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shadowmaat · 9 months ago

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The New Guard

Corrie Week, Day 4- Accidental Child Acquisition

Commander Stone was manning the front desk. It wasn't part of his usual rotation, but Boot had been injured in a pub brawl over a toothbrush, apparently, so Stone was filling in.

It had been fairly quiet so far. Attention to the public-facing side of the Guard tended to wax and wane like the tide. Currently it was in more of a wane, although there had been some excitement earlier in the day when a death stick addict had come in to report their dealer for shorting them.

The door opened. Stone glanced up. And then he glanced down to see a young hutt on a hoversled gliding into the office. Of all the times to not have his helmet on.

Mentally shaking his head at the oversight, he arched a brow at the huttlet.

"May I help you?"

"Yes." The huttlet came to a stop in front of the desk. Their skin was a shade of purple so dark it was almost black and they had a brightly-embroidered cape draped over their back.

"I am Jedi Initiate Orve Aarrpo, xe/xem. I'm here to report for my first day on the job, ser."

A mechanical limb extender carefully placed a datapad on the desk and gave it a small nudge closer to Stone.

"Where do you want me?"

Stone blinked. He really should have been wearing his helmet. This was too much to process. A Jedi Initiate? Here? And a huttlet one at that. A Jedi huttlet. Here. Who seemed to think xe had a job waiting. With the Guard.

"...I wasn't aware we were hiring."

It was the nearest coherent thing he could think to say. He picked up the 'pad to read it and give his brain time to reboot itself. Where was Fox when you needed him?

"It's a- a pilot program," Orve said, fidgeting on xyr sled. "I'm joining the ExplorCorp and the Guard seems like a good fit to help give me a grounding in social structures, interspecies communication, and diplomacy."

Stone surreptitiously tapped out a code for "help" on his comm as he read the "resume" Orve had given him.

Xyr marks were indeed high in diplomacy and xe was fluent in three languages and had a passable understood a couple more. Their skills also included slicing and experience on archaeological digs, which the resume assured him would be applicable to forensics.

All this from a kid. Well, technically xe was 78, but with how slowly hutts aged, that still put xem in the "kid" category. Stone was the one who was starting to feel old.

"I know what you're thinking," Orve said, startling Stone from his thoughts. "You're thinking that with my... limitations I might be a liability!" Xe gestured at their sled.

Stone hadn't actually gotten that far in his thinking. He opened his mouth to say something, but Orve barged on.

"But I can assure you that I'm fully capable of moving in a hurry when I have to! And without hurting anyone! Plus, look!"

Xe flung the cape aside to reveal some kind of... contraption wrapped around xyr body.

"It's a flight harness! I won't slow anyone down! See?" Xe started pushing buttons.

"Whoa!" Stone raised his hands in a calming gesture. "No, that's fine. No flying inside, please. It'll give the Shinies ideas."

"Oh, right." Orve deflated a bit. "Of course. My apologies."

"It's fine, just-"

He was interrupted by a knock on the inner door, followed by Fox entering the office, hand on his holster and scanning the room for trouble. His eyes landed on Orve and stopped.

Relief threatened to swamp Stone. Grabbing his helmet he jumped to his feet.

"Commander Fox! Just in time," he said, rushing over. "This is Orve Aarrpo, our new Jedi recruit! You can show xem around. I'd do it myself, but I'm due on patrol-"

Fox's arm shot out, stopping Stone in his tracks.

"A patrol?"

Fox's helmet tipped at him and Stone felt his heart sink.

"Sounds like a perfect learning opportunity for our new liaison. Orve, was it?"

While Orve gushed at Fox about what an honor it was to meet him and how brilliant and concise his archived reports were, Stone put on his helmet.

A message flashed in his HUD from Fox, ordering him to distract the "Jedi" while he investigated what the fuck was going on. Stone sent an acknowledgement and told him to check the 'pad on the desk.

Fox waved the two of them off, and Stone reluctantly showed Orve what sights there were to see within the Guard. Or at least the Fox-approved highlights, since he seemed to think there was a security issue at play.

The surprising thing was that Orve was a good listener. Xe asked intelligent questions, obeyed any directions Stone gave, and even offered a suggestion here and there.

Trooper Buckle, the not-a-tooka therapy assistant in the med wing, took an immediate liking to xem and even joined xem on their rounds. Clicker, the medic on duty, gave his approval and asked Orve for files on medical information related to hutts. It hadn't exactly come up before, and he hated not knowing something at least as much as Nudge did.

Wires was all set to adopt xem on the spot, after a quick pop quiz on slicing techniques. Rattle was skittish, but that was normal for her around new people.

All in all, it was a good learning experience for everyone, and a poignant reminder not to judge someone based on their appearance. Stone was beginning to think it might not be a bad idea to keep Orve around for a while. Provided xyr story checked out.

When they got back to the front office, Fox was talking to an Ithorian dressed in Jedi robes.

"Uh-oh," Orve said behind him.

"Uh-oh indeed, young Orve," the Ithorian said via a translator fitted over their mouths. "It seems you've had a busy day."

Stone glanced back to see Orve doing xyr best to hide behind him. It was not very effective.

"Stone. About time," Fox said, as if he couldn't have messaged him at any time. "This is Jedi Master Nocci, from one of the crèches. He's here to retrieve a missing pupil.

Master Nocci bowed low to Stone. "Apologies again, Commanders," he said. "I'm afraid that in xyr enthusiasm, Orve may have misrepresented xyrself to you. Xe's only the human equivalent of a ten-year-old and is nowhere near ready to be apprenticed into any jobs."

"Aww, but Masterrr!" Orve's voice took on a distinct whine. "Can't I stay? They're nice!"

Trooper Buckle meowed her agreement.

Stone was definitely too old for this shit. Ten standard? And already seemed to know more than he did after years of flash training? Maybe it was just a Jedi thing. He'd certainly met less mature kids, and some of them had been a lot older than ten. Hells, some of them were adults.

"I'm sure they are," Master Nocci said. "Just as I'm sure they're also very busy."

"We're always happy to help the Jedi, sir," Fox said.

Over internal comm he added, "Get Buckle back to the infirmary and go write your report."

"Orve is welcome back any time," Stone said, collecting Buckle as Orve hovered by. "Xe's no trouble at all. Could have a good career in the Guard in a few years' time."

"Really?" Orve grinned at him.

"Really," Stone said, ignoring the twin glares from the Jedi and Fox. And he knew Fox was glaring even if he couldn't see his face.

"We'll see," Master Nocci said in a tone Stone recognized as meaning never. "Say goodbye and let us get back to where we belong."

"You're on garbage detail for the next week," Fox growled over the comm.

"Suck it, Fox," Stone replied before making his farewells to the departing Jedi.

Once the door was closed, Fox turned to face Stone.

"We're not adopting a damn Jedi, let alone a baby one," he warned.

"Yessir," Stone replied, scritching Buckle between her ears. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll just return our tooka to the infirmary and go write my report."

"She's not a tooka!" Fox snapped. "She's a trooper!"

"Right, my mistake."

Grinning behind his helmet, Stone left the office.

#jedimindfic #corrieweek #Commander Stone #Fox is cranky and in denial #poor thing

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hapan-in-exile · 1 year ago

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Volume 4 - Post #6: Count your blessings

Another installment in this ongoing serialized fanfic

Genre: Mandalorian x Fem! Reader

Total word count: 2K (sixth post in Volume 4)

Rating: Explicit - smut, language, +18 *NSFW*

_______________________________

VI. It takes the better part of a day to hide the Razor Crest under the tree canopy. At some point in the afternoon, you stop looking up from your work, expecting the Mandalorian to emerge from behind one of the tall ferns carpeting the forest floor. It often took him days to track down his quarry. He wouldn’t be back anytime soon.

Instead, you dig into another round of roasted fish and listen to Nito’s unsettling story about exactly how he gained access to the Imperial archive. Which involved the spouse of a sitting Galactic Senator and a dominatrix.

“My concern is that Mando didn’t properly contextualize this,” you say, picking a bone out from between your teeth. “You see, sometimes consenting adults want to pretend—it’s important that they’re just pretending—because everyone participating enjoys—”

“Ah! Stop!” He places all four hands over his ears.

“And for the record, I’m not against paying for sex work under ethical conditions. Especially in that kind of scenario where professional expertise—”

“Stop talking!”

“Okay. Okay,” you wave him down. “The only other thing I want to say, is that I encourage you to get comfortable with the basics and develop good communication before you think about exploring—”

The Ardennian throws a handful of fiddleheads at you. “What do I have to do to make you stop talking?!”

“Alright, I’m done! Just know I’m here, if and when you want to talk.”

“Sure,” Nito sneers. “Cause you and Mando are so great at communicating.”

“Wow!” You glare at him. “That was mean, little sidekick.”

“Sidekick?” He practically chokes on the word. “I am not your—don’t call me sidekick.”

“Yeah? Well, don’t start slinging shit around if you don’t want to step in it.”

