#people severely underestimate loneliness

[biceratops7]

Uh oh boys, time to get real fucking sad up in here

There’s something that’s been getting to me (/pos) about ofmd, something that just rips my soul open but soothes it in the same breath, like cauterizing a wound. It wasn’t really till I was daydreaming about blackbonnet while listening to Spotify (as you do) and “lived and died alone” by Shamir came on that I realized what it was. It’s loneliness. Deep, unimaginable, cosmic loneliness.

Before Ed and Stede enter eachother’s lives, they are, for all intents and purposes accept physical, completely alone. Stede has lived decades with the lesson that his existence is unacceptable, and that it always will be. There’s this sense in Stede’s flashbacks that he is a stain upon his own life, and every person he’s ever shown to have an interpersonal relationship with does so because they have to. His children see him as a strange presence that comes with their mother like a two for one deal instead of a father. As awful as he’d feel to admit it, he feels the same. He did not choose to have them, and they did not choose to be born of him. They can find relief in the bizarre reality of their lives by escaping into Stede’s imagination together. The only place where he can surround himself with things that make him feel safely human. Like his own life wants him. He cries himself to sleep at night and hopes his wife doesn’t hear because making himself as non-existent as possible is all he has.

And Ed? Edward wants to exist. He wants to exist so fucking bad. Stede and the crew finish their story about the little wooden boy who wants to be real… and then move on to the legend of Blackbeard. Blackbeard gets to be real in Ed’s stead. After all, if we live on through the memory of others, then the evil devil clown with nine guns is far more corporeal than the man who likes his tea to taste like syrup and drops to his knees crying at the memory of his mistreated mother and the thought of hurting his friend. He is so utterly excluded from his own humanity, a deeply visceral desperation is felt in the way he must steal another man’s face and name. Because it’s not Blackbeard’s head that’s made of smoke, it’s Edward Teach’s.

There’s such a foreboding sense in Stede’s flashbacks and Ed’s episode 3 scenes, like you can physically feel the decades of monotonous isolation weighing on them. There’s barely any score in Stede’s scenes with Mary episode 4. It’s empty, blunt, uncomfortably quiet, completely unlike the irreverently freeing world we’ve grown accustomed to on the Revenge. And Ed? Well we don’t even get to see him until he sees Stede. I don’t think anyone really does.

And that’s just it. They see one another, recognize each other. Then suddenly their world is swimming in music, bright colors and loud patterns, talking and laughing that goes long into the night. The show is about really coming alive for the first time half way through your life and holy shit that is so beautiful. I don’t think Ed and Stede’s honestly kind of terrifying levels of long term depression are talked about enough.

It makes the happiness they were able to find with each other in such a short amount of time all the more precious.

[gay-dorito-dust]

this isnt thag detailed but can i request percy jackson x reader (platonic) where they first meet (as well as with annabeth since she was with him at the time I think) for the first time in the labyrinth and turns out reader is percy’s older half sibling? if not that, then just maybe general headcanons of percy having an older half sibling

I’ll probs just do the head-cannon for this one. 🦦

The moment Percy found out that you were his half sibling, the relief that came with no longer having to have an entire cabin with the low grey walls to himself would follow.

As it would ultimately meant he was finally freed from soul crushing loneliness he’s felt ever since being claimed after beginning to get use to the warmth and liveliness of that of the Hermes Cabin.

Seeing those empty bunks taunted and mocked him every waking moment, serving as a reminder that no matter how powerful of a Demi-god you were, you were no more helpless against the grim reality of being a forbidden child of the most powerful gods of the Greek pantheon.

However with this revelation came the urge to protect his newfound family and with that came moments of tension, especially the ones where Percy tended to forget that you were capable -if not more- in taking care of yourself when it mattered most, seeing as Percy had a tendency to put himself at the forefront of danger if it meant protecting the people who mattered so dearly to him; You being one of those very people he’d gladly act in reckless abandon in favour for your safety.

You hated this about him as no matter how long you’ve met him for, you weren’t going to stand by and willingly let your little brother place himself in dangerous situations for you.

Loyalty maybe his fatal flaw, your fatal flaw on the other hand was devotion.

Devotion to your family, your friends and loved ones, so much so to the point when you’d sacrifice everything for them, even if it was to your own detriment and eventual downfall, as long as they were safe and happy nothing else mattered.

Percy would go to war for you and you would happily go to war for him tenfold.

You; don’t do anything stupid till I get back.

Percy: how can I? you’re taking all the stupid with you.

You: jerk

Percy: bitch

If you were to ever have a crush on someone or someone starts making moves on you, fucking watch out cuz little bro Percy had a few choice words for ‘em and is hellbent on knowing their intentions with his older sibling. You deserve the best but in Percy’s eyes, not many people make the final cut.

However his interrogations were equal parts hilarious and embarrassing for you for multiple reasons but after the first few times you’ve told him off for doing so, you’ve given up and just let him act as though his words would sway anything into his favour, you could always just sneak out and meet them elsewhere; preferably away from any body of water but primarily the lake where you knew Percy and yourself would often frequent when in need of feeling closer to the one thing connecting you to your father.

But on this occasion, you severely underestimated your little brother.

You; Percy get out of the lake, people are begging to stare.

Percy: not until the sibling stealer behind you stops flirting. *he says whilst standing knee deep in the canoe lake, ready to super soak someone to the bone.*

You, groaning as you looked over at Luke who looked about ready to use you as a shield again your own brother, sending him an apologetic smile; I’m sorry about my IDIOTIC BROTHER, he tends to severely overreact, especially over the little things.

Percy, hands on his hips, staring at Luke murderously: who are you talking about, I don’t overreact. I just want to talk to him. Here. in the water. Where I have full dominion over.

You: I have full dominion over the water too fuckhead and like hell I’d let you interrogate him.

Percy, whilst still looking at Luke before walking off to find Grover and or Annabeth; you’re lucky enough to live another day.

Much like any sibling dynamic you take the piss out of each other but the moment someone else thinks it’s cool to do so also, it’s game over for them as an temporary alliance between you two is formed to defeat a common enemy before going back to taking the piss out of one another as per usual.

You: you’re such a sore looser fish breath

Percy: says you coral for brains

Some random camper; yeah, coral for brains.

You and Percy looking at the random camper; the fuck did you just say? Would you care to repeat or start running.

Random camper; *sweats and runs away as though they’ve just shit themselves.*

I think I’ve went on long enough but all in all, Percy was just ecstatic that he wasn’t alone anymore.

[glimmerlofsea]

Billy Hargrove x Reader

MASTERLIST

SHINING

Warning : Alcoholism, a little sexual harassment, just Billy being a really caring boyfieee :3333

WC; 3,1k

#TALKISSA; Basically I don't know what the plot is... but apparently, you guys are Steve Harrington's twinsiee. Contrary to Steve's personality, you guys are innocent, naive, and just really whine 24/7. Came to the party, the party didn't go well, Steve left, and Billy suddenly arrived out of nowhere.

Halloween is coming, but exams will never free the students of Hawkins to have fun. Today is the last day you take your exam—You hope to get perfect results according to your efforts to get good grades.

Different from Steve, who will only accept his exam results as they are, beside he wants to work straight away after graduating, not like you who wants to go to a good university where you can meet handsome guy and certainly not be sloppy like the guy in Hawkins.

Steve's personality with you is completely the opposite, even some students almost don't believe that you are Steve fucking Harrington's twin.

If Steve is a popular guy who has his own interest in attracting girls then you are 0% attractive. You don't care as much as Steve cares about his popularity. But that doesn't make Steve's affection for you change, he really loves you since when he was at home he felt like you were the only one who could accompany his loneliness. Likewise, vice versa with what you feel.

Your hair is always in the booth and you have bangs which are quite annoying to your eyes because you always have them twisted, but it's dumb that you still maintain your hairstyle. Steve told you several times to change your appearance so you could have a little fun in high school, but again and again you didn't care. You will just go through high school like the wind passes by.

Because of your innocence, people think you are just some kind of bookworm who is a study maniac, but no... They are all wrong.

You approached Steve who was already at his locker, your lockers were next to each other since Mrs. Johnson doesn't want the hassle of separating twins like you. And you love Mrs. Johnson because of it!

"How's your geography?" Steve asked you since the last subject of your test was geography.

You showed your cocky smile while flipping your hair back, making Steve groan in disgust because of your attitude,

"I bet I'll get more than a hundred—"

"Y/N!" You heard a girl who's calling your name, when you looked back you saw Tina running towards you while handing you a piece of paper, "Here, these are the results of your test, Mr. Phil said he was too lazy to check all yours so here are the results."

You smiled and grabbed the paper that Tina gave you, it had a big "0" written all over the paper in red ink. Steve held back his laughter and patted your back, because you felt he was underestimating you, you hit his stomach hard. Everyone has gotten used to it since then, it's like love-language between your relationship.

You coughed through your whimper, “Can a teacher do that?”

