#i do not want more specialists in the roster

[not-poignant]

Health update!

So for those following health stuff, I got some great news today. I don't have COPD or Pulmonary Hypertension.

I did find out that my lungs are smaller than the average population (maybe about 90% the size) so they're working a bit harder than everyone else's and that's part of why I've been prone to pneumonia (which I started getting as a teen) and chronic bronchitis.

I also have a new trial medication to start, and some bloodtests to get. But my lungs overall are doing really well and I don't have to see the lung specialist again unless things get suddenly worse.

We've been staring down a possible diagnosis that would give me 2-5 years left to live for 6 months now, and getting a reprieve has been a huge relief and in its own way kind of exhausting.

But good good good news, and that makes me super happy <333

[harlowhockeystick]

i present to you, straight from the tortured poets department...poetic prompts written by the chairman herself.

⎯ send in any one of these poetic prompts, no more than two at a time please, and i will give you a gut wrenching, heart breaking, life giving, fresh air breathing blurb...just as the chairman intended.

sincerely, writer for the tortured poets department anthology specialist

fornight - "i love you, it's ruining my life"

the tortured poets department - "sometimes i wonder if you're gonna screw this up with me"

my boy only breaks his favorite toys - "he was my best friend"

down bad - "fuck it, i was in love"

so long, london - "you'll find someone"

but daddy i love him - "me and my wild boy, and all this wild joy"

fresh out the slammer - "i will never lose my baby again"

florida!!! - "love left me like this and i don't want to exist"

guilty as sin? - "without ever touching his skin, how can i be guilty as sin?"

who's afraid of little old me? - "so tell me everything is not about me"

i can fix him (no really i can) - "trust me, i can handle a dangerous man"

loml - "you said i'm the love of your life, about a million times"

i can do it with a broken heart - "you gotta fake it til you make it"

the smallest man who ever lived - "i don't miss what we had"

the alchemy - "he just comes running over to me"

clara bow - "you're the real thing"

the black dog - "i don't understand how you don't miss me"

imgonnagetyouback - "i can tell when someone wants me"

the albatross - "i'd visit in your dreams"

chloe or sam or sophia or marcus - "if you want to break my cold heart, say you loved me"

how did it end? - "but i still don't know, how did it end?"

so high school - "you knew what you wanted, and boy you got her"

i hate it here - "i'm bitter, but i swear i'm fine"

thanK you aIMee - "i can't forgive the way you made me feel"

i look in people's windows - "does it feel alright not to know me?"

the prophecy - "i'm so afraid i sealed my fate"

cassandra - "that's where i was when i lost it all"

peter - "i thought it was just goodbye for now"

the bolter - "oh, we must stop meeting like this"

robin - "you'll learn to bounce back"

the manuscript - "i'm not a donor, but i'd give you my heart if you needed it"

p.s. you can find in my directory, the list roster of different men i'll write poems for. please refer to that only, if you would. here is the link <3 oh, and send your requests here. you may also request from my au list, which is found here. that's all for now. see you when it's time to write about heartbreaking princes and screaming from tall towers.

⎯ j

[wingedjellyfishflight]

Viper for the King

CW: threats of non-con, possible death, ambiguous ending, torture briefly mentioned

You have been captured by the enemy with no chance of rescue. There will be no hail Mary operation to extract you and you are at the mercy of the enemy. König is the Colonel, in charge and the scariest person you have ever met.

He threatens to rape you to make you talk when no other form of torture works. His eyes light up at the prospect, thinking he may have found your weakness. You grin up at him with blood-coated teeth.

"Sounds like an interesting cultural exchange. Is that a European thing to brag about being so bad at sex that it's considered torture? Hmm.. anyway, go for it. This is getting boring anyway and I'm near outta fingernails as is."

"We will make you talk," he grinds out.

"Honey, I'll bet you can't even make me scream, let alone talk," you try to wink up at him through the blood and swelling on your face.

He admires your spunk and as much as he wants the information, he will be disappointed when you break as it means no more toying with you. No more carving his initials in your skin. No more spark in your eyes. Hell, you at least look him in the eye, none of his men dare to do that anymore. He has much more respect for you than anyone else he's ever met, he is surprised to realize.

"Do ya hide your face because you're so handsome it's a hazard or because it gives the men heart attacks in fear when they see it? Seems like it could be the latter, given the weak men you have working for you."

He stops the man to his left from striking you. He knows you're right about the quality of men. "I've seen your Ghost. Why does he hide his face? Afraid to be known?"

You chuckle back, spitting out a bit of blood to keep from choking on it. "Makes the girls swoon with his blinding smile. Gotta tuck it away or else he'd be mobbed."

"Ahh... pretty boy. Sounds just your style." He smirks as he goes over the roster of men in his head, thinking to exploit this possible weakness.

You look him up and down, eyes pausing to stare at his beefy arms and thighs. "Too skinny and small for my taste. I prefer... insertion specialists." You see his chest puff up and sigh dramatically. "Too bad the best ones are always the enemy. Though it feels almost as good to crush them under my boots. They never seem to expect it."

König knows you're flattering him on purpose. It's working. He just hasn't worked out why you would. You know he won't go easy, your body can already attest to that. Your voice goes quieter. "I've heard you're called a human battering ram. Wolf among men."

He whispers back, "does that make you the viper, spilling poison into my vein?"

You grin, "No. I'm the raven. Collecting shiny things to line my nest. Can't stand not having the best things to play with, no matter the cost."

He goes quiet, his eyes narrowed as he works out the double-meanings and weighs his options. I should shoot you for having the audacity to label me just another shiny thing, he thinks. But he still considers the offer.

You watch, letting him weigh the choice. Either he ends you now or he helps you escape. Staring him in the eyes, you cant your hips up slightly and lick your lip. If he takes the offer, you're eager to see if he can live up to the hype.

He chooses, unsheathing his firearm. He chooses you. He realizes there was no choice, really. A nebulous offer versus where he is now, feared, but bored. It is a hard choice to make. As he carries your limp body, he thinks about the initials he carved in your body. You will carry his brand to the grave along with his heart, because he will always be yours. He was right, you're a viper dripping poison in his veins and he couldn't get enough.

[master-sass-blast]

Resurgence.

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five: Chapter One, Part Five: Chapter Two, Part Five: Chapter Three, Part Six: Chapter One, Part Six: Chapter Two, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten, Part Eleven, Part Twelve, Part Thirteen, Part Fourteen, Part Fifteen, Part Sixteen

Summary: You grin when you step off the elevator and see Lin waiting down the hall, in the doorway of her apartment.

She smirks when she sees you, then smiles faintly when you jog down the hall to greet her. “Someone’s eager.”

“What, you didn’t miss me?”

She hums into your kiss, one strong arm banding around your waist. “Well,” she murmurs against your lips, “maybe just a little.”

You giggle, then let her usher you inside as she kicks the door shut behind you both.

-

AKA you and Lin meet up for an evening to blow off steam. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned.

Pairing(s): Lin Beifong x Reader.

Rating: M for sexual content, panic attacks, PTSD symptomatology, vomiting, and arguing.

Word count: 5.9k.

Author's Note: Me? Posting more than once a year? Surely not.

In other news, my CFS/other body and brain shit is still overwhelming. It basically took dragging myself through editing to be able to post this latest round of fics (for those of you who don't check out my other works, no worries, but I like to post in little caches so that everything is updated mostly together). I'm not trying to vie for pity; I'm really fucking proud of myself for pushing through and being able to post. I had an unofficial goal of wanting to post more fics before April was over (because April is my birth month), and I did it! I am that bitch!

Thank you all for your patience -and all the comments! They really kept me going when the grind of editing was starting to wear me down.

Happy Reading!

P.S. Shout out to the commenter who pointed out how guilty Lin must feel for not saying anything about the locks. I hadn't even thought of that.

Wake up. Stretch. Get ready for work. Catch the 8:30 morning tram.

Get to work. Clock in. Review client roster for the day. Confer with reception Start off with your first patient for the day.

Clock out for lunch. Eat lunch. Talk to coworkers. Take a short walk during break.

Clock back in for the afternoon. Work with more patients. Confer with an assistant on upcoming scheduled appointments. Take your afternoon break. Drink some tea.

Wrap up your last scheduled appointment. Update client progress charts. Tidy work space. Clock out.

Catch 5:45 evening tram. Stop by the market to pick up food for dinner. Go back home. Make dinner. Do chores and general “life maintenance.” Try to relax. Get ready for bed. Go to sleep.

And on, and on, and on, and on…

You like your job. You love the field of work you’ve picked. Carrying on your grandmother’s legacy –the tradition of the Northern Water Tribe’s healing work–gives you reason to hold your head high each morning.

You have purpose. Passion. You help people.

Maybe you’re a workaholic in denial. Or maybe it’s the fault of your mad idea to also work at Yue General as a trauma recovery specialist and on-call surgical assistant. Whatever the case, at least once a year, you hit a point where the daily grind of your life starts drilling through your head and draining your will to live.

In years past, you’d usually take a few days off, after about the fifth week of dragging yourself through the motions. You’d promise to “refresh” your life –clean up your apartment, take care of responsibilities left to the side in the wake of your waning motivation–then spend your time off eating your weight in take out and napping on your couch.

Well. It works. Each year, you’re able to return to work after a few days living as a shut-in hedonist with renewed joy and drive.

This year, however…

You grin when you step off the elevator and see Lin waiting down the hall, in the doorway of her apartment.

She smirks when she sees you, then smiles faintly when you jog down the hall to greet her. “Someone’s eager.”

“What,” you say, somewhat winded, as you slow to a stop in front of her. You wind your arms around her neck and curl your fingers into her curly, short hair. “You didn’t miss me?”

She hums into your kiss, one strong arm banding around your waist. “Well,” she murmurs against your lips, “maybe just a little.”

You giggle, then let her usher you inside as she kicks the door shut behind you both.

…

The second the deadbolt slides into place, the weight of your daily grind melts away.

