#Care leavers

[antheas-blackberry]

Hi friends,

I'm volunteering again with the Cardiff Christmas Dinner, where we ensure that any care experienced young person in South East Wales doesn't have to spend Christmas alone.

We are having a fundraiser tomorrow- so if you're local to Cardiff please stop by!

We have other other ways you can support us!

We have a Just Giving- https://www.justgiving.com/page/cardiff-christmas-dinner-2023

We have an Amazon Wish List- https://t.co/sMKiyeZYaD

We are having an auction tomorrow- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZu7x5IRR6sP93pqhe_sKo9VWFCwh0JXu7WcuU7qOvj4ze2w/viewform

Anything you can do to help support us, including sharing this on social media, it would be amazing!

[ex-foster]

"Many care-experienced people face discrimination, stigma and prejudice daily often finding it challenging to access support," she said.

"Public perception of care experience is often centred on the idea that children [in care] are damaged."

Mrs Taylor added: "This stigma often comes with assumptions about their likely characteristic of children and adults with care experience.

"This can lead to them being refused employment and to unfair judgements about their ability to parent."

[johnbrace]

Extraordinary Council (Liverpool City Council) OFSTED Report (Children's...

[newbieecosocalistboy]

Als chronisch kranker, behinderter Doppelstaatler mit türkischem Migrationshintergrund, der im Heim aufgewachsen ist und kein familiäres Hilfesystem hat, macht mir die aktuelle politische Entwicklung in Deutschland echt Sorgen. Die AfD steht für eine knallharte, migrationsfeindliche Politik und will den Sozialstaat abbauen – zwei Dinge, die für mich direkt gefährlich werden können. Obwohl ich Atheist bin, mich als Deutscher sehe und nie auffällig war, werde ich oft als Moslem gelesen, und das übrigens sowohl von Links als auch rechts. In einem Klima, in dem rechte Hetze immer normaler wird, kann das schnell zum Problem werden.

Die AfD betrachtet Menschen wie mich nicht als Teil dieser Gesellschaft, sondern als Belastung oder Fremdkörper. Obwohl ich mein ganzes Leben um sozialen Aufstieg kämpfe, um von dem Startpunkt Heimkind aufzusteigen und mich nützlich zu machen, hat dies nur zu einer Verschlechterung meines Gesundheitszustand geführt, statt dem versprochenen sozialen Aufstieg durch harte Arbeit, wie es der Neoliberalismus propagiert. Gleichzeitig setzt sie auf neoliberale Sozialpolitik, die genau da kürzen will, wo es für Menschen wie mich existenziell wird – bei Sozialleistungen, gesundheitlicher Versorgung und Inklusion. Ich habe kein familiäres Netz, das mich auffangen könnte, wenn der Staat sich zurückzieht. Und genau das ist der Plan dieser Partei: die soziale Sicherheit abbauen, während sie gleichzeitig Migranten, Behinderte und andere marginalisierte Gruppen zu Sündenböcken macht.

Ein zusätzliches Problem für mich ist, dass ich mich aus rechtlichen Gründen nicht aus der türkischen Staatsangehörigkeit ausbürgern lassen kann. Das heißt, selbst wenn ich es wollte, könnte ich diesen rechtlichen Makel, den Rechte gegen mich verwenden, gar nicht loswerden. Es spielt keine Rolle, dass ich mich als Deutscher sehe – für Leute, die Menschen wie mich loswerden wollen, wird dieser Umstand immer als Vorwand genutzt werden.

Dass die CDU sich jetzt immer offener für eine Zusammenarbeit mit der AfD zeigt, ist ein riesiges Warnsignal. Das bedeutet, dass rechte und unsoziale Politik sich immer weiter in der sogenannten Mitte der Gesellschaft ausbreiten. Wenn diese Entwicklung so weitergeht, könnte das für viele – besonders für Menschen wie mich – richtig gefährlich werden. Denn wenn rechte Ideologie und neoliberale Kürzungspolitik zusammenkommen, werden die Schwächsten in der Gesellschaft als Erste darunter leiden.

