#I don’t even interact w/ below 14 usually

[fostopia]

heyyyy curious does anyone know any other good TMC discords that aren’t The Mandela County (I’m in that one) cause I wanna see what other options as there

[joosthead]

touch tank || j.k. f!reader

WARNING #1: explicit real person fiction ahead, dni if below 18. dni if anti-rpf

WARNING #2: explicit rpf/real person fiction content ahead. read at your own risk. dni if anti rpf, dni or read ahead if you simply don’t like rpf lol

₊˚⊹⋆ prompt(s): 16S) the classic “oh, let me help you put some sunscreen on” but then the little massage turns into something more

part 2 of just too soft for all of it — this is a standalone fic but both of these are set in the same universe if you want some more : )

₊˚⊹⋆ reader: f!reader, gets referred to as joost’s girlfriend. notfamous!reader. if you are a person who does not tan/burns—pretend that you can tan easily for this fic😭 exploration into joost and normal!reader’s dynamic. little bit opposite aesthetic reader

₊˚⊹⋆ word count: 7.7k

₊˚⊹⋆ cw: smut (oily massage, f!receiving oral+eating from back, unprotected piv, outdoors [but still private] sex, creampie), perfect world w perfect temperatures and pools, quite sappy lol didn’t know i could top jtsfaoi but here we are, google translate dutch. note: ice lolly/popsicle in mind. yes this is important. idk if they have these in nl but they do now < 3

WARNING #3: rpf ahead—don't like it, don't read it. do not repost this on any other platform, screenshots or text alike. do not click ahead if you don’t want to read rpf. do not interact if you are below 18. how to block tags/words on tumblr.

₊˚⊹⋆ track(s) of the fic: “touch tank” by quinnie, “love is strange” by mickey & sylvia, “pink in the night” by mitski

₊˚⊹⋆ junote: i really wanted to combine this with prompt 14 but i couldn't make it work : ( i do have requests for that that i’ll fulfill so stay tuned teehee !! sorry this took so long, i am a perfectionist and absolutely adore this prompt so—here you guys go !! enjoy : 3

₊˚⊹⋆translation: "Kun je me hier voelen, diep in je?" - "Can you feel me here, deep in you?"

18+ only — explicit rpf content ahead, minors dni, anti rpf dni. 4th and final warning!

Because your life is so perfect, the day after your meltdown and subsequent putting back together (courtesy of Joost), your area gets hit with the worst heatwave of the summer. 

You guess that this is some cruel tactic of the universe to make its stars align for you in any way it can. The unbearable beams of sunlight beaming down upon you the moment you exit Joost and your shared home into the backyard. “Are you sure we should have a day outside?” you call back behind you, putting on your sunglasses. “Shouldn’t we just chill inside and watch something?” 

Joost comes up behind you, arm snaking around your waist, lips planted on your cheek in a second. “Some sunlight will be very good for you, you’re always holed up in the office or library,” he mumbles into your shoulder, covered by the baby-blue cotton fabric of one of his button ups. “You can bear it.”

You shake your head, but keep walking forward down the steps anyways, sandals slapping against the small wood deck. “I think the heat might kill me.” 

“It won’t—I won't let it!” Joost exclaims proudly, letting you go and going ahead of you. Even without seeing his face, you know how big of a smile he’s got on his lips. 

The pool sloshes on its own, the aqua blue water spilling over the sides and darkening the gray pavement next to it. On one of your loungers, Joost sets down the tote bag he prepared of towels, sunscreen, the change of clothes you’ll wear when you go back inside. You woke up to it this morning, along with a butcher paper wrapped breakfast sandwich and a glass of water. A text accompanied it—he would be out back, taking the cover off the pool and setting everything up. 

Usually, you're the one setting everything up, preferring to have it your own specific way, but—you chose peace last night, going straight to bed after taking that bath together  After these few years together, Joost may not be as Type A as you, but he can certainly hold his own now around the household. 

Your backyard is a quaint sight: the fence lined with various flower bushes, clean cut grass all around. A tree stands in the corner, roots surrounded by a ring of decorative rocks and pink carnations—there isn’t much either of you have done to upkeep any of it, but somehow, they bloom year after year. Your loungers are baby blue, covered in the towels that Joost has set out, the tote bag spilling over on the left one. 

It's almost like you’ve taken an outing to the beach and you're not in the little old house you’ve lived in for the past few years. Any day with Joost is that extravagant, he makes it that way. Already, you can relax, your shoulders lowering as you sit down on the edge of your lounger and watch as Joost squats, running his fingers along the surface of the water in silence. 

Low on his hips, Joost’s swim trunks are black and needlessly designer, just the way he likes them. He’s shirtless, the expanse of his back to you—his own name is tattooed on his right shoulder in some sans-serif script he must’ve liked before he ever met you, and in this sunlight, you wish in secret to see your own next to it.  

“You’re staring, lieverd,” Joost remarks over his shoulder, giving the water one final splash as he stands up and you smile. 

“How could I not?”

“I’m just too beautiful, aren’t I?” He comes over to you, standing in front of you and shielding you from the sun. “You ready to get in the pool?” 

Behind your sunglasses, you squint up at him and nod. “Put on some music and I’ll go.”

Goofy as always, he salutes to you and marches away like some Supreme swim trunk clad soldier. As he sets up the speaker on the far side of the pool, you unbutton your shirt, get ready to slip off your flip flops, but in your pocket, your phone vibrates. 

You check it—it’s an email from your supervisor, asking you to look over a few files for her. Regardless of your big day out taking up your time…it’s a Saturday. And yet you still find yourself about to respond, about to start typing when Joost places his big hand over your phone screen, saying, “We can look at that later, yeah?” Your grip on the phone loosens; he’s right, you can look at that later. There’s still a part of you that wants to reply, scared of what the consequences will be if you don’t, but—“Today will be great.” Taking your face in his hands, he presses a kiss to your forehead. “Come, now.” 

You stand up and he slips off your button up for you, dropping it on the deck chair. You adjust the strings of your bikini; white and blue and flowery, patterned like a delicate porcelain vase, so pretty on you and Joost tells you such.

Turning to him, you hold your hands out to the side, showing yourself off. Joost’s hand comes up to your collarbone to fidget with the matching necklaces you both have that you wear now—pearl pendants in dainty silver cages attached to short chains and these green and tarnished (“well-loved,” Joost calls them) old halves of a “BEST FRIENDS FOREVER” heart-shaped necklace from a Claire’s you both visited on a trip to America. He wears them both today, too, chains intertwined and tangled as always. 

“Do you realize how pretty you are? Zo mooi mijn liefste,” Joost says, taking your hand and twirling you around for a better look—he wolf whistles, and it makes you laugh, cheeks warming with his eyes on you. 

“With how much you tell me, I think I’m starting to realize it.” 

“Very glad,” he says, pulling you in for a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll tell you more then.” 

Grinning, you pull away and make for the pool steps, but not before Joost taps you on the ass; you act scandalized, dropping your mouth open, narrowing your eyes at him, but it’s lighthearted, and just makes you want to finish what you started last night. “Smokeshow!” he whisper yells through his cupped hands around his mouth as you walk forward and to the side of the pool—it’s still morning, and your neighbours are weird about noise. This is his version of being considerate of that. Too bad for them that you moved Joost Klein into your once quiet home. 

Dipping a toe into the water, you immediately suck in a breath through your teeth at how cold it is. Even with the tarp and the sun shining down upon it for hours, the water still nips at your skin, something in your brain perceiving it to be freezing and impossible to step into. “Ew,” you mutter, and Joost snickers from behind you. 

“Baby can’t handle it?” he teases. 

“Not true,” you mumble, going down the second step, ankle deep, and immediately scrambling out of the water. “Jesus Christ, what the fuck?” 

“You’re surprised that water is supposed to be cool?” 

“It’s not supposed to be that cool.” 

“Come here.” You turn around, walk right up to him. Even without shoes, you still have to look up at Joost, and he smiles right down at you—you know that’s going to happen. “C’mon. Jump, schatje,” he says, tapping the backs of your thighs, so you do—he can carry you with ease, all the times he’s brought you upstairs this way, all the drunken piggybacks he’s given you. You wrap your arms around his neck, wrap your legs around him tightly, while he has his hands under your ass. “Good, baby.” 

He takes the opportunity to press a kiss to your neck, then starts forward down the pool steps, slowly so you can adjust. “Agh!” you yelp softly as he moves further into the pool, the cold water coming up around your body, engulfing you. The temperature is a shock to your system, though the way it cools your hot skin is so, so welcome. It isn’t as cold like this. 

“Is it okay?” 

“I’m okay,” you say, though you hug him closer to get any sort of warmth on you. 

“Are you sure?” he laughs, and you nod, still clinging onto him like a little bear. “You’re so cute. I think I deserve a kiss for that.” 

“One for carrying me,” you say, kissing him on his soft lips. “Another for setting all of this up.” You kiss him again, and Joost deepens it, somehow squeezing your body even tighter to his, tongue teasing at your mouth as he squeezes your ass, as you rest your hands on his chest.  “Have we ever done it in a pool?” you ask once you pull away. 

“Never.” Joost gives you one last peck, one last kiss on the jaw as he smiles at you. “Do you think today is the day?”

“Maybe. We’ll see.” 

—

After around an hour of wading around—you’ve both decided that today is not the day to do it in a pool. It’s too hot, even with the cold water you’re situated in. Not even your house or the tree in the corner of the yard provides good shade for the water as the day gets later, the sun beating down on your shoulders; it would turn into a burn if you were that unlucky, but you, however, are not. 

In the morning when you first stepped out, the pool was still shaded and you and Joost could do whatever you wanted: breath holding contests, Joost trying (and failing) to do a handstand underwater, racing each other across and back several times like this was some backyard Olympics. After a bit, you floated on your backs together, laughing about what the water feels like in your ears, laughing about how terrible he is at floating. Finally, you felt all of the worries from the past month melt away and into the water as you gazed up at the blue sky above you. 

You heard it before it came—Joost swiping the surface of the water, making a large splash that drenched your face as you floated. You exclaimed, “You dick!” and freed yourself from your float to splash him back in the face hard, then he feigned the hurt and sorrow that fills one’s heart after chlorine fills their waterlines, rubbing at his eyes—you weren’t not going to come over and dote on him, but then he splashed you back as you looked over his red eyes, and it made you splash him back even more. 

Noise be damned, you were both laughing and shrieking and splashing for around an hour—in the midst of your splash war, you noticed how pink Joost’s shoulders were, the beginnings of a nasty sunburn afoot with the afternoon sun shining down on both of you. You shooed him out of the pool and into the refuge of the umbrella covering your lounge chairs, and started to rummage in the bag before he sprung up from his seat. 

“Wait, wait, wait! Before I forget—” Joost exclaims, running back up the stairs and into your house. A minute or two passes, and he comes back with his hands behind his back, closing the sliding door shut with his foot. In front of him, he holds out a twin popsicle—two sticks encapsulated by sweet red syrup and already melting in its package. “Ijslolly!” He presents it to you as he comes down the stairs, then bows to you deeply and dramatically, which makes you laugh. “Here you go, m’lady,” he says, then tips his imaginary fedora to you because. Because of course he would—anyone else, it would make you cringe, but it’s Joost. Perfectly goofy, perfectly sweet, perfectly Joost. 

You laugh as he opens the wrapper and splits the popsicle in two—one for him, one for you. “Thank you, kind sir,” you giggle, playing along. “Where’d you even get this?” you ask, taking your half and licking at the melting syrup already dripping onto your hand. 

“I went to the store while you were sleeping,” Joost says proudly, biting into the popsicle. “It’s strawberry, do you like?” 

Walking forward, you nod and get up on your tiptoes to give him a kiss. “I love.” 

He beams at you, sits down, chomps at his popsicle while you eat yours; he puts his hat and sunglasses back on and you do the same, and you sit together as the music plays for you. 

A new Charli xcx song, Joost and Käärijä’s recent collaboration, an incredibly sexual recent Ski Aggu release that you make a note of texting him “???” about later. 

Before you know it, you’re left with a red-stained stick, a red-stained mouth, a satisfied sweet tooth. “Okay, Joosty. Sunscreen time.” He gives you an exaggerated grumble but sits down at the edge of the lounger nonetheless, and you stand between his legs, taking the sunscreen from behind him and uncapping it. “You need it more than I do.” 

“Shush,” he says, but lets you take out two fingers worth of sunscreen, lets you take off his sunglasses and spread the sunscreen on his cheeks, rubbing it in. You can’t resist him and his pretty face, dusted pink cheeks, ocean blue eyes looking up at you through long blonde eyelashes. 

You’re so distracted by his face that you don’t pay attention to where you’re going—“Oops,” you giggle. “I got sunscreen on your mustache.”

“Oops,” he repeats. “I don’t mind.”

Hands on the backs of your thighs, Joost pulls you close by them and presses a kiss to your stomach, then hugs you tight around your waist. Automatically, your hands come up to play with his hair, combing your fingers through the strands. “All of your sunscreen is going on my stomach, Joost.” 

“Don’t care. You think if I lay out in the sun for long enough, it’ll bleach my hair more?” 

You snicker, “The heat will singe you to pieces before it can even bleach your hair.”

Sighing, he presses another kiss to your stomach. “You’re lucky. You get to tan today.”

“I ran out of my oil in Cuba, Joosty, I can’t.” A couple’s vacation with Appie and Alanis in Havana, feels like so long ago even though it’s only been two months. Fruity cocktails on the beach (and in your hotel room, and at the bar, and in the club, and…), running down hallways, fussing over Joost’s sunburned cheeks, Joost ogling you sunbathing but unable to do anything out of respect for your friends right next to you. You should have picked up another tub, but you weren’t exactly expecting to be tanning back in Amsterdam anyways. 

“You can't, or you won't? Look in the bag,” Joost mumbles into your tummy. You lean over behind him and reach into the tote—most of the other things have already spilled out and onto the lounger behind him: your sunglasses, two droom groot caps, the wrapper of your popsicle, a cheap film camera, and…a brand new tub of coconut oil. Your favourite brand. He must’ve picked it up on his trip to the store this morning, and you laugh, “You're so sweet.” 

“Mm-mm,” Joost hums. “That’s you, lieverd. You should lie down, I’ll put the oil so you can tan your back.”

Cocking an eyebrow at him, you snort, “Feels like you have something up your sleeve, Klein.”

He grins a toothy smile up at you—“Maybe I do.”

Joost gets up and moves all of the things to the other lounger, allowing you to lie on it on your stomach. You wiggle around a little on it, settling into the soft cushion, your back already stretching with your position. 

“I will be a great masseuse, schatje, don’t you worry. “ Careful not to put too much weight on you, Joost straddles the backs of your thighs. 

“Should I be worried?”

“No.”

“I feel like I should be worried.”

“Don’t be.” From behind you, he gets up, and you turn around to see what he’s doing—he gets your/his button up from the other chair and slips it on. “No more burning today for me.” 

You nod as he settles back on you, and you hear the sound of your little coconut oil tub being opened, the safety seal being ripped off, the clicking of his tongue at it ripping off unevenly. The air is a comfortable blanket of warmth upon you now, your worries melting away with it as you wait for Joost. 

“Can you untie the string around my back?” you ask before you forget. 

A few beats of silence pass until Joost finally says—“What?” 

“Is there a problem?”

“Why untie?” 

Joost’s voice has deepened an octave—almost grave, the tone of his voice is, because all of the possibilities in his mind floating around. Just your bare back and its expanse in front of him.

“I don’t want a tan line,” you explain. “Untie it and I won’t get one.” 

“Okay,” he affirms, though sounding uneasy as he undoes the tight strings of your halter top, the strings around your torso. He swipes them out of his way, and you assume the pause in his movement is to dip his fingers in the coconut oil and warm it up for you. 

Your assumption is right. In a minute or so, Joost’s big hands smooth across your back, firm yet gentle—he knows exactly how to handle you. The oil provides a lovely glide for his palms against your skin, and it smells so great; the pressure he’s applying is perfect on you, and you let out a little mewl of pleasure. The knots in your back are melting away with every swipe of his hands across it and you have to ask—“Where’d you learn to give such a great massage, Joost?”

“A magician never reveals his secrets.” 

Even if you tried, you couldn’t deduce how he learned to do this; maybe you’re just super tired from the last month (very likely) or he was a masseuse in his past life, but you’re already less tense with his hands on you. He digs his thumbs into the small of your back and rubs circles into it as you sigh in contentment at how it feels.

“I like this song,” Joost mumbles as it changes to this one you found years ago, some song about baby blue shirts, how pretty he looks going down on you.

“Mhm,” you hum.

“Seems very appropriate for the situation, right?” Eyes closed, you smile with his fingertips hovering just above your skin, a pause now in his treatment for you. “Can I…you know…” with his finger, Joost writes a small J, one, two, three times, on your back and sliding with the oil waiting for your response. 

“Massage me for a little more, I’ll think about it.”

“Fine,” he breathes, then gets back to work. 

