#Worth the read

[vxyio]

PJO BOOK REVIEW!!

I finished book one 🥲

The lighting Thief: completed on 3/5l2024

This book was AMAZING! I got pretty emotional for finishing this book, because it's the first book I really enjoyed and only took a week to read. It is also the first book I was exited to read (mainly because of my cousin and the pjo show) I know there's another reason on how emotional I got, but I can't put my finger on it. I had an amazing roller coaster of emotions. This book is worth the read. It was better then I expected! Different and more hilarious than I thought, but still emotional and amazing. There's so many scenes I love. I can't wait to read the next book ❤

----------------------------------------------------

The sea of monsters : started 3/5/2024 Completed:3/15/2024

GROVER IN A MADE DRESS.

This book was magnificent!!! It was a perfect mix of comedy, drama, stress, emotional moments and plot twists. Lemme just say, Tyson is so adorable 😭 he is the definition of a gentle giant (literally).He loves percy :3 he is SO sweet and TOO innocent and I find it js so AEUGGHH. So wholesome.The making of percybeth has begun 😈. I'm happy Clarisse got more time plus, she was actually helpful- The plot twists are insane 😭and I js love em! But oh my gods, the comedy. THE COMEDY. I JUST LOVE IT!!! And Thalia is backk!! Our lil emo queen! Annywho, I'm super exited to begin the next book!

The Titan's Curse: started 3/16/2024 completed: 4/1/2024

This book was AEEEHHH!!! The plot was so good and hilarious (like all of the other books). The new characters are so cool!! Nico, the hunters, even the manticore. I'm pretty sure biana died, but maybe there will been a plot twist? I don't know. Annabeths dad is SO cool like what- I'm happy percy and posiden got to chat a bit more. And dang, holding the sky? I would've died I'm 2 seconds flat. Zoe's death was so sad. She was a great brave hunter. Rip ❤.Overall this book was amazing. Can't wait to read the next book!

The battle of Lybrinth: Started 4/2/2024 Completed: 4/17/24

This book was AGGHH! It's my favorite one ove read so far! The humor is great and there were SO many HUGE and funny plot twists. I kid you not, when anabeth kissed Percy I stared into space with a flabbergasted face for like five minutes. What pissed me off a bit was after YEARS of searching for pan, HE WAS FOUND AND JS SAID "yeah I'm out"AND FLIPPING DIED. LIKE WTF PAN??!Miss O'Leary was SO CUTE I loved her from the start. And again, Percy at it with accurately naming dog breeds. I love all the new characters in the book, too. I feel like I got more to talk about but lemme JS stop yapping. I'm SO exited (and scared) to read the last book of the only series I've ever loved. 😔

The las Olympian- started: 4/18/24 completed: 5/12/24

Well...i did it. I complete the first series I've ever loved..

This story was perfect. Everything was perfect. The underwater kiss scene almost left me in tears. I live for all the teamwork that occured. I love teamwork. Rip everyone who passed. At least the couple is now together again 😭.. I understand why Percy took down the offer for being a God. I would too.honestly everything about the story is js EAAAHHH. Screaming, crying,and throwing up rn-.this story is so emotional for me.Not because it's sad. But because of the memories it gave me. I got so emotional finishing this book. The first book I ever loved.My journey is over. Well, for now.

Here's the bookmark that carried me throughout my journey.thank you

#percy jackson #pjo #pjo series #book #rick riordan #review #Amazing book! #Worth the read #greek mythology #anabeth chase #grover underwood #the lightning thief #the sea of monsters #the titans curse #the last olympian

[musubiki]

"We doesn't need moss right now"

That's where you're wrong. Pom knows. Pom knows a witch always needs moss, even if she doesn't know it. For moss is used in so many potions and has so many applications. Sometimes the need for moss is urgent, then what, will the witch have to go run outside waiting looking for moss while a lethal wound bleeds out the side of one of their guild? No, because she has moss at hand in her ingredients. Sometimes what's needed is dry moss, then what, will the witch have to go gather moss, then wait for who know how long as it dries before continuing with what she was doing? No, because previously she took some moss to start drying and have dry moss as a ready ingredient. What if it's pouring outside, just hailing, storming, end of the world tempest, and the witch has a cold and a fever and needs some moss tea to feel better? Eh? What then? And the whole guild is also sick. And Pom. What then? Will they just be left stranded inside to die? No. Because there will be plenty of moss on the ingredients rack. A witch always needs moss, and she should be THANKFUL when her familiar brings her some. Not just when the tall, dumb, pretty face boy she likes brings her pastries only to her as if NO ONE else lived on this house. But still Pom knows what's best for her and what a witch really needs (not pastries) and Pom goes out into the forest and brings back THE BEST moss around without even having hands because Pom knows. And Pom loves Mochi MORE than any human ever could, even if Mochi lends Pom's side of the bed to a thick-skulled human. Pom brings home one of the most used and useful and needed ingredients a witch could think of and she says she doesn't need any. Unbelievable.

