#you’ll have to login to read it so make sure to do that

[thesims4blogger]

EA Shares Details on the Upcoming “Reaper’s Rewards Event”

On a new blog post, EA shares detailes about the upcoming Reaper’s Rewards Event.

Unlike the last season of Login Events, this time players will actually have to complete tasks in live mode in order to get the rewards.

As previously announced, the event starts on September 24th. Read all details below.

Reaper’s Rewards Event

Work with Grim to discover the secrets of Ambrosia, earn Event Points, and unlock bone-chilling rewards!

Get ready for a free, limited-time Event where you'll need to venture into Live Mode to participate.

The Grim Reaper is reaching out to you…but don’t be afraid to answer since it seems Grim wants your help. And the best part? You'll be rewarded for your efforts throughout the Event, with one being a brand new Lot Challenge, Scare Seeker, where Sims will get excited instead of scared while on the lot!

How Does it Work?

Open Live Mode with an existing or new Household. After a short wait, The Grim Reaper will call upon you!

The Event will run for eight weeks, with two exciting Quests each week. Your journey begins by assisting Grim with researching Ambrosia, a special Gourmet dish that can lift any Sim’s spirits. As the weeks progress, you’ll continue to unlock the secrets of Ambrosia and eventually learn how to cook it! The more Quests you complete, the more Event Points and rewards you’ll earn.

Make sure you’re online. Log in to your EA account.

Enter Live Mode, and you’ll see the first pair of Quests, which start with a pop-up. In Live Mode, you can access the Event Screen by clicking on the Event Icon!

Earn Event Points by completing Quests and Goals. As you earn Event Points, you’ll be able to claim new rewards.

Claim your rewards through the Event Screen in the Main Menu or Live Mode by selecting Claim. Note: You must be in Live Mode to claim Consumable Rewards.

Claimed rewards will be available in Build Mode, Create a Sim, or your Sim’s Inventory. You can filter to view Event rewards with the Event Rewards filter under the Special category in both Create a Sim and Build Mode. For more help with claiming rewards, check out our EA Help article. 

Each week, two new Quests will be available. Complete these Quests to earn more Event Points and unlock new rewards!

The Reaper’s Rewards Event will have six weeks of Quests and two extra weeks at the end, so there’s plenty of time to catch up and complete it!

Claim the Reaper’s Rewards to create a goth-chic Sim who revels in a good scare, or just enjoy a chance to get to know Grim a little better! Rest assured, your claimed rewards are stored on your EA account, so you do not need to worry about losing them.

Week 1

Summon The Grim Reaper with The Grimophone to listen to your favorite tunes! Sport your new Earrings of Imminent Demise while thrilling Sims with scares using the new Scare Seeker Lot Challenge.

Week 2

Get comfy in the new Trad Goth Jeans while simultaneously brushing up on multiple skills with The Green Lady’s Lost Tome. This Tome allows you to gain skills in Gardening, Cooking, and Fishing all at once!

Week 3

Make sure your Sims wear the proper footwear with the Trad Goth Buckled Boots while taking a ride around the neighborhood on Grim’s Cruiser Bicycle.

Week 4

Like the Life & Death Tattoo, the Portrait of Lady Mimsy Alcron Shallot in the Garden is a true piece of haunting art. Just don’t look too long, or things could get a little toasty.

Week 5

Get dressed up with the Trad Goth Button-Up while flexing your Mixology skills by crafting the new Spectral Spritzer drink. This drink will turn your Sim into a temporary ghost!

Week 6

If your Sim has bags under the new Prowling Peepers eyes, catch up on some eternal Z’s with Casket of Quiet Repose.

FAQ

Do I need to log in to my EA account?

A: Yes, by logging into your EA account, you save your Event progress and the rewards you earn from this Event to the account. That way, if you ever need to install The Sims 4 again, you simply need to log back in to gain access to your rewards!

Are these rewards really free?

A: Yes, these rewards are free when you claim them through the Event Screen. Once claimed, the rewards for this Event will be available in the Base Game.

What about SDX releases, I thought those were to provide free content and updates!

A: Sims Delivery Express drops aren’t going away, but we're always looking for new and novel ways to deliver gameplay, as well as objects and clothing to add to your Sims' lives. You can still expect SDX releases throughout the year as well as new Events to engage with The Sims 4 throughout the seasons.

What if I log in and don’t see the Event?

A: The Event starts on 9/24 at 7 a.m. PST and ends on 10/12. Please make sure you are online and logged into your EA Account. If you still do not see it, you may need to restart The Sims 4 or disable any UI mods you have installed.

Will this be available to Everyone? 

A: Yes! The Reaper’s Reward Event will be available to everyone starting 9/24, and you won’t need any Packs to participate.

What are Event Points? 

A: Event Points are a limited-time measurement for the Reaper’s Rewards Event that allows you to claim free rewards. As you earn Event Points, you progress along an experience track and can claim rewards along the way.

How do I earn Event Points?

A: Each Quest Objective in a quest gives Event Points. Mousing over the Quest will have a tooltip telling you how many points you will earn. Completing the entire Quest nets additional Event Points. Once you have enough, you can claim rewards.

Do I have to spend Event Points?

A: Your Event Points are a cumulative total. When you claim a reward, you still stay at the same Event Point total, so your Event Points aren’t actually “spent.”

What happens if I have leftover Event Points?

A: Grim is offering a finite number of rewards. If you claim them all and still have Event Points, don’t worry! Your Event Points cannot be used for anything other than the Reaper’s Rewards Event and will expire when the Event is over.

Can I still complete the Event if I start late? 

A: Yes, the event will run for 8 weeks. If you start late, you will have access to all the previous week’s Quests.

[alexis-royce]

Illustration for @birdybirdnerd’s legendary fic Somewhere Else!

You are seriously not ready for where this fic will take you.

[twiwoncrackpopcorn]

ツイステ Twisted Wonderland WORLD EVENT “Tapis Rouge at Pyroxene” Gameplay

EVENT CARDS

see my previous posts

HOW TO PLAY

CALENDAR : Episode 1 and 2 released on the 5.Apr, Episode 3 released on the 10.Apr, Episode 4 (and 5?) on the 17.Apr

similar to most Events, you accumulate Postcards (the Event Currency) during regular lessons, and use them to Unlock the Event Story and at the Shop.

while reading the Event Story, you’ll receive Makeup that will unlock a different part of the Event Shop, as well as 2 Trial Event Cards (R Ace and SR Azul) that you can convert into full Cards for free after having completed the Event Story and accumulated enough Postcards. The duplicates of these 2 Event Cards can be found at the Shop, together with their Groooovy Items.

World Event Souvenir : same as for Aleab Naria and the other World Events, a Souvenir bundle is IN-STOCK-NOW at Sam’s for 100jewels. It contains the the statue/trophy of the Beautiful Queen + the version to install in the GuestRoom.

Event GuestRoom Furniture will unlock for crafting after you complete some Episodes of the Event Story. They can only be crafted during the Event period so make sure to Gather enough Event Paint until 26.April and remember to finish crafting them by 26.May (that way you can focus on the Paint for now and Gather the other materials later).

Event Stamps Missions : the 1st card runs until 10.Apr only so don’t wait for it! You’ll get a mirror key as reward for completing the 9 stamps.

1st STAMP CARD (Vil) [ENDED] : do 20 Alchemy Lessons | win 20 GuestRoom Collect Battles (it counts even when doing them 5 in 1 fight) | accumulate 100 and 200 Postcards | login 3 days during the Stamp Card period | invite Event Ace in your GuestRoom once | level up Event Ace to lvl.20 , his Episode/Vignette to lvl.1 and one of his Magic Spell to lvl.5

2nd STAMP CARD (Azul) [ENDED] : do 5 and 10 Rhythmics Twistunes | accumulate 300 and 400 Postcards | login 3 days during the Stamp Card period | invite Event Azul in your GuestRoom once | level up Event Azul to lvl.20 , his Episode/Vignette to lvl.1 and one of his Magic Spell to lvl.5

3rd STAMP CARD (Jamil) [until Event End] : do 30 Elective Lessons with Crowley | accumulate 500 and 600 Postcards | login 3 days during the Stamp Card period | craft 3 GuestRoom furnitures | level up Event Ace to lvl.40 and one of his Magic Spell to lvl.8 | level up Event Azul to lvl.40 and one of his Magic Spell to lvl.8

Enjoy the beautiful Event ~

[peoplesgraves]

I really liked your Yandere thoughts about being a Model surrounded by Obsession. If it is not too much to ask, could you do one about being an Actor that is surrounded by obsession?

Some more yandere thots for y’all. This time you’re an actor who can’t escape obsession.<3

Other actors all want to do romantic scenes with you. If they ever had to do a sex scene with you they’d be so smug. Already thinking of ways to tease it in interviews and thinking of how many people will be shipping you together after it comes out. Do they watch edits and read fanfic of the two of you? It more likely then you’d think. Everyone wants to be your date on the red carpet or to be in a pr relationship that hopefully into more.

A personal assistant who has so much control over you. Who remembers every little detail, every meeting and every extra actor who looks at you just a little too long. They know exactly how you take your coffee and every single password you’ve ever had. Your beloved assistant will login to your phone and block anyone they don’t like and they’ll cancel shoot days if they think you need a break. Your assistant knows everything about you and they’ll use every little secret against you if they have too. They just want to take care of you. To make sure you know that there’s no way you’d survive without them.

