#the kits are making cards which is close to writing a letter - you can decide what the cards are for

[ramblingsofafanatic]

Kalluzeb Cottagetober 2023! Day 29 - Writing a Letter

[swiftpng]

Happy holidays! I wanted to celebrate some of the people I love for inspiring me and filling my life with so much light. Every single one of you has made my year so special and I appreciate you all so much. Thank you for every conversation, for every laugh, for blessing my life with your presence. Any act of kindness is permanently stored in this tiny brain forever! To everyone, I wish you all a very happy holiday! PART ONE.

DELTA, @deltslea

You know me, I get super cheesy whenever I’m writing sentimental letters. The first part of your gift is your actual Christmas gifts and the second part of your gift is what I got you for your birthday, since I didn’t get the chance to give you them when it was your birthday! I hope you don’t mind the two for one, but I hope you and your family are having a happy and cozy holiday. I hope you find joy in these gifts, because you’re such a sweet soul and deserve to be treated that way. You’re a total blessing to the Bayview community. Your personality shines and you bring so much happiness to the world. Thank you for everything and for going out of your way to make this town such a home for everyone. You always lift others up when they’re feeling down, you’re a total gem. You are so appreciated. Also, congrats for everything you did this past year! You did so much and all the hard work didn’t go unnoticed. You should be so proud of yourself for everything you accomplished. I hope all of your wildest dreams come true. Remember that you can do anything you put your mind to, I’m so excited for what the next year has to offer for you. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year! 

Let’s get started on why I got you each gift. The first gift are mini rings that reminded me of your song Wings. I really love the lyrics of that song, so I got something that kind of showed my appreciation for it! I got you a cute backpack that you can take on your travels, wherever that may be next. I know the town goes on trips throughout the year, so I thought it would be something that would be useful to you! The next gift is more of a funny gift since it has a cat playing the piano. Who doesn’t love a good cat mug, you know? I hope it brings a smile to your face whenever you use it! The next gift is a little bit of a big one, but you worked so hard this year on The Voice, on your singles, on your Christmas albums, on everything. I rented out a tiny house for you for three days, so you can sit back and relax. Now since there’s a town trip coming up and there’s the trip up to Snow Tracks, you don’t have to take the mini vacation to the tiny home right away. You can let them know when you’d like to take your trip and they’ll book you for it! You can bring a friend or your love or you can just go by yourself. Whatever you decide is up to you since it’s your gift! Another one of these gifts is also related to self care and relaxing. I got you some incense sticks that you can use whenever you need to. The scent is Christmas Kiss since you’re now dubbed (by me) as the Christmas Queen. This next gift is something we’ve talked about. Remember the heart in the glass? I thought it’d be cool if we tried to actually recreate one. Zach was really sweet with connecting me to people who would know where to get everything to make it. Some of it comes with Christmas related tools, but the basics we need to make the heart glass are all there! The last part of your Christmas gift is a candle that’s called Soul Sister. From the day we met, I thought our similarities were uncanny and funny. It’s crazy how met here in town and it was like you were my sister from then on. The gingerbread incident solidified that even more!

Now for your belated birthday gifts, I got you a nail polish set that’s called When In Romance which sounds fitting for a woman in love. The set comes with six polishes, along with some nail stickers. The next gift is related to memories. You’re someone I know who always makes the best of any situation, so I thought getting you a Polaroid camera would be something fun. You can take it on trips, around town, or keep it at home for whenever you feel the need to capture something on film forever. The next gift is related to self care and looking after yourself. It’s a calming clay mask that you can do whenever you want to sit down and relax. The next gift is a set of small and dainty jewelry. I was strolling around some shops in town and I saw these displayed. The collection is called Twin Soul, which I thought was very fitting for us! Another thing I got you is just a fun game. It’s meant for kids, but it looked like it could fun for adults as well. I know you’ve got some kids in your family, so you can break it out whenever they’re in town! I got you some knee high cat socks ‘cause everyone loves socks! Plus the cats are an added bonus. Another cozy gift I got you is this soft throw blanket that should cure your coldness from the harsh winter nights. You can cozy up next to a fire or a candle with a book and be warm. Last but not least, I got you a book that’s called Booze & Vinyl. It’s a book that guides you through the best drinks to have with certain records. It seemed right up your alley, and I thought it would be a fun and easy read! Overall, thank you for being one of the truest allies in my life and being such a great person. I’m so lucky to have someone like you in my life, and I hope all of these gifts serve you well. 

BLAKE, @thelivelyblake

Thank you for all that you have done for me in our friendship. You’re amazing and one of the people I cherish the most, so I got you a few things to show how much you mean to me. I hope some of these gifts bring a smile to your face. I’m wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas, along with health and happiness. 

I’ve been very into making soaps these days, so I made you some soaps that you can use to your discretion! In the shower, after you go to the bathroom, whenever you need to. The next gift happens to be socks. Everyone needs some fuzzy socks, especially when it’s cold out so these should help your feet stay warm! Another gift is something I saw at one of the shops in town, and I thought it would look so amazing on you. It’s a baby blue dress that you can wear at events or wherever. The next gift is a candle, one that you can burn when you need something to make the house feel warm and cozy. I also got you a tea set that has some delicious teas. Nothing’s better than winding down from a long day with a mug of tea. The last gift is a planner. It has a quote on it that reminded me of you and I really thought it would be useful to you! Again, I just want to thank you for being a great friend and someone I can always count on. 

ANGELINA, @ajdarkfae

I’m wishing you a very Merry Christmas. I hope the festiveness and happiness continues throughout the new year for your family. I feel like December snuck up on us so quickly, and I’m scrambling to soak up the Christmas spirit. I’m grateful that I’m able to send some of my Christmas spirit over to you with these gifts. You’re someone I’ve always admired, and I’m so happy that we’re as close as we are. Thank you so much for everything and for trusting me, it means so much. I really adore you and your family. I’m so happy we’re able to connect through this town. I hope you have a good Christmas. 

The first gift I got you is one I found when I was walking through Around the World. It’s Swedish cookies, and they looked like they’re super delicious and I thought you would like them. The second gift is a funny T-shirt since we both mentioned that Let It Go had been suck in our heads at one point or another. It reads, “when my jam comes on and I know all the words” with a picture of Elsa. The next gift should be something fun for you and the kids. It’s a popcorn kit that should be fun to break out on your next family movie date! Along with that, I got you a gift set from Bath & Body Works. I’m a huge fan of theirs, so I thought you’d enjoy something that would be useful for when you want to smell good or want hands that aren’t dry. Another one of these gifts are chocolate strawberries. I saw them in town being displayed, so I knew I had to get them for you. The next gift is a gift card to Vin Rouge, which happens to be my favorite place to get wine. I’ve gotten so many bottles of wine this past year from there, and they never miss. You’re also supporting a local business when you shop there! Lastly, I wanted to get you something for when you need to relax. With a baby on the way, I know you’re bound to need some days for when you just need to be alone and enjoy your own company. I got you a bath bomb that you can use whenever you need to just slow down. It’s one of my favorites, so i hope it’s something that you will enjoy. Thank you again for being so wonderful to me, and I’m sending you all my love this holiday. 

SELENA, @sxgomez

Hello, hello, hello. I’m beyond excited to give you something this Christmas as I know that it’s been a hard past few weeks for you. I’m loving the chance to get to spoil you the way you continue to spoil others with your magical presence. It’s always fun getting to get you gifts, and I tried capturing your essence. Hopefully I did you justice. I got you a few things that totally reminded me of you and our friendship. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments this year. From Rare being released to Rare Beauty being the next beauty empire, you are naturally you and that’s why so much of us love you. Who knew one human could have such a big heart? Thanks for making 2020 amazing, and I can’t wait for what 2021 brings you for your career. In addition to that, Selena, I know some big things have happened to you personally with moving and having a breakup so I wanted to get you a few things to help soothe the ache. I love you to the moon and back, and I’m hoping you have the sweetest holiday. You deserve it so, so much. 

The first part of your gift is an outfit that screamed Selena Gomez. I got you a Disney related T-shirt. And it has some jeans that go along with it. Being is Disney kid, I know you’re proud of where you started your career so I though this outfit would be perfect to show off your roots. The next gift is a pillow that reminded me of you. You sprout color from who you are and I know you make people’s lives better just by existing. I know you sure make mine better. Since you had your cooking show this year, I thought it was only fitting that I got you something for your kitchen. I got you a heart shaped pot that you can use for soups and stews. As someone who is a big fan of candles, I got you a candle that you can light whenever you need to sit and relax. The scent smelled so good and I hope you enjoy it. The next gift is a key chain that reminds me of our friendship. Friends truly are chosen family, and I know I’d choose you again and again. And along with that, I know you’re moving into a new place so I thought I’d get you a gift card to Windsong. Zach is a good friend of mine, so I know he’ll get you anything you wanted. Whether you want to get something custom made or something that they have in store already, I know you’re bound to find something you love. The last three gifts are ones to help mend your heartbreak. I made you some donuts that you’ll be able to chow down on. No one loves food more than you, so I thought it would be a well loved gift. Another thing is a bracelet, which represents a new and clean slate. Going into the next year, you’re able to start fresh and I know you’ll be able to do it. Lastly, I got you some cozy slippers that you’ll be able to lounge in. Since it’s the colder months, I’m sure you’ll be able to get some use from them! All in all, I really do hope you’ve had a lovely holiday and that it was spent with people who love you so much. I know I do. 

BILL, @skarsgardb

Thank you for being one of the coolest people I know. Since the day we met, I knew you were going to be someone I could always talk to and spend quality time with. Whether we talk for hours on end or go days without talking, I know that we’ll always fall back into our friendship. Some of these gifts were from your birthday and I didn’t get the chance to give them to you because so much time has passed since then. Christmas is the perfect time to give you them now. You’re one of the most loyal people in town, and I appreciate you so much. I hope you and your family had the best holiday, and I’m sending you all the love.

The first gift is a T-shirt relating to tacos. You were one of the first people who recommended Paco’s to me when I first arrived in town, and I can’t thank you enough for that. The second gift is a Fitbit watch since I know you’re into running, hiking, etc. It can track your steps and all that jazz. I thought it would be fun for you to have and could be useful next time you go out. (Which maybe wouldn’t be soon since it is so col out!) Another gift I got you is one of my favorite cookbooks. Since you’re a foodie like me and want to learn how to better your cooking skills, I thought gifting you this book would be appropriate. It has so many great recipies that you can try out! The next gift is something I made personally. It’s my homemade cinnamon stix. They’re made with my secret recipe and if you like them enough, I might teach everyone how to make them when my class starts back up in the new year! Remember how we talked about Go-Pros and being recorded while ziplining? I thought it would be fun to actually give you a Go-Pro that you can use whenever. Maybe you can record something of Dylan when she’s being cute or just use it when you need to document something! The other gift I wanted to give you is a subscription to Masterclass. I remember we talked about you starting your own production company and wanting to dip your toes into a role that’s more behind the camera. They have so many classes about producing, directing... the whole nine yards. I hope it’s useful to you and that you can take something from it! My personal favorite class is RuPaul’s. Lastly, I wanted to give you a book full of actual dad jokes. Perhaps you can use them with Dylan or just use it as a party trick. Either way, you’re bound to be laughed at! But in the best way, I promise. Again, thank you for being you and I enjoy your friendship with my whole heart. 

ZACH, @roerigz​

I know we don’t talk as much as we used to, but I do know that I’m still thankful to have someone like you in my life. I know that this past year has been a little hard on you, so I wanted to give you some gifts that would put a smile to your face. Admittedly, for the first gift, I had to Google your hometown. I knew you were from Ohio, but I needed to know the exact town so I could make your hometown into a puzzle. Whenever you’re missing home, you can break out this puzzle and remember the streets you used to roam and the family you still have there. Another gift I got you is a throw blanket. I’m a huge fan of these, especially during the winter months. Hopefully it’ll keep you cozy! One of these gifts is for you and your kids. It’s a tie-dye kit so you guys can make T-shirts. I used to make them with my family when I was younger and it was always a fun memory. The next gift is more for your self care. I don’t know how often you grow a beard, but when you do, you’ll have the tools you need to trim it or shave it off. Now the last gift is for your inner Ohio State fan. They’re salt and pepper shakers, and I think they’ll make a good addition to your kitchen! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and I’m sending you all my support and love. 

MILEY, @destinyhcpe​

So, you’ve had quite the year! Between your album releasing and moving to Bayview, I think you had a pretty good year! Not to mention that we’ve gotten closer again, which makes me so happy! I’m hoping that you have a very Merry Christmas and that Santa gives you everything you wanted. The first gift I got you is a smiley face bag, because it just reminded me of you so much. The next gift is a bottle of Chambord. I don’t know if you drink or not, but I thought it would fun to gift you this has a celebration of your music this year! Now this last gift is a little NSFW, but I thought you’d rock this leather jacket so well! It comes from a small shop back in NYC and it just looked so cool. If anyone were to wear this out and about, I think it’d be you! Miley, thank you for always being so supportive and sweet to me. You have no idea how much it means to me! 

ARIANA, @gvande​

The literal princess in my life. Ariana, thank you for all the kind words you’ve said to me in our past conversations. They mean so much to me, you have no idea. I wanted to get some gifts that reminded me of you, so I hope they captured your personality! I got you a candle since it’s the season for burning them at all times. The scent is absolutely wonderful, and I hope you enjoy it too. Because taking care of yourself should always be a priority, I wanted to gift you a kit that has some things for when you need to relax. The next gift is because of your Harry Potter love. I saw that Ulta had a Harry Potter collection, so I knew I had to get you that. Hopefully you can play around with it and create some epic looks! Another gift I had to get you is some pig slippers. Since you’re someone who owns a pig, I wanted to give you these. Lastly, you’re someone who makes tattoos look so good. I wanted to get you something related to tattoos, so I thought giving you an actual stick and poke kit would be something you’d be interested in! Again, just thank you for being the best person to ever exist and knowing my situation. I know you’re someone who has my back, and I always have yours. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and that you’re able to be with your loved ones. 

[sweetestrequiems]

Time for a Getaway!

Requested by: One of you lovely Anons! Thank you for sending a letter. <3 Prompt: 80) “What do you mean they escaped?”

Character(s): The Beheaded Cousins (Anne Boleyn / Katherine Howard) Catherine Parr / Jane Seymour

Summary: Anne and Katherine generally cause a bit of chaos when the two hang out together. But, push came to shove one day and Jane Seymour had decided they needed to take a day to themselves. She thought the two would listen, as she acted like the authority figure most of the time, but this time? The two cousins hatched a plan to get out of the house and have a little bonding moment.

TW: Very short and brief mention of past CSA (Howard references her past life, but not in detail).

A/N: IT’S ABOUT TO GO DOWN! As Gloria Estefan once said... “DONDE ESTA MI GENTE?” cause y’all, I am so happy to have been able to have the chance to write Beheaded Cousins chaos! This is also oddly wholesome chaos, too? Like they’re not even causing trouble. They’re just stargazing and acting like siblings. So yeah, this is what we call wholesome Beheaded Cousins with Angry Mom at the end.

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“Katherine Howard! Anne Boleyn! Get down here this instant!”

With arms crossed across her chest, and the not-so-friendly furrowing of her eyebrows, it was evident Jane Seymour was not a happy woman at the current moment. The two queens, one in a green tracksuit for some unknown reason, and the other one in black sweatpants and a pink hoodie, ran down the stairs. The two had smiles on their faces, but that quickly faded when they saw the scowl on the blonde woman’s face. Normally, this was the part where Katherine pulled her “I’m too cute.” card, but the unwavering Seymour was scaring her just a little.

“Yes, Jane?” Boleyn glanced over to the side, seeing her cousin hide behind her arm just a little. “What could we have possibly done to get–” Then she spots it. A laugh comes out of the green queen with the pink one giggling a little. Harmless prank, but a messy one. The two cousins had somehow managed to get about a solid row of six glasses, all upside down, with water inside of them and on top of the table. One could spot a rather upset looking Catherine Parr behind them, with her clutching onto a folder.

There was the heavy Manchester accent, and it only came out when she was talking a lot, or when she was rather angry. “I can’t put this down out of the fear that if we even move one of those glasses, it’s going to be nothing but a huge mess! And these papers are important! D’you know what, ladies?” A hand stops her. Jane speaks up. “Yeah, d’you know what? You’re both grounded. Yes, both of you. In your rooms, not a single peep comes out of you both until dinner time. Are we clear, you two?”

There was a nod from Katherine, but from Anne? Just another bout of laughter as she walked away. It was safe to say Anne did find the harmless prank on them hilarious. Even better was that Kitty was giggling the whole way back to her room. The two always pulled pranks on the queens, but this was the first one that actually would leave a mess behind. At least it was water, so it wouldn't be too difficult to clean up.

“Those girls are the epitome of chaotic energy,” Anna of Cleves let out a small chuckle. “Come on, let’s figure out how to get these glasses empty without a huge puddle o’ water.”

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It was maybe around 10:30 at night when the house grew silent.

The Beheaded Cousins had made a plan to go out and enjoy some of the nightly sights before dawn, as to not get caught by Seymour. The two met downstairs, all suited up in matching tracksuits for some odd reason, and went on out the door, closing it as quiet as possible. Once outside, the two began to laugh. “We did it, Kit! We actually snuck out for once! Alright, where to?”

“This feels awesome. Just us hanging out and not having to worry about anything! D’you know what, Anne? We should go to the park! We can go stargazing! Surely, that’s gotta be... well, interesting! It’s the night sky with no lights around,” Katherine began to jog on ahead of her cousin. Taking a moment to process it, it didn't hit Anne that she was being left behind. “Hey! ‘Old on a sec!” And the green queen chased on after her cousin. 

For the two, spending time was something they cherished once they were... well, gifted the new bodies. They didn't really know too much of each other in their past life. And needless to say, Anne was rather happy to be able to have built a good relationship with Katherine. “Jesus, Kit! You got right on ahead like it was nothing.” “Yeah, well, catch up, slowpoke!” A laugh. The two truly shared a relationship that was unlike any other. 

A fifteen minute walk–– which was shortened to maybe twelve minutes since they jogged the first three minutes–– came to a stop once they crossed the entrance to the park. With a deep inhale and heavy exhale, Howard opened up her arms and smiled. “I love it here. It’s nice and quiet. The sky looks gorgeous, too! More than it did in the lights. There’s the North Star right there, Annie,” pulling her cousin next to her, a lithe arm pointed up in front of them as they paced about the trail.

A soft chuckle. “You aren’t kidding, Kit. This is gorgeous. How’d you discover this spot?”

“Well, I sometimes sneak out of the house when you lot are in bed and just walk around. It helps ease up the nightmares and stuff. Makes life... easy for just a few minutes, even though I spend like an hour outside.” Pulling on her cousin’s sleeve, Katherine guided Anne over to the bench she normally sat at. “I tend to sit right here. Close enough to the light that I can see London’s nightlife, but far enough that you can still––” “See the nighttime sky. Yeah, I get that. Sometimes it’s a whole lot easier to breathe with actual fresh air. I wish you would’ve told me, though. I worry about you a lot. You’re the only living family I have left, and... I’d be devastated if anything happened to you. One of my regrets from my past life is not taking the time to meet you properly. We only ever spoke in passing. Shame, though... that I had to meet an untimely fate and couldn’t save you from the hell you went through.”

“Yeah, I sometimes wish I was brave enough to have spoken up about it. But, times were so drastically different back then. Speaking up would’ve gotten my head chopped off a lot sooner. But this day and age? It makes me proud to see the people that come out with their stories. There’s so many survivors, and... I can’t help but get overwhelmed sometimes. It feels nice knowing our voices are finally heard, y’know?”

“D’you know what, Kit? Talk to Cathy. Maybe you could write a memoir!”

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12:00 am on the dot.

Catherine Parr was the sleepless one of the group. Most of her nights consisted of her staying up at her desk, either handwriting or typing out anything that came to her head. In this case, she was finalizing the first draft of a series of memoirs. That series, of course, being about the six of them as the wives of Henry. Having been sitting in the living room, Parr found it a bit odd that the house was quiet. Standing up from the table that had been cleaned off hours ago, she stretched her arms upward and yawned.

Katherine and Anne both normally had some form of music playing in the background when they slept. Or some form of ambient noise. There was none of that, and it was driving her insane. Pacing carefully as to not make that much noise, Catherine headed down the hallway. Boleyn’s door was ajar, and Howard’s was wide open. Pushing the ajar door open, Parr’s eyes widened and she immediately looked into Howard’s room. “They’re not here. Jane’s going to kill them. But Jane also loves them too much to do that. Those two always know how to cause chaos...”

With a heavy sigh, the blue queen just let her shoulders fall as she headed towards Seymour’s door with a bit of dread. This was either where Jane lost her mind, or became a worried mom, or both. Only time would tell. Reaching the door, she just gently knocked.

“Come in.”

Seeing that it wasn’t Katherine, but rather, Catherine, Jane Seymour sat up and put the bookmark inside of her book. “Catherine? Why are you––... never mind, don’t answer that. Better question is, why are you in here?”

“Kitty and Anne. They’re not in their rooms, Jane.”

Parr saw her expression become deadpan. No emotion, nothing to read. She became a true statue at that moment. But just as quickly as she could blink, the grey queen was up on her feet and pushing past her counterpart. The silence was almost bothering Catherine, and she wrote in utter silence. It gave her a cold shudder, before a frustrated groan echoed in the hallway. “They escaped their rooms, huh.”

“What do you mean they escaped? I would more-so call it sneakin’ out, Jane. It's not like they were cooped up in there for long, anyways. Come on, I have a bit of an idea of where they could be. Maybe.”

