#RAW in Baltimore

[youtappedout]

[raw1111official]

🌺🥑🌱🥦 Explore "Maryland's Vegan Vibes: A Delicious Journey Through History" on RAW1111.COM! 🌿🍅 Savor the flavors and stories. #GVWU Go Vegan With Us and enjoy the journey! 🌱✨

[aftgficrec]

My Personal Favorite Fics EVER!! All Neil/Andrew

I hope I am doing this right! I just hit the share button on my bookmarked fics. Idk if any of these have been on here before (I have read a lot of fics and it gets confusing to know which ones I found on here bc there are so many good recommendations, or ones I found on my own. But these are 3 of my favorite fics that I feel like are the most well done!

• Everything's Alright by DarkD: This fic is unfinished but so worth the read!! It is a soulmates au, and in it Neil and Andrew are looking out for eachother since they are 6 and 7 years old. It completely changes their dynamic but manages to keep the characters realistic. I love the direction it was going, I hope the author finishes it, but even if they don’t what they have written so far is worth the read.

• If I Knew You by AceSirenSinger: This fic is soooo amazing!! It was posed pretty recently (starting January 2024 and finishing in May) and It shows a different direction with Aaron and Andrew’s bonding, and different reasons for them having problems with each other. It features writer/author Andrew and Law Student turned police officer Aaron. The writing is so high quality and it is a completely finished fic!! The writing to show the writing of the book Andrew has written alone is impressive enough to get you to read it. I love it so much, it also gives a more realistic approach to Neil’s life and trauma as well as gives you more of a perspective on the problems of Aaron’s life. (Even tho it’s an au and doesn’t show his life during AFTG)

• Deep blue ( but you painted me golden ) by Jeaneil_22: This fic is not finished but completely captivated my attention when I saw it. I was surprised I had not read it before (because I am obsessed with Raven Neil fics, and this is one of them) but then I realized it was posted within the last year or so. It’s completely underrated. It does have a lot of hits but the kudos count not being in the thousands is a crime against humanity. The realistic take on. Neil’s trauma and different things going on as he is still connected very heavily to the Moriyama’s is sooo interesting. And if you are looking for a fic where Neil is a victim of SA/Rape this fic is also a good one for you. (Though it does have a lot of trauma so mind the tags) I know a lot of people are looking for fics like that tho and it’s hard to find bc there is so much SA trauma in AFTG 😔

Thanks for the recs and for sharing your thoughts on the fics! Readers, all of these stories lean toward the darkest themes of AFTG. -A

Everything's Alright by DarkD [Rated E, 182901 Words, Incomplete, Updated June 2023]

Previously recced here

Souls weren't meant to be left alone, so they split, always looking for their other half. No matter how long it took, the moment a soul existed, it sought the one that would complete it. The main indication is, when one of the halves of the soul turns seven years old, an identical mark appears on both parts. Along with that comes a set of unique abilities that soulmates can only use with each other—for protection, for finding each other. Soulmates would never be alone.

tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: child abuse, tw: torture, tw: blood, tw: gun violence, tw: homophobia, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: murder, tw: canonical character death

If I Knew You by AceSirenSinger [Rated T, 43145 Words, Complete, 2024]

Previously featured in this long andreil + aaron angst ask, our staff recs writers post, and as a random rec

Neil is imprisoned at sixteen years old for being the Butcher of Baltimore. Andrew obsesses, and Aaron obsesses because Andrew does, and everything goes wrong and raw and painful. Feat. the twinyards breaking each other’s hearts, and a decent amount of shade on the American justice system.

tw: implied/referenced murder, tw: recreational drug use, tw: implied/referenced violence, tw: implied/referenced torture

​​Deep blue ( but you painted me golden ) by Jeaneil_22 [Rated M, 163298 Words, Incomplete, Updated Sept 2024]

After the horrific incident that happened in the nest and the sound of Kevin crying, Nathaneil made the hard call and bargained with his life to get Jean and Kevin out, having no slight idea about the storm that was heading his way And after being missing for two years, Jean and Kevin swallowed the hard truth that Nathaneil might be dead somewhere To their surprise one day he appears out of the blue looking so much like their brother but nothing like Nathaneil at all Or Nathniel went on the run with his mother when he was 9 years old but three years later Nathan caught up to them and threw Nathaneil in the nest So we can say some things went a bit different .

NB: playlist for this fic

tw: dark, tw: gang rape, tw: dubcon, tw: human trafficking, tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: assault, tw: flashbacks, tw: panic attacks, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: abuse and torture, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: medication addiction and withdrawal, tw: recreational drug use, tw: nonconsensual drug use, tw: vomit, tw: homophobia, tw: canonical character death

[gallifreyanhotfive]

Random Doctor Who Facts You Might Not Know, Part 66

The Seventh Doctor was once frozen in ice in the Antarctic for over a million years after a skirmish involving Ice Warrior prisoners. Over time, his clothes had degraded dramatically, but he survived because he had put himself into a coma. He was accidentally awoken by an Antarctic expedition in 2012. Despite having memory loss, he brought up the names of his companions, such as Mel, Ace, and Hex, even referring to a woman on the expedition as "Ace" while he tried to remember everything. (Audio: Frozen Time)

A "monster," or "the Green Terror," had stowed away on the TARDIS when it had been caught on the First Doctor's jacket as a spawn. It eventually attacked the Fourth Doctor and K-9 when the TARDIS materialized inside solid rock. (Short story: Stowaway)

Thr Capricorn Killer was originally an office worker who had been suddenly turned to a vampire one night. Following his change and an altercation, he started killing and drinking people's blood. Eventually, he encountered the Fourth Doctor and Romana. The Fourth Doctor said, "I'm afraid someone brought you into our world. This is the only help I can give you. Now hold still. This won't hurt a bit." He then proceeded to stake the Capricorn Killer with a walking stick, something which hurt quite a bit and caused him to dissolve to ash. Then the Doctor went about his day like normal as though he had not just killed a man without second thought, asking Romana if she wanted to go for a steak at a restaurant. (Short story: I Was a Monster!!!)

