#((and seeing how they interact with this newest generation of paces!))

[theheadlessgroom]

@beatingheart-bride

"It's a double-feature," Randall smiled as they walked together, hands in his pockets as he felt the early evening breeze brushing against his cheeks. "First, Dracula A.D. 1972, then its sequel, The Satanic Rites of Dracula!"

He'd seen them both, of course; he'd seen movies (be them double bills or not) multiple times down at the little second run theater, partly because it was a good way of staying cool on a hot New Orleans day, partly because he didn't mind seeing these movies more than once. He quite enjoyed the British horrors-he had to say, in the long run, Universal was probably his favorite home of horror, but Hammer was by no means bad in the least.

(Admittedly, he did wish the theater was running Horror of Dracula and Brides of Dracula back to back, just because the latter film was more romantic, but oh well...)

Sensing her discomfort, however, Randall asked gently, "Is that alright?" He hoped she wasn't uncomfortable at the double-feature; she said she liked horror, and so he hoped she'd like these films too, they were an awful lot of fun...even if he did wish he had just one iota of Christopher Lee's charisma and presence...

[invested-in-your-future]

Is the pacing of RWBY storylines bad overall?

Six Years ago I wrote this little piece about the problems with narrative structure in RWBY Volume 4

Ironically, I think most of that still applies not just V4 but V5 V6 V7, and, really, every single volume since V4.

The show wastes time on unnecessary elements and then rushes or offscreens crucial elements of narrative and plot an audience would WANT to see.

The narrative of MilesWBY has exactly two modes - NOTHING is happening or EVERYTHING is happening.

Well, using "OR" here might be incorrect because...

Sometimes both of those writing modes are happening at once and while EVERYTHING is happening offscreen, NOTHING is happening.

The show essentially has, unintentionally, perfected saying a lot while saying NOTHING.

I think ANN review/retrospective of RWBY overall hits the point on the head well:

"This, in essence, is the biggest paradox of RWBY's writing. It tries so hard to cram in as much plot as it possibly can, but ends up saying far less than it did when a tidal wave of creative ideas was the main focus. Characters that could have had interesting and engaging storylines are either truncated to the point of not making any sense or are relegated to plot manipulators with one-dimensional characterization who get a single moment of interest directly before they become irrelevant for the rest of the story. It speaks to a lack of inventiveness in these new plotlines being written, creating the image that they care more about hitting the most salient story points and then moving on to the next batch of plot rather than finding intriguing and creative ways to flesh out the characters and aesthetic that drive said plot forward."

The only part I'd disagree with is V4 being different - I think V4 is exactly the same way its just that Miles and Co genuinely had no idea what to TRY to say or what the plot will be.

Like this perfectly describes the issue with MilesWBY writing overall. I think the key moment is when RWBY staff said after V4 that they offscreened Yang's journey with the arm because "it would be boring". That epitomises the crucial misunderstanding the showrunners have with the story. The story is not interested in those characters or their emotions or their development or reactions to the world around them. The story is not interested in making a point or making characters OR the world change or develop. The points of interest within the narrative are reversed from how you'd write the narrative. Focus is given to the parts you'd generally don't really focus on and the crucial character interactions, development, self-reflection, growth AND conflict are offscreen.

As it stands, that makes MilesWBY into a show which hasn't really said ANYTHING of note since the Fall of Beacon happened. The cast jumped through multiple continents and Kingdoms and yet none of the crucial characterization plotlines or thematic elements had ANY development.

The fact that Ever After trainwreck haphazardly attempts to use character flaws from volume one and two to do SOMETHING with characters speaks MILES (ha) about how much the writing staff doesn't care about having actual proper character progression. As well as how much thy are willing to completely ignore Volume 3.

You could literally cut out everything between V3 and any "Newest Volume" and just have characters randomly be dropped into it through magic and nothing would change. Even the "dead" characters don't mean anything - after all there's zero difference in MilesWBY on whether a character has genuinely died or if they merely were forgotten offscreen.

This might sound kind of mean but MilesWBY volumes are an equivalent of AI generated text paragraphs.

[stobinesque]

intro & masterlist

read • 29 • ze/zir/zirs

I follow and interact from @amusingdisplacement.

Mostly Stobin, Steddie, and Lucas Sinclair content here, but I am, broadly speaking, a multishipper! (There is the occasional canon-Stancy-critical reblog here and there, tagged anti-stancy for filtering purposes.)

No DNI criteria, but minors take note that there's fairly frequent 18+ content here. And B*lly Hargr*ve fans who don't think he's canonically racist: we will not get along.

links & nav guide

[ ao3 account ] • [ spotify ]

tags:

#read.txt : original homegrown ramblings. sometimes there are even coherent headcanons here.

#read writes : general-purpose writing tag

#read microfic : where all of my microfic drabbles for my 250 follower celebration can be found!

things i currently ramble about a lot:

#jeff is steve's bi awakening au | #wayfinder tag [s4 lucas pov fix-it] | #first light tag [rockie apocalyptic first date fic] | #wigwag tag [steve's gay slut-discovery era: the fic]

fic list

highlights:

currently posting: Follow Celebration Microfics!

newest: held frozen like an angel to me • E • steddie • [read on ao3]

biggest hit: lay your cuts and bruises over my skin • unrated • Steve-centric • [ao3 only]

writer's higlight: the firmament in you • T • stobin • [read on ao3]

SERIES

semiotics 'verse

[series masterpost tk]

/ˌsemēˈädiks/ plural 1. the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation. "Queer identities, and the everyday practices and performances associated with them, cannot be dissociated from the ways in which they are expressed by language—in all its subtleties and implicit associations as well as explicit self-reports—as situated in dynamic contexts of social norms and values, politics, power, ideology and various media" (source)

lay your cuts and bruises over my skin

3/3 | wc: 22k | Unrated | Gen / Steve-centric | ao3 only

People like to say that Steve can’t take a punch. But that’s not strictly true. The other accusation—that he’s no good at throwing a punch—is closer to the truth. But really the issue can be neatly summarized by the fact that he’s a little too good at taking a punch. OR A history of Steve Harrington’s bruises.

plinth

One-Shot | wc: 1k | G | Gen / Robin & Max | read on ao3

There are monsters in Hawkins, Billy Hargrove is dead, and Robin is sitting next to his kid sister while her summer job burns in front of her.

phryctoria

7/7 | T | Gen / Stobin & Steve-centric

Sometimes your gay awakening is just having someone to show you it’s possible. After Starcourt, Steve realizes he's gay, comes out to his best friend, and starts figure out how to navigate his new reality with her. Sometimes your gay awakening is just having someone to show you it’s possible. After Starcourt, Steve realizes he's gay, comes out to his best friend, and starts figure out how to navigate his new reality with her.

A Cure for All That Ails You

One-Shot | wc: 6k | T | Gen / Stobin | read on ao3

Steve gives her a despairing look. “Please don’t tell me your only experience of grilled cheeses have been ones made with Kraft singles.” “Okay, I won’t tell you!” She says brightly. Steve looks to be on the brink of tears. “Hey…it’s okay, Steve. I promise you can pop my good-grilled-cheese cherry!” Steve’s expression, if anything, grows even more pained. “Please, for the love of God, do not put it like that.” For Lex's Spicy Six Summer Fanworks Challenge prompt: “How did you go through life so far without knowing how to make a grilled cheese sandwich?”

perfect creature rarely scene

held frozen like an angel to me

One-Shot | wc: 10.3k | E | Steddie | read on ao3

There's a figure in the doorway, silhouetted by the chandeliers he keeps faintly lit in the receiving hall. Eddie sees the outline of wings. Of horns. A flowered crown. No sooner has he had the thought to reach out than the figure is stalking towards him. Eddie still can't move, and the beat of his heart picks up its pace. Not yet pounding in terror, but racing like he's just started a chase. He wants to speak. Wants to cry out, wants to— "Hello, my pet."

ONE SHOTS

the shape of things lost; the shape of things to come

T | wc: 1k | Gen / Stobin | cw: Major (Canonical) Character Death, Post-Season 4 Vol. 2, Grief & Mourning, fatalistic thinking

hitch, loop, hand & heart [ READ ON AO3 ]

E | wc: 2k | cw/tags: Bondage, Shibari, Hand Kink, Praise Kink, Anal Fingering, Soft Dom Steve, Good Boy Eddie, ‘puppy’ used as a term of endearment

the mouth that feeds you [ READ ON AO3 ]

E | wc: 4k | cw/tags: Office Sex, Desk Sex,Lingerie, thigh biting, Stone Top Robin, Sassy Pillow Princess Nancy (kinda), ‘sir’ used as an honorific, Praise Kink, Oral Sex, Dacryphilia (just a dash), Edging, Vaginal Fingering, Squirting [there’s…a lot going on here]

CHALLENGES & PROMPT FILLS

Steddie Week fics:

Day Two: Fluff [T+]

Day Three: First Kiss [T]

Day Four: Familiar / “let me be the void you fill” [T+]

Days 6: Misunderstanding & 7: “Freedom!” by Wham / “talking could, if we’d just dare (you know that i’ll forgive you)” [part 1][part 2]

Steddie Microfic Challenge fics:

July

prompt: 'pool' original wc goal: 442 bonus round goal: 273 title: center stage • rating: E / M • cws: Kink, D/s dynamics, Public Sex, Bondage, Chastity Device (briefly implied), Boot Kink, Light Degradation/Humiliation

August

prompt: cake wc goal: 311 fill 1: gilding the lily • rating: E • cws: cockwarming, facials, group sex, “puppy” used as term of endearment

fill 2: avarice for pearls • rating: E • cws/tags: D/s dynamics, free use, sloppy seconds, Daddy Kink (no age play)

Spicy Six Summer Challenge fics

A Cure for All That Ails You One-Shot | wc: 6k | T | Gen / Stobin | read on ao3 prompt: “How did you go through life so far without knowing how to make a grilled cheese sandwich?”

TK: the firmament in you [prompt: Dancing under the stars. - stobin] TK: first light on the horizon (at the end of the world) [prompt: First date - rockie]

prompt fills

prompt: “Just pretend to be my date.” [stobin] rating: T (for language) | wc: 771

prompt: things you said but didn’t mean [stobin] rating: T (for language) | wc: 616 | cw: hurt/comfort, arguments & misunderstandings

prompt: things you said through a closed door [steddie] rating: M (for frank discussions of sex) | wc: 679 | cw: hurt/comfort, erectile dysfunction, internalized ableism

prompt: things you didn’t say at all [stobin] rating: G | wc: 276 | cw: angst, hurt/comfort, ambiguous loss

Playlists!

fic related mixes

World's #1 Babysitter Mixtape [rel: lay your cuts and bruises]

Steve & Robin's Scoops Tracks [rel: lay your cuts and bruises]

Steve's Heartbreak Playlist [rel: Steddie Week Day 7 fic]

Stobin Car Tracks #1 [Summer '85] [rel: phryctoria]

Jeff Taste Profie ['84] [rel: 'Jeff is Steve's Bi Awakening AU']

Wayfinder playlist

first light on the horizon [a Vickie mixtape]

(at the end of the world) first light vibes playlist]

the firmament in you playlist

perfect creature rarely seen series playlist

get to know the author mixes

Stobinesque's Ten Song Recs

STOBINESQUE [username playlist]

STOBINESQUE [vol. 2]

AMUSINGDISPLACEMENT [username playlist – main]

[illusionsofdreaming]

hey, it's owhda. how have you been? it's a little bit sad to see no updates on tumblr from you(I mean any, even just a talk) but that just mean there's something else going on in your life and I sincerely hope it's something good. I didn't really know you much but I really thought that you could be a good friend to have. So.. could we get a glimpse into your life? How's your work? What are you interested in right now?

Hello, hello! It's so nice to see some familiar faces still hanging around this dusty blog! I've missed interacting with you both and Tumblr in general, it's very humbling to know people are reminded of me from time to time. I guess now is as good a time as any to post a little update on what's been going on in my life, how that's affected my writing and what I've got planned for the blog in the coming future. For those who wish to skip the chatter, tldr; I'm hanging on, this will blog will remain online and I do have plans to continue writing.

