#all three of them are making bad financial decisions

[tiedtoswift]

@wearewatcher

I got a business degree please hire me to make some good financial decisions for you cause something is definitely not working with this current setup

#watcher #ryan boogara #shane madej #ryan bergara #steven lim #puppet history #ghost files #mystery files #all three of them are making bad financial decisions #please i beg of thee #i already have a job but seeing the decisions y'all have made hurt me so bad

[spacy-snail]

Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand people wanting to go back to how everything was before this debacle

But I can’t in good faith ever look at these guys the same way again. It doesn’t matter who’s decision it was, or why they did it, all three of them sat on that couch and were full send ready to leave their community behind to make some more money

I’ve been around since the Unsolved days and I was so excited to help them build up this new channel that was all theirs, free of the control of Buzzfeed, and them not even taking 5 seconds to think of how that community would feel leaving them behind for a payed service would feel tells me everything I need to know about them

So many people have been saying it, but it bares repeating, they had SO many other options to fix their financials. Downsizing, moving out of LA, not doing Worth It, not going international with Ghost Files, fucking promoting their Patreon. And from all of the analyzing from those who know what they’re talking about, it doesn’t sound like they were hurting for cash it all, it sounds like they don’t want to give up the lifestyles they currently have, want to do more, and were willing to throw their community under the bus to do it

I think what really sold it to me that the guys in the “Goodbye YouTube” were the real version of these guys and not the “We’re Sorry” video was the fact that in the small amount of time they had, they still had time to bemoan about how they were doing it so they wouldn’t have to “bow to the whims of the advertisers” and “oh well now we can’t pay our staff a good wage but if this is what you want :/“

Like yeah, they apologized, but they still double down that they were doing it for “the right reasons”

I’ve been around on YouTube long enough where I feel like I can tell when people are actively having to bend their backs to appeal to the almighty algorithm and advertisers, and Watcher is not one of those channels. They have NEVER made a comment about having issues with the platform before this, they have never done anything to ask for extra support, or help, or even plugging their fucking Patreon

I still want to watch their content, I still think they’re funny and I still think their shows are creative and entertaining, but it’s going to be a long while before the bad taste in my mouth from this decision goes away

#vent #watcher #ryan bergara #shane madej #steven lim #snail scribbles

[treasureyourfire]

~Pick a Pile~

Your Strength ~ Your Weakness ~ Advice from your Spirit Guides

(English is not my mother language, sorry for the mistakes.)

I am excited to present to you my first Pick a Pile reading. >w<

I would appreciate any feedback on which Pile you chose and whether the message resonated with you or not. <3

From the three images below, choose the one that attracts you the most, or even more, as your intuition tells you. If you didn't recognize yourself in any of the readings, none of its messages resonated with you, don't worry. There may not be a message for you in these three readings, maybe another time. SEQUENCE: - Pile 1 - Top image - Pile 2 - Lower left image - Pile 3 - Lower right image

These are GENERAL readings, so they are not exactly right for everyone.

If the message does not resonate with you, feel free to let it go.

TIMELESS readings, whenever you can find them, apply to your current state or situation in that particular period.

The artist: Polina Bright www.polinabright.com

~Pile 1~

Your Strength - Ace of Pentacles

Your Weakness – Reversed Two of Swords

Advice from your Spirit Guides - Reversed Chariot

You are able to see and take advantage of the opportunities that arise in your material world, which are usually fruitful for you. You have the ability to create financial security and prosperity for yourself. You thrive well in the world of material, work and money, you handle your possessions wisely and with a sure hand, which you are happy to share with those around you. You like to give in general and give gifts to others. Gift-giving may be your primary love language. Value is more important to you than quantity, even in your private life. You strive to establish lasting relationships and you are loyal to your loved ones, who can count on your support in good and bad times.

You are usually balanced, but there are situations when - although you try to balance in the inner turmoil - you accumulate your feelings, which can burst out of you all at once in the end or lead to an unexpected mood change. Perhaps you have recently been forced into a decision-making situation, maybe a new, unknown path is ahead of you, which entails greater responsibility, and this may have triggered a similar condition for you. You like to examine all sides of a case, and you are reluctant to make a hasty decision -which is totally fine- but, unfortunately, this can lead to anxiety and restlessness in the long run. You may feel confused and overwhelmed, impatient with others. When your doubts are too loud in your head, they can paralyze you and prevent you from moving forward towards your goals. Because of these loud fears or beliefs, it can be difficult for you to hear your own inner voice, when your intuition and your self-confidence are pushed into the background.

To get out of this jam and make a decision, you need to listen to your inner compass in your own silence. For this, you need patience with yourself and others, while it is worth considering the direction. "Is this my true path?" "What is my real purpose?" "What do I really want?" Although this card appeared reversed, I feel that you are guided by a pure, noble intention, you are not aggressive and you do not run over others, it is just a struggle for you to get ahead. Step back a little from the situation, examine your motivations, staying honest with yourself. When your thoughts are clear and your worries are calmed, you can regain your clarity, which can put control back into your hands. If you find what your TRUE purpose is, focus on it unwaveringly. Trust yourself, your knowledge, be determined, but patient. Follow your intuition, your softly whispering guiding star.

~Pile 2~

Your Strength - Reversed Eight of Wands

Your Weakness - Queen of Wands

Advice from your Spirit Guides – Six of Cups

You are a passionate soul, whether you are an artist or an athlete, and you are happy to show your talent to the world. In terms of creativity, you have your own unique style, which may be unusual and surprising for others, but certainly interesting and exciting. You are an intuitive, life-affirming, freedom-loving person, full of drive and energy. You are ambitious when it comes to your goals. You would prefer to be constantly on the move, progressing at an accelerated pace in the areas of your life that are important to you, but sometimes you may feel that external factors are hindering you. If you slow down a bit, you have the opportunity to overcome obstacles and difficulties that slow you down with patience, persistence and focus. It can be characteristic of your creativity or other areas of your life that you are ready to go against general expectations and norms.

If you handle the fire inside you wisely, you will inspire and enthuse others, you will feed their souls with your loving warmth, but if the flames break free, you can burn them around you. Be careful. You have a fiery temperament, you have a definite idea about everything, your fierceness can sometimes cause conflict with those around you, and your strong attachment to your own views can hinder you in situations where adaptation, compromise or change is necessary. Your courage is indisputable, but be careful with recklessness and haste, you should stop and calmly think things over, consciously prepare for future situations before whatever you jump into.

It's worth putting your energies to good use. By respecting the opinions of others, with understanding, attention and kindness, you are able to create the intimate, supportive environment that you and those close to you need. Give to others from the loving warmth that is inside you. Nurture and take care of the relationships that are dear to your heart, even visit childhood friends, if that's what you want. Maybe what you need right now is to connect with your inner child, to recall the happy memories of your childhood, when even simple things brought joy. By recalling uplifting memories and nostalgic feelings, you may draw new soaring inspiration, perhaps helping to give you the necessary push for the next step.

~Pile 3~

Your Strength – Three of Cups

Your Weakness – Reversed Ten of Cups

Advice from your Spirit Guides - Justice

You are a friendly, kind, supportive person who likes to be in community, enjoy life and have good parties. Shared meals, music, and dancing are important ingredients for your happiness. With your cheerful character, you brighten the day of those close to you, your cheerfulness spreads to others, and you also gain strength from them, you can really recharge with them. Your friends and/or family relationships are a priority for you, you provide support to those who need it. You are a team player with whom others enjoy working together or spending their free time.

However, it happens that we are faced with conflicts in our relationships, and our internal harmony can also be upset due to external factors. Our emotions can overflow, because of this we don't always see clearly or act soberly. In such cases, you may be inclined to withdraw completely emotionally, cutting off the path to communication and mutual understanding.

As another option, it can also happen that sometimes you are surrounded by the wrong people, when you empty your own cup to the last drop for the benefit of others, but your efforts are not reciprocated. The lack of mutual support and one-sided efforts also point to imbalance in relationships. This can result in you being emotionally drained totally and enervate. Your colorful world turns gray, your zest for life leaves you.

If you find yourself in this situation, if you can, take a break and step back a little. Try to examine yourself and the situation with an external eye, calmly and quieting your emotions. Don't let your upset feelings cloud your good judgment. Face your inner driving forces so that you can take responsibility for yourself and your actions. Be honest with yourself and others. Think it over, weigh it up, then take the next step thoughtfully, with a conscious decision, and with honest intentions. Let your inner Truth, your inner compass guide you. It can help if you look for activities or situations in your life that help you find your inner harmony again. These can be forms of meditation, yoga, or any meditative activity that strengthens you in your inner center.

#pick a pile #tarot #tarot reading #tarotblr #tarot community #pick a card #pick an image #pick a card reading #pac reading #pac tarot #pac #pick a picture #mine

[stickthisbig]

Look it was a really fuckin rough day and internet drama is what is keeping me afloat so here's some bullshit about Watcher

I don't want to talk about creative decisions. Creators deserve to be paid and TV costs a lot of money, and whether you think a TV model makes sense and reflects the brand's appeal is ultimately a matter of taste.

I want to talk about how much this fuckin thing costs.

If you are going to make a venture like this survive, you must aim at the money. I am the money. I'm financially independent and old enough to have kids who watch the show but have no income, I am a long-time BFU/Watcher fan who's splashed out for merch and a live show, and I've subbed to multiple similar services (RIP Alpha). I am the boring adult that you must convince, because I am the one who can pay for this without a second thought. You will not make it through this on the empty promises of children.

The closest comp to Watcher is not Dropout; it's Nebula. And trust me on this- they would prefer you to compare it to Dropout, because of how much better it makes them look. Compared on full prices (because you can almost always get a discount), Nebula costs half of what Watcher does, for a much, much larger catalog. I am a huge fan of Nebula. I've watched hundreds of hours on Nebula, because there is loads of varied content from creators who have expressed exactly the same wishes for creative freedom as the Watcher team.

And honestly, if we are gonna talk about comparisons to Dropout, you're never gonna be able to watch BFU on this service, so it's apples to oranges anyway.

I am certain that they will make more money percentage-wise through this service. It's not on me to care about their yield from youtube vs a dedicated streaming service vs a partnered streaming deal. That's not my job; I'm not their accountant or their dad. It's on me to look at value for money. I am not a charity, and when you put yourself up as a commodity, I'm gonna kick the tires and leave if I don't like the price.

I'm not going to pay $60 for this, or $42, or $6/month, because it's a bad value on my end. It is less content for more money. $30 still would have been too high, but there was a price point where I, the person with the intersection of money and interest, would have said yes. That is the trade-off: you can wait around forever for somebody to spend $60 and end up with $0, or you can get three people who balked in for $20 each and end up with $60.

Look, we're all friends here, we know the Watcher crew is not so damn dumb that they didn't look into joining an existing streaming service. It's not a fuckin grand revelation that there were potentially other options, and obviously they must have thought about this for longer than ten minutes. But when your service is MUCH more expensive than its closest comparison (Nebula) and the same price as the well-established competitor you'd like to be compared to (Dropout), why on god's green earth would you think I would buy it if I was anything short of obsessed? Where is your growth plan? How is this sustainable? The absolute best plan for me is to wait until the next series of Ghost Files is over, pay $6 to watch the whole series, then cancel again.

Also you're fuckin leaving money on the table by not having delayed VOD on youtube but at this point, that's none of my business.

If it's worth $60 to you and you've got the money, you do what's right for you. But I'm out. No hard feelings! But also no $60.

(Also I do think 100% saying that the back catalog will stay on youtube is a walkback and not what he said in the video, so like, watch that)

#watcher #anyway off to watch some nebula I think #oh yeah I forgot #most of nebula cross-posts to youtube anyway

[clubdionysus]

[BAD DECISION #31] The Photo Booth

warnings: THE photoboth chapter!!!! a legend amongst bd readers!!!! we meet jaykays mum (shes the best) and his dad (legend), byeol gets her own back for the 'daddy' debacle, teasing, shameless flirting, a lil dirty talk, jaykay is desperate and whiney (just how we like him!!), precum...swapping?? as much as it can be swapped lmao, jaykay does her glitter ::(((((, a date! between friends!! some would argue!!, photobooths, kissing !!!!, oh god I love them so much, very cute, mmmmmm the way he says goodnight!! or alternatively, the way he doesn't say goodnight!!, our babies are v confused <3 cos they are stewpid <33

wc: 9k

bd total wc: 540k (ongoing)

AO3 | MASTERLIST | MINORS DNI

"Mum? Dad?" Jeongguk calls into the entryway of his family home, pushing the door further open with his shoulder.

Your bag is hooked over his broad back, along with his own, Jeongguk not even considering it a favour. Just helps you out in little ways whenever he can, just because he can. You do what you can to make his life easier, and so it's reciprocated without a second thought.

Carrying a bunch of fresh flowers that had hastily been picked up from the shop across the street, you're a little nervous. There was no way you could show up empty-handed, but had been so scatterbrained when you left your place, it had completely slipped your mind. They're pretty pink posies and are something - which is always better than nothing, even if they aren't all that impressive.

"Oh, you're here!" A sweet voice calls from the back of the house. The sound of indoor slippers scuff against the wooden floors, as his mother scurries to greet you both. "I thought you'd call when you were on your way!"

"Sorry," he apologises and leans down to let the bags softly tumble to the floor, before outstretching his arm for a hug. "Left in a bit of a rush."