Edgar Allan Poe took part in a seance with the First Doctor, Ian, Barbara, and some others. During this seance, a young girl named Abigail was possessed by evil forces trying to come into this world, connected through a ram's skull carved with a pentagram. Poe knocked a candle onto the skull to stop this, causing it and Abigail to go up in flames. Poe later recounted this in his diary but commented that he felt as though he had opened another gateway to let the evil in by doing so. The very next day, Poe was found wandering the streets of Baltimore, disoriented, and he died not long afterwards. A "mysterious stranger" visited his grave and left him roses and a cognac bottle. (Short story: The True and Indisputable Facts in the Matter of the Ram's Skull)

Because of LaMort, or Death, the Seventh Doctor felt the same sharp, raw pain that he had felt when Susan had left him and when all of his other companions left. He described his companions leaving as "Little deaths as they'd left him. Sometimes bigger deaths. Real deaths." (Short story: Virgin Lands)

The Eighth Doctor has been known to wear eye shadow. (Short story: Growing Higher)

Jamie has been known to take the precaution of chopping up the Second Doctor's recorder, not that it ever stopped him from producing a different recorder from somewhere. (Short story: Twin Piques)

There was massive beef between K-9 Mark I and Mark II. They fought a lot in their missives to each other and only buried the hatchet when the Fourth Doctor regenerated. (Short story: Jealous, Possessive)

A copy of "The Diary of an Edwardian Adventuress" by Charlotte Elspeth Pollard is at the Library of Kar-Charrat, the same place the Seventh Doctor and Ace once visited (as Daleks were invading). (Short story: Apocrypha Bipedium)

The Master once became producer of a show called "Make a Star," where many singers competed to become famous. He wanted to release songs as of yet unwritten to unravel the timeline. The Master later teased the Doctor for not guessing that he was involved, given that "Make a Star" is an anagram for "aka Master." (Short story: Hidden Talent)

The day after Barbara and Ian left in the TARDIS, Barbara's mother, Joan Wright, reported them missing to the police. A year later, she had not given up hope of finding her, and she shared a dream with Barbara on board the TARDIS. Barbara told her mother that she would return. (Short story: A Long Night)

The Fourth Doctor was once attacked by an entity representing all of the people who have felt fear because of the Doctor's actions and who was attempting to make the Doctor also feel that same constant fear. The Doctor was not afraid when the entity put him in cave full of people missing limbs and a terrifying creature that bit off the Doctor's arm, when the entity made the Doctor an old man in a wheelchair being tended by nurses, or when the entity put him in a padded cell. The entity eventually sensed a thought from the Doctor - that he was afraid of losing his mind. (Short story: The Fear)

Chloe and Arthur owned a bed and breakfast that the Sixth Doctor once visited. In this bed and breakfast, Chloe and Arthur were killed by hundreds of other versions of themselves over and over every day. The next version would come knocking, and the current would go outside and meet their fate. Eventually, the Doctor came to stay and also joined the ritual of repeatedly dying. After dying enough times, the Doctor decided that none of them will answer when someone came knocking, thus breaking the cycle and freeing them. (Short story: The Death of Me)

Long before The Doctor's Wife, the TARDIS took on the form of a woman called Iraj. Iraj (who I will from now on refer to as the TARDIS) had encountered Romana I just before her regeneration and decided that she wanted to play a trick on the Doctor. The TARDIS took on the form of Princess Astra and was annoyed when the Doctor barely noticed her. The TARDIS proceeded to put on three other bodies, forcing Romana to stay put when she lost her temper. The TARDIS eventually put back on Astra's body, only this time wearing the Doctor's clothes. Romana was still frozen when the TARDIS eventually returned, telling her all about an adventure she had had with the Doctor with Davros and Daleks, but she was still annoyed that the Doctor had barely noticed her. After convincing the TARDIS that the Doctor does care for her, the TARDIS helped Romana regenerate, and to Romana's surprise, she took on the form of Princess Astra! (Short story: The Lying Old Witch in the Wardrobe)

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[gaysails]

The Wire is an American crime drama television series created and primarily written by American author and former police reporter David Simon . . . Set and produced in Baltimore, Maryland, The Wire introduces a different institution of the city and its relationship to law enforcement in each season while retaining characters and advancing storylines from previous seasons. The five subjects are, in chronological order; the illegal drug trade, the port system, the city government and bureaucracy, education and schools, and the print news medium. . .

Simon has said that despite its framing as a crime drama, the show is "really about the American city, and about how we live together. It's about how institutions have an effect on individuals. Whether one is a cop, a longshoreman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge or a lawyer, all are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever institution to which they are committed."[5]

The Wire is lauded for its literary themes, its uncommonly accurate exploration of society and politics, and its realistic portrayal of urban life. During its original run, the series received only average ratings and never won any major television awards, but it is now often cited as one of the greatest shows in the history of television.[6]

. . .

Salon has described the show as novelistic in structure, with a greater depth of writing and plotting than other crime shows.[27]

Each season of The Wire consists of 10 to 13 episodes that form several multi-layered narratives. Simon chose this structure with an eye towards long story arcs that draw in viewers, resulting in a more satisfying payoff. He uses the metaphor of a visual novel in several interviews,[7][48] describing each episode as a chapter, and has also commented that this allows a fuller exploration of the show's themes in time not spent on plot development.[5]

. . .

