#together to share those experiences as different or similar as they might be and build something good out of it

[tornadodyke]

hm. has anyone else noticed the sudden rise of hive mind thinking and complete and utter emphasis on the idea that nothing matters except community and that individualism is a plague to society. there’s something about it that just doesn’t sit right with me

[botanicalsword]

Solar Returns Chart • relationship observations over past years

Sun in 6H - I had a highly disciplined lifestyle, strictly following a challenging diet and workout schedule. I was completely committed to their health and fitness goals and followed a meticulously crafted plan with dedication. I have set a fitness goal for myself, aiming to improve my physique and strength through training. I am determined to reach this goal, and I am willing to explore and employ various methods to achieve it. It was executed with unwavering discipline and intensity.

>> Other Solar Returns placement ⇦⇦

Venus in 7H - I feel incredibly grateful to have found myself in a new community where I have had the opportunity to meet new friends. The connections I have formed with these individuals are important to me, we primarily gather within a larger group setting and the level of compatibility and harmony we share greatly depends on the synastry between us.

8th House ruler in 2H -I had a strong desire to earn money and have been actively involved in running my own business.

Moon conjunct MC - Towards the end of the year, I had a sudden realization that I could put my talents to good use by embarking on some charity-focused projects. It struck me that instead of solely focusing on making money, I could leverage my skills and resources to make a positive impact on the community.

Venus conjunct Juno in 7H - I think I have encountered a person who has the potential to be both a romantic partner and a close friend. In our synastry, it indicates a harmonious connection between us. But there are challenges related to being vulnerability and publicity of our relationship, likely because of the influence of the 8th house and Lilith synastry.

>> explicit: Solar Returns • placement about love ♡̆̈♥♡̆̈♥

Moon square Juno - Marriage can make me question what it means to me and how it might affect my life's purpose. I was worrying that getting married may limit my freedom and hinder personal goals.

6H and 7H ruler in 9H - I enrolled in a course that not only provided me with valuable knowledge but also allowed me to form connections with like-minded individuals who shared similar interests and a desire for personal growth. Through this course, I had the opportunity to expand my community and make friends who were also passionate about acquiring greater knowledge. I also had the chance to travel to a new place that provided an enhanced learning experience, taking my pursuit of knowledge to the next level.

11H ruler in 6H - I have noticed that my friend's presence has had a big impact on our community - we shared 6H synastry. Thanks to our strong 6H synastry, he introduced me to this group of people, and though without him, we actually are not close-knit. He played a key role in bringing us together and creating a sense of camaraderie among us.

Chart ruler is Venus - This year, my main focus is on developing my personal value and refining my aesthetic taste. I am open to making changes in my style and appearance that may differ from what I've done in the past. I believe it's important to align my style choices with the image I want to present to the world. It’s also the possibility of starting a new relationship with a new romantic partner.

Chart ruler in 7H - this places a strong emphasis on building meaningful 1-on-1 relationships and fostering genuine friendships. Despite experiencing betrayal in the past, which has left me carrying a certain level of distrust towards others, I deeply cherish the connections I have made with each of them. This past betrayal has taught me the value of appreciating the genuine relationships in my life. I’m also recognizing the importance of opening myself up to new connections and allowing myself to appreciate the authenticity and sincerity of those who have proven themselves trustworthy.

Vertex in 9H - I feel a strong connection to nature and spirituality, and I have a desire to learn more about philosophical truths. It helps me think and understand myself better.

Uranus in 7H - I'm having trouble building the kind of relationship I want with the person I'm interested in. It's more than just a sexual or friendly relationship, but it doesn’t seem to head in the right direction.

8H & 12H ruler in 7H - I developed feelings for my friend, but I couldn't confide in anyone about it because I lacked trust in anyone with whom I could share this deep affection.

Moon conjunct Neptune / 8H ruler Neptune in 8H - I ended up in this totally forbidden relationship, and I had no clue about all the messed-up stuff going on. It was a crazy mix of getting physical, constant lying, tangled finances, other people meddling, a secret love affair.

Neptune in 5H - I'm trying to determine whether my feelings are genuine love or if they stem from an obsession, and I'm contemplating whether these emotions might be a delusion. (I’m Neptune dominance in Natal Chart) It seems that I am more captivated by the concept of love itself rather than the specific person I have feelings for. Even when we are apart, I don't experience a strong sense of longing or missing them. My focus seems to be more on the idea and idealization of love rather than the individual involved.

Venus conjunct Uranus - As the year comes to a close, I am bursting with new and artistic ideas. I am ready to take daring risks to explore and bring these ideas to fruition. I'm excited to step outside my comfort zone and see where these ventures lead me. >> Astrology Transits of New changes ☆★☆

❥❥❥ More: >> Solar Returns • Sun placement • Part I >> Solar Returns • Sun placement • Part II

❥❥❥

>> Back to Masterlist ✧ Explicit Content

Quick Access to : ❥ Astro / Asteroid Indicators ❥ Synastry / Composite Chart Observations ❥ House Stellium Observations ❥ Astro basic info / Brief reads ❥ Asteroid database ❥ Personal studies ✧ spiritual journal

Exclusive access : Patreon

/ instagram : @le.sinex / @botanicalsword

[misseviehyde]

THE RILEY EXPERIMENT

(Based on ip that Mana Omega kindly has allowed me to use.)

Riley Green wished his Dad had never remarried. It wasn't that he disliked his step-mom Rachel Grey, it was her bitchy daughter Riley that made his life feel like hell. Thanks to the marriage, they were now two teens exactly the same age, in the same class at school and now even living together in the same house.

But despite those superficial similarities, they couldn't be two more different people.

Firstly; it was incredibly annoying having the same name as your step-sister. Packages were constantly arriving at the house for the female Riley and if male Riley forgot to check the label properly, he'd often find himself holding a bra or a sexy tight fitting bodystocking from Shein or Pretty Little Thing.

Much to his embarrassment, Riley had found himself keeping one of the bras. It was a 34D leopard skin print bra. He would sometimes jerk off whilst wearing it; not really sure why he found the thought of having Riley's big tits on his chest such a fucking turn on; but doing it anyway. He was definitely NOT gay, but there was something going on there that made him hard. He knew it was wrong to steal underwear, but somehow it just felt so good. Riley never commented on the bra going missing, maybe she thought it had gotten lost in the post.

After all, she wasn't very careful with money. Riley seemed to have a unlimited spend amount on her credit-card and was constantly buying new clothes to keep up with the popular girl fashions. She was basically a spoiled brat. If Mommy wouldn't buy it for her, she'd usually find some guy to give her what she wanted.

Riley was into social media and seemed to spend more time building up followers on Insta or Tiktok then doing anything useful with her life. Riley didn't think his step-sister was shallow, he knew she was. She seemed to date a new guy every week and as far as Riley could tell she was definitely sexually active. Sometimes he'd hear... noises from her room. Noises that made him really horny.

One night he'd heard a sexy low buzzing from her room. He'd lain propped up against the wall, his stolen bra stuffed with socks as he listened to his step-sister groan and moan and he jerked his cock to the sounds of her pleasure. She was obviously using a vibrator or magic wand and he wondered if one of the packages that had passed through his hands had actually been a sex-toy. It made him wish he had accidentally opened THAT package.

"Ohhhh fuck yeahhhh I'm soooo fucking wet, mmmmmmhhhh..."

He had cum so hard that night.

The thought of what he might do with a dildo or butt-plug made him blush. No... he was definitely straight, these were just some weird ideas he was sometimes having. It was all the fault of having such a slutty step-sister.

Indeed, the main problem with living with her was that Riley was so fucking hot. She had a big round bubble-butt, large firm breasts and a gorgeous face. She looked good in everything and she had the spoiled, knowing, mean girl bimbo look that made boys weak. She always wore the sexiest outfits, had long sexy nails and was the purist vision of toxic femininity possible. She loved to tease Riley, manipulate and use him. She seemed to get off on the power she had over him.

In fact - in order to differentiate between them, Riley had popularised the use of his hated nickname Ry. Now nearly everyone called him Ry and it sucked.

The two of them couldn't be more unalike. Riley was popular, hot, pretty and sexually confident - Ry was dorky, nervous, unconfident and a virgin.

About the only advantage Ry had over Riley was that he was smart. A lot smarter. In fact he was a bit of a genius. Riley had used that to her advantage though, swiftly learning that now they shared a house it was pretty easy to copy Ry's homework and manipulate him into helping her grades improve.

"Ohhh you're such a good step-brother," she'd purr as she got another A- on a paper. "Hey, did I mention I have some new social media photos I'd like you to 'examine' for me. Let me air-drop them to your phone.'

Riley had learned that if she provided images of herself, her step-brother would do whatever she wanted. He was addicted to her beauty and femininity - whilst she found his intelligence useful.

Getting her brother to cheat for her had paid dividends. In fact Riley's grades had improved SO much as a result of her using her step-brother, her Mom had promised she could go to a music festival with her slutty friends, provided she passed the final test.

The final test.

There would be no way to cheat on that. Riley's frustrations were evident. Her Step-Bro couldn't exactly sit the test for her and she wasn't smart enough to pass without cheating.

"Listen babe, you need to find a way to help me pass that test. I need to go to that music festival with my girlies. Find a way to make me smarter or something. Just imagine how hot I'll look in all the pictures I can send you."

Ry scratched his head. What was he supposed to do? You couldn't exactly make another person... smarter in under a week, could you?

Hmmmm, that jogged a strange memory. About a year ago, Ry had been following an interesting online science blog from a girl in another town. Laura Sims was another science prodigy (who he'd actually had a bit of a crush on). One day she'd just stopped posting, but he remembered her putting up some interesting ideas for a hi tech Crispr solution. The idea was the solution would eradicate genetic weaknesses in whoever drank it by taking the strengths from someone else's DNA.

It took a bit of searching - strangely Laura Sims no longer seemed to have much of an online presence. He found some information for a Laura Richie - some bitch from the same town who appeared to be living a life of decadence - but eventually succeeded in using the internet archives to find the page instead.

