#Maybe they'll take advantage of it someday and have

[awarmbowlofhomemadesoup]

How to Build Resilience in Long Fanfic Writing

Sometimes, when a fanfic goes past 20 chapters, people who had been commenting, began to lose interest. Maybe you'll start doubting your skill or whether you "have what it takes" to be a writer, even if you're doing it for fun.

But maybe you see all those beautifully written but unfinished long fics and mourn that they'll never be finished (for the writer's valid reason or another). And you don't want that to happen to yours.

There is also an advantage to completing long fics: you develop the discipline to write original novels which can take far longer.

So if you're in for the long haul and you want to stay steady and true despite whatever popularity your fic may have, here's how to have the resilience to finish it to the end.

(Disclaimer: this is not a reason to stop commenting on fics)

#1 Whatever You Think You're Owed, Let It Go.

Accidentally quoting Elsa aside, I'm talking about comments. Comments validate and can make you learn new things about your fics through other people's eyes.

But when you see a high-to-low ratio between kudos and comments, you may feel like you are owed.

When you push yourself to complete three long chapters and publish them all in the same day and only get one response, it can feel like people are being mean.

The truth is, we'll never know why the people who loved our fics will not talk to you about them.

Maybe they forget there's a person behind the fic.

Maybe they're having a bad day and just want to shut down after reading something enjoyable.

But whatever the case is, it's beyond your control.

This post said it best (shoutout to @radioactive-earthshine) :

"Remember - hits/likes/kudos/comments are not reflective of the quality of your fic or your ability to write. Most people just don’t comment - even if they say they do, they don’t... Even if your fic brought tears to their eyes and it haunted them for weeks and they printed it out and sent it to their friends they just don’t comment. You just have to accept it.

I'm not saying you force yourself to let it go now. But someday, you will need to let it go, and control what you can which is you.

#2 Put Your Life First Before Your Readers

I have to say this because sometimes writers would have thoughts like "I haven't written for a long time; people must be wondering about it." Nope. Stop. Not worth it.

Creating is fun, but it is also exhausting. Add into the fact that most of us have 8-hour jobs or classes.

The reason you haven't written for a long time is that other aspects of your life deserve your time and energy, too. And after all that, you would be understandably tired.

So put your life first before your readers.

#3 Make Preparations to Replenish Your Soul

Long fanfic writing is energy and time-consuming. But you cannot depend on external validation to make up for it.

External validation in the form of comments can be good because we don't want to imagine it's all in our heads. But seeking it too much leads to what I've read in the book, "Ego is the Enemy":

"If outside validation is your only source of nourishment, you will hunger for the rest of your life."

So before posting a chapter, list down what you can do to replenish your soul after. Treating myself to a cafe one time helped. So is taking walks when the air is cool.

To stop anticipating responses too much, what works for me is to post on Wednesday. Wednesday is when people are less busy. At the same time, when the weekend comes, I don't obsess over it so much and can focus on other aspects of my life or replenish my energy for the next week.

In the commitment to complete a long fic, it's important to be honest with yourself. This is to be transparent with your needs and watch out for any signs of burnout, like feeling sad and tired. If you need to walk away from your fic for a while, then do it.

#3 This is Between You and Your Creation

Yes, fandom should be two-way street. Yes, fandom shouldn't treat fanfics and fan arts like commodity. And yes, there should be interaction and engagement. But before all that, there is this thing between you and your creation first and foremost.

Just as a story has to have a "why", remember why you thought you should write your long fic. Your reason may change over time, but when you remember your "why", you remember your true goal to keep going.

#4 Write like No One is Reading

This is a perk I adapted when I only get two responses if I'm lucky after updating a fic that has more than a hundred subscribers. If people barely react, then you're free to write whatever you please in your story as if you're dancing like no one is watching. Just have fun improving your skills.

This is similar to an inspiring section of the same post that I've found:

"10.) Write for yourself, not for others. Write the fic you know no one is going to read. Write the fic that sounds ridiculous. You will be so happy you put it out in the world and there will be people who will be glad it exists."

#5 Cherish the Rare Friends You Find Along the Way

Sometimes, we get lucky and get something better than a hundred people interacting with our fic -we find a friend we would make in the way of writing the long fic that we dared to write. And they're the ones who would cheer you on and cry and laugh with you about the shared stories. Cherish them.

(dedicated to @lightreader1)

#archive of our own #ao3 #fanfiction #fanfic #fanfiction.net #ao3 fanfic #fic

[jazeswhbhaven]

Let's have some angst

MC suddenly doesn't remember who everyone is and they're confused about where they are

You can tell they have dementia (?)

How do you think the kings react to this shock (maybe with Sitri too)?

Oh snap, we've got angst in the house! (thank you for your patience on this)

So because dementia is more than just memory loss, and involves eventually being able to do basic functions and other everyday things it would affect MC's mood/etc. I will just base this off of general memory loss if that's okay, mostly because dementia is something I only know a basis of, and I could very much get something wrong in my response and I wouldn't want to upset anyone who has a loved one dealing with this illness. Sitri: He realizes right off the bat something isn't right from the first day MC started showing symptoms of memory loss. He gets a second opinion from Morax, who confirms that MC is suffering from this symptom due to being in Hell. It's not reversible once it's started, and Sitri prepares by writing little notes for MC and sticking them in various places. He will also text them updates or things to remember to do once they wake up. Sitri does get upset sometimes when they don't remember him, but he has gotten used to it by now. At least the silver lining is that when he calls them Solomon they respond to it as normal instead of correcting him often. Satan: He at first thinks MC is just airheaded, and doesn't take it seriously until one day they have a major freak out and truly don't remember him at all. They were in bed sleeping with him and woke up screaming and kicking and crying and then when Satan realized it was serious. He knows what to do without consulting anyone and he keeps MC around him 24/7 at this point to make sure they don't get lost or hurt. He tells them various stories each day to jog their memory and it seems to work on most days, there are also days when he has to restrain them because they'll go ballistic on him and ask where Minhyeok is (they seem to only remember his name and not Satan). Mammon: Truly a devil of denial when he starts seeing MC forgetting small things, as he doesn't pay attention until one day Bimet complains that MC struck him because they thought he was a stranger. Mammon jumps into action having a specific room set with Ai bots to help MC's memory by providing puzzles, mental exercises, and whatever they need to help stave off the symptoms. He gets upset often when MC doesn't remember him and he does sit alone in his room and wonders if it's better to just let MC return home so their life can be easier. He feels if MC went home then maybe their memory would return. But he belongs to MC, he can't bear to do it...so he tries his best to hide the hurt, and tend to their needs in any way he can. Beelzebub: He doesn't remember things often as well so he can tell immediately what's wrong with MC when it starts happening. He instructs Bael to keep an eye on them from time to time and just let things go with the flow. At the same time, he begins to worry when MC starts wandering off on their own thinking that they ended up in the palace by accident, searching for their "home". Beel decides to take MC with him on his travels instead of keeping them in Avisos, where he knows the devils there would take advantage of the situation when he's not around. Though sometimes he does forget that MC is having memory laps, he is very protective and attentive to them. Though, he doesn't necessarily like it that MC doesn't remember him some days at all no matter how many times he tries to make it stick. Maybe...someday...

Leviathan: This is something he ignores at first because he thinks it's just MC playing around with him and causing trouble. It isn't until MC truly doesn't acknowledge him and ignores him and his nobles because they think they've wandered around somewhere and got lost is when Levi makes it a point to jump in. He finds it bittersweet that MC doesn't remember him, that every morning it seems that MC forgets everything from the day before. It exhausts Levi to go through the same routine, knowing he's done this for days now with them and nothing seems to stick or fix it. He's close to giving up, perhaps sending MC off to stay at the local hospital or having a healer/doctor come to Hades to provide all-around care for MC. He just can't do it...know that those eyes that used to look at him so fondly now only stare at him in confusion and fear. Lucifer: When he notices right away, he immediately gets Morax, Marbas, and Buer to tend to MC while he handles his duties as normal. He doesn't seem to mind that MC doesn't remember him but he is concerned about them not knowing their own name and forgetting things that they've done even minutes ago. He doesn't find it safe for them to be outside the palace so he has each of his nobles rotate shifts watching over MC. When he has the time he spends it with them, telling stories of what he did that day, and giving MC small context words to see if they stick for the next day. He does this from now on, accepting that this is life with MC now. He spends most of his time with them, hiding his true feelings of impending loneliness, knowing that eventually, he will have to let MC go back home so that their memory may return normally.

