#augustus the laptop

[kr-ryxen]

I've heard of people naming house plants. But what about anatomite objects? Like I name everything. EVERYTHING. *"What are you doing?"* *checking francois"* *"who the hell is francois???? Why are you checking out French people???"* *"francois is my phone dumbass"* like it feels stupid. But no. Attachment means have name.... *"what are you doing now?"* *playing around n touching augustus"* *"...who in the hell is Augustus... stop touching men you wierdo"* *"you're the weirdo. August is my laptop."* am I just really weird or do others do this-?

[poppypirate]

QUEER SHERLOCK CONFIRMED?!! JEALOUS JOHN?!! HAND HOLDING?!?! JOHNLOCK SMUSHED IN A WARDROBE TOGETHER LIKE FRIXKING RWARB???!!! WE'RE BEING SERVED

also a woman hmmm. A Woman. *pterodactyl screech*

[august-anon]

of course we'd still love you if you were a worm, Augustus Anonymous :) worms can still type, and we could keep you in a little jar

JDFHDSKJFHSKHFSKLHFSDLKJF IM SO GLAD THANK YOU

[it-begins-with-rain]

Meet my new baby.

Named her Nevan on our system.

Etymologically descended form of Neachneohain meaning "Daughter of the Divine"

Because she paired with my phone and started downloading my media apps and logging me in.

[tommybowefuneralattendee]

Thought: JDB’s furry ass begs chosen to turn him into a werewolf super duper badly (no idea how your werewolf lore is so idk if that would even work but it’s funny to me 💀💀) and chosen refuses to do so

jdb: pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease

chosen, remembering the one time john said his hair looked dumb: you would make a horrible werewolf

[shitty-tmagp-aus]

AU where instead of using Windows NT 4.0 the OIAR employees use toy laptops for kids. Norris, Chester, and Augustus now have incredibly bit-crushed voices that are uncharacteristically upbeat. Every statement has happy kids music playing in the background, though the subject of the statements stay exactly the same.

I fear I need this

[rebeccasteventaylor]

For some reason, I’ve been very excited to hear this one even before I knew anything. Magnus Protocol 27 Driven spoilers below.

Oh, Lena is worried about the Minister. Doesn’t really want him around.

Oh, what’s Gwen special list for Alice?

Augustus! 1845…

Who is N. (Must avoid Death Note brain insisting it’s Near) I don’t think it can be Newton, it’s the wrong time period and I think it’s implied he spoke to him.

Oh my god. This man gave the Institute its name. It’s Jonah Magnus…it’s fucking Jonah Magnus!

So it’s Sam hearing this - another Institute story.

Pretty heavy emphasis on the word ‘eye’ there.

Disturbing cab driver. Quite a theme in Victorian ghostly tales, real and fictional.

Oh, I like this idea of making the ‘growlers’ actual real monsters.

So if Augustus is Jonah - and he just told his own casement - what are the chances Chester and Norris will tell casements from Jon and Martin?

Hmm. Feels like Archibald was quite Martin-like (at least at the beginning of Martin’s story)

Oh, this is horrifying….

Fear! It’s all about Fear! Jonah said so!

So this is the Magnus Institute first observation of a monster.

Oh, Alice. What’s wrong? Polish those knives, Alice.

Gwen got a weird email! Is it Jon? Glitch when Gwen says junk and deleted. Old files….

So - I think Alice and Gwen have been talking about the minister out of work…

Celia is printing again. Why does she print? Why not just have the files downloaded to her own laptop or tablet? Is she worried that an electronic transfer would bring something with it?

So Helen is the main person finding sites for the Magnus Institute? That’s a worryingly close connection.

Oxford! Magnus Institute owns Hilltop Road!!!!

Trevor Herbert is the Minister! The vampire killer!!!That was not one of the names I’d been expecting…

Alice is going to Hilltop Road with them? No - Alice - I don’t think that’s safe…

[kat-creations]

New things uncovered

Lewin Light x Godzilla fem reader

Basically what if the Knights of the True Cross have an encounter with ancient G-man reader. Whether it be from the reader waking up from a deep sleep in her underwater lair. To one stop another kaiju monster or powerful demon like the impure king/princess. But because reader is so weak from a fight and waking um up from a long sleep. There body shrinks down to a human like form but still has some of there traits like the back spikes, tail, and scales. And then True Cross basically find her and take her into a dungeon scared of what she is and the power she displayed.

_ - _ - _ - _ - _ - _ - _ - _ - _

_ - _ - _ - _ - _ - _ - _ - _ - _

Darkness

That’s all that was seen and felt around. As [f/n] slept just like in her lair, before that presence was felt. A dangerous thing that started its rampage on the world.

She mainly stayed out of things especially after the attack they tried to do on her. They wanted to get rid of her or she thought as she went into hiding to gain more strength.

[f/n] then opens there eyes to be met not with there ancient lair. All its old towers and walls of worship from the old city it was once apart of. The lava and toxic air that didn’t allow anything to get into the place without dying from the heat or radiation. No she was meet with concrete walls of a dark sell. Even if the two places were basically the save a bit opens area with stone in all directions you look. This place was completely different it was a cage a place to be held.

As she tried to get up the sound of shaking chains was heard and they tightens around her arms. Crossed over each other being held down by two giant boulders tagged in chains that connected to her wrists and around her body. The only thing not chained down was her tail.

Observing the area around her she sees how there are three walks of concrete and one that was blocked off. With metal gate wholes in between the woven metals allowing a view in and out of the cage. The Only thing illuminating the room was a two torches on ether side of the metal gate. With a small metal box with a lens in the middle of the ceilings just outside the the cell. As a small camera light flashed every two seconds. Staring at [f/n] as she stared at it.

On the other side of the camera stud the security of the True Cross. The Gregori and most of highest in authority stud in the room looking at the beast throw the camera.

“It’s woken up!” One of the security guards stated as they moved the screens to all show the one camera footage In front of them all. Everyone in the room looked at the shown footage as they all have their own opinions on the creature.