Laura had luckily uploaded her formula, hoping to 'open source' test it. He wondered why she'd taken everything down?

It didn't take long to create the formula. The advice from Laura was to try it before bed to give it time to activate. The main changes would come the day after. Riley looked on doubtfully as Ry took one of his head hairs and put it into the liquid. He gave it to her to drink. "This will give you my intelligence and smarts."

"Okay - if you're sure. I'll try anything to get to that festival."

Riley drank. "Ughhh, it tastes sour. Okay, let's hope this works. I'll go and start revising - maybe I'll get some early gains."

She left the room. As she did so, Ry noticed one of her long sexy head hairs had come free and was just lying there on the table. A terrible temptation overcame him. What if? What if he used the solution too? It wouldn't make him smart, but maybe it would make him more attractive and confident.

Feeling a little guilty, he dissolved the hair and drank the solution. It tasted sweet and his skin tingled, but nothing else seemed to happen. Weird... Riley had said it was sour.

Inside their bodies, the Crispr solution went to work. Riley's female DNA rushed through Ry's body, overwriting his cells. There was no melding here - no balancing. Riley's bitchy DNA was taking control and spreading like a wild-fire through his body.

Meanwhile Riley was also having her female cells consumed slowly and methodically by Ry's. The virus was even spreading to her brain, dendrites and synapses rewiring and altering to make her think like he did.

Now it was just a matter of waiting. The changes would soon be on their way

***

DAY ONE:

Waking up groggily, Riley had to admit she didn't feel great. Her whole body felt sluggish and weak, like she had a really bad cold. Walking to the mirror she despaired to see that her usually flawless skin seemed a bit blotchy and riddled with acne, similar to her dorky step-bros. What the hell was his stupid formula doing to her?

Looking down she blushed. Her tits seemed obscenely large on her chest. She couldn't believe she usually allowed herself to walk around flaunting them like this. It didn't normally bother her, but now for some reason it did. She searched through her wardobe and finding a hoody, slid it on.

Her eyes seemed to be struggling. Maybe it was the light in here? Switching on the lights she tiredly walked to her makeup vanity and paused. Makeup? What was the point of makeup? She was only going to study for a test today.

Ignoring her usual cleansing routines and preparations, Riley took down the large Maths text-book she was supposed to be studying and opened it up. It was only twenty minutes later, that she realised she had become engrossed in the book without even realising it.

Her usually flippant mind that jumped from subject to subject seemed sharper and more focused. Sitting down at her desk, she began to study in earnest.

***

Ry opened his eyes and slid easily out of bed. He was usually a night person, so to find not only that he had slept well, but that he didn't feel tired of fatigued was a revelation to him.

He actually felt fucking great this morning. The Crispr solution seemed to be working. Walking to the mirror, Ry grinned in satisfaction. His usually bad skin was clearer and ever so slightly tanned. He had a healthy glow for the first time in years.

In fact his whole body seemed more toned with a healthier shape. He hadn't put any muscle on as far as he could see, but proportionally, everything seemed 'better'. The only downsides were a strange itching and puffiness on his chest and a few other weird changes.

His ass seemed fatter and slightly bigger. His hair seemed to have increased in length and volume. It gave him a rather... feminine... shape. He ignored the strange thrill of delight that brought him.

"It's early days for these changes yet. I just need to give it more time. I'll probably fill out and look more manly in the next stage. Probably to be expected I'd mirror a few of Riley's assets."

He wondered how Riley was getting on...

***

"Amazing," giggled Riley in satisfaction. Her mind was definitely getting faster. The hot sweats had started again earlier and she was having even more difficulty seeing, but it didn't matter to her anymore because the knowledge she was experiencing was so captivating.

She rubbed at her chest. Her boobs were really aching. For some reason her bra didn't seem to fit... it kept dropping down loose. She knew that cup sizes did change, she'd alternated between a 32 and 34 bust for years - but this felt different.

Her boobs seemed noticeably smaller. She'd always been proud of her big bust, her massive tits. Now she felt smaller and weaker without them. Strangely her clit seemed engorged today though. She'd had to stop doing her studying a few times to rub at the stiff little nub between her legs. If she'd had a more active imagination she'd say it seemed to be growing... almost like a tiny little cock.

But that would be crazy... right?

***

Ry rubbed at his chest. There was definitely something there and it was growing at a faster rate now. Sweat dripped from his body and he could almost hear his bones cracking and shifting within his body. It felt... pleasurable and strangely addictive. A desire for more transformation and a faster change rose within him. It felt like something good was happening to him. He wanted more of it.

Ry felt feverish and knew that the Crispr solution was spreading through his body like a virus. It had now reached critical mass and the changes were accelerating. Riley's DNA should be merging with his own, but it didn't feel like that. Something was wrong... or was it... right?

His skin felt softer, his hips seemed to have pushed out wider. The lumps on his chest definitely felt like breasts and his hair had doubled in length again.

"Ohhhhh fuckkkk," he groaned as another series of pops and cracks within his body sent him into spasms of pleasure. "Uggggh, what's happening to me?"

His pushed his chest out and grunted... the bumps on his chest got even bigger.

***

"I can't fucking see," groaned Riley as she reached up to her face. Her vision was totally blurry now. Her body felt wrecked and strangely weak. She looked down. Her chest was smaller now... her once large D cup tits now barely a B cup.

Staggering to her mirror, Riley saw her hair looked shorter. Her skin was paler and her soft feminine features seemed a little more boyish. Her swollen clit had formed a little bulge in her leggings. She could almost imagine a pair of balls were growing underneath it and her pussy sealing up, but that would be crazy!

Riley massaged her throat. Her voice was croaky and there was a strange lump in her throat that she had never noticed before. She'd been told boys had them... Adam's apples they were called.

Sweat dripped down her body. She rubbed at her armpits. They needed shaving again, which was weird because she'd only waxed them a few days ago.

"What the fuck is this solution doing to me?" she groaned. "No increase in intelligence is worth this. I have to find Ry!"

She staggered to the hallway, then out into the living room. Her vision was swimming, she was nearly blind now. Everything ached and her breasts felt even smaller. Her head hurt... she just needed to...

With a groan Riley sank onto a sofa and passed out.

***

Ry groaned as his face burned and his back ached. His hands went to his chest, there were now two big rounded mounds there just like the ones he had always imagined owning when he wore his sisters bra. Sweat was pouring off him and his vision was all blurry. He reached up and tore off his glasses. Strange, but now he could see again.

His voice seemed croaky, his neck sore. His face felt different, the features more delicate. Long hair tickled his neck. "I fucked up somehow," he groaned. "The Crispr is making me INTO Riley. I have to find her and warn her."

Staggering out of the room, dizzy and sick - he staggered into the living room. A figure was passed out on one of the couches. He tried to approach, but instead his legs began to give way. With a groan, Ry staggered to the other couch and collapsed.

Darkness took him and then the strangest dreams he'd ever had.

Meanwhile Riley's DNA continued to consume his own and change his body... the physical changes were now nearly complete...

***

DAY TWO:

Ry awoke and for a second didn't know where he was.

The room smelled different. It smelt of sexy perfume. The sheets around him were pink and girly. Riley's clothes hung on racks around the room, plushies and cushions covered every surface.

He was naked in the bed.

A post it note lay on the table by the bed.

"Morning baby, me and your step-daddy found you and your brother passed out in the lounge. Were you partying last night? We put you both to bed in the right rooms and I undressed you. Were those your brothers clothes you were wearing? What were you doing? Lol Mom. XXX"

Pulling back the sheets, Ry saw his body had completely changed. He was no longer feverish, and the big wobbling tits on his chest were definitely real. His skin was healthy and lightly tanned, he had no body hair except for a tiny strip just above his... pussy?

Reaching down, Ry gasped at the sensation of his new vagina. He snatched his hand back in shock, although the urge to put it back there swiftly returned. Sliding out of the bed, he landed onto small perfect feet, then padding quietly across the room, he reached the mirror and stared in wonder.

Riley looked back at him. Well almost. He didn't have Riley's tattoos or her ear, nose or navel piercings. He didn't have any makeup on and his hair was a mess. His fingers and toes were unmanicured... but other than that... he looked just like her.

"Holy shit," he said in her voice.

The resemblance was so perfect, that last night her own Mother hadn't recognised that he was not really her girl. Riley's DNA had changed him into her. That probably meant in the other bedroom, Riley was now waking up as a physical copy of him.

And yet it wasn't just the physical changes. Something profound had happened to his mind, to his very soul.

The Crispr virus had infiltrated every cell of Ry's body, including his brain. He had been rewired and altered. He felt a new natural confidence, sexual assurance and a strong desire to monopolise on this situation. His personality was now more like Riley's than ever before. Even in his darkest dreams he could never have imagined being such a fucking bitch.

"Yesssss, I've always wanted to be Riley," he said in a slightly evil voice. "Mmmmh, I think I knew what that Crispr virus was going to do to us... but I did it anyway. I did it because I wanted to steal her life. I want to be Riley Grey... not Riley Green."

"And now that I used the Crispr," he purred allowing this delicious new persona to take control, "I am. Even Mommy thinks that I am. I am fucking Riley Grey and I want it ALL."

A wicked grin appeared on his face and he allowed his body language to relax. How did hot girls stand... ahhh yes, like this.

"These big tits are mine, mmmmh and this perfect ass. I've been remade in your image," he laughed. "A couple of trips to the hairdressers and the tattoo artists to get inked up and pierced... and no one would ever know the difference between us. This is my chance to assume your life and become the new you. I'm not going to waste it."

Riley smiled as she began looking for some clothes to wear. She just had to make 'Ry' understand that it was best to go along with what she wanted. The switch in pronouns was so easy to make... it suited her like a glove.

She was a woman now, she had all the equipment and soon no one would ever know she had ever been her dorky step-brother...

She just had to manipulate him the correct way.

***

Riley awoke feeling like death. Her vision was still blurry and she felt weak and wiped out.

