#River Rail Photo

[bucktransit]

[grainelevator]

Canadian Pacific 3065 (EMD GP38-2) leaving the grain elevator in Rockglen, Saskatchewan [source]

[doze-mag]

Roof Extensions - Contemporary Deck

[photosbyjez]

Silent Sunday Jun 02

Tay Rail Bridge I did a couple of Gothic re-imaginings in DALL-E of this iconic bridge.

[conductivemithril]

Sydney River Rock

[down-the-youtube-rabbithole]

Landscape (Calgary)

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

the girl next door 37

Warnings: this fic will include elements, some dark, such as age gap, manipulation, chronic illness, noncon/dubcon, coercion, and other untagged triggers. Please take this into account before proceeding. It is up to curate your online consumption safely.

Summary: A new neighbour moves in and upends your already disarrayed life.

Author’s Note: Please feel free to leave some feedback, reblog, and jump into my asks. I’m always happy to discuss with you and riff on idea. As always, you are cherished and adored! Stay safe, be kind, and treat yourself.

This lewk but silverfox

Steve’s glare follows you out the door. You don’t look back as you flit out with your roll of pencils and sketchbook. Peter stands casually at the bottom of the steps, his camera hanging around his neck. He smiles and you show your teeth. Your cheeks are tight. 

“Hey, you okay?” He asks as he walks behind you. 

“Fine,” you like. 

He reaches around you to open the gate and you lead him out. You turn down the pavement and he comes up next to you as the latch clanks shut behind him. You shrink down as his arms brushes yours. Your steps are wide and stiff as your clothing rubs against your pelvis. 

“You looked sad when you drove by so I thought maybe you’d like to see the frogs again.” He says. 

“Oh?” You peek over at him. 

“Uh, not that you don’t look nice. I like your hair.” He grins. 

“Uh, yeah, Steve... Steve took me to the salon.” 

“That’s really nice of him. Weird, he seemed a bit grumpy.” He remarks as he checks out his camera, walking casually without a glance ahead. 

“Mm, yeah. He was.” 

“But he still took you out for all that?” 

“Yeah...” you drone. “Thanks for stopping by. I... don’t go out much.” 

“Gets kinda lonely by myself. The frog doesn’t always show up, then it’s even lonelier.” He chuckles and you try to. You feel heavy. 

When you get to the bridge, he goes to the railing and works at adjusting his lenses. You perch yourself in the grass, just at the apex of the rise that leads down to the river. You open your sketchbook to new page but don’t bother with your pencils. You don’t feel like drawing. Usually, it’s what helps you calm down but now you can’t even focus. 

Peter snaps photos and points out the tadpoles rippling across the surface. You stare through the water, minnows speckling shadows onto the silt. It’s beautiful and peaceful. It’s a stark contrast to what you know awaits you at home. 

“You sure you’re okay?” Peter asks as he leans on the railing and looks at you. 

You nod and shrug. You can’t lie anymore. You bend your legs and toss your sketchbook beside you. You hang your head and cross your arms over your knees. The bridge creaks as Peter comes around. He lowers himself next to you. 

“Hey, you know, it’s been a while and all but you can talk to me.” He says. “Is it your mom? She bad?” 

“She... she has a nurse now. They take care of her.” 

He exhales softly. “Mm,” he hums thoughtfully. The water babbles gently as he fiddles with his camera. “Is it Steve?” 

You’re silent. Deathly so. Tellingly. You shift and grimace at the burn along your thighs. 

“You uncomfortable or something?” He asks. “You’re fidgeting a lot.” 

It's gnawing at you from the inside. You can't hold it in any longer. You're terrified.

“Peter,” you squeak. “I don’t... I don’t want you to judge me.” 

“Judge you?” He chuckles. “For what?” 

Your eyes glisten and you sniff, leaning your head back. You look at him slowly. “At the salon...” you quick avert your gaze and hunch down again. “They waxed me.” 

“Oh? Yeah, your brows look pretty good.” 

“No, my... my privates.” 

He makes a strange noise, “really? Uh, I think yeah, a lot of girls get that done.” 

“I didn’t-- I didn’t want it. Steve he... he made me.” 

He sighs and sniffs. “Why would he do that?” 

You raise your head and your tears spill out. His brown eyes are warm. You feel fuzzy. 

“He touches me. Says things. Does things.” 

“What?” He hisses. “Oh, god, I’m sorry.” 

“It’s okay. I asked for it. I... deserve it but... my mom needs help and he can give it to her.” You sniffle and wipe your nose. 

“You don’t have to stay there. Oh god, you should come back with me. To my Aunt May’s. She remembers you.” He insists. 

You shake your head, “I belong with my mom.” 

He huffs, “you don’t belong there. Not with that. With him.” 