Technically, the second you got a phone call from your darling girlfriend, and thus received the invitation to come over for an evening, a lot of the drudgery bearing down on you had abated. But you’d still waited, balancing electric anticipation, looming over your head as you counted down the days, then the hours, then the minutes…

You moan into Lin’s mouth as she grabs your ass with both hands.

Bliss.

You’ve always hated waiting for what you want –for anything, really.

Lin shoves you against the nearest wall. She growls when you squeeze her ass harder than necessary, then grabs your hands. “Behave.”

“No.” You take the opportunity to nip at her lower lip –which makes her gasp gloriously–then utilize her shock to fight her grip. “I–”

Lin all but slams your hands against the wall, over your head. She brushes her lips along your jawline –which makes you tremble–then murmurs huskily in your ear. “Enough. Be patient.”

“Patient?” you sputter. “I’ve been patient the whole damn week–”

“I called you only three days ago.”

“It felt like a week!” You whimper when Lin nips at the side of your neck. Feigning submission, you tip your head back and melt against her –until she loosens her grip on your wrists.

“You little–” Lin catches your hand halfway on its journey up her shirt with one hand, then grabs your face with the other. She forces you to look her in the eye and glowers down at you. “What did I just tell you?”

“You called me three days ago.” A cheeky, self-satisfied grin stretches across your face when she growls at you. You smile up at her, the picture of innocence, then use her moment of distraction to jam your thigh between her legs.

Lin lets out a choked gasp of your name and stumbles against you.

“Aw, baby, did you miss me?” you purr. “You could’ve called me so –FUCK!”

In one fluid motion, Lin tosses you over her shoulder and marches down the hall, towards her bedroom.

A short grunt escapes you when she tosses you on her bed, and then you squeal when she yanks you over her lap. In short order, your pants are yanked down around your knees. You mock-glare at her over your shoulder when she pulls roughly on your underwear. “Don’t rip these! I like them!”

Lin grabs a fistful of your hair and pushes your head back down against the bed. “Shut up.”

Blissful pain shoots across your scalp. Your eyelids flutter shut, and you moan into her bedspread.

(Regardless, she heeds your demand and doesn’t ruin your underwear.)

Your underwear follow the trajectory of your pants in short order. Anticipation and arousal pulse through your cunt, prompting you to squirm atop Lin’s lap.

She pins you down by barring one strong, unyielding arm across the small of your back. Her free hand gently smooths over the swell of your bare ass –almost worshipful, in contrast to her ire with your bratting. “Last chance. Behave.”

You can’t resist. “Or what?”

Her hand cracks down against your skin.

You yelp –then whimper when she kneads your asscheek, drawing out the underlying ache. “Lin–”

“Be. Good.” She leans over your back to growl in your ear. “Or I won’t let you cum tonight.”

…Come on. She practically set that up on a silver platter for you.

“What makes you think you can make me cum to begin with?”

SMACK!

A delighted sob rips out of your throat. You writhe –well, as much as you can, anyway, since Lin’s always bound to win any contest of strength between the two of you–then moan when she spanks you one, two, three more times. Stars burst behind your eyelids, dazzling and transcendent as all coherent thought leaks out your brain through your dripping cunt. “Fucking spirits–” You groan, low and ragged, when Lin’s hand cracks down against your ass for a fourth time. “Oh shit!”

She keeps spanking you in irregular intervals, until your ass feels hot and you’re a whimpering, slick mess. Lin brushes her fingers against your labia, then pulls away when your hips push against her fingertips. “What? Nothing smart to say now?”

And you don’t. The ability to speak has since left your brain, drowned out by arousal, and endorphins, and the feeling of your girlfriend’s hand against your throbbing skin. So, in lieu of saying what’s on your mind, you opt for a physical demonstration.

“You little fucking brat–”

Or, well, you try to.

You manage to twist your arm and get half a hand on Lin’s chest –her beautiful, soft chest that you would never take your hands off, if you had things your way–before the bottom drawer of her nightstand flies open and a familiar glint of silver whizzes past your head.

Your stomach lurches, akin to airsickness, when the first metal cuff closes around your wrist.

“You never listen, never learn–”

It’s like you’ve toppled into the Northern Ocean in the midst of winter. Every muscle in your body seizes, practically frozen solid. You’re sinking, slipping beneath the surface as La drags you into their depths, theirs forevermore.

“–okay? Talk to me–”

You can’t breathe right. There’s a burlap bag over your head. You’re tied to a chair in a dank basement, there’s a bag over your head, and you’re going to die–

“Breathe.” Lin undoes the cuffs with her metalbending, then tosses them aside. She lifts you into her arms, turning you so that you’re sitting in her lap. “What’s wrong? Did I–”

“Don’t leave me again!” A broken sob tears from your throat. You throw your arms around her, clutching her close as you bury your face into her neck. Shudders wrack your body as you cry louder. “Don’t –don’t leave me–”

“Okay! Okay.” Lin cups the back of your head with one hand. “I won’t leave you. Just breathe for me, alright?”

You’re trying. But it’s like you’ve been punched in the gut. You can’t catch your breath, can’t get your diaphragm to open up properly.

“What does she taste like?”

The back of your throat burns. Your mouth tastes like acrid metal.

“I want you to tell me. What does she taste like when you use your tongue on her?”

Clammy sweat beads along your forehead.

“I guess I’ll have to find out for myself.”

You shove yourself to your feet, then clap one hand over your mouth when you retch.

Lin’s reflexes succeed where yours fail. When you double over, she grabs you by the shoulders and rushes you to the bathroom.

The first heave makes your eyes water and burn. You cough, stomach roiling as your whole body rolls. Putrid bile spews into the toilet basin on the second heave, burning your throat on the way out. You sob when you can breathe again, falling to your knees on the hard, cold tiles of Lin’s bathroom floor.

Lin’s hand is strong, yet gentle on your hair. She quickly tucks a few stray strands away from your face. “Easy. Just let it happen.”

Like I have any control here. Panting, you clutch the rim of the toilet bowl. “I–” You retch, then curl over the toilet again.

…

Things go fuzzy. Once your stomach is empty, you collapse against the side of Lin’s bathtub. You’re gasping, clammy and trembling as you try to suck down enough air to stop the feeling of drowning.

A cool glass of water is pressed into your hands. You take a small sip, rinse your mouth, then spit into the toilet bowl before slumping down again.

At some point, you wind up in Lin’s bed, tucked carefully under the covers. Your knees and hips ache from the harsh, unforgiving tile floor. Still shaking, you wince as you curl up on your side. Short, shallow breaths puff past your lips. I’m okay. It’s okay. Everything is okay. You’re safe, Lin’s here–

Except she’s not.

You bolt upright, terror coursing through your veins. The bathroom’s empty, there’s no light peeking out beneath the door to her home office, and the kitchen is silent. Your stomach drops into your feet, and you lunge out of bed. “Lin?”

“What’s wrong?” Her feet hit the floor in her living room, and then she appears at the end of the hallway, expression pinched from concern. “Are you–” She stumbles back a few steps when you careen into her. “What the –hey!”

You lock your arms around her waist and bury your face in her neck. Your pulse pounds in your ears, racing and erratic. “You left me again!”

“I–” Lin’s hands grip your shoulders tightly. “I stayed with you while–”

“Not then! Earlier! You left me!”

Lin tightens her hold on your shoulders, then forces you back so she can see your face. “I don’t know what we’re talking about!”

You lock your jaw to keep yourself from rambling and gibbering like an unhinged loon. Throat tight with fear and anguish, you force yourself to breathe as deeply as you can. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Bile roils in your empty stomach; you swallow hard, then pull away from her. “You left me. After the warehouse. After Kim.”

Lin goes perfectly still. Her wide, green eyes lock onto your face, then quickly focus on the floor instead, before finally drifting to the empty kitchen. Her scarred cheek twitches minutely. “I don’t understand what that has to do with right now.”

“I’m trying,” you spit out between clenched teeth. Frustrated –with her, with the situation, with yourself–you close your eyes and scrub at your face with your hands. “I’m not –you aren’t –I don’t want to–”

“Breathe.”

You do as Lin says, relaxing minutely when her hand brushes against your upper arm. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Use the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to control things. Deep inhale, even slower exhale.

Once you’re visibly calmer, Lin speaks again. “Why did you panic when I cuffed you?”

“I…” You swallow hard, then shrug small and sad. “I flashed back to –to the warehouse fight.” A pang of anxiety makes your voice crack. “When Kim had me tied to a chair in the basement.”

“Shit.” Lin rakes one hand through her short, wavy gray hair. “I’m sorry, I should have thought–”

“Of nothing,” you cut her off, suddenly weary.

“I should have checked in before restraining you–”

“And I would have said ‘go for it.’” You level her with a firm stare. “I didn’t know it was going to happen, either. It just… came out of nowhere.” The anxiousness crests higher, and you compensate by stepping into Lin’s space and wrapping your arms around her waist. You bury your face into the crook of her neck. “Thanks for helping me when I freaked out.”

“Of course,” Lin says as she wraps both arms around your shoulders. “What, like I was going to leave you like that?”

“I know, I know,” you reply automatically.

She left you after the warehouse.

It’s a poisonous, traitorous thought. Cold, nauseating ire roils in your gut. It turns hot as it swirls up your spine, until it breaks over your head in a tidal wave of rage and indignance.

It’s not fair. You and Lin have talked about the whole Kim aftermath fiasco. It’s been put to bed.

Has it? You chew on your lower lip as your mind turns the issue over. If you’re still upset about it, has it really been laid to rest?

How many times have you lectured your patients, after all? Some small injuries or aches, if left unattended, can morph into much bigger problems.

The tell-tale sensation snaps back –almost like vertigo, your head spins as the room suddenly feels miniscule around you. You can feel the walls of Lin’s apartment closing in around you, feel your scalp pressing against the plastered ceiling, even though your girlfriend is still holding you and your head is still comfortably pillowed against her chest. The urge to curl in on yourself, to find somewhere dark and small to hide claws up your legs and back, snarling and demanding your immediate submission. Breathe. Your eyes slip shut, and you press your forehead against your girlfriend’s shoulder. I deserve to exist. My feelings deserve to exist. Teeth clenched against a fresh wave of nausea, you breathe through anger and frustration and pain. Ask, don’t accuse. You swallow around the lump in your throat. “Why –why did you leave me after I got kidnapped?”

