#Duncan has a huge lead

[autisticgingerblonde]

If Fallout 4 companions had TikTok accounts

Cait would have an account dedicated to fighting and thirst traps (aimed at women mostly). Teaches women self-defense techniques. She earns a spot in the algorithm of muscle mommies. She also raises awareness for addicts and former addicts, educating on the effects of drugs and the reasons people seek them out in the first place. Honestly, it's a very good account to follow.

Codsworth is just confused about TikTok. He's like "oh so what are the children saying these days? Aura? I'll have to add a new word to my vocabulary banks! Cheerio, mum!"

Curie makes educational videos for all ages and all subjects. She has a series of learning Japanese, a series of vaccines and the science behind them, a series about the effects of different types of parenting, you name it. She also takes suggestions from her audience on what new things to research.

Danse has unintentional thirst traps. He talks about power armor and the Brotherhood of Steel but also posts workouts. These are what get the most attention out of everything he posts. The BookTok girlies find him and all hell breaks loose in the comment sections. He responds to this with, "Thank you, civilians. I am not sure what you mean, but I am glad you are supporting the Brotherhood of Steel by being on my page. Thank you for your enthusiasm for our righteous cause. Ad victorium." People armchair diagnose him as autistic.

Deacon does "GRWM as i tell you about the time i ______" videos where each day he looks completely different and you can never tell if he's telling the truth or not. He also does head shaving videos that double as story times or opinion pieces. You can't tell if those are true or not either.

Dogmeat has a viral account followed by millions. Get's a lot of "I can't imagine liking this guy" comments with the op replying to their own comment with "anymore than I already do. Huge fan!"

Hancock does subtle cheeky thirst traps and dance challenges. This entire post was inspired by the FACT that Hancock would participate in the brat summer trend and would do the Apple dance with Fahrenheit filming it. He also tells stories, mostly of him being high. He gets a lot of requests to cosplay Deadpool.

MacCready has a lot of things he does. Some videos are sniper trick shots, some are Grognak the Barbarian yapping (he does short lore deep dives when he can), and some are about being a young single dad. He doesn't show Duncan's face because he's extremely protective. Casually drops the most insane lore about his childhood which leads to comments like "are we just ignoring that he said he grew up in a cave?"

Nick Valentine would be a very popular fashion and "a day in the life of a detective". He'd do vintage fashion looks, like loose slacks and suspenders with a trench coat to top it off. Sometimes does a deep dive into detective history. Gets a lot of thirsty comments to which he replies "that's one way to get the coolant pumping."

Old Longfellow has the appeal of the New England, stormy weather, sweater-wearing fisherman aesthetic, and he tells stories of his youth while showing people around the area he grew up. Learns mobile phone cinematography to make it look cooler. Every video has either a lesson or a skill for survival.

Piper's account is solely focused on news and truth, posting every source she uses. She uses the trend of an insane video, like someone falling badly on the ground or getting splashed with water, and stitches it to look like a seamless transition of her rolling from the fall or being splashed to start talking about her news stories. It gets traction so she continues.

Porter Gage has a side gig of running TikTok accounts for different people. Gets the money, doesn't get the backlash when they get canceled for racism or worker exploitation.

Preston has an account dedicated to charity work and social activism. He makes sure to highlight organizations he feels are doing the world a service and regularly has fundraisers. He's well-known for always sharing content from people in dire situations and raising money for them. Has a master document of Go Fund Me pages and vets every one of them.

Strong has a lot of those unintentional boomer tiktoks that are 1 second long and he's just looking at the screen in confusion.

X6 cyber bullies the rest of them because he thinks having a TikTok is cringe and stupid (he is currently writing hate comments with his TikTok account)

[writerquil]

Alenoah Fic Recs

(Oneshots and Longer Fics)

1

Name: 5 times Noah talked to the Drama Machine + 1 Time it Talked Back

By: alejandrospineapple

Wordcount: 4k

Status: Complete

Description: Noah's tasked to get the Drama Machine out of storage, they become friends and when Noah finds out who's inside the robot the hard way, he finally can have a proper conversation with it.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/49995973

2

Name: Collateral

By: astrokyle

Wordcount: 24k

Status: On-going

Description: Noah ends up handcuffed to Alejandro. It’s stellar. A missing reward challenge from World Tour.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/49382899/chapters/124620064

3

Name: curl up like a pill-bug

By: honeyhoneypot

Wordcount: 13k

Status: On-going

Description: Noah gets rehired as Chris' assistant and reunites with Alejandro.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/50295178/chapters/127055392

4

Name: Soulmates + Confession

By: themoleman

Wordcount: 3k

Status: On-going

Description: Noah hates his new, annoying roommate. He hates the girls he brings by. How stupidly arrogant he is. And how his soulmate mark is identical to Noah’s.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/50003536/chapters/126254653

5

Name: his guide in the dark (don't let him trip)

By: lonleybrachiobrute (triceratroops)

Wordcount: 4k

Status: Complete

Description: alenoah in the early morning on World Tour (ft. noah being a tired koala, alejandro guiding noah, and them being a couple despite not being a couple at all)

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/39171609

6

Name: Keep your enemies close

By: AyaWilliams

Wordcount: 73k

Status: Complete

Description: During the ripper challenge Noah remembers something that prevents him from badmouthing Alejandro. This means different things for different people. For Noah it means an opportunity to get further in the game For Alejandro it means a new alliance partner. For Heather it means a second rival. For Gwen it means stopping a huge mistake. And for the audience it means tons of drama.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/32908795/chapters/81670897

7

Name: Odd Occasions

By: courtney-deserved-better

Wordcount: 600

Status: Complete

Description: Alejandro finds out that Noah is a sleep cuddler.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/32934208

8

Name: So Sick of You

By: Brick_bronze165

Wordcount: 41k

Status: Complete

Description: Noah's determined to make it further than last time, the first season was a fluke. He has everything in place until bad luck strikes and he falls ill with a cold. What could possibly go wrong? Especially when Alejandro decides to make it his mission to take care of him. This won't be the thing to take him out of the running, not if he can help it.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/49583008/chapters/125141965

9

Name: World Tour if the Writers Weren't COWARDS and Let it be Gay

By: Anonymous

Wordcount: 24k

Status: On-going

Description: Pretty self explanatory.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/50068276/chapters/126430036

10

Name: With a Little Help from My Friends

By: Cinna (Cinnamas)

Wordcount: 51k

Status: On-going

Description: TDWT retelling from after the 'Eye see London'. In an unexpected twist of fate, Noah is the one who stumbles upon Duncan and Gwen's secret rendezvous in the confessional. He decides to tell Courtney, feeling that she deserves to know the truth about her boyfriend and best friend. Of course he couldn't predict how doing so would dramatically, shift the course of the show and lead to unexpected alliances, rivalries, and romance?

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/49478542/chapters/124873768

Name: The Sweet to my Bitter, the Sugar to my Coffee

By: Thicc_eyebrows

Wordcount: 31k

Status: Complete

Description: Noah's a bitter person and he only gets more bitter when Owen suggests that the duo host a Total Drama reunion. He's less than thrilled about the idea but decides to play along for the sake of his friend. Noah dreads seeing someone again at the reunion and with his dumb luck, ends up alone with a certain slimy eel and his sugary words due to his friends' schemes.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/32932396/chapters/81732652

11

Name: The Smell of His Hair and the Taste of His Lips

By: CatLikeAle

Wordcount: 5k

Status: Complete

Description: they get angry and then make out

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/50321107/chapters/127124695

12

Name: An Insulting Indifference

By: drowzeee

Wordcount: 151k

Status: On-going

Description: After three years of radio silence following the end of Total Drama World Tour, Noah reaches out to Alejandro Burromuerto. Some say he should resent the guy, while others insist there was something between them that could have been genuine friendship. Noah doesn't have a strong opinion either way.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/48732487/chapters/122930905

[total-drama-brainrot]

World Tour Assistant Noah AU (where he is always an assistant):

After the gross kiss failed to stop Alejandro's flirting... Noah begs Duncan to convince Alejandro, that Noah is too dorky to date... but Duncan has an even better idea; make Alejandro jealous for fun!