Squeezing his mother gently, his back eclipses her from your view. Hands patting his back, you think you can tell a lot about a person from their hands - and she's no exception.

Well-manicured, his mum clearly looks after herself. She wears just two rings - her wedding band and engagement ring. Gold. The only remaining elements of her wedding jewellery that had survived the '98 gold drive.

"Spent my whole life in that house," Jeongguk had said of his family home on the journey to Busan. He'd been opening up. Telling you tales that you'd have never heard if you had declined his offer. Is clueing you in on the life that formed him. Wants you to know. "They held onto it throughout everything. The financial crisis, turn of the century, everything. I'm lucky. We were never well-off, but they never let me know when we were struggling."

It explains a lot about who Jeongguk is, you think. Never wants others to shoulder his burdens. Keeps things bottled up until the glass shatters - but you can see through glass. You always know.

A modest three-bed, there's something nostalgic about the four walls he calls home. Though you've never been here, it somehow feels familiar - but that's perhaps more so to do with the scent of laundry drying, and the fact that Jeongguk uses the same fabric conditioner as his mother always has done.

Swanning Jeongguk out of the way, his mother greets you with a smile that could stoke warmth in even the coldest of hearts - and suddenly, you understand exactly where Jeongguk gets it from.

Dark, round eyes, and a smile as radiant as a spring day, she's got the kind of delicate nature bestowed upon Disney princesses. If you were to learn she'd been a model in her youth, you wouldn't be surprised. 

Introducing yourself,  you hold out the flowers for her to take.

"For you," you offer, a little shy and reserved, in a way that Jeongguk doesn't see too often. Your glitter - toned down today, for some reason - sparkles in the late afternoon sun that pours through the windows. "Thank you so much for offering to host me. I really hope it hasn't put you out too much-"

"Oh, don't be silly," she tuts, flipping her hand away as if to emphasise that it really is no big deal. "It's always lovely to have Jeongguk's friends staying with us."

She glances over to Jeongguk. Leans in a little closer. Whispers just loud enough for him to hear. "Plus I'm sure you'll be a far better house guest than Jimin ever is!"

"Mum!" Jeongguk goes to defend his housemate - but he knows his mother adores Jimin. Treats him like a third son. Knows she's creating an alliance with you, given the little lie Jeongguk told about you previously dating Jimin.

"What?!" She plays innocent, and it's suddenly so easy to see why Jeongguk is the way that he is. A product of the people around him, he soaks up their best qualities like a sponge in search of water. His playfulness must come from her. Taking the bunch of flowers, she smiles. "Let's go put these in a vase. You must be hungry."

"Ravenous," Jeongguk confirms, as if he didn't eat half an hour ago. "What's for dinner? And where's dad?"

"At the driving range," she tuts, encouraging you both further into the house.

Large and open plan, the sitting room is adjacent to the kitchen; a space designed for socialisation, it's clear that Jeongguk's parents enjoy hosting. It's no surprise that they agreed to let you stay without hesitation, and is also why Jeongguk had no qualms about asking.

"Minhyuk got a new driver that he wanted to show off, apparently," she continues. "A Titlelist. Got it in some dodgy back alley sale. Your father reckons he's been scammed, but Minhyuk reckons it's the real deal, so I'll guess we'll see."

"Minhyuk lives down the road," Jeongguk explains to you as his mum rummages around in a cupboard to find her favourite vase. He's smiling, amused by it all. "Bit of a busybody. Likes being in people's business, so Dad likes to return the favour. Petty middle-aged man shit."

"Watch your language," his mother scolds. He apologises immediately.

It's sweet, seeing Jeongguk like this. He's always been respectful, even if he does swear like a sailor and has a sense of humour that would send a prude to an early grave.

"As for dinner, I told your father to meet us at the samgyeopsal place you like down by the beach-"

"Ugh," Jeongguk smiles, beaming from ear to ear. "Thank you."

"Don't know why you're thanking me," she hums sweetly as she arranges the flowers in the vase. A little lacklustre while they were still wrapped up, she manages to preen them to look far more beautiful. "You're paying."

"I'm- what?!" He whines, now, taking on the role of youngest son perfectly.

She's just joking, and you all know it - but you also know Jeongguk will likely try and cover the bill regardless. Glancing over to you with a cheeky grin, his mum playfully shrugs her shoulders. You return the smile, and giggle a little harder when Jeongguk continues to whine.

"Oh hush your moaning," she simply says. "Go take your bags through to your rooms. We'll head out in half an hour."

Jeongguk doesn't protest. Drags you along with him back to the entry hall to retrieve the bags.

"See," he says quietly, finding your shyness all rather curious. You're never normally like this. Never so quiet. "Told you there was nothing to worry about. Mum always likes my friends."

Picking up your bag to hoist it over your shoulder, you simply say, "Nerves are natural."

Jeongguk doesn't entirely disagree, but really thinks there's no need for you to feel this way.

"Yeah, if you're meeting, like, a girlfriend's parents," he says. "My parents are nothing to be scared of. Idiot."

"Doesn't matter if I'm not your girlfriend, Gguk. I still want them to like me," you remind him. "And let's be realistic here, parents aren't one for subtleties. You've brought a girl home and have hickies on your neck - I need to touch up the foundation, by the way. If they notice, they're gonna add two and two and get five."

"Well actually," he interjects. "They'll add two and two and get four. You are the girl who gave me them."

You laugh. He's got a point. "But I'm not your girlfriend ."

Yep , he thinks. Thanks for the reminder.

It's not like he even wants that. He knows that things are good as they are. Knows that any indication of things getting serious will likely make you run for the hills.

Things feel easy, now. He doesn't wanna do anything that will complicate it. Won't tell you how he's feeling, 'cause he knows the second it does, things will change.

He doesn't know if it would be for better or for worse, but he knows you. Knows his own lived experiences.

The mistakes made with Hayun have contorted his ability to go with his heart, because he knows the pain it can cause. Will take the nail-biting uncertainty of his feelings for you over the soul-crushing certainty of rejection any day of the week.

You're equally as shaped by your own experiences.

Once had a man who would declare his love for you on a Monday morning before his monthly business trip, only for him to spend the entire week in bed with a girl from the accounting department. You've no trust in words. No trust in anything, really, when it comes to matters of the heart. All you can trust is how you feel - but even that's a little more confusing than usual, these days.

"And thank God for that," Jeongguk teases, which seems to settle the woes within you. He tilts his head to the side and guides you up the hallway. "C'mon. I'll show you to your room."

He deliberately doesn't show you his own room. Will show you later, once he's had the chance to hide away most of the embarrassing stuff he hasn't touched since he was a teenager.

Instead, he leads you straight into his brother's old room, and winces.

"It's worse than I remembered."

Jeongmin's bedroom walls are coated in the Lotte Giants; like an oil slick on the surface of a road, or ice cream dripping down the side of a cone. Unsubtle, garish and impossible to ignore, the man is an interior decor menace.

Flags, shirts, commemorative posters, you name it; Jeongmin has it. You think he must have personally spent enough money to fund an entire season of the KBO.

It's a pretty inoffensive colour scheme - white, blue, red - but it's still an eyesore. The rest of the house is well-decorated. Tasteful. Roses do come with thorns, you consider. Maybe Jeongmin and Jeongguk's rooms qualify for that position.

"So your brother likes football?" You deadpan - although you're sure if there was a Lotte Giants branded football, you'd be able to find one in this room.

Jeongguk just shakes his head. Doesn't even dignify it with a proper response.

"It's a miracle he even managed to get girlfriends during high school. This shit is... I didn't recall there being so much."

Signed baseballs, bobbleheads, foam fingers. God. It's endless. Trading card binders, house slippers, even a rubber duck. It's overwhelming.

"What about now?" You ask of Jeongmin's passion. "Still obsessed?"

"Less so," Jeongguk shrugs. "Did call his dog Seagull, though."

The prospect of a dog being called Seagull has you bursting into laughter. You half think Jeongguk is joking - but quickly realise he isn't. For some reason, that only makes it even funnier.

"Will he be at dinner? Your brother?" You ask, setting your bag down on the freshly made bed. The scent of laundry detergent wafts up, and it reminds you of being back at Jeongguk's place in the city. You've never felt more at home in a stranger's bedroom.

"Why?" Jeongguk asks, narrowing his eyes, remembering what you had said earlier. "You're not allowe-"

"Oh give over," you laugh. "You know I won't."

You've never seen his brother, but already know Jeongguk must be the brother. The one that the girls go crazy over.

Then again, Jeongguk did say that his brother is a fuck boy. Perhaps he's just as handsome.

Impossible .

Thing is, Jeongguk doesn't know you won't go for his brother. You made threats earlier. Knows he ignited a fire in you the second he pulled the 'Daddy' stunt. Knows you're competitive. Regrets it a little bit now. Only has himself to blame.

"Anyway, piss off," you playfully tell him. "I wanna get changed."

Jeongguk doesn't care. Takes a seat by his brother's desk, instead. Smirks. Raises his brows in that promiscuous, boyish way that always disrupts the butterflies who peacefully rest in your diaphragm. "Okay. Get changed."

"Gguk," you deadpan. He's pushing his luck, and he knows it. Glances over to the door. It's ajar, but pushed shut enough to obscure any unwanted eyes. Just means he needs to keep his deep voice quiet.

"What?" He flirts. "Nothing I haven't seen before."

"Your mum is down the hallway!" You whisper-shriek. Sometimes you forget how much of a boy Jeongguk is, and then he pulls shit like this.

The worst part?

You love it when he's like this; all cheeky and brazen, audacious in his quest to get what he wants.

And when it's you that he wants? Oh, it gets you all hot under the collar. He has that effect on people, you think. It can't just be you.

"So?" He licks his lips. Rakes his eyes down your body. Looks fucking hungry - and to him, you look like a 5-course meal he'd gladly get on his knees and beg for. "She's not gonna come in."

His lips press down against one another, tightly. His lip ring does the thing. You whine.

"Gguk."

"Byeol." He teases. "It's not like you're getting naked. Not like we'd be doing anything. Seen you in your underwear so many times."

He'd like to know that he still can. Wants to know he hasn't fucked it all up by getting you a little vulnerable earlier.

"Maybe I am getting naked," you whisper back, feeling challenged now.

"Are you?"

"Should I?" You tease. He sits up a little straighter. Tries to be subtle as his hand drops between his legs, the heel of his palm pressing against himself. Fails. You know he's adjusting himself. Know that it means he's getting a little excited.

"Think if you need to, then you should," he simply replies. "Just a little revision of a bird, no? Nakedness ? It'd be good."

You don't need to get fully undressed. Not in the slightest - and you're not gonna.

In fact, Jeongguk isn't gonna see anything - but you're still gonna fuck with him a little first. He deserves it after this morning.

You turn away from him. Shrug the jacket off your shoulders. Toss it onto the bed. Open up your bag, and have a little dig around.

"I'm not sure what to wear," you hum, sounding a little defeated. It's intentional. Want him to think you're being genuine.

Turning to face him, you hold lingerie in either hand. Packed deliberately just to fuck with him. Had figured you'd wear it discreetly, letting him know as and when he deserved to know. Would use it to wind him up - and not to give him any satisfaction. He's right in thinking he's ignited a little competition in you.

Didn't realise you'd take him to war, instead.

He's not seen you in either of these. Has never really seen you in your 'nice' stuff. All of your underwear is nice to a certain extent, because you're intentional with your purchases. Like feeling good beneath even a pair of sweats.

However, Jeongguk has only ever been treated to matching sets.

After all, you've never tried to seduce him. He's your friend. You fuck each other, sure, but it's cause it's comfortable. Safe.

The lace in your hand is far too exciting for your established arrangement.

In your left hand is a lace bodysuit. Mesh panels make up the structure, but it's the ornate, hand-sewn lace that really makes it beautiful. The neckline is fairly high, so sometimes you get away with wearing it at a top on nights out. Been a while since you went that risque.

In your right hand, it's a classic black garter belt. Jeongguk has no idea what the fuck they're called, just knows he likes them.

He swallows. Licks his lips. Doesn't know where to focus his eyes. Barely realises he's gripping himself now. Is so fucking hard.

"Which is your favourite?" You ask, eyes innocent, voice nonchalant.

Jeongguk thinks he'll die if you wear either.

"Both are fine," he manages to say, eventually.

"Fine isn't good," you pout.

"Well what do you want me to say, B?" He whispers, clearly a little frustrated. Not with you. With himself . "That as soon as you put them on, I'll wanna take them off you? They're fuckin' hot. Both of them. Fuck ."

He tilts his head back. Whines a little. Moans. "Why do I do this to myself?"

"Think you might be a masochist," you giggle now, tossing the lingerie back down by your bag. Will save it for later. Poor boy is going through it. "You did this to yourself."

He looks at you with a huff and a frown that is far too sweet for the situation at hand.

"I'm stupid," he pouts. "Pea brain. You're the one with a big brain. You should tell me to stop doing pea brain things."

"You wouldn't listen to me even if I did," you smile fondly as you walk towards him - 'cause even if it looks like he's admitting defeat, you don't trust him yet. His cock is too hard to be making sensible choices.

Coming to a stop between his legs, you don't stop Jeongguk when his large hands stroke up the backs of your thighs. Your own hands are toying with his hair. It's all very amorous; affectionate despite the allure.

