#am I allergic to carbonation or…?

[hanihazeljade]

Disgustingly Green

Tim got de-aged at the age of 8. The age where he is the exact carbon copy of his parents ruthlessness. Can Batman, Nightwing and Robin can handle him?

(CW: verbal abuse, wrong parenting)

Part 2: Skill Issue

Part 3: Forced Playdate

Timothy doesn't know where he is. He knows that he fall asleep on his bed and not on some clinics. He slowly rise up to look around his surroundings.

His vision is still hazy and he rubbed his eyes with his fist as he yawns. He heard someone cooed before him. It is a grown up man that he doesn't know.

With that in his mind, he shook away all of his sleepiness. Was he kidnapped? Again? Oh no, his parents wouldn't like it.

"Hi Little Timmy, how you feeling?" The man asked him but he just looked at the man. He has blue eyes and black hair and also really really handsome. Maybe he wasn't kidnap?

"I am fine, thank you for asking." he politely replied, on reflex.

"Do you know who I am?" the man smiled at him and he just shook his head. "I'm Dick, your brother." the man, Dick, introduced himself. His face must be formed some confusion when the man chuckled, "My parents doesn't know that there is a double meaning with that, if that really bothers you, you can call me Richard."

"How about we go up? the man—Richard, said. He nodded, he doesn't always like hospital beds.

He was about to jumped out of the bed when Richard just grabbed him and carry him. He let it be, after all he likes it, noone touched him for weeks now and he missed having skin contact.

Going up the stairs and coming out of a grandfather's clock, weird, he look out of the window and he knows where he is. There is only one place like this that he could possibly be. He is still in Gotham, in Bristol still but he doesn't know which house.

The man— Richard— carry him till they end up in a long table, probably the dining room. In there, they're some people seating and he knows the man who is seating on the head seat, it's Bruce Wayne. He knows his face because his mother always pointed out his stupid behaviour but good thing is that he has some good looks.

"Is that Tim?" Bruce Wayne knows his name, holy cupcakes.

"Yep. As cute and light as ever." Richard said as he keep on cooing to him and Timothy doesn't appreciate that.

Richard put him down in a chair and a butler comes and bring him some cookies. "He wants to eat because it seems like he didn't eat for so long. "Go on, dig in Master Tim."

"Is there walnuts here?" he asked and the butler agreed.

"Yes there is a walnuts in there."

Tim pouted, he is allergic to walnuts. "I am sorry, Mister Butler, but I am allergic to walnuts."

The butler seems shocked at his claimed but quickly dissolved his shocked and gave him a chocolate chip cookie. "I hope this one is not something you are allergic with."

"Thank you, Mister Butler." he said as he take a bite. The cookie is delicious.

After the snack, Richard bring him to the room that he apparently has been using here. But he doesn't remember that. But hey, his parents won't be back till Thanksgiving and they have cookies here, he will escaped the week before Thanksgiving.

++++++++

Tim was watching a documentary about the alps and different flora that has been keeping up with the extreme weather of it, when a kid, definitely more older than he is starts bothering him.

"Tt. Of course Drake will be incompetent enough to be a hindrance in his night life." the kid said, behind him is Richard and Mister Wayne.

Timothy Jackson Drake knows that is a jab to him, and all he could remember is that his father kept on saying, "If they hit you as Drake, you hit them back twice." and her mother added, "Not physically, Timothy but rather used highly intelligent words that may hurt them. Unless they do it first." and those words were imprinted on him.

Timothy paused the documentary, and then walked closer to the boy that was insulting him, and when they are foot apart he stopped.

"Mister, you have such a vibrant green eyes." he said, "But my mother said to me that green is the colour of disgust, that's why she gave birth to a blue eyed kid. Is your mother disgusted of you?" he asked. The room was silent, no one decided to say anything after that, the kid who insulted him has a hurt in his face, but Timothy is not done yet.

"But green is also a colour of evil in Disney, like when Ursula is trying to steal Ariel's voice or when Scar pushed Mufasa in the cliff and also the green poison apple in Snow White, so is that why your Mother left you because you are evil and disgusting like them, or you are evil and mean like them because you are disgusting and left by your Mother?" he said. He strike back twice and that is his goal. His mother would be so proud.

"Tim!" a voice behind him yelled, it was Mister Wayne.

"Yes, Mister Wayne?" he smiled at the man.

"We don't insult people here, okay? Apologise to Damian, now." Mister Wayne demanded, making Tim to frowned. He is not in the wrong though?

"I am not insulting anyone, Mister Wayne. I am merely saying my observations of him." he said while looking at the adult that is so much larger than him, but Mister Wayne is a dumb man, he always broke his bones and spills wine to other people so maybe he wouldn't get it.

"However, if it really bothers you..." Tim said and he looked at Damian, "I am sorry that your mother hates you because you are disgusting and mean and evil." he added as he looked back to the stunned Bruce Wayne.

"If you excuse me, I am exhausted to talk to anyone here. You should know better Mister Wayne, you are an adult." he said and then he walked towards to his room, leaving the three stunned. Well at least he made his point.

[youunravelme]

congrats on 1k, my sweet!!!! you deserve this and so much more for your amazing talent and kindness🫶🏼

but listen… hear me out… what about a cutie little fic where mat confides in mama bear for the first time about how he feels like a shit dad because he has to leave so often because of work and has missed many little “firsts” that ella has had? maybe he brings up how ella really likes her more than him again, but now he’s not saying it in a light harded joking manner?

DANI. A WOMAN AFTER MY OWN HEART!

there were a few things you'd gathered and learned about mat over the time you'd know him. you knew how he took his coffee (black) or the fact that he has a big sweet tooth (who puts nutella on bagels anyway?).

the obvious things you'd learn was how he was an insanely good hockey player and knew it too.

you, however, weren't expecting the insecurity that was shallowly hidden among the cocky smirks and jokes. the vulnerability he only shared with you after you'd gotten together.

it'd come to a head when ella refused to be held by him on the way to the park, insisting on clinging to you. in the moment, you didn't see the way mat's face fell, the way his jaw clenched before he slapped on an unbothered face. you didn't even notice anything was wrong until ella went to bed and it was just the two of you sitting on the couch.

"does she hate me?" mat asked.

your head immediately turned to focus on him, where you say lines being drawn between his brows. there was a tension in his shoulders you ached to unwind. "what?"

"i mean, i know i joke about her loving you more, but what if that's true. what if my own flesh and blood doesn't love me? and it's my fault really, i'm never home during the season. what if i turn into an absentee dad who can't even remember what she likes or what she's allergic to? what if--"

you climbed into his lap, straddling his legs. on instinct, his hands came up to rest on your hips. from this position, you could see the worry marring his face, you wanted nothing more than to make it dissolve.

"that little girl adores you, mathew barzal. you're all she wants when you're not home."

"but she wants nothing to do with me when i am home."

