#Mountain's March Madness

[switchplate-2]

Day 1 of Mountain's March Madness

Ghoul Pile....

Mountain is exhausted and has been working long and hard. Everything hurts, he hasn't been sleeping thanks to his rowdy pack. By the time he makes it down to the ghoul commons he's met with something that shocks him beyond words.

[lulublack90]

Prompt 22 - Mountain

@jegulus-microfic March 22 Word count 854

Previous part First part

James was fretting. It couldn’t be a good thing that both Black parents were at Grimmauld Place. He worried when Regulus was at Death Eater meetings as Voldemort was liberal with his use of the Cruciatus curse when his followers displeased him, but at least Regulus had a house to go to and didn’t have to keep up the facade for long. But with Orion and Walburga, he would always have to be on guard. Then there was also the selfish side that James tried not to think about too much. With Lord and Lady Black in residence, Regulus would never be able to slip away and see him, and James had gotten used to seeing him on a regular basis, what with all their adventures and Thestral meetings. 

Sirius, on the other hand, was trying to convince himself that everything was absolutely fine because if he didn’t, he was going to end up breaking the door down of number 12 and yank his boyfriend and his brother out.

For now, though, James had to calm himself as they had an order meeting. No one else in the order knew about their true mission apart from Dumbledore and Mad-Eye. 

Most of the Order was already sitting at the long table of whoever’s house they were using. James knew better than to ask. He and Sirius took their seats and chattered with the members they were friendly with. Frank and his new wife Alice sat quietly, whispering to each other and by the blush that kept creeping across Frank's cheeks, James didn’t want to disturb them. Mary had no such qualms. 

“Oi, Alice, stop telling Frank what you’re going to do to him after the meeting and say hello.” It was Alice’s turn to blush. 

“Sorry, honeymoon period.” She giggled sweetly. “How is everyone?”

James had to grit his jaw as Peter greeted him, chatting happily about his promotion within the Ministry. Sirius kept a tight hold of his arm under the table to keep him from ripping Pettigrew apart. They had to keep that secret. They’d deal with him in the end. 

Lily wandered in just as Mary finished telling everybody about the disastrous cake she’d tried to make.

“Nearly burnt the flat down. I don’t know how Mum does it.”

James slipped her a note as she settled herself into her seat. He didn’t think anyone had seen as they were still enraptured in Mary’s description of the insanely fit fireman who turned up after she panicked and forgot she was a witch.

“Right, can we get started then?” Mad-Eye grunted, stopping all talk of the way the fireman’s biceps stretched his t-shirt so much that Mary was surprised it didn’t just rip apart. “So, I’ve gathered you all here because—” He was interrupted by Marlene banging the door off the wall as she entered late.

“You’ve got exactly 20 minutes of my time, Mad-Eye. Dorcas is waiting for me, and she’s said she’ll start without me if I’m not back on time.” James watched as Alastor Moody closed his eye and took a few deep breaths before he confronted Marlene. 

“McKinnon, you’re late. Sit down and listen up.” His growling words were barely audible, but everyone in the room heard them. Marlene hurried over to Mary and took her place around the table. “Right as I was saying.” He glared at Marlene, who wasn’t embarrassed in the least. “Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a spy.” The room went silent. 

Dumbledore had already told him they needed to alert the others that there was a spy. They needed the other members to be more careful with what information they told whom and more secretive with where they were talking. Dumbledore didn’t want to reveal that they knew it was Peter, but he wanted to limit what true information he was able to glean from the others. 

James watched as Peter squirmed in his seat. He wanted so badly to just out him now and let the order have at him. But he knew how much Dumbledore wanted to use him. It made his blood boil.

Moody had a list of new rules that had to be followed in the letter. They were now under strict instructions not to tell even other order members what any of their assignments involved. “Now get out,” Moody ordered once the meeting was over. “I’ve got a mountain of paperwork to get through, and you’re all keeping me from it."  

“I wish we could go to Evan’s.”James huffed at Sirius once they’d left the meeting, “I need Barty to describe his plan on how to deal with Peter.” The bubbling anger was still just beneath the surface, and he was having trouble keeping it in. If Sirius had had his dog ears at that moment, they would have perked up. He suddenly apparated, leaving James standing alone in the alleyway entrance. 

A few moments later, Sirius’s dog patronus appeared. It opened its mouth, and Sirius’s voice called out. “Come on, loser, we’re waiting.” James felt the smile spread across his face as he apparated to Rosier House.       

Next part

[ketrinadrawsalot]

Bonus Penguin: The Albino Penguins were bred by the Elder Things long ago, but their purpose is unknown. They eventually lost their eyesight and pigmentation after moving to the subterranean ruins when Antarctica froze over.

[spinthetags]

SOUTH PARK MARCH MADNESS! ROUND 3, MATCHUP 2:

Happy voting! May the best song win!

[bongaboi]

New Mexico: 2023-24 Mountain West Men's Basketball Champions

On Wednesday, No. 6-seeded New Mexico entered the Mountain West Tournament firmly on the bubble—desperately needing at least two wins over No. 11 Air Force and No. 3 Air Force to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

When the final buzzer sounded Saturday, they became the first team in conference history to win four games in four days, earning a 68-61 victory over No. 5 San Diego State Saturday afternoon, clinching their fifth-ever MW Tournament title and first since 2017-18.

New Mexico also became the first No. 6 seed since 2002-03 (Colorado State) to win the MW Tournament—the only other No. 6 seed to win it. Though that previous bracket—with just eight teams (it did not have 11 until 2013-14)—lasted just three days.

The Lobos were led by dynamic All-Conference guards Jaelen House and Jamal Mashburn, who combined to score 49 of the team’s 68 points. House, who had a team-high 28 points, shot 10-of-22 from the floor and 3-of-7 from 3-point range. Mashburn tallied 21 points on 6-of-16 shooting with three triples as well, while JT Toppin finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds on 6-of-8 shooting, hauling in multiple key (offensive) rebounds down the stretch.

