#shamu text

[timsashas]

anyway trying halo halo for the first time

[homclander]

🦸🏼‍♂️◂⋆｡°✩ Interactions┊Short,

🦸🏼‍♂️◂⋆｡°✩ Interactions┊Main   ,

🦸🏼‍♂️◂⋆｡°✩ Interactions┊Long ,

🦸🏼‍♂️◂⋆｡°✩ Interactions┊Au ,

🦸🏼‍♂️◂⋆｡°✩ Interactions┊Text ,

🦸🏼‍♂️◂⋆｡°✩ now go fuck shamu in the blowhole┊Inbox IC,

[ocelotrevs]

The match between Bron Breaker and Shamus was really good.

[thcrealheroes]

🦸🏼‍♂️◂homelander┊ Interactions┊Short,

🦸🏼‍♂️◂homelander┊ Interactions┊Main   ,

🦸🏼‍♂️◂homelander┊ Interactions┊Long , 🦸🏼‍♂️◂homelander┊ Interactions┊Au ,

🦸🏼‍♂️◂homelander┊ Interactions┊Text ,

🦸🏼‍♂️◂homelander┊now go fuck shamu in the blowhole┊Inbox IC,

🦸🏼‍♂️◂homelander┊i'm the homelander I can do whatever the fuck I want┊HC

[sparethcsympathy]

🦸🏼‍♂️◂homelander┊ Interactions┊Short,

🦸🏼‍♂️◂homelander┊ Interactions┊Main   ,

🦸🏼‍♂️◂homelander┊ Interactions┊Long ,

🦸🏼‍♂️◂homelander┊ Interactions┊Text ,

🦸🏼‍♂️◂homelander┊now go fuck shamu in the blowhole┊Inbox IC,

🦸🏼‍♂️◂homelander┊i'm the homelander I can do whatever the fuck I want┊HC

[jitteryjive]

Text ID: Fitzroy and Foster ©1936 Maurice Foster, a shamus with psychogenic amnesia, strictly adheres to reality— until a chance encounter inexplicably manifests a rubberhose cartoon named Fitzroy with his likeness! The two deduce they must solve how Fitzroy (and whoever created her) came to be. End ID.

FITZROY & FOSTER MAKE THEIR GRAND DEBUT!

HERE IT IS FOLKS!!! a shiny post just for the new stand-alone OCs!!! after watching the new trailer for mouse: PI for hire, i had the realization i don’t have any B&W toon OCs… this is my solution! this is also my opportunity to write a more noir-focused story X) there is plenty more art, descriptions of the cast, and a chart under the cut!

also my apologies for the lack of full alt text; i have never done a separate art and text description before, so if anyone has any suggestions, please share :-)

while not obligated i would appreciate reblogs for my troubles!! (silly)

WHAT IS FITZROY & FOSTER?

fitzroy & foster is a great depression-era, noir inspired fiction about a private investigator (shamus) named maurice foster and a rubberhose, b&w toon that looks just like him! along with the motivation from mouse to draw a b&w toon, i wanted to dabble in genre-typical archetypes being interrupted by a character who does NOT fit in (fitzroy). also, as i’ve been experiencing a lot of PTS, i wanted to write a character who’s centered around their trauma.

(the original concept art i did up)

WHAT IS THE STORY?

burnish avenue is the dusky, downtown home of a city’s anticipated activity: construction men, working parents, a moonlit cabaret, and a shamus office on its second floor. that little studio belongs to 34 year old detective foster, a gruff investigator specializing in private cases. he lives with the psychogenic amnesia he received from his unknown past, and due to his memory issues and sensitivity, stays toughened and grounded in reality.

that is, the impossible occurs. a night returning from an investigation ends with an attack by a cartoon wolf, and foster mysteriously wakes up in his office with a cartoon character in tow! after a scuffle of confusion, she introduces himself simply as fitzroy. they both deduce they must work together (despite their flagrant differences) to figure out who created fitzroy, who that wolf was, and how toons are real.

Text ID: Who are Fitzroy and Foster? Maurice Foster is the shamus of Burnish Avenue, as many residents call him. He is gruff and reticent, and due to a secretive past, he holds contempt for, but not limited to, daydreamers, hecklers, clowns, and absurdity. Fitzroy, on the other hand? She's the complete opposite! Where he came from, why he's got Foster's face, and how she's a living, breathing cartoon is an illogical mystery. He is devil-may-care and hates stoicism; all his solutions to problems involve the highest degree of cartoonishness! These two are a match made in heaven, but they both ask the inquiry— why is Fitzroy here, and at that, who created him? End ID.

according to the locals of burnish avenue, foster appeared with the wind some years ago. to this day, the only things people know is his name, his hailing from woodlawn, new york city, and his connections to the burnish cabaret. though he’s known for taking a tough fist to enemies, he is also known for his benignity towards his clients, and is trusted by the avenue.

fitzroy is just as enigmatic. the difference between her and foster, other than being a living, breathing, toon, is his kippy personality! she loves fun, can’t stand being serious for the life of her, and is unnervingly eager to knock down a criminal’s door with some wild weapon he’s made up. he doesn’t know where she came from, either, so she makes the most of it!

fitzroy and foster are two sides of the same coin— if those two sides could staunchly disagree! they may share emotions and the remnants of memories foster has of his past. regardless, to foster, fitzroy’s an unbearably wacky impossibility, and to fitzroy, foster is a killjoy who needs loosening up.

contrarily, they cooperate as well as they can when on a case together. fitzroy comes along for the ride, and though his abrasive, comical methods of investigation may irritate foster, an extra body and friend by his side aren’t taken for granted. (for being a silly cartoon, fitzroy’s weirdly handy with dynamite and pistols.)

eventually, the two will learn to see eye to eye, being foster opens up and fitzroy’s efforts thaw him. but, until then, they butt heads and get no closer to solving the case of the living cartoons.

WHO IS JO/JOSEPHINE?

Text ID: Josephine “Jo” Simon (She/her). End ID.

Text ID: Who is Jo? Josephine "Jo" Simon is one of the satiny performance girls of the Burnish Cabaret. A singer, dancer, and show-woman, she performs every evening below Foster's private office on the second floor. Jo is a debonair dish with the great ability of making all kinds of acquaintances! However, the friend and confidante she deems her closest is Foster. Jo contacted the investigator in early 1932 to help gather enough evidence of her then husband's abuse. She, in return, helped him find an office. In present time, they chat every day, or have a dil-ya-ble if they're busy. When Jo isn't romping with Foster or performing, she's drawing away! End ID.

the hijinks within detective foster’s office aren’t the only focuses of the story. a floor below his private studio is the burnish cabaret, the source of the avenue’s musical nightlife. there, you may see 31 year old josephine simon in the ensemble— but everyone calls the performance girl jo. she is a flirtatious, humorous show-woman who has always loved the arts since her childhood.

jo was drawn to the cabaret when she moved near the avenue with her then husband. as a young child, she was adopted by french immigrants, and eventually left home in search of her identity. the cabaret, which hires and houses chinese-american women, gave her the ability to reconnect with herself. when she escaped and divorced her husband, she fully joined the cabaret, and has lived and performed there to this day.

if you’ve read this far, thank you! while this isn’t replacing crime express in any capacity, and ruth and blu are still my favorites, F&F (as i abbreviate it) is another passion project in the making. keep an eye out for more of the new little guys if you’re interested! X)

as i’ve gotten a couple questions from irl friends about F&F, i will answer the relevant ones here for convenience:

Q: are fitz/fitzroy and foster related/twins/etc?

A: no. they’re not related in any way, despite fitzroy originating from foster and what not. i only clarify this cause they’re shipped in the story and don’t want any misconceptions LOL

Q: is F&F part of the crime express universe/tooniverse?

A: no. this is a separate universe entirely! unlike crime express, which is a toon-human world, this is a world unfamiliar with toons. fitz and the other toons not featured here are outliers.

Q: who is the ‘cartoon wolf’ who attacks foster in the prologue?

