#Country Map Riddle

[naijasunspire]

Few things irritate me more than Nigerians (particularly older ones) looking down on aspects of "oyibo culture." "Oh, we don't address our elders like Oyibo people, we have our culture."

Beloved, has your culture given you 24hrs light? Has your respect paved your streets?

[saiddcain]

As someone who joined Tomarrymort Fandom last year, I am curious... what was it like when it was a very rare ship in the 2000s?

Well, it was a different context back then. A different internet. Mind you, I wrote in Portuguese (my native tongue) and posted on fanfiction.net. There was no ao3, only fanfic forums, livejournal and the big one, ff.net. Back in the 2000s, before tumblr exploded and concentrated fandom in its trenches, fanfic itself wasn’t a very known concept. In a way, the Harry Potter series really helped develop the genre and put it on the map in a way that previous fandoms — Buffy, LotR, Star Trek and others — hadn’t. The moment was very auspicious; HP was a global phenomenon and the internet was rising faster than ever. The months, years between the release of the final four books also helped: restless, hundreds of thousands of fans started writing their own versions of the story. I remember when a newspaper in my country published an article about Harry Potter fans and fanfics. They even mentioned Drarry! A breach between “fandom world” and the “real world”. Nowadays “fanfic” is used a slang in my culture (to mean lie, fabricated tale) by people who have no idea where the term came from. Fandom is a known thing and its members are taken seriously as consumers. Entertainment companies are aware of ships, of tropes, even of old men yaoi.

It was different back then. Even within that huge fandom Voldemort/Harry or TomHarry was a small, almost inexistent ship. We didn’t know yet that Harry was Voldemort’s Horcrux — although some fans had already come up with the theory. There was a lot of crack involving Voldemort. Noseless, bald, snake-like Voldy. He was far from the sex symbol he is today. I remember when Ralph Fiennes was cast to play him…

Tom Riddle, on the other hand, was a bit more palatable. If I remember correctly he was shipped mostly with Ginny. A lot of fans were intrigued by him. But many couldn’t see past the unsexy villain he’d become. A lack of handsomeness — that was unforgivable. Especially in an age where Japanese Animation was also a growing hype — compare Voldemort to the bishonen that treaded gracefully the western screens: Itachi, Sesshoumaru, Light Yagami, all those svelte, long-haired beauties. Even Orochimaru, Voldemort’s most obvious anime double, had more style.

I’ve always liked villains. I read the first Harry Potter when I was six or seven and I already liked Voldemort then. Even as a shade, a shape on the back of Quirrell’s head. When he was re-introduced as Tom Riddle in the Chamber of Secrets I knew he would be my favourite ever. Like many other kids I grew up with Harry. But Voldemort was my son, my love, my darling. I started reading fanfic when I was twelve but most of it was anime’s. When I came across Harry Potter fanfic my focus was the Marauders. We had a very thriving community writing in Brazilian Portuguese before we were all colonised by the internet’s Lingua Franca. Both in English (which I started to learn when I was ten) and Portuguese Voldemort/Tom Riddle was a usually side character. Ginny, Bellatrix, obvious self-inserts OCs, Lucius — those were his most common partners.

TomHarry/Harrymort started to appear more, I think, after the release of the fifth book. That connection, that dream sharing, is hard to ignore. I recall an author who’d put Harry through hell through Voldemort’s hands (he was quite the sadist in their depiction). Others wrote him as the tender violator. Some of the tropes that are now popular began to be formed: Dark!Harry, Dumbledore bashing, Light Bashing. A lot of fics depicted Voldemort “rescuing” Harry from the Dursleys, horrified by the abused he suffered.

Not many explored Harry and Tom, but some did. Time travel fics were almost unheard of. A few gems attempted that glorious hardship: Voldemort and Harry being together while staying true to their morals and beliefs. Those were very hard to find and I treasured them.

I think something shifted in the late 2000s/early 2010s. We now knew Harry was Voldemort’s Horcrux. And we had Flayu. Flayu was the first popular, Japanese fanartist to draw TomHarry/Harrymort. We didn’t have the incomparable @shelter-maki0 but we had drawings like this and this and this.

I stayed away from the fandom and from Voldemort/Harry for a long time. After Voldemort died in the seventh book I renounced Harry Potter……my baby was gone and I felt that he was done very dirty in the end. He went out like a Disney villain. No depth. So I don’t know how we moved from a very niche pairing with few fanfics and only one big fanartist to 16,120 fics as I’m writing this. I missed that bridge. The fandom annoys me nowadays because so many works are more of the same. I feel like we used to be more daring back in my day. But that could be just me being a 30+ old man yelling at a cloud. But also:

For all the annoyance the overuse of that trope (and others) causes me, I’m happy this fandom is so much bigger now and so many people enjoy this pairing. When I stumbled on them, many, many years ago, it was like a switch turned on in my brain. Voldemort/Harry makes so much sense it’s insane. I’m glad more people see it, write about it, love them like me.

Hope I didn’t bore you with my (old man’s…) reminiscences. This was a fun ask to answer. Thank you ❤️

[contemplatingoutlander]

How Trump is reshaping reality by hiding data

Curating reality is an old political game, but Trump’s sweeping statistical purges are part of a broader attempt to reinvent “truth.”

Trump appears to be turning the federal government into its own 1984-style Ministry of Truth.

This is a gift 🎁 link so there is no paywall to read it. Below are some excerpts/highlights.

By Amanda Shendruk and Catherine Rampell | March 11, 2025 The Trump administration is deleting taxpayer-funded data — information that Americans use to make sense of the world. In its absence, the president can paint the world as he pleases. We don’t know the full universe of statistics that has gone missing, but the U.S. DOGE Service’s wrecking ball has already left behind a wasteland of 404 pages. All sorts of useful information has disappeared, including data on:

[...]

[See more under the cut.]

Three cases of legerdemath and other tricks up Trump’s sleeve

Deleting data isn’t the only way to manipulate official statistics. Trump and his allies have also misrepresented or altered data. Here are a few examples: 1. Incorrect data

Witness DOGE’s bogus statistics on its supposed government savings. The administration counts as “savings” some canceled contracts that had already been paid in full. Some canceled expenses were created out of whole cloth, such as $50 million supposedly spent on sending condoms to Gaza. 2. Misrepresented data

One of Trump’s favorite charts on immigration is riddled with errors. For one, it does not show the number of immigrants entering the United States illegally, as he claims, but the number of people stopped at the U.S. border. Similarly, when Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was recently asked how much DOGE funding cuts might reduce economic growth, he suggested that the agency might decide to change how economic growth is calculated so that the usual GDP report strips out government spending altogether. This would be an abrupt change to the standard GDP methodology that has been used around the world for nearly a century, but it would certainly make the DOGE cuts look less painful. 3. Altered data

When data doesn’t tell the story Trump wants, he fabricates it. In what became known as “Sharpiegate,” Trump notoriously altered a map of Hurricane Dorian’s path in 2019.

Likewise, before Jan. 30, a National Institutes of Health website documenting years of spending data included a category called “Workforce Diversity and Outreach.” That line item is now gone — even though the money was, indeed, spent.

Taking cues from authoritarian illusionists

Such actions are straight out of authoritarian leaders’ playbooks. Research suggests that less democratic countries have been more likely to inflate their GDP growth rates and manipulate their covid-19 numbers. Statistical manipulation is also more common in countries that shun economic openness and democracy. [...] To be clear, efforts to rewrite reality via statistical manipulation often don’t work. If anything, China’s data deletions reduced public confidence in the country’s economic stability. (No one hides good news, after all.) The Trump team’s efforts to suppress nettlesome numbers have similarly eroded trust in U.S. data. Only about one-third of Americans trust that most or all of the statistics Trump cites are “reliable and accurate.”

Meanwhile, missing or untrustworthy data lead to worse decisions: Auto companies, for example, draw on dozens of federally administered datasets when devising new car models, how to price them, where to stock and market them and other key choices. Retailers need detailed information about local demographics, weather and modes of transit when deciding where to locate stores. Doctors require up-to-date statistics about disease spread when diagnosing or treating patients. Families look at school test scores and local crime rates when deciding where to move. Politicians use census data when determining funding levels for important government programs.

And of course, voters need good data of all kinds when weighing whether to throw the bums out. Many of us take the existence of economic or public health stats for granted, without even thinking about who maintains them or what happens if they go away. Fortunately, some outside institutions have been saving and archiving endangered federal data. The Internet Archives’ Wayback Machine, for instance, crawls sites around the internet and has become an invaluable resource for seeing what federal websites used to contain. Other organizations are archiving topic-specific data and research, such as on the environment or reproductive health. These are critical but ultimately insufficient efforts. At best, they can preserve data already published. But they cannot update series already halted or purged.... Some private companies may step in to offer their own substitutes (on prices, for example), but private companies still rely on government statistics to calibrate their own numbers. Much of the most critical information about the state of our union can be collected only by the state itself. Americans might be stuck with whatever Trump chooses to share with us, or not.

[fafodill]

I’m unironically invested in Snape and Hagrid getting along pretty well. Despite how much of a careless disaster Hagrid can be, talking to him must be a breath of fresh air after a week of dealing with the bratty pureblood snobs in Slytherin/their parents/the school board/Dumbledore and his inability to be direct about anything/Harry’s latest disaster/students who refuse to follow simple instructions and then get mad about it/Death Eaters/etc. Also, this has the very fun (to me) potential of devolving into like… Hagrid: :D :D do you want to see my new pet?? she’s a Firebeathing Hellmurder Deathbeast that’s been illegally smuggled into this country, isn’t she cute, her name’s Pumpkin and I won her in a card game :D Snape: Yes absolutely, would you mind holding this cursed severed head in a jar while I take a sample of Pumpkin’s venom for research purposes? Hagrid, completely sincere and not questioning the severed head: :D okay!! Her venom can dissolve flesh!! Snape, also completely sincere despite the resting bitch face: That sounds… fun. I imagine it has many uses.

(also damn, if you want a character to rescue teenage Snape from the Marauders my vote’s on Hagrid! he managed to keep the inside of his house off of the Map, and as much as he’s clearly fond of James I don’t think he’s very keen on people hunting their classmates for sport after having been targeted by Riddle…)

Thank you anon for giving more fuel to my platonic (?) Snagrid growing interest because I absolutely dig it.

Honestly Hagrid is a very underused character. It's partly jkr's fault (how convenient it is to always blame her) since Hagrid was like a sort of kind-childish-giant-trope who was here at the beginning to introduce Harry to the magical world and kinda... stayed that way. He is like an overgrown friend to the Trio which is, well, something some people have been discussing 'cause it's lowkey problematic since he's a grown-ass man... but he's also extremely non-threathening (if you forget about his very dangerous special interests). It's a bit of a shame that we didn't see more of his 'responsible' side but he is capable of great emotional intelligence and has a clear sense of friendship (like in PoA when he scolds the boys for letting down Hermione). So yes, I could absolutely see him defend teen!Snape!