“What could it be? It came out of nowhere?Could it be some type of demon?” As the few in the room discussed among each other the door then opens up to Show Arthur Augustus, Lewin light, and Shura Kirigakure walking into the room.

“What the hell is going on now!” Shura yelled out as she walked over to the from to look at the screen. It seems that a new creature had emerged during the events of the awakening of the impure king/ princess.

Three people then each hold up a laptop with one of the Gregori shown. “We don’t even know our self’s miss Kirigakure. We’re trying to investigate what it is and if it’s a threat or not.” One of them said as the exorcist quite down to listen.

“Then we should just kill it while it’s down!” Arthur walked to the front as he exclaimed in frustration and anger. “ No matter what it is. it is a danger to not only to True Cross but to the people. We saw how it caught against both the Impure king and Princes. It’s dangerous!”

“Well we don’t know for sure that it is Arthur.” A nonchalant and not caring Lewin spoke up as he walked right next to Arthur. Hands in his pockets as he’s poncho swaying with his walking.

“What do you mean not a threat! You all saw what it did. How it attacked!” Arthur continued for a second arguing back to Lewin.

“That may be true, but it also stoped both the impure king/ princes in a matter of three days. It only attack the two threats then left after they were gone.” Another of the Gregori said as they showed videos of the events from news and other camera footage.

“Even if it did stop them. That doesn’t mean that it can also be a bigger threat to us. There are countless news reports on it!” Shura came up saying another argument about the creator.

“That’s the thing miss Kirigakure. It’s able to be seen by the average eye. Meaning it’s not a demon. Further more we don’t know how to deal with it. We were shocked to see that it could even turn into this small form. It is awake and if we make the wrong move it could kill us all just by its sheer size alone if it turns back to how it was before. We can’t take the risk of in raging it.” The Gregori stated as it showed the figure in the cell starting to pull on the chains. Leaving many of the exorcist in the room to gasp and murmur among themselves.

“ So, all we have to do is tell it that we’re not a threat if it doesn’t attack us.” Lewin spoke up as he started to walk up to the screen looking at the live footage.

“Yes, that would be the easiest solution but we don’t even know if it can communicate with us. Let alone agree to not attack.” Arthur spoke up frustrated as he then looked at the Gregori. Seeking if they have an answer to the situation.

“Well just let me in there and I’ll go try and talk to it.” Lewin said calmly as if asking to stay extra hours for some paperwork.

“Are you crazy Lewin! You don’t even know what it could do to you!” Shura yelled out in disbelief as she then started walking to him, but was stoped halfway as a puff of pink smoke came up as Mephisto showed up.

“Mephisto! What are you doing here! Is this your doing!” Arthur called out as she pointed his blade to the demon king of time as he had his regular smirky grin.

“Why no. Dear Angel. I am not behind this. How hurtful that you would suspect that I would do something this destructive.” Mephisto stated with his fake wounded voice placing a hand over his chest.

“ Though I am curious on what this all is.”Mephisto stated liking that the forage of the past three days and the live camera.

“ Wait so you don’t even know what it is?! Arthur asked out in shock at his words.

“ No, I don’t. In my time I have not seen anything like this before. I can’t even sense a presence like a demon or human from it. This is very perculeral.” Mephisto said as he looked at the screen focused on trying to see the figure in the cell from the shadows parts that it hid in. His cat slit eye staring into the darkness looking for any movement. Then turned back to the others with that shit eating grin again. “Well I’ll leave it to you all then.”

In another puff of pink smoke Mephisto then disappeared as soon and he got here. Leaving everyone bin a bit of shock or confusion in a bit.

“ Dame that demon!” Arthur yelled out. Looked to where he once was.

Lewin then walked up to three Gregori cameras. “If given the permission. May I be able to go in and try to see if we can communicate with it?” Lewin spoke up seemingly asking to do so.

“ Well we’re short on time to see what else we can do. Very well Lewin Light you are allowed to go to the cell holding the creature and see if we are able to communicate with it. Arthur you also join in. Step in if it gets dangerous.”

With the Gregorio’s words Lewin then started to walk out the room and out the cell chambers. Arthur only nodded as he fallowed after Lewin sword ready to his side if needed.

•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_

Walked down the dimly lit hallway footsteps echoing against the cold stone walls. Arriving in front of cell. Looking into the darkness of the cell. They both sees the chains end and wrist restraints broken and on the ground.

“Huh!? Where did it go?!” Arthur yelled out in shock looking if it got out the cell. Then a grunt was heard. It sounded deep and animalistic. Making both of then turn to look into the cell again only to see the steam from the grunt come out from the darkness.

“Well what do we have here?” Lewin looked into the darkness of the cell. Seeing if anything is there. Only to be meet with a pair of eyes to open and look back at him. Lewin only continued with his smile walking up the cells bars sticking his head in a bit, while Arthur took a step back ready to fight if needed.

“So your the thing that showed up from the middle of the ocean and defeated the impure king/princes.” Lewin started to look at the two eyes. Even if his own weren’t visible throw his hair pushed down by his bucket hat. He could still feel the eyes of what was in the cell looking at him. Keeping an eye on him. Checking for any and all movements he did.

“ You made a bit impression to us here. Even now the fact you got out of those restraints is incredible.” Lewin laughed as he kept trying to talk to it. Its eyes only blinked never taking its eyes off him other than flicking back to Arthur for a few seconds.

“Lewin! Stop praising it!” Arthur yelled out to Lewin pulling him back by his poncho. “ We don’t even know if it’s good or not. It can put us as well as people in danger!” As Arthur told Lewin of. In return Lewin only laughed at his words.

“You are a danger to your self’s humans.” A voice from the cell spoke up. Cutting off the two as they stoped there small argument looking back into the darkness. As the figure moved out from the darkness.

