#dusty johnson

[mumblingsofmemory]

Dusty Johnson

[beauty-funny-trippy]

[The following is from Republican Congressman Dusty Johnson's interview with CNN, discussing the ongoing turmoil caused by MAGA Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives (Oct 2023)]

"If we don't change the foundational problems within our [Republican] conference, it's just gonna be the same stupid clown car with a different driver."

"If Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise can't figure out how to deal with that saboteur (Matt Gaetz), we're just going to have another blow-up, whether it's two weeks, or six weeks, or eight weeks. You know, Matt Gaetz and those hardliners, they're a real problem. And I don't think the pyromaniacs are going to be satisfied after they burn down one house. I think they're going to have an itching to go burn down a couple more."

"These guys, chaos artists, decided that we need to take a couple of weeks off from governing the country. They've been playing silly D.C. parlor games about leadership rather than having us actually get things done. And because they crave the attention, because they crave the chaos, it doesn't end here. We've got some real work to do if we're going to be a real big boy, big girl, grown-up party to govern the House." (source: Rep. Johnson's interview)

[alphabetsoup-blogposts]

Give the Market a Steer

Well, I doan mean to brag but I think this tweet was pretty timely...💅

Here's news about bringing sunlight to cattle auction and cash contracts:

If you're wondering, as I did, how a cattle futures market has operated since 1964 without standardisation, convergence or publicly available contracts in the cash or auction ("spot") market, the substantive answer is probably "it relies on enforcement actions". Here's a CFTC action from 2021 charging a Washington State Rancher and Feedyard with a $233 Million Phantom Cattle Fraud Scheme.

The slightly less helpful answer is that the futures market relies on an index which uses inputs reported by the USDA on a nifty little app which cites, inter alia, volume of cattle sold at prices distributed around the average in $2 segments. What that doesn't tell you, of course, is how the USDA garners—or, more importantly, guarantees the integrity of—its reported price data, which presumably leans heavily on interviews with producers.... and that's where my limited grasp of the market parameters evaporates.

Anyway, now that we've got a head start on a cattle contract library, how long do you think it will take before the CFTC starts penalising farmers for dealing cattle via "non-approved" electronic communications devices?

Kidding? Yes, perhaps I am.... (or, perhaps they already are. 🤷🏻‍♀️)

[giveamadeuschohisownmovie]

Not gonna lie, the more I learn about Cody Rhodes’ history (as someone who is more of a casual fan), the more I’m convinced that there’s a solid, award-winning biopic in the wings for him. I mean, his life story includes:

* being the son of a legendary wrestler and struggling to live up to his legacy, while also forging his own path

* wanting to become WWE champion because his father was never one. And his half-brother, Goldust, as well. Cody did it for the Rhodes family name.

* struggling to get over with the crowd, especially since he was being given subpar gimmicks. Examples: Stardust, being Randy Orton’s henchman, being the handsome guy before becoming the ugly guy. (Okay, I did like the Undashing Cody arc, but I am glad he’s done with it lol)

* left WWE to forge a new path in AEW, which ended in disappointment. Still, he never gave up on his dream.

* literally tore his pecs, but wrestled anyways

* returned to the WWE and became one of the biggest babyfaces in years.

The last act of the movie obviously has to be Wrestlemania 40. That section alone would make for a great story. Just imagine it; Cody is told he has to step aside because the Rock will be fighting Roman at WM40, and then learning about how much support he got from the fans and their demands that he be allowed to “finish the story”. I can just imagine the fan backlash/support to Cody as this montage sequence, with the film score just going crazy in the background.

(But now the question is…who should play Cody?)

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Anna North at Vox:

Before the 1960s, it was really hard to get divorced in America. Typically, the only way to do it was to convince a judge that your spouse had committed some form of wrongdoing, like adultery, abandonment, or “cruelty” (that is, abuse). This could be difficult: “Even if you could prove you had been hit, that didn’t necessarily mean it rose to the level of cruelty that justified a divorce,” said Marcia Zug, a family law professor at the University of South Carolina.

Then came a revolution: In 1969, then-Gov. Ronald Reagan of California (who was himself divorced) signed the nation’s first no-fault divorce law, allowing people to end their marriages without proving they’d been wronged. The move was a recognition that “people were going to get out of marriages,” Zug said, and gave them a way to do that without resorting to subterfuge. Similar laws soon swept the country, and rates of domestic violence and spousal murder began to drop as people — especially women — gained more freedom to leave dangerous situations.  Today, however, a counter-revolution is brewing: Conservative commentators and lawmakers are calling for an end to no-fault divorce, arguing that it has harmed men and even destroyed the fabric of society. Oklahoma state Sen. Dusty Deevers, for example, introduced a bill in January to ban his state’s version of no-fault divorce. The Texas Republican Party added a call to end the practice to its 2022 platform (the plank is preserved in the 2024 version). Federal lawmakers like Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and House Speaker Mike Johnson, as well as former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, have spoken out in favor of tightening divorce laws. 

If this sounds outlandish or like easily dismissed political posturing — surely Republicans don’t want to turn back the clock on marital law more than 50 years — it’s worth looking back at, say, how rhetorical attacks on abortion, birth control, and IVF have become reality. And that will cause huge problems, especially for anyone experiencing abuse. “Any barrier to divorce is a really big challenge for survivors,” said Marium Durrani, vice president of policy at the National Domestic Violence Hotline. “What it really ends up doing is prolonging their forced entanglement with an abusive partner.” [...]

Republicans in multiple states are eyeing divorce restrictions

Pushback against no-fault divorce dates back decades. In the 1990s and early 2000s, three states passed covenant marriage laws, allowing couples to opt into signing a contract allowing divorce only under circumstances like abuse or abandonment. Some backers of the laws intended them to send a larger anti-divorce message, the Maryland Daily Record reported in 2001. Speaker Johnson, then a lawyer in Louisiana, was an early adopter of covenant marriage, entering one with his wife Kelly in 1999. 

