#Custom Bee Playing Cards

[bluedragonflypoker]

Craft: Custom Bee Playing Cards Review

When it comes to the world of cardistry and magic, aficionados are constantly on the lookout for decks that not only excel in performance but also boast unparalleled craftsmanship. In this Custom Bee Playing Cards review, we delve deep into the intricate details of a deck that has been making waves in the community.

Custom Bee Playing Cards are a testament to the dedication and passion of their creators. From the moment you hold a deck in your hands, it's evident that every aspect has been meticulously crafted to be nice. The card stock is of high quality, ensuring durability and longevity, even with extensive use. The finish is smooth yet provides the ideal level of friction for flawless handling.

One of the more striking features of Custom Bee Playing Cards is their design. Each card is a work of art, showcasing intricate illustrations and vibrant colors that captivate the eye. Whether you're performing a routine or simply admiring the deck, it's hard not to be impressed by the level of detail and creativity that went into its creation.

But Custom Bee Playing Cards aren't just about aesthetics; they also excel in performance. The handling is smooth and responsive, allowing for effortless flourishes and sleights. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a beginner just starting out, these cards are sure to elevate your game to new heights.

Another aspect worth mentioning in this Custom Bee Playing Cards review is their versatility. Whether you're performing magic tricks, cardistry routines, or simply playing a game of poker with friends, these cards are up to the task. Their versatility makes them a must-have addition to any card enthusiast's collection.

In terms of durability, Custom Bee Playing Cards truly stand out. Despite constant use and handling, the cards maintain their shape and integrity, ensuring a consistent performance every time you pick them up. This level of durability is a testament to the quality materials and expert craftsmanship that went into their production.

Overall, Custom Bee Playing Cards are a masterpiece of design and functionality. From their stunning aesthetics to their flawless performance, they exceed expectations on every front. Whether you're a professional magician, cardist, or simply someone who appreciates fine craftsmanship, these cards are sure to impress.

In conclusion, this Custom Bee Playing Cards review has shed light on why these decks have become a favorite among card enthusiasts worldwide. With their unparalleled craftsmanship, stunning design, and exceptional performance, they truly set the standard for what a premium deck of cards should be. So if you're looking to take your card game to the next level, look no further than Custom Bee Playing Cards.

Whether you're practicing sleights in front of a mirror or performing for a packed audience, Custom Bee Playing Cards deliver an unparalleled experience. The subtle yet satisfying snap as you riffle through the deck, the precision of each cut and shuffle - these are the moments that make cardistry truly magical.

But Custom Bee Playing Cards aren't just for professionals; they're also ideal for casual players looking to add a touch of elegance to their game nights. Imagine the envy on your friends' faces as you deal out a hand with these exquisite cards.

What truly sets Custom Bee Playing Cards apart is their attention to detail. From the intricate designs on the back of each card to the custom court cards that pay homage to classic Bee designs, every aspect has been carefully considered to create a cohesive and visually stunning deck.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, Custom Bee Playing Cards also boast practical features that enhance their usability. The standard faces make them ideal for a variety of card games, while the traditional cut ensures smooth handling and effortless performance.

As we wrap up this Custom Bee Playing Cards review, it's clear that these decks are more than just tools of the trade; they're works of art that deserve to be admired and appreciated. So whether you're a professional magician looking to elevate your act or a casual player seeking to add a touch of sophistication to your game nights, Custom Bee Playing Cards are the ideal choice.

[littlemssam]

Mod Updates

As always delete old Mods Files and the localthumbcache, when updating my Mods!

+++

Fixed wrong Group IDs after Patch 1.105.297

I checked all my "Gameplay" Mods for the Group ID Issue, and updated those which needed it.

Be aware, I still need to check my Random Small Mods, Random Bug Fixes, and the "Other Mods" Section.

Anti Fear Training (Pets) Auto Employees | Custom Lot Trait Autonomous Gardening Call a Babysitter Better Familiars Calm Bees Can i come over? Choose Your Helmet Choose Your Roommate Chores Collectibles (Rock Digging) Rework (Slower/Harder) Cookbooks Dine Out 6 Fish Aquarium Eco Dishwasher First Love Foster Family Maid & Gardener Service Give a Gift & More Go for a Walk Go for a walk with more Pets Go for a Walk with Dogs will fill up Needs Holiday Home Standalone Version Improved Practical Spells Improved Practical Spells - New Spell Upgradios Improved Spa Day Tablet Let Friends Age Up Live in Business Live In Services Miscarriage Chance & Abortion - Abortion Part Miscarriage Chance & Abortion - Miscarriage Part More Away Actions More Buyable Venues and new Venue Types More Fun Stuff (Motives, Skills, Life Skills & More Overhaul) More Servings Options - Cakes In Baking Menu Part More Umbrella Variations in World More Visitors | Custom Lot Trait More Woodworks My favorite Raincoat My Little Neighborhood My Pets No Auto Food Grab after Cooking No Restaurant Bill when being Invited Online Gaming with "Headsets" Online Learning System Personal Objects (Computer, Tablets & more) Play your own Tracks as a DJ Preferences | Custom Lot Trait Quick Shower & Quick Bath Roommates Sell via Simbay SimDa Dating App SimsLootBox Skate Everywhere Sleep All Night Small Laundry Overhaul - Doing Laundry On Community Lots Costs Money Slower Writing Social Activities (Visit Friends, Family and more) Spend Weekend With Sul Sul Weather App Tiny Elevators For Pets Transfer Inventory Ultrasound Scan Unlock/Lock Doors for chosen Sims ATM Cards and now with real Credit Function! WEE Working Elevators Everywhere Where are you? Woodworking Table Rework Working Pet Water Bowls

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My Site with all possible Download Links: lms-mods.com

Support Questions via Discord only please!

[okayto]

Mini-Review: Jet Lag: The Game

An American travel competition series, each season features a contest that sends players to achieve a geographical objective in different parts of the world, some of which are inspired by board games. Whether it's teams traveling to to US states to claim a Connect Four-style row or column, circumnavigating the globe via air travel, playing tag across western Europe, or driving the vertical length of New Zealand, players will race against each other and the reliability of transit to get the win.

Imagine: you are an adult, collapsing into a hotel bed after a long day of getting lost on the public transit of your vacation city. You're about to stream something funny and not difficult to follow—maybe Nailed It!, maybe Taskmaster—when you companion interjects, says they've been watching this really fun travel race show, and starts a playlist where a quartet of people in predawn darkness run away six seconds into the video, and suddenly you're watching people race to circumnavigate the world?

That was my introduction to Jet Lag: The Game.

Each season is a self-contained game, and they mix it up: the first season (which, for some reason, is the second playlist on YouTube) is a game of "Connect Four" across America, where teams must "claim" four states in a horizontal or vertical row by traveling to each one and completing challenges, while the second game is a race to circumnavigate the globe, and the third season is a game of tag across western Europe, primarily using train systems.

Sidequest-like challenges are an integral part of these games. In most of them, players must unlock coins or money (as in a video game) to have the in-game balance to buy tickets, or unlock information about opponents, etc., so the series is never a straight race. The challenges vary by season and location, but include things like:

Logic or trivia challenges

Go to a museum for half an hour and tell the camera 5 fun facts you learned

Eat a menu item at McDonald's you can't get in the US

Get 1000 feet from any building

Get a hole in one in mini golf

Find [animal] at [local attraction famous for animal]

Make cheese

Cursed! Listen to Tom Lehrer's "Element Song" on repeat until you reach the next city [over an hour away]

Cursed! Only take trains that leave at odd-numbered times

Acquire any food produced in your current state and mail it to your family

Explain the birds and the bees to a bird or a bee

Ride a horse

Get goosebumps while at least one goose is in the camera frame

Because the challenges are random (usually drawn from a shuffled deck of cards), it adds tension to the games: the player or team needs money/coins/points in order to travel, or thwart their competitors, and there's a real risk that they'll fail because it's physically impossible or there's not enough time to complete.

If you, like me, are wary of YouTubers™, worry not. The focus here is the game, and the players do a decent job trying not to bother other people: most faces of passers-by are blurred, players try to set up in out-of-the-way corners when filming, and when they need to interact with people, like at a customer service desk, the camera is usually pointed at the player. There's also a lot of being very polite to customer service, drivers, and others they interact with. You can see them get strange looks sometimes, but overall they do a good job of trying not to be Social Media Personalities™ disruptively.

And the players themselves also seem to be nice people to watch; they'll send "curses" or other interruptions when the game allows for it, but there's no out-of-game interpersonal unpleasantness that makes it into the show. Also, one player, Ben, consistently wears the brightest, most funky clothes. He has no camouflage in a crowd, but who cares.

Final comments: Highly recommend. It's fun, safe for most ages—swears stronger than "damn" get bleeped—and you can tell that a lot of planning and thought has gone into game development to balance things. If you like the idea of race-type reality shows combined with good attitudes and sportsmanship, you'll probably enjoy this.

Subtitle availability: English closed captions are available and very well-done, sometimes including different font colors to indicate different people in conversations, and some excellent phonetic spellings of mispronunciations! However, for the first two seasons (Connect 4 and Circumnavigation), only auto-generated captions on YT are available.

Where to watch (USA, as of December 2024): YouTube (playlists link [X]) and Nebula (which was partially founded by the game's creator)—which also has recap/discussion podcasts, and series outtake video tarting with season 8, and the service gets new episodes a week early.

Start watching with: The friend who introduced me started me with the first playlist that shows up on YouTube, Circumnavigation, so I feel like if it worked on me, it'll work on others. But if that doesn't appeal to you, starting with either the next playlist—Connect Four Across America (which is actually the first season) or the third season, Tag Eur It, would be good. I started my parents on Tag Eur It, a game of tag across multiple European countries, because I think it's got one of the strongest hooks of any early series, explains the rules very quickly, and the immediate urgency (runner must run; chasers start to follow soon after) draws you in very quickly.

But really, starting anywhere will work. However, because the creators sometimes reference outcomes from earlier games, especially when they are playing near the location of previous games, I recommend watching any similar-geography games in order (Tag 1 before Tag 2 or Hide and Seek, and New Zealand [Race to the End of the World] before Australia).

