#Feuding Founders

[deadpresidents]

“(Alexander) Hamilton is an intriguant -- the greatest intriguant in the World -- a man devoid of every moral principle -- a Bastard, and as much a foreigner as Gallatin [Albert Gallatin, a Founding Father born in Switzerland]. Mr. Jefferson is an infinitely better man; a wiser one, I am sure, and, if President, will act wisely. I know it, and would rather be Vice President under him, or even Minister Resident at the Hague, than indebted to such a being as Hamilton for the Presidency.”

-- President John Adams to his Secretary of War James McHenry, during a tense meeting after the President forced McHenry and other Hamilton loyalists in his Cabinet to resign for allegedly scheming against him, May 5, 1800.

[niqhtlord01]

Humans are weird: Steve’s Station

( Please come see me on my new patreon and support me for early access to stories and personal story requests :D https://www.patreon.com/NiqhtLord Every bit helps)

If you ever find yourself on the run from the more reputable institutions of the universe, you may be prevailed upon to make your way to a little known star base called “Steve’s Station” in the Cambra system.

Designated as the haven of the underworld, Steve’s Station operates outside the boundaries of all official governing bodies and interplanetary enforcement organizations. It operates as a safe haven at one point or another for every criminal, terrorist, extremist, and other shadowy group that seeks to cause unlawful conduct across the universe.

Normally a station that housed so many unsavory characters would hardly survive a day given the tenacity for grudges its patrons held. It was only through the simple governing of the stations founder, a human known only as “Steve”, that the station was able to not only operate but actively thrive as a hub of underworld activity.

Originally founded some thirty years prior, the human Steve had saved up his life savings to by a third generation mobile station. With only four docking arms and two cargo holds, the third generation stations were largely overlooked as they were the smallest of mobile stations. What did make it more desirable was the fact that it’s smaller size allowed it to make system to system jumps. Even more beneficial was that its core housings could be upgraded and replaced to increase the size of the station if one had the credits.

With the majority of civilized systems already having an overflow of star bases and stations, cutting into the market there would neigh impossible. So Steve instead set course for the Cambra system; a little known and uncharted region of space that barely shows up on star charts save for a pair of skull and bones. This did not dissuade Steve however as he was always of the opportunistic nature.

Forty jumps later and Steve was setting up shop when his first customer came in.

A battered Benaren smuggler had just barely escaped from the authorities and made a blind jump. With his engines all but destroyed from the jump he would have been left to rot had it not been for Steve’s station.

Much to the surprise of the Benaren Steve asked no questions on how the damage came about so long as he followed the station rules.

1.       Pay on time.

2.       Keep your feuds at the door.

3.       Don’t start trouble, lest you want troubles of your own.

Within a short while the smuggler’s ship was repaired and ready to go again. The Benaren paid in full for the repairs and went on their way.

Now that may of well had been the end of Steve’s story had it not been for how connected the criminal underworld was. Not more than three weeks later another group of wayward outcasts and lowlifes stop by the station for use of its quality services.

From there the station’s reputation became wildly known as every criminal, pirate, smuggler, rogue ai and wayward warlord found their way to Steve’s Station to call it home. The wealth being generated from the constant traffic of ships and cargo allowed the station to quickly grow in size as Steve was able to purchase more parts and modules to be included.

Within the first ten years it went it nearly doubled in size, and in another five it was the size of a first 7th generation star base complete with over fifty docking ports and repair bays, sixteen cargo holds for storage, two dozen habitability compartments for stores and clubs, and a fuel depot capable of supplying an entire fleet.

The sheer volume of different factions and cultures using the station facilities would have rapidly devolved into rampant infighting and destruction were it not for the quiet hand of Steve. Patrons kept their animosity at the door unless they wanted to lose access to the safe harbor Steve’s station held. Storage and repair bays were expensive to maintain and were often prime targets for rivals within their own territories, so they were more than happy to maintain a truce while on Steve Station for their own benefit.

At least, that is what the smart ones were willing to abide by.  

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

“Give us the access codes and this can all be over.”

The Jinari leaned down and grabbed hold of the human’s head. He lifted it up so the mauled human could see him through his one good eye as the other was well and good swollen shut from the beating his men had given him the moment prior.

Before them lay the one and only human “Steve”; founder of Steve station and currently their captive as they continued with their hostile takeover of the station. Jinari’s group had long wanted to make a name for themselves and by taking control of such a hub of underworld activity they could gain vast amounts of credits to finance their own operations.

It had been easy to breach the station’s control bridge as security was light. The guards had grown lax with the fear of Steve’s displeasure keeping many of the patron’s inline. They’d been dead in moments with the door breached not long after.

Steve had been understandably uncooperative with handing over his access codes that gave full control of the station; so Jinari’s men had proceed with some aggressive interrogation tactics to loosen him.

Steve looked up at Jinari; spitting out a glob of blood on to his shoe and grinned.

“It won’t do you any good you know.”

Jinari’s good mood quickly evaporated as he watched the human Steve begin to laugh.

“You broke the third rule,” he laughed, “you aren’t going to make it out of here alive.”

Before Jinari could ask what the human meant a loud bark of several weapons came from outside the control room followed. The rest of his crew turned their guns on the open doorway as the sound of several heavy footfalls began to draw closer.

“You’ve got one chance,” a deep rattling voice came from outside, “so I want you idiots in there to listen well.”

“Release. The. Human. Steve.” Another voice came in with thick robotic overtones.

“An jus may’be, we lets you go with your bits intact!” One more voice came with a throaty chuckle at the end.

The door to the control room was suddenly ripped open from its frame and the figures entered the room.

“That’s….you’re….” one of Jinari’s crew stammered as the first figure came into view. A towering mass of muscle and bone covered in thick black armor plating.

“Gur, leader of the Black Reavers.”

Gur grinned as his name was spoken with such fear.

Besides him stood an equally tall cybernetic body or polished metal and spikes. It was called “Cybrosis”, the rogue AI responsible for the collapse of three economic zones via hacking and alterations of monetary values.

On the opposite side of Gur stood a squat brutish Ularen decorated with skulls and bones of its victims. This unfortunate figure was Gobsnob, the assassin infamous for decapitating the Hybren prince during his own coronation then escaping with the severed head. Many believed one of the heads mounted on his armor was the prince’s head.

“Let Steve go, and we’ll let you live.” Gur spoke with a calm, collected voice.

Jinari’s eyes darted between the figures now blocking escape from the control room. There were even more waiting patiently in the outside hallway all armed to the teeth. In fear he drew his gun and pointed the muzzle at Steve’s head.

“What makes this flesh sack so special?” He shouted at the group. “It’s just one human! We don’t need him to run this place!”

“Correction.” Cybrosis remarked. “He. Is. The Only. One. Who Can. Run. This. Station.”

“WHY?!” Jianri demanded.

“He makes me laugh!” Gobsnob chuckled.

When the answer did not dissuade Jinari Gur spoke up and pointed at him.

“Deals changed. Whoever kills this stupid metal brain gets to walk free.”

Cybrosis turned to glare at Gur at the remark but said nothing. Jinari laughed and pushed the muzzle deeper against Steve’s head.

“You think my own crew would-“

The bark of an auto-blaster ran out and Jinari collapsed to the floor in a pool of blood and bone. His ribcage now cracked wide open from the blaster fire that tore into his back.

Those gathered turned to see one of Jinari’s crew holding the smoking gun before dropping it to the ground and raising their hands.

“I can go free now, yes?” they stammered.

Gur smiled and reached for something in his pocket. “Nah, I lied.”

Before any of Jinari’s crew could react Gur pulled out a thick barrel cannon from his coat and fired a slug at the thug closest to Steve. The barrel slug slammed the thug back into the wall with enough force to turn him into an art piece.

After that the station patrons who had been waiting outside stormed into the room and quickly subdued the rest of the thugs. They barely had time to get off a round before they were torn to pieces. In some cases quite literally as Gobsnob got ahold of one of them and began beating them to death with their own dismembered arm.

Gur slowly walked forward and helped Steve into the command chair at the center of the room.

“Glad you guys made it.” Steve laughed through bloody teeth. “Was starting to think you’d give me up to that nobhead.”

Gur shook his head. “They broke the rules.” He said calmly, wiping a stain of blood off his boot on Jinari’s twitching corpse. “And here you don’t last long if you break the rules.”

Steve smiled and switched on the com channel for station wide broadcast.

“Attention station,” Steve said calmly, “All possessions belonging to the former Jinari and his crew are now forfeited. Patrons may claim them as they wish for redistribution.”

A low rumble of cheers could be heard echoing down the halls as the denizens of the station began a free-for-all on the would-be takers belongings.  Steve was not finished though.

“Additionally, a free month’s worth of supplies and repairs to the loveable bastards that came to my rescue.”

Even more cheers erupted from those gathered in the control room as they carried off Steve to the nearest bar for celebration.

