#National Scrapbooking Day

[mascrapping]

National Scrapbooking Day - First Saturday in May

National Scrapbooking Day is an annual event that celebrates the art and craft of scrapbooking. It is typically held on the first Saturday in May and is a day when scrapbookers all over the world come together to share their love for this creative hobby. Scrapbooking is a popular pastime that involves creating albums filled with photos, memorabilia, and decorative elements such as stickers,…

[murderousink23]

05/04/2024 is Free Comic Book Day 🌎, National Star Wars Day 🌎, International Firefighters Day 👩‍🚒👨‍🚒🚒🌎, World Naked Gardening Day 🌎, National Remembrance Day 🇳🇱, Join Hands Day 🇺🇸, Bird Day 🐦🇺🇸, National Candied Orange Peel Day 🇺🇸, National Orange Juice Day 🇺🇸, National Renewal Day 🇺🇸, National Weather Observers Day 🇺🇸, National Auctioneers Day 🇺🇸, National Homebrew Day 🇺🇸, National Scrapbook Day 🇺🇸

[currentlyscrapbooking]

NATIONAL STICKER DAY - January 13, 2023 - National Today

[simpxxstan]

best friend's older brother mingyu

this is part of my 550 followers celebration event! find the rest of the members' headcanons in the event too as i post them through this month!

warnings: SMUT 18+ NSFW, MINORS DO NOT INTERACT making out, dry humping, untouched orgasm, mingyu is a slight perv

thinking about best friend's older brother!mingyu who you haven't seen in seven years

ever since he'd been selected into the under-19 basketball team, and then the national basketball team for south korea, you'd only ever see him on the tv screen in his games and interviews. he hasn't come back home in ages and has probably forgotten all about you.

that does not, however, mean that you have forgotten about him. you've watched all of his matches, kept track of his records, and following him like his #1 fan. you are his #1 fan, you think. you keep a scrapbook with all of his achievements and photographs and every little symbol of him. you're perfectly content with loving him in secret, in the depths of your heart. the ideal man, the hypothetically perfect match, the epitome of perfection.

his sister does not know about your not so little crush. she's aware that you liked him once or twice in school days. but she's dismissed it because you haven't seen him in ages, how can one have a crush on someone they haven't met in years?

oh but you can. it's a wild pining, that blooms into warmth every once in a while, when you open your scrapbook each night, when you watch him play on the tv. and as each day passes, instead of your desire for him decreasing, it seems to be rapidly rising.

for, if fifteen year old mingyu had been taller than his entire class and a certified visual, twenty-two year old mingyu is an absolute god. it's positively worse for you because unlike others, who treat mingyu as a celebrity crush, you know him. you remember what his touch feels like, you remember what his scent is like, you remember what his gaze feels like. you remember how nervous he made you every time he talked to you. you remember how broad his back had been even as an adolescent. you remember how raspy his morning voice would be freshly after he had hit puberty. you remember how kind he used to be to you, because you were sister's best friend. so, unlike the others, your fantasies are based on real things and not just intangible imagination.

thinking about best friend's older brother!mingyu who retires from his basketball career after winning the gold medal at the olympics

he returns to his hometown, a cherished celebrity, because he wants to go back to his normal life. he's seen how some of his most respected seniors got dismissed as soon as they could be replaced by young talent, and mingyu wants to retire while he's still remembered as the golden star of korea. so he retires at the helm of his career, a hero.

and while he will miss the team, he won't be missing the pressure that came along with it. he'd rather become an engineer like he'd always wanted to and live a steady life ahead.

but when he returns, he sees you. after seven years. standing next to his sister at his home, where there are a ton of unfamiliar faces, all here to get selfies with the celebrity.

"who's that?" his sister barks out a laugh, "you don't recognise y/n? you idiot!" y/n? fuck him for not realising you've grown up too. fuck him for not remembering how pretty your eyes had been underneath the thick glasses you'd worn since childhood.

"how could i? i saw you last when i was, fifteen?" "yeah. and i was twelve." "nice to see you're still my sister's best friend." "nice to see you back home. congrats on the win, though." mingyu smiles. you smile too. fuck. you have dimples. where did the nerdy little girl with braids and freckles go?

thinking about best friend's older brother!mingyu who joins your college, majoring in aerospace engineering, which is coincidentally also your major

he sits next to you. it's your first day in class and mingyu's joining three years late but no one really minds. everyone is too busy fawning over him. look at his arms. look at his smile. look at his long hair.

"why are you sitting here? there's plenty of place for you to sit." "i'd rather sit next to a familiar face. why, do you want me gone?" "no but you're distracting." he leans in closer, leaving nearly no space between your seats. "distracting?" "yes. if you haven't noticed, there are like a dozen cameras pointed at you right now, and a dozen more eyes. not to mention that everyone wants to sit next to you, so you choosing to sit next to me ruins my chances of making friends with others." your glare is stern, and mingyu can't help the way his heart races when you look at him like that from above your glasses.

"i'm shier than you think. i'm here to escape the attention too." you sigh, "i don't remember you to be like this." i don't either, mingyu wants to say. from your height difference, he can see a bit of your cleavage and he almost drools. "people change, y/n-ah." you turn your face away as the professor comes in. "well, please focus in class then. otherwise i won't really like you sitting next to me, no matter what your excuse is."

thinking about best friend's older brother!mingyu who begins to rely on you totally in college

from sitting next to you in class, to sitting next to you and his sister during lunch, he's become a permanent feature in your periphery nowadays. and you're not sure you can take it any longer. because fuck your memory had served you wrong.

mingyu still smells like that, his voice is still like that, but he's grown at least three sizes bigger, and he just doesn't fit in the small class seats. his arm is nearly always on your desk, especially because he is left-handed. you always sit on one end of your seat to ensure mingyu and your legs aren't constantly touching. and it doesn't help that he laughs at even your smallest jokes because he always, always ends up slapping your thighs or arms during his laughter. frankly, every day in class is torture.

it doesn't help that mingyu now hangs out a lot more with you and his sister. so if you're doing homework in the library, mingyu tags along. if you're gossiping in her bedroom, somehow mingyu's also there, although he's engrossed on his phone. eventually, you stop becoming conscious of his presence, and stop censoring your conversations. it's not easy, but not impossible.

mingyu eventually invites himself over to your house for a study session before the exams. it's just the two of you, because your best friend is studying with her own group of classmates who have the same major as her. it's safe to say, it's a completely useless session for you because you get no studying done.

mingyu is literally in your personal space throughout the evening. he may be sitting opposite to you, but somehow his knees knock against yours under the table, his long hands stretch across the table to take the highlighter you're using from your hands, and he leans right into your face on the pretext of listening to what you're explaining. finally you can't take his attention on you any longer, and you take too many bathroom breaks to calm your racing heart.

thinking about best friend's older brother!mingyu who is a part of the varsity basketball team

he may be a freshman, but he's still the captain because his skills are undoubtedly the best among the lot. and while he has retired from the national team, he still loves the sport enough to be a part of the college team.

of course, he wins the inter-college basketball varsity cup, and the entire college is roaring and cheering for him. mingyu knows you're somewhere in the stadium- he'd spotted you right before his final match-winning shot, but now he can't see you at all.

using this as a means to escape the attention of cameras and other people, he runs through the corridors to find you sitting in a classroom, empty because everyone's at the stadium in the grounds to watch the match. "didn't you watch the match?" his voice makes you turn around, slightly jerking at the sudden voice. "of course i did. i knew you would win."

you look heavenly right now. not that you don't all the other times, but especially today because you're wearing the jersey he used to wear for the national team. he knows a hundred other girls were wearing it too in the stadium, but they were all copies. this is the original- he knows because his sister has told him that she's given it to you. and while it's loose on your body, there's crazy rush of arousal running through his veins right now as he sees his name written all over your back: number 9, mingyu.

"then why are you hiding here? i was taking out my sis for lunch afterwards. my treat. she'll be happy if you come along." i will be too, but he doesn't say it.

"no i- i have some revision to do. the viva's day after tomorrow, and i know i-" you stand up to face him, but your words fail you when he takes three steps closer towards you until his entire figure towers over you. "or are you just avoiding me?" he can see the effect he's having on you, the way your skin gets redder with blush and the way you keep averting his eyes. it makes the adrenaline rush quicker and his braveness increase. he's high from the victory and from playing his beloved sport after so long, so he's not averse to taking a few risks right now that he would not take any other day. so he leans in closer to you, until he can smell your perfume.

"why would i avoid you? and why are you here? shouldn't you be celebrating with your team?" "i wanted to see you." "don't lie to me for no reason, please." mingyu huffs, and pauses before replying. he takes in a deep breath, inhaling your delicious scent again, before he replies. "i'm not lying. why don't you believe me? is it so imposs-""not impossible. just, i don't know. irrational. doesn't make sense. look i know you may feel shy but i'd think you're used to this kind of attention. in fact, i always thought you rejoice in this attention."

you're right. you're so right, because any other day, and he knows he would be out there with his team, hollering and celebrating the win. but right now, he can't think of anyone but you. even on the field, from the moment he spotted you in the stands, he couldn't think of anything but how he wants to play for you. win for you. impress you. so that you have more reasons to like him. more notes to add in your-

"i saw your scrapbook." he sees the way your eyes dilate. "when?" "when i went to your house." "you fucking snoop-" "was that all a lie?" "min-" "i need to know, i need to know. i need to know because i can't think of anything else. i need to know because i don't want anything else from my life. i need to know."

