#Side rods are cancelled

[mobsuma]

"You know," Xisuma said, peering cautiously over Cub's shoulder at the museum's latest addition, "When you said you wanted to show me a new exhibit, I wasn't expecting…" He trailed off.

Evil Xisuma glowered at him from inside their enclosure.

"…This."

To say Evil X looked a little miffed about the situation would be an understatement. At least Cub had done a nice job decorating, Xisuma thought, between the blackstone and crimson wood, Evil X looked right at home - if they weren't sitting grumpily in their 2-by-1 lava pool, surrounded by the mangled remains of whatever Cub had put in there for enrichment.

"Surprise!" Cub grinned, doing jazz hands at the enclosure, "I know what you might be thinking-"

Xisuma doubted that somehow.

"- 'Cub, Evil Xisuma hasn't done anything this season! They aren't a historic artefact! They shouldn't be in a museum!' But!" Cub wagged a finger triumphantly, "They are important to the history of Hermitcraft as a whole. So really, if you think about it, they definitely belong in a museum."

"… Okay?"

"Glad we're on the same page."

Xisuma wasn't sure if anyone was ever on the same page as Cub. Except maybe Scar.

"Now! As you can see, I've been decorating their enclosure, trying to add some interactive elements for guests and such." Cub pointed towards a line of redstone lamps at the top of Evil Xisuma's enclosure, "These show you how much electricity they're generating when they do their lightning hands thing. I'll be honest with you, it's broken a few times already so it's still a work in progress-"

"… Is that what all the lightning rods are for?" Xisuma frowned, eyeing the entirely lightning rod-ed ceiling.

"It is indeed!" Cub said, ignoring the twinge of concern in Xisuma's voice, "Well, a little. Mostly it's a safety thing, it wouldn't be good to have guests being electrocuted, now would it?"

"I suppose not… And it definitely works?"

"Oh yeah, it's been very thoroughly tested. Hey, Evil Xisuma," Cub walked up to the glass and tapped on it a few times, much to Xisuma's silent horror, "Wanna show X how the lightning rods work?"

In response, Evil Xisuma stuck their middle finger up at him and yelled something muffled to almost inaudibility that sounded a little like: "When I get out of here, I'm going to rip your head off and use it as a coffee mug, you stupid e-boy twink."

The pair on the other side of the glass blinked.

"… That's a no then." Cub turned back to Xisuma, "They do this a lot."

"They certainly do," Xisuma nodded faintly.

"You can probably tell the glass is uh... Mostly noise-cancelling, had to install that because Helsknight is in the next enclosure over and he's still hibernating. You know how Wels gets when you wake him up early, don't wanna find out how that guy is."

"… Of course," Xisuma sighed, pinching the nose bridge of his helmet, "Do I want to know how you got hold of those two?"

Cub laughed in the slightly unhinged way that gave Xisuma visions of Cub spending several weeks toying with the evil hermits as he hunted them for sport, "Nah man, it's not an interesting story."

Somehow, Xisuma doubted that.

"Anyway," Cub said, changing the topic before Xisuma could ask if he knew there was still someone's blood on his left sleeve, "What I really called you for is that I need an Evil Xisuma expert, and you're the man to ask about all things Evil Xisuma."

"Except for Evil Xisuma."

"Except for Evil Xisuma, yes." Cub nodded sagely, "So. Obviously I wanna make sure everything is nice for our new residents, give them plenty of enrichment and all that, but it hasn't been working out so far."

"I can see that."

"Soo… Any suggestions? What kind of thing does Evil X like? Food? Blocks? I dunno, fake derpcoin or something?"

Xisuma hummed, tilting his head in thought as he gazed at Evil Xisuma, who had clambered out of the lava pool to press their hands against the glass and give Xisuma the saddest, most pathetic puppy dog eyes their LED screen could muster (which, admittedly, were very sad and pathetic) in a silent plea to not leave them here with that madman, they'll be good for realsies this time they promise-

"Well," Xisuma said, turning to Cub, "They like to knit, so maybe they'd like some wool… Oh! And if you can find any old Wormman merch, they'll love that too."

Evil Xisuma's head hit the glass with a despairing thunk.

#hermitcraft #xisuma #cubfan135 #evil xisuma #my writing #dont ask me what possessed me to write this the answer is i have no idea #anyway the museum continues to contain both normal things and creatures

[theblackfemininesociety]

Need An Easy/Lazy Classy Hairstyle For Your Next Outing ?

This style is perfect for the times when your due for a leave-in wash day but you have plans that night ! or your hairstyle didn’t go as plan (hate that but it happens to all of us) or you just don’t feel like doing your hair so your wondering if you should cancel plans? GIRL No, go enjoy the time you have with the people you love ! BFS has you covered !

1. Comb out your bangs or leave two strands of hair out on each side of your head in the front (click here for example) for a two strand bang look & curl them.

2. Tight curl / small flexi-rods (if you don’t want to add heat) the ends of your hair or add clip in extensions

(we recommend better length clip in's because it’s human hair that comes in various colors and textures!)

3. Use a statement Hair Claw Clip (Gold/Silver or Pearls!)

4. Add come cute statement earrings

and you are ready to go! Let us know below if you like or will use this quick style in the future! What would you wear ? Where would you go?

🏷️ sheteelovely & her gold clips are from Amazon!

#black hairstyles #black women in luxury #classy black women #black women in femininity #goddess energy #feminine energy #tips #classy tips #classy #feminine #hair inspo

[bloodstainsontengensfloor]

Rewatching Inside Job again and just thinking about how great the ending is in a sense of what it set up and ended. It tied up so many things but also made up so much room for different and new opportunities.

Like Rand and JR are in Shadow Prison, allowing Reagan to be the head of cognito. They aren’t super crucial to the plot but they still can contribute to the story in different ways (ex Reagan going to them (mainly Rand) for advice or the robes using them as bait/threats).

It introduced obviously the whole Robes as antagonists and a mystery to be solved, while also introducing a new dynamic between the main Gang and the different secret societies. It also introduced a really interesting place for Reagan as a character, having to be an actual leader on her own, limited influence from her parents, and, ofc, how she would deal with Appleton. Also Brett! Brett in Appleton showed a completely different side of him- a leader with a lot more confidence in himself but still needing the support of a team or others around him. It would have been great too to see how he could grow as a leader and a person. Like you can tell how much Shion wanted to grow these two characters and help them find happiness.

(The scene where Reagan tells Brett she’s running away is so good AHHH. The silence and how he just says “I got this” after looking at her injury, her deadlines, and her medication and how this job will kill her if she keeps going like this. This issue was never tied up or addressed and it would have been so amazing to see Reagan working in a place where she has everything she wants but so much to prove and so much work + the grief from Ron and Rand, how would she handle it??)

I also feel like, had the show gotten the chance to exist in its finality, I’m sure there would be so many callbacks from the earlier episodes. Nostalgia Brett would be powered up for the series finale, The Flat Earther guy would return as king of the mole men, and I’m sure even Ron would find a way to come back whether it be as just a reminder rod what could have been or as something more.

It was such a good ending to set up for so much. I can’t stand that it’s cancelled and I need some more fandom content. How many fanfictions can one gal read. Ugh, everyday I’m begging someone to bring this show back.

#inside job netflix #inside job #save inside job #reagan ridley #brett hand #ron staedtler #rand ridley #i love this show so much #this and ATLA are shows that just actually hit me to the core #it’s just bc there’s character who I relate to so much #the two characters who don’t get happy endings clearly which isn’t good for me LMAO #shion takeuchi #does anyone know how to contact Shion because I need her to know how much this show means to me 😭

[fictional-love-is-my-life]

How would hotrod, Bee, Optimus react to their s/o who has a pressing job that sometimes requires them to go to get called into work at late or early hours for important reasons. Maybe their s/o is a medic, or head of the office, or a council member? So sometimes they have to cancel dates or leave in the middle of a conversation they are having with them etc.

Optimus:

He completely understands, so he doesn't say anything about it. He knows what it's like to have such important duties and not have time for anything else.

Sometimes he feels a little sad, especially when he wants their company. But he doesn't let it bother him too much. He just makes himself busy while he awaits their return.

He supports them when they are busy, always giving them love and time to relax when they are home. He knows it can be stressful, so he does his best to be a good stress relief for them.

Hot Rod:

He complains about it. Not a lot, but every now and again. If they are not doing anything then he will be fine with letting them go. He can understand their work is important to them. However, if they are in the middle of a date night and they have to leave, he will pout hard. He will complain and say their job ruins their date nights.

He'll act huffy up until the point his S/O comes home. Then he'll melt in their arms, apologizing. He just gets upset because he wishes he could spend all his time with them.

He makes use of all the time he can get with them. He dotes on them, spoils them and rarely leaves their side until they have to leave for work again.

Bumblebee:

If he can, he will go to work with them. He doesn't care if he has to wait in the parking lot, it just means he will be there to drive them home.

