#using pen and markers only is like a sport

[summertide-treehouse]

nya scribble </3

#using pen and markers only is like a sport #it’s so hard #but like #it looks good #almost #ninjago #trees doodles #ninjago nya

[trulyhblue]

MISS AUSTRALIA (PART ONE)

Katie Mccabe x Aussie!Chelsea! Reader

Warnings: Smut 18+, praise kink, angry sex, dom! Katie, sub! Reader, enemies, coarse language, Chelsea mentions, little age gap.

A/N — I know Mackenzie wasn't at Camp but let's just skip past that :)

Masterlist

___________________

The game against Arsenal had been a complete disaster. No one could've prepared you for the monstrosity it turned out to be.

Two days before the long-awaited London Derby, you were in Canada alongside your fellow Australian teammates, basking in the double defeat against your Chelsea teammates Jessie Fleming, Ashleigh Lawrence, and the Canadian National Team. To be fair, it hadn't been all that bad. Some Canadian fans were dubbing it ‘revenge’ after the World Cup, but a friendly was hardly much vengeance in your eyes. They had beaten your B team with their A team, and you had only played the second game alongside the usual starters like Steph, Hayley and Alanna.

By the end of the second game, you had swapped shirts with Jessie, who smothered you in forehead kisses and walked alongside Ashleigh for the lap around the stadium. Steph and Caitlin joined shortly after, both of their jackets covering their sports bras; they had given their jerseys away.

Soon enough, Kyra filtered over. You poked your tongue out to the girl, who giggled and reciprocated the actions before hugging your waist. Dozens of fans banked against the barricade, holding out signs and jerseys to sign. Phones stacked on top of hands reached out as the group of you travelled around the loop. You still had a firm hold on Kyra as you peeled your shirt off, handing it to a little girl with big, bulky glasses. You signed her poster, took a photo, and thanked her before waving goodbye. Your boots had been cuffed and peeling after a nasty tackle by your opponent, so you didn't waste any time in unlacing them and passing them over to a pair of twin girls, who hugged each other and cried at the notion.

Steph and Caitlin mingled with their respected fans while you and Kyra continued to use markers and pens to sign anything that was within arm’s reach.

“Oi, y/l/n!” Caitlin called out, your head turning toward the girl who stood a few feet away. “C’mere, look at this.”

Kyra waddled beside you as you made your way over to where Caitlin had pointed. You couldn't help but notice the slight huddle of fans that had accumulated in that spot, several cameras filming the interactions with cheeky smiles decorating everyone’s faces.

You caught sight of the massive poster, reading it with a blank expression, knowing the cameras were trying to catch your reaction. The sign was coloured in red and blue, with a photo of you on one side, and none other than Katie McCabe on the other. You tried hard to conceal the scowl on your face, hiding behind a sly smirk. You ran your hand over the writing: ‘YELLOW CARD DERBY’

It was no secret that both you and McCabe had a notorious reputation for receiving yellow cards from referees. It was a running joke in the Football community, starting from when you had your debut for the Matildas at fourteen, against Ireland. Katie had gotten a card that game too, both of you receiving it for tackling one another. You played for Sydney FC before you moved to Chelsea, playing your debut match against Arsenal six months after your seventeenth birthday.

Katie had been sent off that match for nearly breaking your ankle, a red displayed in the air before she stopped off with a heated scowl across her face. You knew of her reputation from International games, recalling the older woman as an aggressive little shit that hated you for no reason.

London Derbys started to become all the more heated. After a while, both sides tried their hardest to not put you on at the same time, pressured into thinking that they’d end up being a player down due to your rivalry.

It got so bad that people started picking sides. Dividing the two London teams and causing hate to spread. You were younger than Katie by six years, which seemed to be the leading factor in why people believe that Katie is too harsh. On the other hand, Arsenal supporters reckon that you are immature on the pitch. In prior matches, you had been called a whinger, especially when you were around your sister-like teammate, Hayley Raso.

It is safe to say that you and Katie were not on agreeing terms, even off the pitch, with mutual friends to keep you at bay. You both competed for everything. You were neck and neck in the Ballon d'Or, scoresheet, heat maps, everything. It didn't matter if you weren't playing against one another, you were always compared.

But it didn't seem to bother either of you. In fact, you were certain Katie enjoyed it.

You did too.

“Do you agree with it?” Steph laughed beside you, swinging her arm around your shoulders, pointing towards a printed photo of you pushing Katie to the ground, blood smeared across your nose and lips. Beside it was another photo of the referee pointing towards both of you with red cards. You were looking at Katie with utter turmoil; your Australian Jersey was covered in mud, hers had streaks of dirt covering her socks, and a testing smirk written across her face. Behind the pair of you was a younger-looking Steph, her hand covering the shock on her face.

“None of those were my fault.” You answered, watching as the huddled crowd around you chuckled at your response. You didn't want to say the wrong thing, you didn't know if what you said was that funny. “I promise I don't do it on purpose.”

“Oh, yeah, right, Little Miss Goody-Too-Shoes.” Caitlin scoffed, poking your side. “I've seen you play, you're a ride-off.”

Kyra giggled like usual, swaying her hips into yours. She pointed towards the red card photo. “I don't remember that being an accident.”

You don't exactly know why, but your cheeks are stained a solid red, staining your freckles with a tint of embarrassment. Katie had pushed you over, laughing when your face met the cold, wet mud. It was not a pleasant memory you look back on fondly. “Shush, Ky.”

You felt a presence behind you lifting you up by a grip around your waist. You were pulled onto the shoulders of Macca, earning a yelp to sound from your lips, the interaction leaving fans laughing even more.

“Oh, Baby, what's wrong?” Macca said teasingly, holding your thighs with her hands. You looked down at her and frowned, the team’s nickname for you left you feeling a tad humiliated considering it was in front of people who didn't know of the handle. Kyra took out her phone, taking a few shots of the sight with the intention of putting it in her photo dump.

When Macca caught sight of the poster, she cracked up. “Oh God, that's good.”

“Put me down, Mackenzie.” You groaned, kicking your feet half-heartedly into her side. The Keeper did as she was told, but made the show of huffing and puffing as she let you off her shoulders.

“Do you want me to sign it or something?” You said to the boy holding the poster, watching as his eyes lit up as he nodded.

“Are you a Chelsea or Arsenal fan, mate?” Steph asked him, waiting as the boy shook his head.

“West Ham.”

This made Mackenzie’s head snap towards him. “Really?”

“Yeah, who the fuck supports West Ham?” Caitlin questioned, yelping when Steph whacked her in the chest. “Language, Cait.”

“You're a real one, mate,” Mackenzie said, walking up to the boy and hugging him, making him smile like it was Christmas.

“Who do you think’s gonna win on Saturday?” Kyra egged on, shoving past Macca and grinning at the boy, indiscreetly pointing towards herself and the other Arsenal girls.

The boy looked between them and shrugged, folding his sign back up when you finished signing it. His eyes landed on you. “Well, you're my favourite player, but Chelsea are always too cocky.”

“No lies said.” Kyra said, yearning you to push her playfully.

“What if I score a goal, will you go for me then?” You asked, holding out your hands.

The boy nodded. “Yeah, but that's if you get past Katie.”

You couldn't help but scoff, shaking her head. The girls around you smirked at your competitive nature, sharing knowing looks.

“I don't remember the last time McCabe scored against me.”

***

You were glad that at least you kept that statement true.

The video of you reacting to the poster had gone viral, and everyone found the interaction utterly hilarious. Not only did you have a reputation for cards, but you also had one for being a sub in important games like this.

But that assumption didn't seem to make an appearance today, as you waited in the tunnel beside Jessie, holding the hand of a little girl, waiting as you caught sight of Caitlin in front of you

“Are you alright?” Sam muttered, turning to face you with an inch of worry apparent in her eyes.

You looked back at her, nodding. “Yes, just tired.”

You said this in truth. You hadn't had much sleep over the past week due to the different time zones you were living in. Sam had an injury during the Friendly, therefore not being able to compete alongside your Matildas team. But the fatigue was apparent in everyone’s eyes. You even noticed it in Kyra when you saw her on the bench as you walked towards your starting position.

The fans were screaming at the tops of their lungs, but you slowly drowned them out as you honed in to concentrate. You looked to your left, finding Jessie throwing a thumbs up towards you. You smiled back at her, gulping down the last of your anxiety before the whistle blew.

You knew this would be a hard game before it even started, but Arsenal’s level of aggression was completely unexpected.

Fouls were handed out left and right, followed by a bit of push and shove from either side. You fought your way up and down the wing, waiting for an opportunity to surpass. Both teams were angsty with the ball, throwing easy chances away as the crowd grew in volume.

Sam hadn't come down to defend like she usually does, instead waiting past the halfway mark as the midfield continued to pass to and fro.

You grew annoyed at the lack of ball time you were receiving, even when you made a point to be out and open near the corner. Your breathing was ragged and tested, your patience running thin when the crowd of Chelsea players swarmed Victoria Pelova and leaving Beth Mead to shoot in the open.

“There were four of you, for fuck’s sake.” You muttered, dragging your hands over your face as you sighed, returning to your starting position once more.

It started to become ridiculous when you still hadn't received the ball, yelling out on the wing as the minutes passed with Arsenal in front. You hadn't been in the midst of any tackles or gameplay until the thirteenth minute when one of your teammates crossed the ball to you over the halfway line.

You dragged your feet across the ball, feeling the grass hit your feet as you sprinted toward the goal. You stepped past Lotte Wubben-Moy, leaving an open space to slot it through toward Kaneryd.

The ball had left your feet with a concentrated pass before your balance was cut short. A potent force left your legs to crumble beneath you. Your body collided with another, leaving your lungs without any air. Your head spun with nausea, the speed at which you were taken out leaving you heaving for breath. It took you a few moments to register the figure you had landed on, and how the crowd went wild at the shot that had passed Zinsberger.

“I’d never thought you liked being on top, y/l/n.”

The voice made your stomach churn even more.

“Surprised you have enough brain cells to think, McCabe.”

You rolled off her with a groan, your legs aching from the impact. You felt the hands of one of your teammates soothe the distant pain in your head, causing you to roll onto your back.

Instead, you were met by a red jersey. “You alright, Baby?” Steph asked, helping you up.

You didn't have time to answer Steph. She was bombarded with a shove from Lauren James, who turned to the ref with her hands in the air. “That’s a red, ref! The ball left her feet!”

“James, do not yell at me.” The referee fired back. “McCabe, this is your first and final, am I clear?”

McCabe shrugged her shoulders. “I slipped.”

Lauren looked like she was about to pounce. “Oh, you little-”

“What, eh?” Katie walked up to challenge the girl back. “Can Miss Australia not speak for herself?”

Kim Little, Arsenal’s captain, appeared in the mix. “Katie, that's enough! Walk away.”

“Can't handle a tackle, what a baby, shouldn't be on the field—”

“McCabe!” Kim snapped, which shut up whatever rant Katie was about to begin.

The ref turned towards you, putting a hand on your shoulder. The action was met with Arsenal boos. “Y/l/n, are you alright?” Looking concerned at your pained countenance. Lauren rubbed a hand across your back, eagerly awaiting the card Katie deserved.

“I’m fine.”

Maybe you shouldn't said no — maybe that would've landed Katie with a card. But you knew you’d be sent off if you did. You had just scored an assist to level your team. Katie McCabe of all people was not going to ruin that.

The game continued, your left ankle feeling tampered with as more tackles progressed.

It was clear that Arsenal were hungry for this win, leaving Chelsea left and right with calculated footwork and sprints across both their defensive and attacking lines.

When an Arsenal corner arrives shortly after, you run back to defend the post alongside Jessie. Steph is walking to take the corner with the ball in her hands, giving both teams time to find their spot in the box. Pelova was in front of you, Russo to your right. The majority of your midfielders banked against the goal in an attempt to stop the chances of Arsenal moving up two-one.

Steph was about to kick when you felt someone against you. Unknown hands grip your hips tightly, maneuvering them with ease that your body was stuck to them. Your breath hitched when you were pushed forward, forced to leave your place by the post.

“Miss Australia bent over for me?” The voice whispered, pricking the alcove of your neck. “With all these people watching? Guess she's not as innocent as everyone thinks.”

You weren't watching Steph’s long shot into the box, too angered by Katie to care. You didn't notice Amanda Ilestedt’s header into the middle of the goal, hitting the back of the net with a swoosh, met by North London cheers. Hell, you didn't fucking notice anything except Katie falling to the ground, your arms propelling her with so much force you fought to hide the flame that hindered your cheeks.

The whistle blew, causing celebrations to halt when both teams found the two of you glaring daggers at one another.

“Get off her, Y/l/n,” Wälti called out, running towards you and pushing you backwards.

“Nah, what a fucking ride-off.” You heard another Arsenal player say, making you stomp in the opposite direction, huffing in annoyance when the referee called you back.

Kim Little and Sam Kerr were standing by their respective players when the referee was scolding the two of you. It was obvious that you were painted as the immature one since it was made out that you needed to control your emotions more.