"no!" you finally look up at him, cornered against the desk because he's caved you totally. "it's true. all of it. so what? will you laugh at me for it?" at that, mingyu's confidence falters for the first time. "laugh? why would i l- y/n, what are you saying?" "i know what you're doing. all this smooth talking, all your attention, you're just playing me along. and i won't be played along, mingyu."

"fuck, is that- is that what you've been thinking all along? fuck, no wonder you're avoiding me." he mutters under his breath, but he can see the confusion in your face too. "what do you mean, mingyu?" he doesn't want to answer, because he knows he will fuck up the words. so he just says, "stop me if you don't want this."

and he leans in and kisses you. it's a messy kiss from the first moment, because he's moving too fast and you're moving too slow in your shock. he pulls back after a second, his eyes glazed. "talk to me, y/n. tell me somethin-" "kiss me again, mingyu. kiss me like you mean it."

so he does. your tongues clashing and you moan when his hands wrap around your hips. spurred on by your sounds, he picks you up from the desk in one go. you squirm in his grip, wrapping your hands around his neck, clinging on to him as you float in air for a second. but you don't break the kiss. he holds on to you like dear life, as he turns around and sits on the desk himself, pulling you on to his lap. he carefully pulls away from the kiss for a breath and leans against the wall.

mingyu drags you closer to him, your legs folding around him and- "fuck, gyu- you- you're hard?" he hisses when you grind your body against him. "you're so hard from some kissing?" there's a teasing lilt in your voice, and for some reason, it's turning him on even more. but then his grip tightens on your hips as he pulls you to grind over him faster, while kissing you desperately.

your hands get lost in gyu's soft, long hair. mingyu's hands trail along your bare thighs under the skirt, and when he touches the hem of your panties, he feels from over your panties just how wet you've become, and he moans from the sticky feeling. "don't stop, gyu," you're whispering, and he doesn't. he sees you throw your head back, as you crave the friction and keep grinding against his crotch. the sweat from mingyu's body has trailed onto you, and he finds droplets of sweat running down your neck into your cleavage. he bucks his hips up into you at the sight, and you hold on to his shoulders to grind on him faster.

"can you come like this, baby? i can- i'm going to, if you keep moving your h-hips like-fuck!" and he does. kim mingyu, star of the generation, national basketball champion, icon of the college, comes right in his pants as you ride him and kiss him, chasing your own high. he doesn't stop you, although the humping is pushing him to overstimulation, but he keeps biting your lips and your neck the way you seem to like it, and soon you pull off his lips with a scream, your entire body trembles, and he can see the way your thighs quiver and then go still.

"that was so hot, baby." mingyu says after a minute of the two of you just looking at each other, coming down from your highs. "it was so risky- what were we thinking!" he laughs as he sees the shyness kick in after all this time, "don't go all innocent on me, love. now, do you want to take this home, or do you want me to keep kissing you here, my pants wet with my own cum like a teenager?"

and then, you giggle. the prettiest, fucking giggle ever in the world. for all your brisk attitude, you go soft over him at this moment and hug him, pulling him to your chest. but he's so wrong if he thinks you're talking soft, because he then hears you whispering in his ear, your breath hot against his earlobe, "i want to go home and ride you properly, gyu. will you let me?"

[fatuismooches]

Could you please write about the Harbingers and their voice lines for the reader? Like them telling the traveler about you and stuff :)

♡𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 ♡

synopsis: The Traveler expected the Harbingers to be cold and ruthless in pursuing whatever the Fatui's goals were. Hearing their loving voice lines on you was certainly the opposite of what they predicted.

includes: all harbingers (platonic pulcinella) w/ gn! reader

notes: I've wanted to do something like this for a while. It was rather cute and fun to write! Includes five voice lines about you for each Harbinger.

Pierro:

About You - His Lover:

“So you’ve already met [Name], Traveler? I’m not surprised, they like to talk to people, especially when they see me speaking to others. They’re quite energetic and bouncy, aren’t they? But I can’t say I dislike that about them. They are a bright light in my life.”

Chat - Walks:

“Much of our time spent together is on walks outside in Sneznhaya, with the snow gently melting on us. It’s a rather simple activity to most, but irreplaceable to both of us. I hope, after everything is said and done, I can take them on walks in other places.”

About Your Patience:

“They never comment on it, but I know they get lonely without me. For most of the day, they do not see me due to my work, and even when they try to stay up late for my return, they end up falling asleep sometimes. I truly wish I could spend more time with them. But I know, after fulfilling the Tsaritsa’s dream, I will give them everything and more.”

Something To Share - Meals:

“I don’t think about what I eat or when I do very often. It doesn’t matter much to me, but [Name] clearly disagrees. Instead of the maids preparing my meals, they started cooking everything for me and adding little notes too. It’s very endearing of them, but I don’t think I’ll ever live it down when the other soldiers saw me eating heart-shaped cookies with smiley faces on them…”

About You - A Second Home:

“I remember the destruction of my homeland clearly. It is something I will never forget. But even though I have only a small portion of time with them, they never fail to make me feel… content. With them, I can forget about everything, even if it is just for a few minutes. Heh, sometimes I foolishly wish they lived in Khaenri’ah with me for a bit, if only to experience a normal life with them.”

Capitano:

About You - His Lover:

“There is nothing I cherish more than [Name]. Many people often comment on our relationship, after all, we are quite different in all aspects. But I have them to thank for many things. They have taught me many things I could have never learned on my own.

Chat - Souvenirs:

“Traveler, you have been to many nations for extended periods of time. Would you share some items that would make good souvenirs? I always make sure to bring something back for them. If you have any recipes to share, that would be greatly appreciated as well. Whenever I am back home, [Name] always insists on having all of our meals together.”

A Special Item - The Kamera:

“You must be wondering why someone like me carries around something like this. I never cared for the device until [Name] told me about it and asked me to take photos on my expeditions. I guess I’ve unintentionally become a master without knowing it because they always praise the pictures I take when they organize them in their scrapbook.”

Something To Share - Smiles:

“I am not adept at smiling at all, or very expressive in general, something [Name] has an issue with. Oftentimes, they sit on my lap and try to get me to show some emotion on my face. Reading stories, telling jokes… they try it all quite frequently. While I don’t think it’s working very well, I enjoy their antics.”

About You - Reminiscing:

“I remember once I walked in on them trying on my helmet and coat. They hadn’t noticed me yet, and I couldn’t help but notice how small they looked buried under my clothes. But quickly I worried about whether their head could take the weight of my helmet. Before I could say anything, they saw me and scurried away in embarrassment. I never brought it up again, but it was rather cute.”

“Huh… Paimon would have never guessed Capitano was like this. When we go to Snezhnaya, we have to find this guy’s mansion somehow! Paimon wants to meet [Name]!”

Columbina:

About You - Her Lover:

“Hmm~hmm~♫ Oh, hello there, Traveler. Ah, I see you’ve brought [Name] with you too, come here, my dear. Hmm? Oh, I guess I forgot to tell you. They are my partner in love, music, in everything. Perhaps you should come to one of our shows one day. I’d say we are quite good.”

About You - Favorite Pastimes:

“I love going to watch plays with them. The theater is one of the places where we spend a lot of time. I always end up humming along to the songs. Sometimes, when the theater is unoccupied, we act out certain scenes together. Say, Traveler, have you ever heard of Romeo and Juliet?”

Chat - Naps:

“Hmm… what time is it? The weather just feels perfect for a midday nap. [Name] always indulges me whenever I want when I want to doze off. This surface is no match for their pillowy softness, but it’ll have to do for now…”

“Hey, you can’t just fall asleep in the middle of- oh… Paimon doesn’t know how she can knock out that quickly.”

Secret Hobby - Poems About You:

“Your bright smile that can go on for a mile,

Unmatchable style with a laugh that never ends for a while.

Sweet lips that I want to savor,

Ah, I am so glad I am in your favor.

Or should I say “For you make me ever the more braver”...? What do you think, Traveler?”

Something Interesting - Liyue Opera:

“Traveler, I hear that there is a talented opera troupe in Liyue with beautiful music and songs. Oh, you’ve met them yourself? I would love to attend it with [Name]. They love listening to music from around Teyvat, and I have to agree with them. Haha… I can’t wait to take them out of Snezhnaya for a bit.”

Dottore:

About You - His Lover:

“Hmph, you wish to know about [Name], I hear?”

“Yeah! Paimon wants to know what kind of person would stay with a madman- I mean! A Fatui Harbinger! You know, since that’s quite dangerous and all.”

“Hehe, is that so? Too bad, because I have no obligation to tell you. But they are truly… ah, never mind.”

“Aww… Paimon really wanted to know what he was going to say.”