Tina shrugged her shoulders, she patted your shoulder, "Girl, your life is not for value all the time. If you keep trying and the results remain the same then it's a sign that you have to move on."

"Move on to what?" You asked sadly.

Tina showed a sly smile, she was a popular girl in Hawkins, different from the boys who had to bully to be popular—Tina didn't do that, yes maybe she just judged some people's clothes but not too much. That's what makes you like her and want to talk to her more.

She handed you two pieces of paper, you saw the words Halloween party at Tina's house which will take place in a few weeks.

"One for you and your brother." Tina said then winked at you. You smiled and said a simple 'thank you' before she left, not forgetting Steve who also said thank you.

You handed one paper to Steve, Steve ruffled your hair, "Cheer up, lil sissy."

You kept whining and tapping the back of your head repeatedly on the locker, "I'm not pretty, I'm not popular, I'm not good at anything."

With that Steve cupped your face, "Who said that?"

You showed your stupid face, "Um... Me?"

"Oh, God, I almost hit someone. If only a bunch of Billy Hargrove's gang said that I would really..." Steve explained as he showed the lump of his hand, his words were stopped by him telling you to look at the lump in his hand, as if to tell you that you should know that anyone who dares to mock you will get a gift from him.

You chuckled, “But who is Billy Hargrove?”

Steve's eyes widened, he threw his hands in the air again, "You don't know him? Good. That little shit always thinks everyone knows him."

Steve grabbed both of your shoulders, "Y/N. Never, like, ever find out about him or be curious about him, okay? Capisce?"

Before you could answer a voice joined your conversation, "I heard you mentioning my name, Harrington. Are you digging my vibe yet?"

You turned your body so that your body was leaning against the locker behind you, while Steve came face to face with the charming guy with curly hair.

Their gazes were intense, but the charming guy looked at you, making you smile awkwardly,

"I didn't see you there, Princess." He said leaning his arm on your side, did he just flirting with you in front of your brother?

"Get your hands off, Hargrove." Steve said.

You formed an O in your mouth, "Oh! So you're the Billy Hargrove?"

The charming guy— Or the one who now has a name, Billy Hargrove, showed his cocky smile, "The one and only." He said then took your hand for him to kiss right on the back of your hand.

You flinched so you just laughed awkwardly, "Super groovy, man. Like, totally friendly— Got it." You stammered your words while nodding.

Steve pushed Billy away and grabbed his collar, you widened your eyes trying to pull Steve away, while Billy raised his hands in the air, "Pretty brave, huh, Harrington?"

"Back off, or even step off from her."

You grabbed Steve's shoulder, "Steve, come on." You panicked because you saw Mrs. Joan, who was patrolling the corridors, was known as a killer teacher since rumors spread that she skinned her husband when she found out he was flirting with another woman. Just imagining it makes you shudder but on the one hand you don't believe the rumors.

Meanwhile, Billy showed his smile even more, showing his perfect row of teeth while licking his lips with his tongue— which made Steve's emotions even hotter, he touched you and Steve already hated him because of his presence.

Before Steve could land a blow on Billy you stopped him by hitting him on the head with your bag, making him groan and look at you, "What the fuck, Y/N?"

You don't look at him but in another direction while showing an awkward smile, "Hello, Mrs. Joan. No worries here. My brother and his buddy are just testing out the newest hoops moves." You looked at the two of them, "Right?"

When Steve frowned and was surprised at you— Billy just chuckled at your ridiculous behavior. You're interesting. For him.

Mrs. Joan couldn't stop staring at the three of you as she narrowed her eyes, you hit Steve's hand to signal him to say something, "Ah, yes, Mrs. Joan. You know, the tournament is approaching and Billy and I are just trying out new moves. Witnessed by my sister who was the jury."

Mrs. Joan didn't say anything and just walked past you, which meant you were completely safe.

You groaned and cursed Steve's name, "Don't you ever do that again! I've been blacklisted by her because I accidentally threw my book at her."

"Why did you throw it anyway?!" Steve snapped but not in an angry tone but surprised.

You shrugged your shoulders, "I had a nightmare, I saw Montley almost kissing me then woke up and was already throwing a book at Mrs. Joan."

Steve just shook his head while you heard Billy chuckle, Steve was about to walk towards him but Nancy called him, "Wait in the car park, understand?" Steve ordered which made you nod.

"And you," Steve said looking at Billy, "Don't you ever talk to her again."

"Yes, sir." Billy mocked which made you chuckle.

Steve immediately went over to Nancy, you gave him an awkward smile before leaving Billy in front of your locker, but his voice almost echoed throughout the corridor, "Wait."

You turned and raised your eyebrows, "I know you're Harrington, but can we get reacquainted?"

You chuckled as you hugged the book tightly in your hand, "I'm Y/N."

"And I'm Billy Hargrove." His reply showed a smile.

"I bet you don't want to get in trouble with my brother, so goodbye, Billy."

Who said he didn't want to get into trouble with Steve? The day after that he continued to approach you without Steve knowing, starting from him saying he could teach you Geography or sharing weird experiences during class. And the strange thing is that you fell for his bait, you were caught with him more and more often when Steve wasn't in the same class as you.

And today is the long awaited Halloween party, you want to go, but you are hesitant. You don't know how to party— Hell, you've never even been to a party.

"I never go to parties, Steve!" You whined at him when he was actually wearing a costume for his party.

"You did!"

You raised your eyebrows, "What party?"

"Birthday party?"

You tightened your jaw and threw your pillow at him, "That's not the same thing, dumbass! Don't make me angry and cry at the same time."

Steve put himself next to you, "Come on, Y/N! How about the dress I bought you last year?"

"Carrie White dress?" Steve nodded, "Listen, if you don't want to show your face you can soak the dress in fake red blood, how about that?"

You threw another pillow at Steve, "Are you out of your mind?" You toss your hair, "I'll show them this shining face."

Steve chuckled, "That's my girl."

You groaned in disgust and made an ugly face, "Ewh, change that 'girl'." Steve just chuckled.

Not long after you two left the house to go to the party, Steve picked up Nancy. Nancy praised you for your appearance, and you were also impressed by Nancy's appearance which looked more innocent than your costume.

You wore a peach colored dress that Steve bought you last year, decorated with a crown accessory in your hair.

When you arrived at the party you felt like it was really wrong to wear a leg-length dress, Steve and you went your separate ways.

12:00 A.M Steve says you should be in the car after the party.

Along the path you walked to Tina's house, you kept lifting your dress so that people wouldn't tripped over it.

For those of you who have never been to a party, you think the party is too boring, just follow along with rock music which is not your taste and the sound of the Hawkins High School students fondling which makes you groaned in disgust.

You found your way to the park in Tina's backyard, that's where you heard lots of cheers and people surrounding someone. You weren't interested so you went back inside.

Seeing lots of girls holding small red cups made you wonder what was in them, you let go of your dress in your hands and approached one of the girls, "Excuse me, what is that?" You said a little shouting because the music was too loud.

The girl who seemed drunk just smiled stupidly at you, "You're Carrie White!" You just smiled and nodded, "Let me pour some blood on your dress so you can be a real prom queen."

Thinking it was a good idea you nodded in agreement, but to your surprise she brought a group of her girls to spill the drink all over you too. Makes you close your eyes when they freely spill the drink. You didn't feel angry, but just a little oppressed... But it was your fault that you agreed with the girl's idea.

After that you saw a red cup on the kitchen counter, you grabbed it and drank it since you were curious about the taste, plus you had never tried alcohol before. Yes, you did, but that was a long time ago.

After trying it, it feels like something stinging and irritating in your body, you try to shake your head to wake yourself up, someone appears in front of you, it's Montley, "Dude, did you drink the drink here?" His voice seemed like a ghost in your ears, you just laughed and nodded.

You raised the red cup in the air and started shouting, "LET'S PARTY FOREVER, FELLAS!"

You heard Montley cursing, then his friend came over, "Did she just swallow that drink?" Jake asked, Montley nodded.

"Shit. We're going to get beat up by Harrington. Montley, there's cocaine in that cup—"

Montley immediately covered Jake's mouth and stomped his foot, "If you close your mouth then that won't happen."

While you definitely felt happy at this party, you had never felt this happy! You turned to Montley, "Can I have some more?"

Montley shook his head and took the cup from you forcefully, making you purse your lips, but he didn't say anything and just left in front of you with his friends.

You started walking into the living room to party with the others, you really felt excited,

“What's in that drink?” You asked yourself as you danced, you smiled like a fool, "I want more."

You walked over to the place where there was a sack of the drink in a bowl. You rested your hands on the table, “One please.” You said to the guy guarding the place.

"Well, well, well, look who's here." You heard a guy make a sound.

You turned your head and saw Jason who was standing in front of you, he always made fun of you when you were in first year, you narrowed your eyes, "What do you want?"