"i was the same way, according to my mom," you said. "but i loved my dad, i just wanted to love him on my own terms."

mat grunted but let it go.

as much as he could at least.

days passed and he didn't bring it up again, but you were more conscientious of what you and ella did around him. but it didn't matter, ella didn't seem to give two shits that her dad was distraught, but you knew it was because she was two and mat was doing his best to hide his devastation.

it wasn't until a week after the conversation that things changed.

you heard a scream from the other room at what had to be 2am. your heart was pounding in your chest before you recognized the cries as ella's. mat's arm tightened around you before he too realized it was ella probably having a nightmare.

the screaming and crying got louder until the door to your shared bedroom opened. and there stood ella, mat's carbon copy, full on sobbing with her stuffed hippo pulled into her chest. you immediately got out of bed and walked over to her.

"it's okay, ella bean. i'm here, we're here, you're safe."

but as soon as you reached out to touch her, she shrieked and backed away. "no!" she screamed. "daddy! i need daddy!"

mat was out of bed in an instant, scooping his daughter up and shushing her cries into his bare chest. "you're okay, baby," he said. "daddy won't let anything happen to you, i promise." he pressed kisses into the side of her head while he made eye contact with you.

see? you mouthed. she loves you.

[becausegoodheroesdeservekidneys]

Here’s a pending-tourism question for you if you’ve the time:

As a descendant of the Welsh diaspora, I’ve wanted to visit Wales for years to see where my ancestors were from. However, I am torn because part of the goal, in my opinion, of traveling is to experience local authentic cuisine - but I’m allergic to dairy. I realize that rules out a lot of traditional Welsh foods, which I am told often include butter and cheese.

The question to you is: is there much of a vegan Welsh cuisine food scene in Cardiff, Swansea, or Bangor? Or is that just not much of a thing. (I presume there are a number of vegan restaurants throughout the country, but are many/any specifically catering towards Welsh cuisine? The goal is experience traditional Welsh flavors as much as is possible, and I find myself deeply distrusting of non-local internet food reviews because often only the locals who will know how things are supposed to taste).

I'm going to throw this one open to the floor, because my instinctive reaction is no, but I'm not vegan and others may have found something (particularly around Cardiff).

I mean, there's plenty of vegan food here! It's just not Welsh, really

If it's just dairy that's the problem rather than all animal products, mind, see if you can try dragon sausages or Welsh lamb. Particularly, and I cannot stress this enough, if you can find either mountain lamb, or Gower salt marsh lamb. Mountain lamb is sweeter, and salt marsh lamb has a fuller flavour from the grazing they do (plus it's super environmentally friendly, because they help manage the salt marshes without machinery and therefore carbon fuels or ground disturbance.) And faggots of course! If you like liver. It's an offal dish.

OH and a LOT of seafood. In Swansea, go to the market. Cockles, laverbread (seaweed and oats mixed into patties and fried on a bakestone) and bacon are the traditional breakfast, but you can also get the catch of the day. A particular delicacy in Wales was always sewin, our word for river trout. So there's that.

[nczaversnick]

Project Gemini: Worldbuilding

Let me just take a moment to shout out my amazing writing partner Rachelle for being so meticulously anal about some of this. I wouldn’t have this information if it weren’t for her googling shit at 3 am

You can follow her on instagram @panda.panduh

Setting

Setting: Cyberpunk adjacent. Definitely advance technology in a city

Country: Utristan

Capital city: Eltrax in Aurora District

Caspian’s home city: Dreake in Titania District

Currency:

Seols - fully digital currency only accessed through PINs and SERiALs

Utristan uses Seol currency (§XX UTS)

Because of the incredibly high inflation, 5.8k Seol (§5800 UTS) is worth 1 US dollars ($1 USD) during Caspian’s generation

Any living costs and salaries will be based off of Illinois and doubled–

Minimum hourly wage [legally allowed]: $24 USD

(Nursing assistant wage: $28 - $52 USD)

Monthly rent: $1138 USD

Monthly phone: $50 USD until $1200 USD [first gen phone]; $70 USD until $1600 USD [upgrade]

Clothing style:

The general public does not lean so hard into true cyberpunk fashion but you can see traces of it there.

Military and Medical uniforms are strictly regulated.

The [Rebel Group Name] have the closest to cyber punk style, having more liberties to express themselves as such

the cyberpunk aesthetic combines 40s film noir fashion, gothic styles of the 90s, military uniforms, and gear, and more experimental and futuristic cybernetic details. While the cyberpunk look might seem incredibly unique, its essence is composed of many incredibly varied sources.

Names:

Normals/Non-Deviants/etc: those who were born without elemental powers

Deviants: those who were born with elemental powers

The Zodiacs: those who were created within the Operation Crimson Army (OCA) program

Technology

PIN (Particle Infused Nanochip):

available as a unique combination of numbers and letters for non-electronic access. Infants are instantly chipped and tested for elemental identification

Who has them: Humans and Deviants

When is it introduced in the story: Book 1

Public knowledge about them: only about the functions, except GPS tracking and power suppression

Properties: a small, square device that has been surgically implanted within the dermis layer of the right or left wrist, depending on the dominant hand the user uses.

Its embedded, replicate copper oxide particles improve the skin's well-being and since it is not made of real metal, will not be likely to cause any allergic reactions. If it detects an abnormal amount of carbon dioxide (either due to intentionally cutting out the chip or CO2 poisoning), the chip will release a silent alarm that will alert the authorities.

Normal adult concentrations: 23 - 30 mmol/L

Atmospheric CO2: 21,050 mmol/L

Alert ranges: 35 - 21,050 mmol/L

Functions: access to all modes of transportation, monetary funds, and certain buildings, GPS tracking, power suppression [in later books]

SERiAL (Serial Etched Reference in Anterior Limbs):

Who has them: Civilian and military personnel Deviants, the Zodiacs

When is it introduced in the story: in the later books

Public knowledge about them: only about the properties, but not about the Zodiacs

Properties: a medium-sized tattoo etched into either the inner forearms or napes of necks.

The ink is made with a substance known as xylothane, a fire- and scratch-resistant ink that penetrates the dermis layer of skin.

Civilian and military personnel Deviants have the SERiAL printed on their inner forearms

All Zodiacs have the SERiAL and their zodiac symbol printed on the back of their necks

Functions: identification, access to criminal records

ROB (Radical Operational Bots): those who can afford small animatronic assistants have access to them.

Properties: most basic forms of androids and come as a 2x2-inch boxes

Function: entertainment, reminders of events, basic web search

Features: reforming personalities depending on who owns them, will perform basic commands, GPS tracking device

The [Rebel Group Name]: Quinn has officially renamed the ROB acronym to Radical Operational Buddies. These assistants have been torn apart and reconstructed without the GPS tracking device and made to look like animals, personalities reformed to match their owners’, will perform more advanced commands, and are personally customized to the needs of their owner

Adrian: dragon with a dog-like personality, programmed with PTSD and de-escalating training

Iris: bison with a stern and stable personality, creates blueprints and diagrams of buildings it's scanned and projects images

Aurelia: snake with a sneaky personality, often hides amongst the plants and dispenses water to help with watering

Athena: gecko with a sneaky personality, can blend into the background and often acts as a “fly on the wall” with advanced listening capabilities

Mason: rabbit with a grumpy, protective personality, has non-lethal lasers. Quinn put them there as a joke/convinced Iris to help him do that

Quinn: standard cube with a smiley face [if a cube could be high this cube is it], helps with programming

Caspian: small bird with a bubbly personality, able to record and playback music and recordings

Tablets (HSP Tab: Holographic Screen Projector): those who can afford tablets have access to them.

