#and sending trash to our country

[reasonsforhope]

"For most people, a rat is at best an unwelcome guest, and at worst, the target of immediate extermination. But in a field clinic in Tanzania, rats are colleagues—heroes even.

Far from a trash bin-dwelling NYC street rat, the African giant pouched rat is docile, intelligent, easier to train than some dogs, and for East Africans, the performer of lifesaving tuberculosis diagnoses every day.

400,000 new cases of tuberculosis (TB) were estimated to have been prevented by these rats, whose sense of smell would make a bloodhound take notice. As [TB is] the number-one killer among infectious diseases worldwide, many of those 400,000 can be translated into lives saved.

“Not only are we saving people’s lives, but we’re also changing these perspectives and raising awareness and appreciation for something as lowly as a rat,” said Cindy Fast, a behavioral neuroscientist who coaches the rodents for the nonprofit APOPO.

“Because our rats are our colleagues, and we really do see them as heroes.”

APOPO uses giant pouched rats to sniff out traces of TB in the saliva of patients. In parts of Tanzania, a saliva smear test under a microscope by a human may only be 20-40% effective at detecting TB.

By contrast, a giant pouched rat like Ms. Carolina, a now-retired service rat who worked for APOPO for 7 years, raised the rates of detection on TB samples by 40% in the clinic where she worked.

Pictured: An APOPO employee with one of their trained rats

It would take 4 days for scientists to analyze the number of samples that Carolina could screen in 20 minutes. For that reason, when Carolina retired last November, a party was thrown at the clinic in her honor, and she was given a cake.

TB is sometimes thought of as a thing of the past—a disease for which doctors used to prescribe “dry air,” leading a modern sense of humor to muse at the antiquated, pre-antibiotic medical advice.

But it remains the number-one cause of death globally from a single infectious pathogen, and Tefera Agizew, a physician and APOPO’s head of tuberculosis, told National Geographic that once people see what the nonprofit’s rodents can do to slow the spread, they “fall in love with them.”

3,000 times in her career did Carolina detect one of the six volatile compounds that can be used to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and she got a hero’s send-off to a special compound to live out the rest of her days with her closet friend and sniffer colleague Gilbert, in a shaded enclosure dubbed “Rat Florida.”

“We’ve made special little rat-friendly carrot cakes with little peanuts and things on it that the rat would enjoy,” Fast said. “Then we all stand around and we clap, and we give three cheers, hip hip hooray for the hero, and celebrate together. It’s really a touching moment.”

APOPO has made headlines for its use of these rats in other lifesaving tasks as well: landmine clearance.

One of the world’s great underreported scourges (a lot like TB, coincidentally) is landmine contamination. There are 110 million landmines or unexploded bombs in the ground right now in about 67 countries, covering thousands of square miles in potential danger. Thousands of civilians are killed or injured by these weapons every year.

GNN reported on APOPO’s demining efforts using pouched rats back in 2020. One rat named Magawa alone identified 39 landmines and 28 items of unexploded ordnance across an area the size of 20 football fields.

If at the start of this story you didn’t like rats, maybe Magawa and Carolina will have changed your mind."

-via Good News Network, March 31, 2025

[quixoticanarchy]

when my grandfather moved to the us after living through wwii in occupied norway he said the most striking thing he noticed here was the waste. the wastefulness, the sheer amount of excess stuff and the fever for consumption and how blasé people were as they threw it all away. and despite nominal awareness of the issue since then and and sometimes-counterproductive efforts to recycle, overconsumption trends have only gotten worse. trash, like any other ‘flow’ of materials, goods, etc, has gone global, and accumulates unevenly between where it is produced and where its burdens fall

which is a tangible, material disaster for the people living next to incinerators and landfills (in environmental justice communities of the imperial core; or abroad, in the poor countries where the rich ones dump their waste), and for the people doing the also-toxic and dangerous work extracting all the materials and making the things that are destined for the landfill, and it’s also a psychological and paradigmatic disaster for the overconsumers: to be so disconnected from where your stuff comes from and what it really costs, to expect endless cheap varieties of food and consumer goods from all over the world, to think no further than the instant gratification of next-day-delivered fast fashion orders or a new phone every year, to not realize that what you throw out never really goes away. the ‘western consumer lifestyle’, wherever it’s practiced, depends on and enforces the willful ignorance of its consequences and the disinclination to see other people and places as real. and while most waste is industrial, not just your personal household trash, the finished products you throw out have an industrial history too, and are tied to far more waste than you’ll ever personally see. which is to say not just ‘we shouldn’t buy so many things’ or ‘we shouldn’t send our trash to be dumped in other people’s countries’ - true, but also most of these things should never even be made

[twstfanblog]

Yuutalks: Waffle House hurricane index with the fish mafia

“Hello and welcome!”

Sitting with his arms folded, Jamil spoke, “Why are we here?”

Yuu huffed, turning away from pulling the classroom’s projector screen down to glare at the Sophomore, “You don’t need to be here.”

“Good, I have other things to do today.”

“Sit the fuck back down.”

“My pearl?” Azul leaned forward, smiling as he blocked Jamil and Yuu's view of each other, “May I ask what this is? Some of us did have other plans today…”

Ruggie spoke up from beside Jamil, “Yeah, I’ve got a deal scheduled for later today. I’m reselling some old headphones.”

Floyd leaned over from the second row, flicking Ruggie’s ear to gain his attention, “They any good?”

“Naw, they’re trash.”

“Is this a ‘YuuTalk’? Ortho was telling me about this just recently.” Jade hid his smile behind a hand, brows creasing as he tilted his head, “And this is the group you picked? The topic must be quite interesting.”

“Ah…Idia did remark something about this at our club meeting…” Azul pushed his glasses up, leveling Yuu with now piqued attention, “He said it was strangely educational.”

“That is what a ‘YuuTalk’ is, boys. Me, teaching you glorious, sexy vermin facts and stories from my world. Free of charge.”

Ruggie sniffed, fully relaxing in his seat, “Well, if it's free.”

Floyd snickers, tilting his head, “What are we learning today, Shrimpy~?”

Yuu pressed a few buttons on a remote, gesturing to the lit-up title screen, “YuuTalks! Waffle House and The Hurricane Index.”

Azul blinked, mild concern in his voice, “I’m sorry, Hurricane Index?”

Ruggie raised his hand, “Does Waffle House also serve pancakes?”

Yuu turned from the screen, pointing at a smug looking Ruggie, “I will smack the shit out of you.”

“It's a valid question!”

“No, Ruggie. Waffle House does not serve pancakes.”

“Ok. Thank you. No need to threaten me.”

“We'll see about that. ANYWAY! I will let you guys pick first. Do you wanna learn about the Hurricane Index or general Waffle House trivia?”

“I suppose the index. If only to figure out how it's linked to a restaurant called Waffle House.”

“Azul, you should really be putting some more respect on Waffle House’s name. It's what you want the Lounge to be.”

“In what conceivable way-”

“Waffle House is on par with warehouse outlet stores in its disaster prevention and relief measures. They're able to serve food to communities affected by natural disasters and the actual government takes notice of how many locations are active to help determine how bad a hurricane was.”

…

Jade could barely hold in his laughter, seeing Azul’s fists clenching as the information sunk in, “The government keeps tabs on a restaurant called…The Waffle House…to measure and make choices on how much relief they will send to a location after a natural disaster?”

“They have an actual system and stuff. The Hurricane Index is just an extra boost to show how well a community is functioning after the disaster. It can also be used before a hurricane hits.” 

Yuu clicks to show a new slide, an image of an upside-down traffic light with accompanying text to the side, “It's very simple. Green; light work, every Waffle House is still open. You have a shift on Monday. Yellow; bit tricky. Some locations have closed but most are still open. Proceed with caution and evacuate if you feel it is in your best interest. Red; all surrounding Waffle House locations have closed, you need to get the fuck out.”

Jamil was already leaned against the desk, rubbing his temples, “Why…are they staying if there's a hurricane coming? That's just common sense to go to higher ground. Why is it even a choice to stay?”

“Well, Jamil, my love, evacuating is a privilege to some-”

Ruggie spoke up, all amusement faded from his voice, “The fuck do you mean basic safety is a privilege?”

Jade raises his hand, “You said your country was considered “developed”, correct?”

 “Eeeeeeeeeeeeh, you're making my trauma act up. Just…some shelters are not equipped with the proper facilities for the current diversity that lives in our country. People also just like…don't really understand how high the water can rise. Again, they get weak hurricanes, sometimes it's not as bad as they thought it would be. People get cocky. People don't wanna leave their pets. People can't afford to leave. It's complicated.”

“How!?”

“Nope. Done talking about it. Moving on, Waffle House itself.”

Jamil had opened his mouth to continue pressing Yuu for answers, snapping it closed when Azul placed a hand over his. The two sharing a look to clearly communicate ‘It's not worth it. Later.’

Azul, seeing Jamil relax back into his seat, smiled toward Yuu, “What about…The Waffle House, my pearl?”

“I think a select few of you would have thrived in the working environment.” Yuu clicked to a new slide, cartoon drawings of Jamil, Ruggie, and Floyd on screen, “Of our group today, I have very strong opinions that you three would have been the perfect example of Waffle House employees.”

“I want to be offended…but I'll save it for after the presentation and give you a chance to explain yourself…” Jamil sighs.

“Now…I, myself, have never entered a Waffle House. But I've heard the tales, and I think you three could survive.”

Ruggie had leaned back in his chair, feet propped up on the desk, “I don't know, prefect. Seems like your world sees living as a privilege. I don't think I'd make enough.”

“Oh, definitely not. But I'm not talking about the hurricanes-”

“I wasn't either.”

“-I mean the fights.”

Jade and Floyd perk up, each of them smiling wide, “The fights?”

Jamil pulled his face from the desk, he and Azul looking toward Yuu with wide-eyed confusion, “What fights?”

“The patrons of Waffle House will fight you-”

“Why do you think I'd want to work there, then!?”

“Jamil! …You can fight them back.”

…

Floyd leaned forward, eyes wide as he chuckled lightly, “Shrimpy…are you saying this place let's you fight the customers…and you don't get fired?”

“Floyd, I'll be completely honest. Besides one instance, I think you have to be able to rock someone's shit in order to work there. For, like, safety reasons.”

Ruggie raises his hand, ears flicking around in excitement, “Do I get paid more if I can prove I've actually killed someone?”

Jade raised his own hand, “What was the instance that was deemed…too violent, I'm hoping?”

Yuu clicked to a new slide, a pause video on the screen, “Not so much violent as…raw pussy power.”

Ruggie gestured to the screen, trying to keep the smile off of his face, “What the fuck does that mean?”

The video plays, chaos clear as people yell and shout in the small space on screen. The boys watch as a white dining chair flew over a counter, hitting a man in the back. As the second chair goes flying, each of them yelling out, seeing the camera pan over to a smaller woman. Each was certain that a number of things would happen; the man who was behind the counter would do something in retaliation for his coworker being injured. Maybe a later reveal of the smaller woman being the true aggressor. Floyd was most certain they were all going to watch a woman's nose get cracked off by a dining chair.

“Ay, yo, the fuck!?” Ruggie could barely hide the nervous cackle in his voice, watching the other woman grab the chair mid-air and throw it to the ground beside her. He and Floyd started out right laughing as the camera pans back, the first woman holding another chair but the second openly egging her to throw it as well before the video ended.

“She fuckin’ palmed it!” Floyd cackled wildly, banging his hands on the desk, “Shrimpy, you were on to somethin’. I think I would like working there. Hey~, Azul~. We should do something like this for the lounge-”

“Absolutely not.”

Jade and Floyd both frown, tilting their heads in different directions at the same degree, “Boo…”

Jamil had calmed considerably, eyeing the screen before shifting his gaze to Yuu, “Other than physical fights, what else happens there? Are weapons or poison allowed for retaliation?”

