#human rights paragraph 300 word

[friendtechbd]

Human rights paragraph 8-10, SSC, HSC and all students 100-500 words

human rights paragraph 8-10, SSC, HSC and all students 100-500 words. Go through the below written paragraph carefully, hope you will be able to appear in any exam by reading it. human rights paragraph 120 keyword Human rights are essential entitlements that safeguard every individual’s dignity, freedom, and well-being. They are universal, inherent, and inalienable, applicable to everyone…

[mirisss]

Bloodbound

Vampire! Mun Junghyun x afab! human! reader

Wordcount ≈ 4.8k

Warnings: Blood, fighting, death, but still very fluffy

Genre: Vampire au, fantasy au, supernatural au, 

Summary: Mun Junghyun has never truly been in love, even if has been alive for 300 years. No one has ever felt special to him. That was until he met, (Y/n). The human girl who made him feel alive. The girl who awoke a side of himself that he barely knew existed. 

A Halloween special fic! Please reblog! 

Bolded sentences at the start of a paragraph indicate a new chapter/a jump in time. 

Third person POV

Mun Junghyun has been alive for 300 years. Or alive might be the wrong word to use. Junghyun’s a vampire. Has been for 282 years. He was bitten and turned when he was 18 years old. When he was first turned, he had to hide in the shadows, doing everything he could to not be found out. In today’s day and age, though, humans are a rarity while mystical supernatural creatures are the common norm. Through the years the supernatural creatures took over the world, with them becoming more and more common soon humans and supernaturals began falling in love and as the supernatural creatures' DNAs were stronger most children were born as supernatural creatures. Because of this, Junghyun didn’t have to worry about moving around or hiding anymore whenever it would become suspicious as to why he wasn’t aging. 

Throughout his 300 years of being alive, Junghyun has never once been in love. Not even when he was still a human. All around him, he saw people falling in love left and right. He yearned to find someone who would make him feel as happy as the fairies who danced in the sky or the wolves who roamed the forest at night. He hoped and wished that he would soon stumble upon the person who would let him know how it felt to be in love and to be loved. 

In the heart of Crestwood High, a place where the bustling halls echoed with teenage chatter and the scent of youth hung in the air, Junghyun found his immortal existence forever changed. His eyes met the shy gaze of an unassuming girl named (Y/n). In the midst of the bustling student body, her quiet presence was a beacon of calm amidst the storm. Her timid smile held a depth of kindness that intrigued him, and her eyes, though often cast downward, shone with an inner light that pulled at something deep within him. As he observed her from afar, he felt an inexplicable pull, an unseen force that drew him closer with each passing day. 

Every stolen glance, every accidental meeting in the school library, fueled the burgeoning emotions in his undead heart. Junghyun, the three centuries-old vampire, was falling helplessly and irrevocably in love with the quiet girl who, unbeknownst to her, had rekindled the long-lost warmth in his frozen veins. 

Junghyun walked into the library searching for the girl he longed to hold, though he had never truly spoken to her, he always had a deep desire to be close to her. He easily found her as his heightened senses allowed him to find her scent entangled with the scent of the books and the 78 other people in the library. As he walked into the aisle where (Y/n) stood, Junghyun smiled as he finally had a chance to speak with her. (Y/n) stood on her tiptoes trying to reach for a certain book, yet no matter how hard she tried to stretch herself, she could not reach the book. Junghyun approached her quietly, he gently reached over her head and put his hand on the book she was trying to reach. 

“Is this the book that you need?” His silky voice sent a shiver down (Y/n)’s spine, yet it also brought her comfort as it was filled with warmth and care. (Y/n) turned her head and looked up at the boy who was standing behind her, she internally gasped at how beautiful the boy was. “Yes, thank you,” She whispered. Junghyun only gave her a warm smile in response as he brought the book down and handed it to the girl whose heart was beating just a little bit quicker than before. “Here you go, need any other book?” (Y/n) looked down at the floor. 

(Y/n) recognized the boy in front of her now that she had a clear view of him. Mun Junghyun. A vampire. Often found around Lee Jeonghyeon, a fellow vampire, and Park Hanbin, a werewolf. (Y/n) had noticed that Junghyun often appeared at places where she would hang out, the library, and the rose garden a little east of the school’s backyard. Truth be told. She didn’t mind his company, (Y/n) often felt uneasy around most people it didn’t matter if they were human, fairy, vampire, werewolf, or anything else, but Junghyun never once made her feel scared or unsettled. 

“Actually,” (Y/n) began but she stopped as she didn’t want to burden Junghyun, he probably offered out of courtesy, she thought. “Yes?” Junghyun encouraged her to continue, his smile ever so friendly. “I do have two more books I need for my literature essay. But you don’t have to help me get them, I don’t want to burden you,” “Nonsense, now which ones do you need?” Junghyun’s smile widened a bit more, happy that he found the perfect opportunity to finally speak with the girl he was so intrigued by. 

(Y/n) allowed Junghyun to help her out after he gave her another persuading smile and a wink. Junghyun insisted on holding the books for her as they walked around the library searching for the books that she needed. This interaction led to the two speaking a bit more frequently, every once in a while when Junghyun showed up at the library he would sit and read beside (Y/n), or the times when he was in the rose garden when (Y/n) walked over there, they would sit by the fountain just talking about their days. Before they knew it, the two had become friends. 

Junghyun yearned for an even deeper connection. He wished he could hold (Y/n) in his arms, hug her, kiss her, protect her, and show her parts of the world she didn’t know existed. Throughout his 300 years of living, he had never once felt this way about someone. He recognized some feelings as possessiveness, the feelings that told him to swoop her up and hide her away from everyone else. Junghyun never wanted to act on these feelings, though that proved to be harder than he thought. 

Junghyun, despite his outgoing and kind demeanor, grappled with the innate instincts that came with his vampire nature. He was well aware of the darkness that lurked within him, the primal urges that occasionally clawed at the surface. Yet, his love for (Y/n) was a beacon of light that kept those instincts at bay. He tried his best to hold them back, fearing that if he ever let his guard down, she would be frightened by the depths of his true nature. He cherished their friendship and the connection they shared, cherishing the moments of laughter and understanding they found in each other. Every day, he fought his vampiric urges, determined to be the person she saw - the sweet, outgoing boy who made her smile. It was a constant battle, one he faced for the sake of their friendship and the burgeoning love he felt for (Y/n). And in those moments when his dark side threatened to consume him, it was the thought of her that kept him anchored, reminding him of the importance of control and the strength of their bond.

Over the course of a year, (Y/n) found herself drawn to Junghyun's kindness and gentle demeanor, his dark eyes hiding a depth of understanding that resonated with her in ways she couldn't explain. As their friendship deepened, she couldn't help but fall in love with him, captivated not just by his supernatural allure but also by the genuine connection they shared. In the library, amidst the scent of old books and the soft whisper of turning pages, their love story quietly bloomed, transcending the boundaries of their worlds. Despite their differences, they formed an unlikely friendship, bonding over their shared passion for stories and quiet moments. 

One afternoon, as Junghyun and (Y/n) were about to meet in the serene rose garden behind the school, an ominous shiver crept down Junghyun's spine. His instincts, finely attuned to the darkness that lurked in the shadows, screamed at him to act immediately, warning that (Y/n) was in imminent danger. His heart raced as he felt a sense of foreboding wash over him. Without a second thought, he turned on his heels and sprinted towards the garden, propelled by an urgency he couldn't explain but dared not ignore. Every fiber of his being told him that he had to reach (Y/n) in time, to shield her from whatever sinister threat loomed ahead.

(Y/n) felt a sudden, inexplicable pang of dread grip her heart. It was as though the air had grown heavy with an unseen menace, making it hard to breathe. A shiver danced down her spine, raising goosebumps on her skin, and a sense of impending danger washed over her like a tidal wave. Confusion and fear clouded her thoughts, and her senses heightened, making every rustle of leaves and distant sound seem magnified, intensifying her anxiety. Instinctively, she clutched at her chest, her eyes widening with alarm as she scanned the garden, searching for Junghyun. The world around her seemed to blur as her eyes fell on a dark figure approaching her. She didn’t know who it was, all she knew was that it wasn’t Junghyun. A knot of unease tightened in her stomach, leaving her paralyzed with fear, unknowingly mirroring the danger Junghyun felt rushing towards her.

As Junghyun dashed into the rose garden, his heart pounded in his chest like a drum of war, each beat echoing the dread and determination that surged through him. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his eyes, normally warm and inviting, blazed with a fierce protectiveness. The sight that met his eyes struck him like a lightning bolt. There, under the fading light of the afternoon sun, (Y/n) lay unconscious, a frail figure amidst the vibrant roses. His eyes narrowed with a mix of fear and anger as he took in the scene – an unknown vampire standing over her, a sinister smirk playing on his lips.

Rage, pure and unbridled, coursed through Junghyun's veins, eclipsing his usual calm demeanor. The realization that someone dared to harm the person he cherished most awakened the primal instincts he fought so hard to control. His fangs elongated, and his nails sharpened into deadly claws. The world around him seemed to blur, his focus narrowing to the threat before him. With a feral growl, he lunged at the intruder, his movements swift and precise. Every fiber of his being screamed for retribution, demanding justice for the innocent girl lying defenseless at his feet. Junghyun's protectiveness transformed into a ferocious determination, vowing to vanquish the menace and shield (Y/n) from any harm, his love for her fueling his unwavering resolve.

Time seemed to stop as he fought the vampire who had dared harm (Y/n). Junghyun couldn’t tell how long they fought for, all he knew was that he would kill that man. He scratched, hit, kicked, and bit the man with every chance he had. The man did a number on Junghyun too, but he felt no pain, adrenaline coursing through his cold veins, all to keep (Y/n) safe. The sun had set, casting the sky into a dark blue hue as the stars began showing themselves to the world. At that time, the man finally fell without getting back up. Junghyun kneeled beside (Y/n), panting, out of breath from the fight and from the fear of losing the only girl he had ever loved. 

With trembling hands and a heart heavy with fear, he gently cradled her in his arms, her fragile form a stark contrast to the fierce determination that had just fueled his fight. Tears welled in his eyes, spilling down his cheeks unchecked, as he looked down at her pale face, willing her to wake up, to be okay.

His voice broke into desperate, whispered pleas, his words a fervent prayer to whatever forces governed life and death. "Please, (Y/n), stay with me," he choked out, his voice raw with emotion. He pressed his lips to her forehead, his tears mingling with her skin, a silent testimony to his anguish. His grip on her tightened as if he could will his strength into her, his love and desperation pouring into her unconscious form. The world around him faded into insignificance, the only thing that mattered was the fragile heartbeat he clung to, the proof that she was still with him.

At that moment, Junghyun was no longer the supernatural being with centuries of existence; he was just a young man, pleading for the life of the girl he loved, willing to give anything, even his own existence, to ensure she would open her eyes and smile at him once more.

The world stood still for Junghyun as he held (Y/n) in his arms, his desperate pleas hanging in the air like a silent prayer. And then, just when hope seemed like a flickering candle in the dark, a faint tremor coursed through her arm, so subtle that only he, with his heightened senses, could perceive it. His heart skipped a beat as he felt the movement, his eyes widening with a mixture of disbelief and overwhelming relief.

"(Y/n)?" he whispered, his voice barely audible, his eyes fixed on her face. He gently brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, his touch light and tender as he searched for any sign of her returning to consciousness. The seconds felt like an eternity as he waited, his entire being hanging on the precipice of uncertainty.

And then, like the gradual dawn after a long, dark night, her eyelids fluttered open. Junghyun held his breath, his eyes locking onto hers, his heart swelling with a profound sense of gratitude. "(Y/n), you're back," he breathed, his voice breaking with emotion. At that moment, the weight of the world lifted from his shoulders, replaced by an overwhelming flood of joy and love. He cradled her face in his hands, his thumb gently brushing away the remnants of tears on her cheeks. Relief washed over him, knowing that she was awake, alive, and safe in his arms.

As (Y/n) blinked away the haze of unconsciousness, she found herself enveloped in Junghyun's warm, protective embrace. The pain, both physical and emotional, surged through her body, making her acutely aware of her fragile mortality. Despite the agony, there was a strange comfort in the fact that the boy she loved was by her side, holding her close as if he could shield her from the pain itself.

As Junghyun held (Y/n) in his arms, his grip tightened instinctively, as if trying to anchor her to the world. The weight of his emotions bore down on him, and he found himself unable to keep the words inside any longer. His voice, usually calm and composed, trembled with the intensity of his feelings.

"(Y/n)," he began, his voice soft, barely audible above the rush of his own heartbeat. He gazed into her eyes, his dark orbs reflecting a storm of emotions. "I love you," he confessed, the words hanging in the air, heavy with vulnerability. "I've loved you from the moment we met in that library. You've become my world, my reason for existing. The thought of losing you... it terrifies me beyond words. You're not just a friend to me. You're the beating of my heart, the light in my darkness. Every smile you've given me, every moment we've shared, they've become the most precious treasures of my existence."

His fingers traced the outline of her face, his touch tender as he continued, "I've been afraid to admit it, afraid that my feelings might burden you. But now, in this moment, with the possibility of losing you looming over us, I can't hold back any longer. I love you, (Y/n), with every fiber of my being. I would give anything to keep you safe, to see you smile, to hold you close. Please, stay with me. Choose to live, not just for me, but for the love that binds us, for the future we could have together. I can't imagine my eternity without you in it." His eyes, filled with unshed tears, pleaded with her, hoping she could see the depth of his love, his fear, and his desperate need for her to stay. “Let me turn you, that way, we can be together forever,” 

In that moment, she gazed into Junghyun's eyes, seeing a mixture of relief, love, and an underlying sadness. His proposal hung in the air like a fragile thread, the possibility of a new life as a vampire. It was a choice that carried immense weight and consequence, and (Y/n) felt her heart race with uncertainty. The idea of immortality, of being with Junghyun forever, tugged at the corners of her mind, tempting her with the promise of eternal love.

As she considered the proposition, she realized the depth of Junghyun's devotion. In his eyes, she saw not just the fear of losing her but also a profound desire to share eternity together, to protect her from the passage of time and the inevitable pains of mortal life. It was a choice that would bind them in ways she could scarcely comprehend, a decision that held both the allure of everlasting love and the weight of a life irrevocably changed. In that moment of pain and love, (Y/n) found herself torn between the life she knew and the unknown, the boy she loved, and the unending night that lay ahead.

With her remaining strength, (Y/n) mustered the energy to look into Junghyun's eyes, her own filled with a mixture of love, fear, and acceptance. Every fiber of her being screamed in protest, her body growing numb as her lungs fought for air. Despite the overwhelming pain, she summoned the last ounces of her strength, her lips trembling as she whispered, "Junghyun, I love you too."

The words, though weak, carried a weight of determination and affection that resonated in the quiet space between them. It was a declaration of love, a promise of eternity, and a plea for him to understand the depth of her feelings. In that moment, she clung to the love they shared, using it as a lifeline, a beacon of hope in the darkness that threatened to consume her. With her final breath, she poured all her love into those words, hoping he would carry her love with him, even as she faced the unknown.