Ich frage mich wirklich, wie sicher ich in einem Deutschland noch bin, in dem immer mehr Menschen wie ich als „nicht richtig deutsch“, als „Belastung“ oder als „überflüssig“ dargestellt werden. Die Lage ist ernst, und ich glaube, es ist wichtiger denn je, sich dem entgegenzustellen, bevor es irgendwann zu spät ist.

[justmebeingdifferent33]

Once people know you've been homeless many will hate you standing up for yourself

Just a quick one as I’m feeling a bit drained, but one thing I’ve noticed consistently throughout my life is how a lot of people seem to expect much lesser standards than everyone else. So much so that when people attempt to sabotage my projects, ruin my life or generally attempt to exploit me I am so shocked at how many people seem to have the attitude that I should just turn the other cheek and…

[the-proeducator-blog]

UCAS Application Fee Waivers: Who Qualifies in 2025?

Applying to universities in the UK is an exciting yet overwhelming process. For students facing financial challenges, the UCAS application fee 2025 might feel like an additional burden. However, there are ways to ease this expense. UCAS and other organizations provide fee waivers and financial support for eligible students, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder academic aspirations.

Wondering how to make your application process affordable? Check out this comprehensive guide: UCAS application fee 2025.

Understanding the UCAS Application Fee for 2025

Before diving into fee waivers, here’s a quick recap of the standard UCAS application fees:

Single Choice Application: £27.50

Multiple Choice Application (up to 5 courses): £37.50

While these fees are relatively modest compared to other costs, such as visa applications or travel, they can still pose a challenge for some students. Thankfully, UCAS fee waivers exist to help!

Who Qualifies for a UCAS Application Fee Waiver in 2025?

Fee waivers are available to ensure equitable access to higher education for students from underprivileged backgrounds. Here are the eligibility criteria for UCAS fee waivers in 2025:

1. Students Receiving Financial Assistance

If you or your family already receive government financial support, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Examples include:

Universal Credit or Income Support

Free School Meals (FSM) eligibility

Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction

2. Students in Care or Care Leavers

UCAS often waives the application fee for students who are:

Currently in foster care

Care leavers under 25 years old

3. Low-Income Households

Students from households with a total income below a certain threshold (e.g., £25,000 annually) may also qualify. Be prepared to provide supporting documents such as tax returns or income statements.

4. International Students from Developing Countries

For students from developing or low-income countries, some UK universities may sponsor the application fee. You’ll need to reach out to specific institutions for details.

5. Disability or Special Needs Students

If you have a disability and face financial hardship, additional support may be available. UCAS or related organizations might extend waivers based on your circumstances.

How to Apply for a Fee Waiver

Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying for a UCAS fee waiver:

Contact Your School or College Most fee waivers are facilitated through your school or college. Speak to your school counselor or career advisor to verify your eligibility and initiate the process.

Reach Out to UCAS Directly If you’re applying independently, you can contact UCAS customer service to inquire about fee waivers. Be ready to provide relevant documentation supporting your financial situation.

Explore University-Specific Waivers Some universities offer to reimburse the UCAS fee for students who meet their specific eligibility requirements. Contact the admissions office of the universities you’re applying to and inquire about financial assistance.

Seek Help from Charitable Organizations Charities like the Sutton Trust and the Scholarship Hub often assist students with limited resources. They can guide you on obtaining fee waivers or other funding opportunities.

Financial Support Beyond Fee Waivers

In addition to waiving the UCAS application fee, students can access other forms of financial support:

Scholarships and Grants

Most UK universities offer scholarships for international and domestic students. These can significantly reduce your overall financial burden.

Student Loans

For domestic students, applying for government-funded student loans can help cover tuition fees and living expenses.

