#this somehow applies to my workplace as well

[disdaidal]

So, I met my nurse today and she said I'm finally getting scheduled for the ADHD testing on Dec 18th—after all these years. Albeit she said that it may not change a thing, but it's good to test it anyway.

I also had a discussion with my teacher today about my problems and we went through some stuff, and I might feel a little bit more enlightened about some things, which will hopefully help me.

Still. I'm having trouble with planning some stuff at my workplace because the staff there simply doesn't have time, and my instructor is also a very busy person (plus she's fussy and impatient and a little upset/disappointed with me which is not making it any easier for me), so that is still giving me a lot of stress right now.

So, I don't know. On the other hand, one teacher says I'm doing a good job and that I shouldn't quit. Then again, this particular school and their style of teaching simply might not be the thing for me and I expressed that concern today as well. I need help getting through with some stuff and nobody has time for me, so it's obviously not good.

I also need to find another place to train soon and that workplace would have to be something where I wouldn't have to manage 15 things at the same time and well. Finding that could be a challenge, too.

But. I suppose we're going somewhere.

[theaawalker]

Delusional | Lex Luthor x Fem!OC [1-Shot]

Pairing: Lex Luthor x Rose Holloway Song Inspo: Delusional by Simon Curtis Word Count: 2,433 Summary: desperate to get out under her tyrannic mother's corporative thumb, executive secretary Rose Holloway submits an application for an opening at LexCorp. Much to her surprise, she is asked to interview the next week. The pay is pretty good, and this Lex guy couldn't be as awful as her mother. What could go wrong? Warnings: mild mentions of parental abuse Masterlist: see fandoms (pc-friendly)

Last thing I remember from my dream was having to tell my angry mother the news about my job. That was enough to get me awake. I scrambled around in my covers and opened my eyes, squirting as the light from the curtains hit my face. At first, I just closed my eyes to block them from the sunlight. But then I realized it was morning, and I forgot to set my alarm last night! I was going to be late on the first day!

I pushed my covers off my body and climbed out of bed, ignoring my slippers that awaited my feet. I looked at my alarm clock, and, as if taunting me, it read 12:21 PM. I grabbed my already ready work attire and took a quick shower. I put on my clothes, did my hair, applied some makeup (not too much, because I don't wanna look as desperate as I was), and brushed my teeth. Into my mall closet I went, searching for some shoes to go with my outfit.

I did my best to fix myself a nutritious breakfast. Nutty bars seemed like the way to go, but they get stuck in my teeth. The last thing I wanted was to be humiliated on my first day - I hadn't felt like that since high school. I managed to make due with a glass of orange juice; just when I put the cold glass to my mouth, a car honked outside. I groaned to myself, knowing who it was, "Mom."

Rushing out the house, I barely remembered to lock the door. I hadn't told my mom about my application for LexCorp, so I knew she was gonna drive to her building instead. That meant I had to somehow sneak past her and make it to LexCorp in time. It's not that far... I hope. 

I swung my business bag around my shoulder and got to the car. Only it wasn't my mom's car. It was... nicer and more modern. The windows were tented so I had no idea who was inside. I didn't know what to do, so I sorta stepped back. The window suddenly rolled down, revealing a face I had known for my whole life.

"Mary!" I squealed with delight, and relief.

"Get in." She ordered. "Or you're gonna be late." I had told her about my application. Well, I told her not to tell our mom about the application. "I can't thank you enough, Mare Bear." I said as I hopped into the nice vehicle. Mary looked at me as she took the wheel.

"You can start by not calling me Mare Bear, Nose." I had to smile at that. She and I call each other cute names sometimes. She calls me nose because, apart from my lips, my nose is my most dominant feature.

"Hang on, little sister." She said, pulling out of my driveway. "LexCorp, here we come."

(Time Skip - At LexCorp Parking)

Butterflies fluttered in my thin stomach as we approached my future workplace. It was so weird; seeing it on the computer was one thing, but being there was another. The building looked so full of purity, energy, and technology. I started to wonder if I could really help improve it. I mean, I wasn't anything more than a secretary of a fashion magazine editor. Also, I had no idea if they'd even accept me. I knew that my mom would hire me because she knew me, but this Lex Luthor probably didn't even know I existed until last week.

"Well, here we are. LexCorp Industries." Mary gave an introduction. I released the sigh I'd been holding in since we pulled up. "Aren't you going in, or...?"

"What if I'm not good enough, Mary?" I blurted out my worry. Mary gave me an eye roll and held my shoulder. "Look. These guys may have worked here longer than you but that doesn't make them better. For all you know, by this time tomorrow you could be doing all their jobs. Besides, any treatment you get is better than mom's." She had such a good point. It was either this or back to being paid to be yelled at by your mom. 

"Okay," I finally said, "I'll-I'll do it." She gave me a nod, and I nodded in returned. We leaned in for a hug, and she wished me luck one last time. I bet was gonna need it. I can't focus when I'm nervous, and when I can't focus I screw things up. But there was no way I was spending another day at that fashion hell. So I picked my bag up and got out of the car. 

Mary waved at me as she drove off. I waited until she was out of sight, and slowly spun around to face the building again. It looked so massive and complex. This may sound weird, but it kind of terrified me. I shook if out though, and marched toward it with a high head.

Inside was not much different than the outside. People were scattered everywhere, and they all looked worthy of being there. One lady walked past me wearing all black with the coolest haircut. I touched my rough, brown hair to find it a plain straight. I never thought I'd say this but I wish I had a rubber band right about now. The place wasn't crowded, but it was far from being empty. 

I looked around for any clue to where Lex's office was. I had an interview with him in ten minutes and I couldn't even find him. I decided to ask one of the employees. I walked further into the work hall until I saw something out of the ordinary. There, in the middle of the room, about six men were playing basketball. I tried to process an excuse for what I was seeing. 'Maybe they're testing their body maneuvers for a video game?' was all I could think of.

Basketball or not, they didn't look as intimidating as everyone else. So I walked up to the court and tapped on the shoulder of closest one, who appeared to be in the middle of shooting.

I cleared my throat.

"Excuse me." He turned and smiled at me. He had strawberry-blonde locks that curled by his jawline. His eyes were blue and playful, and reminded me of two blue balls. He was shorter than me, but only by about an inch. "Sorry to interrupt your game, but I was wondering if you knew where Lex Luthor's office is." He gave me and odd smile.

"Hm. You must my new secretary. How are you? Lex Luthor. Welcome to my little LexCorp." The man held out his hand to me. I looked at it, and, ever so hesitantly, shook it.

Raising an eyebrow, I asked. "You're Lex Luthor?" He odd smile turned into a cheeky one as he giggled.

"Indeed I am. Alexander Luthor Jr., in your presence." He said, slight bowing his head. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't confused. He looked so young, way too young to be running a business. "I'm sorry, I'm confused. You look so..."

"Young? Well..." he turned away for a second to throw the through the hoop. "Age is just a number, correct? And there are infinite numbers to compare to mine, so there's no use in trying to be any other."

I just looked from him to the net and swallowed. "I guess that sounds right." 

"Great! Hm. Yes, yes. You are here for the job." He said, eyes darting down in remembrance. "Executive secretary if I recall." Before I knew it he had his hand on my shoulder blade, and we began walking down the hall to I-have-no-idea-where. But I simply nodded and played along.

"Um, yeah. I used to work as one at my old job."

"Old job, mm? Might I ask where?" I didn't bother looking at him to answer, I just kept my head forward. And judging by my sight, we were headed for an escalator. "Nowhere special. Just a stupid fashion magazine corporation." I scratched my forehead as we boarded the escalator. I let Lex go first, being as though I had no idea where to go beyond the escalator.  The rising staircase made my body feel like it was lifting by itself.

"I see," Lex said. "That explains your chose of clothing décor. Anyway, tell me- Wait! Silly me. I forgot to request your name." He addressed, stepping off his step and placing his foot on the smooth, white tile floor. I copied his movement and we returned to our original pace.

The hallway was all white, and filled with white doors. Any one of those could be mine. All I had to do was get an interview with Lex. First, we had to get to his office.

"My name's Rose. Rose Lee Holloway." I offered a kind smile, one which was returned.

"Rose. Hm." His eyes darted up in thought. "The Latin origin of rose, a flower name from Rosa." He looked back at me. "Did you know the Normans brought Latin to Britain in the 11th century?"

I shook my head. Lex just put his hands in his pockets and stared ahead. "Are you interested in alien studies and research?"

"Um, no. Only what I read on the news about Superman. But do find the fact that one is living here funny."

This made Lex chuckle. "How do you mean?"

"I mean, an alien protecting a species that's not his own just makes us look inferior. Why should we rely on a humanoid destructor rather than weapons of defense? It just sounds dumb."

Lex snapped his finger and pointed at me. "Exactly, Rosie. May I call you Rosie?" 'If I get this job he can call me anything he wants.' I thought.

But I simply replied, "If you want."

We reached the end of the hallway, where, to our right, sat a giant silver door.

"Follow me." Lex led us down the pathway and opened the giant door for me. "In you go." I slipped past him and almost tripped when I saw Lex's office. That place was like two master bedrooms in one giant space. There were chairs in there I've never seen in my life! And that's saying something since my mom used redecorated our living room almost every year.

I was so in shock that I didn't even notice Lex walk past me to his desk chair. I strolled to the front of his desk and sat in small chair, where Lex was seated on the table. He grinned at me, making me even more nervous. We both knew what was about to happen.

"Humor me. What got you interested in this position?"

"I've had previous experience with executive assistance, such as memoing, filing, answering phone calls, and prepping schedules. I also dabble in digital art, so if you need any promo or posters, well, I'm your gal." I chuckled nervously, and he just stroked his chin. "Ahem. I admire what this company has done for the ecosystem repair in other countries. Between partnering with other green companies and philanthropy fundraisers, it- you have really great work." Then it got quiet. "...yeah."

Lex leaned forward, knuckling his silvery desk's edge, and looked into my soul. He studied every inch of my face, my eyes... my soul. It was like he was trying to read my mind. When he got his answer, he exhaled.

"Hm." His lips twitched. "Hm-mm, yes. You have the gaze of a woman on the run." Lex said softly, almost sorrowful, like a therapist. "A lioness, mm, trying to strike out of the pride, make it on her own. Tell me, dear Rosie, who-oh-who are you running from?"