“Please. Please. I can’t leave her. But...” you quaver at the thought in the back of your mind. “I’m scared.” 

“Yeah, well, who wouldn’t be--” 

“Please, just let me talk. And I’m sorry because it’s going to be really strange.” You shake your head and chew your lip. You think of last night and the car ride and all the things Steve promised. You want to hurt him too and you don’t know how else to do so. “Will you do it with me first?” 

He garbles and winces. His breath turns shallow and he looks around, “do what?” 

“Peter.” You touch his arm. “I don’t want it to hurt and I know you’ll be nice.” 

“But... we... it’s a lot.” 

“Oh,” you cover your face. “I told you it’s weird. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I just... I can’t stop him.” 

“Just come with me,” he pleas. 

“I told you, my mom!” You snap. “It’s okay. I’ll... I’ll just... hold my breath.” 

He wallows beside you. A tense silence rises between you, around you, consuming you. You’re embarrassed and you think he is too. You can hear him swallow. 

“I’m... I’ve never done it before either so... I... I’m nervous.” He confesses. You slowly turn to him. 

“Really?” 

“Yeah, I just never got to it, I guess but maybe it’s not so bad knowing that neither of us... have?” His brows squiggle and he pushes his shoulders up. 

You nod, “is that... are you going to do it?” 

He bites his lips and his brown eyes scan around the grass and water. 

“My aunt’s at home right now, we can’t really sneak in so...” 

“It’s okay. We’ll do it here.” 

“Here?” He gurgles. 

“Yeah,” you reach for his hand and stand up slowly, “come on.” 

He blinks widely and gets up. He wiggles his hand free and lifts his camera straps from around his neck. He follows you with his head down. You carefully walk down the incline to the river and dip under the bridge. There’s just enough dirt to stand on. 

“How--?” He asks as he sets the camera on the wooden plank that braces the bridge. 

“It doesn’t have to be romantic.” You unbutton your shorts as you turn your back to him. “I just wanna get it over with.” 

“Hey, woah,” he draws your hand away from the denim and pulls you back towards him. “I don’t want it like that. Let’s take it slow, okay?” 

You look at him pout. “Okay, slow.” 

“Can I... can I kiss you?” He asks. 

“Sure,” you smile without thinking. It doesn’t feel so scary. Not with him. 

He guides you closer and puts your hands on his shoulders. He wraps his arms around you and brushes his nose down yours. His breath tickles you and he presses his lips to yours lightly. He’s shy at first. His tongue darts out then away, then out again. He grows bolder and you let him inside. He groans in surprise and delight. 

You sigh into him and your body relaxes. You slide your arms around his shoulders and cling to him. He kind and warm and nice. You like the taste of him. You like that you can feel his heart racing. You like that his touch makes you tingle that way. 

You can do this. That way when you have to face Steve, you don’t have to be there. Not in your head. No, you’ll just think of Peter and the river and the smell of pollen. 

[shuastars]

in the blink of an eye

songs : fallin’ flower by seventeen, 10,000 hours by dan + shay, justin bieber

word count : 1,03k

the sun was setting over the han river, casting a golden glow over seoul. the spring breeze carried the scent of blooming cherry blossoms, and the city was alive with the gentle hum of evening activity. the perfect backdrop for a serendipitous encounter.

you took a deep breath as you strolled along the han river, taking in the picturesque scenery. it had been a long day, and you decided to unwind by immersing yourself in the beauty of the moment. you adjusted your camera strap on your shoulder, hoping to capture some beautiful shots of the sunset.

as you framed a particularly stunning shot, a sudden gust of wind caused the petals of a nearby cherry blossom tree to flutter around you like confetti. you smiled, entranced by the natural display, and snapped a few photos. lowering your camera, you noticed a figure standing a little way off, similarly captivated by the scene.

he was leaning against a railing, a small smile playing on his lips as he observed the river. his profile was striking — sharp jawline, soft yet intense eyes, and an air of contemplation that drew you in. you blinked, feeling a sudden, inexplicable pull towards him. it was as of the world had narrowed down to this one moment, and this one person.

unbeknownst to you, jihoon had been taking a rare moment from himself, away from the hustle and bustle of his idol life. the serene beauty of the han river was a perfect escape. as he watched the sunset, he caught a glimpse of you out of the corner of his eye. you were standing there, bathed in the golden light, looking through your camera lens with such focus and joy. something about made his heart skip a beat.

he watched as you adjusted your position, trying to get the perfect shot of the cherry blossoms. when a particularly strong gust of wind blew, sending a cascade of petals into the air, you laughed softly, your joy so pure and genuine. it was infectious, and jihoon found himself smiling too, drawn to the sound of your laughter.

you lowered your camera and noticed him watching you. for a moment, your eyes met, and time seemed to stand still. there was an undeniable connection, a spark that neither of you could ignore. feeling a little bold, you decided to walk over.

