#where to Learn CA Program

[the-bengali-diva]

GUYS IS AMERICA FINALLY ON IT'S PATH ON MAKING FUCKING CONCENTRATION CAMPS?!!

My aunt who lives in California, just sent me this msg that she got,

Hello BAS family,

Happy Wednesday!

Please read this important message from LACOE.

Los Angeles County of Schools Superintendent

Dr. Debra Duardo Statement on the

Sensitive Locations Policy Overturn

"In light of the new administration’s action today to overturn the sensitive locations policy, I want to reassure our education community that the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) remains steadfastly committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of their immigration status, has access to a safe, secure and nurturing learning environment.

The sensitive locations policy previously prevented Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from arresting immigrants in places such as schools, churches and hospitals. The change to the policy does not overrule the student’s constitutional right to an education. It also does not overrule state constitutional protections.

It is important to reinforce that all students possess the right to a public education, independent of their immigration status. Our schools are mandated to ensure that no student is denied enrollment or faced with barriers to their educational opportunities based on their or their family’s immigration status.

Our schools serve as safe havens for our students and families.

It is imperative that we stand united in our unwavering commitment to the education and well-being of every student within our county. As educators and leaders, we are responsible for creating and maintaining an environment where all students feel valued, secure and protected. Together, we can foster inclusive learning spaces and reflect the rich diversity of our communities."

For more information and resources about immigration rights and schools visit LACOE’s website.

You have constitutional rights:

DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if an immigration agent is knocking on the door.

DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent.

DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without first speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer.

If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly.

If you are inside of your home, do not give the agent permission to enter your home based on your 4th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution unless the agent has a warrant to enter, signed by a judge or magistrate with your name on it. Ask the agent to slide the document under the door or show it to you through the window.

Thank you for supporting our adult learners.

Juan Noguera

Director

Burbank Adult School / FACTS Program

3811 W Allan Ave, Burbank CA 91505

(818) 729-5950 xtn 33901

Follow us on social media (just click on your favorite link)

How aren't more people talking about this?!!! Everything is in front of us why aren't you all seeing it?!!!!

[bomusims]

track 02: check pattern

perhaps we are walking on many lines that are crossing one another meeting you was the coincidences crossing over if i think that was all maybe the breakup will be bearable ... maybe it's because we embody different colors so that we couldn't approach each other

track 03: i don't wanna do anything

over nothing at all i'm getting sensitive again piling up dust-like worries one by one ... right now, looking through the rain-streaked window i feel like i'm watching something everything's blurry and out of focus things that won't change

track 06: wednesday night

every wednesday night for some reason, my heart flutters even the stuffy weather and the congested roads i feel like i can forgive it all ... every time, i greet you with a smile and say, “hello” then, “thank you for making time for me” when we part, i say, “sleep well and don’t even dream” hope to be with you on every wednesday night

author's rambling

initial notes

i had my work cut out for me with this one—it’s on a completely different scale and style from my april entry. brunch club had 1 big render and 5 smaller edits with pics taken in cas; this project had a minimum of 3 big renders, with an undetermined amount of extra stuff. this time, instead of creating characters and developing lore for them, i wanted to create scenes that conveyed the emotions i feel when listening to the song, and the visions i imagine while reading the lyrics. i’m much more skilled with blender after almost 2 months worth of practical experience, so at least i didn’t have to learn an entirely new program. i didn’t even have to make renders for this, i just wanted to do it because they’re fun and i like the creative freedom i get with rendering vs taking in-game pics.

album - 30

this album really spoke to me because while it may not be the most groundbreaking work of art, it definitely holds significant meaning, especially to sungjin himself. it comes with the added bonus of two of the songs being right up my alley in terms of music taste—so much that it’s almost unnerving. it’s like that guy lives in my brain

there is something about this album that just goes so well with public transportation, and that's where the inspiration for my edits came from! you can take a peek at my moodboard here

check pattern

this one i had a pretty clear vision once i read the lyrics. it’s a song about going your separate ways after a breakup, and i immediately thought of an elevator scene (i also thumbnailed an escalator scene, but that was scrapped early on). i made a render and did all the editing for it, but i wasn't sure if i really liked or not, and then i ended up making a completely new render using the subway scene

i do think that as far as the meaning of the song goes, my original edit fits better, but overall as a set i like this one more

yes, i know, it parallels the shining twins. no, that was not my intention but what the hell, sure

did i sneak chuuves in here? yeah #ILoveLesbians

i don't wanna do anything

this actually the first edit i finished for this entry, and i liked it so much that i ended up using the same scene and overlays on the other two for #Continuity

the original idea was a snapshot from outside a city bus at night, with the silohuette of someone inside the bus behind a foggy, rain-streaked window. i was doing pretty alright when it came to building the scene and so forth, but i hit a dead end when i got to the window bit. there's a line in the lyric that goes 'right now, looking through the rain-streaked window', and so getting the rain on the window would be a crucial part of the render. at first i had planned to download someone else's shader and slap it on my window object, but the ones i found for free either weren't compatible with the blender versions i was working with or they simply were not cooperating with me. i didn't have the time to go through all the troubleshooting, so instead i watched a tutorial on how to make my own… which ended up being incredibly complicated and it probably would have taken me at least 3-4 hours if i had tried making my own shader. then i decided to just add the rain and fog during postprocessing, so i hit that render button and got to editing. but i wasn't feeling how that turned out either

i decided to go with a subway scene instead, and it turned out really well! i'm quite happy with the results on this one

wednesday night

this one sent me through the wringer and back. i went through so many thumbnails and drafts, but nothing was really hitting

about a week before the deadline, i had the genius idea to make mitsuaya-inspired sims for it. if i did it with chuuves, who's to say i can't pop some green yuri in there!

originally, i had in mind mitsuki offering her hand in escort to aya as she departed a bus, but trying to find pose references drove me up a wall. then i tried to make the poses without a reference, but i just could not get mitsuki to look natural. aya's poses were easy, but mitsuki always looked so stiff and i couldn't figure out how to make her relaxed without sacrificing posture and so forth. then i had the idea to make ALL of the renders using the subway scene, and i ended up with the two of them sitting down and leaning against each other

the sims themselves posed a whole other problem. aya, once again, was fairly easy to make and dress up in cas, but i went through four (4) different iterations of mitsuki and her outfits before settling upon the final one you see in the edit. i wanted to stay true to their canonic fashion taste, and mitsuki has a very androgynous/masc grunge-y punk-ish streetwear wardrobe. i tried referencing official art, but the pieces i had didn't quite fit the bill and i did not have the time to go cc hunting. in the end, i had to compromise and go slightly off canon (mitsuki has not and never will wear a cropped top or jacket), but i'm pretty satisfied with how she turned out!

the scene… oh boy. i tried extracting assets from in-game and cc, but the textures were off (i.e. there was a big ass american flag on the side of the bus and it's the only swatch but i'm not really rocking with patriotism like that) and i'm not quite there with my texturing skills yet, so trying to make a recolor was out of the question. then i tried using non-sims blender assets and 3d models, but trying to find decent quality models for free online is like searching for a pin needle in a haystack. and then i tried building my own scene completely from scratch—which means making brand new meshes and objects. the meshing went pretty okay, but trying to add materials and textures gave me a headache so that was a no-go as well. but once i decided to pivot to using the subway scene instead, things went rather smoothly! by that point, i had worked with that specific scene over ten times (mostly scrapped drafts), so cleaning it up was quite easy, and making poses and adding lighting were a breeze.

misc notes

what's club30, you ask? uhhhhhhh lesbian gay bar

i actually planned for a 4th render, but i ended up having to scrap it due to time constraints

my fave songs off the album are i don't wanna do anything and wednesday night! i love them so much yall i'm probably in the top 0.05% listener percentile or whatever the fuck it is

i was really close to redoing my first render so the models would be nanahachi instead, but alas… deadlines are a thing

@peachibunnii's server hosts monthly challenges, and this is for the may prompt! i'm also a mod over there! come and say hi :)

i'll be posting some behind the scenes wip pictures n things like that over on my patreon! you can find them here :)

thanks and credits: @peachibunnii and the bunniis for the prompt and encouragement; @salemssimblr and the crypt for their help and support; @vyxated for the life-saving ea rigplus; alex murias for the amazing scene i used in all of the renders; all the creators whose cc i used to make my sims: @jino-sims @seoulsoul-sims @jius-sims @charonlee @serenity-cc @caio-cc @sentate @hezeh @pralinesims @asansan3; blender, clip studio paint 4.0, sims 4 studio, and inkscape (the programs i primarily used); and last but not least, my emotional support brother from another mother beerkyeg. i'm definitely missing some people, but know that i love and appreciate you all! <3

[cityof2morrow]

Mod Organizing & Load Order Shenanigans

Published: 5-1-2024 | Updated: N/A MOD ORGANIZING During the [first] "pandemic summer," I started reorganizing my game folders. I also started  a "conflict management" list, containing all the known conflict info from download pages, new conflicts I discover while playtesting, etc. It's 44 pages long at the moment....a testament to my unapologetic mod addiction. I encourage all simmers to keep a list like this. It’s very reassuring (and handy!) to be able to look up known conflicts or keep track of mods which have been merged (duplicate files can break your game FAST!).  **I won’t be able to share mine at this time but most of my info comes from the same pages where I download CC/mods - shout out to the creators who take the time to include this info.