Status/Frequency: There are currently 11 complete seasons on Youtube (12 on Nebula), and so far new seasons premier roughly 3-ish times a year, with most seasons lasting 5-6 episodes, and episodes tend to be 30-45 minutes each. As of this review, there is no indication that this is likely to change anytime soon, and the 12th season premiers this month.

Click my “reviews” tag below or search “mini review” on my blog to find more!

[gigisnetwork]

NERDIFYING UR DEMIGODS 🗣️🗣️ (things I think they’d enjoy :3)

Nico

- Batman - in fact, the whole DC universe (he would collect figures + comics)

- The Maze Runner (he’s read all the books and watched all the movies and has a crush on thomas) (maybe newt too)

- Gravity Falls (insane lore, enough said) (also he’s the one who introduced it to Hazel) (They see themselves as Mabel n Dipper) (also went ballistic over the Book of Bill)

- Song of Achilles (LOVES madeleine miller) (Bonds over her books w annabeth i don’t make the rules 🤷🤷)

- POKÉMON (YOU DONT UNDERSTAND ITS SIMILAR TO MYTHOMAGIC I KNOW IT) (also had a HUUUGGEE hyperfixation on pokémon go) (collects cards (ofc) and plushies too)

- My Little Pony (hazel got him into it) (thinks it’s super cute) (collects plushies of them)

- Fallout (Thinks it’s sick and loves dystopian stuff) (frank introduced it to him 😇😇) (sometimes like redesigns things so they look like they’re from Fallout) (like MrsFallout on yt)

Annabeth

- AGGTM (you can’t tell me she wouldn’t love pipravi)

- The Hunger Games (shes read all the books and absolutely LOVES katniss) (also she definitely sees her n percy in peeniss)

- Murder Most Unladylike (idk she seems like the kinda girl to be into murder mysteries n stuff) (also i just think it’s fitting for annabeth)

- Circe (again LOVES madeleine miller) (hasn’t read medusa yet, i don’t think she would) (hubris + she isn’t fond of medusa AT ALL) (bonds over her work w nico 😇😇)

- The Sims (SHE THINKS ITS SO FUN) (she absolutely loves character customisation, and interior design n stuff) (has so much custom content it’s insane)

- Minecraft (Again, loves designing things) (makes the most intricate builds EVER) (super skilled like it’s actually insane how she makes her builds) (usually plays on creative but absolutely has a hardcore world she’s been working on for YEARS)

Hazel

- Bee and Puppycat (she loves how pretty the show is) (also she kinda sees herself in Bee)

- Steven Universe (Again, pretty art) (also, the lore goes crazy and has pretty good music ‼️)

- Gravity Falls (again, pretty art n insane lore) (also she went BALLISTIC over the Book of Bill) (She and Nico see themselves as Mabel n Dipper)

- Dolls (haunted/creepy dolls, cute dolls, ball jointed dolls, figures, you name it) (she’d try and communicate w the haunted dolls w nicos help) (its actually pretty fun to her)

- My Little Pony (it’s cutesy) (also she likes the message it gives ^^) (has a ponysona) (LOVES EQUESTIRA GIRLS YOU CANT CHANGE MY MIND) (AND THE NEW GEN TOO)

- Animal Crossing (she likes all the versions but mainly plays new horizons bcus she thinks it’s like the best) (loves the character designs, and being able to basically make her own island)

Percy

- Spider-man / The Spider-verse - actually, the entire marvel universe (He thinks it’s sick) (also ABSOLUTELY relates to peter parker and miles morales) (only really got into it bcus of the movies, before starting to collect comics)

- One Direction (no one knows this) (was absolutely HEARTBROKEN when they broke up)

- The Hunger Games (annabeth got him into it) (but he only watched the movies, got half-way into the first book before being like “i can’t do this anymore” and watched the movies) (RELATES TO KATNISS 🗣️🗣️)

- SEGA/Mainly Sonic (he thinks it super silly) (also sonic boom was incredibly funny to him) (CONSTANTLY quotes him too) (has every single game w him in it)

- SUBNAUTICA. (you CANNOT TELL ME HE DOESNT LOVE THIS GAME) (EVERY TIME HE PLAYS HE IS SO INVESTED LIKE YOU CANT TEAR HIM AWAY FROM HIS PC OR CONSOLE)

Frank

- POKEMOONN 🗣️🗣️ (he introduced it to nico) (they both play in both mythomagic and pokémon tournaments, when they can find some) (they also love playing them together) (he has all the games)

- Unpacking (thinks it’s super relaxing and absolutely loves the visuals) (also loves how it tells a story, ykwim ???) (introduced it to hazel) (really, he’s the one who introduced hazel to all the video games that she likes)

- Resident Evil (people are like incredibly surprised when they find out he’s into that game) (he really likes the lore/story, thinks it’s super sick)

- The Last of Us (again, people were super surprised he was into this game) (he likes shooter games) (also thinks ellie and joel’s dynamic was super sweet) (has a love/hate relationship with the hbo series) (100% thinks dystopian stuff is sick)

- Yu-Gi-Oh (another card game) (idk i feel like he would really be into it) (this definitely came before pokémon to him) (he’s known this before mythomagic) (the OG 🗣️🗣️)

- Fallout (he introduced it to nico) (again, game mechanics are sick and loves the lore 🗣️🗣️) (sure, he’s the one who liked it first but he isn’t as big of a fan of it as nico)

(will update when i think of more 🗣️🗣️)

[mrghostrat]

FIC NIGHT: Mon Horrible Chéri

next week we're having another discord fic night!! we've scheduled a timeslot much friendlier for the uk/eu/anz/sea folks 💛

WHERE: Ghostrat's Discord server (aka The Bee Hive)

WHAT: @eviebane and I will each read out a chapter from the fic (vote your preference below!) + play in a Mon Chéri trivia quiz + a game of custom Cards Against Humanity or Gartic Phone to end the night!

HOW: Click here to open the event in Discord, where you can add it to your calendar, or mark your interest to get a ping when it starts! In "the-stage" channel, you'll be able to text chat with other viewers whilst Meg (eviebane) and I will be on camera and mic. Interaction is not required-- lurkers are more than welcome to join the server quietly and watch/listen/read the chat without any involvement.

WHEN: June 15th 🇦🇺 AEST: 7pm 🇬🇧 BST: 10am 🇺🇸 CDT: 4am

[dilfmas]

after watching the first episode, there are a loooot of things that stand out to me in terms of characterization in parallel to taming and i think i’m coming to the conclusion that actually all of them are katherine

wild thing to say i know, and obviously fadel fits the storytelling role (character needing to be tied down in order for sibling to be able to have a partner) but weirdly enough, he is the least like katherine in personality

style actually mimics petruchio’s personality quite a lot - he’s loud and unabashed and stubborn. but those are also traits of katherine. part of the reason petruchio is able to “tame” katherine is because he matches her wits and isn’t afraid to stand toe to toe with her - they’re a lot alike at the end of the day.

and with bison, he is being portrayed to be the wildcard between him and fadel when katherine is meant to be the wildcard. she’s unpredictable and violent and is the cause of a lot of bianca’s grief and that’s exactly the case with bison for fadel. he gets drunk, shoots wildly at karaoke, and then they have to move and fadel is pissed about it! and like bison also has bianca traits as well, but their dynamic seems totally switched from the play

as for kant, his personality seems less like katherine’s, but he is also another instance of needing to be “tamed.” a reformed criminal trying to get his record scrubbed. not to mention he literally has katherine’s line tattooed on his back - “if i be waspish, best beware my sting,” which i find fascinating in its own right. especially because it’s written on a tattoo of what appear to be angel wings when he actually has a bee tattoo on his chest. and like the line itself makes sense out of context because it implies people need to be weary of him - ie bison needs to be weary of trusting him - but in context it’s even more interesting because petruchio’s response is “my remedy is then to pluck it out.” he will pluck out her stinger - he will tame her. bison will tame him!

and with fadel i’m honestly kind of fascinated by the fact that despite being the katherine, the shrew, the one that needs to be tamed - he is arguably the calmest among the bunch, with the most patience? like yes, he physically dragged style out of the restaurant, but that was after style was the worst customer ever and if this was a true katherine, he would have thrown him out immediately. i do wonder if it’s because jojo is leaning into the idea of katherine being misunderstood, which is a very popular idea. that for some reason everyone thinks of fadel as this wild card, this shrew, but he’s actually just kind of a guy that will flip if his patience is really tested. it’s a little early to really tell but it’s interesting either way!

[lisbeth-kk]

May Prompts (28) Empty

The Luckiest Girl in the World (chapter 28)

Summary: Will Rosie be able to keep her secret from her parents until the big day?

Twenty-Eight Years Old

Seen in hindsight, the trip to Greece was a catalyst of what came later. On our last evening, Timothy and I had dinner at an almost empty restaurant on the cliffs of Fira. The sun was about to set, and the sea was bathed in colours of gold. When Timothy took my hands in his and asked me to marry him, it really was the perfect ending. Cliché, perhaps, but who cares? Luckily, he hadn’t bought the rings at one of the ridiculous jewellers on the island but brought them with him from London. (I said yes, by the way.)

***

As if faith wanted me to keep my secret from my parents, they were away on a three-week trip to New Zealand when we arrived back in London. I called Dee before I went to Baker Street to collect mail and check the fridge for outdated milk and decayed body parts. She had closed for the day, but when I called with my inquiry, she was instantly intrigued and asked me to pop into 221A before I left.

It was strange to see someone else living at Nana’s. Her old furniture had been donated to second-hand shops, new wallpaper, art, and futuristically designed chairs, tables and shelves made 221A look like something taken out of Star Trek or whatever. The kitchen and bathroom were recognisable with bits and bobs I remembered. Nana’s oven mittens, the kitchen utensils and the wallpaper. Over the kitchen table was a big photo of Nana.

“I’ve made some sketches for you,” Dee said after she’d inquired about the trip. “One on each shoulder, yes?”

