#Personal Protective Equipment Kit

[livvyofthelake]

and also. furthermore. sorry, back in the belly of the beast. i cannot stand it when people characterize kit’s dad as abusive. what did johnny rook ever do to you people. yeah he sucks a little bit. ok. and? he’s not abusive…. why must fanfiction and fandom in general always characterize the sad boy in their gay ship as being abused by their father. like do we need to blame blue neighborhood for this or are fandom people just that out of touch that this happened naturally. sorry to troye sivan for bringing his hit album/iconic music video trilogy into this. but seriously do we need to blame him. why does every fandom do this. but especially why does the tsc fandom do it to KIT. kit is a pov character man we KNOW kit. and you’re still just making things up about him…

[priyankap0018]

Navigating Through PPE Sectors: Global Textile Market Analysis

The Personal Protective Equipment Industry encompasses the production and distribution of essential gear like masks, gloves, and safety goggles designed to safeguard individuals from workplace hazards or contagious diseases. It plays a pivotal role in ensuring occupational safety standards and protecting public health in various sectors worldwide.

[bisexualbaker]

Crochet Pattern for Palestine and Israel Relief

At long last, it's done!

This crochet pattern is for small cats, of a good size to make into keychains, magnets, or even hair clips! There are six PDF versions available:

- US stitch names in 12 point Atkinson Hyperlegible - US stitch names in 22 point Atkinson Hyperlegible - US stitch names in 22 point Comic Sans

- UK stitch names in 12 point Atkinson Hyperlegible - UK stitch names in 22 point Atkinson Hyperlegible - UK stitch names in 22 point Comic Sans

Between those six options, that should cover most pattern accessibility needs. If you need something else, though, let me know! I'm prepared to offer a .doc or similar file on an individual basis if you need a screenreader to access crochet patterns, and have a sheet I can use to translate things to German stitch terms (though more in-depth instructions would still be in English). The pattern is worked primarily in (US) single crochet/(UK) double crochet, with the ears in (US) double crochet/(UK) treble crochet popcorn stitches, and is bundled with similar file options of a popcorn stitch tutorial PDF (no stitch names used).

"Socchan," you say, "These cats are super cute! And you said that this pattern is for charity? How does that work exactly?"

I'm glad you asked! Simply donate a minimum of $3 or close-enough local equivalent to a related charity, then take a screencap of your receipt/proof of donation. Block out any information that could doxx you; it's nice if you trust me, but it's not impossible that my email could get hacked, and I want you to be safe! Finally, email the altered screencap to socchan (at) protonmail (dot) com.

Once I get and check the screencap, I will email you back with a link to a MediaFire folder and the password you'll need to open the PDFs. Yes, it is a bit of a pain to need a password to open these files, but this was the simplest way I could figure out how to do things without needing to upload and send a minimum of six files to every person. Download as many of the variations as you want, keep a copy of the password somewhere safe (and don't delete the email with it), and go to town!

As a bonus, if you take your donation up to at least $5 (or close-enough local equivalent), I'll throw in an additional link and password for a very cute little flower pattern!

"That sounds pretty easy," you go on to say, "but where should I donate? There are so many options to choose from!"

No problem! Here's a couple of short lists of options that can help you narrow things down:

Palestine: Palestine Children's Relief Fund - Focuses on medical aid to children in Palestine Medical Aid for Palestine - "[H]elp MAP respond to the ongoing emergency in Gaza, as well as provide medical supplies, support healthcare services and deliver long term development to healthcare in the occupied Palestinian territory and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon." MAP reportedly has a team on the ground in Gaza, providing critical medical aid. Anera - Providing food, hygiene kits, and medical care in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Palestine Red Crescent - More medical support in Palestine; the rest of the webpage is in Arabic, so be prepared if you want to click around at all. Basically the Palestinian Red Cross. Gaza Cemetery Project - "Al-Hamdulillah, a ​​5,500 square meters’ piece of land has been secured to create a public cemetery for the city and neighbouring areas." This area still needs a fence to protect the burial plots before it can be used.

Israel: Zaka - A group of first responders and people who identify bodies and prepare them for burial (sadly, sorely needed right now); they are in need of safety equipment, medical supplies, first aid kits, and more. Red Magen David - The Israeli/Jewish equivalent of the Red Cross; first responder medical support and similar. (This one has some pretty immediate upsetting text, so take care!) Hatzalah - Similar to Red Magen David, another first responder and emergency medical group. The Koby Mandell Foundation - Focuses on bereavement aid in Israel for people who have lost loved ones in traumatic circumstances; they've got support hotlines and can arrange for support visits, among other things. The Refuser Solidarity Network - Providing support for Israeli citizens who refuse government mandatory military service.

I think that's everything, aside from: Please Signal Boost! If I end up having to send out two hundred emails in the next couple of days, that still won't be too many.

[lilith-vodkaaunt-of-demons]

In an unmarked laboratory in North Eastern Kansas.

Breathing heavily, Cass stood up and took a look at her handy work, swiping copper curls away from her eyes. It had taken some effort, creativity, and lots and lots of cursing, but the room was finally finished. Mere months ago it had been a vague image of a dream of an idea, but now it was finally complete. Her friends and colleagues all laughed at her. Her parents had even gone back on their word to fund her Graduate School, telling her they had agreed to fund her schooling for a career, not a dead end obsession. But look at her now! In a laboratory! With real equipment! And funding! It didn't matter that she'd never heard of the government department those two bozos in their ridiculous white monkey suits claimed to be from, they'd handed her a functionally bottomless grant, all the equipment and time she needed, and told her only one thing.

"Report everything to us. No matter how miniscule you think it is, no matter how insignificant. If your coffee tastes different after an experiment, report it." What a bunch of weirdos.

"Ha...haha...hahaha hahaha! Finally! Now that the room is finished, all I need to do is start the process!" Cass crowed gleefully, giddy with excitement and anticipation. She once again looked at her work. She had to admit...it looked like the room of a person suffering from unmedicated schizophrenia. In the center of the 15x15 room was a circle, about 4 feet in diameter, inside the circle were symbols, sigils, and diagrams from Alchemy to the Zodiac. Just outside that circle was a ring of solidified salt, pressed into an impression on the floor. Spreading out from that across the floor, up the walls, and even on the ceilings were words in every language from Aztec to Sumerian, and religious iconography from every religion from Christianity to Zunism.

Cass had spent years preparing for this. Using every cent, every favor, every resource and scrap of goodwill she could find in preparation for this. She was finally going to prove to everyone that she wasn't some obsessed lunatic. She was going to prove the existence of Higher Beings. And to do it, she was going to summon a demon. Now all she had to do was start the process.

It was easy. She stepped up to the center of the circle. The focal point of the entire array of binding spells, prays, and words of power she'd inscribed in every surface of the room save for this cirlce, the one clean spot. She pulled out a scalpel and sliced the inside of her forearm, letting the blood bead up, then drip down and pool on the floor. She'd never understood the idea of cutting your hand. You used those. This was much easier to take care of, and you still had the use of both hands. After a few moments of letting the blood collect, Cass wrapped her arm in a towel, pressing down to make the bleeding slow, and stepped back out of the salt circle.

She briefly left the room, going to the first aid kit she left just outside the door to see to the minor laceration. After all, she didn't want dripping blood to ruin her sigils and protection charms. Once the bleed stopped, she returned to the room, a notebook in hand. She opened the notebook and began to chant.

400 miles away, at the Kent's Farm...

A young man, not dissimilar to Clark Kent when he was younger, was helping Pa Kent fix up the old tractor while Ma Kent tended to the animals. It seemed the pair had figured out what was wrong with it, but it was in a particularly hard to reach place.

"Sounds like we're gonna need to pull the whole engine out to fix this." Pa Kent said, a bit of disappointment in his voice, "That's gonna be pricey. Might have to wait a while." He mumbled to himself, one hand rubbing his jaw, leaving a trail of oil along his face, "Gonna be tough getting the crop in without ol' Bessie."

"Naaaah, don't worry about a thing. I can patch her up well enough to get the harvest in, then we can take out the engine over the winter." Danny said, his hand turning opaque. He then slid his hand through the chassi of the tractor, "Hold on," He continued, his face suddenly turned similarly opaque, "Better see what I'm doing here." He said as he shoved his face into the chassi of the tractor as well, "Yup! We were right! Duct busted. I can patch it up nicely, should last until the harvest is brought in!" He called from inside the tractor.

Pa Kent shook his head and chuckled, "Even with everything Clark did, I don't think I'll ever get use to that. Go ahead and patch her up. Then we can head in for lunch before tackling the field." He said, giving Danny a pat on the back. Suddenly a bright green glow emenates from the inside of the tractor before Danny pulled his head and hand back out.

"Let it cool, and it should be good an' patched." He said proudly, soot and oil covering his entire face and one hand.

"You uh, got somethin' on your face, Danny."

"Oh? Where?"

"Uh. there." Pa Kent said, pointing to the entirety of Danny's face before tossing him a rag, and turning to head into the house. Danny began to wipe his face off, then started coughing a bit, "Yeah, that oil can taste somethin' awful if it gets in your mouth." Pa said, thinking Danny had just tasted some of the oil, but Danny kept coughing, and the coughing got worse until Pa turned around to see Danny on his knees, one hand over his mouth, another around his throat like he was choking. Black frost and steam poured from Danny's mouth like he'd just run a mile on a freezing December morning, but it was the middle of the day in early September, nearly 90 degrees out in an open field. Pa ran over to Danny, and knelt down in front of him, "You okay, boy?" He asked, worry plain on his face.

Danny shook his head and gasped, "Something!...Big!...Coming!" Was all he could get out before, in a flash of light, he'd transformed into his alter-ego, Danny Phantom, and in a streak of green, blasted off into the sky, soon followed by the telltale boom of super sonic flight.

Danny was already about a mile above the ground, still coughing up what he could only describe as frost mixed with soot and rotten eggs. It was like his Ghost Sense had gone into overdrive, and happened to run through a Coal Mine and a Landfill on it's way out. Even Pariah Dark hadn't made his Ghost Sense react like that, especially not at this distance. Whatever it was, he needed to get there yesterday, because it, whatever it was, was absolutely massive and even from there, Danny could feel the hostility radiating from it. Bad News didn't even begin to cover whatever this thing was.

Meanwhile, back at the Laboratory...

Cassi began chanting the invocation she'd pieced together. It had been like figuring out a puzzles who's pieces had been hidden all over the world. Words from disparate languages that fit together to make an ancient call to those Outside. But Cass had managed to find the words and put them together. She hoped she'd put them together in the correct order, otherwise who knew what she was calling out to.

At first, it didn't seem to be working. No crack in the ground or air appeared. No red skinned, horned imp appeared in a puff of crimson smoke. The lights didn't even flicker as she read the incantation. Cass was about to stop when she saw a ripple run across the surface of the pool of her blood in the center of the inner circle. First a small ripple, like a drop of water hitting the surface of a puddle. Cass continued chanting. Then another ripple, from left to right, like something skimming the surface. Cass continued chanting. Then it seemed to stop.

Cass chanted for a minute or two, spurred on by the unusual behavior of the blood. Right as her throat was beginning to ache, a hand burst through the surface of the blood, pale skin stained red and rivulets of blood ran down the arm that followed. The hand gripped the edge of the pool of blood like it was much deeper than it could possibly be. Then another hand burst forth, also followed by a pale arm.

Cass stopped chanting, what she had called had obviously already broken through, and was now simply pulling itself out. She watched in fascination that slowly mixed with a bit of fear as she realized that the being that was pulling itself out of a pool of her blood looked exactly like her, save for it's eyes, with black sclera and yellow iris. Cass watched with matched Fascination and Fear as the being continued to pull itself from the pool, and she realized that the more of the doppleganger that was out of the blood, the less blood there appeared to be.

