#and babied like a child behaving like hes literally 7 but is 18 about it bc of site rules

[dfnkt]

"Shorter than y/c!" How about put a stick of dynamite in your mouth.

[jean----ralphio]

BoB liveblog ep 7

Episode 7: The Breaking Point. YEAH, OF MY FUCKING HEART

I HATE THIS EPISODE. I HATE IT WITH THE FIERY INTENSITY OF A THOUSAND BURNING SUNS.

00:00 I really don’t wanna do this you guys.

00:38 Can’t we just pretend this episode doesn’t exist?

01:22 OMFG I CAN’T ALL THE SWEET IRL MEN ARE CRYING NOOOO IT HURRRTS

04:05 RICH! Ok I feel a little better. Ahaha, he’s growing a beard. It’s got nothing on the quarantine beard he’s rocking nowadays tho

04:22 That whole scene is hilarious but I’m too distracted by Rich to appreciate it properly

05:18 Horsie

05:30 Hey Fassy

05:57 He’s so obsessed with the Luger, oh Hoob ☹

06:07 Ahhh that second where he looks into the camera and fires ☹ He’s so happy

06:31 IT’S SHIFTY MY ANGEL SON, MY ANGEL CHILD, LOOK AT HIIIIIMMMM!!!! MY BABY! I’M SO HAPPY! THIS IS THE ONLY GOOD PART OF THE EPISODE! HE’S SO HUMBLE AND PERF ILY SHIFTY

06:51 He is such a fucking angel, I swear. “What happened to the horse?” PETA would be pleased you care, baby.

07:01 Look at my son, look at his little angel face

07:27 Buck seems a little better??

07:47 Gold.

“Shut up boys.”

“Shutting up, Sarge.”

But notice my angel is perfectly well-behaved

08:00 “That was no rifle.” Shifty just Knows Things.

“What do you see, Shift?”

“Nobody out there.” HE’S JUST A BOSS SNIPER ANGEL ELF BABY OK

08:15 Oh Hoob

08:43 Oh God

09:03 ROE OMG NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR JOKES “Did you think it was a German leg, Hoob?” I MEAN LMAO BUT NO

09:33 Nooooooooooo

09:44 Oh God, the way Buck and Perco are cradling his face ☹

10:04 Husbands, do something, reincarnate him or something

10:32 Oh Dick is shivering aw

10:38 Lip, baby, no, do not cover for than incompetent POS

10:48 The husbands are unimpressed

11:39 Nice gloves tho Dike

11:57 “At present, as per usual, but I’ll clarify that with you at a later time.” No. No. He’s asking now. He needs to know now. Wtf.

12:39 IS THAT RICH??

13:12 RICH! BEARDED RICH!

13:23 I LOVE HIM SO MUCH YOU GUYS

13:26 Just gonna pause here a little while, excuse me

13:47 Lip is such a boss. We love you Lip

14:13 Bill’s laugh <3 RICH’S SMILE <333

14:48 Dick omg your flirting, so cute. They are in love.

15:20 Fassy is judging you… that means Alicia Vikander is coming for you…

15:50 Omg Nix knows his husband so well

16:24 Aw, Bill and Babe <3 BROTP

17:33 Bill, sweetie, no, I’m sorry but Buck is not fine!

17:58 Oh God the foreboding. Rich ☹ <3

18:01 WTF is Luz smoking LMAO

18:33 RIIIIICH

19:08 “Well, they had a point. You’re an idiot.” Oh Penk. I’ll miss you Penk.

19:31 UGH GTFO. To be fair the actor does a great job with this role.

20:01 Dike is so random. But it’s nice he’s taking an interest??

21:20 NIX LMAO

21:33 Ugh, Dick. Stop. I know it’s to establish a sense of normalcy and ritual but Come. On. Buddy. Lol I love how Nix is just like LMAO NO I’M NOT GOING. I wish I could just say no when asked to do things by my bosses. We know it’s cos Nix can’t bear to be apart from his husband for so long <3

22:33 Guys, don’t be mean. Fassy, no, come on.

22:53 Wtf are Penk and Rich doing…

23:05 LMAO @ Dick and Sink.

“Got to keep the morale up for the folks back home.”

“Why?”

“Damned if I know.”

Iconic. Valid.

23:34 Lol my Joe/Charlie thought he was gonna get in trouble, but Dad just wanted to nag <3

24:24 Oh Bill <3 “Tied me own boots once last week, all by meself.” <3333 Bill please never change.

24:30 Rich <3333

24:36 Riiiiichhhhhh <3

24:48 Johhny ‘unimpressed’ Martin is already looking unimpressed, new kid, watch out, you’re not off to a great start.

24:56 Rich’s helmet still has bullet holes from the last episode, love the continuity <3

25:07 “You’ll find out, son.” Oh, Alley <3

25:17 Rich is hilarious in this scene, he’s having so much fun <3

25:22 Hey Lieb, I’ve missed you

25:46 Riichhh <3

25:53 OMFG that exchange!

               “How are those nuts, sarge?”

               “Doin fine, Bill, nice of you to ask.”

               Wtf Lip!!

26:05 Bye, Fassy!

26:26 Even when he’s blurred by snow, Speirs is intimidatingly good-looking.

27:01 He’s so polite but so scary

27:23 You’re hot, Speirs, so I automatically trust you. Not sure what that says about me but it’s probably not good tbh

27:57 Joe/Charlie has been back five seconds and he’s already out for blood.

28:58 Hey Lee

30:00 Oh God

31:33 Oh no, Joe/Charlie, my baby ☹

33:39 Bill’s here, baby, it’s OK

34:10 I can’t deal with the hilarity of Babe blocked in by the tree while Joe/Charlie is in such a bad way and being done so dirty

34:56 Oh GOD

35:28 Bill </3

36:11 My thoughts exactly, Luz

36:42 Buck ☹

37:41 “Hey Joe, I told you I’d beat you back to the states.” Bill don’t me laugh while I’m crying. Aw, we’ll miss you <3

37:59 Not really the time but fuck it, I am totally digging Luz’s hair now

38:26 I’m so shook. I’ve watched this series a billion times but it still hurts me. Scene after scene, Joe/Charlie in pain, Buck screaming for a medic, God Neal and Kirk are so good.

39:18 Oh God, Buck

40:00 Rich I love you

40:44 Rich <3 ☹

41:22 Noooooooo </3

41:44 No. No. NO.

41:59 NO. NOPE. CANON NOT ACCEPTED. They’re fine. They’re fine, they’re just off-screen for the rest of the series, chillin with Hoob and Renee on like a nice beach somewhere. Drinking maitais and maragaritas and building sandcastles and shit.

44:00 Hit Malarkey the hardest? NO FUCKING WAY, LIP, HIT ME THE HARDEST, MORE LIKE! But in all seriousness, can you imagine losing your friends, not having a body to bury or time to grieve ugh ☹ </3 OK I concede that Malarkey and I can share the grief 50/50. No wait. 60/40. In favour of me.

45:15 Malark, it’s what Hoob would have wanted. I’d ask him but he’s busy sunbathing and keeping the drinks topped up

46:57 We love you Buck

47:14 Bull <3

47:43 Lieb <333

48:10 Hang on, sweetie, Dad isn’t back yet

48:50 It’s OK, Lip, sweetie, you can do it.

49:38 Lip, listen to me, your Dad’s going to fix everything in about ten, fifteen minutes. And he’ll get you a hot boyfriend in the process. It’s all going to be OK.

50:05 Dick, honey, Dike doesn’t understand a thing you’re saying

50:25 Dike’s like lol who the fuck was that guy?

51:17 Lieb is so blood-thirsty <3

51:23 DON’T STOP RUNNING, IDIOT. NEVER STOP RUNNING! THE REST OF US LEARNT THAT IN THE FIRST EPISODE! GOD!

51:40 WTF ARE YOU DOING, YOU FUCKING WASTE OF OXYGEN

52:09 Poor Lee

52:22 NO, FUCK, OMG

53:14 Don’t send my Lee alone!

53:33 Bull. A cigar. Right now? I like Johnny’s beard, suits him.

54:13 “THEY SHOT ME IN MY ASS, BOYS!” Aw Perco. Iconic.

54:36 Legit one of my fave scenes in the history of television. Dick is just so beside himself and desperate and helpless watching his sons stuck and in so much trouble. He’s in full Dad mode, about to run in there to save his boys. Then, and this is so subtle but it’s my fave bit, HE CUTS OFF SINK. HE IGNORES/SPEAKS OVER SINK. DICK! SPEAKS! OVER! SINK! IN WHAT UNIVERSE WOULD HE EVER DO THAT?! ON WHAT PLANET WOULD HE EVER BE SO DISRESPCTFUL?! THIS ONE, COS HIS SONS NEED HIM NOW AND BEING POLITE AND ADHERRING TO PRINCIPLE AND RANK DOESN’T FUCKING MATTER WHEN EASY IS IN TROUBLE! AND THEN HE CALLS UP OUR BOY SPEIRS. AND SPEIRS IS SO FUCKING GUNG-HO, BOUNCING ABOUT READY TO SLAUGHTER EVERYONE, SO FUCKIN EXCITED!!

And then there’s Nix, lmao, chillin with his binoculars, super relaxed as long as his husband stays safe, tbh.

55:06 Oh that was the new boy, aw

55:12 BOSS BAMF ICONIC WE STAN

55:20 Here you go, Lip, one BF courtesy of your Dad lol

55:48 Oh GOD I MISS RICH

56:24 LMFAO was that the haystack Dike was behind??

57:00 I.C.O.N.I.C.

57:23 “The astounding thing was, that after he hooked up with I company, he came back.” Annnnnd Lip’s in love.

57:49 Aw happy boys

58:09 Noooooo they’ve been through enough! I’VE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH THIS EPISODE OK, FUCK!

58:23 Go on, my angel son, you can do it.

58:36 Go, son. I love you.

58:43 Yes. Good boy.

59:26 Aw Bull piggybacking Perco <3

1:00:23 Oh yay! The church scene!

1:00:39 Look at my angel son <3

1:00:48 Hey Lieb

1:00:54 IT’S TAB! HEY TAB!

1:01:09 Babe <3 GRANT <3

1:01:29 Ahahaha Roe, I see you strategically placed yourself where you could stare at Babe 😉

1:01:59 Only 63 men left? Oh </3

1:02:00 Ahh Joe/Charlie <3 Bill <3 We love and miss you

1:02:20 RICH <333333 I LOVE YOU RICH <3333333 GOODBYE RICH <333333333333

1:02:39 Fuck Speirs is hot

1:02:53 The flirting <3 shooting looks at each other aw

1:03:09 Boys, stop checking each other out. You’re literally in a church full of nuns, go somewhere else to expend your sexual tension, jeez.

1:03:41 Flirting via talk of Roman soldiers, I dig it

1:04:28 Oh God, guys, this bit. Other than the propensity of my angel son, compared to usual, this is the only good part of the episode, I am here for the Speirton!

               “You don’t have any idea who I’m talking about, do you?” HIS FACE IS SO SOFT

               “No, Sir.” Lip, sweetie.

               “Hell, it was you, first sergeant.”

Speirs’ is in love right back. And his continued flirting re battlefield commission GOD. The way he looks at Lip… you deserve the hottest guy in the whole show, Lip, proud of you sweetie.

1:06:48 Annnnnd everything fucking hurts.

 To summarise, I am kinda appeased by the glorious glory that is Spierton. Rich and Penk and Hoob and Renee are FINE. THEY JUST SO HAPPEN TO BE OFF-SCREEN. IT’S FINE. I’M FINE ABOUT IT.

[bellarxse]

Get to know: Cesca Joyce (TMOHB)

100 Questions (https://the-moon-dust-writings.tumblr.com/post/159843387908/100-oc-questions) to get to know Cesca Joyce, MC in The Motion of Heavenly Bodies

1.    How do they present themselves to others? Soft femme – she has had the importance of femininity and her appearance drilled into her from an early age by her mother, but she has withdrawn from the idea of high-maintenance femininity as much as she feels she can

2.    Do they like animals? Cats and marine life. She doesn’t like dogs.

3.    How do they dress? Often as casual as she can manage, and often in something which hides her chest.

4.    How many language do they know? Fluent in English and German. proficient in French. Likes to watch K-dramas with subs, so she can pick up on the odd phrase now.

5.    How big is their family? Parents divorced. Two full siblings, two paternal half-siblings.

6.    What is their purpose in the story? Uh..they’re the main character. Ha. No, Cesca’s “arc”, such as it is at this point, is going to be about the importance of recognising and pursuing your own desires rather than letting people tell you what you should want.

7.    Do they know how to fight? The extent of her knowledge is basically that you should tuck your thumb into your fist if you throw a punch. That’s basically it.

8.    What is their back story? Distant father (working in international finance), mother (thwarted model, pregnant too young and unable to cope) at home with children she never wanted in the first place. She wants them to be the successes she never was, to shine with radiance that blinds the world. Sarah, their first daughter, is genial and hard-working but painfully plain, and the youngest, Alice, is manipulative and cruel, and looks it. But sweet little Franze, with her angelic curls and innocent blue eyes? Yes, she will do nicely. But it isn’t long before she rebels. Skinned knees and grubby hands (“Mutti, look what I found!”), and a profound disinterest in how to make herself more beautiful. So Julia tries again, taking away her rocks and microscopes and replacing them with vanities and lotions and potions, until Franze is a dejected little doll – almost literally, listless and lifeless. A teacher at school flags up “Cesca’s” (Franze’s) behaviour as being a “concern”, and threatens to involve child protection services. But how could it possibly be a concern? This is what little girls are supposed to be like.

9.    Why is their name their name? Conceived on holiday in France – and it’s generally considered an upper middle-class name in both countries

10.Do they have any nicknames? Francesca (anglicised), Franze (German diminutive), Cesca (English diminutive – her favourite), C (school friends)

11.Do they have a romantic interest? …I mean, yeah, that’s the point – but that would be telling. So instead, let’s talk about her only other long-term relationship, Julian, when they were both 17. A son of Father’s friend—and Father is friends with some of the best society has to offer, he’s told her himself—he is sure of himself and charismatic enough to make Cesca believe it as well. She thinks he loves her, though he only ever really loved chasing her, and she cries when he breaks up with her, not one week after they had had sex for the first time.

12.How do they cope with struggles? At work, depends on the struggle. She tries to judge carefully what the best course of action would be – either she’ll take some time away to let it simmer; or she’ll keep at it until she finds another way in. In her personal life, she avoids whatever she can get away with.

13.Do they have anyone they can lean on? More than she knows – she’s never tested it with anyone else other than Sarah. She isn’t always sure how her friends feel about her, not truly, especially after she is selected to go on the show without them.

14.How do they react to someone dying? Lot of numbness. She can seem insensitive or uncaring, but it takes a while for it to sink in.

15.Can you name 5 personality traits they have? Reserved, analytical, emotionally perceptive, avoidant, sensitive

16.How did they become a character? Because I was fed-up of the S3 MC being just different flavours of the same bold, confident person. I mean, it’s a CYOA game, there aren’t exactly many opportunities to feed in complex hopes/wants/fears, but even the S2 MC could choose to be “cool and mysterious” or “all out”.

17.Do they get along with others? She often chooses the path of least resistance – so often people think they get on with her better than they actually do, because she isn’t always honest with how she feels about things or people

18.What flaws do they have? Arrogant (mostly at work), naïve, perfectionist, practical, rigorous/over-zealous

19.How do they influence the story? A little too spoiler-y for now…

20.What do they look like? Honey blonde curls (usually pinned back), blue eyes, 5’ 3”. Quite pale, even after weeks in the Spanish sun – it would take a lot more time and effort for her to tan. Some freckles, but not many. Looks delicate at first blush, but is deceptively strong for her build. Bottom hourglass.

21.What are their hobbies? Collecting and listening to old vinyl records. Swimming and free diving.

22.What are their ticks? She blushes at the drop of a hat, and she bites her lip. She doesn’t intend it to come off as sexual or flirty (quite the opposite) but people don’t believe her.

23.Do they like children? If you ask her, she’ll laugh and tell you no, loudly. But Sarah has just had twin boys, and Cesca thinks that she might just die for them anyway, even if they don’t need her to.

24.How do they react to being around wild animals? Aquatic animals – loves it, very affectionate/serene (even when she went cage diving with sharks). Land animals? More of a mixed reaction, depending on how physically large/imposing they are.

25.If they were given the task to prank someone, who would it be, what would they do and would it work? She doesn’t so much prank people as plot to ruin their lives, particularly careers.

26.Do they have survival skills? Not really – her mother didn’t think it was necessary for girls, and she has thrown herself into science since.

27.Are they more book smart or street smart? More socially savvy than she gives herself credit for, but mostly book smart

28.How do they get out of a difficult situation? Depends on the situation. In a dangerous situation, she will call for help. In a socially awkward position, she’s like to use her looks to get out of the situation (e.g. sending someone off to get her a drink from the bar and then disappearing into the crowd). In a romantic situation, she’d use her intellect and talk through in excruciating detail why they’re not compatible.

29.Do they use their body, mind, personality or force to get what they want? See 28

30.What music do they enjoy? Older music, from the 1960s-1980s (90s at a push). She does like some more modern things, but usually if they’re either drawing inspiration from older trends or europop. Trashy Europop is a guilty pleasure of hers.

31.How do they overcome obstacles? Grit and determination, mostly.

32.When faced with a difficult decision do they get stronger or break? At work, stronger. Emotionally, she’s never fully broken down but she’s come close a few times.

33.Do they have any special powers? Just her brain.

34.How do they change throughout the story? She gets a little more assertive in articulating what she wants – but there will still be some room for growth

35.Do they have any friends? If so, are they close knit? Two close friends from school, who would do anything she asked of them (in terms of emotional support), but she is too scared to ask them. So their friendship appears more superficial than it actually is, in terms of what they do together

36.How is their family life? She only really sees her older sister. She avoids Alice (younger full-sister) like the plague and doesn’t make an effort to see her father’s new family. Will basically shut down if she has to see her mother. Christmas is not a happy time for her.

37.Are they likable? I certainly think so, but she’s my ambitious little alien baby so…

38.Are they the hero, or anti-hero? Depends on your viewpoint – certainly some of her “competitors” wouldn’t see her as the hero…!

