#crier one and crier two respectively

[chanrizard]

240831 | © unico190402

[a-dumb-sarcastic-bisexual]

I’m gonna keep writing Nimona headcanons til someone stops me cause they’ve taken over my life

Ambrosius was forced to suppress his emotions basically his whole life 

He used to be one of those guys who would say shit like “I haven’t cried in 15 years”

But not as like a weird subtle brag just as stating a fact which made it more depressing 

Once the wall came down it’s like the floodgates opened this man will cry when he’s happy sad angry stressed 

You name it he’s crying 

And he’s not a pretty crier either which is funny cause there is a whole compilation of “Ambrosius being unreasonably photogenic” 

Bal was the typical crybaby growing up 

He was constantly bullied for it and it only got worse when he was at the institute 

A lot of his classmates and teachers would try and be “helpful” and give him tips to stop crying  

Ambrosius was the only one who encouraged him to cry and deal with all his emotions 

It’s pretty rare to see Bal cry now but it happens occasionally when he’s sad or stressed or really happy  

Seeing Nimona cry is a rare phenomenon 

Bal and Ambrosius have only ever seen her cry four times 

The first was when they were on Gloreth’s statue at the end of the movie, the second Gloreth’s statue was fully taken down, the third was when the adoption paperwork was finalized and the fourth was their wedding 

But she denies it literally every single time 

Pinky promises are sacred for the trio

Back when the boys were training they would only make pinky promises about big things 

And if they broke those promises there would be big consequences like giving up your dessert for two months 

It was a habit that Bal subconsciously passed onto Nimona 

The trio never really talked about it but there was a silent mutual understanding that they held weight

The first pink promise Ambrosius ever made was right after Nimona started trusting him and had enough respect for him to hold a conversation without hissing 

And he swore that he would never consciously hurt Bal or Nimona again 

Nimona made a joke about that being a big promise to make 

And Ambrosius said “That’s why it’s a pinky promise”

I feel like Bal and Ambrosius never tried to hide their relationship the kingdom is just stupid 

They were highly encouraged by the staff and family to keep it under wraps but they said fuck that noise I wanna hold my boyfriend's hand in public 

The fellow knights in training knew something was up but they didn’t figure it out until the wall fell

Todd was the most outspoken when they first started dating he used to go around and tell people “No one looks at their bro like that”

After a while they stopped giving a fuck and they didn’t really have enough time or energy to ask because they were too busy getting their asses handed to them by the boys 

A lot of citizens had this weird misconception that they had this heated and bitter rivalry 

There were entire articles written about how they were “The rivals of the century” 

And the boys would get together and dramatically read every single one of them

Whenever the boys were in a bad mood they would reference the articles like this 

“Hey sunshine did you know I joined the institute specifically to dethrone you?” “You know what moonbeam I didn’t but thanks for telling me” 

“Bal I just want you to know that I am utterly seething at the cruel defeat by your hand” “Oh I’m so sorry love I’ll make sure to kick your ass nicer next time”

[kimbureh]

idk man, online fandom is just not the place for me.

"reblog my art/writing!!!11" "I'll block people who only like my stuff but don't reblog"

this is so intense. I have zero interest in talking to people who are trying to bully me into promoting them. It's as if people are saying:

"If you don't comment on people's fanwork, fandom will die because of you, specifically"

I get it, attention is nice. I'm a creator too. And it's true that current social media isn't conducive of creating and maintaining communities. But you don't build a community with aggression against your own audience.

I don't wanna hang out with people who yell at me about how they don't get enough attention. You're blaming the audience when the real problem goes way, way deeper, and this behavior of prioritizing content promotion over actual human connection is actually part of the issue. Urging people to reblog your stuff may grant you exposure, but it sure doesn't make you any friendships, at least not mine.

-

A few years back, I wanted to refine my comedic writing and started a whacky Fallout 4 blog long after the fandom had seen its peak. I knew there wouldn't be a large audience, but I wanted to see what would happen. Long story short, I regularly invited my followers to send asks I would answer in-character, and honestly had so much fun. I never bullied my audience for only liking and not reblogging. To the contrary; I respect my audience and their prerogative to decide for themselves what they do want to share on their blogs and what they don't. It's *their* blogs. I cannot grasp the audacity of some creators to demand space on people's personal blogs. I really can't.

I only had the Fallout blog for like 8 months and got more audience attention than I could deal with at times. I had such a blast, getting asks, replying to them, building in-jokes with my followers. I ended the blog with a small event and was met with a flood of lovely comments and good-byes. Today, four years later, I post on that blog maybe one or two times a year. And even though most of my followers unfollowed me when I ended the blog, I still get the occasional lovely comment. After four years, people still remember the great time we had.

Good thing I didn't block all those wonderful people who mainly liked but didn't reblog. Word got around nonetheless. I found the audience I was looking for. Dunno if I would have had the same relaxed experience with a crowd who was bullied into the interaction.

-

idk, man. What is online fandom?

I don't like how we treat each other. Fandom is not a marketplace. I am not selling myself or my creations, I want to treat you better than a simple customer. At its heart, fandom is a gift economy. You don't owe me a thing. If you don't want to give freely, I won't take it with force. I respect you and myself too much for that.

I think we can still find our people in fandom, without exploiting our audience as market-criers.

[beheadable]

So. The rundown, and an explanation on why I kinda look not great in the photos lol

Long ass post warning

So, we get to the con, we're getting our barrings, wondering where the actor guests are and end up happening upon them in the back l've been vaguely nauseous all day. I see him and try so desperately not to dig my nails into my mom's hand after catching a glimpse of him. Nerves, excitement, little bit of awe because beautiful man hahah

Anyway, maybe three people in line counting us, we wait a second it gets to us and he's like "hey, l'm sorry I gotta do photo ops in like ten minutes I don’t want to rush you guys. But it’ll be like ten fifteen minutes and you guys can come back?” and mom and I are like no worries! He’s so courteous about it and it actually really eased my nerves a little

We walk around! We go back, he’s there and there’s one person there so I’m like okay! Great! I’m not the first one walkin’ up! So we wait a second I’m trying to get my shit together so I can speak coherently and somewhat confidently and not end up quiet like usual, it’s awful sometimes. Anyway! I do great! Normal human I don’t sound weird or however like an alien I feel (I cannot express how much I am not built to do shit like this). I gave him the drawing first thing and through it all was a blur but mom said he called it brilliant twice <3 I don’t doubt my skills but it is still, vulnerable. This one was never intended to be seen by him nor literally gifted to him, I poured a lot of reverence into it I probably wouldn’t have otherwise if I did it with the knowledge that he WOULD see it (difference between, ‘I want this to look nice because he’s going to see it’ and ‘I’m drawing beautiful man for myself :]’)

It’s photo time, I hand mom my bag and the lady at the table (most if not all the actor’s tables had a convention employee with them) took like ten photos. I initially tried to keep a respectful distance because like, I don’t know, I’m not gonna go in for a full side hug or whatever but immediately I get squeezed right into him. Good god. Not to be weird or crazy or whatever whatever but I will never forget how that felt. Or he feels. Or any of that. Yes he is as boney and solid as I imagined <3 but just that like ‘you’re real, and sweet’ is what’s getting me. and. Well, mom said it first but it is true with how firm of a squeeze I got, my future boyfriend has a touch to live up to 😤 (I do wish I was mostly joking, but I’m mostly serious). Truly, I scrunched up in surprise and it took a minute to even fully comprehend the fact I’ve been fully tucked into his shoulder. Gonna feel that hand on my arm forever! Not a bad squeeze! The perfect squeeze, to me .

