#CRUD generator

[niyana-the-ambiguous-mobian]

Oh, this prologue is going to mess us up so bad XD

[moldypoff]

*generic weather reporter voice* I’d like to thank Dell Conagher for sponsoring my delusions and getting me through this week. That is Dell Conagher from Texas, surprising, yes, considering how much the news from that state gives me an aneurysm.

[okapiandpaste]

I cannot stop thinking about this BL panel. I’m obsessed with it.

[vapormage]

i think there are a lot of fun ways pokemon contests could be a bit more fleshed out. diamond and pearl tries to do something with the extra phases, but those feel kind of... i dunno, tacked on. i dont know what giving them some more depth would look like practically though.

the main contest mode might be fun to experiment with, the contest moves being your regular moves is neat, but the mode that uses em... it has a lot of repetition i guess. something fun about regular pokemon battles is the different situations you could be in, thanks to abilities, status moves, weather, etc. perhaps certain moves affect things in a similar way, more drastically? perhaps abilites affect the contest? or even items!

perhaps the "dressup" phase that dppt tried to impliment could become more practical to the the regular contest gameplay with the items having uses (somewhere between plays from gen 5 and regular held items?) maybe the actual usage of moves could be more involved than "well i pressed sing and it uses sing yay" with, say, maybe a small minigame or other form of action (in a ds era game that might be drawing a shape quickly, or tapping something quickly. think something in that vein)

perhaps YOUR presence as a trainer is more relevant? (i mostly say this because the idea of a pokemon game's dressup giving you funny costume pieces sounds awesome, id love to go about my journey in a flashy gaudy stage outfit) (the fact that xy gives you the slurpuff dress postgame is something i will never forgive them for)

either way: as is, contests are kind of out of the way, and generally when i interact with them its to play 2 contests, then wander away because i simply do not have the resources and patience to get my pokemon contest-ready. and thats a shame! contests are so neat and I really like them conceptually, they make me smile. :)

[stitchposts]

Hi there! Your transdragon jacket is incredible! Do you have any back patch specific embroidery tips? Re: large sized work, and caring for it pre/during/after wear? Have a great night 💕

Hey there! Thanks so much.

Washing is important. Wash your garment before you work on it, and be prepared to wash it after. The after part will almost certainly be by hand - washing machines shred embroidery. Garment bags help, but it's not as foolproof as just hand washing. When I own a vest or jacket like this, I wash it by hand every few months. I make sure to wash it at the end of the wearing season too, so it's not put away dirty. The oils and crud can weaken fabric.

This is solid advice in general for clothing, but when it's something you worked hundreds of hours on, it especially matters, yknow? I will not lie, washing these is gross. But it needs to happen. Actually washing it: Get a mild detergent and let the garment soak in a large bucket or a bathtub. Do water + detergent solution changes until the water stops being disgusting, letting it soak for 20 minutes - an hour each time. For rough parts like the armpits and the collar you can agitate it by hand gently to get the crud released. Rinse thoroughly, then lay the garment flat between some towels and tamp down. Do not rub, just press straight down. Once it's just kinda damp and not totally sodden lay it over something to dry. I don't hang from a line because I find that the weight of it wet hanging from a couple stress points can fuck with it in a way I don't super like.

For the actual stitching process - take breaks and listen to your body. You feel any twinge? Take a fucking break. Find an ergonomic way to stitch, take stretch breaks often, physically use tools that help. Last week a friend asked me for advice on tools to seam rip fabric easier, and assumed I would know something. He was in fact correct and I sent him the tools to get. You'd be surprised at what exists to help us care for our bodies longterm.

[ijwrsmff]

Hey, i hope ur having a good dayy...heard yu wanted some yandere arcane asks...how about vi(romantic) with a naïve piltover darling (generally soft and clumsy as well) fem reader please!!💖💕

Thank you so much that's so sweet!!! I'm getting to requests really late, but I'm doing my best XD thank you for requesting and your patience! Even though it's really late, I hope you enjoy ^^

Soooo glad the second season is coming out soon, I crave it so bad XD

Words: 1,642

Vi was in Piltover, doing what she joked was a small heist. It was just her this time, Vander having cracked down on them all not returning to top side in fear of their safety. She made sure Powder was safe first, and left her in the boy’s care. She had received word there was an event going on, a series of stalls and shops along the road. It was the perfect opportunity to blend in and steal from all the rich assholes who could buy out the whole street if they wanted to. 

…That was her plan anyway. 

It started off simple enough, showing up right in the middle of the day when it was the most busy. She paid close attention to the people who looked like they had more money than others…and with how idiotic people could be, it wasn’t hard to tell who could afford the most. Starting off, she took small items they had purchased that she thought could go for more underground. She didn’t expect to be bumped into as a girl fell to the ground. 

As it were, you only wanted to go to see what the shops had to offer. You weren’t paying much attention though, and bumped into something…or someone. Both you and the person fell to the ground, and you looked up at her from the ground as you whined and rubbed the spot on your leg you just knew would be bruised later. She was laying next to you, and you caught sight of her snarl. You jumped up looking her over. 

“Crud! Are you okay? I’m so so sorry, I didn’t mean to bump into you! Did I damage anything you’d bought? I can’t believe I did that again! Gah!” You whined and looked at her as if seeking forgiveness. She looked baffled, and raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “I can pay for anything I broke! Here, let me buy you something, too!” You took her hand, and she accepted it. You couldn’t tell what expression was on her face, but you were terrified you’d made a bad impression on this woman. 

“Uh…you don’t have to. I have what I need.” Vi spoke, and she seemed guarded. It was almost as if she thought you were tricking her, not believing you were really being this nice to a stranger. “You hurt, cupcake?” She said, seemingly coming to a conclusion in her mind. She brushed off your shoulders, touch lingering only briefly. Her touch was rough, but it didn’t seem to phase you. 

“I’m not hurt! Not any more hurt than I usually am when I fall anyway…” You mumbled the last bit, and shook your head. “And it’s okay! I insist, it’s the least I could do!” Your smile was wide and bright, and somehow contagious. As soon as you locked eyes with her, she smiled back at you, though her smile was much more akin to a smirk. 

She leaned forward so your faces were near each other, and her eyes glazed over yours and she continued to smirk as she pulled back. “If you really insist, I have something in mind.” Her original mission had subsided in her mind, and it seemed she had a new plan she wanted to see through. She was still being cautious, but she would play along for now. This could prove to be entertaining, afterall. 

You yapped away, Vi barely getting any words in since giving you her name. She didn’t seem to mind though, and listened closely to everything you had to say. It didn’t take long to learn all about you, considering the fact that you told her basically all the important information. It was fun! You got to tell her all about your job, your close group of friends, and your favorite hobbies and pastimes. Vi even asked questions to learn more, despite you not picking up on her prodding more into your personal life. 

She had tried to justify it as gathering intel for her next trip with Powder and the boys, but she was growing more intrigued by the second. Though as you reached the stall she had escorted you to, you looked at her. “Oh! A flower stall! Are you getting flowers for someone? That’s so thoughtful!” You giggled, and looked at the wide array of different flowers local to your home and even exported from further off. 

