#anyway yesterday i was like 'yes i WILL be going to the factory to see if i can get a case of water

[altruistic-meme]

it is every time without fail. maybe there IS an underlying issue here (<- the underlying issue is severe social anxiety, unfortunately)

[svcredveins]

Drivers heart rates during a stint

I love it when drivers mention how fast their heart rate was during a stint! Here’s one of my favourite drivers (Mathieu Jaminet) talking about Porsche drivers having a higher heart rate than most other drivers in a different car manufacturer. Fascinating!

I love on how there’s just so much heart related stuff in racing. Like I just cannot help always think about how their bodies are reacting to the stresses in the car - getting in/out of the car, in a battle with another driver, the temperature in the car, fighting the car if there’s an issue, the focus after a deep breath, etc. like it’s truly fascinating just thinking about it all. How their emotions are, how their heart feels, their adrenaline pumping constantly, their focus flowing, them fighting fatigue when in a full course yellow for so long…the human body is a fascinating work of art and the pure emotion of what motorsport has to offer is absolutely bliss. The highs, and the lows, it’s all poetic. Racing is an art, and it requires so much energy and dedication to have a fit mind and body in this sport. It is the best high you can get. But the greatest thing of all, is always coming back to even the most frustrating race. Why? Because it is addicting. It is an addiction that brings you a victory if you fight and fight and fight to get a sharp mind to withstand all of the circumstances in especially an endurance race like the 24H of Nurburgring or the 24H of Le Mans. I love racing, and this is my dream to become a Porsche factory driver, and the Porsche drivers are more on edge according to JamJam talking about him having a higher heart rate. It’s just so interesting! 👀

So every time him and Matt Campbell are in the car I just again cannot help but imagine where their heart rates are and what emotion they’re feeling; blood pumping so quickly from the adrenaline and working the car, also their chests rising and falling heavily after a stint and ready for a double. Truly, motorsport and emotions from the heart is poetic and are perfect combinations. Dreaming of being Porsche factory driver and being a cardiophile? Wow! What a combo! 🫀😍

I just need to be in one so bad. This is what I crave. Sure the sim is amazing and I love it, but nothing, and I mean nothing beats real life racing. Like get me in a Porsche 992 GT3 R or especially the 963, I am so needing it! Driven by dreams. That is what Porsche is all about, making dreams matter and making them come true.

Michi was also talking about her heart rate! Gosh I love it when they do! She drives for Lamborghini, but she also drives a Porsche and I am so glad the Iron Dames at least drive one in the ELMS (European Le Mans Series)! I honestly think it suits them a lot better because Porsche has the motto of “driven by dreams” and their motto is “women driven by dreams”. Honestly that meshes well with the Iron Dames so hoping one day they’ll go full on Porsche because Porsche is unbeatable! They even won at Imola yesterday so yep, they suit the Porsche a lot. Not to mention Porsche is so strong and always has been; relevant everywhere, always making dreams come true, always pushing, always having passion, motivation…I just love this brand. They bring a powerful message and they are also focused on women making dreams come true. Eeeek Porsche!

But yeah this is always wholesome looking at what the drivers say about their hearts. I love it. It goes hand and hand together. It is a feel that most would find crazy, but others would devour it, I’m the others, and yes I say this a lot but seriously, this is my dream - to drive for Porsche. Maybe the first female factory driver for them? No idea if there was or not, but anyway. I love it.

It’s so criminally underrated that hearts are the organ that keeps us alive and it’s so overlooked by many people. People don’t often see fascination of a human heart going up to 178 or even in Laurens Vanthoor’s case, 190 BPM, after an hour long stint in the car. It’s just insane! Let alone this is an underrated high. I don’t do drugs or alcohol and I can definitely say this is far healthier than that. You have to be addicted to this. You have to have pure passion for this. Because if you really wanna do it, then you will go for it. It’s pure bliss!

[countrymusiclover]

21 - Lehnsherr Revenge

Part 22

Battle of Heart and Mind

Tag list - ask to be added (in my ask box please) @aintinacage @hiraethrhapsody @mostlymarvelgirl @importantgalaxyrunaway

Shrugging on a red leather jacket paired with a gray tea shirt and dark blue jeans with boots. Tying my hair in a French braid going down my back I just stared at myself in the bathroom mirror. “The baby…they would have been a mutant like me and sissy.”

Ryder’s words were still buzzing around in my mind. Lowering a hand to my stomach I felt tears welling in my eyes thinking of my baby. Gripping the sink underneath my fingertips I sucked in a sharp and shaky breath hearing footsteps come across the creaky wooden floor. “Addison?”

“I just need a minute, Erik.” I tremble out a response with him standing in the doorway wearing a different change of clothes like me.

His gaze lifted up from the floor watching me. “Take your time. I just got the twins in the car.”

“Did you tell Charles we are dropping them off?” My eyes held focus on the mirror. Dropping one hand to my stomach I gripped the fabric of my shirt between my fingers still feeling the baby in me even though that wasn't the case.

My husband stepped up behind me unsure what the right thing was to do for me. Anyway he still wrapped his arms around me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder. “Don't worry about that right now. Besides, he's a telepath. He'll figure it out.”

“I never thought this would happen to us. I…I never had a reason to want those people dead. Until they…they killed our baby.” Spinning my body around to face his front I couldn't stop the tears when I looked him in the eye.

He was no stranger to harsh and personal loss, but I was. My father Shaw and I weren't really close but this baby was a part of me. “Addi, come here. We're gonna be okay.”

“How are we going to be okay?” I sobbed into his shirt clutching the fabric in between my fingers.

Erik remained silent, unsure how to answer. “I'm not sure yet. But we'll figure it out.” The pair just remained holding one another until they both believed it was out of their system at least for a few hours until something triggered the horrible memory again.

The drive to the factory wasn't far from our house. Erik put the car in park looking into the backseat at the twins. “You have to be good and do exactly what you're mother tells you too. Do you understand?”

“Yes daddy.” Astraea nodded.

Ryder gave a thumbs up. “Yeah.”

“Are you sure you want to do this still, Addison?” Erik shifted in his seat sending her a weak look.

Reaching across the dash I intertwined my hand in his. “They deserve it, Erik.” We got out of the car and slowly walked into the factory. Erik closed the metal door with his mind causing everyone to turn their attention towards the two of us.

“Some of you spoke to the police... about what you believe you witnessed here yesterday. You want to know my powers... know who I am... see what I can do? I'll show you.” Erik began speaking, never removing my hand from his. “Think of the person you love most in your life. Your wife. Mother. Daughter. Son….unborn child Now that person will know what it is to lose someone they love. And live with that pain. Forever.”

One of the workers spoke. “Henryk, please. Don't do this.”

“My name isn't Henryk. My name is Magneto…Addison.” He answered him back watching me step forward turning our hands red taking his power.

Stepping forward away from him, my hands clutching into fists at my sides. “Invidia!” Raising my hands out in front of me and shooting my power towards the men.

The workers grabbed their heads crying out when the metal helmets they wore began crunching around their heads. I waved one of my hands, launching them up into the air and then slammed them down into the ground. The metal wires coming up out of the dirt, wrapping around them. Erik watched me with a smirk on his face making the men who wronged us both suffer.

“Who the fuck are you?” Erik could feel someone standing behind us so he glanced over his shoulder coming to see a guy with dark blue skin and covered in warriors type armor.

“I’m here for you.” The stranger answered.

Erik quickly turned his head telling me to run. “Get out of here. I’ll find you if he can be trusted.” Bolting out of the factory to the car I ran out of there with the kids in the backseat asleep. The drive was long before Erik texted me saying we should go along with the stranger and whatever plan he had.

Parking the car in the driveway of the school I nudged each twin, waking them up. Holding my hands with the two I walked them inside in search of Xavier’s main office. Some kids ran past us before I saw a wheelchair go into one of the rooms telling me where he was. Entering the office room the familiar professor lifted his head up from the papers he had scattered on the desk. “Addi! Astraea, Ryder. It’s good to see you. I wasn’t expecting a visit.”

“Sorry to just drop in unannounced. We weren’t exactly planning on coming without telling you beforehand.” I apologized to my friend.

Charles raised a hand not offended. “Don’t apologize, love. Is Erik with you too?”

“Mommy left him at his work.” Ryder piped up standing by his twin sister.

Charles knitted his brows. “I’m afraid I’m not following.”

“Kiddos, how about you go to your rooms here and get settled while I talk with your uncle Charles. I’ll find you before we get some food.” Bending down on a knee I pushed the kids out the door so we could talk privately. I didn’t wish for them to know what was really going on.

Once the office door was shut Charles spoke up. “Addi, please tell me what is going on.” I knew he could read my mind to know the answer but he was still polite about it.

“I was pregnant, Charles. Until I lost it.” I sniffed through some heavy tears that had begun falling down my face.

Charles raised a hand to his mouth. “Oh Addi. I’m so sorry. How…how did it happen if you don’t mind me asking?”

“A handful of policemen were killed by Erik after one of them accidentally fired an arrow into my stomach. I…I lost it a few seconds after I pulled the arrow out.” I sniffed wrapping my arms around myself for comfort.

Charles rolled up closer to me in his wheelchair. “But you’re perfectly fine now. How is that possible?”

“Ryder can heal people. He is a mutant like we were speculating. He actually has more than one ability.” I trailed off tucking hair behind my ear. “He can sense other mutants…the baby would have been one is what he told me and Erik.”

Charles tilted his head grasping my freehand in his giving me a soft look. “Addi, my love. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you. But I came here to ask you a favor.”

He answered without hesitation. “Ask me anything.”

“Could you watch the twins for a little while. Erik and I have some things to take care of but I don’t want them being around us while we finish our tasks.” I questioned the telepath professor.

He nodded in agreement. “Of course I can. In fact there’s no one in your old room. You can spend the night here if you wish before you return back to him.”

