#6 weeks python course

[tchaikovskym]

im at this point in life where i cannot simply shrink my CV to one page. i have to leave out crucial information

[manicpixiefelix]

at the other end of the leash

{ One-Shot for head, heart, hand. }

@vannyangelxoxo asked: can you write Felix beating someone’s ass for reader? Summary: You convince Felix to go with you to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in one of the last weeks of Summer before you begin your first year at Oxford University. While out on the town during the Festival, Felix finds himself enchanted with one of the performers, an avant-guarde acrobat named Magnus. The perfect night quickly goes south, however, as Felix discovers someone trying to take advantage of you, and he immediately steps in. Of course.

Need to Know: They/Them. Explicitly NB Reader. FWB!Reader/Felix. Reader is from a well off family but has pretty much been adopted by the Cattons. Set at the end of Summer before Felix and Reader start their first year of university at Oxford. Established Bi Felix.

Warnings: heavy themes; reader is slipped a roofie at a club and a stranger attempts to take them home, and it's heavily implied that he plans to assault them. felix gets there in time, which leads to the second warning of VIOLENCE. felix beats that motherfucker to a bloody mess. it doesn't get super gorey/explicit but there is a lot of blood. also there is discussions of nudity, non explicit sex, and recreational drug use in the club.

A/N: 6053 words. well, would you look at that. another request that got outrageously out of hand. this is also a personal homage to Edinbugh Fringe Festival, my beloved, my home for 6 weeks of the year. id also like to state that it's a wonderful place to be; the roofie plot is 100% fictionalised. the rest of it is a pastiche of real things that i have actually experienced. i cannot stress enough the raw animal attraction of a man named magnus who can and will flirt with anyone and everyone while getting drinks after his shows, who performs several times a week with his dick out, wearing eyeliner, heavily tattooed, who smokes and has pretty eyes. that's all i have to say about that.

TAGLIST IN COMMENTS!! // TAGLIST ALWAYS OPEN ! (just message or comment to be added)

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"Come on Fi, it's the last weeks of Summer before we start uni," you'd been rather desperately imploring, as if Felix had ever known how to refuse you when you actually wanted something, "you know Monty Python started there before they were even Monty Python," you told him knowingly, which was certainly interesting, though not particularly relevant. Finally you sighed, splaying yourself out over the sofa you'd been sitting, looking up at him from as he entered the room. Now you were spread out foolishly, childishly, looking up at him with imploring eyes, "Fi we've spent a month lazing around the house and I know your parents have no other events planned before we go back, except for the party on the second last night; we'll be back before then, I promise! I want to spend time watching strange show, meeting people I'd never imagine, and drinking cocktails named after famous poets from rustic bars!"

It had been your suggestion to go to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for a few days, and despite the exhaustingly long train ride and the hotel prices that would probably cripple anyone less well off than you - Felix had agreed. Of course he'd agreed; you sounded so hopeful.

Which is how you'd found yourself in an underground club on a Friday night, dancefloor packed with more bodies than sense, and a twenty minute line for drinks. Tonight he'd been feeling especially bold, forgoing a jacket altogether, spending time in the mirror with you before heading out to see the show you'd chosen for the evening - a compelling one-man show about being gay in Australia, in a less compelling, cramped venue. So now here he was, in one of his more fetching dark, silk, button-down t-shirts, eyeliner on his waterline, mascara even though he claimed to not need it, a touch of glitter by his temples, and his favourite brown lipstick that he'd agonised over.

Not long after you'd come out, you'd tried wearing eyeliner with the male, private school uniform - I can- I should be allowed to do whatever I want, right? - and the minute after Felix had gotten out of suspension for smacking a kid who called you a slur, he went out and bought his own eyeliner. His collection had only grown from there. It really was a shame that people seemed to think it was reserved for femininity. Well, as it turned out, people who weren't part of things like Fringe Festivals.

Felix fit right in tonight.

It's a little thrilling; these people, in neon underwear and wigs and makeup that would forever outshine his own efforts, they look at him differently. Drugs passed around him - oh darling, would you like some? But once he'd ask what they were and the kind soul goes to check, they're pulled away by some other shiny thing to focus on. Always too close, tits out with nipple pasties being sweated off, he's sure he saw someone's dick out on the dance floor, the most beautiful, feminine, sculpted faces on the hairiest male bodies sporting only a gold speedo. Confusing and foreign and everyone smiling at him.

Felix wasn't quite sure where you'd gotten too, especially not since he'd found himself caught in the blue-eyed gaze of a stocky punk with a face tattoo and carefully loose hair pulled back into a low bun. Nose piercings and ears with stretched holes that Felix could see all the way through, black silicone bordering the void almost like it was intended to match the black makeup around his eyes, though it looks worn, half sweated through. Still, Felix can't help but be enchanted by the way it made his blue eyes peak so brightly through. Felix didn't think he had much of a type when it came to guys, but he'd always found something very charming about dark hair and blue, mischievous eyes.

"Magnus," he'd introduced himself as with much confidence and yelling over the music, and when Felix introduced himself, asked if he was here for the festival, Magnus smiles wider. Felix thinks very distinctly of biting. "Actually here blowing off steam after a show," a performer then, "part of an avant guarde acrobatics troupe," a very flexible performer.

"How... long have you been doing that?"

"About three years now," Magnus squints into the distance as he tried to recall, "since I was nineteen."

"Oh," Felix brightens up, adding without thinking, "I'm nineteen." And immediately hangs his head with embarrassment. Thankfully, instead of calling him a kid - despite only being twenty-two; everyone in their twenties seemed to like calling him a baby, even if they'd turned twenty yesterday - and laughs.

"Oh thank god," he claps Felix on the shoulder, "because I was definitely going to ask."

"It's a pub," Felix points out, as if no-one underage has ever snuck into a pub ever. Magnus gives him a sidelong smile.

"With no security in sight, mate," he snorted. Felix had noticed that drugs were being passed around like candy, but he hadn't really considered it beyond that. Magnus, however, points to a couple that have been grinding on each other on a bar stool several feet away, "he's been fucking her like that for the past fifteen minutes." Felix's brows shot up.

"Really?!" He gasped; Magnus grinned like the Cheshire cat, mentioning in a far too offhand way that they were also friends of his, "should we move?"

"It's the furthest you're going to be from some kind of sex act unless you want to go outside," he gave a loud, pleased sigh at the environment, seeming entirely at home. Felix is struck with the immediate and vivid image of Magnus in his beautiful leather jacket pressing him up against this very wall, hand slipping beneath the waistband of Felix's pants; the freedom of everyone seeing and nobody caring and -

"What's avant guarde about it-" Felix clears his throat awkwardly, "the acrobatics, I mean, if I may ask?" Felix tries to remain polite while he knows he's blushing all over. All he hopes is that this man beside him that he's just met can't tell how loudly he's thinking holy shit have I met someone who could throw me around the room with ease? Is that something I want? He's never really thought about it before -

"You ever seen three people stand on each other's shoulders all at once in the full monty?" As if that's a real question Felix is supposed to have a real answer to, but Magnus stood just a little taller, just a little prouder, "I'm the lad at the bottom, holding us all secure, cock out for the world to see." What a fucking mental image.

Magnus also informs Felix that the tattoo on his face, the delicate dagger, has its match somewhere else on his body. It's with a staggering amount of confidence that immediately flusters Felix that Magnus tells him he can either buy a ticket to the show, or buy him a drink if he'd like to see it. He's pretty sure he's never been so directly and effectively hit on before in his entire life. Yes, counting the trips you, he, Farleigh, and Venetia took to France that Summer in high school.

Standing in line, thinking about beautiful, punk, acrobat Magnus and what Felix can only assume is his tattooed cock, it takes him a long while to realise that he's nearing the bar and has been staring at some guy's drinks for a full minute. Something colourful and fizzing, something with vodka he's pretty sure. It takes another moment to register something falling into one of the drinks from between the man's fingers as he goes to take them away -

"Hey!" It could have been an accident, it could have been nothing, but Felix wouldn't be able to forgive himself if it wasn't, "dude, hey!" He tries to snatch at the guy's denim jacket, but he slips into the crowd. Trying to jam himself up to the bar, despite everyone else's annoyance, he tries to tell the bartender, but the man's already disappeared too far.

Vaguely distressed, but mostly dejected, he steps back to his place, and waiting another few long moments for his turn at the bar. Even as his gaze roams the crowd for the potential bastard, he can't seem to see him. But he looses track of his thoughts on the matter when he gets back to Magnus, leaning against the wall with half a cigarette tucked behind his ear, and those gorgeous blue eyes drinking in Felix as he approaches.

"Was almost worried I'd lost you there," he slings an arm around Felix's waist, drawing him in close, accepting the drink with a grin, and all Felix can think about is how warm he is, how he smells sweet and like rich herbs and smoke. He asks what Felix does, and Felix tries his very best not to sound as young as he suddenly feels -

"Remains to be seen," he leans into speak into Magnus's ear, musting the confidence he knows he usually has in spades, wrapping his own arm around Magnus's shoulders, "about to start at Oxford in a few days -"

"Oxford!" Felix isn't sure if Magnus is teasing him or not. He's also not sure that he minds, he kind of wants the man to keep looking at him- keep smiling at him like that.

He's so enraptured by the company he's found for himself that it almost startles him when you come stumbling out of the crowd, off of the dance floor, beaming and sweating, holding a half-finished drink.

"Fi, there you are- oh my, hi, hello!" You're already giving Magnus a million watt smile, clearly quite drunk. Felix catches you with his free hand, having finished his own drink not too long ago.

"Hello, sweetheart," Magnus greets you warmly, but with an unmistakable hint of reservation, gaze momentarily flicking between yourself and Felix, trying to reassess the situation in the blink of an eye. You don't seem to notice that, however, simply standing a little taller, subtly preening at the pet name.

"Y/N is my best mate," Felix leans in close to Magnus to explain, voice fond in his ear, "the reason I'm here at all." And there's that smile again, all warm and amused and Magnus' eyes shining in a way that makes Felix want to let him do terrible, unspeakable things to him.

"Lucky for us both then, that you have such a darling friend."

Performers are a different fucking breed of people, Felix can't help but think to himself, even as Magnus turns - arm never leaving it's place around Felix - to properly introduce himself to you. He thinks it again watching Magnus charm you just as easily, even if he wasn't trying to outright hit on you the way he had been with Felix.

"I was just- I was just-" you stumble over your words, taking another sip of your drink - something colourful and fizzing, vodka something, you'd said with an offhand frown, a lovely guy I've been dancing with bought it for me - while you take Magnus' offered free hand to steady yourself, "I was thinking of heading back to the hotel pretty shortly, I'm a bit -" you make a vague hand gesture. Before you can even finish the sentiment, however, the next song begins and you light up. Finishing your drink, you grab Felix's free hand with your own, tugging them both towards the dance floor, begging them for one dance.

"How could I say no to a face like that?" Magnus teases, letting himself be dragged onto the dancefloor, Felix adding with a fond smile.

"Trust me, I wouldn't know."

Glad for the company, you gleefully let loose amongst the crush of bodies, and there's something both endearing, and endlessly attractive, about how happy Magnus seems to match your energy. The three of you jumping around to The Sex Pistols, Magnus shouting along with all of the lyrics and seemingly impressed that you and Felix at the very least seem to know some of them.

After the song, however, you seem to slip back into the crowd on the dancefloor, as if once more transfixed by the lights and movement and heat of the night. Magnus, however, leans in and asks if Felix smokes.

Outside it's far easier to breathe. It's cooler too. Still, Magnus pulls off his leather jacket, ties it around his hips, leaving him in a tight, white t-shirt. Felix has known in a roundabout way that he wasn't straight for quite some time, but damn did reminders like this not feel like being hit by a truck. Covered in tattoos and with the kind of arms and shoulders the Greeks could model statues of gods from, Felix knows he's staring but quite literally does not know how to stop.

Except then Magnus is pulling out an actual, metal cigarette deck, offering it to Felix for him to take one, and Felix is pretty sure this is the coolest person he's ever met in his life.

"I love these," Magnus takes Felix's hand in his free one, clicking the cigarette deck closed and sliding it smoothly back into his pocket, "these are cute," he's looking at the silly, little collection of stars tattooed on his hand. They look like nothing compared to the ink all over Magnus, but he seems genuine in his interest.

"Surprise gift for my sister," Felix hears himself say, cigarette between his lips as he fumbles in his pockets for a lighter.

"For your sister?"

"Well it was a surprise to me too," Felix chuckles at the memory, "Y/N and I organised for me and Venetia to get matching tattoos of her choice for her birthday."

"You... didn't know?" Magnus snorts, dropping Felix's hand to take the half-cigarette out from behind his ear, holding it out for Felix to light.

"Well I'm not opposed, I've got a couple of tattoos - nothing like yours," he grins, and Magnus's gaze meets his, flashing with that same amusement and attraction as in the club that had so captivated Felix in the first place, "but I'm kind of surprised that that's what Y/N gifted her?"

"Did your sister not like it?"

"No, that's the thing, I've actually never seen Ven react like that to a gift before," Felix muses; smiling at the memory, "of course she was a menace about it at first; I was worried she'd been given too much power," he snorted, tipping his head to look at Magnus, only to see those blue eyes gazing back, as if hanging on Felix's every word, "do you know how close I came to having a tramp stamp?"

"As if you wouldn't look fantastic with a tramp stamp," Magnus snorted.

However before the story can even be finished, the door to the club opens and both turn at the sound of your voice.

"No, I need some water first -" you sound very wrong. The person beside you, a man who looks vaguely familiar, though Felix is sure it's not his face, is setting almost too brisk of a pace.

"Come on, there's water back at my place, remember?"

"I need to go back to the hotel," you tried to insist, "and water- 'm gonna throw up in the taxi."

"You'll be fine, I promise, I've got you." The man's hailing at taxi, while you're swaying on your feet, looking even more out of it than you had when they'd last seen you.

Felix is moving on instinct, without hesitation, without even thinking.

"The fuck are you doing?" His voice raises, and the man turns right as a taxi is pulling up, looking at Felix with blatant irritation, not appearing to be intimidated in the slightest.

"Back off man, my friend isn't feeling well-" the bastard lies through his teeth, even as you of course recognise Felix, and take his arm, mumbling that you felt sick, "see?" He actually tries to pry you away from Felix, "I'm taking care of them, no need to worry -" but Felix puts his hand on yours, secure. Just as well, since you start to list and lean and lose your balance.

"Fi," you mutter weakly, pitifully, "help."

And that's when Felix realises what he recognises about the man; the jacket that slipped through his fingers at the bar. The man he'd seen dose your drink, as it turned out.

Felix has never seen red in his life the way he has in this moment.

Fury simmers white-hot just beneath his skin, though he keeps himself calm and collected as he gently walks you over to the wall of the club, easing you into a sitting position. All the while the bastard that was with you is berating him, saying you just needed to get somewhere to lie down. Magnus, however, seems to understand what's happening, and sits himself down beside you at the wall, quietly asking one of the many onlooker to go inside and grab some water for you.

"Fine, sit 'em on the filthy fucking pavement in the middle of the city instead of letting them lie down in a bed to sleep it off; you feel good? You feel like a hero for not letting me take my friend home -?"

There is an audible crack when Felix's fist makes impact with the bastard's nose. He knows once his adrenaline wears off it's going to hurt like a motherfucker, but it's worth it. More blood splatters across them both than Felix was anticipating from his wonky uppercut, but he doesn't care. The man half recovers, unsteady, but he gets a hit on Felix's cheeks with a fist full of rings, but he seems almost disorientated. Felix goes for the throat this time, satisfaction being the sound of the man choking on his gurgle of pain.