Crowdfunding Platforms

Many students successfully raise funds for their education through crowdfunding platforms. Sharing your story on platforms like GoFundMe can bring in additional support.

Tips for Students Applying for Fee Waivers

Start Early Fee waivers can take time to process. Begin your application process well before the UCAS deadline to avoid delays.

Keep Documents Ready Gather necessary documents, such as proof of financial hardship, to streamline your waiver application.

Be Proactive Reach out to your school, universities, or charitable organizations early to understand all your options.

Leverage Resources Utilize UCAS resources like their help center, forums, and guides to clarify your doubts about fee waivers and applications.

Conclusion: Don’t Let Finances Hold You Back

The UCAS application fee 2025 is a gateway to exciting opportunities, but it doesn’t have to be a barrier for students facing financial difficulties. Fee waivers, financial aid, and additional support systems are designed to ensure that everyone has a fair chance to pursue higher education in the UK.

If you’re eligible for a fee waiver, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Start your journey today by learning more here: UCAS application fee 2025.

Remember, your potential isn’t defined by your financial situation. With the right guidance and support, you can achieve your academic dreams and unlock a brighter future.

[robotpussy]

ok this is the first time ive ever had to do this but I really need the help right now. i know its going to be hard to get the full amount in the time that I have but any help would benefit me so greatly. i am putting the explanation under the cut as it is very long but TLDR:

I got into the film school of my dreams on a scholarship, but student finance will not pay for the full course fee because my university is independent, (£20k, SF can only pay £14.4k) so I have to pay the remaining fee (£5.6k) by June 1st. I cannot graduate if I don't pay this fee and I am under 2 months away from graduating. all evidence and explanation is under the cut.

gfm is here if the link above doesn't work

thank you to anyone in advance.

I have been studying filmmaking for 2 years at university and I am 2 months away from graduating. I got into this university through a scholarship that reduced the standard course fee in half. Usually, Student Finance/the government will pay for these course fees, but because my university is private, they are unable to pay the fee in full. My course costs £20k and Student Finance will pay £14,400 of this. This means I have to pay £5,600.

Here is the evidence and proof that I did get into my university on a scholarship and what my university offers in terms of fees:

I have been looking for financial support for 2 years (before I even started attending but had a confirmed place) and it has not been enough. I have contacted my local authority for years about the grant I am entitled to as a foster care leaver and the most I could receive was £2,000 that ended up going to paying my gas and electric bills.

I have also gone to many charities to ask them for support and many of the responses I got were "go to your local authority". I did find one charity that was willing to help me but the sponsors of the charity decided that I would receive a laptop and they would pay for the travel costs to my university for a year instead. I am eternally grateful for that but now I have nowhere else to go for this.

I would really appreciate any help I am already having a extremely hard time dealing my current eviction and I am on the verge if being homeless I would just like to get something off my back and I would rather graduate and get this over with. I am still actively working to find places that are willing to help me but in the time that I have now I would appreciate it if I could get something in the meantime.

[themoderatespeaks]

America needs MAX PARTICIPATION for the economic blackout this Friday. This thing is snowballing fast because so many reasons are popping up for why people are doing it (including some "what it's really about" lists). A short list:

-inflation/the egg thing

-protesting the trend of corporations getting bigger and richer and more powerful while normal people are finding it harder and harder to keep up with the cost of living

-protesting corporations who heard Trump say diversity is out and went "Oh thank God" and immediately dropped (sorry, "didn't renew") their DEI policies, their support for the LGBTQ+ community, all of it

-protesting consumerism/huge corporations in general

-Trump giving a giant chainsaw of power to Musk and they are literally having fun with it

-the giant, reckless cuts Trump is making in general

-Jon Schwarz started a grassroots movement for government accountability and corporate reform and is going to make a million bucks this week selling Tshirts of his Blackout Tour

-moderate Republicans, Trump leavers, and even Trump supporters are starting to realize that Trump needs reining in from every angle possible because wow.