[larkingame]

play the demo | patreon | larkin is rated 18+

someone is after you.

for over a decade and a half now, you’ve traveled up, down and across the country--running schemes and hunting fiends with your mentor, con-man-by-day, vampire-hunter-by-night, Wyatt Abrams--the prolific vampire slayer and the living descendant of Gregory Abrams, founder and prophet of the Abrams Family, the nomadic vampire-hunting cult that raised you--and was wiped out years ago.

carrying the abrams name means also means carrying on it's enemies--but that isn't to say you haven't forged a couple of your own along the way. now, it seems someone is trying to make good on old threats and promises. they've placed a bounty on your head.

so you and wyatt do what you do best: you run away. to some little town, out nevada ways, where the title of town preacher is unexpectedly thrust upon you--bringing back years of trauma you thought long tucked away.

as if that wasn't enough, on your first day in town the local mine up and explodes--leaving the reclusive family that runs the town--and owns the mine--to suspect you as the main culprit.

now you're left with the responsibility of investigating the disaster to clear your name, looking into the mysterious cult just south of town, the gang of outlaws who've been wrapped up deep in a feud with larkin's patriarchal family--a group of people which you suspect to be hiding a secret most monstrous--all while dealing with the ghosts of your past, and the roots your family left behind.

larkin is a vampire western choose-your-own adventure game, with focuses on romance, religion, horror and complicated family dynamics.

play a fully customizable character [[decide upon their physical appearance, gender identity, sexuality, customize their pronouns]]

dictate a unique relationship with your mentor-turned-father-figure and his former appentice

romance any of twelve characters, five male, three female, one non-binary and three gender selectable characters.

define your characters skillset and scheming tactics, select their weapons and fighting style, elect their feelings on religion, vampires and the cult that raised them.

the doctor [male] cyrus sokolov - the quasi-mayor of larkin, cyrus sokolov also operates as the town's doctor and mortician. he's immeadiately suspicious of you, the new preacher and the reputation you comes with. even though he doesn't like it, he needs your help.

the princess [female] celina sokolova - despite the misconceptions among the townsfolk, the reclusive third sibling of the sokolov family, celina, is actually the family’s eldest. hardly leaving the sokolov mansion, it’s rumored around town that she’s been struck with some sort of sun-related illness, others seem to hold the opinion that miss sokolova simply sees herself as too good to linger amongst the common folk. whatever the case may truly be doesn’t much matter to the people of larkin, after all, it's much more fun to gossip. she's very suddenly developed a fascination with the preacher, a hunger almost. but will she eat you whole?

the mortician's assistant [male] dominic sokolov - the youngest scion of the sokolov family, dominic works as assistant mortician in larkin, though he’s much more interested in larkin’s living townsfolk then the dead ones he’s been charged with taking care of. with seemingly endless information on everyone and everything that goes on in larkin, mister sokolov might not be the worst friend to have.

the lawyer [male] jacob nash -  larkin’s only practicing attorney and resident do-gooder. after passing the bar exam, nash headed out west in the hopes of making a real difference for the people there, only to spend most of his days settling petty disputes and notarizing documents. despite his disappointment, however, nash has managed to keep a level head and his fondness for the people of larkin, even though he’s not so sure the sokolovs have the townsfolk’s best interest in mind.

the bartender [female] rose holloway - larkin’s most recent transplant, that was, until the preacher showed up. former city-girl, rose has adapted to both life out west and on her own, the only way she knows how--by pushing through it. the owner and bartender of larkin’s only saloon, the emerald, rose is a popular figure around larkin whether she likes it or not, but whether that has more to do with her occupation or the fact she also happens to be larkin’s youngest widow is still a topic up for debate.

the lieutenant [male/female/non-binary] hollis - an enigmatic figure around larkin, hollis serves as a lieutenant for the mysterious rateliff fellowship. one of the cult’s few members to make the long trek from their encampment in the desert to town more than once. talked to by few, hated by most, hollis bears the reputation of the people they represent to the town of larkin--one, that isn’t particularly favorable.

the vampire hunter [male/female/non-binary] ace zhang - vampire-hunting-mercenary extraordinaire, the last the preacher knew of ace, they were the young hot-shot on san francisco’s hunting scene. once upon a time ace was a prominent figure in the preacher’s life, the first real acquaintance they managed to make on their own, someone outside of wyatt’s sphere. growing up a member of the guild, their life is one that’s mirrored the preacher’s. maybe that’s why the two seemed to be linked so closely during the preacher’s time in california, whether that was as friends, rivals or something more, their presence is one that remains prominent in the preacher's mind.

the outlaw [male] cassidy alan ward - cowboy, outlaw, bandit, cassidy goes by many names and titles, but the one he prides himself on most is leader. protector of his people, the ward gang hides out somewhere in the hills outside larkin, looming over the townsfolk as an ever-present threat, cassidy finds the sokolovs personally responsible for the death of his sister, caroline, and he is out for blood.

the gunslinger [female] ethel jackson - cassidy's right hand, ethel is a gunslinger through and through. fancying herself the robinhood type, she's got a personal hatred for the family that looms over larkin.  with the fastest gun in all of nevada, maybe even all of the west--ethel could prove to be a valuable friend--or a deadly adversary.

the stranger [non-binary] reyes - the newest addition to ward's gang, not much is known about them or their past--what everyone is well aware of, however, is the fact that nobody whose ever decided to cross reyes has ever come out of it alive.

the vampire [male/female/non-binary] montero moreau - you've hunted down their coven, debilitating any hopes for growth they had in terms of advancing in the cut-throat world of Vampires. you've made montero look like a fool, and they hate looking like a fool. They're determined to hunt you down and take revenge.

the first man [male] - adam - he believes himself to be the mirrored man mentioned in the abrams family book of genesis--the first vampire, plagued to walk the earth--and he has long been in search of his eve.

play the demo | patreon | itch.io

[classygreydove]

tobirama fic recs

4 wonderful tobirama-centric fics! (most of my bookmarks w tobirama are quite popular in the fandom. but maybe one of these will be a new favorite of yours) +1 self-promo lol

Some are gen and some are ship fics, so check pairings!

And all the fire's at your fingertips by PandaFlower - COMPLETE, 10k

T, Graphic Depictions of Violence, Gen; Tobirama & Kagami, Many enemy OCs, Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Hikaku, Kagami's Mom, Tobirama hates childnappers more than anything, Canon-Typical Violence, child kidnapping with rescue

Tobirama is elbow deep in a stealth mission in Wind Country when he runs into a shinobi squad toting a stolen Uchiha child. Tobirama disapproves.

[dove's notes: very cute. if someone told me this fic was the one that popularized the hc tobirama is good with/protective of kids, i'd believe them]

2. gravity of tempered grace by SilverStudios4140 - ONGOING, 170k

NR, No Archive Warnings Apply, Gen, M/M; Hashirama & Tobirama, Tobirama/Izuna, Tobirama & Izuna, Uzumaki Mito, Senju Clan, Uzumaki ocs, Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Kagami, Uchiha Clan, Hatake ocs, Time Travel Fix-It, Warring States Period (Naruto), Shinobi Politics (Naruto), Worldbuilding, BAMF Senju Tobirama, Good Sibling Hashirama, Alternate Universe - Time Travel, Senju Tobirama-centric, Uchiha Izuna-centric, Canon-Typical Violence, Shinobi Culture (Naruto), Chakra Theory (Naruto), Physics, Minor HashiMito, Slow Burn

Even at the moment of the hiraishin's conception, Tobirama knew the dangers of meddling with the very threads that make up the fabric of existence. He knew that repeated usage only made it easier to traverse between the dimensions because the user became physically more susceptible to slipping through the cracks. But knowing something is possible theoretically is very different from experiencing it for himself.

[dove's notes: founder's era worldbuilding is fun! and the tobiizu dynamics just have so much chemistry.]

3. turn in such inhumanity by simkjrs - COMPLETE, 237k

T, Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Gen, Tobirama & Izuna, Hashirama & Tobirama, Senju Tobirama, Uchiha Izuna, Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Madara, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Warring States Period (Naruto), Soul Bond, Soulmates, Platonic Soulmates, Uchiha Izuna Lives, aroace tobirama, aroace izuna, queer-platonic relationship

“You believe this chakra-merging was an accident?” “It would be far more intelligent to bond with someone who is aware of and has consented to the procedure, so I can only surmise they were unable to choose the target,” says Tobirama. “Assuming the other individual is not so hare-brained as to purposefully bind themselves to an unknown stranger, targeting me was most likely unintentional.”

Unfortunately for Tobirama, Uchiha Izuna is hare-brained enough to do exactly that.

----

The story of how Uchiha Izuna's outstanding idea to perform a forbidden technique eventually leads to the resolution of a centuries-long feud, from Tobirama's point of view. Readable on its own, but it is a counterpart to Wyrvel's Let the Devil In.

[dove's notes: love love love this work/series. So much so that I made two music playlists for it. ace tobirama and queer-platonic relationships and worldbuilding and secret frienships/soulmates and identity intrigue?? just wonderful]

4. A Soft Green Glow by Sharkseye, COMPLETE, 12k

M, No Archive Warnings Apply, Gen, M/M, Tobirama & Izuna, Izuna & Madara, Tobirama/Izuna, Senju Tobirama, Uchiha Izuna, Uchiha Madara, Altered Mental States due to blood loss, Pre-Relationship, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Pre-Canon

Returning from an ambush that killed his entire team and near fatally wounded him, Izuna finds himself followed by an enemy far more dangerous than the ones he left behind. Even if he makes it back to Uchiha lands, he'll be killed long before help can arrive. That is, if the blood loss doesn't get him first.

[dove's notes: i like the characterization of tobirama and izuna, overall well-written]

+1 shameless self-promo: Red Moon, Blue Waters by classygreydove - COMPLETE, 1k

G, No Warnings Apply, Gen; Hashirama & Tobirama, Madara & Izuna, canon compliant, warring states period, pov tobirama, pov madara

Hashirama’s mouth held its beaming smile for a second longer, before dropping into a grim twist. “Did you notice—?” Tobirama inclined his head. “I did.”

[power-chords]

The Doves Type legend is one of the most enduring in typographic history and probably the most infamous. It’s the story of a typeface and a bitter feud between the two partners of Hammersmith’s celebrated Doves Press, Thomas James Cobden-Sanderson and Emery Walker, leading to the protracted disposal of their unique metal type into London’s River Thames. Starting in 1913 with the initial dumping of the punches and matrices, by the end of January 1917 an increasingly frail Cobden-Sanderson had made hundreds of clandestine trips under cover of darkness to Hammersmith Bridge and systematically thrown 12lb parcels of metal type into the murky depths below. As one person so aptly commented on Twitter recently, this notorious tale bears all the hallmarks of a story by Edgar Allan Poe.