A: while i don’t want to spoil the story in the introductory post, i will say that their pseudonym is the big bad wolf, and they are responsible for several denizens of the avenue acting strangely or injured, including foster. their real motivations and identity shall be kept secret for now!

if there are any other specific questions, i will GLADLY answer them. i have a ton of lore i haven’t even remotely touched upon in this post that i shall happily discuss if asked!

border credit goes to @.steddiecameraroll-graphics

[vampseasoned]

𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗬 𝗞𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦:𝚁𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚛𝚎𝚒𝚐𝚗𝚜 𝚡 𝚁𝚑𝚎𝚊 𝚁𝚒𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚢 𝚡 𝙹𝚎𝚢 𝚞𝚜𝚘

Word count: 3,681

Chapter two: oh, that's awkward

Jeys POV:

I woke up feeling restless, my mind still buzzing from last night's conversation with Rhea. I've been missing my road trip buddy something fierce, but now I'm starting to realize it's more than that.

I've always thought of Rhea as my partner in crime, my confidante, and my WWE sister. But as we chatted about her return to the ring, I caught myself feeling...different. I couldn't help but notice the way her voice sounded over the phone, or the way my heart skipped a beat when she laughed.

I pushed those feelings aside, telling myself it was just excitement for her return. But as I lay in bed, I couldn't shake the image of Rhea's bright smile or her sparkling eyes.

I've always been the player of the group, never getting too attached to anyone. But now, I'm starting to realize that maybe I was just waiting for the right person to come along – and that person might be Rhea.

I threw off the covers and got out of bed, trying to shake off the feeling. But as I got ready for the day, I couldn't help but think about Rhea in a different light.

I met up with Shamus and the rest of the guys for breakfast, but my mind was elsewhere. I kept wondering what Rhea was doing, if she was thinking about me too.

As we finished up and headed out, I caught myself glancing at my phone, hoping for a text from Rhea. I knew I was being ridiculous – we're just friends, after all – but I couldn't help the flutter in my chest.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. I need to get my head in the game, focus on our upcoming matches and the WWE tour. But as I walked out of the hotel lobby, I couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, there's more to my feelings for Rhea than friendship.

Maxine meets Jey at the gym, and right away, she notices that something's off. Jey's usually energetic and pumped up when they work out together, but today, he seems distant and preoccupied.

"Hey, babe, what's going on?" Maxine asks, concern etched on her face. "You're not yourself today. Is everything okay?"

Jey tries to brush it off, not wanting to get into it with Maxine. "Yeah, I'm fine, just a little tired, that's all."

But Maxine's not buying it. She's been with Jey long enough to know when he's hiding something. She presses him for more information, and Jey reluctantly opens up about his feelings.

"Honestly, Max, I'm just feeling a little...restless. Being on the road with the WWE is taking a toll on me, and I miss Rhea. We used to have so much fun together, and now she's gone, and I'm stuck with Shamus, who's driving me nuts."

Maxine's expression changes from concern to annoyance. She's heard about Rhea before, and she's not a fan. In her mind, Rhea is the reason Jey's been distant and preoccupied lately.

"Rhea, Rhea, Rhea. That's all you ever talk about," Maxine says, her voice rising. "Can't you see that she's not good for you? She's always causing drama and trouble, and now she's gone, and you're still pining after her?"

Jey realizes his mistake and tries to backpedal. "Max, that's not fair. Rhea's my friend, and I'm just worried about her. I care about you, and I don't want you to think that I'm still hung up on her."

But the damage is done. Maxine's jealousy has been sparked, and she's not going to let it go easily. This could lead to some interesting conflicts in their relationship, especially if Rhea comes back into the picture...

- flashback to when Jey and Maxine met-

It was a few months ago, during a WWE tour stop in Las Vegas. Jey was out with some of the other wrestlers, celebrating a big win, when he spotted Maxine across the room. She was a stunning beauty, with long, curly brown hair and piercing green eyes. Jey was immediately drawn to her, and he made his way over to introduce himself.

Maxine was a cocktail waitress at the club, and she was used to dealing with rowdy customers. But there was something about Jey that caught her attention. Maybe it was his charming smile, or the way he carried himself with confidence. Whatever it was, Maxine was intrigued, and the two of them struck up a conversation.

As they talked, Jey learned that Maxine was a fitness enthusiast, and they bonded over their shared love of working out. Maxine was impressed by Jey's dedication to his craft, and Jey was drawn to her ambition and drive.

Before the night was over, Jey had asked Maxine out on a date, and she had accepted. Their first date was a success, and soon they were inseparable. Maxine was everything Jey thought he wanted in a partner - beautiful, confident, and supportive.

But as their relationship deepened, Jey started to realize that Maxine had some...let's say, "strong" personality traits. She could be possessive and jealous, especially when it came to other women. Jey tried to brush it off as insecurity, but deep down, he knew it was more than that.

Despite this, Jey was smitten with Maxine, and he convinced himself that he could handle her quirks. But now, with Rhea back in the picture, Jey's starting to realize that he might have made a mistake...

- End of flashback --

Jey and Maxine were in the middle of a intense workout session at the gym, sweating and pushing themselves to the limit. They had just finished a set of burpees and were taking a quick break to catch their breath.

As they stood there, sipping on their water bottles, Jey couldn't help but think about their argument earlier. He had felt so frustrated and trapped, like he was walking on eggshells around Maxine all the time.

"Hey, Max," Jey said, looking at her with a serious expression. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, what's up?" Maxine replied, her expression changing to one of concern.

"I don't know, it's just...I feel like we're not on the same page, you know? We had that fight earlier, and it made me realize that I'm not really happy in our relationship," Jey said, his voice low and tentative.

Maxine's expression darkened, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "What are you talking about, Jey? We just made up. Everything is fine."

"I know, and I'm sorry if it seems like I'm bringing it up again. But honestly, I've been feeling this way for a while now. You get so upset when I don't answer your calls right away, or when I spend time with my friends. It's like you don't trust me," Jey said, his voice firm but calm.

Maxine's face fell, and she looked at Jey with a mixture of hurt and anger. "That's not true, Jey. I just care about you, and I don't want to see you get hurt."

"I appreciate that, but it feels like you're trying to control me, Max. Like you're trying to dictate who I can and can't hang out with. That's not healthy, and it's not fair to me," Jey said, his voice rising.

Maxine's eyes narrowed, and she took a step closer to Jey. "So now you're saying I'm controlling? That's rich, coming from you, Mr. 'I-want-to-spend-all-my-time-with-Rhea'."

Jey sighed, feeling a sense of frustration. "Max, that's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying that we need to find a balance. I care about you, but I need my own space and friendships too."

The tension between them was palpable, and Jey knew that this conversation was far from over. But he was determined to make his point, and to figure out if Maxine was really the right person for him.

Maxine's face twisted in anger, and she took another step back from Jey, her eyes flashing with hurt and betrayal. "You know what, Jey? I think we're done. I think we're done with this conversation, and I think we're done with our relationship. You're clearly not happy with me, and I'm tired of trying to make it work."

Jey felt a pang of guilt and regret, but he knew he couldn't take it back now. He had been honest with Maxine, and now she was pushing him away.

"Max, I'm sorry," Jey said, reaching out to her. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just need some space to figure things out."

But Maxine was having none of it. She turned her back on him and walked away, leaving Jey standing alone in the gym.

As he watched her go, Jey felt a sense of loss and uncertainty. He had never intended to hurt Maxine, but now he realized that he had been unhappy in their relationship for a long time.

Jey walked back to his hotel, his mind racing with thoughts about what had just happened with Maxine. He couldn't believe she had walked out on him like that, leaving him feeling guilty and unsure of what to do next.

As he stepped into the elevator, Jey couldn't help but wonder if he had made a mistake. Had he been too harsh on Maxine? Should he have just ignored her jealousy and possessiveness?

The elevator doors opened, and Jey made his way to his room, feeling a mix of emotions. He was relieved to be away from the drama with Maxine, but at the same time, he felt guilty for hurting her.

As he flopped onto the bed, Jey couldn't help but think about Rhea. He had always thought of her as just a friend, but now he was starting to wonder if there was something more between them.

Jey sighed, feeling frustrated and confused. He didn't know what he wanted, and he didn't know what to do next.Jey sat on his hotel bed, staring at his phone as he debated whether or not to text Maxine. He had been taking some time to himself to figure out what he wanted, but he couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt and hurt from their last conversation.

Finally, he decided to reach out to her. He typed out a message and hesitated for a moment before hitting send.

