#The Peak Tram

[vecationist]

Discover the Best of Hong Kong in One Day: Top Attractions, Food, and Culture

Experience the vibrant energy of Hong Kong in just one day! Start your day with a traditional dim sum breakfast at one of the city’s famous tea houses. Then, take a scenic tram ride up to Victoria Peak for stunning panoramic views of the city skyline. Next, head to the iconic Tian Tan Buddha statue on Lantau Island and marvel at the impressive 34-meter tall bronze figure. After lunch, explore the…

[andmaybegayer]

talking with the resident train autist at the muni museum and she was telling me to take the T between the Yerba Buena station and Chinatown because "you get to go through the terrible billion dollar central subway on the newest trams in the fleet and then switch to the oldest cable cars in the city" and she's right this is an incredibly fucked up station.

this whole thing goes 30 meters underground and serves... a tram line that runs every 10 minutes on peak and has two cars.

(Cable car museum is pretty cool though)

[johnwickb1tsch]

Sympathy for the Devil ~ Part 6

A Donaka Mark x housekeeper!Reader fic, based on @discoscoob 's concept & bot! Warnings: Donaka Mark is a bad man with a soft spot for you. dark romance, possessive behavior, nonconsensual voyeurism, red flag red flag girl!🔺, psychological games, power imbalance, eventual dubcon/nsfw.

one. two. three. four. five.

Six. 六

Your dark mood lasts for days. You do not shirk your duties, but you definitely brood, hating everything, most of all yourself. A part of you hopes that Donaka decides you’re not worth the trouble after a glimpse of this other side of you. He does not prod you further, seemingly steering clear of you. He had his fun taking you down a peg–what more could he want with you? Surely he has better things to do… The more time goes on, the more certain you are that his proposition was mostly in your head.

Amusingly, it’s little Mrs. Wong who gets you out of your funk, yelling at you in Cantonese and smacking you with a wooden spoon when (maybe?) you didn’t move out of her way fast enough in the kitchen. You are determined that someday she’s going to let you call her Auntie, but apparently you still have some distance to cover. Her temper is like a firecracker, loud but shortlived. She’s adorable and terrifying, and it’s all so ridiculous that you cannot stop laughing as you flee, and the shroud of your depression lifts again like the sun penetrating through the clouds.

The absurdity of life has always saved you in times like this. What do you have to be sad about, anyway? You are healthy, you are housed, and you are fed in this beautiful place. You are having an adventure. So what, if your diabolically handsome employer does not approve of you? You’re just here to clean his floors, for fuck’s sake. 

Maybe Donaka Mark is rich, but that doesn’t mean he has all the answers to the mysteries of life. You find your mental state improves, when it seems like he’s ignoring you. 

Flirting with the cute gardener’s assistant doesn’t hurt your state of mind either. His name is Jun, he has an infectious laugh, and he offers to show you around the city on your next day off. Thinking some down time with someone your age will do you good, you are set to meet him at the bus stop down the hill from Mr. Mark’s house. 

However, he never shows. You try not to take it too hard, but it still bums you out. 

He does not return with the gardener the next week either, and then you start to worry. The kind old man who tends Donaka Mark’s plants just shrugged at your inquiry and said, “He quit.” 

It seems odd, but you brush it off. You suppose you’ll just have to explore the city on your own. You ask for the day off for your birthday, wanting to go do the touristy things, like ride the historic ferry and take the tram up to Victoria Peak. Maybe visit a temple, do some shopping at the Night Market, and definitely indulge in some local eats. Something about living in Hong Kong has you dreaming about noodles. It’s an affliction. You want to try them all. 

On your day there is a little carved wooden box on the table where you usually partake your breakfast in the common area of the servants’ quarters. You’re not sure why your heart falls to your feet with something like dread, but somehow you just know that Mr. Mark has not forgotten about you after all. 

With a forbidden thrill you flip the lid carefully, finding a domed-link silver filigree and enamel bracelet set with dreamy jade cabochons. The little details are exquisite, and you’re instantly enchanted. When you look carefully at the bauble, you realize the stylized blue designs aren’t flowers–they’re bats.

He remembered that conversation you’d had, that very first day. It warms you to your toes, and maybe scares you too. He's good to the staff, but you don't think he usually buys them jewelry.

Goddammit.

You just know, deep down, that you shouldn’t accept it. You even set it back down in the box again, just looking at it with hands on your hips. 

But therein lies the crux of temptation: you want it. It’s pretty and well made, not cheap tourist junk, and…he’d put thought into this gift for you. 

This bait for you, you remind yourself. It’s still hard for you to believe that he’s propositioning you, if for anything, because a man like him could have a supermodel on each arm if he wanted. What the fuck would he want with a girl like you?

Maybe…it’s just an apology?

Not likely, but surely he’s not going to expect you to sleep with him for a silver bracelet??

You have a problem, and possibly, a screw loose. You know this is a flame you should not play with. You are toeing the line, dangerously close to falling in.

What if…you just wear it today, then give it back? It’s not like he’ll know. You doubt you’ll even see him today.

