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skullkid1410 · 3 years

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They saw this huge villa standing still on the middle of the blizzard. Smoke coming out of the chimney, the promise of a warm and cozy place to stay.

"Its late and they must be asleep. If they dont let us in, I'll find a way to break in and maybe we can hide ourselves in the basement"

"Here's the plan Pax. Stay behind me. I'll knock on the door. If nobody answers, we'll check for opened windows around it".

He climbed the steps to the porch and started knocking on the door, multiple times

"I'm coming, i'm coming! Are you guys thieves or activists? Cause I said a thousand times, I WON'T BE CHANGING MY WORD ABOUT THE COASTLINE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, this town need the money godamnit. ARE YOU THIEVES OR ACTIVISTS? If not, come inside. If you are, go back to where you came! I've got a deadly dog inside, starving for human flesh" - Answered a distant voice coming from inside the house

Pax was nervous about the whole situation, and the memories of all the psycho horror movies Brodie forced him to watch came to his head. Nothing good happens on situations like this.

"Brodie this guy must be cuckoo. Who would let us inside this time of the night without even checking who it is?"

But brodie is never scared of anything. Ever.

"I know, i know. But know what? We're not in a position to be picky. Let's get inside".

The house was HUGE, warm and cozy, besides empty. Lots of crates all around the room. Some opened, others sealed. Sounds of steps came from the top of the stairs.

"My first night in this house and I'm already receiving guests. Odd tho, you guys are not familiar. But you don't seem to be here to steal, kill or kidnap me. Wait, are you in here for it? Nah you aren't, I'd be knocked out already if that was the case. Nice to meet you lads, I'm Darrell. Town's mayor, at your service. Now come inside, let’s seat around the fireplace.”

"So, what brought you boys to my lonely corner of the town? Not gonna lie, I would hate if a police officer knocked on my door right now. Two teenager boys that I never saw in my life before, at this hour of the night... Which trouble have you guys started to be running away like that?"

"Also, this is my dear friend Toby. And yep, as you can see, he's definitelly not deadly and couldn't even kill a fly. So there's no way I can make you harm, and I hope you didn't come to hurt me as well. And please don't rob me. It's been just a few months since I was elected and I still got tons of bills to pay you see"

The mayor seemed to be a very cool guy, and Brodie really felt like he could open up his heart to him. He told him their whole life story. Like he never met his parents, and lived in the orphanage his entire life. He told him how he met Paxton, and how attached they became to each other ever since. How they lost any hopes of being adopted since they were too old for that, especially Brodie, 17 years old. Darrell listened to the whole story with atention. It was so good to talk with someone that actually cared to listen. Been ages since the boys met a guy like him.

"You see guys, I don't think I'll ever be able to even imagine the pain you have been through. I do understand how does it feel to be an orphan, since I never met my parents too. I grew up inside a boat, and worked with fellow sailors since I was 5. I wouldn't be able to reach where I am right now, If it wasn't for people that helped me before. Maybe that's destiny knocking on my door and telling me its time to pay off...

"I don't have a clue of what am I gonna do to help you two. But, let's do it like this: You guys stay over for the night, I'll cook you some food in the morning, and then we can talk about this whole situation. I don't promise any miracles, but I'll do the best I can".

The boys couldn't even believe their ears. The help they've been asking for such a long time, finally came. And it felt good. Tonight they are gonna sleep under a real roof. On a real comfortable bed.

"Mr. Darrell, I don't think I'll ever be able to repay your kindness. Thank you very very much" - Said the boy with tears of happiness and relief in his eyes

"Nah, that's okay. Brodie, is it? Now follow me boys, I'll show you where youre gonna sleep. And I hope you don't mind sharing the bed. The other guest room is occupied by Toby. Oh, and please, be good lads and don't try to stab me while I'm sleeping right?"

The boys followed Darrell through the big staircase and a long narrow corridor, until they reached a big room with a cannopy double bed and three huge windows, with views to the sea. The snow was falling down but a very blurry ray of light could be seen on the distance - the beam of the old light tower.

"Man, this is FANCY. I don't think I ever walked inside a cool room like this. And this bed man, so freakin soft" - Said Brodie while jumping on the bed

"too bad we have to share it" - replied Paxton

"Aw, so is it? Too old to share the bed with me? I'll definitely remember that next time you wake me up screaming in the middle of the night because of nightmares you had" - Replied Brodie while tickling and messing Paxton's hair

"oh no man, that's not it. You know you are my favourite pillow. It's just that, I'm wondering how GOOD it would feel to sleep alone in such a giant bed like this... so much space you know? Way better than park benches".

"haha I know pax my boy, don't worry. Also you are not the little guy I met anymore. Now, go have a shower and don't forget to brush your teeth. I don't wanna be awaked by your bad breath in the morning"

"I think I got sooo used to things going wrong that, now that our chances are getting better, I can't even believe my eyes. I'm not sure what the mayor will fix to us, but if we are to start a new life, I'm sure I'll have to be stronger than ever. Not just for me but for pax".

"He is too young, too naive, too weak for this world. His heart is too good to be broken. Gosh, I don't even like to imagine the idea of him getting hurt, or people doing bad to him. I don't want him to starve or to sleep on the floor anymore. And i'll work really hard ensure he'll get a better future. Maybe even better than mine".

He approached pax' ears, and whispered in a really gentle tone:

"You hear that little guy? I will do whatever I can to make up to you. Life's not being kind to us, I know. But I'll fight even harder and i'll be even stronger for the both of us. I love you too much to see you suffer like I did".

"BRODIE BRODIE WAKE UP! ARE YOU FEELING THAT SMELL? THAT'S PANCAKES!! AND IT'S NOT EVEN CHRISTMAS YET!"

"HOLY CRAP MAN! QUICKLY, CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES! oh boy, I'm gonna eat a WHOOOOOOOLE stack of them".

"Good morning boys! You won't believe what i heard today while grocery shopping on the town. Word is, two boys - a short brunette one and the other taller and ginger haired, ordered two large meals on the boardwalk diner last night, and sneaked out the damn place without paying their bill! Too good for them that I paid the bill and explained the waitress that my nephews are in town visiting their old uncle and, since I am the mayor, they tought it was okay to do it. Funny story isn't it? Now, let's talk business. Sit down, I cooked some pancakes".

"So, I've been thinking about our talk last night, and I think I know a way to help both you and me. I won't call the cops nor the counselors cause I do feel your story and also, that would be bad business for me. Lot's to explain. And I can't take you both under my roof, cause I'm a loner you know? Toby is my only friend and I'd rather things to stay that way. Also, I'd suck as a parent. Too much attachment involved, not for me"

"So here's the deal. There's a very old house in the pier. Very old. It was the death place of Brindleton bay's founder. And people won't allow me to demolish it, folks say it's important to preserve the story of the town. Bullshit if you ask me. But, since the house is useless cause i'm already spending a lot of cash with the coastline development project and can't spare a single simoleon to restore it, I'll leave the keys to you. That's it. You guys can stay there. And as long as you don't give me ANY REASONS to evict you, I won't. Simple as that. Oh and of course, to any matter of effects, you are my nephews now and you'll be frequenting the school. Cause if you DO give me headaches, that's one less problem to discuss with the guardianship counselors. Got it?"

"thank you so freakin much Mr. Darrell. You are the best thing to ever happen in our lives" - Said Brodie, while giving the old man a very strong hug

"Nah, that's okay. But listen to me boys. No mischief. I already paid my debts with destiny twice - by letting you stay and by fixing you this house. Don't give me a reason to regret it. I won't be able to help you anymore if you do. And yes, I'll be checking up on you two. Good grades on the school, don't want folks to think my nephews are stupid"

"Hurry Paxton! It will be school time in just a couple of hours! And I'd love to freshen up before we have to leave!"

The boys runned like they never did in their lifes, crossed the whole city in less than an hour. Their hearts pounding with excitement. A house, to call their own, they couldn't believe it. Too good to be truth.

"Here we are. The only abandoned house of the pier. That's got to be the one".

A big wooden house could be seen in the distance, with old planks covering the windows and dead bushes in the front. As they approached it, they noticed the front porch covered by old letters and overdue bills. In other circunstances, the house would scare the shit out of the boys. But in this day and time, it felt like the most beautiful place they've ever put their eyes on".

"Pax quick give me the keys. Oh never mind, the door is unlocked"

A hot and moldy breath blew from inside the dusty rooms straight to their noses, making the boys sneeze. The house was old, dark and dirty, with a very eery aura to it. But it was home. Their home. With many rooms to explore and a lot of work to do. , making the boys sneeze. The house was old, dark and dirty, with a very eery aura to it. But it was home. Their home. With many rooms to explore and a lot of work to do.

