#Since the internship program is optional

[raynewolfegirl]

Meta Jazz, the Arkham Intern Therapist Pt 2.1

Note: The writing bug bit me while wading through the comments and replies so you guys get more! 😁 Special thanks to @the-scarecrow-of-aus & @starlightcat04 for helping spark this continuation!

Also, so you're not confused, this part is from Kon's POV and backtracks to before the Bane incident to explain how Kon started going undercover in Arkham. Pt 2.2 has the Bane incident from Kon's POV.

~*~*~

When Kon got the call from Tim asking if he'd be willing to do a favor for him, he hadn't expected it to be an undercover assignment in the infamous Arkham Asylum itself.

"You want me to do what?" He asked staring at Tim in disbelief once he reached the Nest to debrief.

"Go undercover as a new guard in Arkham." Tim repeated with a deadpan expression looking over his shoulder at Kon from his computer chair. Holy fuck, his eyebags were bad. 

"Have you slept in the past week, Tim?" Kon asked, taking in his best friend's appearance.

Tim frowned at the question. 

"I don't see how that's relevant but yes." He answered, heartbeat unchanging. Which didn't really mean anything since it was Tim but Kon decided he'd believe him. 

For now. 

Kon sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Okay, I'll do it." He said. "Can you tell me why we need someone undercover at least?" 

Tim eyes widened, startled by the question like he was surprised Kon didn't know yet even though Tim hadn't told him yet. Okay, deep breaths, calm down, Tim clearly hasn't slept in at least two days. Kon coached himself as his temper flared up at the evidence that Tim wasn't taking care of himself again. All the Supers agreed: sometimes you just wish you could beat some sense into the Bats and make them take care of themselves like normal human beings.

"Ah. Right." Tim said, turning back to the computer and pulling up some files as he explained. "Two thing have occured within roughly fifteen days of each other that together are rather suspicious. First, Dr. Thomas Rylie, Jonathan Crane's undergraduate roommate and classmate throughout undergrad and grad school, was hired to work as one of the new in house psychiatrists at Arkham Asylum. They also got their doctorates from the same school during the same time frame and both focused on the impact fear has on the brain. Dr. Rylie's focus was on fear conditioning and Dr. Crane's focus was on fear responses." Well, that sounds suspicious. 

"Second, Gotham University lost their minds and began an undergraduate and graduate internship program partnering with Arkham Asylum." 

Kon went cold. They did what?

Pictures of the Asylum, University, and three people -presumably Scarecrow, Dr. Rylie, and a young woman- filled the computer screen now. 

"The internship program has only one applicant so far and she'd already started working at the Arkham. Her name is Jasmine Fenton and her background is...sparse, to say the least." Tim turned in his chair to face Kon.

"I'm too recognizable in Gotham and among the rogues to successfully go undercover in Arkham so I've set you up with an apartment and ID as 'Kyle Jennings.' You're scheduled to start work at Arkham as a new guard tomorrow morning."

"Okay," Kon said with a nod. "What do you need confirmed? What are the primary objectives?" He prodded Tim again since his friend's sleep deprived brain seemed to think that was enough information for debriefing. It wasn't. Definitely not. A lot was implied but it wouldn't be the first time Tim had completely different intentions than what Kon had understood from his briefing. Sleep deprived Tim frequently assumed others could read his mind or something. Sleep deprived Tim was wrong.

"We need to determine if Dr. Rylie is here working for Scarecrow as part of some new scheme. We need to determine if Jasmine Fenton is complicit. We need to know if Gotham U is also in on it. And we need to find out what exactly Scarecrow is the planning." Tim stated automatically as he ticked each one off on his fingers.

"Got it. Guess I'll head over to my new apartment then and start prepping for tomorrow." Kon said, heading towards the exit. Tim hummed in agreement waving a hand in his direction as he left. That dumbass was probably already absorbed in the next case. Kon sighed, hopefully Tim would at least pass out sometime later tonight.

~*~*~

Kon's first day at Arkham wasn't anything special. He didn't see Jasmine, Dr. Rylie, or Scarecrow. He didn't see any rogues or doctors at all. It was just a really Gotham kind of orientation. 

"This is where we keep a cache of stun grenades, long-range scope rifles, tranquilizer rounds, and rubber bullets." His new supervisor and guide through orientation, Alex Fhizer, said as he showed Kon how to access, inventory, lock, and re-conceal the cache. "Everytime you pass by a cache on patrol, you will check the inventory again and sign off on it with the date and time. If anything is different from the previous inventory entry, you will immediately radio the tower and the island will be put on lockdown." Greyish Hazel eyes peered out of a weathered face staring Kon down. "You will never neglect to inventory a cache while on patrol. You will never neglect to report an inventory discrepancy. The first time you do you will be fired immediately and you can count yourself damn lucky if that's all that happens to you." 

Fhizer was intense, man.

"Yes, Sir." Kon answered. Fhizer's hard look lasted another long moment before the older man gave a firm nod and continued showing Kon the ropes.

~*~*~

The second day was no where near as chill as the first. Hell, his brain was already starting to warp, there hadn't been anything chill about that orientation.

Kon started his second day by boarding the Arkham transport bus with the rest of the staff and early morning visitors to the island. That was where he saw Jasmine Fenton in the flesh for the first time. 

She has got to be part Amazonian, was his first thought upon seeing her. She was around 6ft tall with a thick mane of red hair tightly braided reaching all the way down to her waist. Jasmine was wearing teal stud earrings, a silver bangle type bracelet on her left wrist, a white blouse, black slacks, and black flats. She carried a small, clear purse that only held a small notepad, pen, house key, chapstick, and a thin teal wallet that presumably contained her IDs, debit cards, and a small amount of cash. Damn, she was tall.

Kon's concentration was broken by the quiet sound of metal crunching slightly beneath his fingers. He immediately loosened his grip on the hand rail, checking for damage with a wince. He breathed a soft sigh of relief when he saw the damage was almost entirely unnoticeable to the naked eye. He'd have to mind his strength more closely. Kon was too used to the farm and facilities that were all reinforced to handle casual use from people with super strength. 

Tim's notes indicated Arkham wasn't reinforced for super strength anywhere. Not even along the outer walls. The facility had opted to use suppression collars on their meta inmates instead since they were cheaper and easier to repair and replace according to the official reports. However, Tim's notes had also mentioned that Arkham had reinforced the outer walls to account for super strength at one point. They'd poured nearly every dime the facility could spare into the project for months until the Joker himself had taken it personally. The madman had absolutely obliterated the reinforced outer walls until no part of them remained standing. Given Joker had destroyed the walls without having any meta powers at all and his history of viciously attacking -damn near mauling- anyone that tried to put him in a straight jacket, Kon didn't really blame Arkham for stopping while they were ahead.

Kon looked up as the bus jolted to a stop. The other passengers filing off around him. He watched as Jasmine Fenton was met by Dr. Rylie in front of the bus as he waited to disembark. 

"Ms. Jasmine!" Dr. Rylie greeted her enthusiastically with a broad open grin and beaming eyes. He reached towards her with both arms, hands open and she reached back. Their right hands clasped as their left hands landed on the other's upper arms as the two greeted one another openly. Kon wasn't very familiar with intern-mentor relationships nor what would be considered normal or professional for them, but it looked like a rather affectionate greeting for them having been strangers two weeks ago. That was strange, wasn't it? Was Tim right to be worried about them?

"Ms. Jasmine is the first and only applicant for Dr. Rylie, Director Keener, and Dean Byle's hairbrained idea to hire more doctors for this place." One of the older guards that had been standing just behind him on the bus explained having apparently noticed Kon watching the pair.

"They just seemed rather affectionate for Gotham." Kon shrugged dismissively as he turned to look over his shoulder at his new colleague. The shorter man laughed.

"A bit, yeah." He agreed. "I think Dr. Rylie is just desperate for this program to work out." He continued as they finally managed to get off the bus. Dr. Rylie and Ms. Fenton were gone now. "Pretty much everyone's been treating her like a princess." 

"That doesn't seem fair to everyone else." Kon commented, dropping back a bit to let the older man lead the way to the guards room for morning debriefing and to get their assignments. He'd already memorized the layouts but 'Kyle Jennings' shouldn't have yet.

"Who cares about fair as long as it works?" The guard answered. "If treating her like a princess scores more interns for the program in the long run, and if one intern every year ends up interested in sticking around, I'll be happy to cater to every single one of them." He confessed, stopping in the middle of the hall to turn and face Kon directly. Kon glimpsed the name Ryans as the silver name badge flashed the briefly reflecting the overhead lights. "You non-gothamites just don't get it. We're desperate for whatever help we can get." 

"That's why I applied here." Kon lied. "Going to school across the bay, I heard a lot about what went down over here while I was in college. I want to help." 

Ryans gave a short solemn nod then turned and led the rest of the way to the break room. 

~*~*~

Day four undercover was when Kon officially met Jasmine Fenton. 

Everything had been going well so far with his undercover assignment. He'd settled in to the role of Kyle Jennings, been getting along well with his new coworkers including Ryans and Fhizer, and hadn't yet managed to screw up inventorying the caches during the outer patrol loops. That being said, Kon was having other issues.

The worst part of being an unstable Kryptonian clone was that his strength tended to fluctuate. It normally wasn't much of an issue when he was surrounded by reinforced everything in his daily life but here at Arkham it was becoming a problem. Case in point, Kon thought to himself with an exhausted groan as his freshly made coffee mug shattered in his hand.