MY LOAD ORDER(S) I number my folders and use mostly lower case filenames to force the load order I want – these were the most important changes I made re: how I maintain a heavily-modded-but-still -very-functional game. With few exceptions, this has been much more effective than keeping track of the number of z's and cases. It also means I don't need to rename downloaded files - I just put them in the right folder. When I played exclusively on mac, I learned that numbering the store cc folders was the ONLY way I could get all the content to work. I never figured out why but I imagine it was because the mac series doesn't include expansions required for some of this content.

DETAILS (the codes) I put that grad school debt...I mean...those grad school research skills to good use and made up my own codes. Here they are... 0= files needed in every save aka my "essentials." These include repair files, shader/UI files, CEPs, global probes (like scriptorium, money globals, inteen checker, inventory checker, etc).

1= mods that do NOT need a load order, some OFB-themed sets I want to keep separate from other CC - like the #co2bellabrand or upcoming #co2cdkseries stuff.

2= mods that require a hard load order. As @episims writes HERE, this only works for mods with non-game-breaking conflicts between them. Only the last mod in the sequence will retain ALL its intended functions. The code for this section goes like this: [number]-[what the mod deals with in-game; i make sure to consider alphabetical order]-[load order number] -name of the mod(s)

I have several global mods that need to load as close to LAST as possible. These folders all start with "2-z-[load order #]-." The "2" tells me they need to load in a certain order and the "-z" makes them load after all the other #2 folders.

See Object Freedom 1.02 (@fwaysims, 2023) and Shiftable Everything (@lamare-sims, 2022) both load at #78? I don't have them BOTH in game at the same time, but giving them the same number ensures that the right load order stays no matter which one i'm paying with. 3 = build mode and neighborhood deco/defaults

4= buy mode

"ts1," "ts3," and similar labels = content that was converted for Sims 2.

5=CAS/bodyshop

OTHER DETAILS I also label folders with certain "type codes" - these tell me things like whether they add permanent data to my saves (custom memories, careers, foods, etc. do this) or whether they are maxis-match. Here are some examples:

-BIN = mod files which go in the program folders -DEF = default replacement -MEM = this content includes custom memory data -MM = maxis-match or an add-on for default game furniture -ADD = content that is not maxis-match -NPC = this content includes or changes one or more NPCs -FIX  or -EDIT = this is a fixed or uniquely edited version of a pre-existing mod -BETA and -TEST = this mod is unfinished and/or a test version Remember, conflicts do not always mean something has to be removed from your game, nor are all conflicts unresolvable. No matter what kind of method(s) you use to organize your game – it’s just important to try/have at least one in the cut.

CREDITS Thanks: Episims, PleasantSims, and all simmers who include load order/conflict notes. Sources: Beyno (Korn via BBFonts), EA/Maxis, Forcing the Load Order of Mods (whoward/Pick’N’MixSims, 2021 via sims2tutorials), Image(s) (Alexander, 2016), Offuturistic Infographic (Freepik).

...Oh and yes...I AM in fact an INTJ/Capricorn.

[imaginesandbandfiction]

Triad Part 7 — Trouble in Paradise

A Cazriel x Reader Headcanon

A/N: MFW the silly little smut drabble series I started over winter break starts developing a plot :o

Lmaooo I should have seen this coming. Be patient with me, I'm in a creative writing MFA program so fanfic isn't my priority rn but this series is begging to be written so I'm going to follow those vibes as far as they take me, just bear with me if updates are sporadic.

Click here to be added to the taglist so you never miss an update!

Warnings: Angst, some smut

Of course, there’s a learning curve that comes with a Triad Bond. Sex is the easy part—being in a relationship with two bullheaded Illyrian males is more complicated.

Rhys tried his best not to send any of you on solo missions but, inevitably, something came up and Azriel had to go undercover in the Court of Nightmares. It’s a top-secret mission and he has to block you and Cassian out the entire time he’s there, lest someone learn the true reason for his visit.

And… it was a lot easier to be a spy without two mates waiting for him back home. His mental shields are ironclad, trapping all the frustration and sadness behind closed doors, but it seeps out in other ways. His shadows are way more vicious than they normally are and, after long days spent playing nice with Keir and his cronies, as soon as his bedroom door locks behind him, he fists his cock in quick strokes. It takes a matter of minutes for him to spill himself into the mattress with how pent-up he is.

Things aren’t much better in Velaris. Sure, you and Cas have each other, but the bond hates the dark hole where Az should be and no matter how hard you try to soothe the ache, it never goes away.

Cassian throws himself into training; on days he doesn’t have other work to do, he flies out to Windhaven and spends the day beating the shit out of anyone who dares challenge him. When he comes home late at night, you patch him up with soft, delicate touches and hold him until his tears dry up.

Sex isn’t the same without Azriel there, either. You try to hold out; it feels wrong without him, but everything boils over a week into his absence.

Cassian spent the day in Windhaven, again, and you wait up with a book and a cup of tea but it’s morning when he slams through the door drenched in blood and reeking like the mixed-together contents of a liquor cabinet.

“Cas?” You mumble, lifting your head off the couch cushion and rubbing your eyes as you push yourself into a sitting position. He stomps past you into the bedroom and you hear the water running as he fills the bath. Stifling a yawn, you push through the nausea swirling in your gut and follow him on your tiptoes.

When you push the washroom door open, you see his broad shoulders bent over the edge of the half-filled tub, bloodied and shaking with the force of his sobs.

You surge forward and fall to your knees next to him, wrapping your arms around his middle.

“Shhh, it’s okay, baby,” you whisper, rubbing his back. His head drops to your chest and you feel his rumbling anger in your soul.

Y/N? It’s Rhys’ voice in your head, tentative and sheepish. Is he okay?

No, you snarl back, immediately feeling guilt for the harshness of your words. But Ariel is gone, Cassian is broken, and your heart is torn in two. You force yourself to be gentler as you ask: Is there something I should know?

Rhys hesitates. Devlon called me in to fetch him this morning and… it wasn’t pretty. I’ll send word to Madja and tell her you’re going to be out for a few days.

Before you can protest, he continues. I know you’ve been working overtime. You’re running yourself ragged, Y/N. You need a break just as much as he does.

Rhysand cuts off the mental connection in the middle of your indignant huff, but the gears in your mind are turning. Instead of turning to each other in Az’s absence, you’ve been burying yourselves in solitude and work. Clearly, something has to change.

You loosen the strip of leather holding Cas’s hair up and sprinkle deep purple healing magic into it as you run your fingers through his thick locks. It’s just enough to calm him down, sobs tapering off into shuddering breaths.

“Cas?” You ask when he finally stills, slumping boneless against you. “Whose blood is this?”

He tilts his head back, guilt filling in every line on his face, and your heart clenches. No wonder Rhys offered to talk to Madja for you; he probably needed her to fix whatever damage Cassian’s misplaced anger had caused.

“‘M sorry,” Cas whispers, burying his face in your neck again. “I didn’t mean to, I just…”

“Shhh,” you shushed him, curling one arm to cradle his head. “I know you didn’t, baby. Rhys does too. This is new territory for all of us, and there were bound to be some kinks to work out.” Cas nods against you and you squeeze him as tight as you can, channeling love and healing magic through the bond. Behind you, the tub is full of steamy hot water, so you wave your hand to get rid of Cas’s clothes and help him into the bath.

When he’s settled, you shed your nightgown and get in with him. He rests his head against the side of the tub and lets you run a bar of soap over the planes of his muscles, healing bruises and scrapes as you find them.

"Thank you," he whispers once you’ve finished. He reaches one hand out and pulls you against his chest without opening his eyes.

The bond settles as much as it can without a third anchor to tether itself to. You lay there, basking in the soft glow of your mingling magic, until suddenly Cassian stands up, pushing you off him.

“Sorry,” he grunts when you fall forward, splashing into the water. “I just…” You follow his gesturing hand down the V of his hips and the problem stares out at you—long, thick, and hard. “I dunno, it feels wrong without Az.”

“Yeah,” you whisper, torn between the mouth-watering sight of him on display, just inches from your face, and the guilt bubbling up inside you. In the end, the bond makes the decision for you, practically shoving you forward to pull Cas’s cock in between your lips.

His protests are dead on arrival; you don’t even hear them, too focused on pouring all your pent-up sexual frustration out onto him.

After just a few minutes, his hips are bucking wildly and he forces himself to pull back. You look up at him with wide eyes and saliva dripping down your chin, and he growls, tugging you out of the tub so he can shove you against the wall. He drops to his knees and drapes one of your legs over his shoulder, devouring you like a man starved.

With no patience left for teasing, he fucks you with his tongue, plunging deep into your core until you’re writhing against him.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, tumbles out of your head and into his as the pleasure builds and builds.

That's it, baby, he sends back down the bond, digging into your sweet spot with one of his fingers. Let go for me.

Your body follows his command, the tightly wound coil inside of you snapping as soon as you have permission. He grins against you as you fuck his face, riding out your high.

