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artsy-hobbitses · 3 years

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I'm getting very curious about Malaysia... what's it like there?? Culture, living conditions, etc.

Pretty loaded question!

Off the top of my head, some specifics:

- Very much a melting pot. Malay, Chinese and Indian ethnicities mingle pretty freely, interracial marriages are not uncommon (I’m quarter Chinese on my mum’s side) and the modern Malaysian slang is often a mishmash of Malay, Chinese and Indian words. You have a choice between public, vernacular (usually caters to a specific race ie. Chinese/Indian as a stronghold of the language/customs, however I had Malays friends who went to Chinese Vernacular schools) international, private and religious schools (mostly for the Muslim-Majority Malays). Public holidays are designated for all three major races (big ones are Eid, Deepavali and Chinese New Year) plus more specific ones in Sabah/Sarawak for the indigenous population, and it’s normal for say, Malays to be invited to a Deepavali gathering or for Chinese to be invited to Eid open houses. We’re usually chill about it like that.

- Despite this, racism exists. It’s not loud and proud like in western nations though (except for your occasional Malay nationalist politician) it tends to be more of the passive-aggressive sort. Some parents discreetly warn their kids about not being friends with [X] race at school, some house rental listings with single out [X] race, though we’re coming to the point that we’re not bothering with Asian decorum anymore and publicly shitting on that behavior. On a historical aspect, the potential reason it takes on a more subtle, passive-aggressive tone here was that on 13 May 1969, sectarian violence broke out between urban Chinese and Malays in Kuala Lumpur due to unrest over the general election, and this resulted in the deaths of 600 people, mostly Chinese (My mum lived through this time at the heart of the incident). Basically the nation’s been scarred and has feared a similar event ever since, so those spouting open racial violence get slammed down pretty quick and “Remember 13 May” has often been used as a warning for whenever tensions flare up. Or when politicians want us to keep our grumblings down. We tend to have a don’t-rock-the-boat mentality here on the basis of trying to keep the peace for everyone—-it doesn’t always work. Malay Privilege/“Ketuanan Melayu” is a thing you’ll hear often from some sections of Malays here, who tend to argue that since they’re technically the original inhabitants if the land (don’t quiz ‘em about the Orang Asli), they should get more rights than the others.

-Living conditions vary. I live in Selangor—the state surrounding the Capital Kuala Lumpur—-which has the highest density of denizens. Here, it’s pretty modern. My husband and I rent a two-story terrace house, my parents who are a little well-off have their own bungalow. Places like Penang, Perak and Johor also tend to be more in the modern side. You’ll find more rural areas and kampungs as you go deeper into the heart of country (Pahang), the East Coast (Kelantan, Terengganu) and the country’s rice bowl (Kedah, and by extension, Perlis). This is within the Peninsula—-Sabah (I lived here for about four years) and Sarawak have a combination of modern and rural areas and tend to take life at a much slower pace than the Peninsula states (They also want none of Peninsula’s religious tension bullshit). My father’s kampung is in Pahang, and while I was never close to my paternal grandparents, I do have fond memories of cooking outdoors and plucking rambutan bunches from the trees they grew.

- Wet. Very wet. Monsoon season/‘Musim Tengkujuh’ at year end interspace with mid-year. Fucks with the income of local fishermen who are barred from going to the ocean on the account of rough waves, Flooding is an annual occurrence for rural areas, though we get flash floods in cities too. Common enough that “check for crocodiles” isn’t a weird request when you come back to clean your homes from mud and silt. (Houses near flood-prone areas will employ walls or be built on stilts to withstand the floods).

- 9 Sultans for 9 states, they take turns becoming the Agong (Chief Sultan I guess?) every five years. They’re mostly there the same way the British monarchy is. Don’t really play a big role in politics unless there is a need for them to decree something when politicians can’t work things out between themselves.

- Political leapfrog. It’s. A thing. A politician you see from one party today can be a member of another party tomorrow. It’s gotten so bad they’re considering legislation to punish it. We do call them literal frogs (Katak) when they do this (Sorry frogs, you deserve better!)

- Food. All the fucking food. Melting pot = all the deliciousness. There’s no culturally appropriating cuisine here, everyone’s eating everyone else’s stuff with great gusto. Roti Canai/Chappati (Indian) for breakfast, Nasi Campur (mixed rice, mostly with Malay dishes) for lunch and Wantan Mee (Chinese) for dinner is an example of the food culture trip you go through on any given day. You’ll have Malays who adore Chinese food, Chinese who adore Malay food, and no one fights when they’re eating, that’s all there is to it. Places like Penang are a haven for food and people will make trips just to eat there.

- Islam is the main religion. However, it’s not strictly enforced in most cases, I’d dare even say that we’re quite secular, to the teeth-gnashing of the Facebook army. I’m a Muslim who doesn’t wear a headscarf (except on special occasions), I know Muslims who rescue and keep dogs (My hunter grandfather apparently caught and kept a Dhole as a house guard way back), and I know some who’re LGBT, albeit somewhat discreet about it.

- Speaking of LGBT, the country is not friendly to the community, but neither is it as hostile as sections of the US tend to be about it. As an example, gay conversion therapy isn’t really a thing there (presumably because that would entail the govt admitting that there’s enough gay people to require it at all), workplaces generally do not have a policy targeting people based on their sexualities, like you’ll find butch ladies serving you drinks at Starbucks and gay men working with local theatre productions, and violence against LGBT members is pretty rare (though I imagine this is more because most people here mostly do not want to kick up a fuss in public, what more a fight, and just judge from a distance). Basically, the majority of the public will tolerate LGBT existence—whispering behind their back——until there starts to be a call for rights.

- Good degree of English command. English is understood, if not spoken, by a lot of us here from cab drivers to stall owners, so you won’t be hopelessly lost if you decide to visit. A big majority of us are at LEAST bilingual (In my case, I speak English and Malay, and can understand some Arabic). Quite a number who come from interracial marriages are trilingual.

- Cheap healthcare. There’s a reason we’re one of the top destinations for medical tourism. You have a choice between private and government hospitals which provide a form of universal healthcare. Govt clinics/hospitals offer subsidized healthcare and meds to all members of the public, and most doctors will start out in government hospitals before moving to private practices (like my sister-in-law). Uninsured, a trip to a normal clinic for a consultation will set you back maybe twenty to thirty bucks, fifty if you need meds or a small procedure like stitches. I do have insurance but have never used it for doctor visits since the amount is pretty trivial. I have, however, used it for a hysterectomy surgery + 1 month hospital stay at a private hospital which set me back about RM30,000-RM40,000 (USD7000-USD9500) which I managed to get covered. Ambulance Fees are like, RM200 (USD47) for private hospitals and RM50 (USD12) for govt hospitals. Consultation fees, blood tests and X-Rays go as low as RM1 (24 Cents) in govt hospitals. If you get hurt here, we got you covered.

And that’s just off my head! If there’s something specific you’d like you know, feel free to ask further ouob

#inbox #long post #Malaysia

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diplexchimera · 3 years

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Hey people considering college-

I have some tips for you. Now, take into consideration that I am technically a college drop-out (didn't have enough money for a second semester).

- my college required Freshman to be in a campus dorm. We got to select whether we preferred someone quiet, someone loud, or someone in between. In my experience, someone loud = an extrovert who will have many people visit them, someone quiet = a person who prefers to keep their room more private, and someone in between = a person who wants their roommate to be okay with a noisy room & people over, but also wants to be able to say they need quiet time (or they aren't sure what they want, but want neither a silent room or a busy room).

- if you have to eat from the cafeteria, that's okay. They tend to have a wider selection anyway but! I would suggest memorizing the breakfast/lunch/dinner availability hours. Some schools are very strict, and will lock the doors which = a skipped meal for you.

-I would also suggest getting the app 'MyPlate Calorie Tracker'. College meals will most likely be different than what you've eaten at home and school. The MyPlate app is pretty simple, and can help you make sure you're getting the right amount of food into yourself, as opposed to too much or too little. If I remember correctly, it also keeps track of how much protein and stuff your food is supplying you.

- sugars, fats, calories, and carbs are not bad for you. Your body requires them. Your brain literally will not function if you cut out any one of those items. Remember, you don't need to avoid being fat, you need work today being healthy. Your body will sort itself out (over time dude, give it time) if you supply it with the necessary nutrients and such.

- dude, vitamins. They can be expensive, but if you have insurance, ask your doctor how much of every vitamin you should be having. They can tell you, give you a list, and they can ask your insurance if vitamins are covered. If you can't get to a doctor, try to do research. Here is one from Harvard that I think is good, but you should always cross check things. Getting all the vitamins and minerals you need is exceedingly important. They help you go to sleep, stay asleep, and wake up, help your brain and body to function and adjust, help keep you feeling healthy and happy. If you feel tired and depressed, it can be really difficult to accomplish tasks and enjoy/ appreciate being alive.

- I would not suggest starting your year by completing assignments before the start date of said assignments. For one, doing assignments as they come helps you get a feel for a natural schedule. Another reason is because it helps to be in the moment, instead of too far ahead to be able to keep track of what's going on and when. Wait until you have a hang of how and where to research, and a firm idea of how much you can hold onto mentally, so you don't fail tests. You'll also likely feel guilty later on when you begin to struggle to stay ahead as assignments get longer and more difficult.

- yo if you can get a used textbook that comes as a three ring binder instead of a hard or soft back, do it. It's cheaper, and so much easier to handle and copy. Heck, you can even take the pages out of the section you're using and put them in a folder -- boom, no more 40lb back pack. Also makes more room in any bag you use for the essentials, which I'll list next.

- here are some backpack essentials:

• earbuds, Bluetooth if possible. It's okay to have more than one type of listening device. "I prefer headphones!" You say. You can't hide over-the-ear headphones if you end up in a classroom which doesn't allow something like that. Sometimes you're just having a sucky day, sometimes you need extra stimulation to concentrate, sometimes you want to spend your time listening to a podcast that explains the current subject better than your teacher does. Sometimes you want to watch a movie casually. Earbuds also take up MUCH less space.

• an extra charging cable for every portable device you use. Roll them up, and secure each one individually with cable ties or bread bag twist ties. I say extra, as in, keep your original cords in your dorm room and Don't Take Them out. Get a secondary cable and charger for each device, and let them live in your backpack.

• 3 or 4 different colors of pen. Multiple colors, for whatever reason you want-- easily scanned notes, for different subjects, etc. These can serve a variety of purposes, and you never know when you need them.

• 3 regular pencils, and a good hand sharpener or silent mechanical sharpener. 3 in case the other two get broken lead or happen to suck. Regular pencils can be finicky.

• 2 mechanical pencils. 2 in case one of them fails, runs out of lead, or the lead breaks up.

• decoy pens and pencils! Get as cheap or expensive as you want. At some point, someone is likely to ask for one, and you don't want someone else using your favorites. You also may not get them back, or they get broken. I would suggest a couple of each, as it may happen in more than one class. You don't have to have decoys, but that way, at least you don't have to choose between either feeling guilty for not loaning out the items you like, or being uncomfortable that you did have to loan one. If you loan the decoys out, and don't get any back, and someone asks you for a utensil later that day, you have both a convenient reason you don't have an extra you're willing to share, and you already put the minimum effort towards being prepared.