Vi smirked, before putting on a small act. She sighed deeply, and looked deep in thought. “I’d love to get her flowers, but I’m not sure what kind she likes. There’s too many to choose from, it’s overwhelming…what kind do you like?” She looked over to you, eyes full of mischief. She only smiled wider when it seemed like you didn’t gather the implications. 

“I think these one’s here are the prettiest, and the bouquet has a good variety of flowers! So no matter the room, you can probably make the flowers suit it perfectly!” You thought carefully about your answer, wanting to make sure she could get the best possible ones for the girl she wanted to get them for. It was no trouble, you did bump into her, so it only seemed fitting to help out however you could. 

“I see…” She said, and picked up the bouquet you chose. “I hope she’ll like these.” As she said it in a thoughtful but playful tone, before handing them to you. “So, do you like them?” Her hand was outstretched, and you looked at the flowers in confusion. She could practically see the gears turning in your head, and tried to wait to see if you’d understand. 

“THEY’RE FOR ME?!” You said, way louder than you meant to. It brought a light blush to your cheeks and you pouted at her. “But I’m the one that bumped into you! I should be getting you a gift!” You looked around the booth, and quickly picked up a bouquet of flowers you thought would suit her. Paying quickly, you copied her motion of giving her the flowers. 

“These are for you then! They have colors that remind me of you and your hair, so I guess it’s…a trade?” You thought carefully, trying to decide if you’d be satisfied with a trade rather than providing something to her from your stumble into her. The flowers weren’t very expensive, so it didn’t really seem fair. 

“How sweet of you…” Vi said, a glimmer of something in her eyes that you couldn’t place. “I’ll happily accept these flowers from you, cupcake.” She gave a wink, but by now she knew you wouldn’t understand the undertones of her words and meaning. She’d have to be more direct to get through to you. Stepping up her game seemed in order, but not just yet. 

“Let me at least buy you something else!” You pleaded, wide eyes as you looked around the stalls to find something else you could give her for her troubles. But Vi looked to the sky, cursing under her breath. At the noise, you tilted your head and asked, “Is something wrong?” You sounded worried, and it only made her heart swell further. 

“My sister is waiting for me at home, I have to go.” She seemed reluctant to say it, but started walking away with a glance to you over her shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll meet again.” To you, the words were reassuring…whereas most people would have seen it as ominous. You barely knew her, but you welcomed her regardless. There’s no way in hell this would be the last time she saw you. 

“But! I have to buy you something else!” You called, jogging the few steps to catch up with her. She had the flowers you had bought her in her arms, and the other items she’d “bought” within her carry pack. She stopped as you approached, you putting a hand on her shoulder. 

She hummed, turning to look fully at you before smirking with a dark glint in her eyes. “Then…” She leaned forward, pressing a kiss to your cheek, before playfully breathing into your ear, “We’ll make it a date. Next time, you can take me out on the condition I get to take you out after.” She pulled back, and could have burst out laughing from the shocked look on your face as you blushed. 

It only made you smile wide, “Okay! It’s a promise then! Do I get to pick what we do for our date?” You hopped once in place and waited eagerly for her response.

“Of course, cupcake. Anything you wanna do.” With her final words, she turned, as you lost her in the crowd of people. It only then occurred to you that she had no way of knowing where you lived. What if she got lost and never saw you again? Or even worse, what if you never saw her again? It had crushed your spirit a little, and your eyes cast down as you pouted, walking back to your house. 

Though from the shadows, Vi loomed. She watched you walk all the way home, making note of any recognizable locations and landmarks so she would remember exactly how to get to you. You were a new form of intoxication she’d never experienced. You were pure, innocent. You didn’t pick up on her flirting until she made sure you did, and you never once questioned her attire or why you’d never seen her before. It made her let out a chuckle, as she watched you, almost hungrily. 

You’d see her again, sooner than you’d think…and she’d make sure you could never forget her. She knew it was just a matter of time before she corrupted that innocence of yours, making you hers in any way she wanted…any way she desired. 

You should have run when you had the chance, cupcake. 

[itsnotamatterofif]

Ooooo okay! This is too cute I’m sorry I love these prompts sm. you didn’t give any characters so I hope you don’t mind I gave you a wild card! Have slick’s first night in the freight shed - hope this is cute enough for you!

Send me some characters and a prompt and I’ll write a Drabble!

Slick’s never going to get used to this place.

It’s too quiet, there’s no one else trying to encroach on her space in this relatively empty freight shed, no one shuffling about getting ready for midnight shifts. Instead, the only noise around is that fuckin’ wood truck’s snoring - aptly, he sounds like some kind of wood chipper, churning away as he sprawls over his bunk, hand hanging lazily over the edge.

It’s gotta be at least midnight, maybe even one in the morning by now, but it’s hard to tell; in an attempt to try and sleep she’d dropped her alarm clock onto the floor, and Starlight help her if she’s going to uncurl herself to go and retrieve it. Thankfully there’s only two other freight here, two lads a bit older than her and already thick as thieves, and whilst the red one is nice enough the blue one’s been keeping his distance.

Maybe she shouldn’t have scowled at him the moment he offered to give her a tour, and to top it off she can’t even remember his name.

All Slick wants is to be back at the old yard, the first yard, with the other oil tanker - Lilith? - and that freaky caboose who always seemed to have tons of cash, but they were nice to her. Yes, the caboose always had to hide whenever the yardmaster came by, and yes, she had to help Lilith scrub the engine grease from under her immaculate fingernails one too many times, but they kept an eye on her, kept her out of trouble, and always provided an alibi when the caboose started teaching her how to crash the engines that starting to get too big for their wheels. Here? She’s fucked, alone with two dumb trucks and a few rusting steam engines that seem to be one bad crash away from the scrapyard.

To top it all off she didn’t even get to bring her stuff, too busy being thrown out by the scruff of her neck after one too many allegations, so here she is, in this alien freight yard, in a donated pair of the smaller steam engine’s pyjamas so that the older one could wash the crud out of her uniform. Unlike the other two, there’s no lights in the walls, no photos or soft toys, warm fuzzy socks covering bare axles, and no duvet to tuck around her shoulders. Only her knees to tug in tighter to her chest, and a small oil generator that she’s willing to burn just that bit harder-

The coal truck’s watching her.

As she peels one eye open in frustration, all she can spot is a pair of bright red eyes staring at her in the darkness. He’s meant to be asleep.

“You don’t seem comfortable, kid,” he says flatly, squinting a little bit as he seems to have no regard for the wood truck in the bay below, “first night stress?”

In her sleep-addled state she has to fight her own ears against the thickness of his accent - he’s a long way from home, maybe displaced against his will like her - but she manages to scowl in response.

“I’m fine,” she snaps, “fuck off and go to sleep.”

Visibly he sighs, eyes rolling as he turns to lie on his back. “Dogs only bark ‘cause they’re scared, y’know-?”

“I ain’t scared,” Slick can’t help but grumble, “just can’t sleep, your shed creaks weirdly and I ain’t used to it- what are you doin’?”

Before she’s even finished her sentence, the hopper is off, clambering down the steel ladder awkwardly before fishing around for something hurriedly on the floor by the wood truck’s feet, who still hasn’t woken up yet. In the darkness, Slick can’t quite see what, but before she even gets a chance to try he’s off again, the sound of him clambering up the ladder towards her ringing out like gunshots.

