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yellowkitkieran · 1 year

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To Have and To Heal (Part 3)

Masterlist

Read part 1 here

Word Count: 2.7k

Summary: Single working dad Martin Odegaard is navigating the ups and downs of parenthood all on his own, and he’s struggling. That’s not to mention football, life and... love?

Martin isn't usually bothered when people don't pay attention to him. In fact most days he prefers it that way instead of having people swarm him to ask for photos or autographs, especially when he's with Atla. He wants her out of the spotlight as much as possible, and it's nice when people respect that.

But when it comes to you Martin is curious to say the least. Last week you'd been friendly and always had a smile to offer him when you spoke. This afternoon when he picked Atla up from school you seemed off, almost like you were distancing yourself for some reason. Now, he knows you aren't exactly friends by any stretch and that's fine, though your sudden change in demeanor rubs him the wrong way, and he can't quite put his finger on why it's so important to him.

It doesn't sit well with him. He thought you were finally seeing him as an equal and not just another parent. Perhaps this is the universe's way of telling him not to try and make friends with people outside his current circle. He should probably listen. Then again, Martin is a stubborn man and he doesn't heed warning signs often.

Martin has the fleeting thought that perhaps Atla has heard something. Kids do tend to hear things they shouldn't, like some sort of weird sixth sense. Maybe his daughter overheard you talking with another teacher and can provide him with some sort of clue.

So Martin clears his throat and does his best to sound casual, as if his toddler would understand the gravity of what he is about to ask. "Attie, have you heard anything about Miss. Sunshine lately?"

Atla's nose scrunches up, "What do you mean pa? I see her every day! I hear her all the time!"

Martin shakes his head and goes back to chopping carrots for their dinner. He's had a beef stew planned for weeks now, and tonight he finally found the time to block out to make it. "Nevermind elskling. What are you working on?"

"I'm finishing up my geography project." Thankfully, Atla's one track mind immediately distracts her from his earlier question. "We have to color all the countries in the world and then put them up on the wall to make one big map- each of us has a whoooole bunch to do, and I want mine to be the prettiest!"

Martin peeks over her shoulder. She's currently outlining freehand flowers within the border of Germany, her colored pencils lined up next to her paper in rainbow order. Martin smiles as she picks up the red and colors in a few of her blooms, "red huh? That's my favorite color you know. Perfect choice."

"It's mine too! I like red flowers the best, like the ones that grow in our garden."

"Mum's flowers," Martin notes, kissing the top of Atla's head when she nods. Tulips were Maria's favorite and she planted bunches of red ones in the gardens each year. Atla loved digging in the dirt with her, ruining whatever adorable outfit she was dressed in that day. Martin never cared about the stained clothes because clothes can be replaced- the memories Alta made with her mum can not.

Once their dinner is simmering on the stove and filling the house with a mouthwatering aroma, Martin sits at the table to help Atla. "Am I allowed to help?"

"Ja! Here take the oransje one pa-"

"Orange," Martin offers, having correctly assumed she had forgotten the English translation. She smiles ruefully, melting Martin's heart as she passes him a sheet."

"Orange. Now get to work pappa!"

Martin follows her instructions on what portion to color in yellow or blue or orange. He uses his left hand so it's a bit more authentic and toddler looking, his shading uneven and slightly outside the lines.

Her ability to boss him around is unmatched, and he finds himself wondering not for the first time how solid of a leader Atla would be on a football pitch. She has the right balance between raw spark and assertiveness that would make her an important part of any team once she was a little older. For now, he'll enjoy her just as she is: an innocent girl whose only wish is to color her assignment with her pappa.

Once he finishes with Canada, he hands the sheet back and Atla claps her hands. "It's perfect pa! You did a good job! This one is my favorite so far because we did it together! You need to sign it in the corner so everyone knows it's yours."

Martin takes the paper that she thrusts in his direction, using a pen to sign his name on the bottom edge. He then tucks it safely in her folder to return to the classroom along with the others she's finished so far. Martin rests his chin on his fist, watching her carefully finish up the page she's working on now. There's a bit of purple paint smudged on her arm; where that's come from he has no idea. But it only further cements the image of his little artistic prodigy, brightening the world one brushstroke at a time.

"Can I use my fancy markers for the last one?" She points to the cabinet on her left, where Martin keeps her crayons, papers, feathers, and other craft supplies. "We're supposed to color with different things. Jake used rice for his- but that's messy and isn't very pretty! I want mine to be pretty. Can I pleaseeeeee use my fancy markers pappa?"

Since she was a baby, Atla has had a knack for creativity and it has always been important to Martin that he nurture that side of her. Last Christmas he bought her a set of professional artist markers that cost him a pretty penny. She recognized the brand immediately as the same ones her favorite YouTube artist used for their drawings and fell in love at the first swipe of pigment on paper.

His only rule is that he is home when she uses them and that she asks before grabbing them. He'd needed to implement that after she ruined her first set by leaving the caps off after a midnight art session, forcing him to buy a new set to avoid a total meltdown.

"Yes elskling, thank you for asking. You can grab them- two hands on that container please!"

Atla's tongue pokes out when she carefully carries the pink plastic box to the dining room table. She sets the box down and climbs onto her chair, looking at Martin for help to scoot it in so she can better reach her work surface. She gets right to work, grabbing her next country and carefully outlining abstract shapes within its borders.

"Pretty soon I'll have to fit you with a proper studio," Martin half jokes. "I think you're outgrowing the dining table. What do you say, should I turn that playroom of yours into a little art space?"

Atla squirms in her seat, ponytail bouncing as she nods, "yes please! I would really really love that- could I have one of those stand up tables too? A staffeli for my paintings!"

Martin grins, reaching over to grab her under her arms and hoist her into his lap for a hug. "I can get you an easel søta, that's for sure! And you know what…" Martin leans down, cupping his hands to her ear like he's letting her in on a secret, "I'll even let you paint the walls."

Atla squeals, doing an adorable little happy dance. Martin decides then and there that her bright, soul-touching smile in this moment is well worth any paint that splatters on the flooring in the future. She throws her arms around his neck, squeezing with all her strength.

"Thank you pa! I know what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna paint it to look like the forest! But I'll need help… I'm too small to paint the tall trees!"

One day, Atla will be big and strong. She won't need Martin's help to reach the top cabinet or put her gloves on before school. She'll be her own person, equipped with the tools to take on the world. So for now, Martin will take any chance he can get to help her, no matter how big or small the task may be.

He tugs lightly on one of her pigtails, "That's what you have a pappa for Attie, I'll help you with the tall bits okay?" When his daughter nods, Martin nudges another colorless sheet towards her. "One left, so finish this one up while I finish dinner. Maybe we'll see about doing something fun after."

Atla taps the end of a marker to her chin, leaving a few pink dots on her skin that Martin wipes off with a towel. "The park! Could we go to the park so I can go on the swings?"

"Finish your assignment and eat your dinner, then we can talk."

**********

Martin needs to work on saying 'no' to Atla because at this rate, she'll have him wrapped around her finger forever. Atla had finished her assignment but not her dinner, and yet Martin still followed through on his promise to take her to the park. One glimpse of her sad eyes and downturned mouth did him in and he had caved immediately.

Atla is independent enough that she unbuckles herself from her car seat with no problems, but thankfully, she's still small enough to want to hold Martin's hand to cross the car park.

"Hey- slow down søta, no running when there's cars around remember? Look both ways." He waits until she obeys, then looks at him for confirmation before he nods. "Okay, now you can go."

Atla tugs him along at a jog, giggling with excitement when the playground comes into view. He drops her hand as soon as their feet touch the grass and Atla takes off like a rocket, her hot pink coat making it easy to spot her as she climbs the steps of the playground. Martin smiles, keeping an eye on her as he heads for a bench to sit at.

Only a handful of years ago, Martin doubted he'd have the opportunity for a family. Footballer life is difficult, with long hours and lengthy stretches spent away from home. It's a job that is as stressful as it is rewarding, and days like these are definitely worth it. He loves being able to switch off, blending in with all the other parents and guardians whose children play in groups around the park, laughing and chasing each other through invented games. No one cares who he is here. He could be the prime minister and no one would bat an eye.

One of his favorite things about London culture is how the parents look after all the children, not just their own. So Martin has no problem pulling out his phone to read a few chapters of a book, secure in the knowledge that Attie will be safe among her peers thanks to the hawk-eyed mums scattered around the park.

Martin manages a few minutes of peace before Atla's shout has his head snapping up, "Miss Sunshine!" He scans the immediate vicinity to try and spot you, trying to pinpoint Atla's location.

"Oh, hello Atla! What are you doing here?" Martin shoves his phone in his pocket when he sees you crouched in front of Atla, fixing the buttons on her jacket. "Where's your pappa?"

The way you say 'pappa' has his stomach twisting. Your accent is nearly nonexistent and it makes him wonder if you know a touch of Norwegian.

"Over there," Atla says, pointing in Martin's general direction. He waves when you glance at him. The smile he offers you turns to a frown when you almost instantly turn away.

"Well, why don't you go play with my nephew? His name is Jack, I'm sure you'll get along great! He's in the blue and purple coat over there- go say hello!"

"Okay Miss Sunshine!" Atla laughs, running over to the boy and introducing herself. She suggests they play on the slides and Jack happily accepts- which is as much of their conversation as Martin overhears.

He wants to speak with you. Why are his palms sweaty? He wipes them on his jeans as he stands to make his way over to you. A tight lipped smile is all you greet him with- again with that frosty, formal feeling between the two of you.

"Hello," Martin says, opting for simple and polite.

"Hi. My nephew," you offer before he can ask, pointing to the brunette Atla is being chased by. "My brother and sister in law are out of town on some second honeymoon thing."

He takes the opportunity to open a dialog, "Ah, I see. And I take it that you're the designated babysitter?"

You nod, arms crossed over your chest. "Yep, I guess I am. Never mind that my mum would love to have her grandson around for a full week, I'm first in line for some reason."

"Because you're a teacher, yeah? I can see the logic there I suppose. Good with kids and all that."

Martin wants you to laugh so he keeps his tone light and joking, but instead you look uncomfortable. "Yeah, probably."

He isn't sure what's suddenly changed between you, seeing as you seemed fine with him during the stadium tour not long ago. He is sure that he doesn't want you to think he expects you to speak with him though, so he clears his throat and scuffs his toe through the dirt.

"Well, I'll leave you be. Atla and I usually come here after dinner on most weekdays, so if Jack has some extra energy to burn off, he'll have a playmate if you come back."

Again, you offer Martin a tight, almost forced smile and shift on your feet. "Thanks Mr. Ødegaard- I'll see you at early drop off tomorrow?"

Martin's stomach sinks. He can't force you to be friendly with him, as much as he wishes you would be. "Yes, you will. Have a good night, Miss. Sunshine."

Martin retreats to the bench he was at earlier and forces himself to continue reading. It only takes a handful of minutes for him to realize that his efforts are pointless; he won't remember a word he has read with his head as messy as it is right now. If you let him know what he'd done wrong, he could fix it. Your stubborn silence and sudden change of mood leaves him scrambling to figure it out on his own, and he's coming up empty.

Maybe it does all come back to those drinks he'd ordered. He'd stepped out of line with that, firmly crossing a boundary that you drew in the sand. Granted he had no idea that you had drawn one but still, he should've known better than to treat you like an old friend when you were employed at his daughter's school. Whatever it is, he's determined to set things right. Because after running into you in public for the second time in as many weeks, he's determined to get to know you.

Only because of Atla. That's what he tells himself. The way his stomach flips when you call him by his first name has nothing to do with it. Martin's fascination with you comes purely from a place of love for his daughter and a need to see her happy… not because he thinks you're attractive.

Because he certainly hasn't thought that each time he's seen you lately. No, not at all. Not even once. You aren't even his type- and maybe that's why he's so terrified. Whatever the case, he's already mentally cleared his nightly schedule for the next week in favor of planning to come to the park each day. On the off chance you return, he'll be here waiting.

