#but they're just ... not as good and i always end up selling my new releases and getting paperbacks instead

[cinemastyles-backup]

Under My Skin

Summary: request from theladyvalkurie - “Harry and Y/N are rivals who end up having to share a hotel room.”

Warnings: SMUT18+, strong language, unprotected sex, enemies to lovers basically, fingering, oral, rough actions, hate sex, general filth

My original CinemaStyles-blog has been terminated, so I created a new one.

DUNKIRK HARRY

"Y/N!"

"Over here! Smile for us, y/n!"

"Gorgeous!"

The cameras flashed as the media got the pictures they needed, "Thank you." I blow a kiss to the photographers and move on to the next group.

"Y/N, if I could have a moment of your time, please." An interviewer asks. "Hello, hello." I smile and look at the camera with a wave, "How are you?" She smiles, "I'm great, how are you? Your dress is absolutely stunning, by the way! Very nice!"

I fluff my dress out, "Oh thank you, I'm just in shock, right now. I think, yeah. I'm happy that the filming is over and we can finally get this movie out for everyone to see. It's a very good movie if I say so myself."

She lays a hand on my shoulder, "Well you heard it straight from the one star of the movie, this movie is worth the watch. So, y/n, I'm sure the fans are dying to know, what was it like working with Harry?"

I was waiting for this question to pop up.

I smile, "It was very exhilarating, I will say that."

He got on my last nerve every. Single. Fucking. Day.

"You must be a fan of him-"

I hate him.

"-so getting casted in this role must have been so exciting for you!"

I nod, "Yeah, yeah. It was something. That's for sure."

Suddenly the fans start to scream louder and I look over my shoulder. The interviewer turns, "That must be him now. Y/N it was great chatting with you! Hope to see you again soon!"

"Yeah, of course." I stand there and watch the fans go nuts as Harry steps out of the vehicle. He's in a pale green suit with a black undershirt and his hair is freshly cut.

I roll my eyes, hoping no one caught that on video and I walk over to another group or photographers. I turn and show off every angle of my dress when suddenly, there's an arm around my waist.

I instantly know it's Harry, "What are you doing?" I mumble through my teeth as I continue to smile.

"Getting photographed with my co-star." He whispers lowly.

I fight back an eye roll and the urge to push him away and suck it up. I lay a hand on his stomach and smile at the cameras, giving them all they're asking for.

The director and crew always joked about us being rivals but between me and Harry, i didn't think it was a joke. It's always a competition with Harry. Who gets the most likes, the most views, who has more fans.

It's obvious he's more popular than I am, I mean fuck. He makes music too. His concerts sell out as soon as the tickets are released.

"Thank you guys!"

"Beautiful, thank you!"

"Hate you." I mumble as I turn away.

"Hate you more." He says with a wink.

As much as I try to fight it off, he gets under my skin and he knows it, too.

"Alright guys, bring it in." Montie, the director, says waving his hands for us to gather around him, "This is a big premiere for me. For us." He says looking around at everyone, "Y/N. Harry." He points to us, "You guys made this movie the best it can be and I am grateful for the both of you."

Here it comes.

"If you both can just.. he civil for this, that would be greatly appreciated."

"Oh, Mon." Harry steps up, "We're good. You don't have to worry. We've put all of that behind us."

I take in a slow deep breathe and straighten, immediately smiling and nodding as Montie looks at us, "Yeah. Great." My eyes shoot to Harry and give him a subtle snobby look.

"Great. Great. Now everyone, you know your places to walk in, so everyone get in line and smile for the cameras. Wave to the fans. You know what to do." He claps and walks over to some reporters.

"How'd you like that?" Harry asks getting in front of me, "You're welcome by the way." I look away and shake my head, "I have nothing to be thankful for with you."

He snickers, "Yeah, I gave you exposure to my fans, so. That doesn't exactly make us rivals anymore, does it?"

I step up close to him, so close I can smell his cologne, "I don't need you to give me exposure to your fans, I'd rather lay out in the hot sun in the desert in July than be anything more than an on screen lover to you."

He looks over his shoulder, "You sure it's just on screen? Because I see the way you look at me."?

"With disgust and repulsion? Because I can assure you, that is no where near love." I step back and cross my arms.

"Harry, harry, hello." A woman walks up with a camera man and a microphone.

Oh great. I fix my posture and smile incase I'm in the shot.

"Hello, Evelyn. How are you, darling?" He leans in and gives her a hug, "You we're at my last movie premiere, right?"

She nods, "Oh gosh, I'm happy you remember." Harry smiles, "What can I do for you?" She smiles and points to me, "I was wondering if I can get an interview with you and your on screen lover."

I internally gag and step up, "Hello, Evelyn is it? That dress is beautiful on you!" She smiles, "Oh thank you, something I just pulled out of my closet, but your dress, wow. It fits beautifully on you."

I smile and shrug, "I had someone to dress me, if it were up to me I'd be home in my sweats eating ice cream." She laughs, "I feel you on that one, anyway. I was hoping I could ask you guys some questions since we have a few more minutes."

I nod, "Anything you want."

"Is Lucas and Amelia's relationship on screen like yours and Harry's is in real life?"

Harry is going to jump in when I start to drown, "Well, I wouldn't say we're exactly like them, I mean in some ways, I'm like Amelia because she knows what she wants and doesn't settle for anything than less she deserves."

She nods and looks at Harry and he thinks for a moment. I brace myself for his answer.

"You know, Evelyn. I actually do relate to Lucas because he knows what he wants and he doesn't stop going after it. He's persistent with doing things he knows that will be good for him, even if, I don't know. There's a rivalry with someone he always figures out a way to get what he wants."

She raises her eye brows, "Wow. So wait, you said rivalry, does that pertain to you two specifically?"

"Oh no, no." I jump in before Harry can, "Harry and I are pals. We're the bestest of friends." I wrap my arm around his waist, "This guy, he's a funny, funny guy."

Montie comes up, thank god.

"Harry, y/n. You guys are next. I want you to walk in together, holding hands." He grabs my hand and places it on Harry's, "Act like you don't truly despise each other." He says lowly.

Harry squeezes my hand, "Ready, lover?"

"Have a good show!" Evelyn says walking away. "I hate you so fucking much." I fix my hair.

"You can't hate me, we're pals, bestest of friends." He mocks my words, "Just be happy. You can hate me later."

We walk in and the crowd cheers for us. I smile and wave with Harry still holding my hand. The media is going to eat these up.

Great.

After the movie ends, we all make our way back out to the carpet, greeting people, getting congratulated and what not.

"Hey, guys." Monroe comes up to Harry and I, "So as you know, we have some more press tomorrow and the hotel we're staying at had just enough rooms for us."

"So we'll all be in the same hotel. That's good, right?" I smile but it quickly gets ripped away.

"We all had to double up, so you and Harry are in a room, great talk." He walks away quickly and I stand there with my lips parted, trying to process what he just said.

"Well, pal. Looks like we're roomies." Harry elbows my side gently and walks over to the fans behind the barricade.

You've got to be fucking kidding me.

"Mon.. Mon.." I walk up to him, "I-I can't share a room with Harry. I'll end up killing him. You of all people should know that by now."

He lets out a stressed out laugh, "Y/N.. please.. just be civil. I know he gets under your skin, I know you guys have a rivalry or whatever it is. Maybe this will help you guys get through it. Please. I need my two shining stars to be able to be in the same room with each other."

I let out a defeated sigh, "Okay."

He lays his hands on my cheeks, "You're the greatest."

——

"Uh-uh, nope. I get the bed. You can sleep.." I lay my suitcase on the bed and look around. I then motion to the floor, "..on the floor or whatever."

He laughs, "But I want the bed."

"And I want to be able to solve world hunger." I look at him with a serious stare, "I get the bed."

"I get the bed." He argues, "You can sleep on the little loveseat. I'm too tall for that."

"That sounds like a personal problem to me." I smirk slightly and unzip my suitcase, "I'm going for a bath, when I get out, your ass better be camped out on the floor."

"And what if it's not? You going to punish me?" He laughs and I ignore him as I walk to the mini fridge, "Hmm." I look over the assortment of little liquor bottles and grab a few before I walk into the bathroom.

I undress and throw on one of the hotel robes before I start my bath. I sit on the edge of the big tub and open one of the bottles.

I down the shot and set it on the counter. Just as I start to take off my robe, Harry opens the door, "Are you hungry?"

"Harry, fuck." I bring my robe back over my shoulder and turn to look at him. He smirks, "Not like I haven't seen it before." He tilts his head, "Do you want me to order you something? I'm starving."

I nod and tell him yes just to get him out of the bathroom. He winks and shuts the door. I stand there for a moment and shake my head, "No. no. No, y/n."

I take my robe off and step into the hot bath, submerging my body under the water and amazing smelling bubbles.

I close my eyes and lay my head back. I bite my lip and slip my hand between my legs, gently playing around with my clit.

I bite my lip to hold back my moans as I work my hand faster. I arch my back off the back of the tub as I can feel myself getting closer.

The door opens again and I jump and try to cover myself up, which results in water splashing everywhere.

"The foo- ooh, and what we're you doing?" He asks frisky.

"N-Not- Harry.. I-I .." I say getting flustered, "just get out. Please." I hide my face in my hand, "I should have locked the door.

"Mhm. But you didn't." He says before walking out.

"Oh my god." I mumble into my hands, "What the fuck?!"

I finish my bath and slip my robe back on. I open the door, preparing myself to face Harry after what he walked in on. I mean, my fault. I didn't lock the door, which I should have. But I didn't? Why didn't I-

No, no. I hate Harry. I hate Harry.

"What the fuck are you doing?" I stop in my tracks as I see him sitting on the bed eating his food, "Um, eating? What are you doing? Or, not doing?" He smirks and shoves his mouth full, "Come on. Eat."

I walk over and sit down on the bed with my back facing him as I grab the plate, "Thank you."

"No need to thank me. I just figured you were too busy to-"

I whip around and cut him off, "Shut up. Zip it. We don't speak about it ever again. Okay?" He holds his hands up in defense, "Yes ma'am." He salutes me and moves him plate, "I'm going for a shower, I'm not locking the door, fyi."

"Oh my- get out." I groan and lay back on the bed, "Leave." He laughs as he walks into the bathroom. I crack open another bottle and take it, "Shit." I whisper as I crack open another one.

I sit up and finish eating. I set my plate down on the stand and lay back, switching on the tv. I click through the channels trying to find something decent to watch.