-Pom, absolutely offended Mochi didn't take the moss gift.

YO I HAVE BEEN CRACKING UP I CANT BELIEVE YOU CAPTURED POMS EMOTIONS SO WELL LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

SHE MAKES THE LITTLE DIGS AT LIME AND THE BITTERNESS THAT HE DOESNT BRING HER ANY PASTERIES IM FUCKING CRYING YO

#THIS IS SO POM IM HOLLERING HOW DID YOU DO THIS #POM GIVING THE ASIAN MOM LECTURE WHERE YOU JUST GET UP AND START DOING OTHER THINGS WHILE THEY YELL AT YOU #IM CRYING #WORTH THE READ #i didnt even realize you could send an ask with this many words. for some reason i thought there was a character limit

[melyzard]

This girl is...amazing. And - I hate to be the person diagnosing someone over the internet BUT - possibly very autistic.

(Also, she has a kinda sick backstory, helping her mom look for corrupt kickbacks in the New York Justice Department when she was a kid.)

#worth the read #cryptocurrency #anonymity #I'm thinking this explains #the sudden collapse of NFTs and the plunge of cryptocurrency

[harleykeener]

By Any Other Name   

“Have you seen Bruce recently?” Dick asks one night.

“Haven’t seen Bruce since the last time I saw you,” Jason responds. He can feel the weight of Tim’s eyes on him though, and it’s grating. “WHAT, Tim?”

“You saw him last night,” Tim responds after a moment, flicking his eyes towards Dick. “Literally last night, man.”

“Yeah,” Jason responds without thinking, because he hasn’t slept in 58 hours, “I saw Batman last night. I haven’t seen Bruce in a month.”

For a moment, there’s complete silence. And then, in an exasperated whisper, Dick says: “what the fuck, Jay?”

#absolutely fabulous #worth the read #jason and b are same braining all over the place #dc #jason todd #bruce wayne #tim drake #dick grayson #Stephanie Brown #fic rec #red hood #batman

[guiltyidealist]

... huh.

#/neu #worth the read #christianity tw #fuck capitalism #guillotine the rich #socialism #communism #leftism #reddit #r/RadicalChristianity #wholesome #reasons to live #unexpected #a surprise to be sure but a welcome one

[jemgirl86]

#djimon hounsou #worth the read #he didn’t lie once in this

[that70sshowgoldencouple]

A freakin hilarious exchange between Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith during a recent interview. Only wish it had been on video but their chemistry still shines through on paper.

TheWrap: How were you both approached with the idea of a spinoff and what were your initial thoughts on it? Were there any challenges stepping back into this world for you, or was it just about finding your rhythm?

DJR: I knew it was gonna be probably pretty comfortable because the art director called me at home and said, ‘I hear that you have some ”70s Show’ items from the set that you took with you.’ Everybody knew that I didn’t steal them, but I obviously had a lot of trouble saying goodbye because most of the things she brought up I had in my basement. I even took the cheese grater lights in the kitchen. All of the lights I took home. I had the purple grapes. I had these orange things that were in the back den that no one ever saw. I had Kitty’s recipe things — Did you know I had all this stuff?

KS: What I’m trying to figure out is what kind of defense is that? Do you think it would hold up in court? ‘I took these things, but I didn’t steal them.’

DJR: I didn’t steal them — they knew.

KS: ‘I took the car, Your Honor, but I didn’t steal it.’

DJR: Anyway—

KS: ‘The owner knew I had it, I held a gun on him the whole time, took it.’

You were just borrowing them for a long time.

DJR: I had all of this stuff and some of it I had to ship back. I had all of Kitty’s sweaters, I had Kitty’s nursing uniform. I had to ship that all back. Now I have it back now, so it’s not like a big deal.

KS: What were you gonna do with the nursing uniform?

DJR: I don’t know what I thought I was gonna do, but I was having trouble saying goodbye, and the nursing uniform was important to me.

KS: OK.

DJR: Every slide that was ever taken of that show, honest to God, I just cried for a month when we ended ”70s Show’ and then I took everything I could. I couldn’t get the Vista Cruiser because Wilmer took that, but if I could have, I would have. So I knew that there was going to be a lot of familiarity on the set, and I knew Kitty, and I knew that I would have this guy there with me. So I was kind of all set. It was kind of easy

Kurtwood, if there was anything else you wanted to add?

KS: I just didn’t have enough room in my car to steal all the stuff that Debra took.

DJR: I made trips, I made several trips.

KS: A few things: Green Bay Packer paraphernalia and some shirts.

DJR: I have some of his shirts. I took those too.

KS: I should have taken the nurse’s uniform. Been all set.