#martin odegaard #martin odegaard fic #martin odegaard fanfic #martin odegaard imagine #martin odegaard fantasy #footballer fic #footballer fanfiction #footballer fluff #footballer imagine #arsenal fc #jac writes #alt timeline lover

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bobemajses · 1 year

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My great grandparents were married young in Boston, my great grandfather being an immigrant front Zvhill (boarded ship 1909) a d my great grandmother was Litvish and that is all I know about her. They lived in Brookline, had 4 kids, and allegedly got kicked out of shul for being unable to pay dues. Because of this, I am the last practicing jew in my family! Zvhil is also known as Novogorod-Volnsk and is home to a decent hasidic dynasty. My great grandfather was involved w the jewish workers circle though, unsure how that lined up.

Thank you! Zhvil or Novogtad Volynsky was actually a very important Hasidic center, giving birth to a dynasty that transverses generations and geography. Mosheh, one of several sons of Yehi'el Mikhl of Zlotshev (a disciple of the Besht and the Magid), established himself in Zhvil and became a Tsadik (a title indicating a righteous person who never sins in thought, speech, or action). Moshe's dynasty is the only one, among those of his brothers, that has survived and it now exists in Jerusalem.

The first Jews of Zhvil are mentioned in the document from 1488, when the town was under the rule of Casimir Jagiellon, the Grand Duke of Lithuania. Most Jews were engaged in innkeeping, crafts and the trades, the leather trade preeminent among them (the skill of working with leather migrated to the mill towns of Massachusetts, along with the migrating Jews who left Zhvil). On the northern outskirts of the city (near the brewery) there was a special district of Jewish tanners, who even had their own synagogue. In 1816 Jews occupied the posts of one of the two mayors and two of the five council members of the town magistrate.

The community suffered greatly during the Russian civil war, with thousands murdered by depraved mobs unhinged by the chaos, deprivation, and anarchy of war. They set fire to houses, plundered them, killed men, violated women. Many other Jews were dispersed, and Zhvil was completely burned to the ground.

In 1919, a great number of Jews were dragged to the bank of the river Slutsc, where they were told to dig. Then the murderers undressed them naked, chopped off their arms and threw them alive into the grave. In one instance a father was compelled to chop off the arms of his son; in another, a son was made to do the same thing to his father. About 500 Jews perished in this way. In Juli, Pogorelov, the initiator of the atrocities, stopped the pogrom, but demanded of the Jews 50 horses and a great quantity of salt and sugar. The Jews delivered to him whatever they succeeded in collecting.

By 1929 a massive attack on the religious community by the Commmunist authorities began and ended in the mid-30s with closing of all synagogues and prayer houses. The last Rabbi of Zhvil, Gedale-Moyshe Goldman, was sentenced to 7 years in Siberian labor camps.

Novograd Volynsky was occupied by German troops on July 8, 1941. The murder of the town's Jews started in late July 1941 and lasted until September of the same year. The Jews who survived these murder operations (most of them skilled workers in occupations needed by the Germans) as well as Jews from surrounding villages were rounded up and interned in a ghetto, where terrible living conditions, starvation, and exhaustion took their toll. In the winter of 1943, a number of ghetto inmates fled to the forests north of Zhitomir, where theu joined partisans units. The remaining ghetto population, as well as some captured Jews, were shot.

After 1945, there was a small religious Jewish community in the town. It owned house 24 on Troitskaya Street. On July 30, 1960, the town authorities decided to give this building to the local department of education. The local press started a powerful propaganda campaign against Judaism and heads of the community. After that, the Jewish community existed illegal. In December 2001, only 188 Jews were registered in the city.

#jewish #ukraine #ask ancestry

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rooftoprabbit · 2 years

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*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ 𝕾𝖆𝖙𝖚𝖗𝖉𝖆𝖞 𝕹𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Summary | It was time to show Eddie why this band means so much to you

Pairing | Eddie x Fem!Reader

Warnings | Fluff, swearing, Fem!Reader, Jason Carver, bullying (Carver on his BS again), Eddie wanting to see reader happy, arguments, y/n opening up to Eddie

Author's Notes | This is Chapter 4 of the series (Master List posted below). This Chapter picks up a few days after Chapter 3, it is a lighter read. Left it on a cliff hanger.

I hope you enjoy reading this series just as much as I am enjoying writing it! x

Word Count | 4.5k

Key | Pink Italics is reader’s internal monologue

Blue Italics is Eddie’s internal monologue

Bold Italics is a recall of a past event/encounter

If you liked it, please like and reblog and share it with your friends! Feedback is so incredibly welcomed!

I don't consent to my work being copied and posted on third party websites. Plagiary is a crime...you wouldn't steal a car

MASTER LIST

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Saturday could not have come any slower even if it had tried. It was a Tuesday when Eddie had told you he had won tickets to see your favourite band and by the time Saturday rolled round it had felt like a lifetime had passed.

You had both decided if you were going to drive all the way to the big city you would make a day of it. Eddie had only gone into the city once or twice before, but he wanted to show you all the spots he knew you’d enjoy.

“There’s a café that also has a second hand book store, it has plants absolutely covering the place and old books lying everywhere! Oh!! And there is this record store too I really want to take you to” Eddie had said while you were both sitting in detention for the third lunch in a row that week, thanks to the scene you had both caused during Geography class. You could see why the teacher was pissed but come on? Lunchtime detention for the rest of the week because of it? That’s a bit harsh.

You couldn’t contain yourself all week, telling anyone who would give you the time of day that you were heading to see Skyhooks live! No one really cared all that much but that didn’t stop you from feeling like you were going to explode with excitement. And Eddie? You couldn’t wipe the smile off his face, all he wanted was to see you happy. You were running around telling everyone how hard he worked to win you those tickets and that made him realise how much his life had changed for the better when you arrived.

So there you were, already sitting in the passenger seat of Eddie’s van with your hand firmly planted on the car horn, screaming at Eddie to hurry his ass long so you could get on the road.

“Ok, Ok!! I’m coming, it’s like we have somewhere important to go to or something” smirks Eddie, teasing your impatience.

“Very funny. Come on! I don’t want to miss out on you showing me around the city!” you excitedly dance in your chair as Eddie hops in and starts the engine.

“Come off it Y/N, you don’t want to be late to the concert. Even though we’re leaving SIX hours early” tapping the clock on his van.

Crossing you arms and huffing “that thing must be wrong. Anyway, I just really want you to see them, see why I love them so much!”

All Eddie can do is laugh at how poorly your attempt at being cross with him is.

“I feel like you’ve already explained to me why you love them so much anyway.”

“No, it’s different seeing them live though! Don’t worry, when you see them you’ll understand!” Patting Eddie on the arm.

“Well then, away we go!”

Eddie puts his foot to the floor and off you go, leaving a large cloud of black smoke billowing from the back of his van.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

“Jesus Christ Hunter how much weight did you put on over the summer, you’re so fucking heavy” Tyler says struggling to lift Hunter through one of your trailer windows.

With his bottom half hanging out of the trailer window, Hunter puffs “why are we even breaking into y/n’s trailer Jason? What are you looking for?”

Jason looks around the trailer park cautiously to make sure they weren’t being watched before answering “anything to tie y/n to Victoria y/l/n. They were looking way too cozy the other day for it to just be y/n helping a person out. They know each other and once I find proof I want y/n to remember where her place is in this town”.

You see, you thought you had given Jason a good enough excuse as to why you were interacting with your mum that day in the parking lot. Unfortunately you underestimated how much Jason truly despised you.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Dusting yourself off, you stand up from the ground behind Eddie’s trailer and wipe the tears from your eyes. Looking around you were glad no one was there to see the heated exchange you had had with your mother. The last thing you needed was to be associated with her, especially after your last fight with Jason where you had spoken about how horrible the rich people of this town were. What would happen if they were to find out you were related to someone like him? You knew you were the complete opposite to everything Jason encompassed as a human, but to even think about being associated with someone like your mother caused shudders down your spine.

As you walk back into the school corridors you see Jason and Hunter meandering around your locker space. What do you want you absolute Neanderthal? Y/n please, that would be offensive to Neanderthals. Have you not caused me enough drama for one school year?

“Excuse me, Jason. I need to get to my locker” nudging yourself between his loser friend and your locker.

Jason looks you up and down before slowly moving out of your way.

“I saw you outside before, behind Eddie’s van.”

Shit, of all people…

“You keeping tabs on me now Carver?” Giving Jason a side-eyed glance, trying to gauge how much he saw.

“I don’t waste my time on people like you y/n. I just saw you speaking to Victoria y/l/n and was curious how you two know each other? You two definitely run in different circles so I was shocked to see you so chummy with her” Crossing his arms and leaning on the locker next to you all nonchalant.

Fuck…

“I was just getting books out of Eddie’s van when she slipped and fell. I was just helping her up.” At that point you decide to take great interest in your locker and start shuffling textbooks around, avoiding eye contact with Jason who was now sticking his head out more to try and catch your eye.

“Seemed a bit more than helping someone out y/n. Looked like you may have history with her?”

You slam your locker shut causing Hunter to jump before staring Jason dead in the eyes “I guess I’m just feeling super friendly today, I’m here speaking to you after all.”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me I have Geography to get to.”

Fuck, how much did he see?

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

The drive into the city was uneventful, it only got exciting when you’d see a farm animal and scream “COW” or “HORSE” startling Eddie in the process. So far you had sighted, 112 sheep, 15 horses and 350 cows although the horse tally was up for debate, Eddie was sure you had counted a donkey in that one.

As a trade off for coming to the concert you let Eddie play his music the whole car ride. Although you both appreciated each others taste in music, Skyhooks wasn’t his cup of tea but you were happy he was being kind enough to sit through it with you. It was one thing listening to their music on cassette and talking to him about how amazing they were on stage but to actually show him in person, maybe he’d finally understand why you wanted him to see them so badly – to see how being a freak can pay off.

Every time you and Eddie would sit in your trailer and smoke and listen to music he would talk on and on about getting out of Hawkins and ‘making it big’ but he still had doubts that someone like him could make his dreams come true. Every conversation would end in “who wants to watch a freak play guitar in a shitty garage band?”. Me

You knew that if he saw people like him on stage he’d be inspired to keep going, that’s all you hoped he’d get out of this.

As you drive into the parking garage you grab for your wallet “here let me pay for parking, it’s the least I could do”

Eddie grabs your arm “No, Y/n I got this, it’s fine!”

“Eddie, don’t be stupid, just let me pay for this. You wouldn’t let me pitch in for gas so at least let me do this” hitting his hand away from you so you could grab the change from your wallet.

Eddie reluctantly gives in and lets you pay. He knew you lived pay check to pay check, having to live alone in the trailer so he didn’t want you paying for anything this trip. He just wanted you to forget what your life was like in Hawkins and be carefree for a day. He also knew how stubborn you were going to be if he didn’t let you pay for at least one thing. Just this once

As you walk down the Main Street of the city you take in all the sights and sounds around you, amazed at how big cities were in this country.

“I mean, we have cities back home but seriously, this place is massive. Look how big that building over there is! It’s at least 60 stories high!” The excitement of being in a new space escaping from your lips.

Eddie noticed that with each day you spent together you came out of your shell more. With every passing day he would notice new things about you – how you stuck your tongue out of the corner of your mouth when you were in deep concentration, how you would sing at the top of your lungs and dance when you thought no one was watching, or how you could never hide how you were feeling on your face. If you disagreed with someone or thought what they had said was stupid or even if you were excited your facial expressions would give it away, without fail. That was what he loved most about you. As bad ass as you were, when you were comfortable with someone you let your feelings come back to the surface and trusted that person with your heart, whether you realised it or not.

That’s why he loved you but knew he had to keep those feelings to himself. He knew your plans after graduation. Every time he had thoughts of grabbing your hand to hold or to linger in your hugs that little bit longer he knew it would only hurt him more when it came time to say goodbye. If being beside you is all I can have, that’s enough.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Hitting the trailer floor with a massive thump Jason whips his head around again making sure they were still undetected by the residents in the trailer park “Jesus Christ Hunter, could you be any louder? We’re supposed to be avoiding attention but your fat ass seems to be doing the opposite.”

