#mini racking system

[planetdisplayuk]

Durable Mini Racking System

The Mini Racking System is a compact, heavy-duty storage solution ideal for garages, storerooms, and small warehouses. It offers strong shelving, easy assembly, and efficient space use. Perfect for organising tools, boxes, and equipment.

[wiitchkins]

Main fields of mistria takeaway so far is I think.... More so than maybe any other farm-sim/harvestmoon-like since like early early harvest moon- this game places a lot of love and care on its characters & their relationships. It's a town that genuinely feels like a community, the npcs all have their own interpersonal relationships completely unrelated to you.

Repeat dialogue has been so minimal & in fact i keep getting surprised by the townies like. Talking to me about things I've done like hitting certain points in the mine, delivering certain mini-quest items to other npcs, dialogue hinting to/leading up to holidays/special events. Like reacting to my presence in the town.

Like. Even the bachelors/bachelorette have such thoroughly established friendships/relationships already that even if there was a rival system, I'd really have to rack my brain about who'd be paired with who because it could go so many ways because they all act like they know eachother for real! They're not always all in the same exact friend group either like the DnD group is different from who talks in crowds together at festivals (which is also different each festival!) or who hangs out in the evenings at someone's house or who drinks together at the inn or who etc etc!! It varies day by day! Ah! I could not even begin to figure out set schedules for these character because it does genuinely seem to vary day by day so much AND evolved as you go through the year/hit new story points... my god...

[mattsfavouritewhore]

Why Her? - Matt Sturniolo

a/n: this is my first fan fic so pls be nice, i made this keeping in mind i might make this a series thing so yes its a bit of a slow burn. Its pretty bad considering it is my first time writing something like this.

Summary: You and Matt have been best friends your whole life, sometimes even more then friends.. so when he gets a girlfriend, you make it your mission to remind him what he's missing.

Warnings: Swearing, angst, fluff, protected p in v and oral.. might make this a partly thing.

part 2 part 3

Matt x Female reader

One of the perks of having a birthday on October 31st is the amazing halloween party's you get to throw. This year, Nick offered to have the party at his place, you, Nick and Chris spent months planning and decorating for the best night of your life, (i mean it is your 21st birthday), as for Matt.. well he had decided to spend his time with his new girlfriend.... Maria. Nick and Chris hated Maria, it was obvious she was clout chasing Matt. She would always ask to be in their videos or post Matt to her social media. They'd only been dating for a few months so obviously Nick and Chris got suspicious when she'd ask so often. You'd never met her personally but anyone who was dating Matt was immediately dead meat to you. But tonight... you were going to meet for the first time.

Nick is currently updating you on the shit talking Maria does behind your back. "I mean she hasn't even met you yet it's all empty threats and boosted egos." You smiled lightly at Nicks comment. "We would much rather prefer it to be you than her." You let out a little giggle. "Let's just get ready to have a goodnight okay. Who knows what will happen tonight." While getting into your costume, you go over your plan in your head: look hot, get drunk, fuck Matt. It was pretty easy, Matt always fell victim to your flirtatious persona, he'd obviously fall for it tonight after seeing you in your corset and mini skirt.

After putting on the finishing touches to your costume, you take a few shots with Nick and not long after people started to arrive, soon enough people were piling through the door in their halloween costumes. Matt had stayed the night at Maria's the night before so he didn't come til a little bit later. Your nerves started to rack up while waiting for him to come so you and a few others did a couple more shots.

"Oh you guys are gonna get fucked up". Chris walked in wearing his Stranger Things inspired costume. "AWWW CHRISSY! YOU LOOK SO CUTE!" As you walk over to Chris you stumble over the floor "woah! looks like someones already a bit tipsy." Just as you look at Chris, Matt walks through the door with his slutty girlfriend. He's dressed up in an extremely attractive cowboy costume, the jeans hug his crotch while the button up flannel shows his chest in the right ways, clinging to his arm... she's obviously dressed as a cowgirl, but the jean shorts give her camel toe and the tied up flannel shows just how uneven her boobs are. You mentally scoff before smiling and walking over to them. "Matt! It's so good to see you" You clumsily walk over to him and hug him in a way that purposely creates tension between his crotch and yours. You back away and look at Maria, throwing her a fake smile. "You must be Maria, it's so nice to meet you" She looks you up and down before throwing a fake smile back "you too... happy birthday" You look back at Matt just in time to see his eyes rake over your figure. "Well you two have fun" Without saying anything else you walk off.

As the night progresses you continue to dance with your friends and enjoying your birthday, every now and then looking at Matt as he looks at you even with Maria by his side. You even made out with a stranger just to get him on edge. The time hits 3am, everyone's sung happy birthday and are slowly starting to leave.. but the house is still more than full with people. You've stopped drinking now but can still feel the alcohol in your system. As you hug some friends goodbye, you see Matt kissing Maria goodbye. You smirk knowing Matt will finally be alone. Matt quickly pushes past you going upstairs and into his room... it was obvious he didn't want to be alone with you, but like hell were you gonna let him get away with that.

"Didn't even say happy birthday to me" you pout as you walk into his room. "You don't need a happy birthday from me, why are you in my room." You can see he's putting up a fight in his head whether or not to make eye contact or not. "I haven't seen you in a while, you don't talk to me anymore." You were serious now. It hurt not talking to Matt. "I have a girlfriend now." You scoff. "So that means you can't talk to me?!" "We don't talk. We fuck. And I don't cheat." He was serious, but you didn't care. You sat on his bed. "Why her." "W-What?" He looks up at you. "Why her. Why not me. I know you better than any other girl, I know how to make you feel good. Why her." He didn't have an answer.

You look at him right in the eye, "What does she have that I don't." He didn't expect that question from you. His eyes opened slightly before returning to his neutral expression. You crawl closer to him "I mean, she's hot.. but I'm hotter." You stop crawling right in between his legs. "You're drunk." You perk yourself right in between his crotch. "I stopped drinking about an hour ago." "Let's get you to Nicks room." "I don't want to be in Nick's room, i want to be in yours." Your hands roam his thighs, his breath hitches as he watches your hands. "Why can't you want me the way I want you?" You were genuinely asking. Before he could answer you place yourself on his lap. "This is wrong" he whispers so close you can feel his breath on your lips. "Then why does it feel so good.. No one has to know, just us." You pepper kisses on his neck, his hands subconsciously finding you waist as his head flies back giving you more access. You pull away causing him to look up. "Take my clothes off Matt." Without a second thought his hands fly to the clips on the front of your corset undoing them all within seconds. As he throws your corset on the floor you start unbuttoning his shirt.

Once his shirts completely discarded you look at him, he obviously can't control himself yet you can see he's thinking about how this will affect his relationship. Your hands find their way into his curls. "One more time Matt. That's all i'm asking. That's all I want. And after this.... you don't have to talk to me ever again." He looks up at you, obviously disagreeing with your words but all he says is "okay, once and then never again." A ping of heartbreak hit you, he was willing to never speak to you again. But you push it aside and place your lips on his, slowly grinding against his jeans causing a wet spot to form. He flips you both over and discards your skirt and panties. He starts kissing down your body, in between your thighs, you gasp and grab hold of his hair. "Doesn't matter how many times we end up here, i'll always devour you." His words meant nothing to you now knowing after this, you wouldn't see him again. You push his head in between your thighs and he immediately pushes his tongue through your folds. "Matt omg- fuck" you begin to moan loudly, no one can hear over the music. He laps his tongue through your folds before finding his way to your clit, kissing it passionately, not long after you clench around his tongue.

He moves away abruptly causing you to whimper at the loss of contact. "If this is the last time, i want this to last a while, i need you to cum in me." His words sent shivers down your spine. He moves back on top of you unzipping his jeans. "Condom." He grabs one from his drawer before putting it on and quickly pounding inside you. He was eager. You immediately become a moaning mess, he kisses you to keep you quiet. "Fuck- taking it so - mmm- so well" He continues to pound in and out of you, the bed frame underneath moving with the movements of his hips. "M-Matt, I'm not gonna last" You feel your stomach tightening around him, your walls clenching him. He throws his head to your neck sucking on the skin to quiet himself. Your hands run through his hair, pulling on it lightly. "One last time. One last time." He starts chanting it to get himself off, tears brim your eyes knowing that he's looking forward to this ending more than it happening. "Matt i'm gonna cum" You push your hips into him causing one last enjoyable ride before the both of you cum in unison. He rolls over panting. You quickly put your clothes back on without saying a word. "Where are you going?" "You said one last time, never again." "That doesn't mean you have to leave." You look at him. "You didn't enjoy that. You didn't want it like I did. I'm better off out of your hair anyways." "cmon i did want it. I just.. Maria-" You cut him off "Why her matt?! I was right here! waiting for you. and you... you chose her." He didn't say anything so you left.

You weren't sober enough to drive home so you walked... you'd come back for your car tomorrow.

A/N: I know this is bad.. it's literally my first time writing something like this so I'll take any feedback i cant get lol.

[pinkanonwrites]

HEHEHE I LOVE THE RODIMUS STORYY I'm obsessed with all the first contact au stories with rodimus and I would love if you could please do more if you ever feel like it 😭 the ones with language barrier and size difference are muah 🤌💫

If youre ever up for it or would feel comfortable, would you be willing to please write one where maybe the reader is sick with the flu and is either about to or actually does throw up and rodimus has no idea what the flu is or what throwing up is for humans and he has no idea how to deal with it 😅 and ofc the human can't explain bc language barrier.

Or any other rodimus with lil human stuff you can post I will happily gobble up hehe

I liked this idea too much for it to just be in bullet points, so it turned into a mini fic. Hope you enjoy!