Cass also noticed, with some surprise, that while she had initially the creature to be naked, it (she?) was in facted, clothed. She wore a strapless, low-cut black ball gown that clung to her (Cass's?) body in all the right places to accentuate her feminine form in ways Cass rarely did.

Once the woman (demon?) had completely pulled itself through, and the puddle of blood completely disappeared, she stood up, smiling at Cass in what she assumed was it's purposefully unnerving way. She had to admit, this is not what she had expected. In truth, she hadn't really known what to expect, but this wasn't it. She had thought there might be a chance that whatever she summoned might try to imitate her form, but in a more threatening manner. Boils, pustules, sores, and lacerations, things to make her terrified, or perhaps a more perfect version of herself, with the things she considered defects or unattractive about herself washed away.

She was not prepared for a rather normal looking, though perhaps less desheveled and better dressed, version of herself. She was actually so distracted by the pure mundanity of the entity before her that she jumped and screamed when the creature spoke.

"D̷̺̉o̷͍̎ ̵̥̏y̸͔͗o̸̡̾u̵̹͠ ̶̟̀k̵͎͌n̴͙͗ȯ̶̟ẅ̴́͜ ̶͚̀w̵̭͘h̵̻͝y̶͓̌ ̵͎́p̴͍̿e̸̮͛o̵̠͝p̶̩̓l̶̡̃è̵̮ ̵͖̈́ȃ̵̳l̶̹̂w̵̞̋a̸͛ͅy̷͉͒ş̷̇ ̴̪͐s̶̥̉u̶̞̅m̵̻͑m̷̢͒ò̸̤n̵̬̏ ̸̨̈ǘ̸̳ș̷̃ ̵͙͌b̸͙͑y̵̹͆ ̴̣͐ǩ̷͎i̷͖͒l̶̺͛l̴͎͛ị̴͂n̷̞͗g̵̮̍ ̴̌͜a̷̮͠n̶͕̚ ̷̩͝a̶̧͐n̵̽͜i̴̥̽m̶͉̑a̸͓͌l̴̤̓?̶̼̂" It asked, it's voice like a thousand people speaking almost in unison, making it a bit hard to understand.

Cass, after screaming and jumping so hard she almost fell over, took a deep breath and reoriented herself, "I...What?" She asked, between the synchronicity and her being startled, she hadn't processed the question.

The creature repeated itself, this time the effect is lessened a bit, "D̷o̵ ̴y̶o̵u̶ ̶k̶n̵o̷w̸ ̷w̶h̷y̴ ̴p̵e̵o̸p̸l̵e̶ ̷a̸l̶w̵a̷y̶s̶ ̶s̶u̴m̴m̴o̶n̵ ̵u̶s̵ ̵b̵y̴ ̵k̵i̶l̶l̵i̶n̴g̷ ̶a̷n̷ ̴a̵n̴i̷m̸a̸l̸ i̵n̷s̸t̷e̵a̶d̷ ̶o̶f̸ ̶o̵f̶f̴e̵r̸i̸n̴g̵ ̸h̸u̵m̵a̸n̸ ̸b̶l̷o̴o̵d̶?̷" As it asked the question, it lightly stepped to the edge of the circle, lightly touching something unseen with one of Cass's fingers.

Cass blinked, then looked down at her notebook. She flipped through a few pages before looking back at the woman with her face, "Um...No. Why?" Cass asked. This wasn't what she was expecting at all. Something felt...off. Like maybe she'd made a mistake that she wasn't quite aware of. But whatever that may have been, she was sure she was right about the sigils, the protective charms, the binding spells. There was no way the entity could escape.

Almost as if it could read Cass's mind, it grinned, "Connection. A Goat. A Lamb. A fowl of some sort." Now the entity was speaking in Cass's voice, which only served to cause her more discomfort, "They cut it's throat, release it's....delicious life blood, and summon us. Giving us Horns. Hooves. Wings....mmmmflesh." It purred, running it's hands up and down it's, Cass's, body, "Giving us...Connection."

"Connection to here? To Earth?" Cass asked. She was having trouble following. Her brain was being sluggish for some reason. She couldn't seem to put thoughts together in her head, and the entity wasn't making any sense.

"The smarter ones leave the sacrifice dead in the circle. The less smart ones kill but leave the body out of the circle, and dead bodies are so easy to manipulate." The Entity explained, stepping over the edge of the circle, "But it's the Smartest ones that make the same mistake over and over, because you don't want money, or power, or anything like the rest of them. You just want answers." It continued as it walked up to Cass, wrapping an arm around her waist. Cass, meanwhile, felt a pang of fear jolt through her, but she couldn't quite remember why. Something about words and circles. Boundaries? "In the end, it's your pacifism, your mercy that kills you. Had you just beheaded a chicken, or disembowled some livestock, you might have lived to tell others not to seek these answers." It whispered to Cass, "But you've handed me the keys to your body, and oh, I am going to make myself right at home."

"My...blood...." Was all Cass could say. Demon, Devil, whatever it was, it was exerting some kind of anesthetic influence on her, slowing her body and her mind, but she was still able to make the connection. The sigils, the symbols, the protection charms and spells. None of them had worked because Cass had used her own blood. Whatever it was, it had bypassed them all because Cass was outside the barrier.

Not Cass giggled delightedly, "It makes it all the sweeter that you figured out what you did wrong too little too-"BOOM! Not Cass began to say, but was interrupted by the sound of something that had been moving very fast hitting a Warded Steel Wall. Slowly, as if reaching through thick mud, a white-gloved hand slid through the wall, then another, and a boot, then another. Finally, a very red, very unhappy face slid through after it.

"What in the fu-Whoa!" Danny said, his ghost form flickering, half reverting him to human, "What is up with this room? First, it acts like a non-newtonian liquid despite me being intangible, and now this? What's going WHOA!" Danny shouted, just noticing the pair inside with him. His vision flickered between two women and a woman and some kind of vile chimera beast starting to overshadow the woman.

The Not Woman smiles as she looked Danny up and down, "Well, aren't you an interes-OOF!" It started to say before getting interrupted by Danny tackling it, separating it from the woman it was trying to overshadow. "My, you're stronger than you look, Ghostling!" It cackled, "Maybe we can have some fun!" It struck out at Danny, the human fist reinforced by the power of the beast hiding behind it. It wasn't the hardest Danny had ever been hit, but it certainly wasn't a Box Ghost Punch either.

"Look Lady, I don't know what your whole deal is, but around here, we don't just overshadow people for shits and giggles. And we certainly don't let people with your kind of vibes just hang around, either!" Danny said, wrapping the beast in ecto-energy while fending off the Not Woman. Something not dissimilar to a Ghost Portal was still open on the floor, but Danny could feel from just looking at it that whatever was on the otherside was nothing like the Ghost Zone.

"Oh ho! You really are impressive!" The Not Woman growled, a grin on her face, but it was clear that she was struggling with the ecto-shield he'd wrapped around her true body, "But you don't know what you're meddling with, Daniel. Beings such as yourself are easy to influence!" She said, sucking the strange creature into her body, freeing her from the ecto-shield he'd wrapped around it. She launched herself at Danny, and opened her mouth, a vile, black sludge ejecting all over Danny's face.

"How-Eugh! Forget it, I don't even want to know how you know my name! I've had more than enough of you! Time. To. Go. Home!" Danny roared, wrapping the Not Woman in a bear hug as she continued to vomit the black sludge on him. Then he spun towards the portal, and used all of his might to slam her down into it, knocking her off of him and into the portal. Using his portal powers, he grabbed the edges of the tear, and began to force it shut.

As he's closing the portal, black hands reached through and pull him against the half-closed portal, and a screeching voice shrieked, "You and I are not finished, Child of Thanatos! Descendant of Azrael! You will seek me out soon enough!" It screeched, grabbing at Danny as he struggled to close the portal.

Danny eyes briefly flashed red and he growled back, "Enough! I don't know who you are, but go back to where you came from!" He shouted, slamming the portal shut with all his strength. The entity gone, the portal shut, Danny was suddenly overcome with a wave of exhaustion, his Ghost Form fully reverting back. He fell to his knees, he head swimming as the effects of the room finally began to effect him. Only then did he notice the searing pain from the left half of his face, where the Not Woman had vomited the nasty black sludge on him. Knowing what was coming next, Danny reached into his pocket and pressed the emergency button on his phone before passing out.

Somewhere...

Danny floated in a black void. It wasn't the first time he'd had a dream like this, though he couldn't rightly recall the first time he'd had one. It was actually somewhat of a relief, since most of his dreams had to do with a cavalcade of rogues from his rogues gallery. Or so he'd thought. Something was different this time. This time, it didn't feel like he was alone in the black void. He could hear movement, whispers, feel eyes on him. Something was there with him. He goes to rub his eyes, and feels scale-like skin on his face. Suddenly he's looking at his own face, except half of it isn't his, it's monsterous.

"I TOLD YOU I WASN'T FINISHED WITH YOU, GHOSTLING!" A familiar, shrill voice screeched and cackled. Danny screamed, and sat up from the hospital bed he was in, his heart, ususally much slower than normal, nearly beating out of his chest. He looked around, and quickly recognized the medical floor of the JL Watchtower. His emergency call must have gone through. He sighed with relief, and laid back in the hospital bed. He attempted to relax, but that dream continued to bug him.

Soon enough, a doctor came in, "Well, given your...unique biology, we can't say anything for certain, but now that you've stabilized, you should be fine." The doctor said, looking through some chart, "Though, there is one thing we should probably look into..."

"Hold on." Danny said, holding up a hand, "Stabilized? I passed out because of the funky stuff in the weird room, what do you mean Stabilized?"

The Doctor rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous gesture, "Well, Daniel...when the WatchTower emergency crew found you, you seemed to be having some sort of...episode? You kept changing into a ghost and back to your human form. In fact, you were doing it the entire time you were unconscious, and only stopped shortly before you woke up." The doctor explained, "And then there's..."

"And then there's....what, doc? What's going on." Danny asked, a bit exasperated.

"It might be better for you to see it."

"See. What. Doctor." Danny ground out. The Doctor held out a mirror. At first Danny hesitated, the dream coming back to him briefly, but then he grabbed the mirror from the doctor and held it up and...nothing. He looked completely normal, black hair, blue eyes. Skin was fine, "I look fine."

"Transform, Daniel."

Danny did as he was told, and transformed, then gasped and dropped the mirror, his hands flying to his face. It wasn't the same as the nightmare, exactly, but it wasn't good, either. Starting at about the half-way point across his forehead, the skin of his forehead began to turn black and hard, pulling up until it all came together in an unmistakable black horn coming out from his left temple. The Sclera of his eye partially black, highlighting the neon green even moreso. Whatever that thing was, it had done this to him, whatever this was. And it had been right, that wasn't going to be the last time they saw each other.

