#without any promise of longevity

[https-papaya]

such a gentleman — max v.

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( masterlist | guidelines | drop a request )

PAIRINGS: max verstappen x fem!reader

SUMMARY: max' best friend breaks up with her boyfriend in spectacular fashion. maybe this is the push he needs to finally admit he's in love with her.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: i'm genuinely blown away by the kindness and support i've received from everybody so far. i was really nervous to start posting here, but you've all been incredible! i hope that you guys enjoy this one as much as i enjoyed writing it — WARNING that this smau involves references to infidelity (not max or the reader). have fun and feel free to send me requests!

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yourusername

liked by maxverstappen1, landonorris, danielricciardo and others

yourusername what better way to take my mind off things. monaco, you were a dream. next stop...?

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maxverstappen1 Thank you for being there. 💛

liked by yourusername

user2 hope you're feeling better!

user3 You should totally go on holiday somewhere and just forget about him tbh

yourusername that's the plan 😉

user1 ugh i hope max dropkicks him into next year

liked by maxverstappen1

danielricciardo my offer still stands...

yourusername you're just built different 😔 aus is too hot for me!!

landonorris thanks for convincing max not to order in the sushi platter

yourusername anything for my favourite papaya 🧡

oscarpiastri hey.

yourusername sorry osc, he's got the longevity :( give it a few months?

user4 oSC????

yourusername added to her story

yourusername

liked by maxverstappen1, danielricciardo, landonorris and others

yourusername much needed.

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user2 the second pic???

user4 omg i cant believe max and her went together sdjhfhdj

danielricciardo and here i thought aus was too hot for you??

yourusername 🫢

user1 oh theyre in love ur honour

user7 showing the ex what he's missing fr

liked by yourusername

landonorris without me??

yourusername next time xx

user3 the fact this means max took the first pic has me spiralling

user5 no way her ex isnt seething over this LMAO

user6 his fault for cheating imo 🤷

liked by maxverstappen1

yourusername

liked by danielricciardo, landonorris and others

yourusername another month, another race. glad to be back 💛

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user2 no max in the likes?

user3 its over i fear

landonorris supporting the hometown boys, i hope?

yourusername count on it!

user1 and if i speak-

user4 don't.

danielricciardo was the coffee as good as he says?

yourusername even better i promise

user5 HE???

user6 surely-

maxverstappen1

liked by yourusername, danielricciardo, landonorris and others

maxverstappen1 Didn't get the win this weekend, but I won something better.

tagged: yourusername

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user1 oh my god.

yourusername thank you for loving me ❤️

maxverstappen1 Always ❤️

user4 its so over for her ex BYE-

user3 more affection than her ex ever showed her i know that's right

user2 They're sickeningly cute I can't rn

user5 parents???

danielricciardo fucking finally

landonorris it was almost painful fr

yourusername oh shut up

oscarpiastri no no he has a point

yourusername do you want me to pay for lunch tmr or not??

oscarpiastri i'm willing to take the risk

liked by landonorris and danielricciardo

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© https-papaya || do NOT rewrite, translate, or copy any of my works posted here on to any other platforms

[wisesoultarot]

Intimate life with your future spouse after marriage

Instagram | Tip Jar | Book a Reading with me now!!

💜IMAGE 1:

Your future spouse is envisioned as a vibrant and passionate individual, someone who brings a spark of energy and enthusiasm into every aspect of life. This dynamic personality should ease any concerns you may have about the longevity and excitement of your relationship. Imagine couples who age gracefully yet still maintain a lively intimacy; that’s the kind of dynamic you can expect in your own partnership.

In this relationship, you and your partner will never have to worry about boredom or fatigue creeping into your intimate life, even after the vows are exchanged. Your future spouse is likely to take the lead in the bedroom, bringing creativity and spontaneity that will keep the flame of passion alive. I foresee multiple rounds of excitement following your initial encounters, as both of you will be eager to explore and enjoy each other’s company without hesitation.

There will be no waiting or reluctance between you two; instead, you will dive deep into each experience together, fully immersing yourselves in the joy of intimacy. This connection will be characterized by open communication and a shared desire to please one another, ensuring that both of you feel cherished and desired.

Even after starting a family, your active sex life will continue to thrive, as you both prioritize your relationship and understand the importance of maintaining that intimate bond. You will find ways to nurture your connection, making time for each other amidst the busyness of family life. This commitment to intimacy will lead to a fulfilling and satisfying life together, where love and passion remain at the forefront of your relationship.

Ultimately, your future together will be marked by a deep emotional and physical connection, one that evolves and grows stronger over time. You will create a beautiful balance between family life and personal intimacy, ensuring that your relationship remains vibrant and passionate for years to come.

💜IMAGE 2:

I envision you reliving every cherished moment with your future spouse, as their touch resonates deeply within you, igniting a spark that feels both familiar and exhilarating. Each caress will be a reminder of the profound connection you share, a language of love spoken through gentle gestures and lingering glances. They will bring delightful surprises to your intimate life, introducing new adventures that leave you in awe of your choice in partner. Whether it’s a spontaneous weekend getaway or a quiet evening spent exploring each other’s dreams, these experiences will deepen your bond and create lasting memories.

Often, you will find yourselves lost in daydreams about each other's warmth and the closeness you share. In those moments of reflection, you’ll realize how intertwined your lives have become, each thought of them filling you with a sense of comfort and joy. You will crave solitude together, seeking out those precious moments where the world fades away, and it’s just the two of you. Each time you find it, intimacy will naturally follow, blossoming in the quiet spaces where you can truly be yourselves.

The emotions between you are profound, indicating that your encounters will transcend mere physicality; they will be acts of love, deeply connecting you both on emotional and spiritual levels. Each embrace will carry the weight of your shared history, and every kiss will be a promise of the future you are building together. The atmosphere will be filled with romance, featuring tender foreplay that ignites passion and affectionate cuddles that soothe the soul. This nurturing bond will linger long after your moments together, creating a sense of belonging that wraps around you like a warm blanket.

You will treat each other with utmost gentleness, fostering an environment where vulnerability is cherished, and love is expressed freely. This mutual respect and care will create a beautiful tapestry of love and intimacy, woven with threads of trust, laughter, and shared dreams. Together, you will explore the depths of your connection, celebrating the unique rhythm of your relationship and the joy that comes from being completely and utterly yourselves in each other’s presence.

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The energy here feels deeply sensual and earthy, radiating strong vibes associated with earth signs. This grounding energy creates a sanctuary where both of you can truly connect on a profound level. It seems like you both take your time to prepare the space and yourselves before diving into intimacy, creating a seductive atmosphere that builds anticipation. The careful arrangement of soft lighting, inviting textures, and perhaps the subtle scent of essential oils envelops you, setting the stage for a deeply intimate experience.

You cherish each moment, savoring the experience without rushing toward the climax. This deliberate pace allows you to explore each other’s bodies and emotions, fostering a sense of trust and vulnerability. Every touch, every whisper, becomes a part of a beautiful dance, where you both are attuned to each other’s desires and needs. There’s a palpable tension in the air, a delicious build-up that heightens your senses and deepens your connection.

The rhythm of your connection is marked by a step-by-step approach that showcases your harmony and synchronization. You move together like a well-rehearsed duet, each note perfectly timed, each movement fluid and intentional. This shared understanding creates a safe space where you can both express yourselves freely, allowing your desires to unfold naturally. The anticipation builds, creating a magnetic pull that draws you closer, igniting a fire that simmers just beneath the surface.

Once you shift from a slow pace to a faster one, it’s as if nothing can hold you back. The energy transforms, becoming electric and all-consuming. You find yourselves lost in the moment, swept away by the intensity of your connection. It’s a thrilling release, a culmination of all the anticipation and desire that has been building between you. This exhilarating shift leads to sleepless nights filled with unrelenting energy, where time seems to stand still, and the outside world fades away.