"We are not selling hope, or audience gratification, or cheap victories with this show. The Wire is making an argument about what institutions—bureaucracies, criminal enterprises, the cultures of addiction, raw capitalism even—do to individuals. It is not designed purely as an entertainment. It is, I'm afraid, a somewhat angry show.[52]"

[duckymcdoorknob]

𝓣𝓲𝓬𝓴𝓵𝓮𝓽𝓸𝓫𝓮𝓻 𝓭𝓪𝔂 7: 𝓕𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓭

woooo I’m almost caught up

I’m so seepy, but both classes got cancelled sonow I can write all morning

Hehe good morning Baltimore

Omg now I wanna watch Hairspray again. Anyways-

GOD THIS IS SO LONG SEND HELP

Tags: @chrimsss @ticklish-n-stuff @secret-weeb-account

—this do have tickles below the cut ngl. Also angsty again, oops—

Saiki has always been someone who swore that his friends piss him off, but in reality, he has a big soft spot for them. So when Kaidou’s birthday came around, what kind of monster would he be if he didn’t attend the party and get the best gift ever?

He curses his brilliant mind most times, but when he needs the calculator from it, it’s always there for him.

Just like Kaidou…

Oh dear, now he really needs to go above and beyond.

He spent ages perusing the shelves of multiple stores, comparing prices and name brands (while also considering the off brands.)

After three hours, the treasured gift lay pristinely wrapped in a blue wrapping paper, adorned with a large, red bow.

He looks down at his watch and- oh dear, he would be late.

That’s alright, better to show up with an excuse than to show up and have the risk of someone seeing him telep-

In a flash, Kusuo appeared down the block of Kaidou’s home. He checked his surroundings to ensure that no one had seen the action.

What had happened?

There was a roach, naturally.

Regardless, he checked his watch once more and he was perfectly on time.

Kusuo raised his hand to knock on the door and did so. He was met by a rather enthusiastic “C’MON IN!!!!!!”

When he entered the house, he was truly taken aback…

He was the only one who was in there other than Kaidou.

Okay, now he was pissed off, like really pissed.

“Kaidou, am I the only one that you invited?” He had to check, there’s no way that his friends wouldn’t-

Looking rather melancholic, the silver-haired boy replied. “No, just waiting on the others! You know them, late for everything! Haha!”

The psychic felt a tinge of remorse in his chest. It didn’t require him reading his friend’s mind to understand that Kaidou was devastated.

“And your family?”

“They uh, they went out to celebrate Toki’s birthday… it’s not even his actual birthday today either.” he murmured.

“What the hell is their problem?” Kusuo hissed. “It’s your birthday; this is your day.”

“Look, Saiki it’s-“

“Don’t say it’s okay, because it’s definitely not.”

“They have to celebrate my little brother, it’s-“

“Without you?”

The question left the birthday boy in silence. He turned toward the wall and averted his gaze. It didn’t take a psychic to notice his heaving chest and understand that he was crying.

“Kaidou…”

“N-no it’s… it’s o-okay.”

“Look at me.”

The silver-haired boy turned toward his friend with puffy eyes, tears leaking out of them.

Kusuo wasn’t sure what possessed him to do so, but his hand moved upward and gently swiped away the tears that were falling. “No one cries on their birthday, not on my watch.”

The Jet Black Wings smiled, cheeks tinting pink as he scrubbed at his leaking eyes. “You always know how to make me feel better, Saiki.”

“Hey, hey, no. You’ll rub your eyes raw. Let me do it.” Saiki gently wiped his friend’s eyes once more, eyebrows knit in remorse. This of course only made Kaidou cry harder.

The pink-haired boy short-circuited when he felt the latter lean down against his torso for a hug. But, somehow, something in him told him to hug back…

“S-Sorry for making t-things so awkward.”

“Not awkward at all; it’s not like I’ve never seen you cry before.” Kusuo hummed as he gave a few pats to the boy’s shoulder.

“Uggghhh that’s right.” He shoved his face into Saiki’s shirt, indubitably staining it with tears.

Poor Kaidou… what can he do to make him-

That’s it.

He’s seen Nendou do it before, and scientifically it’s impossible to mess up.

But what if he hurts him? That’s the last thing Kaidou needs right now.

Well, no time like the present.

In a moment of comfortable silence, Kusuo carefully pressed his fingers into his friend’s sides, pinching a bit. He felt the latter shift in response, whining a bit.

“Nooo, don’t tickle me.”

“I told you that I’m not letting you cry on your birthday.”

Kaidou’s hands came up to cover his ears, weird.

“What’s wrong with your ears? Why cover them?”

“N-Nothing.” Kaidou’s voice was up by at least an octave as his hands shook.

“Well, you left yourself wide open.”

“…You wouldn’t.”

Oh he would, and he did. The pink-haired boy brought his hands up to the birthday boy’s underarms and gently wiggled them.

“Hyehehehahaha! Saha-sahahahaihihihikihi! Nohohoho!”

Kusuo hummed fondly when his friend brought his arms down, revealing why he had covered his ears. The tips of them were flushed a beautiful shade of scarlet red, and it was creeping down his neck. “Ohhhh, you’re embarassed, aren’t you?”

A giggly whine was what he received in reply, the blush deepening. “Sahahahihihikihihi- dohohohont—hehehe—behehehe mehehehean.”

“Mean? I could never be mean. Didn’t you know that? I’m completely devoid of human emotion, I thought we’ve covered this in the Dark Reunion episode.” Hands traveled to Kaidou’s ribs and began their attack.

“AGH! DOHOHOHONT BREHEHEHEAK THEHEHE FOHOHOHOURTH WAHAHAHALL!”

