#chronological sequence

[apostaticlamb]

kicking my legs and giggling over the fact that the turtles so obviously symbolize benitez. ofc we all know the fable of the tortoise and the hare (i know tortoises aren't turtles, but they're closely related enough for it to still work), with its motto of "slow and steady wins the race"- which is exactly how benitez won the papacy, in a way. but also, lawrence mentions that sometimes the turtles stray too far from the pond and get struck by cars in the busy street. near the end of the film, we have a scene of lawrence picking up a turtle and bringing it safely back to the pond; before this was the scene of benitez's confession to lawrence that he's intersex. in turn, the turtle rescue scene so obviously symbolizes lawrence keeping benitez's secret safe and protecting him.

[tunapesto]

daisuke from also earlier this month. wao

[icekingandbetty]

memory of a memory + simon petrikov

[adamfanti11i]

did the post get in the way of your empty net goal? let adam give it a shot // the stadium series, 03.01.2025

[aerial-aceing-it]

Magic anon! Homestuck god tier costumes without the powers attempting to remove them finds paradoxically, there is another layer of the clothing underneath.

[ x1 KNIGHT of HOPE outfit applied to Marvin! ]

[ x1 MAGE of SPACE outfit applied to Dylan! ]

“Oh, weird… This is… kind of comfy? Actually? Holy shit these are nice! Haha, Dylan, are yours cozy?”

“I don’t know what the hell these are. They look dumb as fuck, I don’t care that they’re cozy. I want these off, they’re compromising my vibe. Hold on-“

“…”

“Ok, weird. Just…”

“… Dylan-“

“Come on! One more try!”

“You know, the definition of insanity-“

“Dude, shut up.”

[bobbimorses]

free ticket to blab about hawkeye: freefall 🎟️

i love thunderbolts but i wish we got something substantial in between it and freefall exploring the fallout/implications of the ending bc god knows subsequent appearances have decided we've completely skipped past the opportunity

[lucagray813]

Future Monkey See, Monkey Do Chapter

A/N: So, I basically never write chapters out of order but I found I was really missing the G&Ms and, since this plot point is completely separate from Macaque and Wukong right now and therefore shouldn't cause any continuity issues, I decided to just go ahead and write it. This will probably be the second chapter of a two/three chapter "intermission" in a few chapters time.

If you don't want spoilers for upcoming chapters and plot points then don't read any further! But for those of you interested in what the G&Ms are up to - enjoy!

----

Ba was a monkey that knew how to appreciate a little bit of peace and quiet. Don't get him wrong, he was sure he'd go crazy if he had to spend any length of time on his own but it was nice to escape the chaos of the troupe every once in a while.

And to that end, when it was his turn to patrol the borders he liked to do it by himself. He'd never turn anyone down if they wanted to join them and he was happy to stop and chat for a little while if he ran into someone along the way but for the most part this was his chance to have some time to himself.

"Ba!"

That was, of course, up until Ma sensed he was in danger of "dying of boredom" and felt compelled to come and save him. Really, it was almost impressive how she always knew exactly when he was at his most peaceful. A shame she only used this power to ensure he wasn't at risk of becoming enlightened or anything similar.

Still, after sighing to himself and bidding his peaceful morning goodbye, he called back to her so that it would be easier to find him.

"Ah, there you are! Good! I've not missed it then!"

Warily, he asked, "Missed what?"

Scouting about as if searching for something, she explained, "Something's about to happen. I can feel it. And since Shí Hóu and Xiāo Hóu aren't here that leaves you as the number one candidate for being at the centre of whatever it is."

Unfortunately, his track record for accidentally stumbling into trouble was indisputable. Some monkeys even refused to hang out with him by themselves for fear of getting pulled into his misadventures.

He couldn't help but start eyeing his surroundings worriedly, "What makes you think something's about to happen?"

Using the branches to get a better vantage point, she explained, "I was taking a nap in the peach orchard when a flock of red warblers woke me up."

He frowned up at her, "That's it?"

She responded, "How often do you see a whole flock of those noisy little pests in our territory? I bet something big has disturbed them and knowing you, you'll be the lucky one that gets to find out what."

