#Broker's Brunch

[malcolmrei]

#HarlemWorld #Brunch 🥞🥓🧇🍳☕️ A great #Sunday @brunchharlem with my homies… @hausmana @jackiesasloff @ladibugnyc @msasloff #etcetera : : : Malcolm from #Breuckelen @compass 😉🏠🤎 License Associate #RealEstate #Broker🗽#Buying #Selling #Leasing #Investing #USMCVet #PrattGrad #KappaMan Τελειωοις (at Brunch Harlem) https://www.instagram.com/p/CndIQ9MPAG9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[saturdaysky]

Midst s2e5: Sugarcoat

"Moc Weepe is in a bathrobe." Yes i DO love juxtaposing brutal characters and dystopian settings with mundane, silly, and pleasant things, why do you ask! This episode starting strong

I would love to stay the day in this gorgeous penthouse solarium if only it weren't something awarded and available to winners of the seriously fucked up Trust system. can't win 'em all, i guess

A bulletproof city floating in a glassy, deadly cloud. Everything is beautiful and armored. The city is named The Highest Light, which is lovely and also still giving me serious Sunless Skies Clockwork Sun vibes

peepaw weepe can't use the fancy telecom

peepaw weepe also doesn't know what brunch is

a huge golden statue of Jonas Spahr adorns this promenade! No pressure, Jonas

"Weepe notices a distinct lack of anything resembling poverty" hmmmm

"a basket of dried crispy flower petals as an appetizer" something you may not know about me is that my favorite flavors of anything are the ones that sound like they should be printed on a shampoo bottle. I want to eat this appetizer

"a bitter floral dirt flavor" okay they had me until dirt, nevermind

It makes so much sense that greenery would be conspicuous consumption for a city that floats in a deadly glass sky

"Caenum is not a crime. It is simply...the potential to repay." WOW. It feels very relevant that the very first appearance of the Trust on-screen was someone so deeply in debt he kidnapped some official's son to try and get out from under it

"Positivity is what gets me up in the morning every day. I get out of bed and I think to myself, 'what am I gonna do to make everything better?'" I laughed aloud at this being said by Moc Weepe of all people

I think Imelda truly enjoys torturing Moc Weepe with things like brunches and day spas

"I'll have a mani-pedi as well. What does that taste like?" it's kind of endearing seeing this brutal frontier power broker so thoroughly out of his element

[genderflu1dwh0r]

Dorothy: I am exhausted! I went to at least a dozen ticket brokers today.

Dorothy, sitting next to Blanche: They all told me the only way I'm going to get tickets is to go to a scalper.

Rose: Oh, you can't buy from a scalper! That's a crime.

Dorothy: Well, so is eating grapes at the supermarket, but you do that all the time.

Rose: ... I have to test them.

Dorothy: Rose, one is testing, fourteen is brunch.

Rose, looking away: Good Lord, I'm a criminal.

Dorothy: Fine, as long as you already have a record, I can count you in.

[kayhi808]

Billy Mine - Act 2.4

The remainder of breakfast was comfortable. Penelope's on Lexington is one of my favorite brunch places. I love their Signature Blueberry pancakes. Bill was right, I still had a sweet tooth, while he had an egg white omelet. What's the point of eggwhites if you're still adding cheese & bacon in there? Just enjoy all of the egg! Billy made no sense. AND he finished off my pancakes when I tapped out. We fell directly into old habits like we haven't been apart for 20 years.

Bill told me about his time in the Marines & starting his business. He's such a good storyteller. I was sad to have our breakfast end, but he said we'll head to ANVIL. He wanted to give me a tour & then we can get down to working on the type of security I'll need. We step out onto the sidewalk & Bill texts his driver to pick us up. The wind has picked up quite a bit since we got there. My hair was blowing all over the place & in my face. It was hard to control it with just one hand, since my left arm was still in a brace. Bill grabbed the hair tie on my wrist & turns me away from him. He starts gathering my hair in his hands, "Billy, dont…no, its ok." I start to turn but he grabs my elbows to keep me in place. His strong fingers running through my hair and along my scalp made me want to purr.

He ties my hair into a ponytail. "I used to do this for you everyday after school. You were always a sweaty mess."

"HEY!" You hear Billy laugh as he turns me around to face him. He fixes my bangs to help me hide my stiches. He gently brushes his thumb over the bruise below my eye. He slowly draws me closer to him. If I wanted to pull away, he'd let me go, but I didn't want to. I sink into his embrace & I feel him rest his cheek on the top of my head. "I've missed you, Bunny."

"I've missed you, too, Billy Mine."

*****

I'm so impressed with the business Bill started for himself. ANVIL is so much more than I expected. He does all types of security. From military & government contracts, events, properties, consultant work, private secruity and body guard work. ANVIL is made up of a few warehouses along the Hudson River. We reach his office after my tour. It overlooks the huge training center he has set up for his agents. It's like the best state of the art gym ever! "This is amazing, Billy. You should be so proud of yourself. I'm speechless."

I notice the slight blush that stains his cheeks at my compliment. Bill guides me to a seat in front of his desk, "As I said earlier, if you aren't at home or at work, we'll have a guard with you, so I'll need your schedule. I imagine you'll be staying with your parents for a bit?"

"I'd like to be back at my apartment. I'm feeling a lot better."

Billy's frowning, "Will you allow us access to your home? We'll check for vulnerable breach spots. I can contact your employer as well. I'd like to look around there, too. Those men that came after you were pretty ballsy to come for you in broad daylight."

"Or idiots."

Bill smirks, "Will you allow us access to your apartment?"