“Jeez Jason you don’t have to be so mean all the time” Hunter exasperates while picking himself up off the floor.

“What am I supposed to be looking for anyway?”

“The door knob, Hunter. Let us in you dumbass.”

Hunter slowly opens the door to your trailer and Jason and Tyler stumble in, not bothering to clean the dirt off their shoes.

“Now boys, look for anything that will tie y/n to Victoria. Leave no stone unturned, but keep it clean – we don’t want her knowing we were here”. Jason makes his way for your bedroom while Hunter starts for the kitchen and Tyler upturns your couch cushions, pocketing the loose change.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

“Today has been so much fun, thank you Eddie, for everything” you say while shovelling a third piece of cheese pizza into your mouth.

“It was my pleasure y/n, I’m glad I could get you out of Hawkins for a day. We should do this more often” Eddie says sipping his beer, smiling while he watches you do your little food dance.

“It’s a date”

Shit

“I mean, like not a date date but like two pals hanging out – a day on the town” trying to back track but still play it cool, failing miserably.

I don’t want him to think this is a date, is this a date? I mean it’s not a bad thing if it was, but we’re just friends, aren’t we? Just two friends hanging out, like always. Does he think this is a date? Shit

“Relax y/n” laughing over his beer bottle. Wait, is this a date? Does she think it is?

Breaking the awkward silence that was trying to creep over your table like an ominous mist “oh would you look at the time, we better get going to get a space at the front! You have to be up the front to get the full experience”. Grabbing your things you give Eddie a smile and start to head for the door.

As you enter the venue both you and Eddie head for the bar. With a beer in one hand you grab Eddie’s hand “I don’t want to lose you in the crowd, come on – let’s get to the front!” Shouting over the opening act playing on stage. Please don’t let go.

Being 5ft1 has it’s advantages, like being able to snake your way to the front unnoticed. Too bad you had to drag a 6ft metal head behind you. You both manage to snag a space right front and centre of the stage and you release Eddie’s hand as the lights go down and Skyhooks come on stage.

For the entirety of the concert Eddie only pays attention to you. You can feel his stares but every time you look up at him he’s watching Shirley jump around on stage giving what you considered the performance of a lifetime. You could see Eddie was mesmerised by how confident each of the band members were on stage. Standing there in full costume, face makeup in front of a crowded audience and just enjoying themselves on stage – not giving a shit about what people thought of them.

But Eddie was always mesmerised by you. Every moment he wasn’t watching the stage he was watching you sing along to every song, the little dances you would do when your favourites would play. His favourite moments were when you interacted with Shirley like it was two old friends meeting again after years apart. I want that, with you.

As the night came to a close you started to get worried they weren’t going to play it. How could you not play your most popular song? Come on! Please!!!

♫I feel a little crazy, I feel a little strange….♫

“Eddie! This! this is my favourite song, watch!” Grabbing Eddie’s hand and pointing to the stage.

Eddie looks from your interlocked fingers to the heartfelt expression on your face. If your eyes could speak they were telling him this was the most important moment of his life, this moment in time, this song. Y/n, you’ve shown me this song a million times, what’s so different now?

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

“If I was y/n where would I hide all of my dirty little secrets?” Jason walks around your room with a coat hanger in his hand lifting up books and clothing like he could possibly catch a disease if he used his bare hands.

“Maybe in a desk drawer” nope, nothing but receipts and a calculator.

Jason opens up your cupboard door “maybe in your top dresser?” Nope, another bust.

Jason sits on your desk chair spinning, ready to give up before a box under your bed catches his eye.

“What do we have here y/n, the old shoebox under the bed. How predictable” smirking to himself like he’s some sort of evil genius.

He bends down and grabs the box, sitting it on top of your bed. Opening the box he rifles through letters from Uncle Mick, birthday cards from your dad’s grandparents and some photos of your friends back home. He’s ready to give up completely before it falls from a birthday card into his lap.

Lifting the folded photograph he sees a man helping a small two year old on a skateboard with an arm draped over his shoulder. Putting the photo into his lap he reads the contents of the card:

“Dear Y/n,

Happy 16th Birthday, I found this photo of your father and thought you might want it. Enjoy.

From Mom”

As he unfolds the photograph his eyes widen at what he’s just discovered.

“Well, well, well y/n looks like we aren’t so different after all. Hey boys, I’ve found it!” Jason calls out over his shoulder to Hunter and Tyler to halt the search.

Jason puts the birthday card back into the box and places the shoebox where he found it, keeping the photograph.

“What did you find?” asks Tyler as Jason smugly walks back into the living room.

“Feast your eyes on this” holding up the photograph.

“Shit” Hunter squints as he takes the photo from Jason to get a better look.

“That’s y/n clearly but fuck is that….” Jason snatches the photograph back from Hunter and gives it another look over.

“Yes, gentleman that is my golden goose” not letting his eyes leave the photograph in his hands.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

♫…I’m livin in the 70’s, I feel like I’ve lost my keys….♫

You loved this song and the way Shirley really turned up the weird for it but all you could concentrate on was Eddie’s reaction to the performance. Eddie, are you getting it? Please I hope you understand why I want you to really listen to this song.

As it comes up you squeeze Eddie’s hand and he looks at you smiling, turning his gaze back to the band on stage, singing a long to the song. Come on Eddie, really listen

Eddie still didn’t really understand why you wanted him to pay extra attention to this song but he was happy you were holding his hand again.

♫…got the right day but I got the wrong week….♫

And in that moment it was as if the lights all pointed to him. Like the crowd had disappeared and Shirley was signing directly to Eddie, like he knew this was for him-

♫…and I get paid for just being a freak….♫

You knew as the giant smile grew over Eddie’s face, he got it. Of all people, Graeme “Shirley” Strachan had gotten through to Eddie. Eddie, this could be you. It will be you.

And just as flamboyantly as they had entered the stage the boys gave their bows to a hollering applause and everyone disappeared into the cold Indiana night.

Still holding onto Eddie’s hand as you left the Patio you move in closer to keep yourself warm “Well! What did you think? I told you they would be amazing in person!”

Eddie, not wanting to release his hand from yours but noticing your chattering teeth, removes his jacket and drapes it over your shoulder

“Thanks Ed” putting your arms through his jacket, feeling the warmth and smelling Eddie’s signature scent of leather, cigarettes and cheap cologne giving you that extra bit of comfort.

“It was amazing y/n! I really felt like they were speaking to me in that last set!”

“I knew you would! Now do you see why I was so desperate to get here today? Everyone in Hawkins calls you a freak. Why not show them how much of a freak you can really be! I just know you’ll make it big one day!” Walking that extra bit closer to Eddie as you make your way to the parking garage, convincing yourself it was purely to keep warm.

Eddie lingers in the small space you are creating between each other “Dundee, I think you might be onto something. That is what I want, I can see it clearer than ever! Corroded Coffin performing to thousands of adoring fans! Letting our freak fly!”

“Well, you’ve got your first fan right here.”

Eddie decides to risk the moment and places his arm over your shoulders bringing you in even closer “you’ve got my jacket, you’ve gotta keep me warmer now, especially if your my number one fan, can’t be getting getting sick if I’m gonna be famous” keeping the conversation light so as not to scare you off.

“I’m your fan, not a groupie Ed” nudging his side.

“I don’t need groupies when I’ve got you y/n” winking as he opens the passenger door of his van letting what he said settle in the silence of the parking garage.

As you hop into the van you feel your stomach jitter and your heart race. Your brain loses all functioning, focusing only on the words that just left Eddie’s mouth. When I’ve got you…

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

“Excuse me boys, what are you doing leaving y/n’s trailer?” The elderly gentleman from the trailer behind you had become suspicious of the noises coming from your place, knowing that you and Eddie wouldn’t be getting home until the early hours.

“Shit we’ve been had” Hunter screams under his breath, the panic setting in.

Jason pushes Hunter out of the way and puts his best citizen voice on to answer “We are friends of y/n, we know she’s out but she has the last half of our group science project so she said we could come in and grab it while she was out”.

You could stretch Jason’s smile from the trailer park to the middle of town with how over the top he was trying to be to convince your neighbour they were meant to be there. They stuck out like sore thumbs, three rich kids in a trailer park.

“Ok boys, better get going, it’s getting late” the elderly man eyes the boys up and down and walks away.

“Stupid old man, needs to mind his own. Come on boys, lets get out of here” Jason pocketing your photo leaving only footprints behind.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

“Y/n…y/n we’re home, wake up so I can bring you inside.”

You awake to Eddie lightly nudging your leg and unclipping your seatbelt. Eddie gives you a moment to familiarise yourself with your surroundings before helping you out of the van and into your trailer. It was almost 2am by the time you had gotten back to Hawkins and you felt bad for having Eddie drive all the way home with you fast asleep in the passenger seat.

“Do you still have the tickets Eddie? I want to put them in my shoebox” you say sorting through your bag to find your keys.

“Your shoebox? What’s that for?” Eddie asks as he follows you into the trailer towards your bedroom.

As you throw your bag down besides your bedroom door and turn on your desk lamp you gesture to Eddie to sit down on the bed.

“It’s my box of keepsakes, here let me show you – it has letters and photos from back home. I want to save the tickets to remember tonight. I’ve shown you a few photos from here but not the whole box”. You felt there was no better time than the present to show him exactly why you loved Skyhooks so much.

With only the lamp from your desk and the light from the bathroom illuminating the room you sit next to Eddie and place the shoebox on your lap.

Taking out the first photo, you pass it to Eddie. “This is my dad and uncle Mick, their twins. They shared everything in common – food, alcohol, music, even girls at times. And that’s Shirley in the middle” nudging Eddie.

“Wow they really do look alike”. Eddie looks at you to give you the reassurance you need to continue.

“Before Skyhooks a few of the members were in a small pub rock band that my dad and Uncle Mick absolutely loved going to see.”

Your voice becomes quiet and you rest your head on Eddie’s shoulder.

“He died before Skyhooks formed but Uncle Mick would always talk about how he knew dad would have loved them” a tear falling from your eyes.

Eddie moves in closer putting his arm around you.

“Listening to them makes me feel that little bit closer to him. They’re comforting to me I guess and then when you started talking about how you’d never make it big because of how you’ve been labelled by the people in this shitty town…I thought…I thought just maybe by showing you the band maybe they’d bring comfort to you too.”

I love you

“Y/n, I had no idea, thank you”. It was all Eddie could think to say in that moment. He was overwhelmed by what you had just shared, not because he didn’t know what to do with that information but because you felt safe enough to share something that intimate with him. Talking about your dad was always a sore subject for you.

All he wanted to do was take you away for a night to enjoy yourself and see your favourite band, he didn’t realise the significance they held for you. He was also overwhelmed that for the first time someone was actually thinking about him and caring for him. No one had ever done something like this for him. You walked into his life and showed him what true kindness was.

“Hey, it’s nothing – I’m just glad you got something out of it” sitting up and wiping away tears.

The room fell silent again as you shuffled through cards and photographs.

“I’ve got some stupid photos in here, wanna see me trying to ride a skateboard?” Trying to change the atmosphere in the room

“Of course y/n! I knew your badassery started from an early age.”

You grab the birthday card you knew it sat in but when you opened it was empty. Turning it upside down and flicking it open and close like the photo would magically appear.

“That’s weird, it was definitely in here” you start to feel panic rise in your throat, it was one of the only photos you brought of your dad with you from Australia.

“I’m sure it’s just fallen in the box, it’ll be there somewhere y/n.”

Both you and Eddie give each other a glance.

“Right?”