More recently, high-profile conservative commentators have taken up the anti-divorce cause. Last year, the popular right-wing podcaster Steven Crowder announced his own unwilling split. “My then-wife decided that she didn’t want to be married anymore,” he complained, “and in the state of Texas, that is completely permitted.”

That could change. As Tessa Stuart noted in Rolling Stone, the Texas Republican party controls both chambers of the state legislature and the governor’s office, and could likely make its platform — the one calling on the state legislature to “rescind unilateral no-fault divorce laws” — a reality if it chose. The Louisiana and Nebraska Republican parties have also considered or adopted similar language.  

[...]

Ending no-fault divorce would have major consequences

Opponents of no-fault divorce argue that it is hurting families and American culture. Making divorce too easy causes “social upheaval, unfettered dishonesty, lawlessness, violence towards women, war on men, and expendability of children,” Deevers wrote last year in the American Reformer, a Christian publication. “To devalue marriage is to devalue the family is to undermine the foundation of a thriving society.” It’s worth noting that though the no-fault laws initially led to spikes in divorce, rates then began to drop, and reached a 50-year low in 2019, CNN reports. But today, an end to no-fault divorce would cause enormous financial, logistical, and emotional strain for people who are trying to end their marriages, experts say. Proving fault requires a trial, something many divorcing couples today avoid, said Kristen Marinaccio, a New Jersey-based family law attorney. A divorce trial is time-consuming and costly, putting the partner with less money at an immediate disadvantage. It can also be “really, really traumatizing” to have to take the stand against an ex-partner, Marinaccio said. There’s also no guarantee that judges will always decide cases fairly. In the days of fault-based divorce, courts were often unwilling to intervene in marriages even in cases of abuse, Zug said.  No-fault divorce can be easier on children, who don’t have to experience their parents facing each other in a trial, experts say. Research suggests that allowing such divorces increased women’s power in marriages and even reduced women’s suicide rates. A return to the old ways would turn back the clock on this progress, scholars say.

The Christian Right’s war on no-fault divorce is closely linked to their wars on IVF, abortion, birth control, and LGBTQ+ rights, as seek to roll back the clock to an era when straight white Christian men ruled the roost without pushback.

[dustydoop]

Hey I don't ship Caveline but I wanted to explore this man's messed up thoughts on what love is so enjoy

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

A feud over spending cuts between hardline and centrist Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives raises the risk that the federal government will suffer its fourth shutdown in a decade this fall.

Members of the hardline House Freedom Caucus are pushing to cut spending to a fiscal 2022 level of $1.47 trillion, $120 billion less than President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy agreed to in their May debt ceiling compromise.

With Republicans also seeking higher spending on defense, veterans benefits and border security, analysts say the hardline target would mean cuts of up to 25% in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, science, commerce, water and energy, and healthcare.

Centrists, who call themselves "governing" Republicans, say their hardline colleagues are ignoring the fact that their priorities are rejected by Democrats who control the Senate and White House, and that spending will wind up near the level agreed by McCarthy and Biden anyway.

The result is a major headache for centrist Republicans from swing districts that Biden won in 2020 and others with constituents in the firing line of hardline spending targets.

"The reductions are so deep," said Representative Don Bacon, a centrist Republican from Nebraska. "They want to make everything a root canal."

Hardliners view the 2024 fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1 as a test of Republican resolve to reduce the federal debt and move on to reform social programs including Medicare and Social Security.

"I don't fault any individual member for raising concerns and wanting to make sure that the bill is right for them and for their district," said Representative Ben Cline, who belongs to the Freedom Caucus, the conservative Republican Study Committee and the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.

"What there has to be is an understanding that for there to be 218 Republican votes, the spending needs to be in line with pre-COVID levels rather than the debt-limit agreement."

One significant source of frustration is hardline demands for cuts to bills that have already been vetted by the 61-member House Appropriations Committee.

"We're not, willy-nilly, just trying to give money away. We're trying to focus and prioritize," said Representative David Joyce, a member of the appropriations committee who heads the 42-member centrist Republican Governance Group.

With Democrats opposed to hardline proposals, McCarthy can afford to lose no more than four Republican votes if he hopes to pass all 12 appropriations bills before funding expires on Sept. 30.

"I do not know how they get themselves out of this jam," said William Hoagland, a former Senate Republican budget director now at the Bipartisan Policy Center think tank.

TRICKY PATH

When the House returns from summer recess on Sept. 12, lawmakers will have 12 days to complete their bills and hammer out compromise legislation with the Senate or risk a partial government shutdown.

McCarthy acknowledged last week they may have to resort to a stopgap funding bill, known as a "continuing resolution," or CR, to keep federal agencies open.

That option could be complicated by hardline demands that it include some of former President Donald Trump's border policies, which Democrats reject.

Some House Republicans say the challenges are similar to disagreements McCarthy has overcome on other major legislation, including an April Republican debt ceiling bill that cemented his negotiating position in talks with Biden.

"The more appropriations bills we can get across the finish line, the more we'll have the leverage we need to negotiate a good deal with the Senate," said Representative Dusty Johnson, who chairs the Main Street Caucus, whose members describe themselves as "pragmatic conservatives".

Failure would mean another costly government shutdown starting in October, which would be the fourth in a decade.

SHUTDOWN RISK

House Freedom Caucus members say a shutdown could be necessary to achieve their objectives.

"It's not something that the members of the Freedom Caucus generally wish for," said Representative Scott Perry, who chairs the group of roughly three dozen conservatives.

"But we also understand that very little happens in Washington that's difficult, without someone or something forcing it to happen," he told Reuters.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in Congress, said last week that Republicans will be to blame for any new shutdown "if the House decides to go in a partisan direction."

Disputes over funding and policy have shut down the federal government three times in the past decade: once in 2013 over healthcare spending and twice in 2018 over immigration. A 35-day shutdown that began in December 2018 and ran into January 2019 cost the economy 0.02% of GDP, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

This time, the slim 222-212 House Republican majority could pay a political price. A shutdown would disrupt the lives of Americans barely a year before the 2024 election, when Republicans must defend 18 House seats in districts that Biden won in 2020.

