#... like a southbound train

[steveharrington]

everyone says that modern country music is like “just about beer and fishin and women” or whatever but i unfortunately listen to country every day now bc the station is always on at work and i can confidently say 90% of these songs are just about being in love and thankin god for it 🙏🏻

[kegareki]

(puts head in my hands)

do i have any followers who ride the subway. can anyone tell me if northbound trains are backward southbound trains or not

southbound trains in seoul seem to go, for example, 3204 - 3104 - 3004. so you would see 3204 before you saw 3104

but i can't find a video of a northbound train where i can see the train numbers

i've been googling this for . however long it's been since my last post. are northbound trains the opposite of southbound trains?? would you see 3104 before you saw 3204 if it was northbound???

[atlasblue85]

was waiting for my train this morning and literally watched with my own two eyes as a man jumped off the platform of the station before mine, ran across the tracks, then ran and climbed back onto the platform. i simply Love getting to see what i know is going to be a major delay in real time this is like when the tree fell on the tracks at my station last summer

[lesbianshepard]

Rock me mama like the wind and the rain Rock me mama like a southbound train

[edwin-paynes-bowtie]

It frustrates me when people outside the US (particularly Europeans) are like, "Americans don't care about the climate because they refuse to use public transit!" I'm sorry, but the US is BUILT around a massive interstate highway system and in most parts of the country driving is the ONLY way to get anywhere.

Outside of major cities, you're lucky if a bus comes once an hour to a single stop a couple miles from your house. This is the case for me in a middle-class suburb of one of the biggest US cities. The US doesn't fund public transit because of the reliance and dependence on the highway system. Because of this, youre lucky if buses come on time if at all.

There's a broad train system, but it's pretty unreliable/inaccessible and only stops in some cities. Some states don't even HAVE interstate train lines.

Speaking of trains, public transit also isn't even the most eco-friendly way to get around. If I want to get to the city down south of me where I attended college on the train, I have to take the Metro NORTH into the big city and wait for another train to take me southbound. This doesn't just take like 3 hours (when you account for waiting for the train.) It also is a super indirect route. It takes me 5-6 hours to get to that south city this way; I could drive there easily in two and a half hours.

When I lived in Kent, I could take an on-time train directly to London. I could rely on it being on time. I could rely on there being another one in 20 minutes if I missed it. I could also take a train straight from London to Paris, knowing that it would be both on time and relatively affordable. I could get to just about any part of the UK on a bus or a train. In fact, driving would have been inconvenient. And why would I even need a car? Cities there are walkable for most people!

It's so obnoxious that people in other countries are like "haha lazy Americans don't use public transit" when PUBLIC TRANSIT IS ALMOST ALWAYS EITHER UNAVAILABLE OR EXCEPTIONALLY INCONVENIENT/INACCESSIBLE. Without dismantling the entire US highway system - an impossible task - we will never be able to shift to a society that does not completely rely on cars.

(Another thing: this is a total product of capitalism. The government and rich people want us to have cars so we buy them and pay exhorbinantly for insurance. I promise you that 90% of the people I know would rather not pay for those very expensive things and use a reliable and convenient train.)

[supercantaloupe]

cheating on my partner (amtrak) by only taking it one way into baltimore and taking another train (marc) on the way back home

it feels so silly buying a ticket on the amtrak just to get to baltimore but it's actually cheaper than buying a ticket on the marc commuter lol

[kailoraurelius]

Am I talking about Swan and Mercy again? In another post? Because I am in love with their characters and the subtle things that define them individually and, therefore, together?? No, that's crazy talk.

So anyways, Swan is a bad ass. I said that in my last post, I'll say it again 📣📣 baddest bitch in the gang. Periodt. 💅

But MORE IMPORTANTLY, she's the most protective in the gang. My girl's first solo lines in the album are her worrying about them all going uptown unprepared. Like almost all the women, basically, are speaking against the idea, but they sound more annoyed or angry at the idea of not having weapons. But Swan is very clearly worried. She's thinking about how far it is and, if something goes down, how far they'll have to go to get home. She's worried about her ladies. Protective 👏👏👏

Then, she's the first one to start shouting "Stay down" to the Warriors in Derailed. Then, Woodlawn Cemetery, first thing she does is a head count. And in Orphan Town, it's her idea to approach the Orphans with a lighter touch, because they're outnumbered and she wants to protect her family so badly.

BUT she also chooses to protect Mercy in this song. Mercy, who she doesn't know, who has literally just tried to start a fight with her and her crew by demanding her vest. When Sully gets rough with her, Swan steps in and tells him to leave her alone. She was getting what she wanted before that!! Sully was backing off and allowing her through and even when Mercy tried to start shit, it's MERCY he got angry at. By all logic, if Swan hadn't spoken up, they could have still flirted their way through. But no. Swan sees a woman being treated wrong and she steps in.

And she's continues being protective of her crew for the rest of the album. But, let's skip to the end, then come back to talk about the three other major moments that I wanna talk about. So, The Finale. Swan sees this hearse, this dude calling out her crew, and without knowing a thing about him, she steps up to go fight his ass, telling the others "Stay behind me". She has, more than once in the album, put herself into danger to protect the others or done things out of her character to ensure their safety. And this is THE pivotal moment of that. It's why nobody listening can be surprised when she says, "Stay behind me". Because it's the defining characteristic of her.

It's simultaneously the saddest and sweetest thing about her. And that protectiveness is a super important aspect of her relationship with Mercy. Going back to the other moments I wanted to mention, it's most obvious to me in Park at Night and A Light or Somethin'.

Park at Night is a little more subtle, unless you're reading the lyrics. When Ajax gets cuffed and tells them to run, Swan immediately says, "Everyone go ahead". Sacrificing herself to lure the cops away so her family can escape. But, just as lightning quick, Mercy replies "no!" This girl who has known her a grand total of one (1) train ride SEES what she is doing. She's her once again putting herself into danger to protect someone. And she says no. She stays.

The other girls know the plan. Regroup in Union Square. But Mercy has just joined them and doesn't know this so it sounds to me like Swan's answering, "we'll regroup in Union Square" is her trying to tell Mercy to go, that she'd be okay.