"Hey Maxine, I just wanted to apologize again for what happened at the gym. I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry for that. I've been thinking a lot about our conversation, and I realize I wasn't being fair to you. You deserve better than me, and I'm sorry for not being the partner you needed."

Jey waited anxiously for Maxine's response, his heart racing with anticipation. He wasn't sure what he was hoping for, but he knew he needed to make things right with her.

As Jey waited for Maxine's response, his phone suddenly rang, and he saw her name on the caller ID. He hesitated for a moment before answering, unsure of what to expect.

"Hey," Jey said, trying to sound casual.

"Hey," Maxine replied, her voice sounding mixture of hurt and anger. "I got your text."

Jey sighed, feeling a pang of guilt. "I just wanted to apologize, Maxine. I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry for that."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Jey could sense the tension building. "You think a simple apology will fix everything, Jey?" Maxine's voice was laced with venom. "You think you can just walk all over me and then apologize when you're done?"

Jey felt a pang of regret and shame. He knew he had been wrong to treat Maxine the way he did, and he was willing to do whatever it took to make things right.

"Maxine, I know I was wrong. I was scared and confused, and I didn't know how to handle my feelings. But I want to make things right between us. I care about you, and I want to work through this together."

There was another pause, and Jey could sense the wheels turning in Maxine's head. He held his breath, waiting for her response.

Jey continued to talk, trying to convince Maxine to give him another chance. "Maxine, I know I messed up, but I promise to do better. I'll be more open and honest with you, and I'll work on my communication skills. I care about you so much, and I don't want to lose you."

There was a long pause, and Jey could sense the silence on the other end of the line. He started to feel anxious, wondering if he had said something wrong.

"Maxine, are you there?" Jey asked, his voice laced with concern.

Finally, Maxine spoke up, her voice firm and resolute. "I'm here, Jey. But I need some time to think about everything. I can't just forgive and forget what happened. I need to think about whether I can really trust you again."

Jey felt a pang of disappointment, but he knew he had to respect Maxine's boundaries. "I understand, Maxine. Take all the time you need. I'll be waiting for your decision."

There was another pause, and then Maxine spoke up again. "I'll contact you when I'm ready to talk. Until then, goodbye, Jey."

The line went dead, and Jey was left feeling uncertain and anxious. He had no idea what Maxine was thinking, and he couldn't help but wonder if he had lost her forever.

Jey lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling as tears streamed down his face. He couldn't believe what was happening. He had never felt this way before, so lost and uncertain.

"Why did I do this?" Jey thought to himself, his voice shaking with emotion. "Why did I push Maxine away? I was so stupid, so blind."

Jey's mind flashed back to all the times he had hurt Maxine, all the times he had taken her for granted. He thought about how she had always been there for him, supporting him and loving him, and how he had repaid her by being selfish and careless.

"I don't deserve her," Jey thought, his heart heavy with regret. "I don't deserve her love and trust."

But as he lay there, Jey couldn't shake off the feeling that his heart was torn. He thought about Rhea, about how she made him feel alive and happy. He thought about the way she smiled at him, the way she laughed at his jokes.

"Rhea," Jey whispered to himself, his heart racing with excitement. "Oh, Rhea."

Jey's mind was a jumble of emotions, torn between his guilt and regret over Maxine and his growing feelings for Rhea. He didn't know what to do, didn't know which way to turn.

"I don't know what's happening to me," Jey thought, his voice laced with confusion. "I don't know what I want."

As the tears continued to fall, Jey couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Would he try to win Maxine back, or would he pursue his feelings for Rhea? Or would he end up losing both of them?

It had been a couple of weeks since Jey's emotional conversation with Maxine. Despite being in the midst of a grueling WWE tour, Jey's mind was elsewhere. The constant traveling, the endless matches, and the incessant noise of the crowds couldn't drown out the echoes of his inner turmoil.

As he lay awake in his hotel room, staring at the ceiling, Jey couldn't shake off the feeling that he was living someone else's life. The glamour of being a WWE superstar, the roar of the crowds, and the thrill of the matches all seemed hollow compared to the emptiness he felt within.

The thought of Rhea lingered in his mind like an uninvited guest. He couldn't help but wonder what could have been if they had taken that chance, if they had explored the connection that had been simmering between them for so long.

The weight of his indecision was crushing him. Jey knew he needed to make a choice, to take control of his life and his heart. As the hours ticked by, he came to a realization - he couldn't keep running from his feelings, from the truth that had been staring him in the face.

With a sense of determination, Jey made the difficult decision to cut the WWE tour short. He would fly home to Pensacola, back to the place where his heart was calling him. The thought of familiar streets, comforting foods, and the warmth of the Florida sun was alluring, but it was Rhea who was the real draw.

Jey's mind was racing with possibilities as he booked his flight. What would happen when he saw Rhea again? Would she feel the same way? Would they finally take that leap of faith and explore the connection that had been building between them?

As Jey packed his bags and bid farewell to his WWE colleagues, he felt a sense of trepidation mixed with excitement. He was taking a risk, leaving the comfort of his professional life behind, but he knew it was necessary. For the first time in a long while, Jey felt like he was being true to himself.

The sound of the plane taking off was music to his ears as Jey soared through the skies, his heart beating with anticipation. He was going home, not just to Pensacola, but to himself.

As the plane touched down on the runway, Jey felt a mix of emotions swirling inside him. Excitement, nervousness, and a hint of uncertainty all battled for dominance as he gathered his belongings and made his way off the plane. The familiar sights and sounds of Pensacola International Airport welcomed him back, a sense of comfort washing over him as he stepped into the warm Florida air.

As he made his way through the terminal, Jey's mind raced with thoughts of Rhea. What would she say when she saw him? Would she be happy to see him, or would she be upset that he had cut his tour short without warning? The questions swirled in his head like a whirlwind, making his stomach twist into knots.

After collecting his luggage, Jey hailed a cab and headed to his destination. The ride was a blur, his thoughts consumed by Rhea and the uncertainty of what lay ahead. As the cab pulled up to his house, Jey's heart skipped a beat. He had no idea what the next few hours would bring, but he was ready to face whatever came his way.

With a deep breath, Jey paid the cab driver and stepped out onto the sidewalk. The warm sunlight and salty air enveloped him, transporting him back to a time when life was simpler, less complicated. He gazed up at his house, the place where he had grown up, and felt a sense of nostalgia wash over him.

As he walked towards the front door, Jey's phone buzzed in his pocket. His heart skipped a beat as he fished it out, hoping against hope that it was Rhea on the other end. But the name on the screen wasn't Rhea's - it was Maxine's.

Jey's heart sank, his mind racing with questions. Why was Maxine calling him now, after he had made the bold decision to leave the tour behind? What did she want? And what would he say to her, when he was so close to taking a chance on Rhea?

Jey's heart was racing as he answered the call, his mind torn between the excitement of being back in Pensacola and the uncertainty of what Maxine wanted. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself as he pressed the phone to his ear.

"Hey, Maxine," Jey said, his voice cautious.

"Jey, where are you?" Maxine's voice was urgent, laced with a hint of concern.

"I'm back in Pensacola," Jey replied, his tone neutral. "I decided to cut the tour short."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, Jey wondered if the call had dropped.

"Jey, we need to talk," Maxine said, her voice firm. "I don't think you realize what you're doing. You're throwing away your career, your future, for what?"

Jey felt a surge of defensiveness, but he bit his tongue, knowing that Maxine was only trying to protect him.

"I know what I'm doing, Maxine," Jey said, his voice calm. "I need to take care of myself, figure out what I want. I can't keep living someone else's life."

There was another pause, and Jey could almost hear Maxine's frustrated sigh.

"Fine, Jey. But you need to think about the consequences of your actions. You can't just walk away from everything we've worked for."

Jey felt a pang of guilt, but he knew he had made the right decision. He was taking control of his life, and that meant putting his own needs first.

"I'll think about it, Maxine," Jey said, his voice firm. "But for now, I need some time to figure things out."

The line went silent again, and Jey wondered if Maxine was going to hang up on him.

"Jey, be careful," Maxine said finally, her voice softer. "You're not thinking clearly, and I don't want to see you get hurt."

Jey felt a pang of appreciation for Maxine's concern, but he knew he had to follow his heart.

