#comes with a info-filled label and everything

[nyxqueenofshadows]

my brother went to a science conference today and instead of handing out like free pens and shit they were handing out plush versions of venereal diseases and i'm a little bit obsessed

[thehorrorsoftheblackbunnymask]

Paid Internship (Part 2)(Prison AU)

Author's Note: This is a Prison AU that the viewers of my blog seem to be pretty fond of. The main focuses for the romance parts will differ depending on the part. The reader is gender neutral and uses She/He stuff, but sometimes depending on what's going on I'll use stuff like Tits. Also, Sully will be in the fic, but I won't use his name. Pay attention to how Liu talks.

Author's Note 2: If you wanna be tagged for part three, leave a comment, or reblog.

Series Summary: Welcome to your paid internship at Roosevelt Federal Prison. After being seen for your potential and skills by your instructor at the Academy, he decided to give you opportunity of working in the US' most dangerous prison despite the disapproval and rejection from the higher ups. However, due to miscommunication and faulty paperwork, you're gonna up working with some of America's most danger serial killers for the semester.

Warnings: Implied Non-con, Murder, Lying, Deception, Descriptions of crimes, Perversion, Manipulation, Gaslighting, Gore, Sadism, Violence, Implied Nudity, Mocking, Humilation, Threats, Mood Swings, PTSD, Alcohol, Mental Illness, Dealings, Attempted Murder, Cursing, Sleep Deprived Workers, Stress, Agression, and More. This AU is not for the faint of heart.

Links: {Part 1} {Masterlist} {Series Concept}

"Oh god, what would Gibbons think of me if he saw me doing this," You said, rubbing you eyes as you stood infront of the door separating you from the inmates.

Liu didn't even tell you what Jeff stole from him, for all you know this could be some sick set up to get you hurt. However, you were slowly growing desperate. Toby's implication that Abbie Grace was still alive was filling you up with concern, she could be alive and out there, terrified, alone, probably hurt. Liu promised to tell you what he knew about Abbie if you gave him whatever Jeff stole.

Getting into solitary wasn't going to be easy. When you were first brought in, you saw a large line of men running into the ward. Based on this, your best assumption was that mostly security personnel were allowed in the ward, and if officers were let in, it was most likely with some kind of clearance. (A clearance you didn't have.)

"Ok Y/N, think, think. What are the pros of doing this... you get info from Liu, but he's already on your roster, meaning you'll be interviewing him some time down the road. But, he seems stubborn, so he won't tell me anything easily. You get to explore solitary! But, there's an extremely high risk that you'll get caught, expelled from the academy, fired from your internship, and most likely get charges placed against you."

You almost took back the deal. Almost.

"But if you don't fuck up, if you do everything right, if you solve this case, you'll be legend. You'll...get praise from Gibbons, from mom, from...," You paused, looking up with a shine in your eyes. "From...dad. I'm doing this."

Walking away from the inmates quarters, you made your way back to the little office Mandel assigned you. Closing the door as you entered, you looked at the little map posted up against the wall, looking for any security storage rooms.

Your plan may seem crazy, but it could work. Your plan was to somehow sneak into a security room, put on a uniform, grab some gear, find a keycard, and get into solitary. You'd be lucky if you even found the security room. The map was hard to understand, nothing was written in words, instead they used symbols as labels for rooms. You assumed that the orange coat for a symbol for some kind of inmate section.

"What would a symbol for the security room look like?" You asked yourself as you looked at the map.

Suddenly, you flinched at the sound of knocking coming from your door.

"INTERN! YOU IN THERE?" A masculine voice yelled from the other side.

Taking a deep breath, you made your way to the door. You couldn't but admit that you were a little on edge. What if they caught you sneaking into the inmate quarters through the cameras (But now do you think about it, where there any cameras to begin with?). That idea sent you into a panic, but you did your best to keep a neutral composure.

Opening the door, you were greeted by a large man. If you had the guess, he was probably was around 6'3, 6'4. You didn't take note of his appearance however, because you were more distracted by the large gun in his hand, and the large word "SECURITY" written on his chest.

"Um, can I help you?"

"Do you have a TV in here? We're checking all offices and rooms."

"...Yeah, why you ask?"

Without saying another word, the man pushed you to the side and grabbed the large TV from the corner.

"Hey! Dude! I need that," You stated, Marching towards the man as he lifted up the TV.

"Don't know if you got the news, intern, but any technology is strictly forbidden on prison grounds."

"...A prison...with no tech? How the hell is this legal, hell, how is this safe?"

The guard didn't say another word, walking off with the TV as you chased after him.

"If it's not allowed, why did I get it in the first place, hm?"

"From some dumbass I bet. Now, leave me alone; I have more bullshit I gotta deal with for the night."

Giving up on trying to get information from the security guard, you watched as he walked off into the distance. But, what he failed to notice was the fact that you were able to steal his keycard from his pocket. One of you cousins was a notorious thief back where you grew up, and he taught you a thing or two about pickpocketing.

"Never knew that dumbass' methods would work," You joked to yourself before quickly making your way to your office.

Opening the door, you took one last look at the map. After a few seconds of quick skimming, you saw the security room wasn't too far from the inmates quarters. It was a few doors down from the entrance to solitary, a pretty smart and convenient spot to hold the room.

Doing a quick check of your surroundings, you locked the door to your office and casually made your way to the security desk. You learned from when you snuck into the inmates' quarters. Even though you were an intern, looking scared and nervous drew attention, making you look suspicious, but if you kept a casual and calm expression, no one would suspect a thing!

"Just stay calm. Stay. Calm," You mumbled to yourself as you used the stolen keycard to open the door leading to the office area you saw when you first walked into the pasta section of the prison.

Taking a left, you did another skim of your surroundings before opening the security door and quietly making your way in. However, the first thing you were met with was the strong smell of sweat and iron.

"Shit...it smells like a high school locker room," You groaned as you pinched your nose. "Jesus...never heard of deodorant."

The security room was set up like a locker room. A few random uniforms were hanged against the wall with various numbers indicating their sizes placed above them. Some were hanged neatly, while others looked like they were placed in a rush. On the opposite side of the room, locked up in a glass container, where various guns, cuffs, shields, and batons. Even though the weapons were placed behind, hopefully, bullet proof glass, you couldn't help but feel like the glass wasn't going to prevent anything from being stolen. One thing you didn't notice at first was how dim the lighting in the room was. It wasn't so dark you couldn't see, but it was dark enough for some things to be barley noticeable. The last thing you cared enough to note was on the wall directly infront of you, a few lockers had their locks still open, meaning either someone was going to be back soon to get something, or someone forgot to close it, either way, you didn't want to stay long enough to find out.

Grabbing the uniform that looked like it would fit you best, you quickly changed into the security uniform. Looking at yourself in the mirror, the uniform was practically riot gear. Using the keycard to open the glass, you grabbed one of the guns from off the wall.

Walking out of the room, you took a deep breath before quickly making your way to solitary.

Opening the door, you instantly felt a shift in the atmosphere. Outside of solitary, there was always some kind of noise. May it be the sound of people walking, the noise the lights made, or just random white noise, there was always something. But here, here it was dead quiet, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. For some reason, you felt terrified to even make a single noise, to take a single step, hell, to even take a single breath. You felt regret hit you like a bus, you could feel your body begging you to go back, to take off the uniform, to figure out Abby'a case without Liu's advice, to do anything but fucking continue in solitary, but the idea of getting praise from Gibbons for solving such a hard cause, the idea of making your parents proud, the idea to prove to everyone at the Academy that you were capable of handling this internship blinded you from your body's judgment. So, as if your body went on autopilot, you started your journey down the halls.

The sound of the heavy boots of the uniform echoed throughout the hallway. Solitary was very bright and clean, walls perfectly white, and the lights lacked the ugly yellow tint the other parts of the prison had. It was such a breath of fresh air compared to the rest of the prison. Not only that, but you haven't seen a single prisoner yet. All the rooms you walked past were either empty or locked, none of them had a single sign of life in there. So, it left you wondering, was anyone even supervising the prisoners? None of the rooms were labeled, none of them. No signs telling you were to go, nothing. So, if someone found you wondering around like a duckling without its mother, you'd be caught red handed.

"Hey! You!"

Flinching at the loud and sudden noise, you slowly turned around as you saw a woman dressed as a nurse power walking towards you.

"What are you doing here? You're supposed to dealing with Jeffery."

"Jeffery?"

"Yes! Ever since he's came back from his interview with that intern he's been out of control. He bit a chunk out of Elisa's arm when she tried to give him his medication. And his behavior starting to get...Ben relied up, and we can't have that! I refuse to deal with that fucking freak again."

"Oh shit... Where's Jeffery right now?"

"In his room left of here, just follow the noise."

"Ok."

"Thanks. Now I have to deal with a few injured prisoners in the normal section, have Goosemen radio me if things get bad."

As the nurse walked off, or more so ran off, you quickly took a left and followed the faint noise of screams and laughter.

What you saw made a chill go down your spine.

Jeff was running around his room with three security personnel chasing him as a nurse yelled for Jeff to calm down. Unlike earlier, Jeff's mouth was bleeding, his shirt tied around his waist as he ran around, revealing the fresh scratches all around his arm and chest, and for a quick second, you saw the flash of something shiny on his back.

"Jeffery! Please sit down and take you medicine! Afterwards you'll be left alone for the night, ok!?" The nurse yelled as she waved a bottle a pill in the air. "We've been at this for hours...tasers don't work, pepper spray don't work, and we can't shoot him nor use fear..."

"Is this common?" You asked, catching the nurse's attention.

"When he first got here it was, but he hasn't acted like this in years. Even when he didn't take his medicine, he wouldn't act like this."

"Maybe he's getting bored," A guard commented, causing the nurse to nod her head in consideration.

"Maybe, or maybe it was that intern. I don't know what happened when they spoke, but maybe they said something to cause him to act like this," The nurse said, a look of annoyance written on her face.

The nurse's statement made your blood run cold. After all the events that happened in the past few hours, you were starting to accept the fact you weren't the most liked by the staff.

"What did I even do?" You thought, a look of hurt and confusion in your eyes. "They don't even know what I look like!"

"I'm going to talk to Mandel about getting them off this case, or even out of this section in general. I don't know what Gibbons sees in them, but things where running as smoothly as they can run until they showed up, and now all the prisoners are acting up."

"Fresh meat," The guard added, causing the nurse to chuckle.

"Fresh meat in deed, sharks they are."

"Hey, it's their first day, give the kid some slack. Once the prisoners get used to their presence they'll simmer down," You said, shifting your gaze over to the various cells in the hallway.

"I hope you're right."

As you looked at the various cells, one cell in particular stood out. It was at the very end of the hallway, the light right above it flickering rapidly. Not only was it locked with a different kind of door, instead having the ones with a simple hole with a few metal bars to peek through and a small hole to slide food in, the entire thing was closed, no one could peek in or out. It was also kept shut with a wheel, and alongside the wheel was a bunch of chains, each tie holding a different lock. Whatever the hell was in there, nobody wanted it getting out.