She showed me her drawings and after some discussion, she made the adjustments I wanted. 

“See you tomorrow at six,” Dee said when I left. 

“Can’t wait!” I retorted excitedly.

***

Dee’s Den was everything you don’t expect a tattoo-studio to be. (At least if you’ve never set foot in one.) Airy, spacious and clean in the extreme. The first time I entered, I felt I needed to take my shoes off.

“No customer of mine will suffer from an infection. I’ve seen enough of that shit,” Dee said gravely.

Her improved sketches had been coloured when I arrived the next day, and they looked even better than I’d dreamt of. The tattoos would adorn each shoulder. One red poppy on the left, and a bee on the right. A t-shirt would cover them, and by the time Dad and Papa were back, they would’ve healed properly so I didn’t need to wrap them in plastic, and the soreness would be gone. I hoped to keep them a secret until the wedding day. My dress would be sleeveless and make sure to show off the tribute to my beloved parents.

***

We decided on a May wedding, and it was Dee’s idea to check if the venue from Nana’s funeral was available.

“She would’ve been so pleased that you all had some good memories from that place. Dancing and laughing, celebrating love.”

Both me and Timothy loved the idea, and we were in luck. Normally, the place needed to be booked at least a year and a half in advance, when it came to weddings, but they’d had a cancellation due to a broken engagement. Nine months to prepare.

***

I chose Liwia as my maid of honour. We had stayed in touch over the years, and she adored my parents, after they’d given her shelter when she needed it in the middle of her teens. Bella had been switched for Iris. They’d been together almost eight years, and Iris was six months pregnant with their first child. An unknown donor was the father.

“I’ve been meaning to ask if you were traumatised when you stayed with us,” I said on the final fitting of our dresses.

“What do you mean?” Liwia asked, clearly puzzled.

“Board games,” I explained dryly.

She laughed wholeheartedly and admitted that she’d never played Scrabble, Cluedo, orMonopoly, but stuck to chess and card games.

“Wise choice,” I retorted with a grin. “Though I have experienced knights, queens and bishops being thrown across 221B.”

***

My uncles picked me up at the salon where I’d been styled and dressed. Uncle Myc cocked an eyebrow when he saw my tattoos, but he was unable to hide how moved he was by this permanent gesture. Uncle Greg…well, he wasn’t that subtle, and needed a stern talking to from his husband to avoid ruining my dress and hair when he teared up and embraced me.

“You’re going to destroy them with this, love,” uncle Greg murmured.

I hadn’t been nervous before, but when the familiar place came into sight, my palms started to sweat, and my heart pounded in my chest. Inside, Timothy and my parents waited. The most important people in the world, apart from the men helping me out of the car. I kissed them and let them go in first to find their seats. One of the staff stood waiting for me to open the door once I’d decided to enter.

For a while I just stood there, my head blessfully empty. And then out of nowhere a wave of emotions washed over me. The memories of all the preparations and anxiety of the last week, regarding the flowers, the last seat arrangements we had to change the day prior, one of my shoes that disappeared without a trace… 

“Come on, Watson. You can do this,” I interrupted myself, using Papa’s former name on me to get me out of the unending loop of trifles and keep me focused.

I nodded to the man by the door who opened it for me, and I slowly made my way down the corridor to where Dad and Papa waited. They stood hand in hand outside the door to the ceremony room and turned abruptly when they heard my heels on the wooden floor.

“You look…”

“Oh, Bee…”

They were both teary-eyed, which didn’t bode well. I hoped they’d piled up with tissues, because this well would not be emptied any time soon.

With my heels on, I was the height of Dad. I seldom wore high-heeled shoes, so it was an alien feeling to stand face to face with him, literally speaking.

“You look gorgeous, sweetheart,” he whispered in my ear when he hugged me.

“Thank you,” I said and turned to Papa.

He’d frozen and he blinked profusely. Dad looked worried at him. He still hadn’t seen the tattoos. Papa’s eyes darted between them, clearly shocked to the core. I took his hand and squeezed it.

“Do you like them?” I asked quietly.

“Like what?” Dad inquired; his eyes hadn’t left Papa’s face during all of this.

“Look at me, Dad,” I said and finally he saw what Papa had seen minutes ago.

“Oh, my god,” he said and covered his mouth with his hand. “Rosie.”

“They are…” Papa clearly knew but was too shaken to believe what he’d deduced.

“Yes, Papa. They are. My tribute, homage, or whatever you want to call it. To you and Dad. To show you and everyone how much you mean to me. Dee made them while you were away. You have no idea how proud I am that I’ve managed to keep it a secret until now.”

Finally, out of his daze, Papa cupped my face and kissed my forehead and cheeks, careful not to disturb my hair or makeup.

“My precious girl,” he murmured. “I love you.”

“Stop! You’re making me cry,” I protested and tried my best to stay composed.

Dad sniffled and batted his eyes with a handkerchief.

“I’m never going to survive this day,” he muttered.

“John!” Papa exclaimed. “Don’t you dare.”

I knew I had to take the lead, or we would be stranded outside that door forever.

“Come on. The game is afoot,” I teased.

Also available on AO3

YES, there will be a continuation tomorrow.

This is also my entry for this month's Sherlock Challenge and the prompt ink.

@calaisreno @sherlockchallenge @totallysilvergirl @keirgreeneyes @raina-at

More tags in the replies

[blu3-j]

Welcome...Home..?

Overworked! GN! Reader X Welcome Home Crew

Chapter 1

TW: none

The beginning of a grand new friendship, and a bunch of new adventures yet to come. It appears as though our main character has yet to see just what they're about to go through. Such a busy bee!

Chapter 1 l Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 l Chapter 4

You slowly trudged up the steps of your porch, completely exhausted. Work has been awfully busy lately, with customers constantly coming in and out and being...."fun", as your boss put it. Not only that, but the workload your college classes have been putting on you lately has been overbearing! You've barely had any time to yourself. You haven't had time to indulge in your favorite hobbies, talk to any of your friends, or even look much at social media. It was a constant race to get things done and keep that money you so desperately needed rolling in.

You slid the key in the keyhole and turned. The door clicked open and a dark, dusty house welcomed you. An exasperated sigh sounded from you. Unfortunately, with your busy schedule, you also haven't had much time to clean your house.

You had been passed down your house from your great grandparents, who had both passed away a few years back. It was completely paid off, and even had some forest property to go along with it! Unfortunately, it was also pretty far in the forest, so you had to get up a bit extra early to make it anywhere on time. It also took up quite a bit of gas to get anywhere from there. You would move in with somebody to make it easier on yourself, but you didn't have many friends that lived in town anymore. None of the ones that did wanted or needed a roommate. Additionally, being a skeptic and cautious person led to not trusting many people on the internet. There was always a chance they would screw you over or possibly even murder you. You never knew.

Thud!

You dropped your heavy bag on the floor and your stomach, quick to catch the cue, growled. There was barely a thing in the fridge for ready-made food, and all of your dishes were dirty and disgusting. Even the thought of taking the time to wash them all made you feel more exhausted than you already were. The pantry didn't have much, either, but there was one thing that you could make in a few minutes without any extra work needed. Instant noodle cups.

"I really do play into the broke, tired college kid stereotype, huh?" You grumbled as you grabbed a cup from the pantry. It only took a few minutes, but you decided upon waiting for it to finish cooking to turn to the living room. The tv was dusty and rarely used, but you figured with the little free time you had you would watch something. "Anything to get my mind off of those Susans and Karens I have to face at work." The remote sat lonely in its spot on the tv stand as you walked over and picked it up. The screen was full of static for a moment, then to a news broadcast station. Humming, you flicked through the various stations, eventually settling on the most colorful one of them all.

A children's cartoon had just ended, and the colorful characters were saying their final goodbyes to the viewers.

"Maybe something simple will let me veg out for a bit. I don't need anything complicated right now." A small ding from the kitchen caught your attention. "Sounds like the noodles are done." One last mumble came from you as you turned your back to the tv and walked away. "My brain is already fried enough as is." When you got back and plopped down on your couch, a new cartoon had popped up. You figured it was a cartoon, anyway, from the extremely colorful title card. "Welcome Home" it read. "Must be a new show."

The colorful title card faded away and the camera panned down to a live set. The colorful scene caught your attention in full, and you felt yourself almost entranced. A house in the middle of a small neighborhood with eyes stared the viewer down with a supposedly friendly gaze. It waved with a window shutter before opening the door to the viewer as the camera wandered in. Inside, sitting at a canvas and easel was a small yellow puppet. He was humming away the show's friendly tune, slowly squeezing paint onto his palette. Finally, he noticed the viewer.

"Oh, hello, neighbor!" He waved to the viewer. His voice was gentle and slightly monotone. Strange, as he seems to be the main character. "Don't they usually have the main character of children's shows as more extraverted and full of energy and emotion?" "I was just about to start painting a lovely new painting for my friend Barnaby." He hummed and grabbed a brush, but hesitated upon moving to dip it in the paints. His gaze went back to the viewer, and he laughed. It was just as monotone as his usual voice, but what was even more off-putting was it being almost robotic in nature. "Oh, no. Thinking about it, I actually don't know what to paint." The handle tip of the brush was put against his cheek as the small puppet thought. "Say, neighbor," He looked back at the viewer. The small puppet's gaze distracted you from your food.

"That's weird...why does it feel...?" "As though he's looking directly at me?"

"Do you have any ideas? I'm sure there's some great ones in that head of yours!" His grin widened. Is that even possible for a puppet? You decided to remain quiet and stare back at him, completely entranced by the dark pools of his eyes. One minute went by. Then two. It wasn't until a third went by when you realized he hadn't gone back to painting. He was still staring, quiet and patient. "Neighbor?" The monotone voice caught you off gaurd, and you jumped in your seat. The puppet laughed and his gaze fell away from you for a moment. Just one. "Oh, no! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you!" You felt your blood run cold as he spoke once again, his voice even more gentle and ominous than before. Are you just that tired? Are you dreaming? You must be! "I can see you, you know." There it was again. That same, monotone laugh. His voice went back to normal. "That's okay if you don't want to answer me! It must be so strange for you. That I can see you. That I'm talking to you. But you don't have to worry! I won't hurt you!" The yellow puppet's eyes went wide. "Oh! I have an idea, now! You gave me the perfect idea, neighbor! I'll paint you!"