You extend Nito a hand in truce and somehow manage to avoid slapping the condescending look off his face when he rolls his eyes.

“Right. So what did you learn from these uncensored records?”

Nito had already done an extensive amount of sleuthing on the HoloNet for site plans, handbooks, technical documents, senate committee reports, and whatever else he could find about the Empire’s coaxium production on Lakaran.

“When Ubaa Dir found us on Sriluur…I kept thinking about how the Tagge Corporation makes so much money. Everything they do is about cost-savings and shortcuts. There’s no way they would build a completely new operating system. They’ve just been overwriting and patching the old lines of Imperial code. And now I know which program they used.”

That makes you sit up straighter. “You mean…you did it? You designed something that can take over the refinery?”

“Not just the refinery,” Nito says excitedly. “The entire facility. Door locks, alarm protocols, climate control. I can turn the decorative fountains on and off if you want me to.”

“Nito, that’s—”

“A feat of astounding genius,” he finishes for you with a spectacularly smug look. The size of this kid’s ego probably generates its own gravity.

“Yes, I am humbled to be in the presence of such boundless intellect. Getting back to the malware you so ingeniously created. Are you saying all I have to do is launch this program, and you’ll have remote access to the operating system?”

Nito’s bad moods usually fall somewhere along the spectrum of sarcastic brat to sulky drama queen, but the way his nostrils flare, and eyes dilate is pure outrage. He looks absolutely livid.

“Uh, no. I’m not doing anything remotely,” he scoffs at the absurdity of your suggestion. “I need to be onsite to work on the TaggeCo network.”

“Look, Nito, I’m sorry about the snarky sidekick remark. I know it feels like being an equal member of the team means taking on equal risk, but—”

“Because I am!” He shouts. “You think my voice in your earpiece is all you need to splice into their systems? They will try to override my program with anything they can throw at it. You think Mando can deflect those kinds of attacks? Because you sure as hell can’t. You need me there.”

“That’s not our only responsibility, Nito. What are we going to do? Bring a toddler with us on a heist?”

“Yes!” Nito exclaims.

Your jaw drops open. “When Ubaa Dir’s fighters launch a ground assault to take the refinery, some dead-eyed TaggeCorp exec back on Coruscant is going to decide whether destroying the entire facility under the cover of some ‘industrial accident’ is better for their bottom line. And if we don’t have control of the network when they make that call, everyone will die. So, yeah, you’ll be talking to me through an earpiece because I don’t want you, or the kid, anywhere near.”

“And what if someone blocks the receiver signal, huh? What if you’re in a fight, it falls out and gets crushed? What then, Thuli?” He growls at you, jaw set with conviction. “Just because you’re scared doesn’t change the fact that you need me!”

Gods, you’re so bad at navigating conflict. Your body becomes so overwhelmed with anxiety that you actually stand up from your seat next to the fire and start pacing. The Child, who had been sleeping next to you on the blanket, stirs—eyes blinking wide in confusion.

“Of course, I’m scared! We’re jeopardizing the lives of innocent people. What? Were you hoping to startle me into some kind of epiphany?!”

The Child whimpers in distress, clinging to your knees until you pick him up. “I know you resent being back on babysitting duty—”

“He’s not a baby,” Nito snaps. “And I know you know that.”

“What—?”

“Okay, he might be a baby, but he’s not helpless. He can…do things,” Nito says in a hushed whisper. “And if I’ve seen it, I know you’ve seen it too.”

You draw in a sharp breath and drop your gaze toward the kid. But he’s already back asleep, contented in the safety of your arms.

So…we’re finally having this conversation. Part of you reflexively wants to deny it. Honor Mando’s wishes and say nothing. Convince Nito that it’s all a figment of his overactive imagination.

It’s painful realizing how comfortable you’ve become with dishonesty. How readily the lie springs to your lips. Erenada, this is what’s eating Humia alive—the compulsion to reach for deceit instead of truth, even when it serves no purpose.

“What have you seen him do?”

The tension in Nito’s posture melts away. Instead, he becomes alight with fascination, eager to share this memory he’d replayed in his mind countless times. He’s so excited he can barely think straight.

“Mando tracked his bounty to Numidian Prime, but the guy nearly shot us down from the sky. I was making repairs to the engine turbine…It was so humid out that all this moisture had collected on the wing. When I opened the injector panel, these mynock came out of nowhere. Just flew at my face, attacking me. And I slipped, but…I didn’t fall. Something…caught me. Some kind of force that held onto me.”

A force.

You recall seeing a shimmering wave when the Child moved the boulder to save Mando’s quarry trapped underneath. Like a haze over desert sand as he lifted the rock above the cave floor. And you’d thought that same thing—that it was a forcefield, somehow wielded by this tiny creature.

Nito’s shoulders slump. “It was him. He saved me.”

The kid’s mouth twitches, his hands opening and closing while he dreamed, blissfully unaware that he’s the subject of your whispered speculation. The Mandalorian may want to hide these abilities, but they couldn’t be contained.

“I’ve seen it, too,” you nod. “He lifted this boulder a thousand times his weight and size.”

“Do you know how he does it? I mean, you can do…stuff,” Nito raised all four arms helplessly. “You both have powers. How is it possible?”

“I—”

In this case, it’s probably best to leave the truth unspoken. If Nito knew what you were truly capable of—the things you'd done, the accidents—as a child? He would never look at you with that trusting gaze ever again. And you’re not ready to give that up.

“I’ve never heard of a Hapan able to manipulate inorganic matter. My power is tied to the connection between living things. I wield...physiology. Granted, I never finished my training. There is secret knowledge only practiced by the most revered sages. But I don’t know how he does it.”

“Can’t you just look inside his mind for answers?”

“No,” you shake your head. “I can’t read someone’s mind like pages in a book, Nito. If he were to focus on a particular thought or memory, I might witness it, but I can only sense emotion.”

Thinking back to that day in the cave, you remember, “He felt…sadness. And guilt. Maybe it was different that time…it took him a long time to access his power because he felt so conflicted about it. Not like with you and—he saved Mando, too—from a charging Mudhorn—”

Nito huffed, and a hateful smile spread across his face. “So you and Mando have known this whole time, and you never said anything to me?”

Fuck! Kriffing hell, there’s no avoiding this…so much for that trusting gaze.

“I—yes. Mando asked me never to speak about it, but I should have pushed back. You deserved to know. I’m sorry, Nito. I made a mistake.”

This did nothing to mollify the rage building up inside the Ardennian. He stomps forward to shove a finger in your face.

“Well, I don’t forgive you! I don’t know why Mando doesn’t trust me…but you didn’t push back because you liked sharing a secret with him. He’s the only thing you’ve ever cared about out.”

Your head snaps back as if you’d been slapped. “Nito, that’s not—”

“And he doesn’t even care enough about you to be here. Look around, Thuli. Mando’s not here. I am!”

Ouch! Okay, you might have deserved that. He’s right, after all. You’d been so touched that Mando trusted you with this secret, you hadn’t really thought about hurting Nito. But damn, did this kid have to rip your heart open to bury the knife in your chest?

“Can we talk about this without—?”

“Guess what,” Nito howls so loudly that the baby shudders awake, whimpering. “I don’t trust you guys either. You’re both too stupid to do this without me. I’m going to take down that network, and I’m bringing the kid with me.”

And he grabs the kid from your arms to tuck him into his apron pocket. With a theatrical twist of his shoulders, Nito stalks toward the Crest.

“Nito, I don’t know how to get you inside the refinery. Why do you think I’ve been mopping floors for the past two weeks? So that I can walk in through the front gate.”

He doesn’t even bother turning to look at you. “Then get me a transponder.”

“It doesn’t work that way!” You cry desperately after him. “There are checkpoints and scanners everywhere. I'm not wearing this thing as a costume prop!”

This time, he stops to give you an accusatory glare. “So what about Mando, eh? I bet you know how to get him inside.”

“Mando can get himself in, and I don’t think I need to explain how he’ll manage that.”

“Then, Mando can get me in, too. He brought us with him for the job on Coruscant.”

“That guy was a bureaucrat, Nito. TaggeCo has a private army! Why can’t you see that I’m trying to protect you?"

"No one asked you to! I've been taking care of myself for a long time."

And the almost imperceptible crack in Nito's voice as he stifled down a sob breaks what's left of your heart.

"But you shouldn't have to. You’re right! We are stupid. Let us be stupid while you are smart and stay out of danger.”

Nito is indifferent to your tears. “You don’t get to make that decision for me! You can’t do this without us, Thuli. Figure out how to get me into that operations center, or none of this works.”

It’s hard to believe that you started out the day excited.

**********

Continue reading: Volume 4-Post #7: Thrilling Tales of (Undercover) Emergency Medicine

Back to Volume 4 - all posts

#mandalorian x reader #mandalorian x you #the mandalorian smut #din djarin smut #din djarin #din djarin x reader

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vickyvicarious · 1 year ago

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Who’s Read What in Dracula? - Lucy Westenra

A spoiler-free breakdown of what documents Lucy has read, and when. I will add a new entry whenever she gains access to, creates, or finishes a document.