Felix isn't quite sure what it was that sent the bastard crashing to the ground, but he does know that he's tearing through that man's coat pockets like a feral beast before he finds the bottle of pills like the one he saw fall into your drink.

It's like the entire world stops for this one second.

His knuckles ache, covered in blood that isn't his own, clutching the same roofies that were now coursing through your blood, making you weak and vulnerable and prey to bastards like this. His head spins, fury spitting in his veins, blood singing to tear this man apart. There were on lookers, a gasping crowd, but for some reason no bouncer in sight, no-one stopping this.

And you, sitting against the wall of the pub, tucked up against Magnus who had a protective arm around you and was looking at the man beneath you with something cold in his eyes. His other hand was balancing a glass of water on his leg next to you, for you, but you didn't move, just looked at your hands, helpless. Magnus's cold gaze slides to meet Felix's, and there's something approving in his eyes. He gives the faintest nod.

Felix kind of blacks out after that.

The next thing he remembers is being shoved into a taxi rather frantically, hearing Magnus shout - well get him on his side so he doesn't choke on his blood before the ambulance arrives. You're already in, leaning against the window seat, gazing vacantly out of it. Felix gently touches your shoulder once the door shuts behind him- fuck that seems like a lot of blood? When did that happen? You make a vague hum of acknowledgement, so Felix shuffles over to the middle seat and coaxes you to rest against him.

"Fi?"

"Of course," he cradles you against him.

"Fi," your voice is weak, he can hear you beginning to sniffle. Your words come out awkwardly, slurred terribly, "feels wrong, c'nt.. m've."

"I know, I'm sorry," Felix feels the tears in his own eyes, "you'll be okay, I'm here, you'll be okay." He can't believe he let this happen. The front door opens, and Magnus's voice greets the driver.

"Sorry about the state of them in the back -"

"'s Friday, laddie," the terribly aged, terribly Scottish taxi driver says blithely, "where shall I be takin' yas?"

Magnus looks over the back to you both, expression concerned, but genuine, and asks for the address of your hotel. Felix takes a moment to compose himself, but finally gives it, and the drive commences in silence.

It seems only natural for Magnus to also get out once you've all arrived, easily sliding into step with Felix as they both wrapped one of your arms around their shoulders and helped get you back through the hotel and up to your room.

"Thank you, Magnus," Felix says softly as he fishes the key from his pocket, "I'm so sorry about how the night turned out." Magnus actually laughed at that, and Felix opened the door.

"Felix, if the context weren't so dramatically, disgustingly awful, this would be the most fun night I've had all Fringe." And you all shuffle inside, Felix guiding you all towards the bedroom to lay you down, "nice room by the way," Magnus looks around as he passes through, "who's cock did you have to suck to afford it in the middle of the Fringe?"

"I..." Felix hesitates, "don't know if that's a first meeting kind of question."

"Well played, Oxford boy," Magnus says, but there's no malice behind the nickname, "I have my theories, though." Part of Felix is glad Magnus is there, to help lighten the load, lighten the mood, even a little.

They lay you gently on the bed, and Felix is just glad that you seemed to finally have fully passed out. He can't begin to imagine the horrors that were going on inside your head. Then it's just the two of them. And the built in wardrobe across the room with it's floor to ceiling mirror.

And all that blood on Felix.

"I look the fucking American Psycho," it's fucking horrific! What did he do? Magnus, sitting on the end of the bed with one knee crossed over the other gives an amused smile.

"You actually kind of do."

"It's not good!" Felix approaches the mirror like he's in a damn horror movie, scrubbing at his cheeks with little success, but with a surprising amount of sharp pain, "the fuck did I do? Is this all his?" Magnus, in the mirror, is looking at him curiously, "Magnus, seriously, the fuck did I do?"

"You were fucking beautiful, Felix," Magnus says, sounding almost awed. Felix stopped; there was nothing flirty, nothing about it that wasn't genuine. Wait holy shit, Felix realises, are these fucking butterflies in his chest? Now of all times?

Then, in the next moment, Magnus blinks, clearing his throat loudly, like he hadn't meant to say that. For the first time all night he looks genuinely flustered, dropping his gaze.

"You hospitalised a fucking rapist, is what you did," he said matter-of-factly with a nod - he'd nodded before, it's the last thing Felix really remembers - "proved your point to everyone there finding those fucking pills; that was a good move. I mean, I had to explain what the fuck was happening to our little audience while I was dragging you off him - didn't think you wanted to kill him."

"Thanks," Felix says weakly. Then, softly, looking down at his shaking hands, "should I go to the police?"

"For doing a public service?" Magnus snorts, shaking his head, "no, there's at least a dozen girls who will attest to him acting threatening, and to Y/N's behaviour - who was thankfully taken away by an actual kind friend - and that he admitted in a fit of rage to spiking the drinks. He'll be the one in jail if anything." It's so... easy. So nonchalant.

When Felix asks, confusion, disbelief, innocence in his voice, Magnus just smiles like the easiest thing in the world, and says he's an actor, it's his job.

"You don't have to be doing all of this," Felix covers the room in a few short steps, knowing he'll never have the words to thank this stranger for all he's done tonight.

"Are you kidding me? I'm going to be telling this story for the rest of my life," Magnus grins brightly, and his eyes shine just like that had hours ago, before everything went to hell. He leans in conspiratorially, "you broke his fucking ribs."

"I think I broke more than his ribs," Felix says with a tentatively proud smile. Magnus nodded in absolute agreement. Then, after a moment.

"Have a shower, Felix," he said, "I'm going to go downstairs to the petrol station, see what they have there, and be back in a bit; is it okay with you if I crash on the sofa -?"

"You don't have to do all this, seriously, it's late, please go home," Felix implores, taking Magnus's face in his hands. Magnus, however, looks at him like he's a fool.

"I'm going to make sure you're both okay," he pets Felix's hand on his cheek, smiling so sincerely, "and besides, if I'm down getting stuff, that way you can have a shower and know I'm not using that time to be a creep towards Y/N while you're busy."

After a moment of deliberation, Felix pulls Magnus in to press several kisses to his forehead, calling him an absolute Godsend, while Magnus laughs to hide how flustered it makes him.

The shower is where the adrenaline really starts to wear off and the ache of the fight sets into his muscles and bones. The mirror mists over and the droplets still cling where he wipes his hand over. His knuckles are bruised, as is his face, scratches and split lip and gashes where the rings had punctures his cheek. The makeup and eyeliner that he didn't think to properly remove before his shower probably makes it look a little worse than it is.

There's scratches on his throat, his collar, shallower on his chest where the bastard had tried to get him through his shirt while he was trapped beneath Felix on the ground. Scratches up his arms as the man fought a losing battle.

He takes one of the makeup wipes from the pack and cleans up his face as best he can as the first step. It helps, but not by a lot. Back in the bedroom, once he's dry, he searches his suitcase for pyjamas, getting himself dressed.

In there, there is a long few moments where he watches you sleep, watches the steady rise and fall of your breathing and sees the dried tear tracks on your cheeks.

"Fi, help."

God, he's tearing up at the memory. He should have stopped that cunt at the bar when he'd had the chance, when he first saw it happen. Never in his life has he heard you sound genuinely weak until tonight; his hands shake.

Before he gets you cleaned up, however, he feels like he needs to check... Magnus really didn't have to come back. Yeah, sure, he said he would, but if he got tired, if he needed to call it a night, Felix would not blame him in the slightest. He really was surprisingly lovely, and part of Felix would probably regret not getting his number, but it was understandable -

Magnus is sitting cross-legged in the hall, across from his door, eating a slice of white bread from a grocery bag by his side. In his other hand, he's texting.

"Give us a second, just letting the troupe know I'm fine."

Felix blinks at him. Felix waits. Magnus's thumb works the digits of the Nokia he's focusing on, before he must hit send, satisfied. Then, tucking the phone back into one of the inner pockets of his jacket, he looks up, eyes still that same, bright blue. He looks genuinely pleased to see Felix. Felix, for his part, is genuinely pleased to see him too. Surprised as well, if he was being honest, but pleased.

"You look much better," Magnus comments, and pushes himself to his feet. Bag looped in his arm, Felix sees it's a few basic supplies, bread, maybe some spread, something he can't identify, and something bright red. He offers to pay; Magnus tries to shrug it off, but Felix finally gives a self deprecating smile, gesturing around to the rather luxury hotel room they were in. Magnus gives himself a moment to take it all in again, and finally sighs, smiles, gives in.

He does, however, insist on making them both food.

Grilled cheese; all he could find on short notice since it was getting to the early hours of the morning. Felix watches for a few long moments, the way Magnus moves around the kitchenette with practiced ease, like a man used to these spaces, to life on the road. Felix finds he enjoys just watching Magnus; perhaps this is how people have often felt about him. Magnus doesn't watch him, he feels rather free.

"Do you want to take off your makeup," Felix pipes up just as Magnus reaches for the stove. Magnus freezes, "if you're staying, and being so kind as to make me food, the least I can offer is for you to make yourself comfortable."

"Should have suspected you'd be a good host," Magnus grins over his shoulder, and gently puts the pan down, leaving the stove off for the time being. So Felix directs him to the bathroom and tells him to take all the time he needs, and himself heads to the bedroom. Fishing his wallet from the jeans he'd discarded for the night, he pulls out two fifty pound notes. It's far more than the contents of the grocery bag, but Felix definitely doesn't care. It's so little for how kind he's been.

Opening the bedroom door, however, and he almost runs into Magnus, startling the both of them. Even with the remnants of his makeup still clinging around his eyes, the faintest traces of stubborn eyeliner and mascara, he looks fresh-faced and beautiful. Startled, both by the abruptness, and the fact that he might be even more taken with this man without his makeup on, all Felix can do is hold out the money. Magnus seems to thaw first, chuckles, shakes his head, and calls Felix incredibly generous. Unsurprisingly, Felix insists that it's not generous, it's simply fair compensation for his kindness.

After a moment, Magnus peers around Felix, asking how you were. Felix finally relaxes, assures him that for now you're fine. Magnus's expression is understanding, but still very knowing, as his gaze flicks between Felix and you.

"You take care of them, I'll take care of food," he insists gently. Before Felix can even ask how Magnus knew what that he still wanted to make sure you were comfortable, Magnus pats his chest fondly, "you beat a man half to death for them, I assume you want them to sleep in comfort."

Yeah. Fair. Good assessment of the night, and of Felix.

So Felix smiles, thanks him, and trusts him in the kitchen.

Felix treats you with such reverence in these moments, wiping off your makeup with such care, changing you into your pyjamas while he made sure there were no bruises, no scratches, no sign of this bastard anywhere on you. But no, thankfully not. He could have killed that bastard. Sounds like he almost did.

You frown in your sleep. Felix's heart hurts. But there's nothing more to be done for now.

Magnus is humming softly in the kitchen, a gentle sound amid the comforting sizzle of butter in a pan. Felix watches from the doorway for a long moment, the gentle, neutral expression, the focus on the food, the way he's retied his hair to catch all the hair that had so casually been hanging around his face back at the bar. There's something else different about him, however, and it's not the lack of leather jacket or makeup, it's something Felix can't put his finger on for a good few moments.

"Did you get shorter?"

Magnus stops humming. His gaze slides to Felix out of the corner of his eyes, expression unreadable. Then his gaze drops to the ground, and Felix follows; Magnus is wearing Christmas socks on the cold tiles. After a beat, Felix puts two and two together, and Magnus gives a vaguely sheepish laugh the minute he stalks around the kitchen island to the door. There's a pair of gigantic, black boots sitting primly by the door.

The absurdity of this, on top of everything else, finally has Felix laughing, collapsing against the kitchen island, face in his hands, as Magnus cackles quietly by the stove.

"What even is this night?" Felix groans through his fingers.

"One to remember," Magnus responds sagely as he served the first of the grilled cheeses onto a waiting plate, "the good parts, at least, and the good in the bad," immediately he puts another blob of butter in the pan, "and when you look back, you won't see the rage or the fear," he puts the second set of bread and cheese in the pan before picking up the plate with the first, finished dish, "you'll simply recall the love that inspired it all."

"You're so wise," Felix sighs fingers curling down so he could rest his chin on his fists, glad for the man he'd met by chance just a few hours before, "how'd you get so wise doing backflips in your birthday suit, Magnus?" He can feel himself growing tired, finally, as a yawn hits him, "is that something I should try?" Magnus laughs once again, putting the plate of food in front of Felix. He settles across from him, mirroring with his chin on his hand over the kitchen island.

"I take chances on people who intrigue me."

Somehow this terrible night has come full circle; you're comfortable and safe, there's nothing to worry about, and Felix desperately wants to kiss this damn acrobat who's in his hotel room making him grilled cheese at three in the morning.

"Magnus?"

"Yes, Felix," he murmurs back, smiling softly.

"Is that why you're still here, being so... lovely?"

But there's something in Magnus's eyes that dims at the question, just a little. Taking a deep, hesitant breath, his smile turns a touch awkward as he pushes off of the counter to check on the stove. Felix follows him with his eyes, confused, unsure of what he could have said that was wrong.

"I suppose that could be the short answer," Magnus offers, idly. Felix is quiet, crosses his arms on the bench and sinks down to rest his head there, almost childishly, waiting, "don't know if this is a first-meeting discussion either." Magnus finally comes to, though his tone is thankfully lighter.

Silence. Slowly, Felix sits himself back up and starts on the grilled cheese in front of him, quietly thanking Magnus who once again assures him it's no trouble. They sit and eat in silence together; it's not awkward, but Felix is growing more tired with each moment that passes.

"I'm five-seven," Magnus offers without prompting, halfway through the impromptu meal. Felix snorts so hard he starts almost choking on a lump of cheese. Magnus claps him on the back, snickering to himself. Felix, while trying to blink away the way his eyes are watering, peers over to the boots by the door once more, "six inch platforms."

"Fucking hell, how do you walk around in them?" Felix says between thankfully clearing coughs, "you don't perform in them, do you?"

"Fuck no," Magnus grins, "it's not that hard -"

"They'd make me near about seven foot!" Felix crows.

"Maybe next time you can try them on."

Next time.

Even as Magnus spends the next half hour tending to Felix's wounds, advising on how to take care of his muscles, Felix can't stop grinning to himself. Then Magnus says it again, wearing a grin of his own;

"I'm not kidding, I'm going to make sure you're taking care of yourself next time I see you."

"You promise?" Felix wears a wide, goofy grin, clearly giddy at the prospect, enough so that Magnus can't help but finally pull him in for a kiss.

"Promise, Felix."

[suzdin]

Washed Up Has-Been: a Dieter Bravo one shot

Dieter Bravo x F!Plus Size!Reader

Warnings: soft!Dieter, sweet!Dieter, smut, angst, bodily insecurities, reader is plus sized but no other physical attributes are described, Dieter is a little chubby as well, mentions of drugs and alcohol, oral (m receiving), mention of sex toys, fluff? (gasp!), did I forget anything? I know next to nothing about the film industry, don’t judge me :(

Word Count: 2,800

Enjoy and feel free to reblog and comment if you wish! 💜🙂

——

Dieter Bravo had not been the same since Cliff Beasts 6.

What did they call it? Losing your spark? Your mojo? Your moxy? Whatever it was called, he’d lost it, along with his marbles… if he ever had any to begin with, and he was sure many would agree he hadn’t.

The reviews were bad, abhorrent, really. ‘Dieter Bravo as Gio Ricci baffling’, ‘Bravo couldn’t act his way out of a paper bag’, ‘I can’t believe this man has an Oscar’, ‘Did he get his Italian accent at an Olive Garden?’, on and on the critics wailed and lambasted.

He’d had a mental break shortly after the premier, firing everyone he could in his vicinity — his publicist, his hair stylist and manicurist, hell, even his agent of twenty five years. He’d hired a new one, of course, a potential script FedExed to his door that morning, fist curled and white knuckled in anger around the thick stack of papers as he perched himself like a sentient gargoyle on his couch, in the tattered clothes he’d been wearing for nearly a week.