Rodimus/Reader First Contact AU, Human Reader, GN Pronouns, Sickfic, emeto mention

Gazing blearily up at the ceiling as fluorescent lighting above whizzed past, you couldn’t fully tell if the nauseating pitch and wave of your surroundings was just from your sickness, or if panic was making Rodimus significantly less gentle than usual. Either way, if you had anything left in your stomach you probably would have thrown up again by now.

How foolish you were, to assume that being on an interdimensional traveling spaceship meant you would be less likely to suffer from the illnesses and maladies that you would normally find on Earth. No, now you were subject to an entire galaxy’s worth of potential contractible ailments instead. And though you could compare this one to some of the worse stomach viruses you’d had throughout your life back home, you didn’t really have a way to communicate to Rodimus that you weren’t, in fact, dying. No matter how much it felt like you were.

The hiss of a hydraulic powered door was almost drowned out by your caretaker’s panicked boops and screeches as he ran up to another one of the bots aboard the ship. A black helm and a shoulder-mounted cannon stepped into your nausea-warped vision, and a familiar gleam of a single, blue lens stared down at you. One of the scientist bots, the nicer one of the two that had poked and prodded at you when Rodimus first presented you to them. His name was… Perceptor?

But when he reached out a giant metal finger to you, Rodimus was quick to pull you back against his chest and out of the other’s reach. A kind gesture, but one that left you nearly gagging from the sudden wave of vertigo that racked your system. You winced at the feeling of Rodimus’s thumb brushing your cheek, the sticky pull of sweaty skin against hot metal, and the warble he let out in response sounded absolutely heartbroken. Through your hazy vision you could see tense corners of his mouth pull down, the soft glow of his eyes looking dimmer than usual as he cradled you. Then, with as much care as he could muster, he laid you so delicately upon Perceptor’s desk. His fingers stroked the top of your head, hands still bracketing you as if he was afraid you’d slip through his fingertips and right off the edge of the table as soon as he let his guard down. Despite everything, you couldn’t help but feel safer knowing he was worried about you. It was hard to imagine many worse scenarios than getting sick in outer space, but getting sick alone in outer space seemed pretty high up there.

So you let yourself be gently prodded at and scanned by Perceptor, Rodimus’s hands never straying far enough for you to not reach him. They murmured back and forth to each other all the while, a chittering of mechanical whirs and buzzes like an old fax machine pumping out a distant message. The chill of the metal surface under your back left goosebumps crawling up your skin, another detail that quickly drew Perceptor’s curiosity. After an amount of time you couldn’t possibly have estimated with your sickness-addled, swimming mind working at less than half the capacity of usual, both bots leaned away from the table to discuss something, like they were afraid you’d somehow overhear.

The sudden, harsh glow of the ceiling lights above left you squinting, a soft whimper escaping your throat despite yourself. Immediately Rodimus was upon you again, his giant chin resting on the edge of the table as his eyes flitted about over your shaking, exhausted frame. His hands hovered around you, fingers tense like he wasn’t sure if he should pick you up or not. But the warmth of his massive hands was a lot more comforting right now than the sterile chill of the tabletop, so with a great amount of effort you wormed your way back into his grasp.

Perceptor let out another, stern sounding buzz. Rodimus brought you back to his chest, resting your cheek against the smooth slope of metal as he responded in kind. You let your eyelids flutter shut as they continued to chatter. Whatever they were talking about didn’t really matter to you right now. Regardless of whatever was going on, you knew Rodimus would take care of you.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“And it’s not atrophosia? You’re sure?”

“Just because atrophosia comes from organics, Rodimus, does not mean they can contract it. No, what we’re looking at seems to be some form of organic virus.”

“That’s good, right?” Rodimus peeked at Perceptor from the corner of his optic, unwilling to take his full attention off of you for too long. Your little frame was sprawled weakly across the scientist’s desk, organic coolant and these strange, microscopic bumps beading across your body. Perceptor let out a curious hum, lifting your tiny servo up with the tip of his pen. Rodimus stifled the urge to slap it away. “If it’s a virus, it can be removed, right?”

“It’s not quite that simple. Organics don’t have accessible coding to allow ourselves entry. Their only solution is the old fashioned way, get plenty of recharge and wait it out.”

“But look at them! They’re all shaky and covered in coolant! A-And just earlier today, they purged their tanks!”

“That’s a good thing. Organics will purge their tanks as an emergency reflex to intrusive disease or illness. There’s actually a fascinating organic, a form of amphibian which can expel their entire tank when in-”

“Great! Cool! Love the fun facts, Perceptor! But are they-” And here Rodimus gestured to your small, shivering frame, “-going to be okay?”

“I’ve acquired some information on human illness- from Swerve of all bots, if you’d believe it. When humans are ill they require copious recharge, plenty of clean, desalinated water, and, apparently, a fuel comprised of the boiled carcass of an Earth bird and various edible flora.”

“I don’t have any Earth birds! Earth has the Earth birds!” Rodimus sat up with a jolt, a bristling wave of heat rolling off of his frame that was swiftly ignored by Perceptor.

“I am certain the replicator could produce a suitable substitute. It has worked for providing nourishment thus far.”

Both bots’ attention snapped back to you when you let out a small whine, squinting under the blaring light of the overhead systems. 

“Oh, hey, I’m sorry bud!” Rodimus’s voice dropped to a soft coo as he hovered his servos back around your frame. “Is it too bright in here, your optics sensitive?”

“Perhaps it would be good for the human to rest here, where they can be monitored. You have other duties aboard the ship, after all.”

“Yeah, but…” Rodimus stared as you dragged yourself across the table, curling weakly into the crook of his servo with a soft sigh. He cradled you again, letting you rest your helm upon his chassis as he supported you with both arms. “I- I think I’ll keep an optic on them. What if being in here makes them nervous? Then they can’t recharge properly.”

Perceptor let out a soft huff, pinching the bridge of his olfactory ridge between two digits. “...Whatever you insist, Rodimus. But do allow them to rest. No joyrides.”

As Rodimus looked down at your frame in his arms, for once, joyriding was the last thing on his mind.

[sims4t2bb]

Update - May

Here's what we've updated in April and May. We've got a big to-do list for things to cover in June, as creators have been hard at work, so please bear with us as we're busy in real life, too!

Added a great amount of non-Base Game door and window conversions by @platinumaspiration and @lordcrumps across many different packs.

— Base Game

Buy Mode

BodyCrunch Pro Home Gym System, PowerFit Multitrainer Exercise Machine, and The Rack conversions by ePSYlord have been added.

Crisponix Splendid, Icebox of Steel by Krampft Industries, and IceBOX Vintage Refrigerator conversions by @platinumaspiration have been added.

The Fun-Fun Inflatable Set, Part One, and The Fun-Fun Inflatable Set, Part Two conversions by @deatherella have been added.

Country Cottage Dining Chair, Cephalopod Barstool with Back Support, and Bunker Be Bright Wall Light conversions by @jinxxsims have been added.

Build Mode

Spiral Parquet and Retro Edwardian Tile conversions by @lordcrumps have been added.

Deco

Milk Cartons (Bella Goth, Emit Relevart, Ginny, Pit Beast, Skip Broke, and Some Sneaky Sim) conversions by @lordcrumps have been added.

— Expansion Packs

Get Together

Debug Bollard conversion by @pixelasher has been added.

City Living

Picturesque Keramikos, Ported Boundery, and debug Utility Box and Wall Pipes conversions by @pixelasher have been added.

Cats & Dogs

The Saint's Anchor and Carpeted Conifers Cat Tree Deluxe conversions by @jinxxsims have been added.

Get Famous

Name in Lights Marquee and Name in Lights Theatre Sign conversions by @jacky93sims have been added.

Stool of Decadence conversion by @jinxxsims has been added.

Island Living

Montane Slatted Doors, The Bug Kahuna Sliding Doors, The Cudgel 7 Sliding Door, The ‘Put A Screen On It’ Screen Door, Windy Whale Sliding Doors, Bermuda Triangle Double Arch, Bewitching Wicker Counter, Shelflessness Skiihaw Recycling, The Islander Trellis, The ‘Look No Further’ Dresser, and more conversions by @jacky93sims have been added.

Discover University

Triple Chim-Chimney conversion by @jacky93sims has been added.

Banners of Cheer and Lone-1 Floor Banner conversions by @pixelasher have been added.

Alpha Kappa Banner Bud and Alpha Kappa Banner Set conversions by @cozy-sims have been added.

Snowy Escape

The Fridges of Komorebi County conversion by @platinumaspiration has been added.

Cottage Living

Deep Thoughts Door, Fox Knocker Door, Quintessential Cottage Door, Pining for Winter, Gossip No More Door, Bae Bay Window, Bagatha Chrisptea's Literary Window, Bliss Fo Eyes A Poetical Window, Double Window for Double Blessings, Storybook Cotta Window, and more conversions by @jacky93sims have been added.

Conversions of all windows by @lordcrumps and @platinumaspiration have been added.

Old King Kool - by The Icebox Corp and ReFridgeAdeezer by Re FrostyFridge Corporation conversions by @platinumaspiration have been added.

High School Years

Learning with the Stars, Wall Mounted Pom Pom, Graduation Photo Op, Lunch Special Cafeteria Station, and ThrifTea Bubble Tea Counter conversions by @jacky93sims have been added.

Mini Gem Chandelier conversion by @jinxxsims has been added.

Growing Together

Dining is Groovy! v.2 by Kindermade, Sit Crooked, Talk Straight Barstool conversions by @jinxxsims have been added.