"I am so freakin happy I think I might have a heart attack. CANT BELIEVE IT BRODIE WE DID IT! WE FOUND OURSELVES A PLACE".

With tears falling from his eyes and a lot of relief inside his chest, Pax gave Brodie a long and strong hug. Brodie on the other hand, was holding his tears to the maximum. He didn't want Pax to see him cry.

And with a kiss on his forehead, he dried pax's tears with his fingers

"Come on dude, let's check the place out".

"Hey brodie, look at those muddy paws on the floor... d, do, d.. do you think there's a stray dog around?"

"Chill out pax. Those paws seem to be old. And if we do find a dog in here, we can easily scare him away. Stay inside and look around the house, I'll check the backyard. Oh and if you find the toillet, please brush your teeth. Your breath smells like fart right now, you're gonna scare your classmates".

Brodie, stepped out of the house and just couldn't believe his eyes

"Hello little guy! Watcha doing on this place alone? Lost your mom? Are you an outcast like us?"

"Aaaaw, you couldn't even hurt a fly now, could ya? Sooo adorable. Say what, we are adopting you. Wanna live with us? Good boy, good boy, I like you already. Hey pax, check it out"

"Jesus christ man, that's a wolf cub. Do you really think it is a good idea? I mean, he'll get older.. and hungrier"

"Nah pax, that's okay. We'll train him and teach him to eat only dog food. If we are to live in this house by ourselves, we need a bodyguard to protect us. Right wolfie? That's it my boy, I'm gonna call you Wolfie. Do you know to howl Wolfie? Do it after me - aawoooh!”

#the sims #the sims 4 #the sims 4 stories #the sims 4 simblr #the sims 4 blog #ts4 #ts4 stories #simblr #wild at heart #skullkid1410

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whirlybirdwhat · 5 years

Text

Accidental Family Man Au

remember that one ask where I talked about some projects? This is one of them. Enjoy dad franky!

So it begins with Franky – a back alley repair in the illustrious mechanic city of Water 7 – a miracle engineering city, they call it, with intertwining roads of cars and rivers. Venice, if Venice was made of concrete and had a road system above its water system, twisting above houses and everything.

Franky used to be one of those engineers that created those miracles, but an accident later, and he’s the scourge of the city and half bionic, making his living in back alley repair shops where you either pay with cash or your life.

He never said he was a good guy, did he Ice Burg?

He still has connections though – and these connections lead to Iceburg, and to the Straw Hats.

Iceburg’s the mayor, of course, and while he doesn’t care much for his public image, he knows that if he starts accepting money from shady kids who showed up to his doorstep possibly covered in blood with a woman who he swears he’s seen before beside him, that maybe Water 7’s people will take a hit for harboring criminals.

But hey, He knows a guy already doesn’t he?

So he sends these kids and their broken van down to the Franky House to see if he would fix their beloved, broken, van.

The Straw Hats never reach it, because the woman (Robin) gets kidnapped and a fight breaks out, leading to the separation of the group,

So the story really begins with Franky and the little broken down RV called The Going Merry, previously belonging to the kid who’s standing in front of him, begging him to fix it.

More Hcs Below cut including actual dad Franky stuff lol

That kid is Usopp, and he’s asking because Franky’s the only repair man in the illustrious city of Water 7 that will possibly accept the cash that Usopp has to offer.

He doesn’t.

Instead, he attempts to kick the kid out and gets kidnapped in return.

Oops

So, Franky’s introduced to Ennies Lobby one of the worst places this side of the country – where people go and never come back, and hey, whats this kid doing kicking down the door?

Safe to say, Franky is rescued, and learns a little more of their story.

And Safe to say, Franky sees the woman they are going to save (him, and a bunch of teenagers and some 12 year old brat) and he near damn falls in love with her on sight and definitely does when he actually talks to her.

They save Robin, and start running – of course, Merry the van is just barely struggling to save all their added weight but they make it but also merry’s totaled.

So Franky shows them his pet project, The Thousand Sunny, supposed to be his super get away, home a way from home rv but with a few modifcations… the Straw Hat Gang has a new home. And a new crew member.

Franky learns everyone’s stories and about all the absolutely shady shit they are into. He learns he fits right in.

And then… then the moments start happening.

He helps Usopp fix up the Sunny, and teachers him about cars and such.

He and Chopper start bonding over bionics and medical shit that went into building his body.

Zoro and him geek out over comic heroes (this, at least in zoro’s part, is canon the big nerd.)

He helps Nami out with some headings and listens to her troubles.

Sanji and him go fishing one day and it’s the most surreal experience of Franky’s life because this teen is in a three-piece suit and catching giant fish out on the shore of some lake? What?

Franky gives Luffy advice and pulls him out of fights and shows him cool robot things.

And its two months in when Franky realizes – here is it actually typed out lmao

“In all honesty, Franky doesn’t know how it happens.

Well.

He has a vague idea.

(Can you save her? Please? Merry’s the best.)

But still – tracing the events that led up to him frantically calling Ice-for-brains at one am in the morning at a near abandoned gas station on the west coast was a hard task.

“Hello?”

Finally.

“Ice-for-brains,” He starts using the familiar name.

“Flunky? The hell? What are you calling me now?”

“Iceberg.” The use of his real name quiets him. He knows this is serious. Franky takes a deep breath, and exhales, saying the next words in a single breath. “I accidently became a dad to six crazy teenagers. Help.”

…

“Goddamnit bastard-berg this is no time to laugh!””

AND THEN HE GOES ON TO HAVE MORE DAD ADVENTURES INCLUDING:

Organizing the kids at Sabaody Park

being emotional support for all these kids trauma please world, give them a break

doing his best to say no to allowing luffy to swim with sharks but giving in anyway

being a component (aka fierce menacing bodyguard) in his daughter’s nami’s schemes

breaking up fights

Attempting to ground known criminals who may or may not be stronger than him

Modifying the RV so that they can have Brook and Jimbe on it as well

“MCDONALDS! MCDONALDS! MCDONALDS!”

Overthrowing the government in at least three different countries because his kids wanted to

Doing experiments with illegal fireworks on Usopp’s behest

“Do you want to play catch” “Franky that’s dynamite that we found in the stach what the fuck- “Do you want to play catch” “…Yes.”

Explaining Safe Sex to teenagers who have biggers worries such as the government

Teaching them all how to drive. He thinks hius heart has popped out of his chest.

Snoring loudly on their tiny couch and everyone just dogpiling on him

Also I had this in my notes

So that’s a thing that’s going to happen!

Uh anyway uh PART TWO – THE OTHER FCKING STRAWHATS

Note: Everyone is aged down three years from pre TS ages to enforce the fact that 1) the government is fucking nuts for assigning bounties to these kids in this au 2) give more dad moments as while we all need a dad in our lives at any age it gives me more plausible reason here 3) plot related issues and the fact that this story takes place over several years and 4) the image of a 14 year old taking down the government is hilarious to me.

So.

Moving on.

Luffy – 14 years old and an absolute bastard

Luffy grew up in the port city of Fuusha as a way for Garp to keep an eye on him because of his family connections and make sure nothing bad happened to him - didn’t quite work out.

dads a terrorist, his brothers a world class criminal, his gramps is an abusive piece of shit but also weirdly protective marine officer, his family’s complicated.

he grew up in the seedy underbelly of the city and made friends with a lot of criminals (who helped him get out because hey that five year old who used to steal our food is a brat and maybe we should help him get out before he becomes to chaotic (too late) and becomes our friend (also too late) )

Among these criminals are Shanks, who wanders through once in a while, Buggy, begrudging friend, Jimbe, because he has connections, Crocodile, because this brats a bastard, and Rayleigh, among others.

Annoys them to make him his friend, continues annoying them afterwards.

He just thinks they’re neat.

Luffy leaves two months after Ace, his brother under Dadan’s, the local gang leaders, roof, leaves because Ace can’t tell him to stay behind anymore

but the govt got word now he’s on the run – Coby helps him escape

As such, Luffy grows up with a very very skewed moral compass as in canon but a bit more, and now literally is almost ten times more feral as he should be.

His goal is now to do whatever he wants, without people telling him what to do or that he can’t do that – He’s going to be free, damnit.

Franky understands and learns over time to adjust his Parenting Skills accordingly

Zoro – 16 and illegally owning a motorcycle because he thought the best way to improve his skill was to go out and hunt down people to fight, and of course he needs a motorcycle to do that, doesn’t he?

He was pulled over for speeding then taken in for being underage

He is also caught up in some bad stuff (fight circles, bounty’s, etc. this kids 16 and breaking grown men’s spines.)

Then comes Luffy who was also arrested for dine and dashing and is in the back seat.

Luffy, who after the police car pulls over, punches out the police officer, unlocks Zoros cuffs and tells him “Drive”

So they drive

“Hey, hey Zoro. Join my crew. It’ll be fun.”