As soon as he pulls away, he’s got his hands under your ass, hauling you up into his arms as he presses his cock into your slick folds. Your legs wrap around his waist instinctively as your head drops back against the wall.

It’s quick and dirty. Without Azriel there to force you to slow down and savor each other, you’re teetering on the edge of a second orgasm before you’ve fully recovered from the first. Cassian’s thrusts grow sloppier and you feel through the bond that his release is looming.

When he ducks his head to pull one of your nipples between his teeth, both of you lose the last of your self-control. Cas drives his hips into you and fills you up, tipping you over the cliff. You clench your walls around him as your release comes gushing out.

Meanwhile, in one of the training rooms under the mountain, a wave of something washes over Az as he’s running through drills against a training dummy with Truth Teller. At first, he thinks it’s nausea and regrets not stopping by the kitchens to grab a bite earlier, but the ache is too low to be coming from his stomach.

When he reaches one gloved hand to palm himself through his leathers, he’s shocked to find his cock solid and straining against the fabric. He thanks the Mother that he’s training alone today and makes quick work of it.

Three weeks into Az’s mission, Mor heads under the mountain to check on him under the guise of visiting her father. She enters the dining room and immediately realizes that something is wrong. There’s a woman sitting to Kier’s right, and Az is on her other side. His shadows nip at Mor’s toes like she’s the enemy as she takes her seat on her father’s left.

He refuses to speak to her, but when they make eye contact during dessert, his eyes are dark and stormy, filled with shadows of their own.

When she retires to her room later that night, she reports back to Rhys who orders her to pull Az out as soon as she can.

Despite the fact that they haven’t slept together in decades, it’s easy to slip back into old habits. The next morning at breakfast, she lays it on thick. By dinner time, her father merely waves them off when she requests the Shadowsinger for her own personal reasons.

“Go on then,” he grunts, rolling his eyes. “I’ll let the High Lord know when I require your presence next.”

As soon as they’ve both gathered their belongings, Mor winnows them away. When his feet touch solid ground, Az shoves her away with a snarl. His shadows surge forward to cushion her back and prevent her from falling; even blinded by his anger, he doesn't want to hurt her.

“What the fuck,” he growls. “I wasn’t done!”

“I have orders to pull you out of there. Rhys thinks you’ve gone in too deep.” Az growls like a feral animal being forced into a cage.

“Rhysand needs me in there now more than ever. Something’s happening, Mor. Something big, and I was working my way in, I—“

Mor cuts him off, holding a hand up to silence him.

“You think I don’t know that? Whether I like it or not, that’s my father. I know something’s up, but Rhys needs you in there, Azriel. And you’re not you right now. You’re cold and ruthless, not thinking clearly after too much time away from your mates.”

Az deflates and drops onto the sofa behind him. It’s the worn old leather one in Rhys’s mother’s cottage, in Windhaven. Mor sits down next to him, rubbing a hand across his shoulders, careful to avoid brushing against his wings which are rigid and full of tension.

“It’s not your sole responsibility to save the world, Az. You’re an excellent spy, but you’re more than that, too. Don’t let the tunnel vision take over.”

Az drops his head into his hands, letting out all of the air in his lungs with one deep sigh. He knows she’s right, that the bond should be a strength and not a weakness, but he’s terrified that something will happen to his mates. He couldn’t risk it, not when he was down there.

But that wasn’t his decision to make alone. The more he fought against the bond, the more it fought back, rattling his brain and tugging at every one of his senses. The effort to keep it bottled up drained his energy until all he could see was the mission, his purpose. Gathering information about the woman, Amarantha, became the most important thing in his life.

So he feels like a bit of an asshole when he turns up on your doorstep with his rucksack slung over one shoulder and only a faint shimmer of the bond left flickering inside his chest. It’s not enough to keep him tethered to the two of you, so he has no idea how you're feeling, but he forces himself to knock on the door, anyway.

“Hi,” you whisper, letting your arm drop from the doorknob to your side. On your end, the bond bursts into bright golden flames that shoot down, making a beeline for Azriel.

It tugs at Cas’s side, too, and then his head pops up behind your shoulder.

“Hi,” he says, flashing the dopiest grin that Azriel has ever seen.

Taglist: @wallacewillow0773638 @hnyclover

[scoobydoodean]

i gotta wonder why castiel, in claire's body, seemed to be hesitating to heal jimmy in "the rapture" episode. like he was saying "time to go to your real home in heaven" when jimmy was bleeding to death from a bullet wound. at this point castiel was like. freshly lobotomized so he might've just been being more ruthless in an attempt to manipulate jimmy into allowing castiel back in. but i always am a bit confused and was wondering if you had any thoughts

I think this very much has to do with "heaven's persuasion" as Cas calls it at the time. 4.20 "The Rapture" starts with Cas having learned that heaven will intentionally start the apocalypse and kill millions of humans in the process. He is so horrified by this that he decides to rebel. He enters Dean's dreams, but says even Dean's dreams aren't a safe enough place for him to reveal the secrets he's harboring, so he sends Dean to meet him at another location, and when Sam and Dean arrive there, the whole place is torn to bits. Cas fought multiple angels tooth and nail to avoid capture so he could tell Dean the truth—that the angels were going to start the apocalypse and let them all die. However, he was captured before he could pass on his knowledge and then he was brainwashed back into compliance with heaven's orders.

One of the things I think it's clear the higher ups told Castiel as part of the brainwashing process is that humans dying just means they go to heaven and live forever in peace where they are better off than on earth, so why even fight the apocalypse? Silly Castiel! There's no reason to fret! Humans dying is a good thing! It's a mercy killing! So when Cas returns at the end of 4.20, he is operating under this new worldview and the results are chilling.

CASTIEL Of course we keep our promises. Of course you have our gratitude. You served us well. Your work is done. It's time to go home now. Your real home. You'll rest forever in the fields of the Lord. Rest now, Jimmy. JIMMY No. Claire? CASTIEL She's with me now. She's chosen. It's in her blood, as it was in yours. JIMMY Please, Castiel. Me, just take me. Take me, please. CASTIEL I wanna make sure you understand. You won't die or age. If this last year was painful for you, picture a hundred, a thousand more like it. JIMMY It doesn't matter. You take me. Just take me. CASTIEL As you wish.

Cas acknowledges the suffering he's put Jimmy through and in his own way, is trying to show compassion in this moment, but his thought process is absolutely alien. He sees the compassionate choice toward his vessel as 1) letting him die instead of healing him (drink the Kool-Aid type shit) 2) possessing his little girl to "spare" him the suffering of possession. He doesn't really seem to understand why Jimmy would beg to be possessed again instead Claire. He's completely lost perspective on human connection to the point he can't grasp a parent putting their own child's well-being above their own no matter the personal cost. This is another function of heavenly brainwashing/the cult mentality. The angels have a hierarchy in which everything is (allegedly) for their father and they sacrifice for him, not the other way around. They, in turn, intend to slaughter humans in droves for their own peace because they see humans as beneath them in the hierarchy. Cas has been re-programmed to believe this is how things should be, so he absolutely cannot understand in that moment why possessing Claire instead of Jimmy is an absolutely horrifying proposition to her father and not a form of mercy in Jimmy's eyes at all. It doesn't compute with brainwashed!Cas's understanding of hierarchy.

We see Cas's brainwashing in regards to death and ascension into heaven as the ultimate mercy again—two episodes later in 4.22:

DEAN You know what's real? People, families -- that's real. And you're gonna watch them all burn? CASTIEL What is so worth saving? I see nothing but pain here. I see inside you. I see your guilt, your anger, confusion. In paradise, all is forgiven. You'll be at peace. Even with Sam.

Note that Cas clearly didn't feel this way before he got "sent back to Bible camp". He fought violently to reach Dean and tell him the truth before he was captured.

[profoundbondfanfic]

More Than One Ace to Play

More Than One Ace to Play by Cozaure Rating: Teen and Up Word Count: 57k

Cas, a 3rd-year biology student, is an introverted and very anxious guy. Full of insecurities, he doesn't need to add one more thing to worry about in his life (and certainly not his potential "asexuality"). However, one day, he meets Dean at a poker night his roommate Balthazar is hosting. Dean is Cas’ exact opposite : easy-going, confident, funny… and also, very flirty. They keep bumping into each other around the campus and, somehow, every time Cas is with Dean, all of his worries seem to go away… However, when Cas learns about Dean’s reputation as “the master of one-night stands”, he is certain that they are DEFINITELY ABSOLUTELY not compatible. Or, are they?

We’re back at it with another college AU. More Than One Ace to Play caught my eye thanks to the asexual!Cas tag. Always on the lookout for any ace rep, this fic didn’t disappoint even a little. One of the things I loved about it was how much it embraced Cas’s journey with figuring out his sexuality beyond knowing for sure that he’s gay. Not only does he come to terms with who he is, but he does so all while battling his anxiety, the portrayal of which I found accurate and compelling with the way the author wrote it. 

