#trying to spin my current frustration into a positive

[nancywheeeler]

at the end of the semester, i'm going to have to issue all my students both a formal apology and a debt of gratitude for being guinea pigs

[jadeaphire]

Sonic Movie 3 Sonic and Shadow dynamic conversation… spoilers ahead!

So I think a lot of us can agree the dynamic between Sonic and Shadow in this movie was great. Of course there was the discourse at first, Shadow being frustrated at first was understandable, same thing with Sonic when Tom was hurt. And then they came to a mutual respect on the moon. After the moon scene we even see them be playful with each other. “Don’t tell me you’ve got a catchphrase.” And “Just try to keep up” with a smile on Shadow’s face. It reminds you of what Sonic and Shadow used to have back in the day, a mutually respectful feeling towards each other and a fun rivalry where both loved the banter and competition.

My question is what are they doing to do to Sonic and Shadow’s relationship after this? We know Shadow is alive and they will inevitably meet again. In the games, the next time Shadow and Sonic see each other again after SA2, they still held that same wonderful dynamic. But with Sega’s current depiction of their relationship, I worry. Now-a-days, Shadow pretends to barely tolerate Sonic, dislikes working with him, while Sonic commonly teases him and seems to be the only one who enjoys the banter.

With how things in the movie ended off, Sonic and Shadow happily fighting alongside each other in an almost playful way; spinning around each other, bantering, smiling… I can’t imagine them going back to “the more you talk, the harder I want to hit you.” Even though that’s kinda how Shadow and Sonic’s video game relationship seems to be now.

If my theory is correct that Shadow shows up halfway through, possibly towards the end of Sonic 4 to help fight Metal (probably either Neo or Overlord at that point), I really hope they keep their demeanor towards each other positive. Sure, Shadow can be more serious, as usual, but please please Sega don’t make Shadow act like he’s frustrated to be working with Sonic.

[mwahbabe]

Seeing Red.

Rachel x fem! reader

your best friend get’s hands-y with you seeing you in lingerie that’s not for her.

MEN DNI !!!

established relationship, hints of toxic relationship, reader is delulu, rachel is in lovelove. friends to lovers(?), lesbian tingzzz

cw: lingerie, breast/nipple play, clit play, tribbing/scissoring, cunnilingous, cum eating.

“rach? how’s this one?” you gave her a spin.

Rachel tried to maintain her composure, but she couldn’t help the pang of jealousy that shot through her as she looked at you in the lingerie. You looked absolutely gorgeous, and she knew you weren’t even wearing it for her.

She was on her stomach laying on your bed. Her feet in the air half scrolling on her phone, half oogling watching you waiting to give her opinion on which ever lacey garment you tried. Each time you would strip off to try on the next one, she pretended to look down at her phone instead of at your naked body. You were both very… comfortable around each other to put it lightly. You had both seen every inch of each other and had no filter around the other, a lot of times, people would quiet down to hear what diabolical things came out of both your mouths in a crowded room, but rachel was never the type to care. she was a free spirit and never took life too seriously.

She shifted on the bed, trying to play it cool.

“It looks great.” she said, her voice neutral. “I’m sure b/n will love it.”

she hadn’t given you a single no to any of the ones you tried on which was both flattering but annoying since you didn’t know what to choose.

“rachh! i’m serious. I feel like this one’s… i don’t know, showing too much.”

“uhh, it’s lingerie y/n it’s meant to show too much.” her hazel eyes roamed over your body in the black two piece set you currently wore.

“you’re so unhelpful.” you said in a huff. You hid the smile tugging at the corners of your mouth from her.

Rachel forced a small, playful smile.

“Okay, okay, come here.” she said, gesturing for you to come closer to her.

As you approached, she pretended to inspect the lingerie, her fingers gently touching the fabric. But in reality, her mind was filled with jealousy and frustration. She wanted to pull the thing away, to say it looked awful, anything to keep you from going to see him.

She slowly sat up from the position she was laying in to a sitting position.

“you think my tits looks good in this?” you asked, both of you knowing she had seen your tits more than her own.

Rachel felt a pang in her gut seeing how the sheer fabric in the bralette showed your perfect set, your nipples hardened against the fabric. Her eyes lingered on your chest for perhaps a little too long, the sight of you in the lingerie only increasing the jealousy and desire that was coursing through her. Her eyes traced over them as she forced herself to answer casually.

“Yeah, they look great.” she said with a shrug and forced her gaze down at her phone.

“rachel you say that about everything I wear. look at it from like, a man’s perspective or .. something.” you glanced at the mirror running your fingers along the sides of the fabric and fixing your hair.

Rachel let out a small huffing sound, her jaw clenching slightly as she looked away from you. She was struggling to hold back her emotions, the thought of you spending time with your boyfriend causing a knot to form in her stomach.

“Alright, alright, i get it.” she mumbled, forcing herself to look back at you again.

She looked you up and down, her gaze flickering over your body quickly, as if she was trying to look away as soon as possible.

“From a man’s perspective I wanna rip it off you and ruin it so why bother wearing it?” she said, her tone laced with amusement and bitterness, flicking the strap near your thigh.

you knew she would say something real and not helpful knowing what your boyfriend was like.

“ugh. okay next.”

As you went to change into the next one, Rachel flopped back onto the bed, sighing loudly. She knew she was being irrational, that you were allowed to see other people and didn’t belong to her, but she couldn’t help the feelings of jealousy that were gnawing at her gut.

She tried to focus on the room’s decor, anything to take her mind off the fact that you were currently stripping in front of her.

you got into the next garment, a sheer, white babydoll set with thigh highs, leaving very very little to the imagination. “okay. how do we feel about this one? think it’ll get my back blown out?”

you posed in the mirror, looking over your shoulder at your own ass in the set.

Seeing rachels fixated expression, you can’t help but smirk slightly in amusement. Rachel’s reaction was very… satisfying to watch. It took a lot to leave rachel amber speechless.

There was no denying it, you looked absolutely stunning.

“Well?” you ask, raising an eyebrow.

Rachel shook her head slightly, trying to snap herself out of her daze.

“yeah, that looks really fucking cute on you. It’s gonna be ripped off in seconds.”

From her tone you couldn’t tell if that was a compliment or a dig at your boyfriend.

Rachel’s fingers gently played with the soft sheer lace overtop of the bra and panties. her touch always sent shivers down your spine, you tried your best not to react to her fingers trailing over your belly.

“I’m sure b/n will love it.” she said, her tone almost sarcastic.

you put your hand in her hand, your fingers feeling over her slightly chipped red polish.

“rach. i know that tone.”

Rachel tensed slightly, cursing herself internally. She knew she should probably dial it back, but she couldn’t stop the words from leaving her mouth.

“What tone?” she asked, her voice too nonchalant to be believable.

“come on. you’re mad i’m seeing him again?”

Rachel sighed, her façade dropping slightly. She knew there was no point in denying it, you knew her too well.

“Yeah, i am.” she admitted, her expression darkening. “I don’t see why you’re wasting your time with him. He’s not good enough for you.” her voice was laced with jealousy.

“he’s good to me.” you said, your tone insistent, almost trying to convince yourself as well.

Rachel gave you that stare that she always gave when you tried to convince her your boyfriend wasn’t a dick. One that you could feel even if you avoided her gaze.

you scoffed as you shoved her hand away, no real force behind it. “well okay, maybe he’s a douche sometimes and can play games… but he’s… sweet.”

Rachel’s frown deepened at your words. She could practically hear the doubt in your voice, as if you were trying to reassure yourself more than convince her. Which only made her even more frustrated.

“Is he, though?” she asked pointedly. “You know he likes to play games. You deserve better than that, you deserve someone who actually cares about you and treats you right.”

Rachel rolled her eyes, her hands balling into fists at her sides.

You threw the piece of lingerie at her after peeling it off. “come onn please just be my friend for now. lecture me later.” you pouted. you knew deep down she was right but you were convinced he was worth 200$ worth of lingerie.

Rachel caught the piece of lingerie as you threw it, a pout forming on her lips as she saw you strip out of it. she kept her expression neutral but was shamelessly staring at your now-naked body,

She sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping.

“I am always your friend, dumbass.” she muttered. her voice mocking with a hint of something else.

“okay fine just tell me how this one looks.” you huffed and began putting the last piece on, it was a wine red lacey set with thigh highs, it covered more than the others but was still teasing and tantalising. it was more like lingerie and not just something that was basically a bikini with some lace and straps.

Rachel’s breath caught in her chest as she saw you in the red set. The darker, more sultry color contrasted beautifully against your skin, accentuating your curves in all the right places. Her eyes roamed over your form, taking in the sight of you in the lace and silk.

Rachel’s gaze followed you as you did a slow spin, her eyes practically devouring every inch of your body. Each passing moment only made her want you more, her eyes darkening, her body feeling hot under her clothes.

“Damn…” she muttered, her sultry eyes darkening as her gaze travelled over your body.

“You look…” she began, her voice coming out huskier than she intended. “Stunning. Absolutely stunning.”

“you think so?” you turned your head to her looking over your shoulder.

Rachel nodded, her gaze still fixed on you, practically drinking in the sights of your body in the red lingerie. She tried to look away, tried to remind herself that this wasn’t for her, but she just couldn’t tear her eyes away.

“Yes, i do.” she said, her voice soft and honest, a stark contrast to the jealousy that was still swirling inside her gut. “That one is the best one on you.”

“Finally. we found the winner” you teased checking yourself out again, rachel always gave you confidence and was always there to support you and make you feel sure of yourself. You always found yourself needing her approval and validation, she was your best friend after all…

“Why do you even need my opinion anyway?” Rachel asked, leaning back on the bed as she watched you check yourself out in the mirror, a slight pang of jealousy in her chest. She knew you relied on her for approval and validation, and it was something she both loved and hated. Loved because it made her feel close to you, like she was an important part of your life, but hated because it made her feel like she was only ever your friend, nothing more. She tried to push those thoughts away, though, and focused on giving you the praise you desired.

you turned to her for a second, trying to avoid her peircing gaze. “because you’re honest. and will tell me if something looks bad on me.”

“Well. that lingerie definitely looks amazing on you. but i know someone who doesn’t look good on you.” her words filled with venom. She couldn’t help herself. she wasn’t one for subtlety and could only keep her thoughts and dislike for your boyfriend to herself for so long.

you groaned and tossed your head back.

“you’re impossible Rach.”

you didn’t realise she got up and was now behind you, her body against yours as she looked at you in the mirror.

“look who’s talking.”

her hands were now on your arms, her fingers wrapped around your upper arms.

you looked at yourself more, wondering if you should bother wearing it, or … even seeing him at all. It’s not like you would be leaving satisfied, and your pretty little outfit rachel seemed to really like would be ripped anyway…

“you really like it?”

rachels head rested on your shoulder, her eyes still on you in that full length mirror. Her red painted nails trailing over your bra strap. The colour match was identical.

“fuck yeah i do. You look hella gorgeous y/n.”

her voice came out as a seductive purr and you couldn’t help the shivers you got, the warm feeling pooling in your gut. “thanks rach. you’re so sweet.” you held the hand that she had on your body, Rachel’s breath hitched in her throat as you took her hand, The feel of your skin against hers was electric, she felt her heartrate pick up, her body growing warmer. she took that opportunity to intertwine both your fingers.

She couldn’t help but press up flush against your back - her body now flush against yours, her chest against your back. She kept her eyes on your reflection, her gaze flickering over your form, taking in every single inch of you, the red lace of the lingerie hugging your curves perfectly.

“you’re too good for him.” she whispered in your ear, sending tingles down your body at her warm breath in your ear and her lowered voice.

she expected a whine or for you to push her away, not wanting to face the truth of your relationship. but you just let out a soft moan as her other hand wandered more.

you were mad at the fact that you were already wet from her gaze and compliments while trying on lingerie, and now it was only increasing from her touch.

“ah shit.” you looked down seeing of the straps connected to the choker on your lingerie had come undone.

“i got it.” Rachel whispered in your ear.

As Rachel’s hand reached up to fix the lace on your chest, her fingers gently skimming over your skin, their eyes met in the mirror. Rachel’s breath hitched in her throat as your gazes locked together, her heart pounding in her ears.

Her fingers stilled for a moment, her hand lingering on your chest as she held your gaze, a mixture of desire and restraint swirling in her eyes.

Slowly, she traced her fingers down over the lace, tracing the line of your cleavage. She knew she shouldn't, knew you were seeing someone else, but her body seemed to move of its own accord, drawn to you like a moth to a flame.

all morals and restraint went out the window, your lips met. almost like magnets being pulled together.

Rachel's body surged forward as your lips met, her hands immediately coming up to cup your face, pulling you closer to her. Her mouth was hot, hungry and insistent, her tongue seeking yours out almost desperately. You kept up with her, your desire just as heavy as hers. You raised your hand to cup her face, trying to ground yourself.