Trying not to be too easily swayed, he argued, "But they roost on the opposite side of the island! What are the odds I'm going to run into whatever has upset them?"

Ma suddenly grinned as she spotted something in the distance, "Oh, I'd say it's all but guaranteed." She jumped down and started pulling him in the right direction, "C'mon, our exposition is just up ahead."

Resigned, he dutifully followed her and was surprised to come across a demon monkey he hadn't seen in quite some time.

Their troupe was the largest on the island, and the only one that included monkey demons, but there were plenty of other smaller groups dotted about outside their territory. And it wasn't unheard of for monkeys and demon monkeys that had left their troupe, willingly or otherwise, to join with these smaller groups.

Of those that left willingly, it was often because they had a desire to climb up the hierarchy and there was only so far anyone could rise within their troupe - no-one was going to knock Shí Hóu off his throne, after all.

And he knew that had been the case for Méi, the demon monkey before him, and looking at her, he felt confident she wasn't here to return with her tail between her legs.

Ma chirped at her in Monkey, "Well, look who's back! Where you been, traitor? Wait, don't say anything, let me guess! North-east, right?" She shot him a pointed look as she added, "Where the red warblers like to roost?"

He rolled his eyes, before pushing her face away and making his way over to Méi to say hello properly, happy to see her despite the bad news she'd no doubt brought with her.

She'd been an adventurous and rambunctious infant but she had grown up to be a steadfast and dependable adult, and her bravery was second to none amongst demon monkeys.

He'd been sad to see her go, but he hadn't been surprised.

Once pleasantries had been seen to, she confirmed that she had indeed taken up residence in the north-east, in Havoc Demon territory to be precise.

Ma shook her head fondly, "A life of peace was just never for you, huh?"

The Havoc Demons were the most aggressive of any of the demons on the island, their clan fractured into smaller factions that were forever at war with one another.

They weren't content with keeping the bloodshed contained within their own territory either. They were relatively safe given the distance between them but on occasion the Tusked Demon Clan had called up on Shí Hóu for his aid in fending off invaders.

If the threat of being killed and eaten by a Havoc Demon wasn't enough to put a monkey off their territory, then you would think the limited resources there as a result of the conflict might do it. But no, for whatever reason there were monkeys that called such a difficult place to live home and Méi was one of them.

But she had made the days long trek back to warn them about some worrying developments.

Apparently the many factions of the Havoc Demon Clan were being forcibly brought to heel by an up and coming power known as the Demon King of Confusion.

And he had greater ambitions beyond the unification of his clan.

He had claimed that he had been chosen by the ancient beings that had once inhabited this island, the Gǔrén, as he had dubbed them, to rule over all from his rightful throne atop Flower Fruit Mountain.

The story that the Demon King of Confusion seemed to be spreading was that upon murdering his treacherous brother he had been struck by a glorious vision, in which the Gǔrén spoke to him. Where they told him of his destiny before sharing with him the secrets of the island and blessing him with weapons and armour the likes of which had never been seen before.

As iffy an origin story as it was, what couldn't be denied was that he'd been using both the knowledge and powerful artefacts he'd mysteriously obtained to devastating effect and he had his sights set on them next.

Incredulous, Ma gestured to the North, "And does he think the Tusked Demons are just going to let him waltz through their territory to get to us?"

Méi shook her head and explained that the Demon King was convinced that there were tunnels beneath the island that would bring them straight to the palace. And to that end, he had squads of demons digging in search of them.

Ma scowled, "If these ancient ones were real and on his side, you'd think they'd have told him how to actually find these supposed tunnels. What do you want to bet they don't even exist?"

Ba shook his head, "How many secret passages and rooms have we uncovered in the palace? And we're still finding more. Underground tunnels aren't that farfetched. We need to check this out. Méi wouldn't have come all this way if this guy wasn't a genuine threat."

Ma scratched at her chin thoughtfully, "No, I hear you. But I think the tunnels might be a dead end, I think we should start talking to the Tusked Demon Clan and start making a plan of attack. Get to them before they can get to us."

It was almost inevitable there would be some sort of conflict but they could significantly reduce casualties if they could hold off any actual fighting until Xiāo Hóu and Shí Hóu got back.