This story is told from Cas’s POV, but with that comes a great depiction of Dean as an easy-going college student, living a pretty damn good life when he meets Cas at poker night. The magic of fanfic finds them volunteering for the same program where they are immediately paired up as partners hosting afternoon activities and tutoring with young kids. They become fast friends and even though Cas doubts it at every turn, we the reader can tell Dean is interested in being more than just friends with Cas, even if they think it’s for different reasons. You can’t help but fall for Dean a little too, when he stumbles his way through asking Cas out on a date that Cas is convinced isn’t a date. You feel for Cas as his anxiety dictates his doubt in Dean’s flirting, and, as tagged, Dean’s constant winks. When they finally figure it all out, you’ll be just as relieved and delighted at the outcome, a very satisfying happy ending you shouldn’t skip. 

[hashimasims]

Isiah: Alright, I don't see him anywhere so let's grab a quick coffee, or whatever else you'd like at the Cafe first because I didn't eat breakfast and then we can head in and find some of the materials we need in the library.

Minthe: I'm all set so come join me inside when you're done. We're both in the science program so we'll find those books on the first floor.

Isiah: I'm in the Computer Science program, plan on becoming a Computer Engineer, those in the same place?

Minthe: Should be.

Isiah: Alright I'll be over in a minute.

Isiah engrosses himself in a book titled "Robots of the East". Minthe does not see how this pertains to his preferred line of work, since he doesn't want to work with robots or even Servos but, once he explains the integral computer designs that make up these beings she concedes that it does make sense to learn where his computer pieces would be installed after their manufacture and how they would be used.

Finding a book for herself was a bit harder since she had read most of what was already here, til she found one she's never seen before sitting on the shelf, "The History of Time Travel". She thought this had to be some sort of joke, someone incorrectly reshelving a fiction novel in with the scientific literature, but just for the fun of it pulls it off the shelf to read.

The book did not read like one of Fantasy but of the theoretical aspects and the application of Time Travel itself. It spoke of video games being windows into the past and potentially a form of time travel themselves. Emit had said similar things to Micah about the Sims Archive Game yesterday. She thought that maybe she should load it up again and see what else she could find.

Logging in she no longer finds the original game but a sequel, "The Sims Archive Vol. 2". Things are getting stranger and stranger around here. What happened to the original game and who could have installed a different one? Again Minthe finds a character looking far too much like Emit with another glowing object. There's mention of the great founder of the town but no actual names. She makes her way upstairs to find Isiah to see what he thinks of all this. Kevin had dismissed what she uncovered yesterday and had no doubt Isiah would probably do the same but thinks it would be rude to just up and disappear on him to investigate things further. So much for letting this go.

Isiah: What's got you all excited Sweet Mint?

Minthe: Am I that obvious?

Isiah: Just spill it already.

So Minthe explains the events of yesterday, finding the book today, and what she uncovered in the video game.

Isiah: Do you think you can get back to that level again? Maybe we can uncover more clues together.

Minthe: So as it says here we'll find the shard with the Great Founder of the Creek but then the game credits roll after that and I can't find a secret level anywhere in the code that would lead there or even another game.

Isiah: Yesterday the clues sent you to the museum right? Maybe we have to go back and look around inside? Maybe we'll find information on who the founder is at least right?

Minthe: I was going to go look myself, you don't have to go with me. I'm sure this all seems a waste of time to you anyway.

Isiah: Seriously? This sounds great! Better than reading all day! Come on, let's find that founder!

Beginning|Previous|Next

Watcher's Notes: Please ignore Minthe's constantly disappearing and reappearing facial markings in this and the previous post (and probably future posts if I don't notice right away). She has been hit with the same Occult Glitch as Abs and Kan over in my Glynnan Save and though I know how to fix it (and have to every time I load in) for some reason she will lose her face markings but when I bring her to CAS they're there again. Just like when she keeps losing her occult eyes upon load in and when I catch it I fix that as well. Hopefully this will be rectified soon. I hate pointing out when things like this happen but it does bother me so I think it bothers others as well so I apologize.

[radioactivepigeons]

One of the things I adore about the Pitt is the mentorship. Oh my god, there are multiple times where I’ve almost cried.

The Pitt and PTMC are a competitive program, we know this on multiple levels. It’s a level 1 trauma center and a university hospital. You end up there because you’re Good. (Or you’re ca good and your mom subtly pushes your program director to place you at her hospital so she can keep an eye on you.) There’s a comparative process to get placed at a hospital and people move across the country to start at a new one. There’s definitely a sense that some of the characters will stay. Katherine LaNasa mentioned that she thinks Langdon has been around since his med school days and it’s been teased that Whittaker will end up there. McKay is probably another case where she’s at PTMC because of geographic limitations. She can’t leave Pittsburgh without leaving her son. The rest of the residents? They probably moved to be there when they matched. (It kind of places Samira as a woman who doesn’t socialize outside of work into a new light as well. I’ve been there, one that, have the 147K word fic to prove it.) …And it’s not the point of this post. My point is that you had to be good to end up at the Pitt and it’s a high pressure environment. The other sign is that they promote from within, which you tend to see in either isolated institutions, usually EPSCOR states (SD, AR, AK, OK as examples) or top institutions (Harvard, Columbia, Hopkins, UC jewels, etc). Since PA isn’t an EPSCOR state and there’s fairly good mobility between Pittsburgh and other good institutions (Penn, The Ohio State, etc) it’s probably reasonable to assume it’s good.

Good or isolated programs are place that abuse can thrive. There’s no reason to be kind to your people becuse they don’t have better options. This is especially true for trainees, who essentially need to be here to finish. The fact that Mel left the VA is a whole ass other post in terms of residency. But; like, Santos, McKay, Mohan, Ellis, Langdon, and Collins? They’re there until they finish or they quit. (And you don’t quit.)

And so, the fact that education is such a priority in the Pitt and that the mentors are generally so gentle is so important to me. Like, wr constantly see Robby, Langdon, Collins, and in turn, Mohan and McKay praising their trainees.

There’s the tension with Mohan: is the ED the right place for someone who is as detail oriented as she is? She needs to clear beds. And that “Slo-Mo” nickname is somewhere between unkind and teasing, I tend to lean toward unkind but not malicious, similar to a lot of interactions we see with Langdon and Garcia, Langdon and Collins, Langdon and Dana… okay, clearly the name started with Langdon and he’s that kind of asshole.

The rest of the time, though? They’re good at teaching. They care. The leaders are kind when they don’t have to be - except Langdon and Santos. And we know that’s an exception: something is rubbing Langdon wrong with Santos and vice versa.

The only tow times we seen a public dressing down, Langdon is involved and it’s a highlight of how out of control he is.

Every other time there’s a challenge or correction? It’s a quiet conversation. Collins challenged McKay’s bias in private. McKay challenged Javadis basis in private. Robby and Collins have the abortion argument in private. Even when Santos super screws up and drops the fucking scapel in Garcia’s foot, there isn’t yelling. There’s a private discussion and chastisement on a corner. Correction isn’t public, isn’t done in front of patients unless it’s teaching specific, and it’s almost always done private. And, becusse of that, people respond well, for the most part.

I have worked for so many people in Robby’s position who lake that shit public. As a “learning experience” and name names. You used to know when a grad student or postdoc was on their way out becuse of the way they were corrected in meetings.

The flip side is praise. Now, some of this is my baggage from when I was a dilating postdoc in a high pressure lab, where praise was always public. I’ve worked for people for 10 years and it’s rare that a supervisor has taken me aside to say, “you did good”. There are lots of times it’s been performative: “Pigeon, my talented grad student” or the introduction to a thesis defense. But, praise is public because it benefits the leader.

And then, you have the Pitt, where praise is gentle, reasoning, and happens both publicly (in front of patients) and privately (with trainees). We see McKay walking Javadi through sutures, complementing her gently as she works through things while chatting with (distracting) Tasha. We hear Robby and Langdon and Garcia and Abbot and McKay and Collins all tell their junior people that they’re doing well with the procedure. We see Robby tell Langdon he wrote him a glowing letter, Langdon find Mel to tell her he’s learning form her, Robby tell Mel they’re lucky to have her. And lkle, these are not conversations that are being had where people can hear them, so people can hear them. They’re there becuse they’re important conversations.

And I just… these are the kind of mentors I want to learn from because these are the kind of mentors I want to be. And I adore that in addition to everything else, we get to see academic mentoring where people care. It feels a little bit like a fantasy, but in the best way possible.

[fox-bright]

#though it IS fun to watch their faces when I say shit like 'when I was eight they told me if I was very very good now #I'd get to be white in the Celestial kingdom'

to put it mildly, HUH???????

Oh, man! So. It was once stated Doctrine (and is now just under-the-table doctrine) that the Mark of Cain was Black skin; that everyone of Black ethnicity was supposed to be enslaved, to work off the debt of Cain.

There's a whole bunch of scripture in the Book of Mormon about two purportedly Native American peoples, the Nephites and the Lamanites, who frequently were at odds. One civilization would gain righteousness and the other would lose it, typical adventure novel epic style bullshit--but the righteousness was marked, among other things, by the darkening or lightening of their skin. The darker skin, then, of the Native Americans in Joseph Smith's time, was used as justification for Mormons enslaving and massacring them.

This belief mutated, some, as Joseph Smith tuned the scriptures; eventually it was decided that there had been a war in heaven before any of us were born, and those of us who hewed to God's side from the start showed our righteousness on our skin and were born white. Everyone who had been less valiant could be marked by the various darknesses of theirs, and Black people were the very lowest of all, probably having sided with Satan for a while and then turned coat.