Live Laugh Well Loved Lamp, Attention Worthy Floor Mirror, and Attention Worthy Wall Mirror conversions by @jacky93sims have been added.

For Rent

Debug Tree Guard conversion by @pixelasher has been added.

Businesses and Hobbies

The filterable page is now available!

A link to the filterable page in the pinned post has been added.

Conversions by @platinumaspiration and @lordcrumps have been added.

Drippy Bunny Sculpture, Tat-a-Scribble Set, Luminous Leaf, and Fairly Fair Fence with Fairy Lights conversions by @jinxxsims have been added.

Paint on Me! Wallpaper conversion by @morepopcorn has been added.

— Game Packs

Outdoor Retreat

Conversions of all items by @lordcrumps have been added.

Spa Day

Doc Sweets Luke-Warm Mini Dispenser conversion by @platinumaspiration has been added.

Vampires

Protruding Frieze conversion by @lordcrumps has been added.

Parenthood

Recolors of Board Meeting by @jinxxsims have been added.

Realm of Magic

30 Day Glimmerbrook Fridge, Astral Window, Banished Soul Window, Divine Porthole Window, Spellcaster's Delight Window, Waning Moon Window, and Window of Opportunity conversions by @platinumaspiration have been added.

My Wedding Stories

Exotic Elegant Lamp and Lone Candle In The Hall conversions by @jacky93sims have been added.

— Stuff Packs

Cool Kitchen

They Might Be Giants and Taste of Umami Spice Rack conversions by @jinxxsims have been added.

Laundry Day

Model T Clothesline, Green Clean Washing Machine, Fyre Dryer, Feelin' Fabric Hamper, Laundrymaid Clothing Hamper, Wicker Whims Hamper, and debug Clothing Pile conversions by @lamare-sims have been added.

— Kits

Courtyard Oasis

Conversions of all items by @lordcrumps have been added.

Cozy Kitsch

Conversions of all items (sans different wall lengths) by @platinumaspiration have been added.

Secret Sanctuary

The filterable page is now available!

A link to the filterable page in the pinned post has been added.

Conversions by all kit items by @lordcrumps have been added.

Chateaux Charm Fireplace conversion by @jinxxsims has been added.

Comfy Gamer

The filterable page is now available!

A link to the filterable page in the pinned post has been added.

Comfy Gaming Computer and "Beam me up, Blarffy!" Novelty Lamp conversions by @jacky93sims have been added.

Sims Forever! Collectible Art Prints conversion on a ts2 mesh by @selenaq13 has been added.

Conversions of all kit items by @lordcrumps and springsims have been added.

Casanova Cave

The filterable page is now available!

A link to the filterable page in the pinned post has been added.

Designer Wall Prints by Valor Visuals conversion on a ts2 mesh by @selenaq13 has been added.

Conversions of all kit items by @lordcrumps have been added.

High Stakes Table, The Zenith Wall Unit, and Titan Screen 5000 conversions by @jinxxsims have been added.

Refined Living Room

The filterable page is now available!

A link to the filterable page in the pinned post has been added.

Conversions of all kit items by @lordcrumps have been added.

Sleek Bathroom

The filterable page is now available!

A link to the filterable page in the pinned post has been added.

Kitchen Clutter

The filterable page is now available!

Added functional conversion of the Fresh Finds Grocery Bag by @grilledcheese-aspiration

Added Culinary Caddy by @amethystfenix

Restoration Workshop

The filterable page is now available!

[writtenjewels]

One Bed

Salim watched Jason out of the corner of his eye, waiting for the other man to look upset. Instead, Jason just let out a grunt and dropped his suitcase in a corner. Salim kept waiting, but Jason was now messing with the curtains and the room's air conditioning system. He didn't seem bothered at all by their situation.

In all fairness, there was nothing wrong with the room. It had a decent view, a television and landline phone if they wanted to call for room service, a bathroom, a little mini-bar, a comfortable chair and even a desk. There was only one problem: Salim was sure he booked a room with two beds. His eyes darted over to Jason. The younger man had satisfied himself with the room's temperature and was surfing television stations.

“Should I--?” Salim began.

“Sorry, I'm a night owl,” Jason interrupted. “I'll turn off the television if it bugs ya.”

“No, that's all right. I'm not very tired right now, anyway.”

“Well, then.” Jason grabbed the chair from the desk and dragged it over next to the one he was using. “Park your ass here, grab a snack from the mini-bar. Enjoy some American television.” He seemed so relaxed that Salim couldn't help feeling more at ease. Maybe he was making too big a deal of the bed. After all, as soldiers they both had to sleep in all sorts of conditions.

Except it was a very different thing sleeping next to a fellow soldier in the cold or rain, and sleeping next to someone in a comfortable bed.

Salim opened the mini-bar to distract himself. “These snacks are much smaller than I was expecting,” he commented.

“That's how they get ya,” Jason answered. “Make ya rack up a bill with the snacks. Maybe we can just do room service.”

“Isn't that more expensive?” Salim wondered.

“Who cares? We deserve it.” That was true. Salim conceded to Jason ordering, settling on the chair to watch whatever program was on.

The evening went on with them eating through snacks and laughing at the shows. Salim started to get tired around ten, but managed to fight it until eleven. He kept missing pieces of the show, and didn't realize at first it was because he was nodding off. The next time he opened his eyes, the television was off.

“You didn't have to do that,” he protested.

“It's getting late and there's nothin' good on at this hour,” Jason shrugged. Salim got up and stretched, then hesitated, staring down at his clothes. Not the sort of attire that would be comfortable sleeping in. “Embarrassed by your PJ's?” Jason guessed.

“No.”

It was a little ridiculous to feel self-conscious. It wasn't like he was trying to impress Jason or anything. Salim went through his luggage and pulled out some pajamas. He considered going into the bathroom to change, but that also seemed ridiculous. They were both men, weren't they? Both soldiers, both having seen other male bodies in various states of undress. He shook his head and started working off his clothes. He could hear Jason pulling out some sleep attire, too.

Salim looked over. “Oh, my god,” he gasped. “You have hair!”

“Shut up, asshole!” Jason snapped, throwing a shirt at his face. Salim just laughed. Seeing Jason without his hat was a strange experience. Somehow it made him look more naked than being shirtless, though that was certainly an intriguing image.

Even after over a year spent in Iraq, the marine was very pale. His muscles were firm, his build lean, and his chest smooth. Then Jason dropped his trousers and Salim was surprised to see the boxer-briefs. For some reason, he was expecting Jason to go commando. He turned to his own task of dressing for bed. He didn't always wear shirts or bottoms to bed. Salim's eyes darted to Jason and caught the marine looking at him.

“You wanna use the bathroom first?” Jason asked.

“Sure.”

Still no comments about their situation. Salim washed up and got under the covers with Jason joining him. The light clicked off and there they were, sharing a bed. Salim could feel Jason next to him even though he tried giving a little space. He lay there with hands folded and stared at the ceiling.

“This is weird,” Jason declared.

“I was waiting for you to say so.”

“I didn't want to. You didn't seem to mind, and I didn't wanna seem like I was complainin'.”

“I thought you didn't mind,” Salim countered, turning his head to look at Jason. “I can go to the front desk.”

“Nah.” Jason shrugged. “I'm all settled in and comfy now. It ain't too bad for a few nights.” Salim let out a soft noise. “What about you?” Jason asked.

“I don't know,” Salim mused. “Do you snore? Do you squirm around?” He got a head shake for both questions. “Then I suppose 'it ain't too bad.'” Jason let out a snort and rolled so he was turned in Salim's direction.

“Hearin' you use the word 'ain't' is the funniest shit.”

“I play the long game in getting you to laugh at my jokes, jarhead.” That only made Jason laugh again, his dark eyes twinkling. “You should have let me tell you the one down in the catacombs,” Salim continued. “It was a good one.”

“Tell me now.”

“No, sorry, the moment has passed.”

“Asshole,” Jason chided, and this time it was Salim who laughed. Salim shifted in the bed to face Jason.

“You really aren't tired at all, are you?”

“Nope. But you don't gotta stay up with me.”

“I seem to have found my second wind,” Salim said. He had a feeling it was because of Jason. It was the same as when they were in the catacombs: whenever Salim felt tired or disheartened, Jason's conversation and presence kept him going. “I don't want to get out of bed, though,” he added.

“These sheets are pretty nice,” Jason agreed. “The thread count's probably higher than my military paycheck.”

They fell quiet. Looking at Jason from this angle was a little strange. Seeing him in darkness was nothing new, but without his hat Jason looked so different. His hair was a little longer than a military buzz, and Salim could actually see his eyes. Salim followed the silver chain of Jason's dog-tags down to where they rested on his chest. He had the strange impulse to touch the flat metal.

“Salim,” Jason spoke up. “This is kinda nice.”

“It ain't too bad,” Salim agreed, pleased when Jason laughed.

“G'night,” Jason sighed, rolling away.

“Good night,” Salim echoed. He rolled over as well.

No, he wasn't going to go report the mistake. Three more nights of sharing a bed with Jason. He didn't mind that arrangement at all.

[emsprovisions]

❄️ Day 10 - Haul out the Holly ❄️

🎁 Today's fic is dedicated to @captain-gillian!

Summary: TK and Nancy decide to surprise Tommy by decorating the ambulance for the holidays.

Word count: 897

24 Days of Tarlos Masterpost

TK hops up into the driver’s seat and pulls on his shades while Nancy’s buckling herself into the passenger seat and similarly pulling her own sunglasses on. 

TK turns to her, “Ready?”

“Let’s do this,” Nancy nods. 