"You look good in that dress." He said and walked closer to you, "But it would be better if you took it off." He replied then you felt a hand on your butt. You slapped him straight away,

Your slap voice was very loud, making several people there turn their attention towards you, "Get your hands off me."

Jason chuckled, feeling himself humbled by you, he gripped your wrist tightly making you wince, "You don't look good. I'll make you feel good."

He grabbed your waist and took you away from there, but you pushed him away as soon as you reached Tina's backyard, "Just leave me alone."

Jason had run out of patience, he wanted to grab you again but someone pulled you to stand behind him, that's where you saw a guy in a black jacket standing with his back to you, it was Billy.

"What's your problem, man?" Jason asked with concern.

"Don't you realize that just touching her is my problem?" Billy replied while licking his lips.

Jason laughed at his disbelief, "Why don't you focus on your own mess?" Jason wanted to grab you again but you didn't let him and latched onto Billy's large hand, you pointed at Jason, “He's a bad guy!” Your babbling without full awareness.

"Did he hurt you?" Billy asked you, making you look up and shake your head, "But he touched my ass!"

Billy clucking in annoyance and turned his gaze towards Jason, "Is that so?" he asked Jason.

Now Jason was the one clucking, "Fine, she's yours, bro."

Jason was about to leave but Billy held him back and broke his hand making Jason scream in pain, "You can't just leave, there's gotta be a lesson in this, right?"

"Let's go, Billy!" You exclaimed while clapping your hands at his action.

Billy let go of Jason and threw him far into the wet grass, he turned towards you, you gave him a thumbs up but he ignored it,

"Let me see your eyes." He said then opened your eyes, making you look at him with those innocent eyes. Your pupils dilated, Billy knew that was one of the effects of cocaine.

"Fucking Montley." Billy cursed, he removed his hands from your eyes,

You wonder, "What's wrong with him?"

"I heard he accidentally put a cup full of cocaine and water and a girl drank it. And he mentioned being afraid of getting beat up by Harrington and stuff like that."

You held your throat, “Did I swallow cocaine?” You asked in a sad tone.

"I think so. Come on, let's go to my car, let's freshen yourself up." Billy asked then took your hand.

You didn't move immediately, "I want Steve."

"Princess, it's a shame that your brother left because of his romantic problems. Just come with me, okay? I'll take you home, I promise."

You whine, "My throat hurts, I'm scared, it feels like I'm hallucinating, I don't know what I'm feeling— What's wrong with meeee?"

"That must be the effect." Billy muttered, not long after he carried you.

"Stay awake, okay?" Billy said to you who had rested your head on his chest.

He wasn't wearing any clothes, just a jacket, making you trace his body with your fingers, making Billy feel goosebumps all over his body, but he knew that this was just another version of you. Not the real you.

Billy noticed the small crown in your hair, he chuckled to himself, the nickname 'Princess' was really made for you.

Even with wet hair and a dress that has red stains on it, you are still charming and shining.

Several girls whispered when they saw Billy take you to his car, some of them were jealous, but also amazed that you, who have always been an 'innocent girl', knew how to charm a boy from far away California.

As soon as you got to Billy's car he put you in the passenger seat, he gave you water which you immediately drank until it was finished. You want cocaine or other types of drugs to disappear from you immediately.

You whined in Billy's car, "I haven't achieved anything. And I've tasted cocaine or whatever that is."

Billy chuckled, he tucked your hair behind your ear, "It'll be fine. I don't think you've swallowed too much since the effects only last a few moments. Just if there's something weird, tell me or your shit brother right away, okay?"

You nod, “Thanks for helping me from that creepy Jason and this.”

Billy smiled,

You got up from your passenger seat to lean over so you could give him a quick kiss on his cheek.

As soon as you wanted to return to your original position he held you and pulled you into a soft and slow kiss, which at least made you calmer in that situation. And it really has an effect. You hoped Steve wouldn't find out about this. About cocaine, or unexpected kisses— And your first kiss was Billy fucking Hargrove. Billy thinks that you really are a girl full of surprises.

Author Note : I DON'T KNOW, this is suckss, but I really loooveeee it! ;D

[bonefall]

BB!Tawnypelt

[ID: A version of Tawnypelt for the Better Bones AU. She is a golden torbie with green eyes, a brown mask, and long raptor claws shared by her family. She has a tiger-shaped neck, tail, and broad shoulders, with one arm featuring inverted colors.]

New leader of the Sundrown Patrol, cynical, savvy, focused on the mission above all else. Though power dances just out of the reach of her claws, the theme of her life is family, loss, and connection.

I noticed a theme in canon that the tabbies in the Tiger line lose their golden sisters. Birchface watches Frecklewish damned to the Dark Forest, Hawkfrost is cut off by Mothwing for his toxicity, Tigerheart sees Dawnpelt march into the claws of the Kin, Strikestone never sees Sleekwhisker again. For Better Bones, I made that an OFFICIAL curse.

Gorseclaw struck down his sister, Spottedpelt, in the climax of Ripplestar's Rot and since then, Tigerkin tabbies have been tragically losing their golden siblings. Bramblepaw watching Tawnypaw joining TigerClan is the true beginning of their character arcs, as both siblings grapple with their insecurities and loneliness.

Below the cut:

TNP; the Sundrown Patrol and Tigerstar blowing up the voicemail

Po3 and OotS, her reaction to Hollyleaf's Reveal and early Bramblestar

AVoS and Tawnypelt's Mountain, her reduxed novella

Beyond and Bonus Trivia

BETTER BONES TNP

The new POVs of TNP are the four Tigerkin, Tawnypelt serves as a contrast to Brambleclaw to establish that he is an unreliable narrator.

Tawny is objective when it comes to bonds between other people, but underestimates how much others like her back.

This is a problem for her in ShadowClan, where their dark and dry sense of humor is hard for her, as a very genuine ThunderClan cat, to accurately parse.

She takes a lot of Rowanclaw's behavior as open aggression, only realizing very late into TNP that he is the son of Brokenstar and was trying to break the ice the entire time.

She takes the death of Feathertail hard. They all do, but Tawny feels angry that she can't be the faithful, gentle, soothing presence that Feather was.

Tigerstar is trying to contact her long before he sets his sights on Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost. Though she considers it, she makes a final rejection of him on reaching the lake.

She decrees that the journey has changed all the cats, especially herself, and that the sun is rising on a new time for all four Clans.

Though expanded into a POV, Tawny's journey is quite simple, unlike Bramble who grows into an unfortunate antagonist in upcoming arcs.

IN PO3 AND OOTS BEYOND

There is a truce between Shadow and Thunder for Po3, only coming to a bloody crash later when Bramblestar takes power in OotS

But for one arc, Tawny is the Three's beloved aunt. In several 'episodes' of this slice-of-life breather redux, she is a supporting character. She's close friends with Squirrelflight, as well.

Her FIRST litter is Flametail and Dawnpelt! They're around the same age as the Three.

When the secret is revealed, Tawnypelt is beside herself with frustration at Bramblestar.

It's understandable to be upset, but demotion of his deputy? Disowning his children??

And then, Bramblestar starts pushing the border. She is convinced something crawled into his head and died there

In OotS, she has her second litter. Its only survivor is a little gold-and-brown tabby, which she renames Tigerkit as a ferocious dare to StarClan to take this one back as well.

Tigerpaw and Dovepaw are around the same age on the journey, during which Tigerpaw makes an offhanded comment about, "No one actually likes being a tom" and Dovepaw brutally cracks her egg with a very well aimed, "yea they do"

The death of Russetfur is brought to THIS arc, in one of Bramble's battles, and is the reason Blackstar is open to Sol's influence.

Ratscar, Redwillow, and Applefur take over and Tawnypelt tries to lead opposition against them, but their training has made them freakishly strong and they have allies.

Rowanclaw rallies the rest of the Clan to confront Blackstar, and convince him to come back by reminding him of how loved he is

And it's for that reason that Rowanclaw is eventually made deputy. He saw the solution that no one else did. No tricks. No brute force. Just honesty.

AVOS AND TAWNYPELT'S MOUNTAIN

In AVoS, Tawnypelt watches her Clan get destroyed from the inside-out as Darktail exploits the anger of its warriors and apprentices, turning it into a cult.

Having already lost Flametail, losing Dawnpelt here, Tigerheart returning with two kittens only to die horribly was unbearable.

Rowanstar took the body of his daughter and dove into the Moonpool, drowning his lives away so that she could live and revive as Heartstar.

After that... Tawnypelt felt like she'd lost it all again. We return to her POV for the first time since TNP, to explore that.

How home no longer feels like home, how Heartstar returned as a leader and it's as though everyone she loves has changed.

But little Shadowkit is not as healthy as his sister, suffering seizures much stronger than Sorreltail of ThunderClan, no Cleric having a good prognosis for his life.

Heartstar and Dovewing do not want to expose him to more stress, and as his parents, agree that they will simply try to give him as comfortable of a life as possible.