“I won't have you manhandling each other like idiots on my pitch. You play fair or you don't play. Understood?”

The four of you mumbled your understanding, filing back into place begrudgingly. Sam was ordering Jessie to swap with you, but you found yourself shaking your head, promising her you’d pull it in.

Turns out, you didn't.

The same circumstance of you pretty much skin-on-skin with Katie happened after Alessia Russo’s chip against Berger. 3-1 for an undefeated team was embarrassing, and no matter how many times you fed the ball well enough to become an assist, the communication just wasn't there.

“Get the fuck off me, McCabe.” You seethed, trying your best to squirm your way out of her grip, but to no avail.

“You need to stop all that wriggling, Y/l/n,” Katie responded, the smirk on her face was evident even from behind. “Those red cheeks couldn't have been from running.”

“I’m not red.”

“Ha, yeah, you and London both.”

Katie and you both got your yellow cards in the second half.

You knew people would find it funny online — the fact that you both got it at the same time — but the game felt like it had gone on forever, and at this point, all of Chelsea’s players were defenders.

You had a clear shot of the goal after Niamh Charles curled the ball to your wing, leaving you and Katie battling for possession near the sideline.

You couldn't help but notice how high her hands had gotten on your waist. Your knees were bending slightly so you could attain more balance, but maneuvering past Katie was a challenge, and proven extremely difficult.

You let out a struggled breath, angered at the lack of options your teammates offered due to their attacking absence. The ball beneath your feet went back and forth between the women in front of you. The two of you were complete mirrors of each other, both trying to nutmeg the other or humiliate them in some way. It was as if minutes had gone past when everyone was watching the two of you battle it out. It wasn't until Jessie came up behind the two of you, threading the ball out from beneath McCabe’s feet and dribbling it away that it seemed to have stopped.

You blanked when you saw Katie stretch her leg out, tripping Jessie onto the floor; leaving her limb on the grass.

“You’re such a cheat!” You exclaimed, pushing Katie with your hands. “You’re a fucking cheat, McCabe, and you know it!”

Katie surged towards you, her breath thick against your face. Your shirt was taken into her hand. She was so much taller than you. “Imagine needing your girlfriend to win your battles for you.” She spoke, her tone condescending. “The score says it all, Miss Australia. If only you weren't so distracted by me, you’d realise.”

She was looking down at you now, holding your shirt so tightly you knew that if you moved, she’d pull you right back in. Her accent was coarser than usual, sending you into a frenzy of disarray and warmth. She was towering over you, her build similar yet broader. Her smirk was minuscule, but prominent all the same. You knew you had lost the game, but you weren't going to lose this fight.

“And where’s your girlfriend, McCabe? Is she somewhere in the stands?”

You were pulled apart but Kim and Sam, the referee tramping over at the sight of the pair of you bundled up. The presence of the yellow card was something you expected, but not rewarding whatsoever.

“Get off my player, McCabe,” Sam ordered, holding a protective arm over your shoulder. Somehow, you knew what she was thinking, peeling your Captain’s arm away from you and marching off. In the distance, you could hear Katie speaking. “She's a big girl, Kerr. I promise it's never on purpose.”

Of course, she was mocking you, you thought. Of course, she saw the video.

You were replaced by Guro not long after that. The Chelsea cheers did not seep through your irritated exterior. Your head was pounding from the fall you had at the start of the game, and you winced at the tinge in your ankle as you ran off to hug Guro.

Emma Hayes strolled up to you, placing a stern hand on your shoulder. “I want you to cool off before you come back and sit down. You're going to shake each of those girls’ hands before you go home tonight.”

Without a second thought,, you stomped down the tunnel, making a point to let your metal studs echo all the way to the changerooms. At twenty-two years old, you had the most yellows in the WSL for your age. If the stats were compared, people would argue that you were higher than most of the older girls.

It was nothing you were proud of, despite the effortless compliments you gained for being potent in your determination to win. But you had been told by almost every coach that you could be too aggressive.

You kicked off your boots, peeling off your shin pads and socks to reveal the nasty bruise that was already blossoming on your ankle. Removing your clothes, you engulfed the hot spurs of water that left the shower head in Emirates Stadium. There was still half an hour of the game left when you were subbed off, so you made sure to take your time washing yourself from head to toe, soaking in the warmth that relaxed the tension in your muscles.

You replaced your game kit with some Matilda's trackies and a fitted tee. Combing your hair into a pony, washing your face with freezing cold water, you waited for your team to arrive from the game, feeling defeated and unprepared for the beating they were about to receive from Emma.

The changing rooms blocked out most of the noise from the game above, except from the thundering rumble of Alessia Russo chants that boomed after five minutes of waiting. You knew that had scored just by the sinking of your gut. The jetlag and fatigue were starting to hit you now, and you had half a mind to just pack up and go home. But you remembered Emma’s words to you before you stormed into the changing rooms. You knew she’d have your neck at training for the next three months if you didn't do as you were asked.

So you stood up, slotting your phone into your pocket, making your way back through the tunnel. The volume of the crowd was starting to get louder, and with each step you took, the less you felt inclined to follow through with the orders you were given.

You were about to turn the corner that led to the field when you were pushed back against the wall, your arms pinned above your head, your body caged in by someone tall and firm.

“Are your cheeks always so red, Y/l/n? Cause every time I see you, you look like you're on fire.”

“Piss off, McCabe.”

Katie was towering over you, unpinning your hands from their place above your head, leaning down so that you could see every detail of her face.

“You're free to go.”

“You're a right pain in the arse.”

She was laughing at you now. “Am I bothering you, Miss Australia?”

“Stop calling me that!” You knew your cheeks were flaming now but you couldn't help it.

Katie grabbed your face with her hand harshly, pulling you closer so that you were forced to look her straight in the eyes. “No, you don't like that?” Her hips met yours, and you squirmed. “What about Baby, eh? Everyone seems to call you Baby. You act like one so I guess it suits.”

“Katie—”

“Oh, so you're calling me Katie now, are ‘ya? I call you Baby and you call me Katie, is that what's happening?”

“No.”

Katie scoffed, placing her knee in between your thighs, keeping you planted between her. You had nowhere to put your hands, so you decided behind your back was appropriate. You felt the subtle movements of her knee in between your legs, her eyes watching for your reaction intently.

“No?”

You watched her head move down to your ear, her breath fanning across your neck. Her lips gradually grew closer to your pulse point, where goosebumps poured over your skin. When the warm sensation of her lips met your neck, your body subconsciously relaxed on her knee, making you jolt at the sudden friction applied to your core.

“Yes.” You ushered, pulling your hands out awkwardly as your neck reclined against the wall, your face etched to the ceiling. You were so, so stupid. What were you thinking?

“Yes… what?” You heard her say, her tongue swirling across the harsh mark she just made below your ear. You hesitantly fell back down on her knee, holding in the groan that yearned to leave your lips. This time, as you tried to regain the dispersing shards of your dignity, lifting your heat off her knee, her hands moved to seize your waist, pushing your hips down to roll against her knee.

The motion made you whine. “Yes, Katie.”

The woman chuckled as she coerced your hips back and forth, sucking and licking down your neck and across your collarbone. Feeling a slight ache from the game she just played, the sensation of the majority of your body weight rubbing against her knee made the Arsenal Victory even more triumphant.

“Is this okay, Baby?” She asked, leaving your neck cold as she waited for your response. You were so tired from the past few days that you slumped on Katie’s knee, waiting for her to continue kissing and moving you as she pleased.

“I need to shake people’s hands.” Your voice was meek but clear.

Katie looked at you, taken aback. “What?”

You wrapped your arms off her shoulders, holding them together in front of you. “Emma told me I need to shake everyone’s hands after the game is finished. She’ll be really angry if I don't.”

Katie’s smirk was back. “Will she now?”

You, too exhausted to realise she was egging you on, nodded. “Yes. So I have to—”

“Shake my hand?”

“Yes.”

Katie leaned in, raising her eyebrows. “What if I don't want to shake your hand?”

You were evidently stumped at the question, pursing your lips as you struggled to find a response. Katie's smile grew, and you grew bitter.

She moved to kiss your neck again to silence your upcoming retort. “What will Hayes do if you don't shake my hand, hm? She’d be so disappointed in you, wouldn't she?”

You tried to focus on anything but her lips led closer to your breasts. “McCabe, I need to—”

“What are you going to tell her, hm? When she asks you if you shook my hand, are you ‘gonna tell her that you tried to get off on my leg instead?”

You were at loss for words. Was she wrong? Of course, she wasn't. Katie McCabe was never fucking wrong, and here you were, pathetic on her knee, about to get off to your enemy calling you Baby, when you tell her you need to shake her hand. You really were a baby.

“Is that what you're going to say to her, Baby?”

“N-no.”

“Why not? It's the truth. You wouldn't want to lie, would you?”

“No.”

“No, what?”

“I'm not going to tell her that.”

She must've caught onto your honest dispute, slowly dragging her knee directly onto your clit and rubbing circles over it. You didn't expect her movements, so you moaned, pulling your head into her neck and breathing heavily.

You were so out of breath it wasn't funny. “I’m- I told Jessie I’d spend a night at her house.”

“I didn't take you for the cheating type, Y/l/n.”

“She's not my girlfriend.”

Katie slowed down her movements. “I ‘spose you weren't thinking you’d get off with her knee tonight, would you?”

“No, we were just going to watch a movie.”

“How ‘bout this?” She whispered, pushing your hips against the wall. “You go and shake everyone’s hands like a good girl and I’ll treat you like one afterwards.”

You groaned when she pulled her knee out from under you, feeling your inner dread grow when you heard the full-time whistle and a tsunami of cheers.

“We won 4-1.”

“Still second on the ladder.”

“You have bite for someone who was just moaning fully clothed.”

“Goodbye, McCabe.” You snapped, trying to act Almighty and unbothered by the longing in between your legs. You had to double-check that nothing had leaked through from how wet you were, trudging up the tunnel without a second glance back.

When you found yourself on the pitch, you made a point to shake each of the Arsenal player's hands, including the ones on the bench, which had been nothing short of mortifying. Almost all of them looked at you strangely, trying to push past the obvious awkwardness and reciprocate the sportsmanship, except for the Aussie girls, who hugged you and offered warm conversation with the buzz of their victory.

“Is your ankle okay?” Caitlin asked, pulling you out of an embrace with worry smeared across her features.

You nodded, showing her the bruise by moving your sock. “Yeah, just some bruising. You guys played really well.”

Steph did the same: hug and condolences, while Kyra was completely opposite.

“LONDON IS RED!” She screamed, laughing when she mounted your back from behind.

“Get off, loser.” You retorted, pulling her into a hug as the two of you met in the middle of the field. You knew heaps of people were waiting for signatures, but you didn't care.

“What’s all over your neck?” She asked, grabbing your jaw and observing the fresh marks.

Shit, you thought, recalling the sensation of Katie’s lips tugging at your skin.

You pulled away, hoping distance would lessen the stringency of them. “I think it was from the grass. Y’know, when I fell.”

“Oh, don't worry, I know.” Kyra giggled, seemingly too full of energy to remember what she said two seconds ago. “You need to take a chill pill, Y/n/n. I’ll be sending you all the TikTok edits of you and Katie when I get home, don't you worry.”

“Please don't.” You muttered, holding out your hand to interlock it with Kyra’s. “Are you going straight home or?”

Kyra chuckled. “After this win? No fucking way.”

“You're still second on the ladder.” You reminded yet another Arsenal player.

Kyra poked her tongue out. “Boo, you whore.”

Kyra left you to celebrate with her teammates, marking her as the last Arsenal girl you needed to shake hands with.

You walked back into the changing rooms with an impassive frown on your face. Lots of the girls were already in the showers, Jessie among the few that had already finished and changed.

“We still up for tonight?” You asked, hoping your prior plans that you made before the game were still available after the thrashing they had just endured.

Jessie nodded, pulling you into a hug. “Sam, Millie, and Erin are all going to the pub to have a drink. They want us to come with them, you in?”

“Why not?” You replied, kissing the girl’s forehead before packing your bag.

You were glad that you were going out with your teammates instead of caving and finding Katie. But something deep down made you ponder whether what just happened was a one-off thing.

Spoiler: it wasn't.

#katie mccabe #katie mccabe x reader #arsenal #arsenal wfc #chelsea #chelsea women #kyra cooney cross #caitlin foord #steph catley #sam kerr #jessie fleming #auswnt #katie mccabe smut

[knoxic]

The Lady and The Cat

Paddock and Gossip

wc: 5,1k

Masterlist

The Lady and The Cat - ↓ -

Vienna, Austria.

Saturday, June 06 08:30

Victoria was expected to show up at the qualifying race, sporting a Tommy Hilfiger outfit. The brand had a partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team — Toto's team —, she had seen their logo on Hamilton's shirt but failed to connect the dots.