McCarthy could face the prospect of having to resort to a CR that requires bipartisan support to pass, neutralizing the hardliners, analysts said.

That could endanger McCarthy's speakership under a deal he struck allowing a single lawmaker to move for his dismissal.

Would the House Freedom Caucus end McCarthy's reign over a CR?

"I wouldn't go that far," Perry said. "That's a final option. We want to work with the leadership. We want to work with Kevin, and we think that we can."

[rainingmusic]

Wooden Shjips - Staring At The Sun

[reportwire]

Buck's back: Showalter gets another October shot with Mets

Buck’s back: Showalter gets another October shot with Mets

NEW YORK — The last time Buck Showalter managed a playoff game, he ended up on the hot seat after an agonizing loss for Baltimore. Six years later, a shot at redemption begins Friday with the New York Mets. The popular Showalter takes his fourth franchise to the postseason this weekend when the Mets host San Diego in their best-of-three wild card series. The veteran skipper has spent more than…

[growingstories]

Pjotr (NEW PICTURES)

This is a story by Jamie, living in a suburban area close to London: Next to where I live is a building that houses construction workers from abroad. Most of the guys I see are from Poland living here to work for a construction company run by a Mr. Johnson. I didn’t really think much of it until Pjotr became my direct neighbor.

Every day, I would see the rough Polish workers in the garden, their tough exterior giving away nothing but their laborious days. Dusty and unshowered, they would gather after work to smoke, drink beer, and chat until late into the night. None of them seemed to be particularly fit, most being slightly overweight. However, their dedication to their work was admirable. During vacations, they would all go back to their families in Poland and return after spending quality time with their loved ones. It was during such Summer vacation period that I bumped into someone unexpected.

As I walked down the street, lost in my own thoughts, I noticed a hot, athletic guy who appeared to be lost. Curiosity got the better of me, and I approached him to offer my help. He was looking for number 13, the house right next to mine. I excitedly told him that I lived next door, and we introduced ourselves. His name was Pjotr, and he mentioned that he was from Poland as the rest of the guys.

Pjotr had recently finished carpenter school and had come to to England pursue his dreams in the construction industry. His charming demeanor instantly struck a chord with me, and before I knew it, I had fallen head over heels in love with him.

After a week of living next to each other, Pjotr and I bumped into each other again. I asked him how he was finding his time in England so far. He confessed that work was tough and after work was a bit monotonous. The other workers would only gather to drink and never did anything particularly interesting. He expressed his struggle in connecting with his rough colleagues, who mostly talked about women and football—topics that didn't interest him much. He was happy to paths crossed have with me, as it meant having someone to talk to outside of work.

Feeling an undeniable connection, the following week, I suggested we grab some food together, and he gladly accepted. During dinner, Pjotr confided in me about his ambition to build his own dream house and start his own construction company by the time he turned 30. I found his drive and determination incredibly inspiring and showered him with praise.

Our dinners together became a regular occurrence, and soon enough, we found ourselves venturing out to clubs, enjoying the vibrant nightlife. It was during one of those late-night walks home, in the midst of a palpable tension, that Pjotr surprised me by pushing me into an alleyway and passionately kissing me. Overwhelmed by desire, I invited him up to my place, and we shared an unforgettable night together. However, we both agreed that our encounters needed to remain discreet due to the nature of our situation. On the streets, we would greet each other as neighbors, and upon entering or leaving my house, we had to ensure that no prying eyes were watching.

As time went on, our relationship deepened, and we spent almost every day together. Pjotr would sneak into my house after dinner with colleagues at 7.30 pm to share a bite with me, have amazing sex and sleep together tight and set his alarm for 4:30 am, ensuring that he made it back to his place before anyone woke up. Our secret meetings, filled with passion and desire, became the highlights of our lives. But as the months passed, I began to notice subtle changes in Pjotr's physique. Love handles appeared on his once athletic frame, accentuating his rugged charm.

At first, it didn't bother me, but gradually, it became apparent that he was gaining weight. He confessed his struggle to me, explaining that his colleagues would cook fatty dinners every night, and the amount of beer they consumed was staggering. Despite his best efforts, the weight seemed to pile on rapidly, and he struggled to find a way out. To support him, I promised to cook lighter meals, but he would often snack on my food, turning my smaller portions into full dinners. Desserts became larger, and his belly started to grow bigger.

Seeing him change physically didn't dampen my attraction to him; in fact, I found his size newfound incredibly appealing. I assured him that he still looked hot, hoping to boost his confidence. In response, he asked if he could my use gym, determined to shed some weight. He embarked on a rigorous workout routine, spending hours at the gym after work.

The results were astonishing. His muscles bulked up, giving him an even more commanding presence. However, the weight he had gained remained, transforming him into an absolute beast of a man. He reveled in his newfound strength, attributing it partly to his size. Pjotr's colleagues, impressed by his determination, offered him lighter duties that didn't involve too much physical exertion, enabling him to indulge his appetite even more.

Over the course of five years, our secret encounters continued, and Pjotr's size grew. He had saved up a considerable amount of money and shared with me his plans to leave England for good. He was eager to return to Poland and live out his dreams of building his dream house and starting his own construction company. He asked if I would join him, sharing his desire to build a life together. His family was accepting of our relationship, and I found myself seriously considering starting a new life in Poland.

In the final months leading up to our departure, Pjotr had become simply obese. However, he appeared more relaxed and content now that his family knew about us. We made the decision to leave England behind and embrace a simpler life in Poland. I knew I could pursue my own career there as well. And so, that's where we find ourselves now—living a peaceful, joy-filled life in Poland I take. care of the love of my life, who spends his days building our dream house and establishing his own successful construction company. The days are busy, and as he constantly moves and works, he has shed some weight along the way. Nevertheless, his insatiable appetite and love for food guarantee that he will never be skinny again. But that's perfectly fine, because to me, he will always be the sexy, confident, and loving man I fell in love with—the who pursued man his ambitions, achieved his dreams, and captured my heart forever.