#whb #what in hell is bad #jwhbasks❓ #whb kings👑 #whb requests and headcanons #memory loss tw #memory loss au

[taiturner]

NEW YEARS CLEAN-UP 🎊

rules: unburden yourself from the abandoned WIPS collecting dust in your folder and share 5 gifs, then tag five people. (tagged by @yenvengerberg, thank you i feel like i can do something useful with these things now 💖)

tagging with no pressure of course: @wyllhalsin, @capinejghafa, @cardvngreenbriar, @seance, @ayoedebiris, @ughmerlin, @craintheodora, @lottiemilfews, @natscatorrcio (yeah miles i'm tagging you to be funny i know what you did with those psds)

these are all from projects that i have in a folder titled "on the bench" that i want to pretend i'll come back to, but.... some of these have been benched for so long and they're no longer fresh in my head so i fear they'll be abandoned forever. should also be mentioned that a lot of projects on the bench are literally just me making all the typography first and then losing inspo when i actually wanted to gif things.... usually by the time i do start, i change my mind about the type anyway. i also have so many abandoned gifs from other gifsets i've already posted but i'm not even sure where to begin searching so... here are some things!

one of the many gifs i already created for a prompt from @yellowjacketsoctober to put the show in a different genre. ironically, a prompt that i came up with for the event specifically to make this gifset but didn't even complete. i spent so many hours and so many days trying to gif this entire arc for these three with the intent to make it a heist drama set but after so long i realized i was just giffing exactly what happened in the show and it started to feel pointless. but at least here's a preview of something that i'll never finish. my trio of all time, can they commit more crimes together please! (should also be said that this folder is 44gb because i already saved all the caps + because these psds are so heavy... new years clean up for real)

i don't know what it is about lydia that makes it so hard for me to finish any set for her, but every time i try i seem to always lose the drive eventually (probably because twd in general just feels really uninteresting for me to blend, for some reason). from a 2022 spotify wrapped meme, i'm pretty sure i restarted this specific gifset so many different times, unhappy with the colors and the blends and the text and everything -- which is why there are two very different examples here. my girl of all time though i will finish something for her eventually (and maybe even this one, because this song is still so good for her).

one of the many gifs that were abandoned by my scream vi set for favorite slasher in october. when tumblr first changed the image upload limit to 30, i promised myself to never take advantage of that too much, but i severely underestimated how many moments i would want to include for this movie and i made so many other gifs for this set but ultimately cut them so i could try to tone it down - 18 gifs in this set still feels like a lot but i spent so much time on this set that it was hard to part with many more. anyway here's sam being the hottest final girl in the world and correct about everything.

i don't know how long this has been on the bench but it was definitely a project i started way before season 2 even aired. i think i just got stuck and wasn't sure where to go with it, but anyway her!

extra spoiler for @wyllhalsin but this was supposed to be a pride edit in june for one of my favorite lgbt characters of all time. this show's camera movements nearly makes it impossible to blend anything so i lost the drive, but i will come back for felix someday (and for coty, obviously this set was for him).

#personal #tumblr2023 #tag game #this is such a good idea kissing the person who started this game #'new years clean up' and then i still dont delete these psds Just In Case -

[goshdangronpa]

ibuki 🤪

Yeethaw it's Best Character

Favorite thing about her: There's so much to love!!! Her spunk, her look, her distinct voice ... Something really underrated about her, though, is her emotional maturity. For all her quirks and silliness, she's among the wisest people on the island. Her FTEs with Hajime are unique in that she's the one helping him deal with personal hang-ups, not the other way around. The advice she gives resonates perfectly with the themes surrounding the characters' dark past and the better future they can create.

Least favorite thing about her: It really is messed up that she tells Mahiru to "snatch some shots" when Mikan accidentally exposes herself in a tumble, but I think she'd relent if she knew about that girl's circumstances. So maybe the real worst thing is her hilariously rude takes on music. No, Ibuki, there is more to drumming than making loud noises!

Favorite line: "Welcome to the world of girls' love! It's slippery when wet!" There's much to criticize about DR's portrayal of LGBTQIA+ chars but I love how overtly queer many of these characters are, especially the enthusiastically girl-loving Ibuki.

brOTP: Whether you like it as a romantic ship or a friendship, Ibuki's bond with Imposter is a genuine delight. She takes their crappy Byakuya attitude so good-naturedly that they can't help but respect it. If they'd lived past Chapter 1 ... well, I'll go into that more as I develop my Ibuki protag swap project, but suffice to say they'd have a strong impact on each other. She'll help bring the individual at the core of the Imposter, and they'll help Ibuki channel her boundless energy into being a genuine force for hope.

OTP: You already know. I've liked some noncanon ships even before I knew the concept of shipping (zutara was just so obvious to me even as a kid), but tsumioda is the first to make me lose my damn mind. "Sweet girl helps sad girl" is irresistible, especially with my spin where the sad girl helps the sweet girl right back. The whole "Mikan once killed Ibuki" is a dealbreaker for some, but it actually seals the deal for me. This extreme interpersonal conflict is the kind of barrier that, once overcome, will make them both better people and better partners for each other than they ever could've been ... Oh my god, I talk about them like Nagito talks about hope, HELP

nOTP: I don't think I have any nOTPs - only ships that are more interesting (or funnier) as failures. Sayabuki is one. Ibuki strives to always be herself, no matter how that might alienate potential friends and fans. Sayaka would call that idealistic and naive, having her own motivations for doing things she otherwise never would. A clash would be inevitable. In fact, have a surprisingly detailed relationship arc for them in my head, taking them from musicians on the same tour to secret lovers (and first love, on Ibuki's end) to bitter exes. I'll write that fanfic someday.

Random headcanon: Ibuki's always so brazen when flirting with people, but when she develops an actually serious crush, she gets really awkward and even more motormouthed.

Unpopular opinion: I don't think Ibuki would immediately be all smiles and forgiveness with Mikan after they all wake up in the pods. A girl who prizes being real with people got taken advantage of in the worst way by someone she called a friend. Even for someone as friendly and emotionally stable as Ibuki, that's gonna require some deep reflection, emotional processing, and tough conversation! I do agree, though, that they'll eventually work it out (and fall in love)

Song I associate with her: HEY BIG MAN PUT THE MONEY IN MY POCKET

Favorite picture of her: The one I drew!

#danganronpa #super danganronpa 2 #sdr2 #goodbye despair #ibuki mioda #tsumioda #answering asks about characters

[luvmmarner]

Tyler Seguin - enough for you

part of the sour series -

I wore makeup when we dated

'Cause I thought you'd like me more

If I looked like the other prom queens

I know that you loved before

Tried so hard to be everything that you liked

Just for you to say you're not the compliment type

During your relationship with Tyler, you were constantly comparing yourself to his ex’s. They all looked so pretty and you wanted to look just like them, so you tried. You would put on makeup everyday. You just wanted him to compliment you or love you more. You would try so hard for him to be impressed just for him to ignore you. His excuse was that he didn’t compliment people. He didn’t like it. He wasn’t the affectionate, lovey type guy and you just didn’t understand why. You were doing everything right at least you thought you were. You would cook for him, clean and dress pretty all the time. He didn’t care, all he wanted was to eat and rest immediately. He barely acknowledges you.

I knew from the start this is exactly how you’d leave

You found someone more exciting

The next second, you were gone

And you left me there cryin’ , wonderin’ what I did wrong

And you always say I’m never satisfiedBut I don’t think that’s true

‘Cause all I ever wanted was to be enough for you

You knew Tyler was losing interest, but you didn’t think he would’ve dumped you so soon. He found someone else that achieved his expectations. You knew from the start that he would leave you for someone else that was better than you even if you were expecting it. You still couldn’t stop crying, you always were trying to be the best for him and you had no clue what you did wrong.

His excuse was that you were never satisfied. You knew that wasn’t true one bit. You were always satisfied with the relationship and

appreciated him so much. You just wanted to be enough for him, you wanted him to love you the way he had before. But maybe just maybe you tried too hard. And maybe I'm just not as interesting

As the girls you had before

But God, you couldn't have cared less

About someone who loved you more

I'd say you broke my heart

But you broke much more than that

Now I don't want your sympathy

I just want myself back

After a while you started to think you probably weren't that interesting to him, why else would he leave so easily. You knew you weren’t that interesting like his other relationships, but you tried to be and he couldn’t care less. He just wanted someone that you couldn’t be. You loved him more than anything and he was oblivious to that.

He broke your heart and more than that. He broke your self esteem, your confidence. He didn’t even try to apologize until his relationship with his new girl ended. As much as you still loved him. You couldn’t accept his apology. He broke you beyond repair and all you wanted was your old self back.

Don't you think I loved you too much to be used and discarded?

Don't you think I loved you too much to think I deserve nothing?

But don't tell me you're sorry, boy

Feel sorry for yourself

'Cause someday I'll be everything to somebody else

And they'll think that I am so exciting

And you'll be the one who's crying

Finally, you began to connect the dots. He was simply taking advantage of you and others. He only cared about his own feelings and his own satisfaction. He sent you messages constantly expressing regret and apologies. You would simply chuckle. You didn't need him because he'd be the one in the end apologising for ending your relationship.

You still had some hope for finding true love, as you do. He would be sorry because once you discover the one and they appreciate you. He  would be the one regretting everything. 'Cause all I ever wanted was to be enough

But I don't think anything could ever be enough

For you, enough for you, oh-oh

No, nothing's enough for you You just wanted to be enough for him. But in the end no one could be enough for him. Nothing would ever be enough for him and once you finally recognized it. You realized it wasn’t your fault because you gave him everything and he didn’t want it.