Writers who write shows and movies specifically with you in mind. If you mention in a interview that you’d really like to do a horror movie next then within a few months you’ll be fielding more offers for horror movies then you could ever act in. The bench mark for a successful writer is no longer actually getting a show or movie made, it’s you agreeing to be in it.

Talk show hosts who make sure that every show has at least one segment about you. Maybe just a little update pulled from your social media or them gushing about how cute you looked doing press for your newest venture. They’d bump the creator of the world themselves if you requested to be on their show. They’d probably get so star struck though that you’d end up doing most of the hosting while they just give love sick stares your way.

Fans who sign onto any project as an extra or a grunt no matter how crappy the pay or conditions, Just for a chance to meet you. While extras are pretty harmless and will mostly just flock to you at any time they can and maybe break into your trailer to get a souvenir, it’s the grunts you really need to worry about. If they hear someone else on set talking badly about you then they’re not afraid to drop a light on their head.

A more seasoned actor who takes you under their wing. Steers you away from directors they know will take advantage of you or away from projects that will hurt your career. They’re just so helpful and protective that you can’t help but trust them. All they ask in return is for your time. When they hug you just a little too long you think it’s just because they care but honestly they have paparazzi hiding in the bushes. They’ve already been practicing what they’ll say when the pictures come out. That they were just trying to help your career by being seen with them, they didn’t realize you’d be upset. Of course you’ll forgive them because they’re just looking out for you right?

Award shows that always make sure you never leave empty handed. Who give you a special gift bag that makes all the other ones look like they came from the dollar store. You also never leave without an award. If you were to not make any new content for a year you can bet you’d still be invited to all the big shows and would win the ‘fan voted’ best actor/actress award, an award that definitely wasn’t created just for you.

You have a lot of influence when it comes to trends. If people notice you wearing a brand a lot then it’ll become super popular or if you endorse a product everyone will buy it. Companies and brands are always trying to get you to appear in their products or do ads for them because of how influential you are.

[lesinquietes]

Summary: You talk shit to the wrong person on a discussion forum. Idly, you troll one user who’s really into the Paranormal Liberation Front’s new leader, Tomura Shigaraki. You’ve heard he’s being heralded as the Villain of Villains, though you’re not sure that’s a valid title. You decide it’s time to make your opinion known. “Idk if I’d give him that title… lol he’s giving insecure incel.”

Mean!Yandere!Shigaraki x Bimbo!Reader

⚠️ mdni. degradation. incel. misogyny. noncon. oral. panic attacks. shigaraki is a mean dom. slut-shaming. yandere.

Next l

You snicker as you press enter. Admittedly, you don’t know enough about the white-haired criminal to make that judgement call. You’re basing your statement solely on appearance. What can you say? Making ignorant comments is the essence of shitposting. You get to act a fool online because no one will ever discover who you are.

Until the user you mouthed off to replies.

Crumbleking: the fuck do you know?

Crumbleking: and you think a guy like him wouldn’t get women? he has a fucking army you stupid bitch he can have anyone he wants. that’s not insecure.

You roll your eyes, noticing he didn’t address the incel comment.

(Your username): I literally do not give a fuck lol do you want him @ crumbleking? Seeing as you know so much about his personal life and all

Crumbleking: you should be thankful he hasn’t killed you yet

(Your username): I’m not hearing a no

Crumbleking: get fucked

(Your username): Apparently shig is doing enough of that for both of us lmao

Crumbleking: you’re asking for it

You block the user. How many times has some moron threatened you online? Too many. But you take solace in the fact that, just like you, everyone’s simply a keyboard warrior. At the end of the day, it’s not like any of this shit is serious.

Right? :)

Well, a few days after this incident, you login to your social media account and notice a message in your mailbox. You lift a brow. It’s probably a meme from your best friend. You’re surprised to find a notification next to Requests. Someone you aren’t friends with has messaged you.

Hastily, you tap the Requests tab. You don’t know why your heart is pounding, or why you have a horrid feeling about this. Perhaps you’re under too much stress lately, or perhaps your intuition is trying to tell you something — that you’re in danger.

The request is from someone named Shigaraki. You know it can’t be the real villain. You clue in that it’s likely that freak who was defending him on the forum. He must have determined who you are somehow and resorted to messaging you on your private social.

Shigaraki: hello you dumb slut

Shigaraki: remember me?

Yeah, it’s definitely him. You wonder what his goal is, what he wants from you; normal behaviour doesn’t include stalking. You debate on whether or not to reply. You could play dumb or own up to your role. Of course, it’s far easier to do the former.

You: no?

It’s simple and to-the-point. You see him typing back right away. You hold your breath when he stops. Then, the screenshots from the forum come, reminding you of the conversation.

Shigaraki: i know you’re (username).

You resort to the IP tracker on your laptop, figuring you’ll spook him and he’ll leave you alone. You power it up and click eagerly. When you’re halfway through locating him, it’s as though he’s read your mind.

Shigaraki: if you think I’m not using a vpn then you’re stupider than I thought

The panic really sets in now. You’re hyperventilating. The message shoots you into a panic attack — the kind when your throat constricts and your lungs heave stale air. You scratch at your chest and gasp. You feel like you’re dying. You can’t breathe. With quivering fingers, you type a nasty message to him.

You: what the fuck is wrong with you. why the hell do you care what i think this much???? please leave me alone. blocking you.

That’ll end this terror once and for all. Or will it?

Shigaraki: Don’t you fucking dare you whore

His response is nearly instantaneous.

Shigaraki: if you block me I’ll find you irl

Shigaraki: i just showed you how easy it was to find your social media profile

Shigaraki: i’ll fucking find you

Shigaraki: and we’ll see if you feel the same about me when we’re face to face

You can’t stand it. You press the block button and exit the app. You turn off your phone — as if that’ll help — and throw it onto your bed. You shut down your laptop place it gently atop your desk. That’s enough for tonight. You have to remind yourself that the person threatening you is just a persistent troll, that the Tomura Shigaraki would never waste his precious time bantering with a random person on the Internet. You get to bed using that precise logic.

Except you’re wrong.

A few weeks pass, and you make the foolish mistake of thinking you’re safe. You start to throw caution into the wind, glancing over your shoulder less and walking home from work at night. You don’t notice the pale man trailing you. He watches you at work, as you hustle under pressure, and at home, before you close the curtains. He’s seen you naked twice. He assumes you meant to show off your body to an audience, that you like a bit of exhibitionism. Well, he’ll keep that in mind when he extensively plots out your payback.

Finally, one evening, he strikes. You come home from work and close the door. Securing the locks, you don’t see him until it’s too late.

He wraps a hand around your neck, keeping his pinky lifted to prove a point. He could kill you if he wanted. He could turn you to dust and be done with this stupid shit. In truth, he doesn’t know why he let his anger overtake him to the point where he had to find you. The problem is, he can’t stop his pursuit. If you escaped him right now, he would find you again.

And again.

And again, until he’s able to teach you a fucking lesson.

“Thought you could get away from me, huh?” He rasps next to your ear. “I found your social media account. Didn’t think I’d find your address?” He cackles venomously. “Stupid whore.”

You know immediately who you’re being held captive by. It’s the guy you were talking shit to online. It also happens to be Tomura Shigaraki, in the flesh. You realize, at once, that your luck is positively atrocious. Like, honestly, how the fuck did this happen to you? You can’t make sense if the madness.

He drags his knuckles along your cheek, stroking it. You feel his index finger trace the outline of your lips. Instantly, your heart sinks. On cue, he hums.

“I bet these can suck dick better than they talk shit,” he remarks darkly. “Wanna find out?”

You don’t, but he does.

“Take off your jacket, or I’ll crumble it off with the first two layers of your pretty skin.”

He takes away his hand to allow you space. The way you understand it, if five of his fingers make contact with your body, you’ll begin to fall apart. You’ve seen footage of what he’s done to heroes who have defied him. It causes you to wonder why he’s chosen to torture you, of all people.

The answer lies in his discovery of your social media account. Before he saw what you look like, he was content to merely leave you a little scare. Then, he started diving into your life, going through each and every one of your photos. It turns out you’re quite the socialite. You with your friends. You with your family members. You with animals. Food. Music. Video games. With all these posts, he was granted a perfect snapshot of what it is you do. And now, he wants to watch everything you ever loved decay.

“Why the hell are you doing this?” You hiss, daring to make eye contact tact with your stalker. “Don’t you have better things to do, you fucking freak?”

You spit the last two words with as much vitriol as you can muster. He doesn’t miss the effort you pour into your distaste. He rewards you with a callous cackle.

“Aw, what’s wrong?” He cooes, scarred lips contorting into a smile. “We’re on a first name basis, aren’t we?”

You lick your lips. You can’t recollect if you referred to him by name. Everything is a rapid blur.

“Shig.” He prompts you. “You’re the first and only person that’ll call me that.”

Heat rushes to your cheeks. You didn’t consider it overstepping at the time because you didn’t think you were interacting with Shigaraki. You can see how it might have been construed as intimate in his eyes, given your casual use of the pseudonym. The least you can do is apologize. It won't save your ass, but perhaps it will urge him to go lighter on you.