Depending on the region will depend on the type of tablet one might have. Can range from the most basic to the most advanced.

Basic form (HSP Tab BF1-4 and S): palm-sized, touch screen with a frame

Function: basic web search, call and text with 2-D images, fragile glass surface

Advanced form (HSP Tab AF5-9 and S): standard magazine-size, glass screen with a frame and holographic imaging

Function: advanced web search, call and text with 3-D imaging projection, indestructible glass surface

Monorails (MPA: Magnetically-Propelled Antiquitrain): hovers in the air by magnets. Lack of friction achieves fast speeds.

Publicly accessed and publicly owned by the government

Taxis (PEP: Particle-Effused Pulsecar): hovers in the air by the high magnetic field in the area. The effusion rate of the particles needs time to create a short burst of propelling, kinetic energy to move.

Publicly accessed and can be publicly or privately owned

Jets (SSCJ: Supersonic Stratospheric Concealment Jetstream)

Privately owned by the military

Deviants

Scientific background:

Humans have 4 bases for DNA: guanine, adenine, cytosine, and thymine. Deviants have 4 bases and 4 extra bases that determine their element: ignisine (fire), aquanine (water), terranine (earth), ventinine (wind). Certain combinations of the 8 bases will determine the Deviant’s elements:

Father/Mother

Aquanine: Water

Water/Water: Cyclone

Water/Earth: Plant

Water/Air: Weather

Water/Fire: [Invalid]

Terranine: Earth

Earth/Water: Crystal

Earth/Earth: Earthquake

Earth/Air [Invalid]

Earth/Fire: Metal

Ventinine: Air

Air/Water: Fog

Air/Earth [Invalid]

Air/Air: Aero-Telekineses

Air/Fire: Light

Ignisine: Fire

Fire/Water: [Invalid]

Fire/Earth: Lava

Fire/Air: Electrity

Fire/Fire: Inferno

Although opposing Deviants are able to mate like Humans, their offspring will only inherit and express one gene of either element from the mother or the father.

Rarely there will be offspring that express both genes from both parents due to mutation, but these often die in the early onset of pregnancy.

Those who survive express one element and have one “silent” element [meaning they will only be able to control one element] and are taken by the [Government Program] for further experiments.

Male babies will inherit their father’s genes, and female babies will inherit their mother’s.

Every baby that is born undergoes genetic testing to see which genes are expressed.

The Government

Utristan is held in a military state, with military members making up all branches of government and law enforcement. Those within the military are part of a group known as the Emissaries of Utristan.

Military consists of multiple other branches similar to: Army (combat), Air Force (air), Navy (water), Seals (secret ops) in early books

Military will crumble and become one giant branch: Army (everything) in later books

Army Ranks:

Class 1: lower-class military; doesn’t know aything about anything (grub work)

Private (Athena, Caspian and Aurelia)

Everyone who has ever graduated high school is a private since it’s a requirement to do at least 2 years of military service in Utristan

Corporeal (Iris)

Sergeant

Master Sergeant (Quinn)

Sergeant Major

Sergeant Major of the Army (steps up when General of the Army goes down)

Class 2: upper-class military; works closely with Zodiacs and OCA in general

Warrant Officer

Chief Warrant Officer

Lieutenant

Captain (Mason)

Major

Colonel (Adrian)

Major General

General (Lucia)

General of the Army

Operation Crimson Army (OCA)

Purpose: to weaponize the Deviants in order to have a one-up in any future wars

Deviants will develop normally and cannot be distinguished from Humans. Deviants that have been experimented on to have 2 or more expressed elements will develop more body mutations.

In the beginning, the OCA tried creating test tube babies that were genetically engineered to have 2 or more expressed elements, but since the DNA was not set like in older birthed babies, the DNA would often unravel and reject non-compatible bases.

Over time, those who survived having two expressed elements underwent “gene activation” in which 2 or more elements would be expressed, however, they would be more susceptible to developing physical mutation.

The ‘Zodiacs’

Physical mutations:

When genetically modified Deviants are created, depending on which elements are expressed, will undergo physical mutations such as:

glowing windpipes and coughing up cinders for fire elements

cold to the touch with skin feeling like cracking ice for water elements,

bones cracking and swiveling unnaturally with deformed skeletal structures and crystals growing in their pores for earth elements,

ghostly skin with shifting voices from whispering to booming roars for wind elements

Adrian is colder to the touch compared to other fire Deviants, which forces him to bundle up more than others. He would be extremely cold like other water Deviants, but since he hasn’t used his water powers as much, he’s not as affected. Because he’s used his fire powers so much in the past, his throat has started to become affected to where he prefers staying quiet and talks only when necessary.

The Zodiacs and their elements:

Capricorn:

Amped Electric

[Solider Group of 5+]

[Privates]

Aquarius:

Prophecy [Failed/Will Fail?]

[Colonel]

Pisces:

Poison

[Leader]

[Colonel]

Aries:

Amped Lava

[Small Group 2-3]

[Corporeals]

Taurus:

Stone Skin

[Soliders]

[Privates]

Gemini:

Adrian

[Leader]

[Colonel]

Cancer:

Telepathy

[Leader]

[Major]

Leo:

Amped up Inferno [Failed]

Virgo:

Invisibility

[Small Group]

[Corporeals]

Libra:

Speed

[Solider]

[Privates]

Scorpio:

Blood

[Leader]

[Colonel]

Sagittarius:

Oblivion [Failed]

The [Rebel Group Name]

Purpose: to gather the Deviants together to overthrow the government

Characters

🚧This section will eventually contain links to individual character posts🚧

Caspian Álvarez

Adrian Harlowe

Athena Álvarez

Aurelia Harlowe

Iris Dagon

Quinn Russo

Mason Hayes

Lucia Atore

Tags for Project Gemini in general; as usual, comment to be +/- from this list

@honeybewrites @the-letterbox-archives @the-golden-comet @the-ellia-west @yourpenpaldee

[chibrary]

VIDEO: "Two truths, one lie" (Shell Motorsport, 2024)

