#BLAST Clash 2024

[adriaticpulse]

BLAST ulazi u mobilni esport s BLAST Bash događajem

Organizator esport turnira BLAST napravio je svoj prvi korak u mobilni esport scenu najavljujući BLAST Bash, online događaj koji će obuhvatiti tri igre mobilnog developera Supercell: Clash of Clans, Clash Royale i Brawl Stars. U sklopu BLAST Bash događaja, održat će se tri različita natjecanja sljedećeg mjeseca. To su BLAST Brawl 2024 (10. i 11. listopada), BLAST Royale 2024 (12. i 13.…

[slytherinslut0]

SLYTHERINSLUT0’S KINKTOBER

october 1st. theodore — size kink, big dick.

KINKTOBER MASTERLIST | 2024.

summary: there’s a rumour going around that theodore nott has a big dick…..why not see it for yourself?

warnings: 18+, SMUT MDNI, hogwarts uni (obviously), big dick!theo, size difference, size kink ofc, fingering, PIV, dirty talk, slowish sex, put on your fantasy cap for this one bc it’s a little wild, also, anyone know any wheelchair providers?

How the hell did you end up here? How had a night meant for celebration, for laughter and drinks and the triumph of a Quidditch victory, lead to this—

Fevered kisses, teeth clashing—your breath catching in the dim, muted glow of Theodore Nott's dorm—spine pressed against his door as his lips attacked yours, moving to your neck with a hunger that had your knees weak. There was a party, still alive somewhere down the hall, warmth spilling into the corridors, the echo of cheers and laughter floating past—but it was all a distant memory now. All of it blurred, lost in the way Theo's hands roamed over your hips, tugging you closer like he was starved.

Oh, right—the rumours.

Rumours have always had a way of creeping into places they don't belong. A whisper here, a careless word there. Stupid little fires, barely a spark until someone fans the flames. You've seen it before—how a single rumour can grow, how it can warp a simple night into something bigger. Something chaotic.

And now, well, you're living it.

Curiosity was what pulled you into his orbit tonight, what sparked the embers that had been burning between you two for far too long. Because Pansy Parkinson—loud, exaggerative, and far-too-tipsy—couldn't resist spilling some gossip mid-party, something about Daphne, something about Theodore and nine goddamn inches.

You know, the usual Quidditch post-match talk.

And it should have been nothing. It should have got lost in all the other Slytherin boy ramblings but instead, it stuck. Gods, it fucking stuck. Pansy's little comment sparked the fire in you, a fire that led to a conversation over drinks, your hand grazing his, and before you knew it, you were leaning into Theodore Nott at the punch bowl, asking questions you had no blasted right asking, yet went ahead and did anyways.

Something about...well—

"You've heard, then," he'd replied, voice low as those blue eyes watched you over the rim of his glass.

It wasn't a question. It was a challenge. For all the audacity you had—Theodore had just as much.

"I have," you leaned closer, your voice almost teasing as you whispered against the curve of his ear. "Big rumours, Teddy...huge, even."

He tensed, just slightly, the kind of reaction you noticed only because you were watching him so closely. You're pretty sure he wasn't expecting something like that to come out of your mouth—and you couldn't blame him, because truthfully, you weren't expecting it either.

That was, what you'd like to call, the point of no return.

There was a response from him. Something cocky enough—something like; "and do you make a habit of believing everything you hear?"

"Not everything," you said with a shrug, though your heart was in your fucking throat. "But I'm open to proof."

There weren't very many words exchanged after that—maybe some slight teasing—maybe another brush of his hand—but Theo was never a man to waste time, and it was clear that whatever curiosity you held for him had bubbled up now—heady and bold—and created a mess between you that couldn’t be contained.

The party, the victory, the cheers—it all became static as his hand slipped around your waist, his lips at your ear in a whisper. "Then let's put these rumours to rest."

You barely had the chance to nod before Theodore moved—grabbing your wrist and moving you through the crowd like you were something to be expedited, the sea of students parting before him. Pansy spotted you leaving, her eyes gleaming as she threw you a wicked smile and a drunken thumbs-up. You rolled your eyes, smirking back, but everything else blurred into the background as Theodore led you out of the common room, and before you knew it, you were inside his dorm.

The door slammed shut behind you, the cold surface meeting your back before his lips found yours—urgent, consuming. His hands moved with purpose, sliding under your shirt, lifting it over your head before you even realized what was happening. His own shirt followed, discarded carelessly onto the floor as he pressed his body against yours.

The memory blurred as the urgency of the present took over. You gasped at the feel of him, his entirety—hard, aching, massive. The outline of him was impossible to ignore, the mere suggestion of what was to come already making your heart pound wildly in your chest.

The rumours had seemed absurd at first, but now...now, they felt terrifyingly real. He was huge.

"Tell me," he breathed, his voice a low rumble against your lips as his fingers worked deftly at removing your skirt. "About those rumours..."

Your head fell back against the door, exposing the line of your throat as his mouth moved lower, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. Whimpering, you caressed his shoulders, up his neck, finding his hair, fingers teasing the warm, hidden shell of his ears. At this, his back crested, and he moaned, pitching forward, hips working to fuse you with the door.

"I—I heard..." you tried to speak, but his mouth was on your neck, and the words tangled in your throat. "Gods—something about...nine inches..."

Theo hummed against your skin, the sound vibrating through you, sending blood pooling low. He pulled back just enough to look into your eyes, his lips hovering over yours, his breath hot and heavy as he wrapped his hands around your thighs and lifted you up—carrying you toward his bed.

"What else." He muttered against your mouth.

"Daphne..." you panted, barely able to think straight with the way he was touching you, the way he was looking at you. "She...she said she couldn't take it all..."

"And if I say that's true?" He rasped, laying you down onto his comforter. "What then?"

A shiver shook you from the base of your spine, and you curled your legs around him, core clenching hard—he sprawled over you, his body massive—engulfing yours, roving his hands up and down your bare thighs as his lips left wet, warm kisses across your breasts, teeth digging into the sheer fabric of your bra—you were gasping, whimpering under him, your chest rising and falling so rapidly you'd think you'd ran a marathon.

"Gods—that's...an odd question, Teddy..." your hips bucked, seeking his touch, and he grazed your pussy over your underwear, thumb ghosting your clit through the fabric. You squeaked, and he silenced you with his mouth, tugging at the fabric until he'd fit his thick fingers under the hem. "Are you...mm..asking if I can handle it?"

"Fucking soaked already," Theo peeled away, gasping, watching you as he slid a digit through your hot slit, his breath hitching. "Yes—I'm asking if you can handle it."

"Fuck—I don't—I don't know..." he dragged a slickened finger over your clit—you quivered, biting your lip until you found your words. "Only one way to find out."

"You're right," he breathed, swirling his finger, your body pulsing underneath him—every nerve within you roaring to life. "I'll be easy on you...I'll go slow..." his thumb took over, his middle and fourth finger teasing your entrance, lips hovering over your ear. "Let's stretch you out first."

"I—" you began, and he plunged into you. "—fuck."

Theo crooked his fingers in your cunt, eyes focused on your flushing face, the flow of your moans, his breath shallow as you clenched and pulsed around him. His thumb traced rapid little lines around your swollen clit, two long fingers filling you full. He wet his lips, pressing his mouth to yours in a brief kiss as he snapped his wrist, curling and scissoring inside of you. His hips rocked with his rhythm, and you caught sight of his erection straining against his jeans—

"Tight little thing," he growled, head dipping low as he watched his fingers disappear inside your dripping cunt. "I might fucking break you."

He jutted his erection against your thigh and you moaned, clenching around him. "Mm—Theo—"

His eyes followed yours toward his crotch—you couldn't help yourself, your fingers burned to feel him—to stroke him—to feel the weight of him in your hand. He nodded, and amidst your gasps and moans you reached for him, grasping at his zipper and undoing the button, tugging his jeans and boxers down his thighs—

Theo groaned and your mouth watered. Those rumours—Gods, those fucking rumours—

"Fucking hell—" you breathed, wrapping your fingers around his thick, heavy cock—he choked, digits pumping you deep—your thighs shook, your pulse in your throat. You tightened your fist and stroked him, watching him from half-lidded eyes. "Theo—holy fuck.."

His lungs sputtered. "That enough proof for you, Bella?"

You nodded and he throbbed—twitched under your grip, blood biting his cheeks when you coated his head with the bead of his pre-cum, his breath uneven, tattered from the weight of lust—but so was yours.

You moaned. "Oh—Gods—I'm—"

Theo circled your stiff nub, pumping his fingers into your pussy, and pleasure wracked you, pouring into your pulse, your orgasm charging toward you at light speed—his lips found yours, softly, muffling your moans.

"You're close, I can feel it..." he muttered against your mouth, fingers dragging at your walls, groaning as you clenched—as your free hand gripped his hair harder. "Cum on my fingers, Bella, go on..."

You shuddered and snapped—pleasure pulsating from your core and through your limbs, your orgasm lighting up your spine. In its intensity, you bit at his bottom lip while your cunt clamped down around his fingers, a feral energy coursing—the need for more—the need for every goddamn thing he was willing to give you eating away at your sanity—all coherent thought gone, only dissipating further as Theo pulled his fingers from your soaked cunt and sucked them clean with a growl.

"As fucking delicious as I'd imagined," he cooed, drifting his other hand up your thigh, fingers kneading the trembling flesh. You swallowed, lungs still working to find their rhythm. "I don't think you have any idea how long l've wanted this...any idea what you do to me..."

Gods—you almost wanted to laugh—this felt like a fever dream. You'd been friends for years, the fact it took this to get you both here was astonishing. His blue eyes peered down at you—wide and waiting.

"Look at you," you muttered, eyes dipping down to his throbbing dick, still twitching insistently in your hand. "I think I know exactly what I do to you."

Theo snuffed a groan in his throat, but his cock twitched again, despite himself—there was no preventing that.

"Cocky as ever," he whispered, lips curling in a teasing grin. "But now's not the time, principessa..."

"I can handle you," you breathed out, though a tremor in your voice hinted at the uncertainty you felt.