She plugs her phone into the ambulance’s sound system and starts blasting the 1987 song, Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC. 

The two paramedics feel way too cool as they drive around town, heading for Starbucks for two venti iced peppermint mochas to get their caffeine fix before heading to the craft store, Michaels. 

They keep their radios on, listening intently for any calls for Medic 126 as they browse the aisles of Christmas and holiday decor at Michaels. TK pushes their cart and Nancy leans into him, sipping from a straw in her mocha and showing him TikToks she has saved for decoration inspo. Something catches her eye and she lights up as she points out an object to TK. 

“We need that garland.” She’s pointing at a felted garland that’s made to look like Santa’s sleigh with eight reindeer. 

“Absolutely,” TK laughs, plucking the decor off the rack and dropping it in their cart. “We need some string lights too, and window clings if we can find any.”

They successfully make it through the store without any calls and by the time they’re paying, their cart is loaded with decorations for the rig. 

TK and Nancy get back in the ambo and drive back to the firehouse, singing along to more Christmas songs, drinking their coffees, and giggling as they plan out where they’re going to put all the decorations. TK smoothly backs them into their bay and they hop out and go around back, climbing into the rig together and shutting the doors.

“You really think Cap is going to be okay with this?” Nancy asks skeptically as she rifles through their shopping bags.

“Nance,” TK laughs. “This was your idea. It’s not like we’re going overboard with it, just sprucing it up for the holidays. Let’s unload everything on the gurney and see if we like all our ideas. We can always return some of it.”

Nancy nods, and together they unload the bags. 

Nancy stopped at Target before work to pick up three mini stockings with their initials for them to hang up on the cabinet doors in the order: TNT.

“Nice,” TK grins, admiring her work. 

“I thought so,” Nancy waggles her eyebrows at TK before getting to work stringing lights around the top of the bus. 

TK works on hanging up the Santa’s sleigh garland on the central bar above the gurney with zip ties. Next, TK sticks window clings to the glass surfaces in the bus. There’s some representation for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and even just some general winter scenes with snow and snowmen.

They hang a few ornaments around cabinet handles and tie bows around the door handle from the inside. They’ve made sure to get decorations that won’t impede their work, and hopefully none of it will annoy Captain Vega. They want it to be a surprise for her after the past couple of years have been so hard. 

When TK and Nancy are satisfied with their work, they grab a pair of matching antler headbands they bought at Michaels–TK actually went overboard on the headbands, and bought himself a few more pairs from Michaels and also plans on ordering some from Amazon for Christmas and Hanukkah. He’s going to keep the collection in his locker and to wear on calls, especially if they have kid patients. 

They hop out of the ambulance and hang a wreath on the outside of the door before stepping back to admire their handiwork. 

The ambulance softly glows from the multicolor Christmas lights, and the whole thing looks festive and cheery, as do the paramedics of the 126 with their reindeer antlers. 

TK looks up at Nancy with a big smile, “Cap is gonna love this.”

“I hope so,” Nancy bites her lip as she looks over the rig. “Are you sure we didn’t go overboard?” 

“We’re spreading holiday cheer, Nance, it can’t get much more wholesome than that,” TK laughs. 

“What is going on down here?” Tommy walks up to the ambulance with her clipboard and a confused smile. “I thought y’all were restocking the bus.”

“Nah,” TK grins. “We were actually adding to the inventory.”

“What is all this?” Tommy looks between her two reindeer and the decorated bus.

“Is it okay?” Nancy asks, worrying at her lip again. “We can take it all down if it’s too much. It’s just I saw some other ambulances on TikTok doing similar and I thought we could surprise you.”

“Nancy,” Tommy laughs, reaching out to squeeze her shoulder. “I love it. It’s perfect.”

“Go look closer, Cap,” TK grins. “Check out everything we did.”

Tommy does move closer, she laughs at the stockings with their initials, “B Crew is going to be jealous of that,” she remarks.

“I got them stockings too,” Nancy admits. “I’ll hang them up when our shift is over.”

“That’s sweet!” Tommy shakes her head. “All of this is so sweet. You guys did a great job.”

“Really?” Nancy’s eyes light up. “You really like it?”

“I really, really needed this. Come here, both of you.” Tommy pulls her team into the biggest hug. “This is the best Christmas gift.”

[prepperjournal]

For years, the idea of food independence has conjured images of sprawling gardens, backyard chickens, and rows of home-canned goods. But let’s be real: not everyone has an acre of land—or even a backyard. Does that mean food independence is out of reach? Not by a long shot. In 2025, it’s time to rethink what food self-reliance looks like. Whether you’re in an apartment, a condo, or just don’t have the time or space for traditional homesteading, you can still build a pantry that’s resilient against supply chain hiccups, inflation, and shortages. Step 1: Maximize Shelf-Stable Staples You don’t need a garden to stock up on dry goods. Focus on building a pantry of essentials with long shelf lives. Stock Up On: - Rice, beans, and lentils - Oats, pasta, and flour - Shelf-stable milk and powdered eggs - Salt, sugar, and cooking oils Step 2: Canned Goods Are Your Friend Canning isn’t just for homesteaders. Commercially canned goods offer a long shelf life, convenience, and variety. Buy Smart: - Focus on vegetables, proteins (tuna, chicken), soups, and fruits - Check for sales and bulk-buy deals - Rotate stock and use older cans first Pro Tip: Don’t forget about canned butter, ghee, and shelf-stable cheese options. FIFO Countertop Mini Can Tracker Holds 30 Standard 10-24 Oz Can Sizes, White| Stackable & Adjustable Can Organizer for Pantry, USA Made, White - Mini Can Tracker: Keeps your kitchen organized by storing and rotating your canned goods on a First In First Out model saving you from expired food cost and waste - Can Organizer Easy Install: Ensures effortless installation saving you time and energy; Carefully sized dowels fit smoothly into the panels, giving your fridge or pantry a fresh new look; Made in the USA - Customizable Can Rack: Includes the following easy-fit dowels; 3 - A dowels (fits family soup cans), 6 - B dowels (fits chunky soup and fruit cans), 6 - C dowels (fits standard vegetable/soup cans) - Canned Food Organizer Capacity: Make room for up to 30 cans, preserving sodas, soups, and veggies in great harmony; Measures 16 inches long, 16 inches wide, 12 inches tall, and weighs 5 pounds - Expandable Food Storage: Expand your organized empire in your refrigerator, pantry, cupboards, and cabinets by adding panels, dowels, or even units for limitless growth $44.19 Buy on Amazon Step 3: Think Vertical—Indoor Gardening No backyard? No problem. Grow small-scale crops indoors with minimal space. Try These: - Herbs (basil, parsley, cilantro) on windowsills - Microgreens using shallow trays - Hydroponic kits for lettuce and greens Step 4: Store Water, Not Just Food Water is just as critical as food, and most urban preppers underestimate how much they’ll need. Store: - At least one gallon per person per day (for drinking and minimal hygiene) - Water filters and purification tablets as backup - Collapsible storage containers to maximize space Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Stainless Steel Countertop Water Filter System 2.25 Gallon with 2 Authentic Black Berkey Elements BB9-2 Filters - ENJOY GREAT-TASTING TAP WATER EVERY DAY AT HOME- The 2.25-gallon Big Berkey System can be used on a countertop in your kitchen or office to transform tap water into delicious drinking water that's also ideal for making your favorite beverages or cooking. - INDEPENDENT TESTING- Black Berkey Elements (the original BB9-2) are composed of a unique, proprietary blend of multiple media types backed by testing from accredited, third-party labs. Black Berkey Elements remove or dramatically reduce over 250+ typical contaminants that could be present in freshwater sources—no electricity, tools, or plumbing are required. - INCLUDES AUTHENTIC BLACK BERKEY ELEMENTS (THE ORIGINAL BB9-2)- Don't fall for lookalike filters that use our Berkey BB9-2 model number or trademarks in their titles or product descriptions to legitimize their brand as replacements or "compatible", when they are not. Black Berkey Elements are designed to work synergistically and target specific contaminants that far exceed the reduction capabilities of black filters solely composed of activated carbon. - ECONOMICAL, LONG-LASTING- Black Berkey Elements provide filtered water for just pennies per gallon. Each pair of Black Berkey Elements lasts for up to 6,000 gallons before replacement is recommended. Elements may require replacement sooner based upon the quality of influent water. Each additional pair of Black Berkey Elements (sold separately) adds an additional 6,000 gallons of contaminant reduction. - THE GOLD STANDARD IN GRAVITY-FED WATER FILTRATION- Authentic Black Berkey Elements are capable of greater contaminant reduction and a longer lifespan than virtually any of the other filter elements on the market. Berkey systems are simple and easy to use and require no electricity, costly installation, or tools, providing economical, long-lasting water filtration for just pennies a gallon. $367.00 Buy on Amazon Step 5: Get Creative with Storage When space is tight, you have to think vertically and creatively. Ideas: - Under-bed bins for bulk goods - Overhead shelving in closets or garages - Stackable containers that maximize footprint Step 6: Plan for Rotation and Replenishment A pantry is only as good as its maintenance. Maintain It: - Label items with purchase and expiration dates - Create a simple inventory spreadsheet - Set reminders to rotate stock every few months Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need Land to Be Ready Food independence isn’t just for the rural prepper. It’s about mindset, strategy, and a commitment to self-reliance—no matter where you live. By focusing on shelf-stable essentials, clever storage, and a few innovative growing techniques, you can build a pantry that stands strong against whatever comes next. Related Reads: - The Sensible Prepper – Practical Advice for Tough Times - Survival Gear List – The Essentials You Shouldn’t Leave Without Finally, remember that food independence is an ongoing journey. Stay informed about food preservation techniques, explore new recipes using your stored items, and continuously adapt your strategies as your needs evolve. This proactive approach will help ensure that you remain prepared for any eventuality, no matter where you live. Moreover, engage with your community to share ideas, resources, and even trade goods. Building relationships with local farmers or joining community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs can enhance your food independence and introduce you to fresh, local options that may not be available in stores. Regular maintenance of your pantry is essential for ensuring that your food supply remains fresh and ready for use. Consider setting up a reminder system on your smartphone or calendar to help you keep track of your inventory and remind you when it's time to check on your supplies. When considering creative storage solutions, think beyond the conventional. Utilize space in your home creatively by incorporating multi-functional furniture that doubles as storage, such as ottomans or coffee tables with hidden compartments. Every bit of space counts when preparing for potential shortages or emergencies. Another critical aspect of water storage is the need for emergency preparedness. Storing water isn’t just about filling up containers; it’s also about ensuring you have access to clean, drinkable water during emergencies. Invest in high-quality water filtration systems and purification tablets to ensure your stored water remains safe for consumption over time. As you think vertically for indoor gardening, consider the benefits of LED grow lights. These lights can mimic sunlight, enabling you to grow plants indoors even when natural light is scarce. This technology allows for greater control over your indoor gardening environment and can significantly expand your growing options. In addition to canned goods, consider freeze-dried options. These products not only have an impressive shelf life but also retain more nutrients and flavor compared to traditional canned foods. They can be rehydrated and used in many recipes, making them a versatile addition to your pantry. When thinking about shelf-stable staples, it's beneficial to explore legumes beyond just basic beans and lentils. Incorporate a variety of dried beans—such as black beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas—not only for their nutritional value but also for their versatility in a variety of dishes. Each type of legume can bring unique flavors and textures to your meals, enhancing your culinary repertoire. Consider urban gardening techniques that allow you to grow food in small spaces, such as vertical gardening or hydroponic systems. These innovations can transform a small apartment balcony into a lush, productive garden, yielding fresh vegetables and herbs all year round. In today's fast-paced world, the notion of achieving food independence takes on new dimensions. It's not just about self-sustaining your food source; it's about creating resilience in the face of global uncertainties. With the increasing volatility of food prices and supply chains, understanding how to prepare for the worst while still enjoying the best of what our urban environments have to offer is crucial. Read the full article