Let’s see… where do I even begin? Shortly after May, I’ve received an exciting notice - I was promoted! It’s a goal I’ve been working on for some time so it was quite satisfying to hear the news. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of activities - trying to juggle my new responsibilities and manage my own team took some time getting used to. I’ve worked solo for so long it was difficult to be the ‘leader’. In fact - I still am uncomfortable being one, but I’m starting to get the grasp of it.

I’ve been traveling for work as well and in these few months have been to Japan and UK. Both trips where I fell severely ill because my weak body can’t cross countries without making complaints and making me feel my age. Oh. And I finally got Covid in November which really laid me low for at least 2 weeks. 

I realise my health’s been taking a hit lately. Perhaps its the stress of having more work on my plate and being in a new position but I’ve been getting sick more easily. I’m currently recovering from a throat infection that I got from my UK trip as I write this - so fun times.

So yeah.. it’s been a lot of paperwork, electronic work, a lot of self reflection and remoulding of myself to my real life that really put writing on the back burner. I always wrote at night after work but nowadays I don’t even have the energy for that. If I’m not dead asleep by the time I’m done with work then some infection, flu or cold will get me. 

…and the longer I don’t touch my writing the less I wish to open my WIPs because I have a silly, irrational fear that I no longer write the same way I use to - either I’ve deteriorated or my style’s changed. It’s silly. 

Good news is that, I think I’ve finally found my pace, my new position is no longer ‘new’ but the norm and I’m slowly finding ways to carve out my own personal time in my new schedule. Which is why I’ve decided to tackle this issue today. To be honest, it’s been a while since I wrote anything fictional, but I’m planning on slowly working through the writing blocks that have built up due to my neglect. I’ve bought 2 new books during my trip in UK so that’s a step in the right direction right?

As some of my older followers would know and recognise by now, I do tend to go through highs and lows when it comes to activity on this blog. It often reflects what’s going on in my personal life haha. But lately, the creative bug that has been out of energy seemed to have been slightly rejuvenated - my habits of hyperfixating on creative mediums is rearing its head again so I know it’ll only be a matter of time before I’m itching to write again. 

About what..? TCF is still on my mind but not as much as before since it’s been some time since I last read its chapters. Lately I’ve been reading Absolute Sword Sense and am keeping up with its chapters so far. I’ve yet to get the newest Fire Emblem game and have been doing great avoiding any and all spoilers so far - but I’m pretty sure it’ll be going on my list of series I’ll write for in the future.

My health issues are to be tackled another day because I’m frankly, quite tired of taking meds. 

As for where I wish to take the blog… hmm.. that’s really a tough decision because I’ve never really had a clear goal in mind when it comes to this blog. It was just a great space to share my thoughts on fandoms and interact with likeminded people. I don’t think I’ll be opening requests for a while since I’ve got a huge backlog of WIPs to work on. I suppose I could attempt to keep the blog less.. dead? Not sure how I’ll go about it though.

Anyways.. that’s about it. Terribly sorry for the word vomit, I hope everyone's been doing well and enjoying your life! If it seems I'm a bit dead without updates, it's usually because there aren't any chatter related inboxes haha. So is this illu's call for random stories to be dropped in their mail? Yes.

[techtired]

Earn Tuffer Explained: A Full Overview of Its Best Features

Earn Tuffer is a smartphone app designed to pay users for different chores and activities.  Mobile applications abound in today's fast-paced digital world, providing convenience, entertainment, and even income-generating possibilities. Earn Tuffer has become somewhat well-known among these applications, particularly in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. This guide will lead you through the features, benefits, and workings of Earn Tuffer, whether your main goal is to learn more about the newest money-making applications or find ways to make extra revenue. What is Earn Tuffer? Designed to pay users for basic activities such as watching movies, doing surveys, playing games, and more, Earn Tuffer is a smartphone software. Users of the app may gather points, which can be redeemed for prizes like cash, gift cards, or other goods. It is reachable to a wide audience as it is available for Android and iOS users. Design for User-friendliness and Interface Earn Tender's most recent iteration boasts a straightforward, intuitive design. Users of the software are met with a simple-to-use home page as soon as they open it, where they may rapidly locate chores, monitor their progress, and check their earned points. The software is meant to be simple. Thus, anyone—including those not incredibly tech-savvy—can use it easily. Important interactive aspects The home screen makes it simple to see how far you have gone by stressing the accessible tasks and user progress. Users may monitor the points they gain as they go through different activities. The software looks good and has a neat layout that improves user experience. How To Download Earn Tuffer? Simple download of the Earn Tuffer software is Free for Android and iOS users. Android devices: Launch the Google Play Store on your smartphone. Type "Ear Tender" in the search bar. From the search results, click on the app, then press Install. The app will be available on your smartphone once installed. iOS-Based Devices: View the Apple App Store on your smartphone. Type "Earn Tender" into the search field. Click the Get button to download and install the program. How Can You Maximize Your Earn Tuffer? Consistency, planning, community interaction, and consistency will help you to maximize your time on Earn Tuffer. These ideas should help you optimize your income: Stay Active Keeping active with the app is one of the simplest methods to increase your income. Frequent searches for fresh projects and offers help you not to miss chances. Every day, spend reviewing and finishing the chores that match your timetable. Sort High Paying Jobs First Not any chores on Earn Tender pay the same benefits. Watching movies, for example, cannot pay as much as finishing tests, surveys, or applications. Emphasize chores with more rewards to maximize your time. Tasks may be arranged according to their earning potential so you can pick the ones that best return your time. Use The Referral Program Earn Tuffer provides a referral program whereby recommending friends and relatives to use the app will help you win more prizes. You will get extra points when someone registers and interacts with the app using your reference code. You might make more the more individuals you recommend. Finish Projects Correctly On Earn Tender, accuracy is crucial while finishing projects. Verify that you give accurate information and closely follow directions. This helps you keep a positive image inside the app and creates new income prospects. Participate in the community. Participating in the Earn Tender community also helps one remain educated and motivated. Engaging with users lets you learn about fresh prospects, get advice on increasing your income, and even distribute your tactics. As you pursue your earning objectives, the community may be a fantastic source of direction and support. Problems and Advice for Making Use of Earn Tender Although Earn Tuffer offers several opportunities to make money, you might encounter specific difficulties. These pointers should help you negotiate those obstacles: Organize Your Time Managing time and juggling several chores might be challenging for hectic people. To get above this, concentrate on high-paying chores and schedule particular hours daily to work on the app. Making a timetable can enable you to finish more without feeling overburdened. Steer Clear of Scams Although Earn Tuffer is a respectable program, one should always be wary of fraud. Verify they are authentic before finishing projects or taking offers. Should anything appear too good to be true, one should exercise caution or shun it altogether. Maintaining Motivation It might feel like your income is rising slowly, particularly when you're first starting. Create little, reasonable goals and acknowledge your advancement to keep inspired. Staying engaged will get more straightforward as you become more acquainted with the software and make more money. Record Your Income Reviewing your withdrawals and income frequently helps you to guarantee correctness. The built-in tracking tools of the program or maintain a separate notebook to record your development. This will keep you orderly and ensure you get the benefits you worked for. Conclusion Earn Tender presents Dubai citizens with a creative and adaptable approach to augment their salary for people wishing to generate money from basic online activities; its easy-to-use interface, a broad spectrum of jobs, and dedication to security appeal. Earn Tuffer offers various earning possibilities that match any schedule, whether your participation in surveys, video viewing, or promotional offers. Users of the app may optimize their income by remaining active, leveraging high-paying assignments, and using the referral network. The experience is improved even more by the community and support structures, which help users stay motivated and negotiate the platform. Earn Tuffer is a website worth looking at for anybody in Dubai searching for a flexible and profitable approach to creating extra income. FAQs What is Earn Tuffer? Users of the smartphone app Make Money with Tuffer gain prizes for completing surveys, viewing movies, and playing games. How can I get benefits from Earn Tender? Completing different chores running via applications will reward you. Gift cards, cash, and other incentives can all be used from the points acquired. Are iOS and Android smartphones compatible with Earn Tuffer? Earn Tuffer is usually downloaded from the Apple program Store for iOS and the Google Play Store for Android.  Using Earn Tuffer, may I run any risk? Use any app with incentives, but be careful to download applications from legitimate app shops. How might I get Earn Tuffer's support? For any questions or problems you wish to have handled, the app's or the website's contact of support is typically there. Read the full article

[mylocalskill]

A Day in the Life of a Manufacturing Worker

Manufacturing jobs aren't what they used to be. The stereotype of dark, dreary factories with repetitive manual labor is totally outdated. Today's state-of-the-art plants offer high-tech, engaging careers. Let's walk in the shoes of a current manufacturing worker to see how technologies are transforming their daily responsibilities.

Morning: Optimizing Operations

Our employee Mary starts her day at a medical device plant arriving at 7am. After grabbing coffee, she logs into software that monitors production metrics and machinery performance. By analyzing data on tablet, she spots bottlenecks hampering yesterday's output. Mary determines a conveyor needs maintenance and schedules a technician. She also adjusts staffing assignments to improve flow. With analytics tools, Mary optimizes operations without leaving her desk.

Mid-Morning: Coordinating the Supply Chain

Mary reviews the production schedule and upcoming order deadlines. She checks inventory levels of parts and materials used on the line, purchasing more as needed. With a global supply chain, she video conferences with a supplier abroad to ensure on-time component delivery. Mary then swings by the assembly floor to check if machine maintenance restored output pace. Supply chain coordination keeps production humming smoothly.

Lunch Break: Virtual Reality Training

Over lunch, Mary slips on a VR headset. She's learning the newest quality control inspection procedures before they get implemented on the factory floor. Through immersive simulations, she's trained on examining products and spotting defects. This virtual reality training boosts her skills without taking her off the line. The plant even gamifies learning by tracking her inspection scores.

Early Afternoon: Collaborating with Engineers

Mary meets with engineers designing the next product launch. Using 3D models, she provides input about optimum assembly methods and machine requirements. Her operations expertise ensures engineering concepts transition seamlessly to real-world production. In the past, engineering kept isolated from the shop floor. Today, manufacturing staffing agencies know cross-functional collaboration is key.

Late Afternoon: Automation and Augmented Reality

When Mary returns to the floor, she monitors a row of robotic arms assembling products. The robots work tirelessly without error. Further down, technicians wear augmented reality headsets displaying interactive instructions as they service equipment. The AR provides visual guidance for technical repairs. While robots handle repetitive tasks, humans like Mary remain crucial for strategic thinking.

End of Shift: Data Analysis

Before she leaves, Mary checks the day's statistics on production volume, quality, downtime and more. She notes issues needing attention like a spike in defects. This data gets communicated to the next shift team so they can continuously improve. Mary leaves knowing tomorrow will bring new challenges as technologies transform manufacturing.

Final Thoughts

The stereotype of manufacturing workers doing manual, mundane labor no longer reflects reality. Mary's day illustrates how technologies like automation, virtual reality, 3D printing and data analytics create high-skill, engaging careers. Manufacturing staffing agencies are working hard to change perceptions. They want to inspire the next generation by showcasing manufacturing's future.

[reetu24]

Professional Wedding Photography

Say 'I Do' to Professional Wedding Photography: Trends and Tips

It is an artistic endeavor in the field of wedding photography to capture the spirit of celebration and love. Professional wedding photographers are responsible with capturing every priceless moment, from the tender vow exchange to the exuberant revelry on the dance floor. Renowned event firm Wedding Twinkles shares the newest trends and priceless advice in this extensive guide for prospective photographers wishing to start a career in wedding photography.

Becoming a Professional from a Beginner in Wedding Photography:

Entering the world of wedding photography might be intimidating, but it can also be thrilling for novices. Wedding Twinkles suggests that you begin by practicing and experimenting to hone your technical skills. Learn how to use your camera gear, become an expert in exposure, composition, and lighting, and become fully immersed in the craft of visual storytelling. Attend workshops, look for ongoing opportunities to learn and develop, and ask seasoned experts to mentor you.