"We'll see." He said. "Lay on your side."

With a flush creeping up your neck, you complied, turning to face the window. The moonlight filtered through the glass, casting a silver sheen over the rippling surface of the Black Lake. Theo moved behind you, his body flush against yours, the slickness of sweat making your skin cling together—one arm slipped beneath your head, cradling it, while the other slid under your thigh, lifting it with a deliberate, practiced motion.

His dick slid against you, the girth daunting enough if not for the sheer fucking length of it—his body was massive behind yours, dwarfing you, a solid wall of heat at your back. You'd never felt so small, so fragile in a way that screamed breakable.

Theo teased your slit, covering himself in your juices—

"Just the tip, yeah?" He whispered, and fuck—you almost moaned. His voice was ruined. "For now."

"Theo—I—I think I can handle it..." you were trying to convince yourself as much as him. You wanted him to enjoy himself, too. "Just…fuck me, please.."

"Merlin help you..." Theo groaned and it almost sounded pitying—dragging the swollen head of his cock against your clit before dipping lower, pressing against the folds of your greedy cunt— "you don't know what you're saying..."

His arm under your head curled inward, wrapping around your neck and holding you in place against him—his other hand guiding his length to your entrance and pressing in—shushing you softly as the first inch breached you and you cried out—as your mind blanked.

"Theo—" you gasped through the chokehold he had you in, his free hand holding your thigh up as it trembled. "That's—you're—fuck—"

He pulled out and rocked along you again, testing you, offering you centimeters of his length at time. Gooseflesh flooded you.

His lips pressed against your ear. "Shhh, you said you could handle me, yeah?"

His hand on your thigh shifted lower, resting on the crease. He rutted against you a few more times, dragging this out for everything it was worth until he brought the tip back to your entrance and pushed in—slowly, inexorably—spearing you open, splitting your cunt and prying you wide in a way that rid your breath.

You whimpered, hand scrambling for purchase on his hip behind you. "Ohhh—h-holy fuck.."

"Fucking hell...you're tight..." his arm around your neck tightened, holding you against him and he pressed in deeper. "That's barely half..."

You fought for air and found absolutely none, every muscle in your body tensing, your limbs trembling, your mind fizzing with staticky pleasure. You felt as though you could break in two.

"Fuck," he drew out again, and pressed back in. "You can barely take it."

He was right. You could barely fucking take it. A revelation that you weren’t surprised by—but that made all the blood in your body pool low, walls fluttering around him in protest.

"Gods, Theo—T-theo—" you grasped his wrist, nails digging into his skin, eyes squeezed shut. "Wait—"

"Little more...you're doing so good, Bella..." he was cooing now, pressing kisses to your cheek. "I'll make it fit...we'll make it fit, won't we?"

You couldn't find a fucking modicum of sense to articulate a response. All you could do was feel—take and feel—the way he slid out, only to drive into you again, slowly, with a hiss of air through his teeth—drawing out loud, shameless groans from your chest.

"Mmm—breathe, Bella..." it was soft, soothing, like he was trying to coax you open with words. "Relax for me, yeah? Let me in...let me in..."

You obeyed without even thinking, pulling in shaky breaths, forcing your body to comply, even as your muscles screamed to stay tense—to fight the overwhelming fullness of him. You felt as though he couldn't possibly get deeper, but then he did, and he continued to until he bottomed out—his cockhead kissing your cervix, forcing a sound out of your chest that was more a sob than a moan.

Your eyes were shut so tight. "That's—"

"All of me," he interrupted, satisfaction dripping from every syllable. He rolled his hips, grinding against you, barely pulling out before pushing back in, and your whole body clenched in response. "Does it hurt?"

Every movement proved indefinitely that he was as long as he was thick—your core stretching to accommodate him. You felt him in places you'd never felt before—moulding and carving you out just for him, digging out new space inside you that only he could occupy.

"A little—“ the words were a whimper, and your walls tightened around him instinctively, fighting to adjust, to accommodate the impossible size of him. “Gods—“

"Then why are you making it worse?" He hissed through his teeth, strain bleeding into his tone. You could hear the shift—wrecked, ruined, like he was barely holding onto himself. "Fuck, you're squeezing me...too tight...relax.."

He pulled out and thrust back in, harder this time, sucking in air through his teeth as he worked you wider with each plunge into your soaked cunt. Your body rebelled, clenching down around him again, and he groaned, the sound vibrating through you, his hips snapping against yours in response.

"That's not going to make it easier, you know." His voice was a tight growl, but there was a grin in it, like he knew exactly what he was doing to you. "Keep that up and I'm going to leave you sore all day."

The thought made you clench again, your body betraying you as a broken apology fell from your lips—pain giving way to pleasure. "I'm—ohh—sorry-"

"Oh, you're going to be sorry." His pace quickened and you were seeing stars—bright and flashing and blurring your vision. "When you're spending all day in bed tomorrow...recovering..."

It only took seconds before he was grunting behind you—lost in your tight heat as he held you against him, hooking your thigh up toward your chest as his arm tightened around your neck, cock ramming your cunt—colliding with your cervix, pushing screams from your lungs. You couldn't think—couldn't catch your breath as he drove into you over and over.

"Fuck—so good…so fucking wet..." Theo moaned, the sound of his cock slippery and lewd, broadcasting evidence of your arousal. Face on fire, you tossed your head back against his shoulder and closed your eyes, chewing your lip, rocking with the force of his strokes. “You like that—being filled like this...greedy little thing..."

You whinged; he was boring into your stomach, delight gushing through your veins. You had never been with a man this endowed, and this fucking ruthless. It made you throb, set you aflame, whirled your brain with desire. Words eluded you.

"Ohh—yes,” you choked out between moans. "Gods—you're huge—"

"I am," he groaned in your ear, the hand on your thigh shifting to your belly, palm pressing against your pelvis—he eased his pace, offering you deep, slow strokes, letting you spasm around every goddamn inch. "That's how deep I'm in you."

At that, you moaned, shamelessly. Cocky bastard he was. You knew now that he was more than entitled to it.

"Can...fuck—can I cum in you?" His fingers slipped to your clit, slowly swirling over it—you didn't even have a second to process that question before the pleasure wracked you so hard you cried out, and he growled. "Fuck—let me cum in you...in this pretty little cunt.."

Somewhere in the blur, you registered his words—low, rough, pulling at the frayed edges of your sanity. Contraceptives. You were on them. It was the last rational thought you had left, buried deep under layers of heat and want. You knew you were fine, but the way he asked, in that voice—Gods—

His fingers increased their pace and you wailed. "Theo—holy f-fuck—yes—yes please!"

Lightning euphoria ripped up your spine with a shameless shriek, your climax shattering you. Your cunt throbbed and milked his dick, your thighs twitching, and your back reached for the wall but his arm around you kept you in place, pleasure possessing your nerves. It seemed an eternity—he was still fucking you through it, breaking you deep, and then he shattered too—breath washing over the back of your neck, chest heaving and lungs sputtering as he spilled his release into you, deep and sticky and hot.

You were still floating between realms of sensation and reality—your mind struggling to tether itself back to consciousness when Theo finally pulled out, releasing you. Both of you were heaving, chests rising and falling in tandem, your bodies slick with sweat and satisfaction.

A moment passed, your breaths slowly steadying, when you felt his arm snake around your waist, pulling you effortlessly against his chest. You shot him a weak, lopsided smile over your shoulder, still catching your breath.

"You okay?" He murmured, his voice a quiet hum in the afterglow.

"More than," you nodded, though your body still hummed with the remnants of pleasure. A hollow ache replaced where he'd been, leaving you startlingly aware of how empty you felt without him. "That was...you are...

"I know," he purred, lips grazing the sensitive spot behind your ear, the smirk practically carved into his breath. You could feel his smugness radiating off him, a tangible thing. "Hope your curiosity was sated."

You let out a breathy laugh, the warmth of his body seeping into your skin. "That, among other things."

"Good," he whispered, "I went easy on you."

You huffed, a slow smile creeping across your face. "Is that so?"

"Extremely so," he murmured, fingers tracing lazy circles over your hip. "Took all the willpower I had."

"Sure," you teased. "You're just saying that because I took you so well."

He chuckled, low and sinful, the sound vibrating through his chest and into your spine.

"Oh, she's cocky," he drawled, lips brushing your shoulder. "We'll see about that after I put you in ten different positions."

Your heart stuttered, your muscles tensing at the sheer boldness of the statement. Heat pooled in your belly once more, that insatiable curiosity sparking again. You knew this night was far from over.

Perhaps a little more proof wouldn’t hurt...

You turned your head just slightly, voice breathy but wanting. "Please do."

[zzukowo]

I just killed a man, she’s my alibi <3 (27th September 2024)

Zuko x Reader

Prompt! Everyone’s favorite trope, enemies to lovers!

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the battlefield as the sounds of clashing elements began to fade. Zuko stood at the edge of the clearing, his breath ragged and his muscles tense as he scanned the area for any lingering members of the Avatar’s group. The fight had been another stalemate, neither side truly gaining ground, but something felt different this time—something he couldn’t quite place.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, trying to shake off the strange feeling gnawing at him. But then, his eyes fell on her.

Y/N, the princess from the other Water Tribe.

She had joined the Avatar’s group only a few weeks prior, and though Zuko had fought them countless times before, her presence had thrown him off balance ever since. Her fluid movements as she bent water were as graceful as they were powerful, and there was a strength in her that intrigued him, though he would never admit it.

Zuko’s gaze followed her as she skillfully deflected a few firebending blasts with ease, her face calm and focused despite the chaos around her. But then, out of nowhere, a blast of fire—hotter and more dangerous than the rest—came hurtling toward her.

Before Zuko even had time to think, his body moved on instinct.

He lunged forward, his feet carrying him across the battlefield faster than he thought possible. With a sweeping motion of his arms, he redirected the fire away from her, sending it into the sky where it dissipated harmlessly.

Y/N stumbled back, her eyes wide in shock as she looked at him. “Zuko…?”

The surprise in her voice mirrored the confusion swirling in his mind. He stood there, frozen for a moment, realizing what he had just done. He had saved her—saved the enemy.