"I-I'm sorry," you squeak. "T-to be fair, I—“

“To be fair, I should wrap my hand around your throat and watch you beg me for air as your whole body turns to dust.” He interrupts you venomously. “Take off your fucking jacket.”

You unzip the garment and throw it onto your sofa. Next comes your hat and scarf. You finish his request when you’re in only your sweater, pants, socks, and undergarments. He smirks at the result of your swift labour, drinking in your silhouette. He’s seen enough photos of you outdoors to know what lies beneath the rest. Thirst traps, you’d probably call them. Little did you know they’d be used against you one day.

He removes his phone from the back pocket of his jeans. With a languid thumb, he swipes it to life. He logs into his fake social media account and finds yours. It’s bookmarked as a favourite tab, of course, especially considering how many times he’s used your pics to jerk off. If you only knew how many nights his cock twitched, begging to be sheathed in your soft pussy, you’d probably be petrified.

He grins.

“What were you thinking, posting shit like this?”

He twists the screen around for you to see. It’s a photo of you and your bestie in bikinis. Your hair is wet from spending time in the ocean. You and your friend were vacationing at a beach, and you wanted to look your best. Beside her, your lips are coiled around a lollipop, cheeks hollowed out from sucking on it. A thirst trap? Absolutely. But not for him.

He stares at the image one more time before putting the phone away. His crimson orbs lock with yours. A smirk settles across his lips.

“Get on your knees.”

Your eyelids clamp shut. Wordlessly, you lower yourself to the ground. It feels utterly humiliating. You have no choice but to let him use you. There has to be a way out of this situation, but how? If you’re serious about surviving, you have to cook up an escape route.

Shigaraki nears your submissive form. He wishes he brought something to tie you up. You’d look gorgeous bound for him. Helpless and barely willing is how he likes his lovers.

He wasn’t lying when he told you he gets women. Since establishing the Paranormal Liberation Front, people have been throwing themselves at him. They’re attracted to his power. He doesn’t have an interest in any of them, though; there are better things to do, and more enticing partners to find. You fit the bill quite nicely.

He hovers over you, leering at you with his crotch mere centimetres from your face. His jeans smell like laundry detergent — you didn’t expect that. You guess he’s not as crusty as he seems, with his scraggly hair and raspy voice.

Suddenly, he grasps the back of your head with four fingers and pushes your face against his clothed erection. He grinds it along your cheek, twitching in his underwear, yearning to feel the warmth of your slutty mouth. Soon you’ll serve him, but not yet.

“Look what you do to me,” he groans, lulling his head back. “I’ve been waiting for you to fix this problem. Won’t kill you until I’ve had my fill.”

You shiver. You’ve got to get to fuck out of here. If you can distract him, you can jump out of the window and get help. It’s risky, but you don’t have much of a choice.

He releases you and moves to unzip his pants. Your breath hitches. You don’t want this to extend any longer than it has to — not if you can help it. Who knows when he’ll get bored and murder you? He’s unhinged. The time to act is now.

“Wait,” you mumble. “Sh-shirt.”

Shockingly, he lets up for a moment. You take the opportunity to gesture to the garment you’re wearing. It’s your work uniform. Nothing special. He doesn’t have to know that, though.

“Lemme take this off,” you insist. “P-please. I-I don’t wanna ruin in.”

If you remove your shirt, that’ll leave you in merely a bra and pants. Fortunately for you, Shigaraki isn’t a stupid man when it comes to his own satisfaction. He decides to offer you reprieve. Robotically, he steps back to give you space. He’s seen them from afar; he knows they’ll be impressive up close.

“Hurry up.”

He doesn’t anticipate you being a skillful little idiot.

You roll backwards and stumble to your feet. Bolting towards the window, you’re grateful that he didn’t make you strip completely. The hesitation of humiliation and shame might have prevented you from leaping out from the second floor. It’s with luck that you don’t break anything upon hitting the ground.

Shigaraki lunges for your hair a millisecond too late. He catches himself on the window frame. At the same time, you get to your feet and sprint. By the time he reaches the street, panting and growling with fury, you’ve disappeared; there’s not a trace of you left behind.

He suspects you’re off to alert a local hero or police officer. That’s fine. He doesn’t expect them to believe you, and even if they do, how will they protect you? He can feel his power accumulating; moreover, after the impending procedure that’s set to occur in the coming months, he’ll be unstoppable. He doesn’t mind killing those who get in his way.

Thus, with a heavy huff, he lets you go. You obviously want to play, and he’s a master gamer. He knows you want this just as much as he does. After all, didn’t you grasp that he was serious about finding you as many times as you manage to flee from him — that he’ll keep his pursuit steady until you no longer have the strength to run? You must want to be hunted, like pretty prey reserved only for the best.

You have no idea who you’re fucking with.

[sirianasims]

Chapter 43.6

My mother taught me that sometimes it rains. Sometimes it pours, and you’re soaked through and miserable and it feels like it may never stop. But no matter how heavily the rain falls, no matter how drenched you get, you are not the rain.

Some day you will be dry again.

Things have been easier since I blocked Paul, the pain slowly fading to a dull ache, barely noticeable as long as I don’t dig too deep. I try to keep myself distracted, reading Lucky Girl for what must be the fifth time. It’s my comfort read, Evie reminds me a little of myself. I think we could have been friends, hanging out and agreeing that being in love is the absolute worst, actually, while we yearn for our respective idiots.

The memory of Paul is not the only thing I’m trying to escape. With all my channels inactive, even the haters have gone quiet and my views are dropping every week. I’ve toyed with the idea of simply abandoning everything and starting a new brand, but I don’t want to rebuild my follower count from scratch. I don’t have time for it. My bills are starting to pile up, and while I can still pay them for now, it won’t be long before I have to either crawl back to mom and dad and ask for help, or get one of those real jobs people keep talking about. I’m not even sure which option I would hate the most, so I hide in my book for now.

A sharp knock on the door jerks me away from Evie admiring Jude in an art gallery and back to reality.

I hesitate for a moment. I have no idea who it could be, and I don’t want to see anyone, especially not some smarmy salesperson – or worse, my landlord. With a sigh, I put my book face down on the armrest and shuffle to the door.

Miranda is leaning casually against the doorway, her high heels making her look almost as tall as Samara. At their feet, a couple of large shopping bags are threatening to fall over and spill their contents on my doormat.

“See, Samara? I told you she was still alive.”

“So you did. Then I sure hope she has a very good excuse for refusing to see her best friends for almost two months!“

I feel my cheeks get hot. “Uh, hi. I’m sorry I disappeared, I’ve just had a rough time since, you know. But I promise to call you, maybe we can make plans soon?”

“No need, we’re here now, so you won’t have to worry about that.” Samara’s smile is cheerful, but her tone is resolute. Even so, I try to object.

“Seriously, it’s not a good time, I haven’t even showered for like three days, and the place is a mess.”

“Girl, since when do we care about mess? We’re here because we love you – stinky or not.” She wrinkles her nose, making the freckles on her face dance.

“What is this, some sort of intervention?”

Miranda smirks. “Pretty much. Sorry, but someone’s gotta save you from yourself, and we’re not letting you waste any more time moping over a man who didn’t deserve you. We’ve got snacks and a box of rosé with your name on it, so you might as well get out of the way.”

“Fiiine, but no judging the absolute state of the place.” I roll my eyes and invite them in with a dramatic flourish of my arm, but I can’t help but smile. Samara bounces through the door despite the heavy shopping bags, and Miranda goes straight for my laptop.

“What’s your login?”

“It’s just my birthday, and before you come for me, yes, I know that’s bad.”

Miranda shakes her head as the laptop plays a jaunty tune and lets her in.

“You’ll get the full security lecture another day, right now it’s time to declare inbox bankruptcy. We’re getting rid of all this bullshit so you can get back to business.”

“Miranda, there are literally thousands of messages. It’ll take days to go through, maybe weeks.”

She doesn’t even look up, her perfectly manicured fingers a blur over the keyboard.

“Give me an hour. I’m going to delete anything that contains profanity, and then I’ll sort the rest into folders, so don’t worry, you won’t be losing anything permanently. But I’m going to mark everything as read and archive it so you can get a fresh start. If anyone wants something important from you, they’ll reach out again, trust me.”

I stop myself from protesting further. Miranda knows what she’s doing, and it really would be a relief not to worry about everything.

Behind me, Samara has stopped unpacking the groceries.

“Just let Miranda work her magic and get your smelly butt into a bath. And make it a nice one, soak for a bit and pretend you’re a mermaid or something. We’ll get everything set up in here while you scrub off the sadness.”

I feel a slight pang of embarrassment as I walk into the bathroom. The sunlight is creating little islands of warmth on the black tiles, but it also mercilessly illuminates the limescale in the shower and a couple of cotton swabs that missed the bin. The sink is decorated with a few dried clumps of toothpaste, each of them outlined in red from last time I dyed my hair.

How did I let it get this bad?

I turn on the taps and leave them running while I undress. Then, I lower myself awkwardly into the tub and let the water cascade through my fingers. It would be nice if it was this easy, washing away the sadness and frustration, the longing and the hurt.

