#Germany Mailing Lists

[littlehen]

.

[austinbutlerslovers]

Well I’ll Be Damned

Label Mature 18+

Summary Even though Major Gale has been captured in a war camp, it doesn’t stop him from being located and receiving letters from back home. One day, amidst the routine stack of mail, he receives an unexpected letter scented with a familiar perfume. The letter ignites his passion for his love back home, rousing him and giving him hope amidst the bleakness of his captivity.

💝Romantic Smut 💝 lovelorn•edging•handjob•ejaculating •semi private

Master List ••• Upcoming List

Gifs @seaside-storm @mads-nixon

Well I’ll Be Damned

Major Gale awoke from his bunk and prepared for his mission of the day. He was stationed on an American base in Germany far from the comforts of his base back home. The barracks were cramped, each soldier allotted a narrow bed with barely enough room to store their personal belongings. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and metal.

Once showered and dressed Gale dug into to his rucksack at his bed and pulled one of your letters. It was one of his favorites when you teased him about a lingerie set you had purchased. As he unfolded the paper the picture of you wearing it untucked from the page. He looked over it with a smile before tucking it into his breast pocket.

Your professional portrait was always tacked into the windshield frame of his aircraft, serving as a constant reminder of you. But this one was special he looked at it almost every night.

On this particular day, he carried the lingerie photo with him instead of leaving it on base, the weight of separation from you feeling heavier than usual.

You had both written each other as frequently as possible, just as you had promised. Despite the distance, your words were a source of comfort for him in the midst of uncertainty. As he headed to the tarmac for another transport mission the longing for home weighed heavily on his heart.

Major Gale inspected the exterior of his plane before takeoff, a ritual he followed religiously. As a superstition he ran his hand along the hull feeling the smooth surface where previous bullet holes had been plated and painted over. The scars of past battles served as a reminder of the dangers that awaited them in the skies.

His men greeted him as they loaded into the aircraft, their expressions betraying the tension that hung heavy in the air. Each one understood the risks they faced, but their determination to complete the mission remained unwavering.

The mission over Germany promised to be just as dangerous as those that came before. With a sense of foreboding gnawing at his insides Gale felt a tightness in his as he sat his pilots seat and placed his hand on the hull taking a moment to let it settle.

His copilot’s concerned inquiry broke through the silence, “You alright, Major?” He asked. Gale’s response was stoic but strained, “Yeah I’ll be fine.” He reassured him.

As Gale buckled into the pilot’s seat the weight of the impending danger pressed down on him. Despite his attempts to shake off the uneasiness, it lingered casting a shadow over his thoughts. With a steely resolve he performed his preflight checks but each motion reminded him of the risks that awaited them in the skies above the enemy.

He gazed at your picture nestled in the seal of his windshield and traced his finger along it the last of his set rituals before takeoff. It was a moment of quiet reflection amidst the chaos of preparation, a final connection to you beyond the confines of war. With a lingering touch, he silently drew strength from your image, a reminder of the love and support that awaited him on his return.

As they took off that day, the roar of the engines drowned out any sense of impending danger. Major Gale’s crew had become accustomed to the risks of flying over enemy territory, but today, their luck seemed to have run out.

With a sudden jolt the aircraft shuddered violently as enemy fire tore through its metal frame severing cables and rendering the engine useless.

Major Gale’s heart pounded against his chest as he wrestled with the controls trying desperately to stabilize the plummeting aircraft. Amidst the deafening cacophony of gunfire he barked orders to his men his voice cutting through the chaos like a beacon of hope.

“We’re in a controlled descent. Let’s hope we make it across the border. Prepare to bail!” he yelled his words tinged with urgency. His co-pilot guided the men through the cramped cabin ensuring each one was securely fastened into their parachute harness.

As the aircraft continued its descent Major Gale made the split-second decision.

“Bail out! Now!” he commanded his voice unwavering despite the imminent danger. With practiced precision his men leaped from the aircraft their parachutes unfurling like giant billowing sails against the stormy sky.

With his last man safely away Major Gale took a deep breath and prepared to make his own exit. With a swift motion he left the controls donned his parachute and flung himself from the doomed aircraft. The rush of wind whipped against his face as he hurtled towards the earth below his senses on high alert.

As he descended Major Gale scanned the landscape for a safe landing zone. Spotting a farmhouse nestled amidst the rolling fields below he adjusted his course and steered towards it. With a practiced hand he deployed his parachute feeling the reassuring tug as it billowed open above.

Overshooting his landing Major Gale crashed through the front door of the farmhouse and through the kitchen colliding into the stove sending pots and pans clattering to the ground. His heart was still racing from the adrenaline-fueled descent.

His abrupt entrance startled the inhabitants. A Mama and Papa who stared at him with a mixture of fear and anger.

Amidst the chaos in the kitchen, the Mama’s cries filled the air accusing him of being a Luftgangster a ‘terror flyer’. The Papa fueled by anger and fear for his safety grabbed a nearby pitchfork and joined his wife in the kitchen.

As Gale lay on his back, attempting to calm the situation in broken German with his hands outstretched, the Papa approached him and raised the pitchfork threateningly. Desperately, Gale tried to convey that he meant no harm, that he was merely a soldier caught in the chaos of war.

With a tense standoff in the cramped kitchen, Major Gale slowly raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, using the other to unhook his parachute to show he was unarmed. The Papa, still wary but sensing no immediate threat, allowed Gale to stand.

Backing out of the ruined kitchen onto the porch Major Gale turned to look over the field in search of any of his men, instead he was met with a chilling sight. The horizon was dotted with German soldiers converging on his location. With a sinking heart he realized the grim reality of the situation they had been discovered by the enemy.

As German soldiers closed in Gale’s mind raced, his thoughts consumed by the harrowing prospect of captivity. Despite his best efforts, he was no match for the overwhelming force of the German soldiers and soon found himself being dragged away, his fate along with his fellow soldiers captured nearby now in the hands of his captors.

War Camp

In the grim confines of the POW camp, Major Gale found himself thrust into a world of harsh realities and stark contrasts. Surrounded by towering barbed wire fences and guarded by soldiers whose cruelty seemed endless Major Gale and his fellow prisoners faced each day with a mixture of resilience and despair.

As he adjusted to life in captivity, Gale was struck by the surprising quaintness of the camp’s conditions. The barracks though sparse and cramped, resembled dormitories rather than the grim cells he had expected. Wooden bunks lined the walls their mattresses worn thin from years of use. Despite the grim surroundings companionship flourished among the men, their shared experiences forged bonds that went beyond the confines of their captivity.

Amidst the bleakness of his surroundings a glimmer of hope flickered within Gale knowing that the American army was aware of the imprisoned US soldiers. They sent food and supplies frequently keeping the men fed and healthy. The realization that they hadn’t been forgotten lifted his spirits and renewed his determination as he endured.

Days turned into weeks and he even began receiving letters from home once the military confirmed his location as a prisoner in the camp. It fueled his hope dramatically especially the heartfelt ones he received from you in the US.

Each word penned with longing and affection became his lifeline amidst the harsh realities of captivity. He longed for your touch, your voice, your presence to soothe the ache in his heart.

Each time he received one of your letters his heart skipped a beat. With trembling hands he would retreat to his barrack, finding solace at the table inside as he read every word as if it were a precious gift. But it wasn’t just the words that lifted his spirits. Nestled within each envelope was a picture for him a beacon of light in the midst of darkness.

Despite the hardships of his captivity, Gale always responded to your letters with stoic resolve his replies reflecting his strength and determination.

One afternoon as he received his stack of letters, a surprising one stood out among the rest with the scent of perfume. As he opened the envelope the faint smell of your aroma gently filled the air exciting him. He began reading the letter slowly, and his eyes widened in surprise as he read the contents. A departure from your usual tender words the letter was filled with daring and provocative sexual language.

Quickly closing the letter Gale felt a rush of heat flood his cheeks and his heart was pounding in his chest. Undeniably aroused by the unexpected turn he carefully stored the letter away for later that night, eager to indulge in its contents in the privacy of his bunk.

After the final count and the lights out Gale waited until the cabin fell silent the only sound the soft breathing of his fellow soldiers. With practiced stealth he climbed out of bed and made his way to the window, the moonlight was casting a radiant glow across the room.