"Oh come on." He sighed snatching a handful of paper towels from the counter and bending to wipe up the coffee and ceramic shards on the floor. At least he was the only one in the room when it shattered. The door clicked softly behind him and Kon jumped twisting to look. 

Jasmine Fenton stood behind him having just closed the door to the break room after entering.

"What happened here?" She asked, sounding bewildered with slightly wide eyes as she took in the mess on the floor. Thank God. She didn't see it.

"Guess I was a bit more tired than I thought." He said with a forced laugh in order to hide his nerves. "Slipped right through my fingers."

She nodded, accepting his words at face value. 

"I've done that more than a few times close to finals." She admitted. "You guys have 10 hour shifts, right? You must be exhausted. When's your next day off?"

"The day after tomorrow." Kon said. "This is day 3 for me since orientation doesn't count."

"You get 2 days off followed by an on-call day, right?" She asked.

"Right," Kon agreed. "AKA 2 days of freedom and a day chained to the Bowery." He joked.

"Absolutely terrible, they may as well put an ankle monitor on you." She cracked back grinning. Kon snickered. The door opened again.

"I see you found another non-gothamite here." Dr. Rylie said striding into the break room with a wide grin.

"Sounds like that makes three of us." Kon agreed. Outside of Joker, he had never seen a gothamite grin that wide in his life.

"Dr. Thomas Rylie, a pleasure to meet you." Dr. Rylie introduced himself holding out his hand to shake. Kon shook his hand as gently as possible, mindful his strength was on the fritz.

"Kyle Jennings, nice to meet you. I just started as a guard earlier this week." He said then held his hand out to shake Jasmine's.

"Jasmine Fenton, I'm an intern therapist. This is my second week here." She greeted with a warm smile shaking Kon's hand. She didn't say anything about being glad to meet him, Kon noted. It wasn't exactly strange behavior but something made him take note of it anyway. Like by not saying it she was saying she hadn't decided whether meeting him was a good or bad thing yet. Dr. Rylie didn't seem to notice anything off with the interaction though as he went about making his own coffee. The three of them made idle small talk as they made their own coffees. Once his new cup was ready, Kon bid them both goodbye and went on his way. While they were his main objective, lingering too long this early into their aquantiantship would probably be strange.

He had several other small friendly interactions with both of them over the next few days. Taking the time for greetings, small talk, and sharing small bits of casual background info from Kyle Jennings's past to encourage them both to open up to him. He also broke a clipboard, two more coffee cups, several pens, and a doorknob during that time as his strength continued to fluctuate. The doorknob had been particularly embarrassing. He had gone to open the door for Jasmine when he saw her with her arms full of files and somehow managed to twist it in such a way that the screws holding it in place sheered off and the knob came off in his hand. Collins, his partner for building patrol that day, burst out laughing hysterically as Kon stared at the doorknob in horror.

"No worries, man." Collins said, clapping Kon on the shoulder still snickering. "Someone else probably broke it and put it back so they wouldn't get scolded or something."

"Yeah," Kon said with a nervous laugh. "That must be what happened."

Jasmine's eyes flicked between the two of them then she grinned.

"And here I thought you just really hated that door." She teased Kon. He felt his face heat up as Collins laughed at him again.

"It is an ugly door." Collins agreed enthusiastically smirking.

"Terribly ugly. Hideous even," Jasmine said with a smile.

"Possibly even traumatizing to behold," Collins continued to smirk.

"You've got me. I have a deep rooted traumatic fear of metal taupe doors." Kon deadpanned ears burning. Jasmine snickered as Kon got the door open for her and they went their separate ways.

~*~*~

"What have you found so far?" Tim asked. Kon did not have the words to express how much he didn't want to be at the Nest at 3am on his first day off from undercover work. If it was anyone other than Tim he wouldn't have even answered the phone.

"Literally nothing," Kon said dryly. "I am still the newest of newbies at Arkham. I practically spent the whole week being babysat by senior guardsmen." He sighed, reminding himself that it wasn't Tim's fault that he was a little insomniac goblin and that Kon really did love his friend and would be sad if he hurt Tim's feelings. Eventually. When he woke up again in the morning. "I did start befriending them both though. It's slow going since we're in different areas but nearly being the only non-gothamites there seems to be helping me make some headway at least." 

There was one other non-gothamite on staff, a medical nurse named Sharon Earley. She was in her mid-thirties and the most sour and unpleasant person Kon had had the displeasure of meeting so far on Arkham's staff. Not that Kon could blame her for that. Not when she had several large ragged scars spanning from her chin and down both of her arms from when Zsazz had gotten hold of her alone after dark her second year at Arkham. It was a damn miracle she'd survived him. Kon didn't know how she managed it but he wouldn't try to find out either. Ryans had taken him aside right before he first met Nurse Earley and warned him not to stare or ask about any of it and then explained the bare basics of what happened to her after they'd left. 

Tim probably had a file with every detail of that night as well as information about Sharon Earley's life both before and after that night somewhere on his computer. The thought made Kon nauseous. 

"Good, good," Tim said absently as he updated the mission file on his computer. The keys clicked so rapidly that Kon again reconsidered whether or not his best friend had super speed. "Better to keep them from suspecting than to rush in anyway." 

"Exactly." 

Tim continued asking questions about every little detail he could think of concerning Dr. Rylie, Jasmine Fenton, and the rogues currently in Arkham.

"They don't let me near those guys yet. I'm too new." Kon said when Tim asked if Scarecrow looked to be plotting more than usual.

"They don't?" Tim sounded surprised, going so far as to stop typing so he could turn and stare at Kon. The clone was amused to note something about his statement had managed to wake Tim up enough to be visibly shocked instead blank-faced with exhaustion.

"Of course not," Kon answered trying to keep the amusement from his voice as much as possible. "As many times as your rogues have broken out they're leary of letting new hires near them in case they're goons in disguise." 

Tim sank back into his chair looking like Kon had uprooted his whole world by proving the Earth really was flat via actual science.

"That's impossible." Tim said sounding faint. "Everytime there's a mass breakout, we always hear that some of the guards helped them escape. How?..." He trailed off, eyes darting rapidly like he was tracking lines of an invisible conspiracy board in the air in front of him. Kon shrugged, uncomfortable with this new information.

"Scuttlebutt is that the people helping them escape are visitors. The guards get blamed because the goons visit wearing clothes similar to the guard uniform from a distance. All blue polo shirts and black pants look similar at a distance." Kon explained. "It also doesn't help that the guards can't really do much to stop the escape attempts since they only have stun grenades, tranquilizer darts, batons, low voltage tazers, and rubber bullets to fight back with. So as long as enough people are involved in the escape attempt at least some of them will make it out even if the guards manage to to tranquilize several of them." 

Tim still looked like Kon was blowing his mind. It was such a rare experience that Kon had to continue.

"Plus the tranquilizer darts and the rubber bullets have to be fired from different hardware." Kon told him. "Which sucks because you have to carry twice the amount of weight while chasing after the escapees which slows you down and it takes longer to swap between them."

There was something similar to mystified horror spreading across his friend's face now.

"Speaking if swapping between them, they have different ranges too." Kon continued gleefully. Half because it was fun wrecking Tim's worldview and half to actually impart the information. "Batons are short-range. Tranquilializer darts and stun grenades are mid-range. Rubber bullet riffles are long-range."

"If that's all it is, WE can fund then better gear to control the inmates." Tim interrupted turning back to the computer and swiftly typing out a list of things to send Arkham. Kon shook his head.

"That won't work." He disagreed gently. "They aren't failing because of the gear itself."

Tim turned back around to face him, confused. This was not going to be a fun conversation, Kon swallowed hard and forced himself to continue.

"The problem is that if you fire the rubber bullet riffles from mid or short range you could seriously injury or even kill the patient. If they get past mid-range, you'll miss them completely using tranquilizer darts or stun grenades. If you try to use either of those at short-range it'll be bad for you whether it's because they'll get hold of you before the tranquilizer knocks them out or because you'll stun yourself too."

Comprehension and trepidation began to dawn on Tim's face. He deflated in his chair, sinking lower and lower as he stared off into nowhere.

"You also can't hit them with more than one tranquilizer dart in a four hour window because you could accidently kill them that way. That also means even though you have a baton, you typically can't do enough damage to them to keept them from escaping because that might potentially kill them." Kon said completely solemn now as he relayed the information. "Because regardless of the reputation Arkham has or what the patients have done, it is still a hospital and they are still patients." 

Tim was staring directly at Kon now. Mouth open, face slack, eyes wide with a kind of numbed shock. Kon held his gaze.

"Yeah," Kon said after a moment. "Yeah, that's how I reacted too." He looked down, picking at his nails for a moment before forcing himself to stop and meet Tim's gaze again. "Phizer, my new 'boss', made sure to drill that into my head during orientation. 'Arkham's guards exist first and foremost to protect the patients. Arkham isn't supposed to be a prison. It's a medical facility. The patients are confined to the premises because their affliction has made them dangerous and they have to stay so that we can keep them and others safe from further harm. We are here to keep the patients and staff from hurting each other, themselves, or being hurt by people outside of Arkham's walls.' Not gonna lie, man." Kon said quirking a bitter grin as his did. "Hearing that kind of fucked me up a bit."

Tim sucked in a huge heaving breath then slowly let it out before he responded.