Charles: Welcome to two truths, one lie. You will take it in turns to tell your fellow drivers two truths and one lie. [A] When I was a kid, I dreamt of being a Formula 1 driver. [B] If I wasn't a racing driver, I would have wanted to be an architect. [C] I'm scared of tire degradation. [Laughs.]  Carlos: Lie is the third one. [A] My pet peeve is queuing in airports. [B] My favorite subject at school was art history. [C] When I was a kid, My lucky charm was a chili.  Charles: Okay. B. No way you liked history of art. Carlos: Correcto. Charles: [A] Shell Helix is the world's first carbon neutral motor oil made from natural gas. [B] Shell and Scuderia Ferrari celebrated their first race win together at the Dutch Grand Prix in 1951. [C] Scuderia Ferrari uses shell V power race fuel which contains 10% renewable bio components. [Laughs.]  Carlos: A and C are correct. [A] When I was at school, I once broke my arm playing football. [B] I was named after my dad. [C] The first album I bought was Michael Jackson.  Charles: I think it's C. Carlos: Yes, correct. I've never bought an album. Charles: [A] My favorite meal is any kind of pasta. [B] I once played piano for a prince. [C] For my 18th birthday, I did not that much of a big party.  Carlos: You never played the piano to a prince. You would have told me by now. Charles: You are true. Carlos: [A] My first pet was a mouse called Campione. [B] My guilty pleasure is hamburgers. [C] My favorite hobby is paddle.  Charles: The C is a mistake.  Carlos: I caught you! Charles: No! Carlos: [A] Shell race fuels and lubricants have powered Scuderia Ferrari to 10 Formula One Constructors' titles and 12 Drivers’ Championship wins. [B] Shell V Power Race fuel used by Scuderia Ferrari contains 99% of the same types of compounds as Shell V Power road fuels available to customers worldwide. [C] At least one Shell trackside analyst supports Scuderia Ferrari at every Grand Prix within the Shell trackside laboratory.   And the correct answer is? Charles: C! Carlos: Good job.  Charles: [A] One of my favorite pop singer is the Kooks. [B] I am allergic to amoxicillin. [C] My idol is Ayrton Senna. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. [Laughs]. I gave the, I gave the three right answers.

[bewitched-bullet]

https://www.tumblr.com/bewitched-bullet/744615026194792448/how-did-you-make-the-jump-from-it-being-a-badly?source=share

Unsurprisingly, I did not get a clear answer. I did not expect one. You accuse people of being bullies and abusers while you are even worse. Spreading lies, talking behind people's backs, manipulating others into following your ridiculous crusade. Do you feel good about yourself?

Where are the asks that put John in a better light? I know they are there, because I wrote at least one of them. Oh, you're not answering them? I wonder why... 🙄

I don't expect you to answer this ask. Because you are a coward. And a bully. And an abuser. (Or maybe you lash out because you feel unfairly accused. Like the rp gang did.)

Obviously, it's been answered. And I knew that ask as well as this one are considered "bad faith" asks. But I answered them anyway, just as I answered ones that expressed doubts over the reality of the situation, just as I answered the spicy ones that defended John, and the Harriett mod one.

But do go on and keep putting your foot in your mouth.

And while you do that, I'll put my old teacher cap back on and break this down for the audience (which.... there aren't many going by engagement? Which makes this even more incredibly hilarious. Like, you’re seriously threatened by a nobody who doesn't even have organic reach.)

Bullies and (chronic) abusers cannot be reasoned with, it's a known fact. So, it is unsurprising to see that they dismissed the answer from their previous asks. Then they try blaming/projection. Likely in an attempt to get an emotional reaction. Actually, this whole thing is an attempt to illicit an emotional response.

Then the mod continues with the self-projection (pssssst! What crusade? Why was i not informed?? I'm allergic to genocidal holy wars!) until we hit the first question. (And yes, yes I am)

Now, they are attempting redirection. I have voiced my observations (at that point) that the John mod has only answered asks that have set them in a only good light. Hence the redirection here. As they have blocked me (wise choice) I cannot see from this account if that still holds true. I bet you they changed tactics after my observations. Because I'm a smart cookie and they know it. Check them dates!

(I have received so many asks y'all and I have answered every one of them except two. One that John mod sent that's still there and was an almost carbon copy of the pm they ALSO sent and a public post they tagged me in. Sooo redundant. And one was a link to Dump's profile (which has been addressed by another anon ask)

So! This here is called fabrication in a poor attempt to discredit. They count on the community/person they are attacking to be either naive, sheltered, vulnerable. In their minds, they believe we are all stupid.

Now, we get to some good bits. They are clearly trying goad and then the fall back on their ol' faithful tactic of self-projection.

Throughout all of this, they were trying to emotionally manipulate by attempting to create an emotional response or a sense of shame (lololol I have none). Digging into someone's sense of shame is the easiest way to control and abuse them. But it generally requires more personal involvement with the intended victim

Millions of people don't speak out and/or stay locked in abusive situations because of shame.

Now with all of this said, that doesn't mean because you've manipulated folks before to get what you want, you're a "bad" person.

Because my morals are my own, I will not tell you folks how to handle this gray area.

Just a question to leave you all with: is the world black and white? Or is it an spectrum?

Just like, if I see someone steal food--no the fuck I didn't.

Ok, time to lock the instructor hat back in the closet where it belongs.

(Side note: being threatened by a nobody because they dare to question and can't be cowed, is common with bullies, abusers, and predators)

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk

If you would like to see this whole mess, search the tags for "a scandal in tumblr"

[sparkypantaloons]

Jason breaks his leg

“What did you do?” An old lady hugging an oxygen tank asks.

“Felloffmybicycle.” Jason mumbles.

“Eh?” The lady replies loudly. “Speak up kid, I’m deaf.”

Jason sighs. “I fell off my bicycle.” He says, much louder this time. 

“Well that was stupid.” The old lady replies. As if Jason doesn’t know. 

It’s bad enough his leg is properly fucked. That the tibia snapped clean in half and busted out his shin for all the world to see, and that the fibula is broken in three different places. But to have not even done it as Red Hood? That’s the bit that really stings his pride. 

He hadn’t even been on his motorcycle. He’s been trying to reduce his carbon footprint recently, (unsurprisingly, vigilantism is hardly the cleanest industry in the world) so he’d been cycling. Just cycling around on a Tuesday afternoon for a bit of cardio. Took a corner too fast, stupidly put his foot out to stabilise and then, bam! - there is he lying in the street, with two thirteen year old girls simultaneously calling 911 and snapchatting his broken leg.

“Fam, your foot is pointing the wrong way,” One of them had shrilled, as Jason had blinked stupidly up at her.

“I don’t know how old he is,” the other one had told the operator panickedly. “Like old, he has white hair, maybe 30?”

And there Jason had been thinking he looked young for his age. It was this particular blow to his ego that had him coming round, grimacing through the pain as he told the kids he was fine.

“Your skeleton is outside of your body, I don’t think that’s fine!”

“Hn.” Jason had replied, rolling with the wave of nausea that came from trying to move his leg. Everything below the knee felt like jello. Very painful jello. “I’m calling an uber. Tell 911 not to come.”

The uber driver had been less than thrilled. “I am not an ambulance, my guy.”

“I will give you $1,000 in cash right now if you take me to the clinic on Old Park Row.” Jason had told him, skin clammy and face gray as he’d tried to drag himself into the back of the Toyota Prius.

In the end it had cost him two thousand dollars. But only because he had vomited all over the back of seat and felt bad.

Leslie hadn’t made him feel any better. 

“What is wrong with you? You need a hospital!” She had snapped, eyeing his blood soaked jeans and the jagged bone poking through them. “You could lose your leg if you don’t get seen to immediately.”

“I just need you to do me a cast.” Jason had replied, woozily. Was it just him, or was the world spinning? “It’ll be fine in a few weeks.”

“What you need is major surgery and three months at home.”