"I will, Maxine," Jey said, his voice sincere. "I promise."

With that, the call ended, leaving Jey feeling both relieved and anxious. He knew he had made the right decision, but he also knew that Maxine's words would linger in his mind, making him question his choices.

As Jey stepped into the familiar warmth of his childhood home, the tension in his body began to ease. The comforting scents of fresh-baked cookies and mom's cooking wafted through the air, enveloping him in a sense of nostalgia. He felt like he was stepping back into a simpler time, one where his biggest worries were what game to play after school or what friends to hang out with.

Jey dropped his bag by the door and made his way to the kitchen, where he knew his mom would be busy preparing dinner. He found her standing at the counter, expertly chopping vegetables for a stir-fry. She looked up, her eyes scanning his face before breaking into a warm smile.

"Jey! You're home early! I wasn't expecting you until next week."

Jey smiled wearily, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders as he hugged his mom tightly. "Hey, Mom. I needed a break. The tour was getting to me."

His mom's expression turned concerned, her eyes narrowing as she studied his face. "You okay, sweetie? You look tired. What's going on?"

Jey hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. He didn't want to burden his mom with his relationship drama, but he also didn't want to lie to her.

"It's just...complicated, Mom," Jey said, taking a seat at the counter. "I'm figuring some things out, that's all."

His mom nodded understandingly, her eyes filled with empathy. "You know I'm here for you, no matter what, right?"

Jey felt a lump form in his throat as he nodded, feeling grateful for his mom's unwavering support. He knew he could always count on her to be there for him, no matter what.

As they chatted and caught up, Jey's mind began to wander back to Rhea. He couldn't help but wonder what she was doing at that moment, if she was thinking of him too. The possibility of running into her, of rekindling their connection, sent a thrill through his veins.

For the first time in weeks, Jey felt a sense of hope, of possibility. He knew that he still had a long way to go, but being back in Pensacola, surrounded by loved ones and familiar comforts, made him feel like he could finally start to heal, to move forward.

As Jey settled back into his routine, Jimmy couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in his brother's demeanor. Jey had always been a bit of a free spirit, but this time, Jimmy sensed a deeper ache in his eyes, a weight that Jey couldn't quite shake.

At first, Jimmy thought it was just the usual post-tour blues, but as the days went by, he grew increasingly concerned. Jey seemed distant, preoccupied, and the usual spark that lit up his face was dimmer than usual.

One evening, as they sat on the porch, sipping beers and watching the sunset, Jimmy decided to broach the subject.

"Hey, Jey, what's going on, man?" Jimmy asked, his voice laced with concern. "You've been back for a couple of days, and I can tell something's eating at you. What is it?"

Jey hesitated, his eyes drifting away, as if searching for the right words. "It's just...I don't know, Jimmy. I feel lost, I guess. Like I'm stuck in this rut, and I don't know how to get out."

Jimmy's expression softened, his brow furrowing in empathy. "You're talking about the tour, aren't you? About Maxine?"

Jey nodded, his eyes welling up with unshed tears. "Yeah, it's just...I don't know what I want, Jimmy. I don't know who I am without the WWE, without Maxine. And Rhea...oh, man, Jimmy, I don't know what to do about Rhea."

Jimmy listened intently, his expression a mix of concern and understanding. He knew his brother well, and he could tell that Jey was on the cusp of a major breakthrough – or breakdown.

"Listen, Jey," Jimmy said, his voice gentle but firm. "You're going through a tough time, but you're not alone. We're here for you, and we'll get through this together. You need to take some time to figure out what you want, what makes you happy. And if that means stepping away from the WWE, or reevaluating your relationships, then so be it."

Jimmy paused, his eyes locked on Jey's. "But you need to be honest with yourself, bro. You can't keep running from your feelings, from the truth. You need to face whatever demons you're hiding from, and you need to do it now."

Jey nodded, his eyes welling up with tears. He knew Jimmy was right, but the thought of confronting his deepest fears and insecurities was daunting. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the journey ahead.

"Thanks, Jimmy," Jey said, his voice cracking. "I'll try, man. I'll try to figure it out."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Jimmy wrapped an arm around Jey's shoulder, holding him close in a tight, brotherly hug.

"We'll get through this, bro," Jimmy whispered. "Together."

With a newfound sense of determination and clarity, Jey made his way to Rhea and Roman's home, his heart racing with anticipation. He had spent the past few days reflecting on his feelings, and he knew it was time to take a chance on love.

As he arrived at their house, Jey asked Rhea if he could speak with her privately. Rhea agreed, and they stepped outside into the quiet evening air.

"Rhea, I needed to talk to you about something," Jey said, his voice low and serious. "I've been thinking a lot about us, about how I feel when we're together. I realize now that I have feelings for you, romantic feelings."

Rhea's expression turned soft, her eyes filled with empathy. "Jey, I care about you deeply, but I don't feel the same way. You're an amazing guy, and I value our friendship so much. But for me, it's just friendship."

Jey felt a pang of disappointment, but he knew he had to respect Rhea's feelings. He nodded, trying to process the information.

"Thank you for being honest with me, Rhea. You mean a lot to me, and I value our friendship too."

Just then, Roman appeared at the door, his expression darkening as he overheard the tail end of their conversation. "What's going on here?" he asked, his voice firm.

Rhea turned to Roman, her hands up in a calming gesture. "Roman, I can explain –"

But Roman cut her off, his eyes fixed on Jey. "You're telling me that you have feelings for my girlfriend?" he asked, his voice rising.

Jey felt a surge of defensiveness, but he knew he had to stay calm. "Roman, I just needed to be honest with Rhea. I didn't mean to cause any problems."

Roman's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with anger. "You need to leave, Jey. Now."

Rhea stepped forward, her voice firm. "Roman, that's not necessary –"

But Roman cut her off, his tone brooking no argument. "I said now, Jey. You need to respect our boundaries."

Jey knew he had overstayed his welcome. He nodded, feeling a sense of regret and disappointment. "I'm sorry, Roman. I'll leave."

With a heavy heart, Jey turned and left, knowing that he had taken a risk and it hadn't paid off. He couldn't help but wonder if he had made a mistake, if he had misread the situation entirely.

As he drove away, Jey couldn't shake off the feeling that he had just seen the end of a friendship, one that he had valued dearly.

Jey pulled into the driveway of his childhood home, the familiar sight of the old oak tree and the worn wooden fence a comforting presence. But as he turned off the engine and sat in the silence, the weight of the conversation with Roman and Rhea came crashing down on him.

He felt like he had been punched in the gut, like all the air had been sucked out of him. The tears he had been holding back finally broke free, streaming down his face as he sobbed uncontrollably.

Jey didn't try to fight it, didn't try to hold it back. He just let it all out, the pain and the sadness and the frustration pouring out of him in great, wracking sobs.

He thought about how he had risked everything, how he had put himself out there and been rejected. He thought about how Roman had looked at him, with anger and distrust in his eyes. He thought about how Rhea had looked at him, with pity and sympathy.

Jey's body shook with the force of his sobs, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. He felt like he was drowning in his own tears, like he was suffocating under the weight of his emotions.

As the tears finally began to subside, Jey sat back in his seat, exhausted and drained. He wiped his face with the back of his hand, feeling like he had lost a part of himself.

He sat there for a long time, the only sound the quiet ticking of the engine. He didn't know what to do, didn't know where to go from here. He just sat, lost and alone, surrounded by the familiar comforts of his childhood home.

Jey walked into the house, his eyes still puffy and red from crying. He tried to composed himself, but it was no use. His mom, who was busy cleaning the living room, noticed the state of his eyes and immediately stopped what she was doing.

"Jey, what's wrong?" she asked, concern etched on her face. "You've been crying."

Jey tried to brush it off, but his mom wouldn't let him. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him, holding him close.

"Hey, it's okay," she said. "You can tell me what's wrong. I'm here for you."

Jey hesitated for a moment, but then the dam broke again. He started to cry, sobbing uncontrollably as he poured out his heart to his mom.

She listened patiently, holding him close and stroking his hair. She didn't say a word, just let him talk and cry until he was all out of tears.

When Jey finally calmed down, his mom led him to the couch and sat down beside him. She took his hand in hers and looked him straight in the eye.