The gentle sound of flowing water is mesmerising, and before I know it, the tub is full. I add a small handful of bath salts and swirl it around. A soothing scent of lavender rises with the steam.

When I lie down, the hot water envelops me like a hug. It feels like it’s thawing something in me that I didn’t even know was frozen. I close my eyes and listen to Samara and Miranda laughing about something. It’s almost like being home and hearing my parents talk softly in the other room. It always made me feel safe. Less alone.

As the water begins to cool, I scrub down, slowly, methodically, running soapy hands along every inch of my body. It feels good, like I’m massaging life back into my limbs. Tonight will be fun, I decide. We’re going to stuff our faces with junk food, get absolutely smashed on cheap wine, and pretend that my heart was never broken by some has-been actor from Tartosa.

I watch as the tub empties, imagining that all my sadness is flowing down the drain with the water and the tiny undissolved purple specks from the bath salt. Finally, I move to the shower to wash my hair and rinse off.

When I get out, I stop and examine myself in the mirror. I look a little tired and worn, like I’ve been sick. In a way, I guess I have. But the black tiles are radiating warmth under my feet and there are birds singing outside my window and I’m beginning to feel like everything is going to be fine.

Samara’s blue face glitters in the candlelight. The packaging from the masks we’ve applied is littered with adjectives like “rejuvenating” and “revitalising”, bold statements, but they do actually feel pretty good.

“Sorry, Julia, I know you love this crap, but I just can’t get over the cake tongue. Who decided cake would be the best bait for people? Are we really that obsessed with desserts?”

I look over my nails one last time and put down the file. “I’m actually more disturbed by the whole chin udder situation. I mean, who came up with that?”

Samara makes a disgusted face, but she’s not ready to change the subject. “Seriously though, even if you were absolutely starving and cake was your favourite thing in the whole world, would you really approach a plant shaped like a giant cow head with huge teeth? Really? And then try to grab what is obviously its tongue?”

Miranda giggles tipsily. “No, but can we talk about how Ned’s relationship with the cow plant is super toxic, though? I mean, it always starts out slow, right? Oh, so it eats meat, little bit of a red flag there, but it’s probably fine. And before you know it, you find yourself luring your neighbours to their deaths just to keep it happy.”

“Yeah, it’s classic, the way he keeps making excuses for her? She didn’t mean it, she’s just misunderstood! She only bites me because she loves me! I’m like, Ned, your girlfriend is eating people, you need professional help.”

Samara laughs. “I guess some men would literally rather feed their neighbours to a plant than go to therapy.”

My phone vibrates on the armrest behind me.

“Sorry, it’s Marten again, I better let him know I’ve got company. He’s been super busy with his exams so we haven’t had much time to play lately.”

Miranda raises an eyebrow.

“And he’s still fine just being your friend, is he?”

“Why wouldn’t he be? I mean, he was fine being my friend even though I was dating Paul. Besides, I haven’t even seen him in person since GeekCon, it’s been almost a year…”

I stop. Almost a year since I met Paul. It feels like a lifetime ago. I wonder what would have happened if I’d cosplayed as someone else, or if Paul hadn’t been there that day. Maybe I could have been dating Marten instead of having my heart trampled by some fickle celebrity. Nice, normal Marten with his mousy hair and his robot facts. I smile.

“Anyway, there’s nothing between me and Marten. Or anyone else, for that matter.”

Miranda sends me a mischievous grin. “That reminds me, you know that hot bartender from The Rooftop? Super flirty, cheekbones that could cut glass?”

“The one who gave us free refills on Samara’s birthday? Shane or something?”

“Yeah, him! He asked about you last time, wondered why you hadn’t come with us for like three weeks in a row.”

“How does he even know my name?”

“He didn’t, he just asked about our red-haired friend but you’ve clearly made an impression.” Miranda winks. “Maybe he’d be willing to help you get over Paul.”

I shake my head. “No thanks, I’m pretty sure he’s slept with like half the regulars. And I’m not looking for hook-ups, not now. I need to get my so-called career back on track, but I want to do something… different.”

I think of Paul, of late nights in hotel rooms, laughing at the most ridiculous b-movies before having amazing sex and falling asleep with his arms around me. “I don’t want to do cosplay again, absolutely nothing with movies or comics or superheroes.”

Miranda looks thoughtful. “What about just fashion stuff? I started out with just my shoe reviews and now it’s more general style advice and outfits to match your heels, but you have an eye for it and you know a lot about cuts and materials and design.”

“I guess? I don’t really know a lot about classic fashion, though, like couture and such. And it’s a really tough business to get into, plus I’d kinda like to keep the expenses down for now.”

“You could always just jump on one of the big trends. I bet you’d make bank as one of those clean girl aesthetic influencers or something.”

“That’s actually a good idea. I mean, I can probably get pretty far with just the makeup and clothes I already have. And I could move my sewing machine and rearrange the room, set up my camera and the lights…”

Miranda laughs. “We can start right now as long as it means we don’t have to watch any more terrible movies tonight.”

I reach for the remote. “Not a chance.”

beginning / previous / next

[firstagent]

What It's Like To Get Elected

Has it been another month since my last story update again? Uh… it’s still going.

Anyway, switching to another subject since I promised to talk more politics. As I mentioned before, I’ve been active with my local Democratic party. As far as getting into the room, getting access to important people, and giving them reality checks (and boy, do they need reality checks sometimes), I can’t recommend joining enough. Assuming you’ve got the spoons for it, and your local party don’t turn out to be assholes. That’s another conversation.

I also mentioned I was running for local school board. And guess what? I won!

In a small miracle for this town, we only had three candidates for three positions. Well, a small miracle and some excellent coordination from the local lefties. Because we were essentially unopposed, a lot of the steps of normal campaigning didn’t apply this time. Which is a shame, because I had a design for yard signs all set to go.

I did, however, interview for unions! That looks like a big Zoom call with a bunch of local reps where they ask you questions to make sure you support unions. The teachers union asked me about supporting LGBTQ+ students. Anyway, if you stalk me and find my Ballotpedia page (I only discovered a couple weeks ago that I had a Ballotpedia page) you’ll find two union endorsements. So that’s fun.

So is defending those endorsements and my Dems activity on community Facebook groups when people were under the impression they don’t get involved in local races. Maybe they should ask the county board candidate who swore up and down he didn’t take outside money, while taking $700 from the county Republicans. We have receipts.

Because of that nonsense I was more focused on his race than mine on Election Day. Hearing results when you’re running sometimes works a little differently, as you probably know someone working the polls that will share the results before the internet and news networks find them. So I heard about the local results well before they were published. And yes, I won! And that Republican guy lost. Bonus.

What happens next? For starters, training sessions. The state’s school board association emailed me the next morning with a login for their site. Three meetings in the next month will help get me up to speed: an orientation with the actual board, a gathering for new members in the region, and then an all-day affair about the specific governing model we have. It’s a lot, but it shows how much they prepare you going in, if you’re committed to actually doing the job right.

The biggest reality check came when I went to the next school board meeting, the lame duck session, if you will. For one, when I got there I got handed payroll paperwork. It hadn’t really sunk in that I was getting paid for this. Another is a discussion that frequently mentioned waiting on a vote until the new members could chime in. Or even the kudos from the other board members for crossing the finish line.

Yesterday I took my oath of office. Reading the email I was expecting a small private thing where I do an LBJ-style swearing in in a secretary’s office, maybe a picture. I just had to sign a thing, in the office because it had to be notarized. I was in and out in five minutes.

We’re going from roughly a 6-1 progressive majority to 7-0. That’s great news for our school, even if my first meeting I get to vote on whether elementary school registration fees are tripled, or doubled with the district subsidizing the balance. Thanks state legislature!

If you go in intending to do the job right, it’s a lot of work. That’s why it’s so important to elect people who intend to do the job right. Because so much of this is optional. It’s entirely possible to skip most of the trainings, to take your seat and either do nothing productive with it, or try to push policy whether or not it’s relevant, appropriate, or even legal. That’s how we get bad leadership, and why participation in this process is the only way anything’s going to get better.

(Feel free to use my Ask box for any political questions, including what the hell Democrats actually do at the local level and why I encourage joining them even with all the baggage attached.)

[tea-with-barbatos]

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PLAYING OBEY ME: NIGHTBRINGER FOR FREE! - SECTION 2 - HOW TO GET DEVIL POINTS!

Glorious devil points. A bane. A burden. A blessing. More desired than Asmodeus himself. But unlike Asmo’s level of beauty, having bountiful devil points (dp) is possible for everyone. There's several ways to acquire them for free that I’ll explain for you. For free.

✅ Method 1 - Daily Tasks

Every day you can earn 18 dp by simply playing the game. Daily tasks are your best friend. Swiping left on the home screen will bring up the menu. Do your absolute best to complete these tasks until you fill up the top bar every day. It will add up SO fast. You have 24hrs to do them all so take your time. You’ll soon develop a routine for getting them done and it won't feel tedious.

✅ Method 2 - Fight for S-Rank and Full Combos!

Now to the nitty gritty. Completing battles will give you guaranteed dp. Achieving S rank in any battle for the first time will give you +2dp (or more). Make sure to go back and collect this first time bonuses on previously cleared battles when you can. They add up quickly.