A dad. They wanted him to play a fucking dad, some sort of buddy comedy family film opposite Dwayne Johnson, it might be a good move for your career, buddy, his agent had explained. But seriously, him? Hollywood heart throb Dieter Bravo, reduced to playing someone’s bumbling father, opposite THE FUCKING ROCK?

He couldn’t believe it.

He had put on some weight since his last film, sure, but that was no reason or excuse to allow himself to be typecasted as a dad.

Or was it the ever persistent graying in his hair and beard? The laugh lines? The crow’s feet?

‘Dieter Bravo is a washed up has-been’ the internet screamed at him daily, leading him to drown himself in an endless stream of drugs and alcohol…more so than he was already doing, anyway.

He was barely a functioning person. A husk of his former self, he could no longer get it up, unsure whether to blame the drugs or his steadily fleeting mental health, and even putting brush to canvas felt more like a chore than an escape nowadays. He’d become a hermit in his own home, the ghastly, aging 1970s mid-century horror he resided in the Hollywood Hills, that he thought was amazing when he originally bought it a decade ago.

Well, much like him, older things fall apart, and the house was a piece of shit, which was apt.

He had hired you as his assistant and he was so vague as to what that entailed that you were sort of a jack of all trades as far as helping was concerned, acting as his maid, his cook, the middle man to screen his calls, his emails, so on and so forth. Hell, you even took care of the large python he’d bought ‘because it looked cool’, that he was now too scared to touch, himself.

You did it all, and although he never properly expressed as much, he was more grateful for you than he let on.

He always found you pretty, too. Beautiful, even, and not in the fake way he’d grown used to, living in Hollywood. You were kind, sweet, and uncorrupted by a crueler world, always happy and eager to assist him with whatever he needed.

And if he was being honest with himself, the thought of you sheathed around his cock was the only thing that could even get him half hard anymore.

When you arrive for the day, you find him on his couch, glowering at what you can only assume is another bad script, graying hair disheveled and curling away from his skull, teeth gritted in disdain. A look you had come to recognize and were more than familiar with.

“Let me take that to the garbage for you,” you offer, as you normally do in these situations, stepping forward to reach for the offending script.

His eyes clock the way your breasts sway when you walk, the roundness of your belly, the plushness of your arms. He can’t help but stare; he wants to bury himself in you and stay there forever.

He swallows, moving the script away from your extended hand and tucking it behind a cushion, distracted by your body.

“No — no, it’s okay,” he replies and his voice feels like gravel in his throat, realizing he hasn’t spoken all day until now.

Although the script sucks and he doesn’t want to do it, he needs the money. “Thanks.”

You notice his eyes on you and you sit, leaving about a foot of space between you to maintain a modicum of professionalism, observing the sadness behind his dark brown eyes and knowing this has been the norm for several months now but still hating it for what it is.

“What’s on the docket for today?” you ask him and he shrugs, unhelpfully, his lips pulled into a frown, shadows staining the lines of his face. You haven’t seen him this bad in a while.

“I can… make you some hot tea?” you ask, looking down at the schedule in your lap, of which nothing is jotted down for the day.

He shakes his head, carding a hand through his hair. “No. I’m out of tea.”

You chew your lip. “Okay… well, then I guess I’m running to the store today. I have a list already, but can you think of anything else?”

Once again, he shakes his head. “No. I’ll just order it or something.”

You frown and tuck the schedule away, crossing your legs and turning to face him, contemplative.

“Then what do you want me to do today? You’re paying me to be here,” you note. “Unless you’d rather I go home.”

“No!” he damn near shouts, making you jump, and he immediately regrets his lack of impulse control. His gaze traverses your subtle cleavage and you clear your throat, heat warming your skin. “Sorry, it’s just… I don’t want to be alone right now. Can we just hang out?” he queries.

“Dieter, are you okay?” you question and he shakes his head in response.

“No.” A single word that says so much more than that. It pulls at your heart strings, seeing him like this. “I — I’m a nobody.”

“You aren’t a nobody, you’re Oscar winner Dieter fucking Bravo,” you counter, and he snorts, picking at some dry skin on his ankle.

“Yeah, Dieter fucking Bravo, the aging has-been who can’t act his way out of a paper bag,” he snorts.

“If you keep talking like that, I’m going to take away your internet access so you can’t read all the mean tweets about yourself,” you threaten.

“You wouldn’t.”

“One call to your financial advisor and I would and could,” you retort and Dieter scoffs, trying to remember if he’d fired him yet or not.

You cross your arms and flop back against the worn and flattened couch cushions, eyeing him smugly.

The movement pushes your chest up and out, his gaze on you once again and he isn’t subtle about it this time. You clear your throat and stir, staring back at his soft, plush lips.

“Dieter—“

“Come here,” he murmurs quietly and the spontaneity of it catches you off guard, your jaw hanging agape in disbelief and confusion.

“…What?”

It had been months since anyone had touched him, had wanted to touch him, and now, as he stares at your body and smells your light vanilla perfume, after the shitty week he’s had, he needs to be touched, even if only briefly.

“Come… here,” he repeats, more dogged than before, and in spite of yourself, despite how unprofessional it is, you find yourself scooting forward.

He grabs your hips when you’re within reach and drags you the rest of the way, pulling the cushion partially off the couch in the process, a small yelp of surprise escaping your lungs as he softly grips your face to bring his lips to yours.

They’re plush, dry, lightly chapped and he tastes a little like whiskey and weed, but you don’t really mind, his coarse, wiry mustache scratching and tickling against your nose.

Suddenly, with a soft groan in the back of his throat, his hand is under your shirt, cupping your breast, and you break the kiss, looking down to where his arm disappears beneath the fabric, shock settling over your features.

“Dee… are you… are you sure?” you ask. You don’t exactly look like the people Dieter had been confirmed dating in the past, and you feel a wave of trepidation, your self conscious nature bubbling to the surface. You’ve always felt Dieter Bravo was more than a little out of your league.

Not that you’re dating him, but, you know.

“I wouldn’t be doing this if I wasn’t sure,” he tuts and kisses you again, rougher this time, palming your breast, making your cunt throb.

He groans. You’re so good to him, always taking such good care of him, and you feel exactly the way he thought you would, warm and luscious and supple, his dick already fighting with the seam of his pajama pants, the first time in weeks.

And you’ve wanted this, too, as long as you’ve worked for him, never confessing your feelings for fear of losing your job. You never imagined Dieter fucking Bravo would feel the same way about you.

You know Dee needs this, you need this, and you want to make him feel good.

You brush a hand over his hardening cock and he damn near bucks himself straight off the couch with a grunt and a sharply uttered, “Fuck” against your lips. You grin into his mouth at how much composure he’s already lost from so few touches.

You pull away after a moment and scoot off the couch, sinking onto your knees in front of him, nestling yourself between his broad thighs.

He watches you, rigid cock tremoring in his pants at the sight, the outline of it clearly visible and straining against the fabric. “You… you don’t have to…” His voice is thick, haggard.

“Let me take care of you, Dee,” you mewl as you nuzzle your face against the squishy paunch of his stomach, lifting his shirt to plant small, reverent kisses in a circle around his belly button. He giggles and flinches at the contact.

“Sorry, sorry — ticklish,” he explains and you smile, placing a few more kisses there, more delicate than the ones that preceded them, trailing a line from his navel to the thick swathe of hair leading to his crotch.

Despite the pounds he’s put on recently, he doesn’t feel at all uncomfortable in front of you, eyes darkening as he drinks you in visually, lips tight and parted, breaths growing deeper in the barrel of his chest.

You look up and from your current perspective, he’s all wild haired and broad shouldered, panting, your cunt clenching with desire as you eye him with a wry grin.

You smooth his shirt down over his belly and move your face to the hard bulge below, nosing the bulk of it through the fabric and inhaling his natural scent, thick and musky and masculine in your nostrils. You both groan in unison.

“Dear god,” he grunts, “I feel like I’m about to— aaaaugh— fucking bust already.”

“Save it for my mouth, at least,” you snip and his head rolls back against the cushion at your words, the one with the sag in the middle where his neck always rests, eyes sliding shut.

“You’re so good for me,” he pants softly, already so close to falling apart, “I take you for granted and I’m sorry.”

“Dieter, shh.” You find the stretchy waistband of his striped trousers and drag them down his hips, not all surprised to see he’s gone commando, cock springing free from the cage of fabric, uncut and dribbling against the drag of soft cotton. He’s girthy, and you’ve never seen one intact in the flesh before — literally — a small puff of air escaping your lips, taking in the sight of him for a few seconds before coming to your senses.

“Is everything alr—“ he starts to ask, cutting himself off when you unexpectedly cup his heavy balls in your palm and lick a slow stripe up his length with the flat of your tongue, his hips quivering and bucking involuntarily. “Shit—“

You grin, humming satisfactorily to yourself and continue to tease him, his hands finding your hair, fingers twisting at the roots as the rings he insists on wearing get caught in the strands, pulling ever so slightly. You moan.

You feel incredible, your tongue working his most sensitive areas, and he’s having a hard time holding it together, torso heaving above you, tiny whimpers departing his lips, and he hasn’t even entered your mouth yet.

You sense how much trouble he’s having at keeping himself in check, so you back off a touch to give him a momentary reprieve, shifting to kiss along the meat of his inner thighs, nipping at the tiny elephant tattoos etched into his skin as you do so.

He cups one hand on the back of your neck, watching you through half-lidded eyes, your lips like pure velvet and heaven.

He’s already forgotten about the shitty script tucked into the couch, about the bad reviews and the critics with their cruel, baseless quips. Faded away to nothingness, akin to what he experiences when he’s completely blitzed, negative thoughts dissolving to the back of his mind to be discarded, and for now, for the moment, the only thing that matters is you, your beauty, and how well you take care of him.

After what seems like an eternity of small, worshipping, teasing touches to the insides of his thighs and the rim of his belly, your lips return to his cock, lapping at the precum that’s beaded up at the slit before taking him into your mouth, hand fisted at the base as you work him into your throat.

He’s impervious at this point to keep his hips flush against the couch, shuddering into your mouth as you take him and pushing further down your throat, not entirely on purpose, moaning as the wet heat of your mouth engulfs him.

“Wanna— fuck your pussy next time— with a vibrating plug in your ass,” he grunts, hardly able to string a single cohesive thought together, making your cunt throb and slick leak into the cradle of your panties.

Dieter wasn’t one to shy away from toys, and in fact had an entire drawer full of them, which you had accidentally stumbled upon one day when putting away some of his clothes; everything from butt plugs to cock rings to flesh lights with multiple attachments and bondage gear.

You steady his hips with your hands and hold him in place as best you can, difficult with how much stronger he is than you, jaw stretching to fit him, the musky tang of him flooding your tastebuds.

You steadily rock your head up and down his length, taking him all the way to the back of your throat, and you can feel the veins running the length of his shaft pulsating against your tongue, feel the way his balls tighten as he edges ever closer to the precipice.

He’s wanted you, needed you, for so long, that he can’t contain himself much longer. His hips begin to stutter and you feel his body growing taut, hear his breaths growing shallow and haggard, fingers curling against your scalp.

“I’m… I’m gonna… fucking cum,” he grunts deep in his chest. That’s all the warning he allows before his hips stall and he lets out a visceral growl of pleasure, spilling a hot and heavy load across your tongue, some of it seeping out at the edges and dribbling down his thighs until you’re able to steady yourself.

You hold him in your mouth until you feel the very last drop hit the back of your throat, slowly pulling off only when you feel him starting to go soft.

“You should really clean up this awful mess you’ve made,” Dieter taunts when you sit back to catch your breath, watching the cocktail of spend and saliva slide down his tan skin.

You grin and tip your head forward to obediently lap at the escaped fluids. He groans as he savors the delicious sight of you, affectionately brushing his fingers through your hair as you do so.

After a moment, you rise from the ground, your knees cracking from the exertion, joining him on the couch as he tugs his pajama bottoms back up his hips.

He snakes an arm around the small of your back and kisses you, deep and full, moaning when he tastes remnants of himself on your tongue.

He grins against your lips and then rises, yanking you off the couch and giggling along with you when you pass him a perplexed look.

“Where are we going now?” you ask, pleased to see him happy and relaxed again after all this time, to actually see him smiling.

“You took care of me, so I’m going to take care of you. You’re familiar with my special drawer, aren’t you?”

—

FIN. xx

[eugenoid]

After some hesitation, I decided to post a piece of a fic draft I've been working on (the very start of it, really). Aziracrow, post season 2, and if I manage to see it to completion, it'll be a hurt/comfort, fix-it fanfic (because of course it is).

People frequenting Whickber Street have noticed a peculiar weather phenomena: for a good couple of weeks now, dark storm clouds wouldn't leave the small area surrounding the "A. Z. Fell & Co" bookshop, and every day a heavy rain would fall, lasting precisely 66 minutes and 6 seconds at a time. What they haven't noticed, however — an amusing coincidence, really — is that it all started on the day the owner of said bookshop disappeared, and would end the day he came back.

"Why are you not inside?"

Crowley's demon heart starts racing from hearing a familiar voice, but he makes an effort to not move an inch from his spot, and not even acknowledge the angel's presence. Crowley is sitting on the cold roof of the bookshop, drenched in water; damp, gross clothes and hair sticking to the skin. He hears a poof and there's a big, blindingly white wing over his head now. He stays silent. Instead of getting an answer, Aziraphale is met with the rain getting worse, almost turning into a hailstorm. It starts hurting his wing, but the angel is determined to stay right where he is until he gets a response.

"Haven't showered in a while. Figured, why not," Crowley finally says flatly after several minutes of silence with a shrug. He refuses to look at Aziraphale, instead observing people rushing down the street.

"You are being silly," Aziraphale responds without fondness.

"Can't you see I'm rain… uh, bathing? Move- move your stupid wing out of the way," Crowley stutters in a rush, feeling nervous all of a sudden. And stupid. And small.

"I am just trying to protect you."

"From my rain," the demon says, getting irritated now.

"No, from everything. Well, including your rain, I suppose.” Aziraphale wishes he was better with words.

Crowley shuts his eyes and squeezes a damp roof tile with the force of a python choking its prey to death. It crumbles into scorching hot, dry dust on some poor bastard's head. The demon still doesn't turn to face Aziraphale.

"You are not protecting me from shit," he hisses through gritted teeth.

"Alright, this is getting ridiculous," Aziraphale sighs and with a wave of hand makes the rain stop. Clouds finally part, sun rays hitting the ground below for the first time in a while. He begins to put his wing away.

Crowley's response is to wildly flail his hands in the air which brings both the clouds and the rain back. Aziraphale groans in annoyance and raises his wing over the demon again.

"This is a bit melodramatic, even for me," the angel says under his breath and waves the rain away, again. Crowley brings it back with a snap of his fingers.

"I can do this all day," Crowley responds without even a smirk Aziraphale would expect from him at a moment like this. Angel realizes he longs to see it again. He wants to say something about it, but decides against it.

"You are attracting quite the crowd," he notices instead.

At this point most of the people on the street pulled out their phones to record the rapidly changing sky. Crowley wiggles his fingers, and suddenly everyone remembers they have urgent business to attend to, leaving no time to be standing outside videotaping the weather or (especially) the two figures on the roof.

"Crowley, please,” Aziraphale says with the hint of desperation in his voice that doesn’t go unnoticed by Crowley. “We need to talk."

Crowley lets his head fall. Puffs his cheeks and lets out a sigh. Taps fingers on his knee. Frowns. Clenches and unclenches his jaw. Frowns again. Finally, he looks at Aziraphale over the shoulder as the sky gradually clears and the last rain drop falls on his face, and begrudgingly manages:

"Fine. Let's talk."