(In this AU, Duncan and Courtney had broken up before Season 3, so Duncan isn't a cheater!)

Duncan: "Thanks for letting me return to the show, handsome.~" 😘

(Duncan kisses Assistant Noah's cheek.)

Alejandro: "Duncan, I will DESTROY you!" 😡

Noah: "I just want to be left alone!" 🙄

Wait hold on... hold on... this is just the premise of my favourite Dunnoah fic series but with an assistant Noah twist. And extra Alenoah flavouring. That's not to say I'm against the idea.

Though I can't really imagine Duncan ever committing himself to flirting with Noah unless the two had struck up a deal prior- Duncan's that specific brand of 2000s era bigoted where being seen as anything but straight is a social crime (despite the fact that Duncan is definitely a boykisser, just in denial), but he's also aware of just how much of a threat Alejandro is in the competition and the latino's huge obvious crush on Chris' personal assistant, so I think Duncan could push aside his own internal biases to at the very least propose a similar idea to Noah.

Really, it'd be beneficial for the both of them; Noah gets to subtly-not-so-subtly tell Alejandro to back off by responding to Duncan's advances but not his, and Duncan gets to rile up Alejandro enough to redivert his attention away from the competition itself thus increasing his own chances of winning. It's strategic, really, nothing more.

It's that line of logic that has Noah eventually conceding that, for all intents and purposes, it's a good plan. So he deigns to play along, at least for a little bit, just to get Alejandro off of his back.

And, canonically, they're both shown to be at least half-decent at flirting, so whatever displays they have planned to annoy Alejandro would be just convincing enough to really get under his skin. Especially since Alejandro's shown in canon to be the protective/possessive type (mostly in All-Stars, in how he reacts to José insulting Heather) and likely wouldn't take too kindly to Duncan swooping in on "his amor" or whatever Spanish nickname he'd substitute it with.

Which all eventually leads to the scenario you proposed; Duncan plants a wet one on Noah's cheek and Alejandro sees red.

Noah's already exhausted by default, but feels weariness seep into the marrow of his bones as a seething Alejandro glares poisonous daggers towards Duncan, who's committed enough to their little ruse to in turn shoot a wink and a pair of finger guns towards the assistant. Deciding that he isn't paid nearly enough to deal with the inevitable confrontation between the two idiots who've apparently taken an interest in him (Duncan's, of course, being a known ruse), Noah leaves to go and do his actual job.

...

And then, Alejandro confronts Duncan directly in the Economy cabin, claiming that he doesn't deserve to so much as look at Noah, and that he (Alejandro) was the one Noah kissed and therefore the object of his attraction so Duncan better lay off. This is news to the punk, and adds a whole new layer of complexity to their plan. And perhaps something he can later exploit to give himself a leg up in the competition.

But why does the idea of Noah kissing Alejandro make his chest tighten up with envy?

And then maybe Duncan finds the untamed passion of Alejandro's genuine fury kind of hot and he too enters the metaphorical boxing ring of feelings? Aledunnoah endgame? The intern server has been posting a lot of Aleduncan lately so letting those two get together (and with Noah in there too, as a bonus) just seems natural to my brain at this point.

[fans4wga]

Poll Shows 67% of Americans Surveyed Support the WGA and SAG-AFTRA Strikes

18 August - "A large majority of Americans support the writers and actors strikes, and a plurality hold an unfavorable view of the Hollywood studios, according to a new poll by Data for Progress.

The poll found 67% support among likely voters for the strikes by the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, while just 18% oppose them.

The poll also found that 48% have an unfavorable view of the major studios, and just 31% support the studios. The survey also found that 60% of respondents subscribe to Netflix, 41% subscribe to Hulu, and 35% subscribe to Disney+.

The firm also asked strike supporters if delays in their favorite movies and TV shows would cause them to change their minds. The survey found that 86% would continue to support the strikes, while 10% would oppose them.

Data for Progress is a progressive polling firm that conducts surveys on issues including climate, education, health care and workers rights. The firm surveyed 1,124 respondents online from Aug. 3-5.

The respondents gave mixed answers when asked the primary reason for the two strikes, with 33% citing fair compensation for streaming shows, another 33% citing pay and benefits, and 16% answering protections from artificial intelligence.

The survey found 85% support for SAG-AFTRA’s position that actors should be get consent and fair compensation for any use of their likeness by AI. The survey also found that 74% believe studios should be barred from replacing writers with AI.

In a statement, Liz Shuler, the president of the AFL-CIO, said that the results confirm broad national support for the striking unions and the importance of AI across industries.

“Voters understand that this isn’t just about one industry — this is about all of us — and unions need to have a seat at the table to take on the existential threat AI poses to our livelihoods and economy,” Shuler said.

The results are similar to those of another poll conducted recently for the Los Angeles Times. That survey found that 38% of respondents were more sympathetic with the actors and writers, while 7% sided with the studios. Another 29% were ambivalent while 25% said they did not have an opinion.

According to Gallup, support for unions climbed steadily in the U.S. from a low point of 48% in 2009 to 71% in 2022. The firm cited the low unemployment rate during the pandemic as having “altered the balance of power between employers and employees,” leading to unionization drives at Amazon and Starbucks.

A 2021 poll from Data for Progress also found broad support for unions, with 68% in favor and 24% opposed.

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the executive director of SAG-AFTRA, said in a statement that the poll shows Americans understand the reasons for the strike.

“I suspect many are seeing the same dynamic playing out in their own lives, with employers undervaluing their contributions,” he said. “That’s why this fight is so important. Our demands aren’t unreasonable, and it’s a fundamental principle of fairness that workers should be fairly compensated for the value they bring their employer — in every industry.”

Lowell Peterson, the executive director of WGA East, concurred.

“Everyone who works for a living understands what it’s like to get squeezed economically, to face threats from disruptive technology like AI, to try to hold one’s own against huge corporations motivated by their own profit rather than their employees’ well-being,” Peterson said.

The WGA has been on strike since May 2, while the performers’ union began striking on July 14. Both unions are seeking increased residuals for streaming shows, regulations on AI, and increases in minimum compensation rates to keep pace with inflation.

The WGA also wants a minimum staff size and a guaranteed minimum number of weeks of work in television, and weekly pay for screenwriters."

-

Note from mod: This poll is great news—but as the strike goes on, it's more essential than ever to keep support up. Correct misinformation whenever you hear it (online and in real life), and source your information directly from WGA and SAG-AFTRA sources; don't rely on opinion. And be critical of the trades like Deadline/The Hollywood Reporter/Variety (saying this even though we linked the article from Variety above; you have to take their articles critically and on a case-by-case basis to see if they're useful or not, because sometimes they just publish studio press releases uncritically!)

As always, if you're able, donate to the Entertainment Community Fund or the Green Envelope Grocery Aid mutual aid fund to keep industry workers afloat during this long work stoppage. Add your voice to union support online and IRL, and push back against false studio propaganda, such as the writers' demands being unreasonable or all actors being rich. These false narratives can easily be refuted by hard data (e.g., the writers' demands are eminently reasonable to even keep the writing profession alive and actors aren't rich, many are struggling to even afford health insurance!), so counter the lies at every opportunity. Keep morale high and stand in solidarity, and we'll only get stronger.

[jb-nonsense]

Okay, so, you guys voted for this so

JB's Intricate List of Dragon Age OCs

Under this, you will find a slightly more detailed than normal post about my extensive Dragon Age OCs and how they all exist in one universe and how that all ties together.

First we'll start with DAO and the one who started it all - Eliana Mahariel

This is my Warden. She was 18 years old, a baby, when everything went down. And she's got a natural skill at getting shit done (fake it til you make it mentality), and despite being very stressed, managed somehow. Also romanced Alistair but he became king and they both survived the Blight so...Angst. She goes on to be Warden Commander for Ferelden but will eventually step away to try to find a cure, which leads us to the next guy.

