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writersblockedx · 2 years

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When Opposites Don’t Attract

Pairing - Steve Harrington x Reader, Slight Eddie Munson x Reader Summary - Steve and Y/n were meant to be like magnets that repelled. It was as if the whole world shifted when they started dating. But now, Steve is having doubts someone else might be a better fit for her. Warnings - Angst, that's pretty much it. Words - 2.3K

A/n - I haven’t even finished watching Vol 1 of Stranger Things 4 yet, but I had this idea while watching so, here you are. Let me know if you want a part two.

MASTERLIST / Part Two / Part Three (Eddie’s Ending) (Steve’s Ending)

Y/n and Steve were one of the most unlikely of couples. But suppose an interdimensional demon (and demon dogs, or demodogs as Dustin dubbed them), along with a couple near death experiences leads for people to grow.

Steve was the high school basketball King. Crowned for his drunken parties, lack of academic achievement and his distaste to those who didn't fit into his cliché of normality. Now, he worked at a video store, was friends with a 14 year old D&D expert and band nerd Robin Buckley.

Y/n was the proud co-founder of the Hellfire club. Known to only stay up late while playing D&D, rushing to write her history essays or strumming the guitar her mother had been so against purchasing.

Yet, despite the twos differences, they came together. They looked for another in moments of danger. Which, knowing what they did, happened to be frequent.

Things had been tricky though lately. Steve took on as many shifts as he were able and Y/n was finishing her final year at high school, putting in her applications for colleges - another thing that had jabbed at their relationship. Steve would never pressure Y/n to stay near Hawkins, but he knew distance would only strain their relationship. And that was the last thing he wanted.

After a session of D&D with Eddie and the rest of Hellfire, Y/n was sent to go pick up Steve from work. While he was very much capable of driving himself home, the two sought out pockets of time when they were able to see one another. While some weren't long, only the time it took to drive from town to Steve's parents house, they found it meaningful.

"You off to Harrington's?" Eddie had asked as he and Y/n stood in the empty school after saying goodbye to the others.

Y/n's hand gripped the door to the drivers seat as she glanced over him. "I'm off to drop him off from work, yeah." She answered him.

Eddie laughed, "Didn't know you were his chauffeur now." He joked.

"You didn't know that's what girlfriends were for?" Y/n replied.

The long haired boy grinned, "Stay safe." He told her before slipping into his car. Y/n followed and made a B-line for the video store.

It was never really busy, but at this time, close to closing hours, it was empty. And Steve was the only one on shift. Y/n parked at the closest spot to the store, her headlights flaring into the shop, making Steve aware of who was waiting for him. After that, it didn't take him long before locking up, turning the lights off and heading towards the passengers seat.

The boy had practically sighed in relief as he entered the car. "Hello honey." He smiled genuinely, already leaning into her lips.

"Sweetie." Y/n responded before their lips met. It was a kiss that was held for a moment or two, treasured by both. They retracted from another, but still lingered, Y/n's finger tip gracing his chin. "I missed you today."

"I miss you every day."

They pressed another kiss to the others lips. This one short, sweet. "Straight home?" Y/n asked as she began reversing from the parking spot.

"Straight home." Steve assured and Y/n started the route she had led hundreds of times before. "You can stay tonight, if you want." The boy offered, looking over almost sheepishly. Something Y/n hadn't caught with her eyes centred on the road in front of her.

"Still got that applicated to finish." She gave as excuse. "I tried finishing it last night before passing out."

Steve tired to keep up his usual façade, but his shoulders couldn't help but slouch and his smile seemed to fade. "Right." And so they drove home in nothing but small talk.

It wasn't until when the weekend rolled around Steve finally received much needed couple time with his girlfriend. And they spent that time washing pots. Steve had offered to clean up after a meal with Y/n and her family. He had done it as a polite gesture, now he really was stood over the sink with a dish cloth and bowl with Y/n leant against the counter next to him, towel in hand as she dried them clean.

Certainly not what he expected for couples time.

"God you should have seen what happened at lunch earlier." Y/n brought up, smiling at the memory.

"I think Robin mentioned it actually." Steve replied, a hint of some tone in his voice Y/n hadn't quite caught.

And her grin kept growing as the memory played. "I know maybe you don't agree with it, but Eddie just got up on the table and started speaking his mind." Y/n finally looked up, finally looked to Steve. The expression that sat on his face had been one stern enough to wipe the smile clean off hers. "What is it?"

He shrugged and returned to the plate in hand. "I don't know, just think it can be rude sometimes."

"Yeah but he's not wrong in what he's saying." Y/n defended.

Steve followed with a scoff that he knew he would regret later. "Of course. Eddie could never be wrong in your books, could he?"

Y/n placed the now dry bowl on the counter, along with the towel to fully look to Steve. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Steve dropped the plate and scrubber and did the same, putting his attention on the girl stood in front of him. "Just that you always seem to be on his side, always agree with what he has to say." He went on.

"Probably because he's my friend, Steve." Y/n argued. "Friend's usually agree with each other."

"As should couples!"

Steve would definitely regret that one.

He already did.

The boy watched as his girlfriend's face moulded into one of anger and betrayal. "If you're trying to say something Steve, then say it, please." There was a sense of irritation in her tone that Steve certainly had picked up on. He'd just wish he hadn't.

He huffed, pulling the bright yellow, rubber gloves off to face Y/n. "Just that maybe I don't want my girlfriend livings a millions miles away!" He snapped.

"This is what this is about? College?" Steve didn't mouth back so that gave Y/n her answer. "Steve you said you didn't mind where I went, that it was my choice."

"I thought maybe you would want to stay close. For us."

Y/n attempted to move close to him, reaching her hand out to grasp his. "Of course I want to do what's best for us. But college needs to be what's best of me first."

"And am I not what's best for you?" She was quiet. Steve dropped her hand from his. Something bad was about to follow. He scoffed first, as if that was going to let out some of his anger. It didn't. "I'm sure Eddie would be best for you though, right? Wonder if you'd stay here for him." He hadn't meant anything he had just said, what the anger had mouldered his words into.

"So this is about Eddie now?"

Steve pushes off from leaning against the counter and suddenly Y/n felt a rush of anxiety; she knew what was about to follow would only escalate the situation. "We haven't gone on a date for over a month now, Y/n. This is the first time we've spent time together, and most of it was spent with your family." Them words seemed like they had been ones Steve had been holding in for a while. And, while he hated to speak his mind, a wave of relief seemed to pass over him now they were out in the open. "You spend more time with that Hellfire club, running around with Eddie, then we ever do. I'm not delusional to come to the conclusion that maybe he's just a better fit for you."

Y/n took a moment before even daring to meet Steve's gaze. "No, yeah, you're right. We were in over our heads, thinking this would work." Her finger danced between pointing between her and Steve. "Maybe we should just give it up. Forgot about everything we went through." She exhaled, letting out the angered steam which had been trapped in her throat. "I'm sure you've got loads college princesses waiting for you. Sure they'd be a much better fit for you then I ever was."

Steve pauses before he speaks and Y/n felt as if the silence would never pass. "I'm sure they would." And with that, he threw the wash cloth to the counter and wondered off. He couldn't leave though before stopping in the doorway and turning to face her once more. "Have fun with Eddie."

And with that, he left. Y/n didn't move from the kitchen. She stared at the tiles and listened as the door opened, swinging shut, followed by the revving of an engine that faded away.

They had argued before. Argued over Steve being late to dinner because he had fallen asleep. Or argued because Y/n had forgotten to put a pot away. Stupid things. But this, was far from over sleeping or forgetfulness. This had wounded them, then thrown salt into it. It stung and neither of them were sure yet whether it was repairable.

It put a strain on them. Y/n was seated at the usual Hellfire table at lunch, their conversation of band practise having become nothing but background noise. Y/n was zoned out completely. Her hand gripped a fork, still having yet to even taken a jab at the school pasta that was now lukewarm.

"Y/l/n..." A voice from across the girl sung in a sort of mocking tone. "Y/l/n..." She looked up, meeting Eddie's wide eyes. "What's up with you?"

It dawned on her then that everyone on the table was waiting for her to answer. "What?"

"You look like you've seen a ghost." Said Mike from the end of the table.

She forced herself to sit up, trying to shake from the thoughts that had once consumed her. "I'm fine, just it's bee a long day." She was lying and it was obvious.

Eddie raised his hand, "I call bullshit."

A cough followed from the end of the table, "Steve." Then another cough as if to cover up the name that had just been dropped.

"Dustin!" Y/n swore if that if the fork in her hand wasn't metal, she would have thrown it at him.

"Harrington? He's the reason you've been moping around all day?" Eddie questioned.

Y/n found that her eyes rolled slightly, "I haven't been moping."

"Erm yes, you have." Mike chimed in, leading Y/n to the conclusion that she regretted ever inviting him or Dustin to Hellfire.

Eddie leaned closer over the table, his demeanour having switched to one of a serious matter. "What'd he do?" The boy asked.

Still, all eyes were on Y/n. "Nothing." She answered before pulling herself up from the chair, taking her tray with her.

Eddie huffed before looking back down the table, sending a deathly glare towards Mike and Dustin. "Well done, shitbrains." He cursed. Had the two not looked to Eddie like a God, they may have snapped back. Alas, they suffered in their silence.

It wasn't long after that, over towards the town centre, when a similar conversation followed. This time between Steve and his trusty co-worker and friend, Robin Buckley.

The two were wondering around the video store, putting each VHS in their place. And, once again, Robin was listening to Steve's rant. "And then she says I should go off with some college princess!" He quoted as he placed a copy of Dirty Dancing on it's stand. "So, of course, I stormed out. As anyone would have done."

Robin was at the other side of the store, thankful no customers were roaming about. She doubted that would have stopped Steve right now. "Maybe you should talk to her." She suggested.

"Talk to her?" Steve replied as if the suggestions was so utterly shocking it might send him into cardiac arrest. "No. She should be the one to talk to me."

Robin huffed, "From the sound of things, you're the one who lashed out. You're the one who should apologise." Steve still seemed unconvinced. "You don't want to lose her, do you?"