• Water! You're going to get so dang dehydrated! You're going to have full days, much of the time, from trekking across campus, to class time, to meal times, to study time, to hang out time -- you need to have water with you, as opposed to having to track it down, and possibly have to pay for a bottle of water. Hydration is a main component in bodily functionality and brain processes. I would suggest a minimum of a 30-ish ounce container of any sort. A plastic water bottle you refill, a thermos, a sippy cup, a hydro flask, a camp flask, whatever works for you.

• I would say snacks. If you're eating meals throughout the day, I guess they aren't "technically" essential, but can confidently say, they are useful. Snacks can be an energy boost, a brain function boost, a hunger soother, a friend-maker, or just plain stimulation. Cut up some apple slices, maybe grab some peanut butter, or a portion of nuts, or a tangerine, crackers, pretzels, chips, the choice is yours. It helps if you can get ahold of some of those cheap reusable silicone ziplock baggies. You can wash them to be used again, and you don't have to deal with carrying plastic trash around with you.

• a pair of socks. I know that sounds weird, but it doesn't take up much space, and weird stuff happens. They get wet, or it's hot and your feet get sweaty and yucky, or food get spilled on your feet. Stuff happens.

• b12 tablets. They work with your system in a healthy way, as opposed to caffeine, and does the same trick. Just follow the directions on the bottle, and may I suggest, start with half the recommended dose. It affects different people more or less. My husband takes the recommended two, while I only need a half. We both have adhd, and are closely similar in body weight. If you need a wake up boost, don't slam your system with caffeine.

• baby wipes. You can get a small pack, and they can help clean up almost anything. Someone spill sticky tea? Got it. Fell and scraped a knee, and it has dirt all over it? Baby wipes and a little water. Need to blow your nose, and there are no tissues, or just feel like you need to rinse your face off in class? You're covered.

• chapstick is a very small item, but Lordy Lord if those classrooms aren't parched of all moisture in the air. You gone get cracked, chapped lips.

That's kinda it for now on backpack essentials. There is definitely more you could have, so supplement whatever helps you. You could add a hairbrush or comb, a hat and rain jacket for cold weather times, sunscreen during the hot times, hair ties and bobby pins, etc. It's all for you pal.

- keep in touch with your professors. Make yourself known to them. An occasional casual compliment is often helpful, and a good way to connect (you explained stuff really well today/your teaching style is helpful/I appreciated you taking time to answer my questions). They are people after all.

- if you have stuff going on, let your professors know. If your pet is sick at home and you're worried about them, give your professors a heads-up that you may seem less attentive that week, but that it isn't disinterest. If you figure out you have depression, and you're struggling to complete assignments/sleep/wake-up, tell them. Let them know you don't expect special treatment, you just wanted them to know that it isn't due to immaturity or lack of interest.

- always do studying and homework first. If you're able to accomplish these things while with friends, that's great, but if you can tell you're struggling, prioritize schoolwork. You'll have time for fun stuff later, usually later that evening.

- it's okay to drop a class. In fact, if you severely dislike a class, don't understand the coursework, or you realize you've taken on too much at once, it's better for your overall wellness and your grades if you drop it. If you have a professor suggest you drop a class in mean way, don't feel like you have to prove them wrong. This is your experience, and they can stuff it for being a rude brat. You don't need to prove yourself to them, and you cannot control their thoughts or actions.

- try to take classes that happen twice a week, which start later in the day than 8 am, at least for your first semester. There is a lot going on in college. A lot of changes to acclimate to. Take it a little easier at first, to give yourself time to work out what all is where, and how everything works.

Well, that's the end of 'dip's (college) tips' for now.

#dip shares stuff #stuff to know #dip's tips #college

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calypsoff · 3 years

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Eighty Four. Part 4

Chris held the side of the car as he tried to slowly turn himself. My hand on his back still, I’ve been through this with Chris already so I know how to handle when he was limping around during that dark period of time for us “you got it” stepping back, he jumped into the SUV “yeah” nodding my head stepping back “can you make sure you go straight to hospital and get him a wheelchair, not any hospital too. Private please” I said to my driver “I will” he smiled at me; Adam moved away from the car as I went to just see how he is “how you feeling? How did you even fall?” Holding onto the side of the car door just looking at his sad face, he is so sad “he was running down the steps and I just jumped on him, and we both fell but I was the one that was getting it the most, I guess it was the way I fell. It’s just a lot of pain, I can’t walk on it” he mumbled “you think you are Spider-Man, jumping around like that. You are getting old now, can’t be doing that” Chris laughed “I know” least he laughed “well just make sure you go to the hospital, speak soon ok” Chris is emotional, moving back from the car “thank you” I said to my driver, staring at Chris as he put his head down, I proved my point, but I don’t like to see him sad and hurt, he is very hurt. He really believed that Drake was his friend, taking him on as his own like that. The door closed and I turned to Adam “thank you for helping me a little” I laughed “I did nothing but watch, you did it. You were doing all the pleading, he is very strong I must admit, I think he would have killed him if he wasn’t who he is, never seen such anger” turning around to go back to the studio “yeah, he gets like that” that was very dramatic, meaning I didn’t expect Chris to hurt his leg like that anyways, I need a blunt.

Walking back into the studio and looked at my entourage “Jah and Tina are useless” I had to point that out “I was scared, you seen those ninja moves he was doing!? The nigga was jumping everywhere, I am not shocked he was scared” sitting down in a huff, I can tell everyone is in shock still, but I am tired “for a skinny guy he has some strength on him, he was dragging you literally around with him like you weighed nothing” Jahleel said “I know, I was literally trying to dig my shoes to the ground to stop him but he wouldn’t, god. What a mess” I sighed out “Drake is actually in love with you, hearing the whole conversation and seeing him with heart eyes when he looked at you, he was very much lost in your eyes. We were all looking at each other like what the fuck, he was doing the most even when Chris wasn’t here. But how is he? Chris I mean” Mel added “he’s ok, very upset. I think he’s realised that I wasn’t the bad person, I was looking out for him but also I need to be careful because he’s lost a friend, he lost someone that he cared for. He’s going through it right now; he’s hurt his leg so he’s going to hospital. He literally jumped on Drake and they both fell down the steps, so yeah. But I’m glad it’s over, he’s out of my life because I couldn’t take it, I really couldn’t” shaking my head “don’t blame you, he was so weird with you. Like a dog” Tina added, I laughed to myself, I am tired after that “so about this studio, what we doing now?” Looking around the room, it’s a mess “first we need to get the security tape, this will not come out at all. And get a cleaning team and whatever, I will pay for damages. I am trusting you all with this, please don’t disappoint. I have had a long day, like I am sure” pulling my sleeve back “yeah, I know I got hit in the arm, but we move forward, we will get another studio room to finish off. But shall we call it a night?” My team nodded they head; they have seen enough clearly.

Rylee is asleep of course she was, I went for some food before coming back to the apartment. I did say I would maybe call Chris, but I am, it’s only right of me because he is my husband and he’s going to feel alone right now “Rorrey” I have an idea actually “what’s up little sis?” I am always little in his eyes “would you do me a favour?” Sitting next to him “depends?” I hope he complies; I know Chris is going to be feeling low. I know my husband; he’s not going to be himself and I don’t want him to be alone because that is just me, I care. I always did but he wouldn’t let me because he was being an ass “Chris and Drake got into a little fight, Chris heard everything drake was saying about me and even him, long story short. He’s upset, a lot has been said and he’s hurting because we all know Drake been wanting to date me. He’s in hospital well I hope so, I don’t want him to be alone in New York, can you stay with him. You have no reason to be angry with him, only I am. But can you? I don’t want him to be alone, but he also doesn’t deserve me being there” Rorrey is quiet; he is thinking but I will let him think on it “I don’t have an issue with him, I dislike seeing you sad that is all but fine. I can hang with him, I don’t mind” I love my brother “thank you” that has made me happy “I know he isn’t a bad guy so yeah, cool I will” least I know I can rely on Rorrey, let me go to bed and then also call Chris to check on him.

Placing the covers over my legs as I waited for the call to be picked up, it is just ringing out so maybe he doesn’t want to talk and the voicemail came up, so I guess he doesn’t want to speak to me, locking my phone and throwing it on my lap. Today was a very eventful day but I got what I wanted out of this, I needed Chris to see what I was seeing and yes it may have hurt him, but it needed to happen, my phone started ringing out. Peaking over and seeing its Chris that is calling me, answering the call and placing it against my ear “hi” I breathed out, I wonder how he is “hey, I fell asleep then I felt my phone ringing then I saw it’s you. Everything ok?” He’s asking me if I am “just in bed really, I just wanted to know if you are ok?” I hope he is “I’m in hospital still, they have me in a bed and everything. I have to have a few scans on my leg, I don’t know how long that will be. My ankle is all bruised so yeah, I don’t know. I hope not. It is all bruised on my side; I took the brunt of it so yeah. I don’t know” oh god “damn, you fell that bad. Your anger got the better of you, did you eat? Well have you ate?” I asked “nah not yet, I’m still angry at it all. I just don’t feel like I am in the mood” that is understandable of him “you’re really in a better position Chris, you have so much to go for with you. Last time you had no insurance remember that? Look at you now; you have it, you don’t have to worry. What I mean is, don’t think about what he said. Move on, don’t dwell on it” I want him to just be a better person and move on “true, my stuff is still with Drake, I need it back. Can you sort that out for me somehow? He has my suitcase on the bus and things just around, at the hotel they are staying too” letting out an oh “I can get it back for you, don’t worry. I’ll call you tomorrow, see how you are” he’s going to be miserable there “I love you Robyn” closing my eyes as he said that “bye Chris” disconnecting the call, I am angered with him. I do care for him, but he needs to learn.

You know what, for a woman that is trying to not care I am caring. I have dealt with his suitcase situation, got Rorrey to go and get it. He’s gone there, Chris is still in hospital so once Rorrey is back he can take Rylee to see her dad there, I am going to go to the studio so I can get back to Cali and deal with business there “you seem busy” Jahleel said as I cleaned the countertop “morning Princess” he lightly touched her hand, Rylee is sat in her favourite spot watching me “I am, dealing with Chris” he let out an oh “so what happened?” He asked “they are doing scans on his leg, so they kept him in but he’s feeling so low about everything so I asked Rorrey to be there for him, he said ok and then he said Drake had my stuff still so Rorrey has gone to get his stuff, I am happy I have a supportive brother like that or it would be you on Chris duties, I’m going to the studio and Rylee is going to see her daddy at hospital, with my brother of course” Jah cooed out “you are are softie; you’re there for him but then you’re not. Good, to me it shows that you do care, but you won’t get close because he messes up, I hope he gets better anyways” nodding my head in agreement “same, he’s going to be clingy. I know him, he’s going to want me, and he won’t be happy that I’m not” Jah laughed “men are big babies” he is right with that.