“Mate, I’m serious, fuck off,” she hisses, backing herself into the corner of the bay as a tuft of red hair appears over the edge, “I’m just trying to sleep, you never heard of respectin’ someone’s fuckin’ wishes?”

Now he’s on the bay, eyes wide and innocent as she can’t help but curl into herself further, but before she can kick, he reaches to the heavy-looking material that he’d tied around his waist to climb; it’s thick, blue and fleecy with the barest hints of a few splinters adamantly clinging to the course material, but most importantly of all it looks warm-

“I brought you a blanket,” he offers slowly, never taking his gaze off her as he slowly places the blanket between the two of them in some kind of strange peace offering, “you look cold, kid, and Lumber finds blankets claustrophobic, so you can have his until Ms McCoy gets you some beddin’ in.”

Carefully, he pulls his hand back, and as soon as his hand is nearly back Slick can’t help but reach out and snatch it away; immediately it’s cosy in her grip, perfectly scratchy as she pulls it up to her neck, and almost immediately a forgotten exhaustion settles into her chassis.

“Cheers, uh-“

“Porter,” he interrupts with a smile, “don’t worry, it’s proper overwhelmin’ when you get ���ere. I was lucky I got sent here with Lumber.”

Slowly, Slick nods, tugging the blanket a little bit tighter as her eyelids droop - she doesn’t have much, but god she hopes Porter isn’t going to steal her shit now. It’s not like she has the cash to pay for this.

“Now, uh,” he begins awkwardly, “I can fuck off back to my bunk now, or I can kip here for the night - what would help you sleep?”

There’s a genuine concern in his gaze, and truly, if he wanted to steal something or beat her up, he definitely could have done it by now.

“You can stay,” she mutters, eyes shutting very much against her will, “but stay over there - come any closer and I’ll kick you.”

She’s not awake long enough to ensure it, though.

[gotham-daydreams]

Okay, so, I love Isekai fanfic. I just do, it's so fun. I like the idea of the reader loving this stuff and dreaming of it, but being so worried about them thinking ill of you. I would also be so embarrassed. Like, "Crud, they're gonna think I'm so lame and stupid." Only to find out, "Oh. I have some of the most dangerous, intelligent people on the planet obsessed with me who will never let me go home... Not the kind of bad I expected, and yet this is somehow worse." I'm also interested in the Idol one. The idea of someone being friends with Idols, and this fear that people only like you to try to get close to these people. That you're just being used. And then the sudden whiplash of them wanting you, and the fear it brings when you realize you're being stalked. From one kind of bad, to very different and worse kind of bad. I am very excited

Yes!!! Exactly!!!

For the Isekai one, I also decided to do that because... well, usually the MC is placed right at the foot the the yanderes/Batfam, or tries to go to them - which isn't bad by any means! Honestly it'd be pretty smart to do that considering things, and it works out for plot convenience.

Though, I couldn't help but think about a reader that just... avoids them? At all costs? Not because they have something to hide necessarily, but moreso because, well, that'd be really embarrassing... and sure, it's one thing to read about them- but its an entirely different thing to meet them face to face. How are you supposed to act? Of course you'd have to pretend you don't know them... but they're scarily good at reading people! What if they think you're some kind of stalker??? Or worse!

Basically, I need a reader that is super anxious and an overthinker so they decide to take a harder but socially 'easier' route of just... avoiding them, LMAO

Though yeah, when that realization comes around, and the reader notices a little too late that maybe the Batfam is obsessed over them? And they can't go home? It's so over. A breakdown is definitely imminent.

As for the switch one? I know!!! I love it so much!! I've only read a handful of yandere stories where the fixation for the yans switches, and even less where the original fixation wasn't an asshole, so this is me trying to do that but with the Batfam :]

The feeling of being used will definitely appear every now and again, but there is more of a fear of "something you didn't take seriously now becoming serious and it's too late for you", especially as the reader does try to pull away and break things off from the family, but it definitely doesn't work out.

I'll be honest, there is more than just the idols and the family using the reader to get what they want out of them, but that is the general premise without me getting into details and writing even longer descriptions, lol

For example: just to live, the reader does some shady buisness - but they are trying to get out of it (the family doesn't know they're even doing that kind of buisness, though). The reader also knows a lot of people... more than the Batfam thought! And just generally the Batfam looking into the reader as they realize they don't actually know a lot about them, and through that some of them become obsessed and super jealous...

It's not a lot as the whole switch from the idols to the main character does take more of a focus, but what I've mentioned above is just more things in between and during that gradual switch.

It's even worse then you think that the Batfam was doing it out of malice at first, then it slowly became something else.... oh man. And just how all these little things that meant to harm you, are now supposed to like, be signs of affection??? Super confusing, but god is it dreadful and terrifying.

[snoozykazoo]

we're on tumblr again yay✨

Hey everyone! And welcome to Snoozy Kazoo's first ✨TUMBLR DEVPOST!!✨ We'll be releasing these every month from now on as a way to keep everyone updated on Snoozy Kazoo news!

If you're new here, hi! We’re Snoozy Kazoo, a game dev studio of six guys who make dumb, silly, and fun games. You might know us from the games Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion and Turnip Boy Robs a Bank, available HERE and HERE!

Let's get caught up! In this issue we're covering a new mobile release, anniversaries, and... our NEW GAME? 😳😳😳

What's Snoozy been up to?

Ok I know what I said earlier, but let’s be honest: if you’ve stumbled deep into the mines enough to find your way here, you’re surely familiar with our beloved Turnip Boy. We just passed by his anniversary of robbing a bank on January 18th! Aww! They grow up so fast… But it’s a good thing he’s not robbing banks anymore, that’s a crime, you kn-

Aw crud he's doing it on your phone now

Snaps my fingers disappointingly. Aw man. Yerrrrp. Turnip Boy Robs a Bank is now on iOS and Android devices near you. His mindless yet fervent desire to wreck crime upon the world seems insatiable. It’s really unfortunate, except for the fact that it’s honestly really fun watching him go at it.

The game is available TODAY on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store! Re-experience the game or force your friends to — its fun either way!

Ahhh the beloved Turnip Boy. Surely your next game will be about him right?

Heehee nope!

Excitingly, in November, we announced our next game: Hobnobbers! A co-op mall-looter where you rob malls for your goddess!

If you haven’t already wishlisted the game yet, well… go wishlist it! Go make your friends wishlist it! Wishlist wishlist wishlist! It really helps us beat the Algorithm Overlords, so literally every single wishlist counts!

I already know about your little crow-gnome mall-looting game you do not shut up about it. What else is new?

We also released a new devlog over on our YouTube! We’ll be releasing one of these every few months, so make sure to subscribe!

In it, we’ve covered the game’s conception till its early development, which means a lot of concept art. Honestly, let’s toss a little bit more of it over here; it’s always exciting to see behind the curtain!

Now get ready for... 🥁🥁🥁

Woah! What’s this little place? Perhaps the chance to get to meet different members of the team and bombard them with questions to foster a parasocial relationship with them? No way!

Introducing… Alexis! Our Unreal Developer!

What are you most excited for in Hobnobbers?