I hear the door crack open and i fight myself not to look over at him. "Hey, Y/N."

"Hmm." I keep my eyes glued to the tv. I feel something land in my lap and I look down. He tossed me another bottle of liquor, "Have a shot with me. Celebrate our movie being an absolute success."

I pick up the tiny bottle and slowly look up at him. He's standing there with a towel wrapped around his waist and his skin glistening in the hotel light from the water that didn't dry.

I bite the inside of my lip and sit up, cracking open the little bottle. He walks over and leans down, pieces of his hair falling down onto his forehead.

"I'm done after this one." I tap the bottle to his and take it. He takes his and smirks, "Why? Afraid of the effects?" I roll my eyes, "No. I just can't roll out of bed and look good after drinking all night like you can." I look up at him, "I mean-"

"You think I look good?" He shrugs, "I think I do, too."

"You're such an arrogant son of a bitch." I scoff and throw the empty bottle at him. He catches it and tilts his head, "Hmm."

"What." I snap, "What now?"

"Nothing. Nothing." I get up and go to walk by him but he grabs my arm and spins me around to him. His hands slowly slide down to my hips. My eyes slowly gaze up his bare chest and meet his eyes.

"What are you doing?" I ask quietly. He smirks slightly and brushes hair out of my face, "Just offering to help you finish what you started in the bath."

I'm taken aback, "Wh-what?" I step back, considering his offer which I quickly brush off, "No. no." He steps towards me, "You sure, y/n?"

I lay a hand on my forehead and let out a sigh, "Harry." He lightly brushes my cheek with his finger, "y/n."

I give in. Pressing my body to his as his lips attack mine. His hands move quickly to undo my robe and push it off my shoulders. It drops to the floor and my hands go to his towel, untucking it and letting it fall.

His hands slide down over my boobs and he slips one between my legs. His fingers immediately find my clit and he takes it between.

A gasp slips from my lips and I drag my hand down his chest. I look up at him and he nods, "Please." I wrap my hand around his cock and slowly start to pump.

He moans and leans forward to lay his head on my shoulder, "You're so wet." I spread my legs a little to give him more room. He slides a finger in slowly, curling it as he sucks on my neck.

I squeeze him slightly and raise up on my tip toes, "Fuck." I groan lowly, "Harry." I place a hand on his side and push him back a bit.

He takes the indication and backs up, laying down on the bed. I straddle him and lean down to kiss him, "This doesn't mean anything." I say with a smirk, "I still hate you with my whole being."

I whimper as he slides a finger back inside of me. He leans up slightly and looks at me, "Then bend over and put your face in the sheets so you don't have to look at me."

He rolls me off of him and pulls my hips up. His hands squeeze my ass cheeks as me groans to himself, "Hate sex is the best sex. I plan on fucking you so hard, y/n."

I moan at his words and grip the sheets, "Please."

"Are you begging for me? Is that what I hear?" He leans in and licks a stripe up my pussy, "For someone who hates me so much, you sure are craving my cock. Aren't you, y/n?"

His fingers trail down my spine painfully slow, "Don't get quiet now." He leans in and starts to eat me out from behind. I gasp and moan while pushing my hips back to gain more contact his tongue.

He groans against me, his fingers digging into my hips.

He pulls back, "Roll over. I'm going to put that mouth to a better use."

I bite my lip and watch him has he moves up to me, "Can't handle me being a big girl by using my words?" He chuckles, "Sometimes I'm just sick of hearing you speak."

He pushes the tip of his cock against my lips and I part my lips and take him in, swirling my tongue and sucking as I bob my head, "Fuck." He groans, "This.. this is how I want to shut you up.."

I look up at him as I hallow out my cheeks. He looks down at me, "You're so pretty when you're not running your mouth." He places a hand on my head and pushes it down, "when you're choking on my cock instead."

He fucks my throat, moaning with each thrust, "Fuck." He pulls out, "Still hate me?" He smirks and I smirk back, rolling over and bringing my hips up, "Fuck you."

"Mm, looks like I'm about to do that to you." He gets behind me and roughly pushes his cock inside of me, causing me to scream out, "Fuck, Harry." He brings a hand down, harshly smacking my ass.

I whimper and wiggle my hips, "Please. Fucking move, do some-"

He pulls out and thrusts back in, repeating his action.

Hard and slow.

He slides a hand up my back and grabs a fist full of my hair, yanking my head back. I moan at the stinging pain from him pulling my hair and the pleasure of his cock ramming into me.

"You like that?" He groans leaning down. His teeth sink into my shoulder and I moan, "Fuck. Harry. Fuck." I let out a pleasured scream as his thrusts become faster.

"Shit, y/n." He groans leaning up, "Fuck."

"Oh god. P-please don't stop." I reach back and grab his wrist. He grabs my hand and pins it against my lower back, "You going to cum for me?"

I let out a loud moan into the bed and push my hips back to meet his. "Harry." I scream out as my body is taken over by my orgasm, "Fu-" I whine as he fucks me through my high.

His thrusts become sloppy and I feel him slip out and his cum landing on my back.

He slowly lays me down and goes to grabs his towel off the floor. He wipes my back off and toss it to the floor. He flops down next to me and I slowly turn my head to look at him, "This doesn't change anything. You're still an asshole."

He chuckles, "And you're still a slut for my cock."

"Get out." I laugh weakly. He chuckles and pulls the blankets up over us, "You might want to wear a dress that covers your shoulders tomorrow."

I groan, "Of course you'd leave marks. Idiot."

"I didn't hear you complain once."

I lay there and process what just happened and I know in my heart that it's bound to happen again because Harry was right, hate sex is the best sex.

——

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[johannestevans]

New works published, December ahead, and plans for the new year!

Good evening and happy December!

Here's the sign-up link to get these sorts of updates and lists directly into your inbox.

Happy second night of Hanukkah for anyone else celebrating, we lit our first candle last night and have also been doing a Hanukkah gift box with little bears and accessories, so we'll see if our first bear gets a yarmulke or something to wear tonight.

In the past month, I did go along to the Wakefield Makers Fair and it was a brilliant day, was lovely to speak to lots of other queer people in Wakefield and to chat around - I also did Honeypot comedy at the Room Above in Bristol for the first time, and it was a gorgeous night, super fun!

I am in the end stages of finalising my new apartment in Bradford, and once all the paperwork is done and I have my keys, I will be uploading pictures and videos as I move in and redecorate the place. The building went up toward the end of the 19th century, and while it was converted to apartments a lot more recently, only a few decades ago, I'll of course be decorating in more Victorian styles and with contemporary furnishings, and I'll be documenting my progress as I go.

In the meantime I've been wrestling with paperwork and the whole process whilst being technically homeless and going between partners' homes, so apologies for the delays and periods of quiet, work-wise!

I tend to be quite active in writing and publishing over the month of December because Christmas and the Gregorian new year aren't really my thing, so hopefully if you do spend a lot of time celebrating those or generally being offline, you'll be able to come back to a backlog when you've time to read again!

Speaking of, I have updated my commission guidelines, which are here pinned on my Tumblr page, and I'm in the process of editing and collating some short stories into collections at the moment. There'll be a few eBook and paperback collections of fantasy, horror, & romance short stories, and then depending on what I can do on Amazon, I'll also do some collections of erotica. I will not be able to post most monsterfucker stuff on Amazon because of Amazon's restrictions, but I will probably still do some eBooks and make them available on Smashwords and perhaps on Gumroad or Itch.io.

I will also resume podcasting in the new year too hopefully!

Relevant to restrictions, not everything I might want to write is always going to be permitted on Patreon in line with their own guidelines, so I have set up a SubscribeStar as a backup, and also to permit me to publish anything that might be too taboo for Patreon in future. I will be uploading my backlog of previous works and setting up a tiered system on SubscribeStar, hopefully while we're working on collating other stories together in the next month or so.

In the new year, I will of course be doing various markets and conventions, and if you'd like me to come and be part of any queer or trans events, or any writers' events, where you are in the UK, please do let me know! Definitely always feel free to recommend any events to me, whether they're cons or festivals, or local markets and events, or even stand-up comedy things - you can send me messages on whatever platforms, or my email is always [email protected]. As well as working on new paperback short story collections for the new year and the badges I already sell at events, I also want to work on some sticker designs and similar.

I was super happy this year to submit to a few publications and get accepted, and I do want to keep that up as we come into 2024, so recs for those would also be appreciated!

I'm going to do a list this month of my favourite films and new releases of 2023, but in the meantime, I would just like to recommend Down Low (2023, dir. Rightor Doyle) - it's such a bizarre and unexpected gay movie, horny in the best and most ridiculous of ways, and bittersweet at its end but in a way that really clicks.

December having come around also means there's new prompts on Trans Erotica! If you're trans and write erotica or erotic horror, romance, etc, come and submit!

November's Most Popular Works

November's Most Popular Non-Fiction: Close Reading: A Deep Dive into the Process

An in-depth guide into applying analysis to a piece of text and extrapolating meaning.

Read on Patreon / / Read on The Writing Cooperative

November's Most Popular Fiction: Confession and Penance

A priest takes a hands-on approach to addressing a worshiper’s poor working habits.

11k, cis M/M, rated E! Tiernan, a manipulative workaholic who only ever relaxes during Mass services, is taken aside by Father Mullen when it all gets to be a bit too much. D/s, BDSM-approach to enforcing self-care, spanking, painplay, bit of a priest kink but it doesn’t go into that aspect too much, faith. Also some anal.

Read on Patreon / / Read on Medium

New Works Published

Erotic short: Enhanced Parts

Bear goes home with a cybernetically enhanced butch.

NB/NB, rated E, 2k. Commissioned by Bear Blue. Featuring cybernetic enhancements, breeding kink, dirty talk, size difference, large insertions, objectification, humiliation, mild dub con, rough sex, struggling, some tears, implied overstim.

Read on Patreon / / Read on Medium / / Read on Tumblr / / Read on Ao3

Romance & Fantasy Short: The Arena Fighter

An arena brute enjoys one of the attendants.

3.5k, M/M. Nasty violent guys getting off on treating each other a bit roughly. Adapted from a TweetFic.

Read on Patreon / / Read on Medium

Our Flag Means Death Fanfiction: Repentance & Forgiveness

Held hostage by Blackbeard on the Queen Anne, Frenchie can't sleep.

Desperate to just get whatever he can away from crew of the Queen Anne's Revenge, he knocks on Izzy's door and invites himself in.