"Be careful," he muttered, his voice low and gruff, doing his best to hide the tremor in it. He turned quickly, not daring to meet her gaze again. “Next time, I won’t be there to save you.”

Without another word, Zuko retreated, disappearing into the forest as the fight slowly came to a close. His heart raced, his mind replaying the moment over and over again, each time making less sense.

Why had he saved her?

---

The Gaang stood dumbfounded as they watched Zuko disappear into the distance, the tension in the air thick with disbelief. Y/N still stood frozen, her mind trying to process what had just happened.

“Wait, did Zuko just save Y/N?” Sokka blurted out, his face twisted in confusion. He pointed toward the spot where Zuko had been moments before. “Zuko?”

“I think so,” Katara responded slowly, her brow furrowed as her eyes darted between Y/N and the distant forest where Zuko had vanished. “Why would he…?” Her voice trailed off, unable to comprehend Zuko’s actions.

“Because it was me or the fire,” Y/N replied, finally finding her voice. “But… yeah, I didn’t expect him to step in.”

Toph, leaning on her earthbending stance, raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Well, looks like Sparky’s got a soft spot.”

Sokka’s jaw dropped. “No way! He’s evil! There’s no way he’d help Y/N unless he’s planning something!”

Aang scratched the back of his head, still wide-eyed. “Maybe he’s not as bad as we thought? I mean, that was a pretty bold move for someone who supposedly hates us.”

Katara crossed her arms, her skepticism clear. “I don’t trust him. It could’ve been a trick.”

Y/N remained quiet, her gaze fixed on the direction Zuko had left. She could still feel the heat of his firebending, not as a weapon, but as a shield. His words echoed in her mind: "Be careful." It was more than just a warning. There was something else in his voice—something almost protective. But why?

Toph let out a snort. “You know, for someone who’s supposedly chasing us down, he sure seems to care about one of us not getting burned alive.”

Sokka groaned dramatically. “Oh, no. Don’t tell me Zuko has a thing for Y/N. The Fire Prince and the Water Princess? That sounds like something out of one of those awful love stories.”

Aang’s eyes lit up, and he grinned mischievously. “Actually, that’s kinda perfect! A firebender and a waterbender—a perfect balance!”

Y/N’s face flushed. “It’s not like that!”

“Sure,” Katara smirked. “But he sure risked a lot to keep you safe. Maybe he doesn’t even know how he feels.”

Sokka crossed his arms. “Oh great, now we have to deal with Fire Nation Romeo making goo-goo eyes at Y/N.”

“Please,” Y/N rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the warmth creeping up her neck. “He probably just didn’t want to accidentally kill one of us and ruin his whole ‘capture the Avatar’ plan.”

Toph laughed. “Whatever you say, Princess.”

Y/N shot her a look, but deep down, even she couldn’t ignore the strange feeling twisting in her stomach. Why did Zuko save her? She wasn’t sure, but the memory of his voice, gruff but concerned, lingered in her mind longer than she wanted it to.

---

Later that night, Zuko sat beside a small fire in their camp, his eyes trained on the flickering flames as if they held the answers to his confusion. His mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts, none of which he wanted to face.

From across the fire, Uncle Iroh quietly observed him, sipping from a small cup of tea. The silence between them stretched on for several long minutes before Iroh finally spoke.

“You seem troubled, Prince Zuko.”

Zuko glanced up, startled, then quickly looked away. “I’m fine,” he muttered, though the tension in his voice betrayed him.

Iroh chuckled softly. “Ah, I see. So you often sit by the fire looking as though the world is weighing down on your shoulders when everything is ‘fine’?”

Zuko gritted his teeth, the heat of embarrassment rising to his face. His uncle always had a way of seeing right through him. “It’s nothing,” he said again, though his mind was still on Y/N—on the way she had looked at him when he saved her, the shock in her eyes.

Iroh sipped his tea again, his eyes twinkling with knowing amusement. “Was it nothing when you saved the Water Tribe princess today?”

Zuko’s heart skipped a beat, his gaze snapping to his uncle. “You saw that?”

“Of course,” Iroh said, his smile soft but all too wise. “It was quite the unexpected moment, I must say.”

Zuko’s jaw tightened. “It didn’t mean anything,” he said quickly, almost defensively. “I wasn’t thinking. It just… happened.”

“Ah, yes,” Iroh nodded sagely. “Sometimes, the heart acts before the mind can catch up. A natural instinct, wouldn’t you say?”

Zuko scowled, crossing his arms over his chest. “I don’t have feelings for her,” he snapped, his voice a little too sharp for his liking. “She’s the enemy. I was just… caught up in the moment.”

Iroh chuckled again, his eyes warm with understanding. “Perhaps, Zuko, your heart is beginning to change. Not everything is as black and white as it seems. Enemies today may not always be enemies tomorrow.”

“I’m not having a change of heart,” Zuko insisted, though doubt crept into his words. “I’m still going to capture the Avatar. I haven’t changed.”

“Maybe,” Iroh mused, “or maybe it’s something else entirely.” He gave Zuko a knowing smile. “Perhaps you have a fondness for the princess? A crush, perhaps?”

Zuko’s face immediately flushed, his heart stuttering in his chest. “What? No!” He shot up from where he was sitting, glaring down at his uncle. “I don’t—! That’s ridiculous!”

But even as he said it, the thought lingered, unwelcome but persistent. Why had he saved her? Why did it matter to him? His stomach twisted in knots as he paced, trying to shake the thought away.

Iroh, as always, remained calm and collected. “There’s no need to be embarrassed, Zuko,” he said softly. “Feelings are a natural part of life. Sometimes, they come when we least expect them.”

Zuko stopped pacing, his hands balling into fists at his sides. “Even if I did feel something—which I don’t—it doesn’t matter. She’s with the Avatar. She’s on the other side.”

Iroh nodded. “True. But remember, life has a way of surprising us. You may find that the people we think of as our enemies today are not so different from us after all.”

Zuko didn’t respond, his mind still racing. He refused to believe his uncle was right. He didn’t care about Y/N. He couldn’t.

But later that night, as he lay staring up at the stars, her face haunted his thoughts. The way she had looked at him with such surprise, the warmth of her voice when she said his name—it echoed in his mind like a melody he couldn’t forget.

And despite himself, Zuko couldn’t help but wonder.

Maybe, just maybe, his uncle was right.

Later that night, Y/N sat by the campfire with the rest of the Gaang. The air was unusually quiet as they all processed what had happened earlier. Katara was stirring a pot of soup, while Sokka was poking at the fire with a stick, his brow furrowed.

Aang was the first to break the silence. “I still can’t believe it. Zuko, of all people, saved you.”

“I know, right?” Sokka chimed in, his voice dripping with disbelief. “The guy has been chasing us across the whole world, and now suddenly he decides to play the hero? What’s his angle?”

Y/N shrugged, though she could still feel the heat of Zuko’s firebending shielding her from harm. “I don’t know,” she muttered, her gaze falling to the ground. “Maybe it was just instinct. He didn’t want things to get out of control.”

Katara snorted. “That’s one way to look at it. But Zuko doesn’t do anything without a reason. There has to be something more going on.”

Toph, who was sitting on a nearby rock with her arms crossed, smirked. “Or maybe it’s a lot simpler than that. Maybe Sparky has a soft spot for our Water Princess.”

Y/N felt her face heat up immediately. “What? No way!” she sputtered, waving her hands dismissively. “That’s ridiculous. He’s just… trying to capture the Avatar like always.”

Sokka leaned in with a mischievous grin. “Or maybe Toph’s right. Maybe it’s love.”

Y/N rolled her eyes, trying to keep her voice steady despite the embarrassment creeping up her neck. “He’s our enemy, Sokka. I doubt he’s going to fall in love with me in the middle of a battle.”

Aang, ever the optimist, grinned. “Well, you know, water and fire do make a good balance. Maybe there’s something to it!”

Y/N groaned, covering her face with her hands. “Can we not? This is getting ridiculous.”

Toph let out a snicker. “Hey, I’m just saying, I’ve got a pretty good sense of people. Zuko’s definitely got some weird feelings brewing.”

Katara chimed in, her tone a mix of amusement and skepticism. “He’s probably just confused. Saving you doesn’t mean he’s suddenly turned into a good guy. But…” She shot Y/N a teasing smile. “It was kind of sweet, don’t you think?”

Before Y/N could respond, Sokka leaned back, laughing. “Oh man, if Zuko did have a crush, that’d be hilarious. Fire Prince Zuko and Princess Y/N? What a pair!”

Y/N threw a small pebble at him, though her face was still flushed. “Enough, Sokka! It was just a fight. Nothing more.”

But despite her protests, she couldn’t stop thinking about the way Zuko had looked at her—like he had genuinely been worried for her. The confusion in his eyes as he warned her to be careful… it wasn’t something she could easily forget.

---

Meanwhile, far from their camp, Zuko lay awake under the stars, staring up at the sky with his hands behind his head. His thoughts were in turmoil, replaying the day’s events over and over again. Why had he saved Y/N? Why had he put himself in danger for her, of all people?

His uncle’s words echoed in his mind. ‘Perhaps you have a fondness for the princess? A crush, perhaps?’

Zuko scowled, pushing the thought away. A crush? On her? That was ridiculous. She was part of the Avatar’s group, the enemy. There was no way he had feelings for her. He barely even knew her.

But the more he tried to convince himself, the harder it was to shake the image of her standing in front of him, looking up at him with wide, surprised eyes. The warmth of his firebending had protected her, but there had been something else—a strange feeling he couldn’t explain.

He groaned in frustration, sitting up and running a hand through his hair. What was wrong with him? Why was this bothering him so much?

“Something on your mind, nephew?” Iroh’s gentle voice broke the silence as he approached, holding two cups of tea.

Zuko flinched but tried to mask his unease. “I’m fine, Uncle,” he muttered.

Iroh sat down beside him, offering him one of the cups. “Hmm. Fine, but still awake and troubled. Would you like to talk about it?”

Zuko hesitated, staring into the fire. He didn’t want to admit what was bothering him, not even to himself. But his uncle always had a way of knowing.