“Should I listen to him, everyone?”

“STAHAH-STAHAHAP THAHAHAT! YOHOHOHOU KNOHOHOHOW IHIHIHIHI HAHAHATEHEHE- HYEHEHAHAHAHA! SAHAHAHIHIHIKIHIHI!”

“What’s wrong? Embarassed?” Kusuo could feel the warmth in Kaidou’s face as he continued his ticklish assault.

“YEHEHEHES!” A whined reply.

“Mmm, sounds like you’re still crying though. You know I can’t have you crying on your birthday.”

When hands traveled down to his tummy, it was over. The silver-haired boy fell backwards on the couch, covering his horrendously red face with his hands. He screamed into his hands as he whined incoherently through his laughter. “OKAHAHAHAY! IHIHIHI- IHIHIHI CAHAHANT!”

“Oh? Is this spot ticklish?”

“YEHEHEHES! TOHOHOHOO TIHIHICK- OHOHO MYGOHOHOD! STOPSTOPSTOP KUHUHUSUHUOHOHO!”

When he had heard the rare usage of his first name, Saiki let off his attack. A smile was on both of their faces as Kaidou panted into his hands.

“Oh you’re such a dick, dude.”

“Maybe, but at least you’re smiling.”

As if on cue, the doorbell rang. The two turned toward it, and of course, Kusuo already knew who it was.

“C-Come on in!”

The door opened to reveal all of their friends, drenched from head to toe, and holding boxes under their clothes.

The birthday boy gasped as he jumped up from the couch with a huge smile. “You came! You came!”

“Yeah, sorry we’re late,” Aren hummed. “Nendou forgot your present at home and then it started pouring. SOMEONE-“ he gestured to Hairo, “decided that it would be a “fun challenge” to run through the rain without an umbrella.”

A giggle escaped him, “Don’t worry. I’m glad you’re all here.”

“As for you, why are you so red?” Nendou accused. “Got something you’re hiding from us, buddy?”

“Wh- no! Nononono! I don’t have anything to hide, Saiki just tickled me and- uh oh.”

“Tickled you, huh?”

Kusuo could hear the menace in Aren’s voice, opting to stand up as the group abandoned their gifts and tackled Kaidou to the couch.

“Go easy on him, he’s still catching his breath.”

The four nodded at him and soon the joyful giggles of the birthday boy filled the room once more. The psychic smiled as he used his powers to check under the wrapping paper and-

Oh no…

Nendou had bought the same present he did.

—————♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎—————

[awildtei]

Andrew haunted?? 👀

Sorry if you were expecting the sexy, ghostly kind of haunting... It's just the 👻 trauma 👻 kind of haunting

"It’s something that doesn’t leave after. The pain is gone, but the body moves with the phantom of it, carefully walking around the edges of the crater it left behind. Andrew has never needed any help keeping the score, his mind does that well enough. His body has always felt secondary to that remembering, just a prop in the endless movie of his darkest nights.

Lately, though, he thinks he might have been wrong about that. His mind doesn’t forget and probably never will, but some of it has become hazier, mercifully softer at the edges. Pain—visceral, raw, sharp, and extended—can only truly be felt and stored in the body, and his brain is not the only part of his body he listens to anymore.

But being haunted is not always a bad thing. It can be a kindness. It’s a safeguard against it happening again, even if it’s not real, even if it’s a futile precaution. It’s not the cruelty of the harm inflicted that makes him haunted, but the kindness of his body looking out for him, and he’s done resenting it for trying.

Despite their reputation, he's learned that ghosts can be gentle. One of the men he’s built a life with is the reincarnated ghost of a child left to die in a mansion in Baltimore. The other one is living in the afterdeath of a boy with an Irish lilt and a young man found dead from alcohol poisoning. The man Andrew is died a thousand deaths in a dozen beds in two different states, and yet here he stands.

This is another kindness, one that goes unmentioned but not unnoticed, that of being unalone with his ghosts. For so long it was just him on the other side of a line separating those acquainted with the barrel from those acquainted with the trigger, but he’s got company now. Neil, whose face and arms melt with cigarette lighter burns as they lie on the couch on a cool winter evening. Kevin, who knows better than anyone that bones remember the second they are pushed right past their breaking point, even if they’ve long since fused back together. Even Aaron—he sometimes acknowledges—knows the dull throbbing pain of bruises can make unblemished skin tender on days when memory lurks close.

Today Andrew’s body is not his own, but yesterday it was, tomorrow it probably will be again. And tomorrow, like yesterday, his mind will be elsewhere, on Neil and Kevin and the cats (little ghosts, them, too, scheduled for euthanasia until they got them from the overfull shelter) and Exy and doing the grocery shopping and the endless mundanity of living past your twenties despite all the odds being determinedly stacked against you, having scribbled endless months on blank pages when the calendar ended."

[youtappedout]

[coffeeheartaddict2]

A tale of two nights

Book: Open Heart (pre series)

Characters: Ethan Ramsey, Tobias Carrick

Warnings: language, alcohol consumption

Catergory: Angst.

Rating: Teen

Word count: 592

Summary: It is Halloween of their third year, events from the end of the second year are still raw for both men.

Authors note: Thanks for the prompt Elsa. It will appear in bold.

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

It was fall in Baltimore and the third year of medical school had commenced. There was one big difference though. Ethan Ramsey and Tobias Carrick were still top of the class but their relationship was not the same since before the summer. Ethan could not trust Tobias after he slept with Estelle, neither man wanted anything to do with her. Try as Tobias might, Ethan was just not in the headspace to reconcile nor was he in the headspace to celebrate this crass holiday. He had enjoyed the medical school faculty party last year but he was not attending this year. Tobias was in two minds about attending also but he was not going to let the prospect of running into Estelle ruin his fun.

