#how to select your lottery numbers

[dimension20official]

If you haven't been able to get tickets for our upcoming live show, Dimension 20: Gauntlet at the Garden, good news - you can now (actually) submit for the Dimensioneer tickets lottery!

For those not in the know: we’re releasing a limited number of $35 Dimensioneer tickets for our Madison Square Garden show as a thank you for our fans through a special request system.

Here’s how it will work: submit a request using this link by Nov. 17th. Provide your payment info and you’ll only be charged if your request can be fulfilled. If you’re selected, you’ll get an email by the evening of Nov. 22 with more information.

Your seat location will be randomly assigned and revealed on the night of the show, in sections throughout the venue including “Upper Level” and “Floor.”

[a-world-of-whimsy-5]

Hi Whimsy🖤

I'm new here and this is my first ask so I'm sorry if I haven't done this right. If you're comfortable with it and are able to can I get a Prince Nuada x chubby f!reader enemies to lovers anything (with nsfw if you're fine with that).

You have full reign over the direction and themes of this, anything is appreciated!

Thank you for your time🌻

Hello! Now this is something that actually deserves a full multi-part fic, so I thought of coming up with a detailed outline for the moment. I hope you like it!

“A prince’s regard”

Pairing: Prince Nuada x chubby F! reader (Human | Second person POV)

Themes: Enemies to lovers | Soft | NSFW

Warnings : Angst-ish | Mentions of wounds | Mention of character death (Nuada’s mother) | Nuada being a bit of a jerk in the beginning | Insecurities | Nuada gets a little handsy at the end, but in a cute way.

Wordcount: 2.2k words

Summary: As part of a greater plan to encourage peace and understanding between humans and elves, a lottery is held for elves and humans to live amongst each other. You’re one of them, and the elf you are paired off with during the lotter is none other than Nuada himself.

A/n: If anyone wants to make use of these I say go for it, but please tag me if you do.

Minors DNI | 🔞 | You are responsible for the media you consume

🍃As part of a peace treaty with mortals, King Balor proposed an exchange of culture and knowledge between the two former warring races. Selected humans would live amongst the elves as attendants, handmaidens, stewards, and students, and elves would do the same with humans.

🍃A lottery is organized and monitored by the BPRD to stop parties with vested interests from meddling and upsetting the delicate balance of such a hard-won peace. Offices spread all over the world turn into lottery centers, and any elf or mortal wishing to add their name to the list is encouraged to do so.

🍃The numbers may not have been record-breaking, but enough elves and humans registered all the same. Your name was one of them. You did it on a dare, and with your friends, thinking nothing would ever come out of it.

🍃When the announcements start, you join the others in front of the TV, listening to names being called out, along with the names of families and individuals they would be paired with. Your name was not called on the first day. It was not called on the second or third day either. It was disappointing, to be sure, but you made peace with it. The days passed, with more and more names being announced. Then, after a fortnight had passed, you listened, dumbfounded, while your own name was announced to the world in crisp words. You were even more astounded when you found that you were being paired off with none other than the crown prince of Bethmoora himself.

🍃Your friends take you shopping as you would be moving into a series of abandoned railway tunnels he had converted into a luxurious palace. No one has seen the inside of it except for his father and sister, and the handful of attendants that served him.

🍃You’re nervous. Not just because you would be living with elven royalty, but also because Nuada is well known for hating humans.

🍃The prince was cold and aloof when you walked in through thick wooden doors full of strange symbols carved into them. “For protection,” Princess Nuala said, “against any evil that tries to make its way inside.”

🍃She was exceedingly warm where her twin is not, asking dozens of questions about your life, your friends, your family, everything. Nuala helped you settle into your new rooms and then showed you around the vast network of tunnels and chambers her brother called home. Everything was dimly lit, because that was how he liked it. There were sculptures and priceless works of art everywhere, hundreds upon hundreds of candles, thick, plush carpets, and the library was unlike anything you had ever seen.

“Do not touch anything.” He hissed, startling you. Nuada had walked up to you without making a sound. It was more than a little unnerving that he could do such a thing. “These treasures are priceless, and I will not see them sullied by mortal hands such as yours.”

Nuala apologized profusely. “Some of the sculptures you see here belonged to our mother,” she went on to explain after he disappeared down another corridor. “And my brother is quite attached to them.”

She did not say more on the matter, and she took you to her own rooms and hosted you to a light supper. At least, that was what she called it. An elaborate meal had been laid out in the dining room of her apartment. During dinner, Nuala informed she had to return to the BPRD, as her true home was there, with Abe. She would visit from time to time, but her place was elsewhere. Your heart sank, for it meant you would have to be alone with Nuada.

“Do not fret,” she urged. “My brother has a good heart; it is just that he guards it so fiercely. Give him time, y/n. He will come around. Mr. Wink will be here as well, so you will not want for company.”

“That’s comforting,” you tell yourself. Mr. Wink was large and imposing and spoke in a language you did not understand, and his loyalty would always belong to Nuada. Still, you made peace with Nuala’s leaving, and enjoyed the rest of your dinner.

🍃During the course of the subsequent days and weeks, Nuada would go out of his way to avoid you. He dined by himself, trained by himself, and kept to his own chambers when he was not needed elsewhere. If, by chance, you did run into him, he would respond with a curt grunt before walking away. If you came upon him training, he would order you to leave him in peace. Sometimes, not always, but sometimes, he would walk out of a room if you walked into it. It stung. What made it worse was knowing your stay had to last a full year before a change in placement could be requested. And that made you wretched, because the end of that year was still a long way off. Resentment took root, and you slowly began to loathe the prince for making living with him so hard.

🍃Mr. Wink, on the other hand, was surprisingly nicer, allowing you to join him while he used the mechanical toys that kept him entertained, watching TV with you, and even letting you read to him once in a while. He went so far as to ask through Nuala for you to help him learn your language.

It was a trial. Truly, it was a trial. Mr. Wink was a creature of fixed habits, and modern languages were strange to his ears. Once, he nearly flipped over a table in frustration. You had to keep to your sofa and hide your giggles while he ranted and raved and declared, through Nuala during her next visit, that human languages were languages born from the pits of hell.

“They may be languages from the pits of hell,” you tell him, “but you still need to learn. Come on. You can do this.”

The lessons continued. And Nuada’s avoidance of you continued as well. 

🍃“Why do you always avoid me?” You finally mustered your courage and confronted him after breakfast. “I know you are not all that happy about it, but do you have to go out of your way to make me feel unwelcome?”

“Because you are mortal,” he rasped sharply. “That alone is enough. Now leave me. I have better things to do with my time.”

🍃And so it continued, until one dark November night, when an injured Mr. Wink brought him home, covered in wounds. A raid had gone wrong, you were told. Hellboy had taken it into his head to charge straight into a hive of tooth fairies, the largest that had been found in North America. Many in the team were injured, and Nuada was one of those who were worse off. Doctors from the Bureau came over and did the best they could. You had to see to his care after they left, as Nuala could not leave the BPRD. She too had suffered the same harm, even though she never left the facility.

For several days, Nuada slipped in and out of consciousness. You wanted to let him struggle out of spite, but seeing him helpless and weak convinced you to do otherwise. You changed his dressing, gave him bed baths to clean him up, and even changed his clothes. You avoided looking at the scars that marred an otherwise near-perfect body. It would be rude to do so, you tell yourself. He would not like being gawked at.

You brushed his hair and then read to him before making yourself comfortable on a nearby pillowed bench that served as your bed. Sometimes, you would find him looking at you with a strange expression in his eyes while you went about looking after him. You didn’t know what to make of it.

🍃“You must eat something, my prince,” you insisted one evening, holding a spoonful of soup to his mouth. “Just a spoonful. Please.”

Nuada’s appetite had deserted him, and you had to feed him his meals. He fussed and grumbled and muttered choice words in the language of his people, but he would yield to your entreaties in the end and make himself eat. It started with a spoonful, and then another, and another. Finally, when he was strong enough, he could eat properly.

🍃Then he started to talk. It’s about the little things at first: the meal before him, his sister’s wellbeing, and your lessons with Mr. Wink.

“He speaks very highly of you,” he confessed, much to your surprise. “He says you treat him with respect.”

“Do other elves treat him with respect?”

“No,” he replied. "Trolls are seen as, how do you mortals put it?" Nuada searched for the right word. "Oh yes. As the knuckledraggers of my world. Mr. Wink is a remnant of a more primitive age and, therefore, unworthy of true respect in the eyes of many. Besides my sister and myself, you are the only one who is openly kind to him."

"You are kind to him, and yet you treat me with scorn," you sighed. 

The prince said nothing. He grew quiet and thoughtful. You take it as a sign to clear his tray and leave.

🍃Life with him became easier after that. While he rested, Nuada spoke of all the things he had seen and all the wondrous creatures he had met. You listened to his tales with rapt attention, for few mortals knew of such things. Finally, he opened up about his hatred for humans and why he allowed it to fester in his heart for so long.

“They killed my mother,” he spat. “When father left for war, mother traveled with him. She would stay at camp while he took off for the battlefield. He thought he had no cause for worry, for it was an unwritten rule, you see, for a military camp to be left untouched even during the height of fighting. There could be women and children present. Humans did not care for that. As soon as father’s warriors were out of sight, they attacked the camp. My mother… let us just say she did not survive.”

You did not know what to say, except for "I'm sorry.” Nuada smiled sadly and patted your hand.

“Tis not your fault,” he countered. “And it is I who should be apologizing." Nuada paused, and hesitated. "You have been nothing but considerate of my wishes the entire time, and you went out of your way to take care of me even after how I behaved in the beginning. I am ashamed of myself and must beg for your forgiveness.”