"You don't know that," he whispers, still. Cupping his strong jaw, you tilt his head upwards. Your hair is still up from earlier, and he regrets it now. Always loves it when your hair tumbles around his face. Likes being consumed by the entity of you. The scent of your shampoo, the softness of your well-conditioned hair. Heaven.

"You made a bad decision this morning," you remind him. "Would have done it even if I told you it was a bad decision."

Regretfully, Jeongguk thinks this is true. That instant gratification of his ' Daddy' stunt made it worth it.

Worth it at the time, at least.

He's not so sure, now.

Sinking to your knees, your hands stroke up his thighs. Jeongguk looks down at you, tongue wetting his lips. There's a change in his breathing. Anticipation.

"You know," you say quietly, making sure no sound travels at all. You're not looking to get kicked out of Jeongguk's house within an hour of being invited in. Looking directly at his hard crotch as your hands squeeze his thighs, you simper. "I really thought you were gonna take charge this morning. Thought you were gonna get me where you wanted me."

"Yeah?" he husks, pulling on his shirt, releasing it from the belt around his waist. Lifts it a little. Gets his abs out. Is doing shit he knows will make you salivate. One of your hands follows his encouragement and pushes up his chest. Hard beneath your warm hand, his body really is a gift from the gods.

"Yeah," you tease.

"What did you think, huh?" He says, his hand cupping your cheek to raise your gaze to his. It'd embarrass you, if it were anyone else; but for some reason, you don't mind worshipping Jeongguk unabashedly. Are on your knees like his body is your alter. Whisper words of sin like you're in a confessional. Pray that you'll never have to give this up. Religion is wasted on you, and Jeongguk is a false God, but you've never felt more holy than when you're committing cardinal sins with him. "Where was I gonna get you?"

Smiling in that coy way you so often do whenever he gets you a little vocal, your eyes rake back down his body.

"Right here," you shrug. Give him those eyes; the ones that make Jeongguk think he's seeing fucking stars. Smirk, before you say, "thought you were gonna get your cock in my mouth."

"Shit," he curses as you press down over the hard ridge in his pants. He's always so pleased to see you - especially like this. "You want that, huh? Wanna suck on it?"

Nodding, you bite on the lip, sin written in the constellations Jeongguk's gazing at. "Wanna make you feel good, Koo."

If Jeongguk doesn't get his cock in your mouth within the next minute, he's pretty sure he'll die. Has wanted it for weeks. Months . Wants you in any capacity he can get you, granted, but there are few things in life better than a good blow job. Good pussy, is, admittedly one of those things, but he already knows you have that. Thinks your mouth must be just as good.

His hands drop to his belt. Metal clangs as he races to get it undone. You let him. Don't stop. Watch on with sated pleasure as he hurries. Undoes his buttons, and then his zipper is down, too. His Calvins are on display. There's a teeny tiny damp mark showing through; evidence of how badly he wants you. "We don't have long. Be quick, B. Gonna nut so fuckin' fast."

Smirking, there's something so painfully endearing about how needy Jeongguk is as he untucks himself from his boxers. Thick and firm, his cock is just as pretty as it always is whenever he's desperate for you. The little bead of precum pooling at his tip is begging for your tongue, the freckle on his shaft deserving of a pretty little kiss.

And then you pull back. Look at his pretty, needy face and raise a brow. Poor baby .

"Said I wanna make you feel good," you smirk. "Not that I will."

You get to your feet. Walk away. Giggle to yourself as Jeongguk fucking whines as quietly as he can. Needs that door closed. Needs you to know that this balling is gonna kill him off. Head thrown back, cock in his hand, he's gonna fucking die .

"B," he growls a little, faux sobs echoing from his throat.

"What?" You smile. He looks like a fucking state, desire taking hold of the way he's staring you out, chest heaving a little bit. And then, to add insult to injury, you remember to 'address him properly'. "Something wrong, Daddy ?"

His face bunches up. Regret embeds itself into the lines on his face. He whines. "You're so mean, Disco Ball."

He's cute. Really fucking cute.

It makes you feel bad.

And fuck, you want him.

Seeing him like this gets you all sorts of fucked up - but he deserves it.

He watches you cautiously as you walk a little closer.

You crouch between his legs this time, instead of getting down on your knees. Replace his hand with yours. Have missed how it feels to have him in your grip.

Eyes on his, you watch as his chest begins to beat a little fast. His lips are ajar. Eyes forlorn, he's desperate . His cock twitches in your hand, so you tighten your fingers. A hushed moan lets you know he likes this. Likes every fucking thing about it.

Licking your lips, you position yourself a little better. Glance down. Think it's a miracle you haven't given him head yet. Have never wanted to choke on a cock more - cause what are friends for, if not that?

"I'm not mean," you whisper. You drag your wet tongue across the tiny slit that is fucking oozing for you. It takes everything in you not to give into what you want. "I'm so nice to you, Koo."

You've got a point to prove, though. Ease your grip. Stand. Replace the now empty space in your hand with his chin between your thumb and index finger, grasping onto it as you tilt him upwards.

You hold your tongue out, encouraging him to do the same - and without even a second fucking thought, he does it.

Eyes wide, Jeongguk wants this. Want you. Wants your tongue on his.

And what Jeongguk wants?

Well, eventually , he always gets it.

Your tongue swipes against his; traces of his own precum sinking onto his tongue, masking the taste of you.

He wants more.

Wants you to do it again. Wants to taste you. Wants you to sit on his lap, tongue in his mouth. Wants to be too fucking busy with his lips to remember how to breathe.

And, like always, he will get it - just not now.

Eventually, yes.

Immediately, no.

"You're gonna fuckin' kill me one day, B," he whines as you walk away from him again.

"Good," you smile, talking at full volume now. Playtime is over.

You do, however, take off your shirt, and let him watch. All he can see is your back, but even that drives him insane. He can't remember the last time he was this worked up without any indication of a release. He's been horny all fucking day.

Pulling a fresh shirt over your head, you're a little sad to see he's tucked himself away when you turn around again.

"Go get ready," you say fondly. "We don't have long."

Jeongguk is pouting. A crease between his brows, he looks hard done by.

" So mean."

His stroppy demeanour makes you laugh. It's so classically him. A Ggukism, if you ever did see one.

"That's what you get for making me call you Daddy," you say quietly. Find it funny how much of a baby he's being - and consider that maybe he's the one that is better suited to the nickname.

He whines again. Louder this time. You glance to the door. Make sure you're still without disturbance.

You want to call him baby.

Just because it works, and it's funny, and - fuck it - maybe it'd be nice.

But it would also be a step too far, you think.

"Shush," you say affectionately, not accenting your command with 'baby' like you really want to. Instead, you walk over to him and cover his mouth with your palm. "What if someone hears you whining, huh? I don't wanna have to tell your mum you've just been tasting your own cum in your brother's bedroom, do you?"

"You're so fucked up," he wails, feeling incredibly hard done by. He needs to learn how to resist you. Never wants to have to endure this again.

"We're so fucked up," you correct. "I wouldn't be so mean to anyone else - but you deserved it."

He can't even argue against it. He knows that this is a product of his own creation.

"Go, get yourself sorted out," you encourage him along. "We don't have long."

He nods. Sighs. Gets to his feet, and does his trousers back up. Is convinced he'll die before your trip to Busan finishes if this is the game you're playing.

Leaving you to get ready (and to let his raging boner die, even if he won't) Jeongguk returns within 15 minutes. He's nonchalant, as if what happened the last time he was in the room was simply a fragment of your own imagination.

You're sitting by the floor-length mirror (which is, of course, adorned in Lotte Giants memorabilia), doing your makeup. Hair claw-clipped now, Jeongguk is a little sad to see your space buns go, but understands why. You seem to be a little more demure than usual.

He nudges his knee against your back, gentle in how he touches you, your body swaying ever so slightly.

"Don't," you smile, pulling the liquid glitter away from your face. "I'll get it in my eye."

There's an innuendo to be made there, but Jeongguk knows better. Just smirks. Plonks himself down next to you; cross-legged, knees up, arms hugging around them. He looks like a condensed version of himself like this, sitting as close to you as he possibly can just so he can see himself in the mirror.

"Little disco ball," he says fondly, watching you dab the glitter onto the inner corners of your eyes. It's not something he often calls you these days, but there's something about hearing the name now that makes you smile.

"Strange, isn't it?" You muse. "This time last year I was just disco-ballin' in your club. Didn't even know your name."

He nods. Smiles. "And now you're in my brother's bedroom turning yourself into a disco ball."

"Funny little lives, we live," you muse fondly. How far you've both come. If it wasn't for the glitter, you don't think you'd recognise yourself.

"Would you have ever predicted it?" he asks. Knows he was intrigued by you from the very moment he first saw you. Has no idea what you thought of him. Wonders if you had 'what if' thoughts about him. Who he was. Who he could be. What you could become. "That you'd end up here?"

"Honestly? Sorta wanted to curl up and die after you found me in your living room."

The memories are a little hazy, but you still remember the look on Jeongguk's sleepy face in the early morning sun that was intruding on his living room at the time.

Jeongguk nods. Smiles. Remembers it far better than you do. "Yeah, wasn't your finest hour."

You turn to look at him, chin resting on your shoulder. There's a glow about you now that Jeongguk can't seem to get enough of. Wants to drink you in like purple starfuckers at 2am in the heat of full-capacity Dionysus nights.

"I mean, I don't know," you say with a small shrug. "How often do you become friends with your punters?"

"Not often," he admits. "How often do you become friends with your bartenders?"

You're coy as you smile. "Not often."

Not ever, actually.

Yeonjun doesn't count - you've never spent any time with him sober, even if you do always enjoy seeing him behind the bar. Even then, it doesn't compare to the way you seem to light up whenever Jeongguk is serving your drinks.

Jeongguk's the first. The only.

Taking the liquid glitter from your hands, Jeongguk scoots a little closer. Gets more product on the wand, and sets the tube down beside him. Pinches your chin between his index finger and thumb.

There's no opposition from you; just a silent acceptance of Jeongguk dictating your movements. Lips parting as he draws a little closer, there's apprehension to the way your eyes flicker between his own pair and his lips.

Jeongguk is pleased, but tries not to let it show. Fights his smile. Battles the inner voices telling him that kissing you would be a good idea.

Breath hitched as his dark eyes survey your face, you're regretful of the way your body responds to him. Friendship tainted by desire; a natural by-product of fucking someone you really care about, you think.

It's no secret that you adore each other, but doesn't everyone feel so fondly about their best friends?

He's slow as he dabs the end of the wand against your cheek, following around the curve of your eye socket. Jeongguk always thinks you look so pretty when you highlight yourself with glitter there. It catches the light so easily that he always notices it. Might have even been the first glitter of yours that he notices in the dreary lights of Dionysus, the hedonistic haze of neon lights and dark shadows creating the disco ball effect he likes so much.

"There," he says quietly as he finishes evening it out. "Pretty little star."

"Careful," you say back just as quietly. "You'll give me an ego."

"Just returning the favour," he jokes, screwing the wand back into the tube, his hands working quickly. "The Daddy thing really did a number on my ego this morning."

Rolling your sparkly eyes, you gently push him away.

"Fuck off, Jeon," you playfully reprimand him for mentioning it again, getting to your feet. Smoothing out your clothes as you check yourself over in the mirror, you're pleased to see that Jeongguk has applied your glitter just the way you like it. Dabbing it out slightly, your heart swells a little with how attentive he is.

Still sitting exactly where he was, Jeongguk strokes up the inside of your leg. It's all very innocent. Just touching you 'cause he likes the comfort that comes with it. You're in sheer tights, there's a softness to them that Jeongguk likes. He tries to forget the garter belt you were holding earlier. Doesn't think you'd wear it out for dinner with his parents.

He's right.

No matter how hot it might be working him up in public, you're not about to go and do it in front of his parents . You have some morals at least, even if Jeongguk does make you momentarily forget about them from time to time.

Reaching down, you scratch his hair a little, just behind his ear. Eyes closed, he leans into your touch like a little puppy dog. So docile and devoted. Cute.

"C'mon," you encourage him, but remain fixed in position. Head versus heart. Wanna stay right where you are in the cocoon of Jeongguk's family home with him, but know you have places to be. "Shouldn't keep your mum waiting."

He nods, head resting against your leg. Sighs. "Yeah. You're right. Let's go."

You offer him a hand up, of which he gladly takes. Checks himself over in the mirror. Is still wearing the outfit he drove in. Considered changing, but he's aware of the way the girls at the service station were ogling him earlier. Knows the outfit probably has something to do with it.

He doesn't mention the change of your outfit; the fact that you're wearing a white shirt too, now. It's tucked into a little black skirt, he's certain you're probably gonna wear those slightly worn out Converse of yours - and he intends on doing the exact same.

"C'mon, kids!" Jeongguk's mum calls up the corridor, echoing your thoughts about needing to leave.

It's nice, you think, to be grouped with Jeongguk in such a way. Makes you feel like this is the way it's always been. Doesn't matter if you're in your twenties, and Jeongguk's mum met you an hour ago. There's an acceptance of you; of your place in her son's life.

He glances over at you, scrunching his nose a little. Is a little awkward. Likes the idea of you being part of his life since childhood. Is sad it'll never be the case.

"You heard her. Let's go."

Ushering you back down the hallway, a hand on top of your shoulder, thumb rubbing the nape of your neck, there's a casual intimacy to the way Jeongguk always finds an excuse to touch you.

