#if he doesn't win on sunday we know what to blame

[hippolotamus]

Sentence Sunday ✨

I can show you lies 'Cause I'm a real tough kid, I can handle my shit They said, "Babe, you gotta fake it 'til you make it" and I did Lights, camera, bitch smile, even when you wanna die I was grinning like I'm winning, I was hitting my marks 'Cause I can do it with a broken heart

Beloved mutuals and pocket pals... I honestly don't know what to say for myself. This is a case of 'I listened to a song too much, I had an idea I knew I was never gonna write' turned 'I'll just throw it out as a prompt' --> 'I'll just make a moodboard' --> 'Oh god, I've written over 1k words in place of a summary'. SO. Have... whatever this is, T Swift influenced Buddie actor au. Under the cut to save your dash.

Honestly, if the world still exists in the morning, Eddie Diaz doesn't really give a fuck. His girlfriend left, claiming he's still not over his late wife, and his teenage son, the last thread connecting him to said wife, went to go live with his grandparents. After, of course, blaming Eddie for pushing 'yet another one' away. Christopher wouldn't even look at him before he went.

Then there's Anita Mills, his agent, who is probably a few blood pressure points away from a stroke at this point. Assuming she doesn't fire him first.

Let her, he thinks, grabbing a bottle of Maker's Mark from the cabinet. He has a string of blockbuster films to his name, not to mention a commendable collection of Oscar's and Emmy's. Not that they made his parents proud or kept his wife from leaving him before she died. But they exist as proof that he's had a successful career. Between investments and liquid assets he has more money than he would know what to do with in a hundred lifetimes. So, fuck it.

Eddie breaks the wax seal and twists off the red cap. He doesn't even bother with a glass, not really seeing a need. He's never been a big drinker, but lately his tolerance has grown considerably. Indulging until he passes out seems like an ideal use of his time right now anyway. If he wakes up after? Well, he'll consider that a success.

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

"Hey! What the hell?!" Eddie manages, coughing and trying not to choke on the ice cold water hitting his body. He opens his eyes to see Mills towering over him, glowering and holding an empty vase. He swipes a hand across his face. "Seriously, Anita, what the fuck was that?"

"I don't know, Eddie, you tell me." She disappears for less than a minute, returning with a hand towel she unceremoniously drops on his chest. "Help me out here. What's today?"

He wriggles himself to something resembling sitting and leans back against the coffee table. "What's today?" He parrots back dumbly.

Anita crosses her arms and quirks an eyebrow. "I asked you first."

Today, today, today. Where was he supposed to be- "Shit! The interview with, uh, fuck." He snaps his fingers and racks his brain trying to remember a name or a face. All he knows is they're important.

"Claudette Collins. Very good, Eddie, you got it part way."

"Give me ten minutes, I'll put myself together and we can go," he says, fighting the violent wave of nausea that hits as he scrambles to stand up.

"Save your poor carpet from getting puked on and sit the hell down."

"What? No, I can-"

"Eddie," Anita interjects, "the interview was five hours ago. The interview with the Claudette Collins. The one that took me months of phone calls, groveling and cashing in favors to get for you."

Fuck. "Anita, I'm so sorry. How-"

"Save it." Anita holds her hand up, effectively silencing him. It takes him back to being seven years old and having to explain why his dad's truck had an enormous dent in it. She rests her hands on her hips, pacing back and forth as she purses her lips. Eventually she sits in the leather armchair situated in the corner. "Eddie, you and I have known each other a long time. A long time. I've been your agent since you walked into my shitty office back in Dallas. Given your impressive display of awards, I'd say we've done pretty well together."

She inhales sharply, rubbing at her temple. Anita doesn't mince words, it's part of why he's always liked her. He never has to question where he stands. She says 'jump' and he knows exactly how high. It's not difficult to guess what's coming next.

"Eddie, I know you're going through a rough patch. What you're dealing with is hard enough without seeing it splashed on every tabloid and trashy website. Not to mention none of those places knows the real story, so it's all a bunch of 'she said he might have said' bullshit. But you've made it through tougher things." Anita doesn't need to clarify that she's talking about Shannon's death and how his parents tried to take Christopher. "I don't know what's happening this time, but I need to take a step back. My wife has made it very clear that all of my attempts at stress management are not working and that if I can't get it under control I shouldn't be surprised when I come home to an empty house. So."

Eddie swallows, waiting for the inevitable and cursing himself for pretending he wouldn't care.

"I've talked to a few friends in the business and found someone willing to take you on."

What?

"What? You're not firing me?"

Anita's features soften. "Technically, yes. I am very much dropping you like a scorpion I found in my boots. However, like I said, I found someone willing to work with you. The name is Bobby Nash. He runs a smallish agency but don't let that throw you. He's cobbled together some pretty impressive talent. I assume you've heard of Evan Buckley?"

Eddie scoffs. "Of course I have. Who hasn't? Christ, he's everywhere you look. I can't pass a damn bus stop without seeing his face." A few details begin to click into place within Eddie's muddled brain. "Bobby Nash is his agent?"

"Sure is. And we all know the stories about Evan's past aren't the type you trot out at parties. My advice is that you don't look a gift horse in the mouth, go with Nash and do whatever he tells you to do. He even has a role in mind for you, costarring with Buckley. What do you say?"

What else was there to say? If Eddie didn't want to get blacklisted or wind up as some washed up tragic Hollywood story, being gossiped about where everyone - including his son - could see what a failure he was...

"I guess I say- when can I meet him?"

"Good answer." Anita clasps her hands together and gives him her signature smirk that tells him she approves. "Just leave everything to me."

Up to this point, Eddie has trusted Anita implicitly with all the messy business that comes with having him for a client. Why stop now?

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@thewolvesof1998 @watchyourbuck @welcometololaland @wildlife4life and anyone else who wants to 😘

[fanfic-lover-girl]

Oliver Wood is NOT a Good Captain

“Bad news, Harry. I’ve just been to see Professor McGonagall about the Firebolt. She — er — got a bit shirty with me. Told me I’d got my priorities wrong. Seemed to think I cared more about winning the Cup than I do about you staying alive. Just because I told her I didn’t care if it threw you off, as long as you caught the Snitch on it first.”

But even Quidditch had lost its fun. The rest of the team wouldn’t speak to Harry during practice, and if they had to speak about him, they called him ‘the Seeker’.

The Gryffindor team visited again on Sunday morning, this time accompanied by Wood, who told Harry, in a hollow, dead sort of voice, that he didn’t blame him in the slightest.

I get the impression that fandom thinks Wood is a loving, good captain but he really is not. In isolation, the third snippet could be read as a joke (they did lose the match after all and Wood is quidditch obsessed). However, when you look at Oliver in totality, he shows time after time that he cares more about winning than Harry's safety and is perfectly ok with throwing Harry under the bus.

Overall, contrary to popular opinion, the Gryffindor team sucks. I am not talking about the individual players, but the whole team. Hermione disses Draco by saying that the lions got on their team by talent (screw Hermione btw, what does this annoying girl know about talent?)...but without Harry, they seem to be a bunch of losers.

Remember Minerva broke the rules for Harry to join the team as a first-year. Do you think she would have done so if the team was truly competent? The Quidditch World Cup in book 4 proved that a team can have a crap seeker and still dominate/win. The lions literally needed favouritism/nepotism to have a chance at winning. Let that sink in. But Snape is totally the biased teacher around here (sarcasm)

In either book 1 or book 2 (I think book 2), Harry missed the match and the team had the worst defeat in over 300 years! Further proof that these people suck without "chosen-one in more ways than one" Harry. By the way, Slytherin has reserve players. Does the Gryfinfor team have reserve players? Because I never see any. In book 6, when Draco and other Slytherins are conveniently out sick (to give Ron a chance at winning because the golden trio never seems to have to earn anything), they have backup players ready (eg that Harper guy who played Seeker in Draco's place). However, in book 5 when Harry and the twins are suspended, the team needs to hold tryouts to get new players. No backups in sight.

In book 3 when Harry gets his firebolt, the team (the entire school minus Slytherin house) gets all horny for the broomstick. "We have a firebolt!" basically reduced Harry's skill and importance to the team to his broomstick. These people don't care about Harry. Yet, it's such a crime when Draco and his team got new broomsticks in book 2! Gryffindors == Hypocrites.

I don't see much of Marcus Flint but from what I have read, I like him more as a captain. When the Gryffindor team tried to group assault a 12 yr old Draco after calling Hermione a mudblood (should have just called her a "bitch" or "hag" instead and saved everyone the need to virtue signal), Flint immediately threw himself in front of Draco to protect him. Remember these are older students trying to beat up a tiny 12 yr old because of something he said. The Weasley twins are BEATERS - just the 2 of them alone could have really hurt Draco. Compare this to Oliver who doesn't give a damn about Harry being hurt as long as he wins.

Also, when Draco is an idiot and loses to Harry in book 2 (of course, the only time someone has a better broom than Harry, Harry wins because that person decided to fool around despite wanting to play on a quidditch team before Harry even knew what the sport was), the Slytherins don't ostracize Draco the way the Gryfindors ostracized Harry when he lost house points.

In a nutshell: Marcus Flint >>> Oliver Wood & Gryffindor team sucks.

PS. If you are a Draco anti or Hermione stan or any other kind of Gryffindor stan that thinks Draco deserved to be group assaulted by bigger, older, stronger students because of calling Hermione a slur in response to her insulting him first, just ignore this post and move on. Unlike you and a good chunk of the HP fandom, I don't get sadistic pleasure from seeing Draco constantly (group) assaulted for saying mean words to characters who had contempt for him first.

[silent-dark-entries]

This is probably one of my favorite chapters from my Draco Smut I’m writing. :))

I love the sound of the crunchy leaves under my feet. It's too bad it's been raining all day and those crunchy leaves have quickly turned into mush for slugs to hide under. I don't mind though. I love rain on Sunday mornings.

