#y'all. it is bleak out there but some very good people are doing their best to help

[yamameta-inc]

COVID-19's long-term effects on the body: an incomplete list

COVID’s effect on the immune system, specifically on lymphocytes:

NYT article from 2020 (Studies cited: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.18.101717v1, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.20.106401v1, https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/32405080/Decreased_T_cell_populations_contribute_to_the_increased_severity_of_COVID_19_, https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.08.20125112v1)

 https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.10.475725v1

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abc8511 (Published in Science)

 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9057012/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhaseltine/2022/04/14/sars-cov-2-actively-infects-and-kills-lymphoid-cells/

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/10/in-cleveland-and-beyond-researchers-begin-to-unravel-the-mystery-of-long-covid-19.html

SARS-CoV-2 infection weakens immune-cell response to vaccination: NIH-funded study suggests need to boost CD8+ T cell response after infection

https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hematology-and-oncology/leukopenias/lymphocytopenia

https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2022/11/07/COVID-Reinfections-And-Immunity/

Dendritic cell deficiencies persist seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1034159/full

https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Lauterbach-warnt-vor-unheilbarer-Immunschwaeche-durch-Corona-article23860527.html (German Minister of Health)

Anecdotal evidence of COVID’s effects on white blood cells:

 https://twitter.com/DrJohnHhess/status/1661837956875956224

 https://x.com/TristanVeness/status/1661565201345564673

https://twitter.com/TristanVeness/status/1689996298408312832

Much more if you speak to Long Covid patients directly!

Related information of interest:

China approves Genuine Biotech's HIV drug for COVID patients

COVID as a “mass disabling event” and impact on the economy:

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/report-says-long-covid-could-impact-economy-and-be-mass-disabling-event-in-canada-1.6306608

https://x.com/inkblue01/status/1742183209809453456?s=20

COVID’s impact on the heart:

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/deadly-virus-could-lead-heart-31751263 (Research from: Japan's Riken research institute)

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/unlike-flu-covid-19-attacks-dna-in-the-heart-new-research-20220929-p5bm10.html

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/1/186

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-04-mild-covid-effects-cardiovascular-health.html

https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2022/covid-and-the-heart-it-spares-no-one

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health/is-coronavirus-a-disease-of-the-blood-vessels (British Heart Foundation)

COVID’s effect on the brain and cognitive function:

https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/article/brain-infection-by-sars-cov-2-lifelong-consequences/171391/

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/study-shows-covid-leaves-brain-injury-markers-blood

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/08/warning-of-serious-brain-disorders-in-people-with-mild-covid-symptoms

Cognitive post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) can occur after mild COVID-19 

Neurologic Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Transmitted among Dogs

https://journals.lww.com/nsan/fulltext/2022/39030/neurological_manifestations_and_mortality_in.4.aspx

https://www.salon.com/2023/06/17/new-evidence-suggests-alters-the-brain--but-the-extent-of-changes-is-unclear/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/covid-virus-may-tunnel-through-nanotubes-from-nose-to-brain/

https://neurosciencenews.com/post-covid-brain-21904/

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(22)00260-7/fulltext

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-08-covid-infection-crucial-brain-regions.html

https://news.ecu.edu/2022/08/04/covid-parkinsons-link/

Covid as a vascular/blood vessel disease:

https://www.salon.com/2020/06/01/coronavirus-is-a-blood-vessel-disease-study-says-and-its-mysteries-finally-make-sense/

https://www.salon.com/2023/12/27/brain-damage-caused-by-19-may-not-show-up-on-routine-tests-study-finds/

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/sars-cov-2-infects-coronary-arteries-increases-plaque-inflammation

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/6/2123

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211004104134.htm (microclots)

Long Covid:

Post-COVID-19 Condition in Canada: What we know, what we don’t know, and a framework for action

 https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/more-than-two-years-of-long-covid-research-hasn-t-yielded-many-answers-scientific-review-1.6235227

 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/cause-of-long-covid-symptoms-revealed-by-lung-imaging-research-at-western-university-1.6504318

 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/long-covid-study-montreal-1.6521131

https://news.yale.edu/2023/12/19/study-helps-explain-post-covid-exercise-intolerance

Other:

- Viruses and mutation: https://typingmonkeys.substack.com/p/monkeys-on-typewriters

Measures taken by the rich and world leaders

Heightened risk of diabetes

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2805461

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00912-y

Liver damage:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/46-of-covid-patients-have-liver-damage-study/articleshow/97809200.cms?from=mdr

tl;dr: covid is a vascular disease, not a respiratory illness. it can affect your blood and every organ in your body. every time you're reinfected, your chances of getting long covid increase.

avoid being infected. reduce the amount of viral load you're exposed to.

the gap between what the scientific community knows and ordinary people know is massive. collective action is needed.

#putting this somewhere at least as reference for... somebody hopefully #covid #disability #y'all. it is bleak out there but some very good people are doing their best to help #we need as many people aware and helping as possible

[septiembrre]

Hi! Do you think there is a before and after in your life after watching Good Girls?

I mean, I know it wasn't the best show ever haha, but what I'm trying to say is if this whole experience and everything we've talked about the plot of the show, do you feel it's taught you anything?

Hi Anon! I hadn't processed it that way yet but yeah, absolutely.

I consider myself to be a nerd and someone who gravitates towards fandom culture. I really used to like seeking out fandom creations and reading up on other folks takes of a piece of media. But, I had honestly hadn't actually done the above since I was 17 or 18 and a freshman in college. Participating as an adult really feels different, and it feels good to have an outlet for my nerdy self.

Over the past two years and half that I've participated, I've enjoyed reading the community's different takes on the show, and it's been lovely to take that kind of a deep dive on one piece of media. For example, I'm currently watching Never Have I Ever and Succession but do not feel at all compelled to seek out meta or fan creations (besides beautiful gif sets) even though I've been thinking about both all day and am excited to watch them both tonight.

Brio is still such an intense hook for me. While there's plenty of media that is better written, the raw chemistry between Christina and Manny is still totally mind-blowing to me. And y'all... despite all that resistance from the various creators, we willed that shit into a storyline. Was the storyline bullshit sometimes? Yeah, and imo too often. But, Brio was end game. Wild.

But, yes, I've learned a lot about storytelling, nuance, how things can land so differently, and generally how to better analyze a text.

Now on a personal note, I think watching Good Girls and being part of the fandom has been immensely positive for me. You know before two years ago, I had not written anything fictional/creative? Like almost ever... I wrote a BAD few hundred words of Grey's Anatomy fanfiction once when I was 14 (obsessed with Sandra Oh forever). And like, I'm not particularly great, but I write almost every day now! I've gotten started with a totally new hobby because of this show.

Anyway, I'm going to be awkward and not tag anyone, because I don't want to compel everyone to come over and like this long-winded thing I'm writing but, currently, I have a chapter out with bourbonontherocks who is graciously sharing with me her time and energy to read over 10k of my Brio rambling.

Pynkhues/flashindie also recently shared her time and craft expertise with me to critique something I sent her and graciously gave me such feedback that's felt very pivotal to me.

And honestly, where would I be without Megan's/foxmagpie's encouragement two years ago on my earliest drabbles, and all of her support and encouragement for my fic Get to Be Mine? I literally would have abandoned my multi-chapter, but I've gotten so much joy from writing that fic and it's been such an experience of growth.

And I was re-reading over some of the comments on my fics earlier this week to animarme, and folks across this fandom have been so kind and supportive. I appreciate it so much.

I also... drew fan art? I had never used Procreate before or thought I could ever do digital art. And I can barely do digital art, like I do it by sheer force of will and not because I have any expertise in the software, but I do it. Shout out to bethsuglywigs for her encouragement, too, and lmao literally teaching me how to copy and paste on procreate.

Anyway, to continue on my sappy tangent, I would never have attempted any of this if not for the show. And beyond that, I've loved having this community to hang out with during the pandemic, when I like many others was super stressed out and experienced the most intense mental health stuff in my life and y'all kept me laughing during bleak times. People check in on me and I am so grateful.

The folks in the Good Girls fandom really have impacted me so much and still impact me. I’m still processing how I feel about our source material, but I have enjoyed the ride these past two years and look forward to sticking around. ❤️

#preguntitas

[donutloverxo]

Love the way you lie

Part one

Note - this is a prequel to love the way you lie. I know y'all wanted a sequel not a prequel but I thought this would be fun. I'll get the third and last part out soon!

Summary - You begin a relationship with your boss Mike.

Warnings - smut, unprotected sex(i still stand by my advice of never rawdogging mike), addictions, emotional cheating

Pairing - Mike Weiss x reader

Word count - 2.7k

Masterlist

“Babe come on! Just come by at six” Ray whined over the telephone and you had half a mind of slamming the phone and hanging up on him.

“I don’t want to watch you play video games for the whole evening! I’d rather be at my office party” You snapped. Your relationship had been sort of nice in the beginning. You were in your twenties and still a virgin, you decided to lower your standards and compromise a little bit so you wouldn’t be so alone anymore. You didn’t know you’d be stuck with a complete man-child.

“What? You hate those things. Just last week you were whining about how boring the small talk is” You had to hold the phone away from your ear just so you wouldn’t hear his annoying shrill voice.

Last months party was boring and grey. But that’s because he wasn’t there. He was in a rehab facility for over three weeks. You never even knew he had a drug problem until Paul told you he had overdosed and been admitted to a rehab. You couldn’t really tell if there was much of a difference between sober Mike and coked up Mike.

“Why do you even want to see me so bad?” You rolled your eyes.

“Look I tried to cook I really did!” He whined again “But it’s just so hard babe. Just come over here and make your lasagna? You’re so good at it. I promise I’ll thank you anyway I can”

You yelped as you heard Mike’s voice over the intercom “Please come into my office “ he said and you felt goose bumps and shivers in your entire body just hearing his husky voice.

“Yeah I’ll be right there” You stammered cringing as you abruptly hung up on Ray without even saying goodbye. You collected your notepad and a pen, Mike often liked to bounce ideas off of you. With how fast paced and clever he was you could barely keep up but you tried your best to impress him. You quickly took out your lipstick, touching up your lips a bit and heading towards his office.

Maybe it was wrong of you to be fixated on a man that wasn’t your boyfriend. A mess of a man at that. But maybe you were more of a mess than him. He was a lawyer, a smart man who actually made some difference and did real work. And you were just a secretary who still lived with her mother. What would HE see in you?

You knocked on his door and entered to see him surrounded by scattered papers. “You called Mike?” You asked standing straight, suddenly hyper aware of your posture.

“Yeah I think I – I –“ He trailed off looking at a file

“Mike?” you promoted him to speak.

“Yeah yeah. I thought I needed help but maybe not” He said still looking at the papers and scratching his forehead with his pen “I think I’ll take off early today” He finally looked up to you.

“Oh but the party!” You blurted out. You really need to learn how to bite your tongue. He quirked a brow at you urging you to speak. “I was hoping you’d be there” You shrugged shifting suddenly feeling so uncomfortable.

“Yeah” He nodded leaning back on his chair tapping his pen against the edge of his table “Wouldn’t your Boyfriend be opposed to that” He said the word with such venom. It almost made you hopeful.

But hopeful for what? Nothing was going to happen. If nothing else you are a good person. You’d never cheat. “Why would he mind?” You shrugged playing dumb.

He scoffed at that “You know I’m very good at reading people. And you’re too obvious. Not a very good liar. You’d make a terrible lawyer”

You scowled at him “Well that’s good, I’m not trying to be one. You don’t exactly make it look so glamourous”

“I didn’t mean to offend you” He chuckled at your little outburst which only annoyed you even more “That why you don’t wanna see him tonight? You were talking on the office line sweetheart “

“Well yeah that and...he’s just boring now” You couldn’t remember the last time you two went on a real date. Mike only hummed at that and it was then that you noticed his leg shaking incessantly under his desk. “Mike” you walked around his desk to stand next to him. You didn’t know a lot about drugs, but from movies you could tell that restlessness was a sign of withdrawal. How could he still be going through withdrawal? “Are you alright? Is there anything I can do?” you asked, your voice laced with worry. Maybe you could call Paul. Would that help him? You didn’t know if he had any other friends.

“I’m fine” He stated and steering his leg shaking to a halt. “So you wanna go to that party tonight?” He asked but you had a feeling he was just trying to change the subject.

“I don’t Mike. I don’t think it would be right” You wanted to say how you should both be ashamed to even consider something like that but held your tongue.

“Why?” He asked tracing his thumb over your knuckles.

“I have a boyfriend. And you’re well...”

“I’m clean now” He frowned.

“I wouldn’t know” You snatched your hand out of his hold and snapped back to reality from your fantasy. “If you don’t need anything else I’ll be on my way” You left his office before he could stop you. It was one thing to daydream about another man, another to actually indulge in that it.

***

You ended up not going over to Rays Or the party. If he was so hungry he could order take out or something. You were done putting up with his bullshit and told him you needed space over the phone. Maybe it was a dick move to not do something so sensitive personally but you needed to get to it before you change your mind.

You were in bed after dinner letting your mind wander to Mike, and how his suspenders made his shirt cling to his body and gave you a nice view of what lays underneath. All that working out and the disgusting green smoothies he drinks surely paid off. With one hand in your cunt, dipping in your folds and thinking of him. Of how much better it would be if it was his hand. You couldn’t actually get yourself off, you needed to buy one of those special toys for women. But it was still nice to just tease a bit.

Your self care session was interrupted by your mom calling out for you. You groaned pulling your hand out and wiping it off on your sheets. You climbed out of bed to go downstairs to see what the ruckus is about. As soon as you unlocked and opened your door you were greeted with the man you were just dreaming about.

“Mike?” You didn’t know what he could possibly be doing here this late. “Are you drunk?”

“No I am not drunk” He said as if he was scolding you “What you don’t want to invite me in?” He teased.