Of course we can assume this didn't happen in canon since we never see Snape interact with Hagrid - if I'm not mistaken - but... it sounds like something that could have happened.

And really, cottage forest giant + gothic skinny boi bat ? Immaculate combo.

I want Hagrid to have protected teen!Snape! He wasn't a professor back then but he was roaming the grounds and could have seen the Maraudeurs hexing Snape and intervened. He's big and impressive. Snape would have fled as well in the other direction but what if sometimes Hagrid had spotted him studying outside in the shades? I could see him just waving at him from afar and tiny Snape just burrying his head in his books, not knowing how to react.

With time he'd have waved back maybe. Just a little bit. And Hagrid would have smiled from ear to ear.

And he'd have yelled at the Maraudeurs again and again. Because sure the kid was a slytherin but he wasn't hurting anyone (at least at the beginning) and it was pretty obvious he was lower-class and was mostly bullied because of that.

Imagine that with time he'd have maybe found a wounded/hexed Snape once and offered him to get him to the infirmary. Snape would have refused and with a bit of convincing Hagrid would have maybe managed to convinced him to come to his house so he could at least bandage him or offer him tea.

Imagine how awkward 13 yo Snape would have been in this weird hut with all the gigantic clutter around and then being offered a bucket of tea. He'd have barely answered Hagrid's questions, hiding behind his hair and looking like a wary little animal. Then Hagrid would have maybe showed him the very toxic rare beetles he'd have 'found' in Hogsmeade and little Snape who's ahead of the curriculum gets worried fascinated and perks up and starts babbling about what it seems to be.

Hagris tells him he can come whenever.

And they bond over that beetle. Even more when it lays eggs and Hagrid is overjoyed and Snape is excited but VERY WORRIED and doesn't know if he's supposed to warn the other professors or not.

And he goes back to the hut twice a week to observe the evolution of everything and finds that it's actually quite nice being there. It's calm and Hagrid praises his intellect and loved that he's being so curious. And he doesn't judge him for his clothes or his accent.

Of course in the middle of this beetle story they both almost get poisoned at least five times and when the eggs hatches it's a catastophy and they barely manage to kill them all contain it before the whole grounds are festering with poisonous beetles. Hagrid is very sad and Snape has no idea what to say so he just passes him his napkin-sized hankerchief as he weeps.

After that I believe you can have the beginning of - if not a solid friendship - then at least some sort of trust and companionship.

Had Hagrid been told that Snape invented sectumsempra and possibly hurt people with it (Hagrid is a gryffindor with a strong moral compass after all and we could assume he's not fond of slytherins) he could have scolded him and possibly distanced himself but I think that once he's fond of someone he's not letting them down.

So he'd have been able to hear Snape's side even if he didn't approve of his methods.

And imagine if he offered him once to spend Christmas with him in 6th or 7th year?I don't know about you but this sounds like dubious food, drooling dog and nice memories to me.

Yeah no, I dig a Snagrid friendship.

[spectre-azula]

LACKADAISY OC🐈‍⬛

Hey y'all! Just want to share two of my characters here, you're welcome to collaborate and be friends with them 🪄

Harkin Väsäinen🌹

“Brains aren’t just for thoughts—they’re for feelings too.”

Bonnabelle Väsäinen☀️

"I was reading about hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia when I realized that if I say extra-long words, the important person will probably give me a cookie to keep me quiet. That’s definitely how negotiation works, right?"

I have other information and details about them but just click it down below to proceed only if you want to know them more ✨

Introduction:

Name: Dr. Harkin Väsäinen

Age: 32

Height/Weight: 5"10 / 154 lbs

Voice/Accent: Low, calm voice with a Finnish accent

Cat Symbolism: Siberian Cat – intelligent, cool-tempered, loyal

Appearance:

Lean but toned build

Slightly sunken violet eyes

Sharp jawline, soft cheekbones

Prefers button-downs, vests, long coats/lab coats, muted pastels

Has mild oculocutaneous albinism

Likes:

Lemon tea

Stargazing with Bonnie

Candied lemon peels

Reading rare books

Dislikes:

Loud disruptions

Overbearing people

Adults who talk down to children

Hobbies:

Journaling case notes

Organizing books by obscure systems or reading

Tasting Lemons (actual Lemons!)

Personality:

Harkin is a man of quiet depth and ironclad gentleness. There is a certain stillness to him—the kind found in snow-covered forests, or libraries where only the ticking of a clock can be heard. His words are meaningful, stitched with care and precision. As a psychiatrist private practitioner himself—he listens more than he speaks, but when he does speak, his voice carries a soft authority that hushes a room. By age 23, he had already earned a PhD in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, graduating top of his class and publishing a widely respected thesis on trauma and resilience. Now, he runs a successful private practice, holds licenses in two countries, and publishes psychological journals that other professionals quote in conferences.

He is often mistaken for cold due to his pale features and observant silences, but those who know him understand: Harkin is warmth hidden beneath layers of caution, intellect, and empathy. The kind of father who packs lemon-curd toast for his daughter with a handwritten riddle on the napkin. He journals thoughts in poetic metaphors and stargazes not for astronomy, but for peace. Harkin sees people as puzzles made of glass—not meant to be solved, but handled with reverence.

Introduction:

Name: Bonnabelle Väsäinen

Age: 6

Height/Build: Very short and petite, chubby cheeks

Voice/Accent: Clear voice with faint Finnish intonation

Cat Symbolism: Ragdoll Cat – affectionate, playful, clingy

Appearance:

Bright yellow-brown eyes

Rich orange hair

Lolita outfits but sometimes wear oversized sweaters and animal-themed jumpers

Likes:

Cheese sticks

Warm milk with honey

Spelling impossibly long words

Drawing maps of imaginary places

Dislikes:

Wassabi or Anything Bitter

Being babied (except her dad Harkin)

“Boring” answers

When people don’t let her finish her 100 questions

Hobbies:

Reading dictionaries + histories

Naming rocks and keeping them as her guardians xD

Making cute little pins

Climbing furniture to deliver speeches (with those silly jargons)

Personality:

Bonnie is a wildflower in a field of neatly trimmed grass. She is brilliantly odd and unfiltered, an exuberant brain housed in the body of a tiny chaos-gremlin. Her love of knowledge is matched only by her desire to share it—whether or not you asked. She's the type to build an elaborate cardboard kingdom in the living room, complete with its own economy, just because she found an old cereal box and somehow she loves mixing jargon words, turns out to be a funny one but you can't stop her with her big interests throughout expressing odd and long words in it.

Moreover, Bonnie was fiercely but emotionally attuned, switching from rambling about volcanoes to hugging someone who looks sad in an instant. Her logic is airtight—even sometimes she’s entirely wrong. With Bonnie, nothing is ordinary, and every day becomes a hypothesis or an adventure. She is curious, complicated, and a little exhausting, but endlessly lovable.

Thank you for your time reading!

[bookie-bookdust]

Ominis Gaunt Headcanons

Heh heh I'm back with more shitty headcanons. This time for the fancy pants boy himself Omi. I actually find his pov easier to write than Seb's, funny enough. I think it's because we both have mommy AND daddy issues lololol.

In a relationship, he's obsessed with pulse points, kissing them, touching them. He has to feel it😈

His wand allows him to see silhouettes like a map. His wand also allows him to see magical signatures- à la seeing auras. He's a bloodhound, really.

Omi is not a soft boy. He's all teeth. Easy to snap, quick to threaten and mock. But he won't come at you unless you get in his face. He's confident and keeps to himself.

Tall and lanky - the aristocratic noodle. I might get shit for this, but I actually see him as taller than Sebastian. Sebastian is just bigger.

I'm split on this because I write him both ways: either narcoleptic, or he sleeps during the day because he has trouble sleeping at night.

Sharp had him banned from J. Pippins because he kept cheating in Potions.

He has a strong moral code, but no one said if it was the right one.

Will zap you if you're irritating him. That being said, when he's upset, he will still come sit beside his friends with either scathing remarks, grumbling, or in cool silence.

I ship him with Poppy or Anne most of the time. Sebinis is a cute pairing, but my Seb and Omi would absolutely destroy each other; they don't even last as friends in most of my fics, really. Oh, and I never ship him with MC lol sorry (I'm a basic bitch and Seb and MC are etched into my frontal lobe).

Ominis wishes he could have run away with Noctua. When she used to read to him as a child, she'd speak of leaving the country once she graduated. But ....ya know lol.

Ominis is the chain reaction for the birth of Tom Riddle. He attempts to give the Gaunts the final plunge into complete and utter ruination (since they were barreling quickly there by the 1890s), but his actions are unfortunately the catalyst as it pushes his family further into madness.

Ominis knows about the Chamber of Secrets.

He will use an Unforgiveable Curse one final time in his life, and that will be the thing that breaks him.

Conniving fucker. Collects gossip and information and uses it as leverage. No one ever knows what he's up to. That bitch lies to your face all the time.

A skilled violinist. Will talk about the damn thing for hours.

When he speaks Parseltongue he has nystagmus (I'm obsessed with this idea).

In more than one of my AUs, Sebastian may have killed/injured Hobhouse....Ominis doesn't give a SHIT. He's like, "Huh, what a tragedy. Bad Sebastian. Why would you do that?"

I see Dark Ominis as a for-hire bounty hunter of dark wizards. I may have a fic I work on from time to time that involves this Omi in the Shadow Trio including a dark wizard Seb and an Azkaban MC😌 Buttttt ajfislajgisrlgjiersg anyway.

Okay time for me to leave now. Byeeeee.

[iwannarunawayandbeapirate]

GM Resources

Here are my favourite websites that help me prepare and run TTRPG sessions (I mainly play D&D 5e but many of these will also work for other games). All of these are either completely free or have a free base version.

2-Minute-Tabletop: Lots of free tokens, maps and more! Also contains some content you have to pay for, but the free selection is usually enough for me. Very useful, especially if you're running online games. You can even customise the tokens' colours.

Lost Atlas: A huge selection of free maps, with filters to help you find exactly what you're looking for.

Falindrith's D&D Monster Maker: Create custom D&D monster statblocks. Lots of customisation options, from spellcasting to legendary actions. Very useful if you want to create a unique BBEG, but too complex to use for minions imo.

Fantasy Name Generators: You've probably heard of this one before, but it's incredibly useful. Whether you need to quickly come up with some NPC names, figure out what that town is called, or invent an extra riddle because your players solved the puzzle way too quickly, you'll find what you need here. It's very versatile and even has specific name generators for some RPGs!

Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator: This is my favourite world map tool. You can generate a random map and then customize it until it fits for your campaign. You can let it generate country and town names for you or come up with your own.

