#experimental farm road

[whoistartaglia]

i just ride, just ride.

summary: you take a car ride after a fight with xiao.

warnings: gender neutral reader, slightly out of character, angst, fluff.

notes: inspired by ride by lana del rey. this literally took me forever to write. this is also the song i put on first for late night car rides.

it was not like you and xiao fought often. but when you did, the fights got loud and mean, and quick. 

you stood in front of him, your hands fisted at your sides, frustrated tears threatening to fall from your eyes. the fight had been going on for so long you barely even remembered what you were even aruging about. all you knew was that xiao was refusing to listen to you and you could not take it a second longer. 

“[name],” xiao said, his tone all condescending. “haven’t you had enough?”

you took a deep breath, resisting the urge to spew one more insult at him. he was right, in a twisted and ironic way. you did have enough. enough of him, enough of the fighting, enough of the headache inducing yelling. 

you had to get out of the house, before you did something you would really regret. so without another word, you gave him one last contemptuous glare and snatched your keys from the table. xiao narrowed his eyes at that. “really, [name]?”

“yeah,” you retorted, angrily stuffing your feet into some slip-on shoes. “really.”

“and where are you going at midnight?” xiao asked. 

“i don’t know where. anywhere,” you muttered. “as long as it isn’t here.” you grabbed your coat and flung open the front door. and without looking back, you headed straight to your car, throwing that door open, too. 

“whatever, [name],” you heard xiao call from behind you. “just don’t crash the car.” it was his way of telling you that he still cared, even if you two were fighting. you knew that. but it was not enough to make you stop as you slowly drove onto the road. 

you made the familiar turns to leave your small town. out in the suburbs, there were long stretches of road that wound into the woods and past smaller neighborhoods and the occasional farm. you drove on them now, allowing the peacefulness and stillness of the night to calm the war in your mind.

you were going to drive until you saw stars in your eyes. maybe then you would head back home, fall asleep on the couch and then you and xiao could pick up all the broken pieces. it seemed like a much better solution than fighting until exhaustion. 

your thoughts were rudely interrupted when the car let out a loud splutter. you slowed.

another gutteral sound. it sounded like it came from the engine—

the car began to slow on its own. you pulled over to the side of the road and put on your hazard lights. they, and your highbeams, were the only sources of light around you, except for the moon and stars above. you had not passed another car in several minutes. streetlights were few and far between, especially on these backroads.

you were alone at midnight. 

you glanced in your rearview mirror. nothing seemed to be smoking. nothing looked wrong. but when you gave the gas petal an experimental pump, the car refused to move.

you slumped and rested your head on the steering wheel. seriously, did this have to happen tonight?

you gave your phone a pitiful glance. although you were a somewhat skilled driver, you had no idea how the mechanics of a car worked. you could not fix this problem on your own, and you knew that you should call your boyfriend. but, and the question sent a sharp chill down your spine, would he even pick up? and when he did, would he even come to help you?

with a shake of your head, you began to dial xiao. you two might have been fighting, but you had been in love with him long enough to know that he wouldn't do that to you. all irrational fears aside, that was something you held to be the honest truth.

he picked up on the third ring. "[name]? what is it? what's wrong?" concern replaced the earlier venom in his voice.

you paused, slightly shy now. before you could respond, xiao asked, "you didn't actually get into an accident, right?"

"no!" you replied quickly. "i didn't crash it, but. well. i don't really know what happened. the car just kind of made a couple weird noises and then i had to pull over and—"

"where are you?" xiao cut you off. in the background, you could already hear him walking to the door. you gave him your approximate location, and he replied, "i'll be there in ten minutes."

before he could hang up, and before you could think about what you were saying, you asked, "please don't hang up."

"i wasn't going to," xiao replied without pause. you heard the engine of his car start in the background.

you said nothing as xiao hit the gas and got onto the road. there was still an awkward tension between you two. it made you tongue tied, unsure if you should try and patch things up now or when he got to you or when you two arrived back home. you were also unsure of how to fix things, when there was so much to fix.

but it was him who spoke first. "i'm sorry, [name]. i shouldn't have said all that shit to you. and you were right. i wasn't listening to you towards the end." regret laced each word, vulnerability giving way to the truth.

"i'm sorry too," you confessed. "i should have tried to better listen to you, too... and i shouldn't have left."

"no, [name]. you did what you had to," xiao reassured you. "i shouldn't have made you feel like you needed to leave, especially not our own home."

you brushed away twin tears that fell without your permission. you didn't even really know why you were crying, but you were glad it was not out of frustration like earlier. using your coat like a tissue, you dabbed at your eyes with the sleeve. but when you looked back up, you caught a blur of a car speeding past you.

not quite comprehending what just happened, you could only watch as your second household car faded into the distance.

"please don't cry," xiao pleaded. "i promise that next time—

"we can talk more at home," you interrupted. "but... xiao... i think you just passed me."

xiao had been so focused on the conversation that he had not even noticed you nor your car on the side of the road. he could hear your surprised and somewhat astonished laughter on the other side of the line as he looked for somewhere to make a u-turn.

yeah, xiao thought. we'll be alright.

#genshin headcanons #genshin impact headcanons #genshin impact #genshin impact xiao #genshin impact x you #genshin impact x reader #genshin x reader #xiao x you #xiao x reader #xiao headcanons #genshin x you #genshin impact fluff #genshin impact angst #xiao fluff #xiao angst #xiao

[coreene]

Longsaddle

The hamlet of Longsaddle is little more than a row of buildings on either side of the Long Road, halfway along the lengthy journey from Triboar to Mirabar. A path leaves the road here and winds to the Ivy Mansion, the great house of the wizards of the Harpell family. Since the Harpells founded the town more than four centuries ago, they have brooked little nonsense and less mayhem. Their own behaviour sometimes borders on the bizarre and can be disturbing - they once turned two rival sects of Malarites into rabbits for disturbing Longsaddle with their squabbles, leaving them at the mercy of the predators they had honoured - but they are one of the most potent gatherings of mages anywhere in the North.

The Harpells are a jovial, if insular, lot. All wizards, they tend to marry wizards as well, and the elder women of the family (by blood or marriage) set the course for the house and utterly rule matters within the Ivy Mansion. The family takes on a number of apprentice wizards, using them for menial tasks and for basic defence of Longsaddle. Some apprentices are often the inadvertent test subjects for an experimental spell, but such is the danger of apprenticing to the Harpells. It is likely this spirit of experimentation that caused the Harpells to found their town so far away from other settlements. Young wizards with oddly sized or shaped limbs, strange hair colour, or shifting forms are fairly common sights in Longsaddle, not surprising to locals though they might give visitors pause.

Given the Harpells' reputation as powerful wizards, and the sheer number of them, there is no shortage of folk poking around Longsaddle and the nearby lands hoping to discover caches of magic, hidden like children's treasures. Of course, few, if any, such bundles exist, but the locals draw no shortage of entertainment from sending would-be thieves on grand chases for wands, rings, and other magic trinkets that any prudent person would realize simply don't exist. After all, if the average trader in Longsaddle knew where powerful magic was located, he would be more likely, down the years, to try to claim it.

The primary business of Longsaddle is ranching, and the lands surrounding the village are dominated by hundreds of ranches and farms of every sort and size, from tiny horse farms to great fields of cattle. During those days that livestock are brought in for trading, Longsaddle is a dusty, noise-filled place, with the sounds of the animals competing with the shouts of farmers hoping to sell their goods.

At all other times, it's a quiet, almost sleepy hamlet, except when the booming reverberation of a Harpell-crafted spell breaks the silence. The family is constantly researching magic both old and new, and twisting spells and rituals into interesting (to them) innovations. This proclivity has prompted them to surround Ivy Mansion with as many magical wards as the family can muster, in order to protect the populace from an errant explosion, terrifying illusion, or the odd, galloping horse of lightning speeding by.

Several businesses designed to attract travellers stand in Longsaddle, if for no other reason than travel along the well-named Long Road can be tiresome. The first is the Gilded Horseshoe, an old inn to the west of the road that serves fine food and drink, offers comfortable beds, and is close enough to the Ivy Mansion that no one would dare disturb it or its guests. The owners have access to some of the choicest cuts of meat in Longsaddle, and as a result, their roasts and stews are exquisite.

Across the road, the Ostever family serves as the local slaughterer and butcher for folk wishing to take meat, rather than live animals, away from Longsaddle. Rumour holds that the sausages have much improved down the years but buyers are advised to "mind the tusks" by locals, a reference to an old joke that none remember. Folk willing to wait can have the able hands of the Ostevers perform a slaughter, hanging, dressing, and packing for them, though this process is likely to take days longer than most travellers can spare.

There is entertainment to be had at the Gambling Golem, where cheaters in the card or dice games are tossed out into the street, and a local marbles game known as scattershields is popular. Dry goods, candles, lanterns, saddles, rope, and wagon wheels are available from a number of other shops.

It can't be stressed enough that while the Harpells have little interest in the daily running of Longsaddle, it is undeniably their town. They rarely suffer insults, and never tolerate violence against themselves, their family, or the locals. A conflict involving the Harpetls is likely to end swiftly and bloodily, and (unless the offender is convincingly apologetic, unconscious, dead, or forgiven of the wrongdoing) will often draw additional Harpells to support their kin. Harpell supports Harpell in all public matters, and no one bothers to record the numbers and names of those that forgot that fact.