“What are you a vampire? Come on in” You stepped aside to let him in. You cringed at how messy your room looks, with your sheets all bunched up and your clothes sprayed out all over.

“You sleep in that?” He looked you up and down.

You were wearing your white cotton nightie that ended just above your knees. “I know it’s not the sexiest but it makes me comfortable”

“I never said it wasn’t sexy” He said as if he was stating a fact.

You stared into his eyes in hopes of intimidating him to make him stop ogling you. But it didn’t work. He kept unabashedly checking you out. You now recalled your lack of bra and panties.

“What are you even doing here?”

“I just wanted to see you” You took a step back as he stalked towards you with a predatory gaze.

The back of your knees hit the edge of your bed. “I – think you should leave Mike” your voice wavering “I’ve got work tomorrow. And you do to”

He hummed at that playing with the helm of your nightgown “You really want me to leave?” He asked looking up at you.

You wished you could give him an honest straight answer. He was your dirty little secret. Someone a good girl like you shouldn’t be thinking about. Not when you had a boyfriend. You never thought you’d get to actually live out your fantasies. You considered the consequences. Did you really want to give your heart to someone who would probably break it? You scoffed to yourself. He wasn’t here for your heart. He only wanted what most if not all men want.

He kissed your forehead and murmured against your hair. “You make me feel good you know. Life isn’t so bleak when you’re around.”

“I don’t do that. Hook ups or whatever you call them.” You said breathing in his musky scent. It was getting harder and harder to say no.

“That’s alright” He pulled back cupping your face and staring into your eyes “you’re not the kinda girl someone hooks up with”

He crashed his lips onto yours stealing your breathe. Whatever doubt you may have had were gone in that instant. His beard so soft and fuzzy against your mouth. His lips were so cushy, his kiss so fierce.

He pushed you back on your bed making quick work of removing his suspenders along with his shirt and pants. You couldn’t help but stare at his naked fit body covered with various tattoos. You had never been a fan of them, but they all looked so beautiful littered across his body. You gasped at the sight of his erect cock hitting his abdomen.

He loomed over you pushing your nightie off of you. Desperate to see you naked, finally. “We have to be quiet” You rasped in between kisses as he rid of you of your nightie “My mothers downstairs”

You moaned and cursed on the mattress as he worked you up with his fingers. Making you come undone on them within minutes. How he figured you out so well and so soon you’ll never know. You hesitated and almost pushed his head away when his broad shoulders settled between your legs.

No one had ever gone down on you before. It was amazing, miserable and sensual at the same time. Just when you thought you’d achieve your peak he stopped making you whine. He lined his cock up to your entrance. Slowly sinking in. And you looked as you saw your juices smeared all over you mouth and beard. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

It was unlike anything you had felt before. It was never that good with Ray. Mike didn’t last long the first time but made sure to only finish after you. He cuddled you in your small bed before he made love to you again. Properly and slowly this time. Giving you both the time to truly enjoy yourselves.

You asked him to sneak out in the middle of the night so your mother wouldn’thave to see him leave. She did gave you an earful about having such relations with an addict. And how she couldn’t believe you actually found someone that was worse than Ray.

***

You knew that the next day Mike would pretend nothing had happened. You’d both probably forget about that night soon enough. You and the all your coworkers were stunned when he greeted you with a kiss on your lips. As if you’d been together forever.

He asked you to be his girlfriend at lunch. Which you said no to, obviously. You were a lady and you were to be wined and dined. Which he did. He took you out on several dates almost everyday. He took you to his house so you could spend some time together peacefully. And you immediately left seeing just how messy the whole place was.

“It just needs a feminine touch” He had said back then.

So you made him spend the nights at your place. After tolerating the sneers and snide remarks from your mother for a while, he quickly cleaned up his house, made proper cabinets and book shelf’s for all his scattered papers and books. He even got flowers to lighten up the place every once in a while. He didn’t need your mother third wheeling you both.

You were spending more time at his house than your own. He gave you your own drawer and you were practically living there. You were surprised at just how much of a ‘normal' boyfriend Mike was. He was always considerate of your needs. He did sometimes have a problem of giving you unwarranted advice when you bitched about your day to him

“When women talk they just want to be listened to” You shut him up and he threw his hands up surrendering to you. He didn’t give you any solutions or advice unless you asked for it.

He worked a lot more than you. So whatever free time he had he liked to spend with you. You were a bit worried that he didn’t really have any friends. Sure you could consider Paul to be a friend but they weren’t that close. And Paul barely knew anything about Mike.

The sex was... well amazing. Mike knew exactly what to do to make you putty in his hands. He had a high appetite and with the way he worshipped you, you had absolutely no problems feeding it.

“Say yes” He growled before wrapping his mouth around your clit furiously sucking on it.

“I can’t I – “ you could barely speak or even comprehend what was going on. It was the same fight on a different day. Him wanting you to move in with him. So you can spend more time together. And for you to quit your job, which to be fair was boring. Being the picture perfect 90s housewife couldn’t possibly be any worse.

So he stopped again when you were just about to meet your end. He edged you and you knew just how relentless he was. He wouldn’t stop until you said yes. “Yes! Oh god yes! I’ll do whatever you want Mike. Just please please let me cum” You wailed as tears escaped your eyes.

Shoving three of his fingers inside you he fucked you through your orgasm. You almost blacked out. He laid on his side next to you propping himself up on his elbow. He was grinning down at you. “You’ll quit your job too.” He stated but you knew it was more of a demand.

“I can’t do that. I said I’ll move in with you no” You looked at him before closing your eyes again. Still recovering from your earth shattering orgasm.

“Why not?” His grin dropped instantly and he frowned at you. “I will take care of you. I need you at home.”

“I – what if we break up...” you trailed off. Even if you didn’t want to entertain the idea. It was very much possible that you would.

“We won’t. Why? Do you plan on breaking up with me?”

“No I just” You rubbed your temples really needing a cuddle session and not this conversation “I just need security. It’s not like we’re married or even engaged” You sighed and added “yet” just so he wouldn’t think the worst again.

“Then let’s” He murmured tracing a finger along your belly button.

“Let’s what?”

“let’s get married” He pressed kisses on your jaw and down your neck.

“I – wait are you proposing?” You asked completely confused.

“I guess I need to spell it out for you” He gave you an unimpressed look “Marry me”

And really you couldn’t find a single reason to say no. He had battled his demons and won over them. He had a stable job which made him happy. He promised to take care of you. You were scared of the unknown future. But come what may you’ll both face it together.

***

Please note that my work is NOT to be reposted or published anywhere other than my Tumblr or AO3 account. Reblogs are most welcome though.

Everything - @patzammit @onetwo3000 @peaceinourtime82 @stargazingfangirl18 @chris-evans-indian-fanfic @sweater-daddiesdumbdork @navybrat817 @what-just-happened-bro @thehumanistsdiary @cheeseburgersstuff @marvelousell @evnscvll @lilbabycee @mrspeacem1nusone @maynay43 @caplanbuckybarnes @xolovegrace @turtoix @badreputationlove @lokiloyal @leaning-howto-be-myselfx3 @i-lie-here-charmed @bval-1 @wxstedhexrt @avengerhollows @lux-ravenwolf @coffeebooksandfandom @ynjimenez @call-me-baby-gir1 @nico-diangelo-grey @kendal178 @siriusjohnpotter @the-wayward-robot @aikeia @tenaciousperfectionunknown @charmed-asylum @1awesomeash @kiza4 @hevans-angel @linnyfromtheblock @youthought-iwasa-nicegirl @nerdwholikesword

Fic tags - @captainchrisstan @chaneajoyyy

#mike weiss x reader #mike weiss #mike be my mean daddy #mike x reader #chris evans x you #chris evans x reader #chris evans x y/n

[snkpolls]

SnK Episode 63 Poll Results (for Anime Only Watchers)

The poll closed with 114 responses. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Please note that these are the results for the Anime Only Watchers’ poll. If you wish to see the results for the Manga Readers’ poll, click here.

Anime only watchers, beware of spoilers if you venture over to the manga readers’ poll results.

---

RATE THE EPISODE 98 Responses

It would appear that the response to this week’s episode is even higher than last week’s, with 99% giving it a score of 3 or higher. Nice!

Amazing episode overall, it really gives you the feeling that something huge is about to happen

The best episode so far. Music was perfectly matched with animations. 

Hype

i liked it!

This was an amazing episode and I can't wait to see what will happen next !

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING MOMENTS WAS YOUR FAVORITE? 100 Responses

The cliffhanger at the end of the episode was by and far the most favorite among viewers, with 56% stating it was their favorite moment from the episode. It is distantly followed by the festival scene in which Reiner sacrifices his money to spoil the kids. And at a distant third, people got a good laugh at the stairwell scene where Porco gets spooked by Pieck.

WOULD YOU SHAMELESSLY EXPLOIT REINER FINANCIALLY IF YOU HAD SUCH AN OPPORTUNITY? 99 Responses

Looks like more than half (61.6%) of responders would agree to exploit Reiner financially (half of those without a hint of shame). Others would either consider it or reject the offer, in that order. 

RIP Reiner's money

WHICH FOOD WOULD YOU WANT REINER TO BUY YOU? 99 Responses

Pizza is the clear winner on this one (62.6%), followed by Desser at a distant second (25.3%). Just a little over 9% went for Sandwiches instead. The couple of other responders clearly cheated!

WHICH KID HAD THE CUTEST “BEGGING” EXPRESSION? 100 Responses

Gabi went ahead and knocked out her competition for this tournament (gaining 64%). Guess she really is cute, as she says. Falco’s in distant second (29%), followed by Zofia (7%). Poor Udo has gotten no love.

NOW THAT WE’VE SEEN MORE OF THE NEW CAST, WE’LL ASK AGAIN. WHICH NEW CHARACTER IS YOUR FAVORITE? 99 Responses

We’re back with this question, again. It would appear that Falco has won over the hearts of most responders, gaining 54.5%. Pieck the Enigmatic Cart Titan Shifter is in second place with a little over 25%. Gabi the Fiery Warrior cadet is in third place with 10.1%. Others gave their preference for Willy, Magath, Zofia and Udo in that order. Poor Porco has gotten no love! 

Love zofia but my favs always disappointed me.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF PIECK CRAWLING ON ALL FOURS BECAUSE IT FEELS “MORE NATURAL” FOR HER? 97 Responses

When it comes to the scene of Pieck crawling on all fours, almost 60% seemed to think of it as either a cute or even a hot (you know what kind of hot) moment. On the flip side, almost 26% thought the scene was disturbing or simply sad. A few others either didn’t seem to care or thought the scene was funny. 

Cute,but sad since she's adapted to being this tool for war of the Marleyans

fan service

Pieck got a dump truck

mixed

Y'ALL NEED TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND TOUCH SOME GRASS, YOU HORNY F*CKS

WILLY TELLS MAGATH THAT THE WARHAMMER TITAN IS PRESENT, BUT THAT MAGATH PROBABLY CAN’T GUESS WHICH MEMBER OF THE TYBUR FAMILY HOLDS IT. WHO WOULD BE YOUR GUESS? 100 Responses

In retrospect, we should have included an option for those who have already been spoiled on the identity of the Warhammer titan, based on many of the responses we received. We’ve blacked out the pie chart to avoid spoiling anyone. But, in order from the first choice on the list to the last available choice, the following options were most favored: Willy, the old man, the old woman, the blonde mother, one of the children, the woman serving food, and one of the guards.

MAGATH AND WILLY TALK ABOUT MARLEY’S SELF-DESTRUCTIVE WAR HISTORY AND MAGATH NOTES THAT IT’S TOO LATE TO STOP IT. DO YOU AGREE WITH HIM? 98 Responses

Most responses assert that Magath’s prediction will come true in the end and Marley’s downfall will be a result of its own conduct (little over 56%). Some others dissent, arguing that although Marley will probably fall, it will not be because of its own previous conduct. The rest either can’t say for sure, believe Willy’s plans will save the nation or simply don’t care.

WILLY TALKS A BIT ABOUT “HELOS,” THE GREAT HERO OF MARLEY WHO SUBDUED THE TITANS. HE SAYS THAT MARLEY NEEDS ANOTHER “HELOS.” WHO, IF ANY, OF OUR PROMINENT CAST MEMBERS DO YOU THINK THAT NEW HERO COULD BE? 96 Responses

“I need a Hero! I’m holding out for a hero to the end of the-“, you get the point. Everybody needs a hero, right? It would appear that a quarter believe Eren could fit in as this metaphorical “Helos”. Almost 20% believe that none of them will fit this type of role. In third place we have our recently promoted Protagonist, Reiner Braun. Other popular options included Zeke, Levi and Falco, in that order. Gabi was written in for one response. Looks like we forgot to include her in our options. 😅

gabi... i feel very early seasons eren vibes from her

IN A SIMILAR VEIN, MAGATH CRITICIZES THE HELOS STATUE BY STATING THAT IT IS HOLLOW INSIDE. WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS MEANS? 98 Responses

When critiquing the statue itself, Magath noted that it is hollow. In that vein, almost 38% believe that Marley’s defeat of the Titans in the Great Titan War is a hollow lie. Others (17.3%) believe the story will simply lack a hero in the end. Almost the same percentage (16.3%) think that Marley’s defeat of the Titans *was* genuine, but their subsequent conduct is anything but heroic. The rest either believe there is some thematic substance in that statement, but aren’t sure what it is or think that Magath is just a cynic.