---

Slowly unfolding relationship between Frenchie and Izzy Hands, as well as an exploration of their relationships with Edward Teach and the rest of their crews, delving for Frenchie into what it means to really experience one's feelings, to get into touch with and truly grapple with the depths of one's worst experiences; and for Izzy and Ed, into what it means to transgress, to repent, and ultimately to be forgiven.

Read on Ao3

Erotic Short: Punishment

A man takes penance over the priest’s desk.

1.8k, rated E, M/M. Featuring spanking, mild anal play, power dynamics, of course the priest aspect, age difference. Tiernan Borel and Marshall Mullen first appeared in Confession and Penance. 

Read on Patreon / / Read on Medium

Romance Short: Sleeper Train

Romance short. Two boyfriends head up north on the sleeper train.

850 words, rated T, M/M. Short, sweet, romance and slice-of-life. Adapted from a TweetFic.

Read on Patreon / / Read in Prism & Pen

Erotic Short: Knight Tactics

An elf serves as a distraction and an exhaustion tactic for a bandit camp. By letting them fuck him.

3k, trans M/loads of cocks, assumed as cis M. Amaethon gets himself stuck in a wall so that the bandits will work out their stamina fucking him rather than fighting off the king’s guard.

Stuck in wall, free use, fully (and gleefully) consensual whilst pretending he isn’t, mild belly bulging and come inflation, gaping, exhaustion, messy and come-spattered, etc. All the fun stuff.

Read on Patreon / / Read on Trans Erotica / / Read on SubscribeStar

Read on Tumblr / / Read on Ao3 / / Read on HentaiFoundry

Erotic Short: Free Ride

An elf is given a free ride — not with a saddle, but under a centaur.

1.8k, rated E, cis M/trans M. Centaurs, belly riding, huge stomach deformation, huge penis, suspension, implied inflation, size difference.

Read on Patreon / / Read on Trans Erotica / / Read on SubscribeStar

Read on Tumblr / / Read on Ao3 / / Read on HentaiFoundry

Erotic Short: Snake Eggs

An elf lets a naga lay her clutch inside him.

2.5k, rated E, M/F. Amaethon helps out his friend Gitte, a naga, with laying this year’s clutch of eggs. Size difference and size kink, belly bulging, vaginal and anal penetration, paralysis from her venom, some banter, oviposition, inflation, impregnation.

Read on Patreon / / Read on Trans Erotica / / Read on SubscribeStar

Read on Tumblr / / Read on Ao3 / / Read on HentaiFoundry

Erotic Short: Mimic Studies

An elf experiences a mimic’s tentacles, and then a reward.

Rated E, 2.5k, trans M/a mimic. Featuring multiple tentacle penetration in one hole, vaginal sex, some mild objectification and dehumanisation, some academic silliness, object insertion, cervix penetration, belly bulging and stomach distension.

Read on Patreon / / Read on Trans Erotica / / Read on SubscribeStar

Read on Tumblr / / Read on Ao3

These last four stories - Knight Tactics, Free Ride, Snake Eggs, and Mimic Studies - are all ones I'm publishing for free everywhere as well as in the usual paid places.

I've been in the mood to do all this sort of weird and monsterfuckery and body horror-y erotica, so definitely feel free to send asks or requests for similar themes!

Get merch on TeePublic | | Look through my Directory of Published Work | | Listen to my Podcast

#musings #original fiction #writers on tumblr

[emilyblame]

Waterparks: The Ultimate Poll (2023) Results

ok, kiddos! this is it. we've got a total of 120 votes and just in case you all forgot what this was about because it's been a week, i'm here to remind you that i made you vote your one (1) favorite song from each Parx release. just to see where we're at, since we have a new release and a bunch of newcomers.

so, first of all: thank you to all who participated. these things are always fun to do to me and it's also a nice picture of where the fandom is at at this exact moment and compare it with the past and see how things shift in the future.

not having a lot to explain here, it was a pretty straightforward poll, i'm just gonna get right to it. but before that really quick, i wanna say that i based my predictions in previous polls and comments i see on here and social media and i'm glad to admit that in some cases i was wrong by like, one vote. but the one i was wrong about that surprised me the most were 'Airplane Conversations' and 'Cluster'.

Airplane Conversations

so, my prediction here was that I Was Hiding... was gonna take the podium (like it did in the Deep Cuts vs Single poll), but Silver just went for it, getting 16 votes over it. and honestly, i'm pretty surprised about how well balanced the rest of the songs are. like, we're all over the place here, guys. personally, i'm a Bones Of '92 girl.

Black Light

this one was pretty obvious. everybody loves I'm A Natural Blue and it's objectively the best song in the EP.

Cluster

would you look at that. is it because of the whole sell-out-Houston-i-put-Crave-on-the-setlist thing? or...? i'm amazed. i was sure Pink was gonna take this one. i'm always hopeful for No Capes because she's my baby, but even though a lot of people love it, No Capes is never he winner. :sadface: so, i'm sorry for Pink, but we're all Geoff stans now (as we always should have been since day one.)

Double Dare

my predictions here were Gloom Boys or WWDFF. well, they're both eating It Follows dust, son! maybe i should do a poll without Candy and WWDFF, because they're technically not in the album. 'Double Dare' has always been a little all over the place when it comes to favorites. and it's no surprise, every song in this album is brilliant. even Made In America got a vote this year, which is nice. i don't know when we collectively decided that it was going to be nobody's favorite song, but it's always the one that people are more indifferent towards. and, honestly, i felt the same way for a long time until recently when i kind of re-discovered it and realized i liked it way more than i thought i did (that solo at the end. yes.) still, i'm a woman of simple taste and Royal made me her bitch the first day i heard it five years ago, so... whatcha gonna do?

Entertainment

'Entertainment' is a very well put together album, but there's no doubt. at. all. that everyone's favorite song is Not Warriors. across every single poll that i've made and even in the discography battle, people were crying over having to cut it out of competition. it's just such a good song. and this entire album is perfect. all the songs here a fucking bangers. i mean, you see the rest of them are pretty much the same, but Not Warriors has between 13-18 more votes than the other most voted. it's insane. we love this song too much, Awsten put it back on the setlist challenge.

FANDOM

i love, and i mean LOVE, the way we keep proving Awsten wrong when he said that one time that IFYWWM was never going to be anyone's favorite song. i had also predicted Telephone and War Crimes. this triad were the most voted as deep cuts. still, IFYWWM took over 20% of the total votes. i'm kinda surprise seeing Dream Boy lurking in there. and whoever picked Cherry Red: i see you, you are very right, but Never Bloom Again owns my soul.

1 (A COLLECTION OF UNRELEASED HOME DEMOS, THIS IS NOT G, OR EVEN AN ALBUM, SHUT UP ENJOY)

once again... obvious choice. Glitter Times should've been in an album, i'll never forget Awsten for keeping her out. Noise used to be a fan favorite (actually, last time i included de demo album back in 2020 it tied with Glitter Times), i don't know what happened. also, why is Lemonade your favorite song? are you okay? i'm kidding, you're are absolutely allowed and entitled to make whatever song you like your favorite. especially the person who chose LIFE IS PUKE. same, my friend, i too love to hear Awsten talk and cough into my ears. it's a fucking symphony. still... Glitter Times.

Greatest Hits

i mean... no brainer. Fuzzy should've been a single, i don't know what the fuck they were thinking. it's the best song in the album. actually, the best songs in this album are deep cuts, like, wtf. i was once again undecided between Magnetic and Crying Over It All, but went with Magnetic. it's good to know that we're collectively undecided about them.

Intellectual Property

i see everyone everywhere fuzzing over Ritual so i thought, This is it. It has to win. my face when A Night Out On Earth took the lead. i gaped. and i'm so fucking happy for her, she should be the fan's favorite, it's the best song in the album (not my favorite tho, Closer has my heart in her clutches). the whole thing is a spectacle. lyrics are good, it ends with a bang. i mean, the entire build up from the acoustic breakdown down to the end of the song is —and i don't say this lightly— *chef's kiss*. i also find it hilarious that Fuck About It got ZERO votes. hahaha aahh, i'm sorry. i mean, i like it, but... yeah.

all that said! i guess i’ll see you guys after the next release. or next year. or maybe we get lucky and there's a demo album 2 in our immediate future...? i'm looking at you, Awsten, i want Sad Game.

remember that my inbox is open for questions and comments as long as you’re nice about it. and once again, thank you for participating if you did! this was really fun :)

#waterparks #the ultimate poll (2023) #waterparks polls

[candied-boys]

🍯 Honey Cakes 🍯

Luke Randolph x fem!Reader

Tags: merpeople au, lazy!Luke, happy!Luke, possessive!Luke, romance, picnics, cottagecore, eventual smut, happy ending

Part two

2200 words

“Wow! You really carved this little bird for me? It's adorable, Luke! How did you find a rock that has such beautiful crystal in the centre?”

“It's nothin’ special,” he shrugs and stuffs his mouth full with the last muffin.

“But it's so realistic! The tail feathers are so charming,” you coo and glance up at him where he sits next to you, shoulder to shoulder.

Though he says the gifts he started bringing you are just in exchange for the honey and cakes, the trinkets are so exquisite you wonder how many hours he spends carving them. Surely they're worth far more than your little pots of honey.

When it was that you crossed the line from wondering if he was a dream to Luke becoming a given in your life you aren't sure anymore. It was already April by the third weekend you brought him a basket of sweets and now you're well through May.

He was right — he is worth the risk.

Each day you've met you've shared more about your worlds — both the good and the bad.

His neglectful parents; your wretched orphanage. Everything he loves about his sister; everything you cherish about your home. What other faeries are more than myth; what odds and ends are sold at the travelling market on Tuesdays. Why the fins on his tail look so leafy; why you wear shoes that lace up so high.

Hours slip away easily, the only trace being the lighter basket you carry home and the new treasure clutched tight in your hand.

As the daylight has stretched into the evenings you've been free to visit after finishing work. The bread usually sells out not long after lunch which leaves you plenty of time to walk the full hour it takes to get to the lake and still have time to make it home before sundown. All the while the weather has been warming too.

The first time you unlaced your shoes to dangle your bare feet in the cool water after hiking over he grabbed them before they even touched the surface. Luke has never been shy, but he's gotten even less reserved than the first day you met him when he shoved you down to steal your tin of cakes.

“Crazy! Y’ have toes like turtles and frogs!” he had proclaimed while pinching them and wiggling them this way and that.