San Diego State, playing in their seventh consecutive Mountain West Title game, missed 13 of its final 14 shots after taking a four-point lead with 7:08 left. Jaedon LeDee was its only double-figure scorer, posting 25 points on 7-of-12 shooting with six rebounds.

New Mexico shot just 37.5 percent from the floor and 30.0 percent from 3-point range; SDSU shot just 35.7 percent and 20.0 percent from 3-point range. New Mexico forced 10 SDSU turnovers that led to 14 points off turnovers, while its four TOs didn’t lead to any additional Aztec points.

Three straight House triples gave the Lobos a nine-point lead with 6:44 left in the first half. Mashburn followed with a triple of his own before House’s fifth field goal of the contest widened their advantage to 32-18.

House and Mashburn ultimately scored 28 of New Mexico’s 36 points—including 24 of their final 26—in the first half, as the Lobos entered up by six. New Mexico shot 44.1 percent compared to San Diego State’s 44.4 percent. New Mexico held LeDee scoreless for the game’s first 17:30, swarming him on every catch inside 15 feet.

Waters��� three-point play followed by an eight-foot floater gave San Diego State their first lead of the evening. After Parrish’s first 3-pointer of the evening put San Diego State up four, two consecutive Toppin’ putbacks knotted the contest up at 57.

JT Toppin’s shot-clock beating finish gave New Mexico a 61-59 lead with 2:29 remaining. The knockout blow came with 1:20 left, when House’s drifting three-point play gave New Mexico its first two-possession lead in since the 14:30 left in the first half.

[coreene]

I decided to check out the Mountain Pass entrance to Shadowlands to see Kar'niss and the reactions from companions which made me chuckle

Astarion

By the gods. One of Lolth's abominations.

That drider's mad as a box of gremishkas.

Then again, you'd have to be mad to spend your days marching through this gloom.

Shadowheart

Our new friend with the myriad limbs seem to know this route well. I just hope we can keep the ruse up once we reach our destination...

And Gale... he has the best reaction to Kar'niss and it is the exact same one I made when I saw him for the first time

Gods, I hate spiders.

Same Gale, same.

[dailyadventureprompts]

Villain: Jysh'parun, Outergod of Unwelcoming Earth

As distant and ancient as a mountain, as scornful as an axebitten tree

Many philosophies debate and negotiate the relation of mortals to their environment. Some see nature as a thing to be tamed in the name of survival, domesticated, exploited. Others proffer a more symbiotic path, a holistic system to be protected and stewarded.

Beyond these there are the ravings of those claimed by Jysh'parun, who claim that mortals have no right to exist at all, and survive merely by the beneficence of the trees and stones. While all but the most foolish agree that heed must be paid to nature, none but those under the unwelcoming earths dominion would think that there is some geological-feudal hierarchy to which we must all submit.

This then is the paradox of the Unbowing Mountain: a god that claims the worship of things that do not traditionally think, but views nature through a distinctly mortal lens of domination and hierarchy. It's an absurdity bordering on being a joke, atleast until Jysh'parun's influence washes over the land and the forest marches off to war while the rivers start demanding tribute.

Adventure Hooks:

Having come into possession of a disused tract of land, a young farming couple were picking the stones from their new field in preparation for planting when they came across the petrified remains of some indescribable horror. Resembling nothing so much as a horse sized mandrake-root with teeth, they've reached out to neighbours, the sheriff, even the local wizard looking for advice about what to do... only to wake up one morning and find the thing gone. Theft or reanimation are both equally alarming possibilities, and the whole region has been on edge since.

Having been thought dead for years after being lost in a winter storm, a dwarven cartographer descends from the mountains claiming to be their mouthpiece and demanding sacrifices in their name. Her words at first go unheeded, at least until the glacial rivers begin to run with noxious acid, transforming back only when something living is thrown in. Farms and villages are drying out and grisly offerings of livestock now fail to meet her standards she claims the mountains will only be satisfied when the people of the realm throw their rulers in and swear fealty to the peaks on high.

The king's palace is in chaos after a coup took place in the royal gardens, specifically when the great tree that shaded his majesty's favourite thinking bench stabbed him in the back with one of it's branches and then skampered off to replant itself on the throne with the crown in tow. Before Anyone knew what was happening, greenery had overtaken the palace locking most outside while trapping certain vital hostages inside.

Inspirations: Something that's all too often lost in the "madness and tentacles" misinterpretation of eldritch horror is that much of the genre is spun off from the particular phobias of HP lovecraft. When we use the iconography without understanding the anxieties behind it, we risk creating a shallow B movie version of the horror we want our audience to feel.

To write good horror then, we need to draw off fears we understand, and with Jysh'parun I wanted to tap into climate anxiety in a way I don't think I've seen before. We've all resigned ourselves to the fact that climate change is happening, with the understanding that its being driven by the bullheaded egos and greed of people who are so powerful their perspective on life bears no resemblance to anything we could possibly conceive of. Translate their willingness to let us suffer for the sake of profit into a psudo historical fantasy context and you get the Unwelcoming Earth: widening sinkholes that demand tolls from passersby while an approaching tsunami proclaims the divine right of kings. It's not only absurd it's fundamentally idiotic but that it doesn't mean it won't destroy you and everyone you know.

Worshippers: Delusional druids and geomancers. Goliaths and dwarvenkind who get too into being "children of the mountain". Sentient trees, Living crystals, and other elemental entities who seek to put themselves "above" other forms of life. Corrupted primoridals.

Signs: Aberrations that resemble roots or stone spontaneously emerging from nature, acid flowing from normally clear running springs, statues of lordly alien figures carved from erosion, not tools. Proclimations in an unknowable script engraved deep under the earth or on monumental scale.

Symbols: A glyph resembling a mountain range or branches of a tree in the shape of a crown.

Titles: The Unbowing Mountain, The Insuperable, King of all Corners,

Artsource

[wondernus]

— CRUSHED!

SYNOPSIS: you don't know what's more embarrassing: crying in front of your brother's best friend or your brother himself.