“I don’t know why I saved her,” Zuko finally admitted, his voice quiet. “It just… happened.”

Iroh nodded sagely. “Sometimes, our hearts guide us before our minds can understand why.”

Zuko clenched his fists. “But she’s the enemy. I shouldn’t care about what happens to her.”

“Perhaps,” Iroh said with a knowing smile. “But it seems your heart does care, whether you want it to or not.”

Zuko frowned, his mind still a whirlwind of confusion. He didn’t know what was happening to him, but the more he thought about Y/N, the more complicated everything became.

As the Gaang sat around the campfire, the teasing didn’t show any sign of stopping. Sokka, ever the instigator, leaned back with a mischievous grin, poking the fire with a stick.

“Y’know,” he said, feigning deep thought, “maybe we’ve been going about this all wrong. We’re out here fighting the Fire Nation day after day, but what if the answer’s been right in front of us all along?”

Y/N, already exasperated from the earlier teasing, shot him a skeptical look. “What are you talking about, Sokka?”

He smirked and gestured between her and the fire in the distance where Zuko had last been seen. “A Water Princess and a Fire Prince… Maybe we could bring peace to the world if the two of you just got together. No more fighting. No more chasing. Just a royal wedding to unite the nations.”

Y/N’s face turned a deeper shade of red, and she groaned loudly, covering her face with both hands. “Sokka, that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

Aang’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Wait, that could totally work! Water and fire are opposites, but together they create balance, just like me mastering all four elements. Maybe Zuko and Y/N could be, like, the ultimate peace-bringers!”

Toph snorted, barely able to contain her laughter. “I can already see it now: Zuko and Y/N, sitting on the throne, holding hands, fighting evil together with love and unity.”

Katara giggled, clearly amused by the idea, though she tried to sound serious. “Honestly, it would be poetic. A Fire Prince and a Water Princess. Opposites attracting and all that.”

Y/N’s hands flew to her face in embarrassment. “Stop it! That is never going to happen!”

But Sokka, already sensing victory, pressed on. “Hey, you never know. Maybe Zuko’s already thinking about it. After all, he did save your life today.”

Y/N sputtered, glaring at him. “He saved me because… because… I don’t know! Maybe he didn’t want me to get hurt so he could keep chasing the Avatar!”

Sokka leaned in, eyes twinkling with amusement. “Or maybe he’s planning to chase you for another reason.”

Y/N stood up, hands on her hips, ready to retort, but she found herself at a loss for words. The others were laughing, and even she couldn’t help the small, flustered smile creeping onto her face. It was absurd—Zuko, the Fire Prince, and her? But somehow, the teasing was relentless, and a small, quiet part of her couldn’t stop replaying that moment in her head—the way Zuko had looked at her when he warned her to be careful.

As the night wore on and the campfire crackled, Y/N tried her best to ignore the teasing remarks, but the seed had been planted. The idea, ridiculous as it seemed, now lingered in her thoughts. And even though the Gaang continued to joke about the "Water Princess and Fire Prince," Y/N couldn’t help but wonder… was it really so impossible?

---

Far away, Zuko tossed and turned on his bedroll, unable to sleep. His uncle’s words about a potential crush swirled in his mind, mixing with memories of Y/N’s face—her surprised expression when he saved her, the way her waterbending flowed with such grace.

He scowled, sitting up abruptly. No, this was ridiculous. He couldn’t have feelings for her. She was the enemy. And yet…

The thought lingered, gnawing at him.

[cv01doodle]

Personal Kirby Light Novel Masterpost!

(latest update: 10/18/2024)

(I've been planning to make my own list for a long time, this isn't intended to overshadow the one that's already out, it's just my personal list to keep track of the dates, translators, and upcoming/unfinished projects)

(i'm using the names from the wikirby btw tysm)

thanks to all the translators mentioned for their hard work 🙏 and thanks to the creator of the previous list as well! also thanks to takase-sensei for writing the novels lol

-2013-

Kirby and the Dangerous Gourmet Mansion?! translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

-2014-

Kirby and the Big Panic in Gloomy Woods! translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

Kirby Meets the Squeak Squad! translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

-2015-

Kirby: Meta Knight and the Puppet Princess translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

Kirby: Big Race in Pupupu Land! translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

-2016-

Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue! translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

Kirby and the Great Planet Robobot Adventure! translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

-2017-

Kirby: Meta Knight and the Galaxy's Greatest Warrior translated by friendship-ended-with-pokespe (complete)

Kirby Clash Team Unite! translated by makerofmadness (complete)

-2018-

Kirby's Decisive Battle! Battle Royale!! translated by makerofmadness (complete)

Kirby Star Allies: The Great Friend Adventure! translated by rhythmroute_ (complete)

Kirby Star Allies: The Universe is in Trouble?! translated by theultimateultimateweapon (complete)

-2019-

Kirby: Big Trouble in Patch Land! translated by rosakikoza (incomplete)

Kirby: Save the Rainbow Islands! translated by makerofmadness (complete)

Kirby: Super Team Kirby's Big Battle! translated by makerofmadness (complete)

-2020-

Kirby and the Search for the Dreamy Gears! translated by owls-gamblegalaxy (complete)

Kirby: Meta Knight and the Knight of Yomi translated by theultimateultimateweapon (complete)

Kirby: Uproar at the Kirby Café?! translated by hoshi-no-mahoroa (complete)

-2021-

Kirby Fighters: The Destined Rivals!! translated by owls-gamblegalaxy (complete)

Kirby: King Dedede's Great Escape Mission! translated by owls-gamblegalaxy (complete)

Kirby: The Mysterious Incident on the Pupupu Train?! translated by kachikirby (complete)

-2022-

Kirby: Welcome to the Starlight Theater! (untranslated)

Kirby: Lor Starcutter and a Magician of Falsehood translated by starcutter-and-lying-wizard (complete, deleted)

Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Start Running to the New World! translated by makerofmadness (incomplete)

Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Break Out of the Dreams of the Isolated Isles! (untranslated)

Kirby: Full Stomach, Perfect Circle, Dream Buffet! translated by kachikirby (incomplete)

-2023-

Kirby: Sever Evil with a Slash in a Flash! translated by owls-gamblegalaxy (incompete)

Kirby: Come on Over to Merry Magoland! translated by starcutter-and-lying-wizard (incomplete, deleted)

Kirby: Having a Blast at the Music Festival! (untranslated)

-2024-

Kirby: The Dream Onsen is a Good Hot Spring♪ (untranslated)

Kirby: Meta Knight and the Monster of the Magic Stone (untranslated)

Kirby: Snowy Mountain Nights are Eventful! (upcoming)

[growwithmeastrology]

Thursday, August 15th 2024

Sun in Leo ♌️🔥 Moon in Sagittarius ♐️🔥and Capricorn ♑️🌍

Moon Square Neptune

The Sagittarius Moon squares Neptune in Pisces to kick off the day so don’t be surprised if you’re feeling a bit fuzzy all day. The lines of reality get blurred, confusion sets in, emotional weirdness shows up, sensitivity is high and escapism is desired. The imagination is on overdrive.

Moon Trine Mercury

The Sag Moon goes on to trine Mercury (rx) in Leo and I think this is the transit that could really bring in a blast from the past. It can wake up some serious nostalgia. Not to mention some pretty strong desires to communicate.

Sun Trine Chiron

Embrace the wounds and flaws that make you uniquely you. That’s the name of the game when the Sun trines Chiron. We have the ability to reframe the old stories that cause our insecurities. True power is turning pain into a success story.

Moon Enters Capricorn

It’s time to get down to business and make things happen when the Moon is in Capricorn. All our goals seem possible under this lunar transit so get to it because time is wasting. Structure, productivity and hard work. That’s what this Moon is all about.

Mars and Jupiter Square Saturn

While this one won’t come in til overnight, we’re already feeling it. If you’re feeling like things are delayed it’s probably for your own good. When things don’t go your way, it’s time to refine your approach. Your patience will be tested so avoid power struggles. The desire for freedom clashes with responsibility.

Want to dig deeper?

Learn more about your energies and how the forecast personally affects you! Comment below or DM me for a consultation or birth chart reading.

Please like, comment, share and consider a gratitude tip in support. 🅿️ PayPal, Venmo or CashApp - @NaliniFlor

[across-violet-skies]

Febuwhump day 12: semi-conscious

Whumpee: Legend

Whump Rating: 4/10

TWs: violence, blood

Legend grunted as his sword clashed with a Moblin’s, the beast’s weight causing him to stumble. Still, he held strong, swiftly kicking at its ankles. The Moblin roared with pain, backing off just enough for Legend to shove his sword through its stomach.

The Veteran sheathed his sword, dusting off his hands as the Moblin dropped dead, black blood oozing out from the stab wound. It was weird to see only one Moblin– usually they hunted in packs.

Distantly, Legend heard a roar. He froze, ears twitching as he listened. Heavy footsteps– almost like a horse’s gallop– seemed to be getting louder. Nothing good could come from this.

“Fuck,” he murmured, glancing around with a scowl. The galloping was close now, and there was no way Legend could outrun a beast that fast. He drew his sword as well as his fire rod, slipping into a defensive stance.

A Lynel– one of Wild’s, because of course it was– burst from the treeline, rearing up with a ground-shaking roar. Legend snarled, blasting the beast with his fire rod. It stumbled back with a howl, furious eyes reflecting the blazing grass.

Legend taunted the Lynel, getting it to charge at him. The Veteran dodged, clutching one of the medallions around his neck as he drove his sword into the ground, causing a violent quake. The Lynel barely paused in its assault, snorting angrily as it regained footing. The beast leaped back, blasting fire breath at Legend. He dodged the first blast and pulled out his ice rod to freeze the second and third ones.

His eyes were narrowed as the Lynel ran at him with a thick axe, double-wielding his elemental rods to rapidly heat and then freeze the beast’s weapon, trading the rods for his hammer to smash the axe into pieces.

The Lynel howled, snorting as it galloped circles around Legend. The Vet scowled, blasting it with fire. The beast barely flinched, so he traded out for his ice rod instead, aiming for the Lynel’s legs. One large hoof froze, bringing it to the ground with a heavy slam.