Tawnypelt's Mountain is not a story about needing to save the Tribe again; it's about Tawnypelt kidnapping her grandson because he needs a stronger treatment and she's convinced the Tribe can offer it.

No she does not get permission.

Go Grandma

It's about all the times she had to let go, it's about how she never truly got to know Sleekwhisker and Juniperclaw, it's about how she couldn't save the old ShadowClan.

And it's about Shadowkit, and how comfortable he is at a young age with the concept of death. Spiresight, Rowanstar, Heartstar, Juniperclaw.

Up until the moment a Tribe Medic is able to look at him, Shadow had fully believed his illness was terminal. It's as if his future had suddenly changed.

(In the original book Dovewing was also on this trip, but I'm actually considering it JUST be Shadow and Tawny because I think it's a really interesting idea to have a grandma/grandkit story where the kit has wisdom beyond their years... but is still a child. And Tawny realizes that she was using this as a way to both help him, yes, but also to get a win for herself. Dovewing has plenty of her own content.)

The Tribe teaches them to use Chamomile to treat his epilepsy, showing Tawny exactly how to measure it, how to steep it, and how to heat it into a tea.

As TBC progresses, Shadowsight's growing skill as a Cleric is shown through his competence at preparing his own treatments.

Tawnypelt and Stormfur are able to catch up together too, and talk about their lives, drama, and how destiny brings you to strange places.

When she comes back, the Clan is expecting Heartstar to punish Tawny for stealing a kitten... but Heartstar is not going to do that to her mom, citing it's because Tawny was right and her son has a treatment better than the last.

In reality it's because Heartstar is Biased and will never punish her family lmao

BEYOND AND BONUSES

She's part of the rebellion in TBC and one of Shadowsight's beloved family members, but overall is a background element.

She decides to retire after that arc, feeling her age.

Tawny is a specialist of taking down large game, and great at coordinating and commanding hunts.

Hogs, small deer, so on.

Also one of ShadowClan's stronger fighters, but outclassed by Dark Forest trainees.

Her favorite food is frogspawn and gravy, likes everything about the taste of amphibians.

Design-wise she looks a lot like Tigerstar, but more lithe and with more of her mother's colors.

Close to breaking some kind of apprentice-training record, Oakfur is SO proud of her!

[sidekick-hero]

Hunter and Prey

Part 1, Part 2

Steve's life goes on as usual. Well, okay, not his life, because he's dead. His un-life goes on, or something. Semantics were never his thing.

He sleeps during the day and roams the streets of Hawkins at night, making sure to stay away from humans and vampires alike. He's not a big fan of either, so he keeps to himself. It sounds lonely when he says it like that, but he's a vampire. He has no soul to feel loneliness, or so they say.

It's a few weeks later that Steve sees him again.

The human is talking to another vampire, or more likely goading him, and tries to pull out his holy water gun again, but the vampire is too quick. Steve suspects that the other vampires in town must have heard about this trick by now. This one, Jason, if Steve remembers his name correctly, definitely has. Vampires are terrible gossips, he found out, something that not even death seems to cure in people.

The human's eyes widen in surprise as Jason pins him to the ground and he tries in vain to push the vampire off of him so he can crawl away, but he has no chance. It doesn't look good for him, but Steve has underestimated him before, and he is sure that the human must have another trick up his sleeve.

Jason smiles menacingly down at the human prey beneath him and Steve can tell that he thinks he has the upper hand by far. At any moment, the human will surprise them both. Steve holds his breath, even though he doesn't have to draw one at all, and waits for it, when Jason leans down and bares his fangs. Steve can hear the human's heart beating wildly in his chest, a panicky bird flapping against the bars of its cage, and he realizes that no, there's no trick.

Call it a soft heart (the other vampires definitely do), but Steve feels drawn to help him. He doesn't want to question it, he just chalks it up to his knowledge that this particular vampire is an asshole. That's what he tells himself as he jumps behind the vampire, puts both hands on his head, and twists. There's a loud snap, like someone stepping on a dry twig, and the vampire falls to the ground.

He's not dead. Or he is, but he's still undead. Goddamn semantics. What matters is that Steve knows that Jason is only out for a little while and that he will be pissed when he comes to again. He looks down at the human who's still lying on the ground, his chest heaving, and Steve can hear the blood rushing through his veins, can smell it. His fangs tingle.

They make eye contact and the human's eyebrows are furrowed, eyes still wide and pupils dilated with fear, but there's something else in his eyes too, something that looks a lot like curiosity.

Great, just what he needs, another human who wants to know shit about him. As if Dustin and his endless questions for Science, Steve weren't enough. He needs to nip this one in the bud.

“You got a sword or something?”

The human blinks at him, seemingly trying to shake himself out of his stupor. "What?"

Steve's eyebrows climb practically to his hairline and he rolls his eyes with a sarcastic look on his face before sweeping his hand in the general direction of the still unconscious Jason. "A sword? Y'know, sharp, pointy thing that can finish this?" Is this guy for real?

Still looking back at Steve, the guy pulls out a short blade, and Steve looks around to make sure no one is around to witness what he just did. What he is about to do.

His kind don't help hunters. Their literal job is to kill them. If one of the others found out, there would be a target on his back.

Steve turns back to the human, who is back on his feet and still looking at Steve with the same curiosity. It’s tinged with suspicion, his head tilted to the side, eyes scanning over him.

“You’re a vampire.”

Steve snorts. “No duh, Sherlock.”

"You just knocked out one of your own."

"Got it in one. Though it pains me to be associated with scum like him." He toes Jason's head none too gently before using his supernatural speed to grab the human's blade and sever Jason's head from the rest of his useless body before the human can even blink. Jason’s body crumbles to dust right before their eyes and Steve smirks. He likes showing off, sue him.

The human gapes at him, his hand closing around the air where the blade had been seconds ago, but quickly recovers. "What the fuck, dude? This doesn't make any sense. There's no such thing as a good vampire."

"Got that right too. Such a smart human. Want a treat?"

"Oh, look, he's funny. If you're a vampire, why would you help me?"

"I'm bored?"

They stare at each other, playing a weird game of undead chicken.

Instead of indulging this line of question further, Steve says, "You really need to have a backup plan, rookie. You almost ended up being Jason's breakfast."

“Jason?” Eddie asks, but then looks at the pile of ash on the ground. “Ah. Not a very cool vampire name. You guys don’t make up something better after…?” After gesturing to Steve Eddie brings his fingers up to mimic fangs. Steve scrunches his nose and shakes his head.

This conversation has already gone on too long for Steve’s comfort. “Okay, I’m out of here. Just - cover your ass better next time, okay? I’m not saving it again.”

“I don’t need you to save my ass.”

Steve looks down where Jason's body was moments ago. "Uh huh.”

“Hey, I had it handled,” Eddie bites out.

Steve snorts. “Whatever helps you sleep, rookie.”

“Stop calling me that. I’m not a rookie.”

Steve turns towards the human, eyeing him up and down. “I will when you stop acting like one.”

Before the human can answer, Steve leaves. He’s already stayed around far longer than he should have, and done far more than any vampire would for a human. Especially a hunter.

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

Thank you @legitcookie for indulging in this weird new universe with me, for being the best writing soulmate a girl could wish for. And for always catching stupid plot holes lol 💜😘

And @yournowheregirl, thank you for being your funny, supportive, and giving self - you keep us going, being by reminding us to eat and sleep or getting us out of our funks.

[lemonadesoda]

I reblogged a post about pacing in writing the other day and generally I do think it's good advice to keep in mind, especially if you're concerned about a bloated story but it also makes me wonder how much it's actually worth it to have every single scene doing multiple duties. I wonder if the idea that good writing must be efficient reflects a certain bias in storytelling values. Is it really actually necessary to excise every bit of potentially "boring" bits from your story?

I frequently think about chapter 8 of Catching Icarus in regards to this, because it's arguably one of the least "plot forward" chapters in the entire story, on account of it being heavily focused on character relationships. I spent a while with it on the cutting room floor before declaring it finished, but it turned out in the end that I cut or condensed very little. There are several things that I think could have been made more "efficient": dialogue that may not have been strictly necessary, that did little more than have characters spend time together (e.g., Tevane's conversation with Sembe before Lemel wakes up). If I wanted to, I could have cut straight to the moment Tevane goes to give Lemel breakfast, and just interspersed key information from his conversation with Sembe in other lines, but thinking about doing that just feels kind of...unsatisfying. Tbh a lot of that story is long because I'm explicitly asking people to sit with the moments of a narrative that aren't really brimming with momentum.