“Did you help them?”

“No, Jane. Cleves and I have gone out to eat at a diner this late before. It was the one night we got back from Edinburgh really late and didn’t want to wake you lot up. There was a really cozy diner in London and we’ve been to it a bit. Grab a jumper, let’s go. I’ll take you to it.”

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That diner Parr had mentioned was exactly where the Beheaded Cousins were.

And they weren’t even really eating, they were just sitting in there since they had gotten chilly.

“We’ve got to come here during the day some day, or maybe after a show. It’s all cozy and... retro. I think that's the word, anyways,” Boleyn let a laugh out, with her cousin giggling. “Seriously though, Kit... thanks. For, well... y’know, showing me that spot in the park. I wish I would’ve brought a camera. I feel like it would yield some wonderful pictures.”

“I’m glad I got to share it with you! I’d love to tell the other queens, but I’m scared they’re going to be worried as to why I go out so late at night. Especially Jane. But I do think she’d quite enjoy it!” Howard gently tapped on the table. “D’you know what, Annie? I’d love love love for you to help me maybe convince the others to––”

“Sneak out like you two did?” And looking down upon them with what could’ve been described as the Mom Stare was Jane Seymour. The blonde woman furrowed her eyebrows, unwavering in her position and demeanor. “You two have a lot of nerve t’do that. At least nothing bad happened to you two. Come on, we’re going home.”

Looking at each other, and at the door to see Catherine Parr, the cousins both just laughed it off. “Relax, mum. We’re bringing all of you next time. I really want to show you this nice spot in the park when it's dark outside.”

“It's really nice. Kitty’s got taste for picture perfect places. Literally, she does.”

A groan from Jane. “Fine, but next time... tell me you two are going out late. You both gave me a heart attack.”

[ask-svt-hearteu]

christmas activities with svt

a/n: i managed to conjure this up last minute because i really wanted to give you guys something and it’s kinda a mess and hasn’t been proofread, so so sorry this is out so late but happy holidays to everyone!! - seri

seungcheol: decorating your house

he doesn’t necessarily wants to be that extra house but he definitely does not want to be that grinch house

you agree one hundred percent but he just has to make your life more difficult and turns it into a competition

you guys were really just at the store

you being the one with the roof measurements actually trying to figure out how many set of lights to get when he’s waiting in line for the free shot of hot chocolate

and he comes up to you, smoothly slides he arms around your waist and says with his chocolate smelling breathe

“how about I have my side of the house and you have yours and,,, we see who’s is better”

spinning around in his arm you smile softly at him

“babe” you start lovingly, pressing a kiss to his cheek, “it’s so cute that you think you’re gonna do better”

he of course is highly offended and whines and taunts like a kid about how he is going to win

gosh decorating day is a mess

with the lights strewn all over the yard and the wreaths and ribbons laying everywhere

the biggest is the fact that only one ladder exists and seungcheol hogs it

and despite his competitive spirit he still refuses to let you climb on and hangs your lights too

he’s being overprotective like always and you want to protest until he says

“what am i supposed to do if you get injured? at least if i get injured i know you’ll take care of me well”

bratty seungcheol can’t help but melt your heart

jeonghan: binge watching christmas movies

“obviously we’re watching ‘home alone’”

“and ‘a christmas story’”

“it’s not christmas without ‘elf’“

“oh! and we have to see all the new ones on netflix”

so imagine a bubbly mess dancing around the house making sure to grab all the pillow and blanks to pile on the couch and making sure there’s enough snacks

and all the pillow end up getting thrown on the floor because you end up using each other

the plan is one hundred percent to just sit around doing absolutely nothing all day

just laughing together and throwing popcorn at each other’s faces

and playing rock paper scissors to see who has to answer the door for the food you ordered because you both got hungry

“hannie! clearly you cheated”

he puts on that shocked, innocent face he’s perfected over the years

but he’s not fooling you

“i didn’t i swear, how on earth can you cheat on rock paper scissors!”

so he does fool you because you uncross you legs with his and push the blankets off

“i love youuuu” he coos when you return, pulling you back into his embrace

you fake a glare though, flicking his arm

“ow! that hurt”

“sounds like an excuse so i can baby you yoon”

after literally watching christmas movies all day and doing nothing, you two still manage to fall dead asleep in each other’s arms at 8pm

but then you both wake up in the middle of the night hungry for a snack

so turning on another movie, the process repeats itself

with many kisses here and there

joshua: last minute shopping

legit cuddling on the couch december 23rd

his legs tangled with yours under the two blank

“hey babe”

“hmm?”

“i just realized i didn’t finish gift shopping yet”

“dammit. same”  

first breaking out into giggles it takes ten minutes for you both to leave each other’s warmth and drive to the mall

complaining about the traffic to each others like it’s not two days before christmas

ends up trying to shop for each other instead of the people

“josh!” you call him over multiple caps and bucket hats in hand, “try this one on”

one look at himself in the mirror and he shakes his head chuckling, “yeah i don’t think so”

“whyyyy” you whine, honestly just looking for a tease, “i think you look hOt”

and he really decides to take this time to be responsible and raise a brow

pecking his lips and taking the hat off his head you smile sheepishly, “though vernon would look amazing also”

walking around the mall with basically a thousand bags makes the both of you tired so of course it’s time for a break

two each and thirty minutes in

maybe you just wanted to be that sweet couple lounging around drinking tea and eating cake

“let’s play a game”

“what?”

“close your eyes and guess how many sugars are in this tea”

the innocent eyes that belong to joshua hong make you agree

so with you relaxed and concentrated at the soft sound of sugar packets tearing,

you feel lips press against yours

“okay guess”

“way too many sugars”

junhui: mistletoe

hanging mistletoe everywhere

around your house and everyone elses

because you too are a playful bunch and are legit sticking them in the bathroom

and popping in with a singsongy “mistletoe~” when chan and seungkwan were just trying to wash their hands

so you can imagine the mess that is your place

and the running around trying to catch each other under the mistletoe

“babe stopping running around the house!!” you’re half yelling half laughing at him

“you’re the one following!!”

he had just caught you in the morning cornering you with a kiss on the cheek while you were brushing your teeth, so sure he had not waken up yet

so you spent all day trying to get him

but you’re at a disadvantage with his long limbs making it easy to step out of the way whenever you come near him around the mistletoe

you would think as a couple you both would be trying to get under it but it’s the opposite for you guys

just trying to keep each other on your toes

literally with all the prancing around

but while you were trying to avoid him getting you, you trip and fall

nothing is wrong except a slightly stinging bum but of course the game slips away from jun’s mind in an instant and he rushes next to you

“are you okay??” his eyes glimmer with worry

but then they stitch to confusion as you smirk and raise your hand into the air

“got you”

soonyoung: making gingerbread houses

so determined to make it look super good

even though they never do

but spends twenty minutes at the store trying to decide which gingerbread house kit to buy

of course goes with the biggest most expensive one

and you guys are sitting at the dining table with the cardboard looking gingerbread, packets of royal icing, and the candy spread out everywhere

cutely struggling to make the house pieces stick together, furrowing is brows in concentration

“babe lemme put more icing”

so without looking up he waits for your hand to scoop in to add more icing

but instead you swipe it on his nose

“stop i’m really trying!!” he protests

but he ends up giggling anyways

does not go by the decorated house on the front at all

putting his own little swirls everywhere

the svt logo on each side of the roof

little pink and blue candies everywhere

him pretend he didn’t just protest against the icing on his nose,

which he refused to wipe off b t w

and putting icing on your cheek as you’re trying to place the pink gumdrops on the roof of the house

“h-hey!” you say surprised even though you should've excepted it

doesn’t let you wipe it off either

somehow you both manage to finish without too much icing and candies wasted and hey, it looks pretty freakin good

“okay smile!” he says holding his phone up for a selfie with you holding the house in front of you

and swiftly licks your cheek, effectively taking the icing off

guess what picture is going out on the christmas cards this year

wonwoo: writing letters to ‘santa’

at first you had just suggested the idea as a joke and he took it as a joke

but then you got really excited at the thought of actually sitting down with wonwoo and writing everything you want for christmas like a kid again

he didn’t really think much of it initially but you would’ve never known from his focused expression

“let me see”

you’re leaning over his shoulder trying to sneak a peak, maybe even trying to figure out something else to get him

“nope” he smirks, moving it away from your sight

“fine”

you sit across from him, holding your letter in front of you like you’re protecting the world’s secrets

and he does the same

while you begin to write what you want, like those new boots or the pretty beige coat,,, you end up writing about him

like that new racing game so you and wonwoo could play together

or wishing for a vacation so you and him could explore together

by the time there’s no room left on the card you’ve successful melted your heart just at the thought of him

he refuses to let you see it even after you’re done

“let’s show each other on christmas, for next year ya know”

so when the time finally comes he gives you your gift with white envelope on top

it’s two weeks later and you’ve almost forgotten about it,, almost

tearing open the letter, you read the first couple lines, expecting a camera case or a new pair of gaming headphones

but it’s just all about you

“wonwoo...”

he’s smiling at you sweetly, leaning in to where your foreheads are almost touching

“merry christmas”

jihoon: gift wrapping

“why can’t we just stick it in a bag, they don’t expect much presentation from me anyways”

you glare at him, sorting out all the different types of bows, ribbons, and wrapping paper

“lee jihoon. maybe from you but not from me. and we are together”

“okay okay”

he sits down next to you and attempts to help you sort

“that color doesn’t really match well with that paper ji”

but you don’t really have the heart to correct everything because he’s really making an effort

you teach him how to wrap and he starts on a box

but his corners are a little wonky

kissing his cheek, appreciating his effort, you’re quick to fix it

“wha- how did you do that” he has this amazed expression at how you easily folded the corners up like a professional

“just from practice babe”

then he tries to help with the ribbons, but that doesn’t really go as plan,,,

because he accidentally drops the roll and it rolls across the floor so now it’s a mess with gold stripes everywhere

“i didn’t take you for a clumsy on” you comment, on the verge of breaking out into giggles

“this is too hard” he grumbles

so for the rest of the time he’s just watching you

fidgeting with the bows or twirling the scissors around with skill

playing with your hair when he gets bored of that

even trying to do braids or a ponytail

you smile to yourself, ignoring your beating heart like the grazes of his fingers against your shoulders didn’t affect you

in all honesty he didn’t help much

but it’s the thought that counts

minghao: christmas light show

imagine walking through the city park hand in hand admiring all the lights shaped like snowmen and reindeers

giggling and cooing at all the little cute kids running around being amazing at the life sized figures

the cold outside weather gives him an excuse to stick the hand holding yours in his coat pocket like straight out of a drama

and you pretending it doesn’t faze you when in reality your heart just skipped a beat because he’s so w a r m

is it really minghao without his camera around his neck

takes so many pictures

tells to you do all these poses

“pretend you’re about to kiss the santa” he says, super concentrated on finding the right focus and lighting setting

but you feel like being a little flirt and grin, “i wanna kiss you though”

the little giggles at erupts from his chest are adorable and never fail to send a shot of happiness through you

“okay last one and you can”

“that’s what you said last time”

taking a quick shot of you and your pouting lips he smirks

“i know, but this time i promise about the kissing part”

of course after multiple pictures of taken it’s finally your turn to take pictures of him

except after two of them he wraps his arms around your waist holding you in place

“let me let pictures” you protest but he isn’t budging, “you like having your picture taken”

“very true” he hums

you’re about to protest again but he silences you with a kiss on your nose

“but i want today to be about you” 

mingyu: christmas party host

it’s a freakin battle field at yours and mingyu’s house a week before christmas

there’s too much to do

there’s the cleaning because the house has to be absolutely spotless, not one single piece of dust in sight

there’s the hassling people to make sure everyone remembers to bring their secret santa gift because ‘you will legit get kicked out if you ruin this party bc your lazy ass couldn’t even buy a gift card and a pair of fuzzy socks’

but the best part hands down is the meal prepping

okay cooking enough food for fifty people might seem like it’ll give you headaches for days but being with mingyu makes it so fun

i mean blast music and singing along in your perfect! voices

and even while there’s a thousand dishes to prepare and no time to be messing around

mingyu still trys to hand print flour on your face

but like the clumsy giant he is,,, knocks over the whisk in the process

so you just giggle endearingly while he’s bursting with apologies insisting that he be the one to clean up

you shake you head smiling, “you go take care of the noodles over there”

taste testing everything because it’s an absolute must

“gyu! this is amazing”

“babe the flavors in this,,, wow”

and you catch him going for one more “taste test”

pulling the spoon away from him, you stand your ground while he’s giving you puppy eyes

“one more bite please?”

“no then you’re gonna be full”

he takes your hands and snakes them up his chest and to his biceps

“i promise i’m not gonna be full”

crinkling you nose not willing to admit anything while he’s being a tease you respond,

“you’re gross”

but he doesn’t he you moving as he leans down to kiss you

seokmin: christmas caroling

he’s always seen it in the movies and he’s always wanted to try it out

except he’s scared of getting the door slammed in his face :c

so instead it’s more like christmas busking,,, except it’s a free show and he’s just excited to see all the little kids running up to him and dancing around

even if your voice isn’t the greatest you still agree because who can say no to sweet seokmin

he even does it in his reindeer onesie and got you a santa claus onesie

so sOft

goes through all the christmas songs

shamelessly serenades you with ‘all i want for christmas is you’ 

making you a blushing mess

the kids around you guys are cooing and giggling, telling seokmin how cool he is and how you have to date him

like you would ever say no if you weren’t already dating him

all the adults come up and say what a cute couple you guys are and what a cute thing you’re doing for christmas 

on his breaks always interlocks your hands 

even while talking to the old lady about how she used to celebrate christmas or with the little boy about the toy car he wants desperately 

one couple is kid enough to offer you guys cookies and some hot chocolate which you both take gratefully

he notices you shivering a little and gets worried 

“do you want my jacket?”

you have to stop him from taking it off because it’s freezing outside

“but baby it’s cold outside~” 

he sings to you, making you so shy

you lean your head against his chest, feeling the vibration of his chuckles

“true, but i have you sunshine” 

vernon: ugly christmas sweaters

“it’s not christmas if you’re not wearing a christmas sweater for the entire month of december” 

“you’re such a dork!” 

but you agree to go out sweater shopping anyways

“omg look at all these darth vader ones” 

of course he buys two of those

“look at all the pug ones!!!”

you’re pulling him towards the crowd of sweaters around you 

by the end you both have spent way too much money but came out completely satisfied anyways at all the variation

and he’s not kidding about wearing one basically everyday of the month

he’s the one with the light up elf sweater at practice but he’s the one staring at everyone who giving him odd looks 

and there’s even more stares when you show up to bring food in your own light up sweater 

“what is there not enough food?”

he’s grinning and kisses your cheek, “nope it’s perfect, thanks babe” 

unbothered couple

everyday it’s a competition to see who wore the better one

“okay i admit, rElUcTaNtLy, that your grinch one beats my penguin one” 

“obviously” he flashes you a cocky, memey expression

“yah!” you slap his arm making his chuckle 

“it’s okay your snowman one killed it yesterday”

“i know! there was even a carrot and little hands sticking out” 

of course don’t forget the matching sweaters 

and all the pictures in the sweaters because you guys are freakin adorable 

basically the superior christmas couple

ending with cute sweater paw high fives

seungkwan: hot chocolate night

an absolute must in the boo traditions okay

toppings everywhere 

marshmallows, oreos, whipped cream, chocolate ships, candy canes, cinnamon

and like five different types of hot chocolate

it’s really just an excuse to invite everyone over and do karaoke and just get into the christmas spirit yanno

but of course you and seungkwan have to hehem,,, test out everything first

“yah, we are going to be grown adult and not throw food at each other”

biggest freaking sike ever

but it’s okay because seungkwan looks adorable and precious while it’s ducking away from you throwing marshmallows

“kwannie! wait i’m calling truce” 

eyeing you suspicious, he steps forward carefully, “promise” 

“yes! i’m not lying just come here” 

he’s beginning all dramatic and cautious like ‘if you throw something at him now that’s a disqualification

he’s a foot away from you when you say, “okay stop close your eyes” 

“what?”

“just do it babe” 

so while he’s doing the same hand motions of ‘just do it’ and humming to it, 

you take a sip of the hot chocolate piled with whipped cream

and kiss him, square on the lips

his eyes flutter open in surprise but he takes no time to kiss you back 

and when you pull away his eyes meet you

,,, and your whip cream mustache

“did you just-” 

“hey you look hot with your santa stache” 

chan: tree decorating

you guys are not about to half-ass this tree okay

it’s seven feet tall and it’s going to look beautiful

you and chan decide to get a real tree, even though it sheds, just to get even more festive 

putting the lights around the tree together, placing the ornaments perfectly 

so domestic 

and of course it’s not chan’s tree without some aspects of seventeen in there 

so you make this giant bong bong and place in right where the star is and it’s the cutest thing ever

but not cuter than chan 

because he keeps messing with the ornaments, saying this one looks weird there and moves it but doesn’t like it there either 

and you just let him be, watching him while he works because you know the finished product will make he happy

when it looks finished and amazing, you pull him away, back hugging him and leaning your cheek against his shoulder

“it looks perfect channie, don’t mess with it anymore” 

stepping away to enjoy it in full view, he hums

“okay it does it pretty good, well because i worked on it” 

you laugh into his shoulder and he spins around to face you

“you know what makes it better?” 

“umm, gifts under the tree,” you reply jokingly 

“okay that too” 

taking his time wrapping his arms around your shoulders lovingly, never taking his eyes off of you, he whispers 

“being here with you” 

staring into his eyes, you slowly move your gaze down to his lips

“you know what i think would make it better? mistletoe” 

he lets out a breathy chuckle

“c’mon you know we don’t need that” 

[lobsters-on-their-heads]

Continuing Travels of Cophine, Part 3 Chapt. 10

Fucking finally. I’ve been trying to get my novel out to literary agents, which has taken up a lot of creative energy on top of regular life activities and things (bipolar doesn’t always work in my favor, either). But, here it is!

You can read all of Part 3 here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/16820221

Cosima didn't know how to write a condolence card. She sucked even more at picking one out, but on Tuesday that was her One Job.

At the card-and-party-goods store Sarah brought her to, the card section stretched over three full aisles, and the “sympathy” cards were ten percent of that. “Just grab a card,” she muttered to herself, “any fucking card.” But all of the cards she picked up sucked. Donnie Hendrix just lost his mother – the first person in his entire life who loved him – and the trite pre-written message on a two dollar piece of card stock was supposed to sooth his pain? Were the swoopy cursive letters and watercolor flowers actually supposed to comfort anyone? Or wasn't it all just a ploy to make those who hadn't lost anyone feel better about themselves? Like saying “look, I helped” without actually helping anything at all?

She picked up a card showing a tire swing at sunset. Always remember that every part of life is a part of God's plan, it said.

Cosima huffed. “Is cloning a part of God's plan, too?” she asked the card, and stuffed it back into it's slot.

Another read, Nothing happens without a reason. A whole bunch of Cosima's life experience contradicted that one, too.

Those who love us never really leave us.

“Way to rip off Sirius Black, yo,” Cosima told that card. As she suspected, JK Rowling was not credited with the message anywhere on the back.

She had no idea how close Donnie was (had been) to his mother. If (when) Cosima's mother died, there wasn't a card in existence that would even dent Cosima's pain. To make matters worse, in her search Cosima came across sympathy cards for the loss of a spouse or partner and she nearly fled the card aisle to join Sarah in the “summer fun” aisle with the pool noodles and plastic sand buckets. The two news alerts from Syria she got a few minutes ago really didn't help, and Delphine wasn't even in Syria yet.

Cosima was scowling at a card reading Don't cry. They're in a better place now when her phone rang. She crammed the card back in it's overcrowded slot and answered. “Hey gorgeous,” she said.

“Hey,” Delphine said. “Is everything alright? You said you needed some help?”

Delphine sounded exhausted, and Cosima chided herself. Delphine had treated two Turkish clones in two cities in two days. She deserved some time to herself. “Totally alright,” Cosima assured her. “Nothing to worry about. Forget I asked.”

“Euh, not very likely. What do you need help with?”

“Well, you seem like a classy lady, and so I thought – ”

Delphine's snorted laugh cut her off. “I'm sorry, what?”

“I have to buy a sympathy card for Donnie, and I have no frikkin' clue what to get, or, like, what to do when we see him later today.”

“Oh.” Delphine's mirth vanished. “Why are you buying a sympathy card? What happened?”

“His mom died. She had a stroke on Friday and she never woke up from the coma. Not, if you ask me, the worst way to go, but still sad, you know?” Funny how none of the sympathy cards said that: It wasn't the worst way to go, but it's still sad, I know.

“Hm.”

“Anyway, I'm trying to find the right card, and nothing seems right. Sarah doesn't know either, and the whole “sorry your mom died” thing kind of sent her to a bad emotional place too. Totally understandable, you know? She's distracting herself right now. I'd normally ask Alison, but obviously that doesn't work here. Scott's socially inept in these areas, even worse than me, and my mom's off the grid until June, so I can't ask her either.”

“I see.” Traffic rushed by on Delphine's end, and she said, “hang on,” a couple of times before the traffic noise ceased. “I'm not sure how much I can help, actually. I'm not exactly an expert in comforting phrases or what to say after someone dies. In English or in French, actually.”

Cosima sighed. “Well, you've gotta be better at this than I am. Like, what kind of card would you want if your mom died?”

Delphine laughed again. “That depends.”

“On what?”

“How she died, if she'd decided to talk to me before she passed, if she has a will...”