Lucia was driving her own car, knowing Victoria would most likely hate to have an unknown car leaving her at a unknown place. In the backseat of the car there was a white cap with a Mercedes logo and a black fabric marker laying beside it, she supposed she'd have to ask for a signature from one of the drivers. In one of the meetings she had with Tommy, she was told she would be the perfect model to be seen in the paddock around the Mercedes team. Her pale skin and dusty blue eyes combined with her coffee brown hair and usually dark clothes was the most perfect-imperfect combination to the team's current colors.

"So, the race only starts in like a couple hours, but you'll be meeting with Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. If you could take some pictures with them, that would be great."

"And if I can't?" She asked in a teasing tone, knowing that it wouldn't be a problem.

"Then we already have people ready with cameras pointed at you the whole time." Lucia smirked.

"Great. About the meetings, are you going to be there with me?"

"Not the whole time, no." She smiled sadly.

The two of them hate talking with fake friendly people, it was one of the reasons they got along so well. Lucia always said whatever was bothering her to the person at fault and Victoria could not, for the life of her, keep a straight face whenever someone was acting up — which was hard as a model —.

"It's okay," she reached a hand to pat Lucia's tight, "I'll be fine, I don't think they're bad people."

"Me neither, Hamilton supports a lot of important causes and has a pretty transparent personality," she was talking as she searched for something in her bag. "Don't know much about Nico, so you'll have to see it for yourself."

Before Victoria could answer, her manager handed her a notebook with some topics she could use to start a conversation.

"We still have some time before we get there, you may want to get ready..." getting ready meant 'prepare your social skills'

"Yeah, thank you. I think I'll search them on the internet, might find something useful." She answered while throwing the notebook to the backseat, she appreciated Lucia's thoughtful idea but her handwriting could compete to one of a doctor's.

First she searched for 'F1 News', some links later she found something about how Mercedes has been going this year and it didn't take long for one with Toto's face come up, — just with the headline she discovered his last name and age —. The article mentioned the series of wins Mercedes has been collecting and Toto's great management, she partially felt bad for reading into him. One article later she googled his name.

"We're here, Vi." She hadn't even realized the car wasn't moving, Lucia still kept her hands on the steering wheel and the engine was still running. She had to remind herself that Lucia wasn't leaving her. "There is a space to park the car there but it looks too tight, do you mind waiting for me here?"

"No, it's okay." True, she never wanted to bother Lucia. She smiled and unbuckled the belt, before opening the door she reached for the cap and pen on the backseat.

The entrance of the paddock was right in front of her, yet she couldn't just walk in, she was supposed to wait for Lucia but even if she wasn't, she couldn't go in alone. Going inside a place she knew nothing about was scary, the people she was going to meet knew nothing about her so she could at least forge a new mask based on Formula One. The only thing that could potentially ruin her pretense would be somewhere inside the Mercedes garage.

"Ready?" She wasn't sure how much time had passed but rationally she knew it was just a couple minutes. Lucia was back and handing her one of the passes.

"Yeah," she was hoping to not meet Toto, at least until she was done talking with his drivers. "Where are we meeting Lewis and Nico?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure." They were both heading to the entrance, "What I know is that Nico is busy, so we probably won't be able to see him until after the race. Lewis said he was free and would meet you but," she took a deep breath, Lucia hated when people were unpredictable. "The thing is, he is always running around, one minute he's here and in the other he's nowhere to be found. Good news is that apparently he hates keeping conversations but is willing to talk to you."

"Good news?" Victoria's eyes could fall out of her head, the way she opened them wide and her eyebrows going up clearly showed how she felt. "Hope he is ready to have his expectations crushed." Her tone was sarcastic, Lucia had her mouth opened ready to answer when a girl came up to them.

"Hi! Sorry to interrupt," she was small, so was her voice. Victoria was not one of the tallest models in Versace but the girl was petite and sweet, her eyes were shining and she had two adorable dimples on her cheeks, "You're Victoria Kaiser." It wasn't a question.

"I am." Indeed but somehow she wasn't sure, the girl was affirming her name in a way Victoria herself never did.

"I'm such a big fan of yours, I have been for as long as I can remember!" Her heart warmed up a bit.

"Really? That's so nice, I'm honored!"

"Could we take a picture? My mom will never believe me!"

"Of course!" The girl had her phone in hand and Lucia offered to take it, "Oh, I'm so sorry, hi! I got so excited I didn't see you..." She was almost pouting and seemed genuine. Lucia had a unusual look on her face.

"It's totally fine, don't worry!" Their arms were wrapped around each other while Lucia took the photo, the height difference left the girl's head on Victoria's shoulder. "Would you like an autograph?" Lucia never asked these kind of questions — quite the opposite —, she avoided any type of conversation with the model's fans.

"Oh, absolutely! If it's not too much, of course..." She wore a red and white shirt and a cap with the same color comb, Ferrari uniform.

"No, no, is not a problem!" The cap and marker she had gotten were still in her hand.

"To be honest I always pegged you to be a Mercedes fan." The girl laughed, "Would it be a problem if you signed a Ferrari cap?"

"No, I don't think so," She let a small laugh escape, deeming the girl not worth a fake smile. She gestured for the girl to give her the cap, "Where do you want me to sign?" A small index finger came into her vision as she inspected the cap, pointing to a empty spot at the side of it, her nail had pink nail polish. Victoria briefly wondered how a girl like her ended up in this line of work before reminding herself how shitty that thought was.

"Maybe here?" It was muscle memory, really, her hands were signing but her eyes weren't inspecting her movements, using her peripheral vision she watched the girl smile brightly.

"What's your name?"

"Isabella but you can write Izzy, my friends call me Izzy."

"Nice meeting you, Izzy." She decided to write 'Hello, Izzy's Mom!' beside the autograph because Izzy herself would love it, Victoria could deal with her embarrassment later.

After Izzy left, Lucia texted Hamilton's assistant, Angela, checking in to know if Lewis was still free to talk. They kept mindlessly walking — pretending to be interested in the cars — while waiting for the response when a guy with a sponsored Mercedes shirt called up to them. Victoria recognized him from one of the articles she read, there was a picture of him and Lewis celebrating but she couldn't remember his position on the team.

"Hello, are you Victoria Kaiser?" That was a question.

"Hi, yes I am!" While Lucia presented herself a phrase from the article came to mind, "And you are Bono?" She used a timid tone so in case she was wrong, the awkwardness wouldn't be so embarrassing.

"Yes! Lewis told me about you and asked me to take you to the garage in case I saw you." Told me about you? She didn't ask if he was busy doing something else or if he came all the way here only to find her, none of the answers he could give would ease her feeling of guilt. The cap she had on her hand could serve to keep her loose hair out of her face and to help the feeling of being too exposed, she was wearing white pants so putting a black marker into her pocket was not an option, she hadn't gotten a bag — Lucia always carried one for both of them — so she still held it in her hand, it would help her fidgety fingers.

Bono and Lucia talked during the walk to the garage, Victoria commented on a few things but her silence didn't seem to bother him.

She was worried. Her hopes of not seeing Toto that day had just been crushed, she innocently thought that she could have talked with Lewis and Nico alone, somewhere more private where she wouldn't be surrounded by people, where she could put up a new mask without worrying about people finding out she wasn't so genuine. Good news is that Lewis truly was there, as soon as they came into his line of vision he smiled and walked in their direction.

"Hello! I've been waiting for you!" Well that was surprising.

"Hi! Sorry to keep you waiting, we got lost." She joked and gave him the most sweet laugh she could manage, as soon as they were close enough to touch, he pulled her into a hug.

"No problem," he laughed and went to hug Lucia. "You know, I was expecting you to have a German accent, I read somewhere that you were born in Germany."

"True! I was homeschooled and apparently my family had their own language and accent." She could feel her cheeks warming up at her rambling. To her relief, Lewis laughed.

"Well, that's interesting," he sounded honest, which almost made her melt, her anxiety had been squeezing her tightly before this. At some point Lucia had gone inside the garage with Bono, from where Victoria stood she could see both of them still talking.

"We still have some time before the race, do you want to go get some tea or coffee?" She really shouldn't drink more caffeine, today it wouldn't do her any good. "We can continue talking on the way."

"Sure, tea would be nice."

"You don't drink coffee?" As they started walking he held out his arm for her to hold, she wasn't sure if he wanted to link arms but her hand automatically went to hold his biceps.

"I'm trying to stop, my anxiety and caffeine are not friends." Fuck! That didn't went as planned.

"Understandable." He laughed.

"What about you?"

"I don't really like coffee," he pointed to the stairs that led to the hospitality. "The taste is too..." he searched for the right words, "Strong? Bitter?" There were many people there — celebrities —, she recognized some of them and they definitely didn't live in Vienna. She wondered if they went to see Lewis.

"Yeah, I mostly drink it with sugar but apparently it doesn't help the anxiety either so I took that off." Twice? Jesus. Thankfully Lewis laughed again.

"Choose whatever you want, I'll pay." And risk people thinking she is a gold digger?

"What? No way," she laughed.

"I'll pay. You're my guest." Well...

"Only if you let me do the same when you come visit me at my work." She wasn't flirting but it was a bold move, she knew. Nothing gave them the certainty that it would happen, but if she came to see them, they could go see her.

"Fine, now order."

The menu showed many teas, perhaps it was a common thing here. Victoria has always been a sucker for teas but ever since she could remember, she loved a certain one.

"Ginger honey tea." Maybe it was because she got sick almost every month as a kid and her mom would make it for her to drink but, ginger honey tea always made her feel good — even when she wasn't sick —. She went so long without any form of comfort that she had forgotten it existed.

"Interesting. Do you want something to eat?"

"No, not really. Feels like I had breakfast five minutes ago."

"Me too, I'm going to copy you." After he ordered and paid for the teas, they sat at a table closer to a wall — instinctively so, they were both used to avoiding being in the middle of a crowd —, her back was turned to the entrance. Big mistake.

"Morning, Victoria." That voice. The voice she dreaded hearing today, was right behind her.

"Good morning, Toto." She turned back to see him, he looked exactly like he did the night she saw him on TV. His sponsored shirt hugged his stomach, when he walked his pants looked tight in his thighs and hands where they were stuffed into his pockets. He looked good, really good.

"We had time so I invited her to get something to drink." Lewis said, pausing to take a sip of his tea. "Hope you don't mind."

"No problem, I also came to get myself a coffee." He was looking at Lewis with a face Victoria couldn't decipher. "But we do have to be at the garage in a few minutes..." They seemed to be playing a staring game now.

"We'll be quick, I'm hoping to see Nico too."

Toto nodded at her and walked away giving Lewis a pat on the shoulder to go order his coffee.

"He told us about you." What? He was smiling but looking down at his cup, he looked suspicious.

"What?"

"Toto, he told me about you," What the fuck? Why would he do that? "Well, he told Niki and Niki told me and Nico... Then I told Bono..." Victoria laughed, fifty percent because it was funny — gossiping about your boss —, forty percent because she was nervous and the other ten percent because what the fuck?

"Why would he do that? What did he say?" Her question made Lewis lean over the table, getting closer to her so he could whisper.

"He said he had met someone and wanted to invite her to the race tomorrow, we didn't know who it was because he wouldn't say, then Niki saw him going over some of the pictures you took recently for Tommy-" He cut himself off when footsteps came closer to them.

"Do you want to watch the race from the garage with us?" Toto asked as soon as he was close enough to be heard.

"To be honest I didn't know I could," She laughed awkwardly, both from what Lewis had told her and from Toto's invitation. "But yeah, sure." Better there then out here with all these people.

"Toto, do you mind taking Victoria back? I'll go find Angela, haven't seen her in a while."

"No problem, I'll take her."

As they rose from their sits, Lewis gave her a wink. He had managed to make her feel like they had been friends for years now in so little time. Lewis was only a few months older than the model, which was surprising for her, she never got along with people her age.

"I'll meet you guys there soon, behave!"

Apparently they both had bad hearing because the driver's 'behave' was turned into 'be brave'.

"Haven't seen you around the building." The teasing tone he used to talk to her in the hallway that night was back.

"I got busy, and apparently you did too," It was impressive how he made her mood light up, even if he was the cause of her anxiety just minutes ago. "The CEO life..."

"Sorry about that..."

"It's fine, I'm just teasing you." She wanted to ask why he did it but the words weren't leaving her mouth, the fear of being judged for questioning something muted her.

Toto went silent for a few seconds before he looked down at her, twice. She was glad she had picked platform shoes to wear — not that it did much to help their height difference —.

"The last woman I dated... She hated me being a team principal, she never told me why exactly... So I got worried you'd hate it too."

Funny. He said it like it explained everything, it just made everything more confusing. Of course, she had found him extremely attractive, but she never had anybody explicitly exhibiting they wanted her. If it was any other guy telling her the same thing, she'd be creeped out, but it was Toto and Toto didn't look like any other guy.

"Why did you get worried?" Out of all the questions...

"Come on, I thought you understood," He looked down at her again, seeing the doubts in her eyes, "When I asked you if you were free tomorrow, I was going to ask you to come see the race," He started laughing. "Then you crushed my hopes saying 'I'll have to check my schedule'."