The original Doves Type was crafted by master punchcutter Edward Prince, based on drawings produced by Percy Tiffin of Nicolas Jenson’s pioneering 15th-century Venetian type. William Morris, founder of the Kelmscott Press, had actually developed his own ‘Golden’ type some years before The Doves Press came into being but Doves is held by experts as being more faithful to the original Venetian letterforms.

The Doves Type was commissioned in 1899 and created solely by Prince in 16 pt; it was used in all of the press’s publications including their iconic edition of the King James Bible. Each Doves Press book was beautifully bound and, notes Green, noticeably “stripped of decorative borders and illustration, the elegantly clear & legible type acting alone as visual siren-song.”

By 1908, despite successful Milton prints and the aforementioned Bible, the Press was in dire financial difficulty. Subscribers began melting away after Walker had effectively left in 1906 as the bitter & acrimonious dispute took hold between the partners. On finally dissolving their partnership in 1909, Cobden-Sanderson began attempts to wriggle out of an earlier promise that, should the partnership cease, Walker would receive a fount of type ‘for his own use’. Walker retaliated, issuing a writ insisting that the Press shut down completely and he receive 50% of remaining assets. In 1909, the Press’s only valuable asset was the type.

A compromise was reached, brokered by their exasperated friend Sir Sydney Cockerell, which allowed Cobden-Sanderson uncontrolled use of the type for as long as he lived, at which time it would pass to Emery Walker, if he did not die first.

The thought of ‘his’ typeface being used by anyone else, and in a manner beyond his control, prompted Cobden-Sanderson’s now infamous course of action. Only the Doves Press, run exclusively by him, could be bestowed the honour of printing his type. And so the mission to destroy it, beginning with the punches and matrices on Good Friday 1913, began. On an almost nightly basis from August 1916 the ailing septuagenarian dumped the type into the Thames, wrapped in paper parcels and tied with string; “bequeathed to the river” as he put it in his personal diary. Every piece of this beautiful typeface, more than a ton of metal, was destroyed in a prolonged ritual sacrifice.

—Raised from the dead: The Doves Type story, 2013

After working on a revised digital facsimile Robert Green decided that he would try and find some of the original metal type. Using the sources available, including Cobden-Sanderson's published journals, Mr Green worked out where he thought the type was thrown from the bridge into the Thames.

At low tide, and with a mudlarkers licence, he scoured the Thames foreshore and found three pieces of the original type.

Due to the dangerous nature of the Thames currents and tides a team of professional divers from the Port of London Authority then spent two days looking for more type and a total of 150 pieces were recovered.

—One man's obsession with rediscovering a lost typeface, BBC News, 2015

[whencyclopedia]

Callimachus of Cyrene

Callimachus of Cyrene (l. c. 310-c. 240 BCE) was a poet and scholar associated with the Library of Alexandria and best known for his Pinakes ("Tablets"), a bibliographic catalog of Greek literature, his poetry, and his literary aesthetic which rejected the epic in favor of shorter works and influenced the later development of Roman literature.

He is considered one of the greatest poets of antiquity, and, through his influence on Roman writers, set the course for Western literary development, especially through his emphasis on brevity and simplicity of form. Among his best-known quotes is "A big book is a big bore," by which he seems to have meant that "less is more" and one should strive to tell one's story as directly and succinctly as possible. Although much has been made of his rejection of Homer, it seems this has been sensationalized. He rejected the standard of literature Homer had come to define but not necessarily the work itself. A similar case could be made for his relationship with the works of Plato, but both authors clearly influenced his own works.

He was never the head of the Library at Alexandria, though this is often claimed, but he may have been the teacher of Apollonius of Rhodes (l. 3rd century BCE), the head librarian after Zenodotus (l. 3rd century BCE) the first librarian at Alexandria. The alleged feud between Callimachus and Apollonius seems to have also been sensationalized and is based on interpretations of fragments of their works as almost nothing is known of the lives of either of them. Apollonius was succeeded as librarian by Eratosthenes (l. c. 276-195 BCE), who may have also been a student of Callimachus.

Although few of his works have survived, he is referenced extensively by later writers who praise his economy of prose and emphasis on an emotional response to personal experience in his poetry. His influence on later writers was enormous, including such notables as Horace, Propertius, Ovid, and Virgil. The details and essential character of his literary aesthetic are still debated today, but not its influence on Western literature.

Family & Early Life

Almost nothing is known of Callimachus' life and most biographical information comes from the Suda (10th century CE), not from his works or those of his contemporaries. He was born to an upper-class family of Cyrene in North Africa and refers to himself as a "son of Battus", meaning Battus I (r. c. 631 to c. 599 BCE), founder of the city of Cyrene and the Battiad Dynasty that developed the surrounding region of Cyrenaica. Callimachus most likely means this reference simply to establish that he is from Cyrene, it does not necessarily mean, as some have claimed, that he was related to the royal house. Scholars Benjamin Acosta-Hughes and Susan A. Stephens give a brief glimpse of his family:

His grandfather, also named Callimachus, was probably the Cyrenean general. Callimachus' sister, Megatima, seems to have married into a high-ranking Cypriot family. A great-grandfather has been identified as Anniceris, a Cyrenean, who, according to an anecdote preserved in Lucian and Aelian, tried to impress Plato by driving his chariot (bound for the Olympic Games) around the periphery of the Academy. Anniceris must have been a man of considerable wealth because he was also said to have ransomed Plato from Dionysius of Syracuse. (4)

Little else is known of Callimachus' early life except that his mother was also named Megatima, he seems to have been educated in Cyrene, and he was living and writing in Alexandria under the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (282-246 BCE). Acosta-Hughes and Stephens write:

Callimachus lived the majority of his adulthood during the reign of the second Ptolemy, the period when the Ptolemaic empire was at its height. The Suda tells us that he was an elementary schoolmaster in Eleusis, but if he is already writing for the court in the late 280's BC, his academic career must have been quite brief. In contrast, Tzetzes records that he was a "youth of the court", an official status that is incompatible with elementary school teaching but would fit with a poetic career that seems to have begun in his early twenties. The easiest explanation for the Suda's information is that it was extrapolated from poems in which Callimachus speaks of the schoolroom or schoolmasters. (3)

As a "youth of the court" and later court poet, Callimachus wrote works for Ptolemy I Soter (r. 323-282 BCE), Ptolemy II, and Ptolemy III Euergetes (r. 246-222 BCE). He most likely arrived in Alexandria from Cyrene toward the end of the reign of Ptolemy I. Although it seems he was associated with the Library of Alexandria under Ptolemy II, his position is unclear. He was never the head librarian, and there is no evidence he was involved in acquisitions.

Continue reading...

[rullakebu]

Mobster's temptations (F/M, tickling, fur fetish)

“Okay, she should be here any minute now,” Vince figured.

He stared at the objective briefing on a note in his hand: “Seduce Savarino’s wife and get the data about their operations.”

The Apolloni crime family had always had a rivalry with the opposing Savarino family. The feud went back to the start of the 1900’s when they had left the old country for new opportunities. The founders had initially been close friends but had a falling out due to disagreements in the code of conduct. It eventually led to a shootout and the two families had been at war with each other ever since. Sabotage, scams and espionage were not uncommon occurrences between them.

Vince, a devoted, yet newly appointed, soldier of the Apolloni family, had received a task from his caporegime. The higher ups had received info that Regina Savarino, the wife of the rival mob boss, frequents the club called “Tears of Joy” after sunset every weekend. The rumor around town was that Regina had not been all that faithful to her husband—a dangerous game.

Vince’s first official mission as a soldier was to seduce Regina for the night and gather info about Savarinos’ next business ventures. No one really knew of Vince yet so he was the perfect pick for the task: seducing a lady with deep connections in the mafia. Easy enough, right? That is if the rumors about Regina’s promiscuity held true.

Vince read the description: She was 36 years old, of Italian American descent, 5 feet and 10 inches tall. The data also notified that Regina had an affinity for high fashion, in particular fur clothing. She could be spotted around town wearing the fluffiest, softest and most luxurious fur coats, stoles, hats. The way an influential mob boss’s wife would dress.

“She wouldn’t be hard to miss. This club is full of chumps,” Vince thought to himself, lighting a cigarette.

He was standing by the entrance of a restaurant opposite of the club across the street. Rain had forced him to take shelter under a small canopy on the restaurant’s premises. The light of the club’s sign was reflected off a small puddle in front of the door.

Vince saw a black Mercedes coming from around the corner. It had custom rims and tinted windows. You could not see who was inside as it pulled up to the club. The chauffeur stepped out. Dressed in a black suit he walked to the right side of the vehicle and opened the passenger door. Out stepped a tall, beautiful brown eyed lady with straight shoulder length brown hair. On her she wore a sleek black dress, dark stockings, black heeled boots and a fluffy beige full length golden island fox fur coat.

“Regina, no doubt about it,” Vince mumbled to himself.

She thanked the driver and ventured inside.

“Time to move,” Vince determined.

He quickly smoked his cigarette and threw it on the ground, stepping on it. Vince came out of the shadows into the light of the lamp posts. He reached into his pocket and put his trusty Colt 1911 pistol on safety. Wearing a classy suit, his dark hair slicked back and green eyes squinted he made his way across the street and opened the club door.

Classy piano music became clearer step by step as he ventured further from the door and into the club. He stayed for a moment scanning the club. The venue was relatively empty that night–perfect. Regina wouldn’t be hard to find. Vince glanced at the bar and there she was, the bar light highlighting her luxurious fur coat.

He gulped and walked graciously towards the bar, towards his mission. He stepped to the bar and leaned against it right next to Regina.