He is genuinely so so lovely and I’m so glad I actually did this. And shoutout to my mom for being the reason I’m here. And for confirming afterwards to me that I did, in fact, not come off as nervous and excited as I actually was and that I handled it well (I was still clearly very happy to be here, obviously, just, chill about it) (I do not think I will handle any situation well ever)

I’m not proofreading any of this tonight I want to go finish typing up my. Journal. Before I pass out. But. I’m happy! I still have two more days, and I’m chill, excited to continue to have a great time with my mom and enjoy my first weekend away from the grandparents in. Two months

Art I gave him……. I do love this one a lot. And!! In lieu of a ‘proper’ autograph (that was an accident but I truly don’t care) the 31 quote I am going to get tattooed on my arm as soon as I can <3 another reason I kinda had to gift him some art of mine… something of ‘me’ to give to him in return of something of his (handwriting) that will end up on me

I’ll cry about this at some point. I wanted to earlier but I was still at the con and I am such an ugly crier it’s awful. Honestly still surprised how emotional this all made me

[lotannawrites]

StackedCon - VanKuva Edition

The Founder's Review

"The Sustainabale Runway"

Respectful Discourse: I encourage respectful discussion and welcome differing opinions. Fashion is a dynamic and evolving art form, and dialogue fosters growth and understanding within the industry. This journal article is my review of the Stacked Fashion Conventions Sustainable Fashion Expo, highlighting the production process and my personal experiences and observations.

StackedCon Vancouver I would say that producing a fashion convention in Vancity was long overdue. Imagining the event production process in Vancouver was quite different from the actual experience, especially when working within a niche in the production sector and in a new city. It can be a daunting task. An organized mind is needed for proper planning and execution, but apart from a singular mind, brains must touch. Producing something in a new space cannot be done alone, no matter your experience.

When having pre-event discussions with the proposed team, I was considering my experience from my last two shows while talking to them about the organization of this event. They literally did not want to hear about it. I distinctly remember hearing Seyithepoet ringing in my ear, "Bobo, this is not ABJ," meaning this event was not like the ones I had done in the city before. This prompted me to grind like never before.

New scene, new character.

The Production Experience

As soon as the production process started, I learned that entering a new scene involves a process of adaptive learning, and working with people from diverse backgrounds can significantly shape an event producer's perspective. Taking note of individual experiences and ideas was also very important, as it created a foundation for communicative collaborations.

I also realized that effective communication is the foundation of almost all processes. Constantly informing everyone about the next step and what they need to know along the way is crucial, albeit challenging. People can easily become lost if they aren't informed about even the smallest details. This experience taught me not to expect too much from others and to communicate like a town crier.

In embracing this approach, I found peace in the clarity it brought, reinforcing the power of patience and communication.

Pre-event doings

The collaborative spirit of everyone involved in this process still amazes me. I digress. Prior to the event date, there was much to be done in preparation and promotion. Like planting seeds before a harvest, careful planning and nurturing were essential for the best outcome. A lot of deadlines were set for shoots, rehearsals, and team meetings. Organizing a schedule for each step was crucial. So much compassion was needed from me, as many people put their time and effort into being part of this event. There is a profound impact of shared commitment and hard work, underscoring the strength of our collective effort. The production team killed it.

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

July 13th 2024 - Event Day

After all the planning and running around, I told myself that I needed to experience this event not only as an organizer but also as an attendee. Being part of the team behind the scenes was rewarding, but experiencing the event from the perspective of someone who came to explore and see what the production team accomplished was the main experience I didn’t want to miss. I secured a front-row seat, which allowed me to experience the runway live and witness the entire production up close. It was a unique experience; I felt uneasy sitting idle and not working. However, it was profoundly impactful, especially seeing the event from both perspectives—as an organizer and a guest. I was also very observant, taking note of individual attendee and team experiences. I made sure to lay the groundwork for attracting loyal and regular invitees and crew, so that if I were to host another event in the city, I wouldn’t fall short of past successes. My goal was to make the best of this event while setting the pace for future ones, ensuring continued interest in the Stacked Fashion Convention. This dual perspective allowed me to fully appreciate both aspects of the event and take notes on any mistakes or areas for improvement. While the event was successful and met its objectives, there is still room for enhancement. I thank God for making this possible.

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

Closing

With heartfelt gratitude, I seize this moment to extend formal appreciation and recognition to the exceptional event production team of the third edition of STACKED FASHION CONVENTION, the sustainable runway. I’d also like to take a moment to formally appreciate the Stacked 2024 models, team members, and collaborators.

To all the attendees of Stacked Fashion Convention Vancouver, thank you for patronizing the event and coming to this edition. To every production team member and collaborator, whether mentioned or not, your unwavering dedication is invaluable. Your passion and commitment brought the vision to life, creating unforgettable moments and leaving an indelible mark on all who attended. Thank you for your invaluable contributions and steadfast commitment to excellence. And to you, the readers, thank you for taking the time to delve into my review. Your interest and engagement are greatly appreciated.

Signing out.  The messenger of peace,

Lotanna Uzomah

[noir-raven]

Stane, The Disgrace

---------

As with my other Inquisition models so far - Stane is rather old, and built by me and painted by a friend

---------

Stane began his youth as a ganger in the Apis Alvius underhive. While working for the gang, he posed as a PDF officer and snuck into the upper hive. In a twist of fate, he ended up being drafted into the Apis 15th guardsman regiment.

Stane was quite successful in the regiment - never quite making the command company, but he was well respected overall. He had taken the drafting as an opportunity to turn his life around.

He never quite lost his old habits - during one campaign, he found himself receiving Amasec rations for the officers and comissars. He snuck out a bottle for himself. It would have gone fine, except for one of the men he shared the stole alcohol with confessed. The commander wanted death for Stane, but he fled during the night, escaping offworld on a farmer's delivery.

Back in the underhive, he was given an advance in rank in his gang and took on trainer duties for the new Juvies. During an operation, the gang found an archeodome, and broke in while the Officials around the dome were performing their shift change. Stane was the only member who found anything - a silk lined box containing a pair of ancient bolt pistols. He knew how to use them, thanks to his training.

Their leader had other ideas - Stane was forced to sell the pistols to a black market trader, making the gang rich but making him extremely angry. Stane broke into the trader, stole the Pistols back, and fled.

News of the sale and break in spread rapidly in the underhive - it wasnt every day paired archeotech was sold and then went missing. Borislav, one of Orion's acolytes, went hunting for these pistols during the Inquisitor's operations on Apis Alvius. Borislav eventually found Stane, and over some alcohol, convinced the now old ganger to join up with Orion's inquisition.

Stane welcomed the change - seeing it as a chance of reliving his glory days in the guard. He is skilled at the nature of orks in particular, and often is near on hand to Orion during operations against them.

Stane still carries his two pistols with him at all times - Even sleeping with them in his bunk. For some reason, he has become obsessed with them, going as far as to name them "Herald" and "Crier."

[notgonnaedit]

Given to Fly

Deus Ex Machina

Summary: Martha "Marty" Thorne was a basic teenager, a little antisocial maybe. But her life changed the day she met the Autobots and joined them in their fight.

Pairing: Optimius x Teen!OFC (Platonic)

Chapter summary: Ancient Greeks and Cybertronian artifacs?

Warnings: Canon-typical violence, Marty and Miko being trouble makers, Knockout and Breakdown first appearance, plot twist, (If I miss a tag LMK)

Updates are sporadic. If you want to be tagged LMK

@dreamsight73

A/n: couldn't find a gif so have a picrew of Marty

Master list

Marty sat in her desk, staring blankly at the history book in front of her. The assignment was to read pages 5 through 155.

Assignment, more like torture. Of course, it was detention. But in Marty's eyes, the punishment was totally worth it.

Marty's locker was slammed shut by someone besides her. She turned to see a girl from her class. Angeline Matthews. Tall, ravenette, top of her class. She had never liked Marty, but the brunette couldn't have cared less.

"What was that back in class?" The valedictorian asked.

Marty raised a brow. "You mean when I knew the answer and raised my hand?" She scoffed.

Angeline narrowed her eyes. "My hand was up first," she growled.

Marty rolled her eyes. "Get a life," she attempted to reopen her locker, but Angeline kept her hand in the way.

By now, other students noticed the commotion and gathered nearby. They watched eagerly and apprehensively, waiting for a fight.

"You're probably just trying to get your parents' attention," Angeline bit. "Don't you know that good grades won't make them love you?"

Marty barked a laugh, and Angeline raised her brows. She wasn't expecting that. The brunette met stared into Angeline's grassy irises. "Pot, meet kettle."