The answer to that was enough for Steve to get his act together: he left his shift 15 minutes early (despite Robin's nagging not to), rushed into town, bought a bouquet of Y/ns favourite flowers and zoomed to her house.

He felt like an utter idiot stood here. But he kept reminding himself of the feeling that would wash over him once this was sorted. They would go back to cuddles and kisses as if nothing had ever happened.

He knocked on the door and it wasn't long until Y/n's mother was at the door. "Steve," She smiled and swung the door open for him. "She's in her room."

Steve returned the smile, "Thank you, Mrs Y/l/n."

"I'm glad you're here, she's been a little off it the past few days."

Steve nodded his head as if he hadn't just been drowned in guilt by those words. Alas, he continued through the house towards Y/n's bed room. He took a moment to catch his breath. He was normally never nervous to speak to her. But, as Robin had said, there was a possibility he may loose her.

So he knocked and he waited.

"Yeah!" A shout came from the other side of the door.

Steve took another sharp inhale. Then he opened the door.

"Steve?"

He found himself stuck still. It was a miracle the flowers didn't fall from his hold.

Seated on the bed was Y/n, in her pretty pyjamas Steve adored so much. And next to her, with a grin that seemed as if it were taunting him, was Eddie.

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obsolescent · 9 months

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For the writing prompt, 14 with Leon?

14. Playing with their wedding band when they’re thinking about the other.

Author’s Note: I’m so sorry. I have no idea when this came in. Apparently I am bad at noticing when I have asks. I hope you enjoy, and once again my apologies about missing this!

Content Warnings: None, no gendered language for the reader, just giving Leon a happy ending to his hard life ♡

The sun casts a glint off the platinum band on Leon’s ring finger. He wasn’t one for anything flashy, and you picked out a simple ring for him. 950 grade, a moissanite stone inlays the band, the prism like colors gleamed throughout the gemstone. You picked a good, sturdy material with an equally sturdy, yet unique, stone.

Often he finds himself caressing the ring, fiddling with it throughout the day. Thinking about you, how much thought you had put into it. Not going the standard route most do with men’s rings, like a simple band. No, you picked something special, wanting it to have that touch of individuality that Leon always carried with him. He thought the same for you, it’s why he took a long time himself picking out a ring for you. Going through your jewelry you had when you were preoccupied, seeing which colors, materials, and shapes you liked for yourself. He ended up picking the same material and stone you had chosen for him, since you proposed first, he was able to get them close to matching each other.

“Porch light’s on, but no one is home, it seems.” You pull him from his thoughts, realizing he had been staring absentmindedly off the back porch into the backyard. Chuckling, he turns his full attention to you, studying him with a smirk on your face. “What are you thinking about, honey?” You asked, cocking your head. He smiles, reaching over and grabbing your left hand, beginning to play with your own ring sitting on your finger. “Thinkin’ about you, how happy, how lucky I am to be your husband.” He responds, bringing your hand up to kiss the band and your knuckles.

You beam at him, a grin that lights up your whole face, made even better by the setting sun, bathing you in hues of gold and orange. “It’s me who’s the lucky one, Leon. You make my days brighter and fuller. I’m so glad you came into my life. No one else I’d rather spend my time with.” You begin to choke up near the end, opting to lean over what little space remains on the wicker sofa, your free hand cupping his face, enveloping him with a kiss. He reciprocates, himself becoming overwhelmed with emotions.

Never did he think he would have this in his life, this tranquility you bring him. A quiet he never thought he’d get to experience, at least not until his untimely death. These days he thinks more about his mortality, now that you’re in his life. It’s why he savors these moments with you. The stillness that surrounds you two while the cicadas and crickets create a symphony of sounds, while the sun sets lower in the sky.

#o asks #o writing prompts #resident evil #leon kennedy #leon s kennedy #leon kennedy x reader #leon s kennedy x reader #leon kennedy x gn!reader #leon s kennedy x gn!reader #leon kennedy fluff #leon kennedy x you #leon kennedy fanfic #resident evil fanfiction #resident evil x reader #resident evil x you

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nordicpoppie · 2 months

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Mafia au - You're protective of his child - Maknae line

Second part with the rest of the members

Violence, guns and such may be mentioned as it is a mafia au

Y/N → Your Name

Jimin (14 year old)

Sitting at your desk in your workplace you were tapping away on the keyboard before an incoming call disturbed you. Unable to check the caller on the old wired phone you simply picked it up, introducing yourself.

“Hello this is Y/N speaking, how may I help?” “Hi Mrs. Park, we’re calling from Seojoons school to let you know there has been an incident where your son was involved”

You stiffened up listening to the seemingly young woman talking to you, already seeing all kinds of horrifying scenarios of Seojoon in pain.

“-ick him up at the dean's office as soon as possible okay Mrs. Park?”

Shaking yourself from your thoughts, you shakily replied with a small “yes” before hanging up and shutting your computer off.

Knocking on your boss's office, you peeked your head in to inform her of the situation, quickly receiving her confirmation to leave early.

The whole drive to the school, your hands kept clenching and unclenching the steering wheel, thoughts running wild in your head.

Pulling into the parking lot you noted Jimin's car parked near the entrance as well, before swiftly getting inside the building.

A lady at the entrance stopped you, asking for ID, before showing you the route to the dean’s office. Feeling a tad annoyed at the tight security because you just wanted to hurry to where your son was you gnawed your lip.

“- already said I’m sorry, what more do you want from me dad? Do you want me to bow down on my knees like some dog too?”

Before rounding the corner you heard Seojoons irritated voice sneering at Jimin, while they were stood in the hallway. Jimin wore a deep scowl, which only deepened at the words his son let out, his eyes turning icy.

Quick to interfere you ran over, grabbing Seojoon’s face, searching him for any injuries.

“What happened sweetie, are you okay?”

He sighed a bit annoyed at you and twisted his face from your grip as you turned to Jimin instead.

“What happened? Is everything solved already?”

Raking a hand through his hair, Jimin released a puff of breath before motioning to Seojoon.

“He thought it would be a brilliant idea to sneak a gun into the school and threaten the bully of one of his friends”

Gasping loudly you turned to Seojoon for confirmation, instantly getting it when he avoided eye contact with you.

“Seojoon you know you’re not allowed to handle guns outside the shooting range, what were you thinking?”

The boy shrugged his shoulders at you, still avoiding eye contact.

“He wasn’t. Which is why i was in the middle of suggesting he and I go for a little drive to talk about this”

Jimin answered for him, leveling his son with a harsh glare, not willing to let it go until it had been punished.

Biting your lip you glanced at Seojoon, who was now looking not only guilty, but also slightly nervous. You knew Jimin would never raise his hands against you or his son, but his anger was not to be trifled with…Ever.

“No, he’s driving home with me, and I’ll be the one talking with him, while you go and calm down”

Jimin turned his frightening glare on you, but you simply turned away and led your son outside.

Later that night, after Jimin had calmed down, and you’d made Seojoon promise you to never bring a gun outside the house ever again, you were in bed.

Jimin changed into his PJ and entered the bed with you, slowly dragging you into his arms.

“Thanks…For being such a good role model for him, I doubt the talk i was planning for him would’ve helped the situation”

“It’s okay, someone has to be the voice of reason between you 2 hot heads”

You smirked a bit at him, in playful banter. Shaking his head however he remained stoic.

“I mean it Y/N, thanks for protecting him, both of us, and being there for us”

Taehyung (8 year old)

You had been home with Taehyung's son the whole week, Taehyung only coming home late at night, barely having the energy to do anything other than crash into the bed.

The week had started greatly, although Haneul had been opposed to his dad working so much, but you had found ways to distract him.

However as the week passed along, Haneul seemed to get more and more bored of whatever games and antics you made up. As much as he loved you, it was clear how much he missed the interactions between him and his father.

It all came crashing down the last day alone, before Taehyung's work would be over.

Haneul had been cross since the morning when you woke him up to eat breakfast, refusing to sit at the table with you, and screaming when you tried brushing his teeth.

He was throwing a proper tantrum that lasted almost until afternoon, where he seemed to quiet down.

You were in the kitchen cleaning up from lunch, removing pieces of bread from the floor, which Haneul had thrown in frustration. Sighing you glanced at him, laying on the couch, completely calm, probably worn out from using all his energy.

As you finished wiping everything off with a clean rag, you heard soft snoring from the couch, making your heart clench.

Quietly you turned off the tv, and eased him into your arms, before carrying him to his bedroom. Making sure his small lamp with stars was on you left him to sleep, and went off to enjoy the quiet peace.

You managed to enjoy almost an hours quiet, before loud coughing reached your ears along with broken sobs.

Scrambling to get up you ran to Haneuls room, throwing the door open, nearly tripping over your own legs before reaching his bed. He was sat up slightly, coughing violently, snot and tears dripping down his face as he desperately tried to drag air into his lungs.

Your hand stroked up and down his back, trying to somehow help ease his coughing. Shakily you tried to guide him with your voice.

“Shh, Haneul, try taking some deep breaths okay baby, deep breaths for me”

After a while the coughing slowly let up, but his breathing was still painfully ragged. Wiping a wet cloth over his eyes and nose you removed the tears and snot, leaving Haneul blinking red eyed and nosed up at you.

“Let’s call dad, yeah? I think we may need to take a trip to the hospital with you”

You smiled soothingly at him, while you tried to gauge his temperature with your hand. The boy sniffled quietly, shaking his head vehemently.

“Noo i hate the hospital mommy, can’t daddy just come home?”

Shaking your head at him you tried to explain, and calm him down while carrying him to the front door.

“Baby, I’d feel much better if we got you checked out at the hospital, just so I know nothing’s wrong with you”

As you felt the boy sag into your arms you smiled softly to yourself, jumping into some shoes and grabbing your car keys.

A few hours later you were back home from the hospital, as it turned out Haneul just had a very bad case of the flu.

“He’s sleeping soundly now, I think the tea helped a bit”

You mumbled as you descended the stairs, Taehyung turned to face you from the couch. He watched your face for a few seconds, before beckoning you towards him.