[remember-the-fanfics]

My writing is off because I had a sugar rush starting and then it went everywhere it wasn't planned to go but I went with it

◇Set before the pilot only because Alastor would kill the man before he came inside because he lacked any manners.♧

-

(Y/n) was arguing with someone who didn't actually wanted to work while under contract, usually would happen in their own territory but the sinner had sought them out while at the hotel.

(Y/n) and Angel Dust was sitting in the lounge, talking about their day until a sinner rushed in, loudly requested to get out of their contract. (Y/n) quickly try to deescalate the situation.

"Look if you want out, join the hotel to better yourself-."

"I ain't doing this rainbow fruity bullshit! You're working me to hard, I want out!"

"You, exactly Timothy Johnson, work less than 32 a week. That's around 6 hour a day for a five day week because you get the weekend off." Said (Y/n), getting stern.

"I just wanted the housin' and free shit."

"You knew what you signed, Timothy. I gave you multiple times to say no, you and I both set up the time for you to work. You have an easy job!"

"Customers are assholes, they ain't being respectful to me!" He said, lying which (Y/n) knew the moment he spoke. The young overlord made sure customer services wasn't a nightmare it was on Earth, sinners that live in (Y/n)'s territory knew to be respectful to each other because (Y/n) would know if someone wasn't.

"Respect goes both ways, Timothy. I know you never worked customer service before but you should atleast know not to try and fight a kid." (Y/n) said, who sat up straight. "I've already have alot of complaints, 5 from that incident alone, I could move you some other job..?"

"I want out of our deal, I don't wanna work for you." Said Timothy crossing his arms, not letting go of the topic.

"I cannot, you still have four years left." (Y/n) said, tired of arguing with the man infront of someone. "It haven't even a month..."

"You said you had a free trail-!"

"The first week was it and You said you were fine then! I checked up on you every two days, making sure everything was fine and it was."

"(Y/n), maybe you should just let him go. He seems like a waste anyway." Said Angel Dust. "He doesn't want your free shit so just drop him."

"N-no! That shit is still mine!" Said Timothy.

"It will be when the contract is over." Said (Y/n). "I made all of this very clear during the whole thing. I explained it and let you read it over before you signed anything." They stood up looking confused at Timothy.

"I must of skimmed over some parts." He said nervously. "I just wanted a place to sleep! Not dealing with a kid, who thinks that they can boss adults around."

"Nothing is for free, you either join the hotel and better yourself or stay under contract." Said (Y/n) before Angel Dust tried to ask.

"What will make him stay at the hotel-."

"Quiet, addict!" Interrupted Timothy pointing at Angel Dust. "No one cares what you say."

"Speak to him like again and no one will ever hear you say anything again." Said (Y/n) before Timothy decided to dig himself a deeper hole with a stupid idea.

"Oh. You actually care for the idiots at the dusty ass shack?" Said Timothy laughing. "I can't believe that!"

(Y/n) just glared at the sinner, they had feeling where this would go if they didn't do anything.

"Listen." They said in a voice they don't usually use, getting closer to Timothy, becoming taller."If you don't leave and go find a hole to die in, I will personally hand your soul off to someone who would find good use for it and it will not be easy like what I've been letting you do."

They were invading his personal space, Timothy swore he saw them everywhere afterwards.

"Understand? Then leave."

With a meek nod of approval, Timothy bolted away. After (Y/n) returned to normal, dusted themself off.

"I keep forgetting that you're actually an Overlord." Said Angel Dust after collecting himself from what (Y/n) just did.

"Yea- uh. Yeah, ugh that voice messes with my throat to much. But I'm sorry that happen infront of you usually sinners would wait till I get back to pester me." Said (Y/n) sitting back down.

"5 dollars he pissed himself."

"You're on."

-

Timothy will return for vengeance later (tomorrow) also lore on how you died because I need to write it.

[airbendertendou]

lonely heart ♡ danny johnson

soulmate au where the first time you have skin to skin contact, your body glows & is stamped w their handprint - it looks like a birthmark.

cw ; typical dbd warnings [blood n gore] ; reader offers ghostie a nude pic in exchange for freedom ; might b ooc but idc <3 ; how danny looks is up to you!

if you have a blank blog [no bio, no user, no header or profile pic, nothing reblogged, etc] do not interact with my content. you will be blocked.

——♡——

The heat of the campfire brushes against your face, warming your skin just enough to forget the biting wind. Nancy is beside you, falling asleep where she sits, nodding her head forward before she snaps out of it. Across the fire, Feng is chatting idly with Dwight and Steve, Leon chiming in when he felt like it. 

The bench-like-log you’re sitting on shifts as Nea takes a seat, letting out a huff as she settles. “It’s been quiet recently,” she says, “too quiet if you ask me.”

“I’m a little wary,” you agree. Your eyes scope the woods surrounding the survivors as if someone is going to pop out any second. They wouldn’t, though — the killers kept away from the light of the fire and never wandered any closer than they were allowed. “I wonder if something’s happened.”

Nea rolls her eyes, “we wouldn’t be so lucky.” 

You grin at her pessimism, shoving her lightly with your left shoulder. Nea snickers as Nancy jumps awake once more, jolting in her sleep before yawning. A faded, gray fog settles over the camp and with it, five more survivors make their way around the campfire. You know what that means — a new trial is bound to start at any second.

Readying yourself, your muscles tense and your heart rate picks up, preparing to sprint when the time comes. A darkened, indigo-tinted fog wraps around you — it’s cold and loud as it grasps you from the campfire. You blink and then you’re in Haddonfield. 

Taking in a deep breath, you shuffle quickly to the nearest generator. Feng smiles as she passes by you stealthily, clicking her flashlight at you a few times. The area is terrifyingly quiet — it must mean your killer this round is a watcher. You puff up your cheeks as you mis-wire something, moving away from the generator that’s popped.

A scream echoes in the distance — it sounds too close, so you take off.

Momentarily, you hide in a dusty bedroom. You peek from the walls, not spotting anyone other than the back of Leon’s bulletproof vest. Another look from the room — another scream hits the air. 

