#bad buddy 112

[telomeke-bbs]

BAD BUDDY AND THAI POLITICS

It's well-known that Director Aof has an activist bent, especially with regard to queer causes, but Bad Buddy seemed mostly apolitical to me (also because I wasn't attuned to a lot of Thai politics at the time of my first watch).

The series did comment on same-sex marriage during its run (see these links here and here) albeit in a somewhat oblique way.

But more than two years later, while checking Twitter about MilkLove's 23.5, I found a post about a little political Easter Egg in BBS: 🤩

The rough translation for this post in Thai is:

Nanon was gagged next to the number 112

And the political underpinnings of this little scene at Bad Buddy Ep.1 [3‌/4] 1.12 (as well as the significance of the number 112) go deep.

Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code deals with Thailand's controversial lèse-majesté law, that critics maintain is constantly used by those in power to silence the opposition. By alleging breaches of this law, dissenting voices on the political scene can be swiftly and efficiently dispatched to prison. A significant proportion of these cases have also been heard through the military court (which is seen by many as a sign of the military's undue influence still over the government) even though the government of the 2014 army-backed coup is officially no longer in power.

Pran with his voice firmly silenced and Pat with his fingers to his lips, all while the number 112 looms large over them, is a potent visual metaphor for how many young people in Thailand feel about Section 112 🤩 (and it may not even be a coincidence that Pat clamps his hand over Pran's mouth at timestamp 1.12 😂).

‌

[spopsalt]

So… I was on the wiki. And I found this.

Here’s the video link btw.

https://youtu.be/U1627KxmKM4?feature=shared

So… In the video, they try to celebrate Adora’s 16th birthday, and say that it takes place not anywhere near here actual birthday, hence it being a surprise.

So if it’s true that every season is a year (even though S2 and S3 feel more like one season rather than two…) We can also assume Catra and Adora are around the same age, though Catra is confirmed to be younger. We’re not sure how much you her though. Could be a few months, could be a couple years. But for simplicity, let’s say they’re about the same age. We do the math, and… Here are Adora’s canonical ages.

S1-15 years old

S2-16 years old

S3-17 years old

S4-18 years old

S5-19 years old

Yikes. I always thought maybe she was about 17 in S1. But… Yeah, it’s bad. And depending how old Catra is compared to Adora, Catra could possibly be only 17 by the end, meaning she could have been a minor throughout. After all, two years isn’t that noticeable at times. Just look at ATLA and Owl House. Aang and Toph are about two (biological, I know Aang is technically 112) years younger than other characters who are about 14-15, but it’s not that noticeable. And Owl House has Hunter at 16, Willow at 14-15, Luz and Amity at 14, and Gus at 12-13. Apart from Gus, they all look to be the same age. So like I said, Catra could be a few years younger. And that’s not even getting into the fact we don’t have a frame of reference for any of the other characters besides Frosta. (Just think, Frosta is the same age at the end of the show that Adora was at the beginning!) And again, I personally would like to think S2 and S3 are the same year since they feel like the same season and we’re released in relatively close proximity iirc, so I’d personally like to adjust the age timeline by about a year, ending it at 18. But that’s me, so it’s whatever. My point is, after all this time we finally have a canonical age for Adora. And buddy, it’s not looking pretty for all the creepy fans. But it never really was pretty with those creeps.

That makes it worse- Here I was thinking them being 17 in season one was bad, but nope! Turns out they were teenagers for the majority of the show! What is with Catradora fans and sexualizing minors? I don't get it, why can't they just like a ship without sexualizing it for 2 seconds especially when it turns out the people in said ship are teenagers for the majority of the show?

[rotomblr-polls]

Your Pokemon Tournament - MATCHUP THREE

Remember, be nice to both competitors.

Art for both is by @rotomblr-polls.

Beenz belongs to @meeeeeraiiiiiodonnnn and Kyo the Meganium belongs to @ace-trainer-rain

Propaganda under the cut.

Beenz the shiny Slither Wing - entry 112 “theyre a shiny and they love cuddles, their name is also beenz!!”

Kyo the Meganium - entry 145 “Therapy Pokémon. My beloved. Comforting baby. One Sweet Scent and you're calm. You don't understand. I am a ball of anxiety and yet this floral sauropod makes me feel so much better. I would be constantly internally screaming if not for Kyo. And it's not just Sweet Scent, either: this buddy knows just the right times to nudge you to snap you out of your bad thoughts. This baby has no arms and yet hugs you, regardless (with his neck (it's more comforting than it sounds)). This baby is a gentle giant and, honestly, I think everyone could benefit from spending a day with Kyo. You won't regret it”

notes: for beenz: it took me. ages. to find a photo of a shiny Slither Wing. Apparently a Slither Wing is this weird obscure Paldean thing from a magazine—? Most photos of Slither Wing were kinda blurry and hard to distinguish. I did eventually find a clear enough photo of a shiny, though. //ooc: was not actually that difficult, but I can imagine it would be in-universe// for kyo: aww. they seem like a really good pokemon.

[legendaryrooftopscene]

It's my two-year anniversary of discovering Bad Buddy and falling head over heels for Thai QL! Last year I watched 112 shows

This year, I'm down to a healthy 53 shows/movies/short watched (not counting 10 shows currently airing). My rankings are as follows:

10/10

She Loves To Cook and She Loves To Eat

9/10

To Sir With Love

My School President

Moonlight Chicken

Laws of Attraction

Our Dining Table

Tokyo in April is…

Be My Favorite

My Beautiful Man Eternal (movie)

8/10

Dangerous Romance

Step By Step

The New Employee

My Beautiful Man S2

Never Let Me Go

Our Dating Sim

My Ride

La Pluie

Jun & Jun

Re-run

What Did You Eat Yesterday? S1

WDYEY movie

If it’s With You

Kiseki: Dear To Me

7/10

Only Friends

Candy Color Paradox

The End of the World With You

Sky In Your Heart

Our Skyy 2 (collectively, most scored 8/10 to 6/10)

Step For You

Novelist: Spring Life & Spring Life Continued

Some More

Love Tractor

Childhood

Stay By My Side

WDYEY New Years special

My Personal Weatherman

6/10

A Shoulder To Cry On

609 Bedtime Story

Bed Friend

Naked Dining

Star Struck

Private Lessons

21 Days Theory

Why R U? (Korea)

One Room Angel

5/10

A Boss and a Babe

Destiny Seeker

Cutie Pie 2 You

Future The Series

The Morning After

You Are Mine

4/10

Smoke

Dinosaur Love

Currently airing, no ranking

Last Twilight

Pit Babe

The Sign

Cooking Crush

Bake Me Please

Love Senior

Shadow

My Dear Gangster

Playboyy

VIP only

[knowlesian]

I posted 5,713 times in 2022

That's 5,402 more posts than 2021!

745 posts created (13%)

4,968 posts reblogged (87%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@knowlesian

@chuplayswithfire

@spinecorset

@pearwaldorf

@the-stray-liger

I tagged 2,046 of my posts in 2022

#our flag means death - 217 posts

#my ofmd meta - 112 posts

#ofmd spoilers - 99 posts

#the silly/genius intersectional muppet extravaganza - 39 posts

#yellowjackets - 24 posts

#blackbonnet - 16 posts

#the good place - 13 posts

#izzy hands - 11 posts

#oluwande boodhari - 8 posts

#abbott elementary - 7 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#my whole life i’ve always been vaguely confused when i’m like ‘the behavior was shitty’ and people go what you have to understand about the

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

call me crazy but i just think a megacorp buying up and owning all the media and then slowly smashing it together until it’s one giant franchise without end is Bad, Actually

5,010 notes - Posted July 10, 2022

#4

stede bonnet is the elle woods of piracy i will die on this hill

8,428 notes - Posted May 11, 2022

#3

honestly i am lowkey obsessed with how terrible we didn’t start the fire is at being a song while also being among the the catchiest songs ever 

this is a song that includes a man screaming CHILDREN OF THALIDOMIDE and then the next lyric is buddy holly, ben hur / space monkey, mafia

it is just one man, listing historical events more or less in order with no context or end and then layering in a chorus so catchy you will BEG YOUR BRAIN to stop thinking about it

i just appreciate that level of aimless, technically skilled chaos for some reason

eta i know why he wrote it oh god please stop telling me, just because billy joel lived through these events doesn’t make them not historical events and i like the song you don’t have to defend it to me, billy joel even agrees, CHILL

31,215 notes - Posted August 7, 2022

#2

not to be an old cranky leftist but going forward i think those of us who live in the us need to remember a protest is not a group powerwalk to register polite disapproval with those in power

a protest is an implied threat. a protest says there are a lot of us, and we do not like what you’re doing. we are giving you a chance to course correct before we take things to the next level.

if there’s no shared commitment to the potential of moving to that next level: a protest is useless and essentially just public performance art.

