#30 day watcher challenge

[oneshot-minus-niko]

OMN's Freeware Challenge - June 2024

[Something is coming soon. Something known as 'OneShot Freeware's 10 year anniversary'...]

[The first versions of OneShot are turning 10 years old on June 30, 2024.]

[To celebrate, we will be hosting a challenge.]

[Below, you will find a list of 30 prompts—one for each day of the month of June. With these prompts, we would like to encourage the creation of OneShot-related fanworks.]

[Be wary of the corruption known as Pressure. There are no requirements and no deadlines. However, we encourage you to use image descriptions to ensure your work can be enjoyed by everyone.]

[To help us reach you, you can signal your posts with the "#OMN Freeware Challenge" tag.]

[Find a plain text version of the prompt list below the cut.]

Prompt list:

The Old World

Maize's Rebirth

Lamplighter gets a break

Watcher leaves her post

Kelvin and his cats

Robots in the Barrens

AU - Bodyswap

Rowbot adventures

Celebrating Solstice day

How do object-heads work?

A day at Ling's cafe

Dark alley shenanigans

The Author's final days

AU - Someone else is the messiah

Original Character

Silver and the Incident

A day in Kip's labs

Magpie negotiating

Prophet duty

The Entity's first words

AU - Flash-forward into the future

Silver plays chess with someone else

Calamus and Alula fishing

George meets other Georges

Taming a robot

Inverted personality

Break the fourth wall

AU - There is no messiah

Crossover of your choice

Freeware with a returned sun.

[srbachchan]

DAY 5796 दिन ५७९६

Jalsa, Mumbai Dec 30/31, 2023 Sat/Sun 1:21 AM

Birthday - EF Nandita Kao .. Pankaj Purohit .. Manish Sevalal Tiwari .. Sunday, 31 December ..

Birthday - Ef Shrikant Deshmukh Sunday, 31 December ..

all the wishes for this day and may all ever remain well and in prosperity .. from the Family Ef ..

❤️

🌹

Finally a reprieve from the routine of the lethargic constituent to one that has tried to keep consistency .. and here in its manifestation we are .. true to the age old post postponed postage ..

😂

So postponement .. in the minds and words of the AI literate world :

Postponement, a temporal pause echoing life’s unpredictability, offers respite or anxiety. It yields opportunity for reflection, reevaluation, or preparation amid shifting circumstances. Sometimes a strategic maneuver, postponement grants a chance to refine plans or adapt to unforeseen hurdles. Yet, it can also breed uncertainty, delaying progress and instigating doubts. Embraced wisely, it nurtures patience, unveiling unforeseen possibilities or enhancing outcomes. However, frequent deferral risks inertia, challenging momentum and commitment. Postponement’s impact resonates beyond mere delay, influencing decisions, altering paths, and shaping the course of events, exemplifying the delicate balance between seizing the moment and yielding to time's sway.

'unpredictability' was the only catch word in this assessed assessment .. for, are all not in the same shooting range, of unpredictable dictions .. !??

consternation .. each effort is now an exercise to how to decorate the store, so it sells its stuff amicably and with commercial gain .. the usual game has lost its bearings .. foul upon yellow red card and all in the sundry .. penalties successful too .. and the ball boy has left the job to be at the doors of individual chapter games .. more time more remunerative .. the seeking is at its prime , in the alternate way ..

It was from us to them .. now from them to us .. the mill blades rotate furiously and with utter modesty and speed strike up a conversation that , in all honesty is completely one sided .. jai ho !

the Ogre has lost its heads - once a terror of fear and anxiety, now a mild foppish listless snail of existence ..

the heads no longer heads .. nor tails .. the coin has just refused to drop back to the ground of tossed gamesmanship .. no side decisions, no hand shake with the watchers , no exchange of momento flags .. nothing .. it's just that kneel prior, against the common victim, of humiliation and authority ..

game on .. and there are no keepers to the squared brackets of resulting scores , loaded by nets of networking results .. play on and hope that the goals are indeed scored .. else the 5th non exists ..

Amitabh Bachchan

[asp1diske-art]

Your technical skill with lineart and shading is amazing in itself, but it's your ability to convey emotion and atmosphere in your work that is trademark to me :) its incredible how you can show through gesture and body language just what these masked, expressionless characters are feeling, and how the environment itself conveys that. Your lurien comics, especially the one that ends in something along the lines of "I return to the kingdom you abandoned" are I think the spark that made Lurien go from Some Guy to Deeply Interesting for me, and your use of color pop and shaky line contributed so much to the feeling in those comics. You are one of the artists whose skill at evoking emotions I aspire to <3

Oh wow, I've been reading and re-reading this for the last 20 minutes this is amazing.

So, emotions!

If there is one thing I'm proud to have accomplished during my time in Hollow Knight, it's the skill of expressing tone. Because here's the thing, facial expressions are just one of the many components of tone. (I even wrote about this in another ask some time ago.) Colors, gestures, camera angle, lighting, paneling, lines and narration - all of these come together to convey the mood of the scene.

Check out these wips from the Watcher and the Watched comic, for example.

You can see that color played a huge role in setting the atmosphere in the comic. It shows that this comic is taking place in the Watcher's Spire, but it also gives a dark, subdued feeling that wouldn't come from idk, a yellow background. The backlight emphasizes the ominous tone of the last page. As does Lurien's pose - coupled with the butler looking up and Lurien looking down, it makes it look like Lurien is looming over his butler (and the reader). All this builds up to deliver Lurien's lines with maximum impact.

So yeah, a lot goes into conveying tone in comics, and I'm very happy to hear that it was recieved well!!

The Lurien, Dreamer comic. It's almost 2 years old now but it's still one of the favorite comics I drew about him. Together with the City of Tears comic, it's the epitome of my interpretation of Lurien. My characterization of Lurien's relationship with the Pale King was quite different from the usual fanon at the time (I don't know how it is now, I haven't gone into the tags in years haha) and I wasn't really sure how people would take it. So I'm glad to hear that it got you interested in Lurien!