My head drew back and I nearly gulped. Was this man actually telepathic? Either way, he seemed to have me figured out. There was no use in denying it further. If honesty got me a job, then honesty it'll be. I just wish it wasn't such a sore subject.

"My mother." My tongue suddenly tasted foul and acidic. "She's not a very nice mother. Or boss."

"Mommy issues," Lex gestured to me, "meet daddy issues," he gestured to himself, making us both chuckle weakly. I supposed it made sense, hurt child meets hurt child. I wondered to what extend his father hurt him, but put off the question as taboo for an interview.

"Anyhow," he leaned back and continued, "mind if I ask you some professional questions?" He asked, making a yuck face as the word 'professional'.

"Yes, go ahead." I straightened my posture.

"Alrighty. How did you like the building so far?" That was not the question I expected him to ask first, but it was his company. 'Get hired, Rose, get hired.' I cheered myself on.

"Ummm... It's very detailed and finely organized, Mr. Luthor. It's techy but also really chill. Just feels like a good environment people-wise." If my resume didn't cut it maybe sucking up to him would. But he just waved it off.

"Please, call me Lex. It's only fair since I'm calling you Rosie." He had a point. "But does it look like the kind of place you want to work at?"

I looked around the spacious, flawless, white room and sighed. Such a long way from that undersized, secretary desk my mom forced me in.

My pitiful eyes found Lex again. "Very much."

Out of nowhere, Lex suddenly clapped near my face. "Fantastic! Then congratulations, Ms. Rosie. You're hired!" I had to clear my ears to make sure I heard him right.

"Wait, what? I'm hired?" He just nodded like an excited child. "But what about the interview?" I asked, still not understanding his reasons behind hiring me. He bent from his spot on the table to open up a drawer beside his legs.

"That was the interview, my dear Rosie. It began from I first introduced myself." He then pulled something out of the drawer; a red cylinder candy, and offered it to me. "Jolly Rancher?" I gave a clearly puzzled look, raising my eyebrow. "It's cherry." He offered again. 

With nothing to lose except my job there, I accepted.

"Okay." I smiled tightly.

But instead of handing it to me, Lex leaned in to put it in my mouth himself. For a second, I felt his cold, steel fingers brush on the tip of my lips before departing. Then he licked those fingers and smiled from ear to ear like nothing happened.

Being the kind person I am, I gave the smile back. He might have been a bit odd, but I had a feeling Lex was gonna grow on me.

#lex luthor#dc#bvs#imagine#imagines#DC imagines#dc imagine#lex luthor imagine#lex luthor x reader#lex x reader#lex imagine#bvs imagine#batman vs superman#reader insert#reader#xreader#fandom#multifandom#request

[lovesickdeadsims]

After losing Rory Oakley in my Santino Legacy I decided I needed a new legacy challenge, this time with precise objectives and a clean storyline. I know there are already many legacy challenges around the web, but since I don’t own all the packs, I needed something more personal. So here is PART 1 of my own Lovesick Legacy Challenge!

GEN 1- The Scrooge (BG friendly)

You live in a poor, old house with your only parent, who didn’t want you in the first place. As your parent spend the day watching tv and lazying around the house, you must provide to them and yourself as you can. You spend your childhood doing chores and selling what you can find in the wild. You study hard because somehow you understand that if you don’t want to end like that useless parent of yours you must be successful in life. You hate your parent and yet you can’t help yourself but to feel some pity towards them. That’s why you never abandon them, even when you reach adulthood. You know that without you they would be lost... Eventually you find love (something you never really thought about before) in the workplace; and eventually your parent dies and you are finally able to go on with your life. Finally you can give your child everything you never had! 

Beginning:

You will create a household made of one child and their parent (can be a mother or a father). 

The parent must have Lazy, Hates Children and Snob as traits; aspiration doesn’t matter. The child can have any trait and aspiration you want.

You will start the challenge in lot of your choice, but with the worst objects possible in game (worst shower, worst, sink, etc...). The family will start with 0 Simoleons after it is transferred in the lot and the house is built.

You will play only as the child of the family. Never as the parent!

Once a teen, you must add the trait Materialistic and you can choose between the Fabulously Wealthy or Mansion Baron aspiration.

Objectives:

Become the sole source of income in the family. As a child you can choose to sell what you find in the wild or what you make, you can make videos or invent what you want, the important thing is that throughout your childhood and teen years your jobless parent must remain... jobless.

You must end high school with honors or best grades.

Renovate the house when you have enough money to do so. You can also upgrade when you have time.

If you have DISCOVER UNIVERSITY: You can only apply to the University of Britechester and take the Business Major.

You can’t move out once you finish high school (that means you can’t move into a dorm). You must stay in the lot until your parent dies (no cheats allowed to make them die) of *natural* cause.

As you become a young adult choose the Ambitious trait.

 You must work in the business career once you graduate (or once you become a ya).

Never have a relationship before your employment

You must marry a coworker (you are allowed to create one just for this purpose).

Have only one child.

Have at least 50.000 Simoleon by the birth of your heir.

GEN 2- The Brat (BG friendly)

Your parents gave you everything you ever wanted. You had a golden childhood, full of toys, friends and glee. You couldn’t have been happier, really... except you grew bored of all of it. And eventually you started rebelling your parents’ unwelcomed attentions and love. Life gave you more, but you wanted... something different. You start a band with your friends and run away from home as a teen (*cough* stealing your parents’ money *cough*), living with them in total anarchy. You and your band get into fights and literally scare the hell out of everyone, and that’s how you like it! You are free to express yourself through your music and decide that this is your path! In your adulthood years you pursue the musical career, but the band dismembers, your friend fall out of love with music and move out. Well, except for one. And you know that this one is special, because you keep talking about having a family together, one day. Despite coming from riches already, you end up being a big star and live in a big mansion with your partner and kid(s). 

Objectives:

Play only as “The Brat” once they age into a child.

As a child you can start with any trait you want, but the aspiration must be Artistic Prodigy.

Complete the aspiration before turning into a teen.

You must be friends with two other children and also have a child best friend.

Your teen must have the Music Lover trait.

Once you become a teen you must leave your household and live into any lot of your choice (as long as you can afford it) with your friends, but they must have aged up to teens (you are allowed to modify them in CAS through cheat). 

When you move out you can’t take more than half of their parents’ money.

Start a band with your mates! If you have GET TOGETHER you may start a club with them), they must play an instrument of your choice (there can be the same instruments in band, it doesn’t matter).

When your mates become young adults move them out and keep the one you have the closest relationship with.

When you become a young adult choose the Musical Genius Aspiration and enter the Entertainer career and become a Musician. You may choose the same path for your partner or a different one.

Write at least 10 songs of the genre you prefer.

Live in a lot bigger than 30x20. If you already live in that lot from your teenager years, you may stay there.

If you have GET FAMOUS: become a Proper Celebrity.

You must complete your aspiration before the next gen becomes a child.

You must reach level 9 of the Musician career before your next gen becomes a child.

You must have at least one child (you allowed to adopt them, but only as toddlers).

GEN 3- The Chad (BG friendly)

Your parents are famous, like big stars. They live the fairy tale life, they love each other, have fun together and they built their own success. But you... you are quite the opposite. You are geeky, dorky, nerdy... just plain weird! You like videogames, collect figurines and dislike any physical activity. Your school years pass with a bully on your back and you just wish you could be as cool as the rest of you family. Eventually you become an adult, and you decide you have enough! You change your life upside down: you start eating healthy, you go to the gym... you want to be as cool as it gets! And when you start seeing the results you also start dating! You are not choosy with your partners, you just want to have fun as much as possible. You become a Woohoo master and even decide to make the ultimate conquest: seducing your high school bully.  This becomes your obsession. You remember all the pain you went through in school and want to ruin your enemy/lover’s life! You marry them and fake true love, you even have a child together. But then you betray them, divorce them and take the kid from them! This is your ultimate revenge.

Objectives:

As a child choose the Whiz Kid aspiration and choose the Genius trait. You must complete your aspiration before becoming a teen.

Collect at least 5 different Mysims trophies throughout your childhood and teen years.

You must have a bad relationship with another child.

You must avoid developing your Fitness skill through all you childhood and teen years.

When you become a teen, choose the Geek trait.

Become enemies with the sim you have a bad relationship with. They also must be aged to teen.

As a teen choose the aspiration Computer Whiz. You must complete it in your young adult years, before becoming an adult.

When you become a young adult, choose the Romantic trait and enter the Tech Guru career.

Start doing fitness as a young adult and reach at least level 5.

Once you have completed the Computer Whiz aspiration, you must choose the Serial Romantic.

When you have woohoo’d at least three sims you must reach out to your enemy, better your relationship with them and marry them in an official wedding event.

Have only one baby together.

When your baby becomes a child you must divorce your spouse by cheating in front of them and move out with your child into another world. You must take all the money (and eventual pets) too.

GEN 4- The Photographer (BG friendly)

You are one of the many “child of divorce”. The parent you are living with talks often with hate of the parent you both left behind. You were never allowed to visit them and never heard from them ever again. If only you had a photo of them to remember those few moments together you could put your mind at ease... You grow up angry and alone. You find it hard to trust people, and even though you enter a relationship in high school it just doesn’t work. You don’t believe in love. You take up photography as a hobby and think about making a career out of it, but somehow you miss the drive and ambition to do anything. You still manage to make some bucks selling some pictures you took of sunsets, dawns and landscapes. You even afford to make an exhibition in your local museum of arts. And at that exhibition you meet a person that makes you feel... less lonely. They make you feel confident, they are trustworthy, faithful. Somehow you know they will never hurt you, especially not like your parents have hurt each other. Finally you move in together. You take photos of your partner whenever you can, they are your muse. You make a blog and upload the pictures and you become somewhat popular. Surprisingly you are happy! You start to believe it’s possible to have a happy family and you start wanting children.

Objectives:

As a child you must have the Loner trait.

You may choose any child aspiration, except for Social Butterfly.

You can start taking photos with your phone as a child. You cannot own a camera before becoming a teen.

You must not have any friends before becoming a teen.

When you turn into a teen you must choose the Soulmate aspiration.

You must have one relationship as a teen and go to only one date with your new boyfriend/girlfriend.

Once you become a young adult you must break up with your current partner.

You must max the Photography skill between your teen and young adult years.