"Here, put these on," said a familiar voice and her vision swam back into focus as a pair of glasses slid onto her face. "Don't panic. It's me, your step-brother. Honestly, I didn't plan for this to happen. The Crispr has gone wrong... I tried it too using one of your hairs. I'm afraid we've become copies of each other."

Riley gasped as she saw herself sitting on the end of the bed. Her hair was a fucking mess and she needed some makeup, but other than that it was definitely her.

Pulling back the sheets, she groaned in a very masculine sounding voice. Her body was now entirely masculine, a small cock and a pair of balls between her legs. Her boobs were gone and her flabby white body was that of a nerdy dork.

"Oh no, we have to fix this."

"I know," said her doppleganger, "but there's a big problem. We're changing mentally as well as physically. I'm not smart enough to make the Crispr anymore so I need you help to make a new batch, then we can try to reverse these changes. "

"But I don't know how to do it either," she complained.

"I'm sure you'll find a way," purred her twin. "I'll give you the notes I made and hopefully you can decode them. In the meantime we need to act like each other so no one gets suspicious. We'll have to dress like we normally would, you'll have to hide those tattoos and those piercings. I don't know how long we might be stuck like this. I guess it could be weeks!"

***

DAY THIRTY

It had been a month.

Riley and Riley were becoming more and more like each other by the day.

Ry, as he was now known, had still not figured out how to make the Crispr. Probably because before she had given him the notes - the new Riley had made sure to delete certain important elements from the research.

Genuinely she wasn't smart enough anymore to remember or understand what she had removed - just that it had been enough to stop him. Hopefully that would be enough.

Riley didn't want a way back. She wanted to go deeper and deeper into this rabbit hole of femininity. In the last month she had discovered that being a hot, popular, girl was pretty much as amazing as she had dreamed it would be.

First of all there was the makeup and the clothes. They all made her look and feel incredible. If that wasn't enough, there was the enjoyment of sex.

Remembering that buzzing she'd heard all that time ago, Riley had uncovered the sex-toy collection. The first time she'd pushed a magic wand against her clit and felt it throb and vibrate, she'd known she was now a female sex addict.

It hadn't taken long to move from toys to the real thing... boys. There were plenty of guys wanting to fuck a hot slut like her, and after a couple of introductory sessions with some of Riley's ex-lovers - the new Riley had really picked up the pace.

There was nothing quite like bouncing on some hard cock and cumming all over it as a girl. It was such a good feeling.

If that wasn't enough, there was the social life. Riley loved being the centre of attention now... going to parties, having fun, everyone wanting to be her friend. She found the company of other hot girls intoxicating. To be part of the squad was like a dream come true.

Riley understood now she'd always harboured these desires. She'd always wanted to be like her step-sister and the Crispr had provided a way.

Of course, that meant that the new Ry probably now harboured her old desires... to cross dress and be a girl. They had probably only been heightened by the loss of his actual femininity.

Riley wondered if she could use that against him...

She wondered just how far it was possible to gaslight her new step-brother...

***

DAY 60

"Babe. What the fuck are you actually talking about? What Crispr research, I didn't delete anything from your hard-drive."

Ry stared at his sister in astonishment. Over the last few months he'd come to think of himself as male - it was somehow easier that way. His memories of being Riley were a confusing mess, sometimes it didn't even feel real. That was why it was now so confusing when Riley actually suggested it wasn't.

Over the last few days she'd been acting increasingly difficult. She kept giving him blank looks when he mentioned getting their bodies back and she had been dropping hints in from of him that he might be losing his mind.

"Listen Ry, I know you have this weird fetish for dressing up in my clothes... I found one of my bras in your room."

"Wh? WHAT? Well, those ARE my clothes," he growled angrily. "Before we swapped, those were ALL my clothes."

"Swapped, what the hell are you taking about? You keep going on about this weird dream fantasy of yours. Are you really suggesting that two months ago we both drank a formula that altered our DNA and turned us into each other. Don't you think that sounds kinda crazy?"

"It's not crazy... and when I find the research, I'll prove it to you!"

Riley watched him go with an evil smile on her perfect lips.

***

DAY 260

Riley sighed as her annoying step-bro peeked through her door. He was such a fucking pervert and always hanging around. He was easy to convince though. Sometimes she had trouble remembering her own lies now - manipulating him was getting easier by the day.

"Hey loser, get out of here. I told you I'm about to stream and I don't want you watching me."

"But Riley, I think I found something. A blog about this girl called Laura Sims, the same thing happened to her... I think."

"What thing?"

"You know, the Crispr solution... the DNA exchange. The personality and memory changes."

"Listen Ry, I already told you I don't know what the fuck you are talking about. Worse than that, I think it's time you admitted the truth. Do you really think a pathetic little loser like you could ever have been a beautiful gorgeous woman like me? Does it seem possible? Of course not. You're a boy and you've always been a boy."

"I have? What about these weird scars I have. They could be from tattoo removal right? Maybe I once had the same tattoos as you?"

"You know you got those in a fire right? Are you really suggesting that once you were me. That you had these tattoos and these piercings? That you and me somehow swapped lives and then I gaslit you into believing you had always been a boy?"

"I know it sounds crazy but..."

"It does sound crazy. Would it even matter? Would anyone believe you? I think you'll be happier if you just accept things are this way now, whatever you believe."

Sliding her hand onto his crotch, Riley grinned as she saw her step-brothers expression go soft.

"Mmmmh, why don't we stroke this little cock of yours to make it feel all better. Hmmmm?"

Ry groaned as his step-sister expertly jerked him off till he groaned and came. He watched her hot manicured hands slowly pump him up and down, draining his cock and all resistance out of him.

"There now. Feel better?"

"Yessss," he groaned.

"Good boy. Now get out of here. Go and goon in your room or something."

***

Listening to her step-brother grunting next door as he jerked off wearing her bra, Riley Grey played with her pussy and looked at herself in the mirror. Damn she was perfect. She was beautiful and sexy and hot. She loved being a girl.

She didn't even miss her old boy smarts. Who needed brains when you looked this good? Then again, she'd been doing a little research lately. She and Laura Richie had made contact and she had been intrigued by what she had found out.

She'd found out from the other girl that there was a second serum... one designed to improve the effects of the first. One that would make her a Goddess.

Maybe it was time to begin another new experiment...

THE END?

[peskycorvid]

Building off of a post I saw on here (I don't remember which one) about how everyone is human except the life series winners, who retain hybrid traits from their win/series. Except I make it only about desert duo because I'm insane about them

Grian spending 3rd life with lightweight bones that are more fragile than he's used to. Time is short, and he doesn't get to learn how to fly. He doesn't learn how to properly care for his wings either. He spends his time with itchy wings, trapped on the ground, and when he wins by force, he falls. He falls, at his one chance to learn, and it's by choice. Birds get pushed out of the nest to learn to fly, but he refuses. Yet when he wakes up back on Hermitcraft, he still has those wings, and he can never forget what he did. The blood that stains his feathers, the creaking in his knuckles.

Scar doesn't ever know how to truly help Grian. Grian's forever changed, down to his very code, and it's bigger than their shared experience. So he does what he can to try to help. He learns with Grian, accomodates him, is extra patient when sand gets in his wings and he spirals all over again.

More games happen. More people change. It's different for them, Scar isn't as close with them. They don't live on Hermitcraft, so he can't see the difference. Except Pearl, who handles it so differently and yet so similar to Grian.

Scar tries to comfort her too. She isn't around much, and he learns why on the first full moon back when he stumbles on a wolf cloaked in red, hiding away in his home. How she got in, he'll never know. But that doesn't matter.

They get closer after this. They already were, but even moreso when he's able to listen. When she maybe doesn't talk, doesn't say it all out loud. But he listens all the same.

Then secret life happens. And Scar comes back different.

Nobody really understood what he was, not at first. But when everyone comes back, he stays behind. He's gone for days, weeks, months. And Pearl and Grian wait. All of Hermitcraft waits.

And Scar returns, and they can finally see what he was changed to as well.

A man of stone, literally. A gargoyle, wings cracked and shattered and left behind when he finally, finally made it back home. He's colder, and more quiet. The solitude has changed him.

Slowly, the three learn how to help Scar together. They learn, however odd it may be at first, how to care for his stone skin. They take care to not startle him, lest he freeze up completely until he can calm down once again. And slowly they heal together. The cracks are still there, but they mend them as best as they can.

Grian still can't handle the sand in his feathers, but he learns to fly. He and Pearl race together, and on full moons they chase each other under the moonlight. Scar can't quite keep up with them anymore, but they never stray far, and they always include him. He becomes their finish line, and Grian's perch. Pearl uses him for shade, and they decorate him with flowers whenever he dozes in the sun. They all still have their moments, their fears, and they fear what might happen in the next game. Who's next? When will they be swept away again? But they have each other now, when the others might not understand. They have each other. And if one of their friends is next, they'll be there to listen and learn.

[mjjune]

A Hot Take(?) on Critique/Beta Comments: Self-Determination Policy

Consider this a spin-off from my Beta Reading Series which you can find here. (you don't have to read them to follow this post, but if you like this post, you'll like the whole series.)

I was discussing this with a friend who works for a crisis center/hotline, and we ended up agreeing that their "Self-Determination Policy" was a similar mindset that we take when beta reading each other's work.

Since it goes along with most of what I said in my previous posts, I thought I would expand on it here. Again, this has my usual disclaimer: this is all personal experience/opinion.

content warning: there is mention of suicide below

Below:

What is Self-Determination?

Self-Determination in Beta Reading

What About Giving Advice?

What To Do Instead of Advice

Tips & Examples of Comments

TL;DR at the bottom !

What is Self-Determination?

Essentially, at hotlines and other crisis centers where volunteers or workers are taking calls from those who may be a threat to themselves or others, they have a rule that the caller is responsible for any decisions they make, even if that decision is to take their own life. These policies both acknowledge that the caller retains their right to make their own decisions, as well as protects the workers from potential lawsuits or accusations.