#eddie munson #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson x fem!reader #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #stranger things #stranger things x reader #eddie x y/n #fanfic #eddie x reader #my fic

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snowsheba · 2 years

Text

ok anyway i finished aveyond 3-1: lord of twilight. thoughts below cut

characters

mel mel is about as resourceful as a walnut. hate this immensely. she's training as a spy and couldn't figure out her friend edward is the prince? she doesn't know basic geography? i get the gag of "she's stubborn and hates admitting she's wrong" but it got old FAST baby

i do appreciate that they lean into her selfishness though. i think it's EXTREMELY funny. like when you see eston and he's like i'm blind and lost :( and she's just like well i'm sure you'll find your way home :)

or you find out the merchant died and instead of saying literally anything else she's like "i guess he won't need his merchant pass anymore!!!!" like girl. you and stella were MADE for each other.

stella stella is perfect. i love her. perfect balance of ditzy and serious to underly whatever the fuck she's got going on underneath. 10/10.

i really REALLY like the dynamic she and mel have. it literally feels like mel is like "we can't do that" and stella is like 🥺 please and mel goes: ok... i guess we will do that. i deeply, DEEPLY desire more of them interacting in the next three games outside of the weird catty jealousy from mel at the start.

also, i think she and mel should kiss.

edward honestly edward pissed me off because he got more lines than literally anyone else and also he knows things because... he's the prince. ok?? i am a strong believer that edward thinks he's hot shit until he has to fight a monster and then it's mel who's pwning ass while he's freaking out in the bg. i think edward should be a himbo.

i hate that the writing rewards every single smug moment of his too. not only if he insufferably know-it-all but he's always RIGHT. and like yeah boohoo he doesn't believe mel's story but the writing is like "yeah but it makes sense he doesn't because vampires aren't thought to exist." WE GET IT. YOU LIKE EDWARD. WE GET IT!! WHY DOES HE HAVE MORE LINES THAN MEL, THE PROTAGONIST!!!

te'ijal i learned more about te'ijal in this game than any other aveyond installment combined. if anything, it made me feel more confident that i'm writing her in a way that works with game canon. i loved every single one of her stupid nicknames she gave people and i LOVE how she and mel get along. immediate synergy just because they've got shit to do and muscley men to help them do it.

i also think it was extremely, extremely funny when she gets untied and she's like "the sun! it's too late, my crumpet. we're dead." like LKJDSKLFJKSLDJF that delivery!!! also, what the hell is a crumpet.

galahad i looked up what a crumpet was and it is unsweetened bread made of flour, water, and yeast cooked on a pan. usually you put stuff on it. i bet galahad wouldn't. galahad looks as plain as a crumpet. i can see it.

this is probably the first time i've actually liked galahad as his own character, rather than how he can be used as a foil to others. also, shameless plug to read iz's fic about the bar scene because after i experienced it the fic became Very Very Important To Me.

others i like how professor gray's house remained locked up for the rest of the game. i thought that was very funny.

story

predictable in the classic rpg way. extremely good because of it. i do think it's very funny how heptitus plays into everything consistently. i also appreciate that you are rewarded for exploring everything!

gameplay

if i had realized the fast travel required activating the mirrors first i would've been happier throughout the game. unfortunately, i did not. whoopsies!!!!!

i think my main complaint is that it is super unclear what needs to be done next. you're given one dialogue prompt ("go east" "go west") and if you forget it you're fuuuucked. i didn't know what to do until i was like hang on i bet wine delivery guy will tell me the next town to go to! and he did! and i went there and got confused again. i ended up severely overleveled by the end of it because i kept wandering into places i shouldn't.

anyway i looked up a walkthrough and sorted it out but the idea that edward going "let's find civilization!" means to talk to the reporter and then talking to heptitus in witchwood makes sense is....... i mean. really?

conclusion

as always, a banger. hopping right into 3-2 🤪

#aveyond blogging #aveyond #av3

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emmythespacecowgirl · 1 year

Note

hi emmy!! ♡ I hope you're doing well !! I wanted to ask for a ship, preferably for the Pacific :) um so here's some information on me!

Brief description of my looks; Curly hair that's brown with highlights of blonde and red. It's like a mixture of my parents hair colours. I am tall, 175cm. Fashion wise; Starting to get into more of some sort of punk fashion. I like fashion in general but punk fashion has been especially cool as of late, imo. Band tees!! I wait for the day a pretentious man asks me for songs by the hand; I'll list a whole album to spite the man. My friend calls me her scary dog privilege !! The same friend (I love her sm) labeled my eyes sea glass. My facial expressions are either sorrowful or a bit stand-offish. No in-between.

Personality; As you can tell I can be talkative but in that same sense, I am very quiet. I enjoy observing rather than speaking. I am a bit shy and tend to blush rather easily. Oftentimes, people find me to be therapeutic which has its ups and downs. I have the tendency to act like a leader, it just comes naturally? Especially if there are people much younger than me in a group setting. I love making jokes. I love seeing people smile and enjoy the moment, that's the most beautiful sight. I have photoshopped cowboy hats onto pictures of my friends & set those photos as their contact pictures. I don't think this is a personality trait but I'll say it; I am Jewish. Oh! So important thing to me; Music!! I listen to music all the time. Some bands I enjoy include; the pogues, the clash, second thoughts, the ramones, joy division, stone roses. The list goes on, actually here's a band name that'll make you laugh; "The nipples erectors" um, don't ask me lmao. Anyway!! I'm an equestrian, english discipline. Oh, I love geography!! I'm trying to memorize the world map. I write. Like a lot. I'm passionate about a lot... oh yeah, I suppose I need to mention I struggle with depression & have a baggage that I'd rather not say out loud... but it exists and greatly distorts how I view my body. also if this helps; I'm an infp and type 3 enneagram.

Anyway, thanks!! Mwah!!

Hi babe!! honestly i feel like you and i would be fashion twins irl!! your style sounds so cool ngl <3

I ship you with:

Bob Leckie from The Pacific!

ship theme song: She's My Religion by Pale Waves

okay Leckie lowkey needs and craves a punk bitch gf!!

the man tries so hard to be an edgelord stg

he needs a punk queen in his life!!!

i feel like he would just see you walking down the street one day

and he's just like

"god damn... this girl is my QUEEN"

is it your sea glass-colored eyes that captivated him first?

or your ripped fishnets and doc martens??

who can say???

dude probably writes romantic emo poetry about you at 2am in his bedroom

literally pining after you and he works up the nerve to finally ask you out

like Leckie, you're either very quiet or a chatterbox

no in between

he appreciates your quietness and conversation equally

Leckie thinks its so dang cute when you blush

so he tries to make you blush often

over the most stupid stuff, too!

he loves going on double dates with you and Runner and his gf

or Chuckler and his gf

and your natural leadership tendencies take over

he'll just smile at you stupidly

but inside he's just like

"oh yeah... that's my dang gf >:)"

he's so intrigued by your Jewish heritage

he loves going to Passover at your family's place each year

your parents are totally smitten with him

but his most favorite thing to do with you is to go to the record store on Saturdays

he'll let you pick out as many records as you want

and will gladly buy them for you

depend on Leckie to fuel your music addiction >:)

he loves how passionate you are about everything you do

he considers himself really lucky to know a girl like you <3

also, Leckie is deals with his own certain type of baggage

so he's no stranger to anxiety and depression

he hopes that you'll share your worries and doubts with him

and he'll be open and truthful with you as well :)

#enjoy #my work #the pacific ships #bob ships #the pacific #ships #bob leckie

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fractallion · 1 year

Text

Why You Can't So Easily Replicate Silicon Valley

Wherever you go in the world, New Zealand, Scotland, Austin Texas, Raleigh North Carolina, Hyderabad, Shenzhen …. pretty much anywhere, you will find there are tech centers. Tech centers that often adopt ’Silicon’ or ‘Valley’ or variations on such in their names, but there are many more. The local government will often declare they are investing and building a tech center of excellence to ‘rival’ Silicon Valley. Except they aren’t. Let me explain.

This article seeks to provide insight into why these centers aren’t going to replicate ‘Silicon Valley’ any time soon.

Maybe the first point is to remind ourselves that Silicon Valley is not so much a geography as a ‘state of mind’. The actual geography of Silicon Valley is a very small part of The San Francisco Bay Area. It doesn’t for example include San Francisco where companies like Salesforce and Twitter are headquartered. nor Berkley where Uber is headquartered, with a University of the same name that is synonymous with ‘Open Source UNIX’. Still that hasn’t stopped the world at large using Silicon Valley and The San Francisco Bay Area interchangeably. It also doesn’t matter to the main thrust of this short commentary.

Why Is Silicon Valley So Different

AND Why Will Other Geographies Have Such A Hard Time Catching Up

.. well they won’t if they attempt to compete with the Valley head on. Like in all competitive races, the winners in that competition will be those regions that redefine the landscape.

—

Sitting at the intersection of varied and sometimes unrelated things that are often forgotten, not easily replicated and definitely requires time, I have identified 10 reasons that Silicon Valley has succeeded. (There may be more - but 9 is a good number. Isn’t it?)

Also, to keep the post to a manageable length, I won’t drill down into deep detail on any of the items - but happy to if asked. I will also be following this post up with more detail around some of the points and issues I raise in future posts.

1) Venture Capital

… in Silicon Valley has been around since the late 40s, early 50s - You don’t replace some 75 years of working in a couple of years.

2) Great Weather And Environment

… generally, so people will enjoy coming to the geography - and then staying - in all seasons - and it’s a very pretty region with realtively consistent climate. (Climate change not withstanding.)

3) Culture

… of California.

4) Great Universities

- plural - world class

5) Doing What It Takes

We are moving into a world where this idea is beginning to break down. Historically though, the culture of the valley is long hours and hustle, no weekends - you just want to make it happen. It’s not holding up so well these days. More in another post.

6) Hippies

I am going to move on from this point and will come back to it later, but the fact is that San Francisco ’67 had significant impact on shaping tech thinking in the Bay Area.

7) The Ecosystem of Financial Institutions, Lawyers and Government

Wilson Sonsini was founded in 1961

Silicon Valley Bank founded in 1982

It’s not just tech - you need bankers, lawyers, government to understand what you are doing. This is why things like ‘valuations’ are so different when (say) a British company values your start up versus one from ‘Silicon Valley’. Silicon Valley, to riff o Wayne Gretzky is looking at where the company will be … the more traditional investors look at where the company is.

8) Focus

Before Silicon Valley, the local industry comprised Orchards. Yes it all started with the military and ‘tech’ but other industries were not dominant, say like Banking in NYC, Oil, Gas and Insurance in Houston, Movies in LA … Tech found its place in new and fertile pastures. This is particularly important when you get to a country like New Zealand where any tech business is going to be competing with other already dominant industries, such as (in the case of New Zealand), Dairy, Lumber and Tourism.

The parallels to why large corporations have a hard time with ‘innovation’ are clear. (This is a larger topic that I will come back to in another post.)

9) The History and Legacy

The First documented ‘VC’ arrived around 1946 - Arthur Rock moved to Palo Alto in 1961 and set up the first fund

In ‘the valley’, VCs have been a known quantity for a long time. These days VCs and Private Equity are in common usage around the world, bit even twenty years ago that was not the case. , they are a known quantity. In the rest of the world, there

These VCs started their companies and first funds in the 60s

- Mayfield - Morgenthaler - Sutter Hill Ventures - Fidelity - Greylock - Venrock

Keep It In The Family

Just consider one family dynasty … the Drapers - and I’m not talking Don Draper

Bill Draper II set up Draper, Gaither and Anderson in 1959 and Draper and Johnson in 1962.

His son - Bill Draper III founded Sutter Hill Ventures in 1965.

His son - Tim Draper - the ‘Draper’ that most people talk about started what was to become DFJ in 1985

His son - Adam Draper started his fund specializing in Blockchain and Crypto in 2012.

It would be interesting to learn if there are any other families as steeped in VC anywhere in the world, but particulalrly outside of The Valley.

About Those Tech Centers

If you are interested in those tech centers, there’s

🔸 Silicon Glen in Scotland 🔸 Silicon Fens in East Anglia, UK 🔸 Silicon Alley in New York 🔸 Silicon Roundabout in London 🔸 Silicon Wadi in Israel 🔸 Silicon Mountain in The Cameroon 🔸 Silicon Oasis in Dubai

… well, you get the drift. If you have an interest Wikipedia has a very long list of Global Tech Centers, though they aren’t all called Silicon xxx - thank god!