But righteous acts in life could make you paler, and while they'd never make you (the individual) white, they would lighten your family, so that hopefully in a few generations you'd be such a righteous family that only the most righteous souls were sent to be born in it, and all your grandchildren would be white.

This belief continued to be stated very baldly for a long time. In 1960, Church President Spencer W. Kimball said: "I saw a striking contrast in the progress of the Indian people today … they are fast becoming a white and delightsome people…For years they have been growing delightsome, and they are now becoming white and delightsome, as they were promised…The children in the home placement program in Utah are often lighter than their brothers and sisters in the hogans on the reservation."

So, big yikes, right?

I was born into the Church in Anaheim, CA in 1982, daughter of a FilAm woman and a white man, both of them converts, both of them also born and raised in California. We stayed there for the first few years of my life, and then moved to Arizona, where I grew up in a town that despite its mere 8k population could support multiple LDS church wards. Our attendance at church was only fitful until I turned eight, when my parents really buckled down about us getting there every Sunday. Eight years old is the Age of Accountability; that is, the time when you can be expected to have learned good from bad, and have the agency to decide which way to walk. While there's a lot of poison you'll take in as a Mormon kid before that age, it really ramps up after you're baptized at eight.

So it was when I was eight that I heard for the first time (though far from the last) that my choosing to accept baptism put me on the right path, and that if I continued to Choose the Right for all my life--that is, I stayed chaste, earned all my blessings through righteousness, married a returned missionary in a Temple marriage and bore him a quiverful of children, raised them in the knowledge of God and the Church, and eventually died as a good matriarch--then when I made it to the Celestial Kingdom (the highest of the LDS' tiered heavens), I would find myself remade. No longer would I have the mark of my Preexistence sin; I'd be washed clean. Blue-eyed. Blonde-haired. And skin as white as cream.

[my-castles-crumbling]

Anon Advice Asks - January 31

skating anon, therapist anon, admissions anon (new), guess anon (new), milk anon, outlet anon, two fics anon (new)

Skating Anon

Heyy

I'm skating anon, so basically so far I'm still friends with her but I didn't have the courage to tell her anything about liking her, my friend is telling me I should tell her so that we go out for valentine's day. I know for a fact she doesn't have any plans for valentine's day and I mean I'd even ask her like to go as friends but idk

What should I do

Hi!!

I mean, I think you should!! You could always just say "we should hang out on the 14th" and see how she reacts, you know? like don't specifically say it's a date but don't NOT say that and then see the vibes from there!

_________________________

Therapist Anon

Hiya cas, how are we

Therapist anon here with a bit of a long one so hope you're ready :)

One: were having a tour reunion soon (all went away for 3 weeks with a bunch of other people under the same program had such a blast)

Met a boy, talked, went on like a 5 hour hike we talked all the time. After a whileee he went to my friend with a "see ya later!" Then came bounding back (he was like a fawn learning how to walk, beyond adorable) and my friend who was near the front came up to me and was like " *name* you know he came to us stayed for about a minute then said he was bored, I'm gonna go back to *name* (ie me)

OK one was I flattered, boys never looked at me (woah that sounded so pick me, please forgive me) but he was on and off with a girl, later in the trip (like mid week 2 or smth) he was sad cos he ans this girl had a misunderstanding so there I kinda forced myself to give up because ain't no way imma make a move on a taken (?) man

Might not go to the reunion cos train strikes (yay) could only go if they doo a weekend then come back sat night (hopefully they do another one cos I wanna see him) it also doesn't help that all my friends ship us and to this DAY still talk about how cute we were

(Also gonna mention that it was him and two of ny friends bur then it dwindled to just me, my friend and him then just me and him- we didn't say anything and just talked about religion, parent, where we come back etc (in my religion where you're from has quite a big impact ie. If you're from European countries you're gonna have different customs to those from the middle east/Asian countries))

But yeah :D boy trouble am I right?

Two: friends are still being a bit...exclusive

And it pains me that they'll talk about how they've gotten so much better (they havnt) they had another party sat night and I wasn't even doing anything, I would have loved to come but no invite :/

But I also feel like I'm missing out on such teenage things like I've never gotten drunk (yay me I'm being so responsible but I feel like as somebody who's going to uni soon and never had alcohol other than for religious reasons (again alcohol is a pretty big deal here for...numerous reasons I'm not getting into otherwise wrll be here for too long) ans I've never talked to a boy other than school, cousins, sibling friends (and this one) so idk

I don't have a girl gang I don't feel as if I can go to them for boy trouble of course I know they love me (just had a weekend away and as we were lighting Friday night candles we all hugged, blessed each other etc) and I love them but idk....if they realize what they're doing then maybe?? There's definitely leaders and sheep but know I think it's mostly leaders cos of how long it's been going on (since after covid cos long story short, my mom got sick and it was a major health hazard so when bubbles came out I couldn't do it-I didn't step outside my front door for about 6 weeks we were all too scared and then schools opened and I had to distance myself ALOT like if we were in one big room, I was outside the building. Wore a mask until 2022-23 I'd say because of how scared I was so that definitely caused issues yay :) but I feel like that may be part of the issue cos I had to distance myself and push myself away -they were all so sweet coming to say hi and talk, sitting on my porch while I sat inside and for that I love them but that's definitely a factor)

Really really sorry for how long it is but lemme just summarise:

Met a boy, in love, his relationship status=complicated

I am single beyond single and would LOVE A BOYFRIEND HINT HINT HINT G-D

Friends being ignorant, met a new friend but she's going thru a tough spot so I cannot vent, I have to be there for her

Feeling like I'm missing out on ny teenage years ESPECIALLY THANKS TO COVID had depression and have anxiety, kinda feeling like depression is coming back (yay)

Covids a bitch

Also would love to make a huge academic comeback but cannot focus for the life of me, I'm actually addicted to my phone and my other friend doesn't do work until like 2am so that's a no go

Would love if you have any tips:)

Thanks again, really sorry for how long it is, mwah mwah mwah

Hi!

Okay so as far as the boy....Idk, for me...if someone isn't showing genuine interest in me, like it feels like I'm competing or having to work for love...that feels like a red flag. You deserve someone who truly cares about you, you know?

As far as your friends and being a teenager....honestly I feel like I've had so many people say the same thing- and I don't say this to minimize what you're feeling, I say this to tell you that you're not alone. It's okay to experience things in your own time! You'll experience all the things you're meant to WHEN you're meant to, I promise <3

For focusing...have you tried setting timers on your phone? I think there are apps where you can lock it for like 10-20 minutes at a time, and use that time to study, and then give yourself a break.

_______________

Admissions Anon

Hey Cas!

I didn’t really know who I could talk to about this in my everyday life so I’m just gonna leave it here. Don’t feel pressure to reply!

Anyway, the college admissions cycle is underway and I’ve been applying places. I have only heard back from one school (my fav school) and was denied from them, I’m still waiting on about 10 others to get back to me - most of which are easier to get into as my top school has a low acceptance rate.

For context, whenever I would talk about this school to anyone (parents, friends, etc.) it was pretty clear that they didn’t think I’d get in. I’ve had some pretty serious medical stuff over the last few years which has impacted my grades, so my friends at school don’t think of me as capable to get into a difficult school and my parents just didn’t wanna get my hopes up. Guess they were right on that account.

Logically I knew that I likely wouldn’t get in since previously acceptance rates were like 15% (and this year they dropped to 6%) but there was still a little tiny voice in the back of my head that kept whispering “what if…”

So although it’s a little crazy, I kept thinking that I was going to get in. Perhaps more than a little crazy. Whatever. Anyways, clearly I didn’t and I feel like I can’t mope about it or anything because none of my friends will understand cause they’re either super smart nerds who would’ve gotten in or they despise academics and would never apply to a school that difficult to get into. So I just wanted to be able to talk to someone which is why I’m leaving this here.

So all this leads to the fact that since I have bad anxiety and depression I’ve sorta been spiraling a bit since I found out today. I’ll be fine though. Hopefully. Just give it a few days.

I’ll shut up now but if you did read this thank you for listening (or reading I guess since this isn’t audio)

Thanks xx

Hi <3

I completely understand this. I feel like we're sold this lie that if we work hard, we can go to whatever college we want. But in reality, some colleges are almost impossible to get into, and it's so upsetting. And on top of that, even if you get into your top school, there's paying for it.

It's definitely a letdown to know that you won't be able to go to your top choice school. I'm not sure if it would make you feel any better, but I wasn't able to go to my top choice, either, I actually ended up going to one of my last choices. And I ended up LOVING it. Sometimes you end up at the place you're supposed to be, you know?