Finding another generator was easy enough, but trying to stay hidden was a little more difficult. Your fingers curl and tug on wires, the smell of oil and burning wires hitting you the more you twiddle with them. Claudette hovers beside you, checking to see if you need any healing. Deeming you healthy, she flops to the other side of the generator.

“It’s Ghostface,” she breathes. Looking over her shoulder warily, she gulps as she looks back to you. “Already got Feng and Dwight. Only one gen’s done ; I’ve been hooked.”

You pause your wiring, confusion building up in you. “I haven’t even seen him yet.”

Claudette pauses too, looking over you with a furrowed eyebrow. “If we don’t make it, then win for us. Yeah?”

The generator pops with completion, lighting up for a second and exposing your location. You take off in the opposite direction Claudette did, hopping through a window and out through the backdoor. A flash of black catches your eye — your killer has finally shown himself.

You decide to buy everyone else some time. Hopefully, with a little distraction, a few more generator’s could be fixed.

Sneaking behind him, you let out a small “psst!” and wait for his attention to fall on you. He whips around, white mask greeting you. Walking towards a closet, you point to it a few times. Ghostface looks from the closet, to you, and back again. You wiggle your hand, insisting, “someone’s in there!”

Curiously, the closet door creaks open and Ghostface sees it’s empty. He turns to face you slowly and you’re already holding back giggles. A chase is pursued — something you struggle to do with all of your laughter. He swings his knife haphazardly, not really aiming at you, but not allowing you to get away with your joke either.

“Heheh—ah!” After a successful swing, a cut slashes across your arm. Blood seeps from it as you fall to the ground, laughter still spilling from your lips as you roll around. Ghostface shakes his head down at you — as if he’s disappointed in your joke — before he saunters off to find his next victim. You frown as your laughter comes to a stop, “well, now what?”

Another generator pops and you think this is it. We’re so close to going home — well, what you call home now. Letting out a sigh, you sit up and wrap your new cut with a bandage. You hear a squeal, then a scream. Seems our Ghostie is agitated now ; ready to get the trial over with. 

Chills flow up your spine, a cold sweat breaking out on your forehead as the feeling of being watched overpowers you. That can’t be good. You stiffen, looking through the corner of your eyes without turning your head. Hopefully, you’ll see him with your peripheral vision if he’s near. Otherwise— you didn’t want to think of the other option.

Sneakily, you tip-toe into a nearby house, hoping to wait out the feeling. But, you know you won’t. One thing about Ghostface is once his eyes are set on you, you’re not escaping. A noise catches your attention in the silence — the sound of a latch unlocking. 

The hatch — you must be the only one left. 

Your breath catches in your throat as you creep along the street, keeping an eye out for the hatch. You see it — it’s right in your sights and your heart rate picks up. Shaky breaths escape your parted lips as you glance around the empty street. Coast is clear — time to make a run for it.

Until a white mask phases in out of nowhere, directly on the other side of the hatch.

“Oh, come on,” you whine. Ghostface tilts his head at you, waving his knife teasingly. Your arm stings with the shine of it, bandage now being colored a deep red. “I’m so close to ending this!” He continues to stare your way silently. “Don’t you think this is a little unfair?”

“That’s the game, doll.” You’ve never heard him speak before now. A static-y, modulated voice isn’t what you expect to hear. He creeps closer, no longer directly across from you. “That’s what makes this fun.”

You purse your lips, fingers knotting together at the edge of your edge. “Okay, how about this? You let me take hatch, and I’ll let you take a shirtless picture of me. My face isn’t allowed to be in it, though!”

Ghostface bounced where he stood, an excited giggle echoing in his mask as he immediately agreed. Puffing up your cheeks, you let out a breath before nodding to yourself in encouragement. A polaroid camera has replaced the blood-soaked knife in his hand — even with the weapon gone from sight, dread flushes through you.

“Okay,” you say to yourself, “this is no big deal.”

Without another thought, your fingers clench the end of your shirt and raise it to cover your face. Your skin prickles with the wind, goosebumps raising at the new sensation. With bated breath, you wait to hear the shutter go off — a click, another giggle, the hatch closing ; anything. All that’s there is silence.

And then a leather glove is wrapped around your wrist.

Jumping at the sudden touch, your shirt falls back into place as you take a step back. Only a sliver of skin is free from the glove — just enough for his skin to brush against yours.

A golden sheen takes over you, settling where your bodies meet. In a panic induced state, you’re pushed to the ground as Ghostface hovers over top of you. Shaky, shallow breaths hit his mask as his camera is settled to the right of your head. Slowly, he peels a glove off and reaches for you.

Where his now bare hand meets, a light follows. Right on your wrist, the shape of his fingers is imprinted forever, as if it were a birthmark you were born with. It was supposed to be a myth — a tale shared between hopeless romantic’s. Soulmates weren’t supposed to actually exist.

Except, yours apparently did. In a realm you couldn’t escape ; killing you and your fellow survivors on a continuous loop. You were stuck there — stuck with a murderer as your soulmate until forevermore. 

Ruffled hair is exposed to the wind as Ghostface unmasks himself, his pupils practically hearts as he stares down at you. His eyes search your face, never settling on one particular spot as he drinks you in entirely. You feel as he lets out a breath ; feel his shoulders sag with some kind of relief as he grabs one of your hands. He leads it to his face and lets out another sigh when his skin glows, the shape of your hand left on the left side of his face.

“Mine,” his voice is soft. You can’t stop looking at him — can’t stop staring at your hand that’s been imprinted onto his cheek. “You’re all mine. Made just for me.”

You can’t tell if the feeling swelling inside of you is dread or excitement. But, you let him pull you closer anyways ; allow him to hug you as he pleases. This could come in handy, after all. Maybe.

——♡—— lets ignore that valentines day is over already teehee <3 i hope my version of ghostie is okay, idk how well i write him </3 airbendertendou © do not copy, plagiarize, repost, or translate my content on any platform. if you see my content under any other name than my own, let me know. i only have this tumblr and an ao3 account under the same name.

[candied-boys]

📻Country Radio Themed Prompt List🐎

Y'all, it's rodeo season and I'm havin' a hot cowgirl summer!