“Let's say there's no will, you were on speaking terms, and she died of a stroke.” Cosima had no idea about the will part, but assumed it didn't matter here. “In fact, you know what, scratch that. You'd probably want a card saying something like Guess what? She's dead.”

“In my case, yes, that would be fine. But this is not my case.”

“What kind would you want if I died?”

Delphine inhaled sharply, and Cosima kicked herself again. Delphine already had those nightmares. “I'd rather not think about that.”

“Yeah, fair. Ditto.”

“Cosima. What kind of card do you think you should get? What would the right one say in this situation?”

“I just want one that says, This sucks, and we all know it sucks, and we're here for you. None of this greater purpose, heaven and God shit. I mean, I know the Hendrixes go to church and all that, but... I don't know. It seems off base to me, and it'll be super obvious I don't mean it.”

“Don't they have any blank cards? You can write in your own message if you want.”

“I am not sure that would be better, actually.” She sighed again and held a hand to her forehead. Chances were, this would be their only conversation that day – it was dinner time in Bursa, and Cosima would be spending the next few hours with the Hendrixes. She should get the most out of her daily Delphine Time. Walking away from the cards towards the big store-front window, she asked, “How'd your day go, then? How was the treatment?”

“Fine. She's asymptomatic, as we suspected.”

Cosima smiled. “Nice of you to use the plural there. If I remember correctly, you're the one who convinced me not to drop clone fest to inoculate her back in March.”

“You weren't terribly opposed, though.”

“Mostly because I knew Alison would kick my ass.��� Cosima giggled. “If only we'd known how Clone Fest would actually go! Alison might've been happy for us to miss it.”

“I thought you two smoothed all that over?”

“Eh. I guess. Forgiven but not forgotten, for my part.”

“Doesn't sound like you've completely forgiven, either.”

“I've forgiven enough to not bring it up again with her. How's that? I'm letting it slide.”

“As long as you're both okay.”

“I am fine. Alison's husband is the one I should be worried about right now. And you. I'm always worried about you.”

“Don't worry too much. Bursa is very nice. Rainy, but nice.”

“Oh, I'm sure it's nice. And it's not really Bursa I'm worried about, either.”

Delphine made a noncommittal noise. Cosima picked up a little animatronic Easter bunny from the store's clearance bin and pushed the button on its ear. While it danced around to its tinny robotic song, Cosima tried to think of something else to say – something other than “you know there have been chemical attacks in Syria recently” and “you know our security team can't really protect you from everything.”

“How's everyone else?” Delphine asked.

“Fine. Charlotte's still being Charlotte. Sarah's worried she's gonna fail her math class, so we're all trying to help her out with that.”

“Wait. Sarah's worried that Charlotte will fail? I thought she was strong in math.”

“No no no. Sarah's worried that Sarah might fail math.”

“Ah!”

“Too many shes, I know.”

“Hm.”

Cosima looked around to make sure Sarah wasn't in hearing distance. “I'm trying to kind of gently coax her into, like, an advisor's office or something. Maybe an academic counselor.”

“Sarah, you mean?”

“Yes, still Sarah. Like, it's weird.” Cosima looked around again. Sarah had moved on to the “Over the Hill” birthday aisle, where she was laughing at some tombstone shaped decorations. “She's obviously smart,” Cosima whispered to Delphine, “and she's doing everything she's supposed to do. She's working her ass off for these classes, and she just can't get it. Me and Scott are still tutoring her like once a week or so, but I dunno. I think she needs something that we're not able to give her, but I don't know what. She just keeps saying she's too stupid to get it, but I don't think that's the case.”

“No, I don't think so either.”

“She was joking the other day that someone must've dropped her on her head as a baby.”

Delphine was silent on the other end, but in the silence Cosima heard her thinking. The gentle tap of a pen or pencil gave it away. Before either of them to continue the conversation, Sarah came over and waved a “old man survival kit” at Cosima.

“Art's birthday's all set, then,” Sarah said. When Cosima just stared, she clarified. “He's turning 40 in a couple weeks.”

“Oh,” Cosima said. “Cool. Um. Send us the date, yeah?”

“Sure. He doesn't want anyone to know, but whatever.” She waved at the phone in Cosima's hand and raised her voice. “Hi Delphine!”

Delphine chuckled softly and said, “Hello Sarah” in a voice soft enough for Sarah to miss it.

“I should get going,” Cosima said into the phone. “I probably can't talk much later, but text me if you want, yeah?”

Delphine agreed to, they both said “I love you,” and Cosima hung up. Then she turned to Sarah. “How'd you know I was talking to Delphine?”

“Your face, mostly. Anyway, you ready yet? Where's the card? I wanna get outta here before I buy too much shit I don't need.”

* * * * * *

On Thursday, as Delphine travelled to Izmir, Cosima sat in their apartment and scrolled through job listings. The exercise was futile – she wouldn't apply to any of them and anyway, she didn't have her PhD yet. Her advisor sent back a list of dissertation edits yesterday, but Cosima had only made two of the smallest ones. More and more, every time she sat at the computer, her mind drifted. Some of it was the same old shit: anxiety over the state of the world and the nagging feeling that nothing she did amounted to much. And worry about Delphine. She always worried about Delphine. The job search began as a combination of those – worry that she'd never get a job good enough to give Delphine the kind of life she deserved.

Her family made sure to get her away from the Rabbit Hole for at least an hour every day now, and Cosima was not allowed to protest. If she did, they pretended to move in with her, loudly, until she left the apartment in frustration. That only happened once, though. Tuesday's outing was to the store and the Hendrixes, where Clone Club gathered to support Donnie in his grief. Yesterday, Cosima was back at Bailey Downs, to “help Helena with the boys” while the Hendrixes attended the funeral in Hamilton. “Helping with the boys” made no sense, of course, since Cosima didn't know what the fuck to do with one-year-olds except make silly faces once in a while, and Helena resented the obvious supervision. Cosima spent half of that visit riding Alison's bicycle aimlessly through the subdivision by herself.

Thoughts of the twins and the suburban expanse of Scarborough set Cosima's mind spinning again.

She remembered the sprawling, packed metropolises of Mexico City, Istanbul, and São Paulo. Those weren't even the biggest cities in the world, and still their size and scope took her breath away. She remembered the bustling streets of Lima and Cairo, and she'd never stopped being amazed at how many distinct individuals existed in the world. Little Arthur and Little Donnie were unique, just like every single one of those people. Just like Delphine. Just like Cosima and each of her sisters.

She shook her head and tapped her own cheeks. Another cup of tea was in order, but before she got up her phone emitted a weak little chirp – another news alert from Syria.

“Fuck it,” Cosima told her laptop. Grabbing her coat and purse, she went outside, leaving the job search and dissertation edits behind.

The Syrian news alerts never made Cosima feel better. Even the occasional cease fires failed to get her hopes up, because most of them devolved into violence again, or yet another armed group entered the scene to fuck shit up again.

At least Cosima now checked those alerts only from outside of the Rabbit Hole, with a view of sky and trees rather than drab walls and a moldy ceiling she lacked motivation to clean herself. Ignoring the chirps from inside the apartment didn't change the situation, but it helped Cosima keep her head screwed on, and it kept her from telling Delphine to just stay far the fuck away and send someone else to cure the Syrian Leda.

Not that she hadn't thought about it. The trouble was that no one else would do it – not the way it needed to be done, or with the appropriate discretion.

Cosima ordered a chai latte at the cafe around the corner, sat near the window, and gave in to her brain's desire to dwell on bad news for the day.

Fighting in Aleppo schools bombed in Hama clinics shot up in Ghouta ISIS kidnapping people in Deir ez-Zor

Hundreds of thousands of people were trying to flee with the clothes on their backs, and the only people trying to get in were ISIS recruits, aid workers, and foreign military “advisors.” By the time this whole shit show ended, Cosima doubted there would be anything left of the beautiful country she'd wanted to visit as a teenager – encouraged by her tenth grade math teacher who just happened to be Syrian and also super fucking hot. But that was now beside the point. The point now was that a different super fucking hot object of Cosima's affections would be in Syria within the next couple of weeks. Their purchase earlier that year of “kidnap and ransom” insurance only made Cosima feel worse.

Skimming over the most recent alert from Damascus, a pair of chimes interrupted her. The first was from Qamar, their remaining Arabic translator, requesting a phone call in a few minutes. She did that often, preferring to relay messages longer than five words verbally rather than in writing. Cosima sighed and agreed.

The other was the semi-daily update from Nabil back in Djibouti. Like most of the children's texts, it was short and random – a picture of a filthy street cat in the shadow of a trash can that he'd captioned “friienb.” Cosima replied as she usually did, with a picture of her own – her chai latte, framed by a glass sugar shaker and a napkin holder. She added a short and simple message of her own. “Lunch.”

She kept thinking of talking with Qamar about Nooran's nieces and nephews. Djibouti was certainly safer than Yemen, and now that Nooran was cured their life could improve somewhat, but Cosima couldn't let go of Nooran's request – to take the children to Canada with them. She also couldn't forget the role they'd inadvertently played in Cosima's current situation by sending a picture of themselves with the flag of the Muslim Brotherhood in the background. It wasn't their fault, and she would never – could never – ask them about it.

Her phone rang and she answered before even checking the caller. “Hello, this is Cosima,” she said.

“Hi, Cosima,” her mother said, a certain heaviness in her voice.

The dissonance between her expectation of Qamar's chipper accent and the sound of her mother's voice made Cosima reel. “Oh. Hey, Mom. I thought you were out to sea right now?”

“Well, we were.”

“Okay. That doesn't sound good. What happened? You said the boat was having some issues, but – ”

“No, honey, the boat's fine. We got that fixed last month.”

“Okay...”

A garbled, wonky announcement sounded through the phone, like the announcements at airports or train stations, but filtered under water. Sally sighed and waited for it to finish before speaking again. “We're at the hospital right now.”

Cosima froze. “Oh shit. Is it your foot?” She'd been worried about that, about her mother going out to sea so soon after bunion surgery, but Sally said no.

“No, honey, my foot's doing fine. It's Gene.”

“Oh. Is he...”

“It's not his heart this time. He's very keen on everyone knowing that. He did not have another heart attack, and he's been taking his statins regularly.”

“Okay, well that still doesn't really tell me what's wrong with him.”

Sally sighed again. “Well, a couple of days ago, he started noticing blood in his urine. Of course, being Gene, he didn't say anything about it until yesterday, when he couldn't urinate at all.”

Imagining that made Cosima squirm and cross her legs in sympathy. “That sounds awful.”

Beeping in Cosima's ear told her Qamar was trying to get through. Whatever. Qamar could wait. Qamar probably didn't have a urinary blockage.

Sally went on. “Yes, well, after several hours of that, he agreed we should turn around and head for shore. Fortunately we were only about six hours out from Eureka, so here we are.”

“So, what, Dad went like eight hours without peeing? Holy shit.”

“Closer to twelve or fourteen, I think. He's on a catheter now and they're running some tests.”

“Jesus Christ, poor guy.”

“Yes, well.” Sally gave a few of her deep sighs – the kind that came from somewhere beneath her diaphragm and that Cosima was all too familiar with.

“Go ahead and say it, Mom.”

She sighed again. “Well, it's just – I know this has been going on longer than he says it has. The doctors were worried about his prostate last year, and sometimes Gene gets this pinched look on his face, you know? This pinched pained look and then he acts like it didn't happen and he's not in any pain, like I'm some kind of an idiot.”

“That... sounds familiar.”

“Oh, so you noticed while we were in Toronto a few months ago? You noticed it too?”

“Uh, no, actually, I didn't. I was thinking of something else.” She was thinking of Delphine, wincing over the phone and over Skype and swearing that nothing was wrong, all the while having a cracked knee cap. “I think you and I have similar tastes in partners,” she told Sally.

Sally laughed. “Don't say that! Delphine's a nice girl.”

“Yeah, nice and stubborn as hell. Anyway. What's next? What's going to happen?”

“We're staying on land for a while. I knew Gene was really hurting when I told him we'd have to, and he didn't even argue.”

Cosima whistled. “Back to Berkeley then?”

“We'll see. I'll keep you posted. Love you.”

Cosima returned the sentiment and hung up. She needed to call Qamar and see what she'd turned up, but that could wait another few minutes. Pulling up her on-going text string with Delphine, Cosima typed, Would you tell me if you couldn't pee for twelve hours? After hitting send, she kicked herself. Over text, she wouldn't see Delphine's face when she read the question, and in regular messenger it was impossible to delete texts.

The phone call with Qamar lasted four minutes. Samira, the one Leda remaining in Syria, still resided in Douma, but had no cell phone or internet access. All the information Qamar had was word-of-mouth, from the cousin of a friend of Samira's husband.

“I tell him, you see her next month,” Qamar said

“It'll be a lot closer than that,” Cosima said. “Delphine's scheduled to meet the security team there on May 9.”

“May 9? Okay, I tell them tomorrow. I talk them tomorrow.”

“I mean,” Cosima cautioned, “there's also always the chance the date could change. Just like the others.”

“Yes yes. I know.” Qamar had been with them since they got the Leda List, or close to it. She knew the deal, even if she never quite understood it.

Off the phone again, Cosima let out a long, slow breath. Different news would have been welcome – that Samira had fled along with her Syrian Leda sisters and Delphine didn't need to go there at all, ever. Or maybe that Samira was in some unique position to hop over the border into Lebanon for a day or two and get treated there.

Not likely.

Finishing her drink, Cosima debated a trip to the aquarium or to see Scott at the university, where he was working on nanotechnology. She'd just settled on visiting Scott when Delphine's reply arrived. Yes, I will tell you if I can't pee for 12 hours but only on one condition.

That was unexpected. What's that?

You have to tell me why the fuck you tried putting a robot worm in your face a few years ago.

[moddersinc]

Patriot Viper VPN100 PCIe M.2 SSD Review

Before keyboards, mice and other accessories, Patriot was a flash memory based company. It originally started with RAM and then started to release USB flash drives and eventually started producing SSDs and gaming peripherals. Patriot's Viper product line is considered their top of the line products and meant for those discerning consumers that demand the best.  The Viper VPN100 PCIe M.2 SSD is Patriots next entry into the M.2 PCIe drive market. The VPN100 comes in capacities from 256GB all the way to 2 TB and is covered by a 3-year warranty.  This drive features a massive heatsink and the drive boasts a 3450 MB/s read speed and 3000 MB/s write speed. The VPN100 uses the latest Phison E12 controller that is PCIe Gen 3 x 4 capable and supports the latest NVMe 1.3 specification.   FEATURES: • Phison E12 Controller • 2280 M.2 PCIe Gen3 x 4, NVMe 1.3 • DRAM Cache: 512MB • External Thermal sensor • Heatshield design • Extreme high performance • Operating Temperature - 0° ~ 70°C • TBW: 800TB • 4K Aligned Random Read: up to 700K IOPs • 4K Aligned Random Write: up to 480K IOPs • Sequential Read (ATTO): up to 3,300MB/s • Sequential Write (ATTO): up to 2,200MB/S • Sequential Read (CDM): up to 3,300MB/s • Sequential Write (CDM): up to 2,200MB/s • O/S Supported: Windows® 7*/8.0*/8.1/10 *May require driver Packaging Patriot's packaging for the Viper VPN100 is eye-catching. On the front of the box, there is a large graphic of the drive. The actual drive capacity is noted by a sticker also located on the front. The back fo the box contains the specifications of the drive in multiple languages. There's also a front flap that can be opened. Inside the flap, Patriot gives you some information on why the company thinks this drive is the one for you as well as goes into a little more detail on the cooling features of the drive. On the opposite side, you can get a peek at the actual drive housed in a plastic shell.

Upon opening the box, you'll be presented with a plastic shell with the Viper VPN100 drive encased within.

A Closer Look at the Patriot Viper VPN100 The most prominent feature on the drive is the large heatsink applied on top of the controller and memory ICs. The heatsink is made of aluminum and features 10 vertical slots for airflow and the Viper logo in the center.

  From the side profile, you can see the heatsink is fairly tall on the Viper VPN100, measuring in at 10mm. That's great for everyone except for those that would like to put this in their laptop. In most cases, this drive won't fit.

On the back of the drive, Patriot put a sticker indicating the drive's capacity and other pertinent information. You can see here that our test sample is the 512 GB version.

After initial testing, I decided to pull the heatsink off the VPN100 to get a look at the controller and memory ICs below. The picks that come in the iFixIt kit were essential to removing the heatsink. I slid the pick between the heatsink and and the modules below it. Good lord, whatever thermal pad they used took forever to clean off from the ICs. Using some isopropyl alcohol and some elbow grease, I still wasn't able to get all of the adhesive off of the ICs. It was stuck on pretty well.

The Viper VPN100 has ICs on only one side. The controller, DRAM, and flash are all located under the heat sink.

The controller for the Viper VPN100 is the newest Phison PS5012-E12 controller. The controller is PCIe 3.0X4 with NVMe 1.3 protocol support.  The E12 (non-c variant) can support up to a max capacity of 8 TB. Sequential speeds of 3200 MB/s read and 3000 MB/s write can be obtained using this controller.

Two 256GB 64-layer BICS 3D triple-level cell chips labeled TCBBG55A1 which, are manufactured by Toshiba. The write endurance is rated at 800 TB which is pretty massive for a 512 GB SSD.

Finally, the DRAM is a Nanya 512MB memory chip that is used for caching.

Test Setup & Results Component Product Name Provided By Processor Intel Core i7-8700K (Retail) Intel Motherboard Aorus Z390 Pro Gigabyte Memory G.Skill SniperX 2x8GB @ 3400MHz 16-16-16-36 (XMP) G.Skill Drive  Patriot Viper VPN100 512 GB NVMe SSD, Samsung 240 EVO 256GB SSD Patriot/Samsung Video Card Zotac Geforce GTX 1080 mini Zotac Monitor BenQ EL2870U 28 inch 4K HDR Gaming Monitor 3840×2160 @ 60 Hz Case DimasTech EasyXL DimasTech Power Supply Cooler Master Silent Pro M2 1500W Cooler Master Operating System Windows 10 x64 Pro with latest patches and updates All of these tests were performed before I removed the heatsink. Additional testing was done after the heatsink was removed. The first round of benchmarks was run with an empty drive. The second round of benchmarks was run with the drive over 75% full. Each benchmark was run three times and we recorded the best overall scores for this review. There were no less than 20 minutes between each benchmark to give the drive time to cool down and rest. A quick side note. The threaded Q-depth tests on the Anvils Storage Utilities named the drive as a Toshiba drive, However, it had the correct letter and capacity. ATTO Disk Benchmark The ATTO Disk Benchmark utility was designed to measure regular disk drive performance.  However, its more than capable of measuring both USB flash drive and SSD speeds as well. The utility measures disk performance rates for various sizes of files and displays the results in a bar chart showing read and write speeds at each file size. The results are displayed in megabytes per second Both the fresh out of box and the 75% capacity tests are almost identical with the 75% test just barely ahead. The ATTO tests were able to get extremely close to the manufactures advertised speeds.   AS SSD Benchmark AS SSD Benchmark is a simple and portable utility which helps you measure the effectiveness and performance of any solid state (SSD) drives connected to your system. It will test “Seq”, “4K”, “4K-64Thrd” and Access Time. In the end, it will give your SSD a score. 4K tests the read/write abilities by access random 4K blocks while the Sequential test measures how fast the drive can read a 1GB file. For AS SSD, we run the SSD benchmark and the Copy Benchmark. Empty Drive: 75% Capacity The AS SSD tests came back with 2247.75 MB/s read and 1984.01 MB/s write on the empty drive for the sequential tests. 4K results were 45.63 MB/s read and 117.71 on the write and earned an overall score of 5302. The tests with the drive at 75% resulted in 2250.58 MB/s read and 1982.07 MB/s write in the sequential tests. 4K resulted in 55.40 MB/s read and 146.20 MB/s write speeds with an overall score of 5302. Each of the tests fell a bit short of the manufactures stated sequential read and write speeds.   Anvil’s Storage Utilities Anvil’s Storage Utilities is a powerful performance measurement tool for both traditional hard drives and SSDs. The tool can monitor, and test read and write speeds on hard drives while also providing information from the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) that provides basic information about the disk and its parameters, including partitions and volumes. The ANVIL SSD benchmark resulted in sequential read speed of 3281.40 MB/s read speed and 1984.50MB/s write speeds on the fresh drive with an overall score of 15698.26. The VPN100 at 75% capacity yielded a result of 2301.12 MB/s read and 1984.50 MB/s write speeds and for the first time in our testing scored lower at 14835.12 overall.   CrystalDiskMark 5.2.1 CrystalDiskMark is designed to quickly test the performance of your hard drives. Currently, the program allows to measure sequential and random read/write speeds. Crystal Disk Mark is where we see the closest sequential read and write speeds to what the manufacture published. The empty drive resulted in 3469.9 MB/s read and 2101.1 MB/s write speeds. When the drive was filled up to 75% of its total capacity, the read speed came back at 3472.0 MB/s and 2105.3 MB/s on the write speed. 4K speeds were good as well at 966.7 MB/s read and 1952.7 MB/s write on the empty drive compared to 1065.3 MB/s read and 1939.8 MB/write speed when the drive is filled to 75%.   Conclusion and Final Thoughts First, let's get some additional testing out of the way. For this drive specifically, I really wondered if the heatsink was necessary. The drive is fast and from the results so far, meets the specifications listed. I reinstalled the drive in an open slot below the GPU with no heatsink installed, including the SSD covers that come with the Aorus Z390 Pro motherboard and I ran through some tests once more. The results were similar to the results that were obtained with the heatsink installed. During this test, I also pulled up AIDA 64 to monitor temperatures as the controller has a max operating temperature of 70°C. During the non-heatsink tests, I saw a max temperature of 50°C and 53°C during an extended write test using HDDTune. With the heatsink installed, I observed temperatures of 45°C during our standard test suite and an absolute max of 47°C in the extended write testing. Take into consideration these tests were performed on an open test bench and not in a standard PC case or a laptop. Even then, I would think it would be safe to say the SSD would keep temperatures down below the throttling threshold.  