A breath left your lungs as you watched him turn his attention back to his canvas and start painting. One you hadn't realized you'd been holding. He hummed the show's tune once more as he went to painting on his canvas. It would be comforting, if it wasn't for the fact he was indeed painting your unlit living room.

"It's nice to have a new neighbor." He mumbled out just loud enough for you to hear. "Not many come to visit anymore." He glanced back at you for a moment before he went back to painting. "Oh, silly me, I forgot to introduce myself! I was too excited...I'm Wally. Wally Darling." The puppet, as you now knew as Wally, went silent. Not even a theme song played in the background. Just the silence of his livingroom...and his occasional humming.

Time rolled by. After a while, it almost felt like normal. Like you two had known each other for a while and were just on some sort of quiet camera call. Your tense shoulders eventually relaxed, and although you were still too cautious to speak to the puppet, your eyelids slowly, ever so slowly, shut. Overworking yourself had gotten to you, and no longer could your body continue to stay awake. A small, gentle, monotone voice called to you. So small, you barely noticed. So gentle, it sealed the final nail in you falling into the deep depths of dreams.

"Goodnight, neighbor."

[itsbenedict]

From the beginning | Previously | Coin standings | 4/18 | 2/2

Adea, with the finely-honed mom skill of Bothering Customer Service People, decides to loudly play NOSE KARATE GAMES ASK TO SEE MANAGER, but no one responds- she attracts the attention of some glitch-ghosts before Walter slaps a wing over her mouth.

He suggests that ELECTRIC BOLT LEFT US they COLLECT BUTTERFLIES, herding them together into one of those dense swarms that seems to allow them to reach the fennec fox who keeps dropping off supplies for them. It's not a bad idea- but it's tricky to corral loose butterflies in a ghost-crowded juice bar without antagonizing some ghosts.

The two of you split up, and- well, Adea gets sort of attacked by some of the ghosts she ticked off. They phase right through the both of you, but there's a chilling sensation and a loss of motor control involved, your limbs flailing involuntarily as they do so. It's disconcerting, and Adea takes a couple hits to her Soul Integrity from smacking against tables and the like, but otherwise things go much smoother than might be expected of a bug-corralling operation in an extremely haunted room.

The swarm, this time, doesn't reveal a fennec, but rather a tired looking cat polishing a glass at the bar. They can't say they've ever been asked to serve drinks to a cloud of butterflies before, but they appear to take the whole affair in an uncanny stride, and accept the CAFÉ VOUCHER. It's good for 20 Coin's worth of the house menu:

Some newfangled experimental INHALED FOODS that come in compressed air canisters (2)

A SPRINGLIKE CARD that resembles something from hanafuda but isn't quite the right season (2)

A tulpa of a little pony who embodies the spirit of generosity, so you always have a MIND RARITY at hand (2)

You could get poked with a cocktail umbrella. "YOW," SHRIEK US, because that toothpick end is pointy. (2)

Ever want to be traumatized by fae teaching you math? Now TRIG FAIRY TRAUMA can be yours, for only (2)

Jack wants to just get in the car and drive, but I BUCKLE UP, JACK. It's the law. (5)

There's a DOMINANT ICICLE hanging over the bar that's clearly the boss of all the other icicles. (4)

They sell SELTZERS, APTLY, by the sea shore. Or, shorter: by the sea, sure. Sheesh. (1)

There's a bee waiting in line to order behind you. It's going to be the BEE'S TURN next. (1)

Ol' Zed over there on the house piano is playing ZED'S TUNE, but he takes requests, for (1)

And lastly, if you're boring or watching your weight, you can always just order some SPINACH SALADS (2).

(All of these options restore hunger at least proportional to their cost, but may have other effects. How much of each the 20-Coin voucher will buy will be determined by the spread of results on this poll, rather than chosen by a single winner. You can also choose to PORT POLYTHEISTS and spend your own Coin to purchase extra rations.)

Continued

[bluedragonflypoker]

Discover the art: custom bee playing cards unveiled

In the realm of card games, where every shuffle, deal, and play holds a tale of its own, the choice of playing cards becomes not merely a matter of utility but an expression of individuality. Custom Bee Playing Cards stand as a testament to the fusion of artistry and functionality, offering enthusiasts a canvas to paint their gaming narratives. Unveiling the craftsmanship behind these bespoke cards unveils a world where tradition meets innovation, and where every deck becomes a masterpiece in its own right.

At the heart of the allure of custom Bee playing cards lies the marriage of quality and customization. Each deck embodies meticulous attention to detail, from the selection of premium cardstock to the precision of printing techniques. The distinctive buzz of Bee cards, known for their durability and smooth handling, provides a foundation upon which players can build their personalized gaming experiences.

Custom Bee playing cards transcend the mundane, offering a myriad of options for personalization. From the choice of card backs adorned with intricate designs to the customization of face cards reflecting the whims and fancies of the creator, these decks become more than mere tools of the trade—they become extensions of the player's personality. Whether it's a themed deck for a special occasion or a bespoke set crafted to reflect a player's unique style, the possibilities are limited only by imagination.

The journey of bringing custom Bee playing cards to life is a collaborative process, where creators work hand in hand with designers and manufacturers to transform visions into tangible reality. Each deck is a labor of love, from the initial concept sketches to the final product that finds its way into the hands of players around the world. The artistry involved in this process goes beyond mere aesthetics; it encapsulates the spirit of creativity and craftsmanship that defines the world of gaming.

With custom Bee playing cards, the game extends far beyond the table. These decks become conversation starters, collector's items and cherished mementos of memorable moments shared among friends and fellow enthusiasts. Whether it's a casual game night or a high-stakes tournament, the presence of custom Bee playing cards elevates the experience, turning every deal into a work of art.

As the world of gaming continues to evolve, custom Bee playing cards remain a timeless classic—a testament to the enduring appeal of tradition and the boundless possibilities of customization. With each shuffle and flip of the deck, players embark on a journey of discovery, uncovering the artistry woven into every card and the stories waiting to be told. In the hands of players, custom Bee playing cards transcend their physical form, becoming portals to realms of imagination and adventure.

In conclusion, custom Bee playing cards stand as more than just tools for gameplay; they are symbols of creativity, craftsmanship, and individuality. From their inception to their place on the gaming table, these decks unveil a world where artistry reigns high, inviting players to explore, create, and connect in ways that transcend the boundaries of the ordinary.

In the ever-expanding landscape of gaming, custom Bee playing cards continue to captivate enthusiasts with their timeless allure. As players immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of possibilities these decks offer, they discover new dimensions of gameplay and self-expression. From the intricate designs adorning each card to the smooth, satisfying shuffle of the deck, every aspect speaks to the passion and dedication poured into their creation.

Custom Bee playing cards have become more than just accessories; they are symbols of camaraderie, creativity, and competition. Whether shared among friends in casual gatherings or wielded by professionals in high-stakes tournaments, these decks forge connections that transcend the boundaries of language and culture. With each game played and each victory celebrated, the artistry of custom Bee playing cards continues to unfold, weaving a story that is as unique as the players who hold them.

[that-reading-geek]

Broken guitar strings

Crowley x Aziraphale, sugar daddy au, human au

Chapter one

Contains nsfw scenes

Posted on A03

Summary: Crowley realises he is struggling for money more than he thought and consults his best friend, who hooks him up with a sugar daddy.

(I hope this is okay, it's my first time posting soemthing so long on here! Enjoy the first chapter :3)

Crowley, simply put, was broke. A struggling musician with an unhealthy obsession with his plants and parents that refused to acknowledge his existence, he was living pay check to pay check, saving what little he had left in the event of a bad gig or a broken guitar string.

When he wasn’t busking in tube station entryways or performing in empty bars, he was working in the coffee shop a couple of streets from his apartment. The shop was small but had decent foot traffic and, being in Soho, the tips were plentiful. He had gotten used to the regulars, memorising their orders so the drinks were ready to go before the customer had even stepped foot through the doors. Crowley was charming to all of the customers, which helped him a great deal in the tip department, but there was a particular customer that, no matter his mood, always brought a smile upon the barristers face, and never failed to make him chuckle. He had spotted said customer exiting his bookshop across the road, and had his drink ready for when he undoubtedly stepped foot into the shop.

“Good morning Mr Fell,” Nina, the Coffee shops owner, called from behind the counter as Crowley added the finishing touches to Mr Fell's drink.

“Good morning Nina,” the man replied cheerily as he made his way to where Crowley was standing, “and Good morning my dear.”

“Mornin’ Mr Fell, one hot chocolate for you, extra marshmallows,” Crowley smiled, sliding the drink over.

“Oh marvellous,” Mr Fell beamed, picking up his drink and tapping his debit card to the reader. He took a sip and hummed contently, “perfect as always, thank you Dear.”

Crowley couldn’t help but rake his eyes over Mr Fell. The man was wearing his usual shirt and waistcoat, with his silly tartan bow tie and long coat. He didn’t appear to be much older than Crowley, who had recently turned 28, his hair was a natural near-white, and the lines around his eyes and mouth showed years of cheerful grins and happy smiles.

As he met Mr Fells eyes, the man smiled at him, before going through his wallet and sticking a £10 note into the tip jar. They stared at each other momentarily, before Mr Fell dipped his head.

“Thank you dear,” he said softly, before going and sitting in a booth, bringing his laptop out and working silently.

Crowley had gone back to his apartment after his shift. The place was dingy, with rickety stairs and chipping paint at every turn. He left his bag by the door after clicking it closed, kicking his shoes off and slumping onto the couch with a sigh. He stared at his guitar on its stand across the room, groaning at the very idea of performing tonight, but convinced himself that the show must go on, no matter how much he wanted to curl up in bed and sleep.

By 10pm he was at the same pub he spent every other night in, setting up a stool and doing sound check. He hummed softly as he strummed the strings a few times, before sitting and tapping the mic to gather the limited audience’s attention.