About You And The Segments:

“Some of the segments are quite fond of them, while some do not know them very well. After all, they were cloned at different parts of my life, before and after I met them. I must say… it’s can be hard to get some of the other segments away from them. I didn’t think they would hoard [Name]’s attention so much…”

“Is it just Paimon, or does Dottore’s attentiveness towards them grow as each clone gets older? And hey, is Dottore jealous-”

“Shush Paimon, before he hears you!”

About You - Whereabouts:

"It's time for their medicine... Hmm, have you seen them, Traveler? You saw them leave and go into the city? And you didn't stop them? Tch, useless. I must simply go and find them myself... Now that I think about it, I wouldn't want you talking to [Name], anyway."

About You - Health Concerns:

“Ever since our Akademiya days, [Name] has been plagued with an unknown and virtually incurable disease. It is essential that they take their medicine every day, but they often try to avoid it, after doing it for so long. This is why I and the clones always keep an eye on them.”

“Aw, so that’s why [Name] always looks so tired whenever Paimon sees them… That must be so hard.”

“… I don’t care what methods or tactics I have to employ, or if the Gods or even you, Traveler, get in my way. I will cure them of their sickness. Nothing will stop me.”

When The Sun Is Out:

“Hm, it’s a perfect day for [Name] to take a walk. The fresh air is always good for their health. Perhaps a boat ride is in order as well.”

“Oooh, Paimon loves the sound of that! Maybe we can fish and eat it too!”

“Why would I ever invite you to be with us? I’m sure your very existence would give them a headache.”

“Hey, how rude!!”

Pulcinella:

About You - Relationship:

“You were fighting some hilichurls when someone called [Name] joined you? And they ended up lighting an explosive barrel? Wherever that child goes, they always bring trouble with them. But don’t hold it against them. They are a lovely person to be around.”

Stories To Tell:

“They always pester me to tell them stories. Though, this is not a bad thing at all. Not many are willing to listen to this old man ramble on willingly. Ah, youth is a wonderful thing. Would you like to join us next time, Traveler?”

Chat - New Things:

“Indeed, they have taught me many things. The latest trends, songs, books, and more that their generation is into. Sometimes I struggle to understand some of what they say too… the world is changing so quickly.”

About You - Baking:

“We bake together quite often. Most of the time, I have to direct them, otherwise, they will burn down the kitchen which has happened multiple times before. Pantalone was not happy. I have never seen a youngster with such little aptitude for cooking, but surprisingly, it is great fun.”

About You - Family:

“Ever since they were young, they were quite rebellious. Running away from the castle, pretending to be asleep after bedtime, beating up all the Fatui soldiers during sparring without hesitance. If anyone else besides me had to take care of them, it would not have ended well. But, I am truly glad they are in my care. I have thought of them as my own child for a long time. If it wasn’t for the possible danger, I’d have officially adopted them long ago.”

Scaramouche:

About You - His Lover:

“Huh? How do you know about [Name]?”

“Well, we just happened to see them with you once. You were actually smiling! And later we went up and spoke to them for a bit, and they were really nice! They told us that they were your-”

“Ugh, that idiot! Always trusting people so blindly… Anyway, I don’t need you to know anything else. It isn’t your business.” 

A Little Secret:

“I wonder if they could make dango for me again… it’s been a long time since I’ve had it. But how do I get them to make it without directly asking? How bothersome… huh? How long have you been there, Traveler? You didn’t hear anything, did you?!”

Something To Share - Burdened Feelings:

“I once tried to wipe my emotions and feelings of them away into nothingness. It felt preposterous to me that I could feel something for a human, one that could barely fight nonetheless. But when I lost the Gnosis, when I lost everything, as I fell down, the only thing that I saw in my mind was their stupid smile…”

When It Rains:

“Whenever it rained, they would always huddle themselves close to me under my hat. At first, I pushed them away, but the look on their face made me allow them to continue. Sometimes, I make sure to take them out on a day that’s expected to rain just to see them do that. Don’t you dare tell them that though, Traveler.”

About Beelzebul:

“[Name] is always telling me to reconcile with her, but what would she think of me, or of them? How would she act toward me? Would she even remember me? There’s that irritating shrine maiden too… Hmm? It’s nothing. Let’s keep moving.”

Arlecchino:

About You - Her Lover:

“[Name]? Yes, they are my partner. I suppose those Fatui recruits can’t keep their mouths shut about other people’s business for very long. Hmm? You’re surprised that I was so direct about it? Well, there’s no reason to hide it. But I would prefer that this discussion ends here. I like to keep my time with them private.”

When It’s Sunny:

“This weather is not my favorite. I prefer the cold much more than this blistering heat. But I did hear [Name] say that they would like to visit a beach someday. Hmm… say, Traveler, is Yaoguang Shoal a good spot?”

Something To Share - Quietly Loving:

“I’m sure you have realized by now that I am not very good with words or emotions. These things are far from my expertise. However, they seem to not mind my behavior, talking enough for both of us. But if they ever requested anything from me, I would do it without hesitance. No one else comes close.”

Chat - Coffee:

“One cup of coffee, with whipped cream, syrup, and sugar please.”

“…Eh?!! Arlecchino, what are you saying? You always order your coffee black!”

“I know. To be honest, I could not care less about all these extra ingredients. But… they always used to try and add things to sweeten the drink behind my back. I suppose I… miss them. This reminds me of them, a bit.”

“Aww… Paimon guesses that even the scariest and coldest of people can have someone special to them.”

About You - The Orphanage:

“They often spend their time with the orphans. I was initially surprised at first, and so were the other soldiers, but it worked out in our favor. The children love them far more than they will for me or the recruits. [Name] is a gentle and patient soul, after all. Reading stories, putting the kids to sleep… they are quite hard working despite having no need to.”

La Signora:

About You - Her Lover:

“My darling [Name] is the most perfect lover one could ask for. They are beautiful, inside and out. How I love to pamper them so… actually, there are a couple of new outfits I want them to try on. I can’t wait to see how they look. They are all mine.”

When It’s Windy:

“Tch, this wind is messing up my hair and clothes. [Name] used to always brush and take care of my hair after a long day, after I showed them how to do it correctly of course. Traveler, I’m afraid I have to go now. I must see them again.”

About You - Letters:

“Hmm, hmm, hmm… and it’s done.”

“Hey Signora, what are you writing?”

“Just a letter to my dearest. They are expecting something from me soon.”

“Wow, so you can send letters with your fire moths? That’s resourceful!”

“Of course. I always let a few stay around [Name] as well. If any of them happen to be extinguished, I’ll know if anything happened to them.”

About You - Favorite Pastimes:

“There’s nothing that pleases me more than seeing them all dolled up in the latest fashion. They look simply exquisite, especially when we do each other’s makeup. But I also adore seeing them lounge around in their favorite hoodies. They look great in anything, really.”

Something To Share - Past Grief, New Happiness:

“Sometimes, it feels just like yesterday when I lost him. Grief and bitterness wrapped around my heart like a cocoon that would never hatch. But when I fell in love with them, I felt something that I had not felt in far too long. That cocoon started to shatter little by little, as I started to remember how to love again. I truly love them wholly with whatever’s remaining of my heart.”

Pantalone:

About You - His Lover:

“So, you’ve met [Name], I hear. What do you think of them? Beautiful, am I right? Of course, they are nothing short of perfection to me. Hardworking, determined, helpful… I could go on about them. Say, Traveler, would you be so kind to direct me to some of the best shops around here? I would like to find some gifts to send to them while we’re here.”

Worries - Financial Concerns:

“Traveler, I have a great issue on my hands. [Name] has apparently forbidden me from spending any more Mora on them. They keep saying that they do not need anything else, but how can I restrain myself from spoiling my darling?”

About You - Favorite Pastimes:

“Oftentimes, we like to end off the day with some leisurely reading. The feeling of them laying against my chest, legs intertwined, as I whisper certain parts of the book softly into their ear, delighting as they turn warm- oho, your face is all red. Did I make you embarrassed? Apologies, I get carried away when talking about them.”

About You - First Meeting:

“My childhood is not something that I like to remember. But, despite everything, it is pleasant to think about the first time I met them. They were poor, just like me, barely scraping by, though they never failed to greet me every day with a big smile. [Name] would take over the grueling working shifts for me and the younger kids sometimes, and sneak bits of food out the window to me. Even with the fact that I was surrounded by poverty, I couldn’t help but think I had a true gem right in front of me. ”

When It’s Cold:

“I confess, I do enjoy the cold, but most of it is due to how adorable [Name] looks all bundled up in my fur coats. Or how they always dive under the covers and refuse to get up for anything. It is always a struggle for even me to get up from bed when they are so warm, too.”

Sandrone:

About You - Her Lover:

“They are my loyal assistant and lover, always willing to help out with any experiment I ask. I have known them for a very long time. They have always been the one to drag me out of the lab to get some fresh air… as a matter of fact, I think it’s about this time when they come to harass me. Somehow they’ve gotten half the robots on their side, too.”

When It’s Raining:

“This weather is good for testing how waterproof my robots are and the joints of my Automatons. A long time ago, I built a feature for an umbrella into some of my creations so whenever [Name] and I went for walks and it rained, we would be fine. Huh, you’re asking if you can use it? No, you can’t.”

About You - Favorite Pastimes:

“Eh? Sandrone, what is all this? You’re all dressed up!”

