#Diesel Laptops

[suratan-zir]

Do you mind me asking how the electricity situation is? I understand it's probably awful to put it lightly. But Russia is targeting electrical infrastructure now

Hi. I can only talk about my area, which is in central Ukraine, the situation is different for each region. We have schedules for hourly blackouts. Sounds scary, but it's just so people can be prepared to be without electricity for two or more hours and know when it happens, then another two hours with power, and so on. Each address has a queue number corresponding to a particular blackout schedule, so it’s not only different between regions but even within one city.

After the most recent mass attack, some people in my town were without power for many hours, while others, like my lucky self, experienced only "regular" blackouts. Now we typically have 2-4 hours without power - sometimes less, sometimes more. Other queues have it worse than we do, it depends. We've been lucky lately. On weekends, we almost don’t have blackouts. Overall, it’s been much better than this summer when we sometimes had just 1–2 hours with electricity a day, nonconsecutive. It was hell. For the past two days, it’s been completely normal for us. Almost no outages!

Again, this is my small town in the center of Ukraine. People closer to the frontlines have it much, much worse. If a city is within the range of Russian artillery, they target infrastructure day and night, deliberately attacking and killing workers who arrive to fix it.

In the rest of Ukraine, people have adapted to the blackouts. Those with money and private houses have diesel generators and/or solar panels. People in flats, like us, rely on charging stations, power banks, etc. Most of the stores have generators. We have two large charging stations: one for our heater/boiler (which can run for about a day or more) and one for our laptops and fiber-optic internet, which works even during power outages. One day, when we had no power for a long time, we went outside and smelled gas - turns out our downstairs neighbor put a generator right below his flat’s window. (that’s gotta be illegal, though, lol)

Of course, all these measures are expensive, and not everyone can afford them. But the situation could've been way worse.

Sorry if this reply is too long.

[authorhjk1]

Interlude: Above the sky

IU X Minatozaki Sana X Male Reader

You sigh as you sit in one of the chairs at the airport.

It has been a while, since you last flew with a commercial airplane. You are headed to Italy. There is an urgent meeting, involving everyone, who is important at the Diesel company. You can proudly say that you are one of them. Unfortunately though, your jet is currently being repaired and refurbished.

Waiting for the call to board the plane, you occasionally glance at the incoming passengers, while working on your laptop.

When you suddenly hear the sounds of cameras flashing and cheers, you turn around in your seat. Two women, who are being swarmed by reporters walk towards your gate.

Great. More noise. You sigh as you realize you won't be able to keep working. Luckily, boarding time starts soon.

As the women slowly get closer, you see that one of them is wearing a fancy looking suit outfit and one is wearing a simple black dress. The large bow in the second woman's hair makes her look cute. And smaller than she actually is. Because in that moment, you realize who is walking in your direction.

IU. The woman you and Miyeon had.... fun with. You wonder if she still remembers you. Not being able to identify the other woman, you are glad you are now able to board the plane.

You don't think IU saw you as you walk towards the door.

At the door the captain and the crew welcome you. Being the owner of the airline you are flying with is somewhat beneficial. Although you tried to hide it as much as possible. You usually don't like too much attention, especially when you are busy or on your way to a meeting.

Sitting down in first class, you enjoy the comfort of the chair. The blue interior matches the plane's exterior as you look around. This is somewhat your airplane after all.

It takes only a couple of minutes, before you aren't the only one in first class anymore. People start to take their seats, while you take the laptop out of your bag.

Sitting in the middle seat, you don't believe your eyes, when you see the two women sit down on your right. IU on the left, the other on the right. You could've sworn you saw her somewhere before. Guessing from the way she looks, she must be an idol as well. You see her smile. It's probably one of the cutest things you have ever seen.

Wanting to tease the older woman, you lean through the small aisle towards her.

"Can I get an autograph?"

You can't hide a teasing grin as she turns around. Her eyes widen when she seems to recognize you.

"Surprise."

"What-"

She stops, her mouth open.

"Is he a friend?"

The girl's voice sounds as cute as she looks.

"Kind of. Nice to meet you, (y/n)."

You reach around IU to shake her hand.

"Minatozaki Sana. It's a pleasure."

You watch IU looking at Sana's hand in yours, before you pull away. Not without your hand grazing against her chest. No one would notice except her. You see her look down, biting her lip.

You remember how needy she was last time, although it partially might have been the alcohol.

"How do the two of you know each other?"

IU's eyes grow wide as she hears Sana's question. For an actress, she isn't very good at hiding her surprise.

"Well.... We..."

"She was attending the opening of my restaurant."

"Oh really? Which one?"

"It's in Paris. I doubt you know it."

Sana seems to be thinking hard.

"Ah. The one Lisa went to?"

You nod.

"Exactly. I'm happy that you seem to know it."

"Of course I do. I heard the food is very delicious there."

While she gives you an adorable smile, you realize that IU is still not talking. Although her hand is resting on her naked knee, playing with the hem of her dress.

"If you are ever in Paris, I hope you will stop by."

"I will give you an awesome review."

Sana gives you a thumbs up.

"What did you eat there, unnie?"

"Hmmm? What?"

IU looks like she got caught. You expected her to be more cool about this, but it looks like she is unable to clear her mind of the things you did.

"I don't remember."

She now looks at you. Her dark eyes locked onto yours.

"But I know it was delicious."

That switch of attitude makes you silently raise an eye brow at her. How did she just got from shy and scared to hot and suggestive?

A sly smirk plays around her lips. Maybe she is a better actress than you thought.

Once the plane is in the air, you get rid of your seatbelt. The tight fabric made the situation in your pants slightly worse. IU keeps glancing at you. Sometimes a naughty smile on her face, sometimes her fingers lift up her dress. Her full thighs distract you from working.

You are glad that barely any people seem to be sitting in first class. Except for you three, there is only one man two rows ahead and an older couple maybe three rows behind you. Is it always that empty in first class?

You really do try your best to keep working, but as soon as Ji-eun stands up, you throw all caution out the window. The dress she is wearing seemed quite long. That's why you are surprised, when she reaches up to take something out of her luggage.

The black fabric rides up her body, until her lower half is almost completely exposed. Standing on her tip toes, Ji-eun shows off her ass to you. Her black thong leaves her cheeks exposed, only barely covering her pussy. You catch glimps of her lips. Remembering the last time you saw her naked pussy, you have to hold back to not just reach for it.

When she is about to sit down, Sana stands up too.

"I need to use the bathroom real quick."

She steps past the older woman, before walking down the small aisle.

Ji-eun watches her leave. You already expected something once the two of you would be alone, but not this. As soon as IU is sure no one is looking, she straddles your lap.

"I can't help it. Your cock felt so good."

Her breathless words still linger in your ear as she latches her lips onto your neck. While showering your skin with kisses, IU slowly grinds on top of you.

"Darn it. Do you know how often I got myself off thinking about that night?"

Her hands move towards your belt.

"What are you doing?"

You are finally able to talk, a little overwhelmed from the older woman's attack.

"What do you mean? You don't wanna fuck?"

"Shhh."

You shush her, afraid someone heard her.

"Here? Are you crazy?"

She just shrugs her shoulders.

"As long as you fill me with cock, I don't care where."

Her lips reattach themselves to your neck. Her hair slightly tickles, while her cute bow is right in front of your face.

You try your best. You really do. But suddenly, you find your hands underneath IU's dress. Feeling the smooth skin on her full thighs, you lean your head back, while she fumbles for your zipper. Her grinding increases as you start to feel her wetness on your leg. Only the thin fabric of your pants and her thong are between the two of you.

IU suddenly stops, looking above your head behind you.

"Shit."

You suspect it's Sana. Expecting, IU to leave, you let go of her thighs. Instead she just drops to her knees. She reaches for the blanket next to you, covering herself and your lap. You feel her warm breath against your clothed crotch as you hear Sana coming from behind.

"Excuse me. Do you know where IU unnie went?"

"I think she left right after you. In the same direction."

"Really? I didn't see her."

Sana flashes you another smile.

"Thank you."

She turns around to look at the direction she came from, before sitting back down in her seat.

You suddenly hear the zipper of your pants being opened. Which is odd, since both of IU's hands are resting on your thighs. Is she doing this with her teeth?

You feel her pull down the zipper, until finally one hand leaves your leg. Her hand undoes the button of your boxers.

If you weren't hard before, you are now as IU fishes out your cock. Her warm hand strokes your length once or twice, before you feel her wet lips wrap around your tip. You have to suppress a groan as her tongue swirls around it. IU starts to take you deeper inside her mouth. Her wet slurps barely louder than a whisper.

You place your hands on the blanket over her head, trying to hide the bulge her head is creating. Ji-eun humms around your cock in response as she keeps sucking you off.

You can't believe this is happening. Your legs start to become jelly as the woman on her knees let's her lips glide to the base of your cock. Her tongue follows, grazing the underside of your shaft.

You glance at Sana, hoping she doesn't see anything. But after looking at her once or twice, it becomes hard to look away. Since Ji-eun swallows your cock underneath the blanket, you somewhat miss the visual stimuli. Luckily, Sana is more than enough.