He reasoned with her, "We will start talks with them but we shouldn't ignore this. I know just looking around isn't likely to get us answers but we have to at least try. And I think we should ask the phoenixes if they know anything too."

Ma groaned, "Not the phoenixes, Ba. They're such a pain in the ass to talk to. We'd need to go hunt down an offering for them and you know how fucking fussy they are. And even if they are feeling chatty, they might not even know anything!"

It was possible but the Phoenixes were ancient and immortal and they liked to titter coyly about how inferior they all were to the beings that had built the palace they now lived in. If anyone knew anything about the existence of these tunnels then it was them.

Mind already made up, he stood, "We need to try. Fènghuáng will hear us out and I think I know where I could find some fire elementals we could take as an offering."

Ma just continued to whine, "Come on, don't make us do this. Let's just find Beng and Liu and fill them in."

Méi jumped up on his shoulder as he started to walk away, "Good idea. Go tell them what's happening and I'll catch up with you later."

He counted down from five in his head, and at zero was met with one last reluctant groan before Ma loyally joined his side. Before he could say anything, she shushed him, "Don't start. I'm not dealing with you being all upset because the phoenixes bullied you. And you burn way too easily, I'll carry the fire elementals."

Honestly, while he would have gone without her, he really, really, really hadn't wanted to. And exactly for the reasons Ma had stated. The phoenixes could be super mean and Ma was way more fire resistant than he was, not immune like Beng was but still way less likely to come away with a bad burn compared to him.

He grinned, "Glad you're coming with. Méi, could you do some recon for us? Try and figure out where Fènghuáng is most likely to be? It will save us a lot of time if we're climbing the right mountain."

She offered him a nod and a salute before leaping off his shoulder and heading towards Tiger Demon territory to tie in with the monkeys that lived there. It wasn't a job he would have given to just anyone but Méi was exceptionally capable.

Ma watched her go before commenting, "Man, I wish she'd stayed. Like, I get it, life around here can get a little too boring for a little daredevil like that but damned if I didn't like having her around."

He agreed, "Hopefully she'll stick around long enough for us to have a proper catch up - I'm sure she's been nonstop since she left."

Ma snorted, "I bet. Who the hell willingly lives in Havoc Demon territory though? Ah, it doesn't matter right now. Where are these fire elementals you spotted?"

He looked away guiltily, "Well..."

Ma brightened, laughing joyously, "No way! You want us to steal them from Beng?"

Uselessly he tried to refute, "We're not stealing them. We're just... Borrowing them for a little while."

Fire elementals didn't occur very frequently in their territory, not enough fire and brimstone for them really, but from time to time they did materialise inside fires that Beng was sitting next to.

They weren't his pets exactly but he did have a bit of a soft spot for those little flickers of flame so he tended to move them to the next available fire whenever their existing one was about to go out. They could "live" outside of a host fire for a little while but, according to Beng, they were happier when they were in their element.

Ma pointed out gleefully, "Borrowing them to feed them to Phoenixes. Ooh~! He is going to be so mad!"

He wouldn't be that mad but he probably would be pretty miffed they went behind his back to steal them. But waiting for his approval would waste so much time and if the Phoenixes had good intel then all would be forgiven.

Eventually.

Shrugging sheepishly, he responded, "Well, don't you always say it's better to ask forgiveness than permission...?"

She threw an arm around his shoulders, "That I do! You know, you should take my advice more often!"

He was sure everyone was grateful that he didn't.

[jeannereames]

Order of events in novels

POLL! See below ....

Because events in my current epic/historical fantasy MIP (monster-in-progress) sometimes occur in multiple, geographically distant places, I may organize scenes slightly out of chronological sequence for thematic, framing, or other reasons. E.g., Events in Scene A at Place A occur some days/weeks after events in Scene B at Place B. But events in Scene B are not required to set up Scene A and the relative timing of each is not explicit in the narrative. I'm not sure most readers would do the math to figure it out, but...

(Please reblog)

[victorluvsalice]

(Tag Game) The Joker And The Queen

This is either something related to everyone's favorite Society Clown (unlikely, but possible. I could buy into a Joker Victor) or it's something about cards and/or their iconography (Possibly Wonderland related AU given the Queen of Hearts exists?)