Aside from the Harpells, the dominant families of Longsaddle are ranchers: the Cadrasz, Emmert, Kromlor, Mammlar, Sharnshield, Suldivver, and Zelorrgosz families have ranched in or near Longsaddle for generations, and influence most of the daily life there. They set the market days, help resolve disputes among families, and broker purchases when a farmer or businessperson dies without an heir. They settle smaller matters and keep the peace as best they can, knowing full well that if the Harpells need to get involved in a dispute, there is always the possibility of an offender's being blasted into nothingness.

These families are also the ones most likely to hire outsiders to deal with matters on the ranches, whether an ore raid or the appearance of lycanthropes in the area (though it's rumoured that the latter creatures may be the descendants of one of the Harpells). The major ranching interests often hire adventurers not only to further their own aims or provide for defence, but to secretly hinder or harm one another and gain an advantage in their ongoing competition. Adventurers that go too far on such a mission can be explained away as foolish outlanders, and if they offend a Harpell and get blasted in the middle of the Low Road, there will be no one left to ask about the matter. My best advice is to be mindful of the scent of magic in the air and act accordingly.

source: Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide pg. 48-49, map

#Forgotten Realms #dnd #dnd lore #dungeons and dragons #d&d #dungeons & dragons #longsaddle #the long road

[incandescent-creativity]

Im awful at keeping up with people's works, even if we've been mutuals or ive been following you for a while. I want to fix that, to engage more with the community so

If you dont mind, could you tell me names of your wips, characters and what its about? I want to know about my friend's works so i can send better asks!

Hi! Sorry I let this sit for a while!

THE SOLE PROJECT (Spark Of Life Experimental Project) is my most developed wip. It's sci-fi, in the sense that the plot follows a group of superpowered teenagers as they try to escape the influence of the twisted scientist who grew them in her lab.

Dr. Barbara Agau promised the world she could fight climate change through her hydrokinetic (read: water bender) Beth, but when Beth runs away from the labs she was raised in, Dr. Agau creates other teens with other powers to chase her down and get her back.

LIES IN A HOLY TONGUE (LiaHT) will be my NaNo wip this November, as I condense it from what was going to be a trilogy to one single novel. The story will follow Nora, a San Francisco college student who takes her Guardian angel (and their demon lover) on a road trip to save the world.

THE LORE (Legend Of Reality's End) SERIES is a somewhat less developed story, but that's not entirely my fault because I want it to be a seven book high fantasy series. I have lots of worldbuilding, including maps, and a general outline so we can follow Ash Gentum, cop in name but not in practice, and Zachary Loto, farm boy who got accidentally teleported to the city. Together, they will become diplomats between the nations, and the only ones who will be able to stop the growing threat.

FLOAT is not an acronym, just dramatically always typed in caps. It's the only WIP that has ever come to me in a dream, and now it's a story about a ragtag group of survivors sailing an alien sea. Specifically, Aspen the bisexual pirate captain plucks River up out of the water, but River 1. has all her memories of Earth, unlike the rest of the crew, and 2. is a shapeshifter. So there's that.

#I have lots of tags and posts and links to everything if you want! #galactic-mystics-writes #incandescently answered #my wips

[voidwritesstuff]

Long Way To The Truth

Summary: once in Oregon,Lucas comes across an old friend.

Cw: hurt/confort, Lucas has a fear of needles,mentuons of human experimentation,lmk if I missed any.

♡Chapter 7: Oregon

Light enters through the small Windows of the white van. Warm and nice sunlight that heats up his sleeping bag, it makes him turn to the side and let out a sigh deeply laced with comfort.

When was the last time he felt so...safe?

For a moment he thinks he can get away with sleeping in, like he can just relax and let life go by. His eyes flutter Open to see the small alarm clock hes got,fallen over probably by one of his one too Many movements while asleep.

Lifting it up,he checks the time, It reads "6:30" am. But he knows theres like a two hour difference,Between his home state and this one.

He simply retracts his hand and tucks it underneath his pillow, to then close his eyes to sleep just a few more hours. After the days hes been having, its better if he just allows himself a moment of the closest thing hes got to a domestic comfort. Itll help him in the long run anyway...

Its not always he decides to sleep a few hours in, with the sun in his hair and a soft breeze just pushing the clouds on the big blue Sky above. Wether he admits it or not,he Needed rest,a break from his hectic routine.

Lucas was exhausted, he just needed a moment for himself. He needs to feel like himself again. And Hes been so caught up in ,Well- Not dying or getting thrown in jail or a ditch, that his body is making the desicion for him.

His body feels like a piece of metal being pulled by the worlds strongest, biggest,magnet. His bones are made of lead and his nerves are just jumbled,tied up wires.

Who cares if he sleeps in? So whats one more day of travel? Its all the same to him,he figures he can wait,he can catch up on sleep and clear his head.

But by the time he wakes up,at 10:30 or so, he feels a lot better. A lot better.

Eventually he does get out of the sleeping bag, rubbing the tiredness out of his eyes with a loud yawn. He throws on his flannel and his boots- he reaches for one of his thermos since he could use a coffee right now.

Thankfully,the remaining water is enough for exactly one cup of coffee. He grabs a platic mug and simply whips up a quick breakfast.

--Please tell me I havent ran out of jerky--He mutters reaching out to one of his backpacks. He rummages though the contents,just the basic deodorant,change of underwear, toothbrush, a shirt-- Aha! Gotcha

He snatches a half empty bag of dry beef Jerky like finding it was a herculean task. And like a kid in a candy store he eats it, sat there on his sleeping bag like hes having breakfast in bed.

Lucas revels in the warmth of the van,provided by the sun that hits the metal roof above his head. Its just a nice,quiet morning.

When hes done, he makes his way to the drivers Seat and turns on the engine. It comes to life with a roar and he starts drumming on the steeringwheel as he pulls into the somewhat empty road infront of him.

Soon the radio accompanies his thoughts, god he loves music- The soft melodies and the quick paced,high energy rythm are enough to get him on a better mood.

As very tough as he liked to show himself to be,Lucas was a simple Man- When his neurotic brain decided to chill out that is.

Music was his escape,his comfort- Just like he had always had a thing for electronics, his first love was always going to be music. Maybe thats why he chose to be a radioman...

He reaches the town of Forlorn Hiraeth, being greeted with long pastures with farm animals, small houses of brick and some with Plaster. And as he drives into the town proper, he notices something...

The streets have a bit of fog, difusing the light from the sun, the roads are a bit cracked with greenery growing out of it- Dandelions and other weeds Sit there bathed in celestial warmth.

Around him the houses are a mix of modern 90s architecture with vestiges of old 60s homes, its a weird mix of appartments and family houses with porches,yards And even a small parking lot for a supermarket.

--Should re-stock on rations--He mutters to himself,pulling into the parking lot. It doesnt take him long to find a spot and leave the van.

With his eyes settling on the old supernarket,its quite wide and a little ornate with that midcentury modern style. The Windows are long,almost reaching the ceiling- It gives him a clear line of sight into the supermarket which hes thankful for. It eases his mind knowing he can see quite a lot of the inside.

Above him a long roof overhangs from the entrance, its really simple and honestly quite nostalgic- There used to be one supermaket like this in the town he grew up with. Then it was demolished And converted into an appartment building.

The Doors slide Open as he enters, he once again takes off his ballcap before even crossing the threshold.

He shouldve made a list-Too late now.

But its a bit disorienting sometimes, for some reason he keeps getting the aisles wrong- he confuses them with those that were in that old grocery store from his home.

--goddamn-- He whispers to himself, shaking off his thoughts and going to Grab a few canned goods that should last him about 2 weeks.

A few cans of peas,corns, beans(his favorite brand being Bush's Baked Beans), some chili and olives. And then he realizes he shouldve grabbed a cart and so he does that- He feels a little silly but he can allow himself this...dont gotta be perfect,right?

He goes to Grab a few bottles of water, some beef jerky and just as hes passing one of the aisles, he stops.

Before him he sees his younger self on an aisle that had alcohol on it, behind him is...Alphonso.

"Can I pleeeease have a beer?" A young Lucas asked the Man behind him.

"Dont be stupid,youre not 21 Years old"

"C'mon! Im going off to fight I think I derserve  a beer"

Alphonso sighed,nodding"Are you sure you dont want your first beer to be with your old Man?"

Lucas just shrugged"Whats tradition anyway?"

The older Man chuckled" Suit yourself,but if im getting your first beer,im taking you somewhere nice. Not store bought" he beamed at his friend who is jumping around like a spring chicken"its on me, of course"

--Young Man-- Says a woman behind him,elderly-- are you alright?

--Wha-?--He turns to see the old woman behind him,no taller than 5'4, olive skin filled with aging lines and wrinkles.

《I seem to recognize your face

Haunting, familiar yet

I can't seem to place it》comes from the radio equipment installed in the palce ,the song played by Pearl Jam but its not like Lucas has enough mental clarity to notice.

Her brown,hooded eyes look at him concerned,her long black hair tied in a half bun.--you seem..out of it?

Lucas clears his throat--Hah, yes. Sorry- lost in thought -- he sees her blink at him for a moment--Why?