It's the one that took the longest too lol. Usually I draw comics in a single setting, but that one took 3 days. Besides Two Ghosts (which was an 18 chapter+@ comic that was over 50p and took about 2 months), no other comic has broken this record. I put in a lot of care into it, and it still holds a special place in my heart.

Honestly half the reason I use messy, sketchy lines is that I suck at drawing clean lines lmao. But I like to think that I've made the best of it and utilized it as an art style. In that comic especially, because the whole thing takes place in the dream realm and I wanted to give a rough, unreal feel to it.

I'd show breakdowns of this one too but the file is so big it keeps crashing lol. (Pro tip - draw your comic pages in separate files. Don't be like me and draw 300dpi 10p comics with 30 layers in each page in a single canvas. It will crash and you will be sad.) But drawing the White Palace was a interesting challenge because I usually draw in highly saturated colors whereas the Palace is, well, white. So I had to work out a way to color this without making everything looking grey, while also making it recognizable as the palace. iirc I used a lot of overlay & burn & dodge layers along with a few difference & subtract layers to give the white a slight yellow tint to stand out from the dark blue. (I'm pretty sure they're the culprits crashing the file.)

Sorry this got long, I really took this as an invitation to ramble about my art hkfsldjkflj

Thank you for all the compliments! It's an honor to hear that my art could be someone's aspiration, and I'm very happy that all my Lurien art got someone else into Lurien. I hope you have a nice day :D

[she-walks-on-starlight]

I'm trying to write more when I have free time so I'm pushing myself to do a writing challenge in March - credit goes to @creativepromptsforwriting which is where I found the 30 day writing challenge and an extra prompt for 31st ☺️ I also completely randomised which pairings I allocated to each day just for some extra fun, hopefully I produce some good stuff! As always requests are still open, and any comments are appreciated, list of upcoming works under the cut (I'll link the works as they come out so find this post for the up to date list) - ✨

Day 1: Kiss of Death (Lae'zel x Fem!Reader)

Day 2: Negotiations (Ambessa Medarda x Fem!Reader

Day 3: Sweet Like Candy (Jinx x Fem!Reader)

Day 4: Style (Abby Anderson)

Day 5: Watcher (Ruby x Weiss)

Day 6: Our Love is Bound by Shadow (Lae'zel x Shadowheart)

Day 7: A Place Like This (Adora x Catra)

Day 8: Idle Hands (Sevika x Fem!Reader)

Day 9: Bare Your Fangs (Sevika x Fem!Reader)

Day 10: Promises Made, Promises Kept (Jinx x Fem!Reader)

Day 11: Hold Me Close (Caitlyn x Vi)

Day 12: Freedom (Karlach Cliffgate)

Day 13: Impulse (Blake x Yang)

Day 14: I'm Not That Girl Anymore (Jinx x Fem!Reader)

Day 15: I Will Not Share You (Lae'zel x Shadowheart)

Day 16: Firelight Embers (Lae'zel x Shadowheart)

Day 17: Burning Rubber (Caitlyn x Vi)

Day 18: Mirrors (Ellie x Abby)

Day 19: The Poet of Avernus (Karlach x Fem!Reader)

Day 20: The Warrior Queen (Ambessa Medarda)

Day 21: Hard to Love (Ellie x Dina)

Day 22: Breathe Me In (Ellie x Fem!Reader)

Day 23: Wait For Me (Ruby x Penny)

Day 24: Heroic (Lae'zel x Shadowheart)

Day 25: Justice (Grayson)

Day 26: Like Waves in the Ocean (Ruby x Weiss)

Day 27: Cabin in the Woods (Blake x Yang)

Day 28: Shall We Dance? (Cassandra Kiramman x Fem!Reader)

Day 29: Call Me By My Name (Abby Anderson)

Day 30: Sing Me a Song of the Past (Ellie x Abby)

Day 31: Cat Got Your Tongue? (Adora x Catra)

[befuddledcinnamonroll]

15 Day BL Challenge - Part 2

Day 17 - What's your most returned-to / comfort BL show?

Sadly, I have so little time these days to keep up with either new shows or go back and visit old favorites. But when I can sneak in a little comfort watch, I tend to go to:

History 3: Trapped

This was the one that got me hooked, and started me on the BL obsession path, which led to me watching so many amazing shows and also joining Tumblr, so I will always have some deep love for it. I like revisiting those initial "ooooooh" feelings, of what it felt like to discover a whole new world for myself. (Also where is our special episode with Tang Yi getting out of prison, where is it Taiwan?!?!)

Love in the Air

There's something about the Phayu/Rain dynamic that really speaks to me. Probably says a few things about my own proclivities, but regardless, there's something comforting in seeing two people so quickly realize "this is that rare precious person who is going to be perfect for me".

Old Fashion Cupcake

As a BL watcher above the age of 40, it can be a little tiring to see so much focus on queer youth. I still enjoy a lot of it, but I don't necessarily always relate to it. Our society loves to pretend life ends at 30, but the reality is that figuring out one's identity is a lifelong journey. And I love how OFC taps into that. It's also just so relatable with regards to how life can become very mundane at times, and it helps to have someone encouraging you to try new things. Also Togawa is fucking hot.

[dd-wyd]

Imma challenge myself to post The Gay Boys every day, for the entire month of June.

Watcher knows, I should have enough material

This post shall be my witness!

01 02 03 04 05 06

07 08 09 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30

[simslegacy5083]

NSB (Straud Legacy) Gen 9

Today's (7/30/2024) Episode: Together Again

While his family was mourning his passing, Peachy found himself suddenly blinking in the bright sunlight of a familiar courtyard.

He was just getting his bearings when he was almost knocked off his feet by a big bear hug from his long-lost husband. Laughing he hugged Jack back just as tightly, whispering in his ear: “Calm down big guy – I have it on good authority this is the end of the line. I'm not going anywhere."

Jack pulled back to look at him for just a second before embracing him again. "I've missed you so much. It’s hard to believe you're really here.“

Peachy's grin widened at that. "Well believe it – I’ve arrived and you're never getting rid of me. So, how about you show me around?”

