#Business recovery

[rodspurethoughts]

Downtown Rebound: Los Angeles Ranks Second in Recovery Post-Pandemic

Downtown Los Angeles after sunset The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the world, leaving businesses at a standstill and downtown areas silent. Los Angeles was no exception, with its downtown area being hit hard by the crisis. However, new data is giving a clearer picture of the past and a new view of how far the city has come in its “downtown rebound.” Three years since the pandemic…

[thepeacefulgarden]

[theysangastheyslew]

From helping rebuild settlements to teaching/further developing food production in barren regions to repurposing their odm gear into a leg brace for a certain someone, you know that post-Rumbling, Hange would find so many ways to stay in the action 🥲

[jtl-fics]

Fluent Freshman - Part 23

PREVIOUS

There were a few reasons that Andrew and Neil could not get past reception to go see FF or get updates on his current condition.

The first reason was that visiting hours were long over by the time they had arrived a little after midnight.

The second reason was that hospitals, in general, don’t just give out information on their patients to any random person that walks in and asks for an update on their condition. They are ESPECIALLY hesitant to give out updates on patients when the people who are asking can’t give you anything other than a first name, general description, and the reason that the patient is in the hospital.

Somehow “Completely average looking guy with the last name Smith who was stabbed in the stomach” is not enough for the receptionist to go off of.

“There are multiple people here that fit that description. I would need at least a first and last name before I could even begin to start seeing if you were someone who we even could give updates to. No, I will not continue to play your fun little game of guess the first name.” She says when Andrew opens his mouth to start listing off names alphabetically again.

So now Andrew and Neil found themselves under the watchful eye of a security guard as they sat in the back corner of the front reception area.

“I can’t believe we still don’t know what Smith’s first name is.” Neil says his face is buried in his hands as he and Andrew sit in the uncomfortable chairs trying to figure out where to go from here.

“I think she knows exactly who we want to see.” Andrew scowls towards the receptionist who, long used to the ire of the public, pays him no mind. Andrew just refused to believe that there were that many brown haired, brown eyed, average height and weight guys who had suffered a stab wound to the stomach that would have been admitted in the last two hours.

“I just hope they actually are looking after him and that no one went and forgot about him in an hallway somewhere.” Neil says hands sliding up into his hair to grip.

“That wouldn’t happen.” Andrew dismisses despite knowing that Wymack had ABSOLUTELY forgotten FF at a stadium once during the period where FF had been low presence to keep his family from bothering him.

The U-turn he had pulled had definitely been illegal when FF called and asked where the bus was when they had been on the road for five minutes. Wymack had felt terrible about it but FF had just seemed relieved that the bus had come back for him.

Wymack.

Andrew pulls out his phone and dials a familiar number. Wymack, reliable as always, picks up on the fourth ring with the sound of cursing as he got the phone up to his ear. “What.” He asks and Andrew can hear the sounds of driving and Kevin’s infamously train-like snoring in the background.

“What’s Smith first name. You know it.” Andrew demands.

“Classified.” Wymack clips back immediately.

“I need to know it so that we can get updates.” Andrew hisses.

“He isn’t interested in people knowing it and you wouldn’t be able to get updates anyways.” Wymack dismisses.

“We want to be able to head back to see him.” Neil tries.

“Visiting hours are long over Josten. You know that I’m not settling that bet that you little fuckers have floating around about this.” Wymack responds back.

Andrew grits his teeth and then forces himself to relax his jaw, “It’s not about the bet.” Andrew shuts his eyes in irritation.

That stupid bet.

The betting culture within the Palmetto State Foxes Exy team that Reynold’s had cultivated held strong even after her graduation with the remaining Foxes. The Bet had started when one of the other freshmen had mentioned that it was funny that FF went around like Cher or Madonna. The realization that none of them knew FF’s first name was one that had them placing bets on a multitude of things. Things like: “Do you wanna bet it’s a super normal boring name?”, “Do you wanna bet that it’s a weird foreign name?”, and “Is FF intentionally not giving it out to people or since he goes by his last name normally he has no idea that anything is amiss?” Had lower pools since you were betting on a spectrum. The bet with the highest pool is: “What is FF’s first name”.

Wymack had categorically refused to answer it and all other attempts to discover FF’s first name had been met with frustration. There was a solemn agreement that no one could just go and outright ask him since that would ruin all of the fun. Andrew had agreed to not ask when the team had collectively filled his freezer with ice cream cake and he was a man of his word.

The general belief (after the revelation of his major and the number of languages FF spoke) was that FF’s name was just not easy to pronounce for English speakers.