“I appreciate that. Thanks.” I squeezed his hand seperaing to go find my old room while he returned to grading his students papers. Night had come down on the old Xavier mansion faster than ever in my opinion. I had settled the twins down to sleep over an hour ago. Laying down underneath the covers of the bed I heard my phone vibrate on the nightstand. Picking up my phone I saw that Erik had texted me the details of the strange man.

Erik - He wants to have us both help him with his plans. How are the kids

Me - They are asleep now. I’ll make the drive back there tomorrow.

Erik - He says that he has someone who can locate you for him. Just stay at the house and we’ll come in.

Me - sounds suspicious. Just make sure he won’t hurt our kids

Erik - will do, Addison. Love you

Me - love you too

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[cosmicoceanfic]

Would you consider sharing the Crowley!Dirk/Aziraphale!Todd snippet? :)

Happy to help! :)

“Quite frankly,” Dirk says, adjusting his yellow jacket slightly. “I don’t see what you’re so upset about. You couldn’t give any less of a shit about cars.”

Todd continues to gaze at the back of the Bentley, despairing and despondent. “I care about being seen in this car.”

“Oh, buck up. She’s got character.”

“She’s also got a bumper sticker that says You Had Me at Merlot.”

“Oh, do you like it? I actually just put it on yesterday, it’s remarkable what you can find on the Internet.”

“You don’t even like wine, Dirk.”

“Well, I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”

“Someday you’re gonna put too many wine related bumper stickers on there and you’re gonna get pulled over for a breathalyzer.”

Dirk scoffs. “I would love to see them try.”

“Oh my god.”

The two of them turn to see a human of some sort, staring at the back of the Bentley in horror.

“Yes?” Dirk asks, extremely bright and cheerful which, as Todd knows well, is never a good sign.

“Did you.” The man looks close to an aneurysm. “Did you just… slather the back of a pristine first year Bentley in bumper stickers?”

“Fetching, aren’t they? I think they add a little character.”

“It’s a first year Bentley, it doesn’t need ch- do you even know what you have?”

“Not really. I picked it up at an estate sale a few years back, I couldn’t resist, I saw that bumper and just knew it needed a bumper sticker that says All This Mom Needs Is a Little Wine and Bon Jovi.”

Todd rolls his eyes. Dirk’s had this car practically since it left the factory floor. He’d insisted on taking Todd out for the first spin in it, at which point he’d gone so fast Todd had thought his spine was going to rip itself loose from his body and he was going to have to try and wrangle a new one. He’d started working out how he was going to explain himself as Dirk took a corner at breakneck speed, cackling.

“You just-“ The man points at Dirk. “You do not deserve to have that car. Somebody should take it from you.”

Todd is immediately rankled by the presence of the finger and takes a few steps forwards. “Hey, how about you mind your own business and fuck right off?”

The man takes a few steps forwards of his own. “Don’t tell me how to live my life, you-“

“Listen,” Dirk says, still smiling (again, a bad sign), lightly tugging on Todd’s arm until he’s the one closer to the man. “My friend may have been particularly prickly about it, but I think everybody’s best interests would be served by you listening to him.”

The man’s face transforms into terror and Todd rolls his eyes again. Dirk likes to do this thing when he wants to scare a human where he slowly burns his contacts away to reveal the snake eyes underneath and he doesn’t even have to look at him to know that’s what he’s doing now.

The man turns around and flees. Dirk calmly pulls a pair of white cat eye sunglasses out of his pocket, affixing them as he turns to Todd, beaming.

“Well!” He says brightly. “I think that went rather smashing, don’t you?”

“It’s not like it takes much work to scare a human, Dirk, they don’t even like it when the shadows get a little longer.”

“Of course they don’t.” Dirk leans in, teeth gleaming. “That’s where things like me live.”

Third time’s the charm, Todd thinks as he rolls his eyes. “Uh-huh.”

The grin gets a little goofier. “Thank you for defending my honor.”

“Shut up.” Todd approaches the passenger side of the car. “Are we taking your nightmare car or not? We’re gonna miss our reservation.”

“You know,” Dirk says, getting into the driver’s seat. “Somehow I think they’d let us in anyway.”

[dragonentusiast]

✨Christmas special with Hogwarts finest✨

Hero was in huge trouble. Well not the usual kind of trouble, it's worse. In two days it's Christmas the favourite holiday of every christian and capitalist. Okay that was harsh even for Hero. But we are 39 words in and we still don't know the problem. Well it's quite simple. Hero can't find a book on "how to gift something to someone if you have an infinite bag of stuff to make it different from what you do on a daily basis". Yeah and it wouldn't be the same. A new tea pot for Ivy? One second and Hero has it. Maybe a custom made gloves for Daniel? Hero already gifted him like a whole glove factory worth of gloves. Who knew that having everything can be bad? But Hero has a plan. And to no one's surprise it involves stalking his friends. With invisibility potions. Kevin and Robyn were taking a stroll in the courtyard. Ah yes a love potion would be perfect...no it's too basic and unethical.

Kevin: It's so quiet today.

Robyn: Well today even evil folks are enjoying the snow and the holiday spirit. Aaaaaaand BB hasn't been seen since yesterday.

Kevin: Now that's scarier than any possible attack on hogwarts or any secret place that isn't discovered yet.

Robyn: I can't wait to see what he will pull this time! I was sooooo jealous of those custom made Weasley Whizzbangs he used last week!

Kevin: The ones that he tied to every broom in the castle and let them roam freely?

Hero almost blew his cover by laughing at his own prank. But a professional stalker cannot make such rookie mistakes. But when he thinks of Slughorn running he can't help but snicker. But back to the conversation because Hero already has a gift idea for Robyn.

Kevin: Do you know what my cousin got me for Christmas?

Robyn: Let me guess books.

Kevin: Dueling books.

Robyn started laughing.

Kevin: A year prior they got me monster books! It chewed up my limited edition cook book!

Robyn: Wait what? Cook book?

Kevin: Yes. There is a dessert called the Ice Queen's pudding. I love it but the only recipe for it is in Mrs. Burnback's limited edition Magic in the Kitchen books. They are long sold out and if you try to write down the recipe it disappears!

Robyn: What an amazing jinx for something so trivial. Don't worry Kev maybe the black market has a copy of it.

Kevin: It will be freezing in hell the day I set foot there again.

Mission accomplished. Cue the music! Now all Hero has to do is find the others. To his surprise Ivy and Daniel were actually looking for him. Well it is kind of out of character for him not to harass either of them. They might be worried about him! But it's more likely that Daniel needs weed again but Ivy won't let him go into the Forbidden Forest alone anymore since he got lost in it. Twice.

Ivy: Hey Cassandra! I know we aren't the best if friends but have you seen Hero?

Cassandra: Who?

Daniel: BB.

Cassandra: No I haven't seen any fashion disasters. Well I have but not as severe as BB is.

Ivy: How could no one seen him?

Daniel: Yeah I mean he has white hair. Not to mention that bag he carries around. He stands out like a sore thumb. And there are no traces of disaster either. I think he's dead.

Ivy: Daniel don't say that!

Cassandra: Oh don't worry knowing him he will be back to haunt you guys.

Ivy: Come on, it's not funny!

Daniel: Have you considered that he has other friends and he is with them?

Ivy: ...

Cassandra: ...

Daniel: You are right it's the most unlikely scenario.

Ivy: Anyways, any plans for Christmas?

Wow they forgot him really quickly.

Cassandra: My parents will organise a Christmas party. I want everything to be perfect but so far nothing is going according to plan!

Ivy: Because?

Cassandra: I don't have any accessories!

Daniel: Should have thought.

Cassandra: Silence turtle neck. Do you know how hard it is to find a fitting earring that is elegant but not simple but not too extravagant for the new dress that Night sky fashion released?

Ivy: Oooooh the sparkly dress?

Cassandra: It's- Yes the "sparkly dress".

Daniel: Well I won't do anything out of the ordinary. I will probably help Esme with cooking dinner.

Ivy: Will there be any Christmas pudding?

Daniel: I know what I will get for you to Christmas.

Ivy laughed.

Cassandra: I would look out for my diet if I were you.

Ivy: I don't eat that many sweets!

Daniel: You eat so many since Hero won you that Honeydukes life time coupon on the Halloween dance that it is a health hazard!

Ivy: Not you too Daniel! That's it I want new friends for Christmas.

Cassandra: I'm not your friend.

Ivy: Than I suppose you don't need the gift I bought for you.

Cassandra: ...

Ivy: That's what I thought!

Daniel: Now that you mentioned it-

A chilly wind runs through the hallways of the castle and Daniel sneezes.

Daniel: This damn cold!

Cassandra: May I suggest purchasing a better coat? Maybe in a different colour. And style.

Daniel: I don't have the money for it right now. I had to buy Esme those concert tickets she wanted.

Ivy: I will make you some tea in the clubhouse.

Daniel: Thanks Ivy.

Ivy: No problem. I have been getting myself into tea flavours lately. But there are so many of them and some of them couldn't even be purchased in England!

Cassandra: Of course not! The more special tea bags come from China. My uncle got some dragon fruit and hibiscus tea for my mom's birthday.

Ivy: Sounds delicious!

Well Hero heard enough. He will send his dad to China. He will send hie mom to get a definitely not snake shaped accessory and a warm coat. She is the most elegant woman Hero knows after all. But maybe Cassandra's taste is even unknown for her. But oh well she should be happy that he won't put a baby dragon into that gift box. Hero finds Lottie and the twins chat in the great hall. What a rare site. But when he hears the conversation he instantly understands.

Lottie: That's so sweet of you two! Of course I will make a portrait of your mother!

Colby: Thanks a lot. We wanted something special and we aren't the best at this kind of stuff.

Fischer: Yeah thanks Lottie!