Generating Creative Ideas of Capturing Candid Moments:

Capturing unscripted moments that capture the true feelings and personalities of the couple and their loved ones is what makes wedding photography so beautiful. Wedding Twinkles advises paying close attention to your surroundings, seeing moments before they happen, and welcoming serendipity as ways to come up with original ideas. Interact with the wedding party and attendees to establish a good connection and foster a relaxed environment that encourages genuine moments. Try out different viewpoints, angles, and editing methods to add depth and creativity to your shots, that’s the mantra of a professional wedding photography.

The Trending Ideas for Pre-Wedding Photography:

Pre-wedding photography has become a trendy trend that enables couples to present their love story in beautiful locations prior to their wedding day. Wedding Twinkles showcases the newest trends in professional wedding photography in this area, such as destination shoots in picturesque settings, themed sessions based on the couple's passions, and enchanting engagement photos taken against stunning scenery. Encourage couples to show off their originality and personalities in order to produce classic photos that capture their special love tale.

Must-Have Gadgets to Capture Moments During Day and Evening Functions:

Having the correct tools can make all the difference in capturing fleeting moments with clarity and precision in the fast-paced setting of wedding celebrations. Wedding Twinkles advises purchasing basic gear like tripods for stability, external flashes for low light, high-quality cameras with interchangeable lenses, backup batteries, and memory cards for continuous photography. Additionally, to improve the mood and aesthetic effect of your photos, think about using drones for aerial shots and creative lighting approaches.

Tips to Become a Pro in Wedding Photography:

Pursuing a career in wedding photography demands commitment, persistence, and an excellent sense of detail. In order to help photographers improve their work and position themselves as professionals in the cutthroat business, Wedding Twinkles offers insightful advice. Build a solid portfolio that highlights your greatest work, foster relationships with vendors and clients by providing outstanding customer service, and always improve your abilities while keeping up with new trends and technological advancements. Accept obstacles as chances for development and, most importantly, approach every wedding with enthusiasm, professionalism, and a dedication to going above and beyond.

Henceforth, professional wedding photography is a complex art form that requires technical skill, imagination, and a sincere love of telling stories. Aspiring photographers can start a fulfilling journey towards becoming masters of their trade in the fascinating field of wedding photography by embracing the current trends and putting essential advice from industry professionals like Wedding Twinkles into practice.

[openteqsolutions]

Statistics and Benefits of IoT for Business

The Importance of IoT in Business: Enhancing Productivity, Customer Satisfaction, and More

In a fast-paced world where data is king, technology has become the driving force behind a successful business. One of the newest technologies to gain prominence is the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT adoption is rapidly increasing among businesses, and it is easy to see why: IoT can increase efficiency, optimize operations, and provide valuable insights into business operations.

In this article, we will review some recent statistics and discuss the benefits of IoT for businesses and how it can be utilized across different industries.

IoT Statistics for Business

According to a recent report by IoT Analytics, the global market for IoT in 2020 was worth $212 billion and expected to grow to $1.6 trillion by 2025, with a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 24.9%. Additionally, they project that 75% of IoT spending in 2025 will come from enterprise and governments.

Another report by Cisco estimates that by the end of 2021, there will be 25.2 billion active IoT devices worldwide. Cisco also projects that IoT devices, including sensors, will generate 79.4 zettabytes of data by 2025.

Benefits of IoT for Business

Increased Efficiency and Productivity: IoT-enabled sensor networks can enhance supply chain operations by providing real-time data regarding inventory levels and shipment tracking. Predictive maintenance, powered by IoT, can also help organizations streamline their operations and reduce maintenance-related downtime.

Improved Customer Experience: IoT can help businesses offer customers personalized experiences through real-time monitoring of customer preferences, habits, and behaviors. This data can be used to tailor services and products to meet their specific needs.

Cost Savings: IoT data analysis can identify areas of optimization that result in cost savings. Remote monitoring and predictive maintenance can reduce maintenance costs and extend the life of assets and equipment. Automation reduces labor costs while enhancing productivity.

Safety and Security: IoT-enabled surveillance, access control, and intrusion detection systems can help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive areas and monitor critical systems for faults. IoT technology can detect and report safety and security incidents at any time.

Competitive Advantage: IoT can give businesses a competitive advantage by enabling them to develop new products and services that competitors may not offer. It can also boost operational efficiency and customer experiences, resulting in improvements in sales and revenue.

Diverse Perspectives on IoT for Business: The adoption of IoT technology has not been without concerns. Critics have raised concerns about data security and privacy risks. There are also concerns about the use of IoT as a tool for surveillance in the workplace.

Despite these concerns, it still stands that IoT technology is rapidly transforming the way businesses operate and how they interact with their customers. Although there are risks, businesses that strategically adopt and implement IoT are poised to gain a competitive edge in their industries.

In conclusion, IoT technology offers businesses significant benefits such as increased efficiency, cost savings, improved customer experiences, safety, security, and competitiveness. Although there are risks, these benefits represent a significant opportunity for companies looking to optimize their operations and stay ahead of competitors.

[teletraan-meets-jarvis]

hello ma'am id like to request a captain rex x f! or gn! reader,, maybe he's promised to take reader out on a date after he returns from a mission and when he does he asks you out and stuff bksbegksgjsn hope that provides inspiration

Ooooh I love this idea and it really did spark something in my brain so thanks for that!! :D. So happy to be writing again. See below for some happiness and fluff!

Date Night With The Captain

AO3 Link

Pairing: Rex x gn!Reader

Summary: You and Rex have been pining over each other for a while now, thankfully your good friends in the Elite Guard intervene to help speed things up.

Warnings: General Audience. Don't think there is any. One bit of swearing.

Word Count: 1.5k

It was another warm, smoggy day on Coruscant. The hatch door to the landing bay of the Republic Military HQ was open, allowing whatever small breeze the planet had to offer through. The top of your Republic issued jumpsuit was tied around your waist, letting the trousers hang loosely around your lower half, in attempt to keep yourself cool. You had the radio on as you worked beneath a red A-Wing, your mind on autopilot as you rewired, cut and welded through the repairs. Casually rolling back and forth on your dolly, humming along to the newest song the radio had to offer.

Given your work as a mechanic for the Republic since the start of the war, you’d gotten to know a lot of the clones from various battalions. You always had fun working on the ships for the Wolfpack as they were natural pilots who took a real appreciation in your work. In return, you made sure to always touch up the artwork of the two buckets and General Plo’s face for them on each ship, as you knew how much it meant to the men. Other battalions, while lovely, really did love to make your job difficult. Aka, the 501st. The clones weren’t too bad when it came to flying, it was more the involvement of General Skywalker which usually meant most of your ships didn’t even make it back, and the few that did were in a questionable state. Captain Rex always had the job of checking the ships back in to you due to Skywalker’s fear of facing your wrath for another ship mishap.

Captain Rex... you felt your mind drift to think of the clone you’d been getting close with over the past few years. He was easy company. A strong, friendly presence that was always welcome in your repair bay. He’d usually stick around for longer then he should, relaying their latest mission as he nursed a cup of caff while you worked away. You’d developed quite a crush on the Captain as time went on, how could you not? His buzz cut blonde hair, his caring nature, and that handsome face which despite being a clone, had something unique about it that made you smile every time he looked at you.

Yep, you were crushing bad on the Captain. But it wasn’t entirely one-sided. Just before he departed for his last mission, you think he was attempting to ask you out on a date before his comm went off and pulled him away and back to the war. You’d been running that interaction through your brain ever since he left, trying to guess how he would’ve liked to finish his sentence.

You let out a sigh at the thought. A person could dream right. You were suddenly pulled out of your thoughts when someone yanked your dolly from out under the ship, taking you with it. You were presented with a helmet-less, Commander Fox who’s curly hair was hanging just above his eyebrows. He didn’t say anything as he shoved a cup of caff in your direction.

You got yourself up from laying on your back and gratefully accepted the caffeine “Cheers, Fox”

“You need to take a break every so often” he stated while sipping at his own beverage.

“Rich coming from you” you winked at him, “Let me guess, Stone forced you to take a break by sending you to bring me a drink and make me take a break”

“Pretty much”

“Classic” you enjoyed the comfortable silence which fell between you both. Despite his overly stressed exterior, Fox was one of your closest friends. He and the other Elite Guard Commanders always made sure to check in and look after you and you did the same for them.

After a few minutes, he spoke again “Oh, Thorn needs your advice on something. He asked you to meet him in the mess hall”

“Dating drama again?” You questioned with a chuckle.

“Most likely” Fox replied with a roll of his eyes.

You bid Fox a farewell and set off to find Thorn. The military base very much stuck to a black and grey colour scheme so it was near impossible to distinguish one hallway from another if you didn’t know you way around by memory. Your jumpsuit made some swooshing noises as your legs skimmed past one another while you walked. Tools and bolts rattled in your pocket as you went. A contrast to the quiet you found in the hallways this evening.

Eventually you spotted Thorn standing outside the mess hall where he waved you inside and disappeared into the room.

You eventually caught up and walked in and the sight you were met with took your breath away. The lights in the hall were dimmed and there was a single table set up. A few candles lit up the centre and there were two portions of standard mess food waiting on either side in their signature metal trays. Standing next to the table was an awkward looking Captain Rex, his armour still dirty from battle. He had his helmet off, letting you see the flush of pink on his cheeks as he rubbed a hand down the back of his neck.

Thorn was practically bouncing with excitement as he pushed you forward into the room. “Well you kids have fun, don’t do anything I wouldn’t dooo!” He shouted as he ran out the door, closing it behind him.

You and Rex stood there for a moment, taking each other in. He looked quite vulnerable in that moment, waiting to see your reaction.

“Hey Captain, glad to see you’re back safe and sound” you said with a smile as you walked towards him. “What’s all this?”

“Well, I uh, I’ve been meaning to take you out for a while now, but things kept getting in the way. I know it’s not Coruscant’s finest dining experience-“

“It’s perfect” you cut him off, smile beaming on your face as you realised everything you’d been dreaming about these past months was true. “How’d you manage to pull this one off?”

“It was Thorn’s idea to be fair, he managed to get Fox on board to give us access to the mess hall after hours.” You chuckled at his words, of course they were meddling. Not that you minded of course, you knew exactly what you signed up for when it came to being friends with the Coruscant Elite Guard.

“You hungry?” Rex asked, much more relaxed now he had your approval on his surprise.

“Absolutely starving” you replied as you took your seat opposite the handsome Captain.

The pair of you chatted away as you ate the standard food that the base pumped out on the regular. Rex filled you in on his latest battles and 501st drama. He mentioned that it was only him from his battalion who had returned, and he was only back for a couple of days with the General to give a briefing to the Council before heading back out again. Which explained why Fives, Kix and Jesse hadn’t come storming into the repair bay to say hello to you.

You relayed what you and the guard had been up to, the pranks that Stone and Thorn had been playing on poor Fox, any fun stories about Palpatine that Fox had bitched about to you all.

Everything came so naturally with Rex; you spoke for what neither of your realised was hours. The candles burning slowly down until they were nearly running out of wax. You didn’t realise how much you’d missed his presence until right now.

Seeing an opportunity, you took his hand in yours on the table. Running your thumb over the hardened skin on his knuckles. “This has been probably the best evening I’ve had in a long time” you admitted, blushing.

“You and me both. But it’s not quite over yet” you cocked your head at the trooper in front of you as he hit something on his comm link and suddenly some slow jazz song started playing through the room’s speakers. Rex stood up and offered you a hand to join him. You nearly swooned at the entire thing. You’d never experienced romance like this. How did you get so lucky that he’d chosen you for all of this?

You took his outstretched hand as he led you to a slightly more open portion of the hall. You wrapped your arms around his neck, he was about to put his on your hips but paused and quickly asked for permission with a quiet “May I?” before he did so. It surely was not possible for a living being to be this adorable, handsome, perfect. Right?

The pair of you began to sway casually to the song that was playing. “So how did I do?” He asked with a small smirk on his lips.

“Honestly Captain, you couldn’t have done anything better. This is perfect” you smiled up at him. Your eyes met his fiery amber ones, filled with such warmth and content. You couldn’t wait any longer, you leaned up and placed your lips on his in a soft, first kiss. Both your movements were slow against one another, enjoying the languid pace set by the dancing and music, letting it guide your kiss.