Luke only laughed when you yelled at him and kicked him away in embarrassment. Your splashing didn't deter him in the least, and he came right back to study your ankles and knees. He found the latter very strange for only being able to bend one direction.

After much protest he finally released you, but you found yourself growing more and more curious about him over the following days. When you eventually worked up the courage, he answered all your questions about whether merfolk are actually part fish, why his scales glitter, and how his tail is so flexible — unlike your knees.

As your fingers trailed along his body for the first time he warned you that merfolk have poison barbs on their tails just to laugh at the sight of you shrieking and jumping back. Only after catching his breath did he inform you that he’d meant merfolk in the sea.

The memory feels like it must have been ages ago even though it's been probably mere weeks. The more time you spend with him the more you feel like he's always been there.

A splash tugs you back to the present as he asks languidly, “Why duny’ just come in?”

Compared to the afternoon you first dipped your toes in the lake today is unbearably hot.

“I can’t walk home with my clothes soaking wet. Everyone in town would know where I've been, Luke,” you answer and fan yourself in vain.

Tilting his silky red locks he looks at you like your crazy. “Clothes? Why would y’ wear clothes in the water?”

“Well, I’m certainly not going in naked!!!” you squeal wide-eyed.

He merely blinks in return. “Why not?”

“Because I can’t have a man looking at me! It’s indecent!!”

“Well, I already know what y’ look like without clothes. What’s the big deal?

“WHAT?!” you shriek and cross your arms over your chest in fear that he can magically see through fabric the way he can see in the dark.

Unfazed he answers simply, “Y’ look the same under y’r clothes as the rest of the mermaids, right? Y’know we dunna wear no clothes. So it’s not like y’re hidin’ nothin’ by wearin’ that dress.”

Thoroughly appalled you gape at him.

“So just take ‘em off and come cool down in the water. I promise y’ll feel better.”

“I'm fine,” you grumble, casting your gaze down to the ripples lapping at your ankles.

A faint hum grazes your ears while two broad palms bracket either side of your hips. Hoisting himself up between your knees to be eye level with you he tilts his head, copying you when you turn away from him.

“Hey. What’s with that look, hmm?” His deep voice is soft as he coaxes the truth from you.

With a dejected sigh you whisper, “I can’t go in… I don’t know how to swim…”

“I know,” he murmurs back, tone so sincere it stings.

“Then why would you ask?”

“’Cause there’s an easy fix for that,” he chuckles and sinks down into the water once more.

You frown and stare down at him where he floats at your feet.

“C’mere,” he calls and holds his arms out to you. “I'll teach y’ how.”

“I said I’m not undressing!” you squeak and feel yourself flush at running out of excuses.

He clicks his tongue and looks up at you through those long, thick lashes. “C’mon. Just take off the top layers so y’ dunna drown with the weight.”

Exhausted by the sweat beading on your chest and back you give in.

“Mmm… Fine, but you have to turn around.”

“Sure, whatever y’ want,” he chuckles warmly, making it obvious he thinks you're wasting your efforts at decency.

With your shoes and hose already cast aside, all that's left is the kirtle. Unlacing the bodice in the front and tugging the whole garment over your head, you're left in nothing but your linen chemise.

The weight of the fabric is so fine that your skin is visible through it even when dry. If the weather weren't hot enough to make you feel ill, you would never consider such behaviour — or so you insist to yourself as you watch his pale gaze roam your form when you call his name.

Reaching out to help you into the water from the edge, his strong hands take hold under your arms and he lifts you into the water as easily as a parent lifts a toddler.

“There y’ go,” he coos, his lazy smile only making your heart beat faster. “Just hold onto my shoulders.”

Obediently you grasp his upper arms, but as the water caresses up your hips and chest you can't help but squeak and squirm.

“Ahk! It’s so cold!!”

“Here,” he hugs you close, a faint chuckle reverberating against your chest. “I’ll keep y’ warm ‘til y’ get used to it.”

Butterflies tickle your stomach and spread to your fingers and toes, gradually fading as they melt with the heat seeping into your body.

“Wow, you really are warm…”

“I’m not cold blooded, y’know?” he quips while making his way into a shady area of the lake.

“I've never been in water this deep…”

“Y’ scared?”

You nod.

“Y’ trust me?”

You nod again after a moment's hesitation.

His voice is as soft as the gentle waves lapping at the shoreline of the lake. “Just hold on ‘til y’ feel safe. I'm not gonna let anythin’ bad happen.”

Letting yourself relax in his hold you lean your chin on his shoulder. His cheek rests on your hair. One hand around your waist, the other cups the nape of your neck tenderly.

It's so comfortable between the warmth of his body, the cool current beneath your feet, and his careful embrace that you can't keep your eyes open.

“Y’ must be tired; workin’ all day, hikin’ out here in the heat, carryin’ that silly basket full o’ treats…” you hear him whisper into your hair.

“I don't mind,” you manage to mumble back.

“Y’ dunna have to do so much, y’know. Y’ should look after y’rself more, not me…”

Amused by his unusually serious tone you tease him, “And what would you do without the honey I bring just for you?”

“The same thin’ I do every day — talk with y’ about nothin’, laugh at y’ for bein’ so silly, relax next to y’ under the sun…”

With a sleepy hum you murmur, “Sounds nice…”

As you doze off in his arms you don't hear him whisper back, “It is nice… I wish it didna have to end so soon…”

The calls of birds and flutter of wings as flocks return to the forest to rest echoes against the granite face of the mountain, stirring you from your slumber.

“Y’wake now?” Luke asks softly against your hair.

Jumping back from his shoulder you ramble, “I'm sorry, Luke! I can't believe I fell asleep!!”

“Shh, it's okay,” he smiles and tucks you under his chin once more. “The heat is exhaustin’, I know. Y’ feelin’ better now?”

“Much better, actually…”

“Good. The sun’s gettin’ low. Y’ better go if y’re gonna make it through the forest before dark.”

“Already?”

“Mhm,” he hums gently and tilts his head to look at you.

“Gonna come ‘n swim with me tomorrow? If you dunna fall asleep again, I promise I'll teach y’ next time.”

You nod eagerly, but don't meet his soft verdant gaze.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah…” you smile and work up the courage to face him.

His arms tighten around you. You don't want to let go either. From the way his fingers dig into your curves and the feel of his heartbeat against yours, you guess… you think… you hope… you dare…

And kiss his cheek before you try to scamper away to the ledge, but he doesn't let you escape so easily. Catching you by the wrist he tugs you back into his embrace, tilting you by the chin to hold his gaze.

His ever-clear eyes are tainted, hazy, and half lidded as his lips part from yours. You can feel he's restraining himself in the way his chest rises and falls beneath your palm.

Equal parts frightened and curious about what will happen should you free him from his tethers, you let your hand slip over his shoulder to wrap around the nape of his neck. Entwining your fingers in his silky strands, you guide him back to your mouth.

As you each deepen the kiss, he places the wrist in his grasp over his other shoulder so he can hold your body flush against his. You've felt his strength first hand, yet the way his hardened muscles carve into your stomach, back, and thighs leaves you breathless. Delicate fins lace themselves through your feet while his lips trace down your throat.

One broad palm cradles your head carefully, but the other grabs handfuls of your flesh through the linen floating around your figure. You don't stop him, not even as the path of his fingers strays to fondle your curves. If he weren't swallowing your voice with a kiss, you're certain you’d be hiding in embarrassment from the sounds that leak out when he tweaks a nipple.

Between his tongue and his touch, your senses are being overwhelmed. You can feel your consciousness slipping with every dizzying thrill that ripples through your body. Hardly aware of where you are or what you're doing anymore, your hands roam his figure and your tongue follows suit. Kissing his shoulders and up his neck, he flinches when you nibble the shell of his ear.

Before you can tease him again, you're shoved roughly towards the shoreline and caged in between him and the rock ledge.

“Y’should go…” he whispers between each ragged breath. “Before I... canna… hold back no more.”

The heat in his eyes and the vicious grip he maintains on the granite are warnings you choose to heed — for today at least. You nod meekly and let him raise you back onto to the ledge, but his hands and gaze linger on your ankles in the water.

“Luke,” you call softly and smile when he meets your eyes. “I'll see you tomorrow?”

At the promise, the deep furrow of his brow is replaced with the gentle curl of his lips, and he swims off.

Part four

[skullbnuuy]

Idk why people are so deadset on the idea that TOTK is gonna be BOTW 1.5, that it's just gonna be the same game with some extra stuff? Yeah, totally, Nintendo is just gonna take their flagship series, make a sequel to one of the most famous and critically acclaimed titles in the franchise, spend 4+ years in development, and just phone in the sequel by throwing some sky islands in it. They've been SO cagey about showing LITERALLY ANYTHING, it's very fucking obvious that they're hiding some big reveals for when the game actually releases. I wouldn't be surprised if you get 30% into the game and an Elden Ring ass 2nd map reveal happens (idk like the Dark World or the Twili Realm or the Underground or some shit). Also who's to say it's just sky islands? Who said there wouldn't be a sky continent or something like that? People are acting like these are gonna be tiny little additions to the world map instead of an entire SECOND LAYER of world map. I get the criticism that it's not very good marketing to not show off that kinda thing, but to be fair it's not hard to sell "the sequel to Breath of the Wild" on that statement alone. Like yeah, Nintendo can make some pretty shitty calls, but do you really think they're gonna fuck up THAT bad with the 2nd mainline Zelda for the Switch? The game will have PLENTY new content. If I'm wrong I'll eat my words, but honestly even IF those people end up being right and it's just BOTW+, I'll be happy. The new toys they showed off are the exact things I want to be able to do in an open world like this, and I've always loved the Skyloft stuff anyway.

#totk #botw #zelda

[sunburnacoustic]

Matt interviewed by NME, January 2000

We have Muse frontman Matthew Bellamy to tell us how he's handling success and to talk about plans for the second album.

The maker's readers voted you second best new band, after Travis, what makes you the fans' big hope for 2000? "It's difficult to say -I'm not very good at complimenting myself. Erm, it's probably because, maybe, I think we are probably about music. Playing live... the variation between Muse live and the album is very different. Now we're looking forward to our first headlining tour of the UK in February.

Has Europe been good for you? "It's been really nice, a new experience headlining gigs for 1000 and 1500 people, selling out shows, playing longer sets. We've just been in France where it's gone from nowhere to everywhere pretty quickly."