“Anything you say captain”

knows Luffy for three seconds and is immediately down to murder with him

Its great

He wants to become the greatest sword fighter still, which is still a thing in my fantasy modern world, so anyway, picture this 16 year old going up to you and tell you to fight but he has a sword in his mouth and in both hands and the most dangerous look in his eye.

He and Luffy immediately rob a sword shop to find him new swords after they meet, it becomes a thing later on where they will steal (horribly, they literally crash in through the window every time because they have no subtly) something small from each city they visit.

Nami - 15 year old pick pocket in the city where luffy and zoro stop, just trying to scrap up some money to pay off her family’s debt.

Bellmere’s still alive damnit.

Nami thought Zoro and Luffy were police originally (because they are driving around in stolen police car) and tried to pull the ‘oh officer help me’ card when the people she stole from chased after her

To her surprise, it was two kids her age in the front seat.

Luffy: “get in”

she gets in

they dont talk about it

The people who were chasing her was Buggy’s gang who Luffy waves at as he goes by

Buggy sends a message to Shanks which is essentially “hey that brat u liked is still alive”

And Shanks is like “oh thank god” not knowing the terror he has unleashed upon the world

A month later Arlong has mysteriously disappeared and the Bell-mere farm is flourishing while the second daughter becomes a world class criminal.

Bell’meres never been prouder and it gives Nojiko a great conversation starter.

Usopp’s 14 and lives in a trailer park called syrup alone

Has a business where he sells odd herbs and such, passing them off as anything that will get him some money – think of it as Toad Oil from Wano but with some popgreens and such mixed in.

His goal is get enough money to stand on his own and leave the park but its slow going. And then…

Luffy punches the heck outta the creep that was creeping on the owner of the park, kaya, and think’s Usopp’s stories are super cool.

Usopp wants to go with them, to explore the world With Luffy.

At this point, the Straw Hats have realized that driving a stolen police car around is a bad idea

so they take the huge van - a gift from Kaya named The Going Merry, and set off, using Nami’s stolen funds to get them by.

Sanji - 16 year old who longs to be a chef with the best food and just wants to feed people who need it

He hates government cause they don’t feed people and has a lot of petty grudges and helps Zeff run a lot of kitchens to help people.

He’s still the Sous chef of the Baratie and still has a penchant for kicking unruly customers around. Baratie has a less then stellar reputation for service but the food? The best in the land.

He feeds Luffy the food.

Luffy likes the food.

Luffy kidnaps Sanji

Zeff worries about it but he can’t do jack since he actually is not Sanjis legal guardian (he kidnapped the kid first on accident after they both were stranded. He still tries to call anyway, and is proud of the change his son is making in the world. He’s currently working to get suspicious government people off his back about his missing Sous chef with the unique curly eyebrow…

Anyway, Sanji becomes the cook for the strawhats and is really happy because everyone likes his food and he can help anyone along the way and send business to the baratie

Its a good deal for him, and with all the places he visits his skill grows as a chef.

Chopper - 12 year old prodigy who really wants to be a doctor but both his legal guardians are out of the way

Hiruluks dead and Kureha, against her will because she’s still beautiful at 100 dammnit, is in a nursing home trying to break out

Chopper has nowhere to go but still tries to pursue his medical career, and this fucking twelve year old does so by patching up people from bar and gang fights.

The Straw Hats pick him up and Usopp hacks into a govt control thing to sign him up for online medical course

Kureha’s proud and gives him a book of pressed cherry blossoms that was Hiruluk’s

He cries

Chopper gets lots of practice for medical stuff with Luffy and Zoro who like to fight in fighting rings just for the heck of it, and for the money that Nami wants.

Robin – 25 year old depressed archeologist (and assassin) they found in a mafia in the next country over (Vivi’s)

Crocodile’s running it, aka Luffy’s criminal uncle number 500

Luffy’s pissed about it and smacks him into the dust because it’s his friends country, and then drags Robin along because she needs to have some adventure, and hey, they are checking out the ruin’s next, wont that be cool?

So robin comes along as the ‘adult super vision’, at least in Nami and Usopp and Chopper’s mind.

She learns that these kids have some how been able to dodge school, and starts teaching them the basics of what they would need to know, and then any thing else they want to know. (Zoro, she finds, is extremely good at math while Sanji enjoys chemistry. Nami and Usopp catch on quick, while Chopper has his own studies already but enjoys talking to her. Luffy dislikes learning, but if the promise of pirates or foods or letters that wont spin in his head is involved, he’ll gladly sit down for a bit. He especially loves the stories however.)

Robin finds herself inching dangerously into mom territory, and accepts it whole heartedly after meeting Franky, who she finds handsomely hilarious.

She has a shady past but is slowly opening up about it, and knows she will watch the world burn for this crew.

Y’all know about Franky already so im gonna move on.

Brook – super fucking Old musician they found on the street looking for his dog Laboon

He used to be a star but lost his fame but doesn’t care – he only wants to make people happy with his music.

Luffy just straight up just drags him into the sunny, its becoming a habit of him kidnapping people, that’s not how you make friends Luffy (or at least it shouldn’t be – he always seems to make it work.)

Everyone just goes with it at this point while Franky sighs and triie sto figure out how to make a giant RV even bigger

The Crew find out his dog is living in luffy’s home town and used to play with Luffy when his friends weren’t around. They vow to go back once everything dies down, but in the mean time Dadan gets a new guard dog in her house hold

Usopp posts one (1) video of Brook (on Halloween in skeleton make up) and he instantly becomes a revived star, thriving on the mytery of the Skeleton Soul King.

He now posts videos from around the world of him singing but its impossible to predict where he will be next, and he’s invisible with out his make up to the internet, so its good for the whole criminal thing.

Jimbe

(best) Criminal uncle 501

No one knows exactly how he knows luffy beyond luffy himself but they are 90% sure its something to do with the underground warlord system that Luffy has connections too

He gives the best hugs, Uncle Iroh but without the well-meaning manipulation.

He’s tired of responsibility that he has in his underground position and kinda wants to fuck off to the Caribbean but then he meets luffy again and is like this is better

He Leaves the fishman gang behind with subordinate in charge and joins strawhats

He becomes stressed - “Why did you choose an archeologist and a man who wears speedos for adult supervision, how are you alive, do you need a hug, do you know basic math, have you even gone to school, oh thank god Robin is here - ”

Two minutes later

“Do you have code names, can I have one,”

He’s a big faker the dummy everyone can see right through you, you’re aren’t on this crew if you have common sense

Between dad moments, essentially its just the Straw hats breaking in and causing havoc where ever they go, building their bounties and being a found family.

That’s it for now, but please ask questions! Sorry this was so long lmao, ill also add something for Vivi later!

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projecthalemaw · 4 years

Text

The three teens were now successfully off on their adventure, and conversing amongst one another. "Alexis. Was everything okay, back at the pokemon center?" Hera asked as the three walked.

"Hm? Oh uh, yeah. My brain got overwhelmed with all of the lights, sounds, and my eyes had been hurting." Alexis admitted, adjusting her sunglasses.

"Ah. Gotcha. I experience it occasionally, although rarely." Hera nodded in understanding. "So. I'm thinking that, when we get to Nightvale city, My gran will want to have dinner with me one last time. And because shes a total sweetheart, You two can stay for dinner too." Hera spoke, slipping her hands into her jacket pockets. "So, I know Miranda's kind of a tough gym leader. Her gym is certainly eccentric, if I remember some of her battles that are televised. Three floors, each one works with a different weather effect. Remind me what they are, Lucius?"

"Sandstorm for the first floor, Hail for the second, and Sunny day for the third. The top floor, where shes located, is actually the rooftop of the weather facility in Jupiter city. It almost always rains in that city, as well. So when we head that direction, we'll wanna have our umbrella's to be easy to access." Lucius explained.

Alexis nodded, looking up from her pokedex. "I'm reading over Gible's pokedex entry, which also seems to list the ability for the pokemon, and what it does. Sand veil ups evasion in a sandstorm." She spoke. "Meaning that gible will likely be highly useful for the first floor, in my case." She spoke.

"Correct. The ability listing feature was of Professor Morgan's own design, if you're curious. Also. We should use this route, and the cave, to train our partners." Lucius spoke.

"Cave?" Hera asked.

"No. We're not going near the cave on the other path." Alexis spoke, her tone seeming to shift.

"There's a hidden cave nearby, that has pokemon that are rare elsewhere on this island." Lucius elaborated.

"Oh, okay. Sorry for my tone shift." Alexis spoke.