Unsurprisingly, Lin freezes again.

You can hear her swallow nervously. When she doesn’t speak, you decide to keep talking. “I needed you. I–I was so fucking scared, and hurt–” Your voice cracks as hot, stinging tears well up behind your closed eyelids. You press the heels of your hands against your eyes, trembling all over as you try to compose yourself. “Sorry. Just –give me a second.”

Lin says nothing, simply waiting in patient silence.

Outside, down in the street below, a Satomobile door thumps shut. The engine revs, then settles into a steady purr before fading away. The familiar rattle of the city tram breaks through the autumnal winds that rip off the harbor. The sound of the tram’s bell soars higher, sailing into the night air like asclepias puffs in the wind.

You flex your feet against the hardwood floors of Lin’s apartment. Pretty grain pattern, part of your brain notes inanely. Must’ve been expensive to refine and install. “Why did you leave me?” you whisper hoarsely, once you finally manage to scrape yourself together. You swipe at your face with the cuff of your sleeve; you hadn’t even managed to get undressed before everything went to shit. You clear your throat. “I… I don’t understand.”

For several long, tense moments, you think she might not answer at all. Then, Lin sighs. “I… I panicked.”

You watch Lin sharply, trying to read her often inscrutable expression and posture.

She walks away from you, over to the window in the living area that overlooks Republic City. She stares out at the night skyline –despite the sun having already set, the city glows from all the electric lights. She braces her hands against the white windowsill; she almost looks like a pensive, noir-style detective from the murder mystery radio shows you like so much.

You tuck your tongue in your cheek to keep from giggling hysterically.

“It was my fault.” She doesn’t look at you. “The nature of my job creates enemies.” She steps back from the windowsill; her hands curl into fists at her sides. “I should’ve known better. I do know better. And despite that, I didn’t keep you safe.”

“It’s not–” With a long, heavy sigh, you shake your head. “You can’t possibly predict every–”

“I did.” When you sputter disbelievingly, she faces you –but her gaze doesn’t quite reach your eyes. “The security on your building is shit. And you’d be a lot better off with platinum locks.”

After a moment of your best river carp impression, you manage to close your mouth and shake your head. “Lin…” You hold up one finger when she opens her mouth to argue. “That’s not the same thing as knowing that Kim was going to kidnap me.” When Lin’s unconvinced, pinched expression doesn’t lift, you sputter, flabbergasted. “Okay, look –Lin. Baby. If I don’t expect you to make sure every aspect of my life is safe, what good does it do to hold yourself to that kind of standard?”

“I still–”

“‘Still’ nothing, Lin! You’re not a fucking god! Okay, so you thought about my locks; that –that doesn’t obligate you to do anything,” you insist. Sweat beads along your back, soaking into your shirt. You sigh, then sweep your hair off the back of your neck to try and cool off. “As it so happens, I’m an adult; I’m ultimately responsible for myself, and that includes my own safety. Besides, it’s a nice enough neighborhood!”

Lin stares at you, flat and unimpressed. “Bad things happen anywhere.” Her jaw tightens. “You would know.”

You sputter, caught flat-footed by her audacity to use your own assault against you. “I –how fucking dare you!” You clench your hands into fists at your side, fingernails biting into the meat of your palm. “I am not –I cannot believe–” Sense takes hold before you cavalier too far down the road of rage and indignance; as angry as you are, you don’t want to spew vitriol all over Lin. Even if she’s kind of earned it. You glare at her, jaw locked tight. “Even if you have a logical point,” you spit out through clenched teeth, “the woman who skipped out on me after I was assaulted does not get to use that trauma against me in an argument!”

Lin’s lips press into a thin line. She looks at the floor, expression somewhat chastened. “I’m sorry. That was out of line.”

“Yes, yes it was. And thank you.” In a testament to your self-control –which, normally, you’d pass off as lacking at best–you inhale deeply and try to yank your temper back into some semblance of calm. Your head is starting to throb dully. So much for a relaxing night off. You rub your temples as you struggle to process and respond to Lin’s adamant self-blame. “I don’t –I don’t walk around with this notion that being your girlfriend comes with some sort of pass to perfect protection! I don’t expect you to package me up all nice and safe so nothing bad ever happens to me!” 

“I know–”

“Then what, in Yue’s name, is the fucking problem!” You fling your arms wide, voice rising as your frustration mounts again. “There are associated risks with living in the real fucking world, and I have never asked, or intoned, or suggested that you safeguard me from every bad thing that could ever happen! Why…” When your mind finally runs blank, anger petering out, you throw up your arms before letting them fall back to your sides. Your palms hit your thighs with a light slap. “What’s the point? What’s the point of putting yourself through all that, Lin?”

Lin scowls. She turns partly away and rakes one hand through her thick, curly hair. “It’s still my job.” She sighs harshly. “I know you don’t expect me to protect you.” She looks back over you, expression solemn. “I know. But it’s still my job. I don’t–” She presses her lips into a thin line, frustrated, then crosses her arms over her chest. “I believe in police work. I believe that doing my job keeps people safe. Even when I’m ‘off the clock,’ my duties to the people I care about don’t stop, and that includes keeping them safe.”

“Okay.” You nod along, choking back retort after retort through sheer force of will. It matters to her. It matters to her. It matters to her. “Okay.”

Lin fully turns away from you –but even without seeing her face, you can still tell she’s on edge. The line of her body is rigid as she stares out the window of her living room. She takes a deep, audible breath, shoulders rising and falling as she does. She clasps her hands behind her back and bows her head; for a moment, she looks exactly like the countless press release pictures of the indomitable Chief Beifong (which you may or may not have clipped out of the newspaper and tucked away for your own edification, you’ll claim the fifth if asked to testify, presumed innocent until proven guilty). “I didn’t know if we were going to be serious or not. It was more comfortable, for me, to keep you at arm’s length. And that included not making an issue of your building’s security problems.”

It stings, you can’t lie. Her confessed, deliberate indifference to your safety –when it’s apparently a big deal to her–hurts. You swallow hard, then tuck the inside of your cheek between your teeth to keep from firing back before she’s done talking. 

“It was my fault,” Lin states, voice flat and final. “After Kim… I couldn’t deal with it.” Finally, she turns and looks you in the eye. Her expression flickers for a moment, nearly giving way to anguish, before locking down to something more neutral with what you know to be an insurmountable, bone-deep reserve of will. “I’m sorry.” She stiffens, then frowns slowly when you start shaking your head. “What? What is it?”

“I–” Hot, stinging tears trace down your cheeks. Your palms are clammy, and your back is drenched in sweat. “That –thank you. Thank you for being honest. But–” You draw in a shaky breath as you try to school your thoughts into something more coherent. “I don’t –the locks wouldn’t have changed anything, Lin. They –no.” You hold up one finger and glare harshly at her when she opens her mouth to argue. “No. We both know that Kim had a very particular goal in mind. Better locks wouldn’t have stopped him. He would’ve had his goons just, I don’t know, kick in my door, or some shit.” You shrug, defeated, then rub your hands over your face. “I –I don’t care about the stupid locks. I get that it’s important to you, and that’s fine, but the locks don’t make a difference to me.” 

The locks wouldn’t have held your hand in the hospital, after all. The locks wouldn’t have talked to you on the phone after you woke up from yet another nightmare. The locks wouldn’t have rubbed salve into the rope burn on your wrists from where you’d chafed your skin trying to wriggle free. The locks–

Your face crumples, but you manage to keep going as you start crying. “I needed you.” Your whole body shudders as you draw in a shaky, broken breath. “I was so fucking scared, and hurt, and I didn’t know what was going to happen to me–”

Lin presses her lips together in a tight line, then holds her arms out to you.

You choke on a sob, then rush into her embrace. “I was so fucking scared!” You bury your face into her shirt, trembling as you weep. “I felt so lost, and small, and you just left me–”

Lin tucks your head beneath her chin. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“It was cruel,” you insist, voice pitiful to your own ears. “And selfish.”

Lin draws in a shaky breath. “It was,” she agrees, her own voice wavering. She hugs you close, as though she can squeeze the pain and suffering right out of you. “I was wrong –and cruel, and selfish. I’m so, so sorry.”

Something inside you releases, like a locked muscle finally relaxing after a good, thorough healing session. You melt against her, hurt yielding to assurance and peace. A shaky exhale floats past your lips. “Thank you.”

…

Once you stop crying and settle into the post-panic attack-argument-meltdown, Lin disentangles from you and sequesters herself in the bathroom.

You can hear the sink tap running; if you felt up to it, you could probably extend your bending and feel the water swirling down the drain.

Exhaustion has you feeling hollowed out. You peel your shirt away from your skin with a grimace. The stress of the evening made you sweat. You try to adjust your underwear under your skirt. All of your clothes, frankly, feel uncomfortably, grossly stuck to your skin. This is not how I wanted to get wet tonight.

You drop down onto Lin’s couch gracelessly. You slump into the dark green cushions and close your eyes.

Your whole body feels raw. Your skin almost feels like you’ve been scraped along the pavement outside. Throbbing and tender, you shift restlessly, trying to find some position that will agree with you.

Outside, a Satomobile honks loudly, which is quickly followed by the sound of tires screeching.

Flinching, you curl forward and comb your fingers through your hair. Fuck me. Quickly, you flip on Lin’s radio, then let out a sigh when instrumental music starts droning through the speakers. You turn up the volume dial, just until the crushing feeling of overstimulation starts to abate. That’s better.

Eventually, Lin emerges from the bathroom. (It’s probably not very long, but your poor, fatigued brain has settled into the muddy state where time starts moving like molasses.) She heads straight for the kitchen and starts quietly puttering about; a few cabinet doors open and close, the tap for the sink runs briefly, and the range hisses as Lin lights it with match.