Since her shorts are barely covering her center, her full thighs are on display. You try to imagine them around your head, squeezing you as you eat her out. It's hard though. It's hard to focus on anything when IU is silently giving you head. You have to lean your head against your chair, trying to compensate the pleasure you are feeling. How is she so good at this?

Glancing at Sana again, you see her lean over her phone. She was typing something on it a couple of moments ago. Now it seems like she is watching a video or something. Her eyes are wide, the screen very close to her face.

When you feel yourself hitting the back of IU's throat, you press her head down. It's a subconscious action as you try to appear normal. You hear her slightly gagging when she is unable to move. Closing your eyes, you feel yourself getting closer to the end.

Ji-eun starts to become louder. You hope no one hears her as you open your eyes again. You are unable to see straight as you look around. Your eyes lock onto Sana's. The woman's head is turned towards you, her lips slightly parted. Her hand with her phone is resting on her lap, while the other tuggs a couple of strands behind her ear. Did she catch you?

Instinctively you press Ji-eun's face further into your lap, hoping Sana didn't see her head bobbing. You hear IU slightly gagging as she tries to breath through her nose while her throat is stuffed with your cock.

Sana gives you a coy smile, before she turns away again. You did catch her stealing a glance at your crotch. Fuck.

That nervous feeling doesn't last long as IU keeps working your shaft. You suddenly come to a realization. What are you going to do next? What happens after Ji-eun is done with you? How is she going to get out of there? There is no way she planing to stay on her knees until the end of her flight. Is she?

You dig your fingers into your armrests. IU keeps slobbering over your dick in almost complete silence, while her hands glide over your pants. In a normal situation you would've started to fuck her face by now. But this isn't normal. This is public. It doesn't get much riskier than that. Getting head as you sit in your seat in your airplane.

The situation worsens when you get a call. You neither have the composure, nor the current mental stability to wonder who it might be. Without even looking at the screen, you pick up.

"Hi, daddy."

You almost groan in disbelief as you recognize her voice. Checking your screen confirms your suspicion.

"Princess #1"

Wonyoung is number two, which means...

"Hi, Miyeon. What is it?"

You try to sound nonchalant, although it is almost impossible. Hearing Miyeon snicker on the other side of the call makes you blush for some reason.

"Who is it?"

"IU."

You half whisper half moan. No reason to lie.

"Well, that's great, but I'm calling because of her fellow traveller."

"What?"

You look to your right at Sana, catching her look away from you.

"She knows who you are."

"How?"

"I might have told her a thing or two about us."

You sigh.

"So?"

"Just go the bathroom in a couple of minutes. She is too shy to ask."

"Miyeon-"

"I hope IU sumbenim is taking great care of you. Her asshole was so tight when I fucked her. Just saying."

You are stunned when you realize that Miyeon hung up on you. Who does she think she is? Talking about you with Sana and then telling you to follow her friend to the bathroom? You don't need to be bright to figure out why.

You turn your head as you see Sana standing up. As she walks past you, she let's her hand glide along your arm. You look after her as she walks back towards the bathroom. She took off her jacket earlier. Her tight shorts hugg her cheeks perfectly as she walks down the aisle.

"Fuck.Ji-eun, stop."

You get the blanket off her.

IU looks up at you. Her black bow is a little tilted, her chin covered in her spit.

She let's your cock fall out of her mouth, before stroking it slowly.

"What?"

"Sana is gone and-"

"Finally."

She gets up and straddles your lap once more.

"Wait."

You hold her by her waist, before she is able to keep moving.

"Miyeon just called. She wanted me to follow Sana into the bathroom."

"Oh."

Ji-eun is visibly disappointed.

"I'm gonna go now."

She shakes her head.

"We need to finish what we started. I haven't had sex since the night in Paris. Please."

"Get off me. We will continue this after we land."

IU glares at you.

"Why? Just because she is younger than me?"

"No-"

"Fine. Go."

She gets off you, sitting down in her own seat. Her arms are crossed in front of her chest. Her lips forming a cute pout.

"Ji-eun-"

She looks up at you. Her stare shuts you up.

"I will be in Venice for four days. I expect you to make it up to me during every single second I don't have a schedule."

You nod before following after Sana. Your meeting is today, after you land. Afterwards you should have enough time for IU.

Reaching the restroom, you look around, but no one seems to care about your presence. Seeing it being unlocked, you slip inside.

As soon as you close the door behind you, you feel Sana crashing into you. Her lips attack yours, while she grinds her body against you.

"Sana, what..."

She takes a step back.

"If you are only half as good as Miyeon said...."

She trails off, before reaching for you once again. This time, you hold her waist, holding her close, while Sana invades your mouth.

And Miyeon said she was shy?

The Japanese girl, you guessed because of her name, sneaks her arms around you while she deepens the kiss. Your hands start to explore her body. You notice how slim her waist is. How smooth the skin under her shirt and how full her thighs are. Reaching behind her, you place your palms on her cheeks.

"God yes."

She sighs as you squeeze them respectively.

"I need you."

Her lips find your neck, just like IU's earlier.

"Mina played with me without making me cum."

Her breathless words make you feel goosebumps as she whispers against your neck. Who is Mina? Her bandmate?

"She started it minutes before I had to leave."

Sana kisses down your neck, slowly reaching your collarbone.

"Do you know what that does to a girl? Almost cuming and then having to wait for hours?"

You feel the Japanese girl's hands leave your neck as she reaches for your pants.

"I don't even care how you fuck me by now. Just do it. I need to cum."

While still having questions about Mina and still not sure how you got here exactly, you spring into action. If there is something, besides doing business, you are good at than it's sex. At least that's what you think. Why would you sleep with so many idols otherwise?

You hold Sana's cheeks more firmly, before lifting her off the ground. She is just as light as the others. She has gotten rid of your zipper by now and is working on the button of your boxers, which you just closed barely a minute ago.

"Take me. Take me how you want. I just need something in me."

Her breathless whisper makes you step forward, sitting her down on the edge of the sink. While you capture her lips with yours, you unbuckle her belt.

Sana moans into your mouth as you pull her shorts off her. Her pink panties already damp with arousal.

Wanting to make this quick, you just slide them aside, revealing Sana's snatch. It's a mouthwatering sight. For some reason it looks smaller than you expected.

You let you hands dance along her lower lips as it's now your turn to kiss her neck. Sana let's her head fall back, moaning in delight at your touch. For a second you wonder if you should finger her to orgasm first, but you decide against it. You want to make this quick. And you would rather have Sana cum on your cock than your fingers.

"Put it in, please."

As if on cue, Sana starts to whine.

"I'm already soaked thinking about you. Just give me that cock Miyeon always talks about."

You pull out your cock through the holes in your pants and boxers.

"That's huge."

Sana looks down in shock.

"But why is it wet?"

You don't answer. Instead you align it with her pussy. Pushing past her lips makes Sana almost fall backwards into the sink. You have to hold her firmly as her back arches. You are almost afraid she is gonna break it.

"That's fucking big."

She hisses as if she is in pain.

"I'm used to smaller toys."

You wait for her, letting her take a couple of deep breaths.

Once Sana finally adjusted to the feeling of her hole being stretched like never before, she sits back up, locking her hands behind your neck.

"Carry me. Impale me on your dick."

It's a combination of command and plea as Sana's eyes seem darker than before. Although that could be due to the dim light.

You slowly pick her up and lift her off the sink. Gravity doing it's work, slowly makes Sana glide down to your base. You see her eyes roll to the back of her head. She holds harder onto your neck with every inch she is taking.

"Oh god."

Sana sighs once you finally bottom out inside of her. It took a couple of moments, but you are more than glad it took this long. Sana's pussy is tight. Her walls grip onto you, clearly not wanting you to ever leave. For some reason, Sana's pussy feels a little similar to Rei's. Is that a coincidence? Or because they are both Japanese? You almost laugh at that thought. That's impossible.

Either way, you start to lift up Sana until only your tip is inside of her. You make her glide down along your length. Up and down. Up and down.

Before you know it, you are already truly fucking Sana inside the restroom. Her moans are muffled by your shirt, which she is biting into. Or rather your shoulder. The pain is small enough to blend out. Her moans increase in volume and numbers. They become higher and more needy.

With a strong grip on her ass cheeks, you keep moving Sana. Her body barely moving on its own, her pussy only a fleshlight for your cock.

"More. More please."

Sana let's go of your shoulder for just a moment. You keep fucking her, hoping that no one can hear her moan. Her walls start to tighten around you even further.

"Gonna cum!"

She let's out a mewl into your shoulder as she clings to you like a panda. You keep moving her up and down. Relentlessly impaling her on your cock.

"Oh god!"

Sana finally cums on your dick. Her walls squeeze you, trying to make you cum as well. Her body shakes a little, making you hold her a little tighter. The pink panties she is wearing are now soaking wet. Her hair is a mess.

"That was so good."

She is still breathing heavily, but finally stopped biting you.

"Let's go."

