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dumb-ster-fire · 3 months ago

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Azriel x fem!reader - Just a dress

Summary: While shopping with Mor, Y/N is asked to model a beautiful wedding dress for a bridal shop in need of a last-minute replacement. She agrees, enjoying the fun of it—until Azriel, her mate, sees her. His shadows tighten, his gaze dark and intense. It’s just a dress… so why does it feel like something deeper?

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Y/N glanced at Mor, who was already grinning like she had won the lottery. “Oh, you have to do it,” Mor urged, practically bouncing on her heels.

The shop attendant clasped her hands together. “It’s a simple favor—just try on the dress, walk around a little, and in return, we’ll compensate you.” Her gaze swept over Y/N’s tall, elegant frame. “You’re perfect for it.”

Y/N tilted her head, considering. It did sound fun. And it wasn’t every day she got to play dress-up in a gown fit for royalty.

“Alright,” she said with a smirk. “Let’s do it.”

The attendant beamed and led them inside, where Y/N was soon whisked into a dressing room. The gown was decadent—intricate embroidery shimmering in the light, a full, sweeping skirt, and delicate lace detailing. When they placed the diadem on her head and finished her makeup, she barely recognized herself in the mirror. She looked… ethereal. Regal.

Mor’s gasp as she stepped out confirmed it. “Holy shit, Y/N.” Her eyes widened with something between awe and mischief. “Azriel is going to pass out when he sees you.”

Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the little flutter in her stomach at the thought.

She had agreed to walk around the boutique and outside for a bit, letting potential customers see the dress in motion. And of course, Mor was already plotting.

Y/N smirked. “Just don’t let Az see it.”

Mor’s wicked grin only widened. “Oh, no promises.”

Y/N gracefully walked alongside the shop representative as they guided her to the designated path where she’d be showcasing the dress. The streets of Velaris, always lively, now had curious onlookers pausing in their steps as she passed. Some whispered, some openly admired, and more than a few stopped in their tracks entirely.

Mor strolled beside her, looking far too pleased with herself, hands clasped behind her back like she was completely innocent.

Unbeknownst to Y/N, she had already reached out to Rhys through their mind link.

You need to get your asses down here. Now.

Rhys’s response was immediate. What did you do?

Mor barely contained her excitement as she side-eyed Y/N, who was completely unaware of the unfolding scheme. Not what I did. What Y/N did. She’s walking through Velaris in a wedding dress.

There was a moment of stunned silence before multiple voices chimed in at once.

Cassian: YOU’RE JOKING. WE’RE ON OUR WAY.

Rhysand: This I have to see.

Amren: Hah. Poor Azriel.

Azriel: …What?

Mor grinned but kept her expression neutral as she turned to Y/N, who was still elegantly making her way through the street, oblivious to the storm about to descend.

Oh, this was going to be fun.

Y/N, completely unaware of the chaos she’d just unleashed, continued walking with effortless grace, the luxurious wedding gown flowing around her like stardust. The diadem atop her head caught the light, making her look every bit the ethereal, untouchable bride. People on the street kept stopping to watch, whispering amongst themselves. Some even clapped in admiration.

Mor, biting her lip to keep from outright laughing, linked arms with her as they neared the end of the walk. “You know, you look obscenely good in that dress.”

Y/N smirked. “Of course I do.” Then, with mock seriousness, “It’s a shame no one I know is here to see it.”

Mor nearly snorted. If only Y/N knew.

Because right at that moment, Cassian, Rhys, Amren, and—most importantly—Azriel appeared at the edge of the street, blending into the crowd.

Rhys, hands in his pockets, took one look at Y/N and let out a low whistle. Damn.

Cassian, on the other hand, was losing his mind. “OH. MY. GODS.” He practically bounced on his feet. “I knew this was gonna be good, but this—this is better than I ever could have imagined.”

Amren crossed her arms, eyes flicking between Azriel and Y/N with amusement. “He’s going to combust.”

And Azriel—Azriel was frozen.

The moment his eyes landed on Y/N, everything else blurred into insignificance. The gown, the diadem, the way she moved with such natural confidence—it was lethal. She was breathtaking on any given day, but like this? Like this?

It took everything in him to school his expression, to keep himself from storming over, yanking her against him, and demanding when exactly she was planning to tell him she looked like that in a wedding dress.

Mor, watching all of this unfold, casually said through the mind link, Enjoying the view, Az?

His shadows curled tighter around him. You knew about this.

Obviously.

Cassian, watching Azriel’s battle for control, leaned over and whispered, “So, when’s the wedding?”

Azriel shot him a look so sharp it could have gutted a man. Cassian only grinned wider.

And then—Y/N finally noticed them.

Y/N, still blissfully unaware, turned her head slightly, about to make some offhand comment to Mor—when she spotted them.

Her steps faltered for a split second as her pale green eyes locked onto the group of familiar faces. And then—she saw him.

Azriel stood slightly apart from the others, his wings half-flared, shadows coiling around him in a way that told her everything. His expression was unreadable, but the intensity in his hazel eyes burned hotter than the sun.

“Oh, fuck,” Y/N muttered under her breath.

Mor cackled.

Cassian was barely holding in his laughter, whispering something to Rhys, who was just standing there, smug as all hell. Amren, as usual, looked more entertained than anything.

And Azriel?

He stalked toward her.

Y/N straightened automatically, an instinctive reaction to the sheer force of his gaze. As he closed the distance, she could practically feel the possessiveness rolling off him in waves, feel the weight of it in the way his jaw clenched, in the way his shadows swirled around his boots like they, too, were ready to drag her close and never let go.

She tilted her head, offering a smirk despite the sudden racing of her heart. “Well, hello there, shadowsinger.”

Azriel stopped right in front of her, his gaze sweeping over everything—the gown, the diadem, the way the silk hugged her curves just right.

“You didn’t think to mention this?” His voice was low, edged with something dark, something claiming.

Y/N’s smirk widened. “I didn’t think I needed to.”

Azriel let out a slow breath, his wings twitching slightly before he reached out, fingers brushing along the delicate embroidery on her sleeve. His touch was light, reverent—dangerous.

“This,” he murmured, eyes flicking up to hers, “is unfair.”

Y/N hummed, enjoying the heat in his gaze far too much. “Oh? Why’s that?”

Azriel’s lips parted like he was about to answer, but Cassian—because of course he did—ruined the moment.

“So,” the general called, grinning like a madman, “should we just start planning the wedding now or—”

Y/N turned sharply. “Cassian.”

Cassian held up his hands. “I’m just saying! You’re already in the dress—”

“I will fight you.”

“I’d like to see you try in that gown.”

Y/N’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, you absolute menace—”

But before she could launch herself at him—before she could even move—Azriel’s hand curled around her wrist, tugging her back toward him, his chest brushing against hers.

“You do look stunning,” he murmured, quiet enough that only she could hear.

Y/N blinked up at him, momentarily thrown off by the softness in his voice, by the intensity in his eyes.

Her breath hitched.

For once, she didn’t have a clever response.

Azriel’s fingers skimmed up her arm, a featherlight touch that sent a shiver through her. His eyes were still locked onto hers, intense, unreadable, drinking her in like she was something rare, something his.

Y/N swallowed. “You—” She cleared her throat, grasping for something smug to say, something to lighten the heat pooling in her stomach. “You keep looking at me like that, and I might think you’re planning something.”

Azriel’s lips barely twitched, his only response a slow, deliberate glance down the length of her. “I’m definitely planning something.”

Mother above.

Mor, meanwhile, was enjoying this way too much. “I have never seen you look so—” she wiggled her fingers dramatically in Azriel’s direction “—feral.”

Azriel didn’t even acknowledge her.

Rhys was still grinning, arms crossed, looking like he was storing this entire moment away for blackmail later. “I have to say, I didn’t expect this today.”

Y/N scoffed. “Neither did I, to be fair.” She gestured to the decadent gown. “It was supposed to be fun, not—” She flicked her eyes back to Azriel, whose expression hadn’t softened in the slightest. “—whatever this is.”

“This,” Azriel echoed, voice quieter now, though no less intense.

Y/N arched a brow. “You don’t like it?”

Azriel huffed a breath, stepping even closer, until she could feel his warmth, until his wings partially wrapped behind her like he was shielding her from everyone. His fingers skimmed the side of her waist, grazing the delicate fabric.

“I love it,” he admitted, so quiet only she could hear. “And I hate that everyone else can see you in it.”

Oh.

Y/N’s breath caught.

Azriel’s lips tilted up slightly. “You knew this would drive me insane.”

She grinned, regaining some of her composure. “Did I?”

His fingers flexed on her waist. “You did.”

Cassian clapped his hands. “Alright, lovebirds, before you two start making out in the middle of the street—”

Y/N threw him a glare, but he only smirked.

Amren, ever the voice of reason, just sighed. “Can we go now?”

Y/N huffed, shooting one last glance at Azriel before stepping back. He let her go—reluctantly—but his shadows still curled around her ankle as if refusing to let her slip too far away.

She smirked. “If you behave, shadowsinger, maybe I’ll wear this just for you later.”

Azriel’s jaw tightened.

Cassian whistled.

Mor lost it.

And as Y/N strode past them, chin held high, she could feel Azriel’s eyes still burning into her, still tracking her every movement, still plotting ways to make her pay for this little tease.

Maybe I should keep the dress.

Y/N felt the weight of Azriel’s gaze long after she had passed him, heat crawling up her spine as she tried—tried—to keep her composure. The gown, the diadem, the makeup… it was all just supposed to be fun, something ridiculous and lighthearted. But now?

Now she was very aware of the fact that she had just paraded down the street looking like a bride, while her mate—her dangerously possessive mate—stood there looking like he was barely restraining himself from throwing her over his shoulder and flying them straight home.

Mor, still at her side, was cackling. “You’re evil for that.”

Y/N grinned. “I know.”

Cassian strolled up beside them, shaking his head. “You do realize you just gave him about a hundred new fantasies, right?”

Y/N snorted. “As if he didn’t already have them.”

Mor hummed. “True, but now? Now it’s personal.”

A shiver trailed down her spine, but before she could hink too much about it, the bridal shop representative rushed over, delighted by all the attention Y/N had drawn. “Oh, this was perfect!” The woman beamed. “You looked exquisite—so poised, so regal. And your mate—Mother above, his reaction was exactly the kind of passion we want associated with our dresses.”

Y/N barely held in a laugh. If only they knew.

The woman clapped her hands. “Would you consider modeling for us again in the future?”

Mor lost it, clutching her stomach as she doubled over in laughter.

