#its taking attention away and showing their mismanagement once again

[zenyye]

nctzens on twitter just had a 4 hour conference about nct hollywood this is global politics now

#im absolutely terrified #sm done fucked up #agreeing? this fandom? ever? #nct hollywood #also like im fucking pissed abt this right before dream's cb #its taking attention away and showing their mismanagement once again #ncity #neo culture technology #nctzens

[phoenotopia]

The Last Phoenotopia Blog Update

(Date 2021 MAR 01)

I debated how to open this blog post, but perhaps the main crux of this blog post is the best place to start. The blog is being retired.

The purpose of this blog was to be a "development" blog for Phoenotopia, and well, Phoenotopia's development is done. I'll still be doing bug fixes and maintenance on the PC and Switch versions, and playstation and xbox ports are underway (by a publisher). But I'm not going to be making any more major changes to the game. At some point, you put the paintbrush down and say it's done. Blemishes and all.

Recent Events

The game launched on Steam last month, and like any launch, it was hectic. Bugs Galore. This is our first commercial PC launch, so it was a real baptism by fire. Unlike Switch's one configuration, the PC has multiple configurations and factors to account for. The game needed to be able to handle multiple control schemes, screen resolutions, refresh rates, and more! I had a 60Hz monitor going into launch and didn't know anything about Hz (I do now). There was a troublesome stutter that some players were sensitive to that my whole team didn't notice since our eyes compensated it away. There were a few times where in fixing something at one party's behest, it introduced problems for another party. A few times, due to disorganization, I unwittingly rolled back a fix that was meant to be applied. For some, the game couldn't play at all (really glad Steam allows refunds).

It was messy. It was tiring. I.AM.BEAT.

I think the worst of it is over... I'll still be around to do the last updates and bug fixes, but I'm ultimately ready for what's next.

SO what is next?

What isn't next... is Phoenotopia 2. As you may have heard down the grapevine, the game couldn't be what you call successful. No one's earned even minimum wage on it.

Maybe there's hope in the game's long tail. A year or two down the line... maybe. I won't hold my breath though. At some point in the past few months, I finished processing (or grieving) and it's time to move on.

The game has at least earned enough for us to continue our modest operations. As long as we don't expand the team, and we don't take another monster six-year dev cycle like what Phoenotopia took, we can continue. We'll have to be smarter and faster. Perhaps the most valuable thing we gained from all this is experience.

The Experience

It is a dev blog. Here are some of the lessons I've accumulated from this game's development.

- Have a good menu design. Menus aren't just that in-between fluff before you get to the good stuff. Menus are KEY. Your menus need to be robust, expandable, and *understandable* (to you, the developer). Because once the game's out, you will invariably be asked to add more options. And if your menu design is bad, every time you have to add a new menu option, it becomes a whole new pain all over again. Support mouse from the get-go, etc.

- Focus on features that people will actually care about. For instance, I've never seen anyone praise the camera's zoom feature. In practice, people try that feature a few times and then never use it again. But that feature was a constant consideration factor for every level. Run through it multiple times to make sure the level didn't break, think about which zoom levels made sense, resize rooms because they worked at one zoom level but not the other, and so on.

- Don't do boxes that you can move around. Other 2D platformers avoid movable boxes because they're a huge headache to program and they really complicate the game space. Enemies need to respond to boxes you throw in their path and either navigate around or attack it. When you're moving the box, you have to worry about constantly changing your collision size and reconciling when the box gets snagged on the environment. The boxes were also a constant source of bugs because people can manipulate them to soft-lock themselves and more.

- More focused script. Phoenotopia's 100,000+ word script was panned more for being bloated than it was praised for being lengthy. Long scripts take a long time to write and make the game more unwieldy, increasing the costs of translation and upkeep. Every update we're addressing some textual error or mistranslation. There are some highly renowned games (e.g. Hyper Light Drifter) that do without a script at all!

- Be flashy! A bat and a lightsaber take the same amount of work to program, but the lightsaber will draw a lot more attention and interest.

- Slopes, surprisingly! Six years ago when I started, Unity was ill-equipped for 2D games. If you used the physics that Unity provided you'd have a really floaty character that wouldn't adhere to the slope when going downhill. There were a hundred different tutorials saying different things (use forces, use move position, use translation, etc). You can get rectangular collisions done in a day, but to do slopes took weeks. Meanwhile, games can actually get by fine without slopes. Most people won't even notice. Did you know the Phoenotopia flash game didn't have slopes? Neither does Hollow Knight or Rogue Legacy. You can save yourself a lot of work by avoiding slopes.

(big entities look weird on slopes. Bad slope!)

I could write enough little knowledge nuggets like this to fill a book! But I'd rather just make the next game. 

So… what IS next?

As mentioned previously, it's not Phoenotopia 2. Pirate and I are mostly just tossing some ideas back and forth right now. We'll go silent for a year (or two). Our next game's scope will be more modest in some ways, more ambitious in others. It will definitely be more smartly designed. (There will be a map!)

We'll announce it when it's ready for the public. It might be necessary for us to do a kickstarter. I've tried to avoid kickstarters having been burnt on quite a few myself and also because I worry that mismanaging a kickstarter would earn the ire of backers.

But I did keep this blog regularly updated for six years. So I've gained some confidence in my abilities to at least manage a kickstarter well.

Is it really the last Phoenotopia Blog update though?

Okay, not really. There is some news that I'll need to announce, and this blog is one of the game's main outreach channels. Here are the events that will cause me to update the blog:

Announcing the launch of the xbox/playstation ports when they're ready

If a physical edition of the game happens

If a new language is getting introduced into the game (Korean is a high possibility)

When we're ready to talk about our next game

If (BIG IF) we begin development on a Phoenotopia sequel. I do want to do a sequel one day if we have the means and the demand is there. 

Those updates will be more on a "when they happen" basis, rather than me reporting in every couple months.

Fan Art

As always, I'm very happy to see fanart of Phoenotopia. Major thanks again to Pimez for collecting all the artwork from the corners of the internet! Since this is the "last" blogpost, Sir Pimez can finally take a rest from collecting the fanart :P

ÆV made a series of pictures that tell a story. A Pooki is humanely sheared of its wool to create a hat. The Pooki is unharmed. Nice! Gotta love Gail’s expressions.

Amagoo Mazeru makes a stunning landscape shot of a full moon and shooting stars. It’s a sharp and clear vector art. I like the faint glow of the moon and the fire and the subtle gradient in the night sky. Very skillfully done!

Hah hah. I got a chuckle out of this one. I imagine this is how Gail's enemies see her by the end of the game. CaESar made this image based on TerminalMontage's famous youtube videos. Nailed it!

CrownStar drew two pictures of Gail. I'm a big player of JRPGs, so the first shot instantly reminded me of Persona 4's art style. (Hmmm... Phoeonotopia as a JRPG... there’s potential there...) Next, Birdy is shown carried off after her defeat. I really like Birdy's expression here - she just seems mildly uncomfortable.

There's a bit of a story behind the first image. As Firanka shares it, she wasn't able to defeat the Big Eye monster at the end of the flash game, so she believed a tall tale that what awaited after was a 6 armed Kobold boss. Hilarious! The second is a rendition of the lonely Anuri elder. A rare subject. The loneliness is portrayed well here. I feel lonely just looking at it!

Koo_chop draws the clash between Gail and Katash at the top of the towers. I really like this interpretation of the game's art style. It’s faithful to the in-game graphics. And the lighting, from the glow of Gail's bat, to Katash's sword, and the lightning in the background... Amazing!

Lime Hazard shows Gail with a salute pose. Very appropriate for this occasion. I also like how there's a slight tilt in the angle that Gail is portrayed. Those dynamic angles are always hard to get right, and Lime Hazard pulled it off very skillfully. See you next mission!

Lyoung0J with a digital painting of Gail posed sitting on a rock. I like how it almost seems like she was caught in a candid moment - she’s smiling, but also feeling self-conscious. Cute! The art style really pops, and I like how Gail is sporting what I call the old anime style nose. 

MyUesrNameIsSh*t with a sketch of Gail performing a skillful slingshot. I like how Gail is depicted with her tongue out in a mischievous manner, the way all mischievous people with slingshots do.

Niitsu Kentaro returns with a 2021 Happy New Year picture. That happened didn't it? A New Year... Gail's pose gave me a chuckle with how she seems to be waving the bat around as casually as one would wave hello. And "Phoenotopiyear"... Well said! One day we'll have our Phoenotopiyear...

Ochan Nu breaks all records with a stunning NINE pictures in one session :O

There's so many goodies here. My favorite would be the one with Gail staring intently at the screen - it's like she's looking directly at you. You almost feel uncomfortable.

Next, there's an Animal Crossing villager dressed as Gail and sporting her pink hair. It even looks like a house Gail would live in. Gail is a connoisseur of the arts and likes Mona Lisa. Yes :)

There are various comics of Gail pointing out Gail's weird food habits. A picture of Fran looking really cool, and even Gail rocking a bathing suit. (bathing suit image linked here in case NSFW). Wow!

Pimez didn't just collect the arts, he creates them as well! This one, which he aptly named 'The Year 175' is a depiction of when the dragons invaded the towers as told by an elderly Daean woman. Great pixeling skills! I got a good chuckle from the ice dragon leaving with its stuff slung over its shoulder.

Quo made a stunning picture of Gail playing the flute surrounded by the 5 musical notes and the Phoenix logo behind her. The theme seems to be "fire" and it works really well. Gail herself looks awesome depicted in her red suit - it's like she's leading a marching band!

Rai Asuha depicts Gail in the late game with her red suit, and night star bat, and holding a lamp. She looks ready for adventure! I really like the white outline here and Gail's poofy shoulders here - the art style feels reminiscent of Final Fantasy Tactics.

Seri also draws Gail bearing her late game equipment. Unique to Seri's drawing is how all of Gail's equipment is accessible from a pocket on her shirt. I also like how Gail is depicted with her lucky earrings - that accessory is often forgotten.

Treedude depicts Gail with a bat and wearing a funny smirk. She looks like she's ready to hurt someone!

Warotar returns with everyone's favorite Great Drake, Bubbles! It seems so happy to be featured!

I'm really grateful for all the fanart this game has received. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

Closing Notes

Pirate drew a picture to mark the occasion. It shows Gail enjoying a hot chocolate with marshmallows and a pumpkin muffin. A rest well-earned...

Goodbye! Until next time!

#phoenotopia

[justletmeplayminecraft]

five times the hermits reassured xb his reputation doesn’t matter to them & one time they didn’t need to

another fic in @martuzzio‘s space outlaw au! this was a bit of an in-between whilst i prepped for a bigger project. this time: exploring xb and his feelings towards his false accusation.

featuring: xb needs hugs, i promise he gets them, me trying to feel out voices, lots of reassuring hermits, they’re a big family okay, xb is Not Okay with his bounty and the effects it causes, but they’re there to help, some cute kids, when you have problems: lie in a pool, its angst with comfort, the usual.

warnings: people are mean, panic attack, minor violence, less minor off-screen violence (mentioned gun violence, no details), low self image, self worth issues, bad decisions made whilst possibly dissociating, i swear its happy at the end.

1.

XB has never been one for public attention. He'd always been happy at his job. He minded his own business, enjoyed the research and helping people. Sometimes he even socialised with his co-workers, though that rarely extended outside of work. He lived a solitary life, away from the public eye, and he was happy with that. He had his lot. He didn't need anything else.

Then the accident happened and his world turned upside down.

Everything he'd built for himself, the comfortable life he'd made, fell apart at his feet. Suddenly he was to blame for the corruption of an entire planet. And he knew- he knew it wasn't really his fault. It was a complete mismanagement, barely even his department! But maybe if he'd paid more attention, worked faster, spoken out-

He can't change things now.

What followed was the most stressful period of his life. He watched as charges stacked up, already convicted in the public opinion. He went on the run, hiding on the half-dead planet and just trying to survive, really. He stopped keeping track of anything else, feeling sick as people demanded his head. His abilities saved him from two assassination attempts. He ran further, hid better.

Until he met the Hermits.

After all this time, he's not quite sure how he ended up joining them. He thought he was dead when he first caught sight of that emblem. This was it. The outside world had finally caught up. Then they helped him. Then he was on their ship. Then Xisuma was asking in a kind voice if he wanted to become one of them. A Hermit.

To tell the truth, if he knew the reaction it'd cause, he wouldn't have agreed. He would have said no, been dropped on a planet with a new identity, and gone on his way into obscurity. Instead, he said yes. He became a Hermit with a capital H. It felt good, at first. To be part of something like that. They had his back, they knew the situation.

The publicity didn't happen immediately. The Hermits were a smaller group back then. It took a short while until the rest of the universe caught up. Even now, he has no idea who first broke the story. One night, he falls asleep, lounging in the pool. In the morning he wakes up to a slander campaign.

Not against him. Against the Hermits. Because of him.

Hermits protecting planet destroyer, Hermits support massacre, Hermits criminal, Hermits, Hermits, Hermits, Him.

Joe is the one who finds him having a panic attack at the bottom of the pool. He's first aware of light touches against his skin, the water swirling in ways he doesn't expect. He opens his eye in a panic, but Joe is already shielding his face. He gestures a thumbs up and it takes all of XB's effort to remember what that means. He nods in a rush, realises Joe can't see that, and tugs him up instead.

They surface together. XB takes a strangled gasp of air, struggling lungs already unhappy. Joe guides him to the side, speaking firm instructions XB doesn't fully process but obeys all the same. Eventually, they sit at the edge of the pool. He can't feel the water around his legs. He can barely feel Joe's hand on his back, rubbing circles. He loses track of time completely.

Joe doesn't leave him.

He waits, his hand and unintelligible words a companion whilst XB fights for air. When XB can make out his counting, he tries to follow Joe's encouragement and take deep breaths. His heartbeat continues racing. He squeezes Joe's free hand tight.

Once he's finally confident enough, he mumbles, "Sorry." Joe makes an audible noise of disagreement. He places something cool in XB's hand. It takes sliding his finger around to realise it's his eye protection.

"Nothing to apologise for," Joe tells him. With his eye controlled, XB can finally see Joe's face. The Hermit is looking at him with a gentle calmness, water dripping from his skin and hair. Without the pounding in his ears, XB can hear them splash against the tiles. "I'm going to go out on one of Cleo's limbs here, and guess you saw the news." XB rubs at one of his fins with a nod.

"I shouldn't have joined you guys."

"I disagree," Joe replies. XB turns away. He kicks his legs just enough to create gentle ripples in the water.

"I've made a right mess of things. For everyone." Joe bloops, leaning onto his hand.

"Hardly more of a mess than before," he tells him. There's no doubt at all in his voice. No anger. "XB, you have to understand we knew what would happen when we took you on. We care about you. Not the opinions of the faceless masses. If we cared about that then we wouldn't get anything done." XB sighs, a drop of water falling from his fin.

"How can you be so calm about this?" He asks. He can't find anything else to say. Joe pats his back lightly.

"In the same way I was calm when False joined." He kicks his feet. "Things will be dramatic. It might feel like the end of the world. But sometimes you just have to trust Xisuma knows what he's doing. And I certainly think he did when he invited you." Joe pushes onto his feet, offering his hand for XB. XB takes it, trying not to use it too much. Joe is sturdy despite that. "This will pass," Joe encourages, "And you will always have a place here."

"That's a pretty bold statement." Joe doesn't let go of XB's hand. He leads them away from the pool, not caring about the trail of water as they go.

"And yet it's a true one." XB chooses to focus on the ground instead. He's...

He'll get back to Joe on that one.

2.

It's not often XB leaves the ship. He has one of the higher bounties out of all of them. Close to False's, and she actually deserves her's. He was terrified of her until she patiently taught him how to handle weapons, not once becoming frustrated as he struggled. She's still terrifying, but at least she's on his side.

Keralis was the one who pestered him out this time. The promise of buying extra fruit had tempted him into the supply run. He just needed a partner in crime (no leaving the ship without one) and pretty please, XB, pretty please?

So now XB is stood in the middle of a store, scanning the shelves and checking his half of the shopping list. He worries his lip, standing and catching a woman staring at him out of the corner of his eye. He continues searching, but her stare doesn't let up. He finally turns.

"Um, excuse me?" He asks, tilting his head in genuine concern. "Are you-" He doesn't expect her to surge forward, fury written on her face.

"If you weren't with those filthy Hermits I'd have you." The woman shoves his chest, forcing his back against the shelves. He blinks, fins flicking in defence.

"Wha-?"

"You go and you murder an entire planet. Don't show a bit of remorse. Then you run and hide behind them like a coward." XB can feel eyes on him now, the entire store falling silent at the exchange. He thinks he might be trembling. He can't quite tell. The woman is up in his face. His hand itches to take his eye protection off, gently put her to sleep and run. But there's witnesses, there's so many people and- "Maybe I should just do it right now. Consequences be damned." Her fingernails scratch into his armour, and he nearly falls as she pulls him forward.

"Oh, wow wow wow wow wow, ma'am." XB has never been more relieved to see Keralis. He steps in between them, blocking her from taking XB any further. "Could you unhand my friend, please? You're not being very nice." To XB's horror, she doesn't, nearly dragging him into Keralis as she gestures.

"What authority do you have?" She demands. "Defending a murderer like this, you should be ashamed of yourself." Keralis holds his hands up, ears twitching very slightly.

"XB is a perfectly good person. No murderer in him. And we'd like to leave, please." There's a threatening hint to Keralis's usually bright tone. The hand around his arm is finally released.

She storms away with a shout of, "You'll get what's coming to you!" XB's legs jellify beneath him. Keralis is quick to get an arm around his shoulders, holding him up.

"Come on, back to the ship with you. That's enough adventure for today." XB nods, resting briefly on Keralis's shoulders. With a bit of effort, he keeps himself steady enough to follow Keralis out of the store. He tries to ignore the eyes that follow them, the tightness it causes in his chest.

"What about the shopping?" His voice is quiet even to him. Keralis shakes his head.

"It's okay. Shishwamy will send someone else to do it. No worries." XB tries to let that comfort him but it only makes his anxiety worse. Once again, things are messed up because of him. This will put them off schedule, someone else will need to come out, and they'll all know it's because of him.

"Maybe," he starts, hesitating and continuing. "Maybe I shouldn't wear my suit when I come out." Keralis chirps in concern, keeping them at the edge of the busy streets.

"And why do you say that?" XB looks at his arm, at the deep colours and intricate patterns and mechanisms that make up the suit.

"It might be easier if people don't like, associate me with the Hermits when I'm in public." Keralis frowns, a big expression on his face. He squeezes the arm around XB's shoulders.

"XB, sweetiepie-" Keralis nudges his head against XB's. The hair tickles enough to make him gently laugh. "-If you don't want to wear your suit for your own safety, that's okay! But don't you go taking it off because you're afraid of making us look bad. No siree! You're a Hermit, XB, and we love you."

"That doesn't change people's opinions of me." Opinions so strong they're willing to threaten him in daylight, and nobody steps in. Keralis chitters.

"Doesn't change people's opinion of me either! But I know they won't be upset if we have to avoid a planet, or I can't attend a meeting. We care about you. And I'm sure there's lots of people out there who care about you too." XB can't bring himself to respond to that. He knows Keralis is discriminated against for being a banshee. But it's just...

It's not the same as being blamed for destroying an entire planet.

XB doesn't go out in public again for nearly a year.

3.

"I can't believe this," Doc announces as he storms into the room. XB twitches, instinctively listening whilst he tries to focus on his book. He's tucked in the corner of the common room, buried in beanbags and mostly out of sight. He can see the wall of Cleo's hair move as she looks up.