--Nothing you just reminded me of someone --She answered,waving it off--apologies

《Cannot find the candle of thought to light your name

Lifetimes are catching up with me》

--ah dont worry- Truth is im not that busy--He replied-- thanks for the concern Ma'am

The womans eyes fall to his dogtags that are poking a bit from his flannel, but shes  quick to nodd back and excuse herself,walking away.

《All these changes taking place

I wish I'd seen the place

But no one's ever taken me》

Lucas sighs,pushing away his thoughts. He better not linger just in case, he was taking his time but he wasnt going to catch a bullet for it.

Soon he gets everything he needs and goes to the check out,as he waits for the cashier to pass everything through the scanner he hears a conversation between another cashier and an elderly woman.

--Its good to see you again Ms.zhao--Says a younger Man.--How is everything?

--Lonely sometimes,With Dexter's anniversary coming up and all-- he recognizes the voice, its the same woman who spoke to him-- Im planning to visit the cementery soon

--Well ive heard the green house is going on a sale soon,perhaps you could get some flowers there?

Ms.Zhao sounded...happy at the idea--Oh, that'd be splendid. Thank you,Rex

Lucas turns to see the old woman leave,trying to get a glimpse at her bicep for something- But shes wearing a red cardigan. "Shit" he thinks before paying for his things.

He leaves soon after,looking for the woman he just saw exit the store. But nothing finds him...

The last name made something in his head rattle, and as he packs his groceries into his van, his mind wanders...

Why did he know that last name? Why did the woman looked at him with recognition- or something close to it.

It makes him even more confused when he realizes that he instictively went to check the old womans bicep- He was looking for a tattoo, a specific one.

"No,it cant be Jane- Jane isnt from Oregon, Shes from Colorado. Did- why would she move?" He thinks,sat there at the wheel of his van.

And then his stomach rumbles and he sighs. Yeah,no use in thinking with an empty stomach.

《Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away

Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away》 the radio plays as he drives to a Dinner,the only dinner in the small town.

Once there he does his usual, he parks and while looking at the entrance from his van he just thinks.  The only Jane he knew was Jane Zhao, a nurse from the camp he was stationed at- a woman in her 30s, Chinese-American, kind and sassy.

She gave him shit for being scared of needles, he remembers only knowing her through Alphonso though... she had lost someone too-Her best friend, something Sullivan. Jane was more of an acquaintance to him,tough hes sure Alphonso told her all about his protegé young mister Cole.

Alphonso could never shut up about how proud he was of Lucas. He was a Soccer dad through and through

The bell above him rings as he steps, the Sixties exterior with its Open Windows and large rooves clash with the soft pinks,baby blues and light yellows of the inside, with those large bars that appear in greaser movies and that "Golden Age" posters and decor.

He sits at the edge of the bar, ordering a simple meal to eat and just listening to the music coming from the TV.

With the previous experience a few days back, Being in this restaurant made him a bit on edge. Especially with the TV channel being tuned into MTV.

《I swear, I recognize your breath

Memories like fingerprints are slowly raising

Me, you wouldn't recall for I'm not my former

It's hard when you're stuck upon the shelf》

But thats not whats eating at his mind, he taps on the pristine surface of the bar.

"Even if that was Jane, theres no way- She wouldnt recognize me, its been fourty years almost...I changed...I think" he thinks,going to reach for his dogtags. One is his,the other is Wheelers

--Here you go,sir-- Says a waitress with the nametag "Iris".

--huh?-Oh,Thanks-- he answers, turning to look down at the Plate of food.

God,the whole ambience feels so nostalgic, he grew up in places that looked like this- but some things are off,not the same layout, or equipment...

But the cutlery, the shiny steel,the big plates...even the glasses...

Is...is he getting homesick?

Homesick for the past?

Lucas sighs a little annoyed, Last thing he needs is to dig himself deeper down into old memories. He eats,quietly wondering about  that old woman, was it Jane? If she was would she remember him?

《My God it's been so long

Never dreamed you'd return

But now here you are and here I am》

When hes done, still in silent contemplation, he simply waves over the same waitress that handed him the food.

--Yes,what is it?

--Im uh- not really from around 'ere--He answers, refusing to meet her eye out of awkwardness. A part of him felt stupid for asking this--Say- I met Ms.Zhao- she wasnt an army nurse was she?

--She was,actually-- Iris answered,a little puzzled--Why?

He blinks a few times--I think she worked in my platoon,do you have any idea where I can find her?

The waitress thinks for a moment, looking off into space for a few seconds. Long,eternal seconds...

--i think she visits San Myra's park at night--Iris answered.

Lucas breathes out a sigh of relief-- Thanks, heres uh- a tip. For the help -- he pays what he owes and leaves a few 10 dolar bills.

And before she can say anything, he gets up and leaves. He really cant talk to people...

So with all that in his mind,he goes to ask around for the park hes looking for. Its pretty much in the center of the town so off he drives there.

Its a long wait, he tries to occupy himself with cleaning out his guns, his radio equipment and going to walk around the neighboorhood against his better judgement.

That 50s/60s architecture cant stop haunting him, but its not quite spot on. Some things are off,the colors,the shapes of the rooves and the crash of modern 90s architecture.

He finds himself digging into old memories, the Games he used to play with his dogs, the robotics competition he used to partake in...

Memories of the few pleaseant times while deployed, inner Jokes with his buddies that made him Snicker to himself, dumb little anecdotes and fun Shenanigans.

In hindsight he does pity Alphonso, he had to wrangle a bunch of teenager and a few rowdy "adults" every single Day of his life. He wonders if he ever got stress white hairs from everything- But at least to his credit, he took things in stride And with a big grin and a sassy comeback.

God,he does miss his old pal.

As happy hour begins to push,he goes to a small bar for at least one drink,something to entretain himself.

He sits there at the counter with a few other folk that talk to themselves. Lucas is happy to nurse his beer alone, taking in that 60 and 70s decor that fill the place with life and character.

Theres even an old jukebox and he indulges in a little throw back. He goes up to it and slides a coin in,choosing the song "Aint no mountain high enough" By Marving Gaye and Tammi Terrel.

Within the old machine he can see cogs whirre up,parts move and slide into place. The vinyl, an actual vynil,being grabbed by this claw like thing and being put on a platform with a needle.

It settles into place with a small click and he returns to his spot to simply enjoy the music that starts pouring in.

He turns to his left side to see the other Converse,but instead he sees the side profile of Alphonso.

"I do wonder why you choose me over yer old man" Wheeler asked,half joking and the other half serious.

"Dont-dont worry about it" Answers a young Lucas with his black curly hair all short" Short hair sucks"

The older Man chuckled,the sound so hearty and genuine "I told you- dont be a cry baby about it- itll grow back"

"But my long hair Man! It gave me all my charm!"

Alphonso laughed loudly" Hah! Kid c'mon, theres more t'ya"

"Oh old one give me some of yer wisdom!" The younger Man teased,making a grand display with a wide grin.

"Wise? Yes, Old? Go fuck yerself" Wheeler answered, taking a long sip of his beer" Ya have a good heart,kiddo" the bottle is set on the counter with a soft knock,his eyes are set on the interior of the bottle,spinning it with his fingers "perseviring,Smart, brave. Kind, sweet..."

Lucas remains silent as he usually does when his unofficial dad talks. His eyes glued on the older Man, leaning in a little to hear him better.

"You care for everyone you come across, and hell yer fathers have the emotional awareness of a pea- And you are so much better than them" the older Man sighs" youre the best of all of us,dont forget that- Even when i-" he makes a pause,conteplating something before correcting himself  " when some of Us kick the bucket"

"You talk like yer not coming back" the younger Man chuckled,feeling a little unconfortable at the idea of his best buddy not returning.

"Just old Man ramblings,kid-" he refuses to meet his gaze, his brows furrowed with deep concern that goes unnoticed by his companio.

"Hah,you just said youre not old"

"Maybe I am just starting to lose it" Wheeler says with a quick smirk, he rises his beer" for a better future?"

Lucas grins" and to good Friends"

Their bottles clink and-

--You done with that one,buddy?--Says the barkeeper infront of him.

--Sorry- i yes-- Lucas hands the empty bottle and adds--How much do I owe you?

He pays and finds himself already at night, he walks back to San Myra's park and waits sitting on a bench in silence.Thumb tracing the name on one of his dogtags "Alphonso Wheeler"

Not soon after he sees Ms.Zhao walk past him,up to a statue of a young soldier being held by Saint Nicholas of Myra.

Lucas is quick to follow the old woman and when she looks to her side he asks--Ms.Zhao?

--Oh hey its you--She answers--Yes, its me- What are you doing he-

--I was told you were an army medic,for Vietnam--He starts,the words just coming out like waterfalls,like hes desperate,lost child trying to find an adult to rely on--You tended To Captain Alphonso Wheeler from Alpha Company, a few times actually- Im-

--Lucas--Zhao finishes with a surprised,If not bittersweet look on her face--Lucas Cole

His eyes widen,his heart fills with hope--Jane?

--Ill be damned--She breathes out.

Finally,Someone he knows that isnt dead.

--Well,shit-- he breathes out.

--Dont just stand there,you Crud muffin! Give me a hug--Jane pulls him into a tight embrace. He has to bend over to hug her back,he smiles and burrows his face on the crook of her neck.