He too pouts a lot, sometimes whining as they leave. If they take a call, he will start messing with them. He'll touch and kiss and poke at them while they talk because he wants to get them off the phone. Most of the time his S/O doesn't mind and laughs about it. But if it is a really important call he will leave them to it. He made them mad once by disturbing an important call, so he won't do it again.

He sometimes wishes he could make it so his S/O never has to work again, and then they could spend all their time together. But he knows his S/O loves their job, so he doesn't suggest they leave. He just enjoys the time he does get to be with them.

#ask #transformers #optimus prime #hot rod #bumblebee

[hangmanbrainrot]

Payback RQ: He comes home from work in the middle of the night and tries not to wake you, and fails because someone that tall can’t be anything but clumsy at 2am.

this took me 2 weeks because i suck but here it is!! i hope it is everything you imagined. 🫣

warnings: swearing, technically home invasion implication, but that doesn't happen i assure you, umm marriage!, reuben is nicknamed ben at some points in this fic, kinda fluffy in the beginning, maybe this is a lil funny? maybe sierra successfully does a haha? let me know. not beta'd because sierra is lazy and has a headache. ignore the typos (if there are any?) if you love me. lots of self-referential third person here, ok. shut up sierra.

word count: 945

pairing: reuben "payback" fitch x reader

homecoming

In preparation for Reuben returning from his special detachment, you’d done just about everything you could think of to make sure he felt welcome back home. 

It started at the grocery store. You made sure to buy his favorite cereal, not the heart-healthy business he told everyone was his favorite. No, you decided to indulge his love for cocoa pebbles. Mostly because you knew he’d never ask for them or purchase them for himself. When you’d arrived at the front of the line, the cashier greeted you with a big smile, and carried on polite conversation. She tapped the box before scanning the item to place it into the bag. It was your last grocery item on the conveyor belt.

“I love these,” she made eye contact with you in a way that was lingering, a clear in for a conversation you’d only been passively interested in. It wasn’t the cashier’s fault that you were exhausted after a day of running errands. 

“Oh, I’ve actually never had them, but my husband raves about them from when he was a kid.” The thought alone put a smile on your face, and the action was a reminder of just who and what all of this was for. Your partner would be home soon, and nothing else really mattered much beyond that. 

So, of course, when you’d received a text later that night that his flight was canceled, you’d pouted into a pint of ice cream, and curled up on the couch with your favorite TV show alone. 

Sorry, baby. 🙁 I’ll let you know when I get another flight. Probably tomorrow. I love you

I know. Miss you. Cant wait. I love you too.

And then 10 PM stretched into 11, 11 into midnight, and midnight into 1 AM before you finally called it quits. You knew that, short of flying the plane himself, there was nothing he could really do. No use exhausting yourself for work tomorrow even more than you already would be, with the disappointment of falling asleep yet another night without your partner at your side weighing heavily on your chest while you tried to drift off. You slinked off to bed and retreated under the covers. 5 or so hours or sleep was better than none.

So, when your eyes opened at 2:51 AM, you immediately groaned. Usually, your body let you get a solid 3 hours in before waking you up. But then you heard the very distinct sound of someone bumping into the console table by the front door. It stuck out a little too far, so if you didn’t give yourself a lot of grace, coming in the front door, you’d barely just catch your knee on the corner of it — just enough to hurt. Your eyes met the clock again. 2:52 AM. While Ben had taken you through the many different ways to be prepared for an intruder while he was away, you never thought you’d actually have to use any of it. He was always the muscle of your relationship. He was probably the most easygoing person you knew, except when it came to you. From the moment he’d committed to being your spouse, he was all about you — in all the right ways. Knew how to support you without smothering or hovering, encouraged you to follow your dreams and pursue your career. And taught you how to disarm an intruder, with only your bare hands and… the curtain rod from the corner. Fixing it was a job for your husband, considering he was height and all long limbs.

Shaky fingers curled around the curtain rod, while you did your best Mission Impossible sneak down the stairs, to find the culprit who’d disturbed your sleep and your peace.

“You take whatever you have and you go now, and I won’t call the police,” you shouted as you inched down the stairs, trying to will confidence into your voice. “I haven’t even seen you yet, so it’s perfect. You’ll only get caught if you try to get greedy.”

You heard swearing — and you were certain that voice sounded familiar. Curtain rod grasped tighter, you and your curiosity practically leapt down the remainder of the stairs.

“Baby, what in the hell are you doing?” Your husband’s voice hit your ears and your shoulders slumped almost immediately. 

“Me?! What the hell are you doing, sneaking in the house?!”

“I was trying to s — never mind, can you put your weapon down?”

Brows furrowed, you lowered the curtain rod down by your side, before reaching out to lean it up against the nearest wall. One of your hands came up to rub at your eyes, before you folded your arms over your chest. 

Ben, never one to miss an opportunity for a wisecrack, quipped easily: “Aw, there’s that scowl I’ve missed so much. I thought I’d have to wait until tomorrow morning.”

Before you could fire back, he’d wrapped you up in his arms and tugged you into his chest. Jet fuel and citrus wafted up to your senses. Even as you settled into his embrace, you retorted, “Oh, don’t you even start. You scared me. I thought you weren’t getting in until tomorrow.”

“So, naturally, the next logical conclusion is that someone with a key was breaking into our home, hm?” You could hear the smile on Reuben’s lips when he spoke, a good-natured chuckle passing through them shortly thereafter.

“Shut up, before I start losing that loving feeling and you’ve barely been here five minutes.”

“I missed you too, tough guy,” he muttered, before ducking his head to press a kiss to the top of your own. 

#sierra answers 💌 #ginghampearlsnsweettea #reuben fitch x reader #reuben payback fitch #payback fluff #payback x reader

[homomenhommes]

STORY: Ups And Downs 32

Holidays and Holy Daze

Ron, Kim, and I stood up and greeted Tyler with hearty handshakes and verbal salutations. Tyler was known to all of us, and we were all delighted to know that he would be with us—at least for a while—though I was taken aback by the fact that Tyler had entered the room from Woody’s suite. Were the two of them an item? Was this the end of my chances with either of them?

“I persuaded Tyler’s boss, who also happens to be Mr. Block’s publisher, to loan Tyler to us for a few weeks,” explained Woody. “As you all know, Tyler lived here with us while he was getting his degree in English lit from UC-San Diego, so he’s very familiar with the place and our operations. We won’t have to spend any time bringing him up to speed.”

I spent most of the morning helping Kim make arrangements for the Thanksgiving dinner, which, I discovered, were actually two dinners. On Thanksgiving day, we would be hosting LGBT kids from local shelters and foster homes as well as some who were just living on the streets. The second party, the day after Thanksgiving, would be for college kids who could not go home for the holiday, either because home was too far away (as with some foreign exchange students) or because they had been disowned by their families. I was assigned the task of checking with those facilities and the local Pride organization to make sure that we had up-to-date head counts and that the necessary transportation was in place.

“Can you spare a couple of hours this afternoon to help me with some things?” Tyler asked me at lunch. Of course, I said I could. Apparently, Woody had dumped a load of work on Tyler—phone calls and correspondence that had been neglected for more than a month, appointments to be rescheduled or cancelled, travel plans that had to be rearranged, and solicitations to be accepted or rejected. Working side by side with Tyler was challenging. On the one hand, I was delighted to be so close to him; on the other hand, I was frustrated that I could not get even closer. My hormones were giving me fits.

After dinner, Tyler went back to his duties while I focused on my artwork.

That night after I stripped down and crawled into bed, my mind raced with thoughts of Woody and Tyler. For about 15 minutes, I just lay there stroking my rod gently as I fantasized about my two favorite men. Finally, I decided to get up and walk out on my balcony to see what might be going on around the pool below. As I watched some of the college kids fooling around and humping, I heard a knock on my door. “Come in,” I said, not even thinking about the fact that I was stark naked and sporting a hard-on—hell, everybody at the Block estate had seen me naked at one time or another, and most had seen me with an erection, either at a distance or up close and personal.

“Good. You’re up,” teased Tyler, grinning at my protruding manhood.

“Hey, Tyler. What’s up? Uh…what can I do for you?”

“I’m here to collect.

“Collect what?”

“Have you forgotten the night of your initiation here?” Tyler asked, walking toward me.

“Hell no!” I replied. “I’ll never forget that night.”

“Good,” he chuckled. “Then you should remember that you owe me one.” And before I could reply, he grabbed my dick with one hand, gripped the back of my neck with the other, and pulled me into a deep, passionate kiss that left me weak in the knees.

Since I was putty in his hands at that point, he lifted me off the floor, carried me to my bed, and threw me upon it, diving in after me and planting more wet kisses all over my face. Before I knew what had hit me, he was down on my cock, sucking it for all its worth. I moaned in blissful agony. Soon, his aggression turned to submission.

He rolled over onto his back, lifted up his knees, and commanded, “Fuck me. Fuck me like I fucked you.”