“Oh, it’s you. I’m simply preparing for my favorite event with my dear lover. We’ve just finished repairing an ancient Automaton, and they’ve decided a tea party is in order.”

“Wow! Even the robots have spiffy suits on! It smells so good here too, hehe, Paimon wants a taste of the tea and cookies too- w-woah! Where’d all these big robots come from?! Hey, let Paimon down!”

“This is for [Name] and I only. Now shoo. The tea party is set to begin soon, and I must welcome my honored guest…”

Inspiration - New Creations:

“Before I met them, I had never thought of using my skills to create mundane things that weren’t war machines or destructive Automatons. I thought anything else would be a waste of time, but surprisingly, it is not too bad. It’s quite nice to feel their fascinated face in the crook of my neck while I work. I usually gift these creations to them, anyway. They’re not much use to me, but [Name] likes these kinds of things.”

The Future - Fontaine Frenzy:

“I hear that I am set to head out to Fontaine soon. I would love to see the faces of those poor souls when they realize their technology is nothing compared to what the Fatui has created. Ah, I guess that means I’ll be seeing you there too. Will you be able to keep up with [Name] and I, Traveler? I must warn you, they are a formidable foe, with their refined skill and raw power from my mechanical attachments. Now that I think about there, there were some new weapons we wanted to try out… hehe, I can’t wait.” 

Childe:

About You - His Lover:

“Oho, interested in [Name] are you? I don’t blame you - they are truly an amazing person. Sweet, kind, and caring, not to mention, they are incredibly strong as well. Teucer loves them too, always wanting piggyback rides. I can’t wait to introduce them to the rest of my family.”

About You - First Meeting:

“I clearly remember the first time I laid eyes on them. I was passing through Liyue when I heard of an archery competition, and naturally, I was eager to test my skills. I was sure that I would win first place, but what did you know! Someone called [Name] had stolen that spot from me. Long story short, I pestered them until they fought me, and they really did beat me down. Haha, it feels so long ago, now that I look back on it.”

When It Snows:

“I once took [Name] to Dragonspine, because they wanted to see the snow as it was a rare occurrence in Liyue. You should have seen them, hah! Shaking and sniffling like it was the end of the world. And it wasn’t even that cold, as least compared to my homeland. Why didn’t I take them to Snezhnaya? Don’t worry, I plan to, very, very soon…

About You - Whereabouts:

"Have you seen them, Traveler? No? Haha, they must be hiding from me again. I guess I’ve asked them to spar too many times. Comrade, if you happen to see [Name], tell them I’m waiting at Northland Bank for them. Xinyue Kiosk, my treat.”

About You - Safety:

“Heh, I wonder what they’re doing right now. I hope they haven’t been roped into any strange commissions again. They are too helpful for their own good. If anything happened to them while I’m gone… Traveler, if you happen to be around, please help them. I’ll owe you, comrade.”

[notbecauseofvictories]

My best friend and I had a call recently---she’s back with her family for a bit helping out with some hometown stuff. As part of the stuff, she’s been going through a (deceased) relative’s scrapbook, compiled in the American Midwest circa 1870-1900 and featuring mostly cut-out figures from the ads of the day.

She talked about how painstaking this relative’s work was. (Apparently the relative was careful to cut out every finger, every cowlick; this was by no means carelessly or hastily assembled.) But she also she talked about how---the baby on the baking soda ad is ugly, it is so ugly, why anyone would clip this heinously ugly illustrated baby and paste it into a scrapbook? Why would you save the (terribly told, boring) ghost story that came with your box of soap?

(Why include these things in the first place? we asked each other. ”There’s a kind of anti-capitalism to it,” she mused.)

And we discussed that for a bit---how most of the images, stories, artists, and ads were local, not national; they’re pulled from [Midwestern state] companies’ advertisements in [Midwestern state] papers, magazines, and products. As a consequence, you’re not looking at Leyendecker or Norman Rockwell illustrations, but Johann Spatz-Smith from down the road, who took a drawing class at college.

(College is the state college, and he came home on weekends and in the summer to help with the farm or earn some money at the plant.)

But it also inspired a really interesting conversation about how---we have access to so much more art, better and more professional art, than any time in history. As my bff said, all you have to do to find a great, technically proficient and lovely representational image of a baby, is to google the right keywords. But for a girl living in rural [Midwestern state] of the late 1800s, it was the baking soda ad, or literal actual babies. There was no in-between, no heading out to the nearby art museum to study oil paintings of mother and child, no studying photographs and film---such new technologies hadn’t diffused to local newspapers and circulars yet, and were far beyond the average person’s means. But cheap, semi-amateur artists? Those were definitely around, scattered between towns and nearby smallish cities.

It was a good conversation, and made me think about a couple things---the weird entitlement that “professional” and expensive art instills in viewers, how it artificially depresses the appetite for messy unprofessional art, including your own; the way that this makes your tastes narrower, less interesting, less open.

By that I mean---maybe the baby isn’t ugly! Maybe you’ve just seen too many photorealistic babies. Maybe you haven’t really stopped to contemplate that your drawing of a baby (however crude, ugly, or limited) is the best drawing of a baby you can make, and the act of drawing that lumpen, ugly baby is more sacred and profoundly human than even looking at a Mary Cassatt painting.

And even if that isn’t the case....there was this girl in [American Midwestern state] for whom it was very, very important that she capture every finger, curl, and bit of shading for that ugly soap ad baby. And some one hundred years later, her great-something-or-other took pains to preserve her work---because how terribly human it is, to seek out all the art we can find that resonates with us, preserve it, adore it.

It might be the most human impulse we have.

[dollsofthewest]

AG Cowgirl Outfits

Following in the footsteps of @enby-dollhouse and @doll-collecting-aerialist, who did posts on the variety of ballerina and tennis outfits respectively, I wanted to do my take on a section of AG outfits I love: cowgirls! Saddle up and let's head out!

Rootin', Tootin' Cowgirl (1998)

Okay, so maybe this is the outfit that inspired me to do this post in the first place. This is adorable. It's rootin'. It's tootin'. I love the bright blue color. It's advertised as a Halloween costume, but doubles just fine as a fancy rodeo outfit. I do like the idea that you can be the sheriff, or the bandit, or both at the same time! And lest we forget to mention that black cat trick-r-treat bucket!!

Molly's Dude Ranch Outfit (2004)

Is anybody doing it like Miss Molly? This outfit was not connected with any book but released as part of a "Summer Fun" collection. I like to imagine Molly went to a dude ranch near Yellowstone National Park, or maybe somewhere along her Route 66 Adventure. It's cute and pretty authentic to rodeo shows. Also, look at her little canteen!

Nicki's Ranch Outfit (2007)

Most cowgirls don't wear the fancy rodeo costumes like a lot of people think: those are for the shows and fairs! During her daily work, Nicki wears her own pink version of modern jeans, chaps, and boots. And of course her staw hat to protect her from the sun.

Rustic Ranch Outfit (2008)

Another practical outfit; it may look impractical to wear a skirt but I've seen girls who prefer it, if they are riding side-saddle. The vest is kind've plain, but it comes with a horse-themed scrapbook and a (faux) leather Western Hat.

Western Riding Outfit (2010)

Definitely a casual pick for our cowgirl. Fit for farm or school, everybody knows exactly what animal is this American Girl's favorite. Like Nicki, this girl wears a straw hat, but she'll need sunblock if she's going to ride all day with those short sleeves and skirt!

Western Plaid Outfit (2014)

I like to think of this as Abercrombie Horse Girl. I'm not sure how practical that dress is for horse riding, and I'm a bit worried about those loose band around her boots. Still, this girl has something not previously seen, even with Nicki, and that's the very important helmet! Always wear a helmet while horse riding!!

Pretty Pink Riding Outfit (2014)

Sold at the same time as the previous one, so you could choose which outfit you wanted with your life-saving helmet. This girl is wearing what I liked to call Gucci Horse Girl.

Blue-Ribbon Riding Outfit (1998)

I forgot this one so I'm adding it here to show you what I would consider an Ideal Horse Riding outfit. Helmet: check! Proper boots: check! The coat even comes with functional pockets and inner thigh padding. She certainly gets the blue ribbon from me for best dressed!

Maryellen's Cowgirl Outfit (2022)

Ah, a return to classics! This is about as stereotypical "cowgirl" as you can get. As far as I'm aware, this is meant to be her Halloween costume, which tracks with how popular cowgirls & cowboys were during the 1950s. Lookin' cute, Miss Maryellen!

Lila's Horseback Riding Outfit (2024)

I think when Glen Campbell sang "Rhinestone Cowboy" he wasn't talking about this. Still, maybe this is what horse girls these days wear? It's a shame to see a modern girl without a helmet, but you can't deny this fits Miss Lila's style to a tee!

What is your favorite AG cowgirl/horse-riding outfit? What would you like to see made in the future?

[copperbadge]

What do you mean by digital cleaning?

It's something I've been working on more this year because I had a bit more travel than usual so couldn't do actual home cleaning, but I always take a couple of days in the Month Of Cleaning where I'm focused on my digital life. It's good to make your physical home a comfortable place for yourself, but it's also good to recognize that we have "digital" homes that need attention. And often this is at least less physically demanding, so it's good to keep it in your back pocket for days when you're mentally okay but physically too tired or sore to do more of that kind of work.