OKAY this was my first attempt at writing in about... 8 years, and my first ever time writing in English, a kind feedback would be appreciated!

[ms-demeanor]

(remaking the post because you can't edit polls and i gave the wrong options)

Alright I'm registering for classes and someone needs to talk me out of doing stupid shit but I'm unsure of what shit is stupidest.

Winter term:

I just finished an 8-week photo class that ended up being a huge investment in time just to go and shoot. However that was introductory photography and there is a 6-week intermediate photography class over winter term. I am signed up for photography. (Elective option for AA in Visual Arts)

There is also a 6-week introductory python course over winter term that I am signed up for and will be taking. I'm solid on that one, as long as I pass my C# class this term I'm going to be taking Python for 6 weeks at the beginning of the year.

Spring term:

College Chemistry Saturday class. 7am to 12pm for sixteen weeks. Lab and lecture; this school doesn't offer any chem classes that are after standard 9-5 hours during the regular week or that can be taken even partially online. Pretty sure I'm going to be stuck with this one and am configuring the rest of my schedule around being *less* miserable because of this class.

Survey of Western Art - Online, seems like a gimme. Does have a textbook but not one that I'm going to pay for. (Required for AA in Visual Arts)

2-Dimensional Design - Online, seems fun and like a gimme, Free/No textbook. (Required for AA in Visual Arts)

Object-Oriented Programming - Online, seems difficult, expensive textbook. Will probably be very necessary if I end up going down a more CS/tech path. Probably going to force myself to take this class.

Java Programming - Online, seems not unapproachable, expensive textbook. I don't particularly wanna but my school offers really limited options for computer science and I want to get what I can out of it before I go somewhere else.

Rationale for these weird combinations:

I'm applying as a nursing student at three schools and a biochem student at one of those schools (nutrition programs are apparently only for first-time students; 2nd Bachelor's applications are a lot more limited. I could apply to major in Francophone Studies at one of the schools though). Supposing I get accepted, these classes certainly won't hurt my status at any school that accepts me and the chemistry class is going to be really really necessary. This is the "i give a fuck about nutrition science and also directly helping people" path and if I go this way I'm interested in NP programs down the line. LOTS more school of the serious "I can't work and do this kind of school at the same time" variety.

If I *don't* get accepted to the programs I'm applying to, I'm going to go to a different community college and start working on a couple of AS degrees in computer junk (network admin and security management, computer and networking technology) and get some computer junk certs. I don't think I want/need a BS in compute science, this is the "practical" route of "I could finish this stuff pretty easily and continue working in a field where I have a lot of connections and familiarity with the industry but I am indifferent about a lot of it (pretty passionate about security and accessibility tho). Also allows me to keep working while I just churn school in the background, and all of the computer classes are transferable between the two schools.

Art classes: I think having multiple degrees is funney. I am currently 5 classes away from an AA in visual arts, at the end of this term I will be 4 classes away; if I take all the classes here and can take an elective over the summer I'll have a degree in visual arts. (There is a reasonable possibility that I'll continue taking bullshit classes behind the scenes to get silly degrees regardless of what happens otherwise)

Pretty sure the sensible thing is to drop *at least* photography and survey of western art and also possibly Java and 2D design. I'm somewhat concerned that if my spring term is just Saturday chem and object oriented programming I will start biting things.

So:

[anglophiletraveler]

And Who Are You?

Chapter 6

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

It took about a week for Rutshire to recover from dangerous storms that lit the dark skies.  There were roads that had been washed out, creeks were overflowing, multiple trees were down, there was rumour that two people drowned in the flood waters.  As scary as that night was, it strengthened the bond between Rae and Declan.  They were friends before, but the stormy night leant itself to an atmosphere where questions could be asked and answered between the two of them.  At Venturer, they became a dynamic duo.  Rae became indispensable to Declan and others in the office with her research skills.  She was like a bloodhound when it came to digging for information.  

As time went on, Rae began to trust her co-workers, not enough that she would tell them of her true identity, but enough to go out with them after work once in a while.  She had become really good friends with Taggie.  They both spent hours in the kitchen, teaching each other recipes.  Taggie was amazed at how Rae could make a meal out of just a couple of cans of food and some noodles.  Of course Rae hadn’t told her that those skills came from necessity when she didn't have much to work with in order to feed her younger brothers.  Taggie was just as incredible at showing Rae how to make incredible sauces and jams that could be used in many different ways.  

Because of her background with her father and his dealer, Rae didn’t trust men very easily.  Declan was a huge exception.  She became fast friends with Charles for obvious reasons. She didn’t feel threatened by him, and that created a safe atmosphere for their friendship to grow, and one that Rae enjoyed immensely.  They often had gossip sessions over tea at Charles’s home so that he could watch over his mother.  Once in a while, they would sneak off from Ventura during the day to catch a matinee.  They would share the large tub of buttered popcorn, Rae always bought the large package of Twizzlers to share, and Charles would purchase the large box of Milk Duds to share.

Organically, Lizzie, Rae and Taggie started hanging out every other Saturday.  None of them could tell you how the dates began, but who the hell cares!  They would start out having mani pedis.  Then lunch at The Bar Sinister, and then Bas would set up a wine tasting for the three women! Even Rae would partake in a few sips, because after all, Bas went to a lot of trouble for them!  Bas would make a total production out of it and of course fill them in on all of the latest gossip of Rutshire.  By the end of the afternoon, all three of the women went home feeling totally pampered and spoiled.  

Rae always did the driving on those Saturdays because she was the one that didn’t drink or drank very little.  One Saturday after she dropped Lizzie off at home, she dropped Taggie off at The Priory.  Declan heard the truck pull up and met the women at the door.  They were giggling as they went inside.  Taggie said goodbye to Rae and headed upstairs to get ready for her dinner date with Rupert later on.  Declan stood back by the door as he observed Rae as her shoulders fell and the smile left her face, as if she felt relieved. He winced at what he saw.  “You alright Rae?”

Rae was startled by his voice, “Sorry, I forgot that you were back there for a moment,” she straightened her posture, “I’m fine.  Do you have plans for this evening?”

Declan smirked at her, “Aye lass.  I have a date with my typewriter and a turkey sandwich since Taggie will be going out.”

Rae gave him a sour face, “Judas!  That sounds awful!”

“And just what plans do you have for yourself Miss Stevenson?”

Rae tilted her head as if it was a difficult decision, her eyes sparling, “Oh let’s see.  I’ve already turned down an invitation to Buckingham Palace for dinner with the Queen.  She was going to serve frog legs and I just cannot abide by that,” Declan laughed at her joking, “so I think I will be watching some Monty Python, along with a … turkey sandwich?” She squinted her eyes at Declan, then they both started laughing at each other.  

Declan cleared his throat as if he was almost nervous now, “Would you like to go out for supper with me?  Bar Sinister maybe? Or someplace else?”

“Oh, I don’t know, we just had lunch at Bar Sinister, and I’m really not dressed to go anywhere.  I could cook us something here?  I’m sure Taggie has something in the fridge that I could throw together,” Rae offered.

“No, you are not cooking, I won’t allow it.  How about if we order a pizza to be delivered instead?”

“That actually sounds really good.  And maybe I can help you with your typing!”

Declan walked closer to the red head, “Rae, I’m not inviting you to stay just so you can work for me.  We can watch a movie or something.  Besides, I haven’t felt really inspired to write about Yeats lately.”

“I really don’t mind.  You could dictate to me while I type.  I’ve done it before.”

“I’m sure you have.  My mind is fuzzy on the subject right now anyway.  Sometimes I wonder if I’ll even finish it.”

“You mustn't think like that, Declan!  I’m sure that you’ll finish it, and I’ll help you finish it,” Rae took a step back realising that it must have sounded like she was yelling.

Declan was a little taken back by her passionate words.  It was nice for a change to hear someone be encouraging of his book.  “That’s grand Rae,” Declan didn’t recognize the softer voice speaking as his own, “I’d like that, that is if you have time for me, um uh, I mean, the book.  Time for the book.”

There was an uncomfortable lull between the two, staring at each other.

Finally, “What would you like on it?” Declan said.

Rae frowned, “What would I like on what?”

Declan smiled, “The pizza.  What would you like on it?”

“OH!  Um it doesn’t matter really, I like anything but mushrooms or anchovies.”

“Now, c’mon don’t do that to me!  If you were home, alone, what would you order on your pizza?” Declan asked.

“Well, if I was home alone ordering pizza, I would order … pepperoni and pineapple,” she grinned when she saw the face he made at the thought.

“What!  Pineapple on pizza!  I’ve never heard of such a thing!”

Rae was laughing at his reaction, “It’s really good.  You’ll never know until you try it!”  She winked at Declan.

***********************

“Bloody fuckin hell this pizza is soo good!  And if you ever tell anybody I said that I’ll completely deny it!” Declan was practically drooling over the pineapple and pepperoni pizza! Rae was laughing at her boss and his reaction to the pizza that she convinced him to order.  

Taggie made her way downstairs, dressed in a beautiful navy dress for her date with Rupert wondering what the laughter was about, “What is going on down here?  And what on earth are you eating?”

Declan straightened up and wiped his mouth, “Oh Tag, Rae forced me to order this awful pizza.  Trust me, it’s awful.”

Taggie leaned over the table, “What is on it?  Is that pineapple? Pineapple on pizza?  Daddy I can’t believe you’re eating that! It’s disgusting!”

Rae was trying not to laugh at Declan, “You should try a bite, Taggie, you might like it.  Oh and by the way you look beautiful in that dress.”

Taggie smiled, “Thank you Rae, and no thank you to the pizza.”  

There was a knock on the door and Rupert walked in, “Good evening everyone.  Looks like I interrupted a party, what in the name of …. What the fuck is on that pizza?  Is that pepperoni and pineapple?  Who puts pineapple on their pizza?  Declan, is this some concoction of yours?”

“Fuck no Rupert! Rae ordered it!  She’s the guest so I let her order what she wanted,” Declan was trying not to laugh when Rae was laughing.

“You really should try it Rupert, it’s very good,” Rae said.

Rupert wasn’t having any of it, “I’ll take your word for it, Rae.  Angel, you look gorgeous as always, are you ready to go?”

“Yes, I’ll just get my bag.  Daddy don’t …”

Declan raised his hand, “I know, I know, I won’t wait up.  Have a good time sweetheart.”  Taggie laid a kiss on Declan’s head before she left.

After Rupert and Taggie left the house, Declan let out a big sigh and rubbed his face with his hands.  His demeanor had definitely become somber. Rae walked around the table to sit next to him and pulled his hand from his face and looked in his eyes, “Hey, what’s up?  What’s wrong Declan?”

Declan sighed again.  “I don’t think you’d understand.”

She gave him a smile, “Why don’t you try me.”

Declan smiled back at her and took her hand in his, “You’re so kind and smart and beautiful.  Do you know that?” he looked down at their hands, “So, two years ago, Rupert promised me that he wouldn’t touch Taggie.  We agreed that he was too old for her.  He broke his promise and they started seeing each other behind my back.  He’s old enough to be her father.  I’m her father. I’m supposed to protect her.” Declan now had tears in his eyes.

“Oh Declan.  You’re such a wonderful father.  I wish that my father would’ve worried about me like that,” Rae paused and cleared the lump from her throat.  “So, here’s what I know.  Taggie is hopelessly in love with Rupert, and he adores her.  He would move heaven and earth for her.  He’s absolutely devoted to her, and she is devoted to him.  I know that the age difference worries you.  I get that.  But, if I was you, I would learn to accept it, or at the very least give them your blessing.  Trust me, she could do a lot worse.  He could be a drug dealer or a rapist.” Rae had tears in her eyes now.

 Declan raised his hand to Rae’s face and pushed an errant curl behind her ear.  He couldn’t help but look in her eyes and see the hurt that she tries to hide.  He nodded at her, “You’re right.  I will strive to do better.”

***************************

The ratings and viewership couldn’t be better at Venturer.  Cameron and the team kept a diverse programming schedule going.  Polo and bowling were big sports favourites in addition to the traditional football and rugby games.  The daytime schedule had a few game shows and talk shows that everyone loved in addition to some daytime dramas.  The evenings were filled with some American nighttime soaps like Dallas and Dynasty, and Declan’s show was still a big favourite.  

To celebrate everyone’s hard work, Rupert decided to host a pool party at Penscombe for the employees of Venturer.  The week of the party, everyone at work was excited about the pool party.  Everyone was welcome to bring their families, so it felt like a really generous thing that Rupert was doing for everyone.  

A couple of days before the big event, Declan asked Rae if she would like him to pick her up for the party.  

“Oh, I’m not going.  I have other plans.”  What she didn’t want to say was that she wasn’t going to go because she didn’t wear swimsuits or shorts in public because of her scars. So she just didn’t attend these sorts of things so that she didn’t bring attention to herself.

Declan furrowed his brow, “What kind of plans do you have?  This has been in the diary for weeks?”

Rae slammed the books that she was holding on the desk, “Damnit Declan. Will you just leave it, I just have plans that’s all,” and she stormed out of the office.

Declan was stunned at Rae’s behavior.  He didn’t understand why she was so adamant about not going to the party.  Lizzie had brought some papers to Declan just as Rae left, “What was that all about?”

“I’m not really sure.  We were talking about the pool party, she said she wasn’t going and she got really upset when I asked her why,”  Declan was still staring at the path that Rae took when she left.

“Well that really doesn’t sound like her.  Maybe you just caught her on an off day.  One thing I have noticed about her on our pampering Saturdays, is she isn’t very forthcoming about her past.  She doesn’t like talking about her father or her brothers very much.”

Declan turned around to look out the window because he didn’t want Lizzie to know that he knew the reason for that, “No, you’re right about that, she doesn’t.”

Lizzie continued chattering, “I know I’m really not looking forward to it.  The last thing I like to do is wear a bathing suit in public and look like a beached whale.  But, with Rupert’s kids there, I doubt that I’ll have to actually get in the pool…”

Declan turned back around and stared at Lizzie, “What did you say Lizzie?”

Lizzie, “What about our pampering Saturdays?”

“No, about a beached whale?”

“Oh, I said I don’t like wearing a bathing suit in public because I look like a beached whale.  But I can’t imagine that Rae would look like a beached whale, not with her figure anyway.  She’d probably look like a slim dolphin… Declan?  What is it?” 

Declan gave Lizzie a big kiss, “Lizzie you’re a genius!”

Later on that evening, Declan stopped by Rae’s cottage on his way home from a late board meeting.  She was surprised to see him when she opened her door.

“Declan, I uh, did you need me to go back into the office for something?”

“No, may I come in?” he asked.

She opened the door to let him in.

“I stopped by because I felt that I owe you an apology for my behavior today.  You obviously have your reasons for not going to the party, and I should respect that.  I’m sorry for pushing.”

Rae could see in his face that he felt bad.  “I’m also sorry, I shouldn’t have yelled at you and stormed off like that.  It’s just…”

“That you don’t want people to see you in a bathing suit because of your scars. I didn’t get it at first, but Lizzie helped me understand what was going on,” Declan’s voice was so gentle and understanding.

“Lizzie knows about my scars?”

“No, no she doesn’t.  She explained that she didn’t like people to see her in a bathing suit because she thinks she looks like a beached whale, which I’m sure she doesn’t.”

Rae smiled, “I’m sure she doesn’t either.”  

Declan tilted his head trying to remember what Lizzie said, “I think she said that you would look like a slim dolphin.”  

Rae giggled at that remark.  She motioned for them to sit down.  “I have to live with my cards close to the chest.  If I went to that party wearing a bathing suit or a pair of shorts, and someone started asking questions about my scars, it just opens up a whole can of worms.  There will be question after question after question.  And Declan, it’s exhausting to go through that.  So I just avoid those kinds of situations.”