Tears pick at the corner of his eyes,he squeezes her a little with a wide grin.

Around them the air is silent,mist creeping from the corners, the streets a little barren. Beside them the saint holds the young soldier,reuniting Him God in peace, with Grace.

--You havent changed a thing --She added,pulling Back with a smile-- Still tall and lanky, that wild black hair and that deer in headlights look!

Lucas feels his face darken--Hey! I grew out of deer in headlights look a long time ago

She snorts--Hah! You did,now you look like a wet cat now

--Hey!!--He yells, flustered.--You and Al' always found a way to make fun of me! Not fair

--Life aint fair,kiddo-- Jane chuckled-- Jesus, you got taller?

--Or maybe you just shrunk--He teased back.

Jane has the Audacity to look impressed-- Finally biting back? About damn time

Lucas groans with annoyance,holding his face in his hands-- Jesus christ!

The old woman cackles,hearty,boisterous,loud and so genuine-- its like im seeing my grandson! Ha--she leans on the display plaque that details the story of saint Nicholas of Myra--Speaking of kids,any of your own? A hot wife? Orrrr husband?

His face grows Darker with blush, suddenly very aware of his personal connections-- No- Not really- for neither. Not yet anyway

Jane raised a brow-- huh..!--He looks at her a little insulted at her disbelief-- Thought you'd have people making line at your door,after all Wheeler told me how full of yourself you were when you were a kid

--I- well- I was 19! Of course I was full of myself-- He said,leaning on the small metal fence that met at the sides of the display plaque.

--well you were really,really full of yourself. Like- a lot

--Okay,okay,Point made,Jane--He looks at the statue,the young soldier- barely in teenhood with dirt on his face and an innocent grin.

He hears the shuffling of cloth,then then a groan of annoyance--Ah shit,got a light?

Lucas turns to see Jane with a cigarette in her mouth--Those things Will kill you

The old woman rolls her eyes-- tell me something I dont know- Do you have a light yes or no?

A soft sigh leaves him and he grabs a lighter from his back pocket. He keeps to himself that the lighter used to belong to Wheeler and flips it Open, soon she lights up her cig And looks at the saint statue.

--i...I heard about Wheeler-- she said quietly,as if hoping he didnt hear.

But his eyes fall to the young soldier and sighs-- course ya did

--I know you suspected that there was foul play involved--She said,exhaling smoke--You were the talk of the ward...

--Because there was,Jane--Lucas replied--Thats why I'm here, im...chasing after this one lead..Its one hell of a long story

She nodds--persevering...just Like Wheeler told me you were-- She takes a drag from her cig--I'd call you bullheaded . Couldnt you just...take a plane?

He shrugs-- Cant pay me to board a plane.. not with those goverment spooks chasing me

--What did you get into,Lucas?--Jane asked,her tone akin to one of a scolding mother.

--Its a long story...

The older woman rubs her eyes,being mindful of her red eyeshadow-- Ill regret telling you this...but I was offered a position not a few days into the ward back at 'Nam, to monitor enemy soldiers exposed to a biochemical weapon...

He snaps his head to look at her--Agen-- He stops,looking around for a brief moment before returning his gaze to her-- Alpha Romeo . Why didnt you-

--I didnt know the symptoms...I refused. It was inhumane! I didnt want to be part of it. But then I was told of the state you were in, and I just...knew -- the older woman's eyes fall to the young soldier statue-- I didnt tell you because I thought itll help you leave it alone...that you'd convince yourself with a lie and...and leave in peace. I mean you were almost like Wheeler's son, and I guess I saw myself as an Aunt, I wanted a peaceful life for you, Kid-

--Dont- Dont call me that-- His voice sounds stern,angry. But it soon breaks down,shaky-- please...

She turns and coos,going to hugh him with one arm as he tries to hold back tears--its not your fault-

--How would you know?

Lucas wipes off his tears angrily, he feels like a child again,lost in that muddly jungle, disoriented...

Jane shakes off her cardigan, dropping it on the floor,she shows her tattoo on her bicep. Its a faded red heart with a cross, the name "Dexter Sullivan" written on it.

--My best friend got shot--She starts, not meeting the Mans gaze-- many times...Then, he was brought to the ward, I was on call and I tried to save his life- Keep pressure on the wounds, I ran to the bloodbank to get transfusions ready. Hell,we shared bloodtypes so I just went and gave him my blood until the doctors could get everything ready

The radioman turns to the older woman, with his eyes misty and red and feeling...Moved.

--When that didnt work, I tried to Stitch the wounds myself- But in the end...he died--Her voice cracks and now its her who has to fight the tears--I spent so,so Many years blaming myself, the doctors kept telling me we were overrun with wounded, that I just afforded him a few seconds of life,allowing him to see that I was trying so damn hard. He died knowing I cared for him

--Oh my god,Jane-

--When he died I was broken. I hated myself,i felt stupid,useless, so guilty--she says, anger in ver voice-- I wouldve wished death took me instead, but as I aged I realized... he died with me around,he died knowing he was cared for,loved...it wasnt my own malpraxis that Killed him- He was already on deaths door when he got there--She continues-- I was a nurse- a damn good one, but he was bleeding out. I did all I could...

--Alphonso- He died in my arms--He added, sniffing--Shot clean through the head by-- he coughs out a sob-- By me- we got sprayed by well- you know what... theres not a day where I dont regret calling for air support, where I wish I was taken and not him

--You werent in sound mind...

--I know-- he replied--But I pulled the trigger, im the reason hes dead...

Jane takes a drag from her cig and offers one to him--Cmon, I saw you smoke a few times

He rolled his eyes, grabbing one and lightning it up soon after- The bitter taste of nicotine in his mouth that soon fills with smoke as he inhales.

《When you were young and your heart

Was an open book

You used to say live and let live

(You know you did)

(You know you did)

(You know you did)》One of the nearby houses blooms witt music. Neither mind,its good to have something to drift their attention away from the pain.

--Im here to chase down these fuckers,im going to expose them all--Lucas growls with a vibrant,youthfull anger in his voice.-- Im going to avenge Wheeler and anyone who died at the hands of the chemical

--Putting the world on your shoulders...Hah,I know the feel -- her voice softens as he takes another drag of the cigarrette.

《But if this ever changin' world

In which we live in

Makes you give in and cry

Say live and let die

Live and let die》

--But Lucas...--Jane continues--Itll eat you alive. The grief- it never ends really,but you can do something about the guilt--She takes his free hand,squeezing it-- Even I havent fully forgiven myself for Dex, but anger and grief makes you bitter- And if youre going after them as hard as I know you Will, you need your mind clear

《What does it matter to ya

When you got a job to do you got to do it well

You got to give the other fella hell》

--I have a job to do,Jane. Itll get done, Even if I dont make it out

--Good lord,Lucas. Youre sounding just like Wheeler now--She says,exhasperated--But dont you want a happy ending? What Will you do when you get your victory?

Lucas sighs,feeling childish again. Jesus, he hasnt thought about it yet--I- I didnt mean to- Do I really sound so....

《You used to say live and let live

(You know you did)

(You know you did)

(You know you did)

But if this ever changin' world

In which we live in

Makes you give in and cry

Say live and let die

Live and let die》

--Bitter?--She asks and He nodds-- Yes, you do. I have no doubt Wheeler knew of the chemicals, something seemed off with him

--Yeah...yeah he did sound off--He answers--He sounded so certain that he wouldnt come back, the day he took me out for my first beer-Right before deployment, He told me to never forget I was the best of our Group- Even when they kick the bucket. How wouldve he known?

--It was an army operation,and he was a damn good soldier

--Do you think...he got an offer?

--Most certainly--Jane agreed-- Knowing him he probably said no.

Lucas sighs with relief,messing witt his hair as his head hangs low at the mild scare he got from imagining his best friend working for Mayer, or its predecesor.

At least Wheeler was on the right side of history-- Probably yeah, i- God, this is so insidious

--Make Wheeler a favor,forgive yourself, Will you?--She says, patting his back-- He wouldnt hold it against you,ever. He loved you like a son, he wouldnt want you to suffer,and neither do I

He chuckles-- you know me a lot more than I know you

She smiles with that bittersweet look in her eyes--Yeah,he never shut up about you-You were the great Lucas Cole,promise of his platoon

Lucas snorts--He was big on hyping me up- All the damn time

Jane rolled her eyes--Oh he'd sing only praises about your aim,your kindnes...and all the dumb shit you did

He laughs loudly, taken by surprise. Its a warm,nostalgic laugh--Hah, im sure he did

Silence falls,the wind blows and the mist thickens. Between them they stand there,reunited.

Above them the Sky is starlit and clear, the music from that one house now a mere hum, the street is barren, and theres an air of privacy,of domesticity to this moment of sincerity.

The nurse figures its quite late now,she turns to the Man she sees as her surrogate Nephew and says--Need a place to stay?

--I can sleep in the van-

--Nonsense, itll fuck up your back--Its so weird to hear an old woman curse-- My son has left the nest a long time ago,my husband is well asleep- I can tell him tomorrow

He snorts-- youre too sweet-- he sighs and nodds,he could use a comfy bed--Fine, cmon ill drive you there

At Janes house,Lucas is guided to the barren bedroom of the place. The beds comfortable and warm, and with his heart and soul a little lighter, he can rest.