“hi,” you said, your voice surprisingly steady despite the rapid beating of your heart. “it’s beautiful here, isn’t it ?”

jihoon nodded, his eyes never leaving yours. “it is. you seem to really enjoy photography.”

you smiled, holding up your camera. “it’s my way of capturing moments like these. the world is full of beauty, and i love preserving it.”

he glanced at your camera, then back at you. “mind if i see some of your shots ?”

you hesitated for a moment but then handed him the camera. jihoon scrolled through the photos, genuinely impressed by your talent. “these are amazing. you have a great eye.”

blushing at the compliment, you thanked him. “i’m glad you think so. photography is more than a hobby for me ; it’s a passion.”

jihoon handed the camera back, his fingers brushing against yours briefly. the touch sent a jolt of electricity through you both. “i’m jihoon, by the way.”

“i’m yn,” you replied, smiling. “it’s nice to meet you.”

you spent the next hour talking and walking along the riverbank. conversation flowed effortlessly, and you discovered a shared love for music and art. the more you talked, the more you realized how much you had in common. it felt like you’d known each other for much longer than just a few hours.

as the sky darkened and the city lights began to twinkle, you both reluctantly acknowledged it was time to part ways. jihoon looked at you, his eyes soft and sincere. “i had a really great time tonight.”

“me too,” you admitted. “it was…unexpected but wonderful.”

he smiled, that same small, captivating smile you first noticed. “can i see you again ? maybe we can explore more of the city’s beautiful spots together.”

your heart soared at his words. “i’d like that very much.”

exchanging phone numbers, you both felt a sense of anticipation and excitement for what was to come. as you walked away, you couldn’t help but glance back, seeing jihoon doing the same. it was in that moment you knew : this was just the beginning of something truly special.

masterlist

[bullet-prooflove]

Photo Finish: Douglas Hamilton x Reader

Tagging: @kmc1989 @lucymalfoy18 @ashrionest @mimi-8793 @glamourous-eloquence

Companion piece:

Mississippi Meanders - Douglas doesn't expect to meet the love of his life.

Pedestal - Douglas puts you on a pedestal, much to his detriment.

The Prettiest Damn Thing - Douglas regrets having to leave the morning after.

Something Special - You decide to give Douglas something special after you notice how stressed he is.

Games - You decide to distract Douglas.

Martha’s looking for a pen in Douglas’s desk when she finds the photographs in his top drawer. They’re glossy, black  and white pictures of him at home in situ.

Sitting pensively by the fire, a notepad on his lap.

Chopping vegetables with that handsome smile on his features.

Standing in the mirror, watching his reflection as he ties his tie.

All of them are Douglas Hamilton captured in the moment, completely unguarded.

She knows it’s you that has taken them. She’s seen your work before, studied it diligently ever since the image of the Mississippi Meanders appeared on his desk in a matching black photo frame. You’re an exceptional photographer, she can’t fault that and the level of intimacy and vulnerability in these images…

You can’t get from staged scenes.

It’s exactly what she needs for the People’s Mayor segment running in The New Orleans Tribune supplement later this week. A way to show the masses that their mayor is a person, just like the rest of them.

When the article is released you smile when get the notification on your phone. You’ve set up a Google alert because you like to read the positive ones out to him to remind him of all the excellent work he’s doing when he’s having a shitty day.  

It’s when you see the pictures that your heart sinks. You scroll through every single one of them and the ache in your chest, it just grows because these images they’re meant to be private, a gift you gave to Douglas so he could see himself the way that you do.

You pause as you study the final one. Douglas’s tousled hair from the night you’d spent together, his sensual smile as he looked up at you, his back against the headboard. A minute after this picture was taken he’d tugged at the shirt you were wearing, drawing you back into his lap.

Noone was meant to see this side of him, it was meant to be yours and yours only. That’s why it’s hurts so badly, to know that he’s taken something so important to you and used it as part of his campaign.

You don’t respond to Douglas’s texts for the rest of the day because you can’t stand the sight of his name when it appears on your phone.

He comes to find you when you don’t turn up at his place that night. The two of you have a longstanding arrangement, you come over on a Thursday and he cooks for you. By nine o’clock he's concerned he’s not heard from you so he grabs his coat and drives to the museum.

He finds you standing on the bridge where the two of you first met, looking over the river as the lights from the city twinkle over the water. You don’t ask him how he got into the sculpture garden, you know being the mayor has it’s perks, that your head of security is a big fan.

“I’ve missed you today.” He says as he takes up residence beside you, his elbows coming it rest on the railing. “You haven’t been returning my texts, you didn’t show up at the house for dinner…”

“You used the pictures I gave you.” You say, your tone practically glacial.