IT DOESN'T MATTER, at least not on Friday. The point is that the energy this has gathered is part of a wider pool of protests, boycotts, spending freezes, etc. that are gathering steam fast. And that's a good thing, because this Friday, Feb 28th, has become a productive, nonviolent flashpoint. There is so much anger and fear building right now in America and this is a good, healthy way for it to emerge. But if participation is too spotty, it will lead to absolutely nothing.

So please, less gatekeeping and more welcoming. Honestly, for the sake of max participation, if even one of these reasons matter to you, or matters to people that you care about, please participate.

Tl;dr: What is Friday really about? It's about momentum. Please, participate.

[webism]

me when i submit yet another toji ask to the webism blog in my phone toji fushiguro....save me...... he probably spits. he spits so much. he'll spit in ur mouth, spit on his own dick (lube? never heard of her). he'll probably lick you up and down. hell, he's the type to lick your face mid-sex, and hell again because you can't bring yourself to care. not when it's toji. he's already gross, what did you expect? again with licking, he also bites, but i think only in his favourite places. thighs. neck. collar bones. maybe even your tits, if applicable.... he's a BIIIIG hickie leaver. why wouldnt he leave a mark???? it's like a cute little signature. or, a stamp on your brain — like when he spelled out his name with his tongue over and over until you came.... he's soooooo gross ugh ugh i hate him grrrr grr toji. i need him beaten and bruised on my bedroom floor so i can suck him and his dick dry like a vampire.

toji licking up the side of your face does something absolutely fucking deranged to me south HOLDING YOUR FACE WITH HIS HAND SO YOU CANT TURN AWAY FROM IT EITHER bark bark BARK BARK BARK

id get his bitemark tattooed and he would fucking love that.

[illdowhatiwantthanks]

Hii, i love your storys and i hope you could do a Casey Nowak one, were casey is older than the reader. Casey has her menopause and has not that much of a high sex drive anymore and other menopause symtomes. She is really scared that the reader will leaver her. They have to find a way to handel the "problem".

Hey, friend! Hope you enjoy! 💖 - illdowhatiwantthanks

Changes

Casey Novak x fem!reader Warnings: implied sex, discussions about sex, menopause, explicit language (please let me know if I've missed anything!) Word count: 1.4k

Summary: Something's wrong with Casey. You can tell. But she doesn't seem to want to talk about. You're worried you've done something wrong, but it turns out to be something neither of you have control over.

It was one of those days that should have been perfect. A light rain outside served as the perfect excuse for you and Casey to stay in bed all day. And, for the most part, that’s where you’d been. Besides a late brunch–pancakes eaten hot as you stood by the kitchen counter–you’d been lounging around. Casey had gotten a bit of work done, but her laptop sat abandoned on the nightstand now as you straddled her hips, lavishing her in long, slow kisses. You took your time with her; you had time to take today.

But there came a moment when you realized, even as aroused as you were, that Casey was no longer kissing you back, not really. You pulled back, looking at her curiously, tucking her hair behind her ear.

“You okay, love?” you asked.

Casey avoided your eyes. “Yeah. I’m sorry, honey, I’m just not feeling it today.”

“That’s okay,” you assured her, moving to lay beside her. And it was. It was always okay if Casey wasn’t feeling it. But you couldn’t help the aching in your lower stomach, the wetness pooling that you knew would probably not be taken care of today. And probably not tomorrow. The truth was, Casey hadn’t been feeling it much at all lately, which was odd for her. For the entirety of your relationship, over five years now, Casey had always had by far the highest sex drive of the two of you. But now, it was like a switch had been flipped.

Nevertheless, you tried your best to be loving and supportive, wrapping an arm around her waist and pressing your face into the crook of her neck. But as soon as you did, Casey squirmed away, huffing.

“Y/N, just…don’t touch me right now, okay?!”