43,490 notes - Posted June 24, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

“why do i believe this” and “who benefits from me believing it” are the first steps to decolonization and we should all be doing this more

63,081 notes - Posted June 15, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[hiskinndbodyguard]

It's not a year in review because this blog is 6 months old BUT

I posted 1,692 times in 2022

That's 1,692 more posts than 2021 (duh) (9 posts and half per day) (that's not a lot) (but it's bc I haven't been really active in the last month)

272 posts created (16%)

1,420 posts reblogged (84%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@vegasandhishedgehog

@otbnaga <3

@lisskai532

@hiskinndbodyguard (???)

@rainbowcolored7

I tagged 858 of my posts in 2022

Only 49% of my posts had no tags (on main it was 90% lmao)

#samop - 187 posts

#the eclipse - 127 posts

#love in the air - 119 posts

#jujutsu kaisen - 83 posts

#not me - 68 posts

#kinnporsche the series - 42 posts

#jeff 😭 - 41 posts

#kinnporsche - 38 posts

#sam thinks they're hilarious (they're not) - 38 posts

#bad buddy - 35 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#omg can you believe ​that the guy i drugged and kidnapped doesn’t want to be with me??? i knooow it's uh-be-lie-va-ble! cioè ma comïe si fæ

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Louder for the people in the backkkk

106 notes - Posted October 28, 2022

#4

No but look at himmmmmmmmmmmmm gosh I would melt

109 notes - Posted September 23, 2022

#3

See the full post

112 notes - Posted October 14, 2022

#2

See the full post

115 notes - Posted July 14, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Akk: crying, shaking, hysterically smiling

Akk:

173 notes - Posted October 14, 2022

The summary is: GAYYYYYYYYYY

[vivifrage]

I posted 6,760 times in 2022

178 posts created (3%)

6,582 posts reblogged (97%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@roxygobyebye

@ruthlesslistener

@icedragon19

@shadowtriad

@nolightsinthedark

I tagged 2,221 of my posts in 2022

#destiny - 1,267 posts

#hollow knight - 158 posts

#transformers - 80 posts

#destiny 2 - 53 posts

#pale king - 42 posts

#hornet - 40 posts

#elden ring - 38 posts

#jaxx writes - 31 posts

#animorphs - 21 posts

#thk - 17 posts

Longest Tag: 129 characters

#what is stuck in my head is that even though the drift took centuries misraaks was still young enough that inaaks could carry him

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

You know what I need?

Velcro on tits and an AMAB genderfluid friend.

One of us wants them and the other doesn't? Cool, you get The Tits today.

Neither of us want them? They stay in the drawer.

Both of us want them? Well, we will have to share and make up wild stories to explain the singular tit.

I think it'd be great.

I think we'd be real bosom buddies.

68 notes - Posted July 5, 2022

#4

Thought: Osiris and Sjur Eido are both stuck in the same plane or wherever their minds are. They meet up and are like "hey well two heads are better than one right?"

Anyways through the power of wlw/mlm solidarity they bust out at the end of the WQ raid or something and smooch their partners while the Pyramid ship explodes in the background.

72 notes - Posted March 1, 2022

#3

What if next update's like

Eido gets killed doing something, everyone is horrified, Misraaks is distraught

A Ghost pops up, revives her to choruses of "hey what the fuck!" all around

They're like "lmao you never wondered why there was a perfectly healthy, unharmed baby in the vent of a crashed ship?"

Chaos erupts

112 notes - Posted October 8, 2022

#2

Rasputin this Witness that... what I care about for next season is who Mithrax, local Disney Princess, is gonna befriend next.

124 notes - Posted April 16, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Been thinking about the like, tonal dissonance between this season and the previous few, plus Witch Queen, and with Lightfall coming up and all. And like, the pirates being kinda like heehee yar har har and less cutthroat vicious Actual Threat.

But I think a lot of it, at least in the main game, is getting filtered through our Guardian's view. Like, we see a problem and we kill gods about it. We just dealt with the Leviathan getting in everyone's heads, and the Lucent Hive coming up. Among the old crews, I doubt our Guardian sees any threat except for Eramis. Even the Vanguard is like ehhh we'll get some Hidden looking for Eramis but we have bigger fish to fry. Plus, I have a feeling (or maybe I'm biased) that we're gonna see more of a "girl when you are ready to break up with that piece of shit we're here but this relationship is making you horrible as fuck," with her than "oh shit oh no Eramis big evil bad!" Almost more like how we handled Savathun in Witch Queen.

Like, reading the lore and such not in our POV, the old crews and their fellows are incredibly vicious. They literally tear each other apart for the slightest infractions and revel in it, and they don't have the safety net of resurrection that the Guardians do. Spider and Misraaks, who seem to be most aware of/wary of the crews' strength, are both mortal. Misraaks gives his "these people are more dangerous than you think" line to his similarly mortal daughter rather than us. He knows we eat bullets for breakfast and grenades for lunch.

In summary of the rambling, I think these guys would mean business for like, anyone but the Guardian, but they're small peanuts to us so we're just gonna goof off and treat it as a Fun Pirate Adventure.

244 notes - Posted August 27, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[noblest-roman-of-them-all]

I posted 2,585 times in 2022

112 posts created (4%)

2,473 posts reblogged (96%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@fangirltothefullest

@astronomical-bagel

@haysgrove

@noblest-roman-of-them-all

@thatsthat24

I tagged 412 of my posts in 2022

#sanders sides - 253 posts

#roman sanders - 104 posts

#remus sanders - 99 posts

#janus sanders - 91 posts

#my writing - 65 posts

#logan sanders - 64 posts

#virgil sanders - 62 posts

#patton sanders - 44 posts

#sanders sides fic - 43 posts

#sanders sides au - 38 posts

Longest Tag: 138 characters

#it makes me smile every time i remember bursting into tears because someone was commenting on nearly every chapter as they went through it

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

I Can Stay

Inspired in part by @haysgrove infamous headcanon about Virgil’s penchant for stomach aches.

"Virgil? You okay, kiddo?" Patton's called out in the dark.

"I know it's you," Virgil shot back. "You can drop the act."

Janus let out a sigh and fell into his own image. "Are you alright?" He asked and walked closer to the bed.

The lump on the bed shift as Virgil pulled in tighter on himself with a small groan. "I'm fine," he answered, his voice quieter than it was a moment ago.

Janus sat on the edge of the bed and rested his hand on the blanket over where Virgil’s head should be. "Patton is talking to Thomas, trying to get him calmed down. I brought a heating pad-"

Virgil’s hand shot out from the blanket and snatched the heating pad from Janus’s hand. Janus smiled faintly, amused as the lump that was Virgil squirmed, trying to get the heating pad over his stomach and back into a comfortable position. He clicked it on and massaged circles on Virgil’s back.

"Would you like to talk about it?" Janus offered.

For a long moment there was silence and Janus didn't think he was going to get an answer.

"What if you're wrong about him?"

Janus sighed and nodded. "That explains why Thomas isn't sure what's got him, so worked up," he muttered. To Virgil he said, "It's not really my choice. Thomas wants to learn more about himself. He's part of that. Part of us, Virgil. Thomas is going to keep digging, and I will have to facilitate as best and as safely as I can. I do want what's best for us, for the Whole of us."

Virgil snorted bitterly. "Yeah, tell that to Roman."