Showing a woman around 6 ft tall with long dark hair, scales around her face, back dorsal fins that looked like they were made out of almost stone and the color of coal that went down a big reptile like tail. ( Sorry if this isn’t to your liking I’m going of Godzilla’s features.)

“What did you say!?” Arthur then let go of Lewin as she then walked up to the cell gate looking up at her. Offense and frustration shown on his face as she bore his eyebrows together his there together in a tense as if trying to bare his teeth.

“I said your kind are only a danger to yourselves.” The woman said as she then stared down at him here eyes holding a look of calm frustration. “Now if this is done. I’ll go ahead and leave.” She then walked up to the gate pushing the metal bars apart without much effort.

“I won’t allow you to leave. You are still a suspected threat to us!” Arthur the got out his sword pointing it at her.

“I will not be a threat if you and your kind just stay out of my way.” She the said then stopped pushing the bars apart. In that second Arthur the raised his sword preparing to fight.

Stepping back a bit she then took a deep breath in ready to do what was necessary. Taking a deep breath her tail spikes then started to glow a bluish white color. Making a sound of a loud siren warning echoing in a low pitch. As it went up her back making all her big back fins to glow the bright colors as it went up her neck. Finally making her eyes turn that blue color.

“Angle sl-” As Arthur started his attack. He then stoped as the glowing color of her spike fins then stoped for a few seconds in a silence. Arthur only looked at her with a hesitation, but then she opened her mouth letting the glow come again. Then came out in a loud, hot, earth shaking blast aiming it aiming it at the wall behind then avoid hitting the two.

The blast was so strong that it surprised both of them. Making Arthur lose his balance and throw him off to the side. Lewin g only stared in shock at the blast. The whole effect of the blast leaving him in shock. As he stumbled a bit then got his footing. After the blast a whole was then shown to be in the concrete wall. Allowing the outside night sky to be shown. As the woman walked out from the now destroyed cell the gate bent out in the way of the blast the ends got from the blast.

Walking out of the cell outside she then started to grow into the form she was before. A giant reptile creature as she make the ground quake with each step.

Lewin only looked up as the smoke cleared showing only a bit of her side to him. He then smiled in a way only a child finding their new interest can. “Wow. This just keeps greeting better and better.” He said out more to himself than anything looking as she then walked away in that big form.

Hearing the found of foot steps he then saw some more exorcist run up to the area. “Are you alright lighting!?” One of them asked as they got to his side.

“No I’m fine but go help out Arthur he’s really banged up.” He then pointed to Arthur thrown to the side of some ruble from the blast.

As the exorcist went to aid Arthur. Lewin only looked out at the open whole as the titan creature walked off. He then looked over at Arthur’s unconscious body as it was tended to.

“Sorry Arthur, but Im too interested in her to let this go.” He said to himself in a low voice his hit parting slightly as she he looked at the horizon as some attack plaines started to fire at the big lizard.

“ You guys stay here and help Arthur. I’m going to go after out the big guy!” Lewin yelled out to the exorcist as he then stared running after her leaving the exorcist without much of a response back.

•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_•_

After a bit the big creature was just a bit for the shore staying away from most magpie city areas. As it walked throw the forest destroying trees and small hills to flat plains. As planing and other exorcist trying to stop it. Throwing attacks, blades, and explosions at it.

Not making much of a dent to actually hurt it but still frustrating, annoying it. Lewin just a bit away running after it, his poncho flapping from the breeze a hand on his head keeping his bucket hat from flying off.

“I have to keep going. The ocean is only a bit away from here….. I can get to my lair and rest. If only there’s dame humans would stop pestering me.” The big lizard then started to slow down as the exorcist were starting to lose there energy and firepower.

In a few moments the lizard then fell to tired and weak to continue as it laying on the ground. Seconds later Lewin then showed up a bit out of breath as she walked to the side looking at its head. Getting a good look at it as his breathed out a heavy sigh. As it then turned back to the human like figure from before laying in the now left imprint of its bigger side.

“You are very strange and fascinating you know that.” Lewin then walked up to her unconscious body, but then snapped out of it as the sound of running knowing the other exorcist were going.

He then took out a lighter. “Sylphs.” Small like fairy like creatures then appears as they flew around Lewin. “Hey can you all take her back to my home. I’ll go ahead and clear this situation here. I promise I’ll give you all a proper bonfire tonight.” The Sylphs then all flew around the woman as they then in a blink of an eye disappeared as quick as they came.

Lewin smiled as they left then turned to the side to see the exorcist just arriving on the scene. “This is going to be very interesting.”

[cat-writes-sometimes]

En Pointe with the Devil, Book 2 Ch 4

The stack of papers was at least an inch thick, red stickers jutting from the edges like flags signaling where he should sign in case he got lost in the maze of legal jargon. Augustus took a sip of water, his throat still raw.

Stefan and the spiky-haired man had burst into the container the second Augustus’s scream left his mouth, only to freeze at Maksim’s raised hand. Maksim let him scream himself hoarse until Augustus's vocal cords were fried and his screams started sounding more like a dying cat than an actual human being. By the time he stopped, a strange smile had formed on Maksims face and Augustus’s ears were ringing.

From the warehouse they went straight to the airport. The ride was suffocatingly silent, broken only by the sound of Augustus’s coughs and the hesitant acceptance of a water bottle Maksim offered. Maksim didn’t inquire into his outburst, instead the smile from the container pulled at his lips for the entirety of the ride.

Now, at cruising altitude, Maksim handed him a stack of paperwork. Augustus’s contract.

“Read through it and let me know when your done.” Maksim said before joining the other two on the other side of the jet.

Augustus braced for the worst as he carefully looked over each page, his mind conjuring all the terrible possibilities the pages could contain. Clauses about his necessary involvement in trafficking, or absurd teeny tiny fine print like, “Party B will do their utmost to adhere by the terms therein, and give Party A a blow blow job every other Tuesday.” But as he scanned the document, it was… clean. The terms were straightforward, even fair. More than fair, actually. By the time he reached the compensation page, he had to stop and scribble a question mark next to the dollar amount.