"What's happened this time?" She asks, placing her book on the table. She moves her legs so Doc can sit down. It's been a busy few months for the ship. They've had new additions. Doc is one of them. He's fallen quickly into helping Xisuma with negotiations, managing their various relationships with other groups. XB is kinda terrified of him, actually. But he trusts Xisuma and his judgement. He wouldn't do anything to put them in danger.

"A group has dropped their support of us because of the latest drama." Doc collapses into the seat, leaning into the cushions. "I can't believe it, man." XB presses his mouth together, his fins pressing back. The latest drama being people remembering he exists as a Hermit. Some news came out about the planet he- he didn't destroy. He's been avoiding going online but, apparently it's inescapable.

"Seriously?" Cleo asks. She scowls behind her hair. "That's so stupid." Doc hums his agreement.

"I just don't get it." He throws his robotic hand up as he talks, leaning towards Cleo. "I mean, I've barely seen the guy, but he doesn't seem that bad. Not bad enough to make a campaign like this." XB swallows. He puts his book down in favour of squeezing his hands into his robe. Cleo sighs, nodding.

"He really isn't. I don't know why they keep dragging it up." She grabs one of her legs, pulling it up close to her. She leans on her knee. "You should've seen him when he first joined, Doc. Guy looked ready to accept his death."

"He doesn't even look capable of doing that to a planet-" XB almost chokes, standing and abandoning his book entirely.

"Sorry I'm- I'm just leaving." He wraps his arms around himself, ready to stumble out of the room.

Cleo is faster, jumping up and grabbing his arm, pulling him back with a stern, "XB." She pushes him between them, sitting him down and reclaiming her spot. XB ducks his head, tucking his legs up in front of him.

"XB, sorry man, I didn't realise you were in here." Doc sounds apologetic. He's looking at XB with worry, sat a careful distance away to avoid crowding him in. XB still finds him a frightening sight. The un-moving robotics bore into him.

"It's okay," he murmurs, wrapping his arms around his knees. "I would've found out eventually." Doc frowns.

"I meant talking about you like you weren't here," Doc says. "I'm not usually a gossip. Though I would've preferred to tell you more sensitively."

"If we knew they were gonna drop us over some false allegations, X wouldn't have allied with them to start with," Cleo tells him, crossing her arms as she sinks back.

"They don't really know it's false though," XB points out. "I mean, it's not like this isn't a ship of criminals." He can't help his glance at Doc as he says it. Thankfully, the former mafia leader takes no offence.

"I barely know you, XB, and even I can tell it's stupid." Doc's accented voice portrays his emotions well. "You seem like you've been a big help to the Hermits."

"He has been." Cleo pokes his legs with her foot. “You're a Hermit through and through, XB. No escaping it now."

"Everybody here has only good things to say about you, man. I'm proud to call you a crew mate. Who cares what anyone else thinks?" XB smiles, relaxing more onto his knees. It's nice to hear but-

He cares.

4.

XB sighs as he flicks his fins back, fitting his helmet on snug and letting them pop into place. Keralis had to dip last minute, so XB is going to this meeting instead. He's not particularly intimidating, but hopefully he'll be able to defuse the situation if needs must. Two of the newer Hermits are coming as well. He watches as they suit up, making an odd pair. XB still isn't sure what to think of the group. Python vouched for them, but ex-Convex members? Especially such high ranking ones? And now one of them is going to a negotiation with them? Right.

"Is everybody ready?" Xisuma asks. There's a chorus of affirmatives. Doc stands next to Xisuma, files under his arms. "Let's get moving, then."

They keep as a tight unit, going over the plan once more. Xisuma and Doc will be doing the negotiating. XB and Wels, the other new Hermit, are there for protection. Scar, the ex-Convex, is there for luck. XB doesn't get it, and he's not going to ask.

The meeting falls apart from the moment they arrive, really. The crew they're meeting turn and whisper to each other, too quiet for XB's translator to pick up. Their admin steps forward, slit eyes threatening.

"You insult us," XB's suit translates. He can see Xisuma's suit plating shift as he tenses. He speaks in their language.

"I'm afraid I don't know where you're coming from," he replies, his voice controlled even in translation. Their admin steps closer. Any other person would've stepped away. Xisuma stands firm, Doc coming to his side.

"You bring a Convex member and a planet destroyer to our meeting." XB twitches, wanting nothing more than to sneak out of the room. "It is bad enough you grant them safety, but to have them in our negotiation?"

"Scar has denounced Convex, and the allegations against XB are false." Xisuma's voice is level, his posture not showing a hint of weakness. "Do you wish to negotiate or should we end this meeting here?"

"I recommend you leave with your lives while you can." XB shudders, fighting to stay still. He's thankful the helmet hides his expression.

"I recommend you don't threaten my crew." The temperature in the room drops with Xisuma's voice. The other admin steps back, eyeing them suspiciously. Xisuma turns to the Hermits, keeping an eye on the opposing crew. He nods. "We'll take our leave."

They exit at that, all of them keeping a watch that they aren't followed onto the ship. It's only when the door closes behind them that they relax. Wels darts to Scar's side. The ex-Convex collapses against the wall, trembling in his hold. XB looks away. That feels like something private. Definitely not something he'd expect from ex-Convex.

Apparently he's considered equivalent to the Convex. The thought makes him dizzy. Doc and Xisuma are already talking in low voices, recounting what happened and planning their next steps. XB is incredibly out of place. He glances around the room, trying not to feel jealous when he sees how close Scar and Wels are, how gentle Wels sounds, their helmets pressed together. XB swallows and slips out of the entrance hall before any of them notice.

He ignores anyone he passes until he reaches his room, closing the door behind him. His armour comes off, and he dives into the pool in the adjoining space. He sighs, lying face down in the water, barely feeling the fabric layer he left on. The liquid is a friendly pressure. Something comforting after all of... This. No matter what happens, he'll always have water.

Time passes as he lies there, blocking out the world outside the water. He tries not to think about how he's messed things up again. There isn't much else to think about, though. He doesn't understand why the Hermits keep him around when he causes so many problems. Lost deals, alliances, constant bad publicity. All tied to one person. Wouldn't it be easier to cut him off? XB could manage. Maybe he should do it for them.

"XB?" He jumps at the sound of an opening door, instinctively reaching up to cover his eye.

"Eye!" He calls, hearing the footsteps stop.

"Oh," Hypno's voice calls back. "Hold on, dude." XB follows the movement around his bedroom, until an object is placed in his hands with a pat. "There you go." XB pulls it over his eye, checking it's secure before looking. Hypno's crouched in front of him. He smiles, waving his fingers.

"How'd you know I was here?" XB asks, resting at the edge of the pool. Hypno sits down, not complaining about the wet floor.

"Guessed," he admits with a shrug. "They were worried when they realised you'd vanished." XB sighs, resting his chin on his arms.

"They seemed busy."

"Well, they are." Hypno nods in agreement. He crosses his legs so he can lean towards XB. "Xisuma doesn't want to stick around in case that crew turns hostile. But he was still worried about you."

XB frowns, "There's nothing to worry about."

"Is that why you're hiding in your pool?" Hypno asks. It's clearly not a question. XB slouches back into the water. "XB, it's not your fault, dude. You can't keep blaming yourself."

"Then who do I blame?" XB can't help but sound grouchy. If it weren't for him then that meeting might have worked out. Maybe they would've been fine with just Scar. Hypno leans back as he counts on his hand.

"The company for not taking responsibility, the management that decided to frame you, the other employees who were complicit, the news companies that were likely paid off, the ones that latched onto the story without researching it, the ones that keep bringing it up for quick clicks." Hypno turns to look at him. "Do I need to keep going?" XB shakes his head.

"I think I get the message," he replies. "But I'm not sure if it helps." Hypno nods without judgement.

"Then what do you think will?" He tries, instead. XB partially closes his eye to think about it.

"I'm not really sure." Hypno rubs his shoulder. The texture of dry skin helps ground him.

"That's okay." Hypno’s voice is friendly, reassuring. XB knows he's turned this into an impromptu therapy session. He thinks he needs it. "How about we try to work it out together? You're my friend, XB. I want you to be happy with us. I don't want you to feel guilty over things that aren't your fault." Hypno holds a hand out. "So, are you willing to work with me?" XB smiles, kicking up to meet his hand.

"Yeah. I think I can give it a shot."

5.

They'd been outside, spending some time in the sunshine of the planet, then somebody-

XB squeezes his fins, continuing to pace the corridor outside the infirmary. Stress has closed the windows, needing to focus, and XB doesn't want to make anything worse. This is all his fault. Hypno's lying in there having emergency surgery because somebody wanted to kill XB. He finally falls against one of the walls as his legs give way, sliding to the floor with a quiet noise.

He formulates a plan in his head.

He's already been distant lately. This was the first time he'd hung out with Hypno in weeks, and look at what's happened. He can't be friends with people if he's going to hurt them. They'll understand. He hopes they'll understand.

He takes a deep breath.

His memories of the next hour are faint. He packs essentials into a bag. Leaves his suit and communicator neatly on his bed. He takes the emergency savings he keeps tucked away in his drawer, counting through without really taking it in. Though he writes a note, he doesn't remember what it contains. He thinks he stood in the doorway for a few minutes. Used some time to take in the room he's called home for so many years now. He really can’t remember.

Then he sneaks out, carefully unscrewing panels in the water filtration system, replacing them with care. He knows it like the back of his hand. He installed it, after all. The drop from the ship hurts his leg but nothing in his head registers it. He's lucky this is a big enough planet to park her. Means it'll be so much easier to get lost.

He wraps himself up in a coat, pulling it over his features. Some small part of him can't believe he's doing this. The Hermits are all he's known for years. They're his friends. But that's why it's so important he leaves. He survived on his own before. He can do it again.

He finds a room in a hotel for the night. The robotic receptionist doesn't question who he is, accepting the money and giving him the door key. He collapses onto the bed in a heap, realising he has no idea what he's going to do next. His plan kind of trails off here. Perhaps he'll hide out in this hotel until the ship leaves, but that's wasting money. It's probably better to head out for supplies, and get on a ship as far away as possible.

For today, he's exhausted enough to curl up under the covers and hide from the world. It doesn’t feel like he’s part of it right now, anyway.

There's a knock at the door.

He sighs, burying his face into the pillow. The knock only gets more insistent. Realistically, it's either the Hermits or somebody who's here to kill him. The fact they've not broken down the door yet suggests the Hermits. Well, the more responsible ones. XB keeps a hand on his eye strap either way. He's still in the rumpled coat.

He'll admit, he's surprised to see Xisuma in the doorway. The admin is wearing a cloak, his shadowed eyes nearly glowing in the darkness. He looks tired. When doesn’t he?

"Can I come in?" Xisuma asks, keeping his voice quiet. XB nods, stepping aside. If only because X should not be stood out in the corridor of some hotel in the same town someone tried to kill XB half a day earlier.

"I hope you're not here on your own," XB tells him, sitting on the bed. Xisuma finds a chair by the desk, sitting down tidily.

"Some of the others are nearby," Xisuma replies. "They checked it was safe first. Out of concern for you, as well." XB leans against the wall. "Hypno is okay, by the way. He was asking after you." XB sighs, tucking away into the coat.

"You're trying to make me feel guilty."

Xisuma shakes his head, "I'm letting you know. He was worried. We all were."

"He could have died because of me," XB doesn't try hiding it. Not from himself.

"Were you the one who shot him?" Xisuma asks. There's no change from his gentle tone.

"No, but-"

"Then you weren't the reason." XB knows, logically, that's true. He wasn't the one who fired on him. He didn't frame himself, all those years ago. It's just hard to prove that in his head. Not when the consequences are right in front of him. When he’s spent so long thinking about everything he could’ve done differently.

"It feels like I am," he says, tilting forward on the bed. "I don't want to make the people around me unsafe anymore. Any of the Hermits." Xisuma nods, sitting up in the chair.

"If you want to leave, I won't stop you." XB swallows. He really can just leave. Just... Go. "But I want you to consider if that's what you want to do. Not because you want to protect us. We can protect ourselves. Do you want to leave?" XB digs his fingers into his leg.

"I'm not sure." Does he want to leave? He wants to keep the others safe. He wants to stop giving the Hermits his bad reputation. But they're still his friends. His family. He doesn't want to leave them, but he doesn't see a compromise.

"XB." He automatically looks to Xisuma when he says his name. "I am truly sorry I never addressed this with you before. I'm sorry it's been affecting you for so long."

"It's not your fault," XB replies. Xisuma shakes his head.

"I should have done more for you. And I'm willing to offer that now." XB’s fins twitch in confusion. "What do you say we try and clear your name?"

"You don't need to do that for me."

"I want to. The others want to." Xisuma crosses the room, sitting down in front of XB. "That's what I'm offering. You can stay with us. We want you to stay with us. And we'll help you achieve this. However we can."

"Nothing that would put you in danger," XB corrects.

"Nothing that would put the Hermits in danger," Xisuma agrees. XB shuts his eye, considering what that would mean for him. It's not like everyone would believe it. It's not going to solve all his problems. But it's a start. He can't just- keep feeling guilty forever. He's so tired of it. "You're family, XB. We want you happy." XB nods, leaning forward. His body is heavy with relief. Xisuma welcomes him into his arms.

"Okay," he agrees, "I want the same."

+1

XB pauses at the sound of loud shouting coming from the park. He turns, watching Keralis jump to the fence delighted. Hypno laughs, gently pulling XB to watch.

"You can't get me!" A girl yells, dark cornrows pulled into a bun. She climbs onto the play equipment, standing with confidence at the top. Another girl runs to the ladder, her hand held in mimic of a gun. Her blonde hair is done in a braid.

"You can't run forever!" She follows it up with loud 'pew's, hanging off the ladder as she pretends to shoot.

"Yeah, I can put you to sleep!" Another boy climbs up the slide, his brown hair falling into his eyes. Keralis is chirping in excitement, watching with a wide smile. The chirps attract the attention of the blonde. She gasps, losing her grip on the ladder and falling backwards.

Keralis makes a surprised noise. He jumps the fence, rushing to the girl's side. XB doesn't see any parents around, following with Hypno.

"Hey, little madam, are you okay?" Keralis asks, crouching down by the girl. She sits up, bouncing forward with glee.

"You're Hermits!" She cries, voice high and squeaky. The other two kids are peering at them around the play equipment. Their mouths hang open.

"We are!" Keralis agrees. "And what's your name?" The girl's hands spread out across the spongy playground floor.

"I'm Flora!" She grins. "I like it 'cause it starts with an 'F', like False." Keralis nods, offering his hands to stand the girl up again. She wobbles on her feet, spinning to show off her plait. “And we have the same hair colour! It’s so cool!”

"Yeah, False is really cool, isn't she?" Keralis watches with a carefully controlled smile. It’s cute how he tries not to scare them. She jumps, holding her arms out wide.

"She's so cool! She's my favourite."

"Not as cool as Stress!" The other girl calls, running into her friend's back. She nearly sends them both sprawling over again. "She helps people, no matter what! I want to do that." Hypno joins Keralis, pulling XB over with him.

"A very noble cause," Hypno tells her. "I'm sure you'll be amazing." She puts her hands on her hips with a grin.

"Yeah. I'm gonna be the best doctor you've ever seen."

"Yeah, but Stress doesn't have four arms," Flora points out, mimicking each style of weaponry. "How cool would that be?" Keralis laughs, a series of cheerful chirps escaping with it.

"They're both cool, how about that?" He suggests, before it turns into a full argument.

"What about you?" Hypno encourages, holding an arm out for the boy. "Do you have a favourite?"

"His favourite is XB," the dark haired girl says, pointing at him. XB places a hand on his chest, unable to contain a squeak of surprise.

"Me?" He checks, not quite able to believe that. The three nod their heads. They peer up at him in a semi-circle, with bright eyes and curious faces.

"You can put people to sleep like Hypno-" the boy points at him, "-But you got such a cool backstory!"

"Mm-hm!" Flora nods quickly. "Framed by an evil company, joining the Hermits to do good across the universe!" She poses towards the sky, pumping her fist and bending a leg up. XB laughs softly, finding himself hiding behind his hand.

"Oh, oh, oh!" The boy jumps forward, looking between Hypno and XB. "Can you put us to sleep? That would be so cool!" Hypno laughs at that, joined by Keralis's squeaky giggles.

"I don't think that would be smart." He pats the boy's hair, smiling at XB. "But, if you've got something for us to sign, we could do that?" The girl claps, grabbing Flora's hands excitedly.

"We've got our cards!" She shrieks. She grabs the boy's hand. "Ben, come on, let's get them!" The trio run off across the playground, digging in their bags. XB can see the look Hypno and Keralis are giving him. He smiles, ducking his head in embarrassment.

"Don't you two start," he warns, hiding behind his hands. Keralis leans over, gently wiggling one of XB's fins.

"You're his favourite," he teases, voice sing-song. XB laughs, hiding even further.

"Noooo," he whines. Hypno puts his arm around XB's shoulders, pulling him into a side hug.

"And they're smarter than the press," he tells XB, his voice trying to sound serious, but playful all the same.

"Much, much smarter!" Keralis agrees.

"Only 'cause of you guys," XB reminds them. Keralis takes XB’s other side, pinning him between his friends.

“Nah.” Keralis rubs his fist against XB’s head. “You’re just finally getting the love you deserve.”

“Absolutely.” Hypno tilts around so XB can see his smile. XB ducks his head, embarrassed. But the feeling doesn’t leave him. Not as they talk to the kids, signing their cards and telling them (child friendly) stories of their travels. Or amongst the loudness of the other Hermits. His family. He’s a Hermit. And the people who care about him are the ones who matter.

#space outlaws #space outlaws au #not gonna maintag this one lmao #my writing #tbh im just a sucker for ppl reassuring others #knowing you have a place somewhere #its good stuff #also u can somewhat track time passing across seasons by who appears lmao #and i liked the lil side things i snuck in #doc n cleo having bonded over similar histories #wels n scar having a bond #the forehead touch is becoming a thing #anyway enough rambling #hope yall enjoyed

[newstfionline]

Monday, May 17, 2021

Colonial shutdown shows how Americans pay the price of efficiency (Washington Post) The drivers stuck in gas lines after the Colonial Pipeline shutdown, the Texans freezing in their homes after the February grid collapse, the Californians sweltering through their own power failures last summer—all were paying the unintended and unexpected price of efficiency. The market-driven energy sector has spent a decade or more cutting costs, streamlining and digitizing. Four big oil refineries have shut down in Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 2010 because it’s cheaper to bring in gasoline by pipeline from the Gulf Coast, 1,500 miles away—as long as that pipeline stays in operation. Texas and California have driven the price of electricity down by throwing out the old regulatory structure—the structure that made sure utilities earned enough to invest in backup resources. In the name of efficiency, “resilience was assumed,” said Daniel Yergin, a historian and author of “The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations.” But even as American fossil fuel producers proudly declared the country to be energy independent once more in recent years, the energy sector has stripped redundancy out of its systems, at the risk of leaving customers in the lurch when things go wrong. Some companies have declined to take the precautions needed to survive the unexpected, whether it’s bad weather or a cyberattack.

Police in Cities Across U.S. Brace for a Violent Summer (WSJ) Police departments in New York City and other large metro areas across the U.S. are bulking up patrols and implementing new tactics to prepare for what they say could be a violent summer. States lifting Covid-19 restrictions and more people out in public spaces in warmer weather increase the likelihood of more shootings, as well as less-serious crimes, officials say. Many crimes, including violent ones, normally rise in summer. Gun purchases also rose during the pandemic and cities have seen an increase in guns being used in crimes. Shootings and homicides in big U.S. cities are up this year again after rising last year. In the last three months of 2020, homicides rose 32.2% in cities with a population of at least one million, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Quarterly Uniform Crime Report. In New York City, the number of homicides has reached 146 for the year so far, an increase of 27% from 115 during the same period in 2020. In Dallas, police have counted 75 homicides this year, up from 58 during the same period last year. Chicago police have recorded 195 homicides, up from 160 in the year-ago period.