Lottie: No problem! I love it when someone shows interest in art. Speaking of art there is a beautiful limited edition Winter wonder palette from the famous painter Mr. Thompson. It's a shame it's already sold out.

Colby: Oh that's really a shame. But maybe you will find one at an auction. Some valuable stuff ends up there often.

Lottie: Yeah that's what my dad said too. And how will you spend Christmas?

Fischer: With a lot of tasty food and presents!

Colby muttering: If only I could tell them that I want a poetry book.

Fischer: What is it brother?

Colby: I said if only I could get a baby dragon!

Fischer: Oh yeah that would be cool. Do you think I could get a sign broom from Mr. Coldwell? He is the best beater in the quidditch league!

Lottie: Anything is possible if you set your mind to it!

Colby: But probably not. Mr. Coldwell is in training camp in Norway.

Fischer: One can dream brother.

And that's it folks the secret Santa has all the information needed. He can't wait for those surprised faces! But he should reveal himself soon, before Ivy reports him to the headmistress or worst Daniel wanders into the Forbidden Forest and gets lost. Again.

Pt 2 coming maybe?

[ai404]

yesterday, months after having gone to HR and reported that they have a problem with way too many creeps in the factory and expressed my discomfort at having my personal phone number on the first aid volunteer chart at work, i got a bunch of random texts from an unknown number and i'm POSITIVE they got it off that chart with my face on it because i dont give my number out, i fucking hate being asked for my number. and when i said idek who tf this is they responded with "you will soon" ... HELLO??!

i didnt bother going back to HR bc they've already proven they won't do shit. but my friend found the number linked to a cashapp and we pulled it up on the company directory and found out who his manager is and reported it to him and he said "i can fix that" lol. lmao. and THEN HE CALLS ME AND IS LIKE "oh no this guy lost his phone around lunch, somebody stole it" I DONT FUCKING BELIEVE YOU. HE GAVE ME HIS NAME AND IT MATCHED WHAT WE FOUND. PLAY BACK THE CAMERAS. DO *SOMETHING*. FIRE THAT FUCKING MAN BC IM NOT GOING BACK INTO WORK NOT KNOWING WHO THE HELL IS WATCHING AND MESSAGING ME. the blind fucking rage that ripped through me after i got off that call... i already told my manager im not coming in today.

and i cant even quit bc i dont have any fucking money LMAO like im so so miserable here and im so tired of being seen that way and it's so stupid and pitiful but a part of me gets so hurt bc i would LOVE for someone to actually bother to be my friend for once but all i attract is fucking creeps and pervy old men.

i'll go back in tomorrow and yes i will be armed to the teeth, as i always am. really wish i felt safe, ever, without a knife in my hands.

anyway no one is ever allowed to see me angry so it's fine im over it i just dont wanna be there rn and nobody at work will ever really know how much it upsets me and how disgusting and ugly i feel when stuff like this happens but it's fine, this is fine.

[basedkikuenjoyer]

Little mini-moment that I’ve found myself going back to and remembered with the headcanon post yesterday. This is 1056, we cut to Tsuru as Kin’emon’s simping. It’s cute, I read it as Tsuru was burned by Holdem in retribution for leading him on a goose chase. I like that from the angle Kiku, Tsuru, & Tama are cut from the same cloth. Women like that find a way to pitch in when it’s time to fight. What tripped me up was this older lady saying she’s from the Capital. Which yes, her and Kin were in the past. So is this saying they lived together there in the past? Did they live apart a lot? We know they’re married but don’t tend to see Tsuru around. Or was she there in Kuri and this lady is referring to Tsuru holding out in the Capital over the 20 years? Remember, she wasn’t waiting in Okobore. Said her and Kiku had both only been there about a month. And the last update from her before this showed her knowing who the Chrysamurai was all along.

For Kiku though. It’s interesting. Because the rest of the chapter is setting up closure for Carrot, Momo, & Yamato. The reason I like this for her in the middle of her scenes in this kind of chapter is it’s a big example of doing the opposite for Kiku. Sorta like Tama & Speed, it’s taking away a beat that could have been closure for Kiku. She was the one who seemed at peace in the rough environment of Okobore because it was liberating for her in it’s own way. The perfect opportunity for her and the hardships were things she was used to anyways. Even if the townsfolk remembered you like Tsuru they’d rather act like they don’t. Kiku’s the one best suited to pulling this off because the others would get drafted into the weapons factory on sight. Fate gave you this perfect reprieve where propriety and what’s best for you lined up. But it wasn’t going to last. You can’t go back, not to mention the continued Heike Monogatari allusion with the aspect of impermanence. It’s just another home in Wano left in ruin now.

[fourseasonsfigs]

Flower Butterfly Fashion Series (2) - Give Me a Like

Gong Jun is here with his little fig counterpart, all dressed up in Louis Vuitton's signature brown canvas.

Following up on yesterday's first fig in this series, Lucky Cat, here we have Junjun giving us a thumbs up!

If you've been reading this blog, you know I love Louis Vuitton. That being said, I don't actually love their signature brown canvas. I've never liked it, and have never planned to own any of it. And yet here this fig is, all decked out in it, so I guess in some way I ended up with some of it after all, in the cutest way possible!

Unlike me though, Gong Jun loves this jacket a whole lot. And why shouldn't he? Frankly, if I was on a magazine cover in a high end designer jacket, looking as good as he looks, I'd love it too, no matter what it's relative fashion merits are or aren't.

Anyway, his studio staff got him the jacket as a gift for his birthday, and he was so adorably delighted by it, I couldn't help but love it for him! Let see some smiling birthday boy Junjun:

He's so cute, I can't even handle it. Junjun should get all the jackets! Every single one of them!

As a side note, this whole live stream for his birthday (2021) was just wonderful. I just adore it. Such a down to earth, cheerful stream! My friend likes to put on his live streams on the background sometimes (his dumpling-making one is her particular favorite!) to give her room some cheerful energy, and inspired by her, I started doing that when I'm cleaning up my office. It really does brighten everything up to putter around and hear the cadence of his voice and the smiles in it.

OK, a few more shots of him in this outfit before we move on to the fig!

A+ for the WSJ photographer, that's a gorgeous shot of Junjun's beautiful hands. I would know that bottom half of his face anywhere!

Yes, you know I like his foot kicked up like this! Just gives a shoot a little extra personality. This would be a super cute fig of it's own!

When I bought this fig, the translated name of it was Like the Dog. Which confused me. Obviously the puppy dog here is Junjun, but I was thinking, what is like the dog? The dog is like what? I didn't realize it was literally, give him a social media like. Well, that's not a problem, I'm always happy to give our Junjunie a thumbs up!

This pic is a bit overexposed (the light decided to pass by a cloud and pour into my window at this exact moment, bathing my fig in a glorious glow), but the benefit of this is you get a really excellent view of the detail on his shiny shoes. Also please note the detail on the palm of his hand. Super cute!

They did a good job on his fingers and hands (and yes, the thumb!) overall! The seaming on PVC molds always makes it a bit difficult for the fig makers, but this is well done.

I was wondering how the fig maker and the factory was going to address the LV Monogram, given that the print actually has a lot going on to render into tiny fig clothing form. Especially considering it's all over the jacket! I think they did a great job by picking one of the recognizable elements and sticking with that. Less busy for sure.

It looks good too. Nice and sharp, and actually very little areas of overlap. Quality work!

I love the little detail of the cuffs on his pants!

Super cute! The proportions on his outstretched arm are perfect, as is his little hand. This particular fig maker always does a nice job.

The little touches of the neckerchief and the orange bars on the jacket really give this fig's outfit a lot of interest.

I continue to say how impressed I am that fig makers manage to capture the essence of Junjun's hairstyles. He literally just has short hair, in different configurations of volume and arrangement of his bangs. Yet, they just pay attention to the smallest details of how a lock of hair falls on his face, and render it to fig form. Here's a crop of the inspiration pic so you can see hat I mean:

The photographer did a great job on this shoot - the shadows and light on this is beautiful.

This is a nice angle to see all the rosiness in his cheeks. Also, I feel a little awkward saying this, but I do like the detail of his zipper fly on his pants, the belt seaming, and the buttons on his shirt. Tailoring! I'm talking tailoring detail here, folks!!!

Not much to see here other than a blurry thumb and the locks of his hair falling down over his forehead.

I'm really grateful the fig maker put the name of this fig in English on the box cards and the box. Makes it so much easier on your linguistically challenged figthusiast friend over here!

Material: PVC

Fig Count: 405

Scene Count: 28

Rating: 👍👍

[link back to Master Fig Index for more posts]

[slimmestslime]

just went to a con yesterday, pretty decently sized and wasn’t like. fifty people this time. was really fun though

(rambling \/)

saw sooo so many hazbin cosplayers and merch. lord fucking above i was drowning. BUT. i did see a cool as shit daft punk cosplay duo, some hyperspecific guys that im pretty sure handmade their cosplays from scratch. one guy’s stuff was like half articulated and it was a mecha type of thing. so that was pretty awesome. one girl came in on stilts for this like. monster-girl type cosplay? i could be stupid. but it was really cool

the merch booths were half/half. its convention prices As always, but there was some pretty banger shirts and stuff like terrariums and bonsai displays. There was a guy ripping us the FUCK off for 50 dollars a shirt (which were poorly printed), when directly across thw convention a guy was selling 3 for 50.

found a booth that i coined the Plushie Emporium because it was all entirely licensed plushies in like. a box you could walk into. was really cool but by the time i did my 10th lap or so i walked in. realized im five bucks short of buying anything in there nd walked back out. told the lady that i really liked her stock and i dont think she understood me. which um. i feel really bad for.

obligatory japanese food booth, and also two 3dprinted stalls which were neat. one of the stalls decorated like, ram sticks with a pokemon figurine and then other stuff. and im regretting not buying them now… fuck… and they had really nice 3d printed pokemon that were low-poly esque. …my only regret is not buying anything at that booth..

anyway! apart from merch, me and a friend attended some panels. one documenting 90s-late 2000s cosplaying, and another talking about oold old anime. and how anime evolved into the mainstream. both were pretty cool and funny. but we attended this one panell, “who’s line is it!” or, something. and its an improv panel. and holy fuck was it good. like it was rising improv artists doing really funny skits. was genuinely awesome

OH and. ONE person recognized me. he went “Hey Hank.” and i did the fucking thing where you freeze up and all you can say is “Hi!”. nd i felt like such ass i was about to go find the guy again and freak out and be like “YOU KNOW MADCOM TOO?!” but um. my friend told me not to worry abt it. but he was the first person to point me out!!! And of course he sounded like the fucking nerd emoji!!!! i think my brain forgot i Was indeed cosplaying as the wimbleman himself. and i just factory defaulted. sucks but whatever. he probably forgot by now (But i didnt

+before i forget, we played taiko and the controllers they had fucking Sucked. i dont know what wronged them but it SUCKED. i would have been FINE if i knew the KA placement WAS AT THE TOP OF THE RIM!!! I WAS HITTING THE SIDES!!! evil.

anyway. photos! Which isnt many.