I'm on my way into the village to meet Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville. Miss.Longbottom will be out of town this Halloween and of course Neville decided to throw another party. I'm meeting them to pick out costumes. I have my mind set on just getting vampire teeth and leaving it at that.

As I approach the seasonal store I see my friends laughing together. Harry is the first to wave at me. We've grown closer to each other as the days go on, being forced to only talk to each other in swim on the days that Neville was sick.

"Maisie, what’s your opinion on Neville being a cactus for Halloween." Harry says pushing me along into the group. Neville rolls his eyes at Harry and pouts.

"Luna is going to be a Oxalis triangularis. It's a matching costume." Neville states.

"Neville for the last time: you're the only one who knows with the hell that is." Ron says. Neville turns to the store door and swings it open letting the rest of the group inside.

"You'll get it on Friday when we win best costume at school and you're stuck in your bloody rat costume." Neville snaps.

"My mums making my costume." Ron mumbles. Everyone laughs as we pour into the shop going our separate ways. Hermione and I head to the women's costumes.

"What are you thinking ‘Mione?" I say rustling through a couple of costumes. Seeing all of the different costumes makes me want to reevaluate my vampire teeth plan. But I hate to spend money, especially with application season approaching. I've decided that Trinity is the school I want to go and that's going to take most of my savings for the next five years.

"Maybe I'll be Cormac's grades, that's scary enough." She huffs. " You know Neville asked him to come Friday."

I laugh at Hermione who's so flustered her face turns crimson.

"How's it going with Malfoy? You never really talk about it." Hermione adds. I bite the inside of my lips and try not the look her in the face. When it comes to tutoring Draco it's going great. His grades in English have improved drastically compared to last years. He doesn't have one missing assignment and his book is coming along, though it's as boring as can be. But in the other sense of what happened physically between Draco and me, we both agreed to start meeting in public spaces like the library after school. We didn't really discuss the whole make out session but surely chalked up as being high. I also blame the rain and the Bauhaus album in the background.

I shrug at Hermione. " He's smarter than one might think."

Hermione picks up and pointy hat from the top shelf and places it on her head. "Maybe I'll be a witch?" She says looking into the mirror.

"I'm starving" Ron grumbles. Ron and I waiting outside the sweets shop for rest of the group while Neville ordered jelly filled brains in bulk for Friday. I swears they're the best thing he's ever eaten.

"We're going to the pub right after this Ron." I say.

"Yeah, a shit pub." He adds.

"Why does it matter. You eat off the kids menus anyway..." I mutter. Ron laughs and looks up at me again. His smile fades into a serious stare.

"I think we should talk about the last Neville party..." Ron says. "You know, after our...uh, kiss. You ran off after and I just don't want to mess anything up. We were just starting to become friends and then I asked if you wanted to go in private....it was inappropriate. I'm just really sorry."

"Ron, I'm okay. It's okay." I say smiling. Suddenly from across the way theres a familiar loud high pitched laugh. It's Pansy Parkinson alone with Draco.

Though I try not to, I see Draco in a different way now. When I see him in the halls, I stare. Just hoping he'd do the same. Sometimes he does the same. I catch him at lunch staring at me and when I do he looks away almost immediately. When we have our tutoring sessions I'll look up from my books and see him staring and not just at my breast. Sometimes he stares at my thighs and at my neck, but mostly at my lips and eyes.

Pansy let's out another annoying squeal.

"You know, he's not that funny." I say to Ron as Pansy and Draco disappears into a bakery. "You know what... I'm in the mood for a lemon sponge." Before Ron can answer I'm pulling him across the street, into the small bakery. Draco and Pansy turns to look at us and I feel my face turns hot. What the hell was I thinking...what's my next move...think dammit.

"Look Draco its Fire Crotch and big-tits-magee" pansy squeals.

"Please Parkinson your laugh is far too annoying for this small space." Draco cringes. Pansy's face drops as she rolls her eyes. Draco searches my face before finding my eyes. He softens his face a little before looking at Ron and then back at me. His face nearly becomes stone. "Is it cold in here or are you just happy to see me Maisie?"

"Don't talk to her like that." Ron says. "Have some fucking respect Malfoy"

Draco looks over at me and smiles then back at Ron. "Who are you Weasley? Her fucking bodyguard? Oh, or are you her boyfriend?" Draco quips. Ron walks up trying to size up Draco but Ron's stature doesn't stand a chance to Draco's.

"You sound a little jealous Draco..." Ron jabbed.

"Oh, trust me, Weasley I have nothing to be jealous of." Spits Draco. Pansy grabs her treat off the counter and snakes her arm with Draco's. "See you Thursday night Maisie. How about we meet at my house this time." Draco smiles at Ron before pushing passed him and exiting the bakery.

"You don't have to take that Maisie.." Ron scoffs. "We can go straight to Snape and-"

"-Please Ron leave it!" I beg.

"What can I get for you?" The boy behind the counter ask.

I dig into my pocket to pull out my wallet. "Two lemon sponges please"

[justaredheadf1fan]

Kicking off the 2023 season at last

So, it's finally the day, the weekend, the kick off of the season!

Quali - Saturday

Now, this is unbelievable. It's not even been 2 full minutes and Sharl is losing half his car on the track piece by piece. That's fantastic. Obviously, the session had to be Red Flagged until the pieces were picked up. Jesus.

Okay, we can say after half the time that this is looking interesting. Alonso, Sid the Sloth (seriously this is the best nickname ever), Sainz, Russel and Leclerc right there one after the other.

First eliminated should've been known by now but as always this clown sport is not functioning. Is Albon out due to track limits or not?

So, now everyone's waiting to get out on track, but let's see how it goes. Still the times are quite close to one another now that everyone is on track, so this is a nailbiter.

Both McLarens are OUT. Fantastic news! Sorry not sorry. And Kulk did make it, I'm stunned. And also Lance, this is actually a truly good Quali day. The best would be Lewis on pole and that would be it. A girl can dream...

Now onto Q3. I'm nervous. Unlike last year, that I knew the Merc boys were in trouble. But this year. Oh boy.

Leclerc and Sid the Sloth are quite close, no surprises there. I'm trying to see the overall because they're all so close. I know what to expect but I don't know what to expect. This is so stressful.

Anyway, so it's the RedBulls and Ferraris on top. I have high hopes for George going after Fernando right at the beginning, honestly. Let's see what happens.

It doesn't look too bad for the first race. I hope I'm right.

Race - Sunday

So here we go, it's the dreaded and highly awaited start of the season. I don't know how much I'll be holding on to hope this time.

Good start from the boys, pretty clean stuff. Both of them passing Alonso, which is hopeful.

There's a Yellow Flag on Sector 2. Lance hitting Alonso on his rear on Turn 1. And George getting Fastest Lap right from the beginning is quite the good thing.

It's actually funny that Pedro de la Rosa says that Sid the Sloth is in a league of his won. Why is that? Is it maybe because RBR have breached the cost cap not once but TWICE?

I don't like this kind these messages for Mercedes because it might mean trouble. In general, nothing wrong with George's question.

No no no, Fernando and Lance are right there, this is BAD 😵‍💫 It's both Lewis and George having issues, so it's worse. I hope they can fix this. And finally Lewis pits and George is defending like a goddamn lion against Alonso, but Alonso beats him. Quite the battle between these two, very nice to watch, honestly.

Shitty stop for George, I don't know what that was but good isn't the word. We've come here to willingly suffer today, apparently, haven't we?

And McLaren flopping once more with Piastri's pit stop is just fantastic. I know I'm paying for this already, but God does it feel good. And they retire the car. Thank you, Karma.

George going for Fastest Lap again. Our boy isn't playing right now, that's for sure.

Now Estie Bestie's got a 5-second penalty for not putting the car properly on the grid? But then the FIA don't penalize other drives (ahemMAXahem) for far worse things 🤬 And they served the penalty incorrectly now ffs.

Sharl fighting Checo, but Checo takes the cake unfortunately. I'm so sad right now. Mercedes call Lewis to pit again, and now Lance eats George up, pretty nicely let me tell you. Well played, Aston Martin. He gets the Fastest Lap too now, I mean this guy is flying.

Poor Esteban, getting an extra 10-second penalty so now he has to serve not 5, not 10, BUT FIFTEEN SECONDS. He ended up giving up and I can't blame him.

Alonso and Lewis fighting is actually a beautiful thing to see (as long as Lewis wins 🤣). Alonso does not back down and gets the place. Oh fucker, hope he gets you back. And the ladies keep fighting despite F1 showing half the fight.

NO NO NO NOT CHARLES!!!!!!! HE'S OUT OF THE RACE WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!!! We get a VSC now, that doesn't really last long. OMG why Charles... Why does everything happen to him. I really hope this means (like last year) that after this he'll end up winning it all, of course if Mercedes specifically can't. SHIIIIIIIIIIT 💩

Now Alonso almost hitting Carlos and he gets to pass him too. Unbelievable.

Anyway, wish it had ended a different way but I guess today wasn't the day.

More and hopefully better next time. Kudos to Lance because he's done a terrific job, honestly, hanging in there and fighting all the way through the race.

Next time I'll see if I keep this way of posting during the race weekends or if I better change it a bit.

Peace out!

[collecting--stardust]

Top-5 moments of the season for you (any sport)

This is extremely long overdue because I have shit memories so I barely remember what happened especially because it's been a painful season for me so more reason for me to delete stuff from my head. (Plus I knew this list is going to be mostly about Celestino so I need to think of other moments that had given me serotonin boost hhh) Anyway, here we go!