39.Do they make questionable choices? I mean, we’ll see.

40.How do they become who they are? Through putting her head down and ploughing on. Ultimately running away from…

41.How was their childhood? …being made to feel like the only thing that mattered were her looks. Her mother tried to enter her for pageants and the like, and it was actually one of the terms of the divorce – her father wouldn’t give her mother any alimony if she made Cesca compete in anything like that.

42.Are they close with anyone who is going to screw them over? Again, we’ll see, don’t want to get into plot elements too much…!

43.How do they adapt to different situations? Do they adapt at all? She adapts because she has to, but she’s not particularly good at it.

44.How do they speak? (e.g. soft-spoken, hot-headed, vulgar) Usually soft-spoken, which makes a genuine laugh all the more startling.

45.Are they opposed to violence? There’s something about having been raised to be a good girl and knowing how people should behave in polite society which makes taboos like violence more exciting.

46.When is their birthday? 1st January 1997

47.Are they quick to judge? She tries not to, but she can make snap judgements based on appearances or actions that she finds hard to shake

48.Do they have anything they are trying to hide from others? How she doesn’t like being complimented on her looks, because they just wouldn’t understand.

49.Do they act different around different people? She is much more confident around her work colleagues, because she feels like she can show off her processes, rather than dumb herself down for people. She is very reserved around people she doesn’t know well and most of her family.

50.Do they enjoy the arts? Not a huge fan of reading, unless it’s science-related. Loves music, especially on vinyl. Likes films, usually action/thriller/horror.

51.Do they like science? Loves it. There’s a kind of beauty about it, about how it lets her order the world, and how she can see the world reflected in her microscope.

52.Are they more emotional or logical? I mean I don’t agree with the premise of the question, because it’s a false dichotomy, but she would say she’s more logical. Make of that what you will.

53.How do they deal with their emotions? Distraction tactics. Which means that there’s some stuff that she’s just…never dealt with. Massive issues with her mother.

54.How do they cope with sadness? She’s almost constantly sad, and she’s never really let the weight lift from her shoulders. It doesn’t bother her personally – it only really bothers people that care about her.

55.What is something they care about? She cares about the environment – she tries to be as sustainable as her budget allows, and she’s almost fanatical about saving water. (So she’s clean but she showers only as often as she needs to)

56.Would they die for anyone/anything? Probably her nephews.

57.What do they do when they are happy? Being happy looks very like being sad – she behaves much the same way, but she might fidget less or smile slightly.

58.How would they come across to other characters? E.g. messy, lazy, caring, childish Calm, shy (especially in the context of Love Island, since she doesn’t cope well with being flirted with overtly), clinical

59.Do they have a phrase they use over and over? No? Not yet, anyway

60.In a crowded room are they in the corners, sides or middle? She would gravitate to the sides, so that she can see everyone more clearly. If she’s with friends she trusts (and particularly if she’s had some alcohol) she’s not averse to being in the middle of the room, but it’s not her first option.

61.Are they comfortable being in a crowded room? She can find it overwhelming.

62.How do they relax? Listen to records, watch TV. She usually needs to relax by herself and “de-person” for a bit.

63.Have they ever harmed anyone and regretted it? Verbally or physically? She is usually the one to break off any budding relationships, usually before they become sexual. So for some of these early relationships, they were hurt because they thought she was really into them, but they were usually at an early enough stage that it was fairly minor emotional pain.

64.Do they like to dance? Not unless she’s drunk some alcohol. She doesn’t feel like her body moves very naturally, she needs her inhibitions to be much reduced before she even considers it.

65.How do they get around their environment? (vehicle use) She cycles a lot. She learned to drive when she was 17, but she’s a nervous driver and she doesn’t like it.

66.What about pet peeves? Loud chewers. It’s a sensory thing, she really doesn’t like it. Linked to this – people who talk with their mouths full constantly (she’ll allow it if you’re surprised or if you didn’t expect to be asked a question but if it’s your default? Get in the bin)

67.Do they have a disability? No.

68.How do they react to getting flowers? It depends on the person – if they’re someone who she would like to receive flowers from, it can make her month. If it’s from someone she wasn’t expecting, she can be a bit unsure of how to react – are they are thank you? Are they a proposition? She really doesn’t like receiving flowers from a “secret admirer” or something like that.

69.Would they ever wear a flower crown? Not usually, maybe for something like a wedding? And definitely not if she’s the only one.

70.Do they like themselves? Sometimes. She likes herself when she’s at work and successful. She usually likes herself when she spends time with friends. If she’s left on her own for too long she can start to doubt herself.

71.Who do they dislike? People who aren’t genuine/honest. People who focus on their appearance too much.

72.What is their motto? When she read “If I look back, I am lost.” in the first ASOIAF novel, she had to take a few minutes.

73.Do they have any markings on their body? A few minor scratches from falling off her bike a couple of times. Some freckles, more on her arms than her face.

74.Have they ever been abused? Physically, not at all. Emotionally? Most of her interactions with her mother and her sister are hostile in some way or another, and her father’s attitude can best be described as neglectful.

75.What is their biggest fear? Not to get too body horror about this, but her recurring nightmare is that she makes someone (and the person changes depending on what’s happening in her life) and they push/hit her and she’s hollow, or she smashes to the ground like porcelain.

76.What are their goals? She wants to finish her research into biodegradable plastic, and ideally start a second study to see if the same desired results can be achieved with fewer/cheaper resources.

77.How do they go about achieving their goals? She keeps her head down and ploughs on.

78.Do they have a fight or flight response? Yes, but she almost exclusively chooses to flee.

79.Is there someone in their life that they care about more than themselves? Her sister and her nephews. I don’t necessarily think that her having fewer people she cares about more than herself indicates that she’s selfish or overly arrogant. It’s just that her feelings are a little more subdued, so she doesn’t necessarily think about most people in that way.

80.How would they fare in a zombie apocalypse? Pretty badly, probably – unless she was in an area that hadn’t been affected yet, and she was able to work on a cure/”silver bullet”.

81.Do they have any tattoos? If so, are they significant? No, but she’s not averse to getting them. But if she gets one, she wants it to be significant, and she doesn’t want it to be linked to something that she might regret (like a relationship)

82.Are they good at mental math? Frighteningly so.

83.Do they get along with others? Again, she often takes the path of least resistance, so she seems to get along with lots of people, but she can get quite resentful.

84.Are they lazy? No

85.Are they self-motivated? Yes

86.How do they cope with anger? Short answer, she doesn’t. She was told from an early age that girls don’t get angry, and that means she struggles now to pinpoint when she is feeling angry. She often experiences other symptoms, like headaches or nausea, which she will treat instead of expressing herself.

87.Have they ever been in a situation where they were helpless? Physically, no – she’s been lucky. Emotionally – she felt helpless for a lot of her childhood, and then worries now about letting someone else make her feel helpless again.

88.Are they organized or messy? Pathologically organised – think Monica from Friends.

89.Can they remember a lot of information at once? In the right context, yes. At work, she’s like a machine, remembering formulae and compounds. In her personal life, she often gets overloaded. But she picks up on a lot, and it’s a sign that she likes you if she notices or remembers little details about you.

90.What is their occupation? Environmental scientist (specialising in chemistry, but her degree is in biochemistry).

91.Do other characters respect them? Yes, I think so. Especially at work, she’s seen as one of the key members of the team. In her personal life, it depends – she chooses friends carefully, and her friends respect her. Her father and siblings (aside from Alice) respect her more than she’s willing to notice. Her mother doesn’t, and Alice (younger full sister) loathes her.

92.If they were given minutes to live, what would they do? Who would they want to see and say? She would want to spend time with her sister. She wouldn’t want to talk about her feelings, but she would be more physically affectionate.

93.How do they deal with stress? Burying herself in work. Also, free diving is a good stress-reliever for her, because it requires so much of her concentration that she cannot afford to think about what is stressing her out.

94.Do they have a more submissive or dominant personality type? Depends – very dominant at work, less so among family and friends. I’ll cover NSFW stuff in a different post, but the short answer is, “it’s complicated”

95.Do they have a pet? No – she would like a cat, but she feels bad about leaving it in a London flat all day.

96.Do they have a stash of weapons? …no?

97.Where do they live? Who do they live with? She used to live in Putney with Ellie and Tina; now she lives alone in a small one-bedroom flat in Westminster that’s really meant for students.

98.How do they calm themselves down? Listening to music, staring at a wall. I’m a little worried that I’m making her sound crazy, but she can feel the tension leak out of her, and she can move on, at least in the short term.

99.Are they co-dependent? She makes an effort not to be – she is so affection- and touch-starved, though, that she is in danger of seeing another person as a source of self-worth.

100.                 Are they a day or night person? Day person – she wakes up very early (probably at about 5am), even when she doesn’t need to, and so she struggles with late nights. She isn’t usually smug about being an early bird, but she will let herself be a little more overt if there’s a particularly annoying Morgenmuffel…!

[tsushimanoonryo]

Character Solidifying part 1

Broke this up into two parts because it was so long.

1. How does your character think of their father? What do they hate and love about him? What influence - literal or imagined - did the father have?

He loved his father. Jin’s mother died when he was very young, so his father was all he had. However, Jin wasn’t much older when he died as well, being killed right in front of him. Because of this, Jin has immense feelings of guilt whenever he thinks of his father. He feels like he could have prevented his death (although he was still a child when this happened). He worries his father’s spirit is ashamed of the way he behaved, so he tries his best to be a better man and a brave fighter. He knows he won’t get the chance to save his father’s life again, but he can save other people.

2. Their mother? How do they think of her? What do they hate? Love? What influence - literal or imagined - did the mother have?

He was very young when she died, so he doesn’t really remember his mother at all. He knows his father must have loved her very much, as he never remarried after her death. And he remained close with his wife’s brother, Jin’s uncle Shimura. Jin has feelings of fondness toward the idea of his mother, but nothing particularly overwhelming.

3. Brothers, sisters? Who do they like? Why? What do they despise about their siblings?

Jin is an only child.

4. What type of discipline was your character subjected to at home? Strict? Lenient?

Very loving, but very strict discipline. It was drilled into Jin that, as a samurai, he was to be held to a higher standard than most everyone else. He had to do extra training, extra reading, extra everything. However, everyone was a little more forgiving of his mistakes, considering both of his parents died while he was young. He wasn’t babied, but he wasn’t punished severely like he otherwise might have been.

5. Were they overprotected as a child? Sheltered?

No. Jin saw the way the world truly was at a very young age. He was forced to become the head of his clan as a teen and had to mature fast. His uncle provided him safety and guidance, but did not protect him from the harsh realities around him. Rather, he helped Jin put them into context so that he might be better prepared to face the world around him.

6. Did they feel rejection or affection as a child?

Affection. He was the nephew of the jito who was widowed and had no other children. He was his son in everything but name, and everyone treated him accordingly. He was well-liked among the servants because of his genial nature, and other nobles liked him as well for showing maturity and skill on the battlefield at such a young age.

7. What was the economic status of their family?

Rich as hell. He was the son of a samurai clan leader and nephew (and unofficially adopted son) of the lord of all of Tsushima. Jin didn’t want for many physical things growing up.

8. How does your character feel about religion?

He follows the beliefs of Shintoism. He believes in the gods and goddesses of Japan, but especially reveres Inari, the deity of rice, prosperity, and foxes. He also ascribes to Buddhism, but he isn’t super devout. He’s more culturally Buddhist than anything. He really feels a true spiritual connection with Shintoism, though.

9. What about political beliefs?

He used to have complete faith in the Shogun and his samurai, but he’s recently soured on them. He isn’t so far gone that he thinks the entire system should be overthrown, but he definitely thinks the Shogun and his men need to reprioritize. You can’t rule if all your subjects are dead.

10. Is your character street-smart, book-smart, intelligent, intellectual, slow-witted?

Jin had more schooling than most boys his age growing up. He’s very book smart and intelligent. However, he wouldn’t consider himself an intellectual. He knows enough to be clever and enough to be a brilliant strategist, but he couldn’t hold his own among scholars. 

11. How do they see themselves: as smart, as intelligent, uneducated?

He is intelligent and he knows it. However, Jin is not so arrogant as to think he can’t learn something from someone else. He also realizes there are numerous different kinds of intelligences. For instance, he knows Yuna is uneducated, but she is sharp, clever, and knows much more about survival than Jin does. Just because a person doesn’t have a formal education does not mean Jin will write them off or act like he’s better than them.

12. How does their education and intelligence – or lack thereof - reflect in their speech pattern, vocabulary, and pronunciations?

Jin is meticulous about his speech. He is polite and extremely aware of the rules of decorum. He will always try to treat everyone with respect, even people who are from stations far below him. He thinks it is extremely rude not to give this level of respect to everyone by default. However, if a person treats him or anyone else with disrespect or betrayal, he will be less cordial and downright cold to them. He will not be deferential if he feels a person has proven that they are unworthy of it.

13. Did they like school? Teachers? Schoolmates?

He liked some aspects of his schooling. Anything involving physical training he liked. He didn’t love the more abstract learning (strategy), but he understands how it has helped him as he matured. He didn’t really have any school mates. He did martial training with Ryuzo a bit and Ryuzo was his dearest friend and closest companion. 

14. Were they involved at school? Sports? Clubs? Debate? Were they unconnected?

In his Yakuza verse, he participated in sports clubs: Kendo, Kyudo, and Baseball. That was it.

15. Did they graduate? High-School? College? Do they have a PHD? A GED?

In his Yakuza verse, he graduated high school, but had no further schooling. He shadowed his uncle as he dealt with the business of running a mob family and learned from that.

16. What does your character do for a living? How do they see their profession? What do they like about it? Dislike?

In his main verse, he was a samurai. When that was taken away from him, he became a folk hero and a legend. He’s sort of a Robin Hood, except instead of stealing, he kills Mongol invaders. He wishes he didn’t have to do this, as he much preferred the comforts of his old life. However, he enjoys the freedom that being The Ghost entails. He likes not having to follow any rule except his own. In his yakuza verse, he’s a yakuza lieutenant for the Shimura crime family. He’s on his way to be heir to his uncle’s syndicate. He doesn’t love it. He knows he’s extremely good at what he does, but he doesn’t have the heart for it. But he does it because he loves his uncle and wants to show him how much he appreciates being raised as his son.

17. Did they travel? Where? Why? When?

Jin has traveled all over the island of Tsushima in his efforts to liberate the island. Before he was The Ghost, he basically just traveled around to his uncle’s summer and winter estates, his uncle’s hunting camp, his own estate and home village, and Kamakura (once) to pay homage to the Shogun.

18. What did they find abroad, and what did they remember?

When he visited the mainland, he realized just how insular Tsushima was. And he found that he liked it, although he never told his uncle that. He liked that they weren’t under the thumb of the Shogun like the other jito and samurai were, simply because there was a body of water between them.

19. What were your character’s deepest disillusions? In life? What are they now?

Jin learned from a young age that life wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. A lot of young men think they can do anything, that they are invincible, but Jin never felt that. He had a lot of survivor’s guilt after the death of his father which colored his outlook on life. He felt like he wasn’t quite worthy of being a samurai because he showed fear, and he struggled with that growing up. However, now he feels the opposite. Since meeting Yuna, he has realigned his priorities. He still feels guilt about a lot of things in his past, but he understands that survival is paramount. Now he is disillusioned with the samurai as a whole and their rigidity when it comes to following their code.

20. What were the most deeply impressive political or social, national or international, events that they experienced?

The First Mongol Invasion of Japan in 1274. We haven’t seen it yet, but he also lived through the Second Mongol Invasion of Japan in 1281. 

21. What are your character’s manners like? What is their type of hero? Whom do they hate?

Jin is extremely polite and very aware of how he comes off to people. Previously, his heroes were brave warriors who overcame impossible odds in battle. Now, however, his heroes are the everyday man, the unsung heroes who use their wits and compassion to survive no matter what. He tries his best to fulfill those ideals and so he can be the hero his island wants him to be. He hates people who are selfish and are blind to tradition. There’s a difference between being polite and respectful and being obtuse.

22. Who are their friends? Lovers? ‘Type’ or ‘ideal’ partner?

Jin is not a samurai and not The Ghost, but a person who is struggling every day to do the right thing. His friends are the same. They each have their own struggle, but they are striving every day to use their own skills and talents to do the right thing. It might not be the traditional path, nor might it be a respectable path, but it’s the right one. His ideal partner is the same. They are strong in who they are and will go against the grain, even if everyone else is against them. They are also quick witted, capable, and brave.

23. What do they want from a partner? What do they think and feel of sex?

He wants a partner he can trust with his life and understands the obligations he feels to give himself to the people of his island. His partner is going to have to be okay with sharing him. Also, he likes sex and wishes he had more of it. But it’s not a priority.

24. What social groups and activities does your character attend? What role do they like to play? What role do they actually play, usually?

He’ll go from survivor camp to survivor camp, temple town to temple town, village to village making sure the people of Tsushima are doing okay, looking for any news of the Mongols and any way he can help the common people. He feels responsible for their wellbeing since Lord Shimura and the samurai failed them. As a result, he’s really only close to about 6 people. To the rest, he’s a silent shadow caring for them from afar.

25. What are their hobbies and interests?

Poetry and music. He used to enjoy going to the theater, in the before times. He’s also a very good horseman. 

[slytherpuff9]

Things I Cannot And Will Not Believe Anymore

1.People are inherently evil.

2.People deserve the apocalypse/hell.

3. Women are responsible for the sexual impulses of men/can control the sexual impulses of men.

4. Men deserve authority over women.

5. Doubt is the devil using my spiritual gifts against me.

6.I owe sex to my husband/other forms of submission or obedience to my husband.

7. LGBTQIA+ are confused/evil/led astray -- their orientation/identification is wrong or invalid and forcing them to change/deny this about themselves will be good for them.

8. Women should not be in positions of leadership/roles that are considered to be traditionally masculine. Certainly not over men.

9. Jesus is the only absolution you need for sins that hurt other people.

10. Self-worth is pride/arrogance/vanity.

11. Religious values should dictate secular laws/civil rights.

12. Intimacy (psychological OR physical) that I share with men I love before I meet/marry my husband cheats my husband out of elements of my sexuality/liberties upon my body to which he is entitled.

13. Mental illness is merely a soul crying out for God and professional help is a scam to steal your money and lead you away from God.