It's not scary, nor daunting in the way that you always deem intimacy to be, but it is something . Gets you feeling a little flustered. Has you wriggling out of his grip with a laugh, as if he was tickling you.

"Stop annoying the poor girl," his mother scolds fondly as you come into her line of vision, which just simply earns another protest from Jeongguk.

"She's the annoying one."

You scoff. "That's rich coming from you."

It's all in good humour, and his mother appreciates this. Likes seeing Jeongguk goof around, especially knowing how stressed he's been lately. Has barely called. Missed his father's birthday to study.

All she wants is for her children to live happy, fulfilled lives, and if there's one thing to be noted about Jeongguk's current demeanour, it's that he's undoubtedly happy.

Whether or not that has anything to do with you, she doesn't know - but she wasn't born yesterday. His desire to visit home is understandable after the pressure of his studies. He needs rest - and somehow, he factors you into that rest.

Of her two children, Jeongguk's always been the more introverted one. He needs his time to recharge. Would be the life and soul of the party at school, then come home and remain silent until dinner time.

For a few years, it bothered her. Thought that maybe Jeongguk was unhappy at home - but it was quite the opposite. It's his safe space.

And now he's bringing you into it.

"Is the room okay?" she asks you, knowing that the sheer amount of baseball memorabilia in Jeongmin's room is... a lot to take in. "Interior decoration was always more of Jeongguk's speciality. Had Jimin to give him pointers. Jeongmin... Well, he had an acquired taste... As you've probably already gathered."

Laughing a little, you nod. "It's grand. Thank you for letting me stay. I really appreciate it - and I grew up with a Lions-loving Dad. I'm used to it."

"Ohh," his mother winces, then addresses Jeongguk. "Keep this one away from Jeongmin."

You also turn behind you now, raising a brow. He's just rolling his eyes, a soft smile on his lips.

"Samsung Lions - and their fans - are the scum of the earth in Jeongmin's eyes," he explains, then looks over to his mum. "Is he coming to dinner? Do we need to sit them at opposite ends of the table?"

Shaking her head, she laughs. "No, he's got plans, apparently. I did tell him you were visiting, but you know what he's like."

Jeongguk just sort of accepts this answer. Nods. Shrugs his shoulders, as if it's to be expected. An air of disappointment clouds around Jeongguk, lips pursed, eyes stern.

He and his brother are cut from the same cloth, but have been sewn together with different stitches. For all their similarities, they have stark differences, too. This one has always been the most challenging for Jeongguk; how little his brother seems to care about maintaining a good relationship.

Jeongmin seems to think their status as brothers is enough to keep the bond strong. Doesn't seem to care about fostering an actual friendship with him.

It's part of the reason why Jeongguk is so reluctant to let go of friendships that no longer serve him. They're filling a void. He never wants to be the one who gives up. Doesn't wanna be the reason things fall apart.

"Alright," Jeongguk's mother smiles at you both. "Ready to go?"

It surprises you that she's the one driving to dinner instead of Jeongguk - but it makes sense, given the fact you and Jeongguk will stay in the area afterwards.

She insists that you sit up front, even if all forms of hierarchy would dictate that Jeongguk should be there instead. He doesn't complain. Sort of likes how you and his mum are ganging up on him like a little team.

When you arrive at the samgyeopsal place, his father is already waiting.

He's everything you expect him to be: funny, a little dramatic, and the spitting image of Jeongguk, just with a few more grey hairs and even deeper creases beneath his eyes. Introduces himself with as much gusto as a cartoon character; full of life and pleased to have another person to relay all of Minhyuk's misdemeanours to.

You learn more about the Busan Driving Range circuit than you ever could have predicted - specifically about Minhyuk, the legitimacy of his 'bargain' driver, and how Jeongguk's father is convinced he's been tampering with his balls.

Jeongguk chokes on his drink when his dad mentions that last point. Earns himself a talking to for thinking with such a dirty mind - but after a few drinks, his parents are giggling about it, too.

There's something incredibly easy about being around Jeongguk's parents. It's no wonder he's grown into the person he is.

You feel a little shy. Don't understand the in-jokes at first - but someone always explains them to you. Normally Jeongguk, but sometimes his mother. Never his father, 'cause he'll go on a twenty minute long tangent explaining the lore and the back story. They've learnt this the hard way.

Still, he's a dab hand when it comes to grilling the meat. Takes charge of it all. Plates his wife up first, always. You second, Jeongguk third, and then himself. Head of the house, he takes his place in the hierarchy seriously, but not at the expense of the ones he loves. Will make sure they're provided for first.

Jeongguk is much the same. In charge of refilling the soju and beer, he'll pour for his father first, then mother, then you. Puts the bottle down before he fills his own, which is when you step up and fill his glass. He'll nudge with you his knee beneath the table to make you wobble, but never enough to make you spill it.

Subscribing to drinking norms is something that you never really do with Jeongguk. He's a bartender, after all. Things are always a little unconventional. He's normally the one making you drinks and sorting himself out, too.

Something about this feels incredibly domesticated. Natural. Pleasant.

By the time dinner is done, Jeongguk's parents have to order a taxi. Had a little too much to drink- but you're bloody glad for it. Made it a lot easier for you.

"Your parents are fun," you beam, walking down the promenade of Gwangalli with Jeongguk. It's your favourite of all the busy beaches in the city, but you rarely ever get the chance to see it after dark. There'll be a drone show, soon. You've definitely never seen that. Can't wait for it.

"They sure are something," he laughs, a little embarrassed. They have big personalities, which he's glad of, but he knows they can be a bit much sometimes. "Dad drinks well, so we probably had a bit more than we should have done. Sorry."

Shaking your head, you don't mind in the slightest. Are at that giddy stage of drinking, where everything seems marvellous, and bad decisions cosplay as good choices.

"Are you forgetting how we met? I don't mind having one too many, Gguk."

"True," he agrees, checking the time on his phone. Still a good half an hour before the small show. It's just a free thing that the city council puts on every night, not a huge deal to him anymore, but he understands why people romanticise it. Knows that you have to see it.

Tugging on your hand, Jeongguk checks the road before he crosses, dragging you along with him.

"Hm?" You squeak, taken by surprise. A little tipsy, your reflexes aren't as fast as usual, just like tipsy Jeongguk isn't as good at voicing his thought processes as sober Jeongguk usually is.

"Photos," he simply states, leading you into a small retail unit that houses only photo booths.

It's the standard set-up: wall partitions between self-timer camera units, and curtains instead of doors to the small spaces. Each booth has a different colour background, adding to their own individual charms. The walls of the entryway are lined in discarded pictures; friendship groups, couples, first dates, anniversaries, birthdays. Life events, big and small. Moments of time captured to last forever.

Accessories and props are abundant in the entry area - hats, glasses, wigs, signs. Your favourites are always the headbands. Kitty ears, normally, though sometimes you branch out into bunny ears if you're feeling fancy.

There are five booths in total along the back wall, but one in particular grabs your attention: the one advertising Sanrio-themed frames instead of the standard solid colour outline.

"Oh my god," you gasp, and then it's Jeongguk's turn to squeak with confusion. You point to it. Specifically, to the My Melody and Kuromi figures by the bottom of the ad. "It's us."

He smiles. Doesn't really understand your hyper fixation. Agrees nonetheless. "It is us."

The pair of you goof around, picking props. Jeongguk learns that you find him in any sort of animal ears absolutely hilarious, but the second he puts on a yacht captain's hat?

"Take that off right this second," you tell him, voice stern, eyes wide.

He's bemused. Snorts a little. Teeth on show, he's dangerously pretty. So handsome and yet such a little shit. "Why? Like it?"

You turn your nose up. "Hate it."

"I know you're lying," he laughs. Tilts it down. "Is this getting you all hot, B?"

"I'm leaving," you say, because it's so much easier than saying yes.

Something about him in a white shirt, with that hat? White with a navy peak, gold embroidery on the sides? God, you see why the old money girlies like boatmen so much. Decide that you're never getting on a boat with Jeongguk if you want to retain your sanity.

He takes it off. You don't even realise it, but you pout.

"You're so confusing, Byeol," he says as he playfully puts it on your head - and then he's feeling all fucked up too.

Something about a captain's hat. Just really does the trick.

You've both had too much to drink. There's no reason for you both to be getting flustered because of a stupid hat and yet -

"I don't think we should ever touch hats again," Jeongguk says very quickly.

But then you put a pair of kitty ears on and he starts questioning whether or not furries are actually kinda onto something.

He furrows his brows. Picks up a pair of ears. Bunny ones. Black. They're satin and a little too sexy, he thinks, but he's gotta see himself in them.

And when he does?

He kinda gets why girls dress up like cute animals for fancy dress parties. Doesn't wanna blow his own trumpet - but shit. He does look cute.

"Oh my god, YES," you exclaim when you clock his new attire, and quite literally drag him to the booth. He gets no say in the matter, and honestly doesn't care. Is having too much fun with you to take any of this seriously.

You pick the Sanrio framed booth, because of course you do. Jeongguk pops his card in the slot, and lets you click through on the options that you want - 4cut, vertical frame. The classic style. Your favourite.

Turning to Jeongguk, you tweak his glasses a little. Can't decide if they look better hiked up, or further down his perfectly sloped nose.

All Jeongguk can think about is your nose, and much he wants to nudge his up against yours.

And so he does just that.

Doesn't give a fuck.

The camera flashes.

You're caught, forevermore, in your state of Jeongguk-induced hypnosis. The pictures will survive beyond you. Will be stored in boxes to be looked at once, maybe twice by future generations.

One day, no one will know the name of you nor the boy you're with. They won't know how the scent of his aftershave lingers, nor the way your soft exhale of air sounds as you smile. Your present will be lost to history, this photograph? Your legacy.

Nothing will be known of you, and yet this picture alone will tell them everything they need to know.

"We're gonna waste shots," you whisper. The booth takes six photos, but you'll only be allowed to choose four for the printed picture at the end.

The more to choose from, the better.

"So?" Jeongguk smirks. Holds your neck just beneath your jaw. Strokes across your cheek with his thumb. Looks at you with sparkly eyes and a boyish smile that is just begging to be kissed. "Don't you wanna see what it looks like when we kiss?"

"It's intimate," you remind him.

"Maybe - but it's also fun," he reminds you.

The camera flashes again. That's two shots wasted, now.

If you let this carry on, it'll be three, and then one of them will have to be used in the final print.

And yet as Jeongguk nudges against your nose a little deeper, you let him.

When his lips ghost yours, you let him.

When his lips press down, you let him.

You'll let the third photo be taken, because you'll be too busy kissing him back to pay attention.

The fourth, too.

Lips on yours, Jeongguk kisses you in a way that he hasn't done before. It's delicate, and gentle, but his lips are strong. Intentional. There's no intrusion of tongue, no fervent need to get you moaning, even though it feels like you will regardless.

Your brain screams at you. Something about rules, and breaking them.

You ignore it.

'Cause all you can think about is the way this feels.

You don't think you've ever had a kiss like it.

And it's terrifying.

It's not until the fifth shot flashes that you both pull away; smiles smitten, eyes glossy. Both of you felt that. Ain't no way he couldn't have.

You think that maybe that's even more terrifying.

And so for the sixth shot?

Both of you pretend to throw up, disgust plaguing your giggly smiles and blushed cheeks.

There's distance between you, but as soon as the camera flashes, Jeongguk is pulling you back to his side again. It's just so that you're both ready to look through the pictures that are about to pop up on the little touchscreen. He's being helpful. Glances down at you, and has to stop himself from pressing a kiss into your hair.

Things are just so easy with you.

As soon as the pictures load, you're laughing. "We have to retake these."

"No, no, no," he swats your hand away, then taps on one of the photos, adding it to the preview frame. "My jaw looks really good in this one."

It's shot number four. Mid kiss. His hands on your cheeks, yours out of frame because they were on his waist. His jaw really does look fantastic - but it's sort of devastating when you realise just how happy he looks. He's smiling into the kiss. The most devastating thing of all?

So are you.

"How is that even us," you giggle. Seems so bizarre to see yourself like this.

"Gross isn't it," he smiles, adding more of the pictures to the frame, but you're the one correcting him now, tapping his hand to move him out of your way.

"We need them in order," you say. "A chain of events."

Eventually, the order is settled: the nudging of noses, the innocence of a kiss with the sin of Jeongguk's sharp jaw, the slightly startled look in both of your eyes as you'd pulled away, and then, of course, both of you pretending to vomit.

As they print, you pick out props for the next set of photos - Jeongguk in a pair of purple heart-shaped glasses and a Kuromi headband, you in that damn sailor's hat - and discuss which poses to actually do. This time round, it's all peace signs and finger hearts; goofy angles too close to the camera and a little laughter to set the tone.

"C'mon," Jeongguk says softly as you finish sliding the pictures into the thin plastic sleeves next to the booths. He normally doesn't bother with them. Likes that you seem to care about preserving the integrity of your memories. Hand outstretched, he encourages you to take it.

"Your bird," he says. "Said we'd do it in Busan."

The look you give him is coy, eyes a little sultry, lips a little pouty.

When you're silent, Jeongguk laughs. "Hold my hand, B."

"Getting a little date-like, don't you think?" You say of the night, but Jeongguk just shrugs.

"So? We'll just call it practise."