“How about if you wear a dress or slacks?  And if the questions get to be too much, I’ll take you home myself,” Declan asked.

Rae’s brows knitted together, “Why are you so adamant that I go to this thing?”

“Because I think you’d have fun, and because, I would miss you if you weren’t there. I always have fun when I’m with you, Rae, and I value our friendship greatly,” Declan confessed.

Rae shook her head and rolled her eyes, “Alright, you’ve worn me down. Judas!”

Declan chuckled, “Judas!”

***************************

Rupert had hired a caterer for the party, so that Taggie wouldn’t spend the whole time cooking or baking.  She did help him plan the menu, of burgers,sausages, bbq ribs, various salads and side dishes.  Since there were going to be children around, Taggie insisted on only having lemonade to drink, although she knew at some point, the men would probably make their way into Rupert’s study for whiskey.  She did insist on making desserts which could be made up ahead of time.  Rae had offered to help with that as well.  To beat the heat, most of the tables had umbrellas, and there was a large canopy set up as well.  Various lawn games had been set up for the children to keep them occupied.  Taggie thought of everything.

Rae was putting her earrings on when she heard a knock at the door.  She opened it to find a smiling Declan.  He was dressed in beige linen trousers and a white linen shirt and was wearing a Panama hat!  “Well, don’t you look dapper Mr O’Hara!  I love the hat!!”

“Oh, why thank you Miss Stevenson.  And I have to say that you look like a breath of fresh air!”  He stood staring with puppy dog eyes at Rae dressed in a white chiffon dress, with tiny yellow polka dots, with short sleeves and a scoop neckline.  It was the kind of material that floated when she moved.  She was still trying to get her earrings on, but was having a hard time.

Rae’s cheeks and neck turned pink at Declan’s words, “Thank you Declan, come on in.  I’m having the hardest time getting my earrings in. I don’t know why I’m having such a hard time with them.”

He stepped inside and shut the door behind him, “Oh here let me help you. I have experience with a house full of girls.”  

“Oh, okay?” She handed him an earring.  He stood close to her while he gently poked the post of the earring in through the hole and then fastened the back of the earring on.  He went to the other side and did the same thing.  Rae caught herself staring in his eyes while he was fastening the second earring on.  She had noticed how his eye colour seemed lighter today than it usually does.  She hadn’t noticed that he had been staring in her eyes as well.  He smiled and whispered, “there ya are lass.”

She blinked and startled herself and touched her ears, “Oh, thank you. You’re a handy guy to have around.”

He didn’t quite know what to say to that.  Finally he said, “Are you ready to go or do you want to wait a little longer?”  His voice was still soft.

“What do you want to do?  It doesn’t matter to me,” she replied in a soft voice.

The air seemed to have a little buzzing to it.

Declan shrugged, “It doesn’t matter to me either,” he looked at his watch, “It’s just 2:00 now, and the party starts around 2:00, by the time we get there it will be 2:30.  Oh wait a minute, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you…”

Rae’s stomach lurched with fear like it always does when someone says that to her, “What?”

“Could I see your paintings?  I’ve always wanted to see them.  That is, if you don’t mind.”  He noticed her shoulders sag a little, “You don’t have to nevermind…”

“No, um alright.  I’ve just never shown them to anyone before.  I use the extra bedroom as my studio.  Be careful that you don’t get paint on your clothes, there might be some wet paint in there.”

He followed her to the back bedroom.  He noticed that her dress was trembling a little.  He remembered her saying one time that they were dark, so he was very curious as to what he would see.

The door to the room was already open, he assumed to let the fumes of the paint out.  When he first stepped in, he noticed a picture of a dog laying beside a fireplace.  “Is that Gertrude?”

She smiled, “Yes, I’m that glad that you were able to recognize her!”

He let out a chuckle, “Of course I recognized her!  Rae, it’s beautiful!  And you’ve captured her expression perfectly, and her mangy tail, and the different colours of her fur!  It’s incredible!  Did you do that from memory?”

“Yes, I did.  I hope you don’t mind…” she said shyly.

“Please, why would I mind?  Taggie would love that.”

Next he noticed a painting of the front of the estate she lived on, “Rae this is incredible.  You’ve captured the enormous majesty of the estate!”

“Well, it’s not done yet.  I’ve been working on it awhile.  I ran out of some colours and had to order some.  Hopefully they come in soon.”

Then he noticed a picture in the corner of some rag tag boys playing with a can and a stick in the dirt.  Their clothes were obviously worn, torn. A couple of the boys had on clothes that were too big, and she had captured the shirt sleeves sliding down shoulders.  One boy even had his pants falling down in the back with his crack showing.  They were scruffy looking.  The smallest boy was smiling, but the others weren’t. You could feel the sadness that they had in their souls. She saw him staring at the picture, “Those are some of my brothers.  I couldn’t paint them as older because I don’t know what they look like.

He stood up to look at her, “It’s brilliant Rae.  The attention to detail of the clothes and their faces.  I can feel the sadness.”  He looked up and saw a picture of a man who resembled the devil.  His teeth were rotten, his eyes were bulging with rage.  You could hear the scream coming out of his mouth.  “Your father I assume?”

She just nodded in agreement.

He moved over to the other side of the room and saw a painting of a woman sitting at a kitchen table in what looked to be a shed.  It looked like she was buttering a piece of bread.  Her clothes were worn and torn just like the boys’.  She had red hair that was dirty and stringy.  Her eyes were grey.  Her arm had a bruise on it.  She looked like Rae, but he thought she was too old for Rae. Then he realized, “Your mother?”

She nodded her head and sighed, “I told you they were dark.  I painted her with a piece of bread, because some days that is all she had to eat so the rest of us had food.”

He walked over to her and put one of his hands on her shoulder, “Some of them might be dark, but they’re dark because they’re realistic and honest and truthful.  Rae, you are so talented.  I’m astonished at this gift you have.  And it also breaks my heart because I can feel the sadness in the ones of your mum and your brothers, and I can feel the rage looking at your father.  It makes me want to choke him for what he’s done to you and your family!  I know I have no right to say this, but…  I will protect you Rae.  You’re safe as long as I’m alive.”

“Don’t say that Declan.  I know you mean well, but if my father showed up tomorrow, I don’t think anybody could protect me.”  She had tears in her eyes now.  Declan took her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed it. He dried her tears with his thumb. She could see the tenderness in Declan’s eyes when he looked at her.  

“Thank you for sharing your paintings with me.  I can’t imagine how hard it was for you.”  He leaned in and gave a chaste kiss to her cheek.  “Now why don’t we get goin to the party and cheer ourselves up.”

She smiled, “I’ll get my hat and purse, and the biscuits I made.”

************************

The drive to Penscombe had lightened the darker mood that had previously loomed over Declan and Rae at her cottage.  The sun was shining and the scenery was beautiful to take in.

“Have you been to Penscombe a lot? Since Rupert and Taggie have been dating?” Rae asked Declan.

Declan winced a little bit, “Well when we were first forming Venturer we had meetings there sometimes.  So I’m familiar with it a little.  We don’t exactly have family dinners there, at least not yet.”

“Is it larger than The Priory?”

“Oh yes.  It’s quite the estate.  You could say that we’re neighbors, but it’s not like in London where your neighbor is literally on the other side of the wall.  We can see his lights on in the evening, and I’m sure that he can see when our lights are on. I think Taggie and Caitlin have worn a path between the two homes,” Declan was trying to behave and not say anything negative about Rupert and Taggie’s relationship.

“Is Caitlin going to be there?  I’d like to meet her,” Rae asked.

“I’m not sure what her plans are.  But I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s there.  And here we are!” Declan turned into the long drive for Penscombe.

The party was in full swing when Declan and Rae arrived.  And even though the party was catered, Taggie couldn’t help herself when it came to the food and was fussing over how everything was presented.  Declan and Rae walked through the house to get to the back yard.  Taggie spotted them right away and took the box of biscuits that Rae brought, “Oh Rae you look beautiful!  Daddy you look very dashing as well!  Rae, thank you so much for making all of this.  I’m sure everyone will love them.  I’m going to place them on some platters.  Go have some food!  I’ll be right back.”

Declan and Rae looked around.   All of the usual suspects were there along with other Venturer employees and their families. Rupert’s two children were running around with Lizzie’s children.  Freddie had come stag because his wife had taken the children on a holiday to Spain.  So that meant that there were some indiscreet looks between Freddie and Lizzie.  

Rae looked around at the food tables, “Declan, why don’t you go find us a place to sit and I’ll grab us something to drink.”  Declan nodded his head and started walking towards the tables.  He spotted Bas sitting at a table surprisingly by himself so he went over and sat with him, “Hi Bas.  How’s it going?”

“Not too bad.  And yourself?”

“Grand.  Rae is finding something for us to drink.  Are you waiting for someone else to share the table with?”

“No, my plus one couldn’t make it but I decided to come anyway.  Although I’m not crazy about all of the kids running around.”

Declan smiled at Bas, “Well it is a family event after all.”

Bas smiled, “Ah yes, Venturer is one big happy family,” Bas lowered his sunglasses to look over them, “And here comes the lovely Rae of sunshine.  My day is looking better already.” He stood up to help Rae with her chair.  Declan wanted to growl at the remark but he let it go this time.  

“Hi Bas, how are you?” Rae handed Declan his lemonade after she sat down.

“I’m doing well now that you’re here.  You’re a beautiful site for sore eyes! You give Princess Di a run for her money!” 

Rae removed her hat since she was in the shade, “I hardly doubt that, Bas.”

Bas noticed that Declan was drinking lemonade again.  Good for him, he thought.

Rae gave the garden a quick scan to see if there was someone she didn’t know, but for the most part, she thought she knew everyone, except for the children.  The kids in the pool looked like they were having a good time.  Then she realized that Bas had said something to her.

“I’m sorry Bas, I was watching the kids play in the pool.  Did you say something to me?”

“No worries, I just asked if you brought your bathing suit.”

“No, I don’t even own one.  I don’t know how to swim.  Never learned.  How about yourself?”

“No, I didn’t bring mine.  You never learned to swim?” Bas asked.

“Nope.  There weren’t any pools where I grew up, unless you count mud puddles.”

Declan wondered if Rae felt comfortable being around Bas, “Rae, do you want to go up and get some food?”

“No, I think I’m good for now.  I ate too many of me own biscuits at home.  But you go ahead and get something if you’re hungry,” Rae replied.

Declan nodded, “Alright, I won’t be long.  Behave yourself Bas.”

“I always do Declan.”

Rae hadn’t really figured Bas out yet.  She knew he was a player with the women, ran a successful bar/restaurant.  She knew that he played polo and that he was instrumental in getting sports on TV at Ventura.  She also knew that he was a big flirt, but she had the feeling that she was safe with him.

“So Bas, how’s your polo horses doing?” She was trying to make polite conversation with the man.

Bas smirked at her, “Oh, they’re doing quite well.  Thank you for asking,” he leaned in as if he was going to whisper something to her, “and for future reference, they’re called ponies, not horses.”

Rae frowned, “Are they smaller than horses?”

Bas’s smile continued, “No, they’re just called ponies, polo ponies.”

“Oh.  I did not know that.  I’ve heard that you’re a very good player.”

Bas didn’t respond to the compliment, “Would you like to come to a match?”

“I could do that.  But, you’d really have to explain the game to me.  All I know is that a bunch of men sit on … ponies and try to hit a ball with a stick.”

Bas was chuckling now, “Mallets.  The sticks are called mallets.  They look like long croquet mallets.” Bas took a drink of his whiskey.  “Did you or any of your siblings play any sport while growing up?”

“No. Just what we were required to do for our physical education courses in school.” Bas noticed that Rae’s demeanor changed.  He decided to move to the seat closest to Rae to speak to her about a delicate matter. “Rae, I just want you to know that it wasn’t your fault, and you didn’t do anything to entice your attacker.”

Rae looked sharply at Bas and then looked around to see if anyone was close by that could hear what Bas just said to her.  She looked directly into his eyes and quietly said, “Who told you that!”

Bas was surprised by her sharpness, “Nobody told me Rae. I just know the signs of a woman who has been raped. I’ve seen it too many times in a few women that I know.  I was merely trying to assure you that no matter what happened, it wasn’t your fault.”

Rae’s breathing became rapid, “Who told you?  Who told you about my rape, Bas?  Was it Declan?”

“No!  I told you I just know the…”

Rae interrupted him, “Someone had to have told you.  There’s only two people in the Cotswalds that know, and if it wasn’t Declan, it has to be Cameron.  She told me that she wouldn’t tell anyone.  Fuck!  I’m going to have to move again!”  Tears began to well up in her eyes and her breathing was becoming faster.  She kept looking around to make sure nobody was listening.  Bas was stunned at watching this normally totally composed woman turn into a pool of water before his eyes.

Bas grabbed her hand to try to calm her down and Rae almost jumped out of her skin, “Rae, please calm down.  Slow down your breathing.  Please believe me when I say that nobody has told me anything about your attack.  Like I said, I’ve seen the signs before and I just wanted you to know that it wasn’t your fault and that you can confide in me.  I know that I tend to have a rakish reputation but I’m not that bad of a person.”

Rae couldn’t help herself from checking out her surroundings.  Is her father here?  Could she trust Bas? She felt like a caged animal.  She just wanted to run away as fast as she could, but Declan drove her.  

“Rae, look at me,” Bas was trying to get her attention, he removed his sunglasses.  “Rae, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.  Please forgive me.”

She stared at him.  Feeling his sincerity, “I know it wasn’t my fault. It, it was me da’s. He sold me to his drug dealer to pay off his debt.”

Bas was so shocked at her admission.  He felt nauseous, “Excuse me for a moment.”  Rae watched him get up and go over to the nearest bush and vomit.  

Where the hell is Declan? she wondered.  She finally spotted him chatting with Freddie, so she knew that could take a while.  Bas finally came back to the table, “You a’right there Bas?”

“Yes, I apologize.  What you told me about your father turned my stomach,” Bas said.

Rae huffed, “Yeah I know what you mean.  Look, I appreciate your thoughtfulness, just please, please don’ tell anyone.  None of me family knows where I am and I’d like to keep it that way.  The thought of me da findin me terrifies me.  I’ve changed me name and everythin just so nobody can find me.”

Bas nodded his head, “You don’t have to worry about me, Rae.  I won’t tell a soul.  It’s unbelievable that your father did this to you.  Rae you are a courageous woman to have survived all of that.” 

“Well I didn’t have much choice, did I?”

 He waited a minute before he continued, “Do you mind me asking, is there something going on between you and Declan?”

“Ya mean romantically?” Bas nodded his head.  “No, we’re just good friends.  He’s known about my secret almost from the time I moved here.  He’s very kind to me.  We sorta look after each other.  I don’t ever plan on dating anyone.”

“Ever?” Bas asked.

“Ever.” She replied.  

Bas wondered if she really meant that, because he had seen how she and Declan were together.  He often thought they acted like an old married couple.  He had heard that Rae had even spent the night at The Priory during the bad storm a while back.  And heaven knows she had been the only assistant to tame Declan’s outbursts at Venturer.

Finally Declan came back to the table with some food and a chestnut haired young lady on his arm.  “Sorry it took me so long, Rae.  I ran into a few people.  I brought you something to nibble on.  Oh, and this is my beautiful daughter Caitlin.  Caitlin, this is Rae Stevenson, my new assistant.”  When Declan sat down he had a sense that something happened between Bas and Rae.  He could tell that Rae looked a little stressed, “You alright Rae?”

She smiled, “Yes, I’m fine.  Thank you for the food, I should probably get something in my stomach.  Caitlin, it’s wonderful to finally meet you.  I have to admit I was expecting someone with pink or blue hair! But I love the colour that it is now.”