Opening the window he let the cool night air wash over him a welcome feeling from the stifling confines of the barracks. Then with anticipation, he climbed back into bed, his heart racing as he retrieved the letter from its hiding place under his pillow.

In the soft glow of the moonlight Gale unfolded the letter once more his fingers trembling slightly with anticipation. As he opened the pages an unassuming photo of you slipped from its confines, falling into his hand.

He gazed at the new image and a sudden rush of warmth flooded his senses. Your hair had grown longer, framing your face with a natural elegance. Your eyes were bright and expressive and your skin glowed with a healthy radiance as a gentle smile played on your lips. The image of you made Gale smile in return. He traced the contours of your face with his thumb lingering on your eyes and lips feeling a deep connection despite the distance.

He then pressed the letter to his face inhaling deeply. The scent of your perfume on the paper was a delicate reminder of your presence momentarily transporting him away from the grim confines of the camp to a place where he felt your warmth and love.

He glanced at the photo of you in his hand again noticing its unusual thickness compared to the others, he felt a flicker of curiosity.

As he began reading your letter, the anticipation for the provocative words built within him and by the time he reached the explicit part, his pulse was racing with excitement.

—“I had my best friend set up this photo for you Gale, she saw me fully nude and everything. Then I took risqué photos of her to send to her man of war too. Quite the little harlots we are as you would say, but I’ll tell you more about that later. I tacked the naughty photo to a harmless one and put it in this letter. I plan to send you more, I want you thoroughly satisfying yourself while you’re away from me.”—

Gale’s eyes widened in shock as he looked over at the photo in his hand, quickly setting your letter down on his stomach. He carefully peeled the photos apart, revealing one of you fully nude underneath.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked meticulously over your form; every curve and contour seemed to come alive in the soft glow of the moonlight streaming from the window. His eyes lingered on the gentle slope of your breasts, the curve of your hips, the elegant line of your legs, with his gaze pausing at the thin patch of hair between your legs making him overcome with sexual desire.

The realization slowly dawned on him that he wouldn’t have to rely on the lingerie photo of you anymore.

Gale felt a surge of arousal coursing through him the longer he stared at the image, his length already hardening just from the mere sight of you. Every inch of your body seemed to captivate him, igniting a fire within that made him feel alive in the bleakness of captivity.

Gale’s breathing grew heavy as desire surged through him, his body responding instinctively to the tantalizing image before him. He reached down and lowered his pajama pants and boxers, allowing his cock to spring free in anticipation.

Grasping himself firmly at the base, he picked up your letter once more, the paper slightly crumpled from his earlier excitement and he began to read again.

—“Before I penned this letter, I want to tell you what you made me do to myself, and your hand better be on that large of cock of yours as you read it Buck.”—

Gale chuckled you knew him all to well. He read your words with eagerness as he began to stroke himself knowing you planned to make him finish as he continued:

—“I laid in bed fully naked for you, trailing my hand over my body as I looked at your handsome picture. I pretended it was your large hand teasing me, imagining the warmth and roughness of your touch. I rested your photo down beside me, your image captured in my mind. I closed my eyes, picturing you above me, your strong body pressing against mine, your breath hot on my skin. My own fingers became your fingers as I traced delicate patterns over my clit, each touch a tantalizing prelude to what I imagined you would do. When I pushed my fingers inside myself, it felt as if it were you, each thrust igniting a fire of desire within me. As I lost myself in the fantasy of you, the intensity built until I was writhing with pleasure, and finally, I orgasmed, your name a whispered prayer on my lips as waves of ecstasy washed over me.”—

Gale dropped the letter on his bed, already fully stroking his erect cock. His head rested back on the pillow as he tried to stifle his soft sighs. He imagined, instead of your fingers, he was plunging his cock inside your tight walls, recalling how he could make you moan so loudly you would wake the neighbors.

His hand moved faster, his jerking becoming almost violent, each tug bringing him closer to what he wanted. His strokes shortened and his grip tightened, and he began making quicker, more intense movements. He squeezed his eyes shut, feeling the familiar tightening in his groin.

With his free hand, he reached down to gently cup his testis squeezing them to add an extra layer of stimulation. He alternated between firm and gentle strokes, his breathing growing more ragged. The image of you, lost in pleasure, fueling his arousal. He increased the pace, his cock slick with precum, the friction driving him wild. His hips bucked instinctively, pushing into his hand as if he were inside you.

Gale’s soft sighs turned into low groans, each one more desperate than the last. He could almost hear your voice, whispering words of encouragement, spurring him on. The pressure built to an almost unbearable peak, and his movements became frenzied. His hand moved in a blur, every nerve in his body focused on the growing sensation in his groin.

Finally with a sharp intake of breath and a final forceful stroke he felt himself tip over the edge. His body tensed and he released with a powerful orgasm, his cum spilling over his hand and stomach. He continued to stroke himself through the aftershocks, his breaths coming in heavy, ragged gasps, the intensity of his release leaving him momentarily lightheaded. Gale lay there spent and satisfied with the lingering image of you in his mind comforting him in the darkness of captivity.

He removed his shirt using it to clean his cum from his hand and stomach. Then with careful hands he folded your letter back up along with the pictures tucking them both securely under his pillow.

He quietly slipped out of his bunk, now shirtless, and closed the window, ensuring everything was as he left it before he settled in for the night.

As he lay back in bed, he felt more relaxed than he had in weeks. The release had brought him a rare sense of peace. Thoughts of you swirled in his mind as he slowly interlaced his fingers over his abdomen, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing.

The familiar ache of longing was soothed by the intimacy of the moment he had shared with your image and words. With his eyes closed he allowed himself to drift into a deep sleep.

That night, Gale slept more soundly than he had in weeks. The comfort of your love wrapped around him like a warm blanket, chasing away the cold harshness of captivity. His dreams were filled with vivid images of you, your touch, your voice, your presence. In his dreams, he was in your embrace. The peace of his slumber showed the powerful connection he felt for you even from afar, giving him the strength to endure.

🪖 END 🪖

🏷️ Always Tag Me List 💌

@burnthheparaphilia @abswifey @faegoddessog @lindszeppelin @purejasmine @obsessedvibee @austiebuttbutt @jessica987 @oh-my-front-door @slowsweetlove @hardcoredisneynerd @magicovento @thegabbyh @fallofthedamned @buckysteveloki-me @bucking-mustangs-with-wings @shegatsby @darlingisntit @unicoreads @lovereadingfanfic @elvismylove04 @denised916 @thatoneweirdgirl17 @shockercoco @minispice-1 @meetmeatyourworst @rougegenshin @avidreader73 @jkdaddy01 @mamawiggers1980 @imjustheretoreadsmuthaha @majestyjade

[24-7-testing]

The end of the year can be tough for a lot of people. My goal is to make it a little bit brighter! Announcing once again the return of..

The Portal Holiday Spirit Initiative!

To help bring a smile to people's faces this year, I am sending FREE Portal-Themed Holiday Cards to anyone who requests one!

This year's cards follow the same format as last year: there is only one card design, this time featuring artwork from your's truly! The cards are still customizable to any Winter Holiday of your choosing, but you'll have to wait for your card to arrive in order to customize it (the method takes cues from the Portal game's sense of humor, and is very much on-brand).

This year is PHSI's 6th year! I'm so grateful to everyone who has participated over the years, whether you've reblogged and shared, requested cards, helped with artwork, or helped in other ways. You all are so amazing! Thanks for volunteering your time, talents, and support to help make PHSI a special fandom tradition!

If you would like to receive a Portal-Themed Holiday Card:

Visit bit.ly/PHSI-2024 ...

Answer the questions in the forms...

Wait for your card to be sent!

It's that easy! Card Requests are now open, and close on December 20th in order to give me enough time to make and send all the cards before the end of the year. Please submit sooner rather than later so I have time to finish them all!

Also, please don’t be afraid to request a physical card if you don’t live in the US! The card service I use says they ship worldwide and, while it might take a bit longer for you to receive your card depending on what country you live in, the cards will get mailed to whatever address you provide, domestic or foreign. Last year I mailed/emailed a total of 111 cards to the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Brazil, Romania, Poland, Australia, Germany, India, Japan, and New Zealand!