"Mhhm," he nods, shaking his hand a little because you still haven't held it. He's impatient. It's only as you take his hand that he begins talking again. "You don't wanna go back into the dating world unprepared. What if Mr Mechanical Engineer tries to hold your hand without you being ready for it?" He squeezes your hand, leading you out the door. "Let's get you used to it."

The mention of Seojoon makes you feel guilty. About him? About Jeongguk? You're not sure. It's something you need to figure out. Something you need to figure out fast .

And yet as Jeongguk holds both yours and his shoes in one hand, your hand firmly secured in the other, you choose not to think about it.

Just think of the sand, and how it will be a bitch to get out of your tights. It's sort of like your glitter, in a way.

But just like Jeongguk wouldn't trade your glitter for anything, you wouldn't trade this moment for anything either.

Neither of you say much. Just listen to the waves rolling in. Listen to other people's conversations. Listen to the whir of the drones as they start up and get into position. The show begins. Won't last longer than ten minutes. The silence is comfortable.

He holds your hand, and you move them to your lap in a bid to keep them warm.

Jeongguk isn't really feeling the cold. His heart is simply burning too brightly.

"I'm really glad you're here," he says as the show draws to a close.

"Me too," you whisper back fondly. "It must be nice to be home."

"Well, you know they say," he muses. "Home is where the heart is, and all that."

Been at home for months, B.

You breathe through your nose, exhaling a sincere smile. Could say a million things. Could say nothing at all. Could ask what he means, but you're taking it at face value. Genuinely think he's just happy to be home.

"We should visit more often," you suggest.

"I'd like that," he nods as he squeezes your hand. "You wanna go explore the night markets?"

Grinning, you get to your feet immediately. "Thought you'd never ask."

Jeongguk leads the way. Shows you his old haunts. Gets you hotteok from his favourite stand down by the promenade. Shows you the arcade machine he once spunked away 50,000 won on and didn't even win a prize. Shows you the initials he and Jimin caved into a pavement curb fourteen years ago. Took them hours. Both got blisters. Worth it though. They're embedded in the city, forevermore.

He takes you down memory lane, and you find it's your favourite street to visit with Jeongguk. You love his history; learning what shaped him. Who shaped him. Where.

Not once does Jeongguk let go of your hand.

Not down the markets, not along the beach, not in the taxi home, even when he doses off for a moment, head resting on your shoulder.

Not once. Not until you're both home, and he's saying goodnight outside of his brother's bedroom door. He's still toying with your fingers. Isn't even gonna suggest the idea of doing things you know you shouldn't.

Doesn't wanna taint the night.

In the morning, he'll blame all of his bad decisions on the alcohol. Will say he was tipsy, even though you stopped drinking hours ago.

He hugs you goodnight. Lingers a little too long. Too close. Nudges his nose against yours. Brushes his thumb against your cheek.

"This..." he whispers. "This is what it should be like."

His jaw tenses. He holds himself back from pressing his lips against yours like he so desperately wants to. Knows he's already said too much. Pulls himself away from you, to press a kiss against your forehead.

His lip ring is so hard, and his lips so soft, that it makes you feel all sorts of fucked up.

The most fucked up thing of all?

How badly you want his lips on yours.

But then he fucking walks away .

Closes his door. Shuts you out.

The evening had been so simple. So straightforward. Casual. Nothing confusing in the slightest. You were happy. So was he.

And yet as you lie in bed, all that rattles around in your head for hours on end is the question: what the fuck is happening to us?

AO3 | MASTERLIST | MINORS DNI

#bd #bad decisions

[aurea-corde]

I've never seen a single episode of anything related to watcher but I am eating up all this drama. Also sorry to y'all going through this

i appreciate that anon 😭 i've seen several good nuanced takes on the situation thankfully. the company definitely did mess up how it introduced the streaming service to people: they said in the video they were going to paywall all existing and new content and then in the comments and in the variety article pretended like that was never their intent. the variety article reveals that they were in fact initially told watcher was going to delete all existing content. the CEO in particular but in general all the founders said that the amount they are charging is affordable - specifically that anyone could afford it - which no they can't obviously. As they are now finding out the hard way. The CEO Steven also made an instagram post insinuating people who wouldn't subscribe just no longer want to watch them, rather than the reality which is that a massive majority of the audience can't afford to. Because he is the CEO, people are blaming the entire thing on him, but it's also important to remember there are actually three founder-owners with decision-making abilities in the company. Shane and Ryan are adults, and the way people are acting like Steven is some kind of dictator, Ryan just went along with it but Shane is the people's anticapitalist hero who was simply outvoted is not a great look. Especially the posts that refuse to acknowledge even the possibility of racial biases here. Mistakes were made, poc are not immune to criticism, but let's consider why so many feel like Shane was forced into this by the evil Steven (and people in the comments have literally called him evil for this) and either lump Ryan in with him or give Ryan no agency in the situation whatsoever. Steven is the most likely to have made the proposal as the closest thing Watcher has to a business-minded founder, but the other two clearly agreed with him. They could have just decided not to be in the video. I also don't see a world where they contractually obligated themselves to every whim of Steven's like some people are suggesting.

Do I think they're a bit sheltered in their LA life? Yeah, probably. I'm pretty sheltered myself - I live a comfortable middle class life in Australia, have a good job and am studying law. I could definitely afford the subscription. But I don't want to atm, or at least until they respond to the situation. Are they the worst most evil capitalists because they want to charge money for the content they create? No, not inherently. People supported them on Patreon because of course creatives should be paid for their labour, and ideally paid well enough to live comfortably. But the combo of bad business decisions (e.g. hiring too many staff too quickly while also wanting to pay them above a living wage, not advertising the patreon, not utilising revenue streams that aren't a streaming service like youtube memberships, spending what Ryan has said is hundreds of thousands of dollars on a single season of a series they have called Ghost Files) and the fact the CEO is pretty open about his comfortable lifestyle (drives a tesla which btw folks isn't a luxury car it's just a more expensive one, has a $300 matcha machine, has a series based on fine dining vs more affordable restaurants), means people are understandably mad because they are struggling financially and the founders (from what we know) are not - but they're trying to tell people that 6 USD is affordable for everyone.

It's a lot less to do with the fact of them charging for content as much as the way they went about it and in particular how it's been phrased to people has come across really insensitive. There's other logistics with the streaming service itself that were not thought out at all for international viewers, but I won't get into that here. And the pretending they were always going to leave their content up and telling viewers not to spread misinformation is scummy to me - at least acknowledge that was a mistake you made and backtracked on. It's just a mess but I really loved their videos and hope they make Youtube's Greatest Apology Video Ever (unironically) and try to undo some of the damage.

edit: someone in the replies made a great point that teslas could actually be considered a luxury car in some countries outside of the US, and I fully agree that 6 USD is 1) too much for what they offer, esp in this economic climate and 2) wayyyyy too much when converted to other currencies. I've seen other Australians say the conversion is too much for them but I know viewers in other countries say it comes out to literally thousands for them - if they can even access the site at all from their country.

#watcher #answered #steven lim #shane madej #ryan bergara

[jjwho]

What you Need to Heal Right Now

Collaboration with : @amionatea

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Pile 1

Cards pulled out: four of wands reversed, three of cups, the empress, page of swords

So Pile 1

What I see is that in the past you mgihtve never felt included or welcomed. People mightve canceled on you a lot of you could have a lot of family members who don't like you or cut you off. What you need to feel is your insecurity and instability and your self doubts. These issues have most likely caused you to be inable to go to requires or party's or to just have fun with people or just to feel comfortable with yourself being in an area with people without being so subconscious about yourself. You need to Heal by getting more buturingveuth yourself and to be more in tune with you feminine energy. You need to find balance in yourself and have patience with yourself. You should communicate more and be assertive and direct. Don't overthink anything.

Why should you heal this issue?

Nine of cups and King of cups

You'll finally have your dreams come true and finally feel fulfilled with yourself and feel accomplished, you might even meet more emotionally mature people who are patient and tolerant which can help you a lot.

@amionatea s turnnn

Pile 2

For pile 2-

You are in need to heal your connections, both personal relationships as the connection to yourself.

You seem to be stuck isolating yourself, turning a blind I to well meaning connections meant to blossom.

The hurt you've endured in the past keeps you from opening up towards like minded individuals, offering you a harmonious relationship or simply showing interest in you as a person.

Your inner dialogue keeps repeating the same mantras of vigilance and distrust while your need for vulnerability and unity is at a constant high leaving you fighting an inner conflict.

This has exhausted you both mentally and emotionally.

As of now you are asked to face your fears of betrayal and slowly work towards connecting with your surroundings.

You have already made progress in the right direction,you just need to push yourself a little.

Step away from your inner turmoil and allow people to get to know you for you,not for what you perceive them to want from you.

Yes, you have encountered negative people in the past and your need to keep yourself safe from future disappointments and hurt is understandable but not only are you stunting your own personal growth,you are denying yourself of the love you yearn for.

You are meant to experience safe and loving connections and they are there for you to explore if you are brave enough to cross that bridge.

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Pile 3

Pile 3-

Are living in a lack mindset?

The first two cards in your pile paint a picture of some on constantly over burdening themself in hopes of gaining more.

You seem to be working towards emotional fullfillment, longing to have it all in the near future ,thereby forgetting to enjoy your blessings and achievements in the now.

You like to be prepared for the unknown,as much as possible and not wanting to experience certain live situations again has lead you to become a hard and disciplined worker but you can't seem to see yourself as such.

You are stuck viewing yourself as someone aimlessly drifting when you have clearly worked past this aspect of you.

You are in need to work on both yourself Image and your perception on "being of value".

You do not need to be on top of everything for people to love and admire you.

It's okay to not be prepared for everything and relay on your loved ones, especially in regards to emotional situations.

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Back to me😌

Pile 4

Cards pulled out: The star, ace of pentacles reversed, nine of wands reversed, seven of cups reversed

Pile 4.

You need to Heal your creative and positive energy. You need to let your healing energy do its job and heal and not stop it from healing.

You need to start healing these issues so you won't make bad financial decisions, you need to recognise how badly you're spending money and being stingy at the same time. You need to stop being so stubborn and not accepting the help that is offered otherwise you'll be left with nothing and shit options left because you don't accept the help and you don't let yourself think positively and don't you let yourself get hope that you need. You need to work on your issues where you avoid your problems and being too focused on superficial shit.

Why you need to Heal these issues?

Eight of cups and knight of pentacles

So you can finally leave these issues and be given and get stability, security and good financial opportunities.

STOP BEING NEGATIVE OH MY DAYS. You're in a bad situation because you're stubborn and don't let yourself have hope and be positive. Let yourself heal and be positive and hopeful. My days..

#tarot community #astrology #free tarot #pick a pile #intuitive readings #psychic readings #tarot deck #pick an image #pick a pile reading #free readings #pac #jjwho #healing tarot #collaboration

[songmingisthighs]

Genesis

introduction pt. i | pt. ii | pt. iii

<< previous | m.list | next >>

ch. ix - chilly

fashion mogul!mingi × reader

buy me coffee ?

things aren't always what it seems but when even the truth is left unheard, what can people do? one musn't lie but what if the lie is more accepted than the truth? the scariest thing in this world isn't monsters or demons. it's people with no agenda and time to waste.

You had always felt somewhat calm in hospitals. You don't know if it was the smell, the minimalistic design or the fact that the drugs are just RIGHT THERE. It wasn't really disneyland for you, but it wasn't anxiety inducing.

"(y/n), do you need to pee?"

That does though.

"No, Yunho, I'm fine," you sighed but offered a small smile at your friend. Usually, he'd make sure whatever you need is met but this time he simply nodded and looked back to his phone. This made you huff and close your eyes in annoyance, "Yunho, you can't be mad at me for doing what I think is right," you finally said. Yunho didn't bother to look at you when he shrugged, "I'm not mad at you for doing what you think is right for you, I'm mad at your ex who fucked with your mind so bad that he managed to change who you are as a person," he muttered loud enough for you and your other two friends to hear.

Thankfully, before you and Yunho got into a bitching match, Jongho swooped in and tugged your arm, "Hey! I think it's your turn now!" He stood up, taking you with him, leaving Yeosang to scold Yunho to not provoke you in such a sensitive day.

To say that the doctor was surprised when you came in with three men was an understatement. "I... See you and the father has brought some friends," the doctor said, smiling unsurely as she looked between you and the boys. "None of them is the father, they're just moral support. The father is not in the picture," you stated, shifting your eyes away from her. Sensing that you weren't really feeling great, the doctor thankfully nodded in understanding, "I see. Well, no matter the availability of the dad, South Korea has a great program to aid expecting mothers as they are improving the birth rate. We can help you register for the maternity aid right after this and you can just focus on yourself as expectant mothers should." Hearing her use the word "mother" multiple times made your heart clench. You wanted to correct her, you wanted to tell her how you're NOT going to be a mother. You don't even know what you want. Heck, you don't even know why you're there in the first place. It was such a shocking news that you haven't really processed what was going on. You didn't know what to do whatsoever. You couldn't even come up with the idea to check up on the baby that was growing inside you to confirm the pregnancy. Truth to be told, Yunho had to basically force you to do an ultrasound because last time you got yourself checked, you found out you were pregnant and you just bolted.