Take a picture in every world in your game with a camera (they can’t be selfies).

Make an exhibition of at least 5 of your best quality photos in the local Museum (an idea is to hang them in a room in your lot, save the room and then load it when you go into build/buy in the Museum you choose). Quality of the photos must be higher than “Normal”.

Hang in the Museum until you find someone with the Loyal trait. They will be your future spouse (you can create them for this purpose but they must meet in the Museum).

Once you have started dating the Loyal Sim, you can move in with them, or move both into a new lot in a world of your choice.

You must have at least three children.

Complete the Soulmate aspiration before having your second child. If you have PARENTHOOD you can choose as a new aspiration Super parent.

GEN 5- The Occultist (Vampires GP required) 

You grew up in a numerous, loud family. You parents adored each other, your siblings were pests (but you loved them) and you were a healthy, happy child. Indeed you had a pretty normal, regular childhood. Very normal. Too normal, in your opinion. You spend your time escaping reality through fantasy books, comics, tv series etc. You become a fan of the occult, reading books about vampire lore, researching online, buying dark stuff from the web! Witches, vampires, mermaids, werewolves, aliens... You know they exist and you are gonna prove it! When you finish high school you embark on a journey to a mysterious town called Forgotten Hollow, were you intend to stay there for a couple weeks... you know, for research! One day, or actually, one night you meet a handsome stranger in a bar. You don’t let the opportunity escape you and flirt with them all time, asking to spend the rest of the night at your house. Unfortunately (or luckily) said handsome stranger is a true vampire, as you discover after letting them drink your blood. From then on your only desire is becoming a vampire! You change your hair, the way you dress, your entire house just to at least look like a vampire. But only the “stranger” can turn you into one. And when they finally do it you feel such a rush at your new immortal state that you might even try to become a Master Vampire!

Objectives:

As a child you must choose the Bookworm trait. You may choose an aspiration of your choice.

Always dress in a very basic way all your life.

Be good friends with your parents and siblings until you move out.

Read at least 5 books as a child (preferibly fantasy or thriller).

Make your parents throw an Incognito Costume Party at your birthday (from child to teen, and from teen to young adult). If you have SPOOKY STUFF make your parents throw you a Spooky Party. If you only have SEASONS, create a holiday the day of your birthday and make it spooky themed!

When you age to teen choose the Master Vampire aspiration.

Do reasearch online and read books about vampires to reach level level 10 of the Vampire Lore skill.

Once you age to young adult move to Forgotten Hollow and build a very basic looking house.

Go into different bars of your world at night to meet a "handsome vampire stranger”. Once you met them befriend them and invite them at your house. You may have wooho with them the same night if you want (and if they do let them drink from you).

For the “handsome vampire stranger” you may use one of the VAMPIRES sims (Vlad, Caleb or Lilith) or create one yourself and add them to the world. However they must have the “Vampire Creation” power to be able to turn you.

You may let your “handsome vampire stranger” move in with you if you want.

Change your entire aesthetic to a very gothic/dark one. This includes your hair, eventual makeup, clothes and even your entire house.

Convince your “handsome vampire stranger” to turn you into a vampire.

Complete the Master Vampire aspiration, max the Vampire Lore skill and have at least one baby with your “handsome vampire stranger”.

Read part 2 here

[codesandstuffs]

Mcyt Yuri Week - Day 2: Au

(link to ao3 version here, made for @mcyt-yuri-week 2023!!)

<File Retrieved...> <Loading...>

OFFICIAL COMPLAINT SUBMITTED AT: 07-08-2023 16:12 SUMBITTED BY: Z

B,

I regret to inform you that the agent you have assigned as our department head is unsuitable for the job. She is tardy, impolite, disorganised and underqualified. It is my recommendation that she is returned to whichever previous role she had.

Since joining, she has requested a copy of each of our current mission directories as well as halting all operations until paperwork was signed and resigned multiple times. Apparently, this is something my colleagues have also experienced, indicated she has issues with organisation.

For several weeks, she has also become increasingly inconsistent either which meetings she will attend and how late she arrives to them. This makes it very difficult for the rest of the department. I find timekeeping to be an essential quality in this field - is this really something we can compromise on as someone in the position of a department lead?

Another issue I have observed is the lack of professionalism she shows in the workplace. Even from her first day here, she has addressed all of us with a casualness that is inappropriate in the field, and on some occasions made jokes in poor taste, on subjects such as firing us or reassigning missions on a whim. While I understand being friendly with your department - one of my colleagues has recently taken up regular pub visits with her, for example - there is a certain level of respect expected in the workplace.

If you are unsure yet of the validity of my concerns, I might suggest a review of her work and brief investigation into her performance so far.

I'm sure you understand that all of these complaints come from a place of concern rather than one of malice. I truly do only want the best for our agency. It simply seems that our new department lead does not.

Z

<End Of File>

(fic below cut!!)

"Are you fucking kidding me?" shouted a voice from the next room over, and Cleo groaned into their pasta. "What is she doing? She lost my file again?"

Yeah, her morning was going great. Thanks for asking.

Not that the groaning from next door was about her, obviously. They weren't the sort of person who would misplace important files, nor the sort of person who would allow people to yell things down the corridor about them in third person. No - this was about Pearl, their new department lead and new boss, and quite possibly the worst agent Cleo had ever had the displeasure of meeting.

And frankly, Cleo empathised with the person from the next room over. She, too, had been told many a time that Pearl had lost something or the other of hers.

But the topic of Pearl felt even more sore today, on account of Cleo losing her closest ally in her petition against their new boss.

Just last week, she and Gem had been discussing ways they could remove their boss from her position, and now Gem was hanging out with Pearl after work. When had those two even become friends? Cleo certainly hadn't seen it coming, and she literally lived with Gem.

Whatever. She had work to do. She had important operations to oversee. She had charges now, people to manage as they began their first few missions as agents and learnt how to apply all their training in the actual agency. That was important. Gem and Pearl being chummy was not.

Cleo huffed and ate another fork full of pasta, aggressively flicking the page over.

It was fine. Everything was fine.

-

A week later, Cleo finally received their very first punctual report from Pearl. This was something new - it was almost tradition already that Pearl would somehow manage to turn everything in at least a little late. Gem was sitting next to them when their fax began printing out the report and - as she was closer - picked it up to read the header.

"Oh, it's from Pearl!" she said, already smiling brightly. "She did say she was getting a new fax machine, look how crisp this font is!"

"That's my fax machine's good quality, not hers, thanks," Cleo muttered. She stopped typing and turned to Gem. "What's it about? Last week's approval? My mentee's been waiting for days for that one."

"It's the weekly report." Gem glanced through it, eyes widening. "The one due by the end of today."

"Wait- what?"

"It's on time," Gem said, almost in wonder.

Cleo stared at her, then snatched the paper so she could see for herself. Indeed, the report was actually perfectly on time. If anything, it was early.

"This has got to be a prank," they frowned, squinting up at their door to see if someone was about to jump through the door and shout 'surprise!' or something. "Do you think she got kidnapped? Are we dealing with an imposter?"

"I think she's just gotten better at it," said Gem, wearing that enthusiastic smile again. "I told her she should try to get things done on time, even if it's not entirely perfect."

"So now I have to worry about the reports being wrong as well?"

"Cleo!" Gem scolded. "Pearl is a lot better than you're giving her credit for. Just because she's not triple checking everything anymore doesn't mean it's not still going to be accurate!"

"And why was she triple checking everything, then, unless she was pretty sure she was doing something wrong?"

"She's just nervous. Give her time."

Cleo rolled her eyes. "Of course you’d say that, she’s your newest best friend.”

“My newest -?” Gem paused and cocked her head. “Are you jealous?”

“I am not jealous,” Cleo said firmly, but Gem was already grinning and shaking her head.

“I would never replace you, Cleo! We’re just hanging out - no best friends being replaced or anything of the sort, so don’t you worry.”

“I wasn’t worried,” Cleo deadpanned. “I just think she’s incompetent.”

Gem’s mouth fell open.

“Off the record, of course,” Cleo added as an afterthought, though they were pretty confident Gem wouldn’t be gossiping about this behind their back. For all her traitorous Pearl-befriending, she was a reliable friend. “I just don’t think she makes a good boss. If she needs time to improve, maybe she should do that before being given an important role.”

“Cleo,” Gem said gently, apparently having recovered from her shock for the most part. “It’s not - alright, I’m not supposed to tell anyone this, but…” She glanced behind her to check there was nobody in the doorway, before lowering her voice and continuing, “Pearl wasn’t in this agency at all until recently. She was working in a small team halfway across the world, with some of the same goals as us but none of our resources and organisation.”

“Alright. Sounds like yet another reason that she shouldn’t be given this job straight away.”

“No, no, let me explain better: she managed the whole team on her own. She’s got the skills to lead this department, she just has to get used to the structure of our agency, and we just have to give her that time.”

Then Gem paused. She checked the doorway again, before leaning a little closer and dropping her voice into a whisper.

“Our agency and her team were working together for a mission a few months ago, but it went wrong. Really, really wrong,” she emphasised. “Pearl is the only one left of her team. It’s been rough on her these past few months, but our agency wanted to give her a place to carry on her work, and -” Gem shrugged. “They think she can do the job. Even B does, actually - sent her own personal approval.”

Well then. That was… news. And maybe it did explain a little of Pearl’s behaviour, though it didn’t change Cleo’s mind all that much.

“I’m sorry that happened to her old team, but I still don’t think she makes a good head for our department,” she said. “There are people better prepared for the role.”

“She can do this, we just have to be patient,” Gem insisted.

“There isn’t space for being sentimental here.” Cleo turned back to her keyboard and tried to find her place on the document on the screen before her. “Sorry, Gem. I’ll try and be nice, I guess, but I’m not going to just wait for her to be good enough.”

Next to her, Gem sighed, but didn’t press the issue. The room was blessed with peaceful quiet, and Cleo found that it was a lot easier to work without the distraction of having to talk about Pearl.

-

When Cleo finally bumped into Pearl for the first time after hearing her background - her tragic backstory -  from Gem, she was tempted to speak up and apologise about her team. It was only polite. Cleo may not have liked Pearl, but she wasn’t that heartless.

But then she remembered that she had only been told that story in confidence, and ended up fumbling her greeting entirely.