You pulled away and met his eyes again. Yep you were falling for this man. Badly. But from the looks of it, he wasn’t too far behind you.

The pair of you danced the night away, the war forgotten for that one evening.

Back to Masterlist

[bimswritings]

Savage Opress x Reader

Request: Open

Warnings:Yandere Themes, canon-typical violence

Summary: On their conquest of the universe, Savage finds himself drawn to one of the newest captives in their spread of power.

A/n: The next chapter of ‘This is our way’ is up on my Ao3. It will be posted here after I finish and upload my current Armorer x reader fic.

__________________________________________________

Your planet wasn’t anything special. Located out in the outer rim, it was little more than a moon compared to its neighbors. Its land was barren and cold, an almost ever present frost covering the ground.

Yet you and your people had made it your home, learning how to grow a small amount of crops and mine the rare metals underneath. A job you had yourself, providing enough money for you and your younger brother to live on until he was old enough to work as well. What was produced was enough to give your people an economy, yet remain under the radar and out of the war that ravaged the rest of the planet. The Republic and Separatist had limited interactions this far out at best, and you were able to enjoy a peaceful life, if not a bit exhausting.

Unfortunately, it was this isolation that had been your saving grace for so long that also proved your downfall.

Their ships arrived in numbers you had never seen before, landing on the grey dirt and unloading copious amounts of armored men and women. Your village didn’t even have time to put up a fight, overpower and subdued before you could even think of a weapon to protect yourself.

Soon you were corralled into the town center, separated into groups seemingly at random. Families were torn apart, mother from child and husband from wife. The entire time your brother clung to your leg, hiding as the armed guards shoved you along through the crowds. You tried to stay out of sight the best you could in an attempt to draw the least amount of attention to yourself, hoping, praying, that you could go unnoticed enough to keep him with you.

Above it all, standing out against the dull sky with their vibrant colors, were two Zabraks. Creatures you had only ever heard about in stories from the occasional trader that passed through, and had been just that, stories, until now. Their horns alone were enough to send shivers down your spine, each one protruding from the crown of theirs heads like a twisted version of a crown. Unlike a crown, you knew they weren’t for decoration. The damage they could undoubtedly do if provoked only solidified their threatening presence.

Now they stood above you all, tattoos illuminated in the light of the setting sun. The shorter red one stood in front, chin raised and chest puffed with pride as he looked over your people with another armored man, this one clearly human. He seemed to not even notice the cold, bare chest on full display for anyone to see the unique markings that marred his skin. Just beyond him stood the second Zabrak. His yellow markings stood out even more than his companions, only emphasized by his large size. None of the others even came close to his height, let alone the bulk you could tell he possessed under his armor. Even from here you could tell he could wrap a single hand around your neck and snap it easily with his strong fingers.

His gaze was just as impassionate, if not more so, seeming more bored than anything as he watched the proceedings.

“Come on! Move it!” One of the guards yelled, catching your shoulder as he pushed you forward, reminding you bitterly of Telik being led to slaughter. You kept Jay close, keeping your head down as you passed more guards, pace increasing. Just a few more yards and you would be with the others. Whatever the future had in store for you, at least you would still have each other.

“Hey, you!” A voice called, clearly directed your way, though you pretended not to hear. A cold sweat broke out across your skin as footsteps closed in, hand reaching out and stopping you in your tracks.

“Children don’t go in this area.” He growled, prying Jay from where he hid, ignoring his cries and your screams as he was pulled away. A guard stepped forward to hold you back, another coming to his aide as you fought to get to your brother, who was making it just as difficult for his own captor to drag him away. Even with the muscle gained from the mines you struggled against them, putting up your own desperate fight.

“Stop moving you little- fuck!” He yelped, pulling his arm away and out of Jay’s mouth, which had latched on to the only unarmored part of the hand holding him.

Immediately he turned and was running back towards you, tears streaming down his face and blue eyes wide with fear. In his panic to get back, his childish coordination caught up to him and his feet caught on one another, throwing him to the ground as he was left to scramble. All the while the guard he had bitten approached. 

“You little brat!” He snarled. His hand moved to his hip, producing a whip from its depths. The long weapon crackled to life, sparking with energy as it extended to full length.

Your own stomach dropped in fear as you watched. 

Jay, the one light in your life, the only person you had left, was in danger. You were his older sister. You were supposed to protect him, guide him into adulthood in place of your parents. Be there to kiss away every injury, wipe away the tears after every nightmare.

A new burst of energy flooded your system, giving you the strength needed to push past the guards, leaving them stumbling as you flew towards Jay.

The man brought his arm down, whip swinging in a wide arc aimed at the defenseless boy on the ground. 

It didn’t even have the chance to hit him. You slid the last few feet on the rough terrain, body covering his at the last second and jolting as the electric weapon met your clothed back, ripping through the material like a stone through water. A pained scream tore itself from your lips. Not even when you had gotten a burn from a small explosion in the mines had it hurt this much. In fact, you would take a dozen burns before this. This was just pure agony, the pain not even limited to a single area as the electricity coursed through every part of your body, invading every nerve.

The man was far from done though, and he repeated the action again and again, turning your skin into a bloody mess as Jay continued to cry underneath you, struggling in your protective grip. Still you held tightly, biting your lip to muffle your cries with every lash.

No one lifts a finger to help, not even looking in your direction in fear of the same treatment as they continue to shuffle along. You don’t even have it in your heart to blame them, knowing your reaction would be much the same if the situation was reversed.

Unbeknownst to you, your little altercation has caught the eye of the golden Zabrak, a small twinge in his heart at the deja-vu feeling he gets from the scene. From your age, he can only assume that the boy is your brother. You look too young for him to be your son.

He has flashbacks to his own brother, giving himself to the cursed Nightsisters in exchange for his life, only to be forced to kill him in a cruel show of power.

Before he realizes it, his hand has fallen to his lightsaber, already taking a step to where you are. He only gets a step before Maul calls to him, pulling him away to the ships and leaving him to look back over his shoulder at you crumpled form.

“Come. We must set up camp. The prisoners will be dealt with later.” Maul chuckles. “Those that survive anyways.”

And so he follows, leaving your fate to the Mandalorian who has yet to relent in his cruelty. But out of sight doesn’t mean out of mind, and the memory of your form curled on the ground, taking every lash with little more than a jolt and muffled cry, sticks in the front of his mind and prevents him from having a single moment of rest.

It's hours before he’s able to slip away. Between his brother and Death Watch, it’s nearly impossible for him to make his way to where the captives are being held. They’re all gathered in one of the far corners of the camp, held in place by the ropes around the wrist and looking miserable as they huddle for warmth against the lightly falling snow. He feels no guilt for what their eventual fate will be. They’re nothing to him, mere insects in his brothers plans. Animals to the slaughter. All for the greater good.

The fear he can feel radiating off them feeds a twisted sense of pride within him. The Sith side of him. They know who he is. They know he could easily kill them with no consequence should he choose. 

He’s not here for them though.

A dozen yards away, your body is still laying in the same spot as before, more lifeless than when he last saw you. This time there’s no Mandalorian enforcer above you. Instead, he’s replaced with the small boy from earlier. What remains of your shirt is peeled back from the skin and even Savage, who’s used to many grisly sights, grimaces at your wound. The skin that isn’t lacerated is red and swollen, and he now notices that the young boy has shed his own shirt, using ripped strips to clean the blood away and form a crude version of bandages. He’s busy fumbling over himself, fingers clumsy and stiff from the cold as he does his best to care for the wound with no medical supplies.

So focused on your wounds, he doesn’t even hear the large Zabrak approaching, not until it’s far too late. To his credit, and Savage’s amusement, the boy refuses to leave you, placing his body in front of yours. His bare chest is rapidly moving up and down with fear, thin body on full display. Not an ounce of muscle on him, Savage muses, moving closer to your body. If he doesn’t get you proper medical attention soon the wounds will undoubtedly become infected and kill you, if the blood loss hasn’t already damned your fate.

When he goes to pick up your limp body however, he’s stopped by your brother. Well, stopped is being rather generous. It’s more like he’s latched himself onto Savage’s waist, small fist beating at him with the strength one would expect of a child. He might not have even known he was hitting him if he wasn’t watching it happen.

It’s times like this that he’s most grateful for his cursed strength, easily detaching the boy from him and holding him by the back of his neck, tucking him under one arm as the other reaches for you. It's almost concerning how cold your body is against his own skin, and he’s more careful as he lifts you over his shoulder. His brother would surely find it laughable if he saw how gentle he was being with you.

Without hesitance, he turns back to the main camp, ignoring the looks the others cast his way as he carries your unconscious and broken body over his shoulder, your brother still fighting under his other.

Let them gossip. There’s none that will stand against him.

____________________________________

The first thing you’re aware of is warmth. Surrounding and enveloping your form, begging you to stay as it threatens to drag you back into the land of dreams. That in itself is enough to alarm you. The heating was always turned off at night to save energy, replaced in favor of thick blankets made from the local TekTek wool.

That’s your second red flag. TekTek wool is warm, yet coarse and scratchy. The fabric currently piled on top of and under you is significantly softer, having a slight musk to it.

Finally managing to drag your eyes open, the sight that greets you is not one you were expecting. 

Dark fabric makes up the majority of the tent you find yourself in. It’s clearly worn, yet does a surprising job of keeping the wind outside from entering, slight ripples waving across the fabric yet never entering. A fire sits in the very center, smoke curling up and through a hole in the ceiling. It’s glow provides the only source of light in the space, illuminating the few objects scattered around, including the cot you currently find yourself residing on. Buried under layers of blankets, your hands travel to the bandages wrapped around your chest, the only thing covering your upper body and providing little warmth in comparison to the blankets you were previously under.

How did you get here? Where was Jay? The last thing you remember was the invaders arriving, then nothing. So the question was, how had you gotten from there to here? Alone in an unfamiliar tent.

Your questions are soon answered, a shuffling from the front of the tent drawing your attention. From between the flaps emerges a large figure, his horns nearly catching the fabric as he enters.

You both freeze, eyes locking on one another, equally surprised. There’s a moment of pause, each of you trying to determine your next move. It’s only broken when he takes a step forward, cautiously, but still sending you into a panic. Ignoring the nearly debilitating pain coming from your back, you scramble to the edge of the cot, pressing your back against the fabric and you can feel it straining against your weight. Trying your best to look intimidating, you send a glare his way.

“Where’s my brother?”

He says nothing for a moment, and you almost repeat yourself, cut off as he begins approaching. He’s there before you know it, long legs easily eating the space as his arms reach for you, forcably turning you around despite your resistance. He lets out a grumble as he inspects your back, scoffing about how you’ve ‘reopened them’.

The next thing you know, his hands are worming their way under the wrappings, loosening them as he goes to remove them.

The panic you had felt before was nothing compared to now, knowing where this scenario was going all to well. The stories of what you had heard from other village girls filling your mind, darkening your thoughts as you could only imagine what this monster was about to do to you.

“No! Stop!” You sobbed, knowing full well that there was nothing you could actually do against his strength. The bandages become looser, only held up by your hand as you wildly swing out with the other. All the while you try to distance yourself from him. 

“Please!”

To your surprise, he pauses. His first sign of even showing he heard you since entering. His gaze never leaves you, and you can see the debate going on within his eyes. About what, your guess was as good as any. All that you cared was that he had stopped for the moment, allowing you to cover yourself with one of the many blankets in an attempt to preserve any decency you had left.

Growling, her turns and storms out the way he came, a wisp of freezing wind invading the tent as you're given a glance at the dark night sky outside before you’re once again left on your own. Not for long though, and you think he’s returned once again when the flaps open, only to reveal a young woman in similar armor that you had seen earlier. Not the person you trusted the most right now, but you still preferred her over the large Zabrak from earlier.

She approaches slowly, setting a medkit down on the bed as she smiles your way. “I’m here to change your bandages.” She extends a hand your way, which you only look at, neglecting to come out of your little corner. 