[stay-tiny-ville]

Seo Changbin

Summary ~ what you can catch me daydreaming about when I think is Seo Changbin ☺️ (or just dating head cannons for my first bias of Stray Kids; Seo Changbin)

A.N - I don’t know why but my phone, which is what I edit and write on a small portion of the time, always autocorrects Changbin to CHANGBIN and I can’t tell you how many times it has auto capitalized and I’ve had to go back and fix it smh

A.N. 2 - Binnie is and was my bias when I first discovered Stray Kids and was my best friend’s too at the time, and while I lean more now towards OT8, Binnie will always be my first love

A.N. 3 - at this point I’m just doing all the Stray Kids members before I move on to Ateez, and while I’m in my current Atiny obsessed phase, I’m still trying to figure out who they are and what they’re love is like. But I’m getting there :)

———————————————————

A hot take that some may not agree with - I don’t think he’d date someone taller than him. I know short kings and tall queens get together a lot but I don’t think Bin is someone to date someone taller purely on the fact I feel like he’s made fun of a lot, and while he acts like it doesn’t affect him much—dating someone taller would definitely amp it up

Just my thoughts 🤷🏻‍♀️

Love, sweetheart, lovely, sweets, baby, are what I think he would call you

Holds his arm around your neck and ohmygod he knows what those muscles do

Whenever you’re waiting for something/someone or just hanging out around the dorms he brings you to him by your waist and sits you between his legs, back facing him

Would ask you to go to the gym with him and never in the “you need to workout” way, he’d only mention it once asking if you want to workout with him and depending on your answer he never asks again

He only asked at the beginning for company for him :)

If you started to workout while dating he would ask to be your trainer and would be so gentle with you and not hurt your body

Plus he’s extra protective on the equip where you could hurt yourself

Would tell you he is so proud of you when you progress :(

Pays for absolutely everything and steals your card and hides it (tells you about it so you don’t think it’s actually stolen lmao)

Sometimes he just kneels down in front of you to give you a piggyback ride or sometimes (a lot) he just turns you to face him and lifts you and you wrap your arms and legs around him like a koala

Does it so much that you instinctively lift your arms when he moves to lift you

He brings you to the studio and has a sort of kit of his hoodies and blankets for you to lay on the couch with

You normally stay awake with him and he knows you’re awake by your tapping noises on your phone

But when the noises fade slowly he turns his chair around to you drifting and his rolls his chair over to you

You look at him and he softly smiles at you before he lifts you onto his lap

You sit so you’re straddled him and your head rests on his shoulder

If you’re awake when he does that sometimes you play with the hair on the back of his neck and he kisses your head

If you sleep he takes frequent breaks from working to kiss your head/neck or he just sits back and wraps his one arm around your back and the other rests on the back of your head

When you wake (because he wouldn’t dare wake you by getting up) he stops all work and sits back to watch you wake all the way up again

His hands going back to their place on your back and head

He smiles and says “There you are” when you smile back at him

He kisses your forehead and you fall back into his chest

He always makes sure you are healthy and eating/being hydrated

Personally I struggle with staying hydrated and I know he always carries a bottle with him for you

The absolute biggest baby girl but the biggest scary dog privilege too

If you dress up for date night in dresses he would gasp, eyes wide and have you do little spins :((

Will bark at people if he has to

If it isn’t obvious I just want to be held by him

But laying on his lap omfg THOSE THIGHS

Like Maniac got me in a chokehold

Poppin fr

Loves your laugh, your smile, your bright eyes, and would do absolutely anything to bring out any of it

Honestly in no way shape or form is Changbin loved as much as he should be and it hurts my Binnie beloved heart and I will die before he thinks he’s not as loved as the rest of the group

[pumpsoul-oct123]

The Importance of Preparedness: 10 Essential Items for Your Survival Kit

1. Water and Water Filtration

What to Include:

Water: At least one gallon per person per day for at least three days.

Water Filtration System: Portable water filters or purification tablets to ensure you can make any water source potable.

2. Non-Perishable Food

What to Include:

Canned Goods: Fruits, vegetables, and ready-to-eat meals.

Dry Goods: Rice, pasta, cereals, and protein bars.

Specialty Items: Baby formula, pet food, and items for dietary restrictions.

3. First Aid Kit

What to Include:

Basic Supplies: Bandages, antiseptic wipes, adhesive tape, and scissors.

Medications: Pain relievers, antihistamines, and any prescription medications.

Specialized Tools: Tweezers, a digital thermometer, and a CPR mask.

4. Emergency Lighting and Power

What to Include:

Flashlights and Batteries: LED flashlights with extra batteries.

Solar-Powered Lights: Solar lanterns and portable solar chargers for electronic devices.

Hand-Crank Radio: A multi-function radio that can receive weather updates and charge your phone.

5. Shelter and Warmth

What to Include:

Emergency Blankets: Thermal blankets or sleeping bags.

Tarp and Duct Tape: For creating makeshift shelters.

Warm Clothing: Hats, gloves, and extra layers of clothing.

6. Personal Hygiene Items

What to Include:

Sanitation Supplies: Wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and biodegradable soap.

Toiletries: Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products.

Waste Bags: Plastic bags for disposing of waste safely.

7. Important Documents

What to Include:

Identification: Copies of passports, driver’s licenses, and Social Security cards.

Medical Information: Health insurance cards, medical records, and prescriptions.

Financial Information: Bank account details, credit card information, and insurance policies.

8. Tools and Supplies

Why It’s Essential: Having the right tools can make a significant difference in an emergency, allowing you to perform necessary repairs, signal for help, or navigate your surroundings.

What to Include:

Multi-Tool: A versatile tool that includes pliers, a knife, and screwdrivers.

Whistle: For signaling for help.

Maps and Compass: Local maps and a compass for navigation if GPS is unavailable.

9. Communication Devices

What to Include:

Cell Phone and Charger: An extra charger or power bank.

Two-Way Radios: Battery-powered radios for communication if cell service is down.

Emergency Contact List: A written list of important phone numbers.

10. Personal Protection Equipment

What to Include:

Face Masks: N95 respirators or other protective masks.

Gloves: Durable work gloves for handling debris.

Protective Clothing: Long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect against exposure.

[lowkeyed1]

great interview, definitely some info i haven't seen anywhere else... ----- ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: I don't think you could end the show without losing someone, but how did you decide it would be Graydon as opposed to Airk, Boorman, or anyone else who's life was in imminent danger?

JONATHAN KASDAN: There was some conversation about that. But we all felt that there was something beautifully tragic about Graydon, and as a character, he is our Dark Prince. We always called him the Dark Prince in our construction of the show. One of the questions we always had and hoped to keep alive to some extent throughout the season was, "Is he good or is he evil?" As the show progressed, he's pretty definitively good. His devotion to Elora was so pure, and the way he played those scenes was so lovely and tender. It felt like the thing that would most impel Elora into this final stage of her development was the loss of this completely devoted person. As is often the case with these decisions, and they're sometimes unpopular, sometimes you want the most devastating possible thing. And for her, he felt like that.

Now that Airk has come back to himself, is there any chance he and Elora would reconnect? Or is her heart fully with Graydon at this point?

She's not with either of them, frankly, at the moment. She's intent on taking a little break from the dating world entirely, and we'll see how she does with that. But conversely, Airk is not at all over her. In fact, she's only more attractive to him now that she's empress of the world and the most powerful sorcerer ever and has come into her power so fully. But I definitely think the bloom is off the rose for Elora.

If Elora hadn't changed her mind during that wedding ceremony, how bad would that have been for everyone else?

It would've been bad. One of the things that the movie set up that is a helpful bit of storytelling is this idea that this baby, they couldn't just like chuck her out the window and kill her, and that would be the end of it. There was something about her spirit that needed to be either extinguished or transported or moved in some way that made killing her not a good option, which is convenient as a storytelling device for the movie. They've got to get her back to the castle. She's going to be okay a little longer. But it's really helpful for us here in the series that there's something more at stake than simply, "Will she live or die?" There's something about her that is spirit. It's in line with George Lucas' philosophical, quasi-religious stuff about the Force. There's a great speech in Empire Strikes Back that I was just thinking about last night — that I'm sure my father wrote — which is that we're more than just this crude matter. We're celestial beings. There's something of Elora that is pure light, and it would've been really bad if he'd been able to suck that light out of her mouth.

Boorman gives his own reasoning for it, but why is Kit finally able to use the armor?

Kit's journey is about embracing responsibility. It's a very personal idea to me because I myself struggle with this very question of, "How much responsibility do I want to have? And family and who do I take responsibility for?" She's running away from that responsibility all season. In the end of the season, she finds herself moved by Elora and devoted to her, and above all the other characters, she is the one most equipped to protect her, spiritually and emotionally. Metaphorically, Elora represents the natural spirit of the world, and Kit represents our human role in that. She goes from being very selfish to very generous. It's that journey that makes her worthy of the armor.

We do see Willow and Elora defeat the Crone, but I take it, if you have your druthers that their fight is far from over?

Absolutely. It was always designed to be a three-act story. These things have to have a finite end to them. Because as a fan of these stories, I don't want to think that creators are just continuing it as long as they can to make a buck. It's nice in this day and age where there's an appetite from these streaming services for stories that do continue but aren't endless. This was very much designed and intended that this would be the first part of the story about Elora coming into her power, and then she would have to contend with darker forces beyond that.

They do end this with the charred remnants of Willow's staff and Elora's wand broken. How much is that going to be an obstacle to them? Will they need to repair those things?

You really hit on something with the staff question, and it's been something we've talked about a lot in the writer's room. It was a very intentional decision for Willow to sacrifice the conduit for his power to save Airk. We wanted him to give something up that was meaningful. It felt like a fun way to enter potentially future stories where he doesn't have that way of expressing the magic in himself and to have that be a challenge that he has to overcome.

Early in the show, we see Willow say a prophecy claims Elora Danan has to die. We saw her make it through this time, but should we still be worried about that?

Absolutely. The Crone is the Wyrm's agent. She's this talent agent, she goes out, she makes the deals, she tries to recruit the people. She's the producer, but she's not the talent herself. The Wyrm is the thing. And that dark force that presses against the light is still very much out there in the world to be contended with.

When we get to those final moments of the season, Graydon seems to be waking up on this battlefield that we've seen in Willow's nightmares. Is that accurate?

It's so accurate that the moment we finished shooting Warwick standing up in that battlefield, we were like, "Okay, get Warrick out of there, throw Tony in." We were racing the clock to do it. And Tony was in position not 10 seconds after Warwick had vacated it.

The final battle really reminded me visually of the Harry Potter wand duels. How much of a visual reference point was that for you?

Huge. There's the promise of a lot of things in that final scene. But the big one for me is that in a character like Elora, much like Luke Skywalker or Harry Potter, there is the potential for incredible good and incredible darkness. We wanted to complicate the meaning of that a little bit over the course of the season and not have such hard and fast concepts of good and evil. Particularly Star Wars has a very clear bad guys-good guys thing, and we've made it much more in our series about desires versus ideals and the conflict between those two forces within ourselves. Certainly, that conflict is alive in Elora. The temptation of what the Wyrm represents is powerful. Ellie communicates it in this almost ecstatic way that she plays out the battle with the Crone. It's terrifying and hard, but it's also clearly getting her off a little bit (laughs). We really wanted to play on that and unequivocally with that final scene, stay with the fact that the potential for something really bad is in her too. Something really rather destructive is in her too.

Should we interpret that final version of Elora that Graydon sees as her potential alternate path?

Yes. And as the clear statement of intention by the bad guy.

You said before you'd like to have Val Kilmer appear in a second season.

There's nothing I would like more. The world is unpredictable, but certainly the runway has been laid for him, and we'd love it.

But you did have Christian Slater as a guest star. Is there another 1980s heartthrob you'd love to have on the show?

I'm a huge Billy Zane fan. If I could find a way to use that man in Willow, I would be very pleased. He's under-appreciated, under-loved and brilliant. I'm not the only one who feels this way. He's done some great stuff lately. So I'm hopeful that he's someone we could use someday.

Hulu and Disney+ are a package deal, and with Reservation Dogs, there are now two Elora Danans in the Disney family. Is there some crossover potential there?

(Laughs) No, but we invited them all to the premiere. They weren't able to make it, but we are still fighting for an opportunity to have a coffee between our two Elora Danans. They need to sit and do a photo shoot together or something. It's too perfect. That show is unbelievably great. I would love to have Devery Jacobs guest star on the show. That would be a really fun idea.