“Pearl! I heard - I mean, I think that - well,” they said, and then stared at Pearl expectantly, as if they were waiting for an answer.

Pearl blinked back at her in bewilderment. “Sorry?”

“Thanks for the weekly report,” Cleo tried instead. “It was on time and everything. So - thanks. For that. Good job, I guess, that one time.”

“Oh!” Pearl’s face broke out into a huge smile. “Thank you! I mean, you’re welcome - no, I mean - what do I mean?”

“I don’t know.” Cleo was not giving her any help.

“One thing is for sure,” Pearl pushed on anyway. “I’m going to work on getting more things done on time. I think I’m getting the hang of it already, actually! I’m going to be on time for my next meeting, it’s at nine but I left a few minutes early so I can -”

She stopped in horror, before glancing at her watch and gasping.

“Oh no, I’m going to be late, shoot! Sorry, Cleo, I - we can catch up later! Bye!”

And with that, in a whirlwind of coat and paper, Pearl was off down the corridor again, frantic as ever but somehow seeming far less malicious than she’d seemed to Cleo before.

Now, where did that change of heart come from?

[justplainwhump]

Season's Greetings

After last week's poll (thank you so much to everyone who participated!), here's the Christmas special for 238/training!Angel.

This is dedicated to and inspired by @angst-after-dark, Thane Barlow is their character.

As to be expected, it is pretty much leaning into smut. Enjoy!

[Making Angel]

Content/warnings: BBU, facility whump, institutional whump, nsfwhump, recorded whump, dubcon use of toys, male whumpers with female whumpee, whumper pov.

Walking through the hallways of facility 002 before Christmas was special, somehow. Even without any decoration among the sterile white, there was a festive mood to be felt, just from the way the handlers smiled when they greeted each other, or the spring to their steps.

The trainees wouldn't get any gifts for Christmas.

But the employees, they did.

As head handler, Jared Grimm had introduced various employee benefits; one of them a very popular Christmas tombola. Not everyone could get the main prize - taking home a pet over the holidays - especially not given the often more delicate nature of facility 002's acquisitions, but there were several more prizes: a full cleaning of the home before the relatives arrived, catering for Christmas dinner, a full styling and hairdo, all declared part of the facility's Domestics' training, all doing wonders for the workplace climate.

And there was of course, another choice group to receive Christmas gifts. Clients. Pretty much every case they handled in facility 002 was personal, meaningful for the prospective owners, and insanely price, too.

Personally tailored Season's Greetings were the least the facility could do.

Jared looked down at the instructions on his tablet. Alex had prepared a little script for each of the greetings. 238's prospective was to get a video. Technically, her primary handlers was meant to speak the opening words, but Alan Nguyen hadn't as much glanced at the notes, just lifted the Santa hat with two fingers and handed it back to Jared. "I did my professional due. Humiliating the girl. I will not humiliate myself for that douche and be his clown in a Santa hat. You do that alright."

Jared rolled his eyes. Arrogant douche himself. But Jared couldn't afford to annoy him - plus, he was the best handler they had, and there could be worse than spending some quality time with one of his trainees.

He pulled the hat over his head and nodded at the cameraman, waiting for his prompt to start speaking. "Good day, Mr Barlow! I'm Jared Grimm, WRU head handler, and it's my honor to send you Christmas greetings in the name of the entire company! We have a little something prepared for you behind this door, in honor of holiday season! Let's have a look!"

Jared got how it could feel little degrading indeed, playing the cheerful entertainer, but he was a WRU handler - he'd gone through worse for a lot less.

The door opened at a swipe of his card with a beep and a click, and cameraman panned to the door, filming through the crack where the dim flicker of christmas lights filled the room.

Angel, Alex had noted. Client seems to like angel analogies for this product (quote: "Make her be my Angel, and make her love it").

And they had taken this literally today.

Jared stared for a second, giving the cameraman time to slowly, carefully catch every detail of 238's flawless presentation.

She was wearing sheer white lingerie, that covered nothing yet emphasised everything. Her golden hair was curled into soft locks and crowned with a glittering halo, and small feathery wings strapped to her back over a short golden cape. Golden glitter was applied to her body as well, shimmering on her collarbone and chest.

She smiled at Jared, flirtatious and confident, curving her body in just the right ways for the camera to catch her.

She didn't kneel, though, to his slight dismay. It made sense for the order, of course. A luxury pet. For a demanding client.

Jared was a stranger to her - and she wouldn't kneel for just anyone.

"Well, good day, 002238," Jared said. There wasn't a script for her. Trainees didn't need to be told to act. Their entire being was a performance, and he expected her to excel at it. "You're special, aren't you? A very precious, very special pet for a very special owner." He reached out to clip a golden leash to the soft golden leather collar around her neck. (Prospective: "She will look better in a leash.")

"Of course I am," she whispered, and Jared was struck by the perfect counterpoints of the almost confident smile tugging at her lip and her gaze devoutly cast down. "I'm special for you, and I will be perfect for my owner."

Jared felt the pinpricks of an urge to discipline her, make her perfect for himself. It was part of her configuration of course, just like the part about not kneeling. A slight air of arrogance, but always submissive to her owner - and only him. Showing off her master's luxury.

Nguyen had outdone himself.

"You will be," Jared assured her, lifting her chin towards him. Glitter was smeared over her cheeks, too, sparkling between her freckles. "You're a beautiful product. Why don't you smile at the camera, tell your owner yourself? Season's greetings."

A soft blush blossomed on her cheeks underneath the gold, perfectly crafted, and still so natural. "He's... is he watching?"

"He is," Jared said.

Shivering, she sank to her knees. "Happy holidays, Sir," she whispered into the camera. "I can't wait to be yours."

"Why don't you show him just how much?"

"How?" She looked up at him, her dark eyes seeming even deeper among all the glitter.

"Get... Get on that table, 238." Jared didn't even try to hide the hoarse roughness tinting his voice. The product worked. It was always something else, if you hadn't trained them yourself. Even after more than two decades on the job, feeling that power over the entirety of another human was thrilling.

She got to her feet, with a grace that would seem natural to any outsider but perfectly matched that of any other WRU product, and swung herself on the edge of the table, legs dangling, upper body leaning backwards, presenting her cute breasts once more.

Jared's own trainees, back in the day, would've all been trained to be on their back already, presenting a whole different view.

This one was still keeping eye contact. Not with Jared, though. With the camera. "I hope I fullfil everything you desire." Her voice was tinted with arousal, and Jared couldn't even tell if it was fake or real. It didn't matter. Her hand ran over her body, playing with the straps tied around her, fingers idly circling her nipples.

The cameraman shifted his weight nervously, pressed his thighs together, and Jared smirked. She worked just as she should.

"Here," he mumbled, as he stepped in with the finishing decor - golden clamps, adorned with tiny bells that jingled when he fixed them to her nipples. The noise was lovely, but even more so was her sharp little gasp.

"238 isn't trained for pain," Jared said to the camera. "But she promised us, she'll take it for you."

"Anything," 238 said. "I love you, Sir. I love to be whatever you want me to be. I'm ready."

They hadn't told her to say that. Or what to do. But as any well trained Romantic should, when told to perform while none of her betters made a move, she did it on her own. She let herself sink onto her back on the padded table - finally - crossed her hands above her head and slowly, almost teasingly, opened her legs. This time, the gasp came from the camera man, staring at the diamond nestled in between her folds.

Jared bit back a chuckle. Yeah. That one was a sight.

"Good girl," he murmured, reaching for the seasonal fastenings he'd brought - a rough rope, entwined with fairy lights - and fixated her ankles to the table before he moved on to bind her hands above her head. "You'll be so good for your owner."

Still standing behind her head, he pulled a vibrator from his pocket, as golden as herself, and presented it to the camera. "Mr Barlow, here's your gift. The card we delivered to you held a small golden controller. Would you push the upper button on it?"

It took a moment, before the vibrator hummed to life in Jared's hand.

The pet shivered at the noise, already conditioned so perfectly, and a soft jingle sounded from the bells on her.

"And now press the other?"

238 back arched, and she let out a surprised cry of pain, the bells rattling.

Jared reached out and ran a caressing finger over her breast. "There's electrodes in the clamps, at your free disposal."

Jared pulled back his hand a second up late, when she seizured again, his hand thrumming with the remainder of a tiny shock. Seemed like the owner's kind of humor. Great then. He'd hopefully enjoy this whole display.

"Be good, 238," Jared whispered to her. "He's watching."

The vibrator was buzzing in his hand, wildly alive, as he slid it into her with practised ease.

She was wet already. If Jared assessed correctly, she'd stay so for a long, long while. Her owner wouldn't make this easy for her.

But then again, that was exactly what they'd made her for.

Jared waved at the camera, now mounted on a tripod. "Merry Christmas, Mr Barlow. We'll leave you to it in private now."

The cameraman swallowed, as he stepped back, wiping his palms on his pants. "You can wait in the observation room," Jared said to him, quietly enough for the camera not to catch their voices. "There's tissues, if you need them."

Jared might tune into the livestream from his office he thought. Or not. After all, he'd definitely be the one to get the privilege of being with 238 after Barlow was done. He preferred being the only one in charge.

He pulled off the Santa hat and ruffled a hand through his hair, ignoring the pet's moans behind him. As he followed the cameraman outside and raised his card to lock the door, the last thing he heard was the pet's sincere whisper.

"I love you, Sir."

[inevitablysomber-dark]

Can I request a dark Steve x Reader, total smut? He's her coworker and is always kind of bullying her for her appearance and making her feel bad about her mistakes, and the whole office is in on it, even her boss. She has to work late and ends up crying at her desk, and he takes the opportunity to jump her bones.

Sheeps Clothing

I would like to apologize for this story being so long, I saw it last night and started working on it this morning, on my phone. Up until I got home, and when I looked at the file on my computer, it was like 1.8k words.

Warning: Non/Dubious Consent?, workplace harassment, power dynamic, MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY. MINORS DNI

Summary: You try to get away from Steve, but you don't even have a chance.

"Jesus!" Someone exclaimed 

You look up to see who said it.

"What the hell are you wearing?" It was Steve, and he was speaking to you

You look down at your outfit, a long flowy dress with puffy sleeves covered in a floral pattern.

When you look back up at him, you don't have a chance to say anything before your desk mate, Hailey responds.

"Hush, you know she lacks fashion sense."