WHAT IS THE TRUTH WILLY INTENDS TO REVEAL AT THE FESTIVAL? 97 Responses

When it comes to discerning Willy’s plan at the festival, almost 65% were convinced he wants to reveal something about the history of Marley and Eldia. In distant second place (16.5%) we had folks believing Willy wants to reveal certain information about the Titans. The rest were either not sure or thought he wanted to reveal info about something else entirely. 

the war

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILLY’S “SOLUTION” TO THE WORLD’S PROBLEMS MAY BE? 96 Responses

We got a rather colorful pie chart for such a bleak question. The slight plurality (27.1%) believe Willy wants to obtain the coordinate in order to obtain the control of all Eldians, others (26%) believe he wants to commit genocide on Eldians living on Paradis island or perhaps wants to obtain the powers of all Nine Titans. The rest believe Lord Tybur either wants to commit genocide on all Eldians in the world or wants to make with the Ethnic group. A whole array of different opinions. 

the war Genocide of Marlians

I don't really know lol

DO YOU THINK WILLY CAN CONVINCE THE PEOPLE TO GET ON BOARD WITH THE “SOLUTION” HE WILL REVEAL AT THE PLAY? 97 Responses

When it comes to convincing the audience of the festival to support Willy’s plans, the overwhelming majority believe he’ll be successful, either in part (majority) or in whole (minority). The rather miniscule minority isn’t sure and even less people believe Willy will wholly fail. 

I think Willy's speech may lead to a serious division throughout Marley between people that agree with his solution and people that don't

marleyans are a bunch of sheeps anyways so i don't think they will even question his "solution" as long as it's about getting rid of eldians

WE ARE INTRODUCED TO A WOMAN WHO GABI SAYS IS “AN EASTERNER FROM HIZURU,” WHO APPEARS TO BE SYMPATHETIC TOWARD THE ELDIANS. DO YOU THINK THAT THIS WOMAN WILL HAVE ANY IMPORTANCE IN FUTURE PLOT DEVELOPMENTS? 97 Responses

When it comes to the “Easterner from Hizuru”, it would appear that a decent chunk of responses believe she’ll play some sort of role in the story later, either in relation to Mikasa (42.3%) or the Eldians (16.5%) as a whole. Others dissent and argue that she’s there to showcase people sympathetic to the Eldians in the world instead (24.7%). Finally, some are simply not sure (16.5%).

DO YOU THINK THERE IS ANY SIGNIFICANCE TO THE BASEBALL MITT? 97 Responses

It would appear that Eren has a baseball mitt. Does it mean there is any significance to it? I don’t know. I’m just a ghost writing walls of text. Anyway, a plurality (42.3%) of those answering this question believe that there is (significance) and that it’s a hidden message from Eren’s “family”. Some others also believe in the importance of the mitt (22.7%), but aren’t sure of what it means exactly. Others take a middle position (21.6%) favoring a symbolic interpretation of the iteam. The rest simply have no idea. 

From monkey boy and his perfect game ? Idk why tbh

Maybe alluding to Zeke, probably helps Eren where to channel his hatred

DO YOU THINK THAT EREN CAME TO MARLEY ALONE, OR WAS HE SENT THERE BY THE SURVEY CORPS TO FULFILL A ROLE? 96 Responses

When it comes to the status of the SC and Eren in Marley, the definitive majority believe they are there with him (59.4%). Almost 22% think he is there alone and without the consent of the Corps. On the flip side, 14.6% believe he is there alone, but wholly with the Corps’ consent.  

HOW DO YOU THINK REINER AND EREN’S CONVERSATION WILL GO? 95 Responses

A rather interesting development exists in the prospect of another conversation between Eren and Reiner. Also interesting are the predictions for this question. Just a little over a third believe they’ll have a civil talk, in contrast to their talk from S2. A little under a third believe the conversation will not have any yelling, but will still be rather bitter. Others believe that they’ll either start fighting or engage in another shouting match. 9.5% are simply not sure.

Eren becomes attack titan probably

ON A SCALE OF 1-5, HOW MUCH WOULD YOU LIKE TO RETURN TO THE SURVEY CORPS/PARADIS RIGHT NOW? 97 Responses

Finally, here is another recurring question. How much do you want to return to the SC/Paradis right now? A little over 50% are very eager, though a little under 50% state that they can afford to wait a bit.

Marley is kinda boring

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON THE EPISODE?

I feel like the story hasn't moved that much or maybe there are just a lot of things that haven't been clarified yet. I did read some spoilers of the latest chapters but I can't seem to connect the latest episodes to the spoilers I have read.

Mainly gave it a 4 because I'm in the middle between superb quality of animation and my lack of interest in the Warriors, but added +1 because we are finally getting back to the SC crew!

Gabi is still annoying as hell, she's the effing worst

The build up is nice

I felt bad for Grandad Yeager, wish Eren could have patted his shoulder or something. Guess he's an asshole now. Would love to find out more about the baseball thing.

I can't wiat 2 weeks, i'm going to cry

The more they focus on Gabi, the more unlikable and unsympathetic she becomes. I really hope we don't have to deal with too much more of her after this arc.

It really felt like the calm before the storm. Very interesting episode. I just know something is going to happen during Tybur's speech and Eren's talk with Reiner. Can't wait! 

Sucks to be Falco ig

Ughhhhh, just a fucking vibe of an episode. I'll say it.... I like Reiner now😌😌 yeh I know.  This episode made me love the warriors crew despite me not giving an f about them before. I hope porco is secretly in love with Reiner and explains why he hated him so much. Still waiting out for [redacted]’s new side part, hopefully we will see him soon. Well... till next week friends ~C

wait too long for next T-T

WHERE DO YOU PRIMARILY DISCUSS THE SERIES? 91 Responses

Thank you again to everyone who participated! We’ll see you again next episode!

#snk poll #snk polls #shingeki no kyojin #attack on titan #snk #aot #snk spoilers

[ask-chef-teruteru]

"Oh, you poor dear... I know very well how awful that whole experience is. Bad enough that your mama has some kind of affliction and worser still the thought that it could wind up bein' hereditary too. I understand how difficult things are right now, but you need to wait to hear what the official diagnosis is. Yes, there's the possibility that it could be somethin' on the far bad side of the scale, but there's the possibility it could be minor too. Worryin' over people you love is natural and hoo boy don't I know it ain't easy to just stop, but my best advice right now is to wait and see before you assume the worst. Sometimes the scariest thing is not knowing, and it's my hope that that'll be the case here too.

Try to be there for your mama much as you can, okay? She's probably scared too, and while I don't know the details of her ailment, there's a good chance that she ain't feelin' quite right considerin' I'm assumin' y'all went to the doctor to find out it's a thyroid thing in the first place.

I'm gonna apologize now ahead of time because I'm no expert by any means and what with how the thyroid produces hormones, it can potentially affect different things dependin' on what's wrong and if it's under or over producin' or what the exact deal is.

If her problem is manifestin' as pain, maybe do more help around the house so she has less to take care of herself, run errands for her if you're able, maybe make sure your medicine cabinet is stocked up on painkillers that won't interact negatively with any other meds she might be on.

If it's more of a mental change, just try talkin' it through with her, see how best you can help. Fatigue no matter how much rest she's gettin', depression, absent-mindedness, anxiety-- those can all happen too and it's more of a "different strokes for different folks" type thing when it comes to what will or won't help. Showin' her your support and how much you care is never a bad idea though.

Whether it turns out to be somethin' minor or somethin' scarier though, knowing for sure will get y'all started on a way to deal with it how it needs dealt with. This time beforehand, this not knowin' and bein' scared and not knowing how to go about treatin' it may well be the worst part. Even if it turns out to be on the worse end of the scale, it'll still be better than not knowin'. She'll get prescribed up somethin' to help with whatever symptoms she has, and quite possibly somethin' that'll treat what's wrong so it'll be like she's got no ailment at all.

It may be beneficial for you to get tested too for your own peace of mind, though I think you should keep in mind that it ain't guaranteed to be a thing that'll get passed on to you and even if you technically "have" it, you may never get symptoms for yourself.

Unfortunately, I think that's the best advice I can offer until y'all know more. Until that point, I recommend doin' things you think are fun to try to keep your mind off it because worryin' yourself sick is only gonna make you miserable and won't change a thing. Watch movies, read, play games, draw, write, whatever it is you enjoy. It's okay to be upset and panic a while and cry if you need to, but do your best to try to think positive. Chances are good that it won't be worst case scenario, and even at the very worst, there's still things to do about it once a diagnosis is reached.

I hope that helps you at least a little bit, and I want you to know I'll be here for you if you need to talk, okay? I'd appreciate if you kept me updated, though you don't got to if you don't want to. While thyroid afflictions aren't ones I know much about, I do have experience with havin' very, very dear loved ones who've gotten some bleak diagnoses. If nothin' else, know you ain't alone and I'll help you through this as best I can."

#asks #anon #you and your mama have my empathies #talk to me any time you need to okay hon' #i love you and i hope things improve

[aced0g]

Be Your Worst Self

I was tagged by @loveydoveypiperwright​ , so thank you! I’m sorry I haven’t done a tagging game in a while but I’m getting there :DD

Rules: Take this quiz for your character(s) and post the results!

I’m gonna tag @fallout-and-dragon-age​ & @ace-amatus​ but thats only if y'all want too. Have fun if you do!

So for my ocs its going to just be easier to go by the personality type rather than list each oc out individually cause there would be a lot of overlap, that being said, here we go~

You Are an Emotionally Volatile Nightmare:

Your heart guides you and sometimes that’s not as dreamy or romantic as it might sound. It’s true that your feelings often inspire you to heal and create, and as long as those feelings don’t steer you wrong, you’re capable of truly visionary accomplishments in the name of empathy and love. Feelings, though, aren’t always gentle and sweet. You know that better than anyone because your own emotions -the same overwhelming forces that inspire you to make the world a better place - can take you to very dark places, especially if you believe that the subject of your ire has shown unwarranted cruelty toward you or something you hold dear. You know that your feelings aren’t necessarily rational, but that doesn’t stop you from dramatically blaming other people for causing you pain. Of course, you might not even stop at crying; that notoriously brilliant creativity might even spur you to express your wrath artistically - nothing says “emotional stability” like a morose, vengeful poem.

-Evander Virani: Does it match up? Yeah I’d say so. He’s experienced a lot of trauma and while most of the time he pushes his emotions down or tries to act like a positive “everything’s going to be okay!” person he’s about one bad thing away from having a breakdown. When he’s truly happy its one of the few times he can just forget about his problems and enjoy the moment. Most of the time he’s in this in between stage of pure terror and extreme sadness. It makes him appear like he has a level head. When he’s angry though it tends to lash out as a literal burning rage. He loses control of his magic and sort of engulfs his arms in flame and takes his ire out on whoever pissed him off (he hates being angry because it scares him. He doesn’t like losing control). His creative outlet is forging knives and swords. He does want to heal though, he’s tired of being the cause of destruction. He wants to help and heal, not only others but also himself.

-Aspen Lavellan: Does it match up? Kinda? I wouldn’t call him volatile. Aspen’s got a pretty level head on his shoulders. He has learned how to act diplomatic. When he is presenting himself as Inquisitor to the public imagine a Raymond Holt type of personality. When he’s with friends though he likes to pull pranks and just have a good time. He doesn’t want to be serious all the time because it makes the situation feel bleak. He wants there to be positivity in his life. Though, I would say that when he is truly angry it’s a type of silent wrath that’s terrifying. You can see the burning hatred in his eyes and he has the skill to hit his target with three arrows before they even know whats going on. When he’s truly angry he will keep fighting until he’s completed his goal or he dies trying. He does carve dalish patterns into his bow so that could be considered creative? Aspen is a protector. He wants to help others, keep them safe and that could translate into healing. He does what needs to be done to keep people safe, and sometimes that means making the hard decisions that others can’t.

-Arthur Cousland: Does it match up? Yeah. Arthur’s usually able to stay in a good mood. He’s an optimist and doesn’t like to bring people down. He’s gentle and wants to help heal and create. It’s why he enjoys playing his lute and singing. Songs can inspire people, or at the very least cheer them up. He may be a noble but what he does with that sort of money and power is give it away to others. He gives his coin to those on the street who need food, or he’s been known to give his blanket away as well saying he’ll just buy another when they reach the next town. He’s got a big heart and he wears it on his sleeve. The only way he can hide when he’s sad is if it’s raining so that the rain can hide his tears, or if he goes off on his own for a little while (he hates burdening others with his problems and often leaves for an hour or two to just climb a tree and have a good cry, though Alistair catches on and works with Arthur to realize its okay to let others help him when he is sad). When he’s angry it’s hard to think logically. He listens to his heart and when he feels betrayed or that someone is going to bring harm to his friends or the people he’s protecting he will fight tooth and nail to protect them and kill whoever is provoking them.

You are a Narcissistic Monster: 

You’re the best - right? Wherever you go, the spotlight finds you, and you’re hardly complaining. you can’t imagine your friends care, since, after all, you’re so generous. Well, that’s what you like to think about yourself. You’re generous, enthusiastic, and fun, so if you compulsively steal the spotlight, it doesn’t really matter. If you fuel drama just to feed your thirst for a dramatic life, is it really that bad? Is it really so wrong for you to be the center of attention? Does it really matter how other people feel about it in the long run? Of course, you’d never say no. You’re the generous friend, and you’d never hurt anyone on purpose just to keep all eyes on you... right? Every now and then, you imagine your funeral and how all of your friends will go on and on about how wonderful, magnetic, charming, and generous you were. 

-Sorian Surana: Does it match up? No, not really. He’s cocky, headstrong, and a bit of an asshole sometimes but I wouldn’t call him narcissistic. He’s proud of himself, and yeah he’s proud of himself and takes pride in his looks but not because that’s all he cares about. Sorian is a trans-man elf mage who was mistreated in the circle and then joined up with the wardens and transitioned. He went from thinking he would have no future to being one of the legendary Grey Wardens, and then he actually looks the way he’s always wanted to! So of course he’s going to seem a little vain or narcissistic sometimes, but it’s only because he never thought he’d make it this far. And, if he’s being honest, he fucking hates the spotlight. He’d much rather be just one of the Wardens instead of The Hero of Ferelden, Arl of Amaranthine, and all those other titles. He’ll be in the spotlight, but it doesn’t mean he enjoys it. Besides, he should be allowed a little bit of cockiness (mages in The Awakening DLC are so OP by the end of it, literally Sorian knows so many spells and can conjure the dead turn into a bear, wield a great ax while shooting fire storms at people, and at the same time have a constant aura of changing elemental magic that deals damage to his enemies.)