Arik Tabris - I pushed the city elf origin up a few months so he's a warden with Alistair and Duncan at Ostagar, but junior enough to be left behind. Why doesn't he take command?? Because he has too many issues to sort through with his attitude and gruff, impulsive fight everything act so he needs to cool his heels a bit before he's leader material. Which he eventually becomes. What's he doing by Inquisition? Well, he tried to talk sense with the Orlesians, but he got locked up at the fort but can be rescued and recruited for Inquisition. Also his romance plan was Morrigan, and they've basically gone their separate ways by Inquisition. Still feelings but knowing it is what it is.

Next we have one of 3 Amell siblings I made - Zoria Amell. The second youngest of five, she and her younger sister were both at the Fereldan Circle. There is a huge ass plot with her siblings, which involves her older 3 brothers coming to the circle to plot an escape and them having Northern family but...I feel like that deserves it's own post. What you need to know about Zoria is she very much is a fuck you let's go, I want to do what I want type. And she romances Zevran. Runs off with Zevran after the game, and is not a warden. So she becomes an apostate.

Dimetrea Brosca - Sadly I didn't get to develop as much as I wanted for the Leliana romance due to computer issues. But the plan was for her to escape, go to the surface and work as a mercenary and is recruited to the party when you help her protect a caravan from darkspawn. She'd probably continue various mercenary work afterwards, but always be on call to help Leliana.

Finally, Lir Cousland, because I made him to try the Cousland origin and got attached. He has no romance, he's just a noble to use to tip the scales at the end in my character's favor. He is the middle child, with older brother Fergus and a younger sister. He was at Ostagar but his sister arrived, terribly wounded, and told him what occurred at home before dying. Fergus had already left to scout and Lir, blinded by rage, left Ostagar to find Howe and get revenge. You meet him in the village after Ostagar and can recruit him if you agree to help him get justice for his family.

Moving on to Dragon Age II, we have the champion, a warrior named Atena Hawke.

Atena Hawke is a trained soldier, who lost her girlfriend at Ostagar, barely escaping with her and her brother's life. She's highly protective of those close to her, and can be a mix bag on personality (I broke the game with overlapping dialogue with aggressive and humor once). She's not afraid of a fight and she 100% was going to punch Cullen when he came to take Bethany to the circle. She romanced Anders, sided with the mages, and obviously, fled with Anders after sparing his life. She has attachment issues.

Next we have Atena's cousin, Dazbo Amell. The only Amell son to escape the events at the Fereldan Circle in that thing I need to make a separate post about. Definitely relies on his wit, humor, and charm to get out of things as well as mask his severe survivor's guilt and other issues, he's just trying to figure out what he's going to do with his life now that he can't be tracked by the circle, they probably think he's dead, and so decides to hang around his cousin and others. He also romances Fenris because...it fits to me.

Speaking of mages, let's talk about my templar OC. Katarina Anhalt. A Free Marcher and twin sister of a mage, Katarina is a nobleman's daughter who became a templar with noble intent, but a grave misunderstanding of what the templars actually do. She really wants to change the system from within and willingly turns a blind eye to apostate mages if they're not causing problems. But she will have to come to terms with reality sooner or later. Also romances Sebastian.

And since we mentioned criminals, let's discuss Sasha Fritz, a half elf human who was raised by his elven mother, who had been abused by his human nobleman father in Kirkwall. This boy is a Robin Hood; steals from the rich, gives to the poor. This, obviously, puts him in a place where he could join up with Hawke. Definitely gets a crush on Merrill and they romance each other.

more seedy undergroundness, is the apostate Selena Porter. Born under a different name, at ten years old, Selena realized her true self and that she had magic. She ran off, joined a smuggler ring and learned the tricks of the trade. She specializes in smuggling arcane items right under templars' noses. She romances Isabela.

And now we get to Inquisition.

We'll start with the Inquisitor himself, Rajmahel Lavellan

The First of his clan, Rajmahel was sent at 27 years old to the Conclave to see what he could find out as he had some connections which would enable him to get in. This, of course, changed the course of his life. He was torn from his daughter and his clan to become the leader of the Inquisition, trying to protect the world and make it better for his daughter. When they get to Skyhold, he sent for his sister to bring his daughter, Elera, there for safety. He romances Dorian.

Speaking of the Inquisitor's sister, we have Idrilla Lavellan. She joins the Inquisition at Skyhold after bringing her niece. And she does the work her younger brother might not want to dirty his hands with. But she also has a fascination with the tear in the sky- she had encountered an artifact in her youth enabling her to walk in the fade in her dreams, and she is concerned as it seems more restless than before. She romances Solas.

And as for the Inquisitor's connections, he is friends with members of the Trevelyan family. Specifically, Seigfried Trevelyan, the middle son. Maxwell, a templar and the youngest son, died at the Conclave where Seigfried was meant to be as well but was detained from arriving. Seigfried started to work as a scout for the Inquisition, having a strong huntsman skill and history as a city guard. He romances Cassandra.

Do you recall the Amell siblings? Here is the baby one, Aurora Amell. A talented spirit healer even from a young age, after contending with abuses and then studying as an apprentice to Wynn, she ended up joining the mage rebellion, eventually becoming engaged to an Orlesian mage. He was killed at the conclave while Aurora was helping a local woman with a difficult labor. She readily joined the Inquisition, only to meet someone from her past. She romances Cullen.

Hildegard Cadash is a respected and feared name within the Carta. After the murder of her husband and son, she had torn down her rivals, whether through assassinations or ruining them financially. When a member of her family (niece/nephew/nibling) was killed at the Conclave, she decided to do what she did best - seek retribution by aiding the Inquisition with her extensive underground connections. If you don't cross her, she's warm and friendly, glad to share a drink and story. If you cross her, though, that could be a problem. She romances Blackwall.

When their older sibling went to the Conclave and Inatar and Shamut Adaar stayed behind, they thought it would be a routine event. They didn't expect their sibling to die. Now, Inatar keeps an eye out ofr her mage brother, and they decided their best bet was to join the Inquisition. Protection under an organization headed by a mage as well as be able to avenge their brother. Inatar romances Sera and Shamut romances Bull. Didn't get to delve into these two much due to computer issues.

Next is a wholly companion OC, a Crow from Antiva. Sergio di Vasco. Sergio had learned of a hit set on the Inquisitor and, deciding he wanted more than being a crow after his alcoholic father sold him to them, he betrayed them and offered his services to the Inquisition. A bit aloof at times, he merely wants to sus out the people around him. If you earn his loyalty, though, he won't waiver in it. He ends up romancing Josie.

Another fully companion OC, Shalelan Amalasis is a Dalish elf from Antiva. A skilled warrior, he was sent by his clan to offer his services to the Inquisitor upon learning they were Dalish as well. They hope was to help them in their struggles in Antiva. Shalelan is a quiet, albeit easily flustered man. He knows how to fight, and focused on that for so long, some of his social skills are lacking.

This one is just a fun one. Antoinette de Ghislain, the cousin of Seigfried Trevelyan, is an Orlesian noblewoman very tired of her life and with little means of her own. And thus, she decided to write novels. But what kind of novels? Usually risque novels involving notable figures from across Thedas for her patrons. It gives her some independent income from her husband and a bit of freedom, even if at times, she can't help but roll her eyes over what some of the requests she receives are.

And now we'll get into DATV, with my Rook, Ogden Thorne

Working on his history, but he's around 37 years old. His last name wasn't originally Thorne, but he was called Thorn in the circle due to his habit of standing up to the knight commander and other templars more than they liked. He was recruited to the Wardens in his early 20s by the Hero of Ferelden herself, because she liked his fire and attitude. Of course, this eventually gave him issues with the other wardens as the order dwindled and here we are. No idea who he romances; we'll find out. He is the staple sad blond human man for this Dragon Age game since that's not a romance option.

And a bonus:

Others not listed here

AU where Atena had a twin brother named Alric (I wanted to play in CC)

Son of Idrilla and Solas named Fenvir

Ancient elf seer named Mathras Myriani

Ancient elf servant of Ghilan'nain named Dalineva who is...a piece of work.

A Tevinter blood mage magister designed as a villain named Vincentius Titus

Emrys Moysten, who could have been my Rook, that I made for a tabletop game. A Fereldan mage who just wants to be left alone but gets dragged into various situations.