Suddenly, the sound of a large thump drew your attention away from the door. Lying down on the floor, Jeff was being pinned down by the three guards that were chasing him previously.

"Ugh...I'm tired," Jeff said as he let out a yawn.

Taking out the knife from the back of Jeff's waistband, one of the guards slide it over to the guard you were talking to prior, who then placed it in a zip lock bag.

"OK Jeff, just take these and we'll be done," The nurse said softly, trying her best to hide her agitation.

Based on the nurse's appearance, she was exhausted, not only physically, but mentally as well. Her eyes had dark purple bags, her hair was a mess, and her uniform as practically in shambles.

"Fine," Jeff mumbled before swallowing the two pills.

"Finally," The nurse said under her breath. "OK boys, get out."

As everyone cleared out the room, you made sure to be the very last person to leave. Once everyone turned the corner, you quickly made your way back to Jeff's cell. Peeking through the small section of bars, you watched as Jeff spat out the pills he just "swallowed."

"Airheaded bitch," Jeff joked as he let out a chuckle.

"Jeff," You whisper-yelled, causing Jeff to turn his head.

"Awww, you missed me," Jeff teased before making his ways to the bars.

"No. You got something of Liu's, give it."

"Took him long enough."

"Huh?"

"I took that idiot's scarf a week ago and now he wants it back? Is he slow?"

Walking over to his bed, Jeff lifted up the mattress and pulled out a black and grey scarf.

"Here, and tell him that he owes me big time," Jeff said before hitting the door two times, causing the sound to echo throughout the halls.

"Ok."

As you walked off, you heard Jeff burst into laughter.

"How crazy is he?" You thought.

Howver, you froze in your tracks at the sound of chains hitting the floor. Turning around ever so slowly, you saw a pile of chains and locks sitting infront of the door at the end of the hall.

You knew not to go knew it, your brain was sending you all the alarms.

"Leave it be," "Go back," "It has nothing to do with you."

Those words rung in your head over and over again, but your body started to move on its own. It was as if the door had a magnetic field to it that caused you to get closer and closer, your mind was begging for you to go back, but your body was consumed with curiosity.

Every day you wish you never took a step near that fucking door.

Picking up the chains, you examined the material. Pretty standard chains, amazing quality, but still standard.

As you looked up at the door, you felt your mind begin to fog up. As if you were a puppet on strings, your hands reached towards the wheel, and before you could process what was happening, the door was already open.

There was a single light bulb in the room, dangling from the ceiling. As the light bulb flashed, you could make out the figure of someone tied to a chair. However, the moment your body took a step into the room, closing the door behind you, the lights stilled, and you could control your body once more.

"What...?" You said, turning behind you.

Sitting in the chair was a man, couldn't be older than 25. His head was facing the floor, his blonde hair hiding his features, but it couldn't hide his pointed ears. Heavy chains were keeping him bound to the chair. There was no bed, no sink, no toilet, no trays, nothing. The room was completely bare, the only things taking up space was you, the chair, and him.

As if he could sense your fear, the man slowly lifted his head, his head remaining tilted to side as he looked at you. His bright green eyes bored into your soul. The chill that went down your spine was indescribable. And that smile. It was something you could never forget. The dilated pupils, his wide, sinister smile, and the crazed look on his face. It still gives you nightmares.

"What...are you."

You didn't even think about your words. Whoever he was, he wasn't human.

CRACK!

You flinched as the sound of chains hit the floor once more. He broke off his chains.

Gibbons never trained you for a situation like this, saying that they would teach you once you got a job in a prison. So, all you could do was stare, pushing yourself as far back against the wall as you could.

As he made his way towards you, you felt your life flash before your eyes. The only thing you could think about was never being able to show your parents your certificate from the academy, how they'd never see you walk across the stage, and the sight of them seeing you body in a casket.

As he stared down at you, all you could do was cry. But then, all you heard was...

Laughter?

Looking up, all you saw was him throwing his head back in laughter, clapping his hands as he did.

"YOU SHOULD SEE YOUR FACE!" The man yelled as he sat down in front of you, holding his stomach.

All fear you had was traded with confusion.

"...What?"

"You're, you're that intern, right?"

"Uh, no?"

"Liar," The man said before booking your nose. "You're hot for an intern."

"..."

Standing up, the man reached his hand out towards you. "Name's Ben."

You swore you had heard that name before, but you couldn't place your hands on where.

Taking his hand, Ben pulled you up with a suprising amount of strength. Due to the how hard he pulled you, you ended up stumbling into his arms, causing his to wrap his arms around your waist.

You knew better than to think this, but you couldn't ignore how attractive, or more so how cute he was. Despite being in prison, his hair was relatively neat, and his smile and freckles were adorable.

If only you knew...

"I, uh... I didn't mean to come in here."

"I know!"

"...How?"

"You got a phone in your, left, no, right back pocket, along with a keycard that you stole," Ben said before leaning in, a teasing but flirtous look in his eyes, "Pretty illegal Little Miss/Mr. Intern."

Oh my god you could die right now. You were never one to fall so easily for someone's advances, but the way he spoke, the look in his eyes, and the way his arms wrapped around your waist made you melt.

"Can I see your phone?"

"O-Ok."

You didn't even think twice.

What was he doing to you? You were always reasonable, you rarely allowed yourself to fall into such emotions.

It didn't matter how he made you feel or react, he's a criminal, and if his room was this this locked up, that meant he was dangerous from the rest. Despite how fogged up your mind was, that was the one thing that you could think straightly about.

While you were distracted by your conflicting emotions, Ben was quickly slipped your phone into the pockets of his pants.

"Why don't we take this off," Ben said before pulling the helmet off your head.

Now that he had a good look at your face, Ben could feel his smile only growing wider. Thoughts raced through his head as he looked at you.

Disgusting.

Suddenly, he kissed you. You wanted to push him away, tell him that you couldn't put this opportunity at risk, but you just couldn't. Instead, you leaned into it, your body moving on its own.

"No, no we can't...I can't lose this," You said as you pulled away from the kiss.

"No one's going go find out " Ben responded, pulling you closer. "No one comes in here anyways."

You shouldn't believe his words, he's a criminal, you know better. Don't let every Gibbons taught you be all for nothing.

"...ok."

As Ben kissed you again, much rougher this time, you felt your mind go blank. As his tongue slipped into your mouth, his hands taking off the guard uniform, your hands made their way under his shirt.

Stop. Stop now. Go back. Leave.

The two of you then sunk to the floor, you straddling his hips as he gripped your hair.

As his hands pulled down your pants, you felt as if none of this mattered. The internship you worked months to get. It just, didn't matter anymore. Your mind was blank.

The room then went black, the only thing you could see was his eyes. All you could feel was his hands roaming your body touching every last bit of you. All you could remember was you straddling his lap, one of his hands holding your arms back as his other gripped your hair, forcing you into a kiss. You felt everything. And it all felt sooooo...painfully good.

"M-Mh fuck baby~ I ain't ever gonna stop..."

-------------------------------------------------------------

You never hated yourself more.

The entire event was a blur. Your mind and body weren't even on the same page, hell, they weren't even reading the same book. You didn't even feel like yourself during the whole endevour, it felt as if someone was wearing your skin, acting as you while you watched from the outside.

You had the power to stop it, you were an officer afterall. But the look he gave you, the touches, the words of reassurance, it was all intoxicating and so painfully mind numbing.

Did you even want it? You didn't even know. Moments before, when you felt in control of yourself, all you could feel was fear. He wasn't safe, he wanted to hurt you, but why didn't he? You were right there.

You didn't want to see him again, not at all. He was fucking with your head. You can't trust him, but anytime he's around it's as if all logic and sense leaves your body. You were completely at his will and he barely had to try.

But, something about him made him addicting. The way he's making you feel isn't normal, the way you so blindly opened the door wasn't normal, the patchy memories weren't normal. HE WASN'T NORMAL. He's doing this to you, but how?

"Y/N!"

Shooting up, you were no longer in solitary, but instead you were back in your office. Liu's scarf was placed neatly on you lap, and on your desk was you phone.

Standing at the desk was a very tired, but concerned Mandel.

"Ma'am?"

"I came in to check on you two hours ago, but you weren't here. Came back an hour ago, still not here. Came back five minutes ago, still not here. But when I come back now, FAST ASLEEP. Where. Were. You."

"...I was...I... I was trying to get my TV back from a guard..."

"One, for two hours? And two, who gave you one to begin with?"

"Um...Yeah, and I don't know..." "...Ugh...Wait, why the hell do you have a phone?" "Why wouldn't I?"

"Our prison doesn't allow tech due to a certain inmate."

"Why?" You asked, your blood going cold.

"He's able to control any kind of technology in a twenty-five mile radius. He's able to travel from tech to tech, he's one of our nonhuman inmates."

"What is he?"

Mandel looked around in the hallway before fully entering the room.

"We're not allowed to talk about him...but I'll tell you," Mandel said before taking a seat in front of you. "I won't say names, but he's a ghost. He was sacraficed by a cult, and came back as a vengeful spirt. He died relatively young based off what he told us, but he seems to be aging even as ghost. The longer we keep him, the harder it is to keep him under control. Not only that, but he's getting stronger too."

"...Will I be interacting with him at all?"

"What?! No! Are you crazy? You may be handling the Abbie Grace case, but he is far too dangerous for you. He's already on death row, Y/N, have you noticed that no one else is despite their crimes? I want you to focus on this case and nothing else. I don't want you interacting with inmates outside of the ones I assign you," Mandel said before leaning into your face, her eyes glaring into yours. "And I'll know if you do."

"...Y-Yes ma'am."

Picking up a file on the table, Mandel skimmed through the folder before speaking to you. "How did Toby's interview go?"

"Ma'am, have any of you guys thought of the possibility that Abbie still might be alive?"

Mandel's posture immediately straightened as she looked up at you, the atmosphere of the room changing into a more serious tone. Lowering the file, Mandel spoke, "What happened?"

"Getting Tobias to talk was a challenge. He kept teasing and refused to corporate. I asked him a few questions just to get a rough idea on his personality and patterns, just to get to know him better," You replied, sitting up straight as you played with the hair tie that was wrapped around your wrist. "When I bought up Jeff he finally started talking. Gibbons taught me to look into the way someone spoke, and when Tobias was talking about Abbie, he was talking about her in the present tense. When I asked him if she was dead, he said that he never said she wasn't."

Mandel's eyes widened in shock after you spoke. You neve saw Mandel so expressive due to her face being caught in constant exhaustion. "Never... We never found her body so we assumed she was dead. But, I'm not sure if we can take his word for it."

"How so?"

"He may not look like it, but Toby is a pretty good liar, anything he says we take with a grain of salt."

"Who else if involved in the case?"

"Jeff, Toby, and this Boss character from what we know."

"What if we get someone besides Toby to tell us if she's dead or not?"

"Hm... Jeff might, but his awnsers really depends on his mood."

"What about this Boss guy?"

"Here's the thing, we don't know who he is."

"What? What do you mean?"