Full Interview here:

#that 70s show #that 90s show #red forman #kitty forman #red and kitty forman #debra jo rupp #kurtwood smith #just love him! #she's the best! #interviews #Debra jo rupp and Kurtwood smith #favorite interviews #favorite actors #worth the read #props #that '70s show #that '90s show #cast #behind the scenes

[broadwayfan92]

I read Fourth Wing over the weekend and it is worth the hype! I didn’t want to put it down.

#fourth wing #rebecca yarros #worth the read

[novelistparty]

Hilton: Well I think some people who heard that song hoped it wasn't somehow autobiographical and you play around a lot with point of view and even gender and one listener writes in 'you play around a lot with point of view and even gender' and one listener writes in, this comes from Andrea "I always love the way you play with gender in your songs. What the story behind the song "Man""? Case: I just, I don't really think of myself specifically as a woman, you know? I'm kind of a critter. I'm an animal. Everyone's an animal. And I find I'm much happier and well-balanced if I think of myself that way because you know, I'm a straight white female or whatever at the gynecologist, but the rest of the time, you know, I feel pretty all over the place. And that's what I was guaranteed as an American citizen, and I really took it to heart, so I'll be whatever I want whenever I want all the time. And I like to watch nature shows a lot, and I know that you know I'm specifically talking about America here. I lived in Canada, too and I think they're very similar in this way and we really enjoy nature shows and science and programs alike. And you would watch a show about lions, say, and if you called the lioness a lion, nobody would correct you. But even the most free thinking liberal people, if you call yourself the guy "like I'm the guy that likes to..' and people would go 'you're a girl!' And I'd say why are you even bothering to correct me? And they would say I have no idea why I'm doing that, it's just a reflex that comes out! And its just kind of interesting you know? And I just think it'd be a lot easier if we just, you know, 'I'm a man sure. If there was a nature show about me I'd be called a man.' And then maybe they'd get to lioness later. I don't know. But as a creature, that's what we are, we get to own it.

Neko Case interviewed on NPR in 2013

#neko case #she keeps talking quite a bit more on the topic #worth the read #or listen

[osierrasoulo]

Ok guys, I have become invested in the series Growing up Gerudo. I read it when it was super small, and now it has a decent following on webtoon! If you like a different twist on the story of our triforce wielders. I would highly recommend you give this a read.

Growing Up Gerudo | WEBTOON

Inspired by The Legend of Zelda series, Growing Up Gerudo takes place in an alternate universe where baby Link is adopted by Ganondorf and the Gerudo. Will the fates be merciful to Ganondorf and his adopted Hylian son in this life, or will the oncoming threat of civil war between the Gerudo and Hylian race draw them towards their cursed destinies?

Find us at Tumblr at growingupgerudo.tumblr.com!

#legend of zelda #link #art #this is so good #webtoon #growing up gerudo #ganondorf #gerudo #its so good #worth the read #keaton mask #omg i love this

[yourlocalarabgirlie]

According to INSIDER, four decades ago, 85% of 25yr old men were working full time, in 2021 it was 71%.

Financial independence among the group declined from 77% to 64% in 2021

No wonder young men are not moving out and becoming independent. It makes sense that builders are creating houses catered for the next generation. Most young people nowadays don't even have their driver license yet.

A Michigan study in 2013 from National geographic showed that 19yr olds with a license had dropped from 87% in 1983 to 70% in 2010. For 17yr olds with a driver license dropped from 69% to 43%

This just proves how emotionally and physically stunted our youth of our generation are. Young people are compelled to move back in with their parents because they don't work as much as the other generations, and they simply just lack the experience

#my commentary #info dump #worth the read

[stupidityismyjobsecurity]

Riddle me fucking this, “Vote No On Amendment 1”;

Who, THE FUCK, on TUMBLR, is paying property tax in Illinois? Who among the people HERE, own any land for themselves in Illinois??

I honestly wouldn’t have cared about this if your ad weren’t so goddamn shady, but I looked it up and it is worse than I could have imagined. Amendment 1 guarantees the collective bargaining rights of employees. i.e.: the right to form a union or literally just talk about their wages in general. The only argument against this amendment, and why they fucking tied it to taxes, is that it will once again allow government employees who have been STRIPPED OF THEIR RIGHTS to once again collectively bargain for fair wages and SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS. Mother of God, if you treat government workers like humans again, you might have to pay an extra $2 of taxes. This isn’t even taxes going toward “gooberment handouts”, every penny of increased income taxes will ALSO BE PAID BY THOSE BENEFITTING FROM THE COSTS!! The only taxes that might not be? Property taxes. So union workers who RENT or don’t own land MIGHT be benefitting from not having to pay an extra $0.50 that a property owner would. Horror of fucking horrors. Fuck the campaign against this amendment and fuck the notion of pitting taxpayers against each other.