Rorrey bought Chris’ things back to the apartment first and he took a lot of shit with him, I am just clearing out the things that are a mess, like clothes he hasn’t washed. I have no idea what is washed and what isn’t, so I am confused “you look so confused” Mel laughed, sniffing his clothes “mhmm, I think that is washed” Mel snorted laughing “you really out here sniffing his clothes huh?” I chuckled shaking my head “it’s a mess, but you know searching through his things. He has this” reaching to the side of the suitcase, picking the polaroid up and turning it to Mel “that is Rylee’ first picture and the moment when she was born, he has this in the suitcase” Mel cooed out as she moved the clothes to the side so she can sit down “so what happens now then, between you two? Now he knows” she asked “erm, I don’t know but right now I am married to him so I may not see him butI will take care of him from afar, it is down to him but he has missed moments and I don’t know really, just see how it goes” I shrugged “there is rumours sparking too, Jen was just telling me. That Chris and Drake, something happened. I am glad we got rid of the tapes and stuff, but it’s going to come out eventually I guess” I know it will “oh my god, Tina bumped into an old friend by the way. When she was getting us food, she was in the queue and Rocky tapped her on the shoulder and said where is your boss, heard she was in town. Even asked how she was” he is so calm since; I don’t know who beat him to humble him.

I can’t believe everything that went on, I am actually shook as fuck. I didn’t see that coming at all, and on top of that I have a fracture on my ankle, so my ankle is bruised and swollen, they are deciding on what to do, I don’t want a cast but I don’t think I have choice in that I think “you want lunch?” the nurse asked “painkillers please” I don’t want nothing else “you need food for that” I think she is sick of me, I do annoy her a lot “can I go home now?” when I say home I mean the hotel I have booked “once your leg is in a cast” I groaned out “I don’t need a cast please, like this is taking too long please let me go” I pleaded “it could be a protective footwear if you didn’t have several hairline fractures but we need to make sure you keep the weight off it, look at your leg and having looked at your records you need it” this is a mess “fine, get me anything” I mumbled resting my head back on the pillow. This is such a mess, everything that happened is a mess, it was never supposed to be like this. I really thought Drake was a friend, but he really wanted my wife, and I really didn’t believe her, I thought that Robyn misjudged him because he is so believable “you’re here for Chris?” lifting my head up, is it Robyn. My eyes lit up; it could be her. She is the only one to know, she only knows where I am “yes I am thank you” I shouldn’t feel deflated, but I am, but also I am not because it is my daughter “what?” I said in shock “special visitor for you and she bought a flower” poking my lips out “for you” Rorrey held out the flower “Robyn just took it from her flowers” I chuckled “of course she did, hey pookie” taking Rylee from Rorrey, she looks so confused right now.

Rylee just wants to hold the flower; she wants to snatch it from me, so I placed it away from her. She has grown too much without me, I am missing out “I love your dress, you look so pretty. You really do” pressing a kiss on her cheek “love you” Rorrey came out from the bathroom “your foot looks bad bro” he pointed out, I chuckled placing Rylee down on my lap looking at her “bad, I just hate it” I said smiling “you still smiling though” nodding my head “of course, seeing my daughter you know? But thank you for coming” watching him sit down “I am not Robyn” he held his hands up laughing “far from it, she would be telling me off as soon as she walks in but thank you” it’s nice he came, I am shocked he came “she would be, what the fuck happened though? You know what, I think we was protecting you I thought he wouldn’t be like that?” he said “Rorrey, I fucked up with your sister. I have, I did what I shouldn’t have done, and I am sorry, I just messed up. I need to process everything, you know” I mumbled “don’t worry about Robyn, meaning that you haven’t lost her, on a real you haven’t, you just got to push yourself and show her you’re sorry but gather yourself. We have your stuff back too; she has sorted it out for you” Rorrey said, and I trust his word because Rorrey has been around Robyn.

I am so pissed off not going to lie, they put a cast on me. I can’t believe this shit, again. I have to keep this on for six weeks, for what. Rorrey knows I am pissed off, I am very pissed off “you must have really pushed yourself to beat his ass Chris” I am on crutches now too but we are leaving the hospital now and going to the hotel “oh you got twin beds?” Rorrey asked, lifting my head up to look at him “mhmm why?” knitting my eyebrows together “because we are roomies nigga, I am staying with you” I am so confused “why?” Rorrey chuckled “because the apartment is tight, that is why. So I was like I might as well be with you” my smile grew “oh wow, thank you. We could get a bigger room, penthouse?” Rorrey laughed out “you paying?” nodding my head “ah, good man ok. We can do that; you hear that Rylee. Your dad is paying up” the elevator doors opened, I hate that I am on these crutches. Jumping around on one foot “the SUV out here?” I said, looking behind me at Rylee and Rorrey “yeah bro, it is” I am a little fast on this, I mean it’s like second nature to me being on these. Leaving the double doors “Chris! What happened to your leg? Is everything ok?” looking over at the one guy outside this place, shaking my head just going to the SUV “don’t film my daughter bro” I said “I’m not, I am just here for you. Did you have a fight, where is your wife?” of course they are asking that, I need to be working on Robyn, I need to get her back on side but here I am on these bitch ass crutches.

#chrianna fanfiction #chrianna #chriannaff #chrianna ff #fanfic #fanfiction

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peralta-guaranteed · 3 years

Text

Can you hear me, S.O.S., help me put my mind to rest

“Sorry they made you come out for something so stupid.” He mumbles, finally, in the elevator up to his apartment. “It’s not stupid.” “It’s 1am on a sunday, I’m pretty sure you had better things to do than pick up a beat-up co-worker and buy him his drugs.” He shoots her a quick glance as they get out on his floor. “I’m gonna pay you back for those, of course.” She doesn’t even acknowledge it, because they both know he can’t afford it. “It’s actually 12:30, and my partner needed my help. So there’s definitely nothing better to do with my time.”

---*---

Amy is Jake’s emergency contact on his medical file, which makes sense if you think about them as the lovey-dovey couple that they are now. She has been his emergency contact since two months after he’d met her, which makes less sense, until you realise that she is reliable, comforting, supportive Amy, and he is Jake, and he has never not been yearning for her attention just a little bit.

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“Jesus Christ, Jake. I know you’re bad at paperwork, but this is a horror show.”

Amy rubs her eyes with the palms of her hands, trying to stare down the little stars that appear in her vision from doing so. Jake, across the room on his worn-down couch, eating something very sweet and very crumbly - a cannoli, maybe? it was gone too fast for Amy to recognise - simply shrugs.

“You don’t have to do it, Ames, you know that.”

She does. She knows. She offered, after all.

Maybe it was too early for something like this, anyway. They’d been officially together for barely a month, a stage where most other couples would still be discovering each other’s little likes and dislikes and trying to hide some imperfections from the other. Definitely not the stage of going through their partner’s chaotic mountain of very personal paperwork and files. Yet here she is, sorting through insurances (the rare few that Jake actually has, mostly because he’s legally required to), licenses, bills and Academy certificates.

It was a mess that had Amy’s fingers itching every time she saw it, she reasons, and nothing they’d done in their month together really fit the usual trajectory of a relationship anyway, based on the fact that they already knew each other like the back of their hands. So when Jake had groaned about another forgotten bill from the mail tub that Amy forced him to steadily work through every time she came over, she’d offered to get things straightened out for him once and for all.

She’s not sure if she regrets it now. Thumbing through a pile of loose papers that turn out to be several medical records from his injuries as a rookie cop, she realises that maybe this is a bit too personal, a step too close for what they have so far. Would she be willing to share this kind of information with a boyfriend of four weeks? she wonders as she skims over a page detailing the frankly insane amount of medication he was supposed to take after another week-long stay at the hospital. She’s quite sure he took barely half of it, gritting his teeth and moaning about stupid doctors instead, even though she didn’t know him back then - she knows him too well now not to immediately picture a slightly younger Jake with a list of weird-sounding pills he couldn’t pronounce and a giant frown on his face at the pharmacy.

“I don’t have to- I mean, I can stop. If you don’t want me to do this.”

Jake, finished with whatever he was eating, leans back on the couch to face her at the tiny table in his kitchenette. He gives her the patented Peralta-grin, the sweetness only heightened by some leftover cream-filling (definitely a cannoli) on his right cheek. She has half a mind to get up and lick it off, but she’s blocked in by paper piles all around her.

“And keep Amy Santiago from a chance to file paperwork? Pretty sure that’d be grounds for a break-up. I’m surprised you haven’t run out to buy me a filing cabinet filled with all sorts of folders and tabs and whatnot.”

She lets her eyes drop back down to the papers in her hands, trying hard not to show him the blush creeping onto her face. She had been making a mental list of what binders she should buy to really get this in order.

“I’m just saying, if you don’t want me to see some of this- it’s very private information-”

“Babe.” He still grins, and Amy thinks about how that pet name has settled between them far too quickly and far too comfortably as well. “Pretty sure nothing in that mountain of papers is any more embarrassing than all the stuff you already know and tease me about all the time.”

“True. It’s not like I’m going to find out here why you think using the same soap for your dishes and your shower routine sometimes is an okay thing to do.” She grins back before filing away another old medical record, suddenly getting stuck on one little line at the top of it. “Jake, please tell me Stevie Schillens is not still your emergency contact.”

“What? No. Of course he isn't. They make you update your info with every promotion at work.” That alone tells her that if ‘they’ didn’t, Jake would definitely still have a co-worker from his starting days on his files rather than, say, his current sergeant or a close friend. She shuffles through a few papers to find a more recent record.

“Who is it, then? Might be good to update again and reconsider, promotion or not. Your mom is like half an hour’s drive away if anything happened, Terry can’t really get away from his family if it’s after hours. I wouldn’t trust Charles not to break down worse than you if he ever gets a call, and Rosa- I guess she’s responsible enough, but she might hurt you more for giving out her phone number-”

“Really, Ames?” His voice is so soft from the couch, and when she finally looks up again, his face has that strange tilt to it, between affectionate and amused. As if she’d just said the most ridiculous, yet adorable thing in the universe. As if the answer wasn’t completely obvious.

She looks down again at the paper she picked up, a medical report from a while ago, and as she reads the little line on top, she remembers.

-*-

“Amy Santiago?”

“This is she.”

The voice down the line is as foreign as the number on her cell had been when she picked it up. She didn’t get many calls on her private phone anyway, apart from her family, and they were not the kind of people who’d call her at midnight on a saturday.

“This is NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. We’re calling on behalf of Jake Peralta? You’re listed as his emergency contact, but there is no additional info on your status-”

She’s up off the couch and into her bedroom to change into jeans before the nurse on the line can even finish.

“I’m his partner. Work. Partner. We’re detectives. NYPD.” Amy almost barks down the line while wedging the phone between her shoulder and ear to pull down her sweatpants. Jake would obviously carry his badge even when he wasn’t on duty like tonight, but maybe they hadn’t found it, maybe he hadn’t been able to give them that info... and while it was slightly upsetting to think about, she knew that the hospital would give fast-tracks and special treatments to active cops, and if that was something that could help him now, the morality of it all didn’t matter one bit to her. “What’s happened? Is he- is Jake okay?”

Obviously he’s not, you idiot, he’s in the hospital and not present enough to give them any information so they have to call his emergency contact, that is the furthest from okay that he could be-

Her inner scolding is interrupted by the very calm, very soothing voice of the nurse.