"But this is atrocious.” he grabs the loose bow at your neck and flicks it."

You're surprised by his proximity and jump, causing your chair to push backward as Steve steps back, letting you fall to the ground on your side of the cubicle. 

"Geez," he says

When you look up, he's standing over you, a nefarious smirk splayed on his lips, amused by your embarrassment. 

It takes a little longer to get up than you hoped, especially since Steve insisted on staying in your way.  

Once you've managed to get on your two feet, you dust yourself off and make your way to the bathroom, doing your best to slide past without touching him. 

When you finally get there, you can feel your emotions surfacing, and you take a few breaths to calm yourself. 

There was a data analyst position; Mindy, your supervisor, said that you were a shoo-in, so you applied with her blessing and reference. Since it would be in the same building, the commute would be the same, and the best part is you’d finally get away from Steve and all his little lackeys. 

You were expecting to hear from them today, so you had no plans to let Steve bother you with his shenanigans. You compose yourself before returning to your desk, ensuring your demon has left your station. 

***

Throughout the day, you’re checking on your emails, dodging Steve, and somehow managing to complete your tasks. Around 2:00 pm, you finally get a message from human resources with the updates for your job application. 

Good Afternoon Y/N,

Thank you for applying for our job opening. Unfortunately, we cannot continue your process due to an incomplete resume. We have decided to pursue other candidates that more closely meet our needs. 

Thank you for your consideration, and we wish you success in your career pursuit.

You were confused. An incomplete resume?

You go back to your file to review said application. As far as you can tell, everything has been completed, so you decide to go to HR in person to ask what is going on. 

“It looks like your reference letter was never sent in,” the lady behind the desk said 

“What?” you asked 

“Yeah, you completed everything on your end. Your supervisor or manager just didn’t send in their reference,” she says 

“ Well, what if I get her to send it in today?” you ask, swallowing a croak.

“Unfortunately, all necessary positions are filled. However, if you are still interested later on, keep track of position statuses on the site for employees.”

“Thank you,” you say as you leave.

 

What else could you say? Mindy had sworn to you that she would get your reference in as soon as possible, and that was two months ago when you first applied for the position. 

You head to your floor, intending to speak with her as soon as you get there. She knew the reference was an essential part of the process. It was a rule that only applied to employees in the same company looking to go to a different department. 

It was an opportunity you’d missed not because of your negligence but someone else’s, not just anyone, but someone in a position of power. 

You were heartbroken. 

When you finally got to her office, she was on the phone, but you waited because you needed to know why she didn’t send in something so important.

When she finally got off, you pounced.

“Hey Mindy, I just received a rejection for the Data Analyst position,” you stated 

“Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry,” she says. “Welp, better luck next time.” 

“Well, they said they didn’t get my reference….” You paused to give a pointed stare “from you.”

“Well, I can’t just put my name on anything. You know, I do have a reputation to keep up.”

“ I’m one of your best employees.” You state, “I keep up with all information going in and out of this department, I make all the data more digestible, I keep up with everyone's schedules to optimize work efficiency” your voice began quivering as you got louder and more 

confident 

You give so much to this department just for Mindy to stab you in the back and say that you weren’t worth it?

“Well, since you do so much for this department,” she stands, walking toward you with several manilla folders in hand, “Why don’t you digitize these files for me? And maybe next time, I’ll think about giving you a reference.” she hands you the folders and walks back to her desk. 

When she notices you still haven’t left, she waves her hand at you. 

“Goodbye.”

You walk away defeated. 

What are you going to do?

***

It's the end of the day, and you’re working like a madman trying to digitize the files Mindy gave you. 

You thought you had time to complete them. Unfortunately, Mindy conveniently left out that some of them needed to be in the system before a specific deadline. 

So here you were, 8 pm, still trying to put all the information together and organize them accordingly, and you still had to be at work early the next day.

When you paused to read the time, you felt a stiffness in your throat, and your eyes began to water so much you could no longer see what was on your computer screen.

The despair became so overwhelming that you could no longer concentrate. You broke down at your desk, thanking the heavens that no one was there to see you be pathetic. 

You cried harder. 

You didn’t like your coworkers, they were always so mean and dismissive towards you, and Steve only worsened the situation. You just wanted to start over somewhere else, with a different group of people that didn’t know you. 

“Why are you crying?” you quickly look up, and there he stands, a frown on his face as if your crying had bothered him. 

You quickly wiped your tears, as best as you could, before getting up and attempting to run to the bathroom. However, Steve grabs your arm before you can get two steps out of your cubicle. 

“I’m talking to you,” he says, his voice firm and unwavering. 

You yank your arm from his grasp and find your way to the lady's room. 

The tears just won’t stop. They were relentless as you grabbed some paper towels and started running water. 

A loud thump startles you as you try to clear away the day's heartache. Of course, Steve is standing at the doorway, staring you down as if you’d just offended him. 

“What do you want?” you ask, not wanting to deal with whatever offensive joke he has ready to throw your way.

He doesn’t say anything initially, as if he were thinking it through. But with a raise of his eyebrows, he asks:

“What’s wrong?”

“Like you care,” you respond.

He walks up to you and slowly backs you into the corner of the sink, his usually cheerful presence becoming intimidating.

“Try me,” he says

His challenge confounded you. Thinking he wouldn’t care, in your vulnerable state, you share what happened, minus the part about wanting to get away from him. He does something unexpected and pulls you into a hug.

You’re shocked by the sentiment at first, but you find yourself cautiously relaxing in his arms. He pulls away and carefully tilts your head back to wipe the tears from your eyes and push your hair from your face. 

“That’s nothing to cry over, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to move around different departments,” he says 

It was oddly comforting, but something still felt off. 

It wasn’t till he pressed his lips against yours that you understood why. You tried to shove him off you, but he only seemed more determined as his tongue invaded your mouth. 

You bit his tongue and slapped him, desperately trying to gain some 

control of the situation. 

His face was perplexed. 

“Well, I didn’t expect that,” he says “looks like the kitty has some claws,”

He turned your body so that your back was facing him, and you felt his erection pushing up against your ass. 

“Do you feel that?” he asks. “That’s all you. It’s always been you,” he whispers the last part before nipping at the junction of your neck. 

He pulls your dress up, and you try to pull him off, but he grabs your neck and squeezes. 

“How about we behave like a good girl and put your hands on the sink?” he says, “Or I can choke you till you pass out and do as I please then.”

You do as he says 

“Good girl”

He pulls your panties down to your hips and moves his hand across your bottom, a deep groan filling his throat, satisfaction purring in his chest. 

You hear a zip and shuffling before you feel his cock pushing against the cleft of your ass. 

You couldn’t believe this was happening, a sob escaping from your chest. 

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, I don’t plan on going in tonight,” he pushes his member between the apex of your thighs so that it is snug between your lower lips. He groans again, moving his hands to your waist. You shivered at the contact his tip made with your love button, unsure of what his plan was.

He grips your waist, moving his cock back and forth between your lips, every movement dragging against your clit, causing a slickness to form and coat his manhood. When there was enough lubrication, he began picking up speed, moving faster, digging his nails into your hips. 

You’re driven over the edge when he pulls you closer to his chest, cupping your breasts in his hands. As your body slackens, his pace quickens, trying to meet his end. 

No more snide remarks or comforting words, just grunts and whimpers between you, racing to the finish line of ecstasy. 

When he finally does, he finishes over the crotch of your panties and pussy lips. He takes a moment to catch his breath, and when he pulls out, he lifts your cum covered panties over your ass. 

“Just a taste of what’s to come,” he says, gently caressing your crotch. He walks away, fixing his pants, and a chuckle leaves him as he exits the bathroom. 

What just happened?

[gemsofgreece]

In your experience, what is the general public opinion of LGBT people in Greece?

This is a difficult question and it is twice as hard for me in specific because I do not consider myself very suitable to talk about it.

My opinion, however, is that the perception of LGBT people in Greece is somewhat odd, conflicted - αλλοπρόσαλλη for Greek speakers, I am sorry I can't find an exact equivalent in English. In general, Greece has better views on LGBT matters than most of Eastern Europe and it is a little worse than most of Western Europe.

In terms of legality, Greece was the third European country to decriminalise homosexuality back in 1951 (after Italy and Switzerland), so this was surprisingly good. However it hasn't been very consistent with moving forward earlier than others. The biggest obstacle to this is the church, not the secular state itself, simply because the church has immense power over the secular state. LGBT marriages are not allowed in Greece because the huge majority of Greek marriages are religious and Orthodoxy still fiercely opposes to it. On the other hand, Greece recently allowed adoption and fostering of children by gay couples, so you see the conundrum. You can be a gay couple having children but you can't get married???? Also, you can adopt but apparently the Church loses its mind if you are gay and baptise your infant child (what does the infant have to do with anything????) so essentially the Church tries to block both you and the entirely blissfully ignorant kid to enter the faith. Does it make sense? Nope. I am hearing the political marriage is a matter of time though!

Society does better in accepting LGBT people than the family and the church. Most problems LGBT people have are from their immediate family, not from school or workplace as much. Personally I was fortunate to not have witnessed bullying to somebody because of their sexuality but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Most young people don't express their sexuality too openly until they go to college but they usually adapt well there. Young - even minors - and educated Greeks are way more accepting than middle aged ones. Of course, large cities are also much friendlier environments than villages and small towns where the kids certainly choose to stay closeted until they leave the aging provincial community. Still, with all the undoubtable problems, in my experience LGBT people have suffered more from their family and their life became easier once they left home. I personally know occasions of supportive parents (or parents who grew into being supportive because they loved their kids) but I also know about a pretty fucked up case.

This conundrum might be explained by the old as time Greek mentality "do whatever you want but don't let the people know" that applies to everything. Even several toxic people repeat that they don't care what somebody does in their bedroom but "they don't want them to shove it in their face". Of course, things like hand-holding or kissing is considered "shoving in face". Public displays of affection are rare and they might provoke sarcasm or odd looks but it is very unlikely that it will lead to violence. It has happened but it's not typical. (Having said that, excessive PDA is kinda generally frowned upon, even when it comes from heterosexual couples, but of course there is no comparison between the levels of tolerance.) Women generally have it better than men because simply female homosexuality is not considered as important (you know men, it's all about the dick).