  🎶Together again, My tears have stopped falling, the long, lonely nights are now at an end🎶

Taking his husbands hand Jack led him to the portal that would take them to their new home on the island, catching him up to speed as they went.

"Luna and I are still living at Storm and Xander's in town, but I kept tabs on our place. The Watcher clearly had you in mind, it’s a peach paradise. I think you're going to love it".

“Honestly”, Peachy said "I'd love living in a cardboard box as long as you were there, but your “Watcher" has done well by me so far. I'm not worried".

Upon arrival Peachy gazed around, commenting "I can't argue with the view or the color, but I don't think I ordered up that fishing hole at the end of the lane". Jack grinned, nodding. "Good fishing too – and now that you're here I'll be expecting some of your world-famous fresh sushi".

Leaning in for a kiss Peachy fired back "your wish is my command – but first I need to see what kind of kitchen I'm going to be working with!" before turning and marching through the front door.

Peachy declared the kitchen "adequate", promising Jack “I’ll make your favorite tuna rolls for dinner if you think you can manage to catch me some fresh" Jack ran a hand gently across his cheek, responding "I'm sure that can be arranged, but sushi isn't what I'm hungry for right this second". 

He didn't have to say anymore. Peachy leaned in for another kiss, telling him "well then, lead the way. I for one have no idea where anything is yet!". 

Their destination was, of course, the bedroom. They took their time getting reacquainted, popping up all smiles when they were finally spent.

Later that evening as they sat at the dining table, a plate of sushi made from the fresh fish Jack had caught earlier that day half eaten between them, Peachy's expression grew thoughtful.

“Jack, what are we going to do when Valentina comes to join us?“ He gave his husband a worried look. “I love you, so much, but I love her too. She's my wife. How…"?.”

Jack stopped him by placing a finger on his lips before kissing them softly.  When they finally broke apart his answer was simple "we'll figure it out. I chose to leave, and she was there for you and Luigi. I don't love her the way you love her, but I love her for that. I'd never ask you to give her up."

A soft smile tugged at the corner of Jack's lips as he finished with "If there's room in your heart for both of us, I suspect we can learn to share".

Peachy gestured down at his ample frame as he replied, "I think my heart can handle it and there's certainly enough of me to go around!" Jack just chuckled at his spouse's usual levity before inviting him to the living room to relax in front of the TV before bed.  

Snuggling each other close and flipping on the sports channel, the pair of reunited lovers were warmed with the knowledge that their time together was now unlimited, and happily ever after was no longer just a phrase.

View The Full Story of My Not So Berry Challenge Here

[einsteinsugly]

Friday, July 4, 1986. A Way Better Fourth of July.

*****

4:30 pm

Hot dogs, cheeseburgers, macaroni salad. American flags, Bruce Springsteen...

Hyde inevitably lowers his voice, to a jaded whisper. "The song doesn't mean what you think it means."

Down in the shadow of the penitentiary

Out by the gas fires of the refinery

I'm ten years old, burning down the road

Nowhere to run, ain't got nowhere to go

Kitty, as sharp as a knife, anxiously nudges him. And Jackie swiftly follows suit, as they both hush the seeds of a quiet rebellion. "Shh."

Ignorance is bliss, as Red serves the main course. And Eric serves the macaroni salad.

"I made this, with my very own hands."

Kitty lovingly chuckles. "You used my recipe."

"Well..." Eric nervously laughs. "You got me there, Mom."

The two youngest, away from the gingham-clad picnic table, are happily gurgling in a large playpen. A quiet, raven-haired girl with big blue eyes, and a tiny, curious redhead. The eldest couple's grandbabies, by adoption and by blood.

The older two grandbabies, an olive-skinned boy and a sweet, adorable brunette with blue ribbons in her hair, are munching on small pieces of hot dog and are poking at macaroni salad with plastic forks.

The oldest grandbaby, a seven year old, is reluctantly in the midst of the adults. She feels like she's standing alone, though. The rest of the kids are literal babies, and she's just sort of...there.

But Betsy Kelso takes her duty as watcher very seriously. She even crafted a makeshift badge out of duct tape, just like her dad's.

Like her father, she is prone to hyperbole. "Kate's trying to eat a dandelion."

Eric and Donna nervously glance a few feet over, but are immediately relieved. Instead, Kate has simply picked a dandelion, and is turning it round, and round, and round...

Becca, a few months older and wiser, looks at her like she has two heads. "Gah."

"Aren't they adorable?" Kitty proudly gushes, hand firmly on her heart. "My grandbabies."

Red gruffly groans, but his old heart quietly melts. "You've said that a million times."

"It doesn't make it any less true, Red." Becca is now anxiously crawling around, leaving Kate at a wobbly standstill. "Look, she's exploring."

"She's the one that you need to watch," Red cautions, turning to Jackie and Hyde, "She'll eat the damn...darn dandelions."

Betsy, the fervent watcher, proudly sounds the alarm. "Pop said a bad word!"

Kelso chuckles, as the word "dumbass" is at the tip of Red's tongue. "Get used to it, Bets."

*****

5:00 pm

Dinner is officially over, but the American flags are still fluttering in the breeze. And Bruce Springsteen is still blasting.

Glory days

Well, they'll pass you by, glory days

In the wink of a young girl's eye, glory days

Glory days

Meanwhile, Red and Kitty are proudly perched in lawn chairs, happily clinking their glasses together.

The aging blonde smiles. "You know, I bought that Lee Greenwood cassette."

"God Bless the USA" is a bit corny, even for a proud veteran like him. "I can write a better song than that."

"I'd like to see you try," Kitty lovingly challenges, "I think it's profound. 'And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.'"

"I'd list all the wars." Far from a creative soul, Red concocts a simple list. "Revolutionary, 1812, Mexican-American, Civil..."

She shakes her head. "That doesn't sound like a good song."

"Lee Greenwood isn't even a damn veteran," He gruffly declares, "He's like Eric."