Actually, it's neither! The Joker And The Queen is actually the sequel story to the fic immediately before it on the list, As Long As You Love Me. "As Long As You Love Me" can be summed up as, basically, "the Bart & Ken bits of Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency with Victor and Alice" -- that story currently exists in various story chunks collected here: As Long As You Love Me -- All In One Place! and I do have a rough draft of a "completed" version sitting around (as evidenced by the fact that it's on the list).

"The Joker And The Queen's" deal is that Victor and Alice have been on the road together for about a year, with Victor helping Alice with her holistic assassinations -- only for Victor to get kidnapped during one by a mysterious organization called "X Sector," and get dragged off to The Sanctuary, a holding facility for people with mysterious powers, headed up by Dr. Kelman (who for some reason is convinced VICTOR is the holistic assassin). As you might imagine, all the other residents are the various Alton Towers coasters -- Oblivion, Air/Galactica, Thirteen, Rita, Wickerman, Nemesis, and, of course, Smiler. The story's two plotlines involve Alice stumbling across Victoria and Emily while tracking down Victor and teaming up with them to find him; and Victor dealing with life in the Sanctuary and making friends with the other "secret weapons" -- and realizing that he's starting to fall for Smiler. There's a somewhat more in-depth look at my idea for the story here, but the important thing is that it ends with an awesome break-out/break-in sequence set to "Backstreet's Back" and a "Four Victorians Riding A Rollercoaster" poly situation. :)

Oh, and as for the title... *sigh* Okay, look -- when I was writing "As Long As You Love Me," I'd gotten into some of Taylor Swift's older songs, and they worked their way into the story as a musical motif (alongside, obviously, The Backstreet Boys). So when it came to the sequel, I decided that Victor and Smiler's thing would be Ed Sheeran songs, and named the story after Ed and Taylor's recent collab at the time. I felt it fit -- "Joker" for Smiler and "Queen" for Alice, get it?

[moe-broey]

⬇️👇 Moecore simulator

[boysnberriespie]

Honestly at this point it’s just fucking annoying to see people willfully misreading the fucking plot of this damn show, like I’m about to take out the middle school plot analysis work sheets because Christ alive

[spewagepipe]

The Evolution of RPGs: Gioco dell'oca

Today's game, Gioco dell'oca, the "Game of the Goose", originated in Italy around the 1400's as a dumbed-down version of Mehen (or, more accurately, some untraceable string of Mehen's descendants) in which the players have no input of any kind. Its sole mechanical "innovation" is the idea that various spaces on the track either reward or punish the player: jumping them forward or backward, skipping their next turn or doubling their dice roll – that sort of thing. It was originally conceived as a zero-skill gambling activity where the penalty spaces force the player to pay up a stake and there's a prize pot for the winner. However, growing anti-gambling sentiments of the era resulted in this version being overwhelmingly replaced by editions that are stripped of the gambling elements, and have rebranded the board with heavy-handed moralizing on the reward and hazard spaces. Despite the tedious nature of Goose, for about 400 years it established the default mould for almost every tabletop game that was not derived from either chess or cards. The most significant of these, for our purposes, is The Mansion of Happiness, where the spaces depict the progression of a person's life from infancy to decrepitude (with various pitfalls and triumphs along the way).

Click here for the index of my Evolution of RPGs posts.

[eightfourone]

does the playlist influence the writing of the story or does the story idea influence the making of the playlist... we may never know

[kuraiummei]

I can put down 500 words of finished content per hour, so a weekend is enough to write a 15k if I'm hyperfixated or coming up on a deadline. It'll leave me a zombie with brain exhaustion, but I can do it.

Granted, it'll be like B+ writing, not some AAA rank wonder, but it'll be pretty good.

On the other hand, don't ask me for fully thought out arcs or poetic narratives. If I'm writing fast, it's going to be a self contained bubble of smut or something, haha. One project? Lmaooo, impossible.

Okay, so as a counterpoint to this survey >>>

[aparticularbandit]

Interesting change between the bit of manga adaptation in the back of the light novel and the light novel itself.

When Kyon imagines Haruhi writing in the baseball field, he calls her expression (in the light novel) one of "tragic heroism."