You loved him and you are glad for falling in love with him because if you didn’t. You wouldn’t have known that not all love is meant to be. There’s always going to be ups and downs and you were ready to move on something that you silently wished that he could as well.

#dallas stars #tyler seguin #nhl hockey #angst #nhl imagine #nhl sour #pure angst #hockey #sour series #heart break #sad ending #breakup #tyler seguin x reader

[fandom-gt]

I held off for a while, but I still have ideas I want to send to you. I'll try to send in more moderation, though.

I like the idea of pretend unaware cock vore, where a tiny is stuck in a giant's balls and the giant pretends not to know. This can be any pairing you like.

This situation could have happened accidentally and the giant is just taking advantage of it, but I like the idea of the giant intentionally manufacturing the whole thing. The giant has everything planned out: how to shrink the tiny if they weren't small already, how to get the tiny to fall into his slit in a convincingly "accidental" way, and how to ensure there's no possible way the tiny can ever escape.

I like to think of the giant's perverted pleasure of knowing what he's going to do with the tiny before his plan unfolds, interacting with the soon-to-be captive as though everything is normal. Chatting with them about pleasantries while secretly enjoying the fact that they have no idea they're about to be living full-time in his cock, eating only the pleasure they will give to the giant.

After the tiny's been successfully vore'd, the giant gets a lot of satisfaction from talking to others about how he hasn't seen them in a while. Wondering where they are. Maybe he helps fill out a missing person report for the tiny, knowing full well they'll never be found where they are, soaking in his semen.

But the best part about the whole thing is playing with the tiny as he works himself up, never once acknowledging the tiny's presence. Letting the tiny think that no one knows their fate, that there is possible hope for escape someday if the giant ever unobstructs the way out.

It would also be interesting if the giant screws someone associated with the tiny, while the tiny is trapped in the giant's urethra and therefore being squeezed in and out of the partner. Who the other person is is up in the air- an enemy? A friend? A rival in love? A sibling or family member? The tiny's significant other or crush? Whoever it is, it's someone who the giant knows would emotionally devastate the tiny, knowing the two are sleeping together and that the tiny is a forced participant.

And the tiny still thinks the giant is their friend. That the giant is a good person who would help them, if only they could get his attention. The giant loves it when they pound on his walls and wiggle and scream- it feels so good, he can feel all of it, and pretends not to. He pretends he doesn't know what's causing him to be so horny, and basks in the fruits of his labors.

-Eek

These have been idling in my ask box for so long, sorry fellas

[adoranoia]

didn’t wanna spam yall w/ all my random thoughts/old mini hcs, so i thought i’d just compile them all in one post. under the cut, ofc, just bc it ended up a lil bit lengthy.

* brian's first introduction to the town wasn’t. the greatest one. tl;dr, he arrived on a rainy friday afternoon, and besides, ofc, meeting w/ robin and lewis, he spent most of his day on his farm, just getting everything set up. didn’t rlly talk 2 anyone, etc etc. that is, until like. eight/nine pm-ish, where he swung by the saloon (lewis invited him), but, uh. maybe, busting in dripping wet from the storm now roaring away outside, esp considering his generally 'eerie' appearance + resting deadpan expression, was maybe not his best move. * ur random/mini hc of the day is: when brian isn’t doing Farm Stuff™ or Nerd Stuff™, he’ll often be found helping evelyn with the community gardens throughout town! to add to this, brian also helps her w/ the arrangements + decorations for the flower dance, as well! * vincent and jas are like, whole-heartedly convinced brian is some sort of vampire, due to stuff like him being an night-owl, having strangely pointed teeth, and always wearing big floppy sunhats during the day, etc etc. kid logic, y’know? he's found them sneaking around the farm looking for more 'clues' more then once, but. tbh, brian doesn't rlly mind. he even sorta plays along sometimes, lets 'em have their fun, basically. plus they're not… fully wrong, i guess! (different type of unhuman, but unhuman nonetheless.) * when it comes down to it, brian is. def more of a pacifist? when exploring the mines for example, he'll always try and take a more stealthy route. over the years hes learnt how to ~fade into the background~ , and he's not afraid to use that to his advantage! which means skirting around encounters with monsters almost entirely. (plus being half-monster helps, takes em longer to 'aggro', y’know?) * brian. rlly likes cross-stitch, it’s s/t he learned from his grandmother around 12-14-ish. ofc, he finds it v relaxing, and you'll come across a lot finished + unfinished pieces, just. scattered around his desk and wall @ his bedroom. lots of flowers and nature-y things. * also uh, something silly based off brian’s actual save file: he has a cat named grains, she looks like this! brian would die 4 her, thanks 4 coming 2 my tedtalk. * brian also ends up w/ a little pink junimo friend in his care at some point! brian found them injured while out collecting stuff out @ cindersap forest, and ofc, took them in. they’d gotten separated from the others when the spirits decided to take over in the town’s abandoned community center. it's not a permeant situation, they'll go back to their friends someday, but until they heal up, them and brian keep eachother company, y’know? (their name is juniper.) * in-game, i have a coop w/ some bunnies, and. they all have names like ‘sunflower’, ‘dandelion’, ‘rose’, w/e, but theres one (1) named ‘dreadlord xarth’ as a ref 2 the solarion chronicles thing from seb’s six heart event, and i just want u all to know how incredibly ic that is. * random thought, but. literally any conversation brian has w/ marlon is just. this

#* && OOC #* && SELF /// MIRROR ( BRIAN . ) #these always end up a lil disjointed but i hope u get the vibe anyway asdfghjkl #long post tw

[dandelion-wings]

Today's writing warmup is, yes, a bit more of the adventurer Kaeya AU, because there is a particular fun detail that I haven't really touched on yet that I really wanted to put in something at some point. So I figured I'd write a short bit just to, uh. stab Kaeya in the heart a little.

---

ETA: Now available on AO3.

---

Most of the sludge ends up on Bennet, which is no surprise. Kaeya gets splattered all down his legs and up one side, but his sword-hand stays clean, and he only feels a few flecks hit his hair and face. He scrambles up and out of the sewer channel, away from the mechanism that had broken under Bennett's hand, and checks his pocket.

The map he's spent the past three hours making as Bennett's bad luck took them on a long, circuitous route through the Mondstadt storm sewers has only gotten a little damp on one corner. He rescues it from his pocket before more of the liquid wicking through his clothing can soak in and tucks it into a hidden pocket in his vest, on the side that's clean. He'd guided Bennett's roaming so carefully to get a thorough map, after all. He doesn't want to lose it now. Though this will be a good excuse for making it vanish.

Just in case Bennett had noticed the movement, he pulls out the handkerchief he usually keeps in the pocket that one's hidden under and advances forward, pulling Bennett to his feet and swiping at his sludge-covered face with the handkerchief until at least his eyes and mouth are clear. Bennett splutters and coughs and spits up enough sludge that Kaeya is a little concerned, but finally he waves Kaeya's attentions away. Kaeya tosses the ruined handkerchief carelessly into the flow.

"I'm okay! Ugh, gross," Bennett adds in immediate contradiction as he tries to wipe his hands on his shirt and only makes them sludgier.

"Look on the bright side," Kaeya says, putting his left, already-sludged arm around him and pointing up towards the open gate from which the sludge had poured. "You opened up a whole new path to try."

"Maybe this one will lead to the debris trap, and we'll find Marjorie's necklace!"

"It's worth a try," Kaeya agrees.

It will allow him to add this route to the map, too, later on. This commission has been a real windfall for him. He hasn't had anything worthwhile for his handler for almost a month now, and while the coded notes his contact passes to him are always written in strictly neutral tones, he imagines he can still read impatience into the curt instructions. But in the course of their wandering he's found three different exits from the sewers that are clearly being used by smugglers to get goods in and out of Mondstadt under the Knights' noses, and he's sure he'll find more when he comes back alone tonight to scout a bit more strategically, with some future Khaenri'ahan expeditionary force in mind.

Not that he knows exactly what such a force would look like, or what approach they'll actually use. But three years as an apprentice knight hadn't been totally useless. Kaeya has a decent idea of what kind of intel will provide a military advantage someday, even if he doesn't know exactly how it will be used. It isn't his business to know. All he has to do is continue to demonstrate that working with the Adventurers' Guild is just as useful for gathering that intel as being a Knight would have been.

Carefully setting that line of thought aside for later tonight, Kaeya crouches down and offers Bennett his sludge-covered hand as a stirrup. "Why don't I give you a boost?"

"Thanks!" Bennett springs from his hand to his shoulder and up into the new tunnel revealed over their heads, taking care not to touch any part of Kaeya that hasn't already been thoroughly begrimed on his way up. He manages it, too, even if he barks his shin on the tunnel's edge as he gets up there. "Do you want a hand from here?"

"No," Kaeya assures him before Bennett tries to lie down in the remaining sludge and probably ends up sliming his face all over again. He glances around at the shape of the sewer channel, takes a few steps back, turns and dashes up the sloping wall nearly to where it's straight, and then springs up, catches the edge of the higher tunnel with his unclean hand, and manages to roll up over the edge and through the open gate without getting more than a few drops of more sludge on the parts of him that have remained clean.