“You saw one fight and you're ready to sign up, huh?” Ruggie snickered but shook his head in defeat, “I'm not gonna lie, if I had a good meat shield, I think I'd sign up too…”

“And, because I think this would be funny, we're also going to watch the Waffle House training video and learn the Magic Marker System.”

Azul raised his hand, expression pinched, “What is that?”

“Ok, so…Waffle House is a very 'Southern Thing'. And…no hate to the South, they're kind of racist and uneducated. As such…the Magic Marker System in my opinion…is for the servers who can't read.”

…

Jamil sighed, moving to stand up only to be pulled back into his seat by Azul. He partly feared he'd actually stab himself through his temples before speaking, “What…what do you mean, people can't read?”

“I don't know what to tell you, Jamil. Georgia is a weird place for a lot of shit, Texas is just…a hellscape, and they smoke bath salts in Florida. The South is not a place I try to really make sense of.”

Floyd raises his hand, frowning as he spoke, “Why'd you say ‘they'? There's only one person doing stuff in Florida.”

“Floyd, for the last time, 'Florida Man' is not a single person.”

“They should really make better headlines, then.”

“I'm starting the video.” The video plays, Yuu shushing Jade harshly when he questions why they were starting five minutes in.

The group sat in silence, listening to what Azul could only call ‘The World’s Most Average Man’ speak on how a single jelly packet was to indicate an entire order and how it was prepared. His brows creasing tighter and tighter as more condiments were used to show alternatives for bread and sides, his expression fully annoyed once the man had brought up what to do if the customer ordered ‘Texas Toast’ and biscuits.

Ruggie yells, forcing Yuu to pause the video, “Why the hell are we using condiments!? Just put the fuckin’ slice of bread they want on the plate! What if they want jelly on their raisin bread?”

Yuu barely held in her own laughter, “Now, Ruggie, why would they do that?”

“Why is this even a thing!?”

Azul cleared his throat, “Well, such a system must have positives we can’t…infer. I’m sure other businesses have similar-”

“Nah. I think just Waffle House does something like this. It’s the only diner I’ve heard of at least that makes you learn a new language just to be a fry cook. I mean…You learn that anyway, but that’s on the job type shit. This is corporate handing you a ‘How to Speak’ book…”

Floyd had been quietly nodding his head along with the explanation, “Yeah, I really like this…Azul, we need to do this for the Lounge.”

“I would rather die.”

Jade spoke up, “That's not the threat you think it is. But I agree. Floyd, we can all read in this world, save for the blind or criminally young. And they have braille and the children can learn. I don't think Azul will forgive us for sliding backwards.”

“Jade, for the love of God, the South isn't here to defend itself.”

Floyd pouted, pointing at the screen, “No way. I'm not jokin’ about this. This makes a lot more sense than the chicken scratch I had to look at before we got that stupid ticket machine. And I hate that thing, too. It's loud and annoying and I'm the only one who can put the paper in right.”

Jade shrugged toward Azul, a smile on his face, “Well, I tried.”

While Azul glared over his shoulder at Jade's silly little smile, Jamil was holding his head in his hands. 

Elbows braced against the table, the Scarabia student mumbled under his breath, “Is the right to punch people in the face worth having to decipher how eggs are prepared from a jelly packet…?”

Yuu gestures to the screen, smiling as she poised the remote, “Shall we continue? There is so much more to learn.”

None of them answered, each in a various state of delight and distress while Yuu continued the video without their input. The video continues, teaching them that the packet's location was important. The plate divided into five sections with each placement meaning a specific way the customers' eggs were to be prepared. Ruggie groans the loudest, yelling out before Yuu had a chance to pause the video.

“Why the fuck is double toast and double eggs two jelly packets!? What if they want both double toast and eggs!? How am I supposed to do that!?”

Before Yuu could say anything, pausing the video briefly, Floyd leaned over his desk to slap Ruggie on the back of his head, “Duh! You put two packets on top of each other side by side, Shark-Sucker. It's not hard. Now be quiet, I'm listening.”

The video continues, Yuu taking her time to kneel behind the desk to laugh to herself. But almost too quickly, she had to reach up and pause the video again and everyone beside the tweels shout out in frustration.

Jamil was standing in his seat, hands shaking as he gestured to the screen before them, “THERE'S FUCKING THREE SLICES OF CHEESE ON THE PLATE, WHAT DO YOU MEAN TO REMIND YOU IT COMES WITH CHEESE!?”

Floyd's groan manages to over take the others, forcing them to quiet down as the annoyed eel growls out, “You guys are so slow! How are you not seeing how much easier this is?”

Jade spoke up, putting a hand on Floyd's head, “Landdwellers simply can't match your mind, I fear…”

Ruggie glares over his shoulder, “Oh, like you understand this any better than us…”

“I don't have to, I’m a host.”

“I’m pressing play, everyone shut up.” Yuu was barely holding onto her laughter, eyes brimming with tears.

Seemingly, everyone besides Floyd had resigned to their position, watching the video and only muttering to themselves as a new condiment packet joined the lexicon. Azul let out a deep sigh, placing his face in his hands at the idea of what ‘well-cooked’ scrambled eggs would even be. Ruggie grumbled under his breath at the inclusion of a butterknife, stating they'd know not to put toast if they just put the damn bread on the plate with the jelly packet.

Ruggie doesn't yell, but speaks loud enough for Yuu to hear him, “Ay, what about omelets-”

The man spoke, “You may be wondering why I asked you to keep the jelly packets vertical when marking the egg breakfast.”

“Oh, for the love of the Seven.”

The video then goes on to show what each omelet indicator was, splitting the plate into four sections. Luckily, it all seemed much simpler compared to the egg breakfast. An idea that was quickly proven false as the plain omelet section of the plate was used to indicate multiple different omelets with various condiment packets.

Ruggie groaned loudly, “Just put the fucking jelly pack somewhere else. Why do we need so many fucking condiments!?”

The video section ends, a new title screen showing ‘Waffles’ as everyone quickly yelled for Yuu to turn the video off.

Yuu laughs, but does as asked, pausing the video and leaning against the desk, “So…you guys think you could handle-”

Jamil interrupts, “I can see why fist fights are common. Just watching the video gave me a headache.”

Ruggie speaks up, leaned back in his chair as he covers his face with his arms, “So many fucking condiments…”

Floyd smiles, “Well, I liked it and think we should do the same thing in the lounge.”

Azul whips around in his chair, standing to whisper harshly to an unfazed Floyd, “I don't care if I'll lose, I will fight you to the death on this. We are not doing anything like this for the lounge.”

Jade leans closer, smiling with his eyes closed to a furious Azul, “We may want to workshop something. A few of our new waiters do have some issues on what is proper shorthand in their handwritten orders. And as stated, the ticket machine is rather annoying.”

While the three octavinelle members went in their back and forth, Jamil stared into the open air, “...I could just be a waiter. I don't have to make the food.”

Ruggie leaned forward, snapping his fingers as though Jamil had a grand epiphany, “True.”

Looking over to Yuu, Jamil asked, “Why did you want us to watch this again? The whole ‘Yuu!Talks’ bit aside…”

“Well, you know how I'm scheduled to do the culinary crucible next month?”

…

Everyone in the room turned their heads toward her, the magicless mage smiling wider as they all seemed to understood where her thought process was going.

Azul spoke, shaking his head, “No.”

“You guys wanna bully the other students attending into making the theme ‘Waffle House'?”

Floyd stood from his seat, eyes sparkling just as hard as Jade's were, “YES!”

Azul turned to him, horrified, “NO!”

Jamil spoke up, “Hayati, most of us already have our Crucible credit.”

“Ok, and?”

“...”

Ruggie hummed, elbowing Jamil in the side, “She's got a point.”

“...” Jamil sighed, rolling his eyes to the backdrop of Azul and Floyd arguing with each other, “I want it in writing, I can punch someone in the face.”

[theconstitutionisgayculture]

hey! I see your posts about immigration, especially it being decreased under the new administration, and wonder what you feel the dangers are that immigrants pose?

Legal immigration? Very little. Illegal immigration? Tons. Rapes, murders, welfare fraud, terrorism (remember all these people being let across the border were, for the most part, released into the country unvetted and never tracked), increased gang acticity (MS-13, TdA, and other gangs are almost exclusively made up of and/or run by illegals) human trafficking (60% of the children that are brought into the country come with adults who aren't related to them. we have 400,000 children that came across the border that we lost track of and most of them, if they're still alive, are most likely being sex trafficked), slavery (I think it was two or three years ago that we found a bunch of illegals being used as slave labor on a farm in the US). And before you go "but that's happening to the illegals!", yes. Illegal immigration harms Americans and illegals alike. Illegals are mostly trafficked across the border by cartels. Their journeys here are perilous and women and children who make them are routinely subject to sexual abuse by the people trafficking them across the border. Oftentimes they get close to the border and are told, in addition to the thousands of dollars they already spent, they now owe thousands more. If they can't pay, they are either killed, sold into indentured servitude, or sold for sexual purposes.

There are also the economic factors to consider. Many illegals don't pay taxes and work for well below minimum wage. They send their money out of the country and into foreign hands, so that money never reenters the US economy the way citizens' money does. Every job held by an illegal is a job that won't be held by an American, increasing unemployment. And yes, Americans will very much "do those jobs" as long as they're being paid real wages.

And then there's the cultural factor of importing masses of people from foreign cultures that are largely incompatible with western liberal democratic cultures. Granted, we don't have as big of a problem with that as the Europeans do since South American and North American cultures have more in common than European and Middle Eastern, but the people who come here illegally aren't the cream of the crop where they come from. They're often uneducated, unskilled workers that immediately become a drain on our already overstrained welfare system.

I got to see the town next to the one I grew up in destroyed in real time over a period of about 15 years because of a mass influx of Guatemalan illegals. What was once a well off New York City suburb became almost a slum. Businesses closed. It wasn't safe to be out at night. The streets were teeming with unwashed masses that spit and pissed on the sidewalk. Violent crime went up. Vandalism went up. Drug dealers moved in. It got to the point where people would drive 30 minutes out of their way to catch a train so they didn't have to commute to the city using the train station in that town. There were some good people included with the trash, but even they were contributing to the problem. Me and my dad, before it got really bad, were at a restaurant (one that my dad had been going to since he was a child and that closed about a year after the owner retired and turned it over to the guy I'm about to talk about) and we were ten feet away from the Guatemalan bartender talking to a middle aged white couple about how they were going to smuggle the rest of his family into the country. They were talking about flying them up to Canada and crossing the border up there. This guy was nice and friendly, well dressed and clean. Our family was on a first name basis with him and he always talked with us when we went to eat there. But he was still paying people to bring in more illegals. And he wasn't ready to run a business. We moved out of NY before the restaurant closed, so I don't know what happened to him afterwards, but the town never recovered despite efforts over the years to revitalize it. You can't revitalize something when the people that live there don't care or don't know how to maintain a nice, American suburban town.

Illegal immigration, especially mass illegal immigration, helps no one. It only causes harm.

[levismoker]

To my hot friend @cigarboii

Luke and I have been online friends for a long time. I don't remember when we started chatting, but I suppose we met on Recon or fetishmen. We share plenty of kinks and we are both passionate smokers.

As I live in Mexico most of the year, only when I return to Europe we can meet, but for one reason or another, we had never met yet. So finally last month, once I was visiting my family in Barcelona he invited me to spend a weekend with him.

I was fucking excited because although we have jerked off online plenty of times, I was eager to finally meet him and play together in person. We perfectly know one each other and what we like.

Although I was going for just 3 days, I took all my gear for the occasion, leather, Adidas and denim, and I really hoped he let me use his skinhead gear that is still missing in my closet. Once I was at the airport I bought a couple of cartons for him as gratitude for inviting me. We are both heavy smokers, but that weekend I already knew that we would completely fuck our lungs. Luke was joking telling me that he had an oxygen mask so we could stand up on Monday.

Once I arrived to Brussels he was going to take me in the airport. Once I took my luggage, I want out to the parking zone. I looked for the smoking spot and I send him a pic with my first red in the country. Five minutes later he arrived to fetch me. We hug one each other as old friends.