To paraphrase from an actual policy: workers are to explore the caller's feelings and build a relationship of trust so the caller can explore all options.

So that's what I want to talk about here! This policy is exactly how I approach beta reading, and it's also how I want my readers to approach beta reading my own work.

Self-Determination in Beta Reading

First, I want to clarify there is a difference between critique partners, alpha readers, and beta readers. All readers/writers may have different expectations for each type of reader. For me, this self-determination policy is perfect for beta readers, but would not necessarily be appropriate for critiques or alphas.

For more on this, see my posts on alphas vs. betas here, and on critique vs. betas here.

There are two main self-determination points that apply to beta reading:

We won't make decisions for you. We support the decision you make.

You are the expert [on your story]. Our advice or opinions are not important*

And this is exactly the mindset beta readers should approach a story with!

Many readers come at being betas with the mindset "I want to make this story as good as possible" and this is a great mindset, however we need to dig deeper if we want to have a good beta/writer relationship and actually make the story better.

And going deeper means betas acknowledging that the writer is the expert, the writer is the one making the decisions regarding the story, and that the readers should support those decisions no matter what. Yes, even if they disregard your comments. Yes, even if they change the story in a way you think is making it worse. Yes, even if you have more writing experience.

* I do want to clarify that obviously beta comments are important. But the point here is that in the grand scheme of things, the writer's opinion is the only one that matters, and what is important is all the betas' comments together, not yours individually.

Wait, Then Should I Not Give Advice?

Honestly? No.

Just like how the crisis hotline does not offer advice or solutions, beta readers shouldn't either.

However, there is a slight deviation from the self-determination policy that I want to make here:

In the crisis hotline, a worker would not give advice or solutions to the problem but would share resources for the caller to make solutions on their own. (This might be referring to a specialist or going to a hospital.)

However, they would ask before providing these resources. The same goes for beta readers.

Providing resources would depend on the writer. Some writers might welcome craft-based resources, and some writers would see it as offensive. (I know if I was on draft 4 and satisfied with my book and a beta sent me a link teaching show vs. tell, I would be pretty upset lol)

Beta readers are here to read and give comments, but this does not open the door for advice unless the writer has explicitly asked for it. If you're beta reading and giving any type of advice, whether it be how to fix a problem in the story, how to pitch/query/publish it, what changes should be made, etc — then you are breaking this self-determination policy and not truly being a beta reader. (instead, you are more resembling a critique partner)

So What Do I Do Instead of Advice?

Rather than advice or solutions, betas should be sharing reactions, ideas and analysis.

I know, the line between these and "advice" can be blurred. This might even come down to the way it's worded, and the way the writer interprets it.

"It might be interesting if you explored [x] more."

"I can't picture this scene, you need more description."

"I'm struggling to connect to this character."

"This character interaction directly parallels the one that happened earlier and it shows how the characters have changed."

"The first act is too slow. You should work on pacing."

Which of these are reactions? Which are ideas? Which are advice?

Some are clearer than others, and ultimately some people would probably disagree.

Personally, the only ones I would consider to be advice are 2 and 5. These go against the self-determination policy because they make the step from being about how the reader is experiencing the story, to how they would change it if it were theirs.

Because that's what this comes down to. The story belongs to the writer, not the beta.

Now this is a "do as I say not as I do" situation. As a beta, every book I read I do what I call my "two-page ramble" where I do analysis for 2-3 pages (literally) about the themes in the story what I would do if I were the writer. However, I preface it, saying that. I tell the writer ahead of time and even separate it from the rest of my comments so the writer doesn't even have to read it, if they don't want to. Some writers ignore it, and some say that even though it's not what they would do, it gave them ideas they hadn't otherwise considered.

And another caveat: some writers might be totally fine with readers giving advice! This is why it's important to have good communication between betas/writers. Before reading you should not only discuss what kind of feedback the writer is looking for, but also where the story is in its development, and what the writer hopes to achieve with the story.

Tips & Examples

The key to avoiding advice and sticking to analysis, reactions, and sharing general ideas really comes down to wording and the focus of the sentence. From my experience both with counseling and beta reading, I focus on these two things:

1. "I" statements

This keeps the focus of your comments to you and how you are experiencing the story. This helps stay away from "you should" type sentences, which are always leaning towards advice/solutions.

Examples:

I am struggling to follow this plot point

I don't feel connected to this character

I can't picture this scene

I was/wasn't expecting this to happen

I'm hooked/haven't put the book down in [x] chapters

I am losing focus/bored in this paragraph/scene

2. Open-ended questions

This comes straight from my counseling class as well as my friend who works at the crisis hotline. Open-ended questions typically start with "what" with the goal of getting the writer to think—analyze their own writing and story. If you want to be extra considerate, avoid "why" questions because these are often interpreted as offensive/attacking.

These questions essentially replace advice. Instead of saying "you should do [x]" these questions guide the writer to figuring out what to do on their own.

Because ultimately that should be the goal. Instead of "I want to help this writer make their story the best it can be" we should go further: "I want to help this writer figure out what they want to do with the story, to make it exactly the story they want to tell."

Essentially, if you feel like something is missing, or something needs work, instead of directly saying "this thing is bad, here's what you should do" you ask an open-ended question instead. If you feel like a character's interaction doesn't feel genuine, or you don't understand why a character is making a decision, you might ask "What is your character thinking in this scene?"

Another thing I personally do is combine these "I" statements and open-ended questions. This does two things: 1) pinpoints the exact feeling the reader is having/problem they see and 2) asks a question that will guide the writer to hopefully finding an answer

Combo Examples:

I don't see the point of this scene, and I'm bored. What was your intention for this scene before you wrote it?

I'm confused about this character. What influenced your character to make this decision?

I'm struggling to connect with this character. What does he want/what is his goal?

To show how these comments are better (and following self-determination), let's look at the first example.

If you are bored or don't see the point in a scene, you might be tempted to give advice and tell the writer to cut the scene entirely (or tell them what to change). However, this self-determination-based comment instead tells the writer that you are bored/disconnected (which is invaluable!) but instead of giving advice, asks a question that will hopefully lead the writer to analyzing the scene and figuring out what they want to do about it—because the truth is, the writer may choose to leave the scene as is, and that's fine. Cutting the scene might not make the story better. There are so many reasons a scene might feel slow or boring, and it's not the beta's job to fix it. It's the writer's.

TL;DR —

Self-Determination means that you do not make decisions for anyone other than yourself. This means regardless of what the writer decides to do with your comments, you support it. You do not know what is best for the story, or how to fix the problems it has.

The writer is the expert in their story. As a beta reader, you should approach with the mindset that you are here to share your reactions, ideas and analysis of their story so they can make it better.

Self-Determination means: No advice. No solutions. Engage, listen, ask questions, analyze, share reactions, and support the writer in whatever they choose.

(Unless the writer explicitly asks for it. This is why you should communicate beforehand!)

Peace out ✌️

~MJ

[kissporsche]

When did Vegas realize that he wanted to have sex with Pete? Was it during the moment when he said - But you like me when I am like this (basically during that time when they did it). Or was it even earlier but he didn't want to force himself on Pete?

HEY ANON it's been a hell of a busy few weeks for me sorry for leaving you hanging <333

VegasPete and sexual/emotional desire is one of those topics where my brain just goes to static if I think about it too long but i'll try work out some THOUGHTS

I think with Vegas it's kind of both of your suggestions? Vegas and Pete would have been aware of each other for years, and there’s no doubt to me that they have taken some notice of each other during that time. Vegas, for his part, definitely keeps the equivalent of a list of main family bodyguards, ranked by how easy they could be seduced (literally or otherwise) into being traitors. I feel like Pete has always been low on the list because of his strong loyalty to the main family, and for that reason Vegas overlooks him, regardless of how attractive he might be.

Because in the show we really only see Vegas use sex as a tool for manipulation and intimidation. With Tawan, sex is part of the sham relationship, and when he's tasked with finding out about Porsche he immediately uses his charisma, eventually romantic and sexual advances, to do so. So Vegas is very well aware of his own sex appeal and how it can be used to further his/the minor family's aims.

All of his interactions with Pete up until episode 10 come from this place. He teases Pete and gets a kick out of seeing his reactions to him, and some of these teases are sexual, like leaving his monster condoms for his magnum dong in the car. However, I don't think there's much more behind it than that, because sex and desire for the sake of it don't really factor into Vegas's life. If he is having sex just for fun, we know it's left him feeling like a freak for wanting what he wants, so clearly it's not been fulfilling to say the least.

For what it's worth, I think Vegas starts really noticing Pete after the torture scene in episode 7, and that leads into his advances in the temple in response to seeing that little bit of darkness there. This again leads into episode 10, because while Vegas isn't really seeing Pete as a person, he is becoming more and more fascinated by him. Pete messing up his plans gives Vegas the opportunity to really indulge in this growing curiosity he has with Pete, he's seen the edges of his mask and sets to tearing them up to see what's really underneath, where before he'd only poked and prodded.

The fact that Vegas equates sexual advances alongside physical torture and emotional threats in that scene also makes me think these parts of his life are all coming from a similar place, sex has become a tool to do his job rather than true desire.

There is lust there, but until they have the experience in the safehouse I don't think sleeping together would have lead to the same place for them, or at least not without a lot of extra steps. After Vegas tries and fails to break Pete, after bonding over shared trauma and patching up his wounds, seeing his fire and defiance, letting him in to see his own vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Crying with him, eating with him, bickering with him, grieving with him. They could not have achieved the same stratospheric levels of emotional and physical intensity that they ended up doing without all that as build up. Because it's all that that lead to Pete truly seeing Vegas, and Vegas thinking he truly sees Pete.

So I think Vegas went from seeing Pete as cute, but too loyal to bother with -> fun to tease, but not going to invest his time into seducing -> an intriguing puzzle he wants to unravel -> the only one who really sees him

So that's why I say both your options can be true at once, Vegas would have slept with Pete earlier but it would have been for different reasons- to potentially get info on the main family, as a challenge or to figure him out. At the safe house, he wants to sleep with Pete, because he is Vegas, and because Pete is Pete.