Maybe I'm underestimating my own writing in the sense that the scene is actually doing a lot more heavy lifting than even I'm giving it credit for. It does set the tone for the steady realizations Tevane has about Lemel and what motivates them that peaks at the end of the chapter (i.e., that they're lonelier and less okay than they're willing to let on). But still, the priority when I was writing that scene was also to literally give the relationship with Sembe space to breathe. Sometimes my characters seem to meander their way to the crux of the conversation and I end up refusing to trim much of it down because the meandering is part of the relationship, even if it tends to make the scene go on for a while. I want to give characters literal actual time together, because in terms of relationship-building and trust-building, there is no substitute for the power of time spent together, and quite frankly, most of that is not spent doing anything particularly important. If your characters are too busy doing Plot Things together, how well do they actually know each other? And quite frankly, how well do you, the reader, know them either?

This kind of muddies the water in terms of deciding what's an indulgence vs what's essential. Am I reluctant to trim up a conversation to be more punchy because I personally just love character interactions and can write forever about them, or is it because I'm sensing that the length is crucial to managing the pace? In most of my longfics, I have what I consider interlude chapters where I purposely decelerate plot and turn the lens toward characters processing what they're going through. Some people really like these, and some people really don't like "filler" but there have been arguments for the value of filler.

Lol, unfortch this all has gotten me no closer to being able to tell if a scene is truly, unnecessarily boring or if the slowness is essential and the scene still evokes something.

[fangirleaconmigo]

I love Refuge in Lettenhove and To the Dark I said Pour. I love love modern au’s. In fact most of my favorite fics seem to be modern au ones.

Thank you! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

I definitely understand why modern aus are less popular. I’m a big fantasy fan and it’s like…why are you taking away the most fun exciting parts of the character?

BUT as a writer it is sometimes very interesting and fulfilling to stick the character under a microscope and swap out their environment.

For To the Dark, I had been trying to think of what Geralt’s occupation would be in a modern au, but nothing I saw was really hitting right. I do like biologist, conservationist, animal rescue, private detective, etc but I wasn’t getting any inspiration. Plus I really wanted a blue collar job to push my “witchers are working class heroes” agenda.

Then my new neighbors moved in and they have a rescue pup that he adopted to help with the loneliness on the road. (Here is the pup. I would never mention a pup and not show her to you. That would be so rude.)

And having had several loved ones in this profession, I know that people really underestimate the impact it has being isolated and having your family life disrupted.

So I thought YES long haul truck driver as a parallel with witchering. It is an under appreciated blue collar job. It is isolating. It is itinerant. And Geralt could have a pup named Roach. And I LOVE the idea of him falling in love with Jaskier’s voice first. Of that type of connection being his salvation. And I loved the idea of writing something set in the 80’s.

And I have noticed that while my modern au’s don’t get as many hits, the kudos ratio is always significantly higher than canon setting. So I feel like the people who love them appreciate them. Which…that is always nice.

Thanks again hun ♥️♥️♥️

[satoruhour]

🪻 fellow gojowives please don’t kill me but now that copium’s waning from my senses, I have a hard time believing he’ll come back..and I literally hate to say this and I WISH I’ll be proven wrong in the next chapters😭.

But yeah, based on the new translations he seemed pretty much fulfilled and content with all he did in the fight. Also like..I know many are clutching onto the theory that his head is still there= he’s still alive, but I feel like we’d all be severely underestimating sukuna and his 1000+ years of experience by assuming he’d be hoodwinked like that (and I knowwww it’s copium for a lot of people, but still😭)

As much as I think the writing was jarring, it was gutting to read him talk about his loneliness as the strongest (and how it ultimately felt dehumanising) in the chapter. Him going back to his youth in his final moments was so heartbreaking but also so sweet. Surrounded by his loved ones and back to the best time of his life is possibly the best way he could be proven wrong about his own theory🥹 (that sorcerers are all alone when they die)

I still want him to survive somehow because ofc he’s my favourite (and the north-south + lotus theory is still there) but yeah..I’m probably just making peace and coming to terms with the truth. Gege did this abrupt and dissatisfying death thingy to Yuki too, so I don’t hold much hope anymore

aw hyacinth anon ty for giving ur thoughts i agree with you as well!!! what you mentioned also is correct, about the writing being a little out of the blue and stuff it really felt really heartwarming to see him back with his suguru and the friends he had during high school!

that point about underestimating sukuna too, i think we arent underestimating him but rather we maybe we’ve seen so much of him but more of his deviousness rather than fights (there was fights against jogo, angel, and other characters but bc they were easy people to overpower rather? gojo was the first person to properly match up against gojo and we have seen gojo fight more than sukuna does (not to mention how sorcery in the heian might be different) so naturally we are more drawn to gojo’s depiction of sorcery in this modern age where we have also seen him teaching yuji and in turn teaching us also

im ultimately torn between wanting gojo to finally rest after fighting so hard and holding his own against a 1000 year old curse ..... but also wanting him to come back to life after all that because he still has to see the potential his students have and their improvements !!! it’s more of a personal level (well for me at least), with wanting him to come back.

i have come to peace with the truth too (and i get over things fast) but there will always be a tinge in the heart when i think about gojo’s lifeless face and how he looked so tired bc he really doesnt get any rest, but also happy bc hes finally together with his friends. but we’ll see! and that point about yuki! yes it was so wasted imo, for her to have such a badass technique and then kill her off so suddenly ....

[heyxmissxjude]

the cells | jude & xavier

@xavier-lennon​:

Unlike most, Xavier had managed to underestimate the severity of this event. When others were speaking about the cancelled lottery, when they were trying to make sense of the rumours they heard, even when it became clear that the slaves would be punished, Xavier had followed his usual routine. He was convinced that those days would be uncomfortable but ultimately bearable. It was not more than a few hours in that he realized how wrong he had been. Stripped of his sight and hearing, Xavier had been left with his own mind. It was almost embarrassing how little it took for him to break himself. He was sucked into a darkness which had started long before he came to live on this island. He was reminded of a time where he not only experienced but indulged in human cruelty. He was reminded of the lives which he had taken and a strange certainty that he too should not have been here anymore. Every beating that followed, though not physically challenging, served as fuel to this self-destructive fire.

And he was not ready for more. Even when they were finally returned to their cells, it did not feel like the punishment had stopped. The majority of the slaves seemed to have fallen straight asleep or found comfort in being with one another. Part of him wished he could be there for the others too, but instead he was quiet with himself again. Yet fate had decided that this loneliness should not last. Xavier recognized the woman and was surprised that she chose to speak to him of all people. “There’s not an end to this” His voice was raspy and quiet, but there was no doubt that he believed to speak the truth. Xavier respected her concern, her attempt to give him strength. Maybe on a different day, he would have been able to show his appreciation more strongly. “Not for me, this won’t end”

.

“Nothing is permanent, love,” she countered gently, daring to take a step into the cell and take a seat next to Xavier.  The professor recalled their first meeting, his seeming recalcitrance towards her simply for her position on the island.  She may have had a title and more privilege than most, but they had more in common than he believed that first meeting.  “Even when it seems like there’s no escape and no end.  I once thought the same, yet here I am.  Free from hell - or at least usually.”  It was a poor attempt at a joke, but it was true enough all the same.  “I’ve been here off and on for over a decade now.  These things don’t last forever.  Neither does your position here.”

[faeriefully]

Look, I don't care if people want to homeschool. If that works for them and they're happy, it's totally cool by me! But to pretend it's completely perfect and doesn't have problems is just ignorant. For example, my homeschool group had a severe bullying problem, yet nobody did anything about it. Many of the kids in that group are still functionally illiterate, still live with their parents well into adulthood, still have childlike interests and mannerisms, are terrified of interacting with the world, and have no ambition or motivation. Obviously public school isn't perfect but homeschooling isn't this magical solution either. I also think you underestimate the feelings of loneliness and isolation some homeschooled kids go through.

It’s almost like general opinions on what’s healthiest for society need to be taken and understood with some nuance and every situation and family is going to be different depending on how much effort the parents actually put into it.

I never said homeschooling was a magic cure. I fully acknowledged abuse in the homes in my original post.

Also- “Childlike interests and mannerisms” isn’t a negative— and a lot of time it’s based on “mature” being equated to some level of seriousness rather than of responsibility.

Public schools have bad teachers and dynamics and bullies.

Homeschool groups will as well.

(Also not every homeschooler does co-ops or groups. I didn’t.)

Which is why I emphasized the importance of parents’ involvement and prioritizing the child’s well-being.

A good system doesn’t matter if the people within that system are corrupt. But that isn’t the system’s fault.

I’m not arguing with you, and I’m fully aware that tumblr gives absolutely nothing nuance and takes opinion as blanket general rules. But goodness…

[blxsscd-x-fxrsakcn]

December 24th, 2010. The day when humanity bore witness to God's disappearance, the scattering of his angelic host, and the war to end all wars.

God has existed for eternity, even before angels or men. Out of loneliness, he orchestrated the creation of heaven. After this, he created the earth; a paradise, with all manner of creatures to fill the forests, air, and oceans. He wove into being man and woman, human and angel, both in his likeness and character, perfect and flawed harmoniously, but also different.

He made angels immortal, winged, celestial, and strong, while he made humans mortal, legged, mundane, and weak.