[simstorian-blog]

Dusty Turf

(CC List + Links)

World Map: Oasis Springs

Area: Parched Prospect

Lot Size: 30 x 20

(3-bedroom, 2 Bathroom)

Gallery ID: Simstorian-ish

Packs Used

Cottage Living

Desert Luxe Kit

Dream Home Decorator

Eco Lifestyle

Get Famous

Get Together

Get To Work

Growing Together

Island Living

Laundry Day Stuff

Outdoor Retreat

Spa Day

Wedding Stories

Build Mode

AnneSimmer – Wall Mural Pt. 1

Felixandre – London (Chandelier, Panelling)

Felixandre – Grove Pt. (Plaster Floor)

Harlix – Bafroom (Mirrors, Windows)

Harlix – Harluxe (Used Throughout)

Harlix – Orjanic Pt. 1 (Column)

Harlix – Tiny Twavellers (Mural Wall)

Harrie – Kwatei Pt. 1 (Doors, Windows)

Max20 – Polished Sandstone Trim

Peacemaker – Curly Koa Flooring

Peacemaker – Simple Siding

SimPlistic – Leafy Wallpaper

Sooky – Victorian Floor Tiles

Buy Mode

Anye – Cal Magazine

Anye – Neomy Table Lamp

Anye – Zara Bathrobe

Awingedllama – Apartment Therapy (Rug)

Awingedllama – Boho Living (Cement Planter)

Awingedllama – Blooming Plants

BlueTeas – Rivers Bedroom (Base, Headboard)

CharlyPancakes – Lavish (Shopping Bag)

ClutterCat – BusyBee Pt. 2 (FlatBox)

ClutterCat – Cozy Casita (Candle)

ClutterCat – Dandy Diary Pt.1  (Leather Tray)

ClutterCat – Dandy Diary Bathroom

Dereon – Silver Lining Stool (DL Available via Patreon)

Felixandre – Chateau Pt. 4 (Square Container)

Felixandre – Colonial Pt. 3 (Parasol)

Felixandre – Florence Pt. 3 (Luggage)

Felixandre – Florence Pt. 4

Felixandre – Grove Pt. 2 (Stacked Plates)

Felixandre – Paris Pt. 3 (Pouffe)

Felixandre – Shop The Look 1 (Side Table)

GreenLlamas – Kerv Inkblot Rug

Harlix – Baysic (Bedding, Hanging Clothes, Packs System)

Harlix – Baysic Bathroom (Toilet)

Harlix – Kichen (All glasses)

Harlix – Livin’ Rum (Tv, Bowl, Vase)

Harlix – Orjanic Pt. 2 (Vase)

Harrie – Octave Pt. 4 (Light Switch)

Joyce – Simple Live #5 (Separate Towel)

LeafMotif – House & Garden Covers

LittlBowBub – Home Barista

Littledica – Delicious Kitchen (Paper Towel)

Littledica – Rise & Grind (Flavour Syrup)

Madlen – Dionis Ottoman

MyCupofCC – ColourTalk (Mirror)

Myshunosun – Gale Dining (Cart, Wine Bottle, Wine Glass)

NoStyle – Mara Living Chair

Peacemaker – Ellipse Armchair

Peacemaker – Mid-Century Abode (Bedframe)

Peacemaker – Oasis Chic Living (Cordyline)

Pierisim – Domaine du Clos Pt. 2 (Account Book)

Pierisim – Domaine du Clos Pt. 4 (Zucchini Chopping Board)

Pierisim – Living Room Mini (Citrus Bowl)

Pierisim – MCM Pt. 2 (Rug)

Pierisim – MCM Pt. 3 (Metal Sconce, Soap)

Pierisim – MCM Pt. 5 (Table Lamp)

Pierisim – Oak House Pt. 4 (Shower)

Pierisim – Vera Bathroom (Mounted Hook, Robes, Soap)

Ravasheen – Hot Sim Disguise Clutter (Tray)

RusticSims – Kind of Modular (Books, Coffee Table)

RusticSims – Lofi Pt. 1 (All Lighting)

Severinka – Aura Ottoman

Sundays – Duvet

Sundays – Kediri Pt. 1 + 2 (Sofa, Throw Pillows)

Sundays – Kuta Pt. 1 (Dining Table)

Sundays – Pandawa Pt. 3 (Pouf)

Sundays – Sumba Pt. 1 (Pillows)

Sundays – Swell Pt. 1 (Bolster Pillow)

Sundays – Ungasan Pt. 2 (Slippers)

Sundays – Yarra Pt. 3 (Bed Pillows)

Syboubou – Caroline Shower Rug

Tuds – Ind 02 (Wine Rack)

Winner9 – Malibu Pillow

DO NOT REUPLOAD MY LOTS.

DO NOT CLAIM THEM AS YOUR OWN.

DO NOT PLACE BEHIND A PAYWALL.

Tray Files: Download

[planetdisplayuk]

Maximising Space with a Mini Racking System

In today’s fast-paced retail and home environments, efficient use of space is crucial. A Mini Racking System offers a versatile and stylish solution for organising everything from shop inventory to personal collections. At Planet Display, our mini racking systems are designed to combine practicality with aesthetic appeal, making them a perfect fit for businesses and homeowners alike.

The Appeal of Mini Racking Systems

A mini racking system is a compact, modular storage solution that maximises vertical space without overwhelming your environment. Unlike bulky shelving units, these systems are lightweight yet sturdy, offering a balance of strength and flexibility. Whether you’re running a small retail shop, a café, or simply need better organisation at home, a mini racking system can transform cluttered spaces into tidy, functional areas.

The beauty of these systems lies in their adaptability. Available in various sizes and finishes, they can be tailored to suit any setting. From sleek metal designs for a modern boutique to warm wooden tones for a cosy home office, Planet Display offers options that blend seamlessly with your décor. The open-shelf design ensures easy access to items, making it ideal for frequently rotated stock or everyday essentials.

Practical Applications for Every Space

For retailers, a mini racking system is a game-changer. It allows you to display products like books, cosmetics, or accessories in an organised manner, making it easy for customers to browse. The compact design is perfect for small shops or pop-up stalls where space is at a premium. Adjustable shelves mean you can accommodate items of different sizes, from small trinkets to larger merchandise, without needing multiple storage units.

At home, a mini racking system can bring order to cluttered spaces like garages, kitchens, or craft rooms. Use it to store tools, pantry items, or art supplies, keeping everything within reach yet neatly arranged. The durability of Planet Display’s mini racking systems ensures they can handle heavy loads, while their sleek design adds a touch of sophistication to any room.

Styling and Functionality Tips

To get the most out of your mini racking system, consider how you arrange your items. Group similar products together to create a cohesive look, and use baskets or dividers to keep smaller items contained. For retail settings, add subtle lighting to highlight key products, drawing customers’ attention. In home spaces, mix functional items with decorative pieces like plants or framed photos to add personality.

Regularly reorganising your racking system can keep it looking fresh and prevent overcrowding. With Planet Display’s easy-to-assemble designs, you can reconfigure your setup as your needs evolve, ensuring long-term usability.

Why Choose Planet Display?

A mini racking system from Planet Display is more than just storage—it’s a way to enhance your space’s efficiency and style. With robust materials and customisable options, our systems are built to meet your unique needs. Explore our range today to discover how a mini racking system can elevate your retail or home environment.