Is there any news you could share on a potential season 2?

Only that I'm sitting in my office and continuing to plan and scheme. It's a strange time in the business. It's a transformative time for Disney. So, I couldn't tell you anything that felt certain, except that we're continuing to work on this with every intention of doing more.

Can you tease where you envision it going from here?

The events of the finale have to be dealt with in a meaningful way at the top of wherever the story goes and the implications of the trauma those events caused to our characters and where it lands each of them. I'd love to get these characters out of that desert. Beyond that, they're all looking at very clear conflicts that were deeply positioned in season 1. Specifically, with Jade, the question of her loyalties and where her politics are going to land her is at the forefront in our minds in terms of where that character can go and, and how she's torn between love and country a little bit. There's no shortage of directions that we'd love to explore, but at its core, it is about this conflict between this otherworldly entity and our heroes. And that's far from over.

[stratocumulus-cloud]

Personal HC's for the TWST Warrior Cats AU. They won't leave me alone

Turns out some of the magic is caused by radioactive runoff from when twolegs inhabited the now forest millennium ago. About the amount of time needed to stably evolve into dire beasts and evolve enough protection for their genetic code. The plants and surroundings have also evolved to deal with the intrusions.

Kittypets aren't often equipped to deal with the radiation/magic sickness and to the clan cats it's Starclan reinforcing the idea that they will not tolerate outsiders. Kittypets are thought not to be able to use magic. However recent examples have proved otherwise and are determined to prove that yes they are as good if not better than their peers.

Enough of this 'magic' can cause cats to break down and overblot. It's very hard to reverse an overblot. That said a skilled enough medicine cat can slow down the blot until it's manageable. Generally blot is irreversible and deeply tied to the Dark Forest. Therefore it's seen as a curse for those who have violated the Warrior Code.

That said IgnihydeClan (or whatever it ends up being) has multiple medicine cats studying its effects. Some are rumored to be immune to blot at the expense of their lifespan or personal magic. They have strong beliefs in the afterworld hence nicknamed the Border Clan. Ignihyde has a high concentration of radiation/magic and kits tend to die young so those who make it to adulthood often feel they carry the weight and hopes of those who didn't make it.

Beastpaw is an anomaly and was originally thought to be an amnesiac kittypet. Until proven otherwise.

More light hearted: Arrowstrike has explored the Abandoned Territory before Beastpaw arrived and knows all the good hidey-holes. Grimpaw does not appreciate this.

This is such a cool concept. You clearly have thought more about this au than I have :p

On another note, mainly RavenClan and HeartClan likes to welcome in kitty pets due to, HeartStar’s (The Red Queen) mate was a kitty pet and made it a rule to treat kitty pets with respect and not to shun any. As for RavenStar (The evil Queen) she’s made deals with them in the past for different kinds of herbs that they couldn’t find or make. Aka she had kitty pets raid their twolegs spice racks.

Other clans are very iffy about them.

Overblots do kill, it’s considered that the moment that they transform they’re already a lost cause and should be put out of their misery quickly. Which is why RoseStar, SandStar, and SilverStar had to die (Makes ya wonder what’s gonna happen to Jamil). If a medicine cat catches it early they can slow it down, so clans usually have up to 3 medicine cats to keep things in order.

And about how Beastpaw/Yuu got there… they were hit by a car and woke up in moonstone cave.

[howlsofbloodhounds]

So I was thinking about character design with Delta and how he shares his body with a child, and how that might effect his appearance, especially as Beta and Delta get better at sharing control or giving away control.

And maybe also Delta allows them to modify the body somewhat to be able to express themself and also as a way to have some control/be able to have some proof of existence. As recommended by their therapist maybe.

Like, Beta might add vibrant and playful accessories to their shared attire. This could include items like colorful wristbands, bright shoelaces, or even fun stickers on Delta's gear.

Beta could influence the choice of clothing to include more playful elements. This might manifest as patches or badges on Delta's jackets or pants that represent Beta's interests, such as animals, favorite characters, or symbols of bravery and adventure.

Beta might personalize their shared items with small, personal touches. For instance, they could draw or embroider small designs on their clothing or equipment, adding a sense of individuality and creativity.

Since Beta is a child, they might introduce comfort items into their wardrobe, like a favorite scarf, a beanie, or even a small, soft toy that can be tucked into a pocket or backpack for a sense of security and familiarity.

While Delta's color scheme might be predominantly black and orange, Beta could influence the incorporation of more vibrant colors into their shared outfits. This could be through colorful socks, a bright undershirt, or a vividly patterned bandana.

Beta's influence could also be seen in the choice of patterns and designs on their clothing. They might prefer more whimsical and youthful patterns, such as stars, stripes, or cartoon characters, adding a lighter and more playful touch to their attire.

Given their resourcefulness, Beta might enjoy making DIY modifications to their clothing and gear. This could include painting designs on their sneakers, adding homemade friendship bracelets, or creating custom patches for their jacket.

Beta's interests and hobbies could be reflected in their shared fashion. If Beta is interested in certain games, shows, or hobbies, they might incorporate related items or symbols into their wardrobe, such as a hat with a favorite character or a shirt with a fun graphic.

I was thinking, given Delta's hyperfixations in mechanical and technological engineering, how he could incorporate various items and symbols that reflect these interests into his outfits.

Like he might wear clothing with gear, circuit, or schematic patterns. This could include shirts, jackets, or even accessories like hats and scarves featuring these designs.

He could have accessories that resemble or are made from actual tech components. For instance, a necklace made from a small gear or a circuit board, bracelets with resistor beads, or even a watch with visible mechanical parts.

Delta might wear a utility belt or tool holster that holds small tools and gadgets. This could include a mini screwdriver set, pliers, a multi-tool, or even a small soldering kit, emphasizing his readiness to tinker with things on the go.

Pins or badges with tech symbols, such as a wrench, a gear, or even a microchip, could be added to his clothing. These could be attached to his jacket, hat, or backpack.

A pair of protective goggles, either worn on his head or around his neck, would signify his readiness for mechanical work. The goggles might have a futuristic design or modifications that reflect his engineering skills.

Delta might modify his clothing and accessories to include practical tech elements. For example, a jacket with built-in LED lights, a backpack with solar panels for charging devices, or shoes with hidden compartments for small tools.

He could have clothing items that feature blueprints or diagrams of machines and devices. This could include graphic tees or hoodies with printed designs that look like detailed engineering sketches.

Delta might wear rings, bracelets, or necklaces that have mechanical elements, such as tiny moving parts, gears, or pieces of hardware like nuts and bolts.

Clothing with patches made from different materials, including fabrics that resemble or are inspired by tech components (like kevlar or mesh), could add a unique touch to his style.

Delta might prefer boots or shoes with a rugged, utilitarian design, possibly with extra pockets or compartments for storing small items or tools.

He might carry around small, portable gadgets that reflect his interests, such as a mini drone, a handheld gaming device, or a small robotic companion that he can interact with.

And like. Imagine Beta putting little doggy stickers that look like Zorox all on Delta’s utility belt and the shoes with the colorful laces and the LED light jacket maybe. Or maybe instead of a LED light jacket, Beta just put glow in the dark stars all over it.

And like. Delta needs some convincing to go outside in that, because it is distinctly not manly. But he can feel Beta’s upset, and they start crying, and he doesn’t want them to be upset so he prepares to face the embarrassment.

Only no one really notices, or if they do, they compliment him on his cool as fuck stickers or stars and dog patches.

[askgildaseniors]

Erin Runnion outlines a parent's unique endeavor to educate youngsters about safety and abduction avoidance. Erin points out that stranger abduction and murdering children occur in only approximately one percent of cases, stressing the rarity of such incidents. In response to this reality, Erin launched parent education campaigns targeted at identifying predatory conduct and executing abduction prevention techniques, such as issuing kid ID kits. Erin also trained as a Rad Kids teacher, a motivating program aimed at teaching children self-defense, which spurred the publication of the book "Be Brave. Be Safe" in 2010.

Since the release of "Be Brave. Be Safe" in 2013, Erin has trained countless teachers to provide safety empowerment education in the classrooms. This demonstrates a dedication to the broader transmission of safety information and abilities, which might benefit countless children beyond Erin's own. The curriculum is regarded as "brave," emphasizing teaching youngsters how to defend themselves and make educated decisions in potentially harmful circumstances.

Overall, Erin's tale demonstrates a motivating approach to child safety instruction based on personal experience and professional expertise. By concentrating on equipping youngsters with self-defense tactics and raising awareness of predatory conduct, Erin has inspired and significantly contributed to the protection of young people in their town and beyond.

[my-writings-and-musings]

Still have brain fog, have some more indulgent Earthspark stuff. This one is Medic Agent!Reader patching up Megs after a fight, please enjoy!

The helicopter moved far too slowly for your exhausted patience, leading your foot to tap out a rapid fire rhythm of displeasure as you stewed while the pilot took his sweet time on the landing. A few frantic checks of your medical kit helped pass a few of the tortured moments more swiftly, but there was no helping your impatient anxiety. Nothing would make you feel better until you were at his side…

At long last, the hulking machine met the solid earth below, and you gave the door just enough time to open before hurtling through it.

The remains of a battlefield in what had once been an industrial facility stretched out before you, the glare of a dozen hazard lights casting shadows on the tangle of rubble and GHOST agents briefly disorienting you. Whatever fight had just gone down had been brutal and recent. The fires quite literally had not all been put out. 

As soon as your head cleared your next dilemma became apparent in a fresh wave of frustration. You knew exactly who needed you most, but you hadn't a clue where to find him, and there wasn't a single officer on the ground waiting for you.  This wasn't the first time you'd found your employer to be disorganized when it came to your patients…

"Dr. Y/N, over here!" 

Your heart rate slowed at the sound of Lieutenant Malto's voice cutting through the chaos. If there was one other person who cared about the bots like you did, and was equally protective of even the biggest among them, it was her. 

"Lieutenant Malto!" you greeted with obvious relief, speaking loudly to be heard over the din of military equipment on all sides. She didn't waste a moment of time, her hand beckoning you with a wave before she did an about face and started guiding you through the chaos.

"He's in the warehouse, it's mostly intact and the most private spot I could find." she explained, pointing to a sizable building that was notably less crowded than the others. While flattened entirely on one end, most of the structure was standing and solid, making it the best contender for an impromptu hospital.

"Is he doing alright?" you asked carefully, voice as low as could be as you walked by her side.

Lieutenant Malto made a face, and you found a little comfort in the fact she appeared more annoyed than concerned. "You know how he is. He won't give me a straight answer on how bad it is, he insists this can wait until we get back to headquarters, but there's a crater about the size of a basketball on his chest and I know he's hurting." she explained, pinching the bridge of her nose as she allowed herself a sigh of frustration. Arriving at the warped doorway flanked by two nervous looking guards, you didn't have to say a word before your medical badge and a warning look from Dorothy provided all the necessary explanations. The two of you were given immediate access through the crack in the massive sliding doors.

The noise of the outside was muffled considerably by the thick metal walls, allowing you to hear yourself think as you took in your surroundings. A few towering shelves of supplies had remained standing, but most had been toppled in the chaos, creating a web of smashed boxes and twisted metal. Lieutenant Malto led you through the mess, passing through what you could only describe as a cave of rubble before you entered a far more open space hidden away in the corner of the building. A massive figure hunkering down against the wall caught your eye even in the darkness. Scarlet optics came online as soon as the two of you entered the makeshift sanctuary, and their owner went from alert to annoyed when he recognized you both.