“Excuse me, Miss. I don’t believe we’ve met before. May I buy you a drink?” Vince suggested.

“Of course, thank you. A negroni, please,” Regina smiled.

“One negroni and one whiskey, please! I’m Vince, by the way. Vince Medici. Pleasure to meet you,” he grinned.

“Regina Savarino. And likewise,” her slightly deep voice sounding almost like a purr.

Vince’s heart pumped. He had to succeed in seducing her. Otherwise he’d be in big trouble and his future in the mob was at risk. Knowing how important first impressions are, he could not, under any circumstances, fuck this up.

“Regina,” Vince repeated, grinning warmly.

“So, Regina. What do you make of this place? Do you come here often?” Vince attempted to make conversation.

“Yes, I do. I practically live here,” Regina laughed, sipping her negroni.

“That so?” Vince laughed.

He took a look at her hands, adorned by long red nails. She didn’t wear a ring, hah.

“You said your last name is Savarino as in Don Savarino, the mob boss. However I see you’re not wearing a ring. Aren’t you married to him?” Vince asked.

“Well, I am but he’s barely there. And I like to keep my options open to be quite honest with you,” Regina purred, caressing Vince’s arm.

Jackpot.

Vince's grin widened. Things were going smoother than he expected. He leaned in a little closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone.

"Smart woman," he murmured, his eyes locking onto hers. "But surely a woman as captivating as you must have suitors lining up at your door."

Regina chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down Vince's spine.

"You could say that," she replied coyly, her gaze holding his with an intensity that made his pulse quicken.

He couldn't afford to lose focus. This was his chance to gain the upper hand, to charm her into revealing valuable information that could give his boss the advantage over her husband's crew.

"Tell me, Regina," Vince whispered, his voice low and husky. "What's a woman like you looking for in a man?"

Regina's eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned in to match his intensity. "Oh, Vince," she murmured, her breath warm against his skin. "I'm looking for someone who can handle a little excitement. Someone who's not afraid to take risks."

Regina's gaze locked onto his, her eyes shimmering with intrigue. "And what about you, Vince? Are you a man who enjoys taking risks?"

Vince flashed a charming smile, feeling the weight of the moment. "Oh, you could say that. I'm always up for a thrill."

“I like that. Taking risks is… sexy,” Regina whispered, her breath tickling Vince’s ear. She caressed his face with the sleeve of her coat, the soft hairs brushing his cheeks, giving him goosebumps.

“So, Vince, what do you do? What’s your story?” she asked suddenly.

He had to come up with something quickly so as to not blow his cover. Luckily she had no idea who he really was.

"Oh, you know," he replied nonchalantly, his mind racing to come up with a convincing cover story. "Just a man trying to make his way in the world. But don’t worry about boring old me. I'm more interested in hearing about your adventures. I bet you have some stories to tell."

Regina raised her eyebrow as she smiled, slightly surprised by his response.

“Tell you what. Why don’t we continue our conversation somewhere else. I’ve got a VIP booth,” she suggested.

“Sounds good,” he replied delightedly. She was making this all too easy. This was going to be a piece of cake.

They made their way across the venue to the lone VIP booth, Regina’s heels clicking loudly. As they settled into the plush seating of the VIP booth, the atmosphere shifted, crackling with anticipation. Regina leaned in closer, her scent intoxicating Vince as she spoke.

"So, Vince, you never really told me more about yourself," she purred, her voice low and seductive.

Vince swallowed hard, realizing the importance of maintaining his facade. He had to keep Regina intrigued, keep her distracted from his true intentions.

"Well, there's not much to tell, really," he began, his words carefully chosen. "Just a guy with a taste for adventure, you know? Always looking for excitement, trying to live life to the fullest."

Regina sighed.

“You seem to have a thing… for women older than you. How old are you anyway, Vince?” she asked, squinting her eyes in curiosity. She caressed her coat up and down, the soft fur yielding to her hand with each stroke.

“I’m 25,” he replied.

Regina's lips curved into a knowing smile as she continued to study Vince, her gaze piercing yet playful.

"Ah, 25," she mused, her voice like velvet. "Such a tender age, full of promise and potential."

Vince shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny, acutely aware of the need to maintain his cover.

"Age is just a number, right?" he quipped, attempting to steer the conversation away from his youth.

Regina chuckled softly, a sound that sent a shiver down Vince's spine.

"Indeed it is, Vince. But tell me, what is it about older women that intrigues you?" she pressed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Vince hesitated for a moment, weighing his words carefully. He couldn't reveal too much, couldn't risk blowing his cover.

"I suppose I've always been drawn to maturity, experience," he replied, his voice steady despite the nerves that churned in his stomach. "There's something captivating about a woman who knows what she wants, who isn't afraid to go after it."

Regina's smile widened, a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes. She was still caressing her fur coat gently. She looked at her hand teasing the soft fluffiness at the coat’s seams

“What do you think of fur, Vince?” she asked, her voice smooth as silk, a subtle challenge in her tone.

Vince's gaze followed Regina's hand as it glided over the soft fur of her coat, his mind racing with the need to maintain the illusion of charm and intrigue.

"It's... exquisite… elegant," he replied, his voice husky with desire. "There's something undeniably alluring about it."

He couldn’t and wouldn’t hide it. He found women in fur coats incredibly attractive. There was something about the softness, the status it added and the sensuality he admired deeply. Ever since a child he had seen women in fur clothing. He had always wanted to caress them and play with them but he wasn’t allowed.

Regina's smile deepened, a knowing glint in her eyes as she continued to stroke the fur with a delicate touch.

"I'm glad you think so," she purred, her voice a seductive whisper. "Because, you see, Vince, I have a particular fondness for fur. It's a symbol of luxury, of indulgence. And I have a feeling you appreciate the finer things in life, am I right?"

"Absolutely," he replied, his voice filled with conviction. "I believe in embracing pleasure, in seizing every opportunity that comes my way."

“Mm,” she acknowledged, her gaze filled with satisfaction as she tickled Vince’s chin. “Vince, why don’t we head out… and continue this conversation at my place?”

He had done it. He had seduced Regina Savarino. But he was really only half way there. His remaining objective was to have her reveal the confidential information about her husband’s activities. The capo would surely praise Vince for this.

“I like that idea,” he whispered, totally prepared for what was to come, and moreover step 2 of the plan.

Regina smiled slyly as she grabbed Vince’s hand with surprising intensity, her touch sending a jolt of electricity coursing through him. Without a word, she began to lead him outside of the club, her movements confident and purposeful. Vince's heart raced with anticipation, unsure of what lay ahead but eager to follow wherever Regina led.

The chauffeur was waiting for her in the Mercedes leaning into the car smoking a cigarette. He saw Regina and Vince exit hastily from the club, the door almost flunging open. The driver swiftly opened the car door for the pair.

“Enzo, take us to my penthouse, pronto!” she commanded, excitement extruding out of her voice, yet there was something mischievous about it.

“Yes, ma’am,” Enzo replied.

As the sleek Mercedes pulled away from the curb, the atmosphere inside the car was charged with a palpable tension. Regina sat close to Vince, her presence a tantalizing blend of allure and mystery. The low hum of the engine filled the silence between them, punctuated only by the occasional sound of tires rolling over pavement.

Vince stole glances at Regina, his pulse quickening with each passing moment. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, a mischievous glint dancing in their depths. He couldn't help but wonder what awaited him at her penthouse, what secrets lay hidden behind its luxurious facade.

As they arrived at the imposing building housing Regina's penthouse, the Mercedes glided to a smooth stop. Vince's heart hammered in his chest as he followed Regina out of the car and into the opulent lobby. The grandeur of the surroundings only added to the sense of anticipation that pulsed through him.

Regina led the way, her steps confident and purposeful as they ascended the marble staircase to the private elevator. Vince couldn't shake the feeling of excitement mixed with apprehension that coursed through him with each passing moment. He was so close to completing his objective.

Finally, the elevator doors opened to reveal the lavish expanse of Regina's penthouse. The space was bathed in soft, golden light, casting a warm glow over everything it touched. Vince's breath caught in his throat at the sight, his senses overwhelmed by the opulence that surrounded him.

Regina turned to him with a smile, her eyes alight with excitement. "Welcome to my humble abode, Vince," she said, her voice a soft murmur that sent shivers down his spine.

As they stepped further into the penthouse, Vince couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration mingled with trepidation. Regina, ready to make Vince’s night, grabbed his hand once more and led him to the bedroom.

The bedroom exuded an air of luxury and intimacy, with plush furnishings and soft, ambient lighting casting a warm glow over the space. Vince's heart raced with anticipation as Regina guided him further into the room, her movements graceful and deliberate. As a contrast to the soft vibe, a white wooden X-frame, decorated with glowing golden accents and a head rest, stood tall at the corner of the bedroom.

Vince turned to Regina. “Regina, I bet as a wife of a mob boss, you harbor a lot of secrets. I’m looking forward to uncovering all of them. It turns me on so much. I love knowing what I’m not supposed to,” he whispered, incredibly aroused, oozing with desire.

“You’ve got no idea, dear Vince,” she whispered, her voice sensual and husky. “But don’t rush so much. I have a surprise for you. Stay right there.”

She strolled seductively behind a dressing screen. A tent was pitching in Vince’s pants and there was no hiding it. He waited with great anticipation what would be revealed from behind the elegant, mysterious dressing screen.

Vince heard heels slowly clicking as he saw a figure taking shape. Behind the screen emerged Regina dressed in black lacy 3 piece lingerie set the impossibly soft golden island fur coat still draped around her. She caressed the seams of the fur up and down slowly and seductively as she approached Vince.