It feels like a guilty secret, as you pick it up again, clasp it on your wrist, and set out for your big day. You like the weight of the heavy silver on your skin–worse yet, you like knowing that Mr. Mark selected this bauble just for you. It feels…like a badge of honor, and you know it’s stupid, to feel proud of yourself for catching the attention of a man like him–but you can’t help it.

You are smart, but sometimes? Your heart is really really stupid.

You do not return to the house until well past after dusk, nearly midnight. You made a day of it, actually able to enjoy the city since Mr. Mark pays so well. You will remember the hand pulled noodles with beef you had for dinner in the Night Market for the rest of your life, they were so delicious. Watching the chef stretch them out from a lump of dough was like a religious experience. 

Having your fortune told in the Night Market was memorable too, but maybe a little unsettling. Squatted on a stool in the older woman’s stall, you paid 100HK dollars for her to look at your right hand and frown. She told you that money would never be a problem for you, but the men in your life would always cause you difficulty. Looking at your relationship with your father and every man after that, you reckon she was probably right. You know you should take it with a grain of salt, but you can’t quite shake the hum of unease in the back of your mind.

On tired feet you walk through the garden, around to the entrance to the servant’s quarters. 

"Did you have a nice day?" asks a voice from the shadows. You start, then realize Mr. Mark is sitting on the carved stone bench, on the path to the servants' wing of the house, tucked back in the manicured trees. 

Fuck.

Immediately you tuck your wrist behind your back.

“Mr. Mark?”

“Come here.”

His voice is deliberately neutral–you can’t quite gauge his mood as you approach, feeling like a teenager caught staying out past her curfew. You have no way of knowing he has been waiting for hours, growing more and more annoyed that you are away from him, not under his watchful gaze, where you belong.

He knows where you were, if not exactly what you did. Unbeknownst to you, there is a tiny tracker inserted in your new bracelet you wear with such foolish avarice. 

“Well?”

“Yes, I had a wonderful day,” you confirm, coming to stand before him, committed now even if you are walking into the lion’s den. You find it odd he’s waiting up for you, but it is a beautiful night to be out in the garden. A cool breeze is coming off the water, lifting your hair.

“Let’s see it then.” He points at your hand so casually held behind you, and you know you are caught out.

Almost guiltily, you extend your arm to show off your new acquisition in situ. 

He props your hand with just the tips of his fingers, his touch maddeningly light on your sensitive palm as he turns your wrist to inspect the bracelet, sending a thrill down your arm. He likes seeing the gift that he selected upon you.

“It suits you,” he finally assesses, though you still can’t tell if he’s displeased. “Do you like it?”

“Yes,” you answer, barely above a whisper, feeling as though you are sealing something between you as you admit it. 

“Well, that’s convincing.”

Your heart feels like a sea urchin lodging in your throat. You’re not sure what it is about this man that makes you want to please him–and tell him to fuck off–all in the same breath. 

Then he gets to the fun part–for him. “You shouldn’t have stayed out so late alone,” he scolds you. 

You cant your head and press your lips, holding in the smart remark that burns on your tongue as his coal-black eyes bore into you, settling for, "I didn't mean to worry you…but it is my day off. I think I'm free to do what I want." You just can't stop yourself from adding the last bit, and you wonder from his darkening expression if it will be your undoing.

He imagines in that moment what it would be like to reach out and put you over his knee. Instead, he stands abruptly, startling you into taking a step backwards. 

He likes that. 

It irks him, that you dare defy him, like he doesn’t know what’s best for you. If you insist on acting so tough, he’s tempted to throw you over his shoulder and show you just how little it would take to actually break you. 

"Were you drinking?" he asks darkly, hating the thought of you out in a bar, with other men, enjoying yourself. Laughing, like you were with the young gardener not so long ago. The moment he saw that on his camera feed that he constantly watches of you, Donaka saw red. You should not give your joy to others so freely. You sprinkle it around everywhere you go, and he covets it all for himself.

That boy had to go.

"No," you defend, and you’re telling the truth. "I just...walked around." There was plenty to see in Kowloon district. 

Donaka takes another step closer, his body almost pressing against yours, the heat of it warming you. He watches your reaction as he speaks, his voice low and firm. “You should have let me arrange a driver for you.”

This again. It feels as though he wants to cloister you away from experiencing the world, by shoving you in a car. "Donaka..." you sigh, slipping into using his first name for the first time ever, because you’re tired, and your feet hurt, and he is standing very close, talking to you like he has a say in what you do…

It’s maddening and arousing all at once, rubbing with a velvet touch against some long long cavewoman instinct in your brain, and if you’re not careful this just might be the night he outmaneuvers you. 

Donaka’s eyes narrow at hearing you dare to be so familiar with him, even if deep down he secretly loves it. He takes another step into you, crowding you against the stone wall, caging you in with an arm. He’s blocking your path to a quick exit into the servants’ quarters, you can’t help but notice. Your heart pounds in your ears–but you’re not half as afraid as you should be of this man. 

“Hong Kong is pretty safe, as it goes…” you continue to protest around the sound of your heart drumming in your ears, earning a scoff. 

“You have no idea, the sorts of things that could happen to a girl like you in this city.”

You can’t help but think you’re not sure if you feel safe here at home now. 