An hour later, he reached the final page. Stacking the pages neatly with a soft tap, he glanced over to Maksim, who was in between Stefan and Spiky Hair. The faint glow of the laptop made the hollows of their faces even more prominent and serious. They were deep in conversation as they examined something on the screen, Stefan stood with his arms crossed and his lips in a thin line. Maksims eyebrows were twisted in a knot and he tapped the table rhythmically with his fingers. When Maksim caught his eye, he murmured something to the others before walking over. Augustus couldn’t help but notice Spiky Hair’s glare before his eyes returned to the screen.

“Any questions?” Maksim asked, settling into the seat across from him.

Augustus cleared his throat, his voice still sandpaper-rough. “So… the contract’s for five years. What happens after that?”

Maksim tilted his head thoughtfully. “Either you extend it, or you don’t.”

Augustus hesitated. “And if I don’t?”

Maksim’s lips quirked. “I don’t think that’ll happen. But if it does, we’ll figure something out.”

Augustus’s stomach tightened. Figure something out? Was that code for “sleep with the fishes”?

“I told you—I’m not going to kill you,” Maksim said, with an annoyed sigh. The way he read Augustus so easily was unsettling, he needed to work on his poker face.

Everything else in the contract was standard: commitments to rehearsals, fittings, and maintaining his health. No promises of roles—he’d have to audition for everything, which Augustus begrudgingly respected. Unlike Emma’s contract, this contract covered all housing, food, and other expenses, including unlimited dance shoes. The contract didn’t state what kind of shoes. When Augustus flipped back to the compensation page, he pointed to the bottom number. “I think you added an extra zero here.”

Maksim toko the page from Augustus’s hand gently and leaned back. He scrunched his brows as he read, his deliberate movements making him look like a CEO reviewing an annual report. Finally, he flipped the page over and handed it back. “Nope, that’s correct.”

Augustus blinked. “Is it in Romanian Lei?”

“It’s in US Dollars.”

Augustus stared at the number again. Each month’s salary was more than he earned in an entire season with Emma.

“Why is it so much?” He asked. It wasn’t like Augustus had a choice, it could have been $0 and he would still need to sign on the dotted line. The contract was more a formality than a necessity.

“Think of it as part compensation for your work and part for the inconvenience. Of course,” Maksim added, grinning, “it’ll go into a bank account I can monitor. Can’t have you running off after your first paycheck.”

Of course there’s a catch. Augustus had expected strings, and he suspected there were more to come. Still, he couldn’t argue with the black-and-white terms, even if they were involuntary. Maksim handed him an elegant silver pen, and Augustus signed next to every red sticker. With each signature, it felt like another lock snapping shut, binding him tighter until the door of the golden cage was welded shut.

When he slid the papers back, Maksim’s smile widened and his deeplies deepened. “Welcome to the team.”

They landed back in Romania shortly after. The man with Spiky hair gave one last glare at Augustus before spitting something in Romanian at Maksim and getting into a sleek sedan. He sped off kicking up dirt, Maksim shook his head and chuckled. Stefan also went separate ways, Augustus gave him a little wave before he slipped into an SUV. Stefan lifted his hand in reciprocation and drove off.

“You and Stefan are getting along well.” Maksim noted.

Was that a compliment or sarcasm? Augustus wasn’t sure how to respond so he chose not to.

Maksim got into the driver's seat of a large Mercedes SUV waiting on the edge of the tarmac, opening the door for Augustus to sit next to him on the passenger side. The sun was high in the sky, shining through a veil of large, puffy clouds. They drove for what felt like an eternity through the city, until the buildings became more spread apart and trees began to outnumber electric poles. It was a silent drive, not because Augustus didn’t have questions he wanted to ask, but because he had too many. It was making him stuck, the gears in his head refusing to turn. Before he knew it they were approaching a large stone gate, the glares of security camera lenses peeked from behind the trees.

It looked like an entrance to a prison or an army base. With a press of a button and some typing on the keypad the metal gate swung open with a groan. They drove down a long dirt path lined with trees so thick the only option was to continue forward, which they did for several minutes.

The contract hadn’t specified what “housing” included, but Augustus hadn’t expected a literal house—let alone a mansion. The two-story structure loomed against the trees, its white stucco stark and jarring, like a scar slashed across the lush green landscape. Its steep, dark roof sloped sharply, while metal sconces framed tall windows and ornate balconies.

Peeking out from behind the mansion was a smaller building, similar in design, but his attention was drawn to the front stairs. On either side stood towering wolf statues, their heads raised and mouths slightly open, as if caught mid-snarl.

Maksim brought the car to the base of the stairs and cut the engine, he stepped out onto the gravel driveway and signaled Augustus to follow.

The air had a slight chill to it but was otherwise still. It was fresh and smelled like green, birdsong filled the silence.

With a punch of a code on a keypad and two separate keys Maksim unlocked one of the double doors and ushered Augustus inside. Once inside, Makism came in behind him and flicked on the lights, taking off his coat while Augustus craned his neck to take in the chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

The chandelier in the foyer was a kaleidoscope of colorful glass flowers and dripping crystals. Above the Persian rug under Augustus’s feet, a sweeping marble double staircase framed the entry like two arms extending toward him. Paintings lined the walls like a gallery—some familiar, others entirely new to him—and small statues perched on pedestals, each one perfectly placed. It was a jigsaw puzzle of styles and eras, yet everything fit together effortlessly, one piece complementing the next.

It wasn’t a house. It was a museum.

Maksim closed the door behind them, slipping off his shoes without a glance at the grandeur around him. Augustus hesitated before following suit, his socks muffling his steps as Maksim led him up the staircase and into a long, white hallway. The walls seemed designed for the art they displayed, with recessed lighting casting each painting in perfect illumination, the size of every frame measured to fit the space like a glove.

Maksim stopped at one of the many identical doors, pushing it open with a practiced ease, and gestured for Augustus to enter.