5) F1 British GP

No offense but F1 has always been a bit boring to me and I've expected the racing to be closer this year due to the cost cap but welp, that doesn't happen unfortunately. Anyway, I remember watching this race with little expectation because I just want to fill the void of motogp summer break. But it turns out to be really interesting!! And Mick got his first points so that's a really nice bonus. Despite it all, I'm still really grateful Zhou and Alex are fine after that first lap chaos.

4) F1 Austrian GP

I thought it was coincidence and stroke of luck to get a fun race but the next weekend we are blessed with another awesome race! The podium doesn't reflect it much but it is a really fun race I had a serotonin boost that makes me go to class the next day in a good mood lol. Mick got driver of the day that race and all of my family cheers for him from what my sister tells me. It was a coincidence that my twin tunes in for the race since she usually don't and yeah, she had a blast that day especially because she's a huge fan of Mick. It was overall a really nice weekend for me and one that brings a smile whenever I recall back.

3) Moto2 Argentina GP

When Chantra won the Indonesia GP, I told my sister that I need the Idemitsu Asia duo and Cele to be on the podium together at least once this year. And then my wish come true 2 weeks later! I still think that Cele is not in the wrong in that controversial collision with Fermìn and it pains me whenever I see people blaming him for that still which makes me bitter. Yet I love the podium so much and he did awesome in that race! Plus he said in the post race interview that he meet Fermìn after the race and apologize because he doesn't want it to end that way and just hhh. That really reminds me of why he is my fav rider.

2) Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP Qatar GP

It's the first race of the season and damn what a wonderful Sunday. I only start watching Friday and Saturday session in Jerez so I don't even know Cele got pole hhh. I was gutted for Ayumu but Migno end up winning! And Cele did a dominant race and win from pole! And what an emotional win for Gresini! Basically it's a rollercoaster of emotions and I swear I look like a mad woman that day lol. But really, that moto2 race is such a huge serotonin boost especially when I hear championship leader celestino vietti for the first time and ah, that was a really wonderful Sunday.

1) Moto2 Catalan GP

Okay I will be honest. I needed that win. Especially because Mugello is so painful and seeing him on the bike and looking so heartbroken- okay. Classic Cele having a shit start and need to play catch up. I had my heart in my mouth the whole race and I can barely feel my fingers especially the last few laps. I really thought Canet got it in the bag and that little menace (affectionate) did that last lap overtake and won and I just- I was gaping like a fish, screamed and just broke down. It was relief, happiness and other emotions too and I really, really needed that. I was so over the moon it was when MotoGP about to start that I registered just how ugly that glasses he wore on the podium was lol. But that weekend is so nice it made my whole week and I still rewatch that last lap whenever I feel down because that just how much important that race is to me.

....sorry waru I end up mostly rambling about cele instead hhhh

[theofficefantasyfootball]

WEEK 2 - Wrap Up

OMG!

Yes OMG! What does this mean? It means you are either a "Brett" or "Scott" putting up major numbers and are feeling pretty good about yourself - or you are a "Dana" or "David" and you are in panic mode. If you happen to be neither of those you are what I call "the lucky ones". Of course, everyone is just happy football is back but with all the injuries and all the upsets - it's for sure making the start of the fantasy season interesting!

WHAM BAM THANK YOU LAMB vs HOWARD

I was going to blame this week on Josh Allen, then I was going to blame it on Scott Krippayne because he took my Chargers waiver wire pick, then I was going to blame it on my opponent, Rob Howard....but then I realized - that it's nobody's fault except mine that I lost last week and this week. I am a loser to the core. Rob is great fantasy football manager. He knows how to draft, he knows how to win championships...what does David Breen know how to do...order a Brisket from Hogwood and make his wife cook all day once a year. That's it. So, congrats Rob. You deserve all you are receiving this year as do I.

MOOSES ON THE LOOSES vs FUNK GUY

A win does the heart good...but for Mitch who had a heart "attack" two wins is extra special. Maybe they put something special in his heart that has made him a changed man or maybe he just played two very unprepared individuals in week 1 and week 2. We have all seen Dana's text this week about how he is a disgrace to our league and it's going to be interesting to see what he does to turn things around...after all 66 points is a tough thing to come back from. Nice win Mitch. Let's see how you do next week against your good friend Bebo!

LONG LEFT BALLERS vs TuPADRE

I know Gully won, and Bebo lost - and it was all fair and square...I just feel like Gully dodged a bullet on this one. Such low numbers for Bebo this week from White, Kupp (out for an extended period), Pickens and Kelce - I just can't help but think if just 1 or 2 of these guys showed up Gully would be 0-2 instead of 1-1. Oh well. If I am being really honest I didn't have too much to say about this match up but this GIF was so good I had to use it so I made this shit up about "dodging"....Nice win Gullahorn!

LANAKILA vs TREE HUGGERS

What is going on? Last week high point was 131...this week Scotty K throws up a 168? Is this what the year is going to be like? And poor Cliff who has an amazing week but doesn't get the win, money or any recognition....that's always tough. To pay tribute to Scott's impressive high point - lets highlight a few of the key players he had this week...Kyler (34.5), Hall (17.4), Devonte Adams (22), Metcalf (23.9), Dobbins (24), Prater (kicker 14) and my chargers defense (19). Amazing. Nice win Scott ($20).

TRADE WITH ME vs BOOMER SOONER

And, with our close call game of the week we have Brett vs Stu. After Sunday Trade with Me was at 127.68 and Stu was at 127.24. Stu was done and still had Kyle Pitts to play. So, technically Brett already had it won but Stu was holding out for that negative 5 yard loss and then a broken leg. Which is a tough ask any time. In the end Pitts but up less than 1 point so it really was close! Brett walks away with win number 2 and another high scoring week. Stu moves to 1-1 and puts a bunch of points in his column toward wild card assurance. Also - Brett, bet you are loving that auto pick was on for that Kamara pick now!

MR AWESOME vs RIDLEY ME THIS

What have we here? A new name, a new look and a win for Kyle Allmendinger. Nevermind that he had to change his name because most likely Tua is gone and Nacua is out for an extended period. Given those two scenarios I guess there is not much reason to matata anymore..so he is now Ridley Me This. I will say Ridley did get him a win over the Gabe Scott who now has a Q on Justin Jefferson (after he put up 24 points) and a Q on Rachaad White...so Gabe is in murky water. Congrats Kyle! Nice win.

SURVIVOR

If I just would have taken the Chargers everything would be over...I would be the survivor champ...but it's still me, Gabe and Stu. On to week 3.

CHEERLEADER OF THE WEEK

#DallasCowboysCheerleaders2024

[babysdrivers]

i think about this goddamn scene every single time i see seb’s moustache 

[yyxgin]

A SONG REQUEST

"with you, feel like summer."

~ where you always listen to the same radio station and he lives in the apartment complex opposite of yours. perhaps you play your radio a little too loud on sundays.

pairing: jungkook x fem!reader

genre: romance (fluff and a hint of angst I guess)

words: 2.3k

warnings: reader's a little sad in one part of the story,, also I don’t actually know that pancake song but I googled the lyrics and they’re nice lmao

„Hello! You're listening to Honey FM, this is Min Yoongi, your usual host! What is your song request, young man?“ you hear the smooth, honey voice calling from the radio.

You are currently sitting in your kitchen, eating your delicious lunch you've made yourself from the last bits stored in your fridge, hapilly watching people walk the street under your open window. The street is narrow, because the other apartement complex stands right in front of your window, but there's still plenty of people there as it's a short cut for people rushing to work.

„Hello! I'd like to request a song for this one girl who's always playing her radio super loud every sunday at this time. I'm pretty sure she's listening right now and eating her scrambled eggs.“ you hear other voice say. Perhaps you could say it sounded even more pleasent than the radio host's, but you swear to be faithful to the one and only Min Yoongi.

You look back to your plate of scrabled eggs and laugh. How ironic, it sounds just like you. Maybe that girl is your soulmate and you were destined to meet some day.

„Is there something you'd like to say to this girl?“ asks Yoongi, voice curious.

„Yeah, um.. No offence, but could you maybe turn it down a little? I live right opposite of you and it's slowly getting on my nerves.“ you hear and laugh out loud.

„Also, could you maybe look out your window to see me instead of laughing?“ his voice changes into irritated, but playful at the same time.

Out of curiosity, you look out your window as if the guy was talking to you to see a young man standing in the window opposide of yours with a phone pressed to his ear. You see him smirk and wave at you, making your heart jump.

„What song would you like me to play?“ asks Yoongi again as your eyes never leave the boy in the window.

„Could you maybe play Blueprint by Stray Kids? She seems to enjoy their music a lot.“ he giggles and your mind takes you back to all the times you've danced in your kitchen to their songs, singing your heart out. You suddenly feel red in your cheeks.

„Coming right at you! Did you hear him girl? Tone it down a little! But only after listening to this song requested only and only for you.“ Yoongi's voice slowly trails off as the first tones of the song start playing, making you feel excited in your bones.

The boy only stares at you for a second before he slowly turns around with a huge smile and dissapeaes further into his own apartment.

„Hello! You're listening to Honey FM, this is Min Yoongi, your usual host! What is your song request?“

It's sunday and you're sitting in your kitchen eating lunch with your windows open and your radio on full volume again. You feel good, happy, even. The weather got warmer and it finally feels like summer.

„Hi! I'd like to request a song for the girl blasting her radio again, because it seems she didn't learn her lesson from last week!“ you hear a familiar voice call out, making you snap your head and look out your window.

„Poor girl! Well, could you blame her? At least she's having fun. What song are we playing for her?“

„I think she hates metal music, so I'm requesting Enter Sandman by Metallica, hope she turns it down this time.“ he laughs and you see him smile in the window. His plan is evil, but he sure does not look evil at all. His smile could light up the world and you swear you feel your lips turn upwards to mirror his.