Andrew hadn’t participated but he know that the Foxes do have a running list of names they know it’s not. (Greg, Will, Smith (again), Matt, Kevin, Neil, Andrew, Aaron, Nathaniel, Jack, Beyonce (Sheena’s drunken guess), Nicholas, John, Fred, Garfield, Frank, Alfred, Augustus, Adam, etc. (Andrew had been trying to guess with the receptionist for a while))

“You’re coming here aren’t you? We can get updates when you get them.” Neil says.

“He’s in emergency surgery right now and will remain there for the next few hours most likely. There’s not going to be any updates hopefully.” Wymack says with a sigh loud enough that they can hear it over Kevin’s snoring.

“Surgery? He needs surgery?” Neil asks sounding surprised s if FF hadn’t been stabbed to the hilt into his stomach with one of Andrew’s knives. He’s about to give Neil some shit for the question before remembering that if there was any person who would think that a stab wound to the stomach wouldn’t necessitate surgery it would be Neil “I’m Fine” Josten.

“Yes Josten, he needs surgery. They have to stitch up his stomach and the surgeons are also going to be dealing with some of the ulcers that were ruptured by the knife.” Wymack explains likely coming to the same conclusion that Andrew had on Neil’s stupid question. “They were a bit worried about him bleeding out but he stabilized before the surgery.” Wymack sighs.

“I’m going the hospital since I’m Smith’s medical proxy. If anything goes wrong with the surgery I want to be there so I can make an informed decision on his care.” Wymack says and… Andrew figured there’d be surgery but to hear it and the possibility that something could go wrong, that the last thing FF had said to him had been something non-sensical about “Gracie Hart wouldn’t have gotten stabbed. I’m Cheryl at best.”as he’d started succumbing to all the blood loss. “If you could stick around long enough for me to drop Kevin off with you I would appreciate it.” Wymack says.

“What if he needs a blood transfusion?” Andrew says.

“Smith is AB-, it’s the second easiest blood type to transfuse into. Go home Andrew.” Wymack repeats.

Andrew works his jaw irritated that there didn’t seem to be a path to getting his way.

“We’ll stay here until you get here.” Andrew agrees, “But you’ll get an update before we leave.” He adds.

Wymack sighs, “Fair enough.” He says before hanging up.

It’s 45 minutes of waiting and tossing a few more name possibilities at the receptionist who seems more amused than anything at their continued attempts to guess their friend’s first name (Neil goes through the entire list of names that he’s gone by and none of them get the thumbs up).

Wymack comes through the doors with a half awake Kevin Day following his steps. “I have another favor to ask you.” Wymack says instead of any form of greeting.

“I’m not going to leave Kevin in the car overnight again. It was just that one time.” Andrew says with a roll of his eyes and honestly he’d been punished enough listening to Kevin bitch, moan, and sneeze for the following week while talking about all the supplements he was taking.

“Not that,” Wymack pauses, “I have two favors to ask you. First don’t do that. Second, would you be able to pick up Smith’s grandma from the airport tomorrow?” He asks.

Andrew blinks.

“She’s coming here?” He asks.

“I updated her on my way here. She booked a flight and will be arriving around noon tomorrow.” Wymack says and Andrew doesn’t know why he’s confused by this. FF’s grandma got him two still warm pies to cheer him up on Thanksgiving.

He’d stabbed that woman’s grandson.

“I’ll pick her up.” He agrees.

Shorter one today

NEXT

MASTERPOST FOR ALL PARTS OF FLUENT FRESHMAN AU

Per your requests:

@i-have-three-feelings @blep-23 @dreamerking27 @andreilsmyreligion @belodensetdust @rainbowpineapplebottle @yarn-ace @iwouldlikesometea @lily-s-world @obscureshipsandchips @booklover242 @whataboutmyfries @sahturnos @pluto-pepsi @dreamerthinker @passinhosdetartaruga @leftunknownheart @aro-manita-muscaria @hologramsaredead @Chaoticgremlinswishtheycouldbeme @tntwme @tayspots @nick-scar @crazy-fangirl2524 @blue-jos10 @stabbyfoxandrew @splishsplashyouropinionistrash @sammichly @the-broken-pen @bitchesdoweknowu @very-small-flower @ghostlyboiii @its-a-paxycab @bisexual-genderfluid-fan @cheesecookie @theoneandonlylostsock @foxsoulcourt @blueleys @adverbialstarlight @elia-nna @can-i-just-stay-in-the-corner @nikodiangel @foxandcrow-inatrenchcoat @hallucinatedjosten @satanic-foxhole-court @vexingcosmos @chalilodimun @insectsgetcooked @angry-kid-with-no-money @queer-crows @lillyndra @themundanemudperson @readertodeath @apileofpillows @mortalsbowbeforeme @hellomynameismoo @next-level-mess @youreonlylow @interstellarfig @notprocrastinatingatalltoday @percyjacksonfan3 @queenofcrazy27 @bsmr261 @ghostlyscares @spencellio @adinthedarkroom @harpymoth @sufferingjustalilbit @anxietymoss @oddgreyhound @ohno-myhyperfixation-itsbroken @ken22789 @atiredvampire @isoldescorner @not--a--pipedream @azure-wing @bushbees  @roonilwazlib-main @crumplelush @foldedaces-paperbirds @thesenseinnonsense @let-tyrants-fear @ketchupandfries​ @legowerewolf​ @deadlydodos​ @but-we-respect-his-craft​ @cariniqe​ @zanypersonapricotbiscuit​ @lesbian-blackbeard​ @lesbiansupernatural​ @silvermasquerade​ @thepeachfuzz​ @minniemariex​ @kazoo-the-demjin​ @gaypomegranate​ @ji-nk-ies​ @neilimfinejosten​ @omgrubelangel​ @itsyouitsmeorpheuseurydice​