I’m very excited for a lot of different technical aspects and seeing people’s reaction to the game! I want to see all of the systems come together to create a perfect storm of chaos. The randomly generated map ontop the hexes system, with events like Money Storms, Floods, and Fairy Circles of Doom, is going to make each run completely unique and you’ll never know what kind of madness you’re getting into! On launch day I intend to be hopping into games with people (and fixing any bugs that crop up).

What’s something you’ve worked on in Hobnobbers recently that you’ve found particularly frustrating?

The level generation for the mall has been a particular nightmare, but in a very fun way. The mall is generated from bottom-to-top and each floor tells the floor above it about the different combinations of rooms that it can generate. This allows us to have those iconic vertical levels that overlap eachother with walkways above the floors below! This has required a lot of tuning in both making the parts that generate, and how to place them to get results that are always interesting (without bugs). Not only do we have to generate each floor, we also have to generate each store! Accounting for the size and placement of these is a constant challenge when making segments but I made a blender template that speeds it up quite a lot.

What pitch did you end up bringing to the pitch competition?

My pitch was a game about a vampire who was ousted from their castle by another vampire, and is trying to take it back. You would have to sneak back in through various pathways that challenge you in different ways, some would require parkour skills, others would require puzzle solving. And while you’re doing all of this, the AI learns and adapts to your behavior setting traps or blocking off paths in a constant game of cat and mouse. I am still extremely passionate about this idea, and fully intend to pursue it one day!

Awesome! Thank you for your time! 😊

Okie dokie that’s a wrap for now

In future devposts, we’ll be including questions sent in by the community! Feel free to send them in over here on Tumblr, or join our Discord and ask questions in the “ask-the-devs-❓” channel!

See you soon!

— Kiki

[pbeltarts]

Hihihi!!! I am literally obsessed with your pixie hollow AU holy crud- :D

also I was wondering, since katsuki was the one to bring izuku to pixie hollow, did he get any negativity since izuku’s wings didn’t work? Since a lot of fairies considered Izuku bad luck bc of that? :O

a few of his friends playfully gave him shit like 'maybe you were too rough when you brought him to the tree' or something but in general most didn't assume anything about him in relation to izuku

[marzipanandminutiae]

wow. first positive COVID test (I don't really believe it's the first time I've had it; that seems staggeringly unlikely)

that's. unfun but also surreal. I feel exactly like I do when struck with bad allergies or the Generic Moderate 36-Hour Throat Crud I've gotten pretty often since childhood. to the point where I was so sure the test would be negative, I took an extra one just from sheer surprise. I had more symptoms induced by the test swab up my nose- coughing and sneezing and such -than I've had all day

and this is why we always test when we feel under the weather, kids! better to have it be Just Allergies and know, than to inadvertently go about while covidious

(also why we vax up. I'd rather have a mild case- which seems to be the way of things so far, knock on wood -than something worse. and this is my first positive test in four pandemic years of working with the public, testing every time I have respiratory symptoms)

[vintage-tech]

Tonight's project: General Electric Telechron 'Replica' (1955)

So I had the distinct honor of finding this midcentury modern clock, model 7H229, in working condition (working as in: plug it in, the second hand took about 15 seconds to go the five seconds between numbers then suddenly remembered it's a clock and ramped up to correct speed), so brought it home.

But like anything that's about seventy years old, it definitely needs some TLC. Continue on to see the cleaning?

This clock is made of brass on the back and the face/clockwork housing, glass on the bezel, and clear amber plastic for the body. The video producers that fix old things would have taken the body off and soaked it in hydrogen peroxide with an ultraviolet lamp to get it bleached back to clear, or close to that since I think the original color is supposed to be a translucent golden, but I lack the science components and I'd have to unsolder the cord from the clockwork to do it. Happily the cord is long enough to work around.

See what I mean? FYI inside the plastic piece is a band of paper that is brass-gold on the outside and, as you see here, kinda beige on the inside since no one will see it behind the clock's face.

So I went over everything with window cleaner and paper towels (yes, I will use brass cleaner on the metal later, I don't have any right now), used a tiny screwdriver to scrape the grape bubblegum or whatever the hell that was off the back and time-setter knob, and then uncrimped the back edges of the face from the motor housing so that I could remove the face and bezel.

The two reasons for my doing that are: first, the glass needed a serious cleaning on the inside (not just from the haze, but there's what looks like old oil or crud from moisture along the edge and bottom of the glass and the part of the face that holds it in place, plus there were inexplicable dabs of something on the paper dial); second, the alarm-hand had slipped off its spindle. Took a bit of doing to get the hand back on -- and, importantly, on in the right place so the alarm could go off at the intended time rather than some random time six hours later (as happened in my first attempt) -- and even more doing to get the bezel and face back on straight without knocking the alarm hand off (the paper dial isn't held down and stays in place by a notch that catches a tab at the 12 o'clock position) or breaking the glass as I was in fear of doing at various points.

So once I had the face back together and the hands moved as they are supposed to, I put crimps back into those four positions and pushed the works back into the plastic and the plastic back into the brass. This is where I realized that the two screws that hold the whole thing together were missing their 1/2" brass washers that keep them together -- thus right now, the screws stick out like the knobs and aren't catching on anything. I will pick up a couple of those washers tomorrow at work. So here's what it looks like post-cleaning:

You might not be able to see the difference but I can. :-D I have to agree with the telechron.net review, GE should have put some soft lighting inside. So with all that refurbishing done, how does it work? Well, the motor driving the second hand is a bit noisy at times, and I did make some vague attempt to lubricate moving parts but couldn't reach every nook, but I hope that with it running it will tame down a bit. I can't speak on the timekeeping yet, but the alarm is an impressive buzz and recognises what time the hand is set for [now], and the alarm on/off pull on the back does its job.

[bloggyblog121]

Listing arguments I hate hearing as a Gwuncan stan

They look like siblings-No. They do not. They're similar in the things they like (Which 2 things were only presented). It's extremely concerning you're saying that to a canon couple who kissed. Numerous times. Talk about weirdos.

Anyways, learn the difference. And I'm assuming that the people who made those stupid claims either have no siblings or is 6-years-old/

So, me being the generous person I am, I decided to highlight. Because as siblings, there must be some similarities in looks, right? -The hair. Duncan has straight (like his father) and Gwen's is more bushy as shown in the picture. -Eye colour. Duncan's is blue/teal and Gwen's is black. -Nose. I know I'm talking about their nose but if you say they look like siblings, I might as well start pointing out their facial features. Their noses are different. -Proportions. Duncan has an extremely larger torso while Gwen doesn't. -Skin colours. Completely different colours. -Eyebrows. Duncan has a unibrow and Gwen's is triangular-shaped (I'm assuming she filled them in or something). -Their styles. He's punk and she's goth. They're not the same and never will be. If this is your argument, reconsider. It's disgusting and repugnant to say this about a couple willingly.

+Aleheather was similar but you don't see them receiving hate. Those goth couples were practically the same person. Why aren'y they receiving hate?

Double standards, much?

The never loved each other- Buddy.. You don't need to say the words to prove love. Especially if they were in the situation they were in.

