#WELCOME SHAR-PAY!!!

[thesilliestshow]

4!!

[sorcerous-caress]

Do u think other BG3 companions could have a human kink? Lae’zel Astarion Karlach etc. Would Shadowheart have one or be treated more as a human as a half-elf??

For Shadowheart, depends on who you ask. I think the elves would reject her as part of them and because she lacks a lot of their traits. Like there is a certain criteria you need to cross off to be considered a full elf to them.

For the humans, I think they'd fully embrace her as a human. There isn't a criteria on how to be a human nor a requirement list. We ourselves always burst out of the box of expectations we set for our own kind. Humans are unpredictable and versatile.

But I don't think Shadowheart would like either. No matter how much the humans are welcoming and are quick to label her as one of them, she still doesn't feel like she fits in, like there are extra parts of her that all other humans clearly don't have. There are certain intense feelings exclusive to elves that humans can't relate to.

She can't fit with the elves either because she is so clearly human. The human part always shines through the stubborn hope, the ego and pride, the endless potential, and impatience. She is simply too much for the elves who never bothered to even make a space for her out of fear she might disturb their youngs with her unnatural growth.

That's why half-elves seek human colonies to live in, humans are the only one willing to look past everything and accept them. Humans' colonies are known for taking any "strays" unwelcomed by their own colony, be it half-human or fully something else. Sure, there are racists everywhere, but I like to think that most humans have tolerance and keep an open mind.

She is still a half-elf, tho, not a human, not an elf. And she will hate being mistaken as either of these things. Shadowheart seems to take pride in her heritage, and so does Jaheira! Saying how it doesn't matter which one of her parents was the elf, what matters is that they were two people in love.

Half-elves aren't always born stable. Sometimes, the genetics mix in conflicting ways, and they end up with mental issues or the inability to reproduce. Shadowheart is lucky in the sense that she is fully functional and healthy.

I actually headcanon that the reason the other kids in Shar temple picked up on her was because she is a half-elf. Long ago, I wrote a piece about companions opening up about struggles for their own race but never shared it.

Here is the part I wrote for Shadowheart about her being a half elf.

Shadowheart

"Was it a struggle growing up as a half-elf?"

"Maybe. I didn't pay it much attention." Her reply came quickly. She seemed unphased by your sudden question as if it's something she's been asked a hundred times before.

"Did no one bring it up? Back at Shar's temple."

"Oh, they did a lot." Her eyes meet yours, the defiant fire of humanity in them, the pride of fey in the lift of her chin. "Until they couldn't utter a single word, what an easy solution it was."

The scar in the middle of her face stands out to you more than ever now. It only took a single scar.

"Like i said." She continued, "I didn't pay it much attention. Mother superior claimed that my heritage should bring me closer to Lady Shar. All children of the night are outcasts."

"Did it?"

"I tried to, but no, not really. I've always felt whole, despite what others claimed. I never felt the need to fit into either culture." Despite her hairstyle, she never once covered her short pointy ears, "what, disappointed that my experience isn't what you were looking for?"

A half smile stretched a bit too thin as she met your gaze again.

"Not at all," you replied.

Sorry for making this just about Shadowheart, I have been dying to talk about her being a half-elf and how it fits in the human kink universe. If you wanna then resent the Lae'zel and other bg3 companions ask separately again and I will answer it then!

[blackjackkent]

"Well, I'll be ploughed sideways. We got a welcoming party."

Is it weird for me to say I kind of like this guy? :P

There are several other duergar waiting at the dock as the boat comes to a halt. One of them rolls her eyes at Hector's companion - who has identified himself as Corsair Greymon - and spits on the ground at the edge of the water.

"You shithead. Time you showed up. We got trouble."

"Spit it out. Sergeant finally choked on True Soul Nere's prick?"

"Drugh no. The Twat-Soul caused a rockfall. Trapped tighter than a ring on a fat finger."

"You're shitting me. He pay up?"

"That's the trouble - he's got the gold on him. Sergeant's arm is falling off with all the gnome slaves she's been beating." She shoots a look up at Hector warily. "Who's the hoon, Greymon? Another slave for the dig?"

Hector has been trying this whole time not to panic. He tried to invoke the name of the Absolute before in the hopes that it would let them just sail on out of the way and not get involved with these people, but it has backfired and had the opposite effect. He hates lying and doesn't want to stand here pretending he's a True Soul - and in fact, these people don't seem to be of that ilk, but instead fighters co-opted by their sergeant into working for one. And they seem a bit disdainful of their current True Soul, in fact, and don't seem to be mourning the fact that he's apparently buried under a pile of rubble at present.

This actually implies they could even be allies against the Absolute if the cards fell out right...but he's not making any assumptions right now.

"I was told to report to the sergeant," he says carefully, sticking to the truth and nothing but, for now.

"Aye," Greymon puts in. "One of those Absolute crackpots. Found the hoon sailing Gekh's skiff."

"That so?" the woman sneers. "I-- nngh."

The pain again - but milder this time. Hector flinches, but doesn't buckle under it as he does when encountering another tadpole.

Narrator: You feel the slightest of stirrings in your head. The duergar is not infected, yet your minds resonate.

"I'll be - you ain't shittin'. Felt the tingle." Her eyes narrow. This is not an improvement of Hector in her estimation, just a change. "Your Twat-Soul chum owes us a load of coin. You want through? Make a donation."

Silence. Hector hears Gale shift behind him, readying for a potential battle, but he puts out a hand, shakes his head. They have amassed plenty of coin, and he sets no store by it - and it seems like there might be something to be said for sowing some goodwill here.

"Fine. Take it," he says, voice deliberately soft, and reaches slowly into his purse and pulls out ten platinum, tossing them onto the floor at the dwarf's feet.

The woman's head snaps back, and then she laughs. "I'll be shagged to Shanatar. Shit's lookin' up!" She leans down to scoop up the coin, pockets it, and looks at him with blithe dislike - something of an improvement from the active malice of a few moments prior. "But I"m warning you - that Twat-Soul ain't settle up soon, there'll be hell to pay for the lot of you cult-buggers."

---

As the dwarf turns and walks away, Gale sidles up at Hector's side and mutters, "Well, this is quite a pickle we've turned up in, eh, oh fearless leader of our merry band of lost souls?"

Hector grunts and looks somewhat embarrassed. "I panicked," he says in an undertone. "I thought if I mentioned the Absolute, they'd just leave us alone."

"Hey," Karlach points out matter-of-factly. "We're alive, ent we? Can't do better than that." She grins, makes a gesture as if to nudge him in the arm but stops before making contact with his skin. " 'Sides, maybe there's something useful we can learn here."

"Perhaps," he says. "Before we do anything else, we need to find somewhere we can make camp around here. We were lucky not to have to fight them on the boat..." He pauses, then looks at Shadowheart. "I was right, wasn't I? Coming in, those statues...this is..."

"It was a Shar temple once. Yes," she says, looking back at him steadily as if daring him to say anything about it. "Defiled, just as yours was above us. Is this the sort of shared experience you wished us to bond over?"

He hesitates. Once, he wouldn't have spared a moment's thought over the collapse of a temple of the dark goddess. But Shadowheart is more to him than her faith now. And he knows how much it hurts to see what she is seeing. "I'm sorry," he says quietly.

She pauses, then shakes her head. "Let's...finish our business and move on," she mutters brusquely. "I don't want to join all the corpses in this place."

[vole-mon-amour]

this is a way bigger topic, but I keep wondering: are Vlakith and Shar equally bad or is one of them worse (and if so, in what way? are they bad in the same way or in different ways?)? both lie, manipulate, torture, and kill for their own sake.

though Vlakith is some version of a Karen imo. "i will be obeyed!! kneel!! how dare you!!" ok Karen. you can be a sack of potatoes for all i care, but then the potatoes wouldn't scream like a narcissistic toddler on fire that no one pays any attention to. chill.

Shar, on the other hand, literally told her followers to grab a ten years old girl and her parents. wiped the girl's memory, made her torture her own parents for years. like, wtf.

so far, out of those religions, Selune produced a wonderful daughter and is welcoming to the newcomers with no catch. though I still question the decision of abandoning a kid in a dark forest for the sake of a kid filding their way back. and if they do, then it's worthy of Selune. maybe it's a lie and I got something mixed up but ummm??? what??