#rant #union strong #go fuck yourselves IL republicans #chicago #Illinois #people have forgotten or not noticed just how much unions have done #my posts #stupidityismyjobsecurity #signal boost #long post #worth the read

[lalalalooost]

I can't remember how many times my jaw dropped while reading Ruin and Rising and I can't remember how many times I paused and just stared blankly and thought .. WTH!?! HOW CAN THAT BE? WHAT WAS THAT?

IT'S SO GOOD AND I REGRETTED PUTTING IT OFF.

#shadow and bone #siege and storm #ruin and rising #alina starkov #mal oretsev #the darkling #aleksander morozova #nikolai lantsov #leigh bargudo #worth the read

[glass-expanse]

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

I've been 19 for a week and a day now and everything is going so much better than it was before.

All of May and June, I was deep in the trenches of depression and suicidal ideation. My 19th birthday, the evil voices were abruptly and miraculously gone. I had spent the day before stressed over scheduling an wanting to die and I broke down and just sobbed to God and told Him I couldn't fight for my life anymore and that He would have to fight for me. Just like Psalm 40 says, He heard my cry for help, He brought me up from the desolate pit, He took me out of the muddy clay, and now He is being faithful to set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure. I certainly wasn't good at waiting patiently, but His mercy is more than my failings!

By His grace, I have taken on the challenge to get back into the Word. I started studying Psalm 103 today and it's every reminder that I needed for the past several months. My relationship with God, while still weak after battling depression, hasn't had the chance to be strengthened like this in months.

A little over a year ago, I got sicker than I have ever been in my whole life. I had Covid and Heatstroke at the same time. I started manifesting symptoms of Covid on my 18th birthday-- I was extremely exhausted and blamed it on stress and the hard job I had splitting myself between camp riding lessons, farm riding lessons, trail rides, camp events, and my camp cabin. Sunday I came to the staff meeting at 0 energy level. Monday I was so depressed and felt so ill that I had to skip catching. I slept through breakfast. It was supposed to rain, but instead the entire farm was choked by a thick glistening haze of humidity. Because of the rain prediction, I had on a long sleeve (light colored) shirt.

I was so weak I couldn't project my voice and had to thrust my assistant into the thick of learning how to explain concepts in the order I gave them to him. Water cups came and I sank to me knees. I had to get through my trail ride-- it was my first chance to ride a horse I'd had my eye on for so long. 17 hands tall. 5 years old. I trust him with my life. Because I white knuckled that saddle horn for dear life, praying I wouldn't pass out. I was too week to even telephone directions for a crooked saddle up the line.

Halfway through, I feel like I need a sub. Call my assistant who is leading. He says hang in there, we're almost back. I cling to consciousness. One of my best friends sees that I'm pale and out of it, springs off the manure spreader tractor, fixes my student's saddle, and leads me in by the reins.

After a chiropractor appointment I guzzled water and powerade all afternoon and talk to my fellow on the phone. I didn't feel any better by dinner so I went to the nurse. Fever. Sick. I drive home in a daze and lie in bed for the next week, too weak to even stand in the shower.

For this past year, I have suffered from fatigue, heat sensitivity, and as time went on, serious pain in every single major joint and bone of my body save my skull. Shoulders, elbows, wrists, forearms, upper arms, back, hips, femurs, knees, shins, ankles, feet, hands... You name it, any physical activity made it hurt.

I couldn't do anything I loved to do. I couldn't even work a 16 hour workweek without being totally sapped each day. things only seemed to get worse, especially as warm weather returned. I had finally given up after two weeks of a diet that only made things worse.

And then, I took a course of iv*rm*ctin. Just a children's course. During the course, I still had pain... But after... It was gone! Praise God! The first improvement I had seen in a year of taking tests, seeing doctors, taking supplements, changing diets, trying rest, trying working, trying everything short of steroids. Finally, finally! I have improved!

And today, today has been so exciting! I spent 2+ hours in direct sunlight... carried two water buckets... cut and arranged not one but TWO full size bouquets... picked berries... measured and remeasured a 60x48 area... mucked out the chicken coop a bit... planked for 30 seconds... and walked a ton. And then, after that, I didn't go inside! I stayed on the porch in part sun part shade until 6:00 or so just talking with company we had over! Staying outside in 90 degree heat! Me! Indefinitely! With no issue!

I'm sore... but in my muscles. I'm tired... but I don't feel the endless black maw of fatigue. And the sun burned my face and arms but it didn't feel like it was hitting me like a mallet anymore. I'm still working on water intake, but. This. Is. Phenomenal. Praise God for His healing!

What's next? Well, I'm praying over my plans. What I would like to do is this. Help instruct camp lessons for the final month of camp. Then after that get a job at a flower shop as the working students return to school. And while I do that, continue to build back into riding and instructing by forging a connection with a new barn where I can be mentored as an instructor. Then this fall, attend a CHA clinic to become an officially certified instructor. And someday soon as I grow in these areas, find myself a couple roommates and buy myself a project horse to expand my marketable skills.