"I never claimed to be good at it. And there is still a purpose even there. They have to be willing to see that there is a problem before it can be addressed, and there is a problem there, unfortunately. I know you've seen it. You've always been observant. You have to have seen the signs of it."

Virgil let out another groan. "Doesn't mean I have to like what you did."

"No, you don't. But we are all connected. And I'm working with what I have. Which is why this is such a struggle. I can't fully explain things to you because Thomas is not ready to receive them, by extension, neither are you. I'm bound by the same silence I can place on the rest of you. You don't have to like me, you don't have to like my methods, everyone has internal struggles, and no one fully likes everything about themself. I'm not asking for that. All I'm asking is that you believe that I want what's best for our Whole."

"If I say I do believe you would it make this go away?"

"I don't know," Janus whispered. "I wish I could take it away from you."

"It's really bad, Jan."

"I know, buddy, I know. I'm so sorry."

"I'm scared. What if it all goes wrong?"

"Then we pick up the pieces and we begin again. Things will turn out, Virgil. Maybe it'll take sometime. Maybe things will have to change a bit as we go on, but we will be alright. I'm sure of that. And I'm not going to let things go back to the way they were. Not for you, not for anyone. Deep breaths, my dear."

Virgil tried to do as he was told, breathing in through the nose, out through the mouth. He was on his third deep breath before he began to gag.

Janus quickly summoned a trash can and ripped the blanket from Virgil’s head and helped pull him upright. Janus pushed back the strings of his hoodie as Virgil leaned over the edge of the bed and vomited.

He coughed and sputtered as tears started down his face, causing the eyeshadow he'd never bothered taking off to run. He vomited twice more before dropping on his back, chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.

Janus pulled off his gloves and called up a damp cloth and tentatively reached out to clean Virgil’s chin and nose. When he made no move to fight or push Janus away, he called up a new cloth and cleaned the rest of Virgil’s face as well, gingerly wiping away the streaks of black that now stained his cheeks.

All that done, Janus waved it all away and lightly rubbed Virgil’s forehead.

Without opening his eyes, Virgil caught Janus's wrist and moved his hand over his belly. It was more of a mental comfort than a physical one and they both knew it, still Janus dutifully massaged his stomach.

"Do you want me to lie down with you?" He offered.

Virgil scowled. "I'm still mad at you."

See the full post

121 notes - Posted April 11, 2022

#4

A Song about Lies

Here, have a random thought I had that only gets a tiny bit angsty at the end featuring familial Anxceit and mostly silly sides because @haysgrove is right there's not enough silliness.

Janus glanced up from his book as Virgil stomped through the common room of their half of the Mind Palace grumbling to himself.

"Something on you mind there, buddy?"

"They're a bunch of dweebs!" Virgil fumed. "I'm just trying to do my job, right? Just trying to keep him from being disappointed and hating himself when his stupid resolutions fall through by convincing him not make any, right? Like, that's the safe and obvious solution here. And what does that theater geek do? Breaks into freaking song about how he's not lying to himself about his New Year's Resolution!"

Janus lowered his book, taking a slow breath. "He did what?" He asked, a forced calm to his voice.

Virgil scoffed, unaware of rhe change in Janus's tone. "I know, right? I didn't know what to do so I just went along with it and next I know he's going off about making realistic goals and 'taking time for me I need' or whatever and-"

Janus raised a gloved hand. "You're telling me Thomas, completely unaware that I even exist, broke into song about lying and added in a part about self care?"

"Yeah, can you belie-" Virgil broke off into laughter at the sour look on Janus's face.

Janus took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure.

"You good?" The Embodiment of Anxiety asked.

Janus calmly picked up a throw pillow and set it neatly in his lap and carefully set his face into then let out a scream of frustration.

Virgil rolled his eyes and moved to sit next to Janus who kept his face buried in the pillow. "C'mon, man, don't be like that."

"A song about lies!" Janus sat up and wailed.

"Specifically about lying to yourself, yeah, I was there."

"How could I miss that?!"

"Don't forget the part about self care," Virgil taunted.

Janus groaned and buried his face in the pillow. "A song about lies!"

"I know-"

"A song!"

"Yeah-

"About lies!"

"Jan-"

"And I missed it!" He groaned loudly into the pillow and turned his head away.

"Y'done?" Virgil questioned. He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "I can't believe I'm about to do this. Look, I get...you're upset about missing the song-"

"He doesn't even know I exist!" Janus moaned.

"Yeah, that's what I'm trying to say! You're over here getting yourself all worked up about missing a song Thomas made up about lying to himself without even knowing you exist and added a part about taking time for himself. He might not know you exist as Side, but he knows that the things that make you up are part of him. So, yeah, it sucks you missed the song, but...it's good that he made it up cause...it kinda shows he's receptive to you. It's better than what I'm getting right now." Virgil blinked in surprise when six arms wrapped around him.

"Thank you," Janus said quietly. "That helps."

Virgil rolled his eyes, smiling fondly as he patted Janus on the back. "Yeah, whatever."

"He'll understand what you're trying to do in time. We just have to be patient."

See the full post

134 notes - Posted May 14, 2022

#3

Never a Bad Time for a Hug

Here's another little ficlet inspired by the brilliant @haysgrove and this post.

"This is ridiculous," Logan scoffed and folded his arms over his chest as he sat at his desk chair with Roman and Virgil hovering over him.

"C'mon, Specs. You love taking people literally!" Roman goaded.

"Just because I frequently misunderstand idioms and turns of phrase, doesn't mean I actually enjoy doing so."

"It'd give you a chance at petty revenge for every time he's caught you making a dad joke or punning?" Virgil offered.

"That hardly seems worth the effort. Besides he'd never let me live down initiating a hug."

"Then think of it this way," Janus cut in from where he was leaned against the doorway. "Physical affection has been known to improve both physical and mental health, so showing physical affection to Patton, Thomas's Heart, can only have good benefits for Thomas as a Whole. Help him live a long healthy life and all those other things you're always going on about."

Logan sighed. "That does make some sense," he conceded.

"So you'll play?" Roman asked excitedly.

Logan looked to Virgil and held up a notecard. "Can I use 'bet' in this context?"

"Technically," he nodded. "It's more of a challenge thing though. Like, when Patton actually told us there was never a bad time for hug..." he gestured to Logan, who nodded in understanding.

"Lol. Bet," Logan replied flatly.

"Exactly. Or, another example, I've got this in the bag and you guys are goin' down!"

"Bet," Logan replied.

"Yeah, you got it," Virgil encouraged.

Janus nodded. "Think of it as a newer rendition of 'you wanna bet?' that Thomas used when he was younger, or also 'betcha can't'."

"Ah! Yes, I see. Does this also apply to the phrase 'you bet' when agreeing to do something for or with someone?"

"I mean, yeah," Virgil nodded. "That one isn't really the most common use, but it works. It's basically a term of agreement."

"Un-der-stood," Logan said each syllable as he wrote on another notecard. "Thank you, Virgil."

Virgil gave a two finger salute.

"Alright, are we done with the whole vocab lesson thing?" Roman asked impatiently. "Can I go win now?"

"No. Cause I'm gonna win," Virgil grinned mischievously and dropped through the floor to find Patton before Roman got to him first.

"Ha! We'll see about that!" Roman retorted and followed suite.

Logan remained where he was reviewing a small stack of notecards.

"Not going to join in the chase?" Janus asked.

"Hm?" Logan glanced up. He shook his head. "No, I'll be bidding my time. If I'm going to participate in these shenanigans, then I intend to get the most out of it I can. Which would include catching Patton off guard."

"That's devious of you, Logan," Janus commented, arching his scaled brow in surprise.

The Embodiment of Logic smiled. "Thank you."

See the full post

139 notes - Posted May 24, 2022

#2

Thoughts stuck in my brain right now:

Logince AU where Roman's been through some crap and Remus is a bit of an over protective big brother for it and tells Logan if he hurts Roman, he won't hesitate to put Logan in the ground.

And without missing a beat Logan responds "If I hurt Roman, I'll dig the hole myself."

