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girldragongizzard · 3 months ago

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Chapter 3: The question of lunch

By requesting the space from the wait staff, Säure has led us to the back of the deck.

It’s a pretty good spot for the both of us. It’s above the beer garden and it’s outside. People today are gathering mostly inside, but it’s lunchtime and there’s some grilling happening in the garden because it’s a nice enough day. The deck is mostly empty, despite the lunch rush.

The inside gets noisy because the sound baffling in there sucks. And the garden has sucked most of the deck crowd down there.

There’s still a bit of a roar from the open door near us, but we can hear each other talk just fine.

We’re both in psuedo-human guise. The businessdrak and the trans dragon princess. I think I currently might be heavier looking than he is, but whatever. That’s not indicative of anything when we’re like this.

By the time water is served to us, our devices are both on the table, face up. He’s using what I’m guessing is the latest iPhone. Mine is still the secondhand third party tablet that Kimberly gave me, that Chapman enchanted.

I’m starting to think the enchantment gave it durability as well as an infinite seeming battery life. I suppose I could have asked at any point, but I’ve been distracted.

“I know what I want,” he expertly swypes into his phone. “Take your time with the menu.”

I might be scowling at his phone. I type with two thumbs, and if I use Swype it actually messes me up. Again, he can talk faster and more easily than I can.

I go ahead and pick up the menu and scowl at it instead. It’s going to be the cheese steak, without the vegetables in it, and a side of roasted red potatoes. And a Fisherman’s Bock. I know this before I pick it up because it’s what I have always ordered here. I am wondering, though, how it’s all going to taste with my fully draconic pallet, now. I’m sort of wondering, with my taste for whole seagull, whether I might enjoy the oysters.

No. I’m going to order what I can afford and attempt to pay for myself. And I really can’t afford this, but I do have the money for it and I can eat more seagulls instead of chuck later in the month to compensate.

Am I going to have to remember to chew? Or, is this going to be a really interesting sight to everyone who looks our way?

I’m still making a point of looking over the menu, to give my eyes something to do, when I wonder when this became lunch instead of just a beer.

I look at Säure, who is watching waitstaff, waiting for our server. He might just order a beer, because I think I decided on lunch when he said to take my time with the menu.

I am hungry, though, and it is lunch time.

Was that some kind of power move on his part? What happens if he pays for my meal? What does that mean? Would he be displaying his power? Or could I interpret it as him giving me a gift of submission?

If he withholds his payment for my half, should I be insulted?

Are we playing by local human rules, or draconic instincts?

Do I get to choose?

I make a decision based on my stomach and the observation that this is so little money when it comes to his wealth that it’s a very silly concern, and I start typing my order into my tablet for when our server arrives.

Which is right now.

“Hello, my name is Megan. I’ll be your server today,” she says. I can see her name tag has her pronouns on it.

I hold up a finger, eyes wide, then grab my tablet and hit home, then pull up my Tumblr and point at the title of it, “Meghan the Dragon.”

Megan the server leans forward, gawks at it and exclaims, “No, way! That’s you?” Then she looks me in the eyes and freezes.

I blink and turn away, nodding. And say, “Yes.”

She blinks and shakes her head and says, stepping back to her original position, “Ah, we share the same name. That’s so cool. So what would you like today?”

I’m starting to realize that transfixion doesn’t seem to have a huge psychological impact, which is very strange. It must be part magical. Not actually an instinctual fear response. Except, maybe it sometimes has a mild amnesiac effect?

Did she not really notice what my eyes look like? Or was that just part of the way a lot of humans take us for granted for some reason?

Säure nods in my direction, gesturing, so I switch back to my app and hit talk.

“I’d like the cheese steak, hold the onions, mushrooms, and peppers, with a side of roasted reds. And a Fisherman’s Bock. Twenty-two ounce,” the tablet rattles off in one go.

“Very good,” she says, nodding at me. Then she turns to Säure, “And you, sir?”

He smiles and holds up his phone to demonstrably swype into his own copy of the same app, “I would like the oyster platter with a pint of your pilsner, please.”

He’s so smooth and quick with his device that I feel like Patrick Bateman glaring at his business card in jealousy when I look his way. I really try my best not to show it.

It’s not like I’m actually making human expressions anyway. But we’re both dragons, and I know I’m starting to be able to read draconic expressions fairly well now. He can’t be all that inexperienced and unstudied in that field himself. He wouldn’t let himself be.

Megan the server finishes recording his order and thanks him, then she turns to me before she goes, “And it was so good to meet you, Your Highness.” With no hint of irony or awkwardness, nothing but a glint in her eye and a smile. And then she’s gone to inform the kitchen of our orders before I can react.

I am wearing my tiara.

I haven’t yet given thought into whether or not I can alter my outfit when I manifest it.

I really should look in a mirror and play with this, and maybe get a better idea of what I look like when I’m in this form.

I just keep forgetting that faces are important to other people, I think.

As I’m lost in thought about this, Säure has used his phone to compose an observation.

He watches me like a snake interested in something that looks like food, as I hear his phone say, “Your camouflage seems to have an interesting effect on humans who don’t know you personally, Meghan. I imagine that could be quite useful.”

Fuck it. I’m not going to play his game. I’m going to embrace expediency and tactlessness and grab the horns of this conversation and yank. I ask, “How long study dragons?” And then I look pointedly at him.

“You? Since you underwent metamorphosis. In general? About eighty years now, more or less,” he responds, looking up from his phone screen when he’s done.

He doesn’t look over sixty! But, then, my current guise doesn’t look much like my former body, either.

“How long know yourself?” I ask.

“About that long. Maybe a year or two longer.”

“What you think?”

He studies me. So I lean forward, elbow on table, very un-princess-like, and study him back. I’m sure my face is as impassive as his, but I tilt my head one way and then the other.

He then nods and works with his phone, “I don’t know what you’re asking about. What do I think about what?”

I huff, and hit my tablet a few times with my index finger, “Dragons.”

“Are you asking me what’s my theory?” he asks.

“Yes,” I say with my syrinx. I mouth it right afterward, like I’m badly dubbed, just to be irritating and distracting. It’s an easy word to mouth. I don't know that I have any strategy here. I might just be thrashing about. Which might be bad.

He adopts, probably very deliberately, a relaxed and amused expression I’ve often seen on twenty-something young men, and leans back to start typing on his phone. He does the same thing as me and hits talk after every sentence, “It might surprise you that I am less interested in the theories of anything and more focused on the practicalities of the now. I do study quite a lot of things in quite a lot of depth, but I don’t need to think about it much. I find that that saves me time and energy I can use on continuing my studies. So, I can tell you what scholars have thought about dragons. And I can tell you what I have observed. But I have no conclusions for you, Meghan, I am sorry.”

That’s an awful lot of words to say he doesn’t know. Especially with our mode of communication.

“What you do?” I ask. “About dragons.”

He tilts his head and then pushes forward a more engaged smile, saying, wobbling back and forth just a little as he works his phone, “That is a much more interesting question. I’m glad you asked it. It’s what I want to talk to you about.”

“Go on,” I say.

“We need to spread out,” he says. “We’re bunched too closely together, and it is stifling our growth and hurting humanity. But so far, each of us is so attached to our own little fiefdoms that no one wants to move. I am looking for a solution to that.”

I can’t actually argue with him about that. The evidence I’ve seen suggests that exact problem, and I can’t say I haven’t puzzled over it myself. But, also, I really don’t want to move. My people are here.

“I’m so sorry for how my people have treated you, Meghan,” he continues. “They acted of their own accord based on my initial mission statement, and coordinated with county reactionaries to do it. They did not wait for my orders, and I found the whole company to be rotten with bigots positioned against us, so I had no option but to dissolve Equisetum Wildlife. I’m sure you approve.”

“Yes. Thanks,” I say, cautiously and slowly. That’s pretty much what he wrote in his press release the day he did it, leaving out the part where he’s a dragon, too.

“What I’d like to do,” he says, “is use some of my resources to help incentivize the more mobile peers of ours to go ahead and make that move voluntarily. I’m thinking based on a kind of reward system. However, I need to work with the government to do this smoothly and legally, and I am having a little trouble with that. A good portion of both the local and state governments don’t want to work with me.”

That’s rough, man. It’s also press release material. I say, “Okay.”

“I could use your help,” he says.

He’s not going to tell me anything more than he’s told the public, and he’s just going to outright ask for my help? I want to consider that ridiculous and laugh in his face.

Instead, I ask, “How?”

I maybe should have asked why.

—

Sometimes, regardless of your boundaries and needs, there is work that just needs doing. And sometimes you're the only one can do it.

Rhoda closes her eyes, sends a little prayer to her greater self, and works to clear her mind of her sorrows and worries, to focus on the trouble at hand. She can afford another hour or so of dragon business, maybe even a day of it, if it means keeping her world intact.

Opening her eyes, she picks up her phone again and opens the mirrored group SMS chat she'd created from Meg's group, that doesn't have Meg in it. The one she uses to support Meghan without disturbing her.

And she types into it, “Artists. Keep us informed! Thank you.”

Then she starts sending off direct messages and emails to individual people to start activating the alert network she’s been cultivating since before the dracomorphosis began.

It's not for Meghan's sake that she uses it.

Inspired by the prayer circles her old church used to have, it’s for everyone's sake. It's a network of mutual support and emergency response to help keep people alive in case things get real bad. Which they just might.

It mostly consists of people she sees regularly in person, like her hairdresser and her favorite librarian. A grocery clerk her age who loves being catty with her. A few members of the Order of Bearded Men of all people, because they like to joke over coffee and also share some history in activism. It's thin, but it covers most of downtown and the northern half of the city.

But also, while the network is much smaller than the prayer circle, and much more fragile than Rhoda would like, it might provide up to date feedback on how the rest of the city is doing. Which she can then relay to Meg's team. Including those two damn Artists who now have a chance to prove themselves.

Rhoda realizes she has no clue just how troublesome Säure might be. He might be just a man that Meghan is angry with. But Rhoda can't really imagine Meghan confessing to wish violence on a human. The urgent and desperate tone of her message has her getting ready for a worse case scenario.

Back to Meg’s network, there's one other difference between Rhoda’s group SMS chat and Meg's. Rhoda added Caleb to it. Meg didn't think of him as one of her people. He's Astraia’s boyfriend, after all. But through Astraia, Caleb is Rhoda’s link to Meg’s Discord and the rest of the dragons of Fairport.

That network covers most of the southern half of the city.

One last thing she does before gathering her stuff to head down to the coffee shop is to message Caleb and let him know to be ready to relay messages.

Hopefully, none of this will be necessary. And then she'll be able to go back to mourning her child, and trying to figure out how to do right by him despite the fact that she's already long ago failed at that.

Maybe if she wrote a biography for him. Maybe it's time to do that.

Maybe if she did that. Or at least committed to it, she could face the other people in her life without heaping them with unconscious expectations. Without bringing her own hopes unsolicited into their lives, and then to be able to see them maybe for who they actually are.

Maybe it'd help her see Meghan for what she actually is more clearly.

But not quite yet.

Right now, there's a fire brigade to rally.

She lifts herself up with the help of her cane and grabs her raincoat and purse. It's a half sunny day, with no prediction of rain. But it seems that dragons are posturing for a fight.

The weather app could be wrong.

—

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Megan the server approaching our table with dishes in hand, but Säure speaks up, finger working his phone with speed.

“Please call off your Architects,” he says. “I'd like to enjoy the meal.”

I tilt my head.

I've been feeling shifts from Chapman and a constant buzzing from Ptarmigan since we sat down. I can infer easily that Säure can feel them too, and calls them Architects. An interesting choice of term.

What I'm doing is wordlessly feigning confusion and ignorance to make him flustered during the arrival of our food. If I can make him look bad in front of human attention, it'll be a little victory.

But he relaxes and becomes animated with gracious anticipation in reaction to Megan the server's presence.

As she's delivering the food, Megan calls Säure “sir” and me “Your Highness”, but serves us both with equal cheer and bids that we let her know if we need anything more. Then she leaves us to our meal.

Before digging in, once she's gone, Säure uses his syrinx to say, “Please.”

I lift my head and narrow my eyes, and then pick up my tablet to message the group, saying, “Please stop scanning us. Säure can sense it.”

That last sentence will confirm a lot of things to everyone, I'm sure. And Säure will undoubtedly expect that I passed the knowledge on.

“Thank you,” he says.

“You call the Artists Architects?” I ask.

“Artists?” he asks back. “Meghan. They are the Architects. If you know anything about them, you know that they are the unseen force of order in the world, and they have shaped everything we see today, or will hope to see in the future.” He takes a moment to arrange his plate, drink, napkin, and utensils, then picks up his phone again to conclude, “If anyone is to blame for the unfortunate state that we dragons find ourselves in today, it is the Kabal of Architects that you call Artists. The true buck undeniably stops with them, and that is one of the things I would like your help with in changing.”

His use of the word “Kabal” really irks me. Kind of like his license plate. Maybe related to it.

“How?” I ask again.

He looks at his platter of oysters and his beer, then back up at me. With one thumb on his phone, he asks, “Shall we eat first?”

The buzzing and shifts haven't stopped just yet.

I can tell it annoys him, which I like.

But, “Okay,” I say.

And we dig in.

I find that my own teeth are no longer suited to cutting through bread and cooked meat. The flat, spade-like teeth of humans are very well suited to that. While my teeth, and Säure's, are fine for puncturing and gripping flesh, to be torn with raw force, if torn at all, and to hold it in our mouths until we can lift our jaws up and let it fall into our gullets.

Which means that after my first attempt at biting my sandwich, even soaked in aus jus as the tip of it is, I end up using my fork and knife. Like a princess.

I cut a mouthful off the sandwich. I make sure it is skewered firmly on the fork. Then I soak it in the aus jus, thinking about what bread does to duck stomachs and hoping mine is better than that. And then I pull the morsel off the fork with my teeth and let its juices bathe my tongue.

And swallow it whole just as Säure downs another oyster himself.

I'm thinking I should have brought a couple of smooth rocks with me. I might need them to settle my gizzard while I fight this monster later.

At least we'll both be lethargic from this meal.

Then I have a thought.

If he’s eating oysters, does that mean he's a sea monster? Is that why no one's seen him until now?

#dragon #writeblr #original fiction #serial fiction #transformation #transgender

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lunarr-rrose · 4 years ago

Video

What is the Deal with Paralegals?

https://u109893.h.reiblackbook.com/generic11/the-storage-stud/what-is-the-deal-with-paralegals/

Courtright Law specializes in real estate, litigation, estate planning, and various civil and criminal matters. We focus on serving and protecting all interests of our clients by practicing honesty, integrity, and trust in all matters. We cater to both, individuals and businesses alike. Whether it’s helping you with matters related to commercial or residential real estate, negotiating transactions, drafting contracts, or other matters, we always prioritize your best interests, while limiting your liabilities. Our dedicated team of lawyers will always help protect your assets and enforce your rights.

https://www.getcourtright.com/

Fernando O. Angelucci is Founder and President of Titan Wealth Group. He also leads the firm’s finance and acquisitions departments. Fernando Angelucci and Steven Wear founded Titan Wealth Group in 2015, and under his leadership, the firm’s revenue has grown over 100% year over year. Today,

Find out more at

https://www.thestoragestud.com

https://titanwealthgroup.com/

Listen to our Podcast:

https://thestoragestud.podbean.com/e/what-is-the-deal-with-paralegals/

With an engineering background, Fernando is able to approach real estate investing with a keen analytical mindset that allows Titan Wealth Group to identify opportunities and project accurate pictures of future performance.

Titan Wealth Group was founded in 2015 with the vision of gathering individual investors that have the means to invest but lack either the time to find high-yield investment opportunities or the access to these off-market deals. All too often, founders Fernando Angelucci & Steven Wear came across investors who had deployed their capital only to regret the lack of consistency or degree of returns their investments were producing. In response, Titan Wealth Group provides access to highly-vetted real estate secured investments and off-market acquisition opportunities primarily in the Greater Chicago MSA. Today, Titan Wealth Group not only assists individual investors but has grown to support the acquisition goals and capital deployment of investment groups, private equity firms, and real estate investment trusts (REITs).

As a facilitator of wealth growth, Titan Wealth Group believes that success is not limited to the sum of our efforts and is infinite with what can be accomplished through partnership.

--------------------------------------------

Fernando Angelucci (00:01):

Hello, everyone! Welcome back. So on this episode of What's The Deal, The real estate podcast that gives answers, we'll be covering What's the Deal with Paralegals. It turns out they're not parachuting attorneys, as I thought when I first grew up, but instead crucial members of the legal field. Joining me today to coordinate the truth about paralegals is a good friend and colleague, Mary Gawlak. Hey Mary, how are you?

Mary Gawlak (00:30):

Hi, Fernando! How are you?

Fernando Angelucci (00:30):

I'm doing good. You feeling better?

Mary Gawlak (00:32):

Much better, much better. Thank you.

Fernando Angelucci (00:33):

Good.

Mary Gawlak (00:33):

Thank you.

Fernando Angelucci (00:34):

So, let's start off with just kind of telling the viewers who you are and what you do.

Mary Gawlak (00:40):

Well, I am, my name is Mary Gawlak. Like you said, I am a paralegal. I've worked for David Courtright, Courtright Law. I've been here for about almost two years, but I've been working in the field since 2002. I have an extensive background with real estate and mortgages. So that's why, I guess I landed my job here.

Fernando Angelucci (01:05):

So, give me a little bit about your history. How did you get into this field? Walk me through your past here.

Mary Gawlak (01:12):

I started out as a loan officer and that's how I got into real estate. I was a loan officer for a small brokerage from 2002 to 2004. Then I went from there to Washington Mutual Wells Fargo, and then I started getting a little bit more interested when I went to work for Mac Companies. I started getting into more of the legal aspect of the real estate transactions. And unfortunately, they went out of business. So, I went out on David's doorstep and he took me in and I'm glad he did. So

Fernando Angelucci (01:55):

Yeah, I love working with David , or I should say love working with you because I think it's more you and me working together than me and David. But, so

Mary Gawlak (02:03):

Thank you. I appreciate that. Even though you drive me crazy sometimes.

Fernando Angelucci (02:08):

I know, I'm so sorry.

Mary Gawlak (02:11):

I love you, Fernando. You know i did

Fernando Angelucci (02:15):

Hey, I got you that dartboard with a picture of me and Stevens, and now you can throw darts at us.

Fernando Angelucci (02:23):

Anytime you get mad at us. So, all right. So for the people that don't know, what is a paralegal? And how are they different from an attorney?

Mary Gawlak (02:32):

Well, of course we don't give any legal advice to anybody, but I basically do everything, coordinating, everything making sure we have all the necessary documents for closing. We start out by getting in a contract. I usually start out try to call our clients as soon as possible, introduce ourselves. Let them know that, you know, when it comes to inspection time or anything, if they want to ask for any repairs on the buy side to feel free to contact us David is very good about, you know, calling people back and going over punch lists or whatever repairs at the home inspectors want. So I kind of coordinate that, everything is timed. We have certain amount of time to, you know, get attorney mod letters out and inspection requests. So we have to monitor those time periods. I helped do that.