“He should be fine. He was brought in ten minutes ago. Somebody assaulted him, but a nearby officer intervened and called for an ambulance. We just needed to check because his files are very… incomplete.” Amy hears the rustling of paper and the slight distaste tinging the nurse’s voice and makes a mental note to sit down with Jake and make him update all his information as soon as possible. “And he’s not clear enough to answer any questions due to the painkillers. Are you aware of any allergies or problems that could arise from medications? He doesn’t need surgery, but we have to treat some lacerations and other wounds.”

“He’s not on any permanent medications. He had to take Vicodin and Heparin after a surgery four months ago.” She replies immediately and without a doubt, remembering her last trip to the hospital with him while she slips into a jacket and checks her bag for her purse and car keys. “Oh, he has asthma, but hasn’t had an attack in years, so he doesn’t use his inhaler regularly or anything. And he’s allergic to bees, but I don’t think that matters?”

“No.” the nurse almost chuckles. “But the rest is very helpful to know, thanks. Will you be able to arrange for someone to monitor him for the next 24 hours? Otherwise we’ll need to prepare a room for him. He keeps saying you’ll pick him up, but we weren’t sure-” “I’m on my way.”

-*-

She speed-walks to the front desk of the emergency room not ten minutes later.

“Hello. My name is Amy Santiago. I’m here for Jake Peralta - he was brought in twenty minutes ago?”

“Ah! The lovely lady detective.” The nurse - it’s a different one from the phone call, she can tell from the voice - gives her a weird sort of smile. “Yes, he’s been asking for you non-stop. But the painkillers should have worn off by now, so he might be more coherent.”

She tries to ignore that comment, she really does. But it’s not easy.

“The doctor’s going over aftercare with him, so he might be a few more minutes. You can take a seat if you’d like.”

Amy glances over to the waiting area, full of people even at this time of night, before turning back to the desk. “Uhm, the nurse on the phone said he needs to be monitored for 24 hours - do you know why? Is there anything I need to be aware of?”

The lady gives her a once-over before another strange smile, like she knows more than Amy does (which, logically, in this situation she does, but it feels like she knows something else, too).

“He’s had a minor concussion. Nothing to worry about, but he might be a bit disoriented or woozy, so it’s best not to leave him alone. And if he throws up or feels faint, you should bring him back immediately. He has a check-up appointment to remove his stitches in three days. Everything else you need to know will be on his report.”

“Sure.” Amy nods, and hopes that Jake doesn’t lose track of that report on his way from the examination room to the waiting area - it wouldn’t be the first time he manages to lose paperwork in record time. She gives the still smiling nurse another nod before finally heading to sit down and pull out the crossword puzzle she was halfway done with when she got the call.

“Hey.”

“Oh! Hey!” Amy practically drops her puzzle and jumps from her seat in the waiting room once she sees him standing in front of her.

Jake looks a mess. His leather jacket is ripped on one shoulder seam, and his jeans are covered in grime. There’s an awful lot of blood on his hoodie - probably from his nose, which is covered in a bandage - and his face is more red-bruised than pale in most places. There’s another, bigger bandage over a stitched-up gash across his left cheekbone, the accompanying eye blood-shot, and his lip is split in at least two places.

“You look like hell.” She blurts out before thinking and immediately scolds herself, but it actually earns her a little laugh.

“You’re looking lovely as well, Santiago.” His eyes wander over her messy ‘I had to get here in under ten minutes on a saturday couch night’ look, including a steadily unraveling hair-bun and oversized sweater.

“Sorry, I mean-”

“S’alright.” He drops into the seat next to her and winces. More bruises, Amy thinks.

“What happened?” She sits back down as he leans forward, only now noting the clipboard and pen in his hands (which are equally roughed up, knuckles worn down, with scabs already forming. Whatever had happened, he sure hadn’t given in easily).

“Some big-shot guy whose dealer I arrested last week spotted me coming out of a bar. Decided the best way to deal with his crippling drug addiction was to beat the shit out of the cop who’d cut off his supply. He was, like, a giant of a dude.” Jake puffs up his chest and raises his arms to show the supposed size of the man, and Amy can only nod. “Luckily he was too stupid to check for surveillance on the very public street we were on, and there was a beat cop on the corner who cuffed him pretty quickly.” He looks down again at the clipboard, and tries to scratch his nose before remembering there’s a bandage in the way. “He also called an ambulance, which I think was a bit over the top, but I couldn’t really breathe to tell him no.”

Amy gives him a quizzical look, and he sighs before explaining.

“Fucker punched me in the chest so hard I had an asthma attack.”

She snorts. She doesn’t want to, but it’s not really something you can stop, even as she clutches her hand over her mouth in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry, Jake, I shouldn’t- it’s not funny-”

“Well.” He grins at her, far softer than usual, but that might just be to not upset his split lip. “It is a little bit funny, I guess.”

“Do you have an inhaler at work? You should take one with you, you know, even if you haven’t had problems for a while, you never know when they show up again, case in point, and people might not know what to do - maybe I should get an inhaler too, for when we’re working together, and make sure Charles knows how-”

“Hey.” He interrupts her verbal stream of consciousness by holding the clipboard up to her, and she grabs it reflexively the same way she does when he sneakily slips her his unfinished paperwork. “Can you help me fill out these stupid forms? I think I’m still a bit high from whatever they gave me back there, or maybe I just don’t know half of these words anyway.”

She grabs the pen from him as well, clicks it twice, and gets to work. She doesn’t even have to ask him about most of the fields he’s left blank, and after a minute or two, the file is full with both his chicken scratch and her perfect handwriting. She’s filled out so many of these forms for him before, she could probably do it in her sleep. Which would be quite a worrying thought if it wasn’t so weirdly sweet at the same time - she realises that he has never, not once, asked anyone else for a ride to the hospital for work injuries, at least when he had the choice (and luckily, he was barely ever so hurt that he couldn’t, that any one of them had to jump into the back of the ambulance with him, but most of those times it was her as well).

“Here.” She hands the file back to him. “Get that to the nurses, and we can go back to your place so you can catch up on sleep. Do you have your medical report?”

He nods and swaps it for the clipboard in her hand in a well-set routine they both know, getting up to hand it in while she does a quick read through. There are not that many after-care instructions - the usual things for concussions she’s aware of, a healing balm for the bruising, replacing the bandages regularly, and another truckload of painkillers and medicine. The doctors sure do seem to love pumping him full with it whenever they get a chance, and he sure does love to ignore them and not take any of it. She still makes a mental note to swing by the pharmacy on their way home to pick it all up when he gets back and gestures for her to leave.

He does a dramatic turn and bow to say good-bye to the front desk as they pass it, earning himself a giggle from the ladies and swaying only a little after he gets back up. Amy has her hands around his elbow immediately, steadying him and leading him outside - they did say he would be woozy - and the nurse gives her another one of those smiles. She’s still not quite sure if she likes them or not.

-*-

They stop at the late-night-pharmacy as planned - Jake obeys orders to stay in the car to make it all quicker, but insists on getting a bag of sour gummies as a reward, and Amy sighs as he tears into it right away, probably covering her whole passenger seat with the powder - but the rest of the drive stays quiet. It feels more concerning to Amy than it should. He’s a blabbermouth at the best of times, should be even more so after being loaded up with painkillers and coming down from the adrenaline high of a fight, asthma attack and hospital treatment all at once. But right now he seems utterly silenced, fidgety and... nervous.

“Sorry they made you come out for something so stupid.” He mumbles, finally, in the elevator up to his apartment.

“It’s not stupid.”

“It’s 1am on a sunday, I’m pretty sure you had better things to do than pick up a beat-up co-worker and buy him his drugs.” He shoots her a quick glance as they get out on his floor. “I’m gonna pay you back for those, of course.” She doesn’t even acknowledge it, because they both know he can’t afford it.

“It’s actually 12:30, and my partner needed my help. So there’s definitely nothing better to do with my time.”

He mumbles something else as they step through the door, but she doesn’t catch it. She helps him slip out of his jacket instead, reminds herself to google a good tailor that works with leather as she notices the ripped shoulder while hanging it up and turns around to look at the blood-stained hoodie he’s taking off.

“I don’t think that thing is salvageable.”

“Damn, and it was one of my favourites, too.” He pouts, playfully, before remembering his injured lip.

“All your hoodies are your favourite.”

“Am I not allowed to love them all equally?”

Amy is already in his kitchen not answering that, instead bundling the hoodie up and into a trash bag she’s pulled from a shelf. She’ll take it down to the dumpster with her when she leaves tomorrow, or else he might try and wash it.

“You don’t have to do all this, you know.” Jake says as she walks past him to put the bag on the front mat. “I can take care of my clothes.”

“Sorry.” She halts and takes off her own jacket and shoes, instead. It’s a strange situation - they’re both used to Jake being a lot more inhibited from medication or alcohol when she literally has to bring him home, usually hanging onto Amy’s shoulders and babbling nonsense while she shuffles him into bed. But now he’s standing up all on his own, silent again, looking around the place as if he doesn’t know what to do in his own home with Amy as a not-quite-guest. Neither does she.

Another beat of silence passes between them before Jake clears his throat and bumbles on.

“You should- ...do you want something to drink? I think I still have some of that herbal stuff you brought-”

“You should-” Amy starts at almost the same time, silencing them both again for another beat. “You should change out of these” she gestures to his dirty clothes “and put the balm on your bruises and get ready for bed. You’re gonna crash from the adrenaline soon.”

It seems like he wants to say something else, but the silence is deafening by now, so he only nods and grabs stuff out of the pharmacy bag before heading to the bathroom.

“I’m gonna grab a spare shirt for me to sleep in, if that’s okay?” She calls after him and only hears ‘Sure!’ before the door closes.

Amy realises, as she turns around for the dresser in the one room apartment he inherited from Gina a while ago, that she’s never been here before without some medical emergency clouding her vision. She knew his old place - from a few late evenings working on case files (which he illegally took home, but neither of them mentioned that), and a movie marathon when he was extremely sick and had begged her over on her day off because he was convinced he was ‘going to die any minute’ and didn’t want the neighbours to find his ‘decomposing corpse later in the week’ - and he’d been over at hers far more times than she could count (her place was nicer, she had actual cable tv,, and a working kitchen for him to rustle around in for random late night snacks).

But this apartment? It seems strangely foreign now, without a drunk or medicated Jake needing her help, without the usual distraction of getting him into bed, getting his shoes and jacket off, forcing him awake to take some aspirin and then settling down on the couch to his snoring. She feels like a guest instead, someone who doesn’t know if they’re allowed to sit down or get a drink from the kitchen without being invited. That’s nonsense, she thinks - she’s here to help like always, and there’s no way Jake would care if she turned his entire kitchen upside down and re-organised it or fell asleep on the couch right then and there.

Loud grumbling and ranting from the bathroom pulls her out of her thoughts, before she can even decide to pick up the spare bedding set for the couch she knows he keeps in his closet.

“Everything alright?” She knocks on the door, but barely waits for the angry ‘No!’ before opening it. Her breath catches.

Jake’s in his pajama pants, and - that’s it. She can see the muscles in his bare back flex as well as the reflection of his front in the mirror, as he tries to bend around in some convoluted way to reach the large, purple bruise that travels from his waist to his back.