„Here you go then! Girl in the window, don't dissapoint the poor boy again!“ you hear Yoongi say and you face palm as you see the boy put a winning fist up in the air.

But to tease him even more, you don't turn down the music. You stand up and dance along instead, your whole performance being watched by a smiling boy with sparkling eyes in the window opposite of yours.

„Hello! You're listening to Honey FM, this is Min Yoongi, your usual host! May I ask your song request?“

„Hey! It's me again, I'm calling for the third time in a row now. I'd like to request a song for the girl in the window, like always. It seems that this is our only way of communication because I'm not going to act like Taylor Swift in that one music video, if you know what I mean, but I'd like to tell her that her pancakes are burning.“ a familiar voice says and you panic.

You've been so immersed in the music, you haven't noticed that in a few moments, your whole kitchen could be on fire because you've forgotten about your pancake.

You swiftly take a spatchula and flip the pancake, face palming yourself in the process and giggling a little at the black color of the pancake. You surely aren't going to eat this one.

„Girl! Be more careful while cooking, I know our music occupies your mind a lot, but make sure this poor boy doesn't have to call fire-fighters instead. Anyways, what song are we playing for the nifty girl?“ Yoongi's voice is full of enthusiasm and joy, it seems like he enjoys the ever occuring calls he gets from the boy every sunday.

„Let's play her Banana pancakes by Jack Johnson, so she doesn'g forget about hers again,“ he snickers and you feel your cheeks burning a little again.

The song starts after a while and you can't help but smile the whole time as you're making your pancakes, making sure not to burn any more of them, not knowingly being watched by the boy matching your food choice in the window opposite of yours.

You're pacing in your kitchen, changing your clothes every few minutes. The radio is loudly playing, but you're hardly paying any attention to it with the fragile mental stabillity you're in right now.

„Hello! You're listening to Honey FM, this is Min Yoongi, your usual host! What is your song request today?“

„Hi! It's me again. I'd like to say something to the girl in the window. Umm.. I don't know where you're going, but you look beautiful so please stop worrying and changing every few minutes.“ he softly laughs and makes you stop in your tracks.

You slowly look out of the window and see him there, in gray sweatpants and a black over-sized t-shirt. He's holding a coffe cup in one hand and his phone in the other, but his gaze is focused only on you.

„You hear him, girl? Stop worrying. But what if she's going on a date, though?“ asks Yoongi and you feel your cheeks burning as if you were caught.

„I hope she has fun, then!“ he says and you see him smile, but it doesn't really reach his eyes as it always does.

„What song are you requesting for her?“

„I don't know, man. What makes you beautiful by One direction? It kinda fits the mood right now.“ he cracks up and his eyes crincle at the corners along with his nose, making him look like an adorable bunny.

„One direction it is. Have fun, girl!“ you hear Yoongi say and even if you were supposed to leave right now, you don't. You stay in your kitchen and listen to the song the sweet boy requested for you, because there's just something about him that makes you want to stay.

After the song ends, you leave. You don't see the boy silently watching your steps through the window.

„Hello! You're listening to Honey FM, this is Min Yoongi, your usual host! What song may I play for you?“

You quietly listen to the radio and watch people with blurry eyes. It's raining and everyone's running home with umbrellas over their heads. You slowly move your gaze at the glass of wine you're holding in your hands and finish it.

„Hey Yoongi, it's me again. I'd like to request for the girl in the window, because she seems a little sad today. I don't know what happened, but I want to cheer her up a little.“

„I'm so sorry to hear that. What song are we playing for her?“

„It's Promise by Park Jimin. This song means a lot to me and I hope she'll feel a little better after hearing it.“ he mumbles.

„Cheer up, girl from the window!“ says Yoongi before the music starts.

The sound of rain blends a little with the words of the song, but you don't dare to look at him through the window as your sobs only pick on their intensity. You clench the empty glass of wine in your hands and helplessly try to catch air.

But when you finally stop after a while and look out the window, you see his face in the dark apartment, still watching you. You snicker at the realisation that this poor boy cares more about you than the guy you went on a date with last week ever did.

„Hello! You're listening to Honey FM, this is Min Yoongi, your usual host! What can I play for you?“

„Hey! It's me again!“

„Hey! Is the girl from the window feeling any better?“ asks Yoongi and you feel your lips quietly turn into a smile.

„I hope she is! Anyways, I'm requesting a song for her today because I just felt like it, you know. I have nothing on my mind right now that I want to say to her, just that I'll enjoy the song with her.“ he says and you look out the window to see him already standing there.

„What song is it than?“

„It's Fancy by TWICE. I hope you dance with me, window girl!“

The song starts playing and you see him slowly start moving into the rythm as he begins to dance. His dance moves are really silly and you can't help but mirror them as you giggle at him.

The tones of the music are so carefree and you feel like you never want to stop dancing. With him.

„Hello! You're listening to Honey FM, this is Min Yoongi, your usual host! What is your song request today?“

„Hey! It's me again. It's the last time I'm going to call, I promise.“ your breath hitches upon hearing these words.

„And why is that?“ even Yoongi sounds a little sad to lose his stable caller.

„Well, you see… I kinda have a crush on the girl from the window and I can't stop thinking about her recently, so I'm shooting my shot today. I know you're listening, so, if you wanna, we can meet in front of your apartment complex. And maybe go for a lunch. If you want…“ he trails off and your heart picks up on speed.

„This is so sweet of you! I'm glad I can be the help to pass the message. What song are we playing as the last one from your journey?“

„It's Our Summer by Tomorrow x Together, because when I see her, it truly feels like summer every time.“ he softly laughs.

„Okay! So, the girl from the window, we know you're listening! You have an only chance to meet your admirer, so after the song ends, don't waste any time in running out of your apartment complex and meet him!“ says Yoongi and the song softly starts playing.

„I'm glad I could witness this romance bloom, kids.“ you hear him fake-crying as his voice dissapears entirely and the song plays on full volume.

Any other time, you wouldn't leave without listening to the song the boy requested for you, but today, you have no time to waste.

You take your keys and run out of the apartment complex only in your flip-flops, not even bothering to turn off the radio. You see him standing there right after you open the glass door.

His smile only grows wider as you cut the short distance and run into him, finding your place right in his arms.

You feel his hands gently squeezing your waist as he puts his head on your shoulder, breathing in your scent.

You hear his muffled voice as the soft tones of the song coming from your window make you feel truly special.

„I'm Jungkook, by the way.“

„Hello! You're listening to Honey FM, this is Min Yoongi, your usual host! What song can I play for you?“

„Hey! My name is is Jungkook and I'd like to request a song for my wonderful girlfriend, because it's our anniversery today.“ you hear the voice of your boyfriend coming from the radio as you watch him in the window waving at you with a huge grin on your face.

„That's wonderful! How did you two guys meet?“ asks Yoongi with curiosity.

„Well, actually, I requested a song for her over here every sunday for a month a year ago.“ explains Jungkook and you can't help but laugh out loud at how ridicilous it sounds.

„Oh my God! Is this for the girl in the window?“ gasps your favorite radio host as the realisation hits him.

„Yes! Do you remember us?“

„Of course! What song can I play for you two?“

„It's the same song as the last time I called, because it was the song I heard while something new and wonderful was only at the beginning. So, I'd like to hear Our Summer by TXT again.“

„Sure! Any other words you'd like to say to your girlfriend?“

„Yeah… Y/N, I love you! And don't forget to be out in 5 minutes so we can leave for our lunch." he giggles as the song starts and you can no longer deny it, the boy from the window truly cares for you the most.

[gardenofadonis]

Roman Bilinski & Tim Tramnitz Instagram live 2022/6/22 - highlights

Tim: We should play iracing together

Roman: That's so true, except I'm probably banned on iracing.

Tim: You crashed too much.

*

Tim: We have to speak to each other all the time

*

Starts doing Q&A because they don't know what to do on a live except having the vague notion that one should do something

*

Best F1 team: whichever that's the fastest

*

Tim tried to teach Roman German but it didn't end up too well. "I think it's better if he doesn't say anything in German."

*

Roman Stanek joined (presumably to check on his Trident babies)

*

Tim has internet issues (first of many on this stream) and can't see chat

*

Roman: Are you on the top or the... (begins grinning because he realised the double meaning) Top of your screen?

Tim: Where are you? (also smiling)

Roman: I'm on the top actually

*

Le Mans or Indy500: Tim chooses Indy500 because he likes IndyCar; Roman didn't choose

*

F1 Idols: Roman says there's too many; Tim says Sebastian Vettel because he was winning when he began following racing and he's also German

*

Roman is going to Silverstone on Sunday, Tim isn't. "You should've." "You could invite me." Tim isn't going to any F1 races this year.

*

Favourite track you've raced at: Monaco

*

Favourite track in general: Spa, Suzuka

*

Tim has never driven in the UK.

Roman: Not even Silverstone?

Tim: I've never had the opportunity to. Did you drive in Germany? (laughs before Roman even give the no answer)

*

Favourite thing about each other:

Tim: I have to think a lot because there are so many beautiful things about you.

Roman: There's too many things. Our love is just crazy.

Tim: You're just very handsome. Very handsome.

*

Someone says their WiFi is bad (thus begins the internet issue saga)

*

Started carting at the age of: 5 (Tim), 11 (Roman)

Roman only did 1 year of carting before moving to Genetta then F4

*

Track most looking forward to drive on:

Spa, Monaco at the beginning of the season (Tim), Imola (Roman)

*

They try to get Leo into the stream but they have no idea if they can do live with 3ppl and also no idea on how to go about it.

*

Someone from chat: You're the perfect couple.

Roman: Everyone knows.