But again, Mercy refuses. She says, "Swan, stick with me!" And then Swan seems to accept this woman isn't leaving her and she's switches to telling the others, "On the yellow line southbound platform, we'll meet you there". And she and Mercy, the one who wouldn't leave her alone, run. This moment, to me, is THE moment that made Swan/Mercy beautiful. Because nobody else argued the plan or even seemed to fully understand it.

In Cardigans, Cowgirl and Rembrandt are literally TALKING SMACK about Swan, saying she's "off canoodling with Mercy" and she "split off and left us". Like, y'all, she just put her life on the line to lead the cops away from you??? Rude.

Even Cochise, who stands up for Swan, doesn't say, "Hello, she just saved our lives at the risk of her own", she only defends the canoodling part by saying it's tactical.

Like, Mercy has been in your presence TWO SECONDS and she understands Swan better than y'all do, I'm crying. (Do not take this as me hating on any of the Warriors, I am in love with all of them and I know they're angry and scared in this moment and likely blinded by that and lashing out.)

And that brings us to the second of the three major things I wanna talk about. A Light or Somethin'. I know, everyone has talked about it. But there's something about it that I don't think I've seen anyone else mention. In that song, when Swan is rejecting Mercy, everyone is saying it's all because she has low self-esteem or doesn't trust her or is scared to feel her emotions. But I think the truth is that Swan is doing exactly what she's done this whole time. She's protecting someone else. She knows who she is, she knows she has lived a rough life and she's likely not going to be a very good partner because she's never learned how. So she's PROTECTING MERCY AGAIN by pushing her away. She says "be careful", "don't put your hope in me", "don't put your trust in me". Yes, this is definitely Swan thinking she isn't good enough, but it's also her protecting Mercy from HERSELF.

And Mercy, love of my life, is trying to tell her that she isn't scared. That Swan isn't something she needs protection from. SHE wants to protect Swan. She is in her corner, she stayed with her when the cops rolled up, she wants to fight by Swan's side. She says, "then WE'LL go" when Swan says she'll leave. Mercy has seen this amazing, protective woman, who cares so much for her family and for total strangers, and she wants to stay with her.

And that brings us to Same Train Home. When those rich assholes get on and are staring at the Warriors and Mercy is hurt by what she sees in their faces. And Swan, likely moved by Mercy still staying with them after her rejection and definitely moved by Fox's death and the loss of Ajax and Cleon, does it again. She puts aside her own fears and self-doubts to what?? Protect👏 Mercy 👏 She takes her hand and says, "Hold your head high. Let them stare in judgement" before she kisses her. Effectively telling Mercy "I heard you in the tunnel, I know you want to live bravely and boldly and I'm not going to let these pricks scare you into doing anything less. Fuck them and what they think."

And that's what's so beautiful about them, to me. They see each other so clearly.

Anyways, I'm gonna go cry now, thanks for listening to me ramble. 🤙

[periprose]

I don't know if my ask got 'eaten' or not, but I did send it while I was on the road so I may have screwed it up anyway. My ask is based on your reblog of the 3 word sentences and if you care to, it's a twofer based plot: numbers 12 and 18 (just do it and you look lost) because I am a dithering decision maker except!! when I am going somewhere in which case my overconfidence gets me in trouble, something Peter knows too well himself. Love your writing!

unfortunately it did but I love this prompt so thank you for resending it!

Prompts can be found here

Peter is fairly sure that he's the one who's always late to everything. Every single seminar for this new Oscorp tech breakdown, he's the one who's five minutes late, and he swears it's not his fault.

It's just that he always happens to run into Spider-Man duties. He always finds another old woman who needs to cross the street, or a newspaper stand that has just been stolen from, and then after saving the day, he can make time towards catching the next subway train to Oscorp and hopefully run up the stairs, through the door, into the lobby, elevator, and then to the board room with a minute to spare. It always works out better in his head. 

He doesn't understand why Harry needs him there. Peter knows technology stuff like the back of his hand– he already understood what the seminar leader who oversaw the development of the new tech was saying halfway through the meeting, and basically put the concluding points together before the meeting was even over. 

Peter is nothing if not a good friend. Or employee who will be sent off with a strict warning if he doesn’t at least try.

This time, though? Peter has just made it to the subway station, and his glance catches onto a woman with a muted blue handbag, looking mostly competent and professional in a blazer, staring at the map, very obviously confused. He decides to be a good civilian and take a moment to help her. Just as Peter Parker, good guy who has two extra minutes to spare. Not because she happens to be a little more pleasant to look at than the rest of the passerby. She does really have bright eyes, though, and the way they catch onto every written detail of the map has Peter wanting those eyes on him.

Unfortunately, as she’s dithering and Peter approaches a little too slowly, about to work up the nerve to ask if she needs help, she suddenly mutters “Just do it! Who cares…” with a sudden bout of confidence, and she walks off towards the train heading North. The same train Peter is due to take.

Peter is kind of elated by this, even though he knows he’s a total dork and he doesn’t actually have the courage to speak to her. Even though Harry makes life sound like a romance movie– that apparently all it takes is the right conversation starter– Peter knows he can’t manage it. He’ll trip over his words and make the wrong jokes, and she’ll give him a polite nod while secretly dialing 911.

He’s just happy to have a commute crush to stare at.

The southbound train arrives from the opposite side of the road, and loudly beeps as the doors open.

Peter’s Spider-Sense goes off and he sees that a bunch of people are starting to exit the train, right into the poor woman who gets turned around a bunch of times and then looks utterly lost. Helpless. Eyes widening with the telltale fear of someone who doesn’t know where they’re going. 

Well, we can’t have that, can we? Peter decides to saunter up to her and be her hero of the day.

/

You are so horrible with making decisions sometimes. Unless, of course, it’s taking a new journey somewhere, with directions you’re not exactly familiar with– for some reason leaping into it headfirst works better, cements it into your brain better if you have to travel around these parts around later, and you usually have the time to figure it out.

Of course, this time you’re late. This time, when you need to present a great big presentation at Oscorp, where your big new tech job is, you’re late, and you had to be overconfident about figuring out the directions.

God, couldn’t you have just asked for help?

As you’re beginning to spiral– was it the north train, or the south, will this crowd ever dissipate properly, and is there time to look at your notes for your presentation on the train?– someone taps your shoulder.

“Hey.” A friendly looking guy with warm brown hair, and eyes, is staring at you, not unkindly. He pulls you aside, out of the crowd, and you’re thankful– but a little wary. 