"That was *awesome*," Bennett says, grinning up at him. "You've gotta teach me how to do that!"

"It's not that difficult. It's using the same principles as that backstab I taught you, so you already know the basics. Though I'd be happy to demonstrate how I applied them here. After we get out of the sewer."

"Yeah, let's finish the commission first! I can't wait. I mean, I'll probably mess it up a few times, but-"

Kaeya cuts him off. "But you'll get it in the end, won't you? That's what you always do."

"Definitely!" Bennett bumps his elbow companionably against Kaeya's begrimed side. Kaeya goes tense, bracing against what he knows is coming. "Thanks. Having you as my big brother is the luckiest thing that ever happened to me, you know?"

This is far from the first time Kaeya has heard him say that, but it hits like a knife in the chest every time. Kaeya is reminded, unwillingly, of the Khaenri'ahan expeditionary force he'd imagined pouring through these ancient sewer tunnels, the ones his work here might guide. He knows, even if Bennett doesn't, that he's just another manifestation of Bennett's bad luck. His little brother can't have *anything* good without a downside. The world seems determined to prove that.

Hiding the lurch in his gut, Kaeya smiles back down at him, careful and smooth, and gives him the same answer he always does. "Only the luckiest thing that's happened to you so far. Who knows? Maybe today's the day your luck turns for good."

"Maybe! Who knows what else we could find with Marjorie's necklace? It might be a huge score!" Successfully distracted, Bennett bounds forward, into the dark depths of the tunnel beyond, his Vision filling the space with a shadowy red light as it swings wildly at his hip. "Come on, Kaeya, let's go!"

Kaeya starts after him more slowly, still shaking off the momentary wrench. He should be used to it by now. It's not like he's going to let Bennett be hurt, whatever happens. He can be this one stroke of good luck for his little brother: when Khaenri'ah finally makes his move, Kaeya will be there to shield him from the fallout. Bennett will probably hate him, once he understands what's happened, but Kaeya will make sure he's still alive to do it. Better to focus on that than on the larger scope of the disaster that his work will, someday, help cause.

#benny kaeya and the seven dads #ascended fic

[fictionkinfessions]

What a pitiful state. The only reason any of my classmates want to speak to me is to yell at me for things that the version of me in canon did. So be it, I suppose.

Ishimaru, Yamada, on behalf of the me that orchestrated your deaths I apologize. I can't speak much for what went through her mind when she planned it, or the horrible things she said in order to set it up. I wish I could give you that closure, but all I can do is guess that she got caught up in needing something to lie about without thinking of the moral consequences since she'd already set her mind on killing the only person she told the lie to.

While I'm on the subject of apologizing to my victims, I shan't disclude the ones that I killed in my timelines, of course. Asahina, I'm sorry for tricking you like that. By that point in the game I'd dug myself deep, and you were one of the few who genuinely tried to reach out to me. I took advantage of your kindness. All of your efforts to make sure I wasn't left entirely lonely were returned to you in lies and poison. In my desperation, I proved everyone right. And Maizono... it's hard to figure out how to apologize for a mistake. You weren't supposed to die. Part of me wants to be frustrated that your foolish insistence on joining us messed up my plans and wound up getting me executed, but... part of me knows and understands that you did it on purpose. You did always have that uncanny sense of intuition, after all. You figured out before I'd even gotten Asahina to take one sip that crashing our tea party was the only way to get me caught. I respect you for that, and I'm sorry that you had to sacrifice yourself to keep my foolish desparation from getting everyone killed.

I don't know what else I can do or say at this point. No excuse about my circumstances or emotions is going to suffice. Maybe someday someone will have a good memory of me, and maybe they'll smile. For now, my dear friends, adieu. I hope you are well.

With best regards,

Celestia Ludenberg.

]]

#fictionkinfessions #fictionkin #celestialudenbergkin #danganronpakin #seekin #bullying cw #chara hate #peer abuse #death cw #apology #murder cw #canoning issue #manipulation cw #poison #mod party cat

[trilobiter]

Although they are both Good Birds and blameless in all things, it must be admitted that Yoshi and Sherbert are not friends. It's tough to say what two birds "think" of each other, but each seems to regard the other as an interloper, and they have to be supervised very closely because they will start fighting at a moment's notice if one of them is somewhere the other would not like them to be. They can coexist in relatively close proximity in places they seem to consider neutral ground, but I don't like taking an eye off of them.

Sherbert used to squabble with Bonnie of course, and they were friends/lovers/a bonded pair, but it didn't happen nearly as often, and Yoshi has a significant size advantage that Bonnie did not. With Sherbert's limited mobility due to funky legs, it's extremely important that their physical confrontations are as brief as possible.

(That being said, when I separate the two of them it's usually Yoshi who seems to be nursing a sore toe more often than not. Sherbert is not a pushover).

Lately when I open their cages, if I don't redirect Yoshi to something right away he'll start poking his beak between the bars of Sherbert's cage and pick a fight. He'll try to do this multiple times a day, even when he's been out in the living room with us having a nice time; the urge to make trouble just comes upon him. He's had the leverage to do this because their cages sit about five inches apart on the same table, so he can hang off the side of his cage.

Now, I've finally had the good sense to put their cages on separate tables, and they're now about two feet apart, with a climbing tree they never use (because there's a better one in the living room) in the middle as a buffer. It won't be easy for Yoshi to bother Sherbert through the bars without putting his toes in her biting range, and I think he's a little too smart for that. However, not ten minutes had elapsed since I made this rearrangement before the two of them started brawling on the roof of Sherbert's cage.

Maybe someday they'll learn to accept each other. But for now, we'll see how this new cage arrangement works.

#trilobiter #birds #yoshi bird #bondog and sherbert #lovebirds #conures

[deeptrashwitch]

Lights, camera, action

The beggining (part 12)

-A what? I'm sorry, I didn't hear you well-muttered Luke raising an eyebrow

-Look, I only know the name in spanish, but I think it's like a sorbet-said Alicia scratching her neck-since I can remember, they don't sell it here, maybe I've never seen it around

Both of them were walking around the base back on their usual mood, which was a relief for everyone. That day was calm and they were taking advantage of it to talk and train a bit more, right they were going for something to eat.

-Aren't you talking about the...piraguas?

-Piraguas? Hmm, now that you mention it, yeah, they are the same

-Then I know what you meant, those things are delicious

-Agreed

Once they arrived to the kitchen, they heard the muttering and whispers from inside. They shared a look before getting in just to notice that everyone was having lunch and hearing the news, now the world knew about all the dirty secrets of Elijah's old superiors. Alicia didn't say anything and just went for a portion of food while felt some satisfaction hearing about the scandal.

-Freakin' hell-murmured Luke while giving her a bottle of juice-she actually did it

-Told you, she has a lot of contacts, maybe even more than me

-And that's scary, for real Captain, what's with your family?

She just shrugged before starting to eat.

-This...this mean something for the trial?-asked Francis with curiosity

-I have no idea-muttered Jackson-but if it does, I hope it is the last nail to the coffin of those three

-But, where did they got that information?-questioned Noah while Elijah went to answer a call from his lawyer

-I have a little idea-whispered Edward to himself, looking Alicia through the corner of his eye

She noticed him and just nodded, which gave him the answer.

-So, all gunnery power, Captain?-muttered Luke with a smile-you really stained theirs and some others reputation

-Just my work, and we're independant. If they don't like it, they can kiss my ass

-If they ever know, probably they'll gonna come for you

-I'll be waiting

That made the man laugh, that would be a really interesting thing to watch. And so they continued the lunch after they changed the channel, this time putting the NFL and starting the bets inside that place.

Later all went to their own duties or to do something to kill time. Elijah just looked to his phone in absolute silence but smiling with his eye filled of tears, the news that his lawyer gave him...were amazing. He went to look for someone, first inside the offices, then on the cafeteria, the medic bay, the plane and even inside Noah's workshop.

Then smacked himself in the face when he remembered where they usually were. Elijah ran to the hangar that become Luke's workshop, seeing that the doors were open. And he looked out to be sure they were inside, and fortunately they were.

The red-haired was working on a black Chevy Impala while talking with the woman, who smiled really thankful to the man as he wasn't looking.

-I really owe this one, Luke-said Alicia calmly-you even treat it better that I do

-C'mon, have passed a long time since I saw this kind of car in this good state, it's my pleasure-joked him before looking her while cleaning his hands-but I can accept that you lend it to me someday

-Keep dreaming, boy

-I'm only three years younger than you

-Still

Then Elijah knocked on the door, and his superiors just looked at him.

-Uh Captain, Lieutenant...

-What is it?-said at the same time

-I just wanna know, about the scandal, you gave the media that information, didn't you?

-Why do you say that?-asked Alicia raising an eyebrow

-None of you were surprised about the news, neither curious, almost like you already knew what it was about-answered looking at them both-and I might be wrong, but exactly after Nicholas called you about the first public declaration it was just a matter of hours and days until everything came out. I know for a fact that most of journalist around here wouldn't let go something like that declarations unless they have something better

-It could've been Wraith-said Luke crossing his arms-the information was something she could get

-I don't think she cares that much about us, does she?