*

A mechanic sent in chat "I'm your mechanic"

*

Tim's chat doesn't work. Roman chooses to go on Signal (and his internet has been shit ever since). Matias joins the chat in the middle of Roman looking pixelated. They also have a huge delay and can't hear the other one.

*

Roman complains to Tim that there are no nice comments. (McDonald's have better WiFi than this)

Tim: everyone's complaining about your wifi. Mine's fine now.

Roman: I blame it on you.

*

Roman says his WiFi used to be good until one of his mates messed with it.

Tim: yeah of course.

*

Zandvoort was the first race with fans and with visitors in the paddock

*

Someone asks about having pain after driving. Roman tells Tim to answer it as his video goes oout in an attempt to fix something. Tim just smiles at the screen and doesn't.

*

Roman moves to show everyone his router with all the cables. Asks for help, does nothing, then comes back.

*

Maybe they'll stream iracing. Roman has once streamed on Twitch 2 years ago.

*

Roman called his shitty Internet "bad luck today"

Tim: I just stole it from you, like people said, so I get the fame.

*

Roman: I will see you in a few days.

Tim: We will hear from each other, of course. We have to speak to each other everyday.

*

Roman saying "ciao ciao" - definitely need some help in pronunciation

[6knotty6thotty6]

So a couple of months ago, I saw a YouTube video that was an audio recording of season 5, episode 6 of Bojack Horseman, “Free Churro.” In the episode, the main character, Bojack Horseman, spends 20 minutes giving a eulogy at his mother’s funeral. There’s one big problem though, his mother was an abusive bitch. His eulogy is him trying to contemplate what she meant by her drying words, “I see you,” and whether or not she loved him. As someone who has a dead parent who was abusive, this is probably my favorite episode of any show ever for how much it helped me understand my feelings. The comments section is filled with people sharing their pain with their abusive families, but one comment stood out to me above all the others by how raw and relatable it was. This comment was by a YouTuber named Moonstruck. At the bottom of this post is a link to her channel. Please support her. After reading this, she deserves a million subscribers. Also please watch Bojack Horseman. (I corrected some of the grammatical errors to make it easier to read)

Disclaimer: Child abuse, bullying, trauma, and mental health:

Moonstruck: 

This is a great monologue, but one part of it, in particular, really caught my attention was the 'grand gesture' bit.

When I was a kid, I read this book called "Chicken Soup for the Soul." There's a shitload of them. I don't remember which particular one it was. I hated the whole series because it's just someone profiting off a bunch of other people's stories rather than trying to write their own, in my opinion. 

Anyway.

This one story that I remember, the ONLY one I remembered,  was sent in by a little girl. She wrote about how her father never told her that he loved her. He never once, in her whole life, said the words "I love you." I don't remember her mom being mentioned, maybe she was dead; it doesn't matter. The point is her dad was basically an emotionless asshole. Well, one day, this girl gets sick. Really sick. Possibly on her deathbed sick. She wrote that one day she woke up to find a necklace sitting on her nightstand that had a pendant that looked like her dog. She said she held it to her heart and cried because that necklace said all the things her father never had.

I thought, "What a load of bullshit."

A cheap trinket doesn't make up for years and years of emotional neglect. Anyone can buy a thing and toss it your way. Hell, he didn't even hand it to her himself, just left it there for her to find if/when she woke up, then left her alone again to possibly die.

A lot of people say that actions speak louder than words, in cases like political protests and shit. While that's true, scenarios that this that girl are different. Gifts can never replace the words, "I love you."

When I was a kid, my father never told me he loved me. My mother didn't either, but she's a whole other kettle of fish. I would say 'my biological mother or father,' but I never got adopted ones, so who gives a shit. Anyway. My father was rarely around, and when he was, he just spent the entire time fighting with my mother and leaving again. He would do and say anything that could get him to spend less time in the house with her. With us. I can't blame him. If I could've left during those times, I would have. I tried more than once. I even earned the nickname 'runaway' from a family friend because of it. 

I was told that I was worthless as early as I could understand words. I don't know what it is about me that set my mother off, but she HATED me. I was always told how expensive I was to keep alive and how I wasn't worth it. If I dared ask for anything, she would remind me how much she spent just to keep me from starving to death and that it was too much already. On the rare occasion I was given something, it was so she could use it as a threat. She was like, "Sure, you can have that toy horse since we got your sister a real one, but you better behave or we'll give it to her and let her break it." Or "Oh, fine, we can keep this dog as a FAMILY pet (NOT YOURS), but if you do something we don't like, we'll take it away and kill it." 

Oh, yeah. I have a sister. She’s cut from the same cloth as our mother. I don't consider any of them family anymore. She was two years older than me. She was the "we should have stopped while we were ahead" kid. Anything she wanted, she got. 

"Mom, can I have an award-winning horse and expensive dressage lessons?"

"Sure!"

"Mom, can I have a car?"

"No problem!"

"Mom, can you pay for my ballet lessons?"

"Absolutely!"

She was the golden child. The one that could do no wrong and wasn't a mistake. Even after she totaled her car, got arrested for an underage DUI, and got pregnant three times in high school, she was still the good one. I never even asked to go to school dances, parties, or go out with the one friend I had. My sister liked to see me in pain. She'd tell our mom that I did things just to get me in trouble. Whether it involved blaming me for things she did or fabricating stuff, she'd say whatever it took to get my mother to beat me while she watched and laughed. Oh, yeah, our mom was BIG on physical punishment. I've been whipped with everything from a riding crop, a wooden paddle, spoons, and especially belts. Anything that was close at hand when my mother got irritated, I've been hit with it. 

At one point, my sister had three tall, beautiful show-worthy horses. I was allowed to keep a sickly old pony for all of a week before she was taken away, then I'd get called ungrateful for asking why we had to get rid of HER instead of one of the horses. Even though my mother said it cost too much to keep them all. With horses being obviously too rich for my blood, I asked for something cheaper, and for once, I got it. I was given a baby goat that one of our neighbors' goats had abandoned for being too weak, and they didn't have time to raise. I loved that goat. I bottle raised him, and named him Ben. He was my best friend for a while. When he grew up, he got so big that I was able to stand on his back to grab tree branches and pull them down so he could eat the leaves. I walked him on a leash like a dog every day. I loved him so much. My mother had me enter him in a show, and we won ninth place! I was thrilled to have something to show against my sister's collection of dressage show ribbons. I finally had proof that I could do something right! Sure, the prize money was taken away from me, but I still had Ben.

But Ben didn't come home with me after the show. It turns out he was sold to a slaughterhouse because that show was for meat goats. I didn't know until he was already gone. Of course, my mother punished me for being upset and even forced me to write a thank-you card to the people who bought his meat. 

My mother was always like that. Anything I loved was used as a threat. I eventually accepted that loving anything was a waste of time. I learned to detach myself from my feelings, and I got really good at it. I can completely turn off my emotional reaction to anything. One time I had to put down one of the egg-laying hens at work that got too sick to save, and I felt nothing while bringing down the ax. When I lost out on a job that could have changed my life, I told myself how stupid it was to hope for anything good. Any positive emotion I felt got me punished, so I learned to feel nothing at all. To this day, I still have trouble feeling things, even when I want to. I'm taking pills now, and they help, sometimes. 

I've had several suicide attempts. I keep a box of razor blades in my desk just to have them close. I got a tattoo of a heart with rainbows on my wrist. Partially for LGBT solidarity, but mostly to remind myself that there is still beauty in the world. I still struggle with wonder if I actually believe it or not. 

I've tried so hard to be a good kid. I never partied, never drank, never smoked even when the chances were there, and I would have greatly loved anything to make the pain stop or even just dull it a little bit. I was in the gifted and talented program at school and was able to graduate at fifteen. For a while, I was sent to a children's home where I was passed around to many people I didn't know, including a clown who I may or may not have actually been related to, until I eventually wound up out here where I am now. It's all pretty hazy, and the details get scrambled. 

It's been 10 years since I've had contact with my mother and sister. I can't even keep in touch with the one friend I had, even after I lived with her. She's tried to reach out to me, but I just… can't. I try, but I can't. Sometimes, I can almost pretend that my past wasn't real. It's just a hazy fog that isn't really there. I want to believe that if I don't allow something, or someone, who was part of that past, someone tangible and real, into my life again, then the fog will go away. This is why I can't do it. I know I'm a terrible friend. Ariel, if you're reading this, I'm sorry. You're better off without me in your life anyway. 

I typed all of this out because sometimes, about fifty dollars or so shows up in my PayPal from my father's email address. I don't know if it's from him or from her using his email, but it doesn't matter either way. The point is I know my mother is the one sending the money.

I know my mother likes to think she's a good person. She went to church every Sunday, and probably still does. She organized a lot of church events and participated in every church function. I had to be an altar server for several years until I aged out of it and was in the choir. She kept going to that church even after the priest got drunk, called me many horrible names in front of everyone, and was revealed to be a pedophile that raped a little boy at gunpoint. She probably still goes to that same church and organizes things. She likes being in charge. She likes having people look at her and say, "That there is a good person."

But are you, though, Mom? Are you really a good person? Were you a good person when you hit me? When you lied to me? When you laughed with my sister about how much I got hurt for things I didn't do? Were you a good person every time you told me you'd kill my cat or leave my dog at the pound? Were you a good person when you sold Ben to be eaten, knowing that I loved him? Were you a good person when you made me read "A child called It" and told me that you'd start doing the things in that book to me if I didn't behave? Were you a good person every time you told my father I was a liar whenever I tried to tell him what you were doing to me? Were you a good person when you told me I wasn't worth the cost of being alive? Were you? 

Fuck you, Mom! Keep your fucking money! A necklace on the nightstand isn't enough. A trinket can't heal years and years and years of abuse and hurt. You can't hide these scars under dollar bills. I hope you die alone. I know I probably will, but I don't even care anymore. I lost the ability to care thanks to you. You can't make up for the things you did and the things you didn't say now. Too little, too late! 