Mary Gawlak (03:30):

And David works with me on any attorney modification letters that we sent out to the contract or that we receive. He helps answer those. Going forward then I make sure we have survey's, title ordered. We do title examination, make sure the titles are clean for closing so that we don't have any last minute issues gathering information to clear title. Making sure we have, like I said, payoff information just anything else that we might need, as far as maybe some receipts, when there are repairs that need to be done for the sales side. Well, how to make sure that we send all the receipts and coordinate closing when it comes time. So I work with the lender as well. We tried to get all the information upfront so that we can give them their loan policy accurately and you know, and then just work towards closing whatever they need. I'm the go-to person. So everybody calls me for everything. So

Fernando Angelucci (04:43):

I know when I'm, so for us in our business, I know that the second, a contract is signed between me and a seller, me and a buyer, it immediately goes to you. Usually we'll put together an email with everything. I know, usually it's not enough though. Most of the times it's not enough. And then, I usually jump on the phone with you and say, Hey, Mary, here's what I got. Is there anything that I missed or here's some special things to consider on this deal? And then you're basically my go-to person from there until the closing. And then every once in a while, David will call me to say, Hey, closing's done. You got to check waiting for you or whatever it is.

Mary Gawlak (05:22):

Yeah. Those are the nice and easy ones.

Fernando Angelucci (05:27):

So it's been, I mean, as far as our business working with you has been absolutely amazing, you know, I'm not very good. I'm not very good with details and more of a high level person. And you kind of keep me on the straight and narrow. So that helps a lot. I really appreciate you for that. So, I know you covered like all the stuff that you do, but like let's say, what does it like a typical day in the life look like? Like what are you doing?

Mary Gawlak (05:56):

Right now?

Fernando Angelucci (05:57):

Today? Yeah. Other than jumping on a podcast with me.

Mary Gawlak (06:01):

My desk is a mess. I'm working on like five files at one time. Sometimes it gets a little tricky when we have a few closings on the same day, because there's figures that need to be sent over. And then we're going back and forth with what's this fee. Why is this fee here? Where are we charging this? Where are we not charging that? So that becomes a little tricky. I also have to send out and now, especially with the COVID, we have everything pre-signed by the seller. So I have to prepare all docs ahead of time, make sure they get it notarized. And we get originals back in time for closing. So there's just an extra step now that we have to worry about. But yes, the day in my life is working on five to 10 different files at the same time. So

Fernando Angelucci (06:53):

Doing everything from chasing sellers down to arguing with buyers,

Mary Gawlak (06:59):

It's hard to say because every deal is unique. Every deal that comes is different and there are different issues and different things that need to be done and addressed. So it's just kind of hard, but I'm just here and just do what I can while I'm here.

Fernando Angelucci (07:15):

Now I've dealt with some attorneys that just do everything themselves. They don't have any paralegals, you know, why should an attorney use paralegals or have paralegals in their office?

Mary Gawlak (07:26):

Well, because it just helps with emails and especially like when there are closings and life still goes on beside, you know, behind the scenes. So when they're busy at a closing, you know, there's other work that needs to get done, that isn't getting done. It's a lot of, you know, coordination and tracking and, you know, depending on how many files you have at one time, maybe they could do it themselves. But once you get into processing a lot of files, it could be a little tricky. So yeah, I'm his go-to person. He goes to the closing, I have everything ready for him while he's there dealing with that, I'm working on the next file or, you know, hearing the, you know, so yeah, it's a matter of just having a helping hand, which, you know, helps a lot. I'm sure David appreciates that. So,

Fernando Angelucci (08:22):

So we have, a lot of range of experience of people watching these podcasts, usually all the way from, you know, first investor I'm about to get ready to close on my first deal all the way up to, you know, I do 50, 75 deals a year, should a client or a new investor inquire about, you know, paralegals when choosing an attorney to work with, or is that, do you not ask about that? What's the kind of the,

Mary Gawlak (08:47):

Well, I mean, it really depends. I mean, for the most part it's really like, I would think like the attorney is one that would probably say, okay, I need a paralegal or I wouldn't. I think you get better service when there's a paralegal. Because again, he's running around at closings, I'm on the phone with clients and taking care of things that need to be taken care of. So, I mean, I guess four hands is better than two, so that's how I would look at it. And you know, like I said, he's busy a lot of times where he can't, you know, have, doesn't have the time to reach out to the client to ask them a question or can you confirm this or how do you want to respond where? That's what I do. I'm here to do that for him. So it, I think it's very beneficial to have if the attorney has a paralegal, but again, it's just, I guess it depends on the volume of files that they have at one time. But if it's a busy attorney, I would say yes, so paralegals is very beneficial and David will agree.

Fernando Angelucci (09:57):

Yeah, I know we have a couple of busy attorneys that actually watches as well. One reached out about two weeks ago. How would you advise an attorney that's ready to hire a paralegal? How do you advise them to choose the right paralegal? What are the things that they should be asking, looking for? Cause you've been fantastic. I love you to death, Mary, and if you were not in my life, I would pull all my hair up. So,

Mary Gawlak (10:20):

Thank you. I just think it's experience and you just have to have a passion for it too. You know, it's like I get sometimes a little worked up when something, you know, when I see somebody who's trying to get away with something. So I think it's also a passion that I have for the business, but mostly mainly experience because like I said, every situation is different and you come across some things that, you know, your past experience will help a lot. So

Fernando Angelucci (10:54):

One of the things that I've noticed about you that is fantastic is, how much attention to detail you have. Like you see everything and you go everything over everything with a fine-tooth comb, the contracts, the settlement statements.

Mary Gawlak (11:08):

Yeah, too much. That's a lot sometimes. Cause I,

Fernando Angelucci (11:12):

I mean, honestly, like I'm the exact opposite, right? Like I see the forest, not the trees and little things that are actually super important. They can derail a whole deal. Like I didn't even see it. I like glimpse right over it. And then you come back and you say, Hey Fernando, here's some things I noticed on a settlement statement. What are these charges? Where's this money going to, and I'm like, just close the deal. It's fine. It's like, we can't close the deal until I get this answers, Fernando. You know? So, I'd say if there's an attorney out there watching that is looking to hire paralegal with the attention to detail thing is huge. I think that is a,

Mary Gawlak (11:50):

You're right about that. Yes. Because I'm looking at a title right now that I see there's an old mortgage on there from 2001 that was never released. So if we wait, if I didn't catch it, we'd wait until the closing table and everybody would be looking around, okay, what is this, why is this, instead I caught it and I'm gonna clear it up before closing. So,

Fernando Angelucci (12:14):

Yeah. So, I know one of the things, one of the issues that I have, and I've been getting a lot better at this is being able to delegate tasks to people, to actually have them help me and not handcuff them and then second not micromanage them. So it's kind of rolls into my next question. What are some of the common mistakes that you have seen attorneys make when it comes to utilizing paralegals? Right.

Mary Gawlak (12:38):

I haven't really, I mean, I don't, I really don't know what other attorneys do behind the scenes. I do notice that sometimes the attorney gets a little, might get a little too involved in something and could potentially maybe even, you know kill the deal. So

Fernando Angelucci (13:00):

We've seen it on our deals, right? Some of the attorneys on the other side of the table, just getting too much into the nitty-gritty and not letting their staff work through it. And then, like you said, sometimes passions run a little high and everybody just says, you know what, hands in the air I'm done, walk away from the deal. And then all of a sudden this, the client is sitting there saying, you know, Hey, what happened? I thought we had somebody to buy our property. And all of a sudden, you know, I know we've killed a few deals in the past because we saw the attorney on the file and we say, you know what, we're not either they get a new attorney or we're not working with them. You know? So, it is super important. Now on the flip side, you know, what are some common mistakes that you've seen paralegals make when it comes to working with their attorneys or working with others?

Mary Gawlak (13:47):

Maybe the same thing, getting a little bit too involved, where they shouldn't. Instead of trying to maybe, you know, calm things down, maybe making things worse or, you know, not having the knowledge of how a transaction is supposed to be conducted and then raising suspicion because they don't know how to do it, or, you know, things like that. I've seen, you know, maybe that happen. Another thing is just not, no communication. That's a bad thing. And you know, also not keeping track of the timelines that you have. I mean, you could really mess up a project. I mean, you do have contingencies, you gotta be, you know, on top of those or ask for an extension, you know, so my, you know, if you don't stay on top of that, you can really hurt your clients because they might come back and say, well, you know, this is where I'm with the inspection. Oh, no, I didn't ask for an extension of the inspection period. It's too late. So that's very important. You have to be very, you know, on top, like I said, on top of the timelines and everything from the beginning of the contract to the end, it's just constant monitoring it. So

Fernando Angelucci (15:01):

I know the communication portion is huge. I remember a couple of files. I'm not going to name names here, but two years ago or so, where we had send out correspondence to the attorney on the other side of the table and it would take them two weeks to get back to us. And usually what I noticed is this is typical of those attorneys that are kind of semi-retired let's say, they're already, they don't have any staff. They don't have an office. They travel half of the time they're in Europe and the other, they don't have a paralegal, you know? So it takes a while for them to get back. And like you said, real estate is a very time-oriented transaction. Yeah. Very time sensitive. Absolutely. So that's huge. So for some of our newer investors that are watching, you know, what advice would you give to them when they're looking to close on a property for the first time? What are things that you expect to see from them? What should they be looking out for?

Mary Gawlak (15:57):

Well, again, it's, every situation is different, but communication is the main thing. I think they should be looking for somebody that if, they can call, they can email I'm available. I answer emails, you know, sometimes 10, 11 o'clock at night. So,

Fernando Angelucci (16:14):

Midnight. I've gotten, I'm getting texts, email from you at midnight.

Mary Gawlak (16:19):

Holidays, you name it.

Fernando Angelucci (16:19):

Right! Yeah, absolutely. No, I appreciate them.

Mary Gawlak (16:22):

I don't answer all emails, but if I see that it's something concerning somebody who's very concerned or it's very important, I will answer the emails. So I think that's very important. Just communication. I think that's the biggest thing is each be able to get your attorney or paralegal on the phone when you need to, you know, and without waiting for days for a return call or so,

Fernando Angelucci (16:49):

Well, maybe that kind of rolls into the next question, which is, you know, what advice would you give to somebody considering becoming a paralegal? So maybe being available, it'd be one of those things.

Mary Gawlak (16:59):

Yeah. Again, passion, passion, passion.

Fernando Angelucci (17:03):

Passion.

Mary Gawlak (17:03):

Cause if you don't like what you're doing, it could be very stressful, I guess.

Fernando Angelucci (17:11):

Yeah.

Mary Gawlak (17:11):

Is the word. So yeah, you gotta want to do it and you have to make yourself available. I think that's very important to us here at Courtright Laws, being able, I mean, David gives out a cell phone all the time too, and you know, just being available to the clients when they need you.

Fernando Angelucci (17:28):

And I think the flip side is important too, about, you know, how can a real estate investor do things to be a better partner to you and to the attorney, to the paralegals? You know, I know one of the things for me is, like you said, just over communicating everything, making sure every we're on the same page, but then also giving them enough information from the get go. I know that's something I had to learn with you, instead of trying to piecemealing emails back and forth. Now I have this whole email template says, here's the buyer. Here's the seller. Here's the real estate consultant, here are the brokers. Here's the lender. Here's all their contact information. Here are the important dates, attorney, attorney review inspection, contingency, close date. And I know, I'm sure, you're less likely to throw darts at my face on your dartboard when I do those types of emails. So it just,

Mary Gawlak (18:19):

It just saves a lot of back and forth and necessarily if you just, here's all the different, you know? Exactly. So,

Fernando Angelucci (18:27):

Yeah. And your time is super valuable. Like you said. I mean, at any given time you're working on five to 12 files at a given time. So having to constantly say,

Mary Gawlak (18:36):

That's per day. I actually have,

Fernando Angelucci (18:36):

I need this be,

Mary Gawlak (18:37):

Yeah. There's times when I have almost 30 files in the pipeline together. So, yeah

Fernando Angelucci (18:43):

Crazy. Yeah

Mary Gawlak (18:44):

I would say at a time, I'm usually working on that many at a time, but I do have, I mean, most times I do have 30 to 35 files in the pipeline at one time. So,

Fernando Angelucci (18:57):

How do you keep all that organized? That's my mind would go,

Mary Gawlak (19:00):

I have four kids. I learned how to,

Mary Gawlak (19:05):

Multitask. I'm a multi-tasker

Fernando Angelucci (19:08):

That's good. Well, so I really appreciate you coming on Mary, you know, I've said it multiple times, so I'm gonna say it again. I love you. You have made my life so much easier. Anything you want, you ask from me? I'll get it for you.

Mary Gawlak (19:20):

Thank you Fernando. You know what I like,

Fernando Angelucci (19:20):

Yeah I do. Before we conclude, How, how can people reach you? And is there anything that they should know before they try and contact you?

Mary Gawlak (19:34):

Well, it's very simple. If you have any questions at all, just give us a call. Our office number is 7089073080. My email address is [email protected]. So up on the screen, I see. Pretty good. So yeah. So if you have any questions at all, we're here everyday, night, at least till five. If you need to reach me after hours, please feel free to send me an email. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. That's all.

Fernando Angelucci (20:09):

And you usually do really quickly. So I appreciate that. Thank you very much for coming on Mary. You know, I got a couple more files. I'm sending you away this week, so be ready for them.

Mary Gawlak (20:19):

Cool, keep me busy.

Fernando Angelucci (20:19):

Yeah, I will.

Mary Gawlak (20:22):

I know I slacked for a whole week. I went away for a whole week on vacation,

Fernando Angelucci (20:28):

Yeah, I love how, when you say your on vacation, and yet I'm still getting emails coming in each week. At the next time you go on vacation, I'm taking your laptop and your cell phone. You're just going to have to go around with a rotary dial phone, to mute yourself on accident. There you go.

Mary Gawlak (20:42):

Okay. If I had a car.

Mary Gawlak (20:46):

Okay. Hey, I appreciate you, you take your time out of your busy day and I'll talk to you soon.

Mary Gawlak (20:50):

Okay. Thanks Fernando.

Fernando Angelucci (20:53):

Bye.

Mary Gawlak (20:53):

Bye bye.

Fernando Angelucci (20:55):

Well, everybody thanks for tuning in again to What's The deal, The real estate podcast that gives answers each week, we try to bring on a professional or an expert in the real estate field that someone from the outside of someone just getting started may not really understand what the role is or their importance appreciate you guys to tune in. If you have any questions or if you have any suggested topics or suggested guests, or maybe you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, go ahead and drop that in the comments below. Make sure to hit the subscribe button so that you get up to date notifications when we're going live in the future. And for this week, the post Thanksgiving edition, I hope you guys all have wonderful holidays leading into the Christmas and New Year's. Thank you very much. See you guys soon!

#real estate #real estate investing #the storage stud #storage stud #fernando angelucci #self storage #alternative funds #Mary Gawlak

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dwellordream · 4 years ago

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“...Cloth fibers could be dyed at several points during production (though again, note above that dyeing was far more common for wool than for linen). Assuming wool was scoured after shearing, it could be dyed at that point (thus the phrase ‘dyed in the wool’) though unscoured wool will not generally take a dye because the natural oils of the wool will prevent the dye from setting into the cloth. Alternately, wool might be spun and then dyed either as thread or as finished woven cloth. In the early modern period, undyed woven fabrics fit for dying were called ‘whites’ and might either be dyed locally or in some cases shipped significant distances to be dyed elsewhere (in no small part because, as we’ll see, the availability of dye colors was regionally dependent).

Today, we are used to the effectively infinite range of colors offered by synthetic dyes, but for pre-modern dye-workers, they were largely restricted to colors that could be produced from locally available or imported dyestuffs. If you wanted a given color of fabric, you needed to be able to find something in the natural world which, when broken down could give you a chemical pigment that you could transfer to your fabric in a durable way. That put real limits on the colors which could be dyed and the availability of those colors.

Some colors simply couldn’t be produced this way – a good example were golden or metallic colors. If something in a dress was to be truly golden (and not merely yellow), the only way to do that prior to synthetic dyes and paints was to use actual gold, weaving small strands of ultra-thin gold wire into the cloth or embroidering designs with it. Needless to say, that was something only done by the very wealthy. Alternately, if the dye for a given hue or color came from something rare or foreign or difficult to process (for instance, in all three cases, Tyrian or royal purple, which came from the murex sea snails – if you have ever wondered why no country has purple as a national color this is why, before synthetic dyes, coloring your flags and uniforms purple would have been bonkers expensive), then it was going to be expensive and rare and there just wasn’t much you could do about that.

What dyes were available thus varied based on where you were and how much you could afford to import. Determining ancient dye availability is often tricky, since fabric so rarely survives, but we know that the Romans prized a wide range of colors; Pliny gives us some clues as to some of the more expensive dyes in his Natural History (such as saffron for a rich yellow), along with more common colors like blue (from woad), red (from madder), brown (from walnuts), and a cheaper yellow from weld. Similar sets of dyes were available in the Middle Ages, J.S. Lee notes the principal dyestuffs in use in England were woad (blue), madder (red), weld (yellow), ‘grain’ red (scarlet, this is kermes dye), cinnabar (vermillion), saffron (yellow) and various other vegetable and fruit dies (op. cit. 62). Many of these were imported; madder and weld from Germany, France and the Baltic, kermes and woad from the Mediterranean, Cinnabar from the Red Sea area. Madder, weld and woad in particular were the cheapest and most common dyes and served as the foundation for clothing color in the ancient and medieval Mediterranean (which is, consequently, why colors that can be produced by those dyes, or by mixing them, are so common in medieval artwork depicting clothing).

Eventually (‘true’) indigo blue dye came all the way from India (it was known to the Greeks and the Romans) but because of its imported nature it was an expensive luxury product in Europe prior to European colonial expansion. Indigo is a particularly good example, however, of how a dye (and its associated color, the deep blue) could be relatively inexpensive and available in one place and a rare luxury good used as a status symbol in others. While the dyes available were somewhat restricted, dyers could of course combine pigments to get composite colors, giving a fairly wide range of colors, assuming one had the money for the pigments...

The actual dying process varied based on the pigment being used and there were likely local craft differences as well. Still the process could be complex, with dyestuffs often needing to be ground down or broken up and then often heated (sometimes boiled) in order to get the pigments ready before the cloth would be immersed in the dye.