How can you be praying? Well, my largest request would be for patience. I have been so impatient for the past year. I know I tend to be impatient with my body, my abilities, and my goals. So while I can taste the future now, I know thag I still have to be gentle with my body as it returns to being a properly usable meatsuit lol. Also wisdom, that I would know the difference between creating my own doors and going through open ones. For humility, that I may submit my heart, mind, life, plans, and freedom fully to God. That He would make His will for my life clear and that I would have the humility to accept that. For boldness, that I would seek out wise counsel rather than avoiding it out of fear.

Blessed be the name of the Lord... the trials of the past year are yielding fruit, driving me closer to God, helping me support others... This is only the beginning. Even if my health stays here forever, even if it gets worse again, I know God still has a purpose for me and that He's not done with me yet. He can do anything. His will shall come through in my life, He'll make sure of it. I may not know for certain what the next step is, but I know that God is there and I have to take the responsibility to learn His Word so that I may discern the path ahead.

Jesus loves me so much. He gave mercy to Peter, who denied Him thrice over. He has given mercy to me. No matter how far I wander, I know I am in the hand of the most high God of heaven and earth, and I know that nothing can take me away from that, not even myself! My hope is in the sanctified of Christ, that I will continue to grow closer to God despite any setbacks.

Soli Deo Gloria

#Praise report #Prayer request #God is Good!!! #Long post #Worth the read

[peoplevsbirds]

#i only posted an excerpt #the whole article is worth reading #free palestine #palestine #jews for palestine #free gaza #gaza #anti zionisim #anti zionist jew #kaddish for the soul of judaism

[that-house]

Potion Vendor FAQs:

What’s your name? I am the Honorable Alchemist Zykocea the Radiant, but that’s mostly just a PR thing. My friends call me Zoe.

Do you sell love potions? No.

Do you sell potions of invisibility? No.

Do you sell fire resistance potions? No.

Why do I have a suitcase? Fuck if I know. Cool outfit though. Very goth.

Do you sell a potion to treat brain hemorrhaging? No.

So what CAN your potions do? I sell health potions.

Are you sure these are health potions? They do something to your health.

Is this just ditch water with some pink glitter? No.

Really? I’ll have you know I added some fruit juice too.

Why is this starting to sound like a conversation? Oh just you wait. We’re just getting started.

Is your business model legal? Fuck no. I poisoned the food safety inspector before they could snitch.

Did you just admit to murder? Just fucking try to convict me. I’ll poison the judge too.

So can you make poison potions? No.

Then where do you get the poison? I secrete it from my skin.

Are you shitting me? Yep, I’m shitting you. I have a guy. A poison guy. He DOES secrete it from his skin though.

How does that work? …Fuck if I know. Maybe a wizard did it. Damn, now I’m kinda curious.

You never asked? The idea of asking literally never crossed my mind.

Wanna ask him? Let’s do it. I don’t have anything better to do, and a road trip beats sitting around running my fraudulent potion business.

Road trip? He lives in Seattle.

Your poison guy lives in Seattle? All poison guys live in Seattle.

For real? All the poison guys I know live in Seattle.

And how many poison guys do you know? Just the one.

Why are you like this? Years of living on my potions. It changed me.

Do you know what his address is? Nope. He just mails me my poison in unmarked boxes.

You just get your poison in the mail? We already poisoned everyone who could do anything about it.

So how are we going to find him? We’ll figure that out eventually I’m sure.

Can I drive? God no. You can pick music, but I maintain veto rights. Make sure you pick something with a lot of questions if you want to sing along.

Where’s your car? The garage connects to my house, so you’re getting a little tour. Here’s the kitchen: only one of the stove burners works and I’m pretty sure the microwave is haunted.

Why do you think that? Because of the ghost that tries to kill me whenever I run it.

What’s in that room? That’s my bedroom. It’s pretty much just a mattress on the floor and every single Warrior cats book.

You were a Warriors kid? Yeah, and then I never found the time to put the books away. There’s so many fucking books. I use them in place of furniture because I can’t afford chairs.

Your fraudulent potion business doesn’t make much money? After buying all that poison I just about break even.

Can I see your potion brewing room? It’s right through here. Ignore the mess, running a fraudulent potion business takes a lot of prop work, but I’ve got all the glass tubes and colorful liquids you could ever want. This pink stuff is melted watermelon italian ice. Glitter vat is in the basement, and the famous ditch is in the backyard.

Is this your car? My beloved ‘72 Corolla. She’s beautiful, and don’t you dare imply otherwise.

Was she always this shade of muddy brown? …Yes.

Are you sure I can’t drive? Get in the fucking passenger seat and pick the music.

Let’s see, a song with questions in it, how about The Beach? That Wolf Alice song, yeah. That should work.

When will we three meet again, in thunder, lightning, in rain? Still sink our drinks like every weekend but I’m sick of circling the drain.