Jason’s protests had been no good. Leslie had called 911 and sent him on his way to Gotham General. But not before sedating him so she could re-set the bone. He’d come round in the hospital emergency room, drooling slightly and talking gibberish about carrots.

“Allergic to carrots.” The staff nurse had said slowly, a fixed smile on her face. “I’ll make sure the doctor knows.”

He’d been taken into surgery just a few hours later and had woken up that evening with a titanium rod in his leg and a gaggle of medical students ogling his stitches. “How do you always get them so neat, Luisa?” A short, white man with a pointed face was saying. “He’s like 10% body fat, there’s hardly any skin to spare.”

Jason took umbridge with that. His latest training regime (yes, the one that included cycling as cardio) had taken him down to 7% body fat. 

[let-there-be-tboys]

FIRST T SHOT: COMPLETE✅✅✅‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

details under the cut!! :-)

oh GOD i am so happy. oh god. oh i am losing my mind. years of agony every waking moment is gonna be over soon enough. even though i won’t see changes for a while, i already feel better.

it came a day early and they accidentally sent me testosterone cypionate instead of enanthate which, longer half-life + 8 carbon fucks severely so i’m not complaining!!! i don’t think i’m allergic, i got a little itchy immediately after injecting but i think it was mostly nerves/putting on my pajamas that had dog hair on them (i’m allergic to my dog), and it went away. i also feel nauseous ~2 hours after injection but i don’t know if it’s an issue with the T or just nerves or something unrelated. i was scrolling on tiktok for a bit which always makes me feel super nauseous so maybe that’s why

this was really, really, really scary. i did it on call with one of my best friends in the world (also trans, on e) and she really helped me. she’s the only person in my life who knows i’m on t, major shoutout, cannot express how much i love her

it’s been 2.5 hours since injecting about 25mg. i fucked up and am not quite sure how much i actually got in there cause the t got all stuck in the syringe plunger??? but the second time it worked i think. may have been more or less then 25mg…but…about? oops!

it didn’t hurt at all the first time but i fucked up and had to start over. the second time hurt a little because i forgot to turn the needle’s long side closer to my body, also the adrenaline had calmed down a little so i felt it more!!! but it was all very lovely and chill. i do subcutaneous (subq) and the needle was tiiiiiny tiny tiny so it really was nothing

i generally just feel Weird. everything feels sharper, i’m very very aware of my body right now. i was in absolute fight or flight panic defense mode while doing the injection because it was 1. just kinda a scary thing! 2. scared someone in my house was gonna catch me (they didn’t, we are all good). so i don’t know if my current Weird feeling is from T or from coming down from my crazy defense mode.

it feels like yesterday it was early august and i first heard of diy, it feels like yesterday i was holding my breath wondering if this was something i could really do. it feels like yesterday i, a trans kid in the south with no resources and no trans community, all on my own besides for a few friends up north, tasted real, tangible hope for the first time. and now i’m here and i did it. i started hrt. i finally did it

it’s Weird but really nice. i looked in the mirror and i feel different, i feel like me but also like a different person and i think i really like it and only time will tell how this all goes!!! i thank god and the universe and whatever divine luck brought me here because oh lord i have been so lucky. i am so lucky and have been so protected. i am so immeasurably grateful

[eatingstringcheese]

headcanons - denki kaminari

in which we dive into the world of headcanons for denki kaminari

warnings: none

❬ 🖉 ❭ ━━ GENERAL

»❁» adhd combined type, hyperactive and attentive

»❁» when he got diagnosed with adhd he'd quote the cool guy syndrome vine and then text the bakusquad and say "poggers i just got diagnosed :smirk_cat:"

»❁» he collected pokemon cards as a kid and never stopped

»❁» his favorite pokemon are jolteon, pikachu, and zapdos

»❁» his eyes are a little bad, but he refuses to get glasses and instead wears contacts

»❁» he/they and he gets super excited when someone uses they

»❁» his religion includes saying pog, simping, and using cat emojis

»❁» he actually ate his homework once

»❁» he vibes hard to She's Kinda Hot Tho, Girls in Bikinis, Stacy's Mom, and Everybody Talks

»❁» never afraid to throw on cat ears and a maid costume 

»❁» mains yellow in among us with the party hat because "i didn't choose the party life, the party life chose me"

»❁» bisexual king, simps hard for jirou and sero

»❁» sour skittle addict

»❁» likes pretty much any sour thing

»❁»  orange fanta

»❁» spring/summer because rain

»❁» hates lavender

»❁» classical music scratches his brain

»❁» he really like carbonated drinks bc fizzy 

»❁» nervous scratchy stim :( 

»❁» his favorite stim is flapping his hands

»❁» allergic to nuts

❬ 🖉 ❭ ━━ BEST FRIENDS

»❁» you guys met while on a walk, playing pokemon go. while walking you guys looked up at the last second and bumped into each other, and you dropped your phone. apologizing profusely he picked up your phone and handed it to you. peeking at the screen, he saw pokemon go open. bonding over your love of pokemon you friended each other and became inseparable

❬ 🖉 ❭ ━━ DATING

»❁» you asked him out while he was short-circuiting as a spur-of-the-moment type thing, he said yes while barely conscious and you agreed on going out for lunch

»❁» your first kiss was chaotic, he couldn't tell if he was reading the signs right and when you leaned in he panicked and just barely shocked you. it didn't hurt and you reassured him you were fine but he kept freaking out so to shut him up you kissed him for real this time. he looked at you with a love struck grin and simply muttered "haha nice" you laughed and kissed him again

»❁» you're angel, babe, cutie and honey pie

»❁» he's bubba, denks, pika, and bubs

»❁» Electric Love is your song

»❁» he likes to lay his head in your lap, does it at any chance he gets

»❁» you'll be watching a movie and denki kinda just drags his fingers over your skin while watching, there's no motive, he's not trying to be sexual or tickle you he's just running his fingers over your skin because it's a comforting physically confirmation that you're right there under his fingertips

»❁» 100% would call you at 3 am just to hear your voice

»❁» always the big spoon

lmk if u wanna be added to the taglist :) like n reblog if u enjoyed <3

[innytoes]

53 + 54: I am so totally chill right now but at the next inconvenience I will start biting people

sounds very Alex. Alex in harem au please?

Okay, so maybe Alex was regretting asking to be Caleb's arm candy for this event. Just a little. All the camera flashes on the red carpet had given him a headache, and he'd tried to remember to smile and not grimace at the light. Maybe he could turn it into more of a smize.

The inside of the event was packed, and the combined noise of people talking and music coming from somewhere deeper in the venue was just awful, bouncing off the marble.

He clung to Caleb's arm, trying to remember why they were here. This was a big fundraiser for a queer youth program. He was here to help kids like him. And also look hot and a little slutty as a fuck you to his parents, who had started up their harassment again around his birthday. Willie had done his make-up, and he was wearing a pink suit with a sheer shirt underneath, a deep V neck that showed off the hickeys Luke had left there the night before.

"How are you doing, darling?" Caleb asked in his ear.

"I'm good," he said. "Totally chill."