With (Y/n)'s heartfelt declaration of love hanging in the air, Junghyun's eyes glimmered with a mixture of determination and desperation. At that moment, he felt the weight of her words, the depth of their connection, and the urgency of the situation. Without a second thought, he bared his fangs, his vampiric instincts taking over as he pressed his lips to her neck.

He bit down, his fangs sinking into her skin. As her life essence flowed into him, he closed his eyes, focusing all his strength and willpower on the transformation. Time seemed to stretch, every second feeling like an eternity as he willed the process to be successful. He murmured words of love against her skin, his breath mingling with the scent of her blood, a fervent prayer for the universe to grant them this chance at eternity.

He wished with every fiber of his being that he had managed to turn her in time, to bind her fate to his and grant her the immortality he possessed. He held onto the hope that their love, pure and unwavering, would be enough to guide her through the threshold between life and undeath, forever intertwining their destinies in the darkness.

The transformation would take hours until it was fully complete, Junghyun gently lifted (Y/n) into his arms as he began walking to his apartment. He couldn’t keep her out there in the cold night to heal, no it would be better for her to be somewhere comfortable. 

With great care, Junghyun cradled the unconscious (Y/n) in his arms, her fragile form a stark contrast to his supernatural strength. With determined steps, he carried her to his apartment, a place where he felt the most secure, hoping it would offer her the comfort and safety she needed to heal.

Entering his apartment, he laid her down on a soft, plush couch, gently arranging her limbs to ensure she was as comfortable as possible. The dim light cast a soft glow over the room, creating a serene atmosphere amidst the shadows. Junghyun moved quietly, his every action careful and deliberate, his focus entirely on her well-being.

He fetched clean, soft blankets, covering her with a gentle touch, tucking her in as if shielding her from the world's harsh realities. Nearby, he set up a chair, vowing to keep a vigilant watch over her as she rested. The air in the apartment was filled with a mix of anticipation and worry, Junghyun's eyes never leaving her face as he waited for any sign of her awakening.

When (Y/n) finally stirred, her eyes fluttering open in the soft light of Junghyun's apartment, his heart leaped with relief. The exhaustion that had etched lines of worry on his face instantly melted away, replaced by a profound sense of gratitude and joy. His eyes, normally so composed, glimmered with emotion as he watched her regain consciousness.

"(Y/n)," he breathed, his voice barely more than a whisper, filled with a mixture of tenderness and awe. He reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek as if assuring himself that she was truly awake and safe. "You're awake," he said, a soft smile playing on his lips, his voice filled with overwhelming relief. He carefully helped her sit up, his touch gentle yet reassuring, his eyes never leaving her face.

"You had me so worried," he admitted, his voice laced with vulnerability. "I thought I had lost you. I'm just... I'm so glad you're okay." His words were filled with sincerity, his relief palpable as he held her hand in his as if grounding himself in the reality of her presence. The depth of his feelings for her was laid bare, his love shining through his eyes like a beacon in the dark.

Confusion flickered in (Y/n)’s eyes as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. The last thing she remembered was the pain, the darkness closing in, and now she found herself in this unfamiliar yet strangely comforting place.

"Where... where am I?" she murmured, her voice barely audible, her gaze shifting around the room before finally settling on Junghyun. His face, etched with relief and worry, came into focus, and her eyes widened with recognition. There was a flicker of familiarity, a sense of trust that made her heart race.

"You're in my apartment," Junghyun said gently, his voice a soothing balm to her disoriented mind. "You passed out, and I brought you here to help you heal."

She instinctively touched her neck, expecting to feel pain, but there was only a dull ache. Confusion clouded her eyes as she spoke, her voice laced with a mix of awe and bewilderment, "But... how am I here? I remember... I remember feeling like I was dying."

Junghyun hesitated for a moment before he took a deep breath, his eyes searching hers. "I turned you," he confessed, his tone soft but laden with a weighty truth. "I couldn't bear to lose you. I wanted to save you."

(Y/n)'s eyes widened in astonishment, her hand trembling as she tried to comprehend the enormity of his revelation. The realization dawned on her that she was no longer human, that she had crossed a threshold into a life she hadn't chosen. A whirlwind of emotions – fear, curiosity, and gratitude – surged within her. She looked at Junghyun, a mix of confusion and acceptance in her eyes, as she whispered, "Thank you... for saving me."

In the days that followed, (Y/n) remained in Junghyun's apartment, her new sanctuary and training ground as she adjusted to her newfound existence. Under Junghyun's patient guidance, she learned the intricacies of being a vampire: the heightened senses, the strength that now flowed through her veins, and the insatiable thirst for blood that required delicate control. It was a challenging journey, filled with moments of frustration and temptation, but Junghyun was there every step of the way, offering his wisdom and support.

Junghyun taught her the importance of restraint, helping her hone her abilities and keep her instincts in check. As the days passed, (Y/n) grew stronger and more confident, her bond with Junghyun deepening with each shared experience.

Yet, amid the challenges, there were moments of unexpected beauty. Junghyun showed her the wonders of the night, the hidden corners of the city where vampires roamed freely, unseen by prying eyes. They explored the world together, embracing the darkness as their shared realm, finding solace in the understanding that only they could truly comprehend.

In those quiet moments, (Y/n) also discovered the depth of Junghyun's love. He was not just her mentor but her confidant, her rock in the storm of her new life. His unwavering belief in her, his ability to see the human within her vampire form, reassured her in ways she couldn't explain. Their connection became a source of strength, a testament to the power of love in the face of the unknown.

As the nights turned into weeks, (Y/n) found herself not just surviving but thriving in her new existence, with Junghyun by her side, guiding her with a steady hand and a heart full of devotion. Together, they embraced the eternal night, finding comfort and purpose in the shared journey of two souls bound by an immortal love.

The night was quiet, the world outside Junghyun's apartment shrouded in a gentle darkness. A soft, silvery glow from the moon spilled into the room, casting intricate patterns across the walls. (Y/n) and Junghyun stood facing each other, their eyes locked in a moment that felt suspended in time. The air was charged with an unspoken intensity, a mingling of anticipation and nervous energy.

Junghyun's fingers brushed against (Y/n)'s cheek, his touch feather-light, as if he was afraid she might vanish if he pressed too hard. His eyes, deep and intense, searched hers for permission, for a sign that she was ready for this next step in their relationship. (Y/n) met his gaze with a mixture of curiosity and affection, her heart fluttering in her chest like a caged bird yearning to be set free.

With a barely audible sigh, Junghyun closed the distance between them, his lips soft and warm as they met hers in a tender, hesitant kiss. It was a moment of exquisite vulnerability, a shared exploration of unspoken emotions. Their lips moved together, a gentle dance of longing and affection, conveying what words could not.

Time seemed to stand still as they kissed, the world outside fading into insignificance. It was their first taste of intimacy, a moment of connection that transcended the boundaries of the physical world. In that kiss, they shared not just their passion but the depth of their emotions, a silent promise of love and understanding that would guide them through the eternity that lay ahead.

As they finally broke the kiss, their eyes met once more, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. It was more than a kiss; it was a declaration of their love, a promise to stand by each other in the endless nights to come. In that quiet moment, their hearts spoke volumes, sealing their bond in a way that words could never capture. Bloodbound for eternity.  

[jeonstellate]

ocean waves & faded dreams — shore i

agent collins unknowingly crashes an avengers’ mission.

⚝༄ platonic!bucky barnes x original character (ft. platonic!tony stark x original character)

⚝༄ mentions of manipulation & human experimentation; depictions of murder & brainwashing activation

⚝༄ paragraph format — 1.6K words

masterlist | ow&fd masterlist

[gif’s full credit belongs solely to its owner]

⚝༄ think everything in bold is in russian.

Agent Collins, at eleven years of age, was S.H.I.E.L.D.’s youngest recruit.

Many opposed, as a battlefield was no place for a literal child, but Director Fury insisted. He understood that she was more of a liability to S.H.I.E.L.D. than an asset, but he also knew that the world was better off with her as S.H.I.E.L.D.’s liability than HYDRA’s asset.

Agent Collins was aware of the circumstances of her recruitment. Not because people kept on reminding her, but because she wasn’t granted the luxury to be naive. The world was cruel and unforgiving during her tender years — and she wasn’t foolish enough to think that it changed for the better as she aged.

With her involvement with S.H.I.E.L.D., at least she could pretend that the balance between good and evil was tipping more gray than dark.

She was never the best soldier and, frankly, anyone who believed she would be the perfect agent was — for the lack of a better word — an idiot.

To her credit, no one specifically forbade her to tag along on the mission concerning her former manipulator. So, technically, she wasn’t disobeying any direct order. To S.H.I.E.L.D.’s defense, no one knew she got a wind of the said mission. So, they couldn’t’ve possibly forbidden her in participating, either.

Unfortunately for Agent Collins, since no one technically knew her current whereabouts, that meant she was alone with no backup. If — heavens forbid — everything went south, then she was highly susceptible to being kidnapped without a trace. Again.

"Riptide has found her way back home," Dr. Wilhelm Fischer celebrated with a maniacal laugh. The two HYDRA agents that brought her into the room roughly made her kneel on the floor, close to the doctor. "Did you miss your father, Phantom Riptide?"

Agent Collins’ stealth uniform covered her entire body. In addition to the body-fit suit, she was wearing boots, gloves, and goggles. She was also donning a hood and a mask that fully covered the lower part of her face to complete the ensemble.

Her S.H.I.E.L.D.-designed stealth uniform was specifically customized with her in mind, as they aimed to protect her identity. However, as an indirect consequence, her uniform also concealed her emotions pretty well. In any given day, she couldn’t care less about her expressions being hidden. However, at the moment, she wanted nothing more than letting the doctor see the burning hatred in her eyes.

"You’re not my father," she spat. Since nonverbal cues were difficult to convey with her outfit of choice and her hands cuffed behind, she was left with the only other option.

"Right," Dr. Fischer wasn’t even taken aback. "Because everyone made you believe someone else owned that title. Isn’t that right, Winter Soldier’s daughter?"

Agent Collins froze momentarily, she had forgotten about that nickname. She regained her composure a moment later, her sense of bravery renewed. "I’d rather be known as his daughter than yours."

He feigned offense, "A cruel reminder, really.

"I spent my whole life perfecting HYDRA’s new wave of soldiers and the most viable experiment ended up being credited to another asset."

Agent Collins wanted to go on this mission for two main reasons: first, to ask her former manipulator her questions and second, to kill him with her own weapon.

(Because an assassin would never be above revenge and debts.)

"How many Phantom Riptides did you make?"

"Three hundred." Her heart churned with the knowledge that 300 lives were experimented on. Hers and 299 others. Worst of all, the doctor blurted that number as if it meant nothing — as if he merely said how many beakers he had broken over the years, not how many lives he had ruined for the sake of his project.

"How many survived?" She was finally reminded that she merely crashed someone else’s mission when a new voice joined the conversation.

Agent Collins wasn’t sure if she expected to see anyone when she turned, but she definitely didn’t expect to see the Avengers there. With them being in the premises, that meant only one thing: she just crashed into an Avengers’ mission. Uh-oh.

She was in for an intense earful once S.H.I.E.L.D. hears, for sure.

"One," she heard Dr. Fischer answer. "Her."

Agent Collins waited for this day way before she even regained enough of her right mind.

Once she understood how Phantom Riptide came to be, her fear and grief manifested into a lot of things — including the need for revenge.

"However entertaining stalling you have been," Dr. Wilhelm Fischer started a moment after answering one of the Avengers’ questions, "I’m afraid my ride is almost here."

"Wait," Agent Collins chose that moment to interrupt. She looked up to the HYDRA agents guarding her, "my legs fell asleep. Can you guys help me stand?"

Sensing no harm in her simple request, Dr. Fischer motioned for one of the HYDRA agents to help her up.

Except, unbeknownst to anyone else, that was just a hoax to have one of them be at her arm’s reach.

Agent Collins secured a hold on a knife she had hidden in her boots while the HYDRA doctor was stalling for time. When one of her guards pulled her up, she carefully shifted her hold and blindly planted the knife on him.

Guard 1’s sudden stagger caught everyone’s attention. She used that second to lay the handcuffs down her wrist and force her arms apart, breaking herself free with a loud, satisfying sound.

Wasting no time, she immediately took another knife out and threw it in the air. She pulled out the knife she planted on Guard 1’s abdomen the same second the other knife landed on her free hand.

By the time her audience recovered from their shock, Guard 1 was already lying on the floor — bleeding out from a stab on his abdomen and two slits on his throat.

"Ugh," she couldn’t contain her disgust. She removed her goggles, as they were newly decorated with blood splutters. "I forgot how messy that can be."

"What are you doing?" Dr. Fischer asked, dumbfounded. Despite the circumstance, she could hardly blame him. As far as she could remember, he never actually saw his most viable creation in action before — outside the mandatory trainings, that was.

"Cleaning up," she answered nonchalantly, as if she didn’t just kill a man with an audience. She casually took the gun from Guard 1’s belt. "I don’t like leaving witnesses."

To further prove her point, she threw a knife straight at Guard 2 without looking. She didn’t even turn to confirm if she succeeded in what she aimed to do, like she knew that the knife’s trajectory would only end at where she aimed for.

"The Winter Soldier trained you well." He made no move to alert anyone with eyes on him. He just subtly took a notebook from somewhere behind him, without looking away from her figure.

Rather dramatically, she did a somersault to avoid the bullet from Guard 2’s barrel. As the latter was sporting a newly impaled eye, his aim was unsteady. Which was a stark contrast to hers, despite firing her gun twice whilst in the air.

The bullets hit Guard 2 on his chest, one hitting right in the area where his heart lied.

She landed perfectly on her feet, now back to facing the doctor. "If I ever see him again, I’ll be sure to pass on your compliment."

Even with the two HYDRA agents dead, Dr. Fischer was seemingly unfazed that he was left alone with her and the Avengers. He merely flipped the pages of the notebook on his hands.

Agent Collins observed the cover of the notebook. It was a plain navy blue, with white waves near the top.

Oh.

"Loathe," he began reading. "Young."

She moved closer to the Avengers, not bothering for introductions before conversing with them in a low tone. "You guys are done questioning him, right? Can I kill him now?"

Purely based on his outfit, she assumed Captain America was the one who responded. "We have to take him into custody."

"Archangel."

"Yeah, no. That’s not happening." If anyone could see under her hood, they would see the quick judging look she casted him. "No offense, but he’s literally trying to trigger me right now. He’s not gonna go with you alive."

She quieted down for a moment, just long enough to let them hear Dr. Fischer continue reading off of the notebook. "Four. Deception."

"You have," she paused as she counted in her head, "five words left before Hell breaks loose. Decide quickly."

"Spring."

"Is killing him your mission?" Black Widow asked, eyes obviously trying to read everything she could.

"It’s more for personal revenge; but sure, you can say that."

"Clever."

"Fine, you can kill him." Iron Man eventually gave her permission. "But you’re answering to our superiors when they question why we brought Fischer dead."

Agent Collins fought the urge to say that she’d have to answer to Director Fury either way. She figured it was best that the Avengers didn’t know she was with S.H.I.E.L.D., at least until they were safely away from a HYDRA base.

"Stark. Orphan."

Instead of saying anything to acknowledge the given permission, she murmured a comment to herself. "‘Stark’ isn’t Russian."