Legend smirked, pulling out his sword. With those horse legs, it would take a moment to get up, so now was a good time to run in for some melee damage. As he swung his sword, the Lynel howled, grunting as it tried to unfreeze itself from the ground. Frustrated, it swung a large arm, catching Legend in the chest and throwing him backward with great force.

He hit the ground with a groan, skidding a short distance. His lungs heaved, strained from the effort to breathe. At this point, it might be better to retreat, however embarrassing such an idea was. But the Lynel was fast, and even with the pegasus boots boosting his speed, Legend would never outrun it.

Plan B it was, then.

Grimacing, Legend swung his magic cape over his head and shoulders, jogging away from the Lynel to try and find shelter. He wasn’t sure where camp was anymore, and he had no maps to help him navigate, so that was out of the question.

Behind him, the Lynel unstuck itself from the ground, snarling as it surveyed the forest around it. It turned in circles, failing to spot Legend. The magic cape turned him invisible, which was great– but it came with a cost. It drained his magic more than most items, and it did so constantly, too. And after using not only his magic rods, but his quake medallion as well, Legend was more than a little drained.

He panted heavily as his cape sucked the magic out of him, nearly exhausting his magic supply. Legend grunted, flipping the hood off his head as he collapsed, barely conscious as he lay in the dirt.

“Legend?” Twilight called, emerging from behind a tree. His brow was furrowed as he knelt by the Veteran’s side, shaking him gently. “Link? Are you hurt?”

Legend groaned, blinking out of sync as he blearily glanced up at the rancher. “Magic…” he mumbled, eyes slipping shut.

Twilight frowned. “Magic?” He repeated, confused. “Do ya need a potion?”

“Mhm,” the Vet hummed. “Gr’n.”

“Well, that’s a problem,” the Ordonian mused, sighing. “I don’t have a green potion on account of me not usin’ magic.” He paused, snapping his fingers. “But Hyrule’s around here somewhere. He’s gotta have a potion.”

Legend groaned, not protesting as Twilight picked him up, carrying him bridal style. His head lolled against the rancher’s chest, arms and legs dangling limply where they weren’t supported.

“Hyrule!” Twilight’s shout startled the Veteran, who groaned and shifted in his arms. “Over here!”

Hyrule ran to join them, eyes wide and hands glowing preemptively. “What happened?!”

“He needs a green potion,” Twilight explained quickly. “Do you have any?”

“Oh!” The traveler dug through his bag, producing a bottle filled halfway with sloshing green liquid. “Here!”

Twilight set Legend down carefully, and Hyrule fed him the green potion in small quantities. Slowly, the Vet began to recover, waking up enough to sit up (with Twilight’s help).

Hyrule shoved the empty bottle back in his bag, frowning. “What happened?”

“Lynel,” Legend muttered, holding a hand to his head. His hands trembled, despite his attempts to hide it. “Wild’s.”

The rancher frowned. “You’re not hurt, are you?”

Legend waved it off, shaking his head. “No.”

“Really?” Hyrule tilted his head, squinting.

“Yes, really,” the Vet insisted, scowling. “I’m fine.”

Twilight and Hyrule exchanged glances, shrugging. “Well, let’s get you back to camp, then,” the rancher suggested. Over Legend’s head, he mouthed to Hyrule: ‘Does he need to be carried?’

The traveler nodded, wrinkling his nose. As someone who experienced magical exhaustion often (a little too often), he knew how Legend must be feeling. It took a lot out of a person, and half a green potion wouldn’t fix everything.

Twilight picked Legend back up, and the Veteran didn’t argue (although he did look a little annoyed). The rancher walked alongside Hyrule as they made their way back to camp, chatting and laughing. Even Legend contributed to the conversation, his encounter with the Lynel already pushed aside as he basked in the company of his brothers.

Deep in the forest, a beast streaked with fire and ice burns growled, eyes blazing. It would not give up so easily.

–> support me on ao3!

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb:

Two rival writers. One prestigious publishing contract. A bargain of hearts and seduction.

They say never bargain with the fae. They also say don’t get drunk on fae wine. Yet romance author Edwina Danforth has managed a blunder with both on her first visit to the infamous faelands. Now she’s trapped in a magic-fueled bet she barely remembers with a man she’d be happier to forget. The terms? Whoever can bed the most lovers during their month-long dueling book tour wins a coveted publishing contract.

The win should be easy for Edwina. She’s known for penning scintillating tales of whirlwind romance. There’s just one problem: her imagination vastly exceeds her bedroom experience. But when failure means plummeting her career back into obscurity, losing isn’t an option.

Her handsome fae rival, William Haywood, poses an even greater challenge. Not only are his looks as aggravatingly perfect as his track record behind closed doors, but he has his own reasons for playing to win, and he won’t go down without a fight. Unless, of course, it’s a different kind of going down. In that case, he’s fair game.

Edwina and William clash in a rivalry of romance. But what happens when their objects of desire…turn out to be each other?

A Rivalry of Hearts is a spicy standalone adult fantasy romcom in the Fae Flings and Corset Strings series. Every book in the series can be read on its own in any order and ends with a HEA. If you like academic rivals, enemies to lovers, and quirky heroines, then you’ll love this sizzling tale.

The Fae Flings and Corset Strings series is set in the same world as The Fair Isle Trilogy and Entangled with Fae. Journey back to this beloved fae world or fall in love for the first time.

Review:

Two rival authors, one prestigious publishing contract, and a bet to see who can seduce more people... yet the only ones being seduced are each other. Edwina Danforth is a romance author, she loves writing smutty romance novels and finds joy in them but she has yet to actually make a penny despite writing over 17 books. When she is late for her latest tour stop she arrives only to discover that they've also brought in another author... who is now also going on tour with her, the handsome William Haywood. The moment Will and Edwina meet is not great to say the least, with him calling her work "romantic drivel." Will and Edwina do not get along, and when they both find out that the person who sells the most books on the tour will be offered the new publishing contract, tensions only rise. One night out at the bar they come up with a bet: whoever can seduce the most people wins... and a deal with the fae is binding. Edwina, despite writing smut and romance, has actually had very little experience but her pride won't let her stop the agreement. Meanwhile, Will's attempt to tease and actually flirt with Edwina ends up with her misunderstanding and proposing the bet... and now they both are competing...yet the only people they seem to be seducing and wanting to go to bed with is each other. But if they admit to their feelings so much is at stake and their game could end up with one of them losing everything, with both of them having their own desperate reasons for winning and dealing with the feelings they are both trying to fight, can this book tour be a success and can they actually make a romance happen or was it doomed from the start? This was a really fun read and I liked the competitive game between the two. The rivalry was cute and honestly, Will was such a sweetheart. He was constantly looking after Edwina and trying to show her how much he adores her, Edwina was so stubbornly prideful and set in her judgements it made me want to shake her at times. It's a really fun read and I had a blast reading it and can't wait to see where the second book with the second couple goes!!! If you like fae realms, romance, and fun characters I would absolutely recommend this!

Release Date: June 12, 2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[dispatchdcu]

Invincible Iron Man #16 Review

Invincible Iron Man #16 Review #invincibleironman #ironman #warmachine #MARVEL #marvelcomics #comics #comicbooks #news #mcu #art #info #NCBD #comicbooknews #previews #reviews #amazon

Writer: Gerry Duggan Art: Creees Lee, Walden Wong, Bryan Valenza, VC’s Joe Caramagna, and Kael Ngu Publisher: Marvel Comics Reviewed by: Anonymous Price: $4.99 Release Date: March 20th, 2024 D-Day is here and there is absolutely a main event: Iron Man vs. Feilong! Get ready for the biggest clash of armor you’ve ever seen! Plus: Tony gets some new suits! Let’s blast into Invincible Iron Man #16…

[bongaboi]

Los Angeles Dodgers, all of them, are World Series champs

Los Angeles Dodgers, all of them, are World Series champs

Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Staff Writer Oct 31, 2024, 02:32 AM ET

NEW YORK -- The 2024 World Series is over: Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers are champions in five games, the first title for him and, for the team, the eighth in franchise history.

There were heroes and goats, as there are in every Fall Classic, but no storybook showdown of Ohtani versus Aaron Judge. There were dramatic grand slams, stunning comebacks and horrible defensive miscues. The New York Yankees' title drought reached 15 years, and their captain, Judge, faced struggles that sometimes reached nightmarish levels.

In the end, what we got was a pure baseball matchup decided by baseball factors, and mostly by the fact the Dodgers had more good players than their opponent. They earned it -- as a group.

"They were the better team in this series," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, while praising his own heartbroken club.

This championship, and the way Los Angeles achieved it, is less about the names on the marquee and more because of the ensemble. It belongs to them all, as much to the supporting cast of Teoscar Hernandez, Gavin Lux and Max Muncy as to Ohtani and fellow stars Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. To anonymous relievers as much as more heralded starters such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jack Flaherty. None of this is by accident. The Dodgers won this way because they were built to win this way.

Every season, the Dodgers rank near the top of the majors in categories such as rookie WAR and in total appearances on the transaction wire. Think about that: With all of the resources poured into the L.A. payroll -- the Dodgers spent more than $1 billion this past offseason -- the Andrew Friedman-led front office never stops tweaking the roster mix, addressing needs both immediate and imagined. The Dodgers excel at turning other teams' excesses into gold, with journeymen such as Ryan Brasier, Brent Honeywell and Anthony Banda becoming crucial contributors to the bullpen. Every bit as much attention is paid to the bottom 10 slots on the 40-man roster as it is to the top three.

"It's about getting the right players, the right people," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "Talent is a lot, but it's not everything. You still have to be cohesive. I just think we do a great job of getting the right players in our clubhouse."

The Dodgers have as much star power as any team we've seen in recent years, but they could never be accused of taking a stars-and-scrubs approach, or constructing a top-heavy roster. Depth or stars? We'll have both, thank you.

"We have a culture here at the big league level," Roberts said. "But the scouting and player development is second to none."

After a second title in five years, the Dodgers, from top to bottom, are what Roberts says -- second to none.