"Dorothy, I told you I didn't need a medic." Megatron sighed, not sounding too hurried for treatment. You didn't miss the way his hand carefully cupped the injury on his chest or how the glow of freshly spilled energon shone through his digits, but you kept that to yourself when Dorothy spoke up for you.

"Unfortunately enough for you, I have eyes." she said with her best "mom" voice, hands on her hips as she stared the big bot down. Megatron huffed and rolled his optics but didn't offer a rebuttal, his shoulders slumping from the exhaustion he was losing the ability to hide. Softening her stance, Dorothy sighed and gave him a look that was more pleading than demanding. "Now, stop being stubborn and let them help, alright?"

You smiled as the big mech conceded, his softness for his old friend matched only by how obviously displeased he was to be fussed over. Even in the low light you could see him pouting.

"I'll take it from here. Can you make sure we're not disturbed?" you asked, getting a nod from Lieutenant Malto before she fixed the big bot with a final look of warning. As intimidating as she was without needing to fire a single shot, you knew the two of you wouldn't have to worry about any unexpected visitors. 

When you were alone with the big mech, you got right down to business, experienced enough to know where Ratchet would have wanted you to begin. You couldn't help wishing the far more experienced medic was with you instead of across the planet, but he had assured you and your superiors you were up to the task. Hopefully that was true... 

"Lieutenant Malto mentioned a chest injury. How bad is it?"

"I'm doing quite well, actually. Don't know what all the fuss is about…" Megatron replied with a shrug and the faintest hint of a smirk, the former of which caused him visible discomfort when the injury fiercely protested the movement. Seeing pain across his face compelled you to speak more forcefully, and you briefly unshouldered your bag to start unpacking. A portable light flickered to life before casting deep shadows over your expression of concern.

"Megatron, please." 

Either your concern or his promise to Dorothy got him to relent, and he removed his servo from his injury, failing to disguise his resulting wince of pain as a huff of annoyance. "Very well, here it is. Nothing I haven't endured in the past." he explained, gesturing to the hole that had been punched into the right side of his chassis. 

"Help me up, if you can." you asked quickly, shouldering your portable medical kit and mounting your light to your shoulder. Despite all of his earlier resistance, he didn't hesitate to offer his servo for a lift. Your boldness actually seemed to amuse him, judging by how he was smiling in the most mischievous way whilst he lifted you to his chassis.

"Ratchet would be proud. You've learned his bedside manner as well as his methods." he teased, leaning back to give you a better view. You'd have retorted straight away, but the sight of the injury at eye level made your stomach twist. It was about the width of a basketball, as Dot had described, but deep and far from cleanly cut. How he could be so calm with such a wound was a mystery to you, but you kept that to yourself as you got back to business.

"After six months under his tutelage, I've learned he has some very valid reasons to be cranky." you replied whilst aiming your light at the injury. Under full illumination it looked even worse, and you were torn between sympathy for his pain and frustration at his delay to seek help. This was not something that could wait. You tried to make that readily apparent as you fixed him with a most displeased expression while snapping on a pair of gloves. "I'm looking at the biggest one."

"At least those tiny hands can't throw a wrench." he said with delight, smirking down at you. You knew the teasing was likely to help distract him from the pain, so you played along, working whilst keeping your rebuttals coming.

"No, but they're very good at finding all the places you're ticklish." you said whilst your fingertips carefully traced the edges of his injury. Your small size made it much easier to avoid hurting him as you did so, but you were still careful, only applying the tiniest hint of pressure to help you get a better idea as to the scope of the injury and what kind of intervention would be required. When you thankfully found no evidence of damage beyond the focal point, you turned your attention to the gaping hole in his chest. You noted with a mix of emotions that the opening was wider than your own head.

The faint hint of a glow from his spark briefly caught your eye, but the sight of a foreign piece of metal wedged in the depths of the wound was what truly got your attention. Amidst severed energon veins, a few sparking sensory wires, and the smooth workings of Cybertronian biology the darkly colored chunk of earth metal would have stood out even to the untrained eye. Your extensive training allowed you to grasp exactly how dangerous it was. Goodness, just a foot or two deeper…

"You've got a piece of shrapnel in here." you informed him, noting a touch of surprise and a fresh flash of annoyance on his face. Briefly marveling at his impossible level of pain tolerance, you tenderly traced the edges of the injury again, trying to consider your options. There were few without an actual operating room at your disposal. "I can put a seal on the wound and wait until we're back at base to remove it, but given the location I'm hesitant to leave anything in there. It's a bit too close to your spark."

Briefly mulling it over, he surprised you with a chuckle that he pretended didn't hurt before continuing his game. "Worried about me, are you?"

Despite your concern, you laughed along, realizing just how much of your frustration was in fact born from concern. It occurred to you that perhaps the game was more for your benefit than his own.

"You make it very difficult, but yes." you confirmed, looking back to the injury. Deeper concern twisted in your gut as you considered what to do next, knowing that anything near the spark was tricky business. It took a lot to keep the fear from your voice. "You can't self repair much with that in there. I have the tools to remove it-"

"Ah, go ahead and get it over with." he said, sounding displeased but not at all apprehensive. Somehow, his lack of hesitation only added to your own. 

You'd assisted with plenty of extractions, bots got shrapnel embedded in their armor rather frequently, but you'd never overseen anything like this. Even if you knew what needed to be done, you were far from confident in your abilities. There were numerous risks, but worse; there was no way for you to avoid causing your friend a significant amount of pain. All of your apprehension came out in two simple words.

"It'll hurt."

He went quiet, compelling you to step back on his palm and look up to meet his optics. Megatron appeared surprised by the admission, but his gaze softened quickly, his tender smile returning as he lifted you to speak more directly. 

"I can handle that, little healer." he promised, his rare use of your affectionate nickname revealing just how touched he'd been by your concern. "I trust you to pull out a splinter."

Apprehension still twisted in your gut, but you found yourself ready to face it at last, so long as you had his faith in you. "Okay, just give me a minute…" 

Megatron returned you to your spot so you could work, holding you steady to ensure your accuracy. You opened your kit and went straight for the proper tools. A sizable pair of pliers and your shoulder mounted light were all you really needed, but you prepared an emergency vein cap in the unlikely event of a bleed, refusing to be caught off guard with the mech's safety on the line. The heavy tool weighed down your arm as you took a final stock of the injury. Knowing that removing the obstruction as smoothly as possible was key, you were moderately pleased to find a single pull would do the trick, provided you did it properly.

"Ready?" you asked when you ran out of reasons to delay.

Megatron tensed, his sizable frame preparing itself for a short but very unpleasant experience. You allowed the tension in his voice to steel your nerves.

"Very."

Hardly daring to breathe, you slipped your hand into the wound, grabbing hold of the warped metal and making sure the grip was ironclad. There would be no do-overs, and the slightest mistake could spell agony at best… Gathering yourself with a breath, you refused to let your fear keep him in pain a moment longer than necessary, and when a final check of your grip found it solid you knew it was time.

Megatron remained still as a single clean yank tore the shrapnel free, but you felt the agony reverberate through every inch of his frame, the raw power almost crackling as he hissed through clenched dentae. In the blink of an eye the metal went from lodged dangerously close to his spark to clenched firmly in your pliers, the sharpened edges dripping with fresh pink energon. 

"I've got it! Are you okay?" you asked in a clumsy rush, dropping the tool quickly to check him for further distress. By the grace of rare fortune there wasn't a trace of trouble in the now clear injury.

"Better, actually." he sighed when the pain passed, his shoulders relaxing as the relief took its place. Spare hand testing the edges of the wound and finding it far less tender, he looked to you once again, gratitude apparent in the depths of his optics. "Ratchet would be proud."

"He'll only be proud if you survive. Let me apply a patch, and once we're back at headquarters I'll do some proper welding." you replied without missing a beat, pretending not to be dizzy from the lingering rush. Now more comfortable, Megatron had little trouble adjusting himself to receive the patch, and you pretended not to notice how his gaze had turned more affectionate than simply mindful. Covering the gaping wound with a pliable length of temporary mesh, you allowed yourself a moment to breathe a sigh of your own relief. He would be okay, that was all that really mattered.

Your hand lingered on the patch when it was finally in place, and you renewed the silent vow you'd made to yourself. Nothing would be taking him away from you, no matter how determined he may have been to be reckless, not as long as you had a say.

[klbwriting]

Not Romeo, Not Juliet

Chapter 6 - Life's Key

Fandom: Red Hood

Pairing: Jason Todd x f!reader

Warnings: none, this is just friendship building fluff

Summary: Jason goes to meet YN at the playground

Keep thy friend / Under thy own life’s key.

— ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, ACT 1 SCENE 1

Jason spent most of Saturday getting new gear together. He wasn’t going to let one run in with some thugs stop him from keeping Crime Alley, or just YN in general, safe. He needed to update somethings, get a kit he could keep on him at all times, and get something sturdier than an old hockey mask. He called around, finding some grappling equipment, smoke bombs, a couple knives, and finally a helmet that he could wear that would protect his whole head. It took about 2 hours to gather everything and hide it in the garage where Dick wouldn’t go looking. And Dick was a suspicious fuck at the moment.

“So, this fight, was it the same jock again?” Dick asked over breakfast on Sunday morning after spending all Saturday at a work function and just generally avoiding Jason. He assumed that Dick was waiting for him to come to his big brother to talk, but after his disparaging remarks against YN Jason didn’t really want to do that.

“Yup,” he said, emphasizing the p. Dick sighed at the curt answer, so Jason elaborated, having had time to flesh out this story. “I was leaving school after practice, they were leaving after some football thing, guess they still keep going even though the season is over, and the one from before threw his helmet at me, that is where this is from.” He motioned to the bandage on his face. Dick worried his jaw, looking like a cow chewing grass.

“And you didn’t go to the hospital?” Dick asked. Jason stared at him. When had any of them ever gone to a hospital? Jason was pretty sure he was still considered legally dead in some places. Dick sighed. “Ya, that was dumb, realized that when I said it.” They sat in silence for several minutes, Jason pushing Dick’s horrible eggs around on his plate.

“I’m going to run lines tonight with some of the seniors from Hamlet,” he said, wanting to make the concerned look on Dick’s face go away. Let him think he had made friends with those assholes. “Thought you weren’t big fans of them after that whole open mic night prank?” he asked. Jason shrugged.

“I’m not, but they’re fine to work with on the play, plus there’s this junior playing Gertrude who is pretty, she’s going to be there,” he said. He wasn’t lying, the junior was pretty, but he had no interest in her. Plus, there wasn’t really a practice session going on that night anyway, he just needed an excuse to be out of the house that night.

“What is she like?” Dick asked. Shit, Jason hadn’t expected this. He scrambled.

“Um, she’s pretty, blonde, kind of a badass, carries a dagger, likes the Yankees, ya know, weird in a school full of douche bags,” he said, describing as best he could to describe Annabeth from the Percy Jackson series. If you going to describe a fictional crush might as well pull a real book girlfriend you wish you’d had. Dick nodded.

“Sounds like your type,” he said, smiling. “Glad you’ve found someone in your school.” Jason kept his face neutral but was confused. He never thought Dick was the classist type, but maybe that was why he was so against Jason spending time with YN. Would be a real dick move considering that Jason himself was once from that same gutter. Just because he got lucky (or stupid) and stole a couple tires didn’t mean he was anything better than YN. She was going to Gotham Academy for a reason, scholarship or maybe an arts grant if her acting was as good as her singing, so she definitely wasn’t just a random person on the street. None of this made sense to Jason and that made him angry.