Inside, the room was unmistakably a bedroom—though in keeping with the rest of the property, it looked more like an art gallery with a bed in the center. Augustus stared, his mouth agape, while Maksim’s demeanor remained as neutral as if they’d walked into a budget motel.

“You’ll be staying here for now,” Maksim said, gesturing toward a door on the far wall. “Bathroom is attached. Get settled in, look around if you like, but don’t touch anything. And if a door’s locked, it means don’t go in. I’ll be downstairs.”

“You’re staying?” Augustus asked, eyebrows shooting up.

Maksim laughed. “Of course—it’s my house.”

“This is your house?!” he blurted.

Amusement flickered across Maksim’s face. “You’ll find your clothes have been put away in the closet. Feel free to change and come downstairs if you’re hungry.” With a small smile, Maksim turned and disappeared down the hallway before Augustus could form another question.

Augustus stood frozen for a moment, then spent the next hour exploring the room. The walk-in closet was filled with clothes, some familiar from Italy, but he didn’t remember any luggage being on the plane. He opened drawers to find what seemed like a department store’s worth of underwear in every imaginable style. When his fingers brushed against a thong, his face burned red, and he quickly buried it at the bottom of the drawer.

A marble bathroom adjoined the room, complete with lavender-scented soap and shampoo that filled the air with a calming fragrance. The irony.

Augustus locked the bedroom door before stepping into the shower—not that a lock would stop Maksim if he really wanted to get in. The hot water did it’s best to loosen his aching muscles as he tried to organize his swirling thoughts. Questions piled up in his mind, and he mentally rehearsed a “plan of attack” for when he faced Maksim again.

After drying off, he pulled a hoodie and grey sweatpants from the closet and after fishing in the underwear drawer he finally found a pair of boxer briefs. Quietly, he opened the door and peeked into the hallway. The house was a paradox—overflowing with stuff yet eerily devoid of life. He hadn't heard or seen anyone else since they came inside.

With an internal peptalk a NFL coach would be proud of, he went on the hunt for Maksim.

He followed the faint strains of classical music down the hall to the stairs, and then into the largest kitchen he’d ever seen. The sheer size of it made him stop in his tracks, but the music and faint clinking of dishes pulled him forward.

Augustus had planned everything. In the shower, he’d pictured Maksim sitting with a drink or a cigarette in hand. Augustus would walk right up to him, stand tall, and say, “I have questions.” Maksim would respect that, wouldn’t he? He seemed like the type who valued directness. Augustus could almost see the twitch of Maksim’s eyebrow as he spoke.

But the plan evaporated the moment he saw Maksim in an apron.

Standing in front of the stove, Maksim hummed softly, stirring something in a large pan with a wooden spoon. A cutting board nearby was littered with herb stems, open cans of tomatoes, and a carton of cream. Augustus stopped short, his brain struggling to reconcile the apron-clad man with the guy who killed an entire room of people mercilessly.

Maksim glanced over his shoulder as soon as Augustus crossed the threshold. “I’m surprised you came down of your own accord,” he said over the music, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Thought I’d hear you sneaking down the stairs in the middle of the night like Sleeping Beauty when hunger finally got the better of you.”

[darkmaga-returns]

Biden Family Corruption Laid Bare

by Brad Pearce | Jan 23, 2025

Atlanta, Georgia - August 24, 2023: A man holds a large sign that says "Lock Biden Up" while awaiting Donald Trump's arrest at the Fulton County Jail on August 24, 2023.

For many years, Joe Biden’s corruption has been as well known as his dementia to anyone remotely out of the Democrat Party and MSNBC messaging zone. Throughout his half-century career as an unimpressive politician, his family has accumulated enormous wealth through influence peddling.

This, of course, came to the fore with his son Hunter’s laptop whose authenticity was denied by “51 former intelligence agents,” claiming it was a Russian operation. The truth is Hunter Biden’s corruption is fairly routine. It’s just that other family members of politicians aren’t whoremongering crackheads and are thus able to avoid notice. Despite this, we were constantly demanded to believe that Joe Biden was a portrait of public service who believed deeply in the rule of law. This was also supposed to present a contrast between the entire Democrat and Republican machines, including Donald Trump.

Then, shortly before leaving office, following his legally dubious blanket amnesty granted to Hunter in December, Biden granted amnesty to Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, the January 6 Committee, and worst of all, the rest of his own family. All of this was done with a professed beleif in a fair justice system, claiming none of them had done anything wrong. As I like to say, we live in unsubtle times.

The history of heads of state holding the power of pardon is ancient. The most famous example in Western culture is of course Pontius Pilate—as Augustus Caesar’s representative—freeing Barabbas while condemning Jesus (notably, after getting feedback from the people).

While the public generally loves to see justice, they also like to see mercy from their leaders. It’s something which makes a king beloved. In the United States, it is technically the people who have the power to convict and execute while the executive, both federally and in states, has the power to overturn these convictions for any reason. This is also a “check” on corruption within the judiciary, and the risk that this may itself be used corruptly to assist family members or other cronies was well known. However, the concept of amnesty is also ancient, and if the president had

[bison-appreciation-club]

here i am, on my old laptop, reading historical rpf. i started as a joke and now i'm worried that i will start unironically shipping augustus/agrippa

[diary-of-a-teenage-girl24]

Sunday October 13th 2024 09:01

Dear diary.

Apologies for the lack of updates, I was waiting for something profound to hit me and… I got nothing.

I finished reading the fault in our stars which is pretty cool, cried a lot. Of course I’d read it before. But each time I read it I keep thinking “surely this will end differently” (newsflash. It doesn’t) Yet I continue to read it. I guess Albert Einstein would say I was crazy. I don’t even know how that makes me feel anymore.

I wish I had a boyfriend like Augustus Waters. I wish someone cared enough for me to take me to Amsterdam and kiss me in the Anne Frank Huis, take me to dinner at an expensive restaurant where they serve drinks made from the stars. But alas, it is not to be, I am instead a lonely teen, with one friend, who I regularly see, the rest once or twice a year at most. How depressing is that.