Kitty spies, with her little eye, an adorable little diversion. Hyde and Eric are lying in the playpen, with Hyde propelling a happily squealing Becca in the air, and with Kate lying on Eric's chest.

Then, in a split second, she's back to ground zero. The uncomfortable trenches. "There haven't been any wars for him to fight."

"You know he wouldn't join."

"Well, he'd join the most important ones," Kitty amply defends, before reluctantly acquiscing, "You know he's lippy about 'Nam."

"Don't remind me." He briefly diverts, as Eric compares Becca to the Millennium Falcon. Then, he shakes his head in disdain. "He thinks the Star Wars program is a disgrace to Star Wars."

Kitty sighs, but while happily kicking the can down the road. A tiny pebble, beneath her shoe. "He still hasn't gotten over that Luke and Leia thing."

Red's foot anxiously taps to the rhythm. "Don't remind me."

*****

5:30 pm

He doesn't know why the hell he put in that damn Lee Greenwood cassette.

If tomorrow all the things were gone

I worked for all my life

And I had to start again

With just my children and my wife

Hyde is muttering something rebellious. Eric is nervously shaking his foot to the rhythm. Laurie is...who the hell knows where.

But at least his two sons are there. He doesn't agree with a lot of their politics, or like a lot of their music, but they're good men.

They surmounted the odds. Hyde isn't dead, roaming in a motorcycle gang, or in prison. Eric is still lippy, and still loves Star Wars, but he doesn't let it define his life. He tries to be the hero of the South Side of Chicago, in his own, weird way.

And because of them, their granddaughters are proudly perched on their laps. He has Becca, and Kitty has Kate. Kitty Jr, of course.

All the while, Becca is sleeping in his arms, as the former basement dwellers lovingly coo.

And predictably, so is Kitty. "You think you're Oscar the grouch, but you're not."

He can't help but smile. "I guess my life isn't garbage, huh?"

In turn, she lovingly kisses him on the cheek. "I'd say it's pretty damn good."

*****

If you want to join the random date generator game, click here!

[tomorrowusa]

There was a special election on Tuesday to fill the vacancy in an Ohio US House district due to the resignation of Republican Bill Johnson in OH-06.

It's not a major surprise that Republican Michael Rulli won. His GOP predecessor Bill Johnson took the district in 2022 by 67.7% to 32.3% for Democrat Louis G. Lyras. Donald Trump won the district by about 29% in 2020.

But it was noteworthy to see Rulli, a state senator, win by just 9.3% over a little-known bartender named Michael Kripchak.

The Republican candidate won, and that’s no surprise. But political observers are frankly shocked that the race was far closer than expected. [ ... ] Ohio continues to surprise us. The statewide votes last year, first to prevent Republicans from raising the threshold to pass constitutional amendments to 60 percent, and second to preserve the right to abortion in the state, showed that Ohio voters are ready to draw the line when it comes to extremist religious or anti-democratic measures. [ ... ] [T]he Democratic challenger was a first-time, unknown candidate named Michael Kripchak, who quit his day job to run against GOP state senator, Michael Rulli. Kripchak is a veteran who spent only around $25K to Rulli’s $700,000, a nearly 30 to 1 cash advantage for the Republican.

Every county in this district had a swing to the Democrats. Two counties were actually carried by Democrat Kripchak; Democrats carried no counties in OH-06 in 2022.

Democrats have overperformed in almost every special House election since the start of 2023.

But we still hear the pundits and pollsters droning on about Democrats allegedly being in big trouble this year. Fox News has even dusted off a dormant conspiracy theory that Biden is going to step down and be replaced by Michelle Obama. Fox News doesn't miss a chance to juice up its racist and misogynistic viewers by hinting a white male would be replaced by a black female.

Democratic voters in OH-06 turned out thanks to Democratic volunteers spreading the word. Persistence, enthusiasm, and hard work produce results. To use a Latin phrase: Vincit qui laborat.

Anybody who is not an outright MAGA supporter is a potential swing voter and should be regarded by us as such. The stakes are too high this year to revert to the slackerism of 2016.

[starsandauras]

Entry 3: Tempest

FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge Prompt 3: Tempest Spoilers for both Shadowbringers and Endwalker. And thus the whole thing goes under the cut.

Hades stood at the window of his apartment, watching as a storm roiled over Amaurot. Levin burst across the sky, but he kept his eyes locked at some unknown point, not blinking despite the flashing lights.

“The sky watchers say the storm will last the night,” Hythlodaeus said, coming up behind him. Hades grunted and crossed his arms, pretending to ignore the other man as he came up alongside him. He had exchanged his robes for loose trousers and a thin, long sleeved shirt, clearly ready for an evening inside.

Hades, meanwhile, had yet to shed his robes of office. Another lance of levin arced across the sky, soon followed by the crash of thunder. They both remained quiet for a moment, the only sound the rush of water against glass. Then a mug appeared at Hades’s elbow, making him glare half-heartedly at Hythlodaeus. Hythlodaeus only smiled brightly. Hades forced a put upon sigh and accepted it, letting the warmth sink into his fingers. “Thank you, I suppose.”

Hythlodaeus chuckled, bringing the remaining mug in his hands to his lips, taking a long sip of the contents. “You’re welcome, I suppose,” he replied, imitating Hades’s serious tone, a teasing note overlaying it.

Hades rolled his eyes, his brows softening as he also took a sip. Only for him to blink in nearly pleased surprise at the flavor. “Is this—”

“The fruit and spice tea blend ‘Rora brought home from her last adventure,” Hythlodaeus confirmed, voice fond. “I thought it might tease that line out from between your brows~” Hythlodaeus even reached out to lightly tap Hades’s brows, for further emphasis.

Hades grimaced and attempted to bat the other man’s hand away, only for it to be caught and easily grasped, Hythlodaeus’s fingers lacing with his. A light dusting of pink crossed Hades’s cheeks and nose, but made no protest.

(He might have even squeezed Hythlodaeus’s hand in return, just a little.)