[shadowknight465]

The heretic inside us all

I should, I shouldn't, I should, I shouldn't...

He whispered to himself while plucking the flower's petals. Maybe those things are lying to him, and because he has such a bad reputation, he doesn't know if he should talk to the Priest about them. Maybe if he does it would be another excuse for the Priest to tell more lies about him. Then again that Priest was creeping at one of his secret students. Making her feel uncomfortable. Or if he goes to detail on what those things look like he'll probably give him the answer, and maybe some holy charms to ward them off. Whatever the case is he has to do it at midnight to not draw any attention. But first he has to tell Dream, so he wouldn't be worried. He went back to his house feeling lucky that it's a Sunday. When he got home he instantly made himself some lunch and went to the well for a drink. He may not be a religious person, but Sunday is his favorite day. Where he can be alone for once, he knows the Bible well, but the real reason why he stopped becoming a Christian devoted man was because God never answered his prayers, and he saw how people use their religion as an excuse for being horrible people, and he doesn't want to be just like them. Still he can't change their perspective of things, and it will kept that way. He was probably asleep when Dream came back, because when he woke up the first thing he saw was the face of a green caterpillar. He slowly got up, and asked Dream what time it was. To which his brother pouted saying Nightmare can never be scared. Nightmare sighs with annoyance, and asks Dream what time it is again. Dream blinked, "Oh! Umm.. I didn't check the sundial, or in this case the moon-dial?" As Dream collects his thoughts, Nightmare walks to the sundial room. Midnight. Perfect. Nightmare grabbed his cloak, took off his crown, put the mysterious book under his shirt, and told Dream that he'll be back in five minutes.

He hope that even the Priest can help him about his supernatural encounters.  Who knows maybe the Priest will help him.  He went outside, and silently walked to the church building, later knocking on the door. "Come in my child are you trying to get closer the Lord, or are you committed a sin for me to give you forgiveness-Oh it's you." The priest said as he open the door. Nightmare doesn't need to look at him in the eye to know that the priest hate him with every ounce of his being. "I didn't came for either of those things, I just want to tell you that I've been supernatural encounters with ghostly creatures." Nightmare explained. He's wished that he told his brother earlier, but Dream will probably think he's insane. "What kind of ghostly encounters you demon?" The Priest ask with a bitter taste in his beak.  "Ghosts that are telling me that I'm their king or emperor-whatever the case is of their realm." Nightmare explained.

"Which is?" The Priest asked suspiciously.

"The Necro empire-" The Priest put his left-wing on Nightmare's head. "If this creature lied, then may God strike him dead." The Priest commanded to God. Nothing happened. "I guess you were telling the truth after all, and I never thought I will say this to a disgusting demon like you, but I'm afraid that even I can't help you."

"H-how come?" Nightmare started to get worried. "Because I know what the creatures are, but we banned all knowledge of them for this good village safety."

"And why is that? What they will do?" Nightmare pleaded for answers.

"They causes pain to those who has hurt you, and cause greater pain to the  people who had hurt you unintentionally. There's got to be a reason why they're doing this unless..."  The Priest turned to Nightmare. "You haven't sold your soul to the devil have you?"

Nightmare was shocked with disgust. "No, I haven't."

"Are you sure? Because the only way they can come back is if you sold your soul to these devils." The Priest explains. "I swear your holiness I didn't sell anything to the devils." Nightmare pleaded. "LIES!" The Priest voice boomed the building. "AND I BET THAT THE TRUE REASON THAT GOD DIDN'T STRUCK YOU DEAD JUST THAT EVEN HE HAS FORGOTTEN YOUR WRETCHED SOUL!" Nightmare dropped to his knees for he cannot stand the loud noises, one of the biggest reasons he hates going to church. "ARE YOU CRYING BECAUSE ITS TRUE?!" The Priest yelled at him. Nightmare, while trying his best to calm himself down pleaded. "N-No pictures I-I can't stand the booming sounds..."

"EXCUSES!" The Priest yelled. "N-No it's true." Nightmare tries to defend himself with words.

"GUARDS! GUARDS! TAKE THIS HEINOUS BEAST AND PUT HIM INTO THE CELL!" Nightmare heard The holy man yelled. He can feel the guards strong grip as his eyes were closed the entire time.

What has he put himself into?

~~~~~

Morning has arrived as Nightmare open his eyes blinded by the sun's harsh light, and felt a hard cold surface on his lower legs. He quickly regain his focus, and saw he was in the middle of a courtroom. People gathered all around him. Some were smiling, probably to see the torture. He seen one-too many courts to know what's going to happen to him. As he scanned around the room he felt a negative aura and headed straight towards it, seeing Dream crying.

Maybe it was a bad idea at all...

He thought to himself. "Nightmare." A deep voice echoed the room. Nightmare turned to the voice and in the minute he saw the court robes, he knew what this means. And knew there was no chance of him winning.

"So, Nightmare you were always the questionable person in this entire village, and for that we leave you alone," The judge begins his speech.

Lies...

Nightmare thought as he gave the jury a death glare.

"But now our holy man said that you sold your soul to beings that should not be named."

"I'm was telling the truth..." He mutters to himself. 

"What was that you say?"  The judge ask. Nightmare look up.

"Well?" The judge ask getting a little more impatient.

Nightmare sigh figures if he's going to be on trail he might as well try to prove himself to be innocent. "I said I was telling the truth." Nightmare repeated himself. "And why should we believe you." The Priest asked glaring at him, Nightmare didn't need to see the smile to know that the priest was enjoying this. "Should I get someone to defend me while all of you are against me?" Nightmare asked reminding everyone of the rules when it comes to trials. "In trials like this the defendant doesn't need to be defended." The judge explains to him. It wasn't a huge surprise for Nightmare. Which he couldn't care less. He does care that his brother has to be in the court room however and who knows if they've lie to Dream that he can't be defending Nightmare. "Anymore questions you want to ask before we get started Nightmare?" The judge asked to him. Nightmare shook his head. "Then let the trial begin." The judge announce.

"Nightmare you have been accused of selling your soul to they who shall not be named, is that true?" He said. Nightmare kept his head down, not because he was angry he's just uncomfortable of talking to strangers in the eye. "About the accused? Yes. But about the story? No." Nightmare replies. "So why do you have this book our holy man found underneath your shirt?" The judge asked. Nightmare had forgotten about it. "I was going to ask him about the strange book. Because it keeps saying things about the dead and the Moon King, including the value of lives." Nightmare told to court. "And where did you found it?" The judge asked. Nightmare kept quiet knowing they'll destroy one of his safe place if he told them. "ANSWER ME!" The judge voice echo the room. "It appeared out of nowhere." Nightmare partly told the truth. Then, one of the gaurds came up to Nightmare; towering over him as Nightmare was tied down. And with brute strength the guard throw punches and kicks at him. Then as if command, rips Nightmare's shirt partly to expose some already broken ribs, later grabbed one of them and ripped it out of Nightmare's chest. Nightmare screamed in agony, and losing black blood all over the floor. "Black blood..., so you are evil." Nightmare heard the judge over his pain. "I was just born with it, so it doesn't mean anything." Nightmare tries to reason while still in pain. The Judge and the guard both nodded while looking at each other. He had seen this before, and knows it isn't good. The Guard went to the back to come back later with a war hammer, and raise it over his head. Nightmare had to close his eyes to try to imagine he's in a different situation. And he would have succeeded if the hammer wasn't so fast when it hit the right side of his skull. Now half blinded he try to find Dream in the crowd, but couldn't see him. All he could see on his right side is black with a hot yet cold substance over the side of his skull. He tries to reason with himself to where his brother could be, till he heard two bronze doors slammed. "Do I need to go on with your crimes?" The judge asked. Nightmare was in so much pain that he couldn't hear what the judge, or anyone is saying. "Your silence has answered at all." The judge calmly said. "You were accused of kidnapping children, and teach them about witchcraft. Is that true?" Nightmare heard as his pain ease for a bit. "I would never kidnap a child, and I wasn't teaching them about witchcraft I was teaching them about how to read and write; something that you wouldn't dare do." Nightmare answered with disgust. He may known a bit of magic himself, but those are white magic he has been using, not black magic. "We have a church Nightmare," The judge reply. "and that is all what the children need to know." He continued. "Well maybe some kids wanted to know how to read the Bible on their own, and how write their names." Nightmare respond. "But you did kept a little boy, and didn't bring him back till the next day." The judge remind. "I was worried about his mom would do to him after his dad died. And I saw how she treated him after the funeral such as, blaming him over her husband's death when it was clearly not his fault. And later told him that he should replace his father." Nightmare explains. "Am I not allowed to worry about my neighbors' safety? Do I need to tell everyone that our strongest man try to commit rape to a little girl?" Nightmare reasoned with the court. "He would never do it, but you would." Nightmare heard someone, but he ignored it. "I also have met a few children who had heartbreaking stories such as, one little girl who was forced to touch our priest in areas that made her feel uncomfortable, as she could do nothing about it."

"That still doesn't give you the excuse on practicing witchcraft..." The judge reminded. "The so-called witchcraft I practiced wasn't meant to harm people it was meant to heal. And are we forgetting that we also have Wiccans in our village?" He said. "I'm going to ask you another question then," The judge reply. "Is all of this true about what you are saying?"

Nightmare look at floor from the tiredness, and the pain he was in. "Yes. All that I have said is the truth." Nightmare responded. "One last question Nightmare." The judge asked. This was at the point he knows it's hopeless, and does not care about the visions he started seeing about the Village being burned to the ground. Because all he cares now; is if anyone will listen to him. Or at least tries too.

"Are you afraid of God and his heavenly angels?"

Nightmare with all his strength look at the judge with his good eye-socket, and said in the most calm firm voice. "No. I'm not afraid of any supernatural being of extraordinary powers, because I know the real monsters are all of you."

A moment of silence had filled of room.

"You're an absolute liar, Nightmare." The judge reply with a sick, twisted voice. "And now you shall be sentence to death in front of our very eyes by one of God's angels." As a window flies open leading in a creature that is known as a throne. As it hovers in front Nightmare with its blinding light. Nightmare could see a naked man made out of light. Still not scare for his own life for once. He said to the angel. "I'm not afraid of you, or your God." To his, and everyone else's surprise. The throne breaks the Nightmare chains, and cleans up his spilled blood, later giving him back the mysterious book. Nightmare stood up with all the strength he got, and walk out of the church to be hugged by Dream who is sobbing because he didn't do anything to help him. "Brother?..." Nightmare asked in a weak voice.  Now seeing flashes of his memories. "Yes, Moon?" Dream asked crying over his shoulder. "I need to go back to the in-hill.." Nightmare said as he collapsed. Hearing an echoey distance of his brother calling out his name.