"All good. Yeah. That other cave, on the other path. It creeps everyone out, so mom made it illegal to go near there, at least for our towns residents." He explained, taking a pokeball out and releasing beldum. "Beldum will be harder to train, as it only learns one move until it evolves, into metang. Meaning I should get the jump on training it first, while still training Chomp, my main partner." Lucius spoke. He was going to say something, but got cut off by a girl getting his attention.

"Hey! Wanna battle? I just got a new pokemon, and wanna test it out." The girl spoke.

"You can take her on Lucius." Hera spoke, gesturing for him to go on. "Alexis and I can watch, or go train on wild pokemon."

"Y-yeah. Let's go train on wild Pokemon. Catch up with us after, lucius." Alexis spoke.

3 hard hours of training later, and one sudden thunderstorm that lasted 20 minutes

Alexis, Lucius, and Hera met back up in a Clearing in the Route. Their pokemon, had all gotten stronger.

"Anyone else hungry, or just me?" Alexis asked, as her stomach growled rather loudly. "Just realized I hadn't eaten yet."

"Well. We're close to my Gran's house, and closer to Nightvale City. It's about Lunch time at this point. We can go get lunch at a cafe, then take a few hours to relax before going to my Grandma's for the night." Hera offered.

"I got plenty of Money from the trainers I beat, meaning I can pay for lunch." Lucius nodded.

"Yeah. Let's get healed up at the pokemon center, then go get lunch. It's about another six hours or so till dinnertime, so we have plenty of time to kill at like an arcade or something. The one in Nightvale is moderately large. We can do some arcade games, if we havent blown all of our money by lunch." Hera nodded.

"What's an arcade?" Alexis questioned, not realizing she said it out loud.

"Basically, a place where you can pay money to earn tokens and play games. My dad used to own the one in nightvale city, before he sold it to the Mayor of Nightvale after meeting my mom when she joined him for a game of DDR, or rather. Dance, Dance, Revolution." Hera explained without missing a beat, as they headed toward the entrance of Nightvale city.

Once the three arrived in Nightvale city, Alexis's mouth dropped. This was one of the largest places she'd ever seen. (Not that she remembers anywhere larger.) "Woah. It's... massive." Alexis spoke, blinking slightly.

"There are bigger cities. Heck. The Island where we get our fifth gym badge, the entire place is all the city." Hera spoke.

"Ew. Sounds gross." Alexis reflexively spoke.

"Yeah. I personally enjoy places that have variety to them. I've heard Twilight Island is like a maze." Lucius spoke, as they walked into the pokemon center.

"Hi! Welcome to the pokemon center. Let me know if I can do anything for you, please." The Nurse spoke as she walked out from one of the back Rooms.

"Hi! I was wondering if our pokemon could get a quick heal." Lucius spoke.

"Can do! Just put the pokeballs on the tray here, and Blissey can take care of them for you." The nurse spoke as she put the tray on the counter in front of her.

Alexis put her pokeballs in top slots, although she was somewhat hesitant to.

Lucius put his in the middle, seeming a bit relaxed.

Hera put hers in the bottom slots.

"Blissey will bring you your pokeballs personally, after healing your pokemon. She can heal them through their pokeballs, so dont worry about her getting them mixed up. Feel free to have a seat." The nurse spoke, before turning to follow blissey to the back to work on something.

The three teens sat down, and began to converse among each other. "So. Since we're going to be traveling with each other for the foreseeable future. I guess we should get to know one another." Hera spoke, taking her hat off. "Lucius, pass me a drink?" She asked. "Gotta take my meds."

"Ah, yeah, of course." Lucius spoke as he opened his bag, and passed her a water bottle.

"Well... guess the meowth's gotta come out of the bag. I don't remember much of anything. I only know my name." Alexis spoke, rather quietly. She wasn't sure if the two would still be friends with her.

"That's quite okay." Hera spoke, as she took a couple of bottles out of her jacket, and opened the bottles. "We're not gonna look at you any differently, Alexis. Right, Lucius?" She asked, before taking her medication. Her tone had an essence of "Answer correctly, or I'm gonna smack you." to it.

"Yeah, of course." Lucius nodded.

Alexis let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks. I was feeling freaked out, and was trying to figure out how I should explain it." She spoke. "I dont even know where I'm from."

"Gotcha." Hera nodded. "Well, maybe we can make getting your memories back a side endeavor in our journey." She offered, as Blissey came up to their table, with their tray of pokeballs in hand.

"Thank's blissey." Lucius spoke, as the three sorted their pokeballs back among themselves.

"So yeah. We'll try our best to get your memories back." Hera nodded, her sunshine personality sort of showing in the instance.

Lucius nodded in agreement. "Yeah." He nodded. "So. Now that our teams are all healed up, where are we going first?" He asked as he stood up, hooking his pokeballs back onto his belt loop.

"Hm. Food and drink sound good?" Hera asked as she stood up, gesturing for Alexis to follow.

Alexis nodded. "Yeah, sounds fine to me." She spoke as she stood, and followed the others out.

Once the three were outside, Hera opened her map. "Now. If I recall correctly, theres a really good little cafe that doubles as a burger place, just up the street from here." Hera spoke. "I don't know about burgers myself, but I could definitely go for a Chocolate moomoo milkshake and fries." She spoke, as she put her map away, and began to walk right from the pokemon center entry.

Lucius and Alexis exchanged glances, and followed after Hera, who was already a good two feet away.

After a good Twenty minutes of walking, the trio arrived at a rather large building. "Used to come here all the time after school. Don't remember why I stopped." Hera spoke, grabbing the door and opening it.

Alexis and lucius followed her in, exchanging a look as they got greeted. "Hey there, welcome to Cathy's. Today we've got a deal on burger's and shakes. Buy ten dollars worth and get a third set free." The cashier spoke.

"You two get whatever you want, I'll just get a large thing of fries and a chocolate shake." Hera spoke, as she pulled out her wallet to start counting how much money she'd need to set aside for their meal.

After time passed, and the three sat down after ordering their food, a pair of women walked into the Café, looking no older then Hera. The most eye-catching feature the women had among the two of them was the orange haired girl having a mechanical arm. It wasn't audible what the two had ordered, but it didn't seem overly complicated, as it was done before the trio's meal.

The black haired girl who had it tied back and to the side walked up. "Hey, there's not a whole lot of places left to sit. Do you three care if we join you?" She asked. She adjusted her glasses, as she waited for an answer from one of them.

"Of course! We were just stopping in to get lunch ourselves. We just started our own adventure and all." Hera spoke, seeming a little sheepish.

"Ah, yeah. I remember those times." The orange haired girl spoke. "I think you and I started at the same time, right, rey?" She asked her companion.

"Yes, we did. Now, apologies, but we've seemed to have forgotten our manners. I'm Reyna, and this one here is Cassidy." Reyna spoke, nodding slightly.

Hera nodded. "The guy getting our food is Lucius, I'm hera, and I'll let her introduce herself."

"I'm Alexis." Alexis spoke, nodding gently to the two taller girls.

The two girls who had joined them nodded. "Nice to meet you too. You seem a little young to just be starting your adventure." Reyna noted.

"As much as I wish I were younger, I'm glad to be Seventeen." Hera laughed a little. "Means I dont have to see my parents again." She spoke lightly.

Lucius set their tray down on the table. "Hera, who are these two?" Lucius asked as he sorted their stuff among themselves.

"Cassidy and Reyna. They asked to sit with us as there isn't anywhere else that they can really sit." Hera explained.

"Ah. Nice to meet you." Lucius spoke, as he sat down.

Cassidy nodded. "Mind if I ask who you guys chose as starters? I've heard interesting things about this Region's starter selection." She spoke.

"Well. This year was a bit different, and the professor gave us each two starter pokemon." Hera explained.

"Interesting." Reyna noted, writing it down in her notebook after taking a sip from her drink.

"I chose this Region's variant of Piplup, and Larvitar. I'll let these two answer the question themselves." Hera spoke before digging into her food.

"Region's totodile variant, and gible." Alexis quietly spoke after swallowing the bite she had been chewing on. It was clear that she had something on her mind, but nobody could be entirely sure what it was she was thinking about.

"Cyndaquil Variant and Beldum." Lucius nodded.

"Interesting. And what are the types of your regional variants?" Reyna asked, glancing up from her writing.

"Totodile is dark and fairy, according to my pokedex." Alexis nodded.

"Cyndaquil is an Ice and Dragon type here." Lucius spoke.

"And Piplup is just a ghost type." Hera spoke, after swallowing the food she had in her mouth.

"Fascinating. We came to the region on business, mostly because someone called us here for said business." Reyna spoke.

"She still won't tell me, for whatever reason." Cassidy spoke, shrugging lightly as she stretched her legs out.

"Because if I do, you won't shut up about it. You'll find out in about a month's time. We mostly came a month early to get a lay of the region." Reyna spoke.