“I have to do some homework, I’m going to head out, its stuffy in here,” he said, throwing a look to Dick. Dick looked confused but just nodded. Jason grabbed his back of tricks and his phone, checking again for another message from YN as he headed to the garage. She had sent the one message to meet and then stopped, not even confirming she’d gotten his reply. He wanted to go check on her, but once again, he wasn’t going to be a stalker, so he went to a nearby park instead.

After several hours of actually catching up on homework and reading through The Turn of the Screw for a lit class he let curiosity get the better of him. He pulled out his laptop again and booted up some of the software that Dick thought he didn’t know about. Nightwing needed to find people, and Oracle knew all the tricks, so Jason copied Dick’s hard drive and took them. Red Mask (name to be changed, that one still sucked) needed to find criminals too. He searched up YN’s name and found…nothing. She had a mother, no father listed, an address, no social media, no outstanding warrants, no bills even. The only person who had anything was her mother, who had ridiculous medical bills, but no rent to pay. Jason frowned. This screamed a mysterious benefactor. Who was helping them and why? He looked at his phone, seeing that he needed to head over to the playground, so he closed up shop and headed off, making sure to pick up some tacos on the way.

YN was sitting at the top of the slide when he arrived, climbing down the dumbwaiter shaft that used to seem a lot bigger when he was small. She smiled when she saw him, but quickly pretended to yawn, not looking in his direction anymore. He smiled a little, maybe he wasn’t the only one with a crush. She looked at her phone before sliding down.

“You’re late,” she said, crossing her arms. He held up the bag. “What is that?”

“Tacos?” he offered, holding it out to her. She opened it and moved to where her things were, sitting down on a blanket. “Thought we could eat first, and these are the best in Bludhaven.” She took one and handed him back the bag, producing two water bottles from her bag and cookies.

“My mom sometimes bakes on good days,” she said. Jason looked at the cookies and then at her, a questioning look on his face. He knew her mom was sick, but she didn’t know that. “My mom is sick, cancer, but some days she’s really active and today was one so I just thought I’d bring a snack…”

“Thank you,” Jason said, taking a cookie and biting it. He made a face. O these were amazing. “Holy shit.” She laughed.

“Ya, that’s typically the reaction,” she said, eating some of the taco. “Jesus, these are good too.”

“Ya, but I didn’t make those, although mine would be better,” he said. She gave him a quizzical look. “Hey, I cook a lot, when I lived with Bruce we had Alfred and he taught me everything I know.”

“Was he like the in-house chef?” she asked, finishing one and grabbing another as he chowed on the cookies. Jason shrugged.

“He was kind of everything. We didn’t have like a big staff or anything, just Alfred, everyone else came once a week or something to do cleaning or the gardens and shit,” he said. “Fuck I sound like such an ass.” YN shook her head.

“No, you don’t, that’s what you lived, you’re not an ass about it. Not like you’re bragging that you made this Alfred clean your dirty underwear or something. He taught you to cook, that’s nice,” she said. Jason smiled at her. “Now, how are your rehearsals going?”

“Trying to spy on the competition?” he asked. She raised her eyebrows at him. “They’re fine, although pretending to even Chelsea is difficult.” She laughed and pulled out MacBeth. “How are yours?”

“They’re fine, I’m having some trouble though, do you mind pretending to be my husband?” she asked. He chuckled.

“You ask me that without a ring?” he teased, walking over to her, taking the script she offered. Scene 1, Act 7. “Remember, I have only read this so my MacBeth will probably suck.”

“You can’t be any worse than the guy playing him at school,” she said. Jason nodded and let himself slid into the roll of the king tortured by destiny. YN was amazing as Lady MacBeth, and then Ophelia, or Horatio, or Polonius, she was a chameleon. After an hour or so of practicing they sat on the swings, competing to see who could jump off further. Then it was tag around the playground. Jason hadn’t let himself have fun like this since…well since he was playing there as a child. They finally settled back on the blanket sitting and leaning against each other.

“You’re amazing you know that?” he said suddenly, looking down at her leaning to his shoulder. “And just because you’re the best actress I’ve ever seen.” She blushed deeply.

“Thank you,” she said, taking the compliment easily. He watched her as she stared straight ahead, not looking at him. “You’re so flawless when you act,” she said softly. “Its like you can just sink into being another person, it’s a little scary honestly.” Jason sighed.

“When I was living with Bruce it was like I had to be two different people. He was most of the time an alright dad, but when he was in a mood, mostly when he was trying to teach me something, I had to be like a perfect son, a little carbon copy of him. It was like slipping into a mask, hiding who I was or who I wanted to be,” he explained, telling her things he’d only ever told his therapist. “And then I died…” He stopped and she looked at him.

“You…died?” she asked softly. He sighed.

“Yea, this past summer, the um accident I had, I died for a few minutes and it wasn’t Bruce’s fault, but I think afterwards he just, wasn’t right. Didn’t want to bother with my antics anymore. It broke something so now I’m still just trying to figure out who I was when I was his son and who I am now,” he said. “And Dick has been great, trying so hard to be a good brother and almost father, but even with him, I have to wear a mask still. The only person I really feel like I can be me around is you.” He felt a hand on his unbandaged cheek, he leaned into it.

“I feel similar,” YN said. Jason nodded for her to continue. “My mom, I have to be brave, even though she’s going to die, and soon, and I don’t have anyone else. I don’t know who my father is, we have no other family that knows I exist. Apparently, my mom was still a teenager and had some kind of affair with a married man. And despite the fact that she was raped by an adult her family blamed her so now its just us. And when I’m around her I have to be perfect, like after the open mic when those guys threw water balloons of Kool-Aid at me and I was covered in red sticky goo pretty much, when I got home, I had to pretend everything had been amazing so that she wouldn’t get sicker from stressing out about me. I don’t really have anyone to talk about that stuff with.” Jason turned her face to look at him.

“You have me,” he said softly. She nodded and, in that moment, he could have kissed her, could have taken another step, but he could see that wasn’t what either of them needed. At that moment they didn’t need the romance that was there, they needed the friendship that was also there, just as important and just as powerful. He pulled her into a hug, holding her close for several minutes until his phone went off.

“My brother wants me home to get some sleep,” he said. She nodded. “Let me walk you home.”

“Sure,” she said. She stood, taking his hand. He held it as he walked her back to her apartment. “Are you going to be safe?” she asked.

“Ya, my bike is just down the street actually,” he said, pointing towards an alley nearby. “So, I don’t want to stress your mom out, but maybe I could come to your place next time?” She nodded.

“And if you ever want to, you can come to mine too,” he said. “If you ever get over to Bludhaven.” She smiled and leaned up, kissing his cheek over the bandage gently.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow?” He nodded and watched her get inside before driving home, feeling several pounds lighter and freer than he had in years.

[shepherds-of-haven]

reporting in to send the ask for what each of the shepherds carry in their packs 🫡 blade gets tapped for a what’s in my purse vlog and the video is just a knife. and a knife. and a knife. and a knife—

Thank you for your service 🫡

Out in the field, if you were to grab a pack and rummage through it, only to find it wasn't yours, you'd find the following (excludes the standard field kit for Shepherd officers, which includes a bedroll, a tent/tarp, blanket, canteen, soap, toiletries, various changes of clothes, equipment to care for horses/ahfuri, mess kit with eating utensils and tin plates and etc., and the obvious standards like money and etc.):

Blade: a sturdy, rigorously-organized, plain and utilitarian pack containing: fire-starting tools (flint, steel, and tinder). utility/hunting knife (for things like cutting rope, skinning deer and fish, etc). dagger (for emergencies. in case the ones he keeps on his person are taken away from him). small portable writing set (comes with a flat, collapsible tablet that serves as a writing desk, ink, parchment, and pen) for composing letters/orders/messages to send home. emergency first aid (minimalist: basically consists of a bottle of alcohol for sterilization, needle and medical thread for stitches, and some clean bandages). dried meat or jerky, hardtack biscuits (emergency rations). small cooking pot. whetstone (for sharpening his weapons). fishing hook and twine. hawking whistle. maps. rope. various small utility tools.

Trouble: a battered, worn and stained rucksack containing: fire-starting tools. charch and matches. various snacks and extra rations (trail mix, etc.). cubes of fat and bullion or various seasonings for meals. small cooking pot. extra ammunition (a lot of it). tools to maintain and clean his firearms. utility/hunting knife. rain-proof cover (can be used for himself or his rifle). extra gloves and socks. whatever novel he's currently reading. explosives (😳), various tools to create distractions (smoke grenades, etc.). signaling mirror. compass. timepiece. dice. playing cards. insect repellent salve. maybe fishing hook and twine if he expects to be "roughing" it for a long time! spyglass.

Tallys: a clean, well-maintained leather bag with Elvish adornments containing: large kit containing several different vials of various elixirs, tinctures, oils, and extracts (serve different purposes like reviving the unconscious, numbing pain, putting someone to sleep, etc.) as well as various different powders and dried herbs (some are poisonous, as Chase had the misfortune of discovering when he snooped too much); teabags; map; Elvish animal whistle (used for various purposes: as an animal or bird lure, for communicating while hunting or in camouflage, as a distraction); tifin (small Elvish flute) if she thinks she's going to be away for a really long time; Elvish hunting knife; kit of wax, resin, twine, and whittling knife to maintain her bow and arrows; first aid kit; woven Elvish mat (often used for meditation and dawn prayer rites, but can be used just for sitting more comfortably on things, as a lap blanket, or even as a scarf/shawl for extra warmth); small empty containers for foraging and protecting things like berries, mushrooms, leaves, etc.; Elvish field guide describing the various uses of flora and local plant matter; Elvish calendar and daily book of proverbs to keep track of the days (also doubles as a brief journal); pen; fire-starting kit.

Shery: Shery doesn't actually embark on missions into the field and actually has never left Haven (unless you're reading her latest short story on Patreon, lol), so the contents of her pack are at the moment hypothetical! Because of her inexperience, I'd guess that she'd both err on extreme overcaution and overpacking and also make some impractical choices, like bringing too many books, outfits for all kinds of weather, a parasol, a sewing kit, a little stuffed animal for good luck, a teapot, a nail file, an extra blanket and a fluffy pillow, and things like that! But she'd also have sensible choices, too, just way too many of them!

Riel: when he goes on business trips he typically has a whole trunk of things with him LOL but if forced to come along on a field mission, my guess would be that he'd mostly bring different changes of clothes, his hygiene and toiletries kit (complete with hair pomade, cologne, and fresh handkerchiefs), and then would just assume/rely on gold getting him whatever else he needed 😂😂 Actually he'd also certainly pack a valise with whatever current documents or contracts he's been working on, plenty of stationary and ink, a notepad for taking notes, a foldable writing desk, books, and whatever proof he'd need of being (at that time) Master of Merchants Guild, like his official stamps and wax seals and whatnot. Basically whatever he'd need for doing work on the road! 😂 Oh, he'd also pack a gun. Just in case!

Chase: a deceptively-slim, innocuous rucksack that is surprisingly hard to open if you're not familiar with it, containing: several lockpick sets. a bottle of alcohol to bribe informants with (or light a fire, sanitize a wound, what have you). rope. file. utility knife. whetstone. extra ammunition. fire-starting kit. tools to maintain his firearms. charch. playing cards. whatever book he's currently struggling through as homework. various shiny trinkets that can be traded, bargained, bribed, or used as a distraction. devices used as distractions (flashbags, smoke grenades, low-level explosives). grooming kit with comb, pomade, cologne, mirror, etc. scarf (can be used as a fashion accessory, mask to obscure lower half of face, or, in a pinch, as a method of strangling someone 🙂). wire (don't ask). mysterious vials (could be poison, could be acid to burn through locks). different accessories, clothes, and wig for different disguises. special gripped shoes for climbing and capering. small grappling hook. net/bolas (typically used to trip opponents up or rig traps). recently-acquired reed harp (harmonica) that he uses to amuse/torture teammates with.