I’m glad to be a part of the Portal Fandom and hope to bring a smile to others in the Fandom this year, just as in years past! Designing and emailing Holiday Cards takes time and effort, and sending physical cards is expensive. While it isn't a requirement to receive a card, I would greatly appreciate if you'd like to give $4 to cover the cost of your card or someone else's. Please visit ko-fi.com/247testing and click the Donate button if you want to help out. Thanks!

Answers for common questions and concerns below:

Worried about providing a mailing address, for whatever reason?

PHSI has an eCard option! All you need to provide is a name for me to call you by and an email address to receive your card!

Worried about requesting a card because you don’t live in the US?

PHSI mails to any address provided, whether domestic or foreign! However, please wait patiently for your card, due to the current global rate of shipping.

Worried that you can’t give $4 to cover the cost of your card or someone else’s?

Requesting a card from PHSI has been and will always be FREE! However, giving $4 to the initiative helps me pay for the printing service and postage to mail physical cards. I gratefully appreciate any contributions received, even if it’s just a comment saying thanks!

Worried because you don’t know how to support the artist of the card you received?

The artist’s social media is listed on the back of every card featuring their artwork. Look them up, commission them, reblog their art, and support them however you can!

Worried because you haven’t received your card yet?

Double check your email inbox and junk folders. I send everyone an email that either confirms your Holiday Card has shipped or includes your eCard! Physical cards take 1-2 weeks to arrive. If your physical card fails to show up after the first week of January, please reach out to me and I’ll send you a replacement eCard!

Worried because you received your card and don’t know what to do now?

Make a post about it! Include pictures, videos, or anything you’d like, and tag me in the post (@24-7-testing) so I can reblog it! If you don’t want to show your card off, that’s ok too!

[saturnville]

I just got an idea for another part of the letter series: John writes to Amelia that he worries she’s not going to like this version of himself. He’s just filled with a lot of doubt and he understands if she wants to end things where it’s at. Amelia assures John that she’s with him now & forever.

a letter to you, major john egan

pairing: major john egan x amelia mae egan warning: implicit discussions about mental health content: in which john writes to amelia about his doubts. tag list: @neeville @turn-thy-paige @ihe4rtisa @ineedafictionalman @lovebyceleste @alliewassobonum an: I want all to know that in my mind, amelia and john stay together until they die and she changed her middle name to rose.

John Egan’s mind was under attack. Bullets of doubt and missiles of hopelessness infiltrated the barriers that were once sturdy and stable. Everything came crashing down like the walls of Jericho. 

Days felt longer as their time in Germany grew elongated. The nights dragged by and never seemed to end. The only thing that lulled him to sleep were the words of Amelia Mae on the now-wrinkled sheet of paper he kept in the pocket of his coat. It was the blood for his body; the only thing that kept him alive. 

He had no issue falling asleep most nights. All other nights, however, his heavy eyes stayed open and refused to close. So, he did what was unusual for him to do--write. He’d sulk off into a corner with one of the oil lamps, pull out a sheet of dingy paper, and write until his hand cramped and his tears signed his signature for him. 

My darlin’ Amelia Rose, 

I hear we’re gettin’ out of here soon. I surely hope that’s the cause; I don’t know how much longer I can deal with this. The Germans are intense; always on guard and ready to strike at any moment. One wrong move, or even just a wrong breath, lands a man dead. I’ve seen more bodies collapse just tryin’ to survive in the camp than I did in the air. 

Stuff like this changes a man, Rose. The guys are convinced I lost it ‘cause repeating old ball games is the only thing the keeps my mind off the horrors of being a damn prisoner. I haven’t eaten a real meal since the day I left you. I haven’t felt the warmth of my own bed and it makes me as cold as I feel at night. 

Rose, I don’t know what it’s gonna be like when I come home.

I’ve heard stories of when men make it home to their ladies; not all of them are good. He ends up chasing her away. I don’t want to chase you away, but I don’t want to hurt you either. This version of me is not the one you knew and I don’t know if you’ll love him like you did the other version of me.

I can’t think straight. I can’t sleep through the night. I’m just…here. 

And if you don’t want to be with me because of that, I understand. It would hurt, but I would get it. You’re a good woman, Rose and I don’t want to make you feel any sort of pain.

I’ve got to get back to my bunk before someone notices I’m missing, or even worse, the Germans find out I’m awake. 

I think about you always and miss you dearly. Write back soon. 

With all my love, 

Johnny

It took three weeks to receive something back from her. He thought he’d be used to it by now, the waiting game, that is. But at this point, anxiety was his portion and fed him well. The mind games began to get more complex as the voices of uncertainty spurred him on with tricks. What she divorced him? Left him high and dry because he wasn’t the same. He wouldn’t know what to do with himself. 

John huffed as he played with the corners of the most recent (three week old) letter he received. The other man were gathered around the child-like sized tables playing cards, talking, and joking. They were better at making the most of situations than he was. He was good at it for some time, but the repetition grew old, and the song he knew so well became unfamiliar. 

A familiar, “Mail, boys!” came ruggedly from the doorway. The men scattered like flies, sorting and sifting through the letters. John’s eyes lit up as he stood to his feet, gratefully taking the letter from the mailman’s hand. He sauntered off to a corner and slid down the wall. 

Her handwriting was just as pretty as it always had been. Major John Egan, written in the middle with a red pen. It was his favorite color because it reminded him of her cherry red lip stick that stained his skin whenever she wore it. John tore the top of the envelope and pulled the letter out. His heartrate increased. 

Dear John, 

I can’t help but say that it pains me to know that you think I’d leave you. Do you remember the vows we took? For better or for worse and in sickness and in health? If I didn’t believe I could stand by those words, I wouldn’t have said them. And, I knew I married a soldier. This comes with the territory. 

You’ve seen things I would deem unimaginable. You’ve heard things that would drive me mad. You’ve felt a pain that I couldn’t picture. Do you know how foolish I would be to think you’d come back the same way you left? 

When I married you, I married the versions of you that you and I have yet to see. 

I am here for you, John Egan. I’m not going anywhere. 

The light at the end of the tunnel isn’t clear to you right now, and that’s okay. We’ll work on it when you come home. We are a unit; we move together. So, we’ll get through it. Together. 

Get some rest, John. It’s not over for you--your story doesn’t end here. 

With everlasting love,  

Rose

He wasn’t aware of his tears until they smeared the lipstick stain on the lower corner. John brought the letter to his face, inhaling the scent of her perfume. So sweet. She’d wait for him. She wouldn’t, no she refused to leave him. 

How good it felt to be loved by her.

[olderthannetfic]

About the cost of child birth that was talked about here recently; I've got a story to tell because you can't write Germany without bureaucracy. (By someone who isn't an ethnic German and just has to shake her head at this like everyone else)

Every year my husband's health insurance wants us to fill out a form about our family status as in are we still as many people as last year. It's complete bullshit but Germany. That year, we were several months late to do it and then a new baby was born anyway.

A month or two after the birth, I got a letter from the hospital. In it was the bill for my stay and delivery. The only reason why I got that bill was because of the form that our insurance hadn't processed at that point so for the hospital it looked like I wasn't insured. (Why the insurance threw me out at all, I have no idea).

The issue was resolved the minute I showed the bill to a clerk from my insurance. I literally just said "I got this in the mail" and she immediately answered with "that shouldn't have happened" then she looked at my info on her computer and said that everything is already cleared up.

Anyway, I got to keep the bill so now I can tell all of you what an uninsured stay for a birth at a hospital in Germany looks like.

I was at the hospital for 6 nights; 2 pre-birth for inducing labour, 1 emergency cesarean, 4 post-birth, I had midwives look after me, I used a breast pump, one specialist visited me to help with breastfeeding, and the first doctor's appointment for the baby also happened there. I had three meals every day.

Total cost: 5,400€

Costs I paid out of pocket: parking but not really

The cesarean was the biggest chunk of the costs with 3,700€ but my baby urinated on the main surgeon so that's fair. The next biggest cost were my nights I stayed there with a total of 1,400€.

Everything else was either some one or double digit additional charges for things like "quality of control" and other stuff I can't be bothered to translate with 11 separate "items" on this list.

- Paper Plate and Green Puss Boob Explosion Anon

--

Ah to have a real medical system...