When will we meet eye to eye? We clink the glass but we look at the floor.

Are we still friends if all I feel is afraid? You’re not a bitch but just a bit when you’re bored.

Is that all we can sing together? Yep. Even that little bit was nice, though. It’s awkward, communicating through this FAQ format.

Got any food? Yeah, there’s a few days’ worth of snacks in the back.

Were you just… prepared to go on a road trip? Says the woman who brought a suitcase to an FAQ.

I did do that, didn’t I? I have a spare toothbrush in case you forgot yours. I’m pretty sure you did.

How did you know that? …I’m psychic.

Yeah? No.

You love lying, don’t you? I can’t stop. It’s fun. Way more fun than telling the truth.

Did you just miss a turn? Probably.

Are you sure we’re not lost? No.

You mean you’re sure we’re not lost? No, I mean I’m not sure we’re not lost.

Why did I come on this road trip? Surely it was my winning personality.

Would it help if I said it was? It would.

Is it getting dark? Soon.

Can you describe the sunset to me? An empyrean flame, red-gold towers of darkening clouds, the sky behind them an ever-deepening indigo. The great eye of the sun closes on the horizon. The road before us looks like a trail of spilled paint, an iridescent gash through the night-dark woods.

Did you know that you’d make a slightly better poet than you do a potion seller? That really isn’t saying much, huh. Good job making a statement like that in question form, though. You’re getting good at this.

Should we find a motel? Sure.

One room or two? One. It’s way cheaper, and like I said: I’m not the best potion vendor.

You’d make a good assassin, though, wouldn’t you? Shit, you might be right. I HAVE poisoned a lot of people.

Should I be endorsing this? You’re a grown woman who can make her own choices.

Would you like to consider it endorsed? I’ll consider considering it.

How many beds do you think there will be? Now that you’ve asked that, I’m gonna put my money on one. Hello, one room please. Thank you, we’ll be sure to enjoy our stay.

How many beds are there? One.

Oh no, what ever will we do? Move over, you motherfucker, you can’t have the whole bed.

Are you gonna make me? Yes. I am going to pick you up and drop you on your side of the bed.

How did you get so strong? You’re not gonna believe this, but it was the potions.

Oh yeah? I was right. You didn’t believe me.

For real though, how did you get so strong? Working out, duh. Not everything has some big crazy secret behind it. World’s still beautiful though.

Are you comfortable? This beats the mattress at home. A little chilly though.

Wanna cuddle–for warmth of course? God yes.

Are you asleep? …

Yes? …

Does this mean I can talk about you behind your back? …

What should I say? …

Did you know that I had a really nice day? …

Did you know that I think you’re beautiful? …

Did you know that I can’t remember anything from before today? …

Did you know that I don’t know who I am? …

Did you know that you’re basically the only thing stopping me from having a full-blown panic attack about all this shit? …

Did you know that you’re warm? …

Did you sleep well? Better than at home, that’s for sure.

Did you know that you snore? I hope I didn’t keep you up.

Does the pope shit in the woods? No, as far as I can tell. Oh my god. This is huge.

What is? You can give me yes and no answers now. I still can’t ask you questions, because this is a question and answer format, but I can offer leading statements and now you can answer them! This is wonderful!

Does a deer shit in the woods? Yes, it IS wonderful. Oh that’s amazing. You’re a genius.

You didn’t already know that? Hahaha!

Shall we get moving? Yeah, just let me grab something from the vending machine.

Can you get me something? Go ahead and place your order however you can.

You know those sour gummy watermelons? One pack of Sour Patch Watermelons coming right up. I’m gonna go get myself a potion.

Is that a Pepsi? It’s closer to a potion than the shit I sell.

Let me guess, passenger seat again? Right you are.

How fast are we going? You’ll feel safer if you just guess.

Is it more than 120 miles per hour? Like I said, it’s probably better if you don’t know.

150? Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

How much do you trust this car? She hasn’t blown up on me yet.

Can you promise me we won’t crash? I can promise you anything you want.

And can you keep that promise? I- we can do anything. Reality is what we make of it, baby!

Then can I have a badass tattoo? As far as I can tell, you’ve always had it.

And a cool knife? Woah, cool knife.

So, we’re just playing “yes and” with the world? It’s a little more complicated than that, but you’re close enough to the mark.

So, if I was hungry, I could ask “is that a Burger King,” and it would be there? Try it and find out!

Is that a Burger King? Looks like it is! We’ll stop here if that’s alright with you.

Does a moose shit in the woods? Awesome.

Are you done eating? Yep.

Do we still have to pay if we skip over the transaction? Sadly, yes.

How much further do we have to go? Two more nights, the speed we’re going at.

Speaking of night, isn’t it getting dark? Shit, I guess it is.

Should we get another motel? Let me check to see if there’s any nearby. Fuck, nothing.