Her voice was rough, harsh, and you flinched. Casey sighed and covered her face with her hands, flushing deeply. You moved away, watching her with concern. Casey never yelled at you. And she always liked to be touched. So much so that you teased her about it. Something was wrong. And it had to have been something you did.

You wondered what it was. It must have been something bad for Casey to react like this. Casey was so direct, she didn’t let anything fester. So for her to avoid talking about it? You wracked your brain, going over the last weeks and months of your relationship, trying to figure out what you’d done to drive a wedge between the two of you.

You felt tears form in the corners of your eyes. This had never happened. Not with Casey. You talked things through. You worked things out. You left nothing unsaid or unspoken. You were suddenly terrified that something had ruptured, something that you wouldn’t be able to fix.

“I’m sorry, Casey,” you whispered, your voice shaky.

She turned quickly to look at you, her eyes wide with surprise and concern. ��Oh, honey, for what?” she asked, wiping a loose tear from underneath your eye.

“I can tell something’s wrong,” you said, your voice quiet. “Did I do something? Did I hurt you?”

Casey exhaled heavily, a few of her own tears glistening in her eyes.

“It’s not you, sweetheart, it’s me,” she mumbled.

Your heart dropped all the way to your stomach. It’s not you, it’s me. That’s what people said before they left you.

“Are you breaking up with me?”

“No!” Casey groaned and rubbed her temples, chuckling a little. “But you might want to break up with me after this.”

“Casey,” you pleaded. “Please talk to me. What the hell is going on!?”

She sniffled, a single tear dripping down the side of her face, and you grasped her fingers in yours.

“I haven’t had a period in three months.” She spoke quickly, as if afraid she might not get it all out.

Your hand shot to your mouth. “You’re pregnant!?”

Casey choked out something that was somewhere between a laugh and a sob. “Y/N, I’m gay. How would that even happen!? I’m not pregnant.” She took a shaky breath. “I’m starting menopause.”

You were silent for a moment, watching as Casey squeezed her eyes shut, trying (and mostly failing) to suck the tears back into her eyes.

“Oh,” you said, when you finally spoke. And then felt like an absolute idiot that that’s what you led with. But this was new, and you weren’t really sure how to address it. You were years, maybe even decades, away from menopause yourself, but you wanted to do all you could to support Casey.

“Well, are you…” You stumbled through your words, as if tripping over rocks. “Do you feel… okay? How are you– God…” You covered your face with your hands. “I’m so sorry, love, I’m completely fucking this up.”

When you removed your hands from your face, you were shocked to see Casey shaking with sobs.

You surged toward her. “Hey,” you cooed, your voice heavy with emotion. Your hands stopped just before touching her. “Can I… Is it okay if I touch you?”

She nodded, shuddering, and you pulled her onto you so that she could rest her head on your chest and you could wrap your arms protectively around her, placing a flurry of kisses on the top of her head. When her tears had subsided and her breathing slowed, you carded your fingers through her hair, hoping the rhythm would help calm her.

“I’m so sorry, Y/N,” she said, her voice rough from crying. “You’re not doing anything wrong. I just… I’m hot as hell all the time, and I’m moody, and I’m dry as the fucking Sahara.”

“You are hot all the time,” you teased, resting your chin on her head.

She swatted at your arm. “This just…” Casey sniffled again, wiping her face with the back of her hand. “It’s not what you signed up for. I don’t want you to feel trapped.”

“Casey.” You sighed, caressing her cheek. “This is exactly what I signed up for.”

“No, it’s not. I’m basically an old lady.”

“Hey,” you said, tilting her chin up so she had to look at you. “I can assure you that you’re not an old lady. You know how I know?”

Casey shook her head.

“Because I don’t want to fuck old ladies.”

She rolled her eyes, but smiled a bit.

“Now when you’re actually an old lady, like a little meemaw, and we’re living in the retirement village, I’m sure then I’ll want to fuck old ladies because I’ll be old, too, and my tastes will have grown with me. But for now? No old ladies. Only MILFs.”

