#flutter method channel

[fluttertutorialhub]

Method Channel in Flutter: Bridge Native Code Example

We will learn how to use the method channel in Flutter to communicate data between Flutter and native code. In this article, Understanding how to pass arguments to the Android and iOS native platforms and return the value from native code to Flutter.

[spnbabe67]

Makin' Messy In The Sheets

Kinktober Day 11: Caught Masturbating (J.S)

Pairing: Jake Seresin x Fem Original Character

Warnings: Smut, Mutual Masturbation, Masturbation (F&M rec.), fingering, oral (M rec.), feels

Summary: Tatum walks in on Jake having some "self care" time and decides to lend a hand

Word Count: 1495

Authors Note: Title based off the song Touchin' Me by Chandler Leighton

Tatum hadn’t intended on walking in on Jake in such a compromising situation. Mav had worked them all hard today, running drills and pushing them past their collective limits. Normally, Tatum would have welcomed it, the challenge, the rush of adrenaline whenever she was in the skies. But the only thing the recent challenges had brought was stress, putting her on edge. As of recently, Jake was her favorite method of taking the edge off, which surprised her because usually he was the reason she needed a stress reliever. Once they established this thing between them, they’d established an open door policy; if they knew the other was in their room, then there was no need to knock. 

She’d subtly asked Javy where Jake was, framing it as her making sure she could be where he wasn’t, sussing out that he was in his room after they’d all eaten dinner. Tatum had simply showered, putting on a pair of sweats and a sports bra with a flannel over top; she at least had not bothered to put in much effort regarding lacy underthings, especially on days like this where she couldn’t be bothered to put much effort into her appearance. If Jake didn’t like her simple bikini style panties and worn bras then he could fuck off. 

If she hadn’t been so engrossed in her phone, catching up on texts and emails from coworkers and friends alike, she would have heard the suspect grunts and groans slightly audible from behind Jake’s closed door. She would have heard her name on his lips, dripping with lust. But she didn’t, opening the door none the wiser to what was going on inside.

“Hey Seresin. How about-” Tatum stopped mid sentence as she beheld the erotic sight before her. 

Jake was lounged on his bed completely naked, all tanned, sandy haired and muscled like some greek Adonis carved from sandstone.That big cock of his was fisted in his hand, head thrown back in pleasure, exposing the lean column of his neck. It was insanely hot, especially as her moaned her name, jerking his hand up and down his length. Her lips parted, tongue flicking across her lower lip, feeling the memory of the weight of his cock on his tongue. Tatum almost regretted being so loud coming in as he startled up, eyes snapping to her, stilling his ministrations on himself. He had the likeness of a fish, mouth open and closing as he stuttered, probably trying to make excuses.

Tatum smirked, feeling her panties go damp as she closed the door, leaning back against it. “Oh, by all means, continue. Please.”

Jake sat up, moving to get up but Tatum walked over, putting a hand on his shoulder, pushing him back down to the bed. “Let me rephrase, continue. Now.”

Jake smirked, settling back against the head of the bed. “So bossy. I like it.”

Tatum bit her lip as Jake set a rhythm, sliding his hand up and down his shaft, low groans emanating from the back of his throat. A blush bloomed across his chest and across his face as Tatum watched him languidly stroke his cock, gaze never leaving her, scanning her face to read her expression.

“That’s it.” Tatum settled on the other end of the bed, the softness of her sweats brushed against her legs as she slid them down and off, exposing her slick pussy.

He groaned as Tatum snaked a hand between her legs to where watching Jake stroke his cock had lit a fire low in her belly, brushing against her already sensitive clit. She gasped as she rubbed circles on her clit with her thumb as she slid her middle finger into her tight channel, rubbing it in and out in time with the rhythm Jake had set on himself. 

“Hey,” Tatum nudged Jake’s shin with her foot as his eyes fluttered shut, speeding up his strokes. “Keep those pretty eyes on me.”

He blinked his eyes open, gaze glazed over with arousal as they traveled down her body to where her fingers slid in and out of her pussy in time with where his grip on his cock had him slowly working up to his orgasm. He damn near came on the spot as Tatum’s hand, slick with her own arousal wrapped around his cock, taking over his movements. 

“God, Tatum.” Jake choked out, bucking his hips up into her hand.

“Yeah?” Tatum straddled his legs, gripping him tightly, jerking him faster than he had. “Feel good, baby?”

“So good.” 

Each moan she pulled out of Jake had Tatum feel like she was on cloud nine, her pussy wetter than she’d ever been. A sense of pride warmed her knowing that his pleasure was literally in her hands. Tatum leaned forward kissing him deeply, sweeping her tongue into his mouth. It was sloppy, uncaring, dragging her mouth down his jaw, down his neck. She could taste the sweat from his chest and abs as she kissed her way down to his cock. Tatum felt Jake’s ragged moan shoot right to her throbbing core as she laved her tongue up the underside of his cock. He was red and painfully hard under her tongue and hands. She worked his thick length into her mouth, taking him in one small, short thrust at a time. He was heavy against her flattened tongue, the head of him bumping against the back of her throat. Tatum, glanced up watching Jake watch her as she let his cock slip down her throat with ease, the muscles working around him tightly as she swallowed. 

“God!” Jake yelled out as the heavenly sensation. 

Tatum pulled off of him, fisting his cock tightly, grinning at him. “Nope, just me.”

She didn't give him time to respond before taking him back in her mouth. This time Jake did cum, his cock throbbing and pulsating as he came in spurts down her throat. Tatum coughed, feeling the soreness in her throat as she pulled off him, a trail of spit and cum dripping from her lips, connecting her mouth to his cock. 

Jake groaned, pulling her further up his body to kiss her, licking away the combination of his cum and her spit from her lips as his hands gripped her hips, grinding her down against his cock, already starting to harden again. He yanked and tugged until her sports bra pulled off her body and tossed away, her breasts springing free.

Jake nipped at her collarbones, his lips sucking marks on her chest. “You’re incredible.”

Tatum moaned pressing her chest closer to him, her hands finding their way into his hair, letting her nails scrape against his scalp, grinding her hips so that Jake’s hardening cock rubbed between her folds and against her needy clit. His skin was so warm against hers, his possessive grip on her body only fueling that fire within her. 

“Kiss me.” Tatum whispered to the air between them, pulling his face back up to hers.

Jake complied, kissing her with fervor, sliding a hand between them to strum at her clit, tweaking her sensitive nub until her slick covered his hands. Tatum reached behind her, guiding his cock between her folds until she sank down on him. Jake touched his forehead to hers as they both breathed heavily as her tight walls clamped around him, sliding down, down, down until he was fully seated inside her.

“Fuck,” Tatum breathed, sloppily kissing him. “You feel so good.” 

Tatum rolled her hips, grinding her pussy down onto him and his hand, still pinching and rolling her clit between his fingers. Jake moaned as Tatum’s inner walls clamped down on him, pulsating around his shaft. Her hands slid out of his hair to cup his face, sucking in a breath through her teeth as his cock filled her so, so good. Tatum matched Jake’s fervent kisses, all heated and wet, moaning breathily into his mouth. Jake felt her shudder under his touch as her orgasm came over her in a long, strong wave that had her keening loudly. 

“That’s it baby.” Jake praised, his own hips stuttering, thrusts becoming sloppy and uneven as he came a second time, enveloped by her warm and velvet soft pussy. 

Tatum let Jake guide her down onto his chest as he slouched back onto his bed. He hissed a sigh as she slid him out of her, keeping her leg draped over his pelvis. Jake tipped her head up, kissing her tenderly than he ever had. Tatum didn’t know how to feel; on one hand it was nice to be here, wrapped up in his arms. But on the other hand she felt uneasy. This was getting too deep, but she was already too far in to try and claw herself out now. So she simply rested her head on his chest, trying to remind herself that this, now matter how good it felt, was only temporary.

[honorarysimp]

Epilogue: Ex Nihilo Nihil Fit

series masterlist

*Click*

“It’s currently sometime around 10AM this lovely Saturday, my final day in Woodsboro, as I conclude this investigation.”

A small, soft smile tugs at your lips as you sip a cup of coffee you’d gotten from the hotel lobby just earlier.

You have no questions for your coffee anymore.

Your other hand fidgets with your tape recorder, dials spinning within at that familiar slow and methodical pace.

“It’s been three months since the face off on the lakeshore, I find relief in stating on record we’ve finally found bodies, after a bit of patience and reassurance on knowing the lake is currently safe, multiple remains were found in ravines underneath the town, all connected by water channels that span for miles.”

You take a deep breath, wetting your lips as you sit the tape recorder down on the desktop, taking another sip of your lukewarm coffee before quietly continuing.

“Dental records as well as DNA analysis has brought many families peace. Including one Mrs. Becker who will no longer be calling the station every other month. I’ve come to a private conclusion that the entity isn’t invincible, after the face off against it, without a water source it’s required to take a physical form. Which explains how I was able to fight back at the abandon house, without its water and fog, it is vulnerable. If it can be hit, it can be killed.”

Your gaze wanders over your shoulder, heart fluttering at the bare back and mess of brown hair splayed across the pillow.

“And with me, I will be signing off giving all credit to my partner in crime, my beautiful plus one-“

“Watch it. Confirmed girlfriend” you hear Tara’s drowsy voice correct you, making you laugh softly as you sling your arm over the back of the chair and give your spine a little twist, satisfying pops following.

“-unconfirmed if Sam asks” you mutter jokingly before promptly cutting the tape recorded off, that audible click following as you peer back to Tara. She hums, stretches as she sits up, the muscles in her back flexing as she runs her fingers through her hair in an attempt to somewhat tame her bed head.

God, she’s beautiful, you can’t help but just look at her.

The last three months have been blissful, heavenly compared to the shitshow you’ve been through those three months prior. It’s still mind boggling to you just how long you’ve been here, on the excuse of “finishing your job” you came here for in the first place.

Not for sitting in that diner on certain late nights, meeting with a certain first responder as she’s getting off shift, to which you either end up at hers or your shitty hotel room.

Tara says it’s endearing, you hate the uncomfortable mattress, but it’s grown on you too. You’ll never admit it.

When you aren’t worshiping the ground Tara walks on, you’re at the Station with Sam, working with her and the rest of the officers on the searches.

Sam knows, you’re ninety percent sure Tara told her, but she never asks and you’re okay with that.

A hand on your arm snaps you out of your thoughts, it’s then you realize Tara had shifted to the edge of the bed closest to you, that smile paired with those hooded brown eyes do something sinful to your insides.

“Come on, it’s cold without you, finish later” Tara murmurs, biting her bottom lip as she reaches further to give your shirt the smallest tug, the sheet that once elegantly covered her now dipping “I know by now that mouth is good for more than talking to that stupid thing.”

God, the things this woman does to you, how could you ever deny her?

____________________________________________

It’s surreal, packing, tidying up the hotel room that’s become almost like a second home. Even with all things considered, or maybe it just started to feel like that in a fucked up way once the nightmares stopped.

You scoop an old pack of cigarettes off your desk, eyeing them for a moment. You don’t even know the last time you smoked one, and to be frank, you aren’t even sure why you haven’t tossed them yet. So, you do, walking over to trash where remains of your investigation board can be seen.

“Good riddance” you mutter as you drop it into the bin, taking a deep breath as you do a once over of the room, then you grab your single duffle and backpack.

As you head out, you offer a nod Bianca behind the front desk, the older woman smiling and giving you a departing wave goodbye.

As you head out of the hotel, a small smile tugs at your lips at the view.

Leaning back against the hood of your car is Tara, palms flat to the metal as she laughs warmly at something Mindy says to her, the other woman sat next to her while Chad stands off to the side with a smile of his own.

It makes you sad, to know this is all Tara has left of her friends she’s grown up with, she’s told you plenty of stories of the others to make you feel like you knew them to a certain extent.

You feel bad you’re taking her from them, even temporarily.

“You know, you still owe me a ride around in that ambulance of yours” you comment as you approach, Mindy scoffs and rolls her eyes at you.

“I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that making a bet drunk on a game of pool doesn’t count?” Mindy retorts, the same reply as always, “and I don’t owe you shit considering you’re taking my second in command.”

“You’ll be fine for two weeks without me” Tara says with a smile, which prompts Mindy to hug her, making Tara promise to call every day.

Chad follows you around to the backside of your car as you drop your bags into the trunk, next to Tara’s suitcase, your insides churning with a mixture of emotions.

“You know you don’t have to” he says to you, arm coming up to grab the opened trunk as you busy around adjusting things within.

“No, you were right. He should know” you reply, casting him a side glance, “besides I think it’s long overdue, just… be easy on him when he does yeah?”

Chad scoffs and looks off to the side, shaking his head, you see a retort on the tip of his tongue. Pulling back, you both tug the trunk down, lock clicking into place.

“Hey” you stop him before he continues, your head tilting slightly, “you don’t need to forgive him, but it wouldn’t be fair not to give him the opportunity.”

He doesn’t comment, seemingly shaking it off and offering you a half smile “just take care of Tara and bring her back in one piece, alright Detective? Don’t let her get lost in that big ass city of yours.”

You laugh and nod in agreement, extending your hand to which he firmly shakes, pulling each other in for a friendly hug.

“Congrats on the promotion by the way, the High School football team will be lost without their coach” you say as you bump your shoulder to his, he laughs and waves it off as you two round the car once more.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how he’s going to keep those kids in line as a Principal when they barely respected him as a coach” Mindy butts in, causing the twins to break out into a light hearted disagreement.

You smile, turning your head when you feel a finger hook into your pant pocket and tug, your eyes finding Tara’s as she mirrors your smile up at you.

“Sam’s going to meet us at Town Hall, said she had some last minute things to go over with the Mayor. Figured we could make it a two birds with one stone scenario for us” Tara says as you move toward her, standing between her legs as she sits back on the car.

“We can’t just avoid Sam all together?” you mutter jokingly, reaching up to curl a strand of her dark hair around your finger, she scoffs and gives you a look.

“She’ll hunt us down if we don’t, bury you alive, and drag my ass back home.”