Dungeon Scrawl: Create your own digital battle maps. Base version is free, but you can pay for a premium version if you want more features. Not as quick as simply downloading an existing map, but you will be able to create exactly the kind of map you want.

I Loot The Body: Great if you need to quickly generate loot, treasure, or NPCs (I mainly use it for the latter). Compatible with D&D 5e and Pathfinder 2e.

Nuudel: Wonderful tool for planning the date and time of your next session. Easy to use and it works very well. If you make a poll with it, make sure to select "All voters can modify any vote", otherwise it can lead to problems if people want to edit their own answer. The website is German but you can switch to a different language in the drop-down menu in the top right corner.

These are just the ones I know off the top of my head, if I remember or discover more websites/tools I will update this post.

Feel free to reblog and share your own resources!

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Lauren Gambino at The Guardian:

Donald Trump on Tuesday declared that his administration was “just getting started”, boasting in a marathon address to Congress that his efforts to slash the size of the federal workforce, reorient US foreign policy and escalate a risky trade war marked the beginning of the “most thrilling days in the history of our country” as Democratic lawmakers protested with placards that read “lies” and “false”.

“America is back,” Trump declared, opening his primetime speech to a joint session of Congress, the first of his second term and the longest in American history. Republicans broke into a boisterous chant of “USA”. Throughout the address, which lasted about one hour and 40 minutes, a jocular Trump touted his administration’s “swift and unrelenting action” and praised the work of his billionaire adviser Elon Musk, who has led his administration’s efforts to dramatically downsize the federal government through his so-called “department of government efficiency”. “Thank you, Elon,” Trump said, gesturing to Musk, who was seated in the house gallery overlooking the chamber where Democrats waved paddles that read “Musk steals”. Trump seized the high-profile moment to defend his administration’s action during the first weeks of his return to power, including, according to his tally, nearly 100 executive orders and more than 400 executive actions. “The people elected me to do the job, and I am doing it,” he said, making no mention of the legal challenges that have stalled many of his actions and deepening fears that his trade war will plunge the country into economic turmoil.

Trump also expanded on his “America first” foreign policy vision, just days after a dramatic Oval Office meeting with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, spiraled out of control as Trump and JD Vance berated him over a perceived lack of respect. During his remarks, Trump recited from a letter Zelenskyy had shared earlier in the day, indicating that he was ready to return to the negotiating table to end Russia’s three-year war. The US had simultaneously received “strong signals” from Russia that Moscow was “ready for peace”, Trump said. “Wouldn’t that be beautiful?” Elsewhere, Trump envisioned the US expanding. He declared that his administration was in the process of “reclaiming the Panama canal” and repeated his threat to take control of Greenland: “One way or the other, we’re going to get it.” With performative flair, Trump offered a sampling of initiatives he said Musk’s team had identified as wasteful, among them the creation of an Arab Sesame Street, “making mice transgender” and promoting LGBTQ+ rights in Lesotho, the African country he said “nobody has ever heard of”. “This is real,” he exclaimed, drawing laughs from half of the chamber. Trump claimed that Musk’s cost-cutting efforts had identified “hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud”. But his estimate vastly overstated the savings Doge says it has generated, a figure which itself is based on accounting that multiple reports have found is riddled with errors and distortions. Early in the night, as Trump bragged about the size of his electoral college and popular vote victory – “a map that reads almost completely red for Republican” – Democrats heckled and booed, prompting the House speaker, Mike Johnson, to bang his gavel and demand decorum. “You don’t have a mandate,” shouted the Texas representative, Al Green. When the congressman, who last month filed articles of impeachment against Trump, refused to be seated, the speaker ordered him removed from the chamber. Trump claimed a mandate for “bold and profound change”, though at 1.5 points his winning margin in the popular vote was historically narrow and three points less than Joe Biden’s four years earlier.

[...] Past presidents have used the first major speech as an opportunity to reach across party lines and offer areas of common ground. Trump did the opposite. He taunted his political foes, blaming his predecessor for the price of eggs and claiming his victory ushered in a wave of tech investments that wouldn’t have happened if Kamala Harris had won the election. At one point he called Joe Biden the “worst president in American history”, drawing applause from Republicans.

“Why not join us in celebrating so many incredible wins for America,” Trump chided stone-faced Democrats. At least a handful of Democrats walked out of the speech early. Trump celebrated his clampdown on the US immigration and asylum system and called on the Republican-led Congress to deliver additional federal funding to expand his border crackdown and extend his first-term tax cuts. Some Democrats held signs that said “Save Medicaid” to highlight the social safety net programs that could be at risk under a Republican budget blueprint to deliver Trump’s sprawling agenda. The president also ticked through many of his controversial actions, from renaming the Gulf of Mexico to making English the country’s official language, and banning trans women from women’s sports. “Our counatry will be woke no longer,” he declared. The speech was riddled with falsehoods and misleading claims, including a riff about millions of centenarians aged “110 to 119” receiving social security benefits. “We have a healthier country than I thought, Bobby,” he quipped, referencing Robert F Kennedy Jr, his recently installed secretary of health and human services, who leads the vaccine-skeptical “Make America healthy again” movement. The 15 guests who joined Melania Trump, the first lady, to watch the address included the widow and daughter of Corey Comperatore, the firefighter who was killed at the campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump survived an assassination attempt, as well as Marc Fogel, the American teacher Trump helped free from a Russian prison last month. Other guests were intended to highlight the administration’s policies, including family members of Americans killed by men in the US without legal status, and anti-trans advocates. There were poignant moments. Trump paused his remarks to sign an executive order renaming a wildlife refuge near Houston for an animal-loving 12-year-old girl who prosecutors say was killed by two Venezuelan men in the country illegally. Turning to another guest, 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018, Trump directed his Secret Service director to make him an honorary US Secret Service agent. The House Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries, had encouraged his members to attend the address in order to demonstrate a “strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber”. Many did attend, bringing fired federal workers and Americans who rely on social safety net programs threatened by Republicans’ budget proposal.

Last night’s SOTU-esque joint address from fascist felon Donald Trump was more of the same for him: the greatest hits of lies, distortions, calumny, and bigotry that wouldn’t be out of place at one of his campaign rallies.

See Also:

HuffPost: Five Takeaways From Trump’s Joint Speech To Congress

Daily Kos: Here are the worst moments from the worst speech from the worst president

Vox: Trump’s (very long) speech to Congress, explained in 500 words

[yuurei20]

Short Translation from Twisted Wonderland the second novel: Yuuya in Class

"‘We’ve got that strategy meeting at lunch today—Yuu, Grim, you two gotta come, all right? No running off. The Housewarden isn’t mad anymore, so don’t be so freaked out.’

‘I’m not freaked out!’ Grim declares.

Yuuya opens his mouth to explain all that happened yesterday, but then stops himself. No matter how he phrases it, it would damage Riddle’s pride.

‘Yeah, I know,’ Yuuya replies.

Deuce smiles as well, nodding in response. 'All right. So meet up in the cafeteria at lunch,’ he says, facing forward in his seat to prepare for their first period class.

After homeroom is Magical History. Trein’s classes are both difficult and strict, requiring thorough preparation.

Ace snickers at the serious-looking Deuce. ‘Turning on us just like that. Not that it’s doin’ ya any good.’

‘Shut up. Maybe you should try it, too.’

‘Nah. I don’t like stuff that needs a bunch of memorizing.’

‘Me neither,’ agrees Grim.

As Grim messes around with Ace without so much as taking out his textbook, a nearby Heartslabyul student says, ‘Grim—isn’t Trein going to be calling on you today?’

In an instant, Grim’s expression becomes serious.

‘You make Trein mad again and you’re really in for it.’

Grim nods repeatedly in response to this stern advice.

When Yuuya thanks him, the student responds with an awkward chuckle. ‘You’ve sure got a rough time of it, Yuu.’

‘Come on Grim, we need to study properly. You might even get assigned extra lessons again.’

‘Ugh…what a hassle.’

Grim reluctantly allows himself to be coerced into facing forward, and Yuuya opens his reference book. 'Coming to Know Twisted Wonderland.’

It is a thick book, but at long last he is more than halfway through. Still on his first read-through he cannot remember much, but the shock of seeing a world map entirely different from that of earth has stuck with him.

He now recognizes the names of the larger countries, and even the hometowns of the people he is closest to.

Night Raven College is on Sage’s Island, of the Land of Dawning. Despite the island’s diminutive size it is home to two prestigious schools: Night Raven College and their rival, Royal Sword Academy. Ace, Deuce, Trey and Riddle are from the Queendom of Roses, which seems to be a group of islands to the east of Sage’s Island.

Cater is from the largest country, the ‘Land of Pyroxene.'

Due to what his family does for work he has moved frequently, and he taught Yuuya the names of various cities.

Leona, from yesterday, is a member of Sunset Savanna’s royal family according to what Deuce has said. Yuuya confirms in the book before him that Sunset Savanna extends into the south from Sage’s Island. It is described as ‘a vast country with abundant nature,’ with a photo of grasslands and a blue sky as an example of the climate.

The book also contains details about the country: in the past, there were lawless territories where the rule of its own kings did not reach. While, now, there are beautifully developed urban areas, there are also large slum towns, and significant economic disparity.

Over half the population consists of beast-people. The region is inhabited by many rare, wild animals. Out of respect for nature and to avoid reckless overdevelopment, there are limits on urbanization.

While Yuuya looks over the map Grim, at his side, stares at his lesson materials for the day with a groan. ‘I don’t get none of this.’"

[dailyunsolvedmysteries]

The Man from a Different Universe

In the chronicles of unexplained mysteries, the story of the Taured Man stands out as a baffling and enigmatic tale that has puzzled minds for decades.

It all began in the mid-20th century when a well-dressed and confident Caucasian man arrived at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, eager to embark on his journey. However, it was at the airport's immigration desk that this ordinary-looking traveler would reveal an extraordinary claim that would forever shroud his identity in mystery. Upon being asked the routine question of his country of origin, the man, with unwavering conviction, declared that he hailed from a place called "Taured." To the bewilderment of the Japanese immigration authorities, there was no record of such a country. The traveler was asked to produce identification, and that's when the plot thickened. In his possession, the Taured Man held a plethora of official documents, each more puzzling than the last. A passport, driver's license, and a stack of business cards – all issued by the non-existent nation of Taured – were laid out before the astounded officials. The documents were meticulously crafted, bearing all the hallmarks of authenticity, complete with visas from multiple countries, hinting at a history of international travel. As if this weren't perplexing enough, there were other curious details that further fueled the mystery. The authorities, grappling with disbelief, questioned the man about his homeland. His unwavering response was that Taured had existed for a long time, situated in the border region between France and Spain. This contradiction, however, only deepened the enigma, as no such country appeared on any maps or records. It was as though the Taured Man was a visitor from an alternate dimension or an elaborate hoaxer.