Each encounter leaves you both breathless, fully immersed in the intensity of your shared moments. The afterglow lingers, wrapping around you like a warm blanket, as you bask in the satisfaction of your connection. You find yourselves exchanging soft laughter and tender caresses, relishing the closeness that you’ve cultivated. In these moments, you realize that it’s not just about the physical act of intimacy; it’s about the deep emotional bond that you’ve nurtured, the trust that has blossomed, and the joy of being fully present with one another. This is a sacred space where your souls intertwine, creating a tapestry of love, passion, and connection that is uniquely yours.

[vivmaek]

Synastry placements which indicate fated connection/ a connection or that person is meant to be in your life

Indications of a Fated Relationship

ʚɞ Sun Trine / Conjunct North Node ʚɞ This aspect creates an immediate connection and an instant sense of familiarity. Both parties might feel that this is destiny before the first date even begins. The Sun person will feel like the best version of themself around the North Node person. The Sun person also triggers growth in the North Node person. It is likely that a familial bond was shared in a past life.

ʚɞ Pluto Conjunct Mars ʚɞ The attraction present between both parties is intense. It's an aspect that forces confrontation upon your deepest desires and your greatest pains. Many intense experiences will be shared together. Both people can pick up on the hidden intentions and motives of one another. This may turn into an all-consuming relationship, one that leaves you without any energy left to give.

ʚɞ Sun Conjunct Saturn ʚɞ The Saturn person has karma to work through and must turn to the Sun person to find guidance. Any changes the Saturn person experiences are due to the influence of the Sun person. A sense of maturity is present from the start, both people feel as though they could settle down together. They can depend upon one another, but Saturn might feel threatened if the Sun person begins to grow without them.

ʚɞ Moon Conjunct Saturn ʚɞ The couple feels a deep responsibility towards one another which acts as the glue that holds their bond together. Oftentimes the Moon person must work through their co-dependency issues. The Saturn person is reliable even if they have to learn how to be more open towards the emotions of the Moon person.

ʚɞ Venus Conjunct Saturn ʚɞ Both parties might feel hesitant to enter into a partnership despite the powerful attraction that exists between them. The couple takes this relationship seriously and they exhibit caution for the sake of longevity. Guilt from their experiences in a past life might bubble up in this relationship. The Saturn person feels that the Venus person “owes” them something. The Venus person feels indebted to their partner and will probably be the first to make promises in the relationship.

ʚɞ Saturn Conjunct South Node ʚɞ This relationship requires a lot of work, and it will be impossible to avoid one another until this is dealt with. You may run into each other many times before a connection is formed. The South Node person will grow tremendously under the influence of the Saturn person.

ʚɞ Uranus Conjunct Venus ʚɞ This is a “love at first sight” aspect. You may meet one another in a sudden or unexpected manner, and unexpected events will continue to take place over the course of the relationship. Both parties feel fascinated by one another and an invigorating electric spark exists between the two. Neither one is afraid to showcase their weird personality traits or interests.

ʚɞ North Node / North Node ʚɞ This is an incredibly strong karmic tie. An immediate pull that goes beyond physical attraction was felt right away. It is as if their souls have been yearning for one another for many long years. The destinies of both individuals are in alignment, they were fated to be together. Both people will face and have faced similar spiritual lessons, this brings them closer together. The couple shares a similar vision for the future.

ʚɞ South Node / Personal Planets ʚɞ A deep sense of familiarity and constant deja vu occurs with these aspects. The relationship picks up where it left off in a past life.

ʚɞ North Node in 1st House ʚɞ The North Node person teaches the first house person how to be true to themselves and live authentically. The first house person's identity is strengthened through this relationship. It is likely that both people got along right away, they find it easy to be in one another's presence. Connecting on a deep level is an effortless process and respecting boundaries is never an issue. Nothing about this relationship feels forced. Both parties feel as though they were fated to meet one another.

ʚɞ North Node in 7th House ʚɞ A magnetic pull brought this couple together, they feel compelled to be together. The North Node person is especially attracted to the house person, they see their future with them. Their relationship came into existence to learn about partnership because this is something they have yet to master together. This can present challenges and it is easy to fall back on patterns exhibited through the South Node. Finding a balance between the needs of one another is key here.

ʚɞ North Node in 8th House ʚɞ This is an unforgettable relationship that awakens deep emotions. The North Node person will trigger extreme change within the house person's life. It may feel as though your souls have merged together. An incredibly intimate bond that looks at all your vulnerabilities through a magnifying glass. Dark and disturbing secrets, desires, or feelings will come forward so they can be worked through. Both partners understand each other on a level that compares to no one else.

✰ my masterlist

[himasgod]

Zhongli x Reader

Where you celebrate the New Year together

Where you spend your first New Year's celebration together as a couple, and he will make sure it is a perfect memory with him that you will never forget.

(HI GUYS, there are only a few hours left, at least in my country, until the New Year! I'm quite excited and I wanted to write this especially for Zhongli because it's also his birthday. I'll also be posting some headcanons about the New Year later. Enjoy!)

The New Year celebration in Liyue was unlike any tradition Zhongli had ever experienced in his vast existence.

Though he knew every historical detail and ritual, this year felt different, more special, because he would be spending it with you.

He had invited you to his home, a modest but elegant residence on the upper part of Liyue Harbor, with a perfect view of the harbor lit by golden lanterns.

When you arrived, he was already waiting for you at the entrance, dressed in his usual elegance, though this time there was something more relaxed in his bearing.

“You’re just in time. I hope the walk here wasn’t too tiring,” he said with a slight smile as he helped you take off your coat.

Inside, the table was set with a carefully prepared dinner, each dish selected not only for its flavor, but also for the symbolism they carried for the New Year: prosperity, longevity, good fortune.

Zhongli, as always, started the evening with a brief explanation of the origins of each dish, his deep, melodic voice filling the space as you listened with a mix of fascination and tenderness.

But what excited you most weren’t the stories, but the small gestures: how he would fill your cup of tea without you having to ask, how his golden eyes seemed to search yours with an intensity that made your heart beat faster.

When dinner was over, Zhongli led you out onto the terrace. From there, the city shone like a sea of ​​golden lights. The air was cold, but he offered you his cloak to keep you warm, wrapping you in it with almost reverent care.

“It’s a time for reflection,” he said, looking out at the horizon. “The New Year symbolizes not only a new beginning, but also the opportunity to appreciate what we’ve built.”

“And you? What do you appreciate this year?” you asked with a smile, expecting some wise, general answer like he usually gave.

However, Zhongli surprised you. His eyes softened, and for a moment, he seemed to choose his words carefully.

“I cherish you,” he finally said, his voice barely a whisper, but laden with sincerity. “Your company has reminded me that even in a life as long as mine, there is always room for new joys, for a kind of connection that transcends time.”

The weight of his words took your breath away. You felt heat rise to your cheeks, but before you could respond, he took your hands in his.

“The New Year is not just a celebration,” he continued, leaning slightly toward you, “it is a promise. And tonight, I would like to promise you something.”

“What kind of promise?” you managed to ask, your voice trembling slightly.

“I promise that, as long as you allow it, I will stand by your side, not as an ancient Archon, but simply as a man who has found in you a reason to look to the future with hope.”

The bells at the harbor began to ring, marking midnight. Fireworks exploded in the sky, lighting up Zhongli’s face as he leaned closer. His lips brushed yours in a soft kiss, almost shy, but full of meaning.

When he pulled away, his golden eyes met yours, and in them you saw something you’d never seen before: a mix of vulnerability and love.

“Happy New Year,” he murmured, his voice warm against the chill of the night.

“Happy New Year, Zhongli,” you replied,

feeling like there was no better way to start the year than with him by your side.