He was wearing his TN, Adidas t-shirt and jacket and leather pants. And obviously he had a red waiting in his ear. As always, he made me get hard. My cock was already pressing my Levi's. I also was wearing my red Adidas t-shirt but with my leather jacket and Levi's.

The plan was first go for dinner and then party in Brussels. Then we would go to his village and next day to Antwerp.

We sat in his car. It was a completely mess. There were butts and ash everywhere. And was plenty of empty packs.

-i always keep them because sometimes there still reds inside. By the way bro, I have forgotten my carton at home and I have just two reds left in my pack, I have to go to to a tobacco shop first.

I took my bag and I opened it.

-this is for you, dude, it's my way to thank you- I said giving him the two cartons of Marlboro- I know that here is much more expensive so I have come well provided.

-wow man! Thank you! You know how to make me happy!

He then light his red and started riding to the city center.

-i should put my gear, bro! - I told him.

-you don't need more, Pep. It's perfect what you are wearing. I love your trashed Levi's and your red Adidas t-shirt.

-i mean, as I had to go through the metal controls I saved my harness and jocks in my luggage. But I would love to wear it for Brussels party night.

-oh, sure bro! I'm wearing them too. I think it's better if instead of carrying your bag looking for a toilet once we park and you put your gear on.

We ride for 15 minutes more. We were chaining all time. Everytime we finished our reds, I took 2 from the pack, spark up them and give it one to Luke.

I coughed a little after doing a couple of deep drags.

-you should quit bro! - said Luke ironically, laughing with his red dangling.

-once I die, I will stop smoking!- I said exhaling the smoke on him.

The smoke inside the car was so thick that Luke told me that he had poor driving visibility.

We finally arrived to the parking spot next to the city. There was no people in the streets and just a lonely park with some benches with few young men making fuss. I then took my gloves, my harness and jocks from my luggage and put it on.

Luke took his Adidas jacket and I put my leather jacket.

-are we going to come back to the car before the club?

-We can go directly, I would take now all you need.

-ok I will take another pack then- I opened my carton to take one more pack for the night. I was already wearing one still full and the other one almost finished, so it was better to go well stocked.

He did the same, and took two packs from the carton I had given him.

Watching him made me fucking crazy. I grab my red from my lips and I balanced on him, kissing it and swapping my smoke.

We kept kissing five minutes. Everytime I wanted to breathe I sucked the smoke from his mouth, and he did the same. Our cocks were completely hard. It was the best way to start the night.

Finally we decided to move and go for a bench in a less exposed zone. He gave me a plastic bag with 6 beers and he closed the car.

The plan was start drinking in the park. We are not rich men, so he told me that we could drink there and arrive to the club already happy. Besides we could be free to smoke there too.

We finally looked for a bench, we sat there and we opened our first bottles of beer.

We started talking about our lives as two good friends. There were few people in the park, but twice young men came to ask us for a cig. It's polite in the smoker's community to calm the cravings of a brother needing a cig. We all have needed it, and its really strange that another smoker don't offer you a cig. We were there for one hour until we finished the beers.

Then we decided to go for something to eat before going to the fetish bar. Once we sat on the terrace, the waiter came and we both ordered burgers and beer. The waiter brought us a clean ashtray after we put our opened packs on the table.

Once we finished our burgers, Luke told me:

-bro, I also have a present for you

And then he opened his fanny pack and took two wide gars.

-yeah! Thanks bro!- I said doing the last drag of my red.

Although I rarely smoke gars, he is a great "aficionado". I had always ask him to teach me to learn to enjoy a good gar.

Once we had our gars lit we decided to post a pic on Instagram to see if any friend was going to join us later.

Although I definitely prefer my reds (perhaps just because I'm used to it) I loved the natural scents and taste of the gar. I have always felt strange by not inhaling the smoke and just taste it in the mouth, but anyway it was a big present. Around 30 minutes later we finished our gars, and after doing two rounds of shots, we paid the bill and finally we went to the fetish club already a little bit drunk and with our lungs fully charged. Actually we were like 15 minutes without sparking up, the largest span of time of the night.

We didn't walk much until we finally made for the pub. As Luke expected there were quite fetish men gathered there because there was the skinhead night. Inside the pub smoking wasn't allowed, so we joined the other smokers that were standing up next to the door surrounding a big ashtray that was already completely full of ash and butts.

There were three skinheads with cigs on one hand and a beer on the other. Although we love our Adidas gear, we damned not going with our skinhead gear too. At least, although I wasn't wearing bleachers, I was wearing Levi's as almost all men in the party.

[monsterswithimagines]

Undisclosed Desires - Part 30

Joe Goldberg x female!Reader

Summary: Twenty minutes before he would have met Guinevere Beck, Joe meets you instead. You intruige him, but it will soon become clear that there is something off about you.

Words: 827

Masterlist

It's not hard to find out where your mother is, (Y/n).

You have her boyfriend’s address in your phone's calendar with the note “niet vergeten kerstkaart te sturen”, which I figure out means don’t forget to send a Christmas card. (I know you never did that, by the way. And good on you.)

The hard part is getting to her. At first, I think I'll go when you're sleeping. But there are no busses out of town after nine pm, and there is absolutely no way for me to get back all the way from Utrecht before you get up, which means I have to make an excuse and go during the day. This is a problem, though, because The Netherlands has two Christmas days, which means we first have to spend another two miserable afternoons and evenings with your grandparents.

Why does this country insist on so many days of forced family time? You guys have something like Christmas on the fifth of December, already. You don't need two days of Christmas on top of Christmas eve, (Y/n). You guys don't even exchange gifts! You just sit around all day and eat and argue, and argue even more the more time you're forced to spend together.

Turns out, Dutch people don't particularly like Christmas.

You've dubbed the twenty-seventh our Christmas morning. We already exchanged gifts on Thanksgiving, but it's still a nice thought. However, it means I can't get away until noon, and even then, you're not very happy about it.

“But where are you going?” you ask, frowning, as I put on my jacket.

“I told you: I can't be in The Netherlands and not visit Amsterdam,” I answer. “I know you said it sucks there, but it kind of feels like a crime.”

“Why didn't you tell me you wanted to go? I could've gone with you,” you complain.

Your aunt asked you to meet her for a late lunch in an hour - you told me she most likely wants to complain about your grandmother - which is perfect. It means you won't insist on coming with me.

“We can do things separately, can't we?” I say.

I don't think I said it in any sort of negative tone, but my words still seem to hurt you. Your expression changes and you press your lips into a thin line.

I want to take what I said back right away, but I can't, because for your own sake I really need to go.

“Yeah, I guess,” you say, crossing your arms. “Well, don't go and get high, or something.”

“Of course not,” I say, and kiss your forehead. “I would never.”

“I like the cap, by the way,” you tell me. “Very sporty.”

I smile.

It's hard to extract myself from you, but eventually I leave. Then I get on a bus. Then a train. Then, another train. It's nearly a four hour journey and without you to look at, I hate every second.

It doesn't help that it's so busy today. I'm sitting in a compartment that has a large ‘silence’ sticker on the window, but nobody is being silent. I can't say anything about it, of course, because if I call attention to myself, someone might remember me later.

The ways I suffer for you know no end.

It's a little after four pm when I arrive at Steef's house. I'll have to be quick if I want to be able to make it back. Trains go until pretty late, though, and you think I'm in Amsterdam. If I don't make it back in time for the last bus, maybe you can call me a cab.

I miss New York.

My plan is to wait for your mom to come outside. I don't know if she will, but I get lucky: she does.

I recognize her from a photo you showed me, but she is not like she was when you were a kid. That woman was happy, smiling, slightly chubby with long hair and sparkling eyes.

This woman is thin, thinner than you to a very unhealthy degree. Her hair has been very inexpertly chopped into a pixie cut.

In the states, we would probably refer to her as white trash. She looks like a drug addict. You'll be better off without her.

She's carrying a trash bag, opening the grey bin in the front yard to throw it away. I have to be quick.

“Miss (Y/l/n)?”

“Hmm?”

She turns to me. There is no recognition, even though I know she's seen photos of me. Her eyes are glassy and she doesn't expect me here. Why would she?

“Is Steef home?” I ask.

“No, he is at work.”

She doesn't expect the blow, which means she doesn't have time to scream. And there is nobody outside, either. It's cold, and this is a bad neighborhood. I'm lucky.

“Good,” I say.

And then I drag your mother into the house.

[allhailthe70shousewife]

They rationed their food to fight Nazis and in 2024 most Americans sat on their hands, refused to vote for Kamala, and just allowed Nazis to take the country.

I will never understand. I hope they all get exactly what they have coming to them. I am having a very difficult time coping with my confusion and rage. Why do most Americans want women bleeding to death in parking lots? Why do most Americans shrug at racism and cruelty toward vulnerable communities? Why do most Americans think that Jan 6th was just another day? Why do most Americans not care that a convicted rapist who allowed Covid to kill millions of us will be our President (again)? Why did most Americans decide that sacrificing their rights and allowing a fascist dictator to control us was “just fine” and no big deal at all? The apathy of these people bewilders me. I truly wonder, at what point, might some of them wake up and realize what they have done to destroy their own lives, never mind the lives of the rest of us?

MAGA are bad enough. But the people who treated it like nothing mattered are the ones that send me spinning. How dare you glibly throw away our country into the trash?

[metalomagnetic]

Snippet

This is from the unpublished Orion/Walburga that I wrote and shared from a couple of weeks ago. A small interaction between Walburga and Tom.

It happens in It Runs in the blood universe.

---

Wanting to feel in control, to humiliate someone the way her own family humiliates her, she goes to Borgin and Burkes; her favourite past time. She’ll never tire of mocking Riddle, shop boy extraordinaire.

He always takes whatever she throws at him, because he has no choice, not with the way Burke fawns over her as soon as she’s through the doors, offering her coffee, tea, ‘anything you would like, Miss, as you look around. Tom, make Miss Black a cup of tea!’.

Walburga likes to stay there for at least half an hour, making Riddle show her all sorts of things, sending him to the back room for special items, and then refusing them. She always buys something, however, only so she can have the oportunity to tip Riddle. It’s the only time his pleasant facade cracks, a murderous look in his eyes, as she throws him an extra galleon.

It never really gets old, no matter how many times she does it.

“I must say, Riddle, you certainly made it in life; I didn’t expect you to get so far,” she says, as he packs her latest purchase that she’ll throw in the trash as soon as she’s out of the crappy shop. “This is a wonderful use of your fourteen N.E.W.Ts.” She smirks. “If you keep pleasing me, I might be persuaded to talk to Father, make a favoruable recomendation for you- we have some abraxans at our country manor, and we are in need of a stable boy, you see.”

A muscle twitches in that annoyingly handsome face of his; a mudblood has no right to bear those aristocratic features.

However, this time, when she tips him, he smiles.

That’s wrong, she thinks. He should get upset. He always does.

Instead, he reaches under the counter and pulls out a small, wrapped box.

“Since you are always so generous,” he says. “Please, allow me to congratulate you for your bethrotal. What a wonderful use for your seven N.W.T.S. I’m sure they will prove of much use in bringing new Black children into the world. I seem to remember Orion saying he wants five sons, when we were in school. May Morgana bless you with twice as many.”

She spits on him. How dare he, the stupid mudblood!?

“You honour me,” he says, wiping the spit off with a perfectly ironed handkerchief, as freakishly neat as he is. “But you should keep your bodily fluids only for your future husband. Rumour goes he is quite jealous; he wouldn’t want to hear you shared that with a lowly shop boy. Merlin forbid, he might have to reprimand you for it.”

She curses him, but he doges it, quick as a kneazle. She knows he can best her in a duel, but he wouldn’t dare, of course. He never retaliated back at school when she threw curses at him, because he must have known her family would have his head on a spike if he disturbed one hair on her head.

[thatvvitch]

Kilmar Abrego Garcia along with many other men were sent to an El Salvador concentration camp without due process.