Of the supreme he molded only five; Lucifer, Uriel, Raphael, Gabriel, and Michael. Each was given a gift upon creation, more powerful than the last. It is said that Lucifer discovered humanity's potential upon being called into existence, and yearned for their success. And so, by abusing his ability, he gifted them with tools beyond their comprehension. Because he aided their development, his ambitions ran counter to God's own. Thus, painted him as an imitator.

This would anger the Almighty.

Cast down to earth, God tasked his other children, the archangels, with destroying Lucifer. In response, Gabriel lead the charge against his eldest brother, a guilt which he has carried for millennia since. Centuries later, the bitter sting would resurface, driving him to commit an unforgivable act. Fueled by both jealousy and anger over Michael's love of humanity--despite their degeneracy and numerous squandered second chances--Gabriel broke open the seventh seal. The gates of Heaven closed and all were cast out.

What we had once called demons, was actually a misnomer. They were angels of the Lower Sphere. Beastlike in manner and ever-violent. Holding the belief that humans were responsible for God's disappearance, Gabriel rallied his armies, commanding them to unwillingly possess the bodies of any and every man, woman, and child. With grotesque, black-veined skin, sharpened teeth and wicked intent, they swept across the globe.

Brother turned on brother, friend on friend, and so on, and so forth.

Over the next five or so years, more than six billion lives were lost. In late 2018, an assault on the eastern seaboard wiped out every heavy metropolitan area. Communications with Europe went completely dark in 2022, with Russia and the rest of Asia the year after.

In his blind arrogance, Gabriel underestimated what mankind was capable of achieving. Small land battles devolved into guerilla strike-retreats into the southwestern United States. From the northwest, all able-bodied survivors were headed under General Edward Riesen, marched towards Hoover Dam. Split between the angel army, Riesen ordered his troops to envelop their enemy. Human losses were severe, less than one bilion left after triumph. They had ended Gabriel's ability to wage large-scale war, and Riesen was awarded accordingly. Retiring to Las Vegas as a Lord, he renamed the city to Vega, appointing Michael as protector and advisor. 

From there, Vega's history has been short, violent, and bloody, with other groups carving out pieces from the basin for themselves. Helena, city of women; New Delphi, where lower angels and humans learn to coexist; the Camp, a roving band of intrepid nomads; and Paradise, a diner that sowed the first seeds of repopulation.

Even now, whispers spread like wildfire, an orphan rescued by Michael and placed into Vega's caste system. Meanwhile, Gabriel is rumored to have survived the bombing, and seeks the savior for strange Markings they bear, as he believes them necessary in bringing his Father back.

In a city rife with zealotry, cutthroat politics, civil war, and general discontent, is this rumored Chosen One willing to step up and save Vega's people?

[modernvintagehomecare]

Companionship Enhances Quality of Life for Those with Cognitive Disorders

At Modern Vintage Home Care, we firmly believe that companionship is more than just a service; it’s a vital ingredient in enhancing the quality of life for seniors and individuals living with cognitive disorders. The power of human connection cannot be underestimated, especially as we age or navigate the challenges of conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia. In this post, we delve into the profound benefits of companionship and illustrate why it’s at the heart of what we do. Understanding the Impact of Isolation Seniors and people with cognitive disorders are often at a high risk of social isolation and loneliness. Factors such as loss of mobility, the death of peers and family members, and living alone can significantly reduce their social interactions. This isolation can lead to severe consequences for mental and physical health, including depression, anxiety, and an increased risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and a weakened immune system. Companionship as a Holistic Health Care Companionship represents a powerful form of social interaction that can significantly mitigate the risks associated with isolation and loneliness. Engaging with a compassionate and attentive companion offers a multitude of health benefits that can profoundly influence both mental and physical well-being. Improved Mental Health Regular social interaction plays a critical role in mental health, particularly for seniors and individuals with cognitive impairments. Interaction with a companion helps to reduce stress levels and decrease the incidence of depression and anxiety. Such interactions provide a sense of normalcy and comfort, which are especially crucial for those experiencing the isolating effects of cognitive disorders. A compassionate companion offers more than just conversation; they provide empathetic support, understanding, and validation, which can make individuals feel valued and heard. This level of emotional support can significantly slow the progression of cognitive diseases by fostering a positive mental state and combating feelings of disconnection. Enhanced Physical Health Physical activity is vital at any age, but for seniors and those with cognitive disorders, it can be particularly beneficial. Companions facilitate a more active lifestyle by encouraging activities such as light exercise, walks in the park, or participation in group exercise classes specifically designed for older adults. This not only helps improve mobility and physical health but also contributes to better sleep patterns and increased energy levels. Additionally, companions can assist with nutritional needs by preparing healthy meals or reminding individuals to eat, which plays an integral role in maintaining overall health and wellness. Cognitive Stimulation Cognitive stimulation is another key advantage of companionship. Companions engage individuals in activities that stimulate thinking and memory, such as puzzles, reading, music, and games that are both fun and challenging. These activities help maintain cognitive functions and can slow the progression of cognitive decline in those with dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions. Beyond mere entertainment, such engagements are crucial for sustaining the neural connections in the brain, which can otherwise deteriorate quickly in isolated environments. Safety and Support Another critical aspect of companionship is ensuring the safety and support of seniors and individuals with cognitive disorders. Companions serve as an extra pair of eyes and hands that help to prevent accidents and ensure that the living environment is safe and supportive. They remind individuals of daily tasks such as taking medications, attending appointments, and other routine activities that might otherwise be neglected. This type of support is invaluable in reducing the risk of medical emergencies, falls, or other accidents, and it plays a significant role in maintaining the overall well-being of those they care for. Emotional Connection and Social Well-being Companions also provide significant emotional and social benefits. They help bridge the gap caused by the loss of a spouse or friends, offering new avenues for emotional expression and companionship. The presence of a reliable companion can alleviate feelings of loneliness and abandonment, fostering a sense of belonging and community. Additionally, companions can facilitate social interactions with others, encouraging participation in community events or visits with friends and family, which further enriches the lives of seniors and those with cognitive challenges. Long-term Benefits The long-term benefits of companionship cannot be overstated. Continuous interaction and support from a companion not only enhance day-to-day life but also contribute to a longer, healthier life. Studies have shown that individuals with regular social interactions have a lower risk of many common health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular problems, and general mortality. Companionship provides a buffer against these risks, emphasizing the importance of social relationships in promoting health and longevity. Through these various channels—mental and physical health support, cognitive stimulation, safety and support, emotional connections, and long-term benefits—the role of companionship as a health intervention becomes evident. At Modern Vintage Home Care, we are committed to harnessing the power of companionship to improve the lives of those we serve, recognizing that a robust support system is key to fostering a high quality of life for seniors and individuals with cognitive disorders.

Companionship at Modern Vintage Home Care

At Modern Vintage Home Care, our approach to companionship is deeply personal. We recognize that each individual has unique needs and preferences, and we tailor our services to meet those needs. Here’s how we provide companionship care: Personalized Matching Understanding that relationships are built on mutual interests and understanding, we carefully match our clients with companions who share similar interests and personality traits. This thoughtful matching process fosters a deeper connection and more meaningful interactions. Flexible and Adaptive Interaction Our companions are trained to adapt their approach based on the evolving needs of our clients. For individuals with cognitive disorders, our caregivers use techniques tailored to the person's current cognitive abilities, such as memory games or simple crafts, and adapt these activities as the condition changes. Holistic Engagement We believe in engaging the whole person. Our companions focus not just on physical health or safety but also on emotional and social well-being. They are equipped to converse on various topics, engage in hobbies and interests of the clients, and connect on a personal level that transcends the usual caregiver-client relationship. Consistent Yet Non-intrusive Presence Continuity is key in building trust and a sense of security. Our companions maintain a consistent presence in our clients’ lives but are trained to do so in a way that respects the individual’s independence and personal space. This balance helps foster a positive relationship without feeling overwhelming or intrusive. Real-Life Impact Take the story of Mrs. Ellen, an 82-year-old widow with early-stage Alzheimer’s. After her diagnosis, her family worried she would withdraw into herself, losing the spark that defined her. When our companion, Jane, started visiting, they initially focused on simple activities like walking in the garden and looking through old photo albums. Over time, Ellen began to look forward to these visits, showing signs of improvement in her mood and even her cognitive responses. Ellen’s family reports that these changes have brought them much relief and joy, seeing her engaged and happier. A Vital Service for Modern Times In today’s world, where families often live apart and may not always be available to provide daily support, services like those offered by Modern Vintage Home Care become essential. Companionship care is more than just spending time with someone; it’s about enriching lives and providing peace of mind to families that their loved ones are cared for with dignity and respect. Companionship Enhances Quality of Life for Those with Cognitive Disorders At Modern Vintage Home Care, companionship is much more than just part of our service offering; it is the very foundation of our care philosophy. We hold a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of human connection—not merely to sustain but significantly enhance the quality of life for seniors and individuals with cognitive disorders. Through our bespoke, considerate approach to caregiving, we dedicate ourselves to improving each day for our clients and their loved ones. Companionship at our facility goes beyond routine interactions; it involves creating meaningful connections that foster joy, self-worth, and comfort. We understand that each person has a unique story, a diverse set of interests, and specific emotional and physical needs. That’s why we tailor our services to match the personal preferences and requirements of each client, ensuring they receive care that is as individual as they are. Our caregivers are more than just staff; they are compassionate individuals committed to making a positive impact in the lives they touch, engaging with clients in activities that promote mental agility and emotional satisfaction. The benefits of our companionship services extend to the entire family. We provide peace of mind to families, knowing that their loved ones are in good hands, receiving attention not only for their physical needs but also experiencing enriching social interactions that brighten their days. Our goal is to lighten the load of families, offering them the assurance that their loved ones are cared for with the utmost respect and empathy. If you or a loved one might benefit from our companionship services, we warmly encourage you to get in touch with us. At Modern Vintage Home Care, we are committed to working together with you to ensure that every individual under our care receives the love, attention, and dignity they rightfully deserve at every point in their journey. Let us join you and your family in creating a supportive, joyful, and caring environment for your loved ones. Modern Vintage Home Care 3 Sugar Creek Center Blvd #100 Sugar Land, Texas 77478 Phone: (832) 662-8236 Read the full article