LGBT celebrities are mostly open about it. There is never a BIG coming out like it happens in other countries. Usually people don't speak about their sexualities until at some point they do and it's pretty unceremonious and it's kinda like stating the obvious. We somehow all know who is LGBT and they know we know and then when they are like 60 years old they are like "yeah of course I am gay" and then we are all like "thanks, Captain Obvious". That's how it works. It's always dead obvious but it is rarely spoken about. Again, it's the whole "do but do not tell" thing.

Famous LGBT people's worth is valued by their work / art. Celebrities of questionable talent might receive jokes targeting their sexualities. Acclaimed celebrities, who also have a very serious / solemn / sophisticated attitude, are considered untouchables and enjoy a lot of respect. One example was Manos Hatzidakis, one of Greece's best composers ever, who was openly gay but also was a very serious and private person.

Trans and non-binary people have a bigger problem to be accepted or understood in Greece than cis- gendered LGBT people. Their adaptation to the society is significantly harder and many of them must be staying in the closet for life. They have more problems in school and definitely in the workplace. Despite that, there are trans or non-binary famous people that break the rules (including the "don't be in my face" one) and they are loved and respected all the same.

Two examples are Ilias Psinakis and Takis Zaharatos. Even many straightTM middle aged dudes love them. Psinakis had even become a politician and he was very popular in his municipality until a tragic wildfire happened but it wasn't his fault anyway. He lost popularity in politics after that but he is still huge in the "star system". Psinakis has an extremely vulgar sense of humour but he is so unapologetically his very bold self that most people respect him for it. Zaharatos is very private but has been a very talented mime and a drag queen for many decades, he is the first and still most famous Greek drag queen and everybody loves him including many of the straightest straights.

Ilias Psinakis. And then they say Finland has modern politicians. Gurl, please. I also added a photo of him young because important. 

Takis Zaharatos. 

So, did you make any sense with everything I told you because I frankly don’t. I just think it comes down to two facts: a) the fact that the Greek society is confused - it has very conservative influences but it also has very liberal influences and it desperately tries to balance between the two and b) that Greeks, even historically, care much more about what you appear to be than what you are. Even like 99% parents don’t care that their child is gay, they care what the town will say about their child being gay. 

I am sorry for potential inaccuracies and I welcome anyone to add on or offer a different perspective about this topic. 

[sevarix-blogs]

some personal stuff, a bit of a vent. rambling about my life. no need to read it's pretty long i just need to get my thoughts out.

i've been on a leave of absence from work for the past 5 months. before that my fatigue situation was affecting my ability to work, and my manager was being unkind about it, constantly telling me how much i sucked basically. it all came to a head when one day he flat out told me that i was 'slowing the team down' even after i explained to him how i was disabled. and i even had some accommodations at the time where i was working fewer hours BECAUSE of said disability. it frustrated me so much that i applied for the leave of absence. it also made me feel awful about myself. my confidence became -9000. i felt hopeless, like i'd get fired for being incompetent.

i finally go back to work next week and i'm terrified. i still have the fatigue (i believe i'm stuck with it forever) but i have a new medication that helps with it, and helps me focus more. and i got some news today that made me feel a bit better. while i was gone, they split my old team into 2, and i'm on the new team, which means i'll have a new manager.

i'm still terrified of getting fired. if things don't go so well even with the new manager i might try to find a different job. but i really want to make this one work. finding a new job is so painful and i don't think i have the skills anymore to succeed in an interview since i've been away so long. i just hope my current workplace can be accommodating to me and understanding about my disability. i hope they don't just lay me off or something now that i'm back. they hired new people while i was gone so i hope i didn't get essentially replaced.

it's just all so much. i just want to work my stupid 40 hours a week without stress. i want to feel competent. i want to feel like i'm capable of doing something. i want to feel like i'm useful and helpful. i want to feel like i'm at least decent at my profession. my old manager only ever told me what i was doing wrong, and never gave me any positive feedback. it really messed with my mind.

anyway. if you actually read all this. no need to worry about me. i'll get through it somehow.

[marumarielle]

‼️ anon

https://www.tumblr.com/marumarielle/739387418948550656/httpswwwtumblrcomchaisshitposts7339346172021

Continuing on this topic, what are ur opinions on when someone gets SA'd/assualted/abused when they're grown, like let's say when they're in their 20s or 30s or sum', would chai's belief still apply to this? It's smth I've been wondering for a while, cause like I get how impressionable the mind and the subconscious is when ure younger but what about when ure older? Would it mean u were somehow feeding ur subconscious those thoughts? And I'm talking about this in the situation where uve never been assaulted or abused before but then u suddenly do, i wonder how that'd work.

I also heavily agree with this:

some of us are not born in circumstances that are meant to build a healthy childhood, and with that in mind, some of us are bound to have horrid experiences and life lessons placed on our young, moldable minds. that's not anyone's fault, it is not and never will be your fault. always remember that whenever thinking about the law in correspondence to your childhood and other unfavorable times in your life.

Because I believe that it is VERY important to keep this in mind as to not lead to self blaming.

I think that the community has a massive problem with victim blaming and solipsism (on a lesser note) bc some of y'all sound so incredibly egotistical and narcissistic when it comes to the law and eiypo talking about how u can just "delete" someone from reality if they do smth u don't like/agree with like blud......

Honestly when I enter the void and manifest a good belief and knowing the truth about how everything works I doubt that I'll believe in the law as much as I currently do.

(Sorry if I've been sending too many asks. I've been giving the opportunity to express my opinions and beliefs in the law in such an accepting space and am getting talkative, lol)

(Who knows maybe I'll even dm u on my account so we can talk with eachother privately)

I spent a while thinking about this, not just because it's a sensitive topic but also because I didn't want this post to be taken as victim-blaming or any of that sort. It's not that it's part of my answer, I'm meaning to say that traumatic experiences aren't your fault, especially S.A, assault, and abuse.

I know that there have been loassumption bloggers (not just bloggers but on YT as well) that blame victims for their abuser's actions just because of EIYPO but I found an answer that doesn't take this route. And to me, this answer makes more sense.

CW: There will be a lot of mentions about the 3 words above so if you feel like you can't digest such a deep dive into a sensitive topic you feel triggered by, I suggest you pass by this post and take a breather. You'll be all right &lt;3

reminder: this is my take on this, feel free to correct me constructively. This also felt more of a ramble so this may seem incoherent to some.