[zerokurokawa]

If I Was a Rich Girl: Haitani Brothers x OC's

Synopsis: After experiencing the Bloody Halloween fight and taking interest in Zoe and Valerie, the Haitani brothers decide to take them out on a well needed shopping spree.

brief mentions of bajixOC (Valerie), SFW

this is an excerpt from my sequel to REVERSE. The fic is called IN TIME by @zerokurokawa on Wattpad if anybody would like to check it out. It takes place during the Tenjiku timeline.

Rich Girl  by Gwen Stefani blared on the radio as we went to meet Rindou and Ran at a store in Roppongi. 

"SEE I'D HAVE ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD, IF I WAS A WEALTHY GIIRRRLLLLLL," Zoe and I danced and sang along as she drove into the parking lot. Zoe put the car in park and we immediately saw the brothers get out of their white BMW. It was a nicer model; even had a Bluetooth stereo system. 

Rindou came up to me first, wearing a designer hoodie and some nice jeans with white sneakers. Oddly enough, he didn't have his glasses on and wore a silver chain around his neck. Ran was suited up in a designer sweatsuit as he walked over to Zoe, embracing her in a one armed hug. 

I had brought enough money to buy a few things if I absolutely had to have them. I had no idea what to expect with these guys, and was caught off guard by the store we had walked into. The store was very classy, elegant almost, and most definitely not what Zoe and I were used to. Designer bags, clothes, jewelry, and shoes lined the walls and the floor. I looked at one of the price tags of a purse and it read over 50,000 yen, the equivalent to about $320. Needless to say, I put that purse down very quickly. 

"You like that?" I heard Rindou come up behind me and ask. 

"It's a little out of my price range," I laughed, "I wouldn't dare carry this around in fear of being robbed." 

"You wouldn't have to worry about that much, especially if it's known that you both are with us." He said confidently. I looked at him and smiled. Was he really insinuating that he would protect us simply with his reputation? Maybe I was underestimating the power of the Haitani brothers to begin with though. 

I walked over to the dress section to see a black mini dress with thin straps in my size. It had what looked like glitter sprayed all over it, giving it a glimmering look as it shined in the light of the store. This would look great on me, I thought. I checked the price tag - 90,000 yen = $575. Absolutely not, I wouldn't even dare to try this on. 

"Try it on." Rindou smiled as he took it off the rack. I shook my head no and went to walk away. He grabbed me softly by the wrist and said, "I bet it'll look stunning on you." 

I finally agreed to try on the dress and stepped out of the dressing room. Rindou turned and stared at me with a smirk on his face. 

"Beautiful. You have to get it, wear it to our next party!" He said as he came up to me. 

"I uh, can't afford this, Rindou." I smiled sheepishly. 

"I can. I said I was going to treat you today, didn't I?" I turned to look at the floor as he stepped over closer to me. I noted our height difference. It wasn't much, but he was more built than Baji was. He could probably pick me up and throw me across the parking lot if he wanted.

"I can't allow you to pay for this, Rin." He smirked at the nickname I gave him. I went back into the changing room, not before snapping a quick, but cute selfie in the mirror, and changed. I brought the dress back out and he immediately took it from me. 

"Now, what are you gonna do? Come snatch it from me?" He smirked. He was a master at flirting. 

"Rindou, please, don't..." I was laughing and blushing at the same time as I was trying to grab the dress back from him and put it on the rack. That's when he walked away to the register and I saw him pull out a wad of cash. He paid for the dress and handed me the bag. 

"Rindou!" I exclaimed, "What the hell! That was like, 90,000 yen!" 

"I'm aware, I paid for it." He smiled and tugged on my shirt, pulling me closer. I didn't know how to feel but happy and a little nervous at the same time. He was older, hot, rich, strong, and yet, I still felt an insane guilt come over me. 

I shoved the thoughts away as he looked me dead in the face and asked, "Are you going to be okay or do I need to take you home?" I tilted my head in response. I thought that maybe he should just take me home, but I didn't want to disappoint him after he just spent so much money on a dress just for me to wear to a party I wasn't sure I'd even be able to go to. 

"I'm fine..." I lied through my teeth. I wasn't fine. The constant reminder of Baji kept flooding my head as I continued to subconsciously flirt with Rindou. He was inches away at this point, towering over me. 

"Are you sure? We can leave if you-" I interrupted him. 

"I promise, I'm okay." I smiled a bright smile. I thanked him by doing something I never knew I had the courage to do - by kissing him on the cheek. I instantly felt the grueling coldness of guilt slide over my brain as I pulled back. He looked at me in shock, but then smiled and put his hands on my waist and leaned in to my ear. 

"I'll buy you the entire world." He whispered. Our moment was quickly ended as Zoe and Ran walked up with loads of stuff ranging from shoes to skirts and handbags. In total, Ran spent about 200,000 yen on Zoe alone, once again, the equivalent to about $1200. Zoe had no shame, but at the same time, she really liked Ran and had spent a lot of time getting to know him. 

We walked out of the store - I had one singular bag that Rindou held for me and Zoe had multiple bags that Ran held for her. Who knew that these big, tough, scary brothers were also soft, sweet, and gentlemanly. 

[hermaximalismhome]

HOME TYPE: Apartment

LOCATION: Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York

STYLE: Colorful, Industrial, Maximalist

BEDROOMS: 2

SQ FT: 747

PAINT & COLORS:

All Rooms — Benjamin Moore “Bancroft White (DC-01)”

ENTRYWAY

Coat Rack — ​UTIL

Flowerpot — &Tradition

Taiwanese Mailbox — Yun Hai Selection

Small Rectangular Mirror — HAY

Wall Ledge Shelves — Lichen NYC

Super Stripe Mini Rug — Verloop

Stripe Dog Bed — Dusen Dusen

KORSNING Rug — IKEA

LIVING ROOM

Sofa — Modern Hill

Shlf One Layer — KIOSK48TH

Shlf Three Layer — KIOSK48TH

The Blot Rug — Mush Studios

The Dandi Pillow — Mush Studios

Tubo Bookend — Bi-Rite Studios

Fenestra Bookends — MoMA Design Store

Sowden Tin — HAY

Sowden Water Bottle — HAY

Pillar Candle — HAY

PC Portable Lamp — HAY

Hemisphere Clock — Design Within Reach

Kirby Vase — Areaware

XL Globe Floor Lamp — Urban Outfitters

KITCHEN

Aluminum Float Shelf — Bestcase

Great Jones x Fellow Kettle — ​Great Jones

Great Jones x Zander Schlacter Dutch Baby — Great Jones

Bodum Programmable 12-Cup Coffee Maker — MoMA Design Store

Salt & Pepper Grinder — Mohd

Toaster — Mohd

Arcs Case — HAY

DINING ROOM

Memphis Dining Chairs — ​Betsu Studios

Daphne Concrete Dining Table — Urban Outfitters

Frame TV — Samsung

Frame TV Wall Mount — Samsung

BEDROOM

Bookcase Miniature — Memphis Milano

Shiva Vase — BD Barcelona

Super Lamp — Memphis Milano

The Dune Rug — Mush Studios

BLOQUE 7 in Sottsass Red — Bonne Choice

Aria Headboard — Urban Outfitters

Roma Wavy Wall Mirror — Urban Outfitters

Credenza — CB2

Bed Frame — Keetsa

Stripe Knit Throw — ​Verloop

Object Poster — Gustaf Westman

SOWDEN PL1 Portable Lamp — MoMA Design Store

Shaped Pillar Candle — H&M Home

A thing on a table in a house — Apartmento

Wallpaper* City Guide — Wallpaper

IDROTTSHALL Rug — IKEA

HOME OFFICE

Shogun Lamp — ​Artemide

Pier Shelving System — Design Within Reach

Uten Silo Large — Herman Miller

Perpetual Ring-A-Date Wall Calendar — Home Union NYC

Anya Sconce — Urban Outfitters

Striped Canisters — Dusen Dusen

Everybody Kitchen Timer — Dusen Dusen

Everybody Tissue Box — Areaware

Pesa Candle Holder — Hem

Molino Grinder — Hem

Handmade Storage Boxes — HKLiving

Eames Construction Toy — MoMA Design Store

Scape Trays — Areaware

Stacking Planter Chrome — Areaware

Strata Plant Vessel — Areaware

Recess by Mush rugs — Mush Studios X Urban Outfitters

[my-head-is-an-animal]

J Is Just A Letter

Chapter 2 - H.O.L.M.E.S.

Mycroft waited for weeks, months went by and Sherlock became a priority with his usual antics, it was enough to distract him for a while. But each night he went home, he thought about the black and white photographs kept in the top drawer of his desk.

Some nights he would just gaze at them, noting every patch of skin he could see, wondering what she would look like up close, hoping secretly that she would pay him another visit. He was especially taken with her slender neck and collarbone. He tried not to let his little fantasies get too graphic, but the idea of kissing her neck and listening to her sigh against his ear was a difficult one to shake.

He entered his office one idle morning, noting he had comparatively very little to occupy his time, a few meetings with MI6 agents, some paperwork to do and a visit to Buckingham Palace was on the cards, but unless something extravagant happened, he could devote a little time to catching up with John Watson and find out if Sherlock was up to anything unusual.

Mycroft settled behind his desk and began reading through a file, when he noticed something across the room. A painting. One he’d placed there months previous of a Victorian household, the painting was busy and was enough to stimulate his mind from time to time, but something about it was out of place. He stood up and wandered over to it. His eyes scanned every single part of the painting, it wasn’t the one he’d placed there, this one had been made especially for him with subtle differences.