“Stupid doctors and their stupid lotions and stupid ideas for people who can’t do yoga or some shit to reach their own back-” he mumbles, but Amy doesn’t hear much of it. She’s seen Jake shirtless before - you don’t go on stake-outs or undercover assignments without catching each other in different states of undress at some point - and every time has been a secret memory, quickly stolen and hidden somewhere deep in her mind, to be dusted off and remembered at the most inopportune times or when she feels particularly alone after a drink (or maybe four). This time will probably be no different, she thinks as she notes the soft trail of hair under his belly button, down to the sweatpants that definitely sit lower than any jeans she’s seen him shirtless in before.

She has to act, she reprimands herself, before he notices, before he sees her staring or realises she’s blushing, so she steps up to the sink and pulls the tub of healing balm from his hands.

“It’s not the doctors’ fault you always get injured in inconvenient places.” She answers his rant while dipping her fingers into the lotion and carefully applying it to the bruise, trying not to rub or press too hard for it to hurt.

Jake doesn’t breathe the entire time her fingers are on his skin.

“There you go.” Amy closes the little tub and puts it next to the sink, eyeing his bruised face and completely ignoring the flush that is hiding underneath it. “Lemme change your bandages before you sleep, too. You already got them dirty.”

“I can do that-”

“You’re going to rip it straight off and disturb your stitches, most likely.” Her hands are already at the corner of his cheek, carefully prying off the tape and strips, and he forgets how to breathe again.

She replaces the bandages just as carefully and leaves him to the rest of his night time routine, filling a glass of water in the kitchenette and coming back with a packet of Vicodin at the same moment he steps out of the bathroom, finally pulling a shirt over his head.

“You should take some painkillers before you sleep. It’ll help.”

“Oh goodie.” He quips and eyes the water. “Drugs! Because the injuries totally weren’t caused because of somebody off their drugs!”

“These are prescription drugs. It’s different. You know that.”

He still stares warily at the package in her hand, but another shuffle forward from her and he grabs them and pops one into his mouth, grimacing after downing it (whether that grimace is for the medicine or the water he actually has to drink, she’s not sure).

“Good boy.” Amy jokes, and he’s glad he’s already swallowed so he can’t choke on his water from hearing that. “Now get some sleep in. I’ll be down here on the couch if you need anything, or feel worse.”

“Don’t go-” He stutters and stares right past her head at the aforementioned couch. “I mean, you don’t- you don’t have to sleep on the couch, I know how uncomfortable it is- you can sleep with me- I mean, in the bed, with me in the bed, I mean- there’s enough space- with the extra blanket- I don’t-”

He interrupts his own rambling with a deep sigh and a ‘Jesus, Jake’ before Amy can stifle another giggle. He feels just as awkward with her here as she does, and it almost makes the whole thing more comfortable. They’ll just have to power through the nonsense and get back to their normal friendly behaviour, she reasons.

“If you really don’t mind. I’m gonna get the stuff from the closet.”

He’s already bundled up under his own covers when she comes back with the heap of blanket and pillows for her side of the bed.

It’s not her side, of course, it’s just the part of the bed he’s freed up from his own duvet, and that she’s going to sleep on now for one night, but it’s not like they have sides in their bed like-

power through the nonsense, she repeats as she settles down and stares over at him. His eyes are closed, his breath already slowing down into a sleepy pattern, and despite all the bruising and bandaging, his face looks so soft when he’s asleep. It’s a sight she could definitely get used to.

-*-

She remembers waking up the next morning, far too early for the late night they’d had. She remembers how wonderfully warm he was, hurt face buried in her shoulder and softly breathing across his shirt that she’d borrowed. She remembers her heart racing as she tried to untangle herself from the cuddling position their sleeping bodies had found themselves in, and she remembers the soft, quiet, confused ‘Ames..?’ when he woke up a few hours later and found the bed empty, with her already sitting at the tiny kitchen table she was sitting at right now.

Looking back at the report of the night she just remembered, the little line of her name and phone number at the top seem to glare at her, scolding her for her stupid question about emergency contact changes. She can hear Jake quietly laugh before she looks up.

“What, did you genuinely think you weren’t my first pick for emergencies?” Jake is still smiling at her, and she realises he obviously didn’t go down that little trip down memory lane with her. Maybe he was even still at the point of their conversation where Stevie Schillens was a viable option for an emergency contact as well. “Like, even without everything else going on with us… You love filling out forms, you’re responsible enough to actually take care of an emergency situation, and you know about all my stupid medical info better than me, because you keep driving me to the hospital from work.”

“You’re saying you made a serious decision like this based on actual logical evidence instead of one of your ‘gut feelings’?” Amy’s eyebrow raises almost involuntary. Present-Jake, maybe. Past-Jake? Definitely not.

Present-Jake can only shrug before scratching his nose, a subtle tell that she's identified by now for when he’s embarrassed, as if he’s trying to hide his face before speaking again.

“Might’ve also liked the idea of having you in the ER with me... instead of a freaked-out Charles or something.”

She smiles at what sounds like only half-explained truth and decides not to push it. She knows what he means, anyway. She knows, by now, that he would always ask the nurses for her when he was being treated, would always ramble on about her when blissed out on extra-strong painkillers, about how smart she was and how much she would help him and how much he hated hospitals, but not quite so much when he knew she was outside the room waiting for him.

“Okay, but when exactly did you put me in as your emergency contact?” She puts down the last file and maneuvers around the stacks of yet unsorted papers to get over to him and the couch.

“Eh, ‘bout two months after we were partnered up.”

“Two- we didn’t even like each other then!”

“Wrong. You didn’t like me.” Another nose-scratch before Amy can sit down next to him, cradling his face in her hand and smiling again at how quickly he leans into it.

“Aw, babe. I’m sorry, that was rude of me.”

“I mean, I didn’t like-like you then. Just for the record. I wasn’t that desperate, okay? I just thought you were... neat. And really good to have around for emergencies. Probably should’ve asked you. For all I know you would’ve stranded your annoying new partner at the hospital and pretended like you never heard of me.”

“I would have never done that!” Amy glowers at him. “Just for the record as well. I would’ve absolutely taken care of you, even though I didn’t like you or found you super annoying.”

“I know you’re trying to be nice right now, babe, but you’re really not doing it well.” Jake grins at her again, and she can’t help but pull him towards her to kiss that snarky grin away. It reappears as soon as her lips leave his, unfortunately, but it is decidedly less snarky and far more dopey.

“And I did show up when they called me after that drug addict attacked you, remember? I was so worried when I got that call, because I didn’t even know I was your contact, and I thought something horrible must’ve happened that they had to call me. And then it was just a fist fight.”

“Sorry.” He mumbles. “It was a really stupid reason to call an emergency contact. Shoulda filled my forms out better.”

“Maybe.” She smiles as she strokes across his cheek, noting the tiny scar that is still there from the stitches he had to get. “But I’m glad they did, anyway. You would’ve tried to drive yourself home and clean your wounds with mouthwash, or something.”

“Maybe.” He echoes with an equal smile. “You do make a better home-nurse than I would, I guess. Even though you were missing the sexy outfit.”

He earns himself a punch to the arm for that before she goes back to playing with his hair, soothing him enough that he drops the joking facade.

“I was really happy you showed up, by the way. And took me home. And didn’t leave.”

“Again: I would’ve never left you or not taken care of you. We’re partners, for God’s sake. What would the Captain have said if he found out I left you home alone with a concussion after you asked me for help?”

“Yep. Holt’s imminent disappointment. Definitely the only reason I hoped you’d stay.” His smile is crooked, but Amy only continues stroking through his hair, and it quickly turns the uncomfortable smile into a content sigh. “I was so… nervous. Because... you can probably guess that I did like-like you by then. Like, you were right here in my apartment, and I wasn’t out on painkillers, but I also wasn’t awake enough to like, entertain you or anything, and I was so worried that you were already annoyed because of the whole situation and I would do something or say something stupid, but you were still there, and then you helped me with the bandages, and the, the lotion, and I think I remember the worst invitation to my bed I’ve ever given anyone, and when I woke up I thought you’d finally left, but you were just in the kitchen, and I-” He sighs again, closing his eyes and leaning forward to rest his forehead against her shoulder. “I was always torn between wanting to kiss you and wanting to apologise for being so much trouble.”

“God, we really were hopelessly lost on each other, weren’t we?” Amy chuckles, her hand now carding through the hair on his nape rather than the curls on top.

“I was definitely hopeless, in every sense of the word. I think I’d rather describe you as oblivious.”

“Ooooh, good word!” She happily praises him, before realising just how sad that statement of his actually was. He lifts his head again to look at her. “I... actually, I wasn’t really oblivious at all. I’d say I was just as hopeless as you. I just hid it a bit better.”

“But you were always there.” He smiles at her, his head sideways now, leaning against the back of the couch, and it’s so soft and comforting and homely she wants to sink into him. “For every hospital trip I needed. Maybe that’s kinda why I made you my emergency contact too. I knew you’d come no matter what, and I knew you wouldn’t leave. Whether I annoyed you like crazy or we barely knew each other or we were already good friends or we were not quite on speaking terms due to all the awkwardness.”

She leans her head next to him, her hands wrapping around his folded in his lap.

“I’ve got your back. Always.” She whispers, and it’s a lot more than the supportive, yet simple promise of work partners. She thinks of the many times people had left him, the many things he’d been through alone, the lonely walks to an empty house or quiet cab rides back to a dark apartment, the dinner’s in the microwave notes and the sorry, can’t tonight texts, and the few times she has actually left him alone too, not knowing yet that when he was running off scared, what he really needed was someone to run after him and tell him it’s okay.

Their relationship is only a month old, officially, but she knows that it’s far older than that. She knows that it’s been growing and changing for years, and she knows, in that moment, that it will grow for many, many years to come. For forever, maybe, if they’re lucky. But no matter what it will change into in the future - she also knows, without a doubt in her heart, that she’ll be there. The way he knows she would, the way he’s known since two months after they met.

#B99 #Brooklyn 99 #Peraltiago #Jake Peralta #Amy Santiago #fanfic #my writing

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bluescreening · 4 years

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Internet Safety

Yeah, I know, you’ve all sat through the talks at school telling you never to tell strangers your credit card details or whatever. But it has come to my attention that there are a worrying number of people who don’t know the actual practical things you can do to stay safe and secure while on the web. These tips cover invasions of privacy from anybody including big companies and hackers. It’s probably worthwhile to give ‘em a go.

Personal Safety

Password Safety - Use a different password for every website. I’m not kidding. If you think you’ll struggle to remember that many, you have two options. Firstly, you can use a password manager such as OnePassword, which is probably the safest option. If you’re like me and can’t quite bring yourself to trust one (there’s no reason not to, it just doesn’t sit right with me) you can use variations on a password for unimportant sites, and then come up with secure ones for sites you share more personal info with.

Have I Been Pwned? - This is a website which tells you if your email has been involved in a data breach. Don’t worry if you have been pwned - you have different passwords for everything, remember! Just be aware of what data has been leaked, and change a password or two if necessary. Sign up for their email notifications to stay on top of recent breaches.