[novankenn]

Altered Destiny

= Eight =

(So through the poll, which can be found on the Chapter Page, my readers would like to see this Jaune in a more of a Healer/Cleric style role, over that of a Tank/Paladin one. So Chapter 4 has been revised to suit. Thank you to everyone who participated. I will be using powers and feats from D&D Neverwinter as I don't have access to any significant materials from D&D 3.0/4.0/5.0)

Glynda sat quietly watch the worst student of her class, tossing and turning in a restless sleep. Occasionally she would mumble something, though it was too low and Glynda was too far away to catch what she was saying. Not that Glynda was paying attention. She was more focused on what to do with Jaune.

From the short amount of contact with her, Glynda knew there were going to be several issues, the main one being Jaune's own acceptance of her situation. Talking with a professional would help, but Glynda doubted it would be fully successful.

Her mind then wandered. She took in Jaune's new body. Her body was slim, lithe even, but it was complicated by her now new proportions. Her hips were fairly wide, plus her bust was quite substantial. Jaune was going to have issues with her balance, probably even walking was going to require a process of practice.

Glynda thought back to the stumbling dash to the bathroom. Jaune had barely remained on her feet. The previous Jaune had been improving, Glynda saw it. His confidence was growing daily, and his ability to actually spar, to counter and fight was blossoming, but now. Glynda was afraid these changes were going to shatter Jaune.

As Glynda was watching her sleeping form, Jaune found her self in a strange place. She was standing in a flower filled meadow. All about her waits tall tulips and daisies. The sky was a myriad collection of reds and purples, like one would see at dusk. Seeing no one, Jaune started to walk. The tall grasses and flowers gently brushing against her hospital gown, clade form.

Above the light faded, and stars began to fill the indigo sky, and still she walked. Slowly, as the light faded and the field of flowers took on a more dream-like quality, she saw a pair of figures seated yet floating in the air, almost as if they were seated upon the very tops of the flowers.

Figure One: Ah, there you are, Jaune. Welcome. You must have many questions, ask them, as I have the answers you seek.

Figure Two: So this is the mortal for whom you rewove the threads for. Interesting...

Jaune: What is going on? Why?

Figure One: We have brought to this space between realities to answer your queries. To ease your mind, my child.

Figure Two: As for why my sister's actions... you have potentially great fates ahead of you, niece. One that was not to end with your... foolhardy choices that day.

Jaune: I don't understand.

Figure One: That is to be expected, daughter. Much has changed for you, and more is to change. Your metamorphosis is yet to be complete.

Jaune: Huh? What does that mean?!?

Figure Two: Perhaps we should introduce ourselves to your child, sister.

Figure One: Yes, that would be prudent. Daughter I am Selune, Goddess of the Moon.

Figure Two: And I am her twin, Shar Mistress of the Night.

Jaune: What is going on? There are no such names on Remnant. There is just the Brother...

Selune: Yes, the brother Gods... petulant children, unworthy of their place as this world's patrons. When they left this world to its own devices, they left a void in the astral plane.

Shar: One that is drawing the attention of other entities and beings like us. Entities both benevolent and malevolent.

Jaune: I... what did you do to me?

Selune: Your choices that day ripped the tapestry of your life, you shredded your possible futures... futures that depend on your survival, so I rewove your fabric, and spliced your frayed life thread back together

Jaune: I... I... I don't understand? Tapestry? Life Thread?

Shar: Perhaps it would be better, niece, if you asked the true question you seek answers to.

Jaune: ... why am I now a girl? If you did whatever it is you did... why have I changed?

Selune: Your life thread was frayed and was not strong enough to hold the weave... so I pulled from the ether a thread of possibility.

Jaune: Huh?

Selune: Threads of Possibility are those you have no choice about, no control over, unlike threads of Fate. They are chances such as your gender at conception. If you were a multiple birth, and similar such requirement for life.

Shar: Your thread that determined you as male was weakened to the point it broke. My sister had to grab another thread to save you...

Jaune: And this thread...

Selune: Would have been your life thread if you had been born a female. Your life as a male had ended that day at the bottom of the chasm. Your male body broken beyond repair... to save you and your potential...

Shar: You had to be refashioned as female.

{Table of Contents}

[concrete-beach-party]

BG3 Playthrough: Underdark Shenanigans

Welcome to a new chapter of the world's slowest playthrough of BG3.

Why so slow, you may ask? Well, we're playing in co-op.

Today's menu: we're still in act 1, doing all the underdark stuff we were supposed to do way earlier in the game.

Who are we: my partner (wood elf wizard), me (dark urge drow cleric), Astarion (sad vampire boy) and Lae'zel (dom).

But before I begin, I want to say this: The monsters called Bulette are hysterical as a German speaking person.

For context, this is a Bulette:

Yes, I do get hungry easily, why do you ask? :)

Anyways, what happened since my last post:

The Owlbear came to my camp! Astarion approved when I tried to feed it. Aww Astarion, are we getting soft now? <3 (He then scared the Owlbear and it ran away again, but this seems to be happening with literally every companion ever)

The Mushroom people are cute. They wanted people dead, Astarion was delighted.

The Mushroom that joined us in our adventure wanted to kill the other mushrooms, but we politely declined and killed it instead. (Again, Astarion was delighted.)

The merchant woman whose husband got lost while looking for - who would've guessed - mushrooms was pretty mean to us. After rescuing her husband, she told us more of her story and yeah, she's probably justified in her anger.

Arcane Tower: It took us absurdly long to figure out how to power the magical power generator. We also got some free food and gained some mechanical poetry loving friends along the way.

Stone Drow! Again, I swear, we're doing everything out of order here. Pretty sure they're supposed to be like the second thing you find on this map. I did not expect the boss mob there.

The Drow guy whose stone condition we cured tried to be a prick, but apparently Drow are a matriarchal society and I kinda forced him to give me his research and be nice to me. (I know nothing about DnD lore)

A mind flayer away from the others? Yeah, sure, we're getting the ingredients for your wonder potion.

Ohhh, the wonder potion did not work and the tadpole is stronger than ever. Who could've seen this coming? I'm trying to be nice to people, but that guy pissed me off and I threatened him to just give me his stupid ring. Astarion stood pretty disinterested in the background and only started paying attention when we talked about money.

Owlbear reappeared!! And he finally stayed! And of course I pet him before anyone else has the chance to and what the fuck, ASTARION APPROVED AGAIN. Why does he like that Owlbear so much? I mean, I can relate, but he does not strike me as a pet loving guy.

Next up: Grymforge, but we're gonna take Shadowheart with us instead of Lae'zel, due to the whole Shar-Connection thingy there. I hope I get to interact with the boat because there's cheap approval with Astarion to be gained.

[tinyravenfeathers]

July 4 - Why did she have to knock on the door now?

I could hear @jenksel and @tran-shar celebrating while I wrote this a couple days back. Writing spicy scenes still makes me blush. = = = = =

He opens the door. "Hey."

"Hi." She steps inside, drops her bags out of the way, and nearly leaps into his embrace.  The door swings shut.

They hold each other silently, their bodies finding a new balance in closeness and warmth.  It's such a contrast from the stark loneliness of the last two weeks that he kisses her forehead a little shyly.  She nuzzles him lightly, it's adorable how every touch between them starts out soft, tentative. He squeezes her a little tighter. The scent of her shampoo pulls at his heart.

"Gods, I've missed you," he admits after a while.

"Mmph. Economy class is not kind," she replies, "But I can't make myself pay more money just for comfort."

He gently starts to steer her over to his couch, a comfortable blue behemoth with plenty of room for them both. She pulls away for a second, shrugs out of her coat and hangs it neatly, revealing a white button-down shirt and grey pleated skirt. He takes the opportunity to situate himself to one side of the couch, readying a place for her. She grins at his wordless invitation, kicks off her shoes before eagerly encircling her arms around his shoulders and fitting herself to his side.

"Rough trip?" he asks as his hands wander down her back, stroking softly.

"So glad to be with you," she smiles at him, "So glad to be home." He brushes his lips against her forehead again for that, sweetly. She raises her head and draws him into an intense kiss.

It's the same every time they connect. Relief travels through his body, he drinks down the quiet passion she offers him. There's no rush as her fingers comb through his hair and across the back of his neck like a blessing.  He slips his hands under her loose shirt, resting them on the soft skin of her waist.  What is it about this simple intimacy that makes him shiver so?  