In the shortest possible terms, digital cleaning is just making sure that your phone, computer, socials, and other digital "presences" are organized in a way that you find helpful, and that you take a moment to either answer those messages you've been putting off or give yourself amnesty on doing so.

This tends to make a lot of people extremely anxious in a way ordinary physical space cleaning doesn't, so I'm going to put the rest of it behind a cut...

So when I say digital cleaning, I refer to stuff like going through my likes on Tumblr and clearing them out, going through my drafts and turning them into queued posts, answering my asks. I spend time in my email inboxes, either responding to messages or removing them. I am not an "inbox zero" kind of guy, but I like to keep the read-but-not-answered messages to a minimum, and towards the end of the year that usually means a clear-out and amnesty. I clean my Google Drive -- delete old files I uploaded for others, move documents I'm no longer using into an archive, move documents I want to work on into a central work folder. I go through my catch-all folder on my hard drive and organize it; I sort through the year's photos and organize those, partly to archive them and partly because I make a scrapbook from them each year. I don't usually have a ton of tabs open but often have more than I'd like, so I go through them all and either read, bookmark, or get rid of them.

I look in my phone's file tree to make sure I delete files I don't need (mostly menu downloads, Restaurants Stop Making Your Menus PDFs Challenge 2K24) and I sometimes go through each app on my phone, make sure I still use it, and make sure it's set how I want it. If this sounds like a nightmare, bear in mind that I very rarely put apps on my phone to start with -- I think my mother has more apps open at any given time than I have apps on my phone ever.

Everywhere I clean, I look for files named things like "notes" or "deal with" or "random" and move them all into one place so that whatever is in them, I can sort through it and make sure it goes somewhere permanent. Logins go in the login/password spreadsheet I keep, addresses go into my contacts, story notes go into a "fiction scraps" file, random thoughts either get moved into a journal file or put into drafts to become Tumblr posts, etc.

If this sounds like I might have some kind of compulsion disorder, I get that; when I explain my digital hygiene systems a lot of people look at me like I'm spouting a mad but harmless conspiracy theory. But it's something I used to have to do periodically even before I created National Clean Your Home Month, because otherwise I could never find anything, and everything was just...harder. As I once told a boss who admired my organizational skills, "It was this or endless chaos."

Putting addresses into my contacts list means I always know that the addresses I have for my friends are up to date. Putting logins into a spreadsheet means that five minutes spent now will not result in five weeks of procrastination later because I can't find the login and can't do anything else until I do that. Going through my email and archiving old conversations means not only can I find them easily when needed, I don't have to look at them the rest of the time. Sometimes I even go through my various wish lists and remove old/purchased items, or clear out all my "save for later" carts.

There's no doubt this is stressful, but like every part of NaClYoHo, it's broken down into smaller tasks; I don't have to look at my computer and organize everything on it all in one day. I can answer a few asks, then sort photos (something I find very soothing up until the moment I Don't), then read and delete some emails, then I'm done for the day. I can spread "answer or file all your work emails" out over a couple of days. I can maybe empty out my Likes but just turn the ones I actually want to reblog into drafts for now and deal with them later in the "drafts" phase of cleaning. And if I don't manage to empty out my inboxes, at least they're emptier than they were.

I'm struggling this morning with having put a bunch of physical cleaning on the to-do list but not feeling physically up for it, so I did what I felt capable of doing (measuring cabinets for new shelf liners mainly) and later today I might sit down and start building this year's photobook. Or not -- I have to code Radio Free Monday, sort out a prescription and possibly go pick it up, plus a very full day of work and a couple of afternoon appointments I can't shirk, so today may simply be a "get through the day" kind of day. That's okay too; some days the spirit is willing but the schedule is full.

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

03/01/2024 Daily OFMD Recap

OMG is is already march? Today's a long one yall.

= Cast & Crew Sightings =

= Samba Schutte =

More BTS! The particularly exciting part about this post was Samba's words:

"Last scene of the season, it was a heavy one which required extreme focus and emotion, and I decided to clown around☠️ What were they gonna do, fire me?👀 #readtheroom #ourflagmeansdeath #ofmd #ofmdseason2"

A lot of folks are feeling like there are two important points in this message:

"Last scene of the SEASON" (vs series)

"I decided to clown around"

=Vico Ortiz =

Needed more reasons to love Vico? They're a Good Omens fan as well!

== Don't Panic! ==

Many of you have probably heard about a lot of Our Flag Means Death Props being sold off at auction. Several crew-mates have made some excellent points as to why not to panic yet. I saw a tweet somewhere and now of COURSE I can't find it, but just a reminder, props are not the SET itself. The Set not being sold off is a huge plus, props come and go.

Thank you to @OFMDBingo42 and @cumulativehchaos for your thoughts and reassurances regarding this!

And a final note I whole-heartedly agree with from @chaotickraken91

== New Charity Fundraisers! ==

#WeeJohnWonday Fundraiser

A new fundraiser in aid of @KristianNairn's favorite charity, Team HAVEN Belfast will be going live on Monday, March 4th! If you'd like to see last years documentation/receipts please visit #HonoringKristianNairn Source: @ForceMonument's Twitter

== Smiles for Samba! ==

It's finally #SmilesForSamba day! Thank you to everyone who contributed to the scrapbook and fundraiser in honor of Samba!

== Watch Parties and Events ==

== Reminders! ==

Last chance for Season 2! Marathon tomorrow! Saturday 8am CST / 2pm GMT

= March 2 - Captain's Orders =

Tomorrow is #CaptainsOrders! Our Captain Rhys Darby has said more than once that getting out into nature is so incredibly important and healing. Weather permitting, try to get outside tomorrow even for a little bit and get some fresh air! Src: @rebels_rascal / Graphic by @SharpenYourSword on Twitter

== #WereWolvesWhen ==

With all the buzz going around regarding "We're Wolves" being scripted finally (from the Wellington Paranormal Podcast). Our Vianton Crew have asked fellow Rhys Darby fans to start spreading the word on "We're Wolves". Wanna help? You can hop onto your favorite social media and share your favorite parts of WWDITS or werewolves in general!

Please use the following hashtag #WereWolvesWhen!

== Save OFMD Crew Updates==

=Transparency Policy=

Clarification edits have been made to the Financial Transparency Policy. The next full review period will start on May 22nd Transparency Policy

= Immoderate Citrus! =

For National Sunkist Citrus Day, the SaveOFMDCrew wants you to send them all your citrus-related favorite! Reach out on any of their socials: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Tumblr

= Billboard has been Scheduled! =

The #BeABillboard campaign to SaveOFMD will go live in London's Leicester Square on 11th, 12th, 18th, and 19th of March. Are you in London? Feel free to go check it out!

== Adopt Our Crew ==

Today @AdoptOurCrew hosted a These Thems watch party! There was a whole lot of engagement and they were kind enough to share some BTS bits that Vico shared with them! Check them out over on Instagram!

I've posted the images here as well for those of you who don't have access. All photos and posts regarding #TheseThems are courtesy of @adoptourcrew!

Didn't get to join the Watch Party? Check out These Thems On Youtube!

= More AOC Analytics! =

= #OurFlagTurns2 Bingo =

Did you know that our friends over at @adoptourcrew are running a Bingo game in celebration of OurFlagMeansDeath turning 2 on Sunday? Give it a whirl if you'd like! Feel free to hop on over to them on Twitter or Instagram and let them know how it's going!

Twitter / Instagram

== Fan Spotlight! ==

More cards from @melvisik! Thank you for letting us collect them all! Today is Con O'Neill!

== Dgdd Gwyl Dewi Hapus! (Happy St David's Day!) ==

Happy St David's Day all! Several fans are honoring our lovely David Jenkins on this Welsh holiday! Thank you @wastingyourgum for the dedication and the translation!

== Articles ==

TV Shows That Were Canceled In 2024

== Love Notes ==

Hey my darlings. As you can tell, today has been a very VERY long day. There is just SO MUCH going on. I don't know about you but it feels like something's building. Maybe it's just til OFMD's 2rd anniversary on Sunday the 3rd, idk, but i've got a good feeling.

Either way though, whatever that hype is, it's so nice to see everyone having fun and engaging so much. You are all so wonderful and deserve to smile and enjoy yourselves.

You are allowed to be loud and excited about things! In fact, please be! It makes us all excited too, and I love "seeing" you smile and in your element.

I'm off to bed, but I'll leave you with @thelatestkate's latest picture that's so very true. You deserve to be considered. You Count. Love you all.

== Daily Darby / Today's Taika ==

I'm a bit lazy tonight so we're doing a combo, but to be fair it's one of my faves. Gif courtesy of @shegoesbyjoy

[southernsolarpunk]

Hey check this out

I was making a zine (solarpunk ofc) and decided to use a bunch of old National Geographic magazines to cut up and use in a scrappy diy scrapbook fashion and of course I started reading them. This one in particular:

It caught my eye because it’s from September 1980 & talks about the Middle East. My brain wonders if they mention Palestine and they do! I copied the text for accessibility, but I put pictures at the end of the original pages.