Here is my masterlist, in case you are interested in any more of my work or want to send me a request, they're opened and would help me so much! <3

[ninyard]

hello I would like the kevallison smut ?? Please

The promised kevallison headcanons (aka how the two of them figure out what the other person is into + how they might go about doing it)

When they start hooking up it’s all pretty standard stuff. Allison gets him off after a game. Kevin eats her out if there’s ten minutes free in between classes and an empty dorm room. They’re a booty call before, during or after a night out, or a no-strings-attached way to get some frustration off their chest. Their friends-with-benefits situation is more often than not just a quick fuck when they’re bored. But it's kind of just… that? It's just fucking. It's a handful of different positions, in a handful of different places, but nothing more than fucking, finishing, and leaving. They don’t feel a need to bring it any further though, in some ways hesitant that the other will catch feelings if it gets too intimate. But from the get-go their agreement is clear - if either starts to get attached, or jealous, or even thinks that it might be worth pursuing, they stop. It doesn’t happen, of course, but in the beginning they really try to err on the side of caution until they know that for certain.

There’s one of two ways that their casual hook ups becomes more... interesting every now and again: one) accidentally. two) intentionally.

If it is accidental, I think they stumble upon the other’s kinks by the Grace of God. It's a quick fuck that turns into something more because one of them picks up on how the other's demeanor changes and they realise oh. oh. That did something for them. The moment when it happens is so intoxicating and sexually charged; So intense at the realisation of how turned on the other person is, that they’re just waiting for someone in the dorm room over, or outside the bathroom at a party, or in the almost-empty parking lot to ask did anyone hear Allison and Kevin fucking last night? For either of them, single and used to quick fucks with strangers that don't mean anything nor have the longevity for experimenting with, getting to dip into their fantasies is unparalleled pleasure.

If it’s accidental, it’s a pleasant surprise for them both, and Kevin and Allison have that in common - they are both incredibly, heavily turned on by their fuck-buddies feeling satisfied. It happens, where sometimes Kevin just wants to be blown without returning the gesture, or where Allison wants to come without having to put in the effort it takes to give back. More often than not, though, whether it be with each other or with other people, they're most satisfied when the other person is satisfied, too. So when the topic of kinks and turn ons is broached, or accidentally revealed, it doesn't matter that it's Kevin, or that it's Allison. When they've been fucking for long enough that they find themselves discovering these things, they're comfortable enough with each other to not feel embarrassed about what happens when they have sex. If it makes her wet, and it keeps him hard, then it doesn't matter. They don't talk about their sex lives outside of when or where it happens - a kink or two isn't going to change that.

For Kevin, sweet submissive baby boy who just lives to be praised - oh, when Allison finds out, it opens this door for changing their dynamics that she hadn't even realised existed. Kevin gets so turned on that he practically melts, and Allison eats it up like it's the hottest thing she's ever laid eyes on.

They've found themselves standing up against a wall in a bathroom at a party somewhere, too many suggestive looks across the room leading to a desperately desired handjob or two, and Kevin is fumbling with the buckle of his belt. He struggles with it for a second, before pulling the black leather out from it's square frame and Allison offhandedly says good job with a laugh as she trails kisses up his neck and her fingers down his stomach. She feels his reaction to her words before she notices how his eyes glaze over with the thoughts in his head; how he stills at her words, how he's yearning through his sigh when she follows with a knowing whisper of oh, you want me to tell you how good you're being?

Him in her hand, the long acrylic nails of her free hand dragging lines down his neck, Allison feels how needy he is and softly purrs in his ear to tell her how much he wants it. It's not lost on him how she plays with him like putty between her tender fingers, but still he looks into her eyes with his eyebrows knitted into each other, too close to argue; The please that escapes his lips trapped in between a gasp and a moan is rebutted with her sultry say it again. I want to hear that pretty voice beg. It takes the stalling of the rhythm in her working hand before he finds the ability to whimper out his desperate please, please, please. She's using her free hand to hold his face still, their eyes locked together, while he can barely keep himself in one piece. Her thumb is soft over his lips, brushing over little gasps and short breaths, holding him while she whispers a question and he falls apart in her hands.

If Kevin loves to be topped by strong women, Allison loves to hear a man moan. And she’s never heard him like this before, his lips drawn apart just inches from hers, one hand steadying himself against the wall and the other tugging and pawing at the skin of the small of her back. She doesn't let him look away as she guides him to climax with her soft words of gentle praise. How pretty he looks when he's trying his hardest to be quiet, how well he's doing at keeping himself composed.

Allsion doesn't care that she's accidentally unlocked this submissive side of Kevin; firstly, he's hot as hell when he's this desperate, and it's not as if she's going to be leaving that bathroom and calling him a good boy on the court, because that's not how this works. She's fucked him angry and she's fucked him needy - the passion of fulfilled fantasy only working on a different level to anything else.

(When he's caught his breath and started to clean himself up, she washes her hands and admires her work; his rosy cheeks burning up as she watches him in the mirror. She pushes herself up onto the vanity, and when he can finally bare to look at her again, she says I'm proud of you with a playful smile. Kevin covers his face to laugh in semi-embarrassment, his head shaking as he finds himself in between her legs. They don't talk about it too much before he returns the favour.)

Then there's, Allison, sweet Allison, who's interests work in harmony like a perfect composed song. We knows she loves to hear the men she sleeps with, but there's two things that really get her going that more often than not go hand in hand - rough sex, and loud sex. Living in dorms, it's hard to indulge, especially the second, but usually she'll just pull him close, with his lips to her ear or hers to his. Allison gets off on hearing the person she's fucking, and Kevin is not an exception to that.

They've somehow had a stroke of luck - an empty house in Columbia and some time to kill. Kevin is on the edge of the bed, and Allison is facing Kevin while sitting on his lap, her knees resting on either side of him, in a skirt that is already so short that it's barely even there. They're making out, and Kevin isn't really thinking, but he slaps her ass - something he'd done once or twice before, but never that hard, never that loud. Allison sits back, hands on his shoulders with her mouth open wide. She doesn't get the chance to finish her questioning what are you doing? Before his mischievous smile curls around, what, this? as he laughs and does it again. When she stands up off of him in a half-protest, shaking her finger at how close he was getting to really getting her going, he follows her up. He stands in front of her with feigned apologies for his boldness. She leans into his kiss, with arms wrapped tight around her waist, but instead of pouting his lips, he picks her up and throws her back onto the bed while she scream-laughs.

Body over body, on top of her then, a hand finds it's way in between strands of shiny blonde. A hand that she takes into hers, guiding his fist to grasp a handful of her hair. When he doesn't hold it hard enough she tugs it gently, keeping his fist closed with her hand around it. Looking down at her, he purses his lips with an oh that pauses his other hand while it pushes up her skirt to touch her over her panties. Reading him while waiting for the laugh that never comes is agonisingly long, as she braces herself for the mortifying conversation that he was not going to be entertaining it. Instead he waits for her hand to trail away before pulling her head, hard, back into the bed. And when she shuts her eyes and parts her lips in pleasure, he is quick to bring his hand up to her chin, tilting her head back. The two smallest of his fingers fingers tuck themselves neatly behind her ear, the other two tight between her jawline and her cheekbone. The ball of his thumb is resting on her chin. She doesn't stop him when his thumb trails down from her cupid's bow and into her mouth. She doesn't stop him when he takes it out hold it around her throat, either. Kevin is careful to scatter wet bruises down her chest where they won't be seen. When he's standing back to take off his pants and she’s lifting her top over her head, he asks, you want it hard? and she responds do you even fucking have to ask?