The kiss was filled with a mixture of passion, desire, and a hint of possessiveness, years of pent-up feelings boiling over and rushing to the surface, finally set free.

after you both pulled away for air her hand that was still in yours was untangling from your fingers and was pulling at the lace around your breasts.

“your nails match…” you commented. noticing the almost identical dark red colour on her short nails.

Rachel looked down, a small laugh escaping her lips as she noticed her nails did match the lace of the lingerie you were wearing.

"Oh hey, they do." she said, a small smirk forming on her face. "It’s a sign." Her hand continued to gently tease the lace, her touch light and exploratory, her eyes still fixed on you in the mirror.

She then turned back to face the mirror, Rachel's arms encircled your waist, pulling you back against her. Her chest was flush against your back, her chin resting on your shoulder as she surveyed the two of you in the mirror.

She hummed appreciatively at the sight, her hands roaming idly over your body, her touch becoming increasingly bolder and possessively.

the blondes hand slipped further down, her slender fingers finding their way to the thin lace of the panties. She sucked in a breath as she felt the heat emanating from your cunt, the stickyness at her touch causing a small groan to escape her lips.

With a small smirk, she turned her head to nip at your neck. "Wow look how wet you are," she murmured, her breath hot against your skin. "I haven’t even started."

you stumble a little back into her, her scent of jasmine filling your nostrils.

“fuck..”

Rachel's smirk widened as her hand continued to tease you through the thin lace of the panties. She loved the power she had over you, the way she could have you coming undone so easily.

"Feel good?" she asked, her voice low and seductive, her lips kissing and nipping their way from your neck to your ear. She pressed her body against yours, her breath coming out in ragged pants.

you gave a quick nod, your lips parting, “yeah…”

Rachel's breath hitched at the sound of your voice, your reply causing a ripple of excitement to run through her. She could feel the heat of your body against hers, the way you were practically melting in her arms, and it only served to increase her own need.

Her hand continued its slow, torturous exploration under the lace, her fingers dancing over your heated skin, eliciting tiny gasps and moans from you. "You're so beautiful," she whispered, her lips now back at your ear.

your cheeks turn a lighter shade and your breath caught in your throat at the praise and purr of her voice.

Rachel's free hand came up to your chin, tilting your face so that you were looking directly into the mirror. Her breath was hot against your neck, her body pressed tightly against yours from behind.

"Watch yourself," she whispered, her tone demanding. "I want you to see how good you look right now, how beautiful you are, and how only I can do this to you. Only me."

you watch in the mirror at yourself, your eyes wide and pupils dilated.

Rachel watched your reflection in the mirror as you watched yourself, her eyes dark and hungry as they roamed over your form. She could see the way your eyes were wide and dark, your breath coming out in small pants and gasps. She loved the look on your face, the way you were completely undone by her touch, and she loved knowing that she was the cause of it.

Her hand continued to tease and explore, her fingers moving steadily and rhythmically under the lace, her body pressing tight against yours, every inch of her molded to your form.

your eyes would flutter shut and my head leaned back on her shoulder, soft whimpers spilling from your lips.

As your head leaned back, Rachel's mouth descended on the exposed skin of your neck, her lips and teeth trailing fiery kisses and nips up and down the skin. She let out a low, guttural noise - half moan, half growl - as she felt your body respond to her touch.

Her hand stilled for a moment under the lace, pausing to take in the sight of you, completely undone and desperate for her touch. "Keep your eyes open," she commanded, using her free hand to turn your face and make you look forward again. “rach..” you weakly protested.

Rachel shook her head, her voice low and firm. “No.” She nipped at your neck, hard. “I want you to watch. I want you to watch what you do to me, how good I make you feel, and how you’re the only one I do this for.”

She returned to exploring your body with her hands, her touch becoming more heated and demanding. “Stay. Looking.”

you let out a sharp gasp as her teeth bite into your neck. You didn’t argue with her after that,

whimpers turned into loud moans as she rubbed your swollen clit faster. Rachel was getting drunk on the sounds coming from you, the sight of you in the mirror, completely unraveled in her arms. She could feel you growing slicker under her touch, your body responding eagerly to her touch, and it only served to increase her own arousal, her own need. Her breath hitched and her body trembled against yours as she continued to lavish attention on you, her fingers moving in a steady, rhythmic pattern, her touch expert and practiced.

“Look at yourself,” she panted, her lips pressed against your ear. “See how beautiful you are? How good I make you feel? You and me, no one else.” Her words were punctuated with nips

You let out a sharp cry as a finger entered you. “uh huh.. yes, yes.”

Rachel's breath hitched at the sound of your cry, her body shuddering in response. She loved the way you reacted to her touch, the sounds you made, the way your body responded so eagerly to her.

“Yeah?” she asked, her voice low and seductive. “You feel that? That’s me. That’s me making you feel this good, making you come undone.” Her hand continued its relentless pace, her breath coming out in hot pants against your neck. “No one else. Just me.”

soon you were gripping her arm as she entered a second finger in your weeping entrance which rachel grinned at, the feeling of your fingers digging into her skin only heightening the experience for her. Her breath came out in ragged gasps as she added a second finger, and the look of pleasure on your face

“fuck rachel..”

Rachel let out a soft moan at the sound of her name on your lips, the way you said it. It was like a drug to her, the way it filled her veins, the way it made her feel.

“Feel good?” she asked, her free arm wrapping around your waist, holding you in place against her. Her fingers moved faster, harder, her body pressed flush against yours. “Say it again.”

“feels so good mama..” you blurt out.

Rachel let out a soft gasp at the sound of you calling her “mama.” It was something she’d never heard you refer to her as before, and it sent shockwaves through her body, her breath catching in her chest.

Her fingers moved with renewed purpose, her pace becoming almost frantic, her teeth nipping at your neck again. “Again,” she commanded, her voice ragged and breathless. “Say it again.”

“mm.. you’re making me.. hh, feel good mama.”

Rachel’s eyes fluttered shut as you said the words again, her heart pounding in her chest. The sound of you calling her “mama” filled her chest with an almost primal sense of possessiveness, a need to protect and care for you in a way she couldn’t explain.

“That’s right,” she panted, her lips pressed against your neck. “Good girl. You’re so good for me. So beautiful and perfect and all mine, aren’t you?”

“uh huh.. yeah rach.”

Rachel’s grip on you tightened at your response, her body molding to yours. She loved the sound of your agreement, the way you sounded completely unraveled and desperate in her arms.

“Damn right you are,” she murmured, her voice thick with need. “My good girl, all mine.”

Her fingers worked faster now, her touch becoming urgent, her body pressed firm against your back. Her breath was hot against your ear as she continued to speak, her voice rough and guttural. “Say it again. Say you’re mine.”

you gasped and struggled to stay upright as she fingered you faster and with purpose now. “ah! i’m yours mama…!”

The words sent a jolt of pleasure through Rachel, her body tightening as she heard you say that you were hers. The sound of you calling her “mama” again only heightened her need, her body responding to your words and the way you were responding to her touch.

“That’s right,” she panted, her voice strained. “Your shitty boyfriend make you feel like this? huh?”

you shook your head frantically. “no!”

Rachel let out a small, satisfied hum as you adamantly shook your head, her fingers working faster, her touch more demanding. She knew that her question had hit a nerve, but she didn’t care - as far as she was concerned, you were hers, and she wanted to make sure you knew it.

“Damn right he doesn’t,” she said, her voice low and possessive. “He doesn’t deserve you.”

at this point your mind was blank except for the feeling she was giving you. “ah shit…!” you could feel yourself getting close, your pussy clenching around her fingers deep inside

Rachel could feel you getting close, the way your body was growing tense and trembly in her arms. She could feel your muscles tensing, your legs quivering, and she knew that you were right on the edge of coming undone.

“Come on,” she panted, her free hand coming up to cup your chin, turning your face so she could look you in the eye. “Don’t hold back. I want you to let go.”

my breathing got heavier and my moans got more higher and needier i gripped her arm and struggled to stay standing and not fall but Rachel kept you standing, her arm wrapped tightly around your waist, her grip strong and firm. She loved the way you were falling apart in her arms, unravelling for her, and she knew that you were close, so close.

“That’s it,” she panted, her voice low and ragged. “Let go baby, come for me. Let me see you cum”

a strangled moan came from you as your pussy clenched around her fingers, your head leaned back into her shoulder the damp patch in your panties turning into a puddle.

Rachel could feel you clenching around her fingers, the sound of your moans music to her ears. She could feel the heat and dampness of you, the way you were coming apart in her arms, and it set her own body on fire.

“Good girl,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “That’s it, just let go. I got you.”

Short gasps and whines came from you as your best friend Rachel kept her fingers moving, prolonging your orgasm for as long as she possibly could, her arm wrapped tight around your waist, holding you up against her. Her breath was coming out in ragged gasps against your neck, her body trembling with need, but she forced herself to stay focused on giving you pleasure above all else.

“That’s it baby.” she panted.

once you came down you stumbled back, your knees weak. “ah shit..”

Rachel let you stumble back, her arm still around your waist, holding you close. Her own body was trembling with need and desire, her breath coming out in ragged pants as she struggled to regain control of herself. She chuckled softly at your curse, her voice low and thick. “You okay there?”

“yeah…i’m good.” you chuckled softly

Rachel chuckled along with you, her arm still encircling your waist. She could feel your body trembling against hers, the aftershocks of your orgasm still coursing through you, and it only increased her own need for you.

“Good,” she rasped, her voice still ragged. “Because we’re not done yet.”

you found yourself on your knees in front of rachel, her black ripped jeans discarded and her panties probably now under your bed from how far they were thrown. getting your best friend off as she watched in the mirror at herself

Rachel’s breath caught in her chest as she watched you on your knees in front of her, the sight of you between her legs doing strange things to her. Her voice was trembling as she spoke, her fingers gripping the edge of the dresser to keep herself steady. “You look so good on your knees like that,” she said, her voice ragged. “All for me. Look up at me.”

you obeyed, looking up at her, your chin slick with her and your face flushed.

Rachel’s breath caught in her chest at the sight of you, your chin slick with her, and your face flushed, looking up at her with wide eyes. She loved the way you looked, so vulnerable and open for her, all for her.

“Damn,” she panted, her voice low and ragged. “You have no idea how good you look like this. Just for me. All mine.”

“you look unreal rach.”

you went back to business, your eyes looking up at her hazel ones. Rachel’s chest puffed up at your compliment, her breath catching in her chest. She loved hearing you talk like this, the way you said her name, the way you looked at her. She was about to respond, but her words turned to a strangled moan as you went back to work.

She leaned back against the dresser, her fingers gripping the edge of the furniture tightly, her eyes locked on yours in the mirror. “Don’t stop,” she panted. And you didn’t. Your tongue flicked, your lips sucked, while you let out soft sounds into her pussy. Rachel couldn’t take her eyes off you, watching you work your magic with your tongue and your lips. The soft sounds you were making mixed with the sight of you, working her so perfectly, almost sent her over the edge right then and there, but she held on, her mind growing foggy with need.

“G-good girl,” she panted, her voice cracking. “Just like that.”

Rachel felt her legs grow weak as her orgasm started to build, so she allowed you to guide her to the bed, her body moving without much conscious thought. She lay back on the bed, her body trembling as she looked up at you, her eyes dark with lust.

“Come here,” she gasped, her hand reaching out for you. You went to go back between her legs but she stopped you and started to removed your lingerie. her hands were on you, her fingers gripping the fabric of your lingerie, pulling it down off your body. She wanted to feel your skin against hers, to feel you pressed close to her.

“I need to feel you,” she panted, her voice ragged. “I need you against me, close, now.”

she removed your bra and panties letting them join the pile of clothes. leaving you in the thigh highs and garters,

Rachel’s eyes raked over your body, taking in the sight of you in the thigh highs and garters, the way they accentuated your curves. Her breath hitched in her chest at the sight of you, and she quickly undressed the rest of the way, leaving her red flannel discarded on the ground and her bra joining it soon after.

She straddled your hips, her body pressing you down against the bed, her hands roaming over your body, taking in every inch of you. your bodies joined, the sounds of pleasured hums and kisses filling the room, her pussy grinding on yours The sound of your pleased hums and your lips against hers filled Rachel’s head, her brain fogged over with lust and desire. She kept her body flush against yours, her hips moving in time with yours, her center grinding against yours in a dance of pleasure.

Her breath came out in ragged gasps against your neck, her lips trailing along your skin, her teeth nipping at your throat. “God, you feel so good,” she panted. You were moaning from the skin on skin contact and the feel of your most intimate parts together. “you feel good- ah!”

“Yeah?” Rachel panted, her lips against the sensitive skin of your neck. She loved the way you responded to her touch, her body, the way you sounded, and she wanted more, needed more.