He can feel her hunger for him in her kisses, it's still amazing, still astonishingly wonderful that she's not only welcoming his advances but pressing back against him, challenging and insistent. Delightful creature. Her mouth opens under his and he loses control, just a little, no longer simply kissing but devouring her, pressing her to him now, her softness brushing the hard warmth of his base desire. His need only builds with every press and breath, every little delicious noise she makes as she pushes against him and crawls into his lap, straddling him. 

Then she starts undoing his fly. He pauses (why, why is he still so shy about this?); she seems to sense his hesitation.  She stops and smiles in such a comforting way that it calms his heart.  Then she wrecks that peace completely when she guides his hands to her bare thighs and asks "Could you do me a favor, darling?"

"Anything."  Gods, he'd set himself on fire if she asked right now.

"Grab my bottom," she requests sweetly.

Yes and yes.  His hands slide up under her skirt and find not only a distinct lack of any sort of cloth but also an abundance of delectable softness.  His mouth goes a little dry as she pulls his erection free from his pants and gives him a wicked smirk.

"Hmm," she muses in mock seriousness as she plays at examining him, "I dare say you've missed me, love."

Oh yes, he wants to say, but he's at a loss for words.  Instead, he nods enthusiastically and kneads her ample bottom. 

She leans closer and strokes his length, pulling a low groan from him.  How did he not notice her shirt's half open, providing an opportunity to nuzzle her chest? He pulls her closer to taste her skin, her hand guides him under her skirt, oh yes...

There's the sound of heavy footsteps in flight that come to a skidding halt out in the hallway. Eve's voice suddenly rings out. "Jenkins!"  Thudthudthudthudthudthud...

The lovers both freeze.

"Jenkins! we need you!" the Guardian calls in an especially piercing tone as she assaults the entryway to his quarters.

They both groan. He lets his head fall back, she drops her head to his shoulder with a small snort of resignation.

"Why," Jenkins mutters darkly to the ceiling, "why did she have to knock on the door now?"

His lover laughs.

[review-with-metul]

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[anthemnz]

Anthem December Newsletter

Tēnā koutou e te whanau and welcome to Anthem’s December newsletter!

As we look towards the end of another eventful year, it is a great opportunity to step back and appreciate all that has been achieved.

November was an eventful month for Anthem, our clients, and friends.

The latest edition of our Fair Enough? research series, in collaboration with Talbot Mills Research, was released. This edition saw us ask and answer: Is it fair enough to expect employees to turn up at their workplace when their employer requires them to do so? Is it fair enough that employers should adapt their business models to accommodate remote working? What do you think is fair enough?

The Spinoff partnered with Education New Zealand to share the importance of international student exchange programmes and the benefits they bring beyond classrooms.  

Our client DOE Donuts shared pop-ups and pickle donuts in November, and is looking forward to an even more “jam”-packed silly season.

Pfizer provided Kiwis with top tips for COVID-19 going into the summer season.

New Zealand Story launched a podcast featuring the tales of successful Kiwi businesses that are proudly helping expand New Zealand’s global reputation.  We also helped Qrious share the incredible news of its $1 million paid internship programme for women, Māori, and Pasifika.

The annual Cure Kids Gala Dinner, celebrating over 50 years, helped raise much needed funds for health research to improve the lives of our tamariki.

Exsurgo founder and CEO Richard Little provided insights into his life as a health tech entrepreneur in a feature with NZBusiness Magazine.

Spark and Toitū Tahua reported the important role the finance and digital technology sectors have in reducing New Zealand’s carbon emissions.

Fullers360 announced an exciting partnership with Seachange to bring a premium zero-emission vessel to the Hauraki Gulf from September 2023. 

In Anthem Life for November, we had our biannual team offsite to make a plan for the remainder of the financial year, we celebrated International Men’s Day, and we welcomed some new Anthemites to the fold.

Read on to learn more!

Kia pai to rā Best wishes from the Anthem team

HOW FLEXIBLE AND REMOTE WORKING POLICIES ARE SHAPING ORGANISATION'S REPUTATIONS

Our research series Fair Enough?, in partnership with public opinion research company Talbot Mills, is aimed at analysing organisational reputation through a fairness lens. Our latest edition saw us ask and answer the questions: Is it fair enough to expect employees to turn up at their workplace when their employer requires them to do so? Is it fair enough that employers should adapt their business models to accommodate remote working? With the war for talent New Zealand is amid, emerging flexible and remote working options make companies and organisations desirable places to work. As communications specialists, we know that organisations need to be communicating this in their employee value proposition in order to attract the talent they need. To learn more about the results of our research and its implications for organisations thinking about their remote and flexible working policies (hint: every organisation should be!) we’ve compiled our key takeaways below.

The Fair Enough? podcast brought together industry leaders to discuss what organisations should be considering when creating flexible working policies

The Listener’s Sarah Catherall discusses our research and its implications for the post-Covid working norm

BusinessDesk’s Pattrick Smellie shares his main takeaways from the research in On The Money

For the data-lovers out there, read the full research findings on the Anthem blog

THE SPINOFF TALKS EDUCATION EXCHANGES

Education New Zealand partnered with The Spinoff to share the surprising benefits that international exchange programmes bring to students and to New Zealand.

The article comes after New Zealand's ESOL sector experienced a 92% increase in enrolments between August and September.

The article shares thoughts from sector leaders and international students on their views and lived experiences with international exchange programmes, how these benefitted them, and how it brings positive contributions to New Zealand.

Learn more about the value of educational exchanges

DOE-NUT MISS OUT ON THE CHRISTMAS CHEER!

Our client DOE Donuts had a bumper November, starting with a sold-out pop-up at Commercial Bay. CBD workers enjoyed delicious flavours like Biscoff Cream and Dark Chocolate Tiramisu… so much so that the DOE team sold out within three hours across three days!

The creativity didn’t stop, as DOE celebrated International Pickle Week with a tantalising collab with McClure’s pickles. The ‘Dickle’ – the perfect combination of sweet dough and glaze alongside savoury pickles and feta – was a hit across media and social, with some radio hosts even getting in on the fun and trying the donut on air.

Now with its focus on the silly season, DOE has launched its limited-edition MistleDOE boxes, packed with festive flavours like fruity pavlova, spiced gingerbread, and creamy eggnog. With a range of different box sizes available from 1st to 23rd December, there are variations to satisfy all Christmas needs this holiday season. We encourage you to join the festive fun and try DOE’s creations for yourself!

Order your very own Mistledoe treats

PFIZER SHARES COVID CONCERNS AHEAD OF SUMMER

Anthem’s client Pfizer released new research in November which examined how Kiwis are feeling about the pandemic as COVID-19 cases continue to rise ahead of summer.

It found that more than half of New Zealanders remain fearful of contracting COVID-19, and only 14% feel their life is back to normal post pandemic.

The research findings and the implications they have on Kiwi summer have been published across a range of media, including TodayFM, Radio NZ, and Stuff.

Learn more about Pfizer's research

NZ STORY FLYING THE FERN PODCAST

The Government’s nation branding agency, New Zealand Story, has launched a podcast featuring the tales of successful Kiwi businesses who are proudly flying their national symbol to help expand New Zealand’s global reputation. 

Hosted by CEO David Downs, Flying the Fern features 24 exporters and FernMark Licensees who have achieved international sales success, with a focus on storytelling that embraces country of origin and provenance values. Business profiles include Ecostore, Ārepa, Book Me Bob, Hybrid Bikes, FarmIQ and Trust Codes. 

“We hope that by sharing the raw, behind-the-scenes stories of how these Kiwi businesses used their ‘New Zealandness’ to break into offshore markets, other companies can take inspiration in the way they brand their own products and services,” says Downs. 

“Sharing these stories can help continue to enhance the value of ‘brand New Zealand’ – in fact New Zealand’s brand value shot up 13% from 2021, to US$248 billion in 2022, according to Brand Finance Nation Brands.”

Listen to the podcast

QRIOUS LAUNCHES DATA ACADEMY

A $1 million paid internship for women, Māori, and Pasifika has received significant interest since its recent launch by Qrious, Spark Business Group’s AI and data analytics specialist.

The Qrious Data Academy is a talent pathway initiative that includes $1 million of paid internships to facilitate a pipeline of local talent into high-demand technology careers in the artificial intelligence and data analytics industry. 

The programme has been welcomed by the local technology industry and advocates for tackling the skills shortage problem through dedicated career pathways for underrepresented communities. 