Hello ‼️ anon! To answer your question, yes, I do think that chai's belief still applies but in a different way. My main 2 theories include thought patterns and programming.

~~~ I forgot the exact saying so I'll just describe them to you. You know those things people say a lot as a precaution? Well, at least how I view it. Like, For how others would say you can't trust any men, always be careful when passing by a certain street, always bring pepper spray, etc.

I feel like that would tie into chai's belief. It's like your surroundings programming your subconscious about the said things. And those sayings would fruit into bigger things and into different categories of beliefs about people, your household, your workplace, etc.

Such as "Wo/Men are mean" -> "Wo/Men cannot be trusted" -> "Wo/Men just always break my heart every time..." -> "Wo/Men are cruel and only use you..." all of that.

You see the thought pattern?

Now, the question is: "Was this all your doing?" The simple answer is no. As Chai has said before, these are things forcefully manifested to you by your environment. It wasn't you feeding those things to your mind, it was your environment that programmed your subconscious how to view your world. But how? Danger has always been there, bad things has always been there, it all existed there. It may have been programmed to you in a way that you feel so close to it/more possible for it to happen to you. (in my exp!! emphasis on my experience!!)

"like let's say when they're in their 20s or 30s or sum',.... And I'm talking about this in the situation where uve never been assaulted or abused before but then u suddenly do, i wonder how that'd work."

Oh-kay, let's say for the sake of your question, the assault suddenly happens, I'm going back to the whole "if you don't have an assumption about someone you don't know, eiypo does not apply." And to the "simple thoughts fruit into bigger things into different categories." As for the abuser part, I still feel like I don't have a good answer for that, theoretical or not. So, I'd rather not share it since I am still thinking deeply about it while considering various factors.

★ ending note Chai's beliefs still applies to this in the approach of thought programming and patterns. It is ONCE AGAIN, important to note that YOU did NOT manifest these unfavorable situations/circumstances. These beliefs, programming, and thought patterns, DIDN'T START WITH YOU. It was either your environment or merely the free will of the people that they shouldn't abuse. It's not your fault, and it never will be.

Honestly when I enter the void and manifest a good belief and knowing the truth about how everything works I doubt that I'll believe in the law as much as I currently do.

That honestly sounds so interesting! If you don't mind, I'd like it if you expand on this because this just turns up curiosity level to a high level. :DD

[darthdidi]

Across the stars [REYLO]

pairing : rey x ben solo plot : AU where Rey is a NASA astrophysician that manages their social media and Ben is a physicist who sends her the photos to post and whose lengthy scientific captions she ignores in favour of writing her own. It drives him crazy. warning : none (except my poor english) words count : 1159 words

GIF by @ msuolo on tumblr

Summary : After completing her master's degree in astrophysics and space engineering, Rey is denied a top job at NASA because she is one of the only women to apply. Considered too "incompetent", she is then relegated to an uninteresting position. Ben, meanwhile, has been working as a physicist for a few years. He follows in the footsteps of his uncle, Luke Skywalker, for whom he has great respect. They don't know each other yet, but a shocking element could bring them closer... or push them even further apart.

Rey had the habit of arriving right on time for work, but that morning things didn't go as planned. Her car, which was more of a wreck, broke down before reaching Pasadena, and she had to wait for hours for the tow truck. Already running late, her friend Rose had asked two of her coworkers to pick her up along the way.

The first four notes of "Come As You Are" echoed in the car. Rey couldn't resist mimicking the guitar, but she stopped immediately when she noticed Hux giving her a strange look. She pretended to look away, taking the opportunity to admire the landscape.

"The valley is very dry these days," she said, feeling awkward in the heavy silence.

"I hadn't noticed until you mentioned it," replied Hux, glancing briefly at the landscape before focusing on his computer again.

"If you paid more attention to your surroundings, you would have noticed."

Hux sighed and closed his laptop abruptly. He removed his glasses and delicately cleaned them.

"I'm an astrophysicist. My head is in the stars. I certainly don't have time to worry about what's happening down here."

At the wheel, Ben cleared his throat, somewhat uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was taking. Rey, however, was not ready to let it go so easily. Hux had been condescending, and she intended to put him in his place.

"You must first understand the world we live in before understanding the world we seek to explore."

"If it's so easy for you to say, why don't you do it?"

"I..." Rey was about to say.

Ben slammed the brakes, stopping in the middle of the road. The 4x4 behind him, almost colliding, started honking persistently.

"She's right, Hux. Now can we get to work without further interruptions?"

The two young people remained silent, pretending they hadn't done anything. The thirty minutes that followed this discussion were again very quiet, with only the sound of Hux's keyboard.

Once they finally arrived at their workplace, Rey thanked Ben politely and gave a polite look to Hux before walking away. In the distance, she saw her friend Rose waving her arms in all directions, waiting for her for a good quarter of an hour.

"So, they didn't mistreat you too much ?" Rose asked as they headed to their offices.

Rey sighed.

"Ben was somehow very polite and decent with me, but I can't say the same for Hux..."

"Armitage is always a bit peculiar with people when he meets them for the first time... He may seem condescending, but he has a good heart."

"He hides it very well, then!"

Rose burst into laughter and shook her head. She settled into her seat, organising the papers on her desk. Rey put her things aside and tossed all the papers on her desk. She saw various photos and documents that other NASA colleagues had given her.

There was a picture of a galaxy that Ben had placed on her desk the day before, two long texts to send to journals written by Hux, and a welcome note from someone named Finn.

"Who's Finn?" Rey asked curiously.

A door opened, and Rose nodded toward someone.

"What timing! I'm Finn. Rose has talked a lot about you! You've been transferred here recently, correct ?"

Rose rolled her eyes.

"Calm down, Finn. She just arrived, and you're already harassing her."

"It's my welcome committee. To make her feel at ease, it's not with your mood swings that she's going to feel o-..."

Someone else knocked on the door. All heads turned, and they were stunned to see Ben Solo in their office.

"I'm here to drop off a new file. You should get ahead with your work, miss Rey."

He looked at her for a moment and then left without saying anything. Finn and Rose exchanged shocked looks.

"He had never been here before, am I right ? He used to look down on us and ask his assistants to drop off the documents!" Rose reminded Finn.

"I remember very well, and it's the same guy who showed up in our office today, but what has changed?..."

They both turned to Rey, who was reading the documents. She furrowed her brow and sighed.

"Don't even think about it. I find him just as unpleasant as Hux, in the end," she said, reading the end of the note he had written.

Rose took the paper from her hands, with Finn peering over her shoulder.

"Taken from the Hubble Space Telescope by NASA/ESA, this galaxy is called NGC 4535," there's nothing alarming in this note, what bothers you about it, Rey?" Finn asked.

"Read the last sentence," she replied.

Rose continued and stopped before reading the last words out loud.

"Don't you dare change the words of the description of galaxy NGC 4535 that I just gave you. I've heard that you're frivolous, so you should take your job seriously if you don't want to lose it on your first day."

Rey snatched the paper from her hands, crumpled it, and threw it in the trash.

"He wants the job done ? No problem! It'll be done, but in my way."

She sat down forcefully in her chair and took out her laptop.

Rose and Finn exchanged a worried look.

"Rey, are you sure that it's a good idea-..."

"Best idea I've ever had !"

She typed a few words on her keyboard at a frantic pace, and at that moment, they understood that it was better not to piss her off.

"We need to make people want to read our article. Does he really think that if I write NGC 4535, people will flock to buy that damn newspaper? Of course not. We need to make them want to read, a catchy title... hm, for example..."

Rey thought for a moment. Rose watched her in amazement, and Finn moved away slowly.

"EUREKA !"

The young woman continued to type on her keyboard and showed them the final result. Rose's stunned expression had turned into pride, and Finn's apprehension turned into confidence in his new colleague's work. They admired the poster that Rey had just created for a moment before finally deciding to print it and eventually feature it in scientific articles and magazines.

"Ben will surely be furious."

"I'm actually waiting for him. I wrote what he wanted me to write, and I added a bit of my 'frivolity,' that's all."

She sent an e-mail to her publishers, attaching her freshly new article and turned back to face her coworkers.

Her friends glanced at her and smiled.

The next morning, on his way to work, Ben received a message from his friend and colleague Armitage. He was surprised since he only received texts during his working hours.

He sighed and pulled his phone reluctantly from his pocket, slowly reading the text he had sent him.

This new girl completely messed up the article, OUR WORK ! he wrote.

Ben frowned and immediately went to the nearest paper shop. He rushed to the space section and immediately grabbed the brand new edition of the Cosmic Chronicles. Hux was right : It was his research with her words. He skimmed the whole article and shifted his attention to its title :

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

[violettea]

My workplace is fucking sinking and I have no idea what to do. Like it's been coming, I know it has been for a while now, so I've just been cruising because I have job security here and get paid well. But now it's at the point where I need to start looking for a new job and I just...can't. Like I always feel so overwhelmed immediately and my confidence is shit so I don't apply for places that I think may not want me, which is most places. All of my experience is in customer service and I don't want to do that anymore, so it leaves me with either being stuck in another customer service job or needing to go back to school, which I cannot afford.

I have 0 idea what I want to do. Everything I read up sounds fucking awful. I want something with flexible hours so I can keep coaching because I love my students, but it's so hard to find something with those. I just feel so fucking stuck and the fact that I'm gonna be 30 this year is constantly in the back of my mind like "good fucking job being in this situation, which is essentially the same one you've been in since you were 16, now at 30." Like everything just feels so hopeless and I just want to fucking die rather than live in this capitalist hellscape any longer.

I can't tell if I'm legitimately traumatized from this job or if I'm just making excuses for myself. I've been complaining about this job for so long and people have tried to help and I've been too afraid of being in a worse position than I am rn (because every time I HAVE tried to leave I did somehow find something worse) that I've never acted on it, so I know all my friends are tired of hearing about it and I can't ask them for help after blowing them off so much. I'm just so fucking miserable because of my work situation and ONLY because of it. If I didn't work I'd be happy as a clam tbh but nope. I'm just tired of everything

[mcrmadness]

I can feel it, the spring is here. At least in the amount of light if not weather-wise, but I have: washed my dishes and baked pizza THREE TIMES withing 2-3 weeks now which is crazy.

Also I'm getting very impatient because I applied to this one school in my city and they start with the interviews next week but I haven't heard anything from them yet. I'm impatient because I checked their website and there is also possibility for studying abroad, from 1 to 6 months at a time and I'm getting overly excited because I want. Like, I wanna at least KNOW if that is something I could be doing. I'm getting frustrated sitting here not knowing when will I have the interview cos apparently they will interview everyone who has applied to that... that... how do you call that? A study programme? The school talks about a study programme as well as vocational qualifications.

Every time I go to the website, I also see the word for... idk, "dual qualification" which probably means nothing in English but in Finland it means both a vocational school and a upper secondary school. Aka not only getting vocational qualification but also becoming an undergraduate. Which, basically, is not even anything I would NEED but somehow I like achieving and studying yet hate schools, but for some reason I'm again thinking it could be fun to study some extra too. I don't know why I'm again so drawn to this idea when I know I also burn out very easily and have ADHD. Okay maybe that latter is exactly why. Every idea looks so good on paper.

Anyhow now kinda feeling like eating my homemade pizza <3 and googling stuff in case my city would have any companies offering work training in the media field in case I should try that out here first before looking into this more. I mean, I guess I should first figure out if I'd be able to function in a workplace setting before I start looking for a work training place from another country.

At the same time I think I'm gonna have migraine because today I also had a minor existential crisis peeking in that told me I should abandon all my existing friends and get over them and start a new life elsewhere. But I don't think that's what I want to do, so maybe my brain should just calm down a bit. I'm anyway getting two packages in the mail hopefully tomorrow (Rammstein's Zeit, die ärzte's Die Bestie vinyl and Dunkel single) so I think I should channel my energy on those instead. And for whatever I said there above.

[snowdust64]