“Just ‘good?’” she teased, lifting her head so she could look down at you, a cocky little smirk on her face. “Better than your boyfriend?”

that made you scoff in amusement.

“fuck. he’s not even close to this..”

Rachel couldn’t help the satisfied smirk that spread across her face at your words. “Yeah?” she panted, her hips grinding against yours, drawing out a low moan from her as well as you.“You seem pretty sure about that” she teased again, her lips trailing along your collarbone, moving lower down your chest.

“completely.”

Rachel’s lips curled into a satisfied smile at your words, her tongue coming out to trace a trail down your skin, kissing just above your left breast.

“Good,” she murmured, her voice low and thick with need. “I don’t want you thinking about him. I want you to think about me. Only me.”

“you got it..”

Rachel’s voice was ragged as she panted and her breath hot against your skin, her body moving against yours in a slow, steady rhythm.

“That’s my girl,” she murmured, her lips moving back up to your neck, her teeth gently nipping at the soft skin. “I want all of you just for me.”

“all yours mama..”

Rachel’s breath caught in her chest at your words, your voice sounding like sweetest music to her ears. She loved how you called her “mama,” the way it sounded coming from your lips.

“Damn right, you are,” she panted, her lips moving against your neck, trailing along the sensitive skin. “All mine, my good girl.” you gripped her body tightly, her petite form over yours.

Rachel’s body moved against yours, her petite form moving over you, pinning you to the bed. She could feel your hands grasping at her, your fingers digging into her skin, and it only increased her need for you.

She was completely focused on you, on your body, your voice, the way you responded to her. She wanted to make you feel good, wanted to make you completely come undone for her. And no way were you gonna deny her. “ah.. yeah.. fuck you feel so good.”

Rachel’s breath caught in her chest as you spoke, your voice a low moan, the words a mix of a gasp and a prayer. She loved the way you were falling apart for her, the way you were losing yourself in pleasure. “Yeah?” she panted, her own breath coming out in deep, ragged gasps. “You like that?”

“uh huh..” your voice was strained, she felt too good.

Rachel could feel you falling apart beneath her, your body quivering under her touch, the sounds of your whimpers and gasps like music to her ears. She knew that she had you right where she wanted you, on the edge of falling apart, and she wasn’t about to let you fall just yet.

“Say it again,” she panted, her lips against your neck. “Louder.” “you feel good mama..” your voice was whiney now

Rachel’s heart skipped a beat at your words, the way you said her favorite nickname, the way you sounded so desperate and needy. She could feel you squirming under her, your voice needy and whiney, and she loved it, loved how you sounded, how you were completely falling apart for her.“Good girl,” she managed to gasp, her voice ragged and low. “That’s it, baby.”

You knew she was close, she hadn’t cum yet from your mouth and she was for sure sensitive. you were almost there yourself, the feeling of her was overwhelming, you could cum just from the sight of her alone.

Rachel could feel her body starting to tense up beneath you, her muscles clenching and her breath coming in short gasps. She was close, the pleasure building and building, and she knew she was right on the edge, but she didn’t want to let go, not yet, not until she had you right there with her.

Her hands clutched at your hips, her nails digging into your skin as she panted heavily, her eyes fixed on you, taking in your every expression, the way you were responding to her. “You look so damn good,” she gasped, her voice ragged. “I’m right there babe…” you were dizzy. you had to feel her cum, to hear those gorgeous sounds of hers. “Cum on me… please..”

Rachel couldn’t take it anymore, the way you were pleading with her, your voice desperate, the sight of you all too much for her to handle. It pushed her right over the edge, and she cried out, her body shuddering. You followed suit, pornographic girly moans filled your dorm room.

Rachel was completely unraveled, every muscle in her body tensed as she orgasmed, her cry of pleasure sounding loud in the room. She collapsed on top of you, her body trembling, her breath coming in short gasps. you laid there as she lowered my leg down and collapsed onto you. Rachel was still trembling as she settled on top of you, her body pressing against yours, her breath hot against your neck as she gasped for air. She lay there for a few moments, her body boneless and relaxed, her mind still fuzzy with pleasure.

Eventually, she lifted her head, her eyes meeting yours, a soft, satisfied smile on her face. “Damn,” she panted. “That was… wow.” “mm. yeah.” you managed, eyes meeting hers.

After a minute of you two admiring each others spent forms you sat up and reached for your phone on the bedside table. Rachel watched you, a soft smile still on her face. She lazily sat up as well, her body still feeling boneless and relaxed, completely sated.

“What are you doing?” she asked, her tone slightly breathless but curious.

“i’m cancelling the date with him.”

Rachel's expression shifted as you spoke, her lazy smile shifting into a smirk. She scooted closer to you, her eyes on the screen of your phone, watching as you cancelled the date.

“Good," she purred, her tone smug. "I don't want to share you with him. He doesn't deserve you."

“i know.” Rachel's smirk widened as you agreed with her, her hand coming to rest on your thigh, her touch possessive. “You're mine," she said, her tone possessive. "You're not going to see him again, right?"

“right.”

Rachel's smirk softened into a satisfied smile at your response, her hand giving your thigh a squeeze of approval. “Good," she murmured, her voice almost possessive. "I'm glad you're finally realizing you're better off with me."

“i’m a dumbass.” you admitted. knowing there were many good reasons why rachel didn’t like him.

Rachel chuckled softly at your confession, her hand still on your thigh, her touch soft.

“Yeah, you kinda are." She teased, her voice affectionate. "But you're my dumbass now, so you don't need him. I'll take care of you."

“Corny.”

“You love me.”

[sturniolo04]

i know it's not really on topic to everything you're currently writing but would you consider writing any matt tattoo fics because i'm obsessed and you're a really good writer.. thank you so much

A/n:  Aww thank you! I love you more! I put a little spin on it and added some spicy parts in it as well! I absolutely love these requests I have coming in, you guys are amazing!! I hope you love it! And remember to leave requests in my inbox! If you don’t like the pre added name in my works you can simply put in your own or don’t read it, it up to you :)-Charli

dividers: @issysh3ll

To say you were obsessed with your boyfriend's tattoo sleeve was an understatement. Anytime he wore and short sleeve or even muscle shirt for that matter you were just obsessed with the sight. You loved how the ink delicately tracing the very definition of his arm and you cant get enough of the sight and Matt knew that.

"we need to go grocery shopping baby we are literally almost out of everything including dish soap"

matt chuckles out as he is doing the dirty dishes from your guys lunch. You sat across from him at the island counter not really paying attention to anything he was saying in that moment because well he decided to wear that pink top you already loved on him but also allowed the tattoos you loved oh so much to be on full display to you in the moment.

"baby"

matt questions tryin to grab you nonexsistent attention.

"hm"

you hum out softly trying to remain composed.

"are you here with me"

matt chuckles out making his over over to you. he knew what you were fixated on.

"ye-yeah im here "

you stutter out as matt made his way over you watching your eyes trail down the ink on his arm.

"you sure it looked like something caught your attention you think"

matt questions you already knowing the answer but wanted to see if you were going to admit to his face.

"no nothing caught my attention"

you stutter out growing nervous that he might have caught your red handed staring. Matt trails his hand to wrap softly around you neck. You out of surprise quickly reach your dainty hands up to grasp onto his fore arm in the process. You secretly were loving this and matt knew that.

"you sure about that baby girl"

matt states leaning his face to your so your guys' lips were inches apart at this point. you let out a soft gasp from the sexual tension that was thicken by the minute around you two

"it doesnt sound convincing to me i think you are lying to me"

matt quips. Matt softly lets his lips brush over yours in the process feeling your shaky breath.

"you-your tattoos"

you gasp out.

"what about them"

matt replies urging you to continue your thought process on this.

"im obessed with them matt"

you breathe out tryin to keep the eye contact with him and not let your eyes roll back.

"hm are you now"

matt states quirking a cocky eyebrow up. Matt knew he only put you in this position to get you to admit it and he knew that it was going to leave you upset at the end knowing he let all the sexual tension build on itself.

"y-yes matt so obessed"

you gasp out. Matt smirks as he removes his hand from around you neck.

"see was that so hard to admit"

matt chuckles out placing a quick peck to your supple raw lips and going back to doing the dishes left in the sink.

"wh-what are you fucking kidding me"

you gasp out pressing you thighs together.

"what"

matt replies trying to act oblivious to the tension he created.

"matt you-youre not"

you traill off not knowing what in the world just happend.

"im not what"

matt replies chuckling a little.

"i hate you so much"

you huff out folding your arms on the countertop placing her head to rest on top of them in the process completely frustrated as matt continues to laugh at h9ow flustered you are.

Taglist🗂️

@mintsturniolo @spicymuffins03 @dirtylittleheart333

@stayingstromboli @wh0resstuff @ksturnz @chaoswithus @emely9274 @ivysturnss @sturniolo-szn2 @lezleeferguson-120 @courta13 @chrepsi @lyingonchris

@tezzzzzzzz @babytomatoes21 @sturniolosymphony @zenithsturniolo @bernardsbendystraws

[ar-cadez]

Count Duckula Fan Rewrite!!

Recently I’ve been working on a Count Duckula rewrite that aims to give it a slightly more serious tone and semi-serialized story like many modern cartoons! It took some time, but I made redesigns of the main cast. I had fun making this project and I REALLY hope you do too! Because I’m extremely nervous that the small fan base Count Duckula does have will hate this

I haven’t actually finished the show btw so if there’s an antagonist or smth that shows up later I should’ve redesigned.. lmk! I’m open to suggestions I really like this show..

—————————————————

Basic Concept

Practically the same as the original show! There is a long line of reincarnations of a wicked vampire duck named Count Duckula, the most recent reincarnation went wrong and now the current Count is a vegetarian and much more interested in becoming famous than being evil.

Some major differences include the tone and story structure, being semi-serialized and having more serious arcs mixed in with the antics, along with a lot of changes in characterization. A big story change is also that Nanny was not hired until AFTER Duckula was reincarnated so Igor was the one who screwed up the ritual.

Tone wise I’d also like to slightly age up the target audience so it could get away with a bit more dark humour. My favourite part of the original show was moments that were just so morbid and completely brushed past. 13+ would be fine methinks.

Basic plot of the average episode would be about the count’s hyperfixation of the week and trying to get famous or profit from it. Not every episode would follow this structure though.

The grander themes of the series would be all about expectations from family and strangers and how those expectations can be completely false.

—————————————————

Characters

^^ Final lineup! ^^

Sketches (less interesting poses but shows off some things better)

Count Duckula!

What I wanted to change

I feel like Duckula from the original spin-off was already a really strong character! There is a lot to him and really all I would want from a more emotional reboot is to dive into what’s already there. I did kinda project on him a bit in this rewrite though… gotta write what’cha know!

I also changed his design quite a bit. I never thought the suit fit his personality and I wanted to go with something a little more bright. If I go back again I might saturate his shirt a bit more. I also wanted all the residents of castle Duckula to have purple in their designs and for duckula and Towser to share similar colour’s inversed

Character Traits

Hatred of his legacy

Duckula is the first member of his lineage to not be an evil vampire and he hates that role that is expected of him. This is partially what drives him to be the nicest duck he can be, in hopes of shaking off his legacy. This also causes him to reject anything that's “spooky” or has to do with vampires. He physically can't eat meat or blood due to his botched resurrection, but even the sight of either distresses him.

Attention Drive

Due to his infamy, all Duckula wants is to be liked by the general public. Everyone in his town is automatically scared of him and he tries really hard to change their opinions on him whether that be through attempting to bea good samaritan or by performing in town. (Both tend to end poorly for him)

ADHD and Theatre Kid Behaviour

Duckula is constantly picking up and putting down new forms of art and performance. This can be anything from oil painting to American football. He does tend to get frustrated or distracted and abandon projects or crafts entirely. His favourite artform is acting and music so as you can imagine he's very into musicals. His musical talents are decent but his acting is awful. He’s also known to loud and overly excited over his interests

Ego and Cowardice

Being given a position of power the day you came into existence does have the tendency to make you… immature to say the least. When in danger, if he even realises there is any, Duckula’s first move is to use his title as leverage. If that doesn't work, his second is to beg, grovel, and lie his way out of the situation. That, or hide behind his much more intimidating companions.

Rich Kid Syndrome

Having the majority of people you know be your house staff really messes with your sense of responsibility. Duckula can hardly do many basic life skills on his own because of this. It's not like he is completely lazy but he does have executive dysfunction and has yet to realise that fact, causing him to procrastinate on many things and completely forget or just get someone else to do it.