Angeline's normally smug demeanor was twisted in a tomato red rage. She raised her fist. "You–"

"Hey!" A hand caught her fist. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," Miko's voice was dangerously low.

Angeline attempted to pull her fist away, but Miko didn't let go. She dug her painted nails into her captive's skin. "You talk like that to her again, I'll make sure you won't even be able to see when she raises her hand."

Miko released her grip, and Angeline backed away.

Marty nodded to her friend. "Thanks for the backup,"

Miko winked. Just like that she was back to her normal, bubbly self.

​​​​​​Unfortunately, Angeline went to the nurse and showed her the marks from Miko's nails. Turns out the valedictorian was an excellent fake crier and managed to get Marty and Miko in detention.

Now the two girls were stuck–unjustly, Marty might add–and had to sit there instead of heading to the base.

Or were they?

Marty turned her attention outside when she heard two vehicles park outside the school. Optimius and Bulkhead.

The brunette glanced at her pink-haired friend. Miko was already grinning. She knew the plan.

Miko plastered her best "I'm so sick" face and raised her hand. "Mrs. Phillips? I don't feel too well."

Marty brought her elbow to her mouth and coughed violently, shaking her whole body.

The teacher looked up from her book. "Go and see the nurse. But come straight back."

Miko nodded weakly as Marty continued to cough. "Of course."

The girls grabbed their backpacks and exited the class room, hobbling their way down the hall until they were out of sight. Then, they ran down the hall.

"Ha! They totally bought it!" Miko cheered as they burst out the doors.

"That was too easy," Marty chuckled. 

They bumped their fists and ran to their respective guardians.

​​​​​​​Optimius opened the door for Marty as she climbed in.

"You're early," he noted. "Was detention cut short?"

"You could say that," Marty told him as she buckled up. 

Optimius rolled away from the curb. "Martha, you know better than to undermine your teacher."

Marty stared out the window. "What if I told you me and Miko were wrongly punished? We were defending ourselves."

The cabin rumbled with something akin to a sigh. "Little One, your sense of justice is commendable, but you should not grieve your teachers with trouble."

"They asked for it," the girl mumbled. They were almost at the base now.

"And what would your uncle say if he knew of this?"

Marty snapped her attention to the console. "Okay, first of all, that's low. Second of all, I'm pretty sure as long as I don't go to jail he doesn't care."

Optimius hummed as they rolled into the base. "And you're sure that is his standard?"

Marty shrugged. "He and my dad used to get in all kinds of trouble. I'm pretty sure he's just glad I solve most my problems on my own."

Marty hopped out as Optimius parked. Once he transformed, she could see his gaze. "Well, perhaps my standards are higher than your uncle's," he said.

Before Marty could respond, Bulkhead rolled in and let Miko out.

"You sound like my parents," she groaned. "Well, aren't they Japanese?" Bulkhead asked as he transformed.

"They may speak a different language, but you say the same things," Miko said with a pointed finger. "Because we want the best for you," Bulkhead argued. "And that means making sure you go to school, not jail. "Uh-oh," Jack had a grin as he looked between the two girls. "What'd you do?"

"Nothing you've never done," Marty snapped back as she climbed the steps to the catwalk.

As Bulkhead explained why Miko needed to care about her future, Optimius tried the same with his charge.

"Martha, it's imperative that you take your education seriously," he said. "Your path has not yet been determined, but your teachers are there to offer wisdom and understanding."

Marty looked up at him. "I hate to break it to you, Optimius, but I'm pretty sure most of the teachers are there because they have to be. I think one of them had a hangover this morning."

Optimius had no response, but Bulkhead did for his charge.

"Why would you want to be like me when you can be a-a medic like Ratchet?" He asked Miko.

"I'm detecting a fresh Energon pulse from the nation called Greece," said Ratchet. "An ancient city – Quite historic, I believe." "Ancient Greece, huh?" Bulkhead had a mischievous gleam in his eye. "Oh, field trip."

)()()()()(

"I don't see why I have to go over my homework with you," Marty said as she sat on the couch. "I'm an 'A' student, it's my mouth that gets me in trouble."

Optimius looked over her shoulder as he stood behind the platform. "From what I have learned of Earth, it's important to have a clean record."

"But I don't even know what I wanna do," Marty argued.

"Which is why it is important your path is clear when you do know," the Prime retorted.

Marty's hazel hues bored into his blue ones. "There's no way outta this, is there?"

"I'm afraid not."

But indeed there was. The ground bridge opened up and in ran Bulkhead and Miko.

The girl was firing off random things about ancient Greeks and Cybertron, but she ended up plugging her phone into the computer.

"What she means is we think we saw an Energon harvester at the site," Bulkhead translated as a picture popped up on the computer.

It displayed a fresco of a Greek god holding a yellow sphere. Optimius looked at it and nodded. "It is indeed an energon harvester -- A powerful tool created by the ancients to remove raw energon from any source."

"Greek gods knew autobots?" Raf asked.

"No," Optimius told them. "The ancients often used the art of a given era to conceal messages. This fresco was likely a signpost indicating a harvester's location hidden somewhere on this planet."

"Uh, Optimus," said Jack. "if the harvester removes energon from anything, and you all have energon pumping inside you..."

"In Decepticon hands, the harvester would be a devastating weapon," the Prime confirmed. "See?" Miko turned to her guardian. "You were a genius to total that painting." "Miko's not wrong," Arcee added. "How can the Cons find the harvester without the fresco?"

"With high-speed internet," Raf answered. "If you do an image search for 'Greek god' and 'golden orb', this pops up–" he held up his laptop to show a statue of a Greek god holding the harvester. "–It's in a museum."

"That the real deal?" Marty asked as she looked.

"Contact Agent Fowler," Optimius ordered.

Ratchet did just that, but instead of the grumpy agent, a recorded message played. "You've reached special agent William Fowler. I'm currently on an intensive training retreat and unavailable until Tuesday." "I hate talking to machines," Ratchet grumbled.

Optimius hummed in thought. "Without Agent Fowler's direct aid, we will have to confiscate the harvester on our own." "Whoa, whoa, whoa," Jack stammered. "'Confiscate'? As in steal museum property?" 

"That sounds illegal," Raf noted. "I do not wish to break human law," Optimius told them. "but once the Decepticons learn of the harvester's location, they will not hesitate to obtain it by any means necessary. We must act covertly." "Okay, n-no offense, Optimus," Jack said. "but covertly and giant robots don't really go together. Museums are public. A-and they have guards and security cameras."

"Sounds like a job for us," Marty smirked.  "We're small enough to sneak in, and we're not a government secret," Miko added enthusiastically. Bulkhead scratched his head. "Miko, I'm not sure that's wise." "But it may be our best option, Bulkhead," Optimius said. "The longer we debate, the more time we give the Decepticons."

)()()()()(

Marty stood on a scissor lift with the other kids in front of the ground bridge, listening as Optimius gave them their instructions.

"Jack, Miko, Martha, Rafael, I will have a clear view of you," he said. "Once you secure the harvester, I will contact Ratchet to bridge you back to base." "Now," Ratchet started. "since you'll bypass all points of normal entry, you won't need to worry about setting off the alarm. But take care to avoid any security guards."

He activated the ground bridge, and they went through.

The first thing Marty saw was a T-Rex skeleton, but that wasn't they were there for. They were there for the harvester in the ivory hand of a god. "Opa!" Miko whispered when they found it.

Outside, headlights flashed. Optimius was signaling to them. Marty nodded as Jack moved the lift up to a security camera. Miko snapped a picture of the statue and placed her phone on the camera for a decoy.

They moved to get to work, having Raf climb onto the hand to push off the orb while Miko steadied it. Marty worked on the other side to push it off and Jack held tight.

Suddenly, the sound of shifting metal reached Marty's ears. She looked over to see that Optimius had transformed and was holding back....a missile?!

It tapped the glass and created a spiderweb crack. He froze, along with the kids, waiting for an alarm to go off.

Then he was electrocuted by a red bot with a staff.