^ obligatory wimbleisms, i didnt get many photos of my cosplay cause. i was mainly just Roaming around

^ funny stuff we found. and yes there was unironically good plushies there!! Really good. but then they had these too.

all in all. good convention. got myself a sakura miku figurine, wanted a nendoroid, Didn’t find any at all. but otherwise was fun. and this is technically my first proper convention, my first one was…. small. AND my first time cosplaying!!

i hope i can evolve Walmart Wimble out of the clearance section and actually upgrade the coat, figure out a better headwrap that isnt a cap, aand wire LEDS into the goggles. <- ( took engineering classes for 3 years, I Just Need Materials and a slight handholding. ) OH and bandages. cant forget about bandage wrap for the arms and head.

but yeah im sore as shit. :3!

[casspurrjoybell-33]

Wreckless - Being Comfortable

*Warning Adult Content*

Finnegan

I haven't seen Emmett in over a week and that's 95% my fault. I hate it which is worrying me on a different level but I also haven't had too much time to think about it. My father showed up at the factory on Friday morning for a walk through. My mother had flown out as well so I spent all weekend showing them Baltimore, the little of it I knew anyway. I of course came down with the spring cold from hell and spent Tuesday in bed and Wednesday working from my couch.

Emmett offered to come over and bring me soup but he was working all day and I was in no shape for company of any sort. That's what delivery is for. Yesterday I managed to get to work I make it through the day but I was in bed by 7:30. We've texted and had two evening phone calls so he knows I'm not ignoring him but it's just not the same... I miss him. I haven't really had anyone to miss in a long time or what feels like a long time. I don't know where this is going, him and me. For one, I should be heading back to Michigan in a month or so. Two, letting someone into my head, letting them know my secrets, well that's scary. I've never done it before and I don't know how it's going to play out.

Part of me wants to spin around and sing at top my lungs like I'm in the sound of music, like my apartment is the Austrian countryside. And yes, I want to do it in funny boxers. But then reality sets in and I know I'm weird and honestly, I don't want to date anyone who thinks I'm not. It makes me worry about what else they wouldn't have a problem with, know what I mean? But the possibility is enough to make me forget all of that and when he was here last week and I got to nap curled up against him wearing yes, my batman briefs, I was a happy, happy boy. We'd had a delicious dinner and I'd gotten a few very thorough kisses before he left.

It was a good day... a great day and I miss him and that. That feeling of being comfortable, really comfortable, with someone. I like the people at work but I have to put up a front, play the part. I love my parents and had a good time with them last weekend but no matter how much we love each other, there are some things that would just be going too far. There are rules and expectations and I'm really glad there are. How weird would it be for my mom to flash someone or my dad to tap my beer bottle? It's late by the time I get home and my apartment is very, very empty. I have a hard couch, a mostly empty fridge and nothing to do. I don't have much energy either but suddenly my apartment feels like a jail cell... I call Emmett.

"Hey, darling," he answers.

I smile because I do every time he calls me that.

"Hey. I just got home and I'm bored."

"You should come over here and play with my ferret."

'It will never not be funny.'

"I could order pizza."

That does it... that's a win.

"From that place?"

I don't even remember what it was called.

"Only place I order from, Finnegan."

"I'll pay, get me one and I'll be right there."

He chuckles.

"You're excited and I can tell by your voice that you can breathe a bit better, that's good. Taste buds must be back too. Hey, I'm not working in the morning so if you want to stay, bring a few things."

Stay tonight? Sounds good even though I'll probably be in bed by nine which is only two hours from now or stay the weekend? He said a few... if I show up at the ceiling and tonight he's going to get freaked out. I will pack lightly and leave some stuff in my car just in case.

"Sleeping with you sounds really good, Emmett. See you soon."

"Drive safe, Finnegan."

Half an hour later I'm on his comfortable couch wearing boxers and a Mr. bubbles T-shirt that Emmett pulled from the depths of his closet. I have two huge slices of pizza in front of me and he's yelling from the kitchen

"Want a beer?"

Too soon.

"No. Water is fine."

He brings me a sports bottle with a bendy straw. It has initials on it I can't place and I'm guessing is some automotive part distributor or such. I'd expected a glass but...

"Holds more," he says by way of explanation.

Not that I'm complaining... not really... it's fun. I pull the straw most of the way out since it's pretty full and that gives me plenty to play with. We get settled and snuggled up under a blanket. 

"Comfy, Finnegan?"

He has no idea just how comfortable I am. 

"I'm good Emmett, thanks." 

I fall asleep halfway through the Lego 2 movie.

[the-firebird69]

This is one of her personas who played she played after JFK was shot no she didn't for a while and actually got them together flirted with JFK for a while and she went in there and there was a problem with a lot of people she medals with a lot of people and she's threatening people already to try and get stuff and she's terrible at it but I don't think it's necessary

Hera

It really is not the reference is bad and she does have a signed agreement that stan is now realizing he's considered to be a relative. And she's been known to actually do the real thing you make the threat work so he's pretty smart but for now

Thor Freya

So I guess that's stupid but I did anyways I'm starting to hear about it no but now I am I see why it's just crap with everybody I guess this is a big load of it these trucks are huge idiots I'm trying to get her out and she'll probably start doing that and I'll play this but she's actually the person doing that can I have to have a meeting with Biden

Stan

Yes that's very disturbing we needed the hell out of here we need her out of everywhere there's a bunch of meat heads that do this and I have a list and some do it a lot and she's one of them that does a lot he doesn't want her near him and she's a b**** she'll probably get her the living s*** kicked out of her but still survive somehow she is now and our idiot family was saying it too boy these people are bad news it says they're sacrilegious and they ruined stuff and the max don't believe it and have to get ruined to know it and they probably use them because they're some sort of Daddio and we get that too that they was shooting him because he is evil and she is going to get the hell out I'm going to know something new but really this girl is a piece of crap and I've talked to her I don't like her and I don't like her people and she is very singular it's not very colorful and she is Drew Barrymore it's like a shrew very important really grossness but that's what she's up to it's only a few days away but we don't think it's going to last long

Biden

They ask why may I ask why

Stan

The entire Trump plan is falling and a lot of people want to be there and if they're weak they should be pushed out

Biden

That's true they are fully and the parking is devastating though and the money centers every day it gets worse for them I can see him all the time fretting and worrying about time and prick goes around dicks with you with everything in your life it's horrible these people are disgusting vermin like you said I'll let you know if they're doing it they think that you're equal no matter what or better and they're not I see him just wasting tons of them without trying hard just saying stuff and it gets rid of them they're gross pigs and stupid they're going to have the hell out of there Dave out it'll be easier

Stan

We're going to work towards that goal we have a lot of people out there getting rid of these idiots and every day pretty soon it's going to work

Mac

They said 40 more out and this is huge group gathering outside but they're closing it off and the trucks man I don't know 120 we have about 60 households

Hera

We have plans today to take him to the office of the companies we mentioned yesterday and more there are five more companies one of them is Chrysler Jeep Dodge same company all of them are going to be talked about at the meeting at the Chrysler headquarters well we know where. Another company is Chevy and then there is also Ford and Chevy is going to be GM I'm going to the to meet at that new parts company and finally last but not least Wells Fargo. It's a big huge meeting and he doesn't show up we start taking his stock over without purchasing it. Yesterday but well they were trying to rig factories and we arrested them and took over factories granted they're on the perimeter in the midwest but it happens every day when people started to figure out to be bastards and jerks and loud mouths and me and hateful people and attracting the activity

Thor Freya

Olympus we're going to take over a lot of businesses for this freak and he's the one with the stocks and a lot of the employees are his and they can't stand him and we're going to get him out

[heisenho]

Karl x Fem!Reader that also has the ability to bend metal and being his little apprentice. Like they go from mentoring to lovers?

Power

[Karl Heisenberg x Fem!Reader]

Warnings: 18+, MINORS DNI! Good ol' pussy eatin', Karl being a bit of a dick, just normal re8 stuff.

A/N: This was so fun to write, i do hope you like it! Thanks so much for this request! This is more... uh reader loathing karl and then letting him mentor her, and then they become lovers. i hope that is okay dfijffnwfjw

“Fuck!” You screamed out, stomping your foot. “Why can’t I just live with Lady Dimitrescu?”

You were growing angry. Rage boiled inside of you. You let out a loud, shrill scream and slammed your foot against the metal you were supposed to be moving around with your fucking mind.

“Shit!”

Another yell. You grabbed your foot and fell to the ground, rolling in the dirt for a minute.

“Get the fuck up.”

You stopped your rolling and your eyes shot towards Heisenberg. You stood up and glared at him. You crossed your arms and stepped closer to him.