Links to other characters’ posts, explanation of the color-coding I’ve used, and all other notes/explanations relating to how I am sorting/tracking this can be found in my WRWD Masterpost.

Tracking begins below the cut.

May 11

Letter to Lucy

Letter to Mina

Lucy receives Mina's letter, probably either on the tenth or eleventh. Given the information she seems eager to tell Mina, I'm assuming that she writes back right away here, hence placing them on the same day. However, Lucy's letter isn't dated, so it is possible that it was sent a few days later.

May 17?

Letter to Lucy

Lucy gets another letter from Mina, in response to her first letter. I'm placing this roughly in between the two letters from Lucy, but any exact dating is speculative as we never get to read this particular letter.

Total documents: Letters to Lucy, Letter to Mina

May 24

Letter to Mina

Lucy writes a second letter to Mina, describing the three proposals she has received in one day.

Total documents: Letters to Lucy, Letters to Mina

27 July

Message to Lucy

Mina mentions on the 26th that Arthur is expected in Whitby shortly, then on the 27th says that he's suddenly been called to visit his father who has fallen ill. It's possible that he had other communication with Lucy before now (or maybe the date was set before they parted, and Mina only mentioned it when the time was almost at hand), but at least it seems that he sent a letter or telegram to let the Westenras know his arrival in Whitby would be postponed.

Total documents: Letters to Lucy, Letters to Mina, Message to Lucy

August 24

London Diary

Lucy begins keeping a diary in an effort to emulate Mina. She's feeling unwell just like she did in Whitby.

Total documents: Letters to Lucy, Letters to Mina, Message to Lucy, London Diary

August 29?

Post-Whitby Letter to Lucy

Some time between the 24th-30th, Lucy receives Mina's letter about her wedding. I'm placing it here tentatively as I don't think she would wait very long after getting it to respond, but in the past Mina sometimes implied she was expecting letters from Jonathan later in the day.

Total documents: Letters to Lucy, Letters to Mina, Message to Lucy, London Diary, Post-Whitby Letter to Lucy

August 30

Whitby Letter

Lucy writes a reply to Mina's letter about her wedding. Stoker seems to have messed up his timeline here, because this letter is postmarked Whitby and shows Lucy doing well, while her London diary begins 6 days before and is decidedly less cheerful. (If she were lying, the postmark would be difficult to explain; at the same time, moving this earlier in the narrative would require changing several other dates so I'm not going to try and do that here).

Total documents: Letters to Lucy, Letters to Mina, Message to Lucy, London Diary, Post-Whitby Letter to Lucy, Whitby Letter

September 17

Lucy's Memorandum

Lucy has a harrowing, horror-filled night in which a wolf breaks into her window, her mother dies on her lap, her maids are drugged, and she is preyed upon by Dracula. She writes a memorandum detailing everything she can recall. (Technically, this was probably written during the early hours of the 18th. It appears that the wolf's escape from the zoo was discovered at midnight, and Lucy talks about being up late into the night. Still, since we have no hard confirmation either way, I'm sticking with the date we're given.) This was also the date of Lucy's final diary entry.

Total documents: Letters to Lucy, Letters to Mina, Message to Lucy, London Diary, Post-Whitby Letter to Lucy, Whitby Letter, Lucy's Memorandum

#dracula daily #wrwd #lucy westenra

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kaylinalexanderbooks · 1 year ago

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OC interview

Thanks @mysticstarlightduck here!

Rules: answer the questions in the POV of an OC!

This time, I'm feeling Liam!

Are you named after anyone?

“Yes, I am. I made sure of it. Liam is an extremely common name, see, I've met a million of them. Liam could be referring to any number of Liams, and you would never know which one. Besides, now in certain situations I must be called Beaumont, which I just think sounds cool.”

When was the last time you cried?

“Pfft. I don't cry often. Sure, there's, like, a psychological reason for why doing it is healthy, but I just find myself in situations that don't call for it. When you need a good pathos, sure, being able to cry on the spot is an extremely good skill that I have. Crying isn't something I usually do when I'm upset. I try to stay focused on the facts to craft my argument. So the last time I cried was for my AV club. We were filming a commercial. It had puppies.”

Do you have kids?

“Oh, absolutely not. There are a million reasons, seemingly, why. First: I'm barely eighteen. Second: I'm not quite sure I want any of my own to begin with. Many different personal reasons I would much rather not get into right now. Third: not only the last two, but I'm going off to college next fall. Do you think I'm gonna have time to raise a kid? Nah. If it's to be, I'm going to wait until after graduation. Then I'll reassess where I am in life.”

Do you use sarcasm a lot?

“It depends on who I am talking to. I love sarcasm. Use it when I can. However, I've found that being blunt works better for others. Saying what you mean has a more effective, direct approach that clears up any potential misunderstanding. On the other hand, sarcasm is an effective tool to use as humor or to throw an opponent or challenger off-guard. It can be a gotcha moment. It can piss people off, ruffle some feathers, if you will. You understand my point, I assume. Sarcasm is a tool that must only be used when appropriate and should never go to waste.”

What’s the first thing you notice about people?

“... I notice everything about them. Their posture, where their eyes are, hands are, everything I can, I analyze. Why? It makes talking to them a lot easier. I bet Wade said 'general vibe', and I'd have to say that is a correct assessment of what there is to notice first. I need to know how to talk to people. How to approach this conversation.”

What’s your eye colour?

“Green. Objectively the best choice for myself. I have a very...eh, Sam would call it a 'naturalistic aesthetic.' What she means is that my color palette consists of colors associated with nature. Brown hair and green eyes help that, I presume. It fits with my 'vibe' so to speak. I would love to argue that assigning aesthetics is a little ridiculous, I do enjoy general color theory.”

Scary movies or happy endings?

“Who the hell decided these were opposites? Aliens is horror and it has a technically happy ending with four characters alive and well. I'm ignoring the next movie. This is absolutely ridiculous. I'm sorry, as a film student--or someone on track to be--this is stupid. Who wrote this question? Tragic endings or happy endings. Scary movies or feel-good movies. Technically, one could be both. Die Hard, for example, is pretty intense but gives the 'warm fuzzies' at the end. Nothing is binary except computer code. This is ridiculous. I consider myself to be a highly opinionated person, but I'm not sure I could debate either side of this. My opinion is this question is stupid, and I uncharacteristically refuse to answer.”

Any special talents?

“I can edit. Very well. Would like to edit YouTubers' vids. Generally good at cinematography and vision. Apparently I can also turn anything into an argument. Speaking of which, what defines a special talent? What makes you special? Everyone is 'special in different ways' but what is special? Some may consider my argumentative streak to be a special talent, but some may just think it's an annoying personality trait or psychological issue that I need to seek help to treat. Or is it actually healthy? I argue it's both. And what is a talent? Something we are natural at, or something that we became good at? A mix of both?”

Where were you born?

“Bit invasive. Earth. Narrowed it down to Alium or Ceteri. Which Earth? You decide.”

Do you have any pets?

“I have a cat named Beans and a dog named Macie.”

What sort of sports do you play?

“Unless arguing or debate is a sport, I do not play any. I say debate counts. It requires a good offense and a good defense. Strategy. Approach, follow through, anticipating movements. You get it.”

How tall are you?

“About 170 centimeters or 5'7. Some call me short but on Alium I'm neither short nor tall. Next to Sam I feel tiny but then I'm next to someone like Tyler and I feel much better about myself.”

What was your favourite subject in school?

“Uh, debate. I would debate you on that, but I think you get the point. Other than that, film classes and computer science are the best classes I have ever taken.”

What is your dream job?

“I want to be a filmmaker so bad. I want to direct and boss people around. I want to be a cinematographer or an editor. I want someone to use my movie as a good, ideal example in film school. I want to write my own script. See my film premiere on the red carpet. Cast all-stars, nepo babies, and fresh blood. I want it all. Call me ambitious, but I could rock this industry.”

Other Liam: questionnaire

Other interviews: Wade, Jazlyn, Gwen, Lexi, Carla, Carmen, Maddie

Tagging @somethingclevermahogony @badluck990 @theprissythumbelina @talesofsorrowandofruin @loopyhoopywrites

Blanks below the cut!

Are you named after anyone? When was the last time you cried? Do you have kids? Do you use sarcasm a lot? What’s the first thing you notice about people? What’s your eye colour? Scary movies or happy endings? Any special talents? Where were you born? Do you have any pets? What sort of sports do you play? How tall are you? What was your favourite subject in school? What is your dream job?