Her skirt is up over her hips and her thong down her thighs. He’s on his knees with her legs over his thighs, maybe he’s pinning her hands down above her head with one big hand over her little wrists. Headboard banging, unrestrained volume, handprints on ass cheeks and scratches across spines. Allison gets sex-drunk when he manhandles her. It’s sloppy, it’s messy, it’s loud, it’s so hot that it’s on fire. It’s eye-rolling, being in a daze afterwards type of fucking. It’s mascara running down cheeks, how the fuck am I supposed to look anyone in the eye after having that done to me type of fucking. It’s needing to have a shower immediately afterwards type of sweaty, messy fucking.

(It’s probably one of the only times they almost/kind of get caught. Not because of the noise, or the sex itself but because of the aftermath. Andrew and Neil clock INSTANTLY the missing and changed details when they regroup - how Kevin’s hair is freshly washed, how Allison has taken her heavy makeup off leaving only a fresh coat of mascara and some lipgloss remaining. How they can barely look at each other in case it reminds them of what has just happened. Their puffy lips, their general daze. Yeah, they fly a little too close to the sun that time - not enough time afterwards to recuperate from an absolutely dirty, filthy, fucking.)

If it's an intentional thing, a discussion about what they're into, and they know before getting into it/it's a conscious choice/it's intentional/some sort of discussion/WHATEVER? There's a few ways I could potentially see it possibly coming up.

A game of Never Have I Ever or some other drinking game with the group and the discussions of kinks come up; Kevin drinks when somebody mentions a praise kink, or being dominated. Allison drinks when somebody mentions liking it rough. Their looks to each other are quick but knowing, Kevin's raised eyebrows when Allison drinks to say she doesn't mind being degraded, the flick of her eyes when he drinks to say he doesn't mind begging for it.

They don't hang around after hooking up, usually. Clean up, get dressed, and leave. That's the routine. But they're talking afterwards for a little while, and the subject of fantasies comes up, and while shes fixing her makeup and tying up her hair she asks him what's the one thing he'd go crazy for. he considers it for a little bit but then gets embarrassed because it's a way harder thing to talk about when you're not actively turned on or drunk. They offer each other tiny pieces as they joke about it, starting tame before they eventually just say it out straight. (she calls him princess when she's leaving and he calls her a slut before she shuts the door.)

They ask each other outright. Kinda similar to accidentally figuring it out but they ask each other for it instead of the other person just doing something and stumbling upon it. Maybe Kevin asks her to tell him how good he feels and she asks why, are you into that? and they like. talk through it . Do you like it when I ask you this? Can I call you this? Do you like it when I tell you you're doing such a good job? Talking through sex can be so hot and even hearing the questions out loud sets the imagination off on a fucking marathon. Maybe Allison asks can you choke me? and he asks her how she likes it before agreeing. Do you like it when I hold you like this? Do you want me to spit in your mouth? Do you want to shut the fuck up and listen to what you do to me? It's a much more thorough discussion than them simply going oh, i think the other person has [blank] kink, so i'm just gonna go ahead and do that. It's a request, instead. Both of them knowing what they want and knowing how to ask for it? Yeaaaahhhh

[posttexasstressdisorder]

CNN 5/28/2025

Want to live to a healthy old age? Here’s what a top doctor does based on hard science

By Andrea Kane, CNN

Updated: 9:01 AM EDT, Wed May 28, 2025

Editor’s note: The podcast Chasing Life With Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the medical science behind some of life’s mysteries big and small. You can listen to episodes here.

Who among us wouldn’t want to live a good life well into our 90s, especially if we could do it disease-free while still being as witty and spry as Betty White, as eloquent as Toni Morrison or as civically engaged as Jimmy Carter?

But you’d need good genes to live that long, right?

Not necessarily, according to Dr. Eric Topol, founding director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, California, and former chairman of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic.

For almost 20 years, Topol has been studying a group of 1,400 Super Agers, or people who reached the age of 80 and beyond without developing one of three common, chronic, age-related conditions (cancer, heart disease and neurodegenerative disease), as part of the Wellderly study.

To his surprise, when his team conducted whole-genome sequencing on all the Wellderly study participants, the researchers found nothing genetic, across the board, that conferred an age and health advantage.

Topol’s new book, “Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity,” explores the other factors at play and the science that backs them up. He examines lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and sleep. He also looks at new technologies including the following :

All these technologies show promise in helping more people, if not reach Super Ager status, then achieve a longer health span by either delaying the onset of disease or aggressively treating conditions to prevent progression and complications.

Topol, who will soon turn 71, practices what he preaches.

“I hope to be (a Super Ager),” he told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, recently, on his podcast Chasing Life. “If I can get another 10 or 15 years without an age-related disease, that’d be great. And I’ve really doubled down on the things that I can do to help get there.”

Exactly which steps has the doctor-scientist who studies Super Agers taken to increase his odds of reaching their ranks?

You can listen to the full episode here.

“I made extensive changes from the research, once we learned that it isn’t in your genes … to achieve healthy aging, free of cancer, free of cardiovascular disease and free of neurodegenerative disease,” Topol said.

Lessons taken to heart: exercise, sleep and diet

One of the biggest changes Topol said he made was to his exercise routine. “I used to only do aerobic exercise, and as a cardiologist, that was my thing,” he said. “Now I do balance training and strength training (as well). It’s an extensive difference. … And so, I’m more strong and fit than I’ve ever been.”

In fact, exercise is so important that Topol ranks it as No. 1 on the list for anyone who wants to get started on the path of a longer life.

“It’s free. And if you’re not doing anything, if you’re a sedentary, then start with walks, brisk walks if you can, and keep increasing it,” he said. “Challenge yourself (with) hills and pace … if you are working up a sweat, that’s a really good sign.” (Check with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine.)

To get your upper body in shape, he recommends resistance bands, and to improve balance, he said to practice standing on one foot, then the other. “These are all free or cost minimum,” he said, noting that with a few inexpensive items you can do this at home, no gym membership required. “So work on that and then other things will start to fall in place. … If you exercise more, you’ll sleep better, too.”

Which brings us to the next major change Topol made.

“I realized how important (sleep) is because of ‘glymphatics.’ That was a new insight in the book: about deep sleep and getting these waste products out of your brain,” he said, referring to the recently discovered glymphatic system, which helps flush out waste products in the brain and central nervous system, much like the lymphatic system does for the rest of the body.

“I was a poor sleeper,” he confessed, so he worked “extensively” on improving the different factors that could impact it. “Things like … what do I eat? And when do I eat? Also hydrating, mostly early in the day … to have less interrupted sleep.” He added that for him fasting is “detrimental” to his sleep, as are both exercising or eating a big meal too late in the evening.

And, do not give short shrift to sleep regularity, Topol advised. “I used to go to sleep all over the place (in terms of time), and now I’m very regimented, except for maybe one night a week,” he said, noting that this tweak was “phenomenally effective” in levelling up his sleep game.

As for diet, Topol (who hasn’t touched red meat in 40 years but does eat fish) said he wasn’t surprised the evidence showed that a plant-based diet with enough lean protein “prevailed as the best.”

“What was interesting, though, is how toxic (and) pro inflammatory ultraprocessed foods were,” he said, adding that he does everything he can to minimize UPF — which he jokingly calls UFOs, or alien food . “It’s hard to get it to zero, but I’ve (made a) conscious effort.”

Topol said he also increased his protein intake “some,” due to his age and because he started strength training, “but I don’t go to toxic levels that are advocated by others, that have no evidence (and) that are pro-inflammatory.”

He said he keeps protein to about 90 grams a day for his 180-pound (82-kilogram) frame, by adding nuts, legumes (including beans) and more fish, even canned tuna in water, to his diet.

“I generally eat a salad every night,” he said. “Now I’m a little more conscious about having something with it. … But (it’s) not the protein craze that’s being advocated by some of the extremists.”

Supplements, alcohol and stress

What about supplements and vitamins? “I don’t rule out that they could help (if) you have a specific deficiency — if for some reason your vitamin D is very low, or your vitamin B12,” Topol said.