Truthfully, she didn’t have her trigger words memorized. She just knew the first word, for the obvious reason of it being the beginning. Somehow, though, she also remembered the last two words Dr. Fischer just uttered. Not because they were near the end, as she couldn’t even recall the very last word, but because they seemed as though they were purposefully listed in that order.

It certainly didn’t help that ‘Stark’ was the only trigger word in English, either.

"Eighth." Dr. Fischer looked up as he closed the notebook. He sported a satisfied smirk when his eyes landed on her unmoving figure. "Experiment 218?"

She made a show of the daggers hidden in her sleeves falling perfectly onto her grasp. "Ready to comply."

"Kill them."

next shore >

[kennan73888]

This fanfic is old, a retold of the Ninja Turtles. I wrote this during my mid-High School year, obsessed with tcest and stuff. This fanfic doesn’t go too deep on the shipping but more on the plot. The main focus is the brothers, obviously.

I don’t quite remember that much… There was the past life of the brothers, and at one point, Splinter became the Shredder because he’s the right vassal. The brothers had three lives they lived through; dragon, human child, and turtle (born as a human child).

Below is the Prologue. Did no editing. Just keeping the original writing I wrote back in the days.

—

Kyoto, 300

"Oroku Maji, died two months ago, slaughtered by Takeshi Tatsuo."

Oroku Daisuke walked past his servants as he heard them muttering of his youngest son's death. It has been over ten years since he banished his son out of the clan. How he remembers his son begged him to look after his four sons, yet he refused. He knew in the future, if Maji had done something against Tatsuo, it meant death. If getting involved with his son, then he and his clan will also fall with him. So choosing to disown and banish his son is the best solution.

Without notice, Daisuke's four grandsons are hidden above the roof. From oldest to youngest; Aoyama, Murasaki, Akai, and Kino, are waiting for him to be alone. When he enters his room, they sneak in and Aoyama lifts his katakana on his throat.

"Bandits?" Daisuke chuckles. "It is such a dishonorable way to die this way!" He pull his hidden knife to strike—

—Aoyama caught his knife and leaned forward to whisper in his face, "You're the dishonorable one, grandfather."

Grandfather? Daisuke knows all of his grandchildren, unless…no, they cannot be… "Maji sons…" His whispers give the other three behind Aoyama a confusing reaction before looking at each other, soon then replaced with a greedy smirk. Terrified, he tried to break free.

"Big brother, we have to do it quickly. Give him to me." Murasaki pulled Daisuke at his grasp and slammed his palm at his forehead. In a fast entrance, Murasaki enters through a swirling tunnel. "He's… His Clan are the one. I see…a boy, Oroku Saki, the new vessel for the Tengu Shredder. But Oroku Saki…he isn't the real vessel."

"WHAT?!" The three brothers cried, wondering in confusion at what Murasaki just said.

Murasaki throws their unconscious grandfather to the floor, trying to explain, "Oroku Saki, he's a replacement. Like when, um, the real vessel can't be found or…the real vessel is hard to control."

"Are you telling us we got the wrong clan? Where the hell is the next new vessel?" Aoyama demanded.

"No, we got it right but…" Murasaki stumbled his words to a murmur. "Like I said, he's a replacement."

"The Hamato clan are the last on the list," Kino mumbled as words appeared in the air, listing different clans. With his index finger down, he touched the word "Hamato" at the last bottom. "Your foreseen not many days ago aren't wrong, Murasaki, two clans will clash together in the near future."

"The death of Takeshi Tatsuo will reincarnate on either the Oroku or the Hamato clan," Akai crushed the words, lifting one arm to show the image of a fox. "Kitsune will do anything to bring the Tengu Shredder to life."

"For another seventeenth century," Aoyama grunted, kicking his grandfather's stomach. "We'll be dead before his awakening. The Four Dragons think the future isn't any great danger."

"We understand the risk of danger, big brother, but we will soon someday find a way," Murasaki said, patting his older brother's shoulder.

—

Prologue ended, now to chapter one that is in the present. I noticed that I like writing long paragraphs. Also, Ninja Turtles' incarnation names. Aoyama; Leonardo. Murasaki; Donatello. Akai; Raphael. Kino; Michelangelo. The story has inspired various TMNT generations; in books and films.

—

"Fifteen years ago, my friend, Oroku Saki, who I once knew was my brother. He betrayed me, slaughtering my family and burning my home. I never knew my wife, Tang Shen, would lock me with my four sons underground. I was unsure what fate happened to my wife, or my daughter. What I knew, my wife got slaughtered and burned with the house. The being of my daughter was nowhere to be found. I suffer greatly, living with my former master, Chin, for six years. I soon migrated to New York with my four sons. Then an accident occurred, we transformed into human-like creatures. For nine years, we have lived in the sewer, far away from society."

[sitp-recs]

(Perfect artwork for Modern Love, by @cambiodipolvere)

Today is the day of one of my favorite people! And I totally resent @tackytigerfic and Starry for almost sharing the same birthday, god the STRESS 😂 Tacky is my first and closest fandom friend. We clicked together so fast and easy that sometimes it feels like I’ve known her all my life, like we’re two dog moms living in the same neighborhood who happen to read fic in their free time. Despite our conflicting time zones and crazy schedules we manage to chat every other day, tagging and sending each other all kinds of stuff, coming together to cry scream about a brilliant fic we’ve just read or shaking our heads in embarrassment at every other unnecessary bullshit post. Tacky’s bright and wise energy uplifts my spirit even on my moody days, and makes me grateful for her friendship and for this fandom life. Okay so this got long and I had to put the rest under the cut:

It’s such a lovely and precious thing, to have someone with whom you can share every single thought that crosses your mind, your scariest, most embarrassing, petty or disturbing idea, without fear of being shamed or judged by it. I trust Tacky with all my heart to hear me out, share a joke or a piece of advice, even on the (rare) occasions when we don’t get the same perspective - that doesn’t happen often when it comes to Drarry, as we are taste twins!

Tacky my darling, you’re such a good person, and such an incredible friend. Thank you for introducing me to this lovely community, for being my safe haven and your unique self, with so many qualities I admire and feel inspired by: kind, witty, earnest, wise, and so very human. I love your humour and empathy, and your chill yet no-nonsense personality; I love your talent and how articulated you are; I love your passion for Drarry, and how you let this emotion inform the way you navigate the fandom and create for it. And god, but you’ve been creating some of the most beautiful content I’ve seen in these recent years! I’m permanently in awe of your ability to write Drarry in any shape, format or length, transforming even the most ordinary moment into an extraordinary and meaningful piece of character or relationship development. You know how you mentioned yesterday that some authors change the way you feel about a ship in a deep, definitive way? Well, you are that author for me. Your works made me fall in love with M-rated contemplative romance, and also allowed me to fall in love with Harry in a way I never thought it was possible before.

Some people - myself included - got to know you through the fun and intriguing A Lick and a Promise, others through the atmospheric and sensitive Modern Love, others through your contemplative and heartbreaking short form. Each story has its merits and purpose, and all of them share a Tacky trademark: the heartkick factor! Your talent has no limits and goes across different genres and tropes, that you explore with a bold twist full of personality and heart. And even more impressive is your consistency at always raising the bar - every new fic of yours becomes an instant fave and makes me think “wow I thought Tacky couldn’t get better yet here we are”. Seeing how your writing evolves as you find your narrative voice is a beautiful and humbling experience, I feel so lucky!

I’m really grateful for being active in the fandom at this moment in time, because that allows me to read and engage with your brilliant work, and to have you as a dear friend. I can’t wait to see what comes out of your beautiful brain next. It was an impossible job choosing a single fic to rec today, so I decided to do a belated Tacky reclist! Naturally these are my personal and biased must-reads, and I urge everyone to go check these beauties right now. Feel free to include your own favorites too, and don’t forget to leave them some appreciation.

Happy happy birthday my darling Tacky! This fandom life wouldn’t be the same without you. I hope you have the amazing day you deserve!

Between the Power Lines (2020, M, 3.2k)

The road trip fic you didn’t know you needed. I got utterly immersed in the heartbreaking quietness of this, feeling like a witness to an ordinary yet poignant love story. Such tender intimacy, such character development, such lovely American aesthetics with barely any dialogue. This is, IMO, the fic that reveals Tacky’s triumph in storytelling.

Even the Night (2020, M, 3.4k)

This fic has a surreal atmosphere, those Midsummer vibes unbelievably sexy and intoxicating linked to the sensorial experience of fumbling together in the night. Masterclass in tension building, a silky and languid dream-like affair.

Aim for my Heart (2021, M, 3.4k) - Harry/Draco/Ron

One of the most sensitive and stunning portraits I’ve ever seen of a poly/triad relationship, this fic packs so much character and longing! It’s a privilege to watch Ron and Draco’s tentative dynamics through the smitten eyes of the one person that loves them like no one else: Harry.

The Long Fall (2021, M, 3.6k)

I can’t even write about this tender domesticity without getting a lump in my throat. Best opening scene I’ve read in years, and a refreshing way to approach both mpreg and parenthood, painfully honest and lovely. This became an immediate comfort read for me, and it’s probably one of the fics I revisit the most.

Mortal Frame (2021, M, 6.6k)

This thrilling, fast-paced spy story left me breathless since the first paragraph, gods what an immersive ride! I’m so here for Drarry on the run, sharp and urgent with danger but mellowed by the silent trust and tender intimacy only Tacky can master. Major bonus points for the brilliant take on the Horcrux hunt plot line!

Last Offices (2020, M, 6.7k)

Oh, this fic 💔 I tend to avoid MCD but there’s something so deeply fascinating about body washing rituals that I caught myself mesmerized by this. I just couldn’t put it down, so emotionally compromised I felt. There’s a sort of strange comfort in the heartbreak of doing one last act of service out of devotion to someone. This fic inspired so many difficult but lovely feelings in me, and one of them was hope. Only Tacky could possibly achieve that!

Our Little Life (2020, M, 7.2k)

Inventive and singular, this story hit me straight on the solar plexus and left me speechless as I saw the (clever, magical and bittersweet) plot unravel. Such a fabulous take on alternate universes and all the angst potential behind it. Come and bask in the yearning melancholia of a short yet intricate and perfectly executed plot.

And One to Play (2019, E, 21k)

What a fun and delightful fic, I can’t have enough of pining Harry losing all sense of propriety when faced with a hot, competent and pragmatic Draco. This has fab dynamics, unhinged protectiveness, even more unhinged attraction between two idiots who can’t keep their hands off each other. A must-read for any Auror partners fan!

A Lick and a Promise (2019, E, 55k)

Hot, BAMF Professors carefully balancing a fuck buddies situation while solving a Hogwarts mystery, do we need anything else? I certainly do not. This fic is so fun and intriguing and immersive, with amazing supportive cast and a delicious get together feat secret shagging and oblivious pining. Love it!

Modern Love (2020, E, 61k)

My favorite read of 2020, this fic is a love letter to Drarry and will always hold a piece of my soul. Sensitive, wistful, tenderly aching and so very romantic, this is a Muggle Draco triumph with a superb Harry, exquisite slow burn and a side of suds comfort. I promise it will be impossible to listen to Bowie again without thinking of this love story.

Bonus: five stunning drabbles!

Something in the Way (2021, T, 119 words)

“Up,” he said, and Draco, sick with love, raised his arms above his head and allowed Potter to slide the jumper on him, big hands stroking it flat over Draco’s stomach until they both shivered.

Stir-Up Sunday (2020, M, 300 words)

“I want you always,” he said, tugging again on the fine curling length of it. “Is it okay to say that?”

Whalebone Arch (2021, M, 722 words)

“Are you still not talking to me?” Draco steered Harry towards the crisps. “Do I have to suck you off in the loo to cheer you up?”

Semiplume (2021, T, 923 words)

“Did you know,” Harry murmured, and he put his arms around Draco, fearless. “I’d be your mate. If you needed a mate, I mean.”

Relic Radiation (2021, M, 927 words)

“You’ll kill me,” Harry said, and Draco turned his face towards the darkened sky, lunar pale, his profile some stupid unearthly thing—a flaring blazar, a supernova—in the light from the kitchen window.

[idanit]

possibly underappreciated Good Omens fics I enjoyed once upon a time

Indirectly inspired by a video series about fanfiction I watched, I decided to pull together a list of Good Omens fics I have bookmarked as stories I enjoyed, but which have less than 250-300 kudos at the time I’m writing this. No particular order. They’re accompanied by short excerpts from my private fic reading notes (not originally intended to be read by anyone but me, mind), sometimes slightly edited for clarity—and, sometimes, the comments I left on the fics.

This list sat in my drafts for a long time and the recent S2 announcement reminded me of it. I’d love it if it inspired you to do something similar! Spread the love.

And mind the tags, please.

△ = general and teen ▲ = mature and explicit 

thermodynamic equilibrium ▲ 7K the author has such an ear for dialogue and is unapologetic about what they want to write the characters like. They think of the characters as a mix of TV and book canon, but they feel like a homemade blend to me. (...) It’s very funny.

such dear follies ▲ 6K I can really picture this Aziraphale—Crowley as well, but her especially. She’s rather distinct. (...) Nice writing.

The Words Were With - △ 1.2K post-Blitz vignette, Aziraphale realizes what he feels and wonders if they're human enough for this. I liked it, and I liked the tag "transhumanism, but in reverse?", too—what an interesting idea. I'd say it's a vignette in a dire need of a follow-up, but, well, there's the show. The show is the follow-up. It fits very nicely within the canon and I totally believe it could have happened, like a deleted scene.

Gossip and Good Counsel △ 19K/? I love their companionship and how they're set up to be opposites by the management even though they get on pretty well. It feels very in keeping with the canon, but I feel like the fact that it's an F/F set in this particular time period adds a meaningful layer to the situation. It's women supporting each other in the world of men, working with the personas that are created for them, but, privately, being normal, well-rounded people. (...) and of course your writing is always a pleasure to read. (...) SDHDGDHDHDG Maisie is truly an Aziraphale.

Crowley Went Down to Georgia (he was looking for a soul to steal) △ 6K This was nice. Based on a song I didn’t know. Crowley goes to a funeral in the USA, one of a fiddler he knew and lost a bet to once. (...) The fic has not one but two songs composed for it and embedded inside it and that makes it even better. I really enjoyed the experience.

The Thing With Feathers △ 18K WARLOCK you'rE HORRIBLE AND I LOVE IT I would read an entire novel-length fic just of Crowley fighting his battles with Warlock. Written like this? It would be a blast. (...) The OCs are believably characterized and well-loved by the story. (...) Everyone seems to need a friend in this house. (...) This was so fun, and at the same time, their mission has weight here (...) We wonder about what the future holds even though we know it.

Here Quiet Find △ 11K This fic aimed for my head and the aim was sure precise. It was a story of Crowley sensing Aziraphale's distress and finding him in a self-quarantined English village in the seventeenth century, tired and anxious. It's hurt/comfort, so there was washing and bedsharing and I had to love it, so I did.

outside of time △ 2K Post-Almostgeddon, (...) nicely-written, short, but strung with a soft kind of tension and unspoken words. There's no drama, just "can we really", and "do you really" of sudden freedom. They fall into being inseparable. Book canon, which I like for this story (sitting on a tarmac). I liked the footnotes. There's a mention of Eliot. All in all, very much yes.