ProtonVPN - A VPN, if you don’t know, stands for virtual private network. Picture all the different connections between devices in a network, linked through WiFi or cables, as highways. VPNs section off a lane for your own private use, so nobody can see what you’re sending or receiving. It’s unlikely that anyone will be looking on your home network, but on public WiFi networks it’s important to prevent anyone seeing anything they shouldn’t - it’s not hard to packet sniff! You can also use them to bypass school and workplace website blocking, and access sites blocked in your country. Obviously ProtonVPN isn’t the only one, but I’d recommend em as they encrypt everything and have some pretty beefy systems in place to prevent tracking. It’s available on all devices for free.

ProtonMail - Yes, yes, more ProtonStuff, but this is a really good one. I’ll get onto why Google tracking you is a bad thing later, but if you want to break out of Google’s ecosystem, ProtonMail is a good alternative to GMail. It encrypts all your emails, which means nobody intercepting the email will know what it says. That means it’s great for private matters that you want to keep secret or avoid Google telling people about, like banking and stuff. It’s also a bit more customisable than GMail.

Social Media Checkup - Do you know exactly how much someone can find out about you, just by looking at your social media? Facebook is a special offender for that one (I don’t even have an account there anymore - and dear lord was deleting it a struggle) but Insta, Snapchat, Twitter and yes, even Tumblr, might provide a creep more info than you bargained for. Think about how much you want to make public, or how much the app has on you at all. There are plenty of tutorials on how to adjust your settings.

HTTPS Everywhere - A very handy extension that forces websites to encrypt all your data as you send it back and forth.

Avoiding Tracking

Why? - I know it might seem weird that a large company, or even the government, might want to keep track of little old you. Sure, they can target you with relevant ads, but whatever, you use an ad-blocker anyway. That is, until you realise that behind the scenes, on almost every website you visit, data-brokers are collecting info on you and what you do online, and building a profile of you. It’s not anonymous. And it can be used for anything from determining your creditworthiness and insurance premiums to detailed surveillance. Yeah. With all the protests going on lately, it would make sense to keep these people from learning about you for your own safety and your future.

DuckDuckGo - Start by using this search engine instead of Google, and installing the Privacy Essentials extension. It’s a good search engine, for one thing. For another, it prevents tracking and lets you know whose schemes you’ve foiled, you meddling kid. It gives each site you visit a privacy rating, and lets you know how much it’s increased that by. For example, Tumblr usually receives a D, but DuckDuckGo has blocked some trackers and improved it to a B. It has also informed me that trackers have been found and dealt with on over 50% of the websites I visit. Google is unsurprisingly the main culprit.

Alternative Browsers - There are lots of things you can use instead of Chrome, and many of them work really well! I recommend Firefox, since it’s almost exactly like Chrome but open-source, and it also protects you from trackers and has lots of fun extensions. There are some other good PC ones too like Opera and Vivaldi, but I haven’t used them before so I wouldn’t know how good they are. DuckDuckGo has its own mobile browser which is currently my main one.

Adblockers - You can’t get targeted ads if you don’t get ads! You can choose who to show ads for too, so if you want to support a certain site you can whitelist them. Try UBlock Origin, or Adblock Plus. Install ‘em as extensions for whatever browser you’re using.

Privacy Checkup - Go through your Google account with a fine-toothed comb and check what is being tracked about you. Pause your YouTube history, your Maps history, your Google Assistant history. Clear what you can. Check Amazon too. Also, never ever use Cortana or Siri or Alexa or anything like that. Ever. No matter how cool having a robot assistant is.

And that should be that! I’ll try to keep updating this post with new tips as I find them, but this is everything I do for the minute to ensure I’m protected online.

UPDATE #1 (9/8/20): I started using Vivaldi and goddammit is it brilliant!!! Extreme customisation, it's chromium-based so you have all your fancy Chrome extensions and it has a lovely mobile app too. My current browser setup on both desktop and mobile is Vivaldi with Firefox as a backup, both with DuckDuckGo and adblockers.

#crystallised infodumps #privacy #online safety #online shopping #amazon #google #firefox #tracking #data #internet surveillance #data breach #e safety #internet safety #safety #tips #life hacks #hacking

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ootori-sibs · 3 years

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Commoners do it better

Day three of @ohshc-week : hurt/comfort or & commoners

Tw for: assault, wh*re mention

Arai was just a normal young man; he had good grades, he had a part time job and a summer job as well. He was bisexual but hadn't even had his first kiss yet, his last crush had gotten into a private academy and had started hanging out with the one percent. He respected her for taking an opportunity where she saw it, apparently she'd even started dating one recently, if rumours were to be believed- he wondered if it was one of those redheads he'd met, or many one of the blonde ones.

His little public school had been invited to watch the Ouran private academy's sports events, just another way the rich liked to flaunt their wealth and talent. Arai didn't really care, he just wanted to see Haruhi again, he still considered her a friend in spite of his previous crush on her, who even keeps crushes from middle school? But unfortunately she was sat over by her club, and Arai didn't really want to disturb them again- last time that happened the twins seemed rather upset at him.

It seemed Haruhi was dating the tallest blonde, if the way he kissed her forehead was any indicator, they made a lovely couple. Another thing Arai noticed is that the young man wearing glasses seemed to be distancing himself from his friends, Arai knew nothing about how these rich folks functioned, but he knew enough about Haruhi to realise that she clearly hadn't noticed, or she'd be making an effort to keep all her friends included. He frowned, leaning over to the girl sitting next to him, "hey, do you know who that kid with the glasses is? The one to the left of Haruhi, about two seats over?"

The girl glanced at him, before looking to where he described, practically swooning, "ooh, that's Kyoya Ootori, he's like, super rich, he's hot too- a member of the hosts club, apparently Fujioka joined that club earlier this year which like, personally I think she's sleeping around cause like, why would a girl hang out with so many attractive guys like that, it's weird I tell you. Fujioka's such a nerd anyway, I don't see what they see in her."

Arai just sighed, not bothering to thank her, the girls still at his school were so rude, so valid. But what she'd said about the boy still stood up, Kyoya Ootori huh… Arai knew that the Ootori group was a very famous company, a monopoly if ever there was one, every big hospital in the area had their name on it somewhere, he was fairly sure his health insurance was theirs as well- he'd have to ask his mother. He figured he'd go watch another event as the football match concluded, Ouran's home team putting on quite the show.

He passed the stands built for the show, there were even concession stands peppered around, guess the rich liked to make money off their guests at any turn, Arai was considering picking up something to nibble on soon, his mother had given him double the normal allowance, considering he was visiting the richest school in Japan. He had his hands in his pockets, just looking around at the pretty cherry trees, it was a lovely clear day out and Arai was so glad he didn't have to study for once. He was just passing the second exit for the stands when he heard noises; the sound of struggling, coming from under the stands.

Arai peers under the stands, oh, some of the Ouran football team are here… and that Ootori kid. The poor guy appears to be cornered, as the captain of the football team leers at him, a couple of inches taller, but standing on his toes to appear more threatening. "-you really think we care about what those idiots have to say? They don't care about you Kyoya, everyone knows there's only one reason anyone keeps you around."

The poor guy seems unbelievably nervous, Arai can see how his hands shake and hear how his voice halters, "I-... My father will-"

"Oh that's right Kyoya, go running to daddy why don't you?" The football captain sneers, chuckling at his own cruel joke. His lackies were holding Kyoya back tightly, no way for the boy to get free of their grasp.

One of the footballers pipes up at that, seeming wholly amused by the whole thing, "oh, I heard he calls Souh daddy~" The whole club laughed at that, one of the boys holding Ootori, shook him roughly, mocking and hurting the boy.

"I- it's not like that, it's not-" he excused it, seemingly more upset at the insult then the pain, Arai found himself frozen in place, watching this scene unfold.

"Oh you whore Kyoya!" The captain laughed- Kuze, Arai had seen his name on a sign near the stands, "does his rat commoner know?" Oh great, they were classist too, though Arai was really more concerned with Kyoya.

Speaking of the boy, he was glancing away, refusing to meet his aggressor's eyes. "I told you Kuze, it's not like that…" he seemed annoyed now, still terrified, but now it was almost as if he was more tired then scared, how long at they been at this? The boy seemed quite worn down.

Kuze grins at him, getting really close to Ootori's face. "Well if you're such a whore, then you won't mind…" and he kissed the poor guy, whilst the other footballers held him still.

Arai glanced around in a panic, he had to do something. His gaze fell on a pebble and he grabbed it without even thinking, throwing it full force at that Kuze boy.

The guy looked over at him, frowning, "excuse me? What the fuck?" All the boys are looking at him now, and Arai feels how his fists clenched, noticing the look of recognition in Ootori's eyes.

"Let him go." Arai forced his voice to sound commanded, though he'd never done anything but follow his whole life.

Kuze just laughed at him, indeed stepping away from Kyoya, but his lackies did no such thing, "oh? What's this dirty fucking commoner playing at then?" He chuckled, hands on his hips, staring at Arai in quite the mocking fashion.

Arai took a deep breath, glaring right back, not letting his gaze falter. He took a measured step forward, not wanting to give away how scared he was. "I said, let him go. What kind of pathetic losers pick on someone weaker than yourselves? There's like six of you! Against one person?"

Apparently these boys had never been called pathetic before, as every one of them seemed surprised by Arai's words, Kuze simply glared, "a commoner? Calling us pathetic? Oh give me a break!" He laughs out loud at that, mocking and cruel, "you couldn't even afford to speak to us."

He was disgusted, but just kept approaching, keeping a safe distance however. "I find it rather typical that you'd hide behind your parents bank accounts, funny thing about us 'commoners'; we can hold our own without the need to get any family involved." He hoped he wouldn't have to go through with it, but he cracked his knuckles, "you ever been a fight with someone who doesn't even have a reputation to uphold?"

He was shaking in his boots, he knew he'd never be able to fight these athletes in any way, but he just hoped these rich fuckers would fall for his threats. Their eyes certainly went wide, one or two of the footballers stepped away from Kyoya, not wanting to get into a scrap with Arai one bit. Kuze looked slightly taken aback, it was clear he hadn't expected to face such a confident guy today, "ugh, there's no way you could take all of us, don't be stupid."

"Maybe not," Arai admitted with a nod, forcing a polite smile, "but I can certainly ruin those faces of yours, isn't reputation everything for you folks? Most commoners keep weapons and blades in their bags on the daily, the real word is dangerous gentlemen." He spoke the truth, keys and scissors count as weapons right? Of course the real world was a danger, where did they think danger came from? Space? Arai took another step forward, staring Kuze in the eyes with a determination that can only come from being a good man, with a moral compass, "so I ask you again, Kuze: Let. Him. Go."

Shocked at being called his first name, but a commoner no less, Kuze took a step back, a clear sign of weakness from the captain. His team instantly dropped poor Ootori to the floor, and their captain glared. "Fine!" He then turned and spat on the ground near Kyoya, "this fucking commoner won't always be here to protect you, bitch." With that, he stormed off, his team in pursuit.

"Why would you do that..?" Arai glanced down, seeing Ootori knelt on the floor, adjusting his glasses and looking up at him.

Arai paused, crouching down to reach Kyoya's eye level, "well anyone would in that situation, I don't know anyone who wouldn't. Are you alright Ootori?"

He nodded, "I'm fine, it's nothing really." Ootori had sighed, shifting to sit down more comfortably, so Arai sat next to him, nodding.