The house is quiet, the room is small and cozy-It has the outline of his old room back at his family home...it makes Him feel cozy,safe.

Next morning introductions are made,the ex soldier meets his host's husband, Jared Lawson. Both men get along quite well, specially when Jane tells her beloved who Lucas is.

Its nice to have people he sort of knows,he feels...welcomed,at home, and Jane is a great Cook so he gets not only a hearty breakfast but also some snacks for the road.

--You and Wheeler eat like damn starved hogs-- the nurse teased, seeing her guest inhale a Plate of Bacon and eggs.

Sheepishly,Lucas shrugs and keeps eating.

Just as hes ready to leave, his heart aunt stands there with her cream dress,her red cardigan and her crimson bandana holding her black hair in place. She unties it and her hair falls in beautiful Rolling waves.

--lean down ,Lieutenant

‐-Yes ma'am --He says,and leans to eye level. She Gently curls his hair into a bun and ties it with that red bandana.

--Red's a good luck color in China, now you carry a piece of me with you.

He chuckles,feeling his eyes get misty already--Ill come visit once everything is done, maybe ill even bring a hot wife and kids for you to meet

She laughs--You better, I want to be an aunt for Real

--Am I not enough Auntie Jane?--He teased like he was that shit head of a teen he used to be

--Hah! Asshole

They say goodbye with a good tight hug, and Lucas hops into his van and drives off. His spirits risen, his hopes high and his grin wide.

Its good to be reminded that youre not alone in things that feel like bigger than you. Just because his buddies are dead, it doesnt mean theyre gone

Jane is still there.

Wheeler lived on in his heart

Perhaps he can start the work in forgiving himself.

And as he watches the Rolling mountains of Oregon,the beautiful trees and Lakesthat frame the road he goes through, and under that blue skies

He decides to at least try to be Kinder to his mind and soul,and that young soldier that lives within him.

#in sound mind #ism #ism lucas #ism desmond #lucas cole #ism lucas cole #desmond wales #ism oc

[master-john-uk]

This article is not easy reading... but the headline sums it up. (And this is a good thing.)

Bovine Tuberculosis can literally kill a farm. If TB was detected in one of our Ladies, it is likely that all 368 of our dairy herd would have to be executed... I mean, put to sleep!

Badgers have been blamed for spreading Bovine TB. To combat this, in 2013 an experimental badger culling scheme was introduced into to the UK, which has since been expanded. This has proved to be both expensive, and often inefficient in achieving it's aim.

Vaccines are the right way forward, but a lot more research needs to be done before a high level protection can be achieved.

On a lighter note... When I visited the Home Office just over a week ago, there was a small group of protestors calling for an end to badger culling, and more investment in vaccination projects.

They had placed a number of small "cuddly toy" badgers in the road. I could not resist the temptation to walk over and pick one of these badgers up. After dusting the toy off I asked if I could take it home as... "My new calves need something to play football with!"

[valenteal]

Okay so I just got into The Promised Neverland, the anime, I adore season 1. It was beautiful and heartbreaking and hopeful and unique. Season 2 isn’t half as enjoyable but I think this for different reasons than most people.

Everyone else is like ‘oh no they skipped over so much of the manga’ and I’m just like????? No??? Because the way I see it the whole Lambda thing is a cop out that makes exactly 0 logical sense. After season one they lost the plot. Simple as that. They did irrational things for the sake of drama.

I mean think about it, they didn’t want to actually kill Norman so they came up with this elaborate experimental plantation but it doesn’t make sense. Norman was the cream of the crop, the one they were looking forward to, they wouldn’t keep him alive and experiment on him and possibly make him inedible. When we farm animals do we do that?! It’s illogical. If they were trying to clone him I might get it but they weren’t. And then when Norman goes crazy from the torture (because drama!) part of his arguments is that the demons in charge want to maintain the status quo. They’re supposedly very happy with the current system. If that were the case they wouldn’t be doing those experiments at the cost of their best product!

And don’t even get me started on the whole ‘eating humans to be intelligent’ thing. Like… that’s not… where did that even come from!? But oh wait! There’s this super convenient solution! It’s so convoluted but also so forced, like… that isn’t how biology works. I get that this is a fantasy world but that’s too far.

If it were me, I’d have season 1 stay the same and just scrap season 2 for parts. I actually like Sonju, even if his appearance is a bit deus ex machina. His motivation for helping them is interesting and I think he creates a unique situation for the kids. I like the religious fanatic angle, and I like the kids having a mentor. If they’d just let things continue organically instead of forcing it… I mean Ray isn’t stupid, he wouldn’t carve the coordinates where enemies would see. He would have at least used code. They could have stayed at the base thing and built a freaking safe haven and then launched a quiet war against the farms. Guerrilla warfare, slowly rescuing more and more kids, building more bases. Do it realistically, none of this ‘one chemical weapon solves all our problems’ and ‘but wiping them out is wrong!’ quick fixes and simple plans stopped only by moral dilemmas. It too simplified but they try to disguise it with all the drama. It’s okay we took the cowards road and didn’t kill Norman cause he’s so traumatized we can barely recognize him! It’s okay we’re pulling easy solutions out of our asses because they trigger moral strife and end in the main characters struggling to choose the path of light! Drama!

Look, I haven’t read the manga yet but I don’t know how much more I would’ve liked it. It doesn’t matter if we get more context, it’s still just burying the plot holes and cop outs in more drama. We don’t need a simple answer, that’s not how systemic oppression is fixed, that’s not how war and rebellion works. There are plenty of ways they could have gone. Hell there are other, better ways they could save Norman! His shipment was abnormal and unscheduled, Isabella could have saved him or Minerva and his followers, something else, anything else.

I have feelings about this. Season 1 was amazing. Season 2 was just full of familiar cop outs disguised as “plot twists.” It was disappointing. This series had real potential.

#the promised neverland #analysis #anime #my commentary #tpn spoilers #tpn analysis #tpn season 2 #criticism #tpn s2 criticism #tpn anime #tpn ray #tpn norman #tpn emma #tpn isabella #tpn sonju #plot holes #why tpn s2 didn’t live up to its potential #au idea #how I think it should’ve gone #I’m mad #this show gave me feels #deus ex machina #cop outs #bad writing #it could’ve been so good #cliché #tpn #rant post

[echoweaver]

Experimental cc purge of Glennborough is certainly interesting. I’m sure I can come up with a ton of other things to do to avoid making progress on any of my existing projects.

Glennborough has more lots usable by an active farming household than Praaven. However, while the lots are larger overall, it does have a maddening tendency to create lovely farmland in CAW and then plop a farmhouse lot on it that’s just as big as the house. I’m not sure what the thinking is there -- you can’t run a farm on a non-lot, no matter how pretty the landscape is. I need space to actually garden and keep livestock and whatnot. There are even deco livestock (lol -- is that word singular or plural??) on CAW land. That just adds insult to injury.

Also, there are horses in households that don’t have box stalls on their lot, and that’s just trouble. OTOH, lot size isn’t quite as tight as Praaven -- there’s space on most residential lots to squeeze in a box stall if it’s relevant. On the downside, Glennborough’s central walled town is spacious and only supports a few households -- Praaven manages to really grab the feel of a dense medieval city.

I guess, to brainstorm, I remember that it’s possible for a household to own more than one lot. That might be a solution to the problem both on Praaven and Glennborough -- I can drop a custom lot down someplace using Edit Town and have the active household buy that lot to be their farm. In Glennborough, the secondary lot can adjoin the farmhouse lot and sit on the lovely CAW-textured farmland. In Praaven, the household would have to travel at least some distance to get to their farm, but I’m pretty sure that’s an authentic lifestyle for at least some serf-like peasants -- they have a small personal garden and commute to farmland owned by the nobles.

Praaven has the opposite horse problem, which is that households on the countryside generally don’t have box stalls, but there are box stalls in the walled city, which ALSO makes a mess. Praaven’s walled city feels very authentic, meaning the roads are narrow. I get regular stuck sim complaints about wedged horses in the city. I need to go root out those box stalls and remove horses from city households, then put box stalls on more country lots where they will fit, which isn’t actually as many as I would expect to have horses re tiny lots. I wonder if I added some tiny secondary lots to inactive households and put box stalls on them if NRaas-directed inactive behavior would handle these properly as an integrated part of the household.

Praaven’s incredibly immersive, and I’m not noticing any significant lag since I fixed the subway behavior for inactives. If I could have my ‘druthers, I’d reduce the map size and only have one peasant village rather than three with their duplicate churches and marketplaces. If I resolve my complaints and stay there for multiple generations, it does give me some variety in location, so there’s that.

My current plan is for Emma to be the heir and Alair to be the spare (Alair the heir spare, hee hee), mostly because I’d like to follow a woman around a bit longer after my foundress exited the story early. That means that when she marries, the active household will move. I don’t know that she’ll end up in another farm household, course, but I’d like for the world to have lots supporting enough variety of gameplay that Emma’s future household can have what it needs while Nash gets to keep one of the only lots on Praaven that can support an active-play farm.

I haven’t played very far ahead yet. Emma’s still a toddler in gameplay, as is Alair -- though he’s going to age up in a couple of days. Both have toddler traits that point toward fascinating storylines for me, so I’ll probably end up jumping back and forth more than I might otherwise.