It was the day of the party and Tobias was hard at work making a punch. Not just any punch but fake blood. He wanted the feel and taste of it to be as authentic as possible. After a third attempt he got it right and he was excited.

Ethan came home from tutoring, he was perplexed to see Tobias in the kitchen, given that he knew that he was heading out. Perplexity turned to mortified when he saw the blood.

“What the fuck…” muttered Ethan.

“Tonight’s punch,” said Tobias, grinning smugly, whilst being optimistic that a taste of the punch would get Ethan to change his mind. “Try some.”

Tobias served him a glass, Ethan smelt it, then tasted it.

“Should I be worried that you know how to replicate blood this well? I probably should be…right???”

“No, what you need is a good time, you had a good time last year despite the bruised bottom and ankle.”

Ethan winced at the memory, he had enjoyed his to a point, his fear of taking things further with Estelle ended the night but with after what happened he wished he had stayed home.

“I am just not in the mood. God why the fuck do you wish to drag me to all these inane events.”

Said Ethan, a hint of frustration in his voice.

Tobias took a breath. “When was the last time you did anything remotely fun? Huh? You will burn yourself out if you keep up the all work and no play…”

“I am fine!” Said Ethan rather adamantly before storming off to his room.”

“Yeah fucking right” muttered Tobias under his breath. He knew that Ethan was deep down wanting to avoid Estelle at all costs, her shameless attempts and epic shut down of her attempts to get Ethan back were known and as far as Tobias was concerned, being more of a stick in the mud was letting her win. He also wanted his buddy back.

Tobias changed into his costume, Batman. He had a great time and the blood punch was a success. He had a great night, blew off some steam with one of the other faculty members. It was a good night.

Meanwhile Ethan stayed home, alone, sipping on a scotch and enjoying the quiet. He knew Tobias was right, he did need to cut loose but he was still hurting and he did not know how or if he wanted to trust anyone, let alone Tobias again.

Tobias returned home the next morning, there was no sign of Ethan but the tell tale signs that Ethan had quite the night. He was sad for his friend. He wished his friend had shared in a drink they call loneliness instead of drinking alone but sadly it is what it was.

——-

Authors note: A bit of a morose one but again Halloween has only really taken off here within the last few years and well it also falls in spring here in Australia.

Also the original post had bits everywhere I do apologise- serves me right for trying to edit with a 3yo using me as a jungle gym.

Tagging: @jerzwriter @cariantha @kyra75 @tessa-liam @alj4890 @genevievemd @jamespotterthefirst @bex-la-get @crazy-loca-blog @a-crepusculo @potionsprefect @liaromancewriter @youlookappropriate @binny1985 @schnitzelbutterfingers @openheartfanfics @choicesficwriterscreations

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Lori Ann Larocco at CNBC:

Billions in trade came to a screeching halt at U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports after members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) began walking off the job after 12:01 a.m. ET on October 1. The ILA is North America’s largest longshoremen’s union, with roughly 50,000 of its 85,000 members making good on the threat to strike at 14 major ports subject to a just-expired master contract with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), and picketing workers beginning to appear at ports. The union and port ownership group failed to reach agreement by midnight on a new contract in a protracted battle over wage increases and use of automation. In a last-ditch effort on Monday to avert a strike that will cause significant harm to the U.S. economy if it is lengthy — at least hundreds of millions of dollars a day at the largest ports like New York/New Jersey — the USMX offered a nearly 50% wage hike over six years, but that was rejected by the ILA, according to a source close to the negotiations. The port ownership group said it hoped the offer would lead to a resumption of collective bargaining.

The 14 ports where preparations for a strike have been underway are Boston, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Wilmington, North Carolina, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, New Orleans, Mobile, and Houston. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement issued shortly after midnight that “the first large-scale eastern dockworker strike in 47 years began at ports from Maine to Texas, including at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In preparation for this moment, New York has been working around the clock to ensure that our grocery stores and medical facilities have the essential products they need.” Rhetoric from ILA leadership has been aggressive in the weeks leading up to the strike, with ILA president Harold Daggett, who was a union member the last time it went out on strike in 1977, telling rank-and-file members — who unanimously voted to authorize a strike — in a recent video message, “We’ll crush them.” 

[...] The most significant issues would be faced by food and automobile industries, Kamins said, as they rely especially heavily on the ports that will be shut down. While a surge in inflation is highly unlikely even with a longer strike, even a modest reacceleration could create uncertainty and force the Federal Reserve to be more cautious about lowering interest rates, which would weigh on the overall outlook for job growth and investment. A one-week strike could cost the U.S. economy $3.78 billion, according to an analysis by The Conference Board, and cause supply chain slowdowns through mid-November. In all, the ports threatened with strikes handle $3 trillion annually in U.S. annual international trade.

Many industries are preparing for major repercussions. Noushin Shamsili, CEO and president of Nuco Logistics, which specializes in pharmaceutical imports and exports, said the strike comes at a critical time for inventory replenishment for the pharma sector. “Almost all of this industry is just on time,” said Shamsili. “Raw materials are being brought in to complete drug manufacturing. Medical supplies for clinics and hospitals are on these vessels. For a while importers did not bring in a lot of cargo because they were overflowing with supplies post-Covid. Now they have started reordering medical devices, gloves, syringes, and tubing.” Shamsili also said the East Coast ports are a gateway for generic medicine made in India. Approximately 48% of the active pharmaceutical ingredients used in the U.S. are being imported from India. Without these APIs, medications cannot be produced. APIs are also manufactured in Europe, which also use the East Coast ports as U.S. points of entry.