 "It's Cons," Raf whimpered. "They got Optimius," Marty worried as her guardian was thrown to the ground. 

They watched as the Cons fought the Bots. The red Con went to attack Optimius while he was down, but the Prime swung back and knocked him away. He crashed against the museum wall, sounding the alarm.

"Come on," Miko whispered. They had the harvester and needed to make their escape. Jack lowered the lift to the ground. "Time to make our exit, boys."

She and Marty ran ahead, looking for a door to get them out. The pink haired girl found a garage door and pressed the button. 

As the two girls ran out, a light flashed in their faces.

A security guard stared down at them.

Miko tapped her fingers nervously. "Uh, what's up?"

The security guard frowned and turned his flashlight off. "You two better come with me," he grabbed their arms and took them into an office.

"Scrap," Marty muttered.

)()()()()(

The security guard stared at the girls from behind his desk. Miko pursed her lips and Marty sat back, folding her arms.

"Look, if this is some kind of prank, you need to know that the authorities are on their way," The guard said. "It'd go a whole lot easier for you if you just told me what happened to to sphere."

Marty scoffed. "Do we look like we could take that thing?" She finally had a time when her small stature could be used to her advantage.

The guard raised a brow. "I wouldn't put it past you. Crime does run in families after all."

Marty rolled her eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"After I apprehended you two I looked up your files–"

"We have files?!" Miko interrupted.

The guard ignored her and moved to his computer. "Martha Danielle Thorne," he said. "daughter of Jake and Maureen Thorne."

Marty narrowed her eyes, keeping her expression a mask of indifference. 

The guard shot her a smirk. "Jake Thorne is in prison for armed robbery, and Maureen divorced him after he was caught."

Marty blinked. "What? My dad isn't a criminal."

"I beg to differ," the guard turned the monitor to show a mugshot of her father. It was like staring in an older, manly reflection. 

Marty struggled for an explanation. Her uncle had told her he was away on business, and that was why he was never around. Not that he was in prison.

Marty slumped back against her seat. She was at a loss for words.

Miko looked over at her friend worriedly. She knew she had to cover for them this time.

"We were researching our history reports," she lied. "We just lost track of time and got locked in here after closing."

"So, what's your history report about?" The guard challenged. "I'd love to know."

)()()()()(

"And, of course, there's the whole principle of deus ex machina, uh, the god from the machine," Miko had been rambling for hours. The sun was rising, but Marty couldn't bring herself to listen, and neither could the guard.

"It's that part in Greek storytelling where some character shows up out of the blue to make everything right." "That so, young lady?" The guard asked smugly. "Well, I'm sure the police will want to hear all about your history report."

A sudden banging on the door shook Marty out of her stupor. It opened and in walked Fowler. The deus ex machina. "Special Agent William Fowler," he showed his badge. "The stolen property has been located and restored to museum premises. The girls come with me," Fowler reached into his jacket and pulled out a pink phone. "You dropped your cellphone. Found it on the floor, right next to your history report."

Marty stood with Miko, but she couldn't even muster a smirk at the guard. 

Fowler walked them out of the building to the parking lot where two vehicles were waiting for them. "Off you go," he said.

The two girls walked to their respective guardians. Marty climbed into Optimus' cab and buckled in. 

"Is something wrong, Little One?" Optimius asked.

Marty opened her mouth then closed it. She couldn't find the right words to articulate her thoughts. Everything she knew had been ripped out from under her, and she didn't know how to handle that.

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[wordsvomit101]

1. The funeral

(2 weeks after the death of Mr and Mrs Lee)

"It's raining," Minhyeok stood there, his eyes fixed on the people who were leaving. He couldn't help but ponder over their departure.

It was pouring rain, with each droplet hitting the ground creating a soft thud. He felt that the weather was fitting for the occasion. The sound of the raindrops filled his ears, creating a peaceful atmosphere that served as a sort of cool-down after the events of the day. It had been quiet and dreadful, with a heavy cloud of sadness looming over everyone. It was as if the rain was a reflection of their collective sorrow, slowly washing away the remnants of the day. Despite the dreariness of the weather, there was something calming and soothing about it all. The sound of the rain, combined with the emptiness of the streets, made him feel as though the world had come to a standstill, just for a moment.

The funeral had just ended five minutes ago, and the guests had finished paying their respects to the deceased and exchanging mourning. They were now leaving and heading back home.

"There is not much food or wine to delay them further anyway" 

He walked over to the violet-haired girl in the room and looked at the last person still remaining before the two portraits, eyes red and hollow, unnervingly so. His heart clenched as he remembered the once-brightly grinning girl who jokingly accepted his childish proposal, a face, and memory that seemed far too distant at this point.

"It doesn't fit her... no, she wasn't supposed to lose them" Her parents, her smile, her happiness, he knew there were more but it hurt to think more of what was lost that day. 

He's grateful that his parents would assist Raon in obtaining her parents' death certificates and managing other complex matters following the funeral. It would be tedious, he was quite sure. However, the fact that he couldn't do much more for Raon besides holding and comforting her is upsetting, it doesn't sit right with his skin. He doesn't know why he was praised for getting Raon out of that house that day, as much as he likes compliments, it felt empty that time, even more so when he saw Raon's passed out later.

He noticed the girl's slight movement in his embrace before he realized that his shoulder was damp with tears.

"She used to be a loud crier" 

He was aware of her tendency to throw tantrums when she got frustrated. Sometimes, offering her snacks could calm her down, but if that didn't work, she would cry even louder. Once, he had helped her parents calm her down for three hours when one of her favorite toys went missing. But now, her hiccups were barely audible, and her pained whine sounded like someone being choked. Her chest heaved painfully and uncontrollably. However, she calmed down a little when he gently ran his hands in a circular motion on her back. 

"..."

It would have been silence if it wasn't for her sniffling and slow breathing.

"..."

"..."

"I miss them already" She let out a sudden, quivering voice, her head still nestled in the safety of his shoulder.

"... Me too" 

"I want to eat Mom's Galbi Jjim"

"Yeah, she always makes it less spicy than the usual recipe for you"

"I want to show Dad my last semester grades"

"Your math improved a lot, I bet he would brag about it to my old man afterward"

"They promised to take me to Japan on New Year... They said it was Shiga Agricultural Park in Hino City"

"I heard the view there was great, they did told us they used to have a date there"

They keep talking like that for a while, Raon will say what she wants and Minhyeok will answer her, letting her relive in a happier time of the past that won't come back. He thinks he heard his parents and brother talking outside the room at some point, but they left them be. 

He had to relocate Raon to a more comfortable position to lean on the wall but never stopped listening and answering her rambles. They stayed like that, with her buried on his shoulder and him comforting her with his arms, and talked for an hour until...

"I want to kill the bastard that killed them" She said softly, eyes distant.

"..."

He was supposed to be surprised but... he can't, he knows he wouldn't be different if it were his parents or his brother. He's not as forgiving and "mature" as most people give him credit for. 

He softly breathes in the rain scent from outside the window, letting it ease his bones and sag him down the wall beside her. He thought about it when Raon quietly waited for him to answer her. 

"... Then no one will find out your secret from me"

He doesn't know if it is the right answer but the girl leaning on his shoulder seems to be relaxed enough to pass out to sleep. He should carry her back to her room in his home, but his legs don't seem to move nor does his arms. He only sits there and watches the rain that slowly lessen over time. 

It was a strangely mind-numbingly boring and calming activity, usually, he would rather swing his baseball bat or run around the park to think more clearly after. This doesn't feel so bad.

"..."

He turned to look at the two portraits again. They each depicted the faces of a confidently smiling, beautiful man and a handsome woman with fierce eyes. It feels like they're expecting something from him, to swear a promise, and give out his loyalty to the girl sleeping next to him. He can't hear them saying "Look after our silly daughter" anymore but he likes to think he is correct in his understanding this time at least.

He bows twice in the direction of the portraits, there is a burning in his veins and a sting in his slightly red eyes when he does it. Then, quietly, almost like a whisper, he said:

"Me and my family will keep her safe, Mr and Mrs Lee"

The exhaustion must have get to him if he think they seem pleased for a moment.