Digging through my bag & finding my keys, I slide them across Bill's desk. "If there are breach spots, what will happen?"

"No changes will be made without notifying you and gaining your consent. It could be from cameras, sensors, alarms..." Bill shrugs. "What do you do for work?"

"I'm an HR Consultant. If there are mass hiring, training or layoffs, I fly out to facilitate them."

Frowning, "Do you have any trips coming up?"

Sitting up straighter in my chair, "I do actually."

I already know what he's going to say. "Is there any chance you can cancel it? Or can they send someone else?"

"These are my clients. I brokered these deals." My anger sets in. I'm not giving this up and handing it to someone else.

Bill sighs. "Maybe those men who attacked you will be caught by then." If Bill was looking for traits that Juliet retained from the Bunny he knew, well this is one of them. That stubborn frown.

"But you don't think they will."

"My concern is your safety." Billy steps around from behind his desk & crouches in front of me. "It's a miracle you got away from your abductors. There were 3 of them. Look what they've done to you, sweetheart."

"It's not a miracle. They underestimated me because I am a woman. I've taken 6 years of muay thai and 10 years of karate." Leaning in closer to Billy, "I could have killed them." I see his eyes drop to my mouth. He's going to kiss me runs through my mind. I sit back. "I promise you, they are in worse shape than I am."

Bill stands to lean back against his desk, laughing. "My Bunny. Always a force to be reckoned with. Seriously? 6 years of Muay Thai?" I nod. Now it's his turn to look impressed with me. I don't know why after all these years his approving grin lights me up inside. "Ok, how about this. Send me your itineraries for these trips you have coming up and I'll see if it's feasible to get you out there."

I give Billy a bright smile, "Ok, thank you."

Pointing a finger at me trying to sound stern, "No promises." My smile grows. Bill groans, "Shit." Sighing, "C'mon. Let's get you home."

@idaofinfinity @imagine-a-fictional-boyfriend @russosafehaven @e-dubbc11 @terry2227 @snowkestrel @jvanilly @bustlingcrowdsxorxsilentsleepers @celestialams @ellooo0ooo

[annieintheaair]

Hope

When I walked into my office this morning I was reminded of the quote I put on my felt letter board last year. It has been up ever since because it has been the inspiration to carry me through this last year and also, I can't remember where I put the bags of letters.

"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears."

Fear for me, right now, is staying here, praying, and hoping things get better, even if they don't. Hope, for me, is taking that leap of faith and moving on, looking forward to blue skies ahead.

I went to finish my apartment application last night and found that someone else had already applied for the unit I wanted. After scouring the website, I found another unit with a similar floorplan, and realized that maybe that one would actually be best for me-- top floor with no one above me, and a balcony with the perfect view of the 4th of July fireworks. Now, I'm just waiting to find out if I'll get it or not.

Yesterday, we had an unsuccessful broker's open house. My dog, Kirby, decided to wake me up early and vomit on my pillows so of course, I jumped out of bed and had to wash everything. I tried to take my pillows to the dry cleaner around the corner but they told me they don't do pillows. I am now even more convinced that the dry cleaner is a front for another "business".

Once I had most things under control, I loaded the dogs into the car and drove to my sister's house where I hung out for the afternoon. I took the dogs with me and walked them to pick up the older two girls from school.

By the time 5:30pm hit, I was exhausted and ready to go home. I had a calm night at home, drinking wine, eating dinner, and finishing my application for the apartment. If it's meant to be, I'll get it. If it's not meant to be, I'm trusting that God has other plans for me.

As much as I've been enjoying all of this time off, I decided last night that my work hours for the month were too low and I would need to pick up more trips. I picked up three more and I think I'm going to stop there. I really don't want to add any more hours to my schedule.

I've been wanting to go to this wine festival that's coming up for literally years. I never got to go when I lived nearby but mentioned it to Julie when we had brunch the other day and immediately she said she would go with me. We found out that if we volunteer, we can go for free (tickets for wine are like $40 and it's another $40 for food). Upon further research, Julie found that we could actually volunteer to set things up next Thursday during the day and then it would allow us to have all day Saturday for the festival. Even though I didn't really want to make an extra trip there on Thursday, I decided that it's probably worth it for the free tickets.

Since I picked up extra trips, I'll be flying tonight, tomorrow, and Friday. With only one night off -- Saturday, then I'll be flying again for four more nights in a row. I hate doing four in a row but until we get a contract and a raise, I feel like I'm going to need to fly more.

Prayers for my whole life are so needed right now. I'm just going along, trusting God that He has a better plan for my life than what I had imagined. I'm putting my faith in Him that He will lead me out of this storm.

My theme right now is hope. It's no wonder I picked the name Hope as my Confirmation Name. Saint Hope was known for her strong trust in the Lord and hope for a better future. I guess younger me knew something after all.

xoxo

Annie

[lesbiancosimaniehaus]

I’m getting teams messages, work emails, texts about my uncle’s birthday brunch (at 9:30 am??), texts from a broker and emails trying to set up apartment tours.

At the same time.

[juliestlaurent]

FIND YOUR IDEAL HOME IN MASCOUCHE

Welcome to the welcoming city of Mascouche . If you are looking for the ideal place in Quebec to take up residence, you will be delighted. Join us for a heart-to-heart stroll through the quiet charm and unique beauty of Mascouche — where you won’t just find a house, but discover a home.

Known for its welcoming community, its magnificent natural setting and its variety of residential options, Mascouche is the ideal place to settle down and no one knows this city better than Julie St-Laurent, your trusted real estate broker in Mascouche.