The last single 'Muscle Museum' just missed the top 40, will 'Sunburn' (released February) be a hit? "I don't know. I don't care. It's just numbers. I don't really follow the charts. I think it would be better to stay out of it. Sometimes you can cut yourself off from your original people and just get fat. I think as a single, it's typical of where we are now. The reason I wanted to put it out is that it's one of the newer songs on the album. It's the way I see us moving."

Success is happening very quickly. How are you handling it? "Towards the end of last year, my vision was going a bit funny. It was blurry. I was spending a lot of time getting nervous before gigs. I felt less connected to the outside world. But this latest tour has been nothing like that. I'm starting to focus on our situation and understand it. Last year was like, 'Phew! What happened there?' Now I'm a bit more confident."

'Sunburn is a bit creepy sounding. were you aiming for that? "It's that piano bit. I was listening to a DJ Shadow track wich had this really edgy keyboard, and I really liked it. I wanted to create something a bit like that. I used this old microphone which the army used in tanks. If you strap it around your neck, it picks up the vibrations from the throat. It's pretty scary-it sounds a bit like 'The exorcist'."

You always get compared to Radiohead – are you looking forward to their comeback? "Yeah, I think they are a good band. They're the only band who are close to what we're doing in England. I don't know where they are going to go with the next album. I liked them around the time of 'The Bends'., so yeah, I think they're all right."

When will that difficult second album appear? "Well we're playing a few new songs in the set. There's one called 'Plug-in Baby', another one called 'Razorblades And Glossy magazines'. Up until recently, I was planning to record the album at the end of summer, but I think that's looking unlikely now. I definitely want to make an album at the end of the year though. We could do it now if we had to, but we want it to be different to the first one. If we went in now, we'd be halfway there."

How do you see Muse growing as a band? "I think our concept and knowledge of music will get bigger. I want us to use some bone percussion! I want to use voodoo instruments. I would imagine that the songs will be pretty similar, the lyrics a bit better hopefully!"

#muse band #matt bellamy #muse #muse live #muse interviews #NME #nme magazine #2000 #some interesting stuff in here - #Matt's disregard for the charts <3 #DJ Shadow influenced Sunburn?? #he used to get so nervous that his vision would go blurry... oh my. Poor Matt #'Razorblades And Glossy Magazines'? Was that 'don't remember my words' Citizen Erased? Micro Cuts? #the last q - they did all of that on Origin of Symmetry! #'the lyrics will be a bit better hopefully!' hmmmm #old press

[invizigothx]

the conversations around book publishing and piracy and writers made me realize, I'm not sure how commonly known it is, that most books don't earn out their advance. in other words, the writer gets paid something up front (a chunk of that goes to their agent ofc), and then the book is published and all the money from book sales goes into paying for the publishing process AND paying the publisher back for the amount of money the writer got up front. once that's all paid off, then the writer starts to get royalties. BUT, most books don't "earn out." The publisher knows they're going to lose money, and that they'll balance it out by selling 5 million copies of an Oprah Book Club Pick or Celebrity Autobiography or whatever. (this also sucks because publishers will put less effort into promoting new releases, or expect the writer to do the promotion, etc. and dump all their resources into the books they think are going to be the big moneymakers.)

furthermore, the publishing process is LONG for fiction. the amount of time between "final draft submitted to agent" and "writer gets a paycheck" is years. unless they have some other source of funding, writers really only get paid way after the bulk of their work has been done. so - yes - pirating reduces book sales, which impacts writers -- but I'm not sure that pirating is directly affecting royalties in every or even most cases, since many writers never see royalties. and, personally, I think some people will always pirate books, for whatever reason. a system that would need everyone to not pirate in order for the writers to get adequately paid is…. not a good system! this is why, when I see people sharing ideas about "buy books / check them out of libraries / don't pirate them to support authors." -- I think well, yes that's true. but ALSO, what else can we do? are there more robust actions to take? as a semi-professional writer (I think I can call myself this? better than an "emerging writer" lol) -- it seems necessary to think about: health insurance! local funding for arts grants! UBI! also I super encourage everyone to check out indie / non-profit presses. AK Press, Little Puss Press, Neon Hemlock are just a few off the top of my head that are publishing really exciting queer fiction. I think at the end of the day, the solution to "the writers you love are not getting published" will probably be something like "creating more opportunities for people to published, especially outside of profit-driven hellscape of the big 5."

#publishing talk #possibly useful possibly redundant

[theadventurerslog]

King's Quest VI: Heir Today Gone Tomorrow | Part 1

The Adventurer’s Log

King’s Quest VI: Heir Today Gone Tomorrow Part 1

Release date: 1992 (1993)

Introduction

King's Quest VI puts us back in the shoes of Alexander. It's been a few months since Graham saved them from Mordack and Alexander is pining for Princess Cassima. He's heard no word of her and has found nothing to tell him where the Land of the Green Isles is.

Valanice tells him it's been months and he essentially should move on and think of other things to which he sort of reluctantly agrees and she leaves. But then the magic mirror activates! As it does.

And Cassima's voice can be heard calling for Alexander and then he gets a vision of her. She 'feels so alone and doesn't know what to do. Alexander...'

You know, the chest of infinite gold and the shield that were the other two treasures Graham got back in the first game never come up again, but this mirror is sure getting its use. It's been in every game in some capacity except for V.

I'm about to get cranky for a moment, and I don't want that to give the wrong impression because I am excited for this game and have already had a great time with my first session, but this is one of the reasons I was cranky about the ending of KQV. They were deliberately building to this game, so why did they make the meeting between Alexander and Cassima that rough with such a poor first impression of Alexander? I can suspend my disbelief for this game for love at first sight (as silly as it is), especially for this series where it's a very common thing, but from Cassima's point of view, especially with the trouble currently going on there as we'll learn about, what is there for her to think about in regards to Alexander now? Just argh.

Anyway, this is enough to get the smitten Alexander going and he gathers a crew and ship and sets sail to find the Land of the Green Isles.

After three months of sailing certain lands are spotted, but when they get close night falls and a storm starts raging. They're dashed upon the rocks and ship wreck...

Title screen! Look at the 3D text.

And the adventure begins as Alexander wakes up on the shores...

He got his men safely to lifeboats but wasn't able to make it himself. And we have text again! Voice and text thank goodness.

I poked around a bit and lifted the plank to find a broken chest underneath that contained one single Daventry copper coin. Alexander's insignia ring was also on the beach.

Then there was one tradition to fulfill. Out into the water you go, sir!

It actually warns you of the undertow when you first enter the water, so you have a chance to back off, but you know. Gotta do it once. He gets swept out to sea and...

Well, down he goes. Sorry Alexander.

Fancy death screen in this game!

And snarky narrator message. I really quite like the narrator in this game. Did I mention this game has actual voice actors now?

Once I was done drowning poor Alexander (what do you think of your choices now, Cassima?) I set off down the path to find a branching path.

I've got a town in one direction a castle in the other. I went for the town first.

We've got a pawn shoppe, a book shoppe and an old man selling old lamps for new. I talked to him and Alexander questions his business practice to which he explains that 'there's always a chance he'll find a genie and be richer than a king! And there's always a roaring business in antique illuminaries.'

Unfortunately, newly washed up and all, I have no new lamps for him, so there's nothing to be done at this point.

I went to the pawn shoppe next to a very familiar voice because the shop keeper is voiced by the same person who voices King Andre in The Curse of Monkey Island and it's a very recognizable voice. When I first heard it in the let's play I perked up like 'I know him!' It might be silly but I always get happy recognizing a voice actor. It's just fun.

Like this pawn shop is fun!

There are so many things to examine and so many good descriptions.

I love this hatchet spiel. It's just an axe lodged in the floor, but off he goes...

And then! Examining the shelves brings up all kinds of jokes relating to the past games such as:

And

And a 'golden bridle finder, for finding those nearly-invisible golden bridles', a box of 'cat-cookie mix. "Play tricks on your friends," the box says' and 'self-adhesive emeralds. "What you use when you don't have honey." and something I greatly needed: "stairs traction pads; "Stop slipping off those narrow staircases." And there were more! But I won't list every single one.

There were also potions and things like "a bottle labeled 'Owl Courage Potion," for spineless owls.' and 'a small box of "Enchanted Sorcerer's Flea and Tick Collars." Among other goodies.

The shop keeper was surprised to find Alexander didn't know where he was and explains he's landed on the Land of the Green Isles. We made it! And Alexander explains how he reached here, following the stars...

He sure is. With Princess Cassima! For the best reaction.

He has a little more information: Cassima is in a dark time, things aren't well between the islands and the ferry is no longer running. Otherwise there isn't much info to get from him but he does have items on the counter the copper Daventry coin can be used on. Get one item but able to exchange it for one of the others any time. There's a mechanical nightingale, a flute, a tinderbox and a paintbrush. None of which there is currently a known use for, but I snagged the flute for fun. There's also a bowl of free mints for customers and I grabbed one.

I moved onto the book shop next.

Books! And more information to be had! But first there was a little table with bargain books.

Of course I had to take it, especially being free and everything. What could it be?

Very very confusingly boring. When I later tried to give it back to the owner he was aghast--he was trying to get RID of it.

The cloaked man wouldn't talk but examining him notes that he seems to keep watching you. He may have refused to talk, but the fire will be friendly instead.

I tried talking to it. There's a number of things that give you some kind of response if you use the talk command. I'd tried it on the Daventry coin earlier too and being a coin of Daventry had King Graham's face on it, so the message was something like 'only if King Graham were here to ask for his advice.'

Anyway the little book on the table was about court entertainment. One shelf had some silly guide books and the next had a book of poetry that Alexander had to read. There were a few he seemed to appreciate but then one in particular 'hit close to home' and he was quite taken by it. The page falls out when putting the book back the shop owner lets you keep it because he's already had to repair it twice and doesn't want to do it.

The poem in question:

I wanted to record it because this narrator reads it with so much gravity. And this boy is truly lovesick.

The shopkeeper had some more information. He also notes the ferry no longer runs between the islands. There's been much political unrest and it's been too dangerous to travel. He also mentions at least three islands but there may be a fourth. And that the Land of the Green Isles is said to exist on the boundaries of this world and the next. He mentions a ferry man to talk to and that's all for now here. Time to find the ferryman.

Passing through the archway in town led to this house with many roses along its gates and walls. There was a lady outside tending the flowers.

Before I could talk to the lady another woman came out and berated her a bunch and she went back insider after her. Very Cinderella and evil step-mother situation there.