Not only have, we witnessed this administration, admitting that this was an error, but we have also watched them walk that rhetoric back to accuse this man of being a gang member and ignore Supreme Court rulings in which there was an entire 9 to 0 ruling to bring him back. They are calling these people terrorist without any due process. There is no proof or criminal charge, just the word of people who support a convicted felon, a rapist and insurrectionist, and a man seeking to become a dictator.

They have violated the constitution which gives due process to anyone on US soil. This means that they believe that they have the power to say at any given time without any trial or evidence that anyone is a gang member or a terrorist for whatever reason and send them to rot and probably be killed in a concentration camp.

They have now said they will go after homegrown’s. This means they can go after any US citizen at any time. Make no mistake. This is fascism they will come for journalist, students, people who speak against the regime, anyone with a tattoo or clothing that they deem as a marker of a terrorist. They will come for people of color they will come for the trans community. They will come for gay people, they will come for people with disabilities and mental illness. They will come for anyone who is not a white sis hetero male that supports the regime. Women will become property or will be institutionalized and called psychotic if they do not fit within the bounds of fascism. There is no stopping this machine. 

This is officially Nazi Germany. This is how it begins and we’ve gotten here in three months.

At the end of the day, anyone who thinks that a “president” can defy the constitution and ignore the Supreme Court and imprison people based solely on bias, nationalism, misogyny, bigotry and racism is a Nazi.

If one person is denied due process, then we are all denied due process.

We need to start calling people what they are and realizing that in the US, we have long been conditioned to think that these things could never happen here, but they will and they are happening here.

I lived in Chile in 2023 and I recommend anyone who lives in reality to go back and read the history of Chile’s dictatorship from 1973 until 1990. Understand that even after the dictatorship was removed, Chile lived under that constitution until they had a revolution in 2019 and they are still fighting to overturn the constitution that was written by a dictator.

I know people who not only were a part of an actual revolution, but had family members disappeared during the reign of terror that was that dictatorship. This can happen and it is happening and people need to wake the fuck up.

We got here because people are ignorant and refuse to pay attention to facts refuse to pay attention to what’s going on because they live comfortably in this country under the guise of safety and are ruled by white supremacy.

We did not get here overnight there have been people working to make this happen for decades and it is not as simple as just Donald Trump. This is an infectious cancer that has taken over our country and will take a long time to undo the damage that has already begun.

If we do not act now, if we do not become so outraged by the treatment of human beings like trash. If we do not become so outraged at the violation of the fucking constitution and ignoring all Supreme Court orders, then we are doomed.



[shootingstarpilot]

I see a lot of posts expressing frustration with the fanon idea that certain highly competent characters (yes, this post is about Obi-Wan, but I've seen others) can't take care of themselves and need others to bully them into eating, sleeping, etc.. While I totally get that frustration, I personally very much enjoy that trope. I've been trying to dissect why I enjoyed it since I saw those critiques, and I think I finally managed to put it to words.

(Disclaimer: I live in the United States, so my discussion about healthcare is operating in the framework of the man-eating trash fire that is the American healthcare system.)

I am a busy person outside of fandom. I recently completed a cross-country move. I'm damn good at my job and I love what I do, but it's hard work and a lot of it is on call. I have bills to pay. I have paperwork to fill out. I have messages to send and more messages to reply to. I have a life that is full of things I don't want to do. We all do. It's part of existing in society.

I am also chronically ill.

We live in a system that is actively hostile to putting your own health first. The healthcare system is impossible to navigate even if you are feeling the very pinnacle of health and wellbeing, and good fucking luck trying to do so when you're sick. Good luck trying to go to work and pay your bills and fill your tank. Good luck trying to do your paperwork and cook your meals and clean your apartment. Good luck trying to muster up the energy to respond to the well-meaning communications of friends and family.

But here's the thing- you still have to.

The rest of the world doesn't stop when you're sick. The rest of your life doesn't pause when you need it to. Sometimes you have to sacrifice sleep to make it to a doctor's appointment, or skip breakfast to make it to work on time. Every one of us, to some extent or another, has had to sacrifice what would be best for our health in order to stay functional in this fucked-up, capitalistic, carnivorous society.

So I think my preference for reading and writing fics like the ones I mentioned at the beginning has a certain level of wish fulfillment to it. Someone who is competent and good at their job and has an extraordinary level of responsibility on their shoulders sacrifices their own well-being to keep the rest of the world going-

And someone else makes sure they eat. Someone else makes sure their health gets tended to. Someone else makes sure they sleep, and that the world doesn't fall apart while they do so.

A lot of times, we don't get to make those decisions, or we feel guilty when we do. In reading fics like these, I feel like I get to outsource those decisions- outsourcing self-care, if you will. You don't have to feel guilty about putting your own health first, because you're not making the choice to do so. Someone else is.

It's okay. Get some rest.

[arataka-reigen]

Winter Anime Review by Yours Truly 🍄🌻

This season I said I would not watch anything besides dunmeshi. As we can all see... that was a fucking lie.

In total I've started 10 anime (can everyone praise me and be proud of me for being a bit more tame than I was in the fall season? At least it wasn't 20 anime this time).

My reviews are something I make just for fun, and they 100% reflect my own personal tastes. I might give a highscore to shows other people would call absolute trash, and that's okay! To each their own~~ That being said, I do try to make it very informative to aid you in choosing what you might want to check out by adding a summary and a few content warnings along with the actual review.

A little preview: this season has some great romance anime with couples that actually do make progress in their relationship, which is kind of rare for anime couples, always on their "will they wont they" thing, so if anything, i would recommend picking up one of the romances this time around. (And dunmeshi. Watch dunmeshi.)

***This review will include exclusively animes that debuted this winter, so no 2nd seasons or continuing shows from the fall season.

So, without further ado, let's get into it under the read more.

Dungeon Meshi

Summary: Seinen, Fantasy, Gourmet, Comedy

A party of adventurers gets stuck fighting a Dragon even though they are starving and in no shape to survive. In a last ditch effort to make it out alive, mage Falin sacrifices herself to save her brother Laios and their party. She sends them back to the surface but gets eaten by the Dragon. Now Laios and co are in a race against time to save Falin before she gets digested. The problem? They don't have any money for food. The solution? DUNGEON MESHI!!! AH, DUNGEON MESHI!! DUNGEON FOOD!! JUST EAT THE GODDAMN MONSTERS 😋

Rating: 10/10

Review: if you've been following me for 2 seconds or less you already know dunmeshi is one of my all time favorite mangas. And the anime absolutely delivers. The animation is great, the voice acting is great both subbed or dubbed (the english dub AND the portuguese dub are worth it). The comedic bits hit so hard, and we're just at the start but you can already see bits and pieces of a larger and more dramatic story unfolding.

World building is insane. Character design is insane (everyone say thank you Ryoko Kui our goddess).

Not only is the story incredibly well written with no plot holes, the characters are also well fleshed out and three dimensional.

I could sing praises for it for hours, but then it would leave no space for the other shows on this list so I'll stop now.

But if you only have time to watch one anime this season, this one is it.

Content Warning: blood, death, necromancy crimes 🧟‍♀️

7th Timeloop: the Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy

Summary: Reincarnation, Fantasy, Romance

Rishe is not new to the reincarnation business. This is her 7th time around. After being accused of crimes she didn't commit and having her engagement to the crown prince broken off in her 1st life she went on to discover that life is full of possibilities and adventures. But, after 5 years, she died. Only to find herself back at the moment the crown prince broke off their engagement. With each life she explores new countries and new possibilities, but in every life, after 5 years, she is caught up in the war waged by emperor Arnold Hein, and is killed. In her 6th life she dies directly by Arnold's blade and in a turn of fate she runs into him in her 7th life, catching his attention, and maybe his heart? Can she prevent her death this time around and finally live a peaceful life?

Rating: 10/10

Review: ah, we all knew the otome reincarnation was coming. This shit is my life source. That being said, even if it wasn't, I would still probably really love 7th Time Loop. It's just that good.

Rishe is a great main character, in all her past lives she was on The Grind. From being a merchant, to a doctor, to a maid, to a royal guard. And now she tells herself she just wants to chill, but this girl simply cannot chill. She is playing mind games with Arnold, trying to figure out what he is planning and how to stop the war from breaking out.

Meanwhile, Arnold is head over heels in love and probably so so full of trauma we still don't know yet. We must protect this dude. I'm very excited to find out more and more about him and what exactly led him to start a war against the world.

The animation is gorgeous, I love the way the eyes are drawn like constellations.

The romance is great and developing at a very nice pace, Arnold is very respectful of Rishe's boundaries for their marriage and overall just a really great guy.

CW: blood, death, kidnapping.

Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!

Summary: Boys Love, Adult Cast, Workplace, Supernatural, Comedy

Office worker Kiyoshi Adachi has gone 30 years of life without ever having his cherry popped. Due to this profound accomplishment, he gains the ability to read minds through physical contact. However, this new skill has only made his life harder and he now hates crowded spaces.

On the way to work, Adachi runs into his colleague Kurosawa, curious about what an outgoing guy like him thinks about, Adachi touches him and finds out that Kurosawa has a crush on someone from their office, looking further he realizes Kurosawa is actually crushing on him.

Rating: 10/10

Review: first of all, if you say "romance + adult cast" you already have my full attention. Add mind reading to the mix to make sure that the main character doesn't have miscommunication problems and i'm at the fucking table eating it up.

This show is incredibly funny, Kurosawa's thoughts about Adachi are always so sweet and/or horny and obsessed, but he is still just a super great guy with great morals and he would never do anything Adachi doesn't want (much to Adachi's surprise because he thought the dude was going to jump him anytime with how badly in love his thoughts are).

Adachi is straight until proven otherwise, and Kurosawa proves otherwise really fast. The pace of their romance is really great, we dont get ten thousand episodes of "will they wont they" and I really appreciate that.

CW: none that i can think of atm. Let me know if you have anything i could add here.

Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord

Summary: Otome Isekai, Fantasy, School

Yumiella Dolkness is a girl with dark hair and dark magic (characteristics associated with the Demon Lord) and for that she is feared.

When Yumiella was 5 years old she regained memories of her past life in modern Japan, and the game she used to play: Light Magic and the Hero. In it, Yumiella was the secret boss you had to defeat after the Demon Lord. Determined to avoid this fate she applies gamer logic to her life and begins adventuring in dungeons to max her power levels.

Now, 15 year old Yumiella is going to school, where she will meet the true hero of the game. She wants to avoid calling attention and just go through her school years without trouble. But when their power levels are measured in the first day of school, she is measured as a level 99 dark magic user and now even the king and queen have their eyes on her.

Rating: 10/10

Review: you gotta trust me on this one and get through the first ten minutes, I promise it gets so much better after Yumiella is really introduced. They just had to spend a few minutes doing a gag introduction, where you follow the game's hero before you find our beloved villainess. And it was very cool how the opening resemble a dating sim game opening.

Yumiella is great, one of my favorite female leads this season, and that is including frieren and maomao from the fall season animes that are still airing. She is not very aware of all the social cues and has trouble communicating and making friends, but we get to see her inner thoughts and they're always hilarious.

My favorite gag is that dark magic can be used for healing, but the healing process looks fucking grotesque so people would rather not be healed by Yumiella. For some reason that always gets me.

I really fucking hate the 4 hero characters, they're super annoying, but in a "i love to hate them" way, and I love seeing yumiella wipe the floor with their asses without even trying because she is just that overpowered. Most of the anime is just her trying to use just a tiny bit of her power because if she uses her full power people would just straight up die with a simple punch.

CW: blood

Yubisaki to Renren

Summary: ✨️Shoujo✨️, Adult Cast, Romance

(Summary stolen from myanimelist, sorry) Yuki Itose is a hearing-impaired university student whose world has been shrouded with silence since birth. She has lived in the same place her whole life, and rarely interacts with others save for her best friend, Rin Fujishiro. During her commute one day, she meets the silver-haired and multilingual Itsuomi Nagi, a mutual friend of Rin. Unlike most, Itsuomi is unwavering when he learns of Yuki's impairment; this, along with his experiences abroad, fascinates and touches her. After they part, her fondness of him starts to grow. A new world begins to open for both Yuki and Itsuomi as they learn about each other's different lives.