[fen--harel]

mini rant / thoughts

The first time I played dragon age origins was when I was 15 and visiting my dad for the summer. I had found Fenris online and I wanted to play 2 so badly and of course I was gonna start with origins.

I had romanced alistair the first time, and I remember when I first met anora I thought she was soo mean and snooty. and i had gotten so pissed when she had ratted me out to the guards when I told them I was there to save her.

Then at the Landsmeet I thought Caulthrien was insane and I killed her and then did not hesitate killing loghain and i thought riordan was fucking CRAZY for even suggesting that I spare them.

And now im not trying to say that no one has the right to their own opinion or that there's a right or wrong way to play this game and have your choices and feelings.

But I was replaying origins the same way I always do since the third time i had ever played it: romance zevran, marry anora and alistair, and spare loghain.

But I think back to like, angry teenage me who didn't see signs ? That were blatantly there.

Anora TELLS you not to fucking rat her out because she could be killed. So of course when you tell Cauthrien you're there to rescue her she's gonna throw you under the bus. Anora has lead Ferelden with as much duty as her duty-sworn father. She married Cailan and was a good Queen and arguably ran the country herself while giving her husband the spotlight. When you tell her to marry Alistair she doesn't throw a fit or argue because she can see why having a Theirin on the throne would be good for Ferelden.

Alistair (I love him so much) is not King material. He is an emotional person, which isn't wrong to be. Lord knows im a ridiculously emotional person. But being a fellow emotional person I know how hard it is to make choices based on your brain or your heart. Especially as King you HAVE to make sacrifices. I think a good ruler actually SERVES their country and Alistair who is emotional (which is fine) deserves to find his happiness with the Grey Wardens where yes he'll still make sacrifices but not that of a King. And I think it's displayed too when Riordan says that we should spare Loghain because it would be good for the Wardens gets so emotional about it and is like "ill be king if that means he gets to die" Kind of dealio.

(Also another thing I blame on Bioware is that I truly didn't feel Alistair's like- closeness with Duncan. I think it's understandable and should be there but poorly executed where I got so confused like why he was so sad about Duncan in the first place because I didn't really see the bond he and him had. But that could also be a me problem) AND THEN SER CAUTHRIEN OHMYGOD. The way that she begs you for Loghain's life and like, how much he means to her and Ferelden was so sad this time around. And you can tell from her that she also has a huge amount of respect for Loghain. Even Eamon talks about Loghain in a good light.

And I hadn't read Stolen Throne until much later after my first ever playthrough but I think there's so many instances of DA trying to hint at you like - Loghain was a good person. And he is just paranoid about something happening to Ferelden, the country he protected and served all his life. The country he taught his daughter to also protect and serve all her life.

And then it makes me sad to see people not realize that ? And have this like - hatred towards Loghain and Anora. (Although Anora too I think it's just lowkey misogyny but that's...for another time)

But even one of my best friends romances and loves Alistair but even she can see the complexities of Loghain and likes him as well. Of course she still kills him in the end because for Alistair but she likes Loghain.

And I just think about teenage me missing all these signs that Anora isn't awful and neither is Loghain and im like what...and then (It's not really in the height of it now bc the fandom has been sleeping til veilguard p much) I see people who also hate them and im like...why ???

like i said though, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I don't like Halsin from BG3 LOL. And he seems like a wonderful character, just not my cup of tea and I can understand why so many people do like him.

just getting my thoughts out

[renee-writer]

Frank Chapter 92

AO3

He lays on the bed, his wife and children around him. The lasses, all but Laoghaire, who is feeding Little Simon, stand and curtsy when they walk in.

 

“Mistress Duncan, how good to see you again.” Laoghaire says.

 

“You as well Mistress McKimnie.”

 

“Mistress Duncan, I am Simon McKimnie. Forgive me not being able to stand and introduce myself. You ken my wife and eldest son. May I introduce my daughters, Marsali and Joanie and my newest child, Little Simon.”

 

“Very nice to meet you. I am a healer like Mistress Fraser. May I exam you?”

 

“Aye.”

 

“Laoghaire, would you take the children out so we can exam him?”

 

“Aye Lady Fraser,” she stands and leads them out laying her hand on Geillis’ arm as she exit, “anything you can do to help, I would, we would…” her eyes fill with tears. Geillis never thought she would live to see the day Laoghaire would care more for some else other than herself. She squeezes her hand.

 

“All we can. I swear it.”

 

They turn him to his side and Claire opens the curtains wide.

 

“See the knife entered right by his spine. I prevented any inflammation from the wound but he still has no movement in his legs.”

 

Geillis nods. “Simon, I need to ask a delicate question?”

 

“Aye Mistress Duncan. Anything to help.”

 

“Do you still have feeling in your cock?”

 

The man flushes but answers her. “Aye and I can piss and move my bowls. Just cannae stand up to do so.”

 

“Thank you. Forgive my bluntness,” She turns to Claire, “So it is just his legs.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Geillis touches his hip pressing down hard. “Can you feel that?”

 

“Aye. It is painful.”

 

“Sorry just had to test.” The same test on his upper thigh produces nothing.

 

“I believe he can walk.”

 

“Truly!” he looks at her with wide eyes.

 

“Aye. The injury is far enough up that it should be effecting his groin if that was the cause of the paralysis.”

 

“Right,” Claire nods, “then what is?”

 

“Shock. Maybe an injured nerve but not permanently, I don’t believe,” she moves them away from him, to the other side of the room, “He needs to be moved, those shocked nerves stimulated,” she frowns, “no way to make a spa bath here.”

 

Claire’s eyes get huge as saucers. “Geillis! How would you know about…?”

 

“I can through from 1967.”

 

To add to the excitement of that moment, it is then that her waters break.

[capcollector]

9, 12, 13, 23, 25, 31, 44, 60

For Bunny or Leon or both! I loves them equally 💕

FALLOUT OC ASKS

thank you! i’m always ready to talk about either of them. under a cut again bc this got long…….i love them dearly

9. Where did they grow up? Where do they currently reside?

bunny was born and raised near palm springs, california. she ended up moving to los angeles when her modeling career began taking off, and eventually she also got an apartment in new york as well, often traveling between the two cities for work. she was particularly fond of her new york penthouse. however after she and nate got married he was very adamant about them living in suburban massachusetts even tho she offered to buy them a nice place in boston as a compromise, so obviously she ended up in sanctuary hills.

leon’s from the capital wasteland, raised in vault 101. he stays in the capital wasteland for a lil longer after the events of fo3 but he eventually leaves to go wander the wasteland and offer his medical services. so he doesn’t have a permanent home, but he’ll stay in certain areas/his destinations for extended lengths of time, averaging from several months for up to a year depending on how badly he’s needed. he’s been all over the US, and i think the longest place he’s stayed that wasn’t the capital wasteland was along the southeast coast. stayed there for a bit over a year before moving on, truthfully bc he just ended up making some good friends there. he travels back to the capital wasteland from time to time tho! it’s where he was when maccready comes back for duncan to take him to the commonwealth; leon was the doctor treating duncan/who administered the medicine and the three of them travel to the commonwealth together (thus starting leon’s arc in that area).

12. Can they read, write, and/or do math?

yes. i think they both enjoy reading, but i think leon’s probably better at math than her. not that she can’t do it, bc she’s fine at math, it’s just not exactly a huge part of her life. whereas leon has to do math every day dealing w dosages of meds and things like that. truthfully his fave subject is science. anatomy. bunny always loved english tho.

on a similar train of thought, bunny started modeling right out of high school so she never went to college (much to the disappointment of her parents), nor does she know what she would’ve majored in had she gone. she was so determined to become a model, like there was no other career choice in her mind. leon was always nerdy and set on going into medicine so he similarly had a bit of tunnel vision when it came to his dreams.