#the secret portal #teaspoon #tsp #oc interview #my oc #writing tag game #oc tag game #liam beaumont #writers on tumblr #writing community #writers of tumblr #writing on tumblr #writeblr #writeblr community

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banapsha · 1 year ago

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Plotting like a Pro: The Only Guide You Need to Outline Your Next Novel

So, you've got this brilliant idea for a novel swirling around in your big monster brain, but you're not quite sure how to wrangle it into shape. *read this next line dramatically* Fear not, soldier, for I am here to guide you through the tumultuous journey of outlining your masterpiece. *you can stop now* But do get ready to dive into the wild world of outlining – where chaos meets creativity, and brainy think-think meets handy write-write.

What Exactly is an Outline?

An outline is basically like the blueprint for your novel – it's your roadmap to success, your guiding light through the abyss (too much?) It breaks down the events of your story in sequential order, ensuring that you stay on track and don't accidentally veer off into the land of plot holes and confusion. Think of it as your comic relief best friend (minus the comic relief), always there to keep you in check as you navigate the treacherous waters of writing.

What Does an Outline Look Like?

Now, technically speaking, there are rules for outlining. But hey, as long as whatever you decide to do works for you, you need no rules. Some fancy folks swear by fancy formats like the skeletal outline or the flashlight outline (let me know if you need details on said fancy formats), but honestly, as long as it works for you, you do you, boo-bear (that’s definitely not my thing). Whether you prefer bullet points, numbers, or hieroglyphics (AKA code), the format doesn't matter as long as it's easy for you to understand. After all, the point is to simplify the process, not complicate it further.

Benefits of Outlining:

Oh boy, where do I even begin with this one? Let me count the ways outlining will change your writing game (maybe even your life. Okay, that was too much.): (TIP: read the headings dramatically for a better experience)

It’s Your Beakon Through the Murky Waters: Ever feel like you're navigating through a dense fog with no compass in sight? Fear not, my friend, because outlining is exactly that for when you enter the said forest to write your book; your guiding light. It's like having a trusty co-pilot by your side, whispering sweet plot pointers in your ear as you navigate the treacherous waters of storytelling. No more aimless wandering – with outlining, you'll always know which way to steer your literary ship.

Plot Holes? Not on My Watch: Say goodbye to those pesky plot holes that seem to pop up out of nowhere like weeds in a garden. Outlining is like a preemptive strike against narrative inconsistencies, ensuring that your story is as tight as corsets from start to finish. With each plot point neatly mapped out, you can rest easy knowing that your readers won't be left scratching their heads wondering what the heck just happened.

It Helps You Defy the Abyss: Picture this: your story is like a runaway train hurtling down the tracks at breakneck speed. Without proper guidance, it's all too easy for it to veer off course and crash and burn in a fiery wreck (That would be an awesome scene but not what we’re looking for.) Outlining is like the conductor that keeps that train chugging along on the right track. No detours, no distractions – just a straight shot to narrative greatness.

Crafting a Killer Climax: Ah, the climax – the moment we've all been waiting for. With outlining in your team, crafting a jaw-dropping climax is as easy as pie. No more floundering around trying to figure out how to tie up loose ends – your outline has already done the heavy lifting for you. So go ahead, crank up the tension, unleash those plot twists, and watch as your readers' jaws hit the floor.

Also, Adios, Writer's Block: Writer's block – the nemesis of every living writer. But not anymore, because outlining is like a magical antidote that banishes writer's block to the furthest corners of the earth. With each plot point neatly laid out before you, there's no room for procrastination or self-doubt. So grab that pen, flex those creative muscles, and get ready to slay the blank page like never before.

Less Revision, More Celebration: Let's face it – nobody likes revising their work. It's like trying to untangle a knot of Christmas lights – frustrating, time-consuming, and guaranteed to give you a headache. But with outlining, you can kiss those revision woes goodbye. By nailing down your story's structure from the get-go, you'll save yourself countless hours of agony down the line. So go ahead, pat yourself on the back – you've earned it, champ.

Stuck While Outlining?

Feeling like you're trapped in a maze with no way out? (Lucky for you, you're not Newt. Get it?) Don't sweat it, my friend. Because Mama’s about to drop some bombs!

Work Backwards Like a Boss: Ever heard the phrase "it's easier to navigate a maze when you see the finish line"? Well, tiny, it's time to put that theory to work. When you find yourself stuck in the tangled web of outlining, start with the climax – the grand finale, the pièce de résistance. Then, work backward, asking yourself how the f*ck you got there in the first place. It's like retracing your steps through a labyrinth, armed with the knowledge of where you're headed. Suddenly, those tangled plot threads start to unravel, and you're on your way to outlining glory.

Outlining Ain't Easy, But Neither is Writing: Let's be real for a minute – outlining is hard. Like, really hard. But here's the thing: so is writing. You're basically creating something out of nothing, conjuring entire worlds and characters out of thin air (or neurons). But when you tackle outlining head-on, you're tackling that frustration right at the source. Instead of letting it simmer beneath the surface throughout the entire writing process, you're ripping it off like a band-aid and getting it out of the way upfront. Sure, it might be tough, but trust me – it's a heck of a lot easier than dealing with it later down the line.

Don't Skip Outlining, You'll Regret It: Now, I get it – outlining can be a pain in the @$$. It's tempting to skip this step altogether and dive headfirst into the writing process. But trust me when I say this: if you’re new and want to make your life easier in the long run, outlining is non-negotiable. Think of it like laying the foundation for a house – sure, it takes time and effort, but without it, your literary masterpiece is destined to crumble (with all the people still inside). So don't shoot yourself in the foot by skipping outlining just because it's difficult. (You shoot your foot now, something is gonna come bite you in your backside later.)

Does Outlining Ruin the Creative Process?

Ah, the age-old question. Does outlining zap all the creativity out of writing? Short answer: absolutely not. In fact, outlining is like flexing your creative muscles on steroids (or any other choice of d*ug). It's your chance to invent an entire world, complete with characters, conflicts, and plot twists in like a jiffy! Think of it as storytelling in shorthand – compact, efficient, and oh-so-satisfying. Outlining isn't the enemy of creativity – it's the ultimate wingman. It's like playing god in your own little literary universe, and let me tell you, it's a heck of a rush.

Forget what you've heard about outlining being dry and boring – it's anything but. (This is your GOD era) Trust me, there's nothing more satisfying than seeing your world completely mapped out in full.

Embrace it, harness it, and watch as your dream narrative becomes a reality.

With an Outline, You Know What's Coming Next...But Does That Lessen the Excitement?

With an outline in hand, you're always in the know about what's coming next. But that doesn't take away from the thrill of writing the novel. Honestly, it's quite the opposite for me. I find myself even more excited to dive into my story because I have a roadmap of where it's headed. Knowing the next scene waiting to unfold keeps me on the edge of my seat, eager to see how it all plays out (I like to know that I am heading towards that one gut-wrenching bit that will make my audiences wish I was dead. It's really fun; sometimes waiting for deaths and stuff.) Plus, there's no room for boredom when you're constantly propelled forward by the anticipation of what's to come. Unless, of course, you've outlined a snooze-fest of a story – but let's be real, who wants to write that?

What if I Need to Deviate from My Outline?

Ah, the age-old dilemma of sticking to the script versus going off-book. Here's the deal – your book, your choice. The outline you wrote is not carved in stone. It's more like a rough sketch, a guideline to keep you on track.

So what if you hit a snag and need to deviate from your outline? It happens to the best of us. Sometimes while writing you realize that you have something more interesting than what you’ve written in your outline. Do it. We’re all not perfect.

Now, a common gripe among writers is when their characters seem to have a mind of their own and they veer off script. But let's get one thing straight – your characters are as fictional as a unicorn riding a rainbow. They don't have any authority; you do.

So when you say your character "decided" to go rogue, what you really mean is that your outline didn't quite sync up with their psyche.

The solution? Plan your characters alongside your outline, ensuring they're in harmony with the plot. Build characters that fit snugly into your story's framework, and vice versa.

How Long Should My Outline Be?

F*ck, I don't know, ah, your outline should be as long as it needs to be. *nailed it*

Some writers prefer short, concise outlines that just cover the basics, while others go full-on novel mode with lengthy tomes that leave no stone unturned. There's no right or wrong answer here, folks – it's all about what works best for you.

Some Famous Authors Don't Outline, Why Should I?

Well, here's the deal – you're the captain of your own writing ship, and nobody's forcing you to walk on the wooden plank.

Sure, there are legendary authors out there who craft masterpieces without ever touching an outline. But unless you're a seasoned pro, it might be wise to outline before beginning to stay away from C.H.A.O.S. (not me foreshadowing my next book) (Follow me on Instagram for updates!)

Remember the writers you are comparing yourself to have likely got years of experience under their belts, while you might still be finding your Nemo.

Let's say that outlining just isn't you. Maybe you thrive on spontaneity and the thrill of discovery. Or perhaps you're still figuring out your writing groove. That's cool – we're all on our own journey.

But do not forget: for every famous author who shuns outlines, there are plenty more who swear by them like a sailor (get it? Coz a sailer swears a lot). So instead of trying to walk in someone else's boots, lace up your own and run on that race track like no one has ever baby.