"I believe peace will wait for you two in the afterlife"

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

End notes:

Galbi-jjim (braised beef short ribs) is one of the most popular Korean dishes. It’s made with beef short ribs and is often prepared for special occasions.

[escapism-from-the-real-world]

Part 3

Dustin Brooks (THE BOY)

Background/story

Has two amazing parents that he loves very much

His dad taught him all about dirt bikes and they bond over it

Grew up on motocross and loved it from the start. It is his life

His dad got him the bike he has now at the beginning of freshman year and he’s had it ever since

He gets his Adhd from his mom, who is an absolute sweetheart

She is also friends with Shane’s mom and they have family dinner together (Tori also joins once she gets adopted into the family)

Has an older sister who is much older than him so they aren’t incredibly close, but she’s a badass and he respects the hell out of her

She’s a lawyer and kicks legal butt, it’s great

Also has two younger siblings (one boy, one girl, twins, they are 7)

Can, have, and will kick Dustin’s butt when the urge arises

Very feisty but also protective of their favorite brother (he’s a fun bro who plays with them and rides a motorcycle)

He is the coolest and the dorkiest in their eyes. They love their big brother

His aunts and uncles live nearby and they visit pretty often

Has so many cousins

His house is constantly full of people

Just a very big family

He loves the chaos and has a hard time adjusting outside of it sometimes

They do those cheek kisses and Shane and Tori were very surprised when he first did it with them

It’s chill tho, they get it now

They have a game called ‘guess their relation to Dustin’ when a family member they don't know comes over

It’s a lot of fun

Shane and Tori were also his first real friends

While very friendly and sociable, he has a hard time getting close to people since he can come on a bit strong

People tried to bully him verbally, but it went right over his head so a lot of them resorted to physical violence to get their point across

He was a crier when he was little (no shame)

Shane and Tori were the first people that let him in and he was ecstatic

They are basically his pseudo siblings and they tease and banter a lot

Usually plays mediator for actual fights, but is also known to stand to the side and watch with popcorn (no one knows where he gets the popcorn from)

He doesn’t understand half of what Cam says most of the time, but he likes how passionate he gets about tech

Sometimes he’ll just sit with Cam at Ninja Ops and have him talk as he does other stuff (usually homework)

Went off about power rangers with Cam after that first mission

Knows a lot about zords and morphers

When he does know what is going on that other half of the time, they have very complicated tech talk (Dustin can fix up motor bikes, he knows quite a bit of mechanics, thank you)

Dustin is Cam’s favorite (Shh don’t tell)

Was very excited when he started hanging around Blake and Hunter because Biking Buddies!!

Blue screens when he meets Blake and Hunter (they are very pretty) (Bisexual disaster)

They like bikes!!!! I like bikes!!! We should be friends!!!!

Oblivious to the sus at first, just excited to info dump about motocross

Picks up on it after a couple of weird encounters (Said they didn’t live with their parents then told Tori that they had parents to get back to)

Is kind of heartbroken when they turn out to be evil because he put a lot of his heart into that friendship

Is not following with what is happening in that cave with the crystal, just knows their parents are dead (sad)

And then they left (sad)

And then they’re back!

But they’re evil again (sad and confused)

Deviance from canon! Dustin comes up with the idea to wash the toxic chemicals off Hunter’s face

So they do (Tori blasts him with water)

And it helps Hunter break out of the brainwashing spell after one last good hit over the head from Blake

Tackles Blake and Hunter into a hug after that whole debacle (much to the confusion of Blake and Hunter and to the delight and amusement of Shane and Tori)

Loves having Dirt Biking Buddies once they are officially good

They teach him a lot of tricks for going really fast

Blake is chill and Dustin sees him as a bro, but not like Shane and Tori

Him, Blake, and Hunter are pretty competitive for motocross, but they’re all good sports

Hunter is Dustin’s favorite because they’ll info dump on dirt bikes with each other and go on and on and on

Blake can too, but he usually bails to let them talk alone *wink wink*

They hang out a lot

Dustin’s family adore Blake and Hunter, especially the kids cause they’ll play with them

Kelly is also like a sister to him and he thinks she and his oldest sister would get along really well

She helps a lot with his motocross endeavors, encouraged him to keep improving, always taking him to tournaments across the country when she can and thinks Dustin is one of the best motocross riders she’s ever seen

Dustin hates letting her down and is very protective of her and the shop

It’s his safe space and he loves it in there

Personality/headcanon/arcs

What do you mean it isn’t canon that he has Adhd, have you seen him? 

Has Adhd, 100%

Has time blindness, selective memory, can’t sit still, impulsiveness, blunt, easily distracted, has a hard time with eye contact, special interest is dirt bikes, loves loud noise (he’s a punk/metal fan), and has a hard time with social cues so things fly over his head a lot

Also hyposensitive to most shit including pain (can take a lot of hits and often doesn’t realize he’s hurt)

Can also be spacey and gets into his head a lot so you have to keep his attention or he’ll get distracted and stop listening

He went undiagnosed for most of his life

Cam brought it up once and then he went to get diagnosed

Cam: With regards to your Adhd-, Dustin: I have Adhd?, Cam: ... We’re taking you to the doctor.

Things make a lot more sense now for everybody

He’s just a happy to be here

While he can be competitive, he’s the most mellow-headed out of everyone

I guess you could say he’s grounded (Aha. Aha. Aha)

Is terrifying when mad

Him being upset is one thing (he’s like a sad puppy dog and no one can deny Dustin when he’s genuinely upset) But he’s never, ever mad, so when he is you know shit’s about to go down

Shane and Tori have only ever seen him truly mad once and it was the scariest thing they have ever seen

Dustin being nice is a choice, not a result of naivety 

Is very affectionate with his buddies (hugs, pats, friendly punches, fistbumps, high fives, anything and everything) (cheek kisses only when he’s comfortable with them and if they are comfortable with it) (Shane, Tori and Hunter are fine with them while Cam and Blake don’t really like them) 

Is the most physically affectionate with Hunter for reasons (Many of them romantic)

Eats a lot

Like, a lot a lot

The first time Blake and Hunter were with the crew for a food run, they were gobsmacked by the amount of food he got

Dustin, after ordering half the menu: You guys getting anything? Blake and Hunter: That was all for you???

He’s a hungry boi (his powers are very energy consuming so he has to eat a lot to make up for it)

Speaking of powers

Is SUPER strong (he can lift 100 tons)

Has to be careful with his super strength and often hits things too soft in fear of hitting things too hard

Can sense the earth beneath his bike and uses it to find the smoothest/quickest path

Doesn’t know that’s what that is and just thinks everyone else is just being silly when they chose the worst paths to ride through

Blake and Hunter are the ones to tell him about what he’s doing when they accuse him of cheating and he gets very confused

very quick to pick up on stuff but also quick to forget (Has used his duplication technique like twice)

Specialized in the warhammer, but can also use a mace and axe

Is actually very smart thank you very much. He just has a funny way of showing it (Adhd). Often comes out more like common sense

“What’s more powerful than 5 rangers?” “6 rangers!” “...Fair enough, let’s give it a shot.”

Everyone always forgets just how smart he is (expect Cam and Hunter, because Dustin can semi keep up with Cam’s rants and Hunter and Dustin rant about dirt bike mechanics all the time)

Just knows? The most random facts? And can do the most random things? (Adhd, bitch)

“Oh yeah, I play the sax.” “...What?”

“I can do a perfect, very complicated gymnastics routine.” “Why?” “I had a phase.”

“I know how to jumpstart and rewire almost every vehicle in existence including a fighter jet.” “Do I want to know?” “I had to hotwire my old bike once and it devolved from there.”

Has the best relationship with himself 

That one episode where sensei has them “fight” themselves, Dustin is literally just playing with himself and is very excited to have another him

He’s having a blast

(Tori is just smart and figures out what’s going on and Shane is always ready to fight something)

Goes into Freestyling with Kelly as his sponsor after the show

Eventually does Freestyling and Motocross racing because he’s just built different

He and Blake race all the time and get very competitive (It’s all good fun tho)

Everyone tries to make it to as many competitions as they can

Main post

[alj4890]

If you get this, answer with three random facts about yourself and send it to the last seven blogs in your notifs! Anon or not, doesn’t matter!