Not Naturally kind

Being his father’s reincarnation, it only makes sense that Duckula would inherit many traits from his past lives. Many of the other Counts were ego-driven cowards with desires for fame. They just went about it differently. Duckula actively tries to be kind and polite but a lot of passive aggression and snark slips through the cracks of that veneer. He would never want to admit that he has ANYTHING in common with his ancestors and he hates that being nice doesn't just come naturally to him. Being an immortal, Duckula also has a skewed sense of mortality and often doesn't understand the severity of certain injuries and situations.

This Duckula has ADHD and Autism in this rewrite and he struggles most with executive dysfunction, restricted interests, memory issues, atypical empathy (not specifically low or high), sensory issues (mostly with eating and some sound), and social cues. He also stims.

Towser!

What I Wanted to Change

Towser isn’t even really a character in the original. Just a running gag without a face. I wanted to balance out the main cast by adding another female character since I have feelings on Nanny as a character and i didn’t know if i would even be able to salvage that.

I really like what I came up with! She’s fun to me and I’ll probably flesh her out more later.

Character Traits

Family drive

Towser has little interest in birds that aren't close to her and it usually takes awhile for her to get used to new people. However, she’ll protect those that she does care about with her life. She is the castle’s guard dog and will do whatever’s necessary to protect it. This often comes at the cost of her sleep, because she feels like she always needs to be awake to protect them.

Tag Along

Following Duckula around like a puppy is what Towser does best! She might not fully understand his enthusiasm on certain subjects, but she's always up to backing him up on his newest fame seeking endeavours (though she herself prefers physical activity over creative works). She never expects anything to come of it, but hey, at least it's something to do. She also likes to hear Duckula rant to her about his interests.

Big Sister

Towser is of a much more stable mental state than Duckula, and as his only friend around his age, he trusts her more to be someone to talk to about his identity issues and issues in general. The two are a lot warmer towards each other than they are anyone else, and can also get away with messing with the other a lot more.

Big ol Lap dog

When in werewolf form, Towser tends to forget her size and often crushes them with her size. This usually wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the fact that she's always a lot more cuddly and energetic in wolf form than bird form. This is because, as a werewolf, she's only in wolf form at night and being a fully nocturnal bird that should only be awake at night, this messes with her sleep rhythm a lot.

Igor!

What I wanted to Change

Personality wise Igor is already really strong and I didn’t change much of that. You’ll probably notice from the sketches that Igor has a skeleton hand, that’s because I made him undead in this version just to give a reason to how he’s been able to live this long since the original doesn’t really have one (which is fine)

Character Traits

Devotion to the role

Igor has been the Count’s butler since the first incarnation. He was assigned to keep the Duckula legacy alive by reincarnating his master every time he meets his fate and helping him readjust every time. Helping each new reincarnation bring misery and fear to the town they reside by with a smile… Until the most recent incarnation of course. He’ll stick it out though, because he still has hope for him.

Taste for the macabre

Whether it be killing innocents behind the back of his new master, decorating the castle with cobwebs and bones, or using his undead nature to scare and torture those around him, Igor certainly has an interesting idea of fun. Igor gets a sick enjoyment out of causing others distress and despises all things kind and cute, something which definitely frustrates Duckula, who's desperately trying to fix his own image.

Bitter Traditionalist

Having lived through the centuries in castle Duckula, Igor has gained an appreciation for the history of the place and the vampire ducks that have resided there over the years. He’s rather invested in the lives of his previous masters and is extremely cross with the newest incarnation for not only not caring about that past, but also completely disowning it. Igor tries desperately to get Duckula to be a normal vampire, truly believing it could work with enough effort. Less he spend the next few centuries with a vegetarian for a master… Igor would not have a problem with Duckula pursuing fame if it weren't for the fact that he thinks it's distracting him from true vampirism.

Tired old man

Igor has lived for many centuries and he does not feel as if he should have to babysit for an immature man child like Duckula. He would rather ignore or snark the young count rather than actually talk to him. When the two argue its a constant back and forth of passive aggression and personal jobs that they almost always forget what they're actually arguing over. Duckula is physically and mentally very young (17-early 20s) compared to Igor’s other masters due to the botched revival and he doesn't know how to, or want to, deal with it.

Nanny!

What I Wanted to Change

I’m sorry to any hardcore Nanny fans out there but this is practically a whole new character. I find Nanny to be frustrating and annoying in the original and who I personally feel is a very sexist and mean spirited character. There’s absolutely nothing I would want to write with a character who’s just “big stupid fat woman inconveniences everyone around her” it’s just uncomfortable after a certain point.

My idea for a new take was just an extremely kind older woman who’s a little airheaded but is a lot smarter than people give her credit for. This sets her up as a foil to Igor. She’s also the only non-monster resident of the castle in this version which I personally think is really interesting.

Character Traits

Only good influence

While Igor actively sets out to make Duckula a bad person and Towser couldn't care less about how Duckula acts, Nanny is the only direct influence in Duckula’s life who pushes him to do better. Nanny believes Duckula is a good person at heart and pushes him to take more responsibility in his life. She wants him to learn a good work ethic and is fully supportive of him trying to better himself.

Good Christian Woman

Nanny is, in fact, a christian. She is fully aware of the demonic nature of her companions but believes that everyone can better themselves no matter their circumstances and attempts to better those around her. Igor hates her for it but she’s totally ignorant to that fact.

Assertive Mother Figure

Though Nanny is a very kind woman, she is also not a pushover. She will assert authority over Duckula and anyone else if necessary, and most are compliant once she puts her foot down, if they aren't, however, Nanny does pack a punch and won't hesitate to use her strength to protect her family.

Smarter than she seems

Nanny is an airheaded optimist with a big heart and those traits make her come off a lot more clueless than she actually is. She may seem like she has no idea what’s going on but she’s actually very observant and is fantastic at assessing a situation and finding the best course of action.

Dr. Von Goosewing

What I Wanted to Change

I really liked the idea of the antagonist to Duckula was in a liniage of vampire slayers and that their ancestors have been fighting for generations. It gave me the perfect set up for a ✨SHADOW ANTAGONIST✨ I wanted to make this rewrite have the two reflect each other a lot more. To do that I wanted Goosewing to still be a really cooky guy but I didn’t want the public to know that.

Also I have no idea why he’s dressed like Sherlock Holmes in the original if he’s a Van Helsing parody and also an inventor. You could’ve leaned into either of those ideas but for some reason he’s dressed like a detective? so I tried giving him a more fitting outfit but keeping his colours for recognisablity.

Character Traits

Playing Village hero

Goosewing is considered a big deal in town because of his family of vampire hunters. He’s prepared his whole life to kill Count Duckula the moment he comes back and to protect the common folk from the paranormal. Despite this, Goosewing isn't actually particularly skilled at his job and usually ends up failing his assassinations due to his own incompetence. He feels like he has to play the role as a hero to continue his family’s legacy despite not particularly enjoying it or being good at it.

Overestimating the enemy

With how cunning and malevolent the past Duckula incarnations were, Goosewing expects the same from this one. Goosewing believes that Duckula is a dangerous and clever foe completely focused on causing others pain. In reality, Duckula is the most incompetent bird in all of Transylvania, aside fromGoosewing himself, of course. Goosewing also comes to believe that Duckula is only acting nice to later betray the public, a belief he is not quiet about and that keeps the public from trusting Duckula.

Mad Scientist

Goosewing definitely falls into the eccentric scientist trope with his innovative but scatterbrained nature. He would much rather be working on an invention than actually doing his job. The public sees him as a hero but while hunting vampires or when hes alone he comes off as more of a mad scientist than the hero character he plays. His intentions are ultimately good but are completely based on the assumption that he’s the wholly good protector of the people and that Duckula is a cunning villain who's out to get him and everyone else.

Shadow

Goosewing and Duckula reflect each other in a lot of ways. They both have a legacy they are expected to uphold despite not wanting to or even being able to, they both care deeply about the public’s opinion on them while the public has an incredibly incorrect view of the both of them, and they both have creative interests outside of the roles expected of them that they'd rather be persuing. Duckula fully rejects anything to do with his ancestry, while Goosewing is actively trying to fulfil despite not enjoying it.

The Murder Brothers!

What I Wanted to Change

Haha I called them the murder brothers bc they’re crows and criminals Im actually so funny… anyway. I don’t know if I should’ve even done these guys but I really like them as antagonists so!!

I gave the younger two names and a personality. The wiki said they didn’t have names but if they do lmk and I’ll just fix that. Other than that I didn’t change much except try to give ‘em a bit more depth and changing their physical designs a ton for fun.

Character Traits

The Murder Brothers, as a whole, are a tight knit family of con men crows who pull any grift they can to get their hands on some cash. Though they may act like their only loyalty in life is to money, they do genuinely care about each other's well being

Ruffles

Ruffles is the short tempered and eldest leader of the group. He’s constantly frustrated with his brothers’ incompetence and isn't quiet about it. He believes that if it weren't for them he'd probably be a lot further in life by now (which isn't true) and he’ll say he doesn't care about them, but he actually does.

Burt

If he didn't insist on helping his brothers, Burt would be the most likely to be living an honest life. As the second oldest sibling, Burt holds a position as right hand man. He’s a naturally kind and enthusiastic bird who, while a bit dumb, does openly express his love for his brothers. He takes on a lot of the abuse from his older brother and is often used by the group to talk to others, because he's so naturally trustworthy.

Reggie

Reggie is the second youngest of the brothers and the most relaxed out of all of them. He has an impeccable sleight of hand and is the go to for lockpicking and such. He’s a decent smooth talker and is often the one to break up fights, though he's not above getting angry at the others himself.

Leroy

Leroy is the youngest of the brothers and by far the least skilled. His speech is incomprehensible from under his mask (although he can see through it for the most part) and he’s often left with the worst jobs during their cons because of that. He’s the most timid out of all of them but I’m sure if you took that mask off of him he’d be really talkative.

—————————————————

Ending Words

Well that’s all I got! I spent way too long on this project that maybe two people will care about and one of them is me 💔 Anyway if I make anything else for this rewrite/au I’ll tag it with #wbcd . I wouldn’t count on it because I mighttt get burn out from this but im just so glad I finished it! I’ve thought about writing a pilot script just for fun but idk. I’d like to do more long format au stuff, I was going to make a YouTube video about this but I almost cried trying to record myself so I gave up 💔

[ponett]

ive seen you post about doctor robotnik's ring racers occasionally on twitter and would like to hear your overall thoughts on the game

I'm enjoying it a lot! It plays well, has a ridiculous number of unlockable characters and tracks, and is generally just really polished. This would be impressive even for a paid indie kart racer that cost like $20-$30, but for a freeware fangame that's somehow built off of Doom? It's nuts. So much love and care went into this. I've been having a lot of fun playing through all the Grand Prix cups and clearing out the challenge board, which I've only completed 47% of it even with over 15 hours of playtime logged.

It's absolutely one of the most hardcore kart racers I've ever played, though, and that's gonna turn some people off. While playing solo even easy mode can be difficult, especially thanks to the rival system that gives one CPU buffs over the others. Anything below 150cc is a complete joke for me in Mario Kart, but even playing on the "normal" difficulty in Ring Racers (now renamed "intense" in the 2.2 patch) kicks my ass, and if you place poorly in a Grand Prix race it gives you a game over and makes you redo the race. I can't even imagine touching the higher difficulties at my current skill level.

This is compounded by how technical the game is and how many options are at your disposal. Spin dashing, tricks, fast drops, collecting and spending rings, an item roulette that can be manually stopped, a high risk high reward chargeable melee attack when you have negative rings, the ability to harass and be harassed by other racers while positioning yourself before the start of the race, gates that can only be passed through when you have a high level of boost, lots of items with different quirks that reward skilled play. And of course, perhaps most daunting of all to new players, there's the game's unique slope physics designed to mimic how they work in the 2D Sonic games, which will often require you to either spend rings for a small boost or stop and charge up a spin dash to get up a steep hill.

All of these add a lot of complexity to the game that can be pretty daunting early on, which is why it has an infamously long story-driven tutorial to introduce all of these mechanics. I'm not sure said tutorial actually does the best job introducing how those mechanics will actually be put to use in races, but I can't blame them for thinking the game needed it. (I do have to admit I am annoyed by the game's insistence upon framing everything via Sega Saturn inputs, though. I had to open the settings screen to figure out what buttons the tutorial actually wanted me to press.)