She'asani Yisrael △ 2K It’s Crowley going through a two-hour service and drinking blessed wine. He also keeps an eye on a boy he was asked to. It’s 1946. It was pretty good, so far the best Jewish GO fic, I think, from the ones I’ve read.

To Guard The Eastern Gate △ 11K  I loved it. You really made Sodom feel lived-in; the description of Keret, Hurriya and Yassib's house and relationship were great. I got attached to both them and the city (...) Aziraphale and Crawley’s interactions were generally very entertaining. I laughed (...) Your rendering of their voices just lands so well (...) But then oh, the entire ending (...) hurt, hurt a lot, and your descriptions are so vivid.

If you’ve been waiting (for falling in love) △ 14K AAAAA a good ending line. The whole paragraph, in fact. I love a good smattering of philosophy in my fics, and this was really nice. I can get behind Thomas Aequinus's and Crowley's view on eternity. It's (...) a pretty simple fic (...) - the courage to express yourself and take a risk is awarded with winning what was at stake by the virtue of reciprocity - but the way it was intertwined with a study of how they would experience a forever was done well. 

Holy unnecessary ▲ 2.2K It's well-written. (...) this is my type of sexual humour if I have any. So subtle. Blink and you'll miss it. Lovely.

The Parting Glass △ 17K Through the ages, they're dancing around their relationship until after the Armageddoff. (...) Wow, this was really, really nice. Very simple in its concept and nothing I haven't read before, but very well-executed. (...) AAAAH I LOVED the first chapter. I always like abbeys as settings, that's a given, but the banter, the good writing, the moral ambiguity!

Name The Sky △ 33K This Crowley is different, but very intriguing. Without his sarcastic talk, and much more animalistic. (...) I love how expressive Crowley is. (...) This fic has a very nice balance of drama and levity. I don't love Crowley-before-the-Fall stories very much, but with this execution I can read about it. (...) Okay I've read Crowley offering fruits, and even Aziraphale biting fruits, but the two of them sharing the apple? Outstanding. Ingenious. What a take.

A Flame in Your Heart △ 5K post-Blitz (why are so many dance fics post-Blitz?), they go to the bookshop and have an actually believable conversation. Then they dance the gavotte. It was really nice! Believable writing, emotions, the dancing! (...) Of course it's too early for them, (...) but the author's note? yeah.

Put down the apple, Adam, and come away with me ▲ 32K At this point it's just reading original stories with characters with names and some personality traits that I recognize. (...) I really enjoy this, the careful dance, the opposition between their views. (...) This is well-written, wow. (...) it's not an easy read (...) this story feels very believably 50s, but also reaches out to the present time. 

Liebestraum ▲ 10K/? It really is like music. I'm enjoying the writing a lot. (...) oh my actual god. This, this? Wow, uh. This came for my throat. (...) THE MUSICAL COMPOSITION, THE MOTIF RETURNING, THE AUTHOR KNOWS WHERE IT'S AT (...) Excellent. This hits the right beats so precisely, (...) and with feeling, too.

Down Comforter △ 2.4K and they lay down in angeldown, a soft rug ‘neath their heads– alright. Well, Crowley lies under Aziraphale's wing on a Persian rug after the Apocalypse, and they talk (...). It was sweet.

The Corsair of Carcosa △ 5K Crowley wakes up from a nap, visits Aziraphale for some drinking, and they read The King in Yellow that he happens to own. Good writing, so I'm bought. Aziraphale mentions Beardsley, so I'm bought twice over. My god, a discussion of etheral/occult madness? Caused by some wrong/true reading? Yes.

Very Good, Omens! △ 6K It's rather well-written, well-pastiched. People don't do that too often, nowadays - try to write in the style of a particular writer. (...) I love wordplay like this.

Reviving Robin Hood: The Complicated Process of Crème Brûlée △ 30K it's well-written (...), has a rhythm to it, and quiet humour. (...) Finally some nice, good, light writing. The attention to detail! (...) I'm still reading most of it aloud, the rhythm of it compels me to. (...) okay this does sound like Pratchett&Gaiman, the Good Omens itself (...) The fic is meandering, hilarious, sensitive in all the right places, and overall lovely.

my dear acquaintance △ 1K Oh. Oh. Yes, yes! Aziraphale in Russia, Russia I've never been in, but I can feel the snow and the evening of. Very real, and the bar, too. Attention to detail - vodka flavoured with dill, what on earth? Yes. He would totally have a distinct taste in operas and he would totally complain about a subpar one. I'm glad Tchaikovsky's there.

there is a crack in everything △ 1.8K This was good! Ah. Inspired by a comment (...), I went looking for Mr. Harrison and Mr. Cortese fics—really, what a big brain moment someone had and why have I never thought to look for them? This is Crowley getting suddenly anxious and Aziraphale going out of his way, through all his layers of not-thinking and denial, to console him. I also really liked how the Arrangement is a carefully unacknowledged partnership-marriage.

Scales And Gold And Wings And Scars △ 6K  No conflict, no plot, one tiny arc like a ripple on the surface of water on a calm sunny day - of Aziraphale discovering Crowley’s scars. It's the South Downs and it's early summer. They bask and swim in a spring. Non-sexual nudity, love in the air like a scent. Nice.

Nineteen Footnotes In Search Of A Story △ 0.4K This is a Good Omens story told only through footnotes. Your mind can fill in the gaps. Fascinating (...). Also, it’s an experiment so apt for this particular fandom.

Hell on Earth △ 6.5K Oh, I loved it! How could I not love it: it's Beelzebub-centric, it's historical, it has classical painting, and even a hilarious scene with a cuneiform phrase, as if I didn't enjoy this story enough already. There are so few Beelzebub fics out there and I find searching for them very difficult (I accept recs if anyone has any), and it's such a shame, so this was really like a gift to the fandom. I absolutely adore the way you portrayed them, small, frightening, powerful, and confident. Also, it was super fun to see how different Crowley seems when we're not in his POV or in a story about him and Aziraphale. (...)

Go Up to Ramoth-Gilead and Triumph △ 24K Daegaer is... pure class. (...) hdhdhdh what pfttt why you so funny (...) I love this Crowley. (...) This got unexpectedly intense. (...) I love the little nods to the fact that Israelites, especially the poorer ones, still believe in other gods. I also really like that they sleep on roofs. It's just the kind of detail that grounds the story and shows that the author is, in fact, a historian. 

[classicalmonuments]

Sanctuary of Si (Seeia)

Hauran, Syria

50 BCE - 4th century CE ~

Si is now a deserted ruin. Ancient Seeia was not a town, or a village, like the majority of sites in the Hauran, but an ancient “high place”, or sacred precinct, adorned with temples, enclosed courts, splendid gateways, statues, and monumental inscriptions. On the plateau to the east of the precinct, and upon its slopes, there grew up a small village which exhibits no signs of Christian work, and is probably of the Roman period, or even of the same period as the temples. The architecture here is very simple, and is in a very much ruined condition, but it seems to illustrate all of the more important principles of construction that are characteristic of the Roman and Christian periods in the Hauran. From all that I observed, it is impossible to assign dates to any of these houses. In the valley to the north there are a few ruins of towers which I took to be coeval with the temples, and a great number of tombs, tower-like structures of the early period, and more elaborate constructions of both the Nabataean and the Roman periods. 

From the valley, at a point about 300 m. east of the precinct, a paved road, of excellent construction in huge squared blocks, and about 7 m. wide, leads at an easy grade to the easternmost gate of the precinct. The general course of this road and the plan of the precinct and of the terraces about it may be seen on the map at the beginning of this Part. The road passes by the ruins of a bath and of a number of buildings of unknown purpose. At about half its length, it passes between the ruined piers of a fallen arched gateway. It terminates at an enormous pile of debris which represents the ruins of a triple-arched gateway of the Roman period. At this point the ascent is so steep that I cannot but believe that the outer gate, like those within, was approached by steps. Inside the entrance a paved courtyard, about 50 m. long and 19 m. wide, stretches to the westward. On the south of this court rises a retaining wall, 5 m. high, which masks the side of the knoll upon which a small temple stood. This temple was approached by a flight of steps set into the retaining wall and flanked by two niches. On the north is a terrace, 7 m. below the court, which is heaped high with debris in which are many interesting fragments denoting the presence of a buried building· of some kind. The eastern and western limits of this terrace are marked by walls of unusual thickness. This terrace, like all the others to be described, was artificially cut in the slope of the hillside. The western end of this first court is marked by the ruins of a gateway which I have called the Nabataean gate, because all of its details are in the characteristic Oriental style of Si. This structure is almost completely hidden in its own ruins, and the northern, or right hand, half of it is buried in the debris of a building of the Roman period with beautiful and characteristic details of the second century in Syria. The middle court, 50 cm. above the other, completely paved, and about 60 m. long by 23 m. wide, is not on axis with the outer court, but bends toward the north. It is flanked by terraces; one on the south about a metre higher than the pavement and one on the north some 7 m. below. The higher terrace was partly built up on a retaining wall, and is strewn with ruins. At its western end the temple of Dushara was discovered. The lower terrace is filled with masses of fallen building stones, broken statues, and fragmentary inscriptions, and is a promising place for future clearing out. 

The end of the middle court is marked by a flight of steps 87 cm. high, and by a fine specimen of highly finished wall with an elaborate gateway in the middle. This is the east wall of the peristyle court in front of the great temple. It had preserved about 1.50 m. of its original height, gateway and all, when we uncovered it. Within the gateway, that is, between the jambs of the portal, are two more steps which raise the pavement of the inner court 1.25 m. above that of the middle court. This inner court with its peristyle I have termed the Theatron, in the light of an inscription in Nabataean which uses this Greek word, given in Nabataean letters, in such a way that it can be applied to nothing else. This court is also slightly off axis with the one which precedes it, it measures about 25 m. north and south and about 21m. east and west, inside the wall. The colonnade occupies three sides of a rectangle of 18 m. by 20 m. in front of the temple. Between the colonnade and the wall are a narrow passage and two steps, like the seats of a theatre, which may have suggested the name Theatron to the builders. The side walls of this enclosure are carried along the sides of the temple, at a distance of about 2.50 m. to enclose a space 12 m. deep in the rear of the temple; this space was also paved. 

The magnificent temple wall of highly finished masonry which was disclosed by M. de Vogue and found to be intact to a height of 2 m., the two broad steps below it, the jambs of the portal, the bases of the columns and the bases of statues which he found all in situ, have been broken up to the very foundations and carried away by the stone- breakers since 1900. But these same plunderers, by carrying away much of the debris which filled the temple in 1861, and which M. de Vogue did not attempt to remove, have disclosed a part at least of the plan of the interior from which the rest may be restored, and have brought to light many new and important architectural fragments.

The style and character of the buildings, their present state of preservation, and the probable dates of their erection are to be discussed under the separate descriptions of the various buildings; but a few general remarks on these topics may not be out of place in these introductory paragraphs. The importance of the architectural remains at Si' lies in the fact that the buildings of the precinct here constitute the most important group of religious structures known to have been erected by that important branch of the Aramaean peoples known as the Nabataeans. M. de Vogue published a better preserved temple, of an entirely different plan, but having similar details, which he found at Suweda. A plan and a few fragments of one temple and scanty details of another found at Umm idj-DjimM have already appeared in these publications;1 two temples discovered in the Ledja by these expeditions are to be published in the Part which follows this one. These are the only monuments of Nabataean religious architecture known thus far, and the monuments at Si are the finest of their class. Here we have three temples, two of them of a plan hitherto unknown, the third prostyle tetrastyle. Beside the temples there are two fine gateways in the Nabataean style and one of the Roman period, and a bath that probably belongs to the later date. In the plain below there is a great variety of tomb structures, most of which are Nabataean. 

Most of these buildings were designed in a style that borrows little or nothing from the contemporary or earlier Hellenistic architecture of Syria. As stone cutters and masons these builders were unmatched for skill; they placed the arch directly upon the column, being perhaps the first architects to do so. They employed a great variety of profiles in their mouldings, and often embellished them with naturalistic, or conventional, or geometrical, designs of carving; but few of the profiles or of the carved designs are to be found in the Classical architecture of Greece or of Rome. They used the bell, or inverted capital, as a base for columns, and adorned it as the Persians had done. They designed capitals of many varieties, one drawn roughly from the outlines of the Corinthian capital, but very differently treated in detail; another with a gigantic abacus like those found in Petra and in Hegra in Arabia and those recently discovered in Bosra;3 others still, of moulded types with little leaves below the angles of the abacus, resembling only in the faintest degree the capitals of the Classical orders. But stranger still it is to find that these Oriental artists introduced grotesques and naturalistic animal forms into their carving. Human forms with distorted bodies and grinning faces appear among the leafage of some of the capitals, while birds and locusts are found in the foliage of the grape-vines. The grape-vine was the favorite subject for the broader bands of architectural ornament, and so great is the variety of treatment in leaves and fruit that it may be possible to trace a chronological sequence by means of it. But other vines were also popular; for we find the ivy and the convolvulus, and even the thistle, treated as a running ornament. The well-known acanthus, so common in Classical designs, if used at all, does not appear as a familiar plant naturalistically treated, like so many other vegetable forms, but as a conventional ornament with little resemblance either to the plant itself, or to the conventionalized form in which the Greeks and Romans used it. The Corinthian form of capital undoubtedly had long been known in Syria, in the Hellenistic architecture of the three centuries before Christ. We have specimens of it, dating from the second century b. c., in the building erected by John Hyrkanos at Arak il-Emir.1 In this building there are two varieties, one large and having a double row of plain water-leaves, the other small, with a single row of true acanthus. The Nabataean capitals at Si', which follow the Corinthian model to a certain extent, have but one row of leaves, and that a tall one, and the leaves resemble the acanthus more perhaps than those of any other plant. 

There are three perfectly distinct periods of building represented in the ruins at Sf, two of which are definitely dated by inscriptions, the third, by unmistakable peculiarities of style. The first is a Nabataean period dated by an inscription which tells us that the temple was begun in the third quarter of the first century before Christ. I believe that some of the fragments here are somewhat older than the earliest date named in the inscription — 33 b. c. - or, in other words, that the inscription does not record the actual foundation of the building. The second period is also devoid of Hellenistic influence, and is dateable within fifty years by means of inscriptions of Agrippa II, i. e. from 50 to circ. 100 a. d. The third period is represented by fragments of architectural details which were certainly executed in the second century after Christ. The three periods would then be roughly speaking, 

1st. from 50 b. c. to 50 A. d. ; 

2nd. from 50 a. d. to 106 a. d., when Arabia became a Roman province under Trajan; 

3rd. from 106 a. d. to the close of the reign of Caracalla in 217 a. d., which marks the end of this particular style in Syria.

There are no evidences of building activity in Si in the later style of the Roman period, or in Christian times; in fact, as we shall see later, the temples appear to have been the particular mark of early Christian violence, perhaps, as M. de Vogue suggests, owing to the activities of Herod and of the presence of inscriptions of that prince in the precinct. It is probable that the place has been deserted since the beginning of the fourth century.