The confusion escalated as the man was escorted to a hotel room, still under the vigilant gaze of Japanese immigration authorities. While they were determined to solve the riddle of his identity, they were left with more questions than answers. The next morning, an eerie and baffling development occurred – the Taured Man and all of his belongings, including the Taured documents, had vanished without a trace. There were no signs of forced entry or exit, leaving investigators and airport personnel dumbfounded. It was as if the enigmatic traveler had simply vanished into thin air.

[ritchiepage2001newaccount]

Project2025 #TechBros #CorpMedia #Oligarchs #MegaBanks vs #Union #Occupy #NoDAPL #BLM #SDF #DACA #MeToo #Humanity #FeelTheBern

JinJiyanAzadi #BijiRojava Putin Sure Does Love Old Maps, Sort Of

The Economist publishes seven maps exposing Putin's distorted historical claims

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has attempted to justify his full-scale invasion of Ukraine with pseudo-historical claims, asserting that Russians and Ukrainians are one people supposedly divided by "external forces," according to an "anti-Russian" plan…

20190121 The Sudan uprising: “This is a people’s revolution”

20211213 EU imposes restrictive measures against the Wagner Group

20220215 War and Anarchists: Anti-Authoritarian Perspectives in Ukraine

20220223 Vladimir Putin’s Revisionist History of Russia and Ukraine

20220302 Ukraine • While Waiting for the Bomb |2

20220311 Male State: The Russian Online Hate Group Backing Putin’s War

20220314 The Invasion of Ukraine: Anarchist Interventions and Geopolitical Changes

20220325 Putin’s Private Army, the Wagner Group Out to Assassinate Zelensky, Faces Sanctions

FURTHER READING:

[foxglovepng]

Race Headcannons 🥀🌼

Requested: Nu uh I just felt like it

CW: Race, Rook Slander, Ortho spoiler Idia's part.

Characters: NRC students

These are my Race Headcannons for the NRC men. Some of these I just went by feeling a lot of these I did research about the movie setting although with the fishes + beast men I went by geography.

Some of these I'm unsure of (Heavy on Sebek) If anything is incorrect or you want to share your thoughts go ahead I'm always open to corrections and hearing others. (PROOFREAD FOR ONCE)

(Updated Epel on 5.12.24)

🌼

Heartslabyul

Riddle (British)

I don't really have an explanation for this one other than the Red Queen in Tim Burton's version she was British and had a big goofy forehead (I have not seen the animated one help)

Trey (German)

Would you believe me if I told you I whipped out a map closed my eyes and threw a dart and it landed on Germany??

For this one I went with somewhere in Europe and I picked Germany because it just made sense to me I was gonna say Polish, but his Green hair was telling me German.

Cater (Scottish)

It's his ginger hair tbh.

Ace (Japanese)

A lot of people headcannon him as Filipino, but me personally I wanted to be quirky and different /j

This one doesn't really have any evidence I just went by feeling. I also headcannon it that he would love Jojo and Junji Ito.

Deuce (Mexican)

As a fellow Mexican I KNOW ONE OF US WHEN I SEE ONE OF US. He is Mexican and I WILL DIE ON THAT HILL.

Savanaclaw

Leona (Kenya)

I actually googled it and Lion King takes place in Kenya which is a country in the eastern part of Africa. For obvious reasons since he is based off Scar it made sense to make him Kenyan.

Ruggie (Multiracial)

I may get a lot of heat for this one, but this man got blonde ass hair and blue eyes, HOWEVER for the geography of spotted Hyena's I feel he is light skinned. He's got some Kenya in him but he also got some white genes. Geography wise I believe he is also part Arab since there are Arab countries in Africa. So therefore I believe he is white, black, and Arab.

Jack (Bircial)

Another one I may get a lot of heat for.

From what I remember Jack is from the same country as Vil? So, I believe Jack is part black, but also part European. It also isn't explicitly stated what movie he is from we just know he is a wolf.

Pop off Jacob Black (not sorry)

Octavinelle

Azul (Cuban) + The Twins (Filipino)

I googled Coral Sea locations and I came to these conclusions.

There are different Coral reefs going from Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Maldives. With the Twins I thought how funny would it be to make them Australian, but Filipino just kind of felt right like a gut feeling. The Carribean sea also has coral reefs so I made Azul Cuban. I was going to make him Venezuelan however I ended up going with Cuban, but I feel like both fit him in a way.

Scarabia

Jamil + Kalim (Arab)

I don't really think this one needs an explanation Aladdin quite literally takes place Agrabah which was based off of Baghdad, Iraq (source: Google)

HOWEVER

There is an article that says the Architecture is based on the Taj Mahal which is Indian.

There is also a mention of Allah in the animated version BUT because I don't fully understand religion in general (And also Disney back then was kind of racist) I don't want to use religion as a justification to where specifically they are from. So I will simply just say they are Arab.

Pomefiore

Vil (German)

Snow white was based in Germany. (I have nothing more to say :Skull:)

Rook (French)

Self explanatory

Epel (Sami)

The Sami People are people who are indigenous to Sapmi which is in Northern Europe. (Todays Russia, Sweden, Finland, and Norway).

From doing a bit of research the Sami people seem to be dying out and their language too. (If you want to feel free to Google the Sami people there's a lot to learn about them and it's really interesting. There was basically a bunch of policies put in place to kill them and mistreat them it's really sad)

So in short Epel is Sami Indigenous (If I'm correct he's the first Indigenous character we got so far which is nice representation) (I also hope my research was correct please correct me if not)

Ignihyde

Idia (Greek)

Based on where Hercules takes place and because Hades is quite literally Greek Mythology he is Greek.

Ortho is just a robot, but when he didn't drop dead he was Greek.

Diasmonia

Malleus (German/French)

I am not really getting a clear answer as to where Sleeping Beauty takes place so I made him a French German. He slayed tbh

Lilia (Romanian)

Dracula's castle is in Romania that is the only explanation you are getting

Silver (French/German)

I am being told he is based off Sleeping Beauty so I am making him the same race as Waka Sama.

Sebek (Biracial)

When I first was thinking of a race for him I was thinking Slavic kind of fits him (atleast to me) or possibly Asian. However I had a really hard time guessing so I made him SlavicAsian. Maybe possibly Slovakia and Vietnam?

If you enjoyed Likes and Reblogs are very much welcome. If you want to request something go ahead just read my rules first. <3

[orangeaprayshore]

I asked Ai for Sims 4 expansion pack ideas and created AI images.

- The Sims 4 Cruise Life: Nautical

Let your sims travel between four small islands on a vacation cruiser. Fancy Yachts. Souvenir shops, on deck restaurants, fêtes and weddings. Interpreter career. Waterpark. Each island represents a different country. An uninhibited jungle island, a busy European port island, a dark Caribbean town with beach, and and a former American whaling town with a coastal theme. New deaths include The Titanic Death. Disappearing students. Secret society.

The Sims 4: Preppy Boarding School Mystery

A boarding school for the rich with the possibility to get a Stipendium. Mean girls, dark secrets, secret passages. Lacrosse skill. Ability to travel to a nearby English town. Popularity contest.

The Sims 4: Victorian Vibes and Renaissance

Victorian small town and Victorian fashion. Mummy parties, scandalous affairs, pet monkeys, electric shock treatment for emotional release, corsets, opulent dinner parties

The Sims 4: Secret Societies

A Paris map with an underground tunnel system. Hidden rooms, Sherlock holmes career, sects, rituals, tattoos, clam fights, hints, riddles.

The Sims 4 Inventor City:

Steampunk themed city. Get creative and invent unheard of objects. Steampunk fashion. Mechanical Weather. Aristocratic society and museums. Cirque.

The Sims 4: Venice

Masquerade Balls, Carnival, Floods, Italian Mafia, Gondoliers

The Sims 4: Opera, Theater and Acting

A world full of sets and romantic scenery.

The Sims 4: Pirates of the Caribbean

Dark Caribbean town, English colonial town, pirate island, sea witch, sirens, monsters, Kraken, treasures, aristocracy, kings & queens

The Sims 4: Amusement Park

Normal and haunted version.

The Sims 4: Paris Ballet Studio & Paris Little Worklife

Own a small bakery, patisserie, dance studio, fashion deisygn studio, or fashion boutique in a Paris inspired world. Paris fashion week. Ballet shows. Ballet Academy. Become a prima ballerina.

[bonpocalypse]

can you please tell me your headcanons for the nationalities of the twst boys pretty pretty please 🥺 also any other headcanons you have!!!

I love love love nationality headcanons, they're so fun to think of!! A reminder that these are my headcanons, I'm not here to start arguments. If anything does come across as offensive/innapropriate please let me know! I'll gladly fix it :)

For the most part, I based the Twst Character's nationalities off of where their stories take place (I'm not all that skilled in headcanons, apologies!!)

Alright, going in dorm order here:

Heartslabyul

Riddle Rosehearts: Icelandic/Britsh

I have him as Icelandic purely because of LeafSheep's "Begin at the Beginning," the King Said!! Nordic Heartslabyul has my heart. and ofc since Heartslabyul is based on Alice in Wonderland, he's half-British in my headcanons

Ace Trappola: British

Alice in Wonderland :)

I don't have much to say about Ace, I kinda don't think about him all that much

Deuce Spade: Irish

In coming up with nationality headcanons, I wanted to explore more areas in the British Isles for the Heartslabyul students and eventually decided on Deuce being Irish! I had more reasonings but its 5 am and I cannot think for the love of me.

Cater Diamond: American with English/German heritage

I see myself in Cater. He's one of my highest kins, so he's 100% from West Coast USA. It also makes a lot of sense he'd be American looking at how similar some nations in the Twisted Wonderland universe are to nations in our own world! Pyroxene is really similar to the United States from what I've researched, and Cater's valley accent in the English version of the game really hits the mark :)

As for his heritage, he's English because of Alice in Wonderland and German because I feel it fits him very well

Trey Clover: British

I don't think about Trey often enough sorry :(((

I love him though he's so silly

Savanaclaw

Leona Kingscholar: Kenyan

The Lion King takes place in the Kenya area, and so I put him there!

Jack Howl: American with Kenyan/French heritage

Another Pyroxien!

Kenyan because Savanaclaw was based on the Lion King and that's set in Kenya

French because I have a sneaking suspicion Jack is based on the wolves from Beauty and the Beast

Ruggie: South African

Ruggie was hard to find a headcanon for, but I eventually just took someone else's headcanon that said he is South African

Octavinelle

Azul Ashengrotto: Italian/French/Danish

All come from where the Little Mermaid is set in both the movie form and the Hans Christian Andersen form. The movie itself was set in the Mediterranean Sea, and I headcanon Azul's family to be from around the Nice, France area of the Mediterranean

Danish comes into play from the original source material for The Little Mermaid and the fact that the Coral Sea in Twst gets cold. Also to note, the Coral Sea on the map of Twisted Wonderland is close to the coast of the Queendom of Roses, which is pretty far north!