You start to put Sana down.

It's a difficult decision to pull out of the Japanese's snug pussy, but you could get caught any second.

"But-"

"You can do that in our seats."

"What about IU?"

"Why do you think my cock was already wet?"

Sana's mouth opens in a wide O in realization.

"That slut."

Sana giggles as she slowly starts to get her pants on. You close your zipper and open the door.

Only a couple of seconds later, you are back in your seat. But not alone. You are glad that the space in first class is so big.

"You taste so good, Sana."

IU complements her as she swallows your cock. It took no convincing at all to make IU drop to her knees in front of your seat. Sana is kneeling next to her, admiring her work.

IU's bow is bobbing up and down in rhythm with her head. One of her hands is wrapped around your base, while the other rests on your left thigh. Sana occupies your other as she leans on it, watching the older woman.

With a cute, naughty smile she shifts her gaze from IU to you.

"I hope we can do this for the rest of our stay in Venice."

Ji-eun looks up at you, her lips still wrapped around your cock. She is reminding you of the deal you two made, before you left to fuck Sana.

Without a warning, Ji-eun starts to deep throat you once again. You suddenly hit the back of her throat. This time, she doesn't silence herself. The gagging noises are probably loud enough for the other three passengers to hear.

She holds her head in place for what feel like forever. You hold onto your armrests, hoping to hold out just a little longer.

"Unnie, I want to make him cum."

Sana watches your spit covered cock fall out of Ji-eun's mouth. Her hand still holding your base, the older woman slightly points your cock in Sana's direction.

The Japanese girl sticks her tongue out. She slowly swirls it around the tip of your cock, not breaking eye contact. Her dark eyes look deeper than ever before.

She adds a hand as well. Her right is joining IU's, both of their hands cover around two thirds of your cock. Sana wraps her lips around your tip, hollowing her cheeks. Her tongue keeps swirling , while she slowly sucks you off.

It is completely different from most of the girls so far. While the others usually do this quickly with desperate need for you to finish, Sana takes her time. As if she is convincing your cock to cum on its own.

You groan as you feel the effects first hand. Shifting around in your seat, you know it's only a matter of seconds.

"Look at him. Struggling to hold it in."

IU chuckles before licking her lips.

"I can't wait to make him cum for four whole days."

Sana's mouth, both of their hands, IU's eyes, her words. It all proves too much. With one last groan, you feel yourself twitching against Sana's tongue.

A second before you explode, she pulls away. You are barely able to watch as you cum all over both of their hands. I leaks down in small streams. It coats their fingers and their wrists.

As soon as you come back down, Sana dives in for her first taste. With her daring tongue, she starts with IU's hand, slowly pulling her tongue across the older girl's fingers.

"Delicious."

She licks her lips, before turning towards IU. Since Sana must have scooped up a good amount of cum, you are in awe as you watch the two exchanging a messy kiss. You see a small string, a mix of saliva and your cum, hang from both of their chins as they keep making out.

This is gonna be a long four day trip.

And quite possibly a long flight.

__________

Hi everyone!

I hope you enjoyed this one.

Tomorrow the December special polls will be posted. If you don't know what that is, you don't know how to vote, or you want to find out what chapters you can vote for, it's all here.

[probablyasocialecologist]

The flotsam and jetsam of our digital queries and transactions, the flurry of electrons flitting about, warm the medium of air. Heat is the waste product of computation, and if left unchecked, it becomes a foil to the workings of digital civilization. Heat must therefore be relentlessly abated to keep the engine of the digital thrumming in a constant state, 24 hours a day, every day. To quell this thermodynamic threat, data centers overwhelmingly rely on air conditioning, a mechanical process that refrigerates the gaseous medium of air, so that it can displace or lift perilous heat away from computers. Today, power-hungry computer room air conditioners (CRACs) or computer room air handlers (CRAHs) are staples of even the most advanced data centers. In North America, most data centers draw power from “dirty” electricity grids, especially in Virginia’s “data center alley,” the site of 70 percent of the world’s internet traffic in 2019. To cool, the Cloud burns carbon, what Jeffrey Moro calls an “elemental irony.” In most data centers today, cooling accounts for greater than 40 percent of electricity usage.

[...]

The Cloud now has a greater carbon footprint than the airline industry. A single data center can consume the equivalent electricity of 50,000 homes. At 200 terawatt hours (TWh) annually, data centers collectively devour more energy than some nation-states. Today, the electricity utilized by data centers accounts for 0.3 percent of overall carbon emissions, and if we extend our accounting to include networked devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets, the total shifts to 2 percent of global carbon emissions. Why so much energy? Beyond cooling, the energy requirements of data centers are vast. To meet the pledge to customers that their data and cloud services will be available anytime, anywhere, data centers are designed to be hyper-redundant: If one system fails, another is ready to take its place at a moment’s notice, to prevent a disruption in user experiences. Like Tom’s air conditioners idling in a low-power state, ready to rev up when things get too hot, the data center is a Russian doll of redundancies: redundant power systems like diesel generators, redundant servers ready to take over computational processes should others become unexpectedly unavailable, and so forth. In some cases, only 6 to 12 percent of energy consumed is devoted to active computational processes. The remainder is allocated to cooling and maintaining chains upon chains of redundant fail-safes to prevent costly downtime.

[viccyfics]

Tart, not torte!

Greaseball refuses to use autocorrect, so unfortunately for Dinah, her texts are illegible, so when Greaseball wants a sweet treat a little mistake is made

READ ON A03 OR BELOW THE CUT

Greaseball had woken up annoyed, her muscles were aching, her hair was clinging to her face and her neck was sweaty, she was craving something she couldn't quite place and Dinah was nowhere to be seen.

Greaseball glanced over to the clock on the nightstand, it had only just gone past 6 AM, there was no need for Dinah to be up this early, her shift never started until hours after Greaseball. It was Greaseball who always woke up early, kissing her girlfriend awake before heading out for the morning shift, so Dinah being out of bed made so much sense.

Especially considering today was Diesel's day off and Dinah had promised to cuddle her for most of the morning.

Greaseball reached for her phone, swatting away her work one to grab her one, her and Dinah's smiling faces greeting her as she switched it on.

Immediately Greaseball hit Dinah's contact and sent her a text.

"Wher are you"

It didn't take long for the response to come through, and the sound of movement down the hallway just confirmed it.

"I'm in the kitchen, are you alright?"

"Hungry"

Greaseball could hear Dinah's chuckle from the kitchen, a sound the Diesel loved.

"What are you hungry for? I can make breakfast or something to keep in the fridge for you"

Greaseball paused for a moment, she knew she was craving something, but what it was exactly she didn't know, that was until a few minutes of thought she knew exactly what it was, although not actually what it was called, how couldn't she remember something so simple?

"choclate thingy"

"Chocolate thingy? Pain au chocolat?"

Greaseball rolled her eyes, why couldn’t she just remember what it was called, it was right on the tip of her tongue… then it hit her.

"NO cholate tort"

"Oh Chocolate torte, I'll make you one :)"

Yeah, that sounded about right, she knew Dinah would know exactly what she wanted.

Greaseball found herself for most of the morning lazing in bed, watching movies on her laptop and occasionally scrolling through Twitter reading the many, many, thirst posts about herself and Dinah, some of which she liked and retweeted.

It was a perfect morning.

As lunch neared, Dinah slid into the bedroom, her apron still on, patches of flour on her face and in her hair.

"The torte is done, do you want it with lunch or dinner?"

"Dinner," Greaseball chuckled, not paying too much attention to her girlfriend, but to the terrible candid photos of Electra that she had been tagged in.

"Are you being mean online again?" The dining car asked shaking her head, "You're going to get in trouble again."

"It's not my fault they're so stupid-looking" Greaseball continued laughing, turning her phone around to show the photos to Dinah.

"I thought you were friends now?"

"We are, doesn't mean they aren't stupid though."

Dinah couldn't help but laugh at her girlfriend's pouting face as she continued scrolling, "They keep tagging me in things to annoy me."

"Like what?"

"Like this!" With that, Greaseball shoved her phone in Dinah's face, although Dinah didn't get the big deal.

It was the sweetest picture of Rusty she had ever seen, taken by Pearl, His cheeks rosy red and the cutest smile she had ever seen, above the photo, though seemed to be the problem, it read;

"He is the sweetest babygirl to ever babygirl ISTG he needs to win again cause I want rusty merch"

"He isn't babygirl!" Greaseball spat throwing her phone onto the bed, "I want torte now!"

Dinah started to laugh harder, hand clutching her stomach, "You're so dramatic," she wheezed out.

"I'm not dramatic, and Electra does this on purpose! They do it just to annoy me!"

Dinah managed to get her breathing under control after a few minutes, making a mental toll to thank Electra for the good laugh, although she was pretty sure it was Killerwatt who actually ran Electra's social media, since like the Diesel, Electra couldn't be trusted...which meant it must have been Killerwatt tagging Greaseball in that post which caused another round of laughter.

Greaseball rolled her eyes as she pushed past to head to the kitchen, Dinah's laughter following after.