🍃Forgiveness would take a while, but Nuada did all that he could to make amends. He even invited you to accompany him to a great feast as his honored guest. That gave you pause, for while Nuada was lithe and graceful and everything a mighty warrior ought to be, you thought yourself to be the opposite of it all and told him so.

“Everyone would compare me to the other ladies,” you agonized after changing into yet another gown, one that was so soft it felt like you were clothed in nothing but air. “I cannot go looking like this.”

“No one will compare you to others,” he insisted. Nuada came into your rooms after wondering what was taking you so long. “They would not dare do so. Besides, there is nothing to give you cause for concern. Like your hair, for example. It looks beautiful the way you have arranged it.”

A flash of heat crept up your throat. No one had complimented you like this before. “It is?”

“Indeed.” Nuada came closer. “And that dress. How artfully it clings to your body. You have made a wise choice with your garments, y/n.”

“Oh.” Now your cheeks were aflame. “You’re not lying? You really like how I look?

“As my sister would tell you, lying is not something I excel at.” He grew bolder, and brushed his hand over your hip, your waist. “Soft,” he murmured. “Even softer than your dress.”

His touch was electrifying. And he was right. Lying was not something he was skilled at. You saw it with your own eyes—how he could not even pretend to be gracious in the beginning. You flushed and looked away, unsure of what to do or say. Nuada reached over and lifted your chin, making you meet his gaze.

“Did I go too far?” He murmured softly.

“No,” you mumbled. “I… I just didn’t expect such attention from someone like you. You are the crown prince. You’re dashing and skilled, and you're the greatest warrior among your people. And I… I am me.”

He went quiet for a while, as if he were thinking. “Then give me the chance to show you how you are so much more than what you believe yourself to be,” he proposed. “Can you do that, y/n? Give me such a chance?”

He was holding out his hand, his eyes bright and determined. But there was something else in those vivid golden-yellow eyes of his. Something more than determination. It tugged at you and drew you in.

He is trying, you think to yourself. He is really trying. And would it be awful to be at the receiving end of his affections?

You decided it would not be so awful after all and placed your hand in his.

tags: @nupppuff @thepjofanqueen

[bealuminara]

Faded Lines

Simon Riley x Reader

Yn, the billionaire heiress trapped in a life she never chose, craves freedom—not love. Ghost, the ruthless mafia. Both needs something, which they cannot get. She believes in forever. He believes in momentary. In a world of power, danger, and secrets—will love find a way, or will they walk away before it begins?

Chapter 1

Yn

It was early spring. The cold breeze passed gently through the old tree. The swing hung lazily and swung slightly due to the wind. Birds chirping filled my room. I wished I could just fly like them. The air was filled with a strong scent of soft musk of trees, laced with the scent of the earth. It was peaceful. But inside my house was quite the opposite. A baby's angry cries with someone shouting about something. Clattering of glass followed but a slam of door. And suddenly everything stopped. All I could hear is the birds chirping.

I could feel my mother's stare. "Honey, I brought you some herbal tea. It's good for your skin, and specifically-" she continued. I had a feeling. Nowadays all my mother cared about was how I looked, smelt, sat, walked and so on. I am exhausted. I gave her a smile which did not even touch my eyes.

Today was the day, I was scared of. "Day of selection". I was given a month to choose a suitor for me- a suitable husband and man to take care of my father's property. I did not want to get married, at least not now. One thing that I learnt in years is that, my parents loved property, money, and power. I did not find a guy and now I am forced to choose between men, who only like me because of the money I come with. I really wished my prince charming would come and rescue me. Whenever I thought of prince charming, this specific person would pop up in my mind. A teen boy, I don't remember how he looks, or if he is even alive but I would love to meet him. He was my childhood crush. A simple fantasy that i probably had when I was in my teens, unbeknownst to how the real world goes. Poor me, I was never given a chance to choose. I always did what my parents asked me to. And now I regret every bit of it.

It was 6 pm. The corset hugged my chest and waist a little too tight. I could not breathe but it did not actually matter. The tighter the corset the thinner you look. Which also meant there will be eyes on my cleavage. It was disgusting. My mother made me do so much, just for this night.

There is a ball, more like a selection. I will have to choose a person, with whom I will have to spend the rest of my life with. And all I will be given is 3 hours. I am not a princess but I had power because of my father. My father, William Ford, has a lot of estates. I do not even properly know the exact number, money never really excited me. I preferred having a decent job and live a happy life, a free life, without constantly thinking about who will inherit my property. My father had an arranged marriage with my mother, Grace Brooks. It was suffocating, the thought of marrying a literal stranger. I wish I could escape. But my legs are chained. Well fate cannot be changed, can it?

As I entered the grand hall, the room was shimmered under the golden glow of the overhead golden chandelier. Bright but comforting golden rays filled the room. Dark red and white curtains draped down beside the large windows. The room was filled with men and women, in their most expensive clothes. Hands full of costly jewelry and watches which shone under the chandeliers' light.

The chaos came to pause and every single eye was on me. I smiled softly but I was choked with people's stare. Some men looked at me as if, I was a lottery. Maybe I was. After all no one came here to look for their future wife, they came here to inherit someone else's property. I slowly walked through the crowd, as no one approached me. But within a few seconds of me walking through the crowd, an unknown man started approaching me. After the umpteenth number of men dancing and talking with me, I had had enough. I was tired and a little fresh air could help. I was pretty sure no one would notice if I slipped away for a minute or two anyway.

As I stand by the railing, the soft air passes through my hair locks. I could breathe again. I wanted to sleep already, not that I have a choice. The full moon illuminated the outside. I let out a sigh. It was so peaceful, away from the chaos of the hall. It was kind of cold and I shivered.

Suddenly I felt a heavy coat over my shoulder. I gasped and turned around. Only to meet with a pair of dark brown eyes. He had slightly tousled brown hair, with a strong chiseled jawline, followed by cheekbone, gave him a sculpted appearance. He was attractive. He held a sharp gaze with me. He was slightly tanned. His masculine figure could be understood even when he was wearing a shirt. He was very close to me but I could smell his cologne. He smelt like scandalwood with a slight hint of cigar. He was addictive. Damn I could not stop staring and he understood that. He rough clearing of throat brought me back to reality.

"Um, sorry. I am alright, you can take your blazer. It's not that cold, I mean it is but, yeah." I was just muttering nonsense. I looked at him for any sort of answer. But he stared at me, shaked his and walked away, leaving me there. I did hear nor did I know his name. I wished I did not just embarrass myself like that. I found myself wanting to talk to him and I had to return his blazer anyway. I will find his name in the guest register later, but now I needed some rest. The ball was long forgotten. I knew I would have to listen to my father's disappointed speech later but I could not care less. But one thing was for sure, this unknown man would not be leaving my mind anytime soon.

-----------------------

Likes and Reblogs are always appreciated!

-Bea

[merakiui]

thinking about androids again, but rather than the plot seen in android jade,,,, consider android floyd who is being developed by tech genius idia shroud with input and funding from business magnate azul ashengrotto.

(cw: yandere, unhealthy behaviors/relationship, obsession, vaguely implied non-con/dub-con, android floyd)

He's designed to be a companion for those who are lonely and in need of the company (whether physically or socially). You're just a tired, overworked university student, so it's mind-boggling to you when there's a sleek limousine parked just beyond campus property. Security guards are insisting you come with them because there's someone who'd like to meet you.

In the limo, you find yourself sitting across from Azul Ashengrotto himself. He doesn't bother with flowery introductions, instead cutting to the heart of the matter. You've been randomly selected to help with a very important phase of his and Idia's project. The general idea is to test how well the android interacts with a normal, ordinary person in a monitored setting.

You're very confused. You never signed up for any lottery, and you certainly aren't affiliated with anything of that sort. You're just trying to get through your degree, survive two part-times, and hopefully make enough to keep afloat for another month. Azul tells you this isn't an issue; you'll be generously compensated for your time and efforts. It's only three months; you'll be permitted to live your life as you normally would, only now you'll be accompanied by a highly intelligent android.

Despite hearing all of this, you hesitate when he reveals the lengthy contract. As you flip through it, analyzing each clause and category, Azul says something that piques your interest. "We don't expect you to house an android in your little apartment. Goodness, that's simply ludicrous. We'll provide your housing for these next three months. After all, we must be able to monitor your progress."

"Housing? What do you mean?"

He smiles at you. Backdropped by leather interior, the lights casting odd shadows on his face, he looks near-sinister. But he leans forward to press a ballpoint pen into your hands and the illusion vanishes. "I think you'll find it quite to your liking. If you've finished your classes for the day, why not visit the property with me? Then you may decide whether you wish to participate."

You're not worried about that part. What worries you the most, however, is the fact that he's right. You are finished with classes for the day and you have nothing planned. You took today off from work. Your schedule is perfectly free.

But of course the Azul Ashengrotto wouldn't know that, would he?

The house is a smart home, equipped with every necessity and appliance. Everything's controlled by a remote here. It's not very far from your university either, built on a hill that overlooks houses below. It feels a little isolating and smells very new and clean. Like that fabled new car smell, only it's a house. But everything is so unique to you. Its minimalistic design is oddly cozy, and you can't help but feel enchanted the deeper you venture through the two-story home. It's all so unreal!

Azul gives you the rundown, explains how the remote and each button works. You can lock doors, open and close windows, mess with the thermostat, turn the home security on and off, and even start the oven. You hold the power to this home in the palm of your hands. It's immensely fascinating.

By the end of the tour, you're shaking his hand and signing his contract, agreeing to three months of study. Not only are you provided this nice home, you'll also be paid per week. And the pay is far more than you were making with your two jobs.

The android has a long, tongue-tying serial number, so to make things easier he's named Floyd. They even gave him a surname in preparation for the twin android who is being designed to complement and mirror him. He certainly looks human when you meet him, but there's this uncanny nature to his presence that slightly unnerves you. He's too perfect. Skin too smooth. Eyes too bright. Hair too soft. He towers over you, having to bend down to walk through the doorframe, and every movement he makes is very mechanical and stiff.