“If something happened…I would have called you,” you offer up, appealing to his ego as protector, the role he’s apparently decided to take on for himself without asking you. 

However, he sees right through you, rolling those beautiful dark eyes. “You should have let me take you out,” he suggests in a low tone that curls your toes in your sandals. He says it like it had been some option on your menu that you’d rejected. Never in a million years would it have even occurred to you to ask. 

You find yourself doing your best impression of a fish out of water, like the ones you’d seen stacked like cord wood in the market. His other hand lifts to touch your chin lightly, closing your mouth. “Would you have liked that?” 

You honestly don't know the answer to that. 

This man fascinates you and repulses you. He's handsome and commanding and oh so forbidding. He scares you, but he draws you like a moth to a flame. Having these little flirtatious interactions around the house are one thing. Going out with him would be...something else entirely. The thought of what it could mean to socialize with a man like him, where you are so far from being equals, makes you uneasy. It's much safer to just...write about what might have been in your journal, later. 

"I'm not sure that would be appropriate," you finally answer breathily.

His smile for you is nothing less than the wolf baring its teeth. “Why not?”

"You're my boss..." you try to defend. You scare the shit out of me is the real answer you don't dare say aloud.

Donaka can’t help the dark laugh that falls from his lips at your answer, the way you flounder as you grasp for a defense, utterly drowning. A part of him wants to claim you right here and now, for being such a sweet, soft, naive little thing in his claws. 

He leans down closer to you, his head dipping down to your ear, his breath hot against your skin. “Is that the best excuse you’ve got?”

For a moment, you think your soul might evacuate from your body. 

"Pretty sure it's a good one," you barely manage to reply above a whisper.

“You still don’t understand what I’m offering you, do you?” he asks, his voice deceptively gentle, a dagger clothed in velvet.

You love it how he makes you out to be the obtuse one, when he is the one who has spoken so cryptically.

“I…might,” you answer. You’re not a complete innocent, or a total philistine.

What would a VIP experience on the arm of Donaka Mark be like? Although he can be charming when he wants to be, it makes you feel more anxious than intrigued. You imagine a dinner at some high-end restaurant you could never afford. Somewhere people go to be seen, more than to eat, though the food would undoubtedly be amazing. Somewhere you would feel incredibly out of place. Then what? A ride in one of his ugly but wicked fast sports cars? A night of hedonism at some exclusive club for millionaires only? And what would he expect as payment for all this? You can’t even say you wouldn’t be willing to give it. You want this man with a voracity that is–frankly–terrifying to you. 

You’ve never felt anything like it. 

What you wouldn’t like is the inevitable aftermath of later: he's offering you the opportunity to give yourself up–then get thrown away, with the enjoyment of some perks in between. You could repeat your mother’s history all over again, a thing you always swore up, down, and sideways you would never do.

Donaka watches all these thoughts play across your face, without a word aloud to accompany them. You just stare, unable to speak, and he narrows his eyes at you.

“Say one sentence of the novel you just wrote in your head out loud,” he challenges.

You open your mouth to try, but nothing comes out. All you can do is look up at him with what you are sure is a pathetic expression on your face, paralyzed. He is so close, and your eyes fixate for a long, damning moment on his mouth. In the end you have to close your eyes against that laser-like stare, shaking your head.

“You know something I find interesting about you,” he goes on. You open your eyes, though your tongue is still tied. “I think if I made you choose between an Hermès purse or that cheap bauble on your wrist this morning, you still would have chosen the bracelet, wouldn't you?”

“Yes,” you answer immediately, maybe not to your advantage. Then you feel a little relieved, glad it didn’t cost a fortune.

“Comparatively cheap,” he clarifies, as though he doesn't want you to feel too at ease. How did he know? 

You narrow your eyes, lifting your wrist towards him. “Maybe…you should take it back.”

You think you might die of a heart attack, when he folds your smaller hand in his, and kisses your knuckles lightly. “It’s too late for that.”

You’re not sure what that means, but as he strokes your thumb lightly with his, you start to tremble.

“Sir…” 

He pins you with his stare, looming over you, but makes no move, waiting. 

“It’s getting late…and I have to work tomorrow.”

He lifts an eyebrow, smirking down at you. “And whose fault is that?”

“Mine…though it’s starting to be yours.”

He snorts. “Then ask me for the day off again,” he dares you. When you answer him with yet more paralyzed silence he gets frustrated, tilting your face up with his huge hand engulfing your jaw. For a man who works in tech…his fingers are calloused, and strong, and your legs just might go out from underneath you.  “Ask me. Say it out loud, y/n. Tell me what’s going on, behind those big eyes.”

You, however, just shake your head against his masterful grip. “You don’t want to know.” 

“I like secrets, y/n. I want to know everything.” You suppose that is his bread and butter, with his security business and all his cameras…you don’t know why it never occurred to you before now, that it could be a personal obsession, as much as professional. 

You’re tempted. God, are you tempted, with this beast of a man looming over you, touching you, looking through you with those piercing dark eyes. Like he wants to eat you as much as he wants to fuck you… 

Somehow you know if you dare go down that path…there will be no turning back. 