Jade and Floyd Leech: Danish

Putting these two together because twins

Pretty much the same reasonings as Azul, the book's settings and the Coral Sea :)

Scarabia

Kalim Al-Asim: Saudi Arabian

I'm going to be so honest, I don't think about Scarabia like... at all. So for Kalim, I'm going straight out of where Aladdin is supposed to be set

That also came as a problem, because the movie has a habit of mashing Middle Eastern cultures together. Though I did find that the movie takes place in the Arabian Desert which narrows where Aladdin was filmed to a myriad of countries, one of which is Saudi Arabia

I decided to go with Saudi Arabia since a majority of the desert does reside within that country.

Jamil Viper: Saudi Arabian/South Asian

Same thing as for my headcanons with Kalim, and I got the South Asian headcanon from a mutual on TikTok

Pomefiore

Vil Schoenheit: American with German heritage

Hollywood star here, folks!

German heritage because of Snow White's setting :)

Epel Felmier: Finnish

Ok for this headcanon I went off of the Harveston event

(hey future Bon edit here when its not 5 am and running off of no sleep)

Rook Hunt: Australian

This headcanon is for shits and giggles

It's a running joke between me and my friend that Rook is not French and is faking the accent to sound more "beautiful"

I don't know why we chose Australia specifically but it came to fruition

He can't speak proper French he's literally calling Vil the King of Fish

Ignihyde

Idia and Ortho Shroud: Greek

Hercules is set in Greece!

Diasomnia

Malleus Draconia: French

For Diasomnia I went off of movie settings once again, and Sleeping Beauty is heavily implied to be set in France!

I really feel like I should explain more but that's really most of my headcanons for them, where their movies are set

Silver: French

Silver is tough to pin down since we don't know if he's even originally from the Briar Valley, but I went with French as well

Sebek Zigvolt: French/German

(Bon please please please come back to this)

Lilia Vanrouge: French

I actually have so many nationality headcanons on this dude its not even funny

I imagine him as French, Romanian, and Dutch

And for funnies:

Royal Sword (and Rollo) (excluding the dwarves)

Neige LeBlanche: American with German/Finnish Heritage

Che'nya: British/Russian

Rollo Flamm: French

[starchaseriseverything]

James has just arrived at the address he was given to babysit. According to Google Maps, the house is called Grimmauld place.

A woman answers the door a few minutes after James knocks. She has long, black, unruly hair. She looks frantic. "Hi, hi, sorry. It's a little crazy in here. I'm Bellatrix Black-Lestrange. Nice to meet you."

"James Potter."

"Right, Sirius told me about you." James makes a confused look. "The one who hired you, his name is Sirius."

"Like the star?"

"Yeah. I'm surprised someone knows that."

"I've always been fascinated with the stars. You're named after one, too."

"Yeah, I am. Most of my family is."

Fleamont - James' dad - taught James all about the stars when he was four. He was always fascinated with them since he was born. He thought they looked like the little specks of paint that Euphemia - James' mother - drew.

"Anyway, come inside, it's cold."

As soon as James walked inside, he was hit with a water balloon. "Ted Remus Lupin!" A man with the same long, black hair just more tamed yells. "I'm so sorry. My son is a prankster. Anyway, I'm Sirius Black-Lupin." Sirius looks James over. "Hey, Reg! Can you get a towel!"

Another woman walks up with long, white, and black hair. "What happened, Siri?" She looks over at James. "Oh, hello. I'm Narcissa Black-Malfoy. It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too."

A boy comes up to hug her leg. She smiles. "This is my son, Draco."

"Another star. You really meant it when you said most of your family."

"Yeah." Bellatrix says. "It's crazy and hectic." A man with short black hair walks up with a towel in hand. "Finally, Reg. Took forever."

"Shut up, Bells. At least I can't get pregnant."

"Why is that your insult?"

"Who would want a second kid? Apparently, you."

"Whatever." She takes the towel from the man and hands it to James. "Sorry, that's Regulus Black." The man - Regulus - leaves.

"Reg! Are you coming with us!?" Someone from the other room yells while James drys himself with the towel.

"No!" Regulus answers. "And take B and Ev with you! Their sickening!"

Yet, another woman comes in with a girl and a man trailing behind her. She has - thankfully - tamed, brunette hair. "I'm Andromeda Black-Tonks. This is my husband, Ted Tonks. And my daughter, Nymphadora Tonks."

"Nice to meet you."

"You, too."

Two more men come in. "Rodolphus Lestrange."

"Lucius Malfoy."

"James Potter."

Three men and two women come in. The first woman that has red hair speaks up. "I'm Lily Evans-Rosier."

"The Lily Evans? The one that Marlene keeps talking about?"

"You know her?"

"Know her? She's my best friend."

"Anyway," The dark skinned girl with blonde highlights says, "I'm Pandora Rosier. This is my twin," she gestures to a dark skinned boy, "Evan Rosier."

"And this is my boyfriend, Barty Crouch." Evan gestures to a boy with blonde tips.

"Sup."

"I'm Remus Lupin. Kids! Come here!" Four kids come running in. "Teddy Lupin, Draco Malfoy, Nymphadora Tonks, Harry Rosier, Luna Rosier, and Tom Riddle Jr." Remus gives an apologetic looks. "I'm sorry there's so many, but we need a break."

Bellatrix speaks. "Regulus is upstairs if you need anything. It's.... three so, we'll be back around.... ten?" Everyone nods. "Ten. Is that ok?"

"Yeah. Of course it is. I babysit Aries and Artemis for 2 days and their.... monsters?"

Lily smiles. "Fair enough. Anyway, instructions are on the fridge. If you need any help, feel free to ask anyone, yeah?"

Everyone says goodbye, and now it's James and the kids. "So, have any toys?"

Luna squeals. "I'm gonna like you."

James smiles. "Well, I hope so."

***

"Hey! That's cheating!" Harry yells.

"Nuh uh." Luna says.

"Yes, it is."

"Nuh uh."

James sighs. "Alright, who wants to go to the park?"

"Yeah!" Everyone yells.

***

James has finally riled up the kids at six and is now finally in the house at six-thirty.

Seven rolls around, and the kids have been fed.

Eight rolls around, and it's time for bed.

"I wanna say goodnight to Uncle Reggie." Luna pouts. "I do it every night."

James sighs. "Alright. Go say goodnight."

"Yay!" Luna grabs James' hand and starts running down the hall to what James assumes is Regulus' room. Luna stops in front of a door and knocks. The door opens, and Regulus appears with messy hair, pajama pants, and no shirt.

Fucking hell.

"Uncle Reggie!" Regulus looks down and picks up Luna. "You forgot to come say goodnight."

Regulus smiles. "I did? I'm sorry. I won't do it again." He gives Luna a kiss on the temple and sets her back down. "Alright, bedtime." Regulus leads Luna to her room and tucks her in.

"Goodnight, Uncle Reggie. Goodnight, James."

***

James decided to sit down and scroll through TikTok on his phone. Apparently it's been an hour because next thing he knew Regulus was walking down the stairs and he looked at the clock.

9:00

James goes back to his phone for another ten minutes before Regulus comes into the room. He stands right in front of James - which he didn't even realize either - and speaks, "Have you eaten anything?"

James jumps. "A little warning next time would be nice. Also, no."

"You should eat something."

James eyes him. "You're one to talk. You didn't even come down for dinner."

Regulus rolls his eyes. "I don't like eating with the kids. And anyway, I'm heating up food right now."

"Ok, good." He pauses and waits for Regulus to leave. He doesn't. "Is that all you wanted?"

"Mm. No, actually. I think you're cute." He walks away and leaves James flabbergasted.

Unfortunately, Regulus goes back upstairs with his food and doesn't come back down. Not even when James leaves. Luckily, James has sticky notes in his bag. He grabs his bag and excuses himself to use the restroom. He grabs a bright yellow sticky note and a pen and writes, 'I think you're cute, too' and sticks it to Regulus' door - he remembers from when Luna wanted to say goodnight.

***

"Artemis, no! Aries, stop! You little -" James' phone rings.

Sirius Black

"Hello - Aries, Artemis! I'm going to call your mother! Better yet, I'll call your mama!"

"No, no! We'll stop!"

"Thank you, now be quiet."

"Yes, Uncle Jamie."

"Sorry about that. What's the problem?"

"We need someone to babysit again, and Reg won't do it. Plus, they seem to like you." It's been two weeks since he last babysat them - for the first time. "Please." He begs. "If you need any help, Reg is here."

"I'm sorry, Sirius." Sirius told him to call him that. "I'm already babysitting my niece and nephew."

"You can bring 'em! We don't care. As long as you come, please."

James sighs. "Alright, I can take them anywhere I want, anyway."

"Thank you."

"Ar, Art, who wants to go play with other kids?"

"Yay!"

***

"Alright, I'm going to need you to be good, ok?"

"Yes, Uncle Jamie." Aries says.

James knocks on the door, and Pandora opens it with Luna and Harry beside her. "Sorry, their being clingy."

"James!" They both yell.

"Hey!" Artemis yells. "That's our Uncle Jamie!"

Pandora has a panicked look on her face. "Oh god. You already have a babysitting gig? Are you supposed to take them out?" She wispers the last part.

"I'm their Uncle. I can do whatever I want, and Marls won't care. Have you not met them?"

"No, should I have?"

"Not necessarily. Ar, Art, you guys have met Lily, your mama' friend, right?"

"Yeah, she's nice. We call her Aunt Lily." Artemis says.

"This is her wife, Pandora."

"Really?" Aries asks. "She looks pretty. Way prettier than you, Uncle Jamie."

James smiles. "Wow, thanks."

"Well, it is true," Artemis agrees. "Uncle Jamie."

"Fair."

"Anyway, come inside. It's cold out there."

Hmm. James thinks. Less chaos.

Apparently, Pandora knows what he's thinking because she says, "Remus is giving them a talk."

"Hey, Uncle Jamie." Aries says. "How many kids we talkin'?"

"Six and counting."

"Wow! Uncle Jamie, you hit the jackpot."

"I don't wanna." Artemis says. "Uncle Jamie, can we go?"

James squats down to her level. "Come on, you don't have that many friends. You need to make more. Your mama and I had so many friends by your age."

Artemis groans. "But I'm not like Mama."

"I know, you're more like your mom."

A voice comes from the doorway. "Aren't they the same people?" Regulus.

"No, their not. They have two moms."

"Do we have to? Can't you just drop me off with Mom or Mama?"