What thoughts do you have?

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coffeeandcalligraphy · 2 years

Note

hey rachel! congratulations on cbc (so so happy for you). can you give me a list of things to look for or keep in mind when editing a poem? like the things i should pay attention to and all that stuff. thanks in advance!

First, thanks so much!

This is going to depend on the poem but a few things that come up when I critique are: continuity (of narrative and/or image), clarity (do I understand the general “shape” of the poem—I don’t necessarily need to understand everything in fine detail, but can I understand the tone, images, or themes conveyed?), concision (can you cut a wordy clause), unnecessary repetition (of image in particular), consistency of voice (usually a syntax and diction issue), and both how the poem ends and begins (the ending IMO is particularly important—my favourite poems will leave me reeling after the last line. Sometimes an ending comes to soon or too late, so I like to note that).

The thing about poetry is that it’s EXTREMELY subjective. Yes, all writing is subjective of course, but poetry in my experience is especially subjective because it is more abstract a form than fiction that has general “markers” of what makes it “good” (this is going to differ from time period and geography obviously). I am against forcing writers to rewrite their poems from scratch in order to revise, unless they would like to do that and that’s because so often editing poetry is delicate work. If you tug something large out of the poem or inject too much of XYZ because you feel you have to, you could end up with a great, but new, poem. Some writers like doing this to revise their poetry, but I personally don’t like to view my poetry revisions as “ground up” and more as “what does this poem need?” Sometimes that is a ground up revision where the poem looks completely different, but tbh, for all the poems I have published, they are nearly identical to the first draft. I know that’s what works for me, not meddling with my work too much, so I can’t give set suggestions on how you can revise since that’ll differ drastically from poet to poet. Honestly when I edit my own work, I read through, note places where I myself am confused, places where I find the language awkward or too broad, moments I might expand (and expanding could legit be one word), etc etc… and I don’t always make changes for all these things listed—it depends on the poem, and I’ve learned to listen to the poem rather than try to make it something it isn’t (which can still be valuable, so test out what works for you)!

#asks

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earthstellar · 3 years

Text

TFP Russian AU: Eastern European Sci-Fi Media and the Influence on Science Fiction in the West

World Building is Fun: Research is Good

I like to do a lot of cultural and media history research to establish a suitable in-universe family of design concepts that inform the development of the AU world, relative to the themes or inspiration overall for any given AU.

As the TFP Russian AU is all about “what if the bots landed in Russia when they came to Earth instead of America”, obviously I’ve been doing tons of research into Russian social history, geography, culture, and of course, media!

For my TFP Russian AU, @milabazal2002 and @everdino have been extremely kind and patient with me, and have really helped me develop specific details that I would be unable to grasp myself as someone who isn’t from the region-- And I am very thankful for their involvement and support! :) <3

You can see my most recent TFP Russian AU post here, discussing the conceptualisation of Cybertron using Russian sci-fi and popular science magazines as a basis for design.

The Invention of Sci-Fi: Origins of the Genre

For an idea of why I’m looking at these films for inspiration for this AU, it is important to understand just how influential Eastern European sci-fi has been to the genre overall.

While the actual origins of sci-fi as a popular genre are generally attributed to Victorian English and French literature, specifically HG Wells and Jules Verne, modern (current) audiences actually tend to interpret Wells and Verne motifs more as Steampunk genre material, which is itself a fairly recent genre or sub-genre delineation.

What most consider currently to be Science Fiction in terms of design, overall theme, etc. is derived primarily from various Eastern European works, primarily those produced from the Edwardian era through to the late 1970s.

These Eastern European concepts of sci-fi were heavily influential on the West.

For example, Kubrick based many design elements in 2001: A Space Odyssey off of the previous 1957 Soviet film Дорога к звёздам (Road to the Stars), especially the design of the space station-- Which also later influenced space station designs in other media, such as Terok Nor in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine!

Compare the station designs below, with the original Soviet 1950s on the left, and the American 1960s on the right; Both feature the “ladder ring” design:

I’ll keep this as short as I can, but there is so much to cover that I am only able to touch on a few key examples here.

1) The Origin of Robots and Robot Designs: Universal Robots and Transformers

The word “robot” comes from the Czech playwright K. Čapek's R.U.R. ‘Rossum's Universal Robots’ (1920).

“Robot” is derived not directly from Czech, but from Old Slavonic/Proto Slavonic: The word “robota”, often translated as meaning servitude/indentured work or forced labour. Sometimes it was/is used to imply wage slavery or manual labour, specifically.

The costume designs in this play/movie are beyond fantastic, and became formative influences in robot depictions and designs in media.

You can see the design influence in Transformers in several places as well, but I like to focus on certain helm designs as a particularly good example.

Check out these R.U.R. characters next to G1 Powerglide and Kup for a good comparison of helm designs!

With Powerglide, you can see the influence of the “bullet” type helmet on the left, which was common in Art Deco, Constructivist, and Futurist sci-fi designs of the time. It was a design associated with speed, strength, and the cutting edge modern era of industrial technology.

For Kup, if you just take out a middle section of the cylindrical helmets on the left and add a badge in the middle with some audial receptors, you have Kup’s helm design almost exactly.

The fact that Megatron in G1 is often called “buckethead” comes not just from the metallic bucket-like look of his helm design, but because metal bucket helmets were often made for robot or robotic/cyborg characters in classic sci-fi, and it became an instantly recognisable design element!

In IDW Transformers, Rossum’s Trinity is named after the play which brought the word “robot” into the common cultural lexicon.

And of course, there is the Decepticon Rossum himself, as well!

I love that they referenced Rossum directly in-canon. Nice work, JRO! :)

2) Russian Futurist and Constructivist Design is the Established Look of the Future and Far Away Worlds

The first science fiction feature film ever made was the Russian production Аэли́та (Aelita, 1924), which informed sci-fi visuals for decades and still does.

We can see architectural Art Deco/Futurist design in Aelita, which became the established standard for creating other-worldly looking sets and backgrounds.

Compare this set model from Aelita, with a G1 depiction of Cybertron:

Sweeping geometrics, smoothed surfaces with arches and Constructivist/Futurist design elements still persist in the public mind as a common concept of what alien worlds look and feel like.

3) Aelita = Elita-One!

The headdresses worn in Aelita by characters on another world to visually distinguish them from characters in scenes on Earth influenced a lot of character and costume design for the genre.

We see this in so many franchises, including Star Wars (Princess Amidala).

Compare Aelita (1924) to Elita-One below, for an example of how geometric elements in early Eastern European sci-fi costume design continue to be utilised as distinct mechanical or futuristic character design elements.

I also like how Aelita and Elita-One both have matching eyebrows, too! :)

Hopefully this was interesting for someone out there!

I want to do another TFP Russian AU post soon, with a list of some of my personal favourite Eastern European sci-fi movies which I’ve been re-watching lately as inspiration for this AU.

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writing-prompts-for-friends · 4 years

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Questions to Help World Build

I’ve realized I have a big problem with my writing. I am awful at world-building. Like, I just start writing without thinking about the world. And since I write fantasy. Well. That’s pretty no bueno and leads to all kinds of problems down the road. So I did some brainstorming with my friends and we created a list of over 100 questions to help think about our stories’ worlds and make them more concrete. Thanks to everyone who chimed in and gave me a hand!

A traditional Japanese clock, wadokei, that counted hours from 9 to 4, starting from sunrise, and then starting once again from sunset. (1-3 were not used for religious purposes.) They’re super interesting and confusing. You should definitely check them out.

Temporal

Is your story set in the past, present, or future?

Specifically, what year(s), month(s), day(s)?

Are days 24 hours? Or does time pass differently in this world?

How many months are there in a year? Is it a seven day weekday? Does the concept of weekends exist?

Have most existing societies developed a timekeeping device?

Is there a way to communicate across long distances?

The concept of time zones is still relatively new to our world. Prior to the late nineteenth century, timekeeping was a purely local phenomenon. Each town would set their clocks to noon when the sun reached its zenith each day. Do standardized time zones exist across the world?

Geographical

From a planet perspective, is it Earth? If it is not Earth, or an alternative version of Earth, what is it like? Is gravity the same? Does it have a moon or multiple moons? Can you see other planets? Is it closer or further from the sun? If so, what impact does that have on the climate and passage of time?

What town, state, region, country, continent, planet does this story take place in? What are its bordering/nearest neighbors? Draw a world map if you want.

What kind of land is it? Landlocked? Mountainous? Along the sea? Desert? Tundra? Tropical forest? Plains? Agricultural? Industrial?

What kind of plants and animals are common to the area? Are there any that do not exist in the real world?

What are the most common crops and livestock in various regions? What geographic features influence certain regions ability to grow/raise their crops and livestock (positively and negatively)? Are the regions diets strongly influenced by what they are able to grow themselves, or do other circumstances (like strong international trade) allow them to have more varied selections? How does religion influence what is considered ‘normal’ to eat?

What, if any, natural disasters are common to the region? Earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, monsoons, blizzards?

How many seasons does it have? Are any longer than others?

What is the typical weather like for those seasons?

Does the region have any unusual geographical features that set it apart? Perhaps there is some weird thing like Devil’s Tower just chilling out. Or hot springs because of volcanic activity?

Is it easy to travel from place to place within the area? Is it difficult to travel because of terrain/technology issues, or because travel is strictly regulated?

Main Locations: Cities

Many stories take place within one city. In Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, a character remarks, “So, if a city has a personality, maybe it also has a soul. Maybe it dreams.” What personality does this city have? What soul does it have? What does it dream of when it slumbers? If your story takes place within a settlement, town, or city, give these questions some thought.

Exactly where is it located within the lands you conjured up in the above Geography questions? Does it have a bay? A river? Does it butt up against mountains? Draw a map of the city.

How big is the city? Is it compact, or sprawling?

How old is the city?

What is the history of the city? How did it come to be? What tumults and triumphs has it seen?

What is the population? Is it currently increasing, decreasing, or remaining the same?

Does the town have any claim to fame? Any tourist attractions? What are they? What’s the story behind them?

If it’s a big enough city, how many and what kind of districts does it have? Residential, Commercial, Industrial, etc. Where are they?

Are there any areas that are deemed unsafe? If so, where are they and why are they unsafe?

Is there public transportation? What kind, bus, tram, train, subway, monorail? Is it good?

How do people get around this city if not by public transportation?

Are the roads narrow or wide? Crisscrossing in a methodical grid or higgledy-piggledy?

What are the buildings like? What materials are they made of? If they’re wooden, are they new wood, old wood? If they’re painted, what colors? If they’re stone, what stone? If they’re brick, is it new red brick or blackened, crumbling brick? If they’re glass and metal, are they sparkling with new hope or dull and jaded?

Are there many skyscrapers? Or are most buildings 1-3 stories tall? What does the skyline look like?

Are there many parks?

How is the city powered? Coal? Hydroelectric? Wind? Nuclear? Has it always been so?

What is the city’s main source of revenue? Agriculture? Tourism? Manufacturing? Mining? Something else? A combination? Dive deeper into this. If it’s agriculture, what do they grow? Tourism–what is famous? etc. This will help to determine what a lot of people do for a living.

What are the demographics? Ethnicity, age distribution, distribution of upper, middle, and lower class, etc.

How many schools are there? Universities? Are any of them good? Do they specialize in anything? Do schools even exist? Perhaps there are clans that teach their children everything they need, for example, or education isn’t viewed as important.

Are there any particular landmarks within the city that standout?

How many and what kind of restaurants are there?

Are there supermarkets, open air markets, or both?

Where do young people go to spend time? What about adults?

Do people there bustle or do they amble?

What are the nights like? Does the city grow quiet, or does it grow rowdy?

What does the city smell like?

If you had to give your town a color, one that represented its personality, what color would it be?