I think I’ve talked myself into keeping Praaven for the next generation to see how it goes.

#echoweaver #sims 3 echo in time #meta-sims #praaven reworked #glennborough

[myfavebandfizz]

Rolling Stone 2023

Meet FIZZ, the indie pop supergroup discovering life’s secrets

Fun and friendship form the cornerstone of the debut album from Orla Gartland, dodie, Greta Isaac and Martin Luke Brown.

By Joe Goggins

Picture: Karina Barberis  @annalisakarina

What do you do when you can feel the machinations of the music industry wearing you down? It’s a question that the four members of FIZZ found themselves asking themselves, and each other, as each struggled with the day-to-day grind of keeping their heads above water as solo artists. It wasn’t a feeing born out of a lack of individual success, either, something that each of them have tasted; in 2021, dodie’s debut album went to number three on the UK charts, after a rise to prominence on YouTube that saw her rack up hundreds of millions of views. Orla Gartland’s first album, also released two years ago, made the top ten, too, and met with rave reviews.

Greta Isaac and Martin Luke Brown, meanwhile, have made their own solo waves, the former with a searingly experimental blend of folk and pop and the latter as a singer-songwriter who trades in witty, thoughtful confessionals. Back in June, the four of them revealed themselves to comprise FIZZ, after having initially shrouded their identity in mystery. Their debut album, The Secret to Life, is their answer to the conundrum of how to preserve passion for making art in an unforgiving climate; as they explained to us, the key is to have a laugh with your mates.

Would it have been possible to make a record like this if you weren’t all such good friends to begin with?

Orla Gartland: I think so. We’ve known each other for eight, nine, ten years, and collaborated in different ways; backing vocals on each other’s songs, and I’ve played in dodie’s live band. So, there’s a bedrock there that has helped us fast-track so much of this band. There’s a deep knowing of each other, collectively and individually, and I think the band wouldn’t have come together so quickly without that.

dodie:After lockdown, Greta and Martin moved into this flat with me, and Orla lives just down the road, so we found ourselves hanging out a lot more, and eventually we ended up going out to this studio called Middle Farm in South Devon, where Orla was doing live sessions for her album. It’s run by this production wizard called Pete Miles, who very much encourages people to be themselves musically, and in their lives too. We all worked together there and it felt amazing, like a little taste of escape. It does feel as if the band was destined to be.

Had you all reached a point with your own careers where it felt as if there was something you wanted to escape from? 

Martin Luke Brown: 100%, yeah. We made the record over two separate weeks at Middle Farm, the first one being in December of 2021, and I remember saying just before we headed down there the first time, I just wanted a holiday from the reality of what its is to be a musician. It had become very jobbing for me. I love music so, so much, and it’s such a big, expansive thing, but you create your own box to live in and it felt like such a shame that I was stuck in such a narrow little lane. I think we all felt that way a little bit, and there was this unspoken thing of us all wanting to invert how we’d been doing things for the last ten years, and just go back to being 12-year-olds in the garage, hashing it out and having a laugh. And that’s exactly what happened. If anything, it’s gotten a bit out of hand! We weren’t expecting to sign a record deal. 

dodie: We’re all very proud of what we’ve done, but I think we wanted to break free from the shackles of what’s expected from us and, also, the pressure we put on ourselves, as well. It was a chance to get away from our own egos and get together as friends, with no expectations.

Greta Isaac: And Middle Farm is a very egoless place; you change your own bedsheets, you cook your own food, you sit around the dinner table every night whether you feel like it or not, and you discuss how you’re feeling. It’s not a results-oriented place at all. Pete is about setting things up as a bit of a playground for you to experiment and then capturing it on tape. That was so refreshing to us coming from London, where it feels like a bit of a treadmill, where you find yourself hunched over a laptop agonising over snare sounds.

Was it important to feel like you could play around with ideas and just follow your noses creatively? 

Brown: I know I can be guilty, with my own stuff, of starting out with something amazing and then agonising over it, relentlessly trying to improve on it and perfect it, and all I end up doing is sucking the soul out of it. We were really firm on not allowing that to happen, and letting this be whatever it is. 

Isaac: What I found very quickly making this album is that between our friendship and our musical ability, that was enough. It didn’t need to be overthought or analysed; it was a bit like a dream, going in, coming out and only realising what we had once we were finished. 

Gartland: It took me until after we’d put twelve songs on a playlist for me to make sense of what we’d made, because it all happened so fast. We didn’t allow ourselves to mess with it after a certain point for the good of the music, which is nice, because now it’s like a time capsule of that moment in our lives.

Brown: I like the idea that it’s going to bring back a load of memories, listening to it when we’re 50 or 60 years old. That’s what we’ll focus on then, not whether the snare sound is exactly right or whether we made a mistake somewhere.

When you were thinking about musical references for the record, was a sense of fun the most important thing? 

Isaac: I think the album speaks to what we were craving, not only in our own projects but in music in general. There’s a theatricality to it that goes back tot the seventies and eighties, referencing bands like Queen and Jellyfish, like a high camp to it. That’s something The Last Dinner Party do really well, too, to have this kind of uncompromising grandeur in the way they present music to people. That’s really rare these days. 

Brown: It doesn’t feel very Brit, does it? It feels like in this country you have to be very self-effacing, and take up as little room as possible, and be humble and say, “here’s my silly little songs”. Whereas there’s tracks on this album with five key changes! 

Gartland: It’s not an album that apologises for itself in any way. That comes from the group mentality where, in our own projects, we might be a little bit more timid but, when there’s safety in number, why not make the songs the loudest, most arrogant versions of themselves? 

dodie: And that’s being reflected in the way that we’re presenting it now, visually, which is just uncompromisingly loud. I love when people are proud of the work that they make and don’t apologise for it.

Picture: Karina Barberis  @annalisakarina

There’s a real mix of songs that are lyrically playful on the record – like ‘Rocket League’ – and tracks that are more thoughtful and vulnerable. How do you go about balancing that?

Brown: Me and Gret have got probably fifty voice notes of songs like ‘Rocket League’. We could have a whole album full of one-minute songs about everyday nonsense. That one started out as the others just having a laugh about me playing Rocket League all the time, and it’s not something I would ever have made into a song myself, but it’s so ridiculous and silly and it encapsulates what we’re about quite nicely. 

dodie: The beauty of it being an escape for us is that we didn’t want the album to be too careful or considered; it was just supposed to be about exploring our friendship. And ironically, that’s what’s ended up being the overarching theme, which is that the secret to life is experiencing all that life has to offer with your friends by your side. 

Isaac: I feel like only ten years’ worth of friendship can allow for that spectrum of pure, unadulterated silliness, from being goofy to transitioning to more sincere songs like ‘Close One’, ‘As Good As It Gets’ and ‘You, Me, Lonely’, that comes from feeling safe enough to be vulnerable, among people who feel like your family. That was really true at Middle Farm. We’d be crying one minute and cackling with laughter the next.

How does it feel to be finally playing these songs live after sitting on them for a while? 

Isaac: We’re all huge fans of each other, but I think when you get to know people so intimately, when you’re having breakfast together every day, or going out for a walk and getting coffee, or having an argument about something – all these everyday things – it’s really easy to forget how talented everybody is. I look over at Orla fucking shredding on the guitar and think, “oh my god! I forgot you play guitar. You were in my flat three hours ago.”

Gartland: There’s something really special about that; just looking around you and being proud of your mates.

Secret to Life is available on September 15 via Decca. FIZZ play eight UK dates from September 29

#fizz #yourfavebandfizz #fizz band #all #interview #photoshoot #rolling stone #rolling stone magazine #rolling stone aug 2023 #greta isaac

[awanderingmuse-ficrec]

Shattered

Fandom: Riordan-verse

Author: BobInTheComments

Rating: Not Rated

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death, Underage, Rape/Non-Con, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Torture, Homophobia

Word Count: 589,555

Pairings: Percico, Percabeth, Jiper, Frazel, Caleo, Sally Jackson/Paul Blofis, Solangelo

Characters: Atlas, Dakota, Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Nico di Angelo, Jason Grace, Piper McLean, Will Solace, Hades, Poseidon, Demeter, Persephone, Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano

Tags:  This will hurt, you will squirm, Cruelty, Torture, Experimentation, Internalized Homophobia, Homophobia, Anger, Violence,  Road Trips, Unlikely Friendships, End of the World, the start of a new one, alternating long and short chapters, Fluff, like a weirdly high amount of fluff for a dark fic, BAMF Hades, fatherly hades, barnacle-brained Poseidon, Grandmotherly Demeter, Farmer Demeter, mom friend Nico, farm boy Jason, damaged Jason, hero Nico, patient Nico, Nico has to heal his broken friends, but he also has to heal himself, Slow Burn, eventual percico, Native American/First Nations Legends & Lore, Native American/First Nations Deities, Eventual Smut, Smut

The world is hardly ever what it seems.

We have seen our heroes fight monsters, gods, titans, and even the very Earth itself. But, there were rules and procedures to be followed. A clear defined path to victory.

Now the enemy has no limits, no safeties, no restraints.

Or

Mortals aren't as blind and powerless as the gods seem to think...