[xmoonlitxdreamx]

All Overwatch stickers are back in stock in my sh0p! 2 new stickers have been added to the junker set as well (Maid Roadhog and OW1 Junkrat). Listings are under the cut!

Junker stickers:

Other Overwatch stickers:

To purchase 3 or more stickers at a discounted price, order through here:

Also! As I mentioned a couple posts ago, I am now offering to ship stickers in letter mail at a cheaper price. As far as I'm aware, this option does not have tracking! If you would like to order as a package with tracking, please select the "USPS Ground Advantage with Tracking" option at checkout.

Thank you!

[mugiwara-lucy]

Reason 1127 of why NOT to get complacent even though Kamala is winning against Trump in the Polls (even though what matters is VOTER REGISTRATION AND TURNOUT which the Democrats have been doing AMAZING in).....look what Trump's brilliant idea to stop crime.

This is basically the American version of Kristallnacht. What in the actual FUCK?! Do we ALL want The Purge!?

Donald Trump is ADOLF HITLER 2.0 in the making and UNLESS we all vote in DROVES to stop him, we WILL be living in Nazi Germany.

Here's the link to register to vote down below:

And like I've said countless times, EARLY VOTING is something you should take advantage of! Here's a link that lists the days of when Early Voting is available for you depending on the state you live in:

And I HIGHLY emphasize Mail in ballots too!! Although take CARE of them and deposit them at the USPS offices!! Here's the link:

America....we have a CHOICE.

We can go forward and heal with Kamala or "go back 300 years" like Trump says and live in a Handmaids Tale Christian Theocracy Nazi Germany-like America. CHOOSE WISELY.

[thatwasthenightthingschanged]

MASTERPOST: eras tour presale (German dates)

since there’s already so much information floating around & we’ll probably get new info regularly, I’ve decided to create this post which collects all information available for the presale for Taylor’s German dates (Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg & Munich). I will pin this post to my blog and update it regularly! also, if you find information that is not on this list yet, please send it to me so I can update this post!

INFORMATION FOR ALL PRESALES OF THE GERMANY SHOWS

FYI: When in doubt, check out the FAQ page of eventim for the Germany shows!

+ I don’t know enough about the other European shows to be able to give you 100% right answers (keep that in mind if you send me an ask about those shows 😊)

UPDATED: July 11th, 7pm CET (latest two updates are marked through cursive font)

REGISTRATION for the pre-sale is only possible until June 23rd at 10am Central European Time (CET) (note: the website also names 23:59 as the time when registration ends. I don’t know which time is the right one, so I’d advise you to register before 10am). To register, click here or follow the link on Taylor’s homepage. Important information regarding registration:

Make sure to register with the same email address you use for your eventim account. They‘ve stated that they will check all e-mail addresses to make sure bots don’t get access, and they do so through checking if the email address refers to a valid eventim account. If you haven’t gotten an account under the email address yet, you should be safe as long as you create an account for it until registration ends (Friday, June 23rd).

Registration does NOT guarantee you will receive a code. They will randomize who will get a code, and the rest of the people who signed up will be put on a wait list.

it does NOT matter when you’ve registered, as long as it is before the deadline ends. like I’ve said, it’s randomized.

you should receive an email from eventim. in it, you have to confirm your registration. however, it might take a while for you to receive the email (e.g. on the first day of registration some people had to wait quite a while to receive the email, as the servers were overloaded).

YOU HAVE TO REGISTER FOR PRESALE TO BE ABLE TO BUY TICKETS! one of the venues tweeted that you’ll only get to buy tickets if you’re registered for pre-sale (x). (don’t know if that means there won’t be a general sale for now)

you have to register separately for each show you want to have access to. If you for example aim for Hamburg and Gelsenkirchen, you cannot make a joint registration for them. click on “register now!” for the dates you’re interested in (see screenshot below)

you cannot register for the additional shows that were announced for Germany. The registration you’ve done before suffices. Via the company organising it: The code you’ll get for a city is valid for all the shows in one city. aka: you can pick the date you want to get tickets for, for example if you’ve gotten a code for Munich you can choose between the two dates.

eventim said that whether ticketholders of Lover Fest Berlin tickets will get a separate presale is up to the concert company organizing the concert, therefore they don’t have any information on it. I personally don’t think there will be a presale for Lover Fest Berlin ticket holders.

The PRESALE for the German shows will take place on July 12th. Important information regarding the presale:

please note that the presale for some of the European shows takes place on July 11th or other dates. however, July 12th applies to all shows in Germany.

The times when the presale starts are now different! The Gelsenkirchen presale starts at 9am, the Hamburg presale at 11am and the presale for the Munich shows at 1pm CET.

If you were chosen (per the email on July 5th), you will receive your code via email until July 11th, 5pm CET at the latest.

click on the link in this email for access.

it is very likely you’ll be sent to the waiting room. eventim says this about the waiting room: When completing your ticket purchase, stay within one browser window. Opening multiple windows or tabs to purchase tickets may result in errors.

tickets are limited to four per customer per unique code. this means: if you receive a code for, for example, Hamburg, you can pick a date and purchase up to four tickets for that date. If you purchase four tickets for that one date, you cannot use that code anymore. If you, however, only purchase two tickets, you can purchase two tickets for the second show as well with that code (see eventim’s reply).

UPDATE: please note that each code only refers to a specific venue. once you’ve gotten through the queue on presale day, you can only buy tickets for that one venue, but you can choose which date you’d like to try for. If you receive codes for several venues, you have to finish purchasing your first order before you get purchase tickets for another venue.

TICKET CODES CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT BE SHARED OR TRANSFERRED. you might not be able to buy tickets if you do so. (imo transferring does work if you’ve got the other person’s account info, as the code is specific to the eventim account tied to it)

tickets will be sold until inventory lasts.

per eventim’s faq page you can only deposit your payment info into your account if you buy tickets from the website. Otherwise it is NOT possible to save your payment info in your account before the sale. But! This should not matter since, after you have added a ticket to your basket, that ticket will be reserved for you for approx. 15 minutes, so plenty of time to put in your payment info! But you should still make sure to check if your credit card has a spending limit!

UPDATE: Tickets will be personalized for the person from whose account the tickets are bought. the people accompanying them do not have to be noted when buying. The buyer of the tickets has to attend the concert! If for some reason the buyer cannot go, you can transfer the tickets to someone else, but it’s a rather lengthy process. an example for how to transfer personalized tickets for a different artist can be found on eventim’s faq page under 3.

UPDATE: USEFUL INFORMATION FOR BEFORE THE PRESALE

make sure you have your password and payment method ready!

clear your cache & cookies!

you CAN and SHOULD already click the link in your presale code email before presale starts. the link sends you to the general presale page. Pick the date of the show you want to attend & click on the grey button to at the right (I’ve added a screenshot below but it’s for the Vienna shows for which the presale was already today, so the button is blue. The button tomorrow will be gray before presale). NOTE: dates may appear twice, as you can see below. the date at the top is always for regular tickets, the one below for vip tickets:

after you have clicked the button, you will be send to a page which will say sth along the lines of “presale hasn’t started yet”

They’ll open a waiting room 30 minutes before presale starts. This waiting room will refresh & send u to the queue automatically once the clock hits the time of the presale. I don’t know whether it influences your position in the queue but I would recommend going into it anyway.

you will be send to the queue once presale starts. DO NO OPEN ANY OTHER TABS OR BROWSERS ANYMORE ONCE YOU’RE IN THE QUEUE! if you do, you’ll lose your spot in the queue.

If you’re WAITLISTED:

per eventim’s faq page, this means that you’re waitlisted until more, if any, tickets become available for your chosen city.

if that is the case, you will be notified via email with the relevant information & timing details.

your notification may come at ANY TIME after July 12, 2023.

eventim & all the venues recommend signing up to the Taylor Nation newsletter in case new presales happen/more shows are added

PRICES & SEATING: 

eventim tweeted that they don’t know the prices for tickets until pre-sale begins (it was the same with the Lover Fest Berlin show). so I’d recommend setting yourself a budget (x)

UPDATE: eventim finally released the seating maps for all of the shows! here’s the one for Gelsenkirchen:

this is the map for Hamburg:

and this is the map for Munich:

UPDATE: for Vienna, you could not pick your seat but only the price category of your ticket. eventim tweeted they can’t tell whether that will be the case tomorrow. So, once again, set yourself a budget!

INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO THE GELSENKIRCHEN SHOW (VELTINS-ARENA)

Link to the venue’s site for Taylor’s concert

the stadium will sell hospitality tickets - those will go on sale on July 12th, 10am, too (you’ll be able to buy them under this link)

below, you’ll find the general seating chart for the stadium. They will close the roof of the stadium in case of rain, so - in contrast to Munich - you’ll be sheltered from it anywhere.

General Advice

the venue is cashless - alternatively you can buy a card from them onto which you can load money via cash or use the “schalke 04″ app to preload money on a digital card. this is relevant for buying merch! the physical card might also have a special design for Taylor’s show. (thank you @youlooklikeasixtiesqueen​ for the info! for more information, you can read her full asks he/re)

INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO THE HAMBURG SHOW (VOLKSPARKSTADION)

below, you’ll find the general seating chart for the stadium. All seats in the bowl are covered by a roof, the floor isn’t.

INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO THE MUNICH SHOW (OLYMPIASTADION)

(I’ve actually been to a concert in this venue before, so if you need info re: where to sit & what the venue is like, send me an ask!)

Link to the venue’s site for Taylor’s concert

General Advice

the Olympiastadion has a roof (in case it rains). but! only sections E2 until V1 one are fully under it, with sections F1 to G2 and U2 to S2 being partially roofed (see general seating chart below). I had tickets for section U2 at my concert and I would actually recommend not going further than this if you really want to be covered by the roof.

if you’re looking for cheap tickets: there should be standing tickets available for the bowl (besides the regularly seated tickets) and those should be the cheapest ones. I can highly recommend them! I had standing tickets for section U2. This section is tiered and has sectioned off rows. Each row consists of two stone steps on which you can sit down. So, imo, it’s essentially like having seats but paying much less money. And you have a great view from them! You also don’t have to worry about when you arrive - they fill these rows up from the back, so technically if you arrive shortly before the show begins, you should be at the front of the section.

[danjaley]

Book-Blog Intermission:

Wonderful Journeys through Time and Literature with Nils Holgerson

Like most of my generation I grew up with the 1980 anime series. And, as I'll say at every opportunity, it spoiled me for pretty much any other TV-show. A good series should follow a literary original - and quite closely. It should have gorgeous aesthetics and music. A plot centered around adventure, history, tradition, loyalty and faith. Plot-decisions should never follow external factors like availability of actors or stale marketing formulas. And it should end when the story is told out.

My mother had the mad idea to try and read the book to me when I was about 5. I didn't understand a word of it. She had a very boring copy too, without any pictures.

Aged 25 I bought the cute edition on the right and made it a reading-project. After each chapter I watched the corresponding episode of the series. And I repeat: It shows the quality of the series that you can do this. Still is was super interesting to note everything they changed. Some things only made sense to me then. Like the story of the parade towards to icy mountain. As a child it just impressed me with its scariness. But in fact it's a parable of which plants can grow how far north.

Cute as it is, the left edition was so badly translated that I went ahead and learned Swedish to read it in the original (middle). In the meantime the German book-market also spoiled me with an up-to-date state-of-the-art unabridged translation (right). So I don't even need to use a dictionary :)

There is one other edition in the house and that's my grandmother's school-copy. As it is well know, Nils Holgerson was written as a reader for Swedish schools, covering geography, history and natural history of Sweden. Since it is an absolute masterpiece, it soon became a school-reader in many other European countries too.

Especially Germany in the 1930s had a fatal obsession with all things Nordic. So every school-child had to learn all about Swedish castles too. I always wondered why nobody at least tried to write a rip-off set in Germany. Only recently, in the course of my current research, I found out that someone did. Tamara Ramsay: Wunderbare Fahrten und Abenteuer der kleinen Dott (images not mine). But it only came out in 1941 and never made it to school-reader status.

My grandmother and her class enjoyed Nils Holgerson so much, they wrote collective fan-mail to Selma Lagerlöff. She replied too. She wrote that she got her German translator to decipher their letter and that she was very glad they enjoyed her book. The translator must have been the same Pauline Klaiber-Gottschau who first translated the book into German.

The original wild geese can of course be consulted at the International Youth Library in Munich. The building (Schloss Blutenburg) is the cutest little medieval castle that's been forgotten on the edge of the city. And in winter and spring you can meet the geese spending the winter in the moat. As a child I always regretted that Nils Holgerson ends just as the geese plan to cross to Germany. I'd have loved to see their Schloss Blutenburg adventure!

My Grandmother also appears to have read most other books by Selma Lagerlöff. At least she ticked them off in the list in her copy of Nils Holgerson. The only other one to survive in her collection is Gösta Berling (here in blue).

While the dated German bothered me a lot in Nils Holgerson, I deeply enjoy reading other Lagerlöff novels in as old editions as I can get hold of (here the much-mended red Gösta Berling). In old German print they just feel like they came from the dawn of time!

Those two have actually both been major inspirations for the McCarrics. Gösta Berling includes more or less the model for Fergus' dying-scene (if you ever want to see the subject treated by a nobel-prize-winner). And Herrn Arnes Schatz (Herr Arnes penningar) has the ghostly sister as well as badass Scotsmen (here unfortunately as the bad guys).

[romanovsonelastdance]

There has been SO MUCH to bid on lately! I've had to make some touch choices so as to be (somewhat) responsible with my money!

In the mail:

Alexei with Joy

Alexei on a pony (these are both 1920s reprints I think)

Alix w/ baby Anastasia that is *different* than the two poses you usually see

Tinted card of NAOTMAA with Boris of Bulgaria

Xenia Alexandrovna

Peter Nikolaevich

Andrei Vladimirovich

Ducky w/ Kirill Vladimirovich but I'm pretty sure it's actually a composite; I think they smushed two different photos together. Will know for sure when it arrives.

Half of these are from US sellers so I should get them pretty quickly; the others are from Germany and may take awhile.

Alas the OTMA collection being listed seems to be over? Some of the above are from that collection that I didn't bid on the first time around and now picked up as buy-it-nows. I don't know if they've sold it all or if there will be more later. There were still a few things from the 'book' I was waiting for, but it could be they sold them in a real store or postcard convention and just never made it to eBay.

[sweet-caress-of-twilight]

Going off of one of my previous reblogs, i attempted to make a list of where in the world every Disney Animated Canon movie takes place

Antarctica:

Pablo the Cold-Blooded Penguin (The Three Caballeros) (Pablo starts out living in the South Pole and then he goes to Chile, Peru, and Ecuador)

Africa

The Lion King

Tarzan

Asia

Aladdin is set in a mishmash of Middle Eastern countries. It was supposed to be in Iraq, but because of the Persian Gulf War, Disney said no, so it takes place in the fictional country of Agrabah, which is inspired by Baghdad in Iraq.

Raya and the Last Dragon is set in a mishmash of Southeast Asian countries, but takes the most inspiration from Vietnam

China: Mulan

India: The Jungle Book

Europe

England: The Wind in the Willows (The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad), Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, 101 Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone, Robin Hood, Winnie the Pooh, The Great Mouse Detective

France: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Aristocats, Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Germany: Snow White, Tangled

Greece: The Pastoral Symphony (Fantasia), Hercules

Italy: Pinocchio

Norway: Frozen (Arendelle is heavily inspired by Norway)

Russia: Peter and the Wolf (Make Mine Music)

Spain: Wish (Rosas is inspired by Spain and located off the Iberian Peninsula)

Turkey: Pomp and Circumstance (Fantasia 2000) is about Noah's Ark, and many people believe that the ark landed at Mount Ararat in present-day Turkey

Ukraine: Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria (Fantasia) (the real Bald Mountain is Mount Triglaf, near Kyiv in Ukraine)

Wales: The Black Cauldron

North America

Mexico:

Las Posadas

Mexico: Pátzcuaro, Veracruz and Acapulco

You Belong to My Heart/Donald's Surreal Reverie (all from The Three Caballeros)

United States:

Different towns in Massachusetts and California have claimed to be the Mudville that Casey at the Bat (Make Mine Music) takes place in, but the author of the original poem said it has no basis in fact.