“Girl,” Heisenberg growled, “You do not wanna do that.”

When you were first sent to live with Heisenberg, you were sure it was going to be hell, he was terrifying. But now, it was hell because he was being bossy.

“You’re lucky I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. Otherwise... You’d be-”

“What? What would I be?

Your arms fell to your sides, your fingers digging into your palms. You screamed again and turned to stomp away from Heisenberg. His jacket rustled and you ignored it, thinking he was probably going to fuck around with his powers just to show off.

Show off, he did.

A piece of metal came flying towards your legs and wrapped around your shins, knocking you to the ground. A scared noise fell from your lips and you scratched at the ground, trying your best to stop whatever was happening. Once it registered that you were not about to get away, you let yourself slide towards Heisenberg.

The metal around your legs began to pull you upwards and you tensed. You truly had not expected to start fucking floating. The metal tightened as your moved higher into the air, thankfully Heisenberg seemed to not want to drop you.

“Oh, if only there were a way you could escape this.”

You swung your arm out and let out a strangled, stressed scream as he caught it. “Karl, let me down right now!”

Blood was starting to rush to your head. Heisenberg was deadpan, watching you struggle. He didn’t look comfortable, but he also was letting it happen. As you were leaning up, pulling at the metal, Heisenberg reached up to you, the metal falling and you dropping into his arms.

He quickly set you down and began to walk back to his factory. “C’mon, we’ll try again tomorrow.”

You looked down at the metal and tried your best, really giving it your all, and moved your hand outward, towards it, but nothing happened.

“Karl,” you let out a soft whine, “I can’t do this.”

Karl came up from behind and sighed. You knew for sure he was about to pull some more bullshit, so you tensed. Karl’s face dropped, his eyes softening, but you couldn’t quite see that. You could, however, hear Karl sigh.

“We’re gonna try something different.” Karl stepped behind you and your body only tensed even more.

Karl placed his gloved hand on your bicep and slid it down your arm, causing your breath to catch in your throat. “Focus on the metal,” he brought your hand upwards and uncurled your fingers, which were digging into your palm. “Just think about moving it, it’ll come naturally.”

You nodded and relaxed into him, “Okay.”

Suddenly the metal moved. You gasped and practically ripped away from Karl, your excitement bubbling over. You turned and looked at him with wide eyes.

“I did it!”

“Told ya it wasn’t hard.”

You huffed at him, “You literally dragged me around the dirt yesterday, sir! Do not go talking about this bein’ easy!”

Karl snorted, “Whatever, girl,” his eyes rolled behind his sunglasses. “Now, we can get to the actual training.”

You stood across from Karl, in the scrapyard, your fingers twitching at your sides. You were finally getting good at whatever the hell Miranda had “blessed” you with, and Karl was taking training up a notch.

The metal began to float around you causing you to feel a little anxiety. You brought your arms up, palms facing Karl, and you pushed some of the metal back towards him. As you did that, he snapped his fingers, effortlessly causing a piece of metal to fly at you. A short whine escaped you as it scraped your cheek.

Warmth ran down your cheek. Blood.

“Not fair!”

“Life isn’t fair, Kitten,” Karl smirked.

You blinked, and your hands fell down to your sides. Your entire body tensed and without even thinking, you caused the metal to shift around you. Every single piece, even the ones near Karl, hit the ground. Hard.

“That’a girl!”

Karl walked towards you and smiled proudly. Your stomach twisted and you swallowed hard. Something about that pet name, and the way he said it... He had your stomach in knots. You gave him a nervous smile and nodded.

“Thanks. I totally meant to do that.”

Karl laughed, “Let’s go inside, I think that’s enough for today. Anyway,” Karl brought his gloved hand to your cheek, “You’re bleeding. You need to clean that up.”

Without thinking, you swatted him away and leaned back from him. Karl, unbeknownst to you, was not a fan of that reaction. His face dropped, slightly, before he gave you a cocky grin once more.

The both of you walked in, and you knew you were going to have to deal with your new feelings, one way or another.

It had been about a week since ‘the incident’ and you could not get the way he called you ‘kitten’ out of your head. He hadn’t said it since, he had barely gotten close to you unless he was training with you, and even then he kept his distance.

You had to find a way to relieve stress and you had to find one soon. Being a desperate woman, you decided, when there was a family meeting, you were going to find one of Alcina’s daughters and ask her for help.

And you did just that.

“Daniela,” You pulled her to the side and prayed that Karl wouldn’t find you, “I need help.”

“Ooooh~” She let out a laugh, or what you could only assume was a laugh, “what does the newest member of the family need?”

“Please keep quiet, this is important to keep between us, and only us.”

“Of course,” she grabbed your shoulder and smiled at you.

‘Maybe she’s trying to make me feel less scared?’ You thought. “Anyway...” You tried to shrug her hand away, “Look, do you ladies have any... toys. Just, like, around the castle?”

“Toys?” Daniela cocked her head, “I didn’t think you wanted to play with men?”

Your eyes widened, “No! Sex toys!” You hissed at her.

Her eyes lit up, “Oh! Of course. Follow me, my cute little pet.”

And just like that, you were completely set up to relieve your stress.

Finding a secluded area was not the easiest. So many of Karl’s little experiments wandered around. But once you found it, you were ecstatic.

You were sprawled out on a small pallet you had made. You had surrounded yourself with some metal, a barrier between you and the creatures that could find you. Keeping it up was becoming a hassle, especially once you started feeling immense pleasure.

You had been messing around with yourself for a good half of the day. You had somehow convinced Karl to let you wander off and not work that day. He said he had things he needed to tend to, and let you go off on your own.

You were taking breaks in between sessions, but nothing was like the real thing. The vibrations of the toy were sending shockwaves through your body. You were getting close to the edge, toes curling, eyes rolling back, and body tensing. And, unlike all your other orgasms, you let out a loud whimper.

“Hey, girl-” Karl called out, obviously looking for you.

“Karl-” You moaned out, not registering Karl’s voice.

Something had come over you, you were completely wrecked by the thought of Karl having his way with you. To the point where you called out for him. And he most definitely heard you.

The metal dropped around you and you, suddenly, you were forced to face Karl. Once and for all. A scream ripped from your throat and you closed your legs, pulling your large, button up shirt, over your knees.

“Fuck!” You yelled, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t-”

“Damn,” Karl, being the extreme gentleman he was, noticed you weren’t entirely comfortable and covered his eyes. “If you needed some help you could have asked.”

“Karl!” You shouted throwing the sex toy to the side. Face burning, body trembling, mind filled with pure embarrassment, you just sat on the floor, “Shut up!”

Suddenly, you realized what he said. Your jaw dropped and your arms, that were wrapped around your legs, tensed.

“Last chance,” Karl smirked, eyes still hidden, “you obviously need-”

“Okay.”

That was all he needed to hear. His hand dropped from his face and he stalked towards you. Without a word, Karl leaned down, picked you, and tossed you over his shoulder. Letting out a small gasp, you hung down his back. One of his hands held you steady while the other rested on your ass.

The both of you reached his ‘room’, just an area with a mattress on the ground not as many experiments around. Karl placed you down on the mattress and leaned over you, he peeked over his sunglasses at you.

“You have no clue how long I’ve wanted this.”

Heisenberg’s mouth was the shell of your ear, his breath causing your body to react in the best way possible. He pulled back and stared you down, like a predator ready to devour their prey. Your knees knocked together and you were looking up at Heisenberg with big doe eyes. His large calloused hand grabbed one of your knees and he pulled your legs apart, gently.

“I was wondering where that shirt went...”

“Well, maybe if you had more shirts you wouldn’t have noticed.”

Karl chuckled, a rumble coming from his chest, and you felt like you had made some type of mistake, “Are you sure you wanna get that tone with me, kitten?”

“Yes...” It sounded more like a question than an answer, but the confidence was almost there.

“How are you so bratty, yet so cute?” Karl positioned himself between your legs.

You shrugged, unable to find words to say. Your brain was malfunctioning at the worst time. You had thought about this moment, even dreamed of it, and now there you sat, looking like some deer in headlights. You were vulnerable and so small compared to him.

“You sure you’re up for this, kitten? You’re looking a little-”

“I’m good!” Your voice cracked, “You have no clue how much I’ve wanted this- you. I just kinda thought you... hated me.”

Karl cocked his head at you, “How? You’re fucking amazing. I thought you hated me, the way you tensed when we were training... I just assumed you were afraid.”

“Karl,” you spoke so calmly, as if you weren’t almost naked and completely vulnerable under him, “as I said before, you dragged me through the dirt with metal...”

“That was just tough love,” Karl smirked down at you, before his facial features softened, “I can make it up to you?”

You nodded, wondering what he had in mind.

“Lean back,” he moved down, positioning himself between your legs, his body keeping your legs from closing.

You complied of course, and leaned back for him. Your back hit the mattress and you let out a shaky sigh. Karl began to softly kiss up your thigh, his large hands pulling your legs further apart. Your hands gripped at the bare mattress below you and you arched into Karl’s mouth.

Once he reached your cunt, you let out a soft moan, waiting for more. One of Karl’s hands gripped at your hip, while the other pulled your shirt up further. His hand quickly moved from your shirt and to your bare ass.

“I promise, I’ll be gentle,” Karl murmured right before his tongue licked a stripe up your pussy.

You gasped. God, it was everything you had imagined, and better. His tongue quickly found your clit and he sucked at it, briefly, before getting back to your pussy.

You let out a soft hum of pleasure, your hands knocking his hat off and grabbing at his hair. You pulled at it and Karl immediately stopped.

“Girl,” his chest rumbled, and his eyes snapped up at you, “I don’t think you’re prepared for what that brings.”

You couldn’t answer, you were genuinely too in the moment to register anything but your own pleasure. And you were getting close to cumming. Your back arched, and your toes curled, once his lips met your throbbing pussy again.