"Let's go find our seats," Caleb said, leading him through the crowd, but of course, they kept running into people who wanted to talk to Caleb. Some of them were cool, like theatre directors or choreographers from shows Caleb had taken him to. Some were boring business people. And the worst ones had arm candy of their own who tried to either neg Alex or in one case, were a very lovely but very misinformed young lady who assumed he was also, ah, working.

Listen, he knew what it looked like, okay? But he really cared about Caleb. They all did. Sure, living at his place was nice, and being spoiled by him was fun, but even if all that stopped, it wasn't like they'd drop Caleb. The thought of the man moving into their shitty little apartment from before they met him made him chuckle, and Caleb turned to him, raising an eyebrow. He shrugged, squeezing his arm. That was maybe a thought he'd keep to himself.

They made it to the bar at least, and Alex asked for a water, and tried not to groan when he got a flute full of fancy sparkling water. He hated the way the carbonation felt, but he hated the idea of correcting the waiter even more.

When they finally found their seats at one of the big round tables, of course their backs were to the stage, so they had to sit turned during the whole showcase slash awards ceremony. Still, they clapped for the community organizers and artists being featured, and then enjoyed the meal.

Or, well, Alex tried to, except they were serving shrimp, which he was deathly allergic to, so he mostly pushed food around his plate as Caleb made apologetic noises and promised to take him out to eat wherever he wanted afterwards. He smiled and shrugged, because it wasn't his fault, and made polite small talk with the other people at the table. Willie had given them all a crash course at Rich Fancy People Parties and how if you just kept asking questions, people generally liked you and left you alone.

After dinner, there was some dancing, and he and Caleb got to spin around the dance floor. Things were finally looking up, except then someone actually cut in and swept Caleb away, and Alex stood there dumbfounded and Caleb made 'what the heck I'm so sorry' eyes over the woman's shoulder. He didn't just want to stand there, so he went to the bar and ordered an apple juice, which they didn't have, then an orange juice.

Of course the orange juice had pulp. Of course it did.

When Caleb found him again, wrapping his arm around him and apologetically kissing his cheek, he tried not to sulk. "I am so sorry, kitten," he said. "But she's a big patron at the Club."

"It's okay," he said, leaning in. He'd recognized the woman, and had realized why Caleb couldn't just brush her off.

"Be honest, how are you feeling?" Caleb asked him, warm hand on Alex' knee.

Alex took a moment to consider, swishing his gross orange juice around. He could just grin and bear it, but honestly, their donation had been made through the tickets, so the charity had already been helped. And he really, really wanted to get out of here. "I am so totally chill right now but at the next inconvenience I will start biting people," he said honestly.

Caleb bit back a laugh, before leaning in to kiss him. "Let's get out of here, then. We'll go somewhere to eat a dinner you can actually have."

"Can we pick up pizza on the way home?" Alex asked. He didn't think he could stand more fancy restaurants right now.

So that's what they did. Of course they picked up enough for the other guys as well, because even if they'd already eaten, Alex knew Luke and Reggie could scarf down a pizza whole at any time and would be sad if there wasn't any for them. And Alex was Not Sharing his.

After dinner (or second dinner for the boys), Caleb put on some music and pulled Alex into his arms, and he finally got to slow dance with his guy. And the only people who cut in were there to dance with both of them.

And the only biting that evening was very consensual.

[creacherkeeper]

hi!! um. what. what do you mean you nearly died of heatstroke??

(warning for near death experiences, medical, puke, & child neglect ahead)

.

.

.

oh,,, well that's just One of the times ive nearly died (like the car crash. or the carbon monoxide poisoning. or the dog mauling. or the mrsa. or the second gas poisoning. or the-)

but essentially i went horseback riding. i hadn't gone for a while. it was 105f/40c and 105% humidity. all i had eaten that day was doritos and diet coke bc my parents were oh so responsible

am doing the lesson. the instructor does not offer me any water. it's in full sunlight the whole time. florida sun. she knows i have not ridden in a while but is pushing me to do physically demanding moves like trotting (hate trotting)

im doing this for like 30 min and go hey. can i take a break. and she's like yeah i guess

i stop the horse. sway for a moment. lean over to the side and puke everywhere and she's like Oh Shit

the horse does Not enjoy this so it bucks me off. i manage to land on my feet (ive landed on my feet all three times ive gotten bucked). i stand there for a moment and go Hmmm i can't see anything and collapse

i was unconscious for about 30 minutes. during the time i was partially awake i did not have any vision and could only see shrimp colors (i remember thinking they were really pretty and trying to remember them for later but i can't now). the instructor drags me under the shade of a tree and simply. leaves me out there. goes inside her house. i might've puked again but i don't remember. she never got my parents number so she couldn't call them to come get me. it's very touching spirit bear

(i feel like it's also important to note im allergic to horses)

finally my parents show up and im like hi ive been unconscious and still can't see anything and they're like oh so true so they pour some water over me until my vision comes back and then throw me in the backseat of the car with the ac blasting. take me home (not the doctor)

we get home and they're like soooooo. we have plans? so like. go sit in a tub of cool water and then sleep it off. and they leave

i got in the tub fully clothed because i was not coordinated enough to get anything off and riding clothes are tight. just sat in there for a while drifting in and out of consciousness. and then i dragged myself into bed and passed out

i don't super remember the next few days. but i lived lol? i just had a very bad brain injury that lasted for all of high school and some of college bc it was the summer before my freshman year (i had just turned 14). this brain injury did not get diagnosed until i was 24

so yeah :o) 👍 when i looked it up at age 24 it was like oh yeah if you have these symptoms it's like an 85% chance of death and i was like oh worm? didn't tell my parents that but i already wasn't talking to my mom and i only talked to my dad a handful of times after that (as im sure yall can understand)

truly i have survived so much i am invulnerable i think. and that's the story of my heat stroke

[watermeloncholycucumbersome]

Day 70 of Writing Something Everyday

(365 Day Challenge)

True Story.

Why is everyone "too busy" when I need them,

But I have to be available and ready to go when others need me?

It's the truth I've suffered the repercussions..

I guess there's a big difference between mine and others' mentalities,

I know how it feels to be:

Not thought about,

Unacknowledged,

Last minute additive,

The odd one out...

Bullied...

Patronized..

Purposely made feel bad...

I don't do that to others because it's a terrible feeling but I guess most I've met have never had that problem,

The world at their beckon call...

It must be nice to have the world on speed dial and it just answers on the first ring, agreeing to do your bidding.

I haven't had that luxury unfortunately.

They just use me when they need me,

And guess what? I'm right there like an idiot doing whatever needs done.

I text someone they never respond all day,

Yet I'm the asshole if I don't respond in 2.7 seconds.

I need to find friends?

Oh okay, just let me go to the friend store..

You don't think I've tried?

NOBODY WANTS TO TALK TO ME.

I'm not lying they get what they want and I foolishly think I have someone to talk to because they've humoured me for a bit and they never come back.

Show me where these decent people are..

I've definitely not seen them or met them,

To have a friend you have to be a friend.

Friendship is a one way street now, all take and no give.

I try to share with others what I have but that's not good enough, the humans around me are too privileged I guess,

Then I'm expected to take what I'm given with a smile on my face and a thank you on my lips.