Despite his disagreement with you, Yunho stepped up to talk to the doctor in consideration of your reluctance all the while Yeosang sidle up next to you with your hand in his as an attempt to calm you down. Jongho too made himself useful by giving your information to the doctor. You were the one being completely useless by just sitting there, accepting whatever it was the doctor recommended for you. You couldn't even get yourself to focus enough to even listen to the conversation. Your head was too riddled with the conflicting thoughts of what you want and what you think you want. Since Yunho mentioned it, you couldn't shake off the very based fact that you really do want to be a mom and what has been hindering you is the fact that there is no man who's romantically involved in your life like how you planned. Should such an important decision be made when you're in such a negative state that you can't even decide between wearing skirt or pants?

For days, you have been trying to find other rational reasons to not keep the baby. Financially you were stable and you even have savings for the future, your company provides you with great benefits, your living situation is above average, and technically speaking you have all the mental and physical support you will ever need. There were absolutely no reason for you to not keep the baby. Even mentally you were ready. -ish. As best you could considering no one is ever mentally ready to welcome another human being they created who made their entrance by screaming. All reasoning, all doubts you ever had only pointed to the absence of a man, THE man, who you wanted to share the experience of being parents with. It was starting to become ridiculous for you to be so hung up on a broken plan.

Somehow you managed to move yourself to the the chair with your shirt hiked up to just above your stomach. Your three friends huddled up to your side in curiosity and desire to show support. "Now, I'm going to put some gel on you and it might feel cold at first but once I move the wand around, it's not going to be as cold, okay?" The doctor said. Even with the warning, you couldn't help but tense up once the liquid hit your skin, the sensation made you clutch onto the fabric of your pants. But sure as she said, once she moved the wand around, the coldness dissipates and all you could feel was the slight pressure of the wand.

The doctor narrated what she was doing but you couldn't seem to concentrate on her words. While your friends had their eyes glued to the monitor, your were trained on the ceiling above. Noticing this, the doctor paused her movements and pulled the wand away from you, "Is something wrong, miss?" She asked. Though you wanted to tell her something, anything, you couldn't find your voice. It was stuck on your throat like a piece of gum to the sole of someone's shoes. You knew then and there that you were panicking because the reality was dawning on you and you had no way of getting out of realizing it.

All of a sudden, a hand grabbed yours and like an anchor, it pulled you back to your senses. Your eyes met with Yunho's stern ones and in the steadiest voice you had ever heard from him, he said something that managed to calm the storm in your mind.

"It's going to be okay."

You knew he wasn't just talking about that moment, he was talking about your pregnancy in general. It was such a simple sentence but it the surety in his voice immediately reminded you of how much the four of you have been taking care of each other. As much as they joked about you being the only one keeping them alive, the only one who had the good sense when it comes to taking care of other human beings, you had to admit that they themselves have been taking care of you since day one. They offered their shoulder to cry on when you got your first scolding on the job, they shared your happiness when you told them you finally found the one you wanted to spend the rest of your life with, and they helped pick up your broken pieces when you left. You had been so caught up with one man that you selfishly forgot you had three. Sure, they were not the person you had hoped for, but they were your constant in a series of uncertainty and disappointments.

"I'm scared," you choked out, tears brimming in your eyes. "Of course you are," Yunho nodded, finally cracking a smile at you, "You're gonna be the biggest pain in the ass for the next nine months, I'm gonna have to fugure out how to bulk order aspirin," he joked which made you whine and slap his hand. "But," he continued, "At the end of that nine months, we're going to welcome the newest addition to our little group and it will be a good thing, you hear me? Sure, it's gonna be spittle and tear-filled, and that's only from Yeosang's side," Yeosang scoffed and punched his friend on the side of his arm which made you chuckle a bit, "But it's gonna be so worth it and we're gonna be there with you for every step of the way, okay? You're going to look back at this day and regret not worrying more about your baby taking after us too damn much." It amazed you how easy Yunho made the situation seem in the best way. While it didn't immediately made you feel 100% better, you realized that it pushed the negativity away and replaced it with something you can't quite describe.

The doctor took the reduced tension as a cue to continue ger exploration. It didn't take long for her to halt her movements and announced to the whole room, "And look, someone here wants to say hello." All three of your friends tore their eyes off of you first and you had the pleasure of seeing the bewonderment in their eyes; their pupils dilated and their jaws slacked, it was as if they were seeing something so magnificent and you had to admit you had never seen them with that look. Curious, you too looked at the screen, slowly tearing your gaze away from your friends to where each of them were looking at.

From the moment you laid eyes on it, you could immediately tell what you were looking at. There, in the vast nothingness, a tiny blob appeared as a proof of life. You couldn't help but look between the screen and where the wand reside on your stomach, not being able to hold yourself back from reaching to the spot with your vacant hand and pressing on the spot gently. Noticing this, the doctor smiled and nodded, "Yes, that's where your baby is, miss."

Ever since he left you, ever since he told you what he thought of you, you gave up on the notion of a family. You were so in love with him, it was him or no one and you had intended to keep your promise because you know he'd at least respect that. But that little bean-shaped dweller, a creation that has yet to have its own sentience and had to depend on you to live, that little bean caught your heart the moment you laid eyes on it. With shaky hand and trembling breath, you touched the screen and for the first time in three days, you smiled at your baby as you let your tear drop. "Hi baby, it's mama. I'm gonna take such good care of you and even though it's gonna be just the two of us, you're gonna have the best life I could ever give you, okay?" "This is uncle Yeosang, and your mom's lying because me and uncle Yunho and uncle Jongho are gonna be here too for whatever your mom refuse to let you do. Fair warning, I will not have the power to say no to you so please don't abuse my weakness." While his words were sweet, Yunho and Jongho couldn't help but shove him down to a chair and scold him for ruining your moment. Though it made you laugh so they couldn't really get mad at him. But he was right, neither you nor the baby will be alone and that's what matters. You've made up your mind and just like you at your job, you're going to give it your all into being a mom with the help of the little family you created.

network :

@cultofdionysusnet @kflixnet

taglist :

@ateezourstars @phenomenalgirl9 @90s-belladonna @yunhorights @cqndiedcherries @stopeatread @aestheticsluut @spooo00oky @kodzukein @galaxypox @mayonnaisehoeshit @maddiebabyxoxo @dreamlesswonder86 @charreddonuts @jwnghyuns @angelicyeo @axo-l0tl @gxlden-bxbyy @bbymatz @blaaiissee @kyume02 @aurora-tiny @senpai-of-doom @meowmeowminnie @thesolarplanetarysystem @seonghwaddict @camillelafaye

@randomness7198

#cultofdionysusnet #kflixnet #ateez #ateez scenario #ateez scenarios #ateez imagine #ateez imagines #ateez social media #ateez social media au #ateez smau #ateez fanfic #kpop #kpop smau #kpop scenario #kpop scenarios #kpop imagine #kpop imagines #kpop social media au #kpop fanfic #hongjoong #seonghwa #yunho #yeosang #san #mingi #wooyoung #jongho #smt smau #smt social media au #smt genesis

[ohsugar-honey-iced-tea]

Game night

Wanda Maximoff x fem!reader

Hi y'all! This is my first piece writing for Wanda Maximoff. A friend has introduced me to the fandom and now I'm obsessed 😀 let me know what you think!

Summary: 'Who gets a little too invested in boardgames?'

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She screwed up. She knew she screwed up. She knew it the moment Wanda stepped on her two hotel-owned steet. Well, that wasn't the problem per se. It was the fact that she laughed evilly as she watched Wanda do everything she could to get the money she needed to pay off y/n for landing on her street.

It was supposed to be a fun game night, filled with fun, cuddles, snacks and little shared kisses, Wanda's favorite kind of kisses.

They had settled on playing Monopoly, Wanda's favorite boardgame ever since she was a little girl. She always used to play with her parents and brother and, proudly, always came out to be the one with the most streets and money in the end.

It's not like Wanda and Y/n haven't played Monopoly before. It's just that Wanda always used to win, and then continued to gloat about her victory for at least three days. And now, for the first time in their Monopoly history, Y/n won, and won big. She owned 6 of the 8 streets, and all the taxes worked in her favor, which didn't help the already moody Scarlet Witch at all.

Meanwhile, it has been a full day since and Wanda still didn't talk to her, the betrayal of seeing her love laugh at her as she tried all she could to get the money she needed still fresh on her mind.

"My love, it was only a game of Monopoly, please talk to me."

As soon as Wanda heard that, she came out of their shared bedroom she had locked herself in, wallowing in self pity over her loss of being the reigning Monopoly champion.

"Why should I, hm? This relationship was supposed to be build on trust, and what do you do? You enjoy the lowest point of my financial status. How are we supposed to get past that, huh? You're just a mean- a mean butt!"

Wanda wasn't the best with cursewords when she was taking a moment to be dramatic.

Y/n watched as Wanda continued to *cough* dramatically *cough* *cough* rant about how unfair she was being to her and how this would affect everything.

"Sweetheart..."

"...I would never do this to you-"

"My love..."

"...how am I supposed to get over this-"

"Wanda!"

And just like that, Wanda's endless Monopoly rant ended.

"Did you get your period today, mi amor?"

With that, all the rest of what Wanda was about to say died on her tongue, as she pouted and nodded, tears forming in her eyes.

Y/n sighed sympathetically at this as she opened her arms for her, which Wanda quickly accepted. Honestly, she should have seen this coming. Y/n has been with Wanda for quite some time now, and she knew how moody amd hormonal she could get when she got her period. It didn't help that she had bad cramps with it as well.

The red-headed girl started to sob in Y/n's shoulder, as she gently shushed her, arms holding her close and fingers caressing her hair.

"Why don't I go draw us a bath and after that we can watch your favorite sitcoms? That face is way too beautiful to be stained with tears"

Wanda giggled a little at that, and nodded, softly sniffing.

"I would like that very much. Thank you, detka."

And so, Y/n drew them both a lavender scented bath and guided Wanda in it. Soft music was playing on her phone as she started pampering her Wanda.

After the bath was done, Y/n took her time drying off the both of them, kissing every dried piece of skin her lips could find.

They soon settled in bed afterwards, Wanda making a decision which sitcom they should watch as Y/n was getting the bed ready.

Half an hour later, they were in bed, watching an old episode of ALF, one of Wanda's favorites. Halfway through the episode, Wanda turned to look at Y/n.

"I'm sorry for calling you a mean butt. I didn't mean that at all."

Y/n simply smiled and gave her a forehead kiss.

"I don't mind being a mean butt. As long as I'm your mean butt, I'm okay."

Wanda sighed contentially, nestling herself deeper in her lover's arms.

"If game night always ends like this, we should do it more often."

Y/n giggles at that.

"Let's just keep the fighting part out of it next time, okay?"

Wanda sealed their deal with a kiss, and settled for sleep in the arms of the woman she loved so much.

Later that night Wanda woke up to a still warm water bottle on her stomach, pain medicine and water on her nightstand, and a sleeping Y/n holding her close even in her sleep next to her. Wanda smiled softly at her, thanking her lucky stars for having found Y/n.

"I'm going to marry you, aren't I, detka?"

With that, she went back to sleep, meeting her partner in dreamland.

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Let me know what you thought and if you want to be added to my Wanda taglist! There's more to come, send me any request you'd like to see!

#wanda maximoff #wanda x reader #wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff x y/n #marvel #scarlet witch #fanfic

[livums]

Why I haven’t written in several months

Im being dramatic—it’s been like 3.

Hello writeblr buds, I miss u and I hope the past few months have been as kind and restful as possible 🥰 I realized it’s been some time since I’ve written anything (or written anything about writing anything) and for some reason it’s of some importance to me that it doesn’t look like I vanished or lost interest/commitment to the space.

I’m trying to quit my fuck ass job :/

I have a whole lot of feelings about the job + the field itself and why I think my time in it is drawing to a close, but I probably won’t take the time to write about it here, unprompted. What’s much more exciting for me is, I think, my goal itself.

I realized in like November that I’m doing that thing again—waiting for my life to start. It started when I received an art book Kickstarter reward in the mail and held a very pretty holographic print in my hands up to the light in my bedroom. My bedroom walls were bare, and had been for the past year and some change, when I moved into this unit. I hadn’t felt comfortable decorating knowing I’d be moving out in “only two years”. I caught myself waiting for permanent stability again. Oops! My bad.

I spent hours decorating my walls with all the prints I’d accumulated over the past several years and I felt…. A way. I started using stickers in my journal.

What was I waiting for? What the fuck was wrong with me?

I’ve known I wanted to center art and creativity in my life for as long as I can remember. I’m not going to blame my parents or whatever, but I was told over and over again not to throw myself into pursuing art as a career. It’s not financially viable. “You’ll never make a red cent.” I’d never told them at all that I wanted to do art for a living. I convinced myself for a long time that I didn’t. Lol.

Before I graduated from college in 2020, I faced a decision. I could go to art school, I thought. I could get an MFA. I held an art school catalog in my hand that is requested in the mail. I’d carried it everywhere for months.

I went to grad school instead. Not that I’m bitching about getting into such a prestigious program in my field, but it always felt like the ultimate compromise. It’s something I could tell my parents about and have them be proud of me, while hopefully I could devote time to art on the side. It’s what I’d been doing for the past four years—compromising. I had a professor or three notice, even. Lol.

I moved to a new city in 2020, alone. I was turbo depressed. One day, I spent hours watching animated student films on youtube and bawling my eyes out. Before I had graduated from college, I’d faced a decision and chosen wrong. I asked myself over and over—What do you do if you chose wrong?