Some of these things have already been addressed in the first couple patches, of course. You can now exit the tutorial way earlier, some unlock requirements have been relaxed, there's an option to let the game automatically use your rings for you, easy mode has been made easier, a handful of problematic courses have been tweaked, etc. And I'm sure they'll continue to refine the game based on player feedback. But it's probably always going to be a fairly hardcore game. It's hard and has a high skill ceiling by design. Nintendo's never gonna make a super technical new Mario Kart for sickos - not on purpose, at least. They need it to be a pick-up-and-play party game that sells 70 million copies. But a freeware fangame not beholden to shareholders can experiment more and try to cater to that more hardcore crowd. Say what you will about Ring Racers, but it absolutely has a specific creative vision of its own beyond "Sonic Mario Kart," and I respect that even if the game sometimes frustrates me

[babbymochiiii]

[ 04:03 pm ]

a/n: i’m in a writing slump rn and i’m in a phantom of the opera phase again…so this is here to help me get out of my slump :P

you danced in graceful circles around the ballroom floor. you felt yourself get lost with the music being played around you, and the members of the ton.

with one last turn with your current partner, you spin yourself into the next gentleman in the circle. As you placed your hands into the right position, and fully came to look at his face, a quiet gasp leaves your lips.

“what are you doing here?” you whispered, as you looked around the dance floor to see if anyone noticed the man you are with.

“i wanted to see you.” he said with a gentle smile on his masked face.

“but you know you can’t! you will be found!” you cried out lowly, as you started look for a quick exit for the two of you.

“and? can i not see my lover?” he questions as he gives you a smirk.

“phantom please…” you plead as you continued to spin around the dance floor. you looked around, trying to make sure that no one noticed him yet. “please head my warning.”

“i cannot be apart from you!” he said as he felt himself starting to become frustrated with you.

a small cry leaves your lips, as you take hold of his gloved hand and started to make haste towards the exit of the ball.

whispers from the ton comes in a tidal wave towards you, causing you to quicken your footsteps to a place you knew no one would follow the two of you.

as you entered a hidden away room, you pulled the masked man inside of the room and hastily closing the door behind you.

“why did you appear! you know my father can’t know about you…about us.” you whispered at the end as you looked towards him with tears brimming in your eyes.

“my angel…i haven’t seen you in months.” he said gently as he moved towards you, placing his gloved hands on your face. “i was worried about you…about what happened.”

“father was furious to find us in such a…such a scandal. he says a young woman shouldn’t be alone with a man, much more of a man that is not a member of the ton.” you cried, letting the tears you were holding back flow down.

“my sweet angel…you don’t need to listen to your father when you know what we have is true love.” he said to you softly as he pulled you into his embrace.

you cry harder knowing what he says is true. as you went to nuzzle your face more into his chest, you felt him step away from you entirely.

you looked up towards him and it’s blurry vision, and the look on his face was hard to read.

“pham—“

“runaway with me.” he says as he looks at you determination burning behind his eyes.

“what?”

“runaway with me, my angel.” he says as he extends a gloved hand towards you.

you felt your chest rise and fall in rapid intakes. it felt as if the corset underneath your ballgown was squeezing you in a vise grip to make you fixate.

you looked at his awaiting hand, and without much thought you placed your hand in his. “take me away my love.” you said as you looked at the man in front of you.

he gently pulled you into his embrace once again, and took hold of you chin making you look up at him. exchanging a smile between the two of you, before he leaned down, and placed a tender kiss on your lips that only held silent promises between the two of you.

[bombdiggity666]

Here Comes Judgement Day Pt.2

A few years ago, I attempted to draw a fan comic to resolve the ambiguous ending of the MTMTE/LL Comic series. I managed to complete one panel, but lost the other three when my computer crashed.

Now, after some time has passed, I feel encouraged to try again. This time, I've written a multi-part story to better guide my comic.

It's worth noting that when I began this project, I was feeling edgy, so it's all based on the song posted below

A Summary:

Megatron faces his impending execution in Garrus 9. As he reflects on his fate, Ultra Magnus grapples with his role as a witness. Through introspection and discussions with Rodimus, Ultra Magnus ultimately decides to attend the execution as Minimus Ambus, embracing his true self and honouring Megatron's last request. Tensions mount as the time draws near, with Rodimus struggling to cope as Megatron's death approaches.

Was he in a different room now? He couldn’t activate his optics, but the environment felt colder than before. Prickling static sensations danced across his arms and chest. Surprisingly, he could feel another medical program running behind the overbearing corruption code that idled in his systems menacingly. Luckily, its suffocating presence was still dulled by the sedative. This new program, he recognized, was a standard vitals systems check. A quick yet inhibited jolt of his right servo revealed a second medical cable jacked into his wrist port, this one far more comfortable. He huffed a vent to test his surroundings.

"Take Me Away"

Megatron regained consciousness quickly, or so it felt. His heavy-duty engines metabolized narcotics swiftly, especially when deprived—a function that had aided him through many of Starscream’s assassination attempts. As he searched for his chrono, the inability to gauge time reminded him of his current situation. Stirring slightly, he realized he was restrained once again, but this time in a far more exposed position. He lay on a different berth now, a surgical one with arm boards. The hum of the stasis restraints felt stronger; testing them, he found he couldn’t even lift a finger. ‘Do they think they're immobilizing a titan?’ he pondered loosely, his head still spinning with disorientation.

“I know you’re awake,” came a confirmation, not an irritated remark. The muffled voice, unmistakably from Evac, gave his ringing audio receptors something to focus on.

“What-” He was cut short with a static cough, his vocalizer rebooting as slowly as his optics.

“Shh, right here.” He felt a light servo’s touch on his right shoulder, more haunting than comforting.

“You were out of it; I brought you the rest of the way.” The servo ran down his arm, stopping at his wrist to fiddle with the connection.

Unable to respond in a civilized fashion, Megatron's engine subconsciously revved low and primitive in a threat display. The frequency resonated throughout his frame, communicating his irritation efficiently.

“Stop that. It was just me. No one saw. You got here all on your own.” Evac brushed off his display with a smack to his forearm, as if such behavior from him didn’t bring opponents in the pits shaking to their knees.

Where was here? His frustration grew.

“Okay, just let me…” He could hear typing, “There, try now.”

His optics onlined with the assistance of Evac’s manual start-up code. The room slowly cleared into focus. His revving engines stalled.

The execution chamber.

He was bound at a slight incline, his frame fully exposed to a viewing window where live witnesses would soon be sitting. The room had a solemn feel, nowhere near the clinical setting as before. A dull light lit the immediate area around them, but Megatron couldn’t spot the source, just glad that it wasn’t above him like an interrogation or operating room. He glanced to his left; the uncomfortable cable was still spooled and strapped to his wrist. A loose end hung ominously, but still unconnected to whatever equipment held the kill code.

“Hey,” Evac tried to pull his attention softly, using her servo to redirect his optics.

Megatron groggily gazed up at her. She must work with sparkling’s with how effectively she corrals his attention away from unpleasantries.

She sat near the right of his helm, monitoring the large screen exhibiting his vitals. The displays left nothing to the imagination: spark pulse, processor activity, fuel consumption ratios, all of it on display for the viewers. He doubted any of it was legitimate medical monitoring.

Looking past her smile to the screen, he could see a diagram of his own frame. It was spinning slowly, with certain pieces of his armor colored red. ‘Strange,’ he thought. All bots of Tarnish origin exhibited some degree of leucism, him being mostly affected with the exception of red pigmentation of his upper arm plating and abdominal vents. This model was wrong; he didn’t have red wrist or chest plating. In fact, he didn’t have wrist armor at all at the moment…

Oh.

No.

He gawked, stunned, as the realization of what he had seen washed over him. Evac noticed his expression changing.

“No no no, don’t-“

But her warning came too late. He dropped his helm in a lightning-quick reflex which should have been inhibited. He nearly threw Evac out of her seat as she attempted to grab his faceplates.

His Spark was exposed, pulsing and spinning fast, it bathed the room in an ebb of twisting light. His chest plating gone. Removed entirely. He was utterly exposed, freezing cold, and completely vulnerable. A touch could kill him right now.

He heard Evac speaking, though neither words nor tone registered. Distantly, he felt the medibot pulling at him, trying to get him to lay back down. Despite both physical and chemical restraints, she didn’t have hope in the Pits of moving him. The glare of his spark lit his reflection in the field of the viewing window, catching him by surprise. Barely recognizing himself as he had never before been forced to examine his appearance; especially in such a position. In the mines, mirrors were nonexistent. Any Pit mech who glanced at the monitors for even a nanosecond in the arenas where slaughtered. He never paid any mind with Autobot propaganda…

It wasn't until the Necro world, standing before the statue of his youth that he truly understood the monstrosity he had become. A cold calloused war monger, hungry for control and blinded by it.

But now? He looked frail. Bare. Weak. Yet, he was closer to his true self than he had been in millions of years.

The hardest part wasn’t seeing his exposed lifeforce or his restrained frame. The hardest part was staring into his own optics and finally seeing that once youthful face. The face that once held the resolve and determination for a better world. The naive slave from Tarn who had once foolishly thought he could change the world with his rhetoric. He couldn’t see the monster anywhere, and with the clarity of it, he felt the urge to apologize for failing them both. A bitter smirk pulled at the corner of his lips. ‘I know you wanted to change the world,’ he mused.

‘And you did,’ he recalled his session with Rung on the Lost Light. ‘But not for the better.’

“No,” he murmured. “But now…” his optics softened, losing focus on his reflection before offlining as he slowly rested his helm back against the berth. “For the better.”

Evac remained silent, unsure of what to say. Words seemed inadequate in the face of Megatron's internalized closure. He seemed to be coping well. She reached out and placed a servo firmly on his clavicle plating, messaging her thumb along the unnatural coolness of the metal beneath her touch. Megatron didn’t flinch, so they stayed like that for as long as they could, the weight of their shared silence hanging heavily in the air.

She glazed over at the chrono on the monitor before sighing lightly, leaning in close to whisper into his audio receptor.

“It’s time”

A bell sounded, stirring them from the peaceful silence.

---

Cycles blurred together after Rodimus’ final conversation with Megatron, the weight of sleeplessness pressing down on him like a relentless burden. Though he was well aware there was never going to be an out between the two verdicts, he clung to a faint hope for some kind of miracle. Megatron always seemed to conjure those when backed into a corner. Downing the rest of his engeX, he slammed the container down to join the mounting pile at his side.

The oil house was bustling tonight, everywhere was, streets, parks, fragging libraries were ablaze with hollering, singing, and dancing in celebration and anticipation for the viewing of Megatron’s execution. The enormous monitors, typically reserved for sporting or political broadcasts, stood ready, awaiting the live transmission of the ‘event’ from Garrus 9. Rumor had it that the council would likely declare this day a new Cybertronian holiday. 'Sick,' he thought, sarcasm thick on his glossa. He could fix that. He waved down the bartender, gesturing towards his empty pile of Engex containers, indicating his displeasure with a circling motion of his finger. 'Keep them coming,' he thought, not trusting his voice right now after his conversation with Minimus resulted in a good sob-fest out in the back alley. It was hard to maintain his composure in a bar full of retired Autobots and neutrals; being on the verge of black-out drunk was somewhat helpful, or so he thought.

The bartender placed a glass down in front of him with a concerned look. “You wanna slow down there, kid? The slagging screening hasn’t even started yet, and you’re 12 deep.”

Rodimus scoffed in indignation, his servo rising to his chest in offense. “I can count, my guy.” Dodged that one like a pro. The bartender rolled their optics as they whisked away, too busy to babysit a drunkard on a day like today.

He swirled the liquid in the glass, unsure of what else to look at. He was too drunk to hide all his feelings and fought to avoid catching optics with anybot. He really shouldn’t have come here today, but he thought being around others might help him through the process. That their excitement might rub off on him. A true extrovert at spark. Honestly, he just didn’t want to be alone…

A soft servo landed gently on his back. ‘Or maybe I did,’ he deliberated.

“You’re hard to find when you want to be found.”

Rodimus paused, processing the vague and confusing attempt at a pick-up before slamming his servos to the countertop of the bar, nearly spilling his Engex, and knocking several empties over. Hopefully this display was enough to dissuade any other onlookers from approaching; he wasn’t in the mood for flirtatious conversation right now, too drunk and distraught. Spinning around in his seat, he attempted to address this bold bot directly.

“Who would fragging be looking in the first pl-“ He was caught off guard immediately.

Drift stood behind him with a soft, sorrow-filled smile and a consuming presence of warmth. He didn’t move his servo from Rodimus’s back kibble; instead, he applied more comforting pressure, sprawling his fingers to cover more area. Rodimus continued to stare, confounded, his intake opening and closing as he chewed over words. He had not spoken to anyone in person since the sentencing, purposely isolating himself in his pain until his dumbfounding decision to be here today. He had specifically hidden from Drift, as he didn’t think he would be able to understand his conflicting emotions over Megatron’s Verdict. He shrunk in on himself suddenly, and after a moment, he managed a shaky question.

“…Minimus?”

“Ratted you out, yes,” Drift soothed, moving to sit in the seat next to Rodimus’s hunched frame, nonchalantly pushing the empty Engex containers off the bar with his forearm, earning a scathing glare from the bartender across the counter. He seethed back with equal intensity momentarily, enough of a threat to make the bartender turn on his heels.