“He really scared you huh?”

He asked, tugging you into his arms in a tight hug. Humming you leaned back a bit, tears in your eyes.

“I was so worried, I’ve never seen him that sick”

Taehyung sighed, rubbing your back soothingly.

“You did everything right baby, you took care of him and protected him”

Jungkook (10 year old)

“Mom? Mommy wake up”

You felt someone shake your arm, rousing you from the deep sleep. You squinted your eyes at the lights in the room, feeling slightly disoriented.

“What is it?”

You mumbled out, turning slowly to watch Binna.

“I think i heard the door opening downstairs mom”

At first your sleep muddled brain didn’t quite catch what she was saying, thinking she merely said she had a nightmare. It wasn’t unusual for her to have nightmares, something that often left her in tears.

“What?” “The door mom, I heard it open, I don’t think it’s daddy”

Sitting up you groaned slightly as your muscles ached.

“Are you sure? Did you see them?”

Binna shook her head, staring worriedly at you, clearly waiting on you to decide what to do. Getting out of the bed you threw on a robe, glancing back at her as you approached the door of the room.

“Stay here, I’ll go check, if I’m not back in 5 minutes you call your dad okay? And lock the door”

Stepping out into the cold hallway, you slowly made your way to Jungkook's office. Pushing the door open you went to his desk and opened the top drawer, pulling out a sleek gun. Being the daughter of one of the heads of a big mafia group gave you a small advantage, you had known guns and violence your whole life.

Stepping onto the landing at the top of the stairs you strained your ears trying to listen to any noises. It was silent, almost, except for muffled talking from one of the rooms downstairs. Biting your lip you sneaked down the stairs as quietly as possible, sticking close to the walls. As you reached the door you paused again, trying to make out what was being said.

“-at’s the deal? We finished on time and Yoongi made sure to wipe everything right?”

Frowning in confusion at the familiar voice, you got off the wall, about to open the door when a phone ringing stopped you.

“Hold one Tae, Binnas calling me?” “Why’s she calling you? Isn’t she asleep upstairs?”

Jungkook didn’t get to answer that, at least not with words.

“What, baby speak clearly…Mom? Isn’t she just in the bedroom? What do you mean someone’s in the house?”

From upstairs you could hear muffled crying, cursing softly you were just about to turn and run back upstairs when the door was yanked open.

Jungkook paused in the opening, staring at you with cold calculating eyes, a large gun in his hand, ready to shoot at whatever was frightening his daughter. He glanced at the gun in your hand, instantly putting 2 and 2 together.

“Baby, it’s just dad and uncle Tae, come downstairs okay, mom’s okay too, nothing will happen to any of you”

Quickly putting his gun away Jungkook allowed you to enter the room, leaving the door open for Binna. You put your gun away too, smiling quietly at Tae when he waved a hand at you from the couch.

“I didn’t think you’d be such a badass, charging through the house with a gun at night Y/N”

Jungkook smirked at you.

“I only did it for my daughters safety Kook, if you had bothered to call out when you opened the door this wouldn’t have happened”

You pushed his shoulder lightly, as he chuckled while shaking his head.

“She shouldn’t even be awake at this hour”

He shrugged at you, trying to defend himself, before a small blur ran into his arms.

“Daddy!”

Binna laughed happily, hugging him tightly, almost having forgotten about what had happened only moments earlier.

“Dad, mom was going to shoot you earlier you know, it was so scary”

You raised an eyebrow at Jungkook, waiting for him to answer his daughter, but all he released was a loud laugh. He still almost couldn’t believe you’d taken a gun and was that willing to protect his daughter.

#bts #bts jimin #bts jungkook #bangtan #bts mafia au #bts reaction #bts scenarios #bts taehyung

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valtionrautatiet-official · 5 months

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An introduction to VR multiple units, part 1: Sm2

The robust milf of our fleet, probably familiar to everyone who has ever traveled with out commuter trains: the Sm2 electric multiple unit.

A pair of Sm2 units in different liveries on the A train service from Helsinki to Leppävaara. My photo from 2015.

The Sm2 class units are an updated version of the older Sm1 class. Externally the two were almost identical, but the Sm2 was easy to tell apart as the slightly sleeker of the two classes – the Sm1 had horizontal stiffenings on the sides, while the Sm2 with their bodies of aluminium (instead of steel) have flush sides. The aluminium body also meant a notable reduction of weight, which resulted in a corresponding reduction of electricity consumption. All this while retaining the sexy chunky exterior looks.

An Sm2 in the hot original livery at Kannelmäki station on the M train service to Vantaankoski. Today, the letter M is used to designate our commuter train service around Tampere. My photo.

A total of 50 Sm2 units were delivered by Valmet between 1975-81. One unit consist of an Sm2 power car and an Eioc control cab car at the other end. They were used in the Helsinki commuter train network alongside the Sm1:s, which which they could be coupled together to form ten-carriage trains if needed. As they are fairly reliable, the Sm2 units have occasionally been used on long-distance trains and at least on one occasion even an Intercity, but their relatively low top speed of just 120 km/h has made them less than ideal on long-distance services.

Original interior of the Sm2. Photo Skorpion87, Wikimedia commons.

All Sm2 units were modernised between 2002 and 2010, with the interiors rebuilt and a new red-white livery applies to the exterior. Overall, the refit followed the pattern set by refits carried previously on the Sm1:s, the two classes remaining near-identical (and fuckable) inside and out.

An Sm2 after the first rebuild, photographed at the Helsinki main station in 2009. My photo.

The star of the Sm2 started to decline with the acquisition of the new Sm5 units (Stadler Flirt) for HSL's (Helsinki Regional Traffic Authority) commuter network starting 2008 (These are owned by Pääkaupunkiseudun junakalusto oy, not us). A total of 81 Sm5's were delivered by 2017, which meant that the Sm1, Sm2 and Sm4 units were retired from the HSL routes.

Sm2 interior after the first rebuilt. Photo Edvardbeijar, Wikimedia Commons.

However, the Sm2's can still be occasionally spotted in Helsinki on longer-distance commuter services we operate to destinations outside the HSL area. Primarily they were moved to the local services around Tampere and the lines linking Riihimäki, Lahti, Kouvola and Kotka to each other. 36 Sm2 units remain in use for these services, and most of them have been given a light refurbishment, including repainting in our current white-green colours, as seen in the first photo.

The 14 retired units have been stripped for spare parts to use in the remaining units; in 2022, we entered a tentative agreement to sell them to our startup competitor Suomen Lähijunat Oy, who plan to heavily modernise them and use them on commuter train services in and around cities we currently don't offer local train services in, for example Turku. Suomen Lähijunat had some trouble securing funding, but the deal was eventually finalized at the end of November 2023.

Suomen Lähijunat's vision of a rebuilt Sm2. Photo Suomen Lähijunat/Idis Design

Meanwhile, we have signed a contract for 20 new Stadler Flirt units of our own (the Sm7 class) to be delivered starting 2026. (We also have an option for 50 additional units). With the delivery of these, our remaining Sm2's will be phased out. So if you want to experience traveling inside our hot milfs from the 1970s, you still have a few years!

#railroad #train #multiple unit #vr #suomen lähijunat (bleh!)

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sssnapspics · 5 months

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Please help to save lost Northern Bald Ibises!

I'm not asking for money! Just sighting reports (Germany, Denmark, Sweden).

They are a bit smaller than geese and look like this:

^ This is Enrico, one of the birds who got lost. When I posted this he was near Hamburg/Lübeck.

The birds are part of a project to reintroduce wild populations of highly endangered Northern Bald Ibises to Europe. Raised in southern Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, they usually migrate to Italy in autumn and spend winter there. Adolescent birds learn the route from experienced birds, but this year a group of adolescents flew north (to Scandinavia) by themselves.

Some of these are still up north. Now that winter has arrived the situation is getting dire for them and members of the project are trying to catch the birds to keep them safe this winter.

Most of them don't have trackers, so sighting reports are crucial!

If you see them, please report the sighting with their exact location via WhatsApp to:

Daniela Trobe 0043 660 14 27 204 or

Corinna Esterer 0043 660 50 33 511

Current (1.12.2023) approximate locations of birds who do have trackers: 3 in Schleswig-Holstein and one near Frankfurt in Germany, one near Varde in Denmark, one south of Jönköping in Sweden. But there are ca 20 birds that could be anywhere in the area between Jönköping, Denmark, Germany, and maybe western Czechia.

TL;DR Adolescent birds lost somewhere in (northern) Germany, Denmark, and southern Sweden. If you see them, please report the sighting with exact location!

#northern bald ibis #birds #wildlife #waldrapp #geronticus eremita #not my photos but i put the sources in the image descriptions pls don't sue me ._.

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girlactionfigure · 11 days

Text

SHABBAT ✡️✡️ SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ✡️✡️ for those in ISRAEL

via ISRAEL REALTIME - Connecting the World to Israel in Realtime

(( Note Israel Realtime does not post updates on Shabbat (Israel time) UNLESS life threatening / saving. ))

Chief Rabbinute instructions with Risk Adjustments

📖Erev Shabbat - Shabbat HAGADOL - Parshat Metzora: Leviticus 14:2, discussing the laws of ritual purity.

🍞SELL your Chametz, Passover is almost here! -> https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/sell_chometz_cdo/sc/passover_home_button

🔅Shabbat Times here -> https://www.myzmanim.com/search.aspx

⚠️RISK - WHOLE COUNTRY - MEDIUM-HIGH due to possibility of retaliatory attacks by Iran or their proxies, and such attacks may be large if they occur. Precautions REQUIRED, know your shelter options at synagogue, school, work and home - and at the store or mall or what actions to take if out in the open, at the beach or park.

❗️Don’t panic, however some preparations would be wise. Home Front Command -> https://www.oref.org.il/12490-15903-en/pakar.aspx (link only works in Israel)

➡️ MAMAD LIGHTS ON… leave the lights on, on Shabbat, so if there is an alert you don’t have to turn them on.