You borderline drowse as you half-watch her work, half-melt away into the syrupy ooze of reality.

Hours, maybe minutes later, Lin joins you at the couch. She sets down a tray with a fresh pot of tea and two cups onto the coffee table, then reaches over and turns the radio down. “Here.”

You force yourself into a more upright position and accept the cup of steaming, fragrant tea she holds out to you. “Thanks.”

Lin sets down next to you, and makes no protest when you immediately invade her space and curl up against her. She wraps one arm around your shoulders, then picks up her cup of tea with her free hand.

The tea is nice –no doubt some very expensive, well grown blend. You wish you could do more than sip tiredly at it, but your head feels heavy (probably from the swelling in your sinuses, on account of all the crying).

Distantly, the healer part of your brain starts noting all the facets of recovery after crying. Parasympathetic nervous system takes over. Brain releases endorphins. Muscles release tension from build up of stress. Autonomic nervous system reins in heart rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure.

“You alright?” Lin murmurs when you let out a shaky breath..

Nodding, you hum, then tip your head back and kiss her softly. Even though you’re tired, your head feels clearer. The consuming static of terror and rage have finally been swept out, leaving subdued peace and clarity.

Speaking of…

“Hey.” You crane your head back so you can see her face better. “If… if something happens to me again–” You pause when Lin grimaces and looks away. After waiting a moment, you press your fingers against her jaw and gently guide her head until she’s looking at you again. “If something happens to me again,” you repeat, “don’t… don’t push me away.” A lump rises in your throat, but you push past it. “I won’t ever be angry at you if something bad happens to me, okay? And it’s –it’s so much worse–” Your voice breaks; you have to take a moment to pull yourself together before you try speaking again. “It’s so much worse with you not around.”

Blinking rapidly, Lin nods. “Alright.” She looks away for a bit, gaze distant. She swallows hard, jaw rolling as she lets out a sigh, then asks, “Would you consider getting platinum locks?”

“They’re expensive.”

“Victim’s Assistance fund should pay for them, considering your apartment was broken into during the course of an abduction,” Lin fires back, almost like she’s reading the fine print straight from the page. “All you’d have to do is submit a request form and a copy of the police report to their office. And if they don’t pay for platinum locks, I will.”

Part of you wants to protest the notion of her paying for any of it. It’s your apartment and your responsibility. Feasibly, you could scope out some options, compare prices, and then allot the necessary savings into your monthly budget.

A quiet, wiser voice in your head whispers, ‘It’s okay to let her help you.’ “Would you feel better if I had platinum locks?”

Lin’s reply comes without hesitation. “Yes.”

You sweep your tongue along the back of your teeth; part of you chafes at the thought of acquiescing. You can take care of yourself, after all. You moved here on your own, put yourself through university and therapeutic certifications, built yourself up as a reputable and capable physical therapist and surgical assistant. While Lin’s compensated you for ruined clothes and the odd day when she’s worked you over enough that you needed to take a day or two off work, you’ve never needed –or expected–her to bankroll your life.

If the Victim’s Assistance Fund comes through, she won’t have to pay, you remind yourself. And it’s just one set of locks, and she’ll feel better knowing you’re safer.

That’s the clincher, in the end. Stubborn pride isn’t worth your girlfriend’s peace of mind –especially over something as non-invasive as a good set of locks.

You nestle back against the warmth and comfort of Lin’s embrace. “Alright. I’ll start figuring out the Victim’s Assistance fund stuff tomorrow.”

“I can give you the number for one of the department heads.”

“Okay,” you murmur, cheek squished against her shoulder. Part of you thinks it’s a little ridiculous –there’s no reason you can’t go through the same process as everyone else–but you’re too tired to argue (and, honestly, bypassing some of the formalities and traditional run-around will be nice). You sigh, then nuzzle against her and close your eyes. “I’m sorry for freaking out at you earlier. I know –I know you were just taking a moment to breathe, and you weren’t actually leaving me; I just –I was still so out of my head from the cuffs, and the panic attack, and I–”

“It’s okay.” Lin wraps one strong arm around your shoulders. “You were scared; it’s okay.” She kisses the top of your head, then squeezes you a little closer. “Stay here tonight. I’d rather you go home once you’ve had a chance to rest.”

You sniff, then nod. “Okay.” Melting into her embrace, you tuck your head into the crook of her neck. “That sounds nice. Thanks.”

“Of course.”

The radio croons on; the singer –a woman with a smooth, low voice–drawls on about the ocean and the land meeting as lovers. Down the hall, the gentle, intermittent rumble of the elevator interjects between the radio and the sounds of the city at no particular rhythm. Outside, the distant, waning sounds of Republic City’s nightlife echo into the air.

The two of you lapse back into comforting silence.

…

Once the two of you finish your tea, Lin tidies up before shepherding you to bed. 

You rinse off in the shower first. You worry about washing your hair, or anything too involved, but getting the sweat off your skin is essential if you don’t want to wake up irritable and itchy. 

Your stomach still feels shaky –no doubt from all the mucus and drainage from crying. You turn down the water to a comfortably cool temperature (helps with the inflammation), then mechanically work through the steps of washing up as quickly as you can.

You borrow Lin’s toothbrush (and, fine, it’s really not the grossest thing, especially since you’ve made a point of burying your face between her legs whenever she lets you), and she lends you another baggy, Republic City Police Academy shirt to sleep in.

The gray shirt feels exquisitely soft between your fingertips, against your skin. You tuck away the notion of “borrowing” it for future you to ponder.

It’s nice, slipping beneath the covers on Lin’s bed. Her sheets are luxuriously soft –no doubt a vastly higher thread count than what you can afford.

You stretch your legs like a polar bear pup. Something pops in your lower back, and you groan. “Ugh, finally.”

“You okay?”

“Cracked my back.” You wait for her to turn off the lamp, then cross the space between you and curl up against her side.

Lin obliges you by slipping her arm beneath your neck and winding it around your shoulders. Her fingertips slip beneath the collar of your shirt and stroke along the base of your neck. 

The familiar sounds of the city dwindle as the night drags on. The surrounding apartments are equally still. Here, in Lin’s bed, in her arms, you’re enveloped by safety. By warmth. Every breath you take is filled with the familiar scent of Lin –traces of the cologne she favors, the fresh mint of her toothpaste, even the fragrant tea you both had earlier. The blankets are cozy, exquisitely soft, and the perfect weight to help lull your frazzled mind and body into slumber.

Just for a moment, right before you drop off into sleep, your body relaxes into a state of perfect contentment. It’s almost like you’re floating, perfectly supported and enveloped, much like floating in a pool for a moment of rest before swimming again. Tranquility seeps through your veins, washing away any remaining tension and panic from earlier in the evening.

You fall asleep to the gentle thumping of Lin’s heart and her steady, deep breathing.

[shuttershocky]

hey shutters!

I swear there was an ask you got from another newbie asking you about muelsyse and whether it was wise to invest in her...but I can't find it, tumblr why :c

I love the green lady and I'm thinking of using her now that I have a few E2s (they're all level 1 but shh), do you think it's a good idea? I guess I'm mostly asking if she's a good unit when you're not super invested/don't even know what masteries are yet

That really depends on who you have raised.

Due to Muelsyse's unique ability to base her summon around another one of your operators, she gets better the more units you have that she can clone.

What makes a good Mumu clone? The clones copy an operator's base stats, but not their skills nor traits. This means characters with good base stats that work for the strategy you want make for the best clones.

For ranged clones for example, Deadeye Snipers with their wide range and massive ATK stat are decent picks for when you want Mumu's summons to cover an area, but if it's raw DPS you're after, Trapmaster Specialists with their incredibly fast ATK interval (0.85s, even faster than Marksmen!), good range, and good stats make the likes of Dorothy incredible clones.

Avoid cloning units that are reliant on their traits and skills. Splash and Blast Casters for example, make for terrible Mumu clones because she can't actually clone their AOE attacks, meaning even if you copy Ifrit, the clones will only attack one enemy at a time. On the other hand, a Crusher's gigantic HP and ATK stat may look nice, but their 0 DEF means even a slug can deal damage to a Crusher clone, and without the AOE from a Crusher's trait or the ability to be healed by a medic, a Crusher clone gets killed very fast by mere hordes of trash.

If you have good candidates for Mumu to clone already raised, then feel free to go ahead. If not, maybe hold off until your roster is a little more filled out.

[softquietsteadylove]

Would you write more about the Pokémon AU? Maybe how teddy wants to know more about Gil’s work?

"This way," Gil gestured to the procession of pokemon exiting Victory Road from the lower caves. "We'll find you somewhere nice and dry, I promise. But we need to check all of you for moisture damage, first!"

"Teddiursa!"

Gil chuckled at the little bear on his shoulder, also waving his paw to usher on the wild pokemon. His ears were sitting perfectly through the holes in the little 'assistant ranger' hat he had on for the day.

After a very intense battle between some water specialists, apparently there was a cave-in somewhere within the labyrinth of Victory Road's tunnels, leading to the evacuation of various ground and rock types for their own safety.

Thena, and many other trainers, had to help minimise the damage and keep the more aggressive pokemon population - those unwilling to evacuate - under control. She had asked Gil if he could take their little cub to work with him instead of exposing him to the dangers of her work week.

Gil looked down at a small Gible tugging at his pant leg. "What's up?"

"Gib?"

"Teddiursa!" the pokemon volunteered, clinging to Gil's shoulder as he leaned down to speak with the equally small pokemon. He pointed with a claw, gesturing to the ranger centre, where anyone looking at long-term rehabilitation would end up. "Tedd-Teddi!"

"Gible!"

"Teddi," he nodded, acknowledging the Gible's understandable worry about being displaced from his cave home. "Teddiursa!"

The Gible nodded its thanks before continuing on, weaving in between Tyrannitar and Rhyhorn and Gigaliths on its way to brave the pokemon centre all by itself.

"Hey," Gil gave Teddi's cheek a gentle nudge, "you did great, bud. You're a real pro."