  The Patriot Viper VPN100 is armed with the latest controller from Phison and the latest 3D NAND from Toshiba. The pairing results in great speeds for the drive. In my testing, I was able to easily eclipse 2 GB/s write speeds and 3 GB/s read speeds.    I do feel the packaging on the Viper VPN100 is slightly misleading. The box does say up to 3000 MB/s write however, that's only on the 1 and 2 TB models and yet those specifications persist on the smaller capacity drives as well. You'll have to dig into the product documentation for the actual specifications. Shame on me, as I did make the fatal mistake of believing the box vs reading the product documentation when I first started testing the drive. The Viper VPN is a fast and stable drive. I continue to try to heat it up and get it to throttle but as of yet, I have been unable to do so with the heatsink off. So, if you feel like pulling that massive hunk of aluminum off, you can slide this drive into your laptop. As of this writing, the Viper VPN512 GB model can be had for  $83 on Amazon with the 1TB slightly more at $145. Combine the pricing with the speeds and you've got a drive that is hard to beat.         Read the full article

[taeheyhey]

Close to Normal

Chapter 3 - Does This Make Sense?

Taehyung x Reader - Fluff/Angst/Future Smut - 2.4K words

A/N - Welcome to chapter 3! I really hope those of you that see this are enjoying it so far, there is a lot more of this to come yet and I would really like to know if I should continue posting/editing it on here or if I should move on to another fic, please let me know, I would love to hear from you guys!

As far as the use of language in this story goes, here is how I have formatted it: Dialogue in italics is (probably poorly) Romanised Korean, and will usually be used when an English speaking character can hear a word or words being said but may not necessarily understand.Dialogue in bold is when two or more characters are speaking to one another in Korean.

Thank you again for the love, I get all giddy when a notification pops up!!! ☺

Chapter One ~ Two ~ Three ~ Four ~ Five ~ Six ~ Seven ~ Eight ~ Nine ~ Ten ~ Eleven ~ Twelve ~ Thirteen ~ Fourteen ~ Fifteen ~ Sixteen ~ Seventeen ~ Eighteen ~ Nineteen ~ Twenty ~ Twenty-One ~ Twenty-Two

You stood staring dumbly at the door he just walked out of, before touching your fingers to your lips. How on earth had your night turned out like this? Earlier that evening, just the thought of getting a quick glimpse of the upper floors seemed like such a welcome diversion to the inevitable unpleasantness you were on your way to experiencing in the restaurant. Now you were faced with the very real prospect of sleeping in one of the luxurious suites on the very top floor with the most attractive person you had ever laid eyes on.

Okay, not sleeping with him... right? That would be...no. Why had that suddenly popped in to your head? You laughed nervously to yourself, dropping your fingers from your lips and smoothing down imaginary creases out of your dress, recoiling slightly as your hand brushed over the still-damp wine stain at your thigh.

What exactly was going on here? He’d been kind to you and made you laugh and was being all chivalrous, but why? As much as you felt something drawing you to him, he had no reason at all to want to help you. And that kiss...

Your mind drifted back to the feel of his large, warm hand engulfing yours and the palpable tension in the lift after he dragged you back to stand beside him, avoiding your eyes, exuding apprehension in spite of his bold actions. Then later, the same hand squeezing your hip as his lips moved hotly over yours.

You shook yourself free from your thoughts, rubbing your hand over your face in an effort to regain some sort of equilibrium. You walked towards the room you saw him emerge from earlier with the first aid kit, hoping that splashing your face with cold water would clear your mind some.

As the light from above the mirror illuminated the bathroom you were confronted by the largest collection of beauty products you had ever seen outside of a pharmacy. You were fairly certain you hadn’t owned this much cleansing, toning and/or moisturising paraphernalia in your whole life, never mind at any one time. Weirdly, towards the back of the sink, there was a cartoonish-looking pink spotted towelling headband decorated with a bow.

Without thinking too much about it – not over-thinking things seemingly the theme of the latter part of your evening – you used the headband to push your hair back from your face and began to examine some of the many bottles littering the sink's surface. You were unable to read some of the writing on the bottles, were they Korean characters? You had recognised the patterns of the letters from the paper face masks your best friend, Hannah, always ordered off the internet and made you wear when you had a night in together. She swore by them, and they always felt nice, but you just couldn’t get over the vaguely serial killer-esque appearance they gave you.

Overwhelmed by choice and concerned you may end up rubbing some kind of foot cream in to your face by mistake, you decided it would be best to just stick to what you knew, unwrapping the hotel soap and rubbing it between your palms beneath the flowing water in order to wash your make up off. As you leaned your face closer to the mirror, you were dismayed to see the dark circles under your red-rimmed eyes. 

You groaned as you realised you needed to make a decision about where you were going to sleep tonight. You felt a pang of guilt when you realised how much you wanted to stay here with Taehyung, and then cursed at yourself. After the events of that evening, you rationalised that there was nothing for you to feel guilty about.

Decision made, you pulled your dress over your head and changed in to the shirt and shorts that he had brought out for you. Draping your dress over the back of a wooden chair by the window, you pulled the cord to open the blinds and felt vertigo wash over you as you saw for the first time just how high up you actually were. The lights from the buildings and roads for miles around twinkled up at you like a million multi-coloured stars, and you were stuck by how magical it looked. You considered again the strange turn of events of the evening.

Suddenly overcome with fatigue, you exhaled deeply and returned to the couch, resting on to the plush cushions and leaning your head against the back, your eyes drifting closed.

~~~

That was how Taehyung found you when he returned not long after. Holding your bag in his right hand, he gently pushed the room door closed with his left, not wanting to jolt you awake. He did a double take at his headband which had shifted down your face, obscuring one closed eye, and he smiled indulgently at how childlike you appeared in sleep.

Walking over to the couch, he placed one arm lightly around your shoulders to support your weight and he used the other to lift your legs from the floor, rotating you around in order to lay you down across the cushions. Sitting on the floor by your head, he pushed the pink material back up your forehead, a soft laugh leaving him in a breath as your nose twitched a little at the sensation.

He would be lying if he said he wasn’t a little disappointed that you weren’t awake as he returned, but he reasoned you had had a long night and he wasn’t entirely sure how he expected the evening to progress anyway. Prone to acts of spontaneity in general, he had to admit that he didn’t exactly think the whole situation though, but you had seemed unconcerned and willing to go with it.

He hadn’t felt that strange fluttering in the pit of his stomach since long before his debut, not since the clever girl with the glasses he'd liked at his middle school, that – even with all his popularity – Taehyung had been too shy to speak to. Back then he made up endless scenarios and possible eventualities of what might happen if he built up the courage to confess to her, and the regret from never acting on it had troubled him for a long time after he had graduated and she’d moved to Canada with her family.

That same feeling encompassed him when he saw you for the second time, walking in to the restaurant in your pretty blue dress, a strange disappointment settling in him as you sat opposite the man whose dress sense had impressed him previously. He felt a little guilty for being relieved when the man left, but surely he hadn’t misread the way you had looked at him. You felt something too, there was no mistaking it, and as irrational as it was he didn’t want to deal with what-ifs for an unknown length of time. He couldn’t place why precisely he felt such a connection to you, even with the difference in language. Maybe it felt all the more visceral because of that, rather than in spite of it.

He was shaken from his musings once again by the sound of a phone, your phone to be specific. So as not to disturb you, Taehyung opened your bag and pulled out the handset, grimacing slightly when he saw a photo of the man from earlier fill up the screen as it rang, with the name Mark displayed in the middle of his forehead. He still had no idea of what had transpired between the two of you, but he made an educated assumption that you most likely didn’t want to be woken to speak to 'Mark'. He put your ringer on silent, and placed your phone on the table by the television next to the first aid kit on his way to the bedroom to fetch a cover for you before crawling in to bed himself, testing out your name on his lips with a smile before sleep finally took him.

~~~

Jimin stood in the doorway of the suite, trying to make sense of the fact that there was a girl fast asleep on a sofa in his best friend’s hotel room. None of the possibilities he was able to come up with made the slightest bit of sense, and he wondered momentarily if he should go and get the manager from his room.

He had also struggled to amuse himself without the others the night before, and had responded more or less instantly to Taehyung’s message to the group chat, hoping it would lead to a video call so he could laugh at his friend’s silly faces and wild commentary on nothing in particular.

After 45 minutes had passed, he had given up waiting and decided to take advantage of his solitude by treating himself to an early night. He resolved to take a taxi over to see him in the morning, their respective hotels thankfully being in the same part of the city. Taehyung was usually one of the last of the members to be able to drag himself out of bed, and Jimin decided he would wake him in his favourite way – by launching himself noisily on to his bed and attacking him until he woke – as punishment for his boredom the previous evening.

If it weren’t for the fact that Taehyung had given him the additional room card he was given upon check in – as was their usual arrangement – he would have sworn he was in the wrong room. There was also the fact that the girl in question was wearing that ridiculous pink headband that was unmistakably his friend’s.

“Jimin-ah, what are you doing here?” Taehyung walked out of the bathroom, a towel draped around his shoulders catching drips from his wet hair and his toothbrush clenched between his teeth on one side of his mouth as he greeted his friend as quietly as possible given his surprise.

Without looking away from your sleeping form, his eyebrows drew close in a clear display of his confusion. “You’re up? I thought it was weird when you didn’t reply last night,” he finally turned to face his friend with a wry smile. “Is this why Taehyung-ie? You were doing...something else?” Jimin wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Taehyung rolled his eyes and pulled a reluctant Jimin in to the bathroom with him while he finished up brushing his teeth. The black-haired man stood examining his friends face in the mirror, noticing his strange expression. “What happened? Who is she?”

How could he begin to explain the series of events that led to you being in his room? The short version was that he had literally dragged you up here after seeing you fight with your...what? Your boyfriend? That he had kissed you after barely exchanging ten words with you? And that had you not fallen asleep he didn’t know exactly how far he would have let things go?

“I met her last night, she’s really...nice.” Well, you certainly seemed nice. It was sort of hard to tell when he only really understood 20% of what you said, and you understood absolutely nothing from his language.

Jimin took a breath before asking the same question that was always posed whenever any of the members interacted with a girl for the first time. “Does she know who you are?” 

He sighed in response. He knew Jimin was only asking as a concerned friend, but the almost standardised question only served to remind Taehyung of the potential ramifications of him allowing the human side of him to control his actions, rather than the PR-friendly-idol side he had spent years cultivating with the help of a massive team of people.

“We need to be careful Taehyung-ah, that’s all. It’s getting more difficult to keep a low profile.”

There were times where Jimin honestly thought that his bandmate was one of the wisest people he had ever met. He just always seemed so self aware, despite how his outward behaviour had a tendency to make other people believe otherwise. Other times however, he worried Taehyung acted so much on whimsy that it would end up hurting him in the long run. He had never known him to bring a girl back to his room before though, and it had thrown him off. He tried to change tack as he saw the younger of the two rest his hands on the counter surrounding the sink, his eyes fixed low without really focusing on anything.

“She doesn’t know who we are. I’m sure.” He chewed on his bottom lip as he contemplated how much he should say. “I...kissed her” he confessed as one side of his mouth quirked up at the memory, recalling the look in your eyes as he leant down to meet your lips.

At this revelation, Jimin’s mood shifted back to playful and he clapped his hand on to his shoulder, once again just two young men in their twenties talking about girls. “Wow, this guy. You’re blushing!” The tense moment over, Jimin laughed and Taehyung joined in a second later, the former changing the conversation to a much more familiar topic. “I’m hungry, what is the food like here? Shall we have breakfast?”

Taehyung couldn’t remember what the food was like, he had been too engrossed in watching you. He didn’t tell Jimin that, settling for a non-committal answer instead. “It’s not bad. Let me leave a note for y/n in case she wakes up.”

“Y/N is it? Ah, I’m so impressed!” He teased again.

Taehyung chose not to respond but he smiled widely despite himself as he used the hotel stationery to leave you a message. “How do you write 'breakfast' in English again?” He hoped you would come and join them, so Jimin could see for himself how impossible it would have been for him to just let you go back to your own room, to just forget about the strangely beautiful moment that had passed between you. He wanted to make sure he wasn't imagining the way you looked at him.

Not long after, the note was complete and placed on the arm of the couch at your feet. The two young men left the room, Jimin wondering aloud just how he managed to talk you in to coming up to his room, having only the most basic grasp of your language. Once again, he found himself in absolute awe of Taehyung’s charisma, but carried on teasing him mercilessly all the way down to the restaurant, overjoyed to be able to see his dearest friend blush over a pretty girl for perhaps the first time he'd known him, and he found himself sincerely hoping that you were as delightful as Taehyung very clearly thought you were.

[saveahorse-ride-a-cowboy]

"I hope it's good news," he says softly, bowing his head before walking to the door. "Have a good day, Lili!"

“I- you too!” I call back and quickly tear open the letter, scanning it for any sign of an official break up.

I love-

“What…” I whisper, absolutely shocked, “it was all… he didn’t- oh.”

I hurry home once the store closes and pull out two scrap pieces of paper I stole from the counter today, backs of receipts Depur Jon filled out. 

I write a letter carefully before using a third scrap paper to fold into an envelope, heading out early the next day to send it before my shift.

Ani, 

I don’t believe I know how to express how shocked I am to hear from you, and on a positive note at that. I was certain that when Deval dropped this letter off it would be an official request of divorce. Which, by the way, I would have and would understand. 

I do think it’s rather silly you didn’t think to send a letter somewhere else, as it’s not like we don’t have post offices on Tatooine, haha. I forgive you though, I just missed hearing from you. We all did. Kit and your mom, too. 

I am okay, a lot has happened since we last spoke that I don’t really know how to summarize so I’ve decided I will just give you a few words per event. Ahem. My mother died, I moved in with your mom, I got sold, Shmi met a guy, I got proposed to and declined, Shmi got proposed to and accepted, Shmi got married, Shmi was freed, Shmi moved in with her husband and left the house to me here, Cliegg (her husband) has a boy our age that is now like a weird brother/sort of cousin to me and his name is Owen, Owen got a girlfriend named Beru, Cliegg lost his leg (oh no!), Kit freed his baby sister that was born after you left (she’s three), Kit has almost freed his mother, Sebulba has won ever Boonta Cup since you left, Tuskens have gotten worse and now venture into the city, a Tusken war happened and humans won, a plague hit the slaves and several died, Mala (the elder) is alive and kicking and has had four great- grandchildren born since you left.

Wow, that’s a lot. Big paragraph, I’m sorry about that. Feel free to send multiple questions back about which events you want more detail on! 

Please do not send me a present, I am not in need of anything at the moment. If you send anything, Kit’s sister (Kellah) has been asking for stuffed dog for a year and no one can afford one. 

And please do not be nervous because I can assure you I am bored all of the time and reading this made the day so much better. Tell me about your life! What are you up to! How is being a Jedi? I am very jealous, I wish I had the Force and could have gone with you. 

Also… they make Jedi trading cards and Kit and I have been pretty obsessed. I am sending my favorite one (Kenobi!!!!) and am humbly asking you to send it back signed. I don’t care if you need to lie to do it but Kit will cry if I have a signed card and he doesn’t. hehe. 

I wish you all the best and to have a wonderful and happy time, 

With affection,

Lili

[nancydhooper]

Meet the Activists Fighting to Free People from LA Jails

Over the last year, the criminal legal system’s many injustices dominated mainstream discourse as people took to the streets to grieve and protest the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by police, and COVID-19 took a devastating toll on people in jails and prisons. These events galvanized many people into action — in the streets, at statehouses, and online — inspiring them to join activists who have challenged the criminal legal system’s disproportionate and often tragic impact on communities of color. One of the organizations at the forefront of this movement is the Youth Justice Coalition (YJC), a grassroots organization based in Los Angeles led by activists who have been incarcerated or otherwise entangled with the criminal legal system. The ACLU is part of a coalition representing YJC and impacted individuals in a lawsuit against LA County for its failure to adequately address the COVID-19 crisis in jails and prisons, and in protecting the health of incarcerated people. 

We spoke with two YJC members, Nalya Rodriguez and Michael Saavedra, about how the past year has affected their work and how their personal experiences help to shape this movement for change. This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Justin Hamilton

How did you get involved with YJC?

MICHAEL: I spent close to 20 years in prison, and 15 of that was in solitary confinement. While I was incarcerated, I worked with a group of outside organizers on a hunger strike. It was one of the largest prisoner hunger strikes in this nation’s history. One of the things we asked for was access to higher education in solitary confinement. That’s how I was able to take some courses and later, enroll in community college. 

I learned a lot about the legal system during my time locked up, including when I successfully sued the Department of Corrections several times over my solitary confinement, which violated my constitutional due process rights. Once I was out, I applied for a job as a paralegal and was hired on the spot. They discovered I was formerly incarcerated about six months later, and fired me. At that same time a position opened up at YJC and my roommate Anthony, who was also incarcerated, told me about it. I applied and got the job. 

NALYA: I only recently got involved with the Youth Justice Coalition, but I was familiar with the work because I was a part of an organization in undergrad called Underground Scholars, which had an reentry program for formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students. During the pandemic, I’ve also been working with UCI 4 COLA and other partner organizations in North Orange County on an initiative to put together “solidarity packs” for formerly incarcerated people. One of those partners was YJC, and that’s how I met Michael. 

Justin Hamilton

Was there a turning point in your life that led you to organizing and activism?

NALYA: In high school, I was involved with gangs and didn’t really think I was going to college, even though I was already taking advanced classes. I hated school. I was always getting kicked out of class and spent a lot of time in the dean or principal’s office, and I was constantly told that I was either going to end up a teen parent or end up in jail or dead. It made school a negative experience. One day, literally the same day I was planning to drop out, a teacher intervened and asked, ‘Is this what you want to do with your life?’ That was the first time anybody had ever asked me that. I took a moment to pause and asked myself if I wanted to continue my life the way it is, or make a change. And I decided to make a change. I finished high school, got into Berkeley, and now I’m at UC Irvine studying for a PhD in sociology. Those experiences and seeing all of my friends go to court as teenagers, and just constantly being arrested and harassed by police officers — that’s what pushed me to get into this work.

MICHAEL: If you’ve been incarcerated for a long time, there are multiple turning points, starting with your public defender, who tries to get you to take a plea bargain even though you’re innocent. They don’t warn you that it will stay on your record for the rest of your life and harm you when it comes to housing and employment. That and many other experiences made me want to do the work that I do now, and also to become a lawyer and help people like myself to not have to rely on a classist and racist system.

Justin Hamilton

Can you describe a typical workday at YJC?

MICHAEL: As far as YJC, my day typically consists of taking calls as the lead on jail litigation. Since the recent announcement of the resentencing policy from [District Attorney] George Gascón, I’ve received a flood of calls and letters from folks inside and from family members out here asking for assistance with petitions for resentencing. I also work on letters from prisoners or calls regarding litigation. And prior to COVID, every other Saturday we would do free legal clinics to help people with immigration questions, expungement, tenants’ rights, debt relief, and things like that. Other than that, a lot of Zoom meetings with the many organizations we work with. 

Justin Hamilton

How has the pandemic shaped YJC’s work over the past year? 

MICHAEL: COVID has drastically changed things. It’s caused us to redirect our resources and take on all these calls from people in prison and their family members, who are sick or scared because of conditions inside. People have not been able to come into our legal clinics and not everybody can access support online. The community we serve in South Central is primarily Spanish-speaking and Black folks reentering society after being incarcerated and they don’t know where to go. We had to shut down our office at the Justice Center, which has affected the ability to work for some of us who don’t have computers or other office equipment at home. COVID has also changed the direction of our work. We usually work on policy impacting youth. Now we’ve been focusing more on incarceration, including women’s jails and prisons. 

NALYA: For the legal correspondence program, we are creating self-help guides and informational sheets on rights in regards to the situation with COVID.

Justin Hamilton

What do you think people who aren’t impacted by incarceration misunderstand about the system?

NALYA: We need to make sure programs are accessible to non-English speakers. So I’ve worked with a lot of organizations that work with Central American newly-arrived immigrant youth. That’s one of the things that has continuously been an issue in LA and also in Oakland, where I’ve done similar work. There just hasn’t been enough resources for Spanish-speakers or Indigenous people from Central America.

MICHAEL: One thing people fail to realize is that those same people called mafiosos or gang members, the worst of the worst, they’re the ones that actually want to see peace. They have the respect of the community, and could tell the youngsters to kick back and they will respect that. And that’s why we’ve been having this beautiful time of peace right now in South Central LA, which has been unheard of. YJC has led all of those peace treaty meetings taking place. We’re connected to the actual hood where all this stuff takes place, where people are overpoliced.

A lot of peacebuilding efforts have been unsuccessful because they are led by people who are not from the community and who have ties to the Los Angeles Police Department. Some of the biggest social justice organizations are run by people with white privilege, or white saviors. I don’t want to offend anybody, but it’s true. And they’re either working with the probation department, or they have contacts. They also have this thing called mandatory reporters. So whenever they go into a situation, they take down names and give this information to the LAPD, which puts it in its gang database. Now these people are labeled as gang members and that can be used against them if they ever get arrested, or in their housing. 