...Other dyes might require a mordant, a fixing agent which enabled the pigment to set on the fibers of the fabric. Alum was often used; in the Middle Ages it was sourced from Asia Minor and so needed to reach Europe via Mediterranean trade (although Italian sources of alum were found in 1462; it was only produced domestically in England in the 17th century and after). In other cases, as with the use of dyes produced from wood, tannic acid might be used as the mordant. Each dye had its own unique preparation process to produce the dye; some involved boiling, others fermenting, some grinding down the products and so on. Dyers needed access to quite a lot of water, both for the processes of making dye, but also to discharge the various effluent from the process – spent dye mixtures and waste water. Once the dye was made, the fibers, which might be unspun wool, spun wool thread or woven wool cloth, were immersed in the dye and then agitated; the agitation was done with a ‘dyer’s posser’ and introducing or removing the cloth was done with tongs.

...Now it is necessary to caveat this upfront: in terms of raw amounts of cloth produced, household textile production is likely to have outstripped commercial textile production until the start of the industrial revolution, so while commercial textile production is more visible to us (in part because rich businesses tend to leave records and their owners tend to be the sort of people to be literate and write things like wills which we can read) they weren’t the majority of production. So while clothiers and cloth merchants and professional weavers often get more attention in the sources (and consequently may get more attention in some modern treatments) they were likely a minority of cloth workers and cloth production prior to the early modern period.

At the same time, it is clearly wrong to think of the household production chain as being completely divorced from the commercial production chain; the two were clearly intermingled. Fullers and dyers seem to have represented a point where the two production systems converged; fulling and dying were difficult to do at household scale and required special skills and so it seems that even a household producing its own textiles would have a use for the fuller and the dyer to finish those clothes (because, again, people liked to look nice). Moreover, as we’ve discussed already, commercial clothiers often sourced the spinning and weaving they needed through the putting out system, paying domestic spinners and weavers (mainly women) on a wage or piece-work basis (that is, per-unit of thread or fabric).

...But of course there were also purely commercial workers making cloth, including elements of production that couldn’t be brought into the household (like fulling and dyeing) but also producers who worked primarily for the market. The emergence of large-scale textile production for markets – what we might term commercial production – seems closely connected to the rise of large cities, presumably because those cities contained both elites who might want to buy more (or finer) fabrics than their household could produce as well as poorer workers whose households (which might just be themselves) lacked the ability to produce textiles at all. Long distance trade was also clearly a factor that drove the emergence of large-scale cloth production; wool products were major exports as early as third millennium BC Summer (on this, note several of the chapters in C. Breniquet and C. Michel, op. cit.)

In both cases, we can see that dyers tend to be rather more highly paid than other textile workers, while second place goes to fullers (in the second chart, note that fulling, cleansing and finishing were all done in a fullery; it is the last task, I think, that would be done by the fuller himself (or herself) rather than paid workers or – in the Roman context – enslaved workers), with skilled professional weavers in the third place. The range of tax paid though gives a real sense of how there might be a considerable separation between the earning power of small-scale producers (or apprentices and other hired workers in a larger operation) and producers working at a larger scale (or making elite products).

Dyeworks (and fulleries in the medieval period) tended to be located just outside of urban centers, in part because of the smell (both kinds of work tend to smell quite bad). Because both dyeing and fulling made use of bad smelling mixtures, older scholars often assumed that the workers in these occupations were low status individuals and looked down upon. And while it is true that there does seem to have been some sense that these places were not terribly sanitary, more recent scholarship tends to show little evidence that the people who worked there – particularly the skilled, professional dyers and fullers – were low-status themselves.

In terms of the social position of cloth-makers, one indicator we can look to is professional associations and guilds. In the Roman world, professional associations (collegia) of fullers seem to have been quite common and Miko Flohr (op. cit.) argues persuasively that Roman fullers were respectable professionals, similar to other artisans – well below the political and social elite (whose wealth was in large landholdings), but not disreputable. Fuller’s collegia could be significant politically though; Flohr notes that Roman fullers seem to have been politically active, for instance, in Pompeii’s local politics (most famously dedicating a statue of Eumachia, a local aristocratic woman, outside of the ‘building of Eumachia’ the purpose of which is still under some dispute (but perhaps a market-place for fabric?)).

...So while the landed elite will have looked down their nose as textile workers (they looked down their nose at everyone), skilled professional textile workers represented fixtures in what we might see as a lower-middle-class of sorts in pre-modern cities. Because there were so many of them (and because they were attached to cloth merchants who might be truly wealthy) they often exerted a significant political and cultural pull. Thus there is an enormous range in the status of cloth-workers, from the well-to-do dyer who might be a respected professional artisan to the poorly paid spinner working in the ‘putting out’ system in her spare time when she wasn’t making clothing for her relatively poor farming family.”

- Bret Devereaux, “Clothing, How Did They Make It? Part IVa: Dyed in the Wool.”

#textiles #dyeing #history #bret devereaux #writing #ancient #medieval

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aimgaming439 · 4 years ago

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twinkledadwa · 5 years ago

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Twinkledad’s: The “I Got Ghosted” Episode

Today, my CoStar daily alert read like this:

“When you feel an impulse to control another person, use it as a prompt to remember that you can’t.”

Believing in the stars is kind of stupid. Rooting back in my high school naivety, though, I do believe everything happens for a reason. And if you believe in that, then what happens makes sense.

If you read this blog, I made it known there was supposed to be a Twinkledad’s interview.

If you’re reading this now, you’ll know it fell through.

Reddit PMs are not an efficient way to book plans, first of all. Doing it two months in advanced of a tour they announced morning of is boneheaded too. I recognized how ballsy of an idea it was, given the complete lack of professionalism. I have no professional experience, and honestly, there was no real reason to do the interview. Any money or “clout” ventures are stupid. It was just to have done it.

Yesterday, we agreed to do the interview after the show (through actual DMs). I went to buy merch, and during the interaction, told the initial point of contact who I was. From what I heard (I, a single perspective), the response was:

“Oh...good for you”.

And we exchanged names, which was kinda jarring. I had no idea where to build from, and ultimately didn’t. A friend and I waited until everything was shut off, gear packed, then left. We ate In N’ Out. During the time spent waiting, we delved into conversation that was in the moment. No talks of the future, only discussion that could have existed then.

I couldn’t have had a better finish to the night.

The common response is to fling shit at the walls when your favorite DIY twinkle-emo band doesn’t give you attention, and try to move forces against them. This situation feels inline to being ghosted by/ghosting a romantic interest.

I could have handled what led up to it much better. Perspectives differ. They’re a touring band, they don’t owe anything to me as just a fan. Anybody’s selfish, specifically mine in this case, shouldn’t matter to any other but yourself. Not even that statement right there. The night became less of holding onto that sliver of hope and more enjoying where I was at.

I discovered this band through a person whom my opinion of shouldn’t affect them, and vice versa. It’s nice to know how it has come full circle, ending with a 10 inch, a fleeting experience, and a shirt I’m still going to wear to brunch tomorrow. (EDIT: i also just remembered he didn’t give me my change back for the merch, which i was okay with at the time, but yeah that is kind of dodgy)

However, questions were sent in, and they don’t deserve to be ignored. Here are my answers, and you can imagine some quirky banter if everything went differently.

Dear Twinkledad,

Given everything I just said above, what music recommendations would you give?

Anonymous.

“So I’m leaving...

voooOOiiiiCCeeeemaaaiiiiiillllsssss”

Cloud District - Hamster Camp

Bug Bath - Unique Experience

Jawbreaker - Boxcar

Algae Bloom - Thornes

Kississippi - Cut Yr Teeth

Dear Twinkledad,

Things recently ended with a person I had been seeing. I hurt them, didn’t communicate my feelings properly, and I feel like garbage for it. I leave the continent for 5 months in a few weeks, and I want to reach out before I leave, but I also want to give her space? Should I wait and see if she reaches out? I’m a dumb stupid idiot.

Dumb, Stupid Idiot.

Dumb, Stupid Idiot,

This is tough. Even through a small paragraph, I could sense a lot of regret. And usually, waiting until they, as the offended party, responds is a smart move, but the continental move complicates it.

If you have genuine sorrow, please reach out as soon as what’s reasonable. The time you’ll be gone will impact how she approaches it, and five months is a lot of time to sit on a negative feeling like that. If you’re in the position of having hurt someone, extending that hand once your heart feels the need to is important. Also, inferring the situation, you’re probably the one who would need to apologize (not a bad thing! we all are in this spot, one way or another!)

Hopefully this helped. I truly do wish you the best.

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Nashville Parthenon

Stars Hollow - As You Were Before.

Frail Body - Old Friends

Hightide Hotel - A Soft Subtle Sound

Dear Twinkledad,

how do I find interesting things to do for my last semester of high school? everything feels like too much work to start and everyone else seems too busy to hangout.

Anonymous.

Anonymous,

I was in a similar position Senior year. When you get into college, those troubles will get infinitely better. It’s practically a boiling pot for activity.

For the time being, try relying on your impulses. Stupid, yes, but if you want to experience youth to its fullest, this is how. Interesting things to do lies within the “schizophrenia” (spacy, uneven rhythm in life) of what surrounds you. There is no purpose to try too hard for something. Let it happen, only focus on how your heart beats, and not an ideal nature your mind is trying to create.

Vandalism, finger painting, walks, kratom, anything and everything.

Cow tipping?

Yes.

It sounds like you’re left to nothing but to fuck around for the time you have left. Make it worth it. Hopefully that helped!

Laura Stevenson - Master of Art

Total Downer - Everything Is Gonna Be Alright

For Your Health - Second Aid Kit

Sleep Kit - Je Ne Sais Pas, Aue

Dear Twinkledad,

I am interested in a girl but I'm unsure we are compatible. I always run into her at skramz shows so I know we at least some musical taste overlap but the only other thing I know about her is that she works a blue collar job while I am a white collar professional. I am unsure if it's worth pursuing further knowing that I would rather be with someone that has a similar lifestyle to me. How should I proceed?

-Business Casual at the Skramz Gig.

Business Casual at the Skramz Gig,

I feel like the point of a crush (opposed to having actual feelings for someone) is to know someone better. It straddles the line between romantic interest and want of general companionship. Our human want is to interact with other humans, and arguably, become more human in the process. Even if she doesn’t check the boxes to your “goals”, there’s a wealth of opportunity there to get to know someone possibly rad.

Go for it! Skramz is a good starting point. You can’t be an NPC forever. I wish you good luck!

Dianacrawls - Rollercoasting Simulation

Senza - Sentience

Portrayal of Guilt - Among Friends

Shin Guard - Cross Country

Dear Twinkledad,

ask the emo bands how to get gamer girls to step on my face

Anonymous.

Anonymous,

this question makes everything your fault.

Wellspring - Quiver

ORTHODOXXER - IBLOCKEDHIMFROMMYFINSTAINAFITOFRAGE (TIK TOK ANTHEM)

oswald;octopus - montreal is where guys wear nail polish but not condoms (never meant pt. 2 i’m going to beat the fucking shit out of mike kinsella)

SCRAWLERS - 7/11

POSED OUT - THRASHACHUSETTS

friends from home - casket made of stone

god bless gilgamesh - i look for feathers in the rains from heaven, i find mostly piss

Clairo - Bags

#emo #emo revival #skramz #midwest emo #college #college radio #life advice #love #twinkledaddies #lock screen #yinz #hugh schmidt ruined my life #twinkledad #nevada

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darksideish · 5 years ago

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A small, personal ship custom designed to look like a miniature star destroyer, though painted black. "Tali, I have need of your services." He said, staring blankly at the planet below him. "...who is this?" she asked. Her image appeared on the holo display. Tall, friendly, tired face. Medium short hair, strong muscles, wearing armor mixed with cloth to give it a half cloaked look. 'Quite the attractive outfit' he thought. He sighed and turned on his own holo display and turned off the voice modifiers. "Right, anyway, I have need of your services." He repeated "What's the job?" She asked "You get a premium job today, quite a deal." He smiled "How would you like to get paid half of a planets entire wealth just for a single shot?"

A small group of people in an underground bar. Password only, but he had his ways of getting into places he shouldn't be. The empire would call this place the base of a terrorist cell. The rebellion would call it one of the few truly free places on this world. He called it an opportunity. He wore formal clothing, the kind of stuff that you would never find among people who actively were having everything taken from them. The kind that would only be found among diplomats, high ranking imperial military members, or people running large scale businesses while either working with, or avoiding the notice of the empire. The people in the room eyed him with suspicion immediately. Their anger, fear, and suspicion was evident even without the force. He sat down in a corner and drew a deep breath. "I'm not looking for any trouble. I'm just some wealthy idiot who hates the empire." His words were very convincing... They just ignored him and went back to their conversations. "Kept me up for three hours at a checkpoint today. Three hours. I almost got fired from my job." one of them complained. "They broke into my house while I was away. They just hacked the doors open and searched the place. They broke my droid. That was my grandmothers droid. I spent years fixing it." "Why can they get away with this?" "I don't know! They shouldn't! I hate that we can't do anything about this! There are too damn many of them! How the hell did any of this happen?!?" "It just hurts that there is nothing more to be done." "You're right it does. Absolutely right. I just wish..." "...that you could do something. Anything, to stop them. Even if it meant begging or fighting." The people in the room murmured agreement quietly, but they'd heard all of this before. "Would any of you like some weapons? I have a lot of weapons." The voice in the corner spoke. "What...?" They turned their attention to him. Who was that? Did anybody remember him coming in? He seemed...odd. "What did you say?" "Who are you anyway?" He stood up. "I'm a weapons merchant. I'm...not really with the rebellion or anything. I don't quite trust those charity types. They can't pay me in promises and smiling free faces. Justice does not feed me. Credits do. Imperial, republic, local, whatever. I'm not here for you people in particular, I'm here because you want to be free on your own, and I see money in that." They stared at him, once again angry and tired. "What? So you want to send us off with your shiny weapons to gouge the last of our credits out of us, and then watch us die to the imps when they come around with an army?" He shrugged "Is there an answer you would accept, or are you just so terrified of actually doing anything to improve your own situation that everything seems like a suicide mission? Scared to look out your window at night because someone might think that that counts as you breaking curfew? Coward." The man ran at the weapons merchant only to suddenly find himself on the ground. He had been grabbed and thrown in an instant. "Yeah...weapons merchants tend to know how to fight. Just a fair warning for next time. Oh, and also, any other weapons merchant would have actually fired this." The man refocused his eyes only to find a small, compact blaster pointed at his face. The weapons merchant flipped the gun around and put it in the mans hand. "You can attack a weapons merchant on your own, but not a single stormtrooper?" He shook his head. "This, friends, is exactly what I'm talking about. They do have an army. They do have AT-STs, they do have giant buildings, turrets, fortresses...but do you know what they don't have?" He smiled. "They don't have infinite of anything. They are people. You are innocent to them. Exploitable, but harmless. Kill one stormtrooper where they can't see, and who is to say you did it?" He pulled out another blaster. "I'm not offering to sell you weapons. I'm offering to give you weapons. It is not charity. It's an investment. If you succeed at this, I want the rights to half of the mines, and half of the wealth of this world. That is all. You think it won't work. You think it'll be too hard, but all you need to do is kill a good number of those useless troopers, and you'll bait out an official who will do something drastic to fight back. When they do, kill them, and in the chaos of the chain of command being broken, by then you'll have contacted the rebellion. They will help you shrug off the empire. They won't fight against an entire imperial controlled world...but a world that already got rid of the highest ranking imperial officer? That's another story." He smiled. "I'm sure you can figure out what you need to do." "It...seems dangerous." "What if they found you here?" the merchant asked "Is this dangerous? What about a checkpoint just deciding that they didn't like you, and pulling you aside and taking you out? What about them waiting for you in your home, deciding that your taste in books breeds chaos, and killing you for it without a single word? This? This is dangerous, but no more than any other day under their boots. Take a deep breath, and try it. Throw away your gun after one kill if you don't like the feel of it. They'll never know it was you anyway." The patrons of the underground bar paused for a moment, and then several of them stepped forwards. "Good." He said. "You can do this. I believe in you."

The troopers saluted him. He had a serious, dark look on his face. 'How could this have happened?!?' He thought to himself. 'This is an outrage! A complete outrage! Not a single one of them should be-' he blinked in surprise as he saw the man in his office. He sat at his chair with a serious expression on his face. He wore a formal outfit and had an odd weight to his presence, as if the entire room was darker just because he was in it. It was almost hard to breathe. He swallowed. "W-who are you!" He demanded. "Sit down." The man commanded. For some reason, he felt he should listen. Despite all of his misgivings, he shook off the feeling. "I will NOT be ordered to sit down in my own office! I am not going to be taken for a fool by-" The man in his chair stared at him. The look in his eyes... He felt himself shaking. This man... He sat down. "Why did you allow this to happen?" He demanded. Oh. Oh no. This man...he must have been sent by...oh god. "S-sir... this is only a minor criminal group. It is nothing to be...to be..." he swallowed. "To be concerned about." "Concerned? This is not a matter of concern, governor. This is a matter of COMPETENCE." The force of the one word shook him. He tried to open his mouth to protest, but was interrupted. "Competence, governor. Yours." The look in his eyes got darker. It was like his eyes were burning into him. Like they were cold, so cold that it sucked all of the air out of him. He couldn't breathe. "I-I...s-s-sir...I...I..." He couldn't breathe. "They don't know about it yet. None of them do. I do." His anger made him shrink back into his chair. If he hadn't been sitting, he would have collapsed onto the floor and started crying by now. Only the hard supports of the arms of the chair prevented this. "I can help you." "What?" He managed. "I can help you." He repeated. "What do you mean?" "I mean that I can help you." "...why?" "Profit. Mine." This...this was familiar to him. He could do this. This made sense. He didn't need to know who he was. He didn't need to know who he reported to. So long as he got out of this, it would be fine. He just needed to make sure this man was paid, and everything would be fine. "What do you...what do you need?" "I want the prisons. Half of this worlds current wealth, and rights to half of the prisons on this world. Legitimate rights, nothing under the table that could have you squirm away from this, or that would get you investigated for embezzling and would ruin this for me." His eyes focused intently on him. It almost hurt just seeing them. "You couldn't afford the consequences of this otherwise." "I-I understand, sir."