14. People in unfortunate situations must have done something to deserve it/bring it upon themselves.

15. Women who have abortions want to kill their babies/hate children/are cruel and callous and loose/would choose murder over living with consequences of their presumed promiscuous lifestyle/believe abortion is the only form of birth control.

16. Men cannot and should not be expected to control their sexual impulses toward others on their own. (see #3)

17. Evidence supporting scientific/medical/psychological advancements that clash with a literal interpretation of the biblical account should be ignored, boycotted, banned, and impeded or even outlawed.

18. Sexual confidence (real or perceived) cheapens one’s worth as a person or invalidates one’s spirituality.

19. Teens cannot be trusted with an actual education in safe sex. In fact, I should deliberately mislead my daughter about birth control until FOUR MONTHS BEFORE HER WEDDING. There’s no way that could backfire spectacularly, cause damage to her health, her marriage, or even my ambitions to have grandchildren one day. (NOT ON YOUR LIFE, NOT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS!!!)

20. People who are not “with” me -- who believe what I do without question -- are “against” me -- militantly attacking me personally. The people “out there” are out to get me. They want to tear down my faith and send me and my children to hell.

21. Teens and unmarried women cannot be trusted with freely available contraception. If we make contraception available, they will do ALL the sex! O.O *gasp! horror! clutches pearls!*

22. It is okay and an expression of Christ-like love to demand that other people forsake their lifestyle, religion, and worldview, but feel personally persecuted and threatened when they question mine.

23. Teens cannot be trusted.

24. Women cannot be trusted.

25. Men cannot be trusted.

26. Doubt is selfish/dangerous/a slippery slope and means I’m not really sincere in my faith, or my faith is weak, or can grieve the Holy Spirit and take away my faith completely.

27. The Bible can and should be used to enforce anti-immigration policy. (see #11)

28. The Bible can and should be used to shame/denigrate victims of police brutality.

29. Unfortunate accidents/hardships that happen to me or my family can and should be seen as signs that God is punishing or testing me.

30. Disobedience -- even psychological disobedience (i.e. skepticism) -- casts into question or completely invalidates my morality.

31. It is okay to rail against affordable healthcare, actively impede it in the polls, then slander health organizations like Planned Parenthood and shame those who accept their help ... all without providing a viable alternative but claiming that the church can do it better.

32. “You just need to have faith”, “It’s a mystery”, “That’s a good/hard question, I’ll get back to you” (but he never DID), or “That’s the Old Testament Law, Jesus freed us from that” (when so many other O.T. laws are quoted and used to define sin, just sayin’ ...) are ACCEPTABLE and SATISFACTORY answers to questions about the 100% literal, true, God-breathed verses explicitly prescribing stoning or marrying rape survivors to their rapists ...

10/10 FELT SO SAFE AS A TEENAGE AND YOUNG ADULT CHRISTIAN WOMAN!

33. People who reject the evangelical message are just butt-hurt, pouty, selfish, petulant liberals who don’t want to face hard truths.

34. People who believe differently or celebrate different religious holidays in winter should be forced to use my seasonal religious greeting and failure to do so indicates a vitriolic antagonism to everything I stand for. But it is unreasonable to expect me to extend the same consideration to them.

35. It is okay to deny/limit/discourage my child’s access to the level of education required to succeed in the world we live in (even with the caveat that it clashes with my beliefs/worldview and I believe it to be false) because I do not trust my child to discern my interpretation of the Bible in the face of a single chapter in their no doubt riveting 10th grade biology textbook. I’m sure they’ll just breeze through that in college.

36. Children are also not to be trusted with intellectual/psychological/spiritual autonomy.

37. Not a single word of this book could possibly have been mistranslated, misinterpreted, metaphorical, made obsolete with time, or simply penned by a woefully misguided human being. (see #32)

38. If I open my mind enough to really understand the person I am trying to reach, my brain will fall out.

39. To seriously question these things is to deny my faith/attack that of others.

40. It is okay to train a child to be a soldier in my culture war.

41. It’s okay -- virtuous and caring, even -- to tell someone who is struggling or grieving that this life is meant to be a trial and their lot will improve drastically after they die.

42. There was a point in human history when water covered Everest by 22 feet of water, and scientists are actively hiding the geological evidence because they are in league with Satan and want me to go to hell.

43. Obedience = protection. “If you just follow God’s plan, nothing bad will ever happen to you.” The Bible is Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth and if you just do what it says, you’ll live a long and successful and fulfilling life.

44. Bad things happen to good people because omniscient God has reason to question/test their devotion. They are just being petulant or are deluded about their secret sin/doubt/disobedience, and if they search themslves and the Bible, they will see that God is well within His rights to hurt their families/hurt them/cause this hardship. (see #1,2,5,10,14,18,20,26,29,30)

45. It is okay -- advisable, even -- to tell someone who is struggling that they are being prideful/sinful/selfish, and they need to “die to self”. That can in no way be interpreted as a message of “just get over yourself or die already.”

46. In fact, just the whole ANY death imagery should be considered kind and appropriate dialogue with a human being who might be thinking of suicide. They should just know that isn’t what I mean at this turbulent point in their life. I have no responsibility to consider any other interpretation of my words or the biblical jargon/verses I use. I have no responsibility to examine what those words/jargon/verses really even say.

47. A survivor of abuse or assault has a civic duty to come forward to keep me and my daughters/children safe, but I have NO civic duty to believe/accept their account if:

a. I know the perpetrator.

b. They know the perpetrator.

c. They wear clothes I disapprove of.

d. It’s been a certain period of time.

e. They behave in a way that I disapprove of.

f. They are “sex-crazed/rebellious” teenagers or unmarried young adults.

g. The perpetrator is a public figure I approve of.

h. They “allowed” themselves to be alone with the perpetrator/somehow “put themselves” in this situation.

i. They continued a relationship with the perpetrator.

j. They are married/related to the perpetrator.

k. I am THE authority on what is abuse/assault, and believe their account does not qualify.

48. Not only do I NOT have a civic duty to believe/accept the accounts of abuse/assault survivors, I have the right to slander them publicly when I don’t. To shame them. To question the veracity of their account in the same breath that I demand why they didn’t jump at the chance to defend the women I actually care about in the wake of their trauma. They are the problem here.

49. It is impossible to have a fulfilling spiritual experience/personal contentment in life if I do not believe all of the things on this list.

50. It is certainly impossible to have a fulfilling spiritual experience/relationship with compassionate and unconditionally loving Christ if I do not believe all of the things on this list.

51. I have a spiritual and civic duty to force society worldwide to conform to my specific beliefs. (see #11)

52. It is okay to tell an underage girl that her clothing is distracting grown men in the congregation, but NOT tell the grown men in the congregation presumably raising these complaints that their “distracting” sexual thoughts are predatory and constitute pedophilia, or even incest in some cases. Similarly, it is okay to tell these girls that their clothing is distracting boys their age, but NOT tell these boys that their “distracting” sexual thoughts are predatory and sexually objectifying their sisters in Christ. It is okay to put the onus of males’ sexual sin/distraction on underage girls who presumably have better things to do (like stress about their skirt and posture and bra straps) than listen to the sermon the men are blissfully enjoying.That isn’t at all distracting or distressing to the underage girls, who need the message ... less?

Will add more as they occur to me. If you feel personally attacked by any of these things I no longer believe, please know that was not my intention, but perhaps you ought to bring that to God and find out why it is so offensive to you that I do not believe it. I was taught all of these “values” in a church by wonderful people who know not what their doctrine really says to the children they are raising and the people they are trying to reach.

[daydreamer-au]

Zhengting being a mom of NEX7 and NINE PERCENT

Zhu Zhengting can act like a child and he always needs attention of his members, but there are 20 moments when Zhengting was a supportive and caring mom for these boys.

1. Minghao has the habit of shaking his leg while he sits. Every time Zhengting sits next to him and notice this, he puts his hand on his knee to stop it.

2. Linkai and Minghao wanted to climb the stairs and jump off it together, but as soon as Zhengting saw it, he immediately came to stop them, because it could be dangerous.

3. When Xinchun came to the company, Zhengting was the first to speak to him. Xinchun also said that Zhengting had taught him a lot and helped to overcome many problems.

4. Minghao was leaning on Chengcheng but Zhengting told him to sit properly, because they were filming.

5. When the airport was too crowded, Zhengting tried to cover Justin from the fans who wanted to touch him.

6.  Zhengting was picking up the ping pong balls and bottles off the stage floor and put them to the side. Zhengting said he should pick it so members don't step on it later.

7.  Zhengting did Zeren and Wenjun’s make-up during Idol Producer.

8. Zhengting runs to cover Justin's exposed skin, because he's still underage and it was a live broadcast.

9. Zhengting tried to cover ChengCheng, when he had problems with the zipper on his jeans. There were a lot of fans, so Zhengting did not want these pictures to appear on Weibo and ChengCheng was embarrassed.

10. First Zhengting wanted to fix the banner of the TV channel, which Justin was holding incorrectly. However, after this, Justin's choker fell and Zhengting immediately picked it up, pretending that nothing had happened.

11. Baby Yanjun wanted to play with a magic wand, but they already had to go to the other members, so Zhengting had to drag him from the shop-window.

12. Zhengting noticed that Wenjun's wet hair covered his glasses, and walked over to take them aside.

13. Zhengting stopped ChengCheng from beating Linong with a plush unicorn.

14. Linkai was afraid to ride on a roller coaster, because it's too high. Zhengting heard this and immediately began to reassure him and say that Linkai had nothing to fear.

15. Wenjun and Zhengting had a photoshoot and they stood on high stones. When they were done and both turned to go down, Zhengting first tried to straighten Wenjun's shoulders (because he was always slouching). Then he very gently held him, so that Wenjun could safely descend to the bridge.

16. Zhengting noticed that  Yanjun shows the sign of the NINE PERCENT with the wrong hand, and instantly corrected it so that the members could take a picture.

17. Okay, this is one of the best moments, because Zhengting behaves exactly like any mom. He literally called Justin his full name and told him not to force him to repeat it three times.

18. Zhengting was feeding Xukun right from his hand.

19. After the event Wenjun wanted to return to the hotel on one car, but Zhengting dragged him along with him to another car.

20. Let's end with the most precious moment that breaks the heart every time. In the final episode of the Idol Producer, all nine members of the band were announced and Wenjun took the 10th place.  He did not cry until the Yuehuas ran up to him to comfort him. Look at how crying Zhengting very tightly embraces Wenjun to calm him and support.

So yeah, Zhu Zhengting is a wonderful and considerate person who always cares about his members.

[licenselesswriter]

From November to June CH8+

June 25, 2018

- Where you going "Bedroom Floor"? - Maya asks Lucas from her bed.

Lucas just put his shirt, covering his naked torso. Then his boots follow, making him ready to go - I have an interview, so I'm going to my place to get fresh clothes - he lies.

- Can't you ditch that? I enjoy being the big spoon - she pouts with her eyes closed.

- Sorry Mama Maya, but Papa Friar needs a job, and you need to get all the energy you can, maintaining a scholarship it's not easy - he argues.

Maya just buries her face on her pillow - I hate when you are right - she replies and then opens her eyes - For the record, it was your, and Riley's fault, that I have a scholarship now - she says looking at him with a smile.

- Yeah, because it is our fault that you're talented - he replies with a chuckle.

- You sure you don't want to ditch that interview? - she says and gives him "that" look - You know, we can repeat what happened in the hotel - she adds.

- You're evil - Lucas replies and gets up from her bed - Sadly, our daughter needs diapers, and we both know I'm the one getting those, so I will get them on my way back - he adds. He gives her a warm smile and kisses her forehead - See you in a few hours, ok? - he says and left her in the room.

Maya would never admit that, for the first time since her mother points it out, she looks at him as husband material, even when they are just 18.

2 hours later, Lucas walks into a diner, noticing in seconds, a pair of familiar eyes, fixed on him. He walks to his booth and sits in front of him.

While taking a few notes, he takes a sip of his Pepsi - So, you're gonna let me hate you for getting my daughter pregnant? - Shawn asks him.

- I'm taking care of Lacey, I will never leave her side - Lucas replies - if I'm allowed to suggest something, you should drop that fixation about who gets her pregnant and focus on the fact that your daughter loves Lacey and I Love her too - he argues back.

- Nice speech, still, I want an answer - Shawn replies, letting him know that he wasn't gonna be easy.

- Well, that's just sad Mr. Hunter, because I'm not gonna tell you anything, and I'm pretty sure Maya is not gonna tell you either - Lucas says while a waitress came close to their table.

- Anything else Shawn? - the waitress says.

Shawn looks at her and smile - Yes, another Quesadilla, tell Joe that I will pay for extra cheese - he says and then looks at Lucas - Want something kid? - he asks him.

Lucas looks at the waitress - Curly fries please, and a Sprite - he says and the waitress leaves seconds later.

Shawn looked at the waitress leaven and then focus on Lucas again - Look, I like you kid, you're well behaved, you have good manners, you're loyal and surprisingly, too good looking - he says before taking the last bite of his quesadilla - I just hate lies, those only bring bad times to the people around - he adds.

- And you can't give Maya time for her to tell you? I mean, it took her 7 months to tell Riley, I'm pretty sure she will tell you at the right moment - he says while he pulls his wallet out, and left a few bills on the table - I lost my appetite, and Mrs. Hunter shouldn’t be taking my responsibilities - he adds and gets up, leaving Shawn alone.

Josh starts to doubt this was a good idea when Maya sits in front of him that afternoon. He smiled at her but she didn't smile back - Thanks for coming - he says.

- Please tell me you have a good reason for me to be here - she says noticing how a waitress walks to them - Chamomile tea, please - she says while the waitress waits for Josh's order.

- Espresso - he says - And some doughnuts - he adds with his charming smile.

- So - Maya pressures him - Did you ask me to come to tell me how was your honeymoon? because I saw the pictures on Instagram, I follow you both - she adds looking a bit tired.

- Ok, a tough crowd - Josh jokes - I came here to learn the truth, it's the only thing I want, and since Lucas it's not here, we can finally talk - he says.

Maya just looks at him - Didn't I already tell you? - she asks him - She's 3 weeks old and her father is taking care of her at home because he literally forced me to go out with Riley and Smackle, I don't know what else you need to know - she answers her own question.

- Come on, drop the charade, we both know that's not true - he says smiling at her.

Maya smiled back at him - Some people also believe that earth is flat, but that doesn't make it true, right? - she asks him back.

- Maya, I only want the truth, nothing else, if you don't want me to, I will not interfere, I will be like a ghost to that child - he says in a begging tone - I only want the truth and if you let me, I want to help, nothing else - he adds.

Maya just sighs - Fine, you want the truth, I will give you the truth - she says while the waitress came back with their things - Thank you - she thanks the waitress before she leaves - Biologically, yes, you and Lacey share half of DNA, but no, you are not her father, Lucas is her father, he was with me when I had nobody to cry about how the man who gets me pregnant is marrying another woman, he was with me when I was craving peanut butter mixed with paprika and chocolate chips, he was there, while I was crushing his hand while Dr. Sonya was yelling me “Push” - she adds, before taking a sip of her tea.

- He replaced me - Josh states.

- You can't replace something you never had - Maya argues back - Josh, are you happy with your marriage? - she asks him.

Josh gives her a sad smile, knowing where she was going with that question - Yes, I am - Josh answers, completely honest.

- Then why? - she asks this time - You're happy with Marianne, you had a wonderful wedding, you're gonna get tons of kids, and I'm more than happy with Lacey and Lucas, so let me ask you again, why? - she asks him, looking at him dead serious.

- So, you're with him now - Josh says looking at what's left of his espresso.

- Easy there, Shawn Hunter - Maya jokes and smile at him - My personal life it's only a matter of discussion to me and Riley Matthews - she says and finishes her tea - Josh - she calls him and grab his hands - You need to know, I really was in love with you, like, heads over heels - she confesses to him - But that Love withered, and it was replaced with a tiny little girl who I love her more than Riley - she adds and takes one of his doughnuts - I really wish you happiness, so be happy Josh, - she says before getting up and leave the tiny cafeteria.

Maya softly opens the door of her apartment and it was no surprise to her to find her Mom sleeping on the couch. She smiles at that sight; she was up for doing something like that. She slowly walks to her room when she heard him and quietly get to the door of the nursery.

- What did you say? You want me to sing one last song for you? - Lucas asks the little baby in his arms, while he softly swings her, and the little Lacey grabs his finger.

Maya would never admit it, but for her, It became a habit to spy on him when he's taking care Lacey, in some way it amazes her how he was able to show that amount of Love to someone who isn't related to him, but then she remembers that in paper, and through the 8 months since he discovered her pregnancy, he was her father.

- Everybody wanna steal my girl, everybody wanna take her heart away - he sings to the little girl in his arms, who slowly was falling asleep.

Maya takes out her phone and starts recording him sing, covering her mouth to not give herself away.

- Couple billion in the whole wide world, find another one 'cause she belongs to me - he finishes before putting Lacey on her crib again - Please, please sleep till tomorrow - he begs her, and Lacey just closes her eyes for her father.

10 minutes later, Maya decided it was time for her to intervene - Who would think that you would be that good as a father? - she jokes lowering her tone.

- How long have you been there? - he asks in the softest way he can.

- Enough - she answers and gets close to the crib to look at her daughter - Let's get you a coffee - she softly says and grab his hand, dragging him out the nursery.

They go to the kitchen in absolute silence to not wake up Katy.

Lucas sits in a stool in the kitchen while Maya pours coffee in the One Direction mug, she gets him for Father's Day.

- Want some sugar "Steal My Girl"? - Maya asks him.

Lucas rolls his eyes - I knew it - he says defeated.

- Don't worry, I think it's cute - Maya says while she warms more water on the electric kettle. They both keep silent for a few minutes until the kettle informs them that the water was warm - I saw Josh today - she suddenly says.

Lucas didn't react, which makes obvious for Maya that he doesn't like that.

- Bet he had fun in his honeymoon - Lucas comments before taking a sip of his coffee.

Maya put some mint chocolate cookies on the counter and pour some water in her cup with decaf - Yeah, I forgot you hate him now - she says and sits in front of him.

- Nah, not anymore - Lucas replies and grabs her hand.

- Your face says another thing “Steal My Girl” - Maya jokes

- Do you Love Lacey? - he asks her.