There it was, on the kitchen counter, a chocolate torte, dusted with icing sugar on top.

Dinah's arms wrapped around her waist, "Are you going to have a slice?"

"What is it?" Greaseball asked eyebrows knitted together in confusion, Dinah's face soon mimicked hers.

"Chocolate torte…that's what you asked for."

"No, I asked for-" Greaseball stopped, damn dyslexia, and damn herself for not using autocorrect.

"What did you want?" Dinah had pulled away to stand face to face with her, though luckily she knew Greaseball well enough not to be offended.

"I thought you just said tart really weird," Greaseball started to laugh.

"Tart!" Dinah yelled, hysterical laughing starting up again, "You- You, wanted a tart!"

"That's what I said!"

The kitchen was filled with the laughter of both girls, holding onto each other so they wouldn't fall.

"Okay- okay," Dinah started, a hand to her chest trying to get a hold of her breathing, "Eat the torte and I'll make you a tart for later."

Greaseball nodded her face bright red, shoulders shaking, not even attempting to talk because she knew as soon as she opened her mouth she would just start laughing again.

"I love you so much," Dinah spoke, standing up on her stoppers to kiss Greaseball, "even though you need to use autocorrect."

Yeah, this was the best day off ever.

[echoingbirdsofprey]

Lightning On My Lips (Every Time You Kiss Me)

19 - Home Was A Dream, One I'd Never Seen, Til You Came Along

Pairing: Tyler Owens x OFC Georgia Tennley

Rating: Explicit (MDNI!)

Warnings: SMUT, talkin' bout babies again, piv, rough!Tyler (even when he's rough he's gentle though)

A/N: This was a little self indulgent hehehe

Playlist

Kate and Javi left the next morning, heading to her mom’s to clean up the old barn and set up a base for themselves. Tyler was going to suggest they just set everything up here, but he didn’t have full reign of the property quite yet. Emmaleigh and Mattias' things were all still here. Good thing about that was that they could use Mattias’ tools. So Tyler had begun to tinker with Georgia’s truck again. It was mostly body work that needed to happen and luckily Tyler was pretty handy at that, so over the next few days, he didn’t see much of Georgia as she had begun to clean up her saddles and bridles and get the two mares back into light work. She was mostly just walking them around the arena in hand, but it was a start. She’d sat in the house for a bit on her laptop, wondering if Tyler had been serious about getting her another horse.

She looked through some of her old Facebook groups and Instagram accounts. She hadn’t touched any of it for the past year or so, after the mares had retired. She still had messages from old friends asking if she could help them with their horses. She decided to message a few of them, offering her services if they were interested. She was surprised when over the next few hours she received several messages asking her when they could trailer out to the ranch and take a lesson.She even had a girl ask about working for her in exchange for lessons. She took a break, trying to digest what exactly was going on. She went out to the garage and found Tyler underneath her truck, having changed into a tattered hi-vis yellow t-shirt that had the name of Bobby’s garage on the back. He heard her dainty booted footsteps and crawled out from under the truck, standing and wiping his hands on a rag that he’d hung from the damaged side mirror. He’d replace those completely soon enough. 

He smiled at her. “I’d kiss ya but I’m kinda fuckin’ disgustin’.” He said, and she leaned against her truck. She was quiet and glanced down, toeing the ground, tapping her heel, and then sighing deeply. Tyler stepped closer, his fingertips gently connecting with her upper arms. “What’s’matter, Peach?”

“I messaged a few people about teaching. I had some replies. Even someone asking to work for me in exchange for lessons.” She murmured and Tyler’s grip tightened and he did kiss her, and he smelled like diesel and oil, but she was totally fine with that. 

“That’s amazin’! You gonna take her up on that?” Tyler asked and she shrugged.

“I wanted to ask you if you thought it was a good idea. I feel like if I’m gonna do this, I should try to write up some contracts and rules and shit. We have six more stalls...I could offer boarding as long as they’re not high maintenance...but we’d need to separate the pastures because Wilene will beat the shit outta other horses. She only doesn’t kill Twist because they’ve lived together their whole life.” Georgia explained and Tyler stepped away, nodding his head in agreement at all of her thoughts.

“I think that all sounds great. I think it’s up to you...I know you wanna include me, but it’s ultimately your decision. I’m just the labor.” He joked and Georgia smacked him lightly on his arm.

“You’re not just the labor, Tyler. You’re a part of this too. You included me in everythin’ with Kate and Javi, even though I only had a basic understanding of some of the shit you were talkin’ about. I wanna include you.” Georgia said, invading his space. She could smell his cologne through the diesel soot and engine oil and the mixture of it sent a shiver down her spine. Her cheeks went rosy as she gazed up at him.

“ Oh, Peach...” He purred, noticing her complexion change as their bodies connected, belt buckles clinking together. “You know how pretty you look when you want somethin’ from me? And God , I’ll give you everythin ’, that I fuckin’ promise.” His tone slid down an octave, still bearing softness and sensuality in several notes, and Georgia’s lips turned up, lids lowered, as she draped her arms around his well-built shoulders. His hands landed at her hips and drew her in. They stayed quietly connected for a few more moments before they parted. 

“Can I help with my truck?” Georgia asked and Tyler kissed her once again.

“Nah, Peach, you can answer those people back and look pretty while doin’ it though. Lemme play around with the truck a bit more and then I’ll come in and make dinner for you. Boone and Lily should be here in a day or two.” Tyler explained and Georgia nodded and smiled, as she waved and turned to head back into the house.

Twist and Wilene whinnied as they saw her come from the garage, so she stopped to give them some love before going to sit on the porch with the puppies. The puppies who had settled right into being wonderful little farm dogs, and had been relaxing by the front door, waiting for Tyler and Georgia to come back. They had become accustomed to their humans flitting around, doing all kinds of things so if the puppies didn’t feel like it, they didn’t follow, and just chilled out on the porch.

Georgia sat in the rocking chair on the porch, answered some messages and emails, 

When Boone and Lily arrived the next afternoon, Tyler let the puppies out first. Boone jumped up and down with excitement and Lily immediately sat on the ground, so she could get bowled over by the three puppies. Tyler stepped down off the porch, making his way to the truck, a newer Dodge, another dual-wheeled diesel but with a long bed, painted a dark pine green. It had a rack like Tyler’s truck and bright KC lights, a busted tail light, a fucked up tailgate and performance shocks underneath. With some modifications, and welding a roll cage onto the frame, it would be tornado ready by next season. 

“Boone, we’re gonna look like fuckin’ Christmas chasin’ these storms.” Tyler joked and they hugged and shook hands. Tyler hugged Lily too and proceeded then to check over every inch of the truck with Boone. Georgia came outside a few minutes later and hugged Lily.

“How are you doin’?” Lily asked, and Georgia smirked. 

“Did Tyler tell you yet?” She asked and Lily shook her head.

“Tell us what?” Boone inquired as he pulled Georgia into a tight hug as they’d rounded off looking at the truck. Tyler put his hands on his hips and smiled.

“Gee and I are havin’ a baby.” Tyler said, proudly, and both Boone and Lily’s eyes went wide before Boone jumped in the air and whooped loudly. He skipped around for a couple seconds, then hugged Tyler and Georgia separately and then he kissed Lily, which took her by surprise.

“We’re gonna be Uncle Booney and Auntie Lily, baby!” He exclaimed and Lily just smiled and pulled Georgia into an embrace. 

🌪⛈️🌪

Georgia stared out the window over the kitchen sink, taking a sip of water and feeling immediate nausea. She wished it would stop, but now she knew the reason. She just wished she could have it both ways, because a few weeks in and the nausea was draining her completely. She had no problem with being pregnant, but the morning sickness was horrible, and sometimes it would persist into the afternoon. Today in particular was a bad day, halfway through the morning and she’d just gotten out of bed. Tyler spent day and night with Georgia, hidden away in their-soon-to-be home and even though he was always doing something, he made sure he made time to check in with Georgia, even if they weren’t in the immediate vicinity of each other. 

He’d been out most of the morning, having come back in several times to check on her. This time he was thinking maybe he was getting hungry, and he wanted to see if Georgia was feeling up to eating anything yet. She’d made a doctor’s appointment at his behest, knowing that he was worried about how severe her morning sickness had been right away. She wasn’t at a point that it was debilitating, but Tyler was ready at any moment to take her to the emergency room if needed. 

She heard footsteps behind her but she didn’t look because she knew it was him. She could tell by the slight hesitation in his left foot as he stepped. It was as if he didn’t place all of his weight across the whole bottom of his foot. If he did, he’d get a sharp sting running up his leg and through his hip. It was the smallest limp, but it was noticeable to her. She’d clocked it the first time she’d met him and he had been pretty damn good at hiding it, but he always let his guard down around her, especially if they were alone. He knew he could relax and show a little weakness with her. She accepted him as he was.

She felt a hand weave around her waist. The other around her jaw, turning her head slightly so that he could capture her lips with his. His body was warm as it enclosed her from behind, his hips pressing hers into the counter. In fact, his shirt was sweat soaked and she could smell the soot from the trucks on him. 