It's your story – so tell it your way.

Do I Have to Outline?

Nyet. (And Da)

See, in the wild world of writing, there are two main camps: the planners and the pantsters. Think of them as the yin and yang of the literary universe.

Now, there's no denying that there are some writers out there who can weave an epic novel out of thin air with the grace of a ninja. But let's keep it real – those folks are like The Avengers of our world. Sure, they exist, but they're definitely the exception, not the rule.

For us mere mortals, outlining is like a trusty lifeboat in the stormy seas of storytelling. It's the secret sauce that turns a plate of pasta into a plate of pasta; if you catch my drift.

If you're finding yourself drowning in a sea of plot twists and character arcs, maybe it's time to give outlining a whirl. If you're one of the lucky few who can thrive without a roadmap, more power to ya (you nasty little b*tch. Yes, I am jealous of you!)

Just remember – if you ever find yourself shipwrecked on the shores of writer's block, the outline lifeboat is always there to rescue you. There's no shame in admitting you need a little help along the way.

How to Outline:

Step #0: Brain Dump: You're struck by a lightning bolt of inspiration, and suddenly, your brain is buzzing with a million ideas. What do you do? Simple – grab a pen and paper, or your laptop (or your phone, you lazy @$$) and unleash the chaos onto the page. Let it all out – every random thought, half-baked concept, and outlandish idea. It's like a creative free-for-all, with no rules and no judgment. It doesn’t have to make sense, that’s the whole point. This messy brain dump is your starting point, your raw material to mold into something magical.

Step #1: Making Sense of the Madness: Now that you've got a heaping pile of ideas to work with, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get down to business. Think of this step as your personal pitch meeting with yourself. You've got a mess of concepts, characters, and themes swirling around in your head – now it's time to wrangle them into submission. Start by sketching out the basics – the premise, the characters, the vibe, the themes, the subplots – all of it. Keep it loose, keep it flexible, and above all, keep it open to change. Play around with different ideas and see what sticks. Once you've got some ideas that make sense and that you're happy with, it's time to move on to the next step and bring your story to life. Buckle up, Buttercup.

Step #2: The Rough Sketch: This is where the real magic happens– where you take that messy somewhat sensible pile of ideas and start sculpting them into the masterpiece they are going to be. First things first, dig deep into the heart of your story. What are the main conflicts your characters are going to face? What obstacles will they encounter along the way? This is your chance to map out the twists and turns that will keep your readers on the edge of their seats. Now, break it down into four key areas: Who, What, How, and Why. Who are your characters? What drives them, what haunts them, what makes them tick? What's the basic premise of your story – the very thing that'll hook your audience in 30 seconds flat? How will your characters go on both internal and external journeys, and what will they learn along the way? And most importantly, why are you passionate about this story's theme? What do you want to shout from the rooftops, and what big ideas do you want to explore through your character's journey? At its core, the rough sketch is all about finding the story in the mess. It's about distilling your ideas down to their purest essence and uncovering the beating heart of your narrative. So don't be afraid to explore and experiment. Dream big, think outside the box, and create something truly extraordinary.

Step #3: The Outline: Now, after what seems like decades of work, it's time to take that rough sketch of yours and start turning it into something truly spectacular. I usually use the Three-Act Structure. This bad boy is like the backbone of storytelling – it's what keeps the narrative strong and sturdy. If you have any other story structures you swear by, use one of those. Basically, you’re grabbing a story structure that you believe suits your rough sketch and breaking down your sketch into the key story beats of your structure. For the Three-Act Structure, it is usually like this: Act One: the setup, where you introduce your characters and set the stage for the adventure to come. Act Two: the confrontation, where the action heats up and your characters face their biggest challenges head-on. And Act Three: the resolution, where everything comes together in a satisfying conclusion. You can choose to go as in-depth here as you want. (Maybe write like a 20,000-word outline, I don't care.) Now, if you’re not a big fan of writing a 20,000-word outline, the bullet-point outline is here to save your day. It's like the shorthand version of outlining – short, sweet, and to the point. This outline gives you a sense of your character arcs, internal conflicts, and transformative journeys, all without bogging you down with unnecessary details. The beauty of it all? You get to choose your own adventure. If you're happy with your bullet-point outline and ready to dive into drafting, go for it. But if you're itching to go deeper, to explore every nook and cranny of your story, then by all means, keep doing more. The important thing is that you feel confident in your outline, knowing that it's the solid foundation upon which your masterpiece will be built.

Tips and Extras: (some juicy details)

Brainstorming the Centerpieces:

If your story is a jigsaw puzzle, the key scenes are the biggest, boldest pieces. These are the moments that make your heart race, that keep your readers glued to the page, and that make your story truly unforgettable. So start with laying out those major scenes or events. Think big – we're talking key turning points, epic locations, and jaw-dropping plot twists. Don't worry about the order or details just yet – this is about getting those main parts out of your head and onto the page.

What if you don't have all the pieces yet? Well, kitty-kitty, this is a quick, flexible way to brainstorm the centerpieces of your story. Don't stress about getting everything perfect on the first try – just let the ideas flow and see where they take you.

Getting Specific:

Now that we've mapped out the key scenes, it's time to add some meat to these bones. Think of this step as adding color to a black-and-white photo – it's the step where your story starts to come alive. For each scene, jot down a sentence or a short paragraph that captures the essence of what's happening. No need to stress about getting every little detail perfect – just focus on what's being communicated in the scene, the location, and the characters involved.

As you add these high-level details, think about how each scene fits into the bigger picture of your story. How does it move the plot forward? What themes or motifs are being explored? And most importantly, how does it connect with the scenes that come before and after it? This is when you start weaving together the threads of your narrative, creating a tapestry that's rich with meaning and emotion.

Remember, there are no rules for how much detail to add – do what works best for you. Some scenes may only need a few words to capture their essence, while others may require a bit more fleshing out. Trust your instincts and let your creativity guide you. After all, this is your story – own it, embrace it, and let it shine.

Connecting the Dots:

Now that we've fleshed out those key scenes with high-level details, it's time to step back and take a bird's-eye view of your narrative landscape. This is where you can make connections between themes and concepts that you might otherwise miss if you dove straight into writing.

Grab your outline and give it a thorough re-read. Look for scenes that feel out of place, transitions that need a little extra love, or characters who make a sudden appearance without a proper introduction. These are the hiccups that can disrupt the flow of your story and leave your readers scratching their heads. Highlight these areas and make a note of any plot points or scenes that need to be moved around to get the sequence just right.

Think of this step like conducting an orchestra – every element needs to be in perfect harmony for the performance to truly shine. So don't be afraid to make some tweaks, to shift things around, to fine-tune your narrative until it sings. Listen to the rhythm of your story – it knows where it wants to go, you just have to follow its lead.

Unlocking New Ideas:

While it's true that imagery and videos won't make it into your novel, they can be incredibly powerful tools for sparking creativity and bringing your story to life. Think of it like adding fuel to the fire of your imagination – it's a surefire way to kick-start new ideas and breathe fresh life into your narrative.

Get experimental! Dive into Google Images, Pinterest, or anywhere you find a photo that might fit. Start saving images or movie clips that resonate with your scenes. Whether it's a striking landscape, a compelling character portrait, or a mood-setting photograph, let your imagination run wild and see where it takes you.

If you're the type of writer who loves to create mood boards, now's the perfect time to put those skills to good use. Take a look at your existing mood boards and see if any images could help evoke the feeling you're trying to capture in your scenes. Whether it's the warm glow of a sunset or the eerie silence of a deserted street, let these images serve as inspiration as you continue to shape your story.

The Importance of Feedback:

With any creative endeavor, whether it's writing a novel or painting a masterpiece, feedback is key. It's like having a fresh pair of eyes on your work – offering insights and perspectives that you might have missed on your own. So if you’re still not sure about the first version of your outline, it's time to seek out that invaluable feedback.

When asking for feedback, be specific about what you're looking for. Are you seeking input on the sequence of events? Plot points that need fine-tuning? Character development that feels a bit flat? Whatever it may be, make sure to communicate your needs clearly so that your reviewers can provide targeted feedback.

The important part is that you need to stay open to suggestions and improvements. It can be tough to hear criticism of your work but try not to take it personally. Remember, the goal here is to make your story the best it can be, and sometimes that means making tough decisions and embracing constructive criticism.

The Moment of Truth:

Now it's time to dive headfirst into the exhilarating world of drafting. This is where your story begins to unfold before your very eyes. Your outline and your drafts are perfect companions. They're like the dynamic duo of storytelling, working together in perfect harmony to guide you through the creative process.

As you begin sketching out the details in your draft, remember to trust the process and let your creativity flow. Embrace the freedom of expression that comes with drafting – after all, this is your chance to bring your story to life in all its vivid detail. So don't hold back – let your imagination run wild and see where it takes you.