PAIRING: xmh x reader

GENRE: fluff, light angst

TAGS: older brother's best friend trope, older brother!wjh, an ode to xmh & wjh as the older brother x best friend duo in hidden love, younger sibling!reader, dumb and dumber siblings

WC: 951

MESSAGE FROM NU: I love me a dumb and dumber sibling duo!!! summoning @autumn-lv

xu minghao sits by your side, awkwardly hovering his hand over your head before he decides it's okay to pat it. you feel the way his hand pushes down your hair and touches your scalp without it hurting at all. he does it a few times, his large palm tapping against the top of your head before he brings it backwards to gently stroke the back of your head.

there is a crushing weight of despair that smothers your heart and drags tears from your eyes. you're absolutely defeated by the fact that you didn't make it into the astronomy program that was on the top of your list. and you're absolutely embarrassed by the fact that you broke down on the sidewalk in front of your house, leading to minghao sitting by your side and offering a warm shoulder to cry on while your brother stomps around in front of the two of you, throwing enough profanities into the air to make the elderly neighbor shut their windows. you don't know if you're crying from your broken dreams or from the embarrassment from your brother's hot friend or your brother himself.

junhui grabs a fistful of his hair before letting go. minghao nudges your arms with his elbow and points at your brother with his other hand. your eyes land on the mountain of hair on top of his head, still scrunched by how jun grabbed his hair in an act of annoyance. seeing how silly your brother looks makes you smile a bit before your sadness washes over you.

your brother takes his phone out of his pocket and unlocks the screen. “tell me their names,” he tells you in a rushed manner. “i’ll send them an email.”

“why do you want to send them an email?” you wail. “don’t do that! you’re going to get me blacklisted.”

he looks at you with bewilderment in his eyes and marches over to where you’re sitting to shove his phone in your face. “i’m just trying to find out why you didn’t get into the program. you think sending them an email is going to get you blacklisted?”

“it’s embarrassing,” you moan into the palm of your hands. you can feel minghao attempting to soothe you by rubbing your back. but it only causes a fiery heat to concentrate in your cheeks. you can’t believe you’ve somehow ended up having your unrequited crush try to make you feel better like how you would imagine an older sibling is supposed to do so…your brother is an exception.

junhui squats in front of you with a frown on his face. “what’s wrong with failure? do you think that minghao and I got into every single program we wanted?

minghao’s hand pauses from stroking your back. he slowly retracts his hand to fold neatly in his lap.“I actually did…” he mumbles.

“you’re not helping!” jun directs at his best friend.

“why are you yelling at him?” you yell back at your older brother. you can’t believe he could yell at someone as kind and smart as his best friend.

 “because he’s not helping!” he argues back.

“he’s helped me more than you have. and you’re my brother.”

“all he did was sit there and pat your back while i’ve been manifesting and cursing them on your behalf. what else do you want me to do?” junhui makes an exasperated expression that drives you insanely mad. you want to grab fistfuls of his hair while ripping them out of his scalp.

unwarranted frustration and anger builds inside you. you know your brother is just trying to help, but you can’t help but to direct your feelings towards him. you know better so you will yourself to shut up, but tears well up in your eyes. “I don’t know what I want you to do,” you cry, “you showed up with minghao and then started bothering me instead of going inside.”

“well, sorry for forgetting my keys. I would open the door if my younger sibling let me inside, but I wanted to make you happy so you don’t flood our house with your stupid tears.” 

before you can pull a fist on your brother, minghao steps in by throwing his arms out to separate the two of you. minghao waves for your brother to back off to which your brother has no choice but to acquiesce. 

“okay. you wanted to enroll in the vegetation and topography internship, right? I have a friend getting his graduate degree in environmental science. I don’t know how much it can help you, but I can ask him to tutor you and ask around for more internship opportunities,” minghao offers with his warm voice and a soft smile. 

“no.” junhui shakes his head. “i’m not letting you near a grad student when you’re by yourself. i’ll go with you.”

“why would I go with you?” you huff. “you’re just going to annoy us. then I wouldn’t be able to concentrate. then I wouldn’t be able to get into the next program. it’s going to be your fault.”

“I- that’s not the point I was trying to make. also, who’s the one annoying us right now?”

“how about…” minghao cuts the two of you off, “how about I go with yn? i’ll attend every tutoring session with them so you don’t have to worry.” he turns to you with a sheepish look on his face. “your brother is just worried about you, so don’t be so harsh on him. alright?”

“okay.” you shoot your brother a look before smiling brightly at minghao. the future is slowly looking brighter than you imagined it to be, and it’s all thanks to minghao.

[yuesya]

Gunther runs.

Behind him, there is a bestial roar, followed by a shrill human scream –one that cuts off into horrifying silence all to abruptly with a wet snap, the sound of tearing flesh and snapping bones. Something splatters heavily against his back. Damp, and warm.

Gunther continues running, forcing his legs to move faster, and faster.

It’s all he can do.

Terrifying monsters and ferocious beasts dominate these lands, and humans cower beneath them all. There are many who turn to the gods that walk among them instead, seeking protection, and yet–

And yet–

…

In old legends passed down by storytellers, this land had been ruled by humans, once. It had been an age of peace, and prosperity. But such times are long past, if they had ever truly existed at all. The current reality that they live in is a land where monsters prowl and beasts run wild, and of the few gods who remain…

Relying on the gods? Who could Gunther and his people rely on? The most powerful among the divine host are the beast-gods, and beasts do not care for humanity. Of the ones who are benevolent to humanity… 

The God of Fruit’s power is slowly diminishing, the bounty of her territory gradually declining with every passing season. And the most powerful among them, the God of Rain, had been slain in battle by the Wolf-king. So far, both the God of Fallen Leaves and the God of Mist that Gunther and his kin have approached following that catastrophe declined to accept them. To add more humans under their protection at such a juncture would be a strain, a burden. 

In order to at least ensure the safety of our own.

And so Gunther’s people march on, searching for a place where they can receive protection. Where they can call home.

Hopelessness. Desperation. Despair.

… But giving up is not an option. To give up is to die.