Rodimus stared down at his drink, optics spacing out in broken thought. “You didn’t…” he quickly brought the glass to his intake to shoot it down, conversation was difficult. “You don’t need to-”

“Yes, I do.” Drift hushed assertively, placing a servo over the glass of Engex Rodimus was preparing to down, easing it back to the countertop with little convincing.

Rodimus looked at him from the corner of his optics, unwilling to turn his whole body. A prickle of shame sprouted somewhere distantly in his mind, which was silly; Drift had definitely seen him in much more embarrassing states. However, being in such a drunk grief over a bot who murdered little over half the known galaxy, including himself at least once, probably came pretty close to ‘taking the cake’. Drift was Ex-Decepticon, he likely knew the spell Megatron casts on ones psyche. When their goals aligned, that is.

“We are still a team, you know,” Drift lightly shoulder checked him in camaraderie, hoping to capture Rodimus' full attention. It didn’t work, so he persisted. “Even without the Lost Light. Without a mission, without an adventure, I’m still on your team. Whatever happens today, tomorrow, cycles from now, I’m going to be on your team.”

A flicker of a grin flashed on Rodimus’s faceplates as he offlined his optics. After a moment, he scrunched his facial plates and dropped his helm to the bar counter with a resounding thunk. Drift looked up apologetically to the patrons it may have startled. After throwing his whole arm across Rodimus’s shoulders as he pulled himself closer and leaned into his audio receptor. “And teams are stronger together,” he said, placing his hand over Rodimus’s, squeezing it in a grounding manner. “So we are going to do this together, understand?”

A snort, or perhaps a strangled sob from Rodimus, was muffled by the metal of the counter, his shoulders jerking, concealed from onlookers by Drift’s supporting arm.

“…Thank you,” Rodimus murmured, rolling his head slightly towards Drift. “You're too good to me.”

-----

From across the oil house in a darkened hallway, Ratchet stood leaned against the wall as he watched Drift console the hot mess of his former captain. There on 'standby', he had no intentions of taking part in today's celebrations. Not that he didn’t agree with it, just done with the war and all of the remnants of it. To see a society so excitable over the death of another bot filled him further with pessimistic bitterness. To him, it was just another bot dying for nothing. No progress would be made of it.

Despite his bitter nihilism, Ratchet cared deeply for a select few and how this would affect them. Drift predominantly, and if Drift was worried about Rodimus, well then he was worried about Rodimus too.

There was a buzz of static and a flash of light which blared from the monitors, resulting in an uproar from the crowds gathered in both the oil house and throughout the streets. Bots flooded in closer to the screens as the voice of a council orator began to speak.

Ratchet cursed, swinging his head away in disdain. He had no interest in watching this garbage today; he had seen enough death in his lifetime, so watching a screening of it on his free-time would be absurd. He glanced back to where Drift was consoling Rodimus. His cold spark pinged slightly at the state of him. Such an impressionable bot, getting so unhealthily attached to anything that remotely resembled a parental figure. Disgusting that Megatron was ever given the chance in the first place. Optimus set the poor kid up to hurt before promptly dying there after. Idiot.

He looked back again towards the monitor, following Rodimus’ saucer-optics stare to find Megatron, restrained with spark exposed. He was slightly taken aback by it. He never imagined a day where he would see Megatron so tolerant of such ministrations to his frame. Than again, he never anticipated seeing the day Megatron renounced Decepticonism either. As a doctor, such imagery had little effect on him, he’d seen bots in such position of vulnerability millions of times; However, for Rodimus, it was likely quite distressing. ‘For the love of Primus,’ he thought, as if his scolding thoughts could reach Megatron’s processor. ‘Don’t you dare make this any worse for Rodimus.’

-----

The resonating ting of his pattering steps down the metal corridor was comically light. Minimus pressed on with speed and purpose, his frame devoid of Magnus armor now, though it wouldn't matter; they already had his spark signature on file. He marched towards the witness hall, attempting to subdue the pit in his tanks with a false air of superiority. Passing two guards, who stared for far too long with dumbfounded expressions, he noticed their perplexed glances shifting between him and their scanner before they yelled out after him.

“Hey, you! State your role and purpose-”

“That would be 'Excuse me, Sir'!” he chastised, spinning around aggressively.

Approaching him somewhat cautiously, the guards looked down at their spark scanner while also placing servos on their weapons. “These scanners are saying that you are Ultra Mag-“

“That is because I AM Ultra Magnus,” he declared, his servos landing on his hips as he leaned forward in a posturing position. “And you are keeping me from my assigned role as a witness to the execution. Which I better not miss.”

The two guards exchanged confused glances. One of them pressed a finger to their audial, undoubtedly sending out a com. Minimus realized this was not going to be as simple as he thought.

“Forgive us, uh, sir?” One of the guards began, patronizingly. “But you are going to need to step aside and-”

“WHAT?” Minimus roared, holding out his identifier tag now. “Two spark scans and an identifier code, and you still don’t accept-“

“You don’t look anything like Ultra Magnus,” one guard interrupted, moving around Minimus to box him in.

“Yeah,” the other guard accused bluntly. “You’re looking more like a Decepticon minibot to me.” He reached down quickly, snatching Minimus’s upper arm with a powerful jerk.

Really?! How astoundingly racist. Were his red optics enough to be considered a Decepticon? Three authentication procedures be damned?

“Release me this instant! This is a major violation under- URK!” A fist smashed into his left faceplate, sending him whirling to the floor, his frame skipping twice off the metal.

“Shut up, a MAJOR violation would be impersonating a senior officer. Pick him up.”

Dazed from the hit, Minimus struggled to prop himself up, his servo lifting to his olfactory sensors only to come away bloodied in fresh energon. Distantly, he heard a bell ringing, and with stark realization, he knew that it was the start of the Execution screening. He only had minutes now.

“No,” he coughed, attempting to move towards the noise. Rough servos clasped his shoulder plating hard enough to dent the metal, lifting him clean off the ground. “You’re making a mis-“ a punch to his abdominal plating had him keeled over, peds not even touching the floor.

“Let’s get him out of here quick, I wanna watch that fragger die in real-time,” one guard murmured to the other, dragging Minimus in the opposite direction of the Witness room.

“No… wait,” he pleaded weakly, unable to catch a vent as his bent fans kept stalling.

“At ease!” An approaching voice hollered from behind them. The two guards stopped immediately, standing tall and leaving Minimus dangling in the air, fans clicking and vents hitching. He knew that voice…

“What is all of this about, soldier? Explain.”

The smarter of the two began, stuttering over their words at first. “Sir! We found this Decepticon trying to infiltrate the witness hall, claiming to be Ultra Magnus, Sir!”

“Ultra Magnus, huh?” the voice began to round on him with the speaker almost in his line of view. “Definitely doesn’t seem to fit the build, now does he?” The bot stepped in front of him. Minimus cowered slightly. Prowl. He and Prowl haven’t exactly been seeing ‘optic to optic’ as of late. Their relationship had soured further with Minimus’ appointment to Megatron’s case. Now would be a perfect time for Prowl to do what he does best. Act out about it.

“…Prowl...please,” he wheezed.

“Would we know each other, little bot?” Prowl teased while leaning down, olfactory sensors remaining high and mighty. He smirked. Minimus's spark sank.

“I- I know we have never agreed on methods, Prowl,” he started, his voice still shaky. “I-”

“-Was just going to stroll into a live broadcast and shatter the legend for everyone on Cybertron, and on such a joyous, sought-after day? All to make your best friend happy? How incredibly selfish, Minimus,” Prowl spat venomously in a mocking sneer, leaning in close to minimize what his underlings heard.

“Magnus, the Armor, I’m done with it. Through,” Minimus continued, hissing through dentae at the effort. ”After today, we can go our separate ways.”

“I think we can do that right now, actually,” Prowl smirked, standing to his full height. “Brig this Decepticon sympathizer, I’ll deal with him after the show,” he ordered the two guards before turning back to the execution chamber. “I don’t want to miss Megatron’s face when he realizes you’re not coming.”

“NO, PROWL,” Minimus thrashed, kicking but unable to land anything substantial. No longer having might on his side, he had to think. He had to think of something fast. What would work on someone as cynical, calculating, and arrogant as Prowl?

Blackmail.

“Overlord!” Minimus shouted, craning his neck back towards the direction Prowl was walking. He stopped abruptly. Listening.

*I am aware of your involvement with the release of Overlord, Who is still out there! Don’t you think for a second that anyone has forgotten* Minimus commed, the blackmail would fall short if others listen in.

 *As I recall, your crew played an unmistakable role in that…Mishap* Prowl didn’t move, back stiff. Calculating.

*Under your direction, discretion, and trusted advisement. Overlord was a prisoner assigned to you and you foremost.* Minimus bit back, he was getting further and further away. He could hear the orator beginning to read out the jury’s sentencing.

*And?* Prowl spat back, turning his head to glance, a sliver of blue shining from his silhouette.

*Nobody needs to know* There was no reply. Minimus panicked briefly, knowing any further discussion or clarification would ruin the offer. He just needed Prowl to take the hook.

“Drop him,” Prowl commanded to his bots after careful consideration. Mimimus hit the ground hard, crumpling to his knees. He could hear Prowl approaching quickly. “Dismissed,” he hissed with a wave of his servo. The guards nodded, continuing their march down the hall. Before he could rise, a ped slammed into the crease of his back painfully, pinning him back down into a crouched position.

“You’re going to go in there, make googly optics at your genocidal BFF, watch him die, and then I am never going to see you again. Do you understand?” Prowl leaned down to whisper the threat directly into Minimus’ audio receptors.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way…” Minimus grunted, shrugging Prowl’s ped off his back. A rag fell to the floor in front of his face.

“You tripped on your way here, smashed your face into the bulkhead. You needed a minute to look presentable. That is why we are late,” Prowl hummed as he walked away.

Minimus took the rag, dabbing the drying energon from his faceplates as he rose shakingly to his peds. Perhaps he was a Decepticon sympathizer, he thought as he began to limp after Prowl’s steady steps.  Never has he ever thought so lowly of the Autobot peacetime they had created.

[edai-crplpnk]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. spread the self-love ❤

I did it once so the first batch is here! But I can surely do five more.

1. Spit: https://archiveofourown.org/works/38992998

A post-Chuunin Exam fic of the Sand Siblings trying to live together in a tad bit more harmony and less murder than before. Once again, I love fics that explore the dysfunctions in the Sand Siblings and how they can be genuinely bad to each other, especially early on, even when they are trying to be good. Also loved exploring how autistic Gaara would use his sand as a sensory tool/protection.

2. Anything Is Better: https://archiveofourown.org/works/39333273

My first (and for now only) Baki/Yuura fic. Also it's smut. Sad smut. I love them. Much closeted men, much internalised homophobia. I've been wanting to write a fic centred more around Baki and his relationship to queerness and all for a long long time and I haven't gotten to it yet. But it will happen! For the record, this belongs to my Worldbuilding canonverse (with all the KankuShino, and with Silhouettes!)

3. The Best Thing: https://archiveofourown.org/works/44161606

Happier smut! This is my KankuOmoi fic in the KankuShika modern AU. It's a little spin-off of Kankurou's first time and coincidental discovery of his queerness. (Men are hot, who knew!) It's been very soft writing about young adults sharing this moment of tender awkwardness and I'm very happy with the result.

4. My Cigarette Burn my Finger 'Cause I Forgot I Lit It: https://archiveofourown.org/works/39983637/

This is from the same modern AU as The Best Thing and Before a Doll. KankuShika "meeting the parents" fic, except they're not dating yet. Mortifying position to be in, but very funny for us. This is also what triggered the current writing of Haemorrhage since it starts tackling Kankurou's history of addiction and the evolution of his relationship with his siblings.

5. From the Day I Decided to Carry You: https://archiveofourown.org/works/36113848

I will admit the porn-to-plot ratio of that one is a bit weird but it just- it happened like that haha. It's a KakaGai fic about Gai cutting and caring for Kakashi's hair. An exploration of vulnerability and self-care with some dysphoria sprinkled on top. It happens post-Land of Wave arc, and there is also a discussion of Kakashi's feelings regarding having his team, having killed Haku, etc... I found it frustrating that we've gotten so little of Kakashi's reaction to these events because I can't imagine how fucking traumatic and triggering Haku doing the exact thing Rin did must have been. (Not to mention, you know, the fact that he murdered a kid in front of kids?) So I wrote about it. But they also fuck in the middle. That's the fic.

[kornwulf]

I'm very frustrated with the FAA's approach to neurodivergentcy.

So, for context, I'm currently working on clearing my aviation medical so I can begin working towards getting my commercial pilot's license. After a previous workplace injury I decided to try to pursue that and dust off my childhood dream rather than spinning my wheels in a career I was beginning to hate.