To further elaborate, they trust each other. Vulnerability. A key part of a relationship. -Sins (In season 1) -Family (Gwen told Duncan her brother's guitar. The family topic could've surely been delved deeper throughout the series) -Relationships (Gwen knows about the picture of Courtney under Duncan's pillow. Gwen confides in Duncan about Trent.) -Dreams (Gwen told Duncan her dream car. She doesn't just go around telling 'Oh I want a Mustang...') These were hinted. Imagine if we could see the rest of their discussions. Next. Gwen gave Duncan a free exit in the Area 51 episode. She told him he can go back to Courtney if he wants to avoid the drama. Does he go back with her? No. he cuts Gwen off by kissing her and even pops his leg out. Those little parts where they're consoling each other. -In their song Gwen was trying to comfort Duncan. -Duncan when trying to make Gwen feel better in the beach episode in TDA. -In the first episode of TDAS and Gwen was shocked at being a villain, Duncan helps her up and is trying to help her. They worry about each other. -In the horror episode, Duncan was the first one worried about Gwen. -When Gwen was about to trip, Duncan's there to help. -In the episode Gwen was about to get eliminated, Duncan was risking himself to take Gwen's place and even supporting her. -In the Greece episode, Gwen was talking about Duncan and then realising that his team was in the elimination ceremony, she rushed there. There even was that little cheer of hers. -In that same episode, Chris makes a joke if Duncan even made it out alive and Gwen was like the most worried about Duncan. -In the Area 51 episode Gwen was like 'try not get eliminated' and Duncan was like 'you too.'. Later in the day, Gwen was sneaking into the elimination ceremony again to make sure Duncan wasn't eliminated. -The following episode, when Gwen's team lost, Duncan looked worried about her and uttering a tiny 'aw crud'. -In TDAS and Gwen was faced by sharks, you could see that small moment of Duncan being worried over her. Loyalty. Duncan stopped flirting with Heather when he was dating Gwen. But the best part is that they were happy. So fucking happy that no one could be happy for them. They had the biggest haters. But that didn't stop them from pursuing their relationship. Acceptance. They accepted the others' aspects. Neither were trying to change the other because they loved the other for it. You want to know how I know this, because they spent more time getting to know each other and 'boring' rather than arguing and being incredibly inconsistent. There's probably more I can't remember. So, I'll move on.

Their development-

That is what development means. As in how their relationship was formed. As in from strangers. As in from season 1 where it took 3 seasons to get together.

What the fuck do you mean they spawned out of nowhere?

They went from strangers to acquaintances to friends to best friends to something more.

It wasn't rushed. Because if that was the case, you don't see me complaining about Duncney. They kissed on the 13th episode on the first season. That was just a couple weeks and the only thing they knew about each other was the bare minimum. That's why they were so incompatible. Their development was sucked ass.

Or Gwent. They started liking each other at first sight. They got to know each other but their writing was so inconsistent. There were so many times Gwen forgave Trent but a couple episodes later, she was mad at him for the same reason. Their development sucked ass as well.

Meanwhile, Gwen and Duncan had waited 3 seasons. That's practically over a year of getting to know each other (depending if Courtney hadn't guarded Duncan's every move after TDA). 52 weeks. That gives them plenty of time to figure out how the other person is. Gives them time to like their faults.

Why is that so hard to understand?

It wasn't random.

It was friendship. Friendship you wouldn't be complaining about if poor, innocent (Absolutely not) Trent and Courtney weren't heartbreaking.

News flash. This is life. This is how relationships go. How toxic relationships go, alright? Don't downplay other relationships because the one you supported sucked. Get over it because your reasoning doesn't make sense.

Their characters were ruined in TDAS- Everyones' was. It wasn't ruined, it was a realistic approach to how they dealt with hate for two years.

Gwen dealt with it worse. Boyfriend kisser? Death threats? Everyone not trusting her? Why do you think she acted like that?

It wasn't random. Her ignoring Duncan wasn't because she lost feelings for him. She was sick of the hate. In the first episode, you could see her confiding in Duncan (which he did a terrible job in for some apparent reason).

Honestly, it was relatable experience. (Coming from experience. Not relationship or what not but like having people hate your guts and teaming up against you)

Then there was Duncan. The guy did not like Courtney.

I'm not sure how many people have to say this but he did not like Courtney. It's so annoying to hear you fans being like 'aw he liked Courtney. Duncney forever!'.

More like Duncney never.

The guy wasn't himself that season. Everyone was humiliating him for being nice. (Which was a good thing. Good development because of Gwen) + the fact that Gwen wasn't paying attention to him and he lost it. He wanted attention.

In fact, you could see him in the confessions shocked at his realisation that Gwen broke up with him for being nice.

HE SAID MAKE MORE GWUNCAN VIDEOS WHEN THEY BROKE UP.

And you're saying he lost feelings.

He cheated on Courtney- Yes. Duncan did. Numerous times so why point out the one time it was because two friends realised they loved each other?

But he wasn't the only culprit. Courtney also was going to cheat. She was about to kiss Justin in front of her boyfriend.

Neither of the two are victims.

But yes, I get it, they cheated but the relationship with Duncan and Courtney was doomed from the start.

Gwen hate is not tolerated ❌❌

Even if you hate the ship because they cheated but it is quite hypocritical if you hate on another character who kissed someone else while in a relationship. I'll list some people you guys should hate if you hate Gwuncan. -Bridgette and Alejandro (Bridgette cheated on Geoff and kissed Alejandro) -Geoff and Heather (Geoff called Heather the hottest girl in the show in front of Bridgette) -Lindsay and Justin (In TDA, she would allow Justin's flirting and gush over him while having a boyfriend, Tyler) -Lindsay and Alejandro (Same thing but in TDWT and she did this in front of Tyler but with Alejandro) -Lindsay and Trent (Buddy was laying on his lap in TDI and Trent was allowing her and calling her beautiful in front of his girlfriend, Gwen) -Trent and Heather (Trent kissed back to Heather when he was dating Gwen) -Beth and Justin (She had a boyfriend and openly admitted that Justin was better than Brady, and allowed his flirting and flirted back) -Duncan and Heather (Duncan flirted with Heather numerous times in TDI and TDA while dating Courtney) -Courtney and Justin (Courtney was about to kiss Justin willingly in front of her boyfriend, Duncan) -Beth and Harold (Beth kissed Harold while dating Brady) -Leshawna and Harold (She was dating Harold (?) and allowing flirting from Justin and Alejandro) So, I've listed quite a few here and obviously these are the more popular characters like Heather, Alejandro, Justin, Courtney, which barely anyone despise. But a lot of people who like those characters hate Gwen for stealing Courtney's boyfriend.

I just want to state that every couple has a different story. Not every couple is going to be formed from cheating or get back together after cheating hence, why no one likes talking about it. As well as the fact that you guys are the biggest hypocrites.

I will say it, I'm justifying for Duncan's cheating. You wanna know why? Because I'm not to admit the fault in his relationship with Courtney.

He was scared of Courtney

She was always in charge and he never got a say because normally that would end up in him getting kicked in the kiwis.

Don't believe me?

"... Just don't tell Courtney I said that." He stated in the confessions in TDA. This was the Top Dog episode or something. He was scared of her and had no way out. So, he voted her out thinking their relationship was over for good.

No. Once he won the money she happily ran over to him and kissed him so they could 'share' their money. Manipulation, gold digging.