238 notes - Posted June 25, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Adopted

"Papa?" Virgil glanced up suddenly from his coloring page.

"Yes, my little rag doll?" Janus answered setting aside his book.

"Where did I come from?"

"Well." Janus slipped onto the floor next to his son and pulled Virgil into his lap. "You see, one day I was at the grocery store buying ice cream for your dad for his birthday and when I came out of the store I found that someone had left a baby in carseat on the hood of my car. I took the baby home and put up missing posters for him, but no one ever claimed him so your father and I decide to keep you for our own."

Virgil’s brow pinched. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely!" Janus assured and kissed his brow.

---

"Papa, where did I come from?" Virgil asked. It had been several months since the first time he asked, and this time Janus was ready.

He held out his arms and hefted the boy onto his hip. "On Halloween night, your dad forgot to bring in the Jack-o-lantern he'd carved and filled with candy for the neighborhood kids to pick from. Then at midnight-" Janus's voice suddenly went quiet "-we heard footsteps on the porch! We went very still, listening very carefully till someone tried to open the door." His voice went back to normal tone. "But at that point, we assumed it was your pesky Uncle Roman trying to play a mean trick on us, so your dad and I ran to the fridge where we had water balloons kept just for this moment. We grabbed as many as we could carry and ran as quickly ans quietly as we could to the door then we ripped the door wide open, hoping to catch Uncle Roman by surprise, but instead of your uncle there was you! You were bundled up in a knitted blanket and lying in a basket with a note pinned to the blanket. It said 'this is a good trade for your pumpkin'.

"Now at first your father was very worried, because he thought you might be a vampire baby! But I reminded him that pumpkins don't turn to vampires till after Christmas. After that he agreed to keep you."

Virgil hummed thoughtfully.

"Don't you believe me?" Janus asked innocently.

"Uncle Logan says vampires aren't real."

"That's because your Uncle Logan is terribly boring." He quickly kissed the boy's pudgy cheek. "Run along and play now, I need to finish dinner."

---

"Papa?"

Janus glanced in the rear view mirror at Virgil, strapped safely in his carseat. "Yes, pumpkin?"

"Where did I come from?"

Janus sighed. This time it'd only been a few weeks since the last time Virgil had asked. "Well, one day, I was working late at the library because we had just gotten a new shipment of books and it was my job to make sure they all got logged and had the library's stamp on the inside. It was very dark out side because it was winter now and it was very quiet because the library was closed. Then! Very suddenly and without warning the book drop off panel opened up! Now, this isn't strange during the day, but at night it's very strange indeed. Especially because no books came at all. Instead a voice called out, 'Delivery for Janus the Librarian!', " Janus put on a faux deep voice for that part and it drew a giggle from Virgil. "So I did what any sane person does and I ran outside to get my package. And gets what it was!"

"Was it me?"

Janus smiled and nodded. "It was you. I took you home right away, just in case the delivery man realized he'd made a mistake. It would have made me very sad because I saw you in the little cardboard box and loved you so much I knew immediately that I wanted to keep you forever."

Virgil gave a grin and Janus smiled at his missing front teeth. "Love you, Papa."

"I love you too."

---

"Papa?" Virgil asked as Janus pushed him on the swing.

"Yes, little one?"

"Where do babies come from?"

Janus blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Why, they're dropped off by messenger falcons, of course." He tried to make it sound like he wasn't asking a question.

"Oh. Is that the bird on Dumbo that brings the babies?"

See the full post

448 notes - Posted September 24, 2022

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[thetripleaedit]

Kicking off 2024 with a BANG‼️

Presenting “It’s A Remix Ting” the first edition of my remix tapes that feature ALL original Triple A Edits that are available on my patreon (www.patreon.com/tripleaedits) and even some that haven’t dropped yet 🫣

Peep the track list:

FAST WINE X SQUARE BIZ - MACHEL MONTANO X TINA MARIE GAL DEM SUGAR X CANDY - BEENIE MAN X CAMEO UNAVAILABLE X SHE’S A BAD MAMA JAMA - DAVIDO X CARL CARLTON WATER X LOVE COME DOWN - EVELYN CHAMPAGNE KING X TYLA MIDAS TOUCH X TEMPTED TO TOUCH - MIDNIGHT STAR X RUPEE VOGUE X SOUNDGASM - MADONNA X REMA HOLIDAY X HOLIDAY - MADONNA X PROBLEM CHILD JUST A TOUCH OF LOVE X AMAPIANO - SLAVE X ASAKE X OLAMIDE FLEX X STILL NOT A PLAYER - MAD COBRA X BIG PUN X JOE LIVING DANGEROUSLY X SOMETHIN 4 DA HONEYZ - BARRINGTON LEVY FT BOUNTY KILLER X MONTELL JORDAN FREAK LIKE ME X GOOD NIGHT - ADINA HOWARD X VYBZ KARTEL CALL ME EVERY DAY X DOING IT - CHRIS BROWN X WIZKID X LL COOL J RIGHT HERE X Tempted To Touch - SWV X Beres Hammond  CANDY RAIN X Sexy Punkie - SOUL FOR REAL X Sean Paul I'M COMING X GET ME HOME - KONSHENS X FOXY BROWN 7ELEVEN X GET ME HOME - DEXTA DAPS X FOXY BROWN WINE PON IT X RETURN OF THE MACK - JAH VINCI X MARK MORRISON RETURN OF THE MACK X CHEATERS PRAYER - MARK MORRISON X CHRISTOPHER MARTIN DUNCE CHEQUE X RETURN OF THE MACK - VALIANT X MARK MORRISON KISS IT BETTER X DO FOR LOVE - RIHANNA X 2PAC LIKE YOU X DO FOR LOVE - BOW WOW X CIARA X 2PAC WHAT YOU WANT X THINGS MI LOVE - MASE FT TOTAL X ALKALINE ONLY YOU X TUN UP THE WUK - 112 X VYBZ KARTEL PULL IT UP X ONLY YOU - BUJU BANTON & BERES HAMMOND X 112 TONI-ANN SINGH X WIFEY - BURNA BOY X POPCAAN X NEXT AINT NO FUN X CITY BOY - SNOOP DOGG FT. NATE DOG X BURNA BOY I WANNA SEX YOU UP X NO UNDERWEAR - COLOR ME BADD X DEXTA DAPS WHAT'CHU LIKE X BEG U A TOUCH - DA BRAT X VYBZ KARTEL ALWAYS ON TIME X GIVE IT UP TO ME - JA RULE X SEAN PAUL TXTIN’ X  YOU DONT HAVE TO CALL - WRSTN X USHER LOVE LIKE THIS X INDEPENDENT LADIES - FAITH EVANS X GAZA SLIM TIGHT UP SKIRT X UH HUH - RED RAT X B2K FAMILY AFFAIR X CALM DOWN - MARY J. BLIGE X REMA DOO WOP X CAN YOU DO THE WORK - SEAN PAUL DANCE WITH ME X SENSATIONAL - 112 X CHRIS BROWN FT. DAVIDO & LOJAY YEAH X PARTY SHOT - USHER X POPCAAN PARTY TIME X WHERE THE PARTY AT - DANNY ENGLISH X JAGGED EDGE NASTY GIRL X CARIBBEAN GIRL - NOTORIOUS B.I.G X AIDONIA CAUGHT UP X CONTINENT - USHER X NIGY BOY MOON LIGHT X I WANNA LOVE YOU - TEEJAY X SNOOP DOGG X AKON I'M SPRUNG X WILD N RICH - T PAIN X 450 ABOBOYAA X WE BELONG TOGETHER - POPCAAN X BURNA BOY X MARIAH CAREY UNFAITHFUL GAMES X IT'S OVER NOW - TEEJAY X 112 TELL ME X TELL ME - BEENIE MAN X BOBBY VALENTINO LOVE & AFFECTION X ROCK THE BOAT - PRESSURE X AALIYAH SEXY LOVE X BAWL OUT - NE YO X DOVEY MAGNUM UNFOOLISH X LONELINES - ASHANTI FT THE NOTORIOUS BIG X SANCHEZ LET ME LOVE YOU DOWN X BUDDY - SANCHEZ X MUSIQ SOULCHILD SADDEST DAY OF MY LIFE X I WISH - WAYNE WONDER X CARL THOMAS

[littleharpethcrossfit]

Thursday, 19 October, 2023.