You choose the coward’s road.

“Please…I think…it would be best…to call it a night.”

He weighs you with a heavy gaze for so long that you start to doubt he will let you go–in the darkest dungeon of your heart, you know that a part of you doesn’t want him to. It would be convenient, if he would make the choice for you. Let you taste the forbidden fruit with none of the blame…

You are losing your goddamned mind over this man. You need to stop.  

You never really know why in the end he releases you, pushing back from the wall to give you space. You side-step towards the door of the servant’s quarters, afraid for the predatory look he’s paying you, that he might change his mind.

 "Good night, Mr. Mark," you say quietly, before disappearing into the little building where you sleep. A rush of frustration flares inside him as you scamper away–again. He narrowly resists the urge to kick down your door and show you who you belong to.

“Good night,” he answers back through gritted teeth, only the crickets left to hear him. He’ll have your secrets, one way or another. He can genuinely say he tried–a first, in so long he can’t remember when. For what happens next…you will only have yourself to blame.

[cyanogen-miasma]

sorry I was possessed

my grasp on drawing humans is tenuous at best with digital art so this was an effort

Hornet from the hit indie metrovania game Hollow Knight my beloved

I support the inventor Hornet agenda (the thing she's holding in her left hand is one of the spikes she uses in the Hornet Sentinel fight)

(I'm thinking the vibe of my HK gijinkas [like I have more than one lmaoo] would be fairly industrial but mixed with high fantasy at times [which is how I interpret canon HK to be, what with Crystal Peaks, the trams, levers, phonographs and the Teachers' Archives, but also all the bugs in suits of armour] - I'm picturing Ghost as a Victorian orphan-looking thing)

also I'm surprised to see the silk spool so rarely on Hornet designs

[boydepartment]

Heyo! I just wanted to request a cute fluffy fic of reader and Bang Chan going to Disney world going on rides and just having a blast at the park, please :3

Please don’t feel like you need to write this right away, take your time. Love you!!💛🩵

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS REQUEST I LOVE LOVE IT!!!! if its okay im going to change it to the parks in california because i know those ones like the back of my hand!! I LOVE YOU!! HERE WE GO!! I HOPE YOU LOVE IT!!

wordcount: 2.1k

Happiest Place on Earth

Chan had been giggly all day yesterday, not that it wasn’t normal for him to act like that. It just bumped up a notch. He also had that weird smug on his face like he KNEW something that you didn’t and was giggling about it. You two had been on vacation in Southern California for the week, so maybe that was why? You weren’t really sure.

                “My loooove it’s time to get up…” He softly shook you awake; you turned over and gave him a look. Which once again he just replied with a smile and a giggle.

                “You haven’t told me what I need to get up for Channie.” You said and played with his hair, he started laughing and put his head in your neck.

                “Mmmh no I haven’t, huh?” Chan pulled away from you and gave you a kiss on the head, “wear something comfortable for walking around in.”

You groaned and started to get up, stretching and looking at the man next to you who was admiring your sleepy self, “should I wear sneakers?”

                “Yes.” He replied simply, smiling at you.

Nodding, you got up and made your way to your suitcase. Chan said comfy clothes so comfy clothes it is!

When you finished getting ready you met Chan in the air bnb kitchen, “ready to go!” You hugged him from behind, you were still suspicious, but you decided to go along with his antics. He was the love of your life after all.

                “Good sweetheart, I have my backpack ready too.” He put his hands over yours which rested on his waist, “you’re going to love my surprise.”

When you guys got off the freeway he starts giggling again, “Y/n, baby, close your eyes!”

                “What if I get carsick?” You teased him, he glanced at you and pouted.

How could you resist his pout? You let out a fake-annoyed ‘fine’ and closed your eyes. It started getting a little bumpy and you guys ended up parked for a bit. But no matter what he made you keep your eyes closed. You almost fell asleep at some point. When Chan paid the parking guy the car sped up a bit and you could feel it in your stomach that you were on an incline. Hmmmm…

When the car parked Chan turned to you, “open your eyes baby!”

You opened your eyes to see a parking garage, he started laughing and then got out of the car. As you walked Chan told you to keep your eyes down, this must be some surprise.

When you got down to the escalators you noticed a very familiar banner, with an extremely familiar tram.

                “Christopher.” You looked at him with wide eyes as you slowly road down.

                “Yessss...?” He leaned on you a bit.

                “Are we… Actually… Going to Disneyland...?” You mumbled looking up a bit at him, his curly hair prominently peaking out of his hat.

                “Maaaaybe.” He side-hugged you and kissed your head. You were beyond excited about getting to go to what some people call the happiest place on Earth once again; you were especially excited because you were with your favorite person too.

When you guys finally got your tickets checked your eyes practically lit up when you started to see the old vintage buildings of main street through the tunnel. You could already smell the fresh candy and popcorn in the wind.

                “Do you like the surprise?” Chan asked you; he squeezed your hand reassuringly. You looked at him with stars in his eyes, you didn’t know this, but that look you gave him meant the absolute world to him. He would destroy the planets for you just to see that look of love and adoration in your eyes.