Oof, I got five of these requests now 😂 Does that mean fifteen facts? I'll try to do three for each ask. I'm nowhere near interesting enough for this 🤣 Thanks @jerzwriter @angelasscribbles @twinkleallnight @peonierose @aussiegurl1234 for the asks 🥰

1. I have never left the United States. There were multiple times where I'd planned a trip or planned on spending a semester of school out of the country, but something major would happen to keep me stuck here 🤣 I don't think I'll ever get out of here😂

2. I'm an only child who grew up outside of Memphis, TN on fifty acres of land. My only neighbors were family members. My cousins are fourteen, eleven, and nine years older than me, so it was up to my imagination to entertain myself 😂

3. I married an only child. My husband and I decided to have at least two children after his father became seriously ill with his heart and we saw how hard it was on my husband in having to make all the decisions concerning life support. That's how I ended up being the mother of two.

4. I've never had to study. If I read something once, I'm able to remember just about all of it. Not really a photographic memory but close to it. I'm the same with hearing something. I can usually walk out of a movie theater, quoting lines from certain scenes.

5. I never wanted a big wedding (even though I have a huge extended family) because I hate being the center of attention. I dreamed of eloping somewhere beautiful, on a spur of the moment decision. I kinda got my dream. My husband gave in to eloping in the Smoky Mountains during a very snowy January, but he wanted it planned with a tux and wedding dress and just our parents. I gave in and was happy I did after finding the perfect dress and in seeing how much it meant to our parents

6. When I was twenty-nine, I had to have a complete hysterectomy. Benign tumors had taken over my ovaries and were embedded in my uterus. The ones in my uterus had grown and stretched it to the point where it was the size it would have been if I was three months pregnant. Since I wasn't pregnant, it was some of the worst physical pain I've ever experienced with it pressing into various nerves in my back and pelvic region. I've never been more excited to have surgery than that day.

7. I'm not really a crier. I can watch sad movies, lose loved ones, be depressed, but the tears rarely fall. People have been shocked and thought I either didn't really love them or that I have no heart. Trust me, I do, I just don't really cry. The few times I have broken down and actually had tears, my loved ones and friends have panicked not knowing what to do since I'm supposed to be the stoic one of the bunch. It ends up being like that scene in Sense and Sensibility when Emma Thompson breaks down 🤣 Everyone freezes or tries to leave the room 😂

8. I love to laugh and joke around. I have both a silly and extremely sarcastic sense of humor. I use humor in everything and as often as I can. I'm the one you sit by during serious situations if you want to diffuse the tension with a giggle. I've even made people laugh at funerals during my eulogies (all respectful and usually just a funny, sweet anecdote about my loved one). Life is too precious to not find all the little bits of joy we can.

9. I did everything that my late aunt predicted I would in life. She said I would get a teaching degree, which I did. She said I would meet my husband before I graduated college, which I did. She then said I would teach a few years before having my first child, which I did. She then said I would probably get my masters degree between my first and second child, which I swore I was done with college when I graduated but I did do that very thing and got my M.A.Ed. focusing on library sciences between having my two. And to make it all the sweeter, I ended up being like her with having two sons who were exactly the same years and months apart in age as hers were. She was beyond thrilled that I was just like her in that aspect 😂

10. I always thought I would have girls (most of my family has nothing but girls or at least one) Me and my late aunt were the only two to have nothing but boys. It worked out great for me. I've never been into fashion, not really into anything really girly, can't fix hair at all 🤣, and always loved all the superheroes, video games, and Star Wars stuff that makes me the perfect mom for my two boys.

11. I love classic movies. The silent era, the thirties (especially Pre-Code) and the forties are my favorites. I'm amazed with the special effects, the stunning sets, stories, and amazing acting the stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood created. I will devour not only their films, but biographies on anyone working during that time, documentaries, and any tidbit I can find. I was born during the wrong era.

12. I truly believe I could survive happily on nothing but cheese dip, chips, and salsa. And peppers! Jalapeno and Pepperoncini are my favorites. Ghost pepper is becoming a favorite too. Last night, I made a bowl of peppers and ate them like popcorn while watching TV. I love to burn 🤣

13. Winter is my favorite season. Snow is beautiful and I wish I lived somewhere where it was guaranteed to fall for months on end. That's the dream. One day, I hope to move either to Wyoming or to Maine (I've visited both and fell in love with both of them) 😂

14. The hardest thing I've ever experienced in my life was when I suffered a miscarriage. It was my first pregnancy and it was one that wasn't planned. My husband and I had only been married for about six or seven months when I discovered I was pregnant. I was over the moon excited. I bought maternity clothes, started buying baby things like little outfits, bows, toys, etc. Then I started cramping near the end of the third month. Tests were done and it showed the baby stopped developing at eight weeks. No heartbeat. Nothing. I was devastated. I actually prayed I would die during the D and C. I hoped I would have an allergic reaction and die right there on the operating table. I thought it would be easier for my family to lose me that way. I felt like my body had betrayed me in the worst possible way. I hated it and I couldn't stand the depression that set in. This was one of the few times I cried, especially when I woke up after the procedure and saw I'd survived. I continued to pray for death for a few months after it. I knew I couldn't hurt my family by commiting suicide, nor could I talk to them about my feelings, so I begged God to make my heart stop, make my car run off the road and hit a tree, anything to stop the pain I felt. I then begged my husband for a divorce. I didn't want to be around anyone. I didn't want comfort, couldn't stand for anyone to touch me or hug me. I hated our home and the memories it now held for me. I wanted to simply disappear and feel nothing. I didn't want to talk to anyone, respond to what was going on around me, pretend that life was still going on. It was the darkest time in my life. I've written about the one night I broke down the hardest with my husband in a Thomas Hunt fic which was almost cathartic. Everything he and my OC say is the conversation my husband and I had that long and painful night. It still hurts after all these years later, though nowhere near that it once did, and every May I can't help but think I should be celebrating my first child's birthday.

15. That above fact shouldn't be one to end on, so let's end with something funny. With my oldest son, I had an ultrasound to find out if he was a boy or girl on April 1st. Our technician was known to joke around, so I was highly doubtful I was having a boy. I was convinced she was pulling an April Fool's prank on me 🤣 Until he popped out and the proof was in front of me, I thought he might end up really being a girl so I made sure to have a gender neutral outfit packed just in case it really was a joke 😂

[droughtofapathy]

"Welcome to the Theatre": Diary of a Broadway Baby

The Notebook

April 25, 2024 | Broadway | Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre | Evening | Musical | Original | 2H 20M

In the moment, sitting there in the theatre with tears streaming down my face at the wonderous performance Maryann Plunkett has gifted us, I liked the show a lot more than I did two hours later. The Notebook is at its strongest with Darian Harewood and Maryann Plunkett as Older Noah and Allie, respectively, at the center. Their love is so moving and heartbreaking. In contract, the young couple is charming and sweet in that puppy love feeling they give. The middle couple is...weaker, and the young and middle Allie seem to have little connection and consistency. This makes for a stronger first act, and a duller second that soon ramps up to a blubbering frenzy in the last few scenes.

I am a crier. I go to the theatre and I want to leave having sobbed through several tissues. Shows that create such immense emotional reaction are my bread-and-butter. This show had me weeping. But there's no catharsis to be found. No rejuvenation, no joy amidst sorrow, no relief. Only intense sadness that left me with a throbbing headache two hours later. In this way, the show feels like a manipulation. Like a purposeful endeavor to force audiences to tears, but offer nothing else beyond that.

The score is fine. It's nice, it's pleasant, and there's at least two songs that are wonderful. But it doesn't grab you by the throat and leave you forever changed. And it also sounds tonally identical throughout, so that's... At times, it feels like a high schooler's audition book, full of power ballads that end on a rousing belt, but little variety, little musical complexity, little...anything.