Casey giggled, and you smiled, glad to see your girl feeling like herself again.

“Okay,” she conceded, still a bit hesitant. “But you deserve sex if that’s what you want. And I… I don’t really want sex very much right now.”

You stared at her, eyebrows raised. “Come on, now, Counsellor, you work SVU. You know better than that. Nobody deserves sex. That’s not how it works. And I think you forget that I know my way around a vibrator.”

“Yeah, but–” You shushed her quickly with a finger pressed lightly on her lips.

“No buts. I love you, Case. Not because you’re great in bed. Although…” You shrugged. “I mean, you are. I love you because you’re you. That’s not gonna change.”

Casey sighed. “Okay,” she whispered, snaking her arms around you.

You sat like that for a few minutes, relieved to be on the same page again, to know what was wrong. And even though you might not be able to fix it, you could at least be there for her.

Casey finally spoke, her fingers playing lightly with the drawstring of your sweatpants. “If you wanted to try out the vibrator… Maybe I could watch?”

You shot up, staring at Casey as she smirked at you, desperately hoping she was serious. “Really?”

She nodded, propping herself up with her elbow. You launched yourself out of bed, full-on sprinting to the closet, where you kept all the toys. “Ohmygodohmygodohmygod,” you breathed.

Casey laughed and called out, “You better not come too fast! That’s no fun for me.”

You grinned, poking out of the closet to point at her. “See? I told you! MILF.”

Casey shook her head playfully, relieved that you’d taken the news so well. And so, so happy that you were hers. As you rifled through the closet, you felt much the same.

[newbieecosocalistboy]

I hate being a former foster child and an autistic person with additional disabilities combined, and everything I do just fizzles out into nothing, i will kill myself before i become 31 if this situation does not change.

If I don't get out of the support system in the next few months – something I've been trying to do for 15 years – and if I don't get assurance that it will be resolved by the summer, I will be irreparably damaged and might as well give up. I feel trapped and probably won't survive another year.

I can't take it anymore; for 15 years, I've worked hard to get out of youth welfare and special education, got a decent middle school diploma and a good vocational qualification, only to now, more than a decade later, be rotting in assisted living and being unemployable. Everything has been for nothing so far!

I keep deteriorating, I can't maintain friendships or social interactions in general, I'm losing more and more practical life skills, I'm practically becoming institutionalized. My social and professional skills have recently regressed to the same level as they were in 2008. Within this year, I've lost everything I worked so hard for. And the friends who could understand my pain understandably want nothing more to do with me.

I did a crappy apprenticeship and even attended rehab so I could get my own apartment, earn money, and finally get a cat or a dog, which I've wanted for 24 years! I can't even manage the simple goal of getting my own place and a cat.

Four years after finishing my apprenticeship, just turned 30, and I'm deeper in the system than before, have lost skills, and my health is as bad as it was in 2009 when I had just come out of special school?! Every time I return to my shared housing or have appointments with social workers, I end up worse off, every single time. How am I supposed to get out of this?

They don't even understand that I want a practical outcome from my apprenticeship?!

They're always like: "But you've accomplished so much!"

And I'm like, yeah, and what am I supposed to do with that? Do I have an apartment, more than minimum wage, a cat, anything more than I had before the apprenticeship?

And then they say:

"Why do you want those things? The apprenticeship should be enough, shouldn't it?"

It's a loop, a vicious cycle. Nobody gets that I don't find it great to have reached 30 without achieving a single small goal. I talk myself blue in the face with the people who are supposed to be responsible, and nobody understands?!

[justmebeingdifferent33]

Speaking up for people to recognise and accept the discrimination towards care leavers.