"Oh. Okay." Cassidy spoke. "Think we may try the gym challenge. Might be worth it after all, now that we're here. Y'know babe?"

"Yeah. Gives us an idea on how tough some of the trainers in this region are." Reyna nodded, as she looked up from her notepad.

"Ah. About that. Nobody's been able to complete the gym challenge in two years at this point." Lucius explained.

"That's a surprise." Cassidy spoke. "Why?"

"The eighth gym leader, Minerva, disappeared two years ago. Nobody knows where she went." Lucius explained, after taking a sip of his drink.

"Fascinating." Cassidy spoke.

Reyna simply nodded, marking something down in her notepad. "Seems interesting. I guess that's why Victory road looked untraversed?" She questioned.

"Yeah. And the league officials have been unable to hire a new leader to replace her, as her gym is sealed shut." Lucius nodded again.

"Oh, interesting." Reyna nodded. "I need to step outside for a moment, make a couple of Phone calls." Reyna spoke, standing up and stepping away from the table.

"Everything okay, babe?" Cassidy asked.

"Yeah. Just gotta make a couple calls correlating to our work here." Reyna nodded, reassuring her girlfriend before she headed outside.

"So. What's with the arm?" Alexis asked, finally deciding to speak up a little. She gestured vaguely to Cassidy's metal arm, before going back to poke at her food.

"Lost my arm in a fight back home. Reyna built this one for me, when she found me bleeding." Cassidy chuckled lightly, adjusting her hoodie. "What sparked the question?"

"It just looks out of place, with the rest of your attire." Hera elaborated, since Alexis had her mouth full.

"Ah, yeah. Had to unscrew it to get through the metal detector to board the boat to get here. That was not a fun experience." Cassidy admitted.

"Yeah, I imagine so." Lucius nodded. "Anyone wanna battle? Just all friendly like?" The teen asked, cleaning up the wrappers from all of their food. "We've still got time to kill."

"Yeah, sure. I'm down." Cassidy spoke, standing up, and collecting her and Reyna's drinks. "I'll meet y'all outside." She spoke as she slipped out.

"So. Those two are eccentric, to say the least." Hera noted as she laughed a little. "You can go battle Cassidy. Think I'm gonna hit the mall with Alexis, if she wants to come along." Hera spoke, as she stood up, finishing her shake.

Alexis nodded, re-wrapping the rest of her burger she still had and stuffing it in her pocket. "I figure we'll meet back up in an hour or two?" Alexis asked, remaining soft-spoken.

Hera nodded. "Here's my number Lucius, in case you need to contact us before we meet at gran's." She spoke, writing her phone number down on the wrapped and passing it to him.

The trio separated on their own paths, to do their own thing for a little while.

Following Alexis and Hera for the next little while. Lucius will pop back in later.

"So, uh. You've been pretty quiet, Alexis." Hera spoke, slipping her hands into her pockets. "Something on your mind?" She asked.

"No, everything's fine. I'm just... I don't know. It feels weird, not being able to remember things. The food was fine, If that's what you're wondering." Alexis spoke, kicking a couple rocks.

"Alright. If you need to talk to someone, you can. Y'know that, right?" Hera spoke, nodding slightly to Alexis. "Also. Is there anything you want, while we're shopping?"

"A cellphone would be nice. I didn't have one, when I woke up in that room." Alexis spoke quietly.

"Alright. Yeah, we can look at those. You can't get most places without one." Hera smiled a bit.

Alexis nodded. "I figured. I've been observing everyone, and it seems like theyve become an intricate part of everyone's lives." She spoke, looking up at her friend.

"Yeah, it's interesting." She spoke, as they walked into the Mall. "Here we are. The Nightvale Mall. I used to come here a lot. Stopped when my friends moved away." Hera shrugged. "I'm thinking we should get you a couple more outfits, because as nice as your current outfit is, it's kind of out of place seeming." Hera explained.

"Yeah. That'll be fine. I'm keeping this jacket though, to go with any outfits we get." Alexis spoke.

"Yeah. The Jacket's fine." Hera spoke, as she and Alexis walked. "Anywhere you wanna go first?" She asked.

Alexis nodded. "Uh... hm. We could go look at the books first. I think having some reading material would be nice." She spoke.

Hera nodded. "Then off to the bookshop it is." She spoke, as she helped Alexis Navigate to the bookstore on the second floor.

The two girls walked into the Bookstore, which was Relatively empty, outside of a cashier and a couple of elderly people sitting down somewhere near the back, in a couple or chairs. "Get whatever strikes your fancy. We've got a budget about Nineteen thousand, to spend here at the mall." Hera spoke.

Alexis nodded. She really didn't have any idea where to start. After all, she didn't even know if she had a favorite genre. After about fifteen minutes of wandering the store, Alexis had picked up a few mystery novels that caught her eye. "Hey Hera. Found a few books that looked interesting."

"Oh?" Hera asked, walking over to Alexis, to see what Alexis had found.

"Yeah. Just a few mystery novels that caught my attention." Alexis spoke. "Think we should probably get the phone next, then save the outfit shopping for last." Alexis nodded as she and Hera went up to the register to pay for the books she picked out.

"Sounds good to me." Hera spoke, keeping her hands in her pockets as the cashier scanned the books, taking out her wallet when it was time.

After Hera paid for the books, Alexis took the bag that the books were put in, and held it in her left hand as the two girls walked out, and headed for the next shop.

After a while of the two shopping, Hera's phone buzzed, with a text from Lucius, asking where the two were.

Hera shot him a text back, stating that they were leaving the mall right as he texted, and were on their way.

The two girls walked through Nightvale city, eventually arriving at a house, with lucius standing outside, and Cassidy having a smoke nearby. "Hey kiddos. Lucius wanted me to come with him after the battles, as he had questions. Now that you two are here, ima dip out. Maybe we'll run into each other some other time." Cassidy spoke, not giving the two time to answer, as she left.

"...that was weird." Hera spoke. "Oh well. She's probably right, that we'll run into her and her girlfriend again." She shrugged, as she walked up the steps to the front door, and unlocked it. "Gran! I'm home!" She called.

"Hey Hera, welcome home!" Hera's grandma called back from the kitchen. "Are your friends with you?" She asked.

"Yeah! Lucius, Alexis. You two, come on in." Hera gestured.

Alexis was the last to enter, and closed the door behind her. "Thank you for having us, I think." She spoke, nodding gently.

"Mhm! I figured I should feed you three before you go off on an adventure around the Islands." Gran spoke, as she was chopping onions.

"Thanks, really." Lucius spoke, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.

"I'm making sausage and mac and cheese, with sauteed onions." Her grandmother nodded. "Do any of you wanna help?" She asked.

"Yeah." Alexis spoke. "I may not be of much help, though." She spoke, putting her bags down, and heading to the kitchen.

TBC in another post, because tumblr decided it was too long.

#chapter 3 #project halemaw #Pokemon #mature

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josiewe · 4 years

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Have to ask a question? Just curious! With all of the American's that are counting on something for their unemployment? why would you Nancy Pelosi @SpeakerPelosi ask for bail outs for states, cities????? Have to really understand this! And I didn't even vote for President Trump in 2016! To see your ridiculous bill was disgraceful! And trust me I didn't get the $1200.00 check or unemployment of $600.00 extra. Because I take care of my mom 24/7 that is bedridden!!!! And I don't get paid for taking care of my mom. And i am not complaining because that is my mom. We're struggling behind on the mortgage, behind on the utilities but mom and I just suck it up. But that's what a real woman does! What an American does! All due respect Madame Pelosi, where do you get the nerve to do this to the American citizens?? Instead of working with the President Trump with anything all you do is disrespect him! Instead of finding solutions for the pandemic you criticized! Where were you with a solution? Oh that's right you ripped up the Presidents speech with the information of the virus! Have to really think twice where you're coming from! I'm trying to be as respectful as I possibly can! Look at all you're doing because you hate the President Trump! Look at how many people you're hurting! A woman in your position should had stood by the Predident and tried to help. But no!! That's not an option for you. You could of done so many good things. It is a shame. Your idea was to impeach the President! Your idea to give money to the Kennedy center and your other things. Now you want to bail out New York, California, and so on! Money doesn't grow on trees! This money has to be paid back from our children, children's so on! Think about the people who voted you in! What is it going to take to see what's happening! I realize you made so much money you don't care!