Joost smoothes his hands over your back muscles; first over the top, over your trapezius, then up to your shoulders. He pinches a little around the shoulders, gliding over the smooth skin there. Hands sticky with oil, the solid melts with the sun-warmed dip of your spine, the valley of your back before him. The dip is perfect to smell, perfect to kiss; perfect to put a light hand on in public and a harsher grip on in private. With every movement of his hands, it smells more like coconut, smells less like you, and Joost has to resist the urge to bend down and nose at it to get your scent back. Every movement is accompanied by a little—a little breath. A little happy sigh from you, and it makes him go insane with every press of his hands against you. 

You’re much more refined than he is, more able to keep it together; if Joost was in your position, he knows he’d be a mess under you, quick and fast and easy. You’re his favourite person—the wave of your hand could bring him to his knees. Taking care of you comes so easily to him, even if he’s so commonly doted upon by other people. This feeling—no wonder you like taking care of him as much as you do. 

Today is so happy, a day that’ll get him through weeks and shows to come without you, long days on the tour bus wishing you could be by his side. Joost got through yesterday, his flight, the ride home using the prospect of you, seeing you, to get by. Then he got home, and seeing you was all he could look forward to after being away for what felt like forever, and he finally did, and he was so overjoyed and then—then you were crying, and he felt so sad that all he could do was hold you. He wants badly to understand why. 

“Can I ask…can I ask why you cried yesterday, lieverd?” Joost adds in a soft voice, still running his hands firmly over your sore muscles, “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it right now, I understand. But I’d like to know sometime, so we can help you feel better.”

You’ve known since the moment you started crying that you’d have to talk about it sometime. Sharing everything with each other is the way your relationship is, how it always has been—you thought about it in the bath with him, his chest against your back, deep and tired voice reverberating with it. How to word it as he played the first track on the new album, so crazy experimental and unlike anything you’ve ever heard from him before. Thought about it in the pool, thinking about it now. 

“I just…I’m probably the most mundane part of your life. There’s this little voice in my head, maybe it’s what I think people are saying about me—‘You’re telling me Joost Klein couldn’t find someone more interesting?’” You think back to an offhand Tweet you saw come up on your timeline, 10 angry quote tweets already defending you, no likes, but it still sticks to the back of your mind like some aggravating super glue: “‘His girlfriend doesn’t even do music or anything special and she still can't show up for him.’ I don’t travel like you do, I’m not always making music or doing things. And still, I couldn’t be there for you. 

I watch you at your shows and you’re this…enigma, you’re amazing. I want to be as good as you, I wanna show you off like you show me off. But there’s always something in the way. My schedule, or university, or work.” It’s truly difficult now not to feel like you overshared, dumped something on him that maybe you weren’t prepared to dump on him—a cloud shadows the sun, just at the right moment, and the parts of your skin not already touched by the umbrella’s shade are cooled momentarily. “Or maybe I’m just not trying hard enough for you.”

“I’m not flashy,” you say softly, settling on your forearms. “My way of being flashy is the way I love you, and I don’t know if I’ll ever think it compares to how you do it. I feel bad, that’s all. Like I could be doing more for you in every way.” Whatever it is, whether or not you were prepared to say it—it’s out now. “‘Cause you deserve it, you always do.” Blindly, you reach behind you and hold your hand out for him to hold, and he does, squeezing it tightly. Your cheeks warm, and it’s certainly not because of the temperature outside anymore. “I’m sorry I killed the vibe.” 

From behind you, you hear a sniffle, and you raise your head and look back, alarmed. Joost wipes a tear away with his other hand, laughs a sniffly laugh as you laugh, “Joooost. You’re gonna make me cry.”

“No, no, no vibe killing in this house.” You crane your head back again, pursing your lips, and he leans forward so he can kiss you, then peppers kisses until your shoulder, mumbling, “I should be comforting you, lieverd.”

“It’s okay,” you say softly. “Don’t really need to be comforted, just need to get it through my head that it’s not like that. I’m just sad that you’re sad.” 

Joost rubs your back, though it seems like he needs that more than you do if you’re judging by his sniffles and wavery voice alone. “I never knew you felt that way.”

He wraps his arms around your torso, hugging you close and continues, “If it’s any consolation, which I hope it is—you could never be careless. You set out my favourite sleep clothes for when I got back, favourite snacks, plushies on the bed, a place in the dresser for new stuff.” You have to admit—you were pretty proud of that last idea when you came up with it. “You’re thoughtful, and you’re kind, and I’m so lucky to have you. I love you, I love you. I love you.” 

With every “I love you” is a kiss upon your skin that you can’t see, but feel wholeheartedly anyways. “My muse, my saviour,” he says, and you have to laugh a little. “I mean it, you know I mean it.” And you do, you know it—how could you not when it comes from Joost? “You’re the most extraordinary part of my life, schat. Every show, your presence is there with me, even if you feel you aren’t.” 

“Not true,” you say, voice teasing. “That would be impossible, wouldn’t it?” 

You can feel the roll in his eyes from here, even though you can’t see it. “Yeah, yeah. But you know what I mean, right? Best friends forever, that’s what our necklaces say. Always there for each other. You’re always there with me.”

He kisses your shoulder. The oil is strange on his lips, but he doesn’t mind—it’s you. “Nothing compares to you, everything we have together…I hope you know how I feel now.” Pausing, Joost rests his forehead on the back of your head, breathes you in. “I’m obsessed with you, I think,” he whispers into the nape of your neck, then kisses it, and you laugh with the tickle of his lips, his facial hair against your sunwarmed skin. 

“You are? I didn’t know,” you tease, perking your ass up against Joost on top of you because—somewhere in your conversation, he’s gotten hard, and it’s poking against your thigh now, making you bite your lip. Stroking each other’s egos has gotten you both excited, it seems.  “What’s up with that, hm?” 

“You should know. I’m telling you right now, I’m obsessed with you. And this?” Joost grinds his crotch against you just lightly, kissing the side of your neck as he lowers his voice, “This, I like talking about you too much. You can’t blame me for it, you’re gorgeous.” 

“I don’t think I know how obsessed with me you are yet. Tell me more?” 

“Do I have to tell you, schat?” he says, gentle and low, fingering the delicate ties on your sides and the sensitive skin of your hips under them. His fingers drag down the column of your spine, tease at the edge of your bikini. “I don’t think I have to tell you, right? That I love you, need you?” 

“You don’t? Have to tell me?” 

“I’ll show you.” 

You imagine what he looks like behind you—burnt shoulders, rosy cheeks, dark sunglasses, chlorine dried blonde hair all messy and the tips dripping with water still upon the billowy cotton of his button up. Those blue eyes, blown out at the sight of you underneath him, wandering every lovely curve of your body. Slowly, he unravels the ties that hold both sides of your bottoms together, the nylon springing back against your skin, and you fight the urge to smile in anticipation of Joost all over you soon. 

“You don’t want any tan lines down here?” he asks, fingers already underneath the damp fabric of your swimsuit bottoms. You shake your head no. “Ok, then no tan lines.” 

Joost slips the fabric off of your skin; the dampness makes it cling to you still, though it’s easy enough to take off completely. You hike your leg up for easier access, turn your head so you can get a good look at him. In a sort of headband, his sunglasses are perched atop his head; the button up wrinkled and a bit stained with oil; rightfully, his eyes are half-lidded with want, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his trunks.

“What do you want to do?” Teasing him, you run a finger down his bulge and he smiles at you. Truly, you haven’t a single idea about what Joost wants to do with you next, and it looks like he doesn’t either—until his eyes light up, and you figure that tugging gently at his trunks for him can help expedite the process.

“Can I try something?” 

“Go right ahead.” 

You lie in wait as Joost lowers his shorts, erection springing out and his hand coming to wrap around it and give it a few pumps—you reach behind, running a finger down the slit, and he sucks in a sharp breath through his teeth as he strokes himself, then settles his cock on the soft cleft of your ass and glides it against, between it. 

You laugh, “You’re such a dog, Joost,” but as he ruts gently against you—the little moans he’s doing in your ear, already rambling about how good you feel and he’s not even inside yet, one hand gripping your hip and keeping his cock in place and the other on the back of the lounger so he can keep his balance; this is your personal paradise. 

“Fuck,” Joost whispers, biting his lip. You love a show, and he’s ever the showman—but you’re outside, he’s outside, he’s very aware of your cranky old neighbours, and he loves you and your house. One day, you’ll share the lease together, so he tries and stays quiet for the sake of that dream, so you both won’t get kicked out for verbal indecency today. 

“I know how much you like it, Joost,” you purr from under him, voice muffled by your arms. “You can tell me.” 

From Joost’s point of view, you look like a line in his song, the notes in the margin crafting and tailoring the work to his perfect vision; you look like the fully realized final draft of something he’s been working on for months, trying to find the sound of for years. 

If he could write something about this moment, it would probably result in entire sagas, but for now—keeping you like this close to his chest is a gift only he has. 

“I can’t be eloquent like this,” he laughs, and you have to agree; whatever goes on in that head, he short circuits before he can say it in this state of pleasure. 

Joost pauses his small thrusts, catches his breath. “Go on,” you encourage, but he breathes a quiet, “No. If I go any more, I’ll cum early and that would be so lame, schat.” 

“Not lame. I would personally love to see it.” 

“Mm-mm. We are not doing that today,” he laughs, and the sound makes your heart warm. 

“Put it in,” you say softly, trying to convince him to keep going—it’s so cute how far gone he is already, how hard he’s trying for you. 

“No, no, no. Let me taste you first.”

You cannot argue with that. 

In an instant, you abandon your bikini top, abandon the bottoms too in a crumpled mess on the ground laying on your sandals and his flip flops. “Hands and knees, lieverd,” Joost says, and you follow his direction, settling so you’re on your elbows and your ass is hiked in the air. 

A few moments pass as Joost sits behind you, and you have to ask—“What are you waiting for?”

“Just enjoying the view,” he says, then gives a kiss to your ass cheek, making you giggle. “So impatient today, schat. Is it because I was gone for so long?” Joost moves your knees so they’re spread even wider, giving him more access to you. “How much did you miss me?” A kiss to the back of your thigh, right near your center, your stomach caving in with the deep breath you take in anticipation. 

“I missed you a lot,” you whisper, looking back at him focusing his dilated eyes on your pussy, and your cheeks grow hot at the sight. “Missed you more than you know.”

“Did you?” He licks a tentative stripe up your slit, up even higher over your hole—so sensitive, your knees could shake with only the tip of his tongue teasing you. “Show me, let me hear it, lieverd.” 

“Joost,” you scold, though your arching back reveals your true feelings about what he’s doing.

“Sorry, can’t resist.” He presses a kiss atop it before coming back to your pussy.

So exposed, so vulnerable, so open, Joost’s fingers parting your folds. He spreads them gently so you’re even more open to him and licks in between, drinking from you. The smacking of his lips against you—it’s filthy. You’re so cognizant of the sound; is it unmistakable from outside, Joost’s tongue flicking against your clit, his fingers rubbing circles on where he can’t reach? You hope the sounds of the city outside your flat cover the mewls that spill out of you as he lays his tongue flat against it and laps up your wetness. 

“I think we should get you more tan in the front, too, right, schatje?” Joost says, breathless, and you flip over, laying on your back for him. Before he can get back to business, you cup his chin, pinching it gently between your fingers. His lips are covered in your wetness, glistening with it in the sunlight. You pull him to you, bringing his lips to yours, the salty taste of yourself on your tastebuds, on your chin as well now. 

This all makes you realize—you weren’t wrong at all for missing him so terribly. 

When you pull away, Joost pauses, gazing at your face, brushing your hair out of your eyes. On top of you, lying partly on you, he cups your cheek, silver chain resting on your chest, the pearl pendants and the halves of one heart of the matching necklaces you own together right next to each other. 

“Zo mooi,” he says quietly as he lowers down, kissing your chest right next to your pendants, kissing down between the valley of your breasts, maneuvering so he can graze your nipple with his teeth, flatten his tongue over it. His hand comes up to cup your other breast as he sucks at the bud, then sucks at the skin next to it; that will leave a mark tomorrow, a sweet reminder of your time together. 

Finally, he’s satisfied with his work on you and starts down your body, kissing your stomach, your hips. Before you can even process it, he folds you in half, hands on the backs of your knees; licks one long stripe through your folds, then attaches his lips around your clit, sucking it, forcing a loud and choked moan out of your mouth as he alternates between licking hard at your bud with the tip of his tongue and sucking.

Joost is a fiend for it, devilish look in his eyes, smile on his mouth even when it’s pressed up so close against you—his fingers tease at your dripping wet hole, then his middle fingers are inside you, and then he’s there to the knuckle and petting at your g-spot incessantly. 

Joost knows you inside and out; can already tell that your pretty hands resting on the back of his head and holding him there will result in your fingers tangled in his hair and tugging lightly; knows that a few more seconds of his curling fingers and his tongue on you will make you try and push against his hand still holding you open with your thigh, you’ll fail to do so, and be happier for it. 

You’re too lost in your pleasure to look at him like he wants you to. No matter—you’re a beautiful sight coming undone for him, eyes closed, chest heaving with your breaths, a slight sheen to your skin. “Joost,” you sob quietly as he continues pumping his fingers in and out of you, continuing to lap at your pussy like he’s trying to quench an unquenchable thirst. 

“Mhm? Do you like it, schat?” Joost says against you, the vibrations of his deep voice making you twitch. You nod, and there it is—he pauses to smile when he realizes you're holding his head in its place, burying his face in your center. Who is he not to give you what you want? He drinks you in, and it makes you moan louder. “Keep quiet,” he mumbles. “We wouldn’t want the neighbours to hear, now would we?” 

You’ve come back to reality enough to nod, quiet down a little, but after a few more seconds of him sucking your clit, pistoning his fingers in and out of you, you cum, saying his name over and over again, then whispering it once you realize that yes—you’re still outside. Joost presses one last sloppy kiss against your overstimulated bud, and you nudge his face away with your fingertips, laughing breathlessly. 

Joost laughs too as he settles his cheek on the inside of your thigh, peppering soft kisses to it as he gazes at you; the look in his eyes is so tender, you almost want to look away, but you don’t. You’d take a picture if it wasn’t so glaringly obvious what you were doing before. You cup his other cheek, and he nuzzles further into your thigh, eyes closed. 

For a few moments, you stay like this, catching your breaths, basking in the afterglow of your orgasm together. After a little, Joost wipes his mouth and his cheeks with the back of his hand. “Owie,” Joost winces, reaching back to rub over the spot on his head where you pulled on his hair. “You really enjoyed that, schatje,” he smiles, climbing up over you. 

“I'm sorry,” you say softly, putting your hand over his as he lies down on you, head on your chest. “I shouldn’t have tugged so hard.” 

“It’s okay, it was worth it.” You pet his hair—Joost is so warm, the air is so hot around you, but you’ve never felt better. “I’m so hard it hurts, schat,” he mumbles, and you laugh as he shifts around on top of you, erection through his shorts poking your thigh. 

“Let’s fix that?” 

“I thought you’d never ask.” 

With quickness, Joost is up and off of you, straightened on his knees and parting yours, but you sit up. Hooking your fingers on the waistband of his trunks, you pull them down slightly, pulling him in to kiss you as you pull them lower, letting his cock spring out as you kiss sloppily, strawberry stained tongues meeting. You wrap your hand around his thick shaft, run your thumb over his weeping pink tip to spread around the precum, which makes him groan into your mouth, makes your teeth knock together. 

You stroke him a few times, Joost’s hand resting at the base of your neck. It’s like time slows down when you pull away from him and watch him and his furrowed blonde brows, the way his lips are dropped open, the pink blush of his skin creeping down his neck to his chest with all of this exertion. 

Joost opens his eyes, catching you gazing at him intently, and he brings his forehead to yours as you keep jerking him, and holds your face in his hands. “Catch me if I fall?” he asks, and you laugh. 

“So dramatic.”

“You don't even know, dude.” A few more kiss-filled seconds pass until Joost finally calls it—“Enough, baby, I need to be inside of you now, please.” 

Nodding, you lie back, opening your legs for him. He sits back, stroking himself. “No crying today, hm, schat?” Joost says as he takes his place between your legs. “No crying unless it’s out of pleasure, of course. Or if you want to cry out of sadness, that’s okay, too.” 

“I’ll take note of that, thanks,” you smile as Joost lines up with your entrance, lying over you. You slip your hands underneath his shirt, fingers running over Rayquaza, his skin piping hot on yours. The pool still sloshes, the sun is much higher, he's inching his cock inside of you and saying something in Dutch that sounds like whatever is equivalent to “fucking Christ,” his face screwed up in pleasure. 

“So warm,” Joost practically whimpers, and you both know that he certainly didn’t mean to say that in such a whiny tone. “So warm,” you laugh, making an exaggerated moan to tease him as he covers his face with his hands and laughs with you. 

“Shut uppp.” Another inch inside you, so deep. “I wish you could feel how it feels, it’d change your life.” Every vein and ridge on his cock, you can feel as you envelop him fully. “You changed mine,“ he says, and it makes your heart soar. “Over/under, 3 minutes, schat?” 

“Under. Over/under 30 seconds?” 