“You look lost. Are you good?” The man has to lean in closer to you, and kind of yell-speak over the crowd, who are finally moving away to the above ground.

“Uh… No. I’ll be honest.” You cross your arms and huff, glad that someone could see that you needed help, and you feel a little happy that your saviour happened to be a smart, handsome guy who doesn’t look particularly judgemental, and you pull out your phone from your bag. “I’m trying to get to–”

“Oscorp?” He reads your phone and blinks, and then looks affronted that he spoke so soon. “Sorry. I just read your phone screen– I know that’s not proper etiquette. I’m going there too.”

“Uh-huh.” You fix your eyes on him, and Peter feels a funny twinge in his heart– something warm and soft as you size him up, making your own teasing assumptions of him. You half-smirk. “How do I know I can trust you? That you won’t just lead me to a random dungeon full of murdered women?”

You feel that you might’ve scared him off– you always come off a little too strong.

“Uhhhh, I was going to say I probably don’t look like a serial killer, but then again, you never know as a woman, right? Plus that’s some unnecessary bias and profiling on my part.” Peter fishes around in his pocket for his Oscorp ID, snorting at your joke, but also knowing that you’re not wrong to be concerned. “See? I’m Peter Parker. One of Oscorp’s biotech engineers.”

“Alliterative. Very cool.” You smile at him genuinely, glad to see that he is worth trusting, and he’s about to say something when the northbound train comes in.

“Hey, that’s us. Just two stops and then we’re at Oscorp.” Peter lets you walk ahead of him into the train, and you do so with some speed.

“Nervous?” He asks as the train starts going. He’s holding onto the loop for stability, while you lean against an arm rail. The train is kind of packed– and Peter is just a teeny bit happy for it, since it means he gets to stand a little close to you. He’s not trying to be a creep– you’re just cute.

“Very.” You shake out your hands, trying to chill out, and then reach inside your bag for your cue cards. “I’m starting out as a software developer– working on a genome editing program– and I’m doing a presentation on that today.”

“Oh, I’m in that seminar too. Although usually it’s just some dude presenting… not exactly someone like you.” Peter immediately facepalms, hiding in his hands for a moment before shaking his head, brown hair flopping about. “Sorry, I just mean… he’s not a cute girl, you know?”

Nice going, Parker. Peter groans and his hands remain on his face now, totally embarrassed by what he’s said.

“Oh–” You turn to him, but Peter interrupts you first.

“I’m so sorry. I don’t mean your looks are everything– I know how hard it is to be a woman in STEM, to get judged on things that have nothing to do with your credentials–” Peter swallows and sighs. “I’m not saying you were hired for your face– I’m sure you’re a very intelligent person.”

Peter feels your hand hesitantly touch his and move them, so he can get a look at your expression. You don’t look upset, just flattered, maybe with a hint of a laugh crossing your eyes.

“Hey, don’t worry. I didn’t take it that way. Good to know you’re not a typical STEM bro, though.” You read through your notes again, and Peter feels a bit of relief. “Thanks, by the way. You’re a cute guy too.”

You don’t know where exactly that came from, maybe an unexpected bout of courage bolstered by the adrenaline from your oncoming presentation, but it’s not like it’s false– this guy is very cute and you know you’re going to struggle if you have to work with him. You can’t quite look at Peter for the rest of the train ride, staring out the window. You catch a little grin on his face.

/

“So, genome editing, huh? That’s actually part of my work right now. Except more in the lab at the moment– working on synthesising frog DNA.” Peter shudders jokingly, and you laugh as you walk with him.

“Yeah, I’m basically the one who made the software program you’ll be using from now on. I just gotta make it easy for you guys to understand.” You inhale, and Peter can see that you’re still really nervous about your presentation. 

“Hey.” He gives you a comforting squeeze of the shoulder, in front of the building. “You got this.”

“Really?” You look up at him, bright eyes glassy with sudden fears. “But you don’t really know me, right? For all you know, I’m going to run out of the room with stage fright.”

“No way.” Peter grins, self assuredly. “You wouldn’t be talking to an almost stranger if that was true.”

“I mean… kind of true. I just don’t want to mess up.” You sigh and pinch your forehead, thinking it over.

“Okay, how about this?” Peter decides on something silly, but something that also allows him to shoot his shot. When else was a pretty software developer going to just fall into his lap like this?

He ignores that image. 

“If you don’t ace this presentation: who cares? People might be a little awkward about it, but they’re just people. It’s not a big deal.” Peter starts, and he sees you visibly brighten a little at that. “But if you do, you win something real special: a coffee date with Peter Parker.”

“Oh, I do?” You snort at his blatant flirting, but you can’t help but feel better with that potential date hanging over your shoulder. Peter Parker happens to be very sweet, at least so far, and you want to see just how far this could go. “Okay. I like the sound of that, but acing this presentation probably involves being there on time…”

You and Peter run through the lobby into the elevator– and you swallow your fears as you enter the boardroom, apologizing to the many developers and technicians about having to make them wait.

/

At the end of your very enlightening presentation– Peter knew there had to be no way he knew everything about this particular software since he had never tried it yet, and the fact that the original presenter seemed to be kind of vague on the details made it seem simpler than it was– you smile at him, and Peter grins back, knowing that he’s just won himself a date with you. 

[mariacallous]

There have been twice as many homicides in New York’s transit system so far this year as during the same time period in 2023 – even though overall violence in the system is slightly down, according to police data.

The figures have come into focus in the wake of a particularly grisly killing over the weekend — when authorities said a man set a sleeping woman on fire on an F train at Brooklyn’s Coney Island station, burning her to death. Police charged 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta with murder and arson in that attack.

Immigration officials said Zapeta is an immigrant from Guatemala in the United States without authorization, having re-entered the country after being deported in 2018. But that incident was one of several violent acts on the subway over the weekend — including a stabbing death, a shooting and two punching attacks on elderly riders.

Including the latest homicides, 11 people have been killed in the city’s mass transit system so far this year, compared to five within the same period last year, according to police data. For some of the 4 million people who ride the subway every day, the weekend’s incidents have aggravated a persistent public anxiety.

“There's no way you can really feel safe. There's no way,” commuter Dashauna Jackson said after getting off the C train at Spring Street on Monday. “It really has gotten really bad over the last few years.”