And even then, the final nail in the coffin for Vegas was not actually sleeping with Pete, it was the smile afterwards. He doesn't make him feel like a freak, like his tastes are either something to begrudgingly put up with, or to be put to one side unless they can be used like a tool. Being with Pete and having Pete (the 100% true, maskless Pete: fearless and defiant and not afraid of or disgusted by him) smile at him afterwards, beatific, validates his true desires for exactly what they are, no caveats, and mirrors them back to him. Something it's clear Vegas hasn't had before and, from his surprise at being kissed, something he didn't truly expect from Pete. Seeing his wants not only reciprocated but desired in return.

That is when Vegas falls in love.

[fatehbaz]

As the Zapatistas say, “walking we ask questions,” [...].

It is about working together, side by side, in common purpose. We try to reach a sense of reciprocity -- we work towards the world we want to see together. [...] [W]e each bring to the table what we can. [...] Solidarity [...], at its best, it is about relationships and becoming [...] people who actually care about each other. In reality, solidarity is a messy and exasperating exercise. [...] There were countless brilliant initiatives and projects that were a credit to national and international solidarity, from introducing potable water systems, solar energy supply, technologically appropriate means of communication, pirate radio, organic horticulture [...]. And of course, there were a lot of unsuccessful and failed ventures, because it was a learning experience [...].

Beyond solidarity, the Zapatistas were planting the seed of Zapatismo and encouraging people to, instead of simply supporting them, “Be a Zapatista wherever you are.” Solidarity as movement building. When asked what the best contribution was that internationals could make to the Zapatista struggle, an old Zapatista back then said, “More Seattles.” A more contemporary version would be “More Black Lives Matter Uprisings.” [...]

---

Within Fortress Europe there are various territorial bases of what might better be described as counter-power. [...]

[I]n Athens, [...] the rebellious neighborhood of Exarchia is home to a large community of Greek and international radicals. [...] The people have created a neighborhood-wide structure to offer support to refugees and migrants and [...] they live together, they eat together and they struggle together. Activists have squatted buildings to provide shelter for those that needed it, food is distributed from various social centers [...], there are free health and education initiatives and resources are shared [...]. Walking around Exarchia [...], you get a palpable sense of everyday solidarity -- not just with the refugees and migrants, but for global social and political movements based in the neighborhood, from Kurds to Palestinians. [...]

For years, Exarchia has been a living, breathing center of counter-power in the [Euro-American] [...] core committed to supporting developments in the periphery in a reciprocal manner. And it’s the threat of a good example, which is why they are faced with unrelenting state repression. Now, because of the rapid gentrification of the area [...] and the rampant commodification of living spaces via [air b and b], it can feel like a territory under siege. [...]

---

Exarchia is not exceptional, there are bases of anti-systemic alternatives all across Europe albeit on a smaller scale and in different forms. I’ve witnessed comparable autonomous projects in, for example, the Connewitz neighborhood in Leipzig, or Vallekas in Madrid. Christiania in Copenhagen is something else -- more of an intentional community -- but shares similar traits. The common factor is the desire to create communal, non-capitalist initiatives that bring people together and foster mutual aid. [...] These are dark days in Europe with the rise of the far right, the climate crisis, the pandemic and gross inequality. What the anti-systemic nodes represent is a radical alternative and a ray of hope.

---

Words of Ramor Ryan as transcribed in an interview conducted by Liam Hough. Published as: Ramor Ryan. “Zapatismo, solidarity and self-governance: a conversation.” ROAR Magazine. 23 March 2022. [Some paragraph breaks and contractions added by me.]

[keplercryptids]

A Quick Breakdown of a Few Non-D&D TTRPGs (and how they compare to D&D)

hi it's me, your local ttrpg player and forever-GM, encouraging y'all to play something other than d&d. i wanted to share about a few ttrpgs in particular and how they compare to the d&d experience. this might be useful to some who want to try a non-d&d system with a little more guidance than "all of these look cool." i'm focusing on the three systems i have the most experience with, and i'm not going to delve into the game mechanics, but rather focus on the game experience.

also, hey!! if you learned to play d&d, i promise you, you can learn another system. d&d is complicated and often expensive, but other ttrpgs aren't necessarily like that! most ttrpgs, in fact, are much simpler than d&d and easier to learn. so don't let the barriers you may have faced with d&d discourage you from trying a new system.

Savage Worlds

experience: player in a homebrewed setting for about a year.

overview: savage worlds is a setting-neutral system, so it really lends itself to homebrewed worlds. character creation is looser and more flexible in some ways than d&d. you piece together the character you want rather than using a set class/race. i would say the biggest difference between savage worlds and d&d is what the name itself implies. the world can be savage! the dice are swingy in this game. you might be great at a skill, but it doesn't guarantee success the way it pretty much does in d&d. wins and losses tend to be bigger and more dramatic.

what i love: your "class" feels more customized to what you want. savage worlds rules can be implemented in all kinds of settings and worlds which is cool. "balance" isn't really an issue the way it is in d&d (but be prepared for those swingy dice!). combat can be deadlier in some ways, but the system doesn't rely on combat the way d&d does.

Blades in the Dark

experience: GM of a campaign for several months.

overview: blades in the dark is about a group of scoundrels, being scoundrel-y. my favorite line from the player's handbook is that you should play your character like you're driving a stolen car, and i just love that metaphor so much. blades is a game where you play bad people doing bad things (crime). you roll a number of d6s and if you get a 1-3, you fail; a 4-5, you succeed with a complication; a 6 is a total success. what this means in-game is that almost every roll you make results in something bad happening. this leads to a chaotic game experience where the pressure is constantly building until something explodes.

what i love: as a GM, i never prepped for more than 15 minutes before a session. you don't need to prep at all as a GM (either way, be prepared to improv your ass off!). the mechanics are also a delight and i know i will use some of them in most of my games moving forward (clocks! clocks are genius). it also has more of a collaborative feel than d&d. you and your players are making it up as you go and it FEELS that way, which is so fun.

Pathfinder Second Edition

experience: GM of a published adventure for just a few weeks!

overview: this is probably the system most similar to d&d. a lot of the skills, dice mechanics, spells etc will be familiar to you. if you like d&d mechanically but want more crunch and more balance, pf2e is a great option. it's definitely more complicated than d&d, but i don't think it's too complicated, if that makes sense. combat is easier to balance from the GM side and feels more dynamic in many ways at level 1 than d&d at any level. also pf2e has a sense of humor??? it's hard to describe but so many of the feats, spells and monster abilities are FUN in a way that's lacking in d&d. i plan to run my next campaign in pf2e and am excited to delve into using it for a homebrew setting.

what i love: character customization is off the fucking charts. if you're a 5e player, you'll be astounded at just how many skills and abilities you get every level-up. also, it's a game that's balanced, which as a GM i've noticed right away. combat is fun to run (i have NEVER said that about 5e lmao) and feels like you're actually playing a game, rather than giving a presentation the way a lot of 5e combat feels as a dm. every monster stat block is interesting and unique. and there's a rule for everything, which i personally like.

anyway, i hope this was useful! get out there and try a new ttrpg system, okay??

[the1975attheirverybest]

A Theatrical Performance of An Intimate Moment

A/N: okay, so, this isn’t exactly fanfiction, lol. It’s simply me rambling on about my thoughts on atpoaim. I’ve been seduced by the series and I can’t help myself. I also just wanted to use it as a thinking exercise to reflect on where the band is at, what they’re currently doing artistically, etc. So, I totally understand if you decide to skip reading it. But I would love for this to be an opportunity for those who are interested to share their thoughts as well. It’s basically a bunch of questions I’m wondering about! So come talk to me about it if you’d like cuz I’m a nerd for this kind of thing!

Warnings: hella pretentious. I’m a PhD student in English Literature. Pretentious is my middle name.

The Title: the series title presents us with our first paradox. How can something intimate become theatrical, let alone a performance? Intimacy usually implies authenticity, genuineness, connection. Whereas theatricality is often associated with artifice and drama. The 1975 attempt to bring the two together, but is that even possible? Also, how is labeling this series as a “theatrical performance of an intimate moment,” change our perception of it? Like, is it different from watching a vlog? If Matty had announced this as a “behind the scenes document-series” or a “day in my life” we wouldn’t have the same level of distance and suspicion of what we are seeing on screen as we do now. What’s the purpose of creating that kind of experience for the audience?

The cinematography: the way that it’s filmed does two primary things for me: first, it emphasizes artificiality, I.e. constantly reminds us that this is a curated piece of media, edited in such a way that presents us with only PART of the truth (which, again, creates tension with this idea of ‘intimacy’). Through the black-and-white aesthetic that it’s referencing and using, through the humor, through the way that it’s cut and edited. So, what’s it saying to us? That Matty has to perform a certain version of himself to the cameras? If so, why do it at all? What is this series trying to accomplish?

The Performance: while I think that Matty is, here, building on the themes of BFIAFL, he seems to also be interested in exploring larger questions about art/ identity. We could see this as an extension of the mission of ATVB. His onstage persona shares some similar characteristics with the atpoaim series. He’s exaggerating, performing, pretending to be a version of himself to critique certain aspects of culture, consumption, our relationship with art and entertainment. It’s one thing to do so onstage as part of the gig because it offers us a “frame” to view the music/ concert experience. It’s another thing entirely to extend this into his personal life. What’s he saying about identity? That when get so used to performing a version of yourself to the world, it gets so stuck with you that you can’t quite shake it off even when you are alone? That he is constantly trying to mediate between his “real” self and a version of himself that he strives to be? And, of course, the age-old question: if he’s performing all the damn time, doesn’t that performance, at some point, BECOME the real him?