Still, you smile at him and offer your hand. "Hi there. I'm (Name). Your...housemate, I guess."

He nods, peering down at your hand before lifting his own. "Floyd Leech. At your service."

You were expecting to feel coldness, so you startle when his hand fits into yours and it's warm. It feels so very real. So deceptively lifelike. You wonder if he can regulate his own internal temperatures. Just how advanced is he?

"Right... Um, I look forward to getting to know you!"

He nods again, releasing your hand after a perfectly timed handshake.

Azul had given you a special number should you need to reach him or Idia. All you needed to do was phone it if at any point you were to feel confused or unsafe. "But I don't think you'll utilize it," he told you when you stood in the lab, watching Idia Shroud flit around to do final maintenance checks to ensure Floyd was ready for his first trial run. His eyes were open the entire time, two mismatched lights centered on you. His stare was listless, but somehow you felt as if he was looking through to your very soul. "He's very safe. In fact, he's programmed to assess and react appropriately to dangers of all kinds. You'll be safe with him around."

And safe you are.

You've always been alone, so it's nice to have a roommate, even if he only speaks when spoken to. It's awkward for all of one week until you ease into his pattern. From various vantage points throughout the house, Idia and Azul watch through hidden cameras. You cook your meals for yourself and Floyd watches, assisting when you order him to. You leave for class and Floyd waits by the door for you to return, standing stock-still for hours.

You lounge in the sitting room and put on all kinds of films. Action. Comedy. Horror. Floyd's eyes never leave the screen. But sometimes he watches you more than he watches the movie, noting all of your reactions. He doesn't understand why you get so emotional over sappy romances. So you explain it simply: "It evokes emotions. We all have emotions, and these movies make us feel them. Happy. Sad. Angry. Upset. Things like that."

But Floyd doesn't feel. Even so, he listens and he nods along, filing your answers away for later dissection. It's interesting.

By the end of the first month, Floyd's adopted new habits. Ever since you told him he's free to do as he pleases, he's taken to cooking your meals for you, doing your laundry, preparing your bag for the day. He's surprisingly good at it. He does chores when you leave for classes or work. And for the first time in a while you're excited to return home, knowing he's there waiting.

Floyd adds new words and phrases to his ever-expanding vocabulary. You watch a lot of TV together and he starts to use some of what he hears in his own speech. He picks up informal language quickly, and it isn't long until he's using words like sup or dunno instead of the rigid how are you? and I am unsure he was previously programmed with.

The first sign of unrest comes when you realize Floyd's also connected to the smart home. At first you didn't think it was a bad thing. After all, with him controlling it you won't have to worry about getting up to grab the remote if you've already sat down. Floyd can do that for you. But then the remote goes missing, later turning up shattered. You ask Floyd what happened and he looks at you and says, "Why use this piece of junk when you've got me?"

"Still... What if you're not able to help? What if you're in sleep mode and I need to open a window or something?" you argue, cradling the splinters of remote like they're an injured baby bird.

"That won't happen," he replies smoothly, issuing you a soothing smile. "I'm always gonna be here for ya. Count on it."

And you do because, by the time the three months are nearing their end and Floyd's developed into quite the companion, more and more human than he's ever seemed, you find yourself stuck.

No, not stuck. That's not quite right. You're more so trapped.

Floyd locks the doors, shutters the windows, turns off the lights. You're cowering in the closet, the only place that feels just a little safe in this moment. You can't reach Azul or Idia either. He's shut the power off, the internet connection, everything. The smart home on the hilltop feels like a tiny island now, and Floyd's the shark always circling it, waiting for you to dip your feet into the depths.

"C'mon, Shrimpy," he calls out, and it's a nickname you were once so fond of because he thought of it himself. "I already told ya I ain't gonna hurt ya. So just come out and talk to me."

You have no idea where you went wrong. Was it too many horror films? Was it the fact that you started to rely so heavily on him for companionship, ignoring your human friends in favor of staying in with Floyd? Or was it because he was blocking their numbers that you never received any messages and automatically assumed they were cutting contact? He said he'd always be here for you, so why to this degree?

The closet doors are thrown open. Floyd drags you, kicking and screaming, out by the ankles. Every camera has gone dark on Azul and Idia's end. All but one. The one in the bedroom. Floyd stares directly at it when he lifts you up and lays you on the bed, gentle and sugary-sweet.

He smiles and waves before that screen blanks out, leaving you truly trapped with him.

And because it's all experimental, morbid curiosity trumping ethical morals, no one comes to rescue you.

Three months is more of an indefinite forever in this lonesome smart home.

[ilovewhiteroses]

Beautiful Stranger

Pairing: The Corinthian x GN! Reader Genre: Fluff, smut Warnings: Unprotected sex Rating: +18

You met a handsome stranger while shopping for clothes. You were sorry you didn’t get to spend more time wit him, until a few days later when you met him again…

"Look, here is a fortune-teller! Let's go, I want to know my future and I bet you want to know yours too!" said your colleague enthusiastically. It was Friday afternoon, you had already finished work and you went out for a drink with her, and on the way home she noticed the fortune teller. You didn't believe in such a thing, but you thought it was a good joke, so you went in.

The fortune teller lady told good things to your colleague, who was very enthusiastic about them, and then turned to you.

"Tell me dear, would you like to see your future?"

You thought of asking the lottery numbers as a joke, but if the woman was actually capable of looking into the future, she would probably spend her days in a luxury villa instead of telling people what will happen to them. You asked her a simpler question.

"Um, will any excitement get to me lately?" you asked, then got a little unsure when your colleague looked at you with a questioning look. Your life wasn't very exciting, your last exciting adventure was when you got stuck in the elevator at work for an hour.

 The lady looked into her crystal ball and said.

"I see someone…a tall, blond, stylish man."

"That sounds good!" your colleague said and squeezed your hand excitedly.

"You will meet him soon, but how things turn out is up to you." she said. You smiled in understanding and laughed to yourself. If only it was that easy!

You paid the woman, then you accompanied your colleague home and you went home too. You thought about what the lady told you while getting ready for bed. What if she was right and a hot guy really came into your life? However, anything could happen, you said to yourself.

The next day you went to the mall to look for an elegant outfit for next week's company dinner. There will be many wealthy and influential people, so you will have to look amazing. You went into one of the popular stores, where there were clothes of different patterns and sizes, so much so that one day would not have been enough to look through everything. The saleswoman approached you to see if she could help you, but you didn't need her. You found a nice black blazer, but it wasn't good enough, then you came across a dark blue sweater.

Ah, somehow that's not good either, you thought to yourself.

You didn't want to believe that you wouldn't be able to find something for yourself from such a large selection. As you were about to leave the store to go to another, you heard a man's voice.

"Excuse me, can I help you?" he asked and you turned around. "I see you are selecting and I thought I would ask if I could help." he said politely, with a pleasant southern accent. The way you looked at him, it was like you had seen him somewhere before. He was tall, blond, wore round black sunglasses and a long, dark coat.

Of course! It dawned on you what the fortune teller had predicted: that you would meet a man who looked just like that. Before you acknowledged the lady’s powers of clairvoyance, you reassured yourself that it must be a coincidence.

"Oh, thank you. You know, I'm invited to an event where there will be a lot of rich folks, so I'd like to buy something similar in style like that for myself."

"I see." the man nodded. "Well, I usually wear pastel colors or black, you can't go wrong with them."

"Okay. Hey, look!” you said walking over to the jumpsuits and taking out a black and white one. "For example, how about this?" you asked holding it up for him to see. The man's disdainful gaze almost shone through the lens of his sunglasses.

"That outfit would be great… for a Sunday brunch."

"Then it's not good." you said a little disappointed.

"I didn't say it was bad, just not for the occasion you need it for, and you wouldn't be able to use the toilet properly in it either. Oh, I have something much better, stay here, I'll be right back.” the man left you there. You couldn't imagine what he would come back with.

"Here I am!" he said showing you a pair of black suit pants and a light blue button up shirt. "I think they will be perfect together. Add an elegant pair of shoes, bracelet or a necklace, and you're good to go!"

You stared at the two pieces of clothing for a while, then took them from him and went into the fitting room. After a few minutes you came out to show yourself.

"Well, what do you think?" you asked as he whistled and clapped his hands together excitedly.

"Wow, look at that that! Amazing, you look fantastic in it!” said the man, smiling, enthusiastically. You were usually wary of strangers, but there was something about him that you find very attractive. From the set he chose for you, it seemed like he had a sophisticated style, and it really looked good on you.

You went back to the booth to change your clothes and went to the cashier to pay. The man also went with you, although in the end he didn't buy anything. You left the store and thanked him before saying goodbye.

"I am very grateful for the help, it was very kind of you!"

"Oh, it was nothing, really." he said with a nice smile and pushed the sunglasses up his nose. "I'm glad I could help. Enjoy yourself at the event!”

"Thank you, I will. Bye!" with that, you said goodbye to each other, and then both of you continued in the opposite direction.

The day of the dinner you've been waiting for has arrived. Not only because if you schmooze skillfully, even a promotion might get to you, but because you couldn't wait to wear the new outfit that the kind stranger helped you choose.

After dinner, you chatted with your coworkers and the other guests, and when you had a few free minutes, you were thinking about the handsome man from the clothing store. You remembered his sweet smile, his nice scent, and how excited he was when you liked the set he put together. He was a very handsome guy, you had to admit it and you were a little sorry that you didn't talk to him more, because maybe if you had invited him, he would have come with you to the dinner.

A few days later, you went to a bookstore because you wanted something new to read. Last time you read a crime novel, but this time you wanted something more creepy, so you headed for the horror section.