~~~~~~~~~

It was dark again with the same old spirit orbs hovering around him. "Let me guess: It's my time to go." Nightmare smile as he look down. He honestly never thought that he'll have to die like that. It's not like he could control fate anyways. "Actually, this isn't your time yet." A orb reply. "So why are all of you around me? Is it something I had to deal with every time I shut my eyes?" Nightmare asked. "No. We came to tell you about the weapon waiting for you in the ruins."

"Ruins?" Nightmare questioned.

"Yes, the ruins. Of the Celestial half-demons."

Nightmare remember the urban legend that's been spread around for 200 years. About the beginnings in the fall that ruins. About how 12 celestial succubi has seduce 12 powerful heroes, and gave up the daughters to their victims as soon as they were born.  And how the heroes had to give them up so an old man who claims to know celestial beings which includes raising them. The old man then raise, and turn them into 12 types of heroes. Hoping that one of them will become his wife. Unfortunately the old man turns into an abuser as the girls grew up, and start falling in love with each other. Well except for one who thinks she's a boy and is the lunar witch. As if his abuse wasn't enough, she was almost forced into a relationship by the sun paladin, who is in love with her. By making everyone else abuse her to the point they killed her only friend an black owl griffin. All so she can become the witch lover. It unfortunately cause her to lash out on everyone, and ran away to be killed by the old man. And just when you think it's over it turns out the old man killed, and trap the others into their own weapons. Now possessed the weapon they used to wield; they now have no choice, but to wait for a new master. So would that mean Nightmare is gonna have the witch as his weapon?

"I'm not using someone as a weapon." Nightmare said.

"Not like that Nightmare. We mean the warlock, even as a spirit possessing his own weapon can create your weapon." They reasoned with him. Nightmare is sort of satisfied they didn't misgender the warlock like everyone else who had heard about the legend. Nightmare sigh and thought about it. If he agrees, then he'll have to go to the ruins to maybe meet a few of the trapped ghosts, and might died before getting the chance to get it. But if he doesn't they'll probably summon the warlock, and turn him into his slave.

Nightmare took a deep breath. "I'll go to the ruins."