I know there are at least a few of us out here who love a little small town, texas two-step, roll in the hay, tailgate party, coffee with a sunrise, dusty boots and sundresses kinda slow life. I know I can't stop putting my favs in situations whenever I listen to country music and I hope y'all hop on the bandwagon and join me for my first creation challenge!

So round up your fav cowboys and giddy up, gurl! We ride 'til the end of September! Radio playlists below👇

FAQ:

Can I submit something I already created if it fits the vibe?

HELL YEAH! Old content that fits the theme in anyway and new creations are all welcome! (Honestly even if it doesn't fit any of the prompts, I'll take any country content I can get so please reblog your works and tag me!)

How can I write for the country genre if I'm not familiar with it?

Don't sweat it! If you vibe with anything here that's more than enough! I tried to pick lyrics with a variety of themes - family, love, coming of age, angst, bad boys/girls etc. They all centre around a sense of connection and relationships - universally human themes.

We're all here playing games that locate the characters inside cultures outside of Japan and we're here writing for cultures outside our own when writing for these games, so don't be shy! Just let yourself have fun.

What should I do with lyrics?

Use the prompts however you like; Any and all types of content submissions are welcome — writing, drabbles, head canons, drawing, mood boards, playlists, whatever makes you say, "Hell yeah!"

Examples: You could use the lyrics directly as quotes, indirectly as the premise for the art. Anything! You could incorporate the lyrics from the rest of the song. There are a ton of great lines/ideas in the rest of each song. You're not restricted to these quotes. I just picked ones that speak to me or have a strong image. If you vibe with it and it inspires you, go for it!

What fandoms can I use with these prompts?

Any suitors from games by CYBIRD (Ikepri, Ikevamp, Ikerev, MidCin, Ikevil, Ikesen, Ikegen, Morganatic Idol, ANYTHING)

What kind of content is allowed?

Sfw, nsfw, dark, angst, fluff, suitor x suitor, selfship, oc x suitor — anything is fine. I only ask that you use Tumblr’s built-in content label system to mark content as mature when appropriate. Use tags and warnings as you see necessary.

What tags should I use?

#CountryRadioCC

please at me @candied-boys so I can add your work to a masterlist

Playlists:

Lyrics:

Heart Like A Truck - Lainey Wilson

I got a hankering for four wide tires

And I can't help it, it's the way I'm wired

'Fore you get too close

Boy, you need to know

Turn - Tyler Hubbard

The way she turns 501s into long, tan legs

She can turn a bad day around like she turns those heads

She can turn one little look into turnin' me on

Five more minutes into all night long

Fishin' in the Dark - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

And it don't matter if we sit forever

And the fish don't bite

Jump in the river and cool ourselves

From the heat of the night

I Grew Up On A Farm - The Reklaws

Why I gotta watch the sunrise

Job ain't ever done till it's done right

I'll tell you what makes me cry about a steel guitar

And why I gotta work so hard

Dirt Cheap - Cody Johnson

That little girl that used to swing right there

I still see her pink bow in her brown hair

Runnin' up after one of them long days

A big smile makin' every little worry fade

Use Me - Dallas Smith

I'll let you go like I always do

Won't hurt as bad 'cause I always knew

That I was just a chapter, no happily-ever-after

Old Dirt Roads - Owen Riegling

Come and find me down where the treeline ends

And the cattails grow

We can be free, livin' our dreams out

Singin' to the radio

American Kids - Kenny Chesney

Sister's got a boyfriend Daddy doesn't like

Now he's sittin' out back, 3030 in his lap

In the blue bug zapper light

Fast Car - Luke Combs

Won't have to drive too far

Just across the border and into the city

And you and I can both get jobs

Finally see what it means to be living

Long Hot Summer - Keith Urban

I wanna see your brown skin shimmer

In the sun for the first time

I gotta be the one who knows just what to do to you

To get me that smile

I Like It, I Love It - Tim McGraw

Spent 48 dollars last night at the county fair

I throwed out my shoulder, but I won her that teddy bear

Cowgirls - Morgan Wallen

And she got a cold heart but she got a warm smile

Cut from the same cloth, she kinda buck-wild

Little bit angel, whole lotta outlaw

She's trouble but I'll tell you right now, y'all

A banner for y'all:

Adorable horse dividers by @/plum98

[watchnrant]

Quake: Veil of Deception #3 – Echoes of Deception

The rain had finally let up, leaving Madripoor cloaked in a damp, eerie silence. The streets, now slick with rainwater, reflected the faint glow of early dawn. Daisy Johnson, aka Quake, sat on the edge of her safe house, the city sprawled out below her. The usual noise of the city was muted, allowing her thoughts to echo in the quiet morning air.

Daisy’s mind was a tangled web of memories and doubts. The legend of the stone statue she had seen at the auction haunted her thoughts. The tale of a man consumed by his ambition, driven to ruin by his desire for power, resonated more deeply with her than she cared to admit. As she stared at the city below, she wondered if she, too, was on a path that could lead to her downfall. Was she, like that man, destined to be consumed by her own drive to uphold the legacy of S.H.I.E.L.D.?

But the sting of betrayal by S.H.I.E.L.D. cut even deeper. S.H.I.E.L.D. had been her home, her family, and now it seemed that family had seen her as a threat. The thought gnawed at her, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. How many times had she put her life on the line for them? How many times had she trusted them with everything she had, only to discover they had a contingency plan in place to neutralize her if she ever became too powerful? The realization left her feeling isolated, hurt, and more determined than ever to uncover the truth.

Her emotions surged—a mixture of hurt, anger, and a deep sense of loss. Yet, it was this very pain that hardened her resolve. Daisy quickly shook off the thought. There was no time to dwell on the past; Madripoor’s shadows were closing in, and she had to stay focused on the mission. The coordinates she had pulled from the data chip were her next lead. With a renewed sense of determination, she stood up and prepared for the day ahead. She would find out who was behind all of this—and they would answer for what they had done.