“How ya feelin’? He asked, his voice raspy and deep. Georgia pushed her back into his chest and his hand that was on her jaw traveled down to cup a tender breast and begin to knead it gently through her tank top. “I just sent Boone and Lily to the store for a few things. Should be back in a half hour or so...” He said, as Georgia moaned softly at the feel of his hand on her tits. They were so sore and his warm, calloused hands felt wonderful to her. His other hand pulled up the hem of her shirt, fingers caressing circles around her belly button.

“Tyler...I...” She began but she gave up saying much of anything as he ground his hips against hers. She reached down and unzipped her jeans. She pulled them down just enough to expose her most sensitive parts to the humid air. Tyler did the same, freeing his cock from the confines of his tight jeans. He licked his lips as he pressed kisses up and down the side of her neck and cheek. He moved her hair to one side so that he could nibble her earlobe and kiss her jaw. 

“You want me right here, over the kitchen sink, darlin’? He asked, lust evident in his tone as it took on a thick and sweet quality that only reminded her of a top shelf bourbon that they used to never be able to afford.

“Yes, Tyler, please.” She groaned, not wanting to wait any longer. The nausea had gone, and more than a few times now it was because Tyler had come in, hot and heavy and ready to fuck her again. Her desire for him overcame everything at this point. She knew a lot of it was her hormones were on overdrive, but Tyler certainly wasn’t helping any. He took his length in hand, swiped it through her very wet and very ready folds before pushing inside her. She grasped for purchase on the window sill with one hand, and the counter on the other. Tyler pressed forward, wrapping one arm around her waist, holding her away from the edge of the counter so she wouldn’t have bruises. His other hand intertwined with hers on the window sill, as he thrust, rough and sloppy. 

“Oh, fuck, Ty!” Georgia’s moans were long and drawn out as he continued carelessly rutting into her. His grip tightened, lack of rhythm apparent as he struggled to connect his lips with her neck. The only sounds that reached her ears then were their belt buckles jingling, the slap of their skin together as Tyler thrust roughly in and out, and his breath at her ear, whispering the dirtiest shit he’d ever said to her. 

“You’re such a fuckin’ naughty girl, Gee. Where else you gonna let me fuck you, darlin’, huh?” He asked, voice deep as the depths of the ocean with an almost animalistic yearning. Few times had she felt Tyler like this, and she knew when he was this riled up, he was tired. 

“Wherever you want, Ty. Whenever you want.” She breathed, as he thrust once more, coming undone. She didn’t even need to finish, because the feeling of him spilling inside her, as he bent her over the kitchen sink, had her pretty damn satisfied. 

“Goddamn, Peach. I almost forgot how wild you are.” His words were drawn out, strained, as pressed his nose into her neck, breathing in the faint fruity scent of her shampoo and soap, mixed with her sweat. His hips stuttered and stilled, as he settled in weight behind her, his knees shaky. He’d feel this later. 

“Why are we so horny, Ty?” She asked jokingly and it made him laugh and press his lips to the back of her neck. He sighed, resting his head against her back. She settled over the sink, nostrils flaring, feeling nausea creep up again, but she pushed it down as best as she could. 

“Cause we’re in fuckin’ love, Gee. We’re stupid in love.” He said as he reached up to pull her shirt aside so he could kiss her shoulder. He rubbed his stubbly cheek against her soft skin before stepping away. She felt a rush of warmth and emptiness as he pulled out. She whimpered and glanced over her shoulder at him. He was tucking himself back in jeans and she wiggled her own back up. 

“We should probably clean ourselves up before Boone and Lily get back. This kitchen smells like sex.” Tyler laughed and he grabbed her hand, not even letting her zip her jeans.

“But Ty, I was...” Georgia began and he shushed her.

“ Peach, I can fuck you again in the shower .” He smirked and guided her up the stairs. 

“You’re so bad.” She mused, her grin widening, and he kissed her, twirling her slowly before they reached the bathroom.

“You said I could have you anywhere, anytime. Figure we should take advantage of the alone time.” He said and she giggled, nearly jumping on him as they passed the threshold of the bathroom.

[princess-viola]

GET OUTTA MY WAY! I have unfinished business here and I wanna finish it FAST!

Yup, since I have a new gaming laptop that means I'm back on my Trainz bullshit. Still haven't migrated over to Trainz 2019 though, really should when I get the time.

Also tried to edit the in Paint.NET after I took the screenshot to add a motion blur to Diesel 10 to properly give the effect of him rushing past Thomas and Gordon. Not perfectly done but I think it works well enough, y'know?

Thomas, Diesel 10, and Gordon models are all by TangyTrainz

Route is from ZackmanAwesomeness3D

While barely visible (you can slightly see one behind Diesel 10), Gordon's coaches are from Sodor Workshops (look I'd just feel bad not sourcing, y'know?)

I cannot find the source for Annie and Clarabel (again barely visible, but they're still there). It's a CGI-styled one but I can't find the source and I've checked all the links for TTTE Trainz content I've got so maybe it got deleted or I'm just dumb)

DeviantArt Link

[ashintheairlikesnow]

Knowledge

For @amonthofwhump 12 Days of Whumpmas, Day 2: Krampus

Sensory Overload | Temptation | Whipping | Comfort: Decorating Cookies

Death Valley on AO3

CW: Past trauma, dissociative state, references to Noah's gaslighting and emotional abuse

-

Somewhere in Illinois, Present Day

It was a perfectly normal place to park his truck between jobs, while driving to the next meetup point. Nothing suspicious at all about choosing to stop here, in this tiny little town in the middle of nowhere. No reason for Noah to call, check into his phone, look at the keylogger on his laptop, or start digging through the scraps of a life Finn Schneider had - however painstakingly - built.

No reason for Noah to even think twice.

Even though he knew, he knew Noah would think about him. Would look at the location on the GPS tracker in the truck and see if the phone and the laptop matched up. See if there was any activity. Look at what Finn searched for, what keywords he might use.

Noah always knew everything.

Not this, though.

At least... not yet.

The man who had once been called Finn Schneider stared through the windshield of his truck into the diner that took up half of the enormous truck stop, settled snugly against an interstate highway with another, smaller country highway intersecting. Through the windows, a few booths held lonely truck drivers with eyes glued to a football game playing on a television up on the wall. A gaggle of teenagers giggled over shared plates of french fries and cups of weak coffee doused in enough creamer to turn it nearly white. A man with two small children watched with a tired smile as the kids gestured wildly.

On the interstate, traffic roared by - people heading home to their families after a long work day, as the sun began to set.

Here Finn sat.

His heart was in his throat, his knuckles white where he was still gripping the wheel. Beside him on the front seat, Little Mother yawned, her teeth clicking when her mouth shut, and slowly blinked at him. In the back of the cab, the kittens were playing with the catnip mice and other toys he’d bought for them. One made mincemeat of a stuffed penguin, casually ripping the stuffing out of with a predator’s zeal for a satisfied hunt.

He could do two things, right now.

He could walk inside, order dinner at the diner, have a shower in the facilities along the back, call Noah, sit and eat, and then head back into the truck to watch a movie and sleep. It would be the safe thing to do - what Noah expected him to do. What he always did, at the end of a day driving to his next task. 

Call Noah, get the details on the next job, and keep living how he had been for so long, for almost two decades.

But... there was one other thing he could do, as well.

Riskier.

Not safe.

Noah could find out what he was up to, know that Finn had… doubts. Worries. That he wasn't sure what was real. He didn’t know what would happen, if Noah knew that there were things he said that Finn didn’t really believe any longer. Probably he’d just… talk to him, like he did sometimes. An arm slung over his shoulder, a hand rubbing his back, close enough to his face to make Finn tense with the memory of another man's diesel smell.

Noah would explain with casual certainty that the truth was a version of reality that didn’t quite match the one seen through Finn’s eyes.

But then, he couldn’t trust his eyes, his mind. Not anymore. Not since Robert. His mind invented shadows, his eyes saw shimmers of the bones in the basement, the bars of his cage. His reality was laced around every edge with too much darkness.

But...

That didn't mean Noah's reality was true.

How long he sat there, arguing with himself, he wasn't sure. People walked into the diner or out of it, laughing and joking, bundled up against the harsh winter chill. The teenagers left. Some truck drivers left, while others headed inside for their turn at hot showers and hot food, sometimes giving Finn a sidelong wave, thinking he was one of them. 

He was.

Sort of.

Was he?

He felt like Adam and Eve, weighing the fruit of the tree of knowledge, knowing he shouldn’t take it. Holding it heavy in one hand, while the serpent whispered Ihr werdet mitnichten des Todes sterben... What if Noah was angry with him, for looking? What if he found nothing, only his own madness?

What if Noah was right, that he had lost his mind in Robert's house, that he could never reclaim it?

But... Noah lied.

Finn was more sure of it with each passing year. He couldn't trust his own mind, his own eyes, his own heartbeat, but... he could trust documentation, he could trust words written down, records... maybe Noah would be angry, but the idea of not knowing was an agony worse than whatever the knowledge he discovered might be.