Y/N smirked. “I’ll… think about it.”

She could feel Azriel’s shadows still lingering near her, like they refused to let her out of their sight. Good. Let him suffer a bit.

Still, as she walked back to the shop to change, she sent a whisper through the bond.

Did you enjoy the show, shadowsinger?

A pause. Then, a voice like a dark promise.

You’ll pay for that, starlight.

Y/N’s stomach flipped.

Maybe she would keep the dress.

Y/N grinned wickedly as she stepped back into the bridal shop, Mor still laughing beside her. The moment the door shut behind them, she pressed a hand to her chest, her heart hammering as Azriel’s words lingered in her mind. You’ll pay for that, starlight.

Oh, she knew that tone.

And she absolutely planned to drag it out for as long as possible.

“Did you see his face?” Mor wheezed, wiping at her eyes. “Y/N, I swear to the Mother, I have never seen him like that before. He looked like he was this close to starting a public riot.”

Y/N smirked. “I was hoping for a reaction.” She turned, admiring herself in the massive mirror. “Didn’t expect to look this good, though.”

The gown was decadent—pure white with intricate silver embroidery that shimmered under the light. It clung to her curves, cascading in elegant folds, and the diadem in her long hair only added to the illusion of royalty. She looked like she belonged in an ancient, otherworldly court, a queen stepping out of legend.

And Azriel had seen it.

Y/N felt the heat of his gaze even now, the intensity that had burned through the crowd. Her smirk deepened.

Mor nudged her. “You have to keep this dress. I mean, come on. You look like some celestial queen.”

Y/N hummed. “You just want to see Azriel suffer more.”

“Absolutely.” Mor grinned. “And so do you.”

She didn’t even bother denying it.

After a few more minutes, Y/N reluctantly stepped back into the dressing room to change. The moment she pulled the heavy gown off, she exhaled, shaking her head at herself. She had just been playing along with the whole thing, but now, a deeper thought crept in.

Marriage.

She and Azriel hadn’t talked about it, not really. But standing out there, with the entire Inner Circle watching, with him watching, the thought had settled in a way it hadn’t before.

Would she marry him?

The answer struck her as effortlessly as breathing. Of course. She was his, just as he was hers. There was no question about it.

But still, the idea of it—the reality of a ceremony, of wearing a dress like this with intention—sent an unfamiliar feeling curling in her chest.

Excitement.

A little bit of fear.

And a lot of amusement, because she knew Azriel was still reeling.

By the time she stepped out in her normal clothes again, Mor had already sent another message through the bond link. Y/N raised a brow.

Mor just winked. “You’ll see.”

Y/N rolled her eyes, but when they finally stepped out of the shop, she did see.

Or rather—she felt it.

Azriel.

Leaning against the wall just outside, shadows curling around his frame, golden skin taut with restrained tension. His hazel eyes—burning—traced over her, head to toe, like he was still seeing her in that gown.

Y/N’s breath caught, but she smirked. “Came to pick me up, shadowsinger?”

His voice was dark silk. “Had to make sure you weren’t planning to run off and get married without me.”

Y/N let out a soft laugh, stepping close, just enough to taunt him with her presence. “Now, where’s the fun in that?”

Azriel’s eyes flickered with something dangerous. He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear as he murmured,

“You will pay for that, starlight.”

Y/N’s stomach flipped. Again.

Mor stifled a laugh behind them.

Y/N just tilted her chin up, meeting his smoldering gaze with a challenge. “Looking forward to it.”

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mostlysignssomeportents · 2 years ago

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Canonical enshittification

This is the Facebook playbook: you lure in publishers by promising them a traffic funnel ("post excerpts and links and we'll show them to people, including people who never asked to see them"), and then the rug-pull: "Post everything here, don't link to your own site. Become a commodity supplier to our platform. Abandon all your own ways of making money. Become entirely subject to the whims of our recommendation system."

Next will be: "We block links to other sites because they might be malicious."

Then some kind of "pivot to video."

Probably not video (though who knows?) but some other feature that a major rival has, which Twitter will attempt to defraud its captive, commodified suppliers into financing an entry into.

In case you were wondering, yes, this is canonical enshittification. Lure in business customers (publishers) by offering surpluses (algorithmic recommendation and an ensuing traffic funnel). Lock them in (by capturing their audience and blocking interop and logged-out reading).

Then rug the publishers, clawing back all the surpluses you gave them and more, draining them of all available capital and any margins they have, until they die or bite the bullet and leave.

I would also give good odds on this leading to a revivification of the "Pay us tens of thousands of dollars a month for a platinum checkmark and we'll actually show what you post to the people who asked to see it."

That will be pitched as the answer to publishers' complaints about not wanting to turn themselves into commodity Twitter inputs. It will be priced at the same (or more) as the revenues publishers expect to lose from being commodified, making it a wash.

All of this seems to me to be an "unfair and deceptive business practice" under Sec 5 of the FTC Act.

If I sign up to follow you because I want to see what you post, and Twitter shadowbans your posts unless they are formatted to maximize your dependence on Twitter, they have deceived me, and are being unfair to you.

This is *very* analogous to the Net Neutrality debate, where a platform blocks or deprioritizes the things its users ask to see, based on whether the suppliers of those things are its competitors.

I've written about how an end-to-end principle for social media could be enforced under Sec 5 of the FTCA, how it would address this kind of sleazy practice, how it would be easy to administer, and wouldn't form a barrier to entry for new market entrants:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/12/10/e2e/#the-censors-pen

#enshittification #dilbert stark #rug pulls #end to end #fraud #ftc act

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pforestsims · 4 months ago

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✨🎁Sparkle Sparkle✨

Clothing recolors with shiny patterns require Extended SimStandardMaterial by @crispsandkerosene

⭐recolors of Platasp 4t2 Sentate Messina dress AF

based on snake skin texture by @sentate , plus mesh edit with my classic pumps /optional/ . Polycount: 4679. S4 original is here. /Dress conversion by @platinumaspiration came with lots of nice 4t2 recolors btw/.

⭐Hourglass Dress Separated AF plus recolors

& Hourglass Dress Short Classic Pumps AF (repo)

New meshes based on my shape edit of Celebrations SP wedding gown, with dress subset separate from skin - in 8 glittery shades. Polycount: 2049 & 2500.

⭐recolors of 4t2 Nell Disheveled Suit conv. by @kurimas

plus my mesh edit - minor fixes and TS2 'block' hands & added "fat" morph. Polycount: 6078. S4 original by @nell-le is here .

Download all: SFS | BOX

/updated 24.12.2024 - fixed morphs in HourglassDressSeparated/

And a little bonus:

⭐Sparkler accessory default

Download: SFS | BOX

This will replace original chunky mesh with the same one but made much thinner, and two textures used for spark effects with larger ones (48x384 px).

✨ ✨ ✨

I wish Everybody a Happy New Year!

✨ ✨ ✨

Recolor swatches and my notes on adding envcube masks to clothing under the cut:

*This is for The Sims 2

Recolor number 00 in each set contains envcube mask and is required by other recolors.

Metallic Messina dress recolors all use one envcube mask texture and one grey clothing texture, colors are added with TXMT settings only.

Same with dark shades of Disheveled suit - four recolors, only two textures.

Hourglass Dress Short mesh contains two shoe textures: black and beige, I've also included TXMT setting files ready to be imported into recolors, so you can easily swap those if you wish.

BTW I also included TXMT settings that you can merge with 4t2 Messina recolors converted by Platasp. This will add a snakeskin envcube/mask (from my recolor).

When adding shine to custom clothing, remember that shiny subset has to be separate from skin and that TXMT Type (cMaterialDefinition tab) has to be set to SimStandardMaterial !

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes on recolouring clothes with envcubemask:

SimPe is required.

Here's a tutorial on adding shine to clothes - but the quickest way is to simply import TXMT settings with shine and mask from recolor that already has those, and edit texture names (& cMaterialDefinition TXMT type, if it's set to SimSkin).

Bodyshop breaks envcube masks - when you make a new recolor of shiny outfit it will turn the mask to transparent DXT3

borked texture has to be replaced with ExtRaw8bit texture, or you can remove it and link TXMT to envcube mask texture name from another package (stdMatEnvCubeMaskTextureName line). I recommend removing custom envcube texture that Bodyshop creates and using TS2 envcube (stdMatEnvCubeTextureName line).

I find that reflectionsilver-envcube is the best for neutral and colorized shiny patterns on clothing, unless you want bright gold shine - then reflectiongold-envcube works best, with stdMatEnvCubeCoef set to pure white.

Envcubes often used for objects, like reflectionsparking-envcube, will look quite mirror-y and dark in envcube blend mode.

stdMatEnvCubeMode: blend mode works best for medium / dark textures, while diffuseRadiance mode works best for light clothing textures. There's also standard Reflection mode, which is quite subtle, probably best if you'd like to make patches of clothing look like satin or plastic.

To achieve nice glitter / sparkle effect, Envcube mask has to be crisp, high contrast, black and white. Make sure you have 100% black on parts that are not supposed to be shiny.

stdMatEnvCubeCoef line is the reflection color / brightness. Envcubes have their own colors already, so your reflection color settings will be affected by it. Reflectionsilver-envcube texture is neutral with greyish-blue shadows, no dark spots.

Reflection with mask can be previewed in Bodyshop. Have in mind that reflections look quite bright when camera is in front of a Sim, but when you open the game and look at the same outfit at an angle, it won't be as bright. /Also - unlike shiny object recolors, these don't become extra shiny outdoors./

In this vid you can see reflectionkitchenhighcontrast-envcube used for silver dress - looked great but when I put that dress on my Sim, and looked at it from above, reflections were barely visible.

#sims 2 #the sims 2 #ts2 cc #ts2 clothes #CAS #-- if you find something I shared doesnt work right - let me know #ts2 defaults

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unidentifiedsim · 6 months ago

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Hedonist Tattoo - FREE

☆ 2 Colours ☆ 5 Shades ☆ Found in Tattoo Upper Back ☆ Gender Neutral (fits female best) ☆ Teen - Elder ☆ HQ Compatible ☆ Disallowed for Random ☆ Custom Thumbnail ☆ Works for both Alpha and MM Skins ☆ Base Game Only

Tag me on Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, Tumblr and Twitter. I'd love to see your pictures

www.patreon.com/posts/hedonist-tattoo-116127750

Terms of Use Please Respect Them x All of my CC will be made public within 2-3 weeks. Depending on the creation. x Do not edit my mesh in anyway for your own use, whether personal or commercial. x Do not re-upload my cc! x Do not include my cc in your sim dumps, whether free or paid for. Please link back to me. x Do not claim my creations as your own and do not reupload them. x Recolouring my CC is not allowed unless stated otherwise. x Do not use a*fly or any link shortener. x Do not use my cc for patreon exclusive or early access benefits. x Do not convert my cc to other platforms such as Second Life, GTA etc.