The requests to be added to the tag list keep being spread out across a few different areas. If I missed you please just ask again in the replies I promise I just missed you.

As stated before if you’re up here and I spelled it right but you didn’t get a notification there might be something switched around in your settings that won’t let me tag you properly?

[echollama]

"Time to show you... What's in your... PRESCRIPTION!!!"

[foxglove-woods]

this is called art

[lookforpornography-mastrubation]

LOOK FOR PORNOGRAPHY FOR MASTRUBATION

LOOK FOR PORNOGRAPHY TO MASTRUBATE TO

[lousydrawingsforgoodpeople]

[thepeacefulgarden]

[yumemiruuuu]

“Qi Rong thoughts that followed me around like how baby Qi Rong followed his Cousin around like a scrunkly, rabid raccoon”

because as someone who gets upset but can’t effectively voice their frustrations, I get serotonin from watching a scrunkly little green man be stinky and cause a scene

First and foremost, how did he go from being just a brat to straight up submissive and breed-able bratty bottom?

No, like, seriously. These are two completely different individuals??? One is just a brat, and the other is a breed-able bratty bottom, and I’ll be honest here, it took me such a long time to fully appreciate the donghua design because I was so used to STARember’s design. And yes, I threw a fit to every single person I know about how vastly different his design is, I can show you the receipt.

Since his height isn’t listed… (as far as I’m aware), I’m convinced that he’s the shortest adult character in the series (yes, shorter than Ling Wen… who is TALLER than Xie Lian??????) Thus, if he were to be a dog, I can imagine him as a chihuahua. And everyone around him would be like “awww is the tiny little pookie angry???” and just make fun of him, because that’s what people do to angry Chihuahuas for some reason.

This is him throwing a fit at Pei Ming (yes, PM is a German Shepherd in my mind. Yes, I will make videos on this.)

That one specific plot-point in the novel where HC and XL are in a shack/inn and QI RONG WAS THE COOK??? Like WHAT?? Chef Boyardee who? I only know Chef Qi Rong

He’s also unfortunately selectively intelligent??? Which actually makes sense since he did grow up as a part of the royal family. And I feel like a lot of people forget that. But at the same time, even without the royal background, I feel like he has a certain sense of intelligence…. that comes from… god knows where???? And that’s kinda scary to think about, because imagine if he actually put his full thinking cap on 😭😭

Bro just straight up Out-Gay-ed Shi Qingxuan, which… I didn’t even know was possible. Like, when he flicked his wrist, I almost expected him to go: ✨✨SLAYYYY 💅✨✨

Please don’t forget the “waist snatched, tits out” potential with this man. Donghua version. Manhua version would never.

Disfigured Pikmin Qi Rong

Did I talk about “DOG HUA CHENG” and “DOG FUCKED XIE LIAN” already? Because like… despite the nasty implications, he was definitely onto something. He probably just didn’t realize to what extent 😭

I just want an official plush of this man so that I can use him as a soccer ball when it’s pouring outside and kick him around into puddles and mud and… yeah

I could have sworn I had more thoughts of him but I can’t remember now so maybe there will be a part two 🤔🤔

Oh yeah, I just remembered my friend telling me about how his name means face of sorrow or pity or something like that and just… CAN YOU IMAGINE. I need to go into a wholeass thing with this some day because when I realized that, I did not feel okay 😭

[fenrichaita]

criticisms of "anti-recovery" sentiments are deeply ableist because this sort of rhetoric defines recovery by "neurotypical" and able-bodied standards and also assumes that recovery by these parameters are both always accessible and possible to achieve, and are always desirable. In reality, these sentiments come from a deep resentment of those who are disabled, mentally ill, and neurodivergent, and a discomfort at seeing those who are labeled this way being comfortable with their own existence.