13. What is the most frightening experience they have endured?

i mean i’d say their respective plots. bunny waking up 200+ years in the future after watching her husband get shot right in front of her and her baby taken away. i think she still has nightmares related to it; similarly leading up to and after the birth of her second child i just know that anxiety was in full force again. she was not letting the baby out of her sight or arms for those first few months bc she was just so afraid of losing her child again.

likewise i’d say for leon losing his dad, finding him after such a harrowing journey only to have to watch him die was just as frightening for him. ten years later he’s still running from his grief. in a more classically frightening sense tho i think the first time he ever saw a centaur. saw one crawling around the ruined city, the fleshy sounds scouring over rubble, the way his blood went cold at the sight of it. it’s why they’re something he still thinks about to this day. it’s a feeling he’ll never forget.

23. How do they feel about physical touch / affection?

bunny is a very physically affectionate person. gives hugs and chaste kisses very easily and openly. if she cares about you you’re getting a kiss on the cheek don’t complain don’t make a face. also the type to wipe dirt off someone’s face, fix their hair, etc.

leon’s fine w things like hugs and while he doesn’t mind taking the initiative when it comes to things like flirting, he’s nowhere near as casually physically affectionate as bunny is. he wants to make sure someone’s comfortable first before doing anything like that.

25. Are they quick to trust others?

bunny is not and never really was but she’s great at pretending like she does. her whole life ppl have always had other intentions or wanted something more so she similarly adapted and learned how to manipulate and read ppl. learned how to gain trust. BUT when she’s in a decidedly vulnerable stage in her life she does become more open to trusting others especially if they show her kindness. she latched onto nick like immediately. but other than those specific instances, no not at all.

leon is inherently more trusting. he’s extremely intelligent and perceptive, however he’s someone who believes in seeing the good in others and will be much more open to trusting ppl than bunny. he’s also someone tho that has learned how to gain others’ trust bc it’s kinda part of his job; he literally has to take strangers’ lives in his hands.

31. What is their goal in life? What impact would they like to leave when they’re gone?

bunny just wants a decent life for her family and friends. she wants those she loves to be safe, even after she’s gone. she wants to be sure they have a tomorrow.

leon just wants to leave the wasteland a little nicer than he found it. he’s not looking for any sorta recognition or fame or money or anything, he just believes in the power of people coming together and working together and caring for each other.

i think leon and bunny are similar in the regard that neither see themselves as leaders. while bunny’s goals are decidedly smaller and more focused on her own community rather than the larger wasteland as a whole like leon, both of them have never really considered themselves “leaders” in the traditional sense. bunny IS technically the general of the minutemen, but she actually rejected preston’s offer the first time. and even now she still actively involves him and others in decision-making. ultimately leon and bunny both just care about making sure that (hopefully) this next world will be a little softer.

44. What is their favorite smell?

bunny loves musky, woody scents. stuff that’s probably considered more “masculine” but god she loves it. when she still had perfumes and stuff she’d opt for more flowery things for her own image but all her scents at home like candles or incense were those more earthy smells. always bought nate those kinds of scents so she could always smell it on him instead.

leon isn’t picky about scents; in his line of work anything that doesn’t smell like gore is alright in his book. tho honestly he’s 100% used to the smell of like. infection, rotten flesh, etc. at this point. typical wasteland smells. doesn’t even register in his nose anymore. that said i think he would like citrusy scents.

60. Are they religious? Spiritual?

bunny’s never really been the religious type. i think it’s been like. a vague background presence in her life to some degree, but never something she’s ever really believed herself. never had an impact on her and never will.

leon on the other hand was raised by a religious father and that’s always been part of his life, so he’s grown to have a very. strained relationship w faith. he’s such a science-minded person so he does often try to rationalize things scientifically, but he’s also someone who really believes in the supernatural (after debunking it in his mind through scientific means, ofc). he’s open-minded to a lot, but more so to the paranormal. and as he’s grown older i think his faith in any sort of god has kinda waned. he wants to believe in people and community rather than some higher power.

that said when he did the GOAT test he did initially get placed as the vault chaplain and i genuinely think that’s just something that’s stuck in his mind even all these years later in like a Are You Fucking Kidding Me type way. yes he can still quote some scripture no don’t ask him to.

[sandwormrp]

Sandworm Scoop #1

September marks 4 months of Sandworm being open! Thank you to everyone that has participated thus far. It's hugely appreciated. We're going to start doing a quarterly(ish) scoop for you to check out what the latest is on board.

Movie Night!

The poll is concluded and we'll be watching Dune Part 1 together! Save the date and come join us! It'll be hosted on our Discord.

Friday September 13th, at 8PM EST Don't need to be a writer to come hang out in Discord with us! Edit: Thanks to those that joined in! Have a poll up in discord for watching Part 2 together. Looking at some time in November.

New Forums!

► Temple Shrine, Arrakis

Waypoints throughout Arrakis for travellers to congregate and thank Shai-Hulud for their safe passage. Some lay empty while others are filled with beggars. Ill fortunes or ill intentions? It's frowned upon to use violence in these sacred spaces.

► Celaris City, Caladan

A bustling city off the coast of Caladan Castle. Hotspot for tourism and fishing.

► At Sea, Caladan

Hosting some of the best oceans to set sail and explore!

► Verdant Springs, Caladan

A natural hot spring the locals will tell you about.

► Shipyard Dive Bar, Caladan

All the comings and goings happen here. This hole-in-the-wall dive bar picks up a lot of Atreides personnel and rabble.

► Cobalt Pits, Giedi Prime

Otherwise known as the slave pits. Anyone taken by House Harkonnen are usually thrown into here. The stronger ones are used in the Battle Arena.

► Melange Lounge, Giedi Prime

Local night club that contains VIP sections for even the Baron himself to peruse.

► Neoterra District, Giedi Prime

A slum? A place for royalty? You decide and shape the fate of this district.

► Estate Gardens, Kaitain

Many places in the garden are open to the public, some are kept for the attendants of the palace.

► Opal Palace, Kaitain

One of many grand structures spread across Kaitain, this was Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV's favorite palace to reside.

► Grazing Grounds, Kaitain

One of Kaitain's best known Horse Ranches with some of the imperial horses on show. A spectacle of horse shows and races are regularly hosted here.

Latest Plot Highlights

In an AU where Paul and Irulan have formed a more equal marriage and partnership than occurs in the books, their conflicting feelings about the fates of the Great Houses could mean opportunity, or disaster, for players who are nobles or House-adjacent. There are opportunities for players to write participants (canon or AU) in the Conspiracy that occurs in Dune Messiah.

In this timeline, Paul Atreides has seen a golden path and is trying to keep a future secured and within his control. Though his actions often depict him as cold and ruthless. His twin sister Leiana (OC) has been sent away with Duncan Idaho to be married. Her own safety secured. Some might think Paul was purposely trying to push away those he cared most about. With a goal in place, it’s now a question of whether the path taken towards it is morally right. There are opportunities for an unrequited love between Paul and Irulan, any version of Chani (be it books or movies) will be loved and welcomed. Lots of space for OCs and Canons alike to interact with this messiah.

Tarik (OC) is a Fremen that has spent his life following his fellow brothers and sisters of the sietch. On the cusp of paradise, Paul Atreides will lead them. Only his heart has been held back on Arrakis by another. His work with the smugglers is to go against everything the Emperor has ordered. Future trouble is on the horizon. A handful of other OC’s are involved in this plot and still lots of wiggle room for more involvement!

Irulan Corrino has married both Paul Atreides and Feyd-Rautha within different timelines. How she handles either only time will tell. Two things are always the same; she serves the Bene Gesserit in their plans and isn’t shy to voice her opinions. Whether she’s pushing Bene Gesserit sisters into fountains, or talking about you in excerpts of her books - if a princess is needed for a new plot she’s ready.

A young Bene Gesserit initiate endures the fall of Zanbar at the order of the new Emperor Atreides. While the planet itself was ruthless and allied with Harkonnens, the mark it left on the sister has put her at unease with the Order. What path must she take now? Any political conspiracy plots on Kaitain will be wanted and loved.

Cyntia and Lilah finally meet in the middle of Zanbar’s Apocalypse only to immediately morph into spaceship driving soccer-mom and moody teenager. End up discussing complex morality issues. More tonight at 9

Cyntia and Lorrai get majorly cockblocked by Bene Gesserit witchy messages, to be continued? Or not 💀 Feel free to check out our guidebook!