Jackson and other subway riders who spoke to Gothamist said they’ve noticed an uptick in people acting erratically, fights and general disruption on the subways within the past few years.

Their comments come amid a continuing debate about public safety on the transit system, which crescendoed earlier this month when Daniel Penny, who was accused of causing the death of Jordan Neely when he held him in a chokehold on an uptown F train last year, was acquitted of manslaughter charges. Passengers on the train had said Neely was yelling threats when Penny grabbed him.

Paul Reeping, head of research at the nonprofit Vital City, said a broad uptick in incidents is not just a perception.

”If people are noticing that, it's because partially it is true,” he said, adding that an increase in subway crime during the pandemic mirrored the increase in crime elsewhere in the city and has yet to get back down to pre-pandemic levels.

Though homicides doubled in transit this year, they’re still exceedingly rare, he stressed. He said two murders occurring in the subway system on the same day is “huge” because it’s so uncommon.

“We think that the subways are maybe even safer than walking on the streets, just in terms of the amount of time spent and the amount of crime that happens,” he said.

Still, he said, the increase should be taken seriously.

“I think the way that most people feel about the subway, just because it feels like an intimate space, is that it must be like a plane – there shouldn't be any murders there,” he said. “The number should be zero.”

Politicians have taken note of the public concern. Gov. Kathy Hochul last week said she was deploying an additional 250 National Guard troops into the subway system, in addition to 750 troops the state sent into the subways in March after a string of high-profile subway crimes. On Sunday, she touted the installation of cameras in every subway car, a $5.5 million project.

Surveillance in the subway system – along with body camera footage and a viral bystander video – helped police swiftly take a person of interest into custody in the case of the burning woman. But that surveillance didn’t as quickly lead to arrests in four other incidents, including the other killing, that happened in subways across the city over the weekend.

On Friday morning, just after 6 a.m., an 83-year-old man riding a southbound 5 train near Manhattan’s Fulton Street station was punched in the face several times by a stranger after a verbal dispute, police said. He sustained lacerations to the face and head and was taken to Kings County Hospital Center for treatment.

Around 3 p.m. Saturday, a 21-year-old man and an 18-year-old man were shot by two unidentified individuals as they got off a southbound Q train at the Avenue U subway station in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, officials said. They were both taken to local hospitals in stable condition.

On Sunday at 12:30 a.m., a 37-year-old man was stabbed to death on a southbound 7 train at the 61st Street-Woodside Station in Queens. A 26-year-old man was also slashed multiple times and taken to Elmhurst Hospital in stable condition.

And on Sunday around 2:30 p.m., a 76-year-old woman was punched in the head by a stranger and knocked to the ground on the southbound 6 train platform at Manhattan’s 51st Street subway station, police said. She was taken to NY Presbyterian Hospital in stable condition.

In each of those cases except for the fatal stabbing, police sent out clear photos of the alleged assailants – just as they did in the case of the woman burned on the F train.

According to the NYPD’s CompStat database, crime in the transit system overall is down by 135 incidents, or 6%, in comparison to this time last year – with 2,095 incidents reported through Dec. 15 this year.

Grand larceny makes up a majority of those reported crimes, with more than 1,000 incidents both years. But felony assaults – the kinds of attacks that can leave victims with permanent injuries – are the next highest category. The police data shows 548 felony assaults have been reported in transit this year, compared to 557 in the same time frame last year.

Danny Pearlstein, policy director for the Riders Alliance, an organization that helps commuters advocate for better transit systems, said the answer to the problem is not necessarily more “scare tactics” that can further heighten anxieties for riders.

“We need our leaders to double down on housing solutions to housing problems, on health care solutions to health care problems,” he said. “To the extent we want to see a police presence on the subway, we need that to be on platforms and trains, even though we know that police can’t solve every problem in transit.”

John McCarthy, chief of policy and external relations at the MTA, said the transit agency has been employing the three-pronged “Cops, Cameras and Care” approach to bring down subway crime and make riders feel safer.

He said the agency has been working with the State and the NYPD to put more uniformed officers in the system, has met its goal of installing cameras in every subway car, and has established the SCOUT program, where outreach teams work together to get help for people who are homeless and struggling with mental illness.

McCarthy said the MTA has been looking into the context behind each homicide to see what circumstances caused the deaths and what could have possibly prevented them.

“There’s still work to be done,” he said. “We remain focused on driving that number down.”

[slushie5544]

Chapter 3 of A Doofenella Story: An Unlikely Nemesis

While trapped and forced to listen to the neverending tales of his nemesis, Perry only had one thing on his mind.

'How the hell did I get stuck with this idiot?'

4.5k words

“Behold Perry the Paladin, for I, Heinz the Mad Scientist D, have concocted my new latest serum of the stickiest substances known to man, or as I call it. Stuckygloo! Heh, get it? Because it’s sticky which is also a play on being stuck and then glue is also super..”

This was going to be a while, Perry thought to himself as he stood there letting the older man monologue about his newest concoction. He wasn’t quite sure when this became a routine for both of them; to be completely frank with himself, he barely even remembered how long they had been going back and forth like this now. It could’ve been multiple months by now had it been a few years at this point. Regardless, he lost track after probably the fifty-ish explosion from one of Heinz’s sabotaged plans.

“-..For You see Perry the Paladin when I was just a wee boy, believe or not I used to have beautiful locks that would’ve left even Rapunzel envious, no not that made up princess! You see.. that’s a whole other backstory about..!”

Oh god, he’s still going on? With a silent sigh, the trapped man looked up at the ceiling, only partially listening to the other’s tragic backstory. His eyes were narrowed boredly, but he didn’t bother struggling against the trivial bounds and instead started wondering: How the hell did I get stuck with this idiot?

Standing at the edge of the kingdom, Perry unraveled a scroll that had his mission with a very vague hand-drawn map of large landmarks to be on the lookout for when traversing through the forest. Above the sketched outline, were the familiar cursive writings of his superior.

“Congratulations Squire Percival, you have honored and served the GWCA well for many years. After much thought and consideration, we as the council of the secret guild are proud to bestow you as an official knight of the Woodland Guardians. Hereby, your sworn duties are not only to protect the kingdom but to uncover and put a stop to whatever lurks in the dark woods.