It’s for this very reason that Gunther continues running, running, running, determinedly tugging along his kinsmen beside him. He grabs wildly at the children who falter and stumble, all through the mind-numbing panic of his pulse thundering in his ears–

“DON’T STOP!” he bellows, through the cracked lines of his lips and his dry, burning throat. Through the exhaustion that batters away at his body, the invisible stones weighing down his limbs. “DON’T–”

The ground beneath his feet shakes, and Gunther trips, falls. Hot air scalds his body from behind, the bloody breath of the monstrous hound hunting him and his kinsmen for sport, and the dark shadow of its titanic bulk descends upon him–

–then, freezes.

Only for a moment, the monster inexplicably freezes in its tracks, ceasing its movements entirely.

Gunther is not about to take such an opportunity for granted; he instantly clambers to his feet to continue running. This causes the monster to growl as its prey escapes. Gunther chances a brief glance backwards, only to see the muscles on its body clench as it prepares to continue its chase–

But suddenly, its body slackens, and falls. 

The colossal mountain of a beast just –falls. Plummets to the ground in an ungainly, graceless heap, toppling down. The force of its fall is enough to send another earthquake through their surroundings, and Gunther slips in the mud once more. Something in his chest spikes from the sudden panic, at the knowledge that the beast is right there–

But the beast has fallen.

It falls, and… does not move again.

… 

Gunther stares, wide-eyed. 

It is in this moment, when his mind is still struggling to comprehend that this nightmarish monster is dead, that he finally realizes that there’s… something off about their surroundings. He hadn’t really been paying attention to it, during the mad rush to escape, but now that the imminent danger is gone… Gunther realizes that it’s far too quiet. The silence in their new, unknown surroundings is… unnerving. Unnatural.

Which doesn’t mean anything good.

Gunther sweeps his gaze out and rapidly scans the surrounding landscape. Left, and right. There’s nothing but muddy earth and light shrubbery. Desolate, and empty, save for his fellow kin around him who’ve also gradually slowed their footsteps at the beast’s sudden, inexplicable demise.

But… there’s nothing to explain it. Nothing to explain why the bloodthirsty monster pursuing them suddenly just –just dropped dead out of nowhere. There’s absolutely nothing to explain–

–no.

No, there is.

With a sudden start, Gunther realizes that he and his people aren’t alone here.

For above them, there is a young girl sitting in the barren branches of an old oak tree. 

A small slip of a girl, a little child who looks entirely out of place with her surroundings, pale-skinned and white-haired and dressed in nothing more than a single formless swathe of pristine white cloth wrapped around her body.

Most damningly of all, though, are her disinterested eyes that look down upon Gunther and his kin are a deep, abyssal blue. Blue, but not wholly blue, for there is an iridescent sheen that flickers within those dispassionate, inhuman eyes.

She’s not human. A god?

A sudden shiver runs down Gunther’s spine as he finally recognizes what he’s seeing. There’s no doubt about it.

Yet, at the same time…

“You are the one who saved us, aren’t you?” Somehow, Gunther manages to find his voice. Then, he swiftly bows his head, “Thank you.”

There is a long silence, in which the not-girl does not respond.

“… The dog was annoying.” Eerie blue eyes finally turn away from him, after that non-answer.

The appearance that she possessed, the aura that she exuded, the strength that she so very clearly wielded… there was no doubt about it. Despite wearing the form of a small, young child, there was no doubt that the entity sitting in the tree atop Gunther was a god.

A god who was… alone.

Was it because she was young, that she had no worshipers?

… But even if that was the case, she was still a god. A young god who was strong enough to kill the monster that had nearly wiped out Gunther’s clan without even moving from where she sat.

Gunther makes his decision.

“Please.” He knows full well that could be killed on the spot, for the impertinence to brazenly ask anything of a god. To ask for more, even after the god had already saved them, when they had no obligation to do so.

But Gunther also knows that his kinsmen can’t continue on like this –wandering aimlessly across the lands, constantly having their lives uprooted as they flee from monsters too powerful for mortals to face, always on the run.

“Would you… be willing to give us your protection?” he asks.

“Why?”

Does she not know? No… no, that couldn’t possibly be the case. Then… is this a test?

“Monsters such as the one you just killed number many upon these lands, and we lack the strength to defend ourselves” Gunther bows his head as he replies, forcing himself to steady his voice as best as he can, and slowly sinks to his knees. “My clan has no home, and we grow weary of endless wandering. We do not wish to die like this, as we inevitably will if we continue on as we are. Please, allow us to remain upon your lands. We would serve as your loyal worshipers, o mighty god.”

… There is no response. In this interval of silence, the wind sighs softly. A quiet breeze sweeps gently over them all, and even reaches up to lightly tousle the snow-white strands of the unknown god’s hair.

Gunther remains kneeling, staring fixedly at the ground in front of him while his fingers curl and dig into the dark, cold earth.

He doesn’t know how long he remains in this position. A single instant, perhaps, or maybe even an eternity.

…

“… Decarabian,” the god-child’s voice finally sounds in the air, and Gunther’s head snaps up –just in time to catch the sight of the divine entity uncurling her legs. She stands up gracefully, a movement that briefly reveals a pale expanse of flawless skin upon her limbs.

And it is with those unblemished legs that she descends from her high perch, barefooted. Dark blots immediately soil that fair, milky skin as her feet sink deep into the dirt and mud beside Gunther and his fellow kin.

“You may address me as ‘Decarabian,’” she says. “And… I don’t need worshipers. But you can stay.”

[switchplate-2]

Day 14 - A rough rut

They know it’s coming; it could strike at any point in the next three to five days, and last for another three to five. Mountain could feel his rut coming, like a thunderstorm in the distance, deep rolling thunder threatening the storm to come. This was going to be a strong one, he could feel his need to breed in the back of his skull scratching to get out. He was standing in the greenhouse surrounded by his kin. His claws dug into the workbench as he fought to keep control, his words came out as a low growl, “Out, everyone out now. Whatever you are doing, drop it and go. It’s coming and I need you all out of here immediately.” Thankfully his kin knew ahead of time that this was a possibility and they all scurried out quickly. He knew he only had a small window to make it to the commons before he was going to put out the pheromones that would trigger the others.