You are Shockingly Violent:

There’s no getting around this: you desperately need to attend anger management. You’re just as headstrong and opinionated, and your energy and enthusiasm can turn into explosive violence at the drop of a hat. You’re a walking time bomb of seething rage, and the more you try to hide it, the more it escapes in unpredictable, volatile mood swings. Do yourself a favor and invest in a stress ball or gym membership before you do something you really regret

-Kyra Lavellan: Does it fit? Yeah. She chose the Reaver specialization for a reason. Kyra is a very energetic and enthusiastic person. She does what she feels is right and gets upset when people don’t see that she’s doing the right thing even if it might not morally line up with their beliefs. As a kid she’d often get into fights with the other kids of her clan and was always sporting some sort of bandage because of it. She has a better control on her outbursts as an adult, but she still lashes out especially when she’s in pain or very annoyed. Her anger is great in battle though. She fights with the ferocity of a dragon and won’t admit it out loud but she does enjoy having the power to physically shred her enemies with her hands. Before she knew how to control the reaver power she would keep attacking, sacrificing her own health to get the job done and make sure the others were safe. Once she learned how to keep conscious and keep fighting things went a lot smoother. 

-Alrik Hawke: Does it fit? Kinda? Hawke’s in denial really. He wants to protect people and make them happy, it’s why he chose to be a spirit healer, why he’s always cracking jokes and trying to get others to smile. He does have a lot of anger though. It’s just under the surface, though its quite hard to really bring out. See Alrik is a werewolf and his anger is tied very closely to the wolf, so for him getting angry isn’t just an outburst of words it means he could lose control and shift. He doesn’t want that. He keeps a tight lid on his anger and it only really comes out in moments of extreme stress, like the deep roads or when slaver’s are trying to recapture his best friend, or when people keep calling Merril a monster, or when Templars get too close to Anders. Okay so maybe he does have a lot of anger. Like I said he’s in denial. 

You are a Two-Faced Liar:

Your friends know you talk behind their backs. Not that you’re a bad person - you just can’t help letting other people know how you really feel about some of the crazy stuff your loved ones have told you. Unfortunately, you’ve talked and talked and talked, and now, they all know you’ll talk if they confide in you. You know it, too, and you still can’t help it. No matter how hard you try, you simply can’t force yourself to be as loyal or honest as you want to be. At least you’re charming enough to keep making new friends and replacing the ones who felt too hurt or betrayed to trust you again.

-Zachariah Hawke: Does it fit? Yes and no. Zach has a big heart, but as a rogue he knows sometimes it’s better to lie and be dishonest. I think this would have been more of a problem back in Lothering, unable to keep friends because he keeps telling his parents about them and over sharing, not out of malice but because he gets so excited that he just needed to tell them. I think over time he would become the one with no friends and as an adult he knows how to keep his mouth shut. The only person he really overshares with now is Varric, and later Fenris when they’re in their relationship together. Zach isn’t trying to hurt anyone by talking about them he just... can’t keep all of their problems locked up with his because it’s too much. Zach’s the type of guy that smiles to hide what he’s going through and he wants to help his friends so much, but to keep it all inside would cause him to fall apart. 

#oc meme #my ocs #my ocs: zachariah #my ocs: alrik #my ocs: kyra #my ocs: aspen #my ocs: arthur #my ocs: sorian #my ocs: evander

[wiggly-blue-shite]

Chapter 37 From the Top

(Prof H X Ted)

When Henry and ted arrived at the beach Paul and Emma were already there, guns drawn, staring at the boat that was only a mile or less of the coast. Henry was right about there location.

They'd be there within the hour. A few others were also on the beach, armed. They weren't alone. They could do it. They're most definitely severely outnumbered, but they could do it. Maybe.

"Breath, Henry." Ted's voice was so calming. Henry squeezed Theodore's hand. They can do this. Henry was not going to lose anyone else.

Henry walked up to Emma and Paul, Theodore following behind.

"Hey guys." Ted patted Paul on the shoulder. Paul flinched a bit. Everyone's on edge.

"How are you Henry?" Emma sounded concerned. She was a good friend. Henry's glad that Emma was in his life.

"Better." Henry nodded slightly. All thanks to Theodore.

Henry stared at the boat. That's them. They're so close.

There are more infected. There would still be infected on the island. They wouldn't put all of their eggs in one basket. They're just stalling another wave of infected. They have to find another solution. They can't just keep fighting them over and over again. God why didn't he think of that before. Christ what was he thinking.

How could they kill off all of them at once. They're a hive mind... if you take out the head the whole thing goes down. The fish rots from the head. Ted you genius in disguise.

"Emma do you remember what you said 4 months ago, about the head of the hive mind? The meteor holding the head." Henry's brain was scrambled. It was just a blur.

"I don't remember!" Emma looked a little pissed but it faded quickly, "The brain came down in the meteor. Something like that."

That's it! The meteor. Henry doubted that PEIP had ever even touched the fucking thing. They need to take out the meteor.

They need to get on to that island. God damnit Henry why didn't you hunk of this sooner. Matters are to pressing right now. DAMNIT.

Henry realized that Ted was staring at him. Henry took a deep breath. He can't freak out. That does no one any good. He smiled at Ted. Theodore smiled nervously back. That beautiful smile

"I need to get to the island." Henry knew the other three would refuse him. They can't argue with logic though.

"To take out the head." Ted's voice seemed far away. He's lost in thought. Henry had expected Theodore to argue with him. But he didn't.

"I'm sorry you want to go back to fucking hatchetfield!"  Emma went back to yelling. Henry understood though, hatchetfield is dangerous. No one in there right mind would want to go back. But he has to.

"I need to take out the asteroid." Henry needed them to understand.

"You're not going alone." Paul's voice was steady. Henry never liked paul but he's a good guy.

"Well I'm going with him." Theodore grabbed Henry's hand, with his not gun hand. Of course he would want to come. "I'm not leaving you alone." He loved him so much.

"Well fuck that! Henry you're my best friend I'm going with you." Emma tried to look imposing, unfortunately her short stature counteracted that attempt.

"I go where she goes." Of course paul does. Henry knew he was going to need backup but all three of them felt reckless.

"We can't all go! Who's going to fight them off here!" Ted yelled.

"Well can't they do that!" Emma pointed l back up the beach. There was a small crowd of people gathered there, some with weapons some without. "It's their fucking town." Emma quieted down so they could hear her.

Henry never did really feel like he belonged in Clivesdale. As much as Henry hated teaching at Hatchetfield college, it was still preferred.

They can fight for their town. Henry was going to go back a finish the job in his own.

"Hello," Henry called out to the crowd, it got quieter, "as some of you probably know, we are the soul Hatchetfield survivors. Thank you for listening to us and coming to fight the fight." Henry felt like he was leading a protest which was absolutely ridiculous. "The four of us need to get on to the Hatchetfield island as soon as possible. We need you to fight here while we go." A couple people in the crowed nodded and murmured vague affirmations.

"Well it's settled then, all of us are going." Paul nodded like he didn't want to go back. But who really wants to go back to a place like that.

"How the fuck are we getting there?" Emma raised a good point. How the fuck would they get there? Shit Henry your brain really is giving up on you.

"I don't-" henry started.

"Hey I couldn't help but overhear, uhh do y'all need a boat?" A stranger with a very large gun walked over.

"Uh yes." Emma looked uncomfortable. Henry didn't really like this guy stepping into their conversation but he sounded helpful.

"Well I have a speedboat you guys can use."

Well that's convenient.

The boat ride took around 50 minutes. When they had gotten to the island chills went up Henry's spine. It looked deserted. It was so quiet. Why was it this quiet? It shouldn't be this quiet!

The four survivors walked down the middle of the street away from the dock towards the theater. They watched all around them. Where are they? Where did they go? They are not all on that boat.

They're probably not on the boat anymore. Henry hoped the Clivesdale citizens could fight for themselves. They can do this. Yeah.

No one spoke. Not a word. The sound of their walking was almost deafening.

They have to be here. They're just fucking playing with them. They've got to be. This is ridiculous. JUST FINISH THEN OFF, DON'T TORTURE THEM!

Henry took a deep breath. Theodore looked him in the eyes with such love. He didn't have to say anything. Henry knew everything would be fine. It has to be.

There it is. The old Starlight Theater.

It was completely disheveled. A big home in the front of the building where the asteroid hit.

It wasn't quiet anymore. There was a soft humming. They're here.

Henry gripped his gun tightly. This is it. They can go back to being happy, to their better lives in clivesdale.

Henry took on step in the building. It was so cold.

Creak

It echoed throughout the whole building. The humming stopped. Henry could hear movement.

Theodore, Emma, and Paul joined Henry inside. Guns drawn. This is the end.

Henry dared to take a step closer to the door that separated the lobby and the theater. That's where they are. All near the brain. Of course.

This cowardice is doing them no good. Henry pushed the door open.

Empty.

They must be hiding somewhere. They're playing with them.

Henry saw the asteroid. It was huge and menacing. It radiated blue. It was so god damn blue. Henry couldn't look away.

CREAK

There they are.

A creaking sound came from the stage right wing. Henry shot at it. He was met by operatic screaming. Henry's head hurt. It was so loud. So so loud. The infected emerged from the wings and started walking towards them, arms still outstretched.

"Paul, Emma. Distract them." Henry heard the infected coming from all directions. God they've been surrounded haven't they. Henry walked them into a trap.

God the screaming. Henry could hardly think.

If paul and Emma could get some of the infected off of Henry's back, he could destroy the asteroid. Maybe.

Paul and Emma ran off in opposite directions, yelling and screaming. The infected seemed to be drawn to the two.

"Watch my back Theodore."

"Of course." Despite the cold bleak theatre, Ted had warmth and love in his voice.

Henry hurried to the stage. A few infected redirected their attention to Henry but were promptly shot by Theodore.

The singing only grew louder. It wasn't singing really. It had no soul. It was just a perfect 5th. They grew louder and louder.

Henry tried to tune them out, but he couldn't. It was so loud. Henry could hardly breath.

Staring down the asteroid. Where does he start. WHERE. The world is at stake. Theatre, human science, human music, human food, Theodore's cooking, Emma's jokes, Theodore's singing, Theodore's eyes, Theodore's smile, Ted. They were all at stake. It all rested on Henry's shoulder and here he is not knowing where to start.

He began to chip away at the asteroid.

This isn't doing any good. It's a waste and time and energy.

He's failing all of humanity.

Tears rushed down his face.

He picked away at it more and more. A chunk fell of revealing a chuck of blue.

Henry threw his gas mask on.

It was so so blue. It almost hurt to look at it.

Henry began to tear at the blue shit. It did nothing. It just sat there. Of course picking at it would do nothing. Nothing at all.

Henry pulled out his hunting knife and stabbed it. It just became more blue. Why did it get bluer? Why. Why won't it die?

He has to be able to stop it. There has to be a way. It can't be indestructible, right.

Henry fell to his knees. Tears getting stuck and the bottom on the mask. Henry can't breath in this. He threw it off.

"Henry are you o-"