[...] The Biden administration finds itself in a delicate political moment, with the presidential election one month away and President Biden vowing he will not use existing labor law to force union workers back on the job, which is within his powers under the Taft-Hartley Act. The Taft-Hartley Act, passed in 1947, was a revision of U.S. law governing labor relations and union activity that granted a U.S. president the power to suspend a strike for an 80-day “cooling off period” in cases where “national health or safety” are at risk. 

Today begins the strike along East Coast and Gulf Coast ports after International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) members walked off their jobs.

This strike, depending on how long it lasts, could have a major impact on the elections and the economy.

[madamsnape921]

On the Plus Side

Chaper 6

<Chapter 5

Pairing: Frederick Chilton x female reader 

Warning: more ridiculousness, only one bed 

WC: 1674

Raúl Taglist: @beccabarba @alwaysachorusgirl @law-nerd105 @thatesqcrush @prurientpuddlejumper  @welcometothemxdhouse @itsjustmyfantasyroom @lv7867 @word-scribbless 

@plaidbooks @storiesofsvu @navalcriminalimagines 

On the Plus Side Taglist: @caracalwithchips @jackdanieltorrance

“Wait. Joe, he’s on the list,” the other man behind the door said.

“Well, I’ll be damned, come on in Frederick from Baltimore,” Joe opened the door. “Who is this delicious morsel with you?”

“My girlfriend, Y/N,” Frederick answered quickly, looking annoyed, “and she’s not a morsel for you.”

You stepped forward, “We’re looking for Maradeath Kays or a relative.” 

Joe shrugged as he looked at the couple. “The old lady has been out on a hunt for a week now. We all have told her to retire, but she refuses to let anyone take care of her.”

“When do you expect her to return?”

“She was supposed to be home yesterday before sundown. I fear the worst. The village is not the most friendly to her,” Joe frowned.

“Why not go looking for her?” Frederick questioned. 

Joe stood there dumbfounded and sighed, “She’d kill us if we leave.  We are bound to the manor.” Joe revealed an astral shackle on his wrists.

“For fuck’s sake!! Where would you go to find her? We’ll go,” Frederick sounded highly frustrated. 

Joe hesitated momentarily, clearly torn between his duty and the situation's urgency. Finally, he nodded, resigned. "Very well. Maradeath usually heads out towards the old ruins by the river when she goes on her hunts. It's a dangerous place, but it's where she feels most at home."

Frederick took your hand and led her out the door without wasting another moment, leaving Joe behind. The night air was cool against their skin as they made their way towards the river, guided by the faint scent of blood that lingered in the air.

As they approached the ruins, a sense of foreboding washed over them. The crumbling stones seemed to whisper ancient secrets, and the darkness within seemed to stretch endlessly.

But Frederick tightened his grip on your hand, a determined glint in his eyes. "We will find her," he said softly, his voice tinged with an underlying hunger that had nothing to do with blood.

You looked up at him, seeing a side of Frederick she had never witnessed before. A primal energy surrounded him, a raw power that frightened and exhilarated her. She knew then, beyond a doubt, that Frederick was not just an ordinary man. He was a predator in his own right.

Together, they ventured deeper into the ruins, their footsteps echoing off the ancient stones. The darkness seemed to press in around them, but Frederick's presence was a comforting anchor for you. As they navigated the maze-like corridors, they finally came upon a clearing bathed in moonlight.

There, standing tall and fierce, was Maradeath Kays. Her hair was silver in the pale light, her eyes gleaming with a fierce determination. She held a bloodied sword, her gaze fixed on something in the shadows.

"Maradeath," Frederick called out, his voice filled with relief and concern. What had happened here?"

Maradeath turned towards them, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of Frederick and Y/N. "You shouldn't have come," she warned, her tone grave.

"We couldn't just leave you out here alone," Frederick replied, stepping closer to her.

As they approached, they saw what had caught Maradeath's attention. A group of rogue vampires lay strewn on the ground, their bodies motionless. These vampires were not like Frederick - they were wild, feral beings without regard for human life.

"They ambushed me," Maradeath explained, her voice tinged with anger. "But I made sure they won't harm anyone else."

You felt a shiver run down her spine at the sight of the fallen vampires.

“What are you doing here, Frederick?” Maradeath asked.

“I’m looking for a day ring for Y/N,” he answered. 

Maradeath smiled, “Congratulations! Take this.” She pulled a smaller version of Frederick’s ring off her finger and handed it to him. “I don’t need it anymore.”

“Thank you so much, Mara.” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Seriously?” Frederick asked the person at the front desk of their hotel.

“Unfortunately, sir. Your second room was completely flooded and is currently being worked on. If you’d be willing to use the other room, it will be comped, sir,” the nervous girl answered. 

“Fine! This trip just keeps throwing curve balls.”

“Excellent! Thank you, sir! Liam will escort you to retrieve your things from the messed-up room.”

After grabbing your bag from the ruined room, you head to Frederick’s room.

“Do you mind if I steal the shower first?” you asked as soon as you entered the room.

“Of course not, love,” Frederick answered distractedly, followed by a quick kiss on your forehead.

After your shower, you went to the bedroom wearing shorts and a tank top. 

“I regret needing to shower now. I’d rather spend the time looking at you,” Frederick pouted.

You laughed as he headed into the bathroom and passed the time by unpacking your bag.

You were about to crawl into the bed when Frederick came back out completely naked.

“Oh no, no, no… you are way too overdressed for my bed, Y/N.”

“Excuse me?” you asked while trying to keep your eyes off his hard cock.

Frederick approached you and started pulling your tank top off. You were still so stunned that you just let him. 