[borderlinebelle]

🌎🔮👁️

I JUST finished filming my first real full length YouTube video for the first time in over 2 years! 😳

I don’t even think it’s shit. i think … i think it’s quite vulnerable and thoughtful and cute and fun and silly and honest and open and it resembles the workings of my mind in recovery.

wanna maybe idk discuss mental health with me or whatever?

Shit has been weird here [🌎] for a while 👁️ no?

let’s start with decatastrophizing! 🤭

mountains into mole hills 🤝

ur invited friend, to watch me scale my “hard thing” RAW & here’s hoping it inspires you to SCALE your “hard things” too bestie!!

scaling “hard things” together! on my channel and through my tumblr ramblings & through all my art mediums i share happily and humbly with you 🤭

because those “hard things” are always so much more mf easy with a friend 🤷🏽‍♀️

{even if it’s just an internet friend🤘🏽(often the best type)}

see the dramatic af photo below ⤵️

in it, i am fully delusional, rubbing a $12 fur coat in my barely breathing Nissan Sentra 2014. i am about to film the surprise middle to my FIRST FULL EPISODE IN 2 YEARS that i FIRMLY believe 👁️ will begin a long and weird and successful career in ART and CONTENT and CULTURE creation surrounding mental health and recovery and the STATE OF THINGS AROUND HERE ↪️🌎🌍🌏↩️

i did it folks..

I’m back.

EPISODE ONE : SUNDAY MARCH 2ND

👍🏽LINK BELOW👍🏽

BUT YOU CAN’T LEAVE

LEAVE CAN YOU? ….

& i know i still have to ✍🏽 EDIT the episode 😅 but …

you don’t know me. Oh.

I’m Borderline Belle. Hi friend! 😅 wow and i trapped you here in this AD so EARLY in our friendship.. but luckily you are fine. 🤭

You are after all my #1 employee. 🙂

and i am after all that: little miss every mf thing & with a CLEAR GOAL of finishing something as soft and heartwarming AS A FIRST EPISODE TO YOUR NEW FAVORITE GUILTY GIGGLE (made just for you) 🤤 to devour on SUNDAY MARCH 2ND to beat off the Sunday Scaries …

I’VE ALREADY BEGUN!

DEAR TUMBLR: im real sORRY I MADE YOU LOOK AT ALL THIS. DONT BE MAD AND FREAK OUT IN THE COMMENTS PLS. ILL CRY. IS MARKETING. PLS. TY.

If you run up my subscriber count WITH notifications turned on: i promise 🙂 it’s likely 🙂 I’ll never darken your doorstep ever again weary tumblr user. 😈

[disco-tic-wonderland]

Doing a yellow/red furies run, and when I found the ledger, Hand/Eye Coordination noted there’s a fuckton of notes. Kim comments on that approvingly.

Then upon inspecting it,

DAMAGED LEDGER—It’s *inornate.* Nearly illegible, yet marching in orderly lines.

PAIN THRESHOLD—Written in a rush. In pain. A race to beat your own heart’s pulse to some dark finish line.

INTERFACING—Your hand cramps up merely looking at the scribbles, drawn—as by some magnet—to the red chequered margins. Fast, but always *straight*…

YOU—Who is this person?

PAIN THRESHOLD—Wearing out. Nearly gone. Sometimes he forgets to keep the pen on the paper as he moves his hand and the lines vanish from underneath…

How heartbreaking and poetic and fascinating. Showing that even in these past few months, Harry was burning himself out with his workload to an extinguishing point. It speaks to his dedication, and see where it got him. It speaks to his utter fear of being left in the dust.

I think it’s sad that Kim approves of this evidence of being a good little cop doing your mountain of paperwork, when clearly it’s not just destructive—it’s like Mozart near the end of Amadeus where he’s in a mad dash to pen his own Requiem before he dies, in the process killing himself faster.

Kim could end up like that, with the right nudge, burning himself out on the work, and he doesn’t even see that that’s what he’s looking at in Harry’s notes.

[spinthetags]

SOUTH PARK MARCH MADNESS! ROUND 4, MATCHUP 1:

Happy voting! May the best song win!

[late-to-the-party-81]

Colourblind

AN: this was written for Roo’s Mini March Madness and my prompts were Shoelaces, plaid shirt and panties in the mouth. I hope this tickles your fancy @darkficsyouneveraskedfor

Beta’d by Tits McGee herself, @yarnforbrains 

Dividers by @firefly-graphics and moodboard/banner by me 

Master list

Relationship: Dark! Steve Rogers x Reader

Word Count: 3.5k

CW: THIS IS A DARK FIC! Non-Con, Steve is a ‘nice guy’, Manipulation, Invasion of privacy, Kidnap, Knocking out (through removal of air flow), Forced Orgasm, Somnophilia, Bondage, ‘Basement Wifing’, Delusion.

With your eyes closed and your arms outstretched, you took a deep breath and took in the fresh air, feeling the warm sun on your skin. This was the new start that you needed. 

When the way that you worked changed due to  the pandemic, you took the opportunity to make the most of remote working and gave up the parts of the corporate rat-race you hated. You sold your soul-less apartment in the city and moved up-state to the rolling hills and tall mountains, where you could reconnect with nature and heal your inner self.

Years of stress, compounded by bad relationship after bad relationship had left you hankering for solitude. You still had some parts of your job that had to be done in person, but travelling back to the city for two nights a month didn’t seem so bad when the rest of the time you would be here, in your simple woodland sanctuary.

This move hadn’t been done totally on a whim; you’d done research into where you could be that was out of the way enough, but wouldn’t leave you struggling with all the chores needed. In the end you’d managed to find a place that had an electricity supply for lights and an internet connection, so you wouldn’t have to worry about a generator, but still required a wood burner for heating and hot water. That you could manage. Your mail would go to a PO box at the general store in the local town, and you planned to go once a week to stock up on the basics.