In the manga, it's "one of tragedy" (emphasis mine).

[phonemantra-blog]

Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2023 Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the schedule of Social Security benefit payments for the year 2023. In this article, we will provide you with detailed information on the dates and frequency of Social Security benefit payments, ensuring you have all the necessary information at your fingertips. Understanding Social Security Benefit Payments Social Security benefit payments are an essential source of income for millions of Americans. These payments provide financial support to retired individuals, disabled individuals, and surviving family members of deceased workers. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is responsible for administering these payments and ensuring they reach eligible recipients promptly. Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2023 Below is the schedule of Social Security benefit payments for the year 2023: | Month | Payment Date | | --------- | ------------ | | January | January 4 | | February | February 3 | | March | March 3 | | April | April 5 | | May | May 3 | | June | June 7 | | July | July 5 | | August | August 3 | | September | September 6 | | October | October 4 | | November | November 1 | | December | December 6 | Key Information about Social Security Benefit Payments Here are some important details you should know about Social Security benefit payments: Frequency of Payments Social Security benefit payments are typically made every month. The schedule mentioned above outlines the specific dates for each month in 2023. Payment Methods Recipients have the option to receive their Social Security benefits through direct deposit or a Direct Express Debit Mastercard. Direct deposit is the most common and convenient method, as it ensures prompt and secure delivery of payments directly into the recipient's bank account. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for Social Security benefits, individuals must have earned enough credits through their work history. The number of credits required varies based on the individual's age and the type of benefit they are applying for. Applying for Benefits If you are eligible for Social Security benefits, you can apply online through the official SSA website or by visiting your local Social Security office. The application process requires certain personal and financial information, so it's important to gather all necessary documents before applying. Benefit Calculation The amount of Social Security benefits you receive is based on your average lifetime earnings and the age at which you choose to start receiving benefits. The SSA uses a complex formula to calculate benefit amounts, taking into account your highest-earning years and adjusting for inflation. Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) Each year, Social Security benefits may be adjusted to account for changes in the cost of living. These adjustments, known as Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA), are based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The purpose of COLA is to ensure that the purchasing power of Social Security benefits remains stable over time. [caption id="attachment_70879" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] schedule of social security benefit payments 2023[/caption] Understanding the schedule of Social Security benefit payments is crucial for individuals relying on these payments for their financial well-being. In this article, we have provided you with a comprehensive overview of the payment dates for the year 2023, along with key information about Social Security benefits. By staying informed and knowledgeable, you can effectively manage your finances and ensure a smooth receipt of your Social Security benefits. Frequently Asked Questions - Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2023 1. When will the Social Security benefit payments be made in 2023? The schedule for Social Security benefit payments in 2023 can be found on the official Social Security Administration website. 2. Are the payment dates the same for everyone? No, the payment dates may vary depending on your birthdate and the type of benefit received. Please refer to the official schedule for specific payment dates. 3. How often are Social Security benefits paid? Social Security benefits are typically paid every month. 4. Can I change the payment date for my Social Security benefits? No, the payment dates are determined by the Social Security Administration and cannot be changed individually. 5. What happens if my payment date falls on a weekend or holiday? If your scheduled payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the payment will usually be made on the preceding business day. 6. How can I check the status of my Social Security benefit payment? You can check the status of your payment by creating an account on the official Social Security Administration website or by contacting their toll-free number. 7. Can I receive my Social Security benefits through direct deposit? Yes, you can choose to have your Social Security benefits directly deposited into your bank account. This option is often recommended as it provides a safe and convenient way to receive payments. 8. What should I do if I haven't received my Social Security payment? If you haven't received your payment on the scheduled date, you should wait a few days before contacting the Social Security Administration. Delays can sometimes occur due to various factors. 9. Can I receive my Social Security benefits in the form of a paper check? Starting from March 1, 2023, the Social Security Administration will no longer issue paper checks. All benefit payments will be made through direct deposit or loaded onto a Direct Express Debit Mastercard. 10. Are Social Security benefit payments taxable? Whether your Social Security benefits are taxable or not depends on your total income. To determine if your benefits are subject to taxation, you may refer to the IRS guidelines or consult a tax professional.