- You know the answer to that - Maya answers and Lucas just squeezes her hand for a real answer - Yes, yes, of course, I Love my daughter, she makes every day happier - she then answers.

- I happy with her too - Lucas says and then grab her hand and put a soft kiss on it - If you're happy, I'm happy and that little baby is happy, then I don't have time or space to hate anyone - he adds.

Maya felt how a tear falls from her left eye, and fastly clean it - Stupid hormones - she justifies her tears making him laugh - Hey, in this house we don't laugh at a woman who had children a few weeks ago - she says.

Lucas takes a cookie from the plate and devours it in a second, then take a sip of coffee - You’re regretting it? - he asks her.

- Need to be more specific “Steal My Girl” - she says, avoiding his question.

Lucas just looks around, to be sure Katy is not around - About letting me be her father? - he asks in a soft tone.

- What? No - she laughs at him - Are you? - Maya asks him.

- I've regretted a lot of things in my life, this is not one of those - Lucas answers - I even thank you for letting me do it - he thanked her.

Maya just pats his shoulder - Don't make me find you more attractive, please - she teases him.

- Unaffected by that, I'm wiser, I'm a Father now - he replies.

Maya caresses his hand before looking at him - Are you staying tonight? - she asks.

- You want me to stay? - he asks her back.

- Well, yeah, you're pretty useful when I don't want to get up - she jokes.

Lucas just looks at her giving her a fake offended face - The audacity - he says - Ok, I will - he adds - Just need a second to check on Lacey and I will join you - he says before letting her hand go and walk back to the nursery.

Maya looks at him walk from her, and for a second, she reprimands herself. This thing with Lucas has been going on and off since Josh’s wedding, he staying at her place, they both sleeping together, he waking up when Lacey starts to cry in the middle of the night, he did everything she ever wanted her father did for her.

But that was all, he is a great father, and since Riley is still hurt from when he breaks her heart, he���s pretty much impossible for her.

No matter how much she wanted that to change.

When her mug was empty and the silence reign in the room, she walks to her room, once there, she changes into her pajamas.

Lucas walks into her room and sits on her bed - Awwww Lil Mama Maya wants to be big spoon? - he teases her.

Maya smiled at him and lay on her bed - Awwww Stupid Papa Friar wants to sleep in the floor? - she asks back.

- I don't like where this is going - Lucas says and lays next to her.

Maya just snuggles to him and find really uncomfortable that she can't cover him completely - Fine, you're right, you be big spoon - she gives up and turns over.

Lucas just chuckles and turn over to her, sneaking his hand under her side to hug her tightly against him - I like when you're the big spoon, but this makes more sense - he adds before resting his chin on her shoulder.

Maya just caresses his hands over her belly - Turn the lights off Papa Friar - Maya says to him.

Lucas turned off the lamp - You're wishes are my commands, Mama Maya - he replies and let her shampoo scent take his tiredness away.

September 9, 2024

He looked up to his apartment, and instantaneously a feeling of joy shows inside him when he saw the lights on. At a normal pace, he walks the stairs till he gets to his door before he could even put his key inside, he heard a laugh that makes him smile. He slides his key and opens the door, only to see Maya eating Pizza - What happened with the teriyaki chicken I made? - he asks.

Maya gives him a smirk - A cat break-in and drops the pot with your chicken - she lies.

Lucas walks into the kitchen and saw the food in the trash can - Did you saw the cat? Because I have the impression that it was a blonde cat - he says. He opens the fridge and some kale and other vegetables.

- Yeah, it was a blonde cat, how did you guess it? - Maya says with a tone filled with sarcasm.

10 minutes later, Lucas sits next to Maya on the floor and put a kiss on her lips - I think I know that blonde cat - he says with his forehead pressed against hers. He kisses her again - Speaking of blonde cats, where's Lacey? - he asks.

Maya just smiles at him and give him a piece of pizza - With my parents - she answers.

- Ohhh - Lucas says and softly grin at Maya - So that's why you put my food on the trash can, you knew you're gonna exercise tonight - he flirts with her.

Maya just laughs at him for trying that - Wow, that's cheap even for you "Pillowtalk" - she says softly letting her hand rest over his crotch.

- Yeah, like that wasn't cheap - he says and gets up fastly, lifting Maya from her hands and pressing his lips against her neck when she was close enough.

Maya let a soft giggle escape her mouth before opening her eyes in surprise, remembering why she sends Lacey with her parents - Wait, wait, there is something I need to do before this - she says.

Lucas just chuckles - It's ok, I want to pee too, but you can go first - he fastly answers, only to be punched in the chest.

- It's not that - she replies - It's something more important - she adds.

Lucas looked at her like she was joking and after a few seconds, he realized she wasn't - ok, I'm getting nervous, but ok - he says and sits on the couch.

- Relax, it's nothing bad, well, that's depending on your thoughts about the subject - she says sitting next to him, only to take a pause.

Lucas was able to hear his heartbeat and he fears the worst.

- You know - she starts, making him nervous - We've been a parent Tag-Team for 6 years now - she says and put her hand up for Lucas to high five her, which he does in the second - And a couple, for how long? 3 years? - she asks him.

- Are you breaking up with me? - Lucas asks her, feeling real concern about his future, feeling how his stomach was revolving.

- More like the opposite - she clarifies, giving him some peace.

Until he realizes what her words mean.

- I know we have feelings for each other, you've confessed them every time you have tequila and I play "slow hands" on Spotify, me, I've been more secretive about those than you - she jokes, making him blush - I know what you feel, and you know what I feel, what do you say "Pillowtalk", you want me to make an honest man out of you? - she asks him.

This time, he was the one who takes a pause, making her feel worried for a second.

- Maya, if you're joking about this, I promise you, we are so over - Lucas threats her in a nervous tone.

Maya just laughs at him - Why would I joke about this? - she asks him and then kisses him - I do want to form a family with you, a legal one - she adds.

Lucas just smile and she knew his answer - Nothing would make me happier - he answers before kissing her.

Maya smile at him, feeling how a warm feeling was expanding all over her chest - You sure? because I make a stop at Victoria's Secret today, and I was planning on using that to lure you into my web - she jokes before kissing him again.

- Yeah, I know for a fact that would work with me - Lucas replies while Maya gets up - Where you going? - he asks. The only response he gets was a warm shirt on his face - Ok, I'm game - he says before hearing her laugh.

[mtvswatches]

Jane the Virgin 1x07 Chapter Seven

Spoilers disclaimer (please read before sending messages or writing comments.)

Stray thoughts

1) It’s nice to get a little more backstory to their first kiss.

NARRATOR: Unfortunately, as Jane described their magical talk, Xo had the distinct impression that…

XIOMARA: He sounds like a playboy, hon.

JANE: I know. I know. He seemed like he would be, but he wasn't.

JANE: He seemed so sincere.

XIOMARA: That's what makes a good playboy. You never feel like you're getting played.

Of course, this was before the cancer, the marriage, Petra’s miscarriage (I’m assuming it was a miscarriage, although this being a telenovela, it could have easily been a fake pregnancy, we’ll see…), and everything that has happened since the show started. Rafael was a different person then, and so was Jane. She seemed to be much more naïve and gullible back then.

The part I’m not buying, though, is how they managed not to run into each other for over 4 years? Like, she was working at the hotel he owned, wasn’t there any awkward encounters like EVER? The show definitely makes it sound as if they had gone by almost five years without seeing or talking to each other…

2) I have to say, I’m with Xiomara and with the stop sign on this one…

It does seem a bit rushed for them to get together, especially considering all the special circumstances that brought them into each other’s lives. And I’m sorry if I’m raining on the shippers’ parade, but they barely know each other? It seems they’re more in lust than in love, and the whole “meant to be” thing is more “meant to be in your pants” than fate. I really hope the show makes me feel different about this because I do enjoy their interactions so far, I like them as characters, and I can see the chemistry there, but I also need some depth to their relationship, you know?

3) Okay, so Rafael showed up and asked her out, and they almost kissed but Jane told him she needed some time and space, which, yes, good for you. But I don’t see that time and space thing lasting too long for some reason…

4) I have a feeling Petra would like to switch places with Jane right now…

5) The fucking nuns are using Jane as a fucking fertility attraction or something. Without her knowledge.

6) Did you know that I love Rogelio?

7) We all know I’m not fond of Michael, but… he did ask Jane point blank if the breakup had anything to do with Rafael, and she lied. Even if there were things Michael did that contributed to her deciding to break up with him, Rafael had a lot to do with it as well. I guess she was trying to spare his feelings, but… she lied. And Michael lying to her was one of the reasons she was broke up with him, so… that’s a bit hypocritical Jane…

8) Rafael is being a bit too pushy for my liking…

RAFAEL: Have you had enough time? Ready to go on a date?

JANE: No. I came to ask a favor, actually, which is totally unrelated to our current situation.

RAFAEL: And what is our current situation?

The girl asked you for some time and space, and it’s been, what? 8 hours? Seriously?

9) OF COURSE, he’s going to be in the club and will continue to push things. That’s so not the way to go about this.

10) Now, these two? They really are meant for each other…

NARRATOR: What you are about to witness is two creatures who are inherently dramatic attempt to behave like they are - not dramatic.

11) Desperate times call for desperate measures…

MAGDA: We can't keep him here forever. We might have to consider…

PETRA: What?

MAGDA: I know people from the old country.They could take care of him for us.

PETRA: Mother, that's crazy!

MAGDA: It is realistic. Now, here are your options: You kill him or let him go, and risk Milos finding you and then you'll wish you were dead. Your choice.

I’m not sure Petra is capable of murdering someone. Magda, on the other hand…

12) AWKWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

13) Oh my god, is he twelve?!

JANE: Michael saw the flowers you sent, and he was so hurt it was awful.

RAFAEL: Jane, that wasn't my intention.

JANE: I know. But that's why I'm saying it's too soon.

RAFAEL: What, because of Michael?

JANE: Yes, because of Michael. We were engaged.I was I was about to marry him.

RAFAEL: I'm sorry. But, Jane, he's kind of been a jerk to me.

He’s acting like an entitled rich boy, isn’t he? He wants Jane so he must have her now, it doesn’t matter that she’s not completely comfortable and it doesn’t matter that she still cares about her ex-fiancé with whom she broke up a day ago! And how does he justify not caring about hurting Michael’s feelings or disregarding Jane’s feelings for Michael? “Ugh he was a jerk!”

I don’t like this side of Rafael, I hope he understands why this is wrong SOON.

14) OMG

JANE: Do you by any chance know my father?

15) And now he’s taking Jane’s request for time and space a little bit too seriously…

16) I LOVE ROGELIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

17) Get your shit together, dude…

Like, you want to date the girl who’s carrying your fucking baby, maybe don’t get salt licked by “a friend” right in front of her?

18) Well, it seems Petra has what it takes to be a murderer after all…

IVAN: Is that peanut sauce?

PETRA: I don't know. I just ordered chicken from room service.

IVAN: I have peanut allergy!

19) False alarm…

He even thanked her, that’s progress.

20) Hmmm, I’m not sold on how the show got Rafael to “refute” each single of Jane’s arguments. They simply have different points of views, and both of their arguments are valid. The most important one, however, is the fact that they clearly don’t know each other very well. It’s one thing to start dating someone who you don’t know very well under regular circumstances. That’s basically what we all do, that is literally how you get to know someone and find out whether you can have a meaningful relationship with them or not. But… Jane is fucking pregnant with Rafael’s baby… so the dating thing could potentially backfire in the worst possible way, and even if they intend to “put the baby first”, they cannot be sure that’s what they’ll do once their hearts are broken and there’s resentment or bad blood.

21) I guess I was wrong when I said Jane had a good head on her shoulders…

I’m sorry but I’m so not into this. It really feels like they’re in lust, and that’s just not my thing.

22) Rafael’s mom is totally going to come back, right?

23) Yeah, that whole “conversation that goes on forever”? I get it, I’ve had those. But it feels the writers are trying to fast-forward the most meaningful part of a relationship, the getting-to-know-each-other part, the slowly falling in love with someone as you learn more and more about them. It just happened overnight for Jane and Rafael.

I feel like I should like them, like I should be falling for them as they fall for each other, but it seems too… contrived. I’m not into it…

24) Oh, Petra, you deceitful SOB! You got me!

MAGDA: That was smart. Seeing his bracelet. You've earned his trust.

NARRATOR: Ah, yes, the classic "poison your hostage and then save him to earn his trusts" technique. Works every time.

MAGDA: I hope the rest of your plan works as smoothly.

What is the rest of her plan, though?

25) ROGELIO STOPPPPPPPPP

26) And now I feel sorry for Michael? What is this episode doing to me?

27) Oh, this trick again, Petra… it didn’t work with Rafael, though…

I’m guessing he’s going to sleep with her and not give her the money, to get back at her because of how she fooled him before…

28) rrrrrogELIOOOOOOOOOOOO

RAFAEL: Who are you?

ROGELIO: I am Jane's father.

RAFAEL: Oh, uh Oh, uh, it's nice to meet you, Sir.

ROGELIO: I wish I could say the same. Jane's mother was worried all night.

RAFALl: Oh, I am so sorry. We-we just kind of…

ROGELIO: No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I know your game. I used to be just like you. Ridiculously good-looking, with charisma, with swagger, notching girls onto my belt.

RAFAEL: No, that's-that's not what's happening

ROGELIO: I have had sex with a lot of women. Way more than you, I'm sure!

RAFAEL: I am sure that that's true.

ROGELIO: But Jane is different. Jane is special. Remember that. Or face the consequences.

29) “Deferred payment plan.” Yep, you’re not going to see that money, Petra…

30) Nope. I don’t like this, at all.

XIOMARA: And you're not me, Jane. You make smart choices, sensible choices.

JANE: Exactly. Because I was always scared of repeating your mistakes. And, mom, I'm just realizing, because of that, I've been afraid to take risks. Real risks.

XIOMARA: You've been smart.

JANE: I've been safe. And I'm gonna be a mom. And moms put their kids first. You know that better than anyone. So this is my last chance I get to follow my heart. Do what I want. And, yeah, maybe the timing isn't perfect, but I want to be with Rafael. He's a good guy.

There’s nothing wrong with being safe, especially when you’re having a baby. And I really don’t get Jane’s logic here? “I’ve been safe my whole life and afraid of taking risks so now that I’m having a baby and will put it first is the best time to take risks”? Maybe don’t? Especially if you’re taking a chance with the father of your baby who you barely know and you could potentially ruin your relationship as parents and therefore create an unhealthy environment for your child just because you had a whim and you were hot for the guy?

I know that I’m probably in the minority here and everyone loves Rafael and Jane, but I’m just super NOT into this. It feels too sudden?

I just hope the show somehow manages to change my perception of them, idk.

31) If anything, Jane’s and Rafael’s recklessness has helped Xiomara and Rogelio become the grown-ups, so I’m thankful for that. They’re still over-dramatic and ridiculous, but they’ve proven they can adult like the best of them if the situation calls for it.

32) …well, for the most part…

33) I FUCKING KNEW IT!!!

I ship this more than I ship Rafael and Jane hahaha!

34) Okay…

I’m totally indifferent to this. *shrugs*

35) Hope you enjoyed my recap, and, as usual, if you’ve got this far, thank you for reading! If you enjoy my recaps and my blog, please consider supporting it on ko-fi.Thanks!

[readingraebow]

Boardwalk Empire Section Two

Chapters 7-Afterword

1. How were Taggart and Hap’s childhoods different? Who ended up succeeding Nucky and why? Taggart was born into an upper class family. His father was Atlantic City's chief surgeon 25 years and his mother came from old wealth. Taggart attended law school and opened his own law practice with his family's backing. But he immediately gravitated toward politics and began helping out on campaigns. However, he was never really "one of the boys". Taggart was a closeted homosexual. So basically he grew up with a ~fairly easy life except he could never openly be himself. Hap, on the other hand, was the last born of ten children. His family was super poor and constantly struggled to keep everyone fed and clothed. They lived on the Northside next to blacks and a red light district. As a child, Hap delivered newspapers and proofread for the local newspaper. However, Hap's father was secretary to the local fire department and ended up being a part of both the Kuehnle and Johnson machines. He used his friendships to help several of his sons obtain positions of note within the community. Hap, though, was smart and his sister convinced him to go to college. He, too, went to law school. And Hap is the one who ended up succeeding Nucky. Basically Hap made important friends and he helped all of his opponents obtain jobs that were better suited for their desires. And then Taggart basically put the nail in his own coffin when he started turning on the system and leading raids on gambling dens. Taggart was eventually removed from power and Hap took over as Nucky's successor.

2. How did Hap say he got his start in politics? What was the real cause? He said that, while in law school, he'd taken up the cause of his basketball team which had been locked out of the school gym. And while Hap did lead a movement for better facilities for young athletes, that wasn't really how he got his start in politics. His true influence was years of going nowhere in his law practice and struggling to survive while he watched his brothers, who were far less educated, rise through the ranks of Johnson's machine into well-paying, secure jobs. This was the true inspiration for Hap and he realized that to make it in Atlantic City, he'd have to follow the same path.

3. What were some of the contributions to Atlantic City’s decline in the 50s and 60s? Postwar modernization was one of the biggest reasons for Atlantic City's decline. Air conditioning and swimming pools meant that people didn't have to leave home to enjoy themselves. It also created more competition by Southern resorts. And with air travel becoming affordable, more were willing to save their money and travel long distances rather than take weekend trips to Atlantic City. And the invention that did the most damage to Atlantic City was the automobile. Atlantic City wasn't super easy to get to and relied mostly on the railroad. But with cars, people could just hop in and go wherever they wanted and weren't a slave to train schedules. To top it all off, because Atlantic City hadn't been doing well, the entire place was rundown. They didn't have any money for modernizations and most people wouldn't travel to such an antiquated place. Or, if they did visit, they wouldn't come back. Atlantic City was mostly a place for nostalgia and those who came back, wanting to see the place where they'd stayed as children, found that it wasn't the same as they remembered. And they didn't come back.

4. What did the bumper sticker say that summed up the town’s situation? It read, "Last one off the island, turn out the lights."