As today is your first time out on the field, our covert scribe, Carl has gathered and tagged all recent and old reports of the mysterious landmarks roughly marked below. However, many of the archives had been lost mysteriously. As part of the W.G, your first quest is to document and become familiar with the unknown land. In your satchel, we have also left you the tools and guides to aid you in your journey. Good luck Sir. Perry and good luck.~ Commander M.”

Sir Perry, the official title bounced through his mind multiple times as he read the message over and over. A smirk crept on his lips Sir Perry the Knight, it had a nice ring to it he thought while wrapping up his scroll and trading it for an empty black covered journal and a compass in Daliah’s satchel.  Swiftly, and in one movement he used the stirrups to hop onto her saddle, taking a deep breath he shut the face-covering and gently nudged his steed into the uncharted woods.

~~~

Despite not having a clear plan, their traverse through the thick shrubbery was a breeze for the duo. They had started southbound from the kingdom, with every few meters he’d mark a tree with a turquoise paper tag that he would tie onto a branch and then write down the direction they were headed in his book.

Dahlia trod slowly but with purpose, as she weaved between the thin birch trees, her ears swiveled around on his alert, but her head was low as she sniffed the air with loud snorts and huffs. She wasn’t afraid of these parts like the other horses in the kingdom’s stables; though to be fair this mare was far from a domesticated pet, and she wasn’t just some trained animal aiding the guild. These mysterious parts were once her home, there had been a time when she could roam the woods freely and live her life wildly.

It had all been stolen from her in just a single night when her home was destroyed, everything had turned to ash and rubble as large burning trees separated her from her family never to be seen again. After escaping the suffocating heat, Dahlia was left trotting aimlessly trying to find her loved ones. However, instead, she was met by true monsters. Monsters that literally dragged her from her life and imprisoned her in small wooden rooms. The type of beasts that shackled and abused her when she didn’t obey. They left a permanent scar across her flank which was the worst and yet the best day of her life since arriving in this prison. That day she met the teal-haired man who hopped over a fence as tall as him to shove the monsters off her. He didn’t receive a broken nose and multiple abrasions to his body just to leave empty-handed though--- it seemed this also caught the attention of a certain elder who had been scoping for recruits.

He took care of her to the best of his ability, taking her out regularly while tending to her wounds and malnourished diet. After some months the mare was back to her health and while the two shared a definite bond over time, it was clear that she still yearned to be free; Perry understood this all too well. Months turned into a year and Daliah (despite his many objections, about naming a wild horse, his family convinced him to either pick a name or deal with Ducky Jr, Momo the Horsey, Horsea, Neighbert, or even Trottingham.), had finally recovered fully and was running laps around the kingdom’s orchard. Her gallops were full of excitement and glee, with every few clops she hopped in the air and whined with joy. However, with every pull of her reigns when they got too close to the woods, Perry could feel her tense and notice her contemplating as she stared into what she used to call her home.

Releasing her had been the right thing to do, she deserved to be wild, like she was born to be. Little did either realize how much the knight and horse had in common. Born to be wild, yet destined to be part of something much greater limiting their true freedom. Perhaps that was one of the reasons the two grew so close. 

~~~

The sound of rushing water broke Perry out of his thoughts as they neared a large stream of water that led to the flowing river. Looking down at his compass the river was flowing west which he scribbled into his book before leaving a tag between two large boulders. Jumping down from the saddle, he figured now would be a good time to stretch and investigate what was upstream,  it also gave Daliah a moment to get some water and eat; she would catch up eventually. Lifting his faceguard he clicked his tongue, to which the mare whinnied and trotted off in the opposite direction while Perry walked eastwardly along the rocky riverbank. 

Even with its slow flow, the river was full of life, with the calm waters weaving gently between large stones and boulders sitting in the shallow waters. Some were even stacked into mounds with moss growing between the cracks. On top, a few of the formations were frogs that croaked out and hopped away when the knight approached, looking into the clear waters he saw the amphibians swimming along with a multitude of large fish going the same direction as him.

Looking down at his compass, Perry noticed the embankment was turning him slightly northern while remaining more leaned eastward. While following along the shore he took note of the different plants that sprouted nearby, with a slight sketch next to the description.

‘It seems cattails and pickerel weeds grow in abundance the more I travel upstream. According to articles about flora and wildlife; both have many edible benefits** including resourcefulness in tools.

Both contain very versatile parts when dried, from the stems used to weave hats and baskets to the roots and seeds being useful for alternative flour. Even the leaves of the plants are edible raw and cooked.

*Remember to bring some home for Linda’s cooking.’

Closing the journal, Perry looked up at the sky to see patches of sky through some of the large branches overhead. He could hear the singing birds chirping from every direction as they hid between the rustling leaves that shook from the tree’s arms from the gust of wind that blew by. Taking in the fresh pine smell, the man exhaled with a deep sigh as he continued his walk.

Despite the serenity of it all, the knight refused to stop for too long and continued up the stream for a few more kilometers. To his left (North) he noticed the shrubbery becoming much denser as bushes gradually grew taller, it was such a minuscule change that anyone without a trained eye would’ve missed it. With a raised brow, Perry looked back to see Daliah was still nearby chomping down on nearby flora, he wanted to test something.

Without directing his full attention solely to the woods, he turned on his heels to walk in the direction he came from. At times he caught glimpses at the brushes and swallowed back a gulp as he reopened his journal and jotted down a small note.

‘They’re moving? Moving Northeast causes plant life to grow subtly, but upon traveling back Southwest it rapidly goes back to normal. Possible red herring? Will report more about anomaly as I travel deeper into the woods.’

Soon after closing his journal, Perry reverted to walking upstream along the shallow shores. Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried to focus on continuing his path along the river shore the teal-haired man couldn’t shake this festering annoyance that itched the back of his mind to turn back. There was something about those bushes, every other second his eyes darted toward the shrubbery that continued to taunt him by flowing casually with the wind. The pink and white flowers were such a vibrant contrast to the naturally dim surroundings, even on parts that weren’t touched by the limited sunlight the flowers were just as bright

Was that… Vanilla?

His heart leaped in his chest as the smell disappeared as quickly as it hit him. Narrowing his eyes the man came to a full stop and slowly turned his head so he was facing the hedges that were now as tall as him.

This wasn’t normal!