___________________________________

Guess Anon

hi Cas,

Ive posted a few asks on here but they were public - but this time, I don't think that I'm brave enough to be. Although you'll probably guess who this is if youve seen my other tumblr posts

Its my father's birthday tomorrow and me and my sister are seeing him. The issue is, I tried to bring up the fact that I had dropped out of college last time we saw him, and he told me that he'd be really disappointed and wouldn't want to see me again, so I played it off as a joke and just said that I was thinking about it. He asked me whether I was meant to be in college when we were out last and luckily I had an email saying that my classes were cancelled the day because they were running christmas trips and my teachers were all going (for context I dropped out late november and I still had access to my college email until very recently as I've finally been formally de-enrolled), so I showed him that email (which he originallytbough I'd faked) but obviously this time, I have no messages or anything (cause I've been fully de-enrolled so they deleted my email and stopped messaging my phone number). I'm just scared that he's going to find out tomorrow and get angry and violent, and then he'll blame me like he always does. I'm scared, Cas.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

Hi <3

I'm so sorry that I didn't get to this before you saw your dad. I really hope it went well.

I want to remind you of a few things:

First, when your safety is at risk, it is always okay to lie. You could photoshop the email?

Also, when your safety is at risk, it's okay NOT to see family, even if they are family. Nobody deserves to be hurt. I understand if you are still relying on your father for some sort of support, but if you arent...I would reevaluate spending time with someone who is violent.

But also I want to say...I hope you know that you don't have to explain your choices to people. You're allowed to make choices that are best for you, and fuck anyone who judges <3

______________________

Milk Anon

Hey, so milk anon here...

A couple months ago i got a gf, and shes amazing, and beautiful and lovely, and i l'île her a lot

But... im terrified of physical affection (like holding hands and cuddling and kissing etc.) And idk if maybe its because its my first relationship or not but ive started to think maybe that i may not actually be into girls after all, but just guys? I dont want that to be true bc like i said my gf is amazing and i dont want to hurt her, but i also dont wanna lie to her, nor myself, but i also just dont know and its kinda freaking me out

Sorry if its a bit much lol, i just needed to rani a bit to someone not too involved

Hi!!

Honestly...there are so many reasons why someone might not like physical contact and I'm not sure if I can tell you what the reason is for you, you know? Especially since I'm not a professional. But it sounds like you might just need to reflect on the why. Like...is it the person? The situation? The type of contact? That kind of thing. Also you said this is your first relationship...it could simply be that you're not ready for a relationship and that's completely okay!

Also if you do end up realizing you don't want to stay with your gf for whatever reason, just make sure to tell her what you told me- that she's amazing and you care.

Wishing you luck <3

_______________________

Outlet Anon

It made me so happy to read your update! It sounds like things are going so well for you and it amazing how all of those changes have improved things so much! I am sending you love and I hope things continue to go well!

_______________

Two Fics Anon

I promise, there are people who read. Also if it helps motivation, you and try to find people who share similar tastes in tropes and pairings, and then share your writing with them! Fandom friends are wonderful hype people!

[cramenjoyer]

thanks to the poll i am now thinking about sastiel where they meet in a recovery program for people leaving/escaping cults. sam was lured in after a violent and difficult childhood, told he was powerful and amazing... and then that he'd cause the deaths of all nonbelievers and be crowned king after they were gone, Because He Is The Devil. meanwhile jimmy novak got sucked into a cult because of his religious fervor, got renamed "castiel", and can't quite bear the loss of feeling so very close to god.

initially, they're put off by each other. then, guiltily, they make a little effort to be friendly. by the third or fourth meeting, they have to do an exercise where they figure out what needs or values they had that the cult met and catered to. (for the purpose of learning you can find all those things outside the cult and in a much healthier way, probably. i assume this might help people after escaping a cult but who knows.) sam and cas discover that they have similar values, similar fears, but their life experiences were different enough to lead them to seek "a perfect loving family" and "closeness to the divine" and "justification for not feeling a part of society" in very different places.

things happen. sam tries to call dean but can't bring himself to do it. he knows cas lives in a shitty apartment not too far away, because he hosted the meeting once, and he just... starts driving. he can't bring himself to explain, when cas finds him at the door, but cas lets him in anyway.

sam's family disowned him. cas' wife officially divorced him last year and won't let him see claire. despite what that exercise told them, they feel they really do have nothing left.

"a perfect loving family" really boils down to love, despite one's flaws. "justification for not feeling a part of society" really boils down to needing a community. "closeness to the divine"? they can figure that out together.

[adventuressclubamericas]

Adventuresses We Love – Cornelia Fort

After taking his kids to watch a barnstormer, Mr. Rufus Fort of Nashville made his sons promise that they would never learn to fly. He never thought to extract the same promise from his 5-year-old daughter, Cornelia.

So, naturally, Cornelia Fort grew up to be a pilot.

After her first flight, Cornelia was hooked. She quickly earned her pilot’s license and commercial pilot’s license, then took any flying job she could find, including crop dusting and inspecting pipelines from the air. After a year, she became the first woman to be licensed as a flight instructor in Tennessee. It was her role as an instructor that would take her to Hawaii, where she taught soldiers, sailors and defense workers how to operate an airplane.

She was in the air with a student on the morning of 7 December 1941 when the sky suddenly filled with fighter planes, one coming straight for them. Cornelia grabbed the stick from her student and pulled up, narrowly avoiding a collision. Glancing down, she saw the rising sun insignia of a Japanese Zero. Looking over to the west, she saw “…something detach itself from a plane and come glistening down---My heart turned over convulsively when the bomb exploded in the middle of the Harbor.”

Cornelia and her student raced back to the airfield. They’d just scrambled into the terminal for safety when a Japanese fighter strafed the runway.

In the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Cornelia joined the units that would become the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). She and her fellow recruits went through an intense 4-week training program in Sweetwater, TX, made even more intense knowing the extra weight that was on their shoulders.

"Because there were, and are, so many disbelievers in women pilots, especially in their place in the Army, all of us realized what a spot we were [in]," she said. "We had to deliver the goods or else -- or else there would never be another chance for women pilots in any part of the service."

After her training, Cornelia was assigned to ferry aircraft from one base to another. On 21 March 1943, she was one of a group of pilots ferrying BT-13 Trainers from Long Beach, CA to Dallas, TX. In the air over Merkel, TX, another pilot in the group accidentally clipped her wing, tearing off the wingtip and 6 feet of leading edge. The collision sent Cornelia’s plane into a dive she couldn’t pull out of. She was killed in the crash.

"I want no one to grieve for me. I was happiest in the sky." Adventuress Cornelia Fort was 24 years old.

[daphnefisherofficial]

bugna: TAKIPSILIM | destiny's twilight

CHAPTER SIX

Pairing: MCU Moon Knight System (Marc/Jake/Steven) x Avatar Fem!Reader

masterlist | previous | next chapter

CHAPTER SIX - COFFEES, PANINIS, AND MUSEUM DREAMS.

"When Marc mentioned he had a twin, I never imagined you'd be 'identical'," you quipped, shaking your head in amazement as you sized up the man in front of you, who bore an uncanny resemblance to your recent acquaintance, Marc Spector.

Steven flashed a mischievous grin and shrugged apologetically. "Should've given you a heads-up, right?"

You chuckled in response. "Absolutely. But I have to admit, it's a pleasant surprise. I'm thrilled you could make it today."

Amusement danced in Steven's soft brown eyes as he replied, "Wouldn't have missed it for the world. Only a complete fool would pass up this opportunity."

"I like your way of thinking," you said with a grin. "How about grabbing a quick coffee and panini before the program starts? It should kick off in a few minutes. You can join me on the way or hang out with the others inside, your call."

Steven's stomach rumbled in agreement as he chuckled sheepishly. "Haven't had lunch yet, to be honest. I'd love to join you."

"Of course!" you exclaimed warmly. "Let's get some fuel in you before the tour."

Together, you exited the British Museum, basking in the warm glow of the afternoon sun casting its radiance over the historic building's ancient façade. The museum's grandeur never ceased to amaze you. After a few walks, you stepped into a cozy coffee shop just around the corner, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and toasted sandwiches filled the air. At the counter, you both placed your orders—cappuccino for you and Earl Grey tea for Steven—along with a scrumptious panini to share.

With snacks in hand, you made your way back to the British Museum's majestic entrance hall, where your professional duties awaited. Clearing your throat, you addressed the eager group of potential tour guide applicants who had gathered there.

"Thank you all for being here today," your voice resonated through the room, capturing the rapt attention of the aspiring tour guides as you introduced yourself. "I'm Mira Batala-Carter, a curator specializing in Egyptian Art, Sculpture, and Written Culture here at the British Museum."

A hushed awe filled the room as the applicants regarded you with admiration. They had come to vie for the coveted position of exhibit tour guide at one of the world's most prestigious museums, and now they were about to learn what it took to secure such a role. Among them, Steven stood out, his demeanor relaxed and enthusiastic as he absorbed every word of your introduction.

"I've had the privilege of working with the Department of Egypt and Sudan for many years," you continued, "beginning as an assistant to one of our previous curators, may he rest in peace. Egyptian culture has always been my bread and butter, and it should become yours as well, considering you've all applied for this position."

The applicants nodded, some exchanging glances filled with nervous anticipation. They knew they were in the presence of someone who lived and breathed the subject matter they so dearly cherished.

"In a few weeks, we will be hosting an exhibition featuring The Great Ennead of Ancient Egypt," you informed them. "We're looking to expand our current roster of tour guides, and judging by the turnout today, it's going to be a highly competitive process."