[maccreadysbaby]

Male Companions React: MacCready Only Edition

(TW: MENTIONS OF BLOOD AND GORE)

Request: macky has some kind of breakdown after a huge fight with enemy of your choice. Maybe it’s about Duncan or sole or maybe he’s just sick and tired and weak. F!sole plz

(p.s. this hurt me)

MacCready’s mind was nothing more than a blurry haze as he loaded a few more rounds into his sniper rifle, keeping his 10mm close by his side. When Sole first spoke to Mackenzie Bridgeman about dispatching the raiders of Nuka-World, he thought it would be like any other raider gang. A quick and easy fight with a few quips thrown back and forth, but it was nothing like that. What it really was was a bloodbath.

He’d never seen so many raiders in once place. They kept coming out of the woodworks. Many of the vendors in Nuka-Town Market had been murdered mercilessly by the raiders for their betrayal, leaving only Sole and MacCready, who were laying on the top of the market booths to get a slightly elevated position.

That’s how every fight had been lately. Harder. Bloodier. Longer. The mutants seemed to grow stronger, and the raiders seemed to be higher. Everything was growing in numbers. Everything but their group, which had stayed at a steady two for as long as MacCready had known Sole.

He watched several raiders collapse to the concrete as Sole’s bullets pierced their bodies and brains. He landed a few more headshots, but his mind was swimming. He couldn’t remember the last time they’d actually sat down, took a break, talked. When had they eaten last?

He had no idea. All be knew was that his adrenaline was through the roof — a feeling that was becoming ever more familiar and constant. His heartbeat was rapid, and he wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and lay there. Life had been throwing punches ever since he left little lamplight. He thought that, after meeting Sole, things might be a little easier with her around. Safety in numbers, right? Wrong. Her bright blue vault suit made them nothing more than walking targets.

The entire floor of the market was running red, glowing thanks to the evening sun, as the pair hastily let more bullets fly. He watched in silence as raiders fell, crumpled to the ground, lifeless. When was he given authority to take lives? Wasn’t he still just that kid from little lamplight? The boy with the weight of his family on his shoulders? The weight he wasn’t strong enough to carry, the weight he shouldn’t be carrying alone?

Yet there he was. Carrying it all by himself. Just like he did then, just like he always would.

He hadn’t realized the fight was over until Sole’s light falsetto broke him out of his trance. “How are you, RJ? Are you hurt?” She was suddenly crouched beside him with a hand on his shoulder, worried irises trailing over his body for injuries. “I think that’s all of them. Let’s get out of here, yeah?”

He nodded in response, and followed her lead back down to the main market. There were so many dead people. So many dead people that had once had a family. That even in this screwed up world, found people to accept them, to take them in. People that were just people, fallen victim to the horror of the wasteland. Who gave him the authority to kill?

“I just…” His voice sounded foreign in his ears. He hadn’t noticed his hands were shaking until he hung his rifle around himself. “I’ll be back in a second.”

Sole sent him a confused glance, but even if she was worried, she let him walk away by himself.

He found himself hop-scotching over bodies to make it to the back of the Market, as far as he could get from Sole. His hands were shaking almost vigorously at this point, and he could practically feel the color draining from his face. He felt like he was going to vomit and scream and pass out all at once. He hadn’t felt like this since right after Lucy, when he couldn’t hold it together anymore. He thought he wouldn’t have to go through that again.

But now, with all of the lives he’d taken, Duncan’s fleeting time, and the unwanted independence and responsibility that had been forced on him for his entire life whirled around in his mind, he had to put his hands on one of the transaction counters to keep himself standing.

His chest and throat were getting tight like they used to before. He felt the back of his eyes burning as the tears he tried to desperately to shove aside built against his eyelids. His entire body was trembling now, despite how many times he told it not to. He wasn’t built to handle this. The killing. The death. The weight of his son’s life on his shoulders, and now, Sole’s protection, too?

He was just a kid.

He wasn’t sure when he’d started crying so violently, but his shoulders were bouncing with every sob and it felt like he wasn’t getting enough air. One of his hands managed to find its way to his eyes — where it always went when he cried, hoping it would hide the tears just a bit — and the other stayed on the counter. If he moved it he’d fall over.

His chest was heaving with his violent sobs as he put nearly all his weight on the counter ahead of him. His knees felt like they were about to give out. He was about to hit the pavement.

And suddenly, two arms snaked around him from behind. Two dainty, small arms that could only belong to one person. One person that, despite their gentleness, was the only thing left really holding him together.

“I know,” She whispered so softly it was almost inaudible. “It’s just me and you.”

He almost fell right then and there. His cries seemed to grow just a little louder, just a little more violent after her quiet consolation. If it wasn’t for her tiny arms clasped around his abdomen, he’d surely be in a million pieces.

“I-I,” He hiccuped, rubbing furiously at his leaking eyes with one hand. “I don’t.. I don’t want t-to… I can’t… do this any-anymore.”

“Shh, shhh,” She said almost desperately, tightening her grip around him. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”

His entire body shook with the force of his sobs as he let his knees give out, the pair sinking pitifully onto the bloody concrete. Sole moved quickly, transitioning from hugging around his waist to sitting up on her knees with her arms around his shoulders from behind. “Just let it happen, RJ. Don’t try to stop it.”

He felt himself grabbing for her arms, for some small part of her to hold onto. He was sure he looked absolutely pitiful. But, as she freed her hands so she could hold onto his, he decided he didn’t care what it looked like, because she didn’t.

“I… I…”

“Shhhh,” She trailed on. The warmth of her body against his back and her head against his shoulder was what he tried to focus on, but even then, he couldn’t seem to stop shaking, to stop crying.

“You… you… why are y-you s-still…?” He stammered, sniffing like a child.

He felt her bury her head further into his shoulder. “If you think for one second I’m going to up and leave, you’re crazy. I’m with you, RJ. And that means during times like now. Especially times like now.”

As they sat there, on the bloody ground of the market, one of them sobbing and the other trying their best to console, he hated how much she reminded him of Lucy. She’d even unintentionally said the last words he’d ever heard from his late wife:

I’m with you, RJ.

And even if it would send him into a world of pain, just like it did last time, his tired and battered soul believed it with every broken part. Because he needed it.

He needed her.

[thebiggestfuckgiven]

Firebreather x How to Train Your Dragon AU

I originally thought that Belloc should be one of the Big Dragons, but i want Belloc and Margaret to be a thing and im not going to turn to unseemly things for that to happen. SO, Human!Belloc is Stoick and Margaret is Valka. Except that there’s a twist in comparison to the original.

Valka!Margaret remains in the village as chief. Stoick!Belloc was indeed a beast of a man, but he considered Dragons to be above humans. He didnt want to control them, at first, per se, but he wanted to learn how to fight like them, how to be like them. He wanted to lead the village into being like the dragons, but when he brought this up with Margaret they had a huge fight about it. And during the next dragon raid, Belloc was “overtaken” and taken away by dragons.

Margaret is heartbroken, and regrets that the last time they ever talked was when they fought. Maybe if she had just listened. But she buries all the regret and what-if’s, substituting it for anger and hatred towards dragons.

Duncan would be Hiccup, obviously, except a lot moodier. Instead of the scar on his chin from when the dragon broke into their house, he has a burn scar that goes from his neck to down his chest. Not from the dragon’s actual firebreath, but from that liquid fire that falls from their mouths sometimes.

I feel like i could a lot more from this au, because it would be just so fun to play around with the two different plots

[watchyourdigits]

4 9 10 and 23 for the otp asks? Hier sind kekse.

These are all going to be Evelyn/MacCready-centric because I'm LOCKED IN on those two rn

Long post because brevity is not my strong suit & I got carried away again, as I do with most things.

OTP ask game

4. What do physical trait do they love the most about each other?

MacCready wouldn't openly choose a favorite, but it's definitely her hair. He loves playing with it, and getting to do so means they're in a situation where they can relax and just be. It does as much for him as it does for her. Touch-starved couple things. Also on a monkey-brain bonding type of beat.