It was another lovely Fall Afternoon at the Barn. Scattered clouds blowing past, sunny in between, about 65 degrees.

Warmup

3 Rounds

10 PVC Hang Squat Snatch

10 Second Pull-up Bar Hang

Not everyone did the warmup. Everyone needed it. Very few realize that our warmups are always specific to the movements that are coming.

Strength

Hang Power Snatch

3 / 3 / 3 / 3 / 3 / 3 / 3

Quality Before Increased Weight

Shane/Sam=145 Robert=125 Ed=115 Tim=110 Smoothie/Mitch=95 Rodney=75 Coach/Dana/Clare/Chase (?)=65 Elisa/Tom-55 Sue/Joe=45 Sandy=35 Shannon=25 Lew=10 Kayla=?? Faith/Gabby (The Kids)=late arriving And others.....

WOD

10 Minutes For Total Calories

Calories On Any ERG

10 Overhead Squats (95 / 75 / 55)

Overhead Squats Every 2 Minutes Starting at 0:00.

Calories:

Lew=137 Ed=124 Shane=123 Rodney=116 Robert=112 Tim/Chase=102 Sam="So Fresh & Clean" Mitch=95 Dana=92 Kayla=87 Clare=85 Smoothie=84 Joe=79 Sandy/Tom=75 Sue=74 Coach=69 Elisa/Shannon=67 Gabby/Faith (The Kids)=155/188 Several others didn't post

Note:

I'm sure we made a bad 1st impression on the new guy Mitch. He had some former experience in the pampered coaching care of "IRON TRIBE". And then his buddy Rodney drops him down in the chaos of a LHCF Overhead Barbell Evening with nearly 25 mostly ignorant athletes being overseen by one nearly octogenarian nearly alcoholic nearly brain-dead CrossFit Coach by paper certification only. The Old Coach anticipated the need for 2 heats (due to 13 ERGs and twice that many athletes) but disorganization resulted in 4 chaotic heats. Poor Mitch was blitzed by the disorganization and attributed this to his newness, and so left here thinking what a cool place we have here and can't wait to return. I gave him a pink LHCF T-shirt because it seemed that his manliness could handle it.

Alicia commented on the sparsity of snacks at the after-party, but I blamed that on the absence of Miss Linda who is usually a major contributor. Even tho' Robert didn't bring any food, he did give his best Matthew Chapter 14 Loaves and Fishes blessing which allowed everyone to be over-fed. And then he turned the water into good wine as at the wedding in Cana (John 2) and everyone got smashed. Some of our Old Testament scholars may not appreciate these miracles thinking they never even happened.

The wine and scanty snack party suddenly ended when the rumbling thunder which we had been ignoring erupted into a downpour that sounded like hail pounding on the Barn's tin roof. We all quickly cleaned up the party mess and headed for the cars. Someone assigned Miss Ruth Anne the duty of chaperoning me to the back door, and just as I thought she was going to lip-smack me goodbye, she turned her cheek and gave me a Sister-in-Christ cheek-smooch. YUK.

Did anyone besides Me and Bernard witness the Bear Hug contest between Alicia and Old Tom ? It was an extremely curious event, being face-to-face with a lot of heavy breathing and shaking and Old Tom's shorts riding up as Miss Alicia squeezed him off the ground. Bernard was totally tolerant, looking ecclesiastical in his Deans' white silk shirt and tailored trousers. The contest abruptly ended when a couple of Old Tom's stainless steel sternal wires broke.

I can visualize the Bear Hug becoming a standard and traditional contest between consenting adults of opposite genders (sic). The LHCF Barn may become world famous for this event with challengers coming from far and near. For the next few months I anticipate we will hold these contests only during the last 1/2 hour of the Thursday evening Gala. Perhaps Robert can have BSN donate "I Did The Bear Hug Games At Buck's Barn" T-shirts to participants, and Instagram Kayla will make us all famous influencers.

What happens around the Barn picnic table stays there. Mostly.

Saturday at 0730 and 0930. Mitch declared he will be there. I hope Clare makes it for number #3.

[babybluesquid]

Session 18, The Valgernard Affair

Our Players this Week:

Hog 112, they/them, Weapon Thaumaturge, skirmisher warforged, the leader of the inquisitives agency and founding member, tends toward practicality and following a command structure.

Vestige, they/them, Bones Oracle, warforged placed into a human body, a healer and the agency’s fleshborn face, remains on the periphery with an individualistic streak.

Strategy, it/its, Empiricist Investigator, officer warforged, an old model who’s seen much action and uses the tactics they learned back during the war now under Sharn.

Samanta, she/they, Swashbuckler Fencer, skirmisher warforged, a spotter during the war who turned to spying for one of Sharn’s criminal families before joining the inquisitives agency.

——————

Hog stares at the load of psicrystals, feeling off balance as if the wood cords in their legs have been severed. They collect themselves, remarking, “there’s no way Hendrick is gonna do something good with these things.” Strategy, having found its way to Hog’s side, nods in agreement, “maybe the Boromars will use them for mind control.” “I don’t think we can do this job,” Hog adds, overwhelmed, “it’s too much. We oughta dump these in the lava pits and pretend we never intervened.”

“Hendrick will know.” Strategy says, “It’s only a matter of time before news of this attack spreads. Besides, this is our best shot at the bodyguard.” “And I suppose if we don’t go to Hendrick, he’ll put in a bad word with his buddy Malrut.” “Agreed. Getting on his bad side is a very bad move. I think instead Jack-in-Irons should be our only target. The attacks are only getting worse.” Calmed by Strategy’s cool analysis, Hog replies: “I think you may be right. I regret getting us into this situation in the first place, but it seems handing them over to Hendrick is the quickest way to get this over and done with.” “We could hold some crystals back,” Strategy offers, “I do not think Hendrick knows how much there is.” “But if he does, he has great reason to think we stole them. Let’s turn them over and face the consequences. If we become known as Boromar allies, well, I suppose there are worse reputations to have.”

With the agreement made, Strategy sets to repairing the cart’s damage. Then it’s off to Smoky Towers in Middle Menthis, the prescribed drop-off point. The building in question looks as shady as could be expected of a Boromar den. Outside, a khoravar woman with a mace and daggers waits. Recognizing her as Hendrick’s contact, Hog lets her approach the cart and check the goods. At her confirmation that it’s all there, the rest of the Boromar goons come and unload. One hands Hog a large ruby, calling it a tip and a token of friendship from their employer. As Hog stares at it, they mutter, “Our employer, huh? I’m gonna have to have a talk with Hendrick.”

The trek back to Deathsgate is haunted by anxiety. However, it is otherwise uneventful. Presently, Hog finds themselves back at the gator’s clubhouse. It’s damn near empty, but Hendrick’s right where he said he’d be. The man smiles, bit cruelly, at Hog’s approach. “So, you’re back. And I’ve got word on the wind that we got our stuff. I assume you’d want to schedule a meeting right away with Malrut.” “You’d be right,” Hog replies. “Well, circumstances are in your favor. Malrut is heading down to the Bazaar on behalf of his master tomorrow. You’ll be along when I meet him. I think you’ll find his account of events,” Hendrick pauses, “illuminating.” “That’s what we’re hoping for.” “It’s been real great doing business with you,” the man continues, “I’d like to keep in contact. And besides, I still owe ya a favor.” He scribbles something out on a page, then hands it over to Hog. “This is the mailing address for my crew.”

Remembering something, Hog asks, “Hey, what about your employer? That elusive wizard?” Hendrick takes on a disinterested affect, “He’s out right now, but I’ll see if I can get you in touch.” “So we can’t talk right now?” “No.” “Can we at least know his name?” At that, Hendrick flips to serious, “I’ve been told not to, and I intend to keep my word. Farewell inquisitives. I wish you Olladra’s own luck on your case.” “Thanks,” Hog states flatly. “Appreciate it,” Strategy adds to be more diplomatic. Hendrick shoos them off.