Tag me on Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, Tumblr and Twitter. I'd love to see your pictures

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tickytheclock · 2 months ago

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Time to get my Faction out :D

[Wild Riders]

They are a faction of a rag-tag team of Toons. They basically travel around via the truck, Steel Stallion. They go around from settlement to settlement to do business such as selling weapons and augments as well as buying for supplies and material.

Members in the faction join via being picked up by the leader, Tinkerer. Most of them were found in tight situations like near death scenarios or even when they are at their low, some are pretty great customers of Tinkerer who just decided to hitch on.

This is their Truck, or more specifically, Tinkerer's.

Steel Stallion

Functions as a base, home, workshop, store and more. There are plenty of weapons, augments, armour, utility tools and supplies so take your time scouring through the stocks.

Operation Ichor by @slumbrr-r @operation-ichor

Relationship with other Organizations and Factions. ↓

Gardenview [Allies/Friendly]:

The Wild Riders have a very beneficial relationship with this organization, especially with those in the Forge. They supply and trade each other with mainly blueprints and materials.

The Merchant Order [Neutral]:

The Wild Riders are technically under this organization, plenty of reliable links and ties to be found there. Mainly just buying and selling goods there.

RUIN CORP [Allies/Neutral]:

Although the Wild Riders primarily go to them for...cleaning. The two benefit from each other a lot, specifically with Harmony.

Zodiac [Enemies]:

Although it's usually either kill on sight or sabotage on the sidelines, the Wild Riders have a primary goal—to make the members in there defected from the place as much as they can, whether it be through fear or convincing.

Plus it be funny if there was a revolution, watch the place crumble on itself.

Vinization [Allies/Neutral]:

Mutual connection for benefit, and a great place where the Wild Riders can get info on the Zodiac through the captured members. It also wouldn't hurt to do a bit of trading with the Retailers, helps both sides.

Hidden Sanctuary [Allies/Friendly]:

Like Gardenview, they provide each other with supplies and material, beneficial for the Builders and Defenders with materials, tools, weapons and augments and the Wild Riders with food supplies.

Overseas Commandment [Neutral/Friendly]:

These two factions don't really meet up often since they travel a lot one on land and the other on sea. But when they do, it's mostly some exchange in information and trading with materials.

The Caravan [Allies/Friendly]:

They most definitely share information as the Wild Riders would aid in giving and improving weapons and augments for better protection. These two factions travel with each other when they get the chance to, after all, there is a certain strength in numbers. Makes the trip a bit more safer.

Phoenix Coalition Organization [Allies/Neutral]:

They most certainly do have different ideals but they do have a certain goal, to protect others and stand united.

With the Defense Division, the Wild Riders will most certainly aid in their mission and especially with evacuation and waves.

At Site Omicron where the Engineering Department is, they mutually help in making even more ichor efficient and powerful tools, weapons, augments and armour.

Meanwhile at Site Thaumiel, the headquarters of the Science Department, they share data and research for more understanding and breakthroughs.

Sentinel and Wild Riders would certainly run into each other plenty of times, it's more of a competition of who does it first really and maybe form a joint operation.

The Wild Riders never truly interacted with the Diplomatic Relations Division, so just be prepared for sudden joint operations, but despite everything help is still help.

Mechanists [Neutral/Allies]:

These faction may not see things eye to eye but they certainly help each other when it's needed.

Sometimes they do come around each other via the Marauders Division in their expedition I'm which they would offer the members to hitch a ride to their destination and target.

With the Moongazer Division, its mainly exchange in material and tech, as well as maybe blueprints.

Masquerade Town [Neutral?]:

...if a single word got out to the Wild Riders that the town is nothing but Twisteds, there's going to be a massacre...

The Field [Tension/Enemies]:

...the ex-member of the Zodiacs in the Wild Riders have given intel of this organization...this place needs to be known but the risk is very much a lot.

Wild Riders mainly avoid this place because it is at risk with all the children in there...mayhaps the other factions can help.

The Greater Good [Tension/Enemies/Allies?]:

Unfortunately, they are enemies (albeit one sided) due to Wild Riders have both an ex-member of the Zodiac and partial Twisteds, maybe they could've been allies under different circumstances but this is not the case.

The Wild Riders take on a more defensive approach to the faction of The Greater Good, often fleeing, their intentions are good but their ways are flawed. But they WILL reluctantly help each other and call it truce when it comes to threats like the Zodiac, Twisteds and especially waves.

#dandys world #dandys world au #dw #dandys world oc #operationichor

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autumsometimes · 3 months ago

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Leather and Lace

Hiiii I don't know if there's really a market for this but I started True Blood and saw the lack of fics about this fine ass viking vampire. It made me bring back my pen from retirement and I hope you enjoy.

I'm a OG fanfic writer so I live and die by outfit inspo pics rip polypore. Link: https://urstyle.fashion/styles/3753633

After making the decisions that led her to venture away from her comfortable life in the Midwest town she grew up in, to ending up back in Louisiana only this time visiting a girl she’d became instant friends with after a drunk night of bonding during a college spring break; Y/N no longer believed anything else she did would be too far out of her comfort zone.

Hence why she’d allowed her instant friend Hadley to convince her to join her for a night on the town at a popular vampire bar in Shreveport. Y/N herself didn’t personally have any strong feelings about vampires positive or negative. Her interaction with their kind had been incredibly limited, as they aren't as ingrained in society in the Midwest as they seemed to be here in Louisiana. Though, as someone with a unique racial history she wasn’t prone to judge an entire group of people based on the widely publicized and scrutinized actions of the few, so she was open to making a connection.

The somewhat dodgy looking bar “Fangtasia” Hadley brought her to seemed to be a local hot spot as the line to the door had wrapped itself around the building before the doors were even open. “No wonder you wanted to leave so goddamn early,” Y/N laughed, “Is it always this busy?”

“This is actually pretty slow for a Friday night, probably because there’s been a few ‘vampire suspected’ crimes over in a town nearby. Nothing you should need to worry about though! Ironically they’re pretty attentive to humans here.”

“Hmmm if you say so girl, I feel like my outfit is already doing that attention grabbin’ for me.” Y/N gestured to her cute neutral ensemble, paired with a stunning stiletto brown boot and matching purse, and directed Hadley with her eyes to the others in line. “I didn’t get outfit memo of leather subculture meets Evanescence.”

“Yeahhhh girl I’m sorry, I should’ve let you know they really play up the traditional vampy monster vibe. Your whale tail kinda fits in tho!” Hadley spun her around, pointing out her tasteful bow accessorized thong peaking over the waistline of her skirt, “And look at that hair! The length, the volume, pure seductress vibes.” Her hair cascading down her back, gently moving with the motion of her spinning.

Throughout their chatting the line no longer remained stagnant, and Y/N and Hadley were “politely urged” to move forward, by those behind them in line. As they neared the door, Y/N took note of the woman guarding the entrance. She had a strong European angled face, the perfected appearance of “natural” blonde hair and deep set blue eyes. She made no attempts to hide her fangs, while playing up her vampire allure with customers as they entered the club dawned in what could best be described as a “BDSM gothic slut” ensemble. However, the feature that Y/N was most interested in about her was the killer pair of “So Kate” pumps adorned on her feet.

“I love your shoes!” Y/N stated as they reached the front of the line, before the vampire could even begin to speak. “Those are the legendary ‘So Kates’I don’t know how you manage to work at a bar and wear those all night long.”

The woman seemed to be a bit taken aback by her forwardness in interacting with her, “Well aren’t you just sooo cute? I can wear them all night long because I’m dead sweetheart. Let me see some ID.” Y/N and Hadley complied handing over their their respective ID’s.

“You know they’re also known as ‘Killer Kate’s’ kind of fitting, no?” Y/N smirked as she waved them into the bar after verifying their ID’s. The woman gazed back with a sly grin a slightly amused expression “You’re an interesting one” Y/N simply sends her a smile back accompanied by a short inhale of a laugh and heads into the bar with Hadley.

As they enter the bar Y/N begins to take in the atmosphere and abundance of a world unknown to her. She takes note of the “vampy” vibes Hadley described earlier the decor of the club adorned in traditional blacks and blood red tones. Now she wasn’t a prude by any means, Y/N was no stranger to nudity as she’d love a good jaunt to the strip club with her girlies back home, but something was off about the dancers on display in the club. Perhaps it was raw perverse nature the dancers portrayed themselves as prey in, with a grossly predatory eye of the onlooker. They seemed to play into the idea of them as a “meal fresh for the taking” leaving nothing to interpretation, a very literal display towards the targeted vampire audience. That alone had offset the room’s vibes there was something more that Y/N sensed.

While vampires had only come out of the coffin 2 years prior, Y/N had been able to sense something “off” about certain energies ever since she was a young girl. Up until the confirmation of there being supernatural beings in the world she simply dismissed it as her being a intuitive scorpio queen. With the news of other beings existences she’d begun to explore that ability of hers as potentially more that just deep astrological stellium influences. Her honing into that intuitiveness and energy sensing allowed her to get a clear feel onto the vibes of the room in her present situation. Y/N started to feel a clenching in her gut making her tense up, something telling every nerve in her body to synapse and to be on the utmost alert. The energy was powerful, dark and looming, almost as if it was commanding over the entirety of the room. Although the energy was fearsome in its rawness, there was something about it that was also thrilling. Y/N pulled herself from her thoughts and maneuvered her eyes to venture beyond taking in the foreign space but to focus on finding just who or what was outpouring this energy.

“Girl are you okay? I know it’s a lot to take in, we can take a breather outside if you want?” Hadley further snapped Y/N from her trance and she nodded her head to her friend in response.

“Oh no I’m fine girl, it’s just so much to take in! Let’s go grab a drink, I’ll probably feel more settled after one or two of those.” She grabs her friend’s hand and heads in the direction of the bar.