James sighs. "Marlene is working her hotel, and Dorcas can't have any distractions when she's painting. So, no. I'm sorry, babes."

Artemis sighs. "It's fine."

"Come on, sis. It'll be fun."

"For you, maybe. You're better at making friends."

"You know," James starts, "you remind me of one of my friends."

"Who?"

"Peter. He couldn't make friends very well until I walked up to him. After that, he made friends quite easily."

"Really? You really think I'm just like Uncle Peter?"

James nods. "Absolutely. You just need a little push by your brother. Aries? Help your sister, ok?"

Aries salutes him. "Yes, Uncle Jamie, sir." James rolls his eyes, and Aries laughs. "Of course, Uncle Jamie. I always will."

James gets back up. "Ok, so, here's two of kids. Luna and Harry. Their siblings just like you but their twins."

"You mean just like Aunt Lily talks about her friends who are twins."

James smiles. "You've already met one of them. Pandora is one of them."

They both gasp. "Really!? Two twins in one day!? Best day ever!" Aries yells.

Andromeda comes in. "What's all the yelling for?"

"Sorry, they were excited. Aries, Artemis, remember."

"We know. We're sorry."

"See. Good kids when they want to be."

"You're kids?"

"No. I've been single for years now. I think I'm probably gonna stay that way at this rate. Anyway, these are my best friends' kids."

"Uncle Jamie!" Aries yells. "Look, they both have blonde hair - really blonde."

"Yeah."

"You have a sibling?"

"No, none. Marls and Cas just like to let their kids talk freely. So they decide to call all of our friends Aunt and Uncle."

"That's pretty nice, actually."

Artemis walks over to James. "Jamie, bag."

"Magic words."

"Uncle Jamie, could I please have your bag so we can play?"

"Better." He hands her the bag that has all kinds of toys and coloring books he put together the first day he started this business. Aries and Artemis helped, of course. They run off into the other room somewhere.

"You're really good with them." Regulus says.

"I was there the day they were born. Through everything. I was waiting outside with the rest of my friends' kids. But I was still there."

"You'd be a good father someday."

James smiles as soon as Evan and Barty come in. "Who's kids are those?" Evan spots James. "You have kids?"

"No, those are my best friends' kids. You know what, it'd be easier if I said yes. I might start doing that." James peeks his head into the other room. "Hey, Ar, Art," they look up at him, "how 'bout, I just start tell people you're my kids?"

"Wouldn't be much of a lie anyway."

"As long as Mama and Mom are still our moms."

"Deal."

"Why did they say 'it wouldn't be much of a lie'?" Barty asks.

"I was both of their sperm donors, but they came out looking like both Marlene and Dorcas. Hey, Lily' here, right?"

"Yeah, she's in the kitchen."

"Great, I'll be back." James walks in the kitchen and sees Lily cooking. "Hey, Lils."

"James. You remember, don't you?"

"Yeah, sadly. But I got better."

"Not much, I see." James' eyebrows fly up. "I can see the scars on your wrists." Lily sighs. "It's been years, Jamie. Why can't you stop?"

"Because they were my whole life, Lils! You know that. And this whole thing is what made you disregard me from your life."

"You can say it, James. I broke up with you."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." James sighs. "I got better than I was before, though. When Artemis was born, I stopped doing it all over and just on my wrists." James closes his eyes and takes a deep breath in and out. He opens them again. "I'm sorry, Lils. I'm sorry I can't get over my parents' death. But I'm not sorry that we broke up and you found someone better. She's good for you, and I'm happy just seeing you happy."

Lily smiles. "Thank you, Jamie." They hug.

"You know, you could have told me they call you Aunt Lily." They break apart.

"Who?"

"Aries and Artemis. They told me a few minutes ago."

"You got here a few minutes ago - oh - they're here?" James nods. Lily - and James - runs past everyone - who is now where James left only four people - and into the sitting room. "Aries, Artemis!"

"Aunt Lily!" They both yell and rush up to her.

"Aunt Lily?" The other kids murmur.

Lily smiles and pulls apart from them. "Jamie will tell you why they call me that. Alright, you two, I'm going out with my family, and I need you two to watch over your Uncle and these other kids. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Lily gets up and walks to the door - James following close behind.

"Um, Lils, you can't leave me with explaining that."

"Sure I can. I'm doing it right now."

"Ok," Bellatrix says, "anyway, the instructions are on the fridge. If you need anything, Reg is upstairs."

"Bye, Jamie, love you."

Love you, too." Pandora makes a confused look while James ushers them out. He smiles at Lily. "You make me explain, I make you explain."

"James." Lily warns. "I'll get you for this."

James just smiles in return. When they were all outside, James says, "Lily and I dated," and closes the door. James could hear yelling coming from the other side as they walked farther down the sidewalk.

James turned around and saw Regulus wide-eyed. "You - you dated Lily?"

"Yes?"

"Uncle Jamie!" Artemis yells. "I wanna call Mama! I want to tell her I made friends!"

James walks into the room. "Sure, come here, Mis." Artemis walks up to James and plops herself down on his lap. James grabs his phone and dials Marlene.

"James? What's wrong? Are they hurt?"

"Their fine, Marls. Mis just wants to tell you something."

James hears a sigh over the phone. "What is it, babes?"

"I made friends!"

"How - you - James, where are you?"

"Babysitting."

"Mama, we saw Aunt Lily."

"James, you can't babysit that many kids."

"I just added two more. Plus, when we're not at home, they behave."

"You know their terrors, James. You can't do that by yourself. I'll be there to help in a little bit."

"No, Marls. You need to stay at the hotel. You have a job to do. So do I. And this is mine. I'll be fine. And if I need any help, I'll call Pete, or Frank, or Alice, or even Mary." James hears Marlene sigh.

"Alright, but if anything happens, you call me no one else until I say so, got it?"

"Yeah, Marls, sure. I love you."

"I love you, too. I love you, Artemis, Aries!" She yells the last bit so her son can hear her.

"I love you, too, Mama!" They both yell. James hangs up.

"Artemis, go play."

"Ok." She gets off of James' lap and runs up to her brother and their new found friends.

"Are you going to tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

"You and Lily."

"Why would I? We're not friends."

Regulus raises an eyebrow. "The sticky note you left says otherwise."

James avoids Regulus' gaze. "I have no idea what you're talking about." James hears footsteps coming closer, and Regulus comes into view.

He leans down and tilts James' head upwards. "Are you sure?" He wispers.

James nods.

Regulus grip tightens. "And you're so sure that if I show you proof, you will still deny it?"

James' eyes wonder down to Regulus' lips for 2 seconds, and then go back to his eyes. He nods again.

Regulus' hand disappears from James' chin. "Well, then, come on." Regulus holds out his hand, and James takes it.

Regulus leads James up the stairs before James speaks, "I shouldn't leave the kids."

"They'll be fine." Regulus leads James to the end of the first hall - which he didn't realize last time - where Regulus' room is.

There are three halls - as far as James knows. One for the girls, one for the boys, and the third one for the parents (and Regulus).

"Your house is a little bigger than mine."

"A little? I'm assuming - comparing to yours - it's a mansion."

"My mum always liked to build more and more rooms, so yeah, a little bigger." Regulus opens his door to his bedroom, and James is in awe.

James sees pictures of the Black', Regulus and his friends, and a picture of six people he doesn't recognize, standing with the Black'. James walks up to the photo and takes a quick once over.

The two beside Sirius and Regulus are their parents. The two beside Andromeda, Bellatrix, and Narcissa are their parents. And the last two standing beside Pandora and Evan are their parents.

"These are your parents? You look just like them."

"No, we don't."

"What are their names?" Regulus eyes him. "Just curious."

"If I tell you, will you let it be?"

"Yes."

"Pandora and Evan' parents are Adele Jacob - Rosier and Axel Rosier. Andromeda, Bellatrix, and Narcissa' parents are Cygnus Black and Druella Rosier - Black. And Sirius and I' are Walburga Irma - Black and Orion Black."

James' eyes go wide. Walburga Irma, as in Mum' ex- girlfriend!?"

"What?"

"Euphemia Braithewaite."

"What about her?"

"She's my mum."

"Really? My mum - a cold, heartless, bitch - dated your mum - the sweetest person alive?"

"How did you know she was so nice?"

"With how you turned out, both your parents had to be nice."

"Fair."

Regulus goes to his nightstand and pulls out a bright yellow sticky note - the one he left. "You kept it?"

"Yeah. I did."

***

"Kids, time for bed."

"But Uncle Jamie."

"No, none of that, Aries. Come up here on the couch, both of you." They do, and they immediately fall asleep.

"The rest of you, time for bed."

The final one for the night is Luna. And she always has to go to Regulus. They knock on the door, he opens it, and picks up Luna. "Hey, ma filleule."

James almost passes out from the use of French.

He doesn't know why, but French coming from Regulus' mouth, is heaven. And he's heard people speak French before but coming from Regulus, that's something he can't stand.

"Goodnight, Luns." Regulus puts Luna back on the ground.

"Come on, hermosa chica." She takes James' hand and leads them to her room. He tucks Luna in and she falls asleep almost immediately.

"You're good with kids."

James jumps. "Jesus, Regulus. You scared me."

"You can't speak Spanish and not expect anything to happen."

"Oh, you mean this? Eres tan hermoso y guapo. Quizás no pueda quitarte las manos de encima por mucho tiempo."

Regulus groans. "No, stop."

"Vale, está bien, Regulus. Adiós."

***

The door opens, and everyone comes in. "Thank you so much for watching the kids." Bellatrix says. "Even though you were already watching some. It means so much to us. Thank you."

"It was no big deal. All of them are not as much work as these two alone." James looks down in his lap where Aries and Artemis are laying. "Aries, Artemis, come on. Get up."

They run to the other side of the room to grab James' bag and run back to James while James grabs his phone.

Cas

Bringing the kids home. See you soon.

Thanks, Jamie. I love you.

I love you, too.

"Alright, Cas should have your food ready by the time we get home." James walks to the door, looks up at the stairs where Regulus is watching him, and yells out, "Fairwell, Black's and Rosier's. Goodnight!" And he walks out with Aries and Artemis only looking back once at Regulus' window where he's watching James walk down the sidewalk and to his car.

***

"Thank you, Uncle Jamie!" They both say. "We love you!"

"I love you, too!" James yells back from the car.

Just as James was about to leave, Marlene' car pulls up, and she gets out. "James Fleamont Potter! Quit cutting yourself!"

"What?" James asks, surprised as Marlene leans in the window.

"Lily called me. She said she saw your cuts."

"That little -"

"No, don't blame her. This is all you. I thought you said you got better when Artemis was born?"

"I did, sort of. I mean, I started only doing it in one place."