He’s never heard you sound like that, so cold, so distant.

“Martha found them.” He tells you as he clasps his hands together. “She thought they’d make me seem more personable so she submitted them to the magazine.”

“Did you know?” You ask him, tilting your head so that you can study his features. “Did you know that she was going to use them?”

“Not until the article ran this morning.” He tells you rubbing one palm over the other. “They did the job they were supposed to…”

You jaw clenches and your swallow hard against the emotion that raises up in your throat because that’s what your relationship have been reduced to. A marketing tool, a way of making Douglas seem more likeable.

“Nothing is really ours is it?” You say, your knuckles turning white as you grip the railing of the bridge. “All of it is just one big marketing campaign, a way of making you seem more personable to your constituents. ”

Douglas sighs as he stares down at his hands.

“You knew what you were getting into.” He says, his voice pained.

“I can’t live like this.” You tell him resolutely. “I can’t have a relationship where the things I say or do can be leaked to the press by your publicist everytime she feels like your ratings need a boost. I’d ask you to fire her but…”

You trail off then and Douglas refuses to meet your gaze, confirming what you’ve always suspected. He needs Martha, her connections, her ingenuity, her ruthlessness. After all she was the reason that he got elected, that he wields all this power.

“I need to go lock up.” You say, pushing away from the railing.

“I’ll wait.” He says and you shake your head.

“No, you won’t.” You say as you tuck your hands into the pockets of your overcoat and begin to walk away. “We’re done Douglas, I don’t want to see you anymore.”

Love Douglas? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

Interested in supporting me? Join my Patreon for Bonus Content!

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[feelmyskinonyourskin]

Amore Mio [Secret Trope]

Pairing: Frank Castle x Female Reader

Trope de Sept Masterlist | Main Masterlist

Secret situation 1. Character A is keeping a secret from Character B, until it comes out in a dramatic moment. "Frank has been keeping something from you."

Warnings: No use of Y/N. Female Reader. FLUFF. Based on a wonderful request from @xxdrixx . I hope my Italian is not shit, but I know just a little bit from singing opera and kinda went off what I know from that.

WC: 734

*I never give permission for my fics, manips, or any other original creation I post on this site to be copied, posted elsewhere, translated, or fed into any AI program. The only platform I currently post anything on is Tumblr. Thanks!*

Frank’s phone went flying across the room, landing with a plonk in the armchair.

You looked at him curiously, having just come back from making popcorn in the kitchen.

“What was– ?” you asked

“Picture of a snake. Fuckin scared me.” Frank responded

You rolled your eyes at the thought of the Big Bad Punisher getting spooked at a photo of a snake popping up on whatever app he was on, but you sat beside him and started the movie, the incident soon leaving your mind.

But several more times over the next few months, situations like this would happen. You’d walk into the room and Frank would suddenly get nervous and find an excuse to close his phone quickly.

If it were any other man, you might find it suspicious, but Frank was too loyal and honest for you to ever suspect anything nefarious.

Then came date night. Frank had taken you to an unusually nice restaurant, having even put on a pair of pants that weren’t jeans just to spoil you with a romantic evening.

Except his mind seemed a million miles away and he kept picking up his phone, reading something while muttering to himself, then putting it down suddenly when he noticed you staring.

You were about to ask just what the hell was up, when the waitress came over to take your order.

“Hi, my name is Francesca. I’ll be taking care of you tonight. Can I get you guys started with some drinks?”

Your face lit up hearing her speak, recognizing a familiar accent in her voice.

“Sei Italiana?”

“SÌ!” she responded

You talked for a few minutes, reminiscing in Italian about where you were from. Frank watched the two of you, smile on his face as he knew how much you loved speaking in your first language and meeting people from your home.

The waitress was so excited to connect with you, she even brought you and Frank free dessert at the end of the meal, delicious creme brulee the perfect way to end the evening.

“Wanna take the scenic route home?” he asked, offering his hand out to you

You nodded with a smile, happy to have a date night with Frank that didn’t involve him rushing off halfway through to go deal with ‘business’.

There was a chill in the air as you walked hand in hand along the pier of Hudson River Park.

Frank’s jacket was draped across your shoulders, ever the gentleman keeping you warm when you prioritized your outfit over dressing for comfort and the weather. 

You stopped walking after a while, leaning side by side on a railing and watching the lights of New Jersey sparkle across the water. Frank’s hand was splayed across your lower back, a quiet gesture of affection and protection.

After a few minutes basking in the comfortable silence of each other's presence, Frank finally spoke.

“Amore mio. My love.” he whispered in your ear

Your spine went rigid and goosebumps crawled along your skin. You’d never heard Frank speak Italian before. 