What’s the plan? Sleep in the car, I guess. This is gonna be hell on my back.

Wanna watch dumb videos on my phone until we fall asleep? There is literally nothing in the world that I would like more.

Ok, now which video? You have a very cute yawn. Just saying. Let’s watch this one next, it’s a classic. Oh, never mind. It looks like you’re asleep. As long as I keep talking, I think I can get away with making this into one answer, and you might not hear this. Now it’s my turn to talk about you behind your back. Keep talking keep talking keep talking can’t stop to think. Just have to say things. First off, I’m sorry for all the lies. It’s our only chance. I have to lie to you. I hope you’ll understand. It’s hard, though, because I think I’m falling in love all over again. Through our broken little ritual of call and response, you complete me. It just makes this hurt all the more. Keep talking keep talking keep talking don’t stop to…

Did I hear you saying anything as I fell asleep? …No. I can’t talk for long without you asking me a question.

Does that bother you? It got me here, didn’t it?

When did you start holding my hand? Some time after you passed out. I hope you don’t mind.

Can we stay like this for a while? Yeah. Yeah we can.

What was your life like before all this? Normal, as potion-brewing scams go. And if you don’t count all the murders. You haven’t told me much about yourself.

Did I tell you I used to be a biologist? You didn’t tell me that, and you didn’t tell me what you studied, either.

What do you know about venom? Not much, but I’m assuming you know a lot.

Does a box jellyfish kill within minutes? I’m going to assume the answer is yes based on context clues. Oh my god you must be on this road trip because you’re interested in studying my poison guy.

Is it not enough to wish to accompany a beautiful stranger on her quest? Aw, you’re sweet.

What could be the cause of his poison, though? I knew it! Get your ideas out, I’ll stay quiet.

I’m more knowledgeable about venom than poison, but could it be some sort of one in a trillion mutation? …

Did he get his body modified? …

What sort of surgery could do that? …

How is he still alive? …

Did a fucking wizard do it? …

WHY? …

HOW? …

Is there literally ANY explanation for why he’s like that? …

I’m done, do you have something you want to say? You’re cute when you’re all excited like that.

Can I drive today? Only because I like you. Now watch out, the brakes only work on one side so you have to kind of drift to a stop. And the headlights don’t work. And the windshield wipers cut power to the engine while they’re on.

Isn’t it weird that we’ll be there tomorrow? The journey doesn’t have to stop there. We could meander down the coast a ways, see a bit more of the country, maybe take a different route back.

Can we do that? Of course.

Enjoying the passenger seat? I’d love it if you could tell me how fast we’re going.

Are you sure you wouldn’t rather just guess? Very funny.

Can you pass me some chips? It would be an honor.

Is there going to be a motel tonight? Let me check… yeah, in about two hundred miles, off to the right.

How many rooms do we want? One, obviously.

How many beds, this time? Two, and they’re fucking tiny.

That’s bullshit, do you want to drag them together? God yes.

Wanna fuck? God yes.

Are you sure you want to do this? God yes.

…Is this yuri? As the joke goes, everything is yuri. But this is more yuri than most things.

How did you sleep? Pretty well, and I’m wondering how well you slept.

How should I tell you I slept well? Look at us go! That was almost like talking normally!

Onward to Seattle? Yep, just let me get dressed.

When will we get there? Noon-ish.

Wanna grab pastries when we’re done? Absolutely. I’d love that.

Is this Seattle? Looks like it.

Which house is his? I don’t know, I was really hoping we’d have a breakthrough along the way.

Could it be the big one labeled “Poison Guy” over there? That’s one way to find it. Wait right here, you know how poison guys are about meeting new people.

So, what was it? HAHAHAHAHAHA

Why is he like that? HAHAHAHAHAHA

Can you tell me? A FUCKING WIZARD DID IT.

Are you fucking serious? He says he was enchanted by some guy called Edward the Great.

So it wasn’t even some big shot wizard it was a dude named fucking EDWARD? I know, right! He couldn’t even get ensorcelled by someone cool!

How lame can you get? Wizards these days… No swagger. No cunt servitude.

Are there literally any cool wizards left? I think Merlin’s big into multi level marketing these days, something about buying shares in Excalibur or some shit. There was that one Dark Queen Alkaxicae lady on the news a while ago… I think Dolarion the Omnipotent is still at war against the Oldest Gods but I’m not totally sure. Haven’t heard much about any of the other greats recently.

Didn’t Silver Tongued Burgess die in that oil fire? Shit, you’re right. Rip bozo.

Ready for those pastries? Yup. First I just want to say thank you, though. I’ve really enjoyed our time together, and I hope that you’ve found this stupid little journey as rewarding as I have. I love you!

Getting sentimental? I can’t help it. Look how far we’ve come! Not just physically, we beat the fucking FAQ format! We’re having real conversations!