“Please. You’ve opened your wounds again. If you don’t come out now, I’ll just wait for you to pass out and change them then.” she sounds a bit exhausted, and it takes a few more minutes of coaxing before you allow her access to your back, keeping your back towards her as she slowly unwraps the bindings. She deposits them into the fire, leaving you to watch them burn to ash as she retrieves a small container from the medkit. 

Inside is a blue gel, surprisingly warm as it touches your skin and leaves a pleasant numbness. You can almost feel her gaze burning into your skin as she applies the gel, eyes skittering across old scars, fingers even tracing them when visible underneath the new wounds. Seeming to sense your unease, she rushes through the rest, quickly wrapping new bindings around your torso, apologizing with every small grunt of pain you let out. 

Far too quick for your liking she’s done, packing up her things as she prepares to head out. If she’s leaving, then that means there’s more of a chance that he’ll come back. In fact, you have no doubt that she’ll go and tell him once she’s out of here.

Snapping the case closed, she turns back to you and hesitates for a moment.

“I don’t know what you did to gain Savage’s attention, but believe me,” her green eyes lock onto yours, holding a sense of severity that chills you to the bone. 

“, he’s your best chance of surviving.”

With that you’re alone once again, left to your own thoughts and the crackling of the fire, which has gone down a significant amount since you first woke.

What did she mean by that? Gained his attention? And he was one of the ones who lead the attack on your home. Why would he be your saving grace? If anything, he would be the most likely to kill you.

Once again the flap opens, and you almost want to groan about the number of people going in and out, letting the heat out of the tent.

It’s the Zabarak. Savage, you remember the woman from before calling him. This time he has some additions. A cloak draped over one arm and a plate in hand. He moves slower than before, almost cautiously approaching you as he sets the items on the far end of the bed.

“Eat.” His voice is a deep baritone, rich yet monotone as he speaks, nodding towards the plate before moving towards the fire. Your eyes never leave his form as he tosses more wood onto the flame, moving them about without a fear of burning himself. Despite the fear still gripping your nerves, the food is tempting and only now do you realize how empty your stomach is, almost turning in on itself as it lets out a low rumble.

You grab the plate cautiously, picking at its contents as the man continues to poke at the fire. When you do finish, you find yourself wishing you had taken more time with it, no longer having the small distraction from your current situation. Despite the desire to throw on the warm looking cloak, you don’t. While he had directed you to eat, he had said nothing about the cloak. The last thing you wanted to do was make him angry, especially after he had shown how easily he could manhandle you earlier.

“You’re going to travel with me from now on.” He spoke, his back still towards you, yet it still carried loudly through the air, leaving no room for you to mistake his words. “If you have any objections, your fate will be the same as the rest of your village.”

You have no idea why he’s saying this, not when he could just direct you without any information. There’s only one thing on your mind though, present from the very beginning and still burning on your tongue.

“Where’s my brother.” You ask once again, praying to the maker you’ll get an answer this time. “What about him?”

His shoulders tense for a moment. The first emotion he’s shown besides anger.

“He will be allowed to come along given that he trains as a Mandalorian warrior. This is the best option for him.”

You let out a sigh of relief. While being forced to train with the ones who captured him wasn’t an ideal situation, you could only be thankful that he wasn’t fated for something more unfortunate. The only thing that worried you was his size. He was never much of a fighter, too kind to want to cause others pain. You would need to be there for him.

“I...I can still see him.”

“Yes.”

You bit your lip, trying to decide if you should ask another question. He already seemed to be wearing thin with his patience, but you had to know. You would never get a moment's rest until you knew.

“Why am I here.”

He doesn’t answer right away, throwing a few more logs onto the fire before turning to face you. His face was nothing but shadows, eyes standing out in startling contrast. His footsteps were slow and heavy as he made his way over to your form, unable to back away any further as you already find yourself in a corner. He grabs the cloak as he passes, the article almost ridiculously small in his hands.

As soon as he’s close enough, he lifts his arms and you flinch, expecting him to strike you out of annoyance and anger. It never comes though. The only feeling was that of heavy fabric settling on your shoulders, only there a moment before it’s clasped and you feel yourself being pulled forward. 

Savage’s hands are wound tightly into the fabric, forcing your face to nearly touch his. This close you can see every detail of the markings splashed across his skin, the black only making his amber eyes burn even brighter, nearly suffocating with the intensity with which they stare. Almost like molten gold themselves.

His breath fans across your skin, lips nearly brushing yours as his forehead grazes your own, making you whimper as his horns roughly scrap the skin.

“You’re mine now. You will never leave my side, there at my every beck and call no matter what I may need. If you even think about trying to leave or betray me,” he pushed further, forcing you to lean back onto the bed. His weight pushed down enough to keep you in place without being crushing, one hand releasing the fabric of the collar to travel up your face. It brushes the hair away, catching the tear you hadn’t even realized had escaped.

“I’ll force you to watch as I kill your brother in the most painful way imaginable.”

Your breath catches in your throat as he leans forward, baritone voice speaking lowly in your ear as his lips tickle the skin.

“You’ll wish, beg, that I had killed you as well instead of what will happen to you after.”

[mitsdriveswhere]

11 Adventures You Can (Probably) Do Nearby

If you're in the adventurous mood but your work schedule isn't, there's probably a lot of things that you can do to scratch that itch without having to spend 8 hours negotiating and promising your firstborn to get time off.

Camping Apparently people actually like camping. And honestly, I think I might like to try it again. Going with Red out into the not-really-wilderness kind of removed the fear factor of sleeping, you know, in the not-really-in-the-middle-of-nowhere. Be sure to pack for your climate, but have fun!

Skydiving If you're anywhere near a municipal airport, you probably have a company that provides planes and instructors for skydiving. It can be a one off holy-shit experience, or you can get your skydiving license.

Ziplining I didn't realize how many places offer ziplining until I started to look around for it. Really, there's a lot. Keep in mind your own personal fears when deciding. I've gone ziplining through the jungle but the idea of ziplining Royal Gorge is absolutely terrifying. I'm still gonna do it, but it looks terrifying.

Roller Coasters Just go to an old fashioned amusement park! There are a bunch of rides for you to try, and I promise you at least one amusement park near you has an oldest something something newest highest fastest something something ride on it.

Parasailing Got a boat? Got a fairly large bit of water? Got a parachute? Remarkable. If you have a healthy fear of death, parasailing is actually a great alternative to skydiving. It's surprisingly relaxing, like taking a leisurely swing - just a bit higher than usual.

Hang Gliding Same general idea as 2 and 5. Personally, I haven't gone hang gliding yet, but I do have the intention to do so, as there's a hang gliding company right down the road from my house, amazingly. Once I've gone, I'll let you know if it's worth it.

Hot Air Ballooning The one cavoite here is that you can only go hot air ballooning when it is genuinely frigid outside, which I am not a fan of because I am a big whining baby about the cold. I will, eventually, begrudgingly, go hot air ballooning. But I will continue to be a big baby about it and nobody can stop me.

White Water Rafting Holy shit, please go white water rafting. It is also cold as hell, which I would count as its one and only downside, but it is a great rush that gives you a sense of accomplishment and teamwork where you have to do about 0.5% human interaction. Someone will yell at you over the water and you do what they yell. It's *amazing*. Maybe this paragraph is a bad sell but trust me bro.

Fishing I know, I know, boring old man stuff. Let me be a boring old man okay?? It's as relaxing or fast pace as you like. I like to sit back in my camp chair and just have a nice day. Nice and quiet outside of the water and the non-existent fish. Someday I'll catch one, someday...

Local Museums If you haven't picked up by my general, um, everything, I happen to love museums. And a great way to see museums while simultaneously supporting your local community is to see the ones in your city, even the small ones. I have 3 museums within a 5 mile radius of my home, and I have been to 2 so far (the third one is new! pretty excited).

State or National Parks Unfortunately not all states have national parks (sorry Iowa, you're out of luck :|), but there are quite a few of them. If you are planning to go to more than 3, please also plan to buy a national park pass. It's 80$ but most national parks/monuments have a 30$ entrance fee.

There are actually a bunch of other things you can do, but a) I'm not going to recommend something I personally do no want to do and have no interest in doing and b) I'm not going to speak on the safety of those other things. Always, always practice due diligence and find out how safe your particular adventure is.

I mean, at least someone should ;)

[existsarchive]

HOW WE VIBE HERE ON GDEXISTS.DUMBLR.HELL

SPEED

I’m constantly lurking on dash when we always have the tab on if we do something else, though our dash is generally very slow, so it’s easy for me to not come on here constantly as I have a thing of not wanting to be behind on how everyone’s doing. I like seeing how my friends are doing and supporting them. We are in college having one class on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as we sometimes focus working on God Exits in our little corner, as well as we are extremely easy to be exhausted or distracted, so I am not always available to reply out of character or in character. Some days I just don’t feel like doing either, but generally, I’m still quite slow to communicate unless we interact daily because of our chemistry. Having emotional detachment makes it extremely difficult for me to connect with anyone on here but literally one person who I interact in dms daily ( blows kiss to Jess / mavzone ), so I am hard to reach out and connect with, but just know if we are mutuals, I do genuinely enjoy having you around and love interacting with you in some shape or form. I’m super duper chill on here with my pace and... everything.

REPLIES

What I focus on and when I reply is unpredictable, really. Some days I may focus on only prompts, some days may be only drafts, the rest I do both or don’t at all; and no one including myself knows what that day may be happening. It’s the same with when I reply to a draft or prompt, it can take a few minutes to honestly months. On average though, a few days to three weeks at the very least, unless we happen to be personally close / have great chemistry, then I tend to reply within a few hours to days. My grasp on time is extremely weak, so, for an example, I may think I would be replying to a thread a few days late but it’s actually a few weeks. Generally, I have a very poor grasp on reality so everything often goes by a bit too fast for me to keep track of the durations and such. Again, in the end, what I do is unpredictable as I usually go with the flow of what my time and energy can let me do.

STARTERS

I do post starter calls but it’s an extremely rare case. It’s even more rare of actually doing it for at least few interested people, if not everyone, because of motivation and/or usually not really knowing how to establish a setting / purpose of the thread that would make sense for both my and the other’s muses. Yet I don’t like to do this personally because I had a lot of people who would get my starters yet never replied, so it’s just a big waste of time and energy for me. If you like my calls yet don’t end up replying to the old starter(s) I make for you, then I’m not doing it, simple as that. I sometimes write random starters, especially based on part of the conversation or comment and I very much welcome being written one, if you can excuse the slow pace. I do often like other people’s starter calls if I don’t have a lot drafts going on.

INBOX

Prompts is definitely THE best way for me to use as icebreakers or turning them into threads, regardless if they’re sent from newest to oldest mutuals. Starter calls or plotting calls just to set up a thread and not flesh out dynamics / plots just don’t work as well as prompts does for me. I definitely answer prompts from new mutuals as soon as they are sent to me and it’s a bonus if they’re sent unprompted to show me that they’re genuinely interested in interacting as opposed to follow for follow. I am always open for unprompted or personalized asks and I tend to send either out to those who are close to me / with their muse(s) having close dynamics with mine whenever I can have the energy to do so. I sometimes post inbox call for me to send out 2-3 prompts to interested mutuals.

SELECTIVITY

Extremely selective, truly... Obviously, I don’t interact with any -ist and -phobic, any assholes and dumbasses, weirdos, we all know What kind of people, but I am Extremely Wary™ of the RPC nowadays, especially after having to see a lot of old mutuals had silently cut me off around the time Yancy came into being and I wasn’t fully present on here / Yancy co-fronted with me on here or I was constantly talking about Yancy and my OSDD-1b ( as well as having an anon basically telling me I was faking having OSDD-1b a day before my birthday ), and most of those people were the ones who I would really try to provide a lot of positivity and interaction interest, so I’m heavily clinging to the idea that a lot of people on here don’t actually value their “””friendships””” and support mentally ill people ( unless they have anxiety or/and depression!!!!! ) for me to be very cautious with who I want to interact with. While I do end up softblocking new mutuals if we haven’t done much after a week ( especially if they happen to follow us first ), I’m also generally easy to softblock new mutuals anyway, to be honest. It’s easy for me to sense the possible chemistry based on how they are on my dash actively as opposed to peeking into their blog every now and then, so if I don’t see we’d vibe well, I’m out. One time, I had softblocked someone even when I was only mutuals with them in under an hour because I end up just not feeling the chemistry with them and I still think that’s more than valid. A lot of people would find me fake when I try to be very bubbly and friendly, but it’s whatever if these things are done simply for the sake of my comfort.