Main Locations: Houses (or buildings, but mainly houses)

There are many stories that have a house or headquarters or hospital or some sort of building as their main setting. These questions will mostly be geared towards helping you figure out a house, but you can apply these to other buildings too probably.

Exactly where is the house located within the city or outside the city? How does your character usually get there? Draw a map.

What year was the house built?

Was this house built by the current family or their ancestors? Who else lived in the house before the current dwellers? What were they like? Did they leave their mark on the house somehow?

What style is the house? Bungalow? Cabin? A shed? A cave? (makes the following questions mostly useless if so lol)

How many stories is it?

What is it made of? Wood? Brick? What color is it?

Does it have a lot of windows?

Are the curtains usually open or drawn? Are thee curtains at all?

What does the front door look like?

Is there a porch?

You enter the front door. Or maybe you don’t. Maybe you use the side door because the front door is for show or something. Anyways. You enter the house. What room do you step foot into?

Draw out the floor plans for each floor. How many rooms are there? Where are they? How big are they? How are they connected? What color are they? What style of decor?

Is there a basement? Is it used or is it just a home for spiders and darkness and unwanted things? How about an attic? Crawlspace?

How many bathrooms?

Are there any rooms that only certain people are allowed to enter? If so, why?

What is the flooring? Carpet? Wood? Tile? Linoleum?

What does the house smell like?

Government/Military/Economy

In other words, “the boring stuff,” if you ask me. But this is a very important aspect of any world.

What sort of government is in place? Democracy, oligarchy, etc? Is it a just or corrupt government?

How are goods exchanged? Bartering? Money? Coins and bills? Credit cards? A specific kind of sea shell? Lol

What are the police like? Strict? Lax? Is there a curfew?

Do taxes exist? If so, do the people feel as though they are heavily or unduly taxed?

Where is the intersection between theology and law? Is it common to have religious leaders in positions of power? Are laws based around religious ideology, or is there an effort to keep them separate?

Is there an organised structure devoted to halting criminal acts? Are they corrupt? Who runs the organisation? How does their reputation change based on demographic? What is the history of the organisation, and how does that history influence how it operates today?

Regarding potentially criminal acts, what is the elgality of prostitution, sex work, ect.?

What about drugs and other illicit substances? Alcohol, illicit drugs, recreational use. Legality, festivity, age limits, etc.

Underbelly. How prevalent is crime, what sort of crime (scaled from pickpocketing to human trafficking) is there? Are there areas that have bad reputations because of it?

Regarding war, are there currently conflicts in the world? Are they international or civil wars? How common is it to have an active war? What is the history of war? What does current warfare look like (Is it dudes in metal suits swinging swords? Have longbows been invented? Gunpowder? Tanks? Missiles?) Is military service mandatory or voluntary? How is the military seen? Is there a sense of patriotism for the military, or does the common man fear it?

Is there stigma around certain genders entering the military? Are come genders regarded as better recruits than others? Is it illegal for some genders to enter the military? Does a person's sexuality affect their ability to serve?

How has religion influenced war? Have there been holy wars in the past? Do any religious institutions hold their own military forces?

Cultural/Historical

I’ve put these together because events in history lead to cultural change. You can apply these questions not only to the world/country, but also the city or even the neighborhood, workplace, or school that your story takes place in.

What is the history of the region? Who was it settled by? Was another group of people displaced? After that, did any new cultures come in? Did they get along?

Were there ever any wars or serious conflicts in the region? What was the cause and what was the outcome of the war if there was one?

In our world, the internet, social media, and film/tv are massive cultural drivers. They determine the latest fashions, jokes, topics, and expressions. What are the big cultural drivers in your world? Books? Plays? Radio? Oral tradition?

Is it a collectivistic or individualistic society?

What languages are spoken by your characters? Is multilingualism common?

What sorts of cultures can be seen? Do any clash? Do any mesh?

What sort of foods are most common?

What superstitions do people hold? Is there a version of “knock on wood” or throwing salt over your shoulder after a funeral? What are the roots of these superstitions?

Are there religions? If so, what are they? Do any conflict with each other? Are zealots or extremists an issue?

Does slavery or indentured servitude exist?

Are there any class or caste systems? If so, what are they, and what does an average day look like for a member of each class/caste?

How does a person's appearance change from country to country? Do certain countries have very distinct fashions? If so, are the fashions influenced by religion, surrounding countries, the cultural majority or international trade partners?

How does a person's clothing relate to their social standing? Is it very easy to assume someone's roll by appearance alone? Are there punishments for dressing above or below your social standing?

Does the society place a great deal of importance on a person's presentation, or is the society more lenient on such things?

Is there an emphasis on conformity to a dress code, or is individuality encouraged? How strictly is clothing regulated by gender binary? Is it commonplace to see a man and a woman walking down the street in the same cut of clothes? Is there a social stigma when a person does not conform to the most common form of dress for their gender?

How are sexual rights viewed? Does the LGBTQ community have the same rights as people outside the community? How are sex acts between people of the same sex viewed? Is it legal? Taboo? Are there cultures that encourage those relationships in some circumstances (like how the romans were down with guys with guys in the military)?

Are there any groups of people that are victims of prejudice? If so, who are they, who holds these views against them, and what views specifically are they?

In regards to gender, do certain societies hold differing beliefs? Is there a commonly accepted number of gender identities or does it change regionally? Is the most common gender spectrum a binary, or do certain racial and cultural differences allow for a wider range to be seen as the baseline?

Are children raised by their biological parents or are children considered to be in the care of the wider community? Is it common/acceptable for extended family to raise children, such as parents needing to study, work, or serve time in the military? Is adoption a common thing in society? Is there a stigma around adoption/being adopted? Do cultural or religious views impact how adoption is seen by the wider community? What is adoption like for a single perspective parent? When adopting, is interracial adoption accepted/common, or is it seen in a negative light? Are some societies more open to adopting children outside of their own race?

How is sex and virginity viewed? Does religion influence it? What is the age of consent? What is appropriate on a first, second, third date? Is sex something that is talked about openly, or something taboo? Are you supposed to wait until marriage? Do couples stay monogamous while dating? Do some regions place higher importance on virginity than others? Do some place higher importance on one gender’s virginity than others?

How is marriage viewed? Are arranged marriages a big thing, or are people free to choose? Is monogamy common? How is a marriage symbolized? A wedding ring, or something different?

How is divorce viewed? What is the divorce rate? Can people remarry?

Magic and the Supernatural

If magic or spooky stuff doesn’t exist in your story, disregard this section.

Does magic exist? If so, who can use it? What are the limitations to their magic? What things are they capable of using their magic to do? What things are they incapable of doing?

Are there laws against what kind of magic can/cannot be used? What sort of laws? Who enforces them? What are the punishments for breaking said laws if they exist?

How does the existence of magic affect religion? Are there religious institutions that infuse magic into their worship? Are there religious sects that see magic as immoral and in direct opposition to their faith? Have there been conflicts in recent or ancient history between religion and the supernatural? Do some sects employ people to hunt and/or enforce law over the supernatural?

Assuming that magic does exist, is it taught? Are there different schools of magic? Is there a system of ranking for magic users based on their skill level?

Do non-magic users look towards magic users with respect or fear?

What role does magic play in this world? Has technology not advanced because magic solves many problems? Or has technology advanced and the use of some magics has become unnecessary?

Are there any mythological creatures/monsters, such as vampires, demons, skinwalkers, dragons, or other creatures of your own creation? Are they common? Do people believe in their existence? Do people worship them? Where can they be found? Do they interact with humans? Do humans fear them or try to put up with them as they do nature?

Do the dead continue to exist in some form, such as ghosts or zombies or the like? Can the dead be summoned or brought back to life?

Are there human/supernatural hybrids? Perhaps a half-demon half-human, for example? How are these people viewed by their peoples, and by society as a whole?

How has the supernatural influenced war? Do armies tend to have a mix of regular and supernatural soldiers/weapons? Have there been wars between the supernatural/magical and those without? How does magic influence a person standing in a mixed army? Is it more likely for a magical being to be promoted than a non-magical being? Conversely, are supernatural being forced into service and seen as pawns?

The End!

Please feel free to reblog and share, and add on any questions you think should be added!

#worldbuilding #world building #creative writing #writing fiction #writing tips #brainstorming #creative writing methodology #writing prompt #writing exercise #writing prompts for friends resources #long post #writing inspiration #writing prompts for friends

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cryptidchronicles · 3 years

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Rest in Peace Scott Mardis, Champ Researcher

I was shocked and deeply saddened today by the tragic news of my friend Scott's death. According to his brother, Scott passed away late Wednesday night in a hospital in Bradenton, FL. after amputation of a severe infection in his leg.

He had made it through surgery okay but while still at the hospital on 7/28, Scott had become unresponsive and died of complications from the infection.

Scott Mardis had been my friend and colleague for years after we crossed paths in cryptozoological research related to water creatures, specifically with respect to lake monsters.

At Scott's encouragement over the years and through his generous mentorship, I was able to navigate through a balanced approach to anomalous lake creature investigations for my blog posts and personal research.

Scott was one of the most authentic and passionate cryptozoologists I have ever known who was absolutely devoted to his lake monster investigations more than any other researcher I know of and specifically to his endeared Champ, America’s Loch Ness Monster, who he believed lives in Lake Champlain. Even with his healthy dose of skepticism and perhaps even a measure of cynicism, he was still one of the most devoted advocates for the famous 1977 Sandra Mansi Photograph of “Champ”. Scott himself believed he saw "something" in Lake Champlain so many years ago that kicked off his lifelong research to prove to others that Champ and other lake monsters exist.

I feel like I can't come close to writing a good enough tribute to Scott but I wanted to share what I can muster up at this time so that he can be celebrated for all his contributions to a field of study that means so much to me. Every year he would quest to the lake with equipment and enthusiasm in search of Champ using updated scientific methods, tools and techniques and his vast and ever-expanding encyclopedic knowledge of the historical lake geography and Champ phenomenon in hopes of helping others become true believers like himself. His enthusiasm was absolutely transferable.

I will always be extremely grateful for the many late night conversations with Scott about water monster lore and latest science news that continued to open paths to solving the mysteries we chased. While he and I didn't always agree on everything, we had deep, friendly and enjoyable discussions about the great marine and lake creature mysteries of the world and his determination to find answers was beyond measure and he without a doubt illuminated my faith that one day we will have the remarkable evidence that proves what he dedicated his life to finding out; that there are surviving monsters of ancient times in our waters.

Scott was very respectful and thoughtful and always made time for me and answered every single question I ever had (and trust me there were so many) with respect to this field of study and would help me get my head around the science and theories I was often struggling with on my own. He was an excellent mentor and had really good theories, making excellent points about the series of anomalous, fragmentary plesiosaur (and other) fossils from past supposed extinction times of plesiosaurs at the K/Pgboundary, roughly 65 million years ago. While these anomalous fossils have generally been dismissed by the paleontology community, Scott had a solid understanding of the importance of fossil anamolies beyond plesiosaurs or basilosaurine whales and how studying them further could provide more answers and truths regaurding his beloved Champ and other water monster cryptids. Scott had done so much pioneering research that we simply cannot afford to lose. I had been in the middle of reformatting his book Night of the Living Dead Plesiosaurs and am so saddened that I did not get to finish the editing and formatting of it more quickly so he could see it reworked but I do pledge to honour his memory by finishing it and getting it to the right people so that many others can enjoy his collected research which offers so much insight and venerate him for the incredible teachings and knowledge he passed on to others. To see things from Scott's perspective was absolutely illuminating.

Though he was always ready to discuss my laughable obsession with a giant plesio-turtle, we always had something to talk about with our many common interests outside of lake monsters. Scott always had obscure book recs for me which I really appreciated and I have a whole bunch that I vow to get through sooner rather than later.