I see so much injustice in our country right now! Believe it or not you are making it worse! I cannot remember of a house speaker like you! You can have class or not. And as much as you try to protray yourself as having class sadly the way you conduct yourself is horrible. This country was not made to wear masks forever. And I know our time of wearing masks will soon be a distant memory. As also I believe our country was not made to be shutdown forever! When I see these states telling people to shut their busineses down again. I have to ask a question? Do you think the American people are stupid? We're the people of the United States of America! We are the people that have such an imagination to come up with ideas to be open for business! And if our country didn't suffer enough. We then had rioters and looters destroying America people's businesses. And if that wasnt bad enough we had innocent babies, toddlers, teenagers, adults being killed in their beds, backyards, and so on! Certain states decided to take away the sense of securities and safety of the American people! Oh yes you stated 'people will do what people do"! Have to wonder do you even care about the American people? Or for that fact our country? As long as I have been alive I never had seen so much pain and hurt. But I truly believe, wait I know there are more good people than bad in this world. I have watched and listened to the pain of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and so on . When does it end? What more has to happen to make you see that enough is enough! I feel sorry for you. And I pray that one day you see how much damage you have done! To understand what it is to be human you have to have a soul! Being human is to be compassionate of another human being. To believe that tomorrow will be better. You have to care about our country. And to the people you to an oath to have their best interest at heart. The American people are strong! One day you will see all you have done! I hope and pray for you. To have a conscious, a heart, compassion and most of all to see and look way down inside you to realize this isnt working! No more violence, no more hate, no more shutdowns, no more! Open the schools! Open up everything! Let the American people live their lives with out boundaries. We the American people are smart! Give all of us credit! We all just want to live happy! Stress free, and drama free. Live our lives positive and with love of one another. Try and do the right thing for a change! Think of the American people for a change! Instead of yourself! Take out your bail outs! The American people are tired of you. I will not let you win. I will win. Because I am not miserable like you. I am not negative like you I am positive! America needs to wake up! We need to stand up! We live in the best country. And for all of these states governors and mayors that are not thinking about the citizens that live in your states. The day when it comes to voting you out dont be shocked! With all of your lockdowns, your idiot rules. The American people have had enough. Oh and to the governors ther wrote executive orders to force nursing homes to take their elderly that were tested positive back into the nursing home after they pleaded not to do that. Oh but its okay to let them die. But not okay for prisoners to stay in jail. Oh and that bail reform hows that's working out for you? Never mind how many innocent people are dying in your state! Because people know they can do anything and get out of jail! May God bless you all. And praying you will all wake up!!!!! Too many people are dying, losing their busineses, there way of life, their freedoms, their homes. And for what? What is it going to take? When will it be enough? How many more innocent people have to die? Power is more that having to destroy people's lives

Power is knowing how to do the right thing! Each and every time! The way all of you use your power it's to destroy what America stands for! Maybe one day you'll have to pay for all the destruction you all have done! But the good thing is you didn't bet on the American people! And fyi I did not vote for President Trump in 2016 or Hilary Clinton! Voted for Johnson! The American people are stronger than you know! Sorry for the rant everyone. But it needed to be said!

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morningusa · 4 years

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Many of the nation's 3.5 million teachers found themselves feeling under siege this week as pressure from the White House, pediatricians and some parents to get back to physical classrooms intensified -- even as the coronavirus rages across much of the country.On Friday, the teachers' union in Los Angeles, the nation's second-largest district, demanded full-time remote learning when the academic year begins on Aug. 18, and called President Donald Trump's push to reopen schools part of a "dangerous, anti-science agenda that puts the lives of our members, our students and our families at risk."Teachers say crucial questions about how schools will stay clean, keep students physically distanced and prevent further spread of the virus have not been answered. And they feel that their own lives, and those of the family members they come home to, are at stake."I want to serve the students, but it's hard to say you're going to sacrifice all of the teachers, paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers and bus drivers," said Hannah Wysong, a teacher at the Esperanza Community School in Tempe, Arizona, where virus cases are increasing.School systems struggling to meet the financial and logistical challenges of reopening safely will need to carefully weigh teachers' concerns. A wave of leave requests, early retirements or resignations driven by health fears could imperil efforts to reach students learning both in physical classrooms and online.On social media, teachers across the country promoted the hashtag 14daysnonewcases, with some pledging to refuse to enter classrooms until the coronavirus transmission rate in their counties falls, essentially, to zero.Now, educators are using some of the same organizing tactics they employed in walkouts over issues of pay and funding in recent years to demand that schools remain closed, at least in the short term. It's a stance that could potentially be divisive, with some district surveys suggesting that more than half of parents would like their children to return to classrooms.Big districts like San Diego and smaller ones, like Marietta, Georgia, are forging ahead with plans to open schools five days per week. Many other systems, like those in New York City and Seattle, hope to offer several days per week of in-person school.Adding to the confusion, optional guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in May set out ambitious safety precautions for schools. But the president, and many local school system leaders, have suggested they do not need to be strictly followed, alarming teachers.Many doctors, education experts, parents and policymakers have argued that the social and academic costs of school closures on children need to be weighed alongside the risks of the virus itself.The heated national debate about how and whether to bring students back to classrooms plays upon all the anxieties of the teaching profession. The comparison between teachers and other essential workers currently laboring outside their homes rankles some educators. They note that they are paid much less than doctors -- the average salary nationwide for teachers is about $60,000 per year -- but are more highly educated than delivery people, restaurant workers or most staffers in child care centers, many of whom are already back at work.Now, as teachers listen to a national conversation about reopening schools that many believe elevates the needs of the economy and working parents above the concerns of the classroom work force, many are fearful and angry. They point out that so far Congress has dedicated less than 1% of federal pandemic stimulus funds to public schools stretching to meet the costs of reopening safely.The message to teachers, said Christina Setzer, a preschool educator in Sacramento, is, "Yes, you guys are really important and essential and kids and parents need you. But sorry, we don't have the money."Earlier in the shutdown, Trump acknowledged the health risks to teachers over the age of 60 and those with underlying conditions, saying at a White House event in May that "they should not be teaching school for a while, and everybody would understand that fully."But this week, as the administration launched a full-throated campaign to pressure schools to reopen in the fall -- a crucial step for jump-starting the economy -- it all but ignored the potential risks teachers face. More than one-quarter of public schoolteachers are over the age of 50.Teachers say many of their questions about how schools will operate safely remain unanswered. They point out that some classrooms have windows that do not reliably open to promote air circulation, while school buildings can have aging heating and cooling systems that lack the filtration features that reduce virus transmission.Although many districts are spending millions this summer procuring masks, sanitizers and additional custodial staff, many teachers say they have little faith that limited resources will stretch to fill the need.They also worry about access to tests and contact tracing to confirm COVID-19 diagnoses and clarify who in a school might need to isolate at home in the event of a symptomatic student or staff member.The CDC has advised against regular testing in K-12 schools, but Wednesday, Dr. Deborah L. Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, said the Trump administration was exploring whether testing being developed for other vulnerable environments, like nursing homes, could be used in schools.Indeed, educators have had to process a head-spinning set of conflicting health and safety guidelines from Washington, states and medical experts.The CDC has recommended that when schools reopen, students remain 6 feet apart "when feasible," while the American Academy of Pediatrics released guidelines suggesting that 3 feet could be enough space if students wore masks.But after major pushback from educator groups, who felt there was too little attention on the health risks for adults who work in schools, the Academy joined with the two national teachers' unions Friday to release a statement saying, "Schools in areas with high levels of COVID-19 community spread should not be compelled to reopen against the judgment of local experts."In Arizona, Wysong, 30, said she was willing to return to her Tempe classroom; she is not in a high-risk category for complications from COVID-19 and her school caps classes at 15 students. But given the long-term teacher and substitute shortage in Arizona, which has some of the lowest educator salaries in the nation, she said she believed the overall system could not reopen safely with small enough class sizes.Health and education experts who support reopening schools have sometimes questioned the need for strict physical distancing, pointing in recent weeks to emerging research suggesting that children may be not only less likely to contract COVID-19, but also less likely to transmit it to adults.In interviews, many teachers said they were unaware of or skeptical of such studies, arguing that much about the virus remains unknown, and that even if teachers do not catch coronavirus in large numbers from children, it could be spread among adults working in a school building, or during commutes to and from schools via public transit.The education systems in Germany and Denmark have successfully reopened, but generally only after local virus transmission rates were brought under control.American schools currently have a variety of plans for welcoming students back to campuses, ranging from regular, five-day schedules with children using desk partitions to stay distanced, to hybrid approaches that seek to keep students physically distanced by having them attend school in-person only a few days per week, and spend the rest of their time learning online from home.In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced last week that the nation's largest school system would reopen only part-time for students this fall, but teachers would most likely be back in classrooms five days a week.The teachers' union president, Michael Mulgrew, has said he does not believe schools can reopen at all if the city does not receive additional federal funding this summer.With many teachers reluctant to return to work, according to polls, staffing will be a major challenge for districts across the country. New York estimates that about 1 in 5 of its teachers will receive a medical exemption to teach remotely this fall.Matthew Landau, a history teacher at Democracy Prep Charter High School in Harlem, hopes he will be one of them. He survived stage four cancer several years ago and said he does not feel comfortable going back to his classroom."I feel there's no way to keep immunocompromised teachers safe," he said.Kevin Kearns, a high school English teacher at the High School of Fashion Industries in downtown Manhattan, has spent the last few weeks wrestling with his own dilemma.Kearns and his wife became parents in March, and need child care for their infant son. Their only option is to have Kearns' mother-in-law, who is in her 70s, stay with them. Kearns is terrified of bringing the virus home."I don't want to go back, I don't think it's safe to go back, but I don't know that I necessarily have a choice," he said.Still, Kearns said he feels a duty to the mostly low-income, Black and Latino students he teaches."It puts me in a very difficult moral conundrum," he said, "to choose between supporting my community, students, colleagues and my own family's safety."This article originally appeared in The New York Times.(C) 2020 The New York Times Company