Where there should have been a maid scrubbing the floor, she was now reading a book and had a name badge that read ‘Alex’. Where there should have been the emblem for a member of the British army on the soldier beret, it was the faces of Mount Rushmore. On the wall was a painting of Stone henge instead of a farmhouse in a field. On the table, there were mini Eiffel towers instead of salt shakers as well a strange little green statue, that Mycroft had to rack his brain to find; and finally, the symbol for the tube appeared as one of the toys the children were playing with.

Mycroft opened his door and called for Anthea to give him the current whereabouts of J.

‘I’m not sure sir, we’re not currently tracking her.’

‘We should be tracking her every minute of every day.’ Mycroft said, angrily. ‘She’s about to do something in several locations, we need to be ready.’

Anthea made the calls and came around her desk to look at the painting, she couldn’t see anything wrong with it.

‘I know this painting like the back of my hand,’ Mycroft said, carefully. ‘Every single part of it, so any minor change is like a fly in the ointment.’

‘What’s changed, sir?’

Mycroft proceeded clockwise around the painting. ‘Maid on the floor is reading a book and has the name badge Alex: Library of Alexandria. Up on the wall, it’s a small painting of Stone henge. On the table we have saltshakers in the shape of Eiffel Towers, as well as a statue of a praying mantis carved out of a green gemstone and currently on display at the Hermitage Museum in Russia. Then on the soldier’s beret, instead of an army emblem, it’s the faces of Mount Rushmore. And finally on the floor the children appear to be playing with a toy resembling the underground tube system.’ Mycroft was glad she was writing this down. ‘J is going to grab our attention once again by targeting these locations, I have no idea what she’ll do, but we will need to keep our wits about us. She’ll start with the Hermitage Museum, move on to Oxford Circus, then the Library, Mount Rushmore, The Eiffel Tower and Stone Henge.’

‘How do you know it’ll be oxford circus? She could pick any of the stations?’ Anthea finished writing.

‘Because she’s spelling “Holmes.” Last time it was Mycroft and now it’s Holmes.’

‘Trying to get your attention, sir.’ Anthea said in a rather annoying way.

‘Mm.’ Mycroft hummed to himself.

‘Sounds like she might be a fan.’ Anthea got on and made the calls, but Mycroft had a very bad feeling.

‘I told you “no”.’ He said to himself, still observing the detail of the painting. ‘One can only assume you didn’t take it well.’

‘Sir, the Museum has already been hit.’ Anthea said. ‘One of our undercover operatives has just been found with the mantis tied… to his head?’ Anthea had to make sure she heard it correctly. ‘He’s currently being transported back to the British Embassy, but he says he has a message for you sir.’

‘What is it?’

Anthea listened carefully. ‘He said “Are you paying attention?”’ Anthea looked a little worried.

‘Maximum surveillance on Oxford Circus tube station, I want to know everything that’s going on there before J has a chance to-‘

‘It’s too late.’ Anthea interrupted. ‘Another undercover operative has been found tied to the end of one of the cars… sir, she’s hit them all at once.’

Mycroft closed his eyes, exhausted. There were a few undercover operations he had going in several of those locations, all of them of the highest secrecy and all of them now disrupted by one woman flirting. He sighed and straightened himself up, heading to the surveillance room where Lady Smallwood was waiting.

‘Lady Smallwood, I wasn’t expecting you.’ Mycroft observed her and suddenly realised he would hate whatever was about to come out of her mouth next.

‘Mycroft.’ She said, stepping towards him. ‘Seems you’ve got yourself a fan.’

‘A flirt more like.’ Anthea said, not so quietly as she walked past, getting to work.

‘Quite.’ Lady Smallwood agreed. ‘I thought you said she was harmless.’

‘She was.’ Mycroft said, hating every second he spent discussing J. ‘Until she came to my office, told me what she wanted and I said “no”.’

‘She was here, in this building! Why didn’t you arrest her?’

‘Because she was sitting in my office whilst a safehouse in Tokyo was burning.’ Mycroft explained. ‘There was nothing at any of the sites that led us directly to her and unfortunately we are dealing with an intelligent woman who seems to have endless resources and a talent for uncovering secrets. I imagine the court case would not have lasted long and the result may have been a lot worse.’

‘Perhaps.’ Smallwood looked back towards the screens displaying each of the locations that J had hit. ‘What is it she wants?’

‘To open doors.’ Mycroft sighed, knowing he couldn’t hand that kind of power over to someone so destructive.

‘What doors?’

‘Every door.’

‘Ambitious then.’ Smallwood was starting to get the gravity of it. ‘Not even MI6 knew about every operation we had going on out there, so how did she?’

‘Her resourcefulness knows no bounds.’ Mycroft had no idea how she found out about all of these operations, but it was disruptive and damaging at best. ‘Read the rest of the messages.’ He ordered whoever was closest which happened to be Anthea.

‘Hermitage: “Are you paying attention?” Oxford Circus: “Let’s have dinner.” Library of Alexandria: “I want to hear you say yes to me.” Mount Rushmore: “Your suit looks nice today, it would look better on the floor.”’ Mycroft rolled his eyes in annoyance at that one, but it did start a flurry of fantasies in the back of his mind. ‘Eiffel Tower: “Are you still thinking about me?” Stonehenge: “I’m not hungry, let’s have dinner.”’

Everyone took a moment, waiting for Mycroft’s reaction.

‘Well,’ Lady Smallwood spoke up to break the silence. ‘I think we all know what she really wants.’ The room tried not to laugh.

‘She’s bored.’ Mycroft concluded. ‘Perhaps it is time to look at striking a deal with her. I imagine if I say no again, it won’t just be some undercover agents she’ll reveal, but something much more extravagant.’

‘You’re not seriously considering giving her access to-‘

‘Of course not, but I think I might be starting to understand what she really wants.’ Mycroft mused. ‘A resource like that could prove invaluable.’

‘You want to bring her onside.’ Smallwood concluded.

‘It’ll take some time and the right deal will need to be struck, but I think it’s worth a go.’ Mycroft nodded.

‘What if she says no?’

‘Then I’ll arrest her.’ Mycroft smiled pleasantly before leaving the surveillance room to head back to his office.

He took a moment before entering, wondering if she was yet again waiting for him. He slowly opened the door and looked to where she had been sitting last time to see nothing out of the ordinary. J hadn’t paid him a visit this time.

He checked his desk in case she’d left anything, a note or a sign she was there, but there was nothing, nothing out of place, nothing to indicate anything had been disturbed.

Mycroft sighed and sat down thinking hard on what he could do to convince her to come onside and work for the British government. It would be a hard sell and he would have to make it worthwhile, but surely anything she wanted he could secure easily enough.

He spent the rest of the day dealing with the aftermath of J’s damaging little tantrum and finally found the time to go home and get ready for another day. He was just about to walk out the door when something caught his eye once again. The painting. He took a step back to look at it and realised that the original painting belonging to him had been returned. A small note was hanging just behind it, the paper sticking out of the corner of one side. Mycroft slowly slid it out from behind the painting, it was a phone number, presumably J’s. He pocketed the note and finally left for home.

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Main Story

Mycroft Holmes Masterlist

[jonsonusa]

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[likesunsetorange]

i think eren would kind of enjoy it though even if he pretends to hate it lol he likes her attention!!!

Him trying not to react as she smooths his lapels, gives him another one over, all before telling no and to go back in the fitting room so she can go talk to an associate at whatever fancy store they’re at!

omg anon this is so cute you gave me an idea for this scene i got inspired and i never write chronologically anyways so here's a mini drabble! (will this be the exact version idk, but hope you enjoy anyways!!!)

By no means had Eren ever been poor, his dad was literally a doctor. He had grown up living a comfortable life—one that consisted of the typical upper-middle class luxuries. His college had been paid for in full, he was treated to little luxuries like the newest gaming systems and trendy clothes, and there were certainly never any worries about finances.

But this was certainly a level of wealth he didn't think he would ever get used to. There were crystal chandeliers on the ceilings, glasses of thousand dollar champagne that were being offered to every patron, and suits and dresses lining the racks that cost more than a down payment on a house. When Mikasa told him she was taking him suit shopping, he assumed they’d go to Neiman Marcus at the most, not whatever this was.

He felt like a fish out of water as he stood around in the dressing room, waiting aimlessly for Mikasa and Petra, the sales associate Mikasa seemed to be well acquainted with, to return with their third round of suits. Eren wasn’t sure why a simple black suit wouldn’t suffice, but according to Mikasa, he couldn’t show up to a political event in a just any old regular suit, let alone a rental.

So here he was hours later being forced to try on suit after suit, nothing seeming to please her. His patience was starting to run thin and he was tired, but surprisingly, Mikasa was being oddly… nice? Given the word nice may have been him overreaching, but she was certainly withholding from the insults, and rather than speaking to him like he was a second class citizen, she was being friendlier than usual.

Eren assumed it was because, oddly enough, she seemed to be enjoying making him her own life-sized Ken doll. It was out of the ordinary for her to be directing so much of her attention towards him, let alone having her fuss over him and paying attention to something as small as whether or not the cuff links Petra brought out would match with the watch he always wore (he didn’t even think Mikasa had bothered to notice that he even wore a watch everyday).

He found himself fidgeting with his dress shirt sleeves, until he finally heard Mikasa’s voice growing closer. Eren could hear her laughing over what he assumed was something Petra had said—something he didn’t hear her do very often around the house. Before he knew it, there were three more suits being held through the curtain, the tiny peaking of her manicured hand holding up the hangers.

“Try on the blue one first, and show me once you’re done,” her voice direct, but less bossy than usual. “Please,” she added after, this time her voice almost inaudible.