"Is that a normal thing?" He asked, watching Ootori closely, making sure that he was alright… he noticed how not just Ootori's hands were shaking, but his whole form.

"I'm sorry Arai, could you leave, I fear I am about to uh, experience extreme emotions." Ootori coughed nervously, glancing away.

"Oh, are you about to cry?" Arai hums in thought, smiling softly, "it's ok Ootori, you can cry around me, I won't tell anyone." He put a gentle hand on the other boy's shoulder, feeling him tense up beneath him, Arai paused for a moment before gently rubbing Ootori's back, allowing him to relax.

The rich boy was in tears, but he wasn't crying, at least not how Arai had seen it- Ootori was completely silent, the only sign that he was actually sad were the tears that ran down either side of his face as Arai gently rubbed his back, "it's ok, let it all out, I've got you…" Arai just kept murmuring words of encouragement and comfort, he didn't know this guy well at all but they were both Haruhi's friends, and Arai felt he had to be a decent human being at least. "It's alright Ootori… can I call you Kyoya?"

He nodded, "yes, sure," Kyoya sighed, glancing away from Arai. "So you're Haruhi's friend huh?"

"Yep," he smiled, wondering why Haruhi wouldn't have gone for this one, he's so much more subtle than her other friends, "we never actually spoke in Karuizawa, but I kinda wish we had, you seem pretty cool Kyoya."

Kyoya wiped his tears, brushing his trousers down. "Hm, well I am apparently the 'cool type' according to Tamaki. I apologize for having this be the first time we've spoken."

Arai paused, frowning slightly, "hey, don't worry about it, it doesn't change my opinion of you in the slightest." He spoke the truth, he'd never judge someone for any sort of experience like that, he didn't understand why someone would.

Was that a smile? There seemed to be the barest hint of one on Kyoya's face, the boy finally looking Arai in the face. "I'm glad, I wouldn't want any of Haruhi's old friends to think any less of me, she's quite a lovely young woman, it stands to reason he friends are as well."

"I could say the same to you, but you seem pretty awesome on your own." Arai moved his hand from Kyoya's back to his shoulder, smiling softly up at the guy, "why aren't you with your friends by the way?"

"Hm? Oh well Tamaki asked me to go get the commoners coffee from the club room but uh… I got a little held up, they're probably waiting for me." Kyoya shakily stood up, "do forgive me."

"Oh, can I come?" Arai stood as well, smiling kindly, "I'd love to see where you lot hang out."

"Oh of course, you can come if you'd like." Kyoya began to head towards one of the buildings, adjusting his blazer, "it's not set up so you won't have the full effect, but it's still a lovely room."

"I don't doubt that," Arai happily followed him, acutely aware of how his uniform was nowhere near as fancy as his.

They walked through the hallway, Arai talked to Kyoya about a lot of things; grades, family, the differences between rich and poor. Arai learnt that Kyoya was also a straight A student, he was happy to hear how Kyoya especially hated biology, especially human biology- Kyoya had already learnt almost everything they were teaching this year, thanks to his brothers and family hospitals, Arai simply found that fascinating. He also learnt that Kyoya had two brothers and one sister, all older than him, in return he told Kyoya all about being an only child, he expressed how much having siblings would be great and Kyoya told him exactly how wrong he was.

He'd of course noticed how hesitant Kyoya was to share any information that wasn't common knowledge, but Arai was simply happy to hear Kyoya's opinion on such public knowledge, plus it wasn't like he knew any of this, he didn't go around researching folks. By the time they go to the club room, the third music room on one of the wings, Kyoya had opened up enough to explain he'd been mildly jealous of Haruhi had first, and Arai couldn't imagine how that felt, though he supposed it must have been the same thing that one twin was feeling when he lashed out at Arai back in Karuizawa… Arai had never felt such envy, but he could sympathise.

Kyoya opened the door, holding it open for Arai, "here we are." Arai stepped forward, the first thing he noticed was the smell, warm coffee and roses, it was so… nice. There were roses in every case, and some stray petals on the floor, the curtains were closed but what light came through, bounced off the many gold objects in the room, including the small chandelier and gold adorned ceiling. There was a laptop, probably Kyoya's, on one of the tables, that had five bags neatly placed- Arai had to assume that Haruhi had taken her bag with her, just like Kyoya, they were both so practical like that… that was one of the things Arai had liked about Haruhi.

Kyoya wasn't stopping to stare however, he was used to seeing this room every day, he simply headed over to one of the tables, picking up a jar of instant coffee, "oh, huh, do rich people drink instant coffee too? I thought you guys like, got gold coffee beans or something…"

What was that sound? Oh, Arai had caught him off guard, Kyoya was chuckling. "Gold coffee beans? We're rich, we're not Midas." Oh, he made a little joke of his own, Arai chuckled lightly at that, he loved a little mythology joke. "But really," Kyoya continued, "we do usually use fresh coffee beans and we do have a coffee grinder in the storeroom. It just so happens that the club really enjoys commoner coffee?" He shrugs slightly.

"Commoners coffee?" Arai raised an eyebrow at that, tilting his head slightly.

"That's how most refer to it, I'm aware it's not exclusive to the poor." Kyoya rolls his eyes, tucking the jar into his bag, "I should probably get back to the hosts now, where do you need to be?"

"Oh!" Arai had completely forgotten what his train of thought was before coming across Kyoya, "oh yeah, I was just going to grab a snack or something," he shrugs, "I don't really need to be anywhere right now."

"Oh, can you afford snacks? I'll pay for it, I should probably get something to shut Tamaki up with anyway- don't want him asking where I was." Kyoya headed back to the door, hand on the doorknob.

Arai, ever the quick thinker, responded fairly snappy, "only if you let me buy you coffee some time!"

Kyoya froze, glancing back to Arai, "I… well then, I suppose I'd have to send you a copy of my schedule."

He smiled, surprising even himself with such confidence, maybe it was the adrenaline from scaring off the football club. "Please don't feel obligated to though, I just think it'd be fun…" he shrugged softly, feeling suddenly so nervous once again, there was a reason these boys were considered the beauty elite, even in a school such as Ouran academy- and here Arai was, trying on such a bold move with one.

"Oh I'm not saying no, certainly not, just a very busy man." Kyoya almost smiled at him once again, "besides; I need to schedule things to fit club activities and social events around school."

"Wow, that sounds very exhausting, don't you ever have free time?"

They were walking now, back down the corridors and down the stairs. "I suppose so, but I mostly use that for studying." They spent the entire way back, just talking about school and their studies, Kyoya offered to show him how he kept notes when they met up for coffee, Arai told him he'd like to see his notes, but he'd rather take that coffee date to get to know Kyoya, not Kyoya's study habits. They picked up some pretzel sticks from a concession stand, one pot for Arai, and one that Kyoya planned to use to bribe his friend into silence.

When they got to the stand, they paused, Kyoya looked down at Arai, silent for a moment- by now it was clear to Arai how emotionally constipated the richer boy was, so he didn't mind the silence, filling it himself. "I hope we can have that coffee date soon, Kyoya, you're really cool. I hope those boys don't bother you again."

Kyoya nodded slowly, "thank you Arai, I'll see you then…" and he turned, but Arai wasn't finished.

"Don't you need my number?"

Kyoya glanced back at him, once again getting so close to cracking a smile, "oh, I'll just ask Haruhi." Arai did wonder how he'd explain that to Haruhi, but he didn't ask, he just nodded, happy to have met Kyoya.

Maybe the rich weren't so bad… well they were- but Kyoya was cute.

#kyoya ootori #ouran high school host club #ohshcweek #kuze #arai #ohshc arai #ohshc kuze

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adhd-wifi · 4 years

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MDZS Modern AU Fic Tips (Living in China)

So I asked a while back if anyone was interested in some fic tips for writing Chinese modern AUs, and y’all seemed enthusiastic. But…when I tried putting it all in a single post it got…really…really long…

So I split them into a bunch of posts (Yes I copy-pasted this intro on all of them because I’m lazy)! Here are the links:

Names & Stuff

Modern Chinese Cultural Stuff

Superstitions & Beliefs

Festivals

Living in China (You are here)

Anyways, these are based off my experiences living in Singapore and China, and I hope these posts are helpful. On to it.

Living in China

Disclaimer: I mostly lived in Singapore during my existence, and thus I can’t give you extremely detailed info of what it’s like exactly, but I do visit my Chinese relatives fairly frequently, so these are general tips. Also, please keep in mind that the info here is biased towards life in Dalian & Harbin. I’ve been to Beijing but only twice so I don’t remember a lot.

The currency in China is RMB, or “yuan”. 100 RMB is about $14 USD, and not considered a lot of money

Side Note: The above tip is also another reason why you shouldn’t ever write A-Yuan’s name as just “Yuan”. It makes him look like the local currency djsasldkj

Coin values are (with comparison to US currency):

1 yuan (like a dollar)

5 jiao (Half-yuan - 50 cents)

1 jiao (1/10 yuan - 10 cents)

5 fen (0.05 yuan - 5 cents)

1 fen (0.01 - basically a penny)

Also related to money, in more urban areas, people don’t really carry cash or even cards around anymore. Practically everything is paid electronically, through WeChat Pay and other cash/bank apps, typically using QR codes on phones. You’ll have a hard time as a foreigner if you don’t have any of those apps in these areas (AKA me when I forget to re-download them before heading to China)

The exceptions to this would be places where tourists and foreigners are very frequent, such as hotels, airports, tourist buildings, universities (though my cousin’s old uni recently went full electronic payment I think???) etc, and more rural areas

Some Chinese social media and stuff:

BaiDu 百度 - Basically Chinese Google. We also use it the way we use “google” as a verb, saying 百度一下 (bǎi dù yī xià) - “Let me BaiDu it”

WeChat - Very similar to Whatsapp in general, also used for money purposes with WeChat Pay

QQ Mail - The most frequently used email platform in China. QQ Mail also has an Instant Messenger last time I checked. Also, I think QQ still uses number-based IDs, so the address would look something like: ([email protected]). Hotmail is fairly common in China too, particularly with those who need have to send international emails

YouKu 优酷 - The most popular video hosting site (most similar to YouTube out of the many video sites)

bilibili 哔哩哔哩 (yes, small caps) - Another video site well-known for animations, games, and comics especially

TaoBao 淘宝 - Cosplayers would probably know this. Something like a Chinese Amazon or Lazada.

WeiBo 微博 - Main Chinese social media platform. Feels like a FaceBook + Twitter fusion

LOFTER - Feels like a Chinese Tumblr

Even in urban areas, it’s easy to find entire streets of literally nothing but restaurants by the main roads (+ maybe a stationary shop, salon, or something in a corner, and you can often drive right up to the front door and park right there (in more populated areas and/or near malls/attractions, there will likely be extra open parking space nearby such restaurant streets)

Some larger restaurants, especially those with seafood specialties, don’t have actual booklet menus. Instead they have a wide selection of fresh ingredients (wrapped up safely in layers saran wrap) such as vegetables, cuts of meat, and tanks of living fish/shellfish/crustaceans near the entrance. They tend to have a list of dishes you can order by the corresponding ingredients, or a server nearby to tell you and take your orders. Apparently this is more common in the North.