-Good point, I guess

-Whatever, what I wanted to say was...Lucius called me about what happened and he said that this will give us advantage-explained Elijah scratching his neck-apart of the fact that now they can face defamation charges, he explained me that if the Army wants to avoid a bigger scandal, is basically sure that they will be dishonored discharge even if we won the case or not

-Good news then, I'm glad

-Yeah, it feels good to know that even if it's not how I expected...there's some justice. For me and the others victims

Elijah stayed in silence for a second before gulp and walk towards the Captain. Without looking at her, he hug the woman with a big and relived smile. Alicia was surprised and Luke was speechless, but the black-haired patted the back of her soldier not knowing what to do.

-Thank you, Captain-muttered with his voice shaking-for everything

-I...

-You saved my life and many others with this, thank you so much

After that he broke the hug and smiled happily, then went to hug the Lieutenant too also muttering "thank you" again and again. Once again he scratched his neck before saluting and run back inside to talk with Noah, leaving the other two inside.

-I thought you didn't like being touched-said Luke looking the direction Elijah went away

-I don't-answered Alicia before smiling a bit-but this is an exception

-Already picking favorites?

-No, but...

-But?

-This is the first time it doesn't feel wrong or as a threat

Luke smiled when she said that, but didn't say anything and just went back to fixing a spark plug in the car. It was difficult to hear Alicia say something like that, but it was good to know.

-One day you should go to Rochester, or maybe to New York City

-NYC I get, but Rochester?

-You said you'll show me Arlington when we have some free time since is your native city, it's only fair to show you mine, isn't it?

-I suppose

A week later

Alicia was inside her office reading some if her paperwork with the news on the background, those days they started to have the first reports about things that might require their intervention. She left some of the locations, groups, and objective for an extensive research later and once they are sure what mission they'll be taking. Soon the news talked about the recent scandal and the discharge of two officers and one non-commisioned officer, when hearing that she scoffed while doing her work.

Good riddance.

But she was a bit worried, some of her contacts told her about the erratic behavior of one of them the day they were required to leave Fort Hamilton. Even if the base and the team as a whole were protected, they as individuals...not so much. It was something to be alert.

Soon someone knocked her door, and it was Wraith.

-Dominique, what brings you here?-asked taking her glasses off

-To make you keep your promise-said Wraith seriously-you said you'll take care if some of them came here personally

-...Which one is it?

-The Mayor

The black-haired just sighed and walked with the Coordinator to the entrance, watching through the cameras how the man was mumbling to himself.

-Is he a threat to himself?

-Not that we're aware of, but you know this kind of people

-Loose everything and you can do anything

-Be careful

The Captain said nothing and just went to talk with the man, while Wright stayed near the entrance as the team arrived to see what was happening. And as the woman approached, she noticed that he was probably drunk or under substances, so she sighed once again.

-Sir, please leave this place-ordered firmly once she was in front of him

-Ohh, look who's here! Are the fuckin' patron of this dumpster?-said the man with mockery

-Please watch your mouth, and leave. This is government property, you are prohibited of being here

-I'm not watching anything! I don't owe any respect, dumbass-growled as he lean trying to intimidate her-not after you ruined my life

-I haven't done anything, and even if you think you don't owe me any respect, at least have some for yourself-said unimpresed while looking him in the eyes-you were an officer before you did that...crap. Now, leave, this is the last warning

After saying that, she started to walk back shaking her head dissapointed. That was until something was thrown to her and smacked her in the back. She stopped her team with a sign while pinching the bridge of her nose, this was starting to be annoying.

-Stop that and go the hell away-said without looking at him

-Ha! Won't you even look at me? Pathetic-he mocked with some arrogance-just like that little bitch you shelter. Cowards, all of you

-Listen, I won't fight you since you're not in your right mind

That just pissed the man even more, and he threw something again. A rock, heavy, this time she recognized it after it smacked her in the head. Her anger was increasing, but just looked him with a dead look.

-No reaction? How sad, or maybe you'll make a lawsuit?-asked with a maniac laugh-this time even Wilson can give the lawyer an incentive, if you know what I mean

-...That's enough-muttered before approach him and grab him by the shoulder, thightening the grip until it was painful-I don't care what you say or do to me, I've passed through worse. But I'll tell you something. I created this team, they're under my command and I'm the first Specter. This. Is. MY. Team, alright? Lay a finger on my people, you loose the hand. Say something about them, you loose your toungue. Do anything to them...

Then she lean to look him, with her eyes absolutely frozen. It gave the veteran a chill, mostly with how she looked with her scars. Even more menacingly that anyone.

-And no one will found you again

-Uh...t-that's a threat, you cannot-

-And you attacked me, so, I can excercise my right of self-defense. Do you want to risk yourself?

He didn't say anything and Alicia just let him go. She walked once again, passing a hand through the place where the rock hit. Fortunately there was no blood nor pain, apparently whatever he was into made him weaker.

-...You think you're doing something good, huh Marchant? That you're doing something different from the last time?

-What?-muttered Alicia stopping once more

-Answer me, do you think you're protecting this people? Do you expect a different result?

-...We have nothing to talk-said before continue walking

-They'll die again, right in front of you, just as the last time-said the man with a malicious smile-once again you'll see them die. These soldiers are cursed just from being near you, and we both know that

-...

-Maybe they'll pass the same hell those boys did. I might be really interested to see that. See how you loose everything. The stone Guardian fell once, what about a second one?

After that he laughed and went away, at the same time Alicia got inside the base. She ordered to close the doors as she started to walk quicker, suddenly stopping in front of Wraith. She didn't looked any of her soldiers, which were both worried and confused, but just unzipped a knife sheath and gave it to her.

-I might do something really stupid-said before going inside the barracks again

Dominique just nodded heavily as she looked the Karambit inside the sheath. Luke and Jackson tried to follow Alicia, as well as the rest of the team, just to be stopped by Wraith.

-Don't

-But Wraith, what if the Captain has a wound on her head? Or a contusion? You saw that rock-discussed Jackson with a frown, to everyone surprise-let me at least be sure it won't be like the last time

-No, it's better for everyone that you leave her alone

-Why? In this cases it's better to be sure this kind of situations are treated on the medic bay-said Luke

But inside he was really worried when he saw the hands of the Captain. They were shaking, violently. And no one had seen that, Alicia was always under control.

-Why? Because if any of you do a single wrong movement, she'll kill you. And I'm not joking, neither is a metaphor. She will

Everyone went silent.

And while that happened outside, inside the barracks, Alicia was locking herself on her room. Her heartbeat was racing and it was difficult to breathe, she had to put a hand on the wall to avoid falling to the ground because of her head spinning. Those things he said...it brought her back to two years ago, to what happened.

While she was trying to take air, in the background of her head she heard the screams, the pleads and more. The scar on her neck, the one caused by a burn, started to itch, a hellish itch sensation. By force she kept her hands far form it, and every little sound that usually will occur inside the base, now scared, no, terrorized her while the world became bigger and bigger around her.

As a step got in front of her door, her hand reached for the knife to try and attack whoever entered. Once she noticed it wasn't there, a cold sweat ran down her face and the ghost feeling of the blood on her body appeared again. Flashes brought memories, the escape, that cracked in a second.

-No, please no...-whispered trying to calm down

-Captain?-asked Elliot knocking at the door-are you okay over there?

She didn't answer, but recognized the voice and made herself say something.

-I'm...fine-said with difficulty-I'm fine

-You sure? Jackson asked me to take you to the medic bay

-Jackson?

-Yeah, we were surprised when he admitted he was worried about you

-Did he?

-Yep, all of us are worried to be honest, mostly because of that damned rock-answered the engineer with a chuckle-but I have to say, you did an amazing job remaning calmed out there. I swear we even saw how you breathed fire...

She didn't paid attention to the rest, just focusing on the voice and not the words. As Elliot continued speaking she took deep breaths with every word, slowly going back to reality. Soon her mind processed where she was, and was able to stand up...when did she ended on the floor?

In silence reached the door, focusing too in the cold of the metal and the weather outside. Then opened and nodded, unable to say something without her voice cracking. And so they walked to the bay in silence, where Jackson was already waiting and just shook his head before point the stretcher.

-Aparently Elliot did what I couldn't-joked the blonde SEAL with a little smile-thanks

-It's okay, Sergeant, see you

Once the man get out of the medic bay, the medic started to check the place where the rock hit, near the neck.

-Well, you're lucky it didn't caused a wound, it's just a bruise...have you felt headache or dizziness?

She shake her head.

-Captain, I need you to talk to me, just to be sure

-...No, just nausea

The blonde raised his head abruptly, surprised to hear the frailness on the woman voice. For a second he didn't say anything, then went for a cup of water to give her.

-You're pale-said while leaning against the wall

-Hmm

-...We were worried about you, Edward, Luke and me, really worried. You were trembling, and honestly I had to stop Eager to go and commit a crime...I thought that would be Luke

-Edward was that angry, huh?-muttered the Captain with curiosity

-It was needed that Alexander helped too, I never thought he was THAT strong!