THIS WAS SUPPOSED to be the Ohtani-Judge World Series.

Just look at the cover of the official program. On the left is Ohtani, his face exuding focus and exertion, his arms pointing behind him in the act of the backswing that completes the arc of one of his mighty hacks.

Judge is on the right, his mouth open in the midst of a shout, his head turned as he presumably looks at the bedlam in the dugout in the aftermath of one of his missile-like blasts into the farthest expanses of Yankee Stadium.

It would be Ohtani vs. Judge, in the ultimate version of a baseball hero's journey, one with no antagonists but two protagonists on a parallel odyssey in pursuit to slay the same dragon: a career-first championship.

Thus was the hook for the resumption of baseball's most prolific Fall Classic matchup, Yankees-Dodgers, the dream showdown between two of baseball's most storied franchises.

The hype wasn't without justification. This truly was an unprecedented clash between perhaps the best-right-now players in the sport, starring for marquee franchises in the glitziest of markets and biggest of stages. Together during the regular season, Judge and Ohtani hit .315/.423/.672 with 112 homers, 274 RBIs, 256 runs and 69 stolen bases. That's from two players.

This pairing of the game's two best players just hasn't happened very often in World Series history. It's easy to lose yourself in a debate about just who was considered the best in the game at any point, but the clear precedents are few: Ty Cobb vs. Honus Wagner in 1909. Ted Williams vs. Stan Musial in 1946. George Brett vs. Mike Schmidt in 1980.

Let's imagine the Platonic ideal as the climactic scene of "The Natural," when Roy Hobbs -- "the best there ever was" -- homers into the stratosphere, turning another Knights disappointment into an instant pennant. We've never had that payoff -- a championship-winning, come-from-behind home run blasted by the game's best player.

None of the superstar matchups we highlighted had the type of payoff we might dream of, and most of them disappointed altogether. In the just-completed 2024 showdown, while Ohtani played well as a stalwart at the top of the lineup, his series was most noteworthy because he popped his shoulder on a slide, bringing the term "subluxation" into the mainstream. And Judge, homerless until the clinching game, was astonishing to watch for much of the series, after a season in which he recorded one of the best offensive showings in history.

"He's a great player," a sympathetic Roberts said after Game 4. "I have so much respect for Aaron. There's probably a little bit of maybe trying too hard right now."

That's baseball, though, isn't it? When we zero in on a star matchup like Ohtani against Judge, that's the possibility we're teasing, even as we know the nature of the sport itself makes the realization of the dream scenario so unlikely.

In fact, the most cinematic moment of the series was not produced by Ohtani, Judge -- or even each team's next best player, Betts or Juan Soto. That belonged to yet another star, Freeman, in a postseason when his injuries threatened to keep him out of the lineup. His two-out, Game 1-ending grand slam evoked immediate images of 1988 Kirk Gibson and inspired Joe Davis' epic, instantaneous Vin Scully homage.

There's a lesson in there, both about baseball and about the Dodgers. No matter who we zero in on, it's never about only one person. Anybody might be the one to realize a boyhood dream.

"Those are the kind of things, when you're 5 years old with your two older brothers and you're playing whiffle ball in the backyard," Freeman said, "those are the scenarios you dream about. Two outs, bases loaded in a World Series game."

As for Ohtani, he went 0-for-4 in the clincher and struck out with the bases loaded in the sixth. It didn't make his night any less sweet.

"The success of the postseason is very similar to how we were able to pull it off during the regular season," Ohtani said, via interpreter Will Ireton. "Again: The strength of the organization. Extremely honored to be a part of this."

CONSIDER THAT 29 different Dodgers played this October. Nearly everyone had meaningful roles along the way, including a bright-eyed rookie named Ben Casparius, who began October with all of three big league appearances under his belt. He ended up making a start in Game 4 as an opener.

This is every bit as much a characteristic of this era of Dodgers baseball as the presence of household names Ohtani, Betts, Freeman and Clayton Kershaw.

"It takes a lot to get here," Kershaw said. "Regardless of the talent level, everybody just assumes that we're going to show up, win 100 games and win the World Series. It takes every last guy."

Since the start of the 2021 season, the Dodgers have had 68 instances of a player recording at least one bWAR. Only the Brewers and Rays (69 each) have more. But the Dodgers have also had 17 instances of a player reaching an All-Star level of four BWAR, second only to the Astros (18). L.A.'s success is built on stars plus depth.

During the 12 full seasons since the Guggenheim Baseball Management group assumed control of the Dodgers, they've won 99.2 of every 162 regular-season games they've played. During the wild-card era, no team has done better over such a span, one that has included 11 first-place finishes, a 12-for-12 presence in the postseason bracket, four pennants and, now, two World Series titles. And there is no question the Dodgers' economics might play a role in the team's staying power. According to Cot's Contracts, the Dodgers have sported a top-five payroll in all of those seasons. Yet other teams make huge payroll splurges -- including the past two teams they beat, the Yankees in the World Series and the Mets in the National League Championship Series -- and the Dodgers are sometimes outspent by one or two competitors.

A level of investment measuring in the billions sets a clear expectation for everyone who dons Dodger blue: to do what they did Wednesday -- win it all. That expectation isn't just carried by Ohtani, Betts and Freeman, but everyone who steps into the clubhouse. They would have it no other way.

"You've got a lot of good people that care about winning and that want to win," second baseman Gavin Lux said. "None of them have egos."

The Dodgers' stars, including Ohtani, outperformed their New York counterparts, especially Judge, in the Series, but that was mainly because of Freeman's massive output as World Series MVP. That certainly played a part in L.A.'s triumph.

But in terms of the headliner matchup, at no point did this feel like an Ohtani-versus-Judge World Series. If anything, it was the Freeman series, but of course he isn't going to claim that title.

"Sitting here now, I've just been blessed to be able to play this game a long time and be in certain situations because of the group of guys, the organization," Freeman said. "Just from top to bottom, to be put into a situation. … I mean, I got asked about the RBIs, and the RBIs are because there were guys on base. That's my teammates."

NO TEAM LOST more player games to injury in 2024 than the Dodgers. Even as they sprayed champagne and whooped it up in the clubhouse at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, the Dodgers had more than an entire upper-tier starting rotation on the injured list.

That's why Roberts -- whose postseason decisions have been maligned by Dodgers fans and detractors alike over the years -- deserves so much credit for this run. It's not just that Roberts, along with pitching coach Mark Prior, was able to navigate around the losses in the pitching staff. It's also that the skipper, as usual, folded in rookies such as outfielder Andy Pages, Landon Knack, Casparius and even Yamamoto, not a traditional rookie but a rookie nonetheless. It's also that when the Dodgers splurged at the trade deadline, adding Flaherty, Tommy Edman and Michael Kopech, they all fit so seamlessly on and off the field that it's easy to forget they didn't join the team until the end of July.

No game showed it more acutely than the Dodgers' Game 5 win against San Diego in the NL Division Series, when the big three went a combined 1-for-10 but four relievers backed Yamamoto on a two-hit shutout and Teoscar Hernandez and Enrique Hernandez hit solo homers for the game's only runs.

"He lets you be the player that you'll always be," Teoscar said of Roberts. "He lets you have fun. His communication with his players is one of the best that I've had in my career. I think that's why he's so special for this team and the players."

Roberts' masterpiece was Game 5, when he had to work around Flaherty's too-brief outing and a bullpen with perhaps too few adequately rested arms. So Roberts rode relief ace Blake Treinen for 42 pitches -- seven more than he got from Flaherty. And then he turned to Walker Buehler, his Game 3 starter only two days before, to slam the door in the ninth.

"That's one of the best games I've ever seen managed," Freeman said. "That was special."

Through it all, Roberts spreads the credit steadily away from himself, even as he joins the short list of managers who have won more than one World Series, a list made up almost entirely of current and future Hall of Famers, including Dodgers legends Walter Alston and Tommy Lasorda.

"Humbling," Roberts said. "Never thought I would be in that same conversation. I'm a part of a great organization, a lot of great people around me supporting me, and we've won a lot of ballgames. This is something I really wanted. I wanted this one."

If Roberts required validation that perhaps the team's shortened-season 2020 title did not supply -- he has it. He might just be another high-profile cog in the Dodgers' immense apparatus, but he's a vital one. He's also the manager of a dynasty.

This championship -- after a grueling marathon of 162 games plus a month of playoffs, cannot be diminished. It took all of the Dodgers to make it happen, right to the end.

When the Dodgers spilled out of the third-base dugout after the final out, Ohtani, Betts and Freeman were in the middle of the pile. So too were Casparius and Knack. Baseball's latest championship doesn't belong to any one of them, but all of them, under a banner dyed a rich Dodger blue, just how it was drawn up all along.

[iniziare]

The half-draconic abomination swam through the air in blasts of lightning. Its body, enough to swallow the very horizon, sundered yet another floating isle. Its wails were as loud as the clamors of a thousand clashing swords. She felt her Core Esse boiling, like a ripe wheat grain about to burst out of its husk and swell to infinity. She saw herself trapped in childhood nightmares again. The ominous planet is swallowing her overhead, and she, but an insect, cannot even struggle.The woman tore off a spread of black silk from the edge of her skirt and covered her eyes. The thunder struck. She leapt up with her sword towards the draconic abomination. In a dreamlike illusion, she felt her flesh surpass its limits, beginning to disintegrate. It was as if innumerable silken threads bound her, taut across every limb and bone, each one slicing through the last vestiges of her consciousness, bit by bit. Suddenly, she heard those words: "I will cut down even the stars in the sky."

Muse Navigation: All | Threads | Meta | Little Notes | Wishlist Affiliated: inominati (Jing Yuan), avaere (Jing Yuan), daybreakrising (Blade and Yingxing), vidyadawn (Dan Heng/Dan Feng), resolutepath (Yanqing, Dan Heng/Dan Feng).

Important Meta — TBA.