You feign a gasp, mortified as you begin to lean away from her “I was buried alive thank you very much, how dare you bring that up-“

She cuts you off with a kiss, laughing softly against your lips. You can help but sink into it, hand coming up to gently cup her jaw.

When she pulls back you groan in protest, making her laugh and swat your chest playfully. You catch her hand, kissing the soft pink scar on her palm, making her breath hitch just the slightest.

Physical therapy hadn’t been easy for either of you, considering the small bit of nerve damage from your injuries. Tara had pushed through in strides far better than you, constantly reminding you that “what happened to us shouldn’t define the rest of our life”.

You couldn’t agree more.

Not to mention the “us” and the “our” she so easily refers to now when it comes to the two of you.

God, you don’t deserve her, but you’ll spend every day doing everything you can for her.

As you bid the twins tearful exchanges goodbye, the two of you slip into your car and head towards Town Hall.

Upon entering, you both make your way up to the Mayor’s office, where you find Sidney in the midst of a conversation with Sam. The two turn as you enter, you tip your imaginary hat towards them both.

“Mayor. Sheriff.”

Tara steps to the side with Sam, briefly hugging before running through a checklist of things Tara may need for her trip. Of course Tara plays it off like she’s annoyed by her older sister’s overprotective nature and concern, but you’ve learned to spot that smile she tries so hard to hide.

“Dinner still on for tonight?” You ask Sidney with a smile, approaching her desk as she rounds it to the other side, digging through one of her drawers.

She casts you a glance, a small smile of her own growing on her lips, it’s good to see her doing better as the days go. “That they are, it’ll be the first time in a few years that Jill and Kirby come back to town.”

“And Gale?”

“She’ll be there of course, still keeping herself as busy as possible” Sidney says as she pulls out a large envelope from her desk, straightening up and forcing her smile a bit more.

You pick up on it immediately, “she’s still talking about moving to the city?”

Sidney sighs, coming around the desk to stand in front of you, tapping the envelope against her free hand apprehensively.

“It’s just… we’re all we’ve got now, it’s going to be hard to see her leave” Sidney admits quietly, looking off to the side as she chews on the subside of her cheek, “but… I understand, needing to go. This town only reminds her of the man she lost.”

Your head tilts slightly, tucking your hands into the pockets of your pants “and you, Mayor?”

She gives you a tight lipped smile, steeling herself as she extends the envelope to you “your final paycheck, Detective. Thank you, for everything. I owe you a debt I’ll never be able to repay.”

With that, you smile again, tugging your backpack off your shoulder and pulling from it your box of tapes. “For you, Mayor” you say, trading her the content within for the envelope.

Her brow is furrowed, looking from the box in her hand up to you, “they’re mine, they have everything you might need to know on them with what all I know, you can repay me by not calling me if and when it ever returns.”

That makes her laugh, nodding once, extending one hand to which you shake, “it’s been a pleasure, Detective, we’ll be seeing you.”

You turn and head towards the Carpenter sisters, both now smiling and talking with less tension.

“Danny has family in New York, so if you keep her for too long, just know I’ll be coming to find you” Sam says the moment you approach, her hard gaze locking on to you.

It’s still as intimidating as the day you met her, but only now you can���t help but smile when Tara slips her hand into yours and laces your fingers together.

“You have all the information on where I live, and you’re both more than welcome to come stay if-“

“Okay! So great, bye Sam! Love you!” Tara interjects, pulling at your hand as she heads for the door.

“Bye Sam! Love you!” You echo, making Sam flip you off as you and Tara move through the threshold, you catch her smiling before she disappears from your view.

As you both get back into the vehicle, you start up the engine just as Tara buckles herself in, and for a moment you pause.

“Don’t. Get out of your head. I’m with you.”

You exhale, looking to her at the sound of her soft tone “but are you sure you want to use all your PTO for this? Just-“

Tara leans across the center console, fingers curling around the back of your neck to pull you forward for a sweet, passionate kiss as a symbol of reassurance.

And when you break apart, albeit just resting your foreheads together as your eyes meet, Tara murmurs “you’ve been in my world for a minute now, it’s my turn to see yours.”

The muscle in your jaw flexes as your teeth clench and unclench, your heart fluttering in your chest “okay, whatever you want.”

“I want you to get me the fuck out of this hellhole, hot shot” Tara says with a full smile that sends a sharp hot jab to your gut, giving you one last chaste kiss before sinking back into the passenger seat.

You mentally add that to the list of things you can’t tell her no to, which seems to grow exponentially the longer you two are together.

You pass by the diner on your way out, and your chest aches, you’ll miss it. Tara seems to read your thoughts, as she rests her hand atop yours on the gear shift. Your eyes meet for a moment and you share a silent look of understanding.

You don’t tell her about your last minute pitstop until you’re pulling down a familiar street, the side glance she gives you tells you all you need to know.

“What-“

“Chad asked me not to say anything, since you’re not really a fan of him” you answer before she can finish, parking the car and looking to her “at least until we got here.”

Her eyes narrow, jaw set as she leans back into her seat “unbelievable, what else are you keeping from me?”

“I’m pregnant and you’re the father” you say without missing a beat.

Instantly she’s fighting back a smile, scoffing and punching your arm as you unbuckle your seat “you’ve got fifteen minutes or I’m breaking up with you.”

“I’ll do it in ten” you say with a wink, quickly slipping from the car and briskly making your way inside.

When you knock, it’s in a far more calmly manner than the last time you were here, your hear the locks click before Randy peaks past the door.

“You’re alive.”

“We did it.”

He opens the door fully, one hand on the doorframe while the other loosely gripped the knob. A dry laugh comes from him, followed by “bullshit, how?”

“It’s not permanent, but we were able to find something temporary” you begin to quickly summarize “I came to tell you that you can go home, Billy and Stu are dead. So is Dewey.”

Randy winces at that, face twisting as he looks away, you continue by softly adding “your family needs you, Sidney needs you.”

For a moment he’s quiet, and then he turns to head back into his apartment, leaving the door open. Unsurely, you enter and follow after him.

You catch a glimpse of him popping free the same floorboard from last time, and from it he pulls a few pieces of paper. But upon standing and approaching you, your stomach sinks as you take in that familiar yellow stained parchment.

Your eyes move between them and Randy’s face a few times, the air sucked from your lungs.

“You tore them out? You had them the whole-“

“Take them” he says, holding them out to you, “I ripped them out when I’d learned just how powerful they were, what the contain, do with them what you please.”

Curiosity gnaws at your mind, but as always, the same singular factor holds you back. The thought of her does that to you now, considering just how much you now have to lose.

“I need to know… did you steal the book from Billy?” You ask him, the way his body stiffens answers your question.

Randy hesitates, but answers after a moment “long story short? I found out Billy had a daughter with a random we went to school with. Billy offered the book to me as a trade, saying it could save Sidney’s life, so long as I never spoke a word about what I knew. If only I’d known Billy had fucked me over the moment he gave me the book.”

You process this new information, your brain feeling like a needle skipping on a record “what- how did you find out? How were you certain?”

“Back then I had my hand in everything. If I didn’t know you to know what you knew, I knew someone you trusted that knew what you knew” is all Randy gives you, looking down to the pages in his hand then back up to you “do you want them or not?”

Still curious and hesitant, you ignore his question “do you know the identity of the child? Does she know who her father is?”

Randy shakes his head firmly, “it’s in the child’s interest that she never knows. So I’m taking this one to the grave, not for Billy, but for that poor kid.”

In a way you understand, Billy wasn’t the best, and if Randy found out about this kid back when they were in high school then she probably would be a little older than you. If you dug, you could very well find out who.

But Randy is right, why do that to someone, and get stamped as a bastard child of a psycho?

You take the pages from him and tuck them in your pocket without reading them, “go home Randy, you’re now unburdened and have run out of excuses to avoid it any longer.”

Neither waiting for confirmation or a verbal response, you turn on your heel and exit the apartment swiftly, heading back to your car.

“Nine minutes, you cut it close” Tara says the moment the car door closes behind you, already smiling when you look to her.

“Early is on time, on time is late” you laugh as you shift the car into drive and exit the parking lot, back on the road, no more stops. At least, not until you get to the first hotel for some sleep on your roadtrip to New York.

“You ready for your VIP front row seat to seeing the span of the whole country?” You say with a half smile, every nerve in your body lighting up as her arm drapes across the space between you and rests on the back of your seat, her fingers gently massaging the back of your neck.

“I didn’t know a view could get better than this” Tara whispers softly, tone vulnerable as her head tilts back on to her headrest, gazing over at you with that becomingly familiar gleam of adoration in her eyes.

This is where you decide you’ll burn the pages first chance you get, the promise of answers and knowledge isn’t worth losing Tara.

Tara fidgets with the radio, converse propped up on the dash, the small crack in the window making a subtle mess of her hair.

She’s beautiful. She’s everything to you.

Your eyes linger on Tara for a moment before you return your eyes to the road, content in your belly and a sense of home in your heart. As the radio crackles and a song begins to play, your eyes catch a street sign off to the right of the road.

Now Leaving California

Come Back Soon!

previous, next

AN: thank you all for following along and reading this story! It’s been a pleasure, an honor, and a privilege.

[kabr0ztrousers]

Aliens have taken over and noticed just how hard all the women work to keep the human species going through their pregnancies. They decided that enough is enough and the men will begin to carry the pregnancies from today on! You're one of the first men who is taken (against his will) to go through the process of making your body a hospitable place for the baby. Lucky for you the process feels much nicer than you thought.

Kabr0z Writes episode 88: Turnabout

Find the rest of the Kabr0z Writes anthology here!

CWs: willing and informed consent; medfet; mpreg; weird science; aliens; body horror;

A/N: This one's a little shorter, but still worth the look. Also not sure exactly how to CW this one, so caveat emptor.

#####################################

The ships arrived without warning. NORAD spending billions of dollars to track the skies, and an armada of thousands of spacecraft appeared in the middle of the night. The first anyone knew about them was a shimmer in the air and a transmission across the world. Every channel, every screen, every language. They had been monitoring the Earth from afar, a hundred and thirty lightyears of communication, culture and art. Every symphony, every symposium, every failed sitcom, they've seen it. One thing stood out, throughout all of modern history, a throughline connecting every facet of the human experience:

Men are pigs

They didn't invade, not really. They took humankind under their wing, promised to usher you to the stars. There was only one stipulation: you, as a species, had to learn your lesson. Their method was simple: a whole generation would be borne by men.

You and your girlfriend had been planning to have a kid for months, but hadn't got lucky yet. The aliens guaranteed conception, and the contraceptive field they projected means the usual method wouldn't do the trick no matter how hard you tried. Sure didn't stop anyone trying.

The clinic was clean, and almost empty. Aggressively inoffensive muzak piped over the intercom, family planning magazines strewn on tables. The tannoy called your name. You stepped into the office.

A chair stood in the middle of the room, restraints gleamed on the arms and legs, waiting for you.

A voice came over the speakers in the room "Please undress and sit down"

You hesitated. Heart fluttering with anxiety

"Please undress and sit down"

You took off your jeans, then your shirt. The room was warm, even stood there naked. The chair didn't look any less intimidating.

"Please sit down"

So it wasn't just a recording. You eased yourself into the chair. It was covered in a cold plastic sheet. The cuffs closed over your wrists and ankles. Motors whirred under you, spreading your legs as a probe aimed itself at your rear.

The probe pressed against your hole, warmed by some interior heat source, and squirted a generous portion of lubricant onto you.

You tensed against it on reflex. The probe slid in easily, stretching your inexperienced ass as it sank into you.

"Procedure commencing. Please relax"

Relax, it said. The probe sank into you, the heat building as it vibrated against your prostate. Like someone turning on a tap, you started leaking immediately. It sank into the flesh inside you. Your cock leaked harder as the probe twisted and cut, expanding and manipulating.

You moaned, legs twitching as the probe cut a pouch into you. The searing heat cauterised as it went, before seeding tissue into your bowels, crafting an endometrial lining into the opening it made.

You felt your balls clenching, trying to press out every last drop of cum as the probe worked backwards. Every new inch of fertile womb it built inside you was accompanied by a fresh rush of pleasure, keeping you trapped in wave upon wave of bliss. You couldn't think, couldn't speak. All you could manage was to whine and leak, cum flowing from the tip of your flaccid cock as the machinery transformed you.

"Implanting zygote. Please stand by"

The probe latched on to the lining it had made, pressing out a frozen fertilised egg you'd seen prepared on a previous visit. One hundred percent human, naturally fertilised, with no artificial selection, as demanded by the alien's laws. It bound your child-to-be into your new womb, before sealing the entrance with a monitoring chip and a plug of fresh scar tissue.

The machine pulled out. The profound emptiness struck you. Your still lubed asshole winked with the last few clenches of your orgasm. Your limbs were released and you took a handful of wipes from a dispenser, cleaning yourself before putting your clothes back on. The door swung silently open and you stepped out, precious cargo on board.

Over the next months, the monitor implanted in you gave you regular updates. Your child was growing well, and healthy. Your ultrasounds came back promisingly. A human doctor was always on hand for a second opinion, not that he ever disagreed with the device implanted in you.

The day finally arrived. You waddled into the delivery room, and a set of mechanical arms set to work, cutting and grabbing, pulling your baby from your belly. It went to a midwife first, who checked its vitals, just a box-ticking exercise after the precision surgery, and handed it to you.

"Congratulations" she said "it's a girl"

####################################

Well

That went a bit more body horror than expected. One of these days, I'll just describe someone getting Compleated in an extremely graphic sequence, and at least one of you will get off to it.

I know I would

[thehauntedinfirmary]

Fic Rec Friday Edition 35

Welcome to Fic Rec Friday! I HOPE you're in the mood to READ this week!

How did it end? by Ren_Saxon Complete | 3k words

Ryan pulled off him just for a moment, his head spinning again as he looked down at Shane - kissed-red lips, half-parted, asking for more, his cheeks flushed and his hair ruffled. The painful reminder, the symbol of his life having crumbled over night, fallen apart, gone up in flames. You can have either one or the other, his own voice reminded him mockingly. But never both.