Red: a slim, casually-packed, strangely collegiate bag (he generally travels light because he cheats and conjures most of what he needs as he needs it), containing: whatever book he's currently reading. field journal and writing implements. foldable writing desk. scroll container to protect any precious documents or papers he might come across. various Mage-y implements like chalk, lyme, certain compounds that help with arcane magic and drawing runes. measuring ruler. various charged lodestones and keystones. maps. compass. grooming kit for his endless hair needs 😳 (pomade, comb, mirror, etc.). multi-use mini game board (you can play various games on it like Elements, checkers, sui, etc.). small containers for collecting specimens. travel lantern (for exploring ruins without having to deal with a guttering torch flame). insect repellant salve. salve for burns and aches. magnifying glass. small flat cushion for sitting/laying on if the ground is extremely lumpy.

Ayla: a carelessly battered, fraying rucksack with small carved totems dangling from it, containing: backup canteens of water (emergency only). collapsible trowel to dig holes (generally to dig up roots, tubers, or to find water). maps. compass. sundial. lots and lots of rations (the majority of her pack will contain non-perishable food). sewing kit (doubles both as first aid and for emergency repairs to clothes). colored twine (primarily used to mark trails so you don't get lost, demarcate certain things you'll need to find again later, and also doubles as a Jalis hand-game to play with another person when bored). playing cards. dice. rope. hunting/utility knife. lockpick set. sun lotion (to protect the skin). extra tarp (to erect emergency lean-to/rain shelter/shade; doubles as emergency extra blanket). file. hairties for her braid. jade stone from her parents. slingshot/leather thong to hurl rocks with (this is a deadly weapon in her hands). signaling mirror. survival whistle. small torch. fire-starting kit. whittling knife for when she's bored and wants to carve things into her staff or just out of hunks of wood. field guide telling her what's safe to eat and what's not. jalis rattle (sort of like maracas: it's a small wooden cylinder filled with dry rice) in case she's in the mood to provide a rhythm to someone else's music.

Briony: a fat, cheerful pack with many charms and souvenirs dangling from every strap, containing: a field journal/sketchbook full of sketches, drawing/writing implements. a hairbrush. haphazard grooming case (eyelash curler, a bit of blush, no mirror). fingerless gloves. her latest book. extra hair ties/hair ribbons. oils and rags to maintain her armor. whetstone. fire-starter kit. maps and compass. some snacks, but typically she forgets about them. fishing hook and twine. headscarf to conceal her hair if need be. field encyclopedia/traveler's guide (more about various landmarks and places of interest she might see than survivalist tips). first-aid kit (used more than most to deal with small scrapes and wounds). hunting/utility knife. spare dagger. stargazing map. spyglass. pouch full of pretty rocks or dried flowers she picks up along the way. spellbook full of spells she's learning/practicing along the way.

Lavinet: an expensive but practical and well-made leather saddlebag containing: compact maquillage and grooming case (hairbrush, lipstick, mirror, perfume, hair conditioner, etc.). extra riding gloves. extra handkerchiefs. whetstone, tools to maintain her lance and sword. tools to maintain her saddlery. horse treats. fur throw that doubles as small extra blanket, extra warmth as a shawl, or as a cushion to sit on. extra pair of riding boots in case one set fails. Naveen signet ring and official accoutrements. writing set, desk, and seal. current book. hat to shade her head from the sun. sewing kit and patches of fabric to repair clothes. first aid manual. wax (has various uses, but she primarily uses it to plug her ears if she absolutely needs to). fire-starting kit. chainmail that can be concealed under the clothes. stiletto knife. corset (you never know, darling!)

Halek: an ordinary, standard pack containing: tools for weapons maintenance (for his spear). small compact bow and quiver. hunting/utility knife. exorcist dagger. recipe book and culinary guide regarding exotic ingredients or places of interest. various ingredients he picks up in towns or foraging in the wild. cooking oil, seasonings and spices, emergency salt, cubes of fat and bullion and stock, dried herbs, dried meat and cheese, flour. water-proof, heavy cloak for winter travel (also doubles as an extra blanket, as the standard-issue one might be too short for him). collar to suppress his blood-rage if need be. fire-starting kit. elk treats. small bell to tie to his elk in case he needs to. twine. grappling hook and rope. maps and compass. herbal teas. fishing hook. animal bait and snares. bear repellant. cooking pot and small frying pan. sand (used to scrub pots and pans when water is scarce or frozen). signal whistle. special snow boots if traveling through snow.

[the-whatcherof-89]

Smallishbeans Aka Joel Thundercheek the twice fallen. 

Half orc Sklad(War Drummer) 17 CR17 CG 

Medium Humanoid (Orc, Human) XP 102,400

Chaotic Good Medium Humanoid (Orc, Human) Perception+30, Ini+2

HP198 (17D8+119)

AC30 (+2Dex, +2Shield, +4Natural, +4Deviation, +7Armor, +1Intuition) Contact 21 Flat-Footed 28

BaB+12/7/2 CMB+16 CMD+28

Melee Great Bean Cudgel+19/14/9 1D10+7

Ranged Light crossbow+15/10/5 1D8+1, Javelin+15/10/5 1D6+5, Spells.

FORT+19 REFL+9 WILL+19

Racial traits: Forest walker, Orc ferocity, Scavenger, Pariah, Orc blood.

Traits: Amaible blunder, Lovesick.

Class abilities: Fearsome miem, Deadly rhythm, Inspired rage+5(+6Str/Con), Raging song, Song of marching, Improved uncanny dodge, Song of strength, DR2/-, Spell kenning, Song of the fallen, Weapon master(Greatclub), Dirge of doom, Siege drums, Versatile performance(Oratory, Percussion, Martial performance-Greatclub), Saga:Lay of the scholar king, Well versed, Rage powers: Superstition, Guarded life, Liquid courage, Mighty swing, Knockdown.

STR18 DEX14 CON24 INT14 WIS10 CHA22

Feats: Lingering performance, Guarded life(greater), Come and get me, Steadfast determination, Power attack, Reckless abandon.

Skills: Acrobatics+22, Appraise+6, Bluff+19, Climb+8, Craft(Stone and metal)+15, Diplomacy+10, Escape artist+6, Handle animal+10, Intimidate+21, Knowledge (Arcana)+15, (Dungeon)+6, (Engineering)+6, (Geography)+6, (History)+6, (Local)+6, (Nature)+6, (Nobility)+6, (Planes)+6, (Religion)+6, Linguistics+2, Perception+20, Perform(Dance)+10 (Percussion)+26, Profession(Engineer)+4, Ride+6, Sense motive+4, Spellcraft+22, Swim+8, Use magic device+16.

Languages: Common, Orc, Draconic, Giant.

SpellcastingCL17 DC16 Spells per day 7/7/6/5/5/3 Spells known: 0-Read magic, Detect magic, Mending, Mage hand, Scrivener’s chant. I-Charm person, Hideous laughter, Grease, Cure light wounds, Ear piercing scream, Moment of greatness. II-Path to glory, Cure moderate wounds, Mirror image, Glitterdust, Blistering invective. III-Phantom steed, Dispel magic, Charm monster, Tiny hut, Good hope, Purging finale, Haste. IV-Dimension door, Break enchantment, invisibility greater, Shadow conjuration, Cure critical wounds. V-Dispel magic greater, Shadow bard,Cloak of dreams, Heroism greater. VI-Getaway, Hero’s feast, Dance of a thousand cuts.

Equipment: Great Bean Cudgel(Cunning Fury-born+3 Living steel Greatclub), 2 Returning Javelin+1, Light crossbow+1, 50+1 Bolts, Mwk Dagger, Ring of protection+4, Shrek-ing hide(Glamered Giant-Hide, Ogre), Amulet of natural armor+3, Dusty rose prism ion stone, Iridescent spindle of ioun stone, Belt of physical perfection+4, Headband of mental prowess+4(Int, Cha, Acrobatics), Cloak of resistance+2, Manual of bodily health+2(used), Tengu’s jar, Hat of disguise, Ring of force shield, Drums of advance and retreat, Spellguard bracers, Magic beans, Potions of gaseous form(4), Bloodrager s kit, 1532GP.

Background: Smallishbeans is a bit blunt but good hearty fellow from the far land of the Hermits where buildings that defies reason and logic are made to leave all in awe. He loves his wife LDShadowlady (also known as Lizzie), he is a very good dancer and drummer and has lots of dad jokes…ALOT of them. In the past he ruled over the kingdom of Mezlana and was consort of the Ocean empire along along with the now wife Lizzie. Later, he achieved godhood drinking from a magic fountain becoming ruler of the Sky empire ruling from his floating city Stratos. However he later lost not only his god powers but also both his kingdoms as his behaviors became more blunt and less-than-friendly then before. The only one that did not left him was Lizzie(which decided to willingly abdicate) and his friends hermits (especially Mumbo, Grian, Impulse and Rendog) whom helped him to make a new life in the land of Hermits and to set his marriage with his wife. Now he lives in a humble shack but still builds majestic palaces, likely to remember his lost royal life and/or to build the house of dreams for him and his beloved wife. One day he was building another incredible construction atop a scaffolding when he heard a voice: ”A wish limited only by your imagination.” He looked around and saw no one. “Your beloved one has accepted already.” Said the voice. He immediately rushed to his wife house. Empty. “Where is my wife?! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!” He yelled at the top of his lungs. “She accepted my challenge. The only way to decide a victor is simple: Find me. Then you can join her.” Joel looked around, this mysterious voice was coming from thin air and he could find no one to jump at. “Ok, fine! I accept your challenge.! But you better have not hurt my wife or else…!” The sound of finger snapping was heard. “You have a deal.” Joel was instantly teleported into another realm never seen before. Equipped with knowledge and powers never seen before he immediately sought his beloved wife wherever she was. And if he had to be as ruthless as when he was a god, he would not hesitate. Not anymore.

[trentslfcc]

Eye to eye 2

Chapter 23🤍

-

Trent found the conversation between Koby and Ella from last night strange. His answers had made sense but something was telling Trent to not trust him. This wasn't the first time he had been suspicious of him, which only made it worse. When it came to his queen, he wasn't allowing any disrespect. Now of course Koby was stressed out and afraid about the situation but that did not give him the right to give Ella attitude and even raise his voice at her. He didn't like him at all. Still unsure as to if he was the stalker or not, he didn't feel comfortable with her speaking to him. Trent wasn't the type of boyfriend to be over controlling or unbearable, but after Koby spoke that way to her, he didn't even want Ella to associate with him. Maybe he was being over dramatic and over protective but who could blame him? Ella was her own person and he wouldn't get angry at her if she did speak to him, but he wouldn't like it at all. When he had first met him, his gut feelings were the same. For Ella's wellbeing, he wasn't going to trust him.

As Trent was changing into the training kit at the AXA training centre, he felt anxious about leaving his kids and girlfriend. Jobe had gone back home as Mark had come to pick him up which meant that it was only Ella and the twins. It didn't take long for him to finally leave the changing room and meet up with Dominik in the canteen who was stuffing his face with his food. When Trent began eating, it dawned on him that he should speak to Sabrina about this situation and ask her about Koby but he didn't want to seem intrusive, although since this involved his family, he would need to get over it.

"Why do you look so moody?" Dominik questioned the man next to him as Robbo and Cody joined them at their table. He didn't even want to get into the specifics however, just wanting to get on with the day so that he could get back home.

"Didn't sleep well." The scouser replied before taking another bite. It was clear as day that he wasn't going to be talkative, so the boys decided to drop it to not annoy him.