“We know that the technology sector – particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics - is set for exponential growth over the next few years, and we want to play our part through an industry-leading programme that encourages, nurtures, mentors and upskills the next generation of New Zealanders,” says Evan Wilson, Qrious Head of Data Innovation.

The launch has generated strong demand for applications, with the majority of placements already filled for the 2023 programme.

Read more about the Qrious initiative

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS WITH CURE KIDS

Members of the Anthem team put on their best dancing shoes to join Cure Kids at its annual Gala Dinner. This year’s edition was a special milestone as the non-for-profit celebrated 50 years of ground-breaking child health research.  

The gala, MC'd by The Lady Killers' Jackie Clarke, helped raise over $100k to fund vital research to help our tamariki.

One of the highlights of the night was a one-of-kind bespoke pearl necklace designed by Dame Trelise Cooper, which fetched $20,000 in a live auction.

INSIGHTS INTO THE MIND OF A HEALTH TECH ENTREPRENEUR

Our client Exsurgo’s founder and CEO Richard Little sat down with NZ Business magazine to shed some insights of his life as a health tech entrepreneur.

Richard gives a peek of his journey from chance encounters in airport lounges to pioneering the largest clinical trial of its kind. We learn about his two biggest inventions to date – the Rex Bionics exoskeleton and the Axon chronic pain headset ­– and the stories that inspired their creation.

Learn more about Richard and Exsurgo's story

CLIMATE AND BEYOND

Anthem clients Spark and Toitū Tahua, the Centre for Sustainable Finance, both released reports on their industry approach to climate challenges and progress on sustainability goals in November.

Spark’s report, ‘Meeting the climate challenge through digital technology’, outlined how 42 percent of our country’s CO2 emission reductions goals for 2023 could be met by using enabling digital technologies.

In its report, Toitū Tahua voiced the need for a tool to define what constitutes sustainable economic activities in New Zealand.

Anthem is proud to be supporting our clients on their meaningful and sustainable goals through strategic communication.

FULLERS360 ANNOUNCES FIRST ZERO-EMISSION TOURISM OFFERING FOR THE HAURAKI GULF

This week, Fullers360 announced it has partnered with Auckland-based sustainable boating designers, Seachange, to bring a premium 10-seater zero-emission hydrofoiling F8 vessel to the Hauraki Gulf from September 2023.   We are proud to support this significant milestone in the business’s decarbonisation journey, which will mark a new era in high-end tourism for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Read more here

ANTHEM LIFE

Team offsite

In November, the Anthem team had our biannual team offsite, with the goal of acknowledging what we’ve achieved in the past six months, whilst attaining some ideas and insights for achieving a ‘Best Place to Work’.

We split into four teams, each tackling a particular topic around fostering a better work environment and culture. The event proved to be both motivating and productive, giving everyone a chance to showcase their ideas which could in turn be implemented to foster an optimal place of work that enables everyone to thrive.

Acknowledging the men of Anthem

Caro and Jane took the men of the office out for lunch of their choice to celebrate International Men’s Day last month. Somewhat predictably, they chose a pub as their choice of venue!

In an industry traditionally full of women, it is always a pleasure working alongside the men of the industry who share their talents and passion to help Anthem and our clients find their most powerful voice.

New Anthemites

November saw us welcome three new members into the Anthem team.

Ben Mabon joined us as a Senior Account Director, bringing a wealth of creative and strategic communications experience. Ben has more than 20 years’ experience in internal and external communications and corporate affairs with companies in sectors including financial services, entertainment, primary industry, and local government. 

We also welcomed a new Finance and Operations Assistant, Tamara McGill. Tamara, who has a proven background in diverse professional accounting roles, brings over 10 years' financial experience to support Anthem’s growth.

Lorenzo Veaila, our second TupuToa intern, also joined us. Lorenzo will be a full-time Anthemite over his summer university break, giving him the opportunity to gain real-life integrated communications experience to complement his studies. Lorenzo is already stuck into some exciting client work, and we cannot wait to see all that he achieves with us.

We’re delighted to have new Anthemites on board and are recruiting for new talented colleagues to join our growing team – check out our socials and website for more details!

That's our wrap for the month!  Kia pai to rā Miri Kirihimete and happy holidays from the Anthem Team

[robert09sworld]

How to Add Cat to American Airlines +19729847799 US Service Animals - Can You Bring Your Pets On board American Airlines? Aamerican Airlines Pet Policy

Assuming you are expecting to go with your pet and your objective is out of driving distance a plane is clearly your most ideal choice. The inquiry is, is your pet permitted to load up a plane?

American carriers have explicit pet strategies set up, however there is uplifting news. On the off chance that you are going with a canine or a feline your little companion can make the journey overhead with you as long as specific necessities are met. Tragically, just felines and canines are permitted to board the airplane, so your pet monkey could need to pass on this one. How to Add Cat to American Airlines +19729847799 You have a couple various choices to bring your creature companion along. You can portable luggage, check, or transport your pets. These all rely upon your pet's variety and size.

What are the Prerequisites? In the event that going with your canine or feline you should make certain to bring along a wellbeing testament and a state-of-the-art immunization record.

Portable Pets How to Add Cat to American Airlines +19729847799 On American flights, you can welcome 1 pet hotel as your lightweight suitcase if:

You pay the portable pet charge.

Your pet is somewhere around two months old.

Your pet stays in the pet hotel and under the seat before you the whole flight.

Pet hotel rules for portable pets American Aircrafts expects no risk for the wellbeing or prosperity of portable pets. The accompanying standards are upheld:

Pets should have the option to stand up, pivot and rests in a characteristic situation in their pet hotel.

Non-folding pet hotels can't surpass 19in x 13in x 9in.

Delicate sided folding pet hotels can be bigger yet need to fit under the seat, must be secure, cushioned, made of water-repellant material and have nylon network ventilation on at least 2 sides.

Actually taken a look at Pets How to Add Cat to American Airlines +19729847799 You can head out with up to 2 checked pets that are no less than about two months old. It is vital to remember that limit is restricted, so pets are just acknowledged on a first-come premise. While checking a pet, you'll have to:

Contact Reservations somewhere around 48 hours preceding travel.

Check in at the ticket counter.

Permit additional registration time (can't actually look at pets over 4 hours before your flight).

Complete an agenda with a specialist.

Give a wellbeing endorsement.

In the event that your flight has an association, checked pets are simply permitted to associate through these urban communities:

Charlotte, NC (CLT)

Chicago O'Hare, IL (ORD)

Dallas/Post Worth, TX (DFW)

Los Angeles, CA (Remiss)

New York Kennedy, NY (JFK)

New York LaGuardia, NY (LGA)

Miami, FL (MIA)

Philadelphia, Dad (PHL)

Phoenix, AZ (PHX) Washington Reagan, DC (DCA) American Aircrafts Plane How to Add Cat to American Airlines +19729847799 Remember Checked pets can't go on A321, A321S, A321H, A320, A319 airplane since they don't have legitimate ventilation to securely ship your pet to and from your area.

Checked pets can't head out to/through/from Phoenix (PHX), Tucson (TUS), Las Vegas (LAS) or Palm Springs (PSP) May 1 - September 30, 2018. The explanation being is that temperatures frequently surpass a protected breaking point for creatures and could present expected dangers.

What Breeds are Prohibited? The accompanying canine varieties are not permitted to travel: Affenpinscher, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Fighter (all varieties), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all varieties), Stick Corso, Dogue De Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Jaw, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all varieties), Pekingese, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Pug (all varieties), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel; and feline varieties that can't be checked are: Burmese, Persian, Himalayan, and Intriguing Shorthair.

Explicit Guidelines for all American Aircrafts Flights Location Pet Strategy All American doesn't acknowledge creatures moved for research except for lab mice and rodents. All American Aircrafts doesn't move the accompanying wild game prizes: elephant, lion, water bison, rhinoceros and panther. All We keep up with the option to reject transport to any creature that is showing forceful way of behaving or doesn't seem fit to travel. All If you are shipping a non-trained, wild, intriguing or zoo creature, there is just a single spot you can drop them off for transport: freight terminals. We will keep on moving family pets, for example, canines, felines, ferrets, birds, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, pot-tummy pigs, bunnies, rodents and unfeeling creatures from traveler ticket counters, things administration workplaces and committed Worldwide Need Delivery Focuses. All We don't move venomous or harmful snakes, reptiles, spineless creatures or creatures of land and water as characterized by the IATA Live Creature Guidelines. All In consistence with USDA guidelines, we can't move warm-blooded creatures on any single trip north of 12 hours long. How to Add Cat to American Airlines +19729847799 The Reality Your rage companion can go along with you on your movements, yet you really want to ensure that you meet every one of the prerequisites and observe the important rules for a protected flight. There is a sticker price joined to the movements of your creature. Administration creatures fly free, portable creatures are $125, and checked pets are $200.