His jaw almost dropped to the floor in pure lust. He couldn’t help but stare at her in total awe of her beauty. He pulled Regina close. “I can’t wait to uncover all of you: all your secrets and desires. I want to know what makes a lady like you tick,” Vince whispered, pulsing with desire.

“All in due time,” she whispered back, taking a hold of Vince’s jacket and unbuttoning it slowly. Next came off the shirt, as Regina admired his lean body. She caressed his midriff and up his chest with the sleeve of her coat, giving Vince shivers. The silky fur tickled slightly but felt pleasant traveling up his body.

Regina giggled as she saw Vince twitch slightly. “Ticklish, Vince?” she purred, blowing into his ear. She reached for his belt and started to unbuckle it. Down came the slacks and with them the underwear that was protecting his undeniable and visible excitement. She looked at his enlarged cock and smiled slyly to herself. “Your cock seems to like it when I touch you with my fur. I think I discovered one of your secrets, Vincy.”

Regina took a gentle hold of his arms and started to push him towards the X-frame looming in the corner of the lush bedroom. “One secret about me, Vince, is that I’m a bit… kinky,” she admitted playfully, acting embarrassed. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“I’m open to anything. Like I said, I’m always up for a thrill,” he grinned.

“Perfect… spread your limbs for me…” she whispered, taking a gentle nibble out of his ear.

Click, click, click and click. He was tied to the X-frame by his wrists and ankles, with no escape.

“You look so helpless and sexy right now, Vince,” she whispered, caressing his sides with her fluffy cuffs. “I could do anything I’d like to you, Fur boy. Aren’t you nervous?” she asked, continuing her stroking down to his waist and into his inner thighs.

“I like danger, Regina. You know that,” he moaned as the soft fur caressed his body ever so gently.

“Aren’t you afraid it would bite you back? That playing with fire would burn you sooner or later?” she questioned, with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Her hands wandered back up again closing in on his exposed armpits.

“There’s always a risk, I guess,” he replied.

“You’re right, Vince,” she purred, her voice low and seductive as she leaned in closer, her breath warm against his ear. She started gently skittering her long red nails in his wide open armpits. “You’re absolutely right.”

The sudden tickling caught poor Vince off guard. His laughter erupted uncontrollably, mingling with Regina's soft chuckles. He squirmed beneath her touch, trying to evade the ticklish assault, but she persisted, her nails dancing over his skin with expert precision.

Regina leaned back slightly, a wicked grin playing on her lips as she watched Vince wriggle and squirm. "See, Vince? Sometimes, a little risk is exactly what we need to feel alive," she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“WHATHEHEHEHEHE FUHUHUHUHUCK? LET ME GOHOHOHOHOHOHO!” he pleaded helplessly, his laughter echoing off the bedroom walls filling the room with ticklish sounds of despair and hopelessness. He bucked, left to right, front to back, trying to evade the spidering nails of his fur clad tickler.

Regina giggled evilly as she tickled his vulnerable flesh. She shifted her focus downwards, towards his sides. Tickling the hopeless Apolloni soldier gave her such immense satisfaction. Her nails moved with lightning speed. It was like millions of tiny tiny feathers caressed his sensitive skin.

Vince’s laughter only intensified when she targeted the new tickle spot. His heart pounding and adrenaline pumping through his veins. His fight or flight triggered, he couldn’t do anything but stay there, exposed and vulnerable. He could buck and plead as much as he liked but he was totally hers. Hers to tease, hers to torment, hers to tickle.

She moved her fingers down to his waist as she came closer to the cackling Vince. “Say, you’re awfully ticklish Vince. I cannot say I was totally surprised. Caressing you with fur made you shiver and twitch,” she said, skittering her nails under his stomach. “You have a bit of a fur fetish, don’t you, Vince?”

He couldn’t answer. He was too busy laughing and bucking. “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I- I- I- HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Only ticklish laughter, no words. Regina knew he couldn’t respond but wanted to tease him anyway. She had learned that psychological teasing is almost just as important as physical teasing.

Vince’s cock pulsed and jolted around as he bucked around trapped to the beautiful, white X-frame. Regina took notice of it, letting out a sultry low giggle. She stopped tickling him for a second to caress him with her fur again. “Tickling doesn’t really turn you off, now does it?” she whispered, the soft hairs of fur stroking around his pelvis. He was charged with arousal but he couldn’t say a word. He panted like a dog and tried to catch his breath after the ticklish exploitation he had endured.

Knock knock. Someone was at the door. It opened and in stepped a 60-year-old man with a suit, his gray hair parted in the middle and a cigar in his mouth.

“Hey, honey,” Regina greeted.

Don Savarino. He walked closer into the bedroom taking a puff. “Now would ya look at this? Another little fly caught in the web. What’s your name son?” he asked.

“Vince… pant… Vince Medici…” he replied.

“You with the Apollonis?” Savarino questioned.

“Go… pant… to… pant… Hell…” Vince cursed.

“Heh, guessed as much, son,” Savarino snorted, knowing exactly who Vince was now. “You Apolloni boys never learn… or anyone else for that matter.”

“What do you mean?” Vince asked, puzzled by what Savarino meant.

“Ya hear about my wife and then think to yourselves with ya little monkey brains that wooing her would help ya milk some info outta her. And they always end up in this situation. My wife’s a big tickler but I’m not really a fan of all that so we figured this way she’d have some fun too. I catch some snoopers and she gets to make some poor sucker laugh to death. Win win,” Savarino explained, the scheme now unfolding in Vince’s mind.

“You’ll pay for this, Savarino!” Vince yelled.

“Yeah yeah, keep yapping. Have fun ya two!” the don waved his hand as he made his exit.

“We will!” Regina chimed in as she turned to Vince and wiggled her fingers. She struck at his ribs, wreaking jolts of ticklish havoc instantly on his helpless body. “At least I will. Tickle tickle, Fur boy!” she teased. Her tickle talk made Vince blush even harder than before, not even considering that first he had been tricked so easily into being tickle tortured, he had to endure a personal humiliation from Don Savarino himself and he couldn’t hide his arousal.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! FUCKING BITCH! LET ME GO! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” he laughed and cursed, his face red with defeat.

“Aww, you don’t have to be embarrassed. You aren’t the first chump I’ve tickle tickle tickled to bits. But the fact, Vince, is that I like you. Furs and tickles turn you on, you can’t hide it. So just keep laughing for me like the good Tickle boy you are… and I’ll give you some love too,” she said slowly, caressing his erect sex with her fluffy fur whilst scribbling her fingers on his skin making sure to not pleasure him too much. For a second his laughter mixed with moans as the fur glided on his sensitive skin, eliciting an arousing mixture of softness and tantalizing tickles.

She started tickling up and down his arms, her movements feather-light yet relentless. Vince's laughter grew louder, his attempts to escape her touch becoming more frantic. Regina reveled in the sound, her mischievous grin widening as she enjoyed the playful interaction between them. With each ticklish squirm from Vince, she felt a surge of satisfaction, knowing she had the power to both tease and delight him in equal measure.

“See? You love me and my ticklish touch. You’re not fooling anyone here,” she notified, stopping her tickling and walking over to her wardrobe.

Vince watched, twitching in ticklish ecstasy, as she graciously opened the huge door of the wardrobe and pulled out something fuzzy and long. It was silver in color and glistened in the bedroom light, its soft texture inviting yet mysterious. As Regina approached him with the object in hand, Vince's curiosity piqued, his face warping into eager anticipation.

“What do you think about fur stoles, Vince?” she asked as she set the fluffy silver fox fur stole around her neck, the luxurious material draping elegantly over her shoulders. Vince's eyes widened in admiration at the sight, his gaze lingering on the opulent accessory. She walked closer to Vince, her stole slightly swinging with each step.

“One could say even more elegant than a coat," she mused, a playful glint in her eyes as she adjusted the stole with a graceful motion. "After all, a stole adds a touch of sophistication and allure, don't you think?" Her lips curved into a knowing smile as she awaited Vince's response, already aware of the effect her sartorial choice had on him. “But that’s a matter of taste.”

Regina looked at Vince’s cock. It was begging for attention.

“They are mainly sexy accessories,” she said, taking the long stole off her neck and kneeling down. “But who’s to say that they can’t have other uses… as tools,” she continued, wrapping the stole gently around his manhood. “As tools of pleasure, of soft ecstasy.”

Vince moaned as the fluffy stole entwined around his penis and Regina started pumping the soft accessory up and down, giving him a furjob. The soft tickle of the fur felt relaxing yet tantalizing. Each fluffy caress, sending signals of pleasure and desire to his brain. His pulsating member was totally engulfed in impossibly soft and teasing fur.

“But I’m not done with you yet,” Regina announced, unwrapping the stole so cruelly from Vince and setting it around her neck once more.

“Please continue!” Vince pleaded.

“Don’t worry, you’ll feel my stole again. But for now I have something else for you,” she consoled.

Regina moved over to a big white chest next to the X-frame. She opened it and picked up something. “I hope you like feathers, Vince,” she said, pulling out a massive feather duster. It must’ve been around 3 feet long, adorned with pearl white ostrich feathers on top of a wooden handle.

“I had this custom made… for ticklish men like you,” she said, twirling the huge tickle tool around. “A tease for the eyes, isn’t it? Imagine all these feathers, exploring and engulfing your body in unimaginable ticklish softness. Would you like that?”

“Don’t tickle me, please,” Vince begged.

“Don’t lie to yourself, Tickle boy,” Regina rolled her eyes slightly amused.

The ocean of feathers descended upon Vince’s body, sending soft tingles of ticklishness coursing through his senses. His cock jolted as the pleasurable feathers swayed all over his ticklish form tantalizing his flesh. Up, down, left, right the feathers traveled leaving heavenly tickles in their wake. His mind was scrambled and the only word he could think about was tickle… tickle… tickle….