                “Do I like it? Baby I love it.” You led him to one of the sidewalks right outside the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln building and gave him a big hug.

                “I’m really glad.” Chan picked you up lightly with a little ‘arrgh!!!’ and started giggling. After he set you down, you had your eyes set for the hat shop.

                “Chan! We have to get matching Mickey ears!” You grabbed his hand and started leading him again.

                “Whatever you want my love.” He spoke with a softness in his voice that would make anyone get butterflies.

Walking into the hat shop on Main Street gave you nostalgia from when you were just a kid picking out a pair of Mickey ears. Chan followed you around the shop until your eyes landed on a matching wedding set of Mickey and Minnie ears.

                “Please! I have always wanted to match with someone with these!” You grabbed them and looked up at Chan. He was not going to pass up the opportunity for people to think you two were married.

                “Just like I said before… Whatever you want my love!” Chan let out the sweetest little giggle and he gave you a kiss on the cheek.

When he paid for them, he even got your anniversary embroidered on the back of the caps.

You bounced around with Chan’s hand still holding onto yours, “where to next?”

                “Hmmmm…” You let yourself ponder for a moment, “The jungle cruise!”

                “Lead the way!”

Chan being excited to be here made you actually want to marry him on the spot, you already had the veil, and he had the top hat from your matching Mickey ears too. You pushed the thought at the back of your head as you led Chan to Adventure Land, you could already see the jungle plants and hear the transition of the upbeat music to the dangerous mission music.

                “We have to get the dole whips later! You like pineapple.” You took note and smiled up at him.

                “Just not in my burger!” Chan joked with you, you let out a laugh.

                “Oh, I know baby.”

The line for the Jungle Cruise was a little long, however you and Chan spent time playing games on his phone.

                “I have got to catch Pokemon at Disneyland.” He spoke with determination that made you giggle and lean your head on him. You two were the embodiment of couples in a long line at a theme park but you didn’t mind.

                “Are you seriously battling someone right now?” You started laughing really hard.

                “Yes, this is such serious business!!!” Chan’s brows furrowed as he focused on his phone.

Just like that time went by really quickly and you guys were going on the dangerous and mystical Jungle Cruise.

The boat guide had Chan’s humor so watching him giggle was one of your favorite parts of the ride. He even snapped a quick photo of you when you saw the 8th wonder of the world: the backside of water!

The next ride to hit was Pirates of the Caribbean. This line was even longer due to the ride being on the lengthy side and more popular. Not that you minded though.

                “Oh my gosh congratulations!” Some lady said from behind you, she had tapped you and Chan.

You were confused, what was she congratulating you for?

                “I remember when I first got married, we came here first thing!” The lady said with a far off but sweet tone.

                “Oh, thank you so much ma’am. I am very lucky to have my beautiful wife here with me! I surprised her with this trip.” Chan said and snuck an arm around your waist, you felt your face heat up.

                “You are such a sweet man! You really won with this one!” The lady told you. At this point the line was moving, and you were about to get into the boats.

                “I plan on never letting him go!” You said quickly before getting sent into the front of the boat with Chan.

He let out a squeak and moved around, “the seats are already wet!”

You started laughing, “I’m sure you can handle a little water, husband.”

After Pirates you two went to Small World and the Matterhorn, you even got to meet and take photos with a few Disney Characters. Chan was SUPER happy to meet Ariel, you laughed as you took the photos for him.

When the time hit the afternoon Chan turned to you, “if you want, we can go to California Adventure, I bought the ticket hopper for us.”

                “I AM GOING TO MARRY YOU!”

The first stop in California Adventure was Avengers Campus. You and Chan geeked out at the super store and he was this close to buying the full Iron Man suit.

                “Imagine like Han sees it, he’s so gonna walk out of our apartment wearing it.” You swung your hands back and forth as you walked to Radiator Springs.

                “He wouldn’t be able to walk out, he would fall.” Chan shook his head while laughing, you knew he was imagining Han falling in the Iron Man suit.

When you guys got to Radiator Springs you guys walked through the Cozy Cones and ordered some ice cream.

                “This is literally the best ice cream I have ever tasted, my gosh.”

                “I know right! It’s even better than I remember.” You did a little dance in your seat. What you didn’t notice was Chan’s hand on its way to wipe some ice cream off your lip. You looked at him and smiled. Your heart felt so warm in this moment, even with the cold ice cream in your system.

                “I would kiss you but there’s a lot of people around.” Chan whispered; his ears were severely pink. He was acting bashful. You smiled brighter and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

                “You’re too sweet Channie.”

Chan ended up being a BOSS at Pixar Pier. If you wanted a prize, he was going to make sure you were going to get it. The big prize of the day was the Bullseye stuffed animal, it was from the hardest game of the lineup. The horse race game is like skee ball on steroids. But of course, your Channie got it for you.

The next ride you dragged Chan on was The Little Mermaid ride.

                “Promise not to leave me for Ariel?” You teased him.

                “You’re the only Princess I need.”

TEASING BACKFIRED!

You two got sat in a little shell and if you were being honest, it was very hard to pay attention to the ride again when your quote on quote “husband,” was next to you. The lights from the ride illuminated him perfectly. The little blue bubble lights lit up his whole face, you watched as Chan was enthralled in the ride, the music, the everything. It truly was the happiest place on Earth being next to him.