-He always has been

-Maybe that's why he became friends with you

-Maybe, but I never expected you were worried for me between all people

-Call it medical vocation-muttered while looking away

-...Thanks Jackson, I'm really glad you're here with us-said as she drink the water-people like you is difficult to find now

-What? Grumpy?

-No, selfless and caring...even if you're grumpy sometimes

The medic blinked surprised before he scoffed and laugh.

-All the team is like that

-I'm lucky then

-Well, we are soldiers, since the beggining we're selfless-said with a smile-but if we all care so much, it's because we don't want to dissapoint you, Origin

-I doubt you can dissapoint me, and, Origin? What's with that?

-Francis and Marcus, they were talking about what happened outside and said it sounded like you were the origin of the team-answered as he shrugged-then Noah heard it and called Luke and...

-I thought it could be a good callsign-said the Lieutenant from the entrance-how you feeling, Captain?

-Better, how's everyone?

-More calm, is she free to go, Doc?

-For now, but bring her if there's a headache, nauseas, dizziness or any kind of problem-said Jackson before going back to the rest of his work-and for God sake, don't let Edward end in here, deal?

-Don't worry, I'll get it

Soon Alicia and Luke were walking again in silence, then the woman started to chuckle and that brought the red-haired atenttion.

-Alicia?

-So, now I'm Origin apparently, huh?-said with a smile-I like it

-You do? I'm glad-muttered Luke relieved-I thought you would keep your old callsign

-Are you kidding? I told you that "Guardian" doesn't exist anymore, now there's only me

-And that's good to hear. Back to work, do we have a mission in line or not yet?

-We have reports, but nothing concrete. However, if I have to give an opinion, our possible first mission could be on the Pacific Region

-Especific location?

-We have some, the one that worries me the most is South Korea

-A rescue?

-Not so much, it's something I'm familiar with. Traffick web

-Guns? Animals? Humans?

-All of it, these people call themselves 'Six Aces' and the leader as far as we know, is referred as 'Red Dragon'. They have operations across three continents, Asia, America and Africa

-Nothing inside Europe?

-Not that we are aware of

-That's new, but I guess our trip will be to Korea

-No, that's just one of the places. The reports came from China, Chad, South Korea, Sudan, Singapur, Morocco, Indonesia, Brasil, Argentina and India

-I see

-Get prepared, Harlem, the work awaits and we might need some help to lead with this

-Yes ma'am

#call of duty #cod oc #call of duty modern warfare #cod mw2 #oc #call of duty mw2 #ocs #team charlie #cod mwii #alicia marchant #luke michaelis #edward jackson #jackson blackwell #noah garcía #elijah wilson #elliot stevens #nicholas fowlett #marcus lombardi #alexander christensen #francis scott

[lightcreators]

@realmyths continue from here

The Doctor shrugs. "Years of practice. Of developing my instincts." And if they're wrong, they'll deal with that when they need to. "Even then they're not perfect. But they're rather well-developed if I do say so myself."

They smile kindly at the other person. "I've found that going along with my instincts often leads to better results. And when it doesn't, I learn from the experience." At least, that's their goal. They are always open to learning. Even this far along in their life. And they know that they'll never learn everything, no matter how many lives they have. But that won't discourage them from trying to learn whatever they can.

By asking such question, most likely an common one, most likely something requested an confirmation in some part, he didn't expected receiving an fragment of their mindset. Which automatically grabbed his attention. The mysterious figure of the Doctor was maintly that alien living in crossroad of dimensions, an discrete observer who rarely let people coming from that universe coming close to him … and on his case, for their relationship they were supposed to playing together inside another shape of an mirror, an shadowing ally … where immensity of an sleeping potential could be explored inside most obscures path. Nevertheless, his question offered an opportunity for them to expand.

Apparently, it was something he remained still confused upon --- appareances of the Doctor and all that, the little shade with their own representations of their beings … In front of his eyes, they didn't looked wrapped inside an ocean of dramatic sadness as the one he was some of way familiar with … They valued duty and learning as much they could. They sounded incredibly older already, for had experiencing various existences apparently. ❝ Experience growing up experience, that kind of virtuous circle ? ❞ Modestly, he remained only one agent among many others. Highly placed, having gratifications in the classified spheres, but could not pretend not to know everything. An rank ke worked hard to get, an rank he had to prove himself for not create frustration on the ears of his boss.

They had the advantage of not to being from this world. They had to advantage to have another point of view. Maybe someday potential path to becoming something more than an common human would be crossed as an opportunity, nevertheless, it was something rather hypothetical … Himself witnessed consequences to bring such desire to humans personally. ❝ Your senses are different than mine, so it's pretty certain emotionally you realizing circumstances sooner than my own mental conclusions could reach. ❞ There was an silent approval towards them. ❝ You must have mistaken often for reconsider your whole perspective in a new day and take every failure as an experience opportunity … ❞ He preferred on his side avoiding the troubling circumstances to misinterpreted something. Mistakes, oh, mistakes were terrible burden inside an conscience, already weighconsequence of every one of his decisions. ❝ I admire that devotion of learning. Wideness of the universe must open opportunities to discover this all, which must be infinite. ❞

#realmyths #ic :: philip coulson #verse tbt.

[xenofact]

Xenofact's Job Hacks #1

Layoffs are in the news as the tech sector bigwigs jump on the cut-people-at-random bandwagon.  We weirdos, mutants, and mystics are trying to survive in a slack-draining, soul-crushing post-post-Crapitalist hellscape.  So your reverend, who has spent some thirty YEARS in the job world, is going to share tips he and others use to survive and prosper on the job - not necessarily DOING the job, just being on it.

This is part One Of Many - from my website.

Your Employer Doesn’t Love You - Assume your employer has no emotional attachment or commitment to you at the start.  There ARE places that aren’t like this (some nonprofits, education, government, etc.)  but assume it’s the norm until proven otherwise.

Work Is Work - Be careful of putting too much into your job.  Even in the best conditions a job is still a job.  It can be part of who you are, but should not be all of who you are, or someday you won’t quite be yourself.

You Owe Your Employer What They Pay For.  Make Them Earn The Rest - You didn’t ask for this system, you’re probably underpaid, and you needed a job or you’d starve.  You owe your employer what they pay for and no more.  If they earn the rest, GOOD, you’re lucky - or maybe they’re lucky.

Have A Life - Even if your work fits you well (and I am fortunate enough to know what that’s like), have a life.  A job is still a job, and in our current economy it’s not enough to have a job to be a happy person.  A Life also gives you a fallback when the job gets painful or vanishes, so you have joys and people to call on.

Make It A Game - Surviving on the job can be a pain, so make a game of it.  Imagine yourself as a spy or rebel, scavenger or scholar.  Find “wins” to rack up.  If you’re stuck on a shit job, find a way to make it exciting by choosing how YOU engage in it.

Design Your Cover - As long as it’s not too much work, decide on what your image should be at work.  Pick something that lets you be you and lets you get away with it.  Be the brilliant curmudgeon, the eccentric do-gooder, the “clueless” genius or whatever.  It can even be fun!

Follow The News - You should ANYWAY, but it also helps you see trends that can affect your job.  It also lets you see ones to take advantage of.  Plus if your employer is about to do something boneheaded you might get advanced warning.

Learn To Make A Resume - Sorry, it’s a survival skill these days.  It’s not hard to pick up, but well worth it.  You can also help people out on their job searches which means you all have more money, less stress, and a greater chance to turn the system to your ends.

Update Your Resume - Update your Resume regularly - about every 6 months, Just In Case.  It also lets you advocate for raises and such at work, or get ideas for training.

Learn To Job Search - Efficiently - Sadly you need to know how to look for a job, so I recommend getting good at it.  There are books that may help, but mostly I learned from trial and error, news articles, and others.  Once you’re good at it, it takes less TIME and pays off better so you can chill.

Constant Job Searches - Having been through buyouts, layoffs, and more I can say you want to do a regular job search.  If your job sucks, do it widely and weekly.  If your job is great, only apply to positions elsewhere in your organization (discreetly).  Have a buffer Just In Case.

Line Up References - Cultivate references to use on the job and in searches.  Also, hey, you can track friends you made on the job.  Yes it happens.

Be A Reference - Be a reference for all your co-workers trying to escape the crappy job they work with YOU on. They'll be grateful, do the same for you, and might help you go somewhere better.

Use Hobbies On Your Resume - They show skill, they show community interest and they make you look more human.  People love getting the idea of who you are (or who you want them to think they are).

More to come. Much more to come - I'm breaking this into chunks for now.

- Xenofact

#jobs #careers #job hacks #work sucks #repent quit your job slack off

[uesp]

Did You Know: Although it rumored that slain lycanthropes revert to their human form upon death, this very rarely happens? If someone presents a human body, claiming it was a werewolf before they killed it, they are most likely deceiving you. 

Image is from Ill Met By Moonlight.