➡️ TAKE A PHONE WITH YOU… when sheltering or leave one on in the shelter. If you must call for help, have a way to do so quickly.

➡️ LEAVE ON AN ALERT METHOD… Leave on silent channel or stream on computer or phone, or alert app.

❗️DUE TO GPS JAMMING, alert apps must be set to specific city instead of ‘current location’.

➡️ SAFE TO GO TO SYNAGOGUE? - Follow instructions of Homefront Command and your City!

— HIGH Risk - only go to a synagogue that has, or preferably is in, a shelter. Otherwise pray at home.

— MEDIUM Risk - best to only go to a synagogue that has or is near a shelter. Where is it? Have a ‘when there is a siren’ plan in mind.

— LOW Risk - there will possibly be sirens, what’s your plan? Have one or choose another synagogue.

➡️ PLAN YOUR SHELTER PATH TO/FROM SYNAGOGUE - If an alert goes off en route, where will you go to be protected if on the way?

➡️ IN SYNAGOGUE, WHERE IS THE SHELTER? Does it have capacity? - If an alert goes off in synagogue, KNOW where you will go. Walk over and check the path and capacity.

➡️ ARE YOU SLOW? - In High Risk areas, stay home. Medium and Low risk, have a plan if there is a siren.

➡️ CHILDREN? Discuss with your children what to do in case there is a siren. Leave young children at home in High risk areas.

➡️ CARRY YOUR WEAPON.

— If you have a gun license, it is a MITZVAH to carry your gun on Shabbat, even without an eruv.

— Try to have AT LEAST one armed person in every synagogue.

— Have Pepper spray? Or a Knife (small size, approx. width of palm, as allowed by law)? Carry it - we all remain at risk of terror attacks. (Note pepper spray, knives etc will not be allowed to enter govt offices, hospitals, malls or any security controlled site, and your workplace may require you to register.)

➡️ IF SIRENS, SHELTER EVEN IF IN AMIDAH

— If sirens are heard in the middle of the Amidah, one must go to the shelter. After, restart Amidah from the beginning (others rule to start from where you stopped).

— Can’t get to shelter, LAY DOWN, all the way, hands on head (reduces risk by 80%).

— As per Homefront Command, wait AT LEAST 5 minutes (Homefront says 10) before exiting shelter or getting up.

➡️ HAVE A PHONE AVAILABLE

— Every synagogue needs a PHONE ON for immediate use on Shabbat. And with a red alert app in case it is hard to hear sirens.

— You may carry and keep a cell phone on in your pocket. Set to silent, and set red alert apps to “override silent mode”.

➡️ DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL POLICE !! - If anything suspicious, CALL POLICE immediately! Dial 100

➡️ ALL INSTRUCTIONS FROM HOME FRONT COMMAND and your City must be strictly obeyed. If instructed to shut yourself in, do not leave the house even for prayer.

It is a mitzvah to take actions to protect and save and preserve life on Shabbat, not a violation. But ONLY actions which do so.

#Israel #October 7 #Hamas Massacre #Gaza #Israel/HamasWar #Real Time Updates #Shabbat

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nguyenfinity · 2 days

Text

Long post incoming 'cause I really enjoyed making this but timeline project!! Parameters were to show a timeline using pop culture references so I did the life of a neutron star with Madoka Magica (specifically Homura's arc during the main series)!!

For some meta/symbolic/design purposes I inlaid it in a clock :]

This is a 16-inch clock btw, the design itself is like 14 inches-- Stages Nebula: Inception of a star; the gravitational collapse of dust clouds forms its base. Akemi-san's been in the hospital for some time due to a heart condition. She hasn't been to school in quite a while, so I'm sure she'll run into a lot of difficulties. Make sure you all help her out, okay?

Protostar: The protostar spinds rapidly, causing further collapse of the nebula. The star keeps spinning, trying to reach equilibrium between its internal forces and gravity. I-I'm A-Akemi H-Homura... I, uh... I-It's nice to meet all of you. T-Tauri: Energy comes from gravitational forces since the temperature is too low for nuclear fusion. The star enters the main part of its life when it can finally start nuclear fusion and achieves equilibrium. Hey, don't be so nervous. We're classmates, after all. Main Sequence: 90% of the star's life; fusion continuously occurs until hydrogen is depleted, initiating the death of the star. Homura-chan, I'm really glad we became friends. Red Supergiant: The star swells up to a massive size; nuclear fusion can still occur until the star forms an iron core. We can do this together. We'll beat the Walpurgisnacht, just the two of us.

Supernova: As soon as an iron core forms, the star instantly collapses in on itself from the sheer force of gravity. THIS time, instead of her protecting me, I want to become strong enough to protect her!

Research/more design notes below the cut

There were so many directions to take (as you can see, like lifespan of a star would also be very viable for Rinne) but pmmm is so near and dear to my heart that it would've felt criminal not to do it and especially for like. A golden idea, like I think I hit conceptual gold--

It was so hard picking a singular route 'cause there's so many ways a star's life plays out and so many fitting storylines (Godoka for a neutron star, Akumura for black hole, magical girls in general etc) but I also had to take the physical presentation into account 'cause we were allowed to do that however, and Homura's main story arc fit really well because of the time loop and how clocks are. Yeah (and also the symbolic meaning of it being a clock)

There's more symbolism in the specific route I chose being a neutron star because those are the densest object ever, like how Homura repeating that month over and over again kept converging fate onto Madoka worse and worse--

i literally had a presentation with this and I couldn't think of what to say and if i recall anything i'll add it in the replies but MAN this project was so so fun (not the illustration part. i hit major artblock when trying to figure out how to draw it.)

#sana school stuff #madoka magica #pmmm #this actually got done way way back in february but i hadn't posted it until now dgfhjhkjgkh #'cause i wasn't 100% sure of the execution at the time but i worked hard on it so #or how to like. structure the actual post #in the future i'd like to revisit this or make other variations #every neuron in my brain activating when madoka magica #weeeeeeeee #do. do you like how main sequence. where 90% of the star's life. is their friendship and the leadup to walpurgis. i do. i love it

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fe-fictions · 2 months

Note

I may have sent this one in pre new year, but could you maybe write some Frederick angst with hypothermia (in honor of the freezing weather; the angstier the better). No pressure, of course, and happy new year!!! 🥳

(It's starting to warm up, so here's one last freezing story before we welcome a stupid hot spring U V U / )

The village in the high north of Ferox was besieged by Risen. It wasn’t a terribly difficult job to dispatch them, on their own.

It was the weather, the sheer number of civilians, and the swiftly sinking sun that was creating a whole host of dangers and threatened your plans.

Frederick tried his damndest to keep things in line, barking out echoes of your orders to those who couldn’t hear your voice over the howling winds.

The civilians who could pay attention to him and focus outside of screaming in fear at the sight of the undead, were able to get somewhat organized into a barreling crowd, rushing towards the back of the village. Getting them as far from the fight as possible was key.

“Sumia!! Get me a number on what’s left-- we’re losing daylight and I need a body count!” Your orders cracked across the field like a whip, demanding the attention of those wh ocould hear you. Frederick was fighting up ahead, ready for the battle to shift towards its end.

It was never that Risen were particularly powerful or challenging; it was always the numbers.

Whoever summoned them, they did everything in their power to tire out the Shepherds so they might pick off a few from their ranks.

It was particularly distressing between the civilians, the snow, and the never-ending hoarde of monsters.

“I’ve got two dozen left to the southeast, and another 14 to the direct south!”

Well, almost never-ending.

“That’s not bad…we can rout them quickly if we keep pushing them away from the village!!” You realized, “Frederick, I need you in the backline, protecting the gates with Stahl and Sully. I’ll take the mages, and we’ll clear the Risen in the field. If any stragglers get near-”

“They will be dispatched.” Frederick confirmed, giving you a curt nod before pulling Hebert around and galloping back into the town.

With the push to clear the remaining enemies, but made it easier to work around the rest. He charged back to the gates, rallying the civilians that were struggling to escape the hoard and shepherding them to the chief’s home, the furthest back in the village territory.

It was the safest place they could be, while the army handled the rest of the battle.

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

It wouldn’t be until two more hours before the battle finally ended. The cavaliers had successfully kept the bastards from the villagers, and had hurried as many civilians as possible into the safety of the chief’s home. It was quite cramped, but it was indeed protective of the innocent people.

“Lieutenant!!” Chrom’s voice cut across the billowing wind, frost and ice piercing any exposed skin with no mercy. The snow seemed to be getting worse, making it harder for Frederick to spot the prince…especially with the white cape and blue clothes that seemed to blend into the landscape.

“Milord! Is it done?”

“They’ve been cleared- I think we’re all right. The only problem is the villagers- we found multiple out in the field trying to escape from Risen. I don’t know how many more there are. Robin and the others went into the forest to try and recover people spotted running away, but they’ll need help.”

“They went deeper into the forest?” Frederick repeated when the Exalt crunched his way over, the snow halfway to their knees. A knot of worry lowered his brow, feeling a stirring in his chest.

He had been militant in educating you on the dangers of winter weather; especially given your Plegian constitution; the desert environment couldn’t have been more different from Ferox. You weren’t exactly built for the snow, but with education and plenty of precautions taken, you would be fine.

He wasn’t sure how well that would hold up if you were navigating the frozen tundra alone.

“How long ago did they start the search?” He demanded, looking back into the crowd milling about inside the bursting house.

“It was little over a half hour, I believe.” He thought hard, eyes narrowed against the snow. “We need to organize a search party to make sure everyone comes back safe. Are the horses handling the cold well enough to work through it a bit longer?”

“Hebert is still strong enough to carry on; I’ll inform the pegasus riders and the rest of the cavalier squadron what we need to do.”

The Shepherds quickly rallied around the Exalt when he informed them of the situation. The chieftain managed to pull together focus among his citizens, asking if anyone was missing.

A few families were missing siblings or cousins, some friends and some more prone to panic than others.

But it was fewer than a dozen. How far could they have wandered that Robin and the others weren’t back yet?