Ya know, it doesn’t matter how much I say I’ve struggled to be accepted and fit in, even for a smiley festival-steward type like myself. That’s where I’m most at home I guess, not that I can afford them these days, but outside of the alternative it’s been a completely invisible trip for most part. If you still don’t believe me, then think about it… google my name ‘Ben Westwood’ or ‘Ben Westwood…

[beans-core]

Random thought:

I think Tyson would make gifts for Percy that are usually armor and weapons or other life-saving things because he knows that Percy lives a dangerous life, more than most demigods. Tyson wants to make something that helps Percy stay safe and alive, and Tyson knows that Percy wants to survive— not just to keep living, but also to keep loving and protecting his loved ones. So it’s swords and shields and daggers. They’re good gifts for a demigod anyway— they always end up being useful— but Tyson makes sure to add just that extra bit more intricacy and passion in Percy’s compared to the basic weapon templates he makes in the forges, added designs, symbols of protection, personalized momentos. One day, Percy explains the notion of a gag gift, and Tyson loves it. From that day forward, his gifts from Tyson now have a 50% chance of being gag gifts. And of course, since all of Tyson’s gifts are breathtaking, the joke is never about shoddy handiwork.

Percy’s personal favorite is a small handheld water gun that’s a perfect rendition of poseidons trident but itty bitty, and it shoots water out of all three prongs. Percy treasures it, and nicknames it Fork. When Estelle is old enough to appreciate it rather than just chew on it, he passes Fork down to her with Tyson’s blessing.

Tyson doesn’t make gifts for people outside his family as often, but it definitely happens. It’s always based on something he knows they like, and it needs to be useful above all else. Gifts are harder to be upset about when they are tailored specifically to your interests and needs. Even if there’s something you don’t like about the design, but you needed it anyway and it was given to you for free as a gift, there’s a very small chance you’ll turn it down. It’s the best path to gift-giving success, and Tyson wants nothing but to make them happy.

When Tyson is hired to work as one of Poseidon's blacksmiths, he grows closer to his dad and makes gifts for him too. Statues and crowns and the like, because Poseidon doesn’t really need help to be stronger or more effective in battle, not that Tyson’s current skill level would be able to make a functional weapon for a god anyway (one day, maybe). Not only that, but because Poseidon is a deity, gifts don’t have to necessarily be useful. There’s more freedom to play around with the art of it considering it’s basically an offering. Even with his loved ones, he still gets that niggling voice that tells him it needs to be better, more useful. Offerings to gods are expected to be perfected and glorious, but in actuality, most gods accept offerings either way as long as it’s made with genuine effort and care, and his works are never lacking in that.

Gifts for Sally Jackson are things like art and jewelry, because she’s a mixture of both. he knows that she’s divine too in her own unique mortal way, but sometimes she doubts that she deserves to be decorated. Which is something he just can’t imagine, Sally Jackson being anything less than amazing? Not possible. Though he doesn’t completely understand her Desiree to not flaunt her beauty and importance, that’s where the art comes in. If she feels like she doesn’t want to decorate herself, then she can always decorate her living space. He also knows that she doesn’t need to fight to be safe, because Percy would never leaver her to fight on her own, but defensive items aren’t a bad idea at all. (Her favorite gift from Tyson is a beautiful locket that she has her family’s pictures in.)

When Percy goes missing soon after the war with Kronos is over, he realizes that even though Percy wouldn’t willingly abandon his family, sometimes it’s not his choice. It’s the first time he gifts Sally something for offense rather than defense. It’s also when he decides that he needs to do some protecting of everyone else too, especially if Percy isn’t around to do it: he makes Estelle an armored crib when she’s born (which is promptly baby-proofed by her parents but still effectively protects her). He makes Paul a pocketknife that works in both humans and monsters, so if he’s being attacked he can fight back first and wonder if the assailant was a monster or human later. Sally’s protective item is an improved version of Percy’s watch-to-shield thing but with an added detachable dagger that is, once again, effective for both humans and monsters. He equips the Jackson-Blofis household with a few small boxes: these open up with a code word and contain an automatic water mister, a handful of drachma, a few extra travel-ready weapons, and a collapsible shield. The box can also only be picked up/moved if code is given.