On the way back to the agency, Shadowblack splits off to search for his few remaining friends among the Blades. Samanta travels to the Bazaar to purchase some poisons. The rest of the sleuths rest and repair at the HF&A. Cloak is there when they return and delivers their report on the new Blades hideout. It’s a major operation, with many forged coming and going. Some of them are arriving with no possessions and strange accents. It looks like a base and an armory for these new arrivals, and the Blades’ supply of weapons seems nearly bottomless. There’s even an artificer installing armblades. Hog asks Cloak if they feel safe staking out the hideout. “No,” the goblin replies, and then shrugs, “Pay’s good.” With that, they disappear again into the streets of the cogs.

While Vestige and Strategy catch up on casework, Hog heads down to the Red Hammer to gather intelligence. It’s normally Samanta’s domain, but somebody has to keep a finger on the pulse. It’s the middle of a factory shift and the place is almost empty, except for two old faces: Dandy and Shot are standing at the bar. The names of Cyran cities and artists drift across the silent space. Hog quietly approaches, and Shot nods and greets them. “Ho, Shot, how goes your investigation?” “I seem to have hit a dead end,” the archer replies, “It’s been difficult since the arsonists moved out of the lower city.” “Have you heard of the Valgernard case?” Hog asks. “Yes, but I haven’t got any leads.” “Neither have we,” says Hog, “but if we do find something, can I find you here?” “I’m normally in Highwalls,” Shot admits, “but I came down here for the company.” “Okay. If we find anything, I’ll look for you there.” Shot nods in reply. “Say,” Hog continues, “if you find anything, stop by the agency.” “I will,” says Shot.

Next, they ask the pair if either has heard anything new about Hook. Dandy explains that nobody has seen him in a few days - the Fists have been spending more time training in the abandoned tunnels, and sending out representatives to buy weapons. Returning to the agency, Hog mentions this to Strategy. “I think that after meeting with Malrut, we should check on the Fists,” it advises. “Assuming we don’t immediately face Jack-in-Irons,” Hog responds.

The next day, the sleuths take the long walk across town to Dura, to meet Malrut in the Bazaar. The bodyguard is sitting with Hendrick in a crowded beergarden, in a lonely patch of sun on the edge of the district. He stands out among the common people of Sharn, with dark red skin, a huge stature, and a pair of curled goat horns. His origin is written all over him - this one was born of Khyber.

Hog cautiously introduces the group. “I hope you’re ready to get down to business,” Malrut replies, “without the pleasantries.” They sit down, and Hog gets started. “We’re aware of the recent fire at your employer’s residence and we were hoping to be allowed to investigate the scene.” “I would have to ask my employer, but I think you want to hear what I saw on the day of the fire. When the fire started, I ran to the workshop and caught the arsonist in the act. This being ran away with a bag of my master’s possessions. I was unable to catch up with it.” “Being, it…” Strategy observes, “You believe the culprit was not a person?” “No, it was not,” says Malrut, “It only had the appearance of a man, but anyone who sees it move would know differently. It had a third, long arm which it hid beneath its cloak, and its legs bent in two places. I lost it when it leapt from a bridge, and crawled down the side of a tower like a spider.” “Was it flesh?” Hog asks, hesitating, “Or did it look like a forged?” “Flesh, to be sure, though its hand glittered like steel. You ought to crush the legs of that creeping thing… That is all I remember of the creature.” Hog looks at Strategy, who asks Malrut, “Did you find any pieces of obsidian at the scene?” “Yes, one,” says Malrut, “We gave it to the Blackened Book.” “The Blackened Book… who else has been investigating?” Hog asks. “Medani,” replies Malrut, leaning forwards, “and I must warn you, I do not think my master will allow you to investigate, unless you can offer something Medani and the watch cannot.”

Hog thinks for a second before replying, “Your master’s stolen property, does he want it back?” Malrut softens. “Yes. His devices took years to make and are not replicable. The telepathic engine, he calls it.” The guard becomes dreamy as he carries on, as if he were staring through the towers at the Ring of Siberys above. “It will transmit messages using the mind-magic of Sarlona. He says it will change the world…” “We were hoping you would put in a good word for us-” Strategy begins. “Of course!” Malrut interrupts, “What message shall I relay?” Hog takes a business card out of their bag and hands it to the tiefling. “Tell Mister Valgernard that we’re interested in helping him with his missing materials. If he’s dubious of us, tell him we were in the papers. There was an incident with a werewolf in Middle Dura that you may have heard of.” “I have. Few Southerners can boast of such a thing. I will tell my master.”

Hendrick grunts. “Alright, if you don’t have any other questions, I’d like to get back to having a day with my friend before plunging myself and my team into mortal danger from which we will only narrowly escape.” “How can you be sure it won’t be an easy escape?” Samanta jokes. “Seems to be the way of things,” Hendrick replies. Strategy speaks to Malrut: “How long will it take your master to respond?” “Not long. He has canceled his engagements since the arson.” The sleuths rise and make tense goodbyes, before heading back to Blackbones.

At the door to the office, Hog is blocked by Gentle. They look up at the larger forged, who immediately begins speaking their mind. “I’d prefer if we’re not bringing people back here and killing them. Khyberlurk was as wicked as they come, but it still saddens me to see them snuffed out like that.” Hog sighs, tapping their arm, “Gentle. You’re not seeing this right. If I’d let Khyberlurk go they could’ve targeted someone else. They could’ve targeted you.” For a moment, Gentle mulls it over, “true. I am worried this agency is becoming a platoon against Aggregate. I’d thought I left the war behind.”

“Well,” Hog replies, “that was up to Aggregate. Believe me, I want to return to normal detective work as much as you.” “True enough. I guess we just have to see this through to the end.” “I like that,” Hog remarks, “to the end.” Gentle suddenly moves in to embrace Hog in a full hug. Surprised, they stand rigidly still until their employee releases them sheepishly. Hog just nods at Gentle as they step aside and let them enter their office.

Vestige is already there, awaiting Hog’s arrival. “What do you make of the new Blades in the city?” They ask. “You mean the ones Cloak told us about?” “Yeah, those ones. Fresh from the Mournland.” “It sounds dangerous,” Hog replies, “it sounds like an invasion.” “Or perhaps an opportunity,” Vestige suggests. “For what?” “Well, Aggregate’s been here for some time and I’m think that new Blades wouldn’t exactly be loyal to him. We might be able to convince some to come over to our side, especially once they’re told what Aggregate’s been up to here.”

Confused, Hog asks: “Didn’t Aggregate come from the Mournland?” “Yes.” “I just, I think we’d have more luck with good Brelish forged. You know, the sort of folk who want what’s best for their country and they joined the Blades because they saw what the foundry owners and the incompetence of the Watch has done to this place.” “That may be,” Vestige admits, “but I dunno. I’m thinking- I’m hoping that the Blades from the Mournland hold the ideals of our Lord. You know?”

“Our Lord…” Hog mutters, “who is this Lord anyways?” “The Lord of Blades.” “Sure, but who is he?” “I suppose you didn’t hear during the latter days of the war.” “No,” Hog admits, “nobody ever spoke to me about the Blades.” “I never met the Lord, of course, but when I was traveling around Cyre I heard the Machine Manifesto from some of the forged on the front.” “Is he the one who wrote the manifesto?” “Yeah.” “Sounds like you have a lot of respect for this Lord.” “I do,” Vestige says, “he’s the one who’s demanding better treatment for our people. That’s why I’m so angry with Aggregate for corrupting his message and turning it into an invasion of Sharn.” Vestige ponders, and then speaks again: “We need to get in contact with these new arrivals. If we can tell them the truth, they’ll turn on Aggregate.” “What makes you think that? If they’re really foreigners, what could they be here for other than an invasion?” “Recruitment, perhaps.” “Who do you think these foreign Blades are?” Hog asks. “I think that they’re probably Cyran forged.” “And they’ve been living in the Mournland since the Day.” “Yes,” Vestige replies, “I would’ve stayed in the Mournland had my circumstances been different.” “Yes. Hm. Well, if you think you can turn some of them back to the light, I’m not going to stop you.”

The thought hangs in the still air before Vestige says, “I think I could try, but given my situation they might not be inclined to listen to me.” “You never know,” Hog offers, “you are a true forged like the rest of them, and Shadowblack is your friend. That counts for something. Do you think you and Shadowblack are of one mind on this?” “I believe so. Shadowblack wishes to return to the Mournland and inform the Lord of what Aggregate’s been doing.” “What makes you think the Lord will intervene? Was it not the Lord who sent Aggregate to this city?” Vestige’s reply has a hard edge. “We don’t know whether that’s the case, actually. I told Shadowblack it was too risky to go and give such a report now.” “Why do you think so?” “If Aggregate has indeed taken over a group of the Blades,” Vestige explains, “it’s likely that he has friends on the way back to the Mournland.” “And if Shadowblack gets intercepted…” Hog offers. “Then he’ll be killed.” “And then we haven’t got a chance at fixing the Blades in Sharn.”

“Yep. For now it seems that we’re on our own, until we can deal with Aggregate.” “Indeed, but you heard what Cloak said. There were dozens of warforged in that warehouse, and that was just one base. I wonder, if we wanna take down Aggregate, we’ll need to start turning some of the Blades first. Maybe it can even be done without any bloodshed. Things like that have happened before, like in Thrane.” “I think if we could appeal to their ideals, we’d be able to turn them,” Vestige says, “our disadvantage right now is that Aggregate controls the flow of information to the Blades. I don’t know what Shadowblack’s friends have been doing, exactly, but it seems they’ve been staying quiet.” “Aggregate’s control is too tight for them to speak up?” “Seems so.” “But you think we can crack it?”

“I think if we can show them that Shadowblack is no traitor, then they would realize that Aggregate is the villain here.” “How do we show them that?” Hog asks, then answers their own question, “we make him into a hero, I s’pose. You know, if he was the one who killed Jack-in-Irons, that’d certainly make him a hero.” “And if he returned the bodies-” “That would be even better.” “We should try to facilitate this,” Vestige says, “I think that we can outmaneuver Aggregate. He may be smart but there’s only one of him, and if he’s relying on deception, well, we just have to expose the lies.” “You’re right. Just have to expose the lies… that’s easier said than done, but perhaps we should look a little more into this crime ring they’ve been running. We still haven’t got any hard proof.”

“I have that hat now, perhaps I could do a little digging on the Daask side of things,” Vestige suggests. “It sounds like a risky operation, but maybe it’s less of a risk than getting into another head to head with Daask.” “I think I’ll be able to handle myself out there, and I could bring Samanta along for backup.”

The conversation is interrupted by a weak knock at the agency’s front door.

Vestige opens the door to discover a short, middle aged human man, well-dressed with glamourweave and fancy Aundarian shoes. Coughing in the Cogs air. He collects himself, “hello, fine inquisitives. Upon seeing the message that my loyal companion relayed to me, I was moved and resolves to visit you myself but-” he pauses to cough some more- “the sulfuric condition of the air in the Cogs has seemed to upset me. May I come inside?”

Hog welcomes the guy in, noting that the air inside is much the same as outside. “Master Valgernard, thank you for coming.” “Uh, Lord,” Eliot ir’Valgernard corrects, then immediately gets to business, speaking about the missing research that he would like the sleuths to recover for him. See, he is missing a prototype Telepathic Engine, near complete, and rambles on concerning its difficult construction and the overwhelming loss of the stolen components and device.

Strategy immediately asks if the arsonist could construct the device using the stolen pieces, and ir’Valgernard dismisses the notion out of hand. Strategy presses, “we know Jack-in-Irons is a skilled artificer. They might have supernatural inspiration to draw from.” “Truly this is an abominable villain then, and they can only be up to wickedness with the components they have seized from me.” “Jack-in-Irons uses magics from the Daelkyr, and their followers are Daelkyr cultists. I believe they want to use this research into psicrystals to achieve some devastating effect here in Sharn. Would your device be able to broadcast distressing psionic messages?” Eliot confirms that it could, with some more power and recalibration.

What follows is additional questioning from Hog, trying to determine how dangerous this thing it. They don’t like it, that ir’Valgernard created such a thing that could be used this way. Vestige listens in silence, having much a similar judgment.

The man does reveal that a docent to control the device has been located in Xen’drik, but it will be some time. Strategy asks, “would it be possible to use something else in place of the docent? Something less ethical and conventional?” “Well,” ir’Valgernard replies slowly, “if one were to take an animate warforged and bond them physically to the device with magic flowing directly to their mind it would be functional. However it would be a horrible crime, it would destroy them utterly with thoughts that are not their own flowing through them, driving them to insanity.”

“How do you know this?!” Vestige demands angrily. “I have been in the study of how the warforged came to think and their connection to the docents. The basic components and how they create the ability to think in these devices are the same. That’s why the docents interface so well with the warforged,” ir’Valgernard explains. As he does, Vestige becomes even angrier, coldly remarking back, “warforged. Are not. Devices.” He’s surprised, backtracking a bit, “w-why of course, they’re alive with livewood and capable of things no artificers understand.”

Strategy moves the conversation back to the question of the device, and Eliot is eager to move back to discussing logistical matters. He even offers his aid in the form of money and connections so he can recover his priceless device.

More logistical discussion follows, mainly that a broadcasting would require massive amounts of energy and be wildly expensive under conventional means. Strategy reveals that the Daelkyr is of fire and madness, revealing the charged obsidian stone and asking if they could be used to power the device. All Eliot can do is speculate, he doesn’t understand the magics of the Lords of Madness, but it may be possible. Considering the danger, ir’Valgernard offers his loyal guard, Malrut, to assist the sleuths in retrieving the device. Strategy asks to examine the scene of the arson and theft, and Eliot ir’Valgernard grants it readily.

Lastly, Eliot grants Strategy a device like a crystal lens with dragonshards studding it, “I have created this as a measuring device of the Telepathic Engine’s operation. It allows you to have a visual representation of the power and property of the magical and psionic energies that the device emits. It is a compound lens of psicrystal and siberys dragonshard. Although it does greatly reduce the normal functions of the eye, as the background magical emissions of Sharn are massive. Though it can be tuned to focus on one specific device such as the one I have created. It will require some work to retune it to the expected output of the larger device.” Hog questions what will happen if the magic of the device is altered, and Eliot replies that then the focuser would not be able to pick it out from the rest of Sharn’s magic. Without tuning, it would be possible, but hard to pick it out.

Strategy theorizes that either the cultists will cover the entirety of Sharn, or they will do maximal damage in a small area to cripple the city. Eliot suggests that perhaps the psionic power of the warp step could be used to broadcast the signal to anywhere, from anywhere. Hog asks what that even means, and ir’Valgernard briefly explains how it can be used to transport the mind and body through space using Dal Quor, which cannot actually be reached. Hog says that for practical reasons, they can’t consider it as a possibility. An adversary that can broadcast to anywhere from anywhere would be impossible to find. Eliot says that the villains would be unlikely to figure out the warp step in any case.

So, the first theory is accepted. The cultists are likely going to broadcast over the whole of the city from Middle Menthis. Further, their base is likely far from the center of their criminal activity, just like their base in Fallen.

Finally, Hog asks for ir’Valgernard’s account of the attack. He says, “I was unable to see much. When I heard my workshop was on fire, I flew into a panic and hurried to try to save my work. When I entered the room, I came into contact with the fire and was thrown into a strange vision… a bright white flash filled my eyes for quite some time and I saw a vast titan, crowned in a material I cannot begin to describe. All aflame, this vision overtook me. I glanced the figure of a being of pilfering my components, another arm extending from his shoulder.” “Thank you for your time, Lord Valgernard. We’ll come up to your residence as soon as possible,” Hog offers.

——————

Notables:

Hendrick, he/him, a mercenary adventurer. Skilled at getting his crew out of trouble, and other people into it.

Malrut, he/him, a warrior from the Carrion Tribes. He tried to escape Khyber and wound up in Sharn instead.

Eliot ir’Valgernard, he/him, an Aundairian noble with a penchant for psionics and dreams of a bright future.

[derealfeelz]

A Fun Victory Royale (Kodoku’s Lilacs, The Life of a Flowstar, No. 112)

So recently, I got a friend's username for Fortnite, and we've been playing then and there. Sometimes, he does have buddies with him that we play with and I ain't gonna lie, they're fun asf. Although I only played with them a couple of times, I feel they bring the fun out, it must be some energy I feel from them. And I won't lie, my friend is somewhat making me better at the game, maybe not as much, but a little is better than nothing! At least I get to talk to someone that's not my parents, not that my parents are a bad thing, it's just that I don't do much around here.

Today, me, my friend, and one of his bros were playing some trios on Fortnite and we got a win today! Unfortunately, it seemed I was the trashiest player of the team because I died twice, and I had the least kills, but at least we were lit. My friend did promise me that he was gonna give me a win, and he kept that promise today! Hopefully we can get to playing more, I'm pretty invested in them. Until then, goodnight!

Sincerely, Kodoku.

[ao3feed-badbuddy]

A Promise Made is A Promise Kept

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/YDmPLVy by ssouriantt Words: 112, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Series: Part 2 of To Drabble, or Not to Drabble Fandoms: แค่เพื่อนครับเพื่อน | Bad Buddy: the Series (TV) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: M/M Characters: Pat Napat Jindapat, Pran Parakul Siridechawat Relationships: Pat Napat Jindapat/Pran Parakul Siridechawat, Pat Napat Jindapat & Pran Parakul Siridechawat, Ohm Pawat Chittsawangdee/Nanon Korapat Kirdpan, Ohm Pawat Chittsawangdee & Nanon Korapat Kirdpan read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/YDmPLVy

[tears-of-boredom]

That one person on tiktok who said "dont kill yourself its gonna make such a mess for your family to clean up" and that other one who said "when you die your family is going to go through your phone. You dont want that do you"

like okay first of all if i planned on kms in a messy way, id do it outside?? Obviously i wouldnt do it inside the house?? Like i literally have a plan where i cover myself with a carpet, stick "dont move, call 112" on it and go do it on the grass patch next to the house,, because i dont want to traumatize people needlessly. You have to come up with a better excuse than that.

And second of all,, ever heard of phone passwords?? Ever heard of resetting your phone? And like,, come on, who the fuck cares if your family goes through your phone after youve already died? Oh they can go through my ao3? Yeah they'll just find out how down bad i was for ghostface. They'll go through my tumblr? Thats literally what i want. I want them to see my pathetic ass posts on here, and realise how deep it went. I want them to see every one of my breakdowns where i recall all the memories i regret. Thats literally a pro for me. Other than that theres really nothing of note. The parrot buddy app that i forget to use, 6 apps that i havent used in half a year. Theres really nothing so bad that i would turn away from the ledge for it.

Kill yourself if you want to.

[wildwood-reader]

Reading Update #7

November 13, 2022

Currently Reading

BOOKS

The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan and Maureen Johnson (with illustrations by Cassandra Jean)

Edition: Paperback

Progress: 38/507

Re-read

Thoughts: After a ton of DNFs in the last week I felt like I need to read something I'm familiar with and that I know I'll have fun reading, so I've made the decision to do a complete re-read of the Shadowhunter Chronicles. In chronological order, though, which is why I'm starting it with Magnus's adventures (even though a lot of the stories in it take place during the other series in the franchise, but whatever, it's listed as the chronological first on Goodreads, so that's what I'll go by 👻). I'm not very far yet but I'm already enjoying it a lot more than what I've been trying to read in the last several weeks. 😤

FANFICTION

Pain is only a Pulse by ReyloRobyn2011

Fandom: Star Wars Sequel Trilogy

Progress: Chapter 4/?

Up-to-date? Yes

Kudos: ✅️

Thoughts: No new chapter since last week, so just sitting here patiently, waiting. 👀✨️

Heaven Has A Road But No One Walks It by Silvestris

Fandom: The Untamed

Progress: Chapter 48/48/?

Up-to-date? Yes

Kudos: ✅️

Thoughts: Ooh, there was so much good stuff in the new chapter, I had such a great time. 😋

And that's it for current reads! Nothing I've finished since last week. 😮‍💨 Unfortunately, since I still haven't continued Fall of the Crimson Flower, I moved it to my backlog for the time being, but I definitely want to pick it up again soon.

DNFs and my backlog are under the cut.

DNFs

BOOKS

Magic of Thieves by C. Greenwood

Edition: ebook

Stopped reading at: 64%

Thoughts: The writing wasn't bad and the story seemed very intriguing at first, but the more I read of it, the more monotonous it became. It just never felt like the plot was moving forward. To be honest, it didn't feel like there was much of any plot at all; if anything, the whole 64% of the book I read felt like it was a premise building up to a story, but without the pay-off. I read the last chapter, just to see if the book was leading anywhere, but it was pretty much still the same, so there's really no point in finishing it. A pity, really, I had high hopes for this one.

BACKLOG*

BOOKS

Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell

Edition: Paperback

Progress: Page 102/341

Current Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thoughts: This is a buddy read with my bestie, and right now it just doesn't fit the autumn vibe. We'll probably pick it back up some time after Halloween.

FANFICTION

Red Azalea by CeNedraRiva

Fandom: The Untamed

Progress: Chapter 112/135/?

Up-to-date? No

Chapters Behind: 23

Kudos: ✅️

Thoughts: The stars are still not aligned for me to continue it just yet, but I'm really excited for everything that's coming. 👻

Setting Fire To Our Insides by StarsAlignNomore

Fandom: The Untamed

Progress: Chapter 14/22/?

Up-to-date? No

Chapters Behind: 8

Kudos: ✅️

Thoughts: Y'know what, I think I will be ready to continue it soon; it fits my vibe hunger just enough, so we'll see. 😋

Impossible Life (Series) by Comfect

Fandom: The Untamed

Progress: Part 1/3

Finished Reading? No

Parts Behind: 2

Kudos: Part 1 ✅️

Thoughts: Not sure yet when I'll continue this, but I'm looking forward to Part 2.

Fall of the Crimson Flower by AkatsukiShin (in artistic collaboration with brilcrist)

Fandom: Word of Honor

Progress: Chapter 2.5/7/?

Up-to-date? No

Chapters Behind: 5.5

Kudos: ✅️

Thoughts: I want to continue it soon, I promise! 🙈

*Backlog refers to books and fic that I've started reading but have since put on hold due to various reasons

[jupiter-reimagined]

Human children are so mean

Chandler wondered too far into the human terf nearby while 18year old Florence was buying goods (let’s say a 9 year diff so Chandler’s 9)

and some human kiddos though Chandler looked gross so they decided to pick on [misgendered term] (I refuse to use actual dead terms even for my buddies personas :(( feels icky)

and right before they where about to pick at their wings Florence grabbed their hand with a horror fuel look, before picking up Chandler and walking home.

[Florence started hiding her wings around 18 so Chandler didn’t feel too bad about having weird wings. And wore boots so Chandler didn’t feel bad for not having Talons]

I feel like Florence would be like a Vulture, or some “vicious” bird that people talk about as scary. So she was the best candidate for a Fearsome Lord. Til she stepped down as Next-In-Line for Chandler.

i feel like now's a good time to mention that i dont care how you reffer to me in the past tense. both irl AND with sonas, since i just see them as extensions of me. the past me is not me. i am a spectator of my memories, not an active participant in them.

like whenever i picture pre-teen me, its just a husk. she doesn't have a name. lord knows that even back then, she hated it. she's just some little, awkward girl to me who likes dogs and has pet goldfish.

she's not a boy by any means. she didn't know nor care about what happens in the future. my queen was just busy playing with dragon figures and pretending to be a cat at school. shes no boy. shes a little girl, at least to me. and it feels wrong to force my name on her. thats not her. she doesnt even have a name to begin with.

so yeah, 112, feel free to misgender any of my sonas if its fitting to the plot. i'd do the same lol