The screen after has the dilapidated ferry. And a boy swimming in the water who tells Alexander to come on down. He claims he can show Alexander the way to the other islands.

Surely there's nothing suspicious here and we've had no bad experiences with the water already. What could go wrong? Obviously I jumped in after.

Yeah, it goes about as well as expected. Alexander drowns.

Reload! The boy keeps nagging you to come in but if you wait just a little he'll disappear in time.

Nothing to worry about there I'm sure. Ferry time!

The ferryman is willing to talk and invites Alexander inside. We learn a little more about the seeming weirdness of this place, though he doesn't much believe some of the wilder stories. He speaks fondly of Cassima and her mother Queen Allaria and how he used to take them to the other islands to help people. The King and Queen served their people. Then things got bad between the islands and the vizier shut down travel. Even if he wanted to travel now the ferry isn't seaworthy anymore. However, there is word of a map that may help that the pawn shop owner may know something of... He also let me take his old rabbit's foot and with that I left.

I stopped in at the book shop again and this time the robed man was gone, but a newcomer was there.

He wouldn't talk at first until showing Alexander's insignia ring and he recognizes the name thanks to Cassima telling him of a Prince Alexander of Daventry. He's the clown to the royal court and had seen her briefly when she returned. Unfortunately, Cassima's parents, Queen Allaria and King Caliphim, died a few weeks before her return. They say it was due to heartbreak and he's afraid she's blaming herself. She's sequestered in mourning, an apparently outdated tradition that isn't required, but the vizier says she insisted out of respect. He doesn't trust the vizier and is only staying at the castle to keep an ear to the ground. He wishes he could get a message to Cassima, but the only way he knows to do so would be through her pet nightingale, Sing Sing, but he doesn't know where she is, so he can only wait. He'll try to come back here in the future so we can talk more.

We have information and a contact!

With that I carried on to the pawn shoppe where the robed man was also. He still wouldn't talk.

The shop keeper indeed has a magic map that will enable one to teleport to the other islands as long as the user is near the sea. He would normally want a magic item in return, but with business bad due to the islands being closed off to each other, he's willing to simply take something valuable instead. Alexander offers his insignia ring :(.

It's enough, but the shop keeper does offer to keep it for him for a few days, so that if he finds something else valuable he can get his ring back.

After the exchange the robed man darted forward and snatched a mint and ate it. Then he started wobbling and acting drunk, staggered out.

Leading me to a "Seconds later, in the castle..." and a scene elsewhere!

The Master here gets mad at him for eating mint and had told him to stop that. With some effort he gets the information out of this fellow, who's name is Shamir, that Prince Alexander of Daventry is here. He knows that's the man Cassima met at Mordack's castle, so he knows of that, hmm. And that Alexander found a magic "smap". He's not happy; he thought he'd taken care of the only mode of travel. He orders Shamir to 'go to the other islands and tell them...' and the scenes fades.

Trouble is afoot!

But for now I have a magic smap, er, map, as well as a castle to go check out, which will be my tasks next time!

--

Points: 22/231 Deaths: 2 Time: 1:15

#king's quest vi #heir today gone tomorrow #KQVI #king's quest #KQVI_Log #adventure games #sierra

[agentbeeswrites]

This is going to be a rant about shows being cancelled and the state of streaming services and media.

I'm mad about Warrior Nun being canceled. I'm mad about First Kiss. I'm mad about Gentleman Jack, Legends of Tomorrow (and the whole lot of DC shows), The Owl House, Charmed. Older canceled shows like One Day at a Time, Dark Matter, Wonderfalls, Sweet/Vicious, the Hulu & Freeform Marvel shows (The Runaways, Cloak & Dagger), Teenage Bounty Hunters, Adventure Time, Steven Universe, Wynonna Earp. Carnival. Warehouse 13. STUMPTOWN! I'm never going to stop screaming about the tragedy of that one. There are tons more. I don't have hours to list them all.

It sucks when a good show gets canceled. It sucks when you look for more content, and all you can find is the same show starring the same kind of tough, cishet, white dude that's in its seventh season and has three spinoffs. There is never an abundance of queer content. It feels like there is when we get lucky enough to have multiple shows in a year, but it's nothing compared to cishet content.

Things began to change with Netflix a few years before COVID. I want to point to COVID and blame it for everything, and it certainly did have a big impact on production costs, but the fact is that Netflix (specifically) has been reluctant to have any show last for more than two or three seasons because then it has to pay everyone more. They'd rather cancel and start up a new show.

There's a problem with streaming services and access in general, though. You've probably started to watch an older show on Netflix (one that they license) and found that it would be leaving the service at the end of the month. It might be available on another service, or it might not be available anywhere.

And then there's the issue of licensing.

If you have a physical copy because the company who produced it included selling physical media in the deal or budget for the show, you can always rewatch it and relive the good times. But if it's a streaming-only show, there's a very low chance it will ever be legally sold on physical media.

Remember the Marvel shows on Netflix? I want to own more than one season of Jessica Jones. Guess how many seasons were released on disc? If you guessed "one," then you are correct. Even Daredevil only had two seasons released on disc, and it was a breakout hit.

Remember Wynonna Earp? IDW used Kickstarter to fund the box sets. They didn't even go through a major distributor.

I'll never see Sweet/Vicious on disc. I'll never own She-Ra on blu-ray. The Runaways, Cloak & Dagger (I know it's not queer, but I love that show, ok?), Sense8, Arcane, Dead to Me, Derry Girls, Paper Girls, ALOTO, Gentleman Jack - I'll probably never be able to buy any of them legally.

Yes, I know that the first three seasons of SPOP were released on DVD. Where's the rest of it? Where's my blu-ray release?

The best and worst thing the digital age has given us has been streaming services. You have a huge library of content at your fingertips that can be taken away at any moment.

Just look at the shit show that is HBO Max after the Warner/Discovery merger. Shows are getting cut from that service faster than I can keep track of. Shows that may never see the light of day again (or ever, in the case of per-release properties) because WB/D holds the rights and is shoving them into storage in an attic. We are watching shows become lost media.

I'm getting tired of my shows being canceled. I'm getting tired of them being locked behind one particular service in a landscape where every company has to have its own platform. Streaming was supposed to be the alternative to cable, but they're squeezing us for more and more and giving us less and less for it.

But I'm tired of there being fewer and fewer legal ways to consume content offline. Even in the 90s and early 2000s when shows were cut down at alarming rates, we still had physical media. For example, Shout Factory was well known for putting out obscure or classic shows and movies with a big enough fan base.

(Note to self: buy that Facts of Life set before it disappears for another 20 years.)

We may need to go back to smaller companies making their own content. I don't know. It feels like the streaming wonderland is collapsing, and I don't know what system will rise from the ashes.

I used to joke that knowing me was getting to experience a list of shows that were canceled before their time. It's still true.

#show cancellations #streaming media #lost media #physical media #queer content #it's complicated and frustrating

[the-softest-bruise]

Post your favorite album by 8 artists you like and your favorite song from the album…

I'm counting on the expand post feature, if for some reason it doesn't work out oopsie haha *twirls hair* sorry for not being able to shut up about my questionable taste in music lmao. I have no idea how to add a read more on mobile in the year of the lord two thousand and twenty two

I was tagged by @lagloriana thank you so much! ❤️ (yes of course I wanna do it!! consider me down for getting tagged in anything really, even if it takes me several years to get around to doing it in the end)

I'm tagging @eulenspiegelei @burning-in-this-dark-world @melaninm0nster @maybecomedy (only if you want to of course! also please let me know if anyone wants to be removed from this post, that's no problem) (also!! if anyone wants to be added that shouldn't be a problem either! just lemme know)

Alright here goes, sorry in advance if anyone decides to listen to anything simply because I'm mentioning it here:

1. Lana del Rey / Ultraviolence - Cruel World (i don't know what it is but this song unlocks shrimp emotions in me. Also I'm aware how much she clashes with the rest of this list but she's everything and whenever she releases something new I will listen to it no questions asked. Hope I get to see her live on stage one day ❤️)

2. Alice Cooper / Brutal Planet - Cold Machines (probably not my favorite song by him generally speaking but probably my favorite song on that particular album on which I like every single one of the songs. The only singer on this list I've seen live on stage - twice - and intend to see again, fingers crossed. He means so much to me and my obsession with Your Dad's Music™ is entirely his fault because he started it when I heard Poison for the first time in 2008)

3. Limpbizkit / Chocolate Starfish and Hotdog Flavored Water - My Way (listen, if the music sounds like something that would be played at a small independent skateboard store that sells oversized hoodies it's very likely right up my alley, no matter if it's rap, rock or reggae or a mix of all of these genres)

4. Linkin Park / Meteora - Somewhere I Belong (I'd say I like Hybrid Theory just the same, maybe even more, but it's harder to pick a favorite song on there. One of the bands that means the most to me but that I hardly ever actually listen to anymore)

5. HIM / Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights - Beautiful (I remember so clearly the first time listening to this album in 2005~ish, I got the CD from the library and kept returning it just to immediately borrow it again until I finally bought it from the local record store. Feels like a melancholic summer night just after sundown)

6. Led Zeppelin / Mothership - When The Levee Breaks (yeah that's a Best Of Album, so what. It has all the good shit. Feels like late summer to me and I always listen to it in the car throughout September)

7. Metallica / Black Album - Wherever I May Roam (that's probably a controversial opinion, I know the black album is a breaking point in the band history for some fans. also, I don't necessarily consider myself a die hard fan despite literally owning a t-shirt lol. I do like this album though and have a lot of memories connected to it.)

8. Mötley Crüe (derogatory) (I have been listening to their music A LOT lately while literally thinking they're trash but not being able to fucking stop? I don't know which new mental illness I have discovered in me) / Theater of Pain - Home Sweet Home (here's the thing: Mötley Crüe is not even remotely in my top ten of favorite bands and theater of pain itself is okay I guess? However this fucking song? This FUCKING song?? Yes I DO take you to my heart. Yes I DO feel you in my bones. No I REALLY never feel left all alone when I just take this song. 😭❤️😭❤️✊😔❤️️ I love this song so much I've been considering getting a fucking tattoo of it for well over ten years now, that's how much it means to me. That's long enough to decide about a tattoo, right?? I should do it. Easily in my top five of favorite songs of all times EVER. Play this at my funeral I'm not even kidding)

#honorary mentions: #ozzy osbourne / no more tears: road to nowhere (although mama im coming home is a close second) #in flames / soundtrack to your escape: the quiet place #acdc / back in black: back in black (literally every song on this one is great. its like a best of album except it's just a regular album) #lorde / pure heroine: glory and gore (this is such a wintery feeling album for me idk why) #about me #tagged in

[lifeinthestarfield]

Well, This is Weird

OK, so first day went really well. It was mostly paperwork, getting to know the team, you know, the basics. I was assigned a spacesuit and helmet and my supervisor, Lin, took me and Heller down into the mine.