You don’t tip in restaurants in China. You COULD slip a particular server or two some cash if you wanted to, but as an overall system tipping does not exist and also it’s not “one server one table”. It’s “whoever’s available to serve you IN THAT MOMENT will serve you” so you’ll likely see at least three different servers throughout your meal. Please. Stop with the “Hi I’ll be your server today” in China-set fics. It’s SOOOOO WEIRD.

I’ve never studied in China, but I checked this guide with my Chinese cousin and it’s pretty accurate about the educational system there

Speaking of schools, you wear uniforms up to Upper Secondary (some to Post-Secondary). As typical gender-conformity strikes again, girls will wear skirts and boys will wear pants. The exception is during the colder months, in which everyone will basically just wear full body tracksuits (school-issued) to school and it’s their uniform for the whole day. This is particularly common in schools with low or no heating systems, especially in more rural areas

Drivers sit on the left side of their vehicle in China. Typically, any foreign cars (such as from Hong Kong - which would have the driver on the right) will need a mainland license plate. (This might be changing in recent times though.)

I don’t know much about the healthcare systems in China anymore, I was hospitalized once at 3 or 4 and don’t remember much, but in general basic healthcare from public hospitals is low-cost to free (depending on the region) for Chinese citizens with their basic insurance plans (individual and employee provided). You get charged (more) for hospitalization and more serious treatments like surgeries, physical/mental therapy, vaccinations (this is a pro-vax blog btw, just saying), and maybe dental. Most of these can be covered by insurance too though. If you go to a private hospital, it’s considerably more expensive of course.

Okay that’s all the info I can think of to be potentially useful in fics lol.

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #cql #chen qing ling #the untamed #chinese things #chinese fic tips #fic tips #modern au #my posts

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theres-no-protocol-for-this · 3 years

Text

Necessary Repairs

Part III. I don’t even know if you have to read any of the other parts. SecUnit should probably have slept through most of its own healing, but that’s not this machine’s luck.

Part I | Part II

At some indeterminate point later, I woke up.

I was receiving minimal sensory data, and none of it was sight-related. A diagnostic subroutine spun up and casually began sending me bursts of error messages I couldn't even begin to translate.

Oh, and the world was pitch black.

It took me more than five seconds to determine that the darkness was self-inflicted and open my eyes. Longer still for the random noise to resolve into sounds I could understand -- the hum of an air circulation system, at least two distinct voices, and an automated warning system. My connection to the feed stabilized, but the walls that normally guarded my mind against its onslaught were conspicuously absent.

Something else was shielding me, something big and surprisingly gentle.

Friend?

I could feel cold metal under my back and head, probably the medical suite platform. My internal temperature refused to rise, so I was shivering and couldn't stop. It felt like I was still leaking, and the pain ebbed and flowed with each passing moment.

“Would you like me to turn up the heat?” Transport asked.

Yes. Where the hell am I?

I felt a mild shock as the governor kicked in. It hadn't liked my tone, apparently, or the phrasing of my answer, and wasn't shy about letting me know. The standard code read, "you're outside of protocol and need to adjust your attitude."

Silently, I cursed the damn thing. I was getting used to life without it.

A moment later, Transport answered, "SecUnit, you're still in medical, and your performance rating, while stable, remains abysmally low."

The ship paused and sent me a couple of data packets that succinctly described all the things still wrong -- which was most of them. I should've probably remained in stasis, but the medical unit was calibrated for humans. So, it hadn't given me nearly enough sedative to knock out the organic parts of a construct for any appreciable amount of time.

I was awake, kind of.

"I'm waiting for your vital signs to improve," Transport added. "Until then, would you like to watch an episode of that one show you liked?"

Yes, please.

The ship's calm tone reassured me, even though everything else looked like shit. My diagnostics were coming back with nonsense, still. The governor couldn't find a SecSystem to connect with. The Traveler didn't have or need one of those; it had a skeleton HubSystem instead managed security, life support, and logistics. My inflexible governor couldn't figure out how to interface with it.

Surprise, surprise...

It fell back on some preprogrammed garbage, complete with a minimal set of actions and responses. "Yes, please" and "No, thank you" was probably the best I could manage at the moment without incurring its wrath. I'd try poking at it later when my performance no longer looked quite so dramatically sad.

Captain Owens pulled up a chair and sat down where she could see me. Transport shared the view from one of its cameras, so now I could see her, too. It also queued up an episode of a long-running serial and waited for the captain before it started playing. I wanted to ask about the hostiles but couldn't -- thanks governor -- and Transport didn't seem inclined to enlighten me.

I suppose it was only fair; it was doing its best to keep me calm.

MedSystem sorted out the sleeping issue in the meantime and had injected more sedatives into my resupply channel, so sleep was happening shortly, whether I liked it or not. I could practically feel my diagnostics slowing down to a crawl since they relied on data from my organic parts, which were affected by the drugs.

"Good afternoon, SecUnit. I'm glad to see you're awake." The captain nodded in my direction and then turned toward someone I couldn't see. "As I mentioned, thanks to SecUnit, we came out of the boarding attempt in one piece. I'm sorry to hear your ship wasn't as lucky."

A stranger in formal wear came into camera view as he approached Owens. I figured he was the owner of that second voice I hadn't been able to identify earlier. The logo on his tunic looked familiar, but I couldn't place it. Parts of my memory felt like tangled network cables.

"Indeed, but this is still better than nothing. I don't suppose you've already contacted your bonding company?"

The captain's face scrunched up in confusion. "We're insured outside of the Corporation Rim," she explained. "I've sent a message, but I'm here pretty much on my own."

Outside of the Rim, everything appeared to work in ways that were incompatible with corporation control. A lot of the propaganda around freehold planets implied they were a complete shitshow. Except, clearly, the Traveler was doing just fine.

I had a sudden burst of "bad feeling" in my organic neural tissue. Something about the newcomer didn't sit right with me. I thought it might be unwise for the captain to tell him anything about herself or her ship.

"No, thank you." It sounded like my voice, but I didn't remember speaking. Hi buffer, I thought I'd never see you again.

The newcomer gave me a puzzled glance. "So, where'd you get your unit then?"

Owens shrugged and schooled her expression. I'd seen that face before when she'd spoken to her daughter before our first jump. "I rented it from a friend, as a security consultant. It's doing a great job."

I was?

I mean, the human was alive, and the Traveler had an intact hull, so I guess things weren't terrible. I could practically hear the Transport laughing on a private channel. If I could roll my eyes, I probably would have, but the governor frowned on that sort of thing, and my eyes had closed minutes ago.

"I see. Well, if you wouldn't mind giving us a hand with repairs, we can both be on our way." The man watched the captain like a hawk. "I would also recommend getting your unit checked out at a licensed repair station when you get a chance. With this level of damage, there's no telling what other problems are hiding under the surface."

As far as statements go, it was polite enough, but I didn't like it. It sounded to me like a threat.

Performance rating dropping. Initiating emergency shutdown.

I really would prefer you didn't.

***

Memory fragment:

The mining installation doesn't inspire confidence. There are eight of us and two combat models. Ten security units should be enough to keep a workforce of 153 miners and a dozen more supervisors in line. Everything looks worn and rundown, including the humans.

Protocol dictates that we take shifts. A human has created a schedule to which we adhere. The two combat units are mixed in with the rest of us.

It's my patrol shift. I walk through one of the mining shafts and stop at the far end. I can hear a supervisor arguing with two of her employees—something about the rocks they've uncovered. I turn around, ready to head back to the primary installation, when one of the combat units walks up to the three humans.

It has been summoned by the supervisor.

The supervisor tells it to fire on the workers. It does, without question. Bodies crumple to the floor. Then, the supervisor notices me.

***

Transport popped into my feed. "Wake up, SecUnit. How're you feeling?"

"Like I got shot."

The words were out before I could consider the consequences, and I braced for an electric shock -- or worse. Nothing happened. Performance reliability was at 87% and rising steadily. My diagnostics routines had run several times, and the results looked promising. I was also no longer leaking, and most of my organic parts had grown back.

I had two arms again. That was nice.

Transport shared a smiling sigil. Reason unknown. "You did get shot, silly. MedSystem patched you up pretty well. If you're up to it, my captain and I could use your help." It paused and added, "Captain suggested that you might want payment in exchange for services rendered. That's how it works in CR, right?"

I had my doubts about anything actually working in the Corporation Rim. Still, arguing with a clearly sentient ship about theoretical economics didn't sound appealing. I'd rather get shocked again.

"OK," I said aloud and sat up. "Priority question: who was here earlier?"

"Dr. Alexander Soren is the current captain of an ArialHydra exploration vessel. They are stranded in this sector after a pirate attack. Captain Owens speculates that it may be the same group of pirates. We were lucky to have you on board."

Lucky. Right.

I shoved off the platform and crumpled to the floor in a pile of arms and legs. Hi there, limbs. A few minutes later, I managed to get up and stumble around under my own power. I admit to sitting on the floor and trying out my new arm. It didn't have a cannon -- MedSystem didn't have the required parts -- but it was fully functional, otherwise.

"I've seen Dr. Soren before." I couldn't remember where. That bothered me.

"Perhaps you were deployed on one of his survey missions?"

"I don't know."

One of the ship's drones floated into the room, carrying spare clothing, which it dropped directly on my head. I grabbed at the falling fabric and started getting dressed. It was the Traveler's standard-issue uniform, beige and blue and generally not hideous. I missed the protective qualities of armor, but it would've been weird to wander through the ship's pristine, carpeted halls with it on.

Captain Owens walked into the medical room and waved at me and the drone. "I see you're both here and scheming."

"We're not scheming, and technically, I'm everywhere," Transport informed us.

"I don't think you should trust Dr. Soren," I blurted out.

Owens narrowed her eyes. "Do you know anything you'd care to share?"

I shook my head. Constructs don't get gut feelings -- we don't even have a gut to have them with -- and my memories of any encounters with the doctor had been removed. Memory wipes aren't typical, but occasionally, a bonding company or a manufacturer/repair company decides they're necessary. I've had at least one that I know about. I also had no idea how to explain that my organic neurons probably remembered things the rest of me didn't.

"Well, in that case, has Trav told you what we need?" At my puzzled expression, the captain said, "We gave the other ship supplies, and they're almost ready to depart. And they're making a fuss about..." She sighed. "Something. I really don't care. They'll be coming back aboard in a few hours to discuss whatever it is. And I would feel much better if you were there. Just in case. And only if you're feeling up to it."

Protecting humans was literally the only thing I liked about my job. "OK."

"Great. Do you want a weapon?"

"Depends on how threatening you want me to look." Any weapon I wielded would be for show unless the human was in danger. And if she was, I had a miniature cannon hidden inside an arm.

The captain pondered this for a moment. Her face went through a range of expressions that Transport interpreted for me as "Captain Owens thinks the other ship's posturing is stupid and would like to be on her way, but it would be impolite to leave, so here we are." I agreed with the captain's assessment.

Finally, she said, "Let's try without any extra threats and see what happens. The quicker we get this over with, the better."

Transport suggested we spend the time between now and the upcoming meeting watching more of its favorite shows. I agreed.

#the murderbot diaries #SecUnit #let me sleep #into the unknown #fanfiction

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