“Karl,” your voice was loud, but not loud enough.

“Kitten, who’s making you feel this good?”

“You- You are!”

Your feet jerked, pulling you up on your tiptoes, and your back curved, causing your hips to push into Karl, letting his tongue go deeper.

“Karl! I’m- I’m gonna-” You were cut off, everything becoming too much.

You gasped loudly and the entire factory shifted and groaned. Your eyes screwed shut and your entire body tensed under him. Karl did not slow. You felt the metal around you beginning to move.

Your eyes snapped open, just in time for you to witness the metal starting to come to life around the two of you. You fell, your back colliding with the mattress once more, and the metal fell back down. The factory stopped creaking, the only noise now being your loud panting.

“Damn, girlie,” Karl brought his face up to yours, “you’re more powerful than I thought...”

Karl gave you a kiss, and you quickly deepened it. Your arms wrapped around his neck and held himself above you. Your legs wrapped around his waist and you softly mewled beneath him. Reluctantly, Karl pulled away and pressed his forehead to yours.

“How about-” he paused, thinking about his wording, “how about we take this shit over? Fuck everyone else. Me and you, kitten, that’s all that matters.”

You quickly answered, unsure if it was the fact he just ate your pussy, the love you felt for him, or your genuine hate for Mother Miranda. Or all of the above, “How about we fuck first? The vibrator just wasn’t doing it. We can think about world domination after sex.”

“I like the sound of that.”

[mythandlaur]

Epithet Erased Week - Day 9 (FINAL)

Welp. I've never managed to get past the first day of one of these things before dropping it, so finishing this is actually a big deal for me even if it wasn't all great work. Thanks to everyone who liked or reblogged this stuff--writing doesn't get as much attention as art, so it's really nice to know at least someone read and enjoyed it.

Have something slightly shorter to make up for my absolute novella yesterday. Warning for an extremely dramatic emeto fakeout because Trixie is a goblin. Also why have I now made two of these about an annoying retail customer. I've never even worked retail I don't have that trauma I think I just osmosised it from friends.

--

Going to the Toy Emporium to do homework at least once a week worked out pretty well for all three of them. They got to see each other consistently (because there was no telling when Molly's family would make her do something for them on her day off), Feenie helped with language arts homework, Trixie helped with science homework, and Molly was the only one of the three who could kind of do math, however reluctantly she'd learned.

This did, however, come with the agreement that the two stay quiet while Molly was dealing with customers, and while they were willing to comply on most days, today it seemed that would be...difficult.

"Karen alert," Trixie mutters over the tiny plastic table, scrunching up their nose as if they'd just eaten a lemon.

Feenie blinks. "You know that woman?"

"No, I mean a Karen."

"Oh."

As if on cue, the woman defines Trixie's terminology by slamming her hands on the counter, making Molly visibly flinch.

"What do you mean you don't do replacements?!"

Feenie stands from her chair to peek over Trixie's head at the lady currently harassing their friend. The lady's wearing a tacky floral blouse and has a fake designer bag. Her posture is absolutely ramrod straight and intimidating even though she's shorter than Molly standing on a stool behind the counter.

"Ma'am," Molly replies, already sounding exhausted despite the plastered smile on her face. "Not all the toys in here came from a factory. In fact, most are handmade! Which is kind of the appeal! So...we can't always do replacements."

"Can't you just make another one?"

"W-well, you'd need to pay for the materials and probably wait a few days..."

"It's not my fault the dog got it! Why should I have to pay?"

"...The poor woman's been reduced to wearing drapery," Feenie whispers, and Trixie has to put her sleeves over her face to stifle a snort. There was really no telling whether Feenie meant it as viciously as it had come out or not.

"Um...maybe we can fix it!" Molly's clearly desperate to defuse this situation. "Do you have a picture of the damage or...aaaaanything...?"

"You don't believe me?!"

Trixie quickly sobers up, eye narrowing. "Dude. She's totally trying to scum Molly for a free--what was it? A doll?"

"Why would anyone do that," Feenie asks, putting a finger to her lower lip.

"Because people want free stuff! That's why I have to keep telling you not to give your wallet to anyone who asks!"

"But the orphans!"

Trixie rolls her eye. "Anyway, Molly's dad might be trash, but he makes good stuff."

"So what do we do?"

"I'm thinking. See?" Trixie points at her nose as she sets her face in a deep frown. "This is my thinking face."

"...You just look very uncomfortable, dear."

"I am thinking uncomfortably!"

"It's not that I don't believe you," Molly tells the customer, shrinking back away from her yelling. "I'm just trying to help."

"If you want to help then get me another one! And you'd better not expect me to pay for your shoddy service!"

"We can't do that, ma'am."

"It was a birthday gift!"

"If you can show me it was destroyed, we can give you half your money back so you can get your daughter something else."

"Do you think I'm stupid?"

"Yes," Trixie mutters. They nudge Feenie out of the way as they stand up, cracking their knuckles and their neck very loudly like Xerxes had taught them for intimidation factor. "We can't let Molly cave. Follow my lead."

Molly waves her hands in a placating gesture, stress and over-stimulation clearly breaking through the customer service attitude. "No, no, I never said that."

"Then why are you trying to scam me?"

"We don't even have the capital to scam people!"

Trixie abruptly lurches forward, doubling over. She lets out a very loud groaning noise. "URRRRRRGH HOLY SHIIIIIT."

"Trixie!" Feenie covers her ears for a moment, until she's certain Trixie won't say any more swears, then rushes forward to put a hand on their shoulders. "Wh-what's wrong?"

"I think the tacos got me," Trixie moans, looking ready to collapse on the floor.

"But--we didn't--"

Trixie elbows Feenie hard in the stomach, covering it up with another pained groan. Now the woman and Molly are definitely staring at her.

Trixie staggers towards the counter, causing the woman to step aside with an alarmed expression. They try to shoot a wink at Molly, but aren't sure it really comes across with their hair. "HURRRRRRGH."

"What's wrong with you," the woman asks, and Trixie turns on her, face red with exertion.

"I--I think--"

"Yes?" Feenie wrings her hands.

"I think I'm gonna...!"

"What is it," the woman demands, clearly unnerved.

"I THINK I'M GONNA..."

Trixie takes a huge, deep breath.

"HOOOOOOOOOOORF!"

Trixie lunges at the woman, making a big show of choking. The woman shrieks and leaps backwards, shoving her away before rushing to the door. Feenie rushes to grab Trixie, who falls into a coughing fit.

"Trixie!" Feenie violently shakes them. "Trixie, are you okay?! Do you need to go to the hospital?!"

"Nope--I--spit down the wrong hatch," Trixie wheezes as Molly hurries around the counter. Feenie pats Trixie on the back--or, more accurately, rapidly paps at her back in a manner that would be utterly ineffective were she actually choking to death.

It takes Trixie a few seconds to recover, by which point the customer is long gone. She stands upright, taking a deep breath and letting it out in a huge sigh, followed by one final, tiny cough.

A horrible grin slowly splits across their face. "Okay, but you gotta tell me what her face looked like."

"Trixie!" Feenie steps back, a hand over her heart. Her panic quickly fades to indignation, and she sets her hands on her hips. "You had me worried!"

"I told you to follow my lead! And hey, you did perfectly!"

"I never know what that means with you," Feenie wails.

Molly rests a hand on the side of the counter, doubling over to catch her own breath. The other two fall silent and watch her, now worried.

"...You guys know she's probably never gonna come back, right," Molly says eventually, voice completely flat.

Trixie just raises an eyebrow in response.

Molly sighs, shoulders sagging. "Thank goodness."

Trixie cackles like a witch, while Feenie quickly rushes over to hug Molly and ask if she needs anything. Molly hugs her back, smiling faintly.

Yes, having a homework day at the Toy Emporium is definitely a good thing. For all three of them.

[tokoyamisstuff]

Captivated Ch. 5 - Mark Hoffman x Reader

Summary: Hoffman stops at nothing to protect you - even against your own will. Warnings: Angst, Kidnapping, Manipulation, Unhealthy Relationship, Cussing, Panic Attack

Words: 1972

[Masterlist]

"Cause I don’t care if I lose my mind - I’m already cursed.”  - Fairytale by Alexander Rybak

Now it was certain: Hoffman will definetly kill all of them.

Even with you inseparable in his arms, watching you sleeping soundly next to a beast like him, he couldn't think of anything else: Everyone that threatens you or this relationship will be put out of his way.

When you woke up, the bedplace next to you was empty - only a note lying on the nightstand.

"Had to go to work. Didn't want to wake you up. Make yourself at home. And thank you for everything.

~Mark"

As smart as he was, Mark's temper was his worst enemy. Every time his emotions got the better of him, his foresight would be very limited. You could even say he'd become delusional to some point. So he wouldn't even think of the possibility that there might be more apprentices to think of other than himself and Amanda...

...yes, Jigsaw will soon pass of his cancer anyway. And Mark would make sure Amanda will follow close after her mentor. Then there will be no one left that witnessed his crimes, and he'll erase all evidence.

The Jigsaw traps will ultimatively end, and he will be able to lead a normal life again...together with you.

But until then, he needed to make sure you were out of John Kramer's grasp. Hoffman had already made preparations, and there was not much left to do until his plan would unfold.

Soon, you would be together...forever.

_____

"Hey, pretty lady."

You almost screeched at that all too familiar voice, thinking it to be impossible. And yet there he was - the man that was having a mental breakdown just yesterday, looking as good as new.

"Mind if I take a seat?" he gestured around until you nodded, sitting down on a barstool right in front of you. Luckily it was a normal workday, so it wasn't really busy in the café.

"Be my guest!" you welcomed him with a warm smile which he reciprocated, folding his hands onto the serving table. You were close to ask him how he knew where you were working, and also that you had a late shift today - but with this man, it sure was no coincidence. "You're looking way better...I'm glad." "I feel so, yes. Thanks to you."