Comrades, now armed with the knowledge of outlining, you're ready for war. So go forth, brave souls, and let your imagination run wild as you craft worlds, weave characters, and spin tales that will captivate hearts and minds.

Remember, outlining is not just a tool – it's your secret weapon, your trusty guide through the wilderness of creativity. And if/when you find yourself lost in the midst of your writing, grappling with plot twists and character arcs, just remember these wise words originally said by yours truly: you've got this.

Happy outlining, and may your pens never run dry!

(If all this helped you, please support me too; in the name of camaraderie. Follow me on Instagram by clicking here.

Comment what else you want to know?

And if you wish to buy my book click here!

That's all, see you later, soldier. 🫡)

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chimericchaos · 7 days ago

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Another page in the Nothing, another word of words

Self-protection and the March For Money have done much damage to the World, but You are not of Nothing (well you are technically but not anymore lol) and so you will need an Earth for your I. Yes, a proper Earth, not another Tower of someone else. "Find your own morals" as they say.

What this is in Orbis is a list of fertile ground for you to cultivate a Self Unbound, which is the first step in Apotheosis. What this is in Plain English is a list of (android) communication apps that are at least a little bit secure, which is the first step in Being Horny. Lmao.

Let's start with a rapid-fire round of peer-results:

- whatsapp, instagram, snapchat, kik, twitter, tiktok, any fucking thing owned by some fucking company: NO. Im going to persona 3 myself. Anything where there are people who use "unalive" or the grape emoji is not where you want to go. Tumblr is here too btw the mods are trash but you take the risk if you want the gun's on the table

- telegram: no. Just no.

- session: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DONT! Been seeing the numbers for this float around on the pixlv. From what I've gathered, it *was* secure, not so much right now. Some report suspicious activity now not just within the app, but potentially reading multiple app's data. I would not take the risk here honey.

- signal: ehhhhhhhh no. Is it secure? Technically. The most secure popular messaging app around. And that's the problem, it's popular, it has eyes on it. The US government uses it, even if it is unhackable, I'd not want to be using the app that the Largest Target In History is using. Either they have a backdoor (somehow) or they already know how to secretly add one in. I'd advise not.

- element-matrix: finally we're getting somewhere. Was introduced to this by a certain furry geographer on this app. So far I have no clue what I am doing and no friends, but element being a client on matrix, well, I hear good things about matrix as a whole. Advise to look into it, you may need to learn a bit about how shit works, but it seems potentially safe enough to go hog. Some privacy issues have been raised in the leakage of message metadata, but from what I can find the exact contents of your messages are safe, everything you can think of *connected* to your messages is not. It's a start, and one that a good number of good people know and that most normies do not.

- briar: concept seems great- there is you, and your contact, and that's it. No server, no company, no bullshit. messages are stored locally on your(and your contact's) device. It has full encryption and tor enabled by default and is able to connect via wifi for long distance or bluetooth. Yes, you can potentially use it offline. There's another app called briar mailbox that is specifically for "when you dont check your phone much so you want to install an app on your tablet to notify the main app on the phone that it has messages" which I will never need, but it's there. Note that it is not Complete Anonymity^tm, but instead is Unlinkability, so anyone tracking your bluetooth or whatever can crossreference your id with their *guesses* as to who you are, but that said they'd need to be looking for you first I guess. My advice? Watch this one, seems too good to be true, I have it downloaded in the meantime.

- ok this isnt an app but more of a method so im cheating with this one but I want it to be stated: use your own code system. Im talking your own conlang, your own ciphers, your own bullshit that You invent to communicate *sensitive* information to someone. Do not try to take shit that is already widely known and use that as a cipher, do not make shit that is based off of other shit. Do your own thing that inherits Your logic of how You think. This is a pain in the ass sometimes but when you're not secure you need a good way to make sure everyone goes "wtf is he talking about" when they read what you're writing, like the beginning paragraph of this post, but do yourrs better.

So what are my contacts? Idk. I may post them here when I am a Brave Boy. But right now if you're looking to find me on element or briar, you can dm me here on tumblr for the information. That should be a decent barrier for entry. And be sure to let me know if any/all of these apps become unsafe or if I have made a fuckup in my account security.

Will edit this list as situations develop and people tell me im an idiot for saying x about y.

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debby-jones-diary · 4 months ago

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What I Learned From Hosting an Impromptu Engagement Party in NYC

So, here’s how I accidentally became the host of an engagement party: Charlotte and Aurelio got engaged on a Thursday. Not in some grand, Instagram-worthy way, either. It was just the two of them in their apartment, eating Thai food, and Aurelio pulled a ring out of a box of spring rolls. Which, honestly, tracks for them. Charlotte called me that night, all giddy and out of breath, and I thought the conversation was just going to be me screaming “CONGRATULATIONS!!!” over and over until my voice gave out. But then, because Charlotte is Charlotte, she casually drops, “We should celebrate this weekend. Like, with everyone.”

I don’t know what came over me, but I said, “Yeah, totally, I’ll handle it.” Like it was nothing. Like I was the kind of person who just has a game plan for a last-minute party in New York City. Which, spoiler alert, I am not. I don’t even host dinner parties. My biggest social contribution is showing up with a decent bottle of wine and not spilling it.

By Friday morning, the group chat was already out of control. Everyone was asking where and when and how many people, and I was sitting on my couch, staring at my phone, wondering why I thought I could pull this off. My apartment is a joke, tiny, weird layout, and a couch that technically seats three but only if you’re all comfortable getting real personal. Charlotte and Aurelio’s place? Even smaller. Plus, their neighbor once banged on the ceiling because they were “walking too loudly.” Hosting at home was a no-go.

So, what’s the alternative? Bars, right? Except every bar I could think of was either loud enough to shatter your eardrums or packed with the kind of people who elbow you in the ribs to get to the bartender. And, let’s be real, none of us wanted to spend the night screaming “CONGRATS!” over a Drake remix while clutching $18 cocktails. But what else was there? I was Googling “last-minute party space NYC” like I was trying to crack some kind of secret code, and let me tell you, the results were bleak.

I kept scrolling through websites and Instagram pages, but everything either looked too fancy and formal or downright depressing. One place had folding chairs in a room that looked like the waiting area at a DMV, and another boasted “vintage charm” but was basically a basement with string lights. I could feel the panic setting in. What if I couldn’t figure this out? What if I had to call Charlotte and explain that the best I could offer was some overpriced dive bar with sticky floors? My phone buzzed every five minutes with more texts, “What’s the plan?” “Do you need help?” “Is there a theme?”, and each one made my stomach sink further. I started wondering if anyone would notice if I just disappeared and changed my number.

I was about to give up, like, genuinely about to text Charlotte and say, “So… how do you feel about doing this in the park?”, when my friend Rachel saved my life. She texted me out of nowhere and was like, “Hey, ever heard of DOM Lounge? I went to a thing there a while back. Might be worth a shot.” At that point, I didn’t care if it was a broom closet. I called, made a few arrangements, and crossed my fingers.

By Saturday night, somehow, it all came together. The place was… I mean, honestly, I don’t even know how to describe it without sounding like I’m trying too hard. It just worked. You know that rare moment when you walk into a space and immediately feel like you’re not going to have to stress about anything? That was it. People started showing up, grabbing drinks, and settling in like it had all been planned for weeks instead of me panicking 48 hours earlier.

The vibe was exactly what it needed to be: relaxed. Not too fancy, not too casual, just right in that sweet spot where everyone felt comfortable. The lighting was soft and warm, not the kind that makes you look like you’ve been living under a fluorescent lamp for ten years, and there was enough space for everyone to spread out without it feeling cavernous. I looked around at one point and realized I wasn’t even doing anything. Like, I wasn’t running around trying to fix things or make sure everyone was having a good time. It was all just… happening. Naturally.

Charlotte was glowing. Not in a cliché, bride-to-be kind of way, but in a “Wow, this is my life now” kind of way. She and Aurelio were taking turns hugging people, laughing at dumb toasts, and just soaking it all in. At one point, someone handed her a glass of champagne, and she leaned over and whispered, “This feels like a movie.”

But it wasn’t a movie, not even close. It was messy and imperfect and real, which, honestly, is the only way to do it. I mean, sure, I got about ten texts the next day asking, “Hey, did you plan this whole thing?” And I just responded “LOL” to all of them, because, yeah, no. I didn’t plan anything. I got lucky.

I stood there for a second that night, looking at everyone, Aurelio’s college friends arguing over something dumb in the corner, Charlotte’s cousin double-fisting champagne like it was the Kentucky Derby, my friend Nate trying and failing to hit on someone by the bar, and it hit me how unplanned it all felt, in the best way. Nobody was overthinking anything. Nobody was stressed. It was just a bunch of people who loved Charlotte and Aurelio, crammed together in one space, being loud and stupid and happy. And that’s what made it work.