This is a romance musical, but it never approaches anything more profound. The romance itself is about as believable as you'd expect. I have many questions: namely, why these young kids are so enamored with one another to the point that ten years later, they haven't grown up and gotten over their little summer love fling. The love is so much deeper in the older couple, to no surprise. Noah's dedication to Allie, her final night where she's granted that last lucidity before it all ends... They are such good actors, and I'm glad they're being put forward as the leads, as they deserve.

Verdict: A Lovely Night (but kind of mad about it)

A Note on Ratings

[trhor]

15 OC Questions

I got tagged by the lovely @ardeney-sims, thank you for tagging me that was really nice of you.

1. Are you named after anyone?

"Yes, and also no, it's a little confusing. With my first name, I'm not named after anyone in particular. My parent's reasoning was the meaning felt very fitting after the great effort it took to have me. Then of course there's the odd royal tradition of having to give a child one too many middle names and usually you name them after a relative. So, Catherine comes from my paternal great-great-great grandmother, the late queen and Elizabeth is for a great aunt also on my father's side. As for Brìghde, it depends on who you ask I'm either named after a Celtic goddess or a Saint. I've never gotten a straight answer for that one.

2. When was the last time you cried?

I'm about to be judged, but it's been a few years. The last time I really remember crying was when the news broke that my brother was leaving the royal fold. There was no warning, and I was utterly blindsided and I do remember crying quite a bit that day. I'm not really much of a crier, to be honest.

3. Do you have kids?

No, but eventually yes.

4. Do you use sarcasm?

I don't think you've ever been to Great Briton before and that's a real shame. Yes, I think I'm fairly fluent.

5. What's the first thing you notice about people?

Posture and generally how someone holds themselves. Those two things give away a great deal more than people think.

6. What's your eye color?

There's a little bit of blue, but my eye colour is mostly a light brown. I have my mother's eyes, that matters to me a great deal.

7. Scary movies or happy endings?

There's a desire for happy endings, but I do really enjoy the thrill of watching horror movies especially when it's a good one. I do like being scared, so horror movies.

8. Any special talents?

That's a loaded questions, because what happens if I don't have any special talents. Will you think less of me? Besides that point, I'd say I'm fairly good at drawing, I think that's my special talent.

9. Where were you born?

I was born at Queen Alexandra's Hospital in the Iona Wing in Lunden, Albion on 30th of December at 6:30, I had no respect for decency being born at that hour.

10. What are your hobbies?

I have a few hobbies, there's fencing, horse riding, photography, ballet, piano, painting, chess, and reading.

11. Have you any pets?

Do horses count? Because if yes, I have a horse who I love very much named Arthur. If not, I do have a dog named Bernard, he's a Cú Faoil and I love him dearly.

12. What sports do you play/have played?

I competitively fence in Sabre, I do fairly well. I've played a bit of football as well but not necessarily competitively

13. How tall are you?

Last time I personally checked, about 5'3". There's a site online that has debated if there's some centimeters involved. But my final answer is 5'3", thank you.

14. Favorite subject in school?

I've always been a fan of history. I know it's funning seeing as my family has been a major player in that history. Now that I'm in university, I really enjoy constitutional law, mainly because we don't have a formalized document for tourist to see. It's fascinating to learn how our constitution has evolved as time has marched forward.

15. Dream job?

I'd be a painter.

I tag the following: @trentonsimblr, @warwickroyals, @wa-royal-tea, @funkyllama, @nexility-sims, @armoricaroyalty, @theroyalthrones, and @simswhitehouse. Have fun or ignore for whatever reason suits your fancy. For anyone else who might see it, have at it if you like.

[yourtouchismidas]

Thank you for the tags @bookish-strawberry and @hereyeswerefilledwiththestars 

15 questions /15 mutuals 

1. Are you named after anyone? no but my dad named me rather than my mum which i think is quite cute.

2. When was the last time you cried? last week when i got in a fight with my bf (all resolved now haha) i used to be such a crier, but i dont cry that much anymore.

3. Do you have kids? no and i dont think i want them? willing to let my mind change though as i get older but right now im thinking no. 

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot? a reasonable amount i think 

5. What the first thing you notice about people? vibes. i notice different physical features depending on what they look like. but i feel like im an intuitive person and can always pick up on whether a person is good and kind when i first meet them. 

6. What's your eye colour? blue 

7. Scary movies or happy endings? happy endings. but i much prefer a bitter sweet ending. or an inconclusive ending that drives me crazy. but i dont like scary movies so out of these two, happy endings. 

8. Any special talents? i can do a pretty good dolphin noise. 

9. Where were you born? the midlands in england.

10. What are your hobbies? writing (though hopefully this will one day be my career), reading, playing ukulele, riding my bike, watching good telly, playing sims. 

11. Do you have any pets? i dont. i wish i could have a cat or a dog. but my building doesn’t allow them. i do also feel like i dont want to be too tied down yet and having a pet does tie you down a bit as they need a good home. 

12. What sports do you play have you played? i used to be a gymnast. now i just go to the gym, do some yoga, and go bike riding. 

13. How tall are you? i am five foot four

14. Favourite subject in school? english. i loved it for obvious reasons. but also in year ten and eleven we had a really sexy english teacher and he was also really nice and everyone loved him. everyone either fancied him or respected him for being so hot so everyone behaved and we just learnt english haha. 

15. Dream job? published author. i would die happy. 

I don’t think I have fifteen mutuals and I definitely don’t have fifteen mutuals that haven’t already done this so I’m going to tag @justanamesstuff and @irllydontgetit and anyone who wants to do it! 

[callsigndragon]

Oh. My. Goodness!!! The sweetness!!! Tasting the Ashes Chapter 8 is so soft, I am melting!!!

Long message coming as always...

""I think I'm your big brother now."" - awww, I love these two 💗💗

"You blink, not knowing what to do or say. "...you win."", ""Oh, I know." He chuckles, looking at the inside of the mug. "He's dead now, I can finally live the life I always wanted."" - hahaha, yeah, not many things can compete with that. Although I am very, very inrigued to hear the full backstory Ash has

"Red? Your Red? The girl that cried at Disney movies and puppies? That man must have been a fucking nightmare to make her do something like that." - I love how well Ash must know Red and the implied history between them is so so good!!! Again, you establish past and already existing relationships so well, without giving too much away right away about them!! It feels so organic and it is beautiful!!! 💗💗💗

""I didn't know if I was gonna keep the babies." You admit it; your head is bowed in shame. It's only half the truth, but it's something, at least. "My body, my choice, right?"", "" There's no need to be embarrassed."" - okay, first, I love supportive Jake, as always. He is doing the big brother (and just being a decent human being really) part very well. And second, I love the intrigue intensifying around Ash's reasons!!! 💗

""So, none of us had a real family until recently. Maybe we can learn what that means. Together."" - awww, that really will be nice!!! I love this beautifully forming extended family 💗💗💗

"“She’s a crier, huh?”", "“ I get angry.”" - I love that they are reacting differently to the hormones and how well it goes with them! It both feels natural and it also deepens their character, it is amazing!!! (Also makes me wonder what Minnie is going to be like with their set of triplets...) 💗 And I agree with Jake, "“Poor himbo.”", hahaha 💗

"“Rooster, I’m not letting you inside.”" - again, loving protective brother Jake!! But poor Bradley, haha

"he did all he was supposed to do. He was there when you woke up, cuddling with you in his sleep, a content smile adorning his face.", "Probably one of the best nights of your life but…", "He had a light in his eyes that you didn't want to extinguish with your trauma." - such a sweet descriltion of Bradley, and it is so lovely to see that he always treated Ash right, doing everything he should (except when he told her to wait, but...) 💗 And I am so excited to find out more about Ash's trauma!!!