"Jey, I know you're hurting right now," she said. "But you need to know that you're not alone. I'm here for you, and I'll support you no matter what. You don't have to go through this alone."

Jey felt a wave of gratitude towards his mom. He knew she was right, and he was grateful to have her in his life.

"Thanks, Mom," he said, his voice still shaking. "I don't know what I would do without you."

His mom smiled and hugged him tight. "You'll never have to find out, sweetie," she said. "I'll always be here for you."

Jey's phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the silence of the afternoon. He pulled it out and saw a text from Rhea:

"Hey Jey, I wanted to reach out and talk to you about what happened earlier. I feel really bad about how things went down with Roman. Can we talk?"

Jey's heart skipped a beat as he read the message. He had been thinking about Rhea all day, wondering what she was thinking and feeling. He hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say or do.

But then he took a deep breath and decided to respond. He typed out a message and sent it:

"Hey Rhea, yeah I'd like to talk. I've been thinking about everything a lot today. What did you want to say?"

Jey waited anxiously for her response, his mind racing with possibilities. What did Rhea want to say? Was she going to apologize for Roman's behavior? Or was she going to explain why she didn't feel the same way about him?

The wait was agonizing, but finally, Rhea responded:

"I'm really sorry about how Roman reacted, Jey. He was totally out of line. And as for me...I care about you deeply, but I just don't feel the same way romantically. I hope we can still be friends?"

Jey's heart sank as he read the message. He had hoped that Rhea might have changed her mind, that she might have realized she felt the same way about him. But it seemed like that wasn't the case.

He took a deep breath and decided to respond, trying to be gracious and understanding:

"Hey Rhea, thanks for reaching out and apologizing. I appreciate it. And yeah, I'd like to still be friends. I value our friendship and I don't want this to come between us."

Jey sent the message and waited for Rhea's response, feeling a sense of closure and acceptance wash over him. He knew it wasn't what he had hoped for, but he was determined to move on and focus on the positive things in his life. Rhea responded a few minutes later:

"Aww, thank you, Jey. I'm really glad we can still be friends. You mean a lot to me, and I don't want this to come between us either. Let's catch up soon?"

Jey smiled as he read the message, feeling a sense of relief and gratitude towards Rhea. He was glad that they could still be friends, and he looked forward to catching up with her soon.

"Sounds good to me, Rhea! Let's catch up soon. Take care, and talk to you soon," Jey responded.

With that, Jey felt like he could finally start to move on from the situation. He realized that he had been holding onto hope that Rhea would feel the same way about him, but now he knew that it wasn't meant to be.

Jey decided to focus on the positive things in his life, like his family and friends who cared about him. He was grateful for the support of his mom and brother, and he knew that they would always be there for him.

As he lay in bed that night, Jey felt a sense of peace wash over him. He knew that he would be okay, and that he would come out of this situation even stronger and wiser.

The next morning, Jey woke up feeling refreshed and renewed. He knew that he still had a lot to work through, but he was ready to face whatever challenges came his way.

Jey spent the day doing things that made him happy, like playing with his dog and watching his favorite TV shows. He also made plans to hang out with his friends and family, knowing that being around the people he loved would help him heal and move on.

As the days went by, Jey started to feel like himself again. He was still a little sore from the situation with Rhea, but he was determined to focus on the positive and move forward.

Jey knew that he would always care about Rhea, but he also knew that he deserved someone who felt the same way about him. He was ready to put himself out there and take risks again, knowing that the right person would come along when the time was right.

With a newfound sense of confidence and determination, Jey continued on his journey, ready to face whatever life threw his way.

Rhea's POV(after Jey told her he had feelings for her)

Roman's eyes narrowed as he glared at me. "You're telling me that Jey has feelings for you?" he spat.

I took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. "Roman, I'm just telling you what happened. He confessed his feelings to me, and I told him I didn't feel the same way."

Roman's face turned red with rage. "And you're just going to sit there and let him confess his feelings to you? What were you thinking, Rhea?"

"I wasn't thinking anything, Roman," I said, trying to defend myself. "He just told me how he felt, and I was honest with him about my feelings."

Roman's anger only grew. "You should have told him to back off, Rhea. You should have made it clear that you're taken."

I sighed, feeling frustrated. "Roman, I didn't lead him on. I told him the truth, and now he knows where we stand."

But Roman wouldn't let up. "You're still friends with him, aren't you? You're still going to hang out with him and talk to him?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of defiance. "Yes, Roman, I am still friends with Jey. And I'm not going to stop being friends with him just because you're threatened by his feelings for me."

Roman's face turned purple with rage. "I'm not threatened by him, Rhea. I'm just concerned about our relationship and how you're conducting yourself."

I stood up, feeling angry and hurt. "Our relationship is fine, Roman. And I'm conducting myself just fine, thank you very much. You're the one who's being irrational and jealous."

Roman's eyes flashed with anger, and he took a step towards me. "You need to watch yourself, Rhea. You need to remember who you're with."

I felt a surge of fear as Roman's hand raised, and I knew I had to get out of there before things escalated further. I turned and ran, determined to escape the toxic situation.

I ran out of the room, tears streaming down my face as I slammed the door behind me. I couldn't believe that Roman had threatened me like that. I felt scared and trapped, and I knew I had to get away from him.

I ran to my car, fumbling for my keys as I tried to unlock the door. My heart was racing, and my mind was racing with thoughts of how I could escape this situation.

As I drove away from the house, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I was finally free from Roman's toxic behavior, and I was determined to never go back.

I drove to Jey's childhood home, my heart still racing with fear and anxiety. I knew that Jey was the only one who could help me now, and I was grateful for his presence in my life.

I knocked on the door, hoping that Jey would answer quickly. When he did, I fell into his arms, tears streaming down my face as I told him everything that had happened.

Jey listened attentively, his face filled with concern and anger as he heard about Roman's behavior. He held me close, whispering words of comfort and reassurance as I cried.

As we sat there, I knew that I had made the right decision. I was finally free from Roman's toxicity, and I was grateful to have Jey by my side to support me.

I took a deep breath and looked up at Jey, feeling a sense of peace and gratitude. "Thank you, Jey," I said, my voice shaking with emotion. "Thank you for being here for me."

Jey smiled and hugged me tight. "Always, Rhea. I'll always be here for you." 

The next day, I was still shaken by the events of the previous night. I was grateful to have Jey by my side, and I knew that I could count on him to protect me from Roman's toxic behavior.

But just as I was starting to feel more at ease, I heard a knock at the door. I froze, my heart racing as I wondered who it could be.

Jey got up to answer the door, and when he opened it, I saw Roman standing there, looking contrite and apologetic.

"Rhea, I'm so sorry," Roman said, his voice filled with regret. "I was wrong to threaten you like that. Can we talk?"

I hesitated, unsure of what to do. Part of me wanted to forgive Roman and try to make things right between us, but another part of me was scared of his continued toxic behavior.

Jey, however, was not pleased. "Roman, you need to leave," he said, his voice firm and authoritative. "Rhea doesn't want to talk to you right now."

Roman looked at Jey, his eyes flashing with anger. "This is none of your business, Jey," he said.

But I intervened, placing a reassuring hand on Jey's arm. "It's okay, Jey," I said. "I can handle this."

Jey looked at me uncertainly, but I nodded firmly. "I'll talk to Roman," I said. "But I want you to stay here, just in case."

Jey nodded reluctantly and sat back down, his eyes fixed on Roman with a wary gaze.

I took a deep breath and stepped outside, Roman following close behind."Roman, I don't know what you're doing here," I said, trying to keep my voice firm and steady. "You threatened me last night, and now you're apologizing? I don't think I can just forgive and forget that easily."

Roman looked at me, his eyes filled with regret. "I know I was wrong, Rhea. I was out of line, and I'm truly sorry for what I did. I promise it will never happen again."

I looked at him skeptically. "How can I trust you, Roman? You've been getting more and more controlling and possessive over the past few weeks. I don't know if I can just ignore that and pretend everything is okay."

Roman took a step closer to me, his hands extended in a pleading gesture. "Rhea, please. I know I messed up, but I love you. I want to make it right between us."

I hesitated, unsure of what to do. Part of me still cared about Roman, and part of me wanted to believe that he could change. But another part of me was scared, and I didn't know if I could trust him again.