THE STREETS OF VIEUX-MASCOUCHE: A REAL FAIRY TALE

Imagine cobbled streets winding between ancient buildings: this is Vieux-Mascouche, a living storybook just waiting to be explored. Stroll and discover its charming nooks, admire its timeless architecture and soak up the rich history that gives Mascouche its unique character.

PARKS AND WILDLIFE

For nature lovers, Mascouche is a haven of greenery, and Grand-Coteau Park is a perfect example. The lush greenery and serenity of the waters make this park a quiet escape for the people who know it.

Put on your hiking boots and explore the less traveled trails, discover nature’s best-kept secrets and breathe the pure, fresh air that makes Mascouche an ideal city for outdoor activities.

CULINARY ADVENTURES

Food lovers will find themselves in paradise when exploring Mascouche’s culinary scene. From cozy cafes to upscale restaurants, the city offers a variety of restaurants that will satisfy different palates. Discover local specialties, indulge in international cuisines and savor the unique flavors that make Mascouche a gastronomic delight.

Favorites include L’Étoile de Mascouche restaurant , a cozy family restaurant that serves a wide selection of pizzas, poutines and delicious salads. Another family favorite is the popular Ben & Florentine. This casual restaurant has positioned itself as a leader in the breakfast and brunch market in Quebec.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND EVENTS

Mascouche is proud of its strong sense of belonging to its community. Embrace the friendliness of residents by participating in community events, festivals and cultural gatherings. Whether it’s a local farmers’ market or a city-wide celebration, these events are an opportunity to connect with the neighborhood and form lasting friendships.

SIMPLICITY WITH A TOUCH OF GREEN

Convenience meets nature here in perfect harmony. Do you need something from the store? No problem. Do you want to take a walk in the woods next? You are there. In Mascouche, the best of both worlds is within reach!

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NAVIGATE THROUGH THE MAZE

Every great adventure needs a guide, right? When you are looking for the home of your dreams in Mascouche, consider Mascouche real estate experts as your faithful companions. They know the terrain and the hidden gems, turning your home search into a wonderful quest.

FIND YOUR HOME IN MASCOUCHE

Mascouche is not just a place on the map, it is a lifestyle. With its diverse home options and friendly community, this city offers everything you need for your ideal home. Whether you are captivated by its history or enchanted by its nature, Mascouche welcomes you with enthusiasm. So, come explore and discover what makes this charming Quebec city the ideal place for you and your family!

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

✿✿ - Luanne and Robibi

✧ ── “ ✿ ” 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝟐 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐒 MODERN VERSE

I do think their initial meeting was before Robin was involved with KDA, possibly making Luanne one of his first clients - and it was probably to help organize and clean up a hit on one of her husbands. Robin was, at the time, still pretty out of the trends and social scene; and I really don't think Luanne would see him as much of anything besides a charming boy who could amount to something. Just not yet.

That being said once she met him again, I imagine it was through his connection to Abel - a higher end broker who Luanne would have worked with before and would respect. That relation would propel Robin to a "higher" status in her mind; he took what he wanted and rose to a place of rank with real responsibilities. This lends itself to their own relationship, where Luanne spoil him quite a bit.

Robin has zero idea why Luanne even likes him so much; or why she's so fond of him and it kind of freaks him out. While Robin has a pretty amazing read on people, Luanne evades him by just enough of a margin to make him uncomfortable. Her track record of mariticide also worries him to that if she would ever trail that violent gaze towards him; however over time he realizes thats a silly thought. Despite this, though, he will never ask her why she likes him.

They meet for coffee/brunch around 2 times a month, just for updates about their business work, so Luanne can dote on him, and so he can pick up on any extra jobs she may have for him (if he has time!). Although he enjoys this time with her, he does avoid talking about his relationship with her as the constant "love is ridiculous" notion does wear on him. I imagine there's been at least one snip between them regarding their differences in ideologies, granted Robin loves only one person but Luanne probably thinks he's being a fool for it.

[boston-brokers]

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[aloyxtilda]

A Love Beyond Space & Time

CHAPTER 3: Brunch

Fan Fic: Aloy/Lis x Tilda (Romance, adventure, comedy, drama, space lesbian techno witch supreme.)

Author: GingerAnne aka @aloyxtilda

Chapter one is here. And Chapter two is here.

“Lis...” The youthful Tilda happily spoke, smiling charmingly at her ex lover's clone. “Let's head over to the table. Shall we?”

“Tilda...” Aloy could barely release the name from her lips. She was still in awe that the woman she just buried a few weeks ago, was now alive! Tilda's beauty was striking. There was no denying it, no way to avoid it. The champions heart beat faster the more she stared at the stunning immortal.

The fashionista lead Aloy over to the round table at the top of the base. She pulled out a white chair for the huntress to take a seat. The brave Nora was a bit nervous to accept the offer. Could this woman be trusted even after what she tried to do? These thoughts ran through the redhead's mind. Caution was heavily advised.

“There we go.” Tilda smiled and took a seat beside Aloy. The Zenith then moved her hands about in an odd gesture. Suddenly, a specter came out of the doorway. This instantly startled the flame-haired girl.

“What the hell is this Tilda?” She quickly stood up in a panic, ready to draw her bow.

“Relax.” The data broker replied calmly and laughed. “It's here to serve us food and drink.” She stood up and tried to ease her strong, attractive yet startled guest.

Both the ladies sat back down but our hero still wasn't convinced this was a good idea. However, she played along, hoping to see if the answers she received would make sense or be nothing but lies. Something the ex spy was good at. Suddenly, A hidden compartment inside the robot opened up. A tray full of food and coffee extruded within the center of the mechanical beast.