Wasn’t it?

Finn must have left his own mind again, too lost in trying to decide if he wanted to know the truth or not, if he wanted to take a bite of the apple from the serpent’s hands. Or was Noah the serpent? 

Somewhere in his panic, his mind and body must have split apart into two halves. It had happened before. His body went around doing things while his mind was locked in a cycle of thoughts he couldn't pull himself away from.

It was why Noah said he couldn’t be left alone, needed to be tracked. Sometimes he left his body, and stopped answering the phone.

He blinked.

The next time Finn was aware of himself, he wasn't in the truck. He wasn't in the diner, either.

Instead, he found himself walking past a water tower, halfway across the length of the tiny little town, crossing railroad tracks with the wind pushing against his back.

His hands were in his coat pockets - his body had put on his coat, apparently - and his face burned from the biting freeze of air around him. He’d pulled a knit cap down over his head, which he couldn’t remember doing, either. His cell phone wasn’t in his pocket, and his heart skipped and then picked up speed again.

He came to a stop so sudden his boots scraped on gravel along the side of the road, staring straight ahead.

He must have left it in the truck.

Noah would-

Maybe not know.

If he didn't call, he wouldn't know.

Right?

Someone drove past, slowed their truck down, watched him. It was a town small enough that even a single stranger walking through the tiny town square was noticed. His hometown had been small, a little like that, although not this small. His mother would have slowed her car down, known every cousin visiting family, every boyfriend or girlfriend meeting someone’s parents for the first time. 

The town square was more of an oblong oval shape, vaguely uneven on one side. To his right, two big grain silos rose two stories high, gleaming metal that blinded him when the setting sun bounced off the exterior. To his left, old brick buildings that seemed to lean on each other for support, places that had once been a grocery store, some kind of antique shop now maybe. In front of one, where the brick had seen better days and some of it lay crumbled on the sidewalk, was a strange, incongruously gorgeous red sports car.

That building had a light on upstairs. He could see a man on an exercise bike through the window, watching a TV.

Finn headed straight across the road, passing through a small park in the center of the town square that was only big enough to hold a picnic area, two large trees - one decorated for Christmas - and a single stone bench. 

In front of him now, there was a post office, the town library, and what seemed like a combination bank, place to pay utility bills, and… town hall. He frowned, the expression faint and barely-there, wondering what he was doing here.

There was nothing in this town. Nothing to it.

What was he doing?

Then his gaze went back to the library, the entire inside warmly lit against the outside chill. He could look right in and see a woman with two small children encouraging them to look at a bookshelf, a toddler playing at a table full of legos while her mother sipped something from a paper cup, the librarian moving one pile of books from one table to another with patient certainty. 

Then, all at once, Finn understood what he was looking for:

A computer.

An old desktop,squatting on a folding table as if it were merely an afterthought, someone’s donated castoff. But the screen was on, the chair in front of it was empty, and Finn knew what he wanted to do, how he could keep Noah from knowing he'd done it.

He walked inside, steeling himself for the way all three women stared at him openly, without even trying to hide it. The weight of their gaze prickled on his skin; he was far more used to being ignored or going unnoticed.

“Welcome in,” The librarian said, in a tone somewhere between baffled and amused. “What can we help you with tonight?”

“I would like to use your computer,” Finn said, and pretended he didn’t see the sudden burst of interest in the faces of the women with children here, who glanced at each other when they heard his accent. “Mine is-... mine is broken.”

Why he bothered with the lie, answering a question she hadn’t asked, was beyond him. His heart beat so fast and so hard he was sure he must sound out of breath.

But she smiled, nodding knowingly. “Of course. You must be one of Bob Kaufmann’s cousins in for Greta’s hundredth, huh?”

Finn leaped on the excuse. He’d be gone in a few hours. No one would ever need to know. “Ah, yes, I am. How did you know?” He managed a grin, and the librarian laughed. She didn’t see it wasn’t real, was simply painted-on. He never smiled and meant it, unless it was for Little Mother or the kittens. Not anymore.

“Well, you know. There were some signs that you might not be local to the area,” She replied, dry as a bone, and he huffed a laugh - surprised to hear it, and realize it had come from him. 

“I see. You don’t mind if I use the computer?”

“Oh, not at all. It’s got a sixty-minute limit and then it’ll kick you out, but just let me know and I’ll let you back in.” She waved a hand and went back to her work, and he nodded, moving through the small space packed with bookshelves on every side until he made it to the computer chair and took a seat.

It didn’t take the full hour.

He didn’t know Noah’s real name, but he knew the phone number his wife called him from, searched for where the area code for that number was located.

He also knew Noah’s license plate number. Then he started looking, city by city in the state the license plate was from, at vehicle registration lists.

The third city he searched within the area code popped up a name.

Searching for house taxes using that name gave him an address, he owned a home in a cul-de-sac, he owned three other cars besides the truck. There was a second homeowner listed on his house taxes.

Edward Paulson. Wife - Christina Paulson. Finn looked her up by name and city, found a nurse by her name listed as working at a hospital there. She had a facebook, an instagram, and on the facebook were pictures of the same woman, two young boys, and… Noah.

Smiling, an arm around her shoulders just like he did with Finn sometimes. Another photo with a hand to her lower back.

Did he rub her back, when she was scared? Tell her things weren't the way she thought, that she couldn't trust her own eyes?

Did she know about Finn?

He asked politely for a piece of paper and a pen, a noise like static rising in his mind.

When he made it back to his truck, a harsh wind had risen and his nose and cheekbones felt cut to ribbons by the freeze. Little Mother greeted him with a cheerful chirp, and he rubbed a hand over the perfect soft round curve of her head, his other hand holding onto the names and address he had written down folded inside his pocket, while he stared at what he had done but did not remember doing before he left the truck.

Sometime between the temptation and taking action, he had set up his laptop to play a movie. There was a fight scene, tinny voices shouting. His phone was charging beside it. If Noah checked, he would see what movie was playing. He would think Finn had not left the truck.

Unless he'd called and Finn hadn't answered.

Panic thrilled through him again, but there was no missed call. Noah hadn't tried to talk to him. He could still call him later, pretend everything was normal.

That he wasn't-

That Finn wasn't giving in to his doubts.

For a while, he sat and stared again, willing the static noise in his mind to soften, so he could hear himself think again. Then he took a deep breath and grabbed his backpack.

He headed in to get a shower and some food, taking his phone with him this time so Noah would see that when the movie finished, he headed into the diner.

Normal night. 

Perfectly normal.

He would go to sleep early tonight.

He had a long, long drive to make tomorrow.

-

@whumperfully@pigeonwhumps  @squishablesunbeam  @darkthingshappen @whumper-soot @pumpkin-spice-whump @pardonmekreature @d-cs @whump-queen @sowhumpful

[unfriendlyamazon]

heist au

i don't know why i felt the urge to mess with this today but i've had an idea for a heist au for the ygos f o r e v e r and one day i'll actually write it all out... i've been posting ideas and bits lately so why not one more?

this is the intro i have written which mostly focuses on joey and yugi's relationship, but don't worry, the whole gang will show up soon

Joey Wheeler sighed as he climbed the stairs to his apartment. He closed out his voicemail, his landlord’s gruff voice still ringing. Rent was going up in Flatbush. When wasn’t it. Scrounging together the last few dollars he needed was getting harder each week.

He pushed it aside for now. He had other bills to pay, work to worry about, and he needed to stop by his dad’s place, just to make sure he was showering and going to work. Serenity had texted him. He pulled up her name as he jammed the key into the lock, and he paused. The door was pulled back from the frame a fraction of an inch. It stuck like that all the time. You really had to push it to make sure it closed properly. He did it every day when he left. Joey tucked his phone back into his pocket and swung his keys into his fist, shoving the door open.

His box of an apartment wouldn’t look any different for a breakin. This morning’s dishes were still in the sink, the egg and grease caked onto the plate. His shoes were kicked off next to the door in a haphazard pile. A pile of hoodies draped over the patched couch, and his books and DVDs were scattered on the coffee table, alongside week old mugs. The TV and Playstation were untouched, and his laptop, a few generations out of date but still functioning, was exactly where he’d left it his morning.

Joey let out a breath, stepping quietly through the door. Maybe his landlord had come by to see if the place was sellable. He hadn’t given his dad a key, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t drop in if he could manage it. A sound from his bedroom startled him, and he peered through the open door. Diesel Kane might be bold enough to trounce him in his own flat, or maybe it was Trudge hitting him up again. Joey puffed up, fists curling, and he marked forward, ready to bluster and intimidate. A figure appeared there, a head shorter than he’d expected, and his hands reached for their collar, bringing up the face of--

“Yugi!” He gasped and let go. “Sorry, man, I thought--”

Yugi stumbled back, but he was smiling. “It’s my fault, Joey. I should’ve let you know I was dropping by.”

“Yeah, dude.” He slid his hands through this hair, releasing the tension in them. “I didn’t even know you were in the city.”