So we go down in the mine where they're opening a new face. I do my first real mining. It's just as hot and sweaty as everyone says it is, but I'm getting paid well, so I don't mind. Besides, it's worth it to be away and on my own again.

Heller is OK. Joker type, you know? Always cracking a joke. Might get on my nerves later, but for now his chatter breaks up the day. Lin is a good boss, really cares about her crew, but doesn't stand for any crap.

Once the new face was open, Lin sent me in to "look". Now, I'm a little nervous because why are they sending the new dusty in? What am I supposed to be looking for? Heller's spouting off stuff about anomalous gravity readings and says just to follow my scanner.

So I do.

The cavern opens up and I go on ahead and find something really strange. A weird kind of crystal called calumnite and this piece of forged metal, not sure what kind. The metal was embedded in the calumnite and I had to really wrestle it out. When it finally released I...well, let's say I went somewhere.

Was it a dream? I was hurtling through space and time and could feel the vastness, the eternity of... what? Space? Time? There were colors and shapes and then I woke up.

I was back up top, on a med bed, with Lin and Heller running scans on me. Apparently I was out for awhile. I felt, or feel, fine. A little spacy, but I don't think there were long-term effects.

The experience wasn't horrible. It was a little like Kennelly's moonshine, but without the hangover and everlasting regret.

But that wasn't the end of my day. The client arrived for the metal thing, which they are calling an Artifact. The client, some guy called Barrett, works for Constellation (yes, THAT Constellation). He knew about the vision I had and immediately sent me in his ship with his robot, Vasco, to take the Artifact to their headquarters on Jemison.

There is a problem though. I don't know how to fly a starship! Vasco says it is easy and I'm hoping he's the one really doing the work.

Before I could even get to the ship, however, a Crimson Fleet ship set down right in the middle of the mining outpost! Bastards poured out of the ship and it was a pretty tough firefight. I found a little Neon and did my part. Lin encouraged me to scavenge the dead and told me to sell them.

I said I wanted a new life and I guess I'm getting it. Did some mining and now I have a spaceship!

Now to learn to fly it.

[ivdiaries]

So earlier, I watched "Bangbang Con" one of BTS' Festa celebration for their 10th anniversary. It was my first ever BangBang Con as a baby army. I laughed, danced, sing, and cried a lot earlier but overall I really had fun.

I've only been an army for a year now, but this is my 2nd Festa since I started stanning them around May 2022, and was able to witness June 2022 Festa where I thought they're going to break up as a band/will be on hiatus. (TW: June 2022 Festa dinner)

I really did cry that time during their June 2022 Festa dinner even though I was a fan for a month then, because I thought they're breaking up for good - only to realize that they have to embark on their journey as solo musicians, even only for a little while, then to complete their mandatory military service, and hopefully come back stronger together by 2025.

I never really expected this from myself though because when I was younger, I wasn't really into anything KPop. I don't hate it at that time don't get me wrong, I just didn't see myself liking it plus I always thought I'll never understand korean anyways - but fast forward to now, I can read hangul (I only understand the translation of basic words, I still have to learn the language yet), and a big simp for Bangtan Sonyeondan (also known as BTS).

(L-R) Kim Namjoon, Kim Seokjin, Kim Taehyung, Min Yoongi, Park Jimin, Jeon Jungkook, Jung Hoseok

As soon as I got into KPop which 2 of my bffs highly influenced me with, I started collecting their merch such as albums, photocards, photofolios - I am a big Jeon Jungkook bias (my biases are Jungkook and Yoongi, bias wrecker is Taehyung) to the point I even bought this exact Nike Jordan shoes he was wearing from their PTD concert!

I also downloaded important KPop apps such as WeVerse, VLive (we miss you), Stationhead, BTS In The Seom (which I am very much addicted to before) - voting apps even! I also bought fan merch items such as shirts, jackets, bucket hats, and bags. I attend cup sleeve events sometimes, then I got into Twitter BNS (I don't really sell though, I only buy/trade photocards), and the most vital part of all KPop life - STAN TWITTER. (Yes, the profile below is my stan twt account)

Yes I am on army stan twitter. It is the best and the worst part of being a KPop stan. Most days they love you, most days they hate you but on both days I'm paid though HAHAHAHA.

My friend who has been a KPop stan ever since she was a little girl told me not to enter stan twitter because it can really be toxic - which is true as I've witnessed it already. But one of the perks of being on stan twitter is that it feels like a community, a safe space for you to declare how much you love and adore your ult bias group (mine being BTS), and just tweet your appreciation towards your fandom/favorite group. Also, to support them by voting, buying, and streaming their old/new releases.

Yes, there are days where in stan twitter can be too much, but at the end of the day it's still a safe space for me to express how much I appreciate my idols without being judged by people who hates KPop or people who aren't really into it.

So, going back - I watched BangBang Con earlier and I cried a lot because I realized how much I love BTS. I already know BTS way back, but I didn't become a fan until last year. I do feel some regret not knowing them when I was younger, but you know what they say, you meet them when you need them the most.

The relationship between me and BTS may be parasocial, but BTS did help me a lot. So let me tell you how I met them.

Last year, around May, I started using Facebook reels whenever I get bored watching KDramas or any series in particular. I deleted my TikTok app then so I decided to just watch through FB reels just to get me entertained until I have the energy to continue watching whichever series I was watching at the time. I stumbled across BTS videos a lot but I always scroll up because I wasn't a fan then.

Until I came across a clip of this VLive of Taehyung, Jimin, and JHope eating (this was after their Permission To Dance concert in Las Vegas) on FB reels laughing on a "Yoongi, marry me" comment.

The "Yoongi marry me" line has been a long standing inside joke of BTS. At first, since I wasn't really familiar with any of the members, when JHope read the comment and the maknaes (youngest) laughed while they were eating, I really thought he's Yoongi - until I was able to memorize their features and names, I realized that Yoongi isn't even on this Ppyong live.

I slowly became interested then with BTS. Whenever I scroll through my FB reels or Instagram reels, a lot of BTS clips from their shows such as Bon Voyage, DalBang (Run BTS), In The Soop, Bangtan Bomb, and etc. were already plaguing my account. Not until I saw this POV edit of Jungkook using PSY and Yoongi's "That That" that really got me locked into BTS.

Since then, I already became a hardcore Jungkooker - saving his photos and videos left and right, trying to get to know details about him by researching about him - but mostly I got to know him by watching clips on Facebook/Instagram reels.

Since most of Bangtan videos and clips are really funny, whenever I get curious as to what happened to the whole thing - I immediately search it on Youtube. Until my friend told me to watch "Run BTS", bangtan's variety show. At the time, it was only available on VLive, but you can watch it now in Youtube ;). Since I started watching DalBang, I fell in love with the tannies more. VMinHope opened the door, Jungkook closed it, but BTS locked it.

Until then, I became one of BTS' biggest fan. There was never a day where I don't talk about BTS or go crazy about them especially when they release new songs. I always see to it that I'd buy their new albums (of course I save up for it or make sure I still have extra money to buy one), and watch their content - maybe not on a daily, but whenever I have the time or whenever I feel like it.

I'm not being OA, but BTS really did help me heal a lot. I know I did all the work, but the tannies really became my inspiration to do better and be better. I know they're just 7 men from South Korea who doesn't even know I exist, I wasn't even there when they debuted in 2013, I can't even attend Min Yoongi's AgustD tour in Bangkok at all because it got sold out immediately, I haven't watched them (OT7) perform live, I do have 10 years of content to catch up on - but the more I got to know bangtan, the more I adore them. The more I listen to their songs and understand the meaning behind each lyric, the more I love them.

I cried a lot while watching BangBang Con because they made me feel like I have them to lean onto. When the world seems to big and wide and I feel alone, they make me feel that I'm not alone. When my emotions get the best of me, they can turn all those feelings around.

I may not see them or touch them or even talk to them, but I hope they know how many people they've saved. And I'm one of them.

BTS will forever hold a special place in my heart. Yeah, I may not have been there during their debut in 2013, I may not have experienced their HYYH era, or Wings era, or HYYH era, or Butter era - but as Yoongi said, "don’t feel regretful that you weren’t there since our debut. the day when you first met us, is the day we debuted."

Bangtan Sonyeondan saved me and healed me. And I will forever be grateful for them.

Borahamnida! Apobangpo! 💜

[taperwolf]

So among the things that are almost always for sale at thrift stores around here are camera tripods. Usually they're the lower-end, consumer grade ones for fairly light cameras, the ones that maybe cost $20 new, and which the thrift store tries to get $10 for, depending on which color of price tag has the biggest discount this week.

I've been thinking of filming some videos of my modular synthesizer, and my aim is shaky enough at this point that mounting my phone on a tripod would help a lot with viewability. So when I spotted what seemed like a pretty good tripod — folds into a very small package, looked like quality construction — for $5, I grabbed it. Looked it up later, and it turns out it's the Manfrotto Compact Action, with a list price of $85. It goes up to 155cm (5'1"), and the head is on a ball joint with pitch and yaw on one quick-release thumb lock and roll on a separate quick-release thumbwheel. It's really a well put together thing. There is, however, a problem.

See, the head has one more quick-release feature: it's meant for users with multiple cameras. You fit each one with its own little round plate that screws into the tripod thread, and then you can snap the cameras onto the tripod by just setting the plate into a hole on the tripod's head, and flipping a lever; the camera's then locked onto the tripod until you pull the lever back again. And while this is an obvious improvement on the standard method of using a thumbscrew to thread each camera onto the tripod at use time, there's one big drawback: you really do need the little camera plate to use the thing at all.

And you've probably guessed which part is missing on mine.

They sell replacements, of course, because you're meant to have several, but they're about $24 each. The biggest discount I've seen on them is 11¢.