You looked at the titles and covers and spotted a book that looked interesting. You were about to reach out to take it off the shelf when your hand collided with someone’s.

It was the blond man from the clothing store...

"Ah, hello! Nice to see you again!” he said with great enthusiasm. You were surprised that he remembered you.

"I can say the same! Um, do you come here often?” in your confusion, you suddenly couldn't think of a better question.

"Not really, this is my second time here. I rarely read books, but when I do, it's something spooky. And you?”

"Me too." you replied, trying not to grin and act like an idiot around him. You were able to get a better look at him this time. He looked so good, no wonder you had trouble concentrating…

After some chatting and looking around, you decided on a recently released horror novel, he didn’t find anything interesting for himself. After paying, you left the store together. You quickly managed to catch a taxi and when you almost got in, you thought, now you won't miss the opportunity and turned to the man.

"Hey, get in, we'll take you too!"

He hesitated for a while.

"You sure? Is that okay?”

"Of course! Get in!” the blond with sunglasses sat next to you. You gave the taxi driver your address, then asked your fellow passenger if it would be good for him. He had no objections to it, he said he has business to do around there anyway.

The taxi started and you just sat next to each other, you didn't talk, you were like, there's nothing to talk about. As time passed, you had the feeling that the air between you was getting hotter, the sexual tension was growing...

Your hand rested on the seat beside you. At one point, your little fingers touched and you looked at each other. You were sorry. that you can't see his eyes. You would have liked to reach over to take off his sunglasses... You were embarrassed and excited at the same time, you even rolled down the window a little.

When the taxi dropped you off at your apartment and you saw that the blond man wasn't in a hurry yet, you asked him if he wanted to come in with you.

"Oh, well, thank you very much!" he said with a slight smile and you let yourself in. As soon as you dropped your keys in the bowl, suddenly something happened that you didn't expect at all: he pulled you close and kissed you without any warning. You were so shocked by this that you didn't know whether to slap him or continue kissing him.

"What the hell was that?" you asked, somewhat upset.

"Don’t play games with me, I know this is what you wanted! As soon as I saw you for the first time, I felt that there was something in you, something mysterious and sexy. If there weren't many people, I would have done the same thing right then, right there, in the fitting room." you were so turned on that you wanted to drag him to your bedroom. You kissed him back and you both leaned against the wall. You continued to kiss wildly, passionately, then he leaned down, kissing your neck. You gently grabbed his hair and sank into his sensual kisses. He stopped and turned you around so you were facing the wall, supporting yourself with your palms. He unbuttoned your pants and pulled them off you, then pulled down his too, you felt his hard dick on your bare butt. He reached down to your intimate parts and started stroking you.

"This is what you wanted, wasn't it? Are you enjoying it? Most definitely, because otherwise you would have stopped me.” He was right. You wanted everything but him to stop. In fact, you wanted more.

You let his hand turn you on even more than you already were. When he felt you were ready, he took his hand and spat into his palm, then smeared it on his cock so he could penetrate in to you better. He grabbed your hip with his other hand and pulled you towards him so that your butt was as close to him as possible. He whispered into your ear.

"Are you ready?" he asked in a husky voice, you nodded. He took his cock and thrust it into you, you moaned lustfully at the feeling as he filled you. He grabbed your hips with both hands and started moving slowly, then as he felt you getting used to his size, he got faster and faster, and soon you were moving at the same time. While fucking, you felt that all thoughts left your head and you only focused on the passion he gave you. When you were close to orgasm, you thought your legs going to give out. In the moment of pleasure, he buried his face in your neck, you bit your lip, and then you let the orgasm take you….

After you both calmed down, he pulled himself out of you and you went with him to your bathroom to clean yourself up. The man thanked you for the pleasant afternoon and kissed you, then said goodbye and left. You were still under the influence of the hot sex, but a few minutes later you realized something: you didn't even introduce yourself to each other, you didn't know the man's name the whole time. Although you two probably won't meet again anyway, you didn't really mind, in fact it was even more exciting and sexy that you were with a beautiful stranger.

Tags: @i-like-the-eyes, @spider-bren, @placeinthemiddleofnowhere, @merryandrewsworld, @duncans-vizla-honeybee, @boydholbrook-fan, @jessamydreams, @e-dubbc11, @harlekin6 

@destiny-rahl​,  @drowningnikki​,

@mirandkimy​,  @translat0r​  

@delicateteenagerunaway​, @imjustmessy​, @zealoussaladsublime​,

@lilithsdreams​, @cloudsofcondensation​, @blondehotbrook​,

@enkelimoonstone​, @bakerstreethound​, @amidalasruby​, @kittycat-kai​,

@hopeless-07​,  @miss-wednesday98​, @littlewierdalien​, @littlefoxgirl-13​,

@dahlinq​ @dayleis​, @idealai​

@icytrickster17​, @belladiaz​, @smileymissbee​

@foodlover123456789​, @lazy-queen26​, @yellowwithalisp​,

@onehundredyearsofyearning​, @constantron​, @violentviolet88​,

@strudelbug07​​, @underwater-garden

[saintofanything]

hey did i ever poke u abt that sidgeno loredump bc when/if ur free 👀 👀 👀 i would love to hear your retelling (<- asking bc im watching the pens game rn :) theyre not losing ur honor :) i forgot what this felt like (silly) o damn fuck they got a goal rescinded i shouldnt have said anything (silly))

sooooo let me start this off by saying i am not the sidgeno expert, not even close, BUT i've got the highlight reel and the essentials of the lore.

love is real and it was invented in pittsburgh: 8771

sidney "sid" crosby, center, #87: the number one draft pick of his year and arguably the best 200ft player of all time. child of god. youngest captain in NHL history (a feat he now shared with other 18yo captains). if i talk about him too much i'll cry.

evgeni "geno" malkin, center, #71: the other head of the two headed monster, one of the best players of all time, criminally underrated and one of the funniest, most charismatic players to grace us with his presence. drafted 2nd in 2004 to the pens. a physical and emotionally-driven player. also he's 6'5".

"At first, it was an arranged marriage. Thanks to the way the ping-pong balls bounced in the NHL draft lottery process, Crosby and Malkin were thrust together into the Penguins lineup about 10 years ago whether they liked it or not. As it turns out, they liked it.” [x]

[below the readmore, do be the lore]

FIRST THINGS FIRST: BREAKING HISTORY

the NHL, in its history, has had several "lockouts" where the players union and the league itself cannot come to terms and thus the season is delayed or paused.

in the 2004-2005 season, for the first and only time, an entire season was cancelled. they did not even award the stanley cup, which was the first time that had happened since 1919.

AND OUR PROTAGONISTS WERE SUPPOSED TO START PLAYING TOGETHER IN THIS VERY SEASON. THE FUTURE OF HOCKEY WAS LITERALLY AT STAKE, OUR LOVERS ARE SEPARATED BY THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, A LANGUAGE BARRIER, AND GREEDY FUCKHEADS.

sid crosby had been drafted #1 as the coming savior of the penguins franchise, and geno malkin had been selected from russia to join the cause and was supposed to make his NHL debut, but the lockout kept him stuck in russia.

the lockout end is in sight but geno is under pressure from his hometown team to sign. geno doesn't want to, but he gets strong-armed into it, and immediately regrets it. he wants to be in the NHL.

so escapades ensue that would be more at home in a cold war film. geno and his agent, on an away game in helsinki, flee. they hide out, get to a US embassy to apply for a via, and like thieves in the night, abscond to los angeles. he then made his way to pittsburgh.

geno met sid on his first night there and they fell in love at first sight.

"I just always liked him from the start. Always have. Always will." - Sid

"Pittsburgh is lucky to have Sid. We are all lucky for Sid." - Geno

THE TWO-HEADED MONSTER

for their careers, these two fuckers have been attached at the hip both by breaking milestones and by breaking their bodies. they were affectionately named "the two headed monster" for their ruthless domination on the ice, with their relentless ferocity at puck control as well as their borderline telepathic plays. they would, rightly, not always be on the same line (they work best as special teams together) because of how good they both are as centers. they're puck-hungry and shoot-happy and smart as hell when it comes to hockey IQ, sid is the master of 'little moves that add up in a big way' while thinking ten steps ahead, and geno is the 'opportunistic stalker' waiting to pounce and if he can't pounce he bodies them until he scores anyways. they are THE duo of their era!!

their legacies are deeply intertwined, a fact both of them are very happy about. both of them see the other as family, with geno seeing sid as like an uncle to his son nikita, and sid deeply invested in keeping geno as a pen for life.

tale #1: the stanley cup photo

they won the stanley cup 3 times!! 2009, and then back-tobacks in 2016/2017. their spiritual predecessors, mario lemiuex and jaromir jagr, had taken a photo of them holding the cup, and it became part of penguins legacy, two of the most important players in the franchise.

geno was adamant they get a matching picture, but in the chaos of the first cup, it was missed. the second time - a long awaited win in 2016, after recovering from sid's horrific concussion and geno's knee injuries - they forgot again. geno, on the day of game 6 against nashville, ordered a staff member to take a picture of himself and sid "no matter what" and they did :)

tale #2: "me three years superleague" [8771]

hockey has a tradition - last on, last off. this ritual is both superstitious and a sign of respect. shenanigans about this are rampant, including rock-paper-scissors and trying to trick opponents in order to be the one to leave last. sid crosby, superstitious king, is notorious for his inability to be chill about his routines.

anyways, sid went last. until geno came along. sid offered rock-paper-scissors, but geno hit him with "me three years superleague" meaning he had been in the KHL (russian pro hockey) for 3 years to sid's single year in the NHL. sid, because it's geno, accepted - and from that day forward, they do a special fistbump. sid goes, and geno follows. the last on. always. [except for weird times like the first game of the season and then we LOSE superstitions are REAL!]