Y/N ordered a drink along with Hadley and as soon as it was placed in front of her she turned around, acting as if she was mindlessly sipping on her drink while raking her eyes across the crowded room. In her observation, Y/N noticed a section of that room that was separated off, yet seemingly had the best seat in the house to get a full look at the ongoings in the bar. In the section there were three ornate chairs, and in the center chair presided a being for lack of a better term. Man or vampire didn’t seem to encompass the raw dominating essence he emitted, and with one look she instantly knew this was the source of the energy in the room. He seemed to command the very essence of the room while not even being engaged in the ongoings within it. He was typing away on a phone with a disinterested expression on his face, with his hair pushed back seemly like he’d continuously been running his fingers through it. He had on a low cut black tank top accompanied by a black jacket and a necklace. The mere dominance his aura presented was something alone that should have instilled her with fear, but that spark of thrill earlier was ever-present along with the signs of danger. Y/N could sense she was ogling at this point and refocused on the conversation Hadley was attempting to hold with her “-just so hot you know?”

“Oh girl for sure” Y/N shifted her eyes to focus on her friend’s face, and flagged down the bartender motioning for another drink. “Eric Northman had you in a trance huh?” Hadley giggles referencing the direction Y/N has averted her attention from.

“Who’s Eric Northman?” Y/N playfully raises a eyebrow at Hadley.

“The vamp you were just ogling, he’s a very important figure in the vampire community and not just because he owns this bar. I get it though, he’s a total smoke show, anyone can get lost in looking at that.”

“It’s not that I was ogling for something like that-” Y/N furrows her brows at Hadley’s suggestion and carefully chooses her words as to not come off as strange, “- it’s just that there’s this raw energy radiating off of him in waves. Like this intense ass fucking power and his ability to control the room without being present within it beyond a physical sense is so—”

“Mhmm whatever you say girl.” Hadley laughs at her friend’s flustered state, “The first big bad vampire boy you see and you’re already crushing on him”

“Bitch shutcho ass up, let’s go dance or something. I thought you were gonna show me a good time girl?” Y/N grins as Hadley eagerly drags her to the dance floor seizing the opportunity to get her friend engaged.

Allowing to get herself ensnared into Hadley’s shenanigans Y/N submits herself to be swept up into the impromptu dance floor beginning to surround the dancers preforming on the platforms in the center of the room. While the bar atmosphere in the sense of its powerful energy, and fashion choices was foreign to Y/N, the music wasn’t a complete unknown to her. Y/N playfully joined Hadley in dancing to a upbeat song, swaying and loosening up the tension in her body. Y/N grabbed Hadley’s hands and they took turns swinging their arms together dancing to the beat, along with preforming a few exaggerated spins and twirls. After a good few songs working up a sweat on the dance floor with their goofing off, the vibes of the songs began to change along with the dancing going on around them. No longer were there others harmlessly dancing to the music as the duo was a moment ago, instead the music had changed to a slower four count beat with a seductive base. Y/N recognized the tune as Nelly Furtado’s “Maneater” and rolled her eyes with a grin. “Isn’t this a bit ironic to play in a vampire club?” Y/N leaned over and spoke into Hadley’s ear.

Y/N had a few drinks by this point and was a bit more relaxed so she began to sway her hips in a more sensual nature along with the beat while tastefully running her hands along the sides of her body. Y/N dramatically flipped her hair and dropped to her knees, popping her butt a few times before swaying her hips on her way back up. Hadley looked at her friend with her jaw dropped and a look of awe on her face. “Girl now you know I’m not no fuckin’ prude” She laughed and continued to dance, running her hands through her curly hair letting it gracefully fall down her back.

“I know it’s just you seemed so out of it, I didn’t think I’d be seeing this girl tonight”

“I came out to have fun and dance. I still intend to do so even if in the most unlikely of places.” Y/N pulled her friend in close and spun around giving Hadley a friendly show of dancing on her while dropping low and popping back up again.

Hadley laughed and joined in, the both of them moving their hips in synch against each other and dancing to the rhythm of the beat. Y/N grasped Hadley’s hands and turned around continuing to sway against her friend as the music continued on. Suddenly, Y/N felt that intense aura again, only this time she could tell that energy was focused in the direction of her. Instead of leading with fear like her body still was screaming at her to do, she allowed herself to be pulled into the thrill. She decided to play out a few more sensual dips, and tricks as the onlookers in the crowd grew beyond simply the man on the throne she’d come to know as Eric. Soon their duo was being intruded upon by others trying to join in on the “fun”. Y/N felt a body creep up behind her accompanied by a hand on her waist. Y/N quickly shut that shit down by turning around and lunging at the man with a sneer and a kiss of her teeth “Boy if you don’t back the fuck up off me!” She raised her perfectly polished nail adorned pointer finger and began yelling in his face disregarding even a potential fear over what race he may have been.

His expression quickly changed to fear in her display of upset and scurried off with a muttered apology under his breath. “Go back to whatever fucking hole you crawled out of you bum! Touching up on strangers like that, who the fuck raised your dumbass?” She yelled in his direction as he ran off like a coward.

Y/N then turned back to her friend that had seemingly become instantly infatuated with a new dance partner in the duration of her less that pleasant interaction; a pretty little vampire girl. Y/N made eye contact with Hadley and sent her a knowing smile mouthing to her that she’d be over by the bar to take a breather. She took a seat at the bar and ordered a single tequila shot along with an ice water. While she wanted to have a little bit more fun before leaving, she knew to play it safe a get a water as she may be having to grab a cab back to their hotel alone knowing Hadley. After feeling his eyes on her while on the dance floor Y/N fought hard to remain her composure and not be tempted to once again look in his direction. It was incredibly hard for her to resist the temptation, as he’d clearly be enticed by her energy as well hence the staring. There was just something about this man that had her ready to completely disregard any of her self preservation skills. She shook her head and downed the shot needing a little boost to give into her impulses. She then grazed her eyes over towards his little throne setup, only this time her observation was met with one of his own. Her eyes immediately locking with his, that powerful energy stare once again directed towards her. Not one to have a inferiority complex, she started him back down looking at him through her buzzed haze, eyes slightly drooped yet still showcasing her own sultry intensity.

After what seemed like an eternity of them deadlocked staring at each other; she cocked her head in his direction as if challenging him to make another move. Off to the side a drunk bar attendee knocked over a drink, deterring her focus onto the commotion occurring at the bar. She quickly turned in her seat chugged her glass of water and stood, intending to make her way to the bathroom to freshen up when she felt a presence behind her. Y/N turned and came face to face with the European bombshell bouncer with the excellent shoe taste. “You indeed are a interesting one, he’s requesting your presence” she motions toward Eric, leading Y/N to glance past her shoulder to see his ever powerful gaze remaining on her watching their interaction.

Y/N then takes a seat crossing her legs, and resting both of her elbows against the bar with a lean, pretending to ponder the proposition as if she was given one. “If he’d like my company he can ask me himself. No doubt he’s gotta be at least one hundred years old, he knows chivalry has yet to die correct?” The vampiric woman almost snorts and the young girl’s brazenness. “Now I’ll admit I’m not that familiar with your kind, but I’d wager that he can hear my answer correct? No need for you to continue to play his messenger pigeon for me.”

“It is clear your interaction with our kind is incredibly limited as you say. You have no idea the level of disrespect you infringed on someone very old and very powerful.” Y/N shrugged in response.

“I’m willing to find out, and it seams I won’t need to wait long as the message was clearly received” She gestures to the man rising from his throne and within a blink he was arched over her invading on her personal space invoking his powerful aura.

His energy was radiating in waves, causing the nearby bar goes to freeze up as the interaction went down. The humans in close range seemingly to be feeling the psychical effects of his energy, some full on shaking in fear. Nothing immediately was exchanged via words between the two only silence filled the air as she met his fierce slightly crazed gaze.“You were correct in your assumptions. Yes, I could hear your conversation, and yes I am at least over one hundred years old. In fact I’m ten times that, and I don’t fucking beg. Join me.”

“Well aren’t you just a peach! What a way to ask for a lady’s company” Y/N sarcastically pats his cheek, grabs her purse and heads towards the section.

Her demeanor with the vampire so far had been a gamble, yet Y/N knew when to fight her battles and when she was pushing it. She chose not to toe that fine line of further testing limits at the moment and complied with his request. As she entered the section containing three chairs, she debated about trying her luck taking a seat in the designated subtle but decisive throne but settled into a different seat in the section. It was if as soon as she sat down the stares from onlookers ceased and everyone within the room was able to “breathe” again. She glanced in the direction of where she had just been sat and watched the man she knew as Eric talk in hushed whispers with the vampire woman. Both of then wearing a somewhat amused expression but more so was present on the woman’s face. Once again in seemingly the blink of an eye they both were present in the section where she now sat. Nothing was said, only a tense silence filled the air. “I’m the sheriff of this area, something that may mean little in your human ways but carries an immense amount of power within the vampiric world. Disrespecting me in my position, in my bar, will not be tolerated again. This is your first and only warning,” He once again encroaches upon her personal space and speaks the words mere inches away from her face, “I will not have a repeat of his event” his words each emphasized by his intense look of finality.

Y/N couldn’t help but to quip back “Who the fuck said there’s even going to be a chance for us to interact again?”

Eric’s expression shifts after a moment in which Y/N notes a trace of confusion, after a beat he and he says “You’re very intriguing for a breather”

“And you’re not very courteous for a old man” In which the nearby woman full on breaks letting out a deep laugh, not surprising with how amused she’d been throughout their limited interaction.

Eric turns toward her with a look speaking something, without saying anything indicated her presence was dismissed. As she exits the section she makes it a point to introduce herself to Y/N “The name is Pam, I look forward to seeing you around sweetheart” as she laughs and vanishes in a second with vampire super speed.

Eric continued to rake his eyes over Y/N not even attempting to be discrete with his observations. “What’s your name?”

“Y/N, and yours?”

“Eric Northman, what are you?”

She scrunches her face in annoyance “I’m biracial black and white. Why? Is that is problem for you?” Her words dripped in confrontational attitude at the subject.

“Not that kind of what are you, what sort of creature?” Eric chuckles at her display of attitude, finding it endearing.

“Uhm human as far as I know” She looks back at him confused.

He once again leans into her space, and breathes out “Interesting”

“Why? What makes you think otherwise?”

“Hmm nothing, I must’ve been mistaken”

“Mhmm okay sure, is that all you wanted from me? You sure know how to show a girl a good time by making all these demands to make her answer a dumbass question but not give her any answers back” She rolls her eyes and slouches back into the chair.

In response, Eric makes a display of dropping his fangs and grabs her face pulling her closer to him by her chin. Y/N knew she was testing his patience at this point, but she was growing restless at this continued inconvenience his dominating presence offered throughout the night with little reward as to that thrilling appeal. “Must you keep testing me?” He speaks through clenched teeth, his fangs on full display.