“Jerusalem: reunited or occupied? The question has divided the city's 400,000 Jews and 100,000 Arabs since Israel annexed East Jerusalem in 1967.

BEIRUT, JANUARY 1975. Armed soldiers lead me through labyrinthine back streets, up a dark stairway to a midnight rendez-vous. Only a bare bulb lights the temporary command post; Yasir Arafat, chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, seldom dares spend two days in the same place. “Our argument is not with the Jews” He tells me. "We are both Semites. They have lived with us for centuries. Our enemies are the Zionist colonizers and their backers who insist Palestine belongs to them exclusively.

We Arabs claim deep roots there too."

Two decades ago Palestinians were to be found in United Nations Relief Agency camps at places like Gaza and Jericho, in a forlorn and pitiable state. While Palestinian spokesmen pressed their case in world cap-itals, the loudest voice the world heard was that of terrorists, with whom the word Palestinian came to be associated. Jordan fought a war to curb them. The disintegration of Lebanon was due in part to the thousands of refugees within its borders.

Prospects for peace brightened, however, when President Anwar Sadat of Egypt, most powerful of the Arab countries, made his historic trip to Israel in November 1977. A year later Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed the Camp David accords, a framework for the return of the occupied Sinai Peninsula to Egypt.

The former enemies established diplomatic relations and opened mail, telephone, and airline communications.

The Camp David accords also addressed the all-important Palestinian question but left it vague. Sadat insists that any lasting peace depends on an eventual Palestinian homeland in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza. Israel agrees to limited autonomy for those regions, but, fearful of a new and hostile Palestinian state suddenly planted on its borders, insists that Israeli troops must maintain security there.

Crowded Rashidiyah refugee camp, set among orange groves south of the ancient Phoenician port of Tyre in Lebanon, lies on the front lines. Frequent pounding by Israeli military jets and warships seeking PLO targets has war-hardened its population, some 13,700 Palestinians.

At the schoolyard I watched a solemn flag raising. Uniformed ashbal, or lion cubs, stood rigid as color guards briskly ran up the green-white-and-black Palestinian flag.

Ranging in age from 8 to 12, they might have been Cub Scouts— except for the loaded rifles they held at present arms. Behind them stood two rows of girls, zaharat, or little flowers. Same age, same weapons.

Over lunch of flat bread, hummus, yo-gurt, and chicken I commented to my hosts, a group of combat-ready fedayeen, that 30 years of bitter war had settled nothing nor gained the Palestinians one inch of their homeland. Was there no peaceful way to press their cause?

"Yes, and we are doing it. Finally, after 30 years, most countries in the United Nations recognize that we too have rights in Palestine. But we feel that until your country stops its unconditional aid to Israel, we have two choices: to fight, or to face an unmarked grave in exile."

AFTER CROSSING the Allenby Bridge from Amman, I drove across the fertile Jordan Valley through Arab Jericho and past some of the controversial new Jewish settlements: Mitzpe Jericho, Tomer, Maale Adumim, Shilat. Then as I climbed through the steep stony hills to Jerusalem, I saw that it too had changed. A ring of high-rise apartments and offices was growing inexorably around the occupied Arab side of the walled town. Within the wall, too, scores of Arab houses had been leveled during extensive reconstruction.

"Already 64 settlements have been built on the West Bank," said a Christian Palestinian agriculturist working for an American church group in Jerusalem. "And another 10 are planned," he said. Unfolding a copy of the master plan prepared in 1978 by the World Zionist Organization, he read: "Real-izing our right to Eretz-Israel... with or without peace, we will have to learn to live with the minorities...

The Israeli Government has reaffirmed the policy. In Prime Minister Menachem Begin's words: "Settlement is an inherent and inalienable right. It is an integral part of our national security."

"Security" is a word deeply etched into the Israeli psyche. The country has lived for 30 years as an armed camp, always on guard against PLO raids and terrorist bombings.

Whenever such incidents occur, the response is quick: even greater retaliation.

In Jerusalem I met with David Eppel, an English-language broadcaster for the Voice of Israel. "We must continue to build this country. Israel is our lawful home, our des-tiny. We have the determination, and an immense pool of talent, to see it through." His cosmopolitan friends a city plan-ner, a psychology professor, an author gathered for coffee and conversation at David's modern apartment on Jerusalem's Leib Yaffe Road.

Amia Lieblich's book, Tin Soldiers on Jerusalem Beach, studies the debilitating effects almost constant war has had on life in the Jewish state, a nation still surrounded by enemies. As she and her husband kindly drove me to my hotel in Arab Jerusalem afterward, some of that national apprehension surfaced in the writer herself.

"We don't often come over to this part of town," she said. "Especially at night."

I DROVE OUT of the Old City in the dark of morning and arrived a few hours later at the nearly finished Israeli frontier post, whence a shuttle bus bounced me through no-man's-land to the Egyptian ter-minal. As a result of the Egyptian-Israeli treaty, it was possible for the first time since 1948 to travel overland from Jerusalem to Cairo. An Egyptian customs man opened my bags on a card table set up in the sand. I took a battered taxi into nearby El Arish, to a sleepy bank that took 45 minutes to convert dollars into Egyptian pounds, Then 1 hired a Mercedes for the

200-mile run across the northern Sinai des-ert, the Suez Canal, and the Nile Delta. By sundown Cairo was mine.

Despite official government optimism, I found many in Cairo worried that President Sadat's bold diplomatic gestures might fail.

The city was noticeably tense as Israel officially opened its new embassy on Mohi el-Din Abu el-Ez Street in Cairo's Dukki quarter. Black-uniformed Egyptian troops guarded the chancery and nearby intersections as the Star of David flew for the first time in an Arab capital. Across town, police with fixed bayonets were posted every ten feet around the American Embassy. Others were posted at the TV station and the larger hotels. Protests were scattered, mostly peaceful. None disturbed the cadence of the city.

Welcoming ever larger delegations of tourists and businessmen from Europe and the U.S., Cairo was busier than ever-and more crowded. Despite a building boom, many Egyptians migrating from the countryside, perhaps 10,000 a month, still find housing only by squatting among tombs at the City of the Dead, the huge old cemetery on the southeast side of the capital.

Even with the new elevated highway and wider bridge across the Nile, half-hour traffic standstills are common. Commuters arrive at Ramses Station riding even the roofs of trains, then cram buses until axles break.

Cairo smog, a corrosive blend of diesel fumes and hot dust from surrounding des-erts, rivals tear gas.

Despite the rampant blessings of prog-ress, Cairo can still charm. In the medieval Khan el-Khalili bazaar near Cairo's thousand-year-old Al-Azhar University, I sought out Ahmad Saadullah's sidewalk café. I found that 30 piasters (45 cents) still brings hot tea, a tall water pipe primed with tobacco and glowing charcoal, and the latest gossip. The turbaned gentleman on the carpeted bench opposite was unusually talk-ative; we dispensed with weather and the high cost of living and got right to politics:

"Of course I am behind President Sadat, but he is taking a great risk. The Israelis have not fully responded. If Sadat fails, no other Arab leader will dare try for peace again for a generation."

Across town at the weekly Akhbar El-Yom newspaper, one of the largest and most widely read in the Middle East, chief editor Abdel-Hamid Abdel-Ghani drove home that same point.

"What worries me most is that President Sadat's agreement with Israel has isolated Egypt from our brother nations," he told me. "When Saudi Arabia broke with us, it was a heavy loss. The Saudis are our close neighbors. Now they have canceled pledges for hundreds of millions in development aid to Egypt. Some 200,000 Egyptians-teach-ers, doctors, engineers live and work in the kingdom.

"And Saudi Arabia, guardian of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, remains for Muslim Egypt a spiritual homeland."

This magazine was published before my mom was born, and yet the sentiments have basically unchanged. An interesting look at the past, and more proof this didn’t start October 7th. (But imagine my followers already knew that)

[fans4wga]

International Day of Solidarity on August 22: join a SAG-AFTRA/WGA picket!

[ID: tweet from SAG-AFTRA @/sagaftra that says, "Union Members ASSEMBLE!! In cities across the country, the labor movement is coming together Tuesday for National Day of Solidarity rallies and pickets. We are #1u Locations at http://sagaftrastrike.org/picket-schedule #SagAftraStrong #WGAstrong #Power2Performers".

Attached is an image with the strike logos "SAG-AFTRA ON STRIKE!" and "WRITERS GUILD ON STRIKE" on top, with big text in ransom note-style scrapbook letters that says, "NATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY." Below that is the text "Tuesday, August 22" and "AFL-CIO" (which stands for American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations). end ID]

Click here to search the nationwide planned picket locations:

[murderousink23]

05/06/2023 is Sauvignon Blanc Day 🥂🌎, Free Comic Book Day 🌎, World Naked Gardening Day 👩‍🌾👨‍🌾🌎, Join Hands Day 🇺🇲, National Beverage Day 🍹🇺🇲, National Crepe Suzette Day 🇺🇲, National Laughter Day 🤣🇺🇲, National Nurses Day 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️🇺🇲, National Auctioneers Day 🇺🇲, National Homebrew Day 🍻🇺🇲, National Scrapbook Day 🇺🇲, International No Diet Day 🇬🇧

[kismets-barista]

HEEHEE Dolly now has a voice claim,,, it's Tilly from Big City Greens!