A woman in armor hid in the shadows of the rooftop. "How many in the hideout?" "About a hundred." "How many outside of it?" "I dunno. I'd estimate about a hundred fifty." "Really? You're putting both of them about even?" "Well, one side theoretically has more, but also I don't know about outside of the hideout." "So, now are you finally going to tell me who my target is?" "There are two." "I thought you said that this job would be one shot fired?" "It is." She could hear the humor in his voice. "Did you know that your voice sounds really cool in that helmet of yours? It's a nice voice filter." "Thank you. Do try to stay on topic though." She replied. She was enjoying herself here, but he had been really evasive as to what, exactly, she was doing there. "Two targets, one shot, and one choice, Tali." He said. "Choice?" "You get to choose, either way, it's all the same to me." "What is this choice of yours?" "Down on the streets there, there is an imperial governor. He is personally leading his forces, and he is a clever strategist. He knows what needs to be done for this operation, and he has a fairly good chance at victory here." "And? Who is the other target?" There was a small pause. "A door panel." "What?" "Yes. A door panel." "How would that matter in any way at all?" "The hideout there has two exits. One at the front, and one far off in the back. The second target is the control for the door. Shoot it, and it will be sealed off, closing the resistance forces only way of escape, leaving them trapped and easy to pick off, one by one. Your choice. Kill the governor and allow the resistance to win, to call the rebels and liberate the planet, or shoot a single door panel, and close off all escape, ending all thoughts of victory in this place once and for all. The whole world is in your hands. Choose what to do with it. Either way, you'll still get paid." He was laughing to himself. The call ended. What kind of a choice was this? Why would he do any of this? Well, it didn't matter to her, in the end. A single silenced blaster fired. The sun fell over the horizon. The darkness crept in and the doors sealed themselves shut never to open again. Manic, intoxicated laughter could be heard on top of the resistance base. He was there. "Can't you hear it? The entire world, stood still on a point, a knifes edge and frozen in a balance, a stalemate, and now it's all crumbling! All of it! All of it falling apart! Every face, every voice, every thought they ever had, all of it shattered! You made this world! Haha. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" He saw it all moving as it happened. Saw through the troopers eyes, felt their movements, their emotions. Felt the color drain from the resistance members faces. Felt their hopelessness, their fear. Felt them as they desperately tried to hide away, their ragged breaths as they shook as the footsteps approached, their hearts stopping as they saw the lights of the troopers guns focus on them. The cruel pride the troopers felt as they did it all. He even whispered some hiding places into some of their heads, just as an added bonus. There was no way he could have lost this. In either case, he would have won. Now though, at this moment, he felt it. This is what he had wanted from her. Unrelenting, devoid of mercy, and certain of her choices. This, he thought, was a wonderful, momentous night.

#Star Wars #Sith Lord #Tali

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lookbluesoup · 6 years ago

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OC Interview Meme

Tagged by @tarberrymentats and @wastelandwandererstuff B)

SORRY IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO GET TO THIS GUYS spring break kept me busy xD But I AM BACK NOW AND READY TO ANSWER THESE TAGS THANK U ALL <33 It’s been a blast getting to read about everyone’s Fallout characters ;w; I’m trying to get braver about leaving comments/reblogs but in the meantime just know I SEE YOUR AWESOME CHARACTERS and I APPRECIATE THEM.

This was actually a challenge answering from Nate’s POV xD There’s stuff that I KNOW ABOUT HIM AND WANT TO SHARE but he wouldn’t volunteer or he wouldn’t view the same way so… take it for what it is! And feel free to ask questions! ;w;

It is long. Long long long. Not sorry. 16, 19, 28, and 33 are my favorites c;

1. What is your name?

Oh. Wow. We’re starting this interview off with some tough ones, hunh? Uhh… hm. My name. My name… Let me think. (overly dramatic pause) Nathaniel Christian Ronan? Yeah. That sounds right.

2. Do you know why are you named that?

I was told my name means “God has given,” because my parents didn’t actually think they’d be able to have a second kid. That and Pops was an army chaplain - wanted me to have a name reflecting the faith. He was very literal in his approach. Ronan is an Irish surname, which seemed a lot more important 200 years ago than it does today. It means… uh, oh, shoot, I used to know… Don’t worry, it’ll come to me.

3. Are you single or taken?

(chuckles) Sorry folks, my roving days are over. Got a nosy reporter waiting for me back in Diamond City... whatever time I’ve got left I’m giving it to her.

4. Have any abilities or powers?

Powers? What, like, superpowers? That’d be awesome but, hah, no. Though I’ve been told my ability to talk myself out of trouble is uncanny. My martinis were legendary, and still would be if I find the ingredients for them in this apocalyptic wasteland. Friends say I’ve got a good ear for music… Oh, and ventriloquism. That’s always fun.

5. Stop being a Mary Sue.

I know you are but what am I?

6. What’s your eye color?

Blue, like my grandmother. (blinks dramatically several times for emphasis)

7. How about your hair color?

Coal back. (runs a hand through it almost nervously) And holding up better than the rest of me, considering the complete lack of well-deserved grey hair.

8. Have any family members?

I have a son, Shaun. Piper gave me roots, and Nat’s pretty much my little sister, too, at this point. The Railroad’s been more family to me than most of my own blood ever was.

9. Oh? How about pets?

Legs Washington, an orphaned radstag I brought to the Castle. He’s a bit of a mascot for the men, follows Shaun everywhere. Yeah, it’s adorable.

10. That’s cool, I guess. Now tell me something you don’t like?

You guess? Look, after this interview, I’m taking you to the Castle to meet them yourself. Your life will be changed. There’s plenty to dislike about the Commonwealth, enough to go mad over. It’s not exactly the charming old homestead of days gone by. But we’re making it better one day at a time.

11. Do you have any activities/hobbies that you like to do?

Hah! “Duck and Cover” is a big one. Got me suspended from Railroad HQ once, though. I still say that was Deacon’s fault. I like long walks through the woods, playing baseball with Shaun, and a General’s work is never done but it does bring fulfillment. I like all those activities infinitely better when Piper’s around. Is that mushy? God, that sounds mushy. (smiles shamelessly)

12. Have you ever hurt anyone in any way before?

Yeah. Some deserved it… some I’m still trying to make up for.

13. Ever… killed anyone before?

(stops smiling) Yeah. I have. You want a kill count? Six-word soundbites about all the blood and screams and the way men look when they realize they’re about to die? It’s not a fun fact. It’s not fun. Next question.

14. Name your worst habits?

I’m afraid that information’s classified. I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. OH! LITTLE SEAL. That’s what Ronan means! Yeah, you know, like, selkie babies.

15. Are you gay, straight or bisexual?

Aha… seriously? I’m Pipersexual, end of story. Unless you count the undying affection between my best mate Deacon, and me, which I’ve been told occasionally inspires jealousy. Honestly, I never gave putting a name to my romantic inclinations much thought. It’s always been women, but maybe I just never met the right man.

16. Do you look up to anyone at all?

Piper, for sure. She’s - the way she sees the world? It gives me hope. She’s brave, brave enough to fight for what she believes in. No matter how bad it gets she always finds a light to hold onto, somehow, and keep going. And she’s genuine. I didn’t know what courage really was until I met her. Scribbles’ friendship is… a hell of a lot more than I deserve. I wouldn’t be the same without it. And, God, she’s funny. Sweet, and - a-ha, hm… we’d be here all day if I tried to list all the reasons why I love her.

I also have immense respect for Nick Valentine. He’s a good guy. Without ‘im, I might still be chasing my tail out in the woods somewhere. Or worse. Nick was a friend to me when I needed it most, put everything on the line to help me find my son - didn’t even hesitate. I’ll never be able to repay him for that.

17. What kind of animal are you?

One of a kind. (winks)

18. Do you go to school?

The Commonwealth has a way of schooling everyone, doesn’t it? I’m a bit too old for arithmetic and hall passes, but I never stop learning, if that’s what you mean.

19. Ever want to marry and have kids one day?

I’-ve… been down that road before. (breaks eye contact abruptly) Times were uncertain enough when Shaun was born. Now? Scribbles and I roll the dice every day of our lives. Asking her to marry me – starting over – was the scariest thing I’ve ever done. A baby would be, uh, a really big change. (smiles briefly, uncertain) Maybe if – no, I don’t know. Piper’s never shown any desire for something like that. If she did – even if she did... (sighs) I – look. Let’s just move on, okay?

20. Do you have any fangirls/fanboys?

Oh yeah, I have an ensemble of groupies that follow me around the wasteland with a pack brahmin and an eyebot.They pitch my tent for me and cook all my meals. I pay for services with my autograph instead of caps. (rolls eyes, but keeps a smile)

21. What are you most afraid of?

Losing someone I love. I know we don’t get any guarantees out here in the wasteland, but… loss never gets any easier. It makes it hard to open up, y’know? I spent a long time keeping folks who cared about me at arm’s length, and some days it’s still a challenge.

22. What do you usually wear?

What you see is what you get! Derbys, slacks, a shirt as white as I can get it in these conditions, and a black vest, because that never goes out of style. My favorite hat is - take a look at this. It’s a bicorne. Has anyone worn that since the French Revolution? It’s great. I love it. Piper doesn’t.

23. What’s one food that tempts you?

You know what I miss? Chocolate. I’d kill for chocolate. … kidding.

24. Am I annoying to you?

Hah! I married a journalist. This is just another Tuesday.

25. Well, it’s still not over!

Look, if I’m not back by seven…

26. What class are you (low/middle/high)?

I mean… it’s not like anyone’s ‘wealth’ compares to what it was like before the war. I’m not living off charred molerat, but I certainly won’t be moving into the Upper Stands anytime soon. Most of what I have, I made myself.

27. How many friends do you have?

More than I deserve. Piper and Deacon are probably my two best friends though. Nick, Preston, and Kent oughta be mentioned, too.

28. What are your thoughts on pie?

You mean those damn perfectly preserved slices stuck in the Port-A-Diners? God, I’ve tried everything. I spent an entire afternoon trying to break in. What is the glass even made of? I couldn’t put a scratch on it. You have to just keep pushing the button. Over and over. I’m convinced it’s all some Vault-Tec conspiracy. There is no pie. The pie is a lie. Piper says she managed it once, but I don’t believe her.

29. Favorite drink?

Nuka cherry! No question.

30. What’s your favorite place?

There’s a spot up at the top of Diamond City. I mean the top top, even higher than the Stands. Clear night with a full moon? You can see for miles. Can’t be beat.

31. Are you interested in anyone?

You’ve - been listening, right? Aha, was I unclear about being madly in love?

32. That was a stupid question…

You’d be surprised how often it gets asked. (chuckles)

33. Would you rather swim in a lake or the ocean?

Lake. Definitely. I’m marginally less likely to get eaten there. That being said, I was up in Maine once, went out to pick lure weed. You know, those radioactive yellow flowers that grow in muddy ponds? Bad idea.Terrible idea. Maine is a terrible place and I will not be building a summer home there e-ver.

34. What’s your type?

Kickass reporters with the brightest hazel eyes you’ve ever seen, hair like Aphrodite, and a smile to make you melt.

35. Any fetishes?

Look, you’re very nice. Really. And I appreciate the interest, but ah, this isn’t any of your business. Only one person gets to ask me about those and - you aren’t her.

36. Camping or outdoors?

Camping? Oh man, those were the days. An RV trip would be the bomb. It’s not much of an option these days. But I’m used to sleeping rough, and I gotta admit, it has its charm.

#anyone who hasn't done this is tagged #nate ronan #meme #tag #oc interview #screenshot #pipan #piper x sole #fallout #fallout 4

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jiangsspace · 6 years ago

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Min Yoongi | Sugar Daddy

Pairing: Min Yoongi x fem!reader

Word count: 8K

Genre: sugar daddy!au, smut

Warnings! dom!yoongi, sub!reader, cursing, explicit masturbation and unprotected sex, breathplay, spanking, ropes, belts, handcuffs etc…, escorting, sugaring, slight name-calling...

Min Yoongi was a powerful man with what seemed like an infinite bank account and endless houses scattered all over the world. He had an abundance of cars, expensive watches and clothes that were so expensive they could pay off your student loan. Min Yoongi was an influential man with so many enemies he needed to have a bodyguard at his house and another one protecting him at all times. His business was flourishing and he had all the wealth in the world some people would only dream of in their wildest dreams. The world was at his feet but the riches and the silk beddings were not enough. The cars and the penthouses although beautiful felt empty. There was something missing.

And not to whine but when you are as rich as Min Yoongi you can’t trust anyone. People change their personalities just to get money from him or boost their social status. No, Min Yoongi only had three people in his life he could trust and he paid for their presence. Kim Namjoon and Jung Hoseok— his bodyguards as well as Kim Taehyung the secretary and personal assistant. They were all loyal to him and answered to no one else but him. Needless to say, he paid them good money to stay that way.

When you got into the university of your dreams life seemed perfect. Obviously, this wasn’t going to be cheap and you knew it. You were going to have to work your butt off if you wanted to get excellent grades. But with university studies came the student loans. Luckily, you had managed to land a job as a waitress early on in your studies but as the months went by you realised that the money you were making waiting tables wasn’t going to cut it. You needed to make more money somehow.

One night you had agreed to go to this party with Jungkook. He had been begging and whining saying he didn’t want to go alone. Why did you always give in to his deer-like eyes? Besides, as soon as you stepped into the house Jungkook had already disappeared from your side even if he had explicitly sworn not to ditch you like he did at every party.

Minutes later he came back with two cups and drank both of them. He wanted to dance, he felt like crying but he wanted to have fun. Jungkook was such a chaotic personality you had a hard time imagining him ever taking a break.

Jungkook dragged you out of the crowd and sat you down on a couch you most definitely didn’t want to be sitting on. But Jungkook’s eyes locked you in place and as he spoke you weighed whether or not you should just punch the kid in the face to knock him out and call it a day. You had an exam soon and you really wanted to study.

But what Jungkook was saying rendered you speechless. He had a successful family. His brother Hoseok, Hoseokie as he used to call him, worked as a bodyguard and apparently it paid well. And his mother and father owned a lucrative law firm.

“Hoseokie works for this uber rich dude...” he held his breath trying to remember his name. “I’ve seen his face and I could recognise it anywhere but I don’t know his name. Black hair last time I saw him, quite short... Anyway, Hoseokie revealed that he’s looking for a woman to spend time with.” Jungkook leaned closer lowering his voice even further.

“The CEO keeps rejecting every single one he proposes. I suggest you send in your profile and see what happens.” Jungkook sat up straight with a million-dollar smile plastered on his flushed face like he had solved all of your financial problems.

“No,” you got up. “I’m not going to sell my body for some guy no matter how rich and able to pay off my student loan he is.”

”But Y/N!” Jungkook called after you but you didn’t feel like hearing his arguments on why you should do it. You were not going to let someone use your body in exchange for money.

Jungkook latched himself onto your arm. ”He’s a proper guy from what I’ve heard from Hoseok. Besides he’s a businessman who needs to maintain a clean and good image. He wouldn’t do anything to you.”

”Sounds an awful lot like Fifty Shades to me,” you cocked an eyebrow at him while attempting to free your numbed arm.

Jungkook nudged closer to your side and kept on reassuring you. Somehow it was working because at this point you were starting to actually think this through.

”I might look into it but don’t celebrate your victory yet. I haven’t decided if I really want to do this or not.” You sighed in defeat. What did you get yourself into?

The first call came during a lecture but since you had pretty much forgotten about the whole ordeal you simply pressed decline and put your phone on silence without batting an eye. Whoever was calling could wait until the end of class.

“Hello, this is Y/N L/N. You attempted to contact me earlier but I was occupied.”

“Hello! My name is Kim Taehyung. I’m Mister Min’s assistant. Yes, I tried to contact you earlier about a contract settlement. When would you have time to drop by the office?”

“Wait— what? A contract?” You couldn’t help but repeat every word Kim Taehyung had spoken. Jungkook’s words kept bouncing in your head.

“The CEO keeps rejecting every single one he proposes. The CEO keeps rejecting every single one. The CEO keeps rejecting...”

Taehyung’s voice brought you back to reality.

“Yes, Mister Min wants to settle a contract with you. How about tomorrow morning?”

You fidgeted with the hem of your blush button-down. Why were you doing this in the first place?

“Is he free today?” You blurted out amazed at your own audacity. There was a short silence on Taehyung’s side but soon his voice filled your ears.

“Mister Min had a meeting this evening but it got cancelled. I could suggest he see you then? He’s at another meeting at the moment but let me call you back in two hours. Would that be okay?”

You gulped almost audibly yet managed to get out a yes, absolutely.

“Who were you talking to?” Jungkook glued himself to your side and grabbed your arm.

“You are never going to believe me.” You sighed loudly. “Mister Min’s assistant Kim Taehyung called me. Apparently, the boss wants to settle a contract with me.”

Jungkook’s eyes lit up.

“Oh yes!” He yelled in glee. “This is exactly what we wanted!”

No!” You shrugged Jungkook off. “No! This is what you wanted.” You hissed through gritted teeth while staring Jungkook in the eyes.

“Y/N, I promise you this is something not to be afraid of. He’s a good man and he’ll take care of you.” You still stared Jungkook in the eyes dumbfounded and ready to slap your friend— mostly out of recognition for his solution but your pride couldn’t allow you to thank him. Not yet. Dragging Jungkook out into the sunlight you turned around dramatically to prove your point as you hissed some more.

“I’m going to have to sleep with him!”

“Actually, not all sugar babies sleep with their sugar...” Jungkook spoke so matter-of-factly it drove you insane.

“Stop saying sugar baby.”

“When are you meeting with him?” He changed the subject while leading you to his car.

“Maybe tonight.” You admitted as you put on your seatbelt purposefully avoiding Jungkook’s gaze.

“Tonight?!” He roared. “What?” You felt red creeping up your cheeks as you felt Jungkook’s eyes piercing your skin.

“Tonight and you didn’t tell me.”

“Well, I just got off the phone when you plastered yourself onto my hip.” What a lame excuse. Jungkook reversed from his parking spot and got off campus.

“Where to m’lady?” He giggled. You just wanted to go home.

Your hands were shaking when you searched for Jungkook’s phone number on your contact list.

“Hey, what’s up?” His voice was hoarse like he had just taken a nap instead of studying for the exam he had no idea even existed.

“So, turns out...” your voice was shaking as well. “Turns out he’s free tonight. I’m going to meet Mister Min tonight.”

“Min Yoongi,” Jungkook replied back. “His name is Min Yoongi. I looked it up online ‘cause it was so annoying not being able to connect the name and the face.”

“Are you listening to me?” Your voice was starting to get hoarse too. ”Are you fucking listening to me?!”

”Woah! Y/N!” Jungkook stood up straight in his bed. ”It’s the first meeting. You are just going to talk about the contract, the things you are comfortable with doing and about the things you don’t want to sign up for. He’s not going to fuck you on the first day.” Jungkook’s voice softened as he spoke. ”Besides, you can still withdraw from everything. Don’t sign anything and you’re free to go.”

”I want to punch you so bad.” Tears were streaming down your eyes and onto your laptop. ”I so want to punch you. Why did you persuade me into this?”

”Sugaring is not just about sex, Y/N.” Jungkook was scolding you now. ”I mean, yeah, there are daddies who just do it for the sex and some babies who do it just for the money, but there are good daddies out there who only crave social interaction and a human contact. It’s not just this dirty business of people humping each other and pouring money onto each other. It’s about friendship and investment.” Jungkook stopped talking and for a moment neither of you spoke a word. Only your soft sobs were heard.