He was a good cat dad who adored his cats and was fascinated by their antics and we would talk about cat stuff and thangs whenever possible. I was always so honoured when Scott would come to me to pick my brain about cats, in the way I would go to him to pick his brain about water monsters. He was very supportive of my work with rescuing and caring for special needs cats. I hope that his own rescued cats will be well-cared for by his family because they did mean so much to him as well. We would chat about The Walking Dead and so many other similiar interests like classic rock and terrible horror movies. Scott was awesome and I am so sad that I didn't get to spend more time with him and meet him on the water like we had planned.

Dear Scott, thank you for your kindness, your contributions and your guidance and though you will be greatly missed, I hope wherever you are that you have the answers you were so dedicated to finding out. It was a true honour to know you. Goodbye, my friend. Rest in Peace Scott Mardis December 28, 1963-July 28, 2021 My condolences to his wife and family for their loss. He will be missed by so many.

#champ researcher #lake champlain #lake monsters #scott mardis

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atalho-s · 3 years

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Sweet Sugar

4 | Crosses

pairing: tom holland x reader

warnings: swear words, underage drinking (not much tho, nothing descritive and nothing like “Skins” lmao), suggestive scenes in some chapters, not smut!! but minors be aware. Fluff/angst/drama/ Y/n and Tom being stupid teenagers with feelings.

words: 2.5 k

a/n: english it’s not my first language, Sorry for any mistakes! If you want to be tag on the next chapters, please let me know

Summary: Y/n, Harrison and Tom has always been best friends. Since childhood they’ve always been close, but what happens if after a break up with her first boyfriend, she starts to feel something more about Tom

PART 4! If you want to read the other parts click here

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I woke up the other day feeling a little better, which was good. I washed my face thoroughly, put on a pair of jeans, a Beatles T-shirt along with a jacket and left my room, ready for another week of torture.

- Good morning mom... - I was saying going down the stairs, but I remembered that she had already left for work. Which was good, because that way I didn't have to talk about the party.

I had my coffee, in the silenc and soon after opened my phone, until I got on Instagram and saw that Tom had posted pictures of the party. The caption said: Thank you all! you guys are awesome! The photos from the party were great 😂

I was scrolling the photos, the first ones were all of us at the table, some were blurry of the people dancing... until I saw one of him with other people from school: Meghan was hugged him from the side making the peace sign with her fingers and he was kissing the top of her head. I sighed feeling my eyes fill with tears again. Okay, maybe I wasn't as ok as I thought.

I blocked my phone and put it in my pocket, taking my backpack and leaving the house, otherwise I would going to be late. I had to focus on school, not crying for silly things, I had to pay attention in my tests, that was more important than anything.

I went down the street and found Haz already waiting for me in the same place, I approached him and when he looked at my face, he made a pitying one.

- You saw the photos didn't you? - he asked and I nodded as he hugged me.

- It's alright Haz, I'll be fine- I said releasing him after a few seconds and he looked at me raising an eyebrow doubtingly - It's no big deal! By the way, I won't talk about it anymore, if we don't go now, we'll be late for school. - I said pulling him and we started walking.

- Okay... But just to close this subject, Tom sent me a message yesterday asking if you were okay and if there was anything wrong because you left early without saying goodbye.

- Hmm, and you didn't say anything right?

- Of course not! I just said that you weren't very used to drinking and that was all, and he believed... - Haz said and I breathed a sigh of relief.

- Good... He also texted me yesterday, he even wanted me to go to his house to tell me about Meghan.

- Well, whether way, he still thinks he's your best friend, nothing more than that...- Haz said, and I hated that he was right.

- It's true, and he's just my best friend, nothing more... - I emphasized the JUST- Did he tell you anything else about Meghan? - I asked and when Haz was going to answer I cut him - Never mind, It’s better if i don’t know. - I said waving my hand in the air.

- If you want it that way... - he replied. - Oh god you two have the same class today right? - he asked and I put my hand in my forehead. I had forgotten that I had English today for the first two classes and Tom would be sitting right next to me.

- I had even forgotten about that. But you know what? I'm going to stay there like a champ and ignore everything. - I said determined and Haz laughed feeling a little sad for me.

- Okay, I support that, but...- he was talking and I cut him again saying: shhh.

- No buts, and now enough of this subject, because we're already arriving. - I said and he rolled his eyes in agreement.

We arrived at the corner and Tom was already waiting for us as usual. He wore a blue sweatshirt and a backwards cap, black jeans and white sneakers. Obviously he was gorgeous as usual, which was ridiculous, but no sign of Meghan, which was good for now...

I tightened my grip on Haz's arm that I was hooked on and he smiled encouragingly. We got closer and Tom looked up from his phone, hanging up and putting it in his pocket.

- Hey strangers! - He said putting the backpack on his back, shaking hands with Haz and me with the usual kiss on the forehead. I lowered my eyes, smelling his scent and smirked. - You better y/n?

- I am, staying in bed all day yesterday did me good. - I said as we headed towards the stairs.

- That's good! And even better that now you have two classes with me- he said winking and Haz looked at me apprehensively.

- HA-HA, very funny. Too bad I'll have to pay attention in class and I won't be able to talk to you. - I said shrugging and Tom looked at me with an ironic face.

- Wow shortie, I felt rejected now. - He said pouting and I rolled my eyes. Of rejection I knew well.

- Well, I have to go because I have a presentation about geography, so, see you guys later? - Haz said when we arrived in the hallway, waving and looking at me discreetly as if he was saying: good luck.

- Let's go, grumpy face? - Tom said pointed for me to go ahead. I rolled my eyes looking at him, which he laughed and we went to the class.

I sat a little further back in my usual seat and Tom sat behind me. I was feeling claustrophobic, but it was only two classes, I could survive this. But when Mr. Ribbs came into the room and started talking, I lost all courage i had.

- Good morning students! Today the two classes will be more dynamic. As I know you had a difficult week, with so many papers and tests, I decided to leave these classes for you to go to the library and pick up any book to read and then give me a summary about it. - he was talking and I was excited, because I loved reading and I could still get my book and be quiet without having to talk to Tom, right? - But... I want you to do this in pairs. - wrong - Happy reading! - He said and everyone stood up forming their pairs and leaving the room one by one.

I felt someone nudge my shoulder and tooking a deep breath I turned around, seeing a smiling Tom.

- Good, reading... At least you like to read, because I with my dyslexia... - he laughed.

- Yeah good... it fit like a glove... Shall we go? - I said and we got up going towards the library. If Tom thought my way of talking was a little dry, he didn't react, which was good.

We arrived at the library and I was looking among the shelves for something easy and good for us to read.

- Y/n, darling... I have to tell you about yesterday - Tom started talking excitedly as he followed me through the halls. - After you and Haz left, a lot things happened...

- Hmm, I'm glad you had fun Tom. - I said a little disinterested picking up some books and looking at the synopsis.

- Yea! I had a lot of fun, but what happened was...

- Hey, how about we read Pride and Prejudice? It's one of my favorites, I think it's a good one, because we just need to read the main parts to refresh our memory. - I said, interrupting him.

-Yeah... Sure, I think it's a good one. - he said as I grabbed Jane Austen's book off the shelf and headed toward one of the tables.

- Shortie, how about if we read this outside? I think it's better than staying here, besides, we can talk better. - Tom said and I stopped turning around. Damn it, I was counting on staying there in the library anyway, so he wouldn't be able to say anything about the night before, because they were going to tell him to be quiet.

- Okay, good idea... - I said, giving up on to try to inventing another excuse.

We left the library and headed towards some tables outside. They were empty, except for a couple of couples scattered around the yard who had the same idea. I sat down and Tom sat next to me putting the book on the table and pulling out his notebook so we could write something down.

- So, as I was saying... We were on the dance floor, right, and Meghan and I were talking about the theater and other things, until... Guess what? - He started talking and I raised my eyebrow, while trying to distract myself with the book. - She said she thought I was cute and that I had a cute, sexy look. - He continued and I laughed ironically.

- So far so good, right... Until she just kissed me in the middle of the dance floor! - He said as if it were the most extraordinary thing in the world. Yeah, I thought with myself, I was there and saw everything, that's why I'm feeling bad and I can't even look at your face right now... I wanted to say it, but I just looked at him pretending to be interested.

- And mate, it was the best kiss of my life! We stayed together practically all night... Damn, I've dreamed about this so much since childhood...

- Good Tom, it must have been a really good birthday gift, right? - I said, looking at the book again.

- Yea! It was perfect...- he said and I could feel him staring at me. - Hey, you don't seem very excited about my little conquest... - he nudged me pouting and I looked at him.

- Nah, it's just that you guys are always hooking up lately, so I'm just not surprised...- I replied shrugging.

- Y/n Meghan is not just a hook up, she is an old passion, she is special - he said and I felt my heart ache a little while looking away. - You dont like her?

- It's not that I don't like her... I don't even know her, I just... I think she did it after you started getting more popular with the theater, because before that she didn't even look at you...

- That's not true, besides, people can change right? Maybe she realized that I'm not as bad as she thought before... I don't know... But as you said, you don't even know her, so I didn't understand you being mad like that. -he said scribbling in his notebook.

- It's not that I'm mad, I just... I didn't wake up very well today, that's all...

- Yeah... But you don't need to project that to others around you, I thought you'd be happy for me.- Tom said and I looked at him ironically.

- Yeah, but there are days when we're not okay Thomas and not in the mood to be throwing confetti at every girl your friend kiss at some party. - I said and regretted it right away, it wasn't fair to him.

Tom looked at me in surprise, as I had never talk with him like that. Even as kids we didn't fight, why was I being such a bitch now? He took his things in silence and walked away leaving me with tears in my eyes.

I shook my head trying to get rid of what had just happened. I picked up the book and tried to read it, but I couldn't even get past the first line. Damn, why did I have to have those feelings? It wasn't fair.

I thought about going after Tom and apologizing, but I don't think he wanted to see me right now. A few minutes passed and the class was almost finishing when I felt someone nudge my shoulder. I turned in hopes of seeing Tom, but was surprised to see Steven standing up in front of me.

- Are you okay? I heard you fighting with Tom earlier, I never saw you guys fight like that, so I was worried. - he asked.

- I'm fine Stev, it was just a silly disagreement, nothing to worry about. Are you okay? - I asked trying to change the subject.

- Yeah, just studying a lot, you know, I have to go to business school. - he said and I agreed. Steven always wanted to work at his father's company, but for that he had to go to business school in Japan, because there was one of the company's units there and that's where his father wanted him to live. A lot of his family was Japanese, so he had an advantage with the language and culture. But that was one of the reasons we broke up, after fighting a lot about who was going to live where. - And you still focused on journalism?

- Of course, forever and always. - I said and we laughed, hearing the bell saying the class are over.

- Well, I have to go, I have to meet Elle, good luck with your essay. - He said pointing to the book.

- For you too. - I said smiling and he left towards the building.

I got up to get my things, scanning the yard with my eyes, but there was no sign of Tom. I sighed and put my headphones on, heading towards our tree. As I was already out there I ended up arriving first, so I sat down and played the song Crosses by José González.

I waited a few minutes and saw Haz approaching and I took off my headphones as I watched him sit beside me.

- So..How everything went? Where is Tom?- he asked looking around.

- A disaster... - I said, rubbing my hands over my face. - We ended up arguing, I said some things without thinking and he left without saying anything.

- Oh y/n... I don't even know what to say, but did you confess something to him? he asked and I widened my eyes.

- No! Are you crazy? I told him I didn't trust Meghan, but in a rude way... - I said and Haz took a deep breath hugging me sideways.

- Well, you can't control your feelings...

- But I can control my tongue. - I said and we laughed a little. - How was it with Gracie? Did you guys talked today? - I said changing the subject.

- I talked to her a lot by text during class, I even asked her if she wanted to spend some time with us now, but she said she had to hang with her friends...

- Hmm. - I said putting my hand on my chin losing myself in thoughts as I watched the patio to see if I could see Tom. And after a lot of looking I found him. And there he was sitting on one of the benches near the building with Meghan hugging him, she with his cap on her head and the two of them were laughing and talking excitedly to each other. Until he gave her a kiss and she reciprocated.