Some tidbits that are incredibly important for my portrayal of Jingliu: (I will be adding to this list over-time and editing these! Last edited: August 20th, 2024)

'Villain'. Simply put, no, blatantly writing her off as any such thing when we, as writers behind the scenes, know better would be a gross misjudgment of the information that we were given throughout our stay in the Xianzhou. The High-Cloud Quintet is a rather intricate bunch of 'outcasts' (as Jingliu herself notes it), and a decision transformed into one of the biggest mistakes imaginable, with incredibly dire consequences in multiple ways. As much as the events following Baiheng's death were rooted in largely good intentions, they resurrected (unknowingly so) their lifelong friend into a massive half-draconic abomination ("Its body, enough to swallow the very horizon, sundered yet another floating isle." As noted in Jingliu's 4th character story) that seemed semi-sentient and aware of who it was (source: 1, and 2), who fell only at Jingliu's own hand. And in the process, fell to an agonizing and incurable illness that leaves anyone who bears it to suffer endlessly. Calling her a villain, or turning her into one is incredibly short-sighted and I'll even say: rather disrespectful considering the nuance.

Shipping. While this is not something I actively seek to focus on for her character at any point in her timeline, I will be reserving the potential of shipping to the members of the High-Cloud Quintet at this point in time. I may have a 'favorite' amongst them, which is based fully on what we're told within canonical details, but that does not mean that I will reserve the potential to merely them. For the sake of clarity, I want to specify that yes, this pre-disposition lies with Jing Yuan due to rational reasons (his voice-lines, reactions to any mention or presence/absence of her, and even when he found she had succumbed to mara). Now, before anyone points any sort of finger, let me note that it is absolutely imperative to say that I see this potential (and realistically, it might not even happen) only once he is a full fledged peer of them all within the High-Cloud Quintet; where I also need to remind people that the long-life species are exactly that: long life, which means that their perspectives are vastly different from our own in our current world. This is what creates the possibility of potentially romantic dynamics between different species or such as (but not limited to) Dan Feng/Yingxing, Yingxing/Baiheng, Jingliu/Jing Yuan, and Jingliu/Yingxing realistically possible. But as a last note, I am not actively searching to write these dynamics as romantic, but am simply open to them.

[avorbl]

Avor's Watchlist

After two weeks off my work had piled up. Additionally there was a major tax deadline. I was so busy that I forgot to post my Watchlist two weeks ago. I am skipping the ones I am not actively watching this time

Currently Airing

Beauty and Mr. Romantic 8/50

With You I Bloom 10/20 Its delicious, coming of age, idealism, and wanting to belong but the ending song really clashes with the story

Knock Knock, Boys! 11/12 I did not expect this story to get this deep and heartfelt

I Hear the Sunspot 6/12

My Sweet Mobster 10/16 A sweet romance about appearances judgement and redemption

Takara’s Treasure 5/11 I am really enjoying these two slowly finding to each other and becoming each others support. But if that „creepy uncle“ does not appear again (which I am almost certain of) I have serious problems with his potrayal

Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko 5/8

Century of Love 8/10

Meet You at the Blossom 8/12 A BL Chinese costume drama and the story is by the author of Beloved Enemy and My Stand-In. A wild ride.

Bad Guy 3/4

4 Minutes 2/8 Very interesting, densly packed,

Mitsuya Sensei no Keikakutekina Ezuke. 2/10

Battle of the Writers 1/12 From the first episode it seems like this one is more focused on varied and satisfying visuals

What I am catching up on

Unstoppable High Kick 19/167

Love in the Air 9/13

The Double 28/40 The Double and The Princess Royal pair really well women struggling to rectify the past one more societally concious and realistic and the other more idealistic and fantastic. Also gorgeous people

The Princess Royal 19/40

Word of Honor 12/36 Finally got aound to watching this. Its a blast so far

BOYTOY 2/13 A Mafia BL

Finished in the last four weeks

Wandee Goodday 20.07.24 5,5/10 This took a turn in at the halfway point visually as wel as storywise should have dropped it

Under the Oak Tree 27.07.24 8/10 The music in this show is great. Because they gave Linh so much space after the time skip they should have given themselves more time there

Ossan no Pants ga Nandatte Ii Janai ka! 19.07.24 10/10 Overall a layered examination of queer and societal pressures. A leading contender for best series this year.

The Rebound 01.08.24 7,5/10 Too many twists in a last episode for a story that needed a good wrap up. It had its moments

Zettai BL ni Naru Sekai VS Zettai BL ni Naritakunai Otoko 2024 12.07.24 9/10

Hold 09.07.24 8,5/10 A classic coming out first love having support short

Dropped in the last four weeks

Never Twice 16/72 17.07.24 -/10 Too much drama not enough rest

Love Sea 8/10 28.07.24 7/10

SunsetxVibes 8/12 03.08.24 -/10 This story seems to fragment before the end. Episode 8/12 should show some trajectory to a conclusion and not feel like an explosion of problems especially if the previous episodes werent that frantic.

This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans 2/8 12.07.24 -/10 I could not figure out why Plawan as a character was in this story and that distracted from everything else

[ejesgistnews]

ABUJA — No fewer than 14 protesters, including a policeman, lost their lives yesterday on the first day of the nationwide protest against hardship in the country. Fatalities and Curfews Six protesters were killed in Suleja, Niger State; four in Maiduguri, Borno State; three in Kaduna State; and one in Kebbi State. Amidst these fatalities, curfews were imposed in Borno and Kaduna states as the initially peaceful protests turned violent. Live Update: End bad governance Protest in Nigeria August 2024 (Day 2) Violence in Suleja In Suleja, dozens of protesters sustained injuries as security operatives struggled to dislodge a group of demonstrators who had mounted barricades on the Abuja-Kaduna highway, trapping hundreds of passengers and motorists for hours. Yahaya Nda Isah, a resident of Hassan Dalatu Road, was among those killed by stray bullets. Another victim, Mallam Abu, also died on the spot. IBB says Nigerian Democracy is worst, Praises Military Era Maiduguri Tragedy Four staff members of Kime filling station in Maiduguri were killed during the protests. While some reports suggested stray bullets were responsible, others claimed an explosion was the cause. A 24-hour curfew was imposed in response to escalating violence and a recent bomb blast in Kawuri village that killed 20 people. Kaduna Clashes In Kaduna, three protesters were killed, and many others were injured. The protest, which began peacefully, turned violent when security forces used hot water cannons and vehicles to disperse the large crowd. Major streets were deserted, and markets and shops closed in anticipation of further violence. Police accused members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria of instigating the violence. Kebbi Incident In Kebbi, a businessman was killed in Yauri after being hit by a bullet while in his shop. The protest became violent when demonstrators blocked the federal highway, leading to clashes with marine police. Yobe and Kano Curfews Yobe State imposed a 24-hour curfew on Potiskum, Gashua, and Nguru to prevent further violence and looting. Similarly, Kano Governor Abba Yusuf declared a 24-hour curfew after protests turned into a looting spree. The governor emphasized the need to protect lives and property as hoodlums took advantage of the situation. Abuja Highway Takeover In Abuja, violent protesters forced the military to take over the AYA-Kubwa highway. The protesters, initially peaceful, turned violent and began extorting motorists. The military's intervention aimed to restore order and clear the blocked roads. Protests in Lagos In Lagos, protests remained largely peaceful, with security agents leading demonstrators from Ikeja to Ojota. The protesters presented a 15-point demand to the government, including the scrapping of the 1999 Constitution, a minimum wage of N250,000, and significant investments in education and healthcare. Presidential Meeting Amid the protests, President Bola Tinubu met with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Although the agenda was not disclosed, it is believed the meeting was related to the ongoing protests in the nation's capital. The nationwide protests highlight the growing discontent over economic hardship and governance issues in Nigeria, with the death toll and violence underscoring the urgent need for dialogue and reform.

[ios-app-development-agency]

How App Developers Making Money From Free Apps

I know that many times while using an app, you think about how the developer earns money from these apps, even if you are using them for free. Today in this post, I want to answer your question. I will cover every possible way in which they are earning money, and you can also make money this way. I have researched many websites on the internet and collected only the most impactful ways that will work for you. 

Before thinking about earning money from an app, consider studying prediction in a particular domain, like app development or anything else. Like many authenticate organizations, research the business, analyze that raw data, and provide you with meaningful information. Do you know, according to Market Research, "the global mobile app development software market size is projected to grow from US$ 1421.4 million in 2023 to US$ 2436.6 million in 2030; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.0% from 2024 to 2030?"

This analysis comes from previous years of sales analysis. Users want to access services online that provide ease. It also provides user behaviour how users spend most of their time online. Now every online business can feel that it would be difficult to run a business if they were not online or on social media. They have to generate content online, such as videos on YouTube, informative guidance in blogs, and reels. They also need to run ads on search engines and social media to get more reach in a short period. 

Here, we can clearly see the demand for users consuming or using online material. We have to fill these gaps with our work. That's why I told you earlier that you shouldn't think critically about earning; research your niche or category before starting. To explain to you easily How app developers make money from free apps? I will take a live example of a free app like Supercell's Clash Royale that is available on the Play Store or the App Store and is free to play. I will explain everything, including how they earned and made money worldwide from 2015 to 2023, from Statista.

How Supercell’s Clash Royale and Clash Of Clan Makes 359 million U.S. Dollars in 2023

Image Source: Google Play Store

This is a very interesting and warlike game. It is for both paid and free users. You can also install and play. 

In this Game can play with other players from around the world. Hit their archers and kind tower with your troops and win the crowns. Here's what you will see in this app :

Card-Based Combat: It has no control options like you have in racing cars or different action games. In Clash Royale, you will build a deck of different available troops, like

Wizard: This spellcaster launches fiery blasts that damage multiple enemies.

Valkyrie: This fierce warrior uses her axe to damage and slow down enemies.

Inferno Tower: Action: Melts enemies with an overheating beam.

Unique Deck Building: Include the strongest warrior from your choices so that you win all the fights. But make sure that your average cost of Elixir.

Real-Time Battles: You can also participate in real-time battles with other players worldwide. That's why I recommend you make a low-cost, strongest Elixir deck so that you can use your troops repeatedly and your opponent is unable to handle them.