Finally having had enough, Perry went against his better judgment and trekked up to the woods, which practically barricaded itself off. The leaves were long and pointed, sprouting in different directions while bunched together, making it difficult to even look into the large shrubs.

Was that flower always there?

Strangely, with every gap the man found it was quickly replaced with a blooming white flower that matured in seconds turning the five curved petals into a light pink cluster at the end of the thin branches. 

How intriguing.

Unsheathing a small blade from his holster Perry took a nearby stem and sliced it off with a swift cut.

‘-RRY..!!'

The echoing shrill in his mind only lasted for a split second but the sound and sheer panic in the muffled voice made him jump back. While trying to catch his breath, Perry could feel and hear his heart pounding heavily against his chest. Looking over his shoulder and to his sides it seemed he was the only being who had experienced the horrid sound, with birds chirping once again and Daliah in the distance waiting for him by the river like nothing just happened.

Just need a minute to sit, that’s all.

Making his way back to the river the knight slid off his gloves and only his helmet to refresh himself by splashing cold water onto his face. He had hoped it would be enough of a shock to alleviate his pounding head, but it was to no avail. He squinted down at his reflection in the shallow pool, not daring to blink until his eyes burned and his vision became blurry. Finally giving in, his chocolate brown eyes closed as he took a deep inhale and then splashed his face one more time

This is absolute madness!

Standing back up, Perry threw his helmet back onto his head and stormed up the tall hedges which now towered over him by double. What was he so worried about? He had heard about much weirder happenings in these woods and was prepared for any harrowing experience thrown his way. He hadn’t spent a multitude of years of training and fighting his way up the ranks to be warded off by a bunch of flowers!

With a roll of his eyes, the man grabbed the small stock he had cut from the bush and rubbed the leaves between his fingers. The greenery was leathery to the touch and looked glossy under a ray of sunlight. While twirling the stem of the plant he took a small whiff of the flower only to grimace at the normally sweet aroma.

Vanilla?

His head started to ache once again as that half-shrill tried to make its way back to the front of his mind. This time he sat next to the bush as he put his free palm to his forehead under his helmet. However, his moment of recovery was short-lived when a raspy voice spoke up from behind him.

“Ya know, if you keep plucking and sniffing every flower you don’t know you're probably going to get yourself sick.. Oh please! Put your sword away, if I was going to do anything I would’ve already. Are you even aware of what you’re holding? Oleanders are one of the most toxic plants out here! Just touching the lea-...”

Fluttering to the ground, the plant was forgotten as the knight swiftly turned around and took out his long blade to wield at whoever snuck up behind him. His teeth were bared while he glared up at the taller man who raised his wooden hands in the air and stared back with wide midnight-blue eyes. While the other continued rambling, Perry looked the peculiar man up and down briefly--not paying any mind to whatever he was yapping about.

He wore a tattered tunic with the neckline of it barely being held together by stands of string; the sleeves were rolled up past his elbows which Perry could see the left prosthetic connected by his elbow, while the other was hidden more up his sleeve. Around his midsection over his shirt was a thick woven fabric partially tucked into his patched-up breeches. The brown trousers just barely cut off below his knees, though it was hard to tell if it was because of how small the pants were or how tall the man was.

Even while slouched over the man, towered over the knight which made him think it was likely both reasons. His narrowed eyes shifted back to his face and he started to tilt his head only now taking in his features. Disheveled brunette hair stuck out in multiple directions; he wasn't even sure where it even parted, it was just a conglomerate mess! His nose was hard to ignore, with small bumps at the bridge, which he was all too familiar with; not to mention how it awkwardly pointed out from the center of his face. And those eyes, they were somehow the most expressive part of him--aside from his endless chattering; the dark blue orbs were wide and .. were they sparkling?

Figuring he wasn’t a threat Perry lowered the weapon from the other Adam’s apple, but his glare didn’t falter. This didn’t seem to bother the stranger in the slightest as he continued talking and somehow ended up talking about the process of photosynthesis.

Was this some sort of distraction?

He looked at the hedge to his left, the tops of the bushes were just a couple tantalizingly inches inches too tall for him to look over; even when he tried to hop on his tiptoes. This was getting him nowhere, and he needed to start reporting back to the guild before it got late. With exasperated sigh Perry rolled his eyes before shoving past the man to head back to the riverbank where Daliah waited for him.

“Hey! Where are you going? I haven’t even told you about how the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell!”

Once mounted onto the horse, the paladin took another glance in the direction he left the man to wave him over. He might be annoying, but Perry still had a duty and the least he could do was bring the lost civilian home to the kingdom.

However, it was as if the stranger had vanished into thin air. Not a trace of another being was left behind, only the rustling of the bushes settling back to their normal height.

Just don’t think too much about it! It’s too early to lose your mind already!

With a whistle, Dahlia started her trek back to the kingdom, but all Perry could think about was trying to ease the irritating rash that was slowly forming in his hands.

What was that plant called again?

“.. anyways! That was how we got chased out of a town by a borzoi named Rapunzel. Which by the way, totally not my fault that the owner and half the town was dragged by its hair!”

Blinking back to reality Sir Perry tried to tune back in with whatever side tangent the alchemist was wrapping up.

Maybe now he could get on with his grand scheme.

“Anyways where was I going with this? Oh right!! There had been a point when I had the best hair in the kingdom! Sometimes Mother would even braid them back with flowers and… er.. You know what, t-that’s unrelated sorry! Heh, geez I’m getting parched from all this monologuing! Do you want some water, Perry?”

With a shake of his head, the knight shrugged his shoulders and tried to yank his arm out of the concocted binds for his hands to be rubber-banded back to his chest.

“Oh right! It seems like you are still in a sticky situation over there! Oh come on now don’t look so GLUE-m! Oh oh, I got it! Stay Adhesive soldier! Ha! Get it because it sounds like at ease solider an-!”

If the knight could groan he would’ve by now as he leaned his head back against the wall behind him. Nearby he saw a wooden platter with a clay pitcher that Heinz had set down on a table littered with scraps of paper and half-created trinkets. Some of which he either recognized as past ‘-inators’ as the scientist proclaimed them to be, or writings that were unintelligible from this distance. However, he could tell the large cursive letters of his nemesis from a mile away.