"Sorry. To be fair, is not like I got asked out many times before."

"You're lying."

"I'm not?"

"Yes, you are," he laughed. "Have you seen yourself? There's no way people don't ask you out at every corner you turn."

"Well, a boy asked me out one time, when I was like seventeen but we ended up not going anywhere. A woman a few years ago invited me to go camping... I hate insects, and a few months ago a coworker tried to take me out for lunch only to make me miss a rehearsal."

"That is... wow, did you miss it though?"

"No, I live by my schedule and routines." She gave him a smile, he laughed.

"Well, now I believe you. I guess I'll have to show you how good a proper date can be." He winked and smiled, his hand slipped to the middle of her back, they had just reached the garage. As they walked inside, he stepped in front of her while still holding her back which made her be almost consumed in a hug, the same scent that filled her home the other night now filled all of her senses.

"This is where I sit, but if you want there's a TV you can watch back there." She didn't want to be alone, her eyes had scanned the room, trying to find her manager but she wasn't here.

"I'll stay here." With you. For now.

It wasn't as if Toto was a creepy guy, she just wasn't used to having a man — who clearly liked her —, so close like this.

Toto tried to explain some basic things to her, his fingers pointed at certain points in the monitors in front of him, she wasn't sure she paid more attention to his voice or his hands.

When Lewis came back he introduced her to his assistant, they chatted for a while before they excused themselves to get ready for the qualifying. Right after they left Nico came running inside, she saw him shooting Toto an apologizing look before he left her eyesight. Nico was supposed to be the first driver she would meet, he was German too and it would make sense if they were seen together first. Two Germans born in the same city in the same year.

If he avoided her on purpose, she couldn't really blame him, she herself hated meeting new people, especially if being put in a situation like this. They didn't have to be friends or get along, they simply had to interact in front of a camera or the public eye. Victoria felt somewhat lucky, Lewis was nice to her and seemed to have truly enjoyed the little time they spent together, Bono was sweet and kept a nice conversation, Angela seemed funny and relaxed, than there was Toto...

She still felt like there was something he wasn't telling her. While she wanted to believe his words, her insecurities and anxiety kept holding her back. At the same time he could make her brain short circuit, he could also make her feel like she was in a safe space.

Before the qualifying started, Toto brought her a headphone. As he held it she took off her cap and slipped her hair behind her ears, without her asking he stepped closer and adjusted it on her head himself.

"I could do that..." In response he only sighed and shook his head, making her remember his last comment earlier, 'I'll have to show you how good a proper date can be'. "Thank you." She whispered, resisting the self sabotaging urge to roll her eyes. She knew now wasn't the time to push him away.

"No need to thank me, Schatz."

Her cheeks warmed up, certainly becoming reddish. Toto smiled, his nose scrunch had her melting and she couldn't fight smiling back.

"By the way, did you find a nickname for me?" She felt the need to control something, interacting with Toto in a place he was confident in made her feel way too vulnerable. He turned around and got settled into his seat — even sitting he was taller than her —.

"Your last name is Kaiser, right?"

"Yes."

"I thought of Kai. I remembered you said people mostly called you by your last name so it's not a big difference for you." Her eyes drifted away from his own, her breath hitched and she subconsciously straightened her back. "It sounds hard and powerful, like you. What do you think?"

What did she think? If only he knew...

"It's nice, I like it." She smiled at him, a fake smile but he didn't mention it. Her voice had significantly lowered its volume. He still looked at her for a few seconds, searching for her eyes after they drifted away again.

"Good! We both speak German and it sounds different when you know what it means." He laughed, accidentally lighting up her mood. "But it still fits."

At some point someone brought a seat for her too, placing it right beside Toto. Sitting made her feel small and vulnerable, people walked around them and she felt like she was in the way. Sensing her anxiety wanting to strike, she started fidgeting with her marker, twisting and spinning it. She heard Toto's voice, he was talking with Bono and the whole room was filled with noises, she only heard one voice. His thick accent filled her ears, deafening her from anyone but himself.

Toto updated her whenever something important happened, his hand would tap her leg and point to the screen before explaining. Niki had joined them but she wasn't sure when, it was interesting seeing him and Toto interact — words weren't needed, eye contact was enough —.

"So, what did you think?" Toto asked.

"To be honest, I didn't understand at the beginning," They both laughed, "But I think I'm getting the hang of it. You're a good teacher." If she closed her eyes she could see the look her mom would give her if she heard the last part, 'are you really going to act like this? I expected more of you, Kasia' she would say.

"Well, I could teach you more things if you come back tomorrow."

She had complimented him innocently but they both knew the real meaning behind his words.

"You don't believe me, do you?"

"It's because, like... I don't know, you seem so sure we would work," At first she groaned slightly, regretting it as soon as it left her mouth. Her head tilted, a habit she acquired as a child, it was meant to push her thoughts away. "And we only talked once, how can you know I'm not a shitty person?" A part of her expected him to snap and just tell her to fuck off, the other part wanted to hear him talking, wanted to know.

"Because I do know you. I knew you as a German Supermodel, I saw you walking last year, a friend of mine invited me to go watch his girlfriend but I only saw you... Thought you were so fucking beautiful. That day I thought of talking to you, but we had to leave soon and I didn't see you around after, I saw some of your other works after though. Then I heard of you as my mother's neighbor... Friend," He smiled at her from across the table. They had sat together in the same place Lewis and her were sitting earlier — Niki too before he coincidentally had to leave —, Toto's feet occasionally bumped hers. "The way she talked about you... How you had contributed to many NGO's anonymously, how educated and polite you were, how brilliant and smart you were, amongst many other things... I don't remember hearing her talking about someone like that before, and when she told me who you were and what you did, I knew what I wanted to do." His fingers were playing with his phone, tracing the sides and corners and twisting it on the table.

"Did your mom even ask you to go get her cat back?"

"Yeah, I just used it as an excuse to talk to you."

"Well, the cat helped too." They laughed.

"So, believe me?"

"I do, but I still don't understand how this will work, Toto..."

"You mean like, with work and traveling?"

"That's a part of it," She sighed, "You're still in like, the middle of the season, how will we even get to know each other?"

"Text, phonecall, travels... I mean, you're still sitting here listening to me so I know at least a part of you want to see where this goes," He leaned on the table with his arms crossed, "And if we both want to try, i think we'll find a way." She knew he was right, a part of her did want to try. "Look, I got nothing to lose and everything to win here. I'm not getting any younger, I've never been married and I don't have kids. I want more than just casual hook ups..." He sighed, his voice had gotten lower and Victoria subconsciously leaned on the table mirroring him. "I'm older than you and our lives are completely different, I get that. I knew there was a high chance of rejection but again, I got nothing to lose. If you don't want to come back tomorrow, I totally understand." She didn't know what to say, but even if she did, she wouldn't be able to. Lucia had come up to them saying it was time to go.

Before Victoria exited the paddock, Lewis stopped her.

"So, are we going to exchange numbers or what?" His arm had found a place on her shoulders, they were close in height but it wasn't uncomfortable. "If I remember right, I had to cut off the gossip." Victoria laughed, Lewis seemed to be such a serious guy on TV but in reality he was just a little gossip lover.

"Okay, what's your number?" To make the exchange easier, they handed their phones to each others.

"Just so you know, sometimes I'll just disappear, ghost everyone and come back as if nothing happened."

"Same, any day off I get I'll just lock myself at home." True, but it wasn't exclusively days off, any time she's home she'll pretend there's an apocalypse outside and she can't leave the apartment or she'll die.

They chatted for a couple minutes more until Lucia came back with the car.

"You're going to watch the race tomorrow, right? If everything goes as planned we will go out to celebrate the podium." She had already opened the door but Lewis leaned over it to whisper to her, "Besides, Toto would really like that..."

"Lewis..."

"What? He would!" He laughed.

"Bye, Lewis."

"See you tomorrow!" He turned to go back and Victoria closed the door.

"Wait!" She opened the window and pushed her head out to call him back, "Forgot to ask, can you sign my cap, please?" She asked the same way she saw a girl asking him earlier, fake innocent smile paired with a fluttering of lashes before staring at him with her big blue eyes.

"Sure! How could I deny you that?" He laughed.

He pulled the cap from her hand and turned to sign it at the side — same place she signed Izzy's —, "But, uhm..." He gave her pen back and stroked the team's symbol, brushed some nonexistent dust before placing it on his head, "You'll have to come back tomorrow to get it." He ran away laughing.

"Well, that was unexpected." Lucia said, receiving a roll of eyes from Victoria.

"What happened with you?" Lucia asked. Victoria hadn't spoken since she started driving, her head was tilted to the window and her arms hugged her body. Whenever she got lost in thought, people usually mistaken her overthinking for sleepiness. Lucia knew her better than anyone.

"Toto." She whispered.

"The team principal?"

"Yeah. I met him a few days ago, at home. He is my neighbor's son." She took a couple deep breaths, lightly shaking her head, "I invited him in, we drank coffee together... He asked me if I would be free on Sunday, because he wanted to invite me to the race, but he also kind of lied about being a boring CEO. Lewis told me he told Niki... You know Niki Lauda, right? He told Niki he had met someone, why do you tell your friend you 'met someone' if it's in a friendship way? I don't know what to think, Lu." She rambled, her eyes seemed to be searching for something while she looked around the streets, "He asked if I will come back tomorrow... Technically I wouldn't need to, but... I don't know." Lucia was quiet, she was aware her words and thoughts wouldn't matter right now. "Whatever, sorry for rambling."

"Don't apologize, it's nice hearing you voice your thoughts, even if they're confusing as fuck." She teased hoping to lighten up the mood, the smile she received was enough for her. "But really Vi, you should go. As you, you know? You. No pretense, no fake smiles, just you being you. We've been together for years now and I have yet to see you dating someone. You'll be thirty this year and I know you want to settle down, what if this is your chance?" Victoria going back meant way more than just the idea of what they could be. Toto seemed confident in what he wanted.

"Thanks for the words but, I met him just a few days ago... Does dating really happens like this?" The rational part of her brain stopped working hours ago.

"It happens in lots of ways." After her words the car fell in a deep silence, a loud consuming silence.

"Well, our schedules have already gotten in our way, can you imagine how it would be if we start dating?"

"Yes." The way she said it left no room for doubting. "And for someone who's 'not sure' you seem oddly invested in this..." Victoria wasn't looking at her but she could hear the smirk on Lucia's voice.

"Come on..." She rolled her eyes.

"Okay, but before you leave..." The car had stopped and she hadn't noticed it. "How can you expect to settle down and start a family if you don't even try to meet knew people? He's older, more experienced and mature than guys your age... But that also means he's probably not going to wait too long."

taglist: @chachaqueenzy @lotus-888

#toto wolff #toto wolff fanfic #toto wolff imagine #f1 #formula 1 #mercedes amg f1 #lewis hamilton #f1 fic #f1 fanfic #toto wolff fanfiction #toto wolff fluff #toto wolff x oc

[aamircoeur]

college au imagines with valorant men

Includes: Yoru, Chamber, Phoenix, Sova, and Cypher.

SFW, slice of life imagines.

cw: probably contains spelling and grammatical errors. it's 4am please forgive me i can not sleep. do enjoy though.

yoru would playfully step on your shoes, and he'd do it with a proud smirk. he knows that you'll run after him to step on his shoes too so he thinks that it's the perfect way to get close to you without being so obvious about it. he's also the type to hide your pens / pencil case in his own bag so that you'd talk to him during class asking if he had an extra pen. (he'd sneak the pencil case back to you after classes, though.)

chamber's the type to mouth you the answer when you're asked to recite. the type to say, "what's in it for me?" when you ask for test/seatwork answers. also the type to bump his hips to yours when you're both standing to wait for the bus (or you, at least. he probably has his own driver to drive him home but he insisted on hanging out with you 'til you get a ride home.)

phoenix is the type to shout, "this is for you!" before attempting to score during a basketball tournament. spoiler: he didn't hit the basket. but he'd sheepishly smile and say that t'was just a 'practice round'. would also be the type to steal cartolina paper somewhere and write "GO [NAME]!!!!!!" on it using a permanent marker that he most likely stole from yoru when it's you that's competitively playing. he probably drew hearts, a fucking spaceship or something and a tree surrounding the text. he likes being flashy and extra.

sova would be your cool upperclassman that always smiles at you in the hallway and approaches you when you're alone. he leaves snacks/drinks on your desk whenever it's break time so you have something to secretly munch on during classes. if you play sports, he'd attend your sports club practice and watch you play from the sidelines. always has hair ties on his wrists. his classmates asked him about it and he only answered with, "for emergencies." but they definitely know that he keeps them for you.

cypher's also your upperclassman. he's the more annoying one, though. would softly throw a ball at your head just to get your attention. always gives you small sticky notes, small messages that says, "walk with me home later?" "should we eat somewhere before heading home?" "can u buy me milk and give it to me later at lunch pls i'll pay u back" He in fact did not pay you back. - sneaks into the security room (or something idk) with you just to show you a clip of phoenix slipping in the halls through security cameras. weirdly knows all the best seats in every classroom and gives them to u (fans/air conditioning hitting the spot perfectly, a spot that's barely noticed by the teacher etc).