You’d arrived yesterday and spent most of the time since your arrival unpacking and sorting. But this morning when you’d awoken, the sun coming in through the curtains had been so inviting there was no way you could immediately resume your inside tasks without doing a little exploring and getting that peace that you’d moved here for.

You did have a vague idea of what the local area was like - you’d researched that as well, but you hadn’t had the chance to explore on foot before your arrival. You knew that in addition to  the rough road that led to town, there was a small path, worn by pairs of feet over the years, to the neighbouring property that sat about 2 miles away. You supposed now was as good a time as any other to introduce yourself to your new neighbour - it would be a blessing if you could be on good terms with them.

You made your way along the narrow track, enjoying the way the trees formed a canopy, letting dappled light through. The area was teeming with life, and you saw more flowers in 100 yards than you ever saw from the window of your old apartment. In the distance, you saw a few deer, and you stilled and held your breath as they lifted their heads, scented you on the air, and then disappeared further into the trees. Then, on top of that were all the birds. You had no interest in ornithology, but even your untrained eyes and ears could pick out half a dozen different species. All in all, the walk was exactly what you’d hoped it would be - a soul soothing experience. Hopefully, if all went well with your neighbour and you made a new friend, it would be one you’d repeat regularly.

The path in front of you widened and the trees thinned, and between them you could see another cabin, similar to your own. As you approached, you could hear a rhythmic noise, and it took you a moment to realise it was the sound of wood being competently split with an axe. You blinked as you came out of the shade, using your hand to shield your eyes, and you followed the sound around the side of the cabin, ready to meet your neighbour.

You didn’t know exactly what you were expecting, but the apparent ‘Greek God come to life’, there in front of you, was not it. He was tall - well over 6 foot - with broad shoulders straining the seams of his plaid shirt, a narrow waist and a denim-clad ass that looked like you could easily bounce a dime off it. You stepped on a small branch that cracked under your foot and he spun round, as if anticipating trouble. You were mesmerised though. His hair, both on his head and in his beard, glowed golden in the sunlight. His blue eyes, as deep and dangerous as the ocean, held yours captive, even as they narrowed. Your body thrummed with desire, a feeling that was almost alien to you. And there was just something about him that struck you as… familiar?

“Who are you?” His voice was gruff, like he hadn’t used it in a while, although you supposed if he lived here alone and had no-one to talk to regularly, that was highly likely. You swallowed and plastered a smile onto your face, forcing your strange reaction down. You held out your hand.

“Umm, hi! I’m your new neighbour. Just moved into the cabin at the other end of the trail.” You managed to give him your name as you trailed off. You were worried for a second at his unwelcoming expression and the way he was still holding his axe, but then his lips twitched, and he swung the axe down into the chopping block. With one stride, he was suddenly closer, enclosing your hand in his much larger one.

“Nice to meet you, neighbour. I’m Steve. And welcome to the neighbourhood.” He chuckled at his little joke, and it put you at ease. “What brings you to this little slice of paradise?” He released your hand, and you found that you missed the warmth of his.

“Looking for a quieter life, really. I don’t need to be in an office all the time to do my job, so I thought I might as well pack up, move out, and lead a simpler life.” 

He looked at you, eyes searching as though trying to work out what to make of you.

“‘I’? Not ‘we’?”

You looked down at your feet, feeling small under his gaze, and started to pick at your nails.

“Definitely ‘I’. I’m hoping some time out here -  to myself - will make me better at identifying red flags.”

Steve snorted.

“Well, all the green out here should help.  What have you got planned for the rest of your day?”

His friendly attitude had you looking back up at him.

“A bit more unpacking, a bit of wood chopping for the stove, and then a run into town to sort out my PO Box and get some groceries. It’s probably going to be a bit of a rush after taking time out for a walk and coming to meet you, but I just needed to connect with nature, you know?”

“I understand perfectly, doll. ‘S why I’m out here too. Had to get away from it all and spend some time by myself. Still do a bit of consulting, every now and again, but I’m lucky enough that I don’t need to work regularly any more. Oh, and don’t worry about wood chopping - I’ve got more than enough here - I tend to go a little overboard, get lost in the repetitive action. How about I drive some round to you in a bit, and then I can give you a lift down into town? I gotta go anyway, and it seems silly for us to both use up fuel.”

You started a little at the suggestion. It felt wrong to accept the help from him, having only been acquainted for less than half an hour, as well as the ‘stranger danger’ aspect. But… it would make your life easier, and you weren’t getting any ‘weird’ vibes from him since his initial confrontational facade had worn off.

“If you’re sure you really don’t mind?” 

He smiled down at you and it lit up his face.

“Would I offer if I minded? And besides, it’s the neighbourly thing to do. Shall I come round about midday? We can head on down and then I can show you the best place to eat in town. Sound good?”

You nodded in agreement. “Sounds good, Steve.”

It was the beginning of your friendship. Steve kept you supplied with chopped wood and drove you both down to town once a week, and in return you walked over to his cabin every couple of days, bringing him pies and cookies and your conversation. When you were in town, you started shopping for groceries, and Steve would collect both your and his mail, and you’d meet up at the dinner. It was nice and uncomplicated, and you were happy to have a male friend that didn’t set your alarm bells ringing.

3 months later

“Steve?” 

It was Thursday morning, one of your regular days for coming over to see your neighbour. You’d felt a bit like ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ this morning as you’d placed the apple pie in your old style basket so you could carry it over to Steve’s cabin without damaging it. 

You were hoping that he was in a better mood today. It was clear to you that something had been bothering him the last couple of weeks. He seemed to be more worried about your safety, trying to get you to stay longer and offering to come over and check on you more often. You weren’t sure what had started his paranoia. Maybe you could drag it out of him today over a slice of pie?

However, when you arrived in the clearing and made your way around the side of his house, he wasn’t there chopping wood like he normally was. His truck was still out front though, so maybe he was inside. You trotted back around, climbing up the veranda steps to rap on the door.

“Hello! Steve?” The door was slightly ajar, and you called through the gap.

“I’m in here, honey!”

Honey? Why was Steve calling you that? Odd.