I think we need to come together and educate folks and put formerly incarcerated people, people who are directly impacted, people of color in leadership positions, not just lawyers. And they need to be paid the same. We’re called the experts and we’re tokenized all the time to speak on the issue, but they don’t want to pay us the same.

The Youth Justice Coalition works out of an office that is a converted juvenile court house.

Justin Hamilton

2020 was a difficult year, especially for many of the people you work with. But did anything good come out of it?

MICHAEL: For me, 2020 brought bright, beautiful things. I got accepted to UCLA and got a fellowship with Harvard Law School. 

NALYA: I haven’t been with YJC for very long, but some of the work I’ve done in Orange County popped off in 2020, which is really awesome. We were able to raise money with collective community funds, which has been redistributed via solidarity packs for formerly incarcerated people. We also started a letter-writing program and mutual aid efforts, like food distribution — with that alone, we’ve raised over $35,000 and over $30,000 for solidarity packs, respectively.

These initiatives came from the need to address what we were seeing in our community in regards to COVID. People are in need of resources, and people are out of jobs. Our food distribution effort was a direct result of COVID, as well as the solidarity packs, which provide people who are just being released with personal hygiene kits, PPE, socks, snacks, gift cards, and other supplies they need.

Justin Hamilton

The Black Lives Matter movement has brought abolition to the forefront of the policing conversation. How does YJC approach abolition? 

MICHAEL: Abolitionists say no more jails, no more cops. It’s an ideology about a utopia without prisons or police. But you have to have something to replace all of that. And that’s where we come in as members of the communities that are overpoliced. At YJC, we offer a real solution to no cops — we call it transformative justice and peacebuilding. So when you talk about taking cops off campus, we actually have a solution. We have a school without cops or even security. Instead, we have what we call peacebuilders who are trained on de-escalation and self-defense without any guns or weapons. We try to use our voices rather than violence. 

from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8247012 https://www.aclu.org/news/criminal-law-reform/meet-the-activists-fighting-to-free-people-from-la-jails via http://www.rssmix.com/

[kaibutsushidousha]

DanganRonpa Re:Birth Summary -Chapter 1, part 2

The investigation part.

Didn’t mention it in the first part, but the name of the chapter is The Life is Short, Race on Girl. 

Original script

Everyone is shocked about Rokudou’s death. Maiko starts shaking and falls on the floor. Yodogawa approaches the corpse and confirms he is dead. Fujimori’s first reaction? Of course, saying that’s not possible because the Body Discovery Announcement didn’t happen. Great to see we’re on the same page here. Monodora explains that Fujimori somehow broke the device without realizing. I’m still assuming △○□× forgot about that when posting the first part and made this excuse up. Anyways, Monodora explains the Class Trial, says every is allowed to enter any locker rooms for the investigation and gives the first Monodora File.

Truth Bullet #1: Monodora File The victim is the Super High School Level Undertaker, Saiji Rokudou.The body was discovered on the boys’ locker room of the gym. The time of death was around 2:30a.m. The cause of death was strangulation and signs from a thin string-like object can be found around his neck.

Everyone is being sad and doubting Monodora until Itsuki tells we have no time for that and we should start investigating. Maiko is still shaken and says she can’t and Itsuki tells her to go cry in the corner, not somewhere where she is obstructing the investigation. Itsuki wants to ends this repulsive game asap. Fujimori agrees with sentiment and says he wants to avenge Rokudou. 

Yodogawa is helping with the investigation because his talent requires knowledge of murder tricks and even lead him to help with official investigations before (again he is amazingly not lying). Yodogawa says it’s bad to force Fujimori to check the corpse first thing, so he tells him to look around the room first. Fujimori sees the dumbbells in the corner and flashbacks to Yodogawa saying he put it there.

Truth Bullet #5: Boys’ Locker Room Many lockers and two benches. The dumbells and training equipment were placed in the corner. No major changes between its states before and after the murder.

Why are the bullets numbered out of order? Your guess is as good as mine. Anyways, Koga suddenly shows up and points at a window and they do a little test with it.

Truth Bullet #6:  Boys’ Locker Room’s Small Window A small window placed somewhat high. It’s not big enough go a person to enter through, so it’s hard to believe anyone could enter or leave through it. Discouting this possibility, the only alternative for leaving or entering the room is the door.

And remember that one locker that didn’t open because the door didn’t fit the frame right? Well, someone didn’t and did a number on it. 

Truth Bullet #7: Locker that doesn’t fit the frame One of the lockers on the boys’ locker couldn’t be open because the door didn’t fit its frame. It was apparently wrenched open by force and now the door is so bent it can’t close.

Then Fujimori decides search the trash and finds a letter invinting Samejima to get the motive video’s sequel on the locker room’s locker.

Truth Bullet #8: Letter from the Mastermind? A letter adressed to Kazuomi Samejima, found in the trash can. It was written using only straight lines, probably in order to hide the writer’s handwriting. Its phrasing implies it’s a letter a from the mastermind and it reads "additional information about the motive videos can be found in the boys’ room locker.”

That’s all about the room, so now we’re now moving on to the corpse. Well, in the conversation before, Rokudou said he could checking the corpses, so let’s call him to... oh. Bad jokes aside, they confirm the corpse has signs of strangulation by a thin string.

Truth Bullet #2: Saiji Rokudou’s Corpse Found half-shoved into the boys’ room locker.

Fujimori speculates Rokudou was strangled by the rope in the weapon set Monodora distrubuted everyone the night before.

Truth Bullet #4: Murder Weapon Set A murder kit sent by Monodora along with the message “Stabbing, strangling, beating, poisoning, which will you choose?”. Contains a knife, a rope, a hammer and a bottle.

Then Fujimori notices some bleeding on the back of Rokudou’s head, unrelated to his strangling. He and Yodogawa write it off since it’s not even mentioned it in the Monodora File.

Truth Bullet #3: Saiji Rokudou’s Bump A bump can be found in Rokudou’s head, probably caused by being hit by a blunt object. We can’t determine when it happened.

Fujimori asks to Samejima if he is investigating too and he says he is not, he is not good at that, so he just assigned himself to protect evidence in the boys’ room and assigned Aisaka to protect evidence in the girls’ room. Talking to Todoroki has her questioning why did the killer chose to kill Rokudou inside the locker room. Yodogawa answers that he wasn’t necessarily killed were he was found.

The two leave the locker and go to main area of the gym. They ask Izumo for her alibi and she say she was playing with “the children”. We couldn’t ask Himuro for her alibi because she is too poem mode to give coherent answers. Sakuma says he already searched this room, but couldn’t find anything. The two move to the girls’ locker room.

Fujimori reacts to the room, making Yodogawa notice he was never there before. He explained was looking at the podium while Maiko checked the room. The find the cleaning push car Maiko mentioned, but the mop wasn’t dusty like she said it was.

Truth Bullet #9: Girls’ Locker Room It’s structure is no different from the boys’ locker room. It has a push car and mop that was apparently dusty before the incident, but it looks clean now.

They try moving the push car.

Truth Bullet #10: Push Car A somewhat big push car in the girls’ locker room. It’s make creaking sound when moved, probably because a tire is damaged.

They talk to Aisaka. She is speculating the culprit might be a girl who used the dead Rokudou’s e-Handbook to enter the boys’ room. Fujimori flashbacks to when Monodora changed the rules to forbid that and points out you can’t do it because Monodora is always watching.

Truth Bullet #11: Locker Room’s Card Reader A card reader opens the door when scanning a e-Handbook. You can only enter by using a handbook that matches your gender.

The two talk to Oosone and she mentions the same window the boys’ room also had. She confirms not even her and Sakuma can fit there. Our duo realize they already investigated everything in the gym area, so they decide it would also be good to check Rokudou’s room on the dorm area.

However, before they can go to the dorms, they find Mizuta on the hallway floor searching for something. Fujimori warns her about her pose because someone could see her panties, but she says it’s okay, she is wearing good panties, panties she can let other people without being embarassed about it. Apparently she is always wearing showable panties because she never knows when she is going to be suddenly called to livereport a typhoon. The two ignore Mizuta’s clearly suspicious behavior and leave to the dorms without even asking what exactly she is looking for.

They reach the dorms, but before they can start looking for Rokudou’s room, Tsuchiya says it’s locked. He is too lazy to properly explain and tells them to ask Monodora. They wonder about that and Tsuchiya tells them that Monodora always comes when called and answers almost any questions. 

Akira Tsuchiya: He is actually quite obedient when I ask him stuff. I even got the sucker to run some errands for me for a while...

It’s like he is not even trying to hide it, honestly.

Anyways, Yodogawa calls Monodora with a Doraemon reference and asks about the locked rooms. Monodora makes about how personal rooms are absolutely private spaces, so the autolocks only respond to the room’s owner (that means you can’t just steal someone’s e-Handbook and try to invade the room with it. Due to his Bad Luck talent, Fujimori worries that his autolock might activate the one time he forgets his e-Handbook inside the bedroom and leave him stuck outside. Yodogawa also remembers the rooms are soundproofed, as they tested earlier.

Truth Bullet #12: Personal Rooms Private rooms assigned to each student. They are all equipped with automatic locks, so someone forgeting to lock their doors is out of the question.

Maiko had the same idea of searching Rokudou’s room and got the same answer from Tsuchiya. Fujimori asks her about her injury and she tells her alibi. After she finished exercising with him and Rokudou, she went to sleep early, but was woken up by a huge noise. She decides to exercise some more with the training equip in her room and practice some dances but tripped and got hurt. The infirmaty is locked during nighttime, so she spent the time waiting for the morning announcement to go disinfect and put a band-aid on her wound.  Judging from Fujimori’s wording on his response, it really feels like he also noticed she was lying about the noise but I can’t say it for sure.

Truth Bullet #13: Maiko Kagura’s Injury On the murder’s night, she was woken up by some big noise and got hurt while practicing dance on her room. It’s covered by a band-aid and it looks a bit painful.

The last thing that happens before the end of the investigation is talking to Itsuki. The only thing she has to add is that the only areas not locked at nighttime are the dorms, the gym, the dining hall, the courtyard and the warehouse. She talked to Monodora about it and he says that at a later chapter, when the staff room is open, a student might be able to grab the master key and opens any areas at nighttime though. It’s weird were getting hints for a future trial now, but that’s an interesting way of doing things.

Monodora announces the end of the investigation and tells everyone to gather at the dorm area. After everyone is here, we get a generic anime transformation scene for the water fountain transforming into an elevator.

Everyone enters the elevator and starts the descending. Yodogawa takes the opportunity for his motivational speech.

Seishi Yodogawa: Are you nervous?

Ayumu Fujimori: ...Huh-? Oh ...Yes. Just like everyone else, I think.

Seishi Yodogawa: Yeah, I can see that. These kind of situation usually doesn’t happen to normal people. 

Ayumu Fujimori: Yodogawa-san, are you not tense or nervous or anything?

Seishi Yodogawa: ...I’m... not much. I believe everyone... and you, will be able to help me along my way. I’m, placing my trust on you here. On the... something you have inside you, Fujimori-san, that it feels like it can even change the world.

Ayumu Fujimori: No... I don’t have... anything like that in me.

Seishi Yodogawa: You know it’s very difficult to look at yourself with your own eyes. I think you should believe a little bit more in the information other people give about you. So... from now on, no matter what happens, you better do everything the way you believe in. Because you... you're much more powerful than you think.

Well, that was all of it and now I can FINALLY watch the trial. As for the culprit, I want to believe it’s Mizuta because she was acting really suspicious, but we all know that’s not who the evidence is pointing to. 

I really enjoyed Maiko throughout this chapter, she is a great friend, but this is the first trial and she is the only person clearly lying her alibi, so there’s not much room to think I’m wrong. Looking back at her profile, it even mentions she has a weak mentality and is easiest to panic. I thought this was expressed by her falling to the ground when Rokudou was found, but I could very be her being the first one fall for Monodora’s motives. Not to mention we know Fujimori’s gender will be exposed in the Trial and Maiko is currently the only one who knows that, so I’m assuming she will out him as a last ditch accusation after being cornered

[crepeycrepeyspacewizard]

Father's Day prompt- 'Galaxy's #1 Dad' mug

[Wow this got out of hand! Nonny please accept 2,008 words of kid fic. BB is the nonbinary child of Hux & Hux in Modern Emperors while JakJak is the dimension hopping monster son of Kylux from Laeti Vescimur Nos Subacturis & To Sleep, Perchance.]

JakJak liked this world. It was simple. Just humans, low tech, and - apart from the language - it was easy to navigate.

The language made no sense. He’d heard people speaking multiple tongues here while the trade language seemed to be Basic. But the writing didn’t tally up.

For example, his friend BB spoke Basic, though they called it English. They kept trying to teach him the letters, but the nature of his travel made it hard to follow. He didn’t always find himself here sequentially. He still wasn’t entirely sure how he moved between universes at all.  

Once, a few years ago to him but three months in the future for them, BB had shown him some weirdly two dimensional holos that they thought would explain matters. But the ‘movies’ had just confused him. He didn’t travel at 88 miles an hour. Nor was he a human-looking droid. He just went and there he was, nothing more to it.

He’d work it all out one day he knew, but right now he was more interested in learning about the places he visited and the things he saw.

Today they were out with the babysitter, not on any particular mission just ‘out of the house before they drove them out of their mind’.

“What’s that?” He asked, pointing with a hand that was mostly human right now.

BB rolled their eyes. They were the only child of the local rulers - two copies of his own father offset by a few years - and they never seemed to take his questions seriously.

“It’s a book shop.” They said, then continued when his expression didn’t change- “where you buy books. And all kinds of silly things because people don’t buy books any more.”

“What’s a book?”

Pinching the bridge of the nose and wearily closing golden eyelashes was such a father gesture that JakJak actually feared he’d get reprimanded. BB had insisted they weren’t a clone, but at times like this JakJak really didn’t believe them.

“Paper, with writing on it. To record and dis-trib-ute knowledge.”

“You sound just like father,” JakJak said. “Wow. I can’t believe you still have those, I’ve never seen one in real life. Papa has one but he’s says it’s full of ancient Sith secrets so we’re not allowed to see. I thought you had datapads?”

“Yes, but some people still like paper.”

“Huh.” JakJak crinkled his brow. “Why is the window all full of blue cards and balloons?”

“Oh.” They looked at the signs. “It must be Father’s Day soon. Dad says I ‘shouldn’t fill the house with junk’ but I know for a fact he’s kept every macaroni and paste picture I’ve made in my entire life, and I’m pretty sure he still has the travel mug Dad had made the year I was born. So I’ll still get something.”

JakJak could feel his frown deepening as it always did when BB talked about their fathers  as singular ‘Dad’. It was hard to follow which one they meant, though the few times he’d seen them he hadn’t been able to tell them apart either.

Except that one time at a picnic when they’d taken their shirts off to play some sport or other. JakJak had been surprised to see that one of them had almost the exact same shoulder scars as his own father, though he lacked the ones one his belly and back.

That had been disorientating. JakJak was used to seeing copies of his father in every universe, but until then he’d thought only his father and Papa Carolus had those scars. He’d wondered how many others had them too, but he’d yet to work out an unwierd way to ask.

“Your fathers set up a day just so that people would buy them gifts?” He asked, mildly appalled. “I thought Empire Day was bad, but at least that wasn’t father’s idea.”

BB shoved him none too gently. He had the strength to resist but that usually worried people, so he let himself fall into the wall instead.

“What?! No!” They cried. “It’s like a hundred year old holiday or something! People had been celebrating Mother’s Day for years and they decided to make a Father’s Day to balance it out. So everyone buys their parents gifts. Well. Not everyone. Some people have awful parents… Dad gets a lot of work on those holidays.”

For some reason BB’s fathers still laboured under the misapprehension that their child didn’t know they were assassins. Of course JakJak’s Papa Kylo killed people all the time, but he was the Emperor’s Lord Protector. For some reason that seemed more honourable than assassination.

JakJak didn’t say that though. Last time he’d said that outloud BB had pushed him into the Puget Sound. He hadn’t liked that.

“Oh. Okay.” That seemed safe.

“Hah! Look at this!” BB called excitedly from the window. “You should get two of these! Oh, I might get two for Dad too.”

He really hadn’t understood the sentence but JakJak dutifully peered at the object indicated by BB’s finger. It was a white mug with incomprehensible local scrawl across the side.

“Uh, what does it say?”

BB sighed and looked ready to tell him off when they suddenly stopped mid-breathe. “Oh. If you can’t read it then they won’t be able to either, will they?”

JakJak shook his head.

“I wonder if they sell any kits?” They said thoughtfully.

JakJak liked sitting at the table in Dex’ apartment. There was cookie jar in the shape of a cat in the middle, and Dex never complained about him eating them all. Or about serving him raw meat. That was nice. A lot of people didn’t like to handle it.

He liked this Dex. This Dex laughed a lot more than his own. But then this Dex still had their Mitaka. In his universe Papa Kylo had killed Mitaka by accident long before JakJak was even born. That was a strange thing to think about. It made his chest feel funny, so he stopped.

BB had spread paper all over the surface of the table and arranged the four mugs so they could show him how to use the kit.

“Write on the surface with the pens. If you go wrong wipe it off with the alcohol wipes. When we’re done Dex can put them in the oven to cure before Dad gets here to pick me up, when you have to go home.”

“Ok.” He nodded and picked up a purple coloured pen. “What should I write?”

“The mug I saw said ‘Galaxy’s Number 1 Dad’.” BB said, writing the words on the paper as they spoke. “I thought that was funny since you said your father was Galactic Emperor.”

At the sink Dex snorted but didn’t turn around. JakJak put his tongue out at them anyway. It was a very long tongue, and forked today, so he felt it made his point.

Writing on the shiny surface took a lot of concentration and it was only when he’d finished that JakJak realised he still had his tongue sticking out between his teeth. BB didn’t notice- they were too busy staring at his writing with their mouth open.

“That’s Basic?!” They asked, apparently stunned but something as simple as writing.

JakJak laughed. “No, the letters are called Aurebesh.”

“Oh my god, that’s what Dad writes in when he wants to make notes no one can read!”

The last part was a conspiratorial whisper, like it was some kind of secret Dex shouldn’t know about. JakJak didn’t really understand why.

“Can you show me how do it?” Now that would be easy.

The Emperor kept a clear desk. It was a point of pride. It was also a point of keeping his Force damned sanity in the face of a horribly complicated galaxy.

Which made the pair of white cylinders sitting in the middle of the desk a source of irritation.

Who the pfassk had dared to leave… oh.

They were mugs. Very primitive stoneware mugs, exactly the opposite of the opulence that surrounded them.

A child had written on them.

He picked up the closest mug.

One side read- ‘GALAxY’s #1 fATHeR’ while the other bore the words ‘JAkJAK LoVEs YoU’.

Hux stared at it in confusion.

The other was the same but read ‘PApA’ instead of father. No, not the same. The writing was raised. It seemed like multiple layers of paint had been applied so fingers could detect the words.

With slightly trembling hands Hux carried them gingerly through the palace, opening doors with his elbows, until he reached the nursery.

Alia was standing on a box next to JakJak’s crib and clinging to her blind father’s robes as the pair watched the infant sleep. He was almost a month old but it didn’t look like the novelty would wear off anytime soon.

“Kylo?” He whispered, desperate not to wake the child he’d only persuaded to sleep an hour ago. “I found these in my office. Any idea what it means?”

Kylo studied them for a moment, borrowing Hux’ eyes to see what his fingers and the Force couldn’t show him.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it means we’re the best fathers in the Galaxy?” He said with a grin.

The stare Hux gave him should have caused him to combust on the spot, but he just let his grin widen.

“Who left them there?! I know it wasn’t Alia, her handwriting is much better than this!”

Without looking away from the baby their daughter gave a prim, “thank you!”

“The clue is on the mug, Bren. JakJak did this.”

“He’s only 27 days old!”

“And he saved me from Snoke a month after he was conceived!” Kylo snapped back. In his crib JakJak stirred. Kylo reduced his volume as he continued, “this is just the way he is. We always knew he was different. We should expect… different things.”

Yes, perhaps they should. But in the scheme of things, time travelling just to make sure they knew they were loved should not count as a cause for concern.

The bed shook at the sudden assault.

“We’re being boarded, all hands to battlestations!” A sleepy voice said from under its pillow.

“Dad!” BB squealed when the other man-shaped lump in the bed reared up to envelope her in the sheets.

“I’ve captured the interloper Lieutenant General Hair Dye, what shall I do with…”

There was more screaming as the other figure sat up and hurled its pillow at the first. “Lieutenant General Hair Dye! How dare you?!”

“DAD!!”

“I apologise, let us make peace and defeat the invader... with tickling!!”

“DAAAAD nooooooo….”

“What do you think Auren? No mercy?”

“Of course!”

It was another ten minutes, and one of their fathers literally falling out of the bed, before BB admitted defeat.

“I surrender! Also, your coffee is going cold!” That, at least, was enough to force Auren to accept the surrender while the coffee would still be drinkable.

BB sat on Eamon’s knee to watch as Auren reached for his own mug. He turned white when he saw the text, which was impressive for a man as pale as a Hux.

“Auren? Are you okay?” Eamon asked, concerned.

Auren’s weaker left hand was shaking and threatened to spill the beverage on the sheets.

“Did you write this, BB?”

They nodded. “Yes, Dad, I made one for both of you.”

Eamon glanced at the mug on his side of the bed. The writing on that one was in English, not the angular but oddly familiar text on Auren’s mug.