Form Your Clan: You also have the option of battling with other clans.  A clan is a group of players in the same team. Attack other clan player teams to earn points and improve the authority of your clan.

Constant Evolution: Supercell knows that every game looks boring with the same UI and design for a longer time, so they continuously make new stories, and based on stories and ideas, they launch new cards and their actions. As we have seen, they are all offering good and engaging games free of charge. That tree needs to be upgraded with cards. but it required a lot of patience. You have to play regularly, and after winning the battle, you will be rewarded with a mystery box. When you open it, you will get cards, a gold coin, and other rewards. But if any player wants to quickly update his or her card, they have the option to buy the card deck. From there, they are earning from a free app. Hope you like to know this strategy 

Other Ways To Make Money From Free Apps?

I think from the above example of Clash Royale, it is clear how app developers earn money from their apps. but it is not only the way they earn. In this section, I will cover some more possibilities of earning through the app. In this section, I will answer: How do free apps make money without ads?

In-App Purchases

If you have an app that attracts traffic and users come to your app and use it daily for a longer period, then you can also list some products according to your app niche or customer interest. If your app is about clothing style, then you can also list some trending t-shirts, jeans, or particular outfits that look awesome, and some customers may purchase them from you because they have been using your app for longer periods and have trust in your app.

You should integrate your app with Google Analytics or any analytics so that you can analyze your user's behavior on your platform and make necessary improvements to enhance the user experience or increase the number of users on your site. 

Freemium: Provide quality at no cost

Make something unique and demanded, and provide it to users free of charge. Then make an add-on as an extra feature. Some customers also want add-ons to enjoy extra features of your app, so they will buy these add-ons. 

You can also provide them with an option like membership. If they become members, they do not have to pay add-on fees every time. 

Affiliate Marketing

Businesses love to promote their brands through affiliate marketers. If you have relevant traffic, visit an affiliate site like Amazon Affiliate or Click Bank or Commission and join their affiliate program. Here, you will get a find lot of brands that want affiliates to do their marketing. 

After signing up to this platform you will get a unique tracking link. Add these links to your links so that visitors will click on them and visit their website, and if they purchase something, you will be rewarded for this traffic with commission on their commission. 

Please note: Don't convert every visitor into a customer. If you aggressively advertise, put these affiliate links everywhere, or ask your users to buy these things, these may harm your visitor's experience, and they may leave your app or website forever. Never tease them. Try to solve user problems with different products and services, not force selling.

Can ads help you earn more money?

Yes, as we all know, SEO is a slow process, but when your site achieves organic traffic, that will give you an unthinkable profit. But before getting high organic traffic, you have to promote your brand through blog creators, YouTube content creators, paid ads like Google, Bing, and other relevant platforms according to your niche, and learn how to forget social media platforms in terms of awareness. Yes, I know you are thinking about the fact that these all require funding, like investment in ads, approaching content creators and asking them to promote your brand, etc. 

Then I will say yes; these all require an initial investment, but later they will provide you with a better ROI (return on investment). Investment is required in every business. Suppose you want to drive an autorickshaw, then you need to buy an autorickshaw. If you want to sell food, then you have to invest in food raw materials, restaurants, etc. But later, you will earn from your business.

Ads will provide you with a fast result in comparison to SEO (organic results). It can bring more traffic to your app. So before investing in these things, I again request that you build an app that can engage internet users. If you have an idea, then well and good; otherwise, you can also discuss it with an iOS app development agency. They have developed many apps and also know customer demand; they will help you make good decisions. 

Conclusion

I hope I was able to cover the complete topic and answer your question, "How does an app developer make money without ads with ads?" I have also suggested some other popular ways to make money from apps, including how to enhance your app traffic and improve the user experience so that you can retain your old users and add new ones. That may potentially increase your traffic and earnings. 

Yeah, everything included in one blog would be difficult, and it may increase the blog's word count. Many users leave to read, so I have included only important things regarding the topic. If you want to learn more, please get in touch with us and ask us any questions. We would be happy to answer them and solve them.

[concerthopperblog]

The Summer Gods Tour: Third Eye Blind, Yellowcard & A R I Z O N A

In January 2024, Third Eye Blind revealed on their Instagram that they're embarking on another Summer Gods Tour with Yellowcard & A R I Z O N A. They've 35 dates lined up and have been rocking the stage since June 8th, kicking off an unforgettable tour. On the show's day, I was excited as I drove up to the venue. In the parking lot, fans were pre-gaming before the show, playing beer pong, dancing, and having a great time. We went down to the pit after getting checked in at the gates. It was challenging to navigate the limited space and decide whether to stand with the fans or move around. I want to shout out to the other photographers who also were in attendance shooting the show. We worked together as a team to get the job done.

The band Arizona, creatively stylized as A R I Z O N A, hails from the unexpected location of New Jersey despite its desert-inspired name. This talented trio comprises Zachary Charles, Nathan Esquite, and David Labuguen. Their music blends American pop-rock and electropop, reflecting a distinct and captivating sound. Signed to Atlantic Records, their debut studio album, Gallery, was unveiled on May 19, 2017, climbing to an impressive No. 4 on Top Heatseekers. I'd go see this band again. They're not my usual style, but I liked the vibes and tunes they were playing. During their set, they played 10 songs from their discography, including their number-one hit on Spotify, "Oceans Away", “Summer Days” & “Freaking Out”.

Yellowcard is a rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 1997. The band has released ten albums to date. In August 2023, Yellowcard began a nationwide tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their album Ocean Avenue. Whether they are headlining or supporting another act, take a moment to listen to them if you haven't already. If you're a fan of Yellowcard, you can check out our coverage from their last tour here. Also, the band collaborated with the group Hammock to release a new album in 2024 called A Hopeful Sign. I couldn't miss seeing Yellowcard on this lineup, especially after catching them at their 20 Years Of Ocean Avenue show. The energy these guys bring is incredible. Sean Mackin jumping around playing the violin is a sight to behold, you can see the passion on his face as he plays with all his heart. They played various songs, including the new track "Transmission Home," and closed the night with the crowd's favorite, "Ocean Avenue."

Third Eye Blind is an American rock band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1993. The current lineup consists of Stephan Jenkins, Brad Hargreaves, Kryz Reid, Alex LeCavalier, and Colin Creev. Jenkins has noted that The Clash influenced him, Jane's Addiction, and Camper Van Beethoven. The band gained popularity in the 90s with their song "Semi-Charmed Life" and even won a Billboard Music Award in 1997 for Best Modern Rock Track. I was shocked when I received the email saying I was approved to take photos. I did not expect a band this large to have such a lenient photo policy. We were able to capture their entire set, which was very exciting. The band started by staying together at the back of the stage, and once the show started, they slowly came out to the front with a blast of energy. Throughout the night, they played a total of 18 songs, including “The Kids Are Coming (To Take You Down)”, “Shipboard Cook”, and the classic “Semi-Charmed Life”. Drummer Brad Hargreaves had an amazing drum solo after playing the song “Jumper”. I'll see Third Eye Blind again. Their setlist has a great mix of high-energy songs and intimate acoustic performances, creating a fantastic show atmosphere.

Hey, music fans! If you love music and don't want to miss out on the best concerts and events, then be sure to follow Concert Hopper on Instagram and Facebook. If you love Yellowcard check out our coverage from their Celebration of 20 years of Ocean Avenue Tour in 2023 (Click Here). Stay updated on our exciting journey and be the first to know about the most popular music events and concerts. Say goodbye to the fear of missing out and join our community today. Immerse yourself in the heart of the action with Concert Hopper and be a part of an unforgettable music experience!

[dailyrugbytoday]

Barbarians v Fiji Rugby at Twickenham | 22 June 2024

New Post has been published on https://thedailyrugby.com/barbarians-v-fiji-rugby-at-twickenham/

The Daily Rugby

https://thedailyrugby.com/barbarians-v-fiji-rugby-at-twickenham/

Barbarians v Fiji Rugby at Twickenham | 22 June 2024

Watch Barbarians v Fiji Rugby at Twickenham Stadium for the 2024 edition of the Killik Cup. The Killik Cup, an annual invitational game between Barbarians and a national squad, promises an exhilarating clash when the home side hosts Fiji’s national rugby union team at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, June 22 at 12:15 a.m. EDT.

The Barbarians are set to take on World Cup quarter-finalists Fiji in the annual Killik Cup match at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday evening.

This will be the second of a back-to-back schedule at the home of English rugby, with Wales and South Africa set to face off earlier in the day.

Barbarians v Fiji Rugby

Date: Saturday 22nd June 2024

Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London

Kick-off: 5:15pm

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)

TV Coverage: Live on Sky Sports (UK)

As is usually the case, the Barbarians have assembled a star-studded squad for this showdown, and with Fiji making significant strides in recent years, Saturday’s match in London has all the makings of a thrilling encounter.

Robbie Deans has returned to coach the Barbarians for a sixth time and his squad will be captained by All Black legend Sam Whitelock, who is set for one final swansong before retiring from an incredible career.

In their head-to-head record since 2013, these teams have met three times, with the Barbarians emerging victorious in the first two encounters, while Fiji claimed the most recent meeting in 2019.

That match was a back-and-forth affair, with the Pacific Islanders eventually securing a thrilling 33-31 victory in a showcase of running power that lasted right until the final blast of the whistle.

Major League Rugby 2024 Schedule & How to Stream

Barbarians v Fiji Rugby lineup

Barbarians starting lineup: 15 Chay Fihaki, 14 Leicester Fainganuku, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Gael Fickou, 11, Jonny May, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Danny Care, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Cameron Woki, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 David Ribbans, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Scott Sio

Replacements: 16 Lachlan Boshier 17 Kieren Brookes, 18 Jack Cornelsen, 19 Fabian Holland, 20 Craig Millar, 21 Liam Mitchell, 22 Liam Mitchell, 23 Virimi Vakatawa

Fiji starting lineup: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 12 Iosefo Masi, 11 Semi Radradra, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 5 Albert Tuisue, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Eroni Mawi

Replacements: 16 Samuel Matavesi, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Meli Derenalagi, 20 Vilive Miramira, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Waisea Nayacalevu, 23 Sireli Maqala