I didn’t need any coaxing. I rammed my stiff rod deep into his love channel and pounded like my life depended on it. After several minutes, though, I looked down at his beautiful face and remembered what had attracted me to him in the first place. It was his compassion. During my initiation, even though the sex was rough, it was also loving.

I didn’t stop fucking, but I did slow down, and with my dick high up his ass, I leaned forward and kissed him lovingly. I planted butterfly kisses all over his face, including his eyelids. I nibbled on his ear lobes and licked across his neck. When I returned to his mouth, he was ready for me, opening wide to allow my entrance. As we deep kissed, the passion flared, consuming both of us. I picked up the pace, driving my dick harder, faster, and deeper into his love canal. We didn’t just fuck, we made love, but we did it like two feral animals in heat. With no hands on his dick—neither his nor mine—Tyler shot streams of white cream all over his belly and chest. And I followed suit, blasting my love seed deep into his private sanctum. It was more than sex, it was a holy union.

I collapsed on top of him and quickly fell asleep in his arms. I thought we should talk, but when I awoke the, next morning, he was gone.

On the days leading up to Thanksgiving, he would slip into my room almost every night, but I knew that he was also sleeping with Woody. I was confused, but whenever I tried to bring up the nature of our relationship, he would change the subject or find other ways to evade the issues.

Thanksgiving was an absolute delight. The kids gorged themselves on the food, coming back for seconds and even thirds. Zac played holiday songs as the kids sang along or danced. Woody had hired a polar bear to play Santa Claus, who gave each kid a gift card for a shopping spree at Target. (Mr. Block had always been adamant about patronizing businesses that supported LGBT rights and avoiding those that did not, and Woody seemed determined to continue this tradition.)

The whole scene played out again the next day at the party for the college students. The only difference was that the college kids…well, they did what horny college students do.

Though Mr. Block was not able to attend either party, he sent his greetings, and Woody reminded everyone that even during difficult times, we were blessed to have one another.

On Saturday morning, none of us wanted breakfast; we were still stuffed from the previous two days. Tyler participated in all the festivities, but on Saturday morning he flew back to San Francisco to take care of his own personal business that he had been neglecting for two weeks.  On Sunday morning, I was awakened early by a familiar, ominous sound—the shrill wrenching of sirens approaching the front gate. As I had done before, I raced down the stairs just to see EMTs loading a gurney onto the ambulance and Woody climbing in behind them.

Kim, Ron, and I busied ourselves cleaning up the place after the weekend’s revelry, but we thought of nothing but Mr. Block’s condition. Finally, a few minutes after 11:00 p.m., Woody came straggling in. We all rushed to meet him and receive news of Mr. Block’s health. “He’s gone,” Woody announced meekly. “He had another massive heart attack, and there was nothing the doctors could do.”

The news hit all of us like a ton of bricks. We all offered Woody our condolences before Ron broke down and Kim had to guide him upstairs to his room. Woody retreated to his own room, and I just wandered around the house bumping into furniture. Just before midnight, I found myself strolling into Woody’s room, where I saw him staring vacantly out his window. “Please forgive the interruption,” I said. “I just wanted to see if there is anything I can do for you.”

Without speaking, Woody just gestured for me to come closer, and when I did, he threw his arms around me and hugged me tightly. I held him closely. “I know how much he meant to you,” I consoled.

“He was like a father to me,” Woody replied. “I don’t know what I’ll do without him.”

“What can I do?” I asked. Without saying a word, Woody took my hand and led me over to his bed where he kissed me, pouring his whole heart into the gesture. He removed my shirt and then my shoes, pants, and underwear. Gently seating me on the edge of his bed, he kissed a trail down my body to my crotch, falling to his knees and taking my dick into his mouth. Of course, I grew hard in no time.

Upon rising, he kissed me again and began removing his own clothes. I had always imagined that if we were ever to have sex, he would take me. Instead, he straddled my body and lowered himself onto my erect pole.

As he rode me vigorously, he placed his hands on my chest and then leaned forward, gripping my wrists and wrapping my arms around him. He wanted to be held, and I was happy to oblige—not for my own pleasure, but because I knew that he just needed someone at that moment. I was glad that I was able to be there for him, but I harbored no illusions. He might have chosen anybody to comfort him in this way. He chose me simply because I was there. As much as I might have wanted to mean more to him, I knew that it was not so and not meant to be.

Even so, he was immensely handsome and sexy as hell. The fact that he was so vulnerable at that moment did not diminish his attractiveness but enhanced it, stimulating me all the more. I tried to hold out for his benefit but could not hold back and shot my seed deep inside him. Despite the tears forming in his eyes, he smiled ever so slightly, lifted himself off of me, lay down beside me, nestling his head against my chest and again pulling my arm around him. We both fell asleep with him in my embrace.

The next morning, I awoke in his bed…alone. I comported myself back to my room, showered, got dressed, went down to breakfast, and took up my chores as I did every morning as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

Upon hearing the news of Mr. Block’s passing, Tyler rushed back to San Diego and helped Woody with funeral arrangements and plans for memorial services. We saw very little of the two of them leading up to the funeral. Oh, they were around, but they kept mostly to themselves. Was Woody ashamed of having slept with me? Did he feel that I had taken advantage of him in a moment of weakness? Did Woody tell Tyler about our night together, and was Tyler thus avoiding me out of jealousy or anger? I felt very awkward and even questioned if I still belonged at the estate. Was it time for me to move along? After my dad had thrown me out, Mr. Block and Woody had been my salvation, but maybe it had just been a period of calm in the storm. Maybe it was time for me to fend for myself again.

Rafael flew back from Spain for the funeral along with Ambassador Papa and all the other men who had attended the dinner in New York. George Clooney, Chris Evans, and the actor introduced to me at the banquet as Brad were among the many Hollywood celebrities in attendance. “Are you still coming up to L.A. next weekend?” Brad asked me.

“Well, under the circumstances, I’m not sure—

“He’ll be there,” Woody interrupted, almost sternly, before walking away. Was he encouraging me, or was he just trying to get rid of me?

After the funeral, Woody called all of the staff into his office. “You may be wondering if things are going to change now that Arthur is no longer with us. The answer is no. The estate has been amply provided for, and that includes your salaries and benefits. He has left behind a number of paintings that have been scheduled for various art shows, and there are several unpublished novels, including some that will undoubtedly be made into movies. His commitment to LGBT youth will continue thanks to a trust fund that he established in his will. Of course, none of it will be quite the same without him, but he would insist that we carry on his work, and so we shall.”

The following Friday, I drove one of the Lexuses up to Brad’s estate in Los Angeles. I had thought of inviting Ron, Kim, or even Tyler to go with me, but they were needed to prep the estate for upcoming Christmas and New Year’s parties, so I took the piano-playing hunk Zac with me instead.

Brad’s Beverly Hills mansion was just what you might expect for a box-office star—a grand stairway that led from the foyer to the second floor and eight bedrooms to accommodate not only Zac and me but several other weekend celebrity guests. Original artwork, including several Brock Archers, adorned the walls.

Brad took an immediate liking to Zac, and when Zac played and sang for Brad’s guests, he practically became a star overnight. Several of the Hollywood elite asked for his phone number, either to engage him to play for their upcoming parties, to enlist him for their artistic endeavors, or to get him into their beds, and Zac was readily amenable to all offers. Since Zac’s brother Jack lived in L.A., Brad insisted that Zac call him and invite him over to join the party Saturday night. Many of the guests were definitely turned on with the prospect of having sex with the two gorgeous identical twins.

 Like Zac, I had sex with several of those celebrities that weekend, but I also got a chance to show off some of my sketches, which proved to be very popular. I sold several pieces, and a number of people asked about commissioning works from me. I even got an offer from a movie producer to work on the art design for his upcoming movie—the same producer who recruited Zac to work on the music for that movie.

On Sunday, before returning to San Diego, Zac and I went to Tom’s House, the headquarters of the Tom of Finland Foundation and the house where Touko Valio Laaksonen, a.k.a. Tom of Finland, spent the last years of his life. Not only did I get to show off my sketches again, but I also got a tour of the place, including the extensive archives and the famous Pleasure Garden, and I got to meet the two artists who were currently in residence, a sculptor from Estonia and a mixed-media artist from Thailand. I invited them to our upcoming New Year’s Eve party, and they accepted enthusiastically.

Back at the Block estate, Ron and Kim greeted Zac and me warmly and asked us to relate the highlights of our weekend, especially the sexual escapades. We gladly shared those stories and even demonstrated some of the moves we had learned, much to Ron and Kim’s delight.

The two weeks leading up to Christmas were hardly exciting. Aside from carrying out my regular duties and assisting Ron and Kim with theirs when needed, I focused mostly on my artwork. There were always opportunities for sex, and I took advantage of them whenever I felt like it, but somehow it just didn’t seem quite as fulfilling as before.