The Legend of Johnny Appleseed (Melody Time) - the real Johnny Appleseed (real name John Chapman) planted apple trees in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Ontario, and West Virginia

Lady and the Tramp could take place somewhere in New England

The Fox and the Hound looks like it takes place in Appalachia, so maybe Pennsylvania or Virginia

Home on the Range is somewhere in the Old West

Bolt takes place across America: starts out in California, the title character ends up in New York, visits Ohio, and is back to California by the end

Alaska: Brother Bear

California: Wreck it Ralph (Ralph Breaks the Internet reveals that Litwak's Arcade is in California), Big Hero 6

Florida: Dumbo

Hawaii: Lilo and Stitch

Louisiana: Blue Bayou (Make Mine Music), most of The Rescuers, The Princess and the Frog

Maine: Bambi (the forest was based on Maine and the animators traveled to Maine for reference)

New York: Johnny Fedora and Alice Blue Bonnet, The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met (Make Mine Music) (the Metropolitan Opera is in NYC), Little Toot (Melody Time), The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad) (the real Sleepy Hollow is in New York), The Rescuers (the Rescue Aid Society headquarters is in NYC), Oliver and Company, Rhapsody in Blue (Fantasia 2000)

Texas: Pecos Bill (Melody Time)

Virginia: Pocahontas

Washington, DC: Atlantis: The Lost Empire (Milo works at the Smithsonian

Oceania

The Rescuers Down Under: Australia

Moana: Polynesia

Pangaea

The Rite of Spring (Fantasia)

Dinosaur

South America

Argentina: Pedro, El Gaucho Goofy (Saludos Amigos)

Bolivia: Lake Titicaca (Saludos Amigos)

Brazil: Aquarela do Brasil (Saludos Amigos), Baia (The Three Caballeros), Blame It on the Samba (Melody Time),

Chile: Pedro (Saludos Amigos) (The title character delivers the mail in the Andes, between Santiago, Chile, and Mendoza, Argentina), Pablo the Cold-Blooded Penguin (The Three Caballeros)

Colombia: Encanto

Ecuador: Pablo the Cold-Blooded Penguin (The Three Caballeros) (Pablo goes to the Galapagos Islands, which is an archipelago in Ecuador)

Peru: Lake Titicaca (Saludos Amigos) (the lake is at the border between Peru and Bolivia), Pablo the Cold-Blooded Penguin (The Three Caballeros), The Emperor's New Groove

Uruguay: The Flying Gauchito (The Three Caballeros)

Unknown/does not take place in our world

Any of the package film segments not mentioned here

The Little Mermaid seems like it takes place in the Mediterranean Sea, but it could also take place in the Caribbean, which would explain Sebastian's accent

Fantasia 2000: "Pines of Rome" is set in the Arctic, so it could be anywhere from Canada to Alaska to Finland to Russia

Most of Atlantis: the Lost Empire, since the city of Atlantis is completely made up

Treasure Planet

Chicken Little

Meet the Robinsons

Zootopia

Strange World

[lady-wallace]

PREORDERS: OPEN!!

The 2nd round of paperback fics are now available for preorder!

**Please read the ordering information at the end of this post, especially if you live outside the US**

**ORDER LINKS HERE**

ORDERING INFO

How you can order these books:

1: For US ORDERS and INTL (PDF ONLY) Orders: Use my Ko-fi shop! If you’re ordering the base PDF bundles from outside the US your merch will be shipped via first class mail or its equivalent. If you are from the US and want to order paperbacks/bundles but don’t want to use ko-fi/paypal, please see the Etsy link below.

2: For INTERNATIONAL PAPERBACK Orders and UPGRADE MERCH Bundles: Use my Etsy Shop! It’s easier for me to handle customs there, so it would be appreciated if all physical orders outside the US were made through Etsy. This listing includes the physical book bundles as well as add-ons or upgraded merch bundles (and also looks discreet because Etsy doesn’t always like JJBA stuff) but there is a list of all the options in the description so you can find what you want.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS, PLEASE READ:

Before ordering, please make sure to check the mailing suspensions list linked below to make sure I will be able to ship something to your country. If that is not an option, I also have all paper merch (prints, bookmarks and stickers) available as printable downloads which can be sent with the PDFs via google drive.

GERMANY: Due to the restrictions with LUCID, I am unable to ship packages to Germany but if you are from Germany or another country shipping isn’t available and would like to order a copy, please contact me for other options.

What if I want merch from one of the other bundles but don’t want to buy both books?

Any of the upgraded merch listed below will be available as add-ons to any physical order! This includes:

-Washi Tape

-Time in a Bottle Keychain

-Notebook

-Watchtower Acrylic Pin

-High School AU Button Sets

-Stationary Set

The merch will also be available by itself if you would just like to order a couple pieces of merch instead of any of the full bundles.

[argyrocratie]

"The darkest hour is before the dawn?"

Assembly's view on another year of trench warfare in 2024 (december 2023)

"War is a kind of action, thanks to which people who do not know each other kill each other for the sake of glory and benefit of people who know each other very well, but do not kill each other." (Paul Valéry)

(...)

Stalemate. This word began to appear in almost every analytical material of the Western press about the Russian-Ukrainian war. Since the retreat of the Russian army from Kherson in November last year, the front line has frozen almost without movement, despite the bloody attempts of each side to achieve a turning point in their favor and gain operational space. After the new Verdun – the winter-spring meat grinder near Bakhmut – came a new battle on Somme for a dozen villages in the steppes of the Azov Coast, which from October smoothly turned into another Verdun/Bakhmut around Avdeevka. If it falls, the same will continue on new frontiers a little further. Meanwhile, the mess of mud and corpses in Krynki, perhaps, is already looking like a new Passendale.

If the current positional balance is not compared to the First World War only by the lazy, its finale is not yet remembered so often. It was disrupted by the workers of the warring countries:

“The war did not end in 1918 because of the military defeat of one side or another. The generals would have happily spent a few more years killing millions of people to achieve their goals. It ended because it was against the various armies and populations of Europe took action. Most people know that Russia emerged from the war in 1917 thanks to the Russian Revolution. One of the key factors in the revolution was that the workers and peasants of Russia rebelled against the war and against their own ruling class. What is less known is that that there had been major mutinies in the French army, as well as smaller but equally significant mutinies in the British army, in 1917. The key uprising ended the war was the Kiel mutiny of the German navy in 1918. The High Command, in a desperate attempt to turn the tide of the war, ordered bring the practically intact fleet to sea. However, the naval underground organizations, which included anarchist sailors, were already expecting this. In response, they formed the Soviets and seized their ships, surrounding ports and barracks. This caused a wave of military mutinies and workers' strikes, forcing the panicked ruling class of not only Germany, but also Europe as a whole to sit down at the negotiating table and work out a peace treaty.”

By the time of the probable arrival of Trump or another isolationist candidate for the presidency in the United States, the Russian-Ukrainian war will rage for 3 years already. This is approximately the same amount of time it took for the revolutionary situation to appear then. Neither the barrier detachments, nor the military tribunals, nor the hordes of street screamers for “until the bitter end” helped.

The very threat that those celebrating 2024 in the trenches next New Year will meet on the neutral land, drink 100 grams each and go home with weapons, can become a powerful incentive for the Kremlin and the Ze-Office to begin to negotiate in order to prevent something much more dangerous for both of them option. But even if the scenario of the last century beginning is repeated – instead of, for example, the story of Iran and Iraq, which got stuck in the same massacre for 8 years and then both declared it won, that only strengthened the two regimes – this means that the next year will bring many more rivers of blood. According to BBC News Ukraine, with the new bill on mobilization Ukrainians may be required to appear at the recruitment centers within 48 hours after receiving a summons by email or registered mail. Death postmen will receive more tools to check the military registration documents of citizens on the streets, deliver them to enlistment offices, and put them on the wanted list. For ignoring of summonses, the terms of arrest and fines will be increased, it will be possible to prosecute violators in absentia, and the circle of those entitled to a deferment will be narrowed. It is also proposed military registration for those in prison. Will prisoners want to go to the front, knowing that even law-abiding people, to put it mildly, are not very well trained and equipped – a big question that could threaten prison riots. It will be especially hard for draft evaders who prefer to go to prison rather than fight. When the “Assembly” began to sound the alarm about the fact that Kharkov courts stopped issuing suspended sentences for failure to appear to a unit, many local readers brushed it aside like it is “better to jail than to the grave.” Well, let's see how soon the first will cease to be an alternative to the second.