Everyone seems to have a choice but me..

When am I going to wake up and realize that people don't like me?

Heck, they don't even think about me..

When they do I'm looked up and down like the world is a fashion show and I didn't get the memo.

Sorry for not being fancy enough to hang out with you..

"Oh you cut your own bangs? Ha-ha-ha-ha"

Yes, yes it's hilarious to not have anyone help me so I have to do it myself..

"Oh she's so Canadian!"

Here we have exhibit A, the little uncultured swine called Jenni.

She only eats certain things she can handle because she might be a bit neuro like that..

Things out of her 'safe zone' might taste weird, make her vomit, and she's not partial to weird textures etc.

Watch her struggle learning to use chopsticks and laugh because it's sooooooo hilarious, then when she picks it up quickly because she's being bullied so bad ignore her.

Oh look she must've been allergic to something we tried to get her to eat! Isn't that cute?!

She's also fat so why is she so picky with her food? She wasn't to gain the weight!

*the crowd pisses themselves laughing*

I don't have to be like you and you don't have to be like me.. That is okay you know?

God didn't make us all to be carbon copies of each other, He's not boring He doesn't like making the same thing twice..

It bugs me that I didn't even get considered to help pick my deceased mother's birthday cake, both of us hated red velvet..

But I should be thankful right?

We should all just have a laugh at the poor girl who's now a legit orphan and feel better when we go to sleep tonight because we've done our good deed of the day.

Jesus would be proud..

God, I wish my mom were here..

But thankfully for you all she isn't or else you would've got an ear full.

Thankfully she isn't here to tell you all you're jerks and shouldn't treat anyone like this - not even an enemy.

This is gross behaviour from grown assed adults.

Be thankful I don't say anything, be thankful I forgive you.

But don't take advantage of my love for God, even He tells you not to be around people like that.

Be thankful my Mom's not here to get upset but it's sad that there's not even a fear of God from "Christian" people or they wouldn't have acted like that.

You think my mom was bad, wait until my Father gets home.

And that's actually terrifying to be honest.

I forgive you.

I forgive you.

I forgive you

Please God don't let them do this to someone else.

~Jenni

[slime-hoe]

Good on sandwiches in moderation, surprisingly good ramen thickener/additive, key ingredient in a beloved family recipe

Good-ish. Very unpredictable in my experience texture and flavors are more variable than ice cream.

Not really my thing but I see the appeal. Salty and tangy, same reason why I like sour cream and onion chips.

I appreciate them but the sweetness hits me weird. I’m trying though. It’s on my “I don’t like this but I’m going to keep nibbling at it until I like it sorta”

Love but am now allergic to :(

Dislike. I can’t do bubbles but that’s true for any carbonated beverage. Bubbles make me sick.

If this means styrofoam cup ramen with freeze dried peas than no I don’t like it, if it means regular minute ramen that’s microwaved in a bowl than it’s love.

Alright. We’re settling this discourse once and for all.

In the tags, tell me your opinion on:

Mayonnaise

Frozen Yogurt 

Salt and Vinegar Chips

Sweet Potatoes

Kiwi

Ginger Ale

Microwave Ramen

[talesindawn]

Pick your Poison

I have to admit, I’m an excellent ‘two truths and a lie’ player.

I once got so drunk I bribed a bartender at a club to give me his rainbow pin.

Everyone in my family has died due to poisoning.

I have blue eyes.

The pin has been on my jacket since that night, a testament to the fact that I can be extroverted, even if I have to be not sober to become so, which leads to always being met with a chorus of laughs, eye rolls and ‘jeez I wonder which one it is.’

 Only for my best friend to side eye me and tell the crowd my eyes are actually green.

And then crickets, until someone trips over a power cable, killing the stereo or throws up in a poor potted plant. The silences never last long enough to make things awkward, and the shocked looks I get always amuse me.

‘Really, Fiona.’ Clara says to me each time. ‘You have to get some new jokes.’

‘But this is the only interesting thing about me.’ Was always my reply.

And it is also my biggest fear.

***

Poisoning can take many different forms, but fact still remains, everyone in my immediate family has died from it.

Dad was alcohol poisoning, around five years ago. Hurts to say no one was shocked.

My Nan, Rosalie, his mother, ate a batch of pokeweed berries she had found growing in her back garden, mistaking it for one of her blueberry shrubs. She didn’t make it to the hospital in time when she started feeling sick.

Granddad Milo apparently became allergic to peanuts out of the blue and found out the hard way.

And then there’s Uncle Noe’s family, all perished from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Am I next? What will it be? Food poisoning? Being bitten by a venomous snake?

***

Weeks later, Clara walks into our shared kitchen, holding her laptop: ‘Check this out.’

‘Finally deleting some of those spam emails you’ve been getting?’ I say, after glancing at her screen.

‘I was, when I noticed this.’ She grabs my face and turns it in the direction of her computer. ‘Come on, look.’

‘I’m not interested in the thousandth email about a master student looking for volunteers for their eczema study.’ I say, frowning. ‘I don’t even think what I have is eczema.’

‘What you have’ she says zooming into a section of the email I’m trying so hard to ignore ‘is partial blindness. This is not an eczema study. Look.’

All I wanted was to eat my yoghurt in peace. 

‘Fine I’ll bite.’

[Research Studies] Liminal boundary between human and nonhuman.

Oh?

Hello,

My name is Sean and I am a master’s student conducting research at Willow University, I am writing to extend an invitation to you to participate in a ground-breaking research study exploring the liminal boundary between human and nonhuman consciousness.

The focus of this study is to investigate the potential of a revolutionary sensory tank technology to facilitate transcendent experiences, enabling participants to access insights into future events. Our research aims to bridge the realms of human perception and the unknown, offering a glimpse into the mysteries that lie beyond conventional understanding.

Your participation in this study would involve several sessions within the liminality chamber, during which you would be encouraged to relax and surrender to the sensory experience. Our team of trained facilitators will be present to ensure your safety and comfort throughout the sessions, as well as to provide support and guidance as needed.

As a participant in this pioneering research endeavour, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of consciousness studies and potentially uncover profound insights into your own destiny and interconnectedness with the universe. If you are intrigued by the prospect of exploring the boundaries of human perception and gaining access to hidden realms of knowledge, I invite you to consider participating in this unique research opportunity.

Should you wish to learn more about the study or express your interest in participating, please feel free to contact me through this email, II would be delighted to provide further details and discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

Thank you for your time,

Sean.

I turn to Clara. ‘What is all this about?’

‘I thought you might be interested.’

‘Because…?’

‘To find out if you’re really going to die due to poisoning.’ She says.

Wow, alright.

‘Why on earth would I want to put myself through some sketchy experiment to find out how I’m allegedly going to die?’

‘Because, Fiona, this fear is taking over you. You are scared of everything; you never leave this flat. It’s getting to the point where I’m afraid you’re going to ask me to taste your food before you eat it.’

That might not actually be such a bad idea. I don’t say that to her though.

‘This will make it worse, based on what it says. If it even works, it seems a bit too sci-fi to me.’