Sources: 1 ,2 ,3 (colorized using playback)

[snowflake-of-destruction]

#ooooh so interesting....#what would their numbers be??#i would assume adam has a number similar to grace#and miya number must be in the mid 200s? because of his run with the apex maybe??

@raindvst tags on her reblog of my Sk8 the Infinity Train speculative plot post which you can read [RIGHT HERE]

Deciding numbers can be difficult. We see a range in the show, and, while we know the general idea of how starting numbers and increases/downsizing of numbers works, the exact  “points system” has few references and sometimes just moves as the plot demands. Even starting numbers, we have them range from 50s to in the 300s. Now, 4 drops tomorrow and we may have new or more nuanced information soon. 

Long-ish musings on numbers for Miya, Adam, Tadashi, Reki, and Langa under the cut, and some general talk/calls for opinions about Joe, Cherry, and Shadow involvement in the narrative in the final paragraphs.

Miya’s number probably started somewhere around Tulip’s (115), since they are similar age and have a lot of commonality (parents they feel don’t care or pay attention like they should, stubborn, gifted kid, etc.) and though Miya’s issues may not shape in exactly the same way as Tulip’s with her parent’s divorce causing a spike of anger and trauma, we also see that Tulip still has friends/support in her life. Miya is pretty isolated, so maybe we put his starting number a bit higher, like 140. In that case, 200s may be a lowball if he ran around with Apex for awhile, especially if he knew better than to take every word said to him as gospel truth, which I think he would, and he definitely knew some of their actions were wrong/harmful but went along for awhile anyway. Intent counts for a lot. 

Even if he’s on his own now, I would still say maybe 400-500 for Miya’s number. We actually see some non-Apex, presumably “normal” passengers with numbers over 1000, but they are older than Miya. Not that age always means a higher number, as Jesse’s was fairly low to begin with, but Jesse was a soft heart from moment one despite other issues, and I think that soft heart and willingness to examine himself sooner than some others means a lower number.

 Actually, let’s also look at Hazel and the 337 on her hand. We know that her number is there because that was Amelia’s number, but Simon and Grace don’t know that when first finding her, and though it’s understandable that the fact that Hazel’s number is not glowing trumps all other observations, there isn’t much focus on why a six-year-old who was just hanging out and playing with a denizen has a 337...ergo, maybe that’s not that high. Of course, I could be off base though as I don’t remember any background Apex members numbers (feel free to send them if you got them) so maybe 300 is still pretty high.

I’d still say Miya is around 500 though. Not insurmountable, but still a little problem child. 

Adam’s number is indeed one that wraps up his arm, though it’s usually covered by his clothes, so what attracts attention is still the personality. Whether his number is higher or lower than Grace in season 3 is anybody’s guess. He doesn’t care or keep track. He’s just living his life however he wants, going overboard a bit on the principle of doing whatever he desires. He doesn’t buy into the “numbers are power” theory or ‘high number wins”. He never cared whether dwindling numbers meant death or a return to normal life, because he came to regard both as the same thing. 

Tadashi’s number (not asked about, but now I am in speculation mode) would seem like it has to be fairly small in comparison with Adam’s. He’d wear gloves, but not long ones, and when he rolls up his sleeves, there is no glow to be found. However, his number would be an irrational number/constantly in flux I’ve decided, because, when our story would begin, his work toward resolving his core issues would enter a paradox. Tadashi’s heart issue is resigning himself to a life where he prioritizes being obedient and serving well over everything else (including right and wrong, his happiness, and even people he loves) refusing to so much as be vocal about his own opinions much less take action. So, finally finding something other than duty important enough to take a stand over, and making a change in how he is going to live his life from there forward is healing. However, and this is a big however, the change he’s made and life he’s chosen, leaving his responsibilities, is following Adam around, not objecting to anything he does, and viewing it as duty owed as much or more than affection...which is both wrong and the same exact pattern/problem. 

The train isn’t infallible. We’ve seen that before. I don’t know that the system would know what to make of it. So, until he decides to make another change, finds different priorities, or his relationship dynamic with Adam changes, the anomaly persists.

Reki would probably enter under 100, much like Jesse, and stay right around the same area, decreasing or climbing slowly like we see with Tulip or Jesse most of the time.

Langa, I said before he keeps the same number, but what that number would be may be a difficult assignment. How do we rate the grieving process? Do we give him a number similar to Amelia’s starting place long ago at 330-ish or do we say Amelia had signs of other issues even then so let’s give Lange more along a 200? I’d probably split the difference and give him something like...288. Get the 8s in there to make sideways infinity symbols.

I am still not entirely sure how I am going to integrate Joe and Cherry. I have a thought for them as recently come aboard the train at the same time in separate cars, but  I am not completely sold on the first scenario of an inciting incident I came up with. Okay, I’ll say it. Joe proposed, Cherry said no, they fought and broke up entirely, and then both ended up on the train. It could work but it seems a little...melodrama, perhaps? 

I don’t have any idea about Shadow, and was tempted to have him as the gang’s train denizen guide. However, I don’t feel that’s entirely fair to him since every other character gets to be human (not that he couldn’t have his own focus or character arc as a denizen) and the au would otherwise be following canon backstories and just be “what if the Infinity Train existed in Sk8’s version of earth,” a path I’d like to stick to.

I am open to ideas about Hiromi/Shadow and Matchablossom if anyone has suggestions. I...think this AU may actually get written.

[psychiccupid]

CHIHIRO BDAY MINIDRABBLE

Senior Capstone 

Tags: ChiYuta, Fluff, Birthday, College AU, Chihiro Fujisaki needs a nap, Author is projecting, Author cannot take their own advice, Neopets, Please talk to the Author about Neopets  Again, I’m late posting this here but I promise this was done on the 14th I have proof >// < Little over 4000 characters so like... 300 words?? I’d guess??

Pale light flickered from the screen in Chihiro’s dorm room as a clacking noise was heard, reverberating off the walls as one hand continued tapping away. The clock read seven in the morning, and it was very, very obvious the programmer had yet to sleep, currently putting down their third cup of coffee. 

Being a senior in college, their entire last semester was being occupied by their capstone to create a completely functioning AI from scratch, which would be childsplay for them, but their mentor decided to put an extra level to make it challenging: They had to be as human-passing as Chihiro could possibly make them. 

At first, the challenge was enticing, promising improvement and intellect that hadn’t been seen before - but all-nighter after all-nighter over a year of college had really done a number on Chihiro. It was all going to be worth it, no doubt, but they had given so many things to make it happen; most of which revolved around time. Time with their beloved parents, who excitedly wanted updates. Time with any new video games that came out, some of which had looked really cool. And, most importantly, time with their boyfriend, Yuta, who was doing his best to tackle his sophomore year with a smile despite the loneliness that radiated off of him. 

Chihiro would absolutely make it up to him. The minute this project was over (and their creation, Chiaki, smiled back at them) they were going to take Yuta to a festival and buy him all the food he could ever want, all to end the night in front of some fireworks. So, the programmer buckled down, stayed focused, and worked endlessly to complete this as soon as they could. As much as they wanted, getting distracted by the idea of being kissed and snuggled as they slept an entire day away was out of the question.

They shook their head violently, the recently dranken coffee sloshing around in their stomach momentarily, before reaching over to the mouse to continue their escapades - but got interrupted by a sudden email notification.

‘To my Cherry Berry ❤️’ 

Immediately, Chihiro clicked on the link. It was rare for Yuta to send them an email over a text or Discord notification, so this must be something unique! And they let out a long-held anxious breath as they were faced with nothing but a single Neopets pet page link. 

Accessing it was no problem as the programmer was a frequent user. (Letting their pets get hungry was NOT an option. All 20 of them deserved love and care that only they could provide!!) And a bright and sparkling message awaited them once the site loaded.

“✨🥳💛 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHI!!!!! 🤎🥳✨” 

“I did a whole bunch of research for a week and learned how to do basic HTML to make a website using Neopets!! Do you like it?? It was so much fun!” 

“I sent this right as I woke up, but I’m sure you haven’t slept yet, huh my little Night Owl~? Hehe! I love you so, so much and know that you are getting absolutely mauled by kisses once Chiaki’s completed! I can’t wait to meet her, Babe!!!!” 

“Please at least take a nap~ You deserve a break!!! Good night! I hope this was a good present (>// < )“ 

Following the paragraph of text, there were a whole bunch of pictures that contained Chihiro’s comfort items, such as pictures of chinchillas or the Pokémon Cinccino, among many other things. Which all lead up to their emotions completely spilling over, sobbing in unrelenting warmth and happiness.

How had they forgotten their own 22nd birthday? 

Being in the home stretch of their project, they had lost count of the days, and had no idea that March 14th was even upon them. Getting that message was a completely wonderful surprise and they were going to pay it back by listening to it. 

Chihiro put the computer into sleep mode and made their way over to their bed, already in their pajamas the whole time. They would be out in mere milliseconds, but that didn’t stop them from picking up their phone to send a very tired ‘I love you, Yu! Good night! You make me so happy. She’s gonna be done today, so come over when classes are over and wake me up. And thank you… I needed that’ before snuggling themselves in the pillows to finally get some well earned rest.

[bibbawrites]

omg yes. i feel so much less weird after you said you wrote smutty stuff back when you were 13 because same. and i thought i was killing it but my sources were only other 13 years old girls who never made those experiences lol. i was basically the reason people say you shouldn’t write smut when never being in that situation.

(which is honestly not true, you can indeed write good sex scenes even with out ever having sex, all you need is a basic knowledge of human anatomy, reading material of choice (wattpad should not be your choice of preference, although some stories on there are great) and a cup of hot tea. that’s it. at the same time is it possible to have plenty of sexual experiences yet not being able to bring it to paper)

yeah anyways i just wanted to share that idk why lol. have a nice day or whatever late it is where you are right now.

oh god you do not want to read my first ever smut... its bad...  i just reread it and oh my god its so cringey hahahaaha help i cant believe i posted that on the internet (also while im on the topic, the fic this sex scene was in is in my wattpad works thing cause of course i deleted it lol but looking at it the chapters were 100-300 words each? like why did i write a literal paragraph and think that was enough to class as a whole chapter????)

as for your second part, i think i write decent enough smut and i’ve never had sex, as you said you just need to know what you’re doing lol 

and yes... wattpad... thats where i started all those years ago and i recently ended up back on there just curious and its literally become unusable with all of the ads on it, i ended up deleting it again lol 

its currently 1:40am here so i will have a good night lol, i hope you have the same wherever you are! 

[mindthump]

Language supermodel: How GPT-3 is quietly ushering in the A.I. revolution https://ift.tt/3mAgOO1

OpenAI

OpenAI’s GPT-2 text-generating algorithm was once considered too dangerous to release. Then it got released — and the world kept on turning.

In retrospect, the comparatively small GPT-2 language model (a puny 1.5 billion parameters) looks paltry next to its sequel, GPT-3, which boasts a massive 175 billion parameters, was trained on 45 TB of text data, and cost a reported $12 million (at least) to build.

“Our perspective, and our take back then, was to have a staged release, which was like, initially, you release the smaller model and you wait and see what happens,” Sandhini Agarwal, an A.I. policy researcher for OpenAI told Digital Trends. “If things look good, then you release the next size of model. The reason we took that approach is because this is, honestly, [not just uncharted waters for us, but it’s also] uncharted waters for the entire world.”

Jump forward to the present day, nine months after GPT-3’s release last summer, and it’s powering upward of 300 applications while generating a massive 4.5 billion words per day. Seeded with only the first few sentences of a document, it’s able to generate seemingly endless more text in the same style — even including fictitious quotes.

Is it going to destroy the world? Based on past history, almost certainly not. But it is making some game-changing applications of A.I. possible, all while posing some very profound questions along the way.

What is it good for? Absolutely everything

Recently, Francis Jervis, the founder of a startup called Augrented, used GPT-3 to help people struggling with their rent to write letters negotiating rent discounts. “I’d describe the use case here as ‘style transfer,'” Jervis told Digital Trends. “[It takes in] bullet points, which don’t even have to be in perfect English, and [outputs] two to three sentences in formal language.”

Powered by this ultra-powerful language model, Jervis’s tool allows renters to describe their situation and the reason they need a discounted settlement. “Just enter a couple of words about why you lost income, and in a few seconds you’ll get a suggested persuasive, formal paragraph to add to your letter,” the company claims.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. When Aditya Joshi, a machine learning scientist and former Amazon Web Services engineer, first came across GPT-3, he was so blown away by what he saw that he set up a website, www.gpt3examples.com, to keep track of the best ones.

“Shortly after OpenAI announced their API, developers started tweeting impressive demos of applications built using GPT-3,” he told Digital Trends. “They were astonishingly good. I built [my website] to make it easy for the community to find these examples and discover creative ways of using GPT-3 to solve problems in their own domain.”

Fully interactive synthetic personas with GPT-3 and https://t.co/ZPdnEqR0Hn ????

They know who they are, where they worked, who their boss is, and so much more. This is not your father's bot… pic.twitter.com/kt4AtgYHZL

— Tyler Lastovich (@tylerlastovich) August 18, 2020

Joshi points to several demos that really made an impact on him. One, a layout generator, renders a functional layout by generating JavaScript code from a simple text description. Want a button that says “subscribe” in the shape of a watermelon? Fancy some banner text with a series of buttons the colors of the rainbow? Just explain them in basic text, and Sharif Shameem’s layout generator will write the code for you. Another, a GPT-3 based search engine created by Paras Chopra, can turn any written query into an answer and a URL link for providing more information. Another, the inverse of Francis Jervis’ by Michael Tefula, translates legal documents into plain English. Yet another, by Raphaël Millière, writes philosophical essays. And one other, by Gwern Branwen, can generate creative fiction.

“I did not expect a single language model to perform so well on such a diverse range of tasks, from language translation and generation to text summarization and entity extraction,” Joshi said. “In one of my own experiments, I used GPT-3 to predict chemical combustion reactions, and it did so surprisingly well.”

More where that came from

The transformative uses of GPT-3 don’t end there, either. Computer scientist Tyler Lastovich has used GPT-3 to create fake people, including backstory, who can then be interacted with via text. Meanwhile, Andrew Mayne has shown that GPT-3 can be used to turn movie titles into emojis. Nick Walton, chief technology officer of Latitude, the studio behind GPT-generated text adventure game AI Dungeon recently did the same to see if it could turn longer strings of text description into emoji. And Copy.ai, a startup that builds copywriting tools with GPT-3, is tapping the model for all it’s worth, with a monthly recurring revenue of $67,000 as of March — and a recent $2.9 million funding round.

“Definitely, there was surprise and a lot of awe in terms of the creativity people have used GPT-3 for,” Sandhini Agarwal, an A.I. policy researcher for OpenAI told Digital Trends. “So many use cases are just so creative, and in domains that even I had not foreseen, it would have much knowledge about. That’s interesting to see. But that being said, GPT-3 — and this whole direction of research that OpenAI pursued — was very much with the hope that this would give us an A.I. model that was more general-purpose. The whole point of a general-purpose A.I. model is [that it would be] one model that could like do all these different A.I. tasks.”