“I flew in today,” he said. “I thought you’d be home.”

His grin was bright, round eyes warm. He looked like he did in his Instagram photos: vest pulled over his long sleeve shirt, a backpack slung over his shoulders, his usually spiked hair pulled back with the curls of his bleached bangs framing his face. Usually he was standing in front of his grandpa’s shop in Domino, or posing with cool kids in Harajuku. He must’ve just gotten off a thirteen hour flight, looking exactly as cheerful as he always did.

“You shoulda told me.” Joey waved him into the living room, kicking aside the mess. “I’ve gotta shift in like three hours, but we could grab something quick. I know a great burger place--”

“Joey,” Yugi said, still smiling. “I didn’t come to visit.”

He stopped and looked at him. “Yeah?”

“I’ve got something lined up,” he said. “And I really need your help.”

Excitement jolted in his veins. “A job?”

He nodded.

“How big?” Joey asked.

Yugi grinned. “You have no idea.”

---

The first time Yugi approached Joey about a job, it’d been right after high school graduation. Yugi had been in his first semester at college in Domino, one year before he would drop out, claiming with his grandpa’s health and his poor grades, it didn’t make sense to continue.

Joey was still living with his dad, and things had been going bad. He took work where he could get it to pay the bills, and Diesel had come skulking around again, always with a carrot in his hand and a stick behind his back. Yugi had appeared, staying with another one of his friends who went to NYU. Over dinner, at some sandwich shop over in Park Slope, Yugi had asked for his help. It was important, he claimed, and he could only trust him with it. He asked him to come back to Japan with him. Joey couldn’t say no.

The first time Yugi had laid out his master plan for Joey, he hadn’t known what to make of it. They’d been in his bedroom above his grandpa’s shop, and Yugi showed him a small replica of the art gallery two blocks over, using figurines sold in little plastic bags from the game store. The security had a major flaw in it. He’d pointed it out to Joey, who nodded numbly. He listened to his whole spiel, and then Yugi sat down across from him and asked him what he thought.

The next day they’d stolen five thousand dollars worth of fine art. Joey played his muscle when he and Yugi went to the fence. They split the take even. It didn’t really hit for Joey what they’d done until he was on the flight home, and an excitement thrummed inside his chest.

The jobs got bigger. The payouts were good. It wasn’t like kicking over corner stores for Diesel Kane, or brawling against the kids that were bigger, tougher. The people they stole from were rich, the things weren’t important, and most of all he trusted Yugi. Joey would lay down his life for the guy.

So when he told him there was a job in his own backyard, Joey didn’t even have to think twice.

[dailyanarchistposts]

Desert like view of sunny Syria

Most likely all of us have heard or read about the war in Syria that started around 10 years ago. It has been the bloodiest war in recent times. UN said the body count to be over 350 000 and the amount of refugees because of this war is something like 12 million. The area is suffering from extreme drought, poverty and corruption. It sure sounds hopeless. Bit less know but still relatively well known is the stateless state, the autonomous administration that was born in the area in the middle of all those mentioned horrors. Revolution that carried the Kurdish name Rojava was set up in the midst of those drying lands. People trying to build an area with freedom of women, peaceful co-existence with all ethnicities, direct democracy and ecology. Who would ever oppose such things? Well surely there are many who do, but I mean that most of us people who believe in humanity and such, would not oppose stuff like that. It also got me interested and like many anarchists alike, I traveled to Rojava. To see it myself, to live through it. To learn and share, to be part of something that is changing history.

I guess learning good things always requires of learning bad things as well. And I assume that revolutions are never just smile and sunshine. Sunshine on the other hand is something that Rojava surely isn’t lacking. I came on early summer and was aware of that Middle East is hot. But I really didn’t think it to be that hot. Endless amount of sunbathing and exhausting heat. I’ve only lived in North America and and Northern Europe and this was something I couldn’t imagine beforehand. And it was not only me who couldn’t take the heat, most of people were not outside during the daytime. Temperature was over 40 for months. Nights were not much better. People said it is like this nowadays. That it gets worse every year. The lack of electricity was making it even worse. Some places had shortage of water for weeks at the time. Loud generators were spitting black smoke while trying to transform the dirty diesel into electricity. Motorbikes, cars, pickups, trucks, spitting also black smoke in the air. Clouds of pollution that are not really moving anywhere but was just standing still. Soil turned into dust and when there is wind that sand dust flies around and gets deep into your skin, inside your laptop, your clothes, your lungs. Black shoes were not black after walking just few steps outside. I felt being on some desert but this area was not suppose to be desert. Us humans just made it that way. The climate change didn’t wait until we got some agreement on the carbon cuts. That fact really slaps you in the face here.

The region is facing the worst drought in years. Some say in 25 years. Numbers don’t really matter anymore as the soil is just vanishing with the wind. Disappearing from an area that is suppose to be the breadbasket of the country. In worst case that will lead to famine. Last summer there was already a shortage on bread. And this is the Rojava. The place where people try to manage stuff so that there would not be famine. Unlike the neighboring country, Assad’s Syria, which is way worse. There is the same drought and besides that the corruption on all levels of society. Then there are neighboring countries like Iraq and Iran where people and students protest heavily against the corrupt leaders that cannot manage in any way the problems that climate change has brought. There is Turkey, a country that is putting more effort on sabotaging Rojava’s water supplies than putting down forest fires and disappearings of lakes inside their own region. This area is surely drying out faster than it should. Studies show that global warming happens in this part of the world faster than in other places of the world.

One big problem is oil. There exists a theory that where is oil production there will be destruction of the area, both environmentally and socially. Middle East is like the oil pump of the world. Endless lines of oil trucks on the highways that go through fields turned into desert was a horrifying sight. Trucks on the asphalt roads that the burning sun had softened. Looking at those trucks in lines and few times losing count after seeing 40 of them, it really made me think is this really worth it. How many places we still are going to turn into Mad Max style deserts before we start to think there is something fundamentally wrong in our lifestyles in the western world. Literally, we suck the life out of these places and burn them into ground. Sure this was not a new thing for me, but seeing it in front of my very own eyes, well, it just feels more raw. Feels more brutal and touches you deep. And then there is the war. Drones and jihadists make things really hard here but still people try.

The problems I’ve seen here were not so much about people, but it more about the states everywhere. The colonialist and imperialist states that still play around here their power games and resource wars. Other states continuing to destroy the climate and the biggest bill to pay is here where the climate has warmed so rapidly. States really prevents the best potential to come out of people here.

When Noam Chomsky was asked earlier this year in an interview what he sees as the greatest obstacle in solving the climate crisis, his answer was similar as my observation here: Two major obstacles. One is of course the fossil fuel companies. Second is the governments of the world, including Europe and the United States.

Çîrok Ecnebî,

During the Christmas time 2021 in Rojava.

[neon-moon-beam]

I am so fucking frozen today. Not temperature wise; it's actually really warm out, which is really bad and concerning for November.

It's physically I feel like I can't move. I'm deep into fucking freeze mode, emotional stuff has turned physical, my body wants me to play dead. I have things I need to do and my body wants me to just...sit on my bed and do nothing other than do shit on my laptop that isn't getting me anywhere. I hate days like these, and I have them so often now. Nothing is fucking helping me feel like moving. I did some somatic exercises, I've been listening to fast, cathartic music (earlier Green Day since yesterday), I had a caffeinated coffee to try and wake up earlier. Nothing is giving me any push to get up and do anything. I think the most I did was go around and shut all the windows my roommate left often for us to get fresh air because a fucking diesel truck was idling outside below our windows, getting this horrible exhaust smell into our apartment.

The worst part is, I want to do things. I want to get chores done because this is the last day of my vacation from work, and some of those chores are related to finding a new job that doesn't just destroy me every day the way this one does, I want to tidy up my room, I bought better storage and have a shelf for my Pokemon plush that needs repairing (not broken, just a poor design and I want to replace it already), I have anxious energy that needs to be used up and I'd love to use it on something productive.

B*d rotting and not having energy fucking ruins my life. How this is desirable to t*ktok addicts is beyond me, and whatever their mentality is, I'm glad it's not mine.