But “for healthy people who are not symptomatic (and) who take good care of themselves,” he said, “there’s no data to show that these provide any benefit” much less an antiaging one.

“I think they’re a waste of money, and some of these supplements have potentially adverse effects,” he said. “It’s just infuriating because they’re not regulated, so (marketers) can say anything, and people believe it and buy it.”

When it comes to consuming alcohol, Topol said he keeps his drinking “light,” to fewer than seven drinks per week, after which the risks start adding up quickly. He said it doesn’t seem to affect his own sleep, but it might impact that of others, so he recommends watching out for that.

Another top-of-the-list item: mental health and stress management. Topol mainly turns to exercise to help navigate both of these elements, but he said being out in nature is another often-overlooked route.

“The nature prescription is part of the book. There really is something to this,” he noted, adding that he takes advantage of San Diego’s climate and location to do plenty of hiking and walking. “It’s good for mental health, it’s good for stress and anxiety, just to be out in our environment.”

It’s never too late to start any or all of these lifestyle adjustments, Topol said.

“These diseases take 20 years at least (to develop). So, you get even more (bang) if you start in your 40s and 50s or 60s … but if you start when you’re 70 (or) 80, you’re still going to derive years of healthy aging, maybe not quite as many, but still,” he said.

And because these common, chronic, age-related conditions — cancer, heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases — do take so long to fully manifest, Topol said we have time to intervene to change their trajectory.

Medical technologies gaining traction

But to fully leverage that latency period before the symptoms of a disease appear, it’s important to be aware of personal risk, so people and their doctors (and society more broadly) can focus prevention and early detection efforts on the right people at the right time.

“Knowing one’s risk — that’s the next part, which is: we’re going to prevent these three diseases in the future. We can now, and we’re going to even get better at that,” Topol said.

Topol said he learned from his polygenic risk scores that he’s at high risk for coronary artery disease, despite not having a family history. So, he has focused on getting his LDL cholesterol down. “I’ve gotten it low, and perhaps I got more aggressive about that. I’ve checked my other lipids, like Lp(a) (lipoprotein[a]), so I feel like I’ve done everything I can to go into high prevent-mode for that.”

Topol said wants to get his immunome (all the genes and proteins of his immune system) mapped, to measure how well his immune system is functioning. It’s a measurement he believes will one day soon be commonplace for everyone. He already has data on “every virus I’ve ever been exposed to and every autoantibody that I have.”

He also plans on having his organ clocks measured, because different organs (such as the heart and brain) age at different rates, putting people at higher risk for certain diseases. “I think it’s going to be very helpful, because then I’ll know (how) my heart organ clock correlates with my risk of heart disease.

“So those are some of the things I’ve done and/or I want to do,” he said.

“It’s an extraordinary time in medicine, because we have a path to prevention,” Topol said, “because of the way the science of aging (is developing), with these metrics like organ clocks and protein biomarkers and our genetics — all these layers of data — we are going to be able to prevent these diseases. And that’s exciting. We’ve never done that before.”

We hope these insights help you extend your health span. Listen to the full episode here. And join us next week on the Chasing Life podcast when we dive into the mysteries of memory.

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[aventurineswife]

I’m finally getting to watch The Apothecary Diaries (and cackling becuz omg the protag’s such a gremlin) and—

I’m brainstorming dynamics between Castorice and the people of the Xianzhou Alliance.

As promised, Dan Heng and Reader chat with Hyacine and Castorice about the outside universe, starting with their home “world” among the Xianzhou Alliance. (And I had something in mind that is going to veer wildly into AU; as in this would most certainly count as canon divergent AU because we’re pretending that everyone survives, including the Chrysos Heirs, and Amphoreus finally has contact with the outside universe — but that’s for another post because I have a feeling this one will be long enough.)

It starts with Reader and Dan Heng, both hailing from the Xianzhou Alliance, warning the Chrysos Heirs to be very mindful of any talk of their longevity on the off-chance the Alliance crosses paths with Amphoreus, and / or if they board any of the Xianzhou ships. If anything, the best thing to do is to not talk about their longevity at all (and if pressed, to only provide very sparse details).

Castorice finds herself surprised about the context behind the Alliance’s strong and aggressive aversion towards immortality to the point of war, given that Amphoreus has a history of an Era Chrysea (a time before the Titans of Calamity arrived and introduced death). She takes a moment to actually discuss the matter with Reader to learn more (while Dan Heng fetches materials on Xianzhou’s customs towards death at Cas’s request). Of course, with Amphoreus being cut off from the rest of the universe, the natives (Castorice included) have absolutely no knowledge of the Aeons or THEIR Paths.

When Castorice describes her views, including wanting to pursue a world where death doesn’t exist (because of the suffering that death causes, for both victims and the people connected to them) as well as her experiences in Aidonia where Thanatos is worshipped, Reader honestly tells that the philosophy of “eternal life would make life itself meaningless, without passion” is a far rosier way of describing the cons of immortality.

Reader is loathe to actually go into the darker parts of the curse of immortality (because Cas is such a gentle soul and Reader doesn’t want to stress her out) but they figured it might be of better help to Castorice to actually talk about it to help her truly understand.

They’re not sure how to even begin, so Reader just pulls up their sleeve on of their arms to remove their bandages, and shows Castorice the effects of “mara” on them personally:

Similar to how a Self-Annihilator might find their skin (and perhaps their very flesh) gradually altering into something akin to rotting wood, Reader’s skin has an appearance similar to wood. Their flare-ups can be normal in that pain is the most evident symptom on the surface. When worse, their pain is accompanied by labored breathing, coughing / vomiting bloodied flowers and leaves like an asthma attack and / or stomach cancer, as if uprooted from their very lungs and gut (because they were, those flowers and leaves were clogging up Reader’s airways), and their flesh might even harden into actually wood, with roots and branches growing through like veins and bursting through the surface of their skin and blooming.

(I can’t be the only one who headcanons this, right??)

Xianzhou’s “terminally ill” are perpetually trapped, unable to live a normal life, yet unable to truly die a proper death. The absolute worst cases are often confined to their beds because it’s tiring and / or painful to move around. The hospitals caring for them tend to be overcrowded. Morgues often see their “patients” wake up and leave as if they never died in the first place. What few mortuaries the Xianzhou has are typically used by the unaffected short-life species.

(I have yet to see any mention of this anywhere. ☠️)

At its absolute worst, the marastruck can completely lose their minds, regressing into little more than botanical monsters, bloodthirsty enough to attack anyone nearby while unable to recognize them; and, unfortunately, the Xianzhou Alliance is not very sympathetic in the event where someone does die during the marastruck’s rampage, branding them a “sinner” and sealing them into the depths of the Shackling Prison.

Mara can occur in any long-life species, not just those affected by the Abundance. The only consolation so far is that the Foxians only live for about 300 years. As for the Vidyadhara, they have their own cycle of death and rebirth, meaning that even if their previous identity is erased, they still have a means of escaping mara before it takes root — albeit at the cost of reproducing, their species teetering on the edge of extinction.

Reader themself has to take highly specialized medicine (developed and adjusted by Bailu) to stave off the worst of their own mara, and they hadn’t anticipated being trapped on Amphoreus due to Aquila sealing the planet off, so they didn’t have the foresight to bring more than two weeks’ worth as that’s how long the Express visits other worlds (the rest of their medication is all back on the Express).

Things like “shaken” and “horrified” barely scratch the surface of how Castorice feels in the moment. She’s thinking of Reader’s absences after two weeks of being stranded on Amphoreus. Dan Heng and the Trailblazer had been rather dodgy on it, only saying that Reader wasn’t feeling well or very sick. Only Mydei had been privy to the details, but not even Aglaea could get anything out of him other than “It’s not my place to say.”

Reader wasn’t just “sick” during those times, they were suffering and, if all of that retching Tribbie once overheard and the anguish Aglaea picked up through her golden threads were anything to go by, Reader was most likely in unimaginable agony.