Be that as it may, eventually, who can put a sticker price on the friendship of your 4-legged companion?

[frankenhookersmonster]

Can you write some Steve Harrington fluff where he and his girlfriend have a conversation about how much they adore each other while drunk? Like Robin and Eddie are forced to endure their kissing and hearing them be like "I have a confession, I think you're absolutely handsomest Steve" and he's like "no way you're like the prettiest" while trying to get them home. 

Lucky - Steve Harrington x Reader

warnings - drunk!steve harrington x drunk!reader, fluff, drinking, clinginess, making out, swearing, no smut here but my blog is 18+ minors do not interact

word count - 1.2k

masterlist - twitter - ko-fi

got something to say? a request or concept? speak!!!

a/n - this is literally making me squeal and kick my feet omg. ty for your request anon, muah <3

Steve was in heaven. He was dating the most beautiful, talented, smart person in the world, and he couldn’t be happier. He held you on a pedestal ever since he met you, to him you were a god among men. He told you as much, sometimes he’d trip over his own words trying to express his feelings for you. He couldn’t believe that someone as perfect as you would be with someone like him, especially now.

In the past, Steve was good at dating. But once he fell from high school royalty and became a real person with a shitty job, the confidence he once had was gone. But you didn’t care, you liked the new, substantially more likable, Steve Harrington.

He was pretty drunk, he hadn’t intended on it. Nancy’s family was out of the house for the night, and she invited a few people over, promising nothing crazy. As soon as Steve walked through the door, he found you in the kitchen with Nancy and Robin. You looked gorgeous, when did you not, and he had his lips on yours in between greeting you. “Welcome in, Steve, so glad to see you, too.” Robin mumbled while taking the six pack Steve brought out of his hand and placing it on the counter. He wasn’t paying attention, though, he was completely enthralled with you. 

The night had been calm. Eddie came along later, and with him came more alcohol. You all drank, played monopoly which ended in Robin and Nancy arguing about who the winner was, and now sat in front of the tv while Gremlins played. 

You and Steve weren’t paying attention, though. Instead, you were in Steve’s lap, facing him with your arms over his shoulders. He was holding your waist, rubbing little circles into your hips with his thumbs. You were staring at each other, only breaking eye contact to kiss each other. The alcohol in your systems made you feel like you were the only two people in the world, but you weren’t. Though Nancy was asleep on the couch, none the wiser to you and Steve’s public displays of affection, Robin sat with her legs in her lap, petting her and playing with the ends of her sock absentmindedly, and Eddie was propped up on a chair, still nursing a beer. 

“Stevie,” You began and he hummed which made you let out a bubbly giggle. “You’re just so handsome, do you know that?” You leaned forward and pecked the corner of his mouth quickly, he turned his head to catch your lips and give you a proper kiss. “You’re like, the most handsome, prettiest guy in the world, ya’know?” He shook his head at you, pursing his lips then. “Nu-uh,” You cut him off, nodding at him. “Uh-huh, it’s true.” He then removed his hands from your waist, and though you whined at the lack of contact he placed his palms on either one of your cheeks. “Not possible, because you are the prettiest in the world, got it?” He kissed you before you could respond, though you doubt that he wanted an answer. Against your lips in his drunken stupor, Steve mumbled “So pretty”, “All mine” and “Love you so much.”

Just beyond both of your fields of vision, Eddie and Robin stared in disgust. The movie was long forgotten about, maybe because you and Steve were both so loud with your love declarations. It was like a car crash, and they couldn’t look away. 

“They know we’re still here, right?” Robin asked, trying to keep her voice down, though Eddie didn’t share the same sentiment. “Some people have no respect for others, Jesus H. Christ.” He took another drink, looking away as Steve stuck his tongue further into your mouth. Robin faked a gag, which made Eddie chuckle. She took a piece of popcorn, taking a minute to aim, and threw it at the two of you. The kernel landed perfectly on the top of Steve’s head, which made the culprits erupt in laughter. You and Steve didn’t budge, only pulling away from each other for you to mouth “Prettiest boy there ever was” before lazily kissing him again.

Robin booed, throwing another two pieces of popcorn, both of which missed and got lost somewhere on the carpet. “You can’t do that! There are other people here who don’t want to see that!” Eddie was loud now, making Nancy stir a bit, rolling onto her back and sitting up. She was a bit disoriented, but took a minute to ground herself. “Ew.” She said simply, before lying back down. “Just let them be, they’ll be asleep sooner or later.” She muttered, though she was already drifting off again. “Yeah, and I’ll be vomiting in my mouth sooner or later, thanks Nance.” Robin crossed an arm over her chest, the other one still rubbing Nancy’s ankle. 

Nancy was half right, because by the time you all had bid her goodbye, Eddie had sobered up and packed you all into his van, you were in and out of consciousness. For the majority of the ride, you were on Steve’s shoulder, his arm around your body as you let out light snores. But every once in a while you’d wake, maybe a familiar guitar riff blasting through Eddie’s radio or a simple pothole jerking the vehicle would make you stir. Steve was always there to look down at you and smile, leaving a sloppy kiss on your forehead. 

“I’m the luckiest guy, y/n.” He slurred, the alcohol in his system still running rampant. You hummed, leaning back against the headrest and resting your eyes, though Steve knew you were still awake. “Because I get to be your boyfriend, I get to be the boyfriend of the prettiest person on the planet.” Your face got hot, maybe from his words or maybe from all you had drank. “Steve,”

“I’m serious, so fucking serious.” He gave you another kiss, this one long and suppressing groans from both of you. 

Robin had fully turned her attention to the two of you at that point, watching you like a soap opera with her mouth agape. “You’re kidding me, it just keeps going and going.” She rubbed her temple, squeezing her eyes shut. Eddie chuckled, barreling down the dark streets and glancing in his rear view just in time to see you slip your tongue into Steve’s mouth. He grimaced, trying to shake the image out of his head. 

“Remind me to never let them drink together. I can’t deal with all the mush.” Robin looked at Eddie, her face twisting up with confusion. “Mush, you know, like the lovey-dovey romance novel shit.” She nodded, pulling a knee to her chest and resting her chin atop it. 

Eddie and Robin began singing along to the radio, ignoring what was going on just behind them. They grew so distracted that they didn’t even notice that the two of you had fallen asleep. Your head returned to his shoulder with his on top, drool from your mouth running down his shirt. You’d jerk around at turns, but you or Steve would wake up just enough to fix the other’s limp body back into place. And even with Eddie’s loud music and even louder performance accompanied by Robin, both of you slept rather peacefully. 

taglist - click here to be added!: @peter1ismybrother @strangerthingsfangirlsuntie 

[wickedsrest-rp-archive]

Welcome to this week’s roundup! We do these every week to provide plot drops, highlight starters posted that week, and share other information about the setting. Anyone is welcome to use these bullet points in starters, plots, anons etc. Also let us know if you want us to include one of your setting-related plots in here for next week by sending us a bullet point!

What’s new in town?:

In the current POTW, ghosts of the past are returning to White Crest, and they may present a haunting problem to just about everyone in town. Who doesn’t have a ghost?

Local mischief maker and Quarter employee Jimothy McMahon has decided to have some fun with the prizes by putting some fun spells. Got a Chinese finger trap? You may end up stuck to someone else. Got one of the giant stuffed animals? You may find they lead interesting night lives. 

That weird looking shar-pei in the woods seems to have a brother available for adoption at the local animal rescue. Please give this poor, sad pup a home!

Every mime who has ever died in White Crest has been congregating toward one place, the Sauce. What was once dried up, is now oozing the same black goo once again. 

Starters: 

Guess who’s back back back? Back again. Sam is back! Tell a friend!

Teagan and that awkward moment when you’re literally murdered and still have to pay to pick up your vehicle that was towed.

Leah has (1) free deer skull up for grabs! Duke it out amongst yourself bone enthusiasts.

Costia wants to clear up just what constitutes an emergency.

When you’re as cool as Nora, you don’t need many words. But like, what’s your greatest fear, babe? 