Rating: 10/10

Review: and here we have The Shoujo Of The Season. And it occupies that spot marvelously.

Yuki and Itsuomi are another one of the incredible couples of the winter season. Relationship developing at a very nice pace that isn't too fast and not too slow (like shoujo can be sometimes). Yuki is very inspired by Itsuomi, she wants to see the world and experience new things now that she got a glimpse into his life and realized how big the world is.

I specially love how cool, calm and collected Itsuomi always acts, but how his cousin, Kyouya, lets us know that Itsuomi is really interested in Yuki and just shows it in different ways, like the way his voice gets very affectionate towards her.

The animation!!!!! Wow!!!! So soft!!! So warm!!!! I love it!!!! I'm sure you'll love it too!!!

Sound design is also very good, it's specially interesting during scenes where we cant hear anything because we are on Yuki's point of view. I wish it happened even more often.

I've seen people compare this show with Koe no Katachi but they're very different shows, specially since we get to see most of this one through Yuki's point of view, while Koe no Katachi was not from the POV of the hearing-impaired character and dealt a lot more with issues like bullying and suicide. Yubisaki to Renren is a lot more light-hearted, soft, sweet and overall just a feel good anime.

I am always going to recommend shoujo. Specially when they're as good as this one is. So definitely check this one out.

CW: none that I can think of. Let me know if there is anything I should put here.

The Foolish Angel Dances with the Devil

Summary: Seinen, Romance, Comedy, Supernatural

The angels and the devils are waging a war. Things are not looking so good on the devils' side, so they send Akutsu Masatora on a journey to the human world, to find someone that can aid the demons on their fight.

Akutsu is assigned a seat next to Lily Amane, the cutest girl in class. But when he tries to recruit her to the devil's side he realizes she is not a normal human. Now he must deal with the fact that he is tied to his mortal enemy, an angel, and with the fact that he might be falling in love.

Rating: 10/10

Review: More like,, the foolish devil gets played by the angel.

Akutsu and Lily get into stupid mind games trying to make the other fall in love, all while realizing that "hey, angels/devils arent so bad after all" as they spend more and more time together.

It reminds me just a bit of Kaguya-sama how the main couple wants the other to cave first.

This show is simply hilarious, I was laughing out loud at so many stupid scenes. Some gags do get old a bit fast, but overall it's still going strong and makes up for where it falls short with how badly in love these two already are just a few episodes in.

I'm not sure we'll get a proper confession this season, but it doesnt look like these two will be stuck forever in the "will they wont they" stage like the couple from kaguya-sama.

CW: there is a scene by the end of episode one that is completely played as a joke that has one of the lead characters putting a collar on the other lead and the imagery was a bit disturbing, definitely leaning on non con bdsm themes, it isnt terrible, just felt a bit distasteful to me, but nothing big, i dont think it should deter you from watching this, but watch out for that.

Solo Leveling

Summary: Action, Fantasy

(Synopsis stolen from myanimelist again) Ten years ago, "the Gate" appeared and connected the real world with the realm of magic and monsters. To combat these vile beasts, ordinary people received superhuman powers and became known as "Hunters." Twenty-year-old Sung Jin-Woo is one such Hunter, but he is known as the "World's Weakest," owing to his pathetic power compared to even a measly E-Rank. Still, he hunts monsters tirelessly in low-rank Gates to pay for his mother's medical bills.

However, this miserable lifestyle changes when Jin-Woo—believing himself to be the only one left to die in a mission gone terribly wrong—awakens in a hospital three days later to find a mysterious screen floating in front of him. This "Quest Log" demands that Jin-Woo completes an unrealistic and intense training program, or face an appropriate penalty. Initially reluctant to comply because of the quest's rigor, Jin-Woo soon finds that it may just transform him into one of the world's most fearsome Hunters.

Rating: 8/10

Review: everyday that passes I find myself liking battle shounen less and less. This one is not bad, it is actually quite interesting, it's just not the type of stuff i'm into anymore, I guess.

That being said, if you're in the mood for it, this one if very interesting. Jin woo's life is now completely ruled by this game that allows him to level up, and he is getting a bit fucked in the head by it.

Animation is great, I love when his eyes get all shiny because you know he's gone Beast Mode.

Not a lot of characters introduced so far, but it's still cool to see Jin Woo leveling up on his own. I mean... a show named solo leveling has got to make sure that the solo aspect isnt boring lol.

For some reason tho I still gave it an 8, which is high, so... it's pretty good.

Jin woo is just a bit... generic i guess. Nothing you havent seen before from an isekai male lead.

Also... i miss his haircut from the earlier episodes, his current haircut makes him look even more generic.

CW: blood and gore, body horror, torture, death games. Big and scary god statue that smiles in a fucked up way and kills kills kills.

Drop Box

Animes I either already dropped for a specific reason or will probably drop in the future simply because I wont have time to watch everything I started this season, so among the 10 I started, these are the ones i'm least likely to finish:

Majo do Yajuu

Summary: Seinen, Action, Fantasy

Guideau and Ashaf are an ominous pair, working for a mysterious organization that deals with magic crimes. Guideau is a feral and unhinged girl/genderless beast with a curse she wants to break and Ashaf is her soft spoken and calm companion. They go from town to town looking for witches to defeat and trying to find the witch who cursed Guideau and get their revenge.

Rating: 7/10

Review: I do like this one, I just think that if it comes to it and I dont have time, I wont miss it too much if I never finish it.

The blood and gore are heavy, and that might be the reason why i'm fine dropping it, i'm not that big of a fan of gore.

Other than that tho, I find the two main characters extremely interesting and i want to learn more about them, specially Guideau and her curse and that crazy beast mode she goes on when she manages to put a pause on her curse sometimes.

CW: blood and gore, body horror

Gekai Elise

Summary: Reincarnation/Otome Isekai, Fantasy, Medical, Romance

(Again, stolen from myanimelist) In her first life, the renowned and genius surgeon Dr. Aoi Takamoto was Elise de Clorance, a villainess of noble descent. Elise's selfishness, insolence, and obsessive love for her fiancé—Prince Linden de Romanoff—led to the deaths of her family members and, eventually, herself. Only after being reborn did Elise realize the error of her ways and decide that, instead of ruining lives, she would devote herself to saving them. But a tragic airplane crash robs her of her dreams too soon.

By a miracle, Elise wakes up in her original body before her official engagement to Linden. Recognizing the chance to cherish her loving family and free Linden from an unwanted marriage, Elise wishes to use her advanced medical knowledge to continue down the path of saving lives. In a deal with the emperor, Elise is given only six months to prove that her true place is not on the throne, but rather with the wounded and ailing who desperately need her help.

Rating: 6/10

Review: I'd like to say I dropped this show for personal reasons, not because it is a bad show.

It is definitely not the best otome isekai of the season (7th time loop and Villainess 99 win by a mile), but it is quite good and has an interesting premise. The main couple didn't seem too promising or interesting to me tbh.

The thing that interested me the most was the fact that Elise's original life was as a noblewoman, her second life was as a doctor and then he got a chance to relive her first life and change the mistakes she made.

Unfortunately, I am a med student, and I simply can't watch medical related stuff without nitpicking it to hell and back. Mostly, I try to distance myself from medicine related shows because my life already revolves around it too much, u know. I just need a break from All That when I'm watching my silly little shows, so... i had to drop this one.

Also, the main character was kind of annoying, but that might just be me.

Anyway, check this out if you think it sounds interesting. I might not be the best judge of this one.

CW: plane crash, death, medical procedures, surgery

Gushing Over Magical Girls

Oh boy...

I'm putting the CW before anything else because this one is problematic and I don't want anyone acting like I didn't warn them beforehand.

CW: this is straight up softcore porn and the characters are all middle/highschool aged. The anime revolves around BDSM themes (so many and increasingly worse themes, from simple bondage to pain play, to age play and other stuff), and there is nothing more than that to it, all the character growth is about the characters becoming more and more uninhibited with their sexual preferences. Also extremely dubious consent for all of it.

This is just a hentai disguising as an ecchi. It's fully yuri tho. Small blessings lol.

Summary: Mahou Shoujo, Girls Love, Ecchi, Comedy

I'm tired already so this will be short. Utena is a girl obsessed with magical girls. One day she gets the chance to become a magical girl herself, however, she is fooled and actually becomes a villain. She is made to fight Tres Magia (magical girl group) and ends up realizing she quite enjoys inflicting pain against them.

Review: the animation is good, very clean, the boob physics is not all that bad (what. this is an honest review and the anime is an ecchi. i gotta talk abt the boob physics.)

It is indeed super funny and definitely unhinged.

Plot wise, it is pretty straightforward, girl likes magical girls -> girl finds out she likes to watch magical girls suffering and in pain and moaning (well, not only watch, she does a lot of touching too)

Do I recommend it? No. Am I having fun watching it? Yes, it is pretty funny if you're the type of person who can ignore A Lot of things.

I'll probably favor the other animes tho so this one is very likely to get dropped before the season is through.

Thank you for reading (if you managed to make it this far lol, although this list is definitely smaller than my fall anime list)

If there is any other anime you think I should check out this season leave it in the replies and I might take a look at it and update this review with it!

[thoughtportal]

DSA made history, with Zohran Mamdani winning his primary for mayor of New York City.

Zohran’s campaign brought socialist ideas to millions in this race, including free and fast buses, rent freezes and Palestinian solidarity. Backed by NYC DSA’s mass mobilization and member driven organizing, the campaign overcame the odds by knocking on over 1.5 million doors to send Andrew Cuomo back to the suburbs.

But that’s not all–in upstate New York, Ithaca DSA’s Jorge DeFendini won his primary for Common Council on a socialist platform of affordable housing, reliable public transit, and workers’ rights! He won with a resounding 58.1% of the votes! Just like Zohran, Jorge’s win was made possible by our commitment to building a socialist electoral project by the working class, for the working class.

As Zohran said in his 2023 Convention keynote speech, “We are special as DSA electeds not because of ourselves, we are special because of our organization”.

Zohran and Jorge are just two examples of the burgeoning success of DSA’s party building project. What our organization accomplished in NYC and Ithaca last night is possible in chapters around the country! Our struggle is nationwide, and we can win everywhere by organizing together.

DONATE NOW

Join us this Sunday, 6/29, at 2 PM Pacific/5 PM Eastern for a Socialist Cash Takes Out Capitalist Trash Phonebank, where we’ll be calling comrades around the country to fundraise for our slate

PHONEBANK COMRADES

[inactivewattpadauthor]

[Old]Erron Black x SF Reader

----------------------------- "Come on, Y/n, you look great!" Cassie snickered at you, secretly snapping a picture of you wearing...whatever the hell the females in the Black Dragon wear. Jacqui was still working on your outfit, trying not to laugh or make a comment.

"Cassie. I look like a whore." You blinked at her, unhappy about the whole situation.

You were dressed up like this because of a damn mission. And part of this was the plan. The Special Forces picked up suspicious activity happening in the Black Dragon, and your friend, Cassie, had the idea to have YOU get a disguise and go in. Since, you're anonymous to them.

At first it was suppose to be a joke, all of a sudden the general thought it was a good idea. Bad thing is, you didn't get a say in the plan. So now you're on your own. Good luck.

You exited the truck at the entrance of  the Black Dragon's camp. You were aware you weren't going to come back out alive, and free, but you see your two friends still laughing at your outfit.

"Good luck with the investigation, Y/n!" Jacqui cried in laughter, in the truck. "God, I have to send this to the boys!" Cassie said beside her. The truck sped off, leaving you to your mission. Thanks. You rolled your eyes.

You continued your path towards the center of the camp, already disgusted by the amount of trash there is. You had to watch out for broken beer bottles. It would be a shame if you already got injured within the first 20 seconds of your mission.