Achieving a full combo for the first time in boss battles will give you +3dp on regular mode and +5dp on hard. Getting a full combo on any extreme song will net you +7dp. These are your best bet for getting a lot of dp quickly. It does require skill but with practice you'll find full combos easy in no time. Keep trying. Never give up!

✅ Method 3 - Milking the Events

If you have caught up on lessons in regular and hard mode, go back and complete any S rank or full combos you have yet to achieve. If not, then events have your back. There's a new one every 2 weeks. These events feature 6 new extreme songs, 1 regular boss battle, and 6 hard boss battles that give full combo dps. That's 13 opportunities! That's not counting all the S rank bonuses you'll get doing them too. (Visual guide to which battles give dp below).

You can also use lonely devil to go back and complete these in previous events if you haven't already too!

Participating in events will net you dp as rewards as well. Make sure to play Them every day. You'll also get demon vouchers that save you dp too.

Achievements give dp. Login bonuses give dp. Consistency gives dp. Be patient and save your dp where you can. Avoid spending it on things that aren't congrats sets or the gacha unless you're grinding an event for a UR.

❌ Method 4 - Pay to Win

You can also buy devil points. I'm not recommending you do, but I'll give you advice in case you do want to. Be careful not to spend money you don't have or will need though! Lucifer will cry if you do that.

When there's an event, there is a super hell sale. You will get more bang for your buck with this. It's best to buy when there's bonus points to be had. These sales will offer regular prices but give you more dp than usual. For example, instead of £80 for 1,200 dp it'll be £80 for 1,500 dp. (Yes. I'm British. Tragic, I know. The currency and prices depend on your region. This is an example.) You can see how these sales are ‘worth’ it. They are limited though so you may only be able to buy 1 at this price.

There's also one time first buyers deal packs available too. Once they're gone, they're gone though.

VIP subscription to the game gives you a whole host of benefits. Read up on them in game if you're interested. But once a month you'll receive 160 dp, as well as the chance to buy 2 other dp packs for VIPs only. These give you 84 dp + 3 dv if you buy them. They are exclusive. In total the sub + 2 packs cost me £16 a month for 244 dp total. A pack of 240 dp costs £20 normally.

That doesn't factor in all the other benefits VIP provides. It's very cost effective if logging in daily. VIP logins also give dp.

That's all the advice I can give on P2W. Just don't do it, really. Unless you're rich rich. (I am not rich rich btw. Please do not eat me. I'm a normal person. I just love Barbatos way too much to make good financial decisions.)

LINK TO SECTION THREE - GET GRIMM QUICK SCHEMES (LEGIT! NOT CLICKBAIT!)

LINK TO MASTERPOST

[edogawa-division]

ARB Birthday Special 2024: Kaoru Shinozaki

~~ September 15th ~~

“There is no great genius without a mixture of madness.”

Login Lines:

“Just gotta…huh? I didn’t think I was that sleep-deprived enough to be hallucinating people yet. That usually starts around the 200-hour mark for me, and it’s only been 169 hours since I last slept.” 

“Ah, shit you’re real! And you got me a gift! Thanks! Just one question….why are you blue right now?”

Voice Lines:

“Alright! Just had a quick power nap, and now I’m good to go! 24 years old, huh? Damn….never thought I hit it….I mean I’d for sure thought drinking all this caffeine would kill me by now. It probably would’ve if I hadn’t replaced my kidneys a few years ago….that reminds me I’m due to replace them again soon.” 

“Nothing quite says celebrating your birthday like hacking several governments across the world. It’s always fun to see them scrambling around trying to stop me. Hahaha! As if! I’m Delphi, one of the most dangerous hackers on the planet! They’re centuries too young to think of trying to stop me!”

“A.D.A and A.M.U already wished me Happy Birthday earlier. It seems like I don’t see them much anymore, so I’m glad to get gifts from them, especially from A.M.U, considering this is my first birthday with her. Hehehe, she still has a bit to go, but I’m glad she’s making progress in gaining sentience.”

“You know I haven’t heard from A.R.K today, which is strange. He usually manages to give me a lazy Happy Birthday, at least, but this year, A.R.K said he got me something. The way he said it, too, was like he couldn’t wait to give it to me. Ehhhh…I should probably prepare for the worst. A.R.K’s gifts usually aren’t for the faint of heart.”

“Yurikoooo! Okay, but that’s not my fault! I’ve been working on something, and you just know how I get when I get into the zone! Boooo! Let me live, Yuriko! I can’t help it! Sleep is so boring when I could be doing something more like working on inventions! Hehehe! Finally, something I beat the great “Black Dahlia” in! Ooooh! Whatcha, get me?” 

“Okay, but it is not my fault that I keep getting into trouble. Plus, if anyone tries anything, I have a whole vault of inventions to use against them. Do you mean tossing me on the floor every time we spar? Because that shit hurts Yuriko. Oh fuck! This means I’m fucking Nightwing now! Uh, Dick Grayson? The first Robin? One of the coolest comic book characters ever? You need to learn more about pop culture, Yuriko.” 

“Oh, not again Kanra! Ackkk! Put me down, please! Not that I don’t love you Kanra but I rather not have my spine broken on my birthday or any day really. You’ll get there one day. I can always count on you for a bombass cake, Kanra. Oh? Let’s see what you got me then.” 

“You’re not wrong about that. Greek mythology has been one of my favorite things since I was a kid. Excuse you, I have only seen it like 38 times since it came out. It’s one of my favorite shows from this year. Yes! My current books were getting worn from how much I would read them and you even got me the ones with the fancy covers! Oh score you even got me the shirt too I have just the outfit for it! Come on Kanra, my Hawaiian shirts aren’t that bad. Wow, so rude Kanra.”

“A.R.K! There you are! My favorite deranged A.I.! I’m glad to see you today! Oh come on A.R.K just take the compliment. I figured you seemed excited when you mentioned it earlier. A.R.K…your grin is kind of making me concerned. You only smile like that when something especially amuses you. I feel like I should regret this but I’m going to trust you on this.”

“Okay they’re open….L-LYALL? J-JOEY? A.R.K WHAT DID YOU DO TO THEM? WHY? MY LOVE LIFE? A.R.K! YOU BASTARD! I’M GOING TO DISMANTLE YOU LIMB FROM LIMB! COME BACK YOU JACKASS!”

Yuriko Lines:

“Happy Birthday, Kaoru. Finally decided to sleep after spending the last week away did you? Yes yes. Get your little spiel out of your system Kaoru. I still can’t believe you can beat me in working with no sleep. I was professionally trained you however just get by with spite and caffeine. But enough of that, I have your gift here with me and I’m sure that you’ll like it.”  

“You keep getting into more and more trouble Kaoru. I know you have countless inventions at your fingertips but I figured you needed a personal weapon and given that I spent the last few years teaching you escrima. Oh, hush if I didn’t make you train you’d be out of shape Kaoru. Anyway, I got your own pair of batons to use. So here. Who? I’m going to pretend I understood what came out of your mouth Kaoru.” 

Kanra Lines:

“Kaoru! Happy Birthday! Ah! Sorry! I was just excited that it was your birthday. Hehehe…oops? Still need to work on controlling my strength. Never mind that it’s your birthday Kaoru! I have your cake baking in the oven right now but first gifts! So here you go! I hope you like it!”

“I know Greek mythology is one of your favorite things in the whole world and you’ve seen the show so many times since it came out so I got you the whole Percy Jackson book series and that orange shirt they all wear in it. Kaoru….please tell me you’re not gonna try and match that shade of orange with one of your Hawaiian shirts? I can already imagine the eyesore and now I regret giving you the shirt.”

Bonus! A.R.K Lines:

“Oi! Happy birthday, Kaoru. *snorts* You really are one of the few people in the world who’s crazy enough to say that to me. Anyway, I got you a little something. *grins widely* I think you’re gonna fucking like it. Hm? Hahaha! Oh, don’t be scared, my dear creator! I thought long and hard about what you would like so do me a fucking favor and just close your damn eyes!” 

“Okay so open your eyes. Pfft! Isn’t this the best thing ever Kaoru? I got you your boy toys for your birthday! They're just sleeping from when I knocked them out. Don’t worry I didn’t harm them…much. Oh, come on Kaoru it’s pretty fucking well known that you like the two of them this is just me helping out your love life. Hahaha! So have fucking fun with them! See ya later!”

[judesmoonbeauty]

Hello! Hope you are well! Sorry for bothering, I got intrigued by your posts and downloaded Lovebrush Chronicles.However, I have a stupid questions I cannot find an answer for How can someone farm Old dutch paint? Is it possible only through converting diamonds?

Because a yt guide said to keep the diamonds for special event, but I would like to do the first 20 pull to get a SSR in the "newbie" gatcha. Am I missing something? Thank you and hope you have a nice sunny day :D

Hi Anon!

On behalf of the LBC Brain Rot Committee:

Welcome aboard! I hope you enjoy your gaming experience 🎉

The short answer: No, there isn’t a quick way to farm paints. Unless you purchase paint packs in the shop, which will give you top up rewards - this will also result in paints.