When it was time to get to the gym, Trent stayed mainly by himself, focusing on what he needed to do instead of joking around with his friends. It wasn't that kind of day. He knew the people around him were wondering what was wrong but he wasn't bothered. The saturday morning air hadn't affected him positively. Their next match was a champions league game and he had to do better than he did last week but it was going to be difficult with everything that was going on. Eventually, it was time for the team to go outside on the pitch but before Trent could leave the changing room, Arne called him to the side quickly to ask him if everything was okay. This wasn't his normal behaviour.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just tired." He answered back whicn made the manager give him an unconvinced look.

"Are you sure?" Arne asked him because he wasn't going to make him train if he wasn't feeling well or if something was going to affect his preformance.

"I'm fine. I just wanna do well today and I want to get as many minutes as I can." You could say whatever you wanted about Trent, but you couldn't argue that he was a determined man. Whenever a challenge came about, he kept his focus on football.

"Okay but if there's anything, you know who to talk to." His manager made sure to tell him, reminding him that there was always support.

"Thank you." Trent let out a sheepish smile before Arne patted his back and led them both outside. It wasn't the brightest day but he needed to shine to show Arne that he could play and deserved to have a full 90 minutes.

Firstly, the players had to warm up and do their normal exercises with the equipment that was already set out for them. This was Trent's least favourite part of training but it was mandatory. He managed to keep his focus and get through that first part just fine. Secondly, they were split into two teams and practiced passing and getting the ball from the opposition. He was a competitive man and was the first to get it in his team. After that little game, their usual football game began with Alisson on one side and Keheller on the other. Salah scored a goal, unsurprisingly and Diaz scored a goal for Trent's team which Trent had a part to play in. It seemed as if that was what he needed because he immediately grew a beautiful smile on his face afterwards, cheering him up a little. Finally, the team practiced their shooting incase of penalties and for free kicks. Trent scored each one of his with confidence radiating from him. When they had finished, he quickly changed back into his tracksuit and look for Sabrina afterwards. He had made it through the day and after a busy morning, going into the afternoon, it was almost time for him to go home. Before he could however, a conversation needed to take place.

"Yo, Sabrina." He called out before stepping into her office unannounced. She rolled her eyes playfully before letting him in and pulling out a chair for him to sit down.

"Is everything okay?" She noticed his facial expression was like a nervous and upset puppy. Yes, she was the physio, but most importantly she was his friend.

"I need to ask you a couple of questions." Trent told her in a serious manner, wanting to get straight to it. "It's about your ex, Koby."

"H-how do you know his name-" The woman sunk into her chair as she had never told Trent that piece of information before.

"He's friends with Ella." He responded, making Sabrina gasp as he looked up at her. This was news to her but now instead of worrying about Trent, Sabrina was more worried about Ella and her safety.

"What?!" How did she not know this? Why was she only finding out now? What in the world was going on?

"They went uni together. I met him a couple years ago before me and Ella started dating and I've never trusted him." Trent admitted now looking a bit annoyed.

"And you shouldn't." She stated. "Listen, trust me I know that I can be a bit much sometimes but I'm in therapy, bettering myself and focusing on my job. He is still out there, being an idiot. That man is so weird."

"Last night he called Ella and started raising his voice at her when she defended you. She didn't do anything wrong at all and even if she had, no one can ever shout her."

"That sounds like him." She continued. "When we were together, he would shout at me, a lot, sometimes he would get mad over nothing. Whenever I took too long to answer the phone or something- one time he even showed up at my house. We spent a lot of time together and I really was in love with him but he only taught me how to hate myself. All these insecurities I had was because of him. He pointed out all my flaws in the worst ways possible. Everything little thing I did was never enough. I felt like I wasn't enough. He never hit me or anything but he hurt me bad."

"I'm so sorry that happened to you Sabrina and I'm so happy that you're getting help. He's disgusting." Trent knew that she felt safe with him and so it didn't take long for her to spill the tea, especially since this had to do with Ella.

"If it wasn't for Ella, I probably wouldn't have gotten the help I needed and I'm forever grateful for her. Please keep her away from him Trent. He's not a good person." She told him.

"Don't worry, she's safe. I'll always protect her. She's the love of my life." He reassured Sabrina that he wouldn't let anything happen to Ella.

"Good and make sure it stays that way because once he gets an opportunity, he will pounce." Her sentence struck Trent's nerves like lightning.

"Do you think he's the stalker? Last night we saw the figure again and straight after he calls. It can't be a coincidence."

"Koby wouldn't go out of his way to stalk someone. He's sick, but he wouldn't stand outside someone's house for a while for no reason, unless it benefits him. Like, when he was with me, the only time he did it was when I didn't answer the phone. He would knock or say something, not just stand there. Also, I remember when me and Ella were being chased. Koby is a much faster runner and would of caught us, or atleast me because Ella runs fast. And Koby wouldn't endanger or scare a child. He's always calm around children and wouldn't do anything especially since you guys have kids. He still has a heart, just not the best one." Sabrina was being truthful but Trent still wasn't convinced.

"But you said when he gets an opportunity, he would pounce." He spoke which sounded more like a question than a statement.

"I meant if you were to leave her or anything, he would probably try to do something with her." She clarified. "Wait you said they've been friends since uni?" Trent nodded, curiously. "So they were friends when I was with him. I remember he had a group of friends in uni that were mainly girls and he would talk about them sometimes. He barely went to uni but I'm sure hes told me about her and I never connected the dots."

"I didn't know about him until Ashley-" He was cut off by the woman sat infront of him. He didn't even feel comfortable speaking about her.

"Who's Ashley?" Sabrina asked him with a confused face. This wasn't making sense at all and she wasn't beyond bewildered.

"So, this isn't the first time Ella's been stalked. Ashley was the first one. She went to the same uni as them and she knew Koby. When I first met her, she told me that him and Ella were so close, she thought they were dating but I spoke to her about it and she told me Ashley was lying."

"She was definitely lying, cos' as I said, Koby didn't go to uni much. How do you know it's not her again?" She continued to question him.

"She's in jail." He commented. "The police say they have a suspect but they can't tell us who until it's confirmed."

"Well, I hope they find out who it is soon." She answered with a lowered head, imagining everything Ella had to deal with and empathising with her.

"Oh, and you know how she's been getting letters? Well apparently Koby's been getting letters too." Trent alert her.

"That's his business. I hope Ella and the kids will be okay." Sabrina replied before looking up and seeing Arne at the door of her office. "Keep me updated."

"I will. Bye." Trent got up from his chair and so that he could finally get home home. He is extremely exhausted.

"Bye Trent." Sabrina opened the door to let him out and let the manager in so that they could talk about the injuries and physical wellness of the players.

Back home

Ella was downstairs with the twins, still shaken up about last night occurrence. She had spoken to Jaida last night about the whole ordeal and she had spoken to her the next morning before she received a call from Jude. She answered a few seconds later, not being able to avoid the call as she didn't feel like speaking to anyone but Trent and the kids.

"Hello?-" She spoke holding the twins on her lap while they watched TV. Even though it was the weekend, she still had loads of work to do but she just wanted to spend time with her family.

"Are you okay?" Her brother asked, not even greeting her and only wanting to know about last night.

"Yeah. You?" Ella responded back with dishonesty. She wasn't okay, but she had to be. She had to be strong for her family.

"Don't give me that, I know about last night. Jobe told me. You know you can always talk to me." Jude wanted to let her know that he was there for her.

"I know but I don't really want to." He understood right away and didn't want to pressure her. It was a tough situation she and Trent were going through.

"Okay but I'm here if there's anything." Jude reminded her. It hurt him to see his sister so stressed and anxious. "How's the kids and Trent?"

"They're all fine. Are you okay?" If she was being honest, she knew that Trent was still annoyed at everything but she didn't want to cause concern.

"I'm okay, I wish I could've been there to help." Jude remarked hearing the stress in her voice and understanding how all of this was affecting her.

"It's gonna be okay. Police are on it." Ella was able to speak before hearing the door open, revealing Trent and Jaida following behind him. "Your girlfriend's here."

"Hi baby." Jude called out to her even though he has also already spoken to her today. He missed her, could anyone blame him?

"Hey babe." Jaida replied back to him with love, making her way to Ella and the twins while Trent took off his shoes.

"Jude, we'll call you later. Love you." Ella hung up the phone after he said goodbye. Trent immediately sat next to Ella after and wrapped his arms around her, planting a kiss on her forehead and then kissing his children.

"Baby, I got news for you." Trent turned to her quickly. "I spoke to Sabrina today, Koby is a psycho. He was obsessive during their whole relationship."

"Doesn't surprise me to be honest." She responded back to him as Jaida was listening to the conversation.

"He's so strange. Out of nowhere he's calling you again, and at the worst time too. That boy needs some help." Having being told about Koby's antics, Jaida was creeped out. She wanted to be there for her best friend.

"He desperately needs help. I feel bad for Sabrina. It explains so much of her past behaviour." It was obvious to Ella that he wasn't the same sweet person that he was before.

"Wait, is Sabrina the one that tried to get with you?" Jaida looked at Trent with confusion. It was a lot for her to take in.

"Yeah. But she's not on that anymore thankfully. She's in therapy and she's doing better." He confirmed. "When they were dating, he abused her. Not physically but he abused her. He's disgusting and she said you need to be careful baby." He turned back to Ella.

"I am careful. That man ain't gonna hurt me. Let him try." Ella confidently spoke, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"I wouldn't let anything happen to you anyway my love." He told her, placing his arm around her shoulder.

"Awwww, you guys are so cute." Jaida smiled at seeing how protective Trent was. It was heartwarming to see the love him and Ella shared.

"Dada." Tayah began climbing on her dad so that he could hold her. She had missed him today and couldn't wait another second.

"Yes princess, come here." She immediately went to her dad, being embraced by his protective arms around her. "You okay?" To which she responded by nodding her head before resting it on his arm.

"I'm coming back." Ella spoke, giving Tahj to his auntie Jaida, where he hugged her straight away. He felt so comfortable with her.

Still with stress, Ella made her way to the kitchen but stopped in her tracks as she saw something she knew all too well about. She tried to not look frightened and continued to stare at the figure, if it was who they thought it was, she would be able to tell by looking more attentively, she thought. Deciding that she wanted to take action, Ella stepped closer to the utensils draw and picked up a large knife which she wasn't actually going to use, only having the intention of scaring away this person. The figure only seemed to continue their silence, not flinching or moving. Ella thought to herself that this person had to be someone she knew because they weren't reacting to what she was doing, indicating that they knew she wasn't going to harm them but disregarded that by thinking that they probably had a weapon themselves.

"Trent, can you call the police please?" She didn't shout it as she didn't want the figure to hear what she was saying but she spoke loud enough for Trent to hear and figure out what was going on. The next thing she heard was Trent walking in behind her with anger in his footsteps. Ella went over to the sliding door, about to open it before Trent told her to stop as it was dangerous. She didn't listen however, sliding it open and stepping outside.

"Listen you fucking bitch, if you wanna hurt me, do it, but leave my family alone. I'm right here. Isn't this what you wanted you fucking psycho?Standing outside my house and sending letters. You need to realise that your anger or obsession towards me doesn't involve my family. Oh and by the way your outfit is hideous. If you're trying to go for that horror look, please try harder because you look a mess and-" Ella began saying as the person just stared at her.

"Ella, stop-" Trent tried to warn her stepping in front of her and facing the stalker himself. "I don't know who you are but if you even take a step towards her, I will fucking hurt you." The stalker then took a step back, being intimidated by Trent. "That's what I thought."

-

So, it's been a month since I've updated🫣 I'm so sorryyyy

I will work on finishing this story and be more consistent guys I promise🤍