“Do you think she can see it? Where she’s gone?” he asked softly, and would staunchly deny it if word of his doing so escaped their apartment.

(But Hythlodaeus never would, for all his mischief.)

Hythlodaeus’s smile went just as soft as Hades’s voice, slowly bringing their joined hands back down, lightly swinging them once they were fully lowered. “The sky watchers think so,” he assured his beloved, bringing his mug up for another sip.

And then that mischief came back, sparkling prettily in amethyst eyes. “You like her more than you let on in public~” he teased, making Hades huff and pull his hand free of Hythlodaeus’s.

“Perish the thought.”

“Mm, yes,” Hythlodaeus almost purred, looking at him from across his mug before draining it. “Now finish your tea, Lahabrea’s son sent his first concept in for approval today and I want to test it.”

Hades’s eyebrows raised for a brief moment, and, just to be contrary, took his time with his tea, savoring the apple and warm spice mingling together. Hythlodaeus laughed softly, but otherwise didn’t object. Soon enough both empty mugs were rinsed and set aside for proper washing in the morning and Hythlodaeus linked his arm with Hades’s. “And what has Erichthonios created that has you so excited?”

“A self heating blanket!” There was a distinct note of relief that joined in the sheer joy in Hythlodaeus’s voice that made Hades smile despite himself. A welcome break from all the sharks.

“Then we should ensure it works properly, so that Aurora won’t be disappointed by it when she finally returns.”

He would deny later (to who, he didn’t know, but he knew he would) that he only responded the way he did because Hythlodaeus’s joy was infectious. And certainly not because he was secretly just as fond of the current Azem as the other man was.

Certainly not.

————

Emet-Selch stood at the window of his — the recreation of his apartment, listening to the sound of an unimaginable amount of water being displaced, the vibrations echoing through the sea. He frowned, tilting his chin up, crossing his arms.

Behind him a creature wheezed, struggling for breath.

“She liked storms, did you know?” he asked, uncaring if the creature answered.

It didn’t matter. None of it mattered.

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Monday, April 8

BUFFY: (surprised) I'm full of love? I'm not losing it? FIRST SLAYER: Only if you reject it. Love is pain, and the Slayer forges strength from pain. Love ... give ... forgive. Risk the pain. It is your nature. Love will bring you to your gift.

~~Intervention~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

That Long to Wait (Buffy/Riley, T) by MadeInGold

Ashes to Ashes, We All Fall Down (Drusilla/Spike, not rated) by Scar_Eve

X: Xander/Spike -Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Xander/Spike, G) by Levi_Rivaille933012

I-5 North (Jenny/Giles, T) by belledamn

Walking a Tightrope (Buffy/Spike, PG) by honeygirl51885

[Chaptered Fiction]

Dusk Rising Chapter 40 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by HappyWhenItRains

The Watcher Chapter 2 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by In Mortal

Truth and Consequences Chapter 12 (Buffy/Spike, R) by JamesMFan

We're Going to be Friends Chapter 15 (Buffy/Spike, R) by scratchmeout

Spike Has A Girlfriend Chapter 3 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Spikelover4ever

Celebrating You Chapter 3 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by DeamonQueen

A Little Poet in Her Monster Chapter 13 (Buffy/Spike, R) by Desicat

Anything But Ordinary Chapter 6 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by Harlow Turner

Ripped Stockings Chapter 1 (Giles/Jenny, E) by TheClowniestLivInExistence

Angel Doesn’t Know Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, E) by My_Barbaric_Yawp

Come Hell or Whatever Chapter 1 (Batman crossover, T) by TheActuallyKid

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork:Tarot cards by isevery0nehereverystoned

Podcast:Episode 23 - Kendry and Buffa: What's the Flum? (What's My Line Part 2) by thesunnydalediaries

[Requests]

Interviewing Original "Buffy" KRISTY SWANSON soon - got questions? Please post! by Infinite_Zucchini214

[Fandom Discussions]

30 Day Challenge: BtVS vs AtS continued by multiple posters

Rewatch thoughts and questions continued by multiple posters

Elimination Game : Writer's Best BtVS Episode continued by multiple posters

All We've Ever Done is Dance continued by multiple posters

Spike and the First continued by multiple posters

Discussion of 6.02 "Bargaining Part 2" - Aired 10/2/01 (UPN-US) by Buffy Summers

How long (or often) was Xander considered a potential love interest for Buffy ? continued by multiple posters

S2 E6 Halloween …..creeps by Queerdooe

3x17 the best scene in all of Angel AND Buffy by ukcountrylover

3x16 …. It happened by ukcountrylover

What if…Buffy had a dad and a female watcher? by ginime_

Could you see the ANGEL season 6, Angel & Faith comics happening on TV? by jdpm1991

Is there anything you like or love about the comics? by jdpm1991

Tara by Slayerette444

Why was Slayers cancelled? by little_moustache

Worst Actor/Actress on the show… by DanTrueCrimeFan87

Which show do you prefer? by brwitch

The Scoobies would not like later seasons Wesley by The810kid

I really don't like Joyce by BusinessResource5324

Season 4 Issue - First Time Watcher by AppropriateYou5011

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

[possumteeths]

So like when I was in junior year i was on this school trip for a competition that the entire team had to thank me for even qualifying us. Anyways the teacher who for some reason had personal beef with me and just went out of his way to bully me, he told everyone ok ur not allowed to eat at anywhere that we have on the island.

Me, with dietary restrictions for literal health reasons of which he knew about assumed that like as long as I tried my best i’d be fine.

Proceed to read the dumbest injustice that ever happened to me in highschool. Its so insane its funny I promise.

So like day one after the first day of the competition we’re released into a food court and told that we cannot go anywhere else in the mall. Only the food court. So legitimately the only possible thing I could eat there was tacobell. And anyways the teacher lets me purchase the food, lets me get to the table, waits for everyone else to come back and then he stands up to proceed to SCREAM at me. Like full mad saying I am disrespecting him by disrespecting his rules and that is dangerous because that means I’ll break all other rules.