[lindsaywesker]

Good morning! I hope you slept well and feel rested? Currently sitting at my desk, in my study, attired only in my blue towelling robe, enjoying my first cuppa of the day.

Welcome to Too Much Information Tuesday.

Women tell an average of 11 lies a week. Men, 58.

Loneliness is both physically and mentally damaging.

Listerine was once marketed as a cure for gonorrhoea.

If you suffer from micturition syncope, you faint when you pee.

23 per cent of men and 17 per cent of women never get married.

According to a study, wishing someone luck makes them do better.

The average Briton spends more time on the toilet than they do exercising.

Precrastination is doing something too quickly or too early to get it out of the way.

Scientists at the University of East Anglia spent seven years trying to discover why men exist.

In the 1760s, 33 Cock Lane in London was believed to be haunted by a ghost called Scratching Fanny.

A 2017 issue of the comic book ‘Asterix’ featured a masked antagonist called Coronavirus.

A team of researchers at Tabriz University have suggested that sex is an effective cure for hay fever.

American rock & roll legend Little Richard was the official who married Demi Moore to Bruce Willis.

Stanford University has developed an AI toilet that can diagnose health problems by taking pictures of your poo.

Scarlett Johansson was once so distracted by her own cleavage on a billboard advertisement that she nearly crashed her car.

In 1849, enslaved American Henry Brown boxed himself up and mailed himself to a state where slavery was illegal. He left the box a free man.

In 2019, a Danish politician paid for ads on Pornhub. When questioned he said, "Half the internet is porn and you need to be where the voters are."

In Japan, there's a practice called ‘forest bathing’ or Shinrin-yoku, in which people immerse themselves in forests to relieve stress and improve mental well-being.

In Ancient Egypt, the dead bodies of beautiful women were left to decay for at least a few days before they were sent to the embalmers to prevent acts of necrophilia.

The first iPhone virus was the Ikee worm which infected thousands of Australian iPhones. Its only function was to change the phone’s wallpaper to a picture of Rick Astley.

Highly intelligent people are more likely to underestimate themselves, while dumber people are more likely to believe they're brilliant. This is The Dunning-Kruger Effect.

When stagecoaches were standard in the 1880s, the driver would typically assign his passenger seat to an armed partner whose duty was to keep thieves away. Hence, the expression ‘riding shotgun’.

Early American trains had wood-burning engines that would spew embers into the passenger cars, so some railways gave each passenger a bucket of sand to pour on a neighbour if they caught fire.

Some people experiencing insomnia might encounter a condition referred to as "sleep state misperception" — In this circumstance, a person may believe they were awake the entire night, even though they actually slept for several hours.

In 1994, the KKK applied to sponsor a section of the I-55 highway near St. Louis, Missouri and the Supreme Court ruled the state could not refuse the sponsorship. So, the state of Missouri renamed the entire stretch of highway The Rosa Parks Freeway.

Before marrying his first cousin, Charles Darwin made a list of the pros and cons of marriage. The pros included "constant companion and a friend in old age” and “better than a dog anyhow." The cons: "less money for books" and "terrible loss of time."

Having too many choices can lead to anxiety and dissatisfaction. When faced with an abundance of options, people may find it more challenging to make a decision and they may be less satisfied with their final choice. This is called The Paradox Of Choice.

The world record for the longest time handcuffed to another human is 123 days, achieved by a couple who kept breaking up and then getting back together and wanted to save their relationship. After the handcuffing, they swore never to get back together again.

A study conducted by the University of Virginia found that 67% of male participants would rather give themselves an electric shock than sit alone with their thoughts for 15 minutes. Women were far less likely to shock themselves, with only a 25% participation rate.

The 2002 live-action film ‘Scooby-Doo’ was initially rated R due to its "sexual content." Specifically, the MPAA cited several scenes in which Daphne and Velma were shown with exposed cleavage. Their cleavage had to be digitally removed to get it down to a PG rating.

While filming 'The Wizard of Oz’, Judy Garland was subjected to a strict diet of chicken soup, black coffee and 80 cigarettes per day by MGM, along with amphetamines to work and barbiturates for sleep. By the time 17-year-old Garland finished filming the movie, she had become addicted to both.

When released in 1978, it was a double-A side with ‘Bicycle Race, peaked at No. 11 in the UK Singles Chart, No. 10 in Ireland, No. 5 in the Netherlands and sold two million copies in America but, despite this, ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’ has mysteriously been omitted from the latest re-release of ‘Queen’s Greatest Hits’.

Okay, that’s enough information for one day. Have a tremendous and tumultuous Tuesday! I love you all.

[chimerameat]

➤ closed starter for @katikis.

Magic, when nothing else is left, is what people turn to when they’re afraid.

It’s the experience of the unusual that guides them through their fear, the mystical, the unnatural. The oddity of the ‘ other, ’ the supernatural, monsters             /             & the tyranny of men are what guides people through their own dark corridors, the things that make them afraid of the mirror. Bad luck & unfortunate coincidences curdle the soul in terrifying ways, beginning with their sleep             /             & then the quietness of their loved ones as they distance, distance             /             & distance themselves farther away. Terror is only one head of the hydra of true fear. Guilt & remorse, loneliness             /             burying one’s self in their own pity.

Magic is what they turn to. Endeavor knows this well & clear from his own experiences with his children, & the public he serves on the daily              /             he believes Jujutsu Sorcerers are charlatans wearing the disguise of ordinary men, but even he won’t underestimate power, & guts & the masses’ belief in the people who rise & exist above them. Even the most famous magicians rely on the beliefs of their watchers, their fans. Endeavor must rely on himself             /             without strength, there is nowhere else to turn.

Satoru is the Sorcerer in charge ( the most powerful, the only ‘ in charge ’ title that ends up mattering in the reality they both live in. ) of the Jujutsu Sorcerer corner of the world, and Endeavor, the heroic. Justice turns yellowed & old at the price of magic, where unfairness takes its toll. Even the magical bear the brunt of unfairness / the term ‘ heroic ’ must bear it as well, & it does so with pride, unable to hide its own gruesome history             /             when children take the brunt of the heroic world, Endeavor must wonder to himself what the fighting’s all for. If it’s not to protect the future at large, children & those yet unseen still accounted for             /             then what is it for? & who exactly is he protecting?

Not Satoru, who’s supposed to be able to handle themselves with relative ease.

Endeavor mentally flicks through the case details that he’d been given. Bodies disappearing out of thin air             /             strange, almost whale song noises as a believed luring mechanism ( not quite angelic, as he’s been told. but something akin to a sound - equivalent of an anglerfish’s light. )               /             strange people, maybe copies or decoys             /             could be human, could be a curse             /             unknown, unknown, details always unknown. Endeavor’s eye twitches.

Alley in the dingiest part of downtown a few miles east of Musutafu, and several miles west from Tokyo. In a happy coincidence, the last victim had been taken somewhere in the middle of both Endeavor and Satoru’s locations. 

He braces himself before parting the sea of cops, detectives, and black - uniformed Sorcerers             /             ❛ Where’s Satoru? I was told they’d be here. ❜

[sepublic]

“I can’t believe they animated a whole house.”

“Yeah. You’re right. That takes some powerful magic.”

Remember when Hooty’s Moving Hassle came out, and people wondered what this exchange was implying? Willow was already established as powerful before and during this episode, so a lot of us speculated it was hinting at some other reveal regarding these three, maybe an explanation for Willow’s magic, or Luz and Gus being unusual in their own right...