“Under. Maybe. Jesus fuck, you feel so good,” he laughs, breathless. “So tight, you’re amazing.” Joost goes silent as he fully bottoms out in you, but a few moments pass, and he states like he’s been thinking of it the entire time, “Lowkey, I wish we had one of those squeeze bottles,” he makes a disturbingly good squeeze bottle sound with his mouth, “Pfft-pfft. We could be oiled up super quick if we did. Maybe for next time I give you a massage.” 

You give him a puzzled, amused look—you know him like the back of your hand, but where his mind wanders sometimes, you aren’t sure. “I just don’t know,” you laugh. “Maybe we can workshop that idea.” Joost grinds himself against your clit, and you moan into his mouth as he comes down and kisses you. 

Joost fucks you like you both have all the time in the day to be here—as far as either of you are concerned, you do. Long, languid thrusts that you both watch as his cock disappears inside of you, his thumb rubbing gentle circles on your clit. The wet, hollow slaps of his hips against your ass are filthy music to your ears; you pant into each other’s mouths, close enough to touch, but not wanting to for the sake of watching each other, eyes open. 

You snake your arms around his neck, bringing him closer as his thrusts become shallower, quicker, erratic, punching into your g-spot. Without warning, Joost straightens up, exiting you fully, then lifts your hips up to meet him where he is, his shaft rubbing against your clit. 

“Ik hou van je, lieverd."

“Ik hou van je, Joost, I love you so much.” 

Joost’s face lights up then melts once he hears you speak Dutch—it’s so cute, like a little surprise for him even though you try to speak it with him regularly. Since it’s easier for you to express yourself in English, he'd rather you just speak Dutch at work and school like you already do, but the excitement in his expression when you do speak it is priceless. 

He sinks inside you once more, a loud shared moan between you two; this angle allows him to be deeper inside you than before. You tighten around him, and he sighs in pleasure. Joost splays his fingers out on your belly. “Kun je me hier voelen, diep in je?” 

“Ja, je voelt je zo goed, schat,” you breathe. Your praises seem to incense him to thrust into you firmly, out, in, out, in, sloppy, though you can’t blame him. Still, the head of his cock hits your spot with every seat of himself in you. He smoothes his tattooed hand over your chest, your erratic heartbeat probably felt through to his palm; he moves up to put his thumb in your mouth, and eagerly, you suck as he fucks you. Anything to quiet yourself, anything to have more of him inside of you. “I’m close, Joost,” you say once he moves his hand to your shoulder for leverage. 

Nodding, he says, “Me too,” keeping the pace, smearing more of your wetness over your clit so his fingers slide over it better as he rubs it for you.  

A few more reckless thrusts, your arms flying up around his neck for support, lips catching each other’s, swallowing each other’s moans. That familiar tugging feeling in your stomach grows and grows until you can’t ignore it anymore, your core tightening, your pussy tightening around him as you gasp out his name over and over again with your climax, and he gasps out yours. He’s not finished yet, but his hips have lost the rhythm they once had, his control over his impending orgasm with how you’ve constricted around him. 

“Schat, hold on for me a little.” 

“I should be telling you that,” you say, though you understand—the overstimulation of his cock dragging against your insides is getting to be a lot. You hug him close, your lips right next to his ear, his panting breaths right in yours as he ruts into you. “Cum inside me, Joost,” you whisper, and with one last deep thrust inside of you, he cums with a groan, with a breathy moan of your name, clutching your body tightly in his hands as he shoots inside of you, cock pulsing; so warm, being filled up like this, no space between you two, his stuttering hips fucking back into you for a few final thrusts.

In each other’s arms you lie there, panting—sweaty skin on sweaty skin, music still playing from the speaker, him softening inside of you. Joost kisses you deeply, kisses your cheeks, your chin, and you smile. “You are everything I’ve ever wanted and more, schat,” he says into the side of your neck. “Don't forget that.” 

thank you so much for reading! likes, comments, reblogs always so so appreciated <3 : ) - juno

[suosteacup]

🌸 Age in bio (or anywhere accessible/visible in your blog) to interact. Ageless blogs, blank and empty blogs and porn bots are automatically blocked on sight.

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※ If you have other queries, please don’t hesitate to shoot me an ask or DM and I will gladly help you! *headpats*

[gh0stface-k1sser]

Rambling Abt my bsd ocs :3

Dimitri doesn't have a reason to be a terrorist. Like he had a pretty normal life. He literally does it for fun and fame. But he's always sorta been like that (a sadomasochistic freak /aff) he ran away around 16 on his own accord, but had a fairly normal life before that.

^he fucking LOVES using his ability, just for the fuck of it. Like. He'll put himself in Wonderland just bc he's bored. Or he'll pull shit out of Wonderland 💀 like. He's let the Cheshire cat out in Sigma's casino before (Sigma was livid over it)

Akira and Chuuya are locked in fr 😭 IF ONE OF THEM GOES THEY'RE BOTH GOING LIKE...shes one of the only people that's stayed by his side since they met. Neither of them are going anywhere.

Yūrei refuses to interact w anyone until she goes downstairs n gets coffee from the cafe below the Ada building, but she usually gets coffee for anyone else who regularly drinks it (Kunikida, Fukuzawa, Ranpo, and Yosano. I refuse to believe Dazai drinks coffee, and Atsushi switches up his drinks. Ranpo puts more creamer and sugar than coffee 😭😭)

^ like she’ll just ignore them until she gets back upstairs (unless it’s actually something of major importance) but everyone’s accustomed to it at this point n they honestly think it’s kinda funny. She doesn’t have any close (related) family besides her mother (they don’t have the best relationship) so she typically stays in the room provided by the Ada

Akira really doesn’t have any personal grudges against anyone in the Ada besides Dazai, so she typically avoids conflict outside of work. She won’t outright try to fight Dazai unless it’s for work, but they’re not on good terms either.

Dimitri joined the Rats in the house of the dead/ Angels of Decay when he ran away (so around 16)

Akira joined the Port Mafia when Chuuya did, even though she was only 12 (wasn't an executive till later on lmao 😭)

^ "why did she join so young?" She didn't know how to control her ability when she was younger, n she ended up (accidentally) killing her mother. She ended up in the Sheep's territory and (though reluctant at first) they took her in :3 (Chuuya n the others helped her w her ability <3)

"that's so cringe" shut the fuck up I made her lore like two years ago n I'm not changing it.

Yūrei joined the ada at 13, so she's only been there for about a year (she's 14)

Akira calls Atsushi "kid" even though she's only a year older.

Dimitri can actually be really sweet when he wants to be, he just likes to be a pain in the ass <3

[trickstercaptain]

indie captain jack sparrow, private, plot heavy, low activity, primarily trilogy & tpof based. est. 08/14. rebooted 02/20. written by lottie ( she / her ), gmt, 25+

         CAPTAIN JACK  ♢  MODERN JACK  ♢  VERSES  ♢  MAINS / EXCLUSIVES

my worldbuilding & portrayal are heavily affiliated with : hangtherules / villainmade + captainteague / lorelodge + reddhaed + musecraft

                          other links :   MEME TAG  ♢  META                              please read the rules below the cut before interacting!

• This blog is very chilled, selective and low activity, meaning that I only write with mutuals for my own state of mind. I work and have a busy life outside of tumblr which takes priority, so I cannot write with everyone, plus I do practice mains and exclusives — although I am picky about this.

• A couple of notes about my portrayal of Jack: I draw on both movie & book canon, primarily the trilogy and Ann Crispin’s The Price of Freedom, the latter of which concerns Jack’s past, although I do borrow sparingly from other sources across extended canon. He is much more than the witty rogue with a fondness for rum that he is often dismissed as and I have been writing him long enough to develop him far beyond the scope of his canon; I therefore ask that you please respect this and my reasons for being picky when it comes to incorporating certain ‘canon’ established in Dead Men Tell No Tales in particular.

• I have also been around the block when it comes to Jack; I have been writing him for more than nine years now, and in that time I have replied to many, many generic, non-plotted starters where muses approach Jack in a tavern to ask to join his crew/ask him for help etc. These kind of spontaneous threads just do not spark joy or excite Jack's muse any longer and therefore I cannot guarantee that you will receive a prompt response ( or a response at all ) if you throw one my way. So what I am saying effectively is that I am primarily plotting based here — the more you plot with me, even if it's just initially to establish a jumping off point, the more likely Jack's flighty af muse will stick and we can write all of the wonderful things together!

• I do not care to see call out posts or any other kind of drama. I will unfollow and potentially block if I see it on my dash: I am here to write, not to engage in tumblr politics.

• I am multiship and Jack is bisexual, however I tend to be picky about shipping — ic and ooc chemistry is key, and just because Jack is a promiscuous muse, do not assume that means that he will jump into bed or emotionally invest with absolutely anyone. Likewise, just because Jack is a certified flirt, do not take that to mean I am forcing a ship on you or your muse. He flirts with everyone.

• Usual Tumblr etiquette applies. Please don’t godmod, don’t rush me on replies as I am very slow, please make sure meme replies are transferred over to a new post etc etc.

• NSFW may appear from time to time, as well as certain dark topics considering that Jack is a pirate and there are potentially triggering events within his canon, such as child abuse. I do not have any triggers myself, but I will certainly try to tag anything particularly sensitive that may appear on this blog. As for smut, I write it pretty infrequently but only with partners I’m close to on an out of character level.

• If we are mutuals, I absolutely want to write with you! Hitting up my IMs for plotting is likely the easiest way to get something going with me, but sending a meme or liking a starter/interaction call absolutely works too!

• I’m Lottie, she/hers, 25+, GMT timezone. I’ve been writing on tumblr since 2014 and I can also be found on my other blogs if not here:        MULTI + SCOOPS KIDS

• I do not have any association with Disney, Pirates of the Caribbean, or Johnny Depp. Any ignorant and uneducated hate towards my faceclaim will gain an instant unfollow from me and, out of respect to him as a human being, as well as for my own personal comfort, I will not write or interact with any blog who uses Amber Heard as a faceclaim.

[mazojo]

Favorite Sohma’s

Hi yes, uh, I needed a space to rant about fruits basket because I am still very broken so yea

Disclaimer that this is just my opinion and I still love them all very much, just needed to get this out of my system ayee. Also I will include a song that reminds me of them because I am that invested in this so yeaaaa

14- Kagura Sohma

Boy by Little Mix - “I know what you’re worth girl, you know what you got”

I rank Kagura as my least favorite just for the fact that I cant really relate to her I guess? I mean, she is okay, I think she is cute and all but I don't think violence is the way to go about her struggles and she is so much more worth than she gives herself credits for. In the end, I dont think I full understood her big struggle as much as the other characters and thats why she is at number 14, although I want her to be happy and full of love and support like the others ;w;

13- Akito Sohma

My Eyes by Neil Patrick Harris and Felicia Day - “But it’s plain to see, Evil inside of me is on the rise”

Akito is a complicated one for me man. Of course, in the beginning and throughout the manga you learn to really dislike her because she did some terrible things, specially to my baby boi Yuki and eye-.... But then when we learn more about her and everything she has gone through we start sympathizing with her but i..... cant just forget everything she did. I get she was traumatized since she was little, she became dependent on the zodiacs because of her father’s words and mother’s behaviour thus becoming a broken person with this big responsibility she didn't ask for. It really ticks me however, how much pain the others underwent through her, and even though its a healing process, the traumas and everything they suffered is still there which is why I cant place her higher. I do not hate her by any means, but she isnt my favorite person on this list either. I do ship her with Shigure and I think they help each other out, and they grow from the other.

12- Shigure Sohma

Used to the Darkness by Des Rocs - “Now would you pray before you twist the knife? Yeah, would you take my hand and take a life?”

*big sigh* Shigure is also a complicated one for me. It may be my big dumb energies showing but I didnt fully get a grasp on his character? I know he was doing everything for Akito’s sake to liberate from the curse and be with her so she is finally a “woman” but he always acted a bit shady xD?? I would have love to know more about his backstory, we dont get much from his motivations and character other than the perverted aspect and that he loves Akito lmaoo. I do think he is hilarious and I love the dynamic he has with Hatori and Ayame lol

11- Ayame Sohma

Starships by Nicky Minaj - “Starships were menat to fly, Hands up and touch the sky “

To be honest I am pretty neutral about Ayame’s character. He is hilarious and I love how Yuki insults him every tike he gets the chance lolll. I like how throughout the story he tries to change to become a better brother to Yuki and person even though he is pretty extra most of the time about it. He has a good heart and even though he made some mistakes he owns up to them which in my opinion, makes him a good character <33 I love his friendship with Hatori lmaooo they balance each other out sooo well

10- Kureno Sohma

Taking Chances by Celine Dion - “Never knowing if there's solid ground below, Or a hand to hold, or hell to pay”

I really like Kureno! He has gone through quite a bit and he needs a hug. I am sad thinking how most of his life he lead it pretty similarly to Yuki’s, apart from everyone and super enclosed to his relationship with Akito due to him breaking the curse and feeling bad about it. I do wish we would have gotten to know more about his personality and story, if we did I would have definitely ranked him higher! He really reminds me of Tohru’s father and I think Uotani is perfect for him <33 would have love to see more about the two of them and hopefully they expand upon it in the anime

9- Ritsu Sohma

Waving Through a Window by Ben Platt - “On the outside, always looking in, Will I ever be more than I've always been?”

Okay okay so I have a lot of thoughts on Ritsu. Manga Ritsu is okay, I really dont have much of an opinion on him due to him appearing only in a few chapters, I feel like from the Sohma’s, he is the one we get the least information about. But then the anime episode came out where they presented Ritsu and I thought they gave him so much more life and rounded personality where, I get to relate a lot to him? I am someone who is constantly apologizing for absolutely no reason and seeing him be all anxious and stressed about others interactions is big relate to me and I stan. I also think the whole dressing as a woman plot line is better dealt with in the anime and I hope we get to see more about his insecurities and troubles in the future because he is truly a very interesting character! I stan my one (1) anxious monkey.

8- Kisa Sohma

Mean by Taylor Swift - “But you can take me down with just one single blow, But you don't know what you don't know”

Cinnammon rooooooolll. Kisa is such a cutie. I dont have much to say other than my mood every time I think about Kisa is hugging her like Tohru does because she is babyyyy. Also her bullying story is one I think many viewers and readers can relate a lot to and such an important topic I think they covered pretty well and I loveee. Also her and Hiro are one of my favorite ships because they work so well and asdfgh in this household Kisa is a queennn.

7- Isuzu Sohma

Take me Home by Jess Glynne - “Came to you with a broken faith, Gave me more than a hand to hold”

I really like Isuzu!! I am pretty bummed we wont get to meet her in season 1 of the Anime reboot but hopefully in the nest season! She is quite a complex character that I didnt really understand at the beginning but once we see how much she loves Haru and all that she does in order to protect and keep him save she really went up my list. She has gone through so much, from her shattered reality from her parents, Akito threatening Haru, her being locked up withour given any food.... Isuzu is so strong and one of the best build characters in the series and I am super excited to see her in the anime!

6- Hiro Sohma

Time to be a Man by The Airborne Toxic Event - “And it’s time to be a man, Tell me how does that go?”

My bastard childdd <33 He is such an asshole and such a sweetie at the same time. His whole inner struggle of not feeling like a good enough man for Kisa is so heartwhelming and I think it really makes sense to the type of person he is. The flashbacks of him telling Akito how he loves Kisa and the feeling of uncertainty and impotency when seeing the girl he loves being hurt by his actions and wanting to be good enough for her even though he is more than enough sdfghjasd. I am also a softie for older brothers who love their families *cough cough* spoiler alert: Momiji *cough cough* that I love me one angry boi

5- Hatsuharu Sohma

4 Seasons by Rex Orange County - “I saw myself as less and you so high above me”

Cow boil! apart from the fact that I love love loveeee Haru’s design, I think he is also such a well build character! He is not only supportive of everyone (aka the loves of his life, Rin and Yuki xDD) but he is so interesting! His split personalities give him a cool trait (even though dark Haru doesnt appear much in the end of the manga) and I love how he helps everyone and makes sure those he loves are protected at all cost and happy. He is Rin and Yuki’s fan club stan leader and I am co-leader so we been stanning aye

4- Hatori Sohma

Fireflies by Owl City - “I'm weird 'cause I hate goodbyes, I got misty eyes as they said farewell”

Boooooy the next four to come are my absolute favorties and I would die for their happiness and love so *takes big breathe* I LoVE hAtORi sOhMAAa. To be honest when we first meet him I didnt like him much. I thought he was your usual dark deep character who doesnt talk much because he is too cool for everyone (which, he is) and that was that. But boi was I in for a riDE. His story about having to erase the memories from the woman he loves is one of the ones I cried through the most. I put myself in his shoes and wonder if I had to erase the memory of the person I loved the most, make them forget they ever met me, all our happy times, sad times, angry times.... No matter what its one of the most saddening moments and the whole scene is heartbreaking, which makes me love Hatori even more for the fact of how strong he is and selfless. He puts himself before others and he need to know he also deserves happiness and I am glad in the end he got it because homeboy needed a break ;w;. I also adore Ayame’s relationship with him xDD, he is like his idol and big same.