BANG

~~~

The beginning of the end.

#tedgens #from the top! #fanfic

[onestowatch]

Chinatown Slalom Isn’t Afraid of Selling Out on ‘Meet the Parents’ [Q&A]

Photo: Tyrus Hill

It's been almost two years since Liverpool's rising band, Chinatown Slalom, put out their debut album, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? For months, fans of the four-piece have been waiting patiently for the group to release their EP Meet the Parents. Retaining their organized cacophonous sound and evolving a stronger sense of structure and self-identity, the band continues to create a sonic world full of fun and self-reflection anchored in intoxicating songwriting. 

Ones To Watch was able to chat with the band, comprised of Jake Brettell, Liam Nolan, Mikey Woods, and Ricky Crawford, and discuss “playing the game” in the music industry, magic trees, and of course, Jack Black.

Ones To Watch: At the time of this interview, you're about 24 hours away from the release of Meet the Parents. How are y'all feeling? 

Ricky: The first two singles have been alright, so it's just gonna be nice to see what people think of the rest of it.

Liam: And it's been such a long time coming. Honestly, I don't have any nerves at this point just because it's just a relief to finally start releasing again. We see this as the first step on a ladder, rather than, oh, we need this to do amazingly. We just know it's a long game, and we've got multiple moves to make.

 Is touring something on the horizon for the band?

Jake: Yeah, we're not really set on that right now. Not to rule any possibilities out, but at this minute, the touring scene is pretty bleak, especially in the UK.

What are the COVID restrictions like in the UK right now?

Jake: It doesn't make any sense.

Mikey: It's confusing.

Ricky: Apparently, we're going to be opening up in two weeks—

Liam: but I wouldn't get my hopes up!

Ricky: We'll see what happens, but we're not holding our breath.

Liam: We're like 20 odd-year-old musicians, so we obviously view COVID entirely different from a 60-year-old who's retired. We're just riding this wave. It helps us play to our strengths of being bedroom producers. We were the only part of the music industry that could really keep working the whole time, so we just loaded up on tunes rather than worrying about touring.

There's certainly been a surge in the DIY music scene because of the pandemic.

Liam: To us, it's like punk. It really is the modern definition of punk. So, to do it yourself is the punkest thing.

Ricky: Yeah, and I think that's why there's such a big wave of it coming back through at the minute, because I know that it's so easy for anyone to get into now, but like you just got to dedicate time to it, and you'll get good eventually.

On Meet the Parents, it sounds like y'all have kept this organized chaos while also adding a bit of structure and solidity. While creating this record, what were some things you learned about yourselves as artists?

Ricky: I guess we focused a lot more on making them into songs. They were almost kind of like a musical collage for the first record. I think this time, from the point where they started, they had sort of chords and lyrics, whereas previously, it just been kind of—

Mikey: Improv.

Ricky: Yeah, total improv.

Liam: Yeah, and it's just like how we were describing the EP. We knew we needed to dress up smart and kind of sell ourselves to the world. We kind of consciously did that with the tunes as well. They're packaged a lot tidier than the first project. That was a conscious decision. I think structure is the biggest difference between the first project and the second one. That's what makes it sound a bit more mature and a little bit more accessible. We want to play the game. That is kind of the whole point of the project. We've made so much music that that was wacky and weird, and the people we were working with were saying, “This isn't the next thing.” And then we ended up kind of just using that as a whole concept to make an entirely different project about having to play the game for putting your music out and getting our foot in the door so we can do all the weird things we want to do. It was a realization that, yeah, you can be all wacky and weird, but if no one's listening, this is nothing.

In a Drop The Spotlight article about the EP, y'all talked about the reality of playing the game. You artistically translated that idea of selling out into everything from the title of the record to even your music videos. Can you expand on how you developed this concept?

Liam: I just always think about how Jack Black talks about the man in the music industry. We just kind of flipped the man into being this kind of parent that you have to go and win over before they are happy with you coming around all the time. Like you have to make good first impressions, and that is kind of the whole thing that links the entire project, because we've made so much music that the industry and the label didn't think it was the right thing. So we were just like, fine, let's play this game then. If they really want us to put out hard-hitting projects, then ok fine, but only if you let us put out all these other songs that are really weird and might be a bit more niche for people.

I know this is more of a common question, but I wanted to ask which track is your favorite and least favorite from the record?

Ricky: “Why's You Wanna” is probably my favorite. And then least favorite...

And by least favorite, I don't mean you hate it. Like maybe it was a hard track for you to solidify or was technically challenging.

Ricky: “Love Is Letting Go�� has a particularly hard trumpet solo in the middle. It's hard man, but I still love it. It's very close to my heart.

Mikey: My favorite's probably “Arrow in the Thigh,” and I reckon my least favorite is probably "Bet Your Hat." I don't know why. It's hard to choose cause there are only five pieces.

Jake: Yeah, it's tricky because the reason we put them all on the EP is because we like to go against the grain. I'll have to say that "Love Is Letting Go" or “Arrow in the Thigh” is my favorite, and my least favorite is “Bet Your Hat” because it's a little bit more poppy.

Liam: Yeah, my favorite is “Love Is Letting Go” as well. I think it's the best-written song. It's just on the nose, and it says exactly what I wanted it to say without me even realizing what I was going on about at the time. It just worked really well, and the structure is interesting. Like that drop at the end where it all hits in. I just love it. Some bands, and even when we were showing this to our management, said that the drop should come in earlier and that it was coming in too late. They said that people wouldn't wait that long, but for us, that's what it's all about. You have to stick around if you want to hear it, and then you have to replay it again if you want to listen to it again. So I love that one. My least favorite, I would probably agree that it's “Bet Your Hat.” I don't know why. I think we always thought when we were putting it out that everyone would think that we were selling out and that it was too poppy. And then we put it out, and all the magazines and stuff said it was a wacky tune, and look how weird this is. Then we realized that how we view it isn't how the rest of the world views it. We thought it was super poppy, but it was weird to normal people.

So it's safe to say that “selling out” is a subjective term.

Liam: Yeah! And we talked about consciously crossing this line a little bit to play the game, but it's not going to be this way forever. You have to play. We always wanted to come out and say our opinions on everything and be these outspoken people. But The Beatles didn't come out talking about how they were against war and all these political things. They first put the suits on, and they played the game, and they got to a certain place where they had the freedom and the influence to say what they want and affect things. 

“Love Is Letting Go” happens to be one of my favorite tracks, and the live Magic Tree Session y'all did for it was absolutely stunning. Where was this shot, and what was that experience of shooting in an actual tree like?

Ricky: It's this super cool tree in this park near where we live.

Mikey: Yeah, it's two trees that have sort of grown into each other. It's almost like a bird's nest.

Ricky: It has a spiral staircase, not an actual staircase, but it's made of branches.

Mikey: Yeah, a magical staircase in the magic tree.

Ricky: But it has a proper little plateau in the middle that you can all sit around.

Jake: Yeah, like a little grotto.

Mikey: I did have a sore bum by the end though. But anyway, we'd love to do a proper gig in that tree. There's a hill that just goes up away from it, so it feels like it could be a cool festival spot. Or you could do a DJ set.

Are y'all gonna be releasing more Magic Tree sessions, or is the live version of “Love Is Letting Go” going to be a stand-alone release?

Ricky: Yeah, we got some more coming. We recorded each track from one of these weird little locations. So they'll be coming out soon!

Out of the songs that haven't been released yet, which one are you most excited for people to hear?

Jake and Mikey: “Arrow in the Thigh.”

Ricky: It's “Vitamins” for me.

Mikey: Yeah, but “Arrow in the Thigh” is the first time we ever did that free flow. We've gone jazzy.

Jake: Yeah, free flow, bro.

The transition on “Arrow in the Thigh” around the 2:40 mark feels like it preps listeners for the rest of the record. Like you're going down a rabbit hole.

Liam: Yeah, the bit where it all kind of like goes away for a bit and then comes back for the final verse. All those verses, I didn't even realize I didn't even write any of it down. But there's a real poignancy in those lyrics. I don't know why, but every time I listen to them, they resonate with me. I think that's a sign of hopefully really good poetry, where it's not immediately obvious but it still affects you.

Is there a lyric that strongly resonates with you on the record?

Mikey: “Everywhere I look, I see / The patterns form in front of me / I can't help noticing / It might be for something more than this.” That one I like.

Ricky: “None of my flowers grow in my house.” I like that one.

Mikey: Where do you say “naughty step,” Liam?

Liam: “Just leave it there, by the stairs, on the naughty step.”

Mikey: Yeah, that one!

Liam: My favorite is from “Why'd You Wanna Come And Act Like That?” It's like, "I'm setting up my painful lessons / That could make a man a legend / If I want." And I think the lyrics on “Love Is Letting Go” sum up the whole idea of how the grim lessons in life that are at the moment horrible, like, when you look back, it just made you, you. So yeah, that's my favorite. Oh! I also love that opening line of “Vitamins.” "So I go to the house / With my bludgeon and trowel / I wanna dig some dirt, I wanna dig some dirt / I wanna pick some brains and ask them what they know." I love it because it all came out in one go, and I was like, "Oh my god, the bludgeons are for the brains and the trowels for the dirt." I was just amazed it worked, and it surprised me that the lines actually made sense, because it's so weird. Like who says bludgeons and trowels?

Apparently, you do! And “Vitamins” as a closer feels, at least sonically, like you can finally relax after a night of having to "meet the parents" and pretending to be someone else.

Liam: Yeah, exactly that's the way it works, and it ties back into the whole idea of the project and trying to say like, "Oh, we'll play the game. We won't show our cards. We won't show our full opinions," and then "Vitamins" hits. That track is just totally honest about what we think about the world. The line "dig some dirt" and "pick some brains" is like us saying I want to find the truth. That's what it's really saying. I think that's why it's good to close, because, hopefully, it can lead to more projects about becoming more confident about being more blunt. When I showed this song to people I don't think they realized just how blunt it is about the world we're in right now. But then again, I kind of like that. I like when people don't get what I mean, and it's up for a whole different interpretation.

The music videos y'all have released for this EP also tie into the overall themes we've discussed. Everything from the colors to the camera angles feels intentional to the story. What was it like working with Harry Deadman?

Ricky: He's so easy to work with.

Jake: He's so efficient.

Ricky: Yeah, and I think we really liked him because of his color usage. Everything that he does just really pops.

Liam: Yeah, that and his camera usage. That really drew us to him. Working with a team of people around just always makes us feel weird. It makes us feel like we're in... what's the name of that Will Ferrell film?

Jake, Mikey, Ricky: Zoolander!

Liam: Yeah, Zoolander! That's always the way it makes us feel. It's kind of like an out-of-body experience with all of those people around.

Mikey: Yeah, but Harry is amazing.

Ricky: The house we were at for the “Why'd You Wanna” video was crazy. Some Bitcoin billionaire owned it. I think some Drill rapper hired out the same house to do a music video.

Where did you draw inspiration from while creating Meet the Parents?

Mikey: God, where to begin.

Rickey: I think we found inspiration from older stuff that we listened to rather than modern artists.

Mikey: Yeah, like more stuff from the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Ricky: Which I guess kind of goes with the whole concept of Meet the Parents.

Jake: Yeah, cause a lot of parents are from that era.

Liam: I think honestly, what makes us so so weird and different from other bands is that we kind of isolate ourselves musically, and we kind of obsess over our tunes so much that we don't spend, or at least I don't spend that much time listening to the other artists unless I'm like out for a walk. I honestly think that that's what makes it original. Because we aren't totally trying to find influences, we can kind of just experiment. And then naturally, because you've not been totally engrossed in other people's music, I think it just sounds different to what's being made at the time.

Ricky: Yeah, starving yourself with inspiration too.

Mikey: Yeah, it's all quite subconscious. Quite subconscious in every sense. Like the way Liam comes up with the words and making a beat, you just kinda go with it.

Jake: Yeah, the song emerges from that.

Mikey: Yeah, and I suppose inspiration is subconscious as well. It's in the corner of my mind somewhere, and I don't know where it's coming from.

Liam: It's not like we sit down and go, “I want to make a song that sounds like this, about this.” Like, I don't think we've ever really done that. It's always spontaneous and a bit random.

Mikey: Yeah, usually we're putting it together like a jigsaw. We always used to say that we're throwing glitter at the canvas and just shaking it. And we just keep doing that repeatedly until it's finished, basically.

Ricky: It's a slow process at times, but I think we come up with something interesting.

Mikey: Yeah, sometimes it comes in in a day nearly. But for others, we've also been making some tunes for almost a year-and-a-half, sometimes longer. The biggest inspiration is usually just a good catchy song. If it doesn't matter where it comes from, but if it's a sick, catchy song, that is inspiring.

Liam: We like the type of pop that transcends being called pop anymore, because they're that weird but also that influential that it is just them. Like from The Beatles to Madonna, they're all kind of pop but none of it sounds the same.

“Pop” is just short for popular or mainstream.

Liam: Exactly, but I think in most people's heads, it has this sound to it, but I don't think it does to us. Like, you can make it as weird as you want, and if a lot of people like it, then it's pop.

Meet the Parents is available everywhere you can stream it. 

#chinatown slalom #meet the parents #Interview #indie #indie pop

[verdigrisprowl]

Jan 18 Blurr’s Horror Stream - A Series of Unfortunate Events 1

Livestream was shit and we didn’t quite finish the first episode before giving up.