tale #3 "putting down a mutiny"

okay so during sid's concussion, he was out of play for a while. like, over a year. and during that time, in 2011 specifically, the question naturally came up of whether or not someone else should temporarily replace him as captain (as the practice is typically for an 'A' [alternate] captain to take the place until he returns) but this means they'd be OFFICIAL captains.

except this question was no longer just being posed by the media....but by players on the penguins. so the story goes, a meeting was held within the locker room involving two camps of players: 4 in favor of replacing sid (brooks orpik, jordan staal, craig adams, matt cooke) and the 4 vehemently against it (pascal dupuis, marc-andre fleury, arron asham, and of course geno)

during the heated conversation, geno ended it with "Sid is the fucking captain." and then walked the fuck out like a boss. end of story, geno's loyalty is the stuff of legend. he even fought one of the mutineers (adams) during practice over it. alas, the rumors and speculation persisted, and the team had had enough.

so in 2012, most of the penguins players used tape to put the letter 'C' on their practice jerseys for their captain. geno taped a 'K' because it's kapitan in russian. sid's the fucking captain.

tale #4: bonded pair do not separate

this covers a few instances, but basically, geno being underrated and sid being the GOAT means sometimes people who are not sid and geno need to be reminded of how the world works.

for example, when the pens GM at the time said that only sid was untouchable during trade season, sid - who does not normally involve himself in player negotiations - laid down the law that geno was also untouchable: "It's me and Geno."

during geno's rookie years, he told his friend/teammate/interpreator sergei gonchar that he wanted to play "only for Pittsburgh, always with Sid." and has kept true to that promise through tense negotiations.

and sometimes that means being paid a little more. the "crosby cap" in the unofficial-official rule that nobody is allowed to be paid more than sid, and nobody is allowed to wear a jersey number higher than his. his contract is $8.7mil, but to keep geno, it was going to have to be higher. sid responded "does that mean we get to keep him?" because he does not give a fuck about money. he proved that again by signing an extension this year for 8.7mil again despite the fact he's the face of the franchise, captain, and s tier player because he cares more about the team and franchise than he does money. geno too, he's consistently taken "team friendly" deals instead of leaving to be paid as a superstar.

"He's a Pittsburgh Penguin forever, like me." -Geno, talking about Sid's extension.

during 2022 management was not sly about taking shots at geno, lowballing him during negotiations and basically telling him to take it or leave it. fuck you ron hextall u flyers plant u nearly killed this franchise and we're going to be paying for ur fuckery for years to come i wish lil nikita had high-sticked u it would have been KARMA. it took the combined efforts of sid, kris letang, and coach mike sullivan to assuage geno. and when hextall, under collusion from the new management, wanted to break up the Big Three (aka keep sid but break up letang and geno) during an interview sid gave a not-so-thinly veiled threat: "I think they know how I feel." and after a very, very dramatic rest of the season hextall and burke and pryer were fired :) geno has admitted he nearly left the pens because of them but now has reaffirmed he'll never leave and half-joked that he'll play as long as sid does or until his body gives out on him. jesus christ geno could u be any less subtle.

kris letang, geno malkin, and sid crosby are the longest tenured teammates (going on their 20th season) in north american sports history. penguins mate for life.

"The penguins are us [Kris, Geno, & himself]" -Sid

more incoherent rambling:

they just love each other so much man. geno has shrines to sid in all of his houses and jokes that his son's favorite player is sid, he thinks sid is the best player and the best person, he is fiercely loyal and both of them have a habit of brushing aside their own records and milestones for the other. sid is a very private person but clearly loves geno and gets this dopey, sweet smile and light in his eyes when reporters ask about how many of their milestones are linked together as much as their legacies. sid can, has, and will threaten anyone who even thinks about trying to take geno away from him. sid thinks it's funny he knocked geno on his ass during practice one time and how geno tries to give him another concussion by shooting pucks at him during power play practice. their hugs across the years are pure joy and it's a miracle they didn't fucking hurt each other in some of those flying leap tackles. that time they hosted a bunch of kids and geno was joking they werent chanting his name except then when they were on the ice he was hyping them up for sid's chant, and when asked who his best friend on the team is sid immediately pointed to geno and coach sullivan was yelling about how it was a set up. and when geno first came to the US and couldnt speak english, they could still speak hockey together. about how geno is almost half a foot taller than sid and spent years being known as "the bully" and still he always differentially leaned down when sid is talking on the ice. how they find each other in cellies and look for each other first when theyre on the bench and celebrating. geno chanting "MVP" loudly when sid was doing media and sid laughing about it. geno has penguins hats made with sid's name on them (and his own and tanger too!) and he wears them all the time. geno fucking with sid all the time because he's hilarious and sid not only tolerating it but laughing with him.

quotes that make me want to gnaw my own arm off:

"Win. For Sid." -Geno

"I gotta take my teammate, Geno. Yep, have to." -Sid, when asked who he'd pick #1 on his fantasy team

"My favorite is Sid." -Geno

"I'm thinking selfishly, but I can't wait to play with him." -Geno

"I'm so thankful that I've had the opportunity to play with him all these years and share so many things with him." -Sid

"We grew up together." -Sid

it's not sunset, but late afternoon

these fucks are old in hockey years. most players last 5 years in the NHL. they're at 20, and have a few more years left in them. and their relationship is one of the most special in the league, and in hockey history - few players stay on a team for life, few are so impactful to the game. they're both going straight to the Hall of Fame, they have personal hardware and 3 cups between them and plenty of records in both the league and franchise, and they've done it together. we only get them for a little while longer, so let's enjoy it ♥

[crayon-consiousness]

Incredibles 1 came out in 2004, its been almost 21 years since it came out.

You may not remember, but this little munchkin is an Insurance Executive. Sporting amazing quotes like:

“I don’t want to know about their coverage Bob. Don’t tell me about their coverage. Tell me how you’re keeping insuracare in the black! Tell me how thats possible with you writing checks to every Harry Hardluck and Sally Sob-Story that gives you a phone call!”

“Complaints, I can handle. What I can’t handle is your customers’ inexplicable knowledge of Insuracare’s inner workings. They’re experts! Experts, Bob! Exploiting every loophole, dodging every obstacle! They’re penetrating the bureaucracy!!”

“We’re supposed to help OUR PEOPLE! Starting with our stockholders Bob! Who’s helping them out, huh!?”

His response to a guy being mugged was:

“Well lets hope we don’t cover him!”

Back in 2004 a man like this was considered a Caricature. Someone who would never exist in real life. A person so exaggerated that his facial expressions could only be conveyed in a cartoon, who was animated being thrown through 4 walls.

Today however, with the decline in human reason, our upper echelon is completely filled with these people, near carbon copies down to the Hairstyle!

Quaking in their boots, hiding in their apartments in fear, while continuing to disable and kill those who they do not deem fit; a task they’ve even relegated to an inhuman machine no better than the Lottery Wheel used to select numbers at Bingo Night!

This man was meant to be a Joke. They are jokes. Jokes of people made 20 years ago now real, It is sad, depressing, and a travesty.

[delurkr]

The Canadian Clarke AU - The Draft Lottery and the Move to Canada

This post concerns events that took place in 1970, 1971, and early 1972. Skip the first heading if you don't want an explanation of the relevant real-world info:

Background:

The Vietnam War had technically been going on for most of Dennis's life and it escalated in the 1960s, as did many Americans' resistance to the draft. From 1969 through 1972 the U.S. was drafting young men into the military through a lottery system. The function of the lottery was to assign a random number, ranging from 1 to 365 (or 366), to every day of the year, namely to every possible birthday. Each year, the numbers were drawn in an event publicized through every media outlet. The assigned numbers determined the order of who would be drafted in the following year: the first number called was 1, and the numbers increased until the cutoff the next year (December 31 unless otherwise extended), and then the next lottery would be drawn if needed.

To be clear, if you were a young man in the correct age bracket targeted by a given year's lottery, the random number assigned to your birthday told you how likely you were to be drafted the next year. The draft calls started with 1 and worked their way up throughout the year. The first Vietnam-era lottery, held in 1969, called men during 1970, and at the end of 1970 the highest number called turned out to be 195. That number sort of set the standard for individuals concerned about being drafted in future lotteries, although the numbers in following years never reached that high again.

So that was me trying to explain the relevant parts as clearly as I could, but here is the U.S. government webpage on the topic, with charts of the numbers assigned to every birthday in each year's lottery: Vietnam Lotteries | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov)

The effect on Dennis:

Dennis was born on April 29, 1951. The draft lottery held on July 1, 1970, targeted men born in 1951. The number randomly assigned to his birthday was 111 out of 365. In 1971, number 111 was drafted, the highest number called being 125.

My best guess is that Dennis would have received a notice of induction into the military towards the end of 1971. Obviously there's no reason to assume he is a military member in canon, but at the same time there's no other canon-supported reason to believe that he would have grounds to be excused from the draft in real life, so that's why this AU exists.

Story:

In 1970, the Clarkes of course know that there is a chance that 19-year-old Dennis could be drafted next year. On the first day of July, the family watches and listens to the lottery broadcast as the numbers are called. Dennis is assigned number 111. It is not high enough to keep them from worrying. It's only halfway through 1970, and the previous lottery is still underway; no one yet knows how high "high enough" is, but the numbers climb as the year goes on, and when the previous lottery expires after reaching 195, they can reasonably fear that Dennis's number will be snatched up before the end of the year 1971.

Cue the Clarkes spending a year and a half in anxiety that Dennis will be forced into the military at age 20. He will perhaps be sent to the war in Vietnam and potentially never make it back home, like thousands of soldiers already - perhaps even a few they used to know. They stew over it, but for the sake of Megan in particular they rarely speak of it out in the open. The issue is merely added to the pile of mounting pressure created from the failing factory and, once October comes, Megan's increasingly disturbed behavior and whatever else.