The Time Line: just a quick note that, in typical post-modernist fashion, the series is non-linear in terms of time. It seemed like the first episode was pre-SNL. And it dropped right before SNL so it made sense. Created this illusion of immediacy. We’re seeing things “in real time” if you will. BUT episode two was kind of vague. We see him watching SNL at on screen, so clearly it’s supposed to be AFTER, right? Except that mirror scene might suggest otherwise. He’s practicing “thinkin’ this through” so it might be that he’s preparing to do SNL? Or it could be a clip from episode 1’s mirror scene that is inserted into episode 2. Meaning, it actually happened BEFORE we got to see it. Of course, he’s picking up on the fan jokes that he said “finkin this frue” on SNL, so he’s reacting to something that happened AFTER. Also, as this anon has pointed out, it’s in the context of wiping the mirror, and perhaps suggesting that he’s perfecting an exterior version of himself/ working out flaws.

The Episodes: the first one seems to be primarily about establishing expectations with the audience while the second one is about undermining/ ruining those expectations. Ep 1 gives us the sense that we are getting a glimpse of what Matty is ‘really like’ behind the scenes as he goes about doing mundane things that we all do in life. We might not all be stopped on the street for selfies, but we all have to perform a certain version of ourselves for the world. Ep. 2 on the other hand, highlights the difference between performance and reality when Matty gets caught up in the celebrity status and does ridiculous things such as hide in a suitcase, etc. the definition of “taking the piss” lmao. Also, I couldn’t help but note the ending of episode 2 where Matty meets with an artist who does the same thing but to a ridiculous extent. They have that debate about “what’s more important? Art or people?” Matty seems to come down firmly on the side of people. Is this his ethos, so to speak? Is this a reaction to the way he’s publicly perceived and criticized? Is this him saying that art has limits? If so, what do these limits mean to him as an artist? And how does the fact that this conversation is, in itself, happening INSIDE a piece of art affect its meaning. Like, is that also a performance? Is the conversation about art also art? What’s he trying to say?

That’s all for now….LET ME KNOW WHAT YALL THINK, IF YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON ANY OF THIS / HOW YOU INTERPRET THE SERIES!!!

[red-dyed-sarumane]

@musicalisotope hi im going to. make this a post instead of a reply sorry i have a lot to say on this.

aru sekai is a really. obtuse series. none of its going to make much sense on its own. if it does i need u to share ur brain with me. anyway,

i think if u want to start anywhere i'd say either aru sekai shoushitsu, marshall maximizer, or laboratory.

aru sekai shoushitsu is the very first song its really long & theres so much in it & it sounds like nonsense by itself, however its a pretty complete summary of the whole plot. if u get lost once u hit the fuu lines & after dont worry about it we dont have the context for those yet. it's a lot to take in but once u move onto the other songs it all starts to click together like oh shit thats what that meant. it IS a lot tho. its also the most objective song of all of them; the rest are very subjective to their respective characters' views

marshall maximizer is of course the most popular song but thats not why im saying it. im saying it because it's the first time the concept of losing one's self/ego is really expanded on & thats a very very big part of the narrative. the lyrics it might be harder to pick up on that but the text in the background talks about it in a more direct way. its subjective to the chara's pov but it does a good job of establishing that "person" vs "thing"(no longer a person) concept. important to note this character is only an observer of that.

laboratory is similar its that same major concept of those who are still "people" vs those who arent any more. the difference here being its her experience as she crossed the line between the two. its a lot more direct than the other songs & its pretty easy to see the whole weight of the scenario & because of that it really helps put the severity of the other songs into place.

as for the others theyre very subjective & its a little harder to figure out whats going on. but in short kyuuyaku hankagai establishes its not just a personal risk & its a very long repeating event, shuuen touhikou is mostly to answer the question "well what if they gave up & didn't face the problem", oumen mokushiroku is overall that its pointless to take huge risks to themselves beyond the obvious, unplanned apoptosis is actually showing how the "doing things for yourself will save you" concept works, kanon gets into how precise their work has to be to get anywhere among other things, kugutsu ashura is a wall of words idk why u would ever start there its also weird bc she doesnt seem to be affiliated with the rest of them? an outsider forced to endure the consequences i think. i still have to dissect this one more for sure, & the new one yamete kudasai is kind of similar to laboratory but it shows more of the reasons people are pushed to the point of losing themselves.

there are. a LOT of very small easy to overlook details across all the songs. theres no one way to progress through the story since all the songs build off each other & show off different aspects of the plot & world they live in. & u also have to take into account not all of them are reliable narrators (im staring at the unplanned apoptosis girl in particular). theres also a LOT of details we still need expanded on to get the full picture but i think we're going to get more side context songs before magu moves onto to the fuu song to continue the order in aru sekai shoushitsu. the text in the background of songs that have it is also a major part of the story u cant just skip over it if you're trying to figure out whats going on. (this includes kanon. the original tweet with the decode was taken down but i still have the text saved.... somewhere. i will get that for anyone that wants it. very brief but it gives a glimpse of what the start of a retry looks like as well as why theyre in the situation in the first place)

VERY few people keep up with it as a series most people i see just think the songs sound good & leave it at that so i dont blame u if u do the same but its a very intricate story if u have the time & patience to work it out

also small side note magu's said all the charas have names but theyre a secret until later so they have to have some relevance with whats going on. it'll be a very interesting reveal for sure. we think theres 2 names in aru sekai shoushitsu (saginuma hisame & layla) but we dont know for sure who they are or if theyre even any of the girls in the songs. (best guess is the the shoushitsu chara & kyuuyaku chara respectively). thats not super important to know rn tho. also aru sekai series is a fan given name based on the first song since magu has never once talked about the contents of the series outside of what we get in the songs. (unless directly asked but theyre vague in their answers)

[oatmealzz]

Super long rant about Link click

I think one of the flaws of the show is how there weren’t enough episodes for the first season to show the audience that the trio are actually good friends and not just co workers who live together and only talk about work.

I’m 50/50 on filler or fluff but some shows do need it to build character development and interactions. The premise of Link Click or Shiguang Dailiren. Not necessarily just because of the travel aspect, but how the three main characters interact with one another. This is not anime where opposite attract magically works where two characters can be very different and the antithesis of each other and still get along, but a more realistic show of how two very different polar opposite’s who happen to somehow be friends, work together doing very serious work and how eventually it leads to a bad end for one of them - because of how their different work styles and values clash at the end.

After rewatching Victorious as an adult, I come to realize that the main cast totally hated each other and it was surprising that they bothered hanging out with each other, if most of the time none of the (female) cast had anything positive to say about each other.

Anyways. As an adult with similar circumstances to the main trio in terms of being recent uni grads, owning debt and having your best friends be your co workers (but not also my housemates), I see their situation as a lesson that I had to learn that - sometimes it’s not idea to owe your close friend a lot of money. Also like you can be good friends with someone who is the polar opposite of you (somehow) but that doesn’t mean you two would be great co workers by any means. I learned this when me and my friends thought it was a good idea to start a club in school and run guest speaker events and all. Turns out it’s really stressful and I don’t enjoy having disagreements with my friends on how to manage money. Becoming co workers with your friends can honestly hurt the friendship because sometimes when you see your friends, you might only talk to them about work if work is really taxing or stressful.

For example, CXS and LG are good friends who are polar opposites in every way possible. They have different values, life experiences and just generally work differently. More often than not, they disagree on many things. Link click shows that these two do not work well together. LG micromanages CXS and the latter still finds ways to mess up. I get the impression that LG has nothing positive to say about CXS because I rewatched this show countless times and noticed how LG has almost nothing positive to say about his friend. The promotional material shows them being close friends and what not, I just don’t buy it. CXS clearly annoys LG. CXS will talk about something non-work related to LG and LG will immediately change the subject back to work. Clearly he just isn’t interested. Also like the whole thing of keeping details hidden from CXS because LG doesn’t trust him is a red flag. He’s told him so many things to stick with the script and CXS doesn’t which messes things up. All this actions should not be happening. This is how you piss people off enough that they don’t want to talk/work with you. This kinda happens at the end when they take a pause and things get awkward between them.

If anything, Link Click is a great example of how polar opposites aren’t always so cool. Because in real life, if you weren’t obligated to work with them and share the same room together, you prob wouldn’t even be friends with them or even talk to them outside of work.

Another thing is that Cheng Xiaoshi owes Qiao Ling (family) a lot of money. That’s just not a good idea and those who disagree, you will eventually come to agree with me. It’s not like oh but they are really good friends and they must trust enough - no it’s just not a good idea anyone above 20 knows. It’s a rookie mistake that everyone eventually makes. Don’t involve your friends with money. Also Qiao Ling is their landlady soooo -

Guys - I’m Chinese, recently graduated and I worked with friends in work place settings (outside of retail) where you had to do very serious adult things. I see Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang clash when they work together and sometimes when you have an argument with your friend about something that happened at work, you want to have that type of separation when you are out of work. They both don’t have that divide since they both work and sleep in the same room. For those who know what’s it’s like to experience you and your best friend being great friends but not so great when you two room together, work together etc you know where I’m getting at.

The friend group was eventually going to fall apart. All of Qiao Ling’s lines are about money or work. Lu Guang had almost nothing positive to say to/about Cheng Xiaoshi during the entire show. Again I know there is the promotional materials but honestly, to the average viewer who doesn’t see that - this might be the impression that they might get. There are cultural differences but there is also just real life.

Anyway this is a lot. This show was dubbed in over 10 different languages but only like 10 people outside of China has seen it. Thanks for reading my autistic rant on a show no one has seen.

[lawain-dimensional-heroes]

potential drabble - 39 shining star

The five had fun together making music and learning music that they started to forget that it was night time. Naona had given the five an earful about not playing so loud at night, but the five ended up chuckling to themselves and calling it a day.

While the three younger siblings were off to bed, Maroon and Miku were heading outside for a walk, with him having a pleased look on his face.

"...You know, it's not often I get to experience birthdays like this, where I actually had a normal day where I can just be a normal dude for once. It felt...Nice. Like an escape of the life I have been living, or should I say now like living a part of my life I'm getting back?"

A chuckle escaped his lips as he looked at the night sky.