WISHLIST

Not that I have anything in mind to share them now. If you see anything tagged as wishlist and you’re interested, do lemme know! 

HONEST NOTE

I’m simply here to chill with Yancy being my personal cheerleader. I really don’t want anyone to constantly apologize to me for the quick / late replies or feel obligated to do anything I may ask for or be mutuals with us still. My emotional detachment makes it a lot easier for me to just not a give a damn about a lot of things in general, so always do what makes you most happy and comfortable. I know I, along with Yancy, can be a lot with our overly bubbly energy but while I do it to help me not be surrounded by my constant inner numbness made by the emotional detachment, Yancy being overly prideful and loud to make me look forward to anything / be more confidence ( and I know I can come across as emotionally distant ), we’re just trying to get through our life doing the best we can, truly. Peace and love only in this house. xoxo

TAGGED    :   @jokethur, thank you so much for giving me a chance to make my unofficial guideline ksdgnksdgd !!! TAGGING   :   You reading this !!!

[wariofranchisefanblog]

It’s time! Time to make my impressions post for Wario’s newest game!

Very excited to finally talk in length about it, just note that all spoiler gloves are off here.

Story:

GiT follows Gold's footsteps in having a more developed main plot and takes it even further, letting the Ware crew go on a real adventure together and I'm here for it. It even does something really clever by having the cutscenes be part of the game the cast is trapped in, which becomes most obvious with the Wario Bug who, while in the shadow of Wario Deluxe, still made for a great final stage.

The cutscenes are back to how they were pre-Gold and while the lack of full voice acting is a bummer, I appreciate them being more animated again, not to mention how much character they still have. The lack of endings for them is made up for with the game world cutscenes, where we get the most interactions we ever got between the cast and it's so nice to see.

The characters themselves are also all on-point. Special shout-outs to Kat & Ana, who get a new villain to fight, Ashley, who is finally more openly quirky and Wario, who get's to return to his adventuring roots and even goes on a miniature treasure hunt. The Pyoro twist was also fantastic and I love seeing him become more of a character.

As a superfan I am of course also a sucker for things like helmetless 9-Volt, seeing Mona's home, Wario having the Shoulder Charge and the once more, very high quantity of Rhythm Heaven references.

Visuals:

I mentioned before how the cutscenes are better animated again and even in general I think Gold's style evolved quite nicely here, the more dynamic posing likely helps there too. The Chibi models meanwhile are perfection and I demand merch of them.

The microgame graphics are all over the place, as they should be and the stage visuals stylized to match every theme, while being great to look at. Those who felt Gold's microgame graphics were a bit too clean or sanitized don't need to worry, the zanyness is here and very strong. The return of the stylized title screens for the Variety Pack modes is also greatly appreciated, with Frenemy Frenzy and Friendless Battle being my favorites.

Audio:

As usual for WarioWare, the music is catchy as all get out, with 9-Volt having my favorite stage jingles, while Jimmy's intro theme is something I don't just want, but NEED an extended version of. The Wario Bug not getting it's own theme ala' Wario Deluxe is a bit of a shame, but it's made up for by the game making one of my biggest hopes a reality.

Indeed, for the first time since DIY, we got a new vocal theme, courtesy of Penny and it's a certified bop:

Masterfully captures the sense of sheer joy this game gives me.

Of course, in terms of audio, there is the elephant in the room. Even someone as gushy as me can't deny that the lack of full voice acting is a bummer and jarring, after Gold. That said, I wanna play devil's advocate for a minute.

Despite the downgrade, everyone still sounds great (Pyoro's voice is godly adorable) and I really appreciate that it's all new lines. They even do special lines for things like when you are on your last life or when your character touches something like electricity or fire, finally answering the burning (hah) question of what 5-Volt with her butt on fire sounds like.

Joking aside, WarioWare pre-Gold was heavy on reusing voice clips between games and it's very nice GiT didn't go that route. I do hope the next game strikes for a good middle ground between Gold's full VA work and GiT's presentation & pace.

Gameplay:

My impressions from the demo thankfully held up. It is remarkable how well the playable cast slot into the microgame gameplay. They really were designed around the characters and trying to figure out the best way to play each microgame with everyone offers a new layer of depth to it.

The balancing between the cast is something I can see people be divided on, with Kat & Ana and 9-Volt being generally seen as weak, Ashley being virtually flawless and Orbulon and 5-Volt being able to cheese tons of microgames with their abilities.

Here's my take on it: given how you can't play as a single character, I think the cast aren't meant to be looked at individually, but as part of a group of characters in a rotation. Wario would be the standard, Orbulon and Ashley are meant to be breather characters and Katana or 9-Volt are an added spice of challenge thrown in, being closer to the type of microgames where you don't have total control over your character, which we had plenty of in previous games.

It helps that I actually don't mind playing as anyone and even consider 9-Volt one of my favorites. Every character has areas they excel in and to me, the play as everyone option is the best way to play the game.

Aside from the regular stages and Remix stages, we also got the classic challenge towers and a final Showdown with Pyoro. The latter in particular is actually one of the highlights of the game for me, a proper final battle where every character sees use with microgame-like challenges made specifically for them alone. It's great fun and has a lot of room for expansion.

Wario Cup is a neat idea and something I will play a lot, but hard to judge as of now, since we only have one challenge so far. Variety Pack meanwhile has a pretty meaty amount of extra modes, with Friendless Battle and Daily Grind being ones I particularly enjoy.

Many of them are locked to multiplayer though, I did get a friend to play it with me a bunch yesterday and I did have fun, though Frenemy Frenzy, as neat as a it is to have a platform fighter mode, does make for the one time the imbalance between the cast becomes a issue. Still had a decent time though and I'm willing to bet it's a lot better with a full party of four.

Didn't get to play the main stages in multiplayer yet, but my good friend @huskynator​ has been happy to share his own, fuller multiplayer impression than mine, so I'll quote him here:

''It's fun, but it can be a mixed bag. Some microgames really work for teamwork, other don't in the short amount of time you get. Others just don't, even if you and your friend have coordination.

It's not recommended you go beat each Level 3 boss in story mode if you're planning to go for that unless you're both up to the challenge. Be warned that you're likely twice as accident-prone. Or not, it's a little inconsistent whether if one Player fails that the other fails too when at all times they share the same goal.

It's worth playing with someone though. Especially if you got someone perfect to play WarioWare with you. Someone who doesn't even know what WarioWare is.

And this is just talking story mode. And thinking about it, Story Mode does make for a good training mode for the Multiplayer mode the "Variety Pack".

This is where you'll have the most fun multiplayer-wise. It ranges from who can win the most microgames, to battle modes using the actual character's abilities, to a mixture of those two. To volleyball in the vein of Kung Foot from Rayman Legends if you played that, and it's just as fun.

I'm not going too deep here, because I think it is up to preference what you'd prefer. Try them out if you have someone over.

It harkens back to N64/early GC era slapdash multiplayer modes that have been a dead art for a long while. And like that era, it's horribly unbalanced and the game knows it.

Not all modes are unbalanced, but for those that are, it's half the fun.''

The Index is the most expansive it's ever been, with highscores for every individual character getting tracked, so a good excuse to practice every game with everyone I'd say. Also missions are back from WarioWare Gold, giving you lots of extra objectives to complete.

Lack of Online Play is a disappointment though, the biggest I have with the game. Nintendo's online is notoriously subpar at most, but it would have been nice to at least see the attempt. You are reading the words of a guy who managed to squeeze enjoyment out of Mario Maker 2's mutiplayer online. Here's hoping they pull a Mario Party and patch it in.

Extras:

The main extra content is in the Break Room and the Prezzies. Prezzies are little gifts you can give to the characters in exchange for increasing their ranks, which will give you alternate colors for them and special art drawn by Ko Takeuchi, five for each character. Figuring out what prezzies everyone likes the most makes for some funny stuff. Turns out Pyoro is a Wario fan, if him loving the Hunky Wario Statue is any indication.

The alternate colors are a cute extra. Don't affect much, but are fun to play around with, I did like making Sal Out and Vanessa colored Monas for instance. The big highlight is the unlockable art though. I mean Look. At. This.

And every single piece is as much of a gift as this. I'd post all my highlights, but then I'd be posting all 100 pieces total.

The traditional toys and souvenirs are absent entirely, which to be fair, isn't a first. I do wish they were there, but Gold already made them a lower priority so I expected this. It is a shame, but they have always been primarily made to play with the imput method of the day, so I do get it.

I'm always worried of fanboying too much with this kind of impressions post, but I can only say it how I truly see it. Get It Together is everything I wanted it to be and I am very, veeeery happy with this game.

Whether I'd rank it or Gold higher is legit hard to say. Gold did have some things I miss like the full voice acting and is the ultimate classic WarioWare experience, with the highest bar set in terms of content quantity yet.

GiT meanwhile is a brave new step into a exciting new direction, that does a ton that I really wanted and doesn't really feel lesser in content, since the characters add so many variables and unique challenges for every microgame.

The fact that both Gold and GiT stand shoulder to shoulder as my favorites in the series yet, does say volumes  over how much I love the new path the series has taken since it's return and I am very excited for it's future.

Speaking of which, I do hope we get some DLC for GiT, just in case the character mechanic doesn't return in the future. I doubt it wouldn't, especially since Get It Together is selling so well and caught many eyes with it, but you never know.

What I'm basically saying is Sal Out pls.

[ziamhaze]

My Future in Fic

Yeah, so, the 100k fic that I’ve been working on for the past six months?  The one that was going to be uploaded to AO3 last week?  Yeah, it’s accidentally getting published...

Where do I start?

I suppose with a massive thank you to anyone who’s clicked on any of my fics over these past two years.  I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again.  I never ever thought about writing as a career.  I’ve never written anything prior to my Harry Potter AU Compartment 451.  I didn’t even take an English class in undergrad or grad school.  I genuinely just had an idea for a fic I wanted to read and since no one had written it, I had to do so myself.  Since then, I’ve written every single day for 2 years.  I left my job in the entertainment industry, got accepted to one of the best creative writing programs in the world on a scholarship, and now one of my stories is being considered at Harper Collins.  Yes, the Harper Collins.  It’s the longest shot in the world, but for legal reasons I was not allowed to upload the fic version on any website prior to submission.  Even if they don’t pick it up, I’ve been advised to continue to shop it around to agents.

What I can do, however, is share the premise.

If you’ve been following my tumblr and watching my tags - I SEE YOU ALL OUT THERE - then you’ll know that this fic was meant to have Zayn with his signature undercut hairstyle and one more little thing...

Someone sent me an ask a while back about what this fic was supposed to be about.  I believe I said something about it being an adaptation fic, but not from a film/tv show/other piece of literature, from a song.  This next fic was meant to be an adaptation of the song Younger by Ruel.  Later on, it also took shape with the help of Remember by Liam and a few others that you can find here.

The miniature summary is as follows:

When his father suddenly passes, twenty-nine-year-old Liam Payne is brought back to the Sydney suburbs where he grew up.  He doesn’t plan on seeing his childhood best friend, Zayn Malik, at the burial service.  They haven’t spoken since going from brothers to strangers one fateful day fifteen years prior.  But Zayn puts an end to this when he approaches Liam after the burial, offering his condolences and asking if Liam can help his archaeological research team with photographing their newest project.  The unexpected closeness forces each man to wade through uneasy emotions.  For Liam, a mixture of grief, lost identity, and confusion over why he’s willing to interact with the one person he swore he’d never forgive.  And for Zayn, a tidal wave of anxiety that comes from finally facing a part of himself he’s always chosen to deny.  When We Were Younger is a story heavily rooted in blurred identities and exploring what loss can look like in two different scenarios: death and friendship.