The feathers covered every inch of where the duster was targeted. His arms, sides, chest and legs. No spot was safe from the ticklish feather cloud of the duster. Vince didn’t know whether to laugh or moan, as his voice became a mixture of both: ticklish despair and pure unadulterated pleasure.

“Please, let me go… hahahaha… I’ll give you all the info you want… pant…” he pleaded

“Don’t you understand, Vince? I don’t care about any of your Apolloni stuff,” she clarified, coming in close whispering. “The only thing I want is to tickle you. And we both know you don’t wanna leave. You want me to keep tickling you. You want me to keep pleasuring you. And that’s exactly what’s gonna happen, Tickle boy.”

Vince was still squirming, trying to evade the feathers, but Regina was having none of it. She set one of her hands behind his back, the fur of her coat softly caressing him, and pulled him closer directly towards the duster. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t pull away, caught in the irresistible grip of her playful coercion, engulfing him in a whirlwind of ticklish sensation. Regina directed her tickle tool to his burning crotch. She wiggled her duster as the ostrich feathers totally enveloped his package filling him with ticklish pleasure.

“That’s it. Let the feathers take hold over you, let them tickle you. Embrace the sensation, coochie coo,” Regina whispered into Vince’s ear.

Vince moaned loudly as she giggled with soft sadism. “My duster’s lovely, isn’t it?” she teased, her voice dripping with playful satisfaction as she watched him squirm under the ticklish assault. The duster's feathers danced tantalizingly over his genitals, eliciting a mixture of pleasure and torment that left him utterly stunned in ticklishness. It’s like an angel of God was sent down to Earth to personally tickle him. It was no angel, however. Rather a tickle demoness.

Regina stopped slowly easing the duster away. “But I miss your laugh,” she informed, setting the duster on the bed next to them.

She walked behind the X-frame and pulled a lever. To Vince’s surprise, the bondage device tilted back 90 degrees and he was now lying down. Regina went back over to where his feet were now exposed. And alas, the ticklish scribbling of her nails met his sensitive soles.

“NO! NOHOHOHOHOHO! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Vince begged, laughing hysterically. The tickling before had been unbearable and he wasn’t sure he could take in anymore. Regina was a true sadist. She took pleasure in seeing Vince squirm and scream in ticklish despair. It turned her on.

Regina bowed down slightly, broadening her reach. Her fur stole swang side to side almost touching the floor as she tried to keep up with his wiggling feet. She was having the time of her life tormenting him and so was Vince. His cock was already dripping with precum ready to explode.

Regina’s nails explored his feet thoroughly. She moved to his heels and back to his soles. Her nails ran up and down his ticklish arches, causing him to howl with helpless laughter. The tickler’s fingers rose up to the balls of his feet making him spring and jolt in his restraints.

“That’s it. Laugh for me! Don’t hold anything back! It tickles! It tickles so much! You can’t help it! Laugh!” she urged, so incredibly aroused by his ticklish helplessness.

Vince’s stomach ached from laughing so much, and it worsened every second Regina’s nails glided along his feet, exposing every ticklish weakness. Tears formed in the corners of his eyes, his breath coming in short gasps between fits of laughter. Despite the discomfort, there was a strange thrill in surrendering to Regina's torment, each ticklish sensation sending waves of both agony and ecstasy through his body.

Regina ceased her assault and walked between his legs. She leaned forward and continued by targeting her talons to Vince’s ticklish vulnerable armpits once more. The fur of her coat caressed his sides as she scribbled in and around his poor pits. Her stole, moving as she tickled, caressed his inner thighs gently teasing him to bits.

She quickly moved her hands to his hips, deliberately keeping her arms close to his body, ensuring that her soft fur stroked him along with every tickle. Regina reached over to the bed and picked up her duster again, a mischievous gleam in her eyes as she prepared to unleash a newfound mixture of ticklish torment upon Vince.

She laughed sadistically as her left hand still spidered along his left side and hip, as she fluttered the huge feathered tickle stick along his defenseless body with her right hand. Regina tickled his face quickly with the duster as she grabbed a tail of her stole and stroked it up and down his cock for a moment, resuming the tickling right after.

The soft and intense hurricane of tickling left Vince breathless and utterly defeated, his body writhing with uncontrollable laughter as Regina's skilled fingers worked their magic. Every nerve ending tingled with sensation, his senses overwhelmed by the dizzying whirlwind of pleasure and torment. Surrendering completely to the ticklish onslaught, Vince found himself lost in a state of euphoric exhaustion, unable to do anything but succumb to the irresistible power of Regina's domination.

“PLEASE LET ME CUM! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I AM ABOUT TO LOSE IT! HAHAHAHAHAHA!” he pleaded.

“Aww, had enough of your tickles?” Regina teased, giggling at his helplessness.

“YES! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I NEED TO CUM! PLEASE!” he screamed.

“Alright, alright, Fur tickle boy,” Regina consoled, as she relented with Vince gasping for air.

She set the duster back on the bed and stroked up and down his legs. Vince tried to twist his body closer to Regina, who was still standing between his legs. Her fox fur stole still hung in his inner thighs looming near his genitals and he was trying to get closer to it.

Regina raised her eyebrow puzzled at his movements until she looked down. “Oooh, you miss my fluffy stole, don’t you? Well, you’re in luck because she missed you too,” she winked, personifying the fur stole, as she lifted the soft accessory from her shoulders.

“She missed coiling around you… and tickling… and pleasuring you,” she whispered in a low, husky and sultry manner as she wrapped the stole around his manhood once more.

“She missed having her fur caress every sensitive inch of you, engulfing you, making you moan as her soft fluff brings you closer and closer to pure heavenly bliss,” she teased, stroking the soft fur on his flesh.

Vince moaned in pure lasciviousness as he looked at Regina smiling gently while stroking the stole up and down his cock. The fur truly felt blissful after the relentless tickling he had endured a few minutes prior. Regina had put him through Tickle Hell and Fur Heaven was the reward for his endurance. Vince stared at Regina as he saw her eyes squint, as if she had just got an idea.

“But Miss Stole isn’t selfish. She likes sharing,” she said as she started to stroke his inner thighs with her golden island fox coat, still pumping the silver fox stole with one hand.

Getting closer and closer to the edge Vince moaned loudly aroused by the double fur treatment. The soft tickle of the fur around his genitals and inner thighs awakened new heights of arousal, desire and lust within him. He wished he could stay like this forever. Pleasured by Regina and her ever-so-soft furs.

“You see, I can be nice to people I like. Sink into the feeling of my fur, Vince. Sink into it. Let it bring you closer to paradise. Let it stroke you. Let it caress you. Let it tickle you. Let it pleasure you until you scream with ecstasy,” Regina teased, taking joy in making him ooze with desire.

As Vince neared his orgasm his whole body was on fire. He was so ready to explode in blissful pleasure. He was so close. The amazingly soft fur felt so good rubbing him all over his most sensitive parts. Each hair, each strand, each piece of fur joined in an ecstatic orchestra aiming to send Vince to Cloud Nine.

“Cum. Cum for me Vince. Let my fur bring you to orgasm, Tickle boy. Cum for your fur goddess,” Regina urged.

Vince had been tickled, pleasured, tickled and pleasured again. His cock felt like it was about to split in half. His senses heightened, he felt every single individual fur caress his sensitive skin. His limbs were tingling and cramping. The stole and the coat felt so good tickling between his legs.

And so he came as he yelled in pure, unfiltered and raw bliss. All of his muscles joined in unison as he sprung up in his restraints. The intense screams of pleasure echoed throughout the bedroom as hot sperm spewed out of Vince’s penis. Every nerve in his body tingled down towards his crotch.

As he blasted the last drop of cum from his cock, Vince was exhausted. He panted heavily, still strapped to the X-frame. His legs shook as cold sweat dripped down his body. Vince felt his eyes become heavy.

Vince heard one last thing as he slowly fell into a slumber, passing out: "That's it, Tickle boy. Go to sleep."

[simplegenius042]

Music Monday & OCs as "Patron Saints of..." Quiz

Tagged by the lovely @inafieldofdaisies @voidika and @cloudofbutterflies92

Tagging @imogenkol @josephseedismyfather @direwombat @noodlecupcakes @socially-awkward-skeleton @adelaidedrubman @hollywood-is-bleeding @derelictheretic @cassietrn @aceghosts @icecutioner @shallow-gravy @strangefable @statichvm @carlosoliveiraa @g0dspeeed @wrathfulrook @starsandskies @ladyoriza @la-grosse-patate @thewanderer-000 @omen-speaker @alypink @shellibisshe @josephslittledeputy @skoll-sun-eater @afarcryfrommymain @strafethesesinners @turbo-virgins @florbelles @minilev @justasmolbard @softtidesworld @yokobai and @seedsplease + anyone else who want to join.