I want to be seen. I want to be seen and not be bullied, I want to go on dates, sleepovers and live a life! Instead I am here, typing on my laptop, practically screaming into the abyss. God I am pathetic aren’t I? And of course me and my religion have been having issues, I want to be a Christian I really do but why is it so hard. Why can’t I be queer and be a Christian why do so many have such an issue with that.

Anyway no profound quotes today. I’ll come back later if anything comes up.

goodbye.

[deepdonutkid]

The Hunger Games characters have some unique names based on many cultures we've lived in today.

What's your favourite character names from THG world? What's their names meaning?

Bonus questions :

If you're a fanfic writer writing about characters who lives in Panem, what's their name gonna be?

If you're a reader, what's a name you read in a THG fanfic that stuck with you?

Thank you, @curiousnonny

I actually tried to answer this immidiently, which my laptop shutting down and then tumblr didn't save my answer. UGH... soooo, again...

My favorite name is Seneca Crane, I love the meaning, any other Seneca girlies out there?

Then again, I love the contrast of Prim's and Katniss' names.

M: Ahhh, look, our beautiful baby daughter! M: Prim, because she is as lovely as a Primrose! M: And there is her older sister, swamp potato!

Clearly, the father picked the first name and the mother picked the second. But to me, the parent proposing the name for the child, which makes the final cut, will always share a special bond with said child... and it's beautiful.

I actually have a whole post planned, where I will explain, that Peeta is very slavic-coded to me. And Peeta is for me just a derivative from Pjotr, well, they do have the same root in Petrus. But the Peeta also having the bread meaning is just chef's kiss.

A name that always stuck with me is Augustus, and since it's originated in Roman Empire, it fits the theme as well. I imagine Augustus to look pretty much like Peeta, sounds like an alter ego name someone would give to him, if he was raised in the Capitol XD

Iulia another beautiful italian name. Also for another Capitolite!

And I have one THG oc actually, and it's a girl Johanna Mason had to mentor, despite being not that much older than her, which makes it into a really sweet sister story. Her name is Charna 'Chimney' Pasternak. It's a yiddish/russian name and with Charna being derivertive from the russian word for black, tschornje, and Pasternak means pasnip in yiddish. It's a root, so it's similiar to Katniss. Chimney is her nickname, because she is a chimney sweep. I can totally imagine, that in the districts kids would do this dangerous job again. And since they are heating with coal and or wood, it's really important to have a clean chimney. She is also the reason Johanna is so mad in the quell, because she is the last person, Johanna cared for, before losing her too. I actually don't know, if I ever write that story, but I love to ramble about it!

@curiousnonny Thanks again for this question! I really wish I could have send the first draft of my answer, because that one was waayyyy better with way more details :(

[abominationvault]

Session 78 Sat Jun 7 2025

I missed last week so Skabb’s notes will be incoming soon! We are fighting one of these things, so Nadia better hit the ground running:

There was a recall knowledge: We know that it’s a fiend, it’s got Divine Innate spells, immunities are confusion, death effects, and swarm attacks, it is weak to good damage, weakest save is fortitude, has an AoE attack with its rotten limbs, also it pukes something horrible. A swarm of stuff.

Also Sprocket has summoned something, some sort of dragonkin. Stormsnake!

Right into the action, we start with Nadia who uses a bomb and then misses with a Risky Reload so her gun jams. She sets the monster on fire, it tries to put itself out but doesn’t manage it. It does cauterise its own wounds, however. It reaches up to claw at Augustus, who is good-aligned and therefore takes 22 damage.

Luna leans out from behind a rock and shoots, but 27 misses. So does 28, so she hides again with her last action.

Skabb. “Oh, shitcakes.” She wants to do something new; much cryptic talk between her and the DM, positioning herself and Grabby. We move to Jorgy as Skabb’s laptop takes a shit. He, even with his actual real life mother in law on the sofa behind him, does a gozz attack with all the associated foley work. A hit! It saves, but still takes some damage. 16 delicious Force damage. 38 hits but hold on, he’s changed his name…

He’s done Luna as well:

Skabb gets her shit together and turns into a scorpion!!! It has a little grill on its mandibles. That’s her turn.

Sprocket and Luna arrive! Long discussion about cats.

Hartvig’s turn, and he’s stable at 0HP. He rolls over from his back to his front so he doesn’t choke on his own tongue, and dribbles a bit. The DM allows him a free Perception check, which he uses to see how dead our enemy is: about halfway.

Moving on… Sprocket! He uses an action to keep the stormsnake up, and runs to Hartvig to jam a potion down his neck. Via an impromptu tracheotomy he makes with his scalpel. “You gonna be okay!” 18 HP back for Hartvig. Augustus does a fist slam but misses. The lightning snake does a lightning strike at the Derghodaemon, but it saves.

Nadia drops her jammed gun and pulls out her crossbow; the first attack misses but the second does it 19 damage.

The demon takes its damage from the bomb but then puts the fire out on itself. It then tries to stop the bleeding from its wounds but fails! Out of rage it swings at Augustus and hits for 26 slashing and 3 evil damage. (Short discussion about the party’s alignments. Jorgy and Hartvig are the only goodies. Wait, Nadia is chaotic good too; Jorg’ath always sort of assumed she was what the kids would call A Baddie. She is that as well.)

Big Lunes is up, and she’s AFK because her sister is visiting so Sprocket takes over for her. How many cloaks is she allowed to wear at once, he wants to know? Skabb notes that she should not be able to hide at all, what with all the shiny shinies she’s carrying. She shoots with her shortbow, miss, hit, miss. She hides, and is supremely confident that she’s hidden.

Skabbulon. “Er… Do my Hero Points stay with me as a scorpion?” They do. She has another go at that attack and does it worse. At least she looks cool. Grabby does a Stitching Strike:

The monster rolls a 38, her spell DC is 27 which makes the save a critical. Can Skabb-pion fart on it as a free action? Obviously.