Extra Scratch by sequence_fairy Complete | 500 words

"Who gives you that extra scratch to keep your pretty little asshole bleached?"

Big Apple Steve and That Time He Obliviously Third-Wheeled His Friends All Summer by beethechange Complete | 12k words

Steven Lim is not a stupid man. Steven Lim is a capable man, an ex-scientist, creator and producer of Buzzfeed’s most popular video series. He helped invent Tide Pods, for Pete’s sake. Tide Pods. So he knows he’s no idiot. He’s naïve, perhaps. He has blind spots, like anyone, particularly when it comes to relationships, especially when it comes to sex. Still, when he walks in on Ryan sitting astride Shane’s lap on the sofa, tongue fully in the guy’s mouth, hand fully down his pants, Steven reckons he should probably have seen this one coming.

The Law of Parsimony by ÉcrivainFantôme Complete | 26k words

The Law of Parsimony - Also called ‘Occam's razor’, is a mental model which states that “it is futile to do with more what can be done with fewer”— In other words, the simplest explanation is most likely the right one; no matter how unlikely. Shane tries really hard to hear the voices when he’s doing the Estes method for Ryan. It’s just, you know. This time, he hears the voices after the Estes method has stopped, too.

Don't Forget To LycanSubscribe by breathtaken Complete | 24k words

Shane looks up and nearly swallows his tongue as he finds himself face-to-face with Ryan from LycanSubscribe. The YouTube channel that’s consumed most of Shane’s leisure time and pretty much all his waking thoughts for the past two weeks, not to mention a couple of vaguely guilty jerk-off sessions. Ryan’s wearing a white T-shirt with a pair of sunglasses hooked onto the neck and there’s a stray lock of hair curling over his forehead, and he’s even more startlingly attractive in the flesh—which in Shane’s opinion is saying something. He says, “Hi, can I get a—” “Grande iced chai latte,” Shane blurts out, before he can stop himself.

Hold You By The Edges by Exorin and sequence_fairy Complete | 7k words

Shane’s got one knee on the couch when they separate. He’s crowding over Steven, pressing him back into the cushions. There’s a delicate flush on Steven’s cheeks, his mouth still slightly parted when Shane pulls away. “You’re sure this is okay?” Shane asks, sliding onto the couch beside Steven without breaking the contact of his hand against Steven’s face. Instead of answering, Steven’s leaning in again, nodding yes with his eyes gently closed. Shane gently stops him with a hand on his chest and waits until Steven’s eyes flutter open again. “Hey, I need you to say it out loud for me,” Shane says, his voice so low and careful.

darling it's a faded notion by varnes Complete | 29k words

The sun is too bright and Ryan’s whole body is alight with something that is eating him all the way up from the inside out, but he keeps his eyes open and he makes himself look, and he tells himself that once he finds Shane, he’ll think about it. Once he finds Shane, they’ll make a plan. Once he finds Shane, and only then, he’ll let himself have the thought he’s been swallowing down like bile since he came to: that they didn’t fall. They were pushed. OR: Ryan and Shane get cursed by a ghost, and now they can't be not-touching. It's ... not great.

Begin the Begin, Over and Over by beethechange Complete | 33k words

Shane only agrees to be handcuffed to Ryan for a video because he can put up with anything for twenty-four hours. That’s the funny thing about time loops, though—they don’t always adhere to the parameters set by clickbait videos.

tear down the doors, throw open windows by VileKepler Complete | 97k words

Watcher's newest project, Bed & Breakfast & Boys, should really have made Ryan figure out some stuff sooner. Because staying at nice hotels for romantic weekend getaways alone with his best friend really shouldn't make his palms all clammy. Or, 5 times Ryan and Shane stayed in cool hotels for a show + 1 time for themselves.

Nothing safe is worth the drive by Ren_Saxon Complete | 5k words

Shane hates driving. Shane hates the unfamiliar streets of LA. Shane does not hate the hot guy he accidentally cut off at an intersection - who somehow found him on Grindr of all places.

Once Upon a Porno by GomorrahHillsides Complete | 15k words

Seeking comfort after a hellish nightmare, Ryan drops in on Shane late at night. He uses the spare key, thinking the Big Guy's asleep. Spoiler : he's not. How one awkward moment can change your future. Or, the story of how two grown men end up forging a deeper, more intimate relationship by way of dubbing a period piece porno together.

drink up by mccxxvi Complete | 2k words

He shouldn’t do this anymore. They shouldn’t do this anymore. Last time was the last time.

Like a Little Clock by fightingfuries Complete | 2k words

"We can go a day without kissing." Shane looks sceptical. "We can! Especially if you are your usual asshole self. Just pick a fight with me and I'll be cured of wanting to kiss you for 24 hours easy." Shane snorts. "That's not gonna work. Arguing turns you on." or, Shane and Ryan test if they're still in a time loop

"If you really wanna move the needle..." by StrangeAndOffPudding Complete | 26k words

Ryan's curiosity is piqued when Shane acts shifty about a seemingly innocent taunt. Shane internally battles a secret weakness and desire that is more than a little embarrassing. Over the course of a ghost-hunting roadtrip to film a new season of Ghost Files, Ryan pokes and prods at this wall until Shane's defenses crumble, and he admits what he REALLY thinks of all those teasing touches - but is it just body chemistry, or does this escalating intimacy say more about their relationship than either one realized?

Want to learn more about The Haunted Infirmary? Check out our pinned post!

[paikothecateater]

ok but Imagine norway waking up in the early hours of the morning and being like "Iceland? you're here too?"

"yeah...I....had a nightmare"

"mmm...I see.."

and then they talk for a while until sweden wakes up to the soft talking of his baby bros🤍

Alright alright, I know my fics are late as all hell, so you guys at least get a little scenario. I'm also going to change up my regular dialogue style to see if I like it so yay!

Consider this a mini fic.

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Nightmares were not a very common occurrence for Iceland. He was known as the best sleeper out of all the Nordics. He had probably the best sleep schedule, he wasn't a light sleeper, and he was generally more easily capable of falling asleep quickly.

That is to say, he has no idea what to do in case of one.

And that's how a very disturbed Iceland ended up outside Norway's door. Waking Norway is something Iceland would usually consider a cardinal sin as Norway, unlike Iceland, is a notoriously horrible sleeper.

Even so, Iceland was willing to do it in this case only Norway was nowhere to be found.

Willing to accept defeat and go back to bed, Iceland made his way back down the hall only to realise that his room was not the only one that was lit.

A faint light was also pouring out of Sweden's room.

Iceland peered inside to find a very much awake Sweden with a book in one hand and Norway tucked up and asleep right next to him.

Sweden looks up from his book and makes eye contact with Iceland.

"oh... Iceland..." he whispered. "could you close the door?"

Iceland nodded and made a move to shut the door. Sweden could recognise the shakey uncertain mannerisms of someone who's not doing too great only too well.

"don't tell me you also had a nightmare..." he whispered again.

Iceland awkwardly nodded.

"you were looking for Norway, weren't you?"

Another nod.

"well... He also had a nightmare and had a similar idea as you can see."

One more awkward nod.

"well? Come here."

Iceland shuts the door and heads over to Sweden's side, standing there awkwardly.

"you don't need an invitation, Iceland. Come on."

Iceland climbs up beside him.

Sweden takes off his glasses and places them and the book on his nightstand followed by putting his arm around Iceland.

Iceland finally realises how tired he is and comforted by both his brother and Sweden's presence, Iceland finally goes back to sleep.

7:00am.

Not even Denmark had woken up yet.

Norway, of all people, began slowly waking. Slightly disorientated because he wasn't in his own bed, he started looking around to get his bearings only to realise that not only was Sweden there, but so was Iceland.

He reaches over and gently strokes his little brother's hair. Iceland's eyelids flutter open and he realises his brother is awake.

"Norway..." he whispers faintly.

"shh... You had a nightmare too, didn't you...?" he responds gently.

Iceland nods.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there... But it looks like Sweden stepped up... For both of us, that is."

"it's okay..."

"it is now... Did you at least sleep well here?"

"mm..."

Norway leans over to kiss Iceland's forehead. The movement wakes Sweden.

"... Awake? Both of you?" he mumbles in a sleepy way.

"yes..." Norway responded.

"sleep well?"

"yes."

"and you? Iceland?"

"mhm..."

Sweden sighs and pulls them both in closer.

"this is nice, isn't it?"

He strokes their hair very methodically.

"yes... Thanks, söta bror... We should do this again sometime..."

"hah... Maybe if one of you, I won't say who, would do something about those sinuses and the other would find a way to channel all that aggression when he's conscious and not cradled up in my arms."

Iceland goes red. He didn't know he had been thrashing in his sleep.

Sweden turns to him.

"and you need to stop being so stiff around me. I know our relationship hasn't always been close, but I love you, and I need to know that you trust me enough to come to me if you need me, okay?"

Iceland nods awkwardly.

For a few more moments, the three have peace...

... Until the sound of Denmark tripping and falling down the stairs reminds them that they can't stay all cuddled up and warm in bed forever.

Unfortunately...

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Woo! Cute stuff! Cute wholesome stuff!

[featherwingfox]

Muahaha, he drank the potion! Now CHAOS SHALL WRECK HAVOC!!! *Ahem* This drawing was fun to figure out. I knew I wanted him to pose like he's about to get into a battle, a battle that felt like a challenge. His pose had to exude an emotion that wasn't necessarily confident, definitely not like he was gonna lose of course, but specifically a pose that tells his opponent he's ready for a fight and won't back down. I chose the main colors from Rainbow Steve that match Dark Steve the most, for reasons. Reasons some of you can probably guess by the colors, but if someone who has never seen the OG series is here, I'm sorry, you'll never figure it out otherwise. In a later post you will! 😉

His outfit didn't change much, just added color as well to his hair and skin. Which by the way, do y'all like the vitiligo? Whenever I saw the characters fused or had some patches of different color I came up with the idea that it would look like vitiligo. I love how it looks like some of them were just splashed with colors, I had a lot of fun drawing that! His hair is longer, though you can't really tell because his ponytail is behind him, he has grown out those bangs too. And his cloak, just look at those ripples!!! If this was animated I'd love making the cloak flutter, which someday you might see little animatics on my sister's YT channel, but for now random small funny stuff are being posted over there.

Okay! So Chaos Steve is a combination of Dark Steve and Rainbow Steve. This one is a little different from normal Fusions. As seen on Dark's design post, he was holding a colorful potion. This was an extract of Rainbow Steve's powers. Since he stole half of the potion and drank it he became Chaos Steve. Normally, in one of the methods to fuse, I'll explain on a System post, he'd have to fuse with a Steve,cor in this case Rainbow Steve to become Chaos Steve. But with Sabre's introduction of machines, all he needed was the potion. No Steve, just powers. Which was probably a great opportunity since Rainbow Steve could probably defeat him. It would be a tough battle, but still give him a difficult fight. So this potion gave him his powers without having to fight or weaken him to fuse, which is one of the methods of fusion.

Chaos Steve brings out the chaotic and destructive side of Dark Steve. Who would of thought? While Dark Steve is the only one in control, these powers are stronger so he can't help but be a bit overwhelmed. What else would happen to a guy with overwhelming power then to end up like this? Earning the part, "Chaos" in his name. Dark Steve is levelheaded but Chaos Steve is itching for action and probably jumps in fights whenever he can, or other forms of destruction. With such a powerful and dangerous adversary on the loose, we're going to need a hero with ultra powerful abilities to fight this guy! 🌈🌼

Story: Steve Saga (Fan Rewrite)

Character: Chaos Steve

Abilities: Lightning, can fly, summon water/ice/fire, Dark Fire, and disguise.

Personality: Unpredictable, powerful, uncontrollable, chaotic, destructive, and wild.

[mjohnso]

Quarterly Debut Review: Q1 2024

Quarterly Debut Reviews are a supplementary series to my biannual Periodic Rookie Group Reports, which are published quarterly. Each installment covers three rookie groups that debuted over the past three months. For the fifth installment, I covered ALL(H)OURS (January), YDS (February), and Heimish (March).

As always, a full list of rookie groups that have debuted thus far in 2024 is available here: 2024 Rookie Groups Debuts

January / ALL(H)OURS Debut: January 10, 2024 Debut Song: “GOTCHA”

Although I have been tracking rookie groups for over a decade, I am no soothsayer. I cannot predict with any accuracy the number of new groups that will debut in 2024 or if more groups will disband this year than last year. Nor can I tell if the recent reversal of a multi-year decline in the number of boy groups I covered in Periodic Rookie Groups Report No. 22 is permanent or a temporary deviation. At best, what the numbers tell me is. 2024 is not off to a bad start, especially regarding boy groups. The four boy groups that debuted this year in January mirrors the previous year's total. While this may not crack 2019’s record of nine boy groups in January, it is better than 2018's where boy groups' poor performance was foreshadowed by a single debut at the start of the year.

No matter how this year shakes out for boy groups, it cannot be said that boy groups did not try like ALL(H)OURS who was one of the four boy groups to debut. Their name externalizes their ambition signaling, according to Korea JoongAng Daily, their intention to “pour everything it has at all times.” Their debut song doubles down on this message with the chorus, punctuated by a deep bass sound, emphasizing their laser focus on their goal.

Of course, it takes more than focus and hard work for idols to achieve their dreams—or stardom —in the industry. Those are only parts of an equation with multiple variables, many of which idols have no control over, including their image, musical director, or whether a group gets to come back and try again or build on the momentum. But at least ALL(H)OURS are committed to doing what they can do and working with what they have control over.

February / YDS (YeoDongSaeng) Debut: February 21, 2024 Debut Song: “A Fluttering Love”

YDS’s debut single “A Fluttering Love” can claim more so-called ‘firsts’ than your average debut single. The song is the group’s first release under a proper label, as well as, their official debut and first single. Contrarily, it is also the first song in the industry's history to qualify as both a debut and a comeback single, a fact that the marketing has not hidden but highlighted. On a teaser image released to promote the song’s release, above the two members seated back-to-back on a white table, it reads “YDS 7TH DIGITAL SINGLE ALBUM.”