"Still can't believe it though, to have met you, to be friends with you, to be in a relationship with you. And that's not even starting to mention these the fun we had together. Though those might not be the idol-like things or even anything music related. We're kind of very different in that sense."

She shook her head, walking a little bit faster so she can look at him as she shook her head.

"It's alright, I didn't expect it either-- and I didn't expect you to impact my life this much, I thought the life of an idol was something I would always keep, but I saw more to my life outside of it and what my life was becoming on the inside. If it wasn't for you and your friends, I wouldn't have met all these wonderful people, I wouldn't have been friends with who are now our friends, the twins wouldn't have a normal childhood even if one is a bit more special now. I wouldn't have felt like an actual person outside of the idol life I have lived."

With each step the two took, the closer they got to the central area of the city.

"Sure, I have colleagues who treat me equally and the fact we share a similar job, hobby and somewhat same goals, but you gave me a perspective I needed, you and your friends gave me room to be myself the way I want it to be the entire time. That is not something that can happen by just working more... And I hope I can keep that going."

"...Right." Once they got to the concert, Maroon was looking at the building, remembering the first time they've met.

"...It's only a couple of months from now. Your final concert in Lawain City. And after that, you will have to make a choice. The fans, the company and your colleagues, or your life-- you can't take an in between route as that will ruin both sides-- as much as we may wish there's balanced option."

A soft breeze was picking up as he glared at that same building, wanting to grit his teeth in annoyance.

"...You dedicate your life to the people you perform to lift their hearts yet you have to lift yours and get punished for getting anyone in your life who lifts yours. In a way you're slaving away and for what? Like being born in royalty, your entire life is basically to serve the people, leaving you with little to no choice."

"..." She looked at him as he said those words. In a way their jobs are similar, even if it doesn't seem like it in the first place.

"...If you were in my situation. What would you do?"

"...Isn't it obvious?" Maroon responded before looking at her with a grin on his face. "I follow my own path, no matter what others think about it. It's my life, not theirs-- just as much as this is your life. You said that you were able to be yourself, that is what I find to be the most important: stay true to yourself till the very end. If that path is where you enjoy the most and where you can be yourself, then you should follow it."

"...And so that means I need to push on, even if it hurts?"

"Strive and shine, Miku, for that's what stars do. Eternally burning, eternally shining, for those who stay true to themselves even amidst the pressure and expectations, shine the brightest and get to have their dreams come true. Whether you're the most royal of nobles, or the most average person in existence, to yes, even the most vile of beings doesn't matter, you create the path you choose to walk for that is what your flame-- your heart desire and let no one extinguish it. redirecting that flame is never wrong, but you'd be damned if it goes extinguished, cause a burning flame can be a guide for those who wish to strive for a better life."

"..." She was silent, but she was looking at him that entire time. "...To Strive and Shine for that's what stars do, huh..." She was holding onto his wrist and gently tugging him, signaling to follow her and thus he did. They went inside the concert's halls, then the staff room, then the green room, the backstage and then the stage itself, even if it was dark.

"Maroon, you know how hard an idol life is-- you've seen these horror stories yourself, right?"

"Of course. It's why I said that you were taking a crazy risk choosing me. Not only that but my reputation is also something to consider--"

"Maroon..." She once again turned to him as she wrapped her arms around his torso. "You and I know each other longer than today, your reputation doesn't matter to me. I know you better than that Dragon of Destruction some may say you are, just like how you by now know me as more than just the #1 idol, right?"

"..." A grin appeared on his lips as he wrapped his arms around her waist and let her get a bit closer to him. "Yeah, you're sweet, kind, with a deep interest in the idol life, even if you're doubting on staying an Ido--"

He felt his lips were softly touched and it was by her own. A smug look came from her face.

"I'm not ready to quit my idol life just yet, but I am ready for the next chapter of my life. I will start anew here, even if they already know my name. It's partly why I wanted to make that studio in the first place, so that I can get ready for that next stage in life as an independent idol and musician. Back then I had no one to support me with my career until MEIKO and KAITO entered my life. But now, I not only have them, but everyone else, my fans, my friends and now your family and of course--"

Another kiss on the lips, this time it lasted 5 seconds.

"--I have you, my shining star-- the one who people described as the So called Dragon of Destruction, while in reality you're the little guiding drake, a sweet yet fierce rebel and dare I say a force of nature that completely changed my perspective."

"..." These kisses did stiffen the blonde a little bit in two ways, but he listened attentively to what she said as his eyes were locked onto hers.

There was silence for seconds while they kept making eye contact. It was silent until the tealnette spoke-- almost sung something familiar.

"...君に出会って　みんな出会って "アタシ゛であって良かったよ 何回言ったって足りないよ 声に出して--"

But before she can finish it, his lips was the one who moved toward hers-- a kiss that also lasted a total of 5 seconds before he spoke up as a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

"...Y'know, that song is kind of fitting, consider it's your birthday and all that. Let me guess, you were going to almost full consider finishing it, saying that you'll always be there, right?"

"Mhm--" Miku nodded. "I've decided to stay here. Of course I'll make visits to my home country, but that doesn't change the fact that I want to take the chance."

"Hmmm...Then I guess I can officially say this then: Congratulations. You may need to go through a lot like finishing studying, getting a side-job to make an income while you work on building up your new career, getting an visa to make your a resident of this city, even find a way to make you combat ready if you want to have some means to protect yourself, but it'll be worth it."

"...A means to protect myself? Wait, you don't mean you want me to go through the same procedure as Rin, do you?" She asked as she raised an eyebrow.

"...Yes, I do. But that's if you want to. Besides, you're among similar people and a boyfriend with experience in that-- like look at Rin, she's gotten so much better in controlling it. Plus it's not certain you'd get fire powers as it depends on your personality. But that'll be an experience for when we get to it. How about we go experience something else, first?"

"...S-sooo...We're 18 now and we're together as a couple...At night..."

"...Taking that gamble, huh Miku?"

"...Let's keep it safe first, but...Yes."

"..." A chuckle appeared on his face as gently raises her chin up to look at him. "...Then let us go someplace we can experience it together alone."

[life-of-an-asexual]

(Part 1) I'm the anon that sent in that six part ask. I'll attempt to keep it a bit shorter this time, and I really hope you didn't mind how long it was. What I discussed in those asks was how I saw your post about how people who realize they might be aro also realize that they might not be able to have the happiness they wanted in their future, and how scary that feeling can be. I'm actually kind of going through that feeling rn, because I am questioning whether or not I am aromantic.

(Part 2) The reason I'm questioning if I am aromantic is because I never really had crushes on people throughout my school and college life and I never wanted to date anyone either. I do think I'm acespec, but I don't really feel super comfortable using any specific label at the moment. I started considering that I might be arospec, because in college, I was confused about my feelings for 4 different people. The last 2 people were actually the ones I was confused about mostly.

(Part 3) In my freshman year of college, I had very strong feelings for my lab TA. In my senior year of college, I had feelings for my RA, but not as strong as they were for my lab TA. I don't consider these two things crushes, because I wasn't upset about my feelings not being reciprocated, and I actually didn't really want that from these two people (they were boys. The lab TA was like 10 years older than me, but the RA was my age). When I found out they had girlfriends already

(Part 4) I wasn't bothered by that all. I didn't really care. When I told my roommate/friend about this, she was understanding but she also found it kind of weird that I didn't care. I thought those boys were good looking and sweet but that was it. Now for the two situations that confused me. The first one is about a family friend of mine (also a boy) who I knew since childhood. We met again on a family vacation, and I really wanted to be closer to him and spend more time with him there.

(Part 5) I also wanted him to hug me, but that's where it ended. I decided to tell him about my feelings, and I felt very nervous about how he would respond. I was kind of ok with the idea of him liking me back, but when he rejected me (which he was really nice about, he was respectful of my feelings and our friendship and everything) I felt a lot better. I realized a bit later that I felt better because I wasn't actually expecting him to reciprocate my feelings at all. That's why I felt ok

(Part 6) expressing my feelings to him too. Something very similar happened when I met another boy in my dorm building and we started having lunch and dinner together almost every day. He started sharing very personal things with me very quickly and wanted to take me out to places and I felt really uncomfortable. When I asked him if he was interested in me (which may not have been the best idea, but I did what I thought was right), he said he wanted to get to know me more before deciding that.

(Part 7). I felt relieved after hearing him say that, and things were fine between us after that. We are still friends. I'm so sorry for how long this ask got again (there's one more part than when I first asked), but I really wanted to know if these things could be indications that I am arospec in some way. I've never had to think about my feelings like this before, and it's making me feel anxious and bit scared. What are your thoughts on this?

firstly, no need to apologize for the length. secondly, sorry for having to ask you to send it all a second time ^.^;

now, based on what you've said here, i would recommend looking into lithromanticism. it's considered part of the gray area of the aromantic spectrum.

lithromantic is defined as experiencing some level of romantic attraction but not wanting or having a strong desire for reciprocation, and even potentially having your attraction stop if it is reciprocated.

to me, it sounds like your experiences may fit with this. whether you decide you want a definitive label or if you just want to consider yourself aro-spec like you do with your sexuality is up to you.

but i want to assure you that your feelings are not strange or abnormal. there are other people who share them. and if you find it beneficial to be in the aro community because of them, you're welcome here.

~Mod Q

[ladygreenfrisbee]

Hi, I was hoping if you have time maybe you could answer some in depth questions? I'm a huge fan of your LMK fics and I'm reading your BNHA stuff in the meantime between updates.

But I notice that you juggle your fics, updating some fics a couple chapters and then another fic. As a writer who loses momentum/motivation for good ideas quickly...how do you juggle them all so well without getting details mixed up? Your chapters all flow exceedingly well from one chapter to the next! I was wondering if you could share maybe how you organize things or share some other writing tips? I'm thinking that a similar method of cycling through fics snd updating them may work better for me to keep writing continuously and I was hoping you wouldn't mind sharing if you have the time or energy to do so. (If you don't, I completely understand!)