Chan ended up turning to you when it showed Eric and Ariel in the bayou as Sebastian sang kiss the girl. Like clockwork Chan put his hand softly on your jaw and kissed you. When he pulled away, he smiled and quietly whispered.

                “I love you.”

When you got off the ride it was already dark, Chan gave you his hoodie because the breeze was starting to pick up.

                “You want to pick where we go next?” You asked and put your hands in the hoodie pocket, in an attempt to warm them up.

                “I actually already had a pick, I told you I planned this all out for you.” Channie led you to a restaurant and started talking to one of the waitresses. She nodded along to what he was saying and next thing you knew you were being sat at these tables right in front of the ferris wheel. All the lights of Pixar Pier were bouncing off the water.

                “I got us the special World of Color tickets.” He grinned, you looked at him jaw dropping.

                “Chan these are hella expensive seats.”

You weren’t lying, you were close to the front row, and they give out pastries and champagne right before the beautiful water show started.

                “Well, we are on vacation baby I wanted to go all out.” Chan held your hand and pulled your chair closer to him, it started to get really cold, so he held you closer to him. He was always so warm.

                “You’re the best.” You mumbled and leaned on him, “I tried to get everything I thought you would like in today.”

                “Don’t worry about that. I got us tickets for tomorrow and the next day. So three days total, no need to rush, baby.”

You pulled back and looked at him, “YOU WHAT?”

Chan started laughing and pulled you back towards him, “I wanted the full experience with my future wife. Next time we visit I promise I will have a ring on your finger.”

[scotianostra]

October 21st 1956 saw the last tram car ran in Dundee.

The old trams are fondly remembered but by the 1950s, they were starting to get old and their network of lines had been outgrown by the developing city. Thousands of people turned out to bid the rattling, swaying old trams farewell.

In the evolution of Dundee’s urban transport, horse-drawn carriages gave way to steam propelled cars in 1877, which were superseded by electric trams in 1900, which in turn met a fierce rival in buses.

There is always a romantic sentiment around the old trams around the country and Dundee is now different, here is a description from a 1930’s leaflet on them, they were “lovely electrically-driven and electrically lit cars de luxe which we can now enjoy with so ample accommodation both inside and on the saloon on top, where one can smoke in comfort – having first, of course, asked permission from any ladies who have ventured to climb the ‘smoking room’.”

At their peak in the 30s, 79 tramways were in operation around the city,but mid-20th Century Dundonians considered trams old fashioned, costly to run, too slow and an impediment to the growing volume of other traffic.

And so it was in October 1956, the last trams were taken out of service and more than 5,000 people, many souvenir hunting, witnessed Car No. 23’s final journey to go to the Lochee depot, accompanied by the moving strains of We’re No Awa’ Tae Bide Awa’ and Will Ye No Come Back Again.

All remaining cars were reduced to scrap by burning �� a sad end to a transport system that had kept Dundee on track for nearly 80 years.

[formula1squids]

charles went up to the peak in hong kong today (he took the tram)

[winterandwords]

WIP questionnaire tag

Thanks to @frostedlemonwriter, @willtheweaver, @amaiguri and @space-writes for tagging me in this one!

I'm answering for Name From Nowhere...

1. What was the first part of your wip that you created?

The main character, Aria.

2. If your story was a TV show, what would the theme song/intro be?

Anti-repressant by R0ry. Peak revenge song, total banger, god-tier rage lyrics.

3. Who are your favourite characters you've made? Why?

I'm pretty attached to all of them. I don't think I could pick a favourite.

4. What other pieces of media do you think would share a fan base for your story?

Jessica Jones, The Punisher and Altered Carbon. I've always seen Aria as the very angry lovechild of Jessica Jones and Frank Castle, and Altered Carbon is a huge inspiration for the world.

5. What has been your biggest struggle with your wip?

Grief and betrayal are big themes in this book and I've had to take a few ugly-crying breaks.

6. Are there any animals in your story?

No. I guess I don't write characters who are the kind of people I'd trust with a pet.

7. How do your characters get around?

Mass transit passenger drones for long trips, and self-driving trams/trains or cabs (the cabs fly, the trams/trains don't) for shorter trips.

8. What part of your wip are you working on rn?

The first full draft after my zero draft.

9. What aspects (tropes, maybe?) of your wip do you think will draw people in?

Cyberpunk vibes. Cool weapons. Found (crime) family. Vengeance. Snark. Deep friendship between very traumatised people who struggle to believe they deserve love.

10. What are your hopes for your wip?

Just to be able to share it with people who'll get a kick out of it. That's pretty much what I hope for with any of my stories.

Tagging @starbuds-and-rosedust, @starscribes, @sunset-a-story and @tabswrites if you'd like to do it, with an open tag for anyone else who wants to join in 💗

Reblogs, replies etc on my tag posts are always welcome, but if you're doing this tag yourself, please make your own post instead of using mine to start a reblog chain.