This discrepancy in qualification is a byproduct of YDS’ unorthodox career trajectory. The duo began their career uploading covers of k-pop songs to their YouTube channel, before pivoting to producing their original songs in 2022. They released six singles and built up a small following before according to their December 2023 Instagram post, signing with HO Entertainment. Then as established above, in February they released their seventh single that doubled as their major label debut. In other words, unlike most k-pop groups who debut after being assembled through the industry’s traditional top-down method, YDS debuted in reverse.

While there are tradeoffs for both YDS and HO Entertainment for bypassing this usual path, I see the appeal. For HO Entertainment, in particular, it is a cost-saving measure. A group with a pre-determined lineup eliminates the need to recruit and train future members of a group, a process so expensive that according to the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA)’s 2023 Pop Culture & Arts Industry Survey, most agencies do not even maintain a pool of trainees. They also come with a pre-defined image and sound, which although certainly adjustable, HO Entertainment has left unchanged. Indeed “A Fluttering Love”, features their signature sweet acoustic sound and lyrics about a love confession. This is consistent with their previous releases, only this time it comes with a name attached to it and an accompanying promotional rollout, typical of your average group.

March / Heimish Debut: March 15, 2024 Debut Song: “Golden Hour”

So far, this year has gone according to Rainbow E&M’s plan. That plan, laid out across their 2023 year-end Instagram posts, indicated that they aimed to debut one group per month – a feat they have pulled off. Three months into 2024, they debuted at least one group under the Future Idol Asia banner every month: Flora in January, Bluebell in February, and now Heimish and Pearlys in March.

Practically speaking, these are all new groups in the sense that Future Idol Asia has never debuted a group under these names or with these lineups. Of the four groups that debuted, Flora and Heimish’s lineups are partly a patchwork of members from prior Future Idol Asia groups. In the case of Flora, of the group’s six members, four previously debuted under Redplum and Closer, respectively. As for Heimish, their group is comprised of one new member, two members of Blossom, and one member of Winsome. This is a byproduct of the nature of the project. As I have written before Future Idol Asia groups are not intended to be permanent homes for aspiring idols but a temporary waypoint on their journey. Ideally, a member who debuts as part of a Future Idol Asia group would catch the attention of an entertainment agency scout at a showcase who invites them for further auditioning before inviting them to join their agency. In reality, though not every member gets picked. For example, in the case of Closer, two of whose members re-debuted this year as part of Flora, only one of the ten members in the group was chosen for additional auditions with other agencies.

This poses a conundrum for the Future Idol Asia project, as they are left with groups with gaps in their lineup, although groups like Flora and Heimish point to their solution. Since last year they have been repackaging members from their previous groups into these new groups. That allows the project to pad its numbers, giving the illusion that the project has more recruits than it actually does, especially if recruitment does not meet expectations. More importantly, it also gives those not picked the first time another chance. With a new group, concept, song, choreography, and opportunity to perform at the showcase this time might be the charm.

[sanvirtheobserver]

Taking Flight, Volume 5

Nothing quirky to say this time.

ENJOY

Chapter 21: The Next Step

We begin in the Castle with Tari and Aybel in the main hall. Tari cautiously holds the orb in her right hand as Aybel hovers beside her.

Aybel: Are you ready, Miss Tari?

Tari: There were times I would be too terrified to even THINK about doing something like this, especially with no idea as to what could happen. Well, times have changed.......

She stares down at the orb she's been holding onto for a week now.

Tari: ..........and so have I.

Aybel: You'll be stepping into uncharted territory. There may be no turning back after this.

Tari: If this is the next step I need to take....... then so be it.

She takes a deep breath as she lightly places her robotic hand on the orb. It begins to glow as the silvery shell peels away to reveal a radiant core. Her metallic fingers close around the core, and the floating remnants of the shell expand and weave across her arm until it forms an armored gauntlet that goes up to her shoulder. The symbol of a blue wing is emblazoned on the pauldron, and the polished flat crystals on the back of her hand and arm dance with a tapestry of sigils and scripts. She admires her new upgrade in astonishment.

Clench: WOO! Now THIS is an upgrade! ........ now what?

Aybel: Now?.......... We get to work.

Later on we see the two gathered with all four SMGs outside. SMG4 and SMG3 are seen dragging in a large crate.

SMG4: Alright, one fresh batch of extra spicy memes at the ready!

The crate opens to reveal an assortment of memes such as Pingas Heads, Dancing Pepes, Wojacks, and.......uh.........Singing Fruit. Whatever, we'll roll with it.

SMG1: Shall we begin?

SMG1 nods and joins hands with SMG2. SMG3 and SMG4 also join hands, and the four proceed to draw the memes out of the box before converting them into golden motes of Meme Energy.

SMG2: In its raw form, Meme Energy can only be properly utilized by beings such as SMGs and Avatars.

A few motes flow into Mario, giving him the Power Star Power-up. He then proceeds to abuse this power by flying after an Ice Cream Truck. The Ice Cream man is shocked at the opalescent Italian plummer flying at him at Mach 2 and hits the gas as Mario gives chase. They both speed off into the distance, much to the amusement of Three and the bemusement of Four.

SMG1: But Meme Energy can take many forms, some of which can be drawn upon by those who are "attuned" to how the universe works. Aybel, would you care to demonstrate?

Aybel: With pleasure.

He raises his hand as a mote floats in his palm. He jestures with his other hand and currents of energy flow from the mote and weave around his fingers.

Aybel: Through methods of conduction, channeling, and communion, a soul can manipulate the flow of energy around them. Even in a diluted ambient state, the applications of such energies are practically endless.

The energy flows into his palm and creates a burning butterfly-like creature. It flutters into the distance before exploding in a brilliant display of crackling sparks and flames. He then lets the energy mote float over to Tari. She reaches for the mote with her new gauntlet. Its crystallic facets giving off a vivid azure glow as she clenches the mote.

SMG1: The Metarunners had the ability to condense this ambient energy into something more refined and concentrated.

She opens her hand to see that the mote is glowing brighter and has turned a bright blue.

SMG1: This is what we call "Meta." It is a force that not only holds great power, but memories as well. And it is through those memories that this power is realized.

Tari allows the mote to phase into her hand. Crackling energy courses through her body as her irises begin to glow blue.

SMG2: Now that you've joined with the artifact, you can now more efficiently draw from both ambient AND raw Meme Energy by refining it into Meta.

Aybel: How are you feeling, Miss Tari?

Tari: It's a bit much, to me honest....... but it's fine! I can handle it.

She transforms her arm into a railgun as the SMGs convert some of the motes into floating targets. With pinpoint precision, she fells each target with each thunderous crack.

Clench: WOOOOOO! WHO WANTS SOME!? COME RIGHT UP!

Aybel: Let's start her off with something simple.

The SMGs then condense the remaining motes into HIVE DARKBLADE KELGORATH, RISEN FROM BONES, TAKEN BY WAR, CHISELED BY LOSS, KNIGHT CHAMPION OF DEATH as a boss for Tari to fight. She draws her glaive and speeds towards the knight. Kelgorath raises his axe and attempts to bring it down upon her, but she easily dodges and cleaves a chunk of chitin from his bicep. He turns to retaliate with another swing only for his axe to shatter against an iridescent barrier. He tosses the broken axe aside and resorts to hurling balls of Arc energy. But she still manages to evade getting burned, even batting one of the balls right into Kelgorath's face and breaking his helm to reveal a bulbous growth overtaking his head. The frenzied Knight lets out a gutteral roar that echoes across the Showgrounds.

Clench: Oh, now he's pissed.

Seething with rage, Kelgorath's fists crackle with electricity as he charges in. Tari flings a blink blade past Kelgorath before he brings down his fists and shatters the earth beneath him. When the dust settles, he scans the area for any remnants of his target. A sudden pain shoots up his leg, and he looks down to see his ankle completely severed with a swing of Tari's blink blades.

Aybel: Clever girl.

Tari climbs up the Knight's back before plunging her glaive into the back of his head. The blade's glow rapidly intensifies before she unleashes an earth shattering blast, leaving nothing but a smoldering stump. She then makes her way down as the Knight's body collapses to the ground before evaporating in a cloud of Soulfire.

Tari: WOOOOOO! THAT'S how you get it done!

SMG4: How ya feeling, Tari?

Tari: Like a million quid! Slightly tingly, though.

SMG1 notices that her scars are glowing. He and SMG2 share glances of concern.

SMG1: Tari, I think you should take it easy. Your body may still need time to acclimate to channeling this kind of energy.

Tari twirls her glaive like a baton, not really heeding SMG1's advice as she notices Ragatha and Jax walking by. In a blink she rushes right up to the group and stops right in front of Ragatha.

Ragatha: Oh, uh, hi Tari.

Tari: Hey guys, whatcha doin'?

Ragatha: Not much.......uh.......

Jax: You're a lot more chipper than usual.

Tari: Oh, sorry. I'm just really really REALLY full of energy right now and I've been practicing for a bit.

Jax: Does that explain the fact that you're literally glowing right now.

Aybel floats over to the three. He carefully analyzes Tari before turning to Ragatha.

Aybel: Miss Ragatha, please forgive the intrusion, but could you perhaps assist us with Tari's training for today? We weren't expecting her to dispatch the boss we had planned so quickly.

Ragatha: It's no problem at all. I'd be glad to help.

Tari: YAAAAAAAY!

Tari immediately grabs Ragatha's hand and hauls her back to the others. The two take their starting positions as they get ready to spar. Tari makes the first move, drawing her glaive and rushing in tip first. Ragatha swiftly draws her cleavers and parries a flurry of thrusting attacks with near perfect precision. Tari steps back and switches to her blink blades. She throws one forward and Ragatha sidesteps, the blade whizzing by her head. Tari teleports to the flying blade and attempts to land a double sword strike, but Ragatha once again dodges with uncanny ease. Try as she might, Tari can't land a single blow on Ragatha. That's when she gets an idea. With a wave of her hand she summons 5 square shaped barriers and combines them into a cube around Ragatha. Now she has no room left to dodge.

Ragatha: Well, she's certainly getting more creative with her barriers.

With her quarry trapped, Tari transforms her arm into a massive fusion cannon and takes aim at the cube. The machine hums with escalating intensity as the tip of the barrel glows blue with energy. But Ragatha has another trick up her sleeve. She pricks her finger up, and a transparent thread around Tari's wrist tugs the cannon upwards right as it fires. A brilliant blue beam erupts from its barrel and streaks into the sky with a thunderous boom. A flock of birds fall out of the sky, fully cooked, basted, and seasoned for some reason.

SMG3: Oh sweet, lunch.

Tari falls onto her back, her arm reverting back to its previous form as the blue glow fades from her eyes and scars. The prism trap flickers away, allowing Ragatha to go check on her now drowsy and barely conscious sparring partner.

Ragatha: You still up for more?

Tari: Yeah, just........give me a minute to.......

Aaaaaand she's out, her snoring now audible as Ragatha picks her up in her arms.

Ragatha: Take all the time you need, kid.

Jax: whistles Well that was a show and a half. One second too late and Dollface would've been in pretty bad shape.

SMG2: And so would Tari if she hadn't expended all that excess energy.

SMG1: Indeed. It'll be some time before her body can properly handle that much energy, but her progress is still coming along swimmingly. We should probably focus more on channeling.

Ragatha makes her way back to the Castle with Tari resting peacefully in her arms.

Ragatha: Yeah, let's save that for tomorrow.

 Chapter 22: Bug Hunt

We begin with an broadcast from MKBC News with your host, Kermit D. Frog.

Kermit: This just in. The Category 5 Resonance Cascade , designated "Matilda," is making its final stretch across the Mushroom Kingdom. On to Cell with the forecast.

The camera switches over to Cell with the latest forecast.

Cell: Matilda is currently expected to continue its path across the Kingdom. The cascade is expected to lose steam as it passes over the Acorn Plains before hopefully dissipating completely upon reaching Mushroom Gulf. The surrounding area is to expect the risk of small portal storms and void fissures over the next week or so. Back to you, Kermit.

We cut to a scene of the Showgrounds under an Aurora-lit night sky. Inside we see the gang making preparations in the Castle. Melony and Saiko ready some mattresses as they listen to the news broadcast on a small radio.

Kermit: The Department of Security has advised that all residents secure their homes and avoid going outside unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. If you see any Xen creatures or Void entities, refrain from making contact and alert your local police department immediately.

Saiko: Talk about a rainy day on paradise, huh.

Melony: Yeah. I was hoping Kaizo and I could hang out at the aquarium later.

Saiko: chuckles

Melony: What?

Saiko: It's just........... You two have been hanging out a lot since we got back from Swiper's Pass. If I didn't know better, I'd say he's taken an interest in you.

Melony: Well, Karen said I should have someone monitor my recovery, and he volunteered. After that we started hanging out some more, and he even comes by my place on the weekends to help with.......other things.

We briefly flash back to the other day. Kaizo was stopping by Melony's place when he sees her curled up and trembling on the floor beside her bed. It looks like she had another panic attack.

Melony: I know he's a bit of a jerk, but he can still be really sweet when he wants to be.......

The flashback ends with Melony holding Kaizo tightly as he does his best to comfort her.

Melony: .......and a big help when he needs to be.

Outside the Castle we have Karen, Whisk, Cory, Katie, and Zack standing out front as Tari answers the door.

Whisk: Hey Tari.

Tari: Glad you could all make it. And I see you brought company.

Karen: C'mon, why don't you guys introduce yourselves?

Katie: Uh.......hi.......I'm Katie.

Zack: Sup. I'm Zack, and that's Corey.

Corey just waves.

Whisk: Thanks again for letting us stay here until the Cascade passes.

Tari: Anytime! We'll see about getting you some rooms in the Guest House once they've dealt with the..........intruders.

A quick cutaway gag shows Jax humming a little tune as he makes a sandwich, completely unbothered by Zooble and Ragatha fighting off a horde of Murmur in the lounge.