"I can't say I ever thought about it like that." He admitted in a soft strained voice. "Can't say I ever wanted to either." There was a bitter tinge to his words.

"Yeah, neither did I." Kon answered, shoulders slumping a bit. "Was there anything else you wanted to ask me? I kind of want to head back and sleep a bit."

Tim shook his head slowly.

"No, I think we're good at the moment." He said looking twice as exhausted and drained now as he did when Kon first got there. Kon nodded.

"Good night then. I'll see you later, man." He said, pushing off the wall he'd been leaning against and heading for the door.

"Be safe, Kon." Tim answered softly turning back to his computer.

[oflgtfol]

shaking my fucking cage my grad school app is due friday and the only thing preventing me from submitting it is that everyone i ask for a letter of rec is taking their sweet fucking time

[thedensworld]

I Can Fight | J.Ww

Pairing: Wonwoo x reader

Genre: fluff

Summary: Wearing a revealing clothes was never uncomfortable for you. However since you married Jeon Wonwoo, you always considered to not wear one. Honestly, Wonwoo doesn't care.

Maestro is definitely Wonwoo's era. My love from him escalates from hundred to limited🤍 god, i need him in my life. However, enjoy this fluffy fluffy wonuuuu🥰

It hasn't even been a year since you tied the knot with Jeon Wonwoo, the heir to a vast conglomerate. He possesses everything one could desire: a top-tier education, a lucrative career, and a prominent place in society. Yet, despite his wealth and status, he insists that you are the center of his universe. You, a mere lecturer at a university owned by his father, never imagined you'd capture the heart of someone like Wonwoo.

Your paths crossed at an event where you represented the university as its youngest dean. Wonwoo's attention was drawn to you instantly, captivated by the calm grace you exuded. The following morning, you were taken aback to find him at the university, seeking you out.

"I have something to discuss with you," he said, his eyes filled with a mixture of determination and something else, something softer.

As he proposed an internship program to benefit the students, the conversation effortlessly shifted from professional to personal. It became evident that his true motive was to get closer to you, to unravel the layers of your being.

You couldn't deny the flutter of excitement in your heart as Wonwoo confessed his ulterior motive. How could you resist someone who pursued you with such sincerity and charm?

Wonwoo's pride in you knew no bounds. He loved to showcase you to his friends and colleagues, boasting about your intelligence and beauty at every opportunity. Being by his side at elite events was both an honor and a responsibility, one that required the perfect attire to match his prestigious status.

As you surveyed the two gowns laid out before you in the bedroom, the weight of the upcoming event pressed upon you. Your current formal attire had already made its rounds, and you couldn't bear the thought of causing Wonwoo any embarrassment by appearing in the same outfit again.

With a heavy sigh, you reached for your phone, dialing Seungkwan's number without hesitation. He was your trusted friend, the one whose fashion sense you relied on for such occasions. But as you questioned his choices, your finger instinctively pointed towards the more daring of the two gowns—a black off-shoulder number with a thigh-high slit.

"What were you thinking with these options?" you inquired, your voice laced with a mix of frustration and concern. The other gown, a deep red wine hue, was equally alluring, with its backless design and knee-high slit, presenting a different kind of challenge.

"I thought that's what rich people wear to events like that! It's straight out of the pages of those fancy books!" Seungkwan's voice came through the phone, his defense ringing with a hint of sheepishness.

You took a moment to collect yourself, inhaling deeply before responding. "Do you honestly think I usually wear something like these?" You couldn't help but chuckle, the absurdity of the situation washing over you.

Seungkwan's laughter echoed through the phone. "Of course not. Last time you wore something revealing was when you danced to '10 Minute' at Jeonghan's birthday party in college."

A wistful smile tugged at the corners of your lips as you recalled the carefree days of youth. "And I was so drunk that I slit my skirt and cut my sleeves," you added, shaking your head at the memory.

Seungkwan's tone turned more serious. "Just wear it. You won't embarrass your husband by wearing it. Trust me."

You nervously bit your lip, the weight of Seungkwan's words sinking in. "He's a respected person, Seungkwan. And I'm an academic. Last time I wore something tight, someone actually talked about him."

"No way! What did they say?" Seungkwan's curiosity piqued through the phone.

You let out a weary sigh, memories of the unpleasant encounter resurfacing. "Just that I looked too hot for a professor, and my look didn't match Wonwoo. It was awful, really. I wish I could have stood up to them at the time."

Seungkwan's voice came through with conviction, urging you not to let others dictate your choices. "Darling! Don't let them stop you. What if you are actually too hot? It's their fault they couldn't handle your fire! Stand up to them if someone talks to you like that."

A soft laugh escaped your lips at Seungkwan's fierce encouragement. "You know I can't fight," you admitted, resigned to your non-confrontational nature.

Before you could dwell further on the conversation, the sound of the bedroom door being pushed open interrupted your thoughts. Your heart skipped a beat as you turned to see your husband standing there, his presence filling the room with warmth and reassurance.

"Wonwoo just got back from work, I'll let you know my choice. Thanks for getting me these dresses, though," you informed Seungkwan.

Seungkwan hummed in acknowledgment. "Say hi to Wonwoo. I believe he'll choose the black one."

You couldn't help but chuckle at his teasing remark. "Shut up," you retorted playfully before ending the call.

As Wonwoo entered the room, his presence instantly filled the space with comfort and affection. His tie was discarded, and he loosened his blazer before casting a glance at the dresses laid out on the bed.

"Seungkwan got me these for tonight," you explained, gesturing towards the gowns. Wonwoo nodded in understanding as he wrapped his arms around your waist, resting his chin on your shoulder.

"He has great taste," he murmured softly, his warm breath sending shivers down your spine.

A tender smile graced your lips as he pulled you closer, his embrace providing solace and reassurance. "You'll look good in everything," he added, his words washing over you like a comforting embrace.

You gently touched his arms, leaning into his embrace. "But don't you think they'll be too revealing? I could just wear the one I've already used."

Wonwoo shook his head, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "If you want to wear these, then wear them. I think you'll look absolutely gorgeous, whether in revealing clothes or not."

A surge of warmth flooded your chest at his words, his unwavering support comforting you. "However, I would love to see you in them," he added, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

You raised your eyebrows in surprise, turning your head to meet his gaze. "Really?"

Wonwoo nodded, his expression earnest. "Let's show them that you're hot, just like what Seungkwan said."

Your astonishment grew as you realized he had overheard your conversation with Seungkwan. "From which part did you hear us?" you asked curiously.

"From the start. I actually wanted to surprise you, but you were talking to him," Wonwoo confessed with a sheepish smile.

A moment of silence passed between you before he spoke again. "Actually, I want to thank him for getting you these dresses. I can't wait to see you wear it," he added, his excitement evident in his voice.

He gently withdrew his arms from your waist, turning your body to face him. His hands tenderly moved from your hair to your face, cupping your cheeks and stroking them softly. "I'd love to see you in the black one tonight," he murmured, his voice filled with affection as he pressed a soft kiss to your lips.

A warmth spread through you at his touch and words, reassurance flooding your senses. "Your friend knows me so well," he remarked, planting another kiss on your forehead before trailing down to your shoulder.

His gestures of love and appreciation enveloped you, melting away any lingering doubts or insecurities.

***

You approached Wonwoo where he sat on the couch in the living room, a hint of uncertainty in your gaze. "Isn't it too revealing?" you asked, your voice tinged with self-doubt.

His breath caught in his throat as he took in your breathtaking appearance. The black dress hugged your curves in all the right places, accentuating your beauty in a way that left him speechless. The subtle yet alluring makeup only enhanced your features, drawing his eyes irresistibly to you. And the scent of your perfume, a familiar fragrance that never failed to captivate him, enveloped him in a heady mix of calm and desire.

As your hand moved to cover the revealed thigh, a part of you that he found utterly captivating, Wonwoo couldn't tear his gaze away from you. His heart raced with a jealous fervor, envying his own eyes for having the privilege of beholding your radiance.

"Is it not working?" you questioned, disappointment evident in your tone as he remained silent.

Unable to contain himself any longer, Wonwoo reached out to gently grasp your hand, pulling it away from your thigh. "No, it's not that," he finally managed to say, his voice filled with reverence and admiration. "You look absolutely stunning, beyond words."

Wonwoo sensed your apprehension and immediately shook his head, stepping forward to take your hand and press a tender kiss to it. "I can't believe I'm married to you. You look amazing, love," he murmured, lifting your hand and encouraging you to spin to showcase your dress.

As you twirled, a hint of uncertainty lingered in your mind, but Wonwoo's gasp of awe and promise to buy you countless dresses like the one you wore washed away your worries.

"You can wear anything you want, love. I can fight.," he declared, his words echoing your own inner resolve.

A smile graced your lips as you leaned in to peck his cheek, feeling reassured by his unwavering support. "I'll fight them with my whole life. But kiss me again, here and now," he requested, tapping his lips playfully.

You obliged, landing another gentle kiss, but before you could pull away, Wonwoo's grip on your head tightened, deepening the kiss into a passionate embrace. Lost in the moment, your hands instinctively found their way to his neck, reveling in the intimacy of the kiss that ignited a fiery passion between you.

"Should we skip the event?" he suggested with a mischievous smirk, tempting you with the idea of spending the evening wrapped up in each other's arms.