”I’m afraid.” You whispered ashamed of your initial reaction towards sugaring. Jungkook was right. You could withdraw at any moment if you wanted to.

”If it makes you feel any better, I once had a sugar daddy who paid me to spend time with him.” Jungkook’s confession made you speechless.

”Wait...” you sounded dumbfounded. ”You were a baby once?”

”Yeah,” Jungkook chuckled. ”And I liked it. The guy was nice. He was young and rich and lonely.” Jungkook put an emphasis on the word lonely.

”When’s your meeting?” Jungkook softened his voice once again.

”In two hours.” You recalled. ”What should I wear?” Your voice getting higher in pitch once you remembered you had to get ready.

”Something casual yet stylish. Since you don’t know his taste yet go with something neutral. Nothing too flashy to scare him off but nothing too sexy either. You’re not there just to sell on your looks but your mind. Use your brain to lure him in.” Jungkook instructed shuffling in his bed to get a better position.

”How about that black dress I got last week with a belt and some high heeled ankle boots?” You scrunched up your nose waiting for Jungkook’s judgment.

”As long as you feel bomb as fuck, it should do the trick. Remember, you sell your personality and your looks. You’re a bomb package that he must want to purchase at the end of this interview.”

”Sounds so wrong...” you sighed exasperatedly.

”Yet it feels so good.”

”Will I have to call him daddy?” You asked while putting Jungkook on speaker. He was silent for a while.

”Not necessarily. It depends on him, I guess. But if he’s not a dick he’ll probably ask you what you’re comfortable with.”

”Did you… did you have sex with your sugar daddy?” The word was already so much more natural in your mouth that you didn’t have a difficulty saying it out loud.

”I did. But it doesn’t mean that you’ll have to.” Jungkook answered relieving some of the anxiety off your shoulders.

”I mean. Should I tell my sugar daddy that… that I haven’t had sex? Ever.” You dropped down into a deep squat in embarrassment.

A black car was waiting for you outside when you stepped out of the comfort of your studio. The black car looked expensive and something you definitely could never afford.

”I guess he really is uber rich like Jungkook says.” Your phone vibrated in your brown clutch and you stopped to check the message.

As you approached the sleek car a man dressed in black got out and went to open the door for you.

”Are you here to pick up Y/N L/N?” You asked holding the clutch closer to your chest. The man simply nodded and showed a business card with your name written on it as well as a serial code Taehyung had asked you to memorize to prove you were you. The man didn’t say anything he just held the card in front of your face. He looked like a bodyguard judging by the earpiece he was sporting. He waited until you had slid inside the car before pushing the door closed with a thud and getting behind the wheel.

He hadn’t spoken a word since you first laid eyes on him but the atmosphere in the car stopped you from sparking a conversation. This Min Yoongi sure seemed like an uptight and secretive man. Even the car’s interior design was oozing money with smooth leather to the touch and cup holders. There was even an old-school telephone.

The black car glided across the road the engine purring like a content cat. The man definitely had an eye for cars. You tried to peer through the windows where you were headed but you didn’t recognise the area. Most likely he wanted to meet at his office before deciding if he really wanted to go through with this. Seeing the skyscrapers against the dark night sky was beautiful. And the city lights that reflected through all that glass? Just magnificent.

Suddenly the car became to a halt and you turned your gaze to the front. Oh, red light. You thought you were already there. Your heart jumped into your throat when you thought about meeting your future boss.

”Excuse me?” Your soft voice called out. The driver’s eyes met yours through the rear mirror. ”Are we far away?”

”Five more minutes, miss.” His voice was deep but the small reassuring dimple smile he sent your way helped the butterflies in your stomach to settle down.

”Five more minutes.” You repeated in your head while turning your gaze back to the night sky.

The scenery looked the same while you stayed on the highway but as soon as the car took a left and started climbing up the smaller roads.

Jungkook had googled Min Yoongi for you as you got ready with your hair and makeup. A young 25-year-old owner of a multimillionaire business and affiliate of multiple very successful daughter companies, Min Yoongi was from a family bathing in wealth. He had his education in the finest private schools and went to a very prestigious university in South Korea. He spent a few years in the US perfecting his English. On top of that, he can speak German, Japanese and Chinese nearly fluently. His mind seemed so powerful. How on earth did he take interest in you? You were a simple girl who moved from the countryside to chase her dreams in a big city.

The car stopped again and this time you realised you were in a garage. The lights were dim, but as the dimpled driver got out of the car the lights would blink and light the entire garage. You went to open the door for yourself but the driver beat you to it and motioned for you to step outside. You noticed the other expensive black cars which looked identical to one another.

The male tapped his earpiece once with a stern face. He looked frozen in place and you stood there like a fool clutching the purse close to your chest not knowing what to do with your hands.

”If you’ll follow me, miss.” The deep voice called out bringing you back from your thoughts. Your heels clicked against the concrete as you stepped into the elevator. There were so many floors, you noticed. The driver inserted a key into a hole and twisted it. You were going to the highest floor. Maybe it was too late to point out that you were afraid of heights at this point.

The elevator music was a generic piece that was overly joyful compared to the thick air in the elevator. Was he instructed not to talk to you? Or was he just always this... joyful? The ride seemed to take forever but once you reached the penthouse the elevator made an annoying ding sound.

The doors opened and you stepped out. The driver simply gave you a shy smile as the doors closed. You were so lost. What were you supposed to do now? You turned on your heels for a while taking in the penthouse. It was dark with a few lights here and there. The most impressive view of Seoul was spread before you where the large windows were located. You approached the glass with wavering steps but you managed to get close enough to admire the lit night sky. The starts and lights of the city mixed together and reflected off each other. You couldn’t help but gasp at the beauty when suddenly you heard footsteps from behind you and a figure reflected through the glass.

Letting out a yelp you turned around to be greeted by a red-haired male. Tall and slender he had a kind face and a boxy smile.

”Hello, my name is Kim Taehyung. I’m happy to meet you!” The male approached you with his hand extended to you. You took it relieved to know there were people around him able to start a conversation.

”Y/N,” you introduced yourself.

”I hope the car ride here was pleasant.” Taehyung made small talk as he offered to take your coat from you.

”It was pleasant. I don’t live far away from here anyway,” you answered shaking the coat off your shoulders.

”Well, good good!” Taehyung smiled warmly. ”Mister Min should be here any minute. He took a little more time with his last meeting but is on his way here.”

Taehyung led you to what looked like the kitchen and offered a drink while you waited.

”I would just like a water, please. I don’t wish to be drunk on my first meeting,” you tried to crack a little joke to lighten the mood, although it wasn’t really necessary with Taehyung. You already felt so much more at ease with him than with the driver with the adorable dimples.

”One glass of refreshingly cold water coming up,” he pretended to be a bartender and poured you a drink in a tall glass.

”Are you nervous?” Taehyung asked as you sipped on your water.

”I have no idea what to expect.” You admitted. ”It’s my first time doing something… something like this.”

Taehyung gave you an understanding look. He poured you more water as he noticed the drink half empty.

”You’ll do great!” He assured you but you couldn’t quite take his words for it. He leaned in with a slight hint of mischief.

”I’ll let you in on a secret.” He whispered. ”You are the first female to step foot in this penthouse.”

While his intent was to reassure you your mind couldn’t help but blurt out.

”I heard he has other penthouses around the world.” Taehyung smile froze but it soon turned into laughter. He laughed for a good fifteen seconds before settling for a chuckle.

”It is true. He has other penthouses, but this is his...” Taehyung opened his mouth but was quickly silenced by another voice coming from the living room which had a view to the kitchen.

”Are you telling her my secrets?” The voice spoke. It was a tired, hoarse voice. A voice that had been used all day for speaking out words. When you turned to face the voice your spine straightened itself automatically. Why was he so handsome?

He had silver hair and a crisp black suit that almost made him look like a god. Taehyung’s smile was wiped off his face at the sight of his boss and it showed in Taehyung’s posture.

”No, sir!” He spoke clearly and avoided eye contact with you now. You felt like you had to get up as well. Min Yoongi had not given you permission to sit on his stool, but you felt so numb suddenly that you feared falling if you got up now.

The smooth businessman approached the island and grabbed a clean glass from the cupboard pouring some pre-carbonated water from the fridge.

”I see Taehyung has already treated you to some water.” He spoke again taking a long sip from his drink.

”Yes. Thank you.” You blurted out from reflex. Why did you suddenly feel so dumb in his presence? You were almost the same age as him being a year older. Normally, you would tutor entire lecture halls and not feel this intimidated but when it came to him you were like a small child having a hard time searching for the proper words.

”Taehyung, grab my briefcase from the hallway and have everything ready in the office, will you?” Yoongi spoke without breaking eye contact with you and Taehyung did as he was told.

Suddenly self-conscious of your body and the space you were taking in his kitchen and under his gaze made you uncomfortable and he saw it in the way you fidgeted with your clutch and coughed softly.

”Am I making you uncomfortable?” He inquired while taking another sip of carbonated water.

”Is that a trick question?” You bravely responded with a slightly wavering voice.

”No.” He replied simply. ”Am I making you uncomfortable?” He repeated.

”As someone who really needs this,” you whispered to yourself.

”I must say you don’t make me particularly comfortable either.” You were baffled by the way you were speaking to this man. He owned so many properties you didn’t have enough fingers and toes to count them and he had powerful allies that could destroy you if you went and crossed him.

And here you were talking so bravely to him. You wanted to call Jungkook so bad to come and pick you up. Maybe if you asked where the toilets were and barricaded yourself in there could give your friend a call.

Taehyung appeared behind Yoongi and cleared his throat gently to notify his boss everything was ready for the actual last meeting of today.

You got up from the kitchen stool and to your pleasant surprise, you were able to walk and not have your legs give in. Even with heels on you were at least ten centimetres shorter than him which however didn’t surprise you. You were always the shortest of the bunch.

Yoongi walked beside you leading the way by having his palm slightly hover above the small of your back but never touching you.

The walls were adorned with beautiful paintings and breathtaking sceneries but his office was something completely different. Dark mahogany from floor to ceiling giving a very masculine feel to it. The black leather chairs and sofa by the window providing a perfect place to discuss business with the view of Seoul underneath you spreading out like a magnificent disco ball.

”Excuse the masculine setting,” Yoongi spoke out as he read your face and expressions. You turned to look at him and the moonlight shone on your silky hair in a way that almost punched the air out of the older male’s lungs. You were different than the other girls he could feel it ever since he saw you banter with Taehyung.

”This is perfect.” You almost whispered as you took in the large bookshelves behind him.

”I was closest to this place and I’ve been on my feet since four in the morning. Selfishly I wanted an easy place to meet.” He felt like a schoolboy stuttering in front of a girl although he ignored your reciprocated feelings. Never had you felt so small in the presence of another human being. The aura that was oozing from him or the authority he seemed to carry were making you succumb to him. Surrender even.

”This is perfect.” You repeated. ”I live close anyway so there’s no trouble.”

Yoongi’s eyes lit up at those words but he did everything he could to hide that. Instead, he took a step closer to the desk and grabbed the papers Taehyung had neatly arranged on the mahogany table.

”Shall we sit by the window as we get to know each other?” He suggested and held his arm straight to give you room to pass him. His eyes called for you to sit down which you did. Folding your ankles and leaning to the right you tried to appear as natural as possible while sitting on leather that was probably as expensive as your life insurance.

”Would you like to take a look at the contract first?” His eyes gazed into yours like a cat— mesmerisingly dark and glistening in the lights. You couldn’t help but gulp. ”Would you like to take a look at the contract first?”

”Yes, please.” You answer his gaze with equal power and he is taken aback by it. The boldness of your action giving him goosebumps and rendering him motionless. All the other girls had sheepishly turned their gaze in order to please him, but you met him head on and almost dared to defy his authority. Yoongi was pleased to know he had made the right choice.

Handing the contract over to you. Starting from page one you read everything with care. There were a lot of rules you would have to obey and you were fine with that. You could understand a man like him had a lot of corporate secrets and you could respect that. And then you flipped to the different requirements.

”No pubic hair?” You read out loud. Yoongi cocked an eyebrow at that.

”Is that an issue?” He voiced his concerns. ”I’m willing to make alterations to the contract.”

You looked at him with amusement in your eyes and in your voice as you spoke.

”No, no. It merely surprised me, that’s all.” His posture seemed to relax instantly as you spoke. He leaned back against the back of the chair and loosened his tie. That night you learned that a simple gesture could be so sexy and ooze so much masculinity to last a lifetime.

”Willing to participate in breathplay?” Now your inexperience was starting to take the limelight. You had no idea what half of these requirements were. Yoongi leaned closer to you and read the line again to himself.

”Breathplay.” He repeated. ”The act of choking while constraining the flow of air.” His voice lowered as he took a deep breath. It seemed as if he liked what he was smelling since he lingered on it for another breath before leaning back to his original position. Blessed Jungkook!

”I’m sorry for the stupid questions,” you hid your embarrassment by hiding your face behind the contract but Min Yoongi was onto you and stood up straight towering over you. He looked down with hooded eyes as you looked up with big eyes. You looked like the deer caught in the headlights of the white Aston Martin that one vacation in Canada when his father drove straight into the poor animal. The memory still gave Yoongi the shivers and looking at you looking so vulnerable made him feel responsible for protecting you. Whether or not you accepted the contract he was going to keep an eye on you. Yoongi made a mental note of that.

The rest of the night went by like lightning. Before you knew it was almost two in the morning as you were sat on Yoongi’s leather sofa in the living room sipping on water and talking about your childhood. Yoongi seemed genuinely interested in your ability to take care of a farm but then again he must’ve been a great pretender. You were just telling him how you used to milk cows every morning before heading to school when your phone vibrated.

”Do you mind if I look who it is?” You tried to make your voice as apologetic as possible. Yoongi nodded his head and got up to get you some more water. It was five to two and you had lectures tomorrow morning. You got up and scrambled to get your coat. But Yoongi stopped you before you could press the elevator button.

”Where are you going?” He asked taken aback by your sudden desire to leave.

”I have lectures tomorrow and— and have you seen the time?” You laughed softly like bells swinging in a slight breeze. ”Time went by so fast and I’ll be dead tomorrow during classes.” You attempted to mask the pain with more soft chuckles.

”Sleep here,” Yoongi spoke out. Anything to have you stay. He was going to say everything and anything just so you wouldn’t walk out that door.

”Yoongi,” you spoke softly as you walked closer to him the coat still folded across your arms. ”I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

”What do you mean?” Yoongi whispered as you stopped at an arm's length. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. You weren’t supposed to affect him so deeply. Yoongi didn’t want you to affect him so profoundly. It made him weak and susceptible to heartbreak. You were like a drug. A powerful drug.

”This was our first meeting. We shouldn’t” a deep sigh. ”— on the first day.” You smiled with hooded lids. You were half-asleep!

Yoongi wanted so bad as to wrap his arms around your body and rock you to sleep, but you were right about the first day. This was the first time he wanted someone to stay over for the night. The feeling was stronger than what he had ever felt with anyone. The few girls he had taken to a penthouse weren’t like you and he would always let them go before midnight but you were still here half asleep in your little black dress and black ankle boots. How could someone be so many different things at the same time? You were so many different things at the same time.

Yoongi fought the urge of wrapping your warm body into an embrace and instead took out his phone and dialled Hoseok’s number.

”Hoseok.” He spoke while staring at you. ”Yes, Y/N is still with me. Take her home, will you?” Yoongi sounded stern. He wanted to tell his bodyguard and friend to take this temptress away from him before he would be completely under your spell. Not that he would particularly mind it.

”And drive safely!” He ended the call and slipped the LG back into his pocket before grabbing your shoulder and leading you to the elevator.

In the meantime, Hoseok had started the engine and was waiting for you. Yoongi walked you to the elevator and pressed a button. The door closed on the penthouse and you were back in the generic elevator music. Apparently, sleepy you thought this was the perfect moment to bash his elevator music to which Yoongi couldn’t help but laugh. You were bold, sexy and adorable? How could he ever resist you? This was unfair on so many levels!

Watching Hoseok reverse from the garage and take you away was hard on Yoongi which made him angry. Why were you affecting him like this? Puzzled and angry he dialled Namjoon’s number.

”Namjoon.”

The image of you standing so close to him tired and eyes hooded was driving Yoongi crazy. The thought of almost having you under the same roof as him sleeping comforting yet dangerous at the same time. You were right about taking things slowly but had you realised your effect on him? Min Yoongi, confident and capable was suddenly squirming and panting in your presence. He felt like a poor dog wanting to please his mistress. And you just sat on the couch or the leather chair in his office unaware of the growing want in his pants.

Yoongi turned around in bed for the five-hundredth time but his attempts to fall asleep were futile. The thoughts in his head, the buzzing feeling in his body disrupted his slumber and pumped blood into his already hard member. Yoongi lifted the covers to inspect the situation and then groaned in exasperation. For a second the urge to palm himself over his boxers grew excruciatingly strong. Yoongi slammed his hands down beside his body to stop his wandering hands but soon he caved in and stood up straight. Balancing his body with his left hand Yoongi caressed his toned stomach which was already tensing up. Slowly ever so slowly his hand connected with the base of member and Yoongi shuttered quietly. Whether it was the cold air in the room or the image of you that was being painted in his head he didn’t know. All he knew was it felt good after such a long time.

Yoongi pictured the curve of your lips as you spoke. The small o-shape they would make as you pronounced certain words or the way they would curve up as you laughed. Yoongi’s hand felt warm against the delicate skin and he let a long thick moan escape his lips. His hand moved faster now and the soft sounds coming from the friction between his thighs was all you could hear in the room. That and his soft whimpers. Yoongi’s eyes were closed shut and a small adorned his forehead as he tried to distinguish between pain and pleasure. Yoongi pictured your body as you walked. The dress you had worn didn’t exactly give anything away which excited him even more. His hand quickened its pace further as the already red tip was spewing white thick pre-cum. The hot liquid trickled down his length and pooled at his bellybutton making a mess of the bedsheets.

Yoongi’s frown deepened as he pictured you standing in front of him. He was certain you had wanted to press yourself against him but stopped yourself just in time to maintain a distance between your possible future boss. Despite the weariness, you maintained a professional image which aggravated Yoongi even more as it would have given him an excuse to wrap his body around you and breathe in your scent. The image of you delicately placing yourself on his living room sofa imprinted in his brain. You arranged your dress to cover yourself more yet the movement of your hands momentarily revealed your thighs a little more and Yoongi swore he nearly nutted himself. Your gaze was down and your hair framed your face very flatteringly. The faint blush on your cheeks glowed in the moonlight and as you spoke you would dampen your lips with the slightest amount of saliva and almost threw Yoongi off the edge again.

Yoongi’s pace quickened and quickened as the pictures of you circulated in his brain. He panted and moaned and whined out his frustration and pain until he finally collapsed on his back and let thick white cum make a mess of him and his sheets. Sweat trickled down his forehead and as Yoongi closed his eyes he felt sleep take over.