#pjo #percico #jiper #frazel #caleo #percy jackson #nico di angelo #pj: post HoO #pj: fluff #pj:angst #pj:dystopian au #pj:fluff #complete #100k #notrated #fic rec

[deepslowpanicfics]

♡ deepslowpanic Namgi Fics ♡

True North [ E | 11/11 | 117k ] long distance relationship | first meetings | road trip | solar eclipse | online relationship | falling in love | emotional hurt/comfort | anxiety and misunderstandings | communication | soft emo boys and music references

You're One in a Melon [ E | 20k ] big gay farm universe | online dating | awkward sexting and flirting | chance meetings | banter | it's nuts but so, so sweet | appreciation for namjoon's chest

All I want for Christmas is Ewe [ E | 14k ] big gay farm universe |christmas fluff | established relationship | horny gremlin yoongi | soft and sweet namjoon | fluff and love | relationship milestones

Some ASSembly Required [ E | 8k] strangers to lovers | 5+1 | ikea worker yoongi | helpless himbo namjoon | building and breaking furniture | awkward flirting | getting together | sexual tension | pining | silly situations | thighs

'Cause You Stop the Noise [ E | 7/7 | 70k] strangers to lovers | meet cute (sort of) | missed connections at an mcr concert | first dates | getting together | soft emo boys | shy namjoon and confident yoongi | music as a love language

Subliminally Yours [ E | 10k] friends to lovers | pining | music nerds | feelings realization | idiots in love | love confessions through song | music as a metaphor for love

Fine Art [ E | 6k ] friends to lovers | art gallery dates | 5+1 | pining and sexual innuendos | sexual tension | yoongi is a tease and namjoon is suffering | public sex

Helping Hand [ E | 7k ] friends to lovers | roommates | recreational drug use | watching porn together | it's not weird to jerk off with your friend | just bro things | pining | docking

You, In the Distance [ E | 3/3 | 32k ] exes to lovers | post break up | lonely namjoon | music producers | slow burn | misunderstandings | communication | sad boy hours x10 | getting back together | love confessions | yoongi is yoongi but also... there's a cat

You've Gotta Be Kitten Me [ E | 14k ] secret camboy yoongi | tattoo artist namjoon |awkward flirting | meet cute | teasing and flirting | namjoon is having a hard time | fluff and a little angst | getting together

Project Mismanagement [ E | 15k ] coworkers | one sided enemies to lovers | office pranks and shenanigans | sexual tension | yoongi is an hr nightmare | accidental nudes

Let Hyung Help [ E | 6k ] strangers to lovers | neighbors | 5+1 | hurt/comfort | yoongi is a good hyung | namjoon has a broken arm | getting to know each other | intimacy

Recipe for Disaster (or Love) [ T | 6.5k ] strangers to lovers | chef yoongi | rapper namjoon | kitchen disasters | minor injuries | soft boys falling in love | cooking lessons | food as a metaphor for love

Tangerine Hues [ E | 3k ] friends to lovers | getting together | sleepy confessions | touching and kissing | soft boys and vibes | sunsets and honey and love

Riptide [ E | 4/4 | 35k ] strangers to lovers | meet cute | aquarium | awkward flirting | confident yoongi is bad at feelings | hurt/comfort | lots of miscommunication | degradation kink and aftercare | they're both messes but they can make it work

Geometry [ E | 8.5k ] established relationship | misunderstandings | sexual experimentation | trying to spice things up | idiots in love | namgi try to 69 and it goes about how you'd expect

In the Soap [ E | 4k ] established relationship | emotional hurt/comfort | caretaking | bathtub sex | very soft and slippery

Meowments in Time [ E | 4k] established relationship | emotional hurt/comfort | thunderstorms | yoongi turns into a cat when he's scared | soft love

Greater Heights [ E | 9k ] friends to lovers | traveling together | sharing a bed | exploring a new city | accidental (?) cuddling | love confessions | getting together | idiots in love

Songs I can't believe I forgot [ E | 8.5k ] friends to lovers | roommates | music festival | soft punk boys | idiots in love | getting together | cold hands

The Feline is Meowtual [ E | 7k ] established relationship | horny monster namjoon | yoongi loses a bet | kitten play | collars and cat ears | breeding kink | rough sex

Hearts are Bound to Beat [ E | 3/3 | 35k ] soulmates | slow burn | overcoming loneliness | fluff and feelings | soft shy boys | falling in love and letting go

Louder Than An Orange Flame [ M | 15k ] hurt/comfort | convenience store | underground boxing | surreal imagery | soft and melancholy | namjoon just wants to help

#namgi #namgi fic #namgi fanfic #namgi fanfiction #bts #bts fanfic #bts fanfiction #fanfiction #kim namjoon #min yoongi #fanfiction masterlist #deepslowpanic fics

[rebellum]

There are these two longest documentaries I like, Tales of the Green Valley, and Tudor Monastery Farm, that are experimental archeology and have people living on tudor era farms and teaching the viewer about it. And I can totally understand someone not wanting to watch a 4 or 6 hour documentary.

But, also, like

There are so many good parts

There's a part where they have to take the geese to market, but they don't want the geese to hurt their feet walking on the road, so they have to make little makeshift SHOES FOR THE GEESE

[shootertron-stuff]

"I fucked your mom"

(warning for unethical human experimentation, eugenics-ish stuff, mentions of forced reproduction, young men being juvenile)

Odonantus the Black Legionnaire, bullied by his classmates as a neophyte for insisting his mother was a female Imperial Fist AND sharing a birth name (Orestes) with an Iron Warrior who committed incest, finding the whereabouts of his top tormentor's parents, intent on revenge.

He learns that the bully, too, was born to be a Space Marine.

But unlike Odonantus, the breeding program made human clones of Space Marines and had them make babies with each other, so that the babies would be genetically compatible with the geneseed.

(They could have implanted the clones with geneseed, but having a colony of humans to breed with each other instead of using cloning vats is cheaper)

Odonantus, a decade or so out from graduating, finds time to travel to the bully's homeworld to visit the mom. He takes his three brothers Augustine, Ælfwine, and Carcharis.

The mom, now post-menopause, is thankfully still alive, just retired from babymaking. She lives on a farm with other retirees. Old people gotta work in 40K. The Black Legion is squeezing all they can from ex breeders.

Unlike captive Space Marine breeders, these retired breeders don't have to be fenced in. They were born under the Black Legion and it's all they know, and their quality of life isn't terrible, so they don't try to run away.

The four Space Marine brothers step out of their transport and shower the farm village with gifts. They explain they are visiting this world after hearing good things about it from a classmate (selective truth telling)

The farmers, of course, are delighted by the four brothers and it gladdens their hearts that the big strong Space Marines are helping them.

The bully's mom is quickly located and given an especially big basket of goodies, including vitamin supplements and a back massager.

The mom takes the brothers back to her room, where she has photos of all her sons and saved letters hanging up on the wall.

Odonantus listens to her talk about her wonderful son, and plays along, acting like he was friends with the bully. He even massages her aching back.

As promised, the brothers fix up holes in the road leading up to the commune and patch up damaged buildings.

They take away heavy metal objects that have been piled up in the corner and haul it to be smelted down.

Using a bunch of fancy seafood ingredients - octopi, giant isopods, big ol sea snails - they cook a gigantic seafood boil for the farmers.

The mom, so delighted by these young men, is easy to seduce.

Odonantus drives her off to a scenic spot and shows her a good time. Very carefully of course, since she's getting on in years.

She talks about the men she's been with and how some of them have died or vanished. The Black Legionnaire is happy to let her talk. The human falls asleep in his arms.

The following morning, the four brothers drop her off and bid farewell to the village. The humans are sad to see them go.

Later, the bully receives a letter from his mom describing those "nice young men", "your classmates" who helped her. It's followed by a passive-aggressive letter from Odonantus detailing how he did all those things for the bully's mom because "she deserves it", followed by a description of the two of them having sex.

The bully is mad. He knows it's a jab, but can't prove it or tell his mom the only reason a Space Marine slept with her was out of petty revenge. He'd only look like a sourpuss or have to admit he was a bully.

And if he insisted the four were the real bullies, his mom would have a hard time believing him. That seafood dinner was really good.

#warhammer 40k #taming hellhounds #chaos space marines #black legion

[ubaid214]

Market Square: Your Regional Supermarket for Fresh Meals and Kitchen Basics

Set amidst the busy roads and common sides of our community lies a sanctuary of ease and abundance: the local supermarket. Beyond its unassuming external lies a prize chest of things, an epicenter of community life, and a testament to modern convenience. Let's set about a journey through the aisles and explore into what makes our regional store a cornerstone of our everyday lives.

A Centre of Selection and Decision

Even as we step through the entrance, we're greeted with a symphony of smells and sights. The neatly organized aisles extend before people, each brimming with a kaleidoscope of services and products catering to every require and palate. From new make gleaming underneath the delicate shine of lights to cabinets adorned with pantry staples, the selection looks endless.

Every object shows a story, procured from regional farms or imported from distant lands, supplying a view into the global tapestry of tastes and cultures. Whether it's artisanal cheeses, incredible spices, or natural grains, the store near us serves as a gateway to culinary exploration and experimentation.

Beyond Looking: A Feeling of Community

But our local store is more than simply a destination for a stock through to groceries; it's an energetic centre where neighbors converge, exchanging smiles and stories amidst the hum of activity. Here, familiar encounters greet each other with heat, transforming routine chores in to minutes of relationship and camaraderie.