“Frederick, take my flare spell; it’s the last one I’ve got, but I assume you’ll want to wait to return until everyone’s accounted for.”

“I will make certain we have saved everyone.” Frederick promised, taking the small tome into hand and tucking it into his cloak.

The search party left the warmth they craved to return to the bitter cold. Even in those few minutes of planning their search, the wind grew much faster and biting.

It did not settle the pit in his stomach any less.

“The wind is too strong for voices to be heard over it; save your strength and don’t send up any signals unless you or the civilians you find are in immediate danger! Am I understood?!”

“Sir, yes sir!!”

And with that, they burst into the unforgiving snow once more. The knight could only hope that you were safe and healthy, returning with as many villagers as you could manage.

The alternative would be unthinkable.

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

If you were struggling with snow blindness before the storm got worse, it was completely impossible to see, now.

Between the wind whipping your hair about your face, and the ice crystals forming on your lashes, it was a miserable challenge just to put a coherent thought together.

A sliver of panic was setting in, but you were determined not to let it show. Not when you had a child in your arms, shivering violently against your chest. You held them tightly, having them underneath your coat and buttoned in to protect against the cold, but even with the woolen interior that Frederick had sewn in, you were finding it difficult to maintain either of your temperatures.

If the child had been a little older, perhaps you could’ve gone farther and gotten closer to the village before you lost sight of everything, altogether.

But there was little time to regret it. Your limbs were growing more numb by the second, and all you knew was to keep moving forward.

One of the many navigational skills Frederick had taught you was to focus on the moss on the southern side of trees; it always grew on the southern side.

…Right?

That didn’t seem right.

The fog in your brain was getting thicker. Heavier, much like your limbs. With a shaking gasp, you tried to take in more air; each breath filled your lungs with ice.

“Aaah!!”

The child’s squeal vibrated against your chest, startling you; it seemed like you’d lost your balance. With a staggering few steps, you fought to stay upright, the wind beating into your body making it far more difficult than it should ever be.

“S-sorry…sorry…” You mumbled, tightening your grip on the little one. At least, you thought you did. You told your fingers to press into their small body, but…you weren’t sure if that mental command had traveled to your hands.

You couldn’t feel them anymore.

The pain of your struggle onward was getting harder to focus on. The numbness was worse. You kept apologizing. The word “sorry” left your mouth again…and again…

Where was the village? No…where were the trees? It was all so white…so blinding…

“Robin!!”

You felt the child jolt in your arms; someone had called your name. It must be loud, because the child started squirming, shouting back.

It was hard to hear even that much, though you could vaguely feel the vibrations of their voice against your chest.

“Gods, Robin!! What the hells happened?!”

You kept hearing a voice, but you didn’t recognize it. There was a flash of brown hair that came into view, and a big, blob that appeared to be walking on four sticks.

The young one squirmed from your arms, just as a pair of large hands came to your shoulders. You couldn’t feel them squeeze, but you felt the world suddenly stop.

They must have caught you. There was a frantic, muffled noise in front of you…was that their voice? Gods, you were so tired.

That was just about the last thing that crossed your mind, before the blinding white tilted into darkness.

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

Hebert was whinnying with great displeasure, having to go back into the punishing cold. Frederick understood the feeling well, but he was far more worried about locating his missing wife.

It hadn’t been long after he’d prepared the Shepherds for the search before he heard the panicked wails of a young mother; her little boy hadn’t come back.

He’d been separated in the panic, trying to get all the civilians away from the battle. He was too young to be out there alone; no way he could find his way back in all the madness.

That, and the storm was so bad now, that little one would surely be dead if he wasn’t found.

Frederick prayed to every god he could think of that you had found the boy, and the pair of you were quickly on your way back to the village.

“Onward, Hebert!! Faster!!” He snapped the reins, pushing as fast as he could go. It was a grueling process; the hopes of spotting the black coat in this sea of ice were becoming dashed with every passing moment.

After ten minutes, there was still no luck. Frederick’s heartbeat quickened, the dread creeping in with every slam of Hebert’s hooves into the ground.

It wasn’t fast enough.

Every second you were out there, the chances of survival were slipping away. They were going to run out of time to get you and return to the village.

If things got any worse, they’d have to go back empty hande.

He searched the ky for a flare, flistened for someone shouting they’d found you. But of coufres, no signs came to suggest you were found.

That would be far too easy.

Frederick dug his heels in, prssing further into the white and prayed for your safety.

He bore the brunt of the ice for twelve more minutes…when he finally had a breakthrough.

A single, dark blot against the horizon.

It was moving slowly, moving away from him…but it was no doubt a person. He He pressed forward despite Hebert’s whinnied protests, the wind picking up speed and blowing at the poor beasts’ side.

“A little farther Hebert. We’re almost- you!! You, there!!”

He shouted out at the sight of the distant figure. They did not seem to acknowledge his voice.

“Robin?! Is that you??” He shouted louder. The distance was quickly closing, and the blot turned into what was without a doubt your coat. The patterns on the sleeves were purple; there was only one person it could possibly be.

“H-help!! Help, please!!”

A small body was running towards him, forcing Hebert to a stop. Frederick quickly closed the distance with his dismount, finding a small child trudging towards him with a complete lack of balance and coordination. The poor thing must have had his limbs half frozen.

“You must be the child that went missing.” Frederick found it hard to speak over the weather’s howls, but the boy acknowledged him, welcoming the knight’s hands as he lifted him up, placing him on Hebert’s saddle. Quickly, he unclasped his cloak, draping it around the boy. He seemed lucid and sound, and looked warmer than he would’ve thought.

“I-I don’t need much help-- it’s her. She needs it.” The boy pointed back to the figure who he’d looked away from.

The figure that had turned slowly, clearly confused.

The fear struck him like a lightning bolt.

“Gods, Robin!!” He sprinted to you, grasping your shoulders. You didn’t acknowledge him at all. "What the hells happened??"

Your eyes were glassy; skin pale, lips blue. Well past blue.

You were on You looked on the verge of death.

“It’s all right, I’ve got you.” He bit back the panic, fumbling the flare from his pocket and launching it into the sky. The magic made the bright red sigil impossible to miss.

It was the one saving grace they had.

“Don’t worry, I’m here. I’ve got the boy. You did brilliantly.” He said, tearing his scarf from his neck and wrapping it around your neck.

It bothered him more when you didn’t react to his actions.

“Robin?”

You blinked, a slurred “Sorry” falling from your lips. Then your knees buckled. A strangled noise escaped him when you suddenly fell, the whole of your body weight coming against his hands. He nearly dropped you into the snow.

“Dammit…!” He growled, finding the strength to lift you to his chest, carrying you back to his restless horse. The others would arive soon- surely they’d seen the flare by now, hovering bright and shining in the sky.

He had found you. He was bringing you to safety…but this was only the beginning of teh battle.

With a twist of his heart, he turned Hebert around and started the race back to teh village.

This was a battle you could still lose.

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

It was a merc that some Shepherds had met them halfway back to the village; Frederick had you wrapped up in the cloak with the boy, trying desperately to retain some of your body heat. When Sully and Maribelle caught up to him, they had her pulled from Hebert and placed into a village cart, its wheels carefully grafted to handle the snow far better than poor Hebert’s hooves could.

It mdae the return much easier; Maribelle was quick in administering first aide, focusing on yourr injuries and the frostbite nipping into your skin even as the ice turned her perfect curls into a frantic mop.

“She’s got hypothermia,” Maribelle deduced as they rushed through the front gates. “She’s losing her body emperature fast- she needs more than what I can do, and she needs emergency medics, now!!”

There was little more that needed to be said.

Frederick handed the boy off to his weeping parents, but had little tim eto accept their thanks; you were already being pulled frmo the cart and rushed to the cleric’s housewith the SHepherds’ best healers in tow.

He followed after them, Chrom and Ricken rushing with armfuls of blankets and enchanted stones to warm you quickly.

“Put her there, Frederick!” Lissa’s hand pointed to the pallet of blankets all but thrown together on the floor. The few beds were already filled with a mix of injured soldier and civilian alike.

You could only make do with what you had.

Frederick grit his teeth, following the command and lowering you carefully onto the blankets. His gloves were soaked through when he withdrew; your clothes were sopping wet.

“We need privacy-- Chrom, get those sheets up on the lines, here; fasten them so no one can look in.”

The prince did not dawdle, handing off the thicker blankets he and Ricken brought and started to fasten up the sheets around the clothes line hastily tacked up during the rush to protect the tactician’s privacy.

Frederick well understood what was happening, and had already begun to remove your clothes; the coat, sweater, scarf and tunic were difficult to peel away, but mercifully, your underclothes were not beyond rescue.

As soon as you were out from under your layers, he had you bundled tightly beneath the blankets, pressing the warming stones to your palms and your feet, and another to your chest.

He fought to suppress the anguish in his heart when he saw the tips of your fingers and toes had grown discolored. Had hypothermia already set in?

Was it already too...

“Frederick, armor off, now!!”

“Yes, milady!”

The buckles were being undone just as Lissa darted to the floor beside you, strategically speaking healing spells over the more dire areas in need of repair.

Your breathing had yet to steady, and your pulse was still weak. Maribelle looked utterly frantic, working opposite the princess to try and stabilize your temperature.

Frederick’s armor was fully off, clattering off of him in lieu of his carefully setting it on its stand. There would be little time for procedure. Not when you needed him.

“Your clothes, are they-?”

“They are dry, milady. If it is not enough body heat quickly enough, I will take them off. Give me the order when you must.” His words were clipped, the knight wasting not a second longer before lifting the blankets and joining you beneath them.

Gingerly, cautiously, you were pulled into him, making sure not to hold you in a way that would inhibit the healers from getting to you.

He cradled your head to his neck, your nose like ice against his skin. You were still so cold…this was surely a nightmare, wasn’t it?

“Stay with her, just like that. Any loss of body heat could be deadly for her, at this point.” Maribelle instructed in a grave tone.

Frederick squeezed you closer. The thundering of his heart was deafening in his ears…surely, you could hear it.