Pausing for dramatic effect, you let the gravity of the situation settle in. Then, you offered a warm smile, easing the room's tension.

"However," you said, your tone encouraging, "don't view this as a competition. We're searching for advocates—individuals who can convey the rich history of Egypt to a group of five-year-olds and make them want to return. That's your mission."

The applicants exchanged intrigued glances, some breaking into smiles. It was evident that you sought not just knowledgeable guides but passionate storytellers capable of igniting curiosity in young minds.

"Now, let's get into the nitty gritty details of the application process, shall we?" you continued, your voice businesslike once more. "Each of you will have a brief one-on-one interview with me. Following that, we'll proceed with a guided tour for my evaluation."

The applicants nodded in understanding, their faces reflecting a mixture of excitement and nervousness. This was their opportunity to prove themselves in the world of museum education.

"One more thing," you added with a compassionate note, "I will personally inform the shortlisted candidates and provide feedback to those who don't make it, allowing them to explore other opportunities. We value the effort and passion each of you has brought here today."

With that, you concluded your introductory speech, leaving the room buzzing with anticipation. The aspiring tour guides were about to embark on a journey that would test not only their knowledge of Egyptian history but also their ability to share that knowledge with the world in the most engaging and enchanting way possible.

Among the applicants, you spotted Steven, his supportive smile eliciting a reciprocal one from you. Today promised to be an intriguing day, and you eagerly anticipated how it would unfold.

As the tour guide interviews commenced, candidates streamed in and out of your office, their resumes showcasing impressive credentials, extensive educational backgrounds, and impeccable work experiences. They approached you with heads held high, eager to make a lasting impression.

However, you couldn't help but notice the stark contrasts in their demeanor. Some appeared so nervous that they struggled to form coherent sentences, fidgeting in their seats and avoiding your gaze as if you held the secrets to the universe. Their anxiety tugged at your sympathy, despite your efforts to create an informal atmosphere.

On the other end of the spectrum, a few candidates exuded an air of entitlement, seemingly the embodiment of nepotism. They rambled on about their achievements, leaving little room for your questions. It appeared they believed their qualifications alone guaranteed them the position.

A handful of candidates did capture your interest but fell short of something intangible. It wasn't just their impressive qualifications but something in their character and presence that you sought.

Outside your office, Steven Grant sat patiently on a wooden bench with fellow tour guide applicants, engaging in light conversation about their experiences as guides. The amiable British man radiates warmth, drawing some applicants toward him.

Steven shared his journey, describing his transition from a gift shop attendant to aspiring tour guide. Some were impressed by his audacious career change, recognizing the determination it took to make such a leap. Others, however, scoffed at the idea, doubting Steven's chances in this competitive field. Still, a handful of individuals remained encouraging, genuinely wishing him luck with his application.

As the afternoon faded into early evening, the number of applicants dwindled to the final four. Interestingly, Steven would be the last to undergo the interview—the ultimate contender.

"I can't believe this," Steven mumbled, his nerves palpable to the American man residing in his mind. "I think I might be sick."

Stay calm. Marc reassured, ever the embodiment of encouragement. You just need to be yourself and let your passion shine through.

"I'm trying, mate," Steven muttered, exhaling deeply as he adjusted his collar repeatedly. "This is the biggest opportunity I've ever had. I can't mess this up, bruv."

You've got this, Steven. Marc declared with a reassuring smile. You've prepared for this moment your entire life. Remember, you know more about Egypt than all these tour guide applicants and curators combined.

Steven nodded, his confidence bolstered by Marc's words. As the time for his interview with you approached, he took a deep breath, ready to make the most of this opportunity. You finally called his name from outside your office, and he knocked softly before entering. Steven stepped inside with a tentative smile, a mix of excitement and nervousness evident in his demeanor.

"Good evening, Steven," you greeted him with a warm smile, gesturing to the chair across from your desk.

"Good evening, Mira," Steven replied, taking a seat as his voice tinged with a hint of nerves. "Great to see you again."

"Nervous?" you asked, raising an eyebrow as you leaned back in your chair, regarding him with sympathy.

"A bit, yeah," he admitted, shyly scratching the back of his head.

"Don’t be. I don’t do the old-fashioned way of job interviews; they're quite dull," you chuckled, aiming to put him at ease. "Let’s treat this as a normal conversation between friends, yeah?"

"Oh, sure," Steven replied, his eyes lighting up with pure relief as he visibly relaxed. "Just a casual chat then?"

"Exactly," you affirmed. "So, how have you been?"

"I've been doing pretty well," Steven shared, his nerves slowly fading as he launched into his job-hunting journey. "I've applied to a couple of museum and library jobs in the past few weeks. This would be my seventh job interview."

"Interesting," you mused softly before offering an encouraging nod. "Maybe this is your lucky seventh, I hope."

"I hope so too," Steven replied with a hopeful smile.

"Now, I've had a look at your CV," you continued, shifting the conversation to his work experience. "You worked at a gift shop in the National Art Gallery, right? I think Marc mentioned it to me a few days ago."

"Yes, that's right. I worked at a gift shop," Steven confirmed, recalling his most recent job before his dismissal. "I sold museum merchandise—everything from toys and sweets to accessories."

"I see. How was your experience there?" you inquired, genuinely interested.

Steven hesitated briefly before deciding to be honest. "Not too bad, except for some colleagues who barely remember my name, and my old boss who's a living nightmare–”

You couldn’t help but let out a hearty guffaw, prompting Steven’s eyes to widen as he slowly realized what he just blabbered. “Oh, bollocks, I shouldn’t have said that”

"Don't worry about it," you reassured him with a soft chuckle. "It's normal to speak candidly about our superiors, especially if they haven't been good managers, right?"

"I guess," Steven agreed, grateful for your understanding. “Still, me and my bloody mouth doesn’t know when it should shut up”

"I'd rather you be honest and open with me, especially if we'll be working together," you emphasized. "I want us to have a good professional relationship, yeah?"

"That's actually a good point," Steven agreed, feeling more at ease.

"There you go. Much better," you said before finally getting to the heart of the matter. "So, you want to be a tour guide here at the British Museum. Why?"

"Why? Well, that's pretty self-explanatory, innit?" Steven replied with enthusiasm. "This is one of the best museums in the world. Why wouldn't I want to work here?"

"I can't argue with that," you admitted, nodding softly as you made a few notes. "But why the interest in Egyptian history and culture?"

Steven's face lit up with passion as he began to explain. "Egypt is a treasure trove of wonders—mythology, mummification, the study of ancient texts, and archaeological discoveries spanning thousands of years. I could talk about it all night."

"I don't mind," you replied with a curious smile, jotting down a few more notes. "It's fascinating the way you talk about Egypt. Your enthusiasm really shines through."

"Thanks, I guess," Steven shrugged, not quite sure how to respond to the compliment. "I've read and studied a lot about it, for sure."

"I can tell," you said with a knowing smile before moving on to the next phase of the interview. "As you may have heard, part of the application process includes a guided tour."

"Yes, I remember," Steven nodded.

"Don't be nervous. It's designed to assess your tour-guiding skills," you reassured him. "Just be yourself."

"Natural, got it," Steven said, his determination returning. "I'll be myself."

"Are you ready?" you asked, standing and offering him a reassuring smile.

"As ready as I can ever be," Steven replied, taking a deep breath as he prepared to seize the opportunity to prove himself as the ideal candidate for the job.

END OF CHAPTER SIX.

masterlist | previous | next chapter

[lookatmysillies]

More Character Lore

because eheheheheheeheehhe

Tallis:

-Does NOT know how male friendships work, what the boundaries are, etc. He never interacted with another human before Anakt Garden, and his guardian is female, so when he arrived at Anakt Garden, he felt more comfortable around more feminine and androgynous-presenting kids. He mostly befriended girls (i.e. Himei and Flor).

-On that note, he actually yearns for friendship with the other boys and is silently and violently jealous of other friendships between guys. He is Normal

-Accidentally got adopted by Cas and Kyo against both his and Kyo’s will

-Composition and music theory is his strong point. He makes all of his own music and loves doing it.

-He’s been established as mainly a harp player, and he plays all different kinds. Imagine some futuristic electric harp bullshit. GUITAR-HARP HYBRIDS.

Castor:

-Due to his upbringing in Guardian Sonii’s breeding program, he’s used to nothing short of messes and chaos. The conditions of his home were always less than ideal: Cramped rooms, a bad lingering stench, wailing babies and chattering kids, teens, and adults.

-He was actually briefly introduced to Kyo long before Anakt Garden. Kyo was bred in Sonii’s program, and when Cas arrived at Sonii’s home, Kyo was the last of his siblings not yet purchased and was present for less than a week before being sold to Guardian Nabos.

-Most of his stage outfits are flamboyant and have many stereotypically feminine qualities

-He was created in a lab in an experimental process to split an embryo and create two identically beautiful humans at once (CASTOR AND POLLUX SYMBOLISM HELLO) Cas has no idea where his twin is and doesn’t know that he has one, but sometimes he feels like he’s missing something in his life. It’s a lonely feeling.