“Mmm, you look beautiful,” Frederick said, moving to remove your shorts. 

 “Am I wearing the correct amount of clothes now, Dr. Chilton?” you stood there completely naked with a smirk on your face. 

In response, Frederick picked you up and tossed you onto the bed. “Absolutely. You are so sexy,” he moved on top of you, pressing his lips to yours.

Frederick forced his tongue into your mouth. You squirmed beneath him, feeling your body responding to the intimacy of the moment. The kiss intensified as you wrapped your arms around his neck, deepening the connection. Frederick’s touch, coupled with his dominant nature, always excited you. A gentle moan escaped your lips as Frederick's hands trailed down your back and over your ass, pulling you closer to him.

His lips moved from your mouth to your neck, leaving a trail of fiery kisses that made your skin tingle. Frederick's deep voice rumbled in your ear, "I need you, Y/N. I need to be inside you."

Your heart pounded with anticipation as you nodded, permitting him to take you. Frederick kissed his way down your body, his eyes never leaving yours. You watched as he took his time, savoring each inch of your skin before reaching his final destination.

With a wicked grin, Frederick positioned himself between your legs. His large penis was already rock hard and ready to claim you. He wasted no time, entering you slowly at first, letting you grow accustomed to his size. You gasped and clenched your muscles around him, feeling him stretch you wide.

His deep moan echoed through the room as he began to thrust, his hips moving in tandem with yours. Your bodies moved in perfect harmony, the rhythm of his cock sliding in and out of your wet heat driving you both wild.

You could feel his muscles flexing, the strength in his arms and thighs, as he held himself above you, taking you with unyielding determination. His eyes never left yours, his expression a mixture of hunger and adoration.

As he pumped into you harder and faster, Frederick's breaths became ragged, and his grip tightened on your hips. His lips found your neck once more, his teeth sinking into the skin there, adding a new level of intensity to the encounter. Your heart pounded in sync with the rhythm of his thrusts as you met him with equal enthusiasm.

"Yes, Frederick," you panted, your voice barely audible over the sounds of your breaths and their bodies smacking together. "Take me."

He did, thrusting into you with a powerful surge, his cock stretching and filling you. You arched your back, crying out in pleasure, feeling the drag of his shaft as he plunged into your depths.

With a low growl, Frederick's hips rocked faster and harder, his pace becoming erratic as he made love to you with a primitive intensity. Your walls tightened around him, clutching at him with each thrust, drawing out a low groan of pleasure from him.

"Faster, Dr. Chilton," you urged, grinding your hips against him. "Make me yours."

Frederick complied, driving into you with fierce determination. His thrusts were deep and powerful, his cock hitting your most sensitive spot with each movement. Your senses were overwhelmed as you reached the peak of your pleasure, your body shuddering with the force of your climax.

"Frederick!" you cried, your voice echoing through the room as your eyes rolled back in your head.

Feeling your muscles clench around his cock, Frederick lost control, his hips thrusting wildly as he joined you in your release. He roared out your name, his pleasure mingling with yours as he spilled his seed deep inside you.

For what felt like an eternity, you lay trembling in each other's arms, your bodies sweaty and sated. As your breathing slowly returned to normal, Frederick pulled out of you, his erection leaving a wet trail along your thighs. He pushed a stray lock of hair away from your face, his expression soft and filled with love.

"You are mine, Y/N," Frederick whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. "And I am yours."

You smiled at him, feeling the same emotions mirrored in your heart. "Always," you promised, your fingers tracing the outline of his face. 

As the day's events began to fade, you lay together, wrapped up in each other's arms, feeling the warmth of your love and the safety of your bond. And in that moment, all the chaos and curveballs of the world seemed to melt away, leaving only the two of you locked in a passionate embrace.

[wrestlinghistorywithkay]

Follow The Buzzards: The Debut of The Wyatt Family

Since Monday Night RAW is in Baltimore tonight and the in ring debut of The Wyatt Sicks is tonight as well, I decided to write about the debut of the legendary stable , The Wyatt Family.

The Wyatt Family consisted of the late , Bray Wyatt ( Windham Rotunda ), Luke Harper ( Jon Huber aka Brodie Lee ), and Erick Rowan. The stable first debuted in 2012 on WWE’s third and developmental brand , NXT. Therefore, the Bray Wyatt character would debut in Florida Championship Wrestling in 2012. Rotunda was known as Husky Harris on the game show version of NXT before this. However , in 2013 , the WWE Universe would witness the eerie trio come to Monday Night RAW. Thus, the anticipation for their debut would come through spooky vignettes with Rowan sporting a sheep mask and Wyatt explaining who they were and where they came from. They started to air on May 27. Nevertheless, the WWE Universe would have to wait until July to see the Wyatts debut.

On the July 8 , 2013 episode of Monday Night RAW , would be the night that change everything. The Wyatt Family would make their debut targeting Kane. Before they debuted , Kane had a match against Christian. After the match, he would be in the ring watching one of the vignettes. Soon, the lights would go out after Bray whispering his signature catchphrase, “ We’re here! ” . The lantern would soon be blown out and the trio would make their way to the ring .

Wyatt could be found sitting in a rocking chair as he watched Rowan and Harper attack the future WWE Hall of Famer. The Wyatts not only targeted Kane , they targeted Justin Gabriel , 3MB , and R-Truth all while telling him to ‘ Follow The Buzzards ’ . Kane decided to call out Bray and challenge him to a match at Summerslam. The stipulation of the match would be a Ring of Fire match. Wyatt would be declared the winner due to his stablemates getting involved. Thus , they would attack Kane for a second time and end the segment for their match by carrying him to the back.