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

The first thought you had when your thoughts finally came out of the darkness was that you were very, very warm.

That wouldn’t make any sense, considering the last place you were was in the middle of a raging blizzard.

Then your second thought was that you couldn’t really move. It felt like you were being held by someone. Was it the little boy? The child that-

Oh, gods, where was he?

“Ungh…”

You couldn’t quite form words, yet. Your mind was filled with fog. And your head hurt. Well, really, a lot of you hurt. As your consciousness started to come through the grogginess, you felt a shift around you.

“Robin?”

Your vision was still blurred, despite rapid blinks attempting to clarify what you were looking at. Or rather, what you were looking for. All you could really see was the knitting of a thick, dark blue tunic…it smelled quite familiar.

“Robin, can you hear me? Are you- Milady, I think she’s coming to.”

That sounded like Frederick’s voice. The hands that were on you retreated from your back, one gingerly cupping your cheek, tilting your face up.

Your vision went from the dark blue haziness into a much brighter, warmer shift of light. You found yourself looking up, into the blurry vision of your husband’s face.

You’d recognize that cowlick anywhere.

“Robin…you’re finally awake…can you hear me? A-are you…?” He sounded so fragile. What could’ve happened that would have him so worried?

It did bother you, but there was a much more important matter at hand.

“Boy…t-the…the boy…”

“Thank the gods.” He breathed a heavy sigh of relief, holding you tighter. He pressed you to his chest, his other hand threading into your hair. He buried his face in your neck, and you could feel the grimace on his lips. “You’re all right…!”

“Fred…the child, he’s-”

“He’s all right. You saved him.” He spoke softly, his voice vibrating pleasantly along your skin. “I found you both, just in time. He’s with his parents, and you’re in the cleric’s home.”

The cleric’s home.

“Lissa’s nearby. She’ll come to check on you in a moment. You were…it was touch and go for a while.”

Oh. That explained the tremor in his fingertips.

“What happened?”

“When I found you…you were unresponsive. The boy had actually run from you to come and get me. It was right when I’d gotten to you, that you collapsed. Your hands…you were frostbitten, and you’d been walking the wrong way, and…and you were delirious.”

You raised your hands to his chest, fingers curled into his tunic. They did not seem to be frostbitten any longer, at least. They were stiff and sore, but they weren’t discolored.

“I don’t remember much, I’m afraid.” Your voice was hoarse, despite the best attempts to clear your throat. Frederick stroked your hair, an attempt at comfort for the both of you. “But I’m…so glad you found me.”

“I would not have lost you to the winter.” He murmured, “I refused to. I know how much you hate the cold.”

“Ha.” You pressed your face into his chest, snuggling as close as you could. His hand tightened on your waist, and you were acutely aware that his calloused fingers were pressed to your skin. “Um…am I…?”

“Your clothes were utterly soaked through. We had to undress you, but rest assured, it is just the two of us. Lissa was kind enough to prepare some privacy for you while treating you.”

“I see.” You were too tired to be embarrassed. Given the circumstances, you weren’t surprised that was the course of action taken. “Well…thank you. For coming to my aid.”

“Good wife, I will not hesitate to do so. Just as you do the same for me.” He hummed, pressing a kiss to your forehead. You curled your arms around his back, hugging him as tightly as you could.

You pushed your leg between his, all but wrapping yourself around your husband with the energy you could spare.

He had been so worried. You could feel the remnants of the stress in his form, how he had yet to fully relax despite cradling you so closely.

It was his favorite place to be, in the best of circumstances. Having you close in his embrace was a luxury that you had not been afforded since the Plegians first struck.

Perhaps being put in mortal danger wasn’t so bad, if this is what awaited you on the other side. Though you were careful not to speak of such a thing while your husband doted on you, remarking here and there about how utterly frightened he’d been at the thought you’d been lost in the snow.

Instead you simply lavished in his warmth, rising from your delightfully cozy nest to be examined by a tearful Lissa, and later to enjoy a bowl of hot stew lovingly prepared by your relieved comrades.

It would be a few days before you were back on your feet, but Frederick was with you every step of the way to make sure you recovered fully (and you were sure to give him as much physical comfort as possible in that time…there couldn’t have been enough hugs and kisses in the world until he was confident you were all right).

#frederick #robin #fe 13 #fe awakening #fire emblem awakening #fe: awakening #fe-fictions #fe fictions #fredrobin #Frederick x robin #f!mu #f!robin #fem!robin #angst #hurt and comfort #blizzard prompt #we love some good ole hurt and comfort for Mr. freddybear #good to be back #this was way longer than I had planned it to be but you KNOW how I get with Frederick ;;;;

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starlightshadowsworld · 6 months

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Let's do a recap shall we (28.10.2023)

Internet and phone networks have been cut off in Gaza. It's a near total blackout.

Meaning people in the region are struggling to contact loved ones.

And ambulances are struggling to find the people that need their help.

Fuel has been banned from getting into Gaza. And the fuel they had is running out.

Which will affect hospitals, ambulances. Premature babies in incubators and people utilising dialysis machines etc.

The ground invasion of Gaza has begun, with the Israeli military "stepping up" its air and ground forces in Gaza.

Daniel Hagari, an Israeli spokesman tweeted "For your immediate safety, we urge all residents of northern Gaza and Gaza City to temporarily relocate south.”

Because it's not like the last time the Israeli government told Palestinians to go south, they didn't bomb the safe routes and kill at least 40 people?

Also... Probably shouldn't be tweeting when almost no one can get the message.

Because of you guys bombing the area.

The infamous tunnels under Gaza have been used by the Palestinians to get in goods that Israel has not allowed them to have.

These goods have ranged from cheap gasloline to sheep, to women's underwear and plastic chairs for a school Israel had demolished.

For years they were called Gaza's lifeline

The UN... Continues to do fuck all.

I mean, they called an assembly which had a resolution lead by Jordan.

Which had an overwhelming majority agree for an “immediate, durable and sustainable humanitarian truce."

It demanded unhindered aid to the Gaza Strip. As well as the immediate release of all hostages.

Condemning attacks on both the Palestinian and Israeli civilians.

It passed with 120 votes.

45 abstained and 14 that were against it.

Though it's not legally binding but "carries political weight and reflects the degree the US and Israel are isolated internationally."

And apparently the White House are "pressuring Israel to reach a ceasefire."

Which, I call bullshit because the US has the power in this situation.

If Biden demanded a ceasefire or said if you don't stop this at once I'm gonna pull all our funding and military support.

Israel would fold so fast.

That's how much power the US government has over this shit. Israel has nothing without the western powers supporting them.

More than 100 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank.

By Settlers, aka people who lived abroad and settled to live in occupied Palestine.

Gun laws have been relaxed for settlers and they are killing Palestinians with the full support of the IDF.

Their blaming it on terrorism but the West Bank is a place that has no Hamas presence in it.

So their own justificactions don't even add up.

Not that they ever did.

Also they are killing Palestinians for just existing, 4 settlers killed a Palestinian who was harvesting olives.

So keep an eye on the West Bank and Gaza.

Apologises if I've missed anything because I probably have, cos there's just a lot going on.

#free palestine #free gaza #west bank #palestine #gaza #gaza strip #israel #anti israel #anti zionisim #gazaunderattack #united nations #us #usa #current news

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nourrris · 1 month

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peter parker

(going off the tom holland vr! this is going to be a very long ramble about the character) i cant get over how genuinely hauntingly sad peter parker is, when the idea of peter parker was created, (to be different incomparsion of other characters), because you have a teenager superhero - it's such a good concept mind you - but god? having somebody so young have such a large role on their shoulders is insane, and it's so interesting because just the change in age literally completely fundamentally changes his characters actions and future, he'll have more impulsive decisions, extreme mental issues (which is unavoidable in his situation), and simply a very difficult time trying to navigate.

his level of severe childhood trauma (which quite literally gives you a form of brain damage) will ultimately affect his entire future and actions, he saw his uncle die at what 14? maybe younger? that itself even without the spider-man part is horrid, he never had the chance to even grieve because he was thrown into the most life changing event of his life, he also had no parents either, he has a very significant lack of figures in his life that is so hard to change how they impacted him. what happened in homecoming was the least terrifying experience he probably went through which says alot when a whole warehouse fell upon him and he was just /inches/ way from dying near the end from the vulture.

then infinity war happens next, his fight's and experiences horribly scary situations that nobody could probably even digest at such an age, or even older. and when he 'dusted' its obvious it takes a toll on him before it even happens, he could feel it, and god isn't that scary to think of? the unstoppable force of death? then fucking endgame happens, which i honestly can't even believe the fact that if i said it wasn't the worst thing that happened to him i'd be right, even though he saw somebody who he considered a 'father' figure die in his hands.

excluding that even if tony never died peter would have never recovered mentally so normally, seeing how he was beat up to hell holding that gauntlet was so fucking terrifying. he was tossed around so much and he quite literally held the most dangerous and world altering item in his hands, and if he lost it he'd have the entire world's blame on him. thats so much responsibility a newly(?) sixteen year old should never have, you cannot possibly tell me that it wouldnt literally alter his brain from the terror.

far from home is one of my favorite movie's ever but never fails to make me cry. he didn't even get the time to grieve tony, or the fact that his entire world changed in the matter of days, or the experience it was to endure the endgame fight, how can you casually go back to school after witnessing and /participating/ in the fight that could have possibly entered in the doom of the world again or bring it all back. then mysterio happens, which in my opinion is one of the absolute worst villains that peter's fought, because he was just so human. he ruined peters life completely, and he was just another human. wouldn't that make somebody so bitter? that no your life wasn't completely thrown away to shit by the big evil purple alien, but by another full human. absolutely nothing special to him power wise, not possessed, no weird voices, he did it with pure manipulation and thats one of the worst possible things i could have imagined somebody doing to him.