“Ah, finally.” Tilda took the tray and placed it before them. “Here, enjoy.” She advised her brave hero to help herself while serving them both some coffee. The machine then quickly stormed off, allowing our champion to feel more at ease.

“You expect me to eat something that just came out of a robot's stomach?” The Nora asked.

“I assure you it's safe.” The blonde laughed.

Aloy took notice of Tilda's beautiful bright smile. She quickly turned her head away, struggling not to fall for her charm. But the moment she looked back, the blonde woman smirked and stared at her. She held her cup so elegantly it continued to make the huntress feel uncomfortably attracted. The Zenith made the hero question everything she thought she knew about herself. Her heart raced the more she gazed at those soft pink lips and golden short locks. Is this what Elizabet saw in her?

“Aloy?” The pale skinned art collector asked. “Are you alright?”

The huntress shook her head as if to wake up from a day dream.

“No!” Her voice rose. “I'm not! I'm confused as to how you're alive and now acting like nothing ever happened!”

“I can explain.”

“Then please do!” The fierce huntress replied in frustration. Her cheeks turned bright red. Aloy had trouble keeping calm, mostly due to Tilda's striking appearance. She then took a sip of the coffee to hide her emotions. However, it was so flavorful, it almost blew her anger away with a smile from it's pleasurable taste. It was the greatest thing she'd ever tasted.

“Is it good?” Tilda softly asked with a grin, taking notice of the girl blushing from the drink. “Coffee was Lis' favorite after all.”

“Tilda!” Aloy shouted, almost slamming the cup on the table. “Enough! Tell me everything or I'm leaving.”

“Ooo – so demanding.” The Zenith teased, leaning back in her chair and crossing her legs. “Very well.” She sighed and picked up her cup, looking away from the gallant Nora. “When you killed my old vessel, it released my consciousness into a cloned, more youthful copy of myself that I kept in cryo upon the ship. That's all.” The woman waved her left hand.

“That's all? No! Wait a minute! I thought the Zeniths failed digital consciousness. Isn't that what created Nemesis?” Aloy asked, confused.

“Correct.” She nodded. “But I had already studied and perfected transcending digital consciousness far before they worked on Nemesis. I just chose never to tell them how. Why would I? So I could have Gerard and Erik telling me what to do for all eternity? I think not!” Tilda took a sip of her coffee. “If they knew how to do this, then they would have become practically invincible.”

“So you kept it all to yourself.” Aloy replied.

“Precisely.”

“Where did you learn about all this?” The redhead asked.

“Well, far before the Odyssey took off, Far Zenith was a think tank, a secret organization for a select few. Exactly 77 members existed at the time. All anonymous of course.” Tilda took another sip of her coffee. She looked directly at the clone of Dr. Elizabet Sobeck sitting before her. “It was a futurist consortium.” She smiled, gesturing with her hands as she spread them wide in the air. “You see, before Ozvald Dalgaard, there was the original founder of Far Zenith and his name was Peter Tshivhumbe.”

“What was so special about him?” Aloy asked with a mouth full of food. Her hunger came back again with a vengeance. The battle with the blonde warrior left her famished. The data broker watched her, trying hard not to react to how cute the Nora looked eating the sandwich she had served.

“He was fascinated by the idea of transcending consciousness to any body. Machine or organic. He was a philanthropist, investor and futurist and known for funding experiments in digitizing human consciousness at the Center of Transhuman Studies. He had a vision for a better humanity. Where there was hope for us all. It was easy to be inspired by his speeches. It made you think anything was possible for us. Including true immortality and reaching the stars.”

“And how does any of this involve you?”

“I was one of those anonymous members. As I mentioned before, they sought out my expertise and welcomed me into their ranks.” She took a small bite of scone and looked down.

“But why did you accept the invitation? You knew what kind of people they were. Why be part of this elite organization?” Aloy's temper rose.

“Like I said, it was simply just a think tank at the time. It captivated me.”

“Why?” The redhead forcefully asked.

“Because I was also fascinated by what Peter talked about.” Tilda's emotions heightened. She had trouble looking Aloy in the eye. “I was curious about his vision of immortality, transcending the digital mind to any body you wanted. The idea that no one ever had to die again!” Her tone rose as she held back a sadness that swelled in her heart. “Then the idea of reviving the Odyssey and traveling to the stars, allured me.”

“Don't you think that's selfish?” The Nora questioned, criticizing the thought.

“No.” The Zenith looked directly at Aloy. Her gaze and tone more serious than before. “It was not just about living forever or traveling to other planets but advancing humanity. Taking us to the next step in evolution! To become the better versions of ourselves. And leave behind primitive behavior, becoming a wiser, faster and stronger human being. At least, that is what Peter sought after. ”

“Pff...human.” Aloy whispered the repeated word to herself followed by a long sigh. She could tell Tilda was getting upset.

“Obviously, I never thought at the time leading up to the Faro Plague that Far Zenith planned to take the elite and leave everyone else behind.” Tilda looked down. “It became a matter of survival instead of what it used to be.”

“This is a lot to take in.” The huntress spoke softer. But in the back of her mind, she knew not to fully trust every word the ex spy spoke. Deciphering which parts were truth or lies, was challenging. “So what ever happened to Peter? Did he die on Sirius?”

“No.” The immortal spoke calmly once more. "Peter died far before the Faro Plague. At least, that is what most people believed.”

“And you?”

“To be honest, not at all.” The art collector replied. “I believe he studied on himself, figured it out and is still alive today.”

“How are you so sure?” Aloy wondered, struggling to look into Tilda's bewitching eyes.