But then again, you were supposed to be a hacker, you worked indoors, not out.

You managed to make it to the center of camp. You observed the amount of black markets displayed everywhere in the large crowd of people. Now if you could just remain anonymous.

You spotted an isolated path that may keep you hidden. You may have a disguise, but what if it brought the wrong type of attention. You secretly went to it and started doing your spying.

You looked around to see any suspicious activity before you heard some loud conversation about Special Forces. Bingo! Maybe this'll answer all the questions.

There was nothing too useful in the conversation, just some bitching about Sonya and her ex. But then something came inA "Something for the special scums, Kano is plannin' to-"

Unfortunately, you couldn't hear the rest of the sentence. In fact, you got dragged way back from where you were. You weren't a good fighter either, but you were about to put up a fight.

A covered hand was quickly pressed against your mouth, preventing you to make any sound, as for the other arm, wrapped around your stomach to reduce your struggles.

"Now, now, princess, I'm doin' you a favor to not attract any attention. These aren't the type of guys that'll exactly...'help' you." Some man with a country accent spoke.

He had a point. You were on enemy territory. You stopped struggling, wanting to know who this strange, kinda charismatic, man is. He did let you go, believing you were calm.

You examined your attacker. Tall, country accent,  literally a cow boy, THE INFAMOUS ERRON BLACK?! Your e/c eyes widen, as your heart stopped.

"What's wrong? You look like you seen a ghost." Erron tilted his head to the side. "Y-You're Erron Black!" You stuttered. "Yes I am. And I suppose you're not from around here. State where you're from."

You silently gasped as you saw him rest his hand near his gun. You didn't know what to do in this position. Either way, you were probably going to die.

"I'm dead anyways, what's the point in telling you?" You grew a small pair and said. "Heh, Special Forces got a loyal one." How the hell-

"They weren't too slick dropping you off on our camp. Besides, don't you think you went a little overboard with the disguise?" You got tensed with his question, as he was observing your very explicit outfit. "I'll have you know this wasn't my idea! I would never dress like this in any occasion!"

"Well then," Erron adjusted his hat. "I see no point in taking your life. Besides, I'm already starting to like you. Come with me." You froze once more. Erron Black wants me to come with him?? Am I lucky or unlucky?

Erron noticed you weren't budging. "Do you want to go out there and get yourself hurt?" He asked. You focused back on him before doing what he said.

"So what's your name?" He smirked at you. "Uh, Y/n L/n." You answered, unsure if that was a good idea.

"Okay, Ms. Y/n, what do you do in the Special Forces?" Why is he asking me these questions? "I'm one of their hackers."

You stopped your tracks,  now wondering what was going on. "Where are you taking me?" You wrapped your arms around yourself, getting scared. "I'm escorting you out of here. It would be a shame if you end up in those filthy brothels, or maybe part of you is being sold." He said, keeping the same charming tone.

This...disturbed you. "Thanks." You said shyly. "No problem, my lady."

At the exit of camp, Erron turned towards you. "I gotta say, the next time I come across you, I'll probably keep you with me." He winked. You blushed, rolling your eyes at him. "Thanks for not shooting me." You sarcastically said.

"You're welcome." He walked back towards the broken fence. "Also, when your friends return, tell them to keep one eye open while sleeping." Erron said before tilted his head in a goodbye before walking off.

You blinked at his request before sitting down, thinking about how you made no progress while in here. I tried to tell them it wouldn't work out. *Sigh* I actually hope I see Erron next time, he's pretty cute.

[dirtyriver]

Arnold Schwarzenegger:

I don’t really do endorsements. I’m not shy about sharing my views, but I hate politics and don’t trust most politicians.

I also understand that people want to hear from me because I am not just a celebrity, I am a former Republican Governor.

My time as Governor taught me to love policy and ignore politics. I’m proud of the work I did to help clean up our air, create jobs, balance the budget, make the biggest infrastructure investment in state history, and take power from the politicians and give it back to the people when it comes to our redistricting process and our primaries in California.

That’s policy. It requires working with the other side, not insulting them to win your next election, and I know it isn’t sexy to most people, but I love it when I can help make people’s lives better with policies, like I still do through my institute at USC, where we fight for clean air and stripping the power from the politicians who rig the system against the people.

Let me be honest with you: I don’t like either party right now. My Republicans have forgotten the beauty of the free market, driven up deficits, and rejected election results. Democrats aren’t any better at dealing with deficits, and I worry about their local policies hurting our cities with increased crime.

It is probably not a surprise that I hate politics more than ever, which, if you are a normal person who isn’t addicted to this crap, you probably understand.

I want to tune out.

But I can’t. Because rejecting the results of an election is as un-American as it gets. To someone like me who talks to people all over the world and still knows America is the shining city on a hill, calling America is a trash can for the world is so unpatriotic, it makes me furious.

And I will always be an American before I am a Republican.

That’s why, this week, I am voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

I’m sharing it with all of you because I think there are a lot of you who feel like I do. You don’t recognize our country. And you are right to be furious.

For decades, we’ve talked about the national debt. For decades, we’ve talked about comprehensive immigration reform that secures the border while fixing our broken immigration system. And Washington does nothing.

The problems just keep rolling, and we all keep getting angrier, because the only people that benefit from problems aren’t you, the people. The only people that benefit from this crap are the politicians who prefer having talking points to win elections to the public service that will make Americans’ lives better.

It is a just game to them. But it is life for my fellow Americans. We should be pissed!

But a candidate who won’t respect your vote unless it is for him, a candidate who will send his followers to storm the Capitol while he watches with a Diet Coke, a candidate who has shown no ability to work to pass any policy besides a tax cut that helped his donors and other rich people like me but helped no one else else, a candidate who thinks Americans who disagree with him are the bigger enemies than China, Russia, or North Korea - that won’t solve our problems.

It will just be four more years of bullshit with no results that makes us angrier and angrier, more divided, and more hateful.

We need to close the door on this chapter of American history, and I know that former President Trump won’t do that. He will divide, he will insult, he will find new ways to be more un-American than he already has been, and we, the people, will get nothing but more anger.

That’s enough reason for me to share my vote with all of you. I want to move forward as a country, and even though I have plenty of disagreements with their platform, I think the only way to do that is with Harris and Walz.

Vote this week. Turn the page and put this junk behind us.

And even if you disagree with me, vote, because that’s what we do as Americans. http://vote.org

[beefromanoff]

Tempting Fate Ch. 1

summary: a flashback to 1940's Brooklyn, 2022 Boston, and an introduction to our leading lady, Evie Langston.

author's note: OKAY GUYS, you asked for this! the post with my little drabble and idea for a Stucky x Reader fic got so much love that here I am. fair warning if you haven't read my other works (which you should) I LOVE to set a scene and I love a slow burn. I'll definitely get to the good parts earlier in this story than in my other two, but this is going to be spicy AND plot driven.

masterlist

tag list: tag list: @yiiiikesmish @sunflower1290 @barnescamboy @thedisc0spider @bitchy-bi-trash @kulteule @kandis-mom @i-mushi @unknown-writings

Chapter 1

1940s, Brooklyn

The air was filled with the sounds of laughter and the scent of popcorn. Brightly colored banners flapped in the breeze as children ran around, and the mechanical whirring and dinging of carnival games echoed through the street. Among the bustling crowd, three friends stood out.

Ginny Langston was the center of attention, her auburn hair catching the light. She always was. Even at sixteen, her features were striking, catching stares from grown men passing by. Unbeknownst to Ginny, however, who only had eyes for her two best friends. Her stomach hurt from laughing so hard as she watched Steve Rogers attempt to win a prize at one of the booths. Their best friend, Bucky Barnes, stood beside her, a smirk on his face.

“Alright, Stevie, that was my last quarter.” He winked. “Try not to shit the bed again.”

“Bucky!” Ginny giggled, smacking his arm. “I believe in you, Stevie!”

Steve blushed, his determination clear. “I’ll get it right this time, just watch.” Eyes narrowed in concentration, he pinched the dart between his fingers and let it fly. With a loud pop the balloon on the other side of the booth burst, sending the trio into an eruption of cheers.

“Yay, Stevie!” She jumped down from her seat on the edge of the booth, bouncing over to Steve. She threw her arms around his neck, feeling his skin flush. “Can I pick? Oh, please let me pick!” 

“Be my guest,” He gestured to the rack of stuffed animals, cheeks still pink from her embrace. 

After selecting a floppy pink stuffed bunny, Ginny skipped over. Her eyes sparkled as she looked between the two boys. “How lucky am I,” she drawled playfully, “To have not one, but two handsome fellas to win me prizes?” To emphasize her point, she waggled the bunny and the stuffed bear Bucky had won by knocking down a tower of bottles with a baseball.

The boys shared a look as she linked one arm through each of theirs and led them further into the fair. The same understanding they’d had for the five years of their friendship passed between them. They both adored Ginny, but neither wanted to ruin the bond they had with her—or each other. 

So, despite the chemistry, despite the daydreams…they resisted temptation. It worked well, their trio. Friendship before anything. The laughter and memories they shared didn’t seem to be possible with anyone else. If this was all they ever were to each other –– best friends –– none of them would mind. But that didn’t stop the occasional late night thought from creeping into one of their heads…wondering what would happen if that invisible line in the sand were ever crossed.

Fall Semester, 2022

Boston

The ballroom was a vision of opulence, adorned with glittering chandeliers and rich, velvety drapes. MIT’s alumni gala was in full swing, a celebration of the brightest minds and most generous benefactors. The room buzzed with conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the beats of a live jazz band. Alumni, staff, and donors alike mingled with current students. It was an exclusive event for students to be invited to, needing a recommendation from a professor to be added to the guest list. At one of the most prestigious schools in the country, the competition never stopped. Evie Langston had been thrilled when her invite arrived, especially considering she was only a sophomore. This event was typically reserved for upperclassmen and graduate students, with only a handful of younger students having received an invite ever. 

She had been thrilled, but not surprised. 

Since her arrival in Boston, she’d been making waves. Big, tsunami-esque waves. 

For the child-prodigy community, she’d seemingly come out of nowhere. She graduated high school on time, not early. Her parents were insistent that she make the most of her high school experience, maintaining friendships, attending prom, walking with her classmates across the stage. They’d given her every opportunity to learn and grow, but not at the expense of her childhood. She’d gotten early acceptance to MIT as a freshman in high school after winning an engineering contest with such prestige that she was immediately contacted by a patent lawyer to protect her innovation. It was her first patent filed. She was 14 years old. 

At MIT, Evie had quickly distinguished herself as one of the brightest minds on campus. Her freshman year, she had been part of a team that developed a revolutionary nanotechnology application for medical devices, leading to a paper published in a leading scientific journal. Her contribution was so significant that she was invited to speak at several conferences, which she politely declined, allowing an older member of the team to represent them. It wasn’t that she was opposed to speaking, it’s just that she felt like there were better uses of her time than kissing ass and galavanting around a room full of the most pompous, self-important assholes of all time. Her name was listed first on the publication, and that was enough of an ego stroke for her. Especially since it drove the rest of the all-male team absolutely insane. 

Her sophomore year had only seen her rise higher. She had spearheaded a project that created a new type of lightweight, high-strength material, earning her a prestigious research grant and the attention of several major textile companies. Her professors often remarked on her uncanny ability to solve problems that stumped even the most seasoned researchers. She had an intuitive grasp of complex systems, a knack for seeing connections others missed, and a relentless drive that kept her working long after everyone else had called it a night. Plus, her ability to pivot between specialties like she was switching tabs on a browser was unheard of. She could go from artificial intelligence programming to biochemical engineering to robotics and not bat an eye.