For obvious reasons, their names will be changed.  Liam, to Hutton.  Zayn, to Cairo (his ethnicity will also be changed to Egyptian).  As you can see, it was meant to be my big ‘enemies to lovers’ fic.  Technically, it’s ‘best friends to enemies to lovers’, but you know.

Right, so what does this mean for me going forward?

I still have so much inspiration when it comes to writing Zayn and Liam as characters.  I don’t plan on putting a complete stop to writing them, but with my career taking this large of a turn, I do have to prioritise my time.  That said, as of now, I can’t afford to write long-form fic any longer.

Soon, I’ll be starting a PhD program where I’ll be writing another full-length novel for mass publication.  For fun, here’s a little insight on the two ideas that I’ll be pitching:

1.  Underground boxer (loosely based off Liam) falls in love with arms gang leader (loosely based off Zayn).  Throughout their love story, the latter has to outrun the psychological trauma his father (the leader of Zayn’s rival gang) still throws his way. 

2.  Cold War AU.  Paris, circa 1950/51.  Ambassador’s son (loosely based off Liam) befriends new student (loosely based off Zayn) at the international school.  Paris is a ticking time bomb; war is about to break out at literally any second.  The two clearly have feelings for each other, but can’t act on them because homosexuality in the 1950s...yikes.  When war does break out, the two are separated, and as Liam’s character goes out to find Zayn’s, he learns a secret of his that changes everything.

Whichever I don’t write for the PhD will be the novel I write following it.

In the meantime, I’m going to continue to write (and edit) like crazy.  Ever since I randomly wrote C451, there hasn't been a day that’s gone by where I haven't written something.  It may have only been a paragraph or two, but never zero.  This is how you get better.  This is the equivalent of going out and shooting free throws for 30 minutes a day.  You have to put in the work in order to get better.  I'm very lucky that I'm incredibly self-disciplined and I've been able to crank out as many stories as I have over the past 2 years.

That said, I’ll be writing shorter little oneshots.  I have several ideas that I’ve been sitting on, but haven’t ever thought to write because I HATE writing short stories.  Little ideas that don't have huge plotline/climax potential, but that I want to just see on paper, I'll probably end up writing.  If I had to guess, I'd say they'll come out to around 10-15k.  Also, sequels?  Prequels?  Haha, you never know...

I’ve also got a series called “Sleep Drabbles” that are, yes, you guessed it, a series of drabbles based around one theme: sleep.  I also have a few scenes that I want to write which are based on ziam’s kids, not actually ziam themselves.  If there’s enough demand for that, I can upload those too, but they’re quite niche, so I don’t think the general fandom would be very interested.

As far as frequency for all of this, I have no idea.  I’ve always done things at my own pace and written stories that I want to write, for myself.  That won’t ever change, so I don’t want to commit to one drabble a week or one short-length fic per month.  It takes me weeks (months for this last fic) to research and interview the necessary people to get character arcs correct/believable.  I love that part of writing, and so if I have a little story that I want to write that may only be 10k but takes me ages to put together how I want, then so be it.  I will always be around to answer asks/messages and please, continue to tag me in your writing tag posts!  But please, no prompts.

So, that’s my future with fic.

Again, I cannot say thank you enough to every single one of you.  Every single thing that people tag me in (@malik-payne , @zqua1d , @zentiment , @liamisthesun , @redyellowberry I’m looking at you), I appreciate and love!  The recommendation lists that people have put me on, THANK YOU!  It’s wild to think that I used to look to rec lists for years and now I’m on them.  @ziamfanfiction THANK YOU for always having my back with exposure!  @paynefulperiods , my beloved beta reader, THANK YOU for always encouraging me and putting up with shit first drafts.  @march-z5 , THANK YOU for always being on call for ideas and listening to me bang my head against the wall at 4 am.

Now, might fuck around and make a fake picspam for the fic that never was...

Also, all of the behind scenes pages for each of my fics are now public, so feel free to check those out here.

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for making this journey possible. I know people say that a lot when they gain a following of any sort, but I truly truly mean it.  You have to have talent in order to be an author, but you also have to have people who want to read your stuff.  Proof of concept is a real thing.

So thank you a million times over.

Speak soon my friends.

[talkfastromance4]

2.) Without Me--Ashton Irwin ‘Lovers in a Song’ series

a/n: So while each ‘chapter’ is titled after a song it’s more of the mood and a few choice lyrics that really made the story. This story changed a lot as I wrote it but in the end it all flows really nicely together. I’m so excited to share this with you! Each part is 3,000 with the exception of the last part. Please don’t hesitate to send me messages, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Word count: 3k

warnings: casual drinking, unprotected sex, fingering, slight angst 

Masterlist

LIAS masterlist

***

5 Years Ago

It’s raining cats and dogs on campus, the last night before graduation and Ashton is at one of the dive bars he frequented over his four years at school. There’s hardly anyone here and he’s staring at the bottle with his initials scrawled in golden loops with morose. After tomorrow when he walks across the stage, Ashton will take over the family whisky business. It’s been set in stone and passed on from generation to generation. It’s his namesake and his destiny.

“Go away! I don’t want to see you ever again and thank God after tomorrow I won’t have to!” A shrill voice erupts through the door. “Asshole!”

Ashton turns at the sudden outburst to see a beautiful girl drenched to the bone shaking off her coat before hanging it on the coat rack. Her hair hangs in wet strands reaching a little past her chest, her makeup is a bit smudged but damn, she’s a looker. Ashton’s seen her on campus and at parties but never knew her name.

She takes the seat one over from him.

“Rum and coke please, Teddy,” she asks the bartender setting her purse on the counter. She lets out a deep sigh and takes out a compact, snatches a napkin then dabs at her face. She closes the compact with a snap then smiles her thanks as her drink is presented before her. She drinks half of it in one go.

It hasn’t even been a minute and she’s already done so much to keep Ashton’s attention piqued. Who is this free-spirited woman?

“Can I help you?” her attention is directed at him, big eyes staring expectantly.

“Um, no, sorry you just…are you all right?” he asks.

“I am now,” she lifts her glass and takes another sip. “And now that my asshole boyfriend is an ex. I’m so glad I’m graduating tomorrow.”

“You are too? Congratulations,” Ashton grins and she smiles back.

“What’s your name? I’ve seen you around campus before.”

“I’m Ashton,” he holds out his hand making sure not to give his last name. Even if it is stamped on a bottle nearly six feet away.

“Cressida,” she returns and takes his hand.

Her hand is cold and wet from the rain, but a spark of electricity is transferred through them. They jump at the contact and laugh.

“I’ve never heard a name like that before.”

“My parents love Greek mythology. It means gold.”

“It’s also the third precious metal,” Ashton adds. Cressida raises her eyebrows and laughs. He only knows this because his family is trying a new concoction to add gold flakes in their newest whisky brand.

“What’s the first?”

“I have no idea,” he chuckles. “I should have paid more attention in science class. I remember gold because it’s beautiful, useful, and rare.”

“Are you sure you’re still talking about the gold or is this your Segway into a pick-up line?”

“No, no, I swear that’s not what I’m—”

“I mean it’s working in your favor, Ashton, so by all means,” she smiles interrupting his apology.

“Oh, it is, is it?”

Her eyes move to his empty glass.

“Let me buy you a drink, what’s your poison?”

Ashton doesn’t want to say whisky, it’s been on his mind since he was old enough to understand what it was. He’s also worried if he says it, Cressida will immediately know who he is. His family’s whisky is known all around the world.

“I’ll have what you’re having.”

An hour later they’re stools are so close together her legs have somehow found their way over his, and Ashton loves the warmth through his jeans. She notices the gold ring on his finger with a small ruby nestled inside.

“Is this real gold?” she asks tracing it with her pinky.

“Are you going to rob me?” he jokes.

“No, gold is only the third precious metal after all,” she giggles.

“It’s real. It was my great grandfather’s,” Ashton nods.

“It’s pretty.”

“You’re pretty.”

Cressida’s eyes sparkle up to his and the way he’s looking at her makes her stomach flip and her cheeks heat up. No one has ever looked at her with such intensity before, not even her asshole boyfriend.

“Are you doing anything between now and walking the stage tomorrow?” she asks taking a leap. Ashton shakes his head, and she leans forward, her lips grazing his cheek before touching his ear. “Wanna do me?”

Ashton slaps down some bills on the bar and moves towards the door as quick as he can helping her put her coat on. He notices there isn’t a hood, but he brought an umbrella.

“My apartment is only ten minutes away,” he says holding up his red umbrella.

They walk through the rain filled street, her arm looped through his as they talk about school and friends and what their next step is after graduation. Ashton tries to deter that conversation from him, he wants to forget about it if only for a night. And Cressida is the perfect distraction.

“I’m going to spend the summer in Europe,” she says, “I’ll be in charge of my family’s business soon, so I want a bit more freedom. I’m going to visit all of the museums and the historical landmarks.”

“That sounds really great, I wish I could do that.”

“Why don’t you?”

“I’m also taking over my family’s business as soon as I cross the stage it’s mine. It’s a big responsibility.”

She hums in acknowledgment then gasps when he stops at his building. It’s only slightly ostentatious with a secured door and a security guard inside. She’s staring at the gold mailbox slots when Ashton spins her into the elevator, she giggles against his chest. Then Ashton cups her cheek and slots his lips with hers.

She tastes like rum and coke and a night to remember, his last night of freedom. They’re stumbling through his door, removing clothes as quickly as possible. They roll around his sheets, laughing and moaning and exploring each other’s bodies. Ashton rocks into her and she moves easily, picking up on his pace like this is the hundredth time instead of the first.

“Wow,” she huffs when he collapses on top of her after he came in the condom.

“I’ll say,” he grins and pecks her nose before rolling off her to remove the condom. He retrieves two bottles of water and hands her one, climbing in next to her.

“So, Ashton,” she sighs staring at him with mussed up hair. “What is your family business?”

“I…I don’t know if I want to tell you.”

“What? Are you part of the mafia?” she snickers twisting her hair into a very loose braid. The ends of her hair tickle her nipple and Ashton slides his eyes to her face.

“No,” he laughs, “It’s just…people treat me differently when they know.”

“I can relate to that, that’s why I don’t go around shouting mine from the rooftops either. Tell me, I promise I will still look at you as the guy who picked me up at a bar because of a gold fact.”

Ashton rolls his eyes then takes a deep breath.

“All right. My family owns Irwin Whisky, my grandfather created it back in the prohibition days. After tomorrow, I’m in charge.”

Cressida is silent for a long time, just staring at him with a vacant expression on her face.

“What? What is it?” Ashton asks in alarm sitting up straight.

“Ashton, my last name is James. As in James Brandy.”

Ashton’s heart plummets to his stomach. While he was learning about whisky growing up he also learned that his grandfather started the business with his good friend, Walter James. After the prohibition was over, they joined all of their assets to get the company rolling.

Then there was a fallout due to unpaid expenses and a deal Walter made without consulting Ashton’s great grandfather Frank that could have upended the company before it really started. Ashton learned about distillery and grains and wheat and also to never, ever interact with a James’ family member. All they’ll do is double cross you and keep secrets.

And now he just had sex with his family’s enemy.

Ashton and Cressida meet each other’s eye before they both leap out of bed. He’s quickly pulling on some pants while she’s slipping her sweater over her head, both of them shouting nonsensical words in surprise.

“Why didn’t you tell me at the bar?!” she demands.

“I just told you I don’t go around saying my name because people treat me differently! You didn’t tell me yours either!”

“How was I supposed to know I was hitting on an Irwin!” she rages trying to find her pants. “No one can ever know about this; oh, my mother would kill me!”

“At least you’re going to Europe for three months,” Ashton seethes.

“You could go too, you know. Just because you’re taking over the business doesn’t mean you’re trapped,” she snaps.

“Then why are you going?”

She lets out an angry huff and throws her hands in the air. “My trip doesn’t matter right now! What matters is that we just had sex.”

“Yeah, I was there,” he rolls his eyes then stops his actions of frantically moving about. He’s not even sure why he was doing so, it’s not like the SWAT team was going to come bursting through his door. “Wait, wait, what are we doing?”

“I’m trying to find my pants so I can leave!”

Ashton rushes in front of her and grabs her shoulders, he shakes her slightly until she’s looking at him.