“Because after Peter's death, I hacked The Center for Transhuman Studies.” The data broker replied, refilling her cup. “I found loads of information on possible successful transfers of consciousness into machines!” She continued. “Then one tasty bit that mentioned an organic transfer experiment that lead to a success. However, a lot of that data was erased. So finding out who it belonged to was unattainable. But the dates all matched up to Peter's death. Coincidence? I think not.”

“Well, that's all very interesting. I assume you stole the information on how to perform this elaborate achievement?”

“Of course I did.” Tilda grinned, feeling very proud and pleased with her skills. “I was able to then perfect the experiment over the past thousand years. Manipulating the consciousness, adding special attributes and performances.” She paused, slightly making visual contact with her ex lover's clone.

Tilda struggled not to get distracted by the Nora's stunning green eyes. Her flushed cheeks covered in cute little freckles or her gorgeous long, flame colored hair that rested over her shoulders. It took every nerve in her body not to move closer to her – touch her. The fashionista fantasized of all the things she hoped to do. She was once again looking into the face of her truest love. Her heart felt like it could've burst from her chest at any moment.

“Tilda?” Aloy interrupted the Zenith's gaze which studied the girl's features.

“Sorry, where was I? Ah, yes.” She continued. “Transcending the mind allowed me to be the better version of myself. If you haven't noticed, I am able to do far more than I could than in my older body. I also altered the DNA sequence on my replicated self. Something else that was studied before the Faro Plague. I'm now much stronger and faster than ever before. My old vessel was simply in it's caterpillar form, awaiting to transform into a butterfly.” More hand gestures followed, expressing the metaphor.

Aloy leaned back in her chair, studying the elegant woman before her. “That explains your new skills I've witnessed.”

“Mm...yes. Do you like them?” Tilda asked with a smirk.

“No...” Aloy replied firmly.

“Rude.” The art obsessed Zenith laughed, taking a sip of her coffee. “Is that the thanks I get for saving your life for – oh I don't know, the tenth time?”

Aloy was not amused. Her brow lowered. “I never needed you to save me, Tilda!”

“Hm...tell that to the Apex Thunderjaw who almost took your life. Oh! And that Snapmaw who nearly snapped off your head or perhaps the-”

“Enough!” The fiery redhead interrupted.

Tilda's eyes widened as she lifted her right eyebrow.

“I don't need your help!” Aloy slammed her fist on the table. The stubborn huntress refused to thank the blonde haired warrior. Her emotions elevated the more she looked at the striking beauty before her. Tilda's lips teased her thoughts as she noticed a grin formed over Aloy's heated behavior.

“You're welcome, my love.” The immortal woman smiled, sipping her coffee.

Aloy rolled her eyes, sighed and looked away. The blood in her body finally began to cool. This woman would be the death of her. She struggled to make eye contact.

“So what now, Tilda?” The Nora asked. “Going to try and kidnap me again?”

“Not at all.” She shook her head in response. “I never meant to do any such thing.”

“Don't play with me.” The huntress sternly replied. “Did you forget or-”

“It was an act to get you to kill me.”

“I'm sorry, what now?”

“I never had it in me to do it myself.” The Zenith looked down at her hands on the table. “I saw what you were capable of from your focus. Even with Specter Prime, I never had a chance of defeating you. I knew you'd finish the job, quickly.”

“That's insane. You're insane.” Aloy replied with a short laugh.

“Is it?”

“Yes!” She continued. “Why not just ask me to kill you? Why the performance and all the lies?”

“If I had asked you to do that, would you have?”

The Nora turned her head to the side, looking away from the immortal.

“Thought so.” Tilda responded. “I knew you'd never go with me. And even if I did succeed, it wouldn't have lasted long. You would've just killed me anyway on my ship and then crashed it back to Earth. No?”

The flame-haired girl stayed quiet.

For a moment there was nothing but silence between them. The Nora didn't know if she could fully believe Tilda's words about not wanting to kidnap her. It felt like she was trying to excuse her own actions. But what if it was true? What if she really did want to help all along and this was her way of doing it? Tilda soon broke the silence.

“So... when do we leave for your base?” The blonde woman asked with a big grin full of excitement.

“Um – there is no we in that sentence.” Aloy replied sharply.

“You still don't trust me after all I've done?”

“I'd be stupid to trust you, Tilda.” The champion firmly informed.

“I protected you.” The immortal grew upset. “That's all I wanted to do! I've saved your life multiple times and even gave up my own body to become something better, stronger – for you. So I can protect you even more than before! Can't you see I'm trying to help you? Lis, I-”

“No!” Aloy stood up and walked away from the table. “That's enough! I don't need your help. In fact I never asked for it. That's what you don't understand." The hero fumed. "I'm not Elizabet and I never can be her for you!” The huntress looked away, placing her hands on her hips. Then continued. “She's gone Tilda! And it's about time you accept that.” The Nora turned and began making her way to the exit.

“You're wrong!” The Zenith shouted out to her. “She's still alive!”

“You're delusional!” Aloy yelled back, making her way to the stairs.

“Aloy wait!” Tilda called out. “Lis never died. She's you! Can't you see? You and I are the same now.”

Our champion paused. She made her way back over to face the blonde woman. Her temper rose as she raised her finger at the beautiful immortal's face. Both of them standing only a few feet from each other.

“She's dead, Tilda." She glared. "And you and I are nothing alike.”

“Aloy,” The data broker calmly spoke. “Gaia didn't just make some basic clone. I saw it the minute I found your focus. Lis created you so she herself would return in case she was needed. Her consciousness lives in you. You are Dr. Elizabet Sobeck. My Lis reborn.”

“That– That's absolutely insane.” The Nora looked confused.