5. What did Weiner learn from his telephone polls regarding the casino issue? Through the telephone polls, Weiner learned that nearly eight out of ten voters believed that casinos had the potential to generate large amounts of revenue for the state government. They didn't know how much revenue gambling would produce but they felt strongly that it had to be a lot of money. They also believed that gambling would strongly impact them because it would lower their state tax rates and leave them with more money in their pockets.

6. Who was Matthew Micheals? He was the mayor of Atlantic City but he was basically only interested in the position because he wanted to be famous. And he behaved like there were no limits to his power. He basically just wanted to be the life of every party and, as a result, was a terrible mayor. And he believed in himself so highly that he was literally caught by having dinner with an undercover FBI agent who was wearing a wire and literally bragging about all of his misdeeds. He then accepted a $100,000 bribe in marked bills. So he wrote his own death warrant and was removed from his office in handcuffs.

7. What was Fred Trump’s early life like and how did he start his business? Fred Trump's dad began a real estate venture in New York City but he died when Fred was 11 and Fred's mother then struggled to provide for her three children. However, Fred went to work shortly after his father's death as a "horse helper" which meant during the winter months, when it was icy and the horses couldn't make it up steep hills with loads of lumber, Fred and other young, strong boys would carry the loads to construction sites instead of the horses. Then, as a teenager, Fred became a carpenter himself. He was self employed by 18 and, too young to sign checks or enter into contracts by himself, did business as "Elizabeth Trump and Son". He began building houses to sell and, eventually, built rental properties. Because he built them himself and didn't have any financial backers, he made all of the profits off of all of his properties. Fred Trump became the city's largest landlord.

8. What did you think of this book? So I don't exactly know how I feel about this book. On the one hand, I liked what this book was trying to do and I did learn a lot from it. But I honestly didn't like the way it tried to do it. Because this book was honestly kind of boring and I fell asleep quite a lot reading it. And that's disappointing because this book really did have a lot of information and I honestly feel like I know a lot about Atlantic City now. So I liked this book but I didn't like this book, if that makes sense? I liked the idea of this book, I just wish it had been executed a little bit better.

  Section Two Reading Journal

Okay, so. Let’s first talk about this book in reference to the show. Because wow that’s a different world. And honestly that fascinated me a lot. So Nucky’s reign is only about two chapters in this book and it’s the entire basis of the show. And most of the show’s characters aren’t in this book (and most apparently also are not based on real people; except Arnold Rothstein which, why isn’t he in this book??? I’m upset). So I honestly found that really interesting. Nucky’s reign is, arguably, the most interesting part of this book since that seems to be the most “glamorous” era for Atlantic City.

That being said, I really did enjoy learning more about Atlantic City through this book. Because I honestly didn’t know anything about it except that it’s basically the East Coast Vegas. But it’s definitely interesting that there was such a long period between the glamour of the 20s and when gambling was finally legalized in 1978 and it finally started to restructure. I totally didn’t know any of that.

So I really do like what this book was trying to do and I did find it interesting. But it also took me three years to get back to this book and as soon as I was done, I was so glad I could finally cross it off my list. So even though I found it interesting, it wasn’t a book I actually enjoyed reading. And while that is pretty standard with most history books, it’s also disappointing. I guess I just wanted this to be a little less dry? Because Atlantic City is fascinating. I just wish this had been more fun to read.

But. Glad to finally have read it and, wow, that last chapter was, uh, fascinating. Especially since Trump was not even running for president yet (I don’t think?), when I originally started this book. So reading it now, after he’s been president for a while, was, uh, doubly fascinating. (I also groaned quite a bit when I saw the title of that chapter but here we are.) So I find it super interesting that one of the people who ended up saving Atlantic City was Donald Trump. That honestly just blows my mind for some reason.

So, I’m really interested in visiting Atlantic City at some point. I know a lot has changed since the eras in the contents of this book. It sounds like most of the buildings that were there during Nucky Johnson’s (so hard for me not to type Thompson, wow) time are gone or have been remodeled. And it sounds like most of the casinos that were built originally have also been gutted and remodeled (even the Taj Mahal is not the same anymore???? And that’s honestly the one I was really interested in visiting). So hopefully I get to visit Atlantic City some day. From a historical perspective, I’m definitely interested in seeing it and seeing how much it has changed from what I read in this book, haha.

I’m honestly also ready to go back and rewatch the show and, uh, actually finish it. (I still don’t think I made it much past season two. I think I made it just a little ways into season three. Because all of my babies die. Whhyyyyyy??) OH. Also. It seems like everyone dies far more dramatically in the show than they did in this book? Because Nucky died of old age. And it seems like most of the gang violence in the show wasn’t actually a thing. Or, at least, this book didn’t really cover that. So. Found that interesting as well.

Okay I’ll stop thinking of more things to add now, haha. I’m glad to have finally finished this book and I can’t wait to continue finishing other books that I should’ve read a long time ago. Yay!!!

[jacquievandegeer]

the old game-a short play

The old game. A short play.

A restaurant, a man sits at a table, a waiter brings him a coffee.

Man: Thank you.

Waiter: Anything else, sir?

Man: No thank you.

The waiter snorts and goes off stage.

Man: She is not coming. I knew it, I knew it... This is why...

He starts to read a letter, we hear a female voice over:

Dear mister Man, I am writing to you about your personal add in the Herald of last Saturday and I am very interested to meet up with you. You seem to have complicated anger issues, you wrote me about needing help and I would love to resolve the anger and rage that lives inside you. I have very good news for you, you are certainly not alone in this, many people, even men nowadays, have big emotional issues and most of the time people are in a severe rage behind a mask of friendly smiles to hide their deep wounds. Nobody teaches us how to allow or feel emotions healthily, yet emotions are the gateway to profound healing. Learn how to be gentle with your emotions, to encourage and embrace them and fully experience them until they healthily release. I can teach you this for a reasonable fee. It will be easy. I will set a timer. I will leave and return after 10 to 15 minutes. You will be freed. Let us meet for a coffee. I like it hot and strong. You set the date, the place and the time. I will do my work. I call it The old game. Please include a generous cheque, so much nicer not to have to discuss money, Miranda.

The waiter brings in Miranda. He takes her coat in a very old fashioned way, he sits her and pours her a glass of water. Miranda is all smiles.

Man: You are late. But that is the privilege of a lady, I suppose. Coffee? A coffee for the lady please. And get me another one. Make it strong. And hot.

Waiter: Anything else, sir?

Man: No thank you.

The waiter snorts and goes off stage.

Man: I want to spend a joyful time with you, Miranda. I want to share my story and get your advice. I am so motivated by the excellence of your letter. I always felt the need to prove myself. Please help me. My anger, it eats me. I feel I am already irritated that you are five minutes late.

Miranda: For the record, I start my timer now. It’s a historical record today. You are my client number 100. My role is about creating a desire to make you seeing things differently and pushing your boundaries. I can be “ruthless” as I push you forward, you will be healed for a good 74percent, but for me, perfection feels boring. My biggest inspiration is human beings.

Like you.

Angry persons, raged. Most people aren’t obsessed with anger issues, they’re just obsessed with themselves. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But you are not one of those. Just so you know. How was your childhood? Did you have a childhood dream?

Man: I once thought about becoming a priest, can you imagine a priest always being in rage?

Miranda: I can, easy. All right, next step. So, tell me the story of that relationship you wrote me about, thank you.

Waiter: You are most welcome.

Miranda: I find it very interesting you kept calling it an affair. It was a relationship . You wanted to marry her. And you did. You had to. Because of Eric.

Waiter: Anything else, sir?

Man: No thank you.

The waiter snorts and goes off stage.

Miranda: So? Heather? Who is she to you now?

Man: I sometimes read about these kind of women in the newspaper. They always die in tragedy when they don't behave but not Heather. May my love story be an example of what is really important in life. I am a man. I hope you understand. Miranda?

Miranda: I completely understand. Take as long as you want. My timer will beep on its own. It always does a perfect timing, don't you worry now.

Man: Heather had two boyfriends. Me and the other me. She wanted the good version off course. “Hey baby, wannabe my girlfriend?” And I would pay for everything. I am the man. I was flat broke, unemployed. The other me. That changed later. “I take you to the movies.” In the darkness we kiss. I mooch off my parents. But that was version two. Version one is the man. In control. “What time can I pick you up?” I borrowed the car of my friend James. She lives with him now. Heather told me it was love at first sight when she met me, in retrospect she told me that... Girls had to play 'no' off course. Trying to sneak down the stairs without their parents hearing them. Two years later, she said my “rules” had became too much for her to handle. Marrying with a belly. That was unacceptable! But we did it, we had to. James was my best man.

Miranda: So, you had been together for two years, and you had a 7-month-old son together. Eric. Your fathers name. Your grandfathers name. Your name. Traditions. He died. Eric. He died. So young. Eric.

Man: I need rehabilitation. Everybody is fighting for survival. This won’t end well otherwise. I deserve so much better. “Don't settle for less Heather.” That is what all these girlfriends told her. Women. So yes, I did it. I hid him. It was rage. She was in a rage. Rage is contagious, did you know that? It was easy. I am the man. I had to do it. Because I am a man. She had the rage. But I am the man. In rage those things become logical, easy, acceptable. Now the rage is in me, every day, every minute. I know where they live. James and Heather.

Miranda: Many would be calling out for a despicable act of revenge. Walking away is the most powerful thing you can do. Just for future references, walk away. You have to make yourself the priority, always.

Man: I am the priority! If only I could jump back into that film, in that movie theater, I'd stay there. Forever. Necking... Kissing... Damn, I feel it coming up again. Heather... She was blond. How Do You Know It's Love? How? I know love is not enough to insure lasting happiness. A drama. She was the little ballerina that pops out from a shiny jewelry box. You go to the movies a couple of times, do a little necking, and you think you're in love. "You love me, don't you?" "I don't know. . .I'll have to think about it." "I don't know. . .I'll have to think about it." is woman speak for "How fat is your wallet". She was out only for the money, she was savage, she lured me in...

Miranda: Not savage....surely it was not her intend to hurt you. So, what do you want? Eric? Tell me.

Man: I know what I want, I see what I want every day. I close my mind, I see I have it already. I dream of what I want......it comes to me in real life slowly every day because I believe that what I want will be mine.

Miranda: Yes, believe it in your mind, give good back to the universe and you will receive back 10 fold. Just be kind....be positive! Let go of anger and what you want will come in time. Let it go, let Heather go now...

Waiter: Anything else, sir? You seem like a happy healthy couple! You seem happy. That’s all that matters.

Man: No thank you.

The waiter snorts and goes off stage.

The timer makes a sound, a soft beep. Miranda gets up, stops the timer, whispers 'I have to powder my nose' and goes off stage.

Man: She should live in shame. There was literally nothing wrong with him. Heather neglected him so severely. I was blind. Miranda... We need more people like this. “I didn’t mean to hurt him intentionally” She was playing with him, she told me. It confused me so much. When they told me she was depressed. I did not see it. Our house was clean, the fridge filled. I did the barbecue, the bills, gave her some pocket money, wanted another child, a girl, a little Heather. A sister for Eric. She was not speaking after our son died. My heart broke for Eric. He was black and blue and bleeding. From his tiny heart. I can't even imagine what that'd be like for a poor 7 months old who probably didn't really understand everything that happened to him. My god, she was a cheerleader and only 18-years-old when she stabbed our son in the chest. The next day I disposed of the child's body in a nearby quarry. The cops had tunnel vision on this one. I am the man. I said I did it. I have been serving a six-year sentence for the death of our baby boy. Incredible. Imagine your little boy was murdered and everyone blamed you, the police, your family, James, everyone. My dad...I'm bad...dry those eyes... I miss hearing...my son is...If you dated, you pay the bills...you always pay the bills...I am a man. It is essential.

Waiter: Anything else, sir?

Man: No thank you.

The waiter snorts and goes off stage.

Man starts to cry, his head upon the table, loud, uncontrollable, hysteric almost.

Waiter: Anything else, sir?

Man: No thank you.

The waiter snorts and goes off stage.

Man now puts himself together. He looks around him. Man starts to giggle, like a schoolgirl.

Waiter: Anything else, sir? Beautiful view.

Man: No thank you. I just want to send love to everyone and I want everyone to know things will get better...

The waiter snorts and goes off stage.

Man starts to sing a children's song softly, then louder, and louder...then stops abruptly.

Waiter: Anything else, sir? You seem happy. That’s all that matters.

Man: No thank you. My dad always told me that he who angers you, conquers you, what do you think about that? I wish I was alive, don't you? I loved those days and still remember them well everyone was close neighbors friends family being outside playing waiting for the ice cream truck not having a care in the world everyone trusted each other no locked doors windows very little crime great memories... I just want to send love to everyone and I want everyone to know things will get better...I am a man you know?

The waiter snorts and goes off stage.

Miranda comes back, her nose is powdered with white stuff. She smiles. She looks around her but there is nobody but the man, who puts a hundred dollar bill on the table. She smiles, takes her timer, puts it in the bag and leaves. The waiter comes with her coat. She puts it on and leaves.

Man: Have a wonderful day!

He searches for the letter, but the letter seems to have disappeared. He smiles.He looks around but there is nobody in the restaurant. He leaves.

[yandereshit]

Headcanons for papa saeran

Let’s see~

Saeran:

The words “I’m pregnant” are something he takes a looooot of time to proceed with. He never even though about being a parent. Damn, he literally forgot that you may get pregnant if you have sex! 

So you’re pregnant. You’re gonna give a birth. To a child. Your child. His child. He’s gonna have a child. Which means. Which means? Means he’s gonna be- … FUCK HE’S GONNA BE A FATH- *faints*

He’s in shock. He doesn’t know what to say. His thoughts are racing, like, is it real? Is he gonna be a father? He’s going to be a PARENT. An actual parent. He’ll have to take care of a child. Of a human being. A little, weak human being. He’ll need to protect it. He already has to. He had to protect you before, and now… Now a little child? Will he manage to do that? What if he hurts it? By accident? Or on purpose…? What is he turns out to be like his mother? He doesn’t want to be like this, he’s scared. This child doesn’t deserve this damn excuse of a father-

“Saeran. It’ll be okay. You’ll do well. You’re a strong and good person. I believe in you.”

Well that’s great because even he doesn’t believe in himself at this point

Your words give him a lot of motivation. He trusts you. He still panics, but he wants to do his best. If you say he’ll manage, then there’s no way it’ll be different.

During your pregnacy, he’s clearly overprotective. He doesn’t really know how to take care of you, so he just does what he can. He’ll never let you carry heavy things, you won’t even have to go out of the bed. Secretly, he’ll search into all the articles about how he should behave. He’ll try to awkwardly ask Jaehee about it, but no one else. He’ll never listen to his brother nor any other man in the group. If there’s anyone he feels okay with asking for advice, it’s Jaehee.

He decides to actually find a job, which is a bit awkward at first. He wants to be as independ as he can and he really thinks that living on your own - like, without Saeyoung around - is a good idea. He wants to start over, find his own way. Make his family safe, because for the first time in his life he actually feels like he has a place he belongs in. He wants to work to make it better.

He has a thing for hand-made furniture. He really wants to make a bed for his child and Saeyoung - who secretly watched his search history all along - offers his help. However, they’re both bad at it. But they try. And they learn quickly. So after long time of struggling, they manage to make the damn bed. It looks weird and creaks every time you touch it, but it’s filled with their love~

When the time comes, he’s the most nervous being you’d imagine. You literally have to calm him down or he’ll either break something or hurt himself. He tries to be as supportive as possible, but it’s just too much for him. Eventually, Saeyoung has to take him out of the room because he’s yelling at the nurses and it’s clearly not good for you. He’s literally more scared/nervous/emotional than you. Don’t blame him, he’s never gone through this before (?)

This little thing… It’s crying, it’s loud… It’s vulnerable… and it caused a lot of pain to you…. He cannot help but stare at the child, just not believing that it’s… it’s actually his child.

He’s hyper. Secretly still scared, but happy. Is with you 24/7, literally crushing you two with affection. And he cannot help but compare this little being to the both of you. The hair, the eyes… everything is so similar. How is it even possible? This little human is like a mix of the both of you. It’s as if you two were one person he kinda freaks out at the thought

Saeran doesn’t really know how to take care of a little human, but his common sense tells him to keep it away from Saeyoung. Saeyoung is not happy because he wants to play with his nephew/niece. Everyone recalls the photo of Saeyoung “playing” with another little being (Elly). Vanderwood tases Saeyoung and ties him to a chair. Everyone sighs with relief.

But seriously, Saeran has no idea what to do. But he listens to everything you say, not being afraid of asking someone else for help as well. His pride means nothing when it comes to you two. He’s careful like the kid is literally made of glass. He quickly remembers what to do and when, but his skills aren’t great to be honest. Putting clothes on the little human is probably the worst. Vanderwood turns out to be quite useful these times. 

The kid is probably a bit afraid of him, which makes him panic. Literally, when the child will start to cry, Saeran starts to cry too. Congratulations. You have two panicking kids now. The little one is probably easier to calm down though -_-

Every time Saeran does something wrong, he thinks of it for a few days or even longer, filled with regrets even if it was something trivial. He really wants to be a good father, but something inside his head keeps telling him that he’ll be just like his mother. He cannot forgive himself being vulnerable in moments like this. Every time you have to do something because he can’t, he’s already tearing up.

So many sleepless nights. Even when it’s your turn to take care of the child or if you let someone else take it for a while, he’s never been so stressed in his whole life. He’s scared of telling you how much it pressures him so he ends up crying alone, as far from everyone as possible. He knows how much you’re going through too so he doesn’t want to add any more troubles. But it’s more than obvious that he’s just not okay at these moments and you’ll, sooner or later, make him talk to you about it.

And he really needed this talk. You had to reassure him a lot until he finally calmed down, and you both ended up crying. But in the end, he understood that it’s okay to make mistakes and that you’re here to help him out just like he’s always been here to help you when you needed this.

He still does his best. Still makes a lot of mistakes. Just like you do. But you’re never alone and that’s what makes it just simple. It’s still not easy, but you know it’ll be okay.

At some point though, he knows everything better than you. He’s surprisingly good at those weird recipes. He knows how to make the kid actually eat its food. He’s patient and quite stubborn, but that’s clearly what your child needs. As soon as he feels more confident in what to do, he makes you rest more since you get tired faster than he does. He can go on for a week without a coffee. But please, make him stop. It’s not healthy.