You playfully slapped his chest, chuckling at his suggestion. "Let's wipe your lips and let me fix my makeup. Seungcheol is going to kill you if we skip his birthday party," you reminded him, handing him a wet wipe.

Wonwoo chuckled as he wiped his mouth clean of your lipstick. "He loves me, he won't kill me," he mumbled before turning his gaze back to you. "So, what do you think?" he asked, anticipation dancing in his eyes as he awaited your response.

[arcielee]

Where Is My Mind?

Summary: Modern!FemaleReader’s subconscious has ruined her pussy. Paring: Aemond Targaryen x Modern!FemReader Word Count: 2579 Warnings: Smutty smut, masturbation, little bit of spanking, oral (fem receiving), p in v, language, drinking.  Author's Note: I did not think I would do a part 2, but I really appreciated the feedback from my first reader insert attempt and loved all the kindred spirits I apparently have on this godforsaken social media platform. ♥ Also, thank you so much @f4ll-for-you​ for your time to read this over! Tags (kindred spirits): @narwhal-swimmingintheocean​ This is dedicated to @fan-goddess​ because you made a call out to something and I already had 1k with that in mind.  Series:  Call It Dreaming

It had been three agonizing weeks since that night-that dream?-in Westeros and peace no longer seemed to be an option for your pussy.

At first, after you woke up, hot, bothered, and naked on the couch, you were grateful your roommates utilized a Friday night in a way that your school and work schedule did not allow. You were quick to wrap yourself in the blanket and flee into your room.

You took a moment in your full-length mirror to survey yourself: the thin gash between your breasts was not bleeding, but still had a delicious sting to it, and you had no idea where your clothes were. It must have been some sort of fucked up sleep walking? You cringe at the thought, promising to never watch House of the Dragon outside the safety of your bedroom again. 

It was a very sexy dream, you tell yourself, returning to your bed and collapsing back onto it. Your mind wanders back, remembering the warmth of his hands on your body, the ache between your thighs when he entered you, the sensations of his hard chest pressed against your body…

Your hand trails to your cunt, your fingers desperate to touch and tantalize yourself the way Aemond Targaryen had. Your brow furrows with your concentration, your breath quickens with your motion, and your orgasm comes but it is like the tepid stream of tap water and the faucet was twisted shut.

You almost cry. My subconscious has fucking ruined me.

The thought does not linger and you return to your busy schedule of classes from morning until the afternoon and then your internship that went well into the evening. It was self-inflicted, a last minute decision to throw yourself into a master’s program for historic preservation. Though the internship’s pay was pitiful, it was manageable, and you had peace with your work, taking pride in visiting sites, your documentation process and photography for your filework later. 

It had been perfectly soothing until fucking recently and now every quiet moment led to intrusive thoughts of a specific, fictional, one-eyed prince.

You refused to be broken by your mind, after all you were a modern, independent woman with items purposefully purchased for whenever a situation called for a DIY orgasm. Your free time was on the weekends and you politely decline your roommates’ invitation to go out with the lie that your lady time has arrived. Only after they left could you truly cater to yourself and what you needed. 

Candles are lit, fresh sheets, every toy out on the covers and you sprawl back on your bed, your hands careful to trace where his hands had been, the bruising grip of his large palms, allowing your mind to flutter back to the Red Keep…

…and much to your disappointment, you find that you are still unable to bring yourself the release you had felt that night. 

This is fine, your subconscious has not ruined you, you think as you scroll through your phone to find blood and flesh, assuming that is what your body was craving.

You had an ex that was a suitable candidate; you dated briefly when you both finished your B.A. but found the next steps of both your academic careers required too much time. It was an amicable end and you still sent the occasional text.  

These texts were unlike the polite ones sent before and he was quick to reply. A week later, you were wearing a fitted black dress with a ribbed texture and an apricot cardigan over it, and ankle boots. You walk to the small bar that is only a few blocks away from your apartment, leaving a bit early to request a spiced rum drink for some liquid courage. 

Your ex finally arrives and he is still just as traditionally handsome in a House Stark sense-oh my goddess, leave that G.R.R.M. thought alone-with a big smile beneath his beard and exuding the same golden retriever kindness as before. The conversation is pleasant, catching up on each other’s life updates until the rum floods your brain and the insatiable ache between your thighs demands action. 

You grab him and the two of you fall away into a corner of the bar, but the moment you taste his lips to your own, you knew no modern man would be able to soothe the consistent ache in your lower abdomen, to satiate the void that gnawed within you. 

He notes your change in your demeanor and breaks away. “Hey, it’s cool if we just remain friends,” he offers with his token, genuine kindness, completely unaware of your internal warfare with your mind. 

There is a moment you think to protest, but decide against it. “Yeah, thanks, sorry,” you reply with a defeatist sigh. “I have, just, really been off lately. I think it’s because of my lady time,” you renew your lie. 

“Oh? I could just walk you home, if you want?” You shake your head, “It’s okay. I am a few blocks away. Thanks anyway.”

Your steps are determined and you make sure to stop at the mart on the way home, grabbing a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream and a cheap bottle of red dessert wine. In the solitude of your apartment, you grab two coffee mugs, one for ice cream and one for wine, making it easy to walk back to your room.

You throw off your cardigan and shoes, plopping onto your mattress, and fumble with the remote to turn on House of the Dragon, starting at episode eight. 

My subconscious has ruined me, was your last thought, bringing a spoonful to your mouth. 

And here you were, once again, standing in his same room and he, Aemond Targaryen, is seated in the same leather chair and facing the fireplace. The fire crackles loudly and gives a golden hue to the side profile of the prince. His posture is perfect, with one leg crossed on top of the other, his arm poised on the armrest and his thumb running the length of his fingertips and back again. 

“You lied to me.”

Your eyes widen as he pushes from his seat and squares off to you; he is wearing leather trousers and a loose, white tunic with the sleeves rolled up to show his toned forearms decorated with silver hair. His tunic is not laced up and his hard chest peaks beneath, moving with his steady breaths. 

Your heart pounds against your chest at the sight of him, your mind reviewing your last lucid dream of this perfect man who spoke so few words and you knew that you would not dare to lie to him, dream or not. You chew your bottom lip and allow your tongue to wet it, taking slow steps towards him, counting in-between each step to resist throwing yourself at his feet. 

“What do you mean, my prince?” Your tone is controlled, but you can feel the heat in your cheeks. 

He hummed and you swear you saw the hint of a smile touch his lips. “You said you were a whore that my brother had sent,” he continued, taking deliberate steps to close the space between you two. 

Oh, that, you remember the exchange and were quick to say, “My prince,” lowering your lidded eyes. “I had only said that I had been sent for your pleasure,” your tone is coy and your arms cross below your chest to showcase the bit of cleavage allowed with the scoop neckline, noting the dilation of his lavender eye that roams your figure. “You made the assumption that I was just another one of your brother’s whores.” 

You now can see the curl of his lips and you sigh your relief. He steps closer and reaches his hand to touch your jaw; his touch elicits a physical response and goosebumps ripple over your body, your nipples peeking beneath your dress. His lavender eye drinks in your figure. “You never did tell me,” he murmured, his voice dark and velvet.

“I have been sent for your plea-” you tried to begin, but he was quick to cut you off.

“Where are you from?”

Your mind floods with a response: How do I explain I am from the 21st century and he is the figment of my sexy imagination? Your eyes remain locked on the prince and you struggle to control your voice, “I cannot say.” 

His expression is unreadable and his only reply is his low hum, then his hand grasps onto your hips, turning you and bringing your body flush against his chest. He nuzzles into your neck, pushing your hair aside so his mouth can suck and nip at the nape. His large hands grip onto your stomach and follow your curves, moving to the hem of your dress and pulling it to your hips.

You moan from his warm touch as his fingers trace the lace of your cotton thong and move towards your center, titillating your slit. You feel your clit pulsing from his touch and he hums again, hugging you close with one arm wrapping around your waist and his other hand cupping your cloth cunt; his hips roll against you and you can feel his bulge grind against your ass. 

“So fucking wet,” he groans against your neck and more goosebumps ripple in response. 

“Yes, my prince,” you say with your exhale, twisting to face him and find his lips. 

He opens his mouth to deepen the kiss and your tongue responds with long, languid movements to drink in the taste of his mouth. Your arms wrap around his neck, bruising your lips against his own, and his hands trail the curve of your hips and to your backside, feeling the bare flesh of your ass. His palm rises and slaps soundly against your skin; you squeal in response. “My prince!” You pull back, your cheeks and nose flushed from kissing.

“You act as if no other man has handled you this way,” he smirks. “Wherever you come from, do the men there make you feel a certain way?” 

Fuck me, I have never felt like this, but you feel shy with his question and instead say, “My prince, I have been searching for the pleasure you gave me and I have yet find anything that compares…”

Your answer is petting his ego, yes, but gods he was pretty. You did not expect him to speak further and your body pines to feel his touch, his lips once more. “And when you search to recreate,” his lips curl with his words, “the pleasure I gave you, did you use your hands?”

His tone is low, husky with his question and your cheeks burn when you nod yes. 

“Show me. I want you to touch yourself.”

Before you can comprehend what he said, his hands grab the small of your waist and bring you back towards the bed. He pushes you back, your dress still bunched around your hips, and climbs on top to find your lips for a slow, lingering kiss before moving lower to grab the lace strings to remove your thong.