“Is it?” The Zenith continued. “Lis worked along-side Far Zenith for a long time. She was heavily focused on AI before. The idea of Artificial Intelligence back then was questionable. It focused on studying consciousness itself. AI is just the digital study of mimicking human conciousness. You don't think she may have been fascinated by Peter's experiments too? If we could transcend consciousness into a machine, we could not just live forever but create AI far more advanced than anything we are.”

“Stop it!” Aloy's head began to hurt. Her heart dropped into her stomach. “Elizabet would never-”

“She uploaded her consciousness into you.” Tilda quickly interrupted. “She also altered your DNA sequence. Making you, stronger, faster, braver than she ever was.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You ever wonder why you're able to do the incredible things you do, Aloy?” The blonde woman asked. “You're capable of taking down any machine, facing fears most could only dream of. You're practically a God among the people. You are not just Lis, you are the perfected version of her. The butterfly to her caterpillar.”

Aloy let out a long sigh and shook her head. “I don't believe you.”

“It doesn't matter if you choose to or not.” The ex spy replied. “You are Dr. Elizabet Sobeck and so much more. She created you as a fail safe. The need for her to return if everything didn't work out to plan.” Tilda looked directly at her heated guest. “You are her. If anyone would know between an original or a copy, it's me.”

“Where' done here.” The huntress quickly stormed away towards the exit. “Don't follow me! I want nothing to do with you!”

“Aloy please!” The Zenith begged. “I can help. I may know how to stop Nemesis!”

“I'll find another way.” The Nora shouted. “Goodbye Tilda.”

Author's Notes: I hope you all enjoyed this one. A lot that Tilda mentions about the Far Zenith lore is all based off data points across both games. I theorized she knew how to transcend consciousness way before the dumb Zeniths took off due to Peter's early experiments from the early stages of Far Zenith. The game also hints that Aloy herself may actually be Elizabet with her own consciousness. Which Tilda points out at the end of Horizon Forbidden West. When she says to her "You are not just some inferior copy, but Elizabet herself standing before me once again." Tilda seems very convinced and I just doubt she is some delusional love sick puppy. Tilda is very smart. She knows something that we don't. And I think that is what the developers were trying to show. If Tilda transcended her consciousness, then it's possible Lis did too. Both of them still alive, a thousand years later to reunite their love and save the world. This time, Tilda being brave enough to stay behind and help. Becoming Aloy's protector to fight with her. To stay by her side when the flood comes.

Thank you for reading. Your comments mean a lot to me and every retweet means the world. It keeps me writing more. So appreciated. 🙏🌹

[holdbeast]

People keep writing about Din meeting Han and that’s cool and all but, listen, what this canon needs is for Din to meet Leia.

At first she’s like oh my god what kind of ratty loser did my brother drag home.  But then Din is out there speaking lots of languages, brokering treaties, organizing civic defence forces, making and keeping deals, just straight up old-fashioned benevolent monarchy the way the Organas taught it.  This guy!  This guy gets her. 

And that’s how Din acquires yet another incredibly dangerous and powerful space BFF.   They shoot Hutts and get brunch.  Luke and Han have no idea how to feel about this and settle for mildly terrified. 

[malcolmrei]

#HarlemWorld #Brunch 🥞🥓🧇🍳☕️ A great #Sunday @brunchharlem with my homies… @hausmana @jackiesasloff @ladibugnyc @msasloff #etcetera : : : Malcolm from #Breuckelen @compass 😉🏠🤎 License Associate #RealEstate #Broker🗽#Buying #Selling #Leasing #Investing #USMCVet #PrattGrad #KappaMan Τελειωοις (at Brunch Harlem) https://www.instagram.com/p/CndHpRZvNZ_/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[theapril83]

What are you cooking at home? Mac made this delicious breakfast sandwich with home made smoked salmon inside! 🥰😋😎 🐠 #smokedsalmon #smoker #breakfast #brunch #breakfastsandwich #c21home2home #aprilc21home #c21relentless #c21 #realtorlife #c21relentless #aprilc21home #pismobeach #sanluisobispo #oceano #realestate #broker #nomattertheroadwellfindyourdreamhome #realtor #21daychallenge #stayhome https://www.instagram.com/p/B_PlnXjlGBT/?igshid=vw16jw5sjm37

[misslilli]

Felix Felicis

MSR. AU. PG-13. | tagging @today-in-fic | read on AO3

Chapter 15 - Siblings And Secret Sting Operations

[ DS ]

Sundays are reserved for church and phone calls with my family, so after mass and the church brunch, I make myself a cup of tea and grab my blanket, heading upstairs to curl up on the Adirondack chair on my private balcony. I take out my phone and call my brother Charlie.

He picks up on the second ring. “City morgue. You kill ‘em, we chill ‘em!” I almost choke on my sip of tea.

“Hey Charlie! That’s a new one, very funny. Almost killed me with it!”

“Aah killing with jokes is my specialty. Sorry sis! How’s it going over there on the main land?”

“We mere mortals manage to get by, always a little in awe of the Gods of the Cape. Hey can you see me?” I get up and wave across the bay to where I can picture him standing in front of his little cottage, waving back.

“I deign to gaze at the mere mortal waving like a crazy person, yeah! So what’s new with you?”

“Nothing much, busy with school, the usual. How about you? How’s Pete? Did he get the promotion?” I can hear the smile in his voice at the mention of his boyfriend.

“Yeah he did, I’m insanely proud of the big-shot broker that I call mine!” Against all odds, they make a pretty great couple, the artist and the stock broker. “So, speaking of… how’s your love life? Seeing anyone?” He always asks me this and the answer’s pretty much the same every time, but today, I surprise him.