Caitlin laughed, “It’s nice to meet you Rae.  I’ve heard all about you from daddy.  I decided to go for a more mature look for my last year at boarding school.  Hello Basil!  What or who have you been up to these days?”

Bas laughed, “Oh Caitlin I’ve just been waiting for you to come home from school to cause trouble in Rutshire.  I do agree with Rae, I love the hair colour.  Are you still dating my nephew?”

Caitlin squealed, “We most certainly are, much to the chagrin of your horrible half-brother.  Don’t tell Tony, but we’re both trying to get in at the same uni!”

Bas laughed at the thought, “Well isn’t that romantic. And don’t worry, I won’t say a thing to Tony.  Just be careful and don’t make your father a grandfather.”

Declan had a frown on his face now, “That’s the most sensible thing you’ve ever said, Bas.” Declan kept looking at Rae.  She just didn’t seem as happy as she was earlier.  

“Rae, I just love your dress.  I bet you and daddy looked like quite the pair when you made your entrance together.  If I didn’t know better, you could pass for my mother’s sister, if she had one that is.”

Declan furrowed his brow at his daughter, “Caitlin behave yourself.”

Rae smiled at the way Declan interacted with his daughter, “It’s alright Declan.  And thank you Caitlin.  I actually bought this dress just for this party.  I wanted something light and airy, so that the sun wouldn’t get to me too much.  Do you have an idea of what you want to study at uni?”

Caitlin glanced at her father, “No, not really.  I’m sure daddy would like me to be a writer, but I haven’t decided.  And no way in hell would I study theatre like my mother.  Maybe I’ll shock everyone and become a woman of the cloth.”  Caitlin’s statement made Declan and Bas both choke on their drinks.

Rae laughed at this, “Well I see that would be a shock to everyone.”

Declan was trying to dry his shirt off with a napkin, “What the fuck Caitlin!  Are you out of your fuckin mind! Why would you even say such a ting.”  Rae was still laughing at the scene.  Bas was just sitting back enjoying Caitlin egg her father on.  Declan didn’t even realise what Caitlin was doing to him.  

“What’s wrong daddy?  Wouldn’t you be proud to have a reverend or a priest in the family?” 

“No! I mean yes! I don’t know!” Declan was growling now.

Caitlin kept going on, “Well don’t worry daddy, the Catholics still won’t allow women to become priests, and I’m sure as hell not going to become a nun, not with their wardrobe, anyway.  And the Church of England still doesn’t allow women to be priests either!  So I might have to become a Methodist.  They allow women to become pastors.”  

Declan threw his napkin down on the table, “Methodists! For Christ’s sake Caitlin!” and he got up and walked away.

Bas and Rae both had tears in their eyes from laughing so hard.  Bas finally stopped laughing, “Oh dear God, Caitlin.  You really need to apologize to your father for provoking him.  He’s about to have a stroke!”  Then he saw the serious look on Caitlin’s face, “Caitlin, you were just egging him on weren’t you?”  She did seem to know an awful lot about which denominations don’t allow women reverends…

Rae spoke up to clear the air, “Well, whatever the answer is, thank you Caitlin, because I haven’t laughed that hard in years.”

**************************

Rae decided she should get up and mingle with her co-workers.  She didn’t want them to think she was a snob or anything.  Charles found her and of course wouldn’t let her go, “Taggie said you baked the biscuits.  They are divine.  I’ve had about eight of them.  Do I detect a little something special in them?”

Rae laughed at her friend, “I did splash a little rum in them.  I hope it wasn’t too much.”

“Dahling no! I must have your recipe.  Rupert and Taggie have thrown a wonderful party haven’t they?”

“Yes, they have.  Are you going into the pool?”

“Oh, I might once some of the kiddies have gone home.  Gerald is supposed to stop by later, so I’ll wait for him.  Where did Declan run off to?”

Rae looked around for him again, but didn’t see him, “I don’t know.  Maybe the heat was bothering him and he went inside.  Maybe I should go look for him?”

“He’s probably indulging in Rupert’s top shelf whiskey if I know Declan.”

That thought bothered Rae.  She knew that he had been trying to stop drinking.  She’d hoped that Caitlin’s teasing hadn’t sent him over the edge.  She hated to just walk into the house, but she didn’t see him outside, and she could use the bathroom as an excuse. She went through the back door which led to a large mud room and then the biggest kitchen she’d ever seen in her life.  She heard some voices arguing, one of which she could tell was Declan’s.  She couldn’t believe the inside of this house.  She hoped that she didn’t get lost in it.  She finally came upon what looked to be a study and Declan, Rupert and Taggie were arguing amongst each other.  Caitlin was standing off to the side of them.

Rupert spotted her through the door, “Oh hello darling.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.  I was looking for Declan.”

Rupert gave a chuckle, “Well he’s right here.  Maybe you can talk some sense into him.”

Declan squeezed his eyes shut and ran his hand through his hair.  He had this sad look on his face when he looked at Rae and sighed,  “Are you ready to go, love.”

She noticed a glass of whiskey in his hand, “Anytime you are Declan.  I’ll just go get my things.  Shall I meet you in here or by the car?”

Declan gave her a small smile, “By the car is fine, love.”

She returned his small smile and left the room.  Declan turned to Rupert and Taggie, “Well, I guess there’s nothing else to say.”

Taggie had tears in her eyes now, “Daddy, will you walk me down the aisle?”

“Of course my darlin Agatha,” he pulled his daughter in for a tight hug, not wanting to let her go.  When Taggie finally pulled away from him, Declan looked Rupert straight in the eyes, and with a quiet but firm voice said, “If you ever hurt her Rupert, I will be coming after you.”

“I would deserve nothing less, Declan,” Rupert replied.

Declan left the house and found Rae sitting in his car with the door open to let some air in.  Not thinking, he went to get in the driver’s side, but it took him a minute to realise that she was sitting on the driver’s side.  

“You’re a little in your cups tonight so I thought I’d drive.”

He raised his eyebrows, “I’m…” he started to say something but just decided to get in the car.  He’d had two drinks and he’d driven before after drinking a lot more than that, but he decided to let Rae drive.  He knew she meant well, and it was nice to know that someone was looking out for him.

****************************

Rae parked Declan’s car in front of The Priory and turned the ignition off.  They looked at each other in the silence of the car.  Rae smiled at him and broke the silence, “Have you ever parked your car here at home at the end of the day, shut off the ignition, and just sit here in your car, alone in the silence.  Just sit here and enjoy the silence after the noise at work before going into the noise of The Priory?  It’s especially calming when it’s sprinkling, and you can hear the raindrops on the roof of the car.”

She has such a gentle soul! Declan thought to himself.  “No, I guess I’ve never done that.”

“You should try it sometime.”  Then Rae gasped at the remembrance of something, and raised an eyebrow at Declan.

He smiled back and raised his own eyebrow, “What?’

She dug into her purse and very slowly revealed a chocolate bar.  Not just any chocolate bar.  A five pound, solid milk chocolate, Cadbury bar.

Declan’s eyes got as big as golf balls! Declan’s laugh sounded like the ho-ho from Santa, “Holy shite Rae! That is the biggest fucking Cadbury bar I’ve ever seen!  I feel like it needs its own spotlight shining down on it!”

Rae giggled, and the sound of it soothed Declan’s heart.  Rae unwrapped the chocolate and dramatically held it out to Declan, “Please kind sir, allow me to serve you the communion of life.”

Declan laughed throwing his head back, “Thank you kindly Ms. Stevenson,” and he broke off a large piece of the chocolate and shoved the whole piece in his mouth and groaned, “Oh my god Rae, I’ve forgotten how good this is.  Here, allow me to serve you.”  He took the chocolate bar and peeled more of the wrapper back and served her like a priest serving communion.  

Rae broke off a large piece as well and stuck it in her mouth.  Her eyes rolled back at how good it was, “Oh my gosh, pure heaven.” They both laughed as if they were children hiding from their mothers.  They exchanged the chocolate back and forth savoring every morsel.  There wasn’t much conversation other than their mutual agreement on the love of chocolate.  

“Where on God’s green earth did you ever find such a huge Cadbury bar?”

Rae raised a finger while she finished chewing, “Oh have you forgotten kind sir, what I do for a living!  Years ago I helped with a story on the history of the Cadbury bars and of course did the research for it.  And, I kept the address for where to order said chocolate bar!”

Declan was laughing at his assistant, “You’re bloody brilliant Rae!”

Finally Rae asked Declan about the tense exchange in Rupert’s study.  Declan came down from his sugar high and sighed, “Rupert asked for Taggie’s hand in marriage.  Needless to say, I didn’t take it well.  And, Rae, I’ve been trying really hard to do what you said and strive to accept it.  But when they all were there in that study today, I felt like I was being ganged up on and I lost it.  And why on earth wouldn’t Rupert want to pull me aside, and ask for my permission like a real man, instead of having Taggie and Caitlin there as well?”

“That was an odd way for them to do it.  I agree that Rupert should’ve done it in a more respectful way.  But, you can’t change it.  So did you give it… your blessing?” She took another bite of chocolate and passed it back.

“Eventually.  After I raised my concerns about their age difference and Rupert’s rakish past. I can’t help it.  I’m so afraid that he’ll hurt her.”  He took another bite of chocolate and passed it back.

“I understand your misgivings, but as far as the age difference goes, I don’t see it as a big deal.  A lot of couples have a large age difference and they do just fine. Now about the reputation, that would bother me, but since I’ve been here, I haven’t seen Rupert behave badly.  It’s very clear that he adores Taggie, so maybe he’s changed for the good.  Maybe she brings out the good in him.   You’re a wonderful father…”

“No, I’m not.  Especially with Taggie.  I’ve never been the kind of parent that she needed.  I should’ve acted sooner on her dyslexia and gotten the help that she needed for it. Instead she became the maid for the family.  It’s unforgivable the way she’s been treated.”  

It had grown quiet in the car.  “That may be Declan, but I can see how much you love her and want the best for her.  You aren’t perfect, but at least you care.  And maybe, you just don’t want to be alone.  Do you think that’s possible?” Rae gently placed her hand on Declan’s.  He looked down at her hand on his and he could’ve sworn that his heart skipped a beat.  He closed his eyes and took a beat, “Yes, I suppose it’s possible.”  An errant curl flopped onto his forehead.  Before she knew what she was doing, she smoothed the curl back out of his eyes.

He raised his gaze up to meet her eyes, “Would you care to come inside for a glass of milk?”

She smiled the smile that could light a thousand lanterns, “I’d like that,” she looked at the chocolate bar, “We still have more chocolate to eat.”

Declan got out of the car and walked around to the driver’s side and opened the door and held out his hand for her.  She took it and rose up from the car and let him lead her into the house.

**********************

***I hope you’re enjoying this story as much as I am writing it.  By the way, the story about the chocolate bar was based on a true story of an older doctor that I worked with in an emergency room years ago.  He and his wife had gone grocery shopping, and had loaded their groceries up in the car.  They started chatting while sitting in the car, and started munching on a five lb chocolate bar.  They had eaten the whole thing before they got home that night!  I always thought that story was sweet and could definitely picture the two of them sitting in their car eating the chocolate!

**************************

[itsdappleagain]

CARMEN SANDIEGO OC WEEK DAY 6: FAVORITE CHARACTER June 12th

"I find putting your hair up tends to stop things from getting in the way. Makes it easier for us both."

carmen is in my top three favs because she lives in my head as a way cooler character than she technically is in the show. day 2's art was originally supposed to switch with this one (julia and ivy are my other two favs), but I wanted to put the aftermath of carmen's capture on day 2 before the art i have of her...captured lol

SO here's python with carmen! tried to sort of do show style- not exactly, of course, the ears/face are a little different- and lets please not discuss the hand jesus its so bad

my original idea for python was "homoerotic lady who tortures carmen" so you can see that idea coming back in this art lol

[good-beanswrites]

Fe Aspec Week Day 6: Supports

The restraint it took not to do another Lukas-Python support piece... But no!! I needed my yearly dose of Feliciazura!! And was personally offended that they don't have supports together!!! 😤 I usually like the idea that Azura doesn't realize she's ace and Felicia helps her realize why she's felt so different her whole life, but in writing these I ended up completely reversing that dynamic haha. I'm real happy with how they came out! Alright, roll Are You Listening?...

C Support:

🩷 Alright, here goes. One… two… eek! Lady Azura, I didn’t see you there!

💙 My apologies, Felicia, I didn’t mean to frighten you. If I may ask, what were you doing…?

🩷 No need to apologize, I was just, um! Just cleaning. Right. 

💙 Are you certain…? You were standing in front of the mirror, with all these books open around you. 

🩷 E-exactly! It’s a mess, so I was just cleaning all of that, no need to –

💙 Oh my, they’re all romance novels! I see…

🩷 No! You don’t see anything!

💙 All these pages you have open… your pillow in your arms… were you… practicing kissing, by any chance? 

🩷 ACK!

💙 Haha, I remember growing up in Hoshido, all the little children would practice kissing with their pillows, too. I didn’t realize the custom was shared with Nohr.

🩷 Gods, this is so embarrassing. To be caught doing something so childish! Why can’t I get anything right? (leaves)

💙 Oh, Felicia, wait! I didn’t mean to embarrass her. I actually thought it was rather cute...

B Support:

💙 Felicia, there you are! I’ve been meaning to speak with you lately.

🩷 Ugh, if this is about the other day, there’s no need. I have been mortified about it ever since…

💙 Why are you ashamed? As I said, that’s a very common practice in Hoshido.

🩷 Yes, for kids! Kids who are clueless about romance and doing something silly with their friends. It’s not the type of practice you’d expect from a grown woman who should certainly know how to kiss by this time in her life. I’ve already proved myself a failure at everything else, I suppose it makes sense I’d be falling behind when it comes to romance, on top of all that.

💙 What makes you a failure?

🩷 I’ve never kissed anyone before. Like, really kissed them. I’ve fallen in love and tried to do it right, but every single time I leave like a coward when things get too serious. If even kissing is difficult for me, there’s no way I could do anything more…

💙 … Are you calling me a coward, as well?

🩷 W-what? Of course not, milday! Why would you say such a thing? 

💙 Well, I have no experience with kissing either.

🩷 *sigh* Lady Azura, you don’t have to try and make me feel better. You’re the most competent, gorgeous, charming, and calm woman in the whole army. Surely you have hordes of suitors at your heels! You must have experienced everything that romance has to offer, by this point. 

💙 You flatter me, Felicia. But there’s no need to put yourself down so harshly. From what I’ve gathered, you and I are very similar. I never had experience with those types of things because I never wished for them. Everyone seeks different things in a relationship.

🩷 Yes, but everyone wants to kiss their lover!

💙 Not everyone…

🩷 I told you that you didn’t need to make me feel better. If you’ll excuse me. (leaves)

💙 Ah, I really thought we were getting somewhere this time.

A Support:

🩷 Lady Azura, could we speak for a moment? I’m feeling a little guilty about how our last conversation concluded. 

💙 Oh, what is it Felicia?

🩷 I was so caught up in my own worries, and I wasn’t truly listening to you. When you said we were very similar… did you mean, you also weren’t looking for the more physical aspects of a relationship?

💙 That is correct. You’ll need to pardon my assumptions about you. I do hope I did not overstep.

🩷 Not at all! B-but, doesn’t that frighten you? I’ve always feared that I’m not enough for others. Any time I think about confessing my love, it seems like I’ll need to be more, do more, than I want. So I’ve never acted on my feelings for another.

💙 It certainly can be confusing, at first.