Also, there were many times when Gwen was saying they weren't together when they kissed. Have you thought about that maybe Duncan and Courtney broke-up? More typically before Duncan left. Because Duncan was surely not interested in Courtney in TDWT and Gwen and Duncan have a bond. I guess Courtney took that as a joke.

But obviously people don't listen and she gave up trying to tell that they weren't even together.

If that didn't happen, it's because it's meant to be DRAMA. Okay? Stop hating bc it's pathetic hearing your complaints.

Duncan still loved Courtney- No. He never loved her.

He loved how angry she could get. That was what turned him on. If that's what you call love then you've clearly never been in a relationship because that shouldn't be the reason why you love them.

The guy seemed to genuinely like her in 3 scenes. Other than that, it was over her looks and her anger. Not love.

In TDAS, he didn't love her either.

He wanted attention. That's it. It's canon because I fucking said so.

Also because you've seen how he flirted with Courtney for two seasons (Frankly, too much Duncney 🤮). He's the same person. He could've still flirted with her. Especially since him and Gwen broke-up. That doesn't add up, huh?

He doesn't care about Courtney and Scott's relationship.

Attention. That's the only valid reason because he was definitely going through something and no one was paying attention. If they were, it was about how nice he was. He wanted to be a bad boy, not nice.

Guess who he thought would pay attention to him? Courtney.

Because she's like the loudest person ever and surely would punch him or something. This time, that wasn't the case and it would've made him want it more. It wasn't love, it was desire for attention.

And that triggered Gwen because she was focussed on one task. Make amends with Courtney.

And that was the end of Gwuncan.

Did Gwen lose feelings? I hope not but she was really focussed on winning her friend back that she forgot about her boyfriend.

Did Duncan lose feelings? No. He was confused asf about the break-up and seemed really downhearted in that one confession scene. That was to Gwen. Not Courtney.

It is boring- Says mfs who prefer Duncney and Gwent.

Here's Duncney's cycle: Duncan says something, Courtney gets really annoyed, Duncan gets turned on, they make-out, they argue (and Courtney hits Duncan), repeat. Here's Gwent's cycle: They look at each other and blush, Trent does something bad, Gwen is mad at him, she forgives him, later she is mad at him again, Trent does something again, and repeat.

This went on for a whole season for those couples and you're calling Gwuncan boring. Ykw, whatever. Everyone has an opinion but slandering a ship because it is too bland in outrageous. Just say you don't like it. Stfu.

You're just mad that the ppl of your ship weren't happy for the majority of their relationship. Deal with it.

Gwuncan were happy.

I've already explained TDAS situation so I won't delve into that again.

Also, that is a subjective reason to hate and slander a ship. Not everyone thinks that. That's literally 5th grader type of behaviour of the people who use this to make it seem like Duncney and Gwent are superior. They're not. It's called opinions.

Do you want the writers to hold your hand while you tell them that you don't like Gwuncan because it is too boring? You're not the only person watching the show and definitely not entitled to the show.

They're too similar- Absolutely not.

Rewatch the show if you think that. They're just not polar opposites.

No chemistry- Not every couple is yelling or sucking their tongues deep into the others' throats.

You're acting like they're standing there and like: "Hey, you're goth. Date me." "Ok." Buddy no. They did have chemistry. Their chemistry was just being there for each other. Being comfortable. No pressure, no planning, no pookums.

It's refreshing. Not overstimulating as they could be themselves around each other.

Their chemistry was built up. It wasn't like love at first sight like whatever Gwent was.

There isn't a rule book specifying what specific acts you have to do to 'have chemistry'. It's different. Not everyones' is the same and that's the thing about love. It's unique.

Only done for plot- If that was the case, they would've done like how they made Trent and Heather kiss. No build up or anything needed. (Because we already know Courtney overreacts a lot)

So, why did they build the couple up? Enlighten me.

The ship was definitely used for plot but their connection wouldn't have been like they were if it was only used for the plot.

They ruined the others' former relationship- You can't ruin a relationship when it was already ruined.

I'll start off with Gwent.

In the beach episode, Trent had started acting weird. (9 obsessions and Gwen obsession)

While Gwen was worrying about Trent, Duncan suggested a solution for the 9 thing. He wasn't manipulating or forcing her to believe him or trying to wreck the relationship. He was making a possible solution.

Even Harold was as he backed Duncan up that Trent had been acting like this after he figured Gwen liked Trent.

Where is Harold's hate? Harold was helping as well. But noo, Duncan, the big bad guy is the reason why they broke up. He wanted Gwen all to himself, right?

No. It was a solution which seemed reasonable. It was backed up by Harold and Trent's weirdness around Gwen. It wasn't to ruin it.

You know why this happened, because neither of the two could communicate. Guess where that led them? Breaking up.

Now Duncney.

I really don't understand what you guys mean that Duncney was ruined by Gwen because it was ruined the second Duncan had wandering eyes for other people. (Heather and Gwen)

The cheating (Which may or may not actually have been cheating) was just a way to finally end the couple.

Gwen didn't ruin it when Duncan wasn't even interested in the relationship. He was done with Courtney.

The only reason they got back together in Celebrity Manhunt was for the plot.

I feel like I'm justifying the cheating and I'm not but I also am. This was karma. Courtney's karma for the way she treated Duncan in TDA and TDI. Duncan's karma always returned to him but being beat up by Courtney throughout the seasons.

Mb. I didn't realise how much I've typed. Though, I'm sure there's more arguments but I can't really remember. Tell me if I've missed any.

[truths33k3r4]

CHAPTER 5 - The Stain of Guilt

The quiet of the living room was abruptly interrupted by the sound of shifting on the couch.

Mikey’s eyes wrenched tightly shut as he twisted and shuddered into his oldest brother’s shoulder. Squeaked whimpers escaped his lips, as his hands twitched and gripped the air. His plastron rose and fell in between sharp, quiet gasps through his clenched teeth.

“Mghhh….n-no..”

He buried his face deeper under Leo’s chin.

“Ghhhh…don’t…”

His hands unconsciously wrapped around Leo’s waist, striving for safety and comfort. Leo’s still slumbering form slowly leaned further into his shaking embrace. 

“Hhh.. stop.. HhHHh.. Stop…”

Mikey’s heart beat rapidly, pounding from the inside of his plastron. His quiet gasps quickly worsened as he began to frantically choke on each cracking breath.

“...Mgghhh...No…No!...NO!!!!”

Mikey shot up from the cushions of the couch, reaching his arm out to grasp something that wasn’t there. His dazed pupils searched around the room as his hand clasped onto his heaving chest.

Leo’s oldest brother instincts prevailed against his need for sleep as he too leapt to his feet, patting his shell down in a sloppy search for his missing katanas. He nearly slammed into the nearby coffee table in his dazed state.

“-WHHaaaaAAAT?!?! Whaaaaasss wrong?!?!” The oldest brother slurred and shouted as he scrambled to find his bearings, grabbing his phone from the table and holding it as if it were an impromptu weapon over his head. 

Mikey’s ears rang with the fading echoes of Don and Raph’s agonized screams. His heart pounded into his ribs, making him wince and press his trembling hand onto his chest. A pellet of fear fell down into the depths of his stomach, disintegrating the outer casing and unleashing a vile acid into his core. The hand squeezed to his chest shot up to clasp over his mouth as he felt noxious fumes expel a bitter taste into the back of his throat.