Luke Harper would be signed to All Elite Wrestling in 2020 , going under the name , Mr. Brodie Lee. He would be the leader of the faction , The Dark Order. He would start out as being known as the ‘ Unseen Leader ’. Sadly , Lee would pass away on December 26, 2020 at the age of 41. Bray Wyatt would be released by WWE in 2020 and return in 2022. He would also pass away on August 28,2023 at the age of 36.

On June 17,2024 , the Wyatt Sicks would debut. Bo Dallas ( Taylor Rotunda ) , would revise his role as Uncle Howdy and form a new group , The Wyatt Sicks. Their debut would be similar to how Bray made his return. The members of this faction would be Uncle Howdy as the leader, Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis , Joe Gacy , and Erick Rowan. Rowan is one of the founders of the original Wyatt Family. Thus, Dallas would take on the faction as his brother did before him.

My Final Thoughts:

I remember when The Wyatt Family debuted. I was a little freaked out by them , however , I got used to them. Bray Wyatt was a once in a lifetime wrestler and will always be. Luke Harper/Brodie Lee was one of those wrestlers who I enjoyed watching and will always be the greatest TNT Champion of all time . Again , I’m so proud of Taylor for carrying on his brother’s name and legacy. I’ll be doing a tribute article for Bray in a few weeks and one for Luke in December. Be on the lookout for those!

Love You All,

- Kay

[will-grahams-glasses]

Ko No Mono contains one of my favourite scenes between Will and Hannibal (bear with me on this dumping of all my feelings).

This is one of the first (and only) times that Hannibal really does let Will see him. He tells him about Mischa, and you can tell he's likely never told anyone about her before.

They talk about Abigail, and Will is visibly still distraught over her death and Hannibal looks genuinely upset that he's caused Will this pain, to the extent that Hannibal can't even look at him.

It's the first time we see Hannibal so vulnerable. He's opening up about everything, he's showing real, genuine emotion and he actually apologises to Will for taking Abigail away which is unlike him anyway because when would he ever apologise for killing someone? And this is also probably the nearest he's ever got to admitting to a murder to Will. He is letting Will know him, SEE HIM!!

And when he does apologise, his voice is barely above a whisper, and he genuinely means it. I think this conversation is what makes Hannibal decide to plan a future for himself, Will and Abigail far away from Baltimore and the FBI, so that he can give her back to Will.

And I think this is the first time since Will's villain era that Will has been genuinely open and honest with Hannibal. It's the first time that Will has been able to drop the pretence and speak to Hannibal on a sincere, human level.

Then Hannibal has the little speech about dropping a teacup, hoping one day it'll come back together. He's letting Will see what's inside of his mind, letting him know how he thinks and sees the world.

He puts so much trust into Will in this scene, which makes Mizumono all the more heartbreaking because Hannibal is led to believe that rare trust that was given was misplaced, which is why he was utterly devastated by Will's betrayal.

It's just such a beautiful, raw, heartbreaking scene. Mads and Hugh bring so much to this scene. The lip curl that Mads so often adopts when his characters are upset, the look of absolute heartbreak in Hugh’s eyes.

I could honestly talk about this scene for hours. 🥲

[shannon-agins]

At 1:30 this morning, a fully loaded container ship hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, MD. The bridge is gone, just gone. Up to 20 people were still on the bridge when it collapsed, but it's been confirmed that 8 people were plunged into the water. 2 have been rescued, one declined medical intervention and the other was rushed to shock trauma.

Rescue operations are being handled by the coast guard, and authorities from Baltimore City, Baltimore county, Anne Arundel county, Harford county, and Howard county.

There will be MAJOR economic impacts for the US. The Baltimore harbor is completely closed currently, as it handles up to 90% of US car imports and the vast majority of raw materials imports and exports. Trucks cannot utilize the Harbor Tunnel, and HAVE to use the bridge or go completely around the west side of the beltway. There is no other alternative for these vehicles since I95 utilizes the tunnel system. Up to 10,000 jobs or more will be impacted locally.

It's been standing my whole life, and it's just gone. My favorite bridge because the view of the city, especially at the time of night when it was struck, is so pretty. One I gladly paid the tolls on just so I could see that view. And it's just gone.

[guessimdumb]

Betty James - I’m Little Mixed Up (1961)

Raw and gritty R'n'B from Baltimore

[darkmaga-returns]

The BRICS sound like the original United States, a confederation of independent, sovereign states, rather than the more modern version of the US, in which all the states are under Washington’s thumb.

Bill Bonner and Tom Dyson

Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 

Bill Bonner, writing today from Baltimore, Maryland 

Where’s Kazan? Who cares? 

We didn’t know and didn’t care either. But, for those curious, it is in Tatarstan, a republic in Russia, not an independent country. It is located about five hundred miles east of Moscow, between the Volga and Kama rivers. As for the people, they are Turkic speaking descendants of the Golden Horde... and they eat their meat raw. 

That’s probably all you need to know about it. But the meeting just held in its capital city, Kazan, may be worth more attention. 

The western mainstream press mostly ignored the BRICS meeting in Kazan last week. Delegates from thirty-nine different countries, representing most of the world’s population, held a historic get-together; the western media didn’t find it worth mentioning. 

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All we knew about the BRICS summit was what we got from ‘alternative’ sources. Then, yesterday, a dear reader from Montreal sent over some links to the coverage in the French press. One interview in particular, with Pascal Mas, helped us to understand what the BRICS are up to. 

You’ll recall that it wasn’t that long ago that, apart from the US and its Western allies, the rest of the world was “developing” or the “Third World”... or what Donald Trump might call “sh*thole countries.” Whatever you called them, they didn’t matter very much.  

But now, all of a sudden, the sunlight seems to reach the “Global South.”