From the friendly greetings of the team to chance activities with friends in the aisles, the store fosters a sense of belonging, weaving the fabric of community stronger with each purchase and conversation. supermarket near me

A Commitment to Quality and Sustainability

Amidst the abundance, our neighborhood store stands as a beacon of obligation and sustainability. With a critical attention on sourcing practices and environmental affect, it includes a range of ethically procured, eco-friendly products that resonate with thorough consumers.

From locally grown produce that helps local farmers to eco-friendly packaging initiatives directed at lowering spend, the store near people embodies a responsibility to both quality and sustainability, ensuring our searching possibilities align with this values.

Adopting Convenience in Daily Life

Perhaps above all, our local supermarket is really a sanctuary of ease in the whirlwind of modern life. Having its extended hours, on line ordering alternatives, and diverse array of services—from in-house bakeries to ready-to-eat meals—it provides the varied needs and lifestyles of its patrons, supplying a easy shopping experience designed to the flow of our lives.

In a global wherever time is really a precious commodity, the store near us stands as a accurate friend, simplifying the difficulties of grocery shopping and enabling people to reclaim minutes of discretion and relationship amidst the bustle and bustle.

In Conclusion

As we conclude our trip through the lanes of our town store, we're reminded of its profound significance beyond pure commerce. It's a place wherever selection thrives, neighborhood flourishes, and comfort reigns supreme—a microcosm of contemporary residing nestled correct in the center of our neighborhood.

So, next time you embark on a grocery run, take a moment to savor the experience, for in the simple aisles of our regional supermarket lies a full world of abundance, connection, and possibility waiting to be explored.

[anarchytecture]

#chatgpt #stable diffusion

[realtorjamier]

Best Places Around the Area to See Fall Foliage!

Autumn’s natural glory will soon be ablaze with color, making it a great time to plan your leaf-peeping. Mid-October is generally the best time to start seeking out fall foliage, and the colors can continue well into November. For an animated map showing the progression of color across the U.S., check out this online illustration from The Farmer’s Almanac.

So where should you go locally to experience autumn at its finest? Here we offer some of the best spots in the DMV for photographing fall scenery – whether it’s for dynamic social media posts, placing your pictures in a frame, or just taking snapshots with your mind.

Tidal Basin

Washington, D.C.

Spanning 107 acres, but just 10 feet deep, the Tidal Basin is well known for its lovely cherry blossoms in the spring, but in the fall these same trees turn a beautiful orange and gold! Enjoy a stroll around an easy two-mile loop.

Theodore Roosevelt Island

George Washington Memorial Parkway Arlington, VA

A two-mile path follows the island’s shore, moving into the swamp and tidal inlet where nature frames views of Washington, D.C. Buy the book “Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island” by Melanie Choukas-Bradley for an even more meaningful meander.

State Arboretum of Virginia

Blandy Experimental Farm Boyce, VA

Virginia’s State Arboretum spans 172 acres of tree and shrub collections dating back to the early 1930s. You can also experience the glorious golden 300 tree Ginkgo grove every fall.

Georgetown’s Cobblestone neighborhoods

Georgetown, D.C.

Georgetown is renowned for federalist architecture, cobblestone streets, and historic brick and frame row houses, some of which date to the mid-1700s. It’s also an origination point for the historic C & O Canal, a National Park which runs 184.5 miles into Cumberland, Md. Enjoy a fall stroll and consider taking a guided tour.

Rock Creek Park

Washington, D.C.

Created in 1890, Rock Creek Park is the oldest urban park in the National Park Service. Its 1,754 acres generally follows the Potomac River tributary of Rock Creek and includes a golf course, equestrian trails, an amphitheater, and picnic and playground facilities. It also includes Peirce Mill, a water-powered grist mill built in the 1820s.

Seneca Creek State Park

Gaithersburg, MD

More than 50 miles of trails wind through a variety of habitat, including the 90-acre Clopper Lake. A restored 19th-century cabin adds charm to your fall photographs.

Great Falls Park

McLean, VA

Three overlooks within a short walk front the Great Falls Park Virginia Visitor Center allow for spectacular scenery. Two of the overlooks are handicap and stroller accessible.

Great Falls Park

Potomac, MD

Visit the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center on the Maryland side of Great Falls Park, located at mile 14.3 along the C&O Canal towpath in Montgomery County, Md.  

Shenandoah National Park

Luray, VA

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Va., the park stretches 105 miles from the northern entrance in Front Royal to the southern entrance near Waynesboro. Skyline Drive is the main road running the span of the park – a scenic byway that can get especially busy during peak leaf-peeping times. 

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry, WV

Almost Heaven, but just a hop, skip, and a jump from the D.C. Metro area, Harpers Ferry is a time capsule nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers come together and continue eastward to the Chesapeake Bay as the Potomac river. Unfortunately, this fall’s rockslide stabilization project will make the travel to Harpers Ferry a bit tricky, so check your options online or through your favorite phone app.

South Mountain State Park

Boonsboro, MD

This 40-mile park weaves along South Mountain Ridge. Visitors can walk the same paths as the Civil War soldiers who fought at the 1862 Battle of South Mountain, climbing to enjoy breathtaking views. 

Rappahannock River Heritage Trail

Fredericksburg, VA

This paved pathway makes for an easy walk, but don’t let the pavement fool you – beautiful views of the Rappahannock River, Old Mill Park, and several historic mills are seen throughout the trail.

#jamierichards #realtorjamier #realestatetips #realestate #realestateagent #realtor #fall #fall foliage #dmv #dmv fall #dmv fall foliage

[sternsolar]

The Future of Solar Energy: Predictions for the Next Decade

In recent years, the world has been captivated by the potential of renewable energy sources, and solar energy, in particular, has shined brightly. As we stand at the threshold of another decade, it's an opportune moment to gaze into the crystal ball and predict where this radiant force will take us. This article delves into the anticipated trajectory of solar energy over the next ten years. Learn more about it at Stern Solar.

1. Falling Costs, Rising Installations

One of the most significant hurdles to the adoption of solar energy has been the initial investment cost. However, with advancements in technology and manufacturing techniques, the price of solar panels and related equipment has plummeted. By 2033, it is predicted that the costs will decrease even further, making solar installations affordable for an increasing number of households and businesses.

2. Increased Efficiency

Solar panel efficiency - the amount of sunlight that can be converted into usable electricity - has been on a steady rise. Recent breakthroughs in perovskite solar cells and bifacial panels are paving the way for more efficient energy capture. Over the next decade, we can anticipate panels that can harness more energy from the same square footage.

3. Solar-Powered Transport

With electric vehicles (EVs) becoming the norm, the next logical step is to power these machines with the sun. Experimental solar-powered cars are already on the horizon, and while it may take some time for them to become mainstream, the next decade could see a significant uptick in research and possibly early commercial models.

4. Solar Energy Storage Solutions

One of the often-cited limitations of solar energy is its intermittent nature - the sun doesn't shine all the time. However, with advancements in battery technology, especially with innovations like solid-state batteries and graphene-based solutions, we can expect highly efficient, longer-lasting storage options. These innovations will ensure that solar energy can be reliably used day and night.

5. Expanding Community Solar Projects

Community solar farms - where a group of people invests in and benefits from a shared solar installation - have gained traction in some parts of the world. As more communities recognize the economic and environmental benefits, it's likely that this model will expand, offering a feasible solution for those without suitable rooftops or individual resources for solar installations.

6. Integration of AI and Solar Energy

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already making waves in various industries, and the solar sector is no exception. AI can optimize solar panel orientation, predict maintenance needs, and even forecast energy production based on weather patterns. Over the next decade, the integration of AI will make solar energy systems smarter and more efficient.

7. Solar in Urban Planning and Architecture

The buildings of the future won't just have solar panels on them; they will be solar panels. Architects and urban planners are now considering solar energy from the outset, integrating photovoltaic cells into windows, facades, and even roads. This seamless integration means that entire cities could function as energy-harvesting entities.

8. Global Collaboration for a Solar-Powered World

Solar energy knows no boundaries, and as nations recognize its potential, there will be a surge in international collaborations. Joint research projects, shared manufacturing hubs, and collaborative policy frameworks will become the norm, accelerating the global transition to solar.

9. Addressing the Environmental Footprint

The solar industry is becoming increasingly aware of its environmental footprint, especially concerning the disposal of solar panels. Over the next decade, we'll see strides in creating recyclable or biodegradable solar panels, further cementing solar energy as a truly green solution.

10. Increased Government Support

As the urgency to combat climate change grows, governments worldwide will prioritize renewable energy. Tax breaks, subsidies, and favorable policies for solar energy companies and consumers will likely become more widespread, fueling the industry's growth.

In Conclusion

The next decade promises to be a luminous one for solar energy. As technology evolves and the world grows ever more eco-conscious, the sun will play an increasingly pivotal role in how we power our lives. While challenges remain, the future is undeniably bright for this sustainable energy source. Here's to a decade powered by the sun!

Contact us for more information here: https://sternsolar.ca/contact-us/.

#Solar Energy #Renewable Energy #2030s Predictions #Solar Panel Efficiency #Solar-Powered Transport #Energy Storage Solutions