He threatened to send me home….? Like hello?? Imagine pissing urself over tacobell. So like I legit hid my sad ass burrito in my bag because i was worried he was gonna make me toss it.

Later that night in the hotel the other girls and I conspired to order pizza and pick it up in the lobby. We ordered pizza and were like so far getting away with our crime. But!!! Later like at midnight the teacher fucking opens our room unannounced with no warning like wtf what if someone was idk naked or something but anyways he sees the pizza box and he makes a big show of crumpling it with his shoes and fucking gets in my face while im literally in bed to tell me im on thin ice and i was all mad so i took the full blame and said yeah i ate that entire pizza wtf are u gonna do? make me go throw it up?

So END of the competition (i was the ONLY person to take home 3 awards, one other kid got an honorable mention but I in single challenges got fuckin 3, the team itself as a group got nothing.) we were gonna go to like a six flags rip off. I already knew there was pretty much gonna be nothing i could eat there so I packed like a buncha granola bars in my bag. The park had pretty clear on their website that any food of any kind is allowed in. This was also reinforced by one of the other children watchers who told us all that food is ok.

So at the fucking place in the van, mr asshole turns and stares me dead in the eyes for like 30 whole seconds and says all fuckin dangerously. “Dump ur bag” and im like wtf? and hes like “Empty your bag RIGHT NOW.”

So i literally dump it upside down and shake it, and he like picks up a granola bar and is like are you TRYING to be insufferable??? do you WANT to get us kicked out of the park? (The other lady isnt in this van) And like other kids are defending me saying that the other teacher said its ok or saying like she probably cant eat anything in the park. Mr asshole, takes like a handful of the contents of my purse and stomps to a garbage can and throws literally everything away. I had to go and like pick out lip balm and a necklace I had in there.

And guess fucking what. Other kids had food in their bags. The park checks your bag and any food that other people had was NOT thrown away or even mentioned. Mr asshole said NOTHING to me like no sorry no nothing.

So! Guess what! There WAS nothing I could eat!!! At the place!!! Like I guess chips and frenchfries but like I legit dont eat that..? Nor did I wanna spend like $16 for frenchfries. I hadnt eaten breakfast because we went back to the same food court, I hadnt had dinner last night because the team went out and I was to stay in the hotel as a punishment. I got EXTREMELY light headed, and had to go to the places like idk medical area. Mr asshole had to come with me.

He immediately was telling the person giving me water and an icepack and shit that i’m stubborn and difficult and this is all my fault. The person asks me like whens the last time ive eaten, and I say like yesterday morning and the person offers me a voucher for park food and!!! !!! and!!!!! A fucking granola bar!!!!! Like I wouldve had if this fuckin dickhole hadnt thrown mine away!!!

For the rest of the day I wasnt allowed to ride any rides I just had to sit and wait for everyone. I literally have never gotten over being mad about this. I hope this man dies. I hope he gets literally flattened by a big truck like in a cartoon.

Even worse, he took my awards from me and put it under his desk in the team’s like workroom and said I didnt deserve them because of my poor attitude and everything I pulled during the trip. I had to convince another teacher to go get them for me! And even then he like took the ribbons off my awards and who knows what he did with em.

[after60-blog]

Diet culture and the diet industry target primarily women. If you are a woman, just know that you are in the crosshairs of a 76 billion dollar industry (in the US alone) - and you have been since you were born.

In a recent Facebook Live, we discussed statistics on eating disorders in the US and one figure that really screamed at us from a UNC-Chapel Hill study was that 75% of those women in the study reported symptoms consistent with an eating disorder. 75% y'all. 75%.

If you have been thinking that something is wrong with you because of your weight, body shape, fitness level or eating habits, you are thinking exactly what the diet and exercise industry want you to think.

The reality though, is that something is wrong with our fat-phobic culture and the influence of the diet and exercise industry. You are simply a pawn in the game.

Let’s review the very personal impact diet culture has had, and still has, on your life.

Have you ever been on a diet?

If you have been on a diet, have you gained that weight back?

At what age did you first try to monitor your food either to lose weight or not gain weight?

How many diets have you tried in your lifetime? (ie - the grapefruit diet, the cottage cheese diet, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Noom, Atkins, Keto, Whole 30 and so on)

Have you ever been diagnosed with an eating disorder?

Are you completely satisfied with your body as it is now?

Do you count calories or macros?

Do you feel bad mentally and emotionally if you miss a workout or a day of exercise? Do you blame yourself for missing a day of exercise?

Do you tell yourself that you feel bad after eating too much or missing exercise because you think that the lack of food or exercise itself are bad  - and not a cultural imperative that you should feel bad?

Has a diet ever helped you lose weight and keep it off permanently?

Do you currently weigh what you want to weigh?

So, let’s pull some of your answers together.

If you answered that you have dieted before and gained the weight back, then this means very simply that your diet didn’t work. If you answered that you have gone on multiple diets in your lifetime and you don’t currently weigh what you want to weigh, then all those diets definitely did not work.

Millions of women have gone on numerous diets and still don’t weigh what they want to weigh. In fact, a surprising portion of these women not only gain back any weight they may have lost on a diet but rather gain a few pounds more. Over time, this means that a woman’s weight - after multiple diets - goes up and not down.

We’ve had access to solid studies about the effects of restricting calories for many decades (The Minnesota Starvation Study). Calorie restriction has been shown to cause a psychological obsession with food and uncontrolled binge eating.

Sadly, a solid portion of women who restrict calories during a diet will then suffer the consequences of food obsession and binge eating. Then, to add insult to injury, they will turn this around in their heads to mean that something is wrong with them, their willpower or metabolism.

The diet industry fails to do what it claims to do (help you lose weight) and contributes to your weight gain.

The problem is that people so desperately want to be thin and perhaps also create unrealistic expectations of what would be a healthy weight for them personally.

But take a moment to give yourself a hug and some grace because you are (in part) a creation of your culture and it’s very challenging to swim against the tide of popular opinion. You are not alone if you read all of this and still want to lose weight!