“Hai cambiato la mia vita. You have changed my life.” he continued, voice trembling from nerves “Non riesco a immaginare un futuro senza di te. I cannot imagine a future without you.”

Was this really happening? Had Frank learned your native tongue just to use it for the most romantic proposal ever?

His familiar touch disappeared from your side as he knelt down on one knee beside you, pulling a velvet box from his pocket.

“Vuoi sposarmi? Will you marry me?”

You could feel the tears coming on as his big brown eyes stared up at you, waiting for your answer.

“SÌ” you responded with a shaky voice, too overcome with emotion to manage much else.

A grin like you’d never seen spread across his face as rose to his feet and kissed you deeply.

After he slid the ring on your finger, you knew you had to ask.

“How long have you been learning Italian, mio caro?”

“Bout six months. Wanted to get it good enough to do this. Maybe we can do our vows in Italian too?” Frank responded sheepishly, pulling out his phone and tapping the icon with the green owl to show you just how much he’d progressed on his own.

Now you understood what he had been hiding on his phone from you.

“Perfetto. Perfect.” you said, kissing him once more 

[hirocimacruiser]

Tommykaira tb brochure.

racing form

The legend of beautiful reincarnation begins.

named tommykaira

full specs

Well-established horizontally opposed 2 liter

twin turbo engine

Tommykaira has reached the limit of his trustworthiness.

For flashy spec performance

unrestrained

tommykaira original

We pursued "maximum effect with minimum changes."

boxer engine

Distinctive exhaust even in the past

With delicate tuning of the exhaust system

Play an even better sound

Evolved into Tommykaira sound.

The wagon has been reborn as a sports machine.

tommy kaira original

Digital meter modeled after racing machines.Indicators for peak torque and shift points also add to the mood.

sports dynamics

Neatness and quality.

balance and performance.

Tommikaira's ``face'' has been refined with a subtle animal-like sensibility.

The aero form, which has become a mass of texture and aggressiveness, is very exciting.

The heightened tension exceeds that of the original.

Driving into the realm of legend with a background in racing engineering.

Tommykaira tb

Tommy Kaira's emotional tuning in search of the ultimate driving taste that cannot be measured by specs

The ultimate in suspension tuning that faithfully reflects the driver's intentions. Please enjoy the exquisite seasoning that makes full use of the know-how that Tommykaira has cultivated in the racing field. The driving seat is also equipped with an original sports seat (optional) designed for sports driving. The joy of driving a wagon is expressed in every detail.

performance

Maximum output: 295ps/7000rpm 278ps/7000rpm(AT)

Maximum torque: 35.3kgm/6000rpm 33.3kgm/6000rpm(AT)

option

●Original seat ¥93,000

●Seat rail ¥15,000

Set price ¥108,000

・18-inch tire wheel set (with special nuts) Wheels are "Tommy Kaira 2", tires are "Dunlop SP SPORT 9000"

Wheel size: 7.5JJ×18+52 (F/R)

Tire size: 225/40ZR18 (F/R)

Set price ¥148,000

・Seat & seat rail price is for 1 leg. The price is the same for both driver and passenger seats.

The above prices include installation fees.

Mizuryo price (registered Sutou River, consumption tax not included) ¥3,890,000

●AT will be increased by ¥65,000.

Kyoto store delivery price

・The photo is a model taken in the catalog, so details may differ from the Kasha.

・As this catalog is a printed matter, the body color etc. may appear different from the actual product.

・Other options, specifications, equipment, body color, etc. follow the Tomita catalog.・Specifications, prices, etc. are subject to change without notice. Thank you for your understanding in advance.

TOMITA

dream factory

http://www.amsinet.ne.jp/~tomita/

e-mail: tomita@mb.amsinet.ne.jp

[emeraldhaven]

Celebrating You and Only You

V hated birthdays.

Another tick of the clock towards inevitability, a step towards the end of a life she loved so very much. She didn't hate them purely because of this of course - she also didn't like the expectations that came on a day like today. Gifts, parties, celebrations of her life which, in the grand scheme of things, wasn't all that important. She'd much rather head out on her bike, drive by some Tyger Claws or Maelstrom and fry their brains to a crisp using her cyberdeck than have to accept gifts from her friends that, bless their souls, would be trying to make this year a "year to remember".

"Jesus V - could you be any more depressin'? Cheer up, live a little!" Johnny whined, appearing on the sidewalk beside V. He was looking wistfully over the Watson community centre, leaning on the handrail exactly the same as she was.

"C'mon Johnny, you've been trawling through my memories, you know why I don't like today." V said, looking over to see whatever Johnny was also looking at. She didn't really see anything other than a few people drunk or high stumbling along the sidewalk. She breathed in deeply, held it and closed her eyes, the stale Night City air burning her lungs, then dropping her shoulders and breathing out slowly, her hand gripping tightly onto the railing.