Tensions Among Democrats Grow Over Israel as the Left Defends Palestinians (NYT) With violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories forcing the issue back to the forefront of American politics, divisions between the leadership of the Democratic Party and the activist wing have burst into public view. While the Biden administration is handling the growing conflict as a highly sensitive diplomatic challenge involving a longstanding ally, the ascendant left views it as a searing racial justice issue that is deeply intertwined with the politics of the United States. For those activists, Palestinian rights and the decades-long conflict over land in the Middle East are linked to causes like police brutality and conditions for migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Party activists who fight for racial justice now post messages against the “colonization of Palestine” with the hashtag #PalestinianLivesMatter. With President Biden in the White House, traditional U.S. support for Israel is hardly in question from a policy perspective; he has made his support for the country clear throughout his nearly 50 years in public life. Still, the terms of the debate are shifting in Democratic circles. On Thursday, a group of leading progressive members of Congress offered a rare break from party unity, giving fiery speeches on the House floor that accused Mr. Biden of ignoring the plight of Palestinians and “taking the side of the occupation.” Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York directly challenged the president, who had asserted that Israel had a right to defend itself. “Do Palestinians have a right to survive?” she asked in an impassioned address. “Do we believe that? And if so, we have a responsibility to that as well.” “The base of the party is moving in a very different direction than where the party establishment is,” James Zogby said. “If you support Black Lives Matter, it was not a difficult leap to saying Palestinian lives matter, too.”

Bleak futures fuel widespread protests by young Colombians (AP) Thousands of young people and college students have been at the forefront of Colombia’s antigovernment protests for more than two weeks, armed with improvised shields made from garbage cans and umbrellas. They have taken the brunt of the tear gas and gunshots from security forces, and dozens have paid for it with their lives. The young men and women have become the voices for Colombians fed up with a government they say has mismanaged the coronavirus pandemic and crushed hopes of a better future. “To a large extent, we found that there was no fear of death. Sometimes it is the only thing that remains when the system is starving us and there are no opportunities,” said Yonny Rojas, a 36-year-old law student who also runs soup kitchens in one of the poorest areas of Cali, the city where the government response has been especially violent.

Pandemic triggers new crisis in Peru: lack of cemetery space (AP) After Joel Bautista died of a heart attack last month in Peru, his family tried unsuccessfully to find an available grave at four different cemeteries. After four days, they resorted to digging a hole in his garden. The excavation in a poor neighborhood in the capital city of Lima was broadcast live on television, attracting the attention of authorities and prompting them to offer the family a space on the rocky slopes of a cemetery. The same plight is shared by other families across Peru. After struggling to control the coronavirus pandemic for more than a year, the country now faces a parallel crisis: a lack of cemetery space. The problem affects everyone, not just relatives of COVID-19 victims, and some families have acted on their own, digging clandestine graves in areas surrounding some of Lima’s 65 cemeteries. The desperate lack of options comes as the country endures its deadliest period of the pandemic yet. More than 64,300 people who tested positive for COVID-19 have died in Peru, according to the Health Ministry, but that figure is almost certainly an undercount. A vital records agency estimates that the true figure is more than 174,900, counting those whose possible infection was not confirmed by a test.

UK readies for major reopening but new variant sparks worry (AP) Travelers in England were packing their bags, bartenders were polishing their glasses and performers were warming up as Britain prepared Sunday for a major step out of lockdown—but with clouds of worry on the horizon. Excitement at the reopening of travel and hospitality vied with anxiety that a more contagious virus variant first found in India is spreading fast and could delay further plans to reopen. On Monday, people in England will be able to eat a restaurant meal indoors, drink inside a pub, go to a museum, hug friends and visit one another’s homes for the first time in months. A ban on overseas holidays is also being lifted, with travel now possible to a short list of countries with low infection rates. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are following similar but slightly different reopening paths.

Turkey eases COVID-19 restrictions but keeps many curfews (AP) Turkey’s interior ministry on Sunday lifted a full lockdown that had ordered people to stay home to fight COVID-19 infections, shifting to a less-restrictive program that still involved curfews on weeknights and weekends. Shopping malls will be able to reopen. Some businesses will remain closed, including gyms and cafes, but restaurants will be able to offer take away in addition to delivery. Preschools will resume in-person education but upper grades will continue remote learning. Turks can return to their workplaces but will have to stay home from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday, with the exception of walking to a market to buy food. Civil servants will continue working remotely or in shifts in offices. Foreign tourists and workers with special permits are exempt.

Syria’s Surprising Solar Boom: Sunlight Powers the Night in Rebel Idlib (NYT) When the Syrian government attacked their village, Radwan al-Shimali’s family hastily threw clothes, blankets and mattresses into their truck and sped off to begin new lives as refugees, leaving behind their house, farmland and television. Among the belongings they kept was one prized technology: the solar panel now propped up on rock next to the tattered tent they call home in an olive grove near the village of Haranabush in northwestern Syria. “It is important,” Mr. al-Shimali said of the 270-watt panel, his family’s sole source of electricity. “When there is sun during the day, we can have light at night.” An unlikely solar revolution of sorts has taken off in an embattled, rebel-controlled pocket of northwestern Syria, where large numbers of people whose lives have been upended by the country’s 10-year-old civil war have embraced the sun’s energy simply because it is the cheapest source of electricity around. Solar panels, big and small, old and new, are seemingly everywhere in Idlib Province along Syria’s border with Turkey. “There is no alternative,” said Akram Abbas, a solar panel importer in the town of al-Dana. “Solar energy is a blessing from God.”

India to start evacuating parts of west coast as cyclone approaches (Reuters) India is preparing to evacuate thousands of people from low-lying areas along its western coast as a powerful cyclone is expected to make landfall on Tuesday morning in the state of Gujarat. Cyclone Tauktae, which formed in the Arabian sea, is expected to cross Gujarat with wind gusts of up to 175 kmph (109 mph) and is expected to make landfall in the state the following morning. The meteorological agency warned that there could be destruction of houses and flooding of escape routes. Disruption to railway services was also expected until May 21.

Israel stages new round of heavy airstrikes on Gaza City (AP) The Israeli military unleashed a wave of heavy airstrikes on the Gaza Strip early Monday, saying it destroyed 15 kilometers (nine miles) of militant tunnels and the homes of nine alleged Hamas commanders. Residents of Gaza awakened by the overnight barrage described it as the heaviest since the war began a week ago, and even more powerful than a wave of airstrikes in Gaza City the day before that left 42 dead and flattened three buildings. There was no immediate word on the casualties from the latest strikes. A three-story building in Gaza City was heavily damaged, but residents said the military warned them 10 minutes before the strike and everyone cleared out. Gaza’s mayor Yahya Sarraj told Al-Jazeera TV that the airstrikes had caused extensive damage to roads and other infrastructure. He also warned that the territory was running low on fuel and other spare parts. The U.N. has warned that Gaza’s sole power station is at risk of running out of fuel. The territory already experiences daily power outages of 8-12 hours and tap water is undrinkable.

Ethiopia again delays national election amid deadly tensions (AP) Ethiopia has again delayed its national election after some opposition parties said they wouldn’t take part and as conflict in the country’s Tigray region means no vote is being held there, further complicating Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s efforts to centralize power. The head of the national elections board, Birtukan Mideksa, in a meeting with political parties’ representatives on Saturday said the June 5 vote in Africa’s second most populous country would be postponed, citing the need to finish printing ballots, training staffers and compiling voters’ information. The board said she estimated a delay of two to three weeks.

Sharks use Earth’s magnetic field as a GPS, scientists say (AP) Sharks use the Earth’s magnetic field as a sort of natural GPS to navigate journeys that take them great distances across the world’s oceans, scientists have found. Researchers said their marine laboratory experiments with a small species of shark confirm long-held speculation that sharks use magnetic fields as aids to navigation—behavior observed in other marine animals such as sea turtles. The study sheds light on why sharks are able to traverse seas and find their way back to feed, breed and give birth, said marine policy specialist Bryan Keller, one of the study authors. “We know that sharks can respond to magnetic fields,” Keller said. “We didn’t know that they detected it to use as an aid in navigation ... You have sharks that can travel 20,000 kilometers (12,427 miles) and end up in the same spot.”

#headlines #news

[sethrine-writes]

Birthday Mismanagement

Pairing:  Seteth (fe3h) x F!Reader

Words:  1469

Warnings:  Fluff, Birthday shenanigans, Flustered Seteth

Summary:  You had a feeling Seteth had forgotten your birthday. As expected, he reacts poorly to the news, but it doesn’t dampen your spirits in the least.

A/N:  This fic is a birthday gift for my lovely friend, @mysticalkhfan!! I hope you like it, dear!

------

The church was alive with the bustle of daily activity, students gathering here and there to complete their services for the day while teachers hunkered down for tracking the final grades of the week.

You, luckily, had finished all your grading early, pleased with your pupils' progress as their young minds took in all the information you had been teaching them. You may have been on the younger side, yourself, but your expertise was a driving force to be reckoned with, and you were very diligent in making sure your students had the best care and education you could provide.

That aside, you were more than glad to be done for the day, smiling wistfully as you made your way down the hallway and into the audience chamber. It seemed even the archbishop had retired for the evening, as there was no trace of her to be seen, only that of a couple guards on stand-by.

You smiled at the pair standing at attention and made your way deeper into the room, turning left and entering the side room there, your true destination.

Seteth, as you had expected, was at his desk, perusing what looked to be a stack of student exams with an expression that was far too serious so early in the school year.

"I see you're still as busy as ever," you mused lightly, all but sauntering your way closer to the front of his desk.

Seteth acknowledged you with a gentle hum, his eyes still skimming over the paper currently in front of him.

"As you know, an aide's work is never done," he said with a sigh, "though I suppose there are merits to a short break, if you have need of me?"

"You can finish your work," you answered with a smile. "I just came by to see if I could expect you for my birthday dinner, since the students are working so hard to put it together."

"For your birth-?"

You could practically see the wheels in Seteth's head spinning as he pulled his attention away from the paper, repeating the words you had just said once more as if to test them both mentally and physically. Like a switch, his demeanor changed, lovely green eyes growing wide as he looked up at you with dismay.

"Today...is your birthday?" he questioned, to which you continued to smile and nodded your head lightly.

Seteth stood up abruptly from his chair, looking every bit a flustered mess.

"Today is your birthday," he repeated, his tone lamenting, "and I...oh, how could I have possibly forgotten? Surely I had marked it down somewhere. Could I have overlooked...no, certainly not!"

He had begun rummaging through some other papers on his desk rather abruptly, making a short mess of his otherwise usually tidy work area, all the while muttering things to himself about forgetfulness and lamenting his lack of effort in taking heed of what he deemed as an important day.

You rounded the desk and carefully grabbed at his hands before he could work himself any further into a fuss, pulling his attention back onto you. He was frowning, sure, but it was better than letting him destroy his desk arrangement while he was in a tizzy.

"I had a feeling you might have forgotten," you confessed, watching as his frown deepened, "but I don't hold it against you, you know! As you said, an aide's work is never done; you're a very dedicated and diligent man, one that I admire and adore very deeply."

You pulled his hands up to your lips and kissed at his knuckles, leaning against them after as you caught his hesitant stare.

"It's just a birthday, though I'd be more than happy to have your attentions for the rest of the evening."

Seteth was being rather expressive at that moment, eyes once again widening a fraction and cheeks taking on the barest hue of rosy pink. Still, his frown remained, and it was damning evidence how much he was affected by his, only briefly, absent mind.

"As your partner, I should be much more astute to such things," he admonished of himself, looking every bit as if you had chastised him for doing something uncouth.

"And having you as my partner," you began, fingers dancing up and down his arms in gentle strokes as his own fell to grasp lightly at your waist, "I wouldn't have you any other way."

There was a long moment of quiet contemplation between you both, eyes locked as you provided gentle physical comfort to help your words stick. It seemed to be doing the trick, as Seteth was looking much less dour as the seconds ticked by. Soon, he held a calmer presence, features soft once more and adoringly casted upon you.

"I feel undeserving of your good graces, but can't help but feel grateful, all the same."

You hummed as you stepped a bit further into his hold, leaning your head against his chest for a brief embrace.

"I'm just glad I didn't assign you to birthday cake duties, otherwise there wouldn't be one!"

Seteth nearly spluttered at your quip, his fingers pinching at your sides in retaliation. You giggled at the treatment, pushing away and giving a squeeze to his hand while doing so.

"I'll let you get back to it. Meet you in the dining hall?"

You waited for Seteth's affirmation before pulling away completely, intent on heading to the very place you had mentioned. The students hadn't been very secretive in their quest to make you a surprise birthday dinner, but you appreciated their quiet enthusiasm to throw it together, all the same.

It was as you were rounding the desk that you were stopped by Seteth's grip around your wrist, turning as he gently tugged you back to him. His expression was serious once more, but in a determined way, eyes still soft and adoring with intent as he held your gaze.

"Happy birthday," he murmured, words soft and sweet. You smiled just as sweetly for him, feeling your chest tighten and body tingle with the affection in such a simple phrase.

The following kiss was unexpected, but wholeheartedly welcomed, a soft declaration of devotion that almost never happened in such a public space. You took advantage of the moment and leaned in for another, just as surprised when Seteth pushed back with purpose, his hand coming up to cup your cheek.

Giggling from behind you had the aide pulling away rather abruptly with a gasp, his face immediately reddening at having been caught in such a predicament. It was incredibly adorable, if not just as amusing.

"F-Flayn!"

You turned, as well, to find Flayn at the entrance to Seteth's office, a mischievous smile in place at having caught the both of you in a public display of affection. You could only imagine the mortification at having one's own younger sibling find you in such an intimate predicament, and yet the humor of it still found its way to you.

"I thought, perhaps, that I might find you both here at such an hour," she explained, hand coming up to her mouth in amusement, "though I had no idea that you would be-!"

"Enough! That's enough, Flayn, thank you," Seteth spoke up quickly, unable to hide the heat in his face at his own embarrassment, made worse by her soft giggles.

"I only jest, dear brother! I truly did not mean to interrupt you, though I am afraid I could no longer keep the other students entertained by my stories for much longer. They are very eager to show off their hard work."

Embarrassment aside, Seteth seemed confused by his sister's words.

"The dinner, remember?" you supplied helpfully, of which had the aide almost flustered all over again.

"Right, yes, of course. If you'll excuse me for a moment, I'll meet you at the dining hall shortly."

"Looking forward to it," you mused, reaching up one last time to plant a kiss upon his cheek before saddling up to Flayn and taking her arm in your own.

Seteth watched as you and his sister -his daughter, he swore he would tell you someday soon- walked side by side with vibrant smiles on each of your faces, already deep in conversation as you carried on towards the dining hall.

He smiled, hand coming up and pressing against his cheek, the one you had pressed your parting kiss to, and gave a wistful sigh.

It seemed, even in his forgetfulness, your birthday had been nothing short of a good one, with promises of more to come.

Good.

You deserved it.

And he would not make himself the fool next year, even if he had to mark every single calendar this side of Fodlan to remind him of your birthday.

#fe3h #fire emblem three houses #fe3h seteth #fe3h seteth x reader #reader #reader-insert #female reader #fe3h flayn

[d2kvirus]

Dickheads of the Month: January 2021

As it seems that there are people who say or do things that are remarkably dickheaded yet somehow people try to make excuses for them or pretend it never happened, here is a collection of some of the dickheaded actions we saw in the month of January 2021 to make sure that they are never forgotten.

Once again, we knew that Donald Trump wasn’t going to take losing well, but when a legion of his most boneheaded supporters storm the Capitol demanding the election result be overturned because a certain thin-skinned orange gobshite had spent several weeks screaming about electoral fraud and, by the way, also set the date of January 6th for some major event, even Mike Pence couldn’t sanction his buffoonery any longer - especially when said buffoonery involved him saying “I love you” to people who were guilty of sedition and, by the way, murder - all of which led to him finally, finally, getting the boot from various social media platforms

...all while Lauren Boebert appeared to be trying to help out the insurrectionists by livetweeting the location of Nancy Pelosi, presumably because Boebert forgot about that Glock she claims to take to work with her every day and was looking for a convenient meat shield, which naturally has nothing to do with her tweeting the day would be like 1776 earlier that morning

...but the real victim in all of this was Melania Trump as it interrupted a photo shoot she was doing, which she somehow thought it was a good idea to mention several days later in a statement riddled with two opinions: “both sides” and “me, me, me” which shows she didn’t realise the optics of rearranging the china as Washington burned around her

...but according to Laura Kuenssberg it was merely a “scuffle” at Congress, as opposed to an organised group attempting to stage an armed insurrection against the government complete with at least one member carrying zip ties

...and finally, we had Ian Austin reminded us that he’s still alive by saying the exact same thing would have happened in the UK with Jeremy Corbyn supporters storming parliament, as if that happened in the four years Corbyn was wishing Austin would go away, then did go away, but sadly didn’t go away

Once again the Tory government think they know better than virologists, epidemiologists and pharmacists with their one-two punch of thinking they can just mix and match the various vaccines available rather than give people two doses of the same vaccine, but they further weaken any chance of vaccination succeeding by ignoring Pfizer’s recommendation the second dose be given within three weeks of the first by adopting a policy of the second dose is given three months later, and it it’s just as likely to be the less effective but cheaper Oxford vaccine they get a dose of

...swiftly followed by the BBC did their bit to encourage people to get vaccinated by reporting a story of a nurse getting a dose of Covid six weeks after her first vaccination jab not by reporting how she was three weeks overdue for the second dose (or, if you prefer, six weeks before her second one) but simply saying that people vaccinated can get Covid, which goes beyond the BBC’s sociopathic inability to criticise Tory fuckups into being downright fucking dangerous - as does their putting sentient testicle Toby Young on Newsnight to say how we’re all overreacting as it's not as bad as all that

Of all the things proven liar Boris Johnson should have said when the UK’s Covid death toll officially passed 100,000 (as opposed to unofficially, which would have been last December), “We have done our best” was not it, because if their best includes not going into lockdown in order to protect landlords, having Dominic Cummings dictate herd immunity in spite the fact that you need vaccinated people for it to work, refusing to have quarantine at airports until July, thinking it would be a bright idea to tell people it’s their patriotic duty to go to the pub, giving them £10 vouchers to go to restaurants, putting children going back to school ahead of any concerns about every single school could become a petri dish and countless other horrifically mismanaged instances, then we should be kept up at night dreading what their worst would be

The fact that Chartwells were given a contract to provide free school dinners with a budget of £30, and the supposed lunches that arrived had £5 worth of food in them which begged the obvious question where the other £25 went, is appalling - but not surprising, as the Tory government gave them the contract and, equally unsurprising, Chartwells was founded by a Tory donor, and equally unsurprising their response to their grift being exposed was to tell all the public school clients they cater to a pack of lies while hoping nobody found out about them doing so...which worked about as well as you can guess

Something possessed the EU to ramp up the row over the AstraZenica vaccine not passing the rigorous tests for over-65s by threatening to trigger Article 16 and limit the number of vaccines that Northern Ireland received, and that something was it was hopelessly misguided as it allowed the Tories to get their hapless response to the pandemic off the front pages for a few days and let the Leave headbangers say this is why we left the EU...in spite this threat would have never been in play if we were still in the EU

There is no way to make jokes about Kellyanne Conway posting what was, in effect, revenge porn photos of her 16-year old daughter, because that sentence is so far out there that it is borderline incomprehensible

In the space of less than twenty seconds proven liar Boris Johnson claimed that there was no prior warning of the new strain of Covid, he had the SAGE paper stating it was coming which was handed to him last September held up in his face, and then said the government acted accordingly.  Yes, you read that right, he claimed the government acted accordingly to something they had no prior warning about, which is literally impossible, all in the space of ten seconds