“No, I mean…why are we acting like the ceiling is going to collapse? Was it a mistake we did this? Probably, but I don’t regret it Cressida, not one bit. You’re…”

“I’m what?” her eyes are blazing and that’s when Ashton notices the small flecks of gold inside of them.

“You’re gold; precious and beautiful and the rarest girl I’ve ever met in my life. No one has to know about this except us,” he shakes his head.

“You’re saying ‘this’ as if ‘this’ is something…”

“It could be,” he shrugs, his eyes imploring her to meet him in the middle. “I thought this was going to be a one-time thing, but after being with you…and hearing you’re going to Europe. I want that, too.”

“You want to go to Europe with me? Ashton, we just met and found out our families are like the Montagues and the Capulets. Do you remember the ending to that story?”

“I’m not saying we share the same car to the airport where we can be seen together. I don’t want to let you go just yet.”

“Ash, this is crazy!”

“If it’s so crazy then why aren’t you still trying to find your clothes?”

She opens her mouth to retort something but closes it because she has nothing to say. Even though they just met, that spark they felt at the bar continued to his bed. It was as if they knew each other from a different life and were reconnecting all over again.

“Maybe I’ll make the mistake and book a trip to Europe and mistakenly run into you at an art museum,” he says tugging her sweater off her again. “And maybe I’ll mistakenly lose my hotel key and stay with you.”

He bends down pressing his lips to her neck where he sucked a mark only forty-five minutes ago. Cressida sighs into him, her hands holding onto his neck as he kisses the lobe of her ear.

“How does that sound?”

She can picture it. They’ll be in another country where their family won’t see unless photographers capture them, but they both aren’t the face of the name of their family business yet. They’re still young and free for a little while longer. She’s happy she stumbled into the bar where he as and that he found her when her heart was broke.

“Then be my mistake,” she sighs capturing his lips with hers and they fall back onto the bed a tangle of limbs and moans.

*

“What’s on your mind over there?” she asks while they have breakfast on the balcony. The sun is warm on their backs as they indulge in pancakes, waffles, and bacon.

“I’m thinking of Europe,” he squeezes her calf that is resting on his lap. When they woke up she didn’t bring up the night before of her crying and he didn’t either, but the axe is still hanging over their heads. It’s only a matter of time before it comes striking down.

“That was the longest we were together,” she smiles fondly at the memory of many late starts in the morning. “I loved those three months. And now we only have three—”

“Cressida, don’t,” Ashton shakes his head and sets his espresso cup on the saucer. He drags her onto his lap, and she hooks her arms around his neck and shoulders. “We’ve agreed that when we’re here, the outside world doesn’t exist. We have until Monday to face the music.”

“The music won’t shut up in my head,” she knocks her forehead against his.

“I think I can help with that,” he mutters slipping his hand under the hem of her robe.

Cressida gasps as his finger nudges her center, she tries to kiss him, but her attention is otherwise occupied on his finger that is now twiddling inside her. Her back arches as she rocks on top of him, the shoulder of her robe falls down exposing her breast that Ashton quickly sucks into his mouth. Cressida moans in pleasure from both stimulations, she spreads her legs wider and Ashton bites onto her nipple.

“So pretty when you moan,” he mumbles on her skin and adds another finger. He works her over, scissoring and twiddling against her walls as his thumb presses against her clit harshly.

“Ash!” she chokes out yanking on his hair.

“That’s right, I’m the only thing that should be on your mind. Come for me, baby.”

He moves his arm faster and her toes curl as her head spins in pleasure. She’s panting his name like a prayer then finally slips her tongue in his mouth. This kiss reminds her of their last morning in Europe. They were having breakfast and the finality of their time together loomed over them like a dark cloud. Neither one of them wanted to go because they didn’t know when the next time they’d see each other would be.

She kisses him more fiercely, trying to push that sad memory away and the dark cloud that’s above them now. Sensing her urgency, Ashton removes his fingers from inside her and carries her into the room. She drops to the bed untying her robe watching with hunger in her eyes as he removes his loose sweatpants. He’s already hard and throbbing for her.

Ashton pushes her knees to her chest, kissing over the initials he branded on her skin last night, over her navel and finally to her mouth. He pushes himself inside her, they both groan at him going in dry but he knows it won’t be long until she’s lubricated herself for him.

“You’re perfect for me,” Ashton sighs rocking his hips into hers. The dry rub is becoming more fluid as he thrusts shallowly in and out of her.

“You’re my gold,” her nails scrape into his 5 o’clock shadow and nips at his lips.

“No baby,” he gives her a deep thrust that has her moan loudly. “That’s you.”

When she’s slick enough, Ashton flips her over onto her stomach, her face pressed to the robe and her hair draped over her back gloriously.

“Ready for me, angel?” he asks gripping her hips tightly and presses between her folds.

“Always.”

Ashton drives himself into her, skin slapping against skin drifts outside in the morning breeze. He fucks into her desperately, wanting this moment to last forever and when she starts to rock back against him, he swears he sees stars. They’re frantic, it’s chaotic, it’s their secret of this love affair in physical form.

“Right there, Ash, yes!” she mewls tossing her head back.

Ashton fists his hand into her hair, tilting her head up so he can suck on her neck as he continues to plow into her. She’s choking on moans and his name, begging for her release.

“Give it to me, Cressida,” he breathes, and she falls apart at the sound of her name.

She squeezes on his cock and Ashton can’t hold on much longer from that as she relishes in her orgasm. Before he can comprehend what’s happening, he’s spilling inside her and they collapse onto the bed, their bodies slick with sweat. He’s never come inside her before, a rule they agreed on together because that would only complicate things more. But this weekend, all bets are off.

Her hair sticks to his chest and he trembles, rocking his hips until he’s finished. Ashton brushes her hair from her back, and he kisses sweetly onto her spine while Cressida gathers her breath. She gathers his fingers with hers, bringing them to her lips and kisses them. He breathes her in, a mixture of her own scent and his combined. It’s intoxicating.

“I’ll go get a towel,” he inhales heavily through his nose, the air whistling in her hair.

“Not yet…stay a little longer,” she tightens her hold on his fingers.

He stays until he feels her heartbeat slow against his hand on her chest. With one final kiss he pulls himself gingerly out of her. They both wince at the loss of warmth.

“I’m sorry. I know we agreed not to do that,” he apologizes cleaning her.

She rolls over scooting to the edge of the bed and wraps her arms around his waist. Ashton kisses her hair.

“I’m not sorry. It’s harder to let go now,” she sniffs.

“I know.”

Taglist: @calpalirwin @myloverboyash @loveroflrh @cxddlyash @princesslrh @spicylftv​ @notinthesameguey​ @itjustkindahappenedreally​ @calumance​ @thew0rldneedsmcreycghurt​ @sarcastically-defensive17​ @another-lonely-heart​ @devilatmydoor​ @thatscooibaby​ @suchalonelysunflower​ @dead-and-golden​ @mymindwide​ @blackbutterfliescal​ @redrattlers​ @karajaynetoday​ @quasighost​ @i-like-5sos​ @creampiecashton​ @calpops​ @littledrummeraussie​ @sexgodashton​ @f-mu​ @mystic-232

[pleaseleavemetowrite]

We’ll meet again | Bucky Barnes

Based on the song “We’ll meet again” by Vera Lynn and it’s set in the 40′s 

Cut for length

“No one ever intends to fall in love, and if they do they are a liar.”

A phrase (Y/n)’s mother told her many years ago but (Y/n) still lived by to the best of her ability. So when a soldier approached her informing her that he planned for them to be in love, she was shocked. 

"I beg your pardon?"

"I said, one day we're going to be in love." "Right, and you are...?" "Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes." He had a small smirk as he introduced himself to her. "Well Barnes, I am Agent (Y/n) (L/n) and I think I'm going to unfortunately need a rain check on that idea of yours." Barnes' smirk only fell slightly as he replied, "We'll meet again." "Oh I'm sure we will." 

(Y/n) walked away and towards Peggy, her dear friend whom she had known for a many years now. (Y/n) rolled her eyes and laughed slightly as she realized Peggy had seen the interaction between the two. "Your mother is rolling in her grave right now." "And why is that?" "Because he just proved her entire idea of love wrong." (Y/n) rolled her eyes in disbelief, "And how could you know that?" "Because, even though he was direct, you were interested and you won't forget his face." Was Peggy's confident reply. "Right." (Y/n)'s response was curt in an attempt to avoid the topic and admitting that Peggy was indeed correct, once again. 

Peggy most definitely knew she was right but chose not to push. "Well we have some soldiers to see to, do we not?" (Y/n) quickly nodded and lead Peggy to where some of the newest troops were, still thinking over what Peggy had dropped onto her. 

It turned out that James, or as he had insisted to be called, Bucky was right about them meeting again. He just seemed to be unavoidable. No matter where she went she always saw him, but he never approached and (Y/n) obviously wasn't going to so the two remained narrowly missing each other, only ever exchanging fleeting glances through a crowded room and overhearing titbits of information from word of mouth and rumours. But they had changed on one particular evening.

 It was at a bar that everyone frequented, and (Y/n) was alone, with no sweetheart for her own and seemingly no interest in acquiring one, she stuck out. However, she also seemed to be in deep thought and unaware of her general surroundings as she starred at the alcohol in her glass. 

She was quickly pulled away from her thoughts when a familiar man strolled over, "Bucky." "Agent (L/n)-" "(Y/n). It's (Y/n), I'm just another person right now." Bucky's lips tugged upward at her sudden refusal of her position. "Right...(Y/n), didn't I tell you we would meet again and less then a month later, we do." "Interesting how life seems to be working in your favour Bucky." (Y/n) felt her own mouth stretch to a smile, she didn't know if it was the alcohol or the way he seemed so interested in seeing her again but she suddenly felt butterflies from the once annoying smile.

The pair seemed to always find excuses to be around each other after that, call it dumb or call it love, it worked. They became  somewhat inseparable, deeming nearly impossible to find one without the other when it was possible. But neither of them dared say a word about how their feelings stretched beyond those of friends. How all the hugs that lingered slightly too long were welcome. How all the almost hand holding was infuriating and made them wanted to just grasp the others hand and never let go even if it meant staying that way to the end of time. 

But there always had to a consequence of war, (Y/n) remembered they left. She remembers the endless pacing, the nail biting that she caught herself attempting. The nervous feeling creeping up and down her spine like a xylophone. She couldn't help the hopeful light that burst into her eyes once Peggy entered the room ; she also couldn't help how fast it drained upon seeing the glassy quality to other woman's eyes.

It felt like she could still hear Bucky's voice in her ear like he was still stood with her, holding her close and whispering, "We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when." She could still picture his smile, charming with a cocky undertone to it. But she was still unable to shake the ache of knowing something unavoidable settled into her bones and made itself well acquainted with the nerves and dread that had already made its on way hours before. 

Once hearing that Bucky had fallen from the train and was presumed dead but they couldn't find and confirm his death, (Y/n) dedicated hours of time into research. The hours after work, became all her time at the weekend, which became all her free time. 

It was a sad sight, really. Watching in a hopeless limbo as searched endlessly only for nothing to show up and wanting to believe she would make a breakthrough and find something but knowing that there was nothing to find. 

Years passed by and (Y/n) still worked with S.H.I.E.LD as an agent taking more undercover and long term jobs, she was the best in her field. She was through and quick with gathering her information, she never spent over a month on one job. That was until she never came back from a case. They received their info but they never heard from (Y/n) again, they sent teams to look for her but nothing came of it. 

Now if someone was asked about (Y/n) (L/n) they would be pointed to her memorial in the Smithsonian, it was in the Captain America wing and it was next to James "Bucky" Buchanan Barnes. The two lovers, immortalised together in the form of old photographs and paragraphs upon paragraphs of text and information. 

However, if you were the right person in the right place, you would see a blur in the shadows, a slight tension in the air and two figures before nothing. The two winter soldiers were elusive and bound together. While no one ever lived to tell the tale of seeing them it was known they are never separated. 

They say that if you become associated with the right people and see the right things then maybe just maybe you would hear the words, "We'll meet again." and live to see what happens.