Whisk: Now, can you guys tell us the rules we have to follow while we're here?

Katie: Be courteous and don't stay up past 10.

Whisk: Good job, Katie! Anyone else?

Corey: Licking doorknobs is illegal on other planets.

Whisk: Uh....... not really applicable in this case, but good to know, I guess.

Zack: Don't kill anybody unless you have a plan to get rid of the body.

Whisk: ........... Let's just head inside.

Karen: Don't mind Zack. He gets his attitude from his father.

The family comes inside and gets comfortable. But right as Tari is about to close the door, she hears something coming from the woods. It sounds like shrieking and gunfire. Tari spreads her wings and heads up high before making her way west. She hovers over a nearby clearing and finds a pack of Antlions circling a young woman gunning them down with a shotgun pistol.

Uzi: Alright, who's next?

As Tari flies in for a closer look, one of the Antlions lunges at her, snagging onto her foot and pulling her down to the ground. She summons her glaive just in time to skewer it in the head, but is then pinned under the body as the others shift their focus away from Uzi. The horde surrounds Tari as she struggles to get out from under the dead beast.

Tari: Oh no.....

One lunges at her, but is quickly dispatched by Uzi with a shotgun blast to the abdomen. She swiftly loads another rack of shells and disarms another before finishing it off with a shot to the head. One attempts to lunge at her from behind, but she swiftly ducks and sends it flying back with a point blank shot to the thorax. Tari manages to free herself from beneath the dead Antlion and manages to blast another one going for Uzi. The two then proceed to decimate the oncoming horde. Every swing of a blade and every pull of the trigger is another Antlion down, yet with every bug that gets squished several others take its place.

Uzi: Ugh! We're getting nowhere with this!

She pulls Tari behind her, holsters her gun, and raises her hand to the horde. The whites of her eyes turn black as a bright purple sigil appears on her palm. A searing wave of energy bursts from the sigil and across the clearing, and the horde stops dead in its tracks. Black ooze begins seeping from her eyes as she clenches her fist. A cacophony of cracks and splatters fill the air as each and every Antlion - from the meek workers to the towering guards - is crushed by an invisible force. An eerie silence falls and the shrieks of the horde are no more. All that's left is an unrecognizable mass of pale green slime and shattered chitin. Uzi's eyes return to normal as the sigil fades from her palm. Tari just sits there in shock at what she had just witnessed.

Tari: What........ did you......

Uzi: None of your business, thats-

Uzi winces in pain as she drops to her knees. Tari hops back to her feet and rushes to Uzi's side.

Uzi: Back off! G-get away from me or I'll- NGH!

Tari: Wait! It's okay. I just wanna help.

Uzi begins to vomit a caustic black bile. Tari swears she sees something writhing in the puddle. Tari lays Uzi on her side for a moment and checks her vitals. She's cold and clammy to the touch, and the veins on her neck are turning black.

Tari: Hold on tight. I'm gonna take you back to the Castle, okay? It's not safe out here.

Uzi: Mh....... You tell anyone about what you saw...... and you're dead......

Tari: I can accept those terms.

Uzi begins to slip in and out of consciousness as Tari picks her up and carries her to safety. Back at the Castle, we see our little "Cascade Party" is coming along nicely. Pomni is entertaining Katie and Zack witn her prisms, Mario and Corey are just spinning around, Kinger is once again hiding away in his impenetrable pillow fortress, and Meggy is having a little chat with Saiko, Gangle, and Melony.

Gangle: I have SO MANY IDEAS for some fics I'm writing, but I try and try every night and don't know where to go.

Melony: It's still important to stay active when making Manga, but it's also important to figure out a good pace to take. That helps ensure higher writing quality.

Meggy: It'll also help prevent burnout and maintain your motivation. A hobby you love can easily become a chore you hate if you don't know when to take a break. You can't surpass your limits without first learning what those limits are.

Gangle: But what if I take a break and something distracts me from getting back to writing?

Saiko: Try leaving yourself something to pick up on. I usually don't like leaving things unfinished, so I usually start the first line of the next thing after finishing up the previous thing. That tricks my head into reminding myself to finish what I started.

Gangle: Huh...... I guess that could-

Their conversation is interrupted by someone barging in through the front door. Everybody present is shocked to see Tari covered in Antlion guts and carrying a sick barely conscious teenager in her arms.

Tari: Excuse, me! Coming through!

Saiko: What the hell happened? And why do you smell like vomit and bug guts?

Tari: Oh, I just fought off a horde of Antlions. I also made a new friend.

Saiko: And you did that all on your own?!

Tari: It wasn't easy but, uh, yeah.

Meggy: Wow, um...... do you need a little help? Are you hurt?

Tari: I'm fine, but I'm gonna need a medkit for....... um......

Uzi: ........Uzi.........

Tari: Right. Uzi. Now if you'll excuse me......

Tari makes her way to the Guest Room without another word, leaving everybody present in a brief state of shock.

Kinger: Sorry, I dosed off for a minute there. What did I miss?

Chapter 23: A Helping Hand

It's all quiet through the Castle as the residents have turned in for the night. SMG4 is fast asleep in his Office Room, Saiko is asleep on the Game Room couch as Pomni and Gangle are snuggled up in their sleeping bags, and Kinger is nice and cozy in his pillow fortress in the main hall. We see Tari quietly walk by the fortress and take a look in the Guest Room, where we see the whole Felin family resting soundly with Karen snoring up a storm in her chair and Whisk cuddling up with her little siblings on one of the extra mattresses. Meggy and Melony are also fast asleep on the Playroom Bed. That's when she notices the Casino Bed is empty. Tari then hears the front door close beside her. She goes outside to find Uzi making her way into one of the tents outside. Once inside, Uzi lays down on her own mattress and stares blankly into the roof, waiting to fall asleep. That is, until Tari takes a peek into the tent.

Uzi: sigh Let's me guess. You ratted me out to the landlord and I need to leave by morning.

Tari: What? No. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.

Uzi: Oh really? How am I not sure you yapped to everyone about the witch in the woods?

Tari: I haven't told a soul about that. You have my word.

Clench: Well, there's also me, but I'm less of a person and more of uh...... let's go with "extension." TLDR, we're the only ones who know about your whole magic shtick.

There's a tense silence for a moment as Uzi moves her hand away from the shotgun pistol stowed under her pillow. Tari enters the tent and takes a seat on the foot of the mattress.

Tari: So....... how long have you been here?

Uzi: About a week. I've been traveling for a few months and needed somewhere secure to hunker down for Cascade Season.

Tari: You couldn't stay home?

Uzi: Yeah....... I never really belonged there to begin with. And that was LONG before....... well, you saw.

She stares into the glyph shaped scar on her palm.

Uzi: I'm not exactly the safest to be around.

Tari: And all this time you've been on your own?

Uzi: Yep. I drift from place to place, staying out of people's hair whenever possible. I'll probably head out once the whole cascade thing settles down.

Tari: Where will you go?

Uzi: Eh....... I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

There's a moment of silence as Tari contemplates what to say next.

Tari:.......... You know, the Guest House should be open again by tomorrow. Maybe you can stay there until we figure things out.

Uzi's eyes widened in shock.

Uzi: You're joking.

Tari: Of course not.

Uzi: You really want someone....... someTHING.....like me staying around other people?

Tari: Yeah! It's the least we can do.

Uzi: Look. I appreciate the offer, but the last person I tried staying with ended up plastered on a tree just because I sneezed. You saw what I was capable of back in the woods. Hell I don't even KNOW what this is or WHY I'm like this. I'm not stable. I'm not normal, or friendly, or safe. And don't give me any of that bullshit about being "special." I'm just.........

She takes a moment to catch her breath, staring into her scar once again.

Uzi: I'm just.......wrong.

Tari scoots closer to Uzi.

Tari: You know, I was in a similar situation myself once. I felt like a burden because I wasn't able to defend myself like many of my friends could. Even when I did help in battling giant eldrich monsters or anime character clones, I felt like I didn't have much use outside of kindness, gaming, and the occasional simulation. I couldn't even look people in the eye without having a heart attack. I felt........ useless. But I was lucky enough to have people there for me. They didn't just protect me, they helped me grow as a person and become stronger than I could ever realize. And that was all before I unlocked my powers last month. I still have a ways to go, but I also know I'm blessed to have people who can help me along the way....... and so can you.

Tari gently holds Uzi's hand and offers a reassuring smile.

Tari: If you so choose.

Uzi is taken back. Even before all this "stuff" happened to her, no one besides her father ever really offered her that kind of kindness. There's just so much to process.

Uzi: I........... I've had way too long of a day to worry about this.

Tari let's out a sigh as she gets up to her feat and makes her way out of the tent.

Tari: Alright....... My offer still stands so...... let me know if you're interested.

And so she heads back to the Castle, leaving Uzi to her contemplation. The following morning we Tari along with Meggy and the Mario Bros meeting up with Pomni and Ragatha at the Café.

Ragatha: Hey guys! You ready for the trip?

Meggy: You betcha! I've been aching for some action.

Tari: Take it easy. We don't want you breaking any more ribs.

Pomni: Are you guys sure we should bring Mario to Sugar Canyon?

Ragatha: Yeah. Didn't you say he goes all wackadoo around food?

Luigi: Oh don't worry. He's more into fried foods than sweets.

While the others are talking, Tari notices Caine entering the Café......... along with someone familiar.

Caine: HELLO my disgustingly adorable pancakes!

Meggy: Hey, isn't that the girl you brought in last night?

Tari spins around and is surprised to see Uzi coming in behind Caine.

Tari: Oh that's Uzi! You probably remember her from last night.

Uzi: Hey.

Meggy: Well, it's nice to meet you. Name's Meggy, and this is Mario and Luigi.

Luigi: Hello!

Mario: Have you got any food?

Tari: So, what brings you here so early?

Uzi: Well, I was planning on going for a walk when I bumped into Mister Bombastic over here. He said you guys had some kind of "adventure job" planned and asked if I wanted to tag along.

Tari: Wait....... you're coming with us?

Uzi: Not at first, but I figured it would be worth a look since I'm gonna be staying here a while. It's not like I have anything else planned.

Tari gives a warm smile.

Tari: That's great! So, when are we all heading out?

Caine: Well, I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that SMG3's ship was damaged last night by a Void Angel attack and is in need of repairs, so we won't be able to take it this time. BUT, the good news is that Saturday herself has managed to pull some strings and get us another means of getting to the Sweetlands.

Just then, what sounds like a god awful impression of an elephant can be heard outside. The group heads our and sees Saiko, Kinger, and Jax (who now has a straw hat because it's cool) admiring a massive Palanquin pulled by an equally massive Gummy Elephant. Saturday herself can be seen on top of the Palanquin.

Jax: whistles That's one helluva ride you got there princess.

Tari: WOAH. I've never seen a beast that big. Well, not one that wasn't some kind of eldrich abomination, anyway.

Kinger: AH! Oh hi, you seem new around here. Lord Kinger, at your service.

Uzi: You're an odd old man, aren't you.

Jax: So who's the grape girl?

Uzi: Bite me, Carrot Breath!

Saiko: Heh, I like her already.

Ragatha: Sorry about him. He can be a bit..... abrasive at times.

Caine flies above the Palanquin so he and Saturday can address the group.

Caine: Alright, Loo! Give us the lowdown!

Saturday: I told you not to call me that.........Alright, listen up! By the end of the day we will be entering the kingdom of Sugar Canyon, domain of House Bonbon. You will be in the presence of royalty, and are expected to be on your absolute best behavior. Have I made myself clear?

Meggy: Transparently, ma'am!

Uzi: Whatever.

Tari: You can count on us!

The group makes their way on board the Palanquin.

Caine: Alright, my hardshelled hamburgers! Next stop: SUGAR CANYON KINGDOM!

Chapter 24: Where The Water Tastes Like Soda

The Palanquin rolls across the rocky planes of the Sweetlands as a gorgeous sunset lights the sky. Caine is currently giving our crew a bit of lore exposition as they make their way to the Kingdom of Sugar Canyon.

Caine: The Sweetlands owes its BLOOMING biodiversity to the Sterling Arbors and their life giving syrup. While the trees are dormant during the summer and winter months, the Capitol of Sugar Canyon has figured out how to grow their own orchards that give them a steady supply year round. This has made them a beacon of hope during the dry seasons, but also a major target for various bandit groups. As such, the Baroness has promised HANDSOME rewards for those willing to bring such miscreants to SWEET BUTTERY JUSTICE.

Meggy: Sounds like quite the sweet deal for such a sticky situation.

Caine: INDEED, my dear Meggy!

Luigi: I wonder how many candy stores they have.

Caine: Too many to even THINK of counting, Luigi!

Bubble pops out of his hat.

Bubble: Y'know, if I was a dentist, I'd pull out all of a kid's teeth so they can't have candy. That way I get to keep the candy AND the teeth!

There is a VERY awkward silence from the group.

Caine: Why are you like this?

The Palanquin soon arrives at the gate of the Sugar Canyon Capitol. The group disembarks, crowds of candied citizens cheering them on as they make their way towards the Town Hall.

Ragatha: Quite the welcome wagon, huh.

Kinger: Oh, if only Gangle and Zooble were here. I think they'd love this place.

Saiko: If I had known we'd draw a crowd, I would've brought Kaizo. We could've had a concert.

Tari: So, how's your first adventure?

Uzi: It's a bit much, to be honest. Usually people just scream at me to leave.

Luigi: The people here must not get visitors often, huh Mario?

Mario: Yeah! Mario is Number 1! Kiss the ring, babies!

Ragatha: So Loo, you excited?

Saturday: First, I told you not to call me that. Second.........sigh....... just promise me you'll behave yourselves until we depart. Alright?

Ragatha: Your wish is my command, heiress.

They soon arrive at the Town Hall, where a procession of Gingerbread Knights line the stairs. At the top is none other than Baroness Vanillia von Bonbon, the head of the Sugar Canyon High Council. She looks kinda like Saturday, but her colors are more pink and red and she has a cute spiral hat encircled by a crown.