As for Evelyn, she loves Mac's eyes and his hands. I think choosing between the two would kill her. He always looks at her so softly, and it makes her feel like she's drowning in him. Disgusting! With his hands, she likes watching them, specifically watching him work with them, but generally as well. It's something of a fascination/fixation for her. Whether he's cleaning his rifle, running his fingers through her hair, or writing something, he's always very gentle about it. To her, his hands are like a breath of fresh air. Like aloe to her burns. Like learning that cotton and thread counts exist after only knowing sand paper and its varying grits. This metaphor is getting weird now sorry, I've been looking at getting new sheets recently lol

9. Do their friends and family like their significant other(s)?

MacCready doesn't have too many friends in the Commonwealth. They're all mostly mutual friends that know/love Evelyn already. Duncan LOVES her, though - he's a very social kid. They have a lot of fun together. Eve will often use a stealth boy while giving him a piggy-back ride so they can scare MacCready. He hates this because he startles easy when his guard is down. He learns to keep an ear out for them when he notices it's gotten a little too quiet, but he hams it up when they do the reveal just to hear them fall into giggle fits. Nothing sounds more like pure bliss to him than that.

As for Shaun, he was very hesitant at first about Mac, but he came around when MacCready introduced him to the world of comic books. They'll sit in a room with a huge spread in front of them and just read together in silence, handing off comics to each other as they finish them. They could discuss them for HOURS on end, too. MacCready is very impressed with Shaun and his interpretations of things and often consults him for his viewpoints on different lore aspects. Shaun is also helping Mac with his grammar/spelling. This leads them to collaborate on various writing projects, with the ultimate goal being to write a comic of their own. Evelyn is in fucking shambles over them both being such huge nerds.

10. Have they had romantic partners before?

Yes and no. MacCready had Lucy, but Evelyn's past partners were all sexual. Except that one time she was married (we all know how that ended *ominous cryogenic crackling sounds, gunshots* smh), but it wasn't really a true relationship despite the legal paperwork. Points for both of them trying though ig.

Side note: Evelyn isn't jealous of Lucy. Sometimes MacCready talks about her and I feel like Evelyn has the potential to be the jealous type, but she's really not. Idk why I feel the need to clarify that because the distinction is important to me: she's more the type to mark her territory tbh

23. Is there top/dom and bottom/sub energy?

Evelyn has the dom energy without a doubt. Day to day, she definitely LOVES having MacCready on a leash and he is more than happy to be dragged around by the scruff of his neck. She gives him head pats as needed for reassurance of course. No one is shocked by this.

(*cracks knuckles* buckle up, we're about to get nsft with it)

The surprise is entirely behind closed doors because they lose a lot of that energy in the bedroom. That, for these two, is a safe space where they escape to the quiet intimacy of one another. THAT'S where their soft sides can freely come out and they can give/receive the comfort they both desperately crave. Not to say they don't get down and freaky with it from time to time (see: below), but their sex life is more like a Hozier song as in it's deeply passionate & there's lots of worship and affirmation/TLC given. Total opposite to their public life, but they deserve to be treated with gentleness.

When they do get freaky with it (drop everything and fuck after clearing out a building of enemies kind of deal), it's usually quick and dirty. The idea that they don't carry those dynamics into the bedroom continues during their more public, fuck nasty stints. They're both pulling each other's hair and biting and scratching, both equally as desperate and domineering. It's mostly fueled by adrenaline, partly by the need to affirm that they're each okay, to basically be like "that was close, don't you dare fucking do that to me again". Plus, they're both oddballs and something about the way they work so seamlessly together and hardly need to communicate really gets the blood pumping/makes them feel really close. Work is very intimate for these two, especially when a job is done right. Fucking after a job is the same as a cigarette after sex to them, with the added bonus of burning off the rest of their adrenaline.

[sakhshimandal]

Customizing Your Gibson Electric Guitar: Mods and Upgrades to Enhance Sound and Playability

Owning a Gibson electric guitar is a dream come true for many musicians. Renowned for their craftsmanship, iconic tone, and rich history, Gibson guitars are loved by beginners and professional guitarists alike. Whether it’s the classic Les Paul or the rock-forward SG, a Gibson electric guitar can deliver impeccable sound right out of the box. However, like many guitarists, you might find that customizing your instrument can give you a more personalized sound and feel, tailored exactly to your playing style.

Customizing a Gibson electric guitar allows you to fine-tune your instrument for enhanced playability, unique tone, or aesthetic appeal. From upgrading pickups to changing hardware, there are numerous ways to modify your Gibson guitar. Here’s a closer look at some popular mods and upgrades that can take your Gibson electric guitar to the next level.

1. Upgrading the Pickups

One of the most impactful customizations you can make to your Gibson electric guitar is upgrading the pickups. Pickups are the heart of a guitar’s sound, and swapping them out can dramatically alter the tone and output.

Humbuckers vs. P-90s: Gibson guitars are often equipped with humbuckers, known for their rich, thick tones and noise-cancelling properties. However, if you're looking for a brighter, punchier sound, consider upgrading to P-90 pickups, which are single-coil pickups commonly used in early Gibson models. They offer a more aggressive sound with higher output, ideal for punk, blues, and vintage rock.

Aftermarket Pickups: Several aftermarket pickup brands like Seymour Duncan and DiMarzio offer humbuckers that provide different tonal characteristics, such as increased output for heavy rock or more articulation for jazz and blues. If you're aiming for a modern, high-gain sound or vintage warmth, upgrading your pickups is a great way to refine your tone.

2. Switching Out the Pots and Wiring

While pickups are a significant factor in shaping a guitar’s tone, the quality of the pots (potentiometers) and wiring also has an influence on sound clarity and control. Older Gibson guitars, or even some new models, may have stock pots that don't allow for precise volume or tone control.

Upgraded Pots: Replacing the stock potentiometers with high-quality ones (like CTS or Bourns) can improve the smoothness of volume and tone control. You can also experiment with different resistance values—500k pots are commonly used for humbuckers, while 250k pots work well with single-coils like P-90s.

Wiring Modifications: For those seeking more control over their sound, modifications like "coil splitting" allow you to turn your humbucker into a single-coil with the flick of a switch, offering more tonal versatility. Another popular wiring mod is the "treble bleed" circuit, which prevents high-end frequencies from being lost when you lower the volume knob, keeping your tone crisp at lower volumes.

3. Hardware Upgrades

The hardware on your Gibson guitar, such as the bridge, tuners, and tailpiece, plays a crucial role in both the instrument's tone and playability. Upgrading these components can lead to better sustain, tuning stability, and overall performance.

Bridge and Tailpiece: Many players swap out their stock Tune-o-Matic bridge for a high-quality replacement from brands like Gotoh or TonePros. These bridges often offer better sustain, intonation, and overall tuning stability. Some players also upgrade the tailpiece to a lightweight aluminum version, which can slightly brighten the tone and reduce the guitar's overall weight.

Tuning Machines: Upgrading your tuners can make a huge difference in maintaining tuning stability, especially during long gigs or studio sessions. Locking tuners are a popular choice, as they provide quick string changes and better hold. Brands like Grover and Schaller offer reliable, high-quality tuners that are favored by many guitarists.

4. Customizing the Aesthetics

While playability and sound are essential, many guitarists also like to customize the aesthetics of their Gibson guitar to reflect their personal style. There are several ways to give your guitar a unique visual flair without affecting its performance.

Pickguards and Knobs: Swapping out your pickguard or control knobs can instantly change the look of your guitar. Choose custom pickguards made of different materials like tortoiseshell, chrome, or brushed metal to give your guitar a distinctive appearance.

Finishes and Decals: Some guitarists opt to refinish their guitar, either with a glossy new coat of paint or a matte finish. If you want a custom look without the permanence of a paint job, decals and stickers are a popular, temporary way to add personality to your guitar.

5. Playability Mods: Frets and Neck Setup

Upgrading the playability of your Gibson guitar can make a huge difference in how comfortable and easy it is to play, especially if you’re performing regularly or playing for extended periods.

Refretting: Over time, frets wear down, affecting both intonation and ease of playing. Refretting your guitar with stainless steel or jumbo frets can enhance durability and make bending notes smoother.