“Hey guys, uh, Crowley back again, I take requests if anyone wants to hear anything, enjoy,” he said awkwardly into the mic. No matter how many times he did this same routine, the awkwardness that came with the job never seemed to disappear, it was like a package deal.

He played a couple of songs, taking a few requests from one person in the crowd who seemed to be the only one actually paying attention to him, other than his personal cheerleader who sat at the bar. He made his way over after collecting the few tips he’d received and sat beside his best friend.

“Well done, I loved the third one,” Bee said, sliding a drink over to him.

“Yeah, can’t say the same about everyone else here,” he said, taking an uninterested sip, before grimacing, “What is this?”

“G&T,” Bee shrugged, “I’ll have it if you don’t want it.”

“Never said that,” Crowley said defensively, taking another sip of his drink.

Bee always turned up to each of his shows, occasionally buying him a drink to take the edge off. They’d known each other for a long time, Bee had always encouraged him to pursue his passions, and he had always returned the favour.

“How was work?” They asked.

“Eh, work, got decent tips though.”

“Enough to afford a better place?”

Crowley gave them a deadpan look, “No, doubt that’ll be happening any time soon, stop bringing it up.”

Bee shrugged and took a sip of their own drink, “wouldn’t be a problem if you...” they trailed off.

“No, shut up, not happening,” he said through gritted teeth. Bee held their hands up in defence.

Crowley groaned and stood up, finishing his drink. He made some excuse about having to water his plants and made his leave, with Bee laughing at his awkward departure.

The musician got home and left his guitar and bag on the couch before trudging to the bathroom to remove the smudged eyeliner he had worn for the show. He splashed some water on his face and made his way to bed, flopping down and neglecting to change out of his jeans in favour of falling asleep at that very second.

The next morning was a Saturday, and Crowley had the day off. He rolled out of bed at 11am, finally changing into more comfortable clothes and leaving the ones from last night in a pile on the floor. His thin blanket had done little to keep him warm during the night, and now all he felt like doing was taking a lovely warm shower and making some French toast.

He went to the bathroom and started the shower, waiting for it to heat up and found himself standing there for far too long. Giving up on the shower, he went to the kitchenette to find some bread and butter. He was once again disappointed at what he found: no butter and half a loaf of mouldy bread.

Crowley hated himself for what he did next, pulling out his phone and opening Bee’s contact.

Crowley

Remember what we spoke about last night?

The thing I refused.

Bee 🐝

Yeasssss?

Second thoughts????

Crowley

Maybe...

Bee 🐝

What pushed u over the edge?

Crowley

Mouldy bread and a cold shower.

Bee 🐝

I’ll give Gabe ur number, he’ll be delighted to find someone 4 u

Crowley

Great.

Gabriel, or Gabe, was Bee’s Partner, or more specifically, their sugar daddy. Bee used the term lightly, and Crowley was used to their dynamic, he never judged Bee and their way of income wouldn’t change that. He had met Gabe a few times, he was a nice man, and looked after Bee well, always treating them to dinner whenever they asked.

Crowley never thought his desperation would get this far, but he was slowly getting more helpless and his growling stomach would thank him, even if it meant sacrificing his dignity.

A message from an unknown number popped up on his phone, and he hesitated before opening it.

Unknown number

Hello Crowley, this is Gabriel, Bee said you were interested and gave me your number to have a chat? Wanna meet up at the park and you can meet a friend of mine. I’ll bring Bee with me.

Crowley

Mm, yeah, when and where?

Gabriel 💷

St.james’ at 4 work for you?

Crowley

Yeah sounds good, see you then.

Crowley groaned and pocketed his phone, before heading to his closet and finding a decent shirt and pair of jeans to change into. He got changed, applying a little bit of makeup, just eyeliner and concealer, and tried to make his hair look at least a little bit more like he hadn’t just rolled out of bed. He slid his sunglasses onto his face and grabbed his guitar. Crowley knew if would take a little while to get to the park, but he still had a couple of hours until their meeting time, but there was nothing to do here and he always liked a walk anyway.

He left his apartment and made his way through the city towards St James’s Park and found a spot beneath a tree to bring his guitar from its case and practise a few chords.

A couple of hours passed before he received a text from Bee asking where he was. He simply responded with a photo of the pop-up coffee cart he was opposite and waited for them to arrive.

“Crowley!” He lifted his head when he heard Bee call his name.

They were holding Gabe’s hand and dragging the man along with them. Crowley stood and put his guitar away in its case, before carefully leaning it against the tree he was underneath.

Gabriel extended his hand that wasn’t clutching Bee’s to Crowley and the musician shook it awkwardly. He tried to look behind Gabe, as though the friend he had told him about was somehow lurking behind him, yet to be seen.

Gabe chuckled and withdrew his hand from Bee, much to their disappointment. “My friend will be here in a moment, how does coffee sound whilst we wait?”

“Oh I cant... afford...”

Crowley was shocked when Gabe laughed loudly, before kissing Bee on the head and saying “Your friend is funny Dear,” he said with a smile, “I’ll buy you a coffee Crowley.”

Crowley scowled to hide his embarrassment before telling Gabriel his coffee order: black with as many sugars as the place allowed. The older man went to buy the three of them Coffee whilst Bee stood with Crowley so the two of them could talk.

“Is it weird?” Crowley started with.

“Is what weird?”

“Having a sugar daddy, does it not feel... strange?."

Bee looked at Gabe softly, who was waiting for the coffee, “It does at first, I felt guilty when Gabe and I were first.. yknow, but I got used to it. I still apologise every now and then, but he’s so sweet, he always makes me feel better when I feel guilty.

“Yknow, this sort of thing doesn’t always have to be sex, Gabriel’s paid me for just hanging out with him, you just need to discuss everything when it all starts, and set your boundaries.”

Crowley nodded a little. He remembered when Bee had first met Gabriel and they had refused to spend any of the money Gabe had given them out of pure guilt. It wasn’t until Gabriel took them out shopping that they actually spent it. He remembered how Bee had bought him the same pair of sunglasses he still wore to this day, and how happy they’d been after spending the day with Gabe. The two had shared their first kiss outside of the bedroom that day, and Bee was on the moon for many days after.

“Talk to me, talk to Gabriel if you need to, we’ll both help you with whatever decisions or whatever you might need,” Bee said softly, patting him on the shoulder.

Gabe returned with everyone’s coffees and the three of them sat on the ground together making small discussion.

It wasn’t until Gabe interrupted his own sentence that the conversation came to a halt.

“Aziraphale! Glad you’re here my friend,” the man grinned, causing Crowley to look up to see who he was talking to.

“Hello Gabriel, Bee, I am sorry I’m late,” the other man, Aziraphale, said as he stood above the group. He turned to Crowley and smiled a very charming smile. “Hello Dear, I wasn’t expecting to see your face.”

Crowley stared dumbstruck at the man in front of him, a man whom he recognised far too well. When he finally managed to find his words, all he could force himself to say was “ngh... uh, neither...”

Aziraphale smiled and carefully sat with the rest of the group, turning to Gabriel, who spoke before anyone else could. “You know each other?”

Aziraphale nodded, “Oh yes, this young man serves me almost every day at that darling coffee shop I told you about.”

It was at that moment that the man he knew as Mr Fell didn’t even know his name, despite the name tag he had pinned to his apron every day.

“Oh marvellous!” Gabriel said excitedly, “Well that may make things easier for you both then, Crowley here is looking for a sugar daddy, I knew you two would be a perfect match.”

Aziraphale beamed and turned to Crowley, “Yes I think we might just be,” he giggled, “how about we all go to dinner? And talk there? Then perhaps Mr Crowley and I can discuss this further.”

Crowley nodded numbly and Gabriel stood, pulling Bee up with him. He called a car for the four of them after the 2 older men had decided where to eat, Bee sat practically on Gabe’s lap in the car, the both of them chatting idly between them and leaving the other two to awkwardly make conversation.

“When Gabriel said he had a potential client for me, I wasn’t expecting to see my Barista,” Aziraphale said after a few moments of sitting in silence.

Crowley refused to meet his eyes and didn’t reply. Aziraphale cleared his throat awkwardly and continued.

“I’m sorry if this is awkward for you, we don’t have to go through with it if you’re uncomfortable, I won’t be offended.”

Crowley finally lifted his head but didn’t look him in the eyes, “ngk- Mr Fell, I don’t... sorry, I’m actually rather glad that it’s you, I just feel embarrassed,” he confessed. “This is new to me, so I’m a bit... overwhelmed.”

Aziraphale’s gaze softened and he gently took Crowley’s hand in his own, “It’s okay my dear... we can discuss everything over dinner and you don’t even have to decide then, we’ll go at your pace and I’ll be sure to communicate properly, as long as you promise to do the same.”

Crowley finally lifted his eyes to look at him and smiled, “okay...” he said quietly, before pausing momentarily and saying, “...you’re paying for dinner right? Because there’s no way I can affor-“

Aziraphale cut him off with a laugh, “Yes dear! Of course I’m paying for dinner.”

Crowley nodded and visibly relaxed, sitting back in his seat. He glanced down at where his hand was still held in Aziraphale’s and slowly took it back, shooting the man an apologetic smile before folding his hands in his own lap.

The restaurant was much more posh than Crowley was used to, but by the way the other 3 acted, and how the staff talked to Gabriel, he assumed they were regulars here, and suddenly felt very out of place.

Aziraphale was in his normal attire of shirt and bow tie, Gabriel had dressed in almost all white, he looked handsome and expensive, and even Bee seemed to fit in, their albeit alternative style still seemed to blend in well to the atmosphere of the room, and Crowley stuck out like a sore thumb.

The four were led to a booth, and Crowley took this opportunity to hide his dishevelled self as far from public view as possible. Aziraphale sat next to him with the couple opposite, and Bee sat back as Gabriel picked up the menu.

“Are you alright if I order for you my bumblebee?” Gabriel asked Bee softly, putting an arm around them. They nodded and picked up the desert menu, before suggesting brownies and ice cream for desert, which Gabe agreed to.