Longer answer: I know you said a yt guide stated to save your diamonds for events, but I’m not sure if they’re referring to the gacha pull, or for the stamina purchases you can make 5 times daily for the cost of 50 diamonds?

While hoarding diamonds and stamina can be good, if you don’t have an SSR or at least an SR yet, you’re going to have a difficult time making your way through the storyline battles as you progress, as well as, event battles. So, I wouldn’t recommend holding out on converting your diamonds to paints at first, especially since NetEase is super generous with their diamond system (IMO). You can quickly regain them.

I’m not saying the yt guide was incorrect, but during events, I’ve found that stamina is the biggest asset you need, not diamonds. No stamina = no event play. And you need a lot of it sometimes.

Assuming you’re completely f2p, here’s what you can do to get more diamonds for paints:

Login every day to get your daily login bonuses. (You’ll receive 1 free paint a month, but other bonuses like diamonds, stamina and card materials).

Login during the two specific time periods (usually lunch and dinner time), for free stamina.

Complete your daily tasks to obtain diamonds.

Be sure to complete your Journey and Achievement tasks.

Once you obtain a card - especially an SR or SSR card - be sure to read the story in your Chronicles section. This also gives you rewards. Typically, you receive gold and/or a low qty of diamonds for completing an SR story (which is extremely important to ascend your card), and you can get typically 50 diamonds and/or stamina from the SSRs.

Progress through the storyline. Each time you complete a chapter of a story you get diamonds.

Usually, the larger events like Princess Day, Godheim Hunt, and Fairytales will have an event shop where you can exchange items you’ve collected in battle for Dutch paint also (typically one paint per item type).

Date your guy everyday for free stamina.

Aside from this, if you personally choose to, you can purchase the weekly stamina pack (it comes with an instant Dutch paint, and you get stamina in your mail for 7 days with Star-bell breaks), and/or you can opt to purchase the 30 day VIP card, (no Dutch paint included, but you get diamonds and stamina daily along with other perks). *Just to emphasize: I’m not pushing anyone to do this, I just wanted to mention it.*

Anyway, I hope this helps you obtain more diamonds for paint and you’re able to get the SSR your heart desires!

[avenyl]

Hello.

Is saying hello even appropriate at this point?

Uh, hi. I’m not back yet, I think. But I’m working on it. I’m sorry for the radio silence on literally every front but I’d be lying if I said I knew why it happened.

I just want you all to know what’s up in case that’s something you’re curious about. For those who are, read on. Those of you who aren’t, that’s alright. I’m glad to have you around anyway.

TL;DR I tell you what’s up but in like, ~700 words because I have no self-control.

I’m pretty sure my last login was sometime around February 2022. Can’t believe it’s been over a year and a half! Feels so weird to acknowledge that I’ve been away from art, something that’s been a constant in my life up until this point, for almost two years! Wow!

Those of you who saw the last of my posts already know what my mindset was like at the time. Honestly, I can’t really say it’s improved much, if any. Looking at the art I’ve put out so far makes me feel miserable, for a lack of better word. I’m not gonna elaborate on the feelings because I’m certain all of you have had them at some point. I had hoped they would vanish in time, but they did not.

I can’t tell if these feelings are related to what was going on in my life at the time (they probably are but I haven’t connected the dots yet), mostly because I don’t feel like anything particularly bad happened that could’ve boosted these feelings for me. In fact, a lot of good things happened. Some bad things happened too, as they usually do in life. So, to spare you the details:

-I met someone and we’ve been in a relationship sinch March 2022 (he’s great and we’ve been living together for almost a year now);

-I failed to graduate in 2022 but I managed to fix that at the beginning of July this year (finally!);

-I worked three different jobs in the meantime (not simultaneously) to afford rent, and those took up most of my energy;

-I’ve been on and off different meds while trying to figure out what works for me;

-A lot of family-related events happened in the year I’ve been gone and I’m sure there’s more to come;

-I’ve been reading a lot, and I honestly feel like that sort of became my outlet when drawing felt like too big of a challenge;

-I’ve become even less interested in pursuing the major I’ve been working towards so far, and I’ve decided to stop at my bachelor’s and maybe try my hand at some other profession somewhere along the line.

The last one did me in, honestly. Seeing all my colleagues and friends graduate while I sat back really took a toll on me and I don’t think I’ll be able to recover from that one for a while. The inferiority I felt regarding my art and the progress I’ve made so far combined with not being able to do the one thing everybody around me seemed to be able to do almost effortlessly and, well… it didn’t feel very good.

I believe this is what made me disappear. Honestly though, I’m not 100% sure—it could’ve been something else, and it feels weird to blame my sudden departure on something like my mental state, given that I don’t feel much different now, and I didn’t feel particularly different then. Just existing and getting by has been challenging for years.

But I feel like I might be ready to try drawing again sometime soon. I’ll probably expand my horizons a bit. Don’t get me wrong, dragons are fun and I won’t give up on those, but you’ll probably be seeing a bit more variation from me in the future. I might even give humans a go! Oh boy!

(Not yet though. But soon, hopefully.)

Lastly, I think I want to rebrand my online presence. I feel like I’ve changed quite a bit since I opted for this username, and it no longer feels like me. So, if you see a stranger on your dash, fear not! It’s probably me, trying out something new. I think that’s going to be my first move.

It’s a start. It’s more than I’ve had for over two years, and I might just give it a go. I hope to see you along the way!

[dtoken]

How to create an NFT for free

So, you want to know how to create an NFT for free? This tutorial will show you how. It’s way simpler to create, or ‘mint’ an NFT than you’d imagine — and doing it for free is just as easy. In this tutorial, I will create a single NFT artwork, and not delve into minting generative NFTs or an NFT collection.

But, what are NFTs? I hear you ask. Well, these non-fungible tokens are everywhere but they’re not actually as complex as they first seem. Basically, NFTs are a way of registering a digital file on a cryptocurrency blockchain, to make sure it’s a unique item and demonstrate ownership. Need more? See our guide to how to make and sell an NFT, but here I’ll show you how to specifically create an NFT for free.

You might assume you’ll need a computer or laptop to create an NFT. While that’s obviously possible, you can also do it on your mobile device. The best NFT apps for iPhone allow you to create an NFT on the go, and check out how your collection is doing. Plus, you can track NFTs on different blockchains. With that in mind, some of the steps below for creating an NFT for free are applicable, but I’m using a desktop browser and Wacom Studio tablet.

Once you have your NFT you’ll want to show it off in style, so consider buying one of the best NFT displays. For more on the top end of digital art frames read my feature ‘Why Tokenframe is one of the best NFT frames for digital art’.

How to create an NFT for free: the steps

01. Creating a crypto wallet account

You’re going to need a cryptocurrency wallet to set up an account on any NFT marketplace in order to create your NFT. We’re choosing Metamask as it’s one of the most widely used and accessible. There are alternatives, such as Coinbase wallet.

When you create your wallet account you’ll be given a 12 word ‘seed phrase’, this is your unique password. Keep it safe and don’t share it anywhere, the seed phrase acts as your security code (handy if you forget your password).

02. Making an account on an NFT marketplace

For this tutorial I’m creating an account on Rarible, but the same approach applies to any NFT marketplace. Read my guide to the best NFT marketplaces to find the right one for you.

Once you set up our account (adding a user name, photo, bio, etc.) link your Metamask account to your Rarible account by following the instructions. Linking your two accounts ensures your NFTs will appear in your wallet and all transactions can be easily completed (you’ll need to go into Metamask’s settings to automatically bring in your NFTs). My Metamask account also acts as my Rarible login.

Spend some time personalising your NFT marketplace account, adding a banner image, and linking in your social media accounts. The more time spent ensuring your socials are connected the better; you’ll find your art is more visible the more time you take to add detail into your page.

03. Painting some art

For this guide to how to create an NFT for free I quickly create a new piece of art. I google some random photo references and create a sketch using the painting app Rebelle 5; it’s quick and I’m not focusing on detail but a general sense of the face and proportions. (Read my Rebelle 5 review to find out more about this excellent digital art software.)

An NFT can be any digital file so create the art you enjoy making, but here I’m choosing a digital painting. I save the new painting as a jpeg and prepare to upload it to my new NFT marketplace account and mint it as an NFT.

04. Uploading your art

It’s time to upload my art and begin creating an NFT for free. These NFT marketplace sites like Rarible have very user-friendly guides to uploading your art and the process is generally the same (some select NFT marketplaces may want verify you, and this can take a few days). Click the Create tab in the top right of your account and continue.

You’ll now need to choose a blockchain. On Rarible there are four choices, including the new low-carbon cryptos Flow, Tezos and Polygon. (We have a must-read guide to the most popular NFT crypto to decide which is best for you.) To create an NFT for free I choose Ethereum.

05. Choosing free minting

The next options help your decide the value and type of NFT you’re creating, for example choose Single to create a one-off unique NFT or Multiple to mint a series of NFTs to create a collection. (Take a look at my NFT trends feature for inspiration.) Set the price, add a name and description, and make sure you switch Free Minting to ‘On’.