"That's what we like to hear." The orbs said as a blinding light flashes.

~~~~~~~~~

Nightmare woke up again. This time he's in a bathtub with Dream right by his side. From the tear stains on Dream's face; he could tell his brother had been crying a lot.

I shouldn't have let him see me like this.

Nightmare thought as he sigh. Causing Dream to wake up. "You're finally awake." He said this time crying with tears of happiness. "How long have I been asleep?" Nightmare asked. Noticing how dirty the room looked. "Four whole days. I had to have that fire ring thing to help me to not let you die." Dream responded expressing his joy and frustration. "Dream?..." Nightmare said calmly. "YES?!" Dream excitedly replied. "That fire ring thing is called a throne, one of God's highest angels." Nightmare replies with a laugh. "BROTHER YOU NEARLY DIED! YOU SHOULDN'T LAUGH!" Dream yelled in a worry tone. "Sorry, I just can't believe that you forgot one of the legends I told you as a bedtime story ." Nightmare calms down.

"Also, Dream?" Nightmare asked. "Yes?" Dream looked up.

"STILL ALIVE!" Nightmare cheered proudly. "STILL ALIVE!" Dream followed. Nightmare then notice the book Dream has in his hands. "So you found it, huh?" Nightmare reminded Dream. Dream nodded. "I can only make out a few of the words, but I wanna ask you you something." Dream replies. "What is it?" Nightmare asked. "That stick with a crescent moon on it, and the guy in the nun outfit holding it. I saw pictures of how he reaps souls like the Grim Reaper, but there's also some pictures where he heals souls. Like this picture with a disturbing fire creature in it." Dream pointed at the image where it shows the so-called Moon king comforting the fire creature in like it a crying child. "Do you think the creature might evil?" Dream asked. His eyes turned to Nightmare. Nightmare vision turns into a flash. This time seeing the flaming creature crying with Nightmare's hand is touching his cheek bone. "I-I just wanted to g-give you justice.." He said with a voice that sounds similar to Dream, but is overlapping with someone else's. And the smell of his breath is like burnt alcohol. Yet, somehow Nightmare felt that he knew why smelt like that. Just as the flash appeared it disappeared revealing a striking similarity between the creature's face, and Dream's face. "Brother, did you have another vision where you are comforting someone?" Dream asked waking Nightmare up from his thoughts. Nightmare nodded while catching his brother staring at his still-healing ribs. "I'm sorry that you had to witness to trial." Nightmare apologize, trying to figure out if Dream was part of the jury, or if he just snuck in without being detected. "It's not your fault, Nightmare. I heard rumors about you being taken as a prisoner, and I just came to see if it's true. And when I saw you getting beat up, and you nearly losing your right eye socket, I ran away because I was too scared." Dream confesses. "Actually it was my fault if I haven't come to the priest; None would happen." Nightmare reminded Dream. "Also I think you should enough tears for a few days. You should go to get some sleep." Nightmare suggested. Dream nodded as he walked back to his own bedroom. Nightmare took a look at the place where one of his ribs that got ripped off was on a table right next to him with a note reading. "Put it back on him as soon as he wakes up." Nightmare guesses it was probably meant for Dream. So he put it back to its original place and wait for the water to heal it.

I survive yet again..

Nightmare thought as he relaxes in the bath. Nightmare looks around to find his journal which had a few scratch and bite marks on it indicating Dream might've tried to read it. Nightmare then chuckled as he opens it with a charm spell, finds a quill and begans writing.

June 26 , 1517

It had been a while since I wrote the last entry, and it was because I try talking to the priest about my visions plus the supernatural encounters, but I ended up getting trialed, and was tortured there. Royal guards beat me up, and they trying to destroy my skull with a Warhammer. And unfortunately my brother, Dream had to see it. They all try to sentence me to death by an throne's hand, but the throne has shown mercy on me. Maybe it's because even God is disgusted by most of the village actions. When I fell unconscious after the trial. The strange beings told me to go to the celestial half-demons ruins where I can get my weapon from the moon warlock. Now thinking about it me in the warlock almost have the same origin story ,but I don't want to end up like him. Or be a vengeful spirit of any kind. Sometimes I believe that we're all heretics, one way or another. Including our holiest men, The Priest and The Judge.

He then put the quill down, and took another shut eye. Without having to worried about death again.

[netunleashed-blog]

Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool manager says he 'doesn't care about pressure'

http://www.internetunleashed.co.uk/?p=19956 Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool manager says he 'doesn't care about pressure' - http://www.internetunleashed.co.uk/?p=19956 Klopp on pressure, expectation and Karius Jurgen Klopp says he "doesn't care" about the "increasing pressure" at Liverpool after spending nearly £170m on four new players this summer.The Reds have signed goalkeeper Alisson and midfielders Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri as they look to close the gap on Manchester City.Liverpool finished 25 points behind Premier League winners City last term."We have not bought a team whilst the others have sold theirs, it is not like this," manager Klopp told BBC Sport."We don't have a free way to go to the championship, it will be really hard. "They are still there, but we have improved our position for us. What it means for the league we will see."'I am not a dreamer' New Liverpool signings Alisson, Fabinho, Keita and ShaqiriLiverpool have spent nearly £250m in the last 12 months, including world record fees for £66.8m goalkeeper Alisson from Roma and £75m defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in January.This summer, Guinea midfielder Keita has arrived from RB Leipzig for about £50m, Brazil midfielder Fabinho has joined from Monaco in a deal that could be worth more than £40m, and Switzerland winger Shaqiri has come in from Stoke for £13m.However the club has also raised significant funds, including through the £142m sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in January.Klopp said: "Pressure is only on the outside. That is not important really. What you say about me in three months doesn't change my life completely. "It is exactly the same with our owners. We are completely fine. It is not as though the others are asleep. "You are right, the pressure comes from outside. It is probably increasing. I don't care about that. I want us to play the best football we can play and make our fans happy. That is it. What other people say, I don't care. "I am not a dreamer, I don't dream that we can be there or there. Other people can do that but we have to build a ground for these dreams. "We need to play football and that is 80% of the season, if not 90%, the hardest work. The 10% is the day when you go bang, bang, bang and win 5-0. Wow. That is football."'We have to prove we're not a selling club' Klopp won back-to-back German titles at DortmundKlopp won two Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012 and one German Cup during his seven-season spell at Borussia Dortmund, as well as reaching a Champions League final, but also saw key players leave during his reign.Striker Robert Lewandowski and midfielder Mario Gotze both joined Bayern Munich and Shinji Kagawa went to Manchester United, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mats Hummels and Ilkay Gundogan all departed after Klopp left the club in 2015.Liverpool have also seen many of their star players leave in recent seasons including Coutinho and Luis Suarez to Barcelona, Raheem Sterling to Manchester City and Fernando Torres to Chelsea.Klopp says Liverpool have to "prove" they are no longer a selling club and faces a "similar" situation to what he had at Dortmund."Years ago I was at Dortmund," he said. "If they had let us play for the next four years with the Dortmund team of 2011 we would have won the Champions League at least once. "They were 19/20 years old. It was an unbelievable team and we were lucky to bring them all together. We have not exactly the same [at Liverpool] but it is similar. "In the past for Liverpool it was the same situation. Torres, Suarez, Coutinho, Sterling. They were sold. That is true. The only thing that means for us now is that we are responsible. We cannot blame anybody. We cannot say 'he is not there any more'. "You have to use the quality and don't rely on individuals to make a difference. Football is not like this. "City wasn't champions last season because they had the best players in every position. They played outstandingly well and fantastic football. That was the reason."'I can't promise silverware' Klopp has lost three finals with LiverpoolKlopp's side impressed with an all-out attacking style of play last season to reach the Champions League final and finish fourth in the Premier League.But their last trophy was the 2012 League Cup, while they have not won the league title since 1990.German Klopp was appointed as manager in October 2015 and reached the Europa League and League Cup final in his first campaign, but were beaten in both finals by Sevilla and Manchester City respectively."Can I promise next season any silverware? Of course not," said Klopp. "How could I? We will fight for it. That is what we promised in all the years and we did it. "We were always close. If people want to judge our journey so far as a success or not purely on whether you have won something, do it. I have no problem with that. That is how the world is. "But did people enjoy the journey, saw the final and said 'that's football, it can be happy' then we have been successful. "Then we are close together with the fans and the team. It feels different. People were really ready to fight together until the final thing."'100% true that Karius had concussion' Karius has already made two errors leading to goals in pre-seasonLast season, a brilliant run in Europe was ended in Kiev by Real Madrid, who claimed their third straight Champions League triumph with a 3-1 victory.Two mistakes from goalkeeper Loris Karius helped the Spanish side on their way, with Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale both profiting by scoring.The errors were put down to Karius colliding with Real defender Sergio Ramos with the score goalless, and five days later was discovered to have "26 of 30 markers for a concussion" in tests.The German keeper has made two errors leading to goals in pre-season so far against Tranmere and Dortmund.Klopp added: "Nobody believes what happened in Kiev but it is 100% true, he had concussion."Anyone who has had it knows it is quite difficult to judge situations. You have forgotten things and other people have to tell you how you behaved. That how these things are but the world out there is not interested."I really think that Loris is our goalkeeper 100%. From that point of view nothing changed. Is this the most easy period of his life? For sure not. Can it make him stronger? 100% yes. "He is still a young boy. He has outstanding skills. The big goal is to bring it out on the pitch. That is the way it is for all players. We will try to help him with that."'We have to be angry, aggressive, greedy'Forward Mohamed Salah was Liverpool's star performer in the last campaign, netting 44 goals in 52 games in his debut season, including 32 in the Premier League and the Egypt international signed a new five-year deal at Anfield earlier this month.Liverpool continue their pre-season by facing Manchester City on Thursday (kick-off 01:05 BST), followed by a meeting with rivals Manchester United on Saturday (22:05 BST).They play their opening Premier League match at home to West Ham on Sunday, 12 August.Klopp told LFCTV: "We need to be ready for the big challenges, the big goals, we have to be this angry, aggressive, greedy team full of desire that wants to win each game."All the other teams have quality as well so we need to be ready for fights, not celebrating signings and stuff."I get it, it is only pre-season and people are happy - cool. To stay happy there is a lot of work ahead."We are in the middle of the process and they will not be finished for the first match day, of course not." Source link

[365footballorg-blog]

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he 'doesn't care about pressure'

Jurgen Klopp says he “doesn’t care” about the “increasing pressure” at Liverpool after spending nearly £170m on four new players this summer.

The Reds have signed goalkeeper Alisson and midfielders Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri as they look to close the gap on Manchester City.

Liverpool finished 25 points behind Premier League winners City last term.

“We have not bought a team whilst the others have sold theirs, it is not like this,” manager Klopp told BBC Sport.

“We don’t have a free way to go to the championship, it will be really hard.

“They are still there, but we have improved our position for us. What it means for the league we will see.”

‘I am not a dreamer’

<!–

Liverpool have spent nearly £250m in the last 12 months, including world record fees for £66.8m goalkeeper Alisson from Roma and £75m defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in January.

This summer, Guinea midfielder Keita has arrived from RB Leipzig for about £50m, Brazil midfielder Fabinho has joined from Monaco in a deal that could be worth more than £40m, and Switzerland winger Shaqiri has come in from Stoke for £13m.

However the club has also raised significant funds, including through the £142m sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in January.

Klopp said: “Pressure is only on the outside. That is not important really. What you say about me in three months doesn’t change my life completely.

“It is exactly the same with our owners. We are completely fine. It is not as though the others are asleep.

“You are right, the pressure comes from outside. It is probably increasing. I don’t care about that. I want us to play the best football we can play and make our fans happy. That is it. What other people say, I don’t care.

“I am not a dreamer, I don’t dream that we can be there or there. Other people can do that but we have to build a ground for these dreams.

“We need to play football and that is 80% of the season, if not 90%, the hardest work. The 10% is the day when you go bang, bang, bang and win 5-0. Wow. That is football.”

‘We have to prove we’re not a selling club’

<!–

Klopp won two Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012 and one German Cup during his seven-season spell at Borussia Dortmund, as well as reaching a Champions League final, but also saw key players leave during his reign.

Striker Robert Lewandowski and midfielder Mario Gotze both joined Bayern Munich and Shinji Kagawa went to Manchester United, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mats Hummels and Ilkay Gundogan all departed after Klopp left the club in 2015.

Liverpool have also seen many of their star players leave in recent seasons including Coutinho and Luis Suarez to Barcelona, Raheem Sterling to Manchester City and Fernando Torres to Chelsea.

Klopp says Liverpool have to “prove” they are no longer a selling club and faces a “similar” situation to what he had at Dortmund.

“Years ago I was at Dortmund,” he said. “If they had let us play for the next four years with the Dortmund team of 2011 we would have won the Champions League at least once.

“They were 19/20 years old. It was an unbelievable team and we were lucky to bring them all together. We have not exactly the same [at Liverpool] but it is similar.

“In the past for Liverpool it was the same situation. Torres, Suarez, Coutinho, Sterling. They were sold. That is true. The only thing that means for us now is that we are responsible. We cannot blame anybody. We cannot say ‘he is not there any more’.

“You have to use the quality and don’t rely on individuals to make a difference. Football is not like this.

“City wasn’t champions last season because they had the best players in every position. They played outstandingly well and fantastic football. That was the reason.”

‘I can’t promise silverware’

<!–

Klopp’s side impressed with an all-out attacking style of play last season to reach the Champions League final and finish fourth in the Premier League.

But their last trophy was the 2012 League Cup, while they have not won the league title since 1990.

German Klopp was appointed as manager in October 2015 and reached the Europa League and League Cup final in his first campaign, but were beaten in both finals by Sevilla and Manchester City respectively.

“Can I promise next season any silverware? Of course not,” said Klopp. “How could I? We will fight for it. That is what we promised in all the years and we did it.

“We were always close. If people want to judge our journey so far as a success or not purely on whether you have won something, do it. I have no problem with that. That is how the world is.

“But did people enjoy the journey, saw the final and said ‘that’s football, it can be happy’ then we have been successful.

“Then we are close together with the fans and the team. It feels different. People were really ready to fight together until the final thing.”

‘100% true that Karius had concussion’

<!–

Last season, a brilliant run in Europe was ended in Kiev by Real Madrid, who claimed their third straight Champions League triumph with a 3-1 victory.

Two mistakes from goalkeeper Loris Karius helped the Spanish side on their way, with Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale both profiting by scoring.

The errors were put down to Karius colliding with Real defender Sergio Ramos with the score goalless, and five days later was discovered to have “26 of 30 markers for a concussion” in tests.

The German keeper has made two errors leading to goals in pre-season so far against Tranmere and Dortmund.

Klopp added: “Nobody believes what happened in Kiev but it is 100% true, he had concussion.

“Anyone who has had it knows it is quite difficult to judge situations. You have forgotten things and other people have to tell you how you behaved. That how these things are but the world out there is not interested.

“I really think that Loris is our goalkeeper 100%. From that point of view nothing changed. Is this the most easy period of his life? For sure not. Can it make him stronger? 100% yes.

“He is still a young boy. He has outstanding skills. The big goal is to bring it out on the pitch. That is the way it is for all players. We will try to help him with that.”

‘We have to be angry, aggressive, greedy’

Forward Mohamed Salah was Liverpool’s star performer in the last campaign, netting 44 goals in 52 games in his debut season, including 32 in the Premier League and the Egypt international signed a new five-year deal at Anfield earlier this month.

Liverpool continue their pre-season by facing Manchester City on Thursday (kick-off 01:05 BST), followed by a meeting with rivals Manchester United on Saturday (22:05 BST).

They play their opening Premier League match at home to West Ham on Sunday, 12 August.

Klopp told LFCTV: “We need to be ready for the big challenges, the big goals, we have to be this angry, aggressive, greedy team full of desire that wants to win each game.

“All the other teams have quality as well so we need to be ready for fights, not celebrating signings and stuff.

“I get it, it is only pre-season and people are happy – cool. To stay happy there is a lot of work ahead.

“We are in the middle of the process and they will not be finished for the first match day, of course not.”

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BBC Sport – Football

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he 'doesn't care about pressure' was originally published on 365 Football