There was silence for a moment as Auren seemed to weigh his options. Finally he put the mug carefully back in its place and turned to hug them both.

“One day you’re going to tell me where you learned that, okay?”

BB didn’t entirely understand, but they knew enough to take the out when it was offered. “Of course, Dad, but I don’t think you’ll believe me.”

“No, no I think I will.”

[brajeshupadhyay]

08:32 (IST) Coronavirus in West Bengal Latest Update West Bengal writes letter to MHA, assures cooperation to central teams  West Bengal writes letter to MHA, assures cooperation to central teams visiting the state to assess lockdown situation. "It is not a fact that central teams have not been provided any cooperation by West Bengal govt. This is to convey my highest assurances for implementation of central govt order, directions of SC" said WB chief secretary to Union home secretary. The letter also noted that the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT)  had arrived without any prior consultation with the state government and, therefore, "there was neither such opportunity to provide any logistic support as envisaged in the order dated 19 April 2020 nor the team asked for any help. IMCT had arrived without any prior consultation with us and, therefore, there was neither such opportunity to provide any logistic support as envisaged in the order dated 19th April 2020 nor the team asked for any help: WB Chief Secy to Union Home Secy, in a letter dated April 21 pic.twitter.com/vHNuD1gEBD — ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2020 08:24 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Update CCEA to meet at PM's residence today The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) will meet at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence - 7, Lok Kalyan Marg - on Wednesday, reports ANI. It will be followed by a Cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's residence. This comes amid nationwide lockdown in the wake of COVID-19. 08:21 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Update Maharashtra remains worst-affected state, followed by Gujarat With 5,218 confirmed cases so far, Maharashtra is the worst-affected state in the country. The Union Health Ministry data suggests that while 722 COVID-19 patients have recovered, 251 have died. At 2,178, Gujarat now has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country. According to data from the Union Health Ministry, the state’s tally has surpassed that of Delhi. While 139 patients have recovered, 90 have died. 08:16 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Update India registers 19,984 cases and 640 deaths Total confirmed COVID-19 cases in India have risen to 19,984, according to the latest update from the Union Health Ministry. This number includes cases involving foreign nationals, patients who have recovered and the toll. The toll in India due to the novel virus has risen to 640. The reported active COVID-19 cases in India now stand at 15,474 and as many as 3,870 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged so far 08:10 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Update IMA asks medics to light candle today; demands ordinance from govt The Indian Medical Association has demanded the Centre bring in a law on an urgent basis to protect medical professionals from attacks on duty, amid rising incidents of violence against healthcare workers on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19. Calling for a nation-wide 'White Alert', the IMA has asked doctors and hospitals across the country to light candles on Wednesday as a protest against such attacks. "Light a candle with white coat. White Alert is only a warning," the IMA said in a letter addressed to its doctors and hospitals. "The COVID-19 has only made us acutely aware of our helplessness against mindless abuse and violence. Stigma and social boycott are everywhere. Harassment by the administration is nothing but violence by the state. 08:04 (IST) Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Update Delhi-Noida border to remain closed until further notice In order to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Delhi-Gautam Buddha Nagar(Noida) border has been closed, with a few exemptions. "As per the medical department advice, in the larger public interest, as a preventive measure to fight COVID-19, we are closing Delhi-GB Nagar/Noida border completely," Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate Suhas LY said in a tweet on 21 April. Among those exempted from the travel restrictions are officials involved in COVID-19 related work with necessary passes, light/heavy vehicles involved in the transportation of goods, ambulance services, journalists/ media persons carrying valid passes issued by concerned authorities. Dear residents, As per the medical department advice, in the larger public interest, as a preventive measure to fight Covid 19, we are closing Delhi-GB nagar/Noida border completely, with following specified exceptions. You are kindly requested to cooperate. StayHome StaySafe🙏 pic.twitter.com/es4ap51XVW — DM G.B. Nagar (@dmgbnagar) April 21, 2020 07:55 (IST) Coronavirus in Bihar Latest Update Families with no rations cards to get Rs 1,000 assistance, says Nitish Kumar Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said that assistance of Rs 1,000 will be provided to all families that do not have ration cards but were identified by self-help groups of 'Jeevika' in the state. The state government has earlier decided to provide Rs 1,000 to each ration card-holding family in the state following the enforcement of lockdown. Kumar directed Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar to inform all the district magistrates and sub-divisional magistrates to provide the assistance of Rs 1,000 to each of the family which does not have ration card but has been identified by the Jeevika groups, according to an official release. 07:51 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Update South Korean firm starts production for rapid antibody testing kits in India A South Korean firm has started production of the COVID-19 rapid antibody testing kits in its Indian subsidiary plant to meet the growing demand of the medical equipment in India and other parts of the world, a press release issued by the Indian embassy here said on Tuesday. SD Biosensor Healthcare Pvt Ltd is producing the test kits with a capacity of 500,000 tests per week and the first batch was rolled out on 19 April, it said. Its Indian subsidiary is located in Manesar, Gurgaon. "This is an excellent example of India's 'Make in India for the World' as the company plans to ramp up production to meet growing demand in India as well as other parts of the world," the press release said. 07:47 (IST) Coronavirus in West Bengal Latest Update West Bengal's toll now at 15 Three more persons died of COVID-19 in West Bengal, taking the death toll due to the disease to 15 in the state, Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha said on Tuesday. In the last 24 hours, 29 fresh COVID-19 cases were reported, raising the number of active cases in the state to 274, he said. "These 29 cases were reported from Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly and Paschim Burdwan districts," Sinha said. No COVID-19 patient was discharged from any of the hospitals in West Bengal in the last 24 hours, he said, adding that 713 samples were tested in the state during the period. The number of people who have contracted the deadly virus in West Bengal is 359, according to state authorities, while the figure mentioned on the Union health and family welfare ministry's website is 392. 07:43 (IST) Coronavirus in US Latest Update Trump suspends issuing of new Green Cards for 60 days President Donald Trump has said that he will halt issuing of new Green Cards or legal permanent residency for the next 60 days as part of his executive order to temporarily suspend immigration into the US. However, the move will not have any impact on those entering the country on a temporary basis, Trump said. Many have interpreted that those on non-immigrant work visas like H-1B will not be impacted. Seasonal immigrant workers for agricultural purposes too will not be impacted. In any case, the executive order to be signed by Trump today will impact a large number Indian Americans, who are waiting to get a green card. 07:39 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Update Hospital fact-finding committee says allegations levelled by patient's family not true A fact-finding committee of a Delhi government hospital looking into the allegations levelled by family members of a male coronavirus patient that he was "not attended properly" at the facility, has rejected the claims. The daughter of the patient, in a video posted on Twitter, had alleged that her father was made to wait unduly long in the ambulance while being shifted from a private facility to the LNJP Hospital here, a dedicated COVID-19 facility. She also claimed that the man was not served any food after his admission on April 18 and was fed only the next morning. The LNJP Hospital had constituted a fact-finding panel, which looked into the matter and came to a conclusion that the "allegations are not ingrained in facts and stemming from the emotional distress" of discovering a family member to be affected by the coronavirus pandemic, the report said. 07:38 (IST) Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh Latest Update After sealing border with Delhi, Noida admin issues advisory on media passes The Gautam Buddh Nagar administration on Wednesday asked media houses located in Noida and Delhi to send details of their personnel who need to travel between the two cities during the lockdown imposed due to COVID-19 outbreak. The details of the most important representatives of the media houses could be sent by 12 pm on Wednesday (April 22) on the email ids -- cahqgbn@gmail.com and diogautambudhnagar@gmail.com, the administration said in a statement issued at around 1.30 am on Wednesday. The administration had banned the movement of people between Noida and Delhi, except those involved in COVID-19-related services like ambulances, goods transportation and media, from Tuesday night. "Media houses in Noida and Delhi should prepare a list of their representatives who stay in Delhi and work in Noida or stay in Noida but work in Delhi. The list should be e-mailed by 12 pm on April 22 (Wednesday)," according to the statement. "Media representatives who live and work in Noida and do not need to travel to Delhi should not be included in the list," the advisory said, adding that such media personnel can move around in Noida if they have a press identity card issued by their organisation. 07:36 (IST) Coronavirus in Punjab Latest Update Special flight to Canada leaves Amritsar A special flight to Montreal, Canada via Doha with 243 passengers on board (all Canadians) departs from Amritsar International Airport on Wednesday morning, said KBS Sidhu, Special Chief Secretary, Punjab. 07:21 (IST) Coronavirus in India Latest Update Cases in India near 19,000 mark; toll now at 603 The Union health ministry, in its daily press briefing, said that the toll from COVID-19 in India rose to 603 on Tuesday, while the number of cases rose to 18,985. Of them, 15,122 are active cases while 3,260 patients have recovered, the ministry added. Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates: Total confirmed COVID-19 cases in India have risen to 19,984, according to the latest update from the Union Health Ministry. This number includes cases involving foreign nationals, patients who have recovered and the toll. The toll in India due to the novel virus has risen to 640. President Donald Trump has said that he will halt issuing of new Green Cards or legal permanent residency for the next 60 days as part of his executive order to temporarily suspend immigration into the US. However, the move will not have any impact on those entering the country on a temporary basis, Trump said. While coronavirus cases in India inched towards 19,000 on Tuesday, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) told state governments to stop using the China-made rapid antibody test kits for two days after Rajasthan flagged "inaccurate results". The Union health ministry, in its daily press briefing, said that the toll from COVID-19 in India rose to 603 on Tuesday, while the number of cases rose to 18,985. Of them, 15,122 are active cases while 3,260 patients have recovered, the ministry added. Officials also said that the recovery rate has improved to 17.5 percent in the country and a record number of 705 patients were cured and discharged on Monday itself. Overall, more than 3,300 persons have been cured and discharged so far. The ICMR said that a total of 4,49,810 samples for COVID-19 infection had been tested till Tuesday, of which 35,852 were done on Monday. As many as 29,776 samples have been tested in 201 labs under the ICMR network, and 6,076 at 86 private laboratories. ICMR tells states not to use rapid antibody tests for two days The Rajasthan government has stopped using the rapid testing kits procured from China after they delivered inaccurate results, PTI reported. The state government had received 30,000 kits through ICMR for free, while 10,000 kits were purchased at a cost of Rs 540 plus tax per kit. The rapid testing kits, through which blood samples are tested, are aimed at speeding up screening and detection of suspected coronavirus patients as they take less time to show results in comparison to the swab-based tests carried out in pathology labs. On Tuesday, Rajasthan's health minister Raghu Sharma said the kits gave only 5.4 percent accurate results against the expectation of 90 percent accuracy and therefore the kits "were of no benefit". He said the ICMR has been informed about the issue. Taking note of the Rajasthan government's feedback, ICMR's Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar told journalists that states have been advised not to use these rapid test kits for two days and a fresh advisory will be issued after field validation by its team. If any problems are detected, the companies will be asked for replacement, he added. Maharashtra govt revokes lockdown exemptions in Mumbai, Pune The Maharashtra government on Tuesday revoked lockdown relaxations and exemptions in Mumbai and Pune because "people are not behaving responsibly", the CMO was quoted as saying. "The rest of the parts of the state to continue to have partial exemptions," the statement added. Reportedly, the permission given to e-commerce companies to transport electronic goods, as well as to open sweets shops and confectioneries has been rolled back. E-commerce companies will only be allowed to transport food, essential items, medicines and medical devices. Additionally, the construction industry won't be allowed to work in the cities and adjoining areas and IT companies have also been asked to make the staff work from home. There will also be no delivery of newspapers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and the Pune Municipal Region (PMR), said reports quoting the CMO statement. In Maharashtra, coronavirus cases rose by 552 on Tuesday, taking the total statewide total cases to 5,218. With 19 new deaths, the toll from the virus rose to 251, the state government said. Meanwhile, Mumbai, which is one of the worst-affected cities across the country, reported 355 new COVID-19 patients on Tuesday, taking the total number of cases to 3,445 in the city. Out of 12 deaths in the city in 24 hours, eight had co-morbidities and four had age-related factors, the MCGM said. The MCGM also said that 12 new cases were reported in Mumbai's densely-populated Dharavi area on Tuesday. The tally of cases in the area rose to 179, including a total of 12 deaths. Centre, West Bengal govt standoff over IMCTs' visit to state While West Bengal reported three more deaths on Tuesday, a political standoff emerged between the state and the Centre after the Ministry of Home Affairs said the state government was not cooperating with the central teams visiting there to assess the COVID-19 situation. The state's ruling party Trinamool Congress said the visit of central teams to West Bengal was like "adventure tourism" and asked why such delegations were not sent to states with much higher numbers of infections and hotspots. Later on Tuesday, one of the two teams sent to the state visited certain areas of Kolkata, escorted by the Border Security Force (BSF) and state police personnel. At a daily press briefing on the COVID-19 situation, Home Ministry joint secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said the Centre has sent teams under Disaster Management Act to four states — Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. While Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan are extending full support, the government in West Bengal is not doing so, she said. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha responded to the allegations, saying that the state government is cooperating with the inter-ministerial central teams visiting the state to assess COVID-19 situation, but made it clear they cannot roam around with them leaving all work to fight the pandemic. "We are helping them. There's no question of not doing that. But our stand is that we all are busy in fighting coronavirus... they cannot get information sitting in cars or at the guest house. "We will share all information they want, taking time out of our busy schedule, but we will not be able to roam around with the central team shutting all our work," Sinha told reporters at the state secretariat. 115 families in President's Estate in Delhi quarantined While new cases were also reported from various states including Odisha and Kerala — where the infection spread has been relatively slower — as many as 115 families residing at the President's Estate in Delhi have been put under self-isolation as a preventive measure after a sanitation worker's relative tested positive for the deadly coronavirus. A Rashtrapati Bhavan communique, however, clarified that till date no employee of the President's Secretariat has tested positive and the Secretariat along with the local administration is taking all the preventive measures under the government guidelines. A COVID-19 positive patient from central Delhi, who was neither an employee of the President's Secretariat nor a resident of the President's Estate, had died on 13 April and after contact tracing it was found that a family member of an employee of the President's Secretariat had been in contact with the deceased, the statement said. The employee and his family members are residents of the President's Estate. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that there are currently 1,603 active cases of COVID-19 in the National Capital, while 47 people have died from the disese so far. Kejriwal also announced a special testing facility for mediapersons from Wednesday, after Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra reported positive test results for several journalists and other staff members of media organisations. COVID-19 cases rise to 1,337 in Uttar Pradesh, almost touch 1,000 in Telangana At least 137 new coronavirus cases were reported in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, taking the tally of cases in the state to 1,337. The toll stands at 21 in the state. Meanwhile, Gujarat saw a rise of 127 cases in 24 hours, resulting in the toll rising to 2,066, which includes 131 recoveries and 90 deaths so far. The Tamil Nadu government said that 76 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the state on Tuesday, taking total number of positive cases in the state to 1,596. One death was also reported, and the toll rose to 18 in the state. Fifty-six new COVID-19 cases were reported in Telangana on Tuesday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 928. This includes 711 active cases, 194 who were cured/discharged and 23 deaths, according to the latest update provided by the state health department. Singapore extends partial lockdown, some countries move to reopen amid health warnings Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday extended the "circuit breaker" period until 1 June to control the spread of the deadly coronavirus and assured full care for foreign workers, including Indian nationals. In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Lee said the government was committed to do its "utmost" to keep it this deadly virus at bay. "We will extend the circuit breaker for four more weeks, ie, until 1 June," said Lee while giving an update on the COVID-19 and the rising number of cases among foreign workers living in dormitories. Singapore reported 1,111 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, a majority of them foreign workers living in dormitories. A total of 9,125 people have been infected in the country. Noting that businesses and workers would be hurt by the extension, the Singapore prime minister said, "But I hope you understand that this short-term pain is to stamp out the virus, protect the health and safety of our loved ones, and allow us to revive our economy." "The government will continue to help our businesses and workers cope during the extended circuit breaker period. We will provide the same level of support to our workers and businesses as we are doing now," he said. Meanwhile, Spain will begin allowing children out of their homes for brief periods next Monday, AP reported, adding that Denmark announced plans to reopen Tivoli Gardens, the Copenhagen amusement park that inspired Walt Disney. And Australia said doctors can resume non-urgent surgery next week. Countries across Europe and beyond — joined in the US by a cascade of states — moved to gradually reopen amid warnings that acting too quickly could enable the virus to come back with a vengeance. Meanwhile, UN leaders called for efforts to ensure that all people have access to testing, medical supplies, drugs and future vaccines, especially in developing countries. Globally, the coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 1.7 lakh people, including over 42,000 in the US. Nearly 25 lakh infections have been reported worldwide so far, even as there are fears that the actual tally could be much more as tests are so far limited to serious or symptomatic cases in most countries. In a press briefing, the World Health Organisation also warned against any rush to ease coronavirus restrictions, saying any such move could result in a resurgence of the disease. The WHO said governments across the world need to remain vigilant to stop the deadly virus spread and lifting of lockdowns and other social distancing measures must be done gradually. With inputs from agencies

http://sansaartimes.blogspot.com/2020/04/coronavirus-outbreak-live-updates-india_22.html

[wanderingaunt]

Resisting Resistance

The other night, I laid in the grass gazing up at April’s Pink Full Moon. I felt a wave of peace and calm come over me. Just a few minutes prior, I had sent a very personal letter off that I had been meditating on (as well as resisting) for several weeks. It felt good to finally be in a place of peace with it. I had finally let go of resistance and trusted Spirit to show me the right time to send my letter.

After an hour or so of moon gazing, I went back inside. I was really tired and ready to call it a night. I looked over and saw one of my oracle decks beckoning my attention. I felt a nudge to pull a card. I had already spent several hours earlier in the day meditating, pulling cards, and journaling.

Why was I being called to pull a card now?

I leaned into the invitation. I picked up my deck and asked the oracle to reveal to me the message my soul most needed to hear at the moment. My ego knew it was going to be a message that symbolized peace or a message about good things coming.

I shuffled my cards and Be the Hunter, Not the Hunted popped out at me.

I read the first line of the oracle message and immediately resisted it. The message read, “Do you feel you are at the beck and call of circumstances, situations, and relationships that are outside of your control? Is your attention being called away from what you love — from your passionate focus upon your own journey and creative self-expression?”

It was not the message my ego was anticipating.

I was annoyed. I tucked the card away and put the book down and crawled into bed. I didn’t sleep too well that night. My mind was racing a bit. I was resisting leaning into the message and exploring what this could be about.

The next morning, things started to click. I sat down with my deck and thought, “This card was about my past…not the future. It makes sense now!” I felt better. I then looked down at my phone and had a message from the person I had written my letter to ask if I wanted to talk. I got on the call and learned some information that I (again) was not anticipating. The message from the card was starting to make more sense.

Later that afternoon, I had a call with my coach. I was talking about my letter and the response I received to it. As we were talking through where I was and what this could all mean for me, I heard her say the word “Manipulating”. I immediately asked her to pause. I pulled out my book at looked up the card’s message again…“You are being asked to see through the assumptions, expectations, tantrums or manipulations that may be put upon you by yourself or others. See-through them to the truth!… You are capable of seeing through the truth, out-smarting old patterns and responding more creatively to craft new and improved relationships.” 

I was clear at that moment, the card was meant for the present, not the past. I was reliving old patterns and being reminded to see them through to the truth. Now I’m thankful for the message I pulled. Nothing is wrong. I am learning more about who I am and the patterns in my life that I can explore, shift or release. Had I not leaned into the message, I would’ve been stuck in a place of resistance only to revisit it at another time.

Consider what you resist most is actually what you’re meant to lean into.

I was in a yoga class (what seems like forever ago), and we were being guided into a pose that I absolutely detest. Rather than fighting it (this time), I chose to lean in and explore what the pose feels like in my body and why I resist it so much. I realized that I had an “I can’t” mentality about the pose. Others in the class were doing it “perfectly”, and I can’t do it like them, so I resist trying. The pose also feels uncomfortable and at times painful. After class, I asked the instructor to watch me get into the pose and show me how I could modify it to fit my body. I learned some valuable modifications. My body is different. My pose may not look like others’ and that’s okay.

As soon as I leaned into the resistance, I was able to find a new opening for the support that I was not available for before.

As most of the world is being required or urged to stay inside while in the midst of a global pandemic, resistance is likely to show up even more. When coronavirus first showed up in the U.S. there was a lot of ignorance, disbelief, and resistance around the virus. It’s bad in China and Italy, but we’ll be okay in the U.S. I was having lunch with a client who is an avid world traveler like me. He was set to travel to India in the coming weeks. He told me he was uncertain about going. I sat there and told him, “I’m not worried about traveling. I’m healthy. The flu infects more people.” (my own ignorance and denial). He then proceeded to tell me that he had quarantine kits ready to go. I sat there thinking, “Wow. That seems extreme. He’s so prepared. That is the last thing I’d ever think to do.” Less than 8 days later, Dallas was being asked to shelter in place.

It was during my last public yoga class that I finally felt the brevity of this pandemic. Studios and businesses were beginning to close. My studio was still open. They assured us that they were taking all precautions to ensure the safety of the studio, instructors, and clients. Yet, when I saw more and more people cram into the room, I was clear this was not okay. I was 6 inches away from others, not 6 feet. That was the last public class I’ve been to in a month. Just 3 days after that the studio closed.

I witnessed this happen over and over with business after business. Some got on board early and closed; while others held on by staying open as long as they could. Even businesses were in resistance about closing.

As humans, we don’t like being told ‘No’ or to stay still. We want freedom. We want to come and go as we please. We want life to remain the same. We want to be left alone. It’s not really the telling of ‘No’ that flusters us, it’s the resistance to change.