Most of the planning was for the New Year’s party since no big event was slated for Christmas. Kim prepared a spectacular Christmas dinner for our little “family”—Woody, Tyler, Kim, Ron, and me. A few presents were exchanged on Christmas Day and phone calls were made to family and friends—the ones who had not rejected us.

The day after Christmas Woody called me into his office. Seated behind his official-looking desk and speaking in his “boss voice,” he started out by reminding me that my probationary period had come to an end, and then he stood up, walked around the desk, looked me straight in the eye, and said, “You know we have a very strict rule here: no fraternizing between management and staff. You broke that rule a couple of weeks ago. Consequently, I can no longer have you working here and living upstairs.”

“What? You’re firing me?”

To be continued

*

+

[hazel-of-sodor]

A Screech in the Night

Ch.11 Thunder and Awe

Other Chapters:

The express runs several times per day on the Uman and Din. Guinevere is the only engine to pull it, as none of the others are strong enough. The Express carries passengers from the ships at Uman to the junction at Din, where it connects with the other railway before returning with people for the great liners.

It is one of the railway's most important trains, and Guinevere takes great pride in being not only on time but early every run.

Which made all the engines concerned one Tuesday when the clock struck 5 till, and the Express was not yet in sight.

Avon waited anxiously at the platform, her train a guaranteed connection with the express. "This isn't normal. Abbey is always here by now."

Screech lazily opened an eye from the siding she was sitting in. "The express is not late yet. She probably had to stop for sheep on the line."

Avon glared, "You know it's more than that. You'd sooner praise the other railway than she would allow herself to be late."

Screech sighed. "If she is not here on time, I will go hunt for her myself."

Avon did not look reassured at this but nodded. Shortly a whistle blew in the distance and Avon finally relaxed.

Screech tensed.

Avon glanced over, "What's wrong Scree.."

She was interrupted by Screech blasting her whistle twice and shooting off down the line toward the express.

"Wha..."

Screech thundered a command to the signalman as she shot down the line and out of sight around the bend.

Avon waited anxiously for several minutes. Finally, Screech's whistle sounded as she rounded the bend. As she came into view, it became clear she was pulling both Glastonbury Abbey and the Express while running tender first. She halted the train just as the clock struck time.

The star class was panting tiredly, both crews immediately hopped out and began checking her over.

"Thank you." She said quietly, "I was afraid we weren't gonna make it." She winced as her driver touched a bent piece of the motion.

Gwyn shook his head, " It's no good, your motion is shot with this rod, even if the shop starts now, they won't be finished till tomorrow, and that's if they work through the night.

"But...the Express...." For the first time since Screech had met her, the star seemed utterly lost.

Her driver shook his head, "I'm sorry old girl, even if we had the part already made, we couldn't fit it in time for the return trip. I hate cancelling service, but we don't have anyone to pull it."

Freda slowly stood from beside the stricken express, and dusted her hands off as she regarded Screech thoughtfully, "Actually...we just might at that."

The crews followed her gaze to the bemused giant.

"You are aware I am a goods engine?"

"One that pulled passengers." Freda challenged.

"My sisters more than I did. I wasn't well-liked by passengers even then." Screech confirmed as she shifted uncomfortably.

"Screech, please...," Abbey pleaded.

Screech met her gaze for a long moment then, "Oh blast it all! Alright, I'll pull the train."

The crews and engines broke out in cheers

Her eyes rolled and tendrils shot out, lifting Abbey just off the rails, sans tender.

"Avon be a dear and arrange my coaches while I run our little wounded bird to the shop."

Abbey glanced down bemused, "You know you could have just rolled me there."

"And risk further damage? I think not. I expect you to be on the morning express, and I will be most upset if you are not."

Abbey smirked, "love you too."

Screech glared.

...

Screech returned from the workshop to find her coaches in order, with passengers waiting on the platform.

The sky had darkened over the sea, lightning crackling over the waves as the storm advanced towards the coast.

"So much for light showers today," Frefa said grimly.

"Are you up to this run Lass?" Gywn asked as he looked over the waves. "That storm looks like it's gonna be a right devil."

"Then you have the right engine," Screech said resolutely before turning to the waiting passengers.

"If you would all be so kind as to find your seats," she purred dangerously, "I would be most upset if we were delayed in our departure."

The passengers fled into the coaches as the whisper cackled.

 She was quickly coupled to the train and the Gwyn fit the express code to her lamp irons, buffeted by the wind as he did so.

"I still do not understand how you do that," Screech grumbled.

Gwyn just smirked up at her, "Cheer up lass, you get to really stretch your wheels this time." He looked grimly to the sea as a gust of wind pushed him again. "Last chance to back out lass. Once when we leave there's nowhere to turn round the express till Din. You ready for this?”

"Absolutely."

He patted her buffers and walked back to the cab. Seconds after he reached its shelter Screech saw the wall of rain race across the water towards them. It hit with the force of hammers falling from heaven, and the wind surged with it, rocking the train. Even with her lamps on, Gywn and Freda could barely see the rails in front of them. The minutes ticked by as the last passengers raced for the safety of the coaches, the rains falling harder with every minute.

Finally, the signal dropped and the guard waved his lantern, his whistle lost in the howl of the wind. Screech rolled out with a whistle from the relative shelter of the station platform into the storm. 

She rocked as the full force of the wind struck her broadside, water already pouring down her side.

She slowly gained speed as she ran by the seaside, water pouring from the cliffs above her. The rain and wind battered her and the coaches, even soaking Feda and Gwyn in her cab. She thundered down the line, racing for the shelter of the hills past the coast. As she rounded the final bend on the coast, the wind struck her head on, pushing her back and her wheels shrieked as they slipped. Freda went to check her regulator, but Screech roared.

She dug in her wheels and surged forward against the wind, enraged it thought to stop her.

Finally, the track curved away from the coast and up into the hills.

"That's it, lass!" She faintly heard Gwyn call to her, "It'll be easier now!

But it wasn't.

The storm did not take the loss of its prey lightly, lashing out as had not been seen in many a year. The sky darkened to the point of midnight, the rain fell in a seemingly endless wall of water, and the wind surged against her. It shoved against her boiler, curled beneath her frames, and yanked at her side rods and motion, hoping to snatch her from the rails. She curled her tendrils tight around her cab, trying to protect her fragile crew from the worst of the storm.

And still the storm worsened. 

As she sailed down another hill into the wind she was forced to admit to the whisper, 'I can't tell where we are anymore.'

'We are four miles from Henaint.' It answered. 'You worry about pulling the train. I'll keep track of where we are.'

'Thank you.' Screech panted out against the storm.

But still the storm grew stronger.

Trees were uprooted, buildings swayed and collapsed, and in the middle of it all, a lone engine struggled against the storm.

As Screech crested the tallest hill, she felt the wind lift the coach behind her off the rails for a heartbeat, and she finally lost it.

"Enough!" She roared, slamming to a stop on the crest of the hill.

The wind surged around her angrily

Tendril wrapped tightly around Freda and Gwyn, shielding them from what was to come.

"I DID NOT RESIST DEATH ITSELF TO BE HINDERED BY THE LIKES OF YOU!!!"

The wind surged forth towards the 47xx on top of the tallest hill.

Screech screamed.

A wave even darker than the night around them surged forth, blasting trees, rocks, rain, and wind aside. The scream shattered outwards, blasting away anything in its path...including the storm.

High in the heavens above them, clouds were ripped asunder as the storm was ripped from the skies outward in a circle surrounding the lone engine.

Daylight finally broke through, shining on a battered, weary, but unbeaten express.

Screech panted harshly, relaxing her tendrils from the crew. A moment later she felt Freda's hand rub her cabside.

"Are you alright my dear?"

Screech managed a mirthless chuckle, "I should be asking you that."

"We're fine, just rest and we'll have another engine and..."

"No. I will not let it beat me."

...

Screech was unsure what time it was when the express arrived at Din, but no one cared, merely relieved to see the train arrive safely.

Debris littered the streets as far as she could see, thankfully most of the buildings in town seemed intact, with the debris instead made up of litter, refuse, and tree limbs. 

Miss Morgan stood waiting at the platform as Screech dragged the train the last few yards.

"Well done." She said quietly. Screech nodded tiredly. Miss Morgan turned to Geyn and Freda.

"Get her to the shed. Enid will take you all back to Uman once the line is confirmed clear."

Screech tiredly puffed into the Din sheds. Enid was waiting worriedly, "are you alright?"

"I'm just tired. I will be fine in the morning."

"Thank Swindon." Enid sighed with relief. "Thank you for covering for Abbey, I know you prefer goods work, and with that storm..."

Screech shrugged, "We help where we are needed, that's the great western way."

Enid snorted in dry agreement, "Just so, I have no idea what we'll do when you eventually leave."

Screech was saved from answering by the arrival of 1401, and Enid's enthusiastic greeting to the 14xx

Screech was grateful for the reprieve for Enid's words had given her a realisation,

'I don't want to leave.'