He never would admit it, but it always impressed the younger man how neat the other’s penmanship was despite being one of the clumsiest and scatterbrained people Perry had ever met. Even more interesting was his ambidexterity, despite having both of his hands limited to wooden digits, it never seemed to affect the scientist’s craft; he could be sketching out a whole invention while writing the notes simultaneously. Even while he was talking it was sometimes a wonder to watch how his fake limbs bent and turned while he was enthralled in a story.

Perry vaguely remembered when Heinz briefly mentioned something about a magic spell that allowed him more control over the prosthetics, but he refused to elaborate any more on them. Any follow-up questions were met with tidbits about his creations to get back on track for once. Not that the knight cared about the miscellaneous details of the man, it was merely an observation he noted and remembered it was a delicate subject to bring up.

“..ok! Ok! I swear I’m done now! Back to my beautiful hair! One day I was to my favorite candy store and-..”

Here we go again..

He had expected many things when given this position. Possible geographical discoveries, maybe a ghoul or two that had to be defeated, or even a fantastical sidequest that involved faes and other beings he had read so much about What he hadn’t anticipated was the nuisance of a stranger he met all that time ago to be the root of all the mysteries that plagued the woods.

It was his first couple of weeks on the field when they crossed paths again. After numerous complaints of market stalls being robbed in the dead of night, the only traces of the perpetrator(s) were large footprints leading back to the woods and a black cloth snagged on one of the nearby trees. Perry took it upon himself to get to the bottom of it.

Much to his surprise (and his disappointment) though the search hadn’t lasted very long. He had barely made his course past the woods entrance when he spotted a familiar hunched-over man hauling a large brown sack over his shoulders. When the two made eye contact this seemed to send the other into a panicked fumble as he tried to turn back and attempted to drag the bag behind him. He hadn't gotten very far once the duo caught up, Perry stopped Daliah in front of the suspect.

“For crying out loud! I swear you knights are always trying to find ways to show off your silly little ponies! You could’ve just told me to stop..”

Rolling his eyes the knight lifted his faceguard, this at least got the man to stop for just a moment as he tilted his head and then pointed a wooden finger at him.

“Hey wait a minute!! You’re that guy who was sniffing and playing the oleanders! Did you ever get your hand checked out, it looked like it was already reddening when I saw you. I meant to give you something for it, but you just left! It’s rude to just leave while someone is tal-...”

Oh my god not again.. Seemingly having the same thought, Perry sighed in annoyance while Daliah huffed, digging her front hoof into the ground. The stranger put his hands up, dropping his duffle revealing mostly scraps of metal, wooden tools, and.. nuts? Most of which had been reported to be stolen.

“Yeesh! I was just making my way home.. So if you don’t mind I’ll just be going around and- oh come on really?”

Quickly the hermit turned around to pick up his contents, Perry noticed the shabby black cloak he wore with tears at the ends. Once the individual picked up his luggage, he had tried to step around the knight, but  the younger man maneuvered his horse to the side ultimately blocking the other from running. 

“Come on man, what’s your problem? I already told you where I’m going!” Perry raised a brow and gave a pointed look, “Oh! This stuff? Well, er.. Alright alright! So you caught me! For I, Heinz the mad genius have concocted the perfect plan to overthrow the ‘so-called great royal family!’ I  just need time to put it all together and..”

This was getting us nowhere! Finally, jumping down from his horse, Perry marched up to the man who was too busy rambling about his plots that he barely had a chance to react to the iron fist before he was uppercutted. The punch had just enough force to not only make Heinz let go of the bag but also send him backward until he lost his footing and landed in the shallow rivers with a loud splash.

“Ughh.. So I’m guessing they sent you here? Figures as much.. Just wait you wait, Mystery Man! One day I will have my comeuppance and you all shall rue the day you cross The Mad Alchemist Heinz Doof!! Curse you!!!”

Had Perry known that second interaction would lead him down a path of constantly being on Heinz’s case and thwarting his (albeit petty) schemes; he’s not so sure he would’ve been so proud and overzealous when reporting back to his superiors. Maybe he should’ve just anonymously given the sack to the guild and they could’ve handled it, but of course the knight had to prove he was worthy of true missions.

Little did he realize those missions almost always involved the obnoxious scientist no matter how large or small the anomaly was, he was always somehow behind it all and it was up to Percival the Honorable (as some of the other members called him) to stop him.

So here he was, trapped in the confines of his armor boredly glaring at the alchemist who was finally done with his onslaught of backstories. Perry vaguely remembered something about how a kid named Doger (?) accidentally got gum in his hair and Heinz had to get some of his hair trimmed so now he wanted everyone to have something in their hair so they had to be cut as well and live with the same embarassing haircut, or at least something along those lines.

Overdramatic much? Alright, time to get out of here!

After a minute or two of shifting his arm around he had finally freed his hand from the stuck gauntlets. The scientist was still preoccupied with wandering his home to even notice the knight taking out his sword in order to reach the pitcher of water nearby. Just barely managing to get the sharp end through the handle, Perry quickly lifted his weapon so the water sloshed out and onto his armor, which turned Stuckgloo into a mushy goop that slid to the ground.

The clanging of the pot hitting the floor had the scientitst quickly turn around to see the other just barely putting his armored glove back on. His sword was sheathed back to his side, and  fists tightened with one foot infront of the other.

“Huh, guess I should come up with a waterproof version of.. ACK-!”

Heinz hadn’t even finished his sentence when his feet were swept from underneath him and all the potions he had been holding flew into the air. Upon opening his eyes, he saw Perry standing kneeling over him with a smirk. He tried to move his head to the side, but instead, Heinz was stuck only staring at the ceiling and that smug grin on his nemesis’s face. With a grunt, he tried to move his arms, but they too were glued to the floor.

‘You want some water with that?’

The alchemist rolled his eyes at the comment, “Har Har Har! Very funny! You made your point and thwarted me! Now help me up will, y-” The knight stood up and started making his way to the door, “Hey hey! Wh-where are you going!? Get back here! You can’t just leave me on the floor like this! CURSE YOU PERRY THE PALADIN!!”

< Part 2 Part 4>

[railwayhistorical]

Rail Over the Border

Here's a southbound train crossing over the border in Nogales, Arizona into Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. A Border Patrol Agent told me this happens six to eight times a day.

The train rolled up slowly to the gate, which is right in the center of town, it stopped for a few minutes (presumably to change crews, as I had seen vans with drivers waiting), and then continued south at a slow rate. After the last car rolled through, the gate was closed.