(Note that these details are still open to adjustment, I'm always learning new info.) Early in 1971, Dennis has a pre-induction physical examination, which basically works as a head start to establish that he's eligible to be drafted when/if his number comes up. Bad news for him: he passes, and the military officially classifies him as 1-A, fit for military service if he gets called.

Then there's a point soon after when Anne puts together a letter to the draft board inquiring about the possibility of him getting conscientious objector status, but James makes sure it is never sent. It's not a completely unreasonable fear that the letter would only bring attention to Dennis and potentially get him a draft order sooner or even prevent him from getting completely overlooked if there was any tiny chance of that happening.

In November, Dennis receives an order of induction in the mail. He is given a certain date on which he is required to report and be sworn into the military and then be shipped off to basic training immediately, a date that's probably only a month or less away. It seems Dennis doesn't have a choice, except - there is always a choice, if the nation's many thousands of war resistors, including the ones fleeing to countries out of reach of the U.S. government, have proven anything.

James knows what he wants. It's no secret that he has always hated this war and its politics; he has two young sons, his sons, and they aren't going off to die in Nixon's war on his watch (no he doesn't care that President Nixon didn't start the conflict). In line with his usual m.o. of outwardly ignoring problems and hoping they go away, James insists that they ignore the draft notice, end of story. Maybe the draft board won't follow up on it. If they do, well, he'll take care of it then.

For Anne, it's more complicated. If your country calls, it's a duty to answer, and on a practical level Dennis does not have any other legal options. Of course she doesn't want to see him in a war, and if they had acted earlier he might have had a chance to join the reserves or something, but it's too late for that now, so why prolong the inevitable? The best thing now is to prepare for the worst and hope for the best like everyone did in the wars of her generation and every generation before.

Dennis himself is mostly unsure about what he should do; all over the country there's all sorts of clashing opinions to reckon with and the war is still very confusing, even though lately he couldn't help but tune in to more of the discussions, knowing that it was likely only a matter of time before it all affected him. But one sure thing is that the negative publicity and extensive media coverage of this war leaves no room for heroic fantasies, and it would be nice to not end up numbered in one of the daily casualty reports on the nightly news. So if dad says he doesn't have to go, then... he doesn't want to go. And then, too soon for any of them, the date passes when he was supposed to report, and he didn't go.

So on January 16, 1972, the family is in limbo. They don't know what's going to happen next, and they can't really ask around to find out. Dennis is breaking the law, and if the wrong person finds out he's knowingly ignoring an induction order, they might inform the authorities and who knows what would happen then. The one thing they all know is that Dennis's days with the family are numbered - realistically, it's only a matter of time before the draft board doubles down on the matter. The only options the Clarkes see are for Dennis to join the military, or pack his bags and sneak out of the country.

At the start of February, they are driven to action. It's a Wednesday when Dennis gets a second notice from the draft board with a new induction date; it serves as another chance in case he missed the first order, but it's also a warning if he's been intentionally defying it.

So the Clarkes don't push their luck any further. Dennis has already made his decision to leave the country if it came to that. There's a quick few days of hurried packing and realizing they are thoroughly under-researched and unprepared for what his move to Canada may entail, but that Sunday Dennis's luggage and most of the Clarkes are piled into the family station wagon on the multi-hour trip to Montreal, Quebec. (Only Tanya opted out of the trip, and Dennis will spend the next few years being bitter about that.)

The tension in that car gets stronger and stronger as they approach the border. They've heard tell of so many other draft dodgers escaping to Canada, but were those Americans privy to some insight the Clarkes don't have? They don't know if they will be refused entry if they pick the wrong point of crossing, and they can't even be sure there isn't a chance that Dennis could be arrested on the spot if they give the wrong answers to the wrong questions.

But the crossing is unexpectedly smooth after all. They're visitors, they tell the border official, and they make a quick and quiet entry into Canada.

There isn't much for the Clarkes to do when they reach Montreal. It's a big city, and somewhere there's folks who help people like Dennis, but James and Anne hardly know more than Dennis himself does. "Find the Americans" is the best advice they can give. They have to leave in a few hours; tomorrow is a workday. They find a cheap room for Dennis to stay in and give him some cash, and they promise to help him with the immigration process when the time comes. They can mail him whatever papers he needs. They can mail him any of his possessions if he left something important back home. They can mail letters, and he can write back.

"Call us in the morning," they tell him, and several hours later the Clarkes are down one member on the return trip to Little Hope, while Dennis is left by himself in a hotel room in Montreal with some very dim-looking prospects and no idea what to do next.

--

Aaaand that's the start of the AU. Congratulate yourself if you read this far, and here's the timeline for good measure 🙂

[burberrycanary]

What's your sticky spot for the old Hollywood fic? It's so interesting to me where things get stuck.

Thanks for the ask! And also for the incomparable @booksandabeer, who asked after this as well 😘

I can’t let this Stucky Old Hollywood idea go—the aesthetic alone! 

I’m not an AU writer so the only way I could do this concept is as canon divergence where the Barnes family moves to Los Angeles rather than Brooklyn when Bucky is a kid—and Bucky becomes a child star. So Steve and Bucky don't meet.

I’ve been slowly working out the concept and completing the foundational research, but lately I’ve fallen into a really meta place around the question: would Bucky still have been drafted? 

The quick version of the historical context is that, unlike later drafts and most iconically the Vietnam draft, WWII-era conscription was conducted by local boards that assigned each registered man a lottery serial number (not the same as an army serial number) after all the completed registration cards were shuffled.[1] Bucky would have registered in October 1940 under the Selective Training and Service Act[2] and could have been called up in any of the three drafts: 29 October 1940, 17 July 1941, 17 March 1942.[3] If Bucky was in a different part of the country—and in consequence subject to a different local board’s instance of this random number assignment process—odds are he would have been assigned a different random lottery serial number, which means he could have been selected in an earlier draft, the same draft or not at all. And there’s no logic for how he would have ended up with the 107th.

And here’s where it gets meta. Because narratively Bucky is drafted to be a foil for Steve, who can’t join the military despite desperately wanting to. And Bucky becomes a POW to motivate Steve into the action that transforms him from a performer to a combatant, thereby achieving Steve’s—and the narrative’s—vision of idealized masculinity. And Bucky falls off the train to push Steve into more radical action against Hydra, which culminates with him putting the plane into the water. Bucky isn’t doomed by the narrative. He’s doomed by Steve’s narrative. In the original work, the pre-TFATWS MCU, Bucky’s suffering only has narrative meaning because of its effect on Steve. And you can argue that things only occur in a story if they have narrative meaning. 

Without having to be a plot device and motivator for Steve, Bucky is theoretically relieved of the narrative requirement of being a POW. He wouldn’t have to fall off that train.

But, at heart, fanfiction is a rejection of this model of narrative meaning. As soon as you create a Bucky-centric reading or write a Bucky-centric version of canon, then his suffering has the potential for intrinsic narrative meaning. And Bucky’s story of victimization and heroic resilience speaks deeply to a lot of people, myself included. Bucky lacks the protagonist’s halo of always beating the odds, of the doors always closing just after safely jumping through, of being able to close that gap and grab the hand reaching out for him, and of being looked for by friendlies and discovered as still alive in the cold. Of course, if Bucky was a protagonist, the serum would have kicked in faster; he would have broken his own restraints; he would have rescued himself and the remnants of the 107th. 

But that’s not Bucky’s narrative function. 

Bucky is so fascinating to me because his story doesn’t follow the pattern of male-hero-protagonist. He has a sympathetic villain’s narrative arc but then refuses to become a villain. So, in this revisionist analysis, Bucky is doomed and saved by his own narrative. And this is why I’m leaning toward Bucky still being drafted, even if his experience of the war plays out differently, but not making him a POW so long as the part of Bucky’s story that's about being controlled and dehumanized by larger forces can be transferred to a different part of the narrative. 

I’ll sign off with this piece of inspiration about Mickey Rooney, an iconic child star of the era:

Mayer naturally tried to keep all his child actors in line, like any father figure. After one such episode, Mickey Rooney replied, "I won't do it. You're asking the impossible." Mayer then grabbed young Rooney by his lapels and said, "Listen to me! I don't care what you do in private. Just don't do it in public. In public, behave. Your fans expect it. You're Andy Hardy! You're the United States! You're the Stars and Stripes. Behave yourself! You're a symbol!”[4]

Sources:

1. World War II Selective Service Draft Registrations

2. The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940

3. Wood, Richard G., comp., Records of the Selective Service System, 1940-47 (PI 27); National Archives (NARA), 1951.

4. Wayne, Jane Ellen (2005). The Leading Men of MGM. Carroll & Graf Publishers. p. 246

[cooledtured]

Though we at Cooledtured may all be fans of Pokémon - or, hopefully we all are - there’s been a significant amount of discourse online about the seemingly recent uptick in the presence of “scalping” amongst hobby enthusiasts. No matter where you are in the hobby, there’s never been an opportunity not taken by an enthusiast to share their opinion on the scalping matter. But what actually is scalping? How did it get to this point? What can be done against scalpers? In this article, we’ll answer all your questions and more. Stick around and see if you learn anything new from us!

What Scalping Really Is

As Pokémon gears up to release highly in-demand card series (known as “TCG Expansions”) into physical retailers such as Walmart and Target, profit-minded individuals known as scalpers have made it clear that they’re in it to win it. What they do is simple - they attempt to buy large quantities of hotly desired Pokémon-related items such as card expansion blister packs and boxes, therefore both decreasing the available supply to others and increasing the demand amongst everyone. They then either sell them immediately for a massive profit - this is what’s known as the “scalping” in question.