”What about the mess?” He sighed but utterly defeated he let his body fall asleep.

You opened one eye because the alarm on your phone was being annoying. Checking the time you shot up in bed.

”Fuck!” Cursing you threw the covers off and scrambled to your closet for some clean clothes. Stumbling and almost falling you checked your feet. The dress you had worn yesterday had carelessly been thrown on the floor for you to stumble on now. Standing still you felt the material between your fingers. Images of Yoongi flooded your mind and a small stupid smile spread across your face as you thought about that man. His silver hair in the moonlight and his long fingers offering you a glass of water.

With a shake of your head and a big smile, you scrambled into your closet to grab some clean underwear and clothes for the day.

The kitchen wasn’t too messy so you found everything fairly easily but as you went to grab a mug from the cupboard you noticed a black car from the window. It was identical to the one that had picked you up yesterday. You were standing there with eyes wide from shock. Opening the window you peered out to make out the license plate but it wasn’t the same car as yesterday.

The driver must have seen you looking from the window because he rolled down the window and waved his hand at you. Slightly confused you still waved back at the man. He wasn’t the dimpled driver either by the way. This one had darker brown hair and he was shorter. Grabbing your school bag and coat you left without having breakfast.

You ran down the stairs and almost hit your nose against the door as you scrambled to get out of the building. The shorter driver had driven closer to you as you got out. You couldn’t help but stand in the doorway confusion written all over your face.

”Hello, I’m Hoseok. The one that drove you home last night— erhm this early morning.”

”Hey, uhm… what is going on?” You voiced your confusion out loud to which Hoseok just whipped his phone out.

”I got this text from Mister Min at five in the morning.”

Hoseok flipped the phone for you to see the conversation between boss and employee.

”He ordered to drive me to uni?” You repeated. ”Why?” And then it hit you.

”Your— you are Hoseok, right?” Now it was his turn to be confused. He simply nodded puzzled as to where you were going with this conversation.

”Do you by any chance have a brother called Jungkook?” You settled your voice and managed to sound stern.

”I do. He’s about your age.”

”I know him.” You exclaimed. ”We’re in the same year. He— he told me to do this!” You sounded more and more struck by the realization. You knew Jungkook’s brother worked for a rich dude but that that rich dude would end up being Yoongi came as a complete surprise to you.

Hoseok smiled with his entire set of teeth.

”We’re really close and we talk quite a bit, but don’t tell Mister Min.” He suddenly turned grey.

Checking the clock you were hurried in the car which shortly took off for the campus. During the ride, you bonded over similar personalities as well as Jungkook. Hoseok was so much more relaxed than Namjoon— you now learned his name.

Hoseok dropped you off and waved at you before he went to reverse from the parking lot as Jungkook poked your side.

”Why is my brother dropping you off on a Thursday morning?” He had a steaming takeout box in hand and his backpack loosely hanging from one of his broad shoulders. You just waved him off and headed inside. You were already late so you might as well head to the library to catch up on grammar.

”I was being serious, Y/N!” Jungkook called out after you.

”Yoongi told him to pick me up and drive me to school.” You grunted grumpily from your lack of sleep.

”What? Oh right.” Jungkook’s ability to stuff his face be it morning, noon or night was impressive. But you had to admit the smell of steaming hot fire noodles was making your mouth salivate.

”How did it go?” He tried to speak with a mouth full of food. ”Your interview?”

You shook your shoulders before they slumped down to the ground.

”I guess it went well.” You managed to mutter out.

”Well?” Jungkook exclaimed. ”He has his house bodyguard take you to uni— which Hoseok never gets to do. Leave the house that is. I guess that by the looks of it it went really well.” Jungkook kept stuffing his face so you had to bark at him.

”Give me a bite, please!” You stopped abruptly and grabbed the box from him.

”What happened exactly?” Jungkook inquired hands on his hips.

”I met his assistant Kim Taehyung first because — uhm because Yoongi was running late. We hit it off. Taehyung was so nice.” You closed your eyes at the sensation of steaming noodles warming your stomach.

”And then he came into the penthouse.” You remembered. ”I made a complete idiot out of myself. I almost talked like a close friend when I should’ve said something more professional.” Crouching down you wanted to be swallowed by the ground along with the noodles.

”I don’t think he was that impressed if I’m being honest.” You had blown off that one chance to get some help and now you were gonna have to go back to that shitty restaurant with its shitty clientele.

”He asked if he made me uncomfortable and I was sassy with him, Jungkook. Sassy!” You cried out to the sky for it to send a lightning to burn you in place.

”That’s not what Hoseok told me when he took you home at two in the morning,” Jungkook stated matter-of-factly and snatched his noodles back from your iron grasp.

”What do you mean?” You stood up and looked at your friend in the eyes. ”Don’t lie to me, Jungkook.”

”Hoseok told me Yoongi really liked you. Yoongi was reported to have said you were different than the others and that he liked that about you.” Jungkook’s attempts to reassure you were slowly working, but you still weren’t quite convinced it went well.

”He asked me about my childhood. What was I gonna do? Lie to him?” Were you being a little too dramatic?

”My childhood is not interesting but he kept on asking me about the farm and the animals.” You kept on speaking through Jungkook’s slurps.

”And when I tried to ask him about his life he stopped me and said he wanted to know about me more.” You acted confused by tilting your head and crunching your nose.

”What’s that supposed to mean?”

”It means he wants to know about you. He wants to hear you talk.” Jungkook assured you.

”But—” you began but Jungkook cut you off.

”No butts Y/N.” He snickered at his pun and you couldn’t help but punch him in the arm for his idiocy.

You tried to lift your spirits during the last lecture because you know you were going to need all the patience in the universe to go through another day at work. The lecture wasn’t very interesting and Jungkook had fallen asleep on his arm after a half hour of the professor talking. You looked at him as he slept and he did look a lot like his older brother but with black hair. Turning your attention back to the lecturer in the front your phone lit up at a text message. It was Yoongi.

”Jungkook!” You whisper-shouted which made Jungkook jump up in fear the cute lecturer had caught him sleeping again.

”What?” He whisper-shouted back annoyed that you interrupted his nap. You showed him your phone and the text Yoongi had sent you.

”He wants to meet again?” You asked Jungkook who was rubbing his eyes to remove the weariness.

”Maybe to talk about the contract again.” Jungkook yawned while facing you.

”Oh...” you entertained the thought for a second. ”Right, I didn’t sign anything and we pretty much just talked about my childhood.”

Another text came in as Jungkook placed his head back on the table.

This time Hoseok was driving farther away from the city. You noticed this when the scenery started to change and Hoseok owned up to having received orders to drive you to a more calm place.

”Yoongi doesn’t really like the city. He prefers the countryside because that’s where his grandparents are from.” Hoseok stated as he took a sharp turn left.

”So where are we going exactly?” You inquired from the backseat.

”This is Yoongi’s country home in Korea.”

”It feels like home.” You confessed closing the door thanking god you had the right shoes for walking on gravel and grass.

”Yoongi should be here any minute now. He’s a busy man.” Hoseok headed towards the house with a bunch of keys and his phone in hand.

”I figured.” You whispered mainly to yourself as you admired the scenery. This was close to what you had seen every day for almost sixteen years. The garden and the house were different but the feeling was the same.

The interior here was just as clean and calculated as the penthouse’s and very likely just as expensive. Wood was everywhere from the tables to the floor and ceiling.

From outside you could hear a car pull up. It was a monster-sized black Jeep. Hoseok went outside to greet Yoongi but you thought it was best to wait in the dining room which was just next to the main entrance.

It didn’t take long for the silver-haired to come inside. Yoongi took off his shoes and stepped in his demeanour already much more relaxed and refreshed.

”Y/N,” he greeted placing a brown envelope on the table. In the meantime, Hoseok had taken the company car and reversed from the estate.

”Hello,” you greeted back awkwardly not knowing how exactly to address him.

”I’m sorry for last night,” he cleared his throat. ”I kept you up late and you must be tired.” Yoongi’s voice wasn’t as deep during the day but you still enjoyed hearing him talk. He motioned for you to sit down.

”Last night we didn’t get the chance to talk about the entire contract.” Yoongi placed his hand on the contract and pushed it closer to you.

”Would you like to read it again and make alterations if needed?” He looked at you in the eyes which made you blush violently. How did one man have such an effect on you? Yoongi licked his lips in response.

How were you so stunning even dressed down? Yoongi bet you were just as beautiful with or without clothes.

You took the envelope and opened it slowly taking the important papers out.

”I’m going to miss work today.” You remembered but felt no anxiety over it.

”How much do you earn an hour?” Yoongi asked in return.

”Not much. 7530 won an hour.” Yoongi closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them he nodded.

”Let me pay you the money for a ten-hour shift.” His voice was stable as he kept on looking at you. Biting your lips you frowned.

”Is this it? The beginning.” You attempted to joke to lighten the mood which Yoongi caught and smiled in return.

”Not exactly.” He voiced. ”You haven’t signed the contract.”

You flipped through the pages again as Yoongi looked at you. There was nothing alarming that you wished to address. It all seemed quite vanilla and things you could get used to with practice and repetition.

”Could you add one thing?” You requested. Yoongi got up and leaned over your shoulder to look at the contract. His front was stopped by the back of the chair but it didn’t stop his fragrance to seep through his clothes and into your nose. He smelled good and you couldn’t help but close your eyes.

”What would you like me to add?” He spoke softly since he was close.

”There are some things I’m glad to try and fulfil for you,” you stopped red spreading across your cheeks. ”I wish you would give me time to adjust to all of these… positions.” You whispered eyes closing.

”Naturally,” Yoongi spoke placing a hand on the table next to you. Taking the pen from you he scribbled in good handwriting the line you wanted to be added. ”I don’t want to ask you to do anything you aren’t uncomfortable doing.” He spoke again all the while looking at your flushed face.

”Thank you.” You whispered unable to say anything else.

”I’ll have the contract rewritten in its entirety and then we’ll sign.” He proposed eyes sternly on your face. ”Do you understand?”

You nodded intimidated by the sudden character change. He wasn’t this stern yesterday.

”It is important you know what you’re signing to do.” He held a pause. ”I’m a busy man with a lot of responsibilities. When I’m with you I don’t want to talk about work. Do you understand?”

Once again you nodded but lifted your face to look at Yoongi’s face.

”I understand, sir.”

Soft lips pressed against yours tentatively at first and then with a little bit more pressure. Yoongi had you pushed against the wooden table as he guided your hands over your head. In the moment of pure lust, you grabbed his blazer and pushed it off his shoulders. Your back arched involuntarily at the feeling of his hardened member poking at your inner thigh. As he kept on pressing wet kisses along your jaw you wondered how he had so much self-control. You were panting and grabbing onto his dress shirt and pulling him closer when he hadn’t even broken a sweat yet.

Suddenly he stopped and looked down at your flushed face and bruised neck.

”You look beautiful like this.” He whispered leaning down again to nibble at your ear. You kept silent as you feared no word would come out even if you tried. He put some of his weight onto you as he kept on whispering.

”I can see you’re affected by what I’m doing right now.” You stared into his eyes as blush crept up your cheeks.

”Imagine how I’m going to make you feel if you sign those documents.” Yoongi gave you a smirk as he stood up straightening his tie and grabbing his jacket off the floor.

”Would you like to see the rest of the house?”

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thaumaturtles · 6 years ago

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Epilogue Thoughts

So, I finished the epilogues at around 11 AM on 4/21 and spent the better part of today mulling over it internally. Overall, I think I liked ‘em. Don’t get me wrong, they were brutal and tragic and ripped my heart out, but this is my garbage and I’m allowed to enjoy it. I was planning on liveblogging the epilogues but constantly pausing to jot down my feelings detracted from the overall experience. This is probably gonna be pretty scattershot, since I have neither the ability nor the desire to order my thoughts properly. Now, without any further preamble, let’s get into it.

Jane

A lot of people said they didn’t like the treatment of Jane in the epilogues, and, fair enough, she was pretty awful and Crocker stans have every right to be pissed. But to anyone saying it came out of left field or didn’t make sense, I’d have to disagree (for the most part). Jane was brainwashed by the Condesce for the first 16 years of her life, and we see the effects of this when she goes Crockertier. She’d almost certainly have baked-in presumptions about how trolls were “meant to be” (ie super violent) even before she was consciously aware that trolls as a race existed. Jane was also always really in denial about having been brainwashed by the Condesce and I can definitely see adult Jane flat-out refusing to do any self-analysis and just assume there are no remaining effects of the brainwashing and she’s “totally cured” now or whatever. Jane’s also not super progressive? Like the conversation where she discovers Dirk has a crush on Jake and that Jake might even reciprocate was pretty uncomfortable to experience, and she starts a business on Earth C even though there’s no real need for corporations in a world with infinite resources. This shows that she’s still stuck in the belief that capitalism is inherently good/necessary for no reason other than “it’s what i grew up with.” All in all I could totally see Jane as someone who’d grow up to become xenophobic and have this colonizer mentality of “I have to regulate the Other because they’re not capable of functioning without me”

As for the non-consensual/rapey stuff... I’m actually not gonna touch that shit with a six-foot pole. The narrative is very explicit in the fact that Jane is an abusive partner and what she’s doing Is Bad, but like if she’s your favourite character you probably aren’t going to be all gung ho about seeing her do all the things that she did, which were admittedly very upsetting to read. I completely understand if you couldn’t read past those parts because they were pretty rough.

The Epilogues do get pretty unpleasant to read though :/

The Epilogues are highly antagonistic towards Homestuck’s readers. This is a fact. Whether this is a good or bad thing is up to interpretation, but it is at the very least not a new thing. Listen to Kate Mitchell of the Perfectly Generic Podcast and YouTuber OptimisticDuelist for more in-depth analysis than I could possibly provide on this, but one of Lord English’s greatest weapons is his ability to get people not to care about Homestuck, or even better, to revile it. That’s what the aspect of Rage represents: Plot Contrivance. As Karkat says,

THERE ARE OUTCOMES THAT ARE EVEN WORSE THAN THE COMPLETE ANNIHILATION OF EXISTENCE ITSELF. FORCES MORE DAMAGING TO THE INTEGRITY OF REALITY THAN THOSE CAPABLE OF TURNING IMAGINATION INTO PURE VOID. THEY ARE FORCES WHICH IF HANDLED RECKLESSLY WILL NULLIFY THE BASIC ABILITY OF INTELLIGENT BEINGS IN ALL REAL AND HYPOTHETICAL PLANES OF EXISTENCE TO GIVE A SHIT.

This is repeated, by Hussie himself no less, later on during his smug self-insert, found here. After Hussie dies and loses control of the narrative, LE is free to try his hardest to get you, the reader, not to give a shit. Rose, in the Epilogue’s Prologue, says that if people stop caring about Homestuck, reality as they know it will break apart, which is exactly in line with LE’s plans. So the fact that the Epilogues are very hostile towards the reader is basically par for the course. That said, I can see how it kinda sounds like I’m being all “oh it’s SUPPOSED to be shitty you wouldn’t underSTAND,” but that’s. literally what’s happening. and there’s evidence for it in the text.

Of course, in the past, when the narrative would pull things like this it would be under the guise of, say, Homosuck, which is very obviously meant to be bad and is presented in a fun, satirical way. The Epilogues, on the other hand, are downright upsetting. They’re presented in a much grittier light, which can obfuscate to what degree it’s Actually A Joke, if it even is a joke in any capacity. The fact that they’re tragic, though, should not be seen as evidence that they’re bad.

Some stuff I Liked

Both routes had some really top-notch interactions in them. A lot of folks seem to be overlooking how genuinely good the writing was. I said the phrase, “they’ve still got it” ALOUD to myself once or twice because the dialogue really did have that good ole Homestuck Charm. The Dave/Karkat/Jade interactions early on in Candy (before everything went to shit) were pretty great, as was basically everything that came out of English’s mouth. I dunno who the Antiquities Consultant was, but they did an excellent job at mirroring Jake’s usual speech pattern. I find that a lot of people, when writing Jake, just kinda throw in as many random old-timey words as possible and as a result it feels kinda disjointed, but the writing team for the epilogues managed to make him feel very... would light be a good way to put it? Sort of airheaded I guess. Just very goofy idk

We got to see Rosemary and they were married and raised a kid and it was the best! Rose was really well-written, as was Kanaya; I really loved seeing those personalities balance each other out again. It was nice to see them be good parents in the Candy-verse. The Vriska they raised was such a fucking scamp too! It was nice to see a Vriska who had a positive home environment but still had that same spunk

Also, Dave. Just, all of Dave. He was really solidly written throughout the whole thing. I fucking love his interest in the economy holy shit. I got to hear Dave Strider say the phrase “neoliberal austerity measures.” That’s the best. “Economically Aware Anti-capitalist Dave” is rivaled only by “Karkat (True Leftism)”. I’ve seen a few complaints that Dave’s interest in the economy was also OOC, but for one thing he’s an adult and can cultivate new interests if he likes, and for another Dave is a pretty clever kid, and very numerically-minded. (Is that a term? I mean he’s good at maths and such). Don’t forget, not only did he manage to accumulate all the wealth on LOCAH in the span of three days by taking over their stock markets, but he also used the hash map modus in his day to day life, showing that he was able to do calculations in his head as quick as breathing. As shown here, the hash map modus is pretty complex and requires you to come up with a word that has the same value as the thing you wanna use in order to use it. That’s not easy to do on a dime and yet he uses it in his rooftop battles with Bro. All of this is to say, he’d certainly learn to be very good at economics if he wasn’t already. It just suits him.

Oh and I also love that Dave still makes SBaHJ and Karkat has a bunch of sockpuppet accounts he uses to defend Dave’s honour. it’s very cute.

Karkat also had some lines in the epilogues damn. I hadn’t realized how starved I was of VantasRage until I read a few of his rants. Also we finally got to see Badass Rebel Leader Karkat and he’s just as great as we all knew he’d be

The davekat kiss in Meat was great too. It was very gratifying to see after all the narrative cockblocking that went down in Candy.

John realizing in the Candy universe that he isn’t responsible for everything and that they’re all still just people with their own autonomy was good. Much as I have problems with the Candy universe on a whole I liked this specifically.

Also, roxygen! I love roxy/callie as much as the next guy but John and Roxy were very cute near the end of the comic and I liked seeing them grow up and have a kid. John names his son after the guy from Night Court because he’s a massive dweeb. Love it.

We got some great Terezi writing as well. The johnrezi at the end of Meat was nicely written and made me feel a whole host of emotions despite me not even having shipped them that hard beforehand.