The line south out of Tucson is now of the Union Pacific; the line on the other side of the border is Ferromex (which is short for Ferrocarril Mexicano—while that sounds like a national line, it is now a private consortium).

Going back in time, the route here on the US side was originally that of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (operating under the name of the New Mexico and Arizona Railroad) while the rail line on the Mexican side was originally the Sonora Railway (funded by the ATSF so that they would have access to the port of Guaymas on the Pacific.

Six images by Richard Koenig; taken May 3rd 2024.

[consceleratuswrites]

Is it okay if I ask about two of them?

I really want to know about whatever for Movement and The 6:45 Southbound

Oh heeellll yeah.

Southbound is more or less a flirtation/raunchy fic that starts off very subtly and little dialogue - I’m essentially aiming it to be a bit of a challenge as I usually am one for dialogue. So it starts if and gets gradual (HAHA - L-like a train?!?).

You essentially spot a tall man get on the same line home each day and you’ve only been seeing him get on for a few weeks. You find he’s always polite, courteous and yet you never get the chance to speak to him. It becomes a bit of a crush. Until one day he brushes his hand with yours - then things happen…

I’m so sweaty.

Second Movement - Maestro being dommy. There isn’t too much to tell except that my premise revolves around an orchestral member messing up and being PUNISHED (cue moaning and whipping sounds) however it’s very soft. There is romance and plenty of aftercare.

[kegareki]

i watched a video of a guy hanging out in a line 2 train for long enough that it changed directions and started going <- when it had been going -> from his pov, so although i couldn't catch the destination on any of the train announcements, every southbound train video has been like 3204 - 3104 - 3004, with 3204 seen first, so i'm just going. to assume. that northbound trains are the opposite

it's been an hour. of me looking up train videos. to answer this one question. and i have to fucking GUESS at the answer

someone tell me how every fucking video of seoul's subway is on a southbound train

[stephensmithuk]

The Man with the Watches

Originally written in 1898 as part of a series of short stories called Round the Fire. Doyle needed money to complete a house he was building in Surrey. Insert your own jokes about actors, bad movies and extensions here.

Rugby is a town in Warwickshire, 83 miles north of London. Yes, it is where the sport of rugby is named after - more specifically Rugby School, a famous private school.

Smoking areas in British trains were gradually abolished from the 1980s, the final ones going in 2005 (GNER and Caledonian Sleeper). I have a 2000 GB-wide timetable showing where smoking was still permitted. In some cases, the trigger for the ban was the move to air-conditioned stock that would result in the smoke circulating in the rest of the train.

A Gladstone bag was a rigid-framed small suitcase that could be opened into two equal halves, named as such due to its used by William Gladstone, four-time British Prime Minister, who would start his final ministry later in 1892.

The guard's van on passenger trains was generally a specific section of a carriage that also had a caged area for carrying luggage, parcels and caged small animals.

Willesden Junction is located in Harlesden, NW London. It no longer has any platforms on the West Coast Main Line, with Avanti and London Northwestern Railway trains going straight past it. Its passenger service today is made up of London Overground Lioness line services from Euston to Watford Junction, Overground Mildmay line services from Stratford to Richmond or Clapham Junction and the Underground's Bakerloo Line from Harrow and Wealdstone to Elephant & Castle. The first and third share the same tracks, while the second operates, on lines shared with freight trains, on separate "High Level" platforms. There is a depot for Overground trains nearby.

Non-gangwayed stock i.e. carriages with no connection between them even for emergency use, continued to be built into the British Railways, with quite a few of the "first generation" of diesel and electric multiple units being built this way. Most got gangways in later refurbishments, but the Class 205 DEMU, bar one example (205205) altered in a refurbishment trial, would carry on without them until final withdrawal in 2004. Most of the survivors then promptly ended up in the hands of heritage railways.

The Bible Society of London was founded in 1804 with the aim of providing affordable Bibles in people's own languages, after the 1800 case of a woman called Mary Jones, who saved up for six years then walked 26 miles to buy a Bible in Welsh. It is still active today.

The London to Rugby line had been widened to four tracks in the 1870s. From west to east, the tracks go: Down (Northbound) Fast - Up (Southbound) Fast - Down Slow - Up Slow. Ergo, you cannot move between two Down trains without a big leap. (https://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/lec2#LINK_1)

A bunco-steerer is a swindler.

Green goodsmen operated a scam in which people were offered purportedly counterfeit notes printed using stolen plates (so appearing genuine) at a cheap price, being shown actually genuine notes in a bag. During negotiation, the bag was switched for one containing worthless goods, like sawdust or green paper. Having been duped out of real money, the victims were reluctant to report this to police as attempting to purchase fake money was illegal.

Card-sharping is cheating at cards using various means, including cutting bits of cards to mark the ones you would want. Vegas casinos frequently deliberately cut corners off used cards being sold to tourists to prevent them being snuck into their games.

Tammany refers to Tammany Hall, the corrupt political machine that had ran New York City, for much of the 19th century, leveraging support from Irish immigrants by providing them with jobs for example. It had been temporarily ousted from power after the Lexow Commission of 1894-95 into police corruption; to wit, promotions were being sold for large sums of money and officers got that through extracting protection money from brothels etc. However, it would come back in the 1898 elections and retain control with occasional breaks until 1961, when Carmine DeSapio was ousted as its leader. It then lost power and had gone by 1967.

Travelling salespeople would carry samples or models of their products on their trips, sometimes in branded containers. This has largely become a thing of the past, but is still around.

Northumberland Avenue used to have a lot of high-class hotels, but these have mostly gone. Some were taken over for government use for a while, including by the War Office.

"Mary Jane" appears to have been a slang term for a male prostitute; Mary Jane Kelly was the final victim of Jack the Ripper.

[francisforever2014]

something awesome about the south bound train out of seattle is that people make the vancouver b.c./vancouver, wa mistake SO MANY TIMES that at least 10 times during the boarding process they go this is the SOUTHBOUND TRAIN going to VANCOUVER WA down to EUGENE OREGON . this train is SOUTHBOUND . GOING SOUTH TOWARDS OREGON NOT NORTH TOWARDS CANADA. which is really awesome for people like me that are always convinced that they're going the wrong direction and gets scared easily