Navigating the labyrinthine alleys of Madripoor, Daisy made her way to the coordinates she had uncovered. The location was deep within the city’s most dangerous district, a place where even the most hardened mercenaries dared not linger. The building she found herself in front of was decrepit, its windows boarded up, and its walls cracked and peeling. It seemed abandoned, but Daisy knew better than to trust appearances in this city.

The scent of decay and mildew filled the air as she entered, her senses heightened by the oppressive atmosphere. Every creak of the floorboards, every echo of her footsteps, seemed amplified in the eerie silence. Signs of recent activity caught her eye—footprints in the dust, a door left slightly ajar, the faint hum of electricity. The tension in the air was palpable, almost suffocating.

Her heart pounded as she followed the clues deeper into the building. She reached a locked door at the end of a long hallway, its surface marked with a faded S.H.I.E.L.D. emblem. Daisy took a deep breath and used her seismic powers to gently vibrate the lock, disabling the mechanism without triggering any alarms. The door creaked open, revealing a small room filled with outdated S.H.I.E.L.D. equipment, dusty but functional.

In the center of the room was a table, and on that table was a single file folder. The label read “Project Quake.” Daisy hesitated for a moment before reaching for the folder, her hand trembling slightly. She knew that whatever was inside could change everything she thought she knew.

As she began to read the documents inside, the weight of betrayal settled in her chest like a stone. Project Quake wasn’t just a S.H.I.E.L.D. initiative—it was a contingency plan, a failsafe designed to neutralize agents with seismic abilities, including herself. The project had been classified at the highest levels, kept secret even from most of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s leadership.

Each page she turned felt like a knife twisting deeper into old wounds. Schematics for devices capable of dampening or even completely nullifying her powers, reports on potential targets—other agents who were considered threats due to their abilities—filled the file. The final page was the most chilling—a profile of Daisy herself, marked with a single word: “Activate.”

Daisy’s hands shook as she absorbed the implications. S.H.I.E.L.D., the organization she had dedicated her life to, had seen her as a potential threat. The trust she had placed in them felt like a betrayal now, and the weight of that betrayal threatened to crush her. Anger welled up inside her, mingling with the hurt, fueling her resolve. But she couldn’t afford to lose focus. There was more at stake here, and she needed to know who else was involved.

As she pulled herself together, Daisy noticed something odd. One of the devices mentioned in the files was missing from the room—a portable power dampener. Her mind raced as she tried to piece together the puzzle. If the Power Broker had access to this technology, it could explain how they had been able to stay one step ahead of her. But why was the file left here for her to find? Was this another trap, or was someone trying to warn her?

Meanwhile, across the city, Sharon Carter sat in her office, reviewing a live feed from the building Daisy was in. Her expression was calm, but beneath the surface, a storm of conflicting emotions brewed. Everything was going according to plan, or so it seemed. She turned to Rook, who was standing nearby, awaiting orders.

“She found it,” Sharon said, her voice measured. “Make sure she doesn’t leave that building without an escort.”

Rook nodded and left the room to carry out her orders. Sharon leaned back in her chair, her mind already working through the next steps. Daisy was getting closer to the truth, but Sharon was confident that she could keep her in check. She had been playing this game for too long to lose now.

But as she watched the feed, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind. Daisy had proven to be more resourceful than she anticipated. For a moment, Sharon allowed herself to consider the possibility of failure. She remembered her days as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, the values she once held dear, and how far she had strayed from them. A pang of guilt, quickly suppressed, gnawed at her resolve. Could she really keep this up, knowing what she had become?

She quickly pushed the thought aside. There was no room for doubt, not when she was so close to achieving her goal. The Power Broker couldn’t afford to be weak, and Sharon Carter wasn’t about to let sentimentality get in the way of success. But as she refocused on the monitor, the lingering doubt remained, like an unwelcome shadow.

Back in the building, Daisy finished reviewing the files and tucked them into her jacket. She knew she needed to get out of there before the Power Broker’s forces arrived. But as she stepped into the hallway, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching from both directions. She was surrounded.

Without hesitation, Daisy activated her seismic powers, sending a shockwave through the walls, creating a temporary barrier of debris. The walls trembled, dust and debris raining down as the building groaned in protest. She sprinted down the hallway, using her powers to sense the structural weaknesses in the building. She needed to find a way out before they closed in on her.

As she rounded a corner, she came face to face with a group of heavily armed mercenaries. They didn’t waste any time, opening fire as soon as they saw her. The muzzle flashes lit up the dim corridor, and the acrid scent of gunpowder filled the air. Daisy threw up a force field of vibrations, deflecting the bullets, but she knew she couldn’t hold it for long. She needed to make her move.

In a split-second decision, Daisy unleashed a concentrated quake beneath the mercenaries’ feet, causing the floor to collapse. They plunged into the darkness below, and Daisy took the opportunity to dash toward the nearest exit. But as she reached the door, she was hit by a blast of energy that sent her crashing into the wall. The impact left her ears ringing, the world spinning as she struggled to regain her footing.

Dazed, Daisy struggled to get back on her feet. She looked up to see Rook standing in the doorway, holding the missing power dampener. The device hummed ominously as Rook approached, a cruel smile playing on her lips.

“You’re not going anywhere, Quake,” Rook sneered. “The Power Broker has big plans for you.”

Daisy knew she was in trouble. The power dampener was already starting to weaken her abilities, and Rook was closing in. She needed to think fast. Summoning the last of her strength, Daisy sent a focused tremor through the floor, creating a small but powerful shockwave that knocked Rook off balance. The dampener sputtered, momentarily losing power, and Daisy’s heart raced with a mixture of desperation and hope.

Seizing the opportunity, Daisy bolted for the exit, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the effects of the dampener wearing off, but she knew she wasn’t out of the woods yet. As she burst through the door and into the open air, she realized she was in the middle of a dead-end alley. The only way out was up.

With no time to waste, Daisy used her powers to propel herself upward, scaling the side of the building in a series of leaps. The rough brickwork scraped against her hands, and the wind whipped at her face as she climbed. Behind her, she could hear Rook and the remaining mercenaries scrambling to catch up, but she didn’t look back. Her only focus was on getting as far away as possible.