Just as I was about to respond, Jey stepped out of the house, his eyes fixed on Roman with a warning gaze. "Rhea, are you okay?" he asked, his voice firm and protective.

I nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude towards Jey. "Yeah, I'm fine, Jey. Thanks for checking in."

Jey nodded, his eyes never leaving Roman's face. "Good. Because if you're not okay, Roman, then we're going to have a problem."

Roman looked at Jey, his eyes flashing with anger, but I knew that Jey was right. I needed someone to protect me, and Jey was willing to do just that.

I took a deep breath and made a decision. "Roman, I need some time to think. I don't know if I can forgive you right now, or if I even want to try."

Roman looked at me, his face falling. "Okay, Rhea. I understand. But please, don't give up on us just yet."

I nodded, feeling a sense of closure. "I'll think about it, Roman. But for now, I need some space."

With that, Roman nodded and left, leaving me feeling relieved but also uncertain about what the future held.

I walked back inside, sighing heavily as I collapsed onto the couch. Jey followed me, his concerned expression a reminder that he was still worried about me.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked, sitting down beside me.

I nodded, feeling a sense of defeat. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... confused, I guess."

Jey nodded sympathetically. "You don't have to be confused, Rhea. You know what's best for you. You just need to trust yourself."

I looked at him, feeling a pang of gratitude. "You're right, Jey. I just... I don't know if I'm ready to give up on Roman yet. We've been together for so long, and I thought we were happy."

Jey's expression softened. "Rhea, you deserve to be happy. If Roman's not making you happy, then maybe it's time to reevaluate the relationship."

I nodded, feeling a sense of uncertainty. "I know. It's just... I love him, Jey. Or at least, I thought I did."

Jey's eyes filled with compassion. "Rhea, you don't have to love someone who hurts you. You deserve better than that."

I looked at him, feeling a sense of tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "You're right, Jey. I deserve better than Roman."

Jey nodded, his arms opening wide. "Then come here, Rhea. Let me hold you and remind you that you're worth so much more than Roman's toxic behavior."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I leaned into Jey's embrace. For the first time in weeks, I felt like I could finally breathe again.

[literary-mafioso]

⭐ or commentary about if bein' afraid is a crime, we hang side by side.

huge HUGE fan of your fics. you are an exceptional writer and have crafted some of the most delightful, immersive mann-inspired worlds. honestly it's like you've taken what's on screen and perfectly put it to text.

Thank you so much. That is one of the loveliest compliments I’ve ever received! And I’m so delighted you chose “If bein’ afraid is a crime, we hand side by side” — that one gets so little attention compared to my other Neil/Vincent fics. It was a gift for a fandom friend who loves fluff, and on both a conceptual and technical level one of the hardest I’ve ever written, LOL. I had to wrangle these two miserable bastards who are allergic to ordinary existence into a scenario of Domestic Bliss, and in the span of under 2k words make the reader believe that this gargantuan leap of character development had actually occurred. So I used every trick I possibly could to sell that 180.

I opted for Neil’s POV because he felt like the more likely of the pair to adjust to life in the Keys and hang up his holster for good. (Heat 2 also generously establishes him as being amenable to the role of family man.) This also spared me having to go into details about Vincent’s double life, lol:

For Neil, L.A. is just a memory, the asphalt bloodied and salted behind him. For Lauren’s sake, Vincent still visits from time to time, and from the sound of it Justine has made some tentative overtures of civility. Neil has no idea what he tells them, and doesn't trouble himself with asking. A fragile peace maintains itself in spite of unimaginable odds, and even more unbelievable circumstances.

I switched from HVH’s “McCauley” and “Hanna” to “Neil” and “Vincent” to imply the passage of time, a comfort and intimacy that was reflected in the prose itself. Neil’s anxiety over Vincent’s commitment lent that central kernel of realism, and the fluffy catharsis of overturning his worst fears. 

Neil is surprised every morning he wakes and the wild creature he’s snared is still beside him in his bed, softly snoring while the light of another day fills the room. Fearful of when the constancy of his affection becomes too plain to hide, too frightening in its depths, and Vincent will find out, start itching restlessly to flee. Neil anticipates the loss, because loss is the inevitable coda to every joy, the only certain ending he’s ever known. Vincent will want to leave, and Neil will let him, because love means an open door above all things. He knows that now.

Neil, you lousy sad sack! Don’t you get it? The man is so hopelessly in love with you that the only life more inconceivable than the one he had before is the one without you in it! Plus, he’s finally getting old and tired, and the years are catching up with him. (This is something I tried to subtly highlight in “Hotel Vast Horizon.”)

“You’re not going senile on me already.”  Vincent shoves him, his attention still fastened on the water. Neil staggers sideways, smirking.

This was the comedic moment I could most easily visualize between the two of them. Friendly adversaries to the end!

There it is right after, way out where the waves return and lose distinction, six vertical jets of mist like oceanic steam engines, six glistening black bodies and blade-like fins that slice through the surface and then sink down out of sight. Vincent clutches hard at Neil’s wrist.  “There, right there!” “I see them,” says Neil, now gripped by the same enthusiasm. He’s got goosebumps all the way up and down his arms. He’s never seen whales like that except on television, in books and magazines. “Yeah! I told you!” Vincent claps his hands once and cheers, fists flung straight up in the air. “Take that! That’s Shamu, baby!”

I instinctively associate Florida with theme parks, and have a lifelong fascination with them. So I used a pod of wild orcas — free and wild, but familial — to engineer this moment of connection between the two of them, and to have that hybrid symbol of a hunting animal that nevertheless forms powerful social bonds. There are six of them, to represent all the characters named in the fic: Neil, Vincent, Justine, Lauren, Chris, and Ana.

[caroloftheshells]

does anybody have a link to the "put some chum in my bucket say fuck it" / "whale whale whale like shamu" video..... this was a guy doing a bunch of vocal imitations of various rappers back to back and all the lyrics were about spongebob. ik there was earl sweatshirt and danny brown and lupe fiasco and maybe freddie gibbs but i don't remember who all else. it was going around here a while ago but was roughly reel-length or tiktok-length so probably sourced from tiktok.... yeah this is the most inefficient search function possible making a text post on here especially since i can't remember more than two lines, but as you can imagine "spongebob rap parody" and similar does nothing for me in terms of youtube results and i'm not even sure it was hosted on youtube to begin with

[xprojectrpg]

Moment of Awesome - Kyle Gibney/Wildchild: In the aftermath of Behold A Pale Horse, two old friends have a serious talk.

“It won’t happen again." Finally, Marius dragged his amber eyes down to look at Kyle. "What would I end up as, that third time?"

"How about next time you just fucking tell someone, okay?" Kyle made deliberate eye contact. "Like, please, man, do I need to be in my feelings here? I will go get some more feelings if I have to. I don't get it, I don't get the relapse thing I don't get the medical stuff, I know, okay but I do get that, like, you can just say 'I think the hunger is back, please tell someone' and I'll tell someone else and never bring it up to you again if that's what it takes, as long as you tell me one time so I can make sure you're not doing this dumbfuck shit again, because I can't lose any more fucking friends. We've got a new Forge, and he's a complete asshole, we've got a new Julio and he's a kid and we've got a new Catseye and she's so fucking weird, and I can't go find a new Marius because there won't be one!"

Even through the fog Kyle's vehemence struck something in him. Marius' eyes widened, just a little, before he slid his gaze away again.

He knew Kyle considered him to be someone worth keeping in his life, and always had. They wouldn't have kept in contact for all these years if not for that. But now, in this moment, Marius couldn't understand why. He looked at the determination on Kyle's face and felt only a great emptiness.

Mate, you think I'm so much more than I am. You all did. But I've never been like the rest of you, however much I wanted to be.

But he could pretend. He owed Kyle that, at least.

"Right," Marius said aloud. "Well, no worries. I feel as if I've caused everyone enough trouble, eh? Consider this a lesson learned."