#valorant x reader #valorant x you #valorant imagines #cypher x reader #yoru x reader #sova x reader #chamber x reader #phoenix x reader #valorant #it's 4am #let me sleep

[pansyfemme]

i unfortunately don’t have any questions i just want to hear you talk about art supplies 😔

oh well. thats not particuarly hard to do.

im real hyped because in the ‘my child is autistic and i have zero idea how to shop for him’ manner my mother let me pick my own gifts this year for xmas so i will be in possession of some sennelier oil pastels shortly. ive used them several times before, but theres really no competition. i say this about almost no media because i believe theres something for everyone- but there is one oil pastel brand and its sennelier. working with them will make you feel like you are working with a completly unfamillar medium even if you’ve only ever drawn in oil pastel before. They’re just incredible. incredibly pricy too.. oh well. I’m also planning on picking up a box of Carandache neocolor I. they’re wax pastels, basically crayons but actually good. my mother lives by the Neocolor II, their watersoluable cousin, but i enjoy water resistance as much as i do soluablity. and as someone who works in so much wet media, its nice to work with a sketching media that provides resist as i do not lose or smudge the sketch as heavily. Plus, i love sketching with crayons and other chunky media. Also on my mind is a new lightboard -_- only had my old one for a year and a half before it died.. sigh. I want a bigger, heavy duty one sometime but i do not have the studio space for that.. one day.

In terms of pens, my special interest within a special interest, my kaweco sport is still my baby in terms of writing pens. Used to think i was more of a lamy guy.. but whew! im a convert. Kaweco pens are so well designed it makes my jaw drop sometimes. I just adore them. Love their lead holders too! And no, my brush pen rotation has not changed. I use my kuretake no.40 and kuretake no.13 interchangably.. i do not know better brush pens on the market, they’re just perfect in every way possible. made the switch fully to platimum carbon cartridges about a year ago and i do not regret it one bit, they’re the only ones i’ll use from this point forward. The ink darkness, permenance and waterproofing is just perfect, and it’s given me much less feathering than i had with kuretake, Akashiya (as much as i love akashiya in every other regard) and pentel cartridges. I tell people this all the time, but the ink you put in your pen is as crucial as the pen itself. Akashiya Sai Thinline, of course, is my preferred colored disposable brush pen. just wish the color range was wider! They’re truly special tho, the muted pallete, the fact they’re waterproof, the long thin shape of the bristles.. gorgeous. because of the recent trend of ‘watercolor brush markers’ (big fan, dont get me wrong) its pretty difficult to find colored brush pens that aren’t waterbased. I’ve had a scheme to make my own brush pens someday using my personal ink collection, but that depends on my ability to find a bristle tip body that is leakproof, cheap enough to get several of, and actually retains a point. People rave about just filling aquash style brushes with ink, but those leak.. a LOT. and keeping their tips consistantly wet has a habit of making their sharpness go away, which is fine if you’re painting, not so much for lineart. So. while i do get real autistic trying to find the best brush pens for lineart.. at the end of the day, i always end up just hand lining with a paintbrush and ink lol. it’s still the best way. (if you’re curious i normally do my colored lineart in liqutex acrylic ink, specifically the muted colors series because they’re perfect in every way shape and form.)

like i said. not hard to do. it’s like asking me to talk about music. i will, just can’t promise it will be understandable to anyone but me.

#im hyping myself up to focus my efforts on one or two sustained peices rather than a million little peices like usual #i have a potential commission i hope my client is serious about this time because they’ve asked a few times #but if not or even if its small im hoping to start a lifesize nude self portrait in mixed media with a focus on oil pastel lol #ive been having a really strong image of mounting kitchsy tacky patterned fabric on wood panel and then painting totally over it nearly #obscuring it.. kinda like how artists tone their canvas but pattern

[kingkatsuki]

This isn’t x reader or anything, just having cute thoughts about Bakugou signing an autograph for the first time.

Inspiration was this fanart.

Warnings: none, but a lot of rambling.

Thinking about Bakugou being asked to sign his very first autograph. He’s not a famous Pro-Hero when it happens, in fact, he’s not even ranked in the top 50 yet. Still just a sidekick trying to make his name amongst the older heroes that still hold their own in the charts. Other young, optimistic students graduating Hero schools across Japan who are his competition, more names that could easily outdo him in the rankings. His fellow classmates no longer his only adversaries, giving him more pressure to try and find his own.

Being a sidekick is difficult, all Bakugou’s time and energy is put into trying to make a name for himself. The patrols are long and arduous, and the gratitude is almost non-existent. The public seem to only care for the heroes who are popular, the ones they recognise in the charts and praise from his agency for a job well done is non-existent. The few that recognise him do because of the Sports Festival from all those years ago that he’s tried hard to forget— he’s come a long way since then but it’s hard to control your temper when the odds are against you.

So the first time he experiences true gratitude for doing his job, he doesn’t expect it. He’d found a young boy sat alone in a park, back pressed against the trunk of a tree with his knees tight to his chest. Bakugou was going to ignore him, still searching for any small time villains who were out causing trouble, or maybe stumbling across some information that could help Best Jeanist take down the prolific villain causing a ruckus in Musutafu. If Bakugou found him it would surely cause a stir, it would help him make a name for himself for certain and even have him teetering on the edge of the top 50 rankings. The determination and drive inside fuelling him to take extra shifts until the villain was taken down. But there was something about this boy that Bakugou felt for, coming up to him to find out he’d lost his mother in the crowds of the city.

It wasn’t the bust of the century, it wasn’t apprehending a villain or taking down a crime syndicate— it was just the right thing to do.

When Bakugou had reunited the boy with his mother, the poor woman didn’t even notice him. Far too busy bouldering him out of the way to wrap her arms around the small boy. Bakugou watched the scene awkwardly from the sidelines for a few moments before walking away, the smallest of smiles on his face that he’d managed to succeed— even if no one was there to witness it.

So imagine his surprise the following week when the same small boy comes up to him while he’s out on patrol and asks him to sign his lunchbox. Wide, inquisitive eyes staring up at him as he holds out a black marker pen to the young sidekick. Bakugou isn’t even sure what to sign, he’s never really signed his hero name other than scribbling the full thing messily in the columns of his books at school. Wondering whether he should sign his whole hero name or the shortened version.

Bakugou almost feels guilty for scribbling Dynamight across the young boys lunch box in black marker. He’d done his best to make it as neat as possible, but using his arm as a table as he fiddled with the cap it felt awkward and uncomfortable signing something so publicly. Wondering whether one day he’d have other people asking the same question, his face across the most garish merchandise as he signed for the masses.

But this felt special, it was important. His first signature as a hero. And he already felt like he’d messed it up as he handed the pen and the lunchbox back to the small boy who took it eagerly from his arms.

“Wow… Dynamight.” The young boy reads his messy scrawl on the top of his lunchbox before staring up at him in awe, “You’re my favourite hero.”

Bakugou would sign thousands of autographs after this, perfecting the style of it over time. Signing hundreds of other young kids lunchboxes, some with his face plastered over them. Copious amounts of merchandise, body parts (He almost spelt his name wrong when he was presented someone’s chest to sign), photographs, even rival heroes merch (Bakugou had loved drawing a cartoonish beard and moustache over Deku’s face on a photograph he’d been presented), but nothing would ever compare to the first time he’d signed an autograph, the one that he’d never forget.

A reminder of the first day he felt like a true hero.

#soft bakugou #Bakugou drabble

[aidoubackster]

OFFtober 2023 Day 10: "Sports-pajama wearing clown"

[ID: a drawing on paper using black pen and markers of different colours of the Batter (from OFF) with a clown version of his usual outfit. He is standing with his arms stretched. He is wearing an extra large black cap (too big for his head), a black nose and cross shaped eye make up, although only the bottom half can be seen. The Batter is wearing a big, ruffled neck, a large long sleeved shirt with black stripes and a red cross on his chest, like a clown flower. He is wearing a black belt, white wide pants and comically large black shoes. He is holding a colourful toy hammer and around him there are the three add-ons, but they are hula hops in green, pink and yellow. Behind him there's a black bullseye motif. End of ID]

The prompt had "clown" in it, so I had to clownify the Batter. The colours are inspired by the different zones.

#offtober2023 #off game #off mortis ghost #the batter off #off the batter #I wanted to do something really cool for day 1 and 3 but I ended up doing nothing for several days. F. #but I am starting today with prompt 10

[iridium-quality-salad]

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles

[ID: Banner of the game Yonder. It shows an illustrated scene of a farm. In the foreground, a brown-haired player character and a small red fox are napping next to a big fluffy brown animal with huge horns. In the background are two wooden animal pens with red roofs and a pair of the same horned animal, on adult and a young one. The sky is blue and the grass green and dotted with flowers. The game logo is mostly golden, with the O being an illustration of big blue round sails. End ID]

I want to put this whole review under the fact that I bought this game on sale for less than 5 Euro. There will be a lot of bitching, and many things I would not accept with the non-sale price, but it was cheaper than a pizza and kept me busy for over 25 hours (though I admit, I am not the fastest, so I think <20h is realistic).

In Yonder, you are trying to find out about your past when your ship sinks and you end up stranded on an island threatened by the murk - some kind of dark fog blocking areas. Only you can see and befriend the small creatures called sprites which you need to clear the murk, progress the story, and finally discover the (very surprising! :o not) truth about your past.

On your way to do so, you have to gather resources, barter for goods, tame animals, catch fish, and discover secrets.

[ID: Screenshot of the game. The player character is overlooking a vast landscape with a huge mountain in the far background, surrounded by a pink forest. Trees closer to the player are green instead, and the landscape sports many cliffs and an ocean on the right side of the picutre. The sky is mostly blue, with a few pinkish-white clouds. Some kind of whale-shaped animal is floating in the distance between the clouds. End ID]

The positives:

Save whenever, good autosaves, multiple save slots.

Customize character with hair and eye colors, but also body shapes! Yay.

Lots of clothes to discover as well.

Cute animals to tame <3

If you have 2 of the same animal on a farm, there will be a third, baby version, it's so adorable.

Very relaxed, stress free gameplay. No combat, no death, drowning ports you back up on land.

The quest log is very detailed and works as a marker on the map, too.

Tons of things to discover, and very clear progression indicators.

I really liked the lighting in this game. Beautiful sunrises <3

Two modes of fast travel - from farm to farm for a (small) cost, and from one sage stone to any of the others once their quest is cleared.

Big inventory, early unlocked stash.

Some beautiful, diverse biomes.

Keyboard controls can be rebound.

Plays perfectly on the steam deck.

[ID: Another screenshot. The player character is gliding over a purple forest while hanging onto a rainbow colored umbrella. Underneath the character is a settlement with purple buildings, what looks to be an observatory and a giant planet model. The landscape in the distance is covered in fog and tinted with warm sunlight. End ID]

The neutral:

Short, lackluster story. This is not a game I bought for the story.

Farming is very basic. There's 4 different crops, a couple different animals to tame, and you can plant trees, which only give you the same wood you can find all over the place. It's not a farming game, though, so whatever.

The foxes are adorable but don't give anything unique. Some produce items that are harder to get, which is nice.

The game is a bit inconsistent whether a quest will use up your items or not. All the clothes you have to find for the scarecrow you get to keep, while other items get used up.

Hell, you can BUY tools, even though you get every single on for free and they cannot break, get lost, or get dropped. Why tf? I played the whole game having 2 sickles, unable to get rid of one of them.

Crafting is an over complicated, horrible UI, convoluted mess. Why is this in neutral?

Because you can buy pretty much everything. You can break rocks for days and then spend several minutes crafting ever increasing intermediate steps to get a bunch of stone pillars and arches - or you return for a few days and just buy them.

There is no money, so you barter with goods matching prices, which is a bit annoying. I ended up paying everything with potatoes and grass.

With a bit of patience and luck, you can even buy every fish, and it counts for the fishing collection, which, thank you, fishing is annoying.

Very short ingame calendar; a year is 30 days, so each season only lasts 7-8 days.

[ID: A screenshot of the game's crafting menu. It shows available recipes for the profession Constructor, with things such as stone arches and pillars, farm buildings made from stone, various metal ingots, and a set of profession specific clothes. End ID]

The negatives:

(Aka things that made me want to throw my deck at the wall.)

Jumping sucks. If you're standing wrong against a rock, jumping will make you jump back instead of up, which might lead to you falling off things. Luckily, very little jumping is actually required.

You can't select a hairstyle when creating the char, you find them all over the place. Default hair is ugly af. If I hadn't found a cute one pretty soon, it would have been WAY less fun staring at an ugly blob of polygons for 20 hours.