The cool air nips at the wetness between your thighs and he brings your fingers to his mouth, suckling to lube them. Your back arches from the tickle of his tongue to your fingertips and you pull back your hand, letting it fall between to caress your swollen slit, your eyes never leaving him.

He takes a step back and moves his hands to unlace the top of his trousers, his hand reaching to caress his cock and his steady gaze never leaving you. It feels sinful and you feel the first crest of pleasure wash over, a soft sigh slipping from your lips. 

“Daor,” his voice pulls you from the edge, his gaze darkened on you. “Nyke mērī vestās renigon.”

No. I only said to touch. 

He pulls the loose tunic over his head, his silver hair spilling onto his shoulders and his leather trousers low on his hips, his Adonis belt prominent on his toned abdomen. He moves to press his hands onto the peaks of your thighs, pushing the dress further up and you are quick to peel off the rest in time to see him dip between your thighs. 

His mouth finds your center and you smother yourself in the bunched fabric of your dress as his tongue runs your slit. Aemond pauses and peers at you for a moment. “I need to hear you,” he says, his breath warm on your cunt and you are quick to throw the dress aside. 

He returns his attention, his tongue lavishing you; your hands are eager to comb his silken hair and he hums his pleasure into your cunt. Your moans grow wanton and the pleasure builds towards your crescendo when he stops suddenly.

You prop yourself onto your elbows to look at him and the curl of his lips seem wicked. “I have been waiting for you to return to me,” he said simply. “You will not have your release until I decide.”

Before you can protest, he moves quickly, his hands sink into your flesh with his hold and flipping you onto your stomach, drawing you closer towards the bed edge until your legs drop and your feet touch the cobblestone. You feel his chest press against your backside and the tip of his cock pressing against your entrance before he sinks into you. You moan with his delicious stretch and he gives a low groan as he bottoms out in you, falling forward and pressing his lips to your spine. 

“Just as I remember,” he growls, before his hands grab onto your hips and he ruts into you with a brutal pace. Your arms stretch in front to grab hold of anything as you feel him crash against you, his hip bones digging into the softness of your ass and reaching a depth that has your nipples taut with pleasure. 

“My prince,” your cries are pitiful and you can feel his breath on your spine.

“Ñuha brōzi,” his tone husky. “Vestragon ūja.”

My name. Say it.

“Aemond, please,” you obey, the crescendo building again and you see stars flitting across your vision. “Aemond, Aemond…” 

He can feel the flutter of your cunt but his pace does not cease until he feels you clenching, crying out as your orgasm rolls over your entire body; his thrusts slow with his release and he falls forward, wrapping his arms around you to hold you flush against him for a moment. 

You are torn between the fortune of another successful sexy dream and your realization that your subconscious has absolutely ruined your pussy, but you push the thoughts aside when he pulls you back beneath the covers. You curl up against the prince, your head resting against his chest while his fingertips travel the length of your spine and back. 

“You said I kept you waiting,” you say shyly.

He hums at first and then he says, “I imagine you will leave me again.”

“I will need to,” you feel an ache with your words. “But I will stay as long as I am able to.” 

Aemond hums again and turns to pull you against his chest. You feel the press of his lips to your hairline and feel the flush of goosebumps with the murmur of his words, “Sȳz riña.”

Good girl. 

[hypergamiss]

Hello!

I asked about self improvement advice for highschool girls earlier.

So currently im a freshman and i recently got into self improvement but im not sure how to go about it.

My goals are to graduate highschool with my degree (My school has a program that lets us go through both Highschool and college ) and become a software engineer, unless i decide to change paths.

If you could touch on things i should focus on and general advice you would have for someone in highschool.

Tysm!! 💗

You're SO YOUNG. I love this mentality for you.

If I were in your position I'd list out the different careers that I am interested in and reach out to professionals to shadow them. Look for a software engineer in your area at a reputable company and ask to meet them for a shadowing/internship opportunity. You can email them if you prefer. When you're shadowing make sure you offer your help in ways that will save them time and make their life easier. Getting to witness what their day-to-day looks like will help you decide if this is the right career choice for you or if you want to explore other options. You'd be surprised how many students NEVER shadow and end up hating their careers after getting their degrees. Shadowing will also give you knowledge of the pay and benefits different careers offer. This is a big one because young people are not exposed to these things until it's time to sign a contract in their field. Ask anything you need to and get all of your questions answered.

Aside from getting all of the exposure to different careers, the usual goes a long way. Stay on top of your GPA and participate in activities that you enjoy whether it's sports, robotics, writing, politics, etc. Whatever you enjoy doing, try to excel at it. I realize high school is a lot different now than it was before COVID, so try to find ways where you get to work with other people and meet mentors as well. I'm not sure about your situation since you're doing high school and college at the same time, but if you get the opportunity to study abroad it can be a ton of fun. Let me know if you have any more questions!💕

[xxgremlinleexx]

More info on our situation.

This will be posted to the GoFundMe as well.

I feel that it is incredibly important to express just how last resort this is. It has come to my understanding that if people are to come across this, they are likely to believe I haven't exhausted all of my options.

This, unfortunately, isn't the case.

Mississippi has never been safe for us as black, queer people. And having neighbors turned against us for something orchestrated by pur landlord has made it even less so for us to continue being here.

There is absolutely nothing left for us here.

Lemme explain. As of now, both my partner and I are employed. However, our pay and hours are nowhere near enough to cover the cost of rent without outside assistance from friends and family who are all also struggling at this time. This includes our other partner who has their own shit to deal with. I work at Dominos and am paid a flat $9.00/hr as a CSR. I'm only granted NINE (9) hours a week. Yes. You read that correctly. Only 9 hours a week. 18 every two. 36 a month. Which is why I started doing commissions. To make ends meet.

Because Void (our cat) would genuinely have nowhere to go if we didn't make things work somehow. We've had him since he was a kitten, and he would be even more devastated than us.

Friends can't take him. Not anyone nearby. And with the lack of proper shelters, surrendering him would likely spell death.

Just know, while things weren't perfect, they were not always like this. We started falling behind after a technological error on the Apartment's end (More on that later) where two months' worth of rent was never posted. And once we made the error known, it came with fees stacked from both months and then some. In the middle of March. After I'd been dropped from my internship at a super Christian-run food bank. Where I was the only openly queer one there. 🙃

And it's truly only been downhill from there.

My nesting partner is paid slightly more than me at 9.75/hr, but they haven't been given a full 40 hour week since September of last year. This is after asking for all that can be given at their job despite dealing with chronic pain and being immunocompromised. They've been working without any sort of proper accommodation aside from being offered brief breaks in the store's beer cooler.

We've taken out payday loans out of sheer desperation not to lose our home, two of which almost crippled us.

We do not have a car. Mississippi's public transportation system is absolutely abysmal. I used the bus to go to work during my internship. I was left stranded twice and was s3xually harrassed during my rides on several occasions. The system is horrendously underfunded, so the drivers just don't care.

We have tried various programs including section 8. The wait lists are endless.

The property manager has explicitly expressed that they do not accept vouchers from any of the most prevelant housing assistance programs in our area. Which was one of the reasons why we almost weren't allowed to move here (Making a video on that soon.) during a time where we were, in fact, homeless and running out of time at the hotel we were staying at. The only assistance we have is for electric. And that's only because that bill is not processed directly through the complex itself.

I've been permanently flagged by the unemployed office. Why? Because one of my employers (the most transphobic experience I've ever had. More on that later.) claimed that nobody under my legal name, SS, or anything had ever worked there before. Every other experience listed was verified, but due to that one instance, even when I provided my old work badge and my W2, I was (and still am) no longer able to apply for unemployment without being stuck in a neverending wait list for an investigation that will never come. It will remain stuck in pending for months and then the case number will magically close without notice.

We have Food Stamps, but due to the sudden dip in income and hours, MDHS has pretty much flagged that I'm able-bodied but just choosing not to work. Which has resulted in the amount we're given monthly to harshly decrease.

What I'm trying to say is that the truly needy and unfortunate are treated like rats and scammers. Pests. These programs put in place to help us aren't funded enough to make the people tasked with running them truly care. So they turn us away.

This has been a problem in Mississippi for years. The state government is given money to help and distribute as needed, but those funds are withheld. Millions of dollars every year are kept away from the families who need it most, and nobody here can answer why.

And if you're queer or a person of color? Good luck.

I explain all of this to say that we genuinely need help wherever we can get it.

We need to get out of Mississippi.

Please help in any way you can. Spread this and my GoFundMe wherever you can. It is us the link above. Share it wherever, whether you can donate or not.

My commissions are open. All three slots are available. I will gladly work for the money.

Thank you for your reading.

[sailor-toni]

Why Nobody Works for the Fenton's

You can also read this on A03, Fanfic.net, and on Wattpad

“Think fast! What is the frequency that can disrupt a ghost's physical form?” Mrs. Fenton gleefully asked.

“Um… 150 decibels?” Valerie hugged the clipboard to her chest, surprised by the smile Mrs. Fenton had.

“No, but a good guess. It’s actually much higher than that! The high noise affects the ectoplasmic cells, and causes them to vibrate, losing their connections and bonds to one another, resulting in a ghost losing their physical form and turning into a mass of ectoplasmic goo.”

“You have a weapon that can do that?” Valerie asked.

“Well, no. This is only theory, as a weapon that could do that would cause serious hearing damage to anyone holding the weapon. And since the local farmers won’t give us permission to test on their land anymore, we haven’t had the right environment to test it,”

“Why won’t the local farmers let you test on their lands anymore?”