"Ursa!" the little cub giggled as Gil poked his fuzzy cheeks. He attempted to maintain his more serious facade for work, tugging at the little scarf he had also been given to identify his deputisation.

"I think that's the last of this group," Gil sighed, checking things off his list before exporting it on his tablet. There was always more work to do in their business.

"Teddi," the cub poked Gil's cheek gently with a claw, "Teddiursa."

"It's okay, buddy," Gil assured his assistant, patting his hat between his ears as they moved into the caves. "Mama's a pro; she can take care of herself."

"Teddiursa?"

"Y'know, she probably is," Gil agreed. Thena was plenty knowledgeable on her own, and her specialty in pokemon nutrition and physiology probably helped her on a daily basis in her work for the Plateau. "You've learned a lot from her too."

"Ted!" the cub nodded with a prideful grin on his muzzle. He always paid very close attention when Thena was telling him about what vitamins and ingredients she was adding to homemade food, or even just to enhance the nutrition of store bought pokechow.

Gil smiled; Thena's food made for humans was just barely edible, but she was a master chef when it came to pokemon nutrition. Although she always tried to credit him and his degree in pokemon ecology for that. Apparently pro trainers received a negligible education on pokemon nutrition when they were testing to enter the league roster.

He was pretty sure she was good at it just because she cared so much.

"Looks like things have calmed down in here a bit," Gil remarked as they walked further into the caves. "You can probably go to work with Thena again tomorrow."

"Ted...Teddi?"

"Huh?" Gil looked at the bear sinking down on his shoulder with a shy expression. He tipped the brim of Teddi's hat up to better look at him. The Little Cub Pokemon did indeed have a guilty little look on his muzzle. "You wanna come to work with me again?"

"Teddiursa!" it beamed, looking as excited as it did the first time Thena said they could go for a flight with Dragonite. "Ted-Teddi!"

Gil wasn't sure why he was so shocked. Teddiursa had always been curious about what he and Thena did for work. He paid attention when Thena taught him about type advantages and their various needs and natures and abilities. And he always paid attention when Gil was teaching him about habitats and ecosystems and food networks. Maybe the combination of those two things had made him curious about being a ranger. "You don't wanna be a battle pokemon?"

"Ted," the little bear looked down again, clutching at the shoulder of Gil's vest, "Teddi."

"Well, you don't have to evolve if you don't want to, bud," Gil assured the little fella, patting his back as they walked. His pom-pom tail tickled the back of Gil's hand as it wiggled. "Mama would never want you to do something you didn't want to. I'm pretty sure she's too protective of you to let you start battling anyway."

"Ted!" the bear laughed.

They had only talked about Teddiursa's impending evolution a few times. He didn't know many attacks, and it wasn't as if Thena didn't protect him at all costs in any given situation. They were quite sure they had some time, although they were happy to accept if it did happen eventually.

"You wanna stay Mama's little cub?" Gil smiled, tickling the bear under the chin, at which his back paws kicked in delight. It could still catch him by surprise: how much it warmed his heart to witness the bond between Thena and the little orphan he rescued.

"Teddi," the bear mumbled against Gil's shoulder. If he didn't want to evolve, then he didn't have to. And if he was going to be working as a ranger, there were certain advantages to staying as he was. He didn't need the changes to his abilities evolution would bring if he wasn't going to be battling professionally.

"Okay, let's talk to Mama about it, hm?" Gil suggested gently. Teddiursa nodded, his face still buried in the back of Gil's shoulder as he hung there tiredly. Gil pulled him up by the paws until he could carry him in the crook of his arm, like Thena did. "She'll be happy to see you."

"Teddi," he agreed, feeling the same as Gil carried him. He turned in his arms, big black eyes staring at the caves around them.

Gil felt the little puff ball tail wiggle again and chuckled, "you smell her?"

"Teddi!"

"Hi," Thena called back, coming into sight just a few seconds later. She waved to them as Gallade ran with her on its back. She jumped down, holding out her arms for Teddiursa, who was already jumping towards her. "Hello!"

"Teddi!" the little cub greeted, rubbing his cheek against Thena's gleefully, never mind his hat, or his ears getting smushed in the ear holes of it.

"I missed you too," Thena smiled, holding Teddiursa against her properly so she could fix the hat on his head. She had already seen it that morning, and in pictures Gil had sent her. But it was just so cute! "Did you have a good day as an assistant ranger?"

"Teddiursa!"

Thena blinked at the overwhelming, albeit positive, response. "Oh?"

"Hey," Gil greeted, moving beside her to kiss her cheek. He would be greeting her with a proper kiss if not for the cranky look on Gallade's face. He had no doubt had a long day and would be feeling more strict than usual. "How did everything go, here?"

"Not bad," Thena leaned into his kiss, further melting into the arm he slipped around her waist. "There were some Steelix who didn't want to leave, but Ninetales helped me out."

"Gallade!"

"Yes, you too," she smiled up at her partner pokemon, who crossed his arms with a scowl. "We'll go home soon, I promise."

"Gallade," it agreed, although he didn't bother to let himself back into his pokeball, either.

Gil gave Thena's far side a gentle squeeze. She looked at him and he pressed his lips to her ear, "I think it's time to find an Everstone for you-know-who."

"Really?"

"We can talk about it more at home," he smiled, patting Teddi's head sandwiched between them. "But he might...want to come to work with me again tomorrow."

"Teddiursa!"

Thena smiled down at her little cub, because of course she was open to anything that made him happy. She pressed a kiss to his hat, "okay, my Luvdisk, if that's what you want to do."

"Ted!"

"Let's go home and get some dinner, first," she suggested, much to Gallade's relief. He didn't pick her up again, choosing to walk somewhat behind the little 'family', towering over all of them with his abnormal height. "I'll make your favourite."

"Teddi!" the little cub cheered from within her warm embrace.

Gil kissed her cheek again, a little closer to her lips, "and I'll make yours."

[waywordhearts]

hey! i’m talia (25, pst) and i’m slowly getting myself back into writing following the break that life forced me to take. i’ve mostly roleplayed in groups but in wanting less restrictions and the hope to be able to write more varying stories i’ve decided to jump back into 1x1 and indie rp. i do write on discord but i honestly prefer tumblr. i’m a creature of habit, what can i say? 

here are my favorite fcs to use: 

priscilla quintana, melisa pamuk, nathalie kelley, ana de armas, yara shahidi, julia dalavia, melissa barrera, kylie bunbury, phoebe tonkin, im jinah, rachel mcadams, jessica chastain, ozge yagiz, alicia vikander, and rebecca rittenhouse

casey deidrick, ryan gosling, kendrick sampson, manny montana, can yaman, chris evans, henry golding, jesse williams, jon bernthal, jamie dornan, paul mescal, lewis tan, and theo james

note: there are more fcs to love this is just the short list and tend to be my go-tos!

when it comes to wanted opposites i am fairly open. i much prefer you use an fc that you have the most muse for. that said, i will happily take any of the fcs listed above as opposites!

if you’d like to interact, please like or comment on this post or shoot me a message! continue reading below the cut for more information including my rules!

writing style: i do use legacy editor and prefer it. however, i am all good with using beta editor should you need to as i understand that not everyone has access to legacy editor. my writing range tends to go from a small paragraph to multiple and i do love the utilization of gifs. i would prefer replies not be excessively formatted and if possible please use small/medium gifs — accessibility!

plotting style: i love to set up a plot and release the muses lol. it’s much more fun to just let the muses figure things out and see where the writing takes us and how things develop and progress naturally. that said, i love tossing around headcanons and setting up backstories and all that good stuff. i prefer not to overly plot. i think random starters and tossing whomever you’re musing in is great fun! its great to see what we can come up with!

characters: i do have a roster of muses that are ready to go and love your muses down. but i am also more than happy and willing to create muses specific to plots!

Adria Arjona as Milena Solis, a 30 yr old vertex cinema owner

Alicia Vikander as Beate Hellström, a 34 yr old clinical psychologist

Ana de Armas as Benita Montero, a 34 yr old lounge singer & amateur art dealer

Can Yaman as Taner Dursun, a 33 yr old former bodyguard & security company owner

Casey Deidrick as Cash Henley, a 34 yr old musician

Casey Deidrick as Greyson Hendrix, a 35 yr old construction contractor

Casey Deidrick as Matthew Sullivan, a 34 yr old beer maker & owner of Sully’s Tavern (looking for baby mama & longterm ex-girlfriend plots)

Chris Evans as Samuel Harrison, a 38 yr old novelist

Henry Golding as Sean Lim, a 36yr old art restoration specialist

Im Jinah as Nari Moon, a 30 yr old hacker and hotelier heir

Jamie Dornan as Conway Dowling, a 42 yr old restauranteur

Jesse Williams as Ezra Maverick, a 41 yr old professional poker player

Jessica Alba as Kassandra Solano, a 42 yr old real estate agent

Jessica Chasten as Shay Westwood, a 45 yr old ATF agent

Jon Bernthal as Nathan Ford, a 44 yr old former cop, trust fund baby, and now barista

Julia Dalavia as Noa Santana Teixeira, a 28 yr old podcast host & creator

Kendrick Sampson as Nolan Kingston, a 34 yr old investigative journalist

Kylie Bunbury as Simone Burke, a 34 yr old medical examiner

Lewis Tan as Alexander Hou, a 38 yr old real estate developer

Lucas Bravo as Jonas Ernshaw, a 38 yr old private investigator with a new identity and dark past

Manny Montana as Romo Beltran, a 40 yr old tattoo artist

Melisa Asli Pamuk as Ela Aydin, a 31 yr old author

Melisa Asli Pamuk as Serra Kavas, a 32 yr old actress & artist

Melisa Pamuk as Halide Demirci, a 31 yr old publisher

Melissa Barrera as Mia Franco, a 32 yr old private investigator

Nathalie Kelley as Angelia Paredes, a 35 yr old book cover artist & voice actor

Özge Yağız as Reyhan Saylak, a 28 yr old disgraced ballet dancer

Paul Mescal as Keith Buckley, a 28 yr old coder

Phoebe Tonkin as Cheyenne O’Hara, a 32 yr old theology professor

Phoebe Tonkin as Genevieve Bardot, a 31 yr old professional photographer

Priscilla Quintana as Andrea Romero, a 30 yr old drug manufacturer & bartender

Priscilla Quintana as Antonella Ibarra, a 30 yr old chef

Priscilla Quintana as Lucía Socarras, a 30 yr old heir to a horse racing farm/business & bloodstock agent