3- Kyo Sohma 

This song saved my Life by Simple Plan - “Sometimes it feels like nobody gets me, Trapped in a world where everyone hates me”

Top three babyyyy. We have now my angry cat boi™. I mentioned it before but going into the reboot firsthand without reading the manga nor watching the first anime, I thought Kyo was going to be my absolute favorite character. I knew he would be the angry boi who was soft inside and probably had a tragic backstory™ that made him act the way he did and I am a sucker for those types of characters. And I love Kyo, I really do, specially when we find out more about his struggles and past. The exclusion he felt throughout his life for being the cat, the abandonment, feeling like he had no one and was ready to die because he didn't have any source of genuine happiness (well, apart from Kazuma ya know but stillll). Then he finds Tohru, the girl he promised to protect, the one that reminded him of the woman that helped him out all those years ago and I just.... poetic cinema at its finest. Kyo and Tohru make one of my favorite couples and I love how flustered and In absolute l o v e he is with her and Kyo is great man....

2- Yuki Sohma

Nandemonaiya by RADWIMPS - “Crying even when you're happy, Smiling even when you're feeling lonely”

THIS WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST DECISIONS OF MA ENTIRE WEEB CAREER SO EXCUSE WHILE I SCREAM. Yuki Sohma won my heart and entire soul throughout the series. I liked him from the start but he wasn't my favorite favorite at the beginning you know? I thought he was isolated and thats why he didn't have much friends and he was perfect and what not but boi was I wrong and happy about it. I think one of the reasons Yuki is one of my favorite characters in fruits basket is how much I can see myself in him. Having the constant need of perfection while also wanting to connect with others but finding it hard is something I personally struggle with and every time we learned a little bit about his backstory my heart broke. Everything Yuki had to go through, the rejection, the isolation, understanding that you are loved and not a burden, falling in love with someone, finding that figure of a mother/friend he always yearned for.... The complexity of Yuki’s character is astounding and I love my rat boi so so much.... When he joins the student council, finding his little group of friends and opening up to a more carefree and true Yuki, forgiving those around him and going and eye- YuKI IS MY BABY RAT BOI AND STAN HIM OR PERISH FROM HERE ;w;

1- Momiji Sohma 

Eine Kleine by Rachie - “If I were to go through life living just to take somebody else's place, Then I would rather have been born as a pebble, living out my peaceful days “

*Clears throat* *trumpets sounds intensify* *stands on podium* I LOVE MOMIJI SOHMA WITH ALL MY HEART AND HE MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS. Thats it. Thats what I want you to get out of this post. I don't know if this is maybe an unpopular opinion-ish but Momiji’s backstory of his mother rejecting him, saying awful things, him having to accept being forgotten by his mother and sister whom he loved, not even being able to live with his family, is one of the most heartbreaking ones of fruits basket. Maybe its like what I said with Hiro and I am a sucker for big brothers that love their families, the sad smile of Momiji, my baby, angel, perfection when he sees his family and not being able to be with them, him loving Tohru but letting her go and be with Kyo because its her happiness that matters to him and I am-..... The selflessness of Momiji and how much of a sweetheart he is, his heart of gold and always being there for those around him, that moment where Akito was looking for Tohru and he got hurt trying to defend her.... Momiji is one of my all time favorite characters. He is a precious bean and I will never not shut up about my love for ma boi <333

Anyways that was long and ramble but I just needed to shout this somewhere because I've been missing they //rip

[cindylouwho-2]

RECENT NEWS, RESOURCES & STUDIES, September 2019

Welcome to my latest summary of recent news, resources & studies including search, analytics, content marketing, social media & ecommerce! This covers articles I came across in the past 5 weeks, although some may be older than that.

I am still working on scheduling enough time to post these every 10 days or so, but lately luck is just not on my side. Writing this elsewhere then cutting & pasting it here is creating some significant formatting issues, so if you find any errors or broken links, please let me know. 

Are there types of news you would like to see here?  Leave a comment below, email me through my website, or send me a message on Twitter.

TOP NEWS & ARTICLES 

Etsy introduced Etsy Ads at the end of August; I covered it on my blog. Some people are seeing decent returns, but many are not. I started a forum thread here for continuing discussion. 

A day later, Amazon announced it has waived their $40 a month shop fee for Handmade by Amazon shops. See the pinned post on their Facebook page. 

A large study of click-through-rates (CTR) on Google reveals that the top link gets over 30% of the clicks, titles with questions get 14% more clicks than those without, and moving up one slot in the results leads to more clicks, unless you move from 10th to 9th. They cite Etsy’s study of titles & CTR (which showed that shorter titles get more clicks, something that this study also found).

Trend watch: a suggestion that Americans can avoid most of the tariff pain in the pocketbook by buying used clothing & other items. “Secondhand and vintage is no longer synonymous with a dusty pile of outdated sweaters in the corner of a church basement, or a yearly rummage sale. Online resale, including high-end designer items, is booming, thanks to start-ups like The RealReal, Depop, Poshmark, eBay, and Etsy. It’s possible to fill your entire closet this way”. Pre-owned & rented clothing also makes fans of sustainability happy. 

Also, “grandmillennials” are a thing. 

ETSY NEWS 

Etsy US searches often now have a full first page of items that ship free or have the $35 free shipping guarantee, as of September 6 (although they were testing it earlier than that.) I was seeing the rare exception, beyond searches that have fewer than 48 items shipping free, but it wasn’t clear if these are tests or personalization. Then on September 21, we started seeing many items with shipping charges on the first page of even very large results, & most smaller results didn’t give much if any priority to free shipping at all. There has been no statement from Etsy, so your guess is as good as mine ...

In the meantime, they’ve begun promoting free shipping to buyers, which has led to some media coverage. Some note that the timing is good, since most US holiday purchases online in the past several years have included free shipping. 

There is a new chapter in the Ultimate Guide To Etsy Search, involving attributes. The accompanying podcast with Etsy’s head taxonomist [transcript with links to the podcast] is quite interesting. She says that one of the reasons that some attributes haven’t shown up yet as search filters is that not enough sellers have applied them to listings. “If we have 100,000 items in the search results and a buyer uses a filter, and that filter causes the results to return just 20 items, that makes it seem broken. The buyer no longer trusts the results. If only 20% of sellers fill out an attribute, showing a filter based on that attribute to buyers isn’t going to be helpful because such a drastic reduction in results makes them lose confidence in those search results. We have to wait until a large number of sellers fill out that data to show it to buyers as a filter. When we do, sellers who have filled out that attribute show in those filtered search results. Sellers who haven’t, don’t.” Also, “[w]e know that shoppers who interact with these filters tend to buy more expensive items.” And, there aren’t separate jewellery attributes for “gold”, “gold-filled” & “gold-plated” because “[m]any jewelry buyers don’t have your experience and don’t know the huge difference between these things.”

The new commercials were launched earlier this month; you can check them all out here, and here is some media coverage. Some analysts think this is a good thing for the stock. 

Vox published  a review of Etsy’s latest free shipping push, in contrast with its history. [I am sure most of you have seen that, but if not, it is a good read!] “Silverman doesn’t like the words “handmade” or “craft” because they “don’t communicate anything to buyers about when to think of Etsy.” he says now. Nobody wakes up thinking, “Gosh, I need to buy something handmade today,” he tells me, which may be true but I rarely wake up thinking I need to buy anything at all, and more commonly wake up in horror because I’ve already bought way too much. “You need to furnish your apartment. You need to prepare for a party. You need to find a gift for a friend. You need a dress. Handmade is not the value proposition — unique, personalized, expresses your sense of identity, those are things that speak to buyers.” [emphasis added]  Also, apparently Etsy founder Rob Kalin “didn’t know what seed funding was when he took it”  😮

The new tool for creating country-specific sales is finally out. You still can’t create the equivalent of the $35 free shipping guarantee for countries other than the US, however, which makes this pretty useless for people wanting to offer free shipping in the US and to their own country. The only way to come close is to set a 30 day free shipping sale to your own country, but it won’t show up in search (unless people filter for free shipping) or get the Canadian search boost for items that ship free, and you still need to renew it every 30 days. In short, Etsy is telling us to overcharge our customers in other countries with no way to offer them the same deals Americans are getting.

Sellers can now use Etsy Labels for USPS First Class letters & flats. 

Holiday tips continue to roll out: here are some ideas for running holiday sales and promotions on Etsy.

Advanced content on machine learning: Etsy is employing its data on styles to serve up personalized recommendations, including the “Our Picks for You” section on the home page. The purchase and favouriting rates are part of what gets shown. They’ve discovered that some styles are more popular are different times of the year. 

For those of you who think Etsy doesn’t spend enough on advertising, they are actually buying spots on tv shows now, including this Las Vegas morning show. [video]

SEO: GOOGLE & OTHER SEARCH ENGINES 

Sad to report that Keywords Everywhere is becoming a paid tool starting October 1st (although it may take longer to roll out to your account). https://keywordseverywhere.com/news.html  They need to do this because they were being scraped by bots, which was affecting user experience & costing them a lot of time and money.  Fortunately, it is still going to be very cheap - 10,000 keywords for $1 USD, purchased ahead of time as credits. They say that the average user will spend less than $2 a month, & I suspect that the average Etsy user will spend less. Once your account moves to a paid one, you will no longer see the search volume, cost per click & competition numbers under search terms until you buy credits, although the "related keywords" & "people also search" sections will still show up on the right side of Google search.  I usually do not recommend any paid tools, but I do think this will still be worth every penny, especially if you remember to turn it off when shopping instead of researching! Every comparable paid tool costs way more than this. And despite the rush of attention since their announcement, I still received a personal reply to my email within 24 hours. 

You know how I always talk about nofollow links? They still exist, but Google has expanded their link attribution codes to include “sponsored” &  "ugc" (user generated content), and all might be crawled at any point after March 1, 2020. Moz did a top level explanation, and here is Google’s (shorter) summary. But it may not really matter much to the average site. 

Want to rank well on Google and other search engines? Create “complete content.”  

A followup on last edition’s discussion of canonical URLs - Google gets the final say. [video]

Google is now releasing monthly videos of their search news; first one is here. 

Some of you will remember Moz’s Whiteboard Friday series on learning SEO in one hour. They’ve now compiled all 6 videos in one place. 

And if you want to learn the basics of link building quickly, Moz has a short version of that chapter from their Beginner’s Guide to SEO. 

If you are afraid you are missing some SEO rules on your top pages, check out this complete checklist for on-page SEO. 

There are tons of SEO tools for Wordpress; here are 15 of the best. 

Many people will find your blog through search engines, so make sure you use keywords in your blog posts. 

If you have a website, check out 16 things that can harm your search engine rankings [semi-advanced in part, some points are discussing coding]

Success on YouTube involves SEO, something I find many users forget.

Mostly advanced: reminder that as of September 1, you can’t use robots.txt to tell Google not to index pages or sites. 

Advanced content for website developers: you need to make sure the site is ready for SEO work. 

There are always more Google updates; this one is still rolling out, and was confirmed by Google, but very few details were given. Sistrix did the first comprehensive analysis, although it is still early, and health and media sites seem to be the most dramatically affected. 

CONTENT MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA (includes blogging & emails) 

Marketing emails need to be carefully designed for success. Everything from the layout to the “preheader” matters. 

If you have content on one medium that is doing well for you, it’s time to “repurpose” it for different platforms. 

Infographics are very popular in content marketing; here’s how to make one, with 15 free templates.

Some Instagram posts do better than others; here’s why. Among other study findings, “smaller profiles which use more hashtags actually do see better engagement rates per post.”

If you aren’t getting much interaction on Instagram, you could be “shadowbanned.” There are ways to avoid that happening, and ways to fix it when it does. 

“Content factories” are a big part of Instagram traffic. Maybe Facebook should crack down on this? 

Pinterest is combining image recognition visual search with Shoppable Pins. 

Facebook is considering hiding the like counts on News Feed posts, as Instagram is testing in 7 countries right now. “The idea is to prevent users from destructively comparing themselves to others and possibly feeling inadequate if their posts don’t get as many Likes. It could also stop users from deleting posts they think aren’t getting enough Likes or not sharing in the first place.”

Video app TikTok can be confusing, so here is a step-by-step guide for beginners. And here’s a podcast [with text] on the basics. 

Twitter chats are a great way to attract interest in your business.

ONLINE ADVERTISING (SEARCH ENGINES, SOCIAL MEDIA, & OTHERS) 

Facebook is testing new shopping ads, but they are only available to small groups at the moment: checkout from the Facebook app, and turning Instagram shopping posts into ads. Here’s more on the latter. 

Snapchat now has longer ads and different formats. 

I see a lot of questions on what you can advertise on various platforms; here’s a good summary of items/topics prohibited on major sites. 

Since so many sellers are interested in other types of advertising right now, here are a few primers, most of which I have posted here before: Setting up Google Shopping for your website Instagram Sponsored Posts How to beat Facebook’s ad algorithm Setting up Pinterest ads

STATS, DATA, OTHER TRACKING 

Have Google Analytics set up on your website but don’t know how to use it? Here are some common features [text and video] you may want to take advantage of. Note that the part about setting it up doesn’t apply to most marketplaces and many website builders, which have a more simplified set up, as Etsy does. 

The old Google Search Console (formerly Google Webmaster Tools) is now almost entirely converted to the new version. Expect all of the old reports to be moved to the new version soon. 

ECOMMERCE NEWS, IDEAS, TRENDS 

There’s new evidence that Amazon has skewed its search algorithm to favour its own products & third-party products that make Amazon the most money. ”Executives from Amazon’s retail divisions have frequently pressured the engineers at A9 to surface their products higher in search results, people familiar with the discussions said.” In case that WSJ article goes back behind a paywall, here is some news coverage of it. “Instead of adding profitability into the algorithm itself, Amazon changed the algorithm to prioritize factors that correlate with profitability, the article said.” Amazon denies this, of course. 

Despite the legal agreement in Germany, Amazon is still suspending accounts without 30 days notice. 

Want to use cash to pay for online purchases? Amazon is now offering that option in the US. 

eBay listings now default to 1-day handling; if you ship slower than that, make sure to remember to change the default on each new listing you make. 

eBay managed payments (the equivalent of Etsy Payments) are now available in Germany. 

A review of major shipping trends in ecommerce notes that “[t]he accelerated supply chain is putting small sellers at a crossroads regarding if they can afford to take a hit on margins” when discussing Etsy’s free shipping push. 

BUSINESS & CONSUMER STUDIES, STATS & REPORTS; SOCIOLOGY & PSYCHOLOGY, CUSTOMER SERVICE 

Over ⅓ of US adults have bought something on social media, over 50% of 18-34 year olds are in that group. Far fewer had used visual search or virtual reality. 

More people are shopping online late at night; women are more likely to do it, but men spend more when they do. [I’ve noticed this trend on my site and Etsy shop for a few years now,compared to when I first started selling in 2008.]

The majority of shoppers worldwide who are online use videos to make some purchase decisions, as shopping lists, how-to research, and to check reviews. 

Gen Z (the generation after millennials) is more concerned about their health than the the previous 2 generations, and sometimes avoid the stresses of social media by shopping in brick & mortar stores. “About two-thirds (67%) of Gen Z prefer products made with ingredients they can understand, and tend to buy products in health and wellness categories more frequently than other generations. On environmental issues, 65% said they prefer simple packaging and 58% said they want eco-friendly packaging. Half of the group seeks products that are locally sourced or made, and 57% are seeking products that are environmentally sustainable, but fewer are willing to pay a premium price for them.”

For the 2019 holiday season, “65% of holiday shoppers will use a mobile device to shop, and 65% will make an online purchase via mobile.”

How do different industries get their online traffic? Google sends sites 8 times more traffic than all social media sites combined, and Facebook drives nearly ⅔ of all visits from social media. Instagram is responsible for less than 1%, while Twitter tops 10%. The author notes that “faster-growing social networks like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok are designed from the ground up in a way that makes it difficult to drive traffic to external sites.”

MISCELLANEOUS (including humour) 

Google is working on letting you search your Google Photos for text; it seems to be using AI to identify & store the text in your screenshots and other images. It’s interesting technology that will likely be used in many ways, including search engines, if it works well. 

If you like convo snippets on Etsy, here’s a tool that will make them possible in many more places. 

Need a photo editor that works on mobile? Here’s a list of 12, most of which are free or cost only $1 USD. 

This one simple trick makes everything faster and easier. 

Stuff that probably shouldn’t taste like pumpkin spice. [humour]

[winchcstcrlcgacys-blog]

jensen ackles, he/him, bisexual. forget what you know about DEAN WINCHESTER, the ( canon ) one from SUPERNATURAL !  they’ve been a 40 y/o firefighter since arriving 2 weeks ago. you could call them the town ADRENALINE JUNKIE ; they’ve got a rep for being + HEROIC & + LOYAL yet – STUBBORN & - IMPULSIVE, but are associated with w/ [ empty beer bottles, colt m1911a1, greasy hands, cassette tapes ] they remember being surrounded by zombies in the graveyard with sam and cas.