Neck Setup: Adjusting the neck setup, such as action height or truss rod alignment, can make a huge difference in playability. If you're comfortable doing it yourself, setting up the neck for your specific playing style can make the guitar more responsive and comfortable. Otherwise, it’s worth taking it to a professional luthier.

Conclusion

Customizing your Gibson electric guitar allows you to fine-tune its performance and look to suit your personal preferences. Whether you're upgrading pickups for a specific tone, replacing hardware for better playability, or giving your guitar a visual makeover, mods and upgrades can elevate your playing experience. With careful consideration and the right modifications, your Gibson electric guitar can become a truly one-of-a-kind instrument that reflects your sound, style, and personality.

[nanas-45]

Discovering Graham County: Arizona's Quiet Gem

Graham County: Arizona’s Hidden Gem with Big Skies and Rich History

Nestled in southeastern Arizona, Graham County may not boast a huge population (just over 38,000 as of the 2020 census), but it’s packed with charm, history, and some really cool landmarks. The county seat is Safford, a town that plays a central role in the area’s story. Fun fact: this county forms the Safford Micropolitan Statistical Area—so yes, it's small but mighty!

What’s Happening in Graham County?

Graham County is home to a few standout spots and events. For instance, Eastern Arizona College calls this place home, offering a great local education hub. But if you’re more into science and stargazing, the Mount Graham International Observatory is where it’s at. It houses one of the world's largest telescopes! There’s also a lot of local flavor here, thanks to the Arizona Salsa Trail and the annual Salsa Fest, making this a must-stop for any foodie who loves a good kick.

A Look Back: The County’s Origins

The county owes its creation to Joseph Knight Rogers, an early settler who took the lead in forming Graham County back in 1881. Initially, the county seat was set in Safford, then it bounced over to Solomonville, only to be brought back to Safford in 1915. The county name comes from Mount Graham, itself named after Lt. Col James Duncan Graham, making it the first Arizona county named after something other than Native American tribes.

A Place of Natural Beauty

Covering over 4,600 square miles, Graham County is a place of diverse landscapes. Mount Graham, part of the Pinaleno Mountains, is the highest peak and a major draw for hikers, nature lovers, and observatory enthusiasts alike.

Demographics: A Blend of Cultures

According to the 2020 census, Graham County has a population of 38,533 people, with a racial makeup of 67.1% White, 15% Native American, and a healthy mix of other races. About 27% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, creating a vibrant cultural tapestry.

Households here average around 3 people, and families tend to be larger, with an average size of 3.47. Income levels vary, but the median household income was about $41,683 in 2010, with around 20% of the population living below the poverty line. However, the community is strong, and the county is rich in tradition and close-knit values.

Political Landscape

Graham County's politics have shifted dramatically over the years. Originally a stronghold for the Democratic Party, it shifted to a solidly Republican county starting in the mid-20th century. It hasn’t supported a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964 when Lyndon B. Johnson defeated Arizona’s own Barry Goldwater. Since then, Graham has become one of the state’s most reliably conservative counties.

[gutshift]

i vastly prefer alistair hardened, and since by default i write alistair as if he's been hardened — and i think he gets hardened post - dao regardless of your actions, because there's just no fucking way — i should probably talk about alistair and being hardened and what that means in the context of my writing and characterizaton.

the thing about alistair is that he's a coward. i say this with nothing but love in my heart, because of course he is. he grew up knowing he is the result of a deeply unequal pairing, surrounded by people who at best tolerated him and at worst abused him, people who told him constantly he was slow and bad in a variety of ways. everything that has ever happened to him has been someone else's choice; eamon and the kennels he slept in? the chantry? he was excited about being a warden, sure, but he didn't really choose that, either — that was all duncan. he's like 19/20 and has spent his whole life being told and shown by the people around him that he is, at best, a stupid annoyance, and at worst a completely inept burden on everyone around him. he's never gotten to make a choice about his own life and see it through. ever!

he's a giant coward in a way that has real and sad and selfish consequences. he's never gotten to make a choice that matters and he thinks he's too stupid to do so, so he believes he can't be a leader. he's too afraid to deal with the responsibility of being the senior warden and so he forces that on a newer and potentially even more traumatized recruit despite the fact that he knows that's a shitty thing to do to another person. he's too afraid to make choices because he's been taught he can't, but he still gets so fucking angry if you make choices he thinks are immoral — sacrificing isolde or connor, for example. despite what he pretends ( even to himself ), he isn't some dumbass without opinions or a drive to make the right calls.

hardening alistair isn't like hardening leliana — it isn't giving alistair a reason to abandon his identity or morality. it doesn't change who he is. he remains a goofball with a big heart who makes jokes with the dog and can't stand morrigan. hardening alistair makes him less willing to take abuse laying down and more willing to advocate for himself, because hardened alistair no longer considers himself a dumbass who doesn't deserve to have wants, at least not to nearly the same extent. and, because hardened alistair doesn't think he's a useless idiot incapable of making a choice or handling responsibility, it also makes him more willing to lead. it makes him want to lead! like, even putting aside the king thing, the fact that hardened alistair — for whom nothing has changed about his identity except that he is less of a doormat — wants more responsibility, not less, tells me so much about unhardened alistair's avoidance of responsibility. it isn't some innate, neutral trait of his! it is the result of the fact that his self - esteem is in the gutter and he thinks advocating for himself is a sin!!!!!

alistair learning that he's capable and strong and intelligent and a good leader when it comes down to it is positive, necessary character development, and that's why i feel so confident that, even if you don't harden him in the game proper, it happens post - origins. the alistair we see in 2 and inquisition is brave, kind, willing to make choices — ones with huge consequences, like letting the mages into his kingdom or banishing them, like fleeing the wardens to do the right thing — and commit to them. he is a leader. there's no fucking way dao unhardened alistair would have the guts to do these things without someone telling him to.

the warden pushes so much of his development in origins, but no matter how that game plays out, he eventually — inevitably! — grows into himself. he learns to respect himself. he learns that he can make choices, and that he has to. his willingness to advocate for himself and to face his responsibilities instead of trying to pass them off onto the nearest person makes him a better, kinder, braver man. it doesn't matter whether he becomes king or stays a warden, it matters that he stops flinching away from being alistair.

[sigilsongs-a]

𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 ... HERS; VARIOUS. + verse tags

𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐫𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞, 𝐈.

She is the only daughter of the The Laughing Storm, Lord Lyonel Baratheon, and once betrothed to Prince Duncan Targaryen... until he cast her, and his throne, aside for the mad peasant woman known as Jenny of Oldstones. Lya takes inspiration of her nickname from her father's one; owing to her similar habit of condescendingly smiling at those she finds infuriating; the Smiling Storm, they'd call her. Lya, and her family, are searching for a new betrothed, though her father has yielded during a trial by combat for his rebellion at the slight against Lya. She is filled with fury and a boundless, ropable embarrassment at her treatment by Prince Duncan, and has never fully recovered from the public scandal; her temperament irrevocably darkened by how it impacted her.

𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧, 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞, 𝐈𝐈.

During the period of time, or around the time of her betrothal to Prince Duncan Targaryen, before he became engaged with Jenny of Oldstones. Her father is considered one of the finest warriors of the time, and it is a hugely beneficial match. Overall she is elated by this prospect of the marriage, of being a queen, and genuinely finds Duncan quite an appealing potential husband. To Lya, the idea of being at court is enthralling, and tantalising, as she sees a the potential for a plethora of opportunities to be taken advantage of.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐮, 𝐈.

Born in Volantis, and eventually sold in a slave auction wherein she became a bedslave, receiving her tattoo when she was in her youth. For the most part, Lya has made a kind of peace with where her life has taken her... for the simple reason that fighting against it has left her exhausted. She attempted to flee once, was caught and beaten horribly; had it not been for her popularity as a bedslave, she would have been branded, disfigured, or killed. Her heart and soul rails endlessly against her position, but there's no fight left in her. While Lya doesn't want to live like this, she doesn't want to die not having lived. All she desires, all she dreams of, is some way out; perhaps even intervention from the Gods themselves, to lead her a free life. This verse is applicable to any and all alternative timelines of ASOIAF.