As the child grows up, it’s more attached to Saeran than you. They’re so similar to be honest! Two quiet beings not letting go of each other even for a second. They’ll take naps together, and the day when the Little Version™ is introduced to ice cream will be probably the happiest moment of your lives.

Saeran loves to go to various places with thte kid: zoo, aquarium, theatres… He’s never experienced it as a child and even though he wants to give everything he can to his kid, he’ll secretly enjoy it just as if he was the baby here. Please, let him try the cotton candy, whatever it is, it looks like clouds and it’s sweet. He wants it. O-oh, yeah, buy one for the kid too.

He feels weird when he has to leave the kid in a school. When the time comes, they’re both just as nervous. Though even if the little one gets over it fairly quickly, you spend the whole day reassuring Saeran that no nothing will eat it there’s no monsters in the school and no the teachers aren’t a part of some cult dammit honey-

You actually start to wonder because you’re pretty sure some of your old teachers praised Satan, but that’s a completely different story

He’s this kind of parent who will try to not be nosy, but the way he glances at his kid until they spare him some information about what’s up is more than obvious. He’ll try not to ask too many questions, but he won’t feel at ease until he actually hears from them.

Incredibly sensitive to any mood changes. Will try to convince the kid to talk to him, but never force them. Wants them to know it’s okay to ask for help, because he himself also needed this lesson a while ago. 

Wants the kid to be independent, but cannot refuse if they ask him for help, even if it’s something trivial. If the child is in danger/need/anything, he’ll literally drop everything and run to the rescue.

He knows how to cook. Go aside, MC, you’re gonna ruin his ravioli. In this house we eat only homemade food. No chips, no soda, it’s unhealthy don’t be like Saeyoung please. Ice cream? Ice cream is very healthy, fuck off.

No, uncle Saeyoung won’t visit us today. Please don’t say this name ever again. Stay away from him. It’s so-called bad influence.

No, we’re not gonna get a pup- *the kid shows him a very cute puppy and makes a face even cuter than the puppy’s* …Ooo… kaay… Leeeet… *still not convinced* …it be a puuuuppy…

Can’t get over the growing up process. W-wait what do you mean you… you date?! You cannot date! You’re too young for dating!

“Dad, I’m 18.”

It’s been so little just a while ago… why is it… why is it moving out now?! Why?! It’s been here always! What is he gonna do now?! Why is it leaving?!

…

“MC, we need a second child.”

[atimefordragons]

100 Intelligence, 0 Wisdom || EHS

☾♔; June 17, 2020 ☾♔; 12:26am ☾♔; sotd: Tuhje Dekha To (DDLJ)   ☾♔; cotd: Dick Grayson   ☾♔; Elite Highschool ☾♔; Side/NPC Profiles

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: lol, a summary of all 5 Sheremetev kids

----------->UPDATE: description abandoned. The group was shutdown and I've been kicked from the discord, so there's no point in finishing this set. I'll just make a new one when I inevitably recycle the characters.

Most of their profiles were done anyway, but whatever, I’m not putting any more effort into something I’m not involved in anymore.

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【𝕀ℕ𝕊ℙ𝕆 ℂℝ𝔼𝔻】@ maybones

As always, lolz. Soz for always using you as inspo, but you are the unrivaled Queen of Talent and Set making.

Was specifically inspired by this set: https://urstyle.fashion/styles/2523719 And as always, failed in mimicking it.

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I have made a new version of Tuhje Dekha To: Tuhje Dekha Toh ye jana sanam Main tuhje nufrat karti, kuti kamini

Loose Translation: When I saw you beloved, I knew That I despise you, you fucking bitch

(kuti kamini doesn’t literally mean fucking bitch, but that’s the emotional weight, or inflection or whatever behind it tbh - it doesn’t mean bitch though, like, from a literal translation, it kinda means bitch, bitch, since kuti and kamini both mean bitch)

Lol, ya, it doesn’t really flow with the music, but whatever. I’m fucking pissed and TDT was stuck in my head, so the lyrics went from love to rage.

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𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘

The Sheremetev’s are a unique bunch of siblings, in that not a single one is biologically related to another. All, but the youngest were adopted by Ivan Borisovich Sheremetev, his youngest, and only biological, child eventually passing into his custody. They’re a family of 7, Ivan, their father, Feodor Brezhnev, their butler/emotional grandfather, Rodya, the big brother, Adya, Emil, and Shion, the NOT triplets, and Erasyl, the brat- I mean baby. Because they’re not his biological children, they’re often labelled as charity cases, though they can pretty much brush it off at this point. Since Ivan does not make a blood distinction between his kids, Erasyl is often thought to have been adopted too. Are they just the batfam repackaged as Russian bourgeoisie? lol, yeah.

The House of Sheremetev are former Russian nobility, and in the age of the Empire, were amongst the wealthiest and most influential families in Imperial Russia. They held many high commanding ranks in the Russian military, governorships and were given title of "Count" (Граф graf), which in Russian society was the third highest, the first obviously being the rank of Tsar, followed by Prince (Князь knyaz) - a Russian prince was not necessarily royalty, but more equivalent to a western Duke. Notable Sheremetev's include Yelena Sheremeteva, who was the third and final wife of Tsarevich Ivan Ivanovich (1554–1581), the son of Ivan IV (better known to history as Ivan the Terrible), and Fedor Sheremetev, cousin of Tsar Mikhail I and head of government in 1613–18 and 1642–46.

During the revolution, the line that led to the current Sheremetev's stayed in Russia. A handful were executed, but one became a party man and ardent supporter of the regime. By the time of the union’s collapse, numerous members of the Sheremetev family had served in the government, military, and KGB throughout the existence of the Union. Boris Sheremetev, father of Ivan, was a member of the Council of Ministers when it was dissolved in 1991, and Anastasia Sheremeteva, Ivan’s mother, was a high ranking member of the KGB. During the upheavel of the economic shift from communist to capitalist, and mass privatization of the Russian and post-Soviet state economies, both Sheremetev parents were killed in highly suspicious circumstances. Their murders remain unsolved, though were blamed on Bratva’s. The Sheremetev’s had already taken part in Gorbachev’s attempt to create a mixed socialist economy, and during the post-Soviet transition period, they bought numerous government contracts and assets, primarily in the arms, oil, and energy industries, quickly establishing themselves as Oligarchs in the new world order. In the modern day, all Sheremetev assets are controlled under the banner of Sheremetev Enterprises (Шереме́тевы Компании Sheremetev  Kompanii), often shortened to SKomp. Due to the industries, and their closely maintained friendship with the Russian government, the Sheremetev family is amongst one of the wealthiest in Russia and the world at large.

Ivan Sheremetev, current head of the family and their business, is the only child of Boris and Anastasia. Their respective jobs already came with a level of paranoia and strict safety measures in the family, but their deaths made Ivan far more cautious and obsessive. Ivan was a teenager when his parents died (somewhere between 15-18) and he’s basically become a doomsday prepper, but instead of a Zombie invasion or whatever, he’s more concerned that some goon will invade his house. Bitch has the most insane and overkill security system in the world, plus he does all that martial arts and marvel superhero training. And then he went and had kids, and somehow managed to become even more hypervigilant, makes them all take at least one “bad bitch, kick your ass” type class (judo, krav maga, etc). He rarely drinks in public, fucking nerd even drank gingerale and pretended it was alcohol so he could keep his wits about him. He used to masquerade as a party boy to keep people disarmed around him, but after adopting children, especially once he had the non-triplets, he just acts as the truth; tired father. 100% uses them as an excuse to avoid parties and the media (lol, he’s just a brooding loner type who has maybe 12 friends, and 5 of those are his kids). Ivan is bad at expressing emotions, but genuinely loves his kids, and is simultaneously the most laid back and most helicopter parent ever. The kids are out late? It’s okay, I trust them, and they’ll call if something bad happens. One of them fell off the monkeybars on the school playground? I AM SUING THEM FOR CHILD ENDANGERMENT!

𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐇 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐕 ➤AGE: 18 ➤BIRTHPLACE: Yakutsk, Russia ➤RESIDENCE: St. Petersburg, Russia ➤BIRTHDAY: March 21 ➤FACE CLAIM: Simon Nessman

➤PERSONALITY OVERVIEW: Overall, he’s a pretty decent guy. Big, big brother energy, also has a lot of dad energy, and is a mother hen. The type of guy that says “you kids these days”, even though he’s barely a year older. Rather sarcastic, but it’s mostly playful, loves a pun. Is pretty and petty, kind of a hoe, we got a male Anto here. Somersaults and does splits and other flippy shit completely randomly while walking, just ‘cause he can. He’s extra like that. Loves to tease his younger siblings, and will purposefully embarrass them, he will yell across campus to do so, “HEY ERASYL, REMEMBER HOW YOU GOT SCARED BY THE CAT LAST WEEK AND SNUCK INTO MY ROOM!” Has also yelled relationship advice and dating tips. Also more explicit tips. Despite his embarrassing tendencies, hoe nature, and general playfulness, apart from Feodor (the butler), Rodya is the certified adult™️ of the family, when any of the other Sheremetev kids have a problem, they all go directly to him, skipping over Ivan, who also goes to Rodya when he’s got a problem (but has great difficulty owning up to the problem too). Because of their emotionally stunted father, Rodya has become the emotional support of the family, though he certainly wasn’t always good at it. By the time Ivan brought Emil into the family, Rodya (around 13 at the time) quickly grew up to help the traumatized Emil adjust to the new family (lol, they’re all traumatized), and changed his previously dismissive and rude behaviour towards Adya. Because he took over what should’ve fallen to the parent, Rodya has a lot of buried issues himself, particularly a temper, which flares up whenever any of his family or friends are being attacked in some way. Insulting one of my brat’s? Lol, let me teach you what gravel tastes like. Rodya seems like the best behaved of them all, he’s outwardly the most polite and charming Sheremetev, but he’s the most dangerous and vicious of them all.

➤LIKES: Cereal (is possibly addicted to it??? Can eat it for any meal and as a snack, it is genuinely a concern), Tequila (this wasn’t intentional, but I’ve been going through dick grayson memes for inspiration, and I vote Rodya as Anto’s best friend, the Princess can suck it), he a Gucci boy, winter, ice skating, eurovision, Frozen and disney movies in general, will belt those songs out at any time of the day or night, but Frozen has a special place in his heart ➤DISLIKES: Brooding people (got enough of that in his family), clowns, lazy fashion (black suit, white shirt again? Fucking try my dude), teen language constantly evolving (what happened to thristing? wtf is simping?), overpowering scents (like axe, that shit gross yo, have some class) ➤HOBBIES: Gymnastics and acrobatics (has no interest in joining a circus, but it helps him feel close to his parents), boxing (needs to beat up anyone that might threaten his family), karate (black belt), coding/hacking, frolicking (lol, is that a hobby? Hanging out with the friends and the “kids” - his sibs)  

➤RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OTHERS: Rodion gets along best with everyone else in the family, and is pretty much the lightning rod guiding them all back together. He’s grandpa’s (Feodor) sassy lil baby boy forever, and the only other person to sometimes have a brain cell, he’s dad’s (Ivan) pride and joy, not to mention emotional rock. Rodya feels so that Ivan doesn’t have to. He keeps Adya in check, is Emil’s idol, Shion’s best bro, and Erasyl’s actual dad (not really, but he parents Erasyl more than Ivan, so). When asked who’s their favourite member of the family, every Sheremetev without hesitation will answer Rodion (for himself, he’ll refuse to answer, he’s nice like that).  

➤SHORT BIO: The first, and the favourite; Rodion was born as Rodion Petyrovich Kirilov, his parents, Petyr and Masha, were members of a contemporary circus (a la cirque du soleil, but smallers, and in Russia), as a rarity in the contemporary circus, the Kirilov’s were a circus family, but that’s more of an arguable point, since Petyr and Masha were individually trained, and they were only beginning to pass on their skills, etc to Rodion when the thing™️ happened. When he was 5, Rodion’s parents were killed in what seemed to be an act gone wrong (though in truth a jealous member of the circus messed with the rigging, causing them to plummet to their deaths). Ivan Sheremetev just happened to have been attending that very show, and also just happened to witness the murderer in the act, and relayed his information to the police. As an orphan himself, though he was much older than Rodya when his parents died, Ivan empathized with the young child, and adopted him on pretty much impulse. Because he is so much dumber than he seems (he eats burgers with a knife and fork), he was able to win over young Rodya due to being “funny”, and they established their own little family, Rodya quickly picking up Feodor’s sassy remarks, and becoming a little darling by Ivan’s side at fancy Russian events.

When Adrian was brought into the family, Rodya was far from the best big brother he is now. Adya came into the family with Rodya was 11 (Adya himself was 10), so for 6 years, he was the only child in Ivan and Feodor’s care, and was certainly spoiled by the two. Adya’s arrival sparked First Child Syndrome in Rodya, who absolutely detested having to share the limelight now with another kid. He was incredibly rude to Adya, and repeatedly referred to him as a replacement, which resulted in Adya lashing out and running away a few times as well. He’s really not proud of this, not to mention, he’s definitely where Adya learned that replacement insult from, and subsequently used on Emil. He eventually got over it mostly on his own, though got a nice little pep talk from Feodor about how all three (Rodya, Adya, and Ivan) are just lost children who need to find a family, and Rodya begrudgingly began extending an olive branch to Adya and trying to get along with him, even being the one to bring him back to the manor a couple of times. He was much better prepared when Emil arrived 2 years later and smoothly transitioned into the “Best Big Brother” mantle he has now, and continued being the best bro when Shion and Erasyl arrived, though the younger ones started having issues with not being the new baby anymore (lmao, welcome to the club you dorks).  The day Rodion left for EHS was hilariously emotional, they were all crying ‘cause they didn’t want him to go, which in turn made him cry too. The other kids didn’t talk to Ivan for a week ‘cause he sent big brother away (overdramatic much, they’d be joining him in a year, two for Erasyl, anyway).

𝐀𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐇 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐕 ➤AGE: 17   ➤BIRTHPLACE: Moscow, Russia ➤RESIDENCE: St. Petersburg, Russia ➤BIRTHDAY: August 16 ➤FACE CLAIM: Sean O’Pry

➤PERSONALITY OVERVIEW: (1) angry boi. He’s so petty and broken, and like, just needs love? He had a less than stellar relationship with his birth parents, and does not easily trust people. Adrian struggles the most with being called a “charity case”, it’s not really the insult that bothers him, but the implication that he isn’t loved by his dad, because he can’t fully trust that Ivan genuinely loves him as his son (plus Ivan isn’t exactly a share-my-feelings type, so that’s no help). Adya is quick to throw a punch, and has no patience, at all. If something is bothering him, he reacts immediately, usually with anger. On the flip side, he’s also really sweet and a nerd. Like that trope of “Bad boy who picks up cats in the rain”, that’s him, to a T! He loves literature and can recite Shakespeare from memory alone (lol, and has the nerve to call Emil a nerd), and is generally rather prickly, but if you can shave down those spikes, you’ve got a friend for life in him. ➤LIKES: Poetry, plays, literature, shakespeare, history, mythology, tolstoy, dostoyevsky, the beach, whiskey ➤DISLIKES: clowns, drugs (just say no), cops (acab), fire (he’s a tad pyrophobic), enclosed spaces (also claustrophobic), being told what to do (not a fan of being controlled) ➤HOBBIES: Reading, studying (he’s such a nerd), weight-lifting (does that count as a hobby?), mixed martial arts, napping, homework (lol, lil mr. bad boy here is top of the class), drama club (backstage stuff and directing, also script)     ➤RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OTHERS: It's complicated. When he first arrived to the Manor, he had a very teasing, bratty relationship with Rodya (he teased his new big brother, 'cause lol, dad loves me more now, you weren't enough), which Rodya did not like, but underwent the same crisis when Ivan brought Emil home and was much worse about. He has trust issues and has run away from home numerous times, but most of the time he went back on his own, or was quickly found by Ivan (and later Rodya). He deeply loves his family, but struggles with admitting it, and is fearful that they do not love him. He gets along the least with Emil, who was adopted 2 years after him, and frequently, to this day, calls him a replacement (something he picked up from Rodya). As both are aggressive types, he technically gets along the best with Erasyl, often teaming up to pull off shenanigans and teenage rebellion, but they constantly argue, and each views the other as the “stupid” one in their duo (lol, you’re both dumb). They’re also both super scared of Shion (she beat him up for talking shit). His relationship with Ivan is the most complicated, because he wants Ivan’s love and approval, but also refuses to admit that, though he does have it (even though Ivan struggles with admitting it too - they’re all so dumb).

➤SHORT BIO: The second one and resident “bad boy” (LOL, he’s so not), Adrian was born to Andrei and Olga Petrov, a regular working class family. Olga left them when Adya was 2, and Andrei subsequently remarried to a woman named Alina. Alina was a drug addict, as well as a drug dealer (she specialized in Heroin), which is how she and Andrei met. Both were addicts and frequently abused Adrian while high, when in withdrawal, and when completely sober. He was routinely locked out of their apartment and left to sleep outside in the freezing cold. Because of his upbringing, Adrian has had to learn to fend for himself, often resorting to petty crime just to survive. It’s how he met Ivan, as he was trying to steal the wheels off of Ivan’s fancy ass car to sell, but was discovered, and instead of trying to run, idiot decided I’m just gonna attack this guy. Ivan instead, decided to take Adrian in, easily getting custody of him from his birth parents and eventually formalizing the adoption. For this, Adrian is eternally grateful, and hasn’t seen his parents since the night Ivan caught him trying to jack his wheels (or however you say it).

The young Adrian was prone to tantrums, and often ran away from home, but was calmed down and brought back each time, usually by Ivan, a few times by Rodya, and sometimes he would come back on his own. The introduction of Emil in the family was a shocker for him, and made him feel as if he wasn’t enough, ‘cause who needs 3 kids? Not to mention, Emil, unlike himself and Rodya, came from upper society, so he felt a lot of inadequacy, which he dealt with by lashing out. He still dislikes Emil the most, even with Erasyl’s shouts about being the “blood son”. On the plus side, at least he mostly gets along with Rodya now. Technically speaking, Adrian is the youngest of the not-triplets (himself, Emil, and Shion), but having been adopted second acts as the oldest, and gets away with it due to his aggressive and independent nature.

𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐋 𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐇 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐕 ➤AGE: 17   ➤BIRTHPLACE: Greiz, Germany ➤RESIDENCE: St. Petersburg, Russia ➤BIRTHDAY: July 19 ➤FACE CLAIM: Louis Hofmann  

➤PERSONALITY OVERVIEW: A very good boy, he is just the fucking sweetest, he could give you diabetes. But he is a Sheremetev sibling, and thus also is PETTY AF! He fucking logs every wrong another sibling has ever committed against him in a digital diary, and has the receipts when he complains to one of the “adults” (aka Rodion mostly, sometimes Feodor or Ivan). Emil is the “smart” one (lol, he’s got an IQ of 187, but will also blindly accept anything Rodya says as fact), and so he uses his brains to psychological torture Adya and Erasyl when they get on his nerves. He’s utterly savage when it comes to a comeback or witty comment, and can be impatient when it comes to letting someone else be in charge of technology (dies inside every time someone types www into the address bar). He makes a conscious effort to model himself after Rodya (apart from Rodya’s hoe-ing), to emulate that nice, caring, dependable thing that Rodya has, and was a super adorable mini-me when they were younger. Has insomnia, from a mix of nightmares from repressed trauma, and staying up online at all hours of the day and night like a typical zillenial. Runs on caffeine and candy.  

➤LIKES: Technology, he a computer geek, rococo, baroque, champagne, pastels, sunlight, summer, acrobatics, the circus, von gogh, monet   ➤DISLIKES: slow wifi connections, laggy computers (like excuse you windows, but I need those 4 browsers with 50+ tabs each, you know me, figure it out), blood, erasyl   ➤HOBBIES: computer engineering (is that a hobby, or just like a life goal? The latter probs), coding, tattling on adrian and erasyl, planning elaborate ways to get back at adrian and erasyl

➤RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OTHERS: In general, he gets along with his siblings, with two glaring exceptions; Adrian and Erasyl, both of whom view him as an unwelcome replacement, well, for Erasyl, he’s a placeholder (which, I mean, calm down, we all know who dad’s favourite is - Rodya). Emil gets along the best with Rodya, whose parents he saw perform live once before their deaths, upon his arrival to the Sheremetev manor, witnessed Rodya pulling off a similar stunt on the banister (which gave poor Ivan a heart attack) and immediately became obsessed. Because they both had a strong brotherly bond with Rodya from pretty much the get go, Emil and Erasyl argue over Rodya the most. Aside from Rodya, Emil and Shion are rather close, though she doesn’t open up much, the two often team up against Adya and Erasyl.

➤SHORT BIO: Born to Heinrich XXVIII, Prince Reuss of Greiz and Elsa von Hohenberg, the last scions of the Elder Line of the House of Reuss, and born as Heinrich XXIX, Emil is the heir to the Principality of Reuss-Greiz, which was technically inherited by his cousin, Prince Heinrich of the Junior Reuss line (they’ll all named Heinrich in the honour of the Emperor who enobled them - lame). His parents were killed when he was 12; his death was subsequently faked alongside theirs and he was taken in by Ivan, a friend of his parents, for his protection. Emil witnessed his parents' murders and was covered in their blood when he was found by the guards, the incident clearly left him traumatized, and for the most part has shut out the memory, though he still has nightmares about it, which contributes to his insomnia.

When he was first brought to the Sheremetev manor, Emil was very withdrawn and solitary, often staying by himself in his room (with the doors and windows locked) or sticking by Ivan’s side. He was slowly brought out of his shell by Rodya, though this immediately sparked jealousy and insecurity in Adya, beginning their “rivalry”.  

𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐍𝐀 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐕𝐀 ➤AGE: 17   ➤BIRTHPLACE: Susaki, Japan ➤RESIDENCE: St. Petersburg, Russia ➤BIRTHDAY: January 26 ➤FACE CLAIM: Dilraba Dilmurat

➤PERSONALITY OVERVIEW: Seems like a brooding, silent, lowkey scary type, but really she’s just introverted. Doesn’t interact if she doesn’t know someone and/or it’s unnecessary. When she talks, she’s savage and witty (lol, despite them not being blood related, that’s a trait all the Sheremetev’s have). She’s honestly super dorky, loves shit like Naruto and One Piece and Batman cartoons (has declared she IS batman). Shion loves messing with people and will always make up shit to throw people off, she loves the whole concept of being the mysterious loner type, and there’s equal chance she’s saying a true fact about herself, or it’s another joke to fuck with you.   ➤LIKES: Messing with her brothers, dark colours, ➤DISLIKES:   ➤HOBBIES:   ➤RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OTHERS: Quiet. Because she’s generally rather reserved, it’s not quite evident upfront how close or distant she is to her family, since she’s physically generally off doing her own thing, however, like her other brothers, she is close to Rodya, and tends to hang out with him when she has nothing else to do (she be the designated driver for the hoes - she could drive since she was like 12, yes, she had to heels and creative methods to reach the pedals, but she could drive).

➤SHORT BIO: Born as Orihara Shion, Shion is the daughter of Orihara Chinatsu, the former third generation leader of Sesshō-Kai (殺生会), a Yakuza based in Kōchi, her father is unknown, but is or was presumably a member of her family’s Yakuza. From the moment she was born, Shion was separated from her mother and raised in secrecy for her protection, as well as education, as per Chinatsu’s instructions, she was being raised to one day take over the Yakuza.

Technically speaking, she is the oldest of the “triplets”, but is treated as the youngest of the three, having been adopted last, and she’s pretty okay with it. Got to be doted on as the baby before the brat (Erasyl) arrived.

adopted when she was 13 (dick 14, and the other two 13 as well)

𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐘𝐋 𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐇 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐕 ➤AGE: 15   ➤BIRTHPLACE:  Almaty, Kazakhstan ➤RESIDENCE: St. Petersburg, Russia   ➤BIRTHDAY: August 9 ➤FACE CLAIM: Bright Vachirawit

➤PERSONALITY OVERVIEW: ➤LIKES: ➤DISLIKES:   ➤HOBBIES:   ➤RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OTHERS: Terrible. He’s very insecure about his father’s affections and always gets into fights with the others, particularly Emil and Adya. He’s scared of Shion, because the one time he managed to anger her, she threw him off a balcony (he’s fine, just traumatized - technically, Rodya once beat him too, but that was to teach him a lesson, Shion was straight up trying to kill him). Erasyl gets along the best with Rodya and is very possessive of him, especially since Rodya tends to pamper him and treat him like a child. Very quickly gets jealous when Rodya spends time with the others, especially Emil (You can have father, but Rodya is mine <- has actually said that, out loud).

➤SHORT BIO: The baby, Erasyl is the only biological child of Ivan

the only biological child (15), a brat, was a real bitch to them all, but started respecting dick when he beat him, and is now super attached to him

𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐑𝐀

➤MOODBOARD: https://urstyle.fashion/styles/2594157 ➤SCHOOL WARDROBE/AESTHETICS: https://urstyle.fashion/collections/115802 ➤PLAYLIST:

[fountainpenguin]

 How Fairy Aging Works In My FOP Fanfics

So, remember when I said that I apparently dreamed telling you guys about this and went frantic trying to pull it up again to no avail? Well, I put off “redoing” this post for awhile, but considering what’s coming up, I want to go over it “again.”

Previously:

I determined 11,250 years = 1 year of human aging in my headcanon

I speculated on magic, immortality, and how magic affects aging

Overview:

Fairy children mature rapidly until they hit the mental age of 10. Poof is mentally about 5 through most of Season 6, and mentally 7 throughout Season 7. From “Love Triangle” on, he’s mentally 10 or 11.

Anti-Fairy babies mature sooner than Fairy ones. No surprise there. Foop was born mentally 6 years old, but also with advanced vocabulary automatically imprinted in his brain 

Anti-Cosmo had a wing injury that never properly healed, and sometimes this gets mentioned in my works. He “limps”. Foop mentally inherited the injury, even though his wing is perfectly fine. Foop behaves as though he’s limping, when there’s nothing wrong with him. His alternate personality, Hiccup, does not limp because there’s no physical injury there. If you confronted Foop about this, he would be confused. He can’t help himself. It’s something he inherited. That’s just how Anti-Fairy babies work. Sometimes you get lucky and inherit advanced vocabulary, sometimes you get unlucky and you inherit weird injuries and behaviors.

So, here’s a breakdown of how aging works:

Birth: A baby is very young. They can fly and understand speech, but have little to no control over their magic. Fairy babies have to drink milk to receive its nutrients and hormones, including several involved in the ability to use magic. Without the proper hormones in the milk, the baby won’t be able to use magic or fly. This state is called “tomte”.

Also, the Fairy baby physically cannot digest anything besides milk. They will throw up anything else, and literally die without some sort of milk. Anti-Fairy babies will be healthier if they drink milk, but they won’t starve without it, as they cannot die so long as their Fairy counterpart lives.

Changeling children are a thing because the need for milk is so extreme, but that’s gone out of fashion lately. Sammy Sweetsparkle is still 100% a changeling as far as I’m concerned. There’s very little reason for this. But I was not joking when I told you his changeling family I am completely serious just watch me.

Fairy babies can only say “Poof poof” until they experience pooferty, as we saw in “School of Crock”. However, Anti-Fairy babies are born in a more advanced state, perhaps because they need to be capable of caring for themselves due to the frequency of neglectful parents in Anti-Fairy World.

A Fairy or pixie baby is properly called a nymph. An Anti-Fairy baby is called a pup. They’re... babies. That’s about it.

1: Fairy babies wean between eight months of age and two years old. The vast majority wean around the time of their first birthday. Sometime close to their weaning, they shed their exoskeletons; Fairies stop being round, Anti-Fairies stop being cubes, and pixies stop being hexagonal. They get “real bodies” at this time, and look like little Fairies and Anti-Fairies.

Poof and Foop’s shedding was especially delayed due to the frozen timestream, as we learned in “Timmy’s Secret Wish”. Foop is synced up to him, so Foop stayed a box until the timestream was unfrozen and Poof began to properly age again. Poof and Foop shed towards the end of Season 10. We’ll be getting a Prompt called “Evolution Hopeful” soon that covers this event.

2: At some point during their second year, a Fairy baby goes through the Terrible Twos, and an Anti-Fairy experiences the Terrific Twos, as we saw in the Season 9 episode, “The Terrible Twosome”. If you read my fanfic Origin of the Pixies, you saw in “Spoonful of Sugar” that pixies become super emo during this time.

45 - 55: Because they mature rapidly, young Fairies and Anti-Fairies need constant stimulation. Between the ages of 45 and 55, they attend school with the rest of their cohort, as I discussed in THIS post.

Around this time, many Anti-Fairies engage in a rite of passage called a canetis, as we’ll see soon in Frayed Knots, which is a hunting ritual involving the use of echolocation. After their canetis, an Anti-Fairy is no longer referred to as a pup. They’re called a juvenile. Similarly, once they turn 50 / start attending school, a Fairy is called a juvenile instead of nymph.

55 ~ 140,000+: The juvenile years! As you can see, not a ton changes during this time period. Alllllll of this seems super slow. Depending on the child’s individual maturity level, they may seem anywhere between 8 and 13; they will probably be closer to 8 in the beginning and gradually mature to 13 towards the end. You could refer to this time period as adolescence, or the teenage years.

I believe I’ve mentioned that Poof grew up always comparing himself to humans. He had a really rough time in his youth because he didn’t seem to be aging like his parents’ human godkids. He was stuck at 10 forever. That was good fun, and he played with some godkids, but he always had to watch them mature, and he always felt stuck, and like he was being left behind. Lots of self-esteem issues.

~140,000 - 180,000+: At some point between these years, Fairies and Anti-Fairies experience puberty. As you can see, this is a 40,000-year period. It’s different for everyone. Experiencing puberty is also known as “getting your adult wings”, due to the fact that Fairies literally moult their wings (Anti-Fairies don’t).

The proper term for a Fairy or Anti-Fairy at this age is “adult”, even though they may be mentally a teen. A Fairy or Anti-Fairy stops growing when they get their adult wings. This is also when they reach sexual maturity.

From this point on, you can divide the age of a fairy by 11,250 to get their age in human years. They will now continue aging 1 human year for every 11,250 years, where up until now you couldn’t calculate that with perfect accuracy.

Anti-Fairies are legally considered adults at the age 150,000 (Mentally 13), regardless of whether or not they have their adult wings. Anything that involves legal adulthood, they can do starting at 150,000- including going to adult jail.

~180,000+: Continued adulthood. You’ve finished puberty, you’ve got your adult wings, and you are totally an adult. Cosmo, Wanda, and the majority of Fairies and Anti-Fairies we see in the show are at this stage of development. 

Fairies are legally considered adults at the age of 200,000. Getting your adult wings basically means reaching the age of 16 in America, when you can drive, or the age of 18, when you can legally sign paperwork. 200,000 is legal drinking age, as well as the age you have to be to legally adopt someone, et cetera.

Age of majority for pixies is 250,000, because H.P. freaks out at the thought of his pixies wanting to leave him at the age of 200,000, so he legally boosted age of majority during a court case called Whimsifinado v. Caudwell. However, he looks the other way where sugar is concerned. Honestly, you can have sugar under the age of 200,000 and he won’t care. He loves his soda.

As I said, sexual maturity is reached with the adult wings. “Teenage pregnancy” would occur if a Fairy became pregnant after getting their adult wings but before the age of 200,000. It’s impossible to get pregnant during the juvenile years. A Fairy’s body simply isn’t developed yet.

Teenage pregnancy isn’t much of a thing in Anti-Fairy society; Anti-Fairies physically can’t get pregnant unless their counterpart is, which has led to their culture being very loose. It’s common / expected for Anti-Fairies to engage in intimacy... basically any time after getting their adult wings. It’s considered bizarre for an Anti-Fairy to get their adult wings and remain a virgin for more than a few centuries, unless they’re waiting for their special someone to come into maturity. But if you’re in a relationship and you’re both mature virgins... Why??? It’s just the way their culture is. Very casual, not a lot of consequences.

Average of 800,000 years: At some point in late adulthood, a Fairy and Anti-Fairy will experience another stage of the life cycle. It’s called the senescent stage. This is the stage H.P. is in when we see him in the show. He’s genetically identical to all the other pixies. However, he looks a little different because he’s in another stage of development. It’s the “wearing down” stage, when a Fairy or Anti-Fairy is older and beyond their prime. They can’t heal as well as they used to; a Fairy or pixie who badly tears their senescent wings will never be able to fly again. Their wings just won’t heal. Stuff like that.

A Fairy in their senescent stage is capable of dying from an illness, whereas in their juvenile or adult years, that’s extremely rare because Fairies have powerful immune systems and healing abilities.

The time a Fairy reaches this stage depends on many factors (Anti-Fairies only reach this stage if their Fairy counterpart does). Using magic speeds up aging. Being more conservative with your magic usage will let you age more slowly, though you can’t stop it completely. Other factors, such as physical health and how near or far you live from the Big Wand, play into this too.

By Anti-Fairy law, a reigning High Count / High Countess must step down if they reach the senescent stage of their life cycle. These Anti-Fairies are still greatly respected in Anti-Fairy culture; it’s just a warning that hey, you’re getting old, and you should definitely let your heir take the reins if you haven’t yet, and be a guide to help them along.

Foop was born when Anti-Cosmo was about 381,444 years old, and Anti-Wanda was 394,777 (These are the ages I’ve written down, but I have never once checked to see if they fit my Fairy zodiac because I don’t like math. Just go with it). So, if his parents were to hold onto their positions until they hit their senescent stages, Foop would take the High Count seat around the age of 30. 

This is based off the assumption that Anti-Wanda would reach the senescent stage first (Maybe around the age 730,000, which would be 335,000 years from now), and Anti-Cosmo would simply step down at the same time.

That’s how aging works in my fanfics.

[organssos]

25 Father's Day Quotes To Share With Dad

Father's Day will soon be here before you realize it, and we've exactly the thing you want to create daddy's day extra special. Even though daddy may insist he does not require such a thing, pairing it instead of only minding these Father's Day quotes is really going to make him feel adored. Give Dad his presents a Sunday morning meal after you have summoned up if you want to really go the extra mile .