Johnny shook his head and scoffed, pushing off of the railing and crossing his arms.

"Hey, I'm not sayin' you need to like today, just at least visit the people who care about you most. Quit bein' a little shit and make people feel like you appreciate their efforts."

V sighed. She really didn't want to go and see anybody today, but maybe Johnny was right - maybe she ought to go see some of her friends? Taking out her phone, she opened up the contacts menu and scrolled down, tapping on So Mi.

The phone rang, and rang, and rang, and rang.

"Huh. Why isn't So Mi picking up?" V wondered. It's quite unlike her little Songbird to not pick up the phone when she called, given everything that happened between the two. Granted, she'd just come back from her little trip up to Tycho, and any kind of operation is going to be taxing on somebody - maybe she wasn't feeling up to chatting?

V tried to contact her other friends: Kerry went straight to voicemail; Judy was on do-not-disturb; Panam was "out of cell range" - whatever that meant; River was "at work". Tapping her phone against her chin, V hummed out loud some familiar tune that was stuck in her head whilst she thought why every single person she could possibly want to hang out with was suddenly completely unavailable.

She hears a ping from her cellphone - it's a photo from So Mi and it's of the front door to her apartment. The caption reads:

"Come home."

V's heartrate shoots up - what does she mean, come home? Songbird has no idea where her apartment is, she'd never gone there during the whole Dogtown event, instead staying at the various safehouses that Reed and Alex had set up. It was a worrying thing for So Mi to know both where she lived and that she was there - it wasn't a particularly safe megabuilding.

Hopping on her Kusanagi, she turned the key and kicked off the pavement, pulling the throttle hard and speeding off to her home. After some incredibly reckless driving (Judy calls it "literally asking for trouble"), she arrives in quite possibly the shortest amount of time it's ever taken for her to drive across Night City. V practically jumps up the entire flight of stairs in front of her block, somehow leaping up 4 stairs at a time to reach the elevator, barely even registering the small red-electrical glitch on the TV screens, and once it arrives at the top sprints towards her apartment door and opens it.

The first thing V notices is that it's too quiet. Taking a quick scan around her apartment with her eyes, she can't see anyone and even her Kiroshi's aren't registering anything out of the ordinary. It takes one, two, three steps into her home before anything happens. A red glitch takes over her vision; quite similar to how the Relic would give her trouble, but she feels completely fine; until it all starts to clear and…

"SURPRISE!!" A loud cacophony of voices and cheers and party horns and poppers go off, showering her in a sea of noise, warmth and a shocking amount of confetti. V blinks away the odd bit of static to see all of her friends standing before her: Panam, Mitch, Judy, Rita, River, Kerry, Misty, Reed, Alex, Jackie, Viktor, Takemura and right in the middle as though she was illuminated by the stars themselves, So Mi holding a cake with the cutest little artistic (and quite edible) depiction of V at work, Mantis Blades in hand.

"Guys, you didn't have to do all this!" V exclaimed, shocked that they could have even set up something as elaborate as this without her really knowing.

"V, choom, we wouldn't have had it any other way." Jackie said softly, walking over and placing a hand around her shoulders. "Now kick back, relax and grab a cold one - it's time for celebrating you, and only you, today. None of this back and forth shit."

V looked up at Jackie and back towards her friends, her eyes starting to well up from all the emotions. She started to see all the little details - the cake, the small pieces of ribbon around the apartment, the bunting celebrating her 24th birthday, and all her friends dressed up and here for her. It wasn't something she was used to, but it was definitely something she could grow to enjoy.

As the party started, Jackie left V to go talk to Viktor and Takemura about some boxing thing that V didn't really know a whole lot about. She walked over and sat down next to So Mi, dressed in an immaculate jacket and jean combo that was quite similar to what her Relic-form had actually looked like. She was stunning, truly a beautiful woman in her own right, but since she got back from Luna she had this sparkle in her eyes that made V's heart flutter.

"Hey V - didn't see this one coming did you?" Songbird smirked, her soft lips accented in a beautifully red lipstick. V felt almost unable to take her eyes off of them, flicking down between her two newest vices: Songbird's eyes and lips.

"Uh, um, n-no no I didn't actually. How long have you known?" V stuttered.

"Ha! Well, it was a combination of everyone really. I got back from Tycho and, well, I got contacted by Panam - something about you not really having a lot of time celebrating your birthday in the past?" So Mi took a sip from her drink, lips wrapped around the straw in her cup.

"Ah I shouldn't have gotten drunk and chatted life with Panam - didn't realise that I'd have left something like that slip." V chuckled. "What was your little part to play in all this, Song?"