Also, on the health side of the equation, after a certain amount of weight regain and the scale moving up over time, your health outlook could get worse and there might be actual health reasons to bring your weight down.

This last bit pours salt on the cultural, body-image wound because it can take the wind out of a body-positivity approach about your size or weight when you might be facing diabetes or heart disease.

Again, to be clear, food is not the enemy here. A little extra weight is not the enemy either. Most importantly, YOU are not the enemy!

The enemy is a multi-billion dollar industry that is forever reaching out to you in Google searches, ads, books, magazines, movies, tv series and word-of-mouth advertising. The enemy is perpetual dieting and restriction.

You might be thinking right now that this is an impossible situation with no solution. But there are ways to create change in your own mind and in your habits. These changes don’t happen overnight.

It’s important for women to dive deeper into what really works longterm and to share time-tested and science-backed solutions that have been proven to work and provide lasting results - as opposed to fad hopping and contributing to a restriction/binge cycle. 

I want to begin to share what’s worked for me because I have struggled just like you have with all of this mess and confusion.

What I have discovered is that there is no silver bullet for this diet-culture monster. There is no “one,” weight-loss solution that is easy, quick and also permanent. This may sound depressing to you. However, think for a second. What if you could spend a few weeks, months, maybe a year to break free of diet culture and escape this diet cycle for good so that you could explore the best ways to nurture your body back into balance? Would you still be interested - even if it took a little time and guided exploration?

My journey has taken time, and I had to confront and accept solutions that were not as shiny and sexy as a fad diet that everyone was buzzing about. I had to do what worked for me. And the solution that is working for me has been multifaceted, occasionally quite challenging and slow.

Who wants to be free of the yo-yo diet cycle and the myths of diet culture for good and feel better - and maybe even move the needle on the scale? Raise your hand.

[news-today-florial-blog]

Tolins Tires IPO Opens for Public Subscription, Check subscription status, GMP, review

The initial public offering (IPO) of Tolins Tires Ltd opened to the public on Monday, September 9. The company is looking to raise Rs 230 crore, with a price band set between Rs 215 to Rs 226 per share. By 11:15 am on the first day of bidding, the IPO was 0.59 times subscribed, receiving bids for 42,09,480 shares against the offered 71,23,894 shares. The non-institutional investors (NIIs) category was subscribed 0.16 times, while the retail individual investors (RIIs) segment was 1.11 times subscribed. Tolins Tires IPO: Key Dates - Public Subscription Period: The IPO is open from September 9 to September 11. - Allotment Finalization: Expected on September 12. - Listing Date: Shares will be listed on the BSE and NSE on September 16. Tolins Tires IPO Price Band The price band for Tolins Tires Ltd's Rs 230 crore IPO is set at Rs 215 to Rs 226 per share. Tolins Tires IPO GMP (Grey Market Premium) According to market watchers, unlisted shares of Tolins Tires Ltd are trading at a Rs 25 premium in the gray market, indicating an expected 11.06% listing gain. GMP reflects investor demand and changes based on market sentiment. Analysts’ Recommendations SMC Global provided a cautious recommendation, suggesting that investors with a “high-risk appetite” may consider the IPO due to the company’s rapid growth. However, they noted that the tire manufacturing industry faces challenges related to the limited availability of raw materials like natural rubber and carbon black. At the upper price band, the stock is valued at a price-to-earnings multiple of 26.64 times its fiscal 2024 earnings per share (EPS) of ₹8.48. Anchor Investors Tolins Tires Ltd raised Rs 69 crore from anchor investors on Friday, just ahead of the IPO. Investors include BofA Securities Europe SA, NAV Capital VCC, Chhatisgarh Investments, Ashika Global Securities, and others. A total of 30.53 lakh shares were allocated to these investors at Rs 226 per share, the highest price within the band. Tolins Tires IPO: Additional Details Tolins Tires' Rs 230 crore IPO includes a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 200 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of shares totaling Rs 30 crore. The promoters, Kalamparamil Varkey Tolin and Jerin Tolin, will each sell shares worth Rs 15 crore through the OFS route. Currently, they hold 83.31% of the company. Out of the Rs 200 crore raised from the fresh issue: - Rs 75 crore will be used to increase the company's long-term working capital. - Rs 62.55 crore will be allocated for debt repayment. - Rs 24.36 crore will be invested in the company’s subsidiary, Tolin Rubbers, to repay debt and support its working capital requirements. Investors can place bids for a minimum of 66 shares and in multiples thereafter. Company Overview Tolins Tires is a leading player in the tire and tread industry, exporting products to 40 countries, including the Middle East, East Africa, Jordan, Kenya, and Egypt. The IPO is being managed by Saffron Capital Advisors Pvt Ltd, the sole lead manager for the public issue. Read the full article

[ndegeyasafaris]

Choosing Your Ideal Chimp Trekking Destination in Uganda: Kibale Forest vs. Budongo Forest

Uganda, known as the "Pearl of Africa," offers unmatched biodiversity and wildlife experiences. Among its most captivating activities is chimp trekking, with Kibale Forest and Budongo Forest standing out as premier destinations. Here's a detailed comparison to help you choose the perfect spot for your Uganda chimp trekking adventure.

Kibale Forest

Location and Accessibility

Located in western Uganda near the town of Fort Portal, Kibale Forest National Park is easily accessible from Kampala, the capital, with a drive of approximately 5-6 hours.

Chimpanzee Population

Dubbed the "Primate Capital of the World," Kibale Forest hosts around 1,500 chimpanzees, making sightings highly likely. The well-established habituation process offers an immersive experience with these fascinating creatures.

Trekking Experience

Trekking in Kibale is typically well-organized, guided by experienced professionals. The relatively flat terrain and well-maintained trails make the trek manageable for most fitness levels. The lush forest provides a picturesque backdrop, enhancing the overall experience.

Additional Attractions

Kibale is home to 12 other primate species, including red colobus monkeys and L'Hoest's monkeys. Bird watchers can also enjoy spotting over 375 species of birds.