Many of the projects highlight one of the big value-adds of GPT-3: The lack of training it requires. Machine learning has been transformative in all sorts of ways over the past couple of decades. But machine learning requires a large number of training examples to be able to output correct answers. GPT-3, on the other hand, has a “few shot ability” that allows it to be taught to do something with only a small handful of examples.

Plausible bull***t

GPT-3 is highly impressive. But it poses challenges too. Some of these relate to cost: For high-volume services like chatbots, which could benefit from GPT-3’s magic, the tool might be too pricey to use. (A single message could cost 6 cents which, while not exactly bank-breaking, certainly adds up.)

Others relate to its widespread availability, meaning that it’s likely going to be tough to build a startup exclusively around since fierce competition will likely drive down margins.

Christina Morillo/Pexels

Another is the lack of memory; its context window runs a little under 2,000 words at a time before, like Guy Pierce’s character in the movie Memento, its memory is reset. “This significantly limits the length of text it can generate, roughly to a short paragraph per request,” Lastovich said. “Practically speaking, this means that it is unable to generate long documents while still remembering what happened at the beginning.”

Perhaps the most notable challenge, however, also relates to its biggest strength: Its confabulation abilities. Confabulation is a term frequently used by doctors to describe the way in which some people with memory issues are able to fabricate information that appears initially convincing, but which doesn’t necessarily stand up to scrutiny upon closer inspection. GPT-3’s ability to confabulate is, depending upon the context, a strength and a weakness. For creative projects, it can be great, allowing it to riff on themes without concern for anything as mundane as truth. For other projects, it can be trickier.

Francis Jervis of Augrented refers to GPT-3’s ability to “generate plausible bullshit.” Nick Walton of AI Dungeon said: “GPT-3 is very good at writing creative text that seems like it could have been written by a human … One of its weaknesses, though, is that it can often write like it’s very confident — even if it has no idea what the answer to a question is.”

Back in the Chinese Room

In this regard, GPT-3 returns us to the familiar ground of John Searle’s Chinese Room. In 1980, Searle, a philosopher, published one of the best-known A.I. thought experiments, focused on the topic of “understanding.” The Chinese Room asks us to imagine a person locked in a room with a mass of writing in a language that they do not understand. All they recognize are abstract symbols. The room also contains a set of rules that show how one set of symbols corresponds with another. Given a series of questions to answer, the room’s occupant must match question symbols with answer symbols. After repeating this task many times, they become adept at performing it — even though they have no clue what either set of symbols means, merely that one corresponds to the other.

GPT-3 is a world away from the kinds of linguistic A.I. that existed at the time Searle was writing. However, the question of understanding is as thorny as ever.

“This is a very controversial domain of questioning, as I’m sure you’re aware, because there’s so many differing opinions on whether, in general, language models … would ever have [true] understanding,” said OpenAI’s Sandhini Agarwal. “If you ask me about GPT-3 right now, it performs very well sometimes, but not very well at other times. There is this randomness in a way about how meaningful the output might seem to you. Sometimes you might be wowed by the output, and sometimes the output will just be nonsensical. Given that, right now in my opinion … GPT-3 doesn’t appear to have understanding.”

An added twist on the Chinese Room experiment today is that GPT-3 is not programmed at every step by a small team of researchers. It’s a massive model that’s been trained on an enormous dataset consisting of, well, the internet. This means that it can pick up inferences and biases that might be encoded into text found online. You’ve heard the expression that you’re an average of the five people you surround yourself with? Well, GPT-3 was trained on almost unfathomable amounts of text data from multiple sources, including books, Wikipedia, and other articles. From this, it learns to predict the next word in any sequence by scouring its training data to see word combinations used before. This can have unintended consequences.

Feeding the stochastic parrots

This challenge with large language models was first highlighted in a groundbreaking paper on the subject of so-called stochastic parrots. A stochastic parrot — a term coined by the authors, who included among their ranks the former co-lead of Google’s ethical A.I. team, Timnit Gebru — refers to a large language model that “haphazardly [stitches] together sequences of linguistic forms it has observed in its vast training data, according to probabilistic information about how they combine, but without any reference to meaning.”

“Having been trained on a big portion of the internet, it’s important to acknowledge that it will carry some of its biases,” Albert Gozzi, another GPT-3 user, told Digital Trends. “I know the OpenAI team is working hard on mitigating this in a few different ways, but I’d expect this to be an issue for [some] time to come.”

OpenAI’s countermeasures to defend against bias include a toxicity filter, which filters out certain language or topics. OpenAI is also working on ways to integrate human feedback in order to be able to specify which areas not to stray into. In addition, the team controls access to the tool so that certain negative uses of the tool will not be granted access.

“One of the reasons perhaps you haven’t seen like too many of these malicious users is because we do have an intensive review process internally,” Agarwal said. “The way we work is that every time you want to use GPT-3 in a product that would actually be deployed, you have to go through a process where a team — like, a team of humans — actually reviews how you want to use it. …  Then, based on making sure that it is not something malicious, you will be granted access.”

Some of this is challenging, however — not least because bias isn’t always a clear-cut case of using certain words. Jervis notes that, at times, his GPT-3 rent messages can “tend towards stereotypical gender [or] class assumptions.” Left unattended, it might assume the subject’s gender identity on a rent letter, based on their family role or job. This may not be the most grievous example of A.I. bias, but it highlights what happens when large amounts of data are ingested and then probabilistically reassembled in a language model.

“Bias and the potential for explicit returns absolutely exist and require effort from developers to avoid,” Tyler Lastovich said. “OpenAI does flag potentially toxic results, but ultimately it does add a liability customers have to think hard about before putting the model into production. A specifically difficult edge case to develop around is the model’s propensity to lie — as it has no concept of true or false information.”

Language models and the future of A.I.

Nine months after its debut, GPT-3 is certainly living up to its billing as a game changer. What once was purely potential has shown itself to be potential realized. The number of intriguing use cases for GPT-3 highlights how a text-generating A.I. is a whole lot more versatile than that description might suggest.

Not that it’s the new kid on the block these days. Earlier this year, GPT-3 was overtaken as the biggest language model. Google Brain debuted a new language model with some 1.6 trillion parameters, making it nine times the size of OpenAI’s offering. Nor is this likely to be the end of the road for language models. These are extremely powerful tools — with the potential to be transformative to society, potentially for better and for worse.

Challenges certainly exist with these technologies, and they’re ones that companies like OpenAI, independent researchers, and others, must continue to address. But taken as a whole, it’s hard to argue that language models are not turning to be one of the most interesting and important frontiers of artificial intelligence research.

Who would’ve thought text generators could be so profoundly important? Welcome to the future of artificial intelligence.

[frostsinth]

1, 7 and 14? C:

I FORGOT I POSTED THIS! (and was confused why I got numbers in my ask box xD). But thank you so much for asking! -draws in a deep breath-

1. Tell us about your current project(s)  – what’s it about, how’s progress, what do you love most about it?

Where do I start?? Royal Flush is my big thing right now. You guys should know all about my #obsession. It’s literally the only OC on my blog right now. I’m on the last chapter; I’ve written pretty much all of it, I’m just going back through and adding final details, editing out overused words. Making sure everything flows. The thing I love most about Royal Flush is that... it was literally just a whim. I think I was listening to ‘Dance, Magic, Dance’ and came up with the entire plot/story in my head. Grier is absolutely inspired/influenced by David Bowie in ‘the Labyrinth’. Nikostratus has become a personification of myself, mostly my anxiety. I love everything about these boys, and love how wonderfully their characters have just absolutely solidified into a reality. I wish I could write about them forever.

I’m also working on several other projects for tumblr, which should be familiar. Lost Time has taken a side burner, as I got kind of stuck in my inspiration. A Line in the Sand I have lots of plans for, but my attention is sucked dry by Royal Flush until I finish it (which will be soon!), then it’ll be my next priority. And I haven’t forgotten about Deals with Demons! I have more thoughts and plans for the next installment of that as well.

My big project, that I’ve kind of abandoned since I side tracked with Li’un Ma Shkio was my own full length novel that I was writing. I haven’t come up with a name for it yet, but the story opens when a pair of adventurers come to an ancient castle beyond the reach of civilization to look for a ‘cure’ for their cursed friend. Because, legend has it, the curse was started by a demon who once lived there. However when they arrive, they find instead a mysterious young woman. A human woman, for all they can tell. And when they find out the demon never actually left the castle and the woman lives there with him, they believe she’s being held there against her will. That is, until an assassination attempt on the demon sends her on a quest of her own to find the would-be assassin. So the question is, will they join her to save a demon of all things? And why is she just so absolutely strange?? (Sorry, I’m so bad at summaries. As I mention below)

That story was the start of all this. I created the world that all my stories happen in using the lore from that one. I’d love to finish it and publish some day... I got about 100 pages in, and I have it all planned out. Just need to sit and write it... Honestly, I have probably a dozen WIPs, I could talk about them all day. I’d love to show everyone how they are all tied together! (BECAUSE THEY ABSOLUTELY ARE)

7.What do you think are the characteristics of your personal writing style? Would others agree?

I think I write very descriptively and poetically? Perhaps like an old romance poet... I tend to babble on. Like who was that... Hawthorne? I have a lot of long sentences, a lot huge descriptive paragraphs. I tend to fall into the same types of scenes and tropes, but I mostly write for my own amusement, so it doesn’t bother me much.

I would also like to think I write soft moments very well. I definitely love me a confessional. I love the slow burns, and cuddles, and foreplay/aftercare. I tend to go off on tangents. I just have sooo much that needs to be all said at once!! I hope people agree, though honestly, I would love to hear from my readers what’s so distinctive about my writing style.

14. At what point in writing do you come up with a title?

I hate titles. I have the hardest time coming up with titles. Usually it’s one of the last things I figure out about a piece. But once I do come up with a title, it’s mine. And I love it. Now blurbs/descriptions of my works?? I just wrote 300 pages of a romance between a goblin king and a human prince. How tf am I supposed to summarize that in a single paragraph???

I tend to go on and on. But I love to talk about this stuff! So thank you thank you thank you!! Want to know more?? Here’s the list of asks! My inbox is always open.

[hkomsul]

SPP_ Iteration_01

1. Project Statement 

Working Project Title: Love Languages 

What is your project about?

My project is about words. More specifically, my favorite words.  These words include, but are not limited to: catharsis, subsequently, tangible, iridescent, juxtaposition, wordly and otherworldly, ambiguous. 

What are your project's theme(s) or conceptual underpinnings? I’d like to explore experimental digital anthropology with this project. Visceral, confusing, and grounding. 

What is your project's "elevator pitch"? Think of a phrase or 1 sentence maximum. 

I want to make a digital book, that consists of multiple projects of various mediums, and use their titles to tell a connected and cohesive story about love.(?)

What is your short, project description? Write a 200-300 word paragraph that addresses four of the five essential questions:

This project is my chance to finally create a digital body of work that represents all of my skills, as well as explores topics of contention for me. I’ve recently realized that I can combine the themes I’ve studied in my minors (anthropology/humanities) into the creative field of my digital media major. I want to make people, including myself, feel something. My target audience is other digital artists. This project is inspired greatly by net artists and the general idea of having a digital legacy. Some artists that inspired me directly are Jon Bois and Molly Soda, however each individual project within this project also has its own inspiration, of course. The how of this project is honestly still rocky. There will be at least one project to include in the project being made per week, the risk with this is falling behind. 

2. Motivation: 

I like the idea of my project, I really do. But theres some part of me that knows i already need to pivot. I’m doing this project because I want to create something in every medium I’ve learned (or as many as I can) within my time in undergrad. So ultimately, I’m doing this project for myself. I’m exploring my own capabilities and expressions of those capabilities. I’m holding myself accountable to actually create, and I’m forcing myself to tell a story (something I feel I struggle a lot with, unfortunately). This project is for my own growth and self-understanding. In terms of what I’m trying to convey outwardly, I want to be a random link on the internet that once/if you stumble upon, is a treat and an experience. I love confusing and almost ominous things on the internet. “how did you get here? who made you? why do i care?” and I want to create one of these experiences myself.

I am willing to commit to this project but I really think i need to pivot in my  presentation of the project in order to make sure I actually focus on the content and story. 

3. Influences

As mentioned above I have various influences. Injury reserve, Lido, Jaden- these are sonic inspirations and influences. Susan Sontag, Anne Carson and Jenny Holzer are some conceptual influences. Jon Bois and Molly Soda are web/net art influences. 

My inputs are my family life, my culture, my religion and perspective on my own religion. My inputs are my friendships, and the love that I experience in them. My inputs are failed and successful romantic relationships. My inputs are my experiences and struggles with mental health, specifically in relation to self love (in this case). 

4. Target Audience 

My target audience is other digital media artists, and potentially those looking to explore love. I want someone to see the page, understand that there are connections everywhere- i want to document my perception of love and share it. I want to open up a conversation within the viewers head. I think digital media artists are best to receive this story in through this multi-medium approach because the project itself plays into that realm.

8. Ideation & Research 

Wordlists are definitely helpful in the beginning stages, as this experience/project is fueled by semantics and word associations. I think I’m speaking way too vaguely about this project, which is a problem. I must brainstorm what medium to present it all on, and I think that would be successfully done by looking up other digital artist to draw inspiration from. I think part of me really is leaning towards a screen-recording and turning the final product documentation into a youtube video. i think there is something highly symbolic and a little fulfilling in doing that. I dont want to get caught in a web of searching for niche art on youtube when I know I need to put my time into the actualy project themselves, but that is a starting place right now. 

Generally, I believe there are many places I can look to find my ideation and research but I also think letting the inspirations appear organically is better, plus I wont have to worry too much about a research binge! 

[dr-who-said-lgbtq-rights]

Hey so ive been writing recently (I know gasp lmao) I find I can really stick with writing if I do it between 9-10 pm so thats what ive been doing and i have three chapters written so far??? Im so happy with myself :)

Anyway I wanted to share the first chapter on here with yall, I’ll put it under a “keep reading” thingy, but if you could read it that would be amazing!!

tw: death

Chapter 1: It Had Begun

The air was cold and damp and quiet as the grave. A breeze drifted through the air, too weak to be felt but strong enough to slowly push the pillowy clouds of fog that had formed over the river. The lazy currents passed by small, moss-green foothills that eventually grew into formidable sapphire mountains. The river was also wide, wide enough that, in order for someone standing on one pebbly shore to see the other, they would have to squint their eyes nearly shut and tilt their head just so.

While it may have been hard to see the opposite shore, it was certainly not hard to see the gargantuan creature dwelling in the river. As wide and flat as the river, the beast resembled a koi fish, with its long barbells and patterned scales. This fish, however, was more of a greenish-blue hue than koi fish tend to be. It also had six eyes.

This remarkable being was the Guardian, a creature with both incredible power and wisdom, as well as a good sense of humor. Its duty was to swim the river, called the Stream of the Stars, and make sure the multiverse was taken care of. It had done so for nearly three googol years, and it planned to do so for the rest of time.

But, as anyone could tell you, plans never work out the way you want them to.

It was the 3.2978534^100th year of the multiverse (for you non-math people, we’ll call it the “Really Bad Year”, for reasons that might be elaborated on later). The Guardian was doing what it always did: swimming in the Stream, laughing at its own jokes in between looking out for potentially universe-ending situations. While it never paid much attention to the shores (as one who lives alone tends to do), an odd disturbance coaxed the Guardian to one of them.