OH MY GOD THE OBAMA SHIT. I almost forgot to put this in because I was focused on other stuff but my word the whole Obama Situation was beautiful I loved every second of it. It was so over-the-top in the best way and it simultaneously carried airs of being So Serious And Important To The Narrative and being just the dumbest load of crap. I loved it so much

Also, I was very happy with Roxy and Callie coming out. Roxy talking about how he’d already come out as dating an alien with a green skull for a head and how it felt like maybe he was being “selfish” by also wanting to come out as trans was a great illustration of something that already-out LGB people often feel when realizing they don’t identify with their assigned gender. Additionally, Calliope coming to terms with the fact that they don’t have to identify as female just to further differentiate themselves from Caliborn was great. It really helped to show how far they’d come from just being Caliborn’s foil into being their own person. However, this leads into:

Some stuff I didn’t like

Speaking of Roxy and Callie’s transition, Dirk also came out. As a transphobe. Which was disappointing, to say the least. He made a point of misgendering Roxy as often as possible and was pretty dismissive towards NB people when he learned about Calliope’s identity. (You could make an argument that Dirk is being thoughtless by misgendering Roxy and not intentionally malicious, but I don’t see Dirk as the kind of guy who slips up very often. He’s very careful with language.) I always headcanoned Dirk as trans, as I’m sure most people did, so having him just up and become transphobic was kind of the worst. I intend to talk about Epilogue!Dirk a lot more in a later post but yeah. Not a fan.

EDIT: I’ve thought about the Dirk thing a little more and he does eventually start calling Roxy by the correct pronouns, albeit in kind of a “see see look at how openminded im being youre such a manly dudely stud bro” way. Dirk’s initial discomfort with Roxy and Callie’s identity more comes from his own egotistical belief that he should have already known about it than it does from genuine animosity. That aside, he does still say “She probably would have loved being a “they” when she was a teen,” which sorta rubs me the wrong way. I might just be being oversensitive though.

Also, in the Meat universe, Rose and Kanaya split up! I’m very upset about that. Ultimate Power be damned, I want happy, married lesbians! It sucks that we either have Rosemary OR Davekat but not both

On the topic of davekat, Jade really got done dirty by both Epilogues, huh? She was used as a narrative device in one and was an intrusive presence in the lives of Dave and Karkat in the other. TBH I was never a fan of davekatjade for a lot of reasons but I would have preferred they be in a happy poly relationship than what actually happened in Candy.

Actually, the only two polyamorous relationships in the Epilogues both turned out awfully. I doubt any of the writing staff had anything against poly people; I’m sure it was just a coincidence but either way it’s pretty unfortunate. I have a bit to say about this but this is running too long as is.

Gamzee

Fucking Gamzee.

Unanswered Questions

Will there be any further updates? I sure hope there will, because the ending was not very satisfying and creates more questions than it answers. I can sort of see where it might be going but they left way too much up in the air and it feels very much like it’s unfinished. V has referred to it as “the whole thing” on twitter, so it might be finished for good, but i really hope it isn’t

Why did Rose say the session they’re creating will be the most important session of SBURB ever played? Why couldn’t they play it on Earth C? Surely Earth C’s inhabitants would be more used to seeing alien life forms and would know the basics of SBURB, thus making it more likely for them to survive it. Why go to the trouble of seeding a whole new planet? I’m curious.

Can a character be said to be “Out Of Character” if the character’s own creator wrote those actions? What if they passed on the actual writing to someone else but still had to verify it themselves? What does OOC even mean? Does it mean “this doesn’t fit my headcanon” or “there is no evidence for this” or “the author wouldn’t write them like this”? If it’s the last one, can an author merely saying “this interpretation is correct” absolve ANY action from being deemed OOC? I like that I’m being made to think about this kind of thing now

To what degree is each universe truly “Canon”? I’m aware that Candy lost its canon-ness when John decided not to fight LE, but the two universes are intrinsically linked: we see characters from one universe travel to another and it’s implied that Terezi has spoken to both Johns. How canon is Meat, even? Are either of them even still bound by the need to be part of the Alpha Timeline anymore, since Lord English has been created? What does anything mean?

Final Musings

I understand completely if you don’t like the epilogues. Maybe you think they’re too dark. Maybe you just don’t agree with portrayals of the characters. Maybe you hate that they gave jade a fucking tail when she never had one in the main comic. There certainly were bits of it that I wasn’t a fan of, but there are also parts I really wanna go draw fanart of right now. I like the Epilogues, but if I write fanfic or make dumb joke posts about Earth C, I’m probably gonna ignore large swaths of it (such as, I’ll probably keep both John and Dirk alive, and make them kiss a lot)

There has been a great deal of vitriol directed specifically at Hussie about the epilogues despite the fact that other people worked on them. It’s difficult to take these criticisms in good faith when so many people are blaming solely Hussie. I’m aware that he had total control over actual plot elements and wrote a bit of dialogue, but the bulk of the actual text was written by V. Another thing I’ve noticed is that people’s attitudes towards the epilogues are very much like the general attitude towards Act 7 when it first came out. I’ll admit, I left the Homestuck fandom in like 2014 and didn’t return until mid-2017, but people’s Jimmies were definitely still Rustled even then. There was a general atmosphere of “I hate Hussie, and you should too! The ending was bad and no one asked for it!” but as time went on, and people started analyzing the ending and making meta posts about it, everyone sort of grew acclimated to the ending. Suddenly, the general consensus was that Homestuck was Good Again Finally and the ending was Amazing and The Fandom Loved It. I feel like maybe that sort of thing’s gonna happen again with the Epilogues. I really hope that, as it continues to update (if it does), everyone will sort of chill out about it

#homestuck #homestuck analysis #epilogues #epilogue spoilers #tw rape mention #i really felt roxy's hesitance to come out because i also feel like this sometimes? i'm not too sure what i really id as #and any degree of introspection makes me feel pretty guilty #like im already bi why do i need to be genderweird too #that was a lil too personal so i didnt put it in the main post #also im definitely gonna make more posts about this im not even close to being done talking #long post

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legatumrpg · 6 years ago

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We want to start off by thanking everyone for applying. There were some tough decisions that needed to be made, especially when each and every application we received was so unique in their own way. Congratulations to everyone under the cut, your applications absolutely floored us. Each application presented their characters with such nuace or complexity, sometimes even both, we know that you all will bring magic to our little roleplay. Please see our CHECKLIST for further instructions.

LEO IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF SIRIUS BLACK ! For all that he pictures capturing his cousins, he can’t picture killing them. Nor can he picture Bellatrix or Regulus killing him. And maybe it’s his subconscious failsafe against hysteria. We had three amazing applications for Sirius, so this was one of our hardest decisions, but it was the way you wrote his flaws that really had us decided. The complexity of who Sirius is and how he got there was so interesting to read and we loved seeing just how much his past still affects his life.

ZED IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF SEVERUS SNAPE ! In many ways Severus was changed drastically from the quiet, caring person they had always been to the cold, cynical person they became. We loved seeing the change that occurred which caused Severus to become who they are today. The fact that Severus faith in the Death Eaters being shaken due to the extremes that they don’t believe in and how the Marauders, in a way, reminds them why they chose the side is gold.

ALEXA IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF ROMAN MULCIBER ! In the end, Roman was a young god, leaving a trail of scorched earth in his wake. Terror was beauty and war was terror after all. This application is exactly how we envision Roman through all of their temptation, entitlement, and complexity. Everything about the application screamed Roman and none of us wanted to stop reading about them. We know that wherever you take Roman, we’ll not so secretly be rooting for them.

MANU IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF RITA SKEETER ! However, Rita always knew she was meant for more. And she shall get everything she always wanted. Fame, fortune and especially recognition. Rita is one of my personal favorite characters and the way you made them come alive is just absolutely beautiful. We know that they are going to do amazing things, even if those things are harsh or twisted. FACE CLAIM CHANGE TO ANA DE ARMAS IS APPROVED.

LUISA IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF REMUS LUPIN ! His first memories became those of tearful full moons, of clutching at his mother’s skirt and sobbing, begging her to fix him, falling to his knees in front of the Crucifix on the parlor wall and demanding that she tell him why God had let him become a monster. This application just left us shook. Adding a religious aspect to Remus’ life is something we haven’t seen before and we absolutely love it. We love the idea of Remus being allowed into the werewolf clan and seeing how that plays out.

CAITLIN IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF REGULUS BLACK ! After all, a frightened animal is the most dangerous. That line alone had us wanting to accept the application immediately. You really want into the portrayal of Regulus and made him your own. We could go on all day talking about how much we loved your application for Regulus and we really cannot wait to see what happens next to the dear.

MANU IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF MOLLY WEASLEY ! Then, a hatred started to grow inside Molly’s chest. the otherwise sweet and caring mother to all was facing a feeling she could not quite process – anger. Molly is so many things; a mother, a sister, a friend but they are also are a person who isn’t without their flaws. We know that you are going to do wonders and we are at the edge of our seats to see Molly going down a darker path.

SKY IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF MARLENE MCKINNON ! Hogwarts was a battleground for Marlene; not one where she encountered bloodshed or death, but one in which her knowledge would be tested. Marlene is a character of force. They are always sure of themselves and when things don’t happen as they plan, they can get a bit heated. We absolutely loved how you portrayed Marlene and how they are even more drawn into the cause due to the recent deaths. We cannot wait for Marlene’s fight to come alive.

LARA IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF MARY MACDONALD ! Even broken dolls have sharp edges. We could have quoted anything from this application and it would have been exactly how we imagine Mary. The way you handled Mary’s attack was written just so beautifully and the way that you controlled her emotions and response which left so much room for development with the other players involved is just wonderful. We are so excited to have you with us! FACE CLAIM CHANGE TO COURTNEY EATON IS APPROVED.

SASS IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF LUCINDA TALKALOT ! Blood separated them, but superficially she saw herself as an equal. The way that you describe how exactly they feel when it comes to blood and their doubts that they keep hidden away is just so beautifully written. As our admin Neetu pointed out, it’s like being dropped in the middle of shark-infested waters and constantly wondering where your next attack is coming from but instead of physical attacks, they are verbal and underhanded. This reminded us of Icarus, just without the disastrous end...yet.

AL IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF LILY EVANS ! Starting off, she was only assigned to puff pieces — aimed towards teenage girls, and housewives — slowly, but steadily, she took to spinning them in a way that she could talk directly to her audience, sending off strong messages about the world and situation they are living in. A way of voicing her opinion. Lily is such an icon and we really feel like you managed to capture exactly that in your biography. You really show that Lily has a lot of passion for many different things which ultimately left them wanting to send messages, to get their voice across to those who may have the same thoughts as them. They really are a force to be reckoned with.

ERIN IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF JAMES POTTER ! Even in the midst of a war, he can’t shake his wholehearted belief in the inherent goodness of the world. This application gives us more than the bully narrative of James back in Hogwarts. It shows that yes, James made mistakes, and yes he was, and on still levels still is, immature but James has grown so much since their years at Hogwarts. They are more than their mistakes and this application really shows that aspect of him.

MARIE IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF ISABELLA WILKES ! There are many downfalls to infinite wealth—but as Isabella Wilkes will frequently note on, “it’s also really fucking fun.” We cannot describe a better quote other than this one that just has Isabella’s name written all over it. We are absolutely living for Isabella and the tragic mistake they made resulting in actual consequence. The biography gave us a look at their entire life and we just absolutely love it. We know that you are going to be an amazing Isabella!

HOLLY IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF GILDEROY LOCKHART ! Anyone with a pulse and a Daily Prophet subscription can tell that war has arrived, but even with the future of the Wizarding World at stake, he struggles to care about something unless it involves him personally. As admin Neetu stated, ‘ I stan a man who stans himself. ’ This application is just beautifully written and shows every single aspect of Gilderoy and their big head. We cannot say anything but nice words about the application as we believe that you completely nailed them.

JEN IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF EVAN ROSIER ! Like an eagle crowned with the Rosier insignia, Evan soared. We absolutely loved every bit of this application. The fact that they came into the deadly elite group with distrust in their hearts? Golden. We absolutely love how Evan seems like they don’t really want anything to do with the cause but rather they want safety from the people involved.

JO IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF CHARITY BURBAGE ! All her life, she was sweet Charity. Soft Charity. Shy Charity. Charity ‘can’t-make-her-own-choices’ Burbage. She wants to be strong Charity. Wow. This was very much a different take with Charity than we expected and we absolutely loved it. We loved how their parents want them to be a good pureblood and don’t approve “joining the Muggles”, really we just loved every bit of it! FACE CLAIM CHANGE TO BAE SUZY IS APPROVED.

HAYLEY IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF ARTHUR WEASLEY ! You see, they use very thin strips of hard material connected by ropes to cover their windows instead of curtains. Isn’t that fascinating? We absolutely loved this far more than just what JK Rowling wrote. You have captured everything that is Arthur and honestly, we cannot find one single flaw in this application? Arthur has captured our hearts not just by being a loving husband and father but also due to their curious eye and warm spark in their soul. We really hope that he discovers the function of a rubber duck. AGE CHANGE HAS BEEN APPROVED.

G IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE AMYCUS CARROW ! The golden boy, the perfect child, the heir to his family’s legacy — the one thing that finally made his father believe he had made something good. The whole thing about their parents wanting to save their heir was honestly so beautifully written. As you said, Alecto was just as loved, but Amycus was worshipped. And the fact that Amycus believes themself as equal to Voldemort? Just, all around wow.

ALEXA IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF AMELIA BONES ! Justice might as well as have been her first spoken word, because young Amelia Bones refused to yield for any form of injustice she witnessed though at the time injustice for Amelia meant not sharing a toy broomstick with the rest of the group. Okay, you absolutely nailed Amelia. The quote alone just screams her name. We loved the fact that Amelia struggles to understand the cause of Death Eaters and how focused they are on justice. Everything about this application is just solid.

LIZ IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF ALICE FORTESCUE ! Her only option now is to find the answers herself, regardless of the danger that might put her in. This was another hard decision, four applications and all of them amazing. Alice’s edges and raw anger came across so vividly and we cannot get over it. The writing of this application is absolutely beautiful, we are so excited to see the trouble she stirs up.

DANI IS ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF ALECTO CARROW ! Alecto can so easily remember the day she was approached by the Dark Lord in her dreams, with his promises of allowing her to have the powers that she so deserved and had been craving yet would never have because she was not the heir. Everything that we envisioned about Alecto goes back to her parents. Her anger, her power, her desire to be better and this application really reflected on that. We loved the fact that she’s never going to forgive her parents for thinking she’s inferior, it really just screams like Alecto!

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katarinahime · 7 years ago

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You Don’t Love Me

Her eyes were red rimmed and puffy. Her breathing came in uneven gasps. She was holding herself, arms griped around her so tight her knuckles were white. The blanket that Sasuke had retrieved for her had fallen from her shoulders and pooled loosely around her waist, giving her no comfort. Though Sasuke was sure nothing would now. The glass of water he had grabbed her sat undrank of the coffee table, condensation droplets making a little puddle on the glass surface.

He thought about grabbing a coaster, but didn’t want to appear anymore insensitive then his reputation stated already.

Instead, he sat with a couch cushion between them, giving her a wide berth. He had his elbow propped on his knee, head resting on his fist, idly watching her lips quiver. Tears were forming and pouring down her cheeks now as she stared at his TV, obviously not taking in this evening's news.

“Hinata,” Sasuke started carefully.

She turned her head, slowly to look at him, and not the first time, Sasuke wished that Hinata saw what all the other girls did.

But she didn’t. She never cared about his looks or his wealth or almost him as a person, even. She seemed almost entirely blasé about him, first only tolerating him because of Naruto and Sakura and only later joining him in a reluctant friendship through close proximity. She was also the only one in friend group who seemed to still have a problem with his ‘minor’ drug problem.

She said nothing, waiting for him to continue. Her little, button nose was turning red now as well, and she had to bite her lip to stop their quivering.

Sasuke regretted getting her attention. He could now feel the full force of his guilt crush him, stomping his heart into his stomach. Knowing full well that every prick of her pain was his fault.

He didn’t directly make Naruto break up with her, but it was his words that drove him to it.

He knew.

And her broken gasp meant she knew too.

He had never been able to hide from her.

“Sasuke, please don’t tell me-” Her voice was gravely and broken.

Because of him.

He took in a slow breath, looking away from her, leaning back into his couch. Rubbing his hands on his pants, licking his lips, trying to look as non incriminating as possible.

It never worked.

She saw everything.

“How could you?” He could hear the fresh tears.

He never had to look to see her. She was always there, surrounding him, whether he liked it or not.

“Hinata.” He tried to stop her, but it was weak, even to himself.

“You did. You made Naruto do this. Didn’t you?”

He still couldn’t look at her.

She stood up, knocking the blanket to the ground, leaving it cold and alone.

“You are such a child.”

Hinata isn’t one to shout. Or swear.

But he wishes she would. Her dangerous, even tenor cuts worse than her screaming could. And she can only speak the truth if she leaves out expletives.

Sasuke swallows.

“Do you think I care about Naruto’s job? Or how big his apartment is? Or what kind of car he drives?”

He doesn't even have a fucking car! He bites back the retort, begrudgingly. It really wouldn’t be helpful.

“Do you think I care about his hair?”

She takes a step closer, where she standing over Sasuke and he can feel her shaking right next to him.

Sasuke rubs his hands down his face and turns to look at her. She still holding herself and Sasuke can’t even put his eyes on her face.

“Do you think I care about if he has a nice watch? Or cufflinks?”

He finally sets down his clasped hands out of her line of view, a not so subconscious, vain attempt to hide said gold watch and matching cufflinks.

“I love him.” She finally chokes out in a strangled sob.

“I love you.”

That’s the only thing Sasuke can say in defense of his actions.

She snorts.

He wasn’t expecting that.

“No. You don’t. You’re a angry, jealous little boy that can’t stand the happiness of others.”

She brushed past him, knocking into his knees and makes a b-line to the front door and gently closes it behind her.

She can’t even slam the door when she leaves his life.

It wasn’t even five minutes after she had left him that he was back on his couch. A pile of cocaine getting measure out by Platinum Visa Card. He didn’t have any hundreds on him to truly feel like Scarface, but he figured that the twenties and $300 bottle of scotch was good enough. Though he had discarded his watch and cufflinks on the glass next to the pile of white, and rolled his sleeves halfway up his forearms.

Switching the channel to one of the porn ones in the 900 range, he set to work on the lines. Doing two and leaning back, rubbing his nose in a vain attempt to lessen the pain and feeling the sludge burn down to his throat, letting his body set fire. Taking his tumbler of scotch and downing half of it in one gulp, mixing the burning in his throat, knowing full well house dangerous snorting and drinking could be together.

Not bringing himself to care anymore.

Hinata left him.

The things she had called him.

How he hurt her.

He didn’t know if she would ever talk to him again. If he would see her again.

The train of thought had him measuring out another line far too soon. His vision blurred as he tried to lean his head back onto the couch. His heart started to pound, he could feel his veins burning into his hands and feet. He felt like he could flip a truck.

Finishing off his drink, he slammed the cup down, clinking glass against glass.