Prowl liked the human children and liked how awkward everyone was. Also he was unusually cuddly with his soon-to-be amica.

Welcome to the 'speedxstealer' room. The chat room has been cleared by the moderator. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Yes hi hello he heard there was an opportunity to get away from the noise of the party at the complex behind his base.* B l u r r: [[ oh fantastic. LS is already dropping. ]] B l u r r: well im going to get food then ]] Whirl: *trots right in and makes a beeline for the hammock* Whirl: ((bl;urr HOW DARE YOU)) Whirl: ((HURT ME LIKE THIS)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((WHY WOULD YOU PLAY THIS RIGHT AWAY... my heart... *sniffle*)) FakeProwl: ((*sees comments* *turns on audio* ... i shoulda frickin guessed)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((look there are very few songs that move me like this one and this is a damn fine cover)) B l u r r: [[because it's from FFX ]] B l u r r: *FFXV ] B l u r r: SO I NEEDED IT ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave gets distracted on the way to the couch, but only for a moment. He looses the minis and sits down to make himself comfortable.* Airachnid: [peeks in] Whirl: *tilts his head, considering* I like the Ben E. King version more. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Ravage bobs his helm and makes a chattering noise. It is the Other Spider.* Whirl: *will also bob his head to Airachnid* B l u r r: [[ LS is probably not going to be nice. ]] Airachnid: [she just waves. She does not bob] B l u r r: / walks in. Looking a little better for wear / ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy immediately skates over to check on that leg.* Whirl: Here he is! The conquering hero! Whirl: *waves a claw from the hammock, optic curved into a delighted swuint* B l u r r: .... B l u r r: / VENTS / Not a hero. Whirl: You can dany it all you like, but it won't change a thing. *puls his legs up into his hamock and gets all comfortably curled up* B l u r r: / grumbles / B l u r r: / looks at Frenzy. His leg looksjust like its recycled old self / Airachnid: [she's eying the hammock. She kinda wants to get in it] B l u r r: [[ lemme know when you're ready and everyone's here ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy nods, satisfied. Good. He don't gotta punch nobody for not followin' orders. He darts off to plop himself near where Blurr usually sits.* ItsyBitsySpyers: ((i'mma bout to grab a quick snack but consider me ready anyway)) Whirl: ((i've gotta grab laundry but don't wait on me o7 )) Whirl: ((so bbs!)) FakeProwl: *appears* B l u r r: / going to finally sit down / starscream: *slips in* B l u r r: / picks at some welds on his arm guard/ The ship seems so quiet lately. / 8( / FakeProwl: *which Starscream* ItsyBitsySpyers: ((snacks acquired)) B l u r r: [[ lemme know when yall are ready. ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *And a belated (but timely at the time) nod to Prowl.* FakeProwl: *nods back. sits with* ItsyBitsySpyers: ((ready when y'all are)) FakeProwl: ((ready)) Airachnid: ready)) B l u r r: [[ well ill just start. Since my power might go out. ]] starscream: ((Sorry, this is thebestdecepticonleader)) FakeProwl: *not Prowl's boss then.* starscream: ((i've had some technical difficulties)) starscream: ((no)) B l u r r: [[ the whole stream is about to drop lmao ]] B l u r r: [[ lemme know when it does. ]] FakeProwl: ((holy shiit the theme song tho)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Since that is not the one who showed up the other night, Soundwave has no problem nudging Prowl an offer to get comfortable.* B l u r r: / slouches / FakeProwl: *immediately leans on Soundwave.* B l u r r: [[did it drop? ]] FakeProwl: ((still good)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((nope)) B l u r r: [[ its about to. ]] B l u r r: LS is giving me errors ]] FakeProwl: ((the visuals are freezing off and on but the audio is fine)) B l u r r: [[ well, just lemme know when it drops ]] B l u r r: if it drops ]] Airachnid: ok so it's not just me then. my internet is wonky during streams like this)) ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Primus.]] Whirl: ((AND BACK)) FakeProwl: *prowl has three new favorite humans* Airachnid: [that made her hungry] Whirl: *tilts his head at this mechanism* B l u r r: / kicks pedes out / Airachnid: Clever. For humans. Whirl: I wouldn't underestimate 'em, personally. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Does too. Especially if the sharp toothed one continues being treated like a useful member of the trio.* B l u r r: / scoffs/ B l u r r: Humans are only as clever as they allow themselves to be. ItsyBitsySpyers: //What kinda news-breakin' is that?// starscream: How did he even know they would be there? B l u r r: The right kind. Airachnid: They do not seem that upset over their loss. Whirl: Yep, and some of them let temselves get real damn clever. Whirl: Probably in shock, I'd say. B l u r r: Those ones end up dead. B l u r r: Or between my teeth starscream: Must be used to losing people FakeProwl: *everyone is awkward and matter-of-fact. prowl identifies with all of them.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave absently reaches a hand out to scratch Buzzsaw on the back.* Whirl: As long as they're no ally of mine, go to town, Blurr. B l u r r: Humans shouldn't be allies. Whirl: But  keep your mitts off MY humans. Whirl: Tough. You want mine, then you can fight me for them. starscream: why do you have humans? B l u r r: You shouldn't have human allies. /scoffs and slouches more / You'd think the last week would have taught you that. Whirl: We HAD humans allies last week. B l u r r: Did we? Ah, pity. B l u r r: I forgot them already starscream: HAD, they died? Whirl: Nah, we parted ways. B l u r r: thank the pits. starscream: I thought humans lived longer than that Airachnid: [she pulled on the hammock and gave Whirl a glace. Is he willing to share the hammock?] B l u r r: If that Yeager human touched my wheel one more time... Whirl: *looks over and sits up, scooting. But of course, Airachnid* Whirl: You wouldn't do squat. B l u r r: I would have. B l u r r: I got in his face twice. Whirl: *sly look* And upset Roadbuster? Airachnid: [happy chirrup before climbing into the hammock] B l u r r: ... /growls and looks the other way / starscream: how wonderful Whirl: Anyway, if we're going by track record, I have more to hold against CYBERTRONIANS than humans. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave huffs. That's as amusing as it is horrible.* B l u r r: I have more to hold against humans. So, we agree to disagree. Whirl: I'm fine with that. YOU'RE the one telling me who I should and shouldn't ally with. *deadpan look* B l u r r: / shrugs/ Some alliances just shouldn't be made... starscream: How is she that clueless ItsyBitsySpyers: //Heh. Looks like our old quarters.// ItsyBitsySpyers: //Sounds like some of 'em too.// Whirl: Good thing I never listened to anything anyone ever told me. *snorts* Airachnid: This is why I'm glad I can sleep on the ceiling. starscream: That's like, Megatron level clueless B l u r r: / snort/ I suppose. Regardless... it didn't turn out... so bad. FakeProwl: *likes this show. it tells you how the characters are feeling and how you're supposed to feel about it. makes it very easy to keep up with.* Whirl: Nope. Sure didn't. ..*another, slyer look* Sorry I didn't get you stepped on. B l u r r: Oh, he'll do it eventually... ItsyBitsySpyers: [[So you know his - what.]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Are the older humans in this ALL clueless?* starscream: 4th cousin is the closest they got Whirl: I'll do my best! *cheerfully* B l u r r: He's got my comm frequency B l u r r: He doesn't talk much... starscream: The forshadowing is hitting me in the face FakeProwl: *leans more on Soundwave* Whirl: ...*mock gasp* Whirl: *udges Airachnid* he looks like... Starscream... starscream: EXCUSE ME Airachnid: The human does. It's frightening. B l u r r: ...That house looks great. Whirl: The resemblance is simply uncanny... ItsyBitsySpyers: *Please forgive the light trembling. He's sort of enjoying the bleak humor* starscream: I don't look like any sort of organic, especially that one! Whirl: ((omfg IT'S NPH)) B l u r r: [[ it IS ]] FakeProwl: ((OH MY GOD)) Whirl: and, agreed, Blurr. I like it. B l u r r: I love it. Airachnid: I like the amount of light, but it needs to be cleaned up. B l u r r: / sNORT / ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Feeler allowed? Whirl: Yeah. But the architecture is pretty interesting. FakeProwl: @Soundwave «Yes.» B l u r r: / snickering / B l u r r: ... Okay even my place is better kept than this. FakeProwl: ((i made the mistake of clicking pause/play because the image was frozen and now it's just spinning o|-< Whirl: ((i've got a black screen)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Pleased. The one covered by Prowl's lean snakes out to cross the avatar's back and settle its claws on a hip.* FakeProwl: ((/refreshes)) Whirl: ((trying to fic it with refresh)) B l u r r: [[ LS is down ]] B l u r r: [[ tell me when u see the pause screen ]] Airachnid: welcome to the void)) B l u r r: I've kept my ship oddly clean lately anyway... _Whirl: ((starscream cursed is for comparing him to the count)) FakeProwl: ((is the screen paused on Olaf's face, with the door open on the right?)) _Whirl: Expecting a visitor, maybe? FakeProwl: ((nope, now it says offline)) B l u r r: [[ no LS is having an issue ]] _Whirl: ((says offline here too!)) B l u r r: [[ it might be coming back rn ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: ((aha. a pause)) B l u r r: A visitor? erm... no. B l u r r: I don't really expect visitors. _Whirl: No? Can't think of anyone? ItsyBitsySpyers: \\ALWAYS EXPECT VISITORS. HOW ELSE YA GONNA DEFEND AGAINST 'EM?\\ B l u r r: ... No. B l u r r: [[ is it back now? ]] _Whirl: ((not yet!)) _Whirl: ... Blurr. You're so damn dense it's kind of charming. B l u r r: ... What? FakeProwl: ((not yet)) B l u r r: [[ okie i can wait ]] Airachnid: still offline)) FakeProwl: ((I paused/unpaused, there it is)) B l u r r: [[ it says it's back up on my report but idk bout yall ]] _Whirl: @B: Seemed to me like you and Roadbuster hit it off. Am I wrong? B l u r r: @Whirl: :: What- no. We're acquaintances... :: B l u r r: [[ you guys got it? ]] _Whirl: @B: I think you careened right past that into "friends" territory, Teach. FakeProwl: ((good here)) _Whirl: ((not yet :|a brb tho)) _Whirl: ((i'll refresh rq)) B l u r r: @Whirl: :: What-?! We're not ... I mean, maybe. Friends. That's all. :: __Whirl: ((THERE WE GO)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((been had it)) __Whirl: ((whirl keeps getting longer......)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((...what kind of answer is that. what are words)) B l u r r: [[ OKAY IM GONNA KEEP GOING before the weather gets back ]] FakeProwl: *pleased as well. Not least of which because he's still riding high on the knowledge that—* FakeProwl: *oh! speaking of which. ping. amica paperwork. prowl's filled out his half.* B l u r r: [[ sighs its about to drop off again ]] __Whirl: @Blurr: Well, yeah. Friends visit. B l u r r: @Whirl: :: He's not going to bother coming over here... :: __Whirl: @Blur: ...you were awful quick to say "that's all." starscream: shampoo? B l u r r: @Whirl: :: What? :: ItsyBitsySpyers: //It's like... mushy hair solvent. I seen commercials.// starscream: Why were you watching human commercials? ItsyBitsySpyers: //Duh.// ItsyBitsySpyers: //Cuz they was on when I was pickin' stuff up.// __Whirl: *tilts his head to glance slyly at Blurr* @Blurr: Just an observation. *that's all the prying he'll do for now* ItsyBitsySpyers: *What's th--OH! Yes. The paperwork. Soundwave immediately begins working on that* B l u r r: @Whirl: :: ... What's that mean? :: FakeProwl: ((think it died)) B l u r r: [[ its gonna keep dying. ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: //She ain't s'posed to talk about it so much she killed the movie.// __Whirl: ((yeah i have returned to The Void)) ItsyBitsySpyers: \\HAHA.\\ B l u r r: [[ sighs. ]] starscream: ((hello darkness my old friend)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((you do have to admit, this is terribly appropriate given what we're watching)) B l u r r: [[ sigh. ]] B l u r r: [[ I don't think this is going to work... ]] B l u r r: [[ LS keeps crashing and now my net is like lmao no ]] FakeProwl: @Soundwave «There are a couple of other people I need to ask, per my prior list of emergency medical contacts. If so, I'll file our paperwork third.» B l u r r: [[ unless it picks back up. We can at least finish episode one ]] Airachnid: rip)) FakeProwl: ((pause screen's back)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((ye)) Airachnid: ye)) __Whirl: ((it's back!)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave looks over and thinks. Think think.* Starscream: ((there are apparently three whirls according to whose here)) __Whirl: I would begin planning my revenge. __Whirl: ((THE ULTIMATE NIGHTMARE)) Starscream: ((and two of me)) Airachnid: the Whirl armada)) B l u r r: [[ LMAO ]] B l u r r: [ applause and lip balm ]] B l u r r: [[ I'm dying ]] __Whirl: ((thee's about to be four *refreshes again*)) FakeProwl: ((ｔｈｅ　ｖｏｉｄ)) __Whirl: ((cmooon buddy)) FakeProwl: ((there it go)) Starscream: -_- B l u r r: [[ is it gone? ]] Starscream: ((yes)) B l u r r: [[ for everyone? ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: ((ye)) FakeProwl: ((yep)) Airachnid: yep)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Prowl was too into Tarantulas to limit himself to amica status this early. Who else would Prowl accept?* __Whirl: ((ye)) ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Obvious connection: Jazz, if alive. ... Getaway? B l u r r: [[ is it back? ]] FakeProwl: *affirmative ping* FakeProwl: ((not yet)) __Whirl: ((i see a pause!)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Springer was still on a slab and he didn't know anyone else who'd be important enough. Getaway had been trusted to watch Prowl during a few meetings - oh, good. Pleased with himself.* __Whirl: ((no it went... offline again)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((it was back but then it died again)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *...Ew, Getaway.* B l u r r: / slouches more so / ItsyBitsySpyers: ((pause screen)) B l u r r: Looks like the damage SOMEONE did to my ship is messing with everything else... ItsyBitsySpyers: \\I AIN'T DONE NOTHIN'.\\ B l u r r: Not you... B l u r r: Stupid wrecker... blew a hole in the side of my ship. All to get that disgusting human back /grumbling / B l u r r: [[ do you guys see anything? ]] Starscream: ((pause screen)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((yep. pause screen up.)) Airachnid: I see it)) __Whirl: (i see  apause!)) FakeProwl: ((pause screen)) __Whirl: Well, no offense Teach, but that's kind of what happens if you keep a Wrecker cooper up. B l u r r: [[ its about to fucccking drop again ]] __Whirl: *cooped B l u r r: He wasn't inside the ship! B l u r r: He blew a hole in my ship to get IN __Whirl: ...you said to get the human. Did you take someone who was a friend of his? B l u r r: She wandered into my claw. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Well. Third to Prowl is nothing to scoff at, especially for an ex-Decepticon who's only known the mech a year. He'll take it.* __Whirl: Pfft. Mech. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[It's musical?]] __Whirl: You're lucky all he did was damage yourSHIP. ItsyBitsySpyers: *This just got even better.