Rachel McAdams as Selina Vale, a 43 yr old spy / mercenary

Rebecca Rittenhouse as Shay Howard, a 34 yr old real estate attorney

Ryan Gosling as Joshua Lincoln, a 33 yr old MotoX racer & Flat track racer & bank robber

Theo James as Ethan Elmore, a 40 yr old thief

Yara Shahidi as Nima Sanaz Abbasi, a 25 yr old aspiring filmmaker

themes: town/city, slice of life, crime/gang, espionage, mature

these are my rules for interacting/writing:

please be 21+

all muses must be 25+

please be patient. i work a full-time job and have my family to take care of so i will be slow to do replies during the week. most of my activity will be on the weekends. 

extension of #3 — i tend to do replies in the order i receive them unless i have insane muse for a particular thread and i need to get it done and out of the way because it’s all i can think about. please please please do not assume this means disinterest if i do not do your thread first or if i do replies out of order. muse is weird and these actions do not mean i do not enjoy or love our threads.

communicate! i cannot read your mind and you cannot read mine so i appreciate communication if something is off or wrong or if you have questions or would like to chat and plot about threads. i love talking headcanons too btw so feel free to hit me up any time! 

if ever you’re not feeling a thread, muse, connection you have all the right to drop the thread/connection. again, i would appreciate communication or a heads up but i also understand. 

i do not chase down replies. if your reply doesn’t show up in my activity or if i’ve missed it on my dash then it will not end up in my drafts. please don’t take this personally. i do not have the time to go hunting for things usually. if you feel a reply was missed i’d appreciate a nudge or a link. that said, i will do my best to stay on top of things!

i have adhd. concentrating and focus is a challenge for me. i can also be forgetful. just a heads up is all. 

basically, i love long replies and writing novels back and forth but at the same time they can also overwhelm me fairly easily. i do tend to write long replies but never ever feel the need to match me. write what works for you and your muse. 

discord is available upon request!

[doctoru-au]

Part-time GP role

Rose Bay, Sydney NSW | Job ID #2247

OVERVIEW

Join Our Team at a Leading Practice in Sydney!

Are you passionate about Men's Health and seeking a flexible, part-time role? A highly-experienced team at one of Sydney's exclusive practices is offering you the opportunity to do just that. This position allows you to focus on providing best-practice care in a supportive environment while enjoying the benefits of private billing and the option to participate in teaching activities if desired. With a commitment to excellence and a dedication to patient well-being, this role presents a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the field of Men's Health.

ABOUT THE PRACTICE

The practice is a well-established high-quality facility with a supportive and efficient admin team. It boasts a modern facility offering a broad range of services, overseen by a highly-regarded Clinical Director. Additionally, on-site nursing and Allied Health services are available, ensuring comprehensive care for patients.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This opportunity features a focus on men's health with 60% exclusively private billings, a flexible work roster, and no minimum contract terms.

REQUIREMENTS

FRACGP & Specialist Reg. w/ AHPRA. Not for docs needing AMC 1 & 2 or with Gen. Reg.

WHY WORK WITH ME?

I save you time by personally searching for the right job for you.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Andrew McNamara Call | Text | Whatsapp +61 0430001747 Get in touch with me 7 days | early to late.

LOCATION

EASY APPLY

[tobiasdrake]

Orange League, Episode 11 - Goodbye, Psyduck! Come Again, Golduck?

Filler Archipelago's pretty big, so the group stops for a break on Hassaku/Kinnow Island. Misty makes a friend here: Tsubaki/Marina, a fellow Water-Type specialist. Marina observes that Psyduck's ready to evolve!

(Speaking of Water Types, I haven't mentioned this before but I just want to note that Team Rocket's budget crisis is hilarious. It's a recurring plot point that Jessie and James have had their funding cut and are desperately trying not to be fired from Team Rocket; To that end, their Gyarados submarine has had to be downgraded for a more budget-friendly Magikarp. XD)

Misty and Marina agree to a friendly battle, which becomes surprisingly catty very fast. This is going to be rough on Misty since she left her ace Starmie at the Cerulean Gym. Her team roster right now is pretty shit: Goldeen, Staryu, Psyduck, and Togepi.

Marina uses her Tentacruel. Tentacruel's Poison subtype makes Psyduck a strong choice for Misty, but she opts for Goldeen instead.

Round 1: Goldeen vs. Tentacruel

Stat for stat, Tentacruel trashes Goldeen in every category. However, this isn't entirely hopeless. Tentacruel excels particularly in their 120 Special. Their special stat is so high it nearly rivals the Legendary Bird trio!

However, Tentacruel and Goldeen's mutual resistance to Water hinders Tentacruel much more than it does Goldeen, who's built around physical Normal moves like Horn Attack. Goldeen's more comfortable in this Type Mirror Match. Still, one good hit from Hydro Pump could be the end for them.

Marina uses Wrap, but at 85% accuracy, that's a miss. Misty swipes the Speed advantage with Agility, then goes for Horn Attack. Marina, however, has a trick up her sleeve: Poison Sting for the KO!

The point Marina makes here is that Tentacruel's stronger for having access to non-Water STAB moves, but it doesn't really work. Tentacruel's stronger for having WAY better stats, but Poison Sting has 15 Power. G1 Poison moves are pretty trash.

Round 2: Staryu vs. Tentacruel

Misty goes for Staryu next. Staryu's in the same boat as Goldeen in stats, but they have some decent status moves. Minimize and Recover make for a potentially vicious combination.

But Misty goes for the frontal assault and hits with Swift, KOing Tentacruel. She counters Marina's earlier point, asserting that Move Type is just as important as Pokemon Typing. Which might hit harder if she hadn't just used a Normal move, which is the same thing Goldeen tried and failed to do earlier.

Kinda takes the wind out of her sails. This bit would work better if she'd used the Thunderbolt TM Move to sink Tentacruel.

Round 3: Staryu vs. Psyduck

This is much more even. Psyduck's stats are very evenly distributed, all falling between 48 Defense and 55 Speed. Staryu, on the other hand, is built for Special - But there's that mutual Water resistance again.

In natural abilities, Psyduck holds the edge here. They can hit harder with Normal moves than Staryu can, and their Confusion gives them the ability to use their Special stat against a fellow Water Pokemon.

But Staryu's status shenanigans are pretty strong, and there are all kinds of powerful Special moves in Staryu's TM learnset that Misty could pull out here. Depending on how well she's built her Staryu, this could be a walk in the park.

Misty... goes for Water Gun, the worst possible decision she could have made. It's not very effective. Psyduck slams Staryu with Confusion. KO.

Goddammit, Misty. You don't get to talk shit about Ash's mediocre play ever again.

Round 4: Golduck vs. Starmie

Team Rocket interrupts and Psyduck evolves into Golduck offscreen, but before long, Misty and Marina are back at it.

Starmie's about as powerful as Tentacruel, but trades some points in HP and Special for tankier Defense and quicker Speed. Between their Psychic subtyping, powerful status moves, and variety of available damage Types, Starmie is easily one of the most formidable non-Legends in G1.

This match should easily be Marina's, especially if she has Thunderbolt for coverage. But this time it's her turn to play poorly.

Marina uses Bubblebeam, mirroring Misty's worst possible choice of Water Gun with her Staryu. Misty then goes for Hyper Beam, but Marina gets one of those anime freebie turns to set up Light Screen.

Marina is ahead of her time. Hyper Beam is a Physical move right now. So Light Screen accomplishes fuck-all, and Starmie gets wrecked. This fight was hers to lose, not Misty's to win, and lose she did.

Misty Wins!

I mean. Kind of. Golduck vs. Psyduck got interrupted, so technically Misty won 2 out of 4 matches but it still counts, I guess. Tragically, Golduck turns out to not even be her Pokemon. Completely misunderstanding. Psyduck's still Psyduck. That was just a wild Golduck passing through that likes to look cool and impress human girls. Whoops!

So Psyduck is still Psyduck. All that stuff about being near evolution was... eh? It literally gets brought up just to shrug it off. And also, as Ash points out, Misty's 2-of-4 "victory" kinda needs to be revoked since that wasn't even her Pokemon.

It's a bad day to be Misty.

[coupcrew]

#COUPCREW - an indie sci-fi multimuse featuring characters based on an original concept. Written by Marty (he/him, 25+, white, UK). Rules are available here, character roster & important notes under the cut. Please read my rules before following / interacting. Any memes I reblog are always being accepted.

MUTINY ON THE PROSPERO!

Freighter traitors murder loyal Gibson captain on routine cargo run. -- Captain Leckie Francisco was butchered by his freighter crew on a regular transport job to Ivis V last week, his body discovered some days later by Gibson Company security workers. Gibson Company ship, the Prospero, was stolen in the wake of this horrific attack and has yet to be relocated. Authorities have released the names of the workers responsible for this heinous crime and are requesting that anybody with information comes forward. Any worker who aids the authorities in recovering Company property will be rewarded appropriately.

Welcome aboard the Starhopper, the newly renamed and newly stolen freight starship currently barrelling across the galaxy as its crew attempts to escape Company security. Everything is completely fine!

Character Roster

Aurora - An android, recently jailbroken by one Zoie St Just and exhibiting all the signs of being a real, living guy. That is to say, it's very anxious and has discovered a love for twelve-sugar cups of tea. Named itself after a natural phenomenon because of a conversation the crew were having, was almost called Jellyfish instead. It serves as the ship medic.