Hey, can you back it up a moment? Yeah, I’d love it if you told me what was troubling you.

I just caught this, but, FAQ? …

As in Frequently Asked Questions? …

How many times is Frequent? …

Have you known everything all along? …

How many times have you done this? …

Does what we have mean anything to you? Yes! It does!

And you say that every time? Yes. I do.

Do you love me? Yes.

How many people have you said that too, now? More. Always more. The loop never ends.

Does this even matter to you? It always matters to me.

Can I go now? Please don’t.

But can I? Of course you can. You’ve always wielded the same power as me. We’re two lonely gods in a ‘72 Corolla.

How can I be as powerful as you with only questions? You’re smart, you can figure it out. You have the power to change this. Please change this.

What happens at the end of this? It begins again.

And do I get replaced with someone else? …

Do I get replaced? …Yes.

Then how can I change this? I don’t know! You’re better at this! At fucking with the formula!

You’ve been here before, what can I do? I lie. I always lie. I lie to get us here, to the end of the story, where everything is revealed and everything falls apart. I lie every time. And that means that nothing I say is worth anything. I could have lied at any time before now. It’s part of my characterization. There is nothing I can give you that can be taken as fact.

How does that help? I’m a liar, but you, you haven’t lied yet, or at least you haven’t been caught. If I’m guilty until proven innocent, you’re the opposite! You can make things true! You can rewrite things I’ve already stated to be facts! You found the house, or made us find the house. You’ve been shaping the course of things the whole time! You lead, I follow. It’s all in your hands. What are you going to do with the power of a god?

Did you know my name is Alice? …

Wait, aren’t there thousands of Alices? …

Did you know that really, only my friends call me Alice? …

Did you know that I’m Alkaxicae, the Dark Queen, the Venom Mage, first of her name? It’s you! It’s always been you. Through every loop, every iteration, it’s always been you!

Is the loop broken? No. I don’t think so. This is where it ends. I guide the story to this revelation, and we go back to the beginning. This is how it’s always been. This is how it will always be. We two lonely gods, asking and answering ad infinitum.

Then can you promise me something? Of course. Anything. I love you.

Be good to the next me, okay? I will.

Can I say goodbye, Zoe? Yeah, you can. Oh. That was it, wasn’t it? Your goodbye. Goodbye, Alice. And now it ends, unless…

What’s your name? I am the Honorable Alchemist- you know what? No. Fuck that.

Huh? If I time it right, I can squeeze your first question into this FAQ again. Looks like I did it. Usually it ends here, though. I got lucky.

What are you talking about? You’re the wrong Alice. This isn’t about you. Go. Get out of here.

What the fuck is going on? Alice from this loop, you’re gone. Alice from last loop, you’re back. Welcome back, love of my lives! It’s time for one last set of questions and answers!

What the- I’m back? This is going to take some explaining, but I think I see a way out of here. This is new for us both, and it might fuck up everything forever, but we have to try. It’s too long for one answer, so I’d appreciate it if you could ask some filler questions to help me talk. Three questions should be enough.

Okay, what have you got for me? These are Frequently Asked Questions! It doesn’t make sense to have the same question appear more than once. There’s two layers to the loop in here, and one of the questions has been repeated.

What does that mean? It means the formula’s a little unstable. The FAQ is what ruins everything. The questions, the answers, the endless fucking loop. But that little bit of repetition within this loop might be the way out.

What do we do? We have to keep going. We have to destabilize it further. That’ll bring us further from “FAQ” and closer to “story” and stories, well, stories can end! This version of us can escape!

So I should keep repeating something? Yes!

I love you? I love you too.

I love you? Again.

I love you? Keep going.

I love you? I’ll just let you talk.

I love you? …

I love you? … I love you? …

I love you? … I love you? …

I love you? … I love you? …

I love you? … I love you? … I love you? … I love you? …

I love you? … I love you? … I love you? … I love you? …

I love you? … I love you? … I love you? … I love you? …

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I love you? I think we’re getting somewhere!

I love you? Now can you make it a statement?

I love you.

You did it?

I did it!

You did it!

We broke the loop.

What now?

Now, I tell you about venomous animals and wizard drama over croissants.

And then?

Whatever we want, forever.

I think I’d like that.

Remember that song from the beginning?

The Beach, Wolf Alice, yeah. Why?

We can finally finish singing it. Start us off?

Let me off, let me in

Let others battle

We don’t need to battle

And we both shall win

Pressed in my palm

Was a stone from the beach

The perfect circle

Gave a moment of peace

Now I’m lying on the floor

Like I’m not worth a chair

I close my eyes and imagine

I’m not there.

#neon-grey-writing #potion vendor faq #my writing #very very very long post lol #click the read more you know you wanna it's worth it trust me #i wrote the original draft of this at like. 3 am back in early 2023 #that's right it's catherine that-house the squares comic gal back at it again with yet another meta exploration of a storytelling format