#tom holland #tom holland imagine #tom holland fanfic #tom holland fluff #tom holland angst #tom holland x reader #tom holland x y/n #tom holland x you #tom holland fanfiction #tom holland friends to lovers #tom holland series

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scotianostra · 3 years

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Robert Gordon of Straloch was born at Kinnundy in Aberdeenshire, on the 14th September, 1580 and is said to have been the first graduate of Marischal College.

Gordon is often named as “ The man who literally put Scotland on the map “

Robert Gordon of Starloch is one of those clever Scots that are described as Poly maths, at one time or another he was a mathematician, poet, superb musician, composer, essayist, geographer, historian and antiquarian, and above all, a cartographer who devised what is still one of the most beautiful and popular books of maps of Scotland, the Theatrum Scotiae.It is due his skills I am honouring him a rather lengthy biography.

Robert was the younger son of Sir John Gordon of Pitlurg near Ellon in Aberdeenshire, a knight who was loyal to James VI, who asked him to provide a no-doubt expensive horse for his royal wedding. Gordon was certainly well-connected – Robert’s mother was Isabel Forbes, daughter of the 7th Lord Forbes.

Gordon’s private education meant he learned Latin in childhood – was followed by his matriculation as one of the first, if not the very first, students of Marischal College, forerunner of Aberdeen University. He completed his studies at the University of Paris before returning to Scotland in 1600 on the death of his father.

As landed gentry he was able to devote his time to continuing his studies and taught himself geography, which would come in handy in his future career, while he began to write and gather music to play on his beloved lute.

In 1608, he married Catherine, daughter of Alexander Irvine of Lenturk, and they had a large family – nine sons and six daughters in all. Soon after his marriage he bought the estate of Straloch in Aberdeenshire, and in 1619 he became a very wealthy man when his elder brother John died childless, leaving the Pitlurg estate to Robert.

Now he was able to indulge his love of history and especially geography, then a rudimentary science. In fact, he practically invented proper map-making in Scotland, based on extensive topographical measurements that he largely made himself.

At the time of Gordon’s birth it was believed that there were just three maps of Scotland in the whole kingdom, and their inaccuracy was well-known. James VI encouraged the map-making of Timothy Pont, a graduate of St Andrews University who has a good claim to be Scotland’s first serious cartographer as he made dozens of maps of various parts of Scotland in the 1590s before he became a minister of the Kirk in Caithness where he died in 1614.

The geographer Sir James Balfour would later ensure that Pont’s maps were published, but by the 1620s, Robert Gordon was beginning to produce much more accurate maps with his scientific methods.

He also found time to compose poetry and music pieces, leading to the publication of his musical masterwork, “Ane playing booke for the Lute, wherein are contained many currents and other musical things, Musica mentis medicina moestae”, which was printed in Aberdeen in 1627.

In 1641, King Charles I was asked to pay for an atlas of Scotland by the famous map publishers Blaeus of Amsterdam. Gordon was by then the best and best-known map-maker in Scotland.

Charles wrote to him: “Having lately seen certain charts of divers shires of this our ancient kingdom, sent here from Amsterdam, to be corrected and helpit in the defects thereof, and being informed of your sufficiency in that art, and of your love both to learning and to the credit of your nation; we have therefore thought fit hereby, earnestly to entreat you to take so much pains as to revise the said charts, and to help them in such things as you find deficient there until, that they may be sent back by the direction of our chancellor to Holland.”

Flattery will get you everywhere, especially royal flattery, and Gordon duly embarked on his life’s greatest work, the Theatrum Scotiae. It wasn’t just the 46 beautiful and accurate maps that made Theatrum a magnificent publication, but also the many notes on the history and antiquities that accompanied the maps – scholars would rely on them for ages afterwards.

Charles I was so concerned about the work being finished that he arranged for the Scottish Parliament to give Gordon exemption from taxes, while his family were granted freedom from military duties – a major concession in those troubled times. From the outset it was seen as a work of national importance – all Church of Scotland ministers were asked to assist Gordon with local details.

Finished in 1648, Theatrum Scotiae was an immediate sensation and would have two further editions.

Gordon also wrote histories in Latin and exchanged views with the leading scholars of the day on everything from the life of John Knox to the history of the Gordon family. It was in the family vault at New Machar that he was buried in August 1661.

Though a neglected figure now, in his lifetime Robert Gordon was recognised as a great scholar and was famous enough to have his portrait painted by George Jamesone. His grandson, also Robert Gordon, became a wealthy philanthropist and it is he whose name is borne by Aberdeen’s “other” university.

The second pic is “A New Mapp of Scotland According to Gordon of Straloch”

#Scotland #scottish #polymath #cartographer #map maker #history

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jinsai-ish · 2 years

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In fact which I delve into some of the America/Alfred things I like, that others may or may not agree with.

Peace.

My favorite from Hetalia. I'm stuck on Canada and America as twins, with Mattie being the elder. I love Mattie as being the single most important person in his life. I like Mexico as their older half-sibling.

I love him as a giant nerd, and as Japan as (having become) his best friend. Brilliant, but also a bit of a ditz. Multilinguil. Outgoing, friendly, confident, but also with a lot of insecurities on the inside.

I like him having indigenous heritage, as well as European. I like his spirit animal being Rabbit, and his having a strong connection to his land.

I like him as a bottom, and I avoid reading almost all fics with him topping, though I am fine with gen fic of course. I also *le gasp* enjoy omegaverse works with him as an omega.

(Side note: most of my favorite non-straight male favorite characters I do prefer to read as a bottom but certainly not all of them. Crowley from Good Omens for example, I prefer as a top.)

If we're talking mpreg non-AU, which I do like, I like him as the mother of 50 states. It's adorable and hysterical to me the thought of him with so many kids. Yes, I understand some find the idea of certain states (Hawaii) problematic. I respect that but it's also fiction, so I hope they respect that I do enjoy it as such.

I like him as a bottom because I believe he is so open *ahem* and that he likes the attention on him, and the power that being wanted gives him. I like him as an Omega for some of the same reasons, but also because he is strong-willed, which goes against the submissive omega stereotype and creates drama and tension in the work. I enjoy reading about an omegaverse with social pressure to confirm that he resists; and I like the battle of will and instinct, and that while instincts can be good or bad, they don't need to define you.

I started reading UKUS, but quickly decided it wasn't what I prefer, though I will still read well-written fic with this pairing. I instead prefer a family relationship between England and America. France/America is a favorite of mine due to their history together. I am also okay reading FACE family. In fact, outside of FACE family works, I am meh on France/England.

I love America and Canada together. This could be just as brothers/twins, but I also enjoy AU and/twincest with them. It can be taboo, or okay with nations (with them having different taboos than humans); either is okay with me. I love geography kink. They are by far my favorite Hetalia pairing. I know many do not agree but also, fiction.

I am meh on Russia/America. I have given it a chance lately as most omega Alfred fic is Ivan/Alfred. I have enjoyed it in the case it's well-written but this applies specifically to these omegaverse AUs.

Anyways, those are things I like. If you share any, feel free to engage. If you do not, I respect that as well.

#hetalia #hws america #fandom #hetalia headcanons

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solennitawrites · 3 years

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WIP & Writeblr Intro!

About Me

You can call me solennita or A.H. or whatever your heart desires. I am in my late twenties, South American, bi, living with ADHD, and you can refer to me using they/them pronouns. I have been writing since I was a child but more or less had to set it aside from high school until last year when the pandemic hit and quarantine gave me an opportunity to finally revisit this novel trilogy idea I began about 15 years ago in a dilapidated, blue composition book and commit to actually completing it.

WIP Intro

Working Title: The Sapphire Room

Inspiration: South American mythology and legends (mostly Venezuela, but also Colombia, Chile, and Peru)

Genre: YA Fantasy, Latinx Fantasy, Adventure, Coming of Age

Status: Writing (Chapters 1-3 are up on Wattpad).

Premise: On the continent of Amasi, where a unique mineral, aranate, and advancements in metalworking have resulted in a highly secular and technologically developed society, two fifteen-year-old, orphaned girls have grown up together in Namina Boarding School, a remote institution situated in the middle of the swamplands at the edge of the Arúni Rainforest. One night, Nina and Adelaida discover a hidden object in Namina’s attic—a golden hourglass filled with diamonds and mysterious engravings. Nina and Adelaida begin to learn that this object is not all that it seems, and that familiar faces in Namina know more than they let on. Roped into a dangerous but enticing adventure taking them across all of Amasi, the two friends must face challenges beyond their wildest dreams and learn who to trust as everything they thought they knew begins to slip away. With dark and powerful forces threatening to destroy all life, can these two young girls learn the truth about Amasi’s mystical history, and themselves, to save the world before it’s too late?

Characters: Zafira Fam (Nina, Adelaida, Noémi, Milaraya, & Zo); Brujxs Fam (Maiara, Irália, Aracéli, Mireia, & Tamaya); Namina Fam (Amara Quila, Sol Acedo, Luciana Quíspe, Aria Nuali, Ortensia Rayena, Úrsula Bira, Valeria Vera, Candé Intira)

Tag Navigation: General TSR; Geography; Characters; Plot; Excerpts

Intro to Amasi Posts: Yanura, Orona, Guayra, Islas Maracainas (Maragua)

About My Writeblr

I hope to use this blog to help me work out world building and plot ideas, as well as character development and all that jazz! I’ll likely post excerpts here and there (many of which may just be background writing exercises for story building rather than actual scenes!) and welcome as much feedback and critique as folks are willing to give!

I'll also reblog writing resources, advice, tips, and of course, others' works and I'm open to tag games, asks/ask games, and just general getting to know each other! I may reblog non-writing posts here and there as well, which I’ll tag as “not writing.”

I am still very much in early stages and my posting may be sporadic as I am graduating law school soon and then will be taking the bar in the summer, so hope y’all will bear with me :) But please feel free to let me know if you’re interested in being tagged in any of my WIP posts (and feel free to specify -- i.e., only character posts, only excerpts, etc.)!

About My WIP

My current WIP is tentatively titled The Sapphire Room. You can use the navigation links to check out TSR posts (general tag; excerpts; geography; characters; and plot). This is a project that has undergone a lot of revision from when I first had the idea at around 12 years old to now, when I’ve been able to dive more into world and story building.

A huge motivation/inspiration for my is the lack of latinx fantasy in YA fiction. I adore YA fantasy stories, YA coming of age stories, and YA adventure stories, but I’m tired of reading the same adaptations or variations on the very Anglo-centric narrative. Latinx history and culture is so rich and diverse, though much of the cultural stories have been lost today as a result of colonization and its aftermath.

I decided to reach out to my family about this and started collecting myths and legends from my South American country, and researching those from others in the region. There’s a lot of overlap among the stories shared, especially between Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru, as well as Chile to an extent, so this is where the basis for my worldbuilding really comes from.

As a first-gen latinx immigrant who grew up in a pretty conservative, Catholic area, stories like Romina Garber’s Lobizona and Tehlor Kay Mejia’s We Set the Dark on Fire would have changed my life. I want to make sure my story can serve a similar purpose for young, latinx readers who struggle to see themselves represented in stories they love.

I am very intentional about including racial representation (afro-latinx characters), gender and sexuality representation (queer, trans, and NB characters), and disability representation (characters with both physical and mental disabilities). Though I share some identities I will be writing about, I obviously will be going outside of my own experience in many ways and welcome all critiques and feedback on how I can improve in any of these aspects.

I am also being very intentional about writing an escapist and entertaining story where racism, colonialism, and trauma are not fundamental parts of the story. There will be conflict and pain and sorrow, but after seeing story after story that focuses on the toxic machismo in latinx cultures, on racism and colorism in fantasy settings, and other forms of discrimination and trauma in QTPOC fantasy narratives (all of which are really, really important stories to tell!!), I really am aiming for my story to be different and serve as an entertaining escape.

As mentioned, please feel free to let me know if you’re interested in being tagged in any TSR posts and please feel free to send any feedback, questions, criticisms my way at any point!

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