You pushed the door open and walked in. Steve was standing in the corner by his stove, a cast iron skillet resting on the top, with something sizzling within it. He wiped his hands on a dish towel and turned towards you, a wide smile on his face. You smiled in return, glad to see he was in a better mood today.

“What have you brought me, doll? You know your baking is the highlight of my week.”

You waved your hand at him in a shoo-ing gesture, feeling heat travel up your neck and to your cheeks.

“Steve! Don’t embarrass me. And if my cooking is the highlight of your week, then you need to get out more.”

He cocked his head to the side, eyes sparkling.

“But I don’t wanna get out more. Sorta the point of living all the way up here, just like you.”

He had a point

“Touche.”

You breezed past him, your cotton dress swishing around your knees, as you made your way to his kitchen counter, placing your basket upon it and lifting out the pie. Steve came up behind you and peered over your shoulder. Part of your brain was disturbed by how close he was to you, but the other part reassured you that it was just Steve. He was so big that he felt close, no matter where he was in the room in relation to you.

“Oooh, apple! How’d you know it was my favorite, doll?”

You turned your head over your shoulder to look up at him. He really was a handsome man, and if you weren’t set on your path of self improvement and being man-free, you could easily do something stupid, but you didn’t want to lose his friendship.

“Who doesn’t like apple pie?”

He chuckled.

“You won that point, sweetheart. Will you stay for lunch? I’m cooking steak.”

You were sorely tempted. It did smell delicious, and all you had planned for you back at your cabin was grilled cheese and some soup. As you contemplated you nibbled your lower lip.

“I really shouldn’t. I’ve got some work to do, and I don’t want to impose.”

“Don’t be silly, honey. You fit right in, in here. Makes it feel more homely when you’re around. But how come you’ve still got work?”

“You know, cos I work.”

His brow furrowed.

“No, you don’t.”

What?

“Umm, yes I do.”

“You are silly, doll. You did work, but you resigned, remember?”

You spun around to face him and found yourself trapped between his large frame and the counter, his arms barricading you in. A prickle of unease made its way up your spine.

“No I didn’t. I think I’d remember if I resigned from the job I love.”

“But you love me more than that silly job though, don’t you, honey? You resigned so you could be with me. Live here and keep me company and have our babies.”  He smiled at you. A smile you didn’t recognise on his face. Ducking under his arm you stomped across the room.

“I don’t know what type of joke you’re trying to make, Steve, but it’s not funny.

You started to make your way towards the door, but found yourself pulled to a stop by Steve’s arms wrapping around you. In other circumstances this would be wonderful, but with the way Steve was acting and things he was saying, you were entirely freaked out.

“Steve! Let me go! I’m not in the mood. I want to go home and I’ll speak to you later when you can be nice.”

You repressed a shiver as his face came down to your neck, his nose sliding up it, followed by his beard, that rasped and tickled over your sensitive skin.

“I am being nice, honey. And you don’t need to go anywhere. You are home.”

You tried to break out of his hold, but his arms were like steel bands around your frame.

“Steve! It’s not funny any more. I have work to do.”

He growled low in his throat, and you froze.

“I told you, you don’t have work any more. You might not have sent the letter, but I knew you wanted to be here with me. It was easy to get their address from your payslip when I picked up your mail. Told them you didn’t want to be contacted, and they just had to accept it.”

As his words settled in your brain, your struggles began anew, and with more vigour. Steve wasn’t just being strange, he was downright deluded! You kicked at his shins and tried to wriggle out of his grip, chanting “Let me go! Let me go!” But all Steve did was shush you, like you were a toddler having a tantrum.

“Shh, shh, honey. Don’t be like this. You accused me of not being nice, but what is this, huh?”

One of his large hands came up over your mouth, and he pinched your nose between his finger and thumb. Your eyes went wide with panic as your head started to swim.

“Calm down, doll. Take it easy. That’s it. That’s it. Sleep now.”

Your vision went spotty as your heels kicked ineffectually against him, your lungs burning as you started to run out of air. Then it all went dark.

Your body trembled, waves of pleasure running through you, despite the uncomfortable ache in your shoulders and arms. The ecstasy continued, and you whined, not knowing if you wanted it to stop or continue. It had been so long since you’d felt it and…

Your memory returned like a flood. Your eyes shot open to see Steve’s blue eyes looking up at you from between your legs, where he was feasting on your cunt, bringing you to your peak even as you lay unconscious. Those pools of ocean blue danced when he saw your awareness come back in, and he sucked harder, tipping your traitorous body back over the edge, moans leaving your mouth against your will.

As you came back down from your orgasm,and gained more control over yourself, you tried to shift, moving your legs up the bed and away from him, but a sudden twist caused pain to arch down your arm. That’s when you realised that both your upper limbs were bound above your head. You drew your gaze away from a grinning Steve -  a Steve whose beard was soaked from your release - to peer up at how you were tied.

Shoelaces. Tied around your wrist, loose enough that they wouldn’t cut off your blood supply, but tight enough that you couldn’t slide your hand out unless you managed to dislocate both your thumbs.

Steve crawled up the bed slowly, but you couldn’t get away. He cupped your face and kissed you, your own scent filling your nose as he forced your mouth open and invaded you with his tongue. The denim of his jeans scraped your thighs, thighs that were sensitive and raw from the burn of his beard as he’d violated you.

“Hey, welcome back, honey. Sorry I started without you, but you looked so sweet, I couldn’t help myself. Been waiting a long time, ever since Wilson and Barnes told me that a beautiful young thing was interested in the property.”

Wilson and Barnes? That was the name of the realtor company that had brokered the sale of your cabin to you. How did Steve know them?

“My old friends knew exactly what I needed in my retirement. I spent so long saving the world - it owed me. And look… it gave me you, honey. And we’re going to be so happy. I know it. You just gotta let yourself get used to it.”

He was mad. Saving the world? What on earth did he mean?

“And when you’re ready, you can be Mrs. Rogers. Would you like that, sweetheart? How many ladies get the opportunity to get married to one Captain America, while another and the Winter Soldier act as witnesses.”