Blank question template is under the cut ✂️

1. What was the first part of your wip that you created? 2. If your story was a TV show, what would the theme song/intro be? 3. Who are your favourite characters you've made? Why? 4. What other pieces of media do you think would share a fan base for your story? 5. What has been your biggest struggle with your wip? 6. Are there any animals in your story? 7. How do your characters get around? 8. What part of your wip are you working on rn? 9. What aspects (tropes, maybe?) of your wip do you think will draw people in? 10. What are your hopes for your wip?

[emelinstriker]

Okay, but what if Reader is just emotionally numb sometimes? Let me explain.

I mean, at least in my experience, it happens when experiencing stress, like, you just go blank, pretty easy to trigger if you know your buttons, and it may actually be quite nice/comfortable, like all the mess in yo head had dissapeared and stuff stopped being so overwhelming.

My best guess is that Chempions wouldn't let Reader be really alone in the room, considering that they panick whenever Reader goes blank and dissapears from their radar.

Actually, would they try to stop Reader from purposefully triggering it?🤔

Literally me when having to use the tram, or just generally having to be around a crowd of people-

They would indeed be panicked the moment they feel not even the slightest bit from their Master. Especially if they're not near them. The champions already can't really feel their Master's emotions unless they're peaking, or at least being strong enough. So not feeling any emotion for a longer time than usual is alarming. If they see them, or hear them in Macaque's case, it's still fine. But if it's a common occurrence of them going straight up numb, there would absolutely be at least one champion around practically the whole time.

And on the topic of stopping their Master from doing that- They can't exactly keep them from doing it on purpose, but they deffo would try keep their Master away from stress-inducing situations, and generally anything that might make them feel numb accidentally. At least that way they wouldn't go blank too often and worry the group as much.

[guerrerense]

The Peak Tram appearing through the mist at the Peak Tower above Hong Kong, China por Phil Kingsbury Por Flickr: Panasonic DMC-TZ7 f/4.6 - 37.0 mm - 1/80 - ISO 200

[charlesandmartine]

Sunday 6th Oct 2024

Perhaps the most noticeable and improbable thing about HK is that it is pinned up against a hillside of immense proportions. Noticeable because it is so steep, improbable because somehow they attach buildings of such monstrous proportions to it. These are tall buildings; Liam's apartment includes a rooftop on floor 28 and his is a shorter building than many. Land is so expensive that it has to be managed and be efficiently utilised. To this end, outdated buildings are demolished and the city echos to the sound of pile drivers fixing foundations and clearing space for new ones. Foundations go deep through many meters of sand before they hit bedrock. A thoughtful aid to the weary wayfarer, city planners have installed escalators that will convey you effortlessly up the steep roads whilst also being sheltered from the effects of the sun although during the course of the day they will change direction; down for the morning, up afternoon for workers going to and fro to work. Space is at an absolute premium so cost of property is astronomical. Most people rent the smallest of space for a huge price; the most expensive real estate in the world. The streets as well being narrow and steep, charmingly retain the vestages of colonial rule, Peel St, Staunton St, Elgin St, Wellington St. Shelley St. We looked round market halls selling everything including frogs. Saw ladies working a Singer sewing machine in a roadside cabinet the size of an office cupboard. In a city built on commerce, there's a place for everyone.

We then caught the rattling tram to Kennedy Town which is at the furthest extent of the underground system. The old tram unit, running off overhead wires clattered its way through streets and streets of anonymous identical tower blocks, the sort you would wonder if you would ever find again, especially after an SB or two. Breakfast was interesting. Pretty much every meal is structured the same way; what do you want with your rice? Chicken, pork or in my case goose. It was fatty, tender, tasty, greasy and absolutely fantastic.

Underground back into town , Wan Chai and up to top floor in Poppinjays for a refreshing tonic and then take the Peak Tram to Peak Hill, the highest hill on Hong Kong island at 552 meters. The funicular railway system which is 130 years old but recently renovated climbs swiftly up the hill of gradients between 4 and 25.7 degrees! The views from the top are completely stunning, looking down on the tops of buildings which from below seem to dissappear to the skies but from here look like spikes in the road. But then raise your gaze to the horizon, across the sea, across Kowloon Island and beyond passing the mountain range and there's the mainland of the People's Republic of China! It is remarkable that when creation looks about as good as it gets, mankind can add a finishing touch with the built environment to make it look just perfect.

A short stroll through shaded lanes and we reached the Governor's Summer Lodge. Now a park open to the public and an extremely lovely relaxing place to end an afternoon with tremendous views across the city.

ps. It's has been very warm today and the humidity seemed higher.

pss. Calamari tonight!

[irradiate-space]

Last night's stress dream featured my company holding a suddenly-announced day-of in-person team-building activity, with randomly-assigned teams announced in person at the moment that the teams departed. I had to puzzle that out after the fact, because when the announcement was made, I was four rooms deep in the procedurally-generated bathroom maze trying to find a toilet. I did my normal lunchtime routine and hopped on the tram to go to my usual lunch spot, and then got roped into a ropes-course exercise with a bunch of random coworkers in the sideyard of the deli, where it abutted a railway embankment, above the koi pond. Peak urbanism, but, uh, not the best way to announce a teambuilding event?