As usual, he relented, but at least she had the decency to say please for once. Part of him was still annoyed he couldn’t just wear a black suit, but according to Mikasa, “all men wear black suits”, and he “needed to be different.” Why? He didn’t understand. He was just her bodyguard. But he had learned which battles to pick with Mikasa, and this unfortunately just wasn’t going to be one he’d win.

Eren was faster about getting dressed this time, after ten suits, it seemed to have become second nature, and also hoping this would be the last one he had to try on. He didn’t even bother to take a look in the mirror, throwing the curtain open and walking to where Mikasa was in the show room.

Her eyes flickered up from her phone, setting down the champagne glass she had in her other hand onto the table next her, standing up to inspect him.

Eren felt oddly vulnerable as she walked around, poking and prodding at the suit, making sure it was up to her (very high) standards. She stopped in front of him, fixing the lapels of his suit, smoothing them out. He could smell the floral of her perfume from how close she was, not used to her being in such close proximity before. Eren felt his ears growing out, but he was glad that she she took a step back before she could notice, a pleased look on her face.

“Hey, Petra! Can you bring me those two ties we picked out for this one, please?” Mikasa called out, Petra appearing with what seemed to Eren, two versions of the exact same patterned tie, placing them neatly in her hands before she scurried off to another customer. She looked between the two before settling on whichever she seemed to like more, before placing it in his hands. “Okay, put this one on.”

“Oh… Umm… I can’t tie a tie—I normally wear clip-ons,” he confessed, his ears turning red again.

“Tch, of course you can’t,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “Okay, lift your collar up, I guess I can help you. And bend down a bit—you’re too tall.”

He followed as instructed, Mikasa’s surprisingly gentle fingers working around his neck to make do with the tie. If they weren’t in public, he’d be a little scared she’d try and choke him or something, but she seemed to be in a good mood today. She hummed to herself softly as she quickly fastened the windsor knot, faster than Eren would’ve done even with help. When she finished, she lightly placed his collar back down, her fingers like ice as they brushed the skin of his neck in the process. She gave him one final pat down, fixing every little detail, before bringing him to the mirror.

“Do you like it?” The tiniest bit of excitement in her voice, almost as if she wanted to be validated in her choice.

Eren eyed himself, and he could admit that he felt like he looked nice. But it didn’t feel like it was that much different than the ten other suits he tried on. He was never one to care about things like this, but he could tell it mattered to her, so at the very least, he could give her the satisfaction she was seeking.

“Yea, think this one’s probably the best out of all of ‘em.”

A small smile flashed across her face, before she ushered him to the fitting room. “Okay, hurry up and get changed then so we can go check out then.”

Eren finally bothered to look at the price tag, his eyes growing wide once he did. “Mikasa, this is like a $7k suit, are you sure?” He asked as he walked into the fitting room.

“We’re using daddy’s credit card, remember?” She replied rolling her eyes. “Plus, this is technically a business expense—you’re an employee—and rich people just love a good tax write off.”

“Okay, fine, if you insist.”

“Of course I do. Now hurry up, we still have to go get you shoes!”

All Eren could do was sigh, hoping Mikasa wouldn’t be nearly as picky with shoes as she was with clothes.

[robotrightsactivist]

A sewage leak anywhere was an unwelcome thing, but the loss the gravity generators made the situation considerably more daunting. Sam had done it a few times before, but this one was pretty nasty. If he were just another maintenance bot, he would at least be able to turn off his smell. But unfortunately for Sam, he was designed to imitate human biological processes as closely as possible, and the maintenance firm he was employed by specialized in what the others refused. And he was a janitor, and janitors on this level of Brightstar Station were rarely able to authorize a maintenance bot to do the job for them. Too valuable, get a human to do it. Better yet, get an illegally employed non-human worker to do it for cheap. Which left Sam.

Thankfully they let him shower afterwards, which was nice even if he was in a full protective suit. The fact that it would recycle the air meant that it still let the air in, and that the suit was fifty years old meant the filters half-worked about half the time. Sam was just grateful that no one bothered him at work. Not that anyone would talk to him anyways, because even in the impossible scenario where he was human he was still awkward. Too nervous to say the wrong thing. To not know the right thing. It was easier to be quiet than to step into an interaction that would reveal how obviously non-human he was.

Sam had overheard through the conversations of off-stationers that other bioroids existed, elsewhere in the Sol System, but the way and how of their existence so wildly varied between total subjugation (Saturn, Uranus, most moons of Jupiter) and full citizenship (Venus, Mercury, some places on Earth) that leaving seemed too risky. Out here, in the Oort Cloud, all machines were product, which was good or bad depending on where you were and who you were with. And after what he had been through, an uneventful and repetitive existence was a luxury.

Once the common areas had thinned out and everyone else had left for home, Sam checked all the empty corridors that were more common towards main generators. Once he was sure there were no wandering groups of ill-intended human teenagers, dealers, and other folk he’d rather not bump into, he quickly made his way through the passages.

Eleven floors down and seven halls space-side, there was what appeared to be a stunted hallway. There, Sam looked over his shoulder, checked the cameras and when he was again sure no one knew he was there, he used the old janitor’s key to unlock the closet.

The long and narrow room was Sam’s home, a collection of discarded utilities and repurposed treasures delicately fitted into a living space where he had spent almost a decade. The welcome mat made of many pieces of fabric, he found that in the trash after an art fair, the antique wooden coat hanger holding all the outfits Sam could possibly wear, the metal shoe rack where all three of his shoes lived when he wasn’t working. His small collection of discarded carpets, lining the floor, each a different texture and feeling on his bare feet. The mattress in the far corner was discarded for being a few centimeters too short, that was an amazing find. Sam had no shortage of discarded blankets, but he especially loved the quilt he snatched from the mouth of the carbon recycler, and pillows were easy to refurbish if one knew how to do it. He had many books, some very new and others very old. Sam needed to eat eight hundred and sixty one calories every four days, so he was thrilled to find a battery operated freezer-chest, where inside he kept a rotating assortment of frozen meals he could heat up in the mini stove. The tablet with the slightly-fractured screen, where he could watch media on the public channel. He enjoyed watching old movies if he could find them. Sam avoided the news and anything that reminded him of the world outside his little home.

And of course, there were dioramas. Every corner and every unused space of the closet had a different diorama, of landscapes, of houses, of buildings, of gardens and trees and fantastical worlds. A city square in a magical town populated with different non-human creatures, that took almost nine months. A group of tentacled aliens on a camping trip, sharing stories while a unicorn watches from the trees, four months. The inside of a garden cottage where a friendly witch was teaching her apprentice how to cook eggs, six months. The temple of a crystalline goddess visited by a pilgrim of stone, he was still working on that. A treehouse where a family of mice lived happily, fourteen months. Those were his favorites, but there were many others, all beautiful and intricate and engrossing. Sam read books on painting, sculpting, and organic chemistry so he could make the right adhesives, the right paints, the right techniques, the exact materials to make his little pockets of reality. Sam loved them all.

Near his bed was a small wooden frame, and inside it was a photo of a ten-year-old boy with red hair beaming while holding a trophy. It was when Samuel won the junior station judo tournament, two months before the accident that killed him. To Sam, the memories were like the grainy clips of media civilians pirated from visiting ships, translated fictions conveyed through filters of understanding. When Sam awoke for the first time, he knew he wasn’t Samuel, but Sam did his best to play the part his parents wanted, because he wanted to be loved by them and make them happy. But after a year, and subsequent visits to the synthetic reproduction firm that had made him, Sam became his parents’ preferred object of scorn. Mother asked him questions designed to humiliate him, as if his pretending to be their son was something he plotted. “You’re hurting my feelings,” Sam would say to dissuade her. Eventually, Sam’s efforts to defend himself would be catalyst for Father to start hitting him. This continued for years, and even as Sam grew older and his body became taller and stronger and his voice changed, Father would continue to find reasons to hurt him. Sometimes Mother sat and watched it happen, that was agonizing. They spent almost half their wealth into seeking out a black market designer and commissioning them to recreate a dead human from neural scans, creating a bioroid engineered to love them as a human child would, why would they hurt him? When Sam was legally fifteen, he saw that Father was looking for him with a knife in his hands. Sam remembered what the warranty said about accidents, that if he was brought back in decent condition he could be harvested for parts. That night, Sam fled his parents’ pavilion, resisting every program and every cloudy memory telling him he loved his parents and they loved him. Samuel was loved by his parents, and he loved them. Sam wasn’t sure he did, not anymore, but when Sam recognized Samuel’s face in an old print magazine, he cut it out and found a frame to put it in. Around it, Sam placed little objects Samuel would like: action figures, interesting stones, the occasional old coin. Sam liked to believe that somehow, somewhere, Samuel appreciated this little shrine.

When he remembered it, Sam fished his latest find from the deepest pocket in his overalls, and set it before the frame.

“I found this today,” Sam said to his ghost. “Can you believe they’d throw out an action figure like this? Look, he can do a butterfly kick!” Sam tapped the foot of the action figure, and it sprung into a perfect butterfly kick and landed on two feet. Samuel often practiced those and hoped to get it right someday, when he was big and strong.

Sam remembered Samuel not wanting to die. He remembered being pinned under the column that would crush him to death as soon as his arms couldn’t hold it up anymore, how he held on even as his arms went numb. How he had so much to live for, how could it end right now?

So, Sam would live as best he possible for as long as he could. If things on the Brightstar got too rough, there was a little wallet where he had hoped he saved enough money to leave, maybe to one of places some rumored to be friendly to machine beings. But for now, this was good.