“What would you like Dear?” Aziraphale said, breaking Crowley from staring at the couple ahead of him.

“Uh, whatever’s cheapest is fine, ‘m not picky,” he mumbled, shrinking back into himself.

“Nonsense, there must be something on here that takes your fancy,” Aziraphale proclaimed, leaning over to show Crowley the menu. “Ooh the steak sounds lovely, or even the chicken sounds delightful, I’m going to get some sushi, does anything sound good to you?”

“Mr Fell all I’ve eaten in the past few weeks is packet Mac and Cheese, literally anything sounds good,” Crowley said bluntly, before blushing and looking away.

Aziraphale simply smiled softly and nodded, “How about I pick something for you and you can tell me if you like it or not?”

Crowley looked up at him and nodded, uttering a small ‘sounds good’. Aziraphale grinned, clearly delighted and listed off a few things, all of which Crowley agreed to, although slightly hesitantly. As Aziraphale called over the waitress to place their orders, Bee leaned over the table and plucked Crowley’s sunglasses from his face.

“We’re inside Crowley, table manners,” the scorned playfully, ignoring his protest.

“You say that like you didn’t used to put your feet up on the table when we would go out,” he bit back, though not a hint of aggression was present in his tone. He took his glasses back, but folded them on the table.

Gabe shot Bee a look to which they rolled their eyes at, “I don’t do it anymore,” they mumbled, and the others at the table laughed.

As the table waited for their food to arrive, they discussed Bee and Gabe’s contract, so Crowley would be informed on what sort of thing to expect should he and Aziraphale go ahead with the dynamic.

The food, when it arrived, was delightful, and Crowley enjoyed it thoroughly. He tried not to shovel his food down too quickly, but his rumbling belly tried to convince him to do otherwise. He’d gotten about halfway through his meal when he realised eating so much food after eating very little for so long was probably not the best idea, and the nauseating feeling that accompanied his full stomach made him halt mid fork-full.

“Are you alright dear?” Aziraphale said softly, and Crowley only nodded.

The musician reached for his drink and finished the glass of OJ he’d ordered. He sat back, allowing his food to settle as he wished the nausea to dissipate. He’d never forgive himself if he’d forced a stranger he hardly knew to pay for a large and expensive meal just for him to not finish it. Deciding to distract himself, he initiated conversation.

“So you would pay me for... well sex?” He clarified.

“Yes dear, and other things, like... spending the day awith me, or running errands, attending parties,” Aziraphale said softly, “I’d never make you do anything you’re uncomfortable with of course, but you need the money... and I like the company, its a win-win situation honestly.”

Crowley smiled and nodded, taking a bite of his food now that his stomach had settled slightly. He couldn’t help but hum in delight at the thought of being able to afford somewhere nicer to live, and of course, spending time with a handsome man for more than 2 minutes a day would be a bonus. He shifted his weight slightly and found himself leaning closer to Aziraphale. The other man cautiously rested his hand upon Crowley’s knee, letting out a questioning hum.

“’ Guess it wouldn’t... hurt to try,” Crowley reasoned, mostly with himself, but he didn’t find himself recoiling from the man’s affectionate touch.

“After dinner,” Aziraphale started, “we should head back to mine, and discuss this further, does that sound good?”

Crowley nodded and smiled up at him, “sounds perfect."

As promised, after dinner Aziraphale ordered Crowley and himself an Uber back to his bookshop. They both headed inside and Aziraphale locked the door behind them. He lead the younger man to the couch and offered him some coffee, of which Crowley accepted gratefully. The two sat drinking their beverages and discussing the terms of their newfound agreement.

They came to the conclusion that Crowley would come to his bookshop on his days off from work, and they would spend the day together, whether that be simply keeping Aziraphale company whilst he worked, or making him tea as he read. They agreed that sex would not be a necessity, but neither were opposed to the idea. Aziraphale mentioned during their talk that, at any parties he and Crowley may attend together (as part of work of course), that ‘pda’ may be necessary, but never forced, and Crowley seemed enthusiastic at the idea.

“How do I address you?” Aziraphale said as they drew to the end of the conversation.

“m? Oh, Crowley’s fine, none of that ‘Mr’ bullshit, pet names are cool too I guess, he/him whatever.”

“Well then that works fine my Dear, as for you, I’d rather you called me Aziraphale than ‘Mr Fell’, far too proper for me, and of course any other nicknames you see fit, just not the D word...”

Crowley grinned at that, “What? Daddy?” He laughed when Aziraphale cringed, “Ironic,” he snorted, “I’ll think of something for you.”

“Marvellous.”

The two talked some more, about everything and nothing at the same time. Crowley talked about his plants and Aziraphale listened with a fond smile on his face, in return talking about his books and other hobbies. The two found themselves laughing about god knows what, and soon Crowley was half on top of Aziraphale, the older man’s arm around his waist comfortably.

Crowley giggled, much to his distaste, and curled in closer to Aziraphale until their noses were nearly touching and the only comfortable position for his hands were the man’s chest. He felt Aziraphale squeeze his hip affectionately, the conversation fizzing into silence as they stared at each other, breaths mingling in a dance of pure sexual attraction.

Before either of them could speak, Aziraphale’s hands and slid up Crowley’ shirt, ghosting over his skin in delicate, flittering touches. Crowley’s own hands had founds their ways to Aziraphale’s belt, before they were both crashing their lips together in a frenzied kiss of passion and need.

Crowley quickly moved to unbuckle Aziraphale’s belt, pulling away from the kiss momentarily to focus on what he was doing. He managed to get it open before Aziraphale was stilling his hands, and he froze, wondering if he’d gone too far.

“You don’t have to do that Darling- if you don’t want to...” he said softly. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to go further with Crowley, he just didn’t want Crowley to feel pressured after they’d only just discussed their terms, especially after he’d bought him dinner earlier.

“I want to,” Crowley blurted, squeezing Aziraphale’s hand, “you have no idea how long I’ve wanted this,” he confessed.

Aziraphale smiled and pressed a kiss to his temple, before uttering softly, “be my guest then dear boy.”

Crowley grinned and hastily unbuttoned and unzipped Aziraphale’s slacks, the older man lifting his hips so Crowley could pull the trousers down to his ankles. He ran his hands up Aziraphale’s thighs, squeezing the flesh and admiring the sight before him. The musician leant down to press kisses to the man’s thighs, worshipping each as thought they belonged to an angel. He trailed his kisses up as his hands followed suit, toying at the waistband of white briefs that hid a rather large monstrosity he couldn’t wait to get his lips around.

Crowley shuffled down to be kneeling on the floor, accepting the cushion that Aziraphale passed him to settle under his knees. The older man ran a hand through Crowley’s hair and mussed the strands slightly, his pale fingers lost in the sea of red. Crowley delicately pulled Aziraphale from his briefs, marvelling over the weight in his hand. He couldn’t help but stare, but a light encouraging tug at his hair broke him from his awestruck trance in order to slowly kiss up Aziraphale’s hardening dick.

Kissing the tip, Crowley looked up at Aziraphale through his eyelashes and slowly took him in his mouth. He bobbed his head slowly, squeezing Aziraphale’s thighs affectionately. The man above him groaned in pleasure as Crowley worked, Aziraphale tried to keep his hands gentle on the musicians hair, but Crowley would be lying if he said he didn’t like the idea of Aziraphale pulling his hair properly. The weight of Aziraphale’s prick was heavy on his tongue, swallowing around it he tried to take him as far as his throat would allow him.

Crowley wouldn’t say he was inexperienced as he would say ‘out of practise’. The last time he had a long term boyfriend was in his earlier 20’s, and he hadn’t really hooked up with many men since his last relationship. Even when he did, the deed was quick, either a hand job or a quick fuck and he was out of there, there was no grace or romance about it, just something to satisfy both parties. His deep throating abilities were hardly what they used to be, but Crowley was certain, especially with a cock as big as Aziraphale’s, he’d build up to it again in time.

He pulled off of Aziraphale and jerked him off slowly, he gently kissed the tip and took him in his mouth once more. Aziraphale was bucking into his mouth as Crowley forced his head down as far as he could, and he gagged slightly as the head hit the back of his throat. Aziraphale tried to utter an apology, but Crowley simply squeezed his thigh in silent assurance that he was fine. He could feel Aziraphale practically melt in his hands as he continued his gentle assault, pre-cum leaking from his tip and staining Crowley’s tongue. The salty taste was almost foreign in his mouth, but he found himself swallowing it down as though he was starving for more.

When Aziraphale reached his climax his grip on Crowley’s hair tightened. He gave no warning as he came down Crowley’s throat, the musician choking momentarily in the process. He pulled off, swallowing and awkwardly wiping his mouth, before laughing softly.

“Warn a guy next time,” he teased.

“Sorry Darling...” Aziraphale mumbled sheepishly, gently petting his now completely messed up hair. He gently pulled Crowley up into his lap and held the man close, putting himself away in the process. Crowley rested his head on Aziraphale’s chest and closed his eyes, ignoring the aching between his own legs in favour of post-orgasm cuddles.

“How about we get a shower and continue our conversation in bed?” Aziraphale hummed softly, stroking his hair. Crowley simply nodded and allowed Aziraphale to scoop him into his arms and take him to bed.

[got-into-worm-by-mistake]

Agitation 3.7 Live Reactions

(This is me, writing reactions as I read, because why the fuck not. They're not complete, mature thoughts taken after I sit back and evaluate what I've read. Consider them as such)

Grue was already out of his vehicle and halfway to us by the time Tattletale and I had shut the doors of the van.  He was using his power at a low degree over the entirety of his body.  The darkness soaked into and through the porous leather of his costume, making him look like a living shadow.  Brian had showed me how the visor had vents at the edges, to direct the effect of his power around the sides and top of his head, so it wouldn’t obscure the face.  It wasn’t that he couldn’t see through the effects of his own power – he could.  He’d explained that the vents were there to create an effect where you could see glimpses of a black-painted skull floating in the vaguely human shaped form of even darker black.  When he had the money to spend, he had told me, he was going to get a more complete costume custom made for him in the same way, to expand on the effect.