Free minting, or lazy minting, enables you to put the fees for minting onto the buyer so you won’t be charged. Usually you’re charged ‘gas fees’ — the cost of transacting on the blockchain — to mint an NFT. The unit of gas is called a ‘Gwei’. Depending on the traffic on the blockchain as you’re minting the fee can increase or decrease; the greater the traffic the higher the cost. Often it can be cheaper in the late evening or early morning.

But… I’m not being charged if I choose Free Minting. The downside to pushing the gas fees onto the buyer is you may need to lower your asking price to anticipate the later cost, or mint your NFT as an auction and let the buyer decide.

06. The NFT is minted

On Rarible, when the NFT is minted you get a lovely explosion of digital confetti. Now the real work begins. It’s best to social and post about your new NFT as soon as possible. You can link the new NFT directly to Twitter, Facebook, and other social media channels from within the NFT marketplace.

You see, minting an NFT for free is easy but there are some things you need to know; the advantage of free minting enables you to quickly create an NFT for free but it can have some drawbacks as NFT marketplaces tend to make ‘normal’ NFTs more visible. Because of this you’ll need to make more of your own social channels for promotion. You can find this NFT on Rarible(opens in new tab) to see how it looks in the wild.

How to create an NFT for free: frequent questions

What’s a blockchain?

This is a database that is shared amongst the nodes of a computer network. Each block in the chain contains data and constantly check and update the data. This makes any assets on the blockchain immutable, which ensures the data is extremely hard to change or delete. These are decentralised networks, meaning there is no third-party involved and all data is freely available for view and tracking.

What gives an NFT value?

Rarity and / or status help an NFT achieve value. So, for example, an NFT created by established artists such as Beeple, Damien Hirst, and Takashi Murakami will be worth a lot. But NFTs are breaking the rules. New artists are finding new ways to ensure NFTs differ from traditional art valuations. Community and utility is a major factor. Think of an NFT such as a Bored Ape Yacht Club as a ticket to a club, and that club will have exclusive events, chat groups and projects to be involved with; these community driven NFTs have great value.

Why is an NFT jpeg worth so much?

An NFT jpeg is worth so much because it’s not the jpeg that is being bought, but the hash token on the blockchain. The Crypto Punk art is the visual ‘thing’ we can find easy to understand, but the true value of the NFT is its token and the benefits it can bring by being on a blockchain. This can include being invited to exclusive in real life events.

How much does it cost to make an NFT?

It can be free, if you use lazy minting. Standard NFTs can vary wildly in the cost of gas fees to generate and register on a blockchain, and the costs rises and falls as the blockchain is being used. A typical NFT can cost anywhere from $10 / £7 to ¢$200 / £170. We have known of fees to reach $2,000 / £1,700.

What kinds of NFTs sell the best?

NFTs that have utility will always sell well as they embrace the full functionality of the blockchain. This is why you will find the below NFTs are some of the most popular.

1. Bored Ape Yacht Club 2. CryptoPunks 3. The Sandbox 4. Art Blocks 5. Doodles 6. Cool Cats 7. Decentraland 8. World of Women

Can I avoid gas fees without using lazy minting?

Yes, to a degree. Newer NFT crypto blockchains such as Wax enable you to set the gas fee limit you’re will to pay to mint an NFT. It will be processed and minted at a time when the gas fee matches your set level. Also, consider avoiding minting an NFT on Tuesdays and Thursdays as these are historically the busiest days and so the costliest.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific financial or investment advice or recommendations for any individual for any investment product. The article is only intended to provide general information and opinions about NFTs. The views reflected in this article are subject to change at any time without notice.

Read more:

NFT drops: Everything you need to know

Discover the best NFT displays

NFT gaming: 10 things you need to know

[dextersdedicatedhomeinspections]

Finding the Best Home Inspectors Near Me in Houston, Texas

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make, and ensuring that your new home is in top shape is crucial. That’s where home inspectors come in. If you're in Houston, Texas, and you’re searching for "home-inspectors-near-me," you're in the right place. Let's dive into why a home inspection is essential and how to find the best inspectors in the Houston area.

Why Do You Need a Home Inspection? A home inspection is like getting a health check-up for your house. It gives you peace of mind, knowing that you're not buying a property with hidden problems. Whether it’s an issue with the roof, plumbing, electrical systems, or foundation, a professional home inspector will ensure you’re aware of any potential repairs or safety concerns before finalizing the deal.

How to Choose a Home Inspector in Houston When you search for "home-inspectors-near-me" in Houston, you’ll likely get a long list of options. But how do you choose the right one? Here are some tips:

Experience Matters: Look for inspectors with years of experience in the Houston market. Local inspectors understand the unique challenges homes in the area face, like humidity, flooding, and extreme heat.

Licensed and Certified: Make sure the inspector is licensed in Texas and certified by organizations like the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or InterNACHI. These certifications ensure that they follow strict inspection standards.

Check Reviews: A quick search for “home-inspectors-near-me” will bring up reviews and testimonials. Take time to read through them, paying close attention to customer feedback on thoroughness, professionalism, and timeliness.

Detailed Reports: A good inspector will provide a detailed report that’s easy to understand. Look for examples of past inspection reports to make sure they cover all the bases, including photos and recommendations.

Why Houston Home Inspections Are Unique Houston homes face a variety of environmental factors that can impact their condition. From hurricane season to extreme humidity, Houston's climate puts extra pressure on homes. This means local home inspectors need to have experience with specific issues like mold, flooding, and foundation shifting that can be common in the area.

Finding a home inspector who understands these challenges is critical for ensuring your home is in the best possible condition before you move in.

Where to Find Trusted Home Inspectors Near Me in Houston Searching for "home-inspectors-near-me" online will give you a good start, but it's always best to ask for recommendations from friends, family, or your real estate agent. Here are some top-rated home inspection companies in Houston:

Derek Dexter Home Inspections – Known for their thorough inspections and excellent customer service, Derek Dexter’s team is a go-to for many Houston homebuyers. Houston Property Inspections – Offering comprehensive services, they have years of experience and great reviews. Lighthouse Inspections – Another trusted name, with a reputation for detailed reports and prompt service. Conclusion Finding the right home inspector in Houston, Texas, doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little research and by following the tips above, you’ll be able to choose the best professional for the job. So, next time you’re searching “home-inspectors-near-me,” remember to prioritize experience, certifications, and customer reviews to ensure a smooth home-buying experience.

[tclotteryvip]

Unlocking the Secrets to TC Lottery: Registration, Login, and Winning Strategies

The world of online lottery games is ever-expanding, with players constantly searching for the most reliable platforms to test their luck. TC Lottery is one such platform that has garnered attention for its user-friendly interface, diverse game options, and enticing rewards. Whether you're looking to understand the TC Lottery login process, explore potential TC Lottery hacks, or learn how to register for TC Lottery, this guide is here to help you navigate your way to potential winnings.

Getting Started: TC Lottery Registration

Before you can dive into the exciting world of TC Lottery, you'll need to register for an account. The registration process is straightforward, designed to get you playing as quickly as possible. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the Tc lottery register:

Visit the TC Lottery Website: Start by heading to the official TC Lottery website. Look for the registration or sign-up button, typically located at the top right corner of the homepage.

Fill in Your Details: You'll be prompted to enter personal information such as your name, email address, and phone number. Ensure all details are accurate to avoid any issues with future transactions or winnings.

Create a Strong Password: Choose a secure password that combines letters, numbers, and symbols. This will protect your account from unauthorized access.

Agree to the Terms and Conditions: Before completing the registration, make sure to read and agree to the platform’s terms and conditions. This step is crucial to ensure you understand the rules and policies of TC Lottery.

Verify Your Account: After submitting your details, you may receive an email or SMS with a verification link. Click the link to confirm your account, and you’re all set to start playing!

 

How to Navigate the TC Lottery Login Process

Once you've registered, logging into your TC Lottery account is a breeze. The TC Lottery login process is designed to be quick and hassle-free, allowing you to get straight into the action. Here’s how to do it:

Visit the TC Lottery Website: Go to the official website and locate the login button.

Enter Your Credentials: Input your registered email address or username along with your password.

Access Your Account: Click the login button, and you’ll be directed to your account dashboard, where you can view your balance, recent activities, and available games.

For added security, consider enabling two-factor authentication if the option is available. This extra layer of protection ensures that only you can access your account, even if someone else knows your password.

 

Exploring the Myths: TC Lottery Hacks

In the digital age, it’s not uncommon to come across claims of various hacks that promise to help you win big in online lotteries. The TC Lottery is no exception, with numerous websites and videos claiming to offer foolproof TC Lottery hacks. However, it's important to approach these with caution.

Reality Check on TC Lottery Hacks:

No Guaranteed Wins: Lottery games, by design, are games of chance. There is no legitimate hack or method that can guarantee a win. Claims that suggest otherwise are often misleading or outright scams.

Beware of Scams: Many so-called hacks require you to download software or provide personal information. These can lead to malware infections or identity theft. Always protect your personal data and avoid downloading anything from untrusted sources.

Play Responsibly: The best way to enjoy TC Lottery is by playing responsibly. Set a budget for yourself and stick to it. Remember, the primary goal is to have fun.

 

Maximizing Your Chances: TC Lottery Tips and Strategies

While there are no guaranteed ways to win, there are strategies you can employ to maximize your chances when playing TC Lottery. Here are a few tips:

Play Consistently: The more you play, the higher your chances of winning. However, this doesn’t mean you should spend excessively. Consistency with moderation is key.