Jorgy. Scythe 36 hits! 9+7 damage. 32 also hits! 11+7, and then he would like to tackle it. Grab its spindly little legs and take it down. Athletics vs. its Fortitude: 28, but there’s always time for a Hero Point. 29.

Hartvig. “Ahhhh I live!” He stands up and staggers about for a bit. He casts a fancy new spell called Rip the Spirit:

The monster critically succeeds. “That’s fine. I’ll just cross the fifth level spell slot off, that’s done.” He sits down on the floor to consider his life choices.

Sprocket is covered in barbecue sauce. No, hoisin sauce. Skabb: “Is this what happens when [Luna] goes out?” Sprocket: “… I heard what I said, and I stick by it.” He uses an action to keep his snakey-fella going (Skabb bites her tongue hard), and Boosts Eidolon. Augustus fails to Fist Slam and uses a Hero Point - 35 hits! 19 plus 4 damage. The Storm Snake does a tail attack, 27 misses.

Nadia hits it with another bomb, but her other attack misses.

The monster takes 8 damage (4 bleed, 4 fire), then tries to kill Augustus. 42 hits him for 20 slashing and 4 evil damage. That’s for sure a crit… 42 more damage. Augustus winks out of existence, and Sprocket falls to the floor. Jorg’ath: “Be safe in the knowledge that you will be avenged.” Then it savagely assaults as many of us as it can reach. Just Jorg’ath. and Skabb-pion. 21 misses Jorgy, and 27 just hits Skabby-claws. 25 slashing damage to her.

Big Lunes is next. Sprocket is dismayed to discover she doesn’t have any poisons. She shoots anyway - 36 hits for a Howdy Doodis! It erupts into chunks, and all of the chunks are Enfeebled 1. Skabb starts picking up the bits with her grabbers and feeding them into her mandibles. Skabb-dibles.

The passageway behind Grabby leads out of the vault, the DM kindly tells us, so we don’t need to waste time exploring it. We decide he’s hiding treasure and that means we should DEFINITELY explore it.

Hartvig casts Heal on Sprocket. 49 HP back. “I’m alive!” He does one for everyone that needs a big Heal as well. “Everyone have 32.”

Fungal canopy up to 50 feet. As we move about we must move on our turns now. Skabb can’t see any fungus that would produce spores that might be dangerous. Some areas might be difficult terrain.

Jorg’ath goes first and whispers back to the rest of us that there are some ‘red boys’ up here. Nadia follows, looking out for threats and bugs that Skabb might like. Above the canopy of the mushrooms she sees two more guys; she points them out to the others. We fought these a little while ago. She is confident that they haven’t seen us, but they seem to be wafting toward Jorg’ath…

She chucks a little pebble at him and points up. He doesn’t seem to understand what she means. “Okay, well I tried…” They look close on the map, but are a long way up.

Luna next, but she has no darkvision and doesn’t know about the puffballs. She moves up next to Nadia and follows her gaze - she sees the puffballs. (Nadia also found some juicy slugs, and pockets them for Skabb.) Luna’s ears go flat and her tail goes poofy.

Skabb hasn’t noticed the puffballs or the shenanigans; she has been scanning the ground for grubs. She finds a squiggler and a legses. Legses goes straight in the mouth, bum first.

Hartvig is part Duskwalker on his father’s side, so he has darkvision. He has spotted the puffballs. What hurt them, when we fought them before? He does a recall knowledge (not a high DC as we’ve fought them before). Weak to fire!

Sprocket last, and he has Darkvision as well. “I am also weak to fire,” he points out. He also sees the puffballs. He has a digwidget, he tells us. … A what now?

Oh. one of those. It’s a construct, and can be used to pick locks or dig holes, and has a burrow-speed.

He uses the mushrooms as cover; the DM rules that they are not difficult terrain for him as he can move between them on account of his small size.

The puffballs get a turn. Big Lunes, Nards, Sprocketses and Hartvig see them sneaking towards Jorg’ath.

Initiative:

Nadia goes first and crits with her crossbow and a redpitch bomb doing 42 damage (12 of which is persistent fire damage) in one hit. She uses her last action to shout at Jorg’ath to warn him; Skabb hears that as well so they can both roll initiative and join in next round.

Luna shoots with a 31, a hit plus her sneak attack. No bleed damage as they don’t bleed. (Skabb remembers that these things do something nasty when they die, explode into spores or something.) She hits again and then repositions herself, minding out to stay near enough to Jorg’ath (who glows) that she can still see stuff.

Hartvig next, and he will shoot the other one. Can we tell how close they are to dying? Yeah, but it’s an action. He perceives for 25; the second is showing no sign of wear, but the other has some splits in its sides. It doesn’t look about to split all the way open, but has taken heavy damage. He shoots for that one. Needle Dar- oh, Hero Point. Needle Darts! 21 piercing. Noice.

Sprocket next. How far above us are they? The mostly intact one about 20 feet, the damaged one about 10 feet. He does a Blazing Bolt from his staff, to hit both of them. 18 misses. Sprocket, being vulnerable to fire himself, hates using fire. Even so he does it again, 29 hits! For his last action he hunkers down in the shrooms.

Nadia hits three times with the use of a Hero Point and kills it - it explodes, doing 40 damage to everyone in 20 feet. We all fail our saves, Nadia even though she uses Grit and Tenacity AND her Devil’s Luck contract.

Lunes was about to do a murder but having seen the other one explode all over us, thinks twice. This one isn’t as damaged so she goes for it and crits for 47 damage, nice. Now she’s more anxious, because she doesn’t want to kill Skabb. She does a bit of hiding.

Hartvig. “It’s me!” Wait, no, it’s Jorg’ath, we’re out of order for some reason. He shoots his crossbow at it but misses, then hits. 7 piercing, for 17 because it’s vulnerable to that as well. And 7 Force. “Exquisite.” He misses that time.