Also since I'm here, fun facts about Dolly!

🌟 @quizzyy and I decided to give her the same tail malformation we gave Hickory, which is just a tail that hangs like a country troll's but doesn't work too well for them. She LOVES it though, and puts little butterfly clips and fake pearls on it/lets Poppy decorate it and brushes it a lot

🌟Yodels, and is learning German. (John Dory is as well, but Dolly picked it up faster than he did so she can run her mouth in TWO languages.

🌟Something tells me she's a plaid girlie. Mostly skirts with a lot of frilly shirts, and a bandana or little cowboy hat to match Hickory. She hates the goggles but likes to steal and hide them to mess with Dory.

🌟LOVES Poppy and will do anything with her. Scrapbooking? Yes. Singing? Yes. Cooking? Yes, but she gets to have a handful of sugar. Just one. If she won't listen to her dads, or her uncles, she'll listen to Poppy. Poppy also teaches her a lot about using her hair since she keeps it pulled back and it needs to be tighter/in a scrunchie to concentrate and use it. (There's a post out there about Poppy being disabled and I am SO here for it,,, if I can find it I'll link it!)

Aaaaand that's about it for now. But Dolly Nation rise up 👊🤠👊

(Sorry to tag you twice in one day but pspsps @ohposhers >:]) 💜🌟🫧

[that-foul-legacy-lover]

imagine traveler reader, like not Lumine or Aether but a reader who likes to travel around Teyvat. Imagine traveler reader bringing back shiny stones and other souvenirs for Ajax and FL. Childe and FL can’t always be together with reader because of Childe’s Fatui duties so they write each other letters every once in a while.

Traveler reader sometimes sends little mechanical toys(little puzzle toys like a rubiks cube) from the nation that they’re currently in to the two of them (actually it’s mainly for FL, he likes fiddling with the contraption and trying to figure out how it works, though it’s a bit hard for him to do so with his big big hands) so that they can play with it whenever they feel lonely.

Imagine traveler reader and Childe meeting up in a nation not knowing that the other was going to be there as well and they are just like @(・●・)@ Σ੧(❛□❛✿) for a while before immediately jumping into the other’s embrace because it’s been so long since they’ve last seen each other

(Can i be sleepy anon?)

yes you can absolutely be sleepy anon!!! welcome welcome :D

i wholeheartedly believe that both Childe and Foul Legacy need something to fidget with when they're in boring meetings or generally waiting around, so any puzzle devices you send are VERY appreciated, even more so if they're quiet so he's not bugging his coworkers. you always send little notes back with your gifts if you can't be there to explain them yourself, often with a bit of history and miscellaneous information you came across on your travels. you send him photos for safekeeping as well- you're in the process of making a scrapbook of all the pictures you've taken- and Legacy is careful to handle them delicately, only pinching the corner with his claws to set them in the book for you to sort out when you return. it hurts, being away from you- but the letters and shiny rocks and pressed flowers and tiny puzzles you send them help stave off the pain for a little bit, until they can both see you again...

...which is actually going to be sooner than expected, because by some miracle you both end up in Fontaine, him for vacation and you as a detour from Sumeru (you've been in the desert for weeks and you're sick of sand). you almost think you're hallucinating when you spot that familiar head of ginger hair in the crowd, instinctively shouting his name. his dull blue eyes meet yours and widen, a hint of light flashing in them as he beams, running over and scooping you into his arms with an overjoyed laugh. the only thing that prevents him from kissing you right then and there is that you're in public, so he drags you to the apartment he's staying in and immediately starts peppering in your face in light little pecks. the kisses eventually turn into small licks and nudges as Foul Legacy takes over, gingerly cupping your cheeks with his talons- they're definitely not letting go of you tonight, or the next day... or the next week

[discendia]

Is there a profile about Yamamoto Rio? really looking forward to learning more about her, her story and how it relates to canon

Hi, Anon! Welcome to my blog! ☆ I hope you like it here~

To answer your question, I have a rough profile I started writing some time ago. It doesn't have all the information, but I'll copy it under the cut since you're interested (and it's a bit long).

Thank you for asking! Wishing you a lovely day ♡

────── 〔✿〕──────

- PROFILE -

Name: Yamamoto Rio (山本 里桜)

Age: 14 (Canon Timeline), 24 (10YL)

Birthday: April 24

Nationality: Japanese

Height: 1,72 m. (Canon Timeline), 1,77 m. (10YL)

Family: Tsuyoshi (father), Ran (mother), Takeshi (brother)

[ 🔒 There’s information to be added here ]

- PERSONALITY -

Unlike Takeshi, who is like a beacon that attracts everyone's attention, Rio prefers to go unnoticed, but once you meet her, she is a sweet girl, warm and optimistic.. She’s dedicated to her friends and very family-oriented.

Growing up in the restaurant environment, surrounded by customers who come and go, has helped her develop skills to deal with people; she quickly grasps others’ limits and knows when not to push them.

She is the type of person who believes that conflicts can be resolved without fighting, although she will not hesitate to raise her weapons if her attempts to defuse the situation do not work.

[ 🔒 There’s information to be added here ]

- NAMIMORI MIDDLE SCHOOL -

Class: 1-B; 2-A

Extracurricular activity: Student Council

Within the Student Council, Rio is part of the Sports Committee that is responsible for the organization of the school's sports clubs. Among their duties are reviewing inventories and responding to material requests, collecting files from students participating in tournaments and events, and organizing other internal sports activities.

Her work is done religiously at each council meeting, but she is not usually there to answer questions about the reports they deliver, especially if the meetings are in the morning... Luckily, no one seems to notice this.

- LA FAMIGLIA (10YL) -

Afiliation: Vongola Family

Position: Family Liaison

As a diplomat of the Family, her duty is to establish and maintain communication with the different divisions and allied members. From simple contact between the guardians when they are dispersed to calming things down when there is something to discuss with different squads, she intervenes in the establishment of new alliances and the peaceful resolution of internal and external conflicts.

Rio’s office is an information center where messages constantly come and go. It is not surprising that part of its workers are dedicated to collecting this information through not so legal means.

- TO THE BATTLE -

Dying Wil Flame: Rain

Equipment: Iron fan and katana. A-Rank Rain Ring and B-Rank Rain Ring (10YL).

Fighting style: Shigure Soen Ryuu: 9 + 2 forms (10YL)

[ 🔒 There’s information to be added here ]

- RELATIONSHIPS -

[ Oops, I never started this part 🔒 There’s information to be added here ]

- TRIVIA -

Her least favorite thing is getting up early.

Her favorite drink is milk, just like Takeshi, but she can't stand cold milk.

Her favorite dish is chirashi sushi, and her preferred kind of fish are salmon, bonito, and shrimp.

Her hobbies are scrapbooking and cardmaking.

In the future, she would like to be her father's apprentice and inherit the restaurant.

She has good intuition to know what to study for an exam and usually doesn’t care about the rest.

[impactedfates]

A Pawn In Chess - Tartaglia x GN!Reader

Summary: A 5 year anniversary for you and your boyfriend, and your gift to him needed to be perfect. Recalling all the happy memories you had together, annoying your friend with how in love you were and perfecting you gift to Childe. But was he truly in love with you in the first place?

Warnings/Extra: Fluff to Angst // My OC is included >:D // As always, slightly ooc Childe probably // Reader lived in Liyue before moving to Snezhnaya // Takes place some time after Sumeru Archon quests, no major spoilers though dw :) // A part 2 might be written.

W.C - 2241

A/N- When I told my friend this was going to be an angst fic, she was quick to not want it…sooo if this gets enough notes I might consider a part 2. I’m actually semi-proud of this fic! :D Some basic info you’ll need to know about the OC I included is that his name is Zakhar and he’s an electro claymore user apart of the Fatui. He was really only added because I didn’t know the personality’s of any other Fatui well enough to write about…(that would fit in the scenario anyways)

"And you're doing this, why?"

Came a tired voice behind you. You turned and your eyes met those of a dark navy. One of your best friends ever since your boyfriend introduced you to his group. Zakhar.

"Because it's our anniversary!"

You replied, sighing and shaking your head at him as if it was common knowledge. Then again, with how lovey dovey you and your boyfriend usually were, you suppose it is common knowledge in the Fatui. You continued to cut up photos in different shapes and sticking them in a mini scrapbook. You were planning to fill a book with all the memories you had with your boyfriend. You absolutely adored him.

You adored Childe.

You adored Tartaglia.

You.Adored.Ajax.

"Doing all this for Lord Tartaglia seems like it'll take awhile...especially with how perfect you want it to be"

Zakhar speaks, moving to stand next to you and look at your work. He was probably one of the first to find out about yours and Ajax's relationship. You rolled your eyes at him as you continued to perfectly and carefully place all the pictures on the current page.