Outside the classroom, she balanced her rigorous academic schedule with her job as a bartender. It was a role that seemed incongruous for someone of her intellect but was, in fact, a deliberate choice. It kept her grounded, connected to a world beyond equations, experiments, and giant fucking egos. It was there, in the bustling atmosphere of the bar, that she honed her people skills, learning how to read people, how to manage conflict, and how to charm even the most difficult customers. She loved being around her peers at MIT, the shared interest and the constant desire for progress, but she couldn’t stand their larger-than-life self image. Typically, she was opposed to sweeping generalities, but after a year and a half at this school, she felt it was a damn near foolproof hypothesis. 

So, to the judgment of her classmates, she became a bartender. In an environment where everyone was either funded by the deep pockets of their families or a hefty scholarship, she was one of the few students who worked a job. Let alone such an unimpressive job. Ironically, the scorn of her peers made her love the job even more. The fact that they were losing grant money to a girl alone was enough to make most of them need to up their dosage, but a girl who spent her evenings serving up gin and tonics in a low cut tank top? Berzerk. 

The best part? She didn’t even need the money. 

Her parents were upper middle class, back in the midwest. Her dad was a partner at an accounting company and her mom had stayed home with her and her siblings. They’d spent summers on vacation, not the Hamptons or yacht-style vacations that some of her classmates had been raised on, but nice vacations nonetheless. They were more than comfortable. So when she’d sold her first patent in high school, her parents had put her earnings into a trust. One she could access when she was officially out of college. They’d had every intention of funding her education, but it was clear they’d never have to break out their checkbooks. She’d been offered a full ride to just about any school in the country. 

There was only ever one option for her, though. The alma mater of the one and only Tony Stark. The Da Vinci of our time. The merchant of death. Iron Man. She’d wanted to be him since she was old enough to find his interviews on YouTube on the family computer. Much to her parents’ chagrin of course, who’d hoped their nine year old daughter would have found a more…palatable role model. It was he who inspired her love of engineering and innovation. It was he who taught her to be unapologetically confident. It was he who caused her to hang an MIT pennant on her wall and refuse to take it down. Even to this day, it hung above her espresso machine in her little apartment above the bar she worked at. 

It was he who delivered the most kick-ass, jaw-dropping, profane keynote address earlier that day. She’d been front row for the whole thing, hanging on his every word. It was her intention to speak to him after the address, but he’d been swarmed by overzealous ass-kissers that she didn’t feel like wading through. She’d seen him up close, and that was good enough for her. It was enough to make her want to get back in the lap and continue her work on nanotechnology right that second, but she knew she couldn’t pass up the gala. Not when her professors had personally advocated for her invitation. 

So, here she was. Evie stood near the edge of the room, her eyes scanning the crowd. She had dressed immaculately for the occasion, wearing a sleek, midnight blue cocktail dress that hugged her figure and highlighted her fiery red hair, which she’d styled into soft waves that cascaded down her back. Occasionally, a professor would usher some big-name investor over to her, making introductions and raving about her brilliance. So she would smile, put on her best impression of someone who gave a shit about their company and what their mission was, and charm her way through the rest of the conversation. At the end, she’d add their business card to the collection piling up in her purse, never to be looked at again. 

There was only one job she was interested in taking after college, and if that wasn’t on the table, she’d start her own damn tech company. 

She took a sip of her sparkling water, glancing around the room at the clusters of people deep in meaningless conversation. A commotion towards the middle of the room drew her attention. Her gaze landed on Tony Stark, who was making his way through the crowd with his usual effortless charm, evading those who wanted everything from a selfie to a donation to a job. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, a whiskey glass clutched in one hand and a cigar in the other, openly defying the no smoking rule. 

Looking around, Tony spotted her, his eyes locking onto her bright red hair and striking features once again. With a roguish grin, he made his way over to her, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease and a dismissive attitude. As he approached, Evie straightened her posture, her heart pounding in her chest. No fucking way. 

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” Tony said, his voice dripping with charm and mischief as he looked her up and down. She could have sworn she felt his eyes on her body like they were hands. “I couldn’t help but notice you earlier at the keynote. Front row, right?”

Evie nodded, a half-smile playing on her lips. “Good memory. It was an incredible speech, Mr. Stark. Truly inspiring.”

“Please, call me Tony,” he replied with a grin. “And might I say, you’re a breath of fresh air here with all these bad toupees and escapees from mom’s basement. The red hair, this dress—” He looked her over again. “Quite the combination. You certainly know how to make an impression.”

Evie smiled, meeting his flirtation with poise. “Why, thank you, Tony. I’ve always believed in standing out rather than blending in.”

“Well, you’re definitely standing out,” Tony said, his eyes lingering on her. “So! What’s a dazzling individual like yourself doing at a place like this? I’d imagine there are more lively places to spend your Friday night than this snoozefest.”

“They say this is the event to be at if you want to shake the right hands.” She offered a teasing smile. 

“How’s that been going for you?” 

“I’ve shaken a lot of hands tonight, but not the one I came here for.” A coy smile. 

He ran his tongue along the inside of his teeth, assessing her. “Would I be living up to the egomaniac allegations if I assume you’re talking about me?”

“Yes, but you’d also be correct.” 

He grinned, shifting his drink to his left hand and offering her his right. “Tony Stark, Owner of Stark Industries. Benefactor and celebrated alum of this fine institution. Patron of the arts. Not really, but it sounded like it fit.” 

“Evie Langston,” Another small smile. “I’m a sophomore, studying engineering, but having a hard time narrowing down a specialty.”

“Engineering, huh? A woman after my own heart,” Tony said, clearly impressed. “Wait, Langston, Langston…you were the one who filed a patent for that new material. What do you call it?”

“Nanoflex.” Evie took a sip of her drink, her eyes never leaving his.

“Nanoflex, right, that’s it. I tell you what, you’ve been giving a lot of my engineers hell these past few months.” 

“Is that so?” She raised an eyebrow. 

“Unfortunately yes, it is so. I’ve had my whole team working on an alternative material for us to use in the manufacturing of combat suits and after months of research and resource allocation, and way more money than I should have funneled into it –– they’re still lightyears behind you.” He gave her a mock-irritated look. “And you, Evie Langston, hold the patent for the thing I’ve had the brightest minds in the industry working tirelessly on. To no avail or benefit to me.” 

“Would you like me to apologize?” 

“I’d like you to come work for me.” His voice was decisive. “Say the word, I’ll fire the whole lot of them and you can take the whole lab. Seriously, paint it pink, hang up a boy band poster, I don’t give a shit. I’ve gotta have you.” 

She ignored the way her stomach flipped at his words. “Tempting…as that may be, I’d like to finish my education first.” 

He leaned in closer. “Don’t tell me you’re really learning from these yahoos. When I was here I felt like I should take advantage of the office hours just to teach my professors a thing or two about their subject matter.”

Evie laughed. “It’s not so bad. I’ve always had a difficult time finding things that challenge me. This isn’t much different.” She waved a hand. “At least they can throw a party.” 

“Oh, sweet Evie,” He scoffed. “Let me court you. Professionally, of course. Unless you’re open to other possibilities––kidding, I’m not kidding.” She couldn’t help but chuckle at his candor and casual demeanor. He was funnier in person than in the interviews she’d all but committed to memory. “Come to New York, I’ll send the jet for you, let me show you what we’re all about. I’ll show you a real laboratory, show you what could be yours. While we’re at it, I’ll show you a real party, too. Unless things have changed here, the parties could be confused for a lively wake.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t get me wrong, this is pretty much exactly the scenario I’ve been manifesting for the past decade, but what’s in this for you? Something tells me you don’t come here to recruit talent.” 

“No, I come here because my delightful CEO, Ms. Pepper Potts, threatens to donate my vintage car collection to a museum if I don’t show up every year.” He shrugged, sipping his drink. “As for what’s in it for me, that’s easy. Either you find me delightfully charming and decide to remind me why smart girls are the freakiest in the sack, or you fall in love with the endless resources and free reign over innovation and decide to come work for me. Seems like a win-win situation.”

Evie grinned, sipping her drink to hide the flush in her cheeks. She wasn’t a stranger to being prepositioned, but by Tony Stark? The temptation knotted in her stomach and she was grateful she’d opted for sparkling water, rather than something that might impair her judgment further. 

“Deal.” 

“Deal?” 

“Deal,” She laughed. “I’ll hear you out. After all, it’s a win-win, right?” 

“Every bit as smart as you’re cracked up to be.” He gestured to her almost empty drink. “What are you drinking? Next round is on me.”

“I’m not drinking, actually.” She held the glass up. “Club soda.” 

“Straight edge?”

“Wanted to keep a clear mind, you know, in case I met someone…important.” Evie smirked. 

“What a shame.” He downed the rest of his drink. “Well, the drinks here blow anyways. You’d think with all the donor money, they’d be able to afford top shelf, but I guess not. You happen to know if that old bar on McClaren is still open?” 

“It is very much open, at least it was when I finished my shift last night.” She grinned at his double take. 

“Woah, woah. Wait. You’re telling me you hold a patent that many interested parties, myself included, would pay well into the seven-figure range for, and you’re moonlighting as a bartender?”

“Something like that.” 

“You are full of surprises, Ms. Langston.” 

“You don’t know the half of it, Mr. Stark.” 

“Well, forgive me for being so forward, but if I stay at this party one more minute then I’m at severe risk of becoming clinically depressed and doing something destructive.” He held his arm out. “Care to join me for an after party, hopefully with fewer sticks-in-asses?” 

“Lead the way.” She took his arm and followed him towards the side door, fully aware of what people would say when they saw the pretty redhead leaving on the arm of the womanizing billionaire. 

Let them talk. 

Leaving with Tony Stark turned into one of the best decisions of her college career. His driver, a man aptly named Happy, was waiting for them outside. They’d made the short drive across town to The Bostonian, or The Bos, as the locals so affectionately called it. The champagne they’d drank on the way over probably cost more than the whole stock of liquor at the bar. When they arrived at the curb, Happy had rushed around to open the door for them. Downing the rest of the glass, Evie savored the feeling of warmth bubbling up in her stomach as she strode through the oh-so-familiar doors, Tony right behind her. 

When she walked in, she saw her best friend, Jade, right in the thick of the Friday evening rush. Flirting with a customer as she popped the lids off of two beers for another, she was a natural. The kind of bartender that every regular had a crush on. Her attention flicked to the door, where she clocked Evie and Tony right behind her. Recognition, confusion, then excitement all flashed across her face. 

“What’s up, E!” She yelled over the clamor. A handful of regulars turned their attention to her, whistling at her evening attire. It was a far cry from the jeans and tank top she usually wore, but judging from the tips she made, no one was complaining about her standard uniform. 

As they strode further into the bar, all attention turned from Evie to Tony. A slow chant of “Iron Man! Iron Man!” broke out around the crowded room, with Tony not even trying to look modest. After a few moments, he raised his hands in the air to quiet everyone down. 

“Alright, alright, I know you all probably think that if you flatter me, I’ll whip out my card and buy a round of shots for everyone,” He gave a disapproving look around the room, then reached in his lapel pocket. “...and I will.”

The room erupted into thunderous cheering, with the Iron Man chant coming back in full swing. Tony put his hand on Evie’s lower back, guiding her through the chaos to the bar. Two regulars immediately vacated their seats, clapping Tony on the back. 

Jade put two shot glasses down in front of them, leaning over the bar to give a generous view down her shirt. She was the one who’d taught Evie that if she wanted to make double the tips, leave the bra at home. It seemed that tonight was a night she wanted to make double the tips. 

“Now, Mr. Stark, with all bar-wide orders, there is a mandatory fifty percent tip included for the bartender.” She winked, sliding his glass across the table. 

“Only fifty?” He made a face, downed the shot with zero reaction, and met her gaze again. “You can have whatever tip you want, and that’s not limited to just cash.” 

She smirked. “I’ll keep that in mind.” 

Evie rolled her eyes, grinning at Jade’s shameless flirting before downing her own shot. She sucked the lime to take the edge off, but her eyes still watered. 

“Alright kiddo, this is what happens when you roll with me.” Tony squeezed her shoulder before signaling for another round. “Consider this the beginning of your official Stark industries recruitment period.” 