“Because they are cowards who can’t see what progress we are doing!” Jack yelled from the back of the lab. He was covered in thick cables that spired around his arms and legs. Each one looked to be over a hundred pounds, but the man carried them with ease.

“We accidentally covered one of their fields with experimental ectoplasm,” Maddie whispered into Valerie’s ear. “The corn outside of Amity Park is now considered ‘toxic’.” She put air quoted around toxic.  

“Valerie!” Jack turned his body, the cables dragging against the metal floor. “If any son of a gun from the EPA calls or arrives at the door, tell him to eat grass! The Fenton’s don’t answer to the government!” Valerie sucked her breath. She didn’t want to say anything that would offend the Fentons, especially since they were kind enough to give her a paid internship.

                 Casper High required that all of its students do a two-week internship in order to graduate. Most students do it in their senior year and help out one of the local businesses. She would’ve asked her Dad for an internship at his place, but then Phantom showed up. Her second choice was city hall. Dash, Kwan, and the rest of the football team got internships with city hall a year ago, but then Phantom held the old Mayor hostage, and the internship program was cut to pay for more security.  But that was fine. Nobody wanted to intern with the Fentons, the crazed duo had scared off anyone who would be willing to work with them. Everyone but Valerie, who needed them for one reason and one reason alone.  Information on ghosts! 

Also, she needed money after ghost hunting cost her the Nasty Burger job, and the Fentons were one of the few places that even offered paid internships.

“So, um Mr. and Mrs. Fenton, what will I be doing here?” 

“Great question Valerie! You will uhhhh, Honey what will she be doing?” Jack stuck his bottom lip out, his face was frozen as if he forgot what he was going to say. 

“You will be helping us keep the lab clean, change the ghost portal filter, answer any email or call that comes in, keeping stock of inventions and weapons, and helping us out in experiments.” Valerie nodded along, a lot of her tasks sounded very boring and typical; the last two options made her eyes light up. 

“And if you’re good at all that, we might even hire you as our assistant!” 

“Jack, we haven’t fully discussed that yet.” 

“Oh come on Maddie! Look at her, I bet she will be amazing!” 

Valerie stood there and smiled, if she could make this her new job, she would have access to all the weapons she would need, maybe they could teach her how to make the weapons, and she could make them at home. Valerie could already see Phantom’s face when she opened hell on earth with the stockpiles these two had. 

Her first day was spent walking through the lab and command center, her brain overloaded with what every button, gun, and icon did. At the end Valerie was sure these fools were secretly loaded, how else did they get their hands on all this material, and guns, and chemicals. Maddie had a secret room in the downstairs lab, locked to prevent her kids (aka DANNY) from pouring acid on themselves, full of every kind of poison, acid, and chemical imaginable. 

“Your first task tomorrow is to organize all of these. Don’t worry, we have a spare hazmat suit in the bunker,” Maddie said. 

“You have a bunker?” said Valerie.

“Yes, in case anyone attacks or the Russians finally nuke us. I’ll show you that later, I don’t want to give you too much information today.” Maddie chuckled as if it was all a joke. She continued explaining what each chemical did and where it had to go, but Valerie's eyes traveled to the back of the hidden room. 

“Mrs. Fenton, what is that?” 

“That is a live ghost we keep here in the lab. We use it to harvest ectoplasms and our experiments. Don’t worry it can’t feel anything we do to it, I lobotomized it years ago,” again she said it with a chuckle and a smile. The ghost had pale green skin and even paler hair, dark circles outlined his eyes like wastelands outside a drained oasis. “We found it outside a natural portal back in 1992 right before it closed. He put up quite a fight, but nothing compares to my Jack, and a fully loaded gun,” Maddie walked over and tapped the glass. “Jack and I joke that he is the hardest worker in our lab. Aren't you Harold?” Harold floated in the green liquid, his legs dissolving into nothing more than a pile of goo. “We usually keep a tarp over him when we don’t have to use him. I wonder who moved it. Oh! I found it!” She grabbed the black tarp and swung it over the tank, as the dark shroud covered Harold’s helpless features, Valerie thought she saw his hand move.  

[infosconnect]

How to Choose the Best Universities to Study Abroad: A Guide by Overseas Education Consultancy

Studying abroad is an exciting and life-changing experience that offers countless opportunities for personal, academic, and professional growth. One of the most crucial decisions you'll make during this journey is selecting the right university. With thousands of institutions worldwide, each offering unique programs, facilities, and cultural experiences, the choice can seem daunting. However, with careful research and consideration, you can find the perfect fit for your educational aspirations. As one of the best study abroad consultants, we’ll tell you how to choose the best universities to study abroad:

1. Define Your Goals: Before delving into university options, take some time to define your academic and personal goals. What field of study are you interested in? Do you have specific career aspirations? Are you seeking cultural immersion or language proficiency? Understanding your objectives will help narrow down your choices and focus your search.

2. Research Academic Programs: Look for universities renowned for excellence in your chosen field of study. Consider factors such as faculty expertise, research opportunities, internship programs, and curriculum flexibility. Review course offerings, class sizes, and teaching methods of the best universities to study abroad.

3. Evaluate Reputation and Rankings: Although rankings shouldn't be the only factor in your selection, they can offer important information about the academic status and international reputation of an institution. Refer to credible rankings such as Academic Ranking of World Universities, Times Higher Education, or QS World University Rankings to assess universities according to factors like research output, employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, and academic reputation.

4. Assess Location and Culture: Take into account the university's location as well as the surrounding culture. Consider elements like the weather, cost of living, safety, and accessibility to cultural attractions. Evaluate the university's dedication to diversity, inclusiveness, and services for international students as well.

5. Examine Financial Considerations: Since studying abroad can require a substantial financial outlay, it's critical to take living expenses, tuition, and scholarships into account. Examine the grants, financial assistance packages, and scholarship options that colleges and outside organizations are offering. 

6. Examine Campus Resources and Facilities: Take an online or physical tour of the university campus to evaluate its resources and facilities, including labs, libraries, sports facilities, dorms, extracurricular activities, etc. 

7. Seek Student Testimonials and Feedback: To learn more about the experiences of those who have been there directly, get in touch with current or former students at the universities you are considering. For honest comments and endorsements, student blogs, social media groups, and online forums are also great sources.

By following these steps and conducting thorough research, you can make an informed decision when choosing the best universities to study abroad. You can also seek the help of best overseas education consultants in Kerala to help you pick out the best universities that cater to your academic interests and aspirations.

[dis-embarks]

rant

I try to be a planner and none of my plans have worked out over the last three years that I've been away from home, by myself, trying to get a degree.

I wanted to get a minor in film studies -> didn't like it, so I swapped for a minor in sexuality studies -> needed to lighten the load bc I've been trying to study through burnout for over a year now, so I dropped the minor and planned to just graduate with my major -> had a fucking PROPHETIC DREAM of all things that I added an english lit minor, so I checked the requirements and believed I'd actually managed to fulfill them, thus I emailed my advisor to ask if I could add it even though I've already applied to graduate -> turns out some of my electives don't count towards the minor because they were also requirements for my major and I guess required credits aren't allowed to be used for both things, therefore I don't qualify for the minor like I thought I did, and there aren't enough english literature options over the summer for me to get the TWO MORE CLASSES I would need to get the minor.

I wanted to get involved in student groups and a student literary mag -> applied for every mag I could, got rejected or flat out ignored by each one, and bc of the burnout, never bothered to try again -> managed to get accepted into a sustainability group, but the management and onboarding was terrible, it was never clear what I was supposed to be doing, and the one project I tried to start on my own fell through bc of failure to communicate by the other people involved -> left that student group bc of the burnout and a mental health crisis.

I wanted to literally just Have A Job so I could afford to pay my bills and get groceries and occasionally have nice things -> got a good job for a few months, then they ghosted me after I came back from winter break -> found a new job as a dishwasher and immediately quit bc it was horrible for my chronic pain, they didn't offer me a break during a five hour shift, and I hated it -> managed to get a paid internship over the summer that helped w the finance problems -> eventually found a great job that only lasted a year before financial issues outside of my control resulted in the store being shut down and I once again lost my job -> haven't been able to find anything since and I'm in what feels like a horrific amount of debt.

wanted to participate in a career skills and internship program for humanities students -> had to drop out bc of my burnout and mental health crisis -> couldn't rejoin this year bc the workshops conflicted with my class schedule.

I'm graduating later than I planned, I gained a ton of weight, I developed another chronic pain condition that comes and goes and a bizarre vestibular problem that comes and goes, I never made any close friends and I have no plans left. I have no idea what I'm going to do now. I'm completely lost. I accomplished stuff I didn't write about here, yeah, and I'll have a degree when this is all over, yeah, and I get to go home soon, yeah. But nothing worked out how I hoped it would; not even a little bit. And the disappointment in my circumstances and in myself is unbelievable. I'm exhausted. I'm done.