* B l u r r: He's lucky he got her back... Starscream: ugh, singing FakeProwl: *"N for the knowledge." snrrrk* __Whirl: This man is absolutely you in human form, Starscream. Starscream: is NOT __Whirl: And, yeah. If you ever grab any of MY humans, then you're in for a lot worse. *points at* B l u r r: / rolls optic / Like I said, he got her back. B l u r r: / scrubs faceplate / __Whirl: *he likes that baby* __Whirl: You're lucky he decided to stick around after that. B l u r r: [[ did it go out again? ]] B l u r r: Oh yes, lucky lucky me. Just what I wanted. __Whirl: ((it has on my end, sadly)) B l u r r: [[ SIGH ]] __Whirl: I dunno. Seems like not too bad a deal for you. Starscream: ((Yes)) B l u r r: ...Why say that? __Whirl: No reason. *sly look* FakeProwl: ((dead here)) B l u r r: why are you looking at me like that? B l u r r: / scoffs and leans back/ B l u r r: [[ of course it's dead. ]] __Whirl: I'll say it out loud if you want me to, mech. B l u r r: There's nothing to say! / finial twitch / B l u r r: [[ it's literally almost over. ]] B l u r r: [ I cna't do this. I can't struggle with it. I'm sorry. ]] B l u r r: [[ It's frustrating me. So we'll try to finish one ep. And I guess my net just can't do it ]] B l u r r: [[ Is it back for yall? ]] __Whirl: ((I'M SORRY, dude :< i can see the pause screen rn)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((it's back)) FakeProwl: ((it's back)) FakeProwl: ((and yeah, finishing after one ep is fine by me)) B l u r r: [[ Sorry. ]] __Whirl: ((not your fault!)) B l u r r: [[ omfg LS there are 9 fuckking minutes left come on ]]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *BAM. Paperwork accurately completed and returned. He'd prepared for most of the questions by reviewing the conjunx paperwork Whirl sent over some time back. Lots of quick copy/paste and a few brief-- ItsyBitsySpyers: responses to the differences.* B l u r r: / ANYWAY. In denial about what Whirl is apparently about to say / ItsyBitsySpyers: [[...A certain snails?]] B l u r r: [[ is it gone again?? B/ ]] __Whirl: *makes an exaggerated throat-clearing noise* Now. I am not an expert in matters of the spark. I will be first to admit it. FakeProwl: Perhaps snails are symbolic of something in human culture. Airachnid: Who knows with these creatures. __Whirl: But I think my perspective as an outsider looking in has removd me from some of the factors that might bias someone else. And, it is with this objectivity, lent to me by the circumstances of my life.. B l u r r: / vents and sinks lower in his couch ./ __Whirl: You two got MAD chemistry. B l u r r: W-what?! __Whirl: ((i like that whirl and count olaf gave a speech at the same time)) __Whirl: You do FakeProwl: They have strange associations. Apparently owls represent wisdom. Starscream: Why? B l u r r: We... what? B l u r r: We do... we don't. ItsyBitsySpyers: {{It because birds smart.}} __Whirl: You do. __Whirl: Bite him! __Whirl: BITE HIM. B l u r r: We do not... Airachnid: Tear his face off. B l u r r: I /did/. With someone else. /crosses arms / __Whirl: ...that was fo the movie but--*shoots Blurr a cheeky look* Maybe you can take my suggestion, too. __Whirl: SEE? __Whirl: Wait. B l u r r: See what?! __Whirl: *LAUGHS and elbows Airachnid* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[He will research snails when he returns home.]] B l u r r: [[ its down again, right? ]] FakeProwl: *reviews paperwork. all good. acknowledging ping.* FakeProwl: ((not yet)) __Whirl: Anyway. If you're too blind to see it, I can't help you, Teach. But I want this room--this WHOLE room. To bear witness right now, to what I'm saying. ItsyBitsySpyers: [][][]Bear witness.[][][] B l u r r: ... /looking around / __Whirl: Blurr? You and Roadbuster got a little something. __Whirl: And with a little attention, it could be a LOTTA something. B l u r r: W-we don't! /sits up/ Whirl's lying! FakeProwl: I'm not interested in bearing witness to you butting in on somebody else's business. Airachnid: You stuttered. B l u r r: I mean, sure, I'd like to tear his spine out, but that's it! Airachnid: [she doesn't mind, she loves drama] __Whirl: O-HO, that's incredibly rich, coming from YOU, Prowl. B l u r r: Besides... I have JT. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave's planning on letting Frenzy run with Blurr for a little while. He needs a few things he can hold over Blurr's head in an emergency.* __Whirl: But furthormore--I don't care. And--yeah? B l u r r: / lmao good luck soundwave / __Whirl: I mean, sure, you seem to like him--WHY, I can't fathom, he's been dreadful to you--but obviously you should talk to him FIRST. FakeProwl: *vaguely waves whirl off. they both know whirl's being the obnoxious one here.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Who says he'd take it straight to Blurr?* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Roadbuster might find this whole thing interesting.* B l u r r: [[ kay screw it. ]] B l u r r: [[ im shutting down because im frustrated. ]] __Whirl: ((sorry dude :<)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((thank you for struggling as long as you did <3 )) B l u r r: [[ we can still use the chat, though ]] __Whirl: ((YES you fought the good fight!)) B l u r r: [[ or you guys can or whatever ]] __Whirl: ((WELL I AIN'T DONE WITH U BLURR)) B l u r r: / waves at Whirl/ He hasn't been bad to me... B l u r r: We just... disagree at times. __Whirl: Yeah, sure. Pfft. I still owe him. B l u r r: Of course. __Whirl: And don't think I WON'T tear his face up, either. B l u r r: ... Don't do that, I like that part. __Whirl: He shouldn't have done it to you, first. ItsyBitsySpyers: *An interesting new show; completed paperwork for something he did not expect to ever be asked, legal reasons or no legal reasons; fine company and good contact. Here is a content noodle.* B l u r r: Okay, fair. But, I did warrant it. __Whirl: And HE'S warranted HIS. __Whirl: *you mess with whirl's friends, you get the clamps* __Whirl: ANYWAY, like I said--*waves a claw* You seem to like him, so whatever. But, yeah, I mean, talk to him about it. B l u r r: Fine fine... /waves claws / B l u r r: Talk to him about what? He doesn't have say on who my friends are... __Whirl: Are YOU the only person who JT's seeing? B l u r r: ... /makes a face/ Is that important? __Whirl: You're not, are you. B l u r r: I don't know. I don't ask. B l u r r: / does know. / __Whirl: So he shouldn't have any grounds to say you can't do the same, if you want. FakeProwl: *the content noodle has a content car* __Whirl: Now--jeez, I'm not gonna PUSH you, or anything. *he says, while absolutely pushing Blurr* __Whirl: But jeez, not all of us are lucky enough to have this sort of thing. Maybe consider not letting it slip away? *tilts head* B l u r r: / tilts helm and whirrs gears. Flickers optic/ Dodge doesn't know if he wants that. __Whirl: Well, then, that's something you'll have to sort out with Dodge. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Content car gonna get a solid squeeze from the feeler. Like a slightly wriggly one-armed embrace.* B l u r r: I suppose so... __Whirl: But tell Dodge for me that if he gets in the way of you being happy, so help me, I'll FIND a way to make him pay for it. __Whirl: ((everyone just. SOAKING IN THIS GOSSIP. OR CUDDLING)) __Whirl: ((THIS IS HILARIOUS TBH)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((or both)) Airachnid: Airachnid is doing the former)) FakeProwl: *he'll take it* B l u r r: [[ LOL ]] B l u r r: Don't threaten Dodge. He has right to tell me when and when not to be happy... B l u r r: he has every right. / dead asss serious / __Whirl: Then, Blurr--and I mean this in the nicest possible way. I mean this as a friend--you're a chump. __Whirl: *soft, exasperated sigh; this is HIS chump, though, for better or worse* B l u r r: / vents/ Look, it's complicated with me and Dodge, okay? __Whirl: I'm sure I wouldn't understand. *dryly* B l u r r: / rolls optic/ It's a long history that he and I share. If anyone has right to punish me, it's him. __Whirl: I punch whoever I want, mostly. __Whirl: Anyway, we're getting off-topic. What you do is up to you, Teach. Maybe you'll never talk to him again. The multiverse has a way of being distracting like that. __Whirl: But I'm just saying: I definitely noticed something there. __Whirl: *finishes with an alaborate shrug that might or might not accidentally bonk Airachnid in the side of the head* B l u r r: / tilts helmand twitches finials./ ... / shifts and sits back. Now he's thinking / Airachnid: [rubs the back of her helm, but doesn't do much other htan that] __Whirl: Whoops--sorry, mech. __Whirl: You're taller than I'm used to my company being. *sly look over at Frenzy. and then at umble* Airachnid: It's alright. No damage done. __Whirl: ((UMBLE)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy lazily offers up an obscene gesture* Airachnid: [she'll take his comment as a compliment] Airachnid: [she's used to being called the short one] __Whirl: *MAKES ONE RIGHT BACK. with both claws up by his helm* __Whirl: *you know the one* ItsyBitsySpyers: \\HEY!\\ ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble yanks his brother back down. Park yourself. This ain't the place.* __Whirl: Wanna take this outside? ItsyBitsySpyers: *And Frenzy pops right back up again, storming out. That'll be a yes.* B l u r r: ... Cease. __Whirl: I hate to cut early, Teach, but as you can see, I have a very important appointment to get to. B l u r r: Mm... B l u r r: / waves a claw/ I have to get back to the repairs on my ship... __Whirl: *nudges Airachnid* Seeya, mech. Airachnid: You have fun with that Whirl. Airachnid: Farewell. __Whirl: Oh, I will. Frenzy's a god damn delight on the battlefield. ItsyBitsySpyers: \\YOU GONNA COME GET YOUR AFT BEAT OR DO I GOTTA DRAG YA OUT HERE?\\ ItsyBitsySpyers: *From not in the room* __Whirl: *SNORTS and shifts, lifting one leg up absurdly high and then draping out out of the hammock and letting it dangle down* __Whirl: C'mon, mech. __Whirl: *he is legit gonna just let Frenzy darg him* ItsyBitsySpyers: *STOMP STOMP STOMP SWEAR MUTTER GRUMBLE *** FUSS SNAP GRAB* __Whirl: *FWUMPS to the floor and waves as he is dragged* Later, losers! Airachnid: [waves as he's dragged off] ItsyBitsySpyers: //Seeya. Don't cry too hard or yer gonna rust.// ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble hops down and follows the others over to the Boss. If bots are gonna stay here, they'll just take up the opposite end of the couch, but if everybody's departing they'll go ahead and latch on* Airachnid: [since the more interesting company has left to fight, she'll just leave the hammock and go] ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Farewell, Airachnid.]] Airachnid: Goodnight. For now. [waves at everyone before leaving] FakeProwl: *the cuddling was nice. but he has a lot of paperwork to get through. sits up slightly.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Oh? Yes, of course. Iacon and the census and everything. Withdraws the feeler.* FakeProwl: *stands, nods farewell to Soundwave* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Pings farewell and nods* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Looks to Blurr and nods to him too.* [[Thank you for hosting, as always.]] FakeProwl: *and disappears* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Take what Whirl said under consideration. It has merit.]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Up he goes, on they go, and out they go.*

#chat

[theelliottsmiths]

What are the best and worst books you've read this year?

Best:

The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling. I fucking adore it and also she's a really lovely person. If you read it babe a look at the Spotify playlist she made, it's extremely fitting. I genuinely miss reading about Gyre and Em (the only two living characters, it's handled so well)

Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg. You can download it for free from hir website with full permission. It's kind of harrowing, a couple of rape scenes that aren't graphic but the emotions are, if that makes sense?

Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado. Oh fuck is it good. There is one I super do not understand but the rest? Gorgeous. The Law and Order SVU retelling? Wild. I can't remember it's name but the writers retreat story is my favourite.

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore. Non-fiction about the women who worked in Radium painting. There are graphic descriptions of crumbling bones and losing teeth but I'm assuming y'all as Rammstein fans can handle it.

In Ageless Sleep by Arden Ellis. It's a novella and I read it when I was on pain meds, in pain, on hour 30 or so of no sleep and overloading so maybe it's actually terrible? It's a fuckin. Enemies to lovers wlw novella.

The Winter Road by Adrian Selby. I don't read much fantasy, it's super repetitive and I'm sick of rape as character development, but I got it in a book box I was trying out and it's wonderful. It's basically unending suffering, it never gets better for her and the ending is bleak, but it's done really well. It's nice having an older female character as the protagonist.

Worst:

I'm generally very good at picking out books I know I will enjoy but I made some mistakes.

The Girl in the Road by Monica Byrne. I went in thinking oh interesting, I haven't read Indian sci fi before and the only afrofuturism/African futurism I've read has been Nnedi Okorafor and maybe one other thing so this should be super interesting. Instead it's about a woman who, it turns out, murders her girlfriend (a trans woman because of course) and also there are very... Positive CSA scenes? That are portrayed as good and loving acts? Not even in the Lolita or, idk, Spiel Mit Mir kind of interesting way.

The Confession of Stella Moon by Shelley Day. I read it because Supporting Local Authors. It. Doesn't go anywhere. There is no ending? Not even in the Shirley Jackson's dark Tales fading to black kind of way, it just straight up didn't have an ending.

A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay. Everyone raves about it but actually? It's awful. If you've seen and or read the Exorcist you don't need this book. Acknowledging that you're copying it/being gross about mentally ill people in the book itself doesn't make it better. Saying 'this is a rip off of X and Y' doesn't mean suddenly it's not boring.

#me rambling #non-rammstein

[bethabunnywrites]

2 through 9, 18, and 19 for Zihnan, Hising Softbelly, and Nak'tah!

I don't know why I did this out of order, buuuut I did. Also, I'm combining a few questions for Zih because they don't necessarily apply. Nak'tah:02. What is one of your character’s biggest insecurities? Are they able to hide it easily or can others easily exploit this weakness?- His lack of life experience outside of battle. I know it's my answer to pretty much every ask about him, but he's very preoccupied with it. I suppose it could kind of be used against him, but only to hurt his feelings? Rude. 
03. What would be their favorite physical trait about themselves?- Him stronk. Okay but for real, he likes being eight and a half feet tall and having very few physical limitations. He's strong enough to handle even the heaviest axe or mace with ease, but still agile enough to move easy on the battlefield, and if there's anything he does take pride in, it's that. 
04. What are their favorite traits about their lover? (one psychological and one physical)- So, uhh, Nak is currently single. And before that he'd only really had one very brief relationship (like I don't really count it, brief). BUT, we can speak hypothetically. I think physically he'd go more for the cuddly types, but he's not really too picky. Just, you know, relatively close to his size and with some sort of fur. Psychological...whether he knows it or not, he needs someone very patient and sympathetic to his needs. Because he will be pretty damn needy when he finally does open up to someone, and it will take a lot of work to get him into a Good Place. 
05. Are they sexually confident or more of the shy type?- Very much the shy type. If the other person isn't making the first moves, nothing is going to happen. Which, y'know, probably factors into the fact that he's still a virgin. Just my guess. 06. Do they have any hobbies that their lover finds unusual, odd, or otherwise annoying?- Again, speaking hypothetically on the lover part. His lack of hobbies is probably more irritating than anything he actually does do. He sleeps far too much, and snores pretty loudly when he does. He's working on drinking less, but less just means, like, less than three bottles a day, so...clearly he's Prime relationship material. 