"Want something to eat?" You pointed to some of the cakes you were proud to call selfmade, but Mark just pat his own beer belly, making you snicker. "No, I think I'm good. Just coffee, please."

As you poured the liquid for him, the man timidly scratched his chin. "My apartement didn't look this tidy in years" he noted grateful, yet also quite ashamed, knowing just how many liquor bottles you probably found while cleaning up.

"It's nothing, really" you downplayed your effort, keeping on your little chat even while serving one or two other customers. "We've all needed help at some point in our lives. You just need to ask."

"Well, then..." Hoffman took a sip of his coffee, hesistant to voice his suspicious request. "Mind if I stay here until your shift ends? I could help you clean up. Still owe you one."

Oh wow - now you never worry about being the clingy one ever again. But it made sense, actually...after having lost his only family and being lonely for so long, he probably had a strong fear of abandonment. "Sure!" you cheered, even though you thought he owed you nothing. "We can go home together."

"Another Jigsaw victim has been found in an abandoned factory..." You immediately picked up the remote, changing the channel on the small old TV. "Sorry, I just hate to see so many bad news. Can't hear it anymore."

"No worries" Mark was absentmindedly turning the spoon in the cup, almost impatiently. "I don't need to hear about my job all day either. That's all work needing to be done."

"Oh yeah, your colleagues told me you're with the homicide unit..." you winked awkwardly, leaning over the bar table. "I mean, as long as you're not busy saving people in your free time."

"I'm not allowed to spill any details, if you want to temptate me into that." Mark's face was now just inches from yours, and he was grinning confidently - yet his smile vanished at your answer. "No, I’d honestly rather not. Please. That whole Jigsaw thing is so sick and disgusting...this man and all his accomplices deserve the worst punishment possible!"

"Yes...”he spoke in between grittet teeth. “You're right."

"Hopefully you'll catch those disturbed people soon!" You leaned over to kiss him on the cheek and he clenched his jaw with so much pressure, he feared his teeth might crack. "You're my hero, you know?"

The last 80 minutes went by pretty uneventful, with Mark passing time by simply adoring your every move, and you trying to distract him, fearing he might become unstable and fall into depression again.

"Where to? My place, or shall I bring you home again?" Mark asked as he held the car's door open for you. "Only if you stay the night."

"That's the kind of immoral offer I'd love to accept" he joked, trying to distract you from the black bag on the backseat that seemed to have catched your attention. "It's getting cold, let's go!"

You were only driving for about ten minutes when you started to feel strangely tired. The only thing keeping you awake was the thrill of the rare occasion that Hoffman called you a nickname. "Is something the matter, darling?"

"I-I don't know what's wrong...just feel kinda dizzy...ma-maybe I-I've worked too much lately." Exactly: You haven't slept much last night while caring for your...may you call it boyfriend? So that must be it.

Mark wouldn't let anything show, keeping his eyes on the street and occasionally looking to how you were doing...

...until you've realized that you drew right past your home, beginning to panic. So he pulled over, temporarily parking in an empty street.

"...or it's the anesthetic I've put in your drink."

Your heart began racing against all odds, feeling as if it was to break out of your chest as you realized what the man you had fallen in love with just said. Yet your body wouldn't move an inch, and darkness already began to surround you.

"Shh..." It hurt. The way he was softly petting your head, how his soothing voice sounded so affectionate and loving in contrast to his actions hurt you more than the obscurity of your fate.

"Don't worry, my love...I'll take good care of you."

_____

When you slowly woke up, your whole body still felt numb. It didn't hurt though, just felt like your veins and nerves were prickling unpleasantly.

You had no idea how much time had passed, neither where you are - and the more awake you've became, the more panic was spreading inside of you. Your heart raced as you looked around, the sound of your fastened breaths echoing against the walls.

As soon as you regained feeling in your limbs, the true torture began - for you realized you were in shackles, hands tied over your head and making you unable to move. You wanted to scream, but your mouth had been gagged as well.

Struggling in your restrainments, you realized the walls to be out of metal - and apparently completely soundproof.

Despair was getting the better of you, for Hoffman really had thought about every detail: No matter what he wanted from you, there was no escaping it.

It was a tiny sole room, furnished with the most necessities - deep in the basement of one of Jigsaw's abandoned and unused properties. A safe haven he had built for you until he knew you to be out of any danger...

...and then, the heavy door opened.

It was him: The man you would've given everything to be with this whole time - and now just wished he'd simply disappear.

You screamed underneath the fabric that was covering your mouth, wriggling in your chains as the outlines of the man in the door came closer. He was dressed completely black, wearing the jacket hed usually be wearing when he was dong Jigsaw's dirty work. Heavy steps led straight towards you, crouching to your height just like back when you first met.

"Please...no!" you squealed weakly as he untied the gag, squinting your eyes shut in fear of the monster lurking in front of you...

...yet all he did was placing a wet kiss into your hair, smiling as loving as ever. "What's wrong? What are you so afraid of, Y/N?"

That man had obviously lost his mind - but maybe it wasn't too late. "Please, you need to let me go!"

"I'm afraid that's not possible, my love" he explained as he untied your hands, rubbing the sore skin on your wrists ever so slightly. "I had to tie you sitting upright to prevent you from choking on your tongue while passed out. I'm sorry."

"Trying to flee is to no avail" he spoke as your resistance was met with him swiftly picking you up to place you on the makeshift bed. "Only I know the combination to the lock on the door."

Slowly and gently, he would lose all of your restrainments - except for the collar on your neck, which he told you was to track you wherever you were. "Good girl" he whispered into your ear as you wouldn't try to fight back or flee - simply because you were frozen in terror.

"Why?" Tears streamed down your face as your eyes met his icy ones, unable to resist leaning into the touch as he placed a firm hand on your cheek. "Hoff...man...how can you do this?"

"Don't cry" he evaded your question, placing his lips on every single one of your tears. "I don't want tears to stain that pretty face."

"N-No, Mark...I-"

"The Jigsaw killer is after you." Your eyes widened in shock, unsure whether to believe him or not. "How would you know that? Because I'm the girlfriend of a cop?"

"No..." This time, he wouldn't have the guts to look at you as matter of exception. "Its because...I am one of his accomplices."

"You-" your voice broke off several times, interrupted by surpressed sobs as anger boiled in your guts, setting your veins on fire. "I'm in love with one of those homicidal maniacs?!?"

"Please forgive me." It felt like you couldn't breathe, so Mark would pull you into his arms, trying to calm you down - even when you began punching and kicking the way stronger man to free yourself, his hug would only tighten. "You're sick! Let go off of me, you fucking freak! I hate you! I HATE YOU!!!"

"But I love you, Y/N...I really do.”

Right now, you could not care less about his confession - even though until earlier, it was the only thing you ever wished for. So as helpless as you were, there was nothing left to do than screaming and crying to your hearts extend, with Mark never leaving your side until you'd eventually calm down.

"Soon, you'll understand...and then you'll beg me to kiss you again."

It felt like your heart had been ripped out of your chest. All you had ever hoped for, even your old life as you knew it had been destroyed at that very moment. You felt empty. Betrayed. Confused.

"...why me?" you managed to choke out, eyes red and burning with tears still glistening at the rim. 

"Because you've saved me." In that insane situation, Mark was very talkative as matter of exception. "And now I'll make up for what I've done and leave all of this behind. I promise. Just give me time!"

"...you're sick. They will never let you leave just like that!"

His answer was as cold and predicting as you could never thought him to be: "Not if I kill them first."

Yes. It was still too unbelievable for you to grasp it, but the man in front of you was indeed a serial killer - one who massacred his victims in ways no normal person could ever think of.

And apparently, that man was just as madly in love with you.

"I don't think you understand just how much you mean to me, Y/N...I'd make the whole world my enemy just to be with you.”

[blackradandmad]

why blippi is rotting yr children's brains

preface: i literally expect no one to read this. it is an essay length, strong opinion piece critiquing a niche youtube-based children's show that i don't expect most of y'all to even have knowledge of lol. but like, i promise that even if you know nothing about what i'm talking about, in my incredibly, super humble opinion, it's a good piece of writing and interesting nonetheless. anyway if you read this whole thing for some reason yr really hot and we should kiss.

i thoroughly vet everything my child watches before he watches it, episode by episode. and we rarely watch youtube for entertainment; we usually just look up educational videos when he has a question about something and wants more detail than i can provide him. and that's mainly because children's content on youtube is so fucking troubling and distressing. i don't judge parents who give their children a tablet at a restaurant at all bc i've been there and sometimes it's easier on everyone to just put on a video and avoid a giant scene, but i do judge parents who just leave their children alone with youtube kids on autoplay.

take stevin john, a literal millionaire who got famous from dressing up as a silly character called blippi and going on tours of places like aquariums, zoos, construction sites, etc and posting it on youtube. this has branched into a whole empire of blippi videos, hulu shows and specials, live shows and tours (that he outsources to another character actor), merchandise and so on. this 30-something year old man cites his main influence as being mr. rogers, but i question if he's ever even seen an episode of that program.

mr. rogers had no background in early childhood development or media production, but he revolutionized the world of children's media, because he respected his audience and didn't shy away from real world situations, all while creating a show with an enormous heart. mr. rogers begins his episodes by inviting the viewer in, literally changing his attire to be more comfortable, and talking about/doing things he genuinely cares about. whereas mr. rogers calmly and maturely addresses the viewer, blippi puts on a high pitched, contrived voice, interjecting every other sentence with a forced exclamation such as, "teehee! we're having so much fun!"