Oh crud. 

I cannot throw up in the middle of the living room- this is the ONE ROOM in the lair with a carpet- Dad will KILL ME.

Mikey recalled the time years ago when Klunk, his cat, had coughed up one heck of a hairball on that very carpet. Master Splinter banned her from that room for eternity, and would always chase the tortie out whenever she got close. 

His mind got ripped back from his loving memories of his cherished cat by the clawed grasp of the growing doom climbing its way up.

Swallow. 

J-JUST. SWALLOW!

With a shuddering but stubborn wince, he forced the acid back down his throat. Tears sprang to his eyes by the vile taste and lingering burn in his mouth.

Ughhhh that was so gross.

 I’ll just wash it down with some pizza later.

Both of Mikey’s hands hesitantly lowered from his mouth, planting themselves onto his thighs. His hunched shoulders relaxed, and he took a much-needed deep breath.

Chill. It was just a dream. It was all in your head. You’re fine. Leo’s fine. Don and Raph are-

alive and home.

To distract from the nausea, Mikey watched Leo as the leader blinked the sleep from his eyes and scanned the room for any intruders. His posture quickly tightened into a defensive stance as he gripped his phone with one hand and formed a slightly quaking fist with the other. Finding no enemies in the general vicinity, he began to search through the room, continuing to hold up his phone as if, in the scenario he did find someone, would beat them to death with it.

His search came to an abrupt halt when he turned around to see Mikey.

“W-whoa. Mike, you alright?” 

Leo’s tight fist opened as he reached out his hand to the youngest. Gentleness and concern masked over the tenseness in his eyes, as his voice quieted to a soothing chime in the settling winds of panic. A firm hand landed on Mikey’s knee as the eldest knelt down in front of him to be at the same eye level.

“Mikey. What’s wrong?”

DANG IT. Didn't think of his big brother senses going off...

“I-I’m fine. Everything’s goo-UGH- d.” 

Mikey’s hands shot right back up over his mouth at the feeling of acid creeping up his throat again. He didn’t mean to allow a gag to escape through his last word…When Mikey looked back up to see the eldest’s face, the concern flushed over Leo’s expression had multiplied tenfold.

“-Michelangelo! Are you sick? What’s going on? Do you feel warm? Chills?...” Leo reverted back to ‘Medic Mode’ faster than Mikey could scarf down a pizza, searching over his brother by taking his pulse, craning his neck to spot any injuries, and placing a cool palm on his forehead.

“Hmm no fever- Your color seems a bit greener than normal.. Pulse is a little elevated...” Leo mumbled to himself as he sandwiched the youngest’s face in between his hands. 

“Leo! I’m fiiiiine!” Mikey stated in an exasperated sigh. “I just… woke up weird.”

Leo’s icy irises constricted, peering into Mikey’s soul like they always did. The eldest’s mouth closed and slid into a thin line sitting slanted on his face. His firm palms squeezed into Mikey’s cheeks impelling an actually honest answer. Classic older-brother-speak for ‘You got two seconds to tell me the truth before I beat it out of you’.

Mikey sighed exaggeratedly as he gave in to the icy gaze that had made him crack under pressure for as long as he could remember. He’d never been that great at lying. Especially to his oldest brother who was capable of breaking any poor soul with his patented ‘disappointed mom’ look.

“Ok…fine. I…” Mikey raised his hand and began rubbing at the back of his neck, averting his eyesight from the piercing stare his oldest brother was shooting at him. “...It… it was just a n-nightmare.”

Leo’s laser-pointed gaze fizzled out instantly, leaving nothing but a fallen expression of understanding saturated in remorse. The cool palms surrounding Mikey’s face slowly released their grip, falling and landing onto the fabric of the cushions.

“Oh…I’m…I-I’m sorry.”

Mikey’s aqua eyes searched through the freezing tundra of his brother’s, looking past the dutiful worrying, and finding something far more unrelenting and destructive. The nausea quickly morphed into an unsettled pit of concern for his oldest brother.

He leaned over and placed his quivering hand onto Leo’s shoulder.

“It’s not your fault…I had the nightmare.”

“No…I guess it’s not…” Leo whispered to himself.

…not this time.”

Mikey barely caught the last wisps of Leo’s words.

“You can’t control when these things happen, bro.”

Leo averted his gaze to the floor as his muscles all tensed under Mikey’s palm.

No. Stop it.

Mikey tightened his grip on Leo’s shoulder.

“You didn’t know it would happen.”

“...Not being prepared made it happen.” Leo snarled to himself. His jaw was taut, and his eyes began to shine with moisture. Just as a tear was about to fall, Leo forcefully blinked it away as he shook his head and growled.

STOP IT.

“There was no way you could’ve prepared! Being ready doesn’t always keep things from happening!!” Mikey raised his voice with determination. “You didn’t know that would happen to them. You didn’t KNOW, Leo. You can’t be ready for something that you never expected would ever HAPPEN.”

Mikey grabbed Leo’s shoulders with both his hands, and yanked the oldest close, causing a quick yelp to escape Leo at the rough treatment.

“You are an amazing leader, bro. And you worked your shell off to make it so our brothers could come home. You searched for days! You barely ate.”

Leo’s eyes mimicked saucers as he remained pinned down by Mikey’s increasing grip. His breath hitched in weak gasps as his pupils continued to shrink. 

Mikey let out a steadying breath as he relaxed his grip on his brother’s battered shoulders.

“Why are you trying to redeem yourself when you’ve done nothing wrong?”

Leo’s crystal irises became tainted by the stain of guilt in his heart.

“THEY GOT CAPTURED ON MY WATCH, MIKEY.” Leo shouted, clamping his hands onto Mikey’s arms in a death-like grip. “I let them go to the junkyard! I FAILED TO KEEP THEM SAFE!!”

The sermon on Mikey’s tongue vanished as his breath was knocked out of him by his brother’s fury.

“I am their leader…” Leo’s own breath hitched as he let go of his grip on Mikey’s arms and placed his hand onto Mikey’s face. “...I am your leader. I…h-h-have to keep…you all…safe.” Leo’s voice shattered into millions of fragments as he rubbed his thumb over the tears flowing down Mikey’s eyes. 

“You…are my responsibility, little brother…” Leo whispered in choked attempts to keep from crying. “Sensei chose me to lead you. God chose me to protect you. All of you.

...And I failed.” 

“You didn’t. You didn’t fail, Leo.” Mikey brokenly whispered as he flung himself onto his brother, wrapping his arms around the eldest’s neck as they both fell to the floor with a *thud*.

“You didn’t fail.” Mikey tearfully whimpered as he clutched Leo tighter. “We’re all still here, bro. *hic* W-we’re all h-home.” 

Mikey felt the shudders of Leo’s breath and body as the eldest fought to stay together. Strong arms encompassed Mikey, trying to return the comfort. A weak breath filled Leo’s lungs, slowly being let out in an attempt at a calming sigh.

“..Thanks, little brother.” Leo whispered as he nuzzled his face deeper into the brother’s embrace.

But do you believe it?

“But…d-do you believe me?” Mikey asked in a shaky but hopeful voice.

Everything went silent.

“...No. 

M-maybe. 