07. Is there a catchphrase or sound that they tend to make a lot (likely without being aware of it)?- He stutters pretty badly when he's nervous, with a lot of umms and uhhs. Otherwise, I honestly don't think he speaks enough to have many patterns like that. Which is kind of sad. 
08. What is, perhaps, their biggest flaw? Are they aware of this or oblivious to it?- His self esteem, by far. He's fairly intelligent, pretty kind by nature, and actually fun to be around when he's not moping about, but he sure as hell doesn't know it. He sees himself as little more use than the axe in his hand, and it will take a lot of work and probably outside encouragement for him to work his way through it. 
09. Do they have a favorite season? What about a favorite holiday?- He actually really likes spring. He likes seeing the world come back to life after the bleak winter, and he has a deep, dark, secret love of flowers. Don't tell anyone I told you. - As far as holidays, he doesn't really celebrate any, but he has some very faint memories of going to the Darkmoon Faire as a calf and enjoying it immensely. 18. What kind of home would they want to live in? Where would they place this abode?- Something quiet, out in the middle of nowhere. In the woods, perhaps, or a farm with lots of land. Anything that's away from the bigger cities. Just a little house or cabin with a big, comfy bed. 
19. Would your character be the kind to get into fights? (physical or verbal) Would they be a good fighter or cave in rather easily?- He's not too quick to get into arguments or bar brawls, but if there's an attack on the city or what have you, he'll be one of the first rushing in, whether he's on duty or not. Zihnan:02. What is one of your character’s biggest insecurities? Are they able to hide it easily or can others easily exploit this weakness?- I guess he might worry that his laziness will bite him in the ass one day, but it's not a huge concern and if brought up he'd just shrug and ask why you care. 
03. What would be their favorite physical trait about themselves?- His fur. Even as a Shu'halo it is long and luscious, and one of the few things he'll put effort into is brushing and cleaning it to give it a beautiful shine. 
04-5. What are their favorite traits about their lover? (one psychological and one physical)- He's really just not interested in other people sexually or romantically. 06. Do they have any hobbies that their lover finds unusual, odd, or otherwise annoying? - The other druids get pretty annoyed with his snoring. If you're going to spend time in the dream, be courteous about it. Geeze. He also sheds, a lot. 
07. Is there a catchphrase or sound that they tend to make a lot (likely without being aware of it)?- Yawning. Constantly. Like, it's kind of ridiculous. He must need vitamin D or something. 
08. What is, perhaps, their biggest flaw? Are they aware of this or oblivious to it?- He's so, so lazy. It's not even an apathy that can be explained with depression, he just does. Not. Want. To. Do. Things. And he knows it quite well. 
09. Do they have a favorite season? What about a favorite holiday?- His favorite season is winter. He's thick furred and tries to convince people that he spends enough time as a bear to hibernate. It doesn't work. His favorite holiday is Winter Veil, because he loves the snow and food. 18. What kind of home would they want to live in? Where would they place this abode?- He would love a little cave in Winterspring to call his own. Frankly, if he could get away with not being a Tauren at all, he would. 
19. Would your character be the kind to get into fights? (physical or verbal) Would they be a good fighter or cave in rather easily?- Pfft no. It takes far more effort than it's worth to make him angry, assuming you're not an arsonist. If you ARE an arsonist or start forest fires at all, well, he can do more than sleep in bear form. Hisin:02. What is one of your character’s biggest insecurities? Are they able to hide it easily or can others easily exploit this weakness?- I first read this prompt at 4:45am this morning, when I took my husband to work. I came in at 6:30am to hang sales tags and open the store. I've been thinking about what the hell this motherfucker might be insecure about ALL DAY, and honestly, if he has any insecurities, he sure as hell hasn't shown me yet. Maybe it's because he's underdeveloped and I haven't roleplayed as him, or maybe the tourist grandpa just doesn't have any. 
03. What would be their favorite physical trait about themselves?- Uhh, everything. He's a silver fox, just ask him. If he had to choose, though, his mustache is pretty rad and he strokes it pretty often because he thinks it makes him look wise. 
04. What are their favorite traits about their lover? (one psychological and one physical)- He doesn't actually have one, but for entirely different reasons from Nak'tah (who needs to be weighed down by some girl? Not Hisin!). But, I'll just go with what he typically likes. He tends to go for girls who are quiet and thoughtful, full of interesting information and great for a conversation. And a nice rack. He can't be perfect, y'all. 
05. Are they sexually confident or more of the shy type?- He's a complete and utter flirt. If he sees anything even somewhat appealing, he's going to make it known. He doesn't follow through on it much these days, and it's questionable whether or not he ever did it as much as he says he did, but he certainly makes it look easy. 06. Do they have any hobbies that their lover finds unusual, odd, or otherwise annoying?- He collects snow globes. His little hut back in Pandaria is fucking packed, like a grandmother who hoards little ceramic figures. He loves them like children, which is why he left them at home. Safe.
07. Is there a catchphrase or sound that they tend to make a lot (likely without being aware of it)?- He hums to himself. Folk songs, lullabies, no tune at all, he's probably making some sort of noise if he's not talking someone's ear off. If you ask him about it, he'll start singing the song in question, or making up words of it didn't have any. 
08. What is, perhaps, their biggest flaw? Are they aware of this or oblivious to it?- He's so full of shit. He thinks he's the best thing since sliced bread (or at least acts like he does), and honestly it could catch up to him one of these days when someone calls his bluff. Not that it would stop him. 
09. Do they have a favorite season? What about a favorite holiday?- All of them. For real. Although, he did discover Brewfest last year, which quickly rose through the ranks enough that it could be called his favorite. 18. What kind of home would they want to live in? Where would they place this abode?- He has a cute little house back home in Pandaria, loaded with snowglobes and cozy furniture. He really doesn't need anything else. 
19. Would your character be the kind to get into fights? (physical or verbal) Would they be a good fighter or cave in rather easily?- He's all bark and no bite. He'll argue someone up a wall, but if it escalates to something physical he'll find a way to talk his way out of it. He's a healer, through and through, and has very little experience with fighting.

[airadam]

Episode 92 : Signals

"...make you feel as if the Bill of Rights was counterfeit."

- Cuban Link

This month has just been hitting us over the head with "WTF?" moments on a daily basis, but in between I managed to put the show together - as you can tell, the finishing touches only made it in close to the end-of-month buzzer! While this is an all-Hip-Hop episode, I feel fairly confident that there won't be many people who know every track, so there'll be at least one new gem here for everyone. Let's run down this month's crate excavations...

Twitter: @airadam13

Playlist/Notes

Fat Joe ft. The Terror Squad : The Hidden Hand

It's bleak, but it's life. The whole Terror Squad weigh in on this cinematic cut (produced by Spunk Bigga) from the "Don Cartagena" album. Packed with cautionary tales, observations on the state of society, and ending with a touch of advice, this very much has the air of the person that's been through a lot trying to stop someone else going down the same road. In my opinion, this is a very much underrated deep album cut.

Oddisee : No Rules For Kings (Inst)

From the "The Beauty In All" album we get this lovely instrumental, heavy on the cymbals and drum fills.

3rd Bass : Gladiator

I've just realised that I've only played 3rd Bass once before on the podcast, so there are some great tracks in their small catalogue still for me to share with you. Here's one I think you probably won't know - their contribution to the soundtrack of the 1992 boxing-themed film "Gladiator". DJ Daddy Rich makes the beat boom, and whoever it is on the hook is battling me in the low voice stakes :)

J-Live : Worlds Apart

"The white man's burden still the brown man's backache"? That's just fire. The amount of clever, insightful quotes on this track is just unbelievable. It's well worth sitting and listening carefully to this one a few times - nothing but facts right here from J-Live on this Oddisee-produced piece from his "Around The Sun" album. 

Melanin 9 ft. Roc Marciano : White Russian

Melanin 9 is a UK MC who had somehow escaped my notice up to now but I stumbled upon this track with Long Island's street rhyme specialist Roc Marciano and knew I had to include it! The production by Anatomy channels the feel of the SP1200/S950 90s golden age; I love it, apart from the awkward 5-bar intro ;) Melanin and Roc go stream-of-consciousness in fine style on this one, taken from the "Magna Carta" LP.

Apollo Brown & Skyzoo ft. Joell Ortiz : A Couple Dollars

"The Easy Truth" was one of the picks of 2016 and the combination of Skyzoo, a real lyric fan's choice, and Apollo Brown's soulful production is a match made in Hip-Hop heaven. Adding Joell Ortiz to this story of the lure of money when you start off broke just takes the track over the top. The album is definitely worth checking!

Kappah : Supafly

Kappah from the Beatfonics crew flips some Curtis Mayfield inside out right here and adds some solid bass underneath for a highlight from the "Beatxploitation" beat tape. Heavy business as usual coming out of Italy.

Nas : Thief's Theme

A dark favourite, and an appropriate one as we see the dawn of a new kleptocracy! This was a great single from the "Street's Disciple" album - there might have been a radio mix, but you couldn't call this a radio record. Salaam Remi harnesses the "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" sample (as played by the Incredible Bongo Band) while Nas goes full crime rhyme for three verses - and on the hook, re-using some of his own famous lines from "The World Is Yours". The video for this one is well worth a watch too!

Camp Lo : A Piece Of The Action

The recently released "On The Way Uptown" is the demo album Camp Lo recorded that got them their record deal and paved the way for the classic "Uptown Saturday Night". Well worth picking up if you're a fan, as you can hear early versions of some tracks that made the official album as well as others that were borrowed from or reworked. There's also a scattering of "lost tracks", and what later became B-sides. This tune, I believe, has been out on white label but is a tough one to get so I was very happy to find it included. Geechi and Sonny Cheeba showcase their back-and-forth skills on a great foreshadowing of killer records to come, while Ski gives us some boom-bap drums over a cleverly-chopped, sneaky sampling of a jazz classic. Heavyweight.

Talib Kweli : Gutter Rainbows

I think the world "lush" would fit this one when it comes to the production! M-Phazes brings a dramatic 70s flair to the title track to Talib's 2011 album, and Talib sounds thoroughly amped to be on it. You've all seen a gutter rainbow in the literal sense - the colours formed when oil spills onto the street, and while Kweli does point to that in the lyrics he also gives a more poetic alternative definition.

Pete Rock ft. Little Brother and Joe Scudda : Bring Y'all Back

"...catch a fist and a elbow"...Richard Spencer, come on down! Three very dope verses from LB and Joe Scudda over a Pete Rock beat; I think Phonte's is my favourite, but you can't go wrong with any of the three. Check this one on Pete Rock's third producer-driven compilation, "NY's Finest".

[Context] Maylay Sparks : Legacy (Inst)

One of those random independent 12"s that makes a DJs vinyl collection individual, rather than just an "essential hits" compilation! Context of the Danish crew "Nobody Beats The Beats" provides a quintessentially early-2000s instrumental.

WC & The MAAD Circle : Ghetto Serenade

RIP DJ Crazy Toones. This is a beat I've always loved since I heard it on MTV back in the day, and as Toones had his hands in the production (alongside Sir Jinx and Chilly Chill), I thought this was a good time to play the track. This is played from the 12" single which is itself taken from the 1991 "Ain't A Damn Thang Changed" album. You may not find the story as told by WC to your taste, but you can't deny that funk!

Main Source : Atom

Taking it back to '89, we have one of the first recordings from the Main Source crew. This is the B-side of the "Think" single and for me, a perfect case of "B Side Wins Again"! The mixing and engineering was done by the legendary Paul C, who sadly would be killed before Main Source released their debut "Breaking Atoms" album; his influence lived on, and not just in the name of Large Professor's publishing company. 

Mega Ran & Storyville ft. Wise Intelligent : I Know Who I Am

It's been great over the last couple of years to see Mega Ran's profile climbing. He's an extremely talented artist and on the "Soul Veggies" album he reunited with long-time friend Storyville, who both took the mic and produced on the project. For this knowledge-packed track, it was only right that both of them connected with Wise Intelligent of the Poor Righteous Teachers; in fact, it was actually him who got on the DJ Seedless track first and then brought them in! The production is funky, jazzy, African...the whole pot, a perfect home for some excellent rhymes.

DJ Quik ft. Mausberg and James DeBarge : Change Da Game

The "Balance & Options" album from the legendary Compton DJ/MC is a must-own for me, with some absolute killers on it - this one being the opening, a statement of intent from Quik and the late Mausberg. The timing and dynamics on the rhythm part of the track gives it a certain bounce that is harder to duplicate than your average beatmaker might think, and as always with Quik, the musicianship is right there for you to appreciate.

[DJ Premier] Gang Starr : Skills (Instrumental)

You could do a mix of just DJ Premier instrumentals and it'd be a satisfying hour! This is from the 12", one of the four singles from "The Ownerz", the final Gang Starr album. Check the full version if you don't already know it - personally, I'm really missing that trademark Guru monotone style.

Heltah Skeltah ft. Starang Wondah & Doc Holiday : I Ain't Havin' That

I decided to finish the episode on a seriously energetic note, with this banging track getting a well-deserved outing. The Boot Camp crew rip the beat from A Tribe Called Quest's "Hot Sex" and you can almost hear them falling all over each other to get their rhymes in - the session in D&D Studios must have been insane! Topping it off with the Redman sample from "Pick It Up" just seals the deal. This is a 12" well worth having but you can also find the track on the "Magnum Force" album.

Please remember to support the artists you like! The purpose of putting the podcast out and providing the full tracklist is to try and give some light, so do use the songs on each episode as a starting point to search out more material. If you have Spotify in your country it's a great way to explore, but otherwise there's always Youtube and the like. Seeing your favourite artists live is the best way to put money in their pockets, and buy the vinyl/CDs/downloads of the stuff you like the most!

Check out this episode!