Is it sketch to take free cookies that were given away? How many cookies is too many cookies? Sloane needs answers.

Jonas needs some home remedies for headaches, stat! It definitely has nothing to do with all the ghostie voices, that’s for sure. 

[libertytm]

❛  26 .   a  kiss  on  the  stomach .

i’m combining all the ones you sent me for an extra challenge! ❛27.   a  kiss  to  end  the  sexual  tension,   ❛25.  a  kiss  on  the  fingertips,   ❛16.  a  kiss  first  thing  in  the  morning.

it  was  well  before  the  artificial  sun  would  brighten  the  citadel  and  warm  the  lights  in  the  security  personnel's  private  quarters.  steve's  gently  awoken  to  whispered  sweet  promises,  and  he  turns  to  capture  sharon’s  lips  with  the  brush  of  a  kiss  as  he  listens  to  the  price  he’d  have  to  pay  to  play  her  game.  the  terms  are  agreeable,  and  it’s  an  easy  call,  the  risk  certainly  worth  the  reward.  even  if  her  proposal  was  a  little  unorthodox  for  the  commander.

he’s  not  sure  how  much  time  passes  after  she  restrains  him,  antique  handcuffs  threaded  through  the  bed’s  headboard  and  leashed  around  his  wrists.  her  talented  tongue  inflicts  a  scorching  trail  of  delicious  torture  from  his  jaw  to  his  navel,  ending  in  an  open  mouthed  kiss  before  traveling  further  down.  doing  things  that  curled  his  toes  against  the  smooth  sheets  and  left  him  without  a  sense  of  place  and  reality.  adrift  in  pleasure  and  sensation. one  of  her  hands  travels  up  his  chest  as  she  steadies  herself  against  a  roll  of  his  hips  he  can’t  quite  resist.  the  tight  heat  of  her  mouth  pushing  him  close  to  the  edge  before  she  pulls  away  completely.   ❝ shar... ❞  a  breathless  plea  halts  on  his  tongue  as  he  watches  her  shift  up  to  free  one  of  his  hands  from  captivity.  tossing  the  key  to  clink  on  the  bedside  table  without  bothering  to  uncuff  the  other.  he  doesn’t  let  the  adornment  of  restricting  jewelry  stop  him  from  reaching  forward  to  grip  her  hips  as  she  aligns  their  bodies  and  settles  on  top  of  him,  she  lowers  herself  slowly  and  he  can  feel  her  gaze,  but  he  can’t  look  away  from  where  she  guides  them  together  between  her  thighs.  patience  is  exercised  with  reverence  as  steve  watches  sharon  sink  down,  then  lift  a  little,  before  shifting  and  settling  again  with  her  weight  fully  seated  on  his  hips.  this  time  her  teeth  release  her  bottom  lip  and  she  breathes  an  oh  that  sounds  like  heaven.  he  leans  up  and  captures  her  mouth  in  an  insistent  kiss,  one  he’d  been  waiting  for  since  the  moment  he  felt  the  cold  metal  click.  ( something  about  being  told  he  couldn’t  do  something,  made  it  that  much  more  desirable )  not  that  touching  her  was  ever  a  chore. sweat  slicks  their  skin  as  the  room  heats  up,  bodies  moving  toward  pleasurable  release.  her  hand  finds  his  jaw  and  he  turns  to  blindly  kiss  the  tips  of  her  fingers  before  opening  his  mouth  and  welcoming  the  slender  digits  in  to  meet  the  swipe  of  his  tongue.  the  taste  of  her  is  familiar  and  intoxicating.  a groan  rumbles  from  deep  in  his  chest,  knowing  the  finish  line  isn’t  far  for  either  of  them. 

@whitesuited​   |   𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔 

[bechobbi]

Fortune favours the bold - SamDrake x Reader - (Chapter 5)

Tags: @missdictatorme - @unchartedterritoria - @jodiereedus22 - @aliceriddell-aka-zephyr - @sicparvismagnaforsam - @mooraakath- @uncharted-trash-shar - @tennantmademedoit - @samdrakeftw - @sparrowspt9851 - @reachagalaxy - @irresistiblemonster @original-drake@sw33t-but-psycho @dragonjedihobbit @ellie-drake @fhujami@birdgirl69@mafiahobbit @spaskaalekha @avast-you-dirty-dog @shambhalala@fandoms-pizza-wifi-ym13 @missymysa

Wanna be tagged in/out? Just tell me!

The sun's rays illuminated the room in brilliant trails. The alternation of lights and shadows made the room warmer and more welcoming than it actually was.

Sam hadn't slept a wink after reading that one page of your diary.

You opened your eyes lazily at the sound of the front door closing. It took a few seconds to figure out where you were. The slightly moldy and unadorned walls brought back in your mind the events of the night just passed.

Another unfamiliar place that wouldn't have long remained etched in your memories.

You rolled out of bed and automatically made your way to the window. You were hoping to understand what time it was basing yourself on the power of the sun's rays that warmed the day ahead.

You pulled the curtain aside. It was probably 6 or 7 in the morning.

You hadn't slept much this time either, but you felt pretty rested.

Some movement caught your attention. A man from behind was smoking looking at the sky. It took you a couple of seconds to recognize him. He was the one who had disinfected your wounds hours ago. He was pacing back and forth along the narrow wooden corridor that joined all the doors of the rooms of that dilapidated motel.

"He seems nervous ... No, it would be more correct to say that he seems upset" you thought.

On the spot you headed for the door and, once outside, you stood staring at him for a few minutes.

"Did you sleep well?"

You didn't think he noticed you.

"L-llike a rock"

"You needed it," he said finally turning to you.

He looked tired, his eyes red and circled by light purple dark circles.

"You, on the other hand, look like someone who hasn't slept for days"

Sam, not too surprised by your statement, put his hands to his hips, puffed some smoke and said, "It is written in my face, isn’t it?"

"Quite"

He smiled and gestured in the direction of the room. “I got something for breakfast. There is also coffee. You like it?"

It had been some time since someone had bothered to get you breakfast.

"I love it"

The man came up, opened the door, threw his cigarette away and invited you to enter first.

"Ladies first"

"T-thank you ..." you said looking down at your feet.

"Sam. My name is Sam"

You faced him, he was waiting for your handshake.

“I am Y / N”, he had a strong grip typical of a person who could be trusted.

He had been smart, now he was sure of your name and he knew for sure that the diary he found was yours.

While he poured the coffee into two cups, you sat on the only chair in the room.

"Here it is. A good dose of energy to start the day” he said, passing you the cup. Then he sat on the bed.

"Thanks a lot. You know, my parents often brought me coffee in bed” you said as you lost yourself in the dark liquid.

"Really? Well, lucky you. "

Lowering your voice you commented “Not really I would say”.

"Why?"

"Long story. My parents are gone "

Sam bit his tongue "Man, sorry..."

"Don’t worry. It's not your fault. Rather, I have no money so I can't pay you back for hospitality and breakfast. "

He sipped his hot coffee “Don't even think about it, it’s on me. Never let a woman pay, unless she's rich and you're her toyboy” Sam joked to defuse the situation.

A smile appeared on your face.

"You're nice" you affirmed.

"Thank you" he winked at you.

You blushed for a moment. You could perceive the erotic charge of that man from a mile away.

To distract yourself from those kinds of thoughts you started looking around. But you ended up inspecting your interlocutor’s hands.

He had big and strong hands, that were probably skilled in different fields of action, and surely had touched an infinite number of women. He was clearly the one-night stand type, yet behind that facade in your opinion was hiding a person with a big heart .

"Look... what are you doing in a ramshackle motel like this?"

He tilted his head to one side and commented "I could ask you the same question"

"You're right" you shrugged.

He hesitated a moment after which he decided to answer anyway "I was expecting a person"

You made a face "... And?"

"She didn't come"

"I understand" you muttered.

Silence. He sipped his coffee noisily, so much to fill the silence of the room.

"Was it important?" you asked suddenly.

Sam narrowed his eyes and nodded.

Silence fell again and you felt a little embarrassed, but at the same time you couldn't stop the questions in your head.

You started making noises with your mouth to try to make yourself comfortable.

Then you noticed that he was staring at you from behind the cup, he was looking for eye contact with you. He was studying you.

"Why are you asking me these questions?" he seriously ruled.

You held your gaze and stammered “I-it was like that, just to talk. Sometimes the silence is too deafening "

Sam was very serious this time.