-For anyone who hasn’t seen Kyo’s profile, it’s noted there that Cas competed in and won a previous Alien Stage. He has no intentions of winning this one. He’ll sing his heart out in his first round as a “tribute” to Kyo, then I think if he makes it through to the next round, he’d love the shock value of everyone expecting him to come out strong and then he just. Doesn’t sing as an act of defiance and lets his opponent win. (So far I could see him doing this for Tallis or Onyx, both which I think would be interesting matchups)

Himei:

-Guardian Iquia sends her letters in Anakt Garden. When Himei learned Iquia had adopted Halo, an obvious replacement for her, she didn’t respond to Guardian Iquia’s letters for a long time, creating a rift between them. Their relationship never fully recovered, although they maintained a weird mother-daughter dynamic.

-Her brother Hayate may try to free Himei from ALNST, but Himei is too deep in the system, and I think she’d stay for Tallis to see it through with him.

-Iquia and Halo watch all of her shows.

-She makes up names for different constellations and even tries to create new ones.

-If I had to choose a signature color for her and her outfits, it would be purple.

-She likes and gets along well with Tov—Ellie not so much.

Kyo:

-As mentioned, he knew Cas before Anakt Garden, but not well enough to remember him clearly.

-Unlike Himei, who has strong ties to her family of origin, Kyo feels no attachment to Guardian Nabos or his “siblings” under Nabos’s care.

-Critics often call out Nabos for his contestants’ apparent cold, empty behavior and lack of passion for their art. Kyo was different in this regard, giving Nabos high hopes for him, but Kyo was in fact such a passionate soul that he was willing to die performing as his authentic self rather than fight to kill Cas as something he wasn’t, when it came down to it. His siblings were too hard around the edges, and he was too soft.

-He can play several instruments, but specializes in the keyboard.

-His full name is Tae-kyo, but he prefers to shorten it up to Kyo. It makes him more recognizable in the business anyway.

[fmcsaregsitration]

FMCSA Registration Made Easy—Avoid Fines Now

If you're operating a commercial vehicle, understanding and completing your FMCSA Registration is your first legal step. Whether you're based near Cook County, IL, running a fleet in Harris County, TX, or starting a hotshot trucking business out of Maricopa County, AZ, this process ensures your business is road-ready, legitimate, and safe from penalties.

Completing your FMCSA Registration isn't just a formality—it's a requirement. It gives you your DOT number, your Motor Carrier (MC) authority, and proves to the government and brokers that you're operating legally. More importantly, it's your gateway to booking loads, building your brand, and avoiding shutdowns.

Most carriers begin the process thinking it's a simple form. But halfway through, they realize one wrong entry can delay approval by weeks or lead to rejection. That’s why thousands of trucking businesses across the U.S.—from Brooklyn to Phoenix—trust FMCSARegistration.com to get it right the first time.

You can call now at 866-477-0707 for expert help, or keep reading to learn how the process works and why it matters.

What Is FMCSA Registration and Why Is It So Important?

FMCSA Registration is the first legal step for anyone operating a commercial vehicle in interstate commerce or for-hire trucking. It includes several components:

A USDOT Number for tracking your safety and compliance

An MC Number for operating authority

A BOC-3 process agent form for legal representation

UCR (Unified Carrier Registration) for state-by-state compliance

Enrollment in a DOT drug and alcohol testing program

Without these registrations in place, your operation can be shut down, fined, or blacklisted by brokers and shippers. This isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting your ability to work.

That’s especially true in cities like Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, and Philadelphia where enforcement is tight and compliance checks are frequent.

What Happens If You Skip FMCSA Registration?

Skipping or mishandling FMCSA Registration comes with real risks. We've seen carriers from Queens, NY to Orange County, CA lose tens of thousands in lost revenue because of simple filing errors.

Consequences include:

Immediate shutdown orders by the FMCSA

Fines of $1,000+ per violation

Rejected loads from brokers

Vehicle impoundments at weigh stations

Trouble securing or maintaining insurance

Even worse, a history of violations can damage your safety record and limit your future opportunities. If you're unsure where to begin, call 866-477-0707 and let us take the pressure off your shoulders.

How to File FMCSA Registration Without Getting Lost in the Process

To file your FMCSA Registration correctly, follow these key steps:

First, apply for a USDOT Number at the FMCSA website. This number is required for all commercial vehicle operations.

Next, apply for your MC Number if you’re operating as a for-hire carrier or moving goods across state lines.

Then, file your BOC-3. This designates legal agents in every state to handle any service of process paperwork.

After that, pay your UCR fees to stay in compliance across all states you operate in.

Lastly, enroll in a DOT-approved drug and alcohol testing consortium. This is required by federal law and essential for passing random or pre-employment testing audits.

It sounds simple, but many drivers accidentally miss a step or input wrong information. If you're operating in fast-paced environments like Miami, Atlanta, or Denver, delays can cost you clients and contracts. Avoid the guesswork and let FMCSARegistration.com do it for you.

Is FMCSA Registration Difficult to Complete on Your Own?

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Top 7 Questions Truckers Ask About FMCSA Registration

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We help truckers in every state get reinstated fast. Whether it's a missed insurance update, expired UCR, or missing BOC-3, we fix it. Don’t wait—call 866-477-0707 before fines increase.

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Drug Consortium: $150–$200/year

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[techit-rp]

How Gen Z is Reshaping Personal Finance: Trends, Tools, and Investment Habits in 2025

Personal finance isn’t what it used to be—and that’s a good thing. In 2025, a new generation is rewriting the rules of money management, savings, and investing. Say hello to Gen Z: digitally native, socially conscious, and financially ambitious. This group isn’t just saving for the future; they’re actively building it—one investment decision at a time.

So, how exactly is Gen Z reshaping the personal finance landscape? Let’s break it down.

The Rise of Financial Consciousness

Unlike previous generations, Gen Z entered adulthood during uncertain times—think global pandemics, economic fluctuations, and the boom of digital finance. These experiences have cultivated a generation that’s more financially aware and keen on securing their futures.

According to a 2024 Deloitte study, over 70% of Gen Z individuals have started saving by the age of 21, and more than 40% have already made their first investment. These numbers signal a shift from financial passivity to proactive money management.

Digital-First Finance

Gen Z doesn’t walk into bank branches—they open finance apps. Digital wallets, budgeting tools, investment platforms, and crypto exchanges are their go-to financial companions.

Favorite Tools:

Splitwise and Mint for expense tracking and budgeting

Groww, Zerodha, and Upstox for investing in stocks and mutual funds

CoinSwitch and WazirX for dabbling in cryptocurrency

Cred and Slice for managing credit and smart payments

This generation doesn’t just use these apps—they expect seamless, user-friendly interfaces, real-time analytics, and transparency. Financial institutions are being forced to evolve and cater to this expectation or risk becoming irrelevant.

Investment Habits: Beyond Traditional Avenues

Gone are the days when a fixed deposit or a savings account was the pinnacle of financial planning. Gen Z is exploring a diversified portfolio from the get-go.

What They’re Investing In:

Stocks and Mutual Funds: Still popular, especially through SIPs and index funds.

Cryptocurrency: While volatile, it continues to attract risk-tolerant Gen Z investors.

Sustainable and ESG Funds: Gen Z cares about impact investing—where their money does good while generating returns.

Real Estate (Through REITs): New-age investors prefer liquidity, and Real Estate Investment Trusts offer just that.

There’s also growing interest in finance education to back these decisions. This is where structured learning programs—like an investment banking course in Mumbai—play a pivotal role in shaping future-ready finance professionals.

The Education Shift: Learning Finance the Smart Way

With so much financial information available online, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why Gen Z is turning to certified courses and industry-aligned programs that offer practical, actionable knowledge.

One standout trend is the surge in enrollment for specialized programs like an investment banking course in Mumbai. These courses are popular among students who want to understand complex financial concepts, market dynamics, and investment strategies.

Institutes like the Boston Institute of Analytics in Mumbai are seeing a rise in demand from Gen Z learners who are eager to gain hands-on experience in financial modeling, mergers and acquisitions, portfolio management, and more. For a generation that wants to both save and grow wealth, this knowledge is power.

Social Media: The New Financial Advisor

Finance is no longer confined to boring textbooks or corporate cubicles. Gen Z follows finance creators on YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn to learn about everything from tax hacks to investment strategies.

Influencers like Ankur Warikoo, CA Rachana Ranade, and Pranjal Kamra have become household names in the Indian personal finance scene. Their bite-sized content and relatable advice are helping Gen Z decode complex financial concepts.

But there’s a flip side. With so much content out there, misinformation is a real risk. That’s another reason why formal financial education—such as a credible investment banking course in Mumbai—is more important than ever.

Financial Independence: The Ultimate Goal

One of the most defining traits of Gen Z is their desire for financial independence. They’re not just planning to retire early—they’re planning to live freely now. Whether it's freelancing, side hustles, or remote work, they want to earn on their terms and spend smartly.

This generation is not driven by materialism in the traditional sense. Instead, they value experiences, travel, and meaningful purchases—backed by conscious financial decisions.

Final Thoughts

Gen Z is a generation of financial trailblazers. With their tech-savviness, hunger for knowledge, and awareness of global trends, they’re changing how we perceive personal finance. From investing early to pursuing professional courses like an investment banking course in Mumbai, they’re laying the foundation for a financially literate and independent future.