On a related note, I've almost certainly got severe ADHD. Like, textbook case. I was even evaluated for it when I was a small child, but my mother refused to accept the diagnosis. I want to pursue help for it because it's severely debilitating for me and my quality of life.

However, if I pursue a diagnosis, that causes a lot more scrutiny on me by any medical evaluator Transport Canada employs, and if I decide to seek *treatment* for it that completely prevents me from flying. Essentially every single ADHD medication is on the banned list of medications.

Essentially, I'm in the extremely frustrating position of having to decide between seeking medical treatment for an issue which is absolutely affecting my quality of life, or chasing a childhood dream that I've held literally since I was old enough to walk.

[chussyracing]

why no team did well in canada (an opinion/personal rant about canadian GP)

Red Bull Racing: Max had a problematic Friday and partly also FP3 with the ERS system and more set up issue related to the high kerbs. He put it in p2 and won the race anyway. Checo was out in q1, he qualified p16 or wherever. He had a problematic race, contact with Pierre right at the start, damage on the car, getting stuck at the bottom of the field, going through a wet patch, spinning out and ending his race with a crash.

Mercedes. I'm not sure what exactly happened in the house of Mercedes but seeing the interviews makes me feel a bit uneasy. Everyone knows that Lewis would be set aside for important meetings about the future of the team. Of course George is and should be the priority in the team rn, because he will be their main driver from next season. George had a chance to win and messed up slightly. Then he lost another chance that the safety car gave him with an overcut. On the other hand, I'm glad they pitted when they had the opportunity with the pit window open thanks to Fernando, it was a good call to go for fresh tyres - although it was slightly confusing to put Lewis on hards with 10 laps remaining (maybe they didn't have new mediums for him at that point and didn't want to add those which are already a few laps used). Lewis' post race interview was frustrating to hear knowing he struggled so much when it looked like he could go on to win the GP at certain point. (Also George saying Lewis cost him the P2 with that overtake and losing a bit of time with that fight....)

McLaren. Lando started higher so to a certain point it makes sense he should get priority in the race. On the other hand as a team, currently p3 in the constructor standings, you should work together and try to get as many points as possible. When Mercedes got close behind, Oscar was defending and Lando drove just a bit faster to be about 2 tenths over the DRS range for Oscar which made him an easier target for a full team of coworking drivers behind him. And then after, during the last restart when Mercedes had freshest tyres after a double pit stop they did, Oscar was an easy target again. Max had a great start, he got about 3 seconds away from Lando in a short time. Oscar's radio said that the target is protecting Lando's position and defending from behind. He managed fairly well until the contact with George (where honestly, it was a bit opportunistic from George considering Oscar was ahead and closing the gap). And certainly you cannot be fully satisfied with Lando's race either knowing his team had the pitstop ready and knew about the safety car, but made him miss the pit entry while everyone behind pitted. That allowed them to warm up their tyres well before Lando came out slipping on the fresh slicks a lap later - something which cost him a position at least.

Ferrari. This one is obviously a disaster start to finish. Both cars out in q2 after a set up that favoured wet conditions for dry quali. Last time i felt happiness was when Charles got two positions at the start. Ever since he got the engine issue which just kept getting worse and worse each lap and he was losing over 1,5s on straights alone, he was slower than Williams and at one point even Sauber. It was like he had negative drs and his braking references were all of and changing to worse as he went by. It kind of made sense to do a call for hards (if only they did it a little bit later on when it wasn't supposed to rain anymore). It also made sense to reset the system as he stopped and hopefully resolve the issue (and again to be fair, it got slightly better). Sadly, the timing was very unfortunate with the weather conditions, he was losing too much and had to pit once again for inters. My personal opinion is that they changed his engine between friday and saturday (because he already has quite a lot in his pool of components and it makes sense to use an older engine with more mileage during a free practice to preserve the newer ones for the important sessions). One point to Carlos for not immediately calling for the positions to get swapped with Charles when e fell behind him. Carlos was over-performed by his teammate this weekend and that's ok, but he fell to p15 at the start and then later on gained one position over Logan. There was still a chance for points at least if only he didn't slip, spin into the grass and crash into Alex. The damage was too substantial to continue, and even if they could fix it, the chance for points was pretty much lost.

VCARB. Daniel started sooo high up in p5 or something?? And they fumbled it so bad. He had a false start and got himself a 5s penalisation for it which hurt his race a lot. As much that Yuki got in front of him at a certain point of the race. What the team did was encourage Daniel to fight for that position with Yuki directly. Ultimately, he was the one to miss the turn and spin out of points on his own, but it was heavily encouraged by the team's decision.

Alpine. Pierre had a bad start with the collision with Checo. That hurt his race significantly as he fell all the way behind Esteban who started much lower with his 5 places grid penalty from Monaco. As the drivers slotted behind each other, Esteban was ordered to let Pierre by in hopes he would catch up with a car in front (was it a VCARB? i cannot remember), which he didn't. At the end Esteban asked to change the positions back which is common practice - he didn't get a positive answer for that though.

Haas. They did such a good job with the initial call for full wets while others started on inters. Kevin climbed up all the way to p4 and Nico climbed out to p6 (or was it p8) after being out in q1 the day before. Then they stopped Kevin to change to inters (once again a good call) and it went down from here. They didn't have tyres ready for the pit stop and he lost out a lot of time in pits. Nico was left out to die on the wets basically and when he pitted, he already lost a big part of what he gained by then.

Sauber. What a bad weekend at the start with two crashes by Guanyu and a spin from Valtteri. As if that wasn't enough, they had to change the spec of their wins to a different one which is contradictory with the parc fermé rules - that gained them a pit lane start for both drivers. They were fighting at the back of the field and went through another horrendous pit stop which killed any idea for points for the team.

Aston Martin: probably the only team that didn't mess up too bad. Lance has been doing relatively well, only touched the wall of champions once in quali and was doing very well during the race. Fernando has been coming out of two terrible weekends, he seemed to be doing like a fish in the sea with the wet and colder conditions in Montreal. If his team did a bit better job in the pit stops, he wouldn't have lost a position on track in favour of Lewis (because Mercedes had a great pit stop).

Williams: oh dear, if the missing chassis and spare parts from 2023 cars weren't enough, then this race sure was. The quali was quite good to them, both got out of Q1, Alex even got into Q3. There was a slight chance of getting into points with both cars seeing they had the pace at the start of the race. Sadly, Logan didn't have too good of a start. Logan crashed slightly and caused a YF. He could continue though. Later on he crashed again and it ended his race and neutered the pace for the rest of the field. Alex was unable to do anything to avoid the collision with Carlos who spun out in front of him and the contact ended his race as well and brought out another safety car.

TLDR: no team can be seen as a winner, although McLaren, Mercedes and Aston Martin all did pretty very well.

As a fan of course I like a bit of unpredictability and getting proved wrong when I was to guess a result of a race. I love LOVE multiple winners, as many as possible in a season. The rest though? The visibility on the first lap, the multiple cars crashing out... that's not it.

[mariacallous]

When news broke in December that Max (then HBO Max) had decided to effectively cancel Minx, a collective shudder went through Hollywood creatives. It wasn’t just that Minx—a charming, dick-filled comedy about the launch of a Playgirl-style magazine in the ’70s—was a critically successful show. It was that Minx had already received a second season order from the network and was, in fact, on the last week of shooting that season. Showrunners, writers, and casts were left wondering, “If HBO could up and back out of a show it had already put so much money and confidence into, then who’s to say it couldn’t happen to us?”

What Max did with Minx is called “writing down,” and it’s becoming increasingly common. Networks, looking to cut costs, can declare that an asset (in this case, a show) has depreciated more rapidly than anticipated. They “write down” the value of the show on the books, making it worth less than it was initially, subsequently ending up with an overall loss on their balance sheet and a sizable tax deduction. It works for existing shows and for previously commissioned work, hence why so many Paramount and Disney originals have been disappearing from their streaming services in recent months. (In fact, Disney recently reported that it took $1.5 billion in write-offs this spring, which experts have attributed to all that vanishing content.)

Some Hollywood suits would be quick to remind creatives that it’s called “show business,” not “show security,” and there are other reasons networks write down content, from trying to avoid licensing or residual payments to the cash they get from shuffling content over to a FAST (free, ad-supported streaming TV) service like Pluto TV or Tubi.

Still, none of that really helped ease the pain when Minx showrunner Ellen Rapoport had to tell her cast and crew about the show’s potential cancellation. She’d heard about it a few days before from the show’s production company, Lionsgate, who’d urged her to keep it to herself. The company had kept the news from her as long as it could and tried to put a positive spin on it, saying that HBO would pay to finish out the second season and couldn’t bar them from taking it elsewhere. But still, Rapoport says, it felt like “a shit sandwich inside of a croissant, like, ‘We love the show, you're canceled, but you're going to find a new home.’”

She kept the news to herself as she prepared to direct the finale, the whole time wondering if that week was the last one she’d ever spend on a Minx set. She finally got the go-ahead to tell the actors on a Friday, when Lionsgate started to sense that news would break in the trades the following week. “My biggest nightmare was that we’d be on set and an article would come out,” says Rapoport. She took the time that weekend to call the show’s six series regulars—Ophelia Lovibond, Jake Johnson, Lennon Parham, Oscar Montoya, Jessica Lowe, and Idara Victor—as well as recurring guests Rich Sommer and Elizabeth Perkins. “Everyone was surprised, because this had never even been in the ether,” Rapoport says. “We’d never even talked about it.”

In fact, Rapoport says, neither she nor anyone else involved with the production of the show had ever really gotten viewership numbers from Max. Those kinds of stats are held notoriously close to the vest at streaming companies, which is frustrating for actors and creators, who are left pretty much in the dark about the status of their show (and, as actors currently striking will tell you, the status of their paltry residuals). “They told us that we had a very high completion rate of about 90 percent, which was amazing, and they told us that our audience was evenly split between men and women,” Rapoport says. “That’s all they really said, other than that our viewership was on par with shows like Julia and Hacks.”

The week after Rapoport told her actors, she got a call from Lionsgate telling her that the story was about to break and that she had to tell everyone else working on the show. “I tried to keep morale up,” she says. “It's obviously very startling to think that the thing you've been working on for months and months and months could just be disappeared, and no one will ever see it, but I tried to make the point that HBO Max distributed us in North America and Latin America, but Lionsgate owns us and distributes us throughout the world.” She was confident Minx would find another distributor.

Rapoport says that when news broke that Minx was off Max, Lionsgate was having serious talks with about four different potential buyers. While she knew that the chances of it landing somewhere else were pretty solid, she wasn’t allowed to explicitly tell anyone working on the show. “I just tried to reassure them that I felt like it would be OK,” she explains.

Rapoport also encouraged the crew to go all out on the season 2 finale, which HBO was still paying to produce. “I was like, ‘Do we need a crane shot?’” she says. “Usually on our budget we only get one day with a crane, but for the finale, we got three, and our wrap party was shockingly nice. It felt like we were getting a divorce but still had access to the credit cards.”

Ultimately, the show did find the buyer Rapoport hoped it might. Just before the new year, word came that Minx had landed at Starz, and the news broke to the world in January. Rapoport says she’s glad the show landed at the network, because of its commitment to programming that appeals to underrepresented groups, but also because it means Minx has found a home amongst similarly provocative content.

That doesn’t mean she’ll get any more insight into Minx’s viewership anytime soon. Sure, Starz is a premium cable company that reports to Nielsen, but those figures don’t include streaming stats—a delivery method that has to account for a sizable portion of Minx’s overall viewership. While any numbers she gets will be nice to have, she says, they’re going to be incomplete.

Rapoport says that, as a former corporate lawyer turned showrunner, she’s come to understand why Max made the decision to write down the show from a business perspective. “I get it,” she says. “But I also feel that in order to encourage people to do their best work in a creative field, you have to create an environment that's conducive to that. It's not just about an algorithm running calculations.”

Which means there’s now a bit of showbiz apprehension involved for everyone working on Minx, because, like Rapoport, they know what it’s like to have the Hollywood rug ripped from under them. “It just feels like all your hard work can be erased at any time, and that’s really disorienting,” Rapoport says. “I find it pretty disrespectful too. It’s hard to do your best work when you know that it could all just end up in the trash heap based on a number on a balance sheet.”

[wingedgoldenwanderer]

Goldie VS. Gym Leader Erika!

———

[VIDEO: A clip showing the end of a gym battle between Goldie and Erika. The current matchup is their Charmelon, Lizzie, vs. the gym leader’s powerful looking Vileplume. Sparking pollen seeps from the flower monster’s head in a wispy pillar, and it stands a decent few inches above the Fire-type’s height. Lizzie herself looks a bit worn, likely from searing through the rest of Erika’s Grass-type entourage beforehand, but still looks ready to keep fighting on.