Silence hangs in the air in response, as Y/N doesn’t have the energy to keep squabbling with him. She could feel his actions kindling her anger, deciding he needed to be the next one to make a move because she no longer could guide whatever this tension was any further. With a few more beats of silence and lack of action on his part she sighed. “I should really be getting back to my friend.”

Eric loosens his grip on her face gently moving her face in the direction of Hadley and the vampire girl from earlier making out on the dance floor. “This friend of yours doesn’t look like she’d like to be interrupted.”

“Well in that case, I hate being on display like this and it doesn’t seem like we’re getting anywhere with whatever the fuck is going on between us here. I, unlike you, don’t have some weird authority kink fetish. If you’re going to demand my company can we at least converse without all of these prying eyes” She gazes into his eyes not looking away as she speaks with an intensity of her own letting him know she means business.

“We can continue our conversation in my office. Come.” He drops his hand from her face while putting his fangs away and holds a hand out for her to take.

Y/N was surprised he complied that easily given his behavior from earlier, but it seems as he sensed whatever was going on between them would continue to be stalled under the current social conditions. She placed her hand into his and he gently guided her down the stairs out of the section towards the direction of his office. As they were walking she used it as a opportunity a good look at him, now that she didn’t have to try and be coy about it. He was strikingly tall with a firm a muscular build. His skin while pale a reflection of his vampire nature, yet still had a thermal glow as if he was alive. His jaw was firmly set, and looked like a piece of history hailing back to the time of the nordic vikings. Y/N found herself being pulled further into his allure beyond his raw dominance he was very attractive. As they near the door to what Y/N assumed was his office, he turned to Y/N with a cocky grin “You’re attracted to me.”

As they were in motion when he abruptly stopped, and Y/N lacked the vampiric reflexes he had she ended up stumbling into him. He steadied her by grabbing her waist, “Well yes, I wouldn’t be entertaining your demanding ass if I wasn’t. Why are you pointing this out now?” She looked up at him, taking no issue with his hands still resting on her body.

He leaned down to huskily whisper in her ear “I can smell it. Don’t worry though you smell good enough to eat.” His fangs once again making an appearance, grazing over her ear as he finished speaking.

Y/N couldn’t help but to deeply inhale at his tone and closeness along with what was said. She took an additional breath to steady herself and spoke “Let’s continue our conversation and we’ll see if you get a chance to have a taste.” Grasping onto his arms holding onto her waist she softly removes them from their position.

Eric allowed her to guide his arms from their resting spot upon her waist and reached for her hand again. He opened the door and ushered her in behind him guiding her with their intertwined hands, shutting the door behind them. Y/N let go of his hand and took in his office, it was cluttered as to be expected of a bar owner. However everything seemed to have a specific place, and was very clearly organized. It seemed as if Eric didn’t just desire control socially, but with his possessions and personal spaces as well. Eric had taken a seat on a green loveseat tucked away in a corner of his office, once again eyeing her. “Come, sit.” He motioned for her to join him.

Y/N took a seat next to him on the loveseat trying not to be awkward about their closeness. As if sensing her discomfort Eric, being himself, pulled her closer by grabbing her legs and placing them into his lap. “You entice me, and I haven’t felt that way about a breather in centuries.”

“I’ve never felt an energy like yours, it’s so domineeringly raw and powerful. The very way you carry yourself is just unlike anyone I’ve ever encountered.” She replied earnestly, and his fingers began to rub circles where they rested on her thighs.

“You could feel my energy?” He leaned even further into her space.

Y/N nodded “I felt it as soon as I entered the bar, it’s what lead me to you even though almost every bone in my body was telling me not to. The danger just wasn’t enough to deter the thrill I felt urging me to find the person or being this energy belonged to.”

“So my energy enticed you as well?” He spoke not moving any further away from her space, seemingly inching closer as she spoke.

“Yes, I mean I don't know? There was just this pull I felt to you, it’s how I was about to tell you were watching me while I was dancing.”

“Fascinating, and you’re sure you are a human?” He breathed.

She softly nodded once more getting lost in his hooded gaze. “So it’s safe for me to have a taste?” His eyes flickering back and forth between her eyes and lips.

“I guess so? I’m not really sure what’s considered safe for vam-“

Eric wasted no time connecting his lips with hers, her mouth quick to move in response to his prompting. Their tongues danced languidly with each other, only the sounds of their lips smacking and shaky breaths could be heard throughout the room. Y/N wrapped her arms around Eric’s broad shoulders running her fingers through the hair at his nape. Eric’s hands moved from her thighs to shifting her body underneath him on the loveseat, pulling her taught against his body with one and guiding her head into the kiss with the other.

Y/N’s stomach was fluttering, the pent up tension between the two exploding in a moment of heat that had an incredible intensity but was only the mere minimum of exploration as far as their physical connection could go. Sensing so, Eric pulled back ever so slightly brushing his lips against hers before scattering them upon her jawline. He continued to kiss further down her neck, while he let his body sink into hers, the hand that was once supporting body now her toying with the bottom go her shirt. Y/N lightly tugged on Eric’s hair indicating for him to pull back, and removed her hands from his locks allowing her to arch her back off of the sofa and maneuver herself to remove her shirt. She haphazardly tossed her shirt somewhere across the room and was left in a lace strapless bra. Eric returned his mouth to her body moving from playfully scattered kisses along her neck to more aggressive nips as he neared her cleavage. Y/N heard the sound of his fangs dropping and looked at him through her drooped lusty gaze. His eyes were locked onto her own with a look on his face that as to be pleading for a taste. She sends him a nod, affirming their wordless exchange and he sinks his fangs into her flesh. There’s a moment of white hot pain causing her to gasp and arch into his touch. He pulls her body flush to his own, with a gluttonous groan sucking up the blood pouring from her wound. Soon the pain dips away into pleasure and Y/N let out a breathy moan “God, Eric…”

After a few minutes he releases from her chest with a pop, lapping up the remaining blood with his tongue. He shifts to sit up, lifting her legs in the air and making a seductive show of unzipping her boots with his teeth leaving them to accompany the discarded shirt somewhere in his office. He makes quick work of removing his jacket and shirt, following suit with Y/N’s bra. Y/N gasps with the speed in which he does so, her nipples pebbling at the sudden exposure to the cold air. Eric then descended back onto her body, tracing tantalizing kisses down her torso working his way down to her waist still confined by cloth. Eric hooked his fingers into her waistband and made quick work of removing her skirt and tights. Y/N complied as well by lifting her hips off of the sofa in effort to aid him. Soon she was left bare beyond her black lacy thong “Cute” Eric smiled and found himself almost diving into the apex between her thighs.

His kisses in the area were feather light as if testing the water, wanting to be attentive to Y/N’s needs and comfortability. He focuses his kisses towards her center almost teasing, waiting for her to express her desire. His nose bumps her clit through the scrap of fabric causing Y/N to whimper in response. “You smell so good”

Y/N makes a small squeak and rasps “Eric if you don’t stop fucking teasing me”

He laughs and gives her thigh a tap before slipping his fingers into the fabric, signaling for Y/N to move up for him to remove her panties adding them to the ever growing clothing pile on the floor. His eyes lock with her glistening core and he quickly closes the distance with his mouth licking a line up her cunt. He uses two fingers to part her lips languidly running them up and down her slit gathering her juices. In a split second he inserts the set of fingers into her core, and connects his mouth with her swollen bud suckling it between his lips. Eric lets out a moan that vibrates against her core, stimulating Y/N even further causing her to let out a mewl. She attempts to squeeze her legs closed in response only to have Eric remove his fingers from her pussy and wrap an arm around each thigh prying her open. Y/N couldn’t even form words at the feelings he’d invoked from her in the span of a few mere seconds. The way in which he was devouring her was like he was trying to absorb her entire being the way he had submersed himself in her. The noises he made and he continued to mouth over her heat were almost animalistic, as if nothing could keep him from savoring this meal. He was a man starved, and she was a seven course meal ripe for the taking. Y/N in a breathless haze gripped only his hair pushing his head further into his feast. His tongue continued to make use of her clit, pushing her further towards her peak. Y/N felt her breath quicken, releasing more incoherent noises and moans in response. Eric ceases his movements and pulls his mouth away from her clit with a pop, leading Y/N to drop her fingers from his head. “What the fuck?” She pants struggling to catch her breath after the interruption looking at him with murderous intent.

“I want you to come on my cock” He pulls away from her using his vampiric speed to ride himself his remaining clothes.

His somewhat gentle and calming demeanor had vanished, this was now a man that was all predator staring down his freshly captured prey. He grasped Y/N’s hips pulling them flush against his own. Y/N let out a sudden yelp at the change up, the surprise momentum of her being dragged forward while still recovering from their earlier actions leaving her a bit dizzy. Eric on the other hand was a man on a mission, he moved one of his hands to align his tip with her core. In one stroke bottoming out, causing Y/N to cry out and grasping out at Eric’s shoulders leaving crescent indents open his back. “Fuck, me” She groans, feeling so full.

“That’s what I plan to do” Eric pulls out slamming back into her body.

He grabs her leg lifting it over his shoulder, leading Y/N’s eyes to widen at the feeling of him reaching into her core even deeper. “Holy fuck,” Y/N’s jaw goes slack and letting her head fall back in pleasure. Eric sends her a cocky grin licking a line up her leg as he fucks into her.

His cock brushing against her g-spot with every thrust has Y/N completely disregarding her earlier orgasm denial. The mere intensity of their connection brought tears to Y/N’s eyes from how good it felt to be joined with him. Not only were they psychically joined but their energies seemed to be intertwined as well, this was what that potential she needed to explore. That thrilling feeling drawing them towards each other she felt was not for naught, as the experience of their bodies conjoining, almost transcended the existence of time and space. It felt purely otherworldly or ethereal. Eric dropped her leg and connected his mouth to her lips. The tender kissing from earlier instead replaced with teeth clicking, and tongue sucking a complete filthy display. Y/N began to feel her peak approaching, moaning into Eric’s mouth. “Gonna, come”

“Yeah? You’re gonna come on my cock like a filthy fucking fang banger?” He growls slightly pulling away from her face to get a good look at her.

Unable to speak Y/N nods, feeling herself beginning to dissolve into pleasure. Overcome with the feeling rushing through her body in waves making her muscles spasm she falls into bliss. Eric falls in suit, joining her in the throughs of pleasure. Y/N lies there with Eric on tip of her, with his arms still supporting her keeping her from falling. She lies there attempting to catch her breath for a bit, before she speaks “Well that was fun.”