The more you resist change, the more you are left with little choice but to change.

We can continue to fight it. We can continue to say that we’re the “exception to the rule”. We can continue to say that it doesn’t matter or that it’s not a big deal. We can continue to be in denial or say that we’ll start tomorrow.  Eventually, all of our excuses (aka our resistance) will cause us to face the truth of the situation. Truth leads to choice which leads to freedom. We can either lean into the resistance and surrender or continue to fight it and allow it to consume us.

The moment you cross over the pain point of resistance, change begins to happen.

It will feel uncomfortable at first. Yet the more you lean in, the more what you’re doing will become familiar and less uncomfortable. When I finally chose to let go of the resistance around the card message I pulled, I was able to see an opening for insight and growth. When I chose to lean into the yoga pose I resisted so much, I was able to gain confidence and reassurance that it was possible for me to do it. I just needed modifications and practice. The moment I stopped denying the evidence of coronavirus, I was able to accept it and do my part to stay home.

Many are adjusting to life inside and staying in one location. Many who are not used to working remotely are now working from home. Many have their children home while still working a full-time job. Many have lost jobs or have been furloughed. Many are reveling in the space they have to work on creative projects while many others are taking time to slow down and rest.

We are all learning to navigate a new way of living.

With all of this change, emotions are heightened. And it’s likely that emotions are what we’re resisting most. I used to resist crying. I view it as a weakness. I thought that to be strong meant to suck it up and show no emotion. Thankfully, I’ve spent a lot of time uncovering my resistance to emotions and now choose to embrace them.

It’s okay to feel. It’s okay to feel sad and allow yourself to cry. It’s okay to be angry and allow yourself to scream in the shower or car. It’s okay to be mad at what’s happening with the leadership in this country. It’s okay to be annoyed and express why you’re annoyed. It’s okay to be happy and tell others why. It’s okay to be grateful for what you have. It’s okay to feel whatever it is that you’re feeling. When we resist emotions, we push them down further only to explode or be revealed later. When we lean in, we can choose to be in a place of acceptance, allow ourselves to feel and express the emotion, and move forward.

Children are great teachers for expressing emotions. They don’t resist emotions. They lean into them, allow them to be known, and then let them go and move on. And as adults, we have the tools to express our emotions in a healthy way that’s conducive for all.

Resistance provides an opportunity for you to explore.

Resistance makes itself known the moment you get inspired by an idea or wish to change something in your life. It shows when changes are thrust upon you that may be outside of your control. In moments of resistance, you have a powerful opportunity to explore why the resistance is showing up and how it could benefit you to move through it. Once you make a choice to move through it, don’t expect it to suddenly get easy. Resistance will fight however it can to keep you safe and where you are. Keep leaning in. You may have a project that you’ve been wanting to work on—whether it be writing, cleaning and organizing a space in your house, starting a side hustle or making a change in your business, having a conversation with someone you know you need to have yet have been resisting…whatever it is, the moment you declare you are going to take action, resistance will sweep in.

In his book The War of Art, Steven Pressfield writes of the first time he decided to start writing. He had always had a dream of being a screenwriter. He moved to New York and was waiting tables for years thinking about writing. Thinking about writing and the act of writing is completely different. One night he finally decided to start. He sat down at his typewriter and began to write. He found himself frustrated and hating all of his ideas. The more frustrated he got with his writing, the more wads of paper piled up in the trash bin. Yet, he forced himself to sit there for 2 hours writing. Once his time was up, he felt an excess of energy. He went into the kitchen and began washing 10 days worth of dishes in the sink. Suddenly he noticed himself whistling. While the work was not perfect, he was happy. He had finally leaned into the resistance, sat down at his typewriter and started writing. That was the start of his writing career.

When you lean into resistance, it may take several tries of starting again and again until you reach a point of flow and/or completion. Keep leaning in. Keep showing up.

Questions to consider when facing Resistance:

Where in your life are you experiencing resistance?

Where do you feel resistance in your body?

What are the benefits of holding on to the resistance?

What is it costing you by not leaning into the resistance?

Give yourself some space when resistance shows up. Go back to the 4 questions listed above and answer them for yourself. Lean into the resistance and embrace it. Be gentle with yourself. Celebrate the small victories. Show up again and again.

If you find yourself stuck in a cycle of resistance and wishing you had some support, yet you’re resistant to asking…reach out. Together we can do a Clarity Session to support you in uncovering what the resistance is about and create powerful ways to lean in and move through the resistance. Learn more about Clarity Sessions here.

[antionetterparker]

Stella & Dot: Are They the Best MLM for Jewelry Lovers? [Review]

If you love jewelry, Stella & Dot should be on your radar.

Founded in 2007 by two business school grads, this company boasts impressive growth and quality products anyone would be proud to sell.

That didn’t happen by accident…

Stella & Dot, one of today’s top home jewelry MLMs, has a brand that’s specifically designed to appeal to trendy, fashion-conscious women.

Forget old-style Tupperware parties. With Stella & Dot, you get trunk shows, independent stylists, boutique-style jewelry…

What fashion-loving woman wouldn’t want to hold “trunk shows” in her home, score free jewelry, work in “social selling” and be able to call herself a professional “Stylist” on her Facebook page? (That is, of course, until her network marketing tactics cause everyone on Facebook to unfriend her.)

Stella & Dot may seem like the typical MLM, but what’s not typical about these guys is that they’re still trending after a decade in the game.

FAQ

1. What does Stella & Dot sell? Stella & Dot sells boutique-style jewelry, bags, accessories, and clothing. Unlike other costume jewelry brands, though, Stella & Dot has their own design team, producing designs from scratch — so Stella & Dot customers can enjoy unique, eye-catching products that express their personal style.

2. What are Stella & Dot’s most popular products? Stella & Dot create stylish products that all seem to nail it. Their jewelry is probably their most popular. But their handbags also get rave reviews. Both lines get lots of reviews commenting on how beautiful the product is, how versatile it is, and how often it gets comments.

3. How much does it cost to join Stella & Dot? To become a Stella & Dot “Stylist,” you’ll need to buy the Bestsellers Kit, which gives you $1,000 of the company’s top designs for $299. There are sometimes promotions that allow you to put $199 down and pay the remaining $100 in the first 30 days.

4. Is Stella & Dot a scam? No, Stella & Dot is a real business selling fashion jewelry and accessories. It’s also an Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Company.

5. What is Stella & Dot’s BBB rating? A+

6. How long has Stella & Dot been in business? Since 2007

7. What is Stella & Dot’s revenue? $300 million, as of 2016

8. How many Stella & Dot distributors are there? More than 50,000

9. What lawsuits have been filed? There are no lawsuits listed online.

10. Comparable companies: Origami Owl, Paparazzi Accessories, Thirty-One Gifts

So is it too late to get involved?

I’m not going to say you won’t make any money with S&D, but there are definitely more sustainable income opportunities out there…

Click here for my #1 recommendation

Either way, here’s the full review on Stella & Dot.

Overview

Stella & Dot was founded in 2007 in San Francisco by stylish power-duo Stanford grads Jessica Herrin and Blythe Harris. [1]

Both were already successful entrepreneurs — Herrin’s business know-how had already led her to start WeddingChannel.com and be featured on Oprah, while Harris’s creativity put them over the top with fantastic designs created by the same people who work for places like Neiman Marcus and Fred Segal. [2]

Jessica Herrin had actually dropped out of Stanford Business School to found her first successful company, which she eventually sold 5 years later for $78 million — sounds like a lot of top entrepreneurs. [3]

Stella & Dot caught on fast. It’s an Inc. 500 Fastest-Growing Company. [4]

Their designs have been featured on Gossip Girl, In Style, and Lucky Magazine.

Jessica Herrin has grown Stella & Dot’s revenue exponentially, reaching upwards of $300 million annually. Herrin herself is worth $135 million, making her one of Forbes’ “Self-made women to watch.” [5]

She’s inspired her distributors for sure, but her reach goes even further now that she’s publishing a book called Find Your Extraordinary, which is all about helping people “dream bigger, live happier, and achieve success on your own terms.” [6]

Everyone from The Today Show, Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times has praised their “innovative social selling model.” [7]

But if there’s one thing MLMs are best at, it’s rebranding (hint: Sisel and Modere) — isn’t this just a new name for the same old direct selling game?

Products

Stella & Dot sells stylish, expertly designed jewelry and accessories and caters mostly toward women. The categories of their products are:

Jewelry

Bags

Accessories

Collections

Clothing

Their jewelry is designed in San Francisco and New York by top designers, and it is very cute and trendy. Their products have been featured in Vogue, In Style, and The New York Times. Half their collection is under $50.

Jewelry includes everything from necklaces, earrings, and bracelets to rings, charms, watches, and jewelry display and storage. A good amount of their jewelry is under $100, with earrings in the $30-50 range and necklaces in the $50-100 range. Not cheap, but neither is their quality.

Bags include purses, clutches, totes, wallets, and weekenders. Wallets and clutches are in the $50-100 range whereas purses and weekenders range from $80-150.

Accessories include sunglasses, scarves, tunics, sarongs, and bag charms. Scarves are around $50-70, sunglasses around $100-130, and sarongs are $49.

Clothing includes tops, leggings, cardigans, jackets, and dresses. Casual tees range from $29 to $39, while dressy casual tops are $69 and up. Cardigans and pullovers are around $79-99. Dresses sell for as much as $139. Dressier pieces, including a Metallic Moto Jacket and a Lace Bomber, are around $149-198.

Again, they’re masterful when it comes to marketing these products and pushing the image of high-fashion. Aside from calling their parties “trunk shows,” they encourage people to host “pop-up shops” (way to ride the trend wave) featuring some of their luxury items.

They also have a look-book featuring looks put together from their various items. [8]

Compensation Plan

If you do decide to become an Independent Stylist and host Trunk Shows, what does your income really like?

You get free product, definitely. A trunk show could score you $250+ in free jewelry if you can rally up your #girlsquad to buy stuff from you.

If you sell $300-499, you get $45-75 in free product and two 50% off items

If you sell $500-999, you get $100-200 in free product and three 50% off items

If you sell $1,000+, you get $250-500 in free product and four 50% off items

Overall, Stella & Dot has paid over $300 million in commissions to 50,000 stylists. That’s actually not bad. [9]

That’s an average of $6,000 per distributor, which, if it really distributed that way, would be better than most MLMs. The trouble is, it doesn’t. According to the fine print on Stella & Dot’s website, not all stylists qualify to receive commissions each month. The average earnings of paid stylists who did qualify was just $1,441 in 2017. Nothing to write home about.

The commission plan is very simple and transparent.

Personal sales commission is paid out weekly, and it starts at 25%.

25% isn’t bad, but it isn’t great. That being said, you can up your commission rates with their monthly power seller bonus:

2,500 QV+ gets you 30% commission

5,000 QV+ gets you 32% commission

10,000 QV+ gets you 35% commission

Then, of course, you’ve got your team sales commission.

Payouts are based on CV, and you can earn down to your 5th generation, but only if you hit a double diamond director rank.

Starting out, you make 4-6% on your level 1 recruits. A few jumps in rank will get you 8% on level 1 recruits and 3% on level 2 recruits.

Commissions on level 1 get up to 10% and level 2 gets up to 5%. Generation 1-5 commissions vary from 1-2.5%.

There are also some one-time promotion bonuses. If you can get up to the high-level ranks these bonuses hit the 5-figures, which would be awesome except that it’s near impossible to get that far.

The good about Stella & Dot

Stella & Dot is run by professional businesswomen who are experienced in growing successful businesses. The fact that Stella & Dot has been listed on the Inc. 500 is testament to the fact that they know what they’re doing.

The fact that there are no obvious lawsuits tied to the company also speaks well of them. They’re honest and as transparent as many successful businesses are.

Their marketing is stellar. Their designs are unique. They protect their designs by slapping imitators with Cease & Desist Letters. These traits can only help you succeed as one of their distributors. The brand is solid and is likely to get stronger n the coming years.

The bad about Stella & Dot

Finding financial information and specific numbers about distributors is hard. The company holds their cards close to the chest, which doesn’t mean they’re doing anything shady but does make you wonder.

It’s possible they don’t want to share numbers so they aren’t targetted by lawsuits (if so, it’s working). But it’s also possible they’re hiding other important information as well. Just something to watch out for.

Like most MLMs, you’re not going to make a full-time income from this company unless you’re incredibly skilled at network marketing. The company tells you, “How much you earn is up to you.” But we know that’s not true. You’re going to invest tons of time and money to make it work.

According to their website, if you have just one to two hours a week, you can invest $299 to get started and expect to earn $250 a month. To earn $5,000 a month, you’ll need to invest 15-20 hours a week and will need to buy the More to Love Kit, which is $499. To earn $10,000 a month, which is the level that would give you true financial freedom, you need to work 25-40 hours a week and invest $699 in the Ultimate Kit. So you’ll have fewer financial worries but no free time to enjoy it.

Recap

So, this is a trendy MLM that can definitely attract recruits and grow. And the founder knows what she’s doing for sure.

Having a good product, growth, and fun opportunities for distributors is great but it doesn’t mean you make a killing.

But it could be a fun side gig, especially if you’re into jewelry.

Look, I’ve been involved with network marketing for over ten years so I know what to look for when you consider a new opportunity.

After reviewing 200+ business opportunities and systems out there, here is the one I would recommend:

Click here for my #1 recommendation

via https://mlmcompanies.org/stella-dot/

[awesome-legendarystudentcho-blog]

Dallas Texas Cheap car insurance quotes zip 75242

"Dallas Texas Cheap car insurance quotes zip 75242

Dallas Texas Cheap car insurance quotes zip 75242

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I'm 15 and I am getting my permit in 1 month. Since I am female the rate will go up to about 50%. My mom makes good money but I don't think it's fair for here to have to pay that for me. I live in California and I want to try to get a job to pay for the car insurance. I haven't really looked I only looked for stuff online. I don't really want to baby sit or mow lawns, I want to work at a place that provides a paycheck (even though I would probably make more money doing those things). Any suggestions?""

How much is car insurance in the UK for a 21 year old? I'm being quoted 1000pnd/month!?

I'll be moving to the uk from the netherlands. I'll be getting a uk driver's license within 1 year as my current one is not exchangeable. I am very confused about the ridiculous high prices of car insurance in the uk. With 0 years no claim and full uk license for 1 year I'm getting a quote of over 1000 pounds a month!? How is this even possible? This is just liability insurance.

Buying a Car and Insurance Question!?

Im getting a car this weekend (hopefully) and my dad said he will set a date to go to a friend of his that sells good cars for cheap, but my dad wants it under his name. I don't trust my dad and I want the car under MY name, but he said that the insurance will cost more. If I put the car under MY name, but put the car under his insurance, will it cost more because the car is under my name or will it cost the same? I don't want to pay for the car and then when its finished, he takes the car saying that its under his name and I cant do anything about it. How much would I pay for insurance?""

30 day insurance policy for newborns?

I am a teen mom and since the baby can't be covered under my parents insurance we are planning to do a legal guardianship, however you cannot get guardianship of an unborn child so we are doing it after he is born. But I was wondering if right after he is born if the hospital bills will be under my parents insurance because I have heard there is a 30 day period in which you need to get the baby's insurance arranged. So during the 30 days would the baby's hospital stay and everything be covered while we get the insurance arranged? Thank you!""

Do I need an insurance to register my car in North Carolina?

I live in Charlotte, North Carolina. I am gonna buy a used car from a private party and I am going to DMV tomorrow to register it. The DMV website says I need car insurance for registration. Can I get an insurance when technically I don't own the car? what do insurance companies need for getting a car insurance?""

Teenage Car Insurance Question?

I am a new teenage driver about to go for his license in a few weeks. Before I do I have to be on one of my parents insurance plans. My mom says that adding me to hers would be about $1800 yearly and my dad just says that that is ridiculously high. I don't know which one of them to believe on this issue so: How much is average teenage car Insurance

How much should car insurance pay for breaking your back in accident?

boyfriend got ina car crash. he was in the back seast. driver didnt see stop sign and tboned anothe car. he has a fractured lombar 2 and wont be able to work for a while now... how much should the liability pay? they only want to pay about 3 thousand or so..

Am I still eligible for unemployment insurance if I move out of state?

I currently receive bi-weekly unemployment checks. I live in California, but in a few months, I will be relocating to Texas. Basically I just need to know if I will be receive insurance from another state. Thanks!""

How much would car insurance cost for a 16 year old?

I'm 15, and I am thinking about paying for my own car insurance next year to help my parents out. I was wondering how much it would cost per month given the facts that I am a guy, and I was thinking about buying a used 2005 or 2007 Mustang for my first car. How much would is cost per month for my circumstances?""

What is a cheap insurance for San Antonio? We have a 2006 GT Mustang that Esurance wants to charge us 500 some

dollars for EVERY MONTH and that is WAY too much!

Dallas Texas Cheap car insurance quotes zip 75242

Dallas Texas Cheap car insurance quotes zip 75242

Is car insurance policy number confidential?

brother is applying for his own car insurance to A. A asks if anyone else has drivers license, and requesting policy number from other family members and their respective insurance providers.. Is that necessary?""

""What is the average cost of car insurance for a 25 y/o female, no accidents, no tickets, 2008 car.?""

Please help give me an idea of the cost for car insurance. Comprehensive vs. Collision? I'll be buying a 2007 or 2008 mid-range sedan (VW Jetta, Toyota Corrolla, etc.). I've never gotten in an accident or gotten a ticket. And of course, I'm a female :) Any help is appreciated! Thanks.""

Car insurance opting out?

I renewed my car insurance for the year, but then my car broke down and i do not wish to spend the money to fix it. its been 4 months into the insurance plan, can i cancel it and get some money back?""

""What is the recommended amount of uninsured motorist coverage in Reno, Nevada?""

I searched online, but couldn't find any average or for claims or for recommended coverage. I currently have only the minimum covereage for un/under insured motorists. I know I need more, because this area has a high rate of uninsured motorists. However, I am on disability and don't want to pay more than necessary. Any assistance would be appreciated, but please don't give me names of insurance agencies, etc.""

I filed a claim with my insurance company and am now being charged a claim surcharge. Is this legal?

I've had a home-owner's and auto policy with Allstate for the last 4 years. The increase was labeled a claim surcharge. The surcharge is almost 500 dollars

Best insurance companies for 17 year old passed my test!!?

ok ive pased my test a month on friday and i gettin a car this week and i need some insurance on the car obviiously lol, well basically whats the cheapest car insurance all you 17 year old have and who is it with, please :)""

How much would maintenance cost on a BMW 325i?

a 2000 ish-2003 bmw 325i (same series)...how much would maintenance cost? I like the BMW in that it has EVERYTHING that I want, it's (2001) version is in my price range to buy, except I'm a student and I work part time. I can at an uncomfortable MAX 100$ a month for maintenance (not including gas and insurance). I am a DIY person (I can do moderately difficult car repairs) so I won't go to the dealer much. But I heard that this BMW needs synthetic oil and premium gas, and a couple of my friends said that BMW's NEED maintenance or else they suck. I will do NEEDED maintenance (such as if I need oil change, or my brakes are bad) but I won't do stuff that aren't needed (like idk...coolant flush etc.).""

What is the cheapest auto insurance?

I am going to be turning 16 soon and i am most likely am getting a 2002 ford focus. what companies offer the cheapest auto insurance for a 16 yr old on there parents insurance?

What does car insurance cost?

I'm 16 almost 17 about to get my license in a small town in Indiana. I get all As except for maybe one B a semester. I went to drivers ed. I will get a 2001 silver volkswagon ...show more

Car Insurance For A 17 Year Old Male?

I'm 17 and starting to drive and thinking about getting a car later on when I pass, but I'm sure insurance and fuel costs are going to kill me! Can I get some advice and maybe a rough guide to how much insurance will be? I'm thinking of getting a VW Golf Mk1 or Mk2, or a Peugeot 106 Escapade. Could you also tell me if modifying the interior will affect insurance along with resprays and lowering the vehicle. Thank you""

Do auto insurance brokers/agencys lie . they said ill pay 49 monthy and 134 down for insur. could this be lyin?

ya basically this auto insurance agency asked sum ? in person and compared rates and the lowest price was some company was offering $49 monthly and $134 down .. i was trying to get 40 a month and shes like there is nothing i can do .. then i was asked how can i be sure that this will be the monthly fee and they wont charge more and she said there will be no hidden fees this is what they charge . we are ligitiment insurance agency ... but i dont know i feel like the down is probly profiting them big time and i feel like the monthly payments will some how be higher than 49 monthy and she is lying about hidden fees

Looking for catastrophic health insurance.?

Self employed paying $1,200 a month for health insurance. I want to self insure but would like to get some kind of catastrophic health insurance if there is such a thing.""

""16 year old male, first car and insurance?""

Alright, I turned 16 a few months ago and got my license the day after my birthday. The majority of cars that we have looked at are around $1500 a year for just liability. However, 3 cars that we have not checked with insurance have really caught my eye. The first being a mazda3 anywhere from an 04 to an 08, the second being a mazda6 with the same age, lastly a 04 mazda rx-8. I would be added to my parents progressive insurance and was curious how much the insurance would be on each of these cars? My family and I are planning on checking with an agent tomorrow but I wouldn't mind an educated guess. :) If it matters I have not had any accidents and my GPA is around a 3.25. Thanks for your help""

""Which costs more, Motorcycle insurance or Car insurance ?

I just got my Drivers License earlier this second quarter and I'm going for my motorcycle within the next month or two. My birthday is in February and I am currently 23 years of age.