because peter at the end of the day was just a complete kid, mysterio made him believe he could trust him and peter did, he just lost so much in his life that somebody who could finally understand him was all he needed to feel assured, its why the significance of that one talk they both had after fury was being a dick to peter was so important, mysterio decided to go for such an emotionally devastating route it's unbelievable. but seemingly manipulating his trust wasn't enough, he just had to fuck him up so bad with that illusion scene, putting everything he loved against him and god the stark part was so fucking cruel, but after it all the part that hurt so much to watch was when happy got to him, peter questioning if he was real is so cruel. making this poor kid unable to trust his surroundings (after also being hit by a fucking train!), when he already had so much psychological issues going on is literally the cruelest fate he could have given him at the time.

and lastly no way home, and his future at that. mysterio exposing peters identity was such an irreversible decision that i honestly believe no matter what peter did, there was nothing that could give him or his loved ones the life he wanted unless if he did try to make everybody forget him. like if he originally went to the lady to re-persuade her to let his friends in it wouldnt have worked, and it also showed that much before peter ended up saving the lady in the car, all their fates were fucked and frankly there was no good way to get out of it, he was so absolutely doomed.

may parkers death was the worst of it all i think, i believe from everything that's happened to him, that absolutely nothing would affect him the way she died did. every other death of a loved one that had happened he couldn't truly take the blame for, but knowing how everything lead up to him is the most excruciatingly important detail. he canonically blames himself and i dont believe that feeling will ever end up going away. there's just no way it could, the fact he was the last person who ever saw her alive, the last person she spoke too, he quite literally saw the life drain out of her, there's no way to recover after seeing the person who's been with you for longer than you can remember die in your hands, and in the hands of your accidental actions.

i dont think there was a world were he could have escaped that death coming, peters identity being out as spider-man would have definitely done something in the future, and the problem is everything in no-way home happened in the smallest time stamp ever, i could be wrong but i believe it all went down in a few days at most, there was no way to even comprehend the absolute mental load and overwhelming amount of information being handed to him, nor do i think he'll manage to get over it easily later on either. the idea of different versions of him existing is so much to chew on, the idea of other versions of him living the happier life he could have, ones that never have the people he loves in them, ones where the people he loved are still alive, or some of them even. he even directly saw worlds where their peter parkers arent forced to be forgotten.

this version of peter lost so much that its impossible to cope with, all the peters lost alot already, like all of them didn't have parents iirc, all lost uncle ben, but the tobey and andrew spider-man had a living aunt may, then tobey's lost harry (?), and andrew lost gwen.

this version of peter parker lost both uncle and aunts, parents (of course), and tony stark. this is all just by death, he also lost his best friends, and girlfriend. they stay forever out of reach which is so tauntingly cruel. because he starts at 13/15 (pre homecoming) and by 17 (nwh) he's at the same point of all the other spider-man's started where theyre practically completely alone, or just experienced such a stark change to their lives.

my boy....... he deserves better..... sorry this is so long i had alot to say and i dont get the chance to talk about peter much and ive been recently hyperfixated on him since early feb and i love him so much and cant stop thinking or crying about him . also do tell me if i got any info wrong cause' ive only watched the tom holland trilogy, so im a bit uninformed there but did try to do some research!

#peter parker #spiderman tom holland #spiderman #marvel mcu #mysterio #tony stark #okay thats all i think...

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sophiebernadotte · 4 months

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"When we talk about Frederik's popularity, we also have to acknowledge that there have been quite a few mishaps"

Denmark's new regent has several scandals in his backpack.

Today, Crown Prince Frederik has entered the office he was born to, and from now on, he will have to fill the huge shoes that his mother, Queen Margrethe, is leaving behind.

These are shoes that he is predicted to be able to fill via his slightly more popular profile, who attends Smukfest and organizes the Royal Run.

But the route to where he is today has occasionally been bumpy and has left the country's new king with scratches in the paint.

There have been cases of public backlash in the 55-year-old regent's life.

- When we talk about Frederik's popularity, we also have to acknowledge that there have been quite a few mishaps, says Cecilie Nielsen, history and royal house correspondent at DR Nyheder.

Among other things, she points to the time a 20-year-old Crown Prince Frederik and 19-year-old Prince Joachim, together with two friends, drove Frederik's Peugeot 205 off the road near Cahors in France.

- It was a rather serious accident, so there was a lot of talk about whether the two princes were even allowed to drive together, Cecilie Nielsen tells about the episode, which took place in 1988.

Partner was driving drunk

And four years later, it went sideways again.

- Then there is also a New Year's party in 1992, where his girlfriend, in a drunken state, gets behind the wheel of his car, says Cecilie Nielsen.

The girlfriend at the time was Malou Aamund, who did not have a driver's license. The episode once again caused a media storm about Frederik.

- Taken for drunken driving, read the headline in B.T.

If you continue to botanize in the then crown prince's misfortune on four wheels, many probably remember when he crossed an otherwise closed Great Belt Bridge in 2015.

The IOC case is the worst

However, that is not where you find the case that has brought Frederik into the most headwinds, says royal house commentator Thomas Larsen.

- The biggest storm was the IOC case because he was also up against the political system, which simply believed that he had made a completely wrong decision.

Frederik went directly against the Danish line in the International Olympic Committee in 2016 and voted for Russia to participate in the Olympics despite extensive scandals about state-sponsored doping.

Before then, it had raised criticism that he stood up for the committee.

- In the role as king, he simply cannot get into such conflicts, says Thomas Larsen.

Especially when he no longer has Queen Margrethe as a frontline fighter, says the royal house expert.

- I think he should consider himself happy that he could stand under the protection of a very, very strong queen.

Herlufsholm and Casanova

In addition, the future regents were also on thin ice when the whole case around Herlufsholm was happening. A case which, as you know, ended with Prince Christian changing schools.

- It raised the question: Can the royal children go to a school that is part of a bullying debate when their mother has an anti-bullying campaign, says Cecilie Nielsen, which, of course, also mentions the recent case of Crown Prince Frederik's trip to Madrid, where he was photographed in the company of the Mexican model Genoveva Casanova.

- It was especially big in foreign media, says Cecilie Nielsen.

Translation of an article by Jakob Slyngborg Trolle for DR, published Jan. 14, 2024, at 18:33. The text has also been edited by me for clarity.

#danish royal family #king frederik x #crown prince frederik #royal reporting #240114 #if anyone speaks danish and notices a mistranslation please let me know and I'll change it #what I gathered from this article is that you shouldn't let Fred drive

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quaranmine · 8 months

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Shoshone National Forest Fire Lookouts (compared to Firewatch game locations)

One of the more interesting things about my story research, and by extension the game of Firewatch itself, is that all of the lookouts in the game are fake. In the game, you have the Two Forks tower and the Thorofare one. You also have a Moss Peak lookout and a Spruce lookout listed at the supply drop. The map lists a Chimmney Peak lookout as well on the adjacent regions section, and it isn't too much of a stretch to assume that some of the other adjacent regions also have lookouts even if the word "lookout" isn't attached to the name. There's an abandoned cabin called Hawks Rest lookout. That's a lot of lookouts!

But none of those exist, or seem to have ever existed, in real life in Shoshone National Forest. Of course, that in itself is not too suprising--most of the other locations on the game map don't exist in real life either. Oh, the names are inspired ("Thunder" canyon, "Waipiti" meadow, "Beartooth" point) but the actual geographic features on the game map do not exist. There is no Jonesy lake, for example. It's a fictional setting created around a real life profession, of course it isn't referencing real locations. But there are tons of details in the game that are true to life.

There is a real Thorofare area. It's also an 85 mile backpacking route. More photos of the Thorofare area here. Gorgeous place, btw.

There is also a real fork in the Yellowstone River, splitting into an South Fork and an North fork. Inspiration for "Two Forks" as a name? Perhaps. It's not listed on the map above because I haven't zoomed in far enough, but the fork happens where the upper left flat area is.

There is a real "Hawk's Rest" location. (Game versus google images)

This cropped part of the game map is low resolution, but the adjacent regions listed to the Two Forks district are: Red Tops, Thorofare, Spruce, Crescent Mountain, Moss Peak, Ramshorn Peak, Chimmney Rock, and Irish Rock. Now looking on the map, what do we find in close proximity? These locations:

Ramshorn, Red Tops, Crescent Mountain, Irish Rock. The others might exist too (I swear I saw Chimmney Rock on another day) but I just didn't find it while making this post. It's hard to show in my screenshots, since these names only pop up when I'm really zoomed in, but all of these are in fairly close to each other on the map.

Most of the above mountains and real place names that correspond to the game Firewatch are located roughly in the red circle area. Some of the places are partially in Bridger-Teton National Forest instead. In road terms, the game seems to take place between HWY 14 out of Cody, WY and HWY 26 out of Dubois, WY.

Okay, so what about fire lookouts? Let's see the real life ones of Shoshone National Forest!

....well, there aren't that many. In fact, you can see a huge 'ol gap in same area as the spot I circled in the above map, which is where the locations in Shoshone match up to locations in the game. What's up with that? I'm not sure. Most of the lookouts on this map are either in Yellowstone, Teton, the Wind River Reservation, or Bridger-Teton National Forest.

In Shoshone National Forest, past or present, there is: Pinnacle Butte Lookout (no info), Warm Spring Mountain Lookout (gone), Blue Ridge Lookout (gone), Hunter Peak Lookout (gone), Windy Mountain Lookout (gone), and the Clay Butte Lookout (STILL STAFFED! but as a visitor information site.) The closest to the game site is Clayton Mountain Lookout, which is not present on the map above but in other former lookout registries I checked. It is gone as well.

None of these match anything in the game. They're either located on the far south finger of the Shoshone NF in the Wind River Range, or in the far north part near the Montana border. Most are gone, and were gone well before the late 80s when the game was set. Most don't even have photos attached. There was a total of 7 lookouts present in Shoshone National Forest total. The game Firewatch suggests 5 minimum lookout locations, and one former location, just in that small area of the national Forest. In the universe of Firewatch, I wonder how many total lookouts existed in other parts of this vast national forest?

I don't know if there's a point to this post, except that I find it quite interesting how the game incorporated real life names and locations into it, while still picking an area with relatively few lookouts ever present. And why is there so few lookouts in this area? Compared to the 900+ that existed in the neighboring Idaho? I'm not sure. That's a research question for another time.