That time when Reader and Castorice first met, when Reader had mistakenly gotten too close and touched Castorice and ended up dying for it?

Castorice doesn’t bother asking if it hurts. That much is already evident in Reader’s description of mara and the plight of long-life species. She instead asks quietly, “Why do you keep going…?” If it was for revenge, Reader has already admitted that they thought the never-ending war between the Xianzhou Alliance and the Denizens of Abundance was more or less pointless. So, why not stay home, or at least stay aboard the Express where it’s comfortable and they have access to their needs? Why continue to charging into the forefront, unceasingly wielding their sword?

“Because Yaoshi is constantly spreading THEIR curse,” is Reader’s answer. “If someone isn’t there to protect others from THEM, who will?”

A completely different answer, compared to Dan Heng’s summary of the Alliance seeking vengeance. For Reader, it’s no longer about revenge over generational trauma, for Reader has since accepted the hand they’ve been dealt. Reader is far too tired for that. Rather, it’s now about reaching as many people as possible where the Abundance has begun to encroach, and shielding anymore would-be victims from Yaoshi’s eldritch power.

Castorice doesn’t know what to feel. On one hand, she doesn’t want people to suffer the tragedy of death. She has witnessed far too many tears from separation. On the other hand, based on Reader’s own experiences, death has become a luxury that so few (and possibly only one known long-life species) can actually afford. A normal and peaceful death, an even rarer luxury so very few can ever hope to grasp.

With that in mind, Castorice can’t help feeling like she has been insulting Reader the entire time, even if she didn’t speak much on the matter.

But Reader holds Castorice’s hand.

“Your feelings about death are no less valid than my people’s feelings about immortality. It’s just…the price we have to pay is a harsh one. Our ancestors arrogantly tampered with the laws of nature…and we paid a heavy price for it. At the very least, I can choose to pay the price of spending my long life protecting as many as I can.”

And Castorice can’t help but cry alone in her room afterwards, thinking how unfair it is that the mortal ancestors of the Xianzhou Alliance were the ones to start so many generations of suffering, yet it’s their descendants (Reader included) who have to pay such an impossibly high cost.

Oh my god, this is so emotionally rich and layered, I don’t even know where to begin. First of all, I love the direction you've taken with the cast dynamics and how you've fleshed out Reader’s relationship with immortality. It feels so deep and painful, and you've captured the weight of immortality in such a unique and tragic way.

The concept of mara, this terrible consequence of immortality, is heartbreaking and gives such a tangible, visceral feeling to the cost of living forever. I can feel how painful and grueling it is for Reader just by the way you’ve described the symptoms, especially the parts about the flowers and leaves clogging their airways. That’s such a clever metaphor for the soul-crushing burden of immortality—it’s not just the physical toll, but the emotional and mental one as well. It really drives home the idea that eternal life is a curse, and the fact that Reader still chooses to go on despite it is... wow. Incredible.

The contrast between Reader’s mindset and Castorice’s idealistic view on immortality is so intriguing. Castorice, wanting to rid the world of death because of all the suffering it causes, comes from such a pure, heartfelt place, but as we can see through Reader’s experience, immortality isn’t the perfect solution. That realization—that death isn’t the worst thing to face, that sometimes it’s a mercy compared to what immortality can bring—makes Castorice’s journey even more complex and emotional. Her perspective is shifting, and it’s all thanks to Reader’s willingness to share their pain, even though it must be so hard for them.

And the moment when Reader reveals their skin, the visible effects of mara... that’s a turning point in the conversation, for both Castorice and the audience. It’s such an intimate and raw vulnerability. You’ve already established Reader as someone who carries the weight of the world, but to physically show that weight—it makes it hit home so much harder.

The scene with Reader admitting the reason they keep going, that it’s no longer about revenge but about protecting others from Yaoshi’s curse—it’s so powerful. It reframes everything about their motivation. It’s no longer about them fighting for themselves, but about the responsibility they’ve taken on. The fact that Reader doesn’t even think of the fight as "revenge" shows how much they’ve been shaped by suffering. They’ve accepted their fate, but they still fight for others. It’s such a testament to their strength and determination.

And that final line from Reader, when they hold Castorice’s hand and reassure her that both perspectives—about death and immortality—are valid, ouch, it’s so beautifully poignant. Reader’s willingness to sacrifice for others, even at such a high cost, is a painful yet noble choice, and it’s something that Castorice, someone who’s so caught up in the wish to erase death, can’t fully grasp yet, but it shifts her understanding. And I’m sure she’ll be carrying that emotional burden, that sympathy, for a long time.

As for Castorice crying in her room afterwards? Oh, the emotional weight of that! It’s devastatingly real—seeing her feel that guilt for not understanding, feeling like she’s unintentionally insulted someone who’s already been through so much, while also grappling with her own ideals. It’s such a tender, complex reaction, and I can see her growing from this conversation, learning that immortality isn’t the utopia she imagined, but also that the people living with it aren’t monsters—they’re survivors, heroes even, in their own way.

This whole concept is so emotionally charged and thoughtful, and I really love how you’ve made immortality feel not like a "blessing" but a heavy burden. The choice of self-sacrifice over self-preservation in the face of such a painful existence is so powerful. It hits hard 💔😞

[roran01]

Got some headcanons for how nations become nations.

1. How are they born?

I'd say, while some of them are already nations since in the womb, others go through the process slower after the birth. Like for the first few months or years they start off as humans but then gradually slow down in aging.

For those that are already nations before birth, takes longer for them to be born, years (no more than 3-4) which in turn also affects the mother's longevity, they may not age at all during pregnancy.

2. Where do they come from?

It's possible that mere people can birth one as long as they're pure blood from the land they're born into, is about to be created, or just ancestry stuff close related (up to you). And depending on the previous process, human parents may die of old age before their "babies" get to ever know them. While care takers are provided to them for the next generations, others get abandoned and in most cases get picked up by other nations. (Probably getting drawn to them like a sixth sense).

Also staying around a nation can increase lifespan, hence some care takers live longer, animals too.

3. Can Nations birth?

Well... kinda? I'd say that nations, if it where to sleep with humans then yes they can get pregos/prego someone like any human but in all cases the babies are just born human too, they get old and die in a flash. There's cases where humans born from nations can birth other nations themselves. Then there's the rare case when the baby does become a nation without skipping a generation, and an even rarer case where two nations birth another, speaking of-

4. Can nations prego each other?

No. Chances of that happening are smaller than traveling through galaxies (can you imagine the chaos?). They're just 99% sterile to each other. But in case it does happen by that 1%, it's just another human. There's a veeeery slight change that it could be another nation but that's debatable, at best they're regions or provinces that can also exist without both parents being nations.

5. Can same sex nations prego each other?

.... .... lmao ok, idk. I got nothing.. but if they can then whatever comes out is definitely a province, region or another nation cause we're not gonna waste energy on human babies like that, I imagine it's already difficult enough to make a pregnancy happen like this to begin with.

If I'm degenerate enough I can think some short of process for how this works. (Imagine omegaverse for nations, lmao). I'm not promising tho, and since magic can exist I'm just gonna say they genderbend themselves cause they freaky like that and it just happens <- a cop-out till I have smth better to show.

Now this is basically a list of explanations for a single headcanon, that countries can be born naturally.

Another one is that they simply spawn, no biological intervention needed and by default countries are sterile, no babies involved at all. God visits them in their dreams one night and tells them in Rafiki's voice "you're ready" and spawns a child in some garden for them to take care of (as to what kind of familial relationship they have is up to them to decide, most go for siblings).

Third option is a magical Stork.