(my company has no offices, doesn't meet in person, and I haven't ridden a tram in at least a year)

[wowlorecraft]

Gnomish, Dwarvish, and Human leaders come together to discuss this for two purposes. The first is in the interest of Allied security. Troop and goods movement is integral in wartime, and it is pertinent to rebuild strong and fast after the last war

The second is national integration into the Alliance and straight up basic diplomacy. Dark Irons see opportunity in the Gnomish desire to fully and finally reinhabit Gnomeregan and request an extension to Shadowforge City. Fearful of the Horde's potential access to such a weak point, in this time of peace, the Alliance (through a network of spies and connections) find that the Blackrock Orcs, recently sated by the recent Kosh'arg and lead by Eitregg, a fellow Blackrock, would stay away from such a project so long as there are joint-rebuilding efforts. These would see Dark Irons, Blackrocks, and Black Drakes working together (not at all in a lovey-dovey hippy way) to rebuild and, indeed, beautify the mountain

--

Edit: With the terminus of the Aerie Peak line at Kirthaven coming into such close quarters with the Dragonmaw Orcs, Eitregg pacifies the unrest across the clans by reaching out to Gazlowe and the Bilgewater Cartel in order to contract a similar rail line, connecting Goblin, Troll, Tauren, and Orc centres on Kalimdor.

The unrest cannot be fully quelled, and this leads to conflicts Azeroth's champions can participate in. However, the expansion of the Grimrail is done in a sort of dick-measuring arms race: Between Horde and Alliance, between Gnome and Goblin, between Orc and Troll and Dwarf and Human, et cetera

--

With such a success, the Alliance start working on the second phase, bridging the span by connecting Stromgarde through Dun Algaz. The Stormpikes lead the charge, ever suspicious of the Dark Iron fraternization with the Orcs. However, while the Raventusk Trolls are (/wish to be) content in their village, the Vilebranches come to attack the construction happening across the Span. This speeds up the construction process but provides a constant PvP zone in Arathi Highlands (recalling back the olden days)

Reaching Stromgarde, the Wildhammers, Danillian Elves, and the Half Elves conspire with the Gilneans to extend the Tram both west- and north-ward. For the Alliance, this connects the two major continental ports and provides aerial manoeuvrability via the Wildhammers and increasingly sky-bound High Vale Elves

However, Durnholde has never been a stable stronghold, and its station frequently comes under attack by the Alteraci Syndicate (PvP n.2); likewise, Southshore both evolves and devolves into again a stand-off (with great peace potential) with the Forsaken.

This next bit is straight-up headcanon fiction: The extension through Southshore into Gilneas goes through Dun Modr, which gets cleaned up but requires the assistance of Calia Menethil. There, the spirits of Dwarves and Humans are restless (yadda yadda) request to be Lightborne undead. However, the Forsaken feel they have the right to that land (yadda yadda) PvP n.3 in Hillsbrad

[whooolaanmo]

peak tram 🇭🇰

Jan. 25, 2024 12:40 pm

[dedisgone]

copying and pasting something i REALLYYYYY wanna talk about. all this is from a multifandom rp server i got silly about char subs in

uhhh i think theres spoilers somewhere in here, tldr is all in short, benry, although depicted to be, in reality, is not a barney clone!

HLVRAI IS AN IMPROV SERIES. SCORPY, WHO PLAYS BENRY, DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING OF HALF LIFE BEFORE HAND. ENTIRELY, HE IS USING A GUARD MODEL, THE SAME USED THROUGHOUT THE *ENTIRETY* OF THE GAME. all the guards have that uniform, and more often than not, benry's design is COMPLETELY different! [edit: fan designs play into his alien-like nature, exploring a xen origin, and nearly all have very little semblance to barney or his "clones."]

when scorpy picked out benry's name, it wasn't based upon barney. this implies that, no, benry is NOT a barney clone, as is beauty calhoun or barmey for example! beauty and barmey PLAY barney's role in half life (2 for beauty.) they both DIRECTLY take barney's place for that series, using the same name, title, storyline, etc. [edit: GRAAAHHH i love that coincidence. its so cool... ALSO! NOTE! barney's variants usually associated with a play on their last name as well, like how gordon's variants do, or keep it entirely. benry doesnt have that. its benry benry benry... all the way through. hes also not located in the spots that barney is in! hell, we dont even see the tram scene that you DO find barney in!]

BENRY DOES NOT [TAKE ON HIS ROLE]! benry is an entirely separate entity, a piece within the code, that exceeds the game's expectations. even in non-game aus, hes still not. taking barney's place. he never does. [edit: id like to add on, he doesn't lead the resistance [barney and beauty(?)], or run through blue shift [barmey]. he isn't an old piece within the story to recall [beauty]] because scorpy doesn't have the knowledge of that role, and never takes it on. benry is writen to be the antagonist. the final peak of the game. he works alongside feetman, something NEVER displayed in adjacent media! all he REALLY shares js the same uniform, but all the guards in black mesa do!!

[skopostheorie]

Did the maths and the tram stop outside my house in Wien has 36 trams an hour at its peak. Oh ym god oh mymgodautism