Join Lottery Pools: Consider joining a lottery pool or syndicate. This allows you to buy more tickets collectively, increasing your chances of winning, though the prize will be shared among the group.

Choose Less Popular Games: Opt for games with fewer players. The odds of winning smaller, less popular lotteries are often better compared to larger, more well-known ones.

Stay Informed: Keep track of TC Lottery updates, new games, and changes to the rules. Being informed gives you an edge in making strategic decisions.

 

Conclusion

The allure of the TC Lottery lies in its simplicity and the thrill of winning. By following the right steps during registration, ensuring secure logins, and approaching the game with the right mindset, you can enhance your experience and increase your chances of success. Remember, while there’s no such thing as a TC Lottery hack that guarantees a win, playing responsibly and strategically is the best way to enjoy the game.

[acimacim1212]

"Unlock Your Winnings with Simba4d: The Ultimate Login Guide"

Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the world of online gambling, mastering the login process on Simba4d is essential for accessing your account and making the most of your gaming experience. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps for logging in to your Simba4d account, from creating an account to resetting your password if needed. With our comprehensive guide, you'll be able to navigate the login process with confidence, so you can focus on what really matters – winning big on your favorite games.

How to access Simba4d login page

If you're ready to unlock your winnings with Simba4d, then you'll want to know how to access the login page. The first step is to open your web browser and type in the URL for the Simba4d website. Once you've reached the homepage, look for the "Login" button, which is typically located at the top right corner of the page.

Click on the "Login" button and you'll be redirected to the login page. Here, you'll need to enter your username and password in the designated fields. If you haven't created an account yet, don't worry - it's easy to do so. Simply click on the "Sign up" or "Register" button, and you'll be taken to a registration page where you can input your personal information and create a username and password.

Once you've entered your login credentials, double-check to make sure everything is correct. Typos can happen, so it's important to take the time to ensure your information is accurate. After you've confirmed that everything is correct, click on the "Login" or "Submit" button to access your account.

If you're having trouble accessing the login page, there are a few things you can try. First, make sure you're connected to the internet and that your web browser is up to date. If you're still having issues, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, as this can sometimes resolve login problems.

If you're still unable to access the login page, you may want to reach out to Simba4d's customer support team for assistance. They can help troubleshoot any issues you may be experiencing and can provide guidance on how to access your account.

Creating an account on Simba4d

Want to start playing and winning big on Simba4d? The first step is to create your account on this exciting online gaming platform. Creating an account is quick and easy, so you can start enjoying all the benefits and rewards that Simba4d has to offer.

To get started, simply visit the Simba4d website and look for the “Sign Up” or “Register” button. Click on it, and you’ll be taken to a registration form where you’ll need to provide some basic information.

First, you’ll need to choose a username and password. Make sure to choose a unique username that you’ll remember, as this will be how you log in to your account in the future. Your password should be strong and secure to protect your account from unauthorized access.

Next, you’ll need to enter your email address. This is an important step because Simba4d will use your email to send you updates, promotions, and important information about your account. Make sure to use a valid email address that you check regularly.

After entering your email, you’ll need to provide some personal information, such as your name, date of birth, and country of residence. This information is used to verify your identity and ensure that you are of legal age to participate in online gaming.

Once you’ve entered all the required information, you’ll be asked to agree to Simba4d’s terms and conditions. It’s important to read through these terms carefully to understand the rules and regulations of the platform.

Troubleshooting common login issues

Logging in to your Simba4d account should be a smooth and seamless process, but occasionally you may encounter some common issues that could prevent you from accessing your account. Don't worry - we're here to help you troubleshoot and get you back to playing and winning in no time.

One of the most common login issues is entering the wrong username or password. If you're having trouble logging in, double-check that you've entered your username and password correctly. Remember that passwords are case-sensitive, so make sure you haven't accidentally left your caps lock on. If you're still having trouble, you may need to reset your password. Simply click on the "Forgot password" link on the login page and follow the prompts to reset your password.

Another common issue is forgetting your username or email address associated with your Simba4d account. If you can't remember your username or email, don't panic. You can easily retrieve this information by clicking on the "Forgot username" link on the login page. Enter your registered email address and follow the instructions to recover your username.

Sometimes, your login issues may be caused by technical glitches on the Simba4d platform. If you're unable to log in despite entering the correct credentials, try clearing your browser cache and cookies. This can help resolve any temporary issues related to your browser. You may also want to try logging in from a different device or browser to see if the problem persists.

If you're still unable to log in after trying these troubleshooting steps, it's possible that your account may have been temporarily suspended or blocked. This can happen due to security reasons or if there are any issues with your account. In this case, you'll need to reach out to Simba4d's customer support team for assistance. They'll be able to help you resolve any account-related issues and get you back to playing as soon as possible.

It's also important to ensure that you're accessing the correct Simba4d website when logging in. Scammers may create fake websites that look similar to the official Simba4d site in an attempt to steal your login information. Always double-check the URL and make sure you're on the official Simba4d website before entering your username and password.

Exploring the features of Simba4d platform

Are you ready to take your online lottery experience to the next level? Look no further than Simba4d, the ultimate platform for all your lottery needs. In this section, we will explore the exciting features that Simba4d has to offer, so you can make the most of your gameplay and unlock your winnings.

First and foremost, Simba4d offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, allowing you to quickly find and purchase the lottery tickets you desire. Whether you are a seasoned player or new to the world of online lotteries, Simba4d makes it simple and convenient to participate in your favorite games.

One of the standout features of Simba4d is its wide range of lottery options. From popular games like Powerball and Mega Millions to international lotteries from around the world, there is something for everyone on this platform. With so many choices at your fingertips, you can explore new games and diversify your gameplay to increase your chances of winning big.

Tips for maximizing your winnings on Simba4d

If you're looking to maximize your winnings on Simba4d, the key is to be strategic and always play with a plan in mind. One of the most important tips for increasing your chances of winning is to do your research. Make sure you understand the rules of the game you're playing and familiarize yourself with any strategies that can help improve your odds.

Another important tip is to manage your budget wisely. Set a budget for how much you're willing to spend and stick to it. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game and spend more than you planned, but controlling your spending is essential for long-term success.

In conclusion, Simba4d offers a convenient and easy way to access your winnings through their user-friendly login system. By following this ultimate login guide, you can unlock your prizes and enjoy a seamless gaming experience. So why wait? Dive into the excitement of Simba4d and start winning today!

[zerochaose]

Do’s and Don’ts of Online Property Registration: A Quick Checklist for Bangalore Residents

A home is where our heart belongs, and down the line, each one of us aspires to live in our dream home. At ZeroChaos, we believe that investing in a home isn’t merely a matter of money; it is a result based on emotional investment too. And with that intent, our blog aims to share with you the property registration process and the do’s & don’ts associated with it. So, when you step out to buy your dream home, then you, as a buyer, should be well-prepared for the hindrances as well as the challenges.

We hope you are aware that the Karnataka government has eased online property registration by launching an online portal. Through this portal, you can access property-related documents, instead of visiting the sub-registrar’s office. Here’s a list of do’s that you should take care of before proceeding.

Understand the guidelines:

Just like offline preparation, you must thoroughly prepare yourself for the online registration too. We advise you to thoroughly review the online registration guidelines. Visit the official website of the Department of Stamps & Registration Services and carefully read all guidelines mentioned on their website.

Gather all important documents:

Documents are pre-requisite and you cannot afford to go wrong here. Make a list of all the documents beforehand like property documents, ID proofs, address proofs, encumbrance certificates, etc., scanned and saved in the prescribed format.

Double-check the entries:

Once you have entered property registration details and are done with the payment, review all the information that you have entered.

Keep a record of your transaction:

With all the efforts that you have put in, it’s now time to print or save a copy of the acknowledgment receipt. Also, do not forget to track the application status online regularly.

While we know you’ll properly take note of all the do’s, it’s time to look into the don’ts, which are equally important to understand.

Writing incomplete applications:

Rechecking before submitting is important. Make sure you’ve all the necessary documents and information filled out before submitting the online application. 

Missing out on payment deadlines:

It’s mandatory for everyone to pay the stamp duty and registration fees in the given time frame. If you miss out on the dates, you may have to pay the penalties.

Neglecting legal advice:

If you get stuck during complex transactions or you face queries during the process, then seek out a lawyer who specialises in property law.

A quick checklist for the residents of Bangalore:

Bangaloreans are always in a hurry! With a lot of tasks in their hand, they tend to miss out on a few things. And there’s no exception to the property registration process, which needs meticulous attention. Here are a few things to keep in mind-

Understand this: Incomplete applications are rejected, which causes rework and further delay in the process. Set a deadline for yourself and likewise start and complete the process thoroughly.

Beware of phishing scams, no matter how busy you are, always check with whom you are sharing your personal information, login credentials, and OTPs.

Make use of the helpline number. If you encounter any technical difficulties during the process, reach out to online support channels.

Another easy way out is to reach ZeroChaos, here, we will not only help you with online property registration details but also take care of the entire process on your behalf. Our transparent and streamlined workflow automation makes the process extremely simple and hassle-free.