"Your wrists." Marlene closes her eyes and takes a deep breath - a little habit Marlene picked up from James, which he picked up from Effie. "James, you can't keep doing this to yourself. It's been five years since Mis was born. Ten since Effie and Monty died. You need to stop. It's not healthy."

James sighs. "I can't, Marls. You know how I feel."

"I do, James. I really do. But you can't keep beating yourself up about it. It wasn't your fault."

"If I was there! If I was there, I could have gotten them out in time. Instead I decided to ignore them over a stupid fucking fight." James starts to tear up. "The last thing I ever said to them was, 'I hate you. I wish you would die.' That's the very last thing, Marls. How could I 'get over it'? It's my fault. If I was there, they wouldn't have gone after me."

"It was the drunk driver, James. It wasn't you. I promise." Marlene opens James' door. "Come on. Stay with us tonight. Please? I'll make sure no one bothers you."

James scoffs. "But you."

Marlene smiles. "That's only because you're my best friend, and I care about you." James sighs and gets out of the car with his wallet, phone and keys. Marlene locks it and leads them inside. "The world would be a dark place without you, Jamie. You're our sun, and everyone knows it. Even Aries and Artemis. They'd miss you too much."

***

Al

Jamie, Frank, and I want to go out. Do you think you could watch Neville?

Think I can? I'm a god! (At babysitting, of course) Yes, yes, I will.

Number

Hey, James. I got this number off of Sirius' phone.

Hey, Regulus.

How did you know?

😒

Right, nvm. Anyway, I wanted to ask if you wanted to hang out?

Hang out, really? After everything?

Ok, I'm sorry. I'm not really good at asking people out.

So, you want to go on a date?

Yes.

Great! When?

Now?

I can't. Babysitting.

Who?

One of my friends' kid, Neville Longbottom. Alice has been my friend since school years, so I'd do almost anything for her.

Almost?

The rest I'd do for Marlene.

Fair. Um. What if I come with you? To the babysitting gig, that is.

I mean, if you want. Where do you want to meet?

Come pick me up at my house?

Yeah, I'll be there in 10.

"Hey, Marls. I got a gig."

"Who?"

"Alice and Frank."

"Frank...."

"Longbottom. You know, the dude that Al married?"

"Oh! Franky! Yeah, got it."

"Hey, who's watching the kids if we all have work?"

"You. It'll be only three kids this time. You'll be fine."

"Yeah, about that. Someone is.... tagging along."

"Tagging?" Marlene gasps. "You mean like a date? Like someone who wants to help you work, kinda date?"

"I guess."

"Who?"

"Not telling. At least, not yet, ok?"

Marlene sighs. "Fine. Meany." She mumbles the last bit under her breath, but James still heard her and smacked her up the top of her head.

***

James pulls up to the front of Regulus' house and pulls out his phone.

Regulus

I'm here.

Come inside real quick.

I can't. I have Aries and Artemis. Sorry.

It's ok.

I get it if you don't want to come.

No, I do. I'll be out in a minute.

"Ok, you two have to be on your best behavior. Play with Neville, I don't care. Just don't be brats. Ok?"

"Yes, Uncle Jamie. We promise."

"Good."

James sees Regulus open the door and walk down the sidewalk. "Hey." Regulus says when he opens the car door.

James digs around in his bag and pulls out two figets. "Ar, Mis, here's you figets."

"Yay!" Aries yells. "Thank you, Uncle Jamie."

"Can we go see Aunt Alice now?"

"Yes."

James turns the car back on and starts driving to Alice' house. She's only ten minutes away from the Black'.

"Uncle Jamie, can we play music?" Artemis asks.

"Yeah, here." He grabs his phone and reaches behind his seat where Artemis is. She takes it.

Their favorite artist is Sarah Maddack, and that's exactly what starts playing - the Coffee Shop Bop.

I hoped into a coffee shop

And then my jaw dropped in shock when

I saw a girl who had cool pants

They made me want to dance

"What kind of music is this?" Regulus asks.

"It's their favorite artist." James answers. "Sarah Maddack."

"Still doesn't answer my question."

"It's the only answer I got."

By the time they get to Alice' house, that Playlist has run through at least three times. James knocks on his friends door with Aries and Artemis in front of him and Regulus beside him. Frank answers. "Hey, James. Alice is upstairs with Neville."

James gives the bag to Aries, and they both run inside. He smiles. "Sorry, you know how they are."

"I do." He looks over to Regulus. "Who's this?"

"Regulus Black."

"Nice to meet you."

"You, too."

Frank steps aside and gestures for them to come in. James can hear Aries and Artemis in the other room. Alice comes down the stairs with Neville on her hip. She's wearing a long black dress with sequins. It has one strap on the right side and a leg slit. "Al, I think I could date you."

Frank raises his eyebrows. Alice rolls her eyes. "You probably would if you weren't gay."

"True. I mean, when I saw Frank, I just knew." She rolls her eyes again.

"Take your nephew."

"Gladly." Alice hands Neville over to James.

"Uncle Jamie! You're here!"

"Yeah, so are Aries and Artemis." Neville gasps while James puts him down, and he runs to the other room. "So, Al, I didn't have time to take a shower this morning with Cas and Marls."

"You'll do it either way."

"Sure as hell I will."

Alice sighs. "Fine."

"I love you, Al."

"I love you, too, Jamie. Goodbye."

"Adiós, mi amor!" James yells before Alice shuts the door. James laughs. He walks to the other room, Regulus trailing behind him. "Alright, I'm going to take a shower. Reg, are you good for a few minutes?"

James looks at Regulus, and he's blushing. He didn't even realize he called him Reg. James smirks. "Reg? Reggie?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'll be fine."

James walks over to Artemis. "You think you could all stay in here for ten minutes? Regulus and I have something to do." She nods. "Thank you, babes."

James walks over and grabs Regulus' hand, dragging him up the stairs. "James, they can't be unattended."

"They'll be fine." He walks into Alice and Frank' room and into the bathroom. When the door is shut and locked, he pins Regulus to the door. "Did you like that? Reg."

He blushes again. "Stop that."

"I don't think I will." He kisses Regulus' cheek, then the other one, then is chin, then finally his lips. He kisses back.

Regulus pushes James back to the toilet - luckily, Alice always insists on closing it - breaking the kiss in the process. He straddles him and starts kissing James again.

James breaks the kiss. "Reg, I need to take a shower."

Regulus groans. "No."

"Yes. Come on, Reg. Please?"

He groans again. "Fine." He gets up, kisses James again, then leaves.

***

Alice stumbles in the door with Frank behind her. "Jesus, Al." James says. "What did you two do?"

"Bar."

James walks over to his friend and helps her get up the stairs. He lays her down on her bed and tucks her in. She falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow.

He goes back downstairs to see Frank and Regulus talking while Aries, Artemis, and Neville are playing. "Nev, bedtime."

"But, Uncle Jamie."

"No, it's bedtime."

"Fine." James walks over to the three and picks Neville up and does the same he did for Alice except Neville wanted a bedtime story - Goodnight Moon. Neville is passed out before James even finishes the book.

He goes back downstairs, and Aries and Artemis are asleep on Regulus. Aries on one side with his head on Regulus' leg and Artemis on the other side with her head on Regulus' other leg.

Frank must have gone upstairs at some point because he's nowhere in sight.

James smiles. "You look cute like that." Regulus looks up.

"Really? Do you think I'd be a good dad?"

James hums. "Yeah, I do." James walks over to them and picks up Artemis. She stirs a little but goes right back to sleep. He does the same thing with Aries, and he also goes back to sleep. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah."

"Can you grab my bag." James looks around. He spots it at the corner of the room. "It's over there." He nudges his head in that direction.

"Sure."

Thankfully, Aries or Artemis don't wake up when James puts them in their car seats. Neither do they wake up when he gets them back out of the car seats and into their beds.

"Ah, fuck. I forgot Marlene and Dorcas aren't going to be home for a few hours. Do you think you could stay for a little while?"

"Yeah, sure. What do you have in mind?"

"We could watch a movie or something."

Regulus humms. "That sounds nice."

So, they did, in fact, watch movies, eat some snacks, and maybe some other little things - that couldn't go far because of Artemis and Aries - until Marlene and Dorcas came home.

James hears the door open, signaling that Marlene and Dorcas are home. "Hey, Jamie!" Marlene yells. How'd your so-called date go!?"

"It's going pretty well." James hears footsteps, and Marlene comes into view.

She smiles. "Babe! Jamie brought a boy!"

James hears more footsteps, and Dorcas comes into view. "He did what?"

James gets up with Regulus behind him. "Kids are in bed. We'll be going now."

"No," Marlene says, "you can't do that."

"Yes, I can. I'm going back to my apartment and you can't do anything about it."

Marlene smiles and twists her foot a little. "Ow! Jamie, I twisted my ankle."

"Your wife is right there. Right, Cas?"

"Mmm. I don't know, Jamie. I don't think I can carry her."

James sighs. "You two are assholes and you're lucky I love you." Marlene climbs on James' back. "Cas, don't do anything."

"Definitely won't."

"Don't!" James yells as he starts walking. When he gets to the stairs, he drops Marlene on her feet. "Alright, be a nice little, Marlene, and tell me what you're up to."

"No, I don't think I will."

"Marls."

"Dorcas is having a little chat."

"Marlene Elizabeth McKinnon! You are a little cunt!" James walks back to where he left Regulus and Dorcas. They're not there.

"Dorcas Eileen Meadows!"

"James Fleamont Potter!" Dorcas' sarcastic voice comes from the kitchen. James storms in there with Marlene right behind. Regulus nowhere in sight.

James points at Dorcas. "Your a fucking cunt just like your wife. I hope your kids don't turn out like either of you."

"Who else would they turn out like, dipshit?"

"Oh, I don't know, Marls. Maybe their sperm donor, me."

"Why would they turn out like you?"

"Because I'm always here!"

"Because you don't know how to take care of yourself! Cas, have you seen his wrists lately? Lily told me."

"Lily has no fucking say! She left me when things got too hard!"

"James, that was ten years ago. When Effie and Monty died."

"They were my parents, Marls! How could I be normal?"

"It's been ten years!"

"And it feels like ten seconds! Marls, they were my whole life."

"I know that, Jamie. They were my parents, too."

"You had parents! And they were mine."

"Jamie, you can't keep doing this to yourself."

"Why the fuck not!? I don't belong here!"

"Yes, you do! Your our sunshine, Jamie. We'd all be in darkness if something happened to you."

Dorcas cuts in. "Aries and Artemis would never be happy again."

James closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "Yeah, yeah, you're right." He opens his eyes again.

Dorcas clears her throat. "Uh, Jamie. Behind you."