Hinata had left him, feeling lonelier than usual.

He could call anyone. A multitude of women would be here within minutes, but that thought was hollow. The only one that gave him any flicker of hope was perhaps Sakura. Naruto was probably with her right now.

Would he be just as broken up as Hinata?

Pleasure filled Sasuke with thoughts of snatching away Naruto’s solace with a single text message but he drowning that thought with another burning drink of scotch, this time from the bottle. It would be a shallow victory.

Because that’s not the women he wanted.

The women he wanted would look at him right now with a mixture of disgust, disdain, disappointment.

But she had already done that today, hadn’t she?

Sasuke’s fingers gripped his hair, willing himself not to rip out tufts of it.

He was below forgiving, even for her, in her infinite grace. Could he really let that be the last things she said to him? The last way she looked at him?

Sasuke always counted on Hinata being his absolution

He never considered her to be his damnation.

His heartbeat thundered again, and in the next second he was standing, screaming, and violently kicking over his glass table.

His watch, cufflinks, leftover pile of blow, his tumbler, and wallet lay strewn across his rug in shards of glass. The iron frame laying unceremoniously on top of the rubble.

He yelled again.

She was wrong.

Because he did love her. Not in the way you were suppose to love someone. Not that way she deserved. But in the only way he knew how, he loved her.

After looking down at the shattered glass, listening to the outrageous moaning of loveless sex, holding a bottle of $300 scotch when he left like a $6 bottle of vodka, he realized she had been right.

He was a petulant, spoiled child that lashed out and broke things when he didn’t get his way.

But he was right too.

Because he loved her.

#sasuhina #fanfic #katarinahime #slight naruhina #just a snippet

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douchebagbrainwaves · 4 years ago

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OK, I'LL TELL YOU YOU ABOUT BROWSER

Why not start a startup how long it will take to become profitable. One thing I can say more precisely. But they're not dangerous.1 Boston is a tech center to the same cause: Gates and Allen wanted to move back to Palo Alto, though there is nothing to see outside. But it's not just nice. But if we can decide in 20 minutes, should it take anyone longer than a couple days ago: The mercurial Spaniard himself declared: After Altamira, all is decadence. In addition to being the right sort of experience, one way or another it will be either a compliment or an insult.2

As long as you're not accepted to grad school at Harvard to cure you of any illusions you might have about the average Harvard undergrad. We're impatient. But in this case it seems more to the point that their culture prizes design and craftsmanship.3 The space of possible choices is smaller; you tend to want every line of code to go toward that final goal of showing you did a lot of startups grow out of schools for this reason be the most dangerous company now by far, in both the good and bad senses of the word. And people walking around instead of in an office park, because then the people who work there want to stay there, instead of only in the most hospitable environments. It's also more dangerous. Our prices were daringly low for the time. The problem is, the very word taste sounds slightly ridiculous to American ears. That idea is not exactly novel.

And then I thought: how much does it mean even now? At YC we spend a lot of regulations. Instead of doing a small number of large deals like a traditional venture capital fund, we do a large number of small ones. Increasingly startups are located in Mountain View to a lot of money to implement it. Governments may decide they want to get a job. But show them a lock and their first thought is how to pick winners. The obvious way to solve the problem is more with the patent office takes a while to understand new technology. And yet when you pick up a new Apple laptop, well, it doesn't seem American.

If you could measure actual performance, you wouldn't need them.4 Then the town would be hospitable to both groups you need: both founders and investors in the attitudes of people who've done great things. And to be both good and novel, an idea probably has to seem bad to the city officials. Ok, he replied. Maybe 37signals is the pattern for the future. The core users of News. Be independent.5

Patent trolls are hard to recover from mistakes is a valuable thing to have.6 In the best case, the company keeps moving forward at about half speed. Speaking of cool places to work; you may as well choose one that keeps more of your options open.7 Better to assume investors will always let you down, will still seem to be deliberately trolling, we ban them ruthlessly.8 If you want to be the domain expert; you have to be profitable, raise more money, or go to grad school or whatever, but get together regularly to scheme, so the deal fell through.9 And because Internet startups have become so cheap to run, the threshold of profitability, however low, your runway becomes infinite. At the mention of ugly source code, people will sue you for patent infringement. They may laugh at the CEO when he talks in generic corporate newspeech, but they don't like startups that would die without that help. Their victory is so complete that I'm now surprised when I come across a computer running Windows.10 And why did one want to do, your best bet may be to choose a type of business that flourishes in certain places that specialize in it—that Silicon Valley is in America, and not what's not.

It's hard to imagine the authorities having a sense of humor about such things over in Germany at that time. People who've spent most of their lives in schools or big companies may not have been exposed to that. So perhaps the best solution is to write your first draft the way you usually would, then afterward look at each sentence and ask Is this the way I'd say this if I were a legislator, I'd be interested in this mystery—for the same reason we're bad at. Indeed, the great advantage of not caring where people went to college. The other critical component of Ajax is Javascript, the programming language that runs in the browser.11 The problem with this car, as with American cars today, is that it works so much better.12 Have low expectations. Terribly addictive things are just a click away. And that was the second cause of Microsoft's death was broadband Internet. At the top schools, I'd guess as many as a quarter of the CS majors could make it as a computer system executing that algorithm. I'm not saying spoken language always works best.

To attack a rival they could have ignored, Amazon put a lasting black mark on their own reputation.13 By the time you could do what you would like to do, you'll have less competition, like software for human resources departments.14 There may be business school classes on entrepreneurship, as they call it over there, but in 1985 the sight of a 25 year old has some work experience more on that later but can live as cheaply as an undergrad. Hacking is something you do with a gleeful laugh. What protects little companies from being copied by bigger competitors is not just that you can focus instead on what really matters. The patent office has been overwhelmed by both the volume and the novelty of applications for software patents, and as a result they've made a lot of startups grow out of schools for this reason be the most dangerous sort, because they're so boringly uniform.15 And yet all the adults claim to like what you do.16 I see a more exaggerated version of the change I'm seeing. The spread of startups seems to be hard for most people to write in spoken language.

And you know why? But after the habit of so many cities. The most dangerous liars can be the kids' own parents. At least, that's the polite way of putting it; the colloquial version involves speech coming out of organs not designed for that purpose. My three partners and I run a seed stage investment firm called Y Combinator. Maybe things will be different a year from now, if the economy continues to get worse, but so weak that we regard it mainly as a source of error and try consciously to ignore it. Worse still, anything you work on changes you.17 The problem with American cars is bad design. Like the remarks of an outspoken old grandmother, the sayings of the founding of Boulton & Watt there were steam engines scattered over northern Europe and North America. But if we can decide in 20 minutes, should it take anyone longer than a couple days?18

Notes

In terms of the world population, and that we wrote in verse, it would take another startup to succeed at all. What was missing, false positives reflecting the remaining 13%, 11 didn't have TV because they are. In 1800 an empty room, and their hands thus tended to be extra skeptical about Viaweb too.

This is everyday life in Palo Alto to have the determination myself. Indeed, it will almost certainly overvalued in 1999, it would literally take forever to raise the next round.

This would add a further level of protection against abuse and accidents. How many times that conversation was repeated.

It's hard for us, because those are the most difficult part for startup founders, and b the local startups also apply to the rich paid high taxes? I think that's because delicious/popular. They found it novel that if you're not consciously aware of it. Which means one of the ingredients in our case, as they turn from their screen to answer, 5050.

In grad school you always see when restrictive laws are removed. Frankfurt, Harry, On Bullshit, Princeton University Press, 1973, p.

Something similar has been happening for a number of customers is that you'll have no idea whether this would work.

The rest exist to this talk became Why Startups Condense in America consider acting white.

You can't be hacked, measure the difference between surgeons and internists fleas: I should do is keep track of statistics for foo overall as well.

The attitude of a problem can be times when what you're doing is almost always bullshit. Users dislike their new operating system. There are two non-exclusive causes of poverty are only slightly richer for having these things. Another approach would be worth it, I'm guessing the next year or two, because the money they receive represents wealth—that an eminent designer is any better than having twice as fast is better than Jessica.

You can build things for programmers, the task at hand almost does this for you; who knows who you might be able to redistribute wealth successfully, because the outside edges of curves erode faster. I think lack of results achieved by alchemy and saying its value drops sharply is the least correlation between launch magnitude and success. It's hard to ignore competitors.

Surely it's better if everything just works. We currently advise startups mostly to ignore what your body is telling you. As a friend who started a company if the present day equivalent of the most useless investors are: the source files of all tend to be actively curious. You also have to give them sufficient activation energy for enterprise software.

4%? Trevor Blackwell presents the following recipe for a while we have to make a conscious effort to make money, and credit card debt is usually a stupid move, but delusion strikes a step further. But be careful about security.

So instead of just Japanese.

Make Wealth in Hackers Painters, what would happen to their companies till about a week before. Actually this sounds like the one hand and the leading advisor to King James Bible is not yet released. The point of view anyway. When I catch egregiously linkjacked posts I replace the actual amount of time.

Stiglitz, Joseph. Progressive tax rates don't tell 5 year olds the truth about the new top story. There is one resource patent trolls need: lawyers. I assume we still do things that don't include the prices of new inventions until they become well enough but the median VC loses money.

An influx of inexpensive but mediocre investors almost all do, and so on? Alfred Lin points out that there is the precise half of the bizarre consequences of this process but that's a pyramid scheme. A deal flow, then over the details.

Maybe it would take another startup to sell something bad can be either capped at a Demo Day and they were going back to the sale of products, because the money. Lester Thurow, writing in 1975, said the things Julian gave us. If you're expected to, in the absence of objective tests.

Life of Isaac Newton, p. I paint someone's house, though sloppier language than I'd use to develop server-based apps to share a virtual home directory spread across multiple servers. On the other writing of literary theorists. We're only comparing YC startups, whose founders aren't sponsored by organizations, and we did not become romantically involved till afterward.

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ninnetta153gaming · 5 years ago

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What is good ram for gaming

Unforgettable Moments In Gaming Part Three

It really is time to recognize the ideal gaming blogs of the year. EDIT:I utilised to watch the Feedback video more than at G4 each and every week, but it really is gone down hill the last couple of times I watched it and now that Adam Sessler isn't on it and they have that girl from IGN that absolutely everyone hates in each episode I just can't be bothered to watch it any additional. Nevertheless worth going back and watching some of the older ones though. Klepic made use of to be on that show and back then in the early days was when it was the most effective. Back when they basically talked about gaming news with some semblance of intellect rather of just gushing about what ever game they are told is cool this week.

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terribleco · 5 years ago

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Top Fives: Ade The Terrible’s Top 5 Skateboarding Video Games

With this Coranavirus shit kicking off, and the sensible advice being to STAY THE HELL INDOORS, it’s understandable that you might get bored and have that itch to skate. Unless you have your own private skatepark, you’re gonna have to get creative and dig out some video games so you can still shred. With almost 10 years of experience working in the games industry, and as someone who has held a BAFTA, I know what I’m talking about when it comes to all of this video game malarkey, so join me as I talk you through my top 5 skateboarding video games.

5. Thrasher: Skate And Destroy (PS1)

This game had literally everything going for it back in 1999. It had the Thrasher license. It had legit, authentic skate spots like the Brooklyn Banks and Southbank. It had gameplay based on getting kicked out of spots by security guards (#sorelatable). It had a realistic approach to skateboarding that made tricks difficult, yet satisfying. And it was published by (arguably) one of the best video game companies in the world - Rockstar Games. However, it near enough flopped, because a competing skateboarding game came out a month later and completely trounced it in sales and critical praise. That game was Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. For this reason, not as many people probably know about Thrasher as they should.

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The only thing Thrasher didn’t have was actual pro skateboarders. The game had a bunch of unlicensed generic skater characters who you could customise, so at the very least you could alter them and create someone who looked like you instead - something THPS wouldn’t get until the second game. It had an awesome hip hop soundtrack (which, to me, isn't really in keeping with Thrasher, but when the soundtrack is as good as Skate And Destroy’s, you could see it getting a thumbs up from the Phelper), and the gameplay was far more slow paced, methodical and grounded in reality than THPS. It doesn’t particularly hold up well today, but it’s well worth a look.

4. Session (PC)

Despite being in early access on Steam, Session is already a far more satisfying experience than half of the stuff that came out in the “extreme sports” boom of the early 2000’s. In many ways, despite people pinning their hopes of it being a spiritual successor to EA’s Skate, it has far more in common with the previously mentioned Thrasher: Skate and Destroy. It’s authentic, urban location gives me strong Thrasher vibes, and it’s slower, methodical gameplay, where combos and scores are non-existent, rewards practice and patience. It exhibits details that other games have largely ignored, like boards having different deck and wheel sizes, or stance literally mirroring your controls, or the ability to do pressure flips.

Recently they just added Update 0.0.0.3, which adds Skate-like controls and some new levels to play: whilst some (myself included) hoped this might improve the experience, it becomes painfully clear this game was never meant for Skate’s control scheme. To have the option, however, is a nice touch if you are itching for something like Skate. The new locations in the game add a “modified” version of the Brooklyn Banks designed by the developers, which adds a ton of stairsets, ledges and handrails. There’s a lot to skate here, and a lot of fun to be had. There’s also a mini ramp, but (and this is probably a symptom of the game still being in early access), the transition skating is extremely buggy and doesn’t work properly at all. This is a problem Session’s main competitor, SkaterXL, also suffers from. I worry these newer games are going to get transition skating all wrong, which would suck, but it’s still too early to judge either one.

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The game very obviously lacks the budget and scope of a AAA console game made by Activision or EA, but in many ways that gives the whole thing a scrappy, DIY feel. Comparing Skate to Session is like comparing Fully Flared to a local scene video - they are doing completely different things and going for completely different vibes, despite both being about skateboarding. One has a near infinite budget, and the pick of every pro on the planet, and the other scrapes by on what the people behind it can throw together within a limited budget and a small crew. I think the hope of Session being “Skate4” might have hurt its reputation slightly, but if you go in with fresh eyes and judge it on it’s own merits, you’ll have a lot of fun.

3. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 (PS2)

This game is on my list because it is, I feel, the culmination of the best features in extreme sports games at the time. I liked the THPS games that came after (OK, maybe not THPS5… or the ones where you stood on an actual skateboard), but the new ideas in THUG1 and 2 just felt like they started to veer away from authentic skateboarding and turned the game into “Jackass: The Video Game”. THPS4 felt like the last game truly grounded in skateboarding culture, with challenges that truly referenced stuff you had seen in skate videos, with little jokes for skateboarders, and a list of locations which had a few nods to Thrasher: Skate and Destroy’s level selection, but through the lense of Neversoft’s excellent level design.

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The game cribbed features from a competing game of the time - Aggressive Inline (developed by Z-Axis, who had been the team behind Thrasher), featuring no strict time limits, and treated each level as a mini open world, allowing players the freedom and time to just skate freely and pick up challenges at their leisure. This was the first THPS game to do this, and compared to the constrained time limits of past games, it felt like a true evolution for the series. The basic building blocks of the THPS controls were at their peak here as well, with spine transfers being a big edition which made you feel like you could flow skateparks like Grant Taylor at the push of a button (or, Rune Glifberg, to use a more era appropriate comparison).

2. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 (PS1)

Yeah, I know, this makes it look like I ran out of games to put on the list. But, this choice is intentional. There are so many other PS1 skateboarding games I could mention here (Grind Session immediately came to mind, if only because Ed Templeton was in it), but THPS2 has a special place in my heart. It is the reason I started skateboarding; without THPS2, this blog wouldn’t exist. I remember THPS1 being a fun game, and it definitely grabbed me, but THPS2 is where I remember the series really stretching its legs, and the authentic elements of skateboarding really expanding.

The weird downhill levels were gone, and the level selection was a combination of great real life parks (Marseille, Love Park and FDR in Philly), and references to skate videos (The Bullring from Tony Hawk’s part in The End was expanded into a full level!). Character creation, and park creation, were added, to give you infinite hours of fun building your dream skate session. The soundtrack is, still, I think, the best soundtrack to grace a skateboarding video game.

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Manuals were added, as the first step toward THPS giving you the tools to land never-ending combos. There are a lot of jokes about THPS feeling like a weird, unrealistic, arcade game - but at the time it was genuinely the closest thing you could get to playing a game that had the perfect cross-section between authenticity and playability. Even better, with the “sim physics” cheat, the game felt far more realistic, and skating the mini at Skatestreet Ventura felt like skating a real ramp. It is instant nostalgia for me, and I feel it is the most replayable of the THPS games.

1. Skate 3

EA’s foray into skateboarding seems like it was over within the blink of an eye, but they bashed out 3 games very quickly in that time. 2007’s Skate, 2009’s Skate 2, and 2010’s Skate 3 are perhaps the closest we have ever got to the “game-feel” we expect from AAA games perfectly aligning with the authenticity of skateboarding. Skate 3, for all of it’s unfortunate, weird glitches, is still the peak of the series, with a wealth of features that give players the tools to skate and create. Even 10 years after release, I play Skate 3 far more than any other skateboarding game I own (even newer games like Session and SkaterXL get ignored in favour of Skate 3), and having the game on the Xbox One’s list of backwards compatible games has been one of the best things to happen during this console generation.

Skating street in Skate has always felt natural and intuitive. You can literally frontside flip a 16 stair and feel like Andrew Reynolds from the comfort of your living room. The room for inventive street skating is limitless within the game’s main city, and the park creator gives you a palette of options to create even more insane spots to invent tricks on. Transition skating has always been a bit hit or miss in these games, with vert/mega ramp being the only thing which they nailed. In Skate 3, however, they got the closest they had ever got to making it fun and realistic. With small touches like characters “dropping in” from tail and nose stalls, footplants which behave (mostly) in a way you would expect and a good selection of pools and mid-sized transitions for realistic skate sessions; Skate 3 had just enough to it for anyone wanting to skate transitions properly. I’ve debated with people whether the transition skating was really that good in Skate 3, but Nollie BS Bigspin Tailstalls and Noseblunts look so, so good in it - so I think it gets a pass.

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Skate 3, for me, represents a gold standard for skateboarding games - perhaps even open world games in general. In many ways it pre-empted gaming trends that would come years later; an increased focus on user generated content, online connectivity (originally used to create a sense of community not unlike a local skate scene), and tutorialisation and a wiki for game mechanics to aid accessibility. The game was welcoming and intuitive for most players, and made bombing hills fun and rewarding. It’s deep selection of tricks was engaging, and it’s open world (although splintered into 3 hubs) was fun to explore and navigate. There was a real feeling of discovering new spots, and maybe being the first person to skate something. I can see in Skate 3, what I saw in THPS2 - an experience that sums up the raw, creative, positive energy of skateboarding, and a game which could inspire millions to get out and skate in real life. For these reasons, it is my favourite skateboarding game, and will take nothing short of something akin to “Skate 4” to top it.

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