Budongo Forest

Location and Accessibility

Budongo Forest, located in northwestern Uganda near Murchison Falls National Park, is approximately a 4-hour drive from Kampala, offering relatively easy access for visitors.

Chimpanzee Population

With a smaller population of around 700 chimpanzees, Budongo offers a unique and intimate trekking experience. The forest's research and conservation efforts, led by the Budongo Conservation Field Station, ensure well-protected and habituated chimp communities.

Trekking Experience

Trekking in Budongo can be more challenging due to the denser undergrowth and varied terrain. This adds to the adventure and often leads to more thrilling encounters. The forest's diverse flora and fauna provide an enriching experience beyond just chimp sightings.

Additional Attractions

Budongo Forest is famous for its ancient mahogany trees and rich biodiversity. Its proximity to Murchison Falls allows trekkers to combine their adventure with a visit to the falls, boat cruises on the Nile, and game drives.

Contact Ndegeya Safaris for an unforgettable Chimp Trekking adventure in Uganda!

Enhance your trip by spending a day or two at our center, engaging with special needs children and witnessing their daily lives. Your visit supports a great cause, as 30% of all proceeds go directly to supporting these amazing kids. Get in touch now and make a difference while creating unforgettable memories in Uganda!

[market-news-24]

In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency, a notable shift is taking place as the gap between two major players, Grayscale and BlackRock, narrows significantly. The difference in the value of the Bitcoin ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) managed by Grayscale and BlackRock has now shrunk to just $1.5 billion. This development signals a tightening race in the cryptocurrency investment landscape, highlighting the growing interest and changing dynamics in the sector. Investors and Market watchers are keeping a close eye on these movements, as they could spell new trends and opportunities in the digital currency space. Click to Claim Latest Airdrop for FREE Claim in 15 seconds Scroll Down to End of This Post const downloadBtn = document.getElementById('download-btn'); const timerBtn = document.getElementById('timer-btn'); const downloadLinkBtn = document.getElementById('download-link-btn'); downloadBtn.addEventListener('click', () => downloadBtn.style.display = 'none'; timerBtn.style.display = 'block'; let timeLeft = 15; const timerInterval = setInterval(() => if (timeLeft === 0) clearInterval(timerInterval); timerBtn.style.display = 'none'; downloadLinkBtn.style.display = 'inline-block'; // Add your download functionality here console.log('Download started!'); else timerBtn.textContent = `Claim in $timeLeft seconds`; timeLeft--; , 1000); ); Win Up To 93% Of Your Trades With The World's #1 Most Profitable Trading Indicators [ad_1] In the competitive arena of Bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds) in the United States, the race is heating up, especially between two major players, Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) and BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). Currently, GBTC holds the top spot with an impressive $18.7 billion in assets under management (AUM), which includes around 297,000 Bitcoin. However, GBTC has been experiencing a decline due to consistent outflows, allowing IBIT to close in. With $17.2 billion AUM, BlackRock's Bitcoin fund is only $1.5 billion away from overtaking GBTC for the lead position. This tight competition further intensifies considering the significant gap between these frontrunners and the third-place fund, which lags more than $7.5 billion behind. Despite Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas's prediction that IBIT might surpass GBTC by the end of April not materializing exactly as forecasted, the potential for this shift remains high. Balchunas's prediction might have been slightly premature due to recent slowdowns in IBIT's inflows, marking a pause after a commendable streak of 71 consecutive days of inflows, which had put it on track for a new ETF record. While IBIT has enjoyed a solid record of never having a day of outflows since its trading inception, GBTC has faced the opposite scenario, suffering from continuous outflows as per CoinGlass data, with its worst day seeing an outflow of $618.2 million. Contrastingly, IBIT's best inflow day recorded $856.53 million. However, recent weeks have seen a reduction in the volume of daily inflows for IBIT, with only one day exceeding $30 million since mid-April. Despite these challenges, the gap between IBIT and GBTC has narrowed significantly, from $2.3 billion to $1.5 billion, following Balchunas's prediction. This shrinking gap underscores the dynamic nature of the Bitcoin ETF marketplace, hinting at a potential change in leadership soon. As the investment community watches closely, the evolving landscape of Bitcoin ETFs continues to offer intriguing developments for both investors and Market analysts. Win Up To 93% Of Your Trades With The World's #1 Most Profitable Trading Indicators [ad_2] 1. **What's the gap between Grayscale and BlackRock Bitcoin ETFs?** The difference in the amount of money managed between Grayscale and BlackRock Bitcoin ETFs has gotten smaller, now it's just $1.5 billion. 2. **Why did the gap between Grayscale and BlackRock Bitcoin ETFs shrink?**

The gap narrowed because more investors are putting their money into BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF, catching up to Grayscale's fund. 3. **Does a smaller gap mean BlackRock is doing better than Grayscale?** Not necessarily better, but it shows that BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF is becoming more popular and growing quickly. 4. **Can the gap between Grayscale and BlackRock Bitcoin ETFs change again?** Yes, the gap can change. It depends on how many people invest in each fund. If more people start putting money into Grayscale again, the gap could widen. 5. **Is a Bitcoin ETF a good investment?** Investing in a Bitcoin ETF can be a good way for some people to get into cryptocurrency without buying the coins directly, but it's important to understand the risks and do your research. Win Up To 93% Of Your Trades With The World's #1 Most Profitable Trading Indicators [ad_1] Win Up To 93% Of Your Trades With The World's #1 Most Profitable Trading Indicators Claim Airdrop now Searching FREE Airdrops 20 seconds Sorry There is No FREE Airdrops Available now. Please visit Later function claimAirdrop() document.getElementById('claim-button').style.display = 'none'; document.getElementById('timer-container').style.display = 'block'; let countdownTimer = 20; const countdownInterval = setInterval(function() document.getElementById('countdown').textContent = countdownTimer; countdownTimer--; if (countdownTimer < 0) clearInterval(countdownInterval); document.getElementById('timer-container').style.display = 'none'; document.getElementById('sorry-button').style.display = 'block'; , 1000);