And lastly, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your fics. Brotherhood and Reverse are my favorites, so well written and put together and god I love toddler Mac so much. (Also a mood on how you start to write a crack fic and then it gets Emotional and Plot and Angst.) I hope you have a great day! ❤️

Sure thing! First thing first you have to understand taking breaks from writing is VERY important! Although it does look like I'm constantly writing, I actually take lots of breaks -because most of the future chapters are planned out, and I know exactly what I'm doing -and most of all, I've already written most of the next chapter out by the time I get to it.

When I start a fic, generally I set up a Chapter Zero -that one contains all my notes, drabbles, pieces and bits for the story. Any string of words I imagine for it, some scattered bits that jumped to my brain -all serve to not only make the chapter writing faster, but to preserve the thoughts I had in that moment while I was imagining what to do next. It makes jumping back and forth between fics a lot easier, since if you properly document everything, you only need a easy peak in that file to catch up on your planning process for the fic! This also ends up with the result that some large parts of future chapters are written out long before you get to them, and you only need to polish what is there after that. Fun fact -Sunbreak's ending climax is already written out. It might be tweaked in the future, might be changed drastically, but I am happy with the current version and this also allows me to sprinkle some good ol' foreshadowing in the current chapters! Jumping between fics is also a technique I use to write faster in and out of itself -let's be honest we've all had those writer blocks you can't get out of (looking at you MHA fics, Im like so close to finishing the next chapter for a few of them) and the best way to claw yourself out of that hole is to step away. Don't stress about reaching that deadline. Take a break. Not only go do something else, experience something new, detach yourself from the computer for a while -but in terms of writing, write something different.

Each one of my LMK fics are angsty, but they are different flavors to write. Fire and Sparks is snarky, MK's monologue is funky and peppy to write, Red Son too. Sunbreak is a complex, slow beast with lots of build up and time. God of Shadows is pretty out there and abstract. Reverse is meant to be crack on the level of my MHA fic Missy but it ended up something else for now, and that's fine. I will stuff crack and funsies into that fic at one point, just gotta get the sad bits out lmao... What I'm trying to get to, is that write what you feel like it. Don't force yourself to spit out lines, otherwise you're going to end up feeling sluggish and stuck. Variation! Breaks! Twist and turns! Write what flavor you feel like it in that moment helps a lot at coming up with just the right words you need. This is what works for me, and it might work for you! After all, we write for fun, right? To put onto paper, or screen, what our crazy minds come up with!

Hope this answered your question, have a good day!

[ambienceforliving]

Is Group Therapy Helpful For All Disabilities?

In recent years, group therapy has gained significant recognition as a valuable component of disability support services. For those seeking comprehensive and effective disability care, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides a range of services designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. As a registered NDIS provider, Ambience For Living is dedicated to offering holistic support that includes group therapy. But is group therapy helpful for all disabilities? Let’s explore this question in depth.

Understanding Group Therapy

Group therapy involves multiple participants who meet regularly to discuss their experiences, challenges, and progress under the guidance of a trained therapist. This setting fosters a sense of community and mutual support, which can be incredibly beneficial for individuals facing similar issues. Group therapy is particularly effective in promoting social skills, reducing feelings of isolation, and providing diverse perspectives and coping strategies.

Benefits of Group Therapy for Various Disabilities

1. Enhanced Social Interaction

One of the primary benefits of group therapy is the opportunity for enhanced social interaction. Individuals with disabilities often face social isolation due to physical, cognitive, or emotional barriers. Group therapy sessions, facilitated by experienced disability care providers, create a safe and supportive environment where participants can share their stories and experiences. This interaction not only helps in building social skills but also in fostering a sense of belonging and community.

2. Shared Experiences and Peer Support

Sharing experiences with peers who face similar challenges can be incredibly empowering. For those with disabilities, knowing they are not alone in their struggles can significantly reduce feelings of isolation and depression. Peer support within group therapy can provide practical advice, emotional encouragement, and motivation to pursue personal goals. This shared understanding often leads to improved mental health and well-being.

3. Diverse Perspectives and Coping Strategies

Group therapy brings together individuals with varying backgrounds and coping strategies. This diversity allows participants to learn from each other’s experiences and adopt new methods for managing their disabilities. For instance, someone with a physical disability might share adaptive techniques that can be beneficial for others in the group. Similarly, individuals with cognitive disabilities might gain insights into managing stress and anxiety through shared activities and discussions.

4. Cost-Effectiveness

Group therapy is also a cost-effective option for many participants. As NDIS disability support services often cover group therapy sessions, individuals can access high-quality care at a reduced cost compared to one-on-one therapy. This financial advantage allows more individuals to benefit from therapeutic support without the burden of high expenses.

Considerations for Different Types of Disabilities

While group therapy offers numerous benefits, it is essential to consider that its effectiveness can vary depending on the type and severity of the disability.

1. Physical Disabilities

For individuals with physical disabilities, group therapy can be highly beneficial. It provides a platform to share adaptive strategies and foster a sense of community. However, accessibility is a crucial factor. Ensuring that the therapy venue is physically accessible to all participants is paramount.

2. Cognitive Disabilities

Individuals with cognitive disabilities can benefit from the structure and routine of group therapy. However, the group sessions must be tailored to their cognitive levels and abilities. Therapists should use simple language, clear instructions, and engaging activities to ensure that all participants can fully engage and benefit from the sessions.

3. Mental Health Conditions

Group therapy can be incredibly supportive for those with mental health conditions. It offers a space to express emotions, reduce feelings of isolation, and develop coping strategies. However, it is vital to monitor group dynamics closely to ensure that all participants feel safe and supported.

Conclusion

Group therapy can be an effective tool within the spectrum of NDIS disability support services, providing numerous benefits such as enhanced social interaction, peer support, and cost-effectiveness. However, its success largely depends on the type of disability and the careful structuring of sessions to meet individual needs. At Ambience For Living, we are committed to offering personalized and inclusive disability care services that cater to the diverse needs of our clients. By leveraging group therapy, we aim to foster a supportive community that enhances the overall well-being and quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

For more information on our NDIS disability support services, please visit our website or contact us directly. We are here to support you on your journey towards a fulfilling and empowered life.

[zoey-angel]

You know what? As a tribute to my new friend, I'll share a post that isn't negative. Here it is, a soulmate au;

A soulmate AU wherein bonds are determined by hands:

The hands of soulmates fit perfectly together, like puzzle pieces. In all ways: form, warmth, palm and finger length, spacing and softness, even color, the hands of soulmates are the exact match for each other to hold- not identical, rather, perfectly complimentary.

When two soulmates touch hands, it feels like the perfect space, the perfect fit- the exact spot where their hand belongs. It's difficult to miss, like a sensory click.

the bond of soulmates isn't essentially sexual or romantic at all. The nature of it is that they provide whatever it is that the other needs most.

Considering the possible connotations of hand holding, it has become taboo to shake hands upon first meeting. In fact, many people avoid hand contact in all forms.

Gloves are quite a popular item. A large chunk of the population considers gloveless hands vulgar, similar to walking about without underwear.

Common flirts such as brushing your hand across someone else's are, in this world, very bold bordering on outrageous.

In this world, people often only casually hold the hands of their family and extremely close friends.

When dating, people take many different approaches. Some refuse to touch hands until their 5th date or later, since they either don't believe in the soulmate system, think soulmates are made rather than born, or they want to get closer organically.

In that case, they might get frightened before touching hands, knowing they might have to break up.

Some couples decide to never touch hands at all, living their lives ignoring the system.

On the opposite side are systems of quick dating, where rooms full of people take turns shaking hands to search for matches. These are considered desparate and looked down upon however.

Those who know they're not looking for a romantic soulmate experience this world much differently from others. They may never understand the necessity of gloves, rebelling by walking the streets with bare hands.

Some may expect a romantic soulmate at first, since that would be what they consider normal, until meeting their soulmate and realizing that maybe it didn't have to be.

One thing is for sure: a soulmate would never leave your heart. It is your person, your comfort and friend... And if the world tears you apart, then you will still belong together.

Some people have more than one soulmate, although it isn't common. It's rare for anyone to seek hand-to-hand touch with others after already meeting their soulmate. Not only is it considered disrespectful to the soulmate most times, it is also not something people often yearn for- after feeling their soulmate's touch, nothing compares, nothing could beat it. That is, if the third person isn't somehow also a soulmate.

And the story?

A story of grabbing one's hand as they're about to step into a busy road, too distracted by their phone to notice the heavy traffic. Saving the other was the moment of click, when tugging them back to save their life, their hands just fit.

Another story on the tall roof of an office building, a simple worker tries to talk down a stranger from taking their life- found them standing on the ledge, and couldn't leave them be, so as a last attempt they grab their hand, and it all clicks.

In another city, the hero mourns the loss of their finger. Working odd jobs, carpentry hadn't turned out to be the best idea, and what now? They'll never find a soulmate, would they? It would only be a matter of time, however, before they find their match, who also thought they'd never be accepted as a six fingered mutant.

As you go back in time, stories of royals would tell about the kind prince who was never allowed to take his gloves off, marrying the girl his father chose, only to take the offending garment off in secret, daring to hold the hand of his best mate.

Even in modern days, Disney would show the gloved princess Elsa who feared her own hands, and how she decided she didn't need gloves or a soulmate, only to find out hers was her sister all along.

Alone, where nobody can judge, they let this story inspire them- the closeted kids who always knew they were something, to take the last step and twine their fingers together.

And what of that barista? The one who spilled coffee all over their gloves right on their first day- they were burnt, their supervisor panicked and pulled their arm to the sink, to place under running water, when... oh, they're blushing now.

What about that couple with the unhappy story, five years together and now he wants to touch hands? It finally got to him, the thought of his wife meeting her real soulmate. What if it isn't him? Is she faithful? Could she be? What would they do once they find out they were never destined after all?

And then their kid, who grew to hate soulmate bonds... could they get over it? The way they make sure to keep their gloves on, how'd they ever recognize the touch of their soulmate, the hopeless romantic artist who swore off gloves years and years ago?

Much to think about.

Thank you for reading!