To its surprise, a figure stood firmly on the slick shore. Their dark cloak was drenched, making the Guardian wonder just how long the being had been standing amid the fog. It could hear the figure’s breathing: quick and raspy, like a smoker who had just won a marathon would sound.

“Who are you?” The Guardian asked, though not in the way you humans do. As a fish being, it couldn’t form words with its flubbery lips and fish tongue. Instead, it spoke telepathically, its words seeming to boom in the misty air.

“I am the End,” the figure replied. They appeared to talk like a human, despite not having a face.

“Ah yes, the End. My immortal enemy and shadow; the one to kill both me the multiverse I hold so dear.” The Guardian laughed, ignoring how morbid that might have sounded to you readers. “You’re about...”

The Guardian paused. Not a thoughtful pause, as a scholar would take when pondering a paragraph they had just read. No, this was an awkward pause, the kind well-meaning children make when they have to weasel their way out of trouble, the kind that twenty-somethings make when they have to tell their Aunt Gertrude why they won’t be attending her birthday. After this awkward pause had lasted a horrifically awkward time, the Guardian continued.

“...about 300 million googol years too early.”

It was the End’s turn to laugh. Their laugh was surprisingly nice, considering the proportions of their evil. While one might expect their laugh to be akin to nails on a chalkboard, the End’s laugh was more like that of one’s favorite grandfather, deep and joyful. Of course, considering their role in the Guardian’s life, the grandfather laugh didn’t really help matters.

“I assure you, I am right on time.” The End wheezed, recovering from laughter. “I have been looking forward to this moment since the beginning.”

“The beginning. Boy, that sure was a long time ago, wasn’t it? I was only the size of a large boat, and you had the loveliest voice voice. I wonder, do you still sing?” The Guardian reminisced.

“Quit stalling.” The End said, letting their impatience extend past their generally stoic exterior. “I’ve come to kill you, and that’s just what I’ll do.”

The Guardian sighed. “I suppose it would be rude to deprive you of your very point of existence. But would you please do one thing for me?”

The End said nothing. They only raised their hand and spun it a little, the universal sign for “well, get on with it already.”

“Would you please write this prophecy down for me? And then send it to the Center? Pretty please?” If the Guardian were capable of making puppy-dog eyes, it would be.

“And why,” The End said, “would I do this for you?”

“Simply to humor me, I suppose.” The Guardian mused. “After my death, the multiverse will only have six days until it is wiped from existence. It’s entirely likely that this property will yield nothing more than frantic scrambling.”

Silence ensued. The End was taking a scholarly pause, considering what the Guardian had just proposed. Finally, they spoke. “Speak quickly. I’ll only write it down once.”

“Splendid!” The Guardian cried, almost giggling. “The prophecy is as follows:

“In six winks of a serpent’s eyes,

Universes will fill with the sound of cries,

All will end in fire and torment, 

Leading up to all that is silent.

“The first to go will be on the edge,

The next slipping off a delicate ledge,

The third crying through pain and blood,

The fourth drowning in flaming flood,

“And the final will last, through days five and six,

Praying helplessly to Gods in Heavens,

All will die, all will burn,

If not for the one whose eyes will turn.”

The End scribbled the final words on to a summoned scroll of parchment. As soon as the pen left the page, the paper began to burn. It smoked until nothing but an ash or two remained, a sure sign of its delivery to the Center. 

“Some of that was rather... cheesy.” The End finally remarked.

“I know, I know,” the Guardian said. “Now that my business has been taken care of, you are free to take care of yours.”

The End bowed. They reached into their cloak and pulled out a sword. It was long, almost to the point of comedy, but a sword must be long if it is to cut the Guardian.

The fish blinked its eyes several times, the way you humans do when you try to erase your tears.

The End raised their sword and brought it down in one quick, smooth motion.

The Guardian laid still, its eyes unblinking. The gentle breeze that had been animating the fog ceased, giving the scene an increasingly eerie feel.

The End disappeared from the Stream of Stars.

It had begun.

~END CHAPTER 1~

YEEEEEE I WROTE A CHAPTER!!!! and as of me finishing transferring this I have six chapters written! If this post gets 50 notes I’ll post Chapter 2! plz don’t let this flop i’m really excited about this

[booksneedcaffeinetoo]

Book Review: House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J. Maas

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

This review is going to be LITTERED with SPOILERS because idk how to talk about this book without giving away the whole plot.

Consider yourself officially warned. 

I’m still debating on my rating, but for now here is my review. Fair warning: it is rant-y and ramble-y and hasn't been edited yet. I'll clean it up when I come back for a rating.

As always, content warnings are listed at the bottom!

Overall Positives:

• SJM has actually included a few gay characters….now they are all very minor side characters (Isiah, Fury, Juniper, and Declan) who are only present for maybe 3% total of the novel, but at least they exist??? So she gets points for actually having gay characters who aren’t killed off. You can say that she’s making an effort.

• The banter between Bryce and Hunt was pretty funny

• That scene with the knock-off My Little Pony dolls was funny

• I think there might've been a reference in the book to First Aid Kit (the sister folk duo) and it made my heart squeal because I love that band SO MUCH!

• Bryce actually has a great relationship with her mom and her stepfather! And they are both alive! And stay alive! I’m actually struggling to recall a book I’ve read where the main character in the book has a). both parents alive and b). a great relationship with them both. So that was really refreshing!

• Hunt in a sunball cap.

• Bryce and Hunt taking photos together. Way too adorable.

• Ride or die friendship. I love books that emphasize the importance of friendship.

• That LIGHT IT UP DANIKA LIGHT IT UP LIGHT IT UP scene....like i felt that...her happiness. so sweet. i teared up at that scene ngl....

• Pretty good depiction of grief. How even after years the pain of losing your friend doesn’t go away. How some people cut themselves off to cope and others don’t. How some take out their anger on the closest target. How some people remember the dead one’s birthday and other don’t. etc. etc.

• It really was a slow burn because they like didn’t even kiss until 75% into the 3,000 page book.

• Rhun is my favorite character in this book. He’s a goth softie king. I also loved the Demon Cat. And Fury. And Declan. And Flynn. And Isaiah. And Hunt. And Lele. And the dog. And Jesiba. And Randall. And….well….that’s about it….

• I have recently been getting more and more into Urban Fantasy so I am excited and glad that this book is UF. I also like how it takes place in a different world with a different history (although for some reason I went into this book under the impression it takes place in New Orleans…)

Overall Negatives:

• If I ever have to see the word “alphahole” again it will still be too soon. I get that she was going for meta and trying to poke fun at how the trope in so many UF books includes an alphamale love interest….but it just doesn’t really work because none of the guys she was calling an alphahole was actually acting like one??? Okay so this is kind of ramble-y but whatever. When I think of an alphamale love interest acting like a…*shudders*…. alphahole I think of the stereotypical shifter romance/erotica novel where the guy likes wants to punch any guy who stands too close or talks to his mate. I think of him making outrageous claims, always posting a guard, never letting her leave the house, etc. all without any cause. Having a literal demon serial killer who (at this point in the book) you believe RIPPED APART AN ENTIRE PACK OF WEREWOLVES and is killing everyone who is close to working on the same case as you and you are a half-fae who NEVER carries a weapon with you, doesn’t have magic, and no one beside your mom, stepdad, and dead bestie know that you can turn into a flashlight at will…..yeah it makes sense that the people who care about you would like you to have a guard. But that’s not “alphahole” behavior. Nor is when you’re starving yourself from guilt him being concerned and wanting you to eat, or wanting you to try to take care of yourself….that’s not “alphahole” behavior, it’s being a good friend/sibling. If someone wanted a guard on her PRIOR to her investigating the murder than yeah….that would be “alphahole” 100%. But that’s not what happened…one of the highlights of the book was Hunt calling out Bryce by telling her that she is actually the “alphahole” here.

• Fucking sunball = baseball. WHYYYYYY I thought it was soccer for so long until Hunt tossed on a “sunball cap”

• I thought that Violet Hall from Pucked was the most infuriating main character I have read in a long time until I met Bryce fucking Quinnland. It is a pet peeve of mine when a character acts like someone (usually lazy or a partier) and then gets pissed because people think they are how they act??? Like, if you act like an asshole then don’t be shocked if people think you are an asshole. Also she was someone who was terribly selfish and stupidly reckless for no reason for 99% of the book. Yeah she’s ride or die for her friends which is supposed to be her best quality but she is just terribly rude to so many people. Like take Lele for example. Bryce treated her horribly until Hunt was sold again, then was friends with Lele for like a week which someone equated to Lele being willing to die for her???

• Part two of that bullet above^: Why was everyone willing to die for Bryce? Maybe I hate Bryce because she reminds me too much of Jane Salone from The Bold Type with her ‘I’m always right’ attitude. But yeah, everyone is willing to die for her. I don’t get why though. Also everyone wants to fuck her. She can’t walk down the street without like five dudes wanting to fuck her. It was so annoying. Also how the hell has she not died by age 25!?!? There is a different between being bitchy with your algebra teacher versus being bitchy with some guy who could smite you before you blink. And all of them are like ‘oooh she’s not afraid of me like everyone else how charming’ and I’m just like NO. That’s like if I intentionally pissed off some mafia dom and instead of making an example out of me for dissing him in front of his mafia bros, he’s like ‘oooh you’re sassy wanna fuck?’ MAKES NO SENSE!!!

•Part three of the above^: okay before someone comes at me and says ‘well would you be saying the same things if she was a guy doing an acting this way’ well probably. I love the KATE DANIELS (Magic Bites) series. And Kate is a no-nonsense, can come across rude, and gives zero fucks what anyone else thinks about her. Kind of like Bryce, but less bitchy and has the power and skills to back up her recklessness. (No one around Bryce learns of her secret lightbright gift or of her sharpshooting skills until the very end so I am maintaining my ‘she’s reckless’ viewpoint based on everyone around her not knowing of her abilities when she does all of this dumbshit). Kate also is a fucking martyr who runs towards danger even when the odds are against her. Just like Bryce. But I love Kate and hate Bryce. So…yeah I think it was just a Bryce issue. It took until about 41% with the whole phone-Sandriel thing for me to stop finding her insufferable….but I still never really liked her after that...I could stand her for the occasional paragraph or two

• Speaking of martyrs…why is everyone one in this book!?!? NOT EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE A MARTYR!!!

• Another reason I hate Bryce (yes I’m back on that Bryce shit) is because after Hunt broke her heart he immediate thought upon learning who he was going to be sold (back to his old owner who is a sadistic fuck) her thought was good, he deserves it and all he did was break her heart and not want to be a slave anymore and kept something he knew would destroy you (which yeah, keeping that secret furthered his cause but still…) and I just????? Have???? No words???? Like girl you have a RIGHT to be PISSED but jfc that doesn’t equate to TORTURE.

• Ugh and then her whole ‘take me instead’ bullshit was so reminiscent of that Jules and Emma whipping scene from Lady Midnight I almost gagged for the level of cheese and martyr-syndrome 

• Why is everyone described as “brown,” “golden brown,” or “tan”?! It’s like SJM is trying to not make everyone white but doesn’t want to fully commit…

• And was anyone uncomfortable/cringed at the ‘white angel wings are supreme to any wings with color’ bit....

• I hate books where the werewolves can talk outloud in human form. I cringed.

• Why was the calling people by their last name thing not consistent? I’ve read books before where characters flip between using another character’s first and last name, but there is context behind why they choose one or the other: the professional setting, if the person is happy or upset, who is being addressed, etc. But you’ll get Hunt calling Bryce “Bryce” and “Quinnland” within a sentence of each other? And literally every character did stuff like this. It was weird and not consistent at all.

Negatives About the Plot:

• This book really felt like three books in one: Part One (first 12ish%) being the day leading up to the Pack of Devil’s murder. And I do mean like every boring thing that happened. Part Two (the next 66ish%) being the murder investigation. Part Three (the last 22ish%) being where all the action occurred. The book felt like it couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. The summary promised a murder investigation so I was expecting it to be a KATE DANIELS-esque plot. But nothing of true importance really occurred during that investigation. We got some cool flashbacks with Danika, and some sweet moments between Hunt and Bryce…but that’s it. SJM isn’t Brandon with a Stormlight Archives (The Way of Kings) complicated interwoven plot. I think the book as whole would have been better if it was about 300 pages shorter.

• Nothing in the plot of true importance happened until the last 100 pages or so.

• I mean we literally got every single thing that happened during every single day of their investigation…it was….too much detail.

• When I got to 80% like every other chapter felt like the book should end. It could’ve ended on a cliffhanger. Like right after Hunt was found on that boat. But nope….

• Figures. SJM can’t have a main couple unless they both are super special. Did anyone else feel like she just recycled parts of ACOMAF in this book? Hunt: has wings and super special powers. Bryce: absorbs some super-fae juiced up power from a cauldron—er….I mean arch—to get extra powers and become the most super cool and super special fae in all existence because god forbid we have a heroine who isn’t the most physically powerful person ever. I mean, to hell with mental strength. Must be physically magically powerful or you’re no good!

• The only plot points that surprised me were the hunt being at the drug bust (because we got nothing from his povs that he was remotely interested in going back down that revolution road especially after his whole meeting with Briggs…still iffy with this one, because his thoughts in that cell sound like he actually was on board with it until he called it off because the drug is too dangerous but his call to the viper queen said she owed him a favor so…..) and Micah’s weird horn hard-on. Literally nothing else surprised me...

• I really though Reid would play a bigger role considering Bryce used to date him and is fam is responsible for that drug....but nope. The dude is like never even mentioned.

• Ugh...that villain speech. Maybe I'm just like...what's the point? Why not just zap the bitch why do you need to tell her your life story!?!?!

• Also let's be real, Danika's password never would have been allowed to be that simple nor remain unchanged for 2 years. But whatever.

• It’s also pretty cringe that Bryce freed Lele just for her to die…………..

• Why is Jesiba’s shop impenetrable (the building and cameras) until it’s convenient for it not to be…I mean it sounded like nothing could break into her building or the cameras but then… Micah just easily waltzed in there and Declan easily hacked into the security cameras….makes no sense but okayyyyyyy…..

• ....or about how the dog can teleport and undo locks until once again it's convenient for him not to be able to so she can dramatically save the day (look I also have issues with her valuing her pet's life over Lele's in that scene...also isn't the dog supposed to be like terrifying, it could've fought while her and Lele got out. not really sure how the water which delayed him like two seconds helped more than her dog would've....look, i love pets and i don't want him to die but i don't want Lele to die either!)

• Bryce and Hunt literally never have a talk about everything???? Like I get the world almost ended but neither of them had a thought like I know we need to talk about everything that happened on the boat. About if his love for Shahar trumps his love for me. But that can wait… Because those were all fears she had before but now vanished???? I get not wanted to have verbal talk but a thought from Bryce would’ve been nice.

• How can you run, carry a sword, and shoot a gun all at the same time? Still trying to figure out the logistics of that all....

• Why is SJM's adult book the least smutty thing she has written so far!?!?!?!?

• The love saves everyone and everything line is so fucking cheesy I can’t.