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines

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saadullah-faisal-world · 4 years

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from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2ZsUXON

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orendrasingh · 4 years

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from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2ZsUXON

#OS #Blogger

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theliberaltony · 5 years

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via Politics – FiveThirtyEight

Former Vice President Joe Biden is the early front-runner in the 2020 Democratic presidential race — for the moment, at least. He leads in national polls and most surveys of the early primaries and caucuses, but if Biden were to falter, he wouldn’t be the first early primary front-runner to come up short.

Curious to understand how other high-name-recognition early front-runners have fared, we looked at candidates who consistently led in the polls at the outset of the campaign yet failed to win their party’s nomination.1 And we found four candidates since 19722 who fit that bill. Some made strategic errors or had personal foibles that led to their downfall. Others got tripped up by not appreciating the power of the media in the primary process. In still other instances, unexpectedly strong opponents and the volatility of the primary calendar gave them trouble. And, for some, their views were simply out of touch with their primary electorate, which made them particularly vulnerable.

Let’s first rewind to the 1972 cycle. Sen. Ed Muskie had made an impression as the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 1968, and the press anointed him the party’s front-runner in 1972. And throughout 1971, Muskie led in the national polls (typically with percentages in the mid-to-high 20s). He also topped early surveys in New Hampshire, helped by the fact that he came from neighboring Maine.3

But trouble lurked ahead of New Hampshire’s March 7 primary. Even though Muskie led in New Hampshire, trouble with the media and the “expectations game” helped short-circuit his campaign. Less than two weeks before the primary, William Loeb, the conservative publisher of the Manchester Union Leader, published a letter to the editor (later found to have been forged by Nixon allies) that claimed Muskie had laughed at an aide’s use of a slur to describe people of French-Canadian descent, which was particularly damaging as a sizable share of New Hampshirites have roots in Quebec. Loeb also published an editorial criticizing Muskie’s wife. Outraged, Muskie held a press conference in front of the Union Leader’s offices amidst a snowstorm. And though it’s impossible to be sure, Muskie appeared to cry — some said the moisture was melted snow — which upset his image as a calm and even-keeled leader. Muskie did win the New Hampshire primary just a few days later, capturing 46 percent of the vote, but it was seen as underwhelming — Muskie had polled as high as 65 percent in January; instead, Sen. George McGovern (the better-organized eventual Democratic nominee) came out as the narrative winner with a stronger-than-expected 37 percent. Following weak showings in four of the next five primaries, Muskie withdrew from the race on April 27.

Fast forward to the 1988 cycle, and former Colorado Sen. Gary Hart started as the early Democratic front-runner. In 1984, he had battled former Vice President Walter Mondale all the way to the party’s convention, making him the assumed next candidate in line for 1988. And even though Hart’s national polls in the first few months of 1987 mostly ranged from the low to high 30s, his real strength was in Iowa, where he typically polled north of 50 percent in early 1987 surveys.

But as the front-runner, Hart faced greater scrutiny. People had a lot of questions about his life before politics, but more troubling were rumors of marital infidelity. Hart invited reporters to follow him around because he had nothing to hide, so they did. And it all came crashing down when the Miami Herald staked out Hart’s D.C. apartment in early May 1987 and watched Donna Rice — not Hart’s wife — come and go from it. In the face of the ensuing scandal, Hart withdrew from the race on May 8. However, he then re-entered the race in December 1987 and even led in some polls. But by the time the first contests occurred in February 1988, Hart had faded, barely winning any support in either Iowa or New Hampshire. Hart hung around until Super Tuesday on March 8 but then dropped out of the race for the second and final time. Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis would go on to win the Democratic nomination.

It would be another two decades before another early polling front-runner ran and failed. But as it turned out, two such candidates came along in the 2008 cycle — then-Sen. Hillary Clinton and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

From the moment she launched her campaign in January 2007, Clinton held the top spot in national surveys, polling in the low 30s or higher, and she led most New Hampshire polls. But Clinton had a past Senate vote weighing her down: She had supported the use of military force in Iraq in 2002. The Iraq War had always been less popular among Democrats than Republicans, but Clinton probably didn’t think of her vote as a dealbreaker since Sen. John Kerry had also voted for the bill and he still won the Democratic nomination in 2004. But by 2007, the war had become more unpopular, especially among Democrats. And Clinton’s main opponent in the Democratic primary — Barack Obama — had opposed the conflict and used that stance to draw a contrast between him and Clinton. Obama also challenged Clinton in other ways, such as drumming up impressive fundraising totals and assembling a stronger grassroots organization. He was also better prepared to win the eventual slog for delegates.

So despite leading national polls by around 20 points and polling second in Iowa before the caucus on Jan. 3, Clinton finished third in Iowa behind Obama and John Edwards, and Obama then surged in the New Hampshire polls. But, surprisingly, Clinton won the Jan. 8 primary, and the lengthy 2008 nomination battle continued. However, Clinton trailed in the delegate game from February on and never caught Obama. Things that were out of her campaign’s control may have contributed to her eventual defeat, too. For instance, Florida and Michigan had shifted their primaries to January to compete with Iowa and New Hampshire, moves that broke party rules and resulted in the states losing their delegates to the convention. (They later got half their delegates back.) Clinton won the penalized primaries — though Obama didn’t appear on the ballot in Michigan — and observers wondered if Clinton might have won the nomination if Florida had voted later and counted fully. But instead, Clinton ended her campaign on June 7 and endorsed Obama.

On the other side of the aisle, Giuliani had become a popular political figure following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. And after launching his campaign in February 2007, he consistently led in national polls and was initially neck–and–neck with John McCain in New Hampshire. Unlike the other front-runners we’ve examined, Giuliani never consistently led polls in at least one of the two principal early states, which, as we’ll discuss in a moment, became a serious problem for him. But he did lead the national polls, and he set the pace in fundraising during 2007,4 showing his campaign’s potential.

Giuliani was sunk by a couple of forces. First and foremost, he wasn’t a great fit with the GOP electorate. For instance, he was pro-choice and had long favored gun control. Giuliani said he would appoint conservative judges and that he was open to Roe v. Wade being overturned, but it wasn’t an easy sell. While he polled well nationally, Giuliani was perceived as more moderate-to-liberal on social issues than most Republicans wanted the eventual nominee to be. On top of these challenges, his campaign erred by not focusing sufficiently on early-state organization and relying too heavily on costly direct mail and TV ads to build support. Giuliani also didn’t commit enough time to New Hampshire despite the fact that the Granite State was likely to view him more favorably than socially conservative Iowa. With Giuliani’s weakness in the early states, his campaign embraced a Florida-first strategy, hoping a strong performance there would boost him in the Super Tuesday contests the following week. Giuliani’s distant third-place result in Florida instead ended his bid. The former mayor withdrew from the race on Jan. 30 and endorsed McCain.

It’s still too early to know what will happen with Biden, as plenty of polling front-runners have gone on to win their party’s nomination. But these past elections are an important reminder that campaigns can go wrong for many reasons, some of which candidates can control and others they can’t. For Biden, how he presents himself and plans out his campaign over the next few months will be crucial to whether he ends up as a failed or successful early primary polling front-runner.

#IFTTT #Politics – FiveThirtyEight #politics #538 #Geoffrey Skelley

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pikapepikachuu · 6 years

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An open letter to the Prime Minister from a Queenslander

Having recently lost my mum to lung cancer - and knowing all the hard work Dr Briony Scott is doing in your home town- but just one per cent of smoking taxes could could deliver miracles there, too. I reckon Mick Fannings mum would have loved the shout-out you gave her, too. Nice touch. Just a small suggestion, because I know how many calls there are on your time but maybe a shout-out to the kids at the Brisbane school desperate to tell you why you should take children off Nauru. Or any chance of meeting some of our police, especially in some of your country heartlands where ice is stealing too many futures. Or if you are in the city, I know Peter Hoj and Margaret Sheil and Ian OConnor - theyre the vice-chancellors of our universities - would love to have a chat about Dan Tehan. Hes been saying a bit of stuff that doesnt really make sense, lately. And there is one bloke you really need to meet - Cr Andrew Martin, the mayor of Blackall-Tambo Regional Council. Did you know Greyhound buses have changed their travel policy for high school kids under 15 in the bush? Were talking here about children travelling to and from boarding school; now an adult has to accompany them! How do they meet this cost, when every cent and moment is being eaten up by the worst drought in history?