At one point, I caught myself leaning against the bar, sipping a gin and tonic, and just watching it all play out. I wasn’t running logistics in my head or counting chairs or worrying if something was going to fall apart. That’s the thing about New York City, you spend so much time trying to control everything, but when it works, it really works. You don’t have to do anything except stand back and let it happen.

I think that’s why this night stuck with me. It was about the people, the chaos, the city. It was loud and a little messy and exactly what it needed to be. If you ever need a moment like that, sometimes all it takes is to Book Private Space for Events in NYC, gather your favorite people, and let the night take its course.

Sometimes, in this city, that’s all you really need. A little luck, a decent space, and people who are just happy to show up. And, honestly, that’s enough.

#Book Private Space for Events in NYC #Lounge in New York City #Lounge in Manhattan #New York #Good Times

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kamari333 · 1 year ago

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I cannot actually tell you how this works with a screen reader (as I am not confident in my accessibility competency). But what I CAN tell you is that while this would technically work, I would not recommend using this exact method

Use <span title="hover text">fic text</span> instead!

Here's why:

First, some Vocab:

A Tag is the thing between the < and > brackets that has a name. <div> is a tag. <p> is a tag. <i> and <b> used to be tags, but are obsolete as of now, and it is recommended to use <em> and <strong> respectively. There are lots of tags, which all do different things and serve diff purposes.

My favorite resource for HTML tags is the handy comprehensive list hosted on W3Schools, because it keeps track of obsolescence and gives definitions and examples. Remember that not ALL tags that exist are usable on AO3, but you can cross reference the full list with the AO3 HTML guide.

Anyway.

MOST Tags usually need a start tag and an end tag, like in <p>Sentence goes here</p> so that the Stuff (browser, webpage, etc) knows exactly where and what the Tag is affecting/targeting. The stuff between the Start and End is what the Tag affects. This is how OP selects the 'foreign language' (language that isn't the primary language the fic is written in) for the hover effect.

To make this hover effect, what OP is doing is taking advantage of an Attribute. In HTML, an Attribute is a kind of metadata for a tag. There are lots of attributes that all do different things.

The Title attribute is a kind of "Global" attribute, meaning it is largely usable across most all tags (with notable exceptions), and has a standard function which works in most cases.

The Title Attribute is used to log basic extra information about what is in the tag. It is often used for explaining abbreviations, naming conventions, and lots of other things. It's a very good attribute for this purpose!

A quick google search tells me that most screen readers can access and read this attribute, but again, I'm not experienced with screen reader accessibility so the nuances of this is not my wheelhouse.

I am aware that this sort of thing is exactly why accurate and clean tag/attribute choice is so important though...

Which brings me to why I recommend this change to OP's Idea:

The DIV tag and the SPAN tag are both kinds of tags which are used to segment out parts of a page. They are actually mirror pairs, of sorts, serving identical functions in different hierarchical niches.

In this, I think we have a very good start.

However

DIV tags are default Block display tags. In general, they are on the same rung of tag hierarchy as a <p> (paragraph) tag, which means (unless you are getting very fancy and have a technical reason to use DIV specifically), you do not want to use DIV for embedding information inside a preexisting paragraph.

In contrast, SPAN displays as Inline by default. To make a comparison, a <span> tag is much more alike to <i>, <b> <em> and <strong>: they are all tags which are meant to affect the text without disrupting the shape of how it is displayed, in-line with the rest of the paragraph.

Some of display issues OP is probably talking about would likely be solved by changing from DIV to SPAN. Most issues with display on AO3 have to do with how Rich Text ends up translating into HTML (re: badly, because richtext has a stupid amount of meta that is inconsistent from source program/app to source program/app and often confuses poor AO3's converter).

this is why i write everything in plaintext and hardcode my italics and bolds and such using html from the start

Anyway what I'm getting at is choosing the right Tag is super important, whether youre tagging your fic so readers can filter for it, or hard coding fun accessibility features into your fic <3

with love ~ a hobbiest coder who knows html okay

A Simple Trick for Fic Writers

Hey, if you're a fic writer and a character speaks in a different language, you don't just have to add the translation in the notes. Use the following HTML coding to add 'text on hover' to the word(s). If the reader is on a computer they can hover over the text to see the translation.

<div title="This is the text in the box!">This is the text that shows in your fic!</div>

Here are some examples from a fic on my AO3.

This coding here <div title="a fool, idiot (lit. emptyhead)">Eyn utreekov</div> will show this on hover.

This next example shows that you can add a lot of text. The formatting is the same as above.

PS: When doing this, there may be spacing issues, but you can edit the text through AO3's html or rich text editor. From there you can add italics (like I did), bold, etc, and fix any weird spacing issues. Just be careful not to delete the coding that you worked so hard on 😂

#ao3 #i just wanted to reblog #html

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lesterwrites · 4 months ago

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How DJing Made Me A Better Creative Professional

Few things make me as dizzy with excitement as the first thump of the subwoofer when the amp kicks in. For those not in the know, I regularly step behind the DJ console after eventide falls. And I love it. Getting people out of their heads and into their bodies is its own high. “But pray Les, what does scorching dancefloors have to do with becoming a better creative professional?” you ask. Glad you did.

The one thing I’d despise with every cell in my being during my rookie years as a copywriter was client feedback, especially the kind that was critical of my ideas. There it stood, freshly printed and mounted on sunboard, an exquisitely crafted headline adorning an equally regal layout, that distilled everything the brand should say, in just the right words and tone of voice that encapsulated its rich legacy of communication. A goddamn piece of poetry by any measure. Or so I thought. Until the client tore it up because, (and I can’t believe I have to repeat those awful words) mazza nahi aaya!

Over these past 2 decades I found ways to dull the sting of rejection and tough love feedback. Mostly whiskey. Quite often it came down to what battles were worth fighting. Yet somewhere sitting in the corners of my conscience was that high-brow beatnik that still questioned how this room temperature IQ pleb was in any way qualified to critique my work. My high octane copy and ideas, that brought with them the fury of the gods.

I started DJing around 2020. First in the bedroom, then on Twitch, and after a proper Pro level course, live at venues. And boy, was I unprepared for the REAL dancefloor. In my head, I was crushing it with that 140BPM techno banger. So the club should be on fire right now, right? Colder than Dante’s Cocytus. The venue owner would pull me aside and with all the diplomacy he could muster, would tell me to take it easy, the crowd isn’t ready for it. Which was code for ‘Read the room, hotshot.’ This was pretty much how the early days went by. Empty dancefloors hurt. Even worse than the crowd chanting ‘DJ suxxx’. I was doing everything right. Latest jams. Technically accurate beatmatching. Pitch perfect mixing in key. Transitions smoother than butter. And still, empty dancefloors.

The one thing I should have realised early on is that this wasn’t about me. I’m never there to play for myself. It’s always for an audience. Get your TG wrong, and it all starts to fall apart. So, after a few aspirins and a moment of epiphany, I decided to right this ship. I started asking questions before every gig. What’s the kind of people that come here? Mostly young or old? What kind of music do they usually tap their feet to before the DJ takes over? Is there a special occasion that evening? Commonsense questions that changed the way I curated my sets, and my ability to take feedback. It wasn’t important to always be technically correct, as it was about finding that intent, that feeling, the answer to ‘Why Am I Doing This Exact Thing?’ and building around that nucleus.

Finding that answer meant rethinking everything. From shaping a set, to thinking on your feet when you’re hit with a song request or equipment malfunction. To be able to adapt to changes, and yet craft something unique. Reading the room helped me gauge the audience’s energy, critical to improvising on the fly. Trendy Tiktok dance hook track? You got it. A fresh new edit of an oldie but goodie? Say less fam.

Getting the brief right was one thing. Problem solving was a whole ‘nother minefield. You could prepare your set to a T, and you could still have technical issues, shifts in crowd energy, or worse have a police raid kill the buzz. (True story, some other time though.) Learning to adapt under pressure strengthened my ability to stay composed and find quick, innovative solutions to the challenge at hand.

And finally, like every art form, I learnt that DJing is about storytelling. What is the journey that I want to take the audience on, and how do I do this in the best way possible. As I sharpened my sets, I started to notice bits and parts of my own story reflect in it. My home, culture, travels, my personal struggles, the relationships and people that bind me to this good life, and the values that lift me up. Finding a way to distil these concepts into my work refined my ability to structure narratives, whether in creative conceptualisation or execution.

Ultimately, DJing has made me a more adaptable, accepting, intuitive, and expressive creative professional. My ability to command attention translated into better presentation of ideas at the office. Taking feedback became more about what I needed to address with my work than a personal affront. Whether pitching a concept, leading a project, or collaborating with a team, the self-assurance I’ve gained from DJing extends far beyond the decks, allowing me to own my creative vision, and inspire others.

As a Thank You for making it all the way to the end of this long post, here’s an Afro House set I mixed recently.

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outerspace-iiinnerspace · 7 months ago

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2025 Book Bingo

My to-read list is a mile long so I thought this would be a good way to knock a few things off! Posting for accountability - the original list/prompts are from @batmanisagatewaydrug. Thank you for putting it together!