[musubiki]

im ngl noww that you say that you do art as a hobby, im just intrigued by how you are so confident and are able to have the free time to do it as a hobby...

i hope i didnt make a mistake taking art college ;; IM ROOTING FOR YOU TOO! its so luckily nowdays to have a job youre at least okay with but also have some really fun hobby on the side too

to one broke college student to another do u have any advice for future years? i ltrly just started college like 3 weeks ago

aaaa as far as time for the hobby goes, i actually only have that kinda time very recently (like over the summer and this semester).....if you noticed, i kinda dropped off for a year where i mustve only drawn like 10 things??? which is because last year was such a busy year for me in terms of work and courses...but this semester is better because im only in 3 classes: one doesnt have any exams and another im retaking (cuz i didnt pass the summer comp exam for it lol) so its all content ive seen before!! so this semester is a little easier and i can draw a bit more when i dont have homework or on the weekends!!!

as far as advice goes, (im not sure how art school works? or if youre in a normal university just majoring in art?) id say: take a lot of different classes to see what you like! explore different areas, and i think it might also be good to have like.....a contingency plan so to speak. like in my undergrad i got a minor in anthropology and almost got a certificate in accounting just so i had a little more options post-undergrad if the math major didnt work out!! so doing something like that is never a bad idea!!! (my undergrad program had a requirement to fulfill a certain amount of credits outside your major courses, so i used those to explore different things)

also dont be afraid to change if you feel you dont like your current path.....like i mentioned i was an astronomy major in undergrad first, and had wanted to go into astronomy since i was a kid, but found eventually it wasnt for me (i couldnt cut it in physics) and switched to something i wasnt SUPER passionate about, but i was good at it!! which was a huge decision for me and lowkey pretty risky (the fuck do you do with a math major?? everyone i asked they just replied "Oh you can do lots of things!" and never gave me an actual job title)

try to do summer internships if you can! as long as its financially feasible for you, itll make your resume a lot beefier when you graduate if employers/grad school see that you already have several experiences under your belt (and experience compounds on itself-- the more you have the more likely you are to get more!! for example here in my program, if you have more stats and coding experience coming in youre more likely to get more stats/coding assistantships, so you gain even more experience over the person who had no stats/coding experience prior and as a result got sent to be a TA or something. so the person who already had experience gets more experience and the person who didnt falls even further behind :') (me) )

networking is also important!!! since youre just in undergrad, i would recommend starting by talking to professors when you can. doesnt need to be like, going out of your way to go to their office hours and talk stories, but maybe chat a bit before/after class!! ask them how their weekend went, ask a dumb clarifying question!! i got to my current grad program because my professor came to me before class one day and said "I have a friend from [my current program] coming to recruit, you should go meet him." so be friendly with your professors so they get to know you and will pass on opportunities when they hear about them!!

a lot of professors get emails from all kinds of jobs/programs to the effect of "[place] is looking to recuit/hire" and they can pass those your way if youre on their radar!! and lastly work hard!!

(anyway this is advice i have based on my own experiences and what worked for me, it will most likely be different for you!! stay on top of your studies, but also force yourself to rest every so often!! I personally do not do any work on saterdays and try not to on sundays!! so i feel okay working hard the other nights of the week so i have two full days of rest....sacrifice your work-week free time for grades :') sometimes the best thing for your mental health is just getting the thing you dont wanna do out of the way!! good luck in uni!!!)

[apollinaresart]

hello!!

not sure if u answer asks on here but i was wondering what ur opinion was on the sheridan animation program? i just got accepted but since it’s twice as expensive as any of the schools near me (france), i wanted to know what you thought of the faculty, quality of the program, etc? it would be especially interesting to hear from you since my reasoning for going to the program is basically the same as the one you detailed in your q&a video (it will be easier to break into the american animation industry from the other side of the pond) & i wanted to know if after a couple years that sentiment still rang true or if the reality is more nuanced than that. Thanks in advance for your help!! :DD

Thanks for reaching out!

I absolutely get the money concern. I'd say aspects of the program have improved since my #sheridansucks rants on twitter (some new part time profs actually know what they're doing, and the competent profs are generally pushing for change, as is the animation student council), but Sheridan's admin team and many of the full time professors haven't changed. Of these full time profs, 80% have never been in industry and the rest haven't been employed in animation in 20+ years; the info they have on industry is outdated or just plain wrong, and while impressionable first years may buy into it, after doing our internships over the summer and coming back for 4th year, their "the industry is just as hard as doing 5+ assignments a week, you SHOULD be pulling all nighters, we're preparing you for industry" bullshit doesn't fly. The program is horribly designed (the amount of credits is that of a 5-year program, crammed into 4 years), they're riding on grads' reputation alone at this point (taking in talented students and claiming credit for how good they are when most of us learn independently and are this good due to external courses we take, or simply practice), and I'd go so far as to call a few of the classes we take - completely useless. Many of my friends, who are domestic students, have dropped out and are now thriving in industry, because a degree really doesn't matter in this line of work.

That said, I've heard similar things about every North American art school under the sun. Also, Sheridan was, and continues to be, the best option for me as an international. Getting a degree here means I'm almost 100% guaranteed a Canadian work permit (a PGWP), plus between some of the practical knowledge I got taught (specifically by one of the part time rigging professors), and my peers' help/connections, I have already had two industry jobs before graduating. I'd always advise school over no school if you can afford it, for connections' sake - my wonderful peers aside, Sheridan has given us many discounts on tickets to networking events/festivals like OIAF and TAAFI, which have helped me land my current job, for example, and many local studios will come in for networking/recruiting talks. There is also an internship component, which the school helps you get, so by the time you've graduated you already have industry experience and studio contacts in some capacity.

It really depends on what opportunities you already have available to you in Canada. If you're an international, I would say it's helpful, and even though that help has come primarily from my peers and part time profs, that's still better than nothing for me, plus - ✨work permit✨

[oryoucouldhavemine]

hey so do you like SVA??? i was just accepted for BFA comics/cartooning and i’d love to hear ur opinion b4 i officially commit!

I think this is late! But hi! I'm also BFA Cartooning/Comics so this is perfect! SVA Is an amazing school program wise, they have dozens of courses and options for you to take that are amazing and very helpful, my fvaourites have been Storytelling an dInking this year! Of course there are cons to lots of schools, cons here are Science & Humanity classes are a REQUIREMENT every year and that some of the professors REALLY suck, but there's also AMAZING teacher who quickly beocome your friend! Living wise is complicated, if you're commuting then this doesn't apply, but building wise is iffy too. 23rd is an older building and has a lot of things that dont work/are slow, but their pros are a full sized kitchen, a table and a common living space, as well as a big hang out space and it's closer to classes. 24th i have not had any problems with except for wifi issues and the fact there is no full sized kitchen in dorms. BUT Major pros and little cons to both living situations All in all, I love this school, I personally think it's been money well spent so far, i've learned so much about the art world, how it works both as a freelance artist and in big corporations (how to get jobs with disney, marvel, dc, sony and other studios!) They have incredible internships available, depending on teacher you can work on a lot of real-world expiernce to! I'd say it's worth it but to of course look well into any other options you have especially since SVA is NOT a cheap school to attend (i am in severe debt /hj) also like a lot of the professors here are like lowkey famous and im always in awe whenever i recognise a name on my professor list it's insane

[horsesarecreatures]

I’m trying to figure out what I should do this summer. This past semester I only took 4 classes instead of five, as I had to work more hours to pay off the lovely vet bills Amba incurred this winter. So I am taking a class this summer in addition to my internship to make up the credits. The good news is that I just got an email that it is being switched to an online class. The internship is also online, with the exception of a couple of trips I might have to make to the Town and Village of New Paltz and some others. I’m basically just taking inventory of their plans and policies for zoning, disaster plans, flood mitigation plans, natural resource inventories, comprehensive plans, etc to see what grants they can qualify for from various state agencies as potential Climate Smart Communities. 

This leaves me pretty free to do whatever I want. I need to have some sort of project or I will be bored out of my mind, especially since I don’t know how much I can ride Amba. I’m not going to buy another project horse, though. It would just take too much of a toll on my mental health if things went bad again. But I do want to do something horse related. So I’m thinking about 2 options:

This first is that maybe I can reach out to rescues and see if I can foster a horse, just for the summer. I’m thinking maybe the Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Foundation or the Standardbred Retirement Foundation because they both have green off the track horses within a couple of hours from me, and Standardbreds aren’t as popular the the ottbs. What I’m thinking is I’ll take the horse to my barn, pay for the board and farrier, and it will be like a free lease, but obviously the horse will still be up for adoption. If anyone knows of any NY/NJ/CT horse rescues that would be open to an arrangement like that, please let me know. 

The second option is that I could just go down the shore and resume riding at the shore barn. I reached out to Ursula, and she said she would hire me to teach beginner/intermediate lessons and help run the summer camps. Their programs really took off during Covid. This is the financially better choice of the two. It would just mean that I would only get to see Amba once a week. I don’t want to take her down with me and risk her getting stressed from the move and aggravating her Lyme flairup.

[inkofamethyst]

July 26, 2023

Today I finished moving out of my apartment. Also my last day in a classroom in my undergraduate uni. The apartment thing actually feels weird. That room.. I mean it never quite felt like home, exactly. But it was my safe space on campus. For two years it was mine. And now it's not.