Kyle shut his eyes very slowly, in defiance of Marius' false even-handed tone. "Uh huh. Yeah, this isn't gonna be that. I had to take classes on this shit, I teach teenagers." He pulled a phone out from the depths of the terrible lime basketball shorts. "This is me texting Terry, and god I hope you like bread because expect she'll be showing up a lot to make it. The catering kitchen's still fucked. Whatever room they put you in, you get a roommate until, I dunno, I decide you're not gonna go toss yourself into a volcano." His voice finally had expression, firm stubbornness and a break as he said aloud the fear he had, that Marius would consider suicide. "We don't have any volcano kinetics here right now, don't get any ideas. You get me, my grading papers at 5am and Shamu sleeping on your butt."

"Eh, sorry?" Marius said, unsure whether he'd parsed the rush of words correctly. "I'm going to . . ?"

"You're going to be living with me until such a time that someone decides you're not actively fucking suicidal." Kyle said, eyes still closed, voice on the verge of a growl. "Which means my girlfriend is going to show up at all hours to make food, because that's what she does, and you're going to tolerate my cat who probably is going to sleep on you because he loves everyone more than me."

"I wouldn’t hurt myself," Marius protested, although even he could perceive the frisson at the end of the sentence that implied an unspoken 'here'. He shook his head dismissively. "Look, I appreciate the concern, but this isn't necessary. It's just . . . it's hitting me all at once right now, all right? Once my head's straight again she’ll be right. I'm adaptable. It's one of my few redeeming features."

"I don't believe you." Kyle said. "My ears still work, you were all 'what would I end up as the third time', and you're assuming it'll happen and assuming the platelets are fucked, and man, of everyone I'd think you know I'm not as dumb as I pretend. I'm the... " He cut himself off. "It doesn't matter, you get a suitemate for a while. If nothing else, it means if your platelets are fucked, you're safe. Consider me the emergency parachute."

Marius opened his mouth, then shut it. Finally he met Kyle's gaze, and held it.

"Never in my life have I thought of you as dumb," he said.

[pixelpoppers]

Star Ocean and Non-Person Characters

For me, the most important thing an RPG can do is make its setting feel like a real world inhabited by real people. Having recently played Star Ocean: The Divine Force and Star Ocean: The Second Story R back to back has provided me with a couple nicely illustrative examples to share. Minor/vague spoilers follow for both games.

Divine Force does something weird with its townsfolk NPCs: it doesn't let you talk to them. Some of them do have chatter, but you can't read any of it (unless you turn on an obscure option buried in a menu somewhere that I went the entire game without finding). It's voiced but barely audible, and even if you stand still in the right place long enough to hear it there's a good chance your party members will start talking over it to remind you where the next plot trigger is (which is completely unnecessary as there's always a map marker for that as well). It quickly becomes clear that it's just not worth the bother.

I can't wrap my head around this. Why in the world would a game do this? It feels like a decision by committee where the result is far more expensive and far less effective than just having text bubbles. And because you don't talk to the townspeople, the world feels empty apart from the major characters.

The most frustrating instance of this is a part where you are visiting a town to meet someone who lives there. Their home is all the way in the back, so you need to walk through the entire town past many NPCs to reach it. Once you get there, the cutscene dialog implies you've learned a lot about the person you're meeting by talking to the townsfolk about the things this person has done for the town. This had not happened for me even a little. Again, it feels like design by committee: in most RPGs, putting the character's house at the back of the town would absolutely have had this result and it would have been a great way to introduce this character, but here the effect was ruined by how Divine Force handles NPC dialog.

Contrast this with a couple scenes in Second Story, which has the traditional talk-to-any-NPC-for-text-bubble-dialog approach. When you reach the game's second town, the tavern is full of miners. If you talk to them, you learn that work in the local mine has been stopped. As you advance the plot, you eventually solve the issue that required closing the mine. If you return to the bar after this, it's empty and the barkeep laments that all the miners have gone back to work so his business has slowed to a crawl.

I love this little touch. It makes the world feel real, like your actions are actually making a difference to real people.

Sometimes an RPG will do something so bizarre that it destroys its illusion in one fell swoop (see my reaction to Lost Sphear). It can be harder to see the more spread-out impact of having or not having NPCs to react realistically to a story's events (see Shamus Young writing about this in the first two Mass Effect games), but it can make a huge cumulative difference in how satisfying a game's world is to inhabit. It's definitely part of why I still consider Second Story to be the best Star Ocean.

[anantam-ayurveda]

Shami Tree (Prosopis cineraria): Khejri Tree Benefits & Uses

Introduction to the Sacred Shami Tree

The Shami Tree (Prosopis cineraria), also known by its vernacular names such as Banni Mara in Kannada and Khejri Tree in Rajasthan, holds a position of immense botanical, ecological, cultural, and Ayurvedic significance. Belonging to the Fabaceae family, this perennial, drought-resistant tree thrives in arid and semi-arid zones, predominantly in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, and parts of South India.

In Ayurveda, Shami is revered for its detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, rejuvenative, and digestive-enhancing properties. Recognized as a tree of spiritual purification, it is also deeply entrenched in Indian epics, rituals, and folk medicine.

Vernacular Names of Shami Tree (Prosopis cineraria)

The Shami tree, widely known and revered across India and beyond, is identified by various names in different regional languages:LanguageVernacular NamesEnglishIndian Mesquite, Shamee, Sponge TreeHindiShami, Sami, Chikur, Chonkara, Chonkar, Chourkara, Rhejri, Jhand, Taant, SepadaKannadaBanni Mara, Banni Ele, Shamee Patre, Perumbe, Vanni, KashantiTeluguJammi Chettu, Jammi, Jambi, Priyadarshini, ShamichettaMarathiSaunder, Savandad, Shamee, ShambareeBengaliShamiPunjabiJund, Bishnois, JantiGujaratiSamadi, KhijadiTamilVanni, Jambu, Sami, Parambai, Perumbe, Seemaimullu, Sivaa, Thamali, Kulisam, KalisamMalayalamParampu, Marampu, Thawi VanniArabicGhafRajasthaniKhejri, Rhejri, LoongSindhiKandiBurmeseGandaseinKonkaniShami, Shemi, XembiMarwariKhejdo, Jaaj, Jaati

Sanskrit Synonyms of Shami

The Shami tree holds great spiritual and medicinal significance in Ayurveda and Sanskrit literature. The names often describe its properties, utility, and symbolic value:

Shami – "Shamayati Rogan Iti": The one that pacifies diseases.

Shamu Upashame – Denotes its role in pacification and healing.

Saktuphala – "Saktuvat Phalavasyaha Iti": Its fruit has a flour-like taste.

Agnigarbha – Refers to its wood being an excellent fuel source.

Lakshmi – Auspicious; associated with prosperity

Shiva, Shivaphala, Shankari – Sacred to Lord Shiva

Seeta, Mangalya, Pavitrapatra – Sacred, auspicious, and purifying

Suphalī, Para – Fruitful, Supreme

Pāpanāśinī – The one who destroys sins

Tuṅga – Tall tree

Keshamathani – Depilatory; causes hair fall

Keshahrut Phala – Fruit that increases Pitta and is not ideal for hair health

Shankuphala – Cone-like fruit

Ishani – Divine feminine power

Shameera – Another poetic variant

Kacharipuphala – Bearing desert-hardy fruits

These diverse names not only represent regional and linguistic variations but also reflect the deep cultural and medicinal integration of the Shami tree in Indian traditions. From spiritual rituals to Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia, Shami continues to hold an enduring place in holistic healing and heritage.

Classical Categorization of Shami Tree

In Ayurveda, Shami (Prosopis cineraria) has been referenced across several classical texts and categorized under various Vargas (groups) based on its properties and utilities:Ayurvedic TextCategory (Varga)Kaiyadeva NighantuOshadhi VargaDhanvantari NighantuAmradi Varga, PanchabhringaBhavaprakasha NighantuVatadi VargaRaja NighantuShalmalyadi Varga

These classifications highlight the medicinal importance and pharmacological relevance of the Shami tree in traditional Ayurvedic formulations.

Taxonomy of Shami Tree (Prosopis cineraria)

The botanical identity of the Shami Tree is well-defined under the plant kingdom. It is a member of the Fabaceae family, also known as the pea or legume family, which includes many ecologically and agriculturally important plants.Taxonomic RankClassificationKingdomPlantae – PlantsSub-KingdomTracheobionta – Vascular plantsSuper DivisionSpermatophyta – Seed plantsDivisionMagnoliophyta – Flowering plantsClassMagnoliopsida – DicotyledonsSubclassRosidaeOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceae – Pea familyGenusProsopis L. – MesquiteSpeciesProsopis cineraria (L.) Druce – Jand

This classification confirms the tree's leguminous nature and highlights its adaptation to arid and semi-arid climates.