Hartvig will now take his turn and administer Needles again. 24 misses, Hero Point, even worse. He runs away a bit.

Sprocket flips through his ever-growing spell book. “I will… No wait, it was 30 feet… Yeah that’ll do it.” He hits with a Phase Bolt for 15 damage. The next one is a miss. He also does some repositioning, hiding under a mushroom.

The remaining one hasn’t seen Skabb yet, so it wafts at Hartvig. It’s right up in his grill, but it’s shit out of actions.

Skabb next. How far is its blast radius? 20 feet. She will put herself at risk to do a Breathe Fire at it. Ballsy if nothing else. “Get away from my friend, you bitch!” Nadia nominates her for a Hero Point.

Nadia does a Perception check in order to use an action so she’s less likely to be the one to kill her friends. She shoots, hits for 25 damage, and then reloads her crossbow, relieved that she won’t be the one to get the howdydoodis and plaster her friends to the floor.

Luna next with the hot potato, is there any way she can stuff it into a bag of holding with a grenade? 30 hits for 23 damage; it looks like a balloon that’s been overinflated. There are thin patches. Bad news; she gets sneak attack damage as well - it doesn’t explode. She breathes a sigh of relief.

Jorgy next. Blast radius is still 20 feet. Could he dive-tackle it and take it away from his friends? Does he have an attack with the Shove trait, the DM asks? He hasn’t seen one on his sheet. He can Shove as part of a movement. He can move 30 feet. If he moves twice and critically succeeds, the DM will let him move it 20 feet. He crits! 39 Athletics!

Having successfully jumped on the grenade, he attacks with his claws and the puffball explodes doing 15 damage. He is nominated for a Hero Point by Nadia, and a fungal infection by Skabb.

We do some healing and call it there.

[mathewmartin1]

Understanding Lithium | The Essential Element for Modern Technology

In the realm of modern technology, few elements hold as much significance as lithium. This soft, silvery-white alkali metal, with the atomic number 3, plays a crucial role in a wide array of applications, from powering our gadgets to revolutionizing the way we store energy. As we delve deeper into the world of lithium, we uncover its fascinating properties, historical significance, and its pivotal role in shaping the future of technology.

The Unique Properties of Lithium

Lithium is the lightest metal and the least dense solid element. Its unique properties make it indispensable in various industries:

Lightweight and Strong: Lithium is incredibly light, which makes it an ideal component for lightweight batteries used in smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles.

High Electrochemical Potential: The high electrochemical potential of lithium makes it perfect for use in rechargeable batteries, providing higher energy densities and longer lifespans compared to other battery technologies.

Thermal Stability: Lithium compounds possess excellent thermal stability, making them valuable in heat-resistant glass and ceramics.

Historical Background of Lithium

The discovery of lithium dates back to 1817 when the Swedish chemist Johan August Arfvedson identified it in the mineral petalite. The name lithium is derived from the Greek word 'lithos', meaning stone, as it was found in mineral form. It wasn't until 1855 that lithium was isolated by British chemist Augustus Matthiessen and German chemist Robert Bunsen.

The Role of Lithium in Batteries

The most well-known application of lithium is in batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries. These batteries have become the standard for portable electronic devices and electric vehicles due to their high energy density, long cycle life, and lightweight nature.

Lithium-Ion Batteries: These are rechargeable batteries in which lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge and back when charging. They are widely used in consumer electronics, medical devices, and electric vehicles.

Lithium-Polymer Batteries: A variation of lithium-ion batteries, these use a polymer electrolyte instead of a liquid one, offering flexible shapes and sizes, making them suitable for ultra-thin electronics.

Lithium in Renewable Energy Storage

As the world shifts towards renewable energy sources, the need for efficient energy storage solutions has never been greater. Lithium batteries are at the forefront of this transition, providing the necessary storage capacity to harness solar and wind energy effectively. Large-scale lithium battery storage systems help stabilize the grid by storing excess energy produced during peak times and releasing it when demand is high.

Lithium in Medicine

Beyond its technological applications, lithium also has significant medical uses. Lithium compounds, particularly lithium carbonate and lithium citrate, are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. These compounds help stabilize mood and reduce the severity and frequency of manic episodes.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment: Lithium has been used since the 1970s to treat bipolar disorder, helping to manage symptoms and improve patients' quality of life.

Neuroprotective Effects: Research suggests that lithium may have neuroprotective properties, potentially offering benefits in treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

The Environmental Impact of Lithium Mining

While lithium is a critical component for modern technology, its extraction and processing come with environmental challenges. Lithium is primarily extracted from brine pools and hard rock mining. Both methods have environmental impacts that need to be carefully managed.

Brine Extraction: This involves pumping lithium-rich brine from underground aquifers and evaporating the water to leave behind lithium salts. This method can lead to water depletion and habitat disruption.

Hard Rock Mining: Extracting lithium from spodumene or other minerals requires significant energy and can result in habitat destruction and soil and water contamination if not managed properly.

Efforts are being made to develop more sustainable mining practices and improve recycling technologies to reduce the environmental footprint of lithium production.

The Future of Lithium: Innovations and Advancements

The demand for lithium is expected to grow exponentially as technology continues to advance. Several exciting developments are on the horizon that could enhance the performance and sustainability of lithium-based technologies.

Solid-State Batteries: These batteries use a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one, potentially offering higher energy densities, faster charging times, and improved safety compared to current lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: These batteries promise even higher energy densities than lithium-ion batteries and are seen as a potential successor for large-scale energy storage applications.

Recycling and Recovery: Advancements in lithium recycling technologies aim to recover more lithium from used batteries, reducing the need for new mining and helping to meet the growing demand sustainably.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lithium is a versatile and essential element that plays a crucial role in modern technology and medicine. From powering our daily gadgets to stabilizing mood disorders, the applications of lithium are vast and varied. As we continue to innovate and develop more sustainable practices, the future of lithium looks bright, promising to further revolutionize the way we live and interact with technology.