As she reached the rooftop, the ledge crumbled slightly beneath her feet, sending a cascade of loose bricks tumbling down into the alley below. For a heart-stopping moment, Daisy teetered on the edge, her breath catching in her throat. But she quickly regained her balance, pulling herself up to safety.

Reaching the rooftop, Daisy took a moment to catch her breath. The city stretched out before her, a sprawling maze of lights and shadows. She knew she couldn’t stay here for long, but she needed to regroup, to figure out her next move.

As she stood on the rooftop, her thoughts raced. The Power Broker’s reach was vast, their methods cunning. But Daisy wasn’t without resources. She began to consider her options, the allies she could call upon, and the strategy she would need to take down such a powerful adversary. This wouldn’t be a battle she could fight alone; she needed to be smart, strategic, and a step ahead of the game.

The resolve within her solidified. The Power Broker might have the upper hand for now, but Daisy wasn’t the type to give up. She’d find a way to turn the tables, to expose the truth, and bring down the person behind all of this. She’d survived worse, and she’d survive this too.

With her determination renewed, Daisy disappeared into the night, her silhouette blending seamlessly into the shadows of Madripoor. The city, with all its lurking dangers and hidden truths, awaited her next move.

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

Many House Republicans are furious with a band of far-right rebels who they say are holding the party hostage by repeatedly rejecting its nominee for Speaker.

But there’s one thing they’re so far unwilling to do: work with a faction of Democrats to elect a centrist Speaker to govern the narrow GOP majority and teach the rabble-rousers a lesson.

"That's really off the table," said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., who has built a reputation as an institutionalist over the years. "I don't think anybody voted to do that. I don’t think that works very well in any time. I think it's particularly unsuited to these times. The polarization is too great."

Cole said that for all the House GOP divisions, "there's no question" that most members in the caucus are closer in policy and vision to the anti-McCarthy rebels than they are to centrist Democrats.

Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., who calls himself a "pragmatic conservative," also dismissed the idea as a fantasy. “Anybody who’s imagining some sort of unity or fusion approach, I think, is probably paying more attention to Aaron Sorkin movies than they are to how this place normally functions," he said.

The unwillingness of most House Republicans to cut a deal with Democrats to pick a Speaker weakens their leverage in the showdown with a group of 20 right-wing lawmakers who want to defeat Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who is backed by 90% of the GOP caucus. It also serves as a preview of how the moderates may operate in stalemates over must-pass bills over the next two years, like funding the government and averting debt default, which far-right members are already threatening unless the measures are attached to ambitious conservative priorities.

The GOP divisions have led to six failed ballots for Speaker — the first time in a century a House majority has required multiple attempts to elect a Speaker. They risk further damage to the Republican Party’s image after an underwhelming performance in the 2022 midterm elections that led to their current wafer-thin majority.

It’s a precarious situation for the moderate members, who are more likely to represent swing districts and could suffer the most from a tarnished party image. By contrast, the far-right Republicans mostly hail from safe red districts and face little threat of losing their seats to Democrats in a general election.

McCarthy and his deputies continued to negotiate with the right-wing forces Wednesday to address their demands, which include making it easier to overthrow a Speaker and promises involving votes on legislation, committee assignments and more. Much of the caucus sees the demands as unreasonable and irresponsible, and McCarthy himself has accused those lawmakers of acting selfishly and not in the best interest of the country.

The talks failed to produce a breakthrough Wednesday, and the House voted 216-214 to adjourn until noon Thursday.

Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, who represents a district President Joe Biden carried in 2020, is a rare Republican who has publicly floated the idea of working with Democrats on a consensus pick, but he acknowledged there aren’t serious negotiations at this time.

"If they're not going to work with us, then we'll push this down the court more," he said of the far-right lawmakers. "There will be folks on the other side of the aisle that will make a deal with us when it comes to working on committees and things like that. But we don’t want to go down this path too far. This is about Kevin McCarthy right now, giving them every opportunity."

As Bacon and other McCarthy allies dangle the possibility of a bipartisan speaker to secure the votes to make him Speaker, the anti-McCarthy faction is calling their bluff.

Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., who has voted against McCarthy all six times, said he doesn’t believe any Republicans would go around the House Freedom Caucus and team up with Democrats to pick a Speaker. If they did, he said, they should lose their next Republican primaries.

DEMOCRATS OPEN DOOR TO CONSENSUS SPEAKER

Some Democrats say they’re open to negotiating a consensus speaker. Progressive Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and others say they want conditions, among them that a Speaker candidate vow not to allow the debt limit to be used as a weapon to force policy concessions.

Without a Speaker, the House can’t conduct any business, raising the stakes for members of both parties who want to govern or launch investigations with each day the impasse continues.

"We have big items facing the country — everything from the debt ceiling to Ukraine to — obviously, we're going to have to run the government," said Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, the Democratic co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. "Right now, it's on their plate. This is on their side to figure out their housekeeping. They have to pick a Speaker. But we all have a responsibility to run the country."

Gottheimer said the divided government presents opportunities for the parties to work together on domestic manufacturing, semiconductor production, immigration reform, mental health and support for police. "Will the House be set up to govern and run the country?" he said. "If their extremists win and are empowered, that makes governing more difficult for the country."

But Gottheimer's Republican co-chair in the Problem Solvers Caucus, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, is instead helping McCarthy negotiate with Freedom Caucus holdouts, saying the discussions have been "more productive" in small groups.

Some of McCarthy's opponents insist they won’t back down, expressing a high tolerance for chaos and willingness to keep dealing defeat after defeat to their party's leadership.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said he’ll keep blocking McCarthy from the Speakership “until the cherry blossoms fall off the trees” — which typically occurs in April.

Frustration with Gaetz and his faction ran high Wednesday.

"This group has now managed to kind of snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. And in the victory was this Republican majority," Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., told reporters. "There is negotiation, and then there’s holding the rest of us hostage. And 20 don't get to do that to 201."

But Waltz didn’t present a solution to tame the rebels, saying, "I'm going to vote for Kevin McCarthy as long as he’s on the ballot."