"It's our 5 year anniversary, of course I want to make it perfect"

"I just think that there's no need to be this obsessed with your gift to him"

He shrugs, crossing his arms. You let out a dramatic gasp as you set down the scissors and yet another couple photos you took with Ajax's. Zakhar looks at you amused but lets out a light chuckle. Picking up the photo you set down he studies it for a moment, and before he could even ask anything, you were quick to explain.

"That's when we first met!"

"You took a photo of when you two only just met?"

"Yes, and it was cute okay!"

You reply, snatching the picture out of his hands with a fake pout, you carefully cut it into a heart. Although you may not believe in love at first sight, you can say that's what you felt when you first met him. Of course it took much longer than that for you to develop feelings for him. You can still remember that day clearly, you had just returned from a trip from Fontaine when you met him and you were more than happy to tell your friend all the details.

.

.

.

"Hey, wait up!"

Came a carefree voice. You turn and are met with blue eyes gazing into your own eyes. You raise your eyebrow at him. You studied his appearance a bit, definitely not clothing you'd see in Liyue, perhaps someone visiting? Still you stopped walking and waited for him to run up to you. He stood beside you and grinned at you.

"Thanks comrade, the names Childe. What's your name?"

"Childe? An odd name but...my names [Name]"

Childe held out a hand to you, urging you to take it, you looked curiously at him but took it anyways. There was something up with the man next to you, but you couldn’t put your finger on it.

“So [Name], fancy hanging out with me for a bit? I’m new to this Nation of Contracts, and~ having such a cutie like yourself being my tour guild would make my stay more bearable no?”

You looked at him for a bit, slightly surprised at the compliment but shrugged it off. You also shrug off that he seemed to be lying about being new to Liyue. Was this his way of flirting?

He stared back and it was clear he was getting nervous after such a long silence.

“Actuallyyy, if you don’t want to you don’t ha-”

“Sure, I have time. But you better make it worth my while”

Childe looked at you for a second then grinned. He pulled out his Kamera and gestured to you to come closer. You looked at him confused and curious, and it seemed he sensed it as he quickly explained he wanted to take a picture to capture this memory.

You laughed softly at the ginger's antics before agreeing, once he took the photo, he handed a copy of the photo to you before running off. Yelling that he’d meet you here the next day at 8.

.

.

.

“That was a cute meeting?”

Zakhar asked judgmentally, looking at you with an almost deadpan expression. He clearly did not find anything about the meeting cute.

“Him failing at flirting and you find that cute?”

You nod matter of factly with a grin, before waving him off. He wasn’t there so how would he know how cute Childes' expression was when he attempted to flirt with you? He wouldn't know how cute it was when his face lit up when you agreed to be his ‘tour guide’.

Zakhar rolled his eyes, his eyes scanned the assortment of photos still around your desk. Ignoring the paper scraps, scissors and stickers also on it. He studied the photos that had yet to be added.

“What’s that one?”

He pointed at a picture of you and Childe. You eyes glanced over at the one he was pointing at and your eyes softened. It was a picture of you and Childe outside a restaurant in Snezhnaya. His arm wrapped around your waist as he grinned at the Kamera, you were covered in his scarf, a bright smile also on your face.

“Our first date, he took me to Snezhnaya and asked me on a date, confessed to me after dinner as well”

“Shouldn’t confessions be before the dinner date?...Wait, wasn't this also after you found out about his actual job?”

“Well…yes actually, it was…but I’ve known Ajax for awhile now that I suppose I didn’t care…and also he confessed before and after the date”

You state a dreamy look in your eyes, ignoring the look on the electro user's face as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Clearly confused at how you were so willing to ignore your boyfriend's occupation. You don’t even notice however, as you recall how the date went.

.

.

.

“[Name]!!”

You turn and see Childe running up to you, you shiver a bit due to the cold and wrap your coat around you more. Smiling at him as he walks over.

He took notice of your shivering and was quick to wrap his scarf around you.

“I’m used to the cold, don’t worry”

He reassured you, before taking your hand and walking with you to a fancy restaurant. You two chatted a bit, and deep down you could tell Childe, or at this point, you knew him as Tartaglia now. He was glad you didn’t seem to care about his status as a Fatui Harbinger.

Though in all honesty, you also wondered how you didn’t figure it out quicker. Especially after finding out what he did in Liyue. Then again you were in Fontaine when it all happened and no one was talking about it when you came back.

Eventually you arrive at the restaurant, and Tartaglia, like the gentleman he is, opened the door for you and even pulled out a chair for you to sit on when you both entered.

The dinner was amazing, and Tartaglia was more than happy to pay, as you two walked out. He walked you home, or atleast to the hotel you were staying at. And as you arrived, he was about to turn and leave. “Wait, Tartaglia”

He turned and hummed in response, you took out your own Kamera and held it up.

“Can we…take a picture?”

He chuckled a bit and walked over, wrapping his arm around your waist and grabbing your Kamera.

“A picture to remember our first date? You’re rather cute aren’t you love?”

He speaks, placing a kiss on your forehead before snapping a picture of the two of you, however you don’t miss the soft voice of his as he mutters.

“I love you”

.

.

.

“Oi…Oi!”

Came a voice that snapped you out of your thoughts. Fingers snapping in front of you also brought your attention back to your friend who’s been trying to gain your attention after you started daydreaming.

Your cheeks flushed embarrassed as you scratched the back of your head with a small smile.

“Sorry-”

“Whatever, are you nearly done now? Childes meeting with the other harbingers should be finished soon, then you can give him your gift”

Zakhar states, crossing his arms, eyeing the remaining pictures. Your eyes widened in surprise and glanced at the clock. He was right, you better finish soon if you wanna meet with Ajax after his meeting. He was bound to be tired.

After a bit of begging you managed to convince Zakhar to help you finish the scrapbook. Once it was completed you hugged the book to yourself and happily walked alongside Zakhar to the Fatui headquarters.

“Did I tell you the day I met Ajax's family?”

“Please stop getting all nostalgic-”

“Well!”

You completely ignored his wishes as you started telling him about the day. How his siblings instantly loved you, his parents took a bit to warm up to you, helping with dinner and the proud face Ajaxs had when he watched you get along with his family.

This was the day you learnt of his real name. He allowed you to call him by Ajax, which should’ve been probably something that’s to be expected when you’re dating someone. Yet you felt so honoured he trusted you enough with said name.

You continued talking about what happened when you stayed with Ajax's family for a week. The crafts you made with his younger siblings, the talks you had with his older siblings and the uneasy tension you had with his parents before they warmed up to you. How you two shared a bed. It was clear you were very in love with Ajax. And it was also clear Zakhar was growing tired of it.

“And then-”

“Shhh”

He put his hand over your mouth to stop you from speaking any more. Using a free hand he rubs his temples and looks at you before gesturing that you’ve arrived. You were so caught up with your retelling of memories you didn’t realise you talked about it all the way to the front door of the Harbingers meeting room.

You patiently waited outside, the scrapbook still hugged to your body as you waited for everyone to file out of the room. As the Harbingers left, some ignored you while others gave you a nod of acknowledgement. Ajax was the last to walk out, wearing his large coat.

“Ajax!”

Your eyes didn’t fail to see how he winced as you called out to him. You weren’t being too loud were you? You shake your head, he was probably tired from the meeting.

You walked up to him and were about to hand over the scrapbook when Ajax glared at you.

“What are you doing here [Name]?”

He asked, his tone differed from his usual carefree ones. And it definitely didn’t escape yours or Zakhars attention.

“I…wanted to see you…it’s our anniversary?”

“Right…our anniversary…”

Ajax speaks, nodding. He seems lost in thought, you were about to speak up when he raised a hand to stop you.

“[Name], I think we should break up”

“...Sorry?”

Ajax looked at you, it was clear to you that he wasn’t joking. Did you do anything to make him want to break up with you? Now that you recall, he was starting to get distant since a week ago.

“I…have no use for you anymore…look, I’m not going to continue dragging this relationship on when I never had any feelings for you…you were simply…”

“A pawn in chess?”

Zakhar asks, raising an eyebrow as he walks over to the two of you, having listened in. Ajax pauses before slowly nodding, going to explain more.

“[Name] was…a key to get information on someone that made enemies with us…”

“And you thought the best way to do that was to pretend you liked them? To act as if you two were a happy couple. I don’t mean to judge Lord Tartaglia but that doesn’t seem like a good reason”

You stood there for a bit, clutching the scrapbook in your hands still as Ajax and Zakhar argued. Your mind was trying to process.

So Ajax just came up to you so he could get information on an enemy of the Fatui?

So Tartaglia only took you on a date to act like he truly loved you, so that you trusted him?

So Childe only brought you to meet with his family to act like he trusted you.

Your lips thinned as you dropped the scrapbook and ran off, gaining the attention of the 2 Fatui members.

“[Na-”

“You have no right to try and call after them now”

Zakhar glared, before running after you. Due to being in the Fatui for a while, he easily caught up to you, finding you crying. And although he wasn’t all too good at comforting someone, he still took you back home and tried his best to calm you down. Taking care of you until you fell asleep.

Meanwhile with Childe, his eyes glanced at the book you dropped, picking it up he flicked through it and felt his heart clench. You made a book filled with the memories you had with him, a book meant to show all the happy times you had with him.

Yet it was only a book of lies now.