He lit a cigarette and headed for the window. He looked out after moving the curtain.

"You know, last night when I went out to get some food I found something."

Your blood ran cold as thhe man eagerly inhaled the smoke from his cigarette.

"I know what actually happened to you before you came knocking on my door."

At that moment the man in front of you scared you. He had changed abruptly. Now it was creepy.

"I-I ..."

He interrupted you “I live on lies too, but perhaps you already understood this. I noticed that you are smart. I could almost say that you understand more than you want to let others believe. "

"You-see ... I-I ..." you tried to speak again, but he cut you off again.

"You know I have this bad habit of always wanting to screw others, but not wanting to be screwed."

Finally he turned towards you, from that position you could see his height and his physical structure. A hand would have been enough to break you a bone.

He slowly moved towards you threateningly and you were frozen in fear.

Now he was crouching at your feet and, without taking his eyes off yours, he took a lock of your hair and put it in its place behind your ear.

You felt like you had a lump in your throat. You stood still.

“You remind me so much of a person I know. Now, will you please tell me who you are? "

You couldn't open your mouth so he kept on talking.

“I know you weren't attacked because they wanted to rape you. I know that you are a thief of books, records and food "

He was playing with another lock of your hair, rolling it around his fingers. You were ready to dash away at any moment to escape from that strange situation.

Then you saw a huge smile forming on the man's face. A wonderful and sincere smile.

"I like it" he commented.

You thought you would faint at any moment, but you held on tight.

Sam laughed “You should see your face! Don't worry girl, I'm not going to do anything to you. And... if you are in some trouble you can tell me about it, maybe I can help you " he winked at you and jumped up.

You were stunned, you no longer knew what you felt. Fear? Yes. Joy? Yes. A mixture of emotions.

You were baffled by that sudden change in his behavior, it was probably some kind of test you had to pass.

"I thought you wanted to hurt me" you said looking at him.

“Nah, I'm not that kind of man. Rather, I feel that you are in a situation bigger than you. Ah here." He continued heading towards the place where he had hidden your backpack "I believe this belongs to you".

He took out your stuff and handed it to you.

"Y-yes, did you find it in the trash can? I thought I had lost it ... "

Sam laughed "Yeah sure LOST, of course”

"Well, in a way I thought I would never find it again after yesterday ..." you justified yourself immediately.

Setting down the now empty cup of coffee, you took your diary and some clean clothes from your backpack.

“My name is Y/N  Y/L/N, and I'm on my way home. Or at least to what was my home. Let's say I want to take back my due. "

Sam was intrigued "And what what is that?" he pressed.

"As I said, my home and my legacy. Some people took everything away from me, even my parents, but obviously they made it look like murder-suicide, so ..."

The man was captivated by your story, by you, by your eyes, by your gestures as you spoke, by your voice. From the adventure that somehow lay ahead of him.

"You are alone?" he asked.

You nodded with a frown.

“So you want to take revenge and take back what's yours, all by yourself. It doesn't seem like a good plan to me. "

"I can shoot" you retorted determined.

Sam was stunned for a moment, then returned to his normal attitude “Shooting alone is useless. Besides, have you ever shot a person? I mean a real person? "

"Once."

“Wowowo! Aren’t you too young to play with a weapon? "

"It was self-defense, that's how they defined it"

"Who?"

"The judge and the jury"

Sam was more and more surprised and intrigued, for a moment he hesitated, then he asked "So you were also in court?"

“Yes, but they let me go. I told you: self-defense. " You repeated.

“Ok ok. Who are your enemies?"

"Relatives" you stated.

The conversation was becoming an interrogation, though the man in front of you did not make you feel uncomfortable as the police did. It seemed to you that by dint of telling the desire for revenge grew more and more.

"So your relatives, and you must have shot one of them, disinherited you and so you ended up on the street."

"In a nutshell" you shrugged.

Sam took another cigarette and lighting it he asked "Do you have an ace up your sleeve?"

You shook a no with your head.

He snorted and in a reproachful tone said “You need a plan, girl. Aren’t you thinking about walking into the house, shooting and getting out clean. If you shoot first, the jury won't be so kind. "

On the one hand you were discouraged, in your head there was only the desire to see  dead all those snakes. Material things and life itself had lost their value since your parents died.

Staring at the floor you whispered "I don't care about anything anymore ..."

"What the fuck?!" Sam snapped "You're wrong!" he took you by the hips and lifted you like a doll, dragged you in front of the mirror placed in front of the bed and put you down. He smoothed your messed up hair and placing his hands on your shoulders he said aloud “A beautiful and strong girl like you must not give in to the injustices of the world! Life can be better than this! Don't get your hands dirty. And if you really have to, let someone else do it! "

"W-what?"

“Listen to me” he said reaching your ear “I like you, you have the ability to see inside people and beyond things, I'm not stupid, I've known tons of people and you don't have to go down to the level of those who have hurt you. You have everything to lose. You have a whole life ahead of you. Start over, you can do it. I can’t, I'm in it up to my neck and I like it, the risk makes me feel alive, but you're smarter, you're better than that. Look at yourself!"

You did not have the courage to look at the reflection in the mirror, you would have studied and hated yourself.

"Don't you want to look at yourself?"

"No..."

“Then I'll look for you. Close your eyes."

You closed your eyes and took a breath. Never before have you met such a chatty and outgoing stranger. However, all in all it wasn't that bad. You let yourself go to the warm touch of his hands. The warmth of him, his not bad perfume and his cigarette smell. His important hands were now gently moving down towards your arms. It was all very strange, yet it was reassuring.

"In the mirror ... there is a young woman ... a woman hungry for life ... alone, and able to understand the hidden truths of the world, which is a considerable burden, but she’s capable of carrying it. She has intense eyes, an elastic and agile body, but her hand is not steady ... she is afraid and she would like to go back ... Unfortunately, however, it is only possible to move forward, otherwise she would not have make it till this very moment. She deserves to be better than that, the sad thoughts are dictated by the tragic events, by the fact of feeling alone. But Lord works in mysterious ways, remember that. "

You were filled with a sense of melancholy. Images of you as a child flowed before your eyes, the happy days when everything went the right way alternated within you.

“Now” Sam continued “it's time to open your eyes, in every sense, and to look at this young girl. To love her, to appreciate her ... to hug her. "

Slowly you opened your eyes and looking at your reflection the tears began to flow.

"Thanks ..." you whispered.

“So you don't have to do stupid and hasty actions. You have to come up with a plan and let someone else help you carry this burden. "

You stared at him through the mirror.

"And who?" you asked in a whisper.

Sam smiled and winking at you said "I can help you."

"Y-you can you shoot?"

The man laughed heartily "Among the many qualities I have, I also know how to shoot, but we will try to avoid it, what do you think?"

You looked away “I can't involve anyone. This is my battle "

Sam patted you on the back "When you get your inheritance back, you'll pay me back"

Your body stiffened, you looked down and said "So ... it's money that interests you ..."

"Well, let's say it would be a way to repay me for the help"

At that point you couldn't stand it anymore, you shook your hands off him and yelled facing him “You’re all the same! Money! Money! Only money! And all that idiotic talk you gave me ?! Eh ?!  Pure fiction! "

Sam couldn't help but burst into laughter and said “You're a tough one. Anyway ... do you really think my speech was stupid? "

"Hell yeah!"

"Now I understand why she dumped me." He laughed again putting his hands in his pockets looking at the ceiling.

“What do I care! You're just kidding me! "

"Ahahahah You're impressive, she would have answered like this too"

You insisted shouting “Get it over with! Who the hell are you talking about ?! I am me and no one else! "

Sam knew you were harmless, yours was just a small crisis. What was importanta was that after a long time he was having pure pleasure talking to a woman. A pleasure that went beyond simple sex.

The man sat down on the edge of the bed, poured himself some scotch and said "This speech, more or less, I had to give to my ... let's call it " marriage ", but she didn't show up"

Now you were at attention, your enquiring side activated, in a second your anger vanished and you were finally ready to listen.

"T-that person you were expecting ... was that your ...?" you stammered.

“Yeah, my future wife if you want to call her that. Obviously not in the Church, let’s say it was more like an officialization"

"And she dumped you?"

Sam nodded.

"Why?" you were curious, deathly curious.

“I've been wondering for years. I just know she was everything to me. It was my redemption. A new beginning."