Hey there. I’m James. He/him. 18+ and I’ll be playing your friendly neighborhood Dean Winchester. Everything you need to know is down below!

now, since supernatural has been running for an astounding 14 seasons, it’s difficult to go into detail about what dean has been through without providing you a novel to read. (however, if reading novels about characters is your thing, you can click here to have a detailed biography and personality rundown) with that said, i’ll try to summarize the key points best i can. 

memories: let’s get started by addressing the plot of the group and what dean does/doesn’t remember since waking up on the island. dean woke up in the bunker where the winchester boys stay, which was the ideal environment to help him refresh his memories, considering he had access to a vast array of photographs, books, weaponry, etc. that provided the basics. at this point, he’s fully aware of who he is, who he knows in canon, and what they all do, but when it comes to specific events and the timeline itself, it’s fuzzy. because of this, dean isn’t fully equipped to handle what’s going on as effortlessly as he would by season 14. (this kind of stuff happens a lot) he’s still piecing the puzzle together and trying to remember just how to go by doing that.

now, without further ado, a character rundown:

name: dean winchester date of birth/age: january 24th, 1979, 40. species: currently human. (though he has been a ghost, vampire, and demon, just to name a few. again, it’s been 14 seasons. my boy’s been through some shit) occupation: hunter. (do-gooder, hero, protector of mankind, killer of ghosts, demons, vampires, werewolves, anything evil, you name it, he’ll kill it. he even kills humans sometimes but they’re usually bad and we don’t talk about that) personality: confident, cool, and extremely loyal. charming and, at times, childish or immature. teasing his brother is one of his favorite pass-times. dean cultivates a bad-boy personality and makes sarcastic jokes at even the most morbid times, though he can be an intimidating presence to those who do not know him. underneath it all, though, he’s become hardened by life as a warrior. he has the tendency to be self-loathing and he is subconsciously afraid to get close to others in fear that being bonded to him will result in their untimely deaths (as it has various times before) he does his best to keep his emotions to himself. the only real weakness dean has is family. dean will protect his family at all costs. his longest and most intense commitment has been to his ‘67 chevy impala. he is a lover of classic rock music, food (don’t forget the pie), sex, and the occasional tv soap opera. (though he may not openly admit that)

biography keypoints:

after dean’s mom was killed by a demon when he was only 4 years old, his dad was hardly around, on a mission to avenge her. this left dean to fend for himself and raise his younger brother, sam.

the night their mom died, he rescued sam from the fire her burning body left, and since then, he has been committed to protecting his brother at all costs.

he’s known about monsters and has been a hunter as long as he can remember.

when dean was 26, his dad went radio silent for the first time, resulting in him traveling to stanford where sam had gone to college in hopes to recruit his brother to help him find their dad. this reunites dean with his brother and begins his journey.  

when his dad dies, dean took it upon himself to continue on as a hunter, not only for the good of the human race, but because it’s the only life he has ever known.

eventually, when sam is killed, dean makes a deal with a crossroads demon who brings sam back in return, dean only has a year to live before he is taken to hell.

dean is rescued from hell by castiel because he is michael’s true vessel and therefore required for him to destroy lucifer in the apocalypse. dean does not say yes and does not get possessed.

when sam goes to hell with lucifer, he breaks away from hunting and tries to live a normal life. this lasts a year before he finds out sam is out of hell and goes back into hunting.

after castiel let the leviathans out of purgatory, dean assisted him in eventually slaying the leader, sucking both of them into purgatory, where he was stuck for a year before escaping.

he and sam discovered that the winchesters are legacies of an organization known as the men of letters. this meant that they found a home in a bunker created by this organization.

he took on the burden of the mark of cain in order to slay abaddon, knight of hell. when this happened, it made him more aggressive and violent than usual. when he died with the mark, he awoke as a demon.

sam cured him of this, and eventually of the mark, but doing so set free the darkness. dean had a strong bond with her due to previously having the mark which was dark in nature.

after god reunited with his sister, the darkness, he grants dean’s greatest wish by resurrecting his mother, mary.

when lucifer’s son, jack, was born, he originally wanted to kill him, thinking that he was dangerous and would cause destruction. however, as time went on, jack grew on him and he came to see him somewhat like a son.

in order to beat lucifer, dean eventually says yes to michael from an apocalyptic universe as long as michael lets him stay in control. he breaks this side of the deal, and uses dean with plans to destroy the world.

before appearing on the island, his main goal was to kill jack. this is because he has potentially lost his soul after killing michael, and accidentally killed dean’s mother, mary.

chuck (god) appeared again and gave dean a way to kill jack, which would also mean he dies himself. when it came to do it, however, he couldn't bring himself to do it. this angered chuck, who had been playing them the whole time, and then proceeded to kill jack and free spirits from hell with a threat of 'the end'.

the last thing dean remembers is the zombies closing in on him, sam, and cas in the graveyard, with jack's body on the ground next to them.

if there is any confusion, at any point, please feel free to ask questions. there’s no such thing as a stupid question. and don’t hesitate to message me to plot at any time! i’m excited to interact with everybody.

[afishtrap]

shot-by-shot, lance and keith

Previously on the shark, I used a scene in S3E2 to give you a sense of how camera angles can communicate (or contradict) a scene’s emotion and tone. Here, I’ll tackle the actual scene @skaylanphear​ and @avatar-crystal-gemini​ analyzed. There’s some really subtle stuff going on here, not to mention rule-breaking to a rather interesting effect. 

First, I’m going to introduce you to a photographic concept called keystoning. If you’ve ever stood on the street and tried to take a picture of a building, you’ve probably seen the effect. 

Notice the way the building looks like it’s leaning backwards, somewhat? And the vertical lines -- which should vertical and parallel -- seem to be heading towards converging at some distant point? This keystoning is an artifact of shooting at a wide-angle. 

This isn’t saying wide-angle has no value, though, even if it’s too-loved by real estate photographers to make that teeny kitchen look massive. It can make for a dramatic effect, used judiciously in architectural photography. It's also common in horror movies, where you want to give viewers a peculiar sense that’s both isolation (because of the way the wide lens grabs so much more of the area around the focal point) and distortion (from nothing being quite vertical, horizontal, or parallel). 

There are two ways to correct for the distortion in wide-angle: shoot at a perfectly level 0′ angle, or do an in-camera or in-photoshop perspective correction. Wide angle is on the left, corrected is on the right. 

As you may’ve guessed, I’m explaining this because you’re about to see a whole lot of wide-angle shots in this scene. There’s also some interesting camera movement, but neither the distortion nor the movement are consistent, and that’s where the subtle cues lie. 

Establishing shot: Keith hangs up his jacket, someone knocks, he lets them in. Judging by his approximate height in comparison to the room, his quarters are maybe between 14′ to 18′ wide, but it looks real-estate wide-angle massive. He’s isolated in the middle of the frame, a very small figure in relation to his surroundings. 

The angles are also all wrong. See the yellow lines? 

They’re not widely off (yet) but they’re definitely not quite running parallel. The bulkhead to the left camouflages this somewhat, since it is distinctly angled. So it’s like the eye registers some of it as ‘making sense’ (the strong angle on the left) and some of it as ‘not quite right’. It’s not quite as obnoxiously obvious as dutch angles, but it is enough to create a subtle tension. 

(They’re also converging below the horizon, because the camera is tilted downwards. In the photographs above, the camera was tilted upwards, so the convergence points were above.)

Cut to Lance, at the door. Notice there’s no distortion here, because the angle is perfectly level. The camera's focus is on his sternum, which is also dead-center of the frame, thus even at a wide angle, there’s no distortion. 

Then we’re snapped back to the original framing, and I’m not kidding when I say only real estate agents looking to distort small rooms into massive would use a wide-angle lens in this kind of setting. For some reason, the storyboarders (the ‘camera’) wanted this room to seem a vast, cavernous, space despite being a relatively intimate area (both in size and use). 

So one possibility is the camera is trying to keep this from feeling like one person stepping into another person’s private, close quarters (pun intended). Another is that it’s not just the room itself, but someone’s perspective. Either way, we’ve got a bit of distortion, lots of space around them, and they’re squared off in the center. It’s also a curiously static shot, due to being so visually balanced.

As an aside, I got three coworkers to test the distance with me. If my guess is right that Lance is just beyond the reach of Keith’s outstretched arm, then this is roughly a comfortable speaking distance between two people who are friendly but not necessarily intimate. (This is about the distance for chatting casually in the kitchen at work: close enough you don’t have to yell, not so close anyone thinks you’re up to no good.)

Onto the next framing, and here’s where things get interesting. These next shots appear static and basic, but there is movement. It’s just really subtle, so I’ve layered the first frame with the last so you can see how the camera’s moving.

First, we have Lance explaining his reasoning. The camera starts with Lance slightly off-center to the left, then slowly pans across, cutting away just before Lance reaches the center.

We cut to showing the two facing off again. It’s harder to see ‘cause I’ve again overlaid frames, but there’s no distortion here, either. Again the camera is dead-level with the centerline, so the door in the background has parallel vertical lines. 

Again, the camera moves on a horizontal plane, slowly shifting towards Lance. This segment is longer, so there’s more ‘travelling’ in between the first and last frames.

There’s one detail in there that I do want to highlight. Look at Lance’s hands. 

Where Keith’s crossed arms are relatively relaxed -- his fingers grip his upper arm, and his other hand is tucked under his arm to create a crossed-arm effect, Lance isn’t actually mirroring him. Lance’s arms are laid over each other (a more protective gesture) and his hidden hand (on the left, under his elbow) is a fist. 

We don’t always mirror as a sign of attraction. It’d be more accurate to say we mirror as a way to signal being simpatico -- and we do it to potential friends and employers as much as we do potential lovers. Lance isn’t mirroring, though, because those small differences -- the arms layered instead of crossed, and the hand in a fist -- say something very different. 

First, he layers his arms right as he says he wouldn’t want to take Blue from Allura. His last interaction with Blue was some pretty strong rejection, after all, and the layered arms could be signaling he doesn’t believe Blue would want him back. The protective position -- covering the proverbial underbelly -- could be an unconscious attempt to protect himself from a repeat of that rejection. 

At the same time, the clenched fist contradicts this -- we do that when we want to hold onto something: our temper, our pride. He may be saying he won’t take Blue from Allura, but the fist could be signal that he dearly wishes he could’ve held onto Blue, anyway. Or he could be trying to hold onto his pride and not show how much Blue’s rejection hurt.

Then we get a middle-close shot of Lance. This time, the camera is slowly moving upwards and towards him. Between the movement of his head and shoulders, the camera’s pan is hard to see. It took another layering and looking at the background to see the very small amount the camera moves. 

But it does move, and if you remember from the other posts about how close-ups can signal intensity, intimacy, and/or vulnerability, this is the point where Lance comes out with his suggestion that he step down as a pilot.  

When I watched this with the photographer in the house, this is where we realized the camera work isn’t just slow panning to make up for the otherwise static blocking. It’s saying something. 

Because we cut to Keith, and layering the first and last frames of his middle-ground closeup looks like this:

If you look close, you can see the lip-flap is the only difference. Nothing else moves. On top of that, the camera is perfectly on level with Keith, so while we still get the wide-angle effect of a lot of space around him, the vertical lines are at 90′. If they’re off, it’s by barely a degree. 

No movement, and no distortion. 

Now the camera cuts back to showing both of them, and again we get a slow pan. Except this time it’s travelling in Keith’s direction, which means he’s moving towards the center of the frame, while Lance is slowly moving out of frame. 

That seems like a significant jump, but there’s an additional action here that’s worth noting. It’s Lance’s abrupt withdrawal as Keith speaks. Keith’s expression sharpens at the move, while the changes in Lance’s expression are much more subtle. Just a tiny difference in the eyebrows, and the mouth flattening. (The gif is slowed down a little; the real thing is a bit faster.)

Lance is leaning forward, as Keith says “stop worrying about who flies what” and on the ‘what’, Lance pulls back. Three frames, total. Not enough to blur, but enough to make the action seem kind of sharp. 

There’s also a hint of Lance straightening up, which you can see in the elbows and the angle of his shoulder to his neck. Not only is he pulling back, it’s almost like Keith’s dismissive response snaps Lance to attention. 

And as Keith finishes speaking, we get this image. 

Neither of them really looks all that convinced. 

The next shot is actually the first that might be something like a POV shot (over the shoulder) but it’s a really bizarre placement. The ‘lens’ is about the level of the back of Keith’s head, and offset enough that there’s no overlap at all between him (as the subject) and Lance (as the object). 

This one also has some of the strongest distortion yet. 

Given how odd and uncomfortable this angle is, why use it? 

For starters, Lance himself is keystoned -- which means without actually ‘changing’ anything in his posture, he still gives the impression of leaning back/away from the camera. His spine is actually straight enough that it’s on the same plane as the vertical line of the wall behind him -- that’s the vertical line on I drew down Lance. But since that line is distorted to lean a little left and away... it appears Lance is doing the same. 

Secondly, the only reason for using a wide-angle is to get more in the frame than you would with a close-up. What else is this frame containing, that would make the usual level-camera approach not work? 

I think it’s the hands, again. Although Lance’s shoulders seem relaxed, both of his fists are clenched. The storyboarders/camera want that detail in the frame.

Given the noticeable change in Lance’s posture, the only conclusion that makes sense is that there’s something in the phrase “don’t worry about it” that really bothers Lance. Add in that the only thing moving in this segment is Lance’s expression. It goes from startled to averted to subdued. The rest of him is remarkably still.

The end of this segment is where the storyboarders/camera broke one of the cardinal rules of framing. At the start, Lance is framed to the left of Keith; by the end of this shot, Lance has walked to the door, pausing when Keith calls him back.

There are two ways this blocking would get treated. Either the camera cuts to be forward of Keith (retaining his POV by holding roughly the same angle, just with Keith now ‘behind’ the camera’s eye), or the camera will watch over Keith’s shoulder. As it turns to follow Lance, that indicates that Keith’s POV is following, too. That keeps Keith in the frame, but without blocking our view of Lance. 

But the camera isn’t really looking over Keith’s shoulder, per se; it’s held in that strange spot behind, a little above, and a little to the side. So when Lance moves and the camera follows, we get this.

How much more literally can you show that Lance has not only withdrawn, he’s stepped behind Keith and disappeared into Keith’s shadow? There’s no other reason to break the standard rules of blocking/framing unless we’re meant to see Lance as stepping behind (or getting hidden behind) Keith.

As Lance reaches the door, Keith calls Lance back. Lance’s half-turn to look over his shoulder is preface to a jump-cut, where we get this view. 

As you’re probably now familiar, the camera is now in Lance’s POV. The camera is level with the center of Keith’s chest, so while it remains wide-angle, once again there’s no distortion. Keith is centered exactly in the middle, as well. 

Although (as @skaylanphear​ pointed out) this shot could’ve been cropped closer, that actually would make it more jarring, because that’d be an abrupt switch away from wide-angle. Additionally, it wouldn’t make any sense, because it would imply the two are physically closer than they are, given that Lance is at the threshold and Keith hasn’t moved at all. 

Yes, it is true that ‘seeing someone from a new angle’ implies a change in awareness of someone. (This can work in a negative direction as well as a positive one, btw.) When that new angle is meant as attraction in a physical sense, that’s often when we get the male gaze of the camera starting at the feet, panning up the legs, over the body, with the (usually female) face last. 

But when that new angle is meant to indicate attraction in the romantic-love sense, it’s most often done by viewing the same character from below. Think of the classic shot where the previously-plain girl appears at the top of the stairs in a pretty dress; that upward view is meant to imply being overwhelmed. Again, that can be negative, as in looking up at a horror movie’s monster, or positive, where it usually codes as awe (ie Superman) or love (the girl in the dress). 

But here, Keith is being viewed on the level, and the distance is due more to blocking than any ‘change in perspective’ from emotion. In fact, given the distortions in the previous shots, and the camera’s subtle but consistent movement during some of the segments, it’s significant that this is simply a more distanced version of the previous lone close-up of Keith, with neither distortion nor camera movement.

Plus, Keith’s final half-joke and his open posture (especially the arms loose and relaxed) are clear sign there’s no malice meant. That’s another reason for the mid-distance, wide-angle shot, to show more of his body language. Between his relaxed posture and open smile, it’s clear he’s trying to lighten the mood, in hope Lance will feel better. 

This is Lance’s POV -- and what it’s telling me is that Lance isn’t seeing Keith romantically, so much as he’s seeing Keith clearly.

In fact, it’s Keith’s POV that contains the worst distortions; the near-objective shots (where both are in frame and the camera moves slowly) are simply underlining this odd feeling that things aren’t quite right. There are subtle shifts happening, gentle undercurrents that Keith either misses -- or notices but doesn’t understand, and therefore tries to ignore.  

Despite how much it’d be easy to discount Lance’s words as simply his insecurities, the camera seems to be implying that Lance is seeing Keith as-he-is. It’s an open question whether Lance is thinking the clearest, but in this scene he’s certainly the one who’s seeing the clearest. 

ETA: or maybe that’s backwards.

Maybe the camerawork isn’t meant to convey Lance’s or Keith’s POV at all, but where each stands in relation to things. That Keith has planted his feet and is holding the ground (no movement, no distortion) while Lance is sliding one way, then the other, tilted back, both distorted and changeable. It would be an unusual use of camera work to be telling us something about the character in the frame (as opposed to the POV character, as personified by the camera), but a lot of the camerawork in this scene is so peculiar that maybe the usual POV is intentionally off, too. 