The next time you complain about the "romanticization" of mental illness or similar concepts, seriously consider whether you are aiming your grievances at the right people. Are you punching down at those who aren't suitably performing their misery for you, or are you criticizing something actually harmful such as the fetishization of mental illness by those who do not have it/are not stigmatized by labels they were not given?

[servantleverslutdrop]

If we are getting a SOC3, I really do want to see the Jesper Kaz relationship outside of Kaz being angry at Jesper and punishing him. I want to see the bestie moments. I want to see Jesper angry with Kaz. I want to see them joke around, fight and make up, save each other. Jesper was able to move on from his unrequited crush on Kaz with Wylan (which is what he deservesss), and Kaz showed his hand with how much he really cares for Jesper in CK, but I still want a sense of reconciliation between the two, after the years of hurt caused by Kaz's distance and casual cruelty.

[miodiodavinci]

for the people having trouble getting salvador to work in openutau: aaaa i'm so sorry my lad is giving you trouble ; ; this seems to be a running theme with my libraries kjshljdhlfgjk

there's a couple suggestions in the notes of the original ask which might help, but for the time being i unfortunately do not have the willpower to do much in the way of troubleshooting

i swear once i get around to updating the website and releasing his quality of life update i'll put some actual work into testing him across different platforms ksjfghkdhfgj

until then

[nehswritesstuffs]

HEART PIRATES WEEK 2024 - Day 2 of 9

I told myself last year that I was going to participate in Heart Pirates Week this year, and by thunder I'm going to participate in Heart Pirates Week!

Day Two: Shachi - Celebration

472 words; this prompt’s potential sfw disqualifier is swearing, but it’s no different from what you’d hear in middle/high school, so there’s that; this came so late bc I was very cocky and did not finish the draft in time for the whirlwind of the past few days I’ve had so my apologies; still very, very not beta’d, so don’t be surprised if this tweaks slightly later

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

He did it. The bastard actually fucking did it.

Okay, sure, he’d had his doubts about the plan from the get-go, something that had seemingly been cobbled together on a whim but Shachi knew was much older than that. It made sense that people who became Warlords did so for their own reasons, and not all of them pleasant, but after what Blackbeard had pulled in Impel Down and Marineford, one would think that the military was about to vet their candidates a bit better…

…and as it turned out, the bullying that Law did was barely even necessary. They were getting so strapped for bodies in the seats that they were more than willing to negotiate.

“Way to go, Captain!” Shachi cheered, knocking his tankard into his crewmates’ as they finished another toast. “Now we’ve got a universal pass to do whatever we want!”

“No, we don’t,” Law reminded him, the man sourly bunched up at the end of the table. Most of the crew was there and it was clearly making the room feel way too small. “As long as we don’t piss off the Government while doing shit for them, we’ve got a conditional pass. I still need to build the clout to get to where we need to go.”

“Always such a grump,” Shachi huffed. “Why are you like this?”

“Like what?” Law scowled.

“Always being gloomy before you know what the weather is—you haven’t changed since we were kids.”

“Can you blame me?”

“Yes.” Shachi stood and, after finding his balance, caught Penguin’s eye on the other side of the mess hall. “Oi! Peng! Cap’s got a lot to celebrate, doesn’t he?!”

“What… you mean more than strong-arming himself into the Shichibukai…?”

“Duh… like… literally everything!”

“Alright,” Law sighed, “you’ve had too much to drink.”

“Pshaw—as if,” Shachi scoffed. He threw an arm around Law’s shoulders and leaned into him. “I’m only four drinks in. I can go all night.”

“Can you not go while hanging all over me?”

“…and miss embarrassing you? No fucking way.” He gave his captain—who by all accounts was basically his younger brother at this point—a shit-eating grin. It was easy to imagine they were teenagers again, fresh off their first “fundraising” raid and so high on adrenaline they were all practically vibrating out of their skin.

…but now? While they had a Warlord to celebrate? The crew was going to fucking party until they couldn’t anymore and nothing was going to stop them, Shachi was going to make sure of it. He downed the rest of his beer and took his weight off Law. “Who’s up for another round?!”

Everyone in the mess hall, aside from Law, cheered. Shachi could see his captain’s face grow a little darker in blush and he knew he fucking nailed it.

[grian-updates]

Grian uploaded to his second channel!

[burythecarnival]

oh hi, just a reminder that if you make fun of other adults for watching cartoons or "kids shows", especially if they use said shows as comfort for their mental health, autism/adhd or childhood trauma, then you're a piece of shit. ok, tootles!