Similarly, you get some basic hair colors and can unlock super fancy ones in the game. Now why is this negative? Because not all default colors exist as shampoo, and I was so happy to find a perfect hair color when making my char, which I would have never gotten back, so I couldn't use any shampoo :(

The. Sounds. This game has some of the most grating, repetitive, ear-bleeding sounds I have ever had the displeasure of encountering in a game. Usually, I would turn off sounds nothing much lost, but:

The. Cats. There is a quest to find 55 cats in this game, and the only way to find them is to have sounds on, because they mew very loudly when you get close - or, I guess, seeing a blob of tiny pixels hidden away between rocks and trees 55 times.

Speaking of the cats. Some of them only appear at certain times, like winter, spring and summer nights, or even summer sunrise. In my opinion, this makes finding them without the wiki tedious; perhaps possible, definitely not worth it.

The only good point about the cats is that there's more cats in the game than you need, so there is a chance you find enough of one breed on your own.

Day/night cycle from 6am-6pm and vice versa, with no way to skip time. Which means for half of the game time, it's annoyingly dark. Makes it extremely hard to see anything, hey, at least you get a lantern. Which bugged once leaving me with a pitch black screen. Its just not fun. It would have been fine if nights weren't 12 hours long.

I would have turned my screen brighter, but days are extremely bright in comparison - even after turning down bloom.

Thunderstorms, especially at night. They just flash the whole screen white in irregular intervals, it's horrible. Once or twice, I had to put the deck down and wait until they were over. Luckily, they were rare.

[ID: A screenshot of the game, showing the player character in front of one of the sage stones; a giant face made out of stone, mouth wide open, mouth and eyes glowing brightly. It's sitting on an uphill slope on a snowy mountain with a huge cliff face to the left. End ID]

There were a few minor bugs; the aforementioned missing lamp during one night, I somehow completed a quest twice and got two badges, and the UI for board quests if you talk to the quest giver NPC without the items present is so bad I consider it a bug. Nothing gamebreaking.

Why do I still recommend it? Well, it was fun. Mostly. It was a real "couldn't put it down" game for a week or two, just one more quest, one more creature. It was less fun to have the game running for 2 real life hours waiting for next winter because I was missing one single cat and had nothing else left to do.

It's also a game I will happily uninstall and never touch again now that I 100% it, which, honestly, is nice, I have enough games to return to. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be a way to hide the interface for better screenshots (though you can try to catch the split second before opening inventory or compass.)

If you like low-stakes, cozy games, this one might be for you - but on sale. If you're sensitive to flashing lights, beware of the thunderstorms.

#salad.recs #Yonder #Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles #style: 3d

[themetalvirus]

Do you have any recommendations for fountain pens? I was looking at some but i dont know if the ones i was looking at are any good lol

OH YOU ASK BISCUIT ABOUT HYPERFIXATION? YOU ASK THEM AND ARE GENUINELY INTERESTED? HUG FOR LIBELELLE. HUG FOR TEN THOUSAND YEARS. you will regret this i am so sorry in advance

anyway, the most recommended beginner pens are the lamy safari and pilot metropolitan. i personally don't like the metro (the grip section is slippery and makes my fingers inky, and the ink capacity is tiny teeny baby size), and i have never owned a lamy safari, but some people hate the triangle grip. their nibs can also vary greatly in quality, so buying one is a gamble, but a lot of people seem to like their safaris (and metros, some people swear by the metropolitan)

if you just want something cheap, you can try the platinum preppy - they're reliable for the price. the catch: the pen body will crack after about a year. they are not built to last, but if you wanna just test out if you like the (BEGINNER) fountain pen writing experience, then they're a fine choice

personally, i'm a big fan of the twsbi eco, but they are also prone to cracking over time and they get into a lot of shitty corporate slapfights with other pen companies who make piston fillers (my favorite kind of filling mechanism, so much ink capacity [but harder to clean!]). their nibs are reliable and juicy. you can also try the twsbi swipe for a very similar experience with a... cheaper price and look to match. the swipe comes with the same awesome nibs though

there's also the kaweco sport, which a lot of people swear by, but i've never owned because i personally find it ugly and unappealing (SORRY). it's a pocket pen, which means it's tiny when closed but full length when posted (when you put the cap on the end), making it a versatile everyday pen for people who have, like, jobs and stuff. i haven't heard many complaints about the quality control with the sports' nibs. i personally don't think it's the best pen for someone JUST starting out because of its status as a pocket pen, but again, lots of people swear by it. the ink capacity is piss tiny

there's also, of course, the pilot kakuno! cheaper than the pilot metro with what sounds like a reliable nib. i've never owned one, but they seem good for students and the like. it has a fun little smiley face on the nib =) because it's a pilot, the ink capacity is PISS TINY. but it's a good pen.

a word of warning. do NOT buy the ooly splendid. i repeat, DO NOT BUY THE OOLY SPLENDID. cleaning it is a NIGHTMARE because it has a little wick in the nib. like a marker. imagine trying to get all the ink out of the tip of a marker. it is a nightmare. do not buy the ooly splendid it sucks it doesn't even have a good seal so all the ink gets all boogery on the nib. bad

SOME NOTES: lamy and pilot use proprietary cartridges/converters, which basically means you can only use their way of refilling your pen. converters let you use whatever ink you want, which i greatly prefer. kaweco uses international standard short cartridges and converters, which gives you more options for cartridges if you choose to go that route. twsbi uses the piston fill mechanism, which has the most ink capacity by far, but it's harder to switch colors because of the way you have to dismantle the pen to clean it

ok. one thing to note is that these pens will either come with one (1) cartridge or no ink at all. so. what ink do you use?

WELL! one thing that is important to stress is to not use india ink. it will clog and destroy a fountain pen. make sure you only use inks that are clearly labeled for fountain pen use - any other ink may damage your pen.

in any case, i really like waterman intense black for a nice black ink that's easy to use and clean out of pens.

don't use any piddly shit they sell at michael's, it sucks (know from experience)

for any other colors, some brands i can fully endorse are diamine (cheap AND very very reliable!!) and pilot iroshizuku (more expensive, but the ink writes wet [more ink flow] and is vibrant).

brands i would warn against for ink are... NOODLER'S. the owner of noodler's ink is a rabid trump supporter and conspiracy theorist, and with ink names like "1984" and "censor red", i'm surprised more people don't know/care. another is ferris wheel press just because their shit is overpriced and underperforming compared to most other brands. if any ink is more that $40 it's basically a scam

also, shimmer inks are NOT for newbies; they are prone to clogging pens and ruining them. no glitter for new people you will regret it

UHHH OKAY THATS ALL MY BEGINNER ADVICE. SORRY ITS SO MUCH. GOOD LUCK OUT THERE SOLDIER

#exoticbutterstxt

[siberianchan]

Comparision: MB Rouge et Noir vs. Majohn F9

Hello there, I'm currently basking in my 5 minutes of fame off having my snake fountain pen ask answered by Neil Gailman.

Since I am currently, as @thegrimshapeofyoursmile said, fame let me introduce myself.

I am Sibi, I am a writer of fantasy, historical fiction and everything queer under the sun - and I collect fountain pens.

Recently I finished editing a novel that was a lot of hard, rewarding and enlightening work. Neil's posts on creative writing and him encouraging people in his asks cheered me up a lot during the first round of editing.

And then there's the fact that I named the pen Crowley for obvious reasons.

It was my holy duty as an elder tumblrina to be all parasocial about it.

The pen I was - and still am - so chuffed about is a Montblanc Heritage Collection Rouge et Noir Serpent. (They also have a Spider one).

(Yes. It is that expensive. No, I am not rich. I earn a decent wage and have disposable income which I can - and did - save up. I am pissed that our economy is so nightmarish that this is genuinely a privilege.)

A few folks reblogged the ask claiming the pen was a Majohn F9.

Fair enough, Majohn specializes in copycat designs and the F9 is a copycat of the Rouge et Noir (they also did one for the spider themed one). They make nice pens.

I own a F9 myself. It was this pen, in fact that convinced me to save up and reward myself for a MAJOR milestone with it. That milestone being having finished that novel.

Considering all the mix-ups, I thought about comparing the two of them and make a list of how to tell them apart. The F9 is a rightfully popular pen and I really don't want people to try and find the pen they saw in the Neil Gailman ask, then die of shock at the price tag. Neither do I want people to order a F9 and then be disappointed that it doesn't look like the snake pen in the Neil Gailman ask, then not give it a chance just because of that.

Sooo here we go!

I got my F9 about two years ago and I love it. However, the paint quickly started to chip due to friction with other pens, so I kept it at home. (I since then updated my pen roll.) Since then, the paint has developed tiny bumps and bubbles and has a rough feel to it. Probably deterioration. At least the chipping should be no issue with proper storage, that was my bad.

The Rouge et Noir is my first modern MB all others are vintage flea market finds, so it remains to be seen whether the resin will act the same. I never heard anything about it, so I honestly doubt it would happen. (Cause let's be real, we would make a huge and justified stink about it)

Sizewise: no difference. Same length, same circumference. The MB cap screws nicely on the F9. Vice versa not so much, the grip section of the f9 is a bit thicker and the cap is actually a little larger than that of the MB. Serious kudos to Majohn for sneaking in subtle differences while keeping the overall proportions the same.

The clip is the biggest visual difference, with MB putting in a rather detailed snake, whereas the F9 sports a beautiful, stylized dragon with a wing on top. I know people who specifically prefer the F9 because they like dragons and the F9 is a beautiful, subtle dragon pen. Also good on you, Majohn for sidestepping the Montblanc Crest on the finial.

The snake design on the nibs is exactly the same with the only differences being the shape of the breather hole, the size mark on the Majohn and the individual brand markers (and the fact that the grain on the tip is flattened on the upside on the MB which . If your main argument for a pen is the snake on the nib and the snake on the nib alone - stop reading now and get the F9.

(I do think the MB nib is a hint bigger though and it looks like it was molded with the snake design while it is etched on on the F9 nib.)

Weight wise - even fully inked, with 30g the F9 is significantly lighter than the MB who clocks in at 35g after having been inked and in use for about 8 pages of writing. Some people don't like heavy pens, so that's a consideration to make.

Now the big question: how do they write? I inked them up with Diamine's Bloody Absinth, tried them and... Well, both are lovely. I bought the F9 with a fine nib in stainless steel, it is perfect for little notes in the margins or a detailed doodle of my bored coworker. The nib is quite stiff, s no line variation. The inkflow is quite juicy and it writes without issue or scratching. Good. Pen.

The MB comes with a 14k gold nib that has a beautiful stinginess to it (not that my pettiness gets much use out of it). Since I have developed a love for broader nibs when writing I got me an M and I do not regret it. Especially when you like sheeny inks a broader nib and the ability to get a little variation in the ink flow make your writing just POP. I am utterly in LUST with this.

So... which one would I recommend?

Honestly, they are both great. If you have the Rouge et Noir as a grail pen, you chosen well and I wish you good luck hunting one down. But... this pen will not be an everyday carry. It will spend its days in my showcase or on my desk when I write short stories. It will be treasured and cherished (and insured) for it's own artistic merit and the craftsmanship that went into it, but also for the achievement it stands for. (And yes, also because I call him Crowley.) This is an 800 dollar pen. I will NOT take that to the office. Or anywhere near my family.

If you want a fancy looking everyday carry pen with a cute snake on the nib - go for the F9.

(I bet similar conclusions can be made about the spider themed Rouge et Noir and F9)

But also... have me being a happy little gremlin about having gotten my grail pen.

(Also I will definitely not buy any pens this year. Let's focus on and enjoy what we have r.n.)

#neil gailman #neil gailman asks #fountain pen #montblanc #majohn f9 #rouge et noir #writing #editing #milestones #good omens #crowley

[this-was-a-terrible-idea]

hello again <3

1, 5, 8, 10 + 11 if you do, 14 y 27!

<3 <3 <3 thank you for asking again!!! ily

1) what’s your favorite book you’ve read so far this year? does the answer differ whether it’s your favorite in terms of enjoyment, quality, or message? Vicious by V.E. Schwab! its so fucking good dude it had me HOOKED and im rereading it already. no changes in the answer, it is all around my favorite from this year

5) have you dnf’d any books this year? yes 😭 it was a sports romance that gave me psychic damage and i dnf'd at 51%

8) what’s a book you want to read by the end of the year? a few!!! Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan (tbh i just need to get it out of my backpack and sit down with it for two hours so that should be easy), Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey (i keep renewing my loan on this in Libby and its driving me nuts that i haven't finished it yet), A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers (bc i need a cathartic read to round off the year)

10) do you annotate your books, and if so, do you annotate only specific books or all of them? i'm only just starting to annotate, and only some books!! i've got this thing where i don't want to "ruin" a book but @bi-bats was telling me about how they see annotations and it kinda changed my mind. so far i've only annotated the copy of The Lightning Thief that i used for book club and i'm working on annotating Vicious for @bi-bats (the fact that it's not done yet is stressing me out but it WILL get done)

11) how do you annotate your book? (pencil, pen, tabs, highlighters, etc.; what do you write?) highlighter preferably, with pen underlines! i didn't have highlighters with me when i started annotating Vicious so its got different colored fine tip marker underlines, color coded per person. i mostly just underline things that stand out, and add exclamation marks and things like "he's so unwell" (that one's Vicious specific haha)

14) what’s your favorite adaptation of a book? The Martian (2015) is both one of my favorite movies AND a great adaptation of the book imo!