Vanillia: LULU MY BABY!!!!!

She's also Saturday's mom. The Baroness excitedly makes her way down the stairs and takes her daughter's hands.

Vanillia: It's been so long, honey! I trust that Aybel fellow has been treating you well.

Saturday gives an uncharacteristically warm smile.

Saturday: Yes, Mother. All is going well.

Vanillia: And you've even made some new friends.

Kinger: Your presence honors us, M'lady.

She heads over to Meggy and picks her right up like a toddler.

Vanillia: And look at you! You look so sweet I could just EAT YOU RIGHT UP, hehe.

Meggy: Uh....... I'm flattered, Miss.

Tari: Look at that, Uzi! We're already friends with the Baroness.

Saturday is just standing silently as she internally dies of second hand embarrassment. Uzi cracks a smile and chuckles.

Uzi: Yeah, I feel your pain. My dad is EXACTLY like this when it comes to Open House.

Saturday: Um, Mother? They're actually here to help with the bandit problem.

Vanillia drops Meggy in sudden realization.

Vanillia: Oh that's right! Usually, the individual gangs aren't much of an issue, but that was before that no good Warlord Chewmaw started rounding up bandit gangs from across the Sweetlands under his banner. He even has some of those Darkfudge Cultists under his thumb. They have never been this organized, or this bold, before Chewmaw took over. There are even reports of bandits near the outer gates. We're afraid they may be plotting an attack against the capital itself.

Tari: Is there really no way to settle this peacefully?

Saturday: With the individual clans, perhaps. But that won't happen so long as Chewmaw is at the helm. He's had it out for Sugar Canyon since he was a gumdrop. That's why we need to find him, bring him to justice, and dismantle this Cabal of his before its too late.

Vanillia: The bandits make good use of modified syrup tankers and rocky road bikes, so you'll need a war rig of your own to keep up.

Right on cue, a massive ornate War Rig adorned with various candy paraphernalia rolls into view. It's hooked up to an armed trailer in the back and crushes a bystander beneath its treads. Don't worry, he's fine.

Jax: Ooooh, now we're cooking.

Pomni: It looks like something out of John Carter.

Mario: Mario calls shotgun!

Mario swiftly makes his way into the driver's seat and tests out the horn, which is just the airborne from Lethal Company. Y'know, the one that sounds like something OTHER than a horn. Yeah, Mario is suddenly not so eager to drive anymore, which is a good thing considering how he treats his own cart. Jax excitedly pushes Mario aside and revs up the engine.

Jax: ALL ABOARD, GOING ABOARD.

The rest of the crew makes their way aboard the rig. The engine roars to life and the rig chugs along towards the exit, running over several bystanders in the process. Don't worry, they're fine.

Vanillia: Safe travels! And don't forget to wear your seat belts!

Caine slowly floats over to her side and offers a puff of his pipe.

Vanillia: Oh, no thanks. I'm trying to quit.

Out in the Rocky Roads, there is a camp of gummy gators in bushman's wear taking a rest for the night. A red and yellow gator named Chad is carving some eggs while a purple and red gator named Max is tending to their syrup tanker.

Chad: You think we'll get a decent cut of the haul when we get back? I heard Chewmaw is getting rather greedy.

Standing on lookout is the head of this little pack, a yellow and green gator named Gummigoo. You know he's the leader because his hat has teeth on it.

Gummigoo: We won't know until we get to the hideout. I made sure to stow some bottles back at the farm for Mum.

Max: You still think she'll pull through? She was in quite the state last I checked.

Gummigoo: Mum may be a bit past her prime, but she's still a fighter. She taught us everything we know, didn't she?

He goes back on the lookout and sees a mysterious figure making their way towards their camp. He's clad in black robes adorned with the image of a gaping maw, with a carved jawbreaker mask held in place with strands of licorice. In his bandaged hands he holds a staff carved from Maplewood, with a green hard candy eye in its head. The figure makes his way into the camp and examines the tanker as Gummigoo brandishes his rifle.

Cultist: Greetings, friends.

His voice was raspy and weak.

Cultist: I see you have secured your bounty.

Gummigoo: State your business.

Cultist: Lord Chewmaw's scouts have reported a War Rig exiting the Capitol. Exceptionally armed, and manned by the heiress Loolilalu herself.

Max: Wow, it's been a while since we heard about her.

Chad: Wasn't she off to college or something like that?

Cultist: She's not alone, either. There were others spotted with her. Outsiders from the Mushroom Kingdom.

Gummigoo: Hm.......I've heard about that place. All sorts of jonky business going on over there.

Max: Yeah. I heard they let these fluffy things run amok once a year to keep them peaceful. Absolute anarchy would reign and the guard wouldn't even raise a finger.

Chad: There were also some outbreaks a few years back. People would go dead silent and stiffen up into crosses because they ate some kind of bad mushrooms, or get turned into lanky green Italians with hats.

Max: I've even heard tales of some blokes from there fighting off eldrich gods to cancel the apocalypse. That one seems a bit too far fetched, though.

Chad: Yeah, a bit silly innit?

Cultist: It is crucial that they do not interfere with the plan. If you see that War Rig, it is within all our best interests to eliminate it.

Gummigoo takes a moment to run through all this. He may not be familiar with anyone from the Mushroom Kingdom, but he's DEFINITELY had a history with Loolilalu.

Gummigoo: This is gonna be fun.

He pulls out Max from beneath the tanker. A toothy grin creeps across his snout as he adjusts his hat.

Gummigoo: C'mon boys, let's kick up some sugar.

The trio crawls their way into the tanker and drive off under the moonlight, leaving the cultist to sit by the campfire as the night goes on.

Flight, Chapter 25: Meanwhile.........

Over at the Guest House, Zooble carries some trash bags outside and hurls them into the dumpster. One of them opens and reveals a silvery hand protruding from inside. Looks like they're still cleaning up after last night's "infestation." She comes back inside as Gangle finishes sweeping up some remaining Murmur bits while Bob is also lazing about in the lounge.

Bob: Nice job, team.

Gangle: But you didn't even do anything.

Bob: I'm giving off positive vibes. It's important to spread positivity and promote a positive environment.

Zooble: Yeah, nothing more inspiring than a snoring trashbag on the couch.

Bob: Damn straight! And you guys did a pretty good job! Five stars all around.

Mr. Puzzles: distant OH COME ON!!!!

Don't worry, that was just a cameo.

Gangle: Why not just hang out in the Castle?

Bob: Usually I would, but Boopkins is busy with family stuff, and the rest are either over at Omnia or off to the Sweetlands. I'm also pretty much barred from the Castle because Karen hates me.

Gangle: Why is that?

Bob: She says I'm a "bad influence" on her kids or something. I was just teaching them some cool life hacks.

One of them was how to siphon gas from a car, by the way.

Zooble: So you only like being lazy around others, is that it?

Bob: Can you blame a man who just wants some company?

Gangle: What about Melony and Kaizo?

Bob: They're already dealing with the hole.

The two carnies exchange glances of confusion and concern.

Zooble: What hole?

The three meet with Kaizo and Melony behind the Castle. Gangle and Zooble are understandably concerned about the circular opening hanging in the air. The inside shimmers with mysterious colors that have never been seen before.

Zooble: I'm sorry, what the hell is this?

Bob: A hole.

Zooble: Yeah, I see that. Where did it come from?

Kaizo: It appeared last night. A Void Angel had come through and attacked SMG3's ship.

Zooble: And WHAT has been done about this?

Melony: We tried boarding it up, but the planks just fell in. Then we called E. Gadd over and he took a look inside.

Zooble: Hm.........

Zooble sticks their head into the hole to take a look. A tumultuous sea of quantum foam lights the omnidirectional sky. Small visages of vessels and islands dot the horizon as massive wormlike creatures slither through the surrounding void. Zooble pulls their head back and takes a moment to process what they just saw.

Zooble: pop Yeah, this is gonna be a problem.

Bob: Hey guys I brought snacks.

They all just give him the stink eye as he stands there with a bag of chips.

Gangle: Shouldn't you be taking this a bit more seriously?

A shadowy ghoul suddenly pops out of the portal. Gangle shrieks as it lunges towards her, but Bob swiftly uses his special technique and blows it full of holes. The visage of the creature collapses to the ground before vanishing.

Gangle: W-w-what was that?

Kaizo: Liminus. Nasty little things.

Zooble: Where the hell did it come from!?

Bob eyes the hole.

Zooble: Right, right, the hole. How the hell are you all so calm about this!?

Melony: I'm more worried about what's going on in the city.

And for good reason. Over in Mushroom City, shit is most certainly fucked. Duviri Dax soldiers, Corrupted units, and Murmur creatures flood the streets, laying waste to all in their path. In the sky, a mechanical roar echoes through the sky as the massive Orowyrm Lodun slithers across the skyline. The military has already mobilized, gunning down any and all hostiles with extreme prejudice. Chris and Swag leading the offensive against the Void Invaders as they regroup with Hal Monitor and the Police.

Chris: Whats the situation, Mr. Monitor?

Hal: We just lost the town hall to Dominus Thrax's forces, and those neural sentries are picking us off like flies.

Swag: Is the coffee machine still working?

Hal: Yes, but we don't know how much our coffee stores will last. My question is how the hell we're gonna deal with that dragon?

Chris: Don't worry, we found someone who can deal with that.

Galloping through the streets on a majestic Kaithe, a lone Drifter guns down Dax and Murmur alike with their trusty Sirocco pistol. They jump from their mount and draw their dual nikanas, cutting down any and all aggressors with ease. The Drifter looks up as Lodun slithers between the skyscrapers and they lock eyes.

Lodun: YOU PARASITE, I WILL GRIND YOUR BONES UNTIL THE VERY SPARKS CRY FOR MERCY.

Unfazed, the Drifter mounts their Kaithe. It's wings unfold as it flies towards the Orowyrm, the Drifter readying their blades..... right before we come back to the showgrounds.

Zooble: Huh.

Kaizo: Yeah. It's getting bad.

Gangle: Now what? There has to be SOMETHING we can do.

Just then, we see something digging it's way to the surface right next to the group.

Zooble: Oh God dammit.

Zooble transforms their arms into blades, readying themselves for another Murmur attack, but it turns out to be......... someone familiar.

Bob: Oh, hi Steve!

Yep. Our blocky lord and savior Steve has returned.

Gangle: You know this guy?

Bob: Yeah! Steve is an old friend of Mario's. He's also a business partner of mine but that's not important.

Melony: Hey Steve, we're having some trouble figuring out what to do about this Void hole. You think you could help us out?

Steve makes his way over to the group and notices the portal. You can practically hear the gears in his head turning as he aggressively focuses on what to do next.

Steve: Yeah I got time.

And just like that, he starts building. He starts off with a ring of cobblestone around the portal, followed by another ring with some dispensers and sensors sprinkled in there. Then he starts digging out tge ground inside, placing multiple cauldrons and some trapdoors on the bottom. Finally, he gets to wiring some Redstone contraptions and placing some chests until his latest project is complete.

Steve: All done.

Another Dax Gladius exits through the hole.

Gladius: Surrender or di-

Steve flicks a switch and the Gladius is immediately feathered with arrows from all directions, dropping his items upon death into the receptacles below. Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves a mob spawner farm. And just as quickly as he arrived, Steve departs by digging below and hiding his path.

Melony: Huh.......problem solved, I guess.

Kaizo: Well, if anybody needs me I'll be taking a nap. Wake me up if somebody starts dying, okay?

Bob: I'm gonna go hit up Baro and see if he's interested. We may even get some relics outta this.

And so they head off, leaving a very confused Zooble and Gangle.

Gangle: I can't help but feel like this violates some kind of convention.

The two head back to the Guest House and settle down in the lounge.

Zooble: All's well that ends well, I suppose.

Gangle: Yeah.........

Gangle seems to be in a bit of a daze.

Zooble: You alright?

Gangle: Yeah, I'm fine........ it's just.......

Zooble knows what's on her mind, but she still gives Gangle the chance to speak hers.

Gangle: I think Kaufmo would've liked it here.

Zooble: Yeah.......

They scoot over to Gangle and place their arm around her shoulder.

Zooble: I think so, too.

[toast-crumb]

Practiced Shifting Again [Lucid Dream Portal Method]

tl;dr Tried to shift but kept getting interrupted

It started off as a normal dream, then I got on a bus with a friend of mine and it quickly turned into a nightmare. All because I looked out the window and realized they had shutters that was supposed to look like the sky, but really it was just the ocean- and there actually was no sky at all. Then waves start coming in and I panic because we’re probably gonna drown, and then I was like “no, hold on- I remember this. My friend and I are supposedly hallucinating this.”

So I stood up and made a plan to get off the bus, and it got calm. I walked down the aisle and said “I’m lucid dreaming! This is a dream, and I am in control!” I repeated that a couple more times and looked at the bus driver and said “I’m leaving, I’m dreaming and have other things to do.” And he said “Alrighty!”

I stepped off the bus and walked down the street, rubbing my hands together to keep myself grounded as I kept affirming to myself that I’m dreaming and have control. Most of the time when I’m lucid, there’s no one around, but my dream was very busy, which made it hard for me to find a secluded spot to make a portal. Finally, I do find a spot that’s quiet and away from others, and I take a breath and felt my heart flutter as I affirmed. I could feel my hands tingle, and I imagined myself channeling energy through my hands to make a portal, but as soon as I raised my hand and affirmed where I was going to shift to- One of my dream people interrupted me. He was a chef of some sort a restaurant and was holding an open sign (it was rlly cute tho it had three little chefs on it)

“Hey! You’re dreaming, can you use your dream magic to get this working for me?”

“Uh- I’m kinda busy at the mo-“

“Yeah, yeah, I know but this’ll only be a second!”

I sighed and waved my hand at the sign, “Okay, it works now.” He smiled as he tested it out. I walk off and try to find another spot, but THIS TIME Wakko Warner from the anamaniacs came outta nowhere and SNEEZED IN MY FACE

Anyways after that I wasn’t lucid anymore LMAO

[wrongpublishing]

BOOK REVIEW: Nick Cutter and Andrew F. Sullivan's The Handyman Method

by Elizabeth Broadbent, Staff Writer.