🩷 When I’m falling behind with my duties as Corrin’s maid, Jakob just tells me to practice, practice, practice! I had hoped the same would ring true for these struggles. But no amount of practice or preparation has helped me, yet. If it’s true, and you also haven’t had experience like that… Well, how are you so content with not being enough?

💙 Why, because I am enough. When you find a partner, you find someone that completes you. Neither of you demand anything from the other. You communicate and compromise, as any relationship. But if there’s something you simply cannot give, they need not ask it of you.

🩷 Hm… that is a nice thought… 

💙 So if you don’t want to kiss anyone, or do anything else that may seem unappealing, that doesn’t make you a failure by any means. That just makes you, you. No practice necessary.

🩷 Thank you milady, I’d never thought of it that way before. I have some thinking to do, I believe.

💙 I’ll be here anytime you wish to talk.

S Support:

🩷 Lady Azura, I have a confession to make.

💙 A confession?

🩷 Well, two actually. My first is that… on the day that you caught me practicing kissing… well… it was because I had hoped to kiss you. 

💙 Oh!

🩷 I noticed my feelings a long time ago, but any time I tried to admit them, I got too nervous that I would fall short. I thought if I tried extra hard, maybe I could show you that I could give you anything you needed.

💙 Felicia, I hope you know that I will never ask you to be anything other than yourself. You’re absolutely perfect the way you are. And it's very sweet that you wanted to do something out of your comfort zone for me. You work harder than anyone here, I believe.

🩷 Of course I wanted to! I’ll do anything for the people I care about.

💙 I know. That’s why I admire you so much. I’m really glad the two of us could talk. It’s been so long since I’ve met someone so much like myself. Maybe it’s for the best that I stumbled in on you, hm?

🩷 Oh no, I’m still horribly embarrassed by that!

💙 Haha! And what of your second confession?

🩷 That’s right – my other one was… ack ! It was going to be a love confession, but I guess you already know that now! Ah, I’ve gone and done it all backwards…

💙 I don’t mind in the slightest. My answer, of course, is yes. I’d love nothing more than to be yours.

🩷 I just love you so much! I promise you, I’ll do whatever it takes for both of us to be the most comfortable.

💙 And I vow to make sure you never feel lacking. Together, we will be more than enough.

[morgue-xiiv]

My partner's Ball Python just ate a rat! this is his first successful rat in 27 months. He's workedhis way up from a 6 month hunger strike through pinkies to adult mice, last week he took two mice without hesitation and sat around asking for more, and has been bobbing about like "hey got any more of themmmm mice?" all week so I suggested it was time to try a rat and he DID IT! He struck IMMEDIATELY and swallowed it over the course of like. 40 minutes. But he did it. Whole rat. Good snake! Meeting basic biological functions.

[king-fae]

6/100 days of code.

1.3.24

happy new year! im late, but it still applies

this is not a personal blog, so ill keep this brief: life happened, and c++ took a backburner. im not abandoning this project! in searching for inspiration to do this challenge before i started, i noticed that not many got very far- so ive decided in this time between the last post and now that i need to go at my own, albeit weird, pace. aka: do days as i can, and not do the catch-up thing i was doing. adhd can do that to ya. once im back on a schedule with school ill be able to incorporate c++ into my routine, whereas aside from my new job im flying solo which makes it historically difficult for me to get stuff done xP

where i left off a week ago, doing W3schools's C++ tutorial, i finished the function section, and today i began the classes section, which peaking at the section headers, made me excited. object-oriented programming is not something i learned in my intro to cs class with Python, and i know C++ does it well, so im pumped to be able to start programming with this.

unfortunately, though, the problem of it being a fairly informal educational resource does rear its head in this section, as im reading and studying this stuff, but can feel it not retaining. this website is better used as a reference resource, rather than a study one, but it is still worth studying imo as it breaks down concepts very simply. thus: im now beginning the C++ beginner course from exercism (an open source resource!!!!), which has a built in compiler, course material, and ability to get support on their discord. cool stuff! it took a minute for me to get acquainted with how it works, as i assumed the instructions were solely a repeat of the lesson, but there were. actual. instructions. beneath that lol so once i got that figured out i was able to properly solve the first exercise without issue.

the lesson material moves fast in its examples, but that is not reflected in the exercises, which was a relief as that impacted my first run, over-complicated tinkering i did before i realized there were actual values given i was supposed to input. theyre complicated but not too difficult to parse, which is a good show of what ill be learning to create as i progress.

final note though, as this is getting long: having W3schools as a resource while doing exercises material is very good, as while the first exercise i did went easily, the second one is jumping into if statements before ive had the chance to learn them from the website, so being able to refer to what they operate like was very helpful. this below is what saved me from error hell, as i had forgotten how to format them already:

im a goof and overcomplicate shit, so was not supposed to use if statements. oh well. this still helped to make it accurate lol

int myAge = 25;

int votingAge = 18;

.

if (myAge >= votingAge) {

.....cout << "Old enough to vote!";

} else {

.....cout << "Not old enough to vote.";

}

[360edukraft]

What are the different types of power bi certification course in Pune

Introduction Power BI and Its Rising Demand

Data is not just information it's power. In the current digital period, associations calculate on data visualization and analytics to stay competitive. Power BI, Microsoft's leading business analytics tool, empowers professionals to fantasize, dissect, and share perceptivity from data in real- time. As businesses decreasingly move towards data- driven opinions, the demand for professed Power BI professionals is soaring.

Types of Power BI Certification Courses in Pune

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For those with some experience in analytics, intermediate courses claw into data modeling, Power Query metamorphoses, and advanced visualizations. It’s the perfect ground between proposition and assiduity operation.

Advanced Power BI Certification Tracks

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Microsoft Power BI instrument – The Global Standard

The Microsoft Certified Data Analyst Associate credential is the gold standard. Grounded on the PL- 300 test, it validates your capability to prepare, model, fantasize, and dissect data using Power BI. numerous Pune institutes structure their training to directly support this instrument.

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Classroom- Grounded Training

For those who thrive in a physical literacy terrain, classroom sessions offer educator support, peer commerce, and a structured literacy pace. Several training centers in Pune, especially in areas like Kothrud and Hinjewadi, give weekend and weekday batches.

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Blending inflexibility with real- time support, these courses offer live virtual classes from pukka coaches. Perfect for working professionals demanding schedule rigidity.

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For the tone- motivated learner, recorded lectures, downloadable coffers, and practice datasets are handed. These are frequently more budget-friendly and can be completed at your own pace.

Duration and Structure of Power BI Certification Courses

utmost freshman- position courses last 4 – 6 weeks, while intermediate and advanced tracks may stretch to 8 – 12 weeks. Courses generally follow a modular structure, gradationally introducing learners to data cleaning, modeling, visualization, and reporting.

Real- Time systems and Case Studies – What to Anticipate

Anticipate systems involving deals dashboards, client segmentation, and functional analytics. Real- time case studies insure you are not just learning proposition but applying it to business scripts.

Tools and Technologies Covered Alongside Power BI

numerous courses integrate tools like SQL, Excel, Python for data visualization, and Azure Synapse Analytics to give learners a comprehensive BI toolkit.

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Pune, being a tech mecca, offers excellent faculty, practical exposure, and networking openings. scholars frequently profit from original externship tie- ups and placement support.

Top Institutes Offering Power BI Certification Course in Pune

Some well- regarded names include

Ethans Tech

3RI Technologies

SevenMentor

Edureka( online presence with Pune support) These institutes boast educated coaches, solid course material, and placement backing.

How to Choose the Right instrument Course for You

Define your literacy thing freshman, job switcher, or advanced critic? Review the syllabus, read reviews, assess coach credibility, and interrogate about real- world design work. Do n’t forgetpost-course support and placement help.

Average Cost of Power BI instruments in Pune

Prices range from ₹ 8,000 to ₹ 25,000 depending on course position and format. Online courses may offer EMI and rush abatements.

Career openings Post Certification

pukka professionals can land places like

Business Intelligence Analyst

Data Visualization Specialist

Power BI inventor

Data AnalystCompanies hiring include TCS, Infosys, conscious, andmid-level startups.

Salary prospects in Pune vs Other metropolises

A pukka Power BI critic in Pune earns ₹ 4 – 7 LPA on average. In discrepancy, hires in New York or San Francisco may start from$ 70,000 –$ 90,000 annually, reflecting cost- of- living differences.

Comparing Pune’s Immolations to Other metropolises

Power BI instrument Course in Washington

Power BI Certification Course in Washington offers cutting- edge content backed by government and commercial collaboration, the cost of training and living is significantly advanced compared to Pune.

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Known for its Silicon Valley edge, Power BI Certification Course in San Francisco frequently leans into pall integration and AI- powered BI tools. But again, Pune offers more affordable options with solid content depth.

Power BI Certification Course in New York

Courses in New York emphasize fiscal and enterprise data analytics. Pune’s growing finance and IT sectors are catching up presto, making it a good contender at a bit of the price.

Tips to Ace Your Power BI instrument test

Practice daily using Microsoft’s sample datasets.

Recreate dashboards from scrape.

Focus on DAX and data modeling.

Join Power BI forums for tips and challenges.

Conclusion – The Road Ahead for BI Professionals

Whether you are in Pune, Washington, San Francisco, or Power BI Certification Course in New York can turbocharge your career in data analytics. As businesses embrace data for every decision, pukka professionals will continue to be in high demand.

[subb01]

Python for Data Science: The Only Guide You Need to Get Started in 2025

Data is the lifeblood of modern business, powering decisions in healthcare, finance, marketing, sports, and more. And at the core of it all lies a powerful and beginner-friendly programming language — Python.

Whether you’re an aspiring data scientist, analyst, or tech enthusiast, learning Python for data science is one of the smartest career moves you can make in 2025.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

Why Python is the preferred language for data science

The libraries and tools you must master

A beginner-friendly roadmap

How to get started with a free full course on YouTube

Why Python is the #1 Language for Data Science

Python has earned its reputation as the go-to language for data science and here's why:

1. Easy to Learn, Easy to Use

Python’s syntax is clean, simple, and intuitive. You can focus on solving problems rather than struggling with the language itself.

2. Rich Ecosystem of Libraries

Python offers thousands of specialized libraries for data analysis, machine learning, and visualization.

3. Community and Resources

With a vibrant global community, you’ll never run out of tutorials, forums, or project ideas to help you grow.

4. Integration with Tools & Platforms

From Jupyter notebooks to cloud platforms like AWS and Google Colab, Python works seamlessly everywhere.

What You Can Do with Python in Data Science

Let’s look at real tasks you can perform using Python: TaskPython ToolsData cleaning & manipulationPandas, NumPyData visualizationMatplotlib, Seaborn, PlotlyMachine learningScikit-learn, XGBoostDeep learningTensorFlow, PyTorchStatistical analysisStatsmodels, SciPyBig data integrationPySpark, Dask

Python lets you go from raw data to actionable insight — all within a single ecosystem.

A Beginner's Roadmap to Learn Python for Data Science

If you're starting from scratch, follow this step-by-step learning path:

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Variables, data types, loops, conditionals

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Arrays, broadcasting, numerical computations

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DataFrames, filtering, grouping, merging datasets

✅ Step 4: Visualize with Matplotlib & Seaborn

Create charts, plots, and visual dashboards

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Use Scikit-learn for classification, regression, clustering

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Apply your knowledge to real-world datasets (Kaggle, UCI, etc.)

Who Should Learn Python for Data Science?

Python is incredibly beginner-friendly and widely used, making it ideal for:

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You can grasp Python fundamentals in 2–3 weeks with consistent daily practice. To become proficient in data science using Python, expect to spend 3–6 months, depending on your pace and project experience.

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[callofdutymobileindia]

Affordable Artificial Intelligence Courses in London for International Students

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries across the globe, the demand for skilled AI professionals is at an all-time high. For international students seeking world-class education combined with global career prospects, London has emerged as a prime destination. However, the high cost of education can often be a barrier. The good news? There are affordable Artificial Intelligence courses in London tailored for international students that offer high-quality education without the hefty price tag.

In this guide, we explore the best value-for-money AI programs, scholarships, budget tips, and why London is a smart choice for aspiring AI experts.

Why Study Artificial Intelligence in London?

London stands at the forefront of innovation in AI and machine learning. The city hosts a vibrant ecosystem of universities, startups, tech accelerators, and global AI conferences. Here’s why international students are choosing to pursue Artificial Intelligence courses in London:

World-renowned institutions like Imperial College London, UCL, and King's College.

Access to industry giants like Google DeepMind, Microsoft, and IBM Research.

Internship and job opportunities in a thriving AI job market.

Multicultural environment that welcomes talent from around the world.

Visa-friendly policies for post-study work under the UK’s Graduate Route.

While London is known for its academic excellence, it’s also possible to find affordable education options for international learners.

Top Affordable Artificial Intelligence Courses in London (2025)

Here’s a list of budget-friendly yet high-quality AI courses in London suitable for international students:

1. Boston Institute of Analytics – Advanced AI & ML Program

Tuition: Approx. £2,000 – £3,000 Duration: 6 Months Mode: Hybrid (Online + Weekend Classes in London) Highlights:

Industry-relevant curriculum

Live projects and capstone assignments

Certification recognized by employers globally

Personalized mentorship and job placement support

Boston Institute of Analytics (BIA) has built a strong reputation for offering affordable, career-oriented Artificial Intelligence courses in London. The program is particularly suitable for international students on a budget, as it balances cost and quality, with practical training in Python, neural networks, NLP, and real-world AI applications.

Scholarships for International Students Pursuing AI in London

To help reduce the financial burden, many institutions and governments offer scholarships for Artificial Intelligence courses in London. Some popular options include:

1. Chevening Scholarships

Fully funded master’s degree

Covers tuition, flights, and living expenses

Competitive but ideal for future AI leaders

2. Commonwealth Scholarships

Offered to students from eligible developing Commonwealth countries

Covers full tuition, travel, and stipend

3. University-Specific Scholarships

Boston Institute of Analytics: Merit-based discounts available

University of East London: International student scholarships up to £5,000

King’s College London: AI-focused scholarships and bursaries

Budget Tips for International Students Studying in London

Even with affordable tuition, living in London can be expensive. Here are some tips to stretch your budget while studying:

Accommodation: Opt for shared student housing in Zones 3–4 rather than Central London.

Travel: Use the Student Oyster card for discounted public transport.

Part-time work: International students can work up to 20 hours/week on a Tier 4 visa.

Student discounts: Use UNiDAYS or TOTUM for discounts on food, tech, and shopping.

Free resources: Supplement your learning with open-source AI tools, GitHub projects, and free courses from Coursera or edX.

Career Opportunities After Completing an AI Course in London

Completing an Artificial Intelligence course in London doesn’t just earn you a certificate—it can unlock global opportunities.

Career roles include:

AI Engineer

Machine Learning Scientist

Data Analyst

NLP Specialist

Robotics Engineer

AI Research Assistant

London has no shortage of companies hiring AI talent. From tech giants like Google DeepMind and Meta AI to fintechs and medtech startups, job opportunities span diverse sectors.

Under the UK Graduate Route, international students can stay and work for up to two years after completing their course—making it easier to gain valuable international work experience.

Why Boston Institute of Analytics Stands Out?

Among the many institutions offering Artificial Intelligence courses in London, the Boston Institute of Analytics (BIA) distinguishes itself with:

Affordable fees and flexible schedules

Practical, career-focused curriculum

Global alumni network and mentorship

Scholarship opportunities for deserving candidates

Placement assistance and resume support

If you're an international student looking to launch your AI career in London without taking on massive debt, BIA offers one of the best return-on-investment options.

Final Thoughts

London is undoubtedly one of the best cities in the world to study artificial intelligence. And while it’s often perceived as an expensive destination, many affordable Artificial Intelligence courses in London make it accessible for international students. Whether you choose a full-time master’s program or a practical bootcamp-style course like those from the Boston Institute of Analytics, what matters most is finding a program that offers the right mix of affordability, industry relevance, and career support.