"What?" He turns around and spots Regulus. "Fuck." Regulus looks at him with pity in his eyes. James sighs. "You heard the whole thing." He nods. "I'll- um - take you home now." He turns back around, and Marlene tosses him his phone, keys, and wallet. "Thanks, Marls. I won't be back tonight."

"Going back to your apartment?"

"Yeah. I love you both."

Marlene looks at him. "Jamie,"

"I'll be fine. Ok?" She nods. "I love you."

"We love you, too."

James and Regulus make it to his car. The whole time, neither of them spoke. James starts the car and starts driving. James usually puts on music when he's driving, but this doesn't feel like the right time.

About five minutes into the drive, Regulus speaks. "James,"

"Can we not? I've already been through this a million times. I get it. You never want to see me again. This is exactly why I don't date."

"I - wait, you think I don't want to date you?"

"That's how these things usually go. Isn't that where this is going?"

"No, of course I want to date you. Why would this lead me away?"

"That's what happens every time."

"Well, not this time. I promise." James parks the car of the side of the road. "What are you doing?"

James turns to him. "Why? Why are you staying?"

"Because someone shouldn't leave when things get hard. Especially when it's something like that."

James' breath hitched. "You mean it? You're staying?" Regulus nods. "Can I kiss you." He nods again and James leans in.

At some point - after the make-out session - James drives to the Blacks.

"Thanks. For staying - I mean."

"I don't know why anyone wouldn't. You're too beautiful and kind to pass up." James smiles and leans in for another kiss. Regulus opens the car door and gets out. "I'll text you?" James nods.

When James gets home, he erases his 30-day mark of not having any suicidal thoughts and puts down zero.

James started that when his parents died because he always had them a lot. The farthest he's ever got was two months. Marlene always thought it was stupid until she realized he always wrote down how many days. Then, she was always around to check the board - even though she thought she had made a good excuse, James still knew.

Marls

'How you doin'?'

'He didn't leave.'

'Really?'

'Yeah. I think I might finally have found my true love.'

'I'm glad, Jamie. You really needed one.'

'Wow. Thanks.'

'You're welcome.'

James rolls his eyes.

'I'm going to bed now. I love you.'

'I love you, too.'

If James was thinking about Regulus all night, no one needed to know that, only him.

***

It's been a month since Regulus and James started dating and a month since he last babysat the Blacks. James is pretty sure Regulus hasn't told anyone because no one has gave him the shovel talk. Marlene, Dorcas, Alice, Mary, Peter and even Frank gave Regulus the shovel talk, but no one has him yet.

James has learned a bunch of things about Regulus. Like, his favorite flower, - Acrtic Willows - color, - green - food - a chocolate soufflé - and many more.

Regulus has been around a lot in the past month, and Artemis, Aries, and Neville like him a lot. One time, they even asked if they could call him Uncle Regulus. Of course, James said no. That would be too much pressure. But if Regulus stays longer, then they most likely will.

At this point, Regulus has stayed over at James' at lot. He even stayed for a week once. But every time, he's always went back to his family. But every time, he always comes back to James.

With Regulus around, James' board has 30 days suicidal thoughts free. Surprisingly, Regulus never asked about the board. And even Marlene has accepted that Regulus is much better for James.

When his thoughts get too much, he still cuts his wrists, but lately, it's been a lot better.

"Hey, Reg." Regulus humms in response. "Have you told your family about us?"

"No. I didn't think you'd want to deal with that." They're laying in James' bed cuddling.

"I'll be fine. I promise. Just tell 'em."

"Ok. Well, we can tell 'em later today. Oh, yeah, Siri wants me to babysit. Can you?"

"Sure, Reg."

"Thank you, baby." He leans up and kisses James. "You're the best."

***

"Before you guys go, James and I have something to tell you."

"You're dating." Pandora states.

"How -"

"I know everything, James. But I didn't tell anyone. Besides, Lily."

"Yeah, and I already knew. It was obvious, Jamie."

Sirius makes a surprised face. "I didn't! That's my baby brother!"

"Ok, and?" Bellatrix says. "That's our baby cousin."

Barty purses his lips. "He's just my best friend."

***

James found the perfect place for Regulus' surprise. It's a greenery with a bunch of Regulus' favorite plants and trees.

"Regulus Arcturus Black, the first time I set eyes on you was the most spectacular thing I ever witnessed. You might have been mean to me at first, but I must have grown on you because, well, we're in this spot right now. So, Reg, Reggie, the love of my life, will you forever be with me for eternity? Make me the happiest man alive and make me your husband?"

Regulus smiles. "Yes, James, of course I will."

***

Regulus and James have found the most beautiful place to raise their family. James' childhood home that he never sold. And good timing, too. Aries, Artemis, and Neville started calling Regulus Uncle. And the same thing with James. Luna, Harry, Tom, Nymphadora, Teddy, and Draco started calling James Uncle, too.

***

"So, who's getting married?" A woman asks.

"We are." James says. "Me and my fiancé."

"You two?"

What? Never had a gay couple?"

"No, sorry. Tuxedos or dresses?"

"Tuxedos."

***

"Dorcas, my other beloved. Will you be my bridesmaid?"

"Yes, James."

"No scream?"

"I'm not like Marls but just for you." She screams.

"Alice, my wife, will you be my bridesmaid?"

She smiles. "Of course I will, Jamie."

"Mary, my life, will you be my bridesmaid?"

She jumps up and down while screaming. "Yes, yes, yes!"

"Frank, my husband, will you be my groomsman?"

"Yes, James."

"Peter, my love, will you be my groomsman?"

"Yes, James. Why wouldn't I be?"

"And, finally, my beloved, Marlene, will you be my maid of honor?"

She screams. "Yes! I knew you loved me!"

***

"Barty, will you be my groomsman?"

He smiles. "Do you really love me that much?"

Regulus rolls his eyes. "Yes or no?"

"Yes."

"Evan, will you be my groomsman?"

"Of course I will, Reg."

"Pandora, my beloved, will you be my bridesmaid?"

"Yes, Reg. Of course I will."

"She gets my beloved?"

"Shut up."

"Andromeda, Bellatrix, Narcissa, my dear cousins, will you be my bridesmaids?"

"Yes, Reg."

"You like me."

"Of course, Reg."

"Remus, the husband of my brother, will you be my groomsman?"

"I guess." He says sarcastically. He laughs. "Yes, I will."

"Finally, my dear brother, will you be my maid of honor?"

Sirius' mouth falls open. "You want me to be your maid of honor? I knew you liked me. Yes, Reggie."

"That boy really made you a sap."

***

Bellatrix gave birth to twins, Aliana and Mattheo, and had four more kids after. Two belonging to her husband, Cara and Mandy. One belonging to a man named Charles, Lorenzo. And one more belonging to Tom Riddle Sr., Delphini, and her siblings, Tom, Aliana, and Mattheo.

Regulus and James had three kids, Lillian, Leo, and Rose. Remus and Sirius had more kids, Hermione and Violet. Dorcas and Marlene had another kid, Jack. Narcissa and Lucius had another kid, Lila. Andromeda and Ted had another kid, Nina. Evan and Barty married and had a few kids, Lucas and Nicholas - which they said they'd never have any. Pandora and Lily had one more kid, Eclipse. Alice and Frank had twins, Juliana and Nicky. Peter married a woman named Elizabeth and had no kids. Mary married a woman named Emmeline and had one kid, Penelope.

And all them kids, made for a great family reunion and stories in a few years.

[catastrophic-crisis]

It's the February Steam Next Fest, so here's some potential game demos to check out this weekend!

Hollowbody | Press Kit

It's a Shipper's biggest fear. You're grounded in the exclusion zone, twenty miles of death and decay sealed off by the towering, suffocating walls erected after the collapse.

Hollowbody offers early 2000s-style survival horror, citing titles like Silent Hill 2 and 3, Rule of Rose, and Kuon as inspiration. As you ascend the apartment building to try and make contact with outside of the exclusion zone, the demo makes use of a blend of dynamic and fixed camera angles. This approach extends to combat, which strikes a nice balance between a more classic style in which you must work with the camera angles, striking fear in you when you can't quite see what is in the room with you, just offscreen, and making movement and fighting feel natural.

If you were craving horror of a particular period, Hollowbody strives to capture that with its visual presentation, and with a particular update to the demo, Hollowbody now has the option for tank controls.

Rusty's Retirement | Press Kit

For a more casual player, Rusty's Retirement is an idle-farming simulator that lives at the bottom of your screen while you work, watch, chat, or play. Automate your farm with the help of robots, and produce biofuel for them with the plants you grow.

The game includes a cameo from Haiku the Robot, as the two games share a creator. Haiku can be found helping your automated farm :)

Crow Country | Website

The year is 1990. It’s been two years since the mysterious disappearance of Edward Crow and the abrupt closure of his theme park, Crow Country. But your arrival has broken the silence, Mara Forest. If you want answers, you’ll have to venture deep into the darkness of Crow Country to find them…

Another throwback third person survival horror game with an armed female protagonist, Crow Country establishes an atmosphere switching between "tension and tranquillity", trying to steady your aim at the head of a shivering, approaching enemy and the warm glow of the fire in a save room. The game places an increased emphasis on puzzles and riddles, and as you try and manage your resources and slip past enemies (the game emphasizes that you don't have to defeat every enemy you come across, which could bring trouble later) you'll be able to absorb the whimsy and detail of every region and room.

If the creatures around every corner frighten you, or you'd just like to be able to absorb every detail of the theme park uninterrupted, the game offers an "Exploration Mode" difficulty for you to enjoy.

Trash of the Titans | itch.io

What if your turn-based fantasy tactics had an urban mammal element and was very, very purple?

Enter this roguelite to fight a rat gang over dumpsters, upgrade your skills, and play trash-eating Tetris to get stronger. Learn your abilities and how to utilize the antics you can pull against the waves of rats (large rats, small rats, caster rats summoning demon rats).

Your party is a Badger Barbarian with a charge attack that increases damage the further away she is, a Raccoon Rogue that uses stealth to rack up kills and move across the map, a Skunk Wizard that casts more than just poison spells, and a Possum Ranger with a ricochet that will stack up the RAT CRUE kills.

Find surprises like the fact that your Possum Ranger's "turrets" in fact refer to possum babies, and their ability to retreat along a path back to her upon defeat can be used to your advantage.

Magical Delicacy | Press Kit

A wholesome pixel art platformer. Cook magical delicacies from a vast collection of ingredients in your own shop. Explore an unfamiliar town and deliver tasty treats to the townsfolk. Learn new ways to traverse, discover secrets, and experience a unique witchy world.

If you like cute titles where you cook and manage a shop but craved a little more verticality, Magical Delicacy offers you a platformer with witches and a dash of intrigue. The game offers cooking, gardening, shop management, and double jumping your way across a surprisingly formatted town.

Hey, you're a witch with a red bow going out for deliveries. Sounds familiar.