#UESP #Lore #The Elder Scrolls #Daggerfall #Skyrim #Lycanthropy #Did You Know #This is an interesting plot coupon that Daggerfall created that has yet to be cashed in #Maybe they'll take advantage of it someday and have #a quest where you can discover a fake werewolf hunter this way

[sailorshadzter]

Hiii! Welcome back!!! If you are still taking requests, how about an one shot where Cersei kind of notices the tension between Jon and Sansa and comments on it? Maybe in a "We are not so different" way? Or she straight up encourages them bc she's a horrible person and thinks if there are rumors about the Starks, they'll forget about the Lannisters?

ANON. whew this has been in my ask box for a while! but i opened my inbox to find some inspiration to write and yours was the one that clicked first! so i hope you see this, anon, wherever you are, and know that i FINALLY got to your prompt request!!!

as always, you're always welcome to drop a prompt request in my inbox.

enjoy!

The ball is grand and glittering.

Cersei has ensured that this night would be perfect, putting far more coin into it than Robert ever would have allowed. But there is little else she can do, what with the trouble brewing all around them. She's lost one son already, she will not lose another- and so she has gone to great expense and trouble to make sure that this room was full of loyal nobles and fearsome knights. This wedding would not end the way the last one had, even if the bride was the same.

From where she sits, she watches as the young Sansa Stark dances with her half brother, the bastard born Jon Snow. The young man had been intended for the Night's Watch, but Tyrion had developed a fondness for the boy during their visit North, and so, he'd come along with the Stark's. They are close together, the dance bringing them so, but the smile that lights up the redhead's face is one that Cersei swears she's worn herself, but when she looks upon Jaime. And the usually stoic Snow looks just as delighted to spin his sister out and back in, hands at her waist to lift her high into the air as the music swells. Cersei chuckles, wondering how's she's not noticed it ever before. The wheels in her brain are suddenly spinning, whirling several thoughts throughout that bring yet another smile to her face.

As if her thoughts have conjured him, she feels Jaime's presence at her elbow; he bows over his arm, ever the courtier, but she knows it's more for show than anything else. "What has you so cheery?" He asks, his green eyes scanning the dance floor, where sure enough his gaze falls upon the Stark siblings as they finish their dance among all the others, though it quite seems they've forgotten they aren't alone. "They make a handsome pair, do they not?" Turning back to face his lover, he sees he's right, for she's staring down at them with a look he's seen before. "What are you thinking?"

"That proud Ned Stark's children are falling in love right before our very eyes." They both knew what the world would say about two siblings, albeit half, falling in love. Was it not why they themselves took every precaution? Cersei shudders to think what would happen if the truth was ever discovered... The rumors were bad enough. But this... Two Stark children in love? It would cease the rumors about her and Jaime, that she was certain of. She watches as Sansa dips a quick curtsy to Jon before he offers her his arm, which she readily takes, and they disappear into the crowd.

"See that Lady Stark is brought to me tomorrow morning, won't you?" She says to the nearest lady, who nods, curtsying before she scurries away to do as she's been bid. Cersei turns back to face the dance floor, but it's suddenly become far less interesting.

And so she must wait until morning.

[ x x x ]

It's late, yet she cannot bring herself to leave his arms.

Jon holds fast to her, kissing the top of her head, her silk gown soft beneath his touch as his hands span the length of her spine. "I should go..." She whispers for the tenth time, though his grip does not relent, nor does she make any attempt to pull away. He smells of spice and smoke, comforting and strong; she buries her face deeper into his chest, wishing she could sink into him. "Jon..."

His name is soft on her lips.

Their gazes meet and he's lost, as he always is, in the depth of her blue eyes. "I know," is all he can say, knowing as well as she that it was best for her to go. They both knew where this moment would lead- after all, how many times had they been here before? But more than anything, they both knew what would happen if they were discovered in such an embrace. And yet... There's a part of him that doesn't care. There's a part of him that wishes with all of his might that they could be together in the way that they wanted. No more secret midnight rendezvous that only left them both feeling more strained than being without the other. "I'll walk you to your rooms..." He begins, but she shakes her head.

"Shae is waiting," she says softly, finally freeing herself from his grip. She feels cold without his touch and that is almost enough to send her back into his arms. "I will see you in the morning," she goes on, reaching out her hand to tenderly touch his. Jon nods, catching her hand so he might bring it to his lips to kiss. The brush of his lips to her knuckles steals the breath from her lungs and time is suspended as they stand there, the only sound in the room that of the fire burning in the hearth. "Until the morning..."

"Until the morning," he parrots back as he let's go of her hand. "Good night, Sansa."

The way he says her name sends shivers down her spine. "Good night, Jon." She says instead of every other thing she wants to say.

[ x x x ]

In the morning, a lady arrives at her door to inform her she's been summoned to see the queen.

Though no longer truly queen, Cersei Lannister runs the Seven Kingdoms through her youngest son, the now King Tommen. Just a boy, he's been married to Margaery Tyrell, who only several weeks before had instead been married to Joffrey. Poison had taken care of him, but Margaery and her family, ever the schemers, ensured that she would take her place as queen. Sansa was certain that it would not be long before a new power struggle would emerge. Soon, it would be Margaery and the Tyrell's fighting for control of poor, young Tommen.

Once she's dressed, Sansa, with Shae beside her, makes her way down to Cersei's office.

When she's been announced, she steps into the room, one which she has spent much time in over her years in King's Landing. Once she had been thrilled to be invited into this room, to spend private time with Queen Cersei... But things have changed. Though she dips her the curtsy due to her rank, Sansa does not return the smile offered to her by the golden haired woman behind her oak desk. "Lady Stark, tell me, how did you enjoy the ball last night?" Cersei asks, gesturing for Sansa to take the empty chair across from her. The young woman frowns, but does as she's bid, clearly surprised by the question. Cersei notices she wears a new gown of pale blue damask, made from a bolt of fabric she was given by Jon Snow a few short weeks ago; though it is fashioned in the Southern style, Cersei sees that the trailing sleeves are stitched with falling leaves, weirwood leaves, like those that grow in the North. Even her hair, which once she wore in styles that mirrored her own, is fastened into braids in a way that reminds Cersei of Catelyn Stark. It is Sansa's way of breaking with the Lannister's entirely; she is no longer theirs to control.

"It was wonderful, your grace," Sansa answers honestly, shifting slightly in the chair, brushing a lock of red hair across a shoulder before she accepts the goblet of wine being offered to her. "Very grand." She goes on, though she's no longer thinking of the ball, but of the last dance she and Jon had shared together.

"Your brother is quite the elegant dancer, I must say I'm surprised." Cersei's voice breaks into her thoughts and Sansa blinks in surprise. This certainly was not the topic of conversation she expected to have upon being summoned to this room. "The two of you make quite the couple." At this, Sansa chokes on the sip of wine she's just taken, her stare wild and frantic as it rises up to meet the queen. Inside, Cersei is laughing- she's been right there was Sansa was before, so many years ago. Back when her feelings for Jaime had first begun to grow into what they were now. She could recall their dance lessons, when a compliment on how well they fit together would leave her blushing and stammering, just as Sansa Stark was now. "You needn't hide it from me, Lady Stark," she goes on, taking advantage of the young woman's silence. "I see how you look at him... And how he looks at you."

Sansa's heart was beating fast within her chest, so fast she can barely catch her breath. Was she and Jon truly so obvious? They had painstakingly tried to keep what was brimming between them beneath the surface... But had last night been their very downfall? "I-I do not know what you mean, your grace," she says, adopting a cheery but confused tone, cursing herself for being a terrible liar. From the way Cersei is smiling, Sansa knows she does not believe her, not even for a moment.

"You know, Lady Stark, if there is one thing in my life I regret... It is not ever being with the one I truly loved." Cersei speaks from total honesty, saying aloud the words she's never spoken before to anyone. Not even to Jaime. She knows what it will take to sway proud Ned's child into something such as diving head first into an incestual relationship. But she knows the way to sway the young woman, for it was the same way she swayed herself all those years ago. "Someday you will be married to a man who you likely do not love," they are both reminded of a similar conversation, one they had shared before her marriage to Joffrey was to take place. "You should experience true love, even just once in your life." These words resonate with her and Cersei knows it. Her blue eyes widen and she opens her mouth as if she means to speak, but cannot find the words. "We cannot help who we love," Cersei says, though now she wonders if she's still speaking to Sansa, but rather to herself. "But if any love was so truly wrong, why would the Gods allow us to feel it in the first place?"

Sansa's heart beat has not ceased in it's pace, but a slow realization is dawning upon her as she listens to Cersei's words. There is meaning behind them and she knows, those words are not meant only for her. She recalls the rumors spread just before her father was beheaded, rumors about the truth of Joffrey and his siblings parentage. The truth about Cersei and her brother, Jaime. There is a part of her that worries this is just a trap, a set up to catch her and Jon in the act, something that would earn them the scorn and disgust of all of King's Landing and likely the North.

And yet...

You should experience true love, even just once in your life... Those are the words she's replaying in her brain, over and over again, knowing that Cersei was right. It would not be long before a marriage was made for her, one that would likely be loveless and political, one that would do nothing for her but everything for the Lannister's. Without her father or mother or even Robb to protect her from such a fate, she would be doomed to marry a man of Cersei's choosing.