For example, a scalper might buy a large number of the newest expansion items (such as Destined Rivals or Scarlet & Violet) when they are first released and then resell them individually at a higher price on platforms like eBay or online marketplaces. The pressure is on the individual to purchase from the scalper at these high markups as it’s unlikely that there are any marketplaces left where scalpers haven’t already purchased all of their supply from.

Why Scalping Is Bigger Than Ever

It’s easy to see why Pokémon is such a well-beloved franchise - from the core memories that are made from a young age playing the games and watching the infamously well-produced television and movie installments, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever meet someone who didn’t have a Pokémon  card collecting phase when they were young. Unfortunately, those same reasons can also be linked as to why the practice of scalping is more popular than ever as of now. It’s easy to see that demand for Pokémon cards is at an all-time high - therefore, scalpers are free to target Pokémon card fanatics as they please.

Additionally, the effects of COVID-19 have had a long-lasting effect on every industry of production and Pokémon cards hold no sanctity against that trend. Increased demand, coupled with manufacturing and shipping disruptions caused by the pandemic, have led to supply shortages and price increases for Pokémon cards.

Due to the pandemic, massive stores that used to sell Pokémon merchandise such as Pokémon Centers Mega Tokyo, Osaka and Osaka DX, and Kansai Airport have also closed indefinitely. With physical stores under attack and with no other clear options, enthusiasts have severely limited their options as to where they can go to get their fix.

What Can Be Done Against Scalping

Fortunately, many physical retailers have taken up defense against scalpers by implementing policies that include the limitation of sales to one expansion set per person. Online stores are beginning to implement lottery systems that ensure that the selection of who gets to purchase items is random. Many enthusiasts are vowing not to purchase from the secondhand market as to deny scalpers a market to sell to. 

Conclusion

In the end, it’s important to remember that scalping is a particularly human issue. From concert tickets to other in-demand items like clothing and shoes, Pokémon is not privy to immunity from the same issues that these forms of consumption suffer from. As both companies and communities respond with new policies and practices, the conversation around scalping continues to evolve. Understanding the factors that drive it, from global supply chain disruptions to the enduring popularity of nostalgic franchises, is key to being an informed consumer.

What do you think about scalping? Have you ever personally been affected by scalping when trying to purchase Pokémon cards in-store or online? As collectors and enthusiasts ourselves, it’s safe to say that we’ve had our fair share. Let us know how we did writing this article, or if you have any other comments!

[situstototogelsblog]

How to Play Togel Online: A Beginner’s Guide

Togel is a popular numbers game that originated in Asia and has gained a massive following worldwide. With the advent of online gaming, Togel can now be played conveniently from anywhere. If you're new to this game, this beginner’s guide will walk you through the basics of playing Togel online, including its rules, strategies, and tips for responsible gaming.

Understanding Togel: What is It?

Togel, short for "Toto Gelap," is a type of lottery game that involves predicting numbers correctly to win prizes. It is particularly famous in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The game is based on numerical combinations, and players bet on different number sets. The results are drawn based on government or private number draws koitoto.

How to Register on an Online Togel Platform

To play Togel online, you first need to register on a reputable gambling website. Follow these steps:

Choose a Reliable Togel Site: Look for licensed and secure platforms with good reviews.

Sign Up for an Account: Provide your basic details like name, email, and phone number.

Deposit Funds: Add money to your account using available payment methods like credit cards, e-wallets, or bank transfers.

Verify Your Account: Some platforms may require identity verification for security purposes.

Understanding Togel Number Types

Togel consists of various betting options, including:

2D (Two Digits): Predicting the last two numbers of the winning combination.

3D (Three Digits): Predicting the last three numbers of the draw.

4D (Four Digits): Predicting all four numbers correctly.

Colok (Single Number Betting): Betting on a single number appearing anywhere in the draw.

Steps to Play Togel Online

Once you have registered and funded your account, follow these steps to start playing:

Select Your Game Type: Choose between 2D, 3D, 4D, or other betting variations.

Pick Your Numbers: Choose a combination of numbers based on your preference or using prediction strategies.

Set Your Bet Amount: Decide how much money you want to wager on your selected numbers.

Confirm Your Bet: Double-check your selection and place your bet.

Wait for the Draw: Togel draws usually take place at specific times, so wait for the results.

Check Results and Withdraw Winnings: If you win, claim your prize through the platform's withdrawal options.

Tips for Playing Togel Successfully

While Togel is a game of chance, here are some useful tips to improve your experience:

Study Historical Results: Analyzing past winning numbers can help identify patterns.

Use a Budget: Set a spending limit to avoid overspending.

Join Online Communities: Engage with Togel forums to learn from experienced players.

Avoid Chasing Losses: Play responsibly and don’t try to recover losses immediately.

Choose a Reputable Platform: Always play on licensed and well-reviewed sites to ensure fair gameplay.

Is Togel Legal?

Togel's legality varies by country. In some regions, it is regulated and legal, while in others, it operates in a grey area. Before playing, check your local laws to ensure you are not violating any regulations.

Final Thoughts

Playing Togel online can be an exciting experience, but it's essential to approach it responsibly. By understanding the game’s rules, choosing a trustworthy platform, and managing your budget wisely, you can enjoy this lottery-style game while minimizing risks. If you are a beginner, start with small bets and gradually explore different betting options to enhance your skills.

[scamornoreviews]

Is Lotto Champ Legit Or Not? - Lotto Champ Software Download Reviews

Read this in-depth Lotto Champ Software review to discover if this system truly boosts your winning odds. Is it worth the hype? Find out here!

Lotto Champ Software promises to increase lottery wins using a mathematical strategy. But does it really work? This review breaks it all down!

Introduction

Winning the lottery has been a dream for many, but let’s face it—luck alone doesn’t always cut it. That’s where Lotto Champ Software steps in, claiming to use an advanced algorithm to boost your chances. But does it really hold water, or is it just another gimmick? Let’s dive into this review and see what makes it tick!

What is Lotto Champ Software?

Lotto Champ Software is a lottery prediction system designed to increase your odds of winning. It claims to use a strategic number selection process based on previous winning patterns.

Key Features:

Smart Number Selection – Uses statistical analysis to pick numbers with higher chances of appearing.

Easy-to-Use Interface – No complicated formulas; just follow the recommendations.

Multiple Lottery Compatibility – Works with various lottery formats worldwide.

Frequent Updates – Regularly updated to adapt to changes in lottery patterns.

How Does Lotto Champ Software Work?

The software analyzes past lottery results, identifies patterns, and suggests the best numbers to play. Rather than relying on pure luck, it aims to tilt the odds slightly in your favor.

Steps to Use:

Download & Install – The software is simple to set up on any device.

Select Your Lottery – Choose the lottery type you want to play.

Get Number Predictions – The system generates a list of numbers based on historical data.

Play and Wait – Use the numbers provided and see how they perform.

Pros and Cons of Lotto Champ Software

Every product has its highs and lows. Here’s what stands out:

Pros:

✅ Easy to Use – No technical knowledge required. ✅ Data-Driven – Uses real lottery statistics for predictions. ✅ Supports Various Lotteries – Works with different types of games. ✅ Saves Time – No need to manually analyze past results...

Is Lotto Champ Legit Or Not? Full Lotto Champ Software Download Reviews here! at https://scamorno.com/LottoChamp-Review-Software/?id=tumblr-legitornotdownload

Cons:

❌ Not a Guarantee – There’s still an element of luck involved. ❌ Paid Software – It requires an investment. ❌ Limited Information on Algorithm – The exact methodology remains undisclosed.

Does Lotto Champ Software Actually Work?

Now, here’s the million-dollar question! While Lotto Champ Software isn’t a magic wand, many users claim they’ve seen improvements in their lottery success. By using statistical strategies instead of random guesses, it provides a more structured approach.

Users have reported:

More frequent smaller wins

Better number selection than random guessing

A sense of control over their lottery picks

However, since lottery results are still unpredictable, it’s important to manage expectations.

Who Should Use Lotto Champ Software?

This software is ideal for:

Casual Lottery Players who want to improve their odds.

Regular Participants who spend money on tickets frequently.

Data-Driven Gamblers who enjoy numbers and probability.

If you’re looking for a risk-free way to guarantee wins, this might not be for you. But if you want to approach the lottery with a bit of strategy, it’s worth considering.

FAQs About Lotto Champ Software

1. Is Lotto Champ Software a scam?

No, it’s not a scam. While it doesn’t promise guaranteed wins, it provides a structured approach to number selection.

2. Can this software predict the exact winning numbers?

Not exactly. It uses statistical analysis to improve odds, but it can’t guarantee a jackpot.

3. Do I need any special skills to use it?

Not at all! The interface is user-friendly, and everything is automated.

4. Is Lotto Champ Software legal?

Yes, using software for lottery number selection is completely legal in most regions.

5. How much does Lotto Champ Software cost?

The price varies, but it’s a one-time investment compared to constantly buying random tickets...

Is Lotto Champ Legit Or Not? Full Lotto Champ Software Download Reviews here! at https://scamorno.com/LottoChamp-Review-Software/?id=tumblr-legitornotdownload

[pettybourgeoiz]

Queue System

I use this website called Queue System to queue posts for my blog. Since the main goal of my blog is to collect images for future reference, I like to scour different blogs for posts instead of accepting the lottery of my dashboard. Queue System lets you type in the URL to a blog, and then select posts from that blog’s archive to queue for posting to your own blog. This way, I can collect images from within a microcosm, not from a random assortment of content that varies by the hour.

Queue System let’s you queue an unlimited number of posts, shuffle the posts in your queue, and decide when and how many posts to post per day.

Queue System is ran by like one person, and it’s only $5/month for unlimited access, so I do subscribe to the service. Queue System is such a good service that they deserve serious amounts of subscribers and tips to keep it running. 