[writers-potion]

hi! its fairy anon again, thank you for your suggestions! i know my story sounds very gore heavy with my fairy eating babies worldbuilding but i promise my tone is actually much lighter than that 😭 i was kinda trying to take inspo from old fae stories where children would get lured away and go missing because of fairy antics. but anyway! i really like the idea of a chamber where people cant really see what happens inside. it actually gave me an idea to take that a step further to say that no one in-world actually knows what happens to the babies, so people just assume they get eaten. the idea of babies being whisked away somewhere else somehow, and that the place they get sent is linked to the fairy's longevity, i think is a good way to get my lore across without being gratuitously gorey. id love to know what you think of that idea and definitely would welcome any ideas you have in addition if you have any!

also for clarification, you understood my worldbuilding very well but i made a mistake by saying "enslaved" instead of "imprisoned". each noble house has a fairy living in a cell somewhere in the head of house's estate, and each noble house gets one element. for example, my protagonist is the heir to the house that recieved the ice blessing. but also the whole "fairies eating babies" thing is a secret from the public, the commoners of this kingdom have been fed lies for generations about the ancestors of the nobility saving the fae from extinction, which resulted in the faries "blessing" them. this is their justification for why they should be the ruling elite, despite there being very obvious corruption throughout the nobility

"The Mysterious Cave" Trope

Hi! I'm glad that my ideas helped you :)

I think the best way to further develop this idea of babies being whisked away is to take inspiration from existing ones:

The Piped Piper of Hamlin Type

The imprisoned fairies sing/whisper an enchantment that lures children, who walk voluntarily down to their prisons at night.

The "fairy song" picks up a baby, cradle and all, and delivers it to the fairy waiting in their prison

After that, no one knows what happens to the kids who were taken.

The Arabian Nights Type

In this case, there will be some action required from the child/baby, which will open the doors to the fairy's prison

For example, multiple babies can be brought forth in front of the prison's gates. The first baby to cry will automatically get the gates to open, and he will be claimed by the fairy.

Goldilocks and The Three Bears Type

The child/baby to be given is kept for a while (you can decide for how long) in a special room, fed special meals (this can be related to the particular element that the fairy controls) to optimize them for...consumption.

After the baby has been fed/washed/dressed for the occasion, the fairy can be brought into the chamber, or the babies given away to them in prison.

The Sleeping Beauty/Rapunzel Type

This is where the destiny of the babies are determined even before birth.

You can have the loyalty pay for their magic by giving up their second-born to the fairies, or have the loyalty pay off peasant parents to give up their unborn child in exchange of lifetime's worth of wealth.

Alternatively, it can be the fairies who foresee the birth of the babies that they'll consume ("a girl born in -- at -- hour shall be given to me" and such), and as soon as they're born, they'll be claimed.

Hope this helps! :)

If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! 📸

[transmutationisms]

i just read Against Exercise. i wanted to ask what you make of this sentence and the wider paradigm he gestures at occasionally in the essay:

Upon the desperate materialist gratifications of a hedonic society, commanding immediate comfort and happiness, we engraft the desperate economics of health, and chase a longer span of happinesses deferred, and comforts delayed, by disposing of the better portion of our lives in life preservation.

do we live in a ‘hedonic’ society? and does that framing shape his conclusions on in ur opinion? i have my own thoughts but am interested in yours x

ok i'm glad you asked because i find this sentence and this paradigm very irritating lol. i don't think he's the only left-ish thinker who's acceded to this type of framing (like i've complained about mark fisher pulling a similar move) but with greif there's a particular irksomeness to it because, even in the sentence you've quoted, we can see in the latter half how he contradicts his own idea of a "hedonic society"! if his thesis here is something like "the dominant cultural paradigm encourages instant gratification and hedonism, and the exerciser defies this edict by deferring their happiness and sweating it out at the gym instead" then, like, the obvious question here is, where does the impulse of the exerciser come from? does greif actually think the pursuit of fitness and longevity by physical exertion is some kind of counter-cultural move that reacts against, without acceding to, the demands of a "hedonic society"? if he does then it kind of undercuts the significance of the entire rest of the essay, lmao.

my personal answer here would be—and this is something greif dances around a few times but doesn't ever seem prepared to fully unpack—that the demand to have a fit and 'healthy' and long-lasting body is not at all contradictory to the demand to consume goods, and that this latter is more precisely what is meant by "hedonism" here if we are to use it in any useful sense. i think what greif is actually pointing to is the demand to shape oneself into, simultaneously, a valuable worker and an obedient consumer. in an immediate sense these two goals demand different things (say, 'going for a run' vs 'buying products') but on a more thorough analysis we can easily see how they arise from the same fundamental logic of profit-seeking. body fascism has never been just an aesthetic; what it promises to the state and the corporation is a population that is biologically managed and economically exploitable. i think this is true even in an imperialist economy like the united states that doesn't run primarily on production/export.

i don't know a ton about mark greif biographically but my impression is that he's kind of half-left at best, lol. certainly he's like, curmudgeonly in a way that is sometimes useful to mine (ruthless criticism of all that exists, &c) but i think in this essay and others we can clearly see how easily that attitude can slide into just a vaguely reactionary position when it lacks materialist analysis. like, frankly i think if we lived in a social context that actually had a commitment to ensuring hedonic pleasure that would probably be a better world. it's kind of similar to when lib-left types try to claim that we live in a world that has any serious degree of commitment to "the individual" when what they actually, usually mean is that we've been massified in a way that denies us social connection and material support from one another.

anyway: 'against exercise' was very mind-blowing to me when i first read it and i love to see someone staking out that position seriously; and there are elements of greif's analysis i think can be useful in an actually communist analysis. but i find a lot of cultural criticism (specifically that positions itself as counter-cultural without being explicitly communist) has a risk of just sliding reactionary, and i think this half-baked idea of a "hedonic society" is an example of that happening. curious what you think though!

[nightmaricwriter]

Delivery! Here's your asks, all three of them :D

for any of your world’s countries, how does the legal system work? 🦅

who is your world’s oldest person? 👵

what sort of superstitions exist in your world? 🍀

The only legal system I have an idea for is for Reaki, so I'll answer for that. Knights are trained to investigate crimes as a part of their promise to protect the people of Reaki, as there isn't an exact police force. Knights are the ones any crime is reported to. From there, they will often write a report of the information, usually the bare minimum they can get out, then a separate team of knights would respond in force. Certain crimes are punished harsher than others. Surprisingly, the murder rate is not that high, and this is due to the fact that a lot of the knights being Named, which makes their senses stronger, and murdering someone leaves more traces of them on you. Thieves are a bit more common, but still unusual for the same reason. The most common crime is stalking. The usual punishment is jail, unless there is a combination of crimes that one is accused of, in which case, if there is enough evidence to prove the accused did the crime, they are executed. Usually, those who are considered to be rebels are executed without consideration of other crimes.

The oldest person...? Not created yet, but it is definitely a draconi given their long lifespans. Draconi are the longest-lived race in general, able to live for thousands of years before dying of old age. Due to their longevity, they are rarely Named, but I imagine the ultimate combination would be a Draconi Named Hades, since Hades grants the longest lifespan to his Named of any of the Ancient Gods.

Superstitions that have existed without proof: Named can speak to the Ancient Gods, Named fight for the Ancient Gods, Named perform child sacrifice, Named are monsters in human skin, Named are- A lot of beliefs that Unnamed have about the Named are mostly superstitious by nature. While Named can speak to the Ancient Gods, there was no proof of this until Hades' time, many centuries after the genocide of the Named happened. Named are generally children of Unnamed, as Named tend not to Name their children (as in Named don't give their children a name of the Ancient Gods). Named would have no reason to sacrifice children, and it wouldn't have made sense considering they get their abilities from their name and their actions that don't involve sacrifice. The fighting on behalf of the Gods one is similar to the talking to the Gods one, and unlike speaking to the Gods, it is completely untrue. The Ancient Gods would have no reason to have mortals fight a war on their behalf.