When she's dismissed a few minutes later, Sansa wastes no time.

Shae, who has waited for her outside Cersei's room for her, rises up from where she sits on the windowsill. "Find Jon for me, won't you?" She asks in an undertone, to which her lady stares back at her for a long moment before she nods. If there was anyone she could trust with what she was about to do, it would be Shae.

Once she's back within her own chamber, she brings herself to stand before the looking glass, staring at her own reflection. She knows that doing what she's about to do will change everything, but she knows she cannot go on in life without knowing what it will feel like to be held by a man that truly loves her. If she can only taste his love this one time, then she will go willingly into any marriage presented to her, for Jon's love she will carry with her for the rest of her life.

A knock on the door comes.

By the time she's turned around, the door has opened and it's Jon standing there. He's staring at her, taking her in as he always does, those Stark colored eyes enough to bring her to her knees. "Sansa," he greets, feeling just as she does, the shift in what lays between them. She crosses the room as he does and so they meet at the center, a minimal distance between them. The blue damask gown suits her in a way he cannot describe and he's, as always, struck by her beauty. Somewhere behind them, Shae quietly ducks into the antechamber, out of sight, out of mind- but there all the same.

There's so many things she wants to say, so many things she needs for him to hear. But the words do not come, no matter how hard she wills them to. And so, instead, she does the only other thing that makes any sense; she kisses him. She kisses him with as much passion as she can muster and he falls into it, his arms winding around her only so he might pull her closer. When he breaks free moments later, it's to stare into her eyes, to ask her one single thing. "Are you certain?" She nods.

That's all he needs.

This time, he's the one to kiss her, leaning in to capture her mouth with his. One hand remains perched at the small of her back, though the other one slides into her hair, uncaring of the pins he knocks loose. She's kissing him back, meeting his tongue with her own, the sensations rushing through her body unlike anything she's ever felt before.

It does not take long before they stand at the side of her bed, the canopy hangings pushed aside so Jon might sit upon the edge. He beckons her closer and she comes to stand between his knees, allowing him to turn her around so her back instead faces him. Then, she feels his hands as they begin to loosen the laces of her blue gown until it begins to slip over her shoulders. That is when she turns back around to face him and she allows the gown to fall to the floor at her feet, all so she might stand there in nothing but her chemise.

And then, Jon draws her down into the bed, and into his arms.

#jonsa #actuallyjonsa #writing prompt #anon ask #send me prompts #jon x sansa #jon snow #sansa stark #my writing #i wrote this #man this one just FLOWED so quickly #it's been a while since i wrote something in one sitting

[saranghanuuu]

PERKS OF DATING A YOUNGER GUY I LEARNED AFTER WATCHING CHINESE DRAMA FIND YOURSELF + REVIEW!

1. He has less baggage

This means that he has more time to attend to your needs and wants unlike an older guy with a demanding schedule and lots of responsibilities at hand.

2. He's more open-minded and adventurous

They are open to having new experiences and won't judge you for veering off the path you should stay on.

3. He's infectiously energetic *ehem*

Need I say more? A younger guy's youthful sense will surely find unimaginable ways to impress you!

4. He puts you on a pedestal

A younger man will appreciate your maturity and experiences and will admire you for it. They're also most likely take advice from you without letting it bruise their ego.

5. He'll make you feel young

Be prepared to relive the fun parts of your younger years with him.

It's not so wrong to say that the May-December relationship is taboo, especially among Asians. Most people I know had this inkling that when a younger guy hooks up with a woman way older than him, it could prolly mean one of two things — the guy's a paramour or she's a sugar momma. I'm honestly not a fan of it either on the premise that women mature faster than men. Let's be real, an immature relationship is a disaster. But now that I'm in my late 20s, and a hopeless romantic single at that, I kinda pondered over this. It suddenly occurred to me, what if one day I’m caught up in the position of being pursued by a younger man? Will I let the stigma affect me emotionally? Or will I take the risk ‘coz all is fair in love? I still don’t have a definite answer to this question. However, watching Find Yourself served as an eye-opener for me to look at things from a different perspective.

Find Yourself is a 2020 Chinese drama starring Song Wei Long and Victoria Song. It tells the story of a 32-year old Executive Director who never *even once* experienced dating. Given her age and career stability, she receives constant pressure from the people around her to find someone to marry and has since frequented blind dates arranged by her family, friends, or colleagues. But this girl is just someone who swears by the "spark" - no spark, then no point to the relationship. She may be old for fantasizing over first love and such, but she still yearns that it'll naturally come to find her someday. Until her thirst for real romance is quenched by a 22-year-old guy who started working as an intern in her company at his brother’s request.

Although hesitant at first due to their huge age difference and the societal views, she went out with him on the condition that they'll keep it a secret for the first 3 months. If everything went well, she agrees to publicize her relationship with him.

Let’s start off with the good things...

I just can't with this drama...! This so beautiful, cute, relatable - especially for a woman in late 20s like me. 

Plot-wise, it was well-imparted and makes perfect sense, touching a looooooot of relationship aspects in 41 episodes. Not only did I enjoy the happenings between our main couple, but our side couples' stories are very interesting too.

This drama pretty much straightened out my prejudice about age-gap relationships.

Light-hearted, just the way I like it! Every episode will make you smile and/or laugh hard.

Sexual tensions overload and superb kissing scenes! Let those hormones rush in. Not awkward to watch 'coz They. Did. Not. Hold. Back. Ack! If you're single, be prepared to feel MORE SINGLE watching this drama.

Well-written lines that will make you feel real emotions. The words will shoot you straight to the heart.

Acting-wise, the casts, from the mains down to the sides, did a super fine job in conveying the sentiments of their characters. My highest admiration goes to male lead Yuan Song, not (only) because he’s young, hot, and handsome, but because his youthful vibe made me reminisce the paradox of my early 20s awww. Anyways, in the beginning, I am sort of confused why (of all girls) he fell head over heels with our female lead He Fanxing who's obviously out of his league. I even suspected him of taking advantage of her naivety in matters of the heart. But as the drama went along, our dude proved himself genuine... That he's sincerely just a guy who's deeply in love with a woman... That indeed, true love can exist in this kind of relationship. Both Yuan Song and Fanxing emotionally benefited from each other and it's so lovely seeing that.

⚠️ AND SORRY BUT THIS IS A SPOILER ALERT⚠️

Halfway through the drama, our main couple called it quits. I'm somewhat grateful that it happened. Their break-up scene is just so powerful I had to rewind it many times. Not because I liked seeing them suffer from the consequences of their incompatibility. Rather, I loved it 'coz it became the turning point of their relationship.

Their love is premature, to begin with — trust isn't mutual, commitment is one-way, only showing each other's good sides in fear of the relationship turning sour, one is willing to compromise while the other wants to avoid responsibility, filled with doubts and insecurities. During this break-up phase, we were shown the difference between how kids and adults behave and decide in a dilemma. I suddenly remembered this one line delivered in the drama which I agree with — "Only kids would choose one or the other. Adults find solutions". The break-up also served as our main couple's period of contemplation about who and what they want in life. It taught them how to fully embrace their offbeat romance against the norms. Fortunately, things wrapped up into a sweet end.

And of course the bad...

Hmmm... Maybe I'm just not used to it but am I the only one who thinks that this drama is quite lengthy? Yes, I enjoyed it but it's not a good one to binge-watch. It took me almost a month to finish this I nearly drowned haha. Honestly, there were parts they could've just compressed instead of dragging it for too long. One example is Ye Luming and He Fanxing's relationship trial. Ooohhh I hate this part it brought shivers down my spine ugh. Well truth be told, Luming and Fanxing are compatible and better off as friends. They jive so well, and I give it to them that they're both adults who can only understand adult things.

But when Luming all of a sudden became a sneaky character to an intolerable point... Ah, I don't know anymore! Seeing how compelled Fanxing is to being Luming's girlfriend got under my skin. Although these ugly parts eventually became a good contributory factor to Fanxing's realization of her true feelings towards Yuan Song, but still...! I also hated Fanxing at one point for being so gullible in love. But yeah, I had to swallow it because that's her character setup in the first place. It should be expected of her to be hasty and dubious about it.

On the other hand, I wished they've been generous in showing us more about how Yuan Song and Fanxing's relationship is going after the public reveal. I've been waiting for this the entire time (they could've done so much more in 41 episodes' length!) so I'm quite disappointed.

After watching the second season of Well-Intended Love, I admit I lost interest in Chinese dramas. So watching this restored my faith in them. I even have a list of C-dramas lined up now! But I have to move on from this one first before I start another. It's not as easy as I thought ㅠㅠ

What do you think about this drama? Are we on the same frequency? ❤️

If you haven't watched this yet, watch it now. As in 지금부터 RIGHT NOW. Highly-recommended!

#find yourself #下一站是幸福 #song weilong #victoria song #chinese drama #romance #comedy #drama reviews #yuan song #he fanxing #chinese #romcom #cdrama #may-december relationship