If you’ve read The Marigold or were lucky enough to sit through StokerCon’s panel on anomalous architecture, you know Andrew Sullivan’s a master of the trope. The Handyman Method (Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster) pairs him with Nick Cutter (Rust and Bone, Cataract City) in a haunted house/DIY/the-sins-of-the-father-will-bite-you-in-the-ass novel out August 8th. With memorable characters and the same you-never-saw-this-coming hits as The Marigold, this work’s one more reason you need these guys on your must-read-list.

At first glance, Trent Sabor’s an average dude married to an average wife (Rita), with an average kid (Milo) and his plucky pet turtle, Morty. They seem, on paper, to be the perfect family. They move into the first house of a new development, Dunsany Estates. Their house, like them, seems perfect. It may be surrounded by dirt on every side, but it looks like everything they’ve ever dreamed of. 

The cracks begin to show—literally—when Trent discovers a gaping hole in their closet. Incandescent with rage, he finds a YouTube channel, Handyman Hank, to help him patch it. Meanwhile, his son’s hooked up to his tablet watching Little Boy Blue. As the Sabors’ new home begins to show more cracks, so does Trent’s family.

Handyman Hank goes from a few vids to “a cornucopia for the Y-chromosome set” endorsing “a certain kind of man[liness]” which “does things The Old-Fashioned way.” Trent’s sucked in, for Reasons that I won’t reveal—you deserve, like Trent, to discover these cracks the old-fashioned way. 

This novel’s concept feels both wildly imaginative—like so much new horror, with that Jesus-Christ-I-never-thought-of-that feel—and eminently relatable. Men lose their way; they turn to sketchy sources for validation. Spouses drift. Parents and children grow apart. It’s these metaphorical cracks in both relationships and identities that lie at the heart of this novel and its house. 

And if you’re a sucker for prose (you are, if you’ve read Sullivan’s earlier work; my apologies to Cutter for an ignorance about his), you’ll swoon. It’s not showy, but it’s rich, beautiful, unforgettable. The image of little Milo “plant[ing] his hands on his hips with an exaggerated squint, a pint-sized foreman assessing a construction site”—I can’t get that one from my head. My kids are a little older now, but goddamn if I can’t picture that stance.

Those prose and images are a gift in a fast-paced novel like this. You’ll find yourself rereading, sometimes slowing down to savor those moments, like Trent’s moment when “his eyelids fluttered and his breath bottomed out—some kind of psychic brownout that interrupted the power grid of his brain.” 

And once you get it, you get it, and you’ll want to read it again. You’ll flip through and see the pinpoint accuracy of their metaphors, the hidden mechanisms of characters’ motivations, and maybe that’s a sign you’ve got a real cracker of a book in your hands: you put it down and pick it up again. Then you’ll understand why Simon & Schuster picked it up.

You can pick up The Handyman Method in little more than a week, August 8th. Preorder it before it kicks to a second printing, third, or fourth printing—and it will. You’ll find this one on your Barnes & Noble shelves later this year, pinky-swear. 

Buy the book:

Nick Cutter (website)

Andrew F. Sullivan (website)

[lifechanyuan]

Reality Emerges from the Mind

Xuefeng

June 7, 2006

(Translation edited by Qinyou)

Let me begin by sharing a few stories.

There was once a sculptor who immersed himself in sculpting a life-sized, lifelike statue of an extraordinarily beautiful woman. He sculpted according to the image in his heart, meticulously crafting an unparalleled beauty. From the moment this image took shape in his mind, he was captivated by the celestial maiden within. He conversed with her with deep affection, indulging in delightful moments through his thoughts. Throughout the sculpting process, he remained wholeheartedly focused, pouring his essence, energy, spirit, heart, and mind into his creation. With each meticulous chisel stroke, the image imprinted itself upon his soul. When he finally delivered the last strike, the celestial maiden came to life. Strictly speaking, the statue remained a statue, but its nonmaterial essence emerged from it, forming an eternal bond with the sculptor, ultimately achieving the fruition of immortality.

Hard to believe? Yet, the essence of faith taught by Jesus Christ is embedded in this tale.

There was once a miraculous painter renowned for his mastery in painting celestial cranes. One day, in front of a large audience, he painted a crane on a wall. As soon as he finished, the crane soared into the heavens. No matter how many he painted, each one left the wall and took flight into the sky.

Does it sound fantastical? I can tell you this is but a trivial skill, the most cumbersome method. The supreme art lies in the cultivation of the mind. The Super Celestial Yu’e from Snowpeak Island, in the Celestial Islands Continent, has demonstrated the miraculous power of this mental practice.

Have you heard the story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai? The writer depicted their transformation into radiant butterflies, fluttering in the air. In reality, when lightning struck and thunder roared, a sudden bolt of lightning cracked open Zhu Yingtai's tomb, and as Liang Shanbo leaped into it, they fulfilled the final rite, ascending together into the celestial realm.

In The Celestine Prophecy, the nine great mysteries of the universe are revealed. Here are a few excerpts for your appreciation:

"They can't see us!" Sanchez said. "We are vibrating too highly!"

We turned to see Wil walking quickly toward us. As we watched, he seemed to say something else, but this time the words were completely unintelligible. I realized I was having trouble focusing. His image was becoming hazy, distorted. Gradually, as I stared in disbelief, he disappeared altogether.

Julia said: "The Ninth Insight says that while some individuals may cross over sporadically, a general rapture will not occur until we have abolished fear, until we can maintain a sufficient vibration in all situations.

The more beauty we can see, the more we evolve. The more we evolve, the higher we vibrate. The Ninth Insight shows us that ultimately, our increased perception and vibration will open us to a Heaven that is already before us. We just can't see it yet."

Fascinating, isn't it? Although the author emphasizes the frequency of thinking, in reality, this is the inevitable result of a purified soul. The characters in the book who ascend into immortality are all individuals who single-mindedly seek the mysteries of life. They progress from the first insight to the ninth, eventually entering Heaven before the eyes of all.

For those who have never practiced mental and spiritual cultivation, the notion of becoming a celestial being may seem completely nonsensical. Yet, as consciousness rises, thinking sharpens, and the soul purifies—particularly with a deeper understanding of the nonmaterial world—immortality becomes a seamless and inevitable process, as natural as the turning of the seasons.

Illness arises from the mind, and reality is shaped by the heart. A pure soul wields the power to channel energy. A single tiny mirror may seem insignificant, but when many mirrors focus their light on a single point, the concentrated energy can set wood ablaze or bring water to a boil. This is the very principle of solar stoves.

A sculptor can breathe life into a statue, and a miraculous painter can bring his cranes to life and send them soaring into the sky—all through the power of the soul.

The existence of physical forms is the result of the interaction and evolution of structure, consciousness, and energy, with consciousness playing a crucial role. The soul is the core component of consciousness. The environment one resides in is directly related to their soul— the purer and more beautiful the soul, the higher the vibrational frequency of thought, and the more wondrous the space one inhabits. This is the fundamental principle behind the possibility of achieving celestial immortality.

Taiji thinking has already revealed to us that where there is matter, there is also nonmaterial. Just as there are beings visible to the naked eye, there are also those that remain unseen. It is akin to the scenes one experiences in dreams—only by entering the nonmaterial world can one witness its wonders. This should now be clear.

Reality stems from the heart. To attain celestial immortality, one's soul must be pure. Visualized thinking is the activity of the soul, and the outcome of this activity is the great secret to achieving immortality.

I have already pierced the veil. The rest is up to you.

[webviewgold33]

Step-by-Step Guide to Convert Website into Android App Seamlessly

In today’s fast-paced digital world, businesses need to stay connected with their customers through multiple channels. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by converting your website into an Android app. Not only does this improve user experience, but it also enhances accessibility and engagement. In this step-by-step guide, we will explore how to convert website into android app seamlessly.

Why Convert Website into Android App?

Before diving into the conversion process, it’s important to understand the reasons behind converting a website into an Android app. An Android app offers several advantages, including:

Enhanced User Experience: An app provides a smoother, faster, and more personalized experience compared to a mobile website.

Push Notifications: With an app, you can send real-time updates, promotions, and reminders directly to your users’ devices.

Offline Access: Users can access app content even without an internet connection, which is not always possible with websites.

Better Engagement: An Android app allows for deeper interaction with customers, increasing engagement and customer retention.

Step 1: Assess the Website’s Requirements

The first step in the process of converting your website into an Android app is assessing the website’s functionality and design. You need to determine whether the website is optimized for mobile use and whether all the features can be effectively transferred to an app. If your website has complex functionalities, you might need to consider simplifying them for the mobile experience.

Step 2: Choose the Right Conversion Method

There are multiple methods available to convert website into Android app, and the one you choose will depend on your website’s structure and your budget. The common methods include:

WebView App: This is the simplest way to convert your website into an Android app. It essentially loads your website in a mobile app frame, offering the look and feel of an app without significant development.

Native Android App: If you require additional features like offline capabilities or advanced functionality, building a native Android app from scratch might be the better option. This method requires more time and resources but offers a more custom-tailored experience.

Hybrid App: A hybrid approach uses frameworks like React Native or Flutter, enabling you to write code once and deploy it to both Android and iOS platforms.

Step 3: Develop the Android App

After selecting the right method to convert website into Android app, it’s time for development. For a WebView app, the process involves creating a wrapper for your website and ensuring it functions seamlessly within the app environment. For native or hybrid apps, you will need a development team to code the app based on your requirements.

Some key features to consider during development are:

Responsive Design: Ensure that your app is optimized for all screen sizes, from smartphones to tablets.

User Interface (UI): Focus on a user-friendly UI that replicates the website’s aesthetic while ensuring it’s intuitive and mobile-friendly.

Performance Optimization: Speed is critical for mobile apps, so optimize loading times and minimize lag.

Step 4: Testing the App

Before launching the app, extensive testing is crucial. Test the app across various Android devices to ensure compatibility and usability. You should check for:

Bug-free Functionality: Make sure that all website features are working correctly within the app environment.

User Experience: Ensure that the app is easy to navigate and offers a smooth experience for users.

Security: Implement security measures to protect user data and ensure the app is safe from potential vulnerabilities.

Step 5: Publish the Android App

Once the app is ready, it’s time to publish it on the Google Play Store. You will need a developer account to submit your app. During the submission process, you will need to provide the app’s description, screenshots, and other necessary details. After the app passes the review process, it will be available for download on the Play Store.

Step 6: Promote Your App

Once your app is live, it’s essential to promote it to your audience. Inform your website users about the availability of the Android app through email campaigns, social media, and your website. Encourage them to download and use the app to enjoy enhanced features and benefits.

Conclusion

Converting your website into an Android app can significantly enhance your online presence and improve user engagement. By following this step-by-step guide to convert website into Android app, you can offer a seamless mobile experience to your customers. Whether you opt for a WebView app, native app, or hybrid approach, the key is to focus on delivering a high-quality, user-friendly app. So, start the conversion process today and take your business to the next level!

[jurysoft-raas]

Why Choose Jurysoft for Your Mobile App Development Needs?

In the dynamic world of mobile app development, finding the right technology and team can significantly impact the success of your project. At Jurysoft, we leverage the power of Flutter, Google's revolutionary open-source UI toolkit, to deliver outstanding mobile applications. Our expertise in Flutter sets us apart from traditional mobile development approaches. Here’s why choosing Jurysoft and our Flutter developers can be a game-changer for your mobile app project.

1. Unmatched Cross-Platform Expertise

At Jurysoft, our Flutter developers excel in creating robust applications for both iOS and Android from a single codebase. This cross-platform capability not only accelerates development but also reduces costs. Unlike traditional methods, which require separate codebases for each platform, our Flutter experts streamline the process by maintaining one codebase. This approach ensures that your app operates flawlessly across multiple devices with minimal adjustments.

2. Innovative Widget-Centric Development

Our developers at Jurysoft utilize Flutter’s widget-centric architecture to build intuitive and engaging user interfaces. Flutter’s widgets are the core components of its UI, allowing for highly customizable and visually consistent designs. This widget-centric approach accelerates the development process and ensures a seamless user experience across different platforms, reflecting our commitment to delivering high-quality and visually appealing apps.

3. Real-Time Flexibility with Hot Reload

One of Flutter’s standout features is hot reload, which our team at Jurysoft leverages to its fullest. This feature enables us to see real-time changes without restarting the app, facilitating rapid iterations and efficient debugging. Our ability to quickly experiment with new designs, fix issues, and enhance functionality while preserving app performance and stability makes us a versatile partner for your mobile app development needs.

4. High Performance with Dart Mastery

Jurysoft’s Flutter developers are proficient in Dart, the programming language optimized for high performance on both iOS and Android. Dart’s Just-In-Time (JIT) and Ahead-Of-Time (AOT) compilation ensure that your app performs smoothly, even with complex animations and intensive computational tasks. Our expertise in Dart translates into high-performance code that maximizes your app’s efficiency and user experience.

5. Native-Like Experience

Our Flutter development services at Jurysoft are designed to provide a native-like experience across both iOS and Android platforms. We utilize Flutter’s platform channels to integrate native features and APIs seamlessly. This means your app can harness device-specific functionalities, such as push notifications and sensor integration, while maintaining a cohesive and native feel on each platform.

6. Rich Ecosystem and Community Support

By choosing Jurysoft, you benefit from our deep engagement with Flutter’s vibrant ecosystem. The Flutter community continually contributes valuable resources, libraries, and tools, enhancing development efficiency and expanding app capabilities. Our connection to this thriving community ensures that we can leverage the latest advancements and innovations to propel your project forward.

7. Cost-Effective Solutions

Our expertise in Flutter allows us to deliver high-quality mobile applications cost-effectively. The ability to maintain a single codebase for both iOS and Android reduces development time and expenses. For startups and businesses looking to optimize their investment, Jurysoft offers a solution that balances quality and affordability, delivering exceptional value in mobile app development.