Grad school was a nightmare, and I’d rather die than go back, but I don’t even necessarily regret going, I think. I think it was important for me to be in this profession, at least for a time. Maybe this is just me coping, lol, but going to grad school inspired much of what I ventured to write in 2022 and 2023.

Anyways, when I recently held that holographic print up to my bare landlord-white walls, I realized that if I waited any longer to let myself live my life how I wanted, then I was an idiot. In kinder words. I have no excuse not to. I’m giving myself massive grace by believing truly that the past seven years were not a waste of time, but I can’t lie to myself that I’m satisfied with the way my life is right now.

The point is-- I’ve slowed down writing recently because my focus has shifted to art. I’m DEFINITELY not done writing. Not at all! I just realized that if I want to achieve my goal of making enough consistent money off of art to leave my job, I’ll have to start treating art like a second job. Between devoting time to my fuck ass job, to art as a living, and to writing seriously, I’m in kind of a pick-any-two situation. Before, it was fuck ass job and writing seriously. I want to eventually be focused on art and writing as the pillars of my livelihood—that’s my ultimate dream. And we all know that writing is the longest game of creative and financial delayed gratification ever, lol.

I haven’t really talked about this that much on my other socials, lol, but for whatever reason I woke up this morning and felt like I wanted to give an explanation for my sparse writeblr presence. As I hopefully get to scale back to part-time clinician in the future, I hope to get back into some of my stories and start re-breaking old bones into something new and revitalized.

AN EE WAYS, if you’ve read all that, thank you. Mutuals, if u want my discord, feel free to pm me! I’m not disappearing (I will be on tumblr just as much as I have been, which is to say, daily), but I’m much easier to reach by other means. I’ll be (and have been) posting much more on my art blog @lurrkingly as well! If you’d like to um. Witness Me, I’m most Witnessable there or on my art Twitter (also @lurrkingly). (I also have a spicy art Twitter linked to the main one, which I hope to probably be. Siphoning off of for income one day soon. Praying etc.)

I have a game plan, my partner is an excellent support (I think they like playing manager, LOL), and I think, I really think, that I can do it! 🥰🥰🥰

Ok bye MWAH! I like you guys and I’ll never leave! 🎉 💜

#writeblr #chitchat #heyyyyyyy lol

[a-man-for-hire-and-his-archives]

‘Black Sails’ Star Luke Arnold Is Creating A Graphic Novel With A Strong Creative Compass

Though he’s had a long run as a working actor, Australian born Black Sails and INXS: Never Tear Us Apart star Luke Arnold says he’s always been a writer. He says that’s related to his favorite part of acting – figuring out the strategy for the performance more than the performance itself.

For Arnold, getting into the space to create is vital. Drama school was followed by the start of his on-screen career, but while he was still writing, he felt a truth that will resonate with many aspiring creators: “For so long you’re so desperate for a paycheck and for something to happen in your career that for so long as a young actor, it’s hard to really focus on something [else],” he says while recounting the process of trying to find time to write in between auditions and jobs.

Arnold is talking with us as he readies the launch of a Kickstarter campaign around a new, high concept graphic novel that he-co-wrote with Chris “Doc” Wyatt. The story plays with shifting realities, twisting truths, and anti-science ideas. It sound expansive and timely, deploying multiple heavy-hitter artists (including Bill Sienkiewicz, Glenn Fabry, Jason Howard, Vince Locke, Brendan McCarthy, Andrea Mutti, and M.K. Perker) in collaboration with The Lab Press. This follows his three novels with a fourth on the way.

Arnold’s writing work is the result of a careful balance that grants him the time to carve out dedicated space to write, doing it in a way that seems to not just impact the work but also reinvigorate him when a new acting role comes along. That balance has come from having worked steadily and from legit financial planning.

“I do put time aside and I know I’ve got to make the acting money last through that time. And make sure there’s enough, all the rent and bills and everything are covered while the money isn’t pouring in the same way it does when you’re on an acting job that gives you a check every week,” says Arnold.

Working in this fashion gives Arnold the ability to not be pushed into bad creative decisions by necessity, accountable to his audience more than to the business side of things. It’s a luxury, to be sure, but one that he is happy to lean into with focus and humbleness (believe me, Arnold gets how lucky he is to be able to put one career down for a moment to pick up another, mentioning it more than once).

“If you start spending so much that now you have to make all your decisions based on finances, you start making the wrong decisions, you start taking jobs you don’t want to take.” says Arnold.

The desire to chase a kind of purity with the creative process extends beyond planning and striving for dedicated time. It also factors into how he chose to pursue this specific process, turning to Kickstarter.

“It takes so many barriers away, because so much in publishing and getting books out can be about this whole network of agents and publishers to the booksellers, to the bookstores, to the people in the bookstores recommending it to readers. And that can be such a great pipeline of people, but it can also limit what people have access to,” Arnold says. “Kickstarter is a very level playing field and very creator driven. So it’s a perfect place for this whole journey to start.”

While Arnold also lauds Kickstarter’s creative community and other benefits, he acknowledges the advantage his name recognition brings, though we both agree that it may, at times, be overstated.

“I think that the’ve got to be careful how I say this. I’m sure when I get opportunities like this, some part of it is that I have have a profile from a TV show. But I think it often gets overestimated, this idea of how much of an audience will follow you between different fields and different mediums,” he says, before I co-sign the thought by reminding that there is a big difference between following someone and giving them a credit card number.

At the end of the day, while some may click because of Arnold’s run on Black Sails (the pirate epic is about to hit Netflix in full), the idea for Essentials has to win them over. It’s why we’re talking with him, to be honest. And so, to end off and share info on the Kickstarter, let’s have him make that sales pitch in his own words.

“Essentials follows Harris Pax, who was the one scientist who foresaw this inter-dimensional collision happening where our dimension collided with another. Now objective reality has become untethered. And people’s subjective realities are becoming real, the way they see the world, their fears, beliefs, ideas are manifesting around them. This was a kind-of COVID baby. This was an idea that we were forming in 2020. A lot of it is dealing with that idea of what the hell do you do when everyone is in their own little world. And we can no longer agree on some basic facts, science, the world we’re in, and how hard is it to do what Harris tries to do, which is to go into these subjective realities and try and convince the person inside that they need to come back to the real world.”

You can check out the Kickstarter for Essentials on April 17.

Source: Uproxx

#black sails #luke arnold #interview #uproxx #essentials

[vikingnerd793]

So uh. The Ubisoft Gear Store is dead. Just disappeared out of nowhere with random Tweet replies that it was shut down. Mirage still has no gameplay shown and it was supposed to launch in March. Three unknown projects cancelled, Skull and Bones delayed for a sixth time. I believe Prince of Persia was already canceled. Two non AC games bombed this year, projected loss of $500 million. Keep in mind Valhalla earned a billion in a year which is the most of ANY AC GAME and the 2nd best in Ubisoft history. That revenue is huge for them. So, a $500+ million loss is not small. They’re reducing headcount for two years to try to keep afloat I just read.

I’ve said this multiple times as a guess, but now I truly believe it’s not a guess. I think Ubisoft is in serious, serious trouble. I think the only reason we even got The Last Chapter at all, with likely ZERO resource and budget behind it, was if the content was a promotion for Mirage first, with a modest focus on Eivor’s conclusion. Wouldn’t be shocked if they took a crumb of budget from Mirage for it. It’s why all support was abandoned. No Yule, no NG+.

I don’t think The Last Chapter was meant to be the way it was originally. It felt like a project that got chopped. No other content in its two years of existence felt so basic. No actual gameplay. Like an hour of cut scenes. What little recycled assets they used, the peacock feather bug STILL happened and still has not been fully fixed. I doubt we will ever see another patch for it. This isn’t trying to excuse what we got, as honestly it felt so bad it shouldn’t have even been released. Just cancel it. But my visceral reaction, that this content felt like something that didn’t belong because it didn’t have any of the thought or depth of previous content, likely wasn’t off base.

I wouldn’t be shocked if the choice to make Mirage such a big project, while ALSO announcing multiple AC games being done simultaneously, and also hemorrhaging talent with huge projects being worked on (and now having to reduce headcount further with bad financials) is maybe not working out well. Especially with other titles floundering the way they are. It’s like they NEED Mirage and Infinity to not only happen, but sell at or above Valhalla levels just to survive. I might be wrong, but it’s pretty ominous. They can’t just get these games launched. They bit off possibly way more than they can chew and need record numbers from AC now.

So I can see execs telling them ACV is a dead game to them. Support was done after Forgotten Saga and the licensed crossovers that likely got them some cash flow, and the Mirage promo masked as TLC. Fuck the fans of this game who made us record money, we need the old fans who are long gone to come back and we need to focus on getting the new fans to focus on the next games. But I’m not sure that was the smartest idea, as you want to respect fans who you just got in the door if you want to keep them around.

I don’t feel happy, per say, about this, as this will affect livelihoods of many people and this company did give us Valhalla and some other great games. But it at least feels like circumstances contributed to the disappointment of Valhalla’s “end of life.” Not just a conscious decision to ruin Eivor and make her ending about a different game’s setup.

EDIT: oh I’m totally not wrong.

[celticcrossanon]

BRF Reading - 23rd of February, 2023

This is speculation only

Cards drawn on the 23rd of February, 2023

Question: What is Meghan Markle's financial situation?

Interpretation: She has no resources and no one is helping her

Card One: The Ace of Pentacles, reversed.

The Ace of Pentacles is a card of new financial resources and/or social status, abundance, prosperity, new beginnings. Reversed, it is the opposite of this. There are no new opportunities to create wealth or status, there is scarcity instead of abundance, and poverty instead of prosperity. It is a card of missed opportunities and bad financial decisions.

This is Meghan's current financial state - no resources, no opportunities to obtain financial resources, and a history of bad financial decisions and missed or bungled opportunities. The words 'spending money like water' came into my mind when I wrote 'bad financial decisions'. Whatever money Meghan has had in the past is gone. Whatever opportunities she had to make money have dried up or been taken away due to her behaviour. She has no financial resources (eg savings) and no opportunities to make money.

Card Two: The King of Cups, reversed.

This is the card of a Scorpio person, and here it represents King Charles, who is a sun sign Scorpio. It is in the reverse, which means that there will be no money coming from King Charles. He is not helping Meghan in her current situation. She can not look to him for funds. There is no help for her, finances wise, from her father-in-law.

As a card relating to finances, the King of Cups reversed indicates out of control spending, emotional spending, and bad financial decisions. This is similar energy to the Ace of Cups reversed. I would say that Meghan is spending money as fast as she can, money that she does not have to spend, and that she is making some vry poor financial decisions.

Card Three: Strength, reversed.

This is the card for Leo, and as such it represents Meghan, who is a sun sign Leo. The card is in the reverse, so Meghan is in decline. She is overshadowed, in her fall, showing her negative side. Strength in reverse means that a person is feeling fear or anxiety and has a lack of confidence in themselves. It can mean that a person is jealous of others, seeing them as having everything that the person lacks, It shows a lack of inner strength, the inability to pick oneself up and keep going during hard times as you work your way out of them. Instead, this person will fold like tissue paper and look for others to rescue them, instead of trying to rescue themselves.

This is what is going on for Meghan at the moment. She is in eclipse, she feels overshadowed and hard done by, she thinks other people have all the nice things and she has nothing, and instead of sitting down and doing the hard work to get herself out of her financial mess she is looking for a saviour to pay off her debts and rescue her.

In terms of finances, the Strength card in reverse indicates someone who is spending compulsively, spending to feed their ego, and who feels financially insecure (so they spend more to make themselves feel better). This is the state of Meghan's finances. Again we have the repeated message of spending money like water to make herself feel better.

This is the only major arcana card in this reading, so it is a major energy of the reading.

Underlying Energy: The Two of Swords, reversed.

The Two of Swords is about having to make a decision, of being at a crossroads and needing to weight your choices before you move forwards. When the card is in the reverse, you are unable to make a choice. You are confused and indecisive, and any choice seems like the wrong one. This could very well be the case, as the Two of Swords reversed can mean that both choices are less than optimal. It can mean someone who is stuck between a rock and a hard place, and/or someone who is avoiding making any decision. With respect to finances, it means being forced to face the truth about your financial situation.

The underlying energy of this reading is Meghan's feelings about her finances. She does not want to look at the truth of her financial situation. She has been avoiding the issue for as long as she can, and now she is forced to face at least some of the facts. All her options appear to her to be bad ones. She feels stuck and she is refusing to make a decision as none of the options give her what she wants. She is trapped between a rock and a hard place, and she does not know how to get out of the situation.

Note:

All the cards in this reading are reversed, and they are all cards that have negative meanings when they are reversed. This tells me that Meghan is in a bad way financially and there is no help for her anywhere.

Conclusion:

Meghan's finances are in a very bad way. She is spending money like water, and she has no financial resources behind her and there are no opportunities coming in to make more money. She will not get any more help from her rich father-in-law (King Charles), and she does not have the inner strength to face her situation and do the hard work to get herself out of it. Instead, she is running around looking for someone to save her. She feels fearful and insecure, and to make herself feel better she is spending even more money, which of course makes the whole situation worse.