The Prime Minister is kissed by a racegoer on Melbourne Cup Day at the Corbould Park Racecourse at the Sunshine Coast.Credit:AAP One of their drivers had a heart attack - while driving - a while back and a whole busload of kids could have died. Im told it was a 15-year-old girl who took over the steering wheel and might have saved everyones life. Look her up, if you get out that way. Cr Martin will be emotional though. He was near tears when I spoke to him yesterday. This is the biggest kick in the guts I can remember, he said. If you want to hurt disaffected families, go for their kids. Prime Minister, would you at least try to sort that out? Please. I reckon there are plenty of votes in it for you.

The PM tucks into the wares at Beefy's near Maroochydore.Credit:AAP Dont get me wrong. We do really appreciate the effort youve made to mix it with us, while Bill Shorten is hobnobbing with all those beautiful southerners in the marque at the Melbourne Cup. And I even understand you sending your bus up the coast - the one with your name emblazoned all over it - without anyone onboard. The rest of us are sick of the traffic on the Bruce Highway too. Dont feel the need to eat those three meat pies each day either, just to look different from the former prime minister. With all that money you spend on health, were trying to teach our kids to eat a balanced diet. Thats why we love seafood so much; in fact our Moreton Bay bugs are known the world over. Perhaps you could ask the RAAF VIP jet flight attendant whether theyd serve you a plate of them for lunch today? Recently I was put up to business class on Qantas. Swish, isnt it? Prime Minister, Peter Dutton is in a world of strife. Now we know you beat him, fair and square, but if you want his number in the Parliament it might be best to send your bus there for a day or two. Come to think of it, its probably not going to work if you or Dutto are on it, though. Or Dan Tehan. Or Barnaby Joyce. Is there any chance you could get Tay-Tay to ride in it because shes in Brisbane at the moment, and Im thinking that might be a long shot in getting a few conservative votes in Dickson. Actually, while were on Barnaby Joyce. It might be worth hiding the keys of the bus from him. You dont want him turning up at some B & S ball out Dalby way, and facing more unfair and baseless accusations. Or up in North Queensland with that Honey Badger. Boy, those two together really would be double-trouble. We heard you on radio say you pashed your wife first on the shore of Lake Munmorah. Im not sure many of us know where that is, and its good to know youre a romantic and all that, so why not bring your wife Jen and your daughters to spend Christmas up on our central coast? This latest shark attack is really going to hurt some of our small business operators and with teen unemployment what it is, we really cant afford a tourism downturn. I hope you dont think Im cheeky. But I know you dont know our state too well because until you were prime minister, you rarely visited. Everyone changes. Look at Mark Latham and Pauline Hanson! So we wont hold that against you. But your fortune relies on voters in a handful of Queensland seats - Capricornia, Flynn, Forde Petrie and Dickson - not changing their votes, doesnt it? Good luck. I suspect well see a lot of you in 2019. A voter. Madonna King is a leading journalist and commentator who writes for the Brisbane Times. She was an award-winning mornings presenter on 612 ABC Brisbane and is a five-times author. https://www.smh.com.au/national/queensland/an-open-letter-to-the-prime-minister-from-a-queenslander-20181107-p50ejs.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

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victoryliononline · 7 years

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Doomsday narratives about climate change don’t work. But here’s what does | Victoria Herrmann

Feeling hopeless about different situations is cognitively associated with stagnation. Instead of being cynic, look to climate change protagonists who are resulting the way

The title of David Wallace-Wells recent essay in New York magazine is catchy, if not unpleasant. The Uninhabitable Clay: Famine, financial fold, a sun that cooks us: What climate change could wreck sooner than you think.

The article asks us to peer beyond scientific reticence into a doomsday future. The chronicles of mass hot deaths in cities and crying for cornfields in the tundra is distressing, but theyre familiar. Its the same enclose for how we talk about a much more immediate climate change catastrophe US parishes at risk to sea level rise today.

Weve labeled Shishmaref, Alaska, a community that voted to relocate because of climate change affects last-place August, a tragedy of a village built on ice. Weve marketed Isle de Jean Charles, Louisiana, the first US town to receive federal funding to migrate, as climate change refugees watching their city slip into the sea. And we request Should the United States Save Tangier Island From Oblivion? on the Chesapeake Bay islands future.

Each of these follows a recognizable storyline: a vanishing island, a culture worsening away and an choru of characters unsure of what their future hampers. Each piece tells a cookie-cutter edition of a susceptible hamlet in fear of rising tides and citizens as victims on the frontline of climate change.

Shishmaref could stand in for Isle de Jean Charles, which could stand in for Tangier Island. In none of these narratives does the community hold agency over their future, empowerment or resiliency.

These doomsday narratives are wrong, and they are dangerous.

Telling and sharing legends, from the scientific to the personal, is one the most important tools we have to survive climate change.

Stories help us to share details, knowledge and experiences about the reasons and effects of a warming macrocosm. But more than exactly educational implements, narrations are how we make sense of “the worlds” “were living in”. The narration “youre reading” in the newspaper or the documentary you watch on Netflix props the immense they are able to chassis which is something we realise and dont verify. Those visibilities and invisibilities alter our point of view. And its those sensings upon which we locate our actions.

Im going to repeat that, because its really important. The narratives we read, hear and see informs how we are familiar with climate change, and that understanding mandates whether we behave or dont.

When we perpetually identify stories about local communities in crisis as sea level rise and extreme storms become more frequent, we come away with preconceived notions that all communities living on the frontline of climate change are preys in need of saving. On Americas weakening shapes, “they dont have” hope the future is presented as an ominously indeterminate but apparently inevitable defeat.

Feeling hopeless about different situations is cognitively links with inaction and prophesies declined goal-directed demeanor. That wants when we present humanity as a pointless prey of climate change, we are less likely to act because the ending seems inevitable. Climate change adaptation only toils when we are hopeful for the future and believe that environmentally vulnerable communities have the agency to act.

Something simple-minded and concrete that each of us can do? Tell different stories.

Instead of presenting narrations of powerless victims and an unavoidable future of overthrow, we should instead report on the climate change heroes who are doing everything they can to avoid that doomsday situation. When people recognize persuasivenes in communities, we can overcome limiting names such as climate change prey and started to dismantle our preconceptions against people in need of resources.

Weve already begun to change the narrative for cities and climate change mitigation. In the aftermath of Donald Trumps decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement, city leads publicly committed to limit their greenhouse gas releases. Their decide supported the foundation for the purposes of an idealistic discussion about climate change mixtures despite national stagnation. Gives provide that atmosphere of hope to communities along Americas diminishing rims by foreground examples of regional solutions.

Communities are endorse the adjustment answers that must complement the mitigation glory in metropolitans. “Theres” the thousands of legends of Americas sea level rise soldiers across blood-red and blue governments I know because Ive seen them firsthand.

Over the past year and a half, my experiment marriage and I have traveled across the US and its territories to interrogation hundreds of Americans, from Alaska to Alabama to American Samoa. Money by National Geographic and partnered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, our goal is to identify Americas climate change story.

What we witnessed was a tale of hope.

In American Samoa, parish propose Andra Samoa is restoring the mangroves in her residence hamlet of Lenoe to stop shoreline eroding and bring back a healthy ecosystem. In Miami Beach, Florida, Elizabeth Wheaton is installing pumps and collecting streets to shield places and historical structures intact. And in the Native village of Shaktoolik, Alaska, Mayor Eugene Asicksik has led the community in improving a gravel berm to stave off rising tides. As nonpartisan efforts, society changes like these can attachment us together as a country and stimulate national is supportive of war on climate change.

Im the first to admit that hope in the US is hard to come by these days. With the two countries now ready to pull out of the Paris agreement, its hard not to feel like America has entered a four- or eight-year period of stagnation. But hope is a future-oriented sentiment. And while its predisposed to todays tragedies, hope is based on the creed that the future can be better than today. Its possible to be hopeful for tomorrow even when occasions seem pathetic now.

We are at a point today where every decision we oblige tallies in deciding what Americas climate change story will be including the fundamental decision of how we tell climate change stories.

Lets start telling floors of hope and heroes.

Read more: https :// www.theguardian.com/ commentisfree/ 2017/ jul/ 12/ doomsday-narratives-climate-change-dangerous-wrong