i don't find it a coincidence that john (blippi) is a veteran, either. his videos are completely devoid of the absurd, abstract, childlike thinking that makes children's media fun, creative, and entertaining. his thinking and process is methodical, devoid of emotion, and very superficial. this line of thinking clearly shows the kind of creative sterilization and emphasis on sameness and conformity instilled in the military. blippi simply observes things and interacts with them in a stale, matter-of-fact way. "this ball is purple! this ball is pink! anyway... what's over there? teehee! a car! vroom, vroom!" objects are colors, toy cars don't do anything but drive, curiosity is simply not encouraged.

he uses the "it's educational!" excuse to hide the fact that his show lacks everything that makes media a valuable resource for children to consume in the first place. further than identifying colors, numbers, and the occasional letter or shape, there is just this total lack of children's need for social and emotional development. when mr. rogers breaks the fourth wall to address the viewer and let them know they're special, it feels authentic and natural, because we've spent the last half hour building whole worlds with diverse characters and unique stories in a pretend neighborhood, learning about and enjoying different musical instruments, being exposed to and making friends with (even if parasocially, it is still a real bond to children when done properly) children who are similar to us in character regardless of physical or environmental differences, feeding the fish, making art together, and so on. when blippi tells the viewer, "you are very special, and i enjoy spending time with you!" it falls completely flat and feels unearned, because the last half hour was spent running around a soft play center pointing at bright, colorful objects, visiting interesting locations like farms or fruit production factories while failing to acknowledge the humanity of the humans actually working there (everything is machine or product focused; the human workers are simply an extension of the machine), learning "fun facts" about elephants that just list attributes of elephants, not taking the opportunity to inform the viewers of elephants' intelligence, or diet, or matriarchal society. it is a loud, sensory overwhelming display of a man so disconnected from the social and emotional needs and desires of children that he assumes they're stupid, easily entertained idiots who only need some silly dances and fast-moving cartoon graphics to give their attention (meaning time and desire to purchase products meaning $$$). john clearly views his audience as a means to gaming the algorithm and ultimately a paycheck by the hollow way he addresses them.

the show is so narcissistic, so focused on all the fun blippi is supposedly having, but he lacks any of the character traits that make individual children's show hosts memorable, so much so that he was able to have someone else who doesn't even vaguely resemble him dress as blippi and impersonate him and host the show or appear at live shows, and it went unnoticed by most of his toddler and child audience. the show is so formulaic and the character of blippi is so unmemorable that instead of taking the blue's clues route of developing a story of the host leaving for college and his brother now stepping in, or making some sort of believable excuse for the change in actors, they can simply swap him out with some random guy and not acknowledge it at all. although a comedy show for older children, the amanda show in no way could or would try to replicate the show with the same name but swapping out amanda bynes with a random teenage girl who is clearly not amanda bynes. it's weird and nonsensical and shows that his character is so much of a farce put on for a paycheck that not even his dedicated audience is affected or even cares when he is replaced by a random, unknown person.

this is completely garbage content made by an opportunist with no experience with children who saw his nephew watching children's youtube content, took it at complete surface level and still hasn't realized that while children's content only looks and feels so easy, entertaining, and enriching because it is so hard to do well. even with outsourcing his music, that aspect of the show still sucks. famous and successful children's musician, raffi, is known for his song describing the life of a little white whale, called "baby beluga." it opens with a calm strumming of his guitar, followed by the lyrics, "baby beluga in the deep blue sea/swim so wild and you swim so free/heaven above/sea below/and a little white whale on the go." is it silly and kind of pointless? yes, but the point is that he is captivating children and showing them the fun of listening to music, dancing, singing, and appreciating art. the "excavator song" featured in an episode of blippi about construction vehicles opens with what sounds like a default garageband loop and the flatly sung lyrics, "i'm an excavator/i'm an excavator/hey dirt, see you later/i'm an excavator." i don't feel i have to meticulously analyze the aforementioned lyrics; the stark contrast should speak for itself.

i have a million more criticisms about both blippi specifically and youtube children's content as a whole, but this is already so long and i doubt many people will get this far anyway. it's an issue i was completely apathetic towards until i had my own child and had to wean him off these kinds of junk food shows because i realized the fast-paced visuals and bright colors and repetitive songs/lyrics were putting him in this spaced-out, fugue state, and he thought he could demand this show or that show whenever he wanted. the moment he started regularly yelling things like, "watch! cars!" or "no! click it!" i knew i had to be a lot more invested in the things he watched even if just for entertainment or as a soothing message. i showed him an episode of mr. rogers yesterday and feared it would be too slow to hold his attention, but he was mesmerized, greeting and interacting with mr. rogers verbally, asking me, "what's that?" to different objects on the screen. since purging this low-brow children's entertainment, he has had a noticeable increase in attention span and concentration, can focus on a task for longer amounts of times, is more likely to "read"/look through books without me initiating it, and doesn't throw a fit when the tv/my laptop is off.

i just know that for me, growing up with so much unsupervised internet access definitely led me to real-world pain and consequences, and it seems like now children are born with an iphone as an extension of their arm. if my child is going to be consuming videos, i'm definitely supervising every second and am going to be highly critical of the videos and the credentials (or lack thereof) of the creators and team behind it. but i also know, from pure observation admittedly, that parents letting youtube kids autoplay parent their children for hours at a time is not an uncommon occurrence. and it worries me that a generation of children are being raised on videos that rely on being as loud and bright and superficially enjoyable as possible. what's the use of a child knowing their colors and alphabet if they don't know how to treat people with kindness and empathy and respect? there is something wrong for a children's show host to plug the spelling of his name at the end of his videos ("well, that's the end of this video. but if you wanna watch more of my videos, just type in my name! can you spell my name with me? b-l-i-p-p-i!") after essentially rotting his audiences' brains for a half hour. there's something so insidious about the prioritization of naming different parts of construction vehicles over honest depictions of and conversations about dealing with feelings, or why someone with autism may act differently than you, or what to do when you feel lonely, or ways to make art and express yrself creatively. also, not to mention the blatant police propaganda and outright worship is seriously jarring; as a black mother to a visibly non-white child, i cannot sit there and watch blippi show kids how to be a bootlicker for the shittiest profession on earth, but that could be a whole essay in and of itself.

anyway, thanks for reading, if yr looking for quality children's content, i recommend, in no specific order: mr. rogers, sesame street, the electric company, molly of denali, daniel tiger, bluey!, blue's clues, the odd squad, word party, trash truck, puffin rock, uhh... that's definitely not an extensive list but that's just off the dome!!! ok bye y'all <333

[autumnslance]

FFXIV Write 2021 #13: Oneirophrenia

(Edited 10/12/21. Now on Ao3)

"Oy, lass, wake up!"

Aeryn groaned, rubbing her head. She blinked up at the Gogg standing over her. "Chief?"

"Lali-good-morning-ho to you, lass!" The Dig Site chief said with relief. "I worried fer a minute that you’d drunk yourself dead. You humes don’t have dwarven constitutions!"

Aeryn shakily stood. She didn’t remember drinking that much, nor did this feel anything like one of the rare hangovers she had experienced the few times she did over-drink.

The town was still mostly asleep, limp festival streamers blowing happily in the breeze and the tables cleared of food, only empty dishes and snoring dwarves remaining.

Aeryn frowned. "But…we didn’t have the festival…"

The Chief tilted his turban at her. "What did you think yesterday was, girl? You musta drank more than I thought! I’ll have the Missus whip ya up one of her cure-alls, it’ll get yer head straight."

"I…yes, thanks."

Twenty minutes later Missus Dig Site Chief had Aeryn drinking a very tall, very viscous glass of something that looked and tasted vaguely of mint and burned on the way down. "There we go, dear," Missus Chief said cheerfully. "You’ll be right as rain in no time!"

Aeryn nodded, gasping at the frosty sting in her sinuses. Her memory started piecing itself back together.

She had initially come to investigate whatever the Gogg dig site was at the behest of their eternal rivals the Tholls, but had found herself caught up in helping the Goggs with their festival preparations.

A world away, she just knew Thancred was shaking his head at her. Well, she simply wouldn’t mention it to him, anyway.

As she stepped out of the Chief’s house again, though, she frowned at the intact mountainside.

"Lali-glad-to-see-you-looking-better-ho!" The Chief called cheerfully as she wandered over to the dig site. “We’re pretty much taking it easy today. You’re not the only one who had too much. Though, since you are one of the few up and about, if I could ask a favor…?”

Aeryn sighed and nodded.

"Great! See, I haven’t seen Anogg and Konogg since last night, and who knows what those two rapscallions are getting up to. You’ve a knack for finding ‘em, and they like you besides, think you can root ‘em out?"

A pang went through Aeryn’s heart, memories of an orb, androids, an impossibly tall tower and digital forms flashing through her mind…But she nodded, and began by heading into the tunnels once the Chief had wandered off to yell at a snoozing sentry.

There were no factory doors here, no machine scraps. The twins’ little lair looked about the same, but no evidence of the alien ship or the intelligent androids and the machines that had come with it were in sight.

Aeryn sat on a slab she knew she recalled a boy called Nines laying upon–didn’t she?–and tried to remember.

On the little work table where she remembered them trying to repair the Pod, she found a note addressed to her in Konogg’s neat handwriting.

Aeryn, Sorry for the dream dust, but we needed to make sure no one would send you after us right away. Anogg and I are going to explore the world and learn more details about our discoveries. In the meantime, don’t worry about us; after all, we’re together. Tell the Chief not to worry, either, and maybe you can check in on him and Missus Chief from time to time for us? Thanks for all the adventures; see you again someday! Konogg & Anogg

Aeryn read, and reread, the letter.

All of that–with 2P and 2B, 9S, the machines, the Red Girls, the factory and the bunker and the ship and the tower–that couldn’t all have been a dust-and-alcohol induced dream.

Could it?

Aeryn rubbed her eyes. She might ask the Dreamweavers…but in the end, she shook it off and simply took the letter to the Chief. Aeryn soon walked out of Komra humming a strangely familiar tune and feeling melancholy, though not entirely sure why.