(...)

According to counting by “Mediazona”, released on the anniversary of the start of Russian mobilization, over the year in the Russian Federation there have been almost four times more sentences for unauthorized leaving of a unit and desertion than there were annually in such cases before the war: since July 2023, courts have handed down more than 500 of them every month.

(...)

It should also be taken into account that the motivation to desert is reduced by the European borders closed to Russians, the social control system in Russian cities, unprecedented in the history of wars, and the predominantly open terrain of south-eastern Ukraine, where it is difficult to hide from the military police.

The decay of the Russian army is also hindered by Ukrainian propaganda, which portrays as enemies all Russian citizens who are not lacqueying for Ukraine, even if they refuse to fight (they say, these are the same “orcs”, only funky). This is being done for the same reason why in the defense of Ukraine the emphasis is on driving people under pressure instead of developing voluntary initiative: horizontal ties at the grassroots are dangerous for anyone holding power. But this same barrack slavery can contribute to the fraternization of yesterday’s workers in camouflage uniforms, quickly making them understand that forced people have nothing to share, and the enemy is those who drive them to slaughter.

Almost right now, was published a statement of Russian soldiers from the Moscow and Ulyanovsk regions about monetary extortions and beatings from the command. Servicemen of military unit 41680 stated that two weeks after signing the contract, they were sent to an assault on the Avdeevka direction without training or preparation. From their words, most fighters are “beaten and kept in basements” before a mission."

...

[24-7-testing]

The end of the year can be tough for a lot of people. My goal? To make it a little bit brighter. That's why I'm pleased to once again announce the return of...

The Portal Holiday Spirit Initiative!

To help bring a smile to people's faces this year, I will be sending FREE Portal-Themed Holiday Cards to anyone who asks for one! There are a few changes to the cards this year because life has gotten very busy for me and I have less free time than in years past.

This year there will only be one card design, featuring artwork from one of the Portal Fandom's awesome artists! The cards will still be customizable to any Winter Holiday of your choosing, but you'll have to wait for your card to arrive in order to see how (the method takes cues from the Portal game's sense of humor, so it will very much be on-brand).

This year is also special because it is PHSI's 5th Anniversary! I can’t express the amount of thanks everyone who has participated over the years, whether you've reblogged and shared, requested cards, helped with artwork, or helped in other ways. You all deserve my recognition and thanks for volunteering your time, talents, and support! Thanks for helping to make PHSI a special fandom tradition!

If you would like to receive a Portal-Themed Holiday Card:

Visit bit.ly/PHSI-2023 ...

Answer the questions in the forms...

Wait for your card to be sent!

It's that easy! Card Requests are now open, and close on December 20th in order to give me enough time to make and send all the cards before the end of the year. Please submit sooner rather than later so I have time to finish them all!

Also, please don’t be afraid to request a physical card if you don’t live in the US! The card service I've chosen says they ship worldwide and, while it might take a bit longer for you to receive your card depending on what country you live in, the cards will get mailed to whatever address you provide, domestic or foreign. Last year I mailed/emailed a total of 164 cards to Italy, Canada, Germany, England, Poland, The US, The United Kingdom, Brazil, India, and Slovenia!

I’m happy to be a part of the Portal Fandom and hope to bring a smile to others in the Fandom this year! Making and emailing Holiday Cards takes time and effort, and sending physical cards is expensive. While it isn't a requirement to receive a card, I would greatly appreciate if you'd like to give $4 to cover the cost of your card or someone else's. Please visit ko-fi.com/247testing and click the Donate button if you want to help out. 

Also, feel free to DM me with any questions or comments. Thanks!

Answers for common questions and concerns under the cut:

Worried about providing a mailing address, for whatever reason?

PHSI has an eCard option! All you need to provide is a name for me to call you by and an email address to receive your card!

Worried about requesting a card because you don’t live in the US?

PHSI mails to any address provided, whether domestic or foreign! However, please wait patiently for your card, due to the current global rate of shipping.

Worried that you can’t give $4 to cover the cost of your card or someone else’s?

Requesting a card from PHSI has been and will always be FREE! However, giving $4 to the initiative helps me pay for the printing service and postage to mail physical cards (visit ko-fi.com/247testing if you’d like to contribute). I gratefully appreciate any contributions received, even if it’s just a comment saying thanks!

Worried because you don’t know how to support the artist of the card you received?

The artist’s social media is listed on the back of every card featuring their artwork. Look them up, commission them, reblog their art, and support them however you can!

Worried because you haven’t received your card yet?

Double check your email inbox and junk folders. I send everyone an email that either confirms your Holiday Card has shipped or includes your eCard! Physical cards take 1-2 weeks to arrive. If your physical card fails to show up after the first week of January, please reach out to me and I’ll send you a replacement eCard!

Worried because you received your card and don’t know what to do now?

Make a post about it! Include pictures, videos, or anything you’d like, and tag me in the post (@24-7-testing) so I can reblog it! If you don’t want to show your card off, that’s ok too!

[s0viet-gamer]

Intro post!!

Hii, I'm Max! You can also call me comrade or soviet.

He/Neos prns

I am transmasc (boyflux) and Achillean! I have more labels if you're interested but that's the main thing

socialist/pacifist

I do art stuff mostly (I am a cartoonist)

Diagnosed Autism and ADHD

I am a minor!!

I'm from Germany but ethnically I'm slavic

I like South Park unironically

My commission info

DNI list:

"MAPs" (pedos)

Queerphobes

Racists/sexists/etc

People over the age of 28

if you're gonna tell someone to kill themselves you should at least own up to it

My blog contains:

Offensive humor

Some hot takes

Politics

Lewd but not explicit art

Delusions

If you decide to send hate mail in my asks I will answer it and make fun of you. Also I will block anyone at my discretion if you start being annoying.

Will add to this later maybe

[nevermoreternity]

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗔𝗡. 𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗬𝗦𝗜𝗦.

"According to the tales, the postman

has made a reputation regarding

himself. Yet there are still many

mysteries surrounding him, which I'm

more interested in rather than the

secrets he's holding for others.

Now, who is Victor Grantz exactly?"

"Victor Grantz" is a name listed in two parts; a first name and a surname.

The first name of 'Victor' has many meanings depending on the country someone is born in. However, it has Latin origin which is translated to 'winner' or 'conqueror.' Despite the fact it's one of the earliest Christian names used by several saints and popes - representing Christ's Victory over sin and death - it is not associated directly with a biblical name. On the other hand, the last name of 'Grantz' is more often found in East Germany, which would often be used as a habitational name in various places in the north-eastern areas, named from Salvic grancia 'frontier border'.

"Victor Grantz is a support class character that is often said to be well rounded due to

the various buffs he holds. Overall a decent character to pick and master, however I

myself have read and wrote my own perspectives on his lore and personality. As any

other character made from the game, Victor's only semblance of lore and personality

would be from the deductions, letters, and sequences of events from others'

perspectives. Because of this, many write him according to their own thoughts

similar to the majority of other characters."

𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗡 𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗘.

Victor was born in an unknown nation (implied to be Germany) and was born to anonymous parents. It is currently undecided on what happened to them or even who they are in terms of lore for Victor. Yet eventually, he would be scouted into the mafia to be their 'secret carrier' in which Victor would deliver various things for them. His main correspondent would be a man they called 'Big Daddy' who by this point is likely some higher up. Victor would have a routine with his dog Wick. Every time the bronze bell would ring in their town, they'd be ready to deliver mail. It's said that Victor delivered letters and packages to people that Big Daddy had connections with, always keeping his lips sewn shut whether from fear or the fact it was his responsibility.