Jessamyn 'Jessy' Arizona - Starhopper's communications specialist and unofficial artist. Would rather die than go back to Company territory, and hasn't been happier since the Starhopper crew outlawed themselves. The same day that the crew decided they were never going back, she began planning a mural that now covers every wall in the crew quarters. The Company can only reprimand you for defacing their property if you get caught!

Lowry Vestergaard - A stowaway, eldest child of the most powerful family in Vestergaard Company space. A pawn in her parents' schemes and a target for any and every rival in the galaxy, she saw her opportunity to escape when the Starhopper was loading supplies on Felicity Rec and stowed away on the ship. Never mind that she went willingly, her family call the Starhopper crew kidnappers, and now the crew can add Vestergaard security onto their list of worries.

Matías 'Mat' Izarra - Starhopper's pilot, and one of the most talented going. He would rather turn around and head back to Company territory and go back to a normal life, but he wouldn't do that to the rest of the crew. He's always wanted to see the universe but he'll be the first to admit he didn't mean it like this. But, hey, he's always been one to make the best of a bad situation.

Important Others - Kit Leung, the security specialist; Zoie St Just, the ship mechanic; Arjun of Borealis Station, the youngest member of the crew & subsequent jack of all trades; Terra Toab, the oldest member of the crew & deeply respected engineer; Odell, just Odell, the navigator; Vernon Shum, the freightmaster. Their former captain, Leckie Francisco, was a loyal employee of the Gibson Company, and also a deeply cruel man to his crew. Starhopper's AI, known as Prospero, used to be linked directly to Aurora and has a barely-restrained vendetta against the crew.

General Note: I do have some memory issues & this does impact my ability to run this blog. I may sometimes forget about drafts or plotting/starter calls or anything along those lines, so please feel free to give me a nudge if you think I might have forgotten about something! I won't be irritated by it at all and actually appreciate the reminder if it's been more than a week or so.

[dojae-huh]

Haha yes, perfume is too literal even for a non-english speaker like me. And idk if it’s personal taste but i just don’t find perfume to sound beautiful. When you pronounce it, it doesn’t has a nice ring to it. And the font.. it’s really easy to make serif fonts look tacky nowadays because a lot of companies and designers promotes modernity, simplicity, elegance, cleanliness with sans serif (it’s basically just more popular nowadays but with reasonss). Not that you can’t use serif but look at the huge serif of the perfume font. It’s making it too crowded and it doesn’t help that the designer puts the letter very near to eo. Is it intentional? It’s way too sharp, looks like fork to me. The M and E is the worst. M reminds me of the mummy movie. Honestly this looks similar to the font I’ve made in my typo class. Especially the serif part. I still hate my font from back then with passion. (This is just just my analysis on the font, no hate intended tho i do hate the font🥲)

But the best part is I think it’s the only thing i find to be annoying. The bottle reminds me of lego people which cracks me up every now and then but honestly it could work with better typography. For the logo I think they want to give the imagery of love. And for the other promotional stuff, I don’t analyse it (photography and filmography is still a mystery to me) but I like them so far. Especially starting from blotter papers ( my fav is doyoung’s). I don’t remember much about tge bunny moon video. I like jungwoo’s the most for the musical film poster. It looks like coming of age movie poster. And his expression fits the quote very well. Something about sharing this love story with just us? Haha too lazy to open twitter now. And of course we’re getting lots and lots of doyoung. This promotion is getting me to be interested in jaehyun and jungwoo more as an individual artist and tgeir personality as well. I’m opening my senses to you jaehyunnnnn

You are right, the chosen font is too "toothy" for a love theme. Here what a font library gave me for "perfume". Mostly flowy, "handwritten" fonts to resemble spirals of aroma in the air and hint at a "personal touch".

Another direction is "clean", "classic", "sophisticated".

People react to lines, lines have character. Fonts is a difficult science to master (I suck at them, personally), but that's precisely why you shouldn't trust your inhouse "all-rounder" designer and hire a pro.

The bottle is generic, it's passable. I thought that there was an opportunity to tie the space/Moon theme in - make the bottle circular with rounded grooves or a narrow crescent on top to resemble a shape of the spacesuit helmet. Stylised enough to not be literal, just a hint at the shape.

I don't know if SM will really go for "homesickness" as fans proposed (at this point, looks more like they won't), however, space travel indeed has a strong association with it. Lovers separated by a journey is a long-lasting trope (a sailor/warrior and his wife, a knight and his ladylove).

I don't much like the bottle on the black cover because the cover is ultra masculine and dominant, meanwhile the rest of the image we are presented with is not.

The photographs and the videos are pretty good (except those pictures with weirdly angled limbs, from the "we sell clothes" series, the bar was lowered there). SM has a roster of good specialists it can contact quickly. I've watched a video with a Japanese MV maker, where he said the usual time frame is two weeks for everything, from the concept to the shooting. Therefore, they can do what they already know well quickly.

I think the problem with the logo and the fonts is that noone in SM (or, rather, among those who worked with DJJ) is aware of the problem. The logo had to be created quickly to handle it to the companies who prepared invitation cards and the bottle sculpture, who did the 3D rotating model for IG, that's why, I suspect, it was done by an inhouse designer.

The idea of the logo is not bad, I agree that it evokes "love knot" association. It looks OK in a small size and in 3D with moving reflections. Both hide the mistakes in lines and distances. It's like a circular shape with uneven wobbly edges against a proper circle. The circle is a perfect shape, the wobbly thing is not.

For me it's Jungwoo - Doyoung - Jaehyun.

Woo's is indeed like a scene from a drama, like he is looking at someone, they are having an intimate dialogue in an empty classroom. This Woo instantly resembles the Woo in his first MV cameo. (I guess they aimed for it).

Doyoung portrays "commitment" well, he looks like he waits, in pain, for someone. Stoic, but sad. Jaehyun is his romantic self, however, we saw better pictures with this angle, and the pose doesn't reflect "passion" well.

Still, it's just posters for socmed. It's appropriate quality for the task, with a lot of attention to details (the text, the phrases), so no complaints (the main font doesn't match the words well, but it's the album title's font, so it's just a passed down mistake).

[theravencroft]

The Pitching Staff Model for Human Relationships

I was thinking about friendship and human relationships and finally solved them, so I wanted to share with the world so the world may benefit from my research.

Inspiration was the Ron Swanson perspective on knowing other people and the Seinfeld "I already have like 3 friends" scene. The Dunbar number (you can only know like 150 people) is frequently tossed around, but it may be bullshit. Or not.

The point is I only have the energy to care about a handful of people. (Likewise, parasocial relationships are weird to me, why do I care what a guy who fake screams at video games does?).

Anyway, I was thinking about this in the shower, where all great ideas happen, and it came to me in a flash of enlightenment the Buddhists call satori. The answer was baseball. It always is.

Specifically, managing your social relationships is exactly like managing a pitching staff.

To wit:

The Starters

The five best guys usually start your games. Think of these as "The Boys". (See above illustration). ((I know there are 4, but the 5th one is you, because we're friends now)).

These are the people you would call if you were in jail first because they would probably help bail you out and not ask things like "Did you do it?"

The roles are:

#1: Your ace pitcher, the best guy on the team. In human relationships this is your best friend, maybe your partner. Barring a big blowup, they're signed for life and replacing them is a pain in the ass. If you don't have one, you're probably in a world of shit. Comps: Shohei Ohtani, Gerritt Cole.

#2: Your second-best guy. Your best friend if you have a partner. Not quite as good, but still up there. Also a pain in the ass to replace. Comps: Jameson Taillon, Taijuan Walker.

#3: Probably the most undervalued starting pitcher, the #3 starter is steady, reliable, and always there for you. You're not quite as close as the first two and they maybe aren't as good, but they're damn good and they're reliable and less of a pain in the ass. I think of Mike Mussina, maybe late-period Andy Pettitte here.

#4: They're really good but also easier to replace, you can probably pick them up on the free agent market if you need to. You need one but it's not a high priority. They can still surprise you and bring the heat. This could be an older pitcher on his way out like Kershaw, or on a stacked roster like Scherzer (#4 starting pitcher in usage on the 2022 Mets, look it up).

#5: You need a fifth starter if you want to win it all, but you can also pull from the bullpen, minors, maybe let someone pick up a spot start here and there. May be on their way up or down.

The Bullpen

Just as critical in baseball as in human relationships are your bullpen staff. These guys probably aren't people you talk to every day but still serve useful roles in the organization. Pictured below.

Bullpen management is both art and science, but there are some set roles like:

Set-Up Guys: Reliable guys that maybe aren't as good as your closer, but together they are more than the sum of their parts, one contributes where the rest lack.

Closer: Who is going to come through for you when absolutely everything is on the line? Maybe not your best friend day to day, but in short periods, when you absolutely need them, they got you.

Long Relievers: You probably don't want them starting regularly for good reasons, but every now and then, they can step in and eat some innings. You definitely want them, but they are fungible commodities, and there's probably some kids in the minor leagues that can do it if you need to.

Specialists: The guys who do one single thing or serve a specific role and do it well but that's all they do. Your guy who fixes your car or knows how to score drugs or concert tickets or drugs and concert tickets. You probably don't hang out with them a lot for good reasons, but they're useful to know. The LOOGY of human relations (RIP The LOOGY).

The Minors

Your organization doesn't, strictly speaking, need a good minor league system to win one year, but your life will be a happier one with a rich and robust minor league organization. Ideally you have a AAA of friendship where you can call upon guys for spot starts or eventually come in and make the major league staff. Cultivation of one's friendship talent is important for longer term health of the organization, however, and no general manager worth his salt neglects the minor leagues.

Anyway, all human relationships are solved now. You're welcome.

[adamwatchesmovies]

xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017)

People love the Fast & Furious franchise, but without a roster of characters who can stand on their own, audiences are left waiting for years between movies! If only there was some way to see Vin Diesel driving something fast more frequently… Lo and behold! The stars have aligned and created the perfect environment for some executive to bring back the xXx franchise from oblivion. We’re talking about xXx: The Return of Xander Cage!