"And is that why you drink, smoke and do bad things?"

“Hey hey, I don't do bad things. I am a bit like Robin Hood, I steal from the rich to give to the poor, including myself. "

"Robin Hood ..." you were perplexed.

"That's right," Sam said.

"Tsk-"

The man became serious again and said "So do you want a hand or not?"

[0bsidian5ire]

Prompt # 11: Bloodsands

Prompt: Snuff from @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast's #ffxivwrite2019

Canon-typical violance under cut

High above the Nhaama, Kharagal and her fellow warriors rode the thermals on their yol. The Meirqid were on the move and they were currently in the stretch between supply caches when they were at their most vulnerable. Kharagal and the other warriors had ridden far in advance of the main group and were scouting ahead.

Just in case anyone was trying to ambush the supply cache, they had swung far to the east, overshot the cache and then turned back up north to aproach it from the south. Hopefully, anyone who might be at the cache would have been watching the north where the main group of Meirqid was coming from and wouldn't notice them until it was too late. Better yet, no one would be at the cache at all.

"You see anything?!" Shar yelled above the wind. She was older then Kharagal was and had long been famous for knowing exactly where to punch people.

"No, nothing but sand!" From up in the air it was hard to see anything small against the blazing sand of the Nhaama. "Maybe--"

"I see them!" It was Baavgai, their archer. "There among those rocks to the north-west. It's those rouge Torgud!"

Kharagal squinted at the rock formation and then saw them. Tucked around the base of the rocks were the familiar gold, black and white patterned shapes of grounded desert yol. Perched up on the rocks where the white forms of painted naked Xaela. Given the angle the rocks were at, the Torgud would be next to impossible to see from the north.

"Well, they certainly aren't being friendly," called out Shar. "Should we pay them a visit? Maybe teach them about why armor exists?"

"Obviously," thundered out Aruktai. "There's six of them and four of us." He cackled. "But they're all grounded."

"Think they've got any back-up bro?" Kharagal asked.

"No!" Baavgai shouted back. "We're far enough south we should have run into them by now. This is too close to our cache not to be anything but the main ambush."

"We're doing the usual then?" Kharagal could hear the grin in Shar's voice.

"Yes!" Aruktai turned around to look at them. "On my mark."

He and Shar began to drop in altitude, while Kharagal and Baavgai stayed at a higher altitude. Fortunately, it was mid-morning and any shadows they cast would be to the west. Before they were on top of the Torgud, Aruktai's yol dived, Shar's right behind him. They were aiming for the Torgud.

Kharagal and Baavgai swooped down behind them. Kharagal quickly formed the geometries of Bio and Miasma. Instead of casting them on the Torgud, she cast them on the yol. She felt the fever hit them and their lungs began filling with phlegm. Beside her, Baavgai was maiming them with arrows. So long as they could keep the Torgud grounded and Bavgain and Kharagal in the skies, they would most likely win.

There was a roar from Aruktai and Kharagal looked up to see her brother hold up a freshly severed horn in one hand while his other hand swung his giant war-axe in a swath around him. His eyes glowed with the familiar wrath of Karash. A ways away from him, Shar danced around two other Torgud, planting her fists and heels into them wherever she could find room.

Convinced the yol would stay down now, Kharagal began flinging Ruin spells towards the fight Aruktai was involved in. Baavgai flew higher to keep a lookout and make sure they weren't ambushed and to keep a lookout for the main group of Meirqid.

Eventually, the yol started dying and Kharagal could stop keeping the Bio and Miasma spells on them. She switched to keeping them on the Torgund instead. One of Sharl's foes had finally died, most likely due to the massive dent in the back of his skull. Aruktai had killed another one of his opponents and one of the two still fighting him was missing an arm above the elbow. On the floor was a body nearly torn in two from what Kharagal recognized as her brother bitting people from the back of a yol at full diving speed.

Kharagal put her attention onto the Torgud that had somehow managed not to get maimed by her brother, and began tracing out one of the more complicated spells in her mind. It caused the sicknesses mimicked by Bio and Miasma to flare up all at once and caused the woman to keel over and start hacking for breath. Aruktai was quick to take advantage of the situation and now the rest of the Torgud were nearly dead. It didn't take much longer before Shar and Aruktai finished them off.

Once they were all dead, Khargal and Baavgai landed. "You can see the rest of the Meirqid on the horizon," Baavgai told them. "They'll be here in a few hours; we might as well just stay here."

Aruktai popped his neck and looked at the south sky. His eyes were clear now. "We'll keep one of us in the air at all times. Just in case they send someone back."

Kharagal looked at the Torgud. Their white paint was cracked and in the process of flaking off. No Torgal that was welcome in the tribe would have let their paint get to that state. "You think these were guys Khatun Caalun warned us of?"

"Looks like it," said Shar. "Don't kill the guys who opposed you grabbing power in the tribe, but do kick them out and do warn their enemies about them," she singsonged. "Typical."

Khargal shrugged. It was typical. "I guess I'll watch from the air fist, then." Arkutai and Shar needed to clean up and Baavgai had spent most of the fight watching out for them.

Aruktai nodded at that and Khargal took to the air. As she looked towards the north, she could see the Meriqid herds spilling out over the horizon with more yol flying overhead. Her people were almost home.

Author's Notes: This is inspired by a lot of WWII air strategy. Because I cannot see anyone slinging magic spells or shooting arrows from a flying yol and not think of half a dozen types of fighter planes. Or the various types of ordinance they all can have. And then Lore Book 2 revealed that the Xaela had been taming Yol for at least four thousand years...

[feliosfarkus]

oh boy

this is a wall of text about my interpretation/ headcannons about surreal/ wholesome doge memes. Thanks to @goldengirlsytp for the base of this!

So, doge meets with sharon, and they have a son and daughter together. The thing is, sharon hates doge and traps him in all these horrible planes of existence.  Whenever doge got out, he would attempt to file for divorce. It never works. Sharon decides she’s had enough, drives to the woods in her minivan, kids in it, and puts doge in a fucking bear trap. doge escapes thanks to the help of some hunters who just found him there. He signs his part of the divorce papers and goes to sharon, armed with a pistol the hunters gave him. He shows the papers to sharon, and she runs at him with a knife. He has to kill sharon. This wakes up the kids, who see their mother dead, knife in hand and their father sobbing, gun still smoking. He puts the gun to his head, about to pull the trigger when the big sister tackles him, knocking the gun out of his hand, brother crying by his dead mom. Luckly, they had cameras, so doge got off on self defense. He has a thing with Karen for a bit, but it fell apart. She couldn’t deal with doge having therapy sessions, so she left him. He was a suicidal, single, so he left his kids in the care of his brother (dapper doge, but we’ll call him D doge) D doge was a good role model, had a good job and was responsible. ( heres some 100% bullshit, ok?) in the asylum doge meets Isabelle and they become close friends in there. she gets cleared before him. after he gets out, he goes to buy supplies for a surprise dinner for his kids, who does he run into? You guessed it, Isabelle! They talk and find out that shes kinda homeless at the moment. So, doge invites her over and doge, D doge, the brother and sister, and Isabelle all have a delicious dinner, with cake cooked by Isabelle. Now, doge has a MASSIVE crush on Isabelle, so after a few weeks, he tells Isabelle how he feels. And guess what? The feeling is mutual! They buy a house from tom nook after being together for a year,at a fair price too. (being the mayors assistant has its perks). Isabelle, doge and the brother move in to the house ( the sister is now in collage). They have some kids and, after being together for 5 years, doge proposes on the same day Isabelle planed as well.  They had 2 sons. The wedding was beautiful, like the wedding doge and shar- oh no. I forgot to mention, doge also got PTSD from sharon, very extreme PTSD. He has a full blown panic attack, right before he said I do. Isabelle has delt with them before, so it all works out. On their honeymoon, doge gets a call. Big sister died off of a bad batch of heroin. Turns out she was an addict but told no one. Doge feels responsible for it, not checking in enough. doge has all these flasbacks, to big sister, sharon, and all the times between. both him and Isabelle go to her funeral. doge has night terrors about sharon and big sis. Isabelle helps him out through all the hard time. Also, when she turned 13, bro #2 (Isabelle and doge) comes out as trans. They both accept and welcome her, using her preferred pronouns and paying for her E and top surgeries. Holy shit this took like half an hour i did not anticipate it for going on for so long. shoutout to @newdoges for the insperations via memes.