#Uman and Dim #U&DR #U&D #Uman and Dim Railway #fanfic #ttte fanfic #rws fanfic #eldritch train #eldritch engine #engines that go bump in the night

[thislovintime]

Photo 1 by Bill Chadwick.

“‘Actually, I wanted to leave the group over two years ago when the first season ended, but the guys convinced me not to. I didn’t care about all the things that were happening, all the acclaim. I hated the work! It was tough, and I didn’t like it. I just wanted to record for all my life. 
Also, the pressure was awful. We were working in an incredibly new environment. Half of the crew on the show was young and had very little experience at that level of work. Many of them were getting their first big break. 
Actually, after the TV show was canceled it was easier for me to leave. Doing the TV show was the worst. Then came the movie, and I couldn’t forego the movie, so I did it. You know, there were moments here and there — lots of good, funny stuff happening throughout — but the only time that I was really happy was when we were recording the ‘Headquarters’ album. The concerts were fun, but during the concert tours you are removed from your friends except for the guys. And even when we did take a few friends along it was only a mild relief. This last tour of Australia and Japan wasn’t fun because I felt hideously under-rehearsed. I was constantly pushing for rehearsals, and they were constantly saying well, like later. We couldn’t get together. Also, we didn’t play any new music this last concert tour. It was all old tunes, nothing from our newer albums, and it was a bore. But I think they suspected I was leaving anyway. For me, a lot of the pressure was off. When I felt a part of the group every time someone said something that jarred my sensibilities, I’d raise a huge ruckus and everybody thought I was out of my mind. While we were making the TV Special, knowing I was not going to be there any longer, I just thought to myself — I don’t have to worry about this thing — and I just let everything slide off my back. They must have though something was screwy. Then I finally told them, ‘Gentlemen I’m in negotiations to resign from the group.’ And they said, ‘Okay, well, there’s not much time, we’d better get to work on this Special.’ So we taped the thing and that’s the last I saw of them. The last day of the taping they gave me this little testimonial memorial watch.’ From his pocket Peter drew out a silver, antique-looking timepiece with the back side engraved, ‘To Peter Tork, from the guys down at work.’ ‘I’m free, I don’t know what I’ll be going. I’m actually a little apprehensive, because there’s no doing that there are three other incredibly talented fellows out there. They’re very talented guys. 
Mike is one of the funniest people I’ve ever known. Micky is even funnier and Davy is just cute as a button. Who could ask for anything more? Davy dances so great, did you see him dance in the film? I’ve not seen dancing like that on the screen except from Fred Astaire. The only other thing is that I’m both really relieved and really, really apprehensive. I’m terribly glad and also terribly sad.’” - NME, January 25, 1969

Q: “Why did Peter leave?” Michael Nesmith: “He just finally collapsed. A lot of people asked us, ‘How did you get through the whole thing without going stark raving mad?’ Well, the point is we didn’t. He was a lot less stable than any of us — I was probably the most. I’m a street fighter, always have been. I grew up with hot rods and fists. Peter just finally went crazy and wanted to quit. He was a very tired person.” - Hit Parader, February 1972

“To tell you truth… I… I never was able in those days particularly — I’m getting better at it these days — but in those days I was almost entirely unable to fight for what I saw as quality. If I didn’t get somebody fighting on my behalf then it didn’t, just didn’t come to pass. [...] I just basically think that I wasn’t feeling a part of anymore already by that point, I’d already felt like I was odd man out, and of course I quit almost immediately thereafter.” - Peter Tork, Headquarters radio, 1989

“I’d always had deep doubts, ever since the session for ‘Last Train To Clarksville.’ I walked in there with my guitar and Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart looked at me with derision and scorn, like, ‘Guitar in your hand, you fool!’ That was the end of it for me. Right there I was done with The Monkees in large measure. I struggled against it with some success at one point. But after Headquarters nobody wanted to be a recording group anymore. I did what I could, but I didn’t feel like there was any reason for me to be there anymore. I wanted to be in a rock group.” - Peter Tork, Head 1994 liner notes

“Headquarters was by far the best album in the sense that it was us. It was honest, it was pure, and we had a great time. Peter says that the reason he quit was because after we did this album, we decided we weren’t going to be a group anymore. It broke his heart, because Headquarters was the whole reason why he’d become one of The Monkees.” - Micky Dolenz, Headquarters 1995 liner notes

#The Monkees #Monkees #Peter Tork #Tork quotes #1960s #33 ⅓ Revolutions Per Monkee #Michael Nesmith #Davy Jones #Micky Dolenz #60s Tork #70s Tork #80s Tork #90s Tork #<3 #long read #1968 #1966 #1967 #so much respect for PT #bearded Peter #Peter deserved better #NME #Headquarters Radio #Headquarters #can you queue it

[berylcups]

La Squadra Splatoon Au/Crossover Pt 2 of 2

Okay here’s the final part! As I said before, the kits aren’t balanced, just based on how I think their stands would translate into. Also their personalities on how they would act in this type of situation.

Sigh I’m finally done 😩 this took longer than I thought. Well I hope you guys like it !

Pesci:

Ink/Octoling: Octoling

Species type: dumbo octopus - a little unusual looking but very charming! Just needs more confidence.

Ink color: dark sea foam

Weapon: splatana wiper- light weight and can keep others at a distance. He can steady his aim and use a vertical swipe to pack an extra punch. It feels similar to a fishing rod so he will get comfortable with his weapon real quick!

Sub weapon: torpedo - like sensing who’s near by this sub will weed out anyone in its radius.

Special: stingray - just like beach boy going through walls, this powerful special can too and if he’s lucky he might get a catch!

Play style: He’s a nervous guy so he likes to keep his distance but don’t expect him to be a pushover. Taunt him enough or splat him enough times and he’ll get pissed enough to get serious and ready to chase your ass down ! But unprovoked, he’s most likely going to be painting. (Until prosciutto yells at him to be more assertive of course)

Melone:

Ink/Octoling: octoling

Species type: Graneledone boreopacifica octopus - this the best known mother in all of the animal kingdom. It holds its brood for roughly 4 years. Nobody is more dedicated to their young than Melone.

Ink color: periwinkle

Weapon: E-Liter - He prefers long range, and he wants to be as far removed from the action as possible. Work still needs to be done so an intimidating E-Liter will keep any enemies at bay.

Sub weapon: Autobomb - it’s a mini junior! He can throw one or two of these and have it (slowly) chase after who came within his radius.

Special: super chump- another automated round of “juniors “ to show up and blow the place sky high. They can be cancelled out by shooting at them but nobody can get rid of them all. Worst case scenario he paints some turf-which is what is needed anyway!

Play style: Mel doesn’t like being in the heat of the battle. He plays as defensively as possible. His preferred role is guarding the base and spawn points. The more turf that’s taken the closer he’ll move in and pressure the enemy back into their own base. Throw some auto bombs in for good measure. He didn’t raise/program those things to collect dust.

Ghiaccio:

Ink/Octoling: inkling

Species type: Humboldt squid- the most aggressive squid known to man! He has sharp teeth to grind out of pure rage, but there’s plenty of them on the tentacles too 😬

Ink color: turquoise

Weapon: Octobrush - brush users are fast and they are AGGRESSIVE. They are on the opposite side of the map and the next second you’re getting your cheeks clapped by the brush and you respawn.

Sub weapon: Fizzy bomb - another aggressive type of bomb. You shake it with everything you got and chuck it at your opponent and watch it blast them away.

Special: Kraken Royale - white album is impenetrable and it’s highly destructive. Going into kraken mode and chasing down his enemies is going to be a blood bath. All you can do is hope to out run him until he powers down and then attack him back during that one second he’s vulnerable.

Play style: OFFENSIVELY OFFENSIVE. Ghiaccio is the embodiment of pure rage. He will go and chase anyone who has the misfortune of catching his eye and splatting them repeatedly. He will easily zigzag through splattling fire and charger shots and somehow make his way up to you and splat you. You better hope he runs out of ink.

#jjba #jjba x reader #splatoon #splatoon 3 #jjba x gender neutral reader #jjba x gn reader #jjba x gn!reader #jjba golden wind #jjba part 5 #jjba pesci #jojo pesci #jjba melone #jojo melone #jjba ghiaccio #jojo ghiaccio #la squadra

[choices-binglebonkus]

Our Fairy Tale

Once upon a time there was a little company which created their stories with pure heart for us. Diffrent genres, multiple Love Interests, Choices that matter and more. They gained so many fans and supporters that they reached their peak point. They became the big and sucessful company. The era between 2016 and 2019 were The Golden Times. But after that, something changed and know ones why exactly. Announcing books beeing under year long hiatus and then cancelling these sequels (example: Hero, ROD, ItLives3, TE3,...) and then giving some other books not the sequels they deserve (example: Nightbound, DS,...). Why? How? They turned into a new direction by focusing on newer things: Single Love Interest books [because they got lazy in programming, i think], Love Interests which aren't unique anymore like the older ones, same book theme just much "sexier" (example: Big Sky Country VS. Untamable or Nightbound werewolves [Cal] VS. WolfBride wolves [Bastian]) no real adventurous plots and cheap smut. Some of the newer books are still awesome and great, but some aren't. They don't hit like the old ones anymore. The good old forgotten Legends. The players miss the good old little company which they supported. Little and good is better than big and evil. The company is only successful today because of their old stories which their fans have supported and not because of the newer books. And which that the fandom is getting smaller and smaller. It's only a matter of time now. Will we find our Happily Ever After again?