[castielsprostate]

I'm nosy af. I want to see Misha's bank statements and tax returns. I genuinely wonder (like, all the time) what decent rich people (not asshole rich people.. i know what they spend their money on) actually spend their money on. I've never had money. I spend everything i get on food and rent. I go into debt buying shampoo and deodorant. my laptop is 12 years old (and i had to get a loan to buy that and pay it off over five years.) My phone is newer (2016) but was a secondhand gift. I don't own a car. I don't have any pets. I've never in my life been on vacation. I have no insurance, I'll never be able to afford a house and I will almost certainly die tens of thousands of dollars in debt. (I looked into funeral expenses recently and thought FUCK i can't even afford to die!) I wonder what it feels like to.. not live like this? Misha was poor as a kid. I wonder if you get used to wealth if you've been dirt poor? Like i wonder if Dolly Parton is used to being rich now, decades after growing up in a shack with no electricity or running water. I can't even imagine ever getting used to not worrying about having enough food. If I was ever that rich (don't have to worry about food or rent money) I think i'd feel like the wealthiest person in the world. I legit can't even imagine it though. It would take me 20 years to earn $250,000, but Misha can do it in a weekend. Crazy world. (This is not a criticism of him. I love him. I bet he spends a lot of that money doing good things. I'd love to see his receipts, tho.)

oh anon i feel you!!!!! i grew up with literally eating 50p macaroni every day for WEEKS. in the winter we didn't have connected heating because we just couldn't pay for it so we had a diesel generator (this was in 2006). it got better, we got heating (sort of lmao) and we could afford wayyy more when my mum got a job. the little bits of money i got, i never got used to it, it always felt like this is the last im getting i need to save this and not spend that but it didn't go away but the feeling stayed. the feeling of "you're gonna lose this next month" doesn't go away. and we're talking an amount of 1k a month here lmao sjsjsjs i could NEVER imagine having to not worry about rent or food or getting clothes i need or new shampoo. right now i'm worrying about the 15€ i need for some things i genuinely need, but literally dont have the money for. the world would seem so much brighter if I wouldn't even have to look at my bank account and just put the card down yknow?

i dont think anyone that grew up poor, even misha or dolly tbh, every get used to having money :/ and as you said, he makes that in a weekend now (though he also donates a lot of money and uses it for good, a lot is going into investments, his kids' funds etc) but i still think he has that underlying worry gnawing at him that this is it and he's gonna have to do xyz and sell yzx and take up zyx job. it's a never ending pool of anxiety and stress that never ebs and it probably hits him right before going to bed

but then again, i'm just tumblr user castielsprostate what do i know

[gstringsurvivor]

i need a slimmer waist a cosmopolitan white kitten heels diesel 1DR bag new fucking thongs to fix my laptop get back to reading to never check my lastfm again vacuum clean visualize the me that id fuck and become her and some fucking tempura shrimp

[sea-salted-wolverine]

Okay, so uhh, in personal explosion and explosion related news, my firefighter friend is making fun of me for the battery cooking itself out of my laptop, I set a glass bowl on my still hot stove top and it exploded all over my breakfast burritos, and when my husband came to see what the fuck i was doing in the kitchen he spilled a couple gallons of diesel in the driveway. I chased him out of the kitchen because broken glass everywhere and he burnt off the diesel without telling me. Which is the safe way to dispose of petroleum spills in that case because there's no way the fire could spread but damn there is a distinctive emotion when you pick your head up from cleaning one catastrophe only to see a fucking conflagration out the window.

[kay-elle-cee]

Hello Hello,

Not to worry I’m not here to ask about your vehicle’s extended warranty…… 🤔 unless you want to I’ll just say I have absolutely no knowledge of cars even though I had auto tech during HS, but my teacher was very lazy and we only watched Transformers and the Fast&Furious movies for the entire semester. Easy A, but that was crazy ridiculous 😒 plus Vin Diesel saying, “We’re family” is forever engraved in my mind 😆

(Also this is still not the question I’m going to ask, my laptop won’t let me use Tumblr 💔 😧😞 I thought I was done with angst after reading IBFIBG 😉 I guess not)

Anywho, my question is:

NENA did you do this on purpose? This is so funny! Also I'm sorry your computer isn't letting you use tumblr, that's so annoying!

[thefloatingstone]

I must admit I sometimes think about how we could get you a portable generator or at least an additional powerbank. Oh, what kind of laptop do you have?

XD that's kind of you. Sadly generators aren't allowed where my house is as it would disturb the neighbours, golfers, and wildlife. (also it eats Diesel fuel which bothers me).

I have an ASUS laptop for work from 2021 which is pretty lightweight and I have a gaming laptop a friend gifted to me which is a good few years old but has a new Hard drive and battery. It's keyboard and trackpad just aren't the best.

I have a smaller 2017 ASUS gaming laptop which isn't as beefy as the one my friend gifted me but I need to get its HDD drive replaced with an SSD and get it an overall repair and clean. But I don't want to spend that cash right now on a luxury item.

[andyhe]

DA lithium battery for Eco Friendly RV

You’re in the right place if needed a much more Eco-friendly RV.

You wouldn’t throw the ice cream in the living room, Nor Key scratching the brand new car. We knows how to take good care of what we concerns. There is no different with our own planet, right? For those adventurers out there who want to preserve nature while enjoying RV life, here are our favorite eco-friendly RV tips.

Your Eco-Friendly RV – Tips & Tricks

Yes, you can indulge your RV wanderlust and go green at the same time. Here’s how:

Reduce on Fossil Fuels

You probably know that RVs are heavy on fuel. This is neither environmentally friendly nor good for the wallet. Since the average diesel RV only gets 8-14 miles per gallon, it’s imperative to maximize fuel efficiency. Try these RV tips to reduce gas:

Go for a smaller vehicle. If you’re in the market for an RV and want to minimize gas consumption, opt for a smaller Class C motorhome, or even a Class B van. The bigger the rig, the more gasoline it consumes.

Stay up-to-date with maintenance. Small tweaks can make a huge difference. For example, keeping your tires properly inflated can improve fuel consumption by up to 3%. 

Change to bio–diesel fuel.  Bio-diesel is a renewable, biodegradable fuel made from animal fats, vegetable oils, or recycled restaurant grease. Not currently available at all gas stations. But it’s growing in popularity, and you can use this handy online tool to find alternative gas stations near you.

Press the accelerator lightly. Slow down and enjoy the scenic route. By accelerating less and maintaining a moderate speed, you save fuel. The best speed for an RV is 55 to 60 mph.

Travel light. Only bring travel essentials. Dead weight will slow your RV down and cost you more fuel.

Pro Tip: Switch to lithium RV batteries and reduce hitch weight by up to 70%. The weight of ion lithium RV battery is 1/2 of lead-acid battery with the same capacity.

Charge Your Gadgets With The Power Of The Sun

Most of us use a ton of gadgets every day. Think cell phones, laptops, cameras, and more. Since they all need to be charged, why not reduce energy consumption and use solar energy? After all, solar energy is a completely renewable energy source.

By calculating and armed with solar panels, inverter&controller, most important with our stable and security DA lithium battery pack, You are allowed to charge your gadgets from anywhere. Whether you’re staying in your RV or backpacking in the mountains for the weekend, it never hurts to have solar power at your disposal. Even better, charging your devices with solar power is better for the environment.

Try Your Hand At Dry Camping Or Boondocking 

Dry camping and boondocking are some of the best ways to make your RV eco friendly. They are also fun! If you can ditch the connection for a few nights, you’ll be rewarded with open spaces and starry skies, especially for the rednecks out there.

Just because you’re off the grid doesn’t mean you’re necessarily going to be uncomfortable. With high-efficiency household batteries, you can still power essentials like water systems, lighting, and ceiling fans. But not just any battery will do. You need a reliable and energy-efficient power supply to power your weekends.

With our trusty 12V LiFePO4 battery, you can forget about electrical connections and enjoy nature.

Pro Tip: Use the 12V lithium battery (series or parallel connection) to charge and power your lights, fans and pumps, even when you’re in the middle of nowhere. Lithium is the best RV battery ever for boondocking as it is efficient, reliable and environmentally safe. 

Switch to Smart, Energy Efficient Lithium Batteries

You can make a huge leap toward Eco friendly RVing with this one small step: switch to lithium RV batteries. Here’s why:

Lithium is toxin-free. While lead-acid batteries may be the cheapest option for an RV, they’re not the greenest. They contain harmful substances, including sulfuric acid and lead. This is why they require maintenance and must be stored properly to prevent spills from contaminating the environment. Lithium batteries are a safer, smarter, environmentally friendly RV alternative. They are non-toxic, non-spillable and recyclable. You can even store them indoors.

Lithium is smart. Lithium batteries are smart batteries because they have a battery management system(BMS) that prevents overcharging (and subsequent damage). They could also access to your phone via Bluetooth. With a few taps, you can see exactly how much energy is left and the statements of every single cell’s healthy.

Lithium is more efficient. Lithium batteries support charge @100% efficiently, while lead-acid batteries charge @85 % efficiently. You can use a smaller and less expensive solar setup to charge lithium than you can charge a similar sized lead-acid battery. Because of their efficiency, lithium battery packs run out of power much less frequently. This is important when you need to use limited power wisely, such as when you’re boondocking!

Quick Tips for Eco Friendly RV Living

Cutting down on fossil fuel use, staying off the grid, harnessing solar power, and switching to smart batteries are all major ways to turn your home-on-the-go into an Eco friendly RV. But here are a few more RV tips to help you go even greener:

Use enzyme-based tank cleaners instead of chemical-based cleaners for your RV toilet.

Switch out basic bulbs and replace them with energy-saving LED lights. 

Use reusable, lightweight plates and utensils instead of disposable plastic and polyfoam.

Conserve water by bringing your own water filtration system and using the water around you. Install a water-saving shower head to reduce waste. 

Leave no trace! Take everything you brought to the campsite with you when you leave.