"We've caught every pasta we know of, except for the guy they call Boss. But, there's also the possibility that the Boss isn't just one guy. Based off what we know about the proxies, one of their bosses is a man known as Slenderman, but we don't even know if he's real. He's only a legend, there's no picture of him, nor has he committed any acts himself. But, when Timothy and Brian first got here, they heavily implied that there way another boss. They didn't say any names, but that's what they implied. We also don't know if they're all working for the same boss. When Jeff calls someone the Boss, he can be talking about a completely different person than Toby," Mandel stated before hiding her face in her hands. "This case in so confusing..."

"Tell me about it," You said before looking up at Mandel. "So, what should we do?"

"Hm?"

"I mean, if Toby's right, this changes how we'll go about the case. It wouldn't be a murder case anymore but instead a missing person's."

"How we'll go about it isn't much of your concern. As you have interviews with the suspects, we're also having interviews with them as well, just to compare and contrast statements and behaviors. Keep in mind, you're still in training, and this is an internship afterall. Don't get ahead of yourself."

"I knowww, but this is such an exciting experience! I've been trusted to work with the worst criminals in the country, it's truly an honor."

"It's an honor til your working 22 hour shifts," Mandel stated bluntly before opening a redbull that she pulled out of her pockets. "I'm going to leave you to your devices."

"Is their anything you want me to do in particular?"

"Hmmm... Ask Chief Salloum for some evidence we collected on Abbie's case, I want you to look into and see if there's one, any clues on where she can be if she's still alive, and two, just look for anything you think is important. In the mean time, I'll try to get you an interview with Jeffery by the end of the week."

"OK Ma'am. Also, um, where can I find Chief Salloum?'

"Salloum is next to Banklin's Office. Salloum is leading the investigation while Banklin is handling the officers, he might have some information, but I'm not entirely sure," Mandel stated as she opened the door, "Good luck, Kiddo."

As the door closes after Mandel, you didn't even notice how long you were holding your breath for. What Mandel said about this ghost inmate really sent your mind into a frenzy. Whoever he was, they clearly wanted to keep him a secret.

"OK. Should I meet up with Liu or Salloum?" You asked yourself as you looked down at Liu's scarf.

After interacting wuth the Woods brothers, you couldn't help but notice how different they were from each other. Jeff was loud, perverted, sadistic, playful, and emotional, while Liu was more quiet and reserved, but his behavior was flipping. When you first met Liu, he was playful and painfully teasing, but when you met with him again at the cells, he was quiet and acted like he didn't want to speak with you at all. To be honest, you didn't know what was scarier, Jeff's weird unapologetic personality, or Liu's bipolar one.

"Liu."

Standing up from your desk, you wasted no time as you made your way back to the inmate quarters.

Checking the time in your phone, you noticed that it was 2AM. When you got here with Gibbons, it was around 6 or 7, and based on the waiver and contract Gibbons had you sign, you wouldn't be let out til 7AM.

As you walked towards the door of the quarters, you flinched at the sound of banging on the glass. Turning your head, you felt yourself ease up as you made eye contact with a pair of dark green eyes.

Raising up the scarf, you could feel Liu smile from beyond the glass. Liu's smile was different from everyone else's, it was soft, it was genuine.

Entering the quarters, Liu was waiting for you on the other side. Handing him the scarf, he stared at it for a bit before putting it on.

"Fucking asshole."

"Sorry it took so long, stuff came up."

Liu only glanced at you before rolling his eyes.

"This isn't even all of it," Liu said bluntly.

"What? This is all Jeff gave me. What else does he have"

"My gun."

"...oh... So uh, deals off?"

Liu didn't say another word as he grabbed your wrist, dragging you towards a cell.

"...ugh," A voice from the top bunk said.

Looking up, all you saw was the top half of Toby's body dangling from the top bunk.

"Are you drunk?" Liu asked honestly, poking at the man's face.

"Maybeeeee," Toby said before reaching out to Liu, making kissing noises as he did.

"Go to bed, Tobias," Liu said, pushing Toby's body back onto his bed. "Got any more?"

"Under the desk," Toby said as he face planted into his pillow.

Picking up the bottle, Liu sat down on the bed as he opened it. "What do you want to know?"

"Everything you know."

"Pretty vague to be honest."

"Alright then... What did you do to Abbie?"

"Even more vague."

"How?!"

"Cause I said so," Liu said before taking a sip of his alcohol, hiding his amusement as Toby giggled.

"He ain't telling you shit!" Toby yelled before bursting out into laughter.

"Shut up, Ticci," Liu said.

"Don't call me that," Toby slurred.

"Whatever."

"Enough! I don't have time for this. Where is Abbie?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know."

"I wasn't the last one to have her."

"Last one?! How many people was she with?"

"Too vague."

This man was going to be the death of you.

Groaning into your hands, you thought about your most important question.

"Is he awake?" You asked, pointing to Toby.

Peeking over the bunk, Toby was sound asleep, snoring into his pillow as he did.

"No."

"...Is Abbie Grace alive?"

That was the first time you saw a reaction from Liu. The best you could describe his face was stumped.

"Why you ask?"

"Just awnser the question."

Liu's face went back to his numb expression before glancing upwards.

Without saying another word, Liu nodded his head. That was all the conformation you needed.

"Where is she, Liu."

"I don't know, and this isn't an interview, so I have no obligation to anwser."

"How would you feel if I told the head of this side that you have a gun in your possession?"

"One, you don't even know who that is, two, I don't have it, Jeff does, and three, how would you feel if I told Mandel that not only did you sneak into here, did a favor for a prisoner, but you also slept with one as well?" Liu said, leaning in so close to your face that your noses were just barely touching. "That's pretty punishable."

You felt your blood run cold, and he could see it on your face.

"Yeah, that's what I thought," Liu said before pushing himself against the wall. "Don't talk all big when your small, sweetie."

"How did you know..."

"Know what?"

"W-What you just said."

"I didn't say anything."

Both of you knew what he said; you could see the amusement in his eyes.

"Ooooo, what'll happen if Banklin finds out that the intern slept with dear old Benjamin...Intership go bye bye," Liu joked, waving his hand before laughing. "Don't worry, I won't tell if you don't. Secret safe."

You never thought you'd be blackmailed by a prisoner, but today was already full of surprises.

"Now, is that all, princess/princie?"

"...Yeah."

"Don't be so sad," Liu said before grabbing your face with his hands, his touch being painfully soft. "You're the only one."

You felt sick to your stomach.

Standing up as fast as you could, you quickly made your way out of the room; Liu's giggles echoing throughout the halls.

You were so dumb.

You were supposed to logical, practical, and you normally were, but ever since you stepped into to this hell hole it was as if a switch was flipped in your head. You would never be making these many mistakes. Gibbons would kill you if he found out, but you just wanted to make him proud, he's worked his ass off to get you here, you didn't want to waste it.

"What's wrong with me?"

"OW!"

You were so caught up in your train of thought that you failed to notice the man in front of you.

"Oh I, I'm sorry. Let me help you," You said, quickly bending down to help the man pick up his files.

Pushing up his glasses, the man revealed a soft smile.

"No no, it's ok. You're the intern, correct?"

"Um, yes!"

"What's your name, kiddo?" The man asked as he started to walk towards the offices.

"Y/N L/N, sir."

"Call me Salloum. I'm one of the leaders of the case we're having you look into. How is that going?"

"It's been a Rollercoaster to say the least."

Salloum pulled a key out of his pocket as he opened the door to his office. "Hm... How so?"

"I thought I had the case figured out. But, when I was interviewing Tobias he said something interesting. "

Sitting down at his desk, Salloum pulled out a small notebook as he leaned back into his chair, placing his feet on desk in the process. His tired, empty eyes stared into your young, stressed ones as he looked at you and his notebook. "I'm listening."

"He implied that Abbie Grace is still alive."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"He implied-"

"No I know I know! It's just. Fuck! How could we miss that, how could we overlook that? How could I overlook that?"

"Um, Salloum..."

"Not now kid, just. Ugh. Thank you for bring this to my attention, but I need you to leave now. There's a lot of stuff I need to get done."

"Yes, yes, of course, of course."

Once you got back to your office, all you did was sit down and think. It was all so overwhelming.

However, all you could feel were hands roaming all of your body as you zoned out entirely. Faded whispered slowly growing louder and louder as your body went limp.

You don't even know.

Such a good girl/boy you are.

You're mine now...

My perfect little whore.

You're so pathetic.

Stupid.

Dumbass.

Useless.

Useless..

Useless...

USELESS!

What did he do to you. It wasn't natural. You weren't in control. You were a puppet. He controlled you. But why? Why you? For what reason? Why does he have your phone? Should you tell Mandel? Why are you crying? Why are you shaking? Why is the world spinning?

BEN. The most dangerous inmate in the entire prison. His power: technological manipulation.

You were so stupid. Did you really forget, or did his control fog your mind? But if he did control you, how?

You couldn't take it anymore. You needed to go home for the night. Now. You needed to leave now. He couldn’t reach you if you left, right? He couldn't touch you again, he couldn’t control you again, he can't hurt you again if you leave. You'll come back tomorrow with a fresh mind and be ready for work. Yes. Yes. Just, leave.

"Miss," You said as you walked into Mandel's office.

"Yes?" Mandel responded, not looking up from her paperwork.

"I need to go home."

"What? Now? Your shift isn't even..."

As Mandel looked up at you, her words froze. You looked tired. Traumatized. Souless. You looked done.

"Kid what happen?" Mandel asked, standing up as she made your way towards you.

"I need to go home for the night."

"Look at me kid, what happened."

"...home... I want to go home," You stuttered out as you burst out into tears. "I'll be back tomorrow I promise but I need to go home."

Mandel just stared at you before nodding in approval. She got you an Uber and you were able to get a ride back to your dormitory at the Academy.

"Hey! You're back early, how'd it go?" Your roommate asked as you walked in.

However, you just walked past them, closing the door to your room as you plopped down onto your bed.

You were exhausted to say the least. You didn't even notice you fell asleep. But, for some reason you woke up in the middle of the night. You were still kind of sleepy so you weren't fully aware of your surroundings, but after some complicating of whether or not you should get out of bed, you slowly became aware to the sound of a TV.

Looking at your clock you saw that it was 4:45 AM.

"Lillian's never up this late," You grumbled as you stood up.

Your position on the bed was kind of awkward. Your upper body was laying on the bed while your legs dangled onto the floor.

"Lillian, can you turn it down please?" You asked as you rubbed your eyes, standing infront of your door as you faced the TV.

But, much to your suprise, no one was there. The TV was the only source of light in the entire room, and playing on it was just static.

"...I'm too tired for this," You mumbled before grabbing the remote.

But, the TV wouldn't turn off. No matter how many times you slammed down on the button the static would just continue.

"Are the batteries dead or something?" You asked yourself as you examined the remote.

In the back of your head you knew something was wrong. But, all you wanted was to get a normal night's rest and in the morning you could go back to work like nothing happened.

In what little time you were at the prison for you were able to deduce one thing. That place was full of secrets. Secrets that everyone knew but were never brave enough to discuss. Everyone you interacted with just held this vibe of uncertainty, anxiety, fear. It was like everyone knew that this place wasn't secure, and it didn't look like it either. What kind of prison doesn't have cameras? Or evenbetter, what kind of prison holds some of Americas most dangerous serial killers all in the same prison, in the block, knowing damn well that all of them are acquainted with one another.

If you were any other intern you would've just quit the moment this happened, but you were just any other intern. There was a reason on why there were here, a deeper reason. A reason that surpassed even government control. Maybe you were better off being a detective. Maybe you wouldn't be where you are now.

Rotting away. With Mom and Pa staring at you from the other side.

I should've quit.

"Nope, nothing wrong with the remote," You said before setting it back down. "Imma just put my headphones in."

But, as you turned around, you felt your blood run cold as you heard an all too familiar voice come from the TV.

"Baby~"

That glitchy, raunchy, mocking voice. You didn't dare turn around.

"Awwww, don't be scared."

Footsteps.

How? How the hell did he get here? How did he escape without anyone noticing?

Hands....hands. You felt his arms wrap around your waist as you leaned onto you. It felt as if he was towering over you.

"I ain't gonna hurt you," Ben said before placing something in your hand. "Just wanted to return this."

Your phone. A part of you just wanted to throw it out of your dorm window, something about it just didn't feel right, but, you stopped yourself. You didn't have the money to just buy a new one, and this was the only way you can communicate with your parents.

"How'd you get out...?" You asked.

"Oh, I'm not here. You see, I can travel a little bit of my soul to anywhere I want within my technological reach. I'm like a little hallucination while my body remains in my cell. I could come here right now if you want."

That voice. That feeling. Your world started spinning.

Not again.

"Have a little fun," Ben whispered, rubbing your arm as he talked. "We could do way more here than out there... You'll be fucking screaming."

Stop.

Your mind and body was fogged up. You couldn't think, you couldn't move.

But suddenly, you felt normal again. All of a sudden you came back to your senses and pushed him off you.

"No! I don't want any of this. Go back before I file a report that you escaped."

"What is that going to do? I can just report that you had sex with an inmate. That's pretty immoral, Y/N."

He wasn't wrong. But, Liu told you this wasn't the first time something like this happened, so maybe you'd have a chance at saving your career.

"I'm not the immoral one. Go. I don't want to see you again, you hear me?"

All he did was laugh. That glitchy, high pitched laugh...

"Loud and clear!"

You watched as Ben floated back into the TV, causing it to shut off completely.

Exhausted, you made your way back to your bed. As you laid down in your bed all you could think about was Abbie. Despite the Rollercoaster you had today all you could think about was her. She was out there somewhere. Sad, scared, alone. You had to look into it more tomorrow. You had to get a sit down with Toby and break him. Maybe you could look more into his file and figure out some weaknesses you could exploit. Out of everyone you talked to, he seemed like he'd be the most easy to crack. Jeff is too violent, trying to crack him would probably leave you with a cracked skull. Liu is way too unpredictable. Sometimes he's wacky, sometimes he's quiet, sometimes he's cold, sometimes he's compliant, sometimes he wants to just fuck with you point blank.

Plus, Toby was pretty interesting to talk to. A little manic, a little unhinged, but he had a surprising amount of life and personality to him. Charming? No. Chaotic and fun? Definitely. Maybe a talk with him can lighten up your mood. You still had to figure out how to talk to him. He was the inmate you wanted to have a bond with. An inmate who trusted you and would be honest with you. An inmate you could rely on.

You made up your mind. You were going to talk with Toby.

-------------------------

"Feeling better, kid?" Mandel asked as you walked into her office.

"Much better," You said as you sat down in front of her. "Ma'am, I'd like to have a meeting with Toby today."

"Why?"

"I talked it over with Salloum and I'm pretty sure I got the go to dig into deeper."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

No you were not.

"OK, I'll have him ready by 10."

You knew lying to Mandel was going to bite you in the ass later, but you had to do what you had to do. Some of the best officers are considered the best because they did things differently, or at least that's what Gibbons taught you.

You spent the next three hours analyzing your interview with Toby. You analyzed his awnsers and behavior in order to come up with a solid approach.

You were able to come up with a series of questions that weren't too obvious in showing your motives. One thing you learned about Toby was that he was stubborn, and you had to navigate through that. Was it going to be easy, of course not! This man is the definition of a maniac.

Back to room 111.

You sat there anxiously as you heard footsteps slowly approaching.

"Don't make me regret this, don't make me regret this," You mumbled to yourself.

Rule number 1.

As the door opened, your breath hitched as you met the manic gaze of Tobias Erin Rogers. As he eagerly took a seat in front of you, you watched as the door closed behind you.

Now it was just you and Toby.

Always take what Toby says with a grain of salt.

"How are you doing Toby?" You asked, organizing your question paper as he talked.

"Pretty shitty *WOWIE* until I heard I was talking to you today," He said with grin on his face, leaning into the palm of his hand as he looked at you with admiration.

Hell, don't even consider it.

"That's good I suppose. Now, you want to get straight to it or would you like to talk about your night first?"

"...Straight to it."

No matter how believable he seems.

"OK, so."

Because he's always five steps ahead.

--------------------

Tags: @fexthehetalialover @asimpforlife134 @my-jukebox @ch3rrydr34ms @crejia @mspoisoncoil @bruhimsoinlove @imwallysdarling @idkisimptoomuch @noclue-0 @chexrybloss0m @refrigeranteborbulhante @tak0truc @br-que-ama-yanderes @bruhimsoinlove @constantine559 @jamja @srt-buu2 @ghostwriter54 @elevenbts @officaljackmiles

[atamascolily]

I took a closer look at the label in the lower right-hand corner to confirm that yes, this is an outdoor unit of an air conditioner. Most of the text is pretty utilitarian description with info about model numbers, but at the top there's some English text, "MRMASA".

I've seen a lot of speculation that this is a reference to Sengo Muramasa, a famous Japanese swordsmith, which seems kind of random to me, so I'd like to see a bit more supporting evidence in the actual film. Likewise, I'm not sure if there's any thematic significance for the air conditioner beyond "convenient round and spinning domestic object that Japanese audiences would recognize instantly"; I'd like a little more context before I start spinning off theories.

Yes, everything in Madoka Magica is there for a reason, but there's already so much symbolism in this shot--from the spinning fan to the cross-quarted circle to the closed eye to the pink tape crisscrossed everywhere to the "Fragile, handle with care" stickers with the cracked goblet that maybe the label is just the label this time. Maybe.

However, just for fun, I went and searched for what "normal" Japanese outdoor units look like. In general, they have their brand name in English on the front, which makes me suspect that MRMASA is a knockoff name for copyright reasons.

I also got this stock photo from near a train station in Tokyo:

As you can see here, the SHAFT version is just amped up for the aesthetics, but the sentiment is basically the same: a kind of community space where people express their feelings via stickers and spray-paint. (To be honest, that part surprises me a little as it doesn't match my experiences in the country, but Japan contains multitudes and there are enough little details that I feel reasonably confident that the location data is accurate.)

It's even more striking in the context of Mitakihara, which has always been this gleaming, futuristic and utopian city.... at least in the open public spaces. The alleyways and dead ends--the places where witches lurk--is an entirely different story, and it's an open question for me how much witches are responsible for what we see in this image.

The net result is that this seemingly innocuous image of an air conditioner fills me with dread. This latest incarnation is beautiful, but it is undeniably fragile, vandalized and literally held together with duct tape, and I don't think it will take much for it all to come toppling down before the end.

(And that's without the fact that the closed eye at the center will probably open at some point in the actual film!)

[leighsartworks216]

Protocore Syndrome

Zayne x gn!Reader (Can be read as platonic or romantic)

Would Protocore Syndrome ever be like this in game? Unlikely. Does it sound cool? Yeah, that's why I wrote it duh

I wish Zayne got more love and attention in the fandom (and in the game too ngl) :(

Warnings: death, grief/mourning, medical inaccuracies, angst, emotional hurt/comfort, canon divergent

Word Count: 572

Main Masterlist

Love and Deepspace Masterlist

AO3

Tag List Form (Psst fill this out to be tagged in fics)

The stars bring no peace tonight. You can’t remember the last time they ever did, but tonight, especially, they only serve to remind you of what’s been lost.

You still remember her laugh, just minutes before she was put under anesthesia. She said she was nervous, so you told her a joke to help calm her down. She fell asleep with light giggles that petered out into nothing.

That memory would forever be corrupted by a flatline, shouts for a crash cart, and the heavy silence of everyone in that room carrying her blood on their hands.

You sigh, breath coming out as a white fog in the darkness. For as much love as you held for this job, it never got easier.

The roof doors open behind you with a creak. Shoes click softly against the cement until they stop beside you. Fabric rustles, and a heavy coat is draped over your shoulders. Zayne sits down beside you.

He doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t have to. Dr. Greyson and your own assistant were close, having done their residencies together, just like you and Zayne. Anything that happened with you was eventually shared with Zayne, and vice versa.

Your patient, female, 11, went in for an anterior temporal lobectomy, and died on the table. It was supposed to be a relatively simple procedure, one you’d performed hundreds of times before.

After a long silence, you sigh and lean against him. His lab coat is gone, replaced with the hefty black coat around your shoulders. He was about to head home, even though it was way past the end of his shift. Way past the end of yours, too. But then you messaged him, asking if he had time to meet at your usual spot.

“Her parents are mad,” you say, voice shot from crying in your office hours earlier. “I don’t blame them. Who wouldn’t be upset?”

He reaches over and takes your hand. It’s cold. He rubs his thumb over your knuckles. “You did everything you could.”

You sigh again. That’s all anyone could say when a patient died. Don’t carry that guilt with you, you did everything you could. What else could be said? “I know.”

You reach under his coat and into your pocket, and pull out a small vial. The paper label stuck to it had the patient’s basic info and some quick identifiers for cataloging. You hold it out for him to take. He gives you a confused look, but does so nonetheless. Something small clinks around inside. He holds it up to the moonlight.

A black crystal.

“I begged the parents to let me try figuring out what… They were clustered around her amygdala. I’ve never seen anything like it before, Zayne.”

He lowers the vial back to his lap. It rotates slowly, crystal tapping lightly against the glass as it’s turned over and over and over again. “And there were no signs of Protocore Syndrome?”

You shake your head. “I ordered an MRI, just to be sure, but there was nothing abnormal with her heart. I can send you the data. You know more about it than I do. Maybe there’s something I missed.”

He tucks it away in his pocket. You rest your head on his shoulder. He rests his cheek against your hair.

“You should go home,” he whispers.

“I will. Just…” You look back up at the stars. “Just a minute longer.”

---

Tag List:

@the-golden-jhope

[fleshengine]

I experienced Mouthwashing last night (a friend streamed it to me because I'm too fucken broke to buy it) and I'm curious to hear your thoughts on it

Anya killing herself with the remaining painkillers doesn't make sense because they were labelled paracetamol which is acetaminophen. Acetaminophen overdose takes days to kill, so unless she was barricaded in medical for a lot longer than it seems in game it wouldn't have killed her that fast. We know it's acetaminophen poisoning as well, because she vomited all over herself. It's the only "plothole" in the story, which is impressive given its multiple POVs and jumping around in time.

I don't understand why Jimmy fed Curly a piece of himself, it feels like cannabalism imagery for the sake of cannabalism imagery. If he's just going to chuck him in a cryopod, and then off himself why bother? Then again, Jimmy's mental state is far from anything I'd even consider calling stable.

Swansea putting Daisuke out of his misery doesn't make sense to me because why not do the same for Curly? This could be handwaved by the dwindling medical supplies or as characterization for Swansea but it struck me as odd.

I can tell what the game is trying to say, and it says it because I've seen other people talk about it at length. Ya know, toxic work culture, guys will back eachother up even if they know the other is doing something terrible, that kinda shit. But some of the surrealist and scary shit just seems thrown in for maximum spookage. I think the game would be better if they cut the scary shit by half and focused more on the actual story they're trying to tell. As it stands, it feels a lot like "hey if there were two guys on the moon and one of them killed the other with a rock would that be fucked up or what?" Obviously I'm being a little reductive, but that's still the vibe aboard the tulpa, I mean Tulpar. Oh yeah, naming your spaceship after tulpas, that was certainly a choice.

Honestly it feels like youtube/gametheory/reaction bait. It starts with big spooks and has surrealist horror sequences so the funny men on youtube can scream and yell. It's out of order so people can make "Mouthwashing in chronological order" videos. It's got a confusing plot so people can make "Mouthwashing EXPLAINED" videos. A lot of the story just isn't told to you and you have to fill it in or find someone to do that for you. You might think "oh well maybe it's 'show, don't tell' done well!" and no, it's not. The game specifically shows you so little, which is nice in a horror game but at the same time, I need SOMETHING to convey the information.

My best example of this is Daisuke in the vent. What happens to him? Dunno, he gets magically fucked up. How does he get the door to medical open while deathly injured? Dunno but he does. I figured we might get a little info when we go into the vent in one of the nightmare vision sequence things, but nope! It's just more random spooks.

Someone could point to me and say "ew stupid gamer needs everything spelled out with yellow paint for her" and honestly they'd be right a little. When it comes to games like this, with complex plots, time jumps, nonchronological storytelling, and abstract nightmare sequences, I would like a little yellow paint occasionally. You can be confusing all you want and I'll enjoy it but when I'm done I want to know what happened.

8/10, I'm glad I watched a playthrough rather than pay for it myself.

[pink-tonic]

A New Start?🔪

Previous

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All Chapters

Warnings: Stalking

Text message labels:

Bold = Ayato

Red text = Info-Chan

Additional Notes: Hey! I'm sorry for my short absence from posting! School has been crazy as of lately and it's taken up most of my time. But I'm back and making more chapters!!! Hopefully I'll get back on track with posting, but thank you agian for sticking with me this long!!🩷🩷

My eyes open up, and I'm met with a brighter world. The slight dullness is gone, and I can now see the brightness of the world once again.

I let out a yawn and stretch, but I don't get up. Instead, I cuddle up to my blankets and embrace their warmth.

I start to imagine that my blankets are someone. I'm not imagining Taeko, instead my mind is filled with thoughts of (Y/N).

I can't help but smile at my thoughts of him. I cuddle further into my blankets, and I imagine that (Y/N) is right next to me.

In my mind, he is still sleeping comfortably, and his back is turned to me. I pull him closer to me, and I can feel his back up against my chest. I look down at his face, and he is at peace. He looks handsome and everything I could ever want.

The thought is a nice one, and one I need to make come true soon. I can't keep living without him. I need him by my side.

This motivation causes me to get out of bed and start to get ready for school.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

On my walk to school, I decide to use this time to text Info. It's been a few days since I've texted her, but I need her help more than ever.

I need your help.

Oh? Where did you go for the past week?

I'm sure you know.

How clever. I do know.

But I need your help.

Is it about your Senpai?

No.

No? What happened?

I thought you would know already.

I know a lot, but not this. Now, tell me I must know.

I've switched my focus.

Really? To who then?

To (Y/N).

I should have seen this coming eventually. But what do you want me to do?

Give me any new information about people who are getting close to him, just like how you did for Taeko.

Of course. As long as you are willing to help me.

What is it?

I need you to set up more bugs.

Where?

Anywhere you haven't yet, but I want your first target to be the infirmary.

Why?

Because there is a new nurse. The old one had to take care of something, so I think it's about time you bug that area.

Okay, I'll get it done soon.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

When I make it to school, I decide that I would set the bugs during lunch. But for right now, I want to look over (Y/N).

When I was still in love with Taeko, I didn't do a great job watching over her. But when it comes to (Y/N), the same won't happen.

I'll watch over every last move he makes.

I wait by the lockers to see if he is going to come. I eventually see him with Taro and Taeko, but something unusual happens. The three of them rush past the lockers, not bothering to switch out of their outdoor shoes. They then make their way to the nurse's office.

Once they get into the office, I decide to go over as well. I go over to the nurse's office and try my best not to make anyone suspicious of my actions.

Unfortunately, when I make it to the nurse's office the door is closed. One of them must have closed it once they were all inside.

I decide to take a seat and wait for them to come out.

Ten minutes pass by, and eventually, the door opens up. Taeko and Taro come out, but (Y/N) doesn't.

I decide to take a peek inside of the nurse's office since now the door is wide open. I look inside, and I can hear a bit of the conversation (Y/N) is having.

I'm not able to get too close, but from what I hear, the new nurse needs help.

(Y/N) accepts to help him and then leaves. Before (Y/N) can see me, I quickly go the opposite direction.

While I walk away, I think of the new information that I now have.

I guess bugging the nurse's office will be more worthwhile than I thought.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

It's lunchtime, and I can't wait to set up the bag. Since (Y/N) is now going to spend more time in the nurse's office, I'll get to find out more information about him.

I quickly go over to the nurse's office and open up the door. I take a quick look inside, and I notice that the nurse isn't inside of his office. He must have gone to eat his lunch.

I quickly look around the room and then close the door behind me. I take out the bug that Info gave me, and I go over to the nurse's desk and place it underneath it. I then go over to one of the beds and place a bug underneath it.

While I'm getting up from crouching down, I hear the door slide open. I can feel my heart slightly stop.

I can hear the person let out a 'Hmmm...'

I turn around, and I'm met with one of the student council members. I notice that it's Aoi Ryugoku, who is one of the most feared student council members. Her vibrant blue hair, poor posture, and eyepatch would make you think she was one of the delinquents. But her white and red uniform, and red armband all indicate that she is a part of the student council.

Ryugoku looks at me before turning around and walking out the other door and closing it.

Once she leaves, I can't help but frown. I always hated the student council members. I thought they were nuisances and another obstacle in my way.

I walk out of the nurse's office, not wanting to linger further in it.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

I decide to stay after school today, but I don't stay for my club. Instead, I'm staying for (Y/N). I was waiting for him to leave, so I could follow him, but he never showed up. I then figured out that he went to the nurse's office.

I decide to stay after school to do my cleaning duty. It's been weeks since I've done any cleaning, and I'm surprised I haven't gotten in trouble yet, but I should start cleaning now before I do.

I make sure to clean near the nurse's office so I can see once (Y/N) leaves.

I sweep the same surface and wait patiently for him to come out. I wish I could see inside, but the bug I planted will give me an advantage.

While I'm down the hallway, I hear a door slide open. I turn my head, and I see (Y/N) walking out of the nurse's office.

A smile starts to form on my face when a realization hits me. (Y/N) doesn't have anyone to walk home with. He is going to walk home by himself.

I quickly leave to put the mop and bucket away. I put them in the bathroom, but I don't bother to dump the water or clean the mop. Someone else can take care of that. Because right now, I need to take care of (Y/N).

I go over to the lockers, and I see him closing his locker and walking out of the school. I quickly change out of my indoor shoes and into my outdoor ones. I close my locker and follow him.

I make sure to keep a safe distance from him, but I also make sure that I'm not too far away. I follow him, but sadly, he doesn't do anything interesting. But that can also be a good thing. He just goes straight home.

I decide to leave before (Y/N) can go inside. I don't want him to turn around at the last second and spot me.

I start my own walk back home.

[beardedmrbean]

More than a year has passed since elected leaders in Congress last heard from experts about mystifying objects outmaneuvering our military and claims of shadowy government programs to study alien spaceships.

The now-infamous congressional hearing was one filled with sensational claims about UFOs. Despite the government's rebranding of UFOs with a less-stigmatized acronym – unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAP – the hearing still captivated a public long obsessed with ideas of flying saucers and little green men.

So, when military officers spent hours providing compelling testimony about not just strange craft whizzing unchecked through U.S. air space, but about a concerted effort of our government to capture and study those craft, the public was hooked.

The hearing served to reignite long-held public suspicions that the U.S. military and other high levels of government are suppressing information about extraterrestrial activity and galvanized a movement for transparency. Now that a little more than a year has gone by, the government has signaled that after years of secrecy, it's slowly coming around to the idea of sharing more information publicly.

But some lawmakers and advocates say it hasn't been enough. And now, they're on the verge of delving into the topic of UAP once again Wednesday.

Ahead of the next congressional hearing, here's what has happened since Congress' last foray into UFOs.

July 2023: Military officials testify about UFOs at last congressional hearing

In the July 2023 hearing, House members heard testimony from two former Navy pilots who came forward with information about objects routinely violating U.S. airspace.

Lt. Ryan Graves and Cmdr. David Fravor each provided accounts of specific incidents they had either witnessed over the years or heard about from other pilots they deemed credible. Some of the accounts they described were of aircrafts displaying capabilities they believed were beyond any known human technology.

Fravor himself was among Navy pilots who spotted the now-famous Tic Tac-shaped object that was captured in 2004 on video during a flight off the coast of Southern California. In testifying about the well-known sighting, Fravor described the oval object as "perfectly white, smooth, no windows," and displaying flight capabilities that were unheard of.

But the most sensational part of the hearing came when former Pentagon intelligence official David Grusch offered testimony about an alleged shadowy "multi-decade" Pentagon program to retrieve and study not only downed spacecraft, but extraterrestrial pilots. Without offering hard evidence, Grusch accused the Pentagon under oath of being aware of extraterrestrial activity since the 1930s and hiding the program from Congress while misappropriating funds to operate it.

The Pentagon has repeatedly denied that such a program exists.

August 2023: Pentagon unveils UFO website with declassified info

Within about two months of the hearing, the Pentagon's office to investigate UFOs revealed a new website for the public to access declassified information about reported sightings.

The site, operated by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) – a relatively new Pentagon program established to analyze UAP reports – also has a mechanism for military pilots to report sightings.

More than a year after launching, the site includes a handful of videos, some of which have been explained as commercial craft and some of which have been labeled as "unresolved." Each video contains a short description with an explanation by AARO of where it was captured and what characteristics the object was exhibiting.

Those who visit the site can also access an assortment of laws, memos, congressional briefings and press releases related to UAP.

But if you're going to the site to look for evidence of aliens, you'll be disappointed. In January, outgoing AARO director Sean Kirkpatrick – since replaced by Jon T. Kosloski – appeared on a podcast and made one thing clear:

"There is no evidence of aliens and there's no evidence of the government conspiracy," he said.

September 2023: NASA releases UAP report, appoints research head

Weeks later, NASA released a long-awaited UFO report affirming that no evidence existed to confirm that alien spaceships have visited Earth.

However, in what Administrator Bill Nelson described as a signal of the agency's transparency, NASA appointed a director of UAP research.

Because of the potential threat posed to national security and air safety, NASA embarked in 2022 on the space agency's first-ever study of UFOs, For the report, experts commissioned by the the space agency outlined ways in which NASA can partner with the U.S. government and private commercial organizations to better study and understand unidentified flying objects.

Legislation aims to declassify records, make reporting easier

In the wake of the hearing, Congress has sought to take action in the form of bipartisan legislation to demystify UFOs for the public.

Last December, President Joe Biden signed into law a watered-down version of a bill seeking the release of the executive branch's UFO records, which was included in an annual defense policy bill.

However, lawmakers like Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) and many UFO transparency advocates derided the legislation as disappointment. While the measure directs the government to disclose to the public at least some records about UAP, it grants various agencies wide latitude in concealing certain information.

Then, under a House bill introduced in January, commercial airline pilots who witness crafts flying through the skies in unexplainable ways would be able to report the UFO sightings to the federal government. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-California) and Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wisconsin) both sponsored the bill, which would create a mechanism for civilian pilots and other airline workers to report sightings to the the Federal Aviation Administration.

However, the bill appears to have since stagnated since its introduction.

Alien renaissance in pop culture

The fiery Congressional hearing served to reignite a public obsession with UFOs that first came to focus after the infamous 1947 Roswell incident.

In the past year, Netflix released a docuseries. Brands like MoonPie jumped on the bandwagon. And conspiracy theories flourished. Even the tourism bureau in Lexington, Kentucky, capitalized on the craze with a tongue-in-cheek marketing campaign to encourage extraterrestrials to vacation in the city.

The idea that, absent any immediate logical explanation, strange crafts sighted whizzing through our skies must surely be alien visitors seems to only continue gaining momentum – even as astrophysicists caution that the absence of obvious natural explanations for UFOs doesn't make extraterrestrial ones likely.

Some experts even see the UFO hoopla as "a widespread societal problem."

[aliksims]

Happy New Year!!! Have some left-over projects!

The wood flooring was something I had almost finished... right before I decided to completely reorganize both my floors and my colors. It comes in all 110 colors of the AKS Object Rainbow 4 (1). The colors/actions that have been borrowed from the talented artists that created them are thusly labeled in the color names and the accompanying “AKSOR4ObjRnbw4ColorSIs” document. (The color files are individually labeled with their original creator, palette, and name, but it’s all abbreviated so check the document to fill in the missing letters.)

If you would like all 110 recolors individually packaged, you can download them here: http://simfil.es/4346452/

If you would like all 110 recolors in 1 package, you can download them here: http://simfil.es/4346455/

As for the costume makeup, with this recolor from Sundried’s DA3 Vallaslin set (2), I'm finally one step closer to recoloring the whole set! (There's one more design to go, but the original is kind of messy looking, so I'll need to take a closer look at how much adjusting it needs to look good (in my opinion).) For Mythal, I could simply raise the opacity to match the rest of my recolors.

This layers above blush and below everything else. It comes in all 56 “clothing colors” (3) so if you want them all I would HIGHLY recommend downloading the “fewer files” version. Both versions come with swatches and preview pictures.

Colors packaged individually: http://simfil.es/4348534/

Fewer Files version: http://simfil.es/4348535/

Preview pictures, swatches, and color info are included with all downloads. I own nothing so you can’t sell it. :)

(1): https://aliksims.tumblr.com/post/713353318051856384/

(2): http://sundriedsims.tumblr.com/post/116008622678/

(3): http://aliksims.tumblr.com/post/156658970243/

[pelagaye]

red shoes on yellow brick

fandom: honkai star rail pairings: sampo, dan heng, gepard x reader summary: y/n is no dorothy but upon reaching the magical place of welt, y/n sees no issue in helping a number of its people. perhaps even providing them more than what they seek with how unique and charming this individual with red shoes on is. notes: tada! it's a wizard of oz au and may this first fic of mine be to your liking despite the length ehe i kinda had so much making it <3

it's a simple wish truly because when a big unwarranted tornado whisks you away from the comfort of your own residence, all you can want for is just to get back home.

seeing how troubled you've becoming, some lil chibi people who refers themselves as "the mole munchkins" that helped you earlier from the wreckage advises that you go meet a mighty powerful being that calls himself the wizard of welt who can grant any wish you long for.

sounding like a fairy godmother, it definitely captivated you so you might as well see what he's capable off.

the munchkins gives you a pair of red sandals they found on the sides, believing it can help you on the way to the wizard.

honestly, you'd trade the nice pair of red shows you now had on for the sake of getting back if you can.

bidding goodbye to the little fellas who told you to just follow the yellow brick road, you and your rabbit pompom begin the journey you didn't ask for the slightest.

here's to hoping the casts you meet along the way are nice.

sampo as the scarecrow

it is a long way to the place you had to be and the never-ending surface of yellow brick just had to emphasize that.

pompom hops around you indicating the both of you should rest before the pain comes through.

your home would still wait for you no matter what, right?

imagining of the place you yearn for, you notice how you ended up in the middle of a enormous cornfield of crops almost glistening like gold.

in between it all, is a scarecrow on a high pole that looks like it's attempting to do its job of shooing pesky birds away.

for something just made of old clothes and straw, the built of the figure was wide, as if he'd have muscles if he had to be human.

you, being the curious type can't help but stare longer than intended on the decoy figure, as there just seems to be so fascinating about it.

"take a photograph it'll last longer."

a voice shakes you from the trance.

when you try to find who it belongs to, there could only be one place-

looking at pompom before directing your eyes to the scarecrow, it winks at you, almost too naturally.

you inquire him how is able to talk and move.

swishing his threads of blue that acts likes bangs, he tells you if you can maybe bring him down he could explain more.

you find out his name is sampo, he asks what's a pretty person like you going to places like this cornfield.

ignoring the flattery, you share your plans to meet the wizard of welt to get back home.

sampo has no clue about the city you are to visit nor the person you seek.

it doesn't make sense to you that the man made of straw has no idea about the info you shared after the munchkins shared everyone knows about the wizard.

"maybe i can tag along? as a scarecrow with no brains, it might help me out. do you think the big shot can do that?"

sampo explains he's tired always being labeled as an idiot so how will he ever know much more if his head is filled with anything but a brain.

your sympathy gets to you first for some reason.

maybe it's the way how he holds your hands as he begs the question, or perhaps it's the way how he softly smiles as he towers in front of your small figure causing the lack of proximity.

"i'll ask the wizard for everything he can offer for you," you tell him.

sampo as a scarecrow, doesn't deny the determination in your voice, and he feels likes the straws in his stomach getting replaced with something else.

maybe he doesn't need a brain when your wit is enough to keep him afloat above any field.

dan heng as the tin man

ever since he was young, relatives and others have told dan heng he had no heart with the cold exterior persona the young man displays usually.

and with all the metal that's part of him to carry like a burden of his own predicament, dan heng could only accept their false accusations to not make the situation any worse than it already is.

just like in the og game, dan heng flees.

after all who wouldn't with that situation?

he comes across a pink haired girl who he eventually becomes accustomed to.

he tells her about his issues and his friend immediately perks up.

"oh??? then why not visit the wizard of welt??" march suggests.

and so he does, alone.

along the way, through the depths of the forest, he doesn't expect rain to happen.

this becomes an inconvenience to the tin man putting a stop to dan heng's expedition.

all because of a damn rain pour that causes him to rust.

there was no way of contacting march in any way and as much as he tries to budge, he remains where he is.

months might have already passed and dan heng could only reflect how much of a troubling life he got to experience.

that is until a pair of red shoes comes into his view.

the man made of tin cannot bring his head up to see who is messing with his parts but he prays to himself that the newcomers are simply just trying to help his pathetic position.

and next thing he knows, he's functioning again! what a surprise!

dan heng doesn't miss a second to offer his gratitude for the oil he was provided.

but before he even tries, he's taken aback by the beauty you hold as you were explaining you were just passing by with sampo the scarecrow with the help of the yellow brick road to get to the wizard. also explaining you were helping sampo in the process as you'd do anything for people in need.

"you have a beautiful heart," dan heng thinks to himself.

he is surprise to think of this coming from his own mind and seeing that he himself doesn't have one of his own.

at least, that's what he thought he has done as he fails to notice the creeping color of red on your face, matching the shoes you wore.

it fades quickly as dan heng humbly requests if he could come, practically silently pleading to whoever is listening that you accept.

thankfully, your kindness allows to agree.

the journey is much more bearable with your company after that.

everything you do in full willingness, even if it's the bare minimum, is enough to encourage dan heng to get that heart from the wizard of oz no matter what.

what he doesn't know, is that he has already gotten one from the fact he has unknowingly fell in love with you.

gepard as the cowardly lion

for someone who's supposedly a "vicious" "feline" with not much courage, it takes not even a fool to realize how much of a sweetheart gepard is.

at least, that was established after being ambushed by the big blonde whom tried to inflict fear on the current party you had going on.

poor pompom having to deal with the fact he was the main target being the smallest.

regardless of such attempt, gepard was secretly frighten by the unexpected retaliation lil pompom pulls back at him without much effort.

you, already exhausted enough from the bs sampo and dan heng does with each other, decides to put an end to the one sided battle going on with the lion and rabbit.

pompom, at long last, stops beating the poor feline and lets you do your thing with what you've already done with all the strays you've been picking up.

putting in his place by placing yourself in front of gepard, staring back into his blue eyes, you decided to execute the only idea you had.

you boop his nose, catching everyone off guard.

"you are nothing but a big coward," you tell him without missing a heartbeat.

still looking back at each other, gepard lets out a sigh of defeat.

"i am painfully aware of that," he frowns.

he explains that he's both a younger and older brother to two sisters whom he cares about so much and they're practically both the main reason why he wants to be much courageous.

he'd sacrifice everything for the sake of their safety, so until he learns a thing or two, he promises to not comeback to them until then.

so he tries to train himself by being scarier in some way or another.

even if it means attacking strangers out of the blue. what a big dumbie i am so in love with him.

"there are many things i can do and cannot. the very least thing i should attempt is prove to myself that i can find the heart and not be the coward i have been my whole life."

you're practically shaking inside hearing his chivalric sentiment.

while no longer a threat despite not being one in the first place, the honesty he holds convinces you to urge him to join your party.

unlike the other two, it's really you this time who's trying to appeal to gepard the idea of heading to the wizard of welt.

"is that right? you wish for me to come with your pack? that's very kind of you but wouldn't i just cause harm such as earlier?"

you tell him that as long as he can apologize to pompom, who seems to still hold a petty grudge, no hard feelings will remain.

gepard smiles at you softly, admiring the valor you've shown him even if it's in your way.

there's no way for him to decline your offer at this point.

he vows to keep you all safe no matter the dangers that'll try to stop, despite how scared he still is deep inside.

you hug him immediately without much thought when he expresses his confirmation.

it's extremely bold of you, yes, but gepard doesn't mind.

he hopes he can return it asap when he gains the courage he hopes for.

[crocheting-cupio]

Queer Resources!

This is by no means a complete list and it's something I will keep adding to and improving. If you have any helpful links not listed here, please send them my way!

Please reblog this post, as you never know who may desperately need one of these resources. Feel free to share individual links with friends/family as well. Knowledge is power, after all!

General:

Online safety guide for queer people This guide is extremely thorough, having sections for being online while queer in general, dating online, navigating the workplace, advice for queer people under 18, and more. If you grew up online and think you don't need to read any of this, I am begging you to read it. There's always something you don't know, something you won't think to do in a stressful situation. Please, please read through it all. Safety first!

Coming out handbook by The Trevor Project (PDF) A downloadable PDF walking you through the coming out process. It's a bit long, but well worth reading even if you have come out already to friends and/or family. It is very supportive of you, the reader, so it is wonderful if you feel unsure or nervous about your identity.

Quick guide for coming out (nonbinary focused) This is a briefer guide for if you or someone else just needs an overview of the process. It doesn't focus as much on the emotional support part and more on the logistics of coming out. So this one is good if you're very confident in your identity and just need to come out.

Pronouns and names:

Pronoun Dressing Room This site lets you try different pronouns AND names for yourself. You can fill the text fields with literally anything you want. It also has lots of neopronoun presets, organized alphabetically and by theme. To "try on" pronouns and names it uses a simple example paragraph where someone talks to their friend about meeting you. But there is also sections of public domain books where your name and pronouns replace the main characters'.

Pronouns Page This site allows you to make a "card" that lists all your names, flags/identities, pronouns, and terms you want used for you, as well as your preferences for/feelings about of them. It is highly customizable, you can add neopronouns, nounself pronouns, and emoji pronouns. You can even make separate cards for other languages. These cards can be easily shared with others and linked in profiles. It is also a huge resource for terminology, definitions and descriptions of identities, and how pronouns have been and are used in culture and fiction. There's also a full calendar of awareness days/week, appreciation days/weeks, and days of remembrance.

List of nonbinary names These are organized into separate pages by first letter. It includes non-English names, gives origin and meaning for each name, and, perhaps most helpfully, includes how often that name is used as a feminine or masculine name. Even if you are not nonbinary, this can still be helpful in choosing a new name. Personally I found this page infinitely more helpful than going to baby name lists, which are often split by gender and don't have as much for gender neutral names.

Gender:

The Nonbinary Wiki home page This wiki is an invaluable resource, I'm not exaggerating. It has almost everything you would want to know about gender, sexuality, and romantic attraction. It has who made the flags, their meanings, when terms were coined, archived posts, the history of identities, sub identities and micro labels... everything. I will note that understandably, the info for binary gender experiences on this wiki is limited.

List of (common) nonbinary identities This list gives descriptions, history, and more for every common gender identity that isn't strictly the binary female/woman or male/man. Almost every one of these identities has its own dedicated page which goes into further detail. And this list includes nonbinary identities that have existed in non-European and non-American cultures for centuries, or even thousands of years.

List of uncommon nonbinary identities This is a huge and detailed compilation of identities that have as little as one person known to use that label. It also has links to the original or archived posts where the term was coined, if available. This page can be used as something to help you figure out what you like and what you don't like in terms of gender identity. And you never know, the perfect label for you could be in here.

Legal recognition of transgender and nonbinary people by country This page details how inclusive, or exclusive, countries are to trans and nonbinary people. Such as if they allow "X" for gender/sex on ID and passports, what is required to have it changed, and how easy or difficult it is to change your legal name. Canada, the UK, and the USA have dedicated pages for this that go into further detail and provide more resources.

Romance and sexuality:

List of romantic and sexual orientations (nonbinary focused) This list does include common ones like lesbian, but also includes rare identities such as Aquian, being attracted only to people who's gender changes. As I said this is focused on orientations that do not assume you are a binary gender, the people you are attracted to are a binary gender, or that your gender is connected to your sexuality.

AUREA (The Aromantic-spectrum Union for Recognition, Advocacy, and Education) AUREA is not very large right now, but what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality. It has a large glossary of romantic, aromantic, queerplatonic, and other related terms. Which includes rare terms and identities under the aromantic umbrella. They have downloadable PDFs with basic info on aromanticism, as well as links to research that has been done on aromanticism.

Guide to Aromanticism This contains basic info about aromanticism, and "Am I Aro?" questioning section, and links to aro creators. Reading through the whole thing shouldn't take more than half an hour.

Allosexual Aromantic resources This site links to a wide variety of resources by, for, and information on allo-aros. There's terminology guides, how to write allo-aro characters, how to be a good ally towards allo-aros, essays, and fiction featuring allo-aro characters.

AVEN (The Asexual Visibility and Education Network) This is a wonderful resource for information on asexuality. It has a thorough FAQ section for both people questioning and friends/family who have questions and concerns about asexualism.

Asexual Perspectives This is a community blog where people can write about their experiences as asexuals. These posts are incredibly validating and eye-opening and I strongly recommend you read them.

The Gray Area This is a quick FAQ about greysexualism and demisexualism that is for questioning, allies, and people unfamiliar with greysexualism.

AVEN Forms AVEN hosts a form where asexuals, and people who once identified as asexual, can talk about their experiences.

An Asexual's Guide To... This is a brief sex ed taught from an asexual perspective. Which is to say it does not automatically assume you are interested in sexual activities and have some experience feeling sexual attraction. Even if you aren't asexual, it can be quite helpful in understanding the experience. It does not teach you much about the actual having sex part, though. It focuses more on being comfortable with yourself and your body. It is also inclusive to intersex people. (This guide has no pictures, if you were worried about that.)

Setting sexual boundaries with a partner list This is not queer specific but still helpful as it does not assume the sexual relationship is between the two binary sexes/genders and still works if you are intersex. To cut down the paragraphs at the beginning, this is a list of sexual and romantic actions and behaviours. You are supposed to assign a yes, maybe, no, or not applicable to everything on this list to indicate if you are willing, unsure, or will not do those things. It is suggested you go through it with your partner, but you can fill it out alone to figure out your preferences. This list/guide can be useful if you have sexual trauma and/or have had an abusive partner in the past and need to communicate what may trigger you.

[wolfhidewinter]

I was wondering how does shipping work? I thought I read 10 pounds worldwide, but is that limited to some countries, or is it a case to case thing? I'm from south america and was considering ordering one to arrive on the usa when I visit for holiday, but if it's the same price, I might simply have it to my house. It does sound strange though that the fee stays the same, so I'm asking here

Hello, worldwide is anywhere outwith the UK or Europe. The shipping cost ranges anywhere from £7 - £11+ depending on the country I send it to as it's weight specific. Due to sending packages of varying weights and covering the costs of packaging materials and time, I made worldwide a blanket £10 which covers the vast majority of overseas countries. It would be too difficult to guesstimate per country the exact cost involved down to a tee due to parcels fluctuating depending on what products people buy. They all do fit in the 'large letter' category though across the board which starts the shipping at a higher amount. Hope that helps :) if you have any more questions feel free to ask! Edit: The USA for instance averages about £9.20 (if more than a book is bought), just for shipping, without including packaging etc ________________________________________________________ On the topic of shipping costs as this was totally new to me. Depending on the service you use here you have weight categories and the lowest (and cheapest) weight here caps out at 100g (the book weighs more than that lol), so I'm pushed into the next category which has an upper limit of 750g and a height of 1 inch on packages. They also add on costs for the type of delivery after you've worked out their base charge and the weight charge. I opted for heavy duty cardboard mailers because I know the postal service isn't overly kind in transit to things that look like they shouldn't be bent (which also adds extra weight). The absolute cheapest I can send things for would be via standard economy which is basically 'your parcel might arrive in the next 90 days, who knows'. I go for the higher cost for Standard delivery which has a 3-5 busines day aim for Europe and 6-7 days for the rest of the world. It's still often over this aim just due to backlog in certain countries and strikes etc. I know this is a lot of waffle for a simple question but I like to be as transparent as possible and also help people understand shipping processes :D This is just my personal experience with it so far this year. Also the packing process is done by meeee by myself. I have to manually take the info from the shop to open online address labels, fill in a spreadsheet with the items from the order to make sure everything is correct before I take it to the other room to pack it all, weigh each parcel, then come back to sort the postage and customs information for each order to make sure it satisfies a countries importing criteria. then I pay and print the labels and have to go back through to match them all up. And my favourite part is where I go stand in the post office and watch a grumpy af worker lament their frustration at having to scan and enter the post codes of each parcel cause of course I only exist to make their job harder.

[acaiasahi]

✶ glue song ; byun euijoo.

synopsis. if you could, both you and euijoo would rather spend tonight and the rest of your days together if you had the chance.

info. fluff ; byun euijoo x gn!reader ; 529 words.

warnings. mentions of alcohol, physical touch / cuddling, spelling / grammar errors.

[ now playing . . . ] the glue song by beabadoobee.

euijoo's eyes glance around the living room filled with all your lively friends, watching how your lips turn into toothy grin. it's big and goofy, and he can't help but mirror your expression as you intently listen to the other boy's banter.

it's not like he's paying much attention though, his eyes glued to you, and only you. the moonlight that emits from the window behind you shines softly. he thinks about how the lining it surrounds you with further proves just how pretty you are in any condition of the day.

k's voice snaps him out of his loving haze, the pink tint taking over his vision slowly fading as he pretends to listen to whatever you and his friends are muttering over.

"okay, what about you euijoo? you barely talked," everyone glances at him curiously as a soft coral tint blooms along the apple of his cheeks. "sorry, what were we talking about?" he asks bashfully, hand rubbing the nape of his neck, obviously embarrassed.

there's scattered laughter bouncing off the walls, "you haven't told us about your crush yet. everyone went already," you answer nonchalantly, almost missing the way his blush turns darker upon hearing your words.

he rolls his eyes before nicholas gives him a tiny shove, "c'mon bro, just say it!" the other boys nagging along as they await his answer.

he watches how your eyes trail back to him, "are they pretty?" you ask curiously, reaching over him to take a sip from his red solo cup full of lychee soju. his gaze follows you closely, eyes locking with yours over the edge of the cup as you take a long sip.

"very," he replies breathlessly before looking around the room.

biting back a knowing grin, you continue to drink from his cup before placing it back in front of him. it doesn't take long for the other boys to change the subject, practically leaving you and euijoo alone in your own world as you shoot heart eyes at one another.

"hey, i'm gonna go outside for some fresh air," you announce quickly before glancing at the shaggy-haired boy. you gesture your head towards the door, silently asking him to come along. he gets up hesitantly before following suit.

closing the door behind him, he looks over to see you sitting on the porch steps, practically curling into yourself in search of warmth. puffs of hot air meeting the frosty night sky. euijoo silently takes a seat next to you, sitting a bit closer than normal friends would.

you both stay silent and as you lean your head upon his shoulder, snuggling into it slightly as you try to get comfortable, euijoo swears you can hear his heartbeat pick up.

"thanks for coming with me," you say quiety, teeth chattering slightly due to the biting cold weather. he hums in response before lazily placing his head atop yours. "i think you're the only person i want to be with right now."

your words catch him off guard but he hums again, wrapping an arm around your shoulders and pulling you closer.

"i think you're the only person i wanna be stuck with too."

★ &team taglist. @kflixnet / @k-labels

jaydi's notes. been trying to get back into writing after everything that's been going on. i miss my uncle n ever since he passed, i've been trying my best to do what i love n ik he would want me to continue doing what i'm doing right now so ig u can say that this one's for him. miss u lots uncle <3 hope ur slayin up in heaven :P

© acaiasahi 2023 all rights reserved. copying, translating, and reposting is prohibited.

[klaineccfanficlibrary]

Sorry. Couldn't fill the whole Klaine bingo card, but here are a few favorites

2. The Discovery of Him by scatterthestars

3.) Solid Gold by Heartsmadeofbooks

4.) Guard My Heart by scatterthestars

5.) Vicious by Kirakiwi

8.) You're Buggin' Me by MadAs_AHatter

9.) Hummel’s Home for Non-Conforming Adolescents by BeautifulUnseen

Thank you so much Anon for joining in - your recommendations have been added to the relevant collections on AO3. HERE is the info about the 2023 Klaine Bingo. Here is the current 2023 Klaine Bingo Collection!!

~Jen

2) The Discovery of Him by @scatter-the-stars

Can one night change everything?

3) Solid Gold by @heartsmadeofbooks 

Ten years after breaking his engagement to Blaine, Kurt’s life isn’t the fairy tale he once hoped for. Forced to leave New York, he goes looking for a second chance, not expecting to find it in the town he always wanted to run away from, or with the man whose heart he shattered.

4) Guard My Heart by @scatter-the-stars

The kiss isn't meant to change his life. But for Kurt, that's what happens when he kisses basketball star Blaine Anderson. Not wanting to concern himself with the guy, he focuses on going back to his normal life and saving a place he loves. When Blaine starts to show up in his life, he tries to ignore the feelings he stirs up in him. That's easier said than done, and Kurt soon finds himself falling for someone unexpected.

5) Vicious by Kirakiwi

When Blaine's life takes a dramatic U-turn, he decides to focus his attention on work at a record label. He gets his dream project with the band The Lima Losers, a punk rock band fronted by Kurt Hummel who has an in-your-face attitude and the talent to back it up. However, when he's not dazzling crowds, he's flirting shamelessly with his producer and causing all sorts of trouble.

8) You're Buggin' Me by MadAs_AHatter

On their way home from the pumpkin patch, Blaine takes a short cut that leads them to a sketchy motel in the middle of nowhere. In their attempt to make the best of things, they come across some unexpected visitors.

9) Hummel's Home for Non-Conforming Adolescents by BeautifulUnseen

Blaine Anderson had learned from the time he was marked as Non-Conforming that his life would never go according to plan. Still, the last thing he expected was Hummel’s Home and its head boy Kurt, who had, against all odds, escaped the same fate. Dystopian AU.

[dolliecworpse]

Aaaa I just discovered this blog and it's really interesting! I don't know too much about xenogenders/neopronouns since they kind of get me very overwhelmed due to my need to Absolutely understand everything and categorize/label stuff when I'm in a community (ex: fandoms, archetypes, tropes) so this might be a dumb question but.. what exactly are titles and what are they used for? And how should someone go about when making a gender-system? I'm asking because I plan on making one for a story and don't really know how to go about it.. anyways, so sorry for this dumb ask! I hope you're well and have a amazing day or night!!! Keep up the great work!!

there are no dumb questions here!! i’ll put the two explanations under the cut since it’z kinda long. sorri abt that! the gender systems i mention have alreadi been created, and i’ve linked them where i mention them if you wanna check them out!!

okk so titles are basicalli a name that describes someone or a certain aspect of them. does that make sense? it’s kinda like a name or pronouns in that they can give someone euphoria and they’re a way of describing a person. like a realli simple one that’z used outside the mogai communiti bc it’s an actual like position would be the prince!! more creative titles that aren’t used in day-to-day life might be “the creator of the heavens” or “(pronoun) who creates life.” these are more creative and descriptive than just a “job” title (i put in quotes bc i’m not sure if being a prince is considered a job LOL. but a more job-like one would be the baker). but yeah, they’re p much used as one would use a name or a pronoun, which is to address people.

as for gender systems, there are a few things that are considered sort of…gender system etiquette, shall we say?

1) think of the concept you want to convey. do you want a gender system where one’s gender is decorated with smth (genderdecorated)? or maybe one where one’s gender is related to certain fonts (genderfont)? then take that idea and turn it into a single word. most gender systems don’t have commonli seen gender endings like -ic or -gender, but just the word. am i making ani sense? i hope so 😅

2) take that word and put gender in front of it!! like with genderdecorated and genderfont. people will replace the word gender with the concept (or with genderfont it’z the font name) name of their choosing. like for example, if they want to coin a gender under the genderdecorated gender system where one’s gender is decorated in cuteness, it would be known as cutedecorated.

3) before we go ani further, check to see if the gender system alreadi exists!!!! look up gender_ in the tumblr search bar, and if nothing comes up, you’re probabli good to go!!

4) the next step is creating the flag template. try to make a unique flag template outside of just straight stripes, if possible. if you’re not sure how to do that, check out this quick tutorial here. if you have ani questions regarding this step, feel free to send in another ask!! below is the greyscale color palette i use for my templates. ik it looks boring, but people will use the template as a base and recolor it! this is commonli done w the bucket tool, but there’s probabli other methods. aniways, here’s the palette. simpli put an image layer into your canvas with this as an image and sample out the colors so that you can use them in your flag!!

ignore the colors above and below the greyscale line, i could onli crop it sm </3 keep in mind that you don’t need to use all of these colors in your template!!! they’re just there if you need them.

5) craft the definition, adding in blanks for people to fill in with the concept they want. for more info on what i mean, check out the coining posts to the gender systems i’ve mentioned above (dw, they’re linked!!) or check out any of my gender system coining posts, which can all be found linked in the pinned post of @bloodygendersystems !! sorri that i’m not great at explaining this part. it’z probabli just best to look at examples.

6) this part is optional, but it’z helpful for people who may want to coin under your gender system. upload your flag template(s) to deviantart!! when saving flag templates straight from tumblr, they get a bit blurri, making them harder to recolor. if this has ever happened to anibodi reading this, dw!! i got you. upload the flag you’ve saved from tumblr to this upscaler website, click the highest upscale option available to you, fill out the captcha, click download, and voilà! it should be readi for you to recolor!! ik the website name is kinda weird, but it’z upscale power is unmatched. i’ve also seen other people use it without issue so it should be good!!! i think it’z also an app, but i’ve onli ever used the website.

7) post your gender system!! if you plan on coining ani genders under your gender system, add the names of them into the post so people know not to coin those ones!! you could say smth like “planning to coin x, y, and z, so please don’t coin those unless i get overwhelmed and say you can.” some people might reblog with genders they’re going to coin as well, so make a mental note not to coin those ones.

i think that’z everithing? lmk if i’m forgetting ani important steps 😅

[countlessrealities]

What are some things you worry about in terms of new people?

Anxious Munday Meme

I think the question should be "what are some things you DON'T worry about in terms of new people" xD That would be a shorter list for sure 🤷

Kidding aside, since I'm a socially awkward introvert, "new people" as a whole is something I worry about whenever I get a new mutual. I'm never sure of how to approach, what boundaries to set, how much is too much (of everything and anything), and so on. At times, the person's rules help a lot when it comes to giving me directions, but they still leave plenty of questions on my part unanswered.

I think that my main concerns are:

Why the person chose to follow me, as in which of my muses they are interested in. I have an interest checker, but most people don't fill it, leaving me at loss on what characters have caught their fancy.

Is this someone who is alright with OOC communication? Are they expecting me to reach out first? Or would they rather get an ice breaker first? ...And this last question brings me back to the point above. My interest checker provides me this sort of info, but if the person doesn't fill it, I'm completely at loss.

Whether or not the other person will find me a little too...eccentric. I've always been the weirdo in my family & friend groups, even when I was a kid, so I know for sure that I come off as odd to plenty of people, when I'm not putting on a more proper façade. It's not a huge concern, but at times I worry that I might drop the charade a little too soon and spook off the other person (it happened a few times).

Getting caught in and/or accidentally starting drama...sort of. Some people have rather...radical ideas about fiction and I'm openly radical about how much I think said ideas are bullshit, so... considering that this is The Internet™, it takes very little for some folks to start calling you names and label you as a "problematic" or "unsafe" person (this has happened to me too).

...I guess I could suck this up as my past experiences feeding my natural tendency towards social anxiety. These days, I'm far less susceptible and much more cynical than I used to be, so yeah, I get anxious, but if anything of the above happens, I can shrug it off easily enough. Still, that doesn't change how unpleasant it is to have to deal with some of that crap.

[silver-wield]

um sorry my memory is a bit hazy and it's been a long time since I played OG. But I see this thing about cloud getting his heart beat by aerith? Was that from the actual game? Or was it from the outer sources like the novels or such? Like what was even the context? Sorry I could search for it on my own but all I see are divided debates and well cleriths. For some reason I felt like I'm being indoctrinated if I read those because well its complicated but in general I didn't see the same cloud I knew from their interpretation...it was weird. So uh if possible can you fill me in on that? Because maybe I'm forgetting something important?

I'm not sure what you mean. If it's the "doki doki" garbage, that comes from Toriyama saying in a comment during the park scene that Cloud's heart went doki doki and he had complicated feelings and dumdums took it to mean Cloud was jealous of Zack and fell in love with Aerith.

We ruined their lives the day we found asset files for sector 7 for Cloud and Tifa labelled "doki doki Tifa" 🤣

If it's about OG, then it's probably some garbage from dismantled or Maiden. Those are the only two sources cleriths care about, even though they're not sources and not accurate in the slightest. The ultimanias and Nojima's novels disprove everything in both.

It's really not worth listening to cleriths. They haven't played the game and hate everything about it except for Cloud's face. If you want accurate info then it's safer to check with clotis. People scream we're biased, but we're not the ones messing up translations to push a busted agenda. I've literally never shared a single page without the source and always been honest about what's in them because I'm not a racist who's scared of canon.