Vileplume is the first to make a move, tilting forwards and positioning itself like a cannon, before puffing out a ball of paralytic pollen from the center of its flower. Lizzie rolls out of the way of the Stun Spore easily, before retaliating by spewing out a stream of fire. With her opponent being much less nimble than she is, the Flamethrower connects almost immediately.

Vileplume winced at the face-full of super effective flames, but isn’t done just yet. This time it fires off an Acid attack, the sizzling purple acid careening through the air right for Lizzie.

The Charmeleon isn’t as quick the dodge this time, and takes the attack head on. She winces slightly, but manages to shake the burning liquid off her slightly singed scaly hide and go right for another move at her trainer’s command. Again she goes with Flamethrower, but Vileplume seems to have learned from last time, and jumps back out of the range of the inferno with a surprising amount of spring in its small legs.

Erika clicks her tongue, bringing the long sleeve of her floral themed kimono up to her mouth as she watches Goldie observantly. “Your tactics are becoming awfully predictable. You might’ve been able to sweep through my darling flowers before with those flames of yours, but Vileplume won’t be as easy.”

Goldie narrows their eyes, finger twitching at their side as they try to come up with something. Then, you see their eyes light up with an idea, and they call out another order. “Metal Claw!”

Lizzie then charges forwards, claws outstretched with a metallic sheen to them. She dodges past a barrage of acid blasts Vileplume throws at her, before closing in and delivering a harsh swipe to its side. The flower beast cries out and staggers, and Lizzie takes its moment of stumble to deal the finishing blow. Her third most powerful Flamethrower yet comes erupting from her maw, burning as bright as the sun as it swallows Vileplume whole. Once the move subsides, Erika’s final Pokémon is left charred black and plopping face-first onto the ground with a defeated grunt.

“Match over! Challenger Goldie is the winner!”

As the golden letters spelling “VICTORY!” announcing Goldie’s triumph appear on screen, you notice something strange happen in the background. Erika recalls Vileplume its ball, sighing something about how Fire-types are such a nuisance. Just as the Pokéball in her hand clicks shut, though, her eyes are drawn back to Lizzie as the Charmeleon becomes absorbed in a pale blue light.

Immediately knowing what’s happening, Goldie lets out a quiet gasp as they watch their first Pokémon start to change shape within the brilliant glow. Lizzie stretches to almost twice her height, her horn divides into two, and finally a pair of magnificent wings sprout from between her shoulder blades. Soon enough, the light disperses from her body in a dazzling burst, and she emerges with a bellowing roar- now in the form of a mighty Charizard.

Beaming with awe, Goldie races forward to envelop their starter in a hug, to which Lizzie quickly reciprocates with a happy rumble, nuzzling her large head into her trainer’s shoulder. “Lizzie!” Goldie exclaims, “Can fly together now!”

“Brror!” Lizzie grunts back, seeming just as overjoyed as they are as she picks them up by the shoulders and spins them around gleefully.

Although evidently frustrated at her loss, Erika can’t help but smile at the wholesome scene between Pokémon and trainer, the sound of Goldie’s giddy laughter warming her heart. She pulls out the badge she plans to give them from her pocket, but decides to take a seat beneath the large oak tree behind her as she waits for the two to finish their celebratory moment.

End video.]

———

[hospitalitycareerprofile]

Viral: Trump staffer shouts down Dem mayor over barricade issues; marketing campaign accuses him of disrupting ex-prez rally

https://www.hospitalitycareerprofile.com/?p=26541 A chaotic interplay between a Trump staffer and the Mayor of Allentown, Pennsylvania, has gone viral. The duo argued over street closures and poll drop-off issues. In keeping with Fox Information, the previous humiliated Mayor Matt Tuerk when urged to take down barricades forward of Donald Trump’s Tuesday rally. A Trump staffer argues with Matt Tuerk, Mayor of Allentown, Pennsylvania, over street closures earlier than a Trump rally. (X/Twiiter) Whereas Tuerk is seen trying to make his case about how street closures would stop individuals from collaborating within the voting course of, the Trump-leaning staffer accuses him of mendacity. The hostile altercation ends in the opposite man hurling expletive-laden insults on the mayor. Additionally learn | Dodgers fan in 20s blows up palms after failing to dodge firework accident throughout World Collection celebration “You suppose I’m gonna take away the barricades now? Yeah, you’re out of your f***ing thoughts,” the staffer shouts at him. “Don’t ever pull that sh*t on me once more.” As he continued shouting the mayor of Allentown down, he pushed that individuals may stroll across the closures to entry the drop field. His vicious remarks heightened the following minute as he additionally alleged that Tuerk was afraid about individuals voting in favour of the Republican presidential hopeful. The staffer additionally knowledgeable him {that a} public advisory was put out days earlier than the rally because the police had given them the clearance for the street closures. Trump’s staff will get concerned Worst got here to worst, because the Trump marketing campaign ultimately picked a bone with the mayor as nicely. In gentle of the now-viral incident, the Republican chief’s facet known as out the Pennsylvania politician for trying to “disrupt the buildout of President Trump’s rally.” Because the video did its rounds on X/Twitter, the Democratic mayor’s intent was once more flamed on-line. Netizens accused him of trying to “cease a Trump rally”—precisely the controversy that led to the mayor’s argument with the Trump staffer within the first place. Trump marketing campaign nationwide press secretary Karoline Leavitt informed the media outlet, “The Trump-deranged Democrat Mayor of Allentown tried to disrupt the buildout of President Trump’s rally, regardless of the marketing campaign having correct allowing and authorized street closures.” Additionally learn | Like Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy boards rubbish truck to positively spin Biden’s ‘actually disgusting, divisive’ gaffe “We respect legislation enforcement’s help in making certain the rally was a significant success.” Allentown mayor speaks out towards Trump marketing campaign for ‘misrepresenting’ the incident Putting his piece of the puzzle to finish the story, Mayor Tuerk contrarily informed Fox Information Digital that he had observed the “bike rack” when he visited the place on Monday night to see how the preparations have been unfolding. This barricade “appeared to limit entry to mobility-impaired voters to solid a poll on the county authorities centre.” Nevertheless, as a substitute of listening to him out, the Trump staffer current on the scene on the time furiously “boiled over” as his frustration took over. The difficulty was finally resolved with the Allentown police chief and supervisor, however he couldn’t brush away the previous president’s marketing campaign misrepresenting the case. “I’m disenchanted the Trump marketing campaign misrepresented the interplay and that varied commentators have jumped on the chance to begin hurling hateful invective my manner,” he mentioned. Presenting Allentown as a precedent, he boasted, “Allentown did its job on Tuesday. I’m pleased with the workers of the town that efficiently allowed anybody to vote and in addition allowed anybody to take part in a political occasion.” Learn extra:

[ayanagiann]

23 September 2023

It's been a little over a month since my last entry.. and within that time, a couple things have happened. Visited a new country (and revisited a couple others), spent 2+ whole weeks with someone 24/7 and didn't get sick of it once, and finally.. officially, turned 30.

So where does this put me currently? To be honest, I'm exhausted. Since coming back home to what my reality is, my body feels like it's gone into shock. After two weeks of leisurely running around Europe & the UK, exploring and resting, this first week back has been rougher than I anticipated.

I think I've procrastinated coming on here because I've been afraid to admit.. I'm resentful. My apartment has been feeling like the only place where I feel happy and safe. I've considered taking myself out a few times but have ultimately lacked the motivation, I have absolutely no desire to hang out with anyone, and don't even get me started on how I feel about work.

Instead of this trip revitalizing me and recharging me for another go at the grind, it's almost done the opposite. It's made me frustrated that I'm back here -- in this city, in this situation, in this position. I feel either stuck or suffocated and the only place I feel like being (and have access to) is home.

The trip was amazing from start to finish and I'm no stranger to "post-travel blues," but this feels different. This time I'm struggling trying to bounce back. Every day at work has made me sink and spiral deeper and deeper. "This is really what my life still is?" has been a question I've asked myself multiple times daily.

I can make things happen for everyone else but why is it, when it comes to me everything is nuanced? Why am I the one put in the difficult positions, why am I stuck dealing with, if not cleaning up other people's messes? Why does my situation have to be unconventional and complicated? Why can't I have an extended period of time alone?

Times like this I wish I had the financial freedom to disappear. Quit my job and move far away so no body can ask or take anything of me. I wish I could fly so far under the radar that people forget I exist. Limit people's access to me, guilt free. It's a toxic balance -- being so needed while my own needs aren't even being met. And I'm not so sure I've ever hated it more than I do now.

A lot of my adult life has been spent keeping my negativity in check. It's why I've invested so much of my energy in spinning every situation in a positive way. Trying to see the good in things, trying not to regret anything, moving, as I've said: "as if everything that's happening is my own choice." Not only has it kept my head above water but it's been something that so many people have depended on me for. I have to keep my shit together, be the most encouraging and the most calm, work the hardest and keep shit the lightest, because that's the role I play in the ecosystems and communities that I'm apart of.

Resentment? Anger? Frustration? That's not on brand for me. Or maybe it is, and I just choose to suppress it.. to deal with it on my own and on my own time, and not to let others see that side of me. But here, in the safety and comfort of my own space, I'm allowing myself to unravel a bit. After deep reflection this week, or maybe you could even call it a "mini hibernation," I've realized that I let my life become something I've tried so hard to avoid: I'm living for my days off, existing for the next chance to get away, grasping at any moment for silence & solitude, and wondering why the hell I keep ending up here.

I'm a few days settled into 30... what the fuck am I even doing?

[biteybelgian]

Nikola felt the sharp pain of the councilman's bite pierce through his skin, an unexpected and violent intrusion that left him momentarily breathless. The metallic taste of blood filled his nose as fangs sank into his neck, and the world around him seemed to blur for a moment. His body tensed, muscles constricting in response to the pain, but he refused to give the other the satisfaction of hearing him cry out. He could feel the warmth of his own blood escaping from the wounds, a stark reminder of his own morality.

As the blood drained from him, Nikola's vision became hazy, and a wave of dizziness washed over him. The hall spun, and he struggled to maintain his composure. It was a violation on multiple levels – physical, personal, and emotional. Despite the weakness creeping through his limbs, Nikola clung to his pride. His jaw tightened, resisting the urge to show any sign of vulnerability. When the master finally released him, Nikola stumbled backward, his hand instinctively reaching for the bite marks on his neck before crumpling to the floor. He understood the words, though the heavy accent made it a bit challenging to catch every nuance in his current state. Still, he got the message loud and clear. His body aching from the impact with the wall and the force of Quin's bite. He struggled to push himself up from the floor, his vision blurred and head spinning from the blood loss.

Managing to get himself into a sitting position, Nikola touched his hand to his neck, a scowl etched on his face. Despite the pain and humiliation, a spark remained in his eyes. He felt a mix of humiliation and frustration, the taste of blood still lingering in his mouth. The threat of being turned over to the enforcer hung in the air, and he knew it was not an idle one. "I get it," he managed to rasp out, his voice hoarse. "I messed up. Won't happen again." Despite the pain and weakness, a spark of anger flickered within him. He wiped blood from his mouth, attempting to regain some composure. "Look, I was just trying to catch a breath and find a restroom. I'm not here to cause trouble, and I certainly didn't invite you into my personal space." He muttered, his accent pouring on thickly between labored breathes, gestured weakly to his surroundings, "I got lost." Switching to French, Nikola continued, "Si tu m'avais laissé tranquille, on n'aurait pas eu de problème," he said, his words carrying a subtle mix of frustration and exhaustion.

Translation: (If you had left me alone, we wouldn't have had a problem. I don't appreciate my space being invaded without reason. It's not complicated.)

Having to make his point a second time was an insult. If the dog went for three, Quin might just kill him. It would be a mercy since he'd be quick about it. He couldn't stand stupidity in his subordinates. You could fix most things, but stupid, mean, and ugly were bred in the bone. The other two he could handle. Stupid, less so. Since they'd switched to French, he fired off a rapid soldiers-French series of profanities with a heavy Navarran accent. Hauling the dog back into the castle, Quin threw him against a wall and bit him out of sheer irritation. Normally when he fed on someone, he was polite about it and made sure it felt nice and they were expecting it, had even consented. But the stupid shifted needed hard lessons, so that's what he'd provide.

He drank until the dog would start to feel dizzy and weak and then dropped him. Crossing away to the window, Quin sat on the sill to remove the slight drops of blood that were in the corners of his mouth and waited to see what the shifter would do. "I should take you to the enforcer and let them tune you up and put you in an isolation cell for a while to think about your choices. The only reason I haven't yet is because I'm getting soft and sentimental in my old age. If I catch you wandering the halls again where you're not supposed to be, I may actually lose my temper." He rarely spoke French, but he was too annoyed to speak in English, and maybe the stupidity was just a language barrier.