"The whole fact you couldn't see anything - hooked into the Relic and altered your visualware for the whole effect. Might have spruced other things up, as well, but y'know that's just for personal fun." Song couldn't have looked any more smug, nor more beautiful given that it seemed like, to V at least, that she was literally glowing.

"You're beautiful." V muttered, completely unaware that she'd said that out loud.

Songbird blushed a deep red. "Thanks V, that means a lot coming from you." She started to play with the top of the typical red cup she was holding.

V's eyes widened and her own scarlet blush creeped across her face, the tips of her eyes going ever so slightly pink. Taking a swig of her drink, she placed her hand on top of So Mi's, their pinkies ever so slightly hooking onto the other's.

"No, thank you Song - for all of this. I really, really appreciate you being here, and I'd want nothing else." V smiled softly at So Mi, flicking down to her lips again. She suddenly got quite aware of how close they were actually sitting on the couch.

"V… I-"

"Hey V! Come check out this sweet new gear that Judy's got!" Panam called over, rushing to grab V's arm and pull her away from Songbird. V looked back guiltily at Song, mouthing out "I'm sorry, talk later!" towards the redhead who smiled back and nodded in return.

The party would continue into the late night, and one-by-one people said their farewells and see-you-laters until everyone had left except for Jackie and Songbird.

"Alright V, I'd best be off - got a cute date with Misty in the morning, and I don't wanna miss it." Jackie said, slapping his legs and standing up. V walked him over to the door and hugged him.

"Thanks Jack - I had a preem time today." V said, choking on the last few words and giving Jackie another hug before he left.

"And then there were two." Songbird chuckled, lounging back on the couch, heels off and feet up on the couch, arms outstretched over the couch's spine.

"Well it was one at some point right, back when you were just a cute ghost in my head?" V chuckled, the room slightly swaying. V stumbles over and flops down onto the couch, falling right into the space between So Mi's side and her outstretched arm. V's back is suddenly warm, the machinery within So Mi's body heating up as the alcohol within their systems work independently, but seemingly together.

So Mi wraps her arm around V's chest, slowly stroking her abdomen, fingers raising and dropping at the curves of her abs. "Mmm - only a cute ghost? I seem to remember a certain someone thinking quite a lot about other things that involve the 'cute ghost in her head'." So Mi giggled, squeezing softly.

"Would be a gonk ass move to think too much nowadays though; pretty sure I was getting quite visceral feedback myself." V looked up at So Mi, gazing back into those captivating eyes. "Couldn't help it, Song, you had me when you invited back to that bench."

So Mi hummed, a multitude of thoughts, feelings and pure emotions coursing through her head. As her heartbeat ramped up, the whirring in the motors in her spine lowly increased, and V noticed.

"Not gettin' too mushy on me, are ya' Song?" V giggled back, placing her own hand on Songbird's, the dark glow of both her apartment and Night City from her window illuminating the two.

Songbird shook her head and then slowly, softly and with the most care anyone has ever given to V, leant down and kissed the top of her head. Burying her nose in the plushness of V's soft, delicate stained-red hair, she exhaled in complete comfort.

"No V, I'm just as mushy and as happy as I want to be right here, right now, with you. Spending as much time as I can while we still have it to spend in whatever ways we want. Happy birthday, V." Songbird murmured, closing her eyes.

Taking a minute, V calmed her screaming heart and said quietly: "It's, um, it's Valerie. My real name is Valerie."

"Then happy birthday Valerie - you deserve it." Songbird affirmed.

V hummed happily, sleepily planting an ever softer kiss on So Mi's hand, entwining their fingers and drifting off, her eyelids fluttering closed as the comforting embrace of Songbird enveloped her in her wings.

Maybe V didn't hate birthdays after all.

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by Chuck Ross

An imam linked to prominent Michigan Democrats like Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Rep. Rashida Tlaib said in a sermon this month that pro-Israel members of Congress were "stooges" of the Jewish state who should be charged with "treason."FreeBeacon

On May 3, Hassan Qazwini, the imam of the Islamic Institute of America, railed against lawmakers who days earlier voted for the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act. The measure, which passed with a vote of 320-91, would require the Department of Education to adopt a widely accepted definition of anti-Semitism for investigations into anti-Semitic incidents on college campuses.

"If there was justice in this country, those congressmen and women would be indicted and convicted of treason," said the Iraq-born Qazwini, whose remarks were first reported by the Middle Eastern Media Research Institute. He asserted lawmakers who voted for the bill "do not work for the interest of the United States, rather for the interests of a foreign country."

"Nothing but stooges of Israel," he said.