Eric pulls out of her as and she clenches her face up a bit at the sensation, before gently flipping them on the couch with her body now laid flat atop his. Eric grabbed a piece of her hair playing with it in between his fingers. “Can I see you again?”

Y/N pretended to ponder before leaning into his space “Yeah I think you can.” She pressed a playful peck against his lips.

“There’s a shower in the bathroom over there, go, I’ll join you in a few.” He motions to a separate door in his office sitting up.

Y/N nods and heads off, wanting to rid herself of the blood, smell of sex, and sweat. Eric playfully gives her ass a tap as she heads off. As soon as she enters the bathroom, Eric pulls on his discarded pair of underwear and summons Pam into the room. “God it smells like sex in here, I wager your interest in her was justified? You don’t usually take to breathers like this, even the bold ones.” Pam complains as she enters his office.

“She couldn’t be glamoured, her blood was like the nectar of gods, and her eyes glowed when she came. She’s something other than human, and I want to find out.”

#eric northman x reader #eric northman #true blood #true blood fanfic #vampirism #black!reader

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felassan · 10 months ago

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New today on DA:TV from Game Informer:

"A Deep Dive Into Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Expansive Character Creator by Wesley LeBlanc on Jun 27, 2024 at 02:00 PM As BioWare prepared to show me the character creator for Dragon Age: The Veilguard in its Edmonton, Canada, offices, I expected something robust – it's 2024, character creators have come a long way, and Bioware has a rich history of good customization. Despite my expectations, I was not prepared for how robust it actually is in Veilguard. Robust enough, even, that BioWare used it to create most of the NPCs in the game, save for mainline characters like companions. Setting hyperbole aside, it is a staggeringly rich creation system, and I look forward to seeing player-created near-replicas of celebrities and monstrous creations that'd be more at home in a horror game. But I'm also looking forward to the community's reaction to the Dragon Age series' best character creator yet. At the heart of it is inclusivity, Veilguard game director Corinne Busche tells me before letting me guide her through creating my own character."

"As is usual, there are four races to choose from: Elves, Qunari, Humans, and Dwarves. After selecting Qunari, Busche pages through various presets, explaining the game allows for more detailed looks at each and the ability to choose pronouns with she/her, he/him, and they/them separately from gender, select different body types, and more. You can view your character, referred to as Rook in-game, in four different lighting scenes at any time, including The Veilguard's keynote purple hue, a bright and sunny tropical day, and a gothic night. I joke with the team that after spending upwards of an hour creating my Dragon Age: Inquisition character in 2014, I immediately restarted the game after seeing him in the first cutscene; the in-game lighting made my hair color look terrible amongst other issues I had with my Inquisitor. Veilguard creative director John Epler says the team is aware of countless stories like that with Inquisition and its green-hued character creator, adding BioWare worked hard to squash that concern in Veilguard. Head and body presets can be selected individually and customized to your liking with 40 different complexions that include smooth, rugged, youthful, and freckled skin tones, skin hues ranging from cool to neutral to warm, undertones to those skin tones, and even a melanin slider. Busche tells me BioWare relied on consultation to represent all people authentically. There's a Vitiligo slider (where you can adjust the intensity and amount of it) and sliders for your forehead, brow, cheeks, jaw, chin, larynx, and scalp. You can select your undergarments, with nudity as well because "this is a mature RPG," Busche adds, and use the "Body Morpher" to select three presets for each corner of a triangle and then move a cursor within it to morph your body or head into a mix of these presets. It's an impressive technology I'd like to see adopted in other games. [link to embedded DA:TV gameplay reveal video]"

"I can keep going: You can adjust height, shoulder width, chest size, glute and bulge size, hip width, how bloodshot your eyes are, how visible cataracts are, the sclera color, how crooked your nose is, how big its bridge is, the size of nostrils and the nose tip, and there are as many sliders, if not more, for things like Rook's mouth and ears. On ears alone, I see you can adjust asymmetry, depth, rotation, earlobe size, and even add cauliflower ear to your Rook. Busche says makeup blends modern stylings with the fantasy of Dragon Age with more than 30 options, including eyeliner intensity, color, glitter, eye shadow, lips, and blush. Tattoos are just as customizable alongside options for scars and paint. Tattoos, scars, and paint are very culturally relevant to some lineages, BioWare tells me, with unique tattoos for elves, for example. You can add tattoos to Rook's face, body, arms, and legs, and you can adjust things like intensity, too. Im most impressed, however, by the hair options on display; there are a ton, and as someone with long hair, I'm especially excited about the fun selections I can make. You can finally dye your hair with non-traditional colors, and it's gorgeous. EA's Frostbite engine uses the Strand system to render each style fully with physics. "The technology has finally caught up to our ambition," Dragon Age series art director Matt Rhodes says. After customizing all of that and selecting our Qunari's horn type and material (of which there are more than 40 options to choose from), it's time to pick a class out of the Rogue, Mage, and Warrior – read more about Veilguard's classes here. Since we built a Qunari, we went with Warrior. For the penultimate step of the character creator, at least during the demo BioWare shows me, we select a faction. Out of the six options, we select the pirate-themed Lords of Fortune."

"Rook ascends because of competency, not because of a magical McGuffin," BioWare core lead and Mass Effect executive producer Michael Gamble tells me in contrast to Inquisition's destiny-has-chosen-you-characterization. "Rook is here because they choose to be and that speaks to the kind of character that we've built," Busche adds. "Someone needs to stop this, and Rook says, 'I guess that’s me.'" Ready to begin our Rook's journey, we select a first and last name and one of four voices out of English masculine, English feminine, American masculine, or American feminine options. There's a pitch shifter for each voice, too, allowing you to tweak it to your liking further. Don't stress too much about locking in your character creations before beginning the game – the Mirror of Transformation, which is found in Veilguard's main hub, The Lighthouse, allows you to change your physical appearance at any time. However, class, lineage, and identity are locked in and cannot be changed after you select them in the game's character creator. From here, we're off to Minrathous, and you can read more about that famed city in our cover story, which is available here. For more about the game, including exclusive details, interviews, video features, and more, click the Dragon Age: The Veilguard hub button below."

[source]

#dragon age: the veilguard #dragon age the veilguard spoilers #dragon age: dreadwolf #dragon age 4 #the dread wolf rises #da4 #dragon age #bioware #video games #long post #longpost #lgbtq+

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simspaghetti · 3 months ago

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I was so so so excited about the release of Blackout UI by @simstate recently! I've been wanting a dark-mode modern UI in my game for the longest time and they finally came thru with their mod tysm angel <3<3

With this exciting new release, I needed to rework a few of my Gameplay PSDs to fit in better with this mod - and I've made them available for download here if anyone else would like to switch!

What's In The Folder:

💫 Wish Template: → 3 frame colour options: Black, Green & Grey

🥶 Moodlet Template: → 4 frame / mood effect colour options: Neutral, Positive, Negative & Plain Grey

💼 Career Template: → 3 frame colour options: Black, Blue, Green & Grey → Career icons from BG to All EPs included → Extra mood icons for the 'Performance' section included

Extra: Transparent background alternative included for all templates!

Terms of Use: Please don’t claim as your own or reupload without my permission, I’d love to see you use them in your game if you do choose to tag me - but that’s totally optional I'm just nosey haha :P Feel free to alter and customize the templates literally however you want, but pls link back to my blog if you’re gonna reupload a downloadable variation :)

Download Here (Simfileshare, .psd files)

The font used in all templates is DM Sans, it can be found in all variations here - I only used ‘bold’ & 'bold italic’

Instructions:

These are supposed to be opened in a photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop, I personally recommend Photopea / Gimp as free alternatives - you can probs use any other editing software as long as it can handle .psd files - lmk if you have any problems in other programs, I have only tested these in Photopea!

I also intended for these to be used alongside game icon collections, here are some suggestions for those: TS2 Icons / TS3 Icons + Extras / TS4 Icons

Just edit the text, hide & unhide the layers / folders and place the icons to get your desired outcome, then save as a .png and plop the final image over your gameplay screenshots :)

For any PSDs I create in the future I hope to create both light-mode & dark-mode versions so you can take your pick - I’m also open to requests so if you have anything you’d like to see as a psd lmk 😊💞

Finally, thanks again to SimState for their wonderful mod - the UI is absolutely gorgeous and I will be exclusively using it from now on! Pls go show them some love if you haven't already 🫶

#Blackout UI #download #simblr #psd template #sims template #sims psd #my resources #sims resources #resources

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bump1nthen1ght · 1 year ago

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Between the Neon (Male!Android x AFAB!Reader)

Pairing: AFAB!Reader x Male!Robot

Genre: Sci-fi, CyberPunk, Prostitute!Reader, Fluffy Smut

Word Count: 1714 words

Warning: Explicit Content Ahead (18+ ONLY)

Summary: After leaving his last appointment completely satisfied, Axel wasted no time in coming back to request more of your services.

Request: Anything with Axel please! (From kinktober)

A/N: Soooo I totally forgot that the original drabble with Axel (Which you can find here) was gender neutral, and didn’t realize until I had fully written out the fic 🤦‍♀️. Soo I decided to write two versions, one with an AFAB!Reader and one with an AMAB!Reader, with the reader still using they/them pronouns. Hope y’all enjoy!

Link to AMAB!Reader is Here!

After many years of working, you’ve grown a good sense for customers; Who will tip well, who’s going to cause problems, and the special few who will become your favorites.

You knew immediately that Axel was going to go in the latter category. But what you hadn’t expected was for him to jump to your #1 patron within a month of your first rendezvous. Man was eager and had some money to spend, that was for sure.

“Hmm, good bot.” Your thumb rubs across his smooth skull-plating, moaning as his synthetic tongue fucks against your g-spot. His vents exhale hot steam, like a heating pad between your legs. He had gotten that body mod after three sessions together, something to prevent him from overheating amidst the countless orgasms. The nodes of textured tongue send shivers down your spine, making you sink into your plush work bed. “Fuck, your getting good at this, Axel.”

Axel had learned on his second visit that your pussy was his favorite flavor, always begging for a taste at the beginning of every session. He had been slightly clumsy at first, but once he learned your biology, he took it up like a dedicated scholar. You had even caught him looking at extensive diagrams of the human vulva after one session, making notes on what made you specifically shiver and cum.

“I’m close, baby.” Axel moans into your mound, face lit in bright blue blush. Machinery whirrs as your thighs press into the sides of his head, his own personal heaven. Your toes curl behind his neck, orgasm striking quick and hard “Fuck~” You pant, hips jerking and humping into Axel’s jaw, your juices running down his chin. He laps them up like a dog, always desperate for another taste.