‘What if it helps you, Fi? The problem is you don’t know, if you did know you, for example, that you would die in a car crash, would be able to relax and be able to go out to eat or something.’

‘Or I’d never leave the house due to my newfound fear if cars.’

She sighs, shutting the laptop before grabbing it.

‘Just…think about it.’

***

Clearly, I’m just as crazy as Clara thinks I am.

I take three deep breaths before walking into the room number provided by Sean. It’s a fairly large room in Willow’s science building, the Ark, with white walls and floors, plus blinding pale lights that remind me of being in a doctor’s office.

A boy a couple of years older than me gets up from his desk as he hears the door open. He smiles at me and offers his hand.

‘Hi, I’m Sean, it’s nice to meet you, you must be Fiona.’

I nod, unsure of what to say.

‘Thank you for taking part in the experiment.’ He finally says after a few second of silence, as he adjusts his thick, round, black glasses over the bridge of his nose. He looks exactly like the kind of person who would be conducting a similar experiment.

‘All right, Fiona, may I know what you’re hoping to find out today from our FIG?’

‘FIG?’ I ask.

‘Oh, pardon, I must not have included this in the emails I sent out. It’s the name the team has chosen for the tank, it stands for Future Insight Gateway.’

‘Oh cool.’ I say, to then clear my voice. ‘I’d like to find out, if possible, how I am going to die.’

He gives me a look of surprise.

‘There have been…several strange deaths in family, and it has been an unshakable…’

Obsession my mind wants to say.

‘Irrational fear of mine for quite some time.’ I end up settling on. ‘I believe this experiment could help me make them vanish once and for all.’

‘I suppose it is a fairly common question to have.’ Is all he says.

‘Well then, Fiona, let’s see if FIG can help you out.’

***

FIG is, essentially, a glorified sensory tank.  The shape reminds me of a white shoe, a croc to be precise, filled with water. It’s in a separate room, illuminated by a soft, dim, lilac hue.

Sean tells me that it’s equipped with a ‘quantum entanglement device’, built especially for it. It won’t knock me out, he declares, a bit forcefully as if I was about to accuse him of such, all it will do is allow me to enter a deeper part of consciousness, to put me in communication with my other self in a quantum state.

I honestly think it’s a bath of gibberish, but whatever.

I’m pointed to a small bathroom where to change into a swimming suit, to then enter the tank, with my back to the water, letting my body float.

Once I’m in the tank, which has been connected to the necessary machinery, he shuts the door, telling me to holler if I need anything or want to stop at any time.

***

The lights become dimmer and dimmer, until I’m enveloped by shadows, to then see some flow towards the ceiling.

A single flicker of purple light floats. I shiver while getting out of the tank, my legs slip a few times against the metal edges.  I watch it move around the room, my hair plastered to my back and forehead with icy water, dripping down my shoulders, rolling to my navel. I cling to those shadows that have remained wrapped around me as I stand directly under that source of brightness.

Tentatively, I reach out. The tip of my toes burn from the effort, and my index finger dips into the spec. It grows, somehow, around my hand, covering my features. It’s warm at first, comforting, but it turns cooler and cooler, until it’s dripping with pain.

I yank it free, stumbling backwards, but the ground separates beneath my body, letting me fall.

I rapidly descend through time and air, trying to scream for help, but no words come out, just my breath escaping from my body, my stomach tumbling within me.

I’m cushioned by a floor of thick water. Letting myself sink to the bottom, pushing up to spring free is hard, the water doesn’t want to let me go, and when I do break out, I feel its droplets fighting to keep my eyes shut.

And there’s an arm stretched out before me.

I look up and see it belongs to a girl who has a striking similarity to me.

Looking closer it is me, just flipped, a reflection that has stepped out of a mirror.  

I try to wade away a bit from her, but she responds with re-extending her arm, more forcefully this time. She gives me a smile, or tries to, she doesn’t open her mouth fully, a few specks of white trying to peak through, behind red lips.

I take her hand, letting her pull me out of the syrup lake. What choice did I have?

***

She hands me a towel to try and remove some of the water, if that’s what it even was, before leading me to sit on a rock. Kneeling before me, she cups my face.

‘Are you…me?’ I find myself asking.

She nods frantically, and smiles, once again not fully. I notice small tendrils fighting to keep her lips apart, and mine burn as I stare at hers.

This is what happens when you try to find answers to things that are not meant to be discovered.  She said, but her mouth doesn’t move.

‘Are you using telepathy on me or something?’

Or something. She agrees.

Fiona, my other self, why are you here? Are you so scared of your future that you’re willing to meet it early on, just for a chance of being prepared?

‘Sean assured me this is completely safe.’

Not that I know where he is compared to where I am now.

I hear her sad laugh echo from the stone chamber we find ourselves in.

He doesn’t understand what he created. You are still inside the tank, physically, but your soul has travelled far, to meet me.

And what are you?

I don’t need to ask to receive a response.

Your death soul. We are transformed once we die, over disappearing. Turned into this- she gestures to herself. Once the end is near.

There are many other within rooms of this cave. Death souls of people who wanted to know what their soulmate looks like, who want to know what generic future awaits them.

You are the first to have reached me, and perhaps the most desperate one. If you die, I will remain trapped here.

‘Why would I die from this? I’m just lying in a tank of warm water.’

He messed up the dosage. It’s fine for someone conscious who just wants to relax, but for someone whose soul is currently so far from their body? Not at all. You need to go back before it’s too late.

‘Go back?’ I fell through a room after playing around with some artificial will’o-the-wisp. How am I supposed to go back.’

There’s a door at the end of this tunnel, go through it and you will reach your destination.

I run and don’t look back.

***

I have the most film-like awakening. I’m gasping for air, throat dry, croaking for help.

To his credit, Sean bursts through the door. I hold onto him as he tries to help me out of the tank.

The room sways, and I’m hit with a wave of nausea.

‘You need to stop the experiment. Something is wrong with it I-’

I vomit before being able to finish my sentence.

‘Fiona. Fiona. What happened? Did you see anything?’

I nod, still retching.

‘She told me I was dying because of this.’

I wipe my mouth with my hand.

My skin has turned yellow.

He messed up the dosage.

‘Who did, Fiona?’

‘My soul, my death soul.’ More nausea. ‘Oh God, call an ambulance. I think- the water has-’

‘Woah, alright, I’ll call the school doctor, why don’t we sit for a minute, I’m sure this will go away soon.’

I can’t stop trembling.

‘What did you put in that tank Sean?’

‘Just water! Some flower scents to help you relax, and a small amount of a tranquillizer to help you slip into that status…’

He keeps on talking, I don’t hear the name of the drug, but I know what’s happened.’

He accidentally poisoned me.

‘Sean, call my friend Clara.’  I say.

I vomit again, blood this time. It seems to finally get his attention.

I hear him scrambling to get my phone, mumbling something about how this cannot be happening, to call some of the other students in for help. I slide from the stool to curl up on the floor.

‘Fiona, help is on the way, you are going to be fine.’

But all I know is that everyone in my family has died due to poisoning.

[prose2passion]

see also my recent feature on AI's carbon footprint