Music Monday for The UnTitledverse, Wings And Horns WIP and A Radioactive Calamity Of Love, Bombs & Gore, and OC quiz results for OCs from The Silver Chronicles and Life, Despair & Monsters. You can find the Quiz here and enjoy listening/reading below the cut:

Remember how I said Lena would be uncovering skeletons from Fazbear Entertainment's closet in my Five Nights at Freddy's WIP More Than Bargained For?. Well, the corpses of children stuffed in animatronics after being murdered by a serial-killing co-founder isn't the only think she discovers; Lena, with the guidance of one "Mike Schmidt", she also uncovers a history of tragedies surrounding one family feud in a house full of nightmares and a forgotten rental service too. Unbeknownst to the young Elliot woman, she is inadvertently aiding Mike under the company's untold policy of "Paragraph 4", with the intent of bringing all Fazbear-related animatronics back to one ultimate pizzeria. What could possibly go wrong?:

"There is a legend A legend born long ago About a wicked A wicked man no one knows Went and unraveled Six innocent little souls

Those souls found bodies The bodies started to move Some say they still walk Walk the halls, staying from view

I got a secret that I am here to tell you That place is this very place And all the stories are true

This world's a scary place We're not monsters, just changed Bigger hands for grabbing ahold We were lost to foul play But we got an upgrade Lots more teeth for eating you whole

Here comes another chapter Your heart is beating faster Because you're the one we're after Five Nights at Freddy's 4 Thank you for bringing us home

We were just like you Like you, just playing a game That's when the wicked Wicked man lead us astray Without a warning Our lives have been rearranged

As for our story The story's not over yet There's still one secret One secret left to be said

Tonight when you are Safely tucked into your bed Close all the doors that you want We're already in your head

This world's a scary place We're not monsters, just changed Bigger hands for grabbing ahold We were lost to foul play But we got an upgrade Lots more teeth for eating you whole

Here comes another chapter Your heart is beating faster Because you're the one we're after Five Nights at Freddy's 4 Thank you for bringing us home

Thank you for bringing us home

Here comes another chapter Your heart is beating faster Because you're the one we're after Five Nights at Freddy's 4 Thank you for bringing us home

Thank you for bringing us home

Thank you for bringing us home

Thank you for bringing us home!"

Now on one hand, I don't initially believe this song actually fits my Wings And Horns WIP. However, on the other hand, in relation to Jezebel Ba'al's story (and maybe a bit of Cadet Azriel's too, being the implied soul of a particular bearded cult leader's dead daughter and all, plus committing to her service as an Angel of Death just so she can finally reach reincarnation), I think this can fit within the context of a story that's centered around the pros and cons of living in a world where a divine system like the Soulmate System exists, especially when you have two young characters like Azriel and Jezebel, the former hearing nothing but good things about having a Soulmate while the latter (and other's like her) have been directly harmed by the system's flawed structure, and how both are influenced by their well-meaning if extreme father/authority figures:

"Down the rabbit hole, we saw you come in Through the glass of our cages chained up where we live Where we live Please don't be afraid We're a little bent Broken souls looking for a way to start again Start again

How can we ever be free When our prison is skin deep Left to rot* underneath Buried us down below so no one sees Daddy's little monsters

Listen to the voice keeping you alive You need us, we need you, it'll be alright Yeah, it's alright We don't wanna stay under lock and key You can help break the curse, we all wanna live** Wanna live**

How can we ever be free When our prison is skin deep Left to rot* underneath Buried us down below so no one sees Daddy's little monsters!"

[*Given rust is more for metal, rot fits well enough for both physical flesh and the "soul flesh" that Cadet Azriel and Jezebel have both experienced. **I used "live" instead of "leave" because even... well... the latter doesn't really make much sense in this context, while the former can be interpreted as Jezebel saying "we all want to live our lives without being it being predestined for us" especially with out trapping being fated to a soulmate can be (especially for the likes of Jezebel whose experienced a bad fating, and Azriel wants to be reincarnated so she can live again, but not be stuck in a similar fate to Jezebel if she gets the chance of rebirth, so at this point, here is where Azriel's opinion on the Soulmate System begins to shift].

In the unnamed Fallout 2 WIP from my A Radioactive Calamity Of Love, Bombs & Gore series, Ore returns to California (where last time he was there, his father Arcane Urias had mutilated his face after Ore declined joining him on his quest of human destruction) after exploring the Wastelands a bit more and to say goodbye to a good friend. However, instead he not only meets his friend's granddaughter Finidy Mona, but also finds evidence that his father has returned in the area. He decides to partner up with Finidy to help him track down and kill his father to stop him and his nefarious deeds by retracing his steps from Shady Sands to New Reno. This also relates to how, chronologically timeline-wise, this WIP is the last prequel of sorts and closing the chapter on Ore's story in California plus Urias and Talos' origins before the focus goes onto Ress.

"You set the stage all by yourself You have a job, do it well And play your part to host their final farewell

An event Just like the first time Put to rest Their souls tonight

It's going back, back, back, back They've been through this before It's going back, back, back, back The final page of the lore The sound of cheer, the need for fear The souls of the kids are free Rewind the tears

It's going back, back, back, back Back, back, back, back, back Back, back, back, back, back Back, back, back, back, back It's going-!"

Now for the quiz results for OCs from my The Silver Chronicles and Life, Despair & Monsters series. Most of these will likely be unfamiliar to you guys:

HUNTRESS CAROLINE JÄGER (THE SILVER CHRONICLES [BLOODBORNE])

Pretty accurate given the ending she gets. Unafraid to face what others refused to see, and too stubborn to look away from it. If it's something she could fix, then the Horrors be damned. Is it a shame, though, if it meant she could no longer wake up from such a terrible, horrible dream, if just to get a glimpse of the rising sun?

HUNTER TOBIAS JÄGER (THE SILVER CHRONICLES [BLOODBORNE])

How different these two are; the sister transcends to something new and unfamiliar, but here, the brother holds onto what made sense and what was once precious to him, even if holding on stops him from moving forward. And all he has to show for it is a fragment of what he lost.

DARKBEAST CONSTANCE (THE SILVER CHRONICLES [BLOODBORNE])

No matter how much he boasts about being true to Yahar'gul's ideals, he is still a lesser man than he is a true beast.

LOGAN THE VAGABOND OF NO RENOWN (THE SILVER CHRONICLES [ELDEN RING])

Fucking poetic considering what he does and who comes crawling out of it. While Logan is an unpleasant and selfish person, he himself becomes a vessel for all the good things he'll pass on to his successor; someone that will succeed against the destined odds where he and everyone else failed.

RICO (LIFE, DESPAIR & MONSTERS [CYBERPUNK 2077])

Staying in Night City (whether it be for the guy you were always at the beck and call of, not just out of loyalty and idealism, but genuine love, even if he didn't necessarily share the same love you felt and eventually became a stranger to you, or for the mentored young woman you see so much life coursing through her veins within a city as horrid as NC, and also see so much of yourself and the other in, yet is cruelly destined for far less than she deserves and spends that little time with others that aren't you, knowing this goodbye is the last goodbye you'll ever make as she leaves behind everything for those final months of something better... or maybe you stay because it's all you've ever known and believe you'll be useful in) does not have much benefits.

LORA (LIFE, DESPAIR & MONSTERS [ARCANE: LEAGUE OF LEGENDS])

Ever wonder if, in spite of how much you try, you're just destined to be alone? Lora chases after something things that won't ever leave her fulfilled or satisfied. In the end it's this that dooms her to solitude.

[rosie-kairi]

They kept mentioning "the founders" in the trailer and I can't wait for Brain to start feuding with them. Strict keyblade government vs dude from the ancient past that they modeled their government after. They want Brain to be some brand of figurehead and he's just gonna say "is it crack you think I smoke? You think I smoke crack? No obviously the fuck not."

[deadpresidents]

"He is an old friend with whom I have often had occasion to labor on many a knotty problem, and in whose abilities and steadiness I always found great cause to confide."

-- John Adams, on Thomas Jefferson, 1784

•••

"It is with much reluctance that I am obliged to look upon him as a man whose mind if warped by prejudice and so blinded by ignorance as to be unfit for the office he holds. However wise and scientific as a philosopher, as a politician he is a child and a dupe of party."

-- President John Adams, on his Vice President Thomas Jefferson, 1797

•••

"I always loved Jefferson, and still love him."

-- Former President John Adams, expressing his fondness for former President Thomas Jefferson to Edward Coles, which ultimately led to the two former Presidents rekindling their friendship and beginning a remarkable correspondence that lasted until they both died, within hours of one another, on July 4, 1826 -- the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

[lizardsfromspace]

The conservative newspaper run by Falun Gong, and the other one run by the Moonies, makes me think of what a weird artifact the Christian Science Monitor is.

Christian Science is the group that disbelieves in all modern medicine, and preaches prayer instead (mysteriously their membership numbers are in regular freefall). So naturally, their newspaper is...a respected, largely secular and reliable institution that's won seven Pulitzers? How on Earth did that happen

(the answer is that their founder created it as part of a feud with...Joseph Pulitzer?)

(also they are a unreliable cult propaganda rag when it comes to medical news, which makes the Pulitzers even weirder)

[mjrtaurus]

Yknow out of all the Monkey D's that would have to deal with Figarland Garling's unsettling ass, Kong is probably the one who actively deals with him the most.

He's ashamed to admit he didn’t really see it at first. Sure the knight would occasionally ask very odd personal questions but Kong assumed this was just a very stilted attempt at small talk. The more they focused in on his daughter-in-law is when he started getting uneasy. What was she like, what was her name, was she as good as a fighter as the stories say? He answered these but very noncommittally, always steering the conversation back to work.

Time went on and as it did the questions got more and more prying. What were her interests, her dislikes, her favourite meal..

Her exact weight and height, the size and shade of her wigs, her measurements to the decimal point, was her skin colour uniform throughout or are some areas darker, does she know about him, does she think about tell me Kong you’re under orders you have to tell me I am your superior-

He never told this to anyone, yes partly because of his orders but how does one explain this level of delusional or obsession or- the word didn’t matter, there was no word strong enough to describe the depths the saint was sinking to.

The day he walked into the knight's office only to immediately the photograph of his presumed deceased daughter-in-law smiling up at him was a day he could truly say he felt fear.

Figarland, completely lost in himself, only smiled graciously.

“We’ve been expecting you Commander.”

Ever since the Celestial lost that wife of his, he’s been like this. That wife of his with the red hair that the man seemed about as obsessed with as the damn wings…

Red hair, wings… wasn’t there some damned fairy tale his daughter-in-law swore up and down was true? Something about someone in it being an ancestor of hers?