27) any “unpopular” book opinions? uhhhh suddenly i've forgotten all popular and unpopular book opinions. um, i don't really like a majority of booktok recs?? OH here's one: i think that booktok has done a great deal of damage to book reviews and book review videos specifically. book review videos used to be thought out and give reasons why the reviewer liked or didn't like something, and now the majority of "book review" videos i see are just a list of books with a rating and no explanations and that drives me nuts. i wanna know WHY you liked or didn't like the book, not just a number of stars. especially since everybody's star review criteria is different 😩

ask me different book-related questions!

#thank you for asking!!! #i love ask games #ask game #bean speaks

[study-with-aura]

August 17, 2022

*scheduled post*

I most likely won't have time to post Wednesday because of my schedule, so I thought I would write a list of tips that I have learned during my time being homeschooled from 1st to now 8th grade. Not only have these things helped with keeping a positive outlook when the day or week gets difficult, but they have allowed me to be successful thus far in my schooling and in all of my extracurricular activities.

My Guide for Homeschooling Successfully:

Set a routine. Routines help to plan out the day and make sure that things that need to get done can get done. But be flexible. The routine doesn't have to be set in stone. Plan out when schooling will take place and schedule other activities around it.

Get dressed. One thing my mom instilled in my brother and me when we began homeschooling was that we could not attend school in our pajamas unless we were having a special pajama day. Because we school on certain holidays that public schools are out, we usually use those as pajama days. Getting dressed and ready for the day helps with putting me in a positive mindset and can be great for mental health!

Get involved. There's a crazy myth about homeschoolers that we're secluded away from the rest of the world because we don't attend a regular school. I can say that this myth is nearly 100% false. There are homeschool clubs in many areas. Our library even offers STEAM classes once a week for homeschoolers and a nearby nature center also has special classes geared specifically for homeschooled students. There are sports clubs one can get involved in at a local recreation center like the YMCA or maybe dance classes like I'm in. There are even scouting troops or church youth group gatherings. Socializing is important for all humans as we have a need for connection, and there are many ways to stay connected and build useful skills like leadership, teamwork, and cooperation.

Take on a hobby. Hobbies are great for anyone to have, and they can also help with learning. Who says learning has to be boring? One of my hobbies is video gaming. I've watched my brother play his video games since I was young, and I recently in the past couple of years started video gaming with him as well. While you might think, "what can one learn from a video game?", in truth, there's a lot that can be gained. For one, it helps with determination and perseverance. If I can't defeat a boss, I don't give up. I find out what I need to do by fighting it over and over again until I finally defeat it. I also learn strategy. Some games I play require logic and strategizing in order to succeed. This can help with thinking creatively. I recently started playing an MMORPG with my brother, and I joined his guild. The guild runs dungeons together and this requires group coordination and effort and the ability to work together respectfully as a team.

Set up a dedicated workspace. It's important to have a dedicated workspace for schooling. My brother and I have a study room that we solely use for our schoolwork. Some of our friends have spaces set up in their main living room or outside the kitchen. This dedicated workspace can help the brain know that it's time to focus. It's similar to how people say not to have the television or computer in the bedroom. The bedroom is meant for sleeping, and we want our brains to recognize that it's time for bed, not entertainment. Having a dedicated workspace also means that all the supplies should be located within reach instead of having to move around a lot to get anything that's needed. My brother and I each have our own desk on opposite sides of the room. My desk has my gel pens, highlighters, pencils, my binder that I put all my schoolwork in, coloring utensils like crayons and markers plus other art supplies in one of the drawers, scissors, glue sticks, and extra notebooks and composition books. We also have a central printer in the room which is great because I prefer to print off my work as I go instead of all at once.

Ask for help. My brother and I teach ourselves by following a curriculum, but sometimes I may not understand a concept no matter how many times I look over the examples or watch videos. Because my brother is four years older than me, he's a great resource to help explain things in a way that may make it easier for me to understand. But my parents always help too. If I have questions about a writing assignment or a presentation I have to put together, they're always there to reassure me and help walk me through the parts I can't figure out on my own. There's nothing wrong with reaching out for assistance when necessary, but I always try to solve the problem on my own first and never wait until the last minute. The moment I realize that something isn't working no matter what I try, I ask for help.

Take charge of your own education. The great thing about homeschooling is that even though I'm following a set curriculum, I have the option of diving into topics more deeply because I set my own pace with my learning. Right now, I'm reading an optional book for Modern History because I was curious to learn more about George Washington Carver's life after reading a short biography. The other great part about homeschooling is schooling in the field! Yes, that means field trips! We schedule trips to the local art and science museums as well as going to the local parks to immerse in nature. This allows me to apply what I'm learning to real life scenarios or to study certain topics through primary sources.

Take breaks. During the time I do my school work, I typically take about three to four breaks. My brother and I take an hour or so break to fix and eat lunch, and I like to also take a break after finishing any difficult lesson. Usually about halfway through my schoolwork, I will take a walking break. I like to go outside and walk for about 10 minutes before coming back in and finishing up my core schoolwork for the day. After I complete my main schoolwork, I'll take another short break before I start any of my supplemental learning such as Khan Academy, Duolingo, or my extra daily reading. Breaks allow for information that I learned during the previous study session to have time to process. I find that if I jump from one subject to the next without giving my brain time to process any new information, I can't recall it as well when it comes up again. This is another reason I like to meditate when I finish my main schoolwork. It allows my mind time to actively rest and re-center before going into my supplemental study sessions.

Set goals. Goalsetting is very important! I like to set goals by quarter, which for me is about 45 days of schooling. While I like to set overarching goals, it's also good to set a goal for each course. On top of academic goals, I have personal goals that my planner refers to as character/spiritual goals, and other goals that don't fit cleanly into either section. Character/spiritual goals can be things like meditating, taking on a leadership position in a group that one's involved in, or volunteering for so many hours a quarter or semester. For other goals, I put financial literacy goals, such as creating my first budget. This complements my computer course since I'm learning Excel this year. I also put goals about video gaming on there, so I spend less time on my video games of the weekend and more time with my family or taking on a new hobby. Make sure that the goals being set are SMART goals. This means that they are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.

Have fun! I think it can be easy to get overwhelmed at times, but remember that homeschooling is whatever one makes it out to be. There's no one right way to homeschool. Find what works best and go for it.

Have a great year!

#studyblr #study community #study blog #study inspiration #studyspiration #study motivation #homeschooling #homeschool #study-with-aura

[helloparent]

Fun Father's Day Activities for Preschoolers to Enjoy

Father's Day Activities for Preschoolers

Father's Day is a special occasion that offers a wonderful opportunity for little ones to show their love and appreciation for their dads. Whether it's through a simple gesture or a creative activity, the day is all about making fathers feel valued and loved. For those involved in early childhood education, including preschools in India and users of school parent apps, incorporating Father's Day activities into the curriculum or suggesting them through apps can make the celebration even more special. Here are some fun Father's Day activities designed for preschoolers that are sure to bring smiles and create lasting memories.

1. Handmade Cards

There's nothing more heartfelt than a card made by a child. Encourage your preschoolers to use their creativity to make Father's Day cards. Provide them with construction paper, markers, stickers, and even photographs to personalize their cards. This activity not only allows them to express their love but also enhances their fine motor skills and creativity.

2. DIY Gifts

Simple DIY gifts can be a fun project for preschoolers. Ideas include decorating a mug with paint pens, creating a photo frame with popsicle sticks, or assembling a keychain with beads. These activities not only result in meaningful gifts for dads but also teach children the joy of giving.

3. Fun Outdoor Games

Organize a series of fun outdoor games that fathers and their preschoolers can enjoy together. This can be a mini-sports day with activities like sack races, three-legged races, or a simple game of catch. These activities are great for physical development and foster a strong bond between fathers and their children.

4. Storytime Sessions

Dedicate a special storytime session to books about fathers and their children. Select books that celebrate the relationship between dads and kids, and encourage fathers to participate in the reading session. This can be organized within the classroom or suggested to parents via a school parent app as a home activity.

5. Art and Craft Projects

Set up a craft station where children can create something special for their dads, such as handprint art, bookmarks, or a homemade picture book. Crafts allow children to use their imagination and develop their artistic skills, all while making a personalized gift.

6. Cooking Together

Cooking is a delightful way for fathers and preschoolers to bond. Suggest simple recipes that they can make together, like sandwiches, fruit salads, or no-bake cookies. This activity teaches children basic cooking skills and the importance of teamwork.

7. Virtual Celebration

For preschools in India utilizing technology, organizing a virtual Father's Day celebration can be a great way to involve dads who are unable to be physically present. Through a school parent app, preschools can set up a video call where kids can sing songs, show their crafts, or recite poems for their dads.

Conclusion

Father's Day is an excellent occasion for preschoolers to express their love and gratitude towards their fathers. By engaging in these fun activities, children can develop various skills while also creating unforgettable memories with their dads. Best preschools in India and around the world can facilitate these activities directly or through suggestions on school parent apps, ensuring that both fathers and their preschoolers have a joyful and memorable Father's Day.

Originally Published Here.

#father day activities for preschoolers #father day activities #father day

[sensationzmedia]

Enhance Your Creativity and Related Productivity

Increase your creativity and you will be more productive at work. There are many ways to do that. Many people think that creative endeavors are limited to artists, but the reality is that these skills can be incorporated into anyone's life. Developing ways to deal with challenges, creative outlets can have positive results in the workplace.

What is Creativity? 

Person tends to view creativity from a linear perspective and is restricted to activities that relate exclusively to artistic creation. However, creativity can be embraced in many ways beyond just looking like painting. So don't just look like painting, music or writing. In fact, the most valuable tool you can possibly have is an attempt to bring creativity into your work, having a beginner's spirit, or being open-minded. In reality, companies are also trying to create creative opportunities by hiring people with diverse backgrounds. This leads to different ways to approach challenges and develop new ideas. The reality is that creative approaches can start small.

Incorporate Color into the Planning Process

When brainstorming ideas, it may be helpful to consider adding color to your book or presentation. You can also add stickers during the brainstorming process. Interestingly, when we think of projects, we think of projects with bright colors. So these different highlighters might be a great idea to keep ideas flowing at work.

Plan outing

Organizations with outlets tend to employ different creative schemes in their teams. It is normal for some companies to have sports and game centers. However, this may not be the case for other organizations. So a creative outlet can be a solution to keep your mind busy.When faced with work problems, being picky and finding solutions can be difficult. On the other hand, finding solutions to problems while working on unrelated things is more common. Creative options give employees that space and might work for you. One of the easiest things to implement is a coloring book, and you can even start with a black and white book. Spending 10-20 minutes on a task like this de-stresses your brain by allowing you to fully focus on the subject through artistic or creative work. So this could be an ideal initial solution.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Art aside, jigsaw puzzles provide an immediate creative pursuit for any individual. Apart from that, the complexity of the work can be determined by personal preference. I tend to prefer puzzles that require a lot of time. But when I'm short on time, I appreciate the instant gratification of picking up a 30-piece jigsaw puzzle. Puzzles can also provide a way to involve other employees in the workplace

Use Technical Planning Tools

In addition, ease of resolution enables individuals to overcome any barriers to connecting with others, such as language barriers. As such, they can provide a way to not only be creatively involved, but also a liaison between you and your peers. Now you have more ways to add extra aspects. Tools with creative capabilities include Notion and Excel. On the other hand, those who prefer traditional writing methods can choose bullet journaling for creative expression. I've been enjoying bullet journaling for years now, especially on Sundays. I tend to have him plan out his week on Sunday or Monday morning, and I can use pens and color markers to add some color to the work. Having been doing this for a while, I appreciate having a place to look at projects I worked on at different times. With Notion or Excel, on the other hand, you can create online media and take it with you wherever you go. Adding color to these options or scribbling around in a minimalistic layout can be a good starting point for creative work.

The Benefits of a Creative Approach to Work

Improved Focus

Taking time to focus on your creative work can help clear your mind and allow you to focus fully on your work. Additionally, taking short breaks to consider alternative approaches to completing the challenge will help you complete the challenge.

Teamwork

Some creative ways offer ways to involve colleagues in the workplace. This is even more possible if you are using games or working on art. Not only does it provide a talking point, but it can also be an engaging space

Overall Productivity

Unleash your creativity to do better work. I enjoy my work more when I work on smaller tasks that fit into my work rather than waiting until 5pm. So a creative space at work can be the answer to how efficient you are. But starting small is always a good thing. When I started drawing, I wasn't good at drawing, but just drawing made me feel better. 

Conclusion

Often these creative approaches tend to give the mind the rest and rest it needs, and that's all it takes when you're tired. Try it out today. I am sure you will love the process.