In that case, I’d read it as: we’re meant to feel like Lance is being reflected in a funhouse mirror, while Keith is the one showing a true reflection on things. As the film/photo person said (of the camera movement while Lance is talking), “it’s a sense of uneasiness, like a sudden subtle vertigo and you can’t figure out why.”   

Anyway, the last two shots -- both from Keith’s POV -- are Lance’s departing smile, and his back as he stops outside the door. We ended up in two minds about why someone would stop right outside. To let out a breath and consider that done, or, as @avatar-crystal-gemini suggested, to hesitate before writing off a second attempt as pointless? 

What we did agree on was that this expression...

...is the smile of someone thinking, ‘well, I'm not sure I feel better but I do appreciate that you tried’. Between the angle of his body that’s more away, the cant of his head, the still-raised brows, and the averted gaze, we got the sense that even if Lance didn’t get the answer he came for, he’s doing his best to roll with it. 

Even if that means going back to pretending he’s fine. 

[hisazuki]

Toshokan Sensou Love & War Special book - part 2/2 : bonus manga and character sheet

Furoku from LaLa magazine issue 05/2015

Art by Kiiro Yumi

Translation in English (except the character sheet) below cut

P1: ★ Professor Asako’s lesson on the Toshokan Sensou universe ★

Shibasaki: Hello, I’m Asako Shibasaki. *I’ve ranked 3rd in the character popularity poll, thank you! ♥*

Shibasaki: I am so happy to see you all again. Toshokan Sensou Love & War Bessatsuhen will be starting this month.

Shibasaki: What’s “Bessatsuhen”, you say?

Shibasaki: Hiro Arikawa’s original “Toshokan Sensou” novel series is comprised of 4 books in the main series and two spinoff, or “Bessatsu”, books. So that’s 6 books in total.

(above on the right) Main series: Toshokan Sensou, Toshokan Nairan, Toshokan Kiki, Toshokan Kakumei

(above on the left) Spinoff: Bessatsu Toshokan Sensou 1, Bessatsu Toshokan Sensou 2

Shibasaki: The adaptation of the 4 books from the main series ended in this year’s February issue of LaLa magazine.

Shibasaki: To keep it simple, the Bessatsu series opens on the continuation of the hospital room scene from the last chapter of the main series. Also, compared to the main series that focused more on events and cases to solve, this spinoff revolves more around the characters’ personalities and romantic relationships.

Shibasaki: Let’s see... Well, I get what you mean.

P2:

*There was plenty of romantic scenes in the main series, and now they’re adding even more in the spinoff?!*

Shibasaki: Yes, that’s basically it, yes.

(Doujou) Don’t look.

(Shibasaki) Oh but we are looking.

Shibasaki: We might as well change the title to Love & Love at this point. How frightening. People flaunting their love life are scary.

Shibasaki: From an outsider’s point of view, we could clearly see they’ve been in love with each other for a good while, so let’s rejoice over the fact they’re finally starting their life as a stupid couple! ♥ By the way, I knew from the 1st book they’d end up together ♥.

Komaki: *I’m really glad for them...*

Tezuka: *...*

Shibasaki: What? You want to know about my own love life?

Shibasaki: Well, of course I’m... -Ah, sorry, time’s up!

END!

P3: ★Library Officer Second Class Komaki’s stupid couple observation diary ★

*After a long period of frustration and worries,*

*Kasahara-san and Doujou are finally going out together...*

Doujou: *I’ve started dating Kasahara.*

Komaki: *I see... Congratulations.*

Komaki: *It’s something to rejoice over, but...*

Komaki: *I’m sad I don’t get to see how they interact at the hospital.*

*I can at least try and get Kasahara-san to talk about Doujou.*

Komaki: *Hearing her speak fondly of him would be great.*

Komaki: Kasahara-san?

Iku: Yes?

P4:

Komaki: You’ve been visiting Doujou a lot lately. What are you two usually chatting about?

Iku: Well... I tell him about my day’s work or gossips... Why do you ask?

Komaki: I’m just curious what you two are doing at the hospital now that you became a couple...

Komaki: Haha! Just kidding...

Iku: Nothing! It’s not-! W-w-we’re not doing anything in particular! *Kyaah! Stop it! Instructor Komaki!*

Komaki: *.........Doujou... Can’t you hold back a little and go easy on her...?*

END!

P5: ★Superior Tezuka’s intellectual battle ★

*Second Lieutenant Doujou and Kasahara started going out together.*

Tezuka: *Congratulations, lieutenant... But dating means...*

*Obviously, since they’re so familiar with each other, they’d do this and that...*

Tezuka: Ah!

Tezuka: *No, I should stop trying to picture it, it’s rude to the lieutenant! I must try and think about something else!*

*Genda in volume 14*

*Komaki in volume 8*

*The face of his superiors that still torment him in his dreams*

*Fuu... Good grief.*

*It’s a success*

Komaki: ?

END!

[lovehaswonangelnumbers]

New Post has been published on https://lovehaswonangelnumbers.org/karmic-tools-weekly-forecast-march-3-9-2019/

Karmic Tools Weekly Forecast: March 3 – 9, 2019

Karmic Tools Weekly Forecast: March 3 – 9, 2019

By Kelley M. Beard

The video version of this forecast, as read by Kelly, is available here.

The Karmic Tools Weekly Forecast covers the current planetary transits which affect people in different ways and to various degrees of intensity. Take notice when it is a Personal planet (Sun / Moon / Mercury / Venus / Mars) interacting with a Social (Jupiter/Saturn) or Collective planet (Uranus / Neptune/Pluto). And pay extremely close attention when it is a Social planet interacting with a Collective planet because that means something *big* is brewing that will move large groups of people along their evolutionary paths. Tuning in to the energy and rhythm of the planets can serve as a useful *guide* as you move along your Individual Path. It also helps to understand your place within the context of the larger Social & Collective Story. Below, you will find out how these energies tend to manifest, as well as guidance and direction. 

*NOTE*  There are some days when there are NO CONTACTS (besides the Moon), please note that there are no missing entries, we just list the actual Activations of each week + the day they happen.

Weekly Forecast: March 3 – 9, 2019 

3/5 ~ Mercury Retrograde in PISCES:

This is just a reminder that we get 3-4 chances a year to do a conscious data-dump and give the Mental Body some much-needed rest & restoration. Yes, it can be frustrating to try to move ‘n shake in the world, technology tends to go wonky, cars breakdown, communication & travel can go haywire. But it can also be magical, enlightening & restorative. This is when delays are Divine and you can carve out a little extra time and space to do your own processing of what’s going on in your individual life. Check in with your own ideas, thoughts, concepts, do some research, finish projects & develop your ideas. New connections may be made, but more often old connections circle back to complete something. It is the Sacred Pause before you decide or choose something really important this Spring. Take advantage of this one to clarify where you are and where you are heading and keep in mind the power of the Imagination. If you imagine doom & gloom, it is more likely to manifest. If you imagine breakthroughs with relationships & resources then you will create more of that. This time in Pisces is going to have its own additional caveats. Your intuition & imagination will be involved, for better or worse, so try to connect fluid language with vivid imagery. Keep in mind nothing is linear or logical about Mercury in Pisces, this is all Spirit or other-worldly. So any spiritual healing work is tremendously supported by this retrograde. It is a test to fortify your intuition, and you have to work your intuition like a muscle so that you can learn to rely on it. Check in with your own beliefs, dreams & fears. And make time to be in Nature, under the Sky, that always gives the Monkey Mind a break, but especially during Pisces time, each year, we are supposed to be dreaming up the action plan that we will execute throughout Aries/Taurus time. And don’t forget the best thing about this Retrograde is that it is totally easier to commune with your Angels, Ancestors & Animal Spirit Guides and they are even more available when in PISCES, like now. If you are at some kind of crossroads, my Astro/Tarot Reading is excellent for getting to the heart of one issue or simply checking in with your own cycles and getting support for wherever you are at this time. Many of you already know that I’ve been completing my Earth Medicine certification with Pixie Lighthorse, and I’m finally done with school and will be shifting my focus back to my own Circles, new offerings & new website. But I am able to take more appointments in March.

3/6 ~ PISCES New Moon:

This is an annual crossroads we come to every year around this time. It is the completion of 12-new moons since the last Pisces New Moon (3.17.2018). How’s it going a year later? No one is exempt. We all have a House in our charts ruled by Pisces. It is here that you should seed your intentions and precious vision for the next year (minimum), with consideration of where you’d like to be at the 6-month MidPoint, the Pisces Full Moon 9.14.2019, when these very seeds will show their true promise. Consider that this crossroads is simultaneously an ending and the womb holding what will be birthed next. Virgo/Pisces realms teach us about being a Spirit in Human form. How’s that going for you at this time? Can you see any patterns in your health or consciousness, your physicality or spirituality and how all these dynamics are part of who & what you are?

The Sag Last Qtr Moon (2/26) revealed more unavoidable Truth, which clarified what was truly done so that by the Pisces New Moon (3/6) could be seeded anew. This is the lunation when last year’s progress comingles with the coming year’s potential. Think of March as the ‘cauldron’ in which you are stirring in the ingredients that you want to grow and evolve for you in the new year. It is a time to process what you do know, and allow what you do not yet fully grasp, to unfold naturally. It is time to honor your intuitive capacity for navigating new realms and knowing what is practical & possible for you personally. The more connected to your internal guidance system, the stronger your position will be as the new year kicks off.

The Gemini First Qtr Moon (3/14) may be a ride on the *Sit ‘n Spin* for some, while a gathering of relevant information for others. It’s best to carve out some time to organize your thoughts and ideas before the real action kicks in. We’ve learned a LOT in recent months! We are about to go through two back-to-back Libra Full Moons in one 30-day period, which facilitates what I call the Lunar Flip (but more on that next month). This first Libra Full Moon falls ON Equinox this year, is also a Super Moon, and it is the final Full Moon at Zero degrees (in a series of six). For now, we can really assess what is useful and relevant to moving forward. It’s good to reflect on all that we put in motion around Fall Equinox/Sept 2018, and release that which is not falling into a natural *rhythm* by now. We, hopefully, used the Virgo Super/Full Moon (2/19) as a purification prior to birthing something completely new. The Light shined in your Virgo department asking you to sort and sift through what’s right in front of you (where is the Light shining for you at this time?) It is also asking us to prioritize what is alive and worthy of further investment and what has actually run its course and has no life left in it, allowing you to release without attachment.

Since we also have Mercury extending its stay in Pisces, this New Moon is really the cauldron – what are you cooking up? What flavors & spices are you adding to create that unique mix that is YOU? These seeds may take a little longer to pop, but when they do, the fruits & flowers ought to be truly magical! So this New Moon, plant the seeds of your biggest vision and most cherished dream.

3/6 ~ Uranus Enters TAURUS (until 2026):

This is a once-in-84 year occurrence! And this is it – no more back-and-forth into Aries, it has moved on. Uranus is a collective planet and so affects many people and takes 7-8 years to accomplish its mission in each sign. It will awaken the Taurus department of life (House) and stimulate any of your planets in Taurus/Scorpio or Leo/Aquarius (by default). Also, I’d say here & now is a good time to reflect on whatever ‘liberating ordeal’ you just went through over the last 8-years as it stimulated your Aries department. Once it is truly into Taurus, you can start to reap the benefits and integrate the recent, radical shifts that you’re Identity & Purpose have been through and the focus, and thus the lessons & blessings, will now shift to the values & priorities that support that newly awakened Emergent Self and how that works on the ground, in the body, on the Earth.

In other words, for individuals, those who have had their shake-up/disruption for the last 7-8 years activate a new Identity & Purpose (usually by dismantling the old one), the values & priorities are naturally going to have to shift to support that and when you change, things & people have to change or go away for there to be a vibrational match again. The electrical circuits of the body are being rewired and anything we feel, Mother feels and vice versa. Let’s use this introduction to a new energy to practice having an awareness that something new is emerging from within, as well as around us, and filter things through the Body first (does this feel right to me?), then the Spirit (what does my SoulSelf/Higher Self say when I am able to rise above my situation and look at it from there?) and finally, through the Mind last (putting pieces together in logical way if possible) with a final rinse through the Heart Filter to ensure authenticity! Uranus demands authenticity in whatever sign it traverses.

My vision is that our technological breakthroughs will help, serve & support Mother Earth (All Life & the Body) rather than denigrate, violate & pillage her natural resources. Uranus awakens by shaking loose where we’ve grown rigid & crusty. It just spent 8-years awakening you to a new level of personal responsibility, in that, you cannot rely on outer structures to guide & protect you any longer. It’s time to be independent within the context of the collective. As it awakens in Taurus, there will be a radical shift in your value system to support the new independence. And freedom will be tied to your ability to shift your values accordingly. More soon …

3/6 ~ Sun (essential Self) ~conjunct~ Neptune (delusions & illusions):

This transit tends to make you very sensitive to others and the general vibe around you, so anytime you’re working with Neptune, check in with your boundaries and be as clear as possible. If you are one of those people who tends to put everyone else’s needs before your own, watch out, because this makes that urge even stronger. Be aware of two things: (1) most times people who focus so much on others, to the exclusion of their own needs, is because there is something about their own life they do not want to face; and (2) you could get lost in your so-called altruism to the point where you lose touch with reality. This energy is best used alone to meditate and contemplate your own world unless you can be completely detached in your charity work. I use this little motivation to decide – is your life so perfect and abundant that you can afford to spend so much time and energy on another’s life? If so, GREAT! Go for it! If not, however, then “charity begins at home” – work on YOU!

3/9 ~ Sun (source & essential Self) ~sextile~ Saturn (organization & structure):

This energy is good for getting serious and organized because the Sun also brings some much-needed clarity. With Saturn involved, practical actions based on responsible assessments will be rewarded, whereas, blowing things off or leaving loose ends will cost you (usually fairly immediately, the instant karma way). Even if this should happen to you, it is not personal, but Saturn’s way of showing you (immediately) where your current limitations are. That’s good information to have when making choices & decisions. This activation also gives you access to self-discipline and the ability to consider all your options before deciding on anything. This is a good time to focus on your professional goals if possible, and start making a solid, feasible plan for the future. If you need to, seek the advice of a trusted wise elder (anyone with more knowledge/experience than you ; -)) And if you can’t actually DO something in the direction of your goals today, take the time to meditate and connect to your plan energetically.

*****

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[marcusssanderson]

40 Colin Powell Quotes Praising Preparation and Hard Work

Our latest collection of Colin Powell quotes that will inspire and motivate you to work hard for your dreams.

Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the US Army. He is a former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Powell was born in Harlem, New York on April 5, 1937, to Jamaican immigrants. After graduating from college in 1958, Powell joined the military and was a professional soldier for 35 years. He published a best-selling autobiography, My American Journey, in 1995.

When President George W. Bush appointed Powell to the position of secretary of state in 2000, he became the first African-American to hold a position this high in the U.S. government.

Since leaving government office, Powell has been involved with several business ventures as well as working with charities and children’s groups.

Powell has received many awards, including two Presidential Medal of Freedom. Besides, he holds honorary degrees from universities and colleges across the nation, and several institutions have been named after him.

Colin Powell inspires many with his leadership skills and life experiences. In his honor, below is our collection of inspirational, wise, and thought-provoking Colin Powell quotes.