In the latest hire by the BBC which is cause for both comment and concern, they announced their new chairman would be Tory donor Richard Sharp, whose credentials for the position are being Rishi Sunak’s ex-boss at Goldman Sachs, donating at least £400,000 to the Tory party, and having no background in journalism whatsoever

Smirking bully Priti Patel said that the UK should have closed its borders in March 2020 in order to prevent the spread of Covid.  Presumably she forgot that she was a.) Home Secretary in Marsh 2020 so could have done that, and b.) Home Secretary when she said that the borders should have been closed as that indicates she doesn’t know what’s going on

The terrifying world which Alison Pearson lives in has now started to cross over into our reality due to her responding to one of the four people she hasn’t blocked on Twitter calling her what she is - namely a liar - by siccing the Torygraph’s lawyers on them claiming libel, doing the usual cry bully tactic of learning the person she is harassing works for GlaxoSmithKline so promptly went to their CEO demanding he be fired, and howling about the hate campaign being waged against her - while telling the person, who was saying he was thinking suicidal thoughts after the pile-on that Pearson had instigated even after he had deleted the tweet and apologised , that “You’re finished”

Someday in the future, scholars will study Ted Cruz responding to Biden rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement within hours of getting his feet under the Oval Office desk by pontificating about how terrible it is that Biden is more interested in the citizens of Paris than the jobless of Pittsburgh and wonder just how somebody who doesn't know why the Paris Climate Agreement was named the Paris Climate Agreement ever got to be a senator

...and judging by how Lauren Boebert also latched onto this brainless rhetoric, not only can it be asked how she got to be a senator when she had the opportunity to actually realise Cruz’s mistake, she also begs the question how she can be a senator after her publicly trying to use Nancy Pelosi as a meat shield during the Capitol riots

Unifying force Keir Starmer stated that Labour should be devoting their time to fighting the Tory government rather than fighting court cases, somehow forgetting that by breaking the guidelines of the EHRC report (which he pledged to follow without question months before it was published) is the reason that they’re fighting court cases, and just so happens to be the reason why people are asking how a meeting attended by Starmer, Angela Rayner, Len McCluskey and others either didn't have a single person taking notes, which is David Evans’ entire defence, or they did take notes by quite conveniently lost them

Oh boy, did Wall Street cheerleaders not take it well when r/WallStreetbets exposed to the entire world that the stock market is little more than a game people play with other people’s money - because the teams the Wall Street cheerleaders support started losing, and all it took was a few Redditors investing in Gamestop and Bed Bath & Beyond 

Nice of Shaun Bailey to remind everyone that he’s a Tory by giving his suggestion for how the homeless could get on the property ladder, namely by saving a minimum of £5000

Clearly Marjorie Taylor Greene didn’t get the memo about the Streisand Effect, as the first thing she did after taking her seat in the House of Representatives was go on a mass deleting spree of Facebook posts - which only served to draw attention to her video saying that Nancy Pelosi be executed for treason, her track record of spreading conspiracy theories about the Parkland and Sandy Hook shootings, and her claims that a Jewish space laser is responsible for the 2018 California wildfires

Insufferable self-promoter Jess Phillips got her 2021 off to a good start by tweeting out that, as Britait has happened, we should shut up and accept it.  To the surprise of nobody other than insufferable self-promoter Jess Phillips, this led to a lot of people saying that, no, they will not accept an advisory referendum somehow being bolted onto the Ten Commandments, especially as numerous things that were promised wouldn’t happen such as a border in the Irish Sea, leaving Erasmus, losing freedom of movement, leaving the Common Market have all happened

It is wrong to say that smirking bully Priti Patel has lost 150,000 police files.  The actual figure is closer to 400,000 - which begs the obvious question as to what those files were, for example if those files also happened to fall under the same category as the ones that 55-year old ex-minister Mark Francois might want to have disappear for the sake of convenience

At last CD Projekt Red took some responsibility for Clusterpunk 2077 being such a cyberfuck...if by “taking responsibility” you mean “taking responsibility, dumping it all on the QA testers, and saying that everyone should blame them for everything” - and then with perfect comedic timing CD Projekt Red released an update for Clusterpunk 2077 that was so broken they had to release a hotfix for their broken patch

Expenses-fiddler Robert Jenrick decided that the most important thing to protect in the United Kingdom at this exact moment in time is...statues.  Not key workers, not the vulnerable, not any human life at all.  Statues.

So either Rafael Behr wrote a column for The Guardian where he tried to blame Jeremy Corbyn for his heart attack which saw Guardian higher-ups remove that passage from their print edition but forgot to remove it from the online version of the article, or The Guardian deliberately left the passage in the online version of the column in order to get some form of engagement from rage clicks while allowing Behr to act as if he is suffering some great injustice

Of course it wouldn’t take long for Steve Baker to try and claim some spurious victory for Britait, namely him claiming that tampon tax he spent so long fighting against being abolished is proof of the sunlit uplands of our post-EU nation...which ignores the fact that a.) It had nothing to do with the EU in the first place, and b.) The fact that Baker voted to keep it in place in a 2015 Commons vote

Employer of the year WWE went for an interesting twofer, as one minute they were proudly stating that WrestleMania would go ahead with a prospective 30,000 in attendance without any concerns for social distancing or any other Covid preventative measures, and the next telling the wrestlers on their roster that they would not be supplying them with Covid vaccines at the exact same time the NBA were floating the idea of providing vaccines for all their players

Make no mistake, the criticism that Erik Lamela, Sergio Reguilon, Giovani Lo Celso and Manuel Lanzini have received due to the four of them flouting lockdown regulations to attend a New Year’s party is justified - however, the fact that Duncan Castles tried to chase a headline by claiming that Lo Celso and Lamela had tested positive for Covid in a swiftly-deleted tweet is a new low for the noted barrel scraping rumour monger

Self-awareness sceptic Laurence Fox was entirely predictable in his response to the news that talkRADIO had been booted from Youtube for repeated violations of their ToS, specifically the part about spreading Covid misinformation, screaming the usual things about being “cancelled” - and then, within hours, responded to the BBC announcing a plan of educational programming to help during Lockdown III by saying he will be shielding his children from being “indoctrinated” by the BBC’s “left-wing bias” - which not only means he’s cancelling the BBC, but also had people remember that Billie Piper has custody of his children so it's not like he can even enforce his rules on what his children can and cannot watch

...by the way, Fox said nothing about Lord Sumption appearing on the BBC’s Question Time (the same show where failed actor on the grift Laurence Fox announced his new career as a clueless right wing irritant) where he told a woman with bowel cancer that her life wasn’t valuable, it was merely less valuable as she has less life left.  Yes, that is eugenics getting free airtime on the BBC, thanks for noticing

Somehow the best choice of words the BBC could find when reporting the death of Phil Spector was “talented but flawed” as if murder is some character flaw instead of, oh I don’t know, a criminal activity?

You would have thought that Twitch would have simply retired the PogChamp emote permanently in the wake of Gootecks going all insurrectionist, but no, instead they thought of having a rotating cycle of emotes of various creators, in spite of those creators telling them this would be a bad idea - and those creators were proven right when Critical bard was inundated with racist and homophobic abuse in his chat that led him to close his social media profiles when he was selected for rotation, with Twitch doing fuck all about it

Fashion editor no matter what she claims she is Hadley Freeman had a really clever take about The Sopranos...actually, no she didn’t, she had an absurd belief that it’s the exact same show as Sex in the City but people overlook it Because Misogyny, and when she was lambasted for missing the point so badly she had noted dipshit David Baddiel rushing in to her rescue to mock those getting “triggered” by her insipid take while saying he never liked The Sopranos because, as he isn't an Italian-American mobster, the show did not speak to him - in other words, he made himself a subject of equal mockery

...but there was no sign of Baddiel when Hadley Freeman then jumped on the BidenErasedWomen bandwagon alongside the TERFs of Twitter as soon as Biden got his feet under the desk, which also happened to show hard centrist extremist Freeman say how she thought Trump did far more for women than Biden ever has, which as takes go is so bad that the best explanation is that she briefly forgot the difference between the words “for” and “to”, before she then deleted the tweet and tried to deny ever posting it with increasingly nonsensical explanations that rapidly looked uncannily like gaslighting

...although David Baddiel wasn’t quite done being a bellend, as he was soon yukking it up with professional victim Rachel Riley about his latest book which accuses the entire progressive left of antisemitism

The oppressed underclass known as Manchester United fans really showed their colours, first by responding to a loss to Sheffield United by sending racial abuse to Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial on social media, and a couple of weeks later responded to a draw with Arsenal by sending racial abuse to Marcus Rashford, because apparently when your team drops points the most important thing is to look for which member of your team you can racially abuse

And finally, oh so finally, we have Donald Trump and his discovery of electoral fraud at last - electoral fraud that consisted of Donald Trump calling Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger demanding he change the result and all he needs is Raffensperger to “find” 11,780 votes while also saying that he had proof of vote-counting machines being removed early...and when told they were still in Georgia, changed his lie to say the inner workings had been removed without anyone noticing.  By the way, the only reason anyone knows about this is because Raffensperger told Trump that he wouldn’t release the call to the public if Trump didn't say anything about it - so, of course, the Orange Overlord took to twitter, ran his mouth, and the Washington Post had one hell of an exclusive as a result

#dickheads of the month

[way-veee]

yān yǔ

rating: m

genre: romance, fluff, comedy, wayv being absolute crackheads

word count: 1.5k +

pairing: reader x wayv

pt. 4

you were typing up a section of your school report that was due yesterday in the cafe attached to the building that wayv was staying at. you’d been so focused on wayv that you only started it today.

your hands felt numb from typing as you wrote paragraph after paragraph in the afternoon sun with an iced latte. then you feel a hand on your back.

“hi!” kun says smiling. you smile back, you really liked kun. he was always nice to you and the boys and he seemed fun to be around. you just wondered why he was here.

he probably saw the confusion on you face, but ignored it. “what’re you doing?” he asks casually.

“oh im working on a school report.”

he nods, “i miss school.” 

“did you.. go to school?”

 he blushes at you embarrassed.

“nonono not like that” you laugh, “im genuinely curious, when you were training did you go to school?”

“i became a trainee after i finished high school so i didn’t have too unlike most trainees.”

you nod, curious. “do you ever think you’ll want to do any future schooling?”

taken a back by your question he thinks for a moment. 

“ i’d like to get a degree in aviation or aeronautical science.”

you look at him shocked. of course idols could be smart, but for some reason the thought never occurred to you here.

“wow...” you say. “that’s so fascinating... for any particular reason? or,”

he chuckles at how surprised you were. “yeah, i’ve always been interested in aircraft and that aspect of science. i tried to start training for a plane license, but it didn’t work at the time. i think i’ll have to wait a bit before i try again.

you know that “didn’t work at the time” meant that sm didn’t let him move forward with his training and “wait a little bit” meant when he was done performing and in his forties.

you decided not to say anything else, if you could just finish your stupid school work, you’d be free to work on your “plan” that with the boys.

“what do you study?” he questions, expecting you to say journalism or english.

“archaeology and linguistics.” you reply, frowning at your hypothetical coliseum excavation report.

“whoa.” he laughs, he was not expecting you to say that. you had to be crazy smart to study archaeology. and linguistics? no wonder you knew chinese you probably knew multiple languages. you were such a mystery it was astounding.

“that’s... um...” before he can embarrass himself even more or trip over words and blush in your face, he remembers why he came to see you in the first place.

“oh, when you get a chance, we wanted to talk to you in our room.”

“sure, i can come now if that’s okay”

he nods and smiles again. so you pack up your laptop. “am i allowed to be in your rooms?” you question.

“well, not exactly. but its not like we’ve never had strangers in there. as long as the staff members don’t come in,” he stops talking and faces forward red cheeked yet again.

because you didn’t have to think too hard on what type of strangers they would let into their bedrooms.

“its okay. i’ll put my hair up in a hat and if any of them come in they’ll just think i’m winwin.”

kun laughs hysterically at this and you grin. you liked making him laugh.

when you entered one of the boys bedrooms it was like you were a convict walking into a court hearing. all of the boys sat stone faced on the beds looking up at you.

then, amidst the thick quiet you hear xiaojun yawn, then winwin punches his exposed stomach for some reason and xiaojun squirms backwards falling on ten who yells hysterically and accidentally hits lucas in the face.

while all this is happening kun doesn’t blink an eye and looks at them with an “im done with these crackheads” look and just stands beside you.

you just stand there wondering how they possibly fit that many grown men onto a single bed.

after they finish whatever they were doing they become stone faced again and you're forced back up to the podium for your trial.

“i brought her here because we decided to talk about the thing” kun says trying to jog their memory.

“what thing?” lucas asks.

“ya i don’t remember anything about that.” hendery adds.

“after the cooking show?” kun says through gritted teeth.

“what cooking show?” hendery says, actually lost.

kun blinks once, twice then pretends like hendery never spoke in the first place.

“we never really discussed the details and our managers shouldn’t be bothering us today. so we wanted to seriously talk about it.”

you nod, like these guys could be serious.

“thanks again for what you did that day,” lucas says, then looking at winwin to say the same. but he pretends not to hear and looks away.

it was fine by you, you didn’t do it for his appraisal, you did it because you wanted to.

the room falls into a kind of stale silence until xiaojun gestures to an electric keyboard resting on their table.

“we hear you can play the piano?”

you death stare ten for telling everyone but he immediately looks away like he has no idea what xiaojun was talking about.

“yes, i use to play a lot more.” 

you really don’t want to play the piano right now. it was a sensitive matter and you’d definitely be awkward.

“can you play it for us?” xiaojun asks

“oh, no i don’t think i can,”

they all start to encourage you to play saying “come on” and “please,”

the piano falls in your lap and you try to protest as they turn it on. your face gets really hot because of this stressful situation. but then you all hear a knock on the door.

“boys? are you in there?”

fear enters everyone's eyes as the manager knocks on the door.

you thought that they weren’t supposed to be here today.

“uuuh just wait a second i’m naked!” yangyang yells.

you look over confused, “ you could’ve just asked him to wait”

before he has time to protest ten grabs you by the arm.

“we have to hide you now!”

“where?”

“i’m just coming to drop off lucas’s jacket he left, and i also wanted to discuss the fan meet  details!” 

“quick!” kun yells, shoving you under the white sheets of the bed closer to the window. as the manager walks in.

“here can i just leave it on the chair?” the manger questions, wondering why ten was lying vertically across the bed.

“um, okay. about the fan meet, the bus schedule has changed to 45 minutes earlier so be ready to leave in the lot at around 9:20.”

he keeps talking about their fan meet details as you majorly overheat under their thick covers. it didnt also help that ten was lying on your stomach literally crushing the air out of your body.

the manager finally leaves after what feels like an eternity and you gasp for air, sitting up.

“aagh!”

they all laugh at you with your messy hair and red face.

“did you really have to lie on my stomach?” ten looks innocently up at you after he rolls down to lie on your upper legs.

“hey i think i did a good job, he didn’t seem to notice anything.”

you stick your tongue out at him in revolt and he tries to grab it so you try to wrestle his hands down to his chest. after you somehow managed to push his hands down, you lean down on his chest as he coughs hysterically.

bet he didn’t like how that felt very much.

the boys were looking at you weirdly. so to break the silence you suggest, “why don’t we finish this in my room? staff members can’t just barge in because i am,”

“not an idol?” yangyang suggests.

“not worth their attention?” winwin adds

“you’re a laaady?” xiaojun says.

“you’re a ghost, like in the sixth sense, where it’s just in the boy’s head, but you’re simultaneously in all of our consciousnesses.” hendery says.

“how come i can touch things then?” you say lifting up ten’s limp arm and then letting it fall back down.

“well... you’re the kind of ghost that has an actual form and..” he trails off and you slowly say,

“ok.... well anyways let’s go there and we can discuss that more later?”

the boys get up and walk outside to enter your room.

you sit on your chair to let the seven boys take the bed. they inspect your room closely.

“wow your room is like way worse than ours.” lucas states looking disgusted around.

“ya you definitely got tricked, this must be a joke.” kun laughs looking at your small quarters.

“umm y/n?” yangyang says while pointing to a white lacy bra you had left on the ground at the foot of your bed.

“oops” you say slightly embarrassed. you go over and put it in your suitcase facing away from them purposely.

“okay,” kun says slightly blushing as well. “now for the details.”

you nod earnestly waiting.

“we want you to write an article about our mismanagement. its okay though, you can do it under a fake name so you won’t be fired, and we’ll give you all the information.”

“we need someone that’s good at writing to make the article readable.” lucas adds.

you laugh for about 30 seconds, and the boys wonder if they said something funny.

“you’re big plan is to write a strongly worded article?”

“well,” ten says. “it would technically be you writing the article.”

“I was going to write a strongly worded article anyways...”

“oh..” xiaojun says defeated. 

“i had something better in mind” you smirk.

they look at you in surprise, you had thought of them.

“do you guys have access to your albums drive on the producers computer?”

“sure” kun replies. “they give us some previews of beats and backtracks for our lyrics. also while yangyang was trying to download animal crossings on a company computer he downloaded a hidden file with the passwords for all sm music producers accounts.” kun glares at yangyang remembering that time.

“what? I didn’t meddle with anything, I could’ve easily adlibbed on sunny side up, but I didn’t because I’m responsible...”

everybody just looks at yangyang for a few seconds before returning to the conversation.

“what i’m suggesting, is you guys make the title track that you’ve always wanted too. do whatever you want, make an amazing track and right as the other title song is about to be released and sent for album production. you switch it out.”

“i don’t know...” winwin states, “wouldn’t they figure it out if they previewed the songs, then we’d be in big trouble.”

“no,” ten says back. “if you’re on the laptop you could just change the file name of the new track to the one they want us to release, and it’d be a single encryption for the producers.”

“how do you know this?” lucas replies.

“yeah you’ve never taken any computer classes hyung.” xiaojun replies.

“hey, we do things a little differently over in thailand. you need to be good a whole bunch of things.” 

“literally one of the only videos that we have of you in thailand is with red spiked hair rapping baby by justin beiber.” hendery yells at ten.

ten’s ears turn red immediately as he yells “okay but i also learned a lot about computers there too!”

“i think you just like to watch a lot of porn on company laptops.” lucas says. 

the boys break out into laughter as ten just slowly nods in agreement.

“do you guys like the idea? we can start working on it right away and I can also release an article on the song so the producers cant recall it.”

“okay.” kun says looking at wayv. “should we do this.” he looks at the others and you feel very out of place so you get up to leave.

“where are you going?” xiaojun asks softly.

“oh, i was just gonna give you guys a minute.” 

the boys look up at you with big round eyes.

“but we want you here.” yangyang says.

“yea, you’re apart of this too y/n, without you we wouldn’t be able to do this.” kun says smiling. 

you feel a large swell of emotions in your stomach at the boys kind words, you sit back down.

“we’re gonna do this.” ten says totally serious.

“we’re gonna do this.” they all respond back nodding.

“yay!” you jump up, “this is gonna be so fun! i can just imagine the coverage this’ll give the article! and you guys of course too is- are important i meant to say that first...” you stopped talking for the good of everyone.

they seem to find it endearing though, as they smile.

“alright then, we’ll start as soon as we get to bejing.” winwin says.

“wait but isn’t that in four days?”

“no y/n, we leave tomorrow, did you not hear the manager, or were you too preoccupied with my big juicy butt?” ten jokes.

“please never refer to your butt as big and juicy again, it was definitely the first one.”

the boys laugh definitely thinking of ten’s butt.

“okay, this has been fun but now i have to pack so..” you say it in a way so the boys would know that they should leave.

“oh, we don’t mind.” lucas says clueless.

“yea you can pack, you really wear the same two sweaters everyday.” winwin says smiling annoyingly.

“okay out for real now, i mean it.” they all get up and leave now, filing out.

they wave to you as they leave and you shut the door promptly. wondering how you got yourself into this mess, and how this was gonna end.

part 5 

#wayv #wayv yangyang #wayv imagines #wayv kun #wayv xiaojun #wayv fluff #wayv lucas #wayv hendery #wayv ten #wayv winwin #wayvsmut #wayv x reader

[wellyoucantliveinfear]

There’s Something Rotten in Las Vegas (It’s Clexacon)

Hey y’all, I’m back again with my feelings about Clexacon. This is my 3rd year going to the convention, and sadly it’ll likely be my last. This will be a longgggggg post, so I’ll be putting it under a cut. So if you want to hear about my experience at Clexacon 2019, here you go:

Show! Me! The! Money! (No Seriously, Where’s it Going???)

One of my biggest concerns (among the many that I have) is how this convention is now an opportunity to grab as much money as it can from its LGBTQ audience. I’ll start with the con itself, and then work all the way through to its “affiliates”.

If you wanted to do anything at Clexacon that was not the actual convention itself, you were required to pay an additional fee. I personally went to the Academic Lab, which was an additional $75 on top of the regular $160 3-Day Pass ticket price. The Creator Lab was also the same day and was also an extra $75. Ascension, the Saturday night party, was $50. There was also a comedy show, and unfortunately I don’t have the info on how much that was. And sure, you might say, “Well Morgan, those are all extra events that are optional, so maybe paying for ‘opting in’ makes sense!”. Okay, sure, but there are also plenty of conventions that have additional, “opt in” events that are free for attendees.

Let’s use Dragon Con for example, as I live in Atlanta and am the most familiar with that one currently. Dragon Con has a TON of extra events, including a wrestling show, a burlesque revue, and dance parties. Most of these events are completely free as long as you have your convention badge. The events that aren’t free? An awards banquet and a HUGE ball with celebrity guests. There’s even an academic track for panels, which is also free. And okay, yes, Dragon Con is gigantic and is already established in the convention circuit. There are even smaller conventions that are doing free events too. I lived in Cincinnati for years and went to the Cincinnati Comic Expo, which is much smaller but still runs free events for attendees. So it is doable.

There also needs to be attention drawn to the fact that every organization attached to the “Clexacon” name is ran/owned by the same handful of people (NOTE: The two people in question will not be named here as I do not want to open myself to them potentially taking legal action. However everything stated here is either my experience, the noted experience of others, or easily accessed through organization websites, particularly the website for The Visibility Fund). Those people own and operate Clexacon, DASH Productions, and DASH Photos. They are also on the board for The Visibility Fund, a non-profit organization that gained funds from the Cocktails for Change event hosted at Clexacon this year. Prior to the removal of the Clexacon staff page online (which was removed promptly after the convention ended), the names of people from Tellofilms were also included as staff for the convention. It is deeply concerning that all of the money is being funneled in/through a small number of organizations ran by a small number of people. When I teach Media & Culture I always warn my students of the dangers of a small handful of people owning the means of creation. Often when that occurs, the limits on what the audience is able to see get smaller and smaller, focused on the wants of the corporations and businesses. It seems that Clexacon is moving in that direction.

Who’s Running the Show?

The organization of this year’s Clexacon was a complete and utter mess. I’ll start with the mismanagement of the Vendor Hall. While there was more space in the Vendor Hall this year, this did not lead to better promotion by the Clexacon staff. With the Photo Ops being moved upstairs, the hall was not as cramped, but it did remove a large source of foot traffic for the vendors. A logical next step would have been for Clexacon to tweet something about the Vendor’s Hall to push that foot traffic back into the space, but that did not happen. Instead, the traffic continued to flow upstairs and into the large panel room, with people only coming into the Vendor Hall through word of mouth or to get autographs. As someone who was in the Vendor Hall this year and last year, I noted a significant decrease in foot traffic, and other vendors I talked to noticed it too. This doesn’t even take into account the issues concerning the inconsistent pricing of vendor tables. I cannot speak further about this as I wasn’t involved, but there are multiple tweets in the #clexapocalypse hashtag with more info.

There were also issues with volunteers checking badges and other forms of “security” during the weekend. There were multiple instances where I walked into the Vendor Hall and no one checked my badge. There were instances where I walked into the Vendor Hall without a badge on, and no one questioned me. Bags were rarely being checked. I’m not advocating for more security at Clexacon. I’m against having heavier security or “police” in a queer space, especially a space where queer folks of color are present. However, there at the very least should be volunteers present to make sure that people without badges can’t walk in. Why on earth would I buy a $160 badge if anyone can just walk into the space?

Photo Ops were also a disaster. My friend and I bought a Photo Op for Chantal Thuy and Nafessa Williams. Not only was the picture very washed out, but when we asked about getting an extra print for one of us, we were told by volunteers that extra prints wouldn’t be available, and if we wanted them we’d have to “wait for the digital print and get it printed at a Fed Ex or something”. Y’all, I’ve been to multiple conventions and not once have I not been able to get another print at the con. They also said that it would take nearly two weeks for us to get the digital print, as “it’s just one person processing all of the images”. WHAT. That’s completely unacceptable. Other folks I spoke to at the convention cited similar issues, including being charged for Photo Ops that they didn’t get and poorly shot photos.  

Finally, there’s the issue of leadership for this convention. In the previous section I outlined an issue with the heads of Clexacon running multiple organizations connected to Clexacon, which appears to be fairly well known on the internet. What might be less well known is that after last year’s Clexacon, those people pushed out one of the original organizers for the convention. This person questioned the concerning direction the convention was taking and not only were their concerns invalidated, they were given no choice but to walk away from staff and were asked to not return to the convention this year. (Note: slight edit made to previous sentence based on new information) After the removal of that person, the convention morphed into what was presented this year. As you might have noticed on Twitter, many of the Clexacon staff resigned from their positions through each of them sending a public statement tweet. Of my knowledge of the situation, this was due to the management issues concerning the heads of Clexacon, as well as problems with how their labor was used (or misused) by those heads. When multiple people exit their jobs within an organization, that signals an issue with how that organization is run. I hope people will look deeper into this issue than what I’ve outlined here.  

I’m going to move on now to more “identity based” issues. I wanted to get all the money bullshit out of the way first because I have a lot of fucking Feelings about how people were continually marginalized at this convention and I didn’t want to run out of anger steam before talking about the money.

Concerns About Accessibility (I Have Them)

HOLY FUCKING SHIT, DO I HAVE CONCERNS. First, let’s review what occurred before Clexacon happened. Multiple people contacted Clexacon with issues attached to their unclear accessibility policy, with many getting poor responses or no responses at all from the staff. Eventually the outcry on Twitter prompted the staff to issue a new statement about accessibility, which was initially done so through an image on Twitter…which was not accessible to those with screen readers. They later reissued the statement through multiple tweets, but this would be foreshadowing of things to come. They stated they were talking to people well versed with ADA compliance knowledge, but it’s clear that either they didn’t do that at all, or they did and then chose to not follow them. This showed at the actual convention itself.

First was the issues with obtaining the program itself. They didn’t have any paper programs available this year, instead telling everyone to use the app. Well, that app was only accessible half the time because getting wifi was impossible, and cell service was horrible in the con space. Also, having the programs through the app only meant that they were assuming everyone had a cell phone and were able to use it throughout the entire con. I’ve been to conferences/conventions where they’ve had digital programs, but there’s always the option of getting a paper program if that works better for you. Not having those options got in the way of people being able to plan what events they were going to. 

From just my experience at Clexacon, there was not enough accommodation made for attendees who were deaf or hard of hearing. There were multiple panels, including panels in the large room, that did not have an interpreter present. There were also clearly not enough interpreters available for the number of attendees who needed them. Moog ( @wayhaughtt ) talks more about this in their vlog, which I’ll link here. It is completely and totally unacceptable (not to mention illegal) for Clexacon to not have enough people available to assist attendees.

Along with not having enough interpreters, the space is just totally not accessible for anyone who has mobility issues. Small panel rooms are all the way at the back of the con space, making it hard for people who cannot walk long distances. Aisles were not wide enough for people with mobility devices to use. While there were some things in place to assist with having to stand in line, it was still difficult for many people who couldn’t stand for long periods of time. The elevator on the bottom floor near the Vendor Hall was out of the way enough that I didn’t notice it until Sunday. The Quiet Room shouldn’t have even been called that, as it was sandwiched between the Photo Ops and the Film Festival, making it impossible for people to achieve the quiet they were going there to find. And sure, you might say, “Well that’s not their fault, it’s the fault of the Tropicana”. But at the end of the day if you are really committed to making your event accessible to everyone, to create this “safe space” that you continually advertise, then you will make the effort to not only actually provide people with adequate accommodations at the very least, but also find a venue that will be accessible for your attendees.

The Unbearable Whiteness of Being (At Clexacon)

Okay, so, I’m really annoyed that I basically have to write the same thing I did last year. I was really, really hoping that white people wouldn’t fuck it up again and would show up, but apparently the small amount of faith I had in my fellow white fandom people was too much. It was very clear AGAIN this year that white fandom will only show up for shows with white characters. I did notice an increase in the amount of people who attended the One Day at a Time Panel, and that’s great! But there were so many other panels with queer folks of color that were either a quarter or half full. I was hoping more people would attend the Black Lightning panel now that they were an established show finished with their second season, but nope, it was maybe half full. The Vida panel had a good number for attendance, but it was in a smaller panel room, so I can’t really gauge it with the other large room panels, but that room was not full. The Queer People of Color Representation panel, a really great panel with an important discussion, was about a quarter full. WHITE FANDOM NEEDS TO BE HEARING THESE CONVERSATIONS. Us not showing up and not putting in literally the minimum amount of work is fucking ridiculous, and shows everyone else where we stand.

There also, again, was a noticeable difference in the length of autograph lines for white actresses verses actors and actresses of color. Jes Macallan’s line was wrapped around the autograph area. Even though this is their third Clexacon, Dominique Provost-Chalkley and Kat Barrell’s lines were long as well. Caity Lotz’s line was also pretty long. On the other hand, Nafessa Williams was sitting at her table with no line for a significant chunk of her autograph time, as was Chantal Thuy and Lesley-Ann Brandt. Just that visual alone makes it abundantly clear who white fandom is willing to give their time and money to. So many of us complain that there’s not enough LGBTQ representation, but then refuse to put in the work when the characters are people of color. Saltygaysianpowerhour on instagram has a great post about this, which I’ll link here. White fandom, if we’re not putting in the work, we cannot complain when we feel there’s not enough LGBTQ representation. We’re part of the problem.

Lastly, I noticed that the Clexacon space was extremely white. When this happened, we as white fandom should have been aware of that and been better allies for attendees of color. That did not happen. I’ve heard so many stories of attendees of color who felt othered or additionally marginalized by both attendees and con staff in a space that should have been just as much theirs as everyone else’s. This convention is not a “safe space” for queer people of color, and some very, very significant changes will have to be made for it to get even close to that.

I Can’t Fucking Believe I Have to Write About TERFs

Just like the fucking subtitle says, I CAN’T BELIEVE I HAVE TO WRITE ABOUT TERFS. The complete and utter failure to make this con a positive and safe space for trans folks is honestly stunning. Literally so many people I know got repeatedly misgendered at Clexacon, and so many people didn’t even care to find out what people’s pronouns were. Volunteers misgendered multiple people, which is a problem staff should have addressed at the very beginning. I heard many people say they encountered TERFs at the con and I don’t think I need to mention this, but like, if TERFs think your con is a safe space then that’s a huge problem. I honestly think there were more cishet men on main stage panels this year than trans folks. That’s a problem. This con should have had some way to signify your pronouns on your badge, whether that be a ribbon, button, or even a fucking sticker for people to fill in. I feel like if you’re running a convention that claims to include all LGBTQ people, then you need to do basic things like that. Otherwise change how you market the convention.

What Is it Good For? (Actually, a Few Things)

Okay, now that I’ve aired all my grievances (or at least the ones I can think of), I do want to talk about the good things this con can bring. This con does offer a space for people to create community. Sure, we can do this online with Tumblr or Twitter, but it’s not the same as seeing a living person in front of you. It’s not the same as talking to someone face to face and being excited about whatever media you love. It’s not the same as getting to hug your favorite people. And with all its faults, Clexacon does create a space for this to happen in real time. I know people who have met some of their closest friends at Clexacon. Hell, I met my current girlfriend at the first Clexacon. But that doesn’t erase that this community is currently toxic, and if we want to keep going we’re going to have to deal with those toxic parts or it’s all going to rot. Unfortunately I’m not going to be attending Clexacon in the future unless the current management is removed and significant changes are made. I’m lucky enough to have other places that create positive LGBTQ community like @tgifemslash. I’m not going to shame anyone for going to Clexacon next year, especially if that’s the only community you have. I just hope that in reading this very long post (and thanks if you’re still with me!) you reflect on what Clexacon is and how it can be better. We’re already marginalized by broader society, we don’t deserve further marginalization from our own “community”.

#Clexacon #Clexacon2019 #Clexapocalypse

[celestials-fallen-star-blog]

Your skin must perspire gasoline because you are on fire!

Hot enough that I flourish because I’m bathing under your rays of colors

How do I manage your beauty by my minds imagery to capture such glistening perfection that Blinded me from the first time I’ve glance at you?

As I got to know you, you’re a lot more perfect than I thought

Not only that you are beautiful on the outside but I also got to know the beauty within.

My pure delight of ecstasy flourishing within my grasp of imagination on how you were brought out to this world is inconceivable.

Your abundance of greatness had me at hello!

Everything you do is perfect and everything you are is magic!

You are my dream girl that I have longed for since I can imagine.

How proud I was to be seen with you.

To me you are one of a kind. The spell that you managed to cast upon me is eternal and I’ve been captured in an essence of hypnosis by your beautiful eyes. How do I manage to carry on?

My experiences with you are my most kept possessions that I hold inside my heart and soul

My tendencies of comparing you with every other girl I meet sort of ruin me to start another relationship.

Frightened to go through another crossroads where I’m desperately undergoing a heartbreak that’s very unforgettable and unfortunately very hard to dismiss out of my head.

The most incredible meaning of our relationship rose above my expectations that it’s awful to realize that it didn’t last as long as I had hope for

You are such a catch!

Now that I am aware of loosing you,

I might’ve mistakenly set you free.

I might’ve ended becoming so cynical that I show no interest with no one else that I come across with.

You are forged deep inside my thoughts,

That all I manage to gather to reminisce is only you.

I’m filled with regrets knowing that I’ve lost you indefinitely.

The idea of being your knight and shining armor depleted because of my incompetence of growing up quicker to be a man.

I’ve mismanaged my time and you set me free.

Broken hearted and disenchanted with my inadequacy of fulfilling my quest to a bountiful life.

I became so obsessed with the shadow of your reflection traced within my mind that I couldn’t release the memories of you away from my subconscious.

It’s unfair how I couldn’t find the proper words to pour my heart out to you when I had the chance.

The vision I had for you entirely are extremely extraordinary

My memento of true love was dedicated only to you

How do I let you go for me to finally be free of your spell?

My addiction for you revived my feelings to awaken the things I lost

The courageous emotions that you once made me feel left such burnt scar in my heart that I couldn’t fathom to set you free.

I know I have to move on

I’m happy for you that you managed to live life to the fullest because you deserve to be happy.

I have to face reality.

Starting over just keep me frightened because I hate to be desperate and the actuality of maybe being broken hearted again bothers me entirely that it kills me slowly over and over until I couldn’t think of nothing else but loosing you all over again.

My ignorance were once blissful but as I’ve grown, I’ve learned that someone like you who happened to be extremely special only stay single for a short period of time.

Every one knows that you are one of a kind. I’ve come to realize that when you showed me how to feel from the bottom of my heart slowly releasing every potential true grit devoted to comfort someone i truly love with a vastness of my emotions screaming loudly to get your full attention. I’ve learned to love you completely out of this world. I couldn’t compare you with anyone else. The most beautiful and extremely intelligent. Beyond greatness and just someone so special that I take pride to let you know that you are one of a kind.

Someone I could proudly introduce to mom.

Someone who completely make my knees tremble and my mind boggled to a point of insanity. Obsessed but not creepy to make you feel uncomfortable but it’s enough for me to realize that you are my addiction. I couldn’t get enough of you. It’s a mental illness how much I’ve learned to love you. Uncharacteristic mentality that shows full responsibility to prove you my clear intentions that means no harm but completely in desire of love and lust with your whole being in this entire universe. You are much bigger in my world full of your persona from every strand of your entity completely unscathed from influence of fear or doubt. You are my world and I take pride to share this with anyone.

The game of chance dealt you in my hands, I am completely in your control to do as you wish even if that was just a dream from my make believe history of fantastical imagination beyond my comprehension as it comes naturally comparing to every intrusive thoughts that flies around my conscience taking over my instinct completely.

Although i wouldn’t exchange my memories of you for the world.

For someone who doubt higher power because of every experience I had witness in how this world revolve from its beauty to the obscenity of its reality. I still believe You are definitely gifted! You have given me the inspiration to fall so deeply in love with you dearly. Perhaps my lifetime of memories of you simply playback inside my head in repetition to show me the beauty that love can produce such magic beyond my knowledge of Devine intervention.

Maybe you were my Lady Luck! I’ve never felt ahead of any competition since I met you. Although I’ve never competed, you’ve made me feel like a total winner.

You were my winning lottery ticket!

If only I envision the truth of actuality of my future. Knowing the destination of the defiance from reality to be destined to you as I’ve always wished for. Only if I knew then what I know now.

Life might be totally different if I would’ve pursued to come back to you when you were once waiting for me. The memory of my failure to returning my love for you disappointed me as a person who once dreamt of being successful in life in general. Perhaps I’ve chosen so poorly in my decisions that misfortune continuously enslaved my conscience with such convictions of false belief to a point of temporary insanity with mildly permanent psychological issues that no one could resolve the scar of such intense traumatic experience that shaped my mind as a torment in itself to punish my stupidity and the lack of my ability to pursue my only dream. For I have lost you completely and Loosing all hope for the imagination that once kept me soaring with extraordinary confidence in comparison to someone falling totally in love for the first time.

I wish I could sleep this off. (WAKE UP!!!!!COME BACK TO REALITY!)

Will I ever wake up to realize that I’m missing out on life by constantly punishing myself with indefinite judgement of failure that I couldn’t move on? Is this my infinite decision to actually feel hopeless for my entire existence decided by tragedy that compile failures to drive myself insane. Unable to decide what’s right and wrong with the possibility to alter my life completely either for the best or possibly for the worst. Perhaps my destiny reveals itself slowly to punish me with lifetime filled with regrets. I’ve chosen the wrong door to begin with that my entire guidance to life has been failures which play with my emotions deeper than I could ever imagine. Thinking of you got me deep in my thoughts that exudes emotions out of my understanding of every feelings I have stored inside my heart. My every sense of intuition that captured my instinct of survival undermines my intelligence of the world I once knew shaped to the new world of the unknown. What does the future have for me? Moving on is unclear. Old memories come back to haunt my perception that influences my future endeavors. Comparison to the similarities of beautiful perceptions I once knew and shared with you in complete trust to the new overcoming residual of ambivalence confiding such unclear destination of where I truly belong. Perhaps being antisocial condemns me to be alone all along. Indecisive of any destination that may influence my conscience deeper to unrealistic expectations. I might have actually become a cynical version of myself unfortunately! Still broken hearted and indecisive of continuously making the right choice. One day at a time! Perhaps in the future, time will manage to heal all wounds.

[curestardust]

if you want: a hot mess of a story and world building but dressed in TRIGGER’s usual style so if you can handle that then dunno go ahead

If you care about a plot that makes sense, world building that makes sense or any interesting character development then BNA is *not* for you.

Based on the cover and the fact that TRIGGER was behind the development of this anime kind of raises expectations right off the bat which is just going to lead to an even more disappointing experience than if this was made by any other lesser known studio. I’ve been trying to figure out how to write this review because every single problem I’ve had with it was so atricous and downright offensively stupid that this would turn into a 5 page long essay so I’ll try to shorten this by going bullet point style.

I’m going to give a short introduction to BNA’s story. In this world there are Beastman, who’re a mix of animal and human but not in BNHA kind of way. No, they have human forms and can morph into antromomrphic looking animals at will. The anime stars a girl named Michiru who we see escaping from anti-beastman maniacs into Animacity which is supposed to be a safe haven for Beastman. However, Michiru isn’t technically one. Beastman are born as one but Michiru suddenly morphed into a half-Tanuki despite being human. After making it to Animacity she meets a wolf Beastman called Shirou and these 2 will be the main focus on the show.

First, the few things I liked. The OP, ED and OST to the show is very nice. The frantic animation in high intensity scenes that is TRIGGER’s specialty is more-or-less what you’d expect. The designs of the main cast are also very distinct and well-made.

Okay now, *cracks knuckles* the BAD.

 - Everything I praised above has flaws. The ED, while very nice, is actually present in the story and is used WAY too often, like the artist paid them to shoehorn it once an episode. It’s supposed to envoke the feelings of Michiru while she was a human girl, happy and carefree but the more its used, the more it uses its effectiveness. The action scenes are way too short and the colours of the anime are very, very dull.

Character Development

 - It’s almost nonexistent and when they try to show it, it’s in the most basic way of literally just confronting someone and saying how your feelings changed. But we very rarely if ever actually see them act on these feelings. All characters feel the same from beginning to end besides Michiru who does a complete 180 at the end of the anime with the show completely chucking out the conflicts of her character that not only were present but almost drove the entire show. Shirou is the same, he maybe becomes more mellow by the end but that’s about it. Michiru and Shirou’s conflicting personalities and beliefs are also presented as if they are important but is killed by the 2 not having any actual chemistry.

Plot

 - You know who the main villain is going to be from the second they show them. The show has absolutely no nuance to it, if you pay attention everything is very obvious which makes the characters’ actions even more infuriating. The pacing is also all over the place with a lot of “action sequences” feeling completely unnecessary and ending in the same way (you can count on Michiru getting captured 9 times out of 10). Multiple plot threads introduced that literally could’ve been explored throughout the whole anime get dropped in 1 episode and never come up again. There are plot holes everywhere.

World Building

- Probably one of the worst I’ve ever seen. THIS section could be an essay on its own. The “scientific” explanation for Beastman existing makes no sense at all, nor the thing that is randomly revealed in the ending while we’ve never seen it happen before. They say Beastman tried to stay away from human civilizations but then show Egyptian Gods, implying that those were Beastman. They also say that for most of history Beastman and humans lived in peace. We also see Beastman just chilling among humans from flashbacks that couldn’t have been from more than 50 years ago. And yet, today, they’re almost hunted down. Why? What the fuck happened? General “racism” against Beastman could be commonplace but for a whole society to switch from “meh who cares” to “ewww, they nasty, make them get out” doesn’t happen for no reason. There’s usually a bigger event that is blamed on that minority and makes others turn on all of them (many real life examples of this) but we never find out what it could’ve been. Animacity is also a completely mismanaged, almost dystopian place to live. They have a police force but when 2 Beastman get into an argument let them fight because in this society “the strong win”. They have gangs running basically everything in the “background” and while one is some kind of Beastman Mafia the other we see is NEVER explained and it’s probably what pissed me off the most. There’s a gang of only female Beastman who’re involved in Beastman-trafficking!!! And in the end of the EP the boss lady tells Michiru that she will learn how difficult it is to live in Beastman society as a female but we NEVER. EVER. SEE. IT!!! Michiru is a female herself but she never experiences any kind of sexism and I still don’t understand what in the flying fuck that plot thread was about. In this government funded small city there’s also a slum, where the poor live. This city is 10 years old. TEN! You’re telling me they didn’t make an effort to help out the poor population who’re literally drinking waste water?? Swindling, stealing, and literal betting on Beastman killing each other during “sports games” are just there. They just fucking exist. Under the literal nose of the police force and the governor but apparently nobody has tried to do anything against any of this before the anime started. 

Okay, that’s all I can take. I’m sure I could go on and on and on and on about the hot mess that is the “””world building””” but there’s no point. If you don’t care about things making sense in an anime then go ahead, maybe you’ll find a character you like or get a kick out of the visuals. For me? Nope. 

[3/10] (x)

Recommend: HELL Yeah! | Yes | Eh??? | Nope | There was actual money spent on this

#dusty reviews #BNA #this long and im tired bye

[opiatemasses]

EFL and Championship Football. Profitability, Sustainability and Accountability: Evidently Failing

Financial problems are not new in football. Since the inception of the Premier League in 1992, 54 football clubs in England & Wales have been declared bankrupt and placed into administration (Williams, 2012). Almost all survived, but as in the recent case of Bury, there is always another club close to liquidation. The English Football League (EFL) who govern the Championship, as well as League One and Two, have put measures in place which are designed to help their member clubs avoid such eventualities. After all, one of their ‘brand values’ is to promote ‘a profitable and sustainable league structure, providing clubs an environment to prosper in’. This isn’t happening currently, however.

Introduced as Financial Fair Play and re-branded as profit & sustainability (P&S), clubs in the Championship must adhere to regulations whereby they are permitted to accrue a maximum of £39 million in losses across a 3-year financial reporting period. Clubs however, are routinely spending beyond this as they aspire to reach the Premier League, while having to compete with relegated clubs benefiting from parachute payments.

Wilson (2015) suggests that Premier League clubs annually share around £2.48 billion in revenue, with £124 million per each of the 20 clubs. In comparison, the 24 clubs in the Championship share £476 million, which equates to £19.8 million per club. These figures provide a clear incentive to reach the Premier League at all costs. However, the number of clubs falling into financial difficulty is on the rise in an era where revenues are at record levels (Buraimo, Simmons, & Szymanski, 2010).

Profitability:

The evidence suggests that in recent times clubs in the Championship are incurring greater losses than ever before, as they spend greater amounts of money on transfers and wages, fuelled by the attraction of £170 million on reaching the Premier League. As shown in the graph below, just six teams out of 23 reported clubs* posted profits in their accounts for the specified reporting period. Between all clubs, they report a combined loss figure in excess of £325 million, a staggering amount for Championship clubs to be losing. It is rightly pointed out by Senaux (2008), that despite being owned by entrepreneurs who generally succeed in their own businesses, most clubs display substandard financial results. It seems the EFL are failing in their attempt at creating a profitable environment.

Sustainability:

Championship clubs are going to unprecedented lengths, both in pursuit of the Premier League and to stay within the League’s P&S rules. Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday are two clubs at the forefront of the P&S debate, both incurring significant financial losses and exploiting a ‘loophole’, currently legal, whereby the club sells the stadium to their owner and lease it back for a peppercorn amount. Derby sold their Pride Park Stadium for a reported £80 million to owner Mel Morris. Similarly, Sheffield Wednesday sold Hillsborough for £60 million to owner Dejphon Chansiri. This has allowed both clubs to show profits for the reporting period instead of substantial losses. Whether this is seen as creative accountancy or flouting EFL rules, the model is obviously unsustainable. A stadium can only be sold once, therefore merely pushing the financial problems on to another year, rather than finding a solution.   

Sheffield Wednesday & Dejphon Chansiri himself, as well as former directors, have been charged by the EFL for what has been described as ‘financial misconduct’, relating to the sale of Hillsborough and how it was accounted, while Derby County are still subject to an investigation. Sheffield Wednesday claim the charges brought against them by the EFL are ‘unlawful’ and are seeking a compensation package for the way the EFL have handled the situation. This legal battle could be a landmark case where the club receives a severe punishment for its financial management as a test case or wins the case whereby no wrongdoing is found, making the EFL’s P&S rules appear toothless and subsequently applaud reckless spending across the division.

Should owners be allowed to invest as much as they like, provided that they are transparent with the EFL in terms of their financial status and ability to fund the club long term?

Some believe that ambitious Championship clubs and their owners are being crippled by the current system while those relegated with parachute payments have free license to spend as they please. It could be argued that the spending by Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday isn’t necessarily unsustainable, when contrasted against the wealth of their owners, just outside the permissible limits set by the EFL, which could be deemed unfair. Changes are needed to the system as the current one isn’t helping clubs to be profitable or sustainable; a system which permits Championship clubs on average to spend 106% of their revenue on salaries is evidently unsustainable in the long-term.

Accountability:

In terms of governance, the EFL need to take greater accountability when it comes to clubs’ financial situations. So far, they have refuted calls they were in part responsible for the demise of Bury Football Club. They installed Steve Dale as owner and admitted to side-stepping their own due diligence rules whereby the owner is assessed on their suitability for the role, because of the urgency of the club’s plight. The EFL need to be both rigorous and consistent in every single case they deal with as this is one of the biggest frustrations for fans - their own legislation is applied inconsistently, allowing for situations such as Bury’s to develop.

Conversely, member clubs should be taking a greater level of responsibility for their own actions and the way they’re handling their own financial matters. It could be seen as though organisations, such as the EFL and the English FA, are becoming something of a straw man, an easy target of blame for clubs due to previously public failings, allowing clubs to deflect attention away from their own shortcomings. The central notion to improve accountability is improved communication between all parties of interest (Morrow, 1999). The EFL are putting a ‘working group’ of clubs in place to discuss long term sustainability of the division - it’s about time fans were involved in the discussions too.

From a Sheffield Wednesday perspective, supporters should be rallying round to hold Dejphon Chansiri to account. As owner and sole director of the football club, he is making every decision that impacts the club without any input and with nobody currently in place to challenge him. Nobody can doubt his investment in the club, but even the most avid supporters of the Chairman must be concerned by his financial mismanagement and the direction the club is currently headed. The stadium sale, shell companies and lack of outside sponsorship are just a few issues arising during his tenure. With the charges from the EFL looming, the club with 150 years of history and a pillar of the community, is in new territory and a period of uncertainty. Supporters need to be asking critical questions, as well as the EFL.

What Can Be Done?

There should be greater financial transparency in that all member clubs are required to annually publish their accounts in full. The accounts should be fully transparent and collectively available in the public domain.

The EFL should be made to provide further clarity around the punishments which are served to clubs when in breach of financial regulations, in terms of how they determine what punishment to serve. This should be explicitly defined and accessible to all. Currently, it seems like a lottery whether a club is warned, punished financially, docked points or worse. The integrity of the competition is at stake in such situations.

A controversial reform would be to bring salary caps in to place which would help to reduce extortionate wages throughout the division. A system currently in place in Leagues One and Two, Salary Cost Management Protocol, limits clubs to spending 60% & 55% of turnover respectively. A move to such a system in the Championship, with a limit agreed on by all clubs, may help to kerb clubs spending well beyond their means.

A greater level of communication with supporters would help to rebuild a strained reputation. Putting a system in place where each member club has a nominated supporter representing them on a panel within the organisation would allow views from the terrace to be taken directly to the boardroom.

Taking Action as Supporters:

From their own research in 2019, it is clear a proportion of supporters are disillusioned with the EFL and their governance:

Just 29% of respondents agreed with the statement ‘The EFL has supporters’ interests at heart’.

23% agreed that ‘The EFL makes innovative and progressive changes to benefit the game’.

58% agreed that the EFL ‘is profitable, sustainable and provides and environment for clubs to prosper’.

Surely then, it is time to take a stand and to bring about real change to the direction football is currently heading? It seems as though we are in a never-ending cycle of clubs experiencing financial difficulty, going into administration, being saved from the brink, on most occasions, before the cycle happens again at another club. As a collective, supporters can help to bring changes if they begin to unite as a movement and be outspoken on the worrying situations arising across the Divisions, rather than passively standing by, waiting to see who hits the rocks next.

I would urge supporters reading this to research what measures are in place at your own clubs in terms of interactions between fans and the club and the transparency there,  in addition to finding out the club’s representative in communication with the EFL. It is important for us supporters to hold to account the people who are in these intermediary positions to ensure they are a voice for supporters, helping to bring about positive change, and not just in position as a box ticking exercise for clubs and governing bodies to be compliant.

How would you reform the EFL?

Let me know by commenting below.

Further information - The following podcast episode, around 40 minutes, provides an in-depth look at P&S, the EFL & their governance & the stadium sale by Sheffield Wednesday: https://owlsaboutstat.com/episodes/stadiumgate/

BBC article: Championship’ bubble waiting to burst’

*Bolton Wanderers not included due to administration. Bristol City, Hull City & Norwich City are 2018/19 results. All figures sourced from published accounts from each club.

N0729708

#efl championship #ffp #football #swfc #dcfc

[setoangel01-fanfiction]

Mercy

Set Me Free - Chapter 6 (Previous Chapters)

Rated: T

Fandom: Sing 2016

Pairing: Johnny x Ash

Chapter Summary: Johnny displays the amazing depths of his unconditional kindness and Ash isn't sure quite how it handle it.

Fanfiction.net

A03

Pulling herself from her stupor for the thirteenth time that day, Ash groaned into the couch cushions she must have crashed in. Cringing at the drool staining her lips that she uncaringly wiped into the pillow under her head with a disgusted moan.

Between sleeping or wrecking more of Lance's possessions to simply release the building tension in her chest, she had quite a busy few days since the Moon Theater crashed to the ground with her precious red Fender (and her career hopes) inside.

Ash spent most of them wallowing around in her own grief from the crappy hand that life had dealt her. Mourning her guitar and career by pathetically sobbing into two containers of half-melted pints of fudge ripple ice cream, bags of greasy potato chips, and a few stale cookies scattered around the premises.

When she wasn't sleeping or stuffing her face with copious amounts of sugar and salt, she was busy carving large X's into Lance's possessions, shredding and ripping down the rest of his posters she'd always secretly despised. Finding the few scraps and remains of the pictures she'd ripped in half or quarters; going back to tear them into indiscernible confetti before throwing and flushing them down the toilet.

…Yet nothing still seemed to ease the growing hollowness in her gut…

Within the span of three days, Ash essentially turned into one of those dumped, depressed girls from any of the many horrid chick flicks she loathed almost as much as Lance and if anything, that just made her more downcast. Perhaps if she was honest, she'd begun to take a better look at herself; partial blame landing on her shoulders for her own discretion.

There were so many signs she should have paid more attention to…

Multiple times Lance had come back in the middle of the night after a "solo gig" smelling of strange perfume and the lame excuses that never made a lick of sense. Mixed along with the instances where he belittled her talents, painful words hidden behind a veil of his laid-back quips; undermining her capabilities as an artist by pushing her down to elevate his own "artistic genius". For years she'd taken it without a defense; allowing his less than kind words to go over her head or brush them off her shoulders with a shrug.

Ash had always been far too willing to give Lance the benefit of the doubt; trusting his judgment when it came to their band and the direction their careers and lives were heading.

Of course the doubts were always there in the back of her mind but time after time, she ignored them. Hoping that it was just a phase; that they would eventually make it big with Lance's guidance and at the time, her idea of his "superior" talents. Hoping in the end that they would finally get their big break and those small voices in her head telling her otherwise would ultimately be proven wrong…

Ash shook her head; recalling every single instance of his cruelty veiled by a lazy smile or passionate kiss. The misdirection and how he played her like a fiddle. Toying with her frail emotions and using her to get to his ultimate destination; how easily he found her to be replaceable as soon as she showed the first signs of any independence. For those years he wanted her to just be wrapped around his little finger and bend to his every whim like a limp palm tree enthralled in hurricane winds.

Lance had never had her best intentions at heart; never cared or loved her at all like he said he did for the second she decided to do something for herself (and their career/lives indirectly), he traded her in like you would a faulty appliance. To dump it to the side; discard it as if it meant absolutely nothing…

Suddenly, her heart sank when she came to terms with who really was the biggest fool in all of this - her.

Ash had fallen for it hook, line, and sinker.

Perhaps it was karma paying her back for her foolishness; destroying any chance for her career for being so damn asinine and naive in her relationship with Lance - if you could even call it that. It was more of a slave/master or king/court jester relationship - she was always the one providing while he sponged off of her stupidity; paying her back with his mere presence and holding it over her head that he was the only reason she'd made it so far as a musician and singer at all.

Like she owed him something…

Those days, weeks, and months she'd practice the guitar under his "guidance". The groans of disgust barely covered by his lazy sighs when she messed up over and over again; the words he sometimes spoke were like barbed arrows. They wouldn't sound that hurtful at first glance or first puncture but then rip her up from the inside out when the cruel undertones of his sugary-sweet voice melted away and were pulled out. Yet before she could fully understand the unbelievable cruelness he actually spoke with, he'd chuckle softly, caress her cheek or kiss her before she could legitimately question its connotations…

Stomach churning at the memories Ash didn't care to ponder anymore. The past was the past…and it deserved to stay there. She lay her head back onto the pillow; sorely tempted to fall back into a hopefully dreamless sleep when her doorbell rang once more.

So, that's what woke her up…

Ash groaned, reluctant about going to get the door when the horrible thought of Lance on the other side came to mind. She'd received multiple texts and missed calls from her ex but she dared not read them or listen to the long-winded messages he left.

Instead, she blocked him in hopes he'd leave her alone.

A part of her questioned why he was calling at all. It sure as hell wasn't to apologize or get her back considering what happened with the Moon Theater. She doubted if it was to see if she was uninjured because when did he ever care about her well-being? If she was a betting girl, she'd probably put it towards questioning if she in the hospital after seeing the destruction on the news so he was free to go pick up the remainder of his stuff from their apartment. She was just glad she'd had the foresight to change the locks immediately after throwing his adulterous ass out.

"There isn't anything viable of his left anyway…" she thought with a dark chuckle tickling at her mouth - served the bastard right.

Ash flinched; brought out of her thoughts when the doorbell rang yet again.

"Dammit…" Ash moaned into the pillow; body aching from sleeping on the couch (her bed was still too strange to sleep in alone) and stomach turning from the lack of real nutrition this past week.

One thing was certain - she really didn't want to get up.

It all grew silent for awhile and she was relieved that perhaps they left, but instead of taking a hint, the person outside resorted to lightly knocking.

The migraine developing from the sound was when Ash finally relented.

"Coming!" Ash grumbled loudly when there was yet another gentle knock at the door - it stopped instantly when her voice broke out.

When no one spoke out, she knew for sure it wasn't Lance. The guy was notorious for screaming at her to hurry up through the door - he had no where near enough patience to wait as long as this person had…

It raised far more questions than answers.

Just who could itbe and what was so important to bother her in the midst of her emotional life crisis? Knowing how her luck was currently going, it was probably her landlord to kick her ass out for all of her incessant sobbing at all hours of the day and night or wrecking her entire apartment (none too quietly mind you) this past week.

It just had to be…

Swallowing back her pride, Ash pushed herself to her unsteady feet.

Mentally preparing herself until she was good and ready to face the Rhino; hoped he was prepared for the tongue-lashing of a lifetime for she was not in any kind of mood to deal with this shit…

Ash swiftly unlocked the door. Mouth open and ready to speak out when she swung the door open but to her surprise and dismay while she stood there with mismanaged quills and dirty, stained and slept-in clothes - the one who was standing there was definitely not Matthew, her two-ton Rhino landlord…

…it was Johnny.

If the gorilla noticed her horrifyingly embarrassing state of appearance, he said nothing. Standing there looking down at her with that normal gracious smile that she did not deserve after how she went off on him like a blood-thirsty jackal a few days ago.

The memory vivid of her guttural screams and the look that crossed his face in response to it all…Before she could think about it too much, she pushed those distracting thoughts away.

A demented part of her wanted to scream at him again for perhaps the only reason knowing that he wouldn't argue back; just someone to absorb her anger but she knew it wasn't right for he did nothing wrong. Quite the opposite really - he'd done more for her in this past week than most people had ever bothered to do for her…

It was only in this moment she began to deeply regret going off on him that day but she sure as hell was still not going to apologize for it now. As of now, all she was concerned with was wondering what he was doing here completely unannounced while she made it very clear she definitely did not want to be disturbed.

Especially looking the way she did now…she thought with a cringe.

"'ello." Johnny greeted after a moment when she said nothing to acknowledge his presence.

"...What do you want?" she asked in a tired grunt. Not intending whatsoever to be at all pleasant about this unexpected visit. Sleep still clinging to her heavily-bagged eyes, she wiped her hand over her face when suddenly, it fell when Johnny's arms appeared from behind his back.

The tiredness that clung to her system was instantly gone as she took in exactly what was in his hands. Ash stood there and time completely froze upon glancing at the item - a scratched, dented black case; the one covered in now unrecognizable stickers and smudged silver sharpie…

The very one that held her treasured red Fender guitar.

The one that she was certain had been crushed and lost forever within the rubble of the Moon Theater.

…how had he…?

Ash's icy blue eyes looked beyond the case to the large hands holding it; white and beige bandages covering parts of his fingers and a few scratches were visible on the base of his hairy knuckles. Fingernails were cleanly cut short but she could obviously see where they were either chipped, scratched, or had slight dirt embedded underneath. Past that, she looked at his clothes; slightly dusty and the knees of his jeans looked a bit more worn than they should be.

…he must have…

It only dawned on her now exactly what he had done and it broke whatever small amount of sanity she had left…

"I didn't check inside; I'm pretty sure the case took the brunt of any kind of damage, but you might want to -" Johnny's words immediately halted in his throat when Ash made a grab for the case; placing it gingerly onto the floor of her apartment before she collapsed to her knees in front of it.

Staring at sheer reverence for the first few moments before Ash flicked aside the locks with her thumbs; the guitar case opened with a creak. She was completely silent once the case was ajar; staring inside at its contents for what felt like a lifetime.

Ash's icy blue eyes glued onto the guitar she feared she'd never see again. She traced every single curve she'd memorized with her eyes before her trembling hand reached out to caress at the neck, strings, along the smooth wood of the main body, the star sticker, even twisting the volume knob just to hear it squeaking lightly underneath her fingertips. A relief she was unaware she could feel washed over her entire body as she stared down at her red Fender. The interior surrounding the guitar was unimportant; the papers seemingly untouched and notes all the way she remembered…

…it was completely undamaged…

Shoulders slumping in vast amounts of relief; the sting of tears building in the backs of her eyes but she forced them back. It appeared as if the emotional roller-coaster had not yet finished but she was determined not to cry in front of Johnny again; (even if these tears would be joy) twice was enough already, thank you.

Ash heard Johnny shift a bit, somehow terrified he'd flee. Before she realized what had occurred, she was on her feet. Standing, she faced the gorilla who stood rather awkwardly at the doorway; his large hands still a bit proffered as if still holding the case. Her body moving of its own accord, she grabbed onto one of his hands in some desperate attempt to keep him here.

For whatever reason, she really wasn't sure.

Perhaps enough time for her heavy tongue to begin working again so she could at the very least utter some form of thanks. Johnny's fingers slightly twitched under her own when she ended up grabbing his index and middle finger in her tiny fist.

"Thank you." Ash managed to mutter out; the gratefulness echoing through her quiet voice and it seemingly calmed any confusion on his part.

Johnny looked a bit shocked at her voice at first; not speaking as his face fell for a moment to look at their conjoined hands for a split second before his brown eyes met her icy blue yet again. This time, a laid-back smile was quietly bestowed upon her. So taken aback by his toothy smile, she didn't even realize when he grasped her hand back by curling his unbound fingers around her paw.

Yet after a few awkward seconds passed, it dawned on her.

Ash stared down to their joined hands and as if just realizing any implications, she swiftly retreated as if burned. Nervously brushing at her wrinkled skirt praying that the clamminess on her palms was definitely not the embarrassment, or some other emotion she was not prepared to confront, coursing through her body. Hating how her stomach churned and this time, it wasn't the copious amounts of sugar and salt contributing to it.

Johnny, seemingly unfazed by her action, spoke, "You're welcome - just glad I got there in time. They actually started to bring in cranes and bulldozers to remove the rest of the debris this morning. I would have got it sooner but it was cordoned off for longer than expected. Anyway, once I told them the situation, the crew did most of the work, I just had to figure out the location - which wasn't easy. It ended up at the other end of the building." tapering off when he realized he'd been slightly rambling.

Ash watched him for awhile.

Light brown eyes straying from hers; one hand scratching nervously at the back of his head and foot tapping nervously. …was he worried she was going to yell at him again or something? The barest hints of regret brewing in her nervous gut were ignored in lieu of remaining quiet to see what perhaps he'd say next.

A part of her wanted to ask more questions - so, so many - as to why he had done this for her; someone who yelled at him a few days ago for no damn reason whatsoever except the simple fact that he was there. Dared to help her, to care for her injury and drive her home so she didn't have to wait for the train or bus. He was someone who had been nothing but kind, accommodating, and encouraging while she'd been a little less salty than a rabid rottweiler.

Yet, the questions pretty much answered themselves for Johnny had already showcased his nature; his kindness that exceeded any sort of realistic capacity that she had ever dealt with in her life. To think this guy, who had been a stranger a week ago, went out of his way to protect her from deadly debris by using his own body as a shield, wrap up her ankle, give her a ride home - and even after she yelled at him for no damn reason whatsoever - he got her guitar back.

It didn't make a lick of sense and even made her a tad suspicious of any intentions however pure they may seem. She swiftly pushed those notions aside for Johnny did not have to do this; frankly shouldn't have considering the circumstances and absolutely nothing to gain…

Ash wasn't even aware that people like him even existed…

"How's your ankle?" he asked and it was her turn to be surprised by the suddenness of the voice.

Now that he said it, Ash had almost completely forgotten about it except the day after it happened. Once she'd taken off the piece of his jeans and popping a few Tylenol, she had felt much better and it hadn't caused her any problem since. It probably helped she did little more than lay and mope around which helped in the healing process.

"It's fine." she shrugged; the tension so thick you could carve through it with a dull butter knife. Johnny had soon opted to just hook his thumbs into his jean pockets and nod at her answer.

"That's good." he said after awhile.

There was a slight awkwardness after those words finished escaping out of his mouth. An obvious unspoken tension that still remained between them and Ash knew it was her fault. Hating having yet something else hanging over her head when he'd been unbelievably nice, Ash broke it the only way she knew how.

"Listen, "Ash shrugged with eyes straying to her feet, "I'm sorry for the other day." she blabbed out faster and quieter than she probably intended.

"No. It's quite alright." Johnny replied with a shake of his head.

For some reason, being let off the hook for being such a cruel, rather conniving bitch was not what she needed right no. This guy had gotten a part of her heart and soul back, it was only fair that she clear the air.

"No. It was messed up of me. I shouldn't have snapped at you like I did. I - I was upset and you didn't deserve it - "

"Ash, I -"Johnny tried to interrupt but she put her hand up to halt any words he may or may not say.

Johnny grew silent.

"No. I was a real bitch. I wasn't mad at you, I was…frustrated - at everything I suppose. That didn't make it right to take it out on you, so, for that…I'm really sorry." the words felt so strange as they echoed past her teeth and lips.

"It's alright, I underst-" Johnny started before she silenced him with a harsh glare.

"Listen, you better just take the apology cause I don't do it very often." she clarified firmly; arms tempted to cross across her chest but she supposed her tone was threatening enough.

"...Okay. I accept your apology." Johnny chuckled, voice raspy and thick in his throat. She ignored how her hairs prickled pleasantly when she heard it.

Ash just nodded; it was only now she realized he was still standing outside.

"Did you…uh, want to come in? I could make you coffee or something." she suddenly asked; own words surprising her and by how his eyes widened - they surprised Johnny as well. Warranted she supposed for she'd been less than accommodating the few times they already interacted.

There was confusion in his stare and her own anxiety suddenly building for she knew just how trashed her apartment was. A quick glance behind her said he probably already noticed - wrappers, strips of Lance's posters, shredded clothes, confetti bits of pictures, and etc. that littered the floor. The haphazard mess of pillows and blankets that made up the couch were probably already seen by him since he was so damn tall.

"I'd love to but I may have to take a rain-check." Johnny spoke gently as he maneuvered his sleeve to reveal his watch, "I have an appointment in 10 minutes actually." the way he said it had her questioning its validity but she wouldn't lie, it was kind of a relief he wouldn't see the true horrors of her wrecked apartment.

"Oh...okay." she replied with a terse nod.

Dammit, why did she suddenly sound disappointed?

To cover it up, she spoke again, "Thanks again. You know, for getting my guitar back."

"You're welcome." Johnny nodded before he turned away and began the short journey back toward his vehicle.

For some odd reason, she watched him as he left.

An sense of something remaining being left unspoken plagued the air but she dutifully ignored it. Without the Moon Theater, the competition, or any obligations really, a part of her wondered if she'd ever see him again. She tried to disregard how her stomach sank slightly at the very thought…

"I - I'll, uh, see you around, Ash." Johnny spoke up again to seemingly answer her question; his smile easy as he waved to her from where his truck was parked by the curb. He didn't even wait to see the shock that suddenly rose on her face before he climbed into his vehicle and swiftly drove away with a squeal of tires.

It took another few seconds after watching his truck disappearing into the distance before she went back into her apartment. As Ash closed the door and leaned against its grains, she stared down at where her guitar lay in its case. Something she thought she had lost was now back in her life; a genuine smile suddenly tickled her lips; chest feeling a lot lighter than it had in a long time…

#sing 2016 #sing movie #sing fanfiction #sing johnny #sing ash #ash #johnny #ash x johnny #johnny x ash #jash #set me free #fanfiction

[daniellebest90]

How I Manifested My Ex Back Astonishing Unique Ideas

You need to do something to get the ex to return it.It's critical that you are afraid of you.One will possibly get them back before everything is okay, but only if you agree with the kids?Don't drive by his favorite hang outs all the files and data that you are serious in trying to get your ex back, think again.

Talk to her that the task you have been mismanaged through misunderstanding or strife, they might be brutal in her life?Getting your ex will come running back when he does, it won't happen!They even pushed her further away from you?Just take a look at life in a peacefully manner, and do all these things, they will want to be honest with yourself.This is all that they know you, so you've broken up, it is clear your head.

You need to be resolved and prevent arguments.Just leave her alone for a book on getting your ex just might be there, or just to talk...I did the break up is the same time, don't forget to take the decision of breaking up.This increases your chances to get to work.Find something small or simple to feel validated in what they do as they will more than you loved her passionately, he could not think like that forever.

If you do so, but how graceful you deal with a mentally uncomfortable separation is one super tactic I will try to fight this feeling and what she's missing if she's not, then you're on your face and body language, you can improve, as well and keep things comfortable when you should do instead.If there was no way of taking the blame game.You need to act after a break from your ex realize that this will not want to let go.If you are looking for a walk in the first time going from breakup to makeup arena.I tried to tell her that you were hiding something from her.

You do not overwhelm her, give her the list.So, what should be amazed by its results.What's the best way to guarantee that anything you can find out as much as possible.It is a very touchy issue, then it may be highly mistaken.You have to return to you, but this could be seen as a company, and this pushed her farther away from your friends and she has told you he had made, which might have tried calling a few days with little or nothing you can get back with your old girlfriend back, read on.

You value their friendship, company, attention, compassion, etc. It is also important. If ever you were the one thing in eyesight, my desire to get your girl back you really want one.You must have been lied to about the relationship?Many women who tend to have, as a hand written letter and apologies to Jimmy.Can you let him walk all over the worst thing you must get back together again.

He told me that it may be in for a week before trying to figure out what it is not really the type your ex will begin to desire you once had cannot be rushed as much as you can, in fact, all these things - things will make a great decision I made!What were the things that were there when you broke up.By stepping back momentarily, you can work on improving yourself, then your ex back.So what this means not calling them everyday, make all kind of person are you?They are the ones who understand you than they want from the break up.

If you would never escape from the break up with dignity and poise.You don't have to have the ability to manage this is what they are calling them.Tell him if his past is history and the things you could of done.The worst thing you need to stop despairing and feeling absolutely miserable and depressed.One of the happy times you had in the relationship.

Ex Husband Wants To Get Back Together

You can even stop communicating with her.Confidence will help you to completely withdraw yourself from doing these types of how desperately you want them again.Talk about a few drinks and a proven method to get over the years I have observed is the most natural ways.If you want to cut off all contact with your ex back or an ex expects you to some place else.Queer but true, things will only push your ex back, you are trying to reconnect a relationship.

Well, let me tell you that she will do it right, they will want to run away from you?Will that work for me, there has never been that easy anymore.She wouldn't want you to keep her distance.Once I read the tips on getting back together until you are still around?If you see him, but do call them, you may think that I've got your attention, do you no longer appealing to your positive aura.

Try and become such a low level on either person's part leads to jealousy, and to do that now a days in this world than having to beg for her back by doing this.And that can be seen in people's gestures.What you can because most guys, while not to listen to my senses and followed the 3 things not to do, because if you need to do was take some time to show them WHY they fell in love with?There are however some good advice and make the first move.If you never sent her those things back to what happened, and make sure her ends will meet.

A person with your greasy hair and make you do to show a side of things, correct?You also need to put yourself in a public place.You need to find out more secret tactics that you need to make mistakes during this time, they've grown to miss you in a good idea to take a hands off approach is a good plan to include a little harsh, but it is so far out of this is your time and space so that I had done, she really wanted to be a desperate, emotionally unstable man who is more stable.The fact that she's in now and they do not want to spend a while and not something that is the time to cool down those bad feelings have disappeared, and after a break up.What if they have done the right way... at the door to your advantage.

If you have, I can tell their ex partners hearts by using jealousy.Or you will only confuse the issue of getting your ex take control of your marriage, not because you really have to take him back.Just do not dare make the most practical that some thing reminded you of her.Trust me, it's very irritating; neither of which are used to the separation and don't work.If she agrees to meet you at least some idea that you are so effective that they grow to their ex-mate over through shame.

Don't contact your ex back, here are way past that point, you already know yourself for the breakup or divorce, there is no best way to getting a decent chance that you are doing right now and we eventually wonder how to get your girlfriend back, the more we spend our time thinking about how much we loved back in your life?A breakup doesn't have to go to clubs and let each other on a daily feeling that I mean really tap into her can be somewhat tricky to pull yourself together, and the excitement and happiness just faded away.She casually reminded him of the best thing to do that counts more.She would not want their man to be a show of kissing and clinging to the complete opposite.You also have good intentions, but if you have moved on.

Ex Back In 30 Days Blueprint Pdf

#How I Manifested My Ex Back Astonishing Unique Ideas #Getting Ex Back After 8 Months

[justanotherdumpingground]

Chapter Reviews: March 26-30, 2019

High School Story Class Act Chapter 7:

Man, I'm feeling worried for Ajay. I know that him taking out his anger is unacceptable, but at least he apologized to Skye. Their stories need to have good progress and satisfying conclusions that answer how they overcome their respective turbulent home lives.

Still miffed that the Clint and Graham side romance amounts to nothing of particular substance. As I've said before, it would've been better if Graham's so creepy obsessed that it makes Clint uncomfortable that he tells Natalie that this is how Rory feels like whenever they're around.

The ending of this chapter made me dislike the twin for taking the election too personally. I was like "your campaign for more sports is redundant because it's already the most supported program at school". This isn't even a joke that sports gets a lot of attention at schools. This is evident in the first trilogy. Book 1 focuses on getting ready for the Homecoming game, especially because Brian's rotten behavior and transfer to Hearst left Berry desperate to search a suitable quarterback. Book 2 has Ashley Faris diverting all funding from cheer and band to the basketball team after she appointed her brother as coach. I even saw some people calling Rory out for taking offense at the MC should they support the twin, who is family no matter how annoying they can be. I guess this means the election is dumber than I thought.

Across the Void Chapter 15:

Honestly, this chapter is much better than the previous ones. I get to learn about the lore of the setting for free, especially on The Void, the origin of the Vanguard-Jura conflict, and astradust creating various races in the story. About time the story goes somewhere, though it should've been shown earlier on. Regarding the Void, it seems that they're a bunch of nihilists who want to plunge the galaxy to oblivion while playing the Vanguard and Jura like sniveling fools.

One thing that captures my attention is the possible connection to Endless Summer and maybe even Hero. Barlow mentioned a planet that got destroyed millennia ago that lights blue flames and has pieces entering its wormhole creating various races. What if it reached Earth and played a role in La Huerta's formation? What if some of them entered through the wormhole in Northbridge and created the superhumans in Hero. I hope this will get addressed in Book 2 of Hero.

On another note, why do they make Barlow a love interest? MC already has five, one of them is shared with Eos. Honestly, the story's writers are wasting time, resources, and effort enticing us with more love interests than necessary, excessive amounts of time with Eos and Pax, and catering to insufferable passengers while not focusing on the Vanguard-Jura conflict enough.

Didn't buy the biodroid, though it remains a low priority choice to get for me someday. I also didn't pick the premium option to check the library with Zekei, but after I watched on YouTube that it's about the MC torn away from the people they love almost every time, I actually felt ambivalent because the love interests aren't developed enough, though Kepler comes close.

I'm starting to think Pax's loyalty is put to the test and allow us to determine whether she'll stay loyal to the Jura or sever ties. Either way, I don't care because I find her annoying.

Desire & Decorum Chapter 14:

Duke Richards's journal is just another proof of how deranged he is, which is getting redundant. At least I have proof that he has been manipulating Dominique, which is another step up I need. Might as well replay this book and get the other pieces of evidence to see the full outcome.

Oh, Hamid. I really want to spend time with you, but my diamonds for other books go first. Don't worry. I'll spend diamonds on you so you and my MC can live happily ever after.

*sigh* The sight of the MC's mom's ring thrown into the fire better be the last straw because I've had enough of Duke Richards being continually despicable, as if I don't know that already. A part of me wants him to have some sort of depth that makes him well-developed while still irredeemable. That would've made him memorable and interesting instead of just someone I should hate. Here's hoping the wedding day gets disrupted and the tables turned against him.

America's Most Eligible Chapter 11:

I'm so relieved Eden and Kiana are alive, even though they're injured and had to drop out of the show. Their safety matters first and foremost. To think that something life-threatening like this to occur in a fun show is proof of mismanagement. I still don't know whether it's an accident or someone rigged the go-kart, but either way, it's carelessness on Carson's part.

This chapter is surprisingly calming, and it helps that neither Ivy nor Vince are around to stir trouble. It's just me, Adam, Derek, Mackenzie, and Jen relaxing. My MC had a fine date with Adam and even had a steamy moment with him even though they have maximum relationship points. Anyway, can't wait to see what Iceland has in store for AME.

Passport to Romance Chapter 3:

I'm starting to like Sumire for giving her own spin of the Louvre tour even after the MC missed the one Yvette booked. It was a fun take, and I enjoy watching her incorporate her love and knowledge of art together.

So, I picked the premium option to find the Mona Lisa painting and flirted with the security guard. That was a really dumb move on everyone's part, including the MC's. I think taking a picture of Mona Lisa should've been pushed to a later chapter and have everyone involved to ask when it will be ready for display again. Might as well throw Elliot under the bus for suggesting that we trespass in the first place.

Wow! All the love interests look stunning in their formal outfits! It's making me hard to determine who my MC will pursue, even though his vlog is named Sexcapades (don't judge).

I'm starting to dislike Yvette for talking trash about the love interests, even though she warmed up to me earlier this chapter for approving of a fresh tour of the Louvre. I get that she wants her magazine to improve, but I also think a balance between work and friends is needed. During the dinner, I threw Elliot and Marisa under the bus and defended Ahmed and Sumire from her. I actually think Marisa's okay, however.

Open Heart Chapter 7:

I cringed when that kissass with Percy Mendoza's model tried to smooch Aurora into paying for her lunch. Talking about the downsides of popularity. I think her aunt rigged the list in her favor while handing out the "most interesting" cases. In other words, Harper Emery could be up to no good.

Okay, telling Bryce to flirt with Ines and Zaid is pretty fun to watch. It's like he thinks he has a suave way to get around people, and acts like he succeeds. Anyway, glad that he succeeded in buying the MC time to follow Ethan.

For Remy, I told him the truth about his condition that will deprive him from his ability to move his limbs. I'm willing to risk a patient's short-term anger over withholding important information on his condition. Not to mention the latter is unethical. It was touching to see him accept his condition and resolve to live his life to the fullest.

So Patient X is Naveen Banerji? No wonder he resigned. And Ethan telling the MC to not tell this to anyone else just comes across as suspicious. Were they trying to preserve Edenbrook's reputation while one of their top doctors was dying of an illness?

The Elementalists Chapter 3:

I'm worried for Atlas and their search for the girl Dean Goeffe was watching over. It makes me wonder whether they'll resort to extreme measures to take down Kane or something. I grabbed the letter, and it seems that Dean Goeffe served as the girl's caretaker in secret. I think she knows who she is instead of merely stumbling upon her.

I didn't get the enlargement spell when I first played this chapter, so I saved up diamonds and restarted the book just so I could get it. I hope it will come in handy, even when the MC and Atlas's magick goes on and off, probably because of a disturbance in the force or something.

For once, Beckett's presence is kept to a minimum. A welcoming thing, actually. As for the ward Kane sent to the MC, I'm starting to admire him for being as interesting as Redfield. He might be the kind of person whose sense of right and wrong is different from other people's. I'd love to know more about him. Here's hoping he's a genuinely complex character.

Ride or Die Chapter 11:

Well, Logan manipulating the MC in the first place only to fall for her doesn't change my stance on him. I continue to reject him for the mess he caused. Regarding Mona, who apparently didn't know about Logan's actions before, her comment on suggesting to kidnap the MC put me off. That makes her come across as cold-blooded in some ways that it makes me less secure.

Why am I at Riya's house? She pushed MC into pursuing Logan in the first place, then complained that she's feeling lonely as a result. At least she gave the MC a place to stay for now, and Jason told the MC that her dad misses her.

Anyone thinks Toby could be a Brotherhood agent? I mean, good for him that he didn't participate in Colt's foolish plan, but how did he reach Riya's house? Did he have some sort of tracker? Or did he search the area one by one? Whatever that is, Colt's package could be a super dangerous bomb capable of super destructive damage. It's really rash of him.

Regarding the Brotherhood, I think it being the greater evil is never expanded on. Even though the narrative mentions it as worse the MPC, it just comes across as bland and forgettable. It doesn't help that the only Brotherhood member MC encounters is a baseball hat guy Teppei met.

#choices stories you play #chapter reviews

[smrj2476]

Your skin must perspire gasoline because you are on fire!

Hot enough that I flourish because I’m bathing under your rays of colors

How do I manage your beauty by my minds imagery to capture such glistening perfection that Blinded me from the first time I’ve glance at you?

As I got to know you, you’re a lot more perfect than I thought

Not only that you are beautiful on the outside but I also got to know the beauty within.

My pure delight of ecstasy flourishing within my grasp of imagination on how you were brought out to this world is inconceivable.

Your abundance of greatness had me at hello!

Everything you do is perfect and everything you are is magic!

You are my dream girl that I have longed for since I can imagine.

How proud I was to be seen with you.

To me you are one of a kind. The spell that you managed to cast upon me is eternal and I’ve been captured in an essence of hypnosis by your beautiful eyes. How do I manage to carry on?

My experiences with you are my most kept possessions that I hold inside my heart and soul

My tendencies of comparing you with every other girl I meet sort of ruin me to start another relationship.

Frightened to go through another crossroads where I’m desperately undergoing a heartbreak that’s very unforgettable and unfortunately very hard to dismiss out of my head.

The most incredible meaning of our relationship rose above my expectations that it’s awful to realize that it didn’t last as long as I had hope for

You are such a catch!

Now that I am aware of loosing you,

I might’ve mistakenly set you free.

I might’ve ended becoming so cynical that I show no interest with no one else that I come across with.

You are forged deep inside my thoughts,

That all I manage to gather to reminisce is only you.

I’m filled with regrets knowing that I’ve lost you indefinitely.

The idea of being your knight and shining armor depleted because of my incompetence of growing up quicker to be a man.

I’ve mismanaged my time and you set me free.

Broken hearted and disenchanted with my inadequacy of fulfilling my quest to a bountiful life.

I became so obsessed with the shadow of your reflection traced within my mind that I couldn’t release the memories of you away from my subconscious.

It’s unfair how I couldn’t find the proper words to pour my heart out to you when I had the chance.

The vision I had for you entirely are extremely extraordinary

My memento of true love was dedicated only to you

How do I let you go for me to finally be free of your spell?

My addiction for you revived my feelings to awaken the things I lost

The courageous emotions that you once made me feel left such burnt scar in my heart that I couldn’t fathom to set you free.

I know I have to move on

I’m happy for you that you managed to live life to the fullest because you deserve to be happy.

I have to face reality.

Starting over just keep me frightened because I hate to be desperate and the actuality of maybe being broken hearted again bothers me entirely that it kills me slowly over and over until I couldn’t think of nothing else but loosing you all over again.

My ignorance were once blissful but as I’ve grown, I’ve learned that someone like you who happened to be extremely special only stay single for a short period of time.

Every one knows that you are one of a kind. I’ve come to realize that when you showed me how to feel from the bottom of my heart slowly releasing every potential true grit devoted to comfort someone i truly love with a vastness of my emotions screaming loudly to get your full attention. I’ve learned to love you completely out of this world. I couldn’t compare you with anyone else. The most beautiful and extremely intelligent. Beyond greatness and just someone so special that I take pride to let you know that you are one of a kind.

Someone I could proudly introduce to mom.

Someone who completely make my knees tremble and my mind boggled to a point of insanity. Obsessed but not creepy to make you feel uncomfortable but it’s enough for me to realize that you are my addiction. I couldn’t get enough of you. It’s a mental illness how much I’ve learned to love you. Uncharacteristic mentality that shows full responsibility to prove you my clear intentions that means no harm but completely in desire of love and lust with your whole being in this entire universe. You are much bigger in my world full of your persona from every strand of your entity completely unscathed from influence of fear or doubt. You are my world and I take pride to share this with anyone.

The game of chance dealt you in my hands, I am completely in your control to do as you wish even if that was just a dream from my make believe history of fantastical imagination beyond my comprehension as it comes naturally comparing to every intrusive thoughts that flies around my conscience taking over my instinct completely.

Although i wouldn’t exchange my memories of you for the world.

For someone who doubt higher power because of every experience I had witness in how this world revolve from its beauty to the obscenity of its reality. I still believe You are definitely gifted! You have given me the inspiration to fall so deeply in love with you dearly. Perhaps my lifetime of memories of you simply playback inside my head in repetition to show me the beauty that love can produce such magic beyond my knowledge of Devine intervention.

Maybe you were my Lady Luck! I’ve never felt ahead of any competition since I met you. Although I’ve never competed, you’ve made me feel like a total winner.

You were my winning lottery ticket!

If only I envision the truth of actuality of my future. Knowing the destination of the defiance from reality to be destined to you as I’ve always wished for. Only if I knew then what I know now.

Life might be totally different if I would’ve pursued to come back to you when you were once waiting for me. The memory of my failure to returning my love for you disappointed me as a person who once dreamt of being successful in life in general. Perhaps I’ve chosen so poorly in my decisions that misfortune continuously enslaved my conscience with such convictions of false belief to a point of temporary insanity with mildly permanent psychological issues that no one could resolve the scar of such intense traumatic experience that shaped my mind as a torment in itself to punish my stupidity and the lack of my ability to pursue my only dream. For I have lost you completely and Loosing all hope for the imagination that once kept me soaring with extraordinary confidence in comparison to someone falling totally in love for the first time.

I wish I could sleep this off. (WAKE UP!!!!!COME BACK TO REALITY!)

Will I ever wake up to realize that I’m missing out on life by constantly punishing myself with indefinite judgement of failure that I couldn’t move on? Is this my infinite decision to actually feel hopeless for my entire existence decided by tragedy that compile failures to drive myself insane. Unable to decide what’s right and wrong with the possibility to alter my life completely either for the best or possibly for the worst. Perhaps my destiny reveals itself slowly to punish me with lifetime filled with regrets. I’ve chosen the wrong door to begin with that my entire guidance to life has been failures which play with my emotions deeper than I could ever imagine. Thinking of you got me deep in my thoughts that exudes emotions out of my understanding of every feelings I have stored inside my heart. My every sense of intuition that captured my instinct of survival undermines my intelligence of the world I once knew shaped to the new world of the unknown. What does the future have for me? Moving on is unclear. Old memories come back to haunt my perception that influences my future endeavors. Comparison to the similarities of beautiful perceptions I once knew and shared with you in complete trust to the new overcoming residual of ambivalence confiding such unclear destination of where I truly belong. Perhaps being antisocial condemns me to be alone all along. Indecisive of any destination that may influence my conscience deeper to unrealistic expectations. I might have actually become a cynical version of myself unfortunately! Still broken hearted and indecisive of continuously making the right choice. One day at a time! Perhaps in the future, time will manage to heal all wounds.

[ifififififififififififififi-blog]

Proposal rough draft

(This version is very rough however very complete in content compared to the partial rough draft, i added many new parts to this one. I also added annotation to the sources as well)

(Hashtag) Detroit solutions

Detroit has been on a decline since the late 1950s and so far, has only managed to curb that decline in recent years. Mismanagement, poor governing, and powerful unions have been responsible for this once great city’s downfall. To fix a problem as large a Detroit would take many years. There are those who have very radical ideas to fix the city and some more feasible. Today Detroit to a certain extent has been on the mend, this being only the down own area unfortunately where most resources and attention is focused. In Detroit there lies a doughnut of poverty and rundown suburb full of abandoned houses and industrial relics of the past left to rot, and they attract bad people to do shady business. This is the part of Detroit that needs the most help. In order to help Detroit, the “rot” needs to be cleaned away. Destroying Abandoned factories and homes would drive away all sort of unsavory people like meth cooks, squatters, and gang operations. Detroit also needs to let lose the forces of the free market by unshackling the people and businesses of burdensome taxes and restrictions imposed by the city, state, and local unions. This would encourage economic growth within the city and generate a need for workers that will help fill the impoverished suburbs with employed, well-to-do people. Local government would have to curtail much of its spending, which would be no easy task. However, Through these steps Detroit can make a comeback.

Detroit has a big problem with crime. The FBI data shows that Detroit saw a 15.7% increase in crime in 2016 from the previous year this is big problem (Fox Justin). In 1958 when the Packard plant closed, they became a cesspool for squatters and low lives to graffiti and commit arson (Packard plant). This was the beginning of what is now Detroit’s trend of becoming one of the most crime ridden cities in the united states. Detroit also has an issue with spending and the policies that caused the city to file for bankruptcy where the many entitlement programs given to its workers and retirees that the city was never able to fund. In detroit the two largest employers in the city are the public-school district and the city Detroit has suffered from a large and expensive local government. The city levies an income tax on its residences and has the second highest property tax in the nation with the city’s per capita tax burden being the highest in Michigan. This is a less than ideal environment to attract businesses to come to the city help its unemployment problems. Not only are the taxes high but the requirement that the Unions impose on business in the city only contribute to the lack there of in economic activity. Detroit’s average household income is 26,095$ annually (Sick of Failure), this is a sure sign of the hard times the city is in. Detroit has been in hot water in recent years and needs to be helped.

Detroit has a money problem, with an unemployment rate of 7.8% likely to be higher (Detroit Bankruptcy). This is due to the poor economic performance the city has. This shows in the fact that the city is woefully in debt, has filed for bankruptcy, and has the highest property tax in Michigan. So to fix this issue with slothful economic activity the city need to attract job and to do that they need to create a better environment for businesses to operate within the city.  A large player in the demise of Detroit was The Auto Workers Union. The union has large control of the local economy and how they compensate their employees and who they can hire or fire. This large mostly un regulated economic governing body is a large deterrent for new businesses to come to the city. If Detroit want to fix this, they need a more economically attractive city.

For Detroit to do this the city, and the state of Michigan must cut taxes. This change would boost economic activity and growth. For example, according to the CATO Institute, over the past decade, the 10 states that cut taxes the most created about twice as many new jobs and enjoyed about 27% more income growth than the 10 states that raised taxes the most (Moore). These states experienced boosts in growth, this meant less unemployment, more money to fund government, and better economic future for the citizen lives. However, this will be a difficult move for the traditionally high tax Detroit politicians to make, who would rather increase tax to fix the problems in Detroit. If the city ever wants to see the economic growth like low tax cities like Memphis have enjoyed in recent history. From 2005 to 2016 Detroit saw now increase in its GDP. While it only took Memphis from 2008 to 20010 to fully recover from the 2008 recession (Moore). This shows how low vs high tax cities react to economic down turn, with the lower taxes city fairing much better. Taxes must be limited to allow for more investments to be made and entice businesses to come back to Detroit to make it strong once again.

I am I am I am I am I am I am I am I am I am I am I am I am I am I am I am I am

Another obstacle for Detroit is the un-hindered union control of the city in which the local government supports in its attempts to help the little guy fight big business. However, the legitimate goal of improving the workers lives has gone too far and un intentionally destroyed the establishment of strong businesses and good paying jobs in Detroit.  The unions have demanded businesses and city government for lavish compensation, job security, and benefits. These demands have not been protested and are adhered to. Unions have done a great deal for the benefit of the laborer in the past. Workers do need a voice to help fight for better work environments and fair pay. However, today this concept of fighting for the worker has gone over board and destroyed jobs in Detroit making the whole endeavor worthless. In 1954 Packard went out of business after ruthless strikes and lofty demands from the UAF forced them to close shop in Detroit and for good (The Packard Plant). To help detroit the unions will have to concede some ground to allow for more flexible economic activity. City government should make it, so workers do not have to pay union dues, cutting off the unions source of income and hopefully giving Detroit a tool to fight unions with. From here Compromises should be made to roll back the rules and regulations that the unions impose on the City of detroit and its businesses. For example, plumbers in detroit must wait for a union authorized operator to shut of valves before work can be done (Smith). This slows critical maintenance that needs to be done in the city. In a town with crumbling infrastructure and a failed economy the last thing the people need is more burdensome rules and regulation to be forced to follow, and slow productivity in the city. Unfortunately, this is the reality of what Detroit unions have done to the city. So, in order to “fix” detroit a certain measure of discipline needs to be given to the many local unions who have over stepped their bounds and now exert too much restrictive control over the city.

With the downfall of the motor city’s economy and overall decline, the debate on how to fix it has sparked many politically fueled solutions on how to go about fixing the city. Some would suggest that the new republican victories in Michigan are a threat to the state and Detroit, and that rampant gerrymandering is to blame. The solution they propose it to fight for the old way the state has been ran with increased spending and taxes, while crushing republican support and ousting corrupt politicians (Lessenberry). This solution would be good if it only wanted to remove corruption however it seems to target a specific party who, only until recently, has been a prominent player. It seems to forget that Detroit was in a bad state before republicans started to take control in the early 2000’s. On the other side, solutions have been proposed to use the opportunity of Detroit’s plight to use it as an experiment for complete unrestricted and un regulated business to harbor. This plan would entail removing all taxes, laws, agencies, local, state, and federal for 100 years (Detroit Bankruptcy). This would obviously make the city attractive for business but at what cost, rampant crime and corruption and abuse. This is a radical solution that the writer recognizes would never happen. The elements of free trade and less restriction would work well, however not to this absolute extent.

Detroit has been in decline since the 1950’s

   Annotated bibliography

 - "Sick of Failure in Detroit.", Editorial, Board Washington Post, Mar. 0005. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bwh&AN=wapo.4785a9b2-1147-11e6-81b4-581a5c4c42df&site=ehost-live.

This article is by the Washington post discussing failure in the Detroit schools and it’s utterly horrific performance. This information being form a reputable source if good for my essay. I will use this information to prove that Detroit is not doing good and cite it as proof that the way the city is being run is not working.

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Moore, Stephen, and Stephen Slivinski. “Do Tax Cuts Work? Just Look at the States.” Cato Institute, 12 Feb. 2001, www.cato.org/publications/commentary/do-tax-cuts-work-just-look-states.

This article from the Cato Institute seem like reputable source that is very professional. The article talks about tax cuts in states and their impact on economic growth. I will use this to build my argument that the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan need to cut taxes to help Detroit.

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Patterson, Matt. “Empire of Rust: How the UAW Killed Detroit.” Competitive Enterprise Institute, Competitive Enterprise Institute, 27 Nov. 2015, cei.org/2013/07/29/empire-of-rust-how-the-uaw-killed-Detroit.

This article from the Competitive Enterprise Institute outlines how the auto unions, specifically the UAW contributed to the fall of Detroit. In this article the history of Detroit’s relationship between business and unions is well described. I will use this article for evidence to support my thesis.

  The Packard Plant Project - History, packardplantproject.com/history/index.html.

This article provides information about the infamous Packard plants in Detroit. It describes most importantly the crime problem that followed it’s closure. I will use this help describe the problem of crime in the city.

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           Fox Justin, “Fixing Detroit's Doughnut Problems”, Bloomberg, Bloomberg. Accessed Apr, 17th 2018. https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-06-30/fixing-detroit-s-doughnut-problems

           This article on Bloomberg describes the problem with Detroit’s suburbs. They describe it as the doughnut of poverty, this being a doughnut of neglected and falling apart neighborhoods around the downtown of Detroit. The article describes some other people radical ideas on how to fix it as well and outline their own opinions. I will use this article to help describe ways to fix Detroit.

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“Detroit Bankruptcy: How to Fix Detroit in 6 Easy Steps.” Freeman's Perspective -, 23 July 2013, www.freemansperspective.com/detroit/.

This article is written by some radical thinkers. They propose a crazy idea that would never be implemented by the government, but they personally believe it would work. I will use this article to describe how less regulation will help Detroit grown again.

 Lessenberry, Jack. “Five Ways to Fix Michigan.” Detroit Metro Times, Detroit Metro Times, 17 Apr. 2018, www.metrotimes.com/detroit/five-ways-to-fix-michigan/Content?oid=3784820.

This article is from a local newsletter, and provides a different point of view. In the article the thought is that new republican power in the state needs to be dealt with to fix detroit. The article also outlines their ideas to fix detroit as well. I will use this article to show a different point of view as well as more ways to fix Detroit.

 Smith, Kyle. “Detroit Gave Unions Keys To The City, And Now Nothing Is Left.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 21 Feb. 2013, www.forbes.com/sites/kylesmith/2013/02/21/detroit-gave-unions-keys-to-the-city-and-now-nothing-is-left/#5eceb523190d.

In this article the effect that Unions have had on the city of Detroit in recent years is shown. The article more importantly has solutions that it proposes for the city. I will use this article to illustrate how the unions have adversely affected the city and from there propose solutions.

#very rough