I read a fic where Grue was describe as suffering from 'FYGEP' - Fuck You Get An Evil Power' (i.e. he got a power that's just... really hard, optically, to use as a hero even if he was so inclined) and... yeah, he's playing that card hard here.

“Got enough?” his voice echoed.  I thought maybe I caught a touch of humor in his tone, behind the influence of his power.

Two things you can never have enough of: Dakka (If you're an Ork) and Bugs (If you're Skitter)

These weren’t just the bugs I could draw in at a moment’s notice, though.  Traveling the city had given me the chance to be picky.  These were the good ones, each of them fast enough to keep up with me, or capable of being carried by those that were.  More than that, though, the majority of them were either durable sorts like the larger centipedes, cockroaches and beetles, or capable of stinging and biting, with bees, wasps, ants and blackflies making up their bulk.  To round out their number, I’d gathered moths, houseflies, and mosquitoes, who weren’t the best attack bugs out there, but were easy enough to get, and served to distract the enemy or bulk out the swarm. There were three hundred and fifty cubic feet inside the rear of the van. Tattletale had told me that.  When they were packed in just tight enough that they wouldn’t damage each other or spill past the barrier and into the front seats, it added up to a pretty amazing amount of insects.  I called them out of the van and watched as their mass seemed to expand as they spread out.

Gyah! Just reading all that is making me twitch.

Her costume was skintight, beaded with droplets of water

And I'm sure that does nothing for you. :rofl: (Jk, technically, but also the council has made a stupid-ass decision meme and all. Canonically straight or not, no Taylor is not)

He still wore the hard white mask with the silver coronet, but he had shown me how the interior of the mask had foam shaped to the contours of his face, with only his mouth left free, so he could talk without being muffled.  In a similar vein, the loose white shirt he wore covered up a mesh vest that was molded to the shape of his body.  He was idly twirling a scepter in his fingers.  The scepter wasn’t purely thematic – apparently the crowned orb that topped the scepter had two electrodes built into the tines, for the taser that was built into it.  It was all about misdirection, misleading and giving the impression of vulnerability.

Of all the costumes, this one sounds the most visually interesting. Definitely would love to see a life action interpretation.

To do that, you punch in the regular code, 3-7-1, but you hold the one down, then press the number sign and the asterisk keys down at the same time… Voila.  Try it.” Grue pulled on the door.  We waited in tense silence for a moment for the angry blare of the alarm, but none came.  Tattletale grinned at us. “What’d I tell you?”

That has got to get old fast.

Muscle and bone showed beneath, and the arrangement of said anatomy wasn’t exactly typical.  The change was slow enough that you couldn’t see it if you were looking for it, but if you looked away and looked back a moment later, you could tell they were bigger, that bone at the shoulder was longer, the eyes were deeper set, and so on.  Spikes, spurs and an exoskeleton of bone growths had appeared to fill or cover gaps and grow in at places where the bone was already close to the skin.  The tail of the smallest dog – Angelica, I think Rachel called it – was twice as long as normal and prehensile, now, and the other two were well on their way.  It looked like someone had torn out a pair of human spines, the meat still hanging off them, and attached them one to the other before tacking the end to the dog’s hindquarters.

Kill them! Kill them with Fire!

(Have I mentioned I'm afraid of/hate dogs?)

would be making a call to 911 and reporting a crime in progress by costumed criminals. 

I guess the fear of Cape interference would encourage normal criminals to not wear elaborate costumes to protect their identities during robberies.

In the next room, Regent grabbed another hostage.  I caught a glance of the man, graying hair and thick around the middle with a pink dress shirt and no jacket, staring at us with eyes wide.  He opened his mouth, I think his intent was to cry for help, but broke down into coughs and sputters instead.  A second later, he keeled over and collapsed onto the floor.  He tried to climb to his feet, but his elbow buckled and he hit the ground a second time.  While he continued to struggle, Regent strode into the room with an almost lazy air, grabbed him by the collar and shoved him towards the hallway where we stood.  Defeated, Pink-shirt didn’t resist, half-walking, half-crawling forward as he joined us.  He met eyes with the other employee, but didn’t say anything.

Pretty terrifying power when you think about it.

I closed my eyes.  With a mental command, my bugs flooded into the room from the hallway behind us, flying and crawling over, under and around us to spread through the room.  I noted each person in the lobby as my bugs made contact with them, and left several bugs crawling on each individual.  I took five seconds to double check I’d gotten everyone, and belatedly remembered the two employees we had brought forward from the back offices.  A group of bugs returned from the darkness, brushing my skin on their way to make contact with the pair.

Gyyyyyah!

“Fifteen minutes,” I called out to the room, my heart in my throat, “We won’t be here any longer than that.  Stay put, stay quiet, we’ll be gone before fifteen minutes are up.  You’ll be free to give your statement to the police and then go about your day as usual.  This isn’t a TV show, this isn’t a movie.  If you’re thinking about being a hero, don’t.  You’ll only get yourself or someone else hurt.” I held up my hand, finger outstretched, a familiar spider perched on the tip, “If you are thinking about running, making a phone call or getting in our way, this is a good reason to reconsider.  This little creature and her one hundred sisters that I just brought into this room are under my complete control.”  I had the spider drop from my fingertip, dangling by a thread, by way of demonstration. “She’s a black widow spider.  A single bite has been known to kill a full grown human, or put them into a coma.  You move, talk, try to find or kill the spiders I just put on your bodies, in your clothes, in your hair?  I’ll know in split second, and I’ll tell them to bite you several times.”

That slope is looking preeeetty slippery, innit Taylor?

But also, a pretty effective speech. Did she practice this one ahead of time?

 A teenager with freckles and brown curls was glaring at me with raw loathing in her eyes. 

AMY! Babygirl! You're here! Don't worry, this won't go down as the worst day of your life for more than a few months!

What a great way for the members of a ship I like most to meet! (Not sarcastic, I love hate at first sight as the start for a ship :P )

My taking hostages like this?  It had been my idea, so help me.  As horrible as it was, it had been necessary.  The worst case scenario was some regular schmuck in the bank pulling some stunt and getting themselves or others hurt or killed.  I couldn’t let that happen, if I was in a position to help it.  If it meant keeping them quiet and out of the way, I was willing to terrorize them. As I saw the effect I’d had on these people, that justification felt really thin. I was going to hell for this.

Oh, you're not going to hell for this Taylor. You'll have a lot more and better reasons to go to hell by the time Contessa shoots you in the head and tosses you into Earth Aelph.

But as usual, the rationalizations continue, and I just love each one.

[yourbelgianthings]

taz november celebration fic 2: card prompt share

it’s ya boi’s first steeplechase fic, featuring emerich and montrose!! ~800 words, no tws and no spoilers @taznovembercelebration

When Emerich Dreadway and Montrose Pretty were first hired at Poppy's Place in Ustaben, they each began trying to analyze each other from the moment they met. Beef Punchley, their third coworker, seemed to have all his cards on the table for now, but between Montrose's mask and all the time Emerich spent alone back in his lab, there had to be something hidden there. As the days and weeks went by, the trio settled into their routine at the arcade: Beef took care of any problems with customers and promoted his arm wrestling game, Emerich kept everything in good working order (interacting with customers as little as possible), and Montrose was the cashier at the prize counter. Their manager was an old man named Poppy Mervin, but at their request, he just stayed in his office as much as possible. They were all perfectly competent at but extremely overqualified for these simple jobs.

Every night, each man dreamed of his own version of something better, and every morning, woke up facing another day of work, just as deeply unfulfilled. Emerich always looked forward to the arcade closing so he could go work on his own projects in his lab, where he could create things rather than simply repairing them. He would often stay up late into the night, falling asleep hunched over his worktable or onto the floor of his lab. Beef and Montrose always invited Emerich to spend time with them in the evenings, going out to dinner, playing cards (which Beef always wound up turning into some kind of bet), or whatever else they could come up with, but he rarely accepted. One night, though, Montrose told Beef it was a perfect opportunity for each of them to take some "me time". Once he was sure Beef had left, he slipped into the back and knocked on Emerich's door.

"Oh Emerich, anyone home?" he asked in his smooth southern drawl.

"Yes," replied Emerich, and as Montrose opened the door, he saw that Emerich had not moved or looked up from his work at all."

"It's good to see you, Montrose, but I don't really want to talk now."

"Well that's perfect, I don't either." He pulled up a chair on the other side of the large worktable, took some wood and a knife "borrowed" from Whittle Around out of his coat pocket, and quietly began working. His mask projected a neutral expression, but underneath, he allowed himself a slight smile. The shared quiet was deeply calming. Montrose Pretty could act his ass off, and was the smoothest talker around, often even convincing himself so much that he forgot he was playing a role. Every once in a while though, he remembered, and then it wasn't so easy. That's part of why he loved spending time at The Future is You, because there were no expectations. Sure, it was still a bit of a role, the dutiful son of the loving nuclear family, but he was doing it for himself, not because someone else wanted something from him. Emerich was surprised that Montrose had actually stayed quiet this whole time, he hadn't thought that was possible.

"Hey Montrose, take a look at this?" he asked quietly, gesturing towards the hardlight he was currently tinkering with. Montrose set down his work and got up to look over his companion's shoulder.

“Sure, Emerich, I can see it, but you're going to have to tell me what it is, unless that's some kind of trade secret." They both laughed, and Emerich excitedly launched into a detailed explanation. Montrose had never heard him talk this much before, but he could tell it came so easily when the topic was his passion.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize how long I had been going on," Emerich said, his voice tinged with shame. "You must be so bored by now."

"Not at all," Montrose reassured him. "It's fascinating, and I talk pretty much all day, so I'll take the chance to listen." He reached back across the table and set what he had been working on down on Emerich's non-slip mat: a small figure of a ghost, wearing glasses similar to Emerich's own. Before he had a chance to say thank you or anything else, Montrose had slipped out of the lab. That was okay, though. Their evening together had alleviated some of his loneliness, and he hadn't had someone care to listen to him talk about hardlight since he had been a Creationeer.