Literary fiction: The Lost Garden by George C Foster. I don't actually know if this is literary fiction, but it's in my to-read list with no notes and I can't find a thing about it online other than the fact it exists. This intrigues me. I don't know that it's not literary fiction. If it turns out to not be literary fiction, then I'll read Adam's Breed by Radclyffe Hall.

Short story collection: The Terminal Beach by J.G. Ballard. This is maybe cheating because I've already read about half the stories in here individually. If it is cheating, then Uncle Boris in the Yukon and Other Shaggy Dog Stories by Daniel Pinkwater because Pinkwater is one of my favorite authors of all time and I've somehow never read this one?

Sequel: This Woman by Pietro di Donato. This is the sequel to Christ in Concrete which was one of the best books I read in 2024. The reviews seem to say it isn't as good as the first, but that's such a hard act to follow that I'm not worried.

Reread childhood favorite: A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson. This book gave me so many complexes in middle school and I have never reread it yet sooooo…

20th century speculative fiction: 334 by Thomas Disch. It takes place in 2025 which makes it a good choice to read this year!

Fantasy: I don't have titles because they're all in boxes but I picked up a ton of C.J. Cherryh stuff at a library sale last year and I'm pretty sure at least some of it is the Fortess series. If I'm wrong, then The Time of the Dark by Barbara Hambly.

Published before 1950: Symzonia: A Voyage of Discovery, author unknown, published 1820. I'm such a sucker for hollow earth stuff and this is so formative to hollow earth stuff that I have no excuse for not having read this yet.

Indie publisher: Pact by Wildbow aka John McCrae. Do webnovels count as indie? If not, then Disappointed: The Code Word for Annihilation by Michael Wolff because holy shit I didn't know Pierce Elevated was a sequel. I have to read this. I have to read this SO BAD.

Graphic novel, comic book, or manga: Elfquest: The Final Quest by Wendy and Richard Pini. I'm actually in an Elfquest reread right now, so if I get close to Final Quest by New Year's this will be an excuse to take a break so I can read it in 2025. In either case, this will be an incentive to actually finish the reread this time because I remember Final Quest being pretty frustrating. But I still want to finish it. If rereads don't count, The Last Delivery by Evan Dahm because I love Dahm's stuff and haven't gotten to that one yet.

Animal on the cover: I'm going to go to the used bookstore sometime next month and browse for this one. If I'm picking a book based on the cover I wanna REALLY pick it based on the cover.

Set in a country I have never visited: The Last Children of Schewenborn by Gudrun Pausewang. I have desperately wanted to read this for YEARS but it is IMPOSSIBLE to find the English translation. I KNOW there is an English translation. There are THREE English editions, published in 1988, 1989, and 1990. I know the publishers. I know the translators. I know the frigging ISBNs but they are IMPOSSIBLE to find. There aren't even scans! This is the year I either track this down or the year I dig out my German/English dictionary and translate it myself. If that doesn't work out, then The Baghdad Villa by Zuheir El-Hetti.

Science fiction: Raven Strategem by Yoon Ha Lee. Ninefox Gambit was SO damn good but I never got around to the second one.

2025 debut author: I'm gonna wait to pick this one until 2025. See what comes out.

Memoir: Four Days with Kenny Tedford by Kenny Tedford and Paul Smith, because I bought it back when it was published and never read it. Also, I've only met Kenny like twice but I am technically friend-of-a-friend with him so I really should read his damn book huh.

Read and make a zine: I've got a friend who makes zines so whatever they come out with next year :3

Essay collection: Starboard Wine by Samuel R. Delaney. I forget exactly why this is on my list, but I have a hunch it's the Heinlein essay. Anyway I love literary criticism.

2024 award winner: The seventh volume of Blacksad apparently got three Eisners which I guess is my cue to get caught up!

Nonfiction: Under a White Sky by Elizabeth Kolbert. My sister really wants me to read this one! She's already offered to lend me her copy and if I read it she's gonna read The Sheep Look Up as a trade. I also want to read Adverse Events by Jill Fisher and Survival of the Richest by Douglas Rushkoff.

Social justice and activism: How to Blow up a Pipeline by Andreas Malm. Another friend recommendation.

Romance novel: Rebel Sutra by Shariann Lewitt. This has been on my bookshelf since high school.

Read and make a recipe: Something from Vic's Big Little Burger Guide by Victor Bell. Vic is my dear friend and I have never actually cooked a hamburger, so this is my opportunity!

Horror: The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons. I had this recommended after I read Rosemary's Baby and if the vibes are at all similar I cannot wait.

Published in 2000-09: For the Emperor by Sandy Mitchell. Al told me to read this back in 2019 and I still haven't done it and I really think I should.

Historical fiction: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. I actually read the first 20ish pages of this a couple years ago and I really want to finish it sometime.

Bookseller or librarian rec: The Library Book by Susan Orlean. I am a librarian so a lot of my recs come from other librarians, but this is about libraries so it feels appropriate for the slot!

#book bingo #tagged to find this again

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gurugirl · 1 year ago

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I have a lengthy rant (sorry lol) and really need some advice. Theres this guy who I was close with that I liked. He didn’t know I did and I use to pretend i didn’t… I wasn’t sure if he liked me too but he use to show all the signs that he did. We both agreed to a friends with benefits dynamic and I told him how I didn’t want any feelings or commitment involved which he said ok to. But he ended up admitting to me later on that he liked me wayyy before we started our situationship (which I kinda figured) I never told him that I liked him too but instead told him that I didn’t like him in that way and maybe we should just go back to being strictly friends. We never went to the extent of having sex but did everything else under it. And he was my first for it all which he knows because before our situationship I told him that I was a virgin. Never dated, never gave/receive oral, never had sex. And so our first time was making out and me getting off on his lap and each time it gradually increased to us giving/receiving oral. (sorry for the details lol) And each time he would teach/guide me through it. I know he has a lot of past experience and I know he doesn’t have the best track record in relationships (always cheating) but I didn’t really mind cause in my head, I wasn’t gonna want to actually date the man. Anyways, we also work together and go to college together. So I’ll see him occasionally at school but always at work. And he started to call out more to avoid me and take different routes to not me on campus. I confronted him and he said he just wanted to respect my feelings and how he thinks he’s getting too attached to me and likes me more than before so he thought giving me some space would help since I didn’t want that. Then about a week later he ends up moving to another state for school. We were talking/texting the whole time until he landed. He ignored my text so I never bothered reaching out after (it’s been almost 2wks now) and I just found out from a friend of his that the entire time this happened HE WAS DATING ANOTHER GIRL!! So now idk how to feel. I can’t be mad because I said I didn’t want a relationship even tho I liked him but I can’t help but feel like he used me… Even though we both consensually made that choice, knowing he had a gf the entire time makes me feel like I was being used for sex but it’s so hypocritical for me to think that way since I told him that’s all I wanted… Am I wrong for what I did? And do I really have a good enough reason to be upset/hurt? I talked with my friends about it and they all keep saying how he shouldn’t have lied but he technically didn’t “use me” and maybe they’re right but it’s kinda how it feels. Like just shitty. And why pretend to like me?? yk

Oh my god :( :(

Baby, I'm so sorry this happened. I think this sort of thing is just SO TRICKY. Because even tho he had a girlfriend it doesn't mean he didn't like you. He lied to you, though, and that just makes him a super shitty person for doing that to you. I'm glad you didn't have sex with him, though!

I've been in a situation where I was the "other woman" too. Only I slept with the guy and we started getting serious (well I thought we were getting serious lol). I had no idea he was seeing a chick he was ENGAGED TO and wound up marrying after ghosting me. I dated the guy for MONTHS. I slept at his house and his roommate never said a damn thing to me (stupid guy code bullshit probably). I would wake up early and start coffee and walk his dog, have conversations with his roommate... And he acted like he was falling in love with me. He was super romantic and would say super cheesy shit to make me laugh but he'd be like "i'm serious. that's how i feel about you." and of course that ish worked on me at the time... anyway one day he just stopped calling, texting and totally ghosted me. A year later I learned he was seeing a woman the whole time he was with me and I only found out because a mutual friend was invited to their wedding 😂

SO... I'm telling you all this to say I know how it feels. You dodged a bullet that he left the state and now you can move on. He probably did like you but it's not worth it to dwell on that because he's a cheater - he even had that reputation so... yeah. You dodged a huge bullet there.

You didn't do anything wrong hon. You had no idea! That's how I felt about the guy who lied to me for months at first but then I realized that I was enjoying a relationship with someone and that's the end of that. What he was doing was his issue. Not mine. I had fun with him while it lasted but now I know the warning signs to look out for and you do too. Don't feel bad and don't worry about what his intentions were. He's a loser and you get to sigh a huge breath of relief knowing he's gone for good and that you didn't sleep with him.

Just give it some time, my love. You'll feel better soon. xoxo

#ask

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