Here’s another link to Queue System. 

[julyyy5thhh]

Mastering the Free Lottery Wheeling System

Open the mysteries of the lottery wheeling system to boost your possibilities winning. By strategically choosing and joining a subset of numbers, you can expand your likelihood of winning various awards. This article dives into the mechanics of lottery wheeling, gives a step-by-step guide, and features the likely advantages and downsides. Find how to take full advantage of your lottery tickets and boost your winnings.

What is a Lottery Wheeling System?

A lottery wheeling system includes choosing a base subset of numbers and joining them in various ways to guarantee that all picked numbers are remembered for different blends. For instance, in a 6-number lottery, you could choose numbers 1 to 7 and afterward make mixes that remember each of the 7 numbers for different 6-number lines. This technique is much the same as the changes used in football pools.

Example of a Lottery Wheeling System

Think about a regular 6/49 lottery game. Assume your #1 numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, however you likewise need to incorporate the number 7. By wheeling these numbers, you can fan out your lines to boost your possibilities winning if any of your base numbers are drawn. Here is an example:

Notice how every segment changes as you drop down the list. This technique guarantees that each of the 7 numbers are remembered for different blends.

Disadvantages of Lottery Wheeling

One disadvantage of wheeling a little selection of numbers is that you cover less numbers in general. In the example above, you just cover 7 out of 49 numbers at a cost of 7 bucks. On the other hand, you could enter 7 lines covering each of the 49 numbers at a similar cost. Thusly, while you are less inclined to win, you stand to win more if your numbers are drawn.

How to Create Wheeled Numbers

It is straightforward to Produce wheeled numbers. Pick your base arrangement of numbers and afterward make blends by modifying the sections in each subsequent line.

[chroniclegossip]

Time for another edition of Antioch Answers, but we’re going to do things a little differently this time. Instead, we’re going to pay attention to our fair town, a place we’re all so (un)lucky to live in. There are a lot of interesting and unique locations to visit here, so let’s turn our attention to those that you just can’t ignore - even if you try. 

Even though Killer Pizza has some of the best pizza in the state, sometimes I think that people who work in pizza joints aren’t very smart. You get someone that calls you up with a weird name and orders a dozen pizzas, and you don’t comment? You just make the pizza and lose money? Well, lucky for every pizza place in town, they had a name and a credit card number for the unusual order they all got. Unlucky for Barry Kennedy, who I guess had his credit card stolen… unless he intentionally ordered over fifty lopsided beef only pizzas.

In the ever growing competition between the Blue Moon Diner and The Scoop, both stores have been holding promotional events with The Scoop offering up coffee tasting weekends and a lottery to win free coffee for a week, no limit! Congratulations to Becca Vergara, who can have as many pumpkin spice lattes (or just black coffee, if she’s boring and doesn’t know how to be festive) as she wants for the next seven days. Maybe she should start trying to stock up on that.

The new age darling of town known as Celestial Beings is currently offering one lucky person per day a gift box of talismans and charms! No one knows how they’re selecting the winner, and no one knows how long the special is going to go, but the congratulations list in the store says Jae Walsh has won four sets of anti-possession talismans. No one knows if Walsh has even been to the store. 

In the ever growing competition between the Blue Moon Diner and The Scoop, both stores have been holding promotional events with The Blue Moon Diner trying to remind you of just how long it’s been around. The Diner is claiming to be a family tradition and introducing you to its employees by printing their faces on the plates and offering discounts based on which employee’s plate you bring in - except somehow it seems only Ethan Weaver ended up with his face on a plate. Does it count as a collector’s item if there’s only one item in a set? (By the way, you get a discount on a plate of waffles for Ethan. Having a plate of Penny would have earned you twenty percent off steak.)

Through rain, sleet, dark of night, yadda yadda. We all know the post office is great at its job and a national treasure. We also know that we can’t say the same about shipping companies. Sometimes we get deliveries that are supposed to go to our neighbor’s door, but rarely do we get our neighbor’s neighbor’s packages or the entire street’s. People say it looks like the truck backed up and dumped every box  they had at Maharth Chandrasekhar's door and that the tower of boxes has the names of at least five different streets. 

Have you heard the news about Zippo’s? Out of all the places to break in and rob, I don’t know who would want to go into that place, but someone did. You wouldn’t think there’d be a lot of money in a place like that and you can get better prizes from just about anywhere, but the window was smashed in and when the police showed up to investigate it, sources report that every single token was gone. But not missing, nope. The tokens were found before the break in was even discovered, all of them shining and scattered across the Roseland lawn, leaving Nic Vergara to host a fucked up Arcade Easter Egg hunt. 

Like a lot of flower shops, Secret Garden has a webpage where you can order bouquets, arrangements, live plants, whatever may suit your needs. It even has a handy dandy drop down where you can select how many you need, but those drop downs aren’t always user friendly. Either through old man error or some kind of computer glitch, three truckbeds full of black dahlias have shown up at the edge of the woods for John Weaver, none of them able to make it to the man’s home. Did he mean to order this many flowers? Who knows, but he has them.

@saltedearths @iterum @ofvaliancys @ofxenigmas @anhxdonia @noirhistories @godsunderfoot

[taiyaki-translations]

Autumn Cafeteria - Fall for All 7

Season: Autumn Characters: Shu, Tsumugi, Tsukasa, Koga, Yuta Translator: taiyaki-translations Proofreader: raspberrytls

<A few days later>

Tsukasa: Ah, you’ve arrived. Thank you for your hard work, Onee-sama ♪

Koga: Hm? You look real tired. Did somethin’ happen?

Yuta: …You were in a hurry because you were running late? But Hasumi-senpai warned you not to run in the hallways, so you just walked here really fast?

That’s rough~ Why don’t you take a break until your breathing calms down?

Shu: …She says she’ll be fine and that we should get started quickly. Aoba is presiding over this, so go ahead.

Tsumugi: Understood. Please take a look at the materials in front of you.

Like I mentioned before, as a measure to keep the café running, the five of us are going to form a “Shuffle Unit.”

Koga: A “Shuffle Unit”, huh. A unit where you’re teamin’ up with idols from other units for different projects…

I remember Hakaze-senpai tellin’ me about the date plan his unit came up with that was gonna get published in a magazine.

Tsumugi: Ahh. I believe Kaoru-kun was a member of the “Date Plan Planning Team”, the first of the ES cross-agency projects.

Shu: “Date Plan Planning Team”... What is with that tasteless and nonsensical name?

Tsumugi: What was the name of the unit…

What’s that, Anzu-chan?

Is the official name “√AtoZ”? How stylish~ Though personally, I like “Date Plan Planning Team” because it’s easier to understand ♪

By the way, shall we decide on a name for this unit? For conveniences’ sake, I just wrote “Café Survival Team” on the materials…

Yuta: …How about “BLEND+”? It gives off a café-like feel.

Tsukasa: Yes. Meetings, studying, resting… There are various reasons why people frequent cafés.

And “Plus”... We want to provide a spoonful of peace through our activities.

Tsumugi: Fufu, that works. Then I would like to talk about the activities of “BLEND+” again. 

But before that… We need to discuss the management of the café and how to turn its deficit around.

After discussions, it was decided that the café will be renovated into “a place where you can get close with ES’s new idols” in partnership with ES. 

Koga: Renovated…?

Tsumugi: Yes. However, the fundamentals will remain the same. The current owner will still be the owner, and the exterior and interior will not be changed.

By appointing new idols from ES as store staff, we hope it will help customers remember their faces while also helping the idols develop a fanbase—

It will be reborn as a café mainly targeted at idol fans, where future stars with hidden talent and potential will work at.

We got the owner’s approval, of course~ He was very enthusiastic and thinks that it will breathe new life into the café.

Next, let’s finally talk about our activities—

Like other “Shuffle units”, we will be producing a song and a PV. It will be shot inside the café in order to promote it. 

Koga: Inside the café? Is that really a place we should be singin’ and dancin’ in~?

Tsumugi: We can dance in front of the store or enact some kind of story inside. It’s not a live show, so it’s up to us how we want to do it~

Then there’s the matter of how we’re going to advertise it. We’re going to use magazines as the main promotional media, such as town information magazines, gourmet magazines, music information magazines, idol magazines and such. 

At the same time, we can promote on social media and news sites. The internet is inseparable from our information-based society after all~

And finally… Fufu. This will be the main attraction of this “shuffle unit.”

The five of us will work as café staff and host an event to entertain customers… ☆

Tsukasa: Café staff…

Shu: Working as servers…? You cannot be serious?

Tsumugi: Yes. However, it won’t be a “one-day wait staff” kind of thing. That will only result in a big mess and cause trouble to neighbouring businesses.

Instead, we will be holding contests in each advertising medium and invite customers as selected by lottery.

The number of participants hasn’t been decided yet, but I think it will be around ten people.

Koga: Hm~... Ain’t ten a little low?  We can invite more, since there’s five of us.

Tsumugi: Although Koga-kun has experience, there are others who are not used to entertaining guests. If there are too many, they might get overwhelmed and just end up serving guests normally.

We want to make the café a special place that’s memorable for those customers. So I think around ten people is best.

Koga: Ah… I see, I didn’t think that far.

Tsumugi: No, no. I understand how you feel. If we look at it from the perspective of the applicants, it’s tough that only ten people will be selected~

Let’s consult with each office through the P-Association to see if we can hold an event like this again a few more times. Anzu-chan, could you look into that for me?

Thank you very much. That’s a nice smile, you’re so reliable ♪

Shu: …There’s still much to do. You could say that this is where the real work begins.

Now that a ray of hope shines before us, all we have to do is move forward to where that light shines. Everyone, please do your best.

Of course, I will be doing my best as well.

Previous | Directory | Next