With how Gus literally runs into view just as Eda drops the word “powerful”, and our latest episode;

Was that scene from way back in Season 1A meant to foreshadow the big reveal of Gus’ power in Labyrinth Runners; A talent similar to Willow’s in its massive strength and glowing eyes??? So while HMH reminds us of Willow’s magic, it also hints that she’s not the only one with this type of effortless, emotion-activated trick up her sleeve...

How fitting is it, then; That Gus and Willow met each other. As outcasts who were overlooked and felt underestimated, had severe loneliness and insecurities and were frustrated by any learning struggles. With their trauma manifesting in glowing eyes, and powerful magic that reflects their hidden and unappreciated skill as prodigies! As an illusionist with Willow’s help (it’s her chosen path to uplift her friends, she helps Gus handle and avoid what she struggled with like so many others), Gus was at least able to hide this trauma-related power for a while... Until now.

It’s also hilarious that in that episode, Luz apologizes to Gus for not considering him as strong as Eda and Willow, and he takes it in stride because he “knows what he’s about.” Little do either of those two kids know...!

(Gus does struggle with doubting his own ability after all.)

[4dtk]

heloo! can I request hand-holding (3), kisses (6, 12) hugs (32) and touching (12) with renjun, thank uu^^

why do my renjun drabbles always end up so long LOL . btw age old kiss under the mistletoe <3 never too early for x’ams imagines i guess LOL, enjoy!!!

hand-holding, 3: cold hands in warm hands

hugs, 32: long-lasting hugs

kisses, 6 & 12: slow kisses, kisses on the corner of their mouth

touching, 12: pushing a strand of hair behind their ear

renjun’s eyes couldn’t leave yours. well, more of your body as you talked with mark, gesturing grandly about his new single that he dropped. he remembers you playing it whenever you met up, rapping the lyrics back to him that only had renjun groaning in embarrassment. staring around the room, he scans over the members in the party with a smile. having had taken a rest from the all the alcohol earlier, he was glad to be left alone to his… indulgences where no one could interrupt him.

“hey.”

“gah! wh- what the hell?” haechan shocks him out of his stupor, easily avoiding a smack on the back from renjun. his laughter gains attention from others, but otherwise they just return a cheeky laugh back while conversing. soon, the other is able to pick up on his loneliness, partially blaming it on the crazy challenge he dared renjun to do earlier. the partial reason, however..

“are you ever going to confess to (y/n)?” haechan raises a brow.

“keep it down! christ, hyuck. just because some members here have their partners on their arms doesn’t mean i should rush to make (y/n) mine.”

“oh, but you’re so obvious that it’s tiring to watch,” haechan sighs, taking a swig of his drink. the both of them admire the theme of the party for a little bit, red and green decorations hung from the spacious dorm, held on the fifth floor because they were the ‘cleanest’ (against jungwoo’s wishes and with kun’s agreement, they settled for an early celebration on the 23rd).

the speakers blasted christmas music, no doubt from the talented mr. bublé who was a compulsory artist to listen to, along with other renditions of christmas songs that just felt good. fairy lights from the members’ rooms were brought to be set up. plus, with ten’s recent sunset light purchase that he bought for the felines, the room was soon bathed in joyous lighting that could rival decorations outside.

“dude. the members had to have their partners fly in because they’re both so busy. (y/n)’s already there, c’mon the opportunity is right there — and this is the one time you’re able to unwind and relax. just go for it, man,” haechan is relaxed and laid-back, haven’t yet experienced the palpitations whenever one looks at their crush. the only exception was probably a rookie idol back then, but that was old news.

“if you happen to want to cuddle or fuck later, we’ll leave you alone.” this time, renjun was able to land a punch to his shoulder, expression turned into a scowl.

“you’re right, i guess. i’ll see what i can do.”

a gasp, “renjun admitting i’m right? rare.” renjun gives the other a lighter smack with a smile, chugging down the last bit of his water before heading over to you. he feels like he’s walking through snow whenever he wants to get to you, the resistance strong with each step. curling and uncurling his fingers, he loosened his freezing hands as you wrap up the conversation with mark.

“renjun! have a good rest? donghyuck was trying to avoid you for the past fifteen minutes, because he knew you’d get another headache if he talked to you.”

“i’m having one right now,” renjun jokes, emphasising his point by rubbing some fingers on his temple.

your laugh is like first snow. or like the heater that’s currently fuelling the house with heat. he isn’t sure what to choose, but he knows he likes it and wants to make you laugh more.

“do you need to rest again? i’ll promise i’ll be quiet-“

“delivery?” someone calls out. with a shout, you’re already at the door, receiving another batch of booze since the grocery shopping you went on earlier severely underestimated how much these boys can drink. “oh- uh-“ renjun swoops in like prince charming, hand brushing over yours while he steps forward to help you. they tingle like electricity, deciding against pulling away which would leave you to struggle.

“miss (l/n) (y/n) and mr huang renjun. please freeze in your place,” haechan’s annoying voice penetrates throughout all the conversation happening and you swear the man beside you mutters a curse as you two try to haul the booze past the member. “place the beer down. you aren’t going anywhere, anyway.”

before any of you can ask for an explanation, he points above you which displayed a mistletoe. “surprise!”

the delivery man’s voice scares you, until you realise it’s johnny, hidden under a very smart disguise of a fake moustache and a replica of the uniform. your mouth hangs open even when johnny squeezes past you with the booze effortlessly hanging from one arm, sighing inaudibly at the absence of the heavy drinks.

“so?” the members are looking at you expectedly like they’re watching a movie. there’s endless thoughts swirling in your mind even when renjun grabs your hand with his timid one, but it calms you down just a little when he brushes a thumb over your skin. it’s like you’re waiting for the director to yell out ‘cut!’; even you thought you’d do better on a movie set.

“(y/n)-“

he’s cut off by your lips crashing onto his, garnering a few ooohs and ahhs, including the satisfied smiles and sighs of relief. renjun’s lips taste like a mixture of the candy cane drink he spat out earlier, and some whiskey with coke. it’s a confusing taste, but with the pace your lips are moving with each other, it allows you to draw out every other time you imagined kissing huang renjun.

it doesn’t even come close, if you’re being honest and even if you’re standing in front of countless other men he calls his members in a ridiculously sized k-pop group. renjun deepens the kiss when he turns his head, cold, but clammy hands coming up the cup your cheeks. they shock you for just a bit and there’s a shameless smile into the kiss as renjun continues to deliver pecks onto your own.

he chuckle and it sounds like well-written christmas movies, or the very first listen to michael bublé’s christmas album. you aren’t sure what to choose, but you know you like it and want to make him chuckle more.

in a blink of an eye, you’ve grabbed his hand, heading straight for one of the rooms that you often see when renjun’s gaming with haechan. you recognise it straight away from the set-up and in a rush to shut the door, you stumble just a bit before meeting the hard wood of the door in a roar of laughter.

“great, now they’ve locked two people out,” haechan nudges johnny.

“three!” johnny’s partner calls from the doorway, which makes the living room shake in another round of cheers, getting back into the natural flow of things before everything got interrupted by a plant. faintly, you hear them ask if the plan worked, and haechan’s prideful answer right after.

slowly, you peek out of your hiding spot being your hands. renjun’s eyes shine, “so you like me.” it comes out flatter than he expected and he winces.

you snort, taking a step closer to him on the door, half leaning on it. without any prompting, the other’s arms encircle your waist, now pulling you flush against him while your head rest on his front. the next moments are spent in comfortable silence, the rowdy party going on outside giving you a little of a main character moment. your breathing syncs up, chest expanding and contracting with the deep breaths you take. there’s always a puff of mist leaving your lips, but it appears less now that you’re in your crush’s arms.

“yeah. i like you,” you nod, coming to face him after the tight embrace. his fingers touch your cheek experimentally and you flinch, the pads freezing cold to the touch. maybe it’s because he didn’t touch whiskey for the past half ’n hour. gently, you take his hands in yours. “why’re you always freezing?”

“ugh. you figured me out. tactic to get you to hold my hands.” throwing your head back in a silent laugh, you shake your head in disbelief.

“at least you haven’t caught on to me, holding your hands down so you won’t have to-” a kiss to one corner of his mouth. “restrict me from-” another to the other. “doing this.” lastly to his lips.

renjun entertains your dramatic flair with his jaw hung open. it doesn’t last long, though. “why would i restrict you from doing that?” you shrug, letting go of his hands now that they gained sufficient warmth. renjun silently decides it’s not enough, but first, he wants to kiss you again. his fingers are less freakishly cold now, brushing against your skin to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. it sits there obediently, dissimilar with the way you did it. ‘it always falls out!’ you want to tell him later, but first, you want to kiss him again.

“huang renjun, you drive me crazy.” grinning, renjun knows it’s your way of confessing before his lips collide with yours with the fervour that hallmark movies lacked, and ironically, a plot which hallmark movies embodied. and just like that, you wish you could hold a pause icon over your head, because you wanted this to last for as long as it could.