[aircloud123]

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Considerations

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Conclusion

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[nwqueenwrites]

Thoughts on Halsin 🍁❤️

(Note: I love seeing conversations about him and the diverse portrayal of intimacy from this game... also before we begin - Open, Poly and non cis het 1:1 love is totally valid and beautiful.)

✨✨✨✨✨✨

Having lived for over 350 years, Halsin has likely experienced profound grief and loss as generations of friends, partners, and family members have grown old and died over the centuries while he remains youthful.

This amount of cumulative grief can take a psychological toll, potentially leading to fatigue or even trauma related to the continual cycle of forming attachments and then losing those he cares for.

:readmore:

To cope with this, Halsin may have adapted by taking an approach of limiting intimacy and avoiding deep romantic commitment to any one individual.

The openness to polyamorous relationships could be a way to maintain connections and intimacy, while also protecting himself emotionally by not relying solely on one partner.

This can be an understandable coping mechanism when facing near-immortal longevity combined with human frailty.

However, avoiding deep romantic bonds over centuries may also leave Halsin feeling empty and disconnected. Watching loved ones slip away could compound a sense of isolation and existential loneliness.

While his adaptable approach allows him to carry on, Halsin may harbor deep grief that cannot fully be resolved while remaining eternally youthful among mortals. Finding meaning and purpose beyond individual relationships could be important for Halsin's continued growth and fulfillment.

While polyamory can be a valid approach for some, after centuries of loss, Halsin may still long for the stability and comfort of a lasting partnership. Jumping from lover to lover without allowing deeper roots to form may leave him feeling unmoored.

Having witnessed so much change over the decades, the promise of a steadfast companion can be appealing despite the risks. Part of Halsin may yearn for the chance to build a life and a home with someone by his side for however long their years allow. A singular devoted partnership cannot be replaced entirely.

Though he may have adopted polyamory as a protective strategy, facing grief and change eternally as an immortal being may also cause Halsin to wish for an anchor - someone true who will stand by him through whatever may come, even if only for a limited mortal lifespan.

Also, While part of Halsin may long for lasting stability and commitment, polyamorous relationships can still nurture him and provide affection. Not every connection must be so profound as to leave him utterly devastated when it ends. There is merit in more casual intimacies that sustain him for a time without demanding his whole self.

Polyamory allows Halsin to share varied experiences with diverse partners, making the most of his extensive lifespan. He need not limit himself to one sole companion when there are so many uniquely beautiful souls to appreciate over the centuries. In this way, polyamorous arrangements allow Halsin to explore love widely without the complete anguish of losing a singular life partner.

While some relationships may run deeper than others, he can still cultivate care and support through his chosen loves and community. With openness and communication, polyamory provides fulfillment and respite from loneliness as he continues navigating immortal life. For Halsin, it may be a delicate balance - letting himself enjoy connection while remaining guarded enough to endure love’s losses.

Just love him 😻

💖💖💖💖💖

[smilemuse]

CYCLES ARE MEANT TO FOLLOW A LINEAR PATH WITH EVERY TIME BEGINNING & ENDING. for yoshida, his life has been nothing but the longevity people boat about in myths, the immortality most people crave. there's a sense of detachment from mortals plight, but he could never fully understand them. at least until he met the blonde he was currently watching. he observes without fail how he tends to the shrine considering yoshida wasn't just any type of kitsune: an inari okami. he is divinity in itself the way his ears & tail are a stark contrast to his hair.

he is revered as a deity, blessings are made as offerings, & a following of the old ways remain. he knows for the most part superstition has faded into the background, but he doesn't mind so much. yoshida didn't need people to believe him his long life should speak for itself.

today yoshida decides he'll be bold introduce himself to denji. it was a promise that fades into an obscure movie that most can't appreciate. dark grey eyes decide he'd like to fixate on the other in person & so he crosses the threshold from the supernatural to the mortal coil. he keeps the mask on but his ears remain, a sign that he is anything but the ordinary. he finishes going through the steps before he approaches the blonde that was doing their cleaning duties.

❛ excuse me, ❜ there's a deliberate pause while his voice is the sound of running water. ❛ i've come to give an offering, specifically for you. it's more of a blessing. you're one of the shrine maidens here, aren't you? ❜ the mask hides his facial features but if denji were to uncover it, he would view the smirk on his lips.

@getsusekaii surprise starter !

[hozierbyrne]

i’d rather die than be open honest and vulnerable on twitter but on here where no hockey media will see it i want to say that nicklas backstrom is and will always live in my heart. i watch an ungodly amount of hockey and i like so many players, but i don't think i'll ever quite feel the same about any other player, ever.

nicke backstrom is — a consummate professional and private about his own life and family, but always happy to speak to fans when he is out and about, kind and quiet and a good reader of people. a pillar of the franchise on the ice and off, in every way you can think of. frightened of dogs but gamely always took photos holding a little one for the annual charity calendar. steady and steadfast, the best two-way centerman you could possibly imagine who's never won a selke. quietly exceptional his entire career and always, always fucking overlooked by everyone except his own city, who loves him with a fervor usually reserved for religious figures. dc loves him as if to make up for the fact that he never gets his due anywhere else. they saw him grow up and grow into himself and that's an honor, and they love him for it. they love him for this too: he plays beautiful hockey. incredible vision, soft hands. competitive nearly to a fault and unafraid to get into faces when needed. (some games he could drag the caps to a win they didn't deserve otherwise out of sheer force of will.) best pure passer in the nhl, you'd never see prettier saucer passes than you'd see from him. absolutely cold-blooded, patient and unyielding, could sit on a puck for a whole period if needed, waiting for his wingers to get where they needed to be. could sit on a puck for a minute and a half of a power play, waiting for alex ovechkin to drift into position and wind up, stick high in the air, waiting to shoot. he never panicked. he never panicked on the ice and he never panicked off of it either. when the puck was on his stick he was in control of the game and he knew it. off the ice, when fans were clamoring to blow up the core after years of early playoff exits, when the media pressure was building and building, when the wider hockey world muttered and whispered that ovechkin and backstrom just didn't have what it takes — he was unshakeable. he believed so fiercely in himself and his team. when nobody else thought they could do it, he flatly promised that this team was going to bring a cup to the city. and he was right!

he's always unshakeable. he's always calm and he's always brave and he's always unselfish. i feel like chewing through the walls. i feel so fucking bad about this because i think he was feeling optimistic this year but hip resurfacing is a hard, hard procedure to come back from. no nhler has ever done it. he chose to do the surgery for his kids more than anything, i think. i think he knew his odds, too. and i think he knew, through these first eight games of the season, that the bounce back he was hoping for wasn't going to happen, at least not right now. and then he did the thing he always does: he put his team first, and he put his family first, and he did it quietly, without fanfare. he told his management and then he gathered his team and he told them, and every caps beat reporter said that today the atmosphere was unlike anything they had ever witnessed, that it was somber and bitter and just... off. they said practice was bad, as one might expect. tj oshie talked about feeling so awful because he knew how hard nicke was working to get back to the game he loved....... and it comes back to: this sucks. it's not fair. nicke plays a game that should have meant longevity, and it feels wrong that time is catching up like this, with a vengeance.

ovi is so big with his love and his heart that it's easy to miss how hot nicke burns too. i quite literally cannot imagine a capitals team without him. i don't think any of the guys in the locker room can either. like. ovi's supposed to break the goals record without nicke passing to him? i'm going to throw up. i'm going to cry. john carlson said it feels weird today, and it's going to keep feeling weird. and... yeah! going to watch the caps tomorrow and cry through the broadcast, i'm sure. i hope they get blown out. i hope they lose 7-1. i hope they get a shutout and ovi scores a hat trick and tom gets a gordie howe. do you get it.

[omnitrixreplicawatchy972g]

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