All my friends seem to be getting cheap car insurance?

All my friends seem to be getting cheap car insurance but i cant seem to find it lol, im 17 and i know its expensive but people say they find it for 1.4k or 1.5k which id be happy with but im getting quoted 5k (and dont say what type of car is it!!) cause i know all that""

Can I get Car Insurance in Texas without a D-License?

Can I get car insurance without a license. I'm located in Texas. Is there ways around to do it?

What if I don't pay car insurance?

Hi, I am wondering what happens if I don't pay my car insurance. This are the facts: I bought a car from a dealership, they offered me a car insurance, I did not want it because the car was to be shipped to Europe and sold there as brand new. Therefore I did not want to pay insurance for car that is not even my own. Nevertheless I had to register the car in CA as all the cars have to be. Now I got a letter from DMV in CA saying that if I don't pay car insurance the registration will be canceled. Now the car is already in Europe and has been sold lately. Will there be any consequences for me? Will I have to pay any additional money to DMV? What happens after the registration is canceled? Thank you for your help""

Insurance + Payment options?

I would like to purchase a used car, but I would have to open up a loan. It would be good for me to open up a car loan to raise my credit a bit, since I have no prior loans out. Anyway, would I be able to buy the car on my name with the loan, and have one of my parents as the driver so that the insurance will not be so much since I am only 20? Or will I just have to have them buy it? How does this work?""

""Why do all of my friends get cheap car insurance, but not me?""

ok so my problem is, I am currently on a provisional license (in the UK of course) and literally all of my friends that are driving currently are getting insurance for less than 2k a year. (male, 17 years old, living in west cumbria, same as me) and that is with the same cover I am looking at... comprehensive cover as a named driver on a parents car. I have tried everything, even looked at the same cars and the qoutes are still almost double. this does not make sense... why the bloody hell do i have to pay 3500 quid a year for a poxy 500 quid car when all my mates only pay 1500 a year on the same thing!!! my postcode is ca28 by the way, which is a grade c postcode area for insurance, same as my friends. they seem to use aviva, i got a qoute from them, 300 a month, they got 150 a month. even those that have passed their test get cheaper insurance than me. please help. ste""

Know of a good Car Insurance place in LA anyone?

Where can i Find a Good Car insurance place in LA, CA? Looking only of liability insurance. But Cheap!!""

How much higher will my insurance go up with a point on my license?

How much higher will my insurance go up with a point on my license? I got pulled over for not stopping at a stop sign completely... this is in california. My insurance is like 300 every 6 months typically.

How much does Car Insurance for a teenager cost?

How much is car insurance for a 15 ( starting drivers ed) year old girl if you are only a part time driver, like if you dont own a car you just use your parent' car in Illinois? Like how much is added on to your parents insurance bill? and how much does it cost if you have your own car?""

What is the typical cost of motorcycle insurance in california?

What is the typical cost of motorcycle insurance in california?

Camper van Insurance for 17 year old?

How much would this be, on average for a second hand camper?""

What are some cheap car insurance companies in Ontario?

I'm looking around trying to find out different quotes so my boyfriend can get insurance on his car! Looking for a cheap insurance company!! Any suggestions?

Dallas Texas Cheap car insurance quotes zip 75242

Dallas Texas Cheap car insurance quotes zip 75242

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tip-cheap-car-insurance-21-year-old-female-geoffrey-kent/"

[theadventuresofartgirl]

Erotilogue: Something of a cross between a travelogue and erotica. I think this is my own word. I don’t find it in the dictionary, but it rolled right out of my brain and onto my tongue as familiar and comfy as a well-washed T- shirt and it suits this record of my journey to its own T.

Hello my Dear,                                                                                                                                         Will you forgive me for being such an awful correspondent? I haven’t written in months, you’re thinking. Not to you, it’s true, and I apologize for that. You have been on my mind. I do miss our chats. But I have been writing, let me explain.

A man I met connected me with a retired editor from Double Day, to see what the book needs. The editor likes the book, but he did suggest edits I need to make before submitting it again. I’ve gone through the whole thing, page by page, yet again, done as he asked — where it sat right with me — and now I’ve fired it back off to him for a re-read

So, as you see, I’ve been writing and writing, just not to you. And for that I apologize. I realize unless you’ve kept up to date on facebook, you don’t even know where I am. The last we spoke, I was hip deep in a snow bank, freezing my tail feathers when I wanted to be sunning them. And a certain friend was anxious that I do just that.

“Baby, when you come?” Railyn asked for the umpteenth time in several days.

“I can’t come until the house I renovated sells.” I told him yet again.

He wasn’t a believer. I’d come for the past two winters and he was positive I was coming again. He also didn’t seem to comprehend that I might not be able to afford to come, just at this moment. Dominicans and their finances are a whole other thing. When they have money, they call their friends and share it, enjoy it. then it’s gone. And their approach is, “Why worry? more will come. Tranquillo.” The truth is, outside of a disaster, they’re pretty much right. It usually does. I admire this philosophy. They live very much in the now, for today.

“House will sell, baby, don’t worry. Just come, I miss you.”

Okay, now it was getting good. “Really? What do you miss about me?” I love this kind of stuff.

“Everything. I have a little fantasy. I am lay on the sofa and you —“

I see him in my mind’s eye. “Yes, me, what am I doing?” I felt a little flushed.

“You cooking baby. I love how you cook for me. Strange food.”

Screech. The brakes are hit. Not exactly what I’d expected but oh well, I’ll take it. I do like to cook, experimental recipes. Things he’s never eaten before. Strange food. Like curry, paella and fahitas.

He’s such a good eater. It’s fun to cook for a man that’s a good eater.

 “Coming Baby, please. I wait for you.”

That night was spent like countless other sleepless nights I’ve had, waiting for a house to sell. Thinking of how to budget every cent, so I could hold out until it moved. This house got finished at the worst possible time of year, Christmas. I knew it wouldn’t move until Spring. I’d pretty much invested my whole wad and now there was nothing I could do but wait.

Although, I told myself … I could wait on the island, looking out at the ocean, with a sexy man in my bed, just as easily as I could wait here in Montana, alone, frozen, and in a snow bank. That heavenly blue water was calling my name. “Michelle, Michelle….” Oof!

It was one bugger of a winter too. The worst I could remember in a long, long time. I got out my credit cards and started rifling through the zero percent interest offers I’d accumulated. H-m-m-m … It could be done. I decided to take a leaf out of the Dominican hand book and trust more would come, and I’d be able to pay them off.

Seven days and twenty-eight hours later, I’d managed to pull my tights off in the minuscule airplane bathroom, wad them up and shove them into my purse, and slip on my sandals. All part of the nifty, f-ing-frostbite to hellacious- humidity quickie-kit, I’d wedged within my carry on. Then there came a rap on the door.

“I need you to take a seat for landing now, please.”

“I’m almost finished, I … “

“Take a seat and fasten your seat belt, now. Thank you.” The flight attendant rapped again.

And you know me, I’ve always been a good girl, so I minded her, damn!

I got off the plane at one forty-five a.m., in Santiago, with bare legs below, and a big, bulky turtleneck sweater on top. Not the look I was going for, especially not after an eight-month absence from Railyn, and the heat hit me like I dropped into a swamp as soon as I stepped off the plane. The turtleneck glued to the back of my neck. Sweat trickled down my spine. In that moment, I wanted nothing so much as to rip it off and go topless.

It’s a lot for a poor bod to take, going from 10 below to 85 above like that. I think mine went into shock. I definitely felt rummy as I heaved my two enormous cases onto the push-cart. Then, I piled my little dog Sweet Pea’s rolling travel case on top of the heap, with her inside, peeking out her mesh window.

We toddled down the long white hall towards customs, but there were no friendly musicians— in sugar cane cutting costumes — there to welcome us with a merry meringue,  like there had been when I landed in the afternoon. Customs, which consists of buying a tourist pass for ten dollars — which no one will ever look at again for the duration of your stay — and telling the nice man in the glass passport checking box, that we were here for pleasure — definitely for pleasure — which made him laugh.

An Army waited for me outside. Railyn, his brother, and his best friend all stood shoulder to should ready to greet me exuberantly, raise eyebrows at my bulky black sweater, what was I thinking, and then hoist my cases into the car. Railyn had experienced my suitcase situation before, you see. He came prepared. He knows I am not a girl who travels light, and the condo I’d rented this time was a fourth-floor walk-up. Once they got the cases up the stairs, the other men took off home, back to their beds.

I on the other hand, followed Sweet Pea to where a long stemmed red rose lay across the thresh hold of the closed bedroom door.

I turned the knob and pushed it open to find a trail of rose petals with flickering tea lights woven in and out among them, (thank god he hadn’t burnt the place down, it’s over an hour drive from the airport), smelling heavenly and leading to the bed.

The maids had formed the bath towels into two white swans, their necks entwined, forming a heart. He had circled the swans with velvety red rose petals, and long stemmed roses were strewn across the bed.

A second path led into the bathroom,

where pink petals formed a giant letter M,

and long stemmed pink roses filled the basin of the sink.

A rose was on my bedside table, and a bouquet of long stem red roses was on the dresser.

I remember being pissed off when I read that Ben Affleck had done something similar for J-Lo. I was jealous. She already had everything. Then she got that too? Not fair. No one had ever done anything like that for me. And here it was. I stood right in the center of the room and cried, I was so touched.

“Baby, why you cry? You like it? Yes?”

“Yeees,” I wobbled. “I love it.” I did. I truly did.

Of course, there was no Harry Winston pink diamond on the bed, like Ben had left, but that was easily forgiven. I’m more a romantic, than a materialist.

If you would have asked me on the plane if I was in the mood for sex, I would have said, definitely not. I was exhausted. Funny how quickly my mind was changed for me. Three a.m., and no sleep for the last forty-eight hours and yet there I was, awake, alert, and on fire. My poor, neglected, spinsterific body was brought back to life, trembling, arching, moaning, once again. He had not forgotten which buttons to push. And then I slept like a coconut had dropped off a palm tree onto my head, out for the count.

Unfortunately, Sweet Pea had already done a little too much sleeping over the course of our flight here. When She heard Railyn get up and leave for the gym, she was ready to be up and about too. ARGH!

I slipped on a little, floral, cotton mini-dress I call my mumu, stepped into some flip flops, clipped  Sweet Pea’s leash onto her collar, and we headed for the beach and a sunrise walk. We always have to stop and look both ways before we exit the path that leads from grass and gardens of the complex here at Cabaret East, to hit the sand. Sometimes big dogs roam free on the beach, and they aren’t the type to play nice at the dog park. I’ve ended up in the water, up to my neck, holding Sweet Pea over my head, until a pack of dogs snarling at us from shore, gave up and went in search of easier prey.

I always talk about all the things I love about coming here. But the way dogs are treated is not one of them. I don’t blame the people, they are very poor and when you are trying to figure out what you can possibly feed your children that night, you are not worried about grain free dog food or any of the other things that American pet owners are concerned with.

A lot of dogs don’t seem to belong to anyone. No one takes care of them. They are neglected, flea infested and sometimes have been abused. I would say they fall into the category best known as curs. They have been left to fend for themselves on the streets, snatching up a scrap of anything they can find to survive. (It may be just the same for cats, but they appear to be sleek and well fed, as opposed rib cage baring, thin).

One night, on my last trip down here, we were invited to a barbeque dinner at a friend of Railyn’s house. When we finished, we noticed a mama doggie lingering near the gate, lured by the aroma, sad-eyed yet hopeful, watching for her chance. Railyn’s friend stood up to ready to flap his arms and shoo her away. Tail between her legs, she tuned to go. But Railyn held up a hand and stopped his friend. He stacked all our scraps onto his plate, and made his way to the street, to feed the mama doggie. She had children hidden away somewhere to feed too. These are the things he does that woo me. A tenderness that appears and melts my heart. Because this isn’t normal behavior here. Dogs don’t count for much here, over-all.

This particular morning no dogs were visible either direction on the beach, so we set off.  Suddenly Sweet Pea stopped in her tracks. To all appearances, she seemed to take in and appreciate the glorious warmth and the beauty that surrounded us, and came forward to kiss us good morning.

“Hello ocean,” I shouted out to the surf, which trembled with delight and rose up to wave a white hanky in our direction. “I’ve missed you too, my friend.” I told it and we strolled along together, while it whispered its gentle words to me, soothing words, that never fail to relax the soul. Back and forth, in and out, with a rhythmic, cool caress it lapped my ankles and jumped back, waiting to see if I minded. I allowed it, so it came again, this time daring to glide up my calf.

Fresh

At the complex next to ours, a little old gray haired fellow was cleaning the pool. He stopped what he was doing to come to the fence and thump his chest with his open palm in the general of his heart. Aha! We had an admirer. He was telling us something, I caught linda and bonita, so I smiled and waved. He patted his heart again. As always, Sweet Pea thought it was for her, she wagged her stubby little tail and pranced towards him. I thought it was for me, so we were both happy. Our morning was made.

A little further down we came abreast with a house where Sweet Pea had made a friend, last winter. She’s so smart, I thought as she stopped, determined, waiting, sniffing the fence in the exact spot where she always touched noses with the neighbor dog. She was looking for Alta. But Alta was no longer living in the house. It looked deserted.

All of a sudden, a cacophony of yelps broke out from the balcony above. Puppy faces popped out through all the rails, one after another. A young dog started down the stairs, but when I said “Olah Baby,” it ran away, frightened. A young woman appeared on the balcony to hush the dogs. I could see she was probably American or Canadian.

“Hi. What’s going on here? Are you a dog trainer?” I shouted over the volume of barking dogs, mine included.

“Hello. No, I’m here to take them back to Toronto.” She made her way down the stairs, closer to me, so I could hear her. “I’m Olivia. I volunteer for Save Our Scruff. I’m taking these dogs back with me to find forever homes for them.”

“That is so cool. I’ve seen shows on T.V. about programs like yours, but those people were driving them up north in big trucks.”

“Its Laura Bye’s organization. I just volunteer to fly down and get them, crate them up, and fly them back with me.”

“I’m so happy to know these guys will be taken care of. I was just thinking about how many abandoned and abused dogs there are here.

“Yes, it’s really a bad situation. Are you here on vacation?”She asked, and we proceeded to get acquainted. After a few minutes I told her I had to be off.

“Well, it was nice to meet you. Wait. Let me give you Laura Bye’s card.” She jogged back up the stairs and returned with it. (Now, I’ll tell you how to find them, in case you are feeling flush and would like to help out. I did, poor doggies. www.saveourscruff.org, or facebook.com/saveourscruff).

“Thanks. Very cool you’re doing this.” I put the card in my pocket and we headed off down the beach, pleased to know someone had seen their plight and stepped up to make a difference. Lucky Dogs!

Further down along our sandy trek, I watched as two little kids ran up to their fence, excited about Sweet Pea. She is unique here, you don’t see many dogs like her. Certainiy never with a flower in their hair. They were darling children. The little boy squatted down to pet Sweet Pea through the chain link.

I took out my phone, to snap a picture, and he hurriedly stood and put his arm around his little sister. Dominican’s love to pose for a shot. Completely snap happy as far as I can tell, the lot of them. This tiny boy already had it down pat.

“Adios,” I told the children. “It’s time for us to head back Sweet Pea. Mommy wants her tea.”

The only problem with that was my honey. I’d asked Railyn to buy one so it was there in the morning when I got up. He said he had some at home and he’d bring it. Now, taking it from the cupboard, I saw the little bit left wasn’t enough for even one cup. What was there had crystallized in the bottom corners and wasn’t looking exactly luscious. Poop.

Railyn wouldn’t be back for hours. But I knew what I could do. I’d take the Guagua, the people’s transport, into the store on my own and get my honey. After all I was a seasoned traveler now, this being my third winter here. I knew they passed by here all day long. I knew they went by Janet’s Grocery Store. I got a hundred peso note and went down to the street. The man at our gate appeared surprised, but if that’s what I wanted to do, by all means he would help me. He followed me curbside and a few minutes later, stepped out to hail the Guagua which was barreling towards us at breakneck speed.

The mini-van came to a slow rolling sort of stop, it’s the side door wide open, with a muscled young man hanging out of it.

He grabbed my arm and I flew inside, as the driver hit the gas and lurched back into oncoming traffic, nearly sideswiping a green Honda in the process. I fell forward, but the agile people-plucker caught me.

Looking around, I saw all the seats were taken.

I was prepared to stand up next to the people-pluckerer, but he didn’t want me there. He spat an order and the people in the shortest seat, the middle seat, wedged together further. I couldn’t see how I could possibly fit. My butt wasn’t any where near as small as that. The people-plucker barked something else and prodded me, indicating I should take my seat. I hovered for a moment over the infinitesimal space they’d created and then dropped. I ended up with half a cheek propped up onto the right thigh of the boy next to me. He looked at me and smiled. The Guagua careened to the right, slowing down. We were picking up even more people.

Janet’s is a busy hub. I got off the Guagua with the majority of the bus riders, et voila1! I was in downtown Cabarete. The store was bustling. It always is. Tourists from every nation, as white as the rice in their carts, wander the aisles. Here and there, you’ll see a few sprinkled in who are as dark as mahogany, and look like they’re made out of old belts. They’ve stayed here too long.

A woman in a red sunhat held a can of olive oil in each hand, looking from one to another as if one brand might confess to being the inferior. A tall man with a big nose peered over his reading glasses at the cookies up on the top shelf. Pushing the specks back up, he muttered their ingredients to himself. Spanish Labeling led them astray.

But I’m seasoned, I’ve been here many a time, and I know exactly where they keep the honey, which is my preferred brand, and I love its label. Very sweet — (pun intended) — graphics, and nothing could be simpler to understand.

Of course, I didn’t stop there. As long as I made the trip I figured I’d get something to make for Railyn’s lunch and the French bread was still warm from the oven, it smelled heavenly, so I had to take it. Oh, and the little crackers they make here, I just love them. The fruit is so ripe and lovely too. So are the avocados. I got some.

I left with a full shopping bag in each hand, and dashed over to the opposite side of the street, where a long line Dominicans also stood, waiting for the Guagua. It pulled up and a hoard descended. Just as quickly, the throng I stood among, boarded. It was packed. Cram-jammed. Butt to butt jammage, there wasn’t even room for half a cheek.

The people-pluckerer was talking to the tourist that was holding them up, gesturing for her to hurry up and get on board. I was talking, trying to make him understand that I would wait for the next bus, that there was absolutely no room for me in that mini-van. Neither understood the other. The driver tooted the horn. The people-plucker took matters into his own hands, literally. He picked me up under my arms like I was a child, and plopped me down, lickety-split, onto the lap of a fat man in the front seat. My groceries dropped onto the lap of the woman sitting next to him, who I took to be his wife. She put her arms around them.

“Hola,” she said.

“Hola,” I responded, from atop her husband. No one seemed to find this the least bit out of the ordinary.

The Guagua pulled out without looking both ways. They never do. They believe they own the road, this people’s bus. Other drivers should stop for them. Railyn swears at them frequently when they pull out in front of him, and makes bad gestures at them as we pass them, after he’s been cut off. They don’t care, they remain oblivious. Now the  blaring of horns and squealing of brakes sounded from behind us. I wanted to look back but my head was bent at an odd angle, pressed up against the glass. I wanted to hold on, but I couldn’t imagine what I could take hold of, so I wrapped my arms around my waist and bobbed up and down on the fat man’s lap, along with the motion of the chuggy van. We rode along like this for several miles, to where my condo was located. I saw it out of my periphery just as we were starting to pass it and shrieked “Pare, pare, condo, condo” (stop, stop, condo condo), being ever so proud of myself for being seasoned enough to have remembered the word I’d seen so often on the red stop signs, while riding around with Railyn. Of course I was pronouncing it as “Pear, pear, condo, condo,” since I’d never heard it spoken. At least not that I’d absorbed.

The driver turned his head with a scowl marring his brow. “Que?” (What) He queried, not even slowing down.

“Pear, pear, condo, condo.” I said again. This time gesturing madly at the condo we were quickly leaving far behind us.

“Quando, quando?” (When, when)? He asked, eyes searching, brows beetling further.

“Ah, si, ” (Oh, yes), The friendly lady holding my groceries said suddenly. “El condo.” (the condo), She got it. Her eyes were alight.

“Si! Si!” I bobbed my head against the glass. “Si, el condo.”(Yes, the condo). “Yo vivais”, I said. Well vivais was french but sometimes it works and they are the same. I always try it. I live condo, is what I was after.

She nodded, she knew. She gave a rapid-fire explanation to the driver, who slammed on the brakes. I would have fallen, but I was wedged against the glass. My groceries slid off her knees, but she caught them.

“Adios,” she said, handing me the bags.

“Adios, gracias” I said, right before I felt the people-plucker lift me off the fat man’s lap, and I sort of flew backwards through the mob. My flip flops dangled precariously from my feet. I squeezed my toes and held on tight.

He dropped me on the gravel to the side of the road. I stood in the cloud of dust they left in their wake, watching as they peeled out directly in front of a black Rover — now shaking a fist at them — and the strong young man hung way out the open door of the speeding van, eyes forward, glued to the road, watching for the next people to pluck.

Something cold and wet touched up against the back of my ankle. I jumped and looked down. A stray dog slinked back, like he was afraid I’d hit him. Fleas circled the poor nose that was so interested in what was in my sack. I broke off the end of the fresh loaf.

“Here you go buddy.” I tossed the bread to him. “Say, how would you like to live in Toronto? I’ve never been, but they tell me it’s nice.”

My Island Lover: Dog’s Town Erotilogue: Something of a cross between a travelogue and erotica. I think this is my own word.