I… I don’t know.”

SERIOUSLY?!?!?!

Before Mikey could pull himself together to deliver one HECK of a message to his stagnant brother, Leo spoke up one more time. His words were the most quiet they’ve ever been, and sounded like they were almost painful to speak.

“...P-please pray for me, Mikey…Please pray f-for me.”

Mikey’s eyes widened at his brother’s broken voice. It brought him back to the night Don and Raph were taken. 

The night he watched Leo fall apart right in front of him.

Mikey tried to calm his hiccups and sobs by clearing his throat and taking a quick breath.

God wasn’t the only One Who needed to hear this prayer.

“D-dear Lord.. Please h-help Leo. Um..please help him to n-not blame himse-elf. Help h-him to speak truth in his heart. Help him not to b-believe the lies in his head…

…H-help him to remember how much he is loved.” 

Mikey felt the cool sting of tears prickle the skin on his neck as Leo wept softly over his shoulder.

“..I l-love you, bro. Never forget that. N-never forget it.” Mikey whispered.

“You didn’t fail. You n-need to forgive yourself, bro. You need to-”

“- I can’t.” 

“Yes you can.”

“I can’t!...”

“You c-can do all things through Christ Who strengthens you, right?”

“I…”

“You can!”

“I… I-”

“You need to believe that, L-leo. You need to remember you’re already forgiven. What gives you the r-right to refuse? Who are you to not forgive yourself when Jesus has forgiven you for e-everything??”

Mikey held down a pained yelp as Leo’s embrace squeezed even tighter around his arms and plastron. Drips of the eldest’s long-restrained tears unleashed into thin, remorseful threads flowing down Mikey’s neck.

“God can see everything, right?... S-so.. He saw that you couldn’t have stopped Don and Raph’s capture from happening. He knows it wasn’t your fault.”

Mikey wasn’t positive, but Leo’s grip felt as though it would soon draw blood.

“You n-need to trust Him with that.

 You need to t-trust Him with us.”

Mikey looked up from where he laid, wrapped tightly in his brother’s grasp. His tearful gaze rose to the wooden picture frame hanging on the wall. 

Thank You for pulling us all through. Thank You for bringing us home.

Thank You for giving us all a second chance.

“...T-trust Him, Leo.”

That's it for this chapter! :) This was both a treat and a pain to write- mostly because of how I wanted Leo to react to Mikey's words.

Something you should know about each of the characters in my story- all of the turtle's main weaknesses are mine as well: Leo's pressuring himself, Raph's guilt and anger, Don's responsibility and need to be useful, Lotus' weariness to trust, and Mikey's fear and worry for his family. These are all things that I'm sure a lot of other people deal with as well. And these kinds of weaknesses can dig DEEP. They can be so very harmful.

That's why I wanted this chapter to bring to light how we combat our guilt, anger, worry, and fear. We bring it to the foot of the cross. We bring it to God, and give it to Him. We study His Word, and meditate on the truths to combat the lies of our heart. We need to trust Him. We need to trust Him with all of us. Our good, our bad, our past, present, and future. Nothing is out of reach of His forgiveness.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make straight your paths." ~Proverbs 3:5-6

I pray this chapter touches hearts. I pray it leads others to the light of the cross. I pray it lets them see that they're not alone.

To God be the glory.

~ Melissa

MASTERPOST <- PRIOR CHAPTER NEXT CHAPTER ->

[fire-fira]

30.) What is one common headcanon that you reject?

Honestly?

The idea that the "A Team" versus "B Team" crud is a thing in all universes when it specifically originated in the 2012 series.

You have no idea how much I haaaaaaaaaaate that dynamic between the boys. For me, it's fine enough when it comes up in stuff based around the 2012 reality, but when I see it generalized and applied to other realities it makes me bristle outright.

It's a very specific dynamic that-- in terms of casual use-- I utterly despise.

Unless the framework is laid in a narrative for that sort of fractured sibling dynamic to make sense in context, I hate it. I hate the hierarchy of it. I hate seeing it. I hate seeing it slapped on realities where it never existed. If an AU is made so that it does fit then that's fine and I won't complain, but in the vast majority of instances I see it crop up it's just casually used.

And yeah, I'm not going to complain on someone else's post or get pissy at someone over something they enjoy that clearly isn't for me, but you can bet that more often than not if I see anything that brings it up-- no matter how briefly-- then I'm just going to skip right on by and not waste my time.

Let my boys be on equal standing with their dumb sibling crud.

[TMNT Ask Game]

[justinspoliticalcorner]

The Left Hook with Wajahat Ali:

The septuagenarian somnambulist, Senator Chuck Schumer, once again demonstrated that the current crop of Democratic leaders are not built for this fight or made for this moment. In a stunning reversal, Schumer said he will break with his party and vote to advance the Republican spending bill to avoid a government shutdown. Schumer needs seven more Democratic votes to help push the GOP bill that will allow Trump and his co-President, Elon Musk, to redirect funding and continue slashing long-standing projects. Meanwhile, Schumer rationalizes his decision by suggesting a government shutdown would be a “gift” to Donald Trump by taking attention away from the tanking economy and the gutting of our institutions, such as the Department of Education, IRS, and USAID. However, who has all the power? It’s the Republicans. They have the Presidency, the Senate, the House, the Supreme Court, and the media, so why be complicit in their authoritarian agenda? Because it will look bad? Because some misinformed, bad faith actors will blame Democrats? Why not hold out, be strong and stay united with a Democratic caucus and force Republicans to find their 60 voters or be compelled to come back to the negotiation table? Why not use whatever leverage you have to get a better deal?

[...] There is a vacancy for leadership in the Democracy Party. It's a brand new ball game. The old rules, customs, and backroom deals don’t apply when you’re facing an aspiring authoritarian who just invoked the Alien Enemies Act, wants to undo birthright citizenship, and quotes Hitler to rationalize unleashing the military against “the enemy from within.” No one “deserves” a leadership position due to age, seniority, and their large donor class. This was the justification to make 74-year-old Rep. Gerry Connolly, who is currently fighting cancer, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee instead of Rep. AOC. 71-year-old Rep. Debbie Dingell was chosen over Rep. Jasmine Crockett to be the Chairwoman of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. Have you heard anything from Reps Connolly and Dingell? Have they inspired anyone to do anything of consequence in the past 2 months? Please let me know. I’d love to see the CVS receipts. [...] Civility and cowardice in the face of rising GOP authoritarianism is complicity. With Democrats like these, who needs Republicans? It's time for a new generation of fighters to step up and claim the mantle of Democratic leadership. Fighters will be embraced, welcomed, and rewarded by the majority.

Vichy Democrat Chuck Schumer (D) sold out the American people and the Democratic Party base by capitulating on the DOGE giveaway continuing resolution with his endorsement to vote yes. Even almost all the House Dems rightly voted NO on this crud.

It is time for him to step down as the Senate Minority Leader and leave the Senate entirely!

Call your Democratic Senators and tell them to hold the line by asking them to vote NO!

#NYSen #CapitulatingChuck #SelloutSchumer

See Also:

The Guardian: Chuck Schumer to vote for Republican funding bill to avert shutdown

HuffPost: Chuck Schumer Will Vote To Advance GOP Funding Bill, Signaling Surrender