______

The next morning, Evie met Jade for their usual Saturday morning walk to their favorite coffee shop. When Evie took the job at The Bos, Jade had been a welcome bonus. She wasn’t a student at MIT, despite being pretty smart. She’d grown up incredibly wealthy, definitely the Hamptons and yacht type. Her family had pushed her toward Ivy League education, toward the path of marrying whichever eligible bachelor was best suited to take over her father’s hedge fund one day. She told her family she was attending Harvard, faked a transcript whenever she needed to, and blamed her lack of contact on how inundated with her studies she was. Evie had asked her once what she planned to do in two years when her family expected to attend her graduation, and she’d simply shrugged and said she’d figure it out. 

She was a breath of fresh air in comparison to everyone who took themselves way too fucking seriously. Having Harvard and MIT in the same city often felt like all the oxygen had been sucked out of the atmosphere, being stored up in the massive heads of all those that studied there. 

The walk was later than usual, with the sun already high in the sky. Last night’s escapades had stretched well into the night, with Evie ultimately thankful they’d been at the bar she lived above, as she stumbled up the steps at an unholy hour. When she’d woken up this morning, her head was pounding and she was still in her cocktail dress. Even now, in her crewneck and sweatshorts, she could feel the ghost of the corset’s boning pressing into her. 

Evie yawned, stretching her arms above her head as they walked. "I can't believe how late we stayed out. My head is still spinning."

Jade grinned, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Yeah, but it was worth it. I haven't had that much fun in ages. Tony Stark sure knows how to liven up a place."

Evie laughed, shaking her head. "He's definitely a character. Ordering shots for the entire bar? He definitely lived up to his reputation."

“Oh, he absolutely did.” Jade winked and looped her arm through Evie’s as they walked. 

Evie raised an eyebrow. "Did I miss something when I went up to bed?"

Her grin widened. "Let's just say, Tony Stark is very generous in more ways than one."

"Jade, you did not!" She burst out laughing, shaking her head.

Jade shrugged, looking pleased with herself. "Hey, a girl’s gotta eat."

“I saw the tip jar before we even sat down, you’re not in danger of starving anytime soon.” 

“Hey, he said I could have whatever tip I wanted.” She bumped Evie’s hip with her own. “I just happened to want a big one.” 

“Jesus Christ, Jade,” She pretended to cover her ears. “At least wait until I’m not fucking hungover and nauseous.” 

“Fine, get your little foo-foo croissant, but then I’m sparing no details.” 

They reached the coffee shop and ordered their usuals, then found a quiet spot outside to sit and enjoy their drinks. 

Evie took a sip of her coffee, feeling life slowly coming back to her, even as Jade told a story so salacious she felt slightly guilty for listening to it in the daylight. "Well, I’m glad you had a good time. It sounds like he exceeded expectations."

“You could say that,” Jade took a bite of Evie’s croissant. “It doesn’t hurt that my father absolutely despises him. Not that he’ll ever know, of course, but it made my night that much more enjoyable.” 

Shaking her head, Evie took the pastry back. “Daddy’s little law student, hard at work.” 

“Something like that. Anywho, why don’t you tell me why the hell you showed up at the bar with Tony Stark in the first place?” 

“Well, we met at the gala, we chatted, long story short –– he offered me a job.”

Jade nearly choked on her coffee. "What? Are you serious?"

Evie grinned. "Yeah, he was familiar with my work on Nanoflex and offered me a job on the spot. I said I preferred to finish school first, but he told me to consider my Stark Industries recruitment to have officially begun."

Jade's jaw dropped. "Evie, that’s amazing! But wait, why the hell wouldn’t you go now? Don’t tell me that piece of paper really means that much to you. You’re basically already a bazillionaire, you don’t need to pander for funding like the rest of those assholes do.” 

Evie chuckled. "I don’t know, I guess I just don’t want to rush things. No, I don’t really need the degree, I suppose. I know my parents will be so excited to come up for a graduation, to tell their friends their daughter graduated from MIT, blah blah blah. They’ve always been so pro-living life. If I drop out of college to go to work, even at my dream job, my mom will lose so much sleep thinking I’m chained to a desk slaving away for the rest of time. Plus, everything I made before I was eighteen is in a trust I can only access if I actually graduate. So, here I am.” She elbowed Jade. “Plus, is it really so bad to keep slinging drinks with you for another two years?” 

“No, no it is not.” Jade raised her coffee cup. “To Evie Langston, genius, future Stark Industries standout, mediocre bartender, and the best wingwoman a girl could ask for.” 

Evie raised her coffee cup, laughing. 

“I swear, Eves, no one is better at getting what they want than you. I don’t know what kind of witchcraft you’re practicing, but I want in.” 

“I’ll bring my spellbook to the bar tonight.” She winked. 

Present Day

Evie stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the collar of her blazer. Her vibrant red hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail, the kind that gave you a splitting headache by lunchtime. Knowing she’d regret it later, she doubled down on her chosen hairstyle, knowing it accentuated her cheekbones. Yet another gift bestowed upon her through the gene pool, along with her green eyes, now sparkling with anticipation. Today was the day she’d start her new job at Stark Industries. Today was the day that years –– decades of her hard work would come to fruition. 

All the years being ahead in school, seeking a challenge and never quite finding it. Years of boredom and near stifling education, causing her to get into some trouble. MIT had pushed her just enough to keep her mind occupied, and once she’d officially received her offer from Stark Industries during her sophomore year, the rest of her education had been a formality leading up to this moment.

Now –– just as he’d promised two years ago, there was a job waiting for her after graduation. She’d walked in her ceremony just a week prior, insisting on starting her job right away. The only reason she’d allowed a week in between was to fly home and humor her mother with an over the top graduation party, and then settle into this new apartment just two blocks away from Stark Tower. It was still somewhat sparse, not quite lived-in. The problem with luxury apartments is that they always felt too clinical, too impersonal. A little part of her felt nostalgic for the little apartment she’d lived in above the bar back in Boston, the owner of The Bos giving her a break in rent since she bartended part time. It was small, cramped, and always had a lingering liquor smell wafting up through the floor, but it was the first place she’d lived in on her own. This new apartment was about ten times the size of that little shoebox, but lacked the charm. She was somewhat new to the level of income she’d found herself bringing in, between the numerous patents she’d sold and the consulting gigs she’d taken throughout college, and finally having access to her trust now that her degree was finalized. Plus, with the Stark Industries salary, she was bringing in more money than she knew what to do with. She made a mental note to hire an interior designer and pick up an extra large coffee on her way to the office.

Meandering around the room, she put gold hoops in her ears, pulled her purse onto her shoulder, and slid her laptop into her bag. Behind her, the phone buzzed on her nightstand. She picked it up, a smirk forming as she read the message from Tony Stark.

Ready to knock their socks off, Red? Just remember, no blowing up the lab on your first day.

Evie typed back quickly, grinning. No promises, Stark. Hope your insurance is comprehensive.

She took a deep breath, giving herself a final once-over. With a confident smile, she grabbed her bag and headed out the door. As she locked up, she tried her best not to smile like an idiot.

[yourtoradorasextendedwarranty]

Genuinely, i hate politics.

But you? Your claim to fame is being ignorant of them.

You baffle me. it's all propaganda sure, clearly trump isn't fascist. BUT he's clearly not good for us either. He's uneducated when he talks on tv, being unwilling to be fact checked to any capacity during a debate. You talk about him not wanting to interfere outside our borders, but the guy has managed to upset our country neighbors instilling tariffs that make the goods we buy more expensive.

Why? Because "drugs are being imported." It's so funny, too, cause we did it to canada,

Do you know what we buy from canada?

Wood. Lots of wood.

In fact canada has 9% of the worlds forests in it. 68 percent of the forests in Canada is coniferous forests... made up of pine and spruce and fir, the easiest lumber to build with, in fact its what most people in america build their houses with.

America, although it holds 8 percent of the worlds forests... It isn't actually very... "fir filled" persay being only about 33 percent coniferous forests.

(This is all google findable, btw, public information, go look)

And we get most of our fruit and veggies imported through mexico. (2 thirds of our veggies and half our fruit)

(Yes... even i will admit that its a problem that drugs get imported)

Most of our drugs? Local. Can be traced to some den in someone's basement. most of those immigrants that trump wants to deport? Not even mexican. They're fleeing countries in asia. Families.

So you? You just suck honestly. I stumbled across your blog by accident. I hope you enlighten yourself.

(Elon is a whole trash fire that i dont even WANNA touch honestly because the man isn't even american, but he's running the new government spending cutters. He's a chainsaw. He's just insane.)

See this is one of those instances where you're attempting to pretend to have a good faith argument by not completely deriding the individuals that I've spoken about.

And the reason that I talk about politics is because they have an effect on the world around me and I would like to participate in discussions involving such because despite the fact that I do hate how much politics divides everyone it becomes a necessity at some point to talk about them.

Donald Trump was willing to be fact checked he just wasn't willing to be fact-checked by media organizations that take his words out of context and/or just straight up lie. Like snopes who is a company that is supposedly a fact checking company that said that he it did in fact condone white supremacist and white nationalist.

Then 7 years after they published their original b*******, they corrected the record to state that he did not. And it was to make Joe Biden look bad because they wanted to remove him from office. CNN, the New York times, and 98% of the general mainstream media is in the pocket of the Democrats. That's an objective fact if you are capable of objective thought.

Because we have had instances of people going from other countries to Canada to then be let through the Canadian American border. Also I'm sure that the FBI and the CIA, despite the fact that I like it neither of those organizations as a whole, would very much protest the idea that fentanyl specifically and other opioids originate from the US. Because a lot of fentanyl comes from China and from Mexican cartels. This ignoring the fact that Canada and other countries already have tariffs existing with other countries and us.

But when we do it it's a bad thing. Apparently. Because here's an interesting something. Tariffs, specifically of Mexico, we're a means of pressuring their government to actually watch the border. Not even just for drugs but to help deter illegal immigration.

Now Elon specifically is just a goofy person who is laying cuts to the government. Of which you will not see me objecting to. Because they always spend too much money on oftentimes absolutely nothing. And if the USAID scandal is anything to go by the Treasury department was just sending money in the millions and billions with no earmarks, no comments, just at request. He isn't some secret oligarch. And he isn't really in charge of anything except for just being an investigator of these things. And the man is literally so rich he has no need to lie about his findings.

Trump specifically has an individual who was Democrat his entire life. And only ran for the Republican party because that would have been the only party he would be allowed to run in. You say he refuses to be fact-checked. I say that he refuses to be fact checked by lunatics and liars. Because oftentimes the fact checks about him are fundamentally false, gross exaggerations, or manipulated language over semantics.

What am I talking about:

- Very fine people hoax

- Russian Collision hoax

- Pee Tape hoax

- Drink cleaner hoax

- Bloodbath hoax

And the list continues. The media OVER AND OVER asked him to condemn white supremacist and he did it over 33 times. And each time they claimed he didn't.

YOUR media "Fact Checkers" lie. Often. It took them actual YEARS sometimes to admit it but would have other hosts on the same network peddle the lie all over again.

Also also imports very much depends on state. Like Texas. We have a shit ton of piny woods we use for our supply of wood.

No, what I find personally insufferable, is that there are people like you and others who I debate with who literally believe a lot of the narrative that left this have been pushing for years. The media tells you something and you immediately run with it. And what drives me even more nuts, is that there are people like you who are willing to play borderline good faith and say, "oh I know Trump isn't a fascist but that doesn't mean he's not an evil person".

He is just a person that the current and deep state has taken issue with because people can no longer line their pockets and literally lay out the foundation for a global war. Because those of the uni party want war because it makes them rich and it wears down other countries and militaries. And frankly speaking with any level of critical thinking if you look at the davos types and the WEF types there are a lot of people with the 2030 agenda on mind. Which if I remember correctly is a one world government a one-world military and unseeding certain powers that be to get there. Because a bunch of rich people and influential people believe that they are significantly more intelligent than everyone else and that everyone else are peasants, too stupid to know better.