You have to pull him away from your cunt, slightly overstimulated and eager for the next part of your session. Axel has a stupid wide grin on his face, his digital pupils turned into glitchy hearts.

What a cutie.

You kiss Axel’s cheek as he crawls up your body, letting him snuggle into your neck and hug you with sticky hands.

“I wanna try something new today.” You whisper in his audial port. Axel whimpers.

“Yes p-please.” He lets you pull away from the embrace, obediently following orders to sit on the edge of the bed. Axel is always quick to try new things, desperately excited to explore your body and all its new sensations.

You remember the first time you rode him, how his glitchy voice echoed across your apartment.

“O-o-oh stars!”

His hands had struggled choosing between gripping your hips and fondling your tits, watching all of you bounce in his dick. That dilemma was solved when you flipped into reverse cowgirl and he was able to palm your jiggling ass cheeks.

“You’re incredible! Incredible!” He had yelped as he overloaded inside you, licking your thighs clean of cum right after. He then spent the next 20 minutes caressing your butt, watching the way it wiggled with every hip movement.

That's what inspired you tonight.

You flip around to your stomach, holding your weight on your elbows and shimmying your hips. Your fingers come down to your pussy lips and spread them wide open.

“Come here, baby.”

Axel scrambles up the bed, aching cock in his grip, lemon-lime coolant dripping down the shaft. He’s quick to line up with your hole, but doesn’t sink in just yet. He never does without permission.

Good boy.

“Now put your hands on my hips.” Your voice guides him along, shaky digits glancing across your pelvis. His leaking tip pressed against your entrance, so close to just slipping inside you. Another burst of air comes from his vents.

“Now's the fun part.” Settling into your knees, you throw your ass back onto Axel, cock sliding in like a hot knife through butter. His digits leave indents on your love handles, his voice glitching.

“Fu-uck!” He pants, his eyes going cross from the sudden grip on his dick. Your velvety walls hold him tight, his nodes rubbing as he his hips jump a little. You smirk, swiveling your hips.

“You gotta good grip back there?” Your voice purrs, and you take Axel’s lusty moans as a definite ‘yes’.

Axel’s voice melts into whines as you slide him out till the tip, only to shriek and glitch when you throw your ass back on to him. You give him little time to recover, using his hands for stability to throw it back and over and over onto his cock. Streams of coolant run down his cock and between your pussy lips, sloshing together with skin and wiring.

“Oh, stars and galaxies~” Axel moans, leaning his torso forward to help his balance. “You feel so go-od.” Axel's tongue lolls out in a pant, more steam pumping from his vents. “That ass.” His voice teeters off, hands wandering down to your jiggling backside.

“You wanna slap it, Axel?” You swivel your hips again, core clenching as you put an extra shimmy in your hips.

“Y-yes. Will that h-hurt you-ungh!”

Your pussy walls clench onto Axel’s cock, bottom lip bitten between your teeth at the idea.

“No, baby. I want it.”

A mixture between a delighted giggle and a ravenous moan squeal from Axel’s audial ports. One hand moves from your hips to your ass, never leaving the skin. He gives a tentative squeeze, mindful of his robotic strength, before giving you a soft tap. It’s sweet, but you crave more.

“You can do it harder, Axel. In fact….”

You pause your bouncing, craving to see Axel’s expression. His cheeks grow bright with his coolant, his pupils flickering back and forth between the arch of your back and your face.

“Why’d you stop?”

“Patience, sweet thing.” You grip onto the bedspread below, adjusting your knees upward into proper doggy style. “Here, grab onto my hips again.” Axel follows your instructions dutifully, finding his palace on your pelvis. His plating shudders as you rock forward, pulling his cock out to the tip. Axel rushes to follow, hands still in place, but resists. “Okay, now pull me back. Like I was doing before.”

There’s an audible click as Axel turns his head, slightly confused. But as always he’s an obedient boy, and does as he’s told.

He goes slow, still timid and unsure. But a crackling groan from his chest tells you he’s catching on quickly as pulls you back onto his cock.

“Ok, now pull out a bit.”

Big globs of coolant drop down your pussy and onto Axel’s shaft as he does, another shudder. His digits shale against your skin.

“Now, pull me back and push your hips up.”

Axel increases his pace a bit, impatience finally getting to him, chasing your warmth. A texture head bumps against your g-spot, and you make sure to emphasize your moan.

“Again.”

Axel, ever the fast learner, humps into you again, nodes scraping along your inner walls with a little more force. You bite your lip.

“Again, faster.”

Your right hand spreads forward, knuckles clenching into the fabric. Axel, ever the quick learner, thrusts again with more gusto. Another crackling moan from behind you. He doesn’t wait for your instruction, following the unspoken and humping into you.

“Yes, just like that.”

Axel is quick in finding his rhythm, engines whirring as his hips speed up. Your cheap mattress squeaks, bed frame now hitting the wall as Axel throws his weight into you.

“Oh, yes.” Axel moans, eyes transfixed by you jiggling ass, jiggling because of him.

“Ungh, right there!” Your neck arches backward, mouth open wide with your tongue sticking out. Axel’s head easily find your g-spot with every hit, even as Axel himself grows more frantic. Mechanical parts that you’ve never heard from him before kick into gear, helping him move with more and more force.

“Ooo-oh!” Axel digits grow slick on your sweat, struggling to find a grip. But he doesn’t care, clawing into the fat and chasing the high of your cunt on his cock. Cum and fluids spatter onto your ass cheeks, even reach your lower back as Axel fucks you hard and fast.

“Slap my ass!”

This time the mix of adrenaline and lust are too much, overloading Axel’s more gentler sensibilities, and he gives you a proper spank. The noise echoes across the room.

“Fuck!” Your pussy milks him for all his worth. Axels digits rub across the handprint do doubt on your skin, right before slapping the other side just as hard. “Yes! Yes!”

Your headboard crashes into your wall now, shaking the very foundations of your shitty apartment. The gears in Axel’s legs work overtime, and you're sure the only thing that could stop him now would be his own orgasm, not any kind of exhaustion.

Speaking of which-

“Fuck, I’m gonna cum. W-where do you want-”

“Inside, creampie me!”

It’s like a password, sending Axel into a whole new mode of fucking. His cockhead pounds the very end of your pussy, hands knotting into your ass. You feel a buzzing running up your stomach and down your legs. Your skin feels like it's on fire.

“So good, so good, so good.” Axel’s voice babbles, no amount of steam for his vents preventing the rising heat in his wiring. “Oh, stars”

An explosion of cum bursts in your cunt, filling you up like a sex toy, spurting out of the sides. You reach your high at that moment, toes curling and pussy flexing onto Axel’s cock.

The poor bot nearly collapses after he pulls out, his modesty plate shuddering to close as his temperature warning beep goes off. He falls onto his side, arm thrown over his face.

It takes you a while to catch your breath, trying to remember the last time a client left you this cock-drunk. Once you do, you sidle up to Axel, enjoying the excess warmth of his body, like a giant heating pad.

“That was….awesome.”

Axel pants, arm slipping under your hips to pull you closer. His system beeps again, no doubt sending him advisories to push your hot, warm-blooded body away. But those are quickly deflected, Axel nuzzling his face into your hair.

Yup, definitely one of your favorites.

#my writing #reader insert #monster x reader #monster romance #android x reader

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mostlysignssomeportents · 5 months ago

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A Democratic media strategy to save journalism and the nation

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/12/12/the-view-from-somewhere/#abolish-rogan

As unbearably cringe as the hunt for a "leftist Joe Rogan" is, it is (to use a shopworn phrase), "directionally correct." Democrats suck at getting their message out, and that exacts a high electoral cost.

The right has an extremely well-funded media ecosystem of high-paid bullshitters backed by algorithm-gaming SEO dickheads. This system isn't necessarily supposed to turn a profit or even break even: the point of Prageru isn't to score ad revenue, it's to ensure that anyone who googles "what the fuck causes inflation" gets 25 minutes of relatable, upbeat, cheerfully sociopathic Austrian economics jammed into their eyeballs. Far right news isn't a for-profit concern, it's a loss-leader for oligarch-friendly policies. It's a steal: a million bucks' worth of news buys America's ultra-rich a billion dollars' worth of tax-cuts and the right to maim their workers and poison their customers for profit.

Meanwhile, the Democrats have historically relied on the "traditional media" to carry their messages, on the ground that reality has a well-known leftist bias, so any news outlet that hews to "journalistic ethics" will publish the truth, and the truth will weigh in favor of Democratic positions: trans people are humans, racism is real, abortion isn't murder, housing is a market failure, the planet is on fire, etc, etc, etc.

This is a stupid policy, and it has failed. The "respectable" news media hews to a self-imposed code of "balance" and "neutrality" that is easily gamed: "some people say that Hatians don't eat pet dogs, some people do, let's report both sides!" This is called "the view from nowhere" and it gets Democrats precisely nowhere:

http://archive.pressthink.org/2008/03/14/pincus_neutrality.html

Balance and neutrality are bullshit, an excuse that has been so thoroughly weaponized by billionaires and their lickspittles that anyone who takes it seriously demonstrates comprehensively that they, themselves, are deeply unserious:

https://www.techdirt.com/2024/12/10/la-times-billionaire-owner-hilariously-thinks-he-can-solve-media-bias-with-ai/

Press neutrality – the view from nowhere – isn't some eternal verity. In terms of the history of the press, it's an idea that's about ten seconds old. The glory days of the news were dominated by papers with names like The Smallville Democrat and The Ruling Class Republican. Most of the world boggles at the idea that a news outlet wouldn't declare its political posture. Britons know that the Telegraph is the Torygraph; that the Guardian is in the tank for Labour (and specifically, committed to enabling Blairite/Starmerite purges of the left); the Mirror is a leftist tabloid; and the Mail is so far right that its editorial board considers Attila the Hun "woke."

Writing for The American Prospect – an excellent leftist news outlet – Ryan Cooper proposes a solution to the Democratic media gap that's way better than the hunt for the elusive "leftist Joe Rogan": sponsoring explicitly Democrat news outlets:

https://prospect.org/politics/2024-12-12-democrats-lost-propaganda-war/

The country is a bleak landscape of news deserts where voters literally didn't hear about what Trump was saying he would do, and, if they heard about it, they didn't hear from anyone who could explain what it meant. The average normie voter doesn't know what a "tariff" is, and chances are they think it's a tax that other countries inexplicably pay for the privilege of selling very cheap things to Americans.