Two months before the fiery sermon, Tlaib and Dearborn mayor Abdullah Hammoud, a rising star in the anti-Israel movement, attended a fundraiser with Qazwini for the Islamic Institute of America, based in Dearborn Heights. Qazwini honored Tlaib and Hammoud at the banquet for their "courage and outspokenness against American biases towards Israel." The trio posed for a photo at the ceremony, attended by a number of Dearborn city officials and Arab-American community leaders.

Whitmer, considered a potential Democratic presidential candidate, appeared at a fundraiser for the mosque in 2022 and was photographed with Qazwini.

Qazwini’s anti-Semitic views are nothing new, raising questions for Tlaib and Hammoud about their affiliation with the cleric. In 2020, Qazwini came under fire for his remarks several years earlier that the terrorist group ISIS "somehow is connected to Israel." In a 2016 sermon, Qazwini said that Israel has used the United States as a "cash cow" and that President Barack Obama was "bowing to the pro-Israeli lobby." He referred to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), who Qazwini later endorsed for president, as "an honorable man, even though he is a Jew."

Tlaib’s office and Hammoud’s office did not respond to requests for comment about their recent contact with Qazwini.

Tlaib’s affiliation with anti-Israel and pro-terrorist elements are well known. She has met with and attended fundraisers hosted by numerous Hamas supporters. Qazwini contributed $500 to her congressional campaign in 2021, according to campaign finance records. The House of Representatives censured her for circulating the statement, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," a call for the eradication of Israel.

While Tlaib has been somewhat marginalized within the Democratic Party, Hammoud has emerged as a darling of the pro-Palestinian cause. In a glowing profile last month, the Washington Post praised Hammoud for leading the anti-Israel movement while balancing the duties of mayor of a medium-sized city. The Post, which said Hammoud has gone from  "little-known mayor to national figure," touted Hammoud’s refusal to meet with Biden campaign officials earlier this year over opposition to President Joe Biden’s military support for Israel in its war against Hamas.

Unmentioned in the positive press coverage is Hammoud’s alliance with Dearborn-based activists who endorse Hamas’s violence. Osama Siblani, the publisher of the Arab-American News, introduced Hammoud at an event in 2022 with a speech in which Siblani called on the United States to provide Palestinians with "military aid to fight Israelis." Siblani has called Hamas and other terrorist groups "freedom fighters" and urged Islamic militants to fight Israel with "stones" and "guns."

Hours after the Hamas’s Oct. 7 invasion, in which 1,200 Israelis were murdered, Hammoud said the attack should be viewed in the "context" of Israel’s "illegal military occupation" of Gaza.

Dearborn has emerged as a hotbed of anti-Israel activity under Hammoud’s watch, with the Wall Street Journal dubbing the city "America's Jihad Capital."

Hammoud and Tlaib decried the moniker. Weeks later, attendees at a rally outside Dearborn City Hall chanted, "Death to America" and "Death to Israel."

[scotianostra]

Second request done, @atu433b wanted some photos of Dundee.

Photos are the River Tay from the rail bridge, the train station, RRS Discovery and the V & A (Victoria & Albert).

It was a bit rainy so didn't even take my camera out. Will post more later

[mountrainiernps]

The Mount Rainier National Park Associates completed their first volunteer project of the year on Saturday April 27 at Carbon River. 21 volunteers spread gravel to fill in holes, cleared the beginning of the Chenuis Falls Trail, and prepared the Ranger Falls viewpoint for new railings. Thanks to these volunteers the trails are already safer and more accessible for 2024! Visit our website and click on the "Volunteer" link to find out how you can help with future projects.

NPS/K. Bacher Photos taken 4/27/24: Mount Rainier National Park Associates volunteers help prepare the Ranger Falls viewpoint for a new railing, clear a path for hikers along the Carbon River at the start of the Chenuis Falls Trail, and make the Carbon River Trail more accessible by filling potholes with gravel.

[sapphicscholar]

Mood Board for Chapters 6 and 7 of Folie à Deux

Since I suspect this area of the country is less familiar to many, I wanted to give a sense of the ambiance for this fic arc, as the land is so important to the story itself. Some spoilers in the image descriptions below!

Image 1) a photo of the winding local Kentucky highway that would take Ava and Deborah to Red River Gorge. The road is still wet after rain, and it is surrounded by lush green trees and an outcropping of rock. The road curves sharply out of view to the left, and the right is a steep downhill into the woods. There are no guardrails.

Image 2) a photo of the Black Bear Lodge log cabin motel. The building is mostly exposed brown wood with the doors behind the balcony rails painted red.

Image 3) a photo has been take from up high to capture the dense trees that cover much of Red River Gorge and that are a vibrant shade of green in the summer months. A large rock formation is visible on the righthand side of the image.

Image 4) a photo shows one of the reddish sandstone arches in the park. The rock curves over the land, and trees are visible through the opening. Pools of rain water shimmer from the ground.