“Mhh yeah, there’s someone…” The gasp he gives is so loud, it almost carries across the bay.

“Shut up! What? Who? When? Are you really seeing someone?”

“No… not exactly. But… there is the dream of someone else….” I sigh into the phone, smiling at the mental image of Fox Mulder that pops into my head.

“You’re kidding. Who is he?” As I recount the moments that happened between the two of us, Charlie is practically jumping with glee.

“God, that’s so great, sis! So, what happens now? Why are you pining for him from afar instead of putting on the big-girl pants and ask him out on a date?” I shake my head.

“You know why, Charlie. I’m really scared I’ll screw this up and the fact that I care about his kid so much makes it even more difficult. Oh God, and can you imagine what Dad will have to say about him being divorced and a single parent?” Charlie groans into the phone in frustration.

“Not this again, Dana. You can’t live your life the way you think will get you dad’s stamp of approval, you deserve to be happy and from the sound of it, you’re pretty excited about this guy. I can tell you from experience, if I had chosen to chase dad’s approval, I’d still be so deep in the closet I’d need a map and a compass to find my way out. So, your other concerns are valid but you’ll never find out if he’s the one if you don’t try!”

“I know, I know, you’re right, just like you were right the other thousand times we’ve had this conversation. What am I supposed to do, just walk up to him and ask him on a date? I can’t do that!” The thought alone sends a cold shiver down my spine.

“YES Dana, that’s exactly what you’re supposed to do! We’re living in the 21st century, we’re not playing this stupid game where a boy has to ask a girl out, it’s okay if it’s the other way around!” I hang my head and sigh in resignation, he’s right, as always. I want to hate him a little for it.

“Alright, I’ll think about it, happy?” – “Overjoyed! So let me tell you about that art show that I’m putting on at the gallery!”

We chat for a little while longer, waving at each other again as we say our goodbyes.

----------

In the meantime, downstairs in the kitchen

The three other girls are sitting around the kitchen table having a very late breakfast, the smell of coffee and pancakes filling the house. They speak in hushed tones, not wanting to be overheard by the fourth friend upstairs.

“Girls … This Mr.Mulder- Dana situation is killing me. I just can’t take it anymore, they’re pining for each other so hard but they’re both too chicken to do something about it!”

“What are you saying, S?” Alex blows a cooling breath over her coffee cup.

“I’m saying that these two need a hefty kick in the butt!”

“Ooooh I get it now!” Holly bounces in her seat excitedly. “We’ll be the trusty matchmakers for these love-birds!”

“The two of you are out of your minds. She’ll see right through it, you know she will! We’ve talked about it with her Friday after Friday but nothing has happened! And he’s not making a move either.”

“Yeah… we can’t just go up to him and ask him if he’s blind or stupid or both and tell him that he should get his ass in gear and ask her out already!” Sarah spears a piece of pancake with her fork, twirling it thoughtfully.

“What if we enlist the help of his kid?”

“Holly, no, we can’t do that! He’s six for god’s sakes. Besides, I think they have another thing coming with him when they actually dostart dating. You know how kids lash out when their parent starts dating again, and he loves D to pieces. No, we need a more subtle plan.”

“How about we spike her drink at the birthday party with some hard stuff? You know, lower the inhibitions and all that” Sarah waggles her eyebrows suggestively.

Holly gapes at her friend. “Sarah! We can’t drug our friend into sleeping with him! It’s not right and she’ll have our heads for it if she ever found out, rightfully so! What about the Halloween fair, they’re both working there, but D doesn’t know that he got roped into it?”

Realization dawns in Sarah’s eyes and her mind works out a plan. The other two nod enthusiastically when she tells them about it.

“Oh this is so exciting! We need to talk to Miss Hannigan and some other people but I think it’s a good start to push them closer together! Now that we’ve got a plan, we just need to figure out how to keep it all from D. We live together, so she’s bound to overhear us talking about it at some point.” Holly and Alex nod in unison.

“We’ll go all secret sting operation on their ass, codenames and all. They won’t know what hit ‘em.”

“Codenames, S?”

“Yes codenames, come on it’ll be so much fun, like a secret society, Illuminati-style!”

Alex laughs: “Alright, what are our codenames for these two?”

They all think hard about this. “Well their real names are out, of course. Middle names too. Red and brown?” – “No, hair color’s too obvious, A!” – “Mom and Dad?” They share a laugh, shaking their heads. “That’s weird. Can we do something with the first letters of their names? F and D? S and M?” Holly bursts out giggling. “Okay maybe not S and M! … M and S? Can we do something with that?”

A slow smile spreads over Sarah’s face. “I’ve got it! A thunder of jets in an open sky, a streak of grey and a cheerful “HI!” – BOOM - a loop, a whirl and a vertical climb and once again you’ll know it’s time for the adventures oooof…?”

Holly jumps out of her chair and yells out excitedly: “Moose and Squirrel! Sarah that’s brilliant!!” Alex nods her agreement, grinning.

“We’ll call it Operation: Bullwinkle!”