Ouma Great War Chronicles - Episode 3: Aren't There More Important Things for Us to Do?

Narrator:  Nagao, ordered by the bureau to subdue the maddened demons and clarify the cause, requested the collaboration of Kaida and Genzuki, and the three of them began their investigations. In the midst of this, at Genzuki’s department, a man by the name of Nikaido Shuugetsu arrived on promotion.

title screen

Nikaido:  I’m Nikaido Shuugetsu. Remember it well, you bunch of imbeciles.

Genzuki:  (Uwah… He’s the kind of person who says outrageous things out of the blue…) Nice to meet you, Nikaido-kun. I’m ─

Nikaido:  Genzuki Toujirou, is it? I’ve heard rumors about you. Apparently you’re quite accomplished.

Genzuki:  I’m honored. But, I often hear that you’re far more accomplished than me. Even while you were attending exorcism school, the bureau was reaching out to you about working as a government official. That alone is already amazing, but you also voluntarily applied for duty in the outskirts. In the outskirts, demons are encountered more frequently, and there are more places where the gods can’t be called upon. I hear it’s quite challenging.

Nikaido:  It was a suitable place to polish my skills. Always better than languishing in the tepid waters of the imperial capital and turning incompetent.

Genzuki:  Ah, ummm… (Mm, he’s a bit overpowering of a character. I feel like turning incompetent is not so much an issue of location as a problem with the individual…) (But I guess it’s not wise to reply with something off-putting and create an awkward atmosphere from the first day. Make peace here, for the sake of a good relationship.)

Genzuki: Ahaha… Well, out pasts and our ways of thinking may be different, but starting today we’re colleagues at the same workplace. Let’s combine our strengths and support each other from now on.

sfx:  fabric rustling

Nikaido:  … and that hand is?

Genzuki:  Eh…?

Nikaido:  If you mean to shake my hand, I decline. Before deepening friendships and so on, aren’t there more important things for us to do?

Genzuki:  … I see. Okay, in that case, how about introducing you to the workplace first. Not knowing the demands will hinder carrying out the missions, after all.

pan across room

Genzuki: The workspace I usually use is this tatami room. From preparing materials to taking care of administrative details, I do all the basics here. Each officer is assigned one room, so eventually there should be one prepared for you as well. Some people will change it up by their personal preferences, but since these are bureau property, it’s not many of us.

Nikaido:  Hm.

Genzuki:  As for the materials used in our work, the basics are all stored in these boxes.

sfx:  sliding

Genzuki:  … oof. Heavy as always. Our work is mainly to converse and negotiate with the gods. This mirror, this miniature shrine, and so on, are the various things used to receive divine revelations. With divine revelations, we can help resolve incidents, and sometimes we also coordinate the bureau’s personnel placement.

Nikaido:  That much I know even without you explaining. There are gods in the outskirts too. I also have plenty of experience conversing with gods.

Genzuki:  I see. However, I believe there are differences in their demands. I don’t mean to look down on the outskirts at all, but the gods of the imperial capital are simply very powerful. The gods in the outskirts can’t compare.

Nikaido:  … So that’s how it is. People who have racked up achievements in the imperial are on a whole different level, as expected.

Genzuki:  (Somehow, this is a little tiring… I’d heard he was very accomplished, but he had this type of personality, huh…)

on screen: talisman

Genzuki:  Ah, the communication talisman… Sorry, just a moment. Yes, this is Genzuki.

Kaida:  Otsukare-sama.* Is now okay?

Genzuki:  Otsukare-sama. Yeah, it’s okay. (On the contrary, I’m saved.) Could it be you’ve made headway on the matter from before?

Kaida:  Exactly. To cut to the chase, there’s a possibility that those guys were artificially changed into their maddened state by a third party.

Genzuki:  What do you mean?

scene flashback

Kaida:  Nagao collected a demon for me, but at that time, he also brought a mysterious box-shaped contraption. Apparently, the same contraption has been reported to be placed at all the same locations where demons are going mad. The results of my analysis show it’s a contraption that produces a special sound that drives demons mad. I’ve named them… Treasure Chests of Lunacy. **

Genzuki:  Ah, I see… That’s a cool name.

Kaida:  Right ~ ?

Genzuki:  Um, so these, Treasure Chests of Lunacy? are used for…

Kaida:  Who knows? I haven’t figured out that part yet. It would be the most efficient to ask the person who made them in the first place.

Genzuki:  I see what you mean. In other words, if we can know where the next Treasure Chest of Lunacy is going to be set up…

Kaida:  Mn, we can stop the demons from going mad before and trouble begins, and if luck is on our side, we could catch the culprit.

Genzuki:  Understood. After this, I’ll go to the place of the gods and listen to what they have to say. I’ll share the outcome with you later.

Kaida:  Thanks in advance.

Genzuki:  Sorry for the wait. There was a bit of an urgent matter. Where was I in explaining?

Nikaido:  I more or less understand the circumstances.

Genzuki:  Eh?

Nikaido:  Take me with you to the place of the gods.

==========

Translation notes

*   ‘otsukare-sama’ is one of the common phrases I may sometimes leave alone rather than wrangling into English; please look it up if you have not done so before.

**  The pun in this name is substitution of 気 in the word 狂気 (kyouki) (lunacy/insanity/etc.) to get 狂鬼 – read the same way, but now it includes the kanji for ‘demon.’ I considered the alternate translation of Demoniacal Treasure Chest, but it doesn’t roll off the tongue very well, does it…

Despite this being his first day with the department, Nikaido is using informal speech with his senior colleagues. In the next episode, which continues the plot within same day, he addresses Genzuki as omae. Very impolite for his position as a newcomer.

[icecream-edsoloud]

DAY 354

i wasn't aware that i was going to be unavailable for other activities besides work during my one week ordeal prior to leaving for Baguio.

to expand this thing above, let me take you back to the early months of 2023, when a certain girl contacted me for taking up her place as a reliever at her workplace (where I occasionally have may part time work when I can, but now is under my never-to-do-list-again which i will tell you in a different story). I, the strong girl that I think I am, took the chance of making extra cash for the purpose above-mentioned. we talked about the schedule but somehow got lost in translation for I also have some agendas on her proposed dates. she was the one stepping aside, changing the dates that should be convenient for me. i appreciated that.

we ended up with the dates August 3 to 10, 8am to 5pm. i also asked some of my fulltime workmates if they were willing to do some part time work and all of them said yes. i took the liberty to write their names on my planner, on what day they're scheduled to go in, and also gave them to the girl. i may not know what i was trying to get myself into at that very moment. i thought "meh what could go wrong". in contradiction to this thought, i prepared a back up plan. if in any case they weren't available on that day, i will take over their shoes. so I asked for my schedule on that cut off to be all night duty at my full time workplace. just.in.case.

august came and the first day was okay. my night shift starts at 7pm and ends at 7am the next day. i did tell them that i will be going to be late for I may need more than an hour to prepare. i got there and everything went smooth. 5pm came and it was my cue to go home, rest for an hour, then prepare for my night shift.

here is where things get a little interesting, or disturbing. certain happenings let my workmates stray from our original plan. hey, i cant just abandon the girl who moved her vacation leave so many times. so there I was, accepting the challenge of another 24 hour duty. you do the math, because this roll continued for another 3 days.

i only got my break when sunday came. but i still had my full time shift, mind you.

then there i was again, 24 hrs of mixed impetus in life for 3 more days. this was the time i questioned myself, and other people. how the hell did they manage this kind of set up???? i mean i can do it, i did it, but how the hell did i????????? that's my question. because thinking back now, i might've enjoyed it but the strength that i had, i wasn't sure of it, of how long it was going to last.

in case you got curious why i wasnt able to take a whole day off, my answer is because I pooled all of my day offs at the end of the cut off. why? baguio baby. hahahahahaha have you connected it all together?

dont judge me just yet. if i can recall correctly, this was the outline of how this happened to me::

• i told the girl i can do august 3 - 10 (may)

• i went to manila // bulacan for a concert (june)

----- mama wanted to travel too

----- mama wanted to celebrate her bday at a different place

I THOUGHT, BAGUIO.

her birthday is at august 14.

• i booked the plane tickets to manila (july eleven)

• i went to batangas for a wedding (end of july)

then it was august. i guess taylor and i have different insights with August. august was all mine.

you reap what you sow, they say. i think this applied to me in a very positive way. i didnt get sick, i did my job pretty well in both facilities (almost, told you there's a story behind this), and i got extra cash.

WE FURTHERMORE ENJOYED BAGUIO. IN ALL ITS GLORY. I KNOW I DID. I APPRECIATED IT MORE NOW THAN WHEN I WAS A LITTLE KID.

DYK THAT WHEN WE ARRIVED, THE RAIN STOPPED? A TRIVIA MY OLD FRIEND TOLD ME. I HONESTLY NEVER THOUGHT WE'D SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN. i traced my old photos and found a photo of us at SM Baguio with a note at the back. will let you see it soon. i just have to have our new photo developed so i can put them side by side.

so there you have it. you don't know how happy i am right now for finishing this one 20 days before the year ends. (((special thanks to leiza for giving me a day off (the second one next to my sunday off)))

[myanxietyhasanxiety]

I'm well aware nobody is going to even see this probably with how buried my blog is but it's a last ditch attempt. I've been homeless for months(hence the dead blog lately, further explanation below cutoff) and it's getting increasingly harder and harder to be able to do basic things, like even just getting my hands on safe drinking water and food.

My cash app is: $Maxierenee04

Full explanation below cutoff and any further situational questions will be answered in comments. Im not outwardly asking anyone to help but if anyone is in a situation where it wouldn't be a financial strain even just a dollar helps since I can atleast get a cup of water from McDonald's and an instant ramen.

Thank you so much to anyone able and willing to help, even just a reblog helps honestly

The situation details:

I was fired suddenly from my job with no warnings no reasoning and no explanation while my boss was aware of my situation and that all of my meals and water was coming from my workplace(*WITH PERMISSION*) and as soon as I was fired did a price increase where I can't even afford the water anymore because they charge customers for just a frickin water now!

I moved out of my mom's house about 6 7 months ago because it was full of people I didn't know and couldn't even be in my own room without panicking. But things fell off with my ex and I had to move in with a friend. Eventually me and that friend got close and were couch surfing for basically the entire summer and now that it hit the colder seasons we can't do that anymore so we caved about a month ago and went back to my mom's house, but this is not a safe or okay environment for any human being. Every time I bring food into the house if it's not kept in our room it's gone in an hour, be it eaten by someone else, thrown on a wall, or just the fridge being left open by somebody. but it's not safe to keep food in our room because while I was gone someone stayed in here and caused an ant infestation. Me and my boyfriend are the only ones extremely underweight in this house(for ref I'm 5'6 and less than 110 and usually sit around 130-150, and he's almost 6' and is around 130 rn) and I can't keep loosing weight being uninsured. My mom keeps saying she's going to help me sign up for link and insurance "tomorrow" but I've been staying here for a month now and tomorrow never comes and I legitimately don't know what I'm doing or how to do any of this. I was homeless straight out of graduating and was never taught how to cook, how to apply for jobs, how to do anything relating to being an adult basically and she's expecting me to have it all figured out already.

I'm well aware I didn't help my situation leaving home in the first place, however coming back was a worse decision somehow.

I don't know what I'm expecting of this. I'm just loosing all hope at this point for any "better life" everyone keeps telling me is "just ahead". If it was just me in this situation I wouldn't care but my boyfriend is stuck here too with me and I can't keep taking his money to eat because than he doesn't eat. No jobs will pick me up because I have disabilities and need accommodations. Im honestly completely lost rn and just don't know what to do or how to do anything myself.

[yourmoonmomma]

Hello sweet soul Alex!! How are you?? How are you these days?? Please take care of yourself hun!

Well I hope I don't bother but I need your advices or your help somehow I feel like I'm on dilemma idk what to do anymore:(

So I wanted to ask some questions!

1st question: Should I leave my job I'm currently working??

2nd: what should I say to my boss after doing this??

3: will be able to find another job and what kind of job??

4: what does my ancestors want me to do on this situation??

(I'm sorry for all this I'm so desperated and lost and feel bad about my boss too:(()

Thank you so much for everything Alex! 🤍

Hi lovely! I'm okay, how are you? Been feeling a bit under the weather, but it will pass <3

You are never a bother, I promise <3

Yes.

Four of Wands - Tell them that you were offered something better, and that it is nothing personal, and how much you enjoyed your time working there.

The High Priestess - Yes, you will. A teacher, librarian, collector, antiquarian, or historian.

Queen of Swords - To take the lessons you've learned from this job, and apply them in the next. To have faith in your own strength and knowledge. To understand you deserve a better workplace. And to understand that grief is normal when leaving a job.

You're very welcome!