We would soon find out that Victor ends up witnessing a tussle between a member of the mafia and a police officer. When he finds out, Big Daddy is far from happy about the altercation. Victor would become more anxious about his place in the world following the event, the sudden stability of his job being the only thing he's used to in life. At one point later on, there's a fire that takes place in a local house, resulting in the death of a police man and several individuals' injuries. Yet despite the dangers, Victor would end up running into the fire head first to help, able to contain it in the end due to his interference. Big Daddy would write various notes and monitoring records after the fire attempting to brush it aside, writing phrases such as "Everything's normal. But if the "Postman" won't keep his mouth shut, like the cop, I'll get rid of him too." and "Don't say anything. You stick out like a sore thumb. We won't mind burning that dog again."

It's implied that Big Daddy had caused the fire in an attempt to kill the police man mentioned beforehand. Clearly, this plan was successful, as the words in the ninth deduction 'Possession' would confirm the death of the policeman.

Victor's various translations about his character introduction give their own perspective on his persona, yet all of them start with the fact that Victor is 'strange' and they all end with him accepting the invitation to the Oletus manor with glee.

An obvious fact is that Victor, after reading his lore and simply just looking around, is someone who values written words over verbal communication. This is possibly due to his obsession with letters and his view on secrets because of his job and environment, leading to being considered mute by others. It's implied that he is selectively mute considering he does speak to Wick on different occasions.

Seemingly, the reason Victor went into the fire originally was because Wick was inside, as the note threatening Victor to keep quiet of the incident states the word 'again' which could mean many things. Has Victor gone through various threatening cases where Wick's life was on the line? Or is it simply a case of particular wording? I do personally believe Wick had been in that fire with the policeman, 'conveniently.'

In conclusion, Victor worked for the mafia. The letter sent from Oletus manor was his first letter ever received to himself which led him to easily head towards the location fully trusting the sender's sincerity.

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘.

A man of secrets who holds things dearly. Having issues with being social yet craving for the sense of company much like others, Victor could be considered to have emotional unavailability. That along with a tendency to be apathetic at times, detachment from other people, and avoidance. Canonically he has scopophobia which is the fear of being stared at. This likely originated from his past in which he became paranoid due to working in the mafia. The other canon traits he has is being socially awkward, kind-hearted, and quiet. There's not much to go on with those few traits, but at the same time, there's many things that can connect to them.

He is considered SOCIALLY AWKWARD because of his inability and disinterest in having face-to-face conversations. Victor had mentioned himself that he had an obsession with watching others' expressions and feelings whenever they opened letters. I feel like we could say he's not the best chatter to converse with, but he is socially aware. I mean that in a way where he is likely more in-tune with others' emotions than he might realize, his brain always subconsciously seeking for that change of expression — from smiles shifting to frowns to eyes brimming with tears. Yet despite that, Victor would still struggle to let his own emotions out; an act of hypocrisy he's likely self-aware of.

KIND-HEARTEDNESS is a positive trait. It lines up with being empathetic, which I genuinely do think Victor is. However, he has cases of showing indifference when it comes to certain issues regarding humans rather than, for example, his dog. This could stem from the mafia as it seems like that environment was very much an 'all men for themselves' work space, which would lead him to be more 'selfish' regarding his survival. He'd be aware of someone's suffering and would merely watch from afar. Though I admit that sentence could be contradicted by the fire incident. The reason he did run inside however is implied to be due to Wick rather than the people trapped in the house, even though he does end up helping out more than likely planned, leading to cause many to trust him. A win-win scenario for everyone but his coworkers. He's a nice person at heart but it's just been snuffed out, whether because he's accustomed to surviving for himself or the fact he has trouble with expressing it, the manor game he was in showing more of that side.

Being QUIET is an expected trait. Whether it be the fact he's mute or just generally reserved. His past with secrets and the thought of paranoia whenever people talk or stare at him causes him to fall silent. It makes him the perfect person to be a secret keeper. Victor knew that and Big Daddy thought so as well. In a way, he's a bit of a push-over. I don't think he's that much of a people pleaser. Yes, he may be helpful, but would he bend his back over for someone? Not exactly. His level of being a 'pushover' originates from the fear of being replaced, lacking the sudden emotions people present to him so openly. It's a drug he's accustomed to. Take that away and he'd face his own shortcomings. Big Daddy makes it clear that he can and could replace him, and what's better to ensure that doesn't happen than to become quieter than a corpse? Victor would find out that fitting into a certain criteria, looking a certain part, and keeping low under the radar is the best way he can live his life 'peacefully', even if that peace is temporary. He'll try to postpone the end as much as he can.

Overall Victor's main issue is that he's so attached to letters, in particular, the words and straightforwardness of them. Of course we all know someone can easily write up a fake sounding sentence to appear as something they aren't. Such as a not so sincere apology. But to Victor, he treasures the experience, as he doesn't view it to have any hidden meanings. With actual conversations, there's many things a person needs to keep aware of. The tone of the words, the current topic, the sentence suddenly leading to a different shift in the discussion. All those are hard to keep track of especially if one's not used to it. Letters allow Victor to read back easily the words in front of him instead of asking the person to repeat themselves. It's an easier solution and a much kinder way to express himself rather than face the eyes of the person staring at him as he attempts a half thought-out response.

He's gullible and a bit naive due to putting so much trust in written words. But as I have thought before, it isn't really his fault. Much like issues the other characters face. With the implied lack of proper care given from his parents and anyone else to support him, the closest support being Wick, he's easily influenced. In a sense, I believe Victor likes animals so much because of the fact they don't 'lie' or 'pretend' like people do. If a cat doesn't like what you're doing, it'll hiss. If a dog wants your attention, it'd bark — I think that's his logic. It's understandable and a bit pathetic. That's also why he clung onto the letter sent by the manor so much. It was his first letter he received to himself, not written to anyone else, nor written by his own hands, someone actually wrote something and knew about him enough to want to reach out to him. You can tell how alone Victor truly is despite the fact he's able to live every day with food and a home. He's still incredibly alone and isolated, writing letters to himself because of the lack of his own partner to send one back to him.

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦.

Regarding the symbolic part of his character, I feel like he's very contradictory in a positive way. He's mute yet words become his way of expressing thoughts and feelings. He doesn't like being vulnerable but wants others to trust him with secrets. He wants someone to write him letters but struggles to make connections. In a sense it's relatable, the idea of wanting someone loyal to you and to trust you fully, matched with the fear and paranoia of 'what if' scenarios resulting in a lack of action. Within canon he's part of group three, which honestly is a whole other topic and separate post.

Victor was still the 'main' person in that group, the vital connection. As a postman he made it his own duty to deliver the various communications within notes from the other three. Not having an issue with the rule of not speaking and probably fostering himself into it as soon as the cycle he was so comfortable with began again. There are notable moments where his past came back, like when he was found by Ganji. His body instinctively went into a defensive or submissive position as he mentions that he was reminded of another 'unpleasant person' within the interaction — a reference to Big Daddy, maybe even implying he would be physically beat with how small the actions were. If you read his full lore it's easy to notice the connections.

I find it very ironic he died in a fire, with his inability to let go of the things he held most dear to him, secrets written within sheets of paper. The first fire he had survived and was considered to be a hero. The second time around, he didn't have any thoughts except to make sure something else, the letter, was safe before his own survival. It led to his head being lit in literal flames. I was very distraught about the death when the news first released, although it was expected. The fact he was connected to fire in the first place is easily overlooked. Victor doesn't have a fear of fire which I would assume he would have. The things he loves the most being paper, which can be easily burnt, the fact he had to save Wick multiple times from the threat of being burnt, and even the fact of the original house fire he had gone into was likely not his first time with flames. I think these experiences led to why he bolted into the fire in the manor.

Victor could've been used to the fraying of his clothes and the smoke in his lungs but he wasn't used to actually having letters burn. Letters were important to Big Daddy too if you think about it. He wouldn't just burn important secrets so he decided to burn the second closest thing to Victor's heart which was Wick. So with that mindset, he ran straight into the fire. But this time, the last time, he couldn't make it out. It's unknown if something fell and trapped him or if he just gave up on escaping, possibly tired of running. Running metaphorically or even literally. Victor has run from most of his problems, being silent about his issues, attempting to please his peers, and being kept in his comfort zone for so long. This is only up to his second-to-last letter entry, so when the last one appears in a few months, this'll likely be updated.

"In the end, Victor Grantz was a

person filled with contradictions,

a man who wished for a change

yet couldn't escape the cycle he

was so selfishly trying to keep."

— analysis end.