Shoshone National Forest has the sights (beautiful location), the history (first ever national forest established; location of a wildfire that changed the trajectory of wildland firefighting history), and is adjacent to Yellowstone in a way that allowed the Yellowstone fires of 1988 to be incorporated into the storyline. But it is NOT the site of a rich fire lookout history, unfortunately.

#firewatch #here's your. history map whatever post for the day lol #i really need to be working and Not doing whatever this is #it's a shame i wish that there was more i could look up about lookouts in shoshone #but it seems that all the inspiration for that must have come from lookouts in other locations in the country since little exists in the NF

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snailpastaenjoyer35 · 10 months

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Every snipbit of Soriel in Undertale/Deltarune (spoilers obviously)

This is just a collective post with every “soriel” moment, but I’d like to say first that soriel can just be them being platonic friends or romantically invovled, it’s really up to how you interpret their dynamic. Keep in mind that I could be missing some more obscure things that are outside of the games and such, but I did try to be as extensive as possible.

- Before anything else, I’d like to mention Toriel’s joke book in the RUINs, which has a joke passage cirlced of skeleton jokes and the game reads you this one:

“Why did the skeleton want a friend? Because she was feeling BONELY.”

- Next thing to talk about is Sans’ dinner story at MTT Diner, where he recalls how a lady answered his knock knock jokes at the RUINs door. Sans talks about how he’d go there all the time after that. Sans also mentions during his talk with Frisk that he gave a promise to Toriel that he’d protect them on their journey, even though he doesn’t really do promises.

Full scene:

youtube

- Some one-note remarks are throughout the game as well. For example, it can be implied that Toriel was giving Sans cooking advice to some degree because of 1) the “weird quiche” that Sans out-of-the-blue tried to make at home and 2) the snail pasta that Sans bought.

- There’s also the fact that Sans “hasn’t been around much” at Grillby’s, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it has to do with Toriel, but it could if Papyrus is anything to go by.

Now to the endings.

- Near the end of the true pacifist route, there’s Toriel and Sans’ apparent in-person meeting before Flowey comes in which you can watch below. They recognize each other’s voices and introduce themselves, Toriel says Sans told her a lot about Papyrus while at the door.

youtube

- After the player beats the game on a true pacifist route, there’s a TON of dialouge with Sans and Toriel, so watch the video below to see all of it:

youtube

This video also has all of Toriel’s text messages in it, a lot of with are with Sans as well, some of which I’ll put here but there’s a lot more in the video (they start at 9:15)

- There’s also the neutral route with Toriel and Sans ending up living together, or the “Exiled Queen Ending.” To get this ending, you have to kill Papyrus and leave Undyne alive. In the phone call, Sans talks about how Undyne banished Toriel back to the RUINs after Toriel tried inacting a ‘no killing humans’ policy and Sans ended up going with her. Sans brings her books from the library and says she’s a “good roomie.” (Time stamp: 12:56)

- In the opposite of that, if you leave Papyrus alive and kill Undyne, Toriel stays ruler and Sans and Papyrus visit her in the castle. He talks about how they play games and read books together, and even convincing her to leave the castle a couple times. (Time stamp: 14:11)

- If you kill Toriel in a neutral route, Sans will talk about how he doesn’t get a response when he knocks on the RUINs door anymore and says the she might not be feeling well. If you also kill Papyrus in this route, he’ll say: “Or maybe she’s not feeling anything at all. . .? You’d better watch yourself, kid. . .”

Here’s a video where you can see all of this:

youtube

- In Deltraune chapter 1, when you talk to Sans about who he should be friends with and pick Toriel, he says: “Too late, I already befriended your mom last night. She’s great, came to the store to buy chocolate kisses. Said she’s gotta lock her door to stop you from eating ‘em.”

- In Deltarune chapter 2, there’s a scene where Toriel goes into Sans’ shop to get eggs she left on the counter and they share a lot of egg puns. Toriel leaves though when Asgore comes in with possibly the funniest joke ever. Also I love Asgore calling Sans bone man. I cannot do the scene justice, it’s one of my favorite things from Deltarune, you can watch it below.

youtube

- Moving on from games, Undertale had a cancelled alarm clock app that had a lot of dialouge from characters, but it can all be found on the undertale website. There’s a lot of moments with Sans and Toriel, but I’ll fit what I can. Here’s the website if you want to look for yourself: https://undertale.com/alarmclock/

- In the first winter Undertale newletter, there’s this:

- In the 5th Anniversy stream, they have a commerical for some Undertale merch and I just thought Toriel wearing Sans merch was pretty cool.

Well I hoped you enjoyed my rambling but that’s it for what I have. okay bye i hope you enjoyed my delusion

#undertale #sans #undertalesans #sansundertale #soriel #toriel #undertaletoriel #undertale toriel #idk #I just needed to do this for some reason #let me know if I forgot anything because Im sure I did

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laurancezvahlslefteyebrow · 4 months

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Laurance’s Choice

Minecraft Diaries au fanfic where Laurance rescues Garroth from the Irene Dimension instead of Aaron

Sorry for any mistakes, enjoy (^_^)

Chapter One: The Calling

A harsh whisper echoed throughout his mind, bouncing off his skull, making his head hurt. He felt its anger, its hatred. He stumbled through the forest with a hazy mind and darkened eyes. He could barely see, barely breathe. He couldn’t think straight. Laurance tripped through the trees, breathing harshly as he mumbled near nonsense to himself. He tried desperately to keep himself grounded. He’d been trying for a while now. Everyday it got harder.

The Nether. It called to him. Beckoning him home. It told him to do terrible things. Things he’d never dream of. It told him to hurt someone, anyone. But most of all, it wanted him to hurt her. Aphmau. The love of his life. That’s why he was out here. He had to get away from her. His mind was becoming too loud to handle and he feared he might hurt her or lose control. He couldn’t let that happen. Not again. Not after what he promised her.

His eyes flickered in and out. Dark and blurry they wandered. His dusty brown hair was tangled and unkempt, sticking wildly to his damp face. His fingers, dark and tainted as they were, were sprinkled with small cuts and scratches from pushing through the forest in such a blind panic. Though his heart barely beat anymore, he swore he could feel it about to jump from his chest. His hands shook as he pushed through branches and felt desperately for a path.

Finally he collapsed, knees meeting the ground roughly as he attempted to brace his fall with his palms. He breathed harshly, shutting his eyes tight and beginning to count in his head. “1.. 2..” Vylad had taught him this, “5…6..” It was a grounding technique “13..14..” Meant to focus his mind on something else “29..30..” Keep him in the moment “87..88..89…” Finally he was beginning to calm. To catch his breath. His eyes became more clear and he could focus on his messy hands. Gods they were coverd in blood. Not too bad of wounds, but a scary sight no less.

After about an hour of sitting and counting, his mind became clear and his body no longer shook. He was exhausted, both physically and mentally. Not to mention emotionally. This was becoming too much. He thought about leaving. But to where? He didn’t know. Not the Nether. Not yet. But.. He couldn’t leave her. He’d miss her too much, and he couldn’t just abandon her. He promised to fight for her hand. Though…. That night… She and he had already…. It didn’t matter.. Laurance was becoming a danger to the people around him and he knew it. He had to do something and he had to do it quick.

He stood, struggling at first to keep his balance. He looked to the sky to see the sun just beginning to fall from its highest point. It was afternoon already. He had left early that morning, just before daybreak, when he was awoken by nightmares. Surely Aphmau had everyone searching for him by now. He should get back. He trudged to the stream of water he’d found himself near and rinsed the drying blood from his hands. The wounds were already beginning to heal, one of the few perks of being a Shadow Knight.

It took him a bit to find his way back to town, he wasn’t exactly paying much attention to his route whilst running from his own mind. It was becoming dark as he wandered back into the camp that would hopefully some day become the Phoenix Alliance. Aphmau spotted him and ran to him, meeting him with a hard hug. She held him so tight he swore he felt something crack. “Laurance! I was so worried! Where were you?!” “I was… out.. I’m sorry, I never meant to worry you.” He held her face gently, starring into her teary amber eyes. His bones shook with a feeling of distant hatred that was not his own. At least right now he could recognize that. “Yip found a trail of blood! I thought something happened! Do you have any idea-“ Laurance stopped her mid sentence with a kiss. She didn’t pull away. It wasn’t long, but it’s what he needed. ‘You’re so selfish’ He thought in the back of his mind. After a few seconds, Laurance pulled away and held her shoulders as she looked up at him, confused. “I’m… Sorry. I shouldn’t have I just…” He paused. Almost like an idea had come to him like a long lost friend. “How badly do you want Garroth back?” His question was soft, gentle, but there was a strange urgency in his words. “What?” “Sorry, dumb question. I know you want him back. As do I. But.. Are you really willing to give anything for him? Would you risk you own life?” The words sat in Aphmau’s ears for a moment before she answered. “I will do whatever it takes to get Garroth out of the Irene Dimension,” There was a fierce determination in her words. “I know we’ll get him back Laurance. Don’t worry.. Then you two can fight for my hand.” She joked, teasing him as a small sad smile appeared on Laurance’s face. She noticed, swearing she could see tears pricking his cloudy eyes. “H-Hey… We’ll get him out.” She cupped his cheek with a warm hand, and he leaned into it softly. He wanted to live in this moment forever. He wanted to savor it. But, he knew what he needed to do.

That night, Laurance went with Aphmau to bed as usual. But tonight, he waited for her to fall asleep. Once he was absolutely sure that she was off in dreamland, he sat up in bed. He didn’t have to worry about waking her as tonight they slept in separate beds. He sat for a moment, listening to her gentle and even breathing, and the occasional snore. He walked quietly to the table next to her bed and retrieved the artifact they’d found from her drawer. As he moved to leave, he stopped himself. For a moment, he watched her, grinning softly at the strand of hair stuck in her mouth. He leaned down and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. She moved slightly but kept asleep. Then, he placed a folded piece of paper inside her diary and made way to the door.

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