds Jake. Goose and Bradley basically take care of Jake the whole time. At one point, Bradley have to briefly carry the other man.

Goose also calls Mav and Iceman to tell them about Hangman and the admirals situation, and Ice said he'll deal with it, while both ask for updates about the young aviator.

Iceman and Maverick visit and they spoil Jake with treats.

They also give Jake the next few days off as a reminder to never overwork. Jake is "grounded".

"Grounded", meaning that he is not allowed to work.

He can play video games, use his phone, watch TV, but he's just not allowed to work.

Goose distracts him by spending time with the younger man. Jogging with him. Playing catch. Solving jigsaw puzzles. Diamond art. Comics. Movie marathon. And more.

[kybercrystals94]

The Defender (ch.3)

Febuwhump 2025 | Day 3 | Prompt: Pinned Down

Read here on Ao3

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Rated: G | Words: 1128

Character Ages

Omega (8)

The Batch (Chronological: 4.5 / Biological: 9)

The long, identical halls of Tipoca City would disorient most young clones, but Hunter isn’t a regular clone, despite what his appearance betrays. Electromagnetic energy thrums all around him: a ballad song only he can hear, a guiding hand only he can grasp. He chases it now, his mind’s eye charting a map of everything around him. However, knowing where he is going will not help him outrun the sound of battering boots behind him. He is smaller than the average nearly fifth cycle, but he is quick and agile, all his trainers say so.

But the longer legs of the older cadets on his six still have the advantage. 

Hunter wishes his brothers were here, that they hadn’t been separated for specialized training. He doesn’t care what Tech said about it being advantageous to their education. Regs were far less likely to torment when the batch of defective clones were together. Alone, they seemed like easy prey. 

Well…easier prey. 

Hunter never goes down without a fight. 

Turning down a maintenance hallway, Hunter hopes he can find an unlocked closet, even if the idea alone makes his stomach turn. No matter how many hours he has spent with his wiry limbs folded up in the dark corner of a cleaning closet, his enhanced senses will never get used to the overwhelming reek of disinfectants and chemicals. But as he passes door after door, blinking red lights glare back at him from their panels, forbidding entry. 

Shouts echo behind him as the cadets nearly miss the turn, and he curses the new swear word he learned under his breath. Hunter grins. He thinks Crosshair will like it for his collection…if Hunter can make it back to their barracks alive to tell him, that is. Crosshair collects swears like Tech collects spare parts and Wrecker collects ration bar wrappers. 

The rubber soles of his boots shriek against the polished floors as he hurls himself down the next hall. Approaching another door, Hunter can already see that it’s locked. 

Until it’s not. 

The light changes to green as he almost runs right past it. Hunter nearly trips in his frantic maneuver to stop. He activates the door with a slap of his palm to the switch, and it glides open. To his relief, it isn’t a cleaning closet. It’s a supply closet, towers of fresh linens folded and stacked on shelves reaching the high ceiling. Slipping inside, Hunter lets the door slide shut behind him. The locking mechanism reactivates, the subtle click loud to his sensitive ears. But before Hunter can process the panic that he’s locked in a random closet, his senses pick up the heavy footfalls of the three cadets. 

“Are you sure he went this way?” 

“Positive.” 

Hunter holds his breath, hands pressed over his mouth and nose, when he hears the panel outside the door chirp angrily as one of the boys tries to open it. “It’s locked.” 

“Try the next one.” 

Hunter’s enhancement follows them down the hall before he exhales slowly. He stares at the locked door. He’s escaped one problem only to step into another. 

Typical. 

If Tech were here, he’d be able to disengage the lock in a few seconds, his quick, clever fingers and mind going faster than Hunter could ever hope to keep up. 

But Tech isn’t here. Hunter is. 

And Hunter is stuck. 

Kriff. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll unlock it when it’s safe,” a voice says. 

Hunter jumps and the warmth of embarrassment quickly follows, burning along the edges of his ears and heights of his cheeks. He’s an enhanced soldier. He should never be caught off guard, not like this. He turns to where the voice came from and sees an in-wall comm system. 

“Who are you? Why are you helping me?” Hunter demands, keeping his voice low. He plants his feet and draws his shoulders back, trembling fingers balling into fists. He might be trapped, but he won’t look weak. 

For several seconds, there isn’t an answer. “A friend?” 

“I don’t have friends,” Hunter tells the voice. 

“You have one now.” 

“How do I know this isn’t a trick?” 

The voice sighs. “It isn’t. I promise.” 

Hunter huffs. “And why should I trust you?” 

“You ask a lot of questions. You sound like Tech.” 

Hunter’s anger warmed skin turns icy cold. “How do you know Tech?” 

“I know all of you. Wrecker, Crosshair, Tech, and you…Hunter. I’ve been watching you all for a long time.”

Fear knots up in Hunter’s stomach. “Let me out of here right now.” 

“It’s not safe–the cadets are still out there looking for you.” 

“I don’t care. Let me out.”

“Hunter…”

“You don’t know me! You don’t know us! And you are not our friend.” 

The voice doesn’t speak again, and the door does not unlock. Hunter tries pushing buttons on the panel, but he knows he won’t be able to guess the passcode. He doesn’t even have anything to try and take it apart. He’s in a kriffing linen closet, nothing in here can help him. With a growl, Hunter sits down on the floor, back pressed against the barrier between him and freedom. He doesn’t even know how to contact his brothers for help.

 Pulling his knees up, Hunter puts his head down so the voice can’t see that his eyes are wet. 

“Hunter?” the voice asks. It’s quieter now. Wobbly. 

Hunter refuses to answer, gritting his teeth together. 

“I’m sorry. I really am trying to help you.” 

“Then let me out,” Hunter mutters. 

“They’ll hurt you. If those cadets find you, they’ll hurt you. They always hurt you and you never tell anyone. Why won’t you tell anyone, Hunter?” 

Hunter sits up, but keeps his face down, rubbing his sleeve roughly across his damp face. “There’s nothing they can do, so why would I tell them?” 

“Because they’re your brothers. Wouldn’t you want them to tell you if someone hurt them?” 

Hunter shrugs even though he knows the answer is yes. But if he says that, the voice will be right. He should tell his brothers, but he won’t. His scrapes and bruises will always be because of training when they ask him.

“They can’t help you right now,” the voice says stubbornly. “But I can.”

Something inside Hunter shifts. He feels it stir in his chest. A calm, a peace, a whisper. 

He can trust the voice, as unfamiliar and strange as it is. 

“Who are you?” he asks again. 

“I can’t tell you,” the voice says. “It isn’t safe.”

There are a lot of things on Kamino that aren’t safe, but this voice is. Hunter doesn’t know how he knows, but it suddenly feels as natural as understanding the energy around him. 

This secret defender is safe. 

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