#creativity enhancecreativity #critical thinking #think fresh #fresh thoughts #thought process #reduce stress #plan outing #teamwork #overall productive #Puzzle #benefits of creative approach

[jsms01]

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4-Tier Survival.

The tiers are as follows:

TIER ONE: This is your everyday carry (EDC) on person. You should have this with you 24/7 or as close to 24/7 as possible. Basically, if you have pants on, you should have these items with you.

TIER TWO: This is your EDC bag. You should have this with you or within reach 24/7. Take it with you to work, the grocery store, running to the gas station, etc. If you walk out the door of your house, it should be with you.

TIER THREE: This is your 72 hour kit, bug out bag, SHTF bag, or any of those other catchy names for them. At a minimum you need one. If you only have the funds for one, so be it. But, eventually I would suggest having one for the house, the vehicle and possibly at work if you have the space to store one.

TIER FOUR: This is for long term preparedness. This is long-term food and water storage and procurement methods. Always prepare your home to shelter-in-place first. Then, if you have a secondary bug out location, prepare it. Depending on the disaster or emergency you may or may not be able to bug out. On the other hand, you may be forced to evacuate or bug out.

TIER ONE: On-person EDC

Blades/Tools

Quality folding knife of your choice.

Quality multi-tool.

Lock picks/Bogota

Small compass.

Pen and small notepad

Small survival whistle.

Cotton bandana.

P-38 can opener.

Cell Phone.

Cordage

550 Cord. There are lots of different, creative ways to carry. There are bracelets, key fobs, zipper pulls, belts, even lacing your boots/shoes with it. Learn how to braid your own items.

Fire

Small brand name lighter

Small firesteel.

Tinder. Could be a magnesium rod, dryer lint, or any brand of quick tinder that is out on the market now, you should know what works.

Firearm

Light

Small flashlight.

Keychain LED light.

USB Drive

I use my USB drive to store all types of important documents and other information I run across and want to save. I have encrypted my USB drive in case it falls into the wrong hands. (I strongly suggest doing this.) Also, save the information under nondescript names. In other words, don’t save the file as: “Insurance Papers” or “Social Security Cards”, etc.

Birth/Marriage Certificates

Social Security Cards

Driver’s License

Insurance Policies/Cards

Vehicle Registrations/Insurance

Medical/Shot Record

Recent Check Stubs/Bank Statements

Stocks/Bonds

Property Description

Another option/addition to this is online file storage. There are many places available on the internet to store files on a remote server and be able to access from any computer or cell phone with internet access.

TIER TWO: EDC Bag
Tier two is going to contain pretty much everything from tier one except bigger and better.

Blades/Tools

Quality fixed blade knife of your choice. Again make sure it is sharp.

Sharpening stone.

Quality multi-tool. I would look at one to complement the one from tier one. A little larger and possibly features that the other does not have. I personally wouldn’t want the exact same model from tier one. Look at the ones that have the screwdriver possibilities.

Small entry bar or pry bar.

Larger more reliable compass. Possibly a GPS system if you are so inclined. If you are in a large urban environment, I would have a city map in my EDC bag.

Pens and notepad again. Plenty of pens and permanent markers.

P-51 can opener.(A scaled-up version of the P-38.)

Cell Phone/Communications

This is where I would keep a wall charger for my cell phone.

I would also think about one of the emergency chargers that run off of batteries at this point.

I also carry a pay-as-you go phone in my EDC bag. On some occasions when one service is down, others are still up and running. It’s a cheap insurance policy.

Radio of some sort. Depends on your location and abilities.

Cordage

I would carry no less than 25 feet of 550 cord in my EDC bag. The more the better. Again, options here, braid it to take up less space, key fobs, I’ve seen some braided water bottle carriers.

I would toss in some duct tape and electrical tape here. You can take it off of the cardboard roll and roll it onto itself and it takes up very little room.

Possibly some wire, picture hanging wire works well.

Possibly some zip ties. Various sizes as you see fit.

I also have a couple of carabiners clipped to my bag.

Fire

Another cheap lighter.

Larger firesteel.

More tinder. Personally I prefer the magnesium, but whatever you are comfortable with.

Firearm

I would however warrant the carrying of at least two spare magazines for the handgun in tier one.

First-Aid

Basic first aid kit.

Package of quick slotting agent.

Basic EMT shears.

Basic pain relievers, fever reducers, upset stomach tablets etc.

Small bottle of hand sanitizer.

Baby wipes.

Food

I always carry a couple of energy or meal replacement bars in my bag. If nothing else, I may have to work through lunch and need a snack.

Some people will toss a freeze-dried meal or MRE if they have room.

A small pack of hard candy.

Light

I personally prefer a headlamp at this stage. You can use a headlamp as a flashlight; you can’t use a flashlight as a headlamp.

Extra batteries. On the subject of batteries, do your best to acquire electronic items that use the same size of battery.

Another keychain light. I have one attached to the inside of my bag to aid in finding items inside in low-light situations.

Some people carry chemical light sticks in their EDC bag. I have found battery operated light sticks that also have a small flashlight in one end I prefer to carry.

Shelter

I keep a packable rain jacket at all times and depending on the weather a packable pair of rain pants.

I also keep a couple of “survival” blankets in my bag.

I keep a couple of contractor style garbage bags as well.

Water

I have a stainless steel water bottle that stays in my pack at all times. If I am traveling longer than my normal commute, I will toss in a small collapsible water container.

Ziploc bags.

Two-part chemical water purifier.

Filtering drinking straw.

Toss in a couple of standard coffee filters to filter sediment if needed.

Now, bear in mind, my EDC bag is not for long-term survival. I feel like I could sustain myself for several days if I needed to with the contents of my pack. However, that is not its intended use. All of the tiers are designed to sustain you until you can “make it” to the next tier.

TIER THREE: Larger rucksack or backpack

A lot of people would call this the 72 hour kit. However, I feel that in this stage of the game, you should be able to carry enough to survive indefinitely.

Blades/Tools

Quality fixed blade knife. If you want you can double up from tier two. Depends on your requirements. Remember, two is one, one is none.

Small quality folding shovel.

Quality hatchet.

Small machete.

Some type of saw or saw blades. .

Tools for forced entry if warranted. Pry bars, bolt cutters, etc.

Tool kit. Depends on your location and environment. At the bare minimum carry enough tools to repair anything that you are depending on in a survival situation.

Cell Phone/Communications

Depending on the level of the disaster cell phones may or may or may not be working.

Again, depending on your location and abilities, depends on the type of communications you should carry.

One thing I have not seen widely talked about is two way radios. Obviously this would be if more than one person is in your party. However, now you start talking about batteries and chargers.

Cordage

At least 100 feet of 550 cord.

Depending on your environment, climbing rope, harness and gear may be warranted.

Tape, electrical and duct.

Zip ties, various sizes

Wire, picture wire.

Carabiners, various sizes.

Fire

Cheap lighter.

Firesteel.

Tinder.

Camp stove. Small, lightweight, portable. A lot of good information about this out there. Pay special attention to the type of fuel that the stove you select uses.

Firearm

This depends on the type of situation you are in. I will list the types of firearms I would have, not necessarily carry, and reasons why. If this is a true bug out situation obviously the adults in your party could carry at least one, more than likely two, long guns.

We have already discussed a handgun.

“Modern Sporting Rifle”. Be it an AR based platform, an AK-47, Mini-14 etc. I personally like the AR platform. However, A’s can be a bit finicky if not properly cleaned and maintained. Something you may not be able to do well in a TEOTWAWKI situation. So, I would grab an AK-47. Whatever your budget and preference lead you to.

.22 caliber rifle. There are many options, I personally recommend the Ruger 10-22. There are several collapsible stocks available. This is for hunting small game.

Home defense shotgun. I would suggest a 12 gauge. The options and setups are endless. You can go as mild or as wild as your budget and imagination allow. This is not something I would necessarily always grab. However, this is something I feel that no home should be without. The sound of a shell racking into the chamber of a pump shotgun is a sound that will deter most people without even firing a shot.

Extra magazines and ammunition.

First-Aid

More advanced first aid kit. There are pre-made ones on the market or come up with your own.

Quick clotting agent.

EMT Shears.

Pain relievers, fever reducers, upset stomach pills, etc.

A week’s supply of any prescription medications.

Any supply of antibiotics or narcotics that you can procure.

Knowledge of natural/herbal remedies. Here is a great area where knowledge can help you a lot longer than supplies can.

Food

If you want to put in a three day supply of freeze-dried meals or MRE’s. Go for it. But here is where procuring your own food will come in handy.

I would suggest some type of mess style kit for cooking. Again, your choice.

Fishing kit. Fishing line, assortment of hooks, sinkers and artificial bait if desired.

Fishing “yo-yo” traps. Can be set and left alone to catch fish while you are doing some other task. I feel these are a necessity. They are light and take up little room.

Snare kit. I would suggest several pre-made snares and supplies to create more.

Traps. Connibear style traps, an assortment of sizes. 4-6 is all you should need.

Frog gigs. Could also be used for spearing fish, depending on your location.

You also have a firearm for taking small or large game.

Knowledge of wild edibles in your area or bug out location.

Light

Again, I would suggest a headlamp and extra batteries.

Use your discretion for what else you may want/need.

Shelter

Two changes of clothes. One for warm weather and one for cool/cold weather. Again depending on your environment.

I would suggest at least 3 pair of underwear and 6 pair of socks.

Packable rain gear.

Quality bivy style shelter or tarp.

Quality sleeping bag. Again, do some research. See what fits your needs and budget.

Sleeping pad if wanted.

Possibly a pocket style hammock.

Water

Stainless steel water bottle.

Chemical water treatment.

Water filter/purifier. Again, look at your budget and needs.

Coffee filters for straining out sediment.

Collapsible water storage.

TIER FOUR: Long term preparedness.
Even though this is the largest of all the tiers, I will probably go into the least amount of detail. There are many great sources of information concerning long term preparedness, SurvivalBlog.com being one of the best, if not the best, in my opinion.

Blades/Tools

Obviously any blade or tool previously discussed. Except full size versions.

An ax, saws, shovels, garden hoes, rakes, etc.

Possibly a plow, seeder, etc, for planting a garden.

Variety of hand tools.

Automotive tools, carpentry tools, etc.

Sewing machine, needles, thread, clothing patterns, etc.

Begin thinking of ways you can use your tools and knowledge to develop a skill that can be used for trade or barter.

Communication

Short wave radios, ham radios, etc.

Two way radios.

Cordage

Large amounts of any cordage or supplies under cordage already discussed.

Fire

Cast iron stove.

Fireplace.

Begin thinking now about how you will be heating your home in the winter. Think about how you will be cooking your meals. Also, think about how you will get fuel for your fire.

Firearms

We discussed in tier three the types of firearms I felt were needed.

Begin thinking about amount of ammo you can and are willing to stockpile.

Begin thinking about reloading your own ammunition. Begin thinking about stockpiling supplies. This can be turned into great bartering items.

First Aid

Begin developing a large first aid supply. Think about what you will need to do without a doctor present. Suture kits, surgical kit, trauma kit, etc. There will be no running to the emergency room.

Begin thinking about dental supplies. Again, there will possibly be no dentists to go to.

Again, knowledge is key in this situation. There are some good books about this type of thing. Take a first aid class, learn CPR. Learn as much as you possibly can.

Study about and begin stockpiling medications.

Food

There are many more articles to be written and read on this subject alone.

Start developing a small reserve of foods that you eat on a regular basis that have a long shelf life. Start with a week; go to a month, then three months, then a year, then longer.

Begin thinking now about storage. A year’s supply of food for your family will take up a considerable amount of space.

Expand on the amount of items you have from tier three. Increase the number of traps and snares you have.

Think about obtaining a variety of seeds to plant in your garden.

Again, there is a vast amount of information to be found on this subject alone. The main thing I want you to understand is this is doable, on any income. Start small and work your way up to larger quantities.

Do not get yourself into a financial burden by going out and buying a year’s supply of food at one time.

Light

Begin obtaining lanterns, fuel, mantles, etc.

Begin thinking about candles and candle making.

If you are so inclined, begin thinking about solar panels for your home or shelter location.

Shelter

Begin making those small repairs to your home. Things that may be fairly quickly and easily fixed now may not be so easily fixed later. I’m not talking kitchen remodeling; I’m talking leaky faucets, broken windows, drafty doors, etc.

Think about having a metal roof installed if you don’t have one already.

This is the time to think about a secondary survival location. A remote, rural location. Think of this as an investment. It could be used now as a vacation spot. Use it later as a retirement home.

Water

Begin storing water. Think not only about drinking, but also cooking and cleaning.

Again, start small. Begin with a few days worth; then weeks and months.

Start thinking about long-term procurement and storage. Gutters that empty into water storage, etc. Think also about purification on a large scale.

Miscellaneous Things to Thing About

Sit down and make a list of normal, everyday things that you do around your house, cleaning, washing, “personal” business, entertainment, etc.

#home #bug out #shtf #get home #get home bag #bug out bag