I.. I think there's a good chance I may stretch myself a little thin during my phd. Like, I discovered this thing at my uni where I could essentially get a minor alongside my Big Degree. And they have lots of really cool, interesting options (classics! medieval! archaeology! so many others!!) which I would totally consider if I was an undergrad but I'm getting close to the point where my luck may start to run out so it's probably a good idea for me to go for something more applied, right? I looked at compsci because that's the big button topic right now, but they also have data science which seems to be a bit more social-sciencey in its approach which I vibe with, and it could/would be good additional training for just like, ~being a scientist~ generally. But it's like,,,, several extra courses (five) which I mean yeah I could complete it slowly, one or two at a time, over the course of the years following my first two, but I just don't know if it'd be a good idea. If it'd be too much of a distraction from the Big Degree. And then on top of that I was already considering doing a brief internship or two. And then maybe (though this idea is significantly less well-formed) doing an exchange program one term through the program my uni offers, and that's not even mentioning all the cool workshops they have going on all the time that I want to take part in,,,,,, it's just that, I mean sort of like when I entered undergrad I'm seeing all of the offerings and want to take advantage of it all. It's kind of a once-in-a-lifetime thing, but I do actually want to get through it. Healthily.

Anyway I haven't mentioned any of this to my advisor lol. Can't show too much excitement too early. Just an appropriate, adult amount (whatever that means).

I think the important thing to remember will be that all the extras are nice, but my eyes need to stay on the prize.

Over the past several years, I've pretty successfully (and, perhaps, quite dramatically) limited my firsthand/fast fashion pieces, partly due to having a better grip on my spending habits (now that I'm spending my money) and partly due to moral convictions. However, I've recently come to recognize that there are several pieces in my wardrobe that, while looking "pretty good" for being secondhand, may not be particularly becoming for a person who looks like me and who is entering the grad school environment. My mother is pushing me to get rid of some of those items (as well as other fast fashion pieces that I've owned since high school), and I somewhat begrudgingly agree. She's also pushing me to look for suitable replacements, mostly firsthand, mostly fast fashion. The only way I can honestly feel comfortable reverting a little bit is by recognizing the fact that I genuinely attempt to take good, long-term care of my clothes. So even if I buy something at Old Navy or Target or TJMaxx, there's a decent chance it'll last me through the next six years or more, especially if they're basics.

My mom and I did get into a disagreement (it was silly and out of love but we still disagreed) about my wardrobe recently though. She complains that I don't have any color among by blacks and browns and creams. This is factually incorrect, and I reminded her that I've got greens and am constantly on the lookout for more. She told me that my hunter (and forest and sage) greens didn't count because they were muted. I told her she was being picky. I also told her that I would be receptive to adding lilac. She said I should be more open than just that. But I couldn't explain at the moment that I'm trying to build a wardrobe that is mostly modular so that I can add in whatever colors I want and not have to worry about whether I have anything to wear with them. I'll already have several potential outfits with some random piece I get on a whim one day. Anyway I needed to buy new cases for my devices and decided to get them all in lilac out of spite (admittedly, the black/gray theme I did four years ago was, perhaps, a tad boring and uninspired, but now they're dreadfully cute (I would've gone with green, but my sister is also going through a green phase, and we've already been through a period of us having the same phone and case, plus I don't think commitment to any ~~~aesthetic~~~ has to be all that deep)) but my mom says that doesn't count because they're not wearable. She also said (again) that I dress like an old maid and I had to remind her that spinsters were women who, historically, made their own money and choices for themselves, so I'm not particularly ashamed to be associated with them.

Today I'm thankful that my Enterprise-D came in good condition!!! I haven't taken it out of the box yet, but it (and its stand) appear to be in the original, unwrapped packaging. Just lovely. I also finished off a gift card by grabbing a card game and some posters, one space-based and one botanical, both vintage-looking, so decor is coming along.

I don't really care to tell most people where I'm going for graduate school. It sets a lot of expectations that I feel like I'm not always able to live up to. So when they ask "well what's next" I say "oh just grad school" and then only open up if they ask for specifics. But today, an older Black woman asked for specifics and I told her and she seemed so excited for me. I was a little bashful, but it felt good. There was a.. a unity in that interaction, something we didn't have to say aloud but it was there. Some people seem proud of me in almost a selfish way, I feel like. And that feels.. not good. But today's interaction was different in a good way. I only just met her today, but I hope I can make her proud.

[vicontheinternet]

Ideas for the inevitable w.i.t.c.h reboot to make it more mature based on my one abt winx club

Like my winx idea have them be in college 19-24

Make heatherfield a college town (with its main object is to get its students internships and mentor programs to get ready for the world)

Make will and Susan siblings (Have their relationship be very tense but also very close i.e lilo and nani or Fiona one of her siblings like carl or ian. Maybe have Susan already have william and have him be close in age with will. As for dean x Susan I was thinking of two options 1) have the relationship be young love but was cut off by life that ended in a child 2) have Susan and dean get married young and take in will I.e nathan and hayley james-scott)

Have Susan already have married dean and have them be like spike and snake from degrassi

as it is implied in the comic have will’s mom have a magical background even have Susan have will at a younger age.

Explore different family dynamics. Have the parents/guardians be in varying ages (Explore and show different ways to experience parenthood through the parents i.e adoption with taranee ivf with peter bad sex ed and misinformation about a diagnosis via will and her brother)

Mix the comic lore with the cartoon lore

have orube be taranee’s mother who was a replacement guardian after cassidy or yan lin took over the heart or a guardian group in between c.h.k.y.n and w.i.t.c.h to give the “every generation a new generation is called upon more weight to be clear in this situation orube would be Theresa she just legally changed her name as she came to earth

Make irma related to Cassidy on her birth mother's side of the family since they look alike

when we get wreck 55 singing the shows theme

Have Caleb be one of phobos whisperer’s but have nerissa bring him to life Pinocchio style like she did with astro drop will

[eliteprepsat]

As the competition for college acceptance increases, so does the value of foresight and planning. Tenth grade may seem a little early to think about college, but doing so can give you a real advantage when it comes time to fill out those college applications. Here are a few action steps you can take right now, this year, to make sure you are on track:

1. Maximize your GPA 📈

For most colleges and universities, GPA is the most important factor in admissions decisions. So continue to prioritize your academic efforts, making sure you are challenging yourself with the most advanced levels of classes you can reasonably handle. At the same time, take classes you are good at and interested in possibly studying in college. For example, if you’re interested in STEM, take as many math and sciences classes as you can. Also, think ahead to next year and check if you need to take any prerequisite classes (e.g., you may need to take regular or honors chemistry before you take AP chemistry).

2. Read 📖📚

Sophomore year is as good a time as any to focus on developing your reading skills. The more you read, the better your reading comprehension, speed, and focus will be. You will also naturally pick up new vocabulary words and standard English grammar conventions that will not only help boost your SAT score but also improve your reading and writing abilities. It goes without saying that reading will be part of almost all class assignments, so becoming a skilled reader will help with that GPA we were just talking about.

Tip: If you can improve your relationship with reading, which may have degraded over a lifetime of imposed reading limitations and deadlines, you will begin to read more efficiently and gain a desire for knowledge you never knew you could possess. Keep trying different books, magazines, and websites until you find an author or genre you truly enjoy. Then, with your new perspective, you will naturally begin to enjoy all types of reading more and more.

3. Explore Extracurricular Activities 🏈🎭

To maximize your chances of gaining admission to the colleges and universities of your choice, you will want to give them a clear vision of your interests. Schools want to get to know your personality and prefer students who actively pursue a passion, make an impact in the community, and/or demonstrate outstanding achievement rather than just disinterestedly attend a slew of activities. Think big: try to reach the highest level in your sport, assume a leadership position in your club, or even take the initiative to start your own club or community program.

If you are still unsure of your interests, try out some new classes, clubs, and activities while paying attention to when you feel most excited. Talk to others or read books and articles about potential interests to become more informed and inspired.

4. Take the PSAT

If you have the option, it’s a good idea to take the PSAT sophomore year to get a preview of what subject areas you might want to work on to prepare for your junior year PSAT. While not a college admissions requirement, the PSAT can qualify you for scholarship money and provide good practice for the SAT.

5. Consider SAT Subject Tests

SAT subject tests are offered for math, science, English, history, and languages. Some colleges and universities require or recommend them, and some don’t, but in any case these 60 minute tests are a good way to demonstrate your knowledge in subject areas you are interested in possibly pursuing. Since it is a good idea to take the SAT subject tests when the material is fresh in your mind, sophomore year could be a good time to take the tests that correlate to classes you are currently taking.

6. Plan Your Summer ⛱️

As another way of getting to know you, colleges are interested in how you spend your free time. Plan your summers wisely so that you take advantage of this time to showcase your positive personality traits, such as initiative, leadership, and responsibility. Getting a job, an internship, or a volunteer position, or taking a college course can help you explore your interests, grow personally, and set the stage for strong extracurricular involvement in the years to come.

7. Learn About Colleges 🏫

It’s completely fine if you don’t know which colleges you want to go to yet, but starting to think about your preferences is helpful. You can look into colleges of different sizes, locations, and types and see which ones you’re most drawn to. College search websites, such as College Board Big Future, niche.com, and unigo.com will, based on your preferences, generate a personalized college match list for you. You can then read up on the details of each college and even plan visits to get a sense of how the campuses feel. Even if you can only visit a couple of local schools, knowing which attributes you like and dislike will help you as you put together a list of where you want to apply. Knowing schools more intimately can also get you more excited about college and thereby more motivated to succeed overall as a high school student.

Keep in mind that you have time to explore and get everything done. And feel proud that you’re being proactive and not procrastinating. Your school classes provide enough stress, so starting the college preparation process now can prevent extra stress from overwhelming your future self as college app season draws near.