Ironically, this news desert is also a crowded field of hungry, unemployed, talented journalists. What if Dems funded free newsgathering and publication in news deserts that told the truth? What if these news outlets, by dint of being an explicitly partisan, party-subsidized project, refused to adopt all the anti-reader practices of other websites, like disgusting surveillance, intrusive advertising, AI slop, email-soliciting pop-ups, and all the other crap that makes the news worse and worse every day?

Cooper recounts how this was actually tried on a small scale, to modest good effect, when the Center for American Progress subsidized Thinkprogress, an explicitly leftist news outlet. This was going great until 2019, when corporate Dems and their megadonors killed it because Thinkprogress had the temerity to report on their corrupt dealings:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/thinkprogress-a-top-progressive-news-site-is-shutting-down/

And, Cooper points out, this isn't what happens with far-right subsidy news. Right wing influencers, personalities and writers can stray pretty far from the party line without getting shut down.

I love the idea of a disenshittified, explicitly political leftist Democratic news media. Imagine a newsroom whose purpose is to get its message repeated as widely as possible. It wouldn't have a paywall – it would be Creative Commons Attribution-only, allowing for commercial republication by anyone who wants to reprint it, so long as they link back to it. It wouldn't wring its hands over AI ingestion or whether a slop site that rewrote its articles got to the top of Google News. That's fine! If the point is to get people to understand your point of view – and not to attract clicks or eyeballs – other people repackaging your content and finding ways to spread it is a feature, not a bug.

Back in the Napster Wars, entertainment industry shills – like Hillary Rosen, who oversaw a campaign to sue tens of thousands of children before becoming a major Democratic Party power-broker – used to tell us that "you can't compete with free." That's not entirely true, but it's not entirely false, either. If your news is a loss-leader for a democratic society that addresses human flourishing and a habitable planet, then you can make that news free-as-in-speech and free-as-in-beer, and avoid all the suckitude that makes reading "real" news so fucking garbage.

For the past five years, I've been publishing a newsletter – this thing you're reading now – that has no analytics, ads, tracking, pop-ups, or other trash. As a writer, it's profoundly satisfying and liberating, because all I have to care about is whether people engage with my ideas. I literally have no idea how many people read this, but I know everything people say about it.

That's how the news worked back in the good old days that everyone says we need to return to. Writers and editors measured the success of a story based on how the public reacted to it, not based on clicks or metrics that told you how far someone scrolled before they gave up on it. The supposed benefits of "data-driven" editorial policy have not materialized – the "data-driven" part is the search for an equilibrium between how surveillant and obnoxious a website can be and your decision to stop reading it forever.

Outlets like Propublica have done well by adopting much of this program, albeit without any explicit leftist agenda (the fact that they seem leftist reflects nothing more than their commitment to reporting the truth, e.g., Clarence Thomas is a lavishly corrupt puppet of billionaires who've showered him with riches).

The fact that they've been as successful as they are on a national beat – and partnering with the scant few regional papers to do some local coverage – just proves the point. The Democratic Party doesn't need its own Joe Rogan – they need a nationwide network of local outlets, sponsored by the party, committed to never enshittifying, bringing relevant, timely news to a nation in desperate need of it.

#pluralistic #media theory #the news #democrats #democrats in disarray #uspoli #journalism #the view from nowhere #news deserts

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shellseaisms · 11 months ago

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burlywood colonial home.

not entirely confident this is what a colonial style house is supposed to look like, but I've named it that anyway because it looks close enough and it sounds groovy. this is a smaller home with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lots of neutral colours and an unfinished backyard :~) I'm pretty fond of this one, hope you like it too!

custom content used: find all cc links for this build here.

§112,253 furnished, §63,833 unfurnished

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

30 x 30 lot size

custom content included with package file

built in rosewood hills

youtube

‣ ‎ ‎ download below.

download (furnished)

package // sims3pack

place the file ending in '_library' in your library folder (documents/electronic arts/the sims 3/library) regardless of what version you choose to install. for package downloaders, the file ending in '_mods' goes in your mods folder.

note: custom content is not included with the sims3pack.

unfurnished (sims3pack + library file) // library file only (furnished, cc not included)

#ts3 #ts3cc #s3cc #sims 3 #simblr #ts3 build #dl: builds #dl: mine #burlywood #Youtube

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kiyo-cant-write · 2 months ago

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reader sees new years!jack ✧･ﾟ

Sorry again to my OG named anon for being so scatterbrained between uni and writing requests, of which I still have a handful to get out and I am sorry if they're late, that I made an entire request wrong. So here's New Years!Jack Howl x Reader as an apology!

Thank you for bearing with me! I am not smart ;3

Here's a link to the one I did wrong if any readers want.

Summary: Yuu sees Jack in his outfit from the 2025 New Years (JP).

TW/CW: JP spoilers (New Years 2025)

Notes: pre-relationship, gender neutral reader, they/them pronouns for the reader, the reader is Yuu/Ramshackle Prefect, Malleus and the reader are friends :)

Guest Stars: Floyd Leech, Malleus Draconia, Jamil Viper (mentioned)

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:

SPOILERS AHEAD, YOU WERE WARNED!

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:

Jack Howl

Jack doesn't expect to have a costume but here he is.

This outfit is nice, thematic, and as Jamil points out, culturally significant to the New Year in Eastern culture.

He doesn't appreciate the comments Floyd makes about it though.

Even so, he is more shocked to work opposite from Malleus...

Then even more baffled when all the upperclassmen seem aware of his crush. Who told them? His dormmates? And why?

He doesn't have time to react more as Floyd has a plan.

Jack isn't sure he wants to see [Name] dressed like this.

What if they think it doesn't suit him?

Will they dress this way too? No, wait.... they don't work at the store. Unless they want to? But then the takoage teams will be off balance and... Jack overthinks this for a minute.

Floyd has to snap him out of it when they see [Name] in line.

Jack thinks he is being suave but his tail wags and his cheeks redden slightly as soon as he notices it's them. It's them!

But... what does he do now?

It's Floyd who leads the Ramshackle Prefect over to Jack out of the goodness of his heart or some bullshit like that. [Name] looks just as surprised that the eelmer is taking them by the forearm and bringing them over. Is this normal for all their customers?

The answer is no. It's not. And it's a good thing Sam didn't see.

"Shrimpy, come say 'hi' to Sea Urchin!" Floyd said cheerily as he threw them in the general direction of Jack, "Then we can battle!"

"Battle?" they questioned before they were pushed forward, "Ah!"

[Name] stumbled and only barely managed to catch themselves as they now stood only a few steps from Jack and his fancy new outfit. They had never seen him wear something like this before. Point stated, they had never seen Floyd where anything like this either, but they assumed that it was a kind of uniform or costume Sam made.

Jack looked... nice. It was unusual to see someone who typically wore something like Savanaclaw's uniform in an outfit like this.

"You...." they began before trailing off, unsure if that was odd to say.

So [Name] settled on admiring him even if it was glaringly obvious they were doing so. They could tell it was noticed by the sound of Floyd laughing behind them even if he tried to hide it a bit to keep working on the tasks Sam had given the group.

Jack remained silent as well, seeming to have frozen in place when they came closer to him even though his eyes said he would have reached to help if they had fallen. When they began a sentence, his ears perked and then drooped when they did not finish it.

Did they think he looked weird? Bad?

His face reddened slightly at the thought of someone he admired thinking ill of him for the clothes he was wearing.

"..."

Neither moved nor spoke as they watched. Floyd noted they were holding up the line a bit and other customers looked a tad impatient, but that was all part of the plan. The Floyd Plan... And that eel lived for a little chaos, or a lot of it depending.

"Hehe, this will work for sure," Floyd said to himself though some of the other students in the growing line overheard him.

Still, Jack didn't say anything, ears moving as his tail wagged hesitantly. The wolf wanted to know what they thought. Meanwhile, [Name] chewed on the inside of their cheek as they thought over what they could possibly say, how to put their admiration into words.

It had gone on for so long that the opposing team came over to check on them. Malleus Draconia, somehow sent by Jamil (but we won't delve into how that dynamic arose between an underclassman and one of the strongest mages alive). The fae prince glanced between the three of them, first at the laughing Floyd, then at Jack's stance, and lastly at his friend's expression.

Though it was something he normally wouldn't do as Briar Valley's crown prince, Malleus reached out to snap his fingers in front of [Name]'s face, waving a manicured hand in front of them a few times.

"Child of Man?" he asked, trying to get their attention.

A few times and it seemed to do its job. [Name] looked at him.

"Wh? Oh, hey Tsunotarou."

"Why were you frozen in such a state?" Malleus asked them, seemingly worried.

"I just... overthought something," they told him with an awkward smile.

Bored of the situation now that Malleus was taking all Shrimpy's attention, Floyd walked over and slapped a hand down on Jack's back hard enough to hurt and light enough to be called friendly among male companions.

"Snap out of it, Sea Urchin," he teased, "Or you'll lose them to a real prince~"

Floyd was enjoying this new game of messing with Jack. The wolf growled at the eel, adjusting his posture now that he wasn't frozen in a staring contest. Jack still wondered what [Name] was going to say, but now they were speaking to Malleus.

He supposed he would never know. It was nice to see them though.

"Are you certain you are okay?" Malleus asked in a whisper, pulling them aside for a moment, and walking [Name] over to his and Jamil's station instead.

If a takoage battle needed to take place for their spent madols, then take place it shall. And if they couldn't battle Jack and Floyd, they would face off against Jamil and Malleus. The prince would make sure of it. All for the sake of his good human friend.

"I just couldn't tell Jack his outfit looks nice," [Name] finally admitted when they were out of earshot, "I was too nervous."

"Nervous, of Jack Howl? But you have no fear of me, one of the strongest mages by everyone's statistical analyses," Malleus commented, seeming almost entertained by the knowledge.

Perhaps it was because he knew Jack's feelings too.

"I don't know, you don't make me nervous in the same way."

"Well, while I am glad you aren't nervous around me," he told them, letting go of them now that they'd reached their destination, "I would tell you with all my... wisdom as fae... that you may be luckier than you assume, [Name]."

They seemed surprised by his words.

"What do you mean by that?" they asked him.

"You will see when the day is done."

"I will?"

Malleus was so confusing sometimes.

"If you come back after you lose this battle."

They blinked before they processed his words.

"Hey! We haven't even battled yet!" they protested.

"You think you can best a Draconia?"

If only [Name] knew what the day's end held in store for them.

Imagine the rest yourself~

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:

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