PS: I don't know if PB might find their Happily Ever After, but we might get ours thanks to these wonderful sequel game projects like @nightboundfanfiction ; @nightboundthesecond ; @itlivesproject ; @bloodboundsiege ; @thedistantshoresproject ; @lawsofattraction3 ; @immortaldesiresproject .

And please, don't forget our hard working fanfiction writers who deliever us stories with a higher quality. Fanfic writers who write fanfics about ItLives, Blades of Light and Shadow, Nightbound aaaaaaaand much much more.

Let's see how the journey of our Fandom continues... Will The Fate be on our side?

A masterful tale

#asks

[universestreasures]

The Future Force & The Millenium Items: How Would They Clash?

Note: In canon, Gao can harness the Future Force as well, but he cannot do it on command like Tasuku can and has only used it for the most part during Buddyfights (because plot). Though, I am unsure if I will have him get this power in his Yu-Gi-Oh! DM verse or not, since I am still deciding what 'canon' Buddyfight events can reasonably happen for this verse. So, we'll just focus on it in the context of Tasuku for now.

The Future Force, as I've described before such as on this post, is a power Tasuku possesses that allows him to manifest the power of Buddyfight cards into physical reality. The cards can be any cards he has access to, not just the ones in his own deck. It can be accessed through any 'Core Gadget', aka a Buddyfight Deck case / Duel Disk Equivalent that he is holding, but of course, he channels it the majority of the time through his own, the Star Pulsar. It manifests in his hair growing out long, a visual presentation of the power coming from another time flowing through him. He does not physically age using this power, however.

This power comes from his Future Self in the most literal sense. While we do not know the specifics of the power's origins or how Tasuku acquired it, we do know that according to Buddyfight Lore, if there is not a Tasuku alive in the future of the time period he is present in, he cannot use the power whatsoever (Buddyfight 100 shows this plainly when they travel to the future.). I like to think it comes from the power /potential his own future itself has/ a strong belief for the future, and the fact he is the 'Boy of Destiny' fated to save and protect the world and its future.

(Side Note Before We Continue: We know the power isn't exclusive, as I said at the top with Gao. That means there could be other potential candidates out there who could harness the power from their future selves. This could lead to interesting interactions perhaps. Like TBH, I feel like Kaiba might be an actual candidate for Future Force specifically because of his own potential future strength, belief in the future, and his own fate as a reincarnation of Priest Seto. But that's food for thought for another day. I just thought I'd mention it before moving on)

Now, with this power being at play, it brings into question how this power would interact with the main supernatural power in Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Millenium Items.

The 7 Millenium Items are ancient Egyptian artifacts harassing dark and shadow magic to do all sorts of powerful things dependent on the item. While they have a dark origin, these items as seen in the series, can be used for good or for evil. This is already a sharp contrast to the Future Force, which is specifically portrayed as a 'good' or 'heroic' power that is contrasted by its dark counterpart, the Disaster Force.

So, how would these powers interact? I do think it depends on the item. For items like the Necklace, Puzzle, Scale, that do not directly do anything to another individual for the most part, the powers would not interact. For every other item, I do think they'd clash in the sense they'd either cancel each other out or their ability has no effect on the other. Let me illustrate with some examples.

Rod: We know from the manga, if I recall, the Rod needs to physically touch someone in order to have it's mind control power used on them. Since one can manifest barrier-related cards into reality (Example: Green Dragon Shield or Earth Barrier), I think those would protect Tasuku from being affected/controlled. Though, his powers would not be able to break the Rod or its mind control on someone else, just like the Rod wouldn't be able to seal any cards he's brought to life back in their original form (like how it could with monsters in Ancient Egypt). Key/Ring: Tasuku could protect himself from his mind being entered or his soul being manipulated or sealed. However, he could not stop the item's user from going into someone's mind or manipulating their soul. He could still be tracked by the Ring as well, but I imagine if he is using his power, the tracking stops. Eye: Tasuku would be protected from having his mind or soul read in addition to his soul sealed in a Soul Prison, but he cannot prevent someone else's mind from being read or sealed away, or using his power to free someone from a Soul Prison. Shadow Game: If he was brought into a Shadow Game space, I imagine the powers of that space would not affect him as much (similar to how Atem could handle it during the game with Pegasus while Yugi could not). However, he also wouldn't be able to fully dispel it either if he was not involved. Object or Power Clash: I do not think any cards manifested by the Future Force (Example: Dragonblade, Dragobrave) or Millennium Items could break each other in a physical clash. I think they'd just have a collision and be sent flying back.

In short, the powers basically either cancel each other out or just do not effect the other directly when clashing. The biggest exception to this rule, and Tasuku's advantage if facing a Millenium Item User, is that Tasuku could bring physical harm if he uses his powers to manifest cards and have them physically attack the user (like swinging his Dragonblade, Dragobrave for example, or having one of his monsters or spells restrain the other).

Keep in mind though, Tasuku doesn't use his powers unless he HAS to and wouldn't go fighting someone using it willy-nilly. Usually, they are either used to save another or to defend themselves or innocents or friends against someone who also has a similar power (Like the Disaster Force). His view is that this power is meant to help people first and foremost. He also would not use it to kill because despite wanting to bring justice to people who deserve it like criminals, he is not a killer.

Any instances in which Tasuku would use the Future Force in general for an offensive or defensive purpose against any non-NPC, for this verse or otherwise, are typically ones that I discuss with a mun prior due to its overpowered nature and the fact it's used in extreme circumstances.

Anyway, thank you for reading this food for thought of mine and I hope it brings clarity to anyone who may have been wondering how this would go from my POV. Of course, all of this stuff could be debated depending on the interaction. This is just my two cents on it. I'm flexible.

#💎 Wonder Treasure (Tasuku Ryuenji) #💎 Wonder's Glimmers And Glitz (Tasuku Headcanons) #💎 Wonder's Game Of Life (Tasuku Yu-Gi-Oh! DM Verse) #tw long post #(Thought I'd throw this out there since I imagine this kind of interaction is likely to happen at some point #(and just more about tasukus powers in general #(Hope this helps anyone who might needed more info!

[the-whatcherof-89]

Callahan the first “Pet” of XD

Aasimar (Agathion Blooded) Brawler(Shield Champion)16 XP76800

Neutral (with good tendencies) Medium humanoid (Outsider, Aasimar)

HP196(16d10+96)

AC35(+4Dex+4Shield+5Deviation+9Armor+3Bonus)

BaB+16 BMC+22 DMC+36

FORT+19 REFL+18 WILL+13

Racial traits: Outsider, +2 to Handle animal and Survival, 1/day Summon nature’s ally II CL16, Deer horns, Celestial resistances 5 (acid, cold, electric), Darkvision 60ft.

Traits: Bullied, Loner.

Class abilities: Brawler’s cunning, Martial flexibility, Unarmed strike, Martial training, Manouver training(Throw shield, Champion defense), Returning shield, 5 Bonus combat feats (Improved grapple, Chokehold, Stunning fist, Shield bash, Improved trip, Greater trip), Brawler’s flurry (improved two weapon fighting), Awsome blow, Knockout 3/day, AC bonus+3, Brawler strike (alignment, cold iron, silver, magic), Close weapon mastery.

STR22 DEX18 CON20 INT12 WIS14 CHA14

Feats: Combat reflexes, Iron will, Step up, Following step, Step up and strike, Penetrating strike, Greater penetrating strike, Master crafter.

Skills: Acrobatics+15 Climb+14, Craft(Stone and wood)+10, Escape artist+15, Handle animal+6, Intimidate+6, Knowledge(Dungeon)+9, (Local)+9, Perception +20, Profession(Valet)+5, Ride+8, Sense motive+15, Swim+20, Survival+5.

Languages: Common, Celestial, Draconic.

Equipment: Absorbing returning spiked shield+2, Amulet of mighty fists+2, Shortbow+1(composite STR+2), 20 MWK arrows, Ring of protection+5, Mithral chainshirt+5, Belt of physical perfection+4, Cloak of resistance+4, Tome of physical exercise+2(used), Rod of cancellation, Ring of the ram(25 charges left), Potions: Cure critical wounds(4), Haste(2), Fly(2), Heroism(2), Protection from energy(2), Brawler kit, 45gp.

Background: As one of founding members of the land, Callahan has been active for a long time but was not much active only appearing sporadically. Some say that the reason for that was that he was bullied because of his strange appearance (partially reindeer). However, the reason for Callahan’s behavior was even crueler that any person could imagine; The green fickle god XD had an interest in him as he wanted to use his meek nature to mold him into his perfect servant or even a mindless proxy of himself. This only partially succeeded as Callahan inherited a fraction of his powers and was still submissive toward him. After this failure, XD let go of his guinea pig… for the moment. Callahan embraced this temporary freedom, but his meek and quiet nature gave him trouble to interact with people. He tends to hang with George and many of the girls (Tinakitten, Alyssa and Nihachu), he also appreciate Tommy behavior of rebellion against Dream whom he showed when he fought on Manberg side and rescued the T&T duo during the Disc war endgame. After a long time and having seen the Egg, the deer boy decided to take his distance and became a sort of hermit. Later, he was contacted by XD and commanded him to open a portal toward a new dimension. Upon entering, Callahan was tasked by the green god to start exploring the areas ahead and report his findings. Happy to be away from troubles it took him months of travel when he decided to return. Upon his return as the portal was in sight, something exploded from the portal and he was enveloped into the light. The world twisted around him and changed his aspect and found himself into a new world. An echo was heard in the air “I broke your shackles from the fake god. Now you get to choose if you want to keep this gift, or use it for other means. Come find me if you desire so. But if you will attempt to return him to freedom, I will show no mercy. The choice is yours.” Callahan, had a choice ahead of himself, but no one said anything about how long it would take for that choice to be made. So he grabbed his new identity and walked toward the horizon and he knew he had no one chasing or waiting for him around. But who knows? Only time could tell…

Link for the image: https://wallpapercave.com/callahan-smp-wallpapers

#minecraft #roleplay game #dream smp #pathfinder #fanart #minecraft fanart #callahan #callahan fanart #dsmp callahan

[steampunkforever]

Don’t Worry Darling is… a mixed bag.

It’s the “new Harry styles movie” and therefore bad.

It’s gorgeously shot and well composed and therefore good.

It’s clumsily directed and unprofessionally handled and therefore bad.

It’s (minus Harry) well acted and (minus Harry) excellently casted and therefore good.

It’s got a campy twilight zone black mirror twist and therefore excellent.

But first and foremost it’s a movie about cancel culture. This surprised me, and considering the handmaid’s tale and and stepford wives context of feminist art post Roe V Wade reversal, it’s not the most obvious take you’d expect.

Yet without giving away the—extremely played out—twist (that I still liked for some reason, in spite of how trite it was), the way Florence Pugh’s character is beset on all sides by pressure to conform despite the fact she knows something is wrong, ostracism from family and friends for speaking out, and silencing from the authorities on high for her outbursts all points to a critique of modern online self-policing. Despite the anti-patriarchal trappings of the film, no movie I’ve seen this year has so loudly commanded me to swallow the redpill.

The very fact that Florence’s character is the successful busy one and the men who limit her are all doing things on computers only points out the fact that she’s got concrete success and all they’re doing is playing with digital facsimiles of that. It’s basically saying “the consequences aren’t real. Go outside because the truth can’t be silenced by people on 50s Twitter. “

And then the ending. I expected Rod Serling (sci-fix most throwable man) to pop out and start moralizing for me. It wasn’t necessarily bad. Nor was it overly funny, though I did laugh at how blatant it was. It’s fun, in a black mirror sort of way. Ridiculous.

Yet I overall liked it. Not for quality as much as how refreshing it is to see a movie critique this facet of society without also trumpeting how brave it is for doing so or being cheap outrage bait (remember that movie where they had democrats hunting republicans?). Don’t Worry Darling is written decently and for as corny as the ending and some of the acting may be (Harry Styles acting next to Florence Pugh is like sitting a cinderblock wall in comparison to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel) the film was beautiful and an honest stab at doing SOMETHING.

I’m not going to declare Don’t Worry Darling as the second coming of Citizen Kane. The movie has some problems, be it behind the scenes tomfoolery leading to poor direction in general, or the lame plot twist due to poor writing. Harry Styles works best as a tertiary character, like a Justin Timberlake before him in the social network. Putting him in close proximity to good actors doesn’t do anyone any favors.

Even so, the cars are beautiful and so are the costumes. The majority of the movie is beautiful and the set design is unmatched. There’s genuinely a lot to like about this movie, and it’s a much better idea to go to it for feminist critique over whatever stupid “for the girls” product Marvel is putting out. I won’t recommend it the way I would Pearl or Drive My Car but it’s worth a watch in my opinion. If only for the appearance of a Nash Metropolitan.

#don’t worry darling #filmposting

[coopdigitalnewsletter]

19 Dec 2022: What if shops didn’t sell things?

[Image: a collage of Kuka/Ruscha/Burtynsky]

Hail and farewell

This is the last Co-op Digital newsletter. It has had an excellent and enjoyable run, thank you to everyone who helped get it going with decisions, everyone who kept it going with content, and everyone who read it. We’ve been wrapping up with 3 questions. Previously: more radical membership and more than a shop? 

Thank you all for reading and sending ideas. The Co-op story continues on the magnificent Co-op Digital blog. Rod will still be writing about climate change and carbon transformation at Holdfast and about money at Checksies. See you there?

What if shops didn’t sell things?

Supermarkets and many other types of retail businesses are often high volume/tight margin machines, looking to increase volume and find small gains and complementary products and services with higher margins. Will this always be the case? 

As climate change bites into the world, making it less predictable, will the cost and availability of materials change the dynamic for retail? Do supply chains fracture? Will managing the entire lifecycle of products and packaging add cost that makes retail unviable, or will it unlock new business? Can shopping fit into circular economies if recycling and reuse becomes central? What if shops bought things from you, instead of selling them to you?

2040

Aya looks the length of the warehouse. There’s a haze in the distance where the unfactory starts and above the superstructure is barely visible behind the ambient dayglow. A city inside a building.

She pulls the door shut on her housing unit and walks to the bus stop. There’s only a couple of minutes to wait before a driverless bus pulls up. These carbon grey boxes crawl the building, patiently looping between the different work, housing and leisure zones.

Aya gets on the bus and sits. Her glasses immediately pop up an interactive about hitting this month’s KPIs. With a glance she flicks it away, and looks the other way to access shopping. A carousel of plaid shirts flickering across the field of view, partly obscuring the view out of the window of apartment blocks, terraced 2-up 2-downs, community centres, and behind her in the distance parkland and the executive mcmansions. Aya considers buying a shirt that says 2005 and has all the confidence of that era. The checkout dances and says: “Hey you know you could put that 229.50 into something more long term? Say Pension to put it to work for you.” Aya sighs, shuts her eyes and whispers “Cancel”, the UI an afterimage in reversed colours.

Aya steps off the bus at the warehousing zone and passes through two layers of perimeter security: ID badge and then a tongue print which performs ID verification and a recreational drugs test. Now she is matter-side. She steps through the air wall into a cavernous space: kilometres of racking, ducting, assembly areas, disassembly areas, recycling, storage, cabling, transport, uncountable shelves of racking and gigantic bays of raw material.

10 years ago, at peak shopping, this building was Amazon’s largest fulfilment centre, the entire building performing inventory, pick and pack - all of it heading into cardboard boxes, out the loading bays and to everyone’s home via the Amazon-only lanes on the motorways. 

Since then, the building has grown and evolved in response to 15 years of carbon budgets and circular economy targets. The shadow of the smile logo is still faintly visible on the wall. The work is now two-way: they’re doing as much inbound for recycling as they do outbound retail: the increasing value of material feedstocks made disassembly and recycling higher margin businesses. Across the way, building crews are pulling out the pick and pack racking, and hauling in more recyc stations.

Conveyor belts of toys, consumer goods, electronics, plastic items, everything. Some things are automatically sorted, separated by size or material type into smaller flows on smaller conveyors, a river delta. The metal goes off along a conveyor to be remelted in a distant area. The plastic is ripped apart into uncountable white-edged grains of feed stock. 

Further away, and behind more layers of security, are the goop vats where the synthetic bio voodoo happens. There’s a smell of ammonia and long chain polymers everywhere, which the air ducting cannot ever remove entirely.

Here though, the river belt meanders through rows of stations, where human-robot pairs work next to each other, pulling objects off the main belt and moving them to several smaller tributary belts for onward sorting.

Aya walks up to the only unstaffed station. A fixed robot is at the wide conveyor belt. Its body is a 7-axis spine of rotatable stainless steel segments that look more like muscles than components. Its arm ends in an array of cameras, lidar sensors and rubber tipped and suction manipulators. Around the robot is a 2 metre no-go zone hashed out in hazard orange. It has placed several objects in that space around its base. A Casio watch. A christmas tree toy. A clown painting on black velvet. Lego pieces.

The supervisor approaches and shrugs at Aya: “You make it work, if you can. I in’t going near it though…” Aya swipes her badge into the work station. The robot’s arm monitors everything that passes on the belt under it, occasionally twitching as if indecisive. But it is not moving and not sorting items.