Colin Powell quotes praising preparation and hard work

1.) “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” –  Colin Powell

2.) “Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.” – Colin Powell

3.) “If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception; it is a prevailing attitude.” – Colin Powell

4.) “Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard.”  – Colin Powell

5.) “Don’t be afraid to challenge the pros, even in their own backyard.” – Colin Powell

6.) “Diplomacy is listening to what the other guy needs. Preserving your own position, but listening to the other guy. You have to develop relationships with other people so when the tough times come, you can work together.” – Colin Powell

7.) “Always be looking for that which you do well and that which you love doing, and when you find those two things together — man, you got it.” – Colin Powell

8.) “Never neglect details. When everyone’s mind is dulled or distracted the leader must be doubly vigilant.” – Colin Powell

9.) “My own experience is use the tools that are out there. Use the digital world. But never lose sight of the need to reach out and talk to other people who don’t share your view. Listen to them and see if you can find a way to compromise.” – Colin Powell

10.) “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand.” – Colin Powell

Colin Powell quotes on life and leadership

11.) “I think whether you’re having setbacks or not, the role of a leader is to always display a winning attitude.” – Colin Powell

12.) “Don’t just show kindness in passing or to be courteous. Show it in depth, show it with passion, and expect nothing in return. Kindness is not just about being nice; it’s about recognizing another human being who deserves care and respect.” – Colin Powell

13.) “What could be more important than equipping the next generation with the character and competence they need to become successful.”  – Colin Powell

14.) “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” – Colin Powell

15.) “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” – Colin Powell

16.) “It ain’t where you start in life, it’s where you end up, and what you did along the way.”  – Colin Powell

17.) “Always show more kindness than seems necessary because the person receiving it needs it more than you will ever know.”  – Colin Powell

18.) “Trust is the glue that holds people together and is the lubricant that keeps an organization moving forward.”  – Colin Powell

19.) “Whenever you start-give it your best. The opportunities are there to be anything you want to be. But wanting to be someone isn’t enough; dreaming about it isn’t enough; thinking about it isn’t enough. You’ve got to study for it, work for it, fight for it with all your heart and soul, because nobody is going to hand it to you.” – Colin Powell

20.) “The best method of overcoming obstacles is the team method.”  – Colin Powell

Colin Powell quotes that will inspire you to make your dreams a reality

21.) “Look for intelligence and judgement and most critically, a capacity to anticipate, to see around corners. Also look for loyalty, integrity, a high energy drive, a balanced ego and the drive to get things done.”  – Colin Powell

22.) “In other words, don’t expect to always be great. Disappointments, failures and setbacks are a normal part of the lifecycle of a unit or a company and what the leader has to do is constantly be up and say, we have a problem, let’s go and get it.”  – Colin Powell

23.) “Organization doesn’t really accomplish anything. Plans don’t accomplish anything, either. Theories of management don’t much matter. Endeavors succeed or fail because of the people involved. Only by attracting the best people will you accomplish great deeds.” – Colin Powell

24.) “The freedom to be your best means nothing unless you are willing to do your best.” – Colin Powell

25.) “Good leaders set vision, missions, and goals. Great leaders inspire every follower at every level to internalize their purpose, and to understand that their purpose goes far beyond the mere details of their job. When everyone is united in purpose, a positive purpose that serves not only the organization but also, hopefully, the world beyond it, you have a winning team.” – Colin Powell

26.) “Fit no stereotypes. Don’t chase the latest management fads. The situation dictates which approach best accomplishes the team’s mission.” – Colin Powell

27.) “We need to understand that we as citizens and as a government in any community throughout this country have no more important obligation than to educate those who are going to replace us.”  – Colin Powell

28.) “Have fun in your command. Don’t always run at a breakneck pace. Take leave when you’ve earned it, spend time with your families.” – Colin Powell

29.) “War should be the politics of last resort. And when we go to war, we should have a purpose that our people understand and support.” – Colin Powell

30.) “The healthiest competition occurs when average people win by putting above average effort.” – Colin Powell

Colin Powell quotes on hard work and success

31.) “You should never be so involved with your position/job that when the position is gone your entire self-image is gone with it.” – Colin Powell

32.) “If you get the dirty end of the stick, sharpen it and turn it into a useful tool.” – Colin Powell

33.) “The ties that bind us are stronger than the occasional stresses that separate us.” – Colin Powell

34.) “Each of us is a product of all our experiences and all our interactions with other people.”  – Colin Powell

35.) “Fear and failure are always present. Accept them as part of life and learn how to manage these realities. Be scared, but keep going. Being scared is usually transient. It will pass. If you fail, fix the causes and keep going.”  – Colin Powell

36.) “All work is honorable. Always do your best, because someone is watching.”  – Colin Powell

37.) “There is no end to the good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit.”  – Colin Powell

38.) “I have always tried to keep my confidence and optimism up, no matter how difficult the situation.”  – Colin Powell

39.) “If you take the pay, earn it. Always do your very best. Even when no one else is looking, you always are. Don’t disappoint yourself.”  – Colin Powell

40.) “When we are debating an issue, loyalty means giving me your honest opinion, whether you think I’ll like it or not. Disagreement, at this stage, stimulates me. But once a decision has been made, the debate ends. From that point on, loyalty means executing the decision as if it were your own.”  – Colin Powell

Which of these Colin Powell quotes was your favorite?

Colin Powell started his American journey from ordinary circumstances and found his calling in the military. He has been committed to protecting the nation and advancing democratic values.

Powell’s entire adult life has been in the service of his country. He has been committed to seeing that young people receive the resources they need to succeed. Hopefully, his words of wisdom will inspire you to work hard to make your dreams a reality.

Did you enjoy these Colin Powell quotes? Which of the quotes was your favorite? Let us know in the comment section below.

The post 40 Colin Powell Quotes Praising Preparation and Hard Work appeared first on Everyday Power.

[ncmagroup]

Open-Ended Sales Questions: The Remarkable Importance of Qualifying Leads

Open-ended questions are essential for sales success. They allow reps to get inside the head of prospects and better understand their pain points.

The right open-ended questions help ensure that reps are building rapport, uncovering pain points, establishing need, and clearly articulating the value of their offering.

Below are 33 open-ended sales questions that will help you resonate with any potential buyer.

We’ll cover the difference between open and closed sales questions, talk about how to use them in your business, share examples, and highlight critical mistakes to avoid.

What Are Open-Ended Sales Questions?

Open-ended sales questions (part of the consultative sales approach) are also called sales discovery questions because they are designed to get to know the prospect better. Core DNA says these questions begin a conversation with the prospect and are used both during the initial stages with a prospect as well as with the close.

Characteristics of Open-Ended Sales Questions: – They are conversational.

– They usually involve Five W’s: Who, What, When, Where and Why; and also How (which some people call the Six Ws—even though How isn’t technically a W).

– They don’t have a set pattern, meaning there is no formula or structure to them.

– They usually require thought before someone answers.

– They are subjective in nature rather than objective, meaning they are about personal feelings rather than facts and figures.

The Objective of Open-Ended Sales Questions:

Open-ended sales questions are designed to create a dialogue between the sales rep and the prospect. They are probing questions used to get a prospect to talk more about their business.

When used in a sales call, the questions enable the sales rep to learn more about the lead’s pain points and needs. The open nature means there isn’t a specific answer; they are designed to facilitate an exchange of ideas. They can also be used to build engagement and help create rapport between the rep and the prospect.

Open-Ended vs. Close-Ended Sales Questions

While these questions seek more information from the source and are answered in the prospects’ own words, close-ended questions lead to specific answers, like a yes or no, or a multiple-choice option.

Richardson Sales Training distinguishes open-ended questions as those which allow the control of the conversation to flow between the sales rep and prospect, while close-ended questions leave the control in the hands of the sales rep alone.

When Should Reps Ask Open-Ended Sales Questions?

Ideally, sales reps should ask as many open-ended sales questions as they can throughout the sales process. The more you learn about a prospect, the more consultative you can be to help them with their goals.

However, the obvious time to ask open-ended questions is in the qualifying stage with a prospect. Sales training organization The Brooks Group says, it gives you the opportunity to learn everything you possibly can about the prospect’s needs and wants. Through asking sales discovery questions, the sales rep can find how their product or service can help the prospect.

33 Examples of Open-Ended Sales Questions (By Category)

Different sales discovery questions are appropriate for different situations. Preparing ahead of time can be useful to help you cover all the areas you want to in the qualifying stages.

Remember, as Sam Parker, sales trainer and author of Just Sell.com says, you are asking the prospect to answer the question. You want to hear what they have to say, meaning no leading, no prompting, and no interrupting.

Qualifying Questions

When you first get a lead, you need to clarify where they are in the buying process. These questions can determine the interest level of your potential customers as well as what they think of the process so far. They can help you manage your sales funnel by letting you know what you need to do next—or whether you should move on for now.

Examples:

1. When do you think you might assess your solutions in outside-training vendors? 2. What do you think about our offer so far? 3. How should we move forward after today? 4. Which area about our product do you still have questions about? 5. What’s your budget?

Needs-Based or Pain-Based Questions

When you want to discover the prospect’s wants or challenges with their current situation, try Needs-Based Questions, aka Pain-Based Questions. When you are preparing these, be cognizant of what needs your product or service typically serves. In other words, don’t ask about areas that your product or service does not address. Each of the following questions seeks to discover more about what is and isn’t working with the current system the prospect employs.

Examples:

6. Why isn’t your particular solution and/or process working for you? 7. What’s preventing you from hitting your goals? 8. What are some challenges you’re looking to solve? 9. What do you think about our offer so far?

Impact or Benefit-Driven Questions

When you want to know how to close a customer, try Impact or Benefit-Driven Questions. Benefit-driven questions help you discover which features are the most vital to your prospect, so you can get right to what interests them most about your product or service. To prepare, review the features and benefits of your product or service so you can ask appropriate questions of potential customers.

Examples:

10. How important would you say patient privacy compliance is for your practice management software? 11. How much time do you spend in follow up with leads? 12. What would you use an extra 30-60 minutes a day to manage at the office if you could outsource your social media management? 13. If these problems remains unsolved, how will it affect business in the future?

New Future or New Reality Questions

These questions are constructed to help you show the potential customer arriving at their goal and how your product or service gets them to that point.

Examples:

14. How do you think changing this area could improve your day-to-day work? 15. What would you want to achieve in the next year by making this change? 16. If time and money were no object and you had full authority to do whatever you want, what would you change about your current system? 17. If you were to describe your situation in three years, what would you want to be different than what you have today?

Objection-Based Questions

When you are faced with an objection to your product or service, respond with an Objection-Based Question. These questions are designed to uncover potential objections before they come up in the sales process.

Examples:

18. The common objection is, “I need to discuss this with my supervisor,” so the question could be: Who else is involved in making these types of decisions? 19. The common objection is, “I can’t afford this right now,” so the question could be: What budget do you have allocated for something like this? 20. The common objection is, “I am not interested in your product or service right now,” so the question could be: When are you interested in learning how I can save you X% with this product/service? 21. Any concerns so far? 22. What else would you like to talk about?

Buyer History Questions

Use Buyer-History Questions to understand the potential customer’s past experiences or purchasing habits. These questions seek to determine their past experiences, and discover how often the prospect or organization makes these types of decisions.

Also, you can discover the state of their relationship with their current provider, which can have significant implications for your sales process.

Examples:

23. What has your past purchase experience been with [insert product/service]? 24. When was the last time you evaluated something like this? 25. Why or why not would you say you were satisfied with your past experiences with this vendor? 26. How would you describe the level of service with your current provider? 27. What measures have you taken to fix your problems – if any – with your current solution?

Rapport Building Questions

When you are working to establish a personal connection or build a relationship with the potential customer, you can use Rapport Building Questions. As Xactly.com explains, rapport-building requires you to get under the surface of the interaction and get to know the prospect. Without this relationship and information, you cannot consult the account. You have to know what they want and need so you can create a solution with your product or service.

Examples:

28. At this appointment, what needs to happen to make it worth your time today? 29. What motivated you to take this call with me? 30. How do you evaluate vendors for this area? 31. What concerns do you have about making changes in this area? 32. What have I not covered that you would like to know more about? 33. How’s business? Have there been any changes since we last spoke?

5 Tips to Perfect Your Open-Ended Sales Questions Technique

Once you have prepared your sales discovery questions for the different areas of the sales call, you must consider how to ask open-ended questions. From what order you ask the questions to how you transition from one area to another, your technique should flow naturally while allowing for an unstructured conversation with the potential customer.

The Sandler Pain Funnel is an excellent example of how to ask open-ended questions. Sales reps that have trained in the Sandler method use a series of needs-based questions to uncover the prospect’s pain.

Similar to a traditional funnel, the pain questions start broad; i.e., “What are some things you would like to change about your current system/provider/product line?;” and then move to more specific questions, i.e., “Can you give me an example?”

The best open-ended sales questions techniques progress to uncover the underlying reason a prospect is experiencing pain in their business.

Here are a few tips for perfecting your open-ended sales questions technique:

Invert the pyramid. A pyramid shape starts broad at the bottom and builds up to a point. In open-ended questions, it’s a good idea to invert the pyramid, so the broad part comes first, and you work your way down to a point (much like the Sandler Pain Funnel example above).

HubSpot suggests asking a broad, non-threatening question to start, e.g., What should I know about your business? Then, look for areas that you should explore in greater detail from their response, eventually drilling down to specific questions that will reveal any areas of opportunity for you.

Exude curiosity. A vital component of this open-ended questioning process is showing sincere interest. As Core DNA says, “Good salespeople tend to be good listeners, and good listeners almost always tend to be curious.” Perhaps more importantly, you are asking about something that is often very near and dear to the prospect (their business or career) and sharing an interest in it will help form a bond between you.

Keep it personal. Preparation is vital for a sales call. However, too-prepared can be dangerous. It is crucial to keep the exchange personal if you want to build rapport or gain the trust of the prospect. Giving them a script does not elicit the emotional engagement that open-ended questions seek to facilitate.

Get comfortable with “dead air.” You learn more from listening than talking. In the qualifying or beginning stages of the sales cycle, keeping your mouth shut can help you get the information you need. As Leadership Guru Michael Hyatt says, “you will often find that people volunteer amazing amounts of information that you would have never obtained any other way.”

“What” is your friend. When in doubt how to ask a question, remember that the word “what” is your friend. Most questions that begin with what encourages the answerer to elaborate. As Arden Coaching puts it, “questions that start with ‘what’ will be open-ended.”

5 Critical Mistakes Reps Make When Asking Open-Ended Sales Questions:

1. Answering your own questions. It can feel natural to nudge a prospect with a suggested answer that you heard from a similar prospect in the past. However, when the prospect hears your suggestion, it could change what they were going to share. Since you want to listen to what the prospect has to say, ask the question and practice zipping your lip right afterward.

2. Forgetting to listen to the client. Similar to answering your own questions, forgetting to listen to the potential customer defeats the purpose of asking open-ended questions.

3. Interrogating clients. Rapid-fire questions that dig a little deeper than a person wants to feel more like a cross-examination or an interrogation than a conversation, which is not going to help you build rapport.

Be sure that you follow up enough that you have a better understanding of what your lead was saying, but not so much follow up people wonder if they should have a lawyer present.

4. Asking too many “why” questions. Why is one of the Five Ws, however it is tricky? Sometimes when you ask why, you sound accusatory. As Arden Coaching points out, “Why did you do that?” is more pointed than “What did you use as the basis for your actions?” You can ask why, of course, but be careful how many times and the tone of the query when you do.

5. Jumping straight to a solution. Remember, this part of the sales process is about learning more about the prospect, not pitching your product or services. If you hear a problem that your product or service can help with, resist the temptation to share that information at the moment. Good sales come to those who wait.

Ready. Set. Question.

Open-ended questions for sales are the tools you need to harvest qualified opportunities.

Open-ended sales questions differ from other types of queries. Probing questions for sales give you the opportunity to listen to your potential customer and take a consultative approach to your sales relationship with them.

The best open-ended sales questions help you identify areas of opportunity in potential accounts. Sales discovery questions also reveal pain-points and needs that are not currently being met by the prospects provider. Perhaps most importantly, however, open-ended sales questions allow you to prioritize your prospects to optimize your sales funnel for efficiency and success.

  Go to our website:   www.ncmalliance.com

Open-Ended Sales Questions: The Remarkable Importance of Qualifying Leads Open-Ended Sales Questions: The Remarkable Importance of Qualifying Leads Open-ended questions are essential for sales success. They allow reps to get inside the head of prospects and better understand their pain points.

[amore-di-un-angelo]

Click&Leads Review – Click & Leads Review

Click & Leads Review Review! What's inside Click & Leads? If you're trying to find a quick means of getting lots of fresh, ready to acquire something leads - this is the software program for you. It's basic as well as Incredibly Powerful. Picture this - when you publish something on Facebook (anything - also other individuals's video clips), whoever will click your post, obtains included to your e-mail listing AND your Facebook target market! They do not need to opt-in, they do not require to permit - none of it. If they Click - you get the Lead - that's all there is to it! There's a number of methods you can re-use other individuals's blog posts and videos to obtain the leads - so you do not also need any type of web content of your own. This is HUGE! Watch my full review and also emo for details - this one is a video game changer for certain. Click & Leads Evaluation - do you understand just how much do you usually require to pay for 1 lead? Relying on exactly how you get it it's anywhere from $0.25 to $2 - for ONE email lead. Obviously the even more information you obtain concerning the lead, the much more costly it is as well as it can go as high as $40 per lead! Currently, you recognize what's great regarding Click & Leads? You don't have to pay ANYTHING - you obtain all the leads for cost-free! One more remarkable thing is that you do not have to bother with opt-in rates. If you get a 100 click solo advertisement and also just 40 individuals opt-in - you have actually basically turned away 60 possible customers. It's a Significant waste of loan ... well, with Click & Leads you don't have to bother with that as 100% of people who click on your messages are immediately contributed to your listing - and also your FB audience as well, so you can re-target them with ads. To be completely sincere - I really did not even recognize that this is possible ... and I was blown away when I saw this software at work. Forget any type of various other source of traffic - this is it! Once you have your list, you have totally free web traffic for life, whenever you desire it. And of course, this operates in any niche - you're choosing the messages and videos to begin with, so these can be concerning anything. You do not even need to pay to scale this up - if you intend to obtain even more leads, you put simply up one more message - it's constantly cost-free! Your days of fighting with gettign leads as well as traffic more than - this app addresses all of it for you and what's even crazier is that you can obtain it for an one-time cost - no regular monthly payments, no recurring costs, absolutely nothing like that - however hurry since it's only throughout the launch period. If you're appreciating this Click & Leads Evaluation and desire to discover more about Click & Leads, check out my detailed video clip evaluation over!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si-9t0w5MDE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXwuLbKBcoM https://medium.com/@artflair/click-leads-review-click-leads-review-a22219ad5394 https://artflair.hatenablog.com/entry/2019/09/10/171933 https://artofimarketing.wordpress.com/2019/09/10/clickleads-review-click-leads-review/ https://theptcpromethod.blogspot.com/2019/09/click-review-click-leads-review.html http://artofimarketing.over-blog.com/2019/09/click-leads-review-click-leads-review.html https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/327949824/ https://twitter.com/artflairblog/status/1171339214190985217 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1564483110475032/permalink/2437864616470206/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1009074692442562/permalink/2905414156141930/ https://www.reddit.com/user/IMArtFlair/comments/d24o81/clickleads_reviewdemo2625_bonus_click_leads_review/ https://www.reddit.com/user/IMArtFlair/comments/d24obd/clickleads_review_demo_2625_bonus_click_leads/ https://www.pinterest.pt/pin/466896686370204695/ https://vk.com/wall526840437_172 https://vk.com/id526840437?w=wall526840437_174%2Fall https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6577105844133994496/ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/art-of-marketing-612a8aa3_httpslnkdindss5tky-activity-6577105955534712832-MoYd 1-- WP VIDEO CLIP ATTENTION (Value $97)-- WP Video Clip Focus is a marvelous, functional WP plugin that allows you to easily clip your video to any kind of edge of your page by acting as a smart widget. 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[thetrumpdebacle]

The organizers of The Basketball Tournament, the $2 million winner-take-all pickup-style challenge entering its fifth iteration, did not know quite what to expect last year when they experimented with a radical change to crunch time: shutting off the game clock and playing until one team reaches a target score.