“Man, Squirrel’s so gonna kick our asses…”

[threedroidsforsweetrevenge]

Campaign (be it star war or skyjacks) for the meme

Tempted to do both. I have many a opinions.

blorbo (favorite character, character I think about the most): I think I gotta give it to Lyn,only for the sheer amount of times I went on "I wanna talk about anthropology together also marry me" tirades. Hmmmm,for skyjacks I think a lot about Gable. Love them <3.

scrunkly (my “baby”, character that gives me cuteness aggression, character that is So Shaped): For skyjacks it gotta be Dref. Deef my beloved <3 For star wars,it's a tie between Tama and Tony. Both my beloveds.

scrimblo bimblo (underrated/underappreciated fave):  I could say Spit as a joke because I am a Spit lover and that's my fatal flaw and it's sexual. But also I love my bestie The Broker because we vibe and we're girlbosses. For star wars it's Aava,and she's not underappreciated but I am here to hype her up and I want to have dark brunch together and I think we would be those couples that look like twins and dress the same.

glup shitto (obscure fave, character that can appear in the background for 0.2 seconds and I won’t shut up about it for a week): Does Sneak and Tubaik count? Do they count? If not I am thinking about Vouz Vouz,if not 2 I am thinking about Dr. Kabral. My joke answer for skyjacks is Jerk off Jerry and my actual answer is Bathroom Barry.

poor little meow meow (“problematic”/unpopular/controversial/otherwise pathetic fave):  LEENIK FUCKING GEELO,YOU ALREADY KNOW! But also Zero,I am a Zero apologist and I am the sexiest for it. For skyjacks,it's Nodoze. Wet little guy who I would hype up so much,pathetic dude whomst I love.

horse plinko (character I would torment for fun, for whatever reason): Travis Matagot. And Blue. Bite and kill and maim and chomp and.

eeby deeby (character I would send to superhell): Pretty much all of the Youngblood family. And for star wars idk,Jacinto Reth as a joke as a quip a jest even.

[okinawa-division]

"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."

Timeline

Age 0:

Born to his mother and father in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Age 14:

Due to the debt crisis plaguing Puerto Rico, his father makes the decision to move him and his entire family to America.

They settle in an apartment in Spanish Harlem, New York.

Age 15:

His father recommends he find something to occupy his time so that he can get over leaving Puerto Rico.

He notices some children playing basketball and decides to try it out.

He finds out that he is naturally adept at it, and decides to join his school's basketball team, where he quickly stands out.

He is voted as his high school's "Most Valuable Player", boosting his popularity.

Age 17:

His school goes up against a rival school in a basketball game for the championship.

To prevent his team from winning, several players on the opposing team plan a drive-by shooting on him.

They succeed, shooting the young basketball player while he is walking home from school multiple times, shattering his right leg and lodging a bullet in his skull.

He is hospitalized and put in a coma for up to six months.

Age 18:

He awakens from his coma but is unable to play basketball anymore, due to the injuries he has received.

To make matters worse, he must repeat his final year of high school due to missing out on so many school days.

Upset at this, he drops out of school and joins a local street gang called The Str8 Breakers.

Relationships between him and his family dwindle, as a result.

Age 19:

He and his gang get back at the guys who put him in a coma, jumping them as they are walking home from school.

One of his old high school buddies tries to get him to drop out of the gang life, but the basketball player refuses to listen.

Age 20:

He and his gang are ambushed by a rival gang.

His old high school buddy is killed by accident, simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

This wakes the basketball player up, and he makes the decision to leave his old life behind.

He leaves behind a note for his family, as well as the money he made while in the gang.

He heads for the city's harbor and manages to earn passage by working to earn his keep.

After a day or so, the ship arrives in Okinawa, Japan.

He is introduced to an old bartender named Jelani who takes him in as his apprentice.

He recommends the boy change his name and appearance, which he does.

The bartender names him 'Rashaad', after his late son.

Age 21:

Jelani begins teaching Rashaad all he knows about bartending, which the Puerto Rican quickly takes up.

He takes the tests needed to earn his G.E.D. and passes.

A few months later, he takes the bar exam and passes, earning his bartending license.

Age 22:

For his one-year anniversary, Jelani takes Rashaad to get a tattoo to celebrate.

He chooses an eagle tattoo across his neck.

Age 25:

Jelani sadly passes away due to heart failure. He leaves Rashaad the bar.

He fixes the bar up and renames it "The Eagle's Nest".

It quickly becomes one of the most popular bars due to its atmosphere, Rashaad's drinks, and his 'No hostility' rule.

Age 27:

He becomes something of an information broker, buying and selling information to those who need it.

Age 28:

He becomes acquainted with a number of famous people, such as Luis Kōkyū, Hiroshi Sakura, Lola Takahashi, etc.

He starts learning how to play the piano and saxophone after listening to some old records Jelani left him.

Age 29:

He meets Ace Douglas, America's Ambassador to Japan, and his girlfriend, Evelyn Rose.

He allows them both to stay upstairs in his bar after finding out their hotel is being renovated.

Age 30:

Present.

He becomes the third member of the Okinawa Division rap battle team, Liberty Guild, alongside Ace Douglas and Evelyn Rose.

Schedule

12 a.m. - 5 a.m.: Working

5 a.m. - 6 a.m.: Closes and cleans up bar

6 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Asleep

12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Brunch

1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Shower and freshens up

3 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Readies bar for the evening

4 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Makes and eats dinner with Ace & Evelyn

6 p.m. - 7 p.m.: Power nap

7 p.m. - 12 a.m.: Opens up bar for business

Character Hashtags

Regular Hashtags

#Master of Mixology

#A good drink and some jazz

#I need more sleep

Trauma Hashtags

#Is scarred, physically and mentally

#Can't change or erase the past

#I drink to forget

Other Info

Hobby: Playing basketball

Weakness: Too secretive and reserved

Trauma: "My past has a firm grasp on me."

Twitter: @YoungBartender

Drinks: Yes

Smokes: Yes

Special Skill: "I can tell exactly how inebriated a person is, or can be."

Intro Quote: "Leave your worries and problems behind you."

Trauma Quote: "What will my friends think when they realize I'm not who they think I am?"