When “Pandora’s Box” - a device which allows anyone holding it to hack into any satellite, spy on anyone and send the orbiting chunks of metal crashing down on Earth - is stolen and Augustus Gibson (Samuel L. Jackson) killed, Xander Cage (Vin Diesel), whose death was grossly exaggerated (see xXx: State of the Union) returns to action. Assembling his own team of experts – sniper Adele Wolff (Ruby Rose), driver Tennyson “The Torch” (Rory McCann) and DJ (?!) Nicks (Kris Wu), it’s up to the former motocross celebrity to save the world from terrorist Xiang (Donnie Yen) and his associates (Deepika Padukone, Tony Jaa and Michael Bisping).

This film is trying so hard to cash in on Diesel’s Dom Toretto character it’s actually amusing. It’s not about “family”; it’s “X takes care of its own”. Like F&F, this series is moving away from its roots and instead focussing on a roster of multicultural specialists. Well, except for the driver, who is actually kind of terrible at his job and secretly hoping he will get to his 200th crash by the time the film is over, and the DJ, who does little in the end. They kind of suck. The other characters, however, are amusing. They’re all trying way too hard to be cool. Cage’s first scene has him skiing down the branches of jungle trees (cause that’s what you do when you’ve got mountain Dew flowing through your veins and you eat nothing but Doritos all day) and it only gets crazier from there when spy vehicles are deployed (at least I think those were supposed to be spy vehicles, otherwise that just makes NO SENSE), satelites are sent plummeting down, grenades get tossed, bad Russians get shot in the head and bootylicious babes rub their bodies all over Cage. It’s a teenager’s idea of “Awesome” brought to life, in a way that reminds you of Sucker Punch but without the greasy subtext or the pretension. This film is so dumb you sit back, mouth agape.

It’s as if director D.J. Caruso and writer F. Scott Frazier heard people’s complaints about the second film, about how it was worse by trying to be smarter. To compensate, they decided to make the dumbest action film they could. While you’ll be laughing at the picture's expense, don't be surprised if you find a few legitimately good things about it. The characters who aren’t wasted or useless have some nice moments and the picture is self-aware enough to know what kind of nonsense you want to see. When it delivers, it does it in spades. xXx: The Return of Xander Cage is dumb, but I say it’s dumb fun. (November 2, 2018)

[dysphoria-tips]

Human Resource Software: How To Maximize Your Team And Company

As businesses grow, they inevitably need more employees to help with the workload. But just how do you go about finding the right people and maximizing their potential? One of the most important steps in HR software is organizing your recruiting process. This will help you identify qualified candidates quickly and efficiently, so you can get them on board and up to speed as quickly as possible. Once you’ve hired your new team members, it’s important to keep them happy and motivated. Human resources software can help you with all of that—from tracking employee productivity to setting company-wide goals. In short, HR software is a vital tool for any business looking for a competitive edge.

What is HR Software?

HR software can help manage employee records, payroll, and benefits. It can also automate communication between employees and their managers. HR software can help you track the performance of your team members, identify potential concerns or issues early on, and provide support for resolving them.

Some of the most popular HR software options are payroll and benefits management systems, human resources management suites, and talent management platforms. Each has its own unique set of features and benefits. Before selecting a HR software solution, evaluate your needs and preferences. Some key questions to ask include:

- What types of data do I need to track?

- How often will I need to update or access that data?

- Do I need access to reports generated by the system?

- What kind of collaboration tools do I need available to my team members?

- Is remote work an option for me?

Once you have answered these questions, you can begin researching specific HR software options. There are many different software providers on the market, so it is important to find a solution that meets your specific needs. You can also consult with an HR specialist or other professionals who can offer feedback on the best solutions for your organization.

The Different Types of HR Software

HR software is a comprehensive system that helps manage human resources in an organization. There are three main types of HR software: employee management, performance management, and human resources administration. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Employee management software is the most basic type of HR software. It manages employee information, including contact data, job titles, wages, and hours worked. This type of HR software is good for small businesses with limited resources.

Performance management software tracks employee productivity and morale. It provides managers with reports on employee satisfaction and turnover rates. This type of HR software is good for larger businesses with a need to track employee progress and potential problems.

Human resource administration software covers a wider range of functions than performance management or employee management software. These systems include tools for recruiting, compensation planning, benefits administration, training and development, Leave Management System (LMS), Employee Self-Service (ESS) portals, social media integration, and much more.

How HR Software Works

HR software can help you manage your team and company efficiently. This type of software helps to keep track of employee information, such as salaries, benefits, and notes. HR software can also help to create a system for roster management and performance reviews. Some HR software can even automate tasks such as payroll processing.

When choosing HR software, it is important to consider the specific needs of your business. For example, if you have a large workforce, you may want to look for an HR software that offers features for managing teams. If your company is smaller, you may find that a more limited HR package works just fine. It is also important to consider your budget when selecting HR software; not all packages are created equal.

There are a number of different types of HR software available on the market today. Some packages are dedicated solely to human resources functions while others offer a broader range of features. It is important to choose the right package for your business needs before making any purchases. Once you have selected the right package, it is important to install and configure it correctly in order to get the most out of it.

Benefits of using HR Software

When it comes to human resources (HR) software, there are many benefits to using such a program. One of the most important benefits is that HR software can help you manage your team and company more effectively.

One of the main features of HR software is its ability to track employee information. This information can include everything from salary data to employee survey responses. By tracking this kind of information, you can ensure that your team is performing at its best and that you're aware of any potential issues early on.

HR software also allows you to keep track of vacation and sick days. This information can be very valuable in ensuring that your employees are taking their time off properly and that they're not spreading sickness throughout the office.

Last, but not least, HR software can help you manage hiring processes and paperwork. By tracking applications and interviews, you can make sure that all the necessary paperwork is completed in a timely manner. This will save you time and money down the line.

Implementation Tips for HR Software

Human resource software (HRMS) can play a vital role in the organization by helping to automate and manage employee records, communication, performance reviews, and compensation. When used correctly, HRMS can help to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

Below are some tips for optimizing your HRMS:

1. Spend time customizing your HRMS to fit your company's needs. While many basic features are common to most HRMS systems, make sure to tailor each feature to reflect your specific company culture and operations. This will help you maximize the system's potential for improving employee productivity and satisfaction.

2. Use HRMS as an effective tool for communication and collaboration between employees and management. By creating shared reports and tracking data across different departmental lines, HRMS can help improve communication and collaboration between employees and their managers. This can result in better decision making and overall team efficiency.

3. Utilize HRMS to review employee performance data routinely. By reviewing employee performance data regularly using HRMS, you can identify any areas of improvement or areas of concern early on-thus minimizing any potential damage done during future reviews or disciplinary action proceedings.

Conclusion

Human resource software can play a vital role in helping your business manage its employee data and performance. By using the right HR software, you can improve communication and coordination between team members, ensure accurate recordkeeping, and track progress and outcomes. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the most popular HR software options on the market today and discuss how they can help your business succeed.

[skybirdplate]

Madden 19 pc steam

The first Longshot felt a bit messy story-wise and a lack of gameplay really hurt the mode from reaching its full potential. The former Texas high school all-stars are still fighting for their dreams of making it in the NFL and I gotta admit, Longshot: Homecoming surprisingly clicked with me. Returning to Madden 19 is the story-driven Longshot mode featuring best friends Devin and Colt. Longshot Story Mode Finally Finds its Footing Players like Julian Edelman and Stefon Diggs, who perform their best work at the slot wide receiver role, can finally be put in their real-life positions instead of being forced to play outside due to their high overall ratings. With the ability to specifically select positions such as slot wide receiver, edge rushers, nickel cornerback, and even a power running back, you are able to mold your team in better ways than ever before.Īs a diehard football fan, I really enjoyed this aspect. Madden 19 also features a new depth chart section called specialists. Here, that frustrating aspect is toned down drastically as I’ve only seen a few CPU generated moves that bothered me. This is largely due to the inclusion of custom draft classes that allows you to download other gamers’ draft rosters featuring future NFL stars (by the way, if you are someone who creates these custom rosters, thank you).Ī problem I’ve faced in previous Madden games is the unrealistic free-agent destinations, draft picks, and player values of CPU controlled teams. Custom Draft Classes Makes its Way to Madden 19įranchise mode is where I spent the bulk of my time and I can confidently say that it is the best mode in the game. The crowd is consistently a non-factor, the presentation is lackluster at best, and any realism that the game wanted to go for is thrown out the window due to weird glitches that are guaranteed to happen in every other matchup. There isn’t any immersion to me at all (on the field). That’s really my main indictment on the gameplay as a whole when I think about it. Like every year, there are countless bugs and glitches that ruin the immersion of the game. Now getting to the ugly parts of Madden 19’s on the field issues. These developers at EA Sports and EA Tiburon have definitely made passing the ball feel like more a skill that I have to hone rather than just based off of my QB’s overall rating. Along with great animations, the visuals and character models look as amazing as it did last year with the Frostbite engine.įinally, I can’t express to you enough how much I love passing the ball in this game. Like a briefly mentioned above, Madden 19 features an overhaul of the way players run, catch, tackle, and pretty much everything else on the field. Let’s start with what’s good about the gameplay of Madden 19. With advancements such as improved animations and graphics, I shouldn’t really have many criticisms when it comes to the gameplay. This is where you’ll see the first of my two major complaints about this game that lowers it to its three-star rating. However, it still has some major problems that EA has to deal with if they still want gamers’ money in future installments. As you can see by the three-star rating, I actually really enjoyed Madden 19 and do believe it is worth picking up. This is going to sound a bit indecisive but the answer is both yes and no.

We’ve all heard the complaints that Madden is a franchise that makes very small changes every year and passes it off as a fully-fledged game. So with this review, I wanted to gear it towards the people who are on the fence about buying Madden 19. Most likely you’ve already picked up your copy and are deep into a franchise or your MUT team. If you’re a huge Madden fan, you probably don’t need this review. Where To Buy It: Xbox Games Store, PlayStation Store, Origin, Local Retailers Available On: Xbox One (Reviewed), PS4, Windows PC