Meghan does not want to face the truth of her financial situation, however, she is being forced to face at least some of the facts. She feels like she is trapped between a rock and a hard place, with none of her available choices giving her what she wants. Instead of making a decision (even a bad one) and moving ahead, she is dithering and trying to keep her financial situation at a stalemate while she looks for another way out. The danger here is someone else growing tired of her procrastination and making the decision for her, which will be worse for her than if she sits down, faces all the facts, and makes the decision for herself.

Meghan's financial situation is very bad and there appears to be no way out for her.

[bil-daddy]

Mr. Dad, I’m about to drop out of grad school. It was my dream school, perfectly dark academia and artsy and English. I’m tremendously privileged to have even had the option to go abroad for this program, with the money my parents set aside for my studies, and I’m tremendously privileged to be able to leave this program and have the financial support to keep me going until I find a simple, entry-level job back home. A number of reasons have put me in this situation, my mental and physical health being the main contenders. I feel good about my decision, which quite a feat for someone like me, who has acquired a bad habit over the years to over-question their emotions and logic.

However my parents are taking it hard. They’ve assured me that they’ll support me whatever I decide, but the conversations we’ve been having over the last two weeks make it feel like that’s not the case. I understand their perspective (and have consequently goaded myself to doubt mine often enough). They see this as a wonderful opportunity that I’m walking away from. They feel like the funds they set aside for my education are going to waste. They’re worried I’m going to deeply regret not seeing the last nine months through (granted, it’s only a year long program).

I’m lucky that I have parents who value my education as much as they do and who have helped me so much to get to this point. But now that I’m about to turn in my final essays for the first term, now I’ve put in my first three months, I realize I can’t do this. I just can’t.

I was hoping, being such a midwife and cobbler as you are, you might have a nugget or two of insight to offer this poor, confused fool who has never been courageous enough to disappoint their parents until now, and is really wondering if it’s actually worth all the trouble.

Hey, kid (human, age neutral). Sounds like you're really going through it right now. But with everything you're going through right now, let's take guilt out of it because you have nothing to feel guilty for.

Your health--physical and mental--come first, and if your body is telling you to take a break from school, you're doing the right thing by listening. And it seems you know that, since you feel good about your decision. Hold onto that feeling. Don't let your parents or anyone else change your mind. You know what's best for yourself.

Your parents are upset because they're not experiencing the health and other issues you were going through, so they don't fully understand what led you to make the decision to drop out. And because you were abroad, they weren't even witnessing your struggles either. When you get home and live with them for awhile, they may come to realize that you were not exaggerating your issues and start to understand why you had to leave grad school.

Or they may not. Really depends on what kind of people your parents are. But if they're telling you they will support you whatever you decide, I think they're the kind that will. So take their words at face value and let them support you, while you figure out what your next step is.

Your parents think you will regret not finishing the last nine months of the program, but maybe they should think about it the other way around. It's not like you completed nine months of a twelve-month program, then dropped out three months before graduation.

You left only three months in, which is just a fourth of the program. If this were a job, that would be the probationary period. The time in which you figure out if it's truly right for you or not. And you figured out it wasn't, and got out early before any more time or money was 'wasted.' (Learning experiences are never actually wasted--you learned something from your classes and you learned that this wasn't the right program for you right now.)

Your parents probably have money left over for you to go back to grad school in the future if you feel up to it one day. And I bet you could even get at least some of the credits from your grad program to transfer to another program. The door on grad school isn't closed forever. But it's also fine if you do decide it's not for you and want to take another path.

If this is the first time you've ever had the courage to disappoint your parents, then I think you'll probably be pleasantly surprised and relieved when the result is not as bad in real life as you built it up to be in your head. That might be the most shocking part, actually. Realizing they still love you, even when you don't do everything according to their plan for your life. Realizing it isn't as big of a deal as you imagined it would be. Realizing it's going to be okay.

And it's going to be okay, kid. It really is. I know it's scary right now, but it's going to be okay.

Have an ox rib (platonic)

#bildaddy answers (eventually) #life advice from bildaddy (results may vary) #shuhite sunday #bildad the shuhite #bildaddy #bildad brainrot #bildad nation #have an ox rib (platonic) #oh bildad the shuhite we're really in it now #oh bildad we're really in it now #bildad my beloved #bildad the shuite #bildad the shuhite army #shutanic temple #bildaddy answers #bilday

[archon-of-cyberspace]

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty ending analysis | When three times for Pistis Sophia passes and tower crumbles

Spoiler warning.

After 3 years I can finally tell myself V survives to see another day. I couldn't be happier. I couldn't be more melancholic. I couldn't be more terrified. I can finally stop kidding myself about Arasaka evil holocall scheme™ and face the truth. People around V are just people.

The Tower ending is bittersweet and painfully realistic. People do and will move on. Many you consider trustworthy and your friends are neither. You will be seen as a burden, an inconvenience to be forgotten if you find yourself in extremely difficult situation. If your health declines. This conclusion, unfortunately, comes from personal experience.

V is a protagonist whose choices I can shape, and with CDPR's brilliant writing it's obvious I will relate to them. The Tower made these similarities dangerously close. If it was otherwise, it wouldn't be cyberpunk. V just became physically disabled, possibly for the rest of their life. That fact will change their perception of the world and make them vulnerable as never before. Earlier they could at least pretend, play the tough merc not to be messed around with.

Judy

was the first person I ordered Valerie to call after being awoken up from 2 years coma. I feel for V. Judy is a slow globe of bad decisions the entire game. She's desperate to feel secure and loved, and that causes her to move on surprisingly fast from and to different people. Needing a constant distraction, rarely thinking anything through, she bails out whenever something's wrong. I think that even if V agreed to meet her in Pittsburgh, the moment V arrives Judy wouldn't be there. Or still married to Bianca. Her entire conversation was just "no, V, I'd rather not see you in my life ever again" but using nice words. Which makes me wonder, what Judy actually said to her grandma and Bianca about V disappearance. Perhaps Judy's mails to Maiko Maeda on Maiko's laptop are overshadowing.

Panam

is already or almost 30 in 2079, but man, is she mentally still a teenager. Immature, unable to deal with personal feelings like grown-ups do. Our Queen of the Highway needs a therapy and a family to stop tolerating her childish behavior. People like her are all fun and loyal until they aren't. The moment something isn't about them – poof, gone, suddenly you're the problem, the bad one, the mistake of the past. Credits voicemail from Mitch in Panam's name is embarrassing but stays in character for both. Mitch is avoidant type, values inner peace over stepping on toes of whoever is in charge of Aldecaldos at the moment. His messages to V about Panam, Saul and Basilisk gave him away long time ago.

(Note (05.10.2023): I've seen the theory Panam probably committed suicide or snuffed on action and, frankly, that puts Aldecaldos in bad light still. V has on done so much for them, the least V deserves is honesty from Mitch.)

River

I cannot really blame, I ghost him after The Hunt anyway. Still sad as hell to see he became everything he despised to get money for Randy's rehab. Desperate times call for desperate measures, I'm sure former co-workers from NCPD are seeking revenge for the stunt he pulled with Trauma Team. From ex-cop fired for principles to corrupt private investigator. How bizarre. I hope TT kept their part of the deal at least.

Kerry,

knowing V for the shortest amount of time, behaved most decent compared to other potential love interest. I don't know if the version for players romancing Kerry is the same, however I found it sweet he offered financial help and promised to catch up with V as soon as his tour ends. Would his attitude change if he knew Johnny's gone? That remains unknown.

V,

my sweet Valerie, my comfort character, is now going through the first stage of grief. Denial. Hopefully one last time. If she wasn't in shock, she wouldn't even bother visiting Night City. So many things have changed, So Mi unintentionally predicted the outcome. "You are alone. All alone". Viktor was threatened by Zetatech and is now relocating to San Francisco. Misty, based on what she told V, was suicidal until she discovered her best friend returned to life, but is already leaving for Poland. And yet, those two found time for Valerie, inviting her once again to talk about their experiences.

You may say, V did a lame ass job explaining nearby disappearance to all these people. First, it's FIA. Top secret, discreet, yadda, yadda, yadda. Second, V was influenced not only by Johnny, but by Jackie as well. It was him who slotted biochip in his head first, though for a mere moment. Deep down, both V and Jackie were naive children dreaming of better future for them and their loved ones. Reason is not natural state of human mind. Mentally, V was afraid, stressed out and vulnerable. Texting friends the vacation takes only a month is simply coping mechanism. Trying the hardest not to accept something can go not as planned.

They say the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb, but alas. Friendships forged in hardship and common interest couldn't withstand the passage of time. Tower ending might as well be called "trust issues ending". If my girl won't develop these due to everything that happened, I will be surprised. V have only four true friends in their life, and two of them are already dead.

One more thing. What Rogue says about visit in Afterlife is a blanket over the truth. I believe, because of her good will and sympathy towards V. It's about social customs and clientele there. If you think mercs' reaction would be “oh, so V's alive, nevermind then”, think again. Remember these thugs who beat the shit out of V minding their own business on their way back to Delamain? No one would lay a finger on V in Rogue's company, but the mockery would be endless. In my opinion Rogue is convinced V needs to go cold turkey with merc life, never look back. She's absolutely right. A mercenary “died” so Valerie/Vincent could be born anew. Dwelling on past rarely helped anyone – in fact, it could make V suicidal.

#Cyberpunk 2077 #Phantom Liberty #ending #spoiler #thoughts #archon-of-cyberspace

[rhube]

The Case for Limiting Personal Wealth

Unpay-walled link to the New Yorker article 'The Titan Submersible was an "Accident Waiting to Happen"'

I'm reading the New Yorker article linked above, which contains acres of quotes from people warning Stockton Rush about how dangerous Titan was. It's hammering home to me what I have believed for several years:

Allowing people to have more than a certain amount of money to personally dispose of is catastrophically dangerous to themselves and others.

No single person is capable of responsibly managing that much cash. And the possession of riches itself warps perception dangerously. This is powerfully obvious when you read how Rush responded to being challenged. The way he first limited what things he would allow his safety expert to assess, and then fired him when he wrote a report - specifically so there would be a written record of him telling Rush that even the things he was allowed to assess were horrifically unsafe.

We're talking about a vessel Rush planned to enter himself.

And then he asked his Finance officer to be the pilot. This worried her so much that she found a new job ASAP, practically screaming *Scotty voice*, "I'm an accountant, man, not a submarine pilot!"

What this illustrates, apart from anything else, is the capacity money gives to people to say no to others without consequence, and how this makes them inherently incapable of judging when it's appropriate to listen to others and doubt themselves.

That is fantastically dangerous.

Not only should we tax away the possibility of billionaires existing in order to ensure fairer distribution of money, but we must do it for public safety. We need to prevent super rich people from being decision-makers of significant power. Their very wealth makes them collossally BAD at it.

It is unescapable, reading quotations like:

“I had come across this business anomaly I couldn’t explain... If three-quarters of the planet is water, how come you can’t access it?” (Rush)

What utter nonsense. Buzzwords instead of a brain. Meanwhile, experts on deep-ocean exploration (all of whom must be risk-takers to even consider that) say things like:

"You can’t cut corners in the deep,” (Rob McCallum)

The pre-exiting condition of Being Rich should automatically discount rich folk from being CEOs or entering governmental positions.

This wouldn't just ensure fairer salaries for all, and a redistribution of extreme inherited wealth to those who need it, but would prevent people who are inherently bad at assessing risk from endangering others.

This doesn't mean that people who are good at their jobs shouldn't be rewarded, both financially and with responsibility that reflects their good judgement. Rather, there should be a ceiling and more sensible scale for compensation, not just to ensure people at the bottom of the scale get their fair share, but to ensure the judgement of our leaders does not become warped.

This would also help temper the temptation for unscrupulous ladder-climbers to succeed through bad behaviour and backstabbing. There is less incentive to be a conniving shit if you are well-compensated at all levels and you aren't given unhinged freedoms and cash at the top.

This is an expansion of thoughts I posted to Mastodon earlier. I just felt in my bones that this was an insight that I hadn't quite seen captured before. (It probably has been - for all I know, there are studies, but I hadn't seen it expressed quite like this.) I know I and others have pointed out the limitations on an human of managing an amount of money they cannot visualise, but this article made me feel slapped in the face with the fact that it ISN'T SIMPLY that inherited wealth enables stupid people to be in charge of things they can't handle; nor is it just that wealth and power insulate you from harsh realities and consequences.

It is is that the kind of insulation from reality and consequence that (literally) unimaginable wealth brings *makes* you stupid. Or, more precisely, it makes you lose all grasp of certain important self-checking mechanisms that make you doubt yourself, listen to others, and have any capacity at all to assess risk.

Your ability to buy away most problems seems to make a lot of people utterly incapable of processing that some risks cannot be bought off.

Obviously not all super rich people are as insulated from reality as Musk and Rush. Bill Gates seems to retain a modicum of sense - setting up a foundation to help you manage the disposal of your cash is a step in the right direction. But you don't have to look very far to find callous things he's done that many people would be aghast at. Philanthropy is simply a way to buy good press.

As I have said before, no on should have the right to dispose of that amount of cash by themselves. It is enormous hubris to even suppose that you can choose by yourself the right people to manage a billion pounds.

But it's not just that. Money makes you stupid. We all need to know what it is to be told no and forced to accept it with good grace. Whenever you reach a level of money that means you don't have to accept 'no' as an answer, ever, that amount of money is making you stupid, and for your own good, some of it should be taken away.

#money #billionaires #stockton rush #titan