Rogers? How had you gone these last months without finding out his last name? Everything slotted together like a frightening puzzle in your mind. Why you’d felt so at ease with Steve when you’d first met him, why he seemed familiar despite having never met him. It was the beard - it had been enough to stop you instantly recognising America’s Golden Boy, thought dead after the final battle against Thanos. And Sam Wilson, the new Captain America had sanctioned - had assisted! - in this kidnapping, as a favour to his old comrade.

You heard the metal sound of Steve’s jeans zipper and it triggered your fight instinct.

“No! No! Get off! I don’t want this. I don’t want this!” You bucked your hips but only succeeded in rubbing your bare mound over Steve’s bulge, encased solely by his briefs.

Steve looked down at you with condescension.

“Honey, you’re too shocked by all this to know what you want, and I think you need to stop talking before you say something you’ll regret. Let me help you with that.”

He reached to the side, to a scrap of fabric lying near your feet. He enclosed it in his large hand and brought it up to his face, eyes closing as he took a long, indrawn breath through his nose. Part of the cloth poked out from between his fingers and you recognised it as your panties.

“Fuck! Now that you’re here I can smell this delicious scent whenever I want…” He opened his eyes and looked back down at you. “...and taste it too. But right now, I need you to understand that we belong together.”

With his free hand he squeezed your cheeks, forcing your mouth open, and even as you glared at him he pushed your panties into your mouth, then stroked the side of your face with the back of his knuckles

“There. You look so pretty, honey. Hope you’re ready? You’re gonna enjoy this - I know I will.”

You knew you should still be struggling, but as he pushed his jeans off and followed it quickly with his plaid shirt, part of you knew there was no point. He was too big. Too strong. Too determined. Any resistance would probably end up with you being hurt even more.

As Steve pulled down his briefs you turned your head away, a tear rolling down your cheek. It appeared that despite your best intentions, you’d been colour blind - mistaking the red flags for green.

Tag list: @jobean12-blog @tuiccim @flordeamatista @krissy25 @bodeckersdiamonddoll @goldylions @luxeavenger @wheezy-stucky @doasyoudesireandlive @chemtrails-club @seitmai @marvelstarker-mha98 @talia-rumlow @peaches1958 @pono-pura-vida @lunarbuck

[bongaboi]

San Diego State: 2022-23 Mountain West Men's Basketball Champions

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jaedon LeDee scored 15 points and Matt Bradley added 14 to lead No. 20 San Diego State to a 62-57 victory over Utah State in Saturday's Mountain West Tournament championship game.

The Aztecs (27-6) claimed their seventh tournament title, and second in three years. This also was their conference-record 15th appearance in the title game.

San Diego State clinched the conference's bid to the NCAA Tournament, though it was never in doubt the Aztecs would be selected. What kind of seed San Diego State receives remains to be seen.

Utah State (26-8) also figures to be headed to the tournament when the selections are announced Sunday.

This was the fourth time in the last five years the teams have played each other in the Mountain West championship game. Utah State won the 2019 and 2020 title games, and San Diego State went home with the 2021 trophy. Boise State temporarily ended the monopoly last season by beating the Aztecs 53-52.

Neither team shot well Saturday, with San Diego State making 33.3% of its shots compared to 37.1% for the Aggies.

No San Diego State players reached double-figure scoring other than Ledee and Mitchell. For Utah State, Steven Ashworth scored 13 points and Trevin Dorius 12.

The Aggies were hot early, however, going on a 12-2 run in the first half to take a 26-15 lead with 6:57 left, but then went cold. They failed to make another field goal until 1:43 into the second half, but somehow didn't fall behind during that stretch.

But the Aztecs got close, and eventually went back and forth with Utah State in the second half. San Diego State nearly put away the game by going up 53-46 with 3:03 left, but the Aggies got back to within three points with 48 seconds remaining and two points with 30.3 seconds to go.

San Diego State closed out the game at the free throw line by making 9 of 10 free throws in the final 43 seconds.

THE BIG PICTURE

Utah State: The Aggies entered the game fourth nationally in 3-point percentage at 40.1, but struggled badly against San Diego State's long, athletic defense. Utah State made just 4 of 24 3-point attempts.

San Diego State: The Aztecs come in waves. Nine players were in the game, and each was on the floor for at least 16 minutes and eight at least 19. All nine scored and collected rebounds.

UP NEXT

Utah State: The Aggies have a NET ranking of No. 18, so it would be quite a surprise if they aren't selected to the NCAA Tournament.

San Diego State: A potential six seed could be coming San Diego State's way, but the Aztecs also might have worked their way into a No. 5.

AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

[discluded]

MileApo and Brokeback Mountain 🤠🏔🐎

(an incomplete history, I'm sure)

Apo first tweeted this picture of them photoshopped in the iconic BBM poster in January 2021 to promote KinnPorsche (Filmania)

In June 2022, Mile talked about how Brokeback Mountain is his favorite LGBTQ film during an iQIYI interview released during pride month, for KinnPorsche (BOC) promotion.

OK Mile. 👁👄👁 what did you flash back to ... what did you understand about yourself???

In September 2022, Mile missed the KPWT Send Off due to having COVID, and Apo wore both his own jacket and Mile's jacket to make sure Mile's presence was felt at the Send Off.

Twitter users also noticed Apo recreated the iconic ending scene of Brokeback Mountain with Mile's charity jacket. (It me. I'm twitter users.)

OK other people noticed the parallels too 😂

In January 2023, Mile posted to his IGS photos of cowboy hats with the horse emoji tag. See this very recent post for Mile about how Apo reminds him of horses and of course the horse art BD present.

Call this one a reach if you want I won't be mad but you can't deny the fact that today (March 2023), it was Apo who showed up in the cowboy hat with their Brokeback Mountain inspired airport couple coordi 😂

In conclusion: cowboys are gay culture and for the gays only, I am extremely pleased BBM ruined cowboys for the straights and I am not taking comments or criticisms at this time. Save a horse ride a cowboy. 👋🏇