With the right course and some smart budgeting, your dream of building a successful AI career from London is closer than ever.

[certificatecoursesinchandigarh]

Exploring Career Opportunities with Certificate Courses in Chandigarh

In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving job market, traditional degrees alone are no longer sufficient to secure a competitive edge. Employers are now prioritizing skill-based knowledge and practical training over theoretical qualifications. This shift has created a surge in demand for certificate courses that are concise, targeted, and designed to cater to specific industry needs.

Chandigarh, known for its educational infrastructure and thriving student community, has emerged as a hotspot for professional certification programs. Whether you're a student, a working professional, or someone looking for a career change, enrolling in certificate courses in Chandigarh can be a transformative decision for your future.

Why Choose Certificate Courses?

Certificate courses are short-term programs focused on developing specific skills within a particular domain. Unlike traditional degree programs that may take years to complete, most certificate courses are designed to be completed within a few weeks or months. The key advantages include:

Flexibility: Many courses offer online, offline, or hybrid options to suit your schedule.

Affordability: Certificate programs are generally cost-effective compared to full-time degree courses.

Industry-Relevance: Courses are updated regularly to reflect current industry demands and technologies.

Skill Enhancement: Perfect for upskilling or reskilling to meet evolving job requirements.

These benefits make certificate courses an excellent investment, particularly for individuals looking to fast-track their careers or change industries.

Why Chandigarh?

Chandigarh is often regarded as one of the most well-planned and developed cities in India. But beyond its aesthetic charm and clean streets lies a strong educational ecosystem. Here's why Chandigarh stands out:

Educational Hub: The city is home to numerous reputed institutes and training centers.

Growing Job Market: With the rise of IT hubs, startups, and industries in and around the tri-city area, there's a growing demand for skilled professionals.

Access to Resources: Students have access to excellent faculty, modern labs, and career support services.

For anyone looking to gain practical knowledge and industry-recognized credentials, enrolling in certificate programs in Chandigarh is a strategic move.

Popular Domains for Certificate Courses

Let’s explore some of the top fields where certificate courses are booming in Chandigarh:

1. Information Technology (IT)

Courses in programming languages like Python, Java, and C++, as well as certifications in cybersecurity, networking (CCNA), cloud computing, and ethical hacking, are in high demand. These certifications provide hands-on experience that can lead to lucrative IT roles.

2. Digital Marketing

With the digital economy booming, digital marketing has become an essential skill. Certifications in SEO, PPC, social media marketing, content marketing, and analytics help professionals build their brand or land top marketing jobs.

3. Accounting & Finance

Courses like Tally ERP, GST filing, and advanced Excel help students and professionals gain practical financial skills relevant to real-world business environments.

4. Graphic Designing & Web Development

Creative professionals can explore certificates in UI/UX, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and WordPress. These skills are highly valued by businesses looking to enhance their online presence.

5. Spoken English and Communication Skills

English speaking courses remain popular among students and job seekers. Certification in this area not only boosts confidence but also opens doors to customer-facing roles and international job markets.

6. Human Resources & Management

Short-term HR courses on labor laws, recruitment, and payroll systems provide valuable insights and prepare individuals for HR roles in small to large organizations.

Who Can Enroll?

One of the most inclusive aspects of certificate courses is that there are typically no strict prerequisites. They are open to:

Students looking to enhance their employability

Working professionals aiming to upgrade their skills

Entrepreneurs and freelancers looking to diversify

Homemakers returning to the workforce

Anyone with a passion for learning

Most institutions in Chandigarh offer both weekday and weekend batches, allowing individuals to learn at their convenience.

Midpoint Highlight: Why Opt for Specialized Training in Chandigarh?

When it comes to advancing your career, it's important to choose not just the right course but also the right location and institute. This is where Certificate Courses in Chandigarh come into play. These programs are tailored to meet industry expectations and are backed by experienced faculty and placement support. Moreover, those looking for targeted and value-packed learning should explore the Best certificate courses in Chandigarh to ensure their efforts translate into real career growth.

How to Choose the Right Certificate Course?

Here are some tips to help you choose the right course:

Assess Your Goals: Do you want a promotion? A new job? A new skill? Your goal should guide your course selection.

Research the Curriculum: Make sure the course offers practical exposure and updated content.

Check Accreditation: Enroll in programs recognized by employers or affiliated with reputed institutions.

Read Reviews: Look for feedback from past students to gauge course effectiveness.

Evaluate Career Support: Opt for institutes that provide career counseling, resume building, and placement assistance.

Success Stories

Many professionals who enrolled in certificate programs in Chandigarh have gone on to achieve remarkable success. From landing jobs in MNCs to starting their own freelance ventures, these courses have opened up a world of possibilities.

Take the case of Meenakshi, a graduate who struggled to land a job. After completing a digital marketing certificate course, she was hired by an e-commerce firm and now manages a team. Similarly, Ravi, an accounting student, became a certified Tally professional and now works as a finance executive in a leading firm.

Certificate Courses vs. Diplomas and Degrees

While diplomas and degrees offer in-depth knowledge and academic rigor, certificate courses focus on skill application and faster employment. If you're pressed for time, money, or are looking to make a quick switch in your career path, certificate courses are the perfect solution.

Here's a quick comparison:

Feature

Certificate Courses

Diplomas

Degrees

Duration

Weeks to months

6 months – 1 year

3–4 years

Cost

Low

Moderate

High

Entry Requirements

Flexible

Basic qualifications

Strict

Focus

Skill-oriented

Mixed

Theory-based

Job Readiness

High

Moderate

Depends

Final Thoughts

In the modern job landscape, skills matter more than ever. Certificate courses provide a practical, cost-effective, and flexible way to upgrade your career or step into a new domain. With Chandigarh’s growing reputation as an educational and business hub, it is the ideal place to pursue these certifications.

Whether you are just starting your journey or seeking to advance in your career, don’t underestimate the power of short-term learning. Explore the wide range of certificate programs available and take the first step toward a brighter, more secure future.

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How I Study Consistently While Working a 9–5 Full-Time Job

Balancing full-time work with consistent studying is no small feat. For most of us, working 40 hours a week drains energy, limits free time, and adds mental clutter that can make additional learning feel overwhelming. Yet, in an age where continuous learning is essential for growth—be it for a career switch, professional advancement, or personal enrichment—it’s a challenge many of us willingly take on.

Over the past two years, I’ve managed to maintain a consistent study routine alongside my 9–5 job. It hasn’t always been easy, and I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I’ve discovered strategies that have made a real difference. Here’s how I make it work—and how you can too.

Clarity of Purpose Everything starts with why. I realized early on that unless I had a strong and clear motivation to study, I would give up as soon as I got tired or distracted. My reasons were specific: I wanted to transition into a more technical role within my organization, and for that, I needed to improve my skills in data analysis and programming.

Whether your goal is to earn a certification, change careers, or simply learn something new, define your purpose clearly. Write it down. Make it visible. Refer to it when you’re tempted to slack off. Motivation may waver, but a clear purpose brings direction and consistency.

Time-Blocking and Planning Time is finite, and when you have only a few hours free each day, you need to be strategic. Every Sunday evening, I spend 15–20 minutes planning my week. I time-block all my key commitments: work hours, meals, gym sessions, and importantly, my study sessions.

My typical weekday looks like this:

6:30 am – 7:30 am: Study (quiet, focused morning time)

9:00 am – 5:00 pm: Work

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Review or light study (if energy allows)

I treat my study blocks like appointments. They are non-negotiable. By planning in advance, I avoid the trap of saying “I’ll study when I have time,” which we all know rarely happens.

The Power of Microlearning One of the key shifts I made was letting go of the idea that studying must be long and intense. I used to think I needed 2–3 hour blocks to make progress. Now, I’ve embraced microlearning—short, focused learning sessions that fit into small time pockets.

During lunch breaks, I watch a 15-minute course video. On my commute, I listen to subject-related podcasts or audiobooks. Before bed, I review flashcards or quiz myself on key concepts. These short bursts add up. Over time, they make a significant difference.

Choosing the Right Materials I wasted time in the past bouncing between books, courses, and YouTube videos. Now, I stick to a structured curriculum, whether it’s a well-reviewed online course, a certification syllabus, or a specific textbook. This reduces decision fatigue and ensures I’m not randomly skimming topics.

For example, when I was learning Python, I picked one comprehensive course and committed to completing it before exploring other resources. This helped me stay focused and track my progress.

Accountability Systems Studying alone can be isolating. To stay motivated, I created systems of accountability:

I joined online study groups.

I posted weekly progress updates on a private blog.

I set mini-deadlines, like completing a module every week.

Even if no one else was checking in on me, the act of making my goals public—even just to a small group—kept me moving forward.

Leveraging Weekends Weekends are gold. While I protect my time to relax and unwind, I also carve out 3–4 hours for deep study. I usually split this into two sessions—Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon. These blocks allow me to tackle more complex topics or complete assignments that require focused effort.

I don’t see weekends as “catch-up time,” but as an opportunity to get ahead, so that if my week gets busy, I don’t fall behind.

Self-Care and Sustainability Burnout is real. In the beginning, I pushed too hard—waking up at 5 am, studying late at night, and saying no to social plans. It backfired. I was exhausted and resentful.

Now, I take a sustainable approach:

I aim for consistency, not perfection.

I schedule breaks.

I prioritize sleep and exercise.

If I miss a study session, I don’t beat myself up—I adjust and continue.

Studying while working is a marathon, not a sprint. You need to build a routine you can maintain for months, even years.

Tracking Progress To stay motivated, I track my learning milestones. I use a simple spreadsheet to mark lessons completed, topics mastered, and practice scores. Seeing this visual progress is incredibly encouraging, especially when the goal still feels far away.

Every month, I review my progress and celebrate small wins—whether that’s completing a course, getting a certification, or solving a difficult problem. These mini-celebrations fuel long-term commitment.

Saying No This was hard but necessary. I had to learn to say “no” to distractions and non-essential commitments. I reduced screen time, limited social media, and made my goals known to friends and family, so they’d understand when I declined plans.

It’s not about being antisocial—it’s about being intentional. When you have limited time, you must guard your priorities fiercely.

Mindset Matters Lastly, I shifted my mindset. Instead of viewing study as a chore, I began to see it as an investment in my future self. I reminded myself that every hour I put in today increases my opportunities tomorrow. I stopped saying “I have to study” and started saying “I get to study.”

This small linguistic shift made a big psychological impact. It turned obligation into privilege.

Final Thoughts Balancing study with a full-time job is demanding, but it’s far from impossible. With the right strategies—clear goals, structured time, sustainable habits, and strong motivation—you can make meaningful progress without burning out.

If you’re on this journey, know that you’re not alone. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be consistent. Start small, stay focused, and trust the process. The time and energy you invest now will pay off in ways you can’t yet imagine.

And remember: your 9–5 may pay the bills, but your 6–9 can build your

[digitalbano]

100% Free Certification Online Best Courses After 12th – Build Your Career the Smart Way!

After completing 12th, students often face confusion about what to do next. College admissions, career planning, job opportunities—it can be overwhelming. But here’s some good news: you don’t have to wait or spend a lot of money to start learning useful skills. Today, many platforms offer 100% free certification courses online, especially in high-demand fields like digital marketing, graphic designing, e-commerce, coding, and financial accounting. Whether you are from science, commerce, or arts, these best courses after the 12th can give your career a jumpstart from the comfort of your home. Digital Bano guides students toward the most valuable free courses and career paths to help them succeed in the digital world. In this blog, we’ll guide you through:

Why online certification courses are the future List of top free online courses with certificates after 12th Special focus: Free digital marketing course after 12th Tips to choose the right course

Why Choose Online Certification Courses After 12th?

The world is shifting to skills over degrees. Many companies today value what you can do, not just what degree you hold.

Here’s why online courses are a smart choice after 12th:

Free of Cost – You can learn valuable skills without spending money. Flexible – Study anytime, anywhere. Industry-Relevant – Courses are designed by experts from Google, Meta, Microsoft, etc. Certifications – Many platforms provide certificates that you can add to your resume or LinkedIn profile. Career Opportunities – Learn job-ready skills and even start freelancing or internships.

Top 10 Free Online Certification Best Courses After 12th (With Certificates)

Here are some of the best free certification courses after the 12th that anyone can start today:

1. Digital Marketing by Google (Google Digital Garage)

Duration: 40 hours Certificate: Yes (by Google) What You Learn: SEO, Social Media, Email Marketing, Google Ads Why It’s Great: Perfect digital marketing course after the 12th to start freelancing or internships.

2. Content Marketing by HubSpot Academy

Duration: 6 hours Certificate: Yes What You Learn: Blogging, content strategy, SEO Best For: Students who love writing or want to become content creators.

3. Graphic Design Basics by Canva Design School

Duration: 3–5 hours Certificate: Yes What You Learn: Design principles, using Canva tools Best For: Commerce/arts students with creative interests.

4. Introduction to Python by Udemy / Coursera

Duration: 4–6 weeks Certificate: Yes What You Learn: Basics of Python programming Best For: Science/PCM students or anyone interested in coding.

5. Social Media Marketing by Meta Blueprint

Duration: 5–7 hours Certificate: Yes What You Learn: Facebook and Instagram marketing, ads Best For: Students interested in marketing or managing social media pages.

6. E-Commerce Fundamentals by Alison

Duration: 2–3 hours Certificate: Yes What You Learn: How online businesses work, dropshipping basics Best For: Commerce students or aspiring entrepreneurs.

7. Tally with GST on Tally Education

Duration: 15–20 hours Certificate: Yes What You Learn: Tally ERP 9, GST basics Best For: Commerce students interested in accounts or finance.

8. Career Planning by Coursera

Duration: 5 hours Certificate: Yes What You Learn: Career paths, resume building, interviews Best For: All students who want clarity about their future goals.

9. Basics of Video Editing by Skillshare (Free Trial)

Duration: 2 weeks of free access Certificate: Yes What You Learn: Adobe Premiere Pro / Filmora basics Best For: Students interested in YouTube, vlogging, and content creation.

10. English Communication by British Council

Duration: 4–6 weeks Certificate: Yes What You Learn: Grammar, fluency, interview English Best For: All students to improve speaking skills.

Digital Marketing Course After 12th – Your Gateway to Freelancing & Jobs

Among all free courses, Digital Marketing is the most trending and high-paying field for students just after 12th.

Why Choose Digital Marketing?

Platforms Offering Free Digital Marketing Courses:

Google Digital Garage (Best for beginners) HubSpot Academy (Advanced topics) Meta Blueprint (Social Media Focus) Semrush Academy (SEO Focused) Great Learning (Basics of Digital Marketing)

Pro Tip: Learn and then apply for internships on platforms like Internshala, LinkedIn, and Upwork. Start earning while studying!

Tips to Choose the Right Course After 12th (Free or Paid)

With so many options, it’s easy to get confused. Here’s how to decide:

Know Your Interest – Do you like writing, designing, teaching, or coding? Check Course Reviews – Always choose reputed platforms like Google, HubSpot, or Coursera. Duration – Go for short courses (2–6 weeks) to build momentum. Certification – Make sure the platform offers a free certificate. Career Scope – Pick courses that have freelancing, job, or internship opportunities.

Conclusion: Learn Free, Earn Smart!

You don’t need to wait for a college degree to start your career. With 100% free certification courses after the 12th, you can begin your learning journey right now. Whether you dream of becoming a digital marketer, graphic designer, e-commerce expert, or social media manager, there’s a course out there for you. So, don’t waste time. Pick a course, start learning, and take your first step towards a successful career.

Post Tags: #best courses after 12th #best free ai tools #digital marketing course after 12th