My Overall Feelings:

• The book couldn’t choose a plot. Did it want to be a crime book? Did it want to be ACOMAF? Who the fuck knows.

• This would have worked better as a TV series than a book. Especially that scene where Bryce is trying to save the city and everyone is just watching it happen on the jumbo screen at the summit. In book form it was just….weird….and felt disruptive...and someone could've started flying to help out. Plus I like watching shows with characters like Bryce but hate reading books with characters like her if that makes sense...

• Also if the summit is just between the leaders of CC then why did Sadriel have to be there? Why does it happen only every 10 years? Why does it have to take place outside of the city if no other leaders from other places are present?

• Why don’t we get a map of all of the other countries that were mentioned?

• This book was wayyyyyy too long. It would have been much better if it was reduced to 500ish pages instead.

• Also the character’s flip-flopped with their character development way too much. It wasn’t consistent.

• This is definitely one of the better SJM book’s I’ve read, but it won’t be one that I’ll reread. It is too long with too many boring bits in the middle.

• But hey! If you love SJM then you’ll probably love this book…

Content Warnings and Trigger Warnings: restricted eating, self-harm, drug use, alcohol consumption, implied rape, mentions of abusive relationships, suicidal thoughts, depression, emesis, slavery, terrorist attacks, grief, gun violence, death, murder, violence, torture

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[neirawrites]

I was a Twihard in high school. Then I was a Twilight hater. In  2018, I decided to reread the first book, to see for myself on which side I belonged. I wrote my thoughts as I read, in multiple parts, but on my main blog, so I thought I might share them on my writeblr too, because I kinda had fun with it. 

Enjoy my many, many notes

Pages 0-50

I’m actually kinda into it. Yeah, there are a many issues every article on editing tells you to fix (filter words, -ing verbs and things like that), but i feel it. I don’t know what it is, but it’s there.

Bella isn’t that bad of a protagonist. Nothing too spectacular, but she’s fine. She is depressed, self sacrificing and hides her feelings, but also a lot more self aware than i though she would be(like when she notices mike, my son, likes her). She’s a typical teenage girl, the introverted type, way into reading. there’s nothing wrong with that.

I don’t know why i remember Edward being a draco in leather pants,but he’s also fine for now. mysterious and handsome and a bit weird. The first real conversation they have, he’s polite and nice and charming. I expected him to be a dick for like 150 pages at least.

Pages 50-100

I’m still really into it.

Yeah,Edward kinda ghosts her/gaslights her after the whole van incident, but with the benefit of hindsight,i kinda get it. It’s a wonder he didn’t pick up his entire family and moved to Alaska again. I also get her mood during that time and I've been there so i feel ya,Bella,it’s not your fault.

And yeah, Bella gets invited to the dance by three different guys and it’s all kinds of fan fic-y, but the fact she turns them down furthers my belief she’s wake up married to Edward in like a few years and realize she would rather be with Rosalie (a solid choice, might i add).

Edward’s really pushy, especially when it comes to the scene after she faints. like, let her go, you jerk, she can drive herself, but he’s more weird than he’s a jerk and i think that was intentional.

A big surprise was the line “what if i’m not the hero, what if i’m the bad guy?” which isn’t this super cheesy, extra dramatic sentence but a jokey joke told with a laugh. actually, that whole conversation in the cafeteria where she tries to guess what he is is gold and don’t try to tell me otherwise.

I’m reading her interests in him as less of a romantic thing, and more of frustration at his behavior,like she would still be fascinated by him if he wasn’t so hot because he’s just so weird (but being hot is definitely a plus).

Plot? What plot?

Still, while the flaws are there, i’m still enjoying it very much.

Pages 100-150

Is Stephanie Meyer into anime? Cuz she wrote a harem light novel,that’s what she did and that’s how i’ll read it from now on and have more fun doing it. (Might make a post elaborating on this further).

All this to say that we got to Jacob. Not gonna lie, I kinda forgot about him.  He seems like a nice kid and i’m glad Bella has some positive interaction. Team jacoj 4 life (jk,man,i was team jasper in high school which is in retrospect very weird of me). I know he becomes a friend-zoned dudebro later, but for now, he’s fine.

Meyer, lady, you’re winning me over as a half hearted defender of your work, but why are the girls so bitchy? Yeah,i know, bitchy girls exist in real life, especially in high schools,but girls are our friends and we need more positive female on female interactions. Just my personal preference, I guess.

Things are getting interesting. Bella’s dreaming weird dreams (just fyi, not a big fan of dream scenes in general), she’s googling like crazy  and we’re going to Port Angeles.

I never felt she has any sort of affection for Angela or Jessica who seem really nice and have done nothing wrong. Like loosen up Bella, give them a chance. I know, depression makes you into a bitch sometimes, but it would warm me up to her character if she was a little more affectionate with people around her.

That whole scene where she almost gets at best beaten up and mugged and at worst raped and killed is… not my favorite part of the whole thing. I get what Meyer needed to do, to have her be saved by Edward, but there must have been a better way to go about it. What do I know? I’m the queen of forced plot contrivances. I do like their conversation at the restaurant (again, why do we hate the female waitress, Steph?). I don’t know why, I expected Edward to be mad at Bella for what happened to her and he seems genuinely concerned and his anger feels… human. Some of his actions, however, do not.

He stalked her which is weird and creepy and I hate it. Don’t stalk people, Edward. most of us don’t like it. you’re lucky Bella’s a weirdo.

150-200

I kinda love how ok she’s with the whole vampire thing. she’s just “well, this kid i barely know told me a scary story, so i guess the guy from school is a vampire. it be like that sometimes.” my first assumption would be it’s all an elaborate prank to make fun of me (i have some deep seeded trust issues origins of which remain unknown). and he’s waaay to quick to confirm her suspicions. I think there’s an explanation in the part of midnight sun that got leaked, but that was like a century ago.

I would criticize her for being ride or die with Edward so fast, falling in love with him so quickly, but i exchanged like 5 sentences with a cute girl last night and a part of is ready to propose based on the artiness of her instagam, so who the eff am i to judge?

and i get why he’s fascinated with her. she’s the only one he can’t read.

why? i don’t think that question ever gets a good enough answer, but it’s a fictional story about a girl falling in love with a sparky vampire. i’m not here for complex science or detailed explanations.

he seems waaay too protective of her. She’s a big girl, Ed, she can take care of herself. It’s actually kinda annoying. i dislike how he treats like a child a lot of the time. he seems pretty condescending. also, if he broke her car, i’m taking back everything nice i said about him.

ok, let me finally address bella’s biggest character flaw, her clumsiness. i mean, i get why she has it but Meyer goes a bit too hard on it. i’m clumsy, i really am, full of bruises, always bumping into things, but Bella can’t walk 20 meters without tripping. i guess i’m just glad she becomes a vampire in the book four, otherwise the book five would have been about her struggles when she’s diagnosed with a stage four inoperable brain tumor that’s been mesing with her sense of balance and the whole things turns into a weird version of the fault in our starts.

if i were writing it i would focus on her trust issues and being unable to form real bonds with other people as her main flaw, maybe even use it to try and justify the whole thing with the mind Edward can’t read. Like, she’s too different in a way that makes her unable to connect even on a basic level, like that one Blue whale that sings at a different frequency than all the others. Idk,i write pulpy sci fi. but it’s easy to be a general after the battle.

we got to the two infamous lines:

how are you? 17. how long have you been 17?  is another line that’s more jokey than i though it would be, but also the most realistic piece of dialogue in this book. i would so ask the same thing.

About three things I was absolutely positive. First, this paragraph has been memed to death. Second, there was a part of me-and I didn’t know how potent that part might be-that would know every word of it till the day i died. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in like with it.

200-300

Not gonna lie, the whole part where he goes around asking her questions he is legitimately interested in knowing the answers to is at the same time my kinkiest fantasy and my deepest fear. like, yaaas, daddy, get to know me on the personal level and don’t be turn off by the fact i’m a tabula rasa.

We got to the infamous meadow scene and Bella is sooo horny on main for that vampire stake it’s actually kinda funny. She gets so effing into it she faints. I fucking love this girl. Go get that adonis dick, Bella, you deserve it.

I don’t mind vampires sparkle.i mean,it’s lame and fanfic-y but in Bosnia we have the lampires so vampires are creatures with a high dose of plasticity. i don’t know why that was like the worst thing anyone has ever done to the vampires. They are kinda too strong and could use a real weakness tho.  

So the lion fell in love with the lamb is kind of another joke. Also, this is the skin of a killer is sadly just in the movie.

I do have the feeling he likes the project that he sees in Bella more than the real girl,but ok. Also stop nagging her. He watches her sleep. What a creep. I don’t know why, but the fact that he’s a vampire who doesn’t have to sleep makes it kinda less creepy for me. I don’t know why.

But “if i could dream at all i would be about you,” is the kind of ultracheese i can get behind. they are both such teenagers and i kinda looooove it.

Also non of the boys were her type is such a lesbian excuse. I feel ya Bella, i feel ya. I hope you discover your gayness after the end of breaking dawn.

We meet the cullens and every single one of them has a backstory like 528 times more interesting than Edward. i need novels about them, all of them ffs. it would be so cool. but, one of my favorite oc’s Errien Lark gets like 30 lines in the whole book so i can only be as harsh on Meyer as on myself (which is to say a lot. neither of us deserve these characters, honestly)

This book would have been more interesting if Bella fell in love in any other cullen. Like, Bella and Alice, Bella and jasper (Bella and Jasper and Alice. Sorry, i’m into solving love triangles with ot3s).Bella and Rosalie, Calilise, Esme, even Emmett, who i remember  as mike of the vampires, but it’s been a decade.

300 pages in and plot is yet to happen, but it’s ok. we have the vampire baseball next.

the last part.

get your hot takes! hot takes right here

I kinda like billy. He seems like a nice guy. Also billy/charlie as my new otp.

“The beautiful one,the godlike one.” Bella, you are such a teen.

The less fucks she has about him being an all powerful ancient creature of the night who can murder her in a heartbeat, the funnier it is. She is just soo casual about it. Comedy gold, i tell ya. i mean, this is actually part of the narrative, Edward comments on it, meyer knows what she wrote.

Ed,maybe is you stopped saying she smells good, you would be better at not thinking about her as food. Mind over matter. Just a thought. Maybe i misjudged his virgin ass. Maybe ed the incel actually fell in love with her. Or at least what he thinks is love since they’ve been dating for like two days (look who’s talking?the girl who reads any sign of affection as a statement of love and then gets disappointed).

“Emmett could never be compared to a gazelle”. That’s sexist steph. Emmett, honey, you are as gracious as you want to be.

Also a big yaaaas on the whole concept of vampire baseball. we needed more of it.

Plot! Plot! Plot! Plot! Plot!

We have encountered plot. Only 320 pages in. three bad vampires came into town.

Story time: when i was in high school, all like 20 of us in out class were really, really into twilight (dudes included). we quoted it all the time but the height of comedy happened when someone brought their friend from another school to out class and someone else was like “you brought a snack” and a meme was born to be quoted endlessly for months. it was actually kinda fun. and probably very annoying for anyone who wasn’t into twilight.

Also, any development? Backstory? Motivations other than for the hell of it for out boi James and his ginger girlfriend? come on, it wouldn’t even be that hard. Also, some foreshadowing? There was like one line before. This is a legitimate criticism. it’s kinda shitty writing and a wasted opportunity.

Edward is being a dick again. I get he’s scared but her dad could die. Or maybe they’ll trun him into a vampire too (charlie/Edward? Think about it). But they all call him out on it which is nice. Bella’s plan isn’t bad, but “let me go charlie” is the straight up coldest thing i have read in a long time. it’s supposed to be, this isn’t criticism, just stating the obvious. But she showed like an inclining of love for her dad who has been nothing but nice all this time. Yeeey, she’s not a robot.

“It was the best idea. Of course it was mine” . Yaas, queen, you’re not that much of a doormat;  take that credit.

i would do something to foreshadow the ballet studio thing in the first half of the book. at least, have Bella or Charlie looking at pictures from her recital, just to intricate it to the plot a bit more.

Ok, now i remember why i was team jasper. He is so effing nice. And he would be awesome for my depression. Neira/Alice/jasper, i ship it.

i’m kinda digging the explanations of how vampires work and the whole venom thing. They are still op af and need to be nerfed, but i wanna be one.

Of course, he used the mom. She’s like the only person bella actually cares about. She falls for it. i would probably fall too, but i’m dumb.

the fact that james hunted Alice is a nice and a very much needed twist. it did catch me of guard. i would be more mad he’s a bad guy monologing, but i can only introduce stones to my own glass houses.

Bella’s now more into the idea of being a vampire than into Edward and i’m living for it. she’s going to use him for his venom and a baby and run off with rosalie.

“and how many times did she fall our of a window?” (yes, that is a Sherlock reference in the year 2018 of our lord. maybe i should do that for my next project. should i wait a few more years?)

her mom is not worried enough, honestly. my mom would be freaking out. but my mom has anxiety issues, so idk… (i couldn’t get her smooth hairless legs, or her blue eyes but i got that gene. thanks, i guess) .

“And i have a couple of girlfriends” now that’s a novel i want to read but i guess i’ll have to write the lesbian twilight myself.

“I want to be superman too”. yeeees, finally, kristen steward in the role of superman casting of the century. you would all watch it and love it, and you know it.

Charlie doesn’t deserve this shit. when will he retire with his husband billy in their cabin where they can fish all day.

“Do you want me to bolt the door so you can massacre the unsuspecting townsfolk?“ Are we sure she hasn’t been a vampire from day one?

Jacob is a sweetie (for now) just putting that out there.

Edward is kinda being unreasonable. being a vampire in your universe isn’t that bad.

Aaaaw, and that’s a wrap.

i actually kinda digged it. it’s nothing special, but i read these last 150 pages in one sitting. my main issues are writing oriented. very little foreshadowing, many filter words and things like that, but i guess if you aren’t that into writing, you might not even notice more of that.

it’s not the death of literature, it’s not the worst love story ever told. it’s just a silly and mostly harmless wish fulfillment novel.

edward can be a controlling and condescending prick but he gets called out on it very often. it’s not like meyer is completely oblivious to what she’s writing. and even tho he’s 100, i guess they are all mostly stuck mentally at the age when they were turned. or at least that’s how it seems to me. bella is kind of a bitch to everyone who’s not a vampire and she’s never called out on it, there’s a glimpse of change in the epilogue, but i don’t think meyer really considered it a character flaw. which is a shame, as it could have made for an interesting character. all the vampires have stories i would rather read about, as i said before, but what can ya do? that’s what’s fanfics are for.

i may write more of cohesive thought on it when it settles in my brain, but first, i need to watch the movie. i have a hypothesis i need to test.

but i don’t regret doing this. it was kinda fun and now i’m no longer ashamed of my twihard phrase. i could have done worse, as far as teen phases go.

Someone should like write a fanfic, but Edward is not a vampire, but a rich guy. And he’s into some hard core spanky business. And they should take all the problematic elements and just crank them up to 11. And add a looot of sex. I bet they could make millions.

Tho, honestly, how can you read twilight and not make bella the kinky dom? you fundamentally misunderstood the story. for shame