So tonight I spent some time at the Makerspace attempting to create a replacement. The proper way to do this would be to use a metal lathe to turn a bit of aluminum down to the dimensions of the real thing. I haven't gotten around to learning how to use the lathe, so that's out, and the company doesn't print dimensioned drawings of the part anyway. But hey, it's just a round bit and a screw poking up, how hard can it be to make? What I did do was to find a ¼"-20 machine screw and a button of the approximate diameter of the hole, drill a hole through the center of the button, and put the screw through the button. I also had to sand down the edges of the button to get it to fit, because it was a little bit too wide, but eventually it did drop into place.

But the latch won't hold it there. Once the button fits, it just sort of wobbles there. Turns out there's a riser of some sort between the thin round plate and where the threaded rod starts, giving the latch something to press onto.

I'm going to try threading some nuts onto the screw, though they might not be wide enough; I'll have to keep experimenting. And maybe I'll learn metal turning Friday.

#diy #tripod #accessory fabrication #reverse engineering

[ricardofcty126]

7 Things You Should Not Do With El Gouna Excursions

™

Todays market place is overwhelmed with tons of various models and new kinds are now being released Virtually weekly. Top rated brands https://sempretravelegypt.com/st_location/el-gouna-excursions/ protect all aspects of digital images in addition to every kind of consumers.

Initially select the proper digital camera and choose how many mega pixels (MP) resolution you would like. Simple rule of thumb claims that 2MP will provide you with movie-good quality photographs up to six×9 inches, 3MP nearly 8×10, 4MP up to 11X14 inches and 5MP approximately fourteen×17 inches. Certainly, much more mega pixels usually means costlier digicam so this choice depends upon money you might have for this invest in.

Degree of mega pixels is not The one thing that decides high quality of pictures, even though it's the most vital.

Having said that there are various far more features you'll want to take into account When selecting a digital camera. Here are some which have been primary:

Select a camera which has optical viewfinder beside the LCD display screen. LCD screen has one particular downside that is sort of unusable below daylight, and of course, cruise family vacation signifies loads of sunshine scenes. Thats why you should absolutely will need to possess solution of making use of optical viewfinder.

Graphic storage this question is dependent upon couple of sub-questions. The number of pictures do you intend for making? How long your cruise will very last? Do you might have your Computer system (laptop computer) with you? Below you need to make a straightforward calculation prior to deciding to go to cruise.

To start with Check out what number of photographs you'll be able to store on your own present card. Then multiply that with what number of pictures you will be about planning to make all through cruise and you may around know exactly how much memory you will need. Example: your digicam keep 60 photos on one 128MB card. Then you choose: On my 7-days cruise I could make about one hundred shots. So simply just get A different 128MB card, which makes 256MB full capability, and it ought to be ample for approximately a hundred and twenty pics.

Tip: Usually have more playing cards with smaller potential as opposed to just one with huge capacity. In this way if 1 card receives corrupted or damaged you will have your pics saved about the Other individuals.

Complete different situation is in the event you carry your laptop computer along with you on cruise. If thats the case you are able to transfer your photographs on it on day-to-day basis. Also, on virtually every ship there is a Picture shop offered so You should use their service (either for transferring shots on some media or obtaining them printed out), but keep in mind that they're going to cost for it. Price of this provider differs from enterprise to organization and when you intend to utilize it, you much better Verify selling prices ahead of.

Batteries are also pretty fragile detail. A lot of todays present day cameras use rechargeable NiMH batteries. Murphys Law suggests that they can get dry out right at the moment you may need them by far the most and there is no place in close proximity to by exactly where You should buy The brand new kinds. This is verified so many times that you need to really stick to typical rule – generally and absolutely always have an additional set of batteries along with you (let alone they need to be charged night before).

Take some time and skim guide and find out about options. Learn how to make use of out of doors method for shutting Beach front scenes and at evening dim method for official night. In the event you are unsuccessful to manage these functions you are going to end up getting photos of lousy excellent.

Watch out for water – electronic cameras are not watertight, Until it's strictly specified. If you plan to possess some shots through h2o sports functions it is good idea that rather than utilizing your digital digital camera buy and use a person low-cost disposable waterproof digital camera that are often obtainable close to.

Preserving moments for life span Recollections hasn't been extra economical and much easier.

Leading brand name producers offer a number of selections and solutions that can assist you take advantage of of your cruise expertise.

#El Gouna Excursions

[lovetaled-a]

...  paperbacks or hardcovers ?

#hear me out: hardcovers no #i will buy them if i love the books so much that i just want them on my shelf #for the pretty pages or dust jacket #but i honestly hate dust jackets... nothing about them makes sense while reading #either you take the whole thing off or you crinkle and wear it out while you read #and then YA books never have like.. nice covers under the dust jackets so it's just huh #i am pre-ordering chain of thorns because grace is on the cover and i'm thrilled #bUT THE PAPERBACKS for this series are 10x better ... the spine art #the font size in the books is better imo too and i actually have seen typos in the hardcovers #but not the paperbacks?? #and i know publishers purposefully will wait like 11+ months to release the paperback version #so they can make more money off the hardcovers #but they're just ... not as good and i always end up selling my new releases and getting paperbacks instead #sighing here #and when it's a book you'd refer back to a lot it feels like paperbacks make more sense because you can wear out the spine #it shows less #however this is not to be confused with mass market paperbacks which are too tiny and impossible to read #⋆ 🦋 ◝ ooc. ◟ here to romanticize unhingedly.

[mykingdomforasong]

bookshop au + mutual pining for skysolo?

[fanfic mash up list]

A fair fifty percent of the mall had shut down in the last five years, but the movie theater, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Barns and Noble still did decent enough business to justify keeping the rest of the building up and running.

Most of the customers were middle and high school students looking for ways to pass the time on weekends and summer breaks. The other customers were middle-class moms trying their best to keep their kids entertained. But it was 11a.m on Tuesday, which meant that most of the customers visiting Luke at the Barns and Noble Starbucks were a few elderly people and the occasional college student.

Them, and his coworkers.

Luke started punching Han's usual drink order into the cash register when he saw him walking up. They worked together most weekdays, and Luke had become intimately familiar with the scary-high quantities of caffeine Han could consume in just eight hours.

"Sold two memberships already," Han bragged.

Luke rolled his eyes. "I have no idea how you get so many people to sign up for those."

"I'm good at my job. Charming. People like me," he said.

"Eh, you're not as smooth of a talker as you think you are," Luke said smirking as Han paid for his drink.

"Well, you wouldn't know. I've never tried to sell you anything."

Luke handed him his receipt and grabbed a cup for his drink. "I guess not."

Luke was the only one behind the counter; Ezra was in the back somewhere, restocking something or brewing drip coffee. On a slow weekday like this, Luke could manage on his own just fine. His prosthetic hand was good at balancing cups as he poured drinks, and everything else he'd learned to do one-handed. Like make a large oat milk latte with four shots.

He snapped the lid on, and then grabbed an M&M cookie out of the case.

"For you," he said, placing them both on the pick up counter.

Han smiled. "They're gonna fire you if they find out you keep giving me free cookies."

"Then I hope no one tells them." There was a pause then. Luke expected their conversation to end, for Han to turn towards the break room. Instead, they both just stood there, looking at each other for a little too long. Luke's stomach fluttered in the dumb way it always did when Han was around. He felt his cheeks get a little pink, and he hoped it wasn't noticeable.

He'd tried to find the courage to ask Han out a million times, but he always held himself back. What if he doesn't like guys? What if he doesn't like younger guys? What if he doesn't like me? Ignoring his crush also just seemed to be out of the question; more and more of the porn he watched seemed to feature men with dark eyes and hair. Han Solo was starting to occupy more of Luke's brain than he could afford to rent out.

And maybe that was why he'd managed to say absolutely nothing for ten seconds, spending that time, instead, imagining kissing Han's little chin scar.

Han's voice finally snapped him out of his chin scar-related daze.

"There's a copy of Project Hail Mary in the break room with your name on it," Han said. That was their exchange: Luke gave him cookies, Han squirreled away new releases Luke wanted.

"Thanks," he managed to say, smiling as Han walked away.

When Luke turned around, Ezra was standing by the counter. "That," he said, "was disgusting."

"What?" Luke asked, like he had no idea what Ezra was talking about. But of course he did, and he felt his face going red at the imminent confrontation.

"Your flirting is getting worse," Ezra told him. Luke just grabbed a rag and started to wipe down the counters. "And I don't mean quantity. I mean quality."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Luke insisted, despite knowing Ezra was right. Giving out free food and holding uninterrupted eye contact for an excruciating ten seconds hardly counted as good flirting.

~*~*~

Han sat in the break room enjoying his cookie as he attached and detached a post-it note to the inside cover Project Hail Mary, sticking it and peeling it off again over and over.

It was just his phone number with a little heart in the corner so Luke would know it wasn't meant to just be a friendly gesture. He peeled it off. Maybe I should be more clear, he thought reaching for another sticky note, about to write Luke - how about a movie this Saturday? Before stopping himself. Maybe I should be more vague. He was about to rewrite his own phone number, leaving out the heart, when Lando walked in.

"Skywalker give you another cookie?" He asked. Han nodded. "You ask him out yet?" Han held up the post-it note. "Thought you'd be more confident than that."

Han slumped back in his seat. "Got a better idea?"

"Yeah, use your words. What's the worst that could happen?"

"I could die."

Lando just laughed at him.

When Lando left, Han stuck his original post it back in the book, hoping that Luke (and no one else, for that matter) found it before his shift ended.

~*~*~

Luke stopped in the break room when his shift was over, and found Project Hail Mary on top of the lockers with a note: for Luke, do not sell. Han's handwriting was scratchy and familiar. He hugged the book to chest, excited to get home and start reading.

Han was at the register. "You leaving?" He asked. He looked ... off. He wasn't as laid back as he usually was; instead, he stood a little straighter, and, Luke noticed, he'd done up the top buttons on his shirt. Luke wondered if there had been bad customers or something. He didn't want to pry though.

Luke nodded. "When do you get off?"

"You're my last customer," he said. Luke almost asked him out for a post-shift drink at Buffalo Wild Wings, but Leia was already outside waiting for him.

"See you tomorrow?" Luke asked, slipping the book into his bad.

"Yeah," Han said, "enjoy the book."

"Thanks," Luke said before heading out.

Leia was idling in the fire lane when he stepped outside. He slipped into the passenger side.

"You look smitten," she said.

"Shut up." He held his bag on his lap, letting his hand rest over the book, excited to get home and open it.

#skysolo #hanluke #luke skywalker #han solo #my writing