Some coaches and players worried the tournament was bastardizing hoops with a needless gimmick. Tournament higher-ups decided they would use the gambit only in 11 play-in games.

A year later, they are going all-in, implementing the so-called Elam Ending for all of the tournament’s 71 games starting on June 29 — including the $2 million championship game on Aug. 3 on ESPN. (All games will be shown live on ESPN networks.)

At the first dead ball under the 4:00 mark, the clock will go dark as officials add seven points to the score of the leading team. The first team to reach that score wins. If Team A leads Team B, 78-70, when the clock stops with 3:58 left, they play until one reaches 85.

“Fans loved it,” says Jonathan Mugar, founder and CEO of TBT. “There were instances in which they stood for the whole thing.”

Trailing teams didn’t have to resort to intentional fouling — the goal of the concept. It created its own version of buzzer-beaters, including Josh Selby, once a member of the Grizzlies, hitting a jumper to meet the target score and end the game:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzVxgyblR5o?wmode=transparent&w=854&h=480]

“It was pretty cool having that walk-off feeling,” says Sammy Zeglinski, who played at the University of Virginia from 2007 to 2012 — and in TBT last year.

(Note the giant board in the corner displaying the target score of 76.)

Even some old heads were sold.

“It was awesome,” says John Wallace, the former Syracuse star who coached the Paul Champions — featuring Earl Boykins! — in last season’s play-in segment. “It was different. It added intrigue.”

The Elam Ending is the brainchild of Nick Elam, a former middle school principal (and current professor at Ball State University) who got sick of NBA games ending in an endless torrent of intentional fouls. After toying with several methods of cleaning up crunch time, he landed on the simple alternative of a target score. Under Elam’s rules, trailing teams would use regular basketball — not hacking — to rally.

He settled on adding seven points at various trigger times — under 3:00 in his NBA proposal, and under 4:00 for TBT, which uses nine-minute quarters and a 30-second shot clock — because it represented a close points-per-minute match to what teams produce in typical game play. (Elam tried more complex methods of calculating a target score, including some that would vary from game to game, but concluded basic was better.)

“After seeing it in person,” Elam says, “I’m more confident this concept will live on in some way.”

Playing to a score appeals to the sport’s pickup roots. “The games gained way more excitement,” says Jake Lerner, a four-year player at Drexel University who coached in last year’s TBT. “It adds a streetball element. Any player would rather play pickup to 7 than a timed game.” (For what it’s worth: Lerner is not 100 percent behind the concept. As a coach, he missed the strategic clock-related machinations of crunch time — such as diagramming quick 2s and seeking 2-for-1s.)

Mark Cuban and Daryl Morey are among NBA luminaries excited to see Elam’s idea play out in games of consequence. “This idea would address the number one viewer issue I see in NBA games — the endless trips to the free throw line and timeouts at the end of games,” Morey, Houston’s GM, told ESPN.com last year.

The NBA knows start-and-stop crunch time can be hard to watch. The league reduced the number of timeouts during the 2017-18 season, and it has discussed more dramatic measures — including banning consecutive timeouts and letting teams pick free throw shooters if the opponent hacks them. The timeout reduction, combined with enforcing a 15-minute halftime, shaved four minutes from the average game this season, league officials said.

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But measures aimed strictly at speeding up the game don’t reduce the incentive of trailing teams to intentionally foul. Proposals to eradicate fouling — letting hacked teams pick their own foul shooters or simply take the ball out of bounds — would make it even harder for trailing teams to come back. (Elam’s research found that intentionally fouling almost never leads to comebacks.)

Elam hoped his proposal would do two things: make it a teensy bit easier for teams to overcome deficits and erase crunch-time hacking.

League officials, usually dubious of any quick fix to crunch time, were curious. “That is really interesting,” Kiki VanDeWeghe, the NBA’s executive vice president of basketball operations told ESPN.com last year. The NBA tracked all 11 TBT play-in games. They have had internal spitballing sessions about what the NBA game would look like without an all-powerful clock — if teams took quarter breaks whenever one reached a certain threshold of points (25, 50, then 75), sources said. (This would eliminate heaves and other truncated possessions.)

Such ideas are too radical for use even in the G League, according to Evan Wasch, the league’s senior vice president of basketball strategy and analytics.

“[The Elam Ending] is in a bucket of things that are interesting and innovative but not near the top of our list in terms of testing in the G League or summer league,” Wasch says.

Skeptics worry it would eliminate true buzzer-beaters; two of the 11 play-in games a year ago ended on free throws. There is no overtime.

Mugar and Elam hope the excitement of one or both teams approaching the target score — and one team reaching it with a field goal — mimics the ecstasy of a buzzer-beater.

“You can feel the energy building,” says Matt Martucci, a play-by-play announcer who called several Elam Endings last year.

“It’s almost like you get a buzzer-beater in every game,” Lerner says.

Elam also argues that even a mundane walk-off event — a free throw — is more interesting than the two teams strolling around until time expires.

Multiple coaches in last year’s play-in action noticed teams with leads at first played tight, as if they were accustomed to having the clock on their side. As teams crept within one or two points of the target score with comfortable leads, some amped up their defense, gambling for steals and run-outs that would end games.

There are potential downsides beyond the fundamental strangeness of a clockless game. Elam’s concept creates a weird strategic inflection point at the moment the game transitions into the untimed phase. Most leading teams called timeout at the first opportunity after the 4:00 mark — locking the margin and target score, and ensuring they started the untimed part of the game with the ball. One team threw the ball off an opposing player’s leg as the clock crossed 4:00. (Elam has thought about kicking off the untimed phase with a jump ball to minimize this strategy.)

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In a game with a typical deficit — say, somewhere from six to 12 points — that might not bother anyone. Such games might end up more entertaining in the aggregate under Elam’s rules. One team entered the Elam phase down by 13 and immediately ripped off a 14-0 run that might have been less likely with a clock bearing down on them.

But how would manufacturing a dead ball look in a close, intense game? As Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals between the Warriors and Cavaliers crescendoed over a furious stretch of uninterrupted play, would anyone have wanted either team stopping the action on purpose?

Teams with big leads might stall as the Elam cutoff approaches. Elam’s system introduces one high-leverage point at which it is smart to foul: when a team within one or two points of the target score is defending against a team three points below that score. (Foul to prevent a 3-point attempt and get the ball back with a chance to win.) Of course, some NBA teams intentionally foul when they are ahead by three late in games.

Some defenses trying to stop teams within one or two points of the target became so paranoid about fouling — and yielding game-ending free throws — that they softened to the point of complete ineffectiveness, coaches said.

Some referees said they were uncomfortable. Scorekeepers weren’t sure how to log plays without a clock. Anticipating how the Elam Ending might interact with legalized sports gambling is both fascinating and a little scary.

It’s unclear how much the Elam Ending juices comebacks. Only one team rallied to win. (Another trailing team took the lead, but it ended up losing.) The approximately four-minute Elam Ending lasted an average of almost 10 minutes in real time and featured six free throws — close to the NBA’s averages over the same length of game time, Wasch said.

For Elam, those are features, not bugs. He doesn’t want to tilt the odds too far in favor of comebacks. Teams should be rewarded for building leads. And if it takes time to play those four minutes, at least viewers get to watch normal basketball, Elam said.

Other unintended consequences might emerge as Elam’s idea gets a larger hearing. But that’s part of the fun: Whether you like the idea at first glance, you will get to see how it actually plays out on national TV, with lots of money at stake.

“On Aug. 3, someone is going to hit a shot for $2 million,” Mugar says. “That thought alone played a major role in the decision to implement it.”

via The Trump Debacle

[evilback-wards]

Top Candidate [Pre-DRV3]

Chapter 14

Length: 1740

Rating: 16+ish is the average I’d say for this series? I dunno!

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Miu and I found a black and white couch to rest on. It was far enough from others not to draw attention, but close enough to others in case those girls came back to bully her. I was nearly 99.999% positive that someone in the room we were now in would intervene if that were to happen!  Something in my head told me that friendship needed more time to develop. When I suggested Miu #84 get her clothes fixed with the help of one of the nicer girls, she declined.

“I’d rather not have some girl staring at my chest for too long,” Miu #84 said, clutching my shoulders with her hands, “It’ll feel gross. My entire character is gross.”

I wanted to object to the manner which Miu #84 spoke of herself, but I refreshed myself of the rules here. Humans had to audition for a particular character in a killing game. If they fail to convince the judge of their worth, they are executed. If they succeed, they are able to live and participate in the killing game. But, the word audition makes it sound like they want to be here. From the stories I’ve heard before meeting Miu #84, no one wanted to be here. They were kidnapped, drugged, sold by their parents, among other reasons. I wondered how this had been going on for so long, how they managed to kidnap such a large scale of teenagers as myself. But, my inner voice told me not to think about it too much. That’s right, my inner voice will always be there to guide me! Without it, my mind would run wild with the endless possibilities the world had to offer.

Right now, with Miu #84 holding me like this, I felt comfortable. I eased myself against the couch, twisting my body in whatever way Miu #84 felt most comfortable. The loud people were still chatting, but my inner voice helped me block out their voices.

There was still a nagging feeling though, in the depths of my mind, to make new friends. Learn more about people. Learn more about Miu. But...did I really want to proceed so quickly with this friendship? Or quickly make new friends? Our bond could easily be broken if I made the wrong action.

“S-So Keebo. Do you know anyone else here,” Miu #84 asked, her face leaning against my shoulder. Her hands gingerly touched my back, seeming to fan over my back panels(especially the middle of my back). I felt as if I could...trust her. I did save her anyway, so it would make sense for a human to trust someone with their secrets, right?

“Sadly, I don't know anyone. I was built by a professor who owed a lot of money to loan sharks. The only way he could pay off his debt was to get research funding from a sponsor. So, now I'm here,” I said. Miu bumped her head against my shoulder, tears welding in her eyes. Oh no, I said something stupid again! Just as I was going to retract my statement, Miu pulled me closer to her. I was stuck between two lumps in her chest, breasts, I think humans call them? They felt warm against my face, though, part of me felt this was a tad lewd. Oh well; whatever pleases Miu #84 the most.

“That's really sad! I thought I had it rough. I was kidnapped when walking home from school. A really flashy businessman came up to me. He said he wanted to put my inventions to use on an international level. At first I doubted him, but then, he pulled out some fancy business cards and had contacts of several popular manufacturers in my area! It was like a dream come true! We had coffee too, he paid, and he went down the list of my inventions since I was six. When I thought I was on the cusp of signing off my inventions, my vision got blurry...and then…” Miu #84 explained, but then got quiet. What happened? How did Miu #84 ended up becoming an auditioner? My curiosity was eating at me. This human bit of me, the emotional part, was starting to react to this story. Was this just curiosity? Was it a mixture of anxiety too, empathy, maybe even worry?

“And?” I asked, my eyes looking down at Miu #84. I managed to pull my face out of her breast area, meeting her vacant gaze immediately. Her eyes appeared a bit less something. I couldn’t put my finger on it.

“What happened next, Miu #84?” I asked, this time securely placing my arms around her.  Perhaps humans liked to be held close as a defense mechanism to help them feel more safe? Or was this comfortable for her too? This friendship thing is complicated, even with just one friend. I’m glad I listened to my inner voice. Miu #84’s gradually closed the space between our faces, her eyes looking as if they lost more color. Or was it the way the lighting hit her eyes? Or was it the way her face seemed a lot less excitable than before? I couldn’t be too sure.

“You know, you could just call me Miu. The number seems a bit too formal,” Miu said, seeming to deter answering my previous questions. But, perhaps calling her by that name made her feel too distant from me? Human interpersonal interaction is hard!

“Ok, erm, Miu. What happened after things got blurry?” I said, affirming her concern and staying assertive with my questioning. I saw her eyes appear even more dull now, as if something was physically draining her of life. Weird...maybe I’m just overthinking what I’m seeing? Her lips started to move, but no sound left them. A few minutes past where she did this, and eventually, her lips closed. A small smile appeared on her face.

“Keebo...I can’t say, I’m terribly sorry. But I can promise you one thing,” Miu said, her voice changing to a whisper. Her forehead pressed against mine. I closed my eyes, unsure of what Miu’s intentions were. Why tell me a story like that and not finish it? I told my full story, therefore by logic I should hear her full story too! How do humans show their distaste in something while retaining friendships, I wonder?

I felt Miu’s lips clamp around my metallic ear, the sensation making me hop to my feet. Miu clung to me during this, her legs wrapping around my waist.

“W-What is this,” I asked, nervous, my tone noticeably louder than before. Maybe this’ll signal some of the others to pay attention to this. Surely they would stop Miu if she was doing something to injure me! Miu sucked on my ear, as if there had been some sort of liquid stored within it. My eyes slowly opened, met with the confused glances of other auditioners.

“One day...I’ll tell you the full story. But not here. Not with everyone watching,” Miu spoke between her suckles. The attention we were getting made me feel more awkward than usual, my body unsure of how to react.

“U-Uh, everyone, nothing unusual is happening! We are simply...being friends?” I spoke to the crowd, trying to keep a friendly face as Miu continued her strange action on my ear. Most of the onlookers appeared to lose interest after, but there was a man with spiky purple hair sitting alongside a black-haired girl. His face appeared to be the most dumbfounded by the action. His eyes remained fixated on me as he stroked his goatee.

“Is anyone going to question why there’s a freakin’ robot here? Anyone?”

“Ah, maybe you should be the ultimate child, you sure are acting like one.”

“Maki, why do you insist on being such a bitch!?!”

The group from before erupted in more idle chatter, the others seeming to clear the area now. Miu eventually stopped sucking on my robotic ear once the crowd thinned significantly. It dripped with saliva, which made me feel unclean. How could I even begin to clean this mess? My eyes returned to the last remaining group in the hall. One of the students sitting proceeded to stand up, facing the group as he stood in front of the four. Three of them offered their full attention while one in the yellow jacket continued to toy with a wooden brush. Wait, a yellow jacket! That’s a pretty odd school uniform. However, that jacket could help Miu cover up! As I staggered toward the girl in the yellow jacket, the boy in the hat slammed his foot against one of the pieces of furniture.

“Hey, you think the robot even wants this attention? What if the robot just wants to be with the person they like the most?! What if the robot got dragged along, despite their best attempts to sway their favorite person away from this hellhole, huh?!” shouted a boy with black hat. The rest of his outfit appeared to be black too. The others in the group fell silent, though the black-haired girl had a smile on her face throughout the exchange.

“I can see where your motivations lie, Ultimate Detective,” the black-haired girl said with a wider smile, “You shouldn’t show your weak spot so easily.”

“Yeah, if he wins auditions, he should be super easy kill. Emo wittle boy~” the purple haired man teased, reaching and nearly flicking the hat off the black-clothed boy. The boy managed to evade the attack, glaring at the purple haired guy. A girl came up in the naval blue uniform, a red bow on her chest. She put herself between the black-clothed boy and the purple haired guy. Was this the end of a friendship?

“Kaito, don’t be rude! He’s my friend you asshole.” the blonde-haired girl shouted to the purple-haired man, the hat boy beginning to jog away from the group.

The hat boy proceeded to storm off elsewhere, the blonde girl in the navy blue outfit marching after him.

“Uh...you don’t suppose it’s a bad time to ask for a favor,” I asked, Miu climbing off my body.

The girl in the yellow jacket pounced up, immediately invading my vision.

“Sure, I can fulfill any favor! However, you seem to lack the ability to provide a sufficient blood offering,” the yellow jacket girl said, a strange smile plastered over her face. What did I get myself into?