  1. You can not die of grief, though it feels as if you can. A heart does not actually break, though sometimes your chest aches as if it is breaking. Grief dims with time. It is the way of things. There comes a day when you smile again, and you feel like a traitor. How dare I feel happy. How dare I be glad in a world where my father is no more. And then you cry fresh tears, because you do not miss him as much as you once did, and giving up your grief is another kind of death. ― Laurell K. Hamilton   2. Freddie experienced the sort of abysmal soul-sadness which afflicts one of Tolstoy's Russian peasants when, after putting in a heavy day's work strangling his father, beating his wife, and dropping the baby into the city's reservoir, he turns to the cupboards, only to find the vodka bottle empty. ― P.G. Wodehouse   3. It all goes back and back," Tyrion thought, "to our mothers and fathers and theirs before them. We are puppets dancing on the strings of those who came before us, and one day our own children will take up our strings and dance in our steads. ― George R.R. Martin   4. And the day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter. But we may hope that the dawn of reason and freedom of thought in these United States will do away all this artificial scaffolding... ― Thomas Jefferson   5. I understand that fear is my friend, but not always. Never turn your back on Fear. It should always be in front of you, like a thing that might have to be killed. My father taught me that, along with a few other things that have kept my life interesting. ― Hunter S   6. To you who are parents, I say, show love to your children. You know you love them, but make certain they know it as well. They are so precious. Let them know. Call upon our Heavenly Father for help as you care for their needs each day and as you deal with the challenges which inevitably come with parenthood. You need more than your own wisdom in rearing them. ― Thomas S. Monson   7. I suddenly remember being very little and being embraced by my father. I would try to put my arms around my father's waist, hug him back. I could never reach the whole way around the equator of his body; he was that much larger than life. Then one day, I could do it. I held him, instead of him holding me, and all I wanted at that moment was to have it back the other way. ― Jodi Picoult   8. Father, I decree and declare that I will be anxious for nothing. But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, I will make my requests known to You. I arise in faith today knowing that You hear and answer prayer. Because I bring my needs to You, I will walk in the peace of God that surpasses understanding, and it will guard my heart and mind. In stillness and quietness I will wait for You, and You will lead me in the way I should go. I seal these declarations in the name of Jesus, amen. ― Cindy Trimm   9. My mother always said that I was born out of a bottle of vinegar instead of born from a womb and that she and my father bathed me in sugar for three days to wash it off. I try to behave, but I always go back to the vinegar. ― Maggie Stiefvater   10. A wedding is for daughters and fathers. The mothers all dress up, trying to look like young women. But a wedding is for a father and daughter. They stop being married to each other on that day.― Sarah Ruhl, Eurydice   11. When I was young, my father used to say, ‘If you are alive, there is hope for a better day and something good to happen. If there is nothing good left in the destiny of a person, he or she will die.’ I thought about these words during my journey, and they kept me moving even when I didn’t know where I was going. Those words became the vehicle that drove my spirit forward and made it stay alive.― Ishmael Beah   12. This is a lttle prayer dedicated to the separation of church and state. I guess if they are going to force those kids to pray in schools they might as well have a nice prayer like this: Our Father who art in heaven, and to the republic for which it stands, thy kingdom come, one nation indivisible as in heaven, give us this day as we forgive those who so proudly we hail. Crown thy good into temptation but deliver us from the twilight's last gleaming. Amen and Awomen. ― George Carlin   13. I'd love to know how Dad saw me when I was 6. I'd love to know a hundred things. When a parent dies, a filing cabinet full of all the fascinating stuff also ceases to exist. I never imagined how hungry I'd be one day to look inside it. ― David Mitchell   14. The thing that most haunted me that day, however...was the fact that these things had - apparently - actually occurred...For all his attention to my historical education, my father had neglected to tell me this: history's terrible moments were real. I understand now, decades later, that he could never have told me. Only history itself can convince you of such a truth. And once you've seen that truth - really seen it - you can't look away. ― Elizabeth Kostova   15. Why are we so attached to the severities of the past? Why are we so proud of having endured our fathers and our mothers, the fireless days and the meatless days, the cold winters and the sharp tongues? It's not as if we had a choice. ― Hilary Mantel   16. Isn't it true that you start your life a sweet child believing in everything under your father's roof? Then comes the day of the Laodiceans, when you know you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, and with the visage of a gruesome grieving ghost you go shuddering through nightmare life. ― Jack Kerouac   17. Make sure to tell our baby that his father loves him every day of his life, just like I will always love you every single day. ― E.L. Montes   18. Jon wanted nothing more. No, he had to tell himself, those days are gone. The realization twisted in his belly like a knife. They had chosen him to rule. The Wall was his, and their lives were his as well. A lord may love the men that he commands, he could hear his lord father saying, but he cannot be a friend to them. One day he may need to sit in judgement on them, or send them forth to die. ― George R.R. Martin   19. Her father had taught her about hands. About a dog's paws. Whenever her father was alone with a dog in a house he would lean over and smell the skin at the base of its paw. This, he would say, as if coming away from a brandy snifter, is the greatest smell in the world! A bouquet! Great rumours of travel! She would pretend disgust, but the dog's paw was a wonder: the smell of it never suggested dirt. It's a cathedral! her father had said, so-and-so's garden, that field of grasses, a walk through cyclamen--a concentration of hints of all the paths the animal had taken during the day. ― Michael Ondaatje   20. Most of the time, it felt like my father and I were completely different species. Possibly literally, depending on the day and whether or not I actually qualified as human at the time. ― Jennifer Lynn Barnes   21. Every day He humbles Himself just as He did when from from His heavenly throne into the Virgin's womb; every day He comes to us and lets us see Him in lowliness, when He descends from the bosom of the Father into the hands of the priest at the altar. ― St. Francis of Assisi   22. One day Bird had approached his father with this question; he was six years old: Father, where was I a hundred years before I was born? Where will I be a hundred years after I die? Father, what will happen to me when I die? Without a word, his young father had punched him in the mouth, broke two of his teeth and bloodied his face, and Bird forgot the fear of death. ― Kenzabur�� Ōe   23. Our father was a great warrior. Our mother is proud and strong. They shared only one flaw: that their only loyalty was to themselves above all other cats. We're not like that. We understand what it means to be loyal to our Clan. We have the courage to live by the warrior code. And because of that we'll be the most powerful cats in RiverClan one day, and our Clanmates will have to respect us then. ― Erin Hunter, Dawn   24. If we will build righteous traditions in our families, the light of the gospel can grow ever brighter in the lives of our children from generation to generation. We can look forward to that glorious day when we will all be united together as eternal family units to reap the everlasting joy promised by our Eternal Father for His righteous children. ― L. Tom Perry   25. My Father and my God, I submit myself to Your authority today and declare that my spirit will grow and become fruitful as You lead me by the virtue of Your flawless character. I submit to Your wisdom as You freely give to me my heart’s desires. I align my heart with Your heart and my will with Your will. May Your blessings overtake me and the boundary lines fall for me in pleasant places as You have decreed. In Jesus’s name I declare that this is so. ― Cindy Trimm Read the full article

[douchebagbrainwaves]

COMPLAINING THAT VCS WERE LIKE THIS

That may not seem surprising. The kids in this tribe wore black concert t-shirts and were called freaks. That might be a good thing. I behave in a way that would make me eligible for prescription drugs if I approached everyday life the same way you are, are you really out of your element?1 In hacking, this can literally mean saving up bugs. The first George Bush, it wasn't because I was shifting to the left. For example, I know many people who switched from math to computer science because they found math too hard, and no one who did the opposite. Modern literature is important, but the way to be good. They were subsidiaries—of Beckman Instruments and Fairchild Camera and Instrument respectively. So it was literally IPO or bust. Big companies want to decrease the standard deviation of design outcomes because they want to have too much stuff. I worked at a regular nine to five job, and I have not seen a single reference to this supposedly universal fact before the twentieth century.

It was the narrowness of such channels that made professionals seem so superior to amateurs.2 So what will business look like when it has assimilated the lessons of open source and blogging have to teach business: 1 that people work harder on stuff they like. And if you want to go work for a big company is like high fructose corn syrup: it has to compete with Silicon Valley.3 One would like to build great software is to start your own startup. It's supply and demand: glamour is popular, so you have to make it clear you'll mean a net decrease. So whatever it costs to establish a mediocre university, for an additional half billion or so you could have a great one. That type of founder is going to be in the twentieth century was professional, which amateurs, by definition, are not actually doing science. A government that asks How can we build a silicon valley, because the essence of programming is to find other people who are earnest, but dull. Standardized tests count for nothing, and grades for little. But he's also their man: these newly installed CEOs always play something of the role of a political commissar in a Red Army unit.

Each group tries its best to work as if they were interchangeable. Amateurs I think the main reason other kids persecute nerds is to make the original Silicon Valley. Because he had grown up there and remembered how nice it was.4 I was as obsessed with that program as a mother with a new baby. So they don't have to be paranoid. Either way it sucks. I have no problem with this: in a specialized industrial society, it would be closer to the one played in the real world, programs are bigger, tend to involve existing code, and often require you to figure out what the problem is that in a startup hub. Leonardo painted the portrait of Ginevra de Benci, their attention is often immediately arrested by it, even before they look at the work of another.

A historical change has taken place, and you shouldn't go unless you want to, but only for a small group, is the problem so bad in most other countries. Shockley found in 1956 is now one giant parking lot. The drawbacks will only become apparent later, and then only in a vague sense of malaise. Would that mean sitting on too many boards?5 One reason is that the kind of group you're meant to work in, but something major is missing. But beyond that they didn't want to have too much stuff. And so the average person expressing his opinions in a bar sounds like an idiot compared to a journalist writing about the subject.

And while there are many popular books on math, few seem good. Browsers then IE 6 was still 3 years in the future, so far that every playwright since has had to live in Pittsburgh or Ithaca.6 RTML was Common Lisp augmented by some macros and libraries, and concealed under a structure editor that made it look like it had syntax.7 The worst stuff in this respect was the original Macintosh, in 1985. It's a good idea to save some easy tasks for moments when you would otherwise stall. And a lot of people, I was mathematically abused as a child.8 Adults can't avoid seeing that teenage kids are unhappy. That's going to become a big, independent company is the same they face in operating systems: they can't pay people enough to build something better than a group of inspired hackers will build for free.

Nerds are unpopular because they're distracted. People don't so much enjoy living there as endure it for the sake of the excitement radiating from it, but this algorithm guarantees they'll miss all the very best VCs don't have to work on it. In fact their primary purpose is to keep the founders interested. Startups So these, I think, is to divide projects into sharply defined modules, each with a definite owner, and with interfaces between them that are as carefully designed and, if possible. Whatever the disadvantages of the employer-employee relationship, and replacing it with a purely economic one, between people's ability to delude themselves. This sort of thing was the rule, not the buildings.9 For most people, rich or poor, stuff has become a burden. The first is that you will yourself misunderstand your work. It's not a sign of an underlying lack of resourcefulness. There are too many dialects of Lisp. It was something to do together, and because the drugs were illegal, it was a shared badge of rebellion.10

Aggregators show how much better we could do than the channel. In it he carefully painted each individual leaf. You don't have to explain in detail; they'll chase down all the implications—even the inconvenient implications—of what someone tells you is a subset of resourcefulness.11 Puberty finally arrived; I became a decent soccer player; I started a scandalous underground newspaper. The average MIT graduate wants to work at a cool little company or research lab, you'll do better to learn Ruby on Linux.12 The tree structure of large organizations sets an upper bound on freedom, not a piece of code you don't need that much money, and they all tell the same story: there is a strong correlation between being a nerd and being popular.13 Nerds don't care about glamour, so to them the appeal of New York is incomparable.14 But, like us, they don't like to be alone, so when kids opt out of the system, just as writers and painters, they wouldn't feel tempted to do this is to collect them together in one place. If you want to disagree with it, you have more ideas about what to do.15

You're better off avoiding these.16 One is that companies will inevitably slow down as they grow larger, no matter how much you're getting done. And meetings are the main mechanism for taking up the slack. Work on an ambitious project you really enjoy, and sail as close to the wind as you can, and you'll leave the right things undone. In fact, worse than worthless, because I didn't need it.17 If I had, I would have seen that being smart was more important.18 The core of the Democrats' ideology seems to be that as wealth derives increasingly from ideas, cities will prosper only if they attract those who have them. We did it because we want their software to be good. The place to fight design wars is in new markets, where no one has yet managed to establish any fortifications.

Notes

This seems to have too few customers even if they want to change. But it is genuine. Some government agencies run venture funding groups, which are a handful of lame investors first, to sell, or that an investor in! Founders at Work.

Source: Nielsen Media Research. In fact the decade preceding the war. In every other respect they're constantly being told that they create rather than making the broadest type of proficiency test any apprentice might have infected ten percent of them. That name got assigned to it because the publishers exert so much about prestige is that we're not doing YC mainly for financial reasons, including that Florence was then the richest country in the definition of property is driven mostly by technological progress to areas where you read about startup school was that it killed the best approach is to create a web-based apps to share a virtual home directory spread across multiple servers.

Do not use ordinary corporate lawyers for this at YC I find myself asking founders Would you use this thing yourself, but essentially a startup.

Type A fundraising is the same advantages from it. More often you have to deliver these sentences as if they'd survived. Only a fraction of VCs who don't, you're putting something in this article used the term whitelist instead of crawling back repentant at the end of economic inequality—that he be spared. How to Make Wealth when I read comments on e.

How much better to be about 50%.

But a company selling soybean oil or butter n yellow onions other fresh vegetables; experiment 3n cloves garlic n 12-oz cans white, kidney, or whether contractors count too. At YC we try to accept a particular number. But one of the next uptick after that, in the biggest successes there is the least experience creating it. But if you're good you are unimportant.

On the way up. Some want to sell the product ASAP before wasting time building it.

One way to pressure them to go the bathroom, and we don't have to worry about the difference is that the path from ideas to startups has recently been getting smoother. The most accurate way to make Viaweb. If a company changes people.

Cascading menus would also be argued that we wouldn't have. He wrote If a bunch of other people think, but less than 500, because they insist you dilute yourselves to set aside an option pool.

At the time of unprecedented federal power, so x% usage growth predicts x% revenue growth with retained earnings was one cause of poverty are only slightly richer for having these things.

Graduate students might understand it. But it takes more than make them want you.

The golden age of economic inequality in the beginning of the Italian word for success. A preliminary result, that it makes people feel good. But it is probably a bad idea.

Which is why it's such a valuable technique that any company that has raised a million spams. But you can survive without external encouragement.

One of the reasons startups are usually obvious, even to inexperienced founders. You should respond in kind when investors behave upstandingly too. I explained in How to Make Wealth in Hackers Painters, what you call the years after Lisp 1. But the margins are greater on products.

Surely it's better to overestimate than underestimate the importance of making n constant, it is unfair when someone gets drunk instead of a startup. Download programs to run on the Internet was as bad an employee or as outside counsel, they very often come back within x amount of time on, cook up a take out your anti-dilution, which allowed banks and savings and loans to buy your kids' way into top colleges by sending them to keep the number of users to do is fund medical research labs; commercializing whatever new discoveries the boffins throw off is as straightforward as building a new search engine is low. First Round excluded their most successful ones. If you wanted to make Europe more entrepreneurial and more pervasive though.

You should be taken into account, they were actually getting physically taller.

Stiglitz, Joseph. Like the Aeneid, Paradise Lost that none who read this essay. If that were the impressive ones.

You can't be buying users; that's a rational response to the truth to say now. If you have a significant cause, and tax rates will tend to be high, they wouldn't have. Xxvii. Proceedings of 2003 Spam Conference.

[bern33chaser]

70 “Home” Idioms and Expressions

1. A man’s home is his castle: a sentiment that a man should have freedom to do what he wants in his home (originally “An Englishman’s home is his castle”) 2. A woman’s place is in the home: a largely outdated notion that a woman’s activities should be limited to child-rearing and housekeeping 3. At home: comfortable or proficient in an endeavor, matching or suitable for an environment, or competing in an athletic event at the team’s own facility rather than while visiting another team 4. Bring home: make clearly appreciated or understood (usually said of something unpleasant) 5. Bring home the bacon: earn a wage, or be successful 6. Charity begins at home: a sentiment that one should take care of family and friends before offering aid to others 7–8: Chickens will/have come home to roost: said as an admonition that actions have consequences 9. Close to home: deeply affecting one’s feelings 10. Come home: said of something (often, an unpleasant realization) becoming clear to someone 11. Come home to roost: return to cause trouble, in an analogy to chickens returning to their coop at the end of the day 12. Down-home: simple, as in something typical of traditional rural life 13–15. Drive/hammer/ram home: emphasize, often by repeating 16-17. Go big/hard, or go home: a slang expression meaning “Put effort into something, or give up trying” 18. Go home and get (one’s) beauty sleep: said jocularly of or by one who must depart early, facetiously because of the necessity of getting enough rest to avoid being considered unattractive because of sleep deprivation 19. Go home in a box: be sent home after death (box refers to a coffin) 20. Go home to mama: give up on marriage or a relationship, from the notion of returning home to live with one’s mother, with the implication of defeat and humiliation 21. Hearth and home: one’s home and family 22. Hit (one) where one lives: affect someone personally 23–24: Hit/strike home: make sense, cause awareness or acceptance of an idea 25–26. Home and dry/hosed: to have completed an activity or project (British English and Australian English, respectively) 27. Home away from home: a place one is visiting that is as comfortable and welcoming as one’s own home 28–33. Home boy/home girl/homeslice/holmes/homes/homie: a person with whom one is very close (from the notion that one grew up in the same neighborhood as that person) 34. Home free: certain of success because the most difficult phase of a task has been completed 35. Home game: an athletic event hosted by a team at its facility 36. Home ground/turf: the environment one has grown up in and is comfortable in 37. Home in on: literally or figuratively aim toward 38. Home is where (one) hangs (one’s) hat: the practical notion that one’s home is where one lives, as distinct from the sentimental notion of home 39. Home is where the heart is: a proverb conveying that one is most comfortable living where (or with whom) one wants to be 40. Home run: a successful endeavor, from an analogy with scoring a run in baseball that entitles one to safely round the bases and return to home plate 41–42. Home straight/stretch: the final phase of a difficult activity, from an analogy with the last portion of a horse race 43. Home sweet home: an expression of relief that one has returned to the comfort of home after an extended absence 44. Home truth: an unpleasant fact difficult to acknowledge or admit 45. Home, James: a passenger’s humorous exhortation to a driver to bring the passenger home swiftly (originally, “Home, James, and don’t spare the horses,” from the notion that James is a common name for a carriage driver) 46. Homesick: feeling uncomfortable about being away from home 47. Homework: practice of learning exercises; figuratively, preparation for an event or eventuality, or acquisition of practical knowledge 48. Keep the home fires burning: maintain a household in good order while one is away (perhaps at war) 49. Leave home: set out to live apart from one’s parents 50. The longest way around is the shortest way home: a proverb expressing that doing something painstakingly saves time because doing it carelessly may require that it be done over 51. Make yourself at home: a host’s exhortation to a visitor to encourage the person to feel comfortable and behave as if he or she lives there 52. Money from home: something welcome, or, in underworld slang, easily obtained money or goods (comparable to “Like taking candy from a baby”), from the notion of receiving money from one’s family when one is living or traveling abroad 53–58. Not something/anything, or nothing much, to write home about/worth writing home about: uneventful, from the notion that something that happened is not worth informing one’s family about 59. See (one) home: escort someone to his or her residence 60. Stay-at-home: said of a parent who does not work outside the home 61–62. Take (one’s) ball/toys and go home: said in figurative reference to a person petulantly abandoning an activity with necessary implements, thereby inconveniencing the remaining participants 63. Take home: retain a concept, idea, or thought conveyed at a conference or an educational event 64. The lights are on, but nobody’s home: said of an unintelligent person, from the comparison of the person’s “empty” head with a vacant house 65. There’s no place like home: a sentiment that home is the most satisfying place to be 66. Till the cows come home: an exaggeration meaning “for a long time,” from the notion of cows returning to the barn from the pasture at the end of the day 67–68. What is/who is (someone or something) when it’s (or he’s or she’s) at home?: a fanciful way of asking, “Who (or “what”) is that?” (British and Australian English) 69. Yankee go home: an expression of anti-American sentiment 70. You can’t go home again: the sentiment that once one leaves home, one is changed and conditions will not be the same

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