For his lovely harpy girlfriend, he’ll make her anything and everything he can. She likes to hoard more than just words in her head once she has a permanent, structured living place. Not to mention tyson would build her the world if she wanted, so trinkets are fun and no trouble at all. Ella also likes to give him little gifts in the form of scavenged findings— pretty flowers, quirky metal parts, shiny rocks— so he’ll find a way to incorporate them into his crafts. A nice shell might become a pendant for necklace, a scrap of wood with a nice design might be shaped into a small sculpture, a uniquely shaped peice of metal could be put in the hilt of a sword. Ella doesn’t mind if these little bits she collected become gifts for her, but being a part of the process of someone else’s gift and knowing a part of her plus a part of Tyson made something special for their friends makes her want to burst with joy. (Ella will sometimes recites love poems/stories/etc as gift for him. Rarely, she will go out of her comfort zone and purposefully mix up the words of stuff she remembers to make personalized romantic writings for him. It’s a high honor and Tyson absolutely melts every time she does it.)

[christian-oc-tournament]

Please vote based on the picture AND the description!

The winner of this poll will be awarded the Honourable Mention!

Dr. Elliott Sinclair [Creekwater @5tarryknight]

While the whole town sings the praises of his brother Michael, the sheriff, Elliot happily plays the role of the Menace of Creekwater. The chaos bringer. The leaver of firecrackers. An irredeemable, heartless monster who… Loves cats. Who can quote the Mustafar scene verbatim. Who drives his schoolie across town every morning to take his best friend, Lucille, to her teaching job. (Even though she assures him she could just bike there.) Sure, Elliot may engage in the occasional benevolent act. But make no mistake! That’s only to keep people in suspense! To keep the citizens of Creekwater on their toes! He is a wolf amongst the sheep. It certainly isn’t because he cares. That would be ridiculous.

Dae [Fallen Breath @larissa-the-scribe]

A Creechur. Was found floating in the ocean. Has at least two eyes at all times, but sometimes more. Likes riding around on her friend's hair, sniffing things, chewing on things, finding hidden things, and staring into people's souls with inky black eyes that can see and understand way more than any mere animal should be able to. Favorite food is fish.

[marzipanandminutiae]

like. this is obviously not conflict resolution. but I want you to send that exact post and a picture of the crumbs to your roommate group chat sooo bad

seriously fuck those guys, their Crumb Intervention with you sounds so toxic

as I said, I am not without fault here! I have an issue with looking at the chore chart, thinking "oh hey, it's my week to do Chore! I should do it!" and then I blink and the week has passed and I'm scrambling to do it because it needs to be done. and that is annoying to people and I fully understand that!

but like. the crumb thing is. I mean, they're all there going "the kitchen is gross and we don't want to cook there" and the only Concrete Proof of Grossness that gets brought up is the crumbs. and they're my fault because "this neer happened before you moved in"

so I try to be careful about wiping down the counter every time I use it...and then this happens. like why am I even bothering if they're not holding themselves to the same standards? should I say something? but then what if they just turn that around and say "nobody's perfect" or act like I'm trying to start conflict and it makes things worse?

(I just want to say something because if the standard is No Crumbs for me...shouldn't it be No Crumbs for everyone? how is it fair that that person won't get their share of the blame for the crumb situation, since I cleaned up after them so I wouldn't continue to be the Designated Mess-Leaver in my housemates' eyes?)

and WHY in the name of all that is holy. are we having these insane petty arguments. over a kitchen that is BORDERLINE SPOTLESS except for a few crumbs now and then?! in my natural state, I'd just be like "oh hey there are some crumbs on the counter. I'll wipe/dust them off and move on with my day!" but now I've been made to fret and stress over. literal breadcrumbs.