In the back bedroom, as Montrose laid down on the top bunk (Beef had the bottom one and there was a mattress on the floor for Emerich) and stared at the ceiling, he actually felt relaxed. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt this way, but that didn't matter right now, he was just glad to have shared that time with Emerich.

[evilrat-sabre]

You walk in Hermitcraft

Imagine you are walking through Keralis’ city. You live there in an apartment close to where some superheroes with hermit heads are fighting. If you look in the distance, you may be able to see the Toon Towers or even Xisuma’s bee towers. 

You walk a little more; there is a ravager head in the ground where you know, if you enter through the mouth, you can play decked out. You ignore it for now. 

You walk a little more; there is an Odea shop where you are the only customer to have ever brought something. The owner has a cool mustache and his Swedish is very Google Translator-ish, but you find him a delight. 

You walk, passing through the middle of a mansion cut in two; it smells of gunpowder and bedsheets.

You walk a little more; you fall in a sewer. There are some cats playing poker surrounded by stolen builds and radioactive waste. 

You walk a little farther into the sewer and there is a hole. You don’t fall through the hole, but it goes to the void and for some reason it smells like candy bars and crippling purposeful dead. 

You keep walking; there is a door labeled among us and you find it very sus. 

You walk some more and a bearded stranger covered in blood offers you cards; you accept it. You got a Wels, oh the joy. 

You keep walking; you find a chest full of light gray stained glass. It makes your blood boil for some reason; at least it's free!

You walk a little more; you find another bearded guy accompanied by a guy with a bandana. They want a paper with your name on it; you give it to them so they let you go.

You feel like you have been walking forever. Is that sheep looking at you? You enter a cave; it is full of machinery and, for some reason, golf equipment. 

You go outside; there is a lady giggling maniacally flipping cows upside down. You ignore her.

You walk some more. Everything was fine, but for some reason you are in Star Wars now. Better ignore it.

You walk past a sign. “Gem is great!” it says, and you can’t help but agree.

A newspaper flies and hits you in the face. “Who is the Jangler? Is the Jingler rebranding?” 

You think that as every year passes these names get stupider.

You look up; a giant eagle is flying through the sky.

You keep walking before it thinks you are food.

You walk by a man that is haggling for leaves. You walk faster before he notices you.

A man is reading nonsensical haikus while a slime and a zombie fight for their lives. You stopped questioning this a long time ago.

You keep walking; you find a giant set of tea cups and a nice lady offers you a drink.

You hear someone singing “Never Gonna Give You Up” and you feel yourself glitching through the floor. You fall into a highly decorated room; you feel the urge to call it a monstrosity even if it is beautiful. You walk through it and find a door. 

You enter the door and a very nice drowned called Amelia offers you an elytra and an aviator helmet. You accept it. You put on the aviator helmet and you look stupid. 

You walk through the open wide door; you find yourself in a zoo. There is a crooked glass rainbow and the streets are full of cod headed children. 

You sigh tiredly; time to go home. 

You grab your elytra and try to fly back to your apartment. You bonk your head on a base that yesterday was one block smaller, you swear to god. 

You glitch through the ground again, falling into TFC’s strip mine.

You wish you had a drink. Bdubs offers you milksog.

[polyhedralmice]

Is trying to make 10 1-page solo ttrpg games in the month of May an impossible goal? Possibly. Are my ideas going to go more and more off track as the month goes on? Definitely. Is having a plan at all even worth it? Who knows! But here it is:

The Wizard and the Wanderer

At the center of the maze, an enchanter hides his greatest treasure- his soul. He winds his way out of the maze leaving traps and monsters to protect it. Many years later, an adventurer comes across the maze and tries to make their way to what they assume must be priceless treasure.

Spellweaver Sidehustle

You play a recent graduate of magic school trying to pay off your student loans by taking freelance orders for custom spells.

High-Rise Tales

Use a d6 dice pool to create a tower floor by floor while narrating the goings on as it rises. Rolling a 1 removes the die from the pool and adds it to your physical dice stack- when it falls, the story is finished!

Dear Listener,

Your job as a radio DJ is to host a music show, but when a colleague has a 911 you have to fill in on their call-in advice show. Use your favorite playlist to generate callers and help them solve their problems.

Propagate!

Save the Bees! (and the bats, birds, butterflies, and other beneficial insects). Use a deck of cards and 5d6 to populate your garden with native plants to make your yard pollinator friendly. 6s explode as you propagate your garden!

A Finder of Lost Packages

Every unclaimed mail warehouse needs an employee who is just slightly psychic. Move across a grid of prompts to figure out how a package ended up here and if it's possible to get it where it’s supposed to be.

Lookout Station 8

The posting of new recruits as Lookouts is unheard of, but these are dire times. In this weird west game you do your best to send descriptions of incoming creatures back to base- but your inexperience and the unreliable radios means that the information doesn’t always get through. Best of luck, rookie.

How Cool is This Rock?

Go rockhounding and fill out your field journal with the cool rocks you find! Grain size, hardness, foliation, and color will help you figure out exactly what rock you have and how cool it is!

Stasis Failure

AWAKE. It’s too early. Must re-enter suspended animation. A push your luck game that pits a solo deep-space traveler against time- either repair the ship’s stasis pod or succumb to the dangers aboard.

The Mustelid Downs Races

As an employee at a crooked stoat-racing track you are under a lot of pressure to help fix the races. Keep an encrypted log of everything you do as insurance for the inevitable law enforcement raid.

[kylekozmikdeluxo]

Special Interest Timeline: Retro Games

I'm on a retro games special interest kick, and in my previous post on said things, I talked about how - in the mid-aughts - I really got into games made in the 1970s and 1980s... In the early 2000s.

And I got my history a little messed up when writing about it, so I shall do... a timeline!

Mostly for my sake!

I'm one of those autistics who tries to keep a whole-ass timeline about my special interests... When I got into it, what got me into it, how long it took me to take the next step and discover more things about it, etc....

My love of retro games stemmed from a childhood of playing simplistic MS-DOS shareware games in the late '90s. Games off of floppy disks, like HUGO'S HOUSE OF HORRORS, COMMANDER KEEN 2, CRYSTAL CAVES, WORD RESCUE, CD-MAN (a PAC-MAN clone), SKI FREE, and more... I also forgot to mention that I had a hand-me-down NES in the '90s as well...

Again, going off of my previous post, I mentioned that it kinda starts in the early 2000s. I want to say approximately 2002/2003?

Christmas 2002: I get a GameBoy Advance and SUPER MARIO ADVANCE 2. SMA2 contains a really good port of SUPER MARIO WORLD, originally released in 1990, and an updated version of the 1983 arcade title MARIO BROS. I don't know if this necessarily kicks off the special interest, but it definitely plays a big part in it.

Late 2002/Early 2003: This is approximate. A guess. Around this time, I went to my local swimming pool every mid-week, or something like that, with my father. Afterwards, we'd stop for a bite at a nearby diner. They have a MS. PAC-MAN machine in the vestibule. One day, I watched someone doing really really good at the game. I'm reminded of the old DOS games I loved so much. Around this time, I was obsessed with what year a piece of media came out, so upon seeing the "copyright 1980, 1981" on the attract mode of the game, I had learned something new: Arcade games like that dated back to the 1980s.

Throughout 2003: Going to arcades wherever I went (i.e. bowling alleys, restaurants, etc.) and seeing at least one retro arcade game there. A lot of the time, it was one of those MS. PAC-MAN/GALAGA "Class of 1981" cabinets that were pretty new at the time.

Christmas 2003: I'm given two plug-n-play retro games collections... This is where it all *really* takes off...

The one on the left is the Jakks Pacific Namco set, which contains PAC-MAN, BOSCONIAN, RALLY-X, DIG DUG, and GALAXIAN. Pretty solid ports, all things considered. This I got on Christmas Eve, and I remember that night trying out all the games... And I played the living daylights out of this thing after that...

The one on the right was a bootleg, a Frankenstein's monster-like controller system concoction that were sold in malls and on QVC and the like. My grandmother got that one for me, and it contained a cartridge containing 84 various Famicom and NES games. These "Famiclones" were common back then and it was a side-market that only mutated over time. Luckily, this was one of the less egregious ones, and it had an assortment of NES games I couldn't get elsewhere. The hand-me-down NES we had no longer worked, so this was a worth substitute... Take out the cartridge, there's 10 built-in games that are basically Famiclones. Weird thrown-together 8-bit games of origin I'm unaware of at the moment.

Early 2004: Near my dad's place is a warehouse selling arcade machines and cocktail tables. While they didn't allow customers to play the games, they did - somehow - make an exception for me. I visited a few times and loved it, it was like paradise to my 11-year-old self. I'm sure the guy running the place wanted us OUT, haha.

Next... This is going to sound super-nerdy, but upon doing very well in a spelling bee around February/March and winning... A $200 gift card to... Circuit City! Yes, upon a winning that gift card, what do I buy? Retro game collections!

I believe I got NAMCO MUSEUM and MIDWAY ARCADE TREASURES on one of the shopping trips, in addition to the GameBoy version of NAMCO MUSEUM, PAC-MAN COLLECTION, and KONAMI COLLECTOR'S SERIES: ARCADE ADVANCE.

I visit the website System 16 and KLOV (Killer List Of Video Games) quite frequently, too.

Also around this time, I get my hands on an Atari collection for the PC called ATARI ANNIVERSARY EDITION. I also receive a book called THE ULTIMATE HISTORY OF VIDEO GAMES by Steven L. Kent.

SUPER MARIO ADVANCE 2 is in regular rotation around this time.

Fall-Christmas 2004: For my birthday and Christmas, I get...

ATARI ANTHOLOGY for the XBOX, and another Jakks Pacific Namco collection, this time including MS. PAC-MAN, MAPPY, GALAGA, XEVIOUS, and POLE POSITION. I also get this fantastic coffee table book by Rusel DeMaria and Johnny L. Wilson:

I'll cap it off here, but this is where it peaks, and I'm all about these kinds of things from here on out.