Aya watches the belt for a while and reaches out to pick up an old lunch box in blue and red plastic. She shows it to the robot, and then with great care Aya places it on the floor, inside the no-go zone, and steps back. The robot’s arm bends, the array inspecting the lunchbox for several seconds. 

Then it straightens, moves back over the belt, and starts grabbing objects and sorting them.

Thank you for reading

Thank you friends, readers and contributors. If you want to find out more about Co-op Digital, follow @CoopDigital on Twitter and read the Co-op Digital Blog. Previous newsletters. Stay strong.

[recentlyheardcom]

By Helen CosterNEW YORK (Reuters) -Digital World Acquisition Corp, the SPAC that plans to merge with former U.S. President Donald Trump's media and technology company, said this week it would return to investors $533 million raised for the deal, after some have already backtracked on $467 million of commitments.The development means the end of the so-called private investment in public equity (PIPE) transaction that would have delivered Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the operator of Trump's Truth Social platform, $1 billion as part of its merger with Digital World.A SPAC (special purpose acquisition company), or blank-check firm, is a publicly listed shell company that raises funds to merge with a private company.Digital World raised the $1 billion PIPE last year but failed to complete the merger with TMTG by a September 2022 deadline, as U.S. financial regulators held up the deal over Digital World's disclosures to investors. That gave the PIPE investors the right to cancel their commitments.TMTG CEO Devin Nunes said in a press release that terminating the PIPE was "in the best interest of TMTG's equity holders and completing our merger with DWAC as soon as possible."A TMTG spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday that the PIPE's termination was "a key step toward completing our merger." She did not respond to a question on why terminating the PIPE ahead of the merger was positive for TMTG.An Aug. 9 amendment of TMTG's deal with Digital World called for the unwinding of the PIPE. This amendment gives Trump new shares in Digital World with more voting power.The unwinding of the PIPE would leave Digital World with the $293 million cash it had raised in its initial public offering in September 2021, which is set to go to TMTG upon the deal's closing. That pot of money could also shrink if investors opt for redemptions.The TMTG spokesperson did not respond to a question on whether the company plans to raise additional funds. TMTG previously raised $22.8 million in financing from private investors, Reuters reported last October.Story continuesDigital World and TMTG have tweaked their merger agreement so that either side can terminate the deal between Oct. 31 and Nov. 21, if their boards no longer believe the merger will benefit shareholders. Trump controls 90% of TMTG, according to a Feb. 2, 2021 services agreement.Digital World has faced several challenges since its October 2021 deal with TMTG. It has been the target of investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission, ousted its chief executive, and shook up its board.In September, Digital World investors voted to give an extension of up to one year to complete the TMTG deal, the deadline for which had been pushed back several times. It remains unclear when and if Digital World will ask its shareholders to vote on the deal with TMTG, a necessary step for its completion.Shares of Digital World dropped 2% on Thursday to $15.54, far below their peak of around $97 a share in March 2022.(Reporting by Helen Coster; Editing by Josie Kao and Rod Nickel)

[thegeminisage]

doing some more zelda. my goal today is to fight kohga but i can't resist grabbing a few more korok seeds while i'm here. farosh flies SO close here, it's really tempting to go up and get another dragon part, but i don't wanna lose focus again...

the other reason i wanna get the korok seeds is that there's a hudson sign along the path. i think i have only 9 left! it would be nice to get them all.

also, i'm sort of working ym way down towards the labyrinth - i only have one left, so it'd be nice to do all those too. but UGH, more hands...maybe today, but maybe i'll save it for after pikmin lol

love and light. i really hate having mineru along. i hate to turn her off because i like all the help i can get in fights but like...she gets in my way in fights! she's constantly trying to be close to me so i can hop on her back, but the problem is if i accidentally activate sidon or riju or whoever it's nbd, it's just annoying, but if i accidentally activate mineru i'm up on a fucking mech when i was in the middle of trying to flurry rush or whatever, i hate itbut she's gotta go. sorry mineru :(

ok, the three big things i wanted (aside from all shrines, which will not be possible) were kohga, the labyrinth, and the hudson signs.

i have 7 signs remaining...not too many, and 4 are very close to each other out near hyrule ridge/satori mountain, but the others are in the highlands and blegh. also i'd be crossing some hands to get there

i spoiled myself for kohga by looking up a walkthru. apparently he has FOUR locations?? jumping around everywhere smh lol. if i go the long way i get a lot of depths exploration in, and if i go the short way i get to see what became of the old yiga hideout. also it helps since i'm pressed for time

meanwhile, i know there's hands in this labyrinth, but i'm pretty close to it relatively speaking and i could snag some seeds on the way from the mountain between me and it........

sigh. labyrinth it is

yo wait wasn't this mountain SNOWY in the last game?? now it's all hot and deserty.......that's so wild lol

h!! i found an underpants guy

oh, no, wait, this is an endurance contest minigame thing! im gonna see if i can cheat with food lol

LMAOOO i dont even need food. i can wear my trusty ruby rod

oh boy this is gonna take forever. im BOOOOORED

i wish the view from up here was better. at least then i'd have something to do

FINALLY. jesus christ

oh my god ANOTHER ONE IN THE DAY.......come ON

luckily i have a frost talus heart on one of my weapons lol

taking so long my controllers fell asleep lol

FINALLY!!!

oh boy okay Here I Am at the spooky maze of hands

annoying as he is, calip is a pretty tough cookie. i mean he makes it all the way through all three of these mazes, and the only reason he can't solve the riddles at the center is because he doesn't have a zonaite arm

uh oh i made it to the middle. hand time...?

ruler of BOARS this time!! oh man, like, ganondorf! like obviously but wow

huh this area doesnt seem to be where the hands on the map are...maybe i dodged them by not walking on top of the maze...?

now the big question is how tf do i get up there...

i'm not doing that hot air balloon shit again. i'm gonna warp to a nearby island and take my bike lol

havent ridden the bike in ages. missed it! so pleased at how far it can get without needing a recharge now

fucking DISASTER strikes. so there's one of those tiny zonai relief islands way out there between me and the maze. decided to go to that. landed. DROPPED the bike. managed to cast recall on it but i didnt cancel in time so it flew up into the air and dropped back down. and off the side AGAIN. in my haste to get it, i stepped on the middle of the island which fell out from under me. so i wasted that entire fucking trip

landed on a shrine next to a molduga. might as well lol

wait...i found the piece of the island that fell down...could i ride it back up...?

BOOOOO i can't BUT at least i can grab my pic lol

i'm still mad that idk how to fight molduga in this game lol. last time arrows worked, but not this time...? maybe i need bomb arrows, but i'm running really low...

oh yeah it was bomb arrows lol

did a korok since it was right here. i guess i'll also go ahead and jump in the quicksand holes...rip my bike

this is why i never get anything done lol

oh bad theres redeads down here

i saw a video where someone got close to a redead and nothing happened. do they truly not jump you in this game...?

i regret this already. this is so tedious. i'm gonna have to manually discover every fucking entrance

oh no wait thank FUCK if you just walk over the sand piles it counts

ok. gonna see if i can bike straight up to the labyrinth

MISTAKE. this is gonna take forever. shoulda just started over from that island again

wasnt watching my energy, fell halfway. used a BUNCH of charges to top up and then fell off the bike entirely. today is a comedy of errors

im just gonna make a new bike at the old island. this is so stupid and such a huge waste of resources. that one island, which i tried so hard to complete my first time there so i wouldnt have to GO BACK......

FINALLY amde it

oooh it's that low grav shit...

YOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

oh my FUCKING god that was delightful

ok, so this shrine at the maze, it looks like a rauru's blessing shrine but it has fire fruit trees. which i thot was weird but whatever. but THEN when i tried to go up the stairs they like fucking slide down and revealed a puzzle. this game is fucking with me!!!

genuinely had no idea that could happen. i wish i had been able to be surprised by more of it

the shrine is called "unlit blessing" but i wasn't paying attention and they got me >:)

all right...finally, down i go..........

good news is i checked and no hands.

NO FUCKING WAY LOL i caught a star piece on the way down!!!!!!

god i fucking LOVE. the music in these joints

damn i think i just heard a dragon lol am i on farosh's path? but i can't get out to check til i kill this flux guy. bet i couldn't catch her rn anyways but i'd love to see her

got his ass.

and FINALLY got my phantom ganon armor fr!!!

all i need to do is snag this lightroot and then i can finally do something else with my day lol

luckily i ascended and popped up right under it

i don't see farosh...

OH MY GOD THERE SHE IS...SO COOL.........................

oh my god there;s something else big flying in the dark......GLEEOK?

COLGERA!!!!! OH MY GOD...so cool so cool so cool

i literally can't fight colgera rn. i don't even really have time to farm this dragon. i'm gonna grab one piece and take a break, i have stuff to do - i can get the second piece when i come back!!!

#personal #loz blogging #totk lb #totk spoilers