Habitat and Distribution of Shami Tree

The Shami Tree is highly drought-resistant and adapted to arid desert climates, thriving in sandy, saline, and dry soils. It is commonly found in:

India – Especially in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh

Pakistan – Particularly in Sindh and Baluchistan

Afghanistan

Iran

Oman

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Its role in ecological balance, soil conservation, and sand dune stabilization is crucial in these regions, particularly in desert afforestation programs.

Chemical Constituents of Prosopis cineraria (Shami Tree)

The Shami Tree is rich in a variety of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, fixed oils, and essential phytochemicals. These contribute to its broad spectrum of therapeutic activities.

read more

[jitteryjive]

foster excluded, i finalized the colored designs for a couple F&F characters! i did some paper sketches of them in the past few weeks which i have up on my toyhou.se but tumblr gets my final stuff ;-) text ID for each picture under the cut!

Image 1 Text ID: (In header format) Alma “Tommy” Moretti. (In regular text) Younger of the bearcat sisters. Loves mechanical labor and working with her hands.

(In header format) Beatrice “Socks” Moretti. (In regular text) Elder of the bearcat sisters. Does like baking in spite of it being a laundering front. End ID.

Image 2 Text ID: (In header format) Elijah Clifford. (In regular text) 22 year old stagehand at the Burnish Cabaret. Wants to become a performer and looks up to Foster.

(In header format, parentheses) Toon form. (In regular text) Was attacked and subsequently ‘tooned by the Big Bad Wolf. Can switch back and forth but it’s difficult for him to do so. End ID.

Image 3 Text ID: (In header format) Clark Foster. (In regular text) Foster’s older brother by about two years. Shares his little brother’s love of music and mysteries, and helps the Cabaret.

(In header format) Maurice Foster. (In regular text) The “Foster” in Fitzroy & Foster/the protagonist. 34 year old shamus (private detective) with psychogenic amnesia. End ID.

[kerflooey]

He has his feet on the table, and a book on his hand. He’s flipping through it amusedly. He can sense the harsh, harsh looks all around. From the certainly dead (the hardest to ignore, thus the ones he’s ignoring the hardest), the bold guesses, and the certainly alive library patrons. He wants to think they looks about his loud chuckles or his feet, not his leisure reading selection. Because they’re lying to themselves, the lot of them, if say they wouldn’t want to indulge in a wonderful tail about getting it from Bigfoot in a secluded forest or wherever. If he’s being honest, he cares more about the technicalities of it the matter at hand than the setting.

He only stops ooohhing, aaaahhing and snorting when a particularly judgmental, eyelined stare stays fixed on him long enough. He lifts his fingers and reads a couple sentences more – just for the sake of finishing the chapter, and delaying whatever news his book hunting friend is bearing – to click it with a swift pop and prop his feet down. Then he looks up, and takes Gerry’s droopy face in. ‘ Not here, I take it? ’

He wishes he could be more helpful about it, honestly. But he barely remembers the shop where he pawned the Leihrer, Leihnen, Leitner? He really wishes he did, and he’s genuinely regretting the bad deal now. He doesn’t care that he’d been paid scrap for it when it’d turned out to be rare, valuable and supernatural. In fact, the contrary. He’s wishing he could’ve just given it away for destruction. No better sticking it to Collector Sir Reginald Hargreeves than that.  ‘ Don’t look so down, clown. Don’t give up, buttercup. It had a shitty title, so there’s no way anyone bought it. It’ll turn up someplace ’

@bookburnt  ♥

[musesbygeoff]

A New Fire Warrior - Conclusion

With the crowd growing more and more skeptical of Shamus’s new “Pokemon”, he continued to grow more defiant. 

“Look, he’s a Pokemon. He showed off a fire type move. There’s nothing else that could do that!” Shamus yelled. 

Takuya stood on stage, still as Agunimon with a sweatdrop down his head, having taken a bit of a backseat now. 

Meanwhile, in the water swimming freely, Gomamon popped his head out to see what the commotion was. 

He was brought to the event by Mimi in part they’re both attending the Wallace Cup, but the opportunity to see a new Pokemon at the same time as everyone else in the Pokemon world was too good to pass up. However, Gomamon recognized Agunimon and swam to shore. Walking past everyone unnoticed, Gomamon made his way up on stage. 

“Okay, for the last time. Agunimon. Is. A. Pokemon!” Shamus insisted. However, as he turned to his right, he saw a strange creature walking up to him, as the crowd began to take notice too. 

“What are you?!” Shamus shouted at the sea lion. However, Gomamon ignored him, and instead looked up to the fire elemental Digimon warrior. 

“Hey, Agunimon, remember me? You saved me and my family of other Gomamon to Goma Island. Remember? Except then, you lost your D-tector, but I can still tell its you by your digital code. Takuya was your real name right?” 

The crowd gasped as Gomamon spoke. Questions whether or not this creature was a Pokemon or not. Dang it, Gomamon, you promised Mimi you’d stay in the water. 

“A talking Pokemon?!” Shamus shouted. 

“No, I’m not a Pokemon, silly. I’m a Digimon. Just like Agunimon here. With a new fire Pokemon making its debut it doesn’t surprise me you wanted to meet him too. So where is the new fire Pokemon?”

“Shut up you stupid seal, you’ll ruin everything!” Shamus yelled.

Agunimon sighed. Taking his D-tector out he de-spirit evolved back into Takuya. The crowd all gave a collected gasp. Takuya turned to the crowd. 

“Look everyone, this was all a big scam,” Takuya confessed and pointed to Shamus. “That guy wanted to have a bigger event than whatever it is happening across the lake. It’s been a while since I’ve seen some action, so I agreed to help with his scheme. But, I can’t keep this lie up anymore. Especially not in front of one of my admirers,” he looked back at Gomamon with a smile who smiled back. 

“Good for you for telling the truth, Takuya. But if I can say, why didn’t you just advertise the event that a real life Digimon was showing up? I’m pretty sure this world had never seen a real life Digimon before. I’m sure that would’ve gotten just as much press that you were looking for.” 

The lampshade actually made a bit of sense, but because Shamus wouldn’t admit he’s wrong, and the fact he wanted people to believe he was the strongest fire type Pokemon trainer, involvement with Digimon was not an option.

“No!” Shamus exploded with anger. “Because no one cares about you dumb Digimon! How many times do you guys need to be canceled to understand that?!” 

“Hey, you better watch what you say or I’ll sock you in the face. I was the fire warrior before you!” 

Shamus sneered. “Oh, sorry, didn’t mean to offend you, Power Ranger.” 

Takuya clenched his fist and growled. Shamus glared back at him and the two boys stared each other down. 

Being startled from all the tension, Gomamon shouted out an attack. 

“MARCHING FISHES!” 

Suddenly a huge school of fish jumped out of the sea and soared toward the stage, heading down toward Shamus. 

Shamus tried to get away but was too stunned to move seeing what was happening. 

“Ah! Ahhh! AHHHHH!” The fish all descended on the fire trainer, covering him up in a massive pile. 

After a moment, Takuya turned to Gomamon.

“What? You don’t think I could’ve taken him by myself?” 

“Oh, I know you would’ve Takuya, but Mimi doesn’t like violence. Speaking of which, I better get back to the sea. I found this great piece of coral I can’t wait to show Palmon when we go back home.”

Gomamon left the stage and headed back into the water while Takuya also left the stage, leaving Shamus still under a pile of fish.

[lanceville]

Interviewer: "Do you think that Keith and Lance, while starting as rivals, have started to gain more respect for one another?"

Jeremy: "The team has really become a lot more like a family at this point. They still have their bickering moments for sure but definitely have that closer bond as a family. I think that moment in season three where poor Lance is really doubting how he fits into the team with six paladins now.

He’s basically saying, “yeah, I’ll step down and let you guys do your thing.” That vulnerable moment is knowing himself and just wanting to help for the greater good even if that means he can’t do what he wants to do. That moment is great where Keith goes, “No, dude. You are super important to the team. You should stop thinking all that because we need you.” "

me: