#this looks so crusty on mobile rip

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Leader of the Landslide 1

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as dubcon/noncon, alcoholism, and other possible triggers. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk.

This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: Life with your alcoholic mother is tough and you problems only mount when the local sheriff takes an interest in you.

Character: Lee Bodecker

Note: I'm so tireddddddddd.

As per usual, I humbly request your thoughts! Reblogs are always appreciated and welcomed, not only do I see them easier but it lets other people see my work. I will do my best to answer all I can. I’m trying to get better at keeping up so thanks everyone for staying with me <3

Your feedback will help in this and future works (and WiPs, I haven’t forgotten those!)

Love you all. Take care. 💖

The mobile home creaks with your movement. The tight walls of your room watch you dig around under your bed frame, retrieving the empty tea tin from under the slats. You pop off the lid as you sit back on your heels and slip out the small roll of bills. You keep cotton balls in the bottom to keep the coins from jingling, not wanting any listening ears to suss out your stash.

You take what you need and put the rest back. You snake your arm up to replace the canister in your hiding spot. You stand and dusty off your knees, the worn denim fading and thinning. You tuck the bills in your back pocket and grab your flannel jacket from the bed post. 

You look around the cramped space, a modest and meagre dwelling place. You don't think too much about it, you’ve never known any better. Just like the big spenders in their shiny cadillacs don't give you much thought. You find that money can only bring trouble.

You go out into the living room. Your ma's sprawled on the couch, one leg over the edge, yesterday's newspaper over her head, and an arm dangling like there's no drop of life left in her. You go to the slender counter set under the narrow cupboards and put the kettle on the single burner. You pop open the cupboard door and grab the instant coffee, adding a healthy dose to an empty mug. 

"Ma," you say in a crusty tone, throat dry from sleep, "coffee."

"Eh," she mutters but doesn't unveil herself from beneath the newsprint.

"I'm gonna grab some groceries on the way home tonight," you explain as you cross your arms and lean against the wall across from the short couch where she languishes, "why didn't you take out the bed?"

She grumbles and the newspaper slips off of her as she props her head up. She wobbles as she squints across at the dinette that converts to a cozy double. She shakes her head and lays flat again. You don't fail to notice the empty bottle beside her.

"Alright, then, I gotta head down to Ernie's. I'll make dinner tonight," you suggest.

She waves you off and pulls the newspaper closer to her face, hiding behind it.

"Think ya can grab more whiskey?" She croaks from beneath.

"You got whiskey money?" You challenge with a sigh, "ma, it ain't good for ya."

"Don't tell me what's good for me. I raised ya," she barks as she rips the newspaper away and sits up, nearly keeling over as she winces with her whole body, "urgh, what're you rilin' me up for?"

"Water's boiling," you say as you check your watch, the one with the silver chain your granny gave you before she passed. "If you gotta puke, do it outside."

"Aw, baby, please," she shakes and touches her temples, "don't leave me. I can't do it alone--"

"Ma, you just gotta pour the water and stir. It's that instant stuff."

She harrumphs but doesn't argue as you're already at the door. You pull open the door and let it close heavily at your back as you tramp down the front steps. You button up your wool-lined flannel as you come down to ground level, your boots kicking up dust.

You head up between the rows of mobile homes. Most of them are nicer than your own. The paint on the siding isn't all chipped and the doors don't creak so loud. Plus, there isn't a mess of dead plants rotting away in the garden plot.

As you head past Theo's picnic table with the bright red umbrella, the nose of a car pokes around from the next row. You stop and watch the cruiser roll by, a sheriff's star emblazoned on the brown paint. It's not that unusual to see a cop hanging around, they like to rove the area for vagrants.

The man in the front seat turns his head as he passes, meeting your eye with a nod. You don't know him, you've never seen him before, but his hat makes him seem rather fancy. He must be high up. You don't know why he's hanging around there if he is.

You wait until he's past you and cross the row and head up towards the entrance of the community. The place is an assortment of wealthy city slickers vacationing, comfy middle classers with their tots, and the dregs like yourself and your mother, living on pennies and nickels.

Work isn't far. You sit at the desk in Ernie's shop and tell the folks where to park their beaters and lemons. The men talk loudly over engines as you throw Rufus' bone and watch him bring it back to you. The place is quaint and a bit shady, but the only job that would have you.

You walk in and greet the old bloodhound as he raises his wrinkly face. He gets up, he rarely does that for anyone else, and follows you to the wooden desk where you perch and drink the burnt coffee they have on the burner.  He lays at the foot of your stool as you say hello to the first mechanic through the door. Glenn doesn't seem to hear or see you as he pulls down his cap and ducks into the garage.

The smell of autumn creeps in from the open door of the garage, blowing into your little nook. A lady with tattered tights shows up with a rattling pipe and you call in Jethro to have a look. She gives him a look, the type that may get her a lower price on the second-hand part.

You pull out the book you keep lodged underneath the desk with the cup of pencils and receipt pad. You open it, the broken spine laying flat as you read and pet the lazy dog's snout as he leans his large head on your leg.

The day wiles by as usual. Not abnormal, nothing out of order. The mechanics hang up their overalls and leave oil stained rags in the crate. You take those down to the laundromat on Wednesdays.

Ernie locks up as you leave, offering you a drive to the grocer that you gratefully accept. There, you walk the aisles with your list, choosing between one staple and another to fit your budget. A bag of rice will go further than potatoes.

You leave with a paper bag full of goods. A good amount to stretch until your next pay. You take your usual path back, cutting through the path behind Alfred Horsk's stables.

You enter the park. A man rakes his front lawn despite the leaf fall being sparse. Nellie, the old woman who complains about your torn jeans, sends a glare as you pass, and you shoulder her out of your mind as you turn down the far row.

Your mother's dented mobile home beckons you forth. You have no illusions, you know what people think, you know what they've seen. Your mother is hardly the paragon of virtue. And your father, while you don't know who he is, you're certain he's a deadbeat.

You slow as you approach. A white and brown cruiser is parked at an angle, just in the space between your mother's trailer and the next. The siren on top is dulled but shiny. The car is well-kept. Shoot, you're not prepared to talk your mother out of another fine.

The scene is even stranger as there are no officers to go with the vehicle. There's usually at least one keeping watch or listening to the scanner. Just as peculiar, the trailer is shut up and there's not hollering coming from inside. Typically, the door's wide open for you to stumble in upon your mother's latest turmoil.

You balance the paper bag in one arm as you climb the low steps to the door and twist back the handle. The door opens easy and you step into a low dim, curtains drawn and lights all out. There's still light in the sky but it doesn't touch the place.

Your mother's cackle jars you and the deep rumble in response puts you on edge. You let the grim dim of the autumn in behind you as you feel around for the light knob. You turn it and light up the glass shade over the dinette.

You nearly drop your armful as you find your mother on the bench, giggling as a uniformed man pours whiskey past her lips, the dark brown neck of the bottle glugging loudly. You recoil and stammer. It's not the first time you've stumbled on your mother with a man, usually she leaves a scarf on the door to prevent that. You're only thankful they are fully clothed.

"Sorry," you back up and spin out the door, snapping it shut behind you.

You hop down to the gravel and sit on the bottom step. You put the groceries beside you and roll your shoulders, trying to escape that grimy feeling. Really, a cop? Well, that might keep her out of trouble. Or at least, make the law look in the other direction.

You try not to think about it but your eyes are drawn over to the round headlight of the cruiser. You frown. It can't be the same officer as earlier. You rub your cheek and think. You can't tell, he was missing that wide-brimmed hat.

You tear your attention from the nose of the car and watch some kids run by in a game of tag. You begrudge your empty stomach and heavy head. All day you only wanted to be home so you could get the groceries away and turn in. Nothing ever goes to plan with your ma.

You place your chin in your hand and blow a raspberry. What kind of lawman feeds liquor to a woman like that? It's plain to see that your ma has a problem. It's slimy, really. Barely preferable to him booking her. There's something nasty about him holding that bottle, laughing at her desperation to sate her bottomless thirst.

Their voices come clearer through the thin wall of the trailer. You get up and take the groceries, hiding them around the back. Hopefully no one stumbles on them. You go back around and set off down the gravel. He should be gone by the time you get back.

The kids run by you, puffing and panting in their game. You watch them, mourning the days when life was as simple as that. For you, the carefree era of your childhood didn’t last long. If it ever was.

You hear a parent holler and one of the children disperses. The others disappear around the next row as they continue on in their back and forth. You cross your arms as the evening chill nips at your flannel. You loop around, making a full lap of the outer path of the park.

You come back in sight of your mother’s trailer. The door is open as the officer sits on your former perch, sucking on a cigarette. You think of turning back. You’re tired and the sky is getting dim. You just want to eat and go to bed.

As you approach, he looks up and blows out a cloud of smoke. You cross your arms as he bows and gives a half-salute with two fingers. He looks up at you as he flicks ash from the cigarette.

“Must be junior,” he stands with a grunt, “sorry to chase ya out like that.”

You shrug, “officer.”

He smirks, “I’m off-duty.”

You nod and look away. There’s something about him, something slimy. Maybe it’s the way his stomach hangs over his pants or how he lets the bolo tie hang loose down his chest, his top buttons still undone.

“Gotta grab the, er, groceries,” you excuse yourself.

You sweep around the trailer and retrieve your haul, thankfully undiscovered. As you come back to the front, the officer remains, crushing the cigarette beneath his boot. You go to the steps and he stops you, stretching his arm in front of you.

“What’s yer name, girl?”

You shake your head, “does it matter?”

“Ma’s a nice lady, ain’t she? I’m only curious…” he says, “if I’m gonna be comin’ around.”

You hug the paper bag and bite down. You don’t want to tell him. If he’s anything like the other men, he won’t be back.

Your mother calls your name as he she clatters against the door from the inside. She manages to tear it open as you cringe. She’s in her underwear and a tank top barely clinging to her shoulders. You unthinkingly bull past the cop and rush up the stairs.

“Ma, it’s too cold out,” you usher her inside, “Christ.”

“Hey, you watch your mouth,” she sneers.

“I just don’t want you to get sick,” you say as you put the bag down. You turn to close the door but it swings inward from the other side. It’s him, officer slime.

“So, Molly,” he leers at your mother, “this your girl, then?”

“Yeah, that’s her,” your mother grumbles and falls against the couch, nearly missing as the man catches her and sets her right.

You exhale through your nose. She wouldn’t be like that if he didn’t bring her liquor. You grab the mostly empty bottle from the table and go to the sink. You hover it over the drain as you mouth shrieks like a hurt cat.

“Don’t you be wastin’ that!” She howls.

“Ma, look at you–”

“Now, now,” the man comes close and reaches to put his hand around yours, “I paid for that.”

“Great,” you turn to him, “you can take it with you.”

“With me?”

“Have a good night, officer,” you let him have the bottle, “I gotta make dinner.”

“Don’t be rude,” your mother slurs, “he stayin’.”

“Staying?” you sneer as you eye the man warily.

“Now I raised you right, we don’t send a good man off with an empty belly,” she snickers and reaches for his hand, tugging him towards her, “we make sure he’s nice and full.”

“Ma–” you begin.

“You ain’t even introduced us, Moll,” the man kisses her knuckles before wiggling free of her grasp. He hands her the whiskey. “Sheriff Bodecker,” he grins at you, “Lee when I’m off the beat.”

You look at him, then your mother. She gulps down the whiskey sloppily. You turn back to the counter and hide your chagrin.

“Hope you like beans,” you utter in defeat.

“I ain’t picky,” he drawls as he leans on the table, watching you.

You peek over your shoulder. Your mother is barely conscious as she leans back, letting the bottle rest on the empty space beside her on the couch. The quicker she passes out, the sooner this man can leave.

#lee bodecker #dark lee bodecker #dark!lee bodecker #lee bodecker x reader #fic #dark fic #dark!fic #leader of the landslide #series #the devil all the time

[sergeantsporks]

Going from Jason to Frank must've been a significant downgrade from Belos' POV. (I love Frank, but we both know Belos never would've appreciated his sense of humor, the old sod.)

And then he had to raise Frank from age five! AKA: The age where children are both super mobile and super curious about anything and everything!

Lol, old crusty ass must've been kicking himself so hard for killing Jason for awhile afterwards.

I'm surprised that Belos let Frank live after he lost an arm though, he seems like the type to ignorantly insist that someone with only one arm is useless. Did Frank lose his arm while he was a kid or something? (Was Belos behind the reason why he lost it?)

A child would adapt to a major loss like losing a limb much quicker and have an easier time of it while they were at it than an adult would. Maybe Belos reckoned it was worth seeing how Frank would recover first before deciding to kill him or not? Then when Frank did fine, he just decided to go with it?

Lol, it's not like he could be picky at that point. After Jason he probably was a bit gunshy of killing off his Grims' for "minor" reasons.

Actually, you know what? Lol, what if Frank lost his arm before he got picked up by Belos? The person Belos left him with just wasn't very good at watching him, lol.

Frank was SLIGHTLY less humorous than he is now. Or. Well. Until he lost his arm. At which point he became the funniest person on the planet. But yeah, "little mr. perfect" to "Average guy with a sense of humor" was a disappointment to Belos. Kind of similar to Phoenix following up after Petro, Frank always sort of felt like he had to work extra hard and was still never good enough.

As far as his arm goes, I want to say he lost it in his teen years on mission. Old enough that it was an adjustment, but young enough that he still had time before his death. At first, Belos was totally like "Well! This one is going to be useless!" and was preeeeetty sure he was going to leave Frank to die, but at that point, Frank was already used to taking care of himself and pushing himself hard, so. He cauterized the stump, limped off to find someone to help him more effectively take care of his wounds, and by the time he and Belos met up again (Frank took his staff with him and Belos sort of wanted it back), Frank was well into recovery and already figuring out how he could fight and move without his arm. So Belos just sort of shrugged and went with it. He laid it on thick with "Oh, Hunter, I couldn't find you, I was worried sick and I've been looking for you" and Frank was so overwhelmed by the concept of "wait, he actually cared? Parental affection? Hello?" that he didn't think twice before going with him. RIP.

#toh #the owl house #gilded family au #frank #asks #golden guard oc

[everymariemjolnir]

it's cool how tumblr embeds these images to look as crusty as possibly on mobile. I upload them as image posts, but if the images are small tumblr really doesn't like it and blows them up so you can see each pixel 🙃

i've searched around and unfortunately cannot find better rips of the whole manga even on the sketchy side of the web. disappointingly few results and torrents only host rips the anime. i am slowly collecting the perfect editions but i'm afraid i'm not yet unstable enough to physically scan each page of a book for caps. my current process is very streamlined and the former would take 10x as long to complete.

i might get through this version, since it is the older english translation, then sometime in the future slowly work my way through high def scans of the perfect editions to create a sort of library of translation differences. for science.

until then and until i invest in a better scanner, it is what it is.

#not mangacap

[geocait0815]

Demons Grasp - Chapter 12

I am standing in a sun-drenched room. Looking out a large window I see a field in bright sunlight and forest off in the distance. Jake embraces me from behind and a warm and fuzzy feeling radiates from his touch. “I have missed you, my love” he whispers into my ear. “I left the bedroom only two minutes ago” I laugh. “It felt so much longer.”

When I turn around to face him, the room suddenly shifts to a dark and dingy hall that seems to stretch on for miles. Dark shadows emerge from every corner. An icy chill runs through my body. Jake's touch loosens and he appears to be floating away from me. The shadows around him solidify and I find myself staring at ghostly hands surrounding him. They are closing in on him with jerky movements. His loving smile turns to surprise and then shock when they suddenly rip him away from me into the darkness.

I feel paralyzed. All I can do is stare and scream.

********

I wake up to the buzzing of an angry insect. Cold sweat clings to me and my heart is racing. My eyes fly open and straight to the clock on my phone screen. 7:12 a.m. Now I also realize that the buzzing was actually coming from my mobile. I had three missed calls. All went to voicemail. I check the numbers and see that all three calls were from Lilly.

Another sting of guilt in my stomach. I had not yet mustered the strength to call Jakes sisters and tell them what had happened. This is not just about giving bad news. But I will also have to talk them into staying away from all of it. Jake would not want me to bring Hannah and Lilly into danger by dragging them into this.

I get up and walk to the bathroom for an abbreviated morning routine and to get dressed. Staring into the mirror I realize that I look like shit. There are dark circles under my eyes from the lack of sleep and sorrow. They are highlighted by my complexion looking so much paler than usual, almost gray. My left cheek is scratched and crusty.

A few hours ago we swung by Tess’ apartment. I went straight to the shower and stayed there for what felt like hours, sitting under the almost scorching hot stream of water. I remember getting out and briefly sitting down on Tess’ bed. I must have fallen asleep.

I wonder where my friend is. So I walk out of the bedroom and into the living room. On the way I pass the open door to an office space doubling as a game room. Both rooms are filled with posters and figurines of movies, anime and computer games. Both are empty.

On the kitchen counter I find a key and a note:

MC, I went back to the hangout to have the phone checked right away. Take some rest and join us when you are ready. There is food in the fridge. Also, I left you my spare key. Just in case.

Love, Tess

Great. They are working through the night while I am taking a nap. There is no point in hanging around here any longer. I grab my stuff and head out of the door.

Outside, I spot a bakery that is already open on the other side of the street. I head over and raid the store for enough sandwiches, bagels and muffins to feed a small army. I carry my loot back to my car and drive off.

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

#duskwood #duskwood everbyte #duskwood fanfiction #duskwood fandom #jake duskwood #duskwood jake x mc #jake x mc

[the-firebird69]

Watch "Krusty's New Commercial For Stoners | Season 31 Ep. 17 | THE SIMPSONS" on YouTube

We actually serve both at ours but without the pudding on top of the cheese sandwich but we do have it the contest is going well so far we're in the lead and it's really hard to tell if you are that's what they say and it kind of is so we can just say that and we're going ahead with it right now and we're going to start preparing for a foundations and they're doing that too shortly but we have the equipment there and the permit and the plans and we're laying it out and they're not laying there is out yet but they have the permit and the equipment is moving in right now so far as we said we're in the lead but you don't know with construction and they're trying to do the same thing and just plop it in so it goes to opening day folks when that first hamburger is made and Tommy Allen says I want my nephew Chris to be here for that first hamburger and we say I want him here for our first hamburger and we're going to try and get him up here

Thor Freya

I want to say something more heartfelt but I'm having trouble because he's putting us in this competition situation but it's really for our own good for both of us and we're going to get to the bottom of who they are sooner or later but we really need the help this is helping a lot and the code is very simple and people understand what it means and we needed it and it is wonderful it's going to help us but boy this is a tough competition they're tough people they're moving real fast we got to get a top deck going and we got to get that slab in and we're using a high early mix as they are and the town and the city folk are all there and they're filming it and they're intensely interested and they can't believe all these crazy things are happening it'll happen before with his brother and it happened before with Ben Arnold with universal studios they say we used to craziness so let her rip. And we're moving fast now we're going to laid out now they have those laid out it looks like they're moving slow but they're aligning things to try and get it to go faster and I think we might be able to catch up a little but it's got to be seen and the soils are good so stay tuned to everybody

Bja

We have a testing person on the line no he said boy that's a bit drive ETA and it is but he's a guy when I say is this is really really a melancholy scene no we're having a great time up here everybody is eating the burgers we have a mobile truck or two a few trucks actually and we're making the crusties and we have them cleaned up for today we had to send it back and we're doing it and it shows that we can do it and they're selling those too on site and said they say they taste almost the same so our friend says success because that's what he wants and we want success too and it's not alone it's his franchise sort of he doesn't make any friends from it but we are going to see who they are sort of and they look like Max but that's okay fantasy other side tons and tons of people want to know but really they want to come up and they want to have the burger and they want to enjoy it with us we do have a few crusties floating around and Bart Simpson and we have a marriage and other characters we had them all in storage and we call them all out we're up here it's been filmed it's all over the news everybody is having a great time and it's a game event it's a block party and a construction site and they have the same issues everybody's kind of in the way a little bit but that's okay you're not in the way you're having a great time and you're enjoying the food and enjoying the company and enjoying your families and friends and boy do we have a lot of food out there okay you're selling it and they're selling their version and then it is for sale but it's reasonably priced and we're having a good time doing that too the same prices we had the price match look a little bit but he didn't want to charge too much because you go in and everybody charge too much for a burger really they do and we do to make it possible but if you're driving along and you need a real meal just the place to go it takes a long time to make a meal in Texas a lot of effort and it's going to be a great event everyone is happy

Jenna

#Youtube

[nymika-arts]

broken boy - flannel graph

↳ for anonymous

#911 fox #evan buckley #bobby nash #911edit #evanbuckleyedit #bobbynashedit #911verse #911 on fox #useralie #novatracks #gracieli #tusernikki #uservictoria #yawnralphio #tuserel #userbecky #nymsedits #this looks so crusty on mobile rip #im in the woods rn but hi i found wifi and had this set finished so

[thetitancurse]

The medieval combing method

So, I talked about it on r/finehair and quite a few people were interested, so I decided to make a blog post about my experience and first impressions, just so I could share it back on r/finehair.

I watched a couple of videos on how to do it (https://youtu.be/FcZsYz7-RYw and https://youtu.be/l7fGbyTOCTI) and decided to try it. I bough two wooden combs and a tic comb, which was the finest comb I could find and also the one used in the video (I already had the black one). I chose wooden because it's notable for distributing the oils from your scalp onto he ends and also prevents static on the hairs.

A little about my hair, I'm a natural fine 2b/2c and my hair currently has no chemicals or dyes on it. I wash it every 4-5 days, but sometimes when it's not too hot I can stretch it up to a week. This next picture is a collage of a pic right before washing, after 6 days, 1st day after washing, using sulfate free shampoo and silicone free conditioner, no leave-ins, 2nd day after not washing or combing/brushing, 3rd day and finally, four days after. The weather suddenly got super hot, hence why my hair got oily quicker. That's when I decided to try the combing method, to see if I could stretch my washes a little bit.

Ok, so first I detangled my hair with the wide tooth wooden comb, and then went to the finer wooden comb, watching in pain as my waves went down the drain. Welp, if I wanna do this, I need to make some compromises. This is how my hair looked up-close, by the way:

Kinda oily but not super oily. I followed the rules and combed through my hair with the fine comb and then finally with the tic comb, and the only difference I noticed on my hair was that now it had crusties (???) Anyway. Probably due to the exfoliation I did with the tic comb. I did everything very gently, no ripping, taking my time through my hip lenght hair.

One thing I noticed is that your hair does get very very soft, since you're combing the natural oils through the hair and to the ends. This is all the gunk I found in my hair after a few minutes:

It was mostly just fabric fiber, from clothes, my pillow, etc, but there was also one singular skin clump and various unidentifiable stuff. Time to degrease! I used less than a tea-spoon of corn starch (which was way more than enough) and had to use a paintbrush to help me load the comb with it.

The corn starch did make my hair softer as well, and also lighter. It didn't feel as dirty as it was anymore. This is what it looked like afterwards:

Still a bit oily, but not as before. Oh, and by the way, this is all that fell off during the whole process, which I was surprised with, I really thought I'd lose a lot more hair.

✨ final thots ✨

Is it worth it? Well. This method has it's pros and cons. First of all, if you have wavy or curly hair, beware you will lose all your definition (duh), but you will gain a lot of volume in return, if that's your thing. It does make the hair softer and I believe it's a valuable method to stretch a day or two on your washing routine, or as a resource for traveling, or in my case, keep your hair bearable during the terrible drought that has been harassing my city for months now.

I wouldn't say you should ditch washing completely, because this is not washing. It's mildly cleaning your hair, and the corn starch will build up if you keep doing it.

It takes just as much effort as washing I'd say, if you count the drying time. You will be moving your arm a lot, so if you have any disability that affects your mobility, this might not be the best option for you.

You also have to wash your combs after doing this!

I went into this experiment worried that it would break off my fine hair, but if you do it gently, it won't. You're just removing already dead hairs that are hanging onto your head.

Final rating: 3.7/5. Not bad, medieval ladies, not bad.

#shut up lena #hair

[aion-rsa]

Why Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War Is the Perfect Mobile Game for Halloween

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

This article is presented by Joycity.

Halloween is one of the best holidays of the year, and spooky season enthusiasts will have to be extra creative to keep the Halloween spirit alive while distancing from family and friends. Luckily, you can dive into the deep, dark waters of Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War, Joycity’s popular mobile game inspired by Disney’s classic movie franchise.

In Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War, all of the grotesque villains, monsters, and undead pirates from the movies coalesce into one of the spookiest action-strategy mobile games you can play in celebration of Halloween. The game allows you to build up your headquarters, fortify various defenses and structures, build ships (including Jack Sparrow’s infamous Black Pearl and Davy Jones’s ghostly Flying Dutchman), and most importantly, conquer the open seas and fell all manner of terrifying sea creatures raring to rip your fleet to splinters.

My time with the game has been a lot of fun, particularly because the gameplay systems in place are so well-designed and compelling. There’s always a building to level up, a new ship to build, a new mission to take on—like the best mobile games, Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War can be one heck of a time killer. But what’s really compelled me as of late is all of the creepy creatures and enemies you’ll find waiting for you during your adventure. 

All of the monsters you’ll find terrorizing the open seas are fully realized and incredibly detailed. The mutated whale is one of the most intimidating monstrosities you’ll encounter, with its open wounds leaving its rib cage exposed, its tentacles and razor-sharp teeth like something out of a nightmare. Mermaids, one of the most common enemies in the game, are revolting—their gaping maws are lined with fangs, and their ghastly gills and fins make them a particularly frightening addition to the game. And don’t get me started on the cursed wanderers, who seem to have been lost at sea for so long that they’ve sprouted lobster claws for hands and sport particularly gross-looking goatees.

Play Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War Now

I’ve been pleasantly surprised at just how fright-forward the art design is. It’s nice to interact with all of the protagonists from the films like Captain Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swann, Will Turner, and Captain Barbossa, but what drew me in was the fact that the game world surrounding the main characters was so faithful to the darker themes and designs that made the films so compelling. Even the game’s menus are creepy, like the smoky, hand-painted backdrops that await you in Shansa’s cave.

The most narrative-driven corner of the game, Shansa’s cave is something of a story mode that allows you to revisit classic moments, battles, and characters from the films by way of the sea witch delving deep into Jack Sparrow’s memories. You’ll relive commandeering the Black Pearl, which is subsequently helmed by Jack Sparrow’s “Shade,” a spectral double of the captain. You’ll go head-to-head with Davy Jones and his sea-rotted Flying Dutchman, and even join forces with the slimy scoundrel by adding him and the Dutchman to your fleet. The most recent film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Dead Men Tell No Tales, is also represented in the campaign, and for my money, Salazar is the most terrifying character in the entire series (his image is featured prominently in the game’s menus, and no lie, his pale, crusty face makes my skin crawl every time I see it).

Aside from the game’s haunting imagery and overall vibe, what truly makes it such a great game to play leading up to Halloween is its thriving community. I’ve been a member of my alliance for a while now, and in addition to supporting each other with missions and amassing resources, there’s an ongoing chat that allows us to connect in a real-world context. If you’re a Halloween enthusiast looking for other people to talk horror movies with or even create a new, Halloween-themed alliance with, I guarantee you you’ll be able to find like-minded individuals in Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War. Setting sail to hunt down wailing banshees is absolutely better with friends.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War is a great way to celebrate Halloween this year for no better reason than the fact that, this year, for the very first time, the game is holding a special Halloween event. The game is offering Halloween-themed missions for players to complete in order to earn special Pirate Coins that can be traded in for limited (30-day) Halloween-themed events and Halloween treasure chests. There will also be a special Halloween available for purchase with gems (in-game purchase) and completion of a special event. 

There will be several in-game events and opportunities to earn Pirate Coins as well as a special Halloween-day package, which gives players the opportunity to add the Crimson Dragon to their fleet by collecting blueprints.

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

Now is a great time to jump into Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War, earn some sweet rewards, and spread the Halloween spirit while you’re at it!

The post Why Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War Is the Perfect Mobile Game for Halloween appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[stvrmwitch]

Questions Tag!

Thanks to @the-fandom-potato, @onepage-atatime, @howlsmovinglibrary​, and @twobrokegirlswithbooks for tagging me way back in the ice age. I’m finally dethawed and ready to do this!

So to make this simpler (or perhaps more complicated  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  time will tell), I’m changing up the format. 

I’m going to now tag a bunch of people, and instead of me creating 11 new questions in four separate posts, you pick 11 from this list to answer. Under the cut I’ll be answering them all, so woof if you’re scrolling through my blog on mobile!

Tagging: @phoebzreadz, @pugs-n-books, @books-on-the-brain​, @thebookrose​, @cinnasbooks​, @potionsandplants​, @theboookowl​, @quillbit-reads​, @bookswithmichelle, @ravenclawlovestyrells, @veinslikefeathers, @thehungrylittlebookworm, @bookspectre, @heretherebebooks, @the-knights-who-say-book, @devilsmoonlightstroll, @sonderreads, @arkynn, @mermaidchasingbooks

I tried to mix in some new (and new-ish) followers, so hey y’all! If you’re tagged and not interested, no worries! If you’re not tagged and are interested, have at it friends!

Actual rules: always post the rules, answer the questions given to you, write 11 questions of your own, tag 11 people

Not entirely sure why but I alphabetized these but...

A book with a beautiful cover?

When Dimple Met Rishi -that cover makes my day whenever I see it!

A book you would love to see transformed into movie?

Hmmm. So many options. The one I’m obsessed most with at the moment is Ramona Blue. It’d make the perfect summer indie flick. All you need is a cast of young unknown actors because it’s a quiet story in the way that no one is really meant to pull focus.

A book you’ve read in the past two weeks?

Mockingbird, Vol 1: My Feminist Agenda

A fantasy world you would like to live in?

Harry Potter is such an obvious choice, but I love it.

A magical animal you would love to own?

Mer-goshdarn-corgi.

A movie that you wish had a different ending?

Bend It. Like. Beckham. SHOULDA BEEN G A Y

A skill you wish you possessed?

Literally any skills. I’m a dud of a human.

Best book crushes?

n/a

Day or night?

Morning????

Do you have a favorite mythological person or creature?

I do not!

Do you have a most owned book? (lots of editions of the same book)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Someday it will probably be me owning every edition of “The Importance of Being Earnest” which yes is a play not a ~book~ but still counts

Do you have any favourite bands or songs?

Little Mix (and their entire catalogue) is a staple atm.

Do you prefer science fiction or fantasy? (Neither?)

Science fiction!

Favorite genre of music?

??? Pop?? Rock??? That Indie Sound™????? Showtunes??

Favorite reading place?

I read the most at work, oddly enough

Favorite stand-alone book?

We Are Okay

Favourite booklr platform?

I’m not actually sure what this means tbh

Favourite genre for Winter?

Science fiction

Favourite genre?

Science fiction

Favourite reading weather?

Dark sky, light rain

Hardbacks or paperbacks?

paperbacks

Hogwarts house?

hiss hiss motherfuckers

If you collect something, what is it?

Books and debt.

If you could dress up as any character from books or other fiction (not taking actual costume making skills into account), who would you choose to dress up as?

I’m torn between Furiosa and Willy Wonka. There’s no inbetween.

If you could have any magical power, what would it be?

Teleportation

If you could rewrite any book, how would you change it and why?

Oh sweet niblets, there’s so many frustrating books that I correct as I go. Though for the most part it’s never as bad as wanting to fully rewrite it. I absolutely feel that way about Stranger Than Fanfiction though. It had such potential and was a letdown at every level. It’s not plotted well, characterization is weak, there are shitty tropes. And at first it’s like maybe they’re being set up for the sole purpose of being subverted but nope. Just a bad book. IMO of course.

If you had the chance to become the ‘chosen one’/hero of an epic story, would you take it? (PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWER vs. weight of the world on your shoulders/potential for extreme trauma).

Um, I mean no?? Like forced into it, ok. But would I go up and volunteer for that shit? Hell no. I’m so content to follow another’s lead on that. Like I’ll be ur sidekick character!!!

If you had to only read one author, who would it be?

Based solely on Strange the Dreamer, I’d say Laini Taylor. STrange is not nearly gay enough (is anything really??) but she’s got a great feel for character and pace.

If you play games (video, board, etc.), what’s your favorite one?

I still play the Sims when I’m in a Big Depressive Mood, and Tomb Raider is life to me. So those are my favorite two, though I don’t play a lot anyhow.

Least favourite book trope?

Young girls falling for their crusty ass male professors.

Recent favourite book/series?

When Dimple Met Rishi was a perfect summer read (though I still actually have like 50 pages to go rip me)

Tea or coffee?

#TeamHotCocoa

What character would you vote for to be president?

President of what? My fan club?? Jon Snow.

What fictional creature would you want to be your animal companion?

That little thievin’ ass platypus from Fantastic Beasts. Like we’d be villains but like. Robin Hooding it.

What is your favourite TV show/film?

Guy Ritchie at some point became my favorite director and The Man from UNCLE - tragically doomed to never get a sequel - is my fave movie. Ep for ep, Quantico is my favorite show.

What is your favourite dessert?

Fried ice cream

What is your ‘comfort food’ book, for whenever you’re ill/sad/tired etc?

Don’t quite have one. I turn to film and tv for that -usually Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

What movie is actually better than the book?

I’ve made the argument for Divergent a few times, which still stands but to change it up I’ll say Big Fish. The visual elements really capture the whimsy and wonder of that world.

Where is your favourite reading place?

As mentioned above, I like reading at work. I somehow pay more attention when I’m forced to read in intervals.

Which character/author would you make president?

This is also answered above and more seriously, I’d want Agnieszka from Uprooted in that kind of leadership role, because her concern with power is non-existent but she acts out of desire to protect all people. Plus she’s not here for your bullshit.

Which decade interests you the most?

Depends on what for really. 90s nostalgia because that’s when I grew up. 50s for fashion because what a damn look all the damn time. Um idk I like the music that came out of the 70s, but not much more than any later decade. All around, the current decade interests me the most because I have the most human rights within it. So there’s that.

Who is your favorite author?

Neil Gaiman maybe?? I’m bad at choosing one favorite thing.

Would you rather compete in The Hunger Games or The TriWizard Tournament?

Uh my pal I’m gonna go with the one where everyone is supposed* to come out alive on the other side.

*rip ceddie

You walk through a wardrobe, and you find yourself in a completely other world on the other side. Which world would you want to be in?

Wlw utopia. Nothing but wlw and smol animals. If you mean a pre-established fictional world, then let’s go with San Junipero. Like I wanna be where the immortal wlw are! I wanna see, wanna see them dancing!!!

#whoops belated #long post #sorry if you've already done this and i tagged u #tag game #times 4

[atombooks]

Read chapter one of Straight Outta Crongton

Three Meals a Day

‘Mum! Why d’you let him take my dinner money?’

She was sitting on her bed, tying her dressing gown belt around her waist – it needed washing but I had used the last of the bio capsules to clean my PE kit the previous evening. Sleep clogged up the corners of her eyes. Her mascara now looked as if she’d applied it with a mop. Stupid woman couldn’t even wash her freaking make- up off before she went to bed.

‘Mum!’ I repeated.

She stretched and yawned before she finally answered me. ‘There are a couple of crusty rolls in the kitchen and I think there’s a scrape of peanut butter in the cupboard.’

Her voice sounded rough, as if she had been eating bristled doormats.

‘Let him eat the rolls,’ I spat.

She covered her ears. ‘Mum. I need some money for school!’ ‘Stop shouting, Mo. Can’t hear myself bleeding think; I’ve got a ringing headache. Get off to school. Aren’t you late?’

I took my mobile out of my back pocket. Eight- twenty. Cell bells! Holman’s gonna bruise my ears again.

‘I’m going back to bed,’ Mum said. She scooped the gunk from her eye with a fingernail and wiped it on her dressing gown before flopping back on to the mattress. ‘Take the rolls, Mo, and get off my case, will ya? We didn’t get in till after three.’

Half of the quilt was on the floor. There was a dent in the mattress where he’d slept. The ashtray was full. The room stank of beer. The bin was full of cans. I swore I’d never drink alcohol. Mum pulled the bedding over her head, turned her back to me and curled up like an unborn baby.

Frustration crackled inside me. ‘You’re freaking useless.’ ‘So ya always say. Can I get some sleep now?’ I stood there, arms folded, staring at her, but she didn’t move a muscle. I heard a noise from the kitchen. He was still here. I left Mum’s room, slamming the door behind me, and turned into the hallway.

He was sitting down at the kitchen table, sipping a mug of tea. He threw me an oh- shit- Mo- hasn’t- gone- to- school- yet look. I hoped he burned his lips. Name- brand trainers niced up his feet. (Where’d he got them? He was supposed to be skint.) He wore a too- tight Real Madrid football shirt, number seven on the back. The shape of his man boobs underneath almost made me spew. Jack Sparrow was inked on his fat right bicep. A pirate ship was tattooed on the other. His goatee beard scratched his neck. How could Mum smack tongues with him?

I looked at him dead on. ‘That five pounds Mum gave you – that’s my dinner money.’

‘Those rolls in the kitchen are for you,’ he said. His reasonable tone pissed me off big time. 

‘I don’t want any freaking stale rolls for lunch; just give me the fiver and I’ll be off your radar. You and Mum can go back to your drinking party.’

‘You’ve got a dirty mouth for a fifteen year old,’ he said. He stared at me as if he wanted me to smile at his miserable wit but I would never give that prick- head the satisfaction.

‘If you don’t give me that fiver it’ll get dirtier,’ I challenged.

‘And you say you want to do media in college? With a mouth like that? They’re not gonna let you read the Six O’Clock News.’

‘Photography and media. And I’m not playing with you, Lloyd. Give me the freaking fiver!’

‘I have to sign on today and go for a job interview in Ashburton  – warehouse work. You should be wishing me luck.’

‘Then use your welfare wheels – your feet. You could do with the exercise.’

He gave me a hard look but I didn’t give a shit. He wasn’t my dad.

‘You shouldn’t have killed all your money on beer,’ I added. ‘How much did that cost ya? Or cost Mum?’

Lloyd stood up. His chair scraped out behind him. His glare intensified. He took two strides towards me but I didn’t flake. I returned his stare like a shark.

‘It was my birthday on Sunday—’

‘So?’ I cut him off. ‘It’s Tuesday now. I see them name- brands; you’ve been spoilt rotten. It was my birthday two months ago and I didn’t even get the “n” of nothing!’

‘I haven’t seen your mum since Friday. Do we have to ask your permission to celebrate?’

‘I don’t give a freaking spare rib how you celebrate,’ I ripped. ‘Just gimme the fiver!’

‘I’ll be getting my money from the social on Friday,’ Lloyd said. ‘I’ll give you back the fiver then. I’ll even treat you to a pizza or take you out to the Cheesecake Lounge.’

Sit in the Cheesecake Lounge with him – is he nuts? He must’ve drunk more than I thought last night. God! If I ever got as liquor- happy as them, I hoped someone would put me out of my misery.

‘You choose,’ he offered. ‘My treat.’

Again, his calmness sucked the patience out of me. I stepped up to him and made a grab for his back pocket. He caught my wrist and pushed me away. Lloyd was fat but strong. He picked up his tracksuit top from the back of the chair and pulled it on. Before making his way to the front door he seized me with another stare. ‘Mo, you need to calm down. Chill out. What’s this all about? Eh? You and Sam having problems?’

‘How many times do I have to tell you? Sam isn’t my boyfriend.’

Could’ve fooled me. Have a good day at school.’ I could smell his pound- shop deodorant as he passed by me. 

How could Mum sleep with that jailbird? He acted all calm and nice now, but he treated us like shit and got away with it. He was just using Mum but she was in denial. Didn’t she ever learn from her past mistakes? When any man gave her attention she went all I’ll- do- whatever- you- want- My- Tonkness. Stupid woman. God! It made me cringe when she called him ‘My Tonkness’. It had to stop. We flexed so much better when he wasn’t around. If she wouldn’t stand up for us, I would.

I ran up behind Lloyd and booted the back of his left leg as hard as I could. He hopped as he turned around. First shock then anger filled his eyes. I tried to punch him in the ribs but my fist only found flab. I aimed to boot his balls. ‘Gimme back my freaking fiver, you prick!’ 

He grabbed my arms tight and I felt his fingers crushing into me. He pulled me towards him. I got a blast of stale beer from his mouth. I kicked out again. I didn’t quite get his coco-nuts but caught him somewhere near the groin. He closed his eyes and grimaced on contact. Good!

His nails were scoring my skin and his eyes narrowed into hateful slits. He released his grip and shoved me away. I lost my footing and crashed down on my butt.

‘Enough, Mo!’

His fat cheeks were twitching. He made a crunched fist. He was simmering. Dread flooded through my arteries. He wouldn’t dare.

‘Don’t push me, Mo! I don’t wanna hurt you. Why can’t you accept that me and your mum are tight now? Deal with it.’

‘Is that what you do to Mum when you don’t get what you want? Is it? When she can’t give you the money you want?

Like pushing girls over, do you? Did you do time for that too? Why don’t you take your bad- breed, fist- happy self back to prison where your lumpy ass belongs?’

Lloyd paused. I knew my last comment burned him. Good! ‘Go to school, Mo.’ He opened the door. ‘Try to calm down.’ ‘Don’t come back!’ I screamed after him. He slammed the door. I opened it and shouted down the stairs. ‘Leave me and Mum alone!’

Lloyd didn’t reply. I went back inside.

I stomped back into Mum’s bedroom. ‘Did you see that, Mum? Your boyfriend was about to hit me. Your jail- bird, saggy- ass, can’t- get- a-j ob boyfriend. And it ain’t the first time.’ 

Nothing. ‘Mum?’ She was fast asleep. I shook her awake. ‘I said, he was about to smack me again, Mum!’

She rolled on to her back but she didn’t open her eyes. ‘He’s promised not to lay a finger on you ever again. I made him say that to ya in front of ya face. And didn’t he apologise? He’s been trying to make it up to ya ever since, Mo, but you won’t let him. Now go on with ya! I don’t wanna get any more letters.’

With that she curled back into a ball. I glared at her shape. I hated living here. Hated it! I went back to my room to get my stuff. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror – my hair was like a bad 1980s pop video, but whatever. I grabbed my school rucksack and headed out.

I’d gotta find somewhere else to live. Maybe Elaine would have me.

Straight Outta Crongton, the next novel in Alex Wheatle’s award-winning Crongton series is published 6th April 2017. Find out how you can win a visit from Alex Wheatle to your school in our ‘Win a Wheatle’ competition here.