Kal-… gora? No Kal-something… Kal-… Kal-…

Gara.

Kalgara.

… what the hell was a Celestial Dragon doing obsessing over a four century old bedtime story if it wasn’t real?

Dammit… he owed the woman an apology. And now it was too, little too late…

“The Figarland family is older than the first stones of Mary Geoise, you are well aware. Our founder, Garmr, was the general responsible for leading the combined forces of the twenty kingdoms against the savages of the lower world… None of whom fought so fiercely as the Shandia of Jaya.”

Kong’s eye twitched. His daughter-in-law was dead, and his son and grandchildren were scattered to the four winds and grieving. And he was getting a history lesson.

“Those winged wretches slaughtered him, and his son, Fenrir, took up his sword and payed them in kind. My family has been leading the God’s Knights and hunting those vermin down ever since.”

Ah. So his family was mourning because of an eight hundred year old blood feud that they had nothing to do with. How… perfectly reasonable…

“I, too, have been carrying on this thankless battle. And when dear Shamrock’s day to lead comes, so shall he. So you must understand, when I learned of this… woman… I had to either bring her to heel or snuff her out.” He spoke so flippantly, as if he hadn’t dug himself so deep in this mania that he could no longer see the sky.

“And the same will go for that half-breed grandson of yours, once I have him located. He’s quite the clever little traitor, but he won’t evade me for long…”

[weclassybouquetfun]

In 2021 the limited series on the career of designer Halston (Roy Halston Frowick, portrayed by Ewan McGregor) waltzed down Netflix's catwalk. Now we have at least three series chronicling the lives and careers of designers.

Currently on Disney+ in Europe is the exquisite CRISTÓBAL BALENCIAGA centering on, guess who? Spanish designer Cristobal Balenciaga, starring Alberto San Juan (Reyes De La Noche) as Balenciaga.

It's an interesting story about this enigmatic fashion genius that shows his steadfastness in his devotion to fashion to the sacrifice, some may say, of ethics due to the fact that while other fashion houses were shut down during Germany's occupation of some parts of France, he readily made clothes for the significant others of German soldiers.

The series also shines a light on Balenciaga's relationship with his creative partner and love-of-his-life Wladzio d'Attainville (played by Thomas Coumans).

Among the designers who appear or are name-checked in CRISTÓBAL BALENCIAGA is Christian Dior and Coco Chanel. These two fashion legends will appear in AppleTV+'s upcoming mini-series THE NEW LOOK with Ben Mendelsohn as Dior and Juliette Binoche as Coco Chanel and takes place during Germany's occupation of France.

THE NEW LOOK will feature covers of classics by Florence + and The Machine, Lana del Rey, The 1975, Perfume Genius and more.

Sometimes this year (at least I hope this year) will be KAISER KARL (apparently the title may be changed) starring Daniel Brühl as Kunty Karl Lagerfeld

centering on him as a 38-year old trying to break into the Parisian world of high fashion where he finds himself in competition with he finds himself in competition with French fashion giants like Yves Saint Laurent.

The only Yves Saint Laurent depiction worth a damn. RIP beautiful Gaspard Ulliel 

What is fashion if there's no one to wear it? For example, the high society ladies that will be depicted in the upcoming installment of FX's FEUD: CAPOTE VS. THE SWANS.

Hopefully this series will do justice to the mythos behind writer Truman Capote's nuclear fall out with the so-called Swans - a moniker Capote gave the socialites whose company he kept and whose secrets he didn't.

Playing Capote is Tom Hollander

Naomi Watts as Babe Paley, wife of CBS founder William S. Paley (which the annual PaleyFest is named after), Diane Lane as Slim Keith, ex-wife of famed director Howard Hawks, producer Leland Hayward amongst others; Calista Flockhart as Lee Radziwill, sister of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Demi Moore Ann Woodward who got her place in society by being the wife of a banking heir,

Demi, that looks like a flamingo, not a swan.

Chloe Sevigny as Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali muse C.Z. Guest, Molly Ringwald as JoAnne Carson, ex-wife of late-night talk show host Johnny Carson and the only Swan who remained friends with Capote after his ouster from their social circle.

TBT Elle magazine getting animated with fashion.

Goofy as Kunty Karl Lagerfeld.

[werewolfetone]

It's really really funny how the inla was founded and then immediately started a feud with the official ira which was so bloody it ended in the inla's founder dead. forming a new socialist irish republican paramilitary just to unsuccessfully attempt to beat the shit out of the other socialist irish republican paramilitary because I don't ljke them

[dalekofchaos]

Why I hate Cody Rhodes

Ya know, for a longtime, I just couldn't think of it, but there was something about Cody that I just can't bring myself to like him. Here's why.

As he started in WWE, he was a midcarder at best. Showed promise in Legacy, shined as the dashing and excelled as undashing and lol Stardust happened. Then he rebuilt himself on the independents, formed a friendship with The Elite and helped build AEW and finally completed his goal. All that sounds good on paper, so why the dislike?

Cody to me, is one of the most disingenuous people in the wrestling business. He talks like a snake oil salesman. He workshops his promos and just sounds phony every time he talks. He desperately wanted to be like John Cena, the face that ran the place. He and Brandi wanted to be HHH and Stephanie so fucking bad in AEW and it blew up in their faces. He has to use the memory of Dusty Rhodes to get over. He had to use his friendship with Kevin Owens to get taken care of by the Bucks. He needed The Elite to build his stock. He needed the Rhodes Family and The Elite, because on his own, Cody is NOTHING!

On Brandi. She was a heel while her husband was the top face of the midcard and ran the worst faction in AEW history. But oh she's a face when she's in Cody's entourage. "WHO TOLD YOU IT WAS OPEN MIC NIGHT, BITCH?" then she threw water in Shaq's face. Then she got pregnant and everyone cheered! Despite that, she had to be the center of attention, whether in the woman's division or Cody's feuds. Then Cody had the most ridiculous, carny and overbloated feud between himself and Anthony Ogogo where he markets Brandi and their mixed baby. He did it! Cody ended racism…..while racially antagonizing a British black man.

Then Cody and Brandi did a fucking kayfabe breaking reality show. Then Brandi set Cody’s back on fire. That happened. “That’s what you get for that stupid neck tattoo, babe”

Then the fucking Dan Lambert feud happened. When Dan fucking Lambert is more over and more cheered than this alleged babyface and his wife, it’s time to pack up and go home. It was absolutely fucking ridiculous.

The difference between Dusty and Cody is, when Dusty speaks to you, you believe in him. He makes you feel good about yourself and gets you fired up! When Cody speaks, he's condescending and talks down to you.

To me Eddie Kingston, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens represents the common man and closest thing to the American Dream aka Dusty's legacy than his own son.

Despite how much he loves Dusty and tries to emulate him, Cody comes off more like the love child of Ric Flair and Jeff Jarrett than Dusty Rhodes.

This is why Cody's refusal to turn heel baffles me so much. He is the perfect disingenuous smarmy heel. He even has Brandi as the perfect heel valet. He has bleached blonde hair like Gorgeous George and Flair. This clown even dresses up as Homelander. Unless Cody is a closeted MAGA, there is no way he doesn't know or understand that Homelander is the fucking villain, you can't tell me he doesn't lack this much self-awareness.

This is why his refusal to turn in AEW was ridiculous.

He got booed out of the fucking building like he was forced down cookie cutter Roman babyface. His own belt was thrown back at him. Him and Brandi had get off my TV heat to the point where Dan Lambert got cheered over them. Seriously, his AEW run was weird.

If he stayed in AEW? He should've turned heel. Embrace the EVP/Founder mentality. Use your power as EVP to get rid of the stipulation of being unable to challenge the AEW World title. Become an insufferable power couple with Brandi. Unite The Elite and run the goddamn place.

If Cody had any self-awareness, he’d stay The American Nightmare and own that shit. A rich guy whose greatest achievement is being born to a great man, teaming up with another rich guy whose only achievement is having a billionaire father, booking himself to be champion in a fixed game by "beating" self made men. His father was a son of a plumber and lived the American dream… he is a shining example of the nightmare everyone else has to live through. You can't write a better heel story.

And goddamn. You already have the perfect heel story in WWE. "I ran the revolution, but I sold out to the fed and became world champion" He brings out his wife as the perfect bitchy unlikable valet and brings out an entourage and Cody acts like Homelander. Someone who acts nice and like the good guy, when in reality he's this obnoxious self-centered prick.

So yeah, when the chips are down, I just can't bring myself to like Cody cause of how phony and disingenuous he is and how he refuses to embrace the perfect unlikable heel.

Also #Kevinowensisright

[whencyclopedia]

Atreus was the mythical Greek king of Mycenae. He is perhaps best known for being the father of Agamemnon and Menelaus, two heroes of the Trojan War, as well as for the terrible curse placed upon his family. This was a hereditary curse, plaguing the family for five generations with a vicious cycle of murder and revenge. The curse of the House of Atreus began when its founder, Tantalus, offended the gods by serving them a feast made of the dismembered remains of his own son, Pelops, in an attempt to test their omniscience. It continued with the rivalry between Atreus and his brother Thyestes that blossomed into a bloody feud, and it afflicted the next generation as well, with the murder of Agamemnon by his own wife. The curse did not end until Atreus' grandson Orestes avenged Agamemnon's murder and was absolved from all guilt by the gods. The story of Atreus and his heirs made excellent dramatic material for ancient Greek and Roman literature, as seen in the trilogy known as the Oresteia written by Greek tragedy playwright Aeschylus (c. 525 to c. 456 BCE) and the tragedy Thyestes written by Seneca (4 BCE to 65 CE). The members of the House of Atreus are referenced in many different sources of Greek mythology, with Atreus' descendants being collectively known as Atreidai, the plural form of the patronymic name Atreides.