Conclusion

Partnering with Jurysoft means choosing a team of skilled Flutter developers who bring a unique set of advantages to your mobile app project. Our expertise in cross-platform development, widget-centric design, Dart performance optimization, and cost-effective solutions sets us apart in the competitive landscape. By leveraging our Flutter proficiency and vibrant community connections, we ensure that your mobile applications are not only high-performing and visually stunning but also aligned with your strategic goals.

If you’re ready to elevate your mobile app project, discover the transformative power of Flutter with Jurysoft. Let us help you achieve exceptional results and drive your business forward. Explore the possibilities with us and experience the difference a dedicated Flutter development partner can make.

[smithjoe]

How to Develop Best Grocery Delivery App Like Instacart?

In today's fast-paced world, convenience is vital, and grocery delivery apps like Instacart have revolutionized how we shop for groceries. With a few simple taps on your phone, you can have your favorite groceries delivered right to your doorstep, saving you time and hassle. But have you ever wondered how to develop the best grocery delivery app like Instacart? If you're an entrepreneur looking to create your grocery delivery app, you're in the right place. Building a successful grocery delivery app requires careful planning, strategy, and a solid understanding of the target market. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to develop a top-notch grocery delivery app like Instacart.

Market Analysis of Grocery Delivery Apps

Before diving into the development process, conducting a thorough market analysis of existing grocery delivery apps is essential. Analyzing the competition will help you identify gaps in the market and understand what features and functionalities are in high demand.

Research popular grocery delivery apps like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and Walmart Grocery. Pay attention to customer reviews and feedback to gain insights into what users love and what can be improved.

Features of Successful Grocery Delivery Apps

To create a successful grocery delivery app, you need to offer features that cater to the needs and expectations of your target audience. Here are some essential features to consider:

User Registration and Profiles

It allows users to easily create accounts and manage their personal information, delivery addresses, and payment methods.

Product Catalog 

Build a comprehensive catalog of grocery items, including descriptions, images, and pricing. Implement search and filter functionalities to help users find specific products quickly.

Real-Time Inventory Management

Integrate with store inventory systems to ensure accurate product availability information. Displaying real-time stock levels will prevent users from ordering items out of stock.

Custom Shopping Lists

Enable users to create and save shopping lists for easy reordering. Incorporate features like smart suggestions and voice recognition for a convenient shopping experience.

Delivery Scheduling

Allow users to choose preferred delivery slots based on availability. Implement a notification system to keep users updated on the status of their deliveries.

In-App Chat/Support

Provide a seamless communication channel between users, delivery drivers, and customer support. This feature ensures timely assistance and issue resolution.

Ratings and Reviews

Enable users to rate and review products, delivery drivers, and overall service quality. Positive reviews can boost user confidence and attract new customers.

Remember, these are just a few examples of features to include. Consider conducting user surveys or focus groups to gather feedback and understand what additional functionalities would enhance the user experience.

Choosing the Right Technology Stack for Your App Development

Selecting the right technology stack is crucial for the success of your Uber grocery delivery app. Consider the following components.

Mobile App Development

Choose a platform (iOS, Android, or both) based on your target audience's preferences. Opt for native app development or cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter for cost-effective development.

Backend Development

Consider technologies like Node.js, Ruby on Rails, or Django for a robust and scalable backend. These frameworks provide efficient server-side processing and data management capabilities.

Database Management

Select a reliable database management system, such as MongoDB, PostgreSQL, or MySQL, to efficiently handle large amounts of data.

Cloud Infrastructure

Utilize cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for secure data storage, real-time updates, and easy scalability.

API Integrations

Integrate with third-party APIs for payment gateways, geolocation, and SMS notifications. It enables seamless communication and enhances the overall functionality of your app.

Consult with experienced developers or a technology consultant to determine the most suitable technology stack for your requirements.

Designing a User-Friendly Interface for Your App

A user-friendly and visually appealing interface is critical for engaging users and keeping them returning to your app. Follow these design principles to create an intuitive and pleasing user interface:

Keep it Simple

Avoid clutter using clean layouts, minimalistic design elements, and clear navigation menus. Simplify the ordering process and minimize the steps required to complete a purchase.

Intuitive Navigation

Design intuitive navigation flows that guide users seamlessly through the app. Utilize clear icons, labels, and breadcrumbs to help users understand where they are in the app and how to navigate to different sections.

Visual Hierarchy

Highlight essential elements and information using visual cues such as color, size, and contrast. Use whitespace effectively to improve readability and create a sense of visual balance.

Responsiveness

Ensure your app is responsive across different devices and screen sizes. Optimize layouts and image sizes to provide a consistent and enjoyable user experience.

Accessibility

Make your app accessible to users with disabilities by implementing features like voice control, text-to-speech, and adjustable font sizes. Consider colorblindness and other visual impairments when choosing color schemes.

By prioritizing user experience and following design best practices, you can create an app that users will find intuitive and enjoyable.

Building a Robust Backend for Seamless Operations

The success of your on-demand grocery delivery solution relies heavily on a robust and efficient backend system. Here are some key components to consider:

User Management

Implement secure authentication and authorization systems to protect user data and enable personalized experiences.

Order Management

Develop an order management system that efficiently handles order processing, tracking, and fulfillment. Integrate with delivery partners or build your fleet management system for smooth, timely delivery.

Inventory Management

Ensure real-time inventory updates by integrating with store systems or implementing your inventory management system. It will prevent instances of out-of-stock items and enable accurate order fulfillment.

Analytics and Reporting

Incorporate analytics tools to track user behavior, order patterns, and app performance. Utilize this data to make informed business decisions and optimize your app for improved user satisfaction.

Scalability and Performance

Build your backend infrastructure to handle high volumes of concurrent users and ensure a seamless experience even during peak times. Utilize caching mechanisms, load balancing, and other performance optimization techniques.

Collaborate with experienced backend developers and infrastructure experts to ensure a robust and scalable backend system that can handle the demands of your app.

Integrating Payment Gateways and Security Features

Seamless and secure payment processing is critical to any grocery delivery app. Integrate reliable and widely used payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, or Braintree to provide users with multiple payment options and a secure checkout process.

Implement robust security measures to protect user data and prevent unauthorized access. Utilize encryption technologies, secure connections (HTTPS), and adhere to industry-standard security practices to build user trust and safeguard sensitive information.

Marketing and Promoting Your App for Maximum Reach

Effective marketing and promotion are crucial to success in your grocery delivery app. Here are some strategies to consider:

Social Media Marketing

Utilize popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to create engaging content, run targeted ads, and build a community around your app.

App Store Optimization (ASO)

Optimize your app store listing using relevant keywords, compelling descriptions, and eye-catching visuals. Encourage positive reviews and ratings to improve your app's visibility.

Influencer Partnerships 

Collaborate with influencers, bloggers, and vloggers in the food and lifestyle niche to promote your app. Their recommendations can significantly increase your app's visibility and attract new users.

Referral Programs

Implement referral programs to incentivize existing users to refer their friends and family. Offer discounts, exclusive promotions, or rewards for successful referrals.

Local Partnerships

Forge partners with local grocery stores, restaurants, and food brands to offer exclusive deals and discounts. It will help you tap into their existing customer base and drive app downloads.

Content Marketing

Create valuable and informative content about grocery shopping, healthy eating, and food trends. Publish blog posts, videos, and infographics to establish your app as an authority in the industry.

Remember to track and analyze the effectiveness of your marketing efforts continuously. Adjust your strategies based on user feedback, market trends, and competitor analysis to maximize your app's reach and user acquisition.

Conclusion

Developing a grocery delivery app like Instacart Clone requires careful planning, attention to detail, and a commitment to providing a seamless user experience. Following the critical steps outlined in this article, you can create a top-notch grocery delivery app that stands out in the competitive market and attracts a loyal customer base. Test your app thoroughly before launching and implement effective marketing strategies to ensure maximum reach and user engagement.

[flutteragency]

The Complete Guide for Recovering Your Failing App Project

In this competitive digital market, it is vital to recognize the early indications of a failing app project, especially for Flutter app development companies. Prompt action can make all the difference in a project’s success or failure. We’ll look at common signs of a failing app, examine the root cause of issues, and offer an extensive plan for bringing your failing project. We’ll provide you with practical techniques to turn around and make sure your Flutter app development project not only lives but flourishes in the fast-paced world of technology, from technical recovery to involvement from stakeholders. There are various benefits of considering a reputed company for hiring a Flutter developer like Flutter Agency, such as on-time delivery, high standard code quality, and highly experienced Flutter experts.

Identifying the Signs of Project Failure

It is critical to identify the warning indicators of a failing app project to act quickly. Productive project recovery techniques are made possible by understanding these indicators, ranging from missed timeframes to dissatisfied stakeholders. Let’s see some of the factors below.

Delays in Timelines: A project’s overall plan and success may be at risk if there are ongoing delays in achieving milestones, which could indicate poor project management.

Decreased User Engagement: Indicating dissatisfaction, declining user metrics point to possible usability problems, and the necessity of fixes to keep users interested.

Technical Faults and Bugs: Frequent problems such as crashes and unfixed bugs negatively affect the user experience and make the program less dependable and functional.

Budget Overruns: Financial management and project risks could be threatened when expenses exceed the amount allocated without corresponding advancement.

Stakeholder Dissatisfaction: Dissatisfied clients, investors, or coworkers express worries about the project’s scope, direction, or overall progression, which calls for urgent attention and resolution.

Inadequate Planning and Scope Definition: Inconsistency, scope creep, and a project that goes on track can result from unclear project objectives, preliminary planning, and an undefined scope.

Poor Project Management: A project’s advancement and overall success might be improved by efficient resource allocation, more transparent communication, or poor risk management.

Communication Problems: When departments, stakeholders, or team members do not communicate well with one another, miscommunication can occur which will result in misunderstandings and project delays.

Technical Debt and Outdated Technology: Depend on old technologies and excessive debt will make projects more difficult in the long run.

Changing Market Conditions: An app must reflect changing user preferences, market trends, or technology improvements to become more competitive and updated, requiring strategic changes.

An Effective Method for App Rescue

1. Enhance Communication and Transparency

Effective communication is necessary for the achievement of any project, but it is more critical during times of stress. Creating efficient communication channels ensures that all parties involved, including stakeholders and the development team. A collaborative environment that fosters trust and teamwork is created through regular status updates, discussions regarding difficulties and achievements, and open locations for feedback.

2. Arrange Features and Tasks by Priority

Identifying priorities is essential in saving a failing project. It involves evaluating the significance and effect of every activity and feature, emphasizing the ones that offer the most significant benefit to the end users—making difficult choices, such as eliminating features that are great to have but not necessary. The project aims to be streamlined to focus on the essential features for the app’s success.

3. Integrate Agile Methodologies 

Using app development agile methodologies can have a revolutionary effect, particularly on projects that have gone wrong. Its continuous methodology is well-suited for projects that require revision because it strongly emphasizes flexibility, continual improvement, and responsiveness to change. To ensure the project or software is moving in the right direction, it enables teams to adjust swiftly, test out new concepts, and improve their strategy in response to real input.

4. Communicate with the Stakeholders

Integrating stakeholders in the rescue process is an integral part of engaging them, and it goes beyond simply keeping them informed. Their guidance, feedback, and assistance can be quite helpful. Client support for the changes being implemented and consistency with the project’s new direction is guaranteed by regular stakeholder meetings, transparent reporting, and open means of communication.

5. Perform a Thorough Project Audit

A detailed project audit is essential to any recovery effort. It entails investigating every project facet, including team dynamics, workflow efficiency, code quality, and architecture. In addition to picking out the problems, an audit needs to emphasize the things functioning effectively. The goal is to understand the project’s current situation in-depth and create a solid basis to formulate a rescue strategy.

6. Realign Expectations and Goals

It is essential to reconsider and realign expectations and goals in the context of project challenges. This procedure involves looking at the initial project goals and determining their viability in the current circumstances. It could entail reducing features, pushing back deadlines, or even changing the project’s objectives to suit the requirements of the market and emerging technologies. Setting achievable objectives may reenergize the team and offer a straightforward action plan.

7. Enhance Your Team

An initiative can be significantly improved with the right employees. This could entail reconsidering team responsibilities, adding more expertise, or even rearranging the team structure to improve productivity. Investing in the training and development of your flutter app developers might be beneficial, particularly in areas where they need more knowledge or experience. An integrated, skilled, and dedicated team is essential to the success of any project rescue effort.

8. Focus on the user’s experience

User satisfaction is the core objective of any software development. By emphasizing user experience (UX) first, the software ensures that users’ expectations are met and exceeded. This includes doing ongoing user testing, collecting user input, and improving the product iteratively in response to that feedback. In addition to improving the app’s usability and appeal, a user-centric approach helps match the project’s objectives with the needs of the user base.

9. Track Progress and Make Adjustments as Needed

Maintaining a project involves constant monitoring and the flexibility to adapt when events change. Key performance indicators (KPIs) and frequent checkpoints must be created to evaluate the project’s advancement with its objectives. Maintaining an open mind to modifications in strategy based on this continuous assessment guarantees that the project stays flexible and responsive to changing circumstances.

Conclusion

In the Flutter custom app development, it’s critical to identify and address the warning indicators of a failing project to ensure long-term success. This guide provides Flutter's custom application development company with practical solutions for handling stakeholder dissatisfaction, technical issues, and deadline delays. A comprehensive plan for app recovery is shown by emphasizing good communication, agile methodologies, stakeholder interaction, and ongoing project monitoring. Project revitalization is made more accessible by goal alignment, comprehensive project audits, and user experience priorities. Investing in a skilled and agile team, monitoring development using metrics, and preserving flexibility are critical for a Flutter app development company trying to shift things back. Thus, this guide acts as a road map for companies that produce Flutter apps, ensuring the projects’ survival and growth in the ever-evolving digital marketplace. So, let's get in touch with us for your future Flutter app that will go in the right direction.

Read:

Flutter App Development Cost Hack | Build Smarter, Spend Less