""Can we talk?" There's desperation in his words" - my poor deaperate baby!!! I love him! 💗

""Hi." You whisper back, rubbing your belly. He follows your hand movement, and you swear you can feel his hand twitching, as if he wanted to be the one doing it." - this is the absolute sweetest thing ever, him wanting to rub her belly, but respecting her and not doing without asking!!!! I am melted! 💗💗💗

"we should get married. We're going to have babies. It's the right thing to do."", ""Yeah, when you're in love! But we're not in love, Rooster. We barely know each other."" - Bradley darling, we know you are smitten, but Ash doesn't! Give the girl some time, would you? Jokes aside I love how his mind automatically goes to "we should marry", so sweet!!! And I love how he corrects himself and apologises ""Sorry, Ash. When my dad got my mom pregnant, they married. I thought I should do the same."" - he just wanted to do what he thought was the right thing and I love him for it! Great characterisation!!! 💗💗

""I think they know who you are."", "Bradley kneels in front of you, both hands on you, pressing his forehead against your round belly. "Hey, babies. It's me, dad. I'm sorry I haven't been here before. But I won't go anywhere now."" - I am melting!!! This is so sweet!!! It is such a tender, vulnerable moment, I absolutely adore it!!! 💗💗💗

The Chapter 9 chat is also incredible!!! I love that Red and Jake report what is happening and then Rooster thinks he's sharing this big news, everyone already knows about! Hahaha, love them all so much!!! 💗

Incredible, amazing, awesome, brilliant writing as always my Love!!! 💗

So much love to you! 💗💗💗

(italics anon 💚)

"You blink, not knowing what to do or say. "...you win."", ""Oh, I know." He chuckles, looking at the inside of the mug. "He's dead now, I can finally live the life I always wanted."" - hahaha, yeah, not many things can compete with that. Although I am very, very inrigued to hear the full backstory Ash has

It's a deep one... connected to her call sign

"Red? Your Red? The girl that cried at Disney movies and puppies? That man must have been a fucking nightmare to make her do something like that." - I love how well Ash must know Red and the implied history between them is so so good!!! Again, you establish past and already existing relationships so well, without giving too much away right away about them!! It feels so organic and it is beautiful!!! 💗💗💗

It's the tiny details! If you tell a lot about a character since the beginning...Where's the mystery?

"“She’s a crier, huh?”", "“ I get angry.”" - I love that they are reacting differently to the hormones and how well it goes with them! It both feels natural and it also deepens their character, it is amazing!!! (Also makes me wonder what Minnie is going to be like with their set of triplets...) 💗 And I agree with Jake, "“Poor himbo.”", hahaha 💗

Red has always been this badass character, and now that she's pregnant, she C R I E S, and Ash (who is still a bit of a mystery) gets angry. Different ladies, different reactions!

"he did all he was supposed to do. He was there when you woke up, cuddling with you in his sleep, a content smile adorning his face.", "Probably one of the best nights of your life but…", "He had a light in his eyes that you didn't want to extinguish with your trauma." - such a sweet descriltion of Bradley, and it is so lovely to see that he always treated Ash right, doing everything he should (except when he told her to wait, but...) 💗 And I am so excited to find out more about Ash's trauma!!!

That 'wait until the party is over' will haunt Rooster for a while hahaha

Trauma is a keyword in this fic. I think that we all have our traumas, but we don't know it. Something that seems insignificant for us, can be a traumatic experience for another person. We're all little heroes in our own way.

"we should get married. We're going to have babies. It's the right thing to do."", ""Yeah, when you're in love! But we're not in love, Rooster. We barely know each other."" - Bradley darling, we know you are smitten, but Ash doesn't! Give the girl some time, would you? Jokes aside I love how his mind automatically goes to "we should marry", so sweet!!! And I love how he corrects himself and apologises ""Sorry, Ash. When my dad got my mom pregnant, they married. I thought I should do the same."" - he just wanted to do what he thought was the right thing and I love him for it! Great characterisation!!! 💗💗

He's just a sweeeeet guy, y'all. A bit dumb, but with good intentions.

Lots of love 💚💚

[highwaydiamonds]

@mountainmaven tagged me for this lil question set- Thanks Kim!💖

1. Are you named after anyone? Ehhhh technically my mother chose my first name from Meggie in The Thorn Birds (though with a different spelling of Meghann. I'm Megan, and I generally dislike being called Meggie... It's p rare that I respond to being called that.)

2. When was the last time you cried? ... Yesterday? I almost cried today from reading a post someone made, but not full crying. That happened yesterday. I am a very easy crier.

3. Do you use sarcasm? Who? Me?!... Please. Of course I do. Far more than I ought to at that. It's the flip side to my insecurity probably -an abundance of snark.

4. What's the first thing you notice about people? That really depends on how I meet or come across those people. In person - probably eyes and the way people watch/listen- I'm likely looking to see how people might be judging me ( or more specifically my body.) Online - if people are funny or engaging. Are you thoughtful - it's a place where you CAN lead with your thoughts first - so does someone? or do they take the LCD and run with it ( AKA be a total troll or send a dick pic - that sort of thing. UGH to both)

5. What's your eye color? Something somewhat indeterminate? Meh I usually say gray-green. It's a mix of my dad's gray-blue and my mom's green gold hazel. the gray and green got mish-mashed together and there's a tiny tiny gold rim right around the pupil. idk man. my eyes are very color. (like the creature is very shape.)

6. Scary movie or happy ending? Considering that i am very easy to scare - i have made myself jump by forgetting a stationary object was on a table and then when i saw it there i was so surprised i jumped- i rarely go for scary movies. Happy ending please... (i am working SO much not to make jokes with that. I deserve a treat now.)

7. Any special talents? Clearly. I am talented at not allowing myself to make dirty jokes (see above question's response.) Other than that, I don't think so? I don't want to make self deprecating remarks (wow I am just avoiding all the jokes tonight, right?!) - I think there are things I do well, but I wouldn't necessarily call them special talents. I cannot belly dance, strike an apple sitting on your head with an arrow, or put a knot in a cherry stem with my tongue. Your girl has no party pieces. (and if I *were* making bad jokes - here is where I woul say, " I AM the party piece." But that would be a lie. I don't like parties very much XD )

8. Where were you born? In a hospital. That's what this question was looking for, right? (confused? see the answer above re sarcasm.)

9. What are your hobbies? art journaling, knitting, reading, occasionally baking, watching tv and movies more than i ought to, playing with makeup (not good at it but i like it) - and when the finances are they darling - shopping for cute things (which might pertain to the above or might just generally be sparkly and/or adorable.

10. Do you have any pets? Not that are mine personally right now B UT the house I am living in her several. There are two dogs that are permanent residents ( Peat and Lily - border terrier siblings that are like 15 years old I think. Two dogs that live here part time - Nova and bailey - who are probably 4 and 11 respectively. Then three parrots (two greater mccaws of differing kinds - Mello and Maddie, and one lesser Mccaw - uh i think anyway- and that's Emma Peel - yes named for the avengers tv character). And two bearded dragons ( differing kinds) - Fred and Apollo. There will also be a puppy joining the household in probably a month or less - one of the people in the house is getting a Lakenois puppy out of a litter so there will be that. I'll enjoy there being a puppy around but gotta say i have learned things about myself living with this many animals. (namely that I do not want to be responsible for this many animals. especially squawky birds. good for you if you do.)

11. What sports do you play/have played? i don't play any now .. but seriously i was never sporty really. I played volleyball and softball when in middle school but does that even count? i like swimming but i was never going to be competitive at it when i was young. i was short and round not lean and long - so that was not gonna happen for me

12. How tall are you? 5'4" (slightly under it but close enough)

13. What was your favorite subject in school? I liked school pretty well generally - most of it was good - I didn't always like what we had to read but I liked English (aka Lit classes), History ( or government) , and some science courses (bio, advanced bio, physics) <-- in high school. Beyond that - ART HISTORY ( i should have found a way to major in it - or at least minor in it. I liked it better than either of my actual majors - and more than some of grad school classes too. seriously art history is way more fun than talking about budgeting in public administration. )

14. Dream job? The best answer to this is one I am stealing from a post here on tumblr or on twitter (idk) and that is, " I simply do not dream of labor." Seriously,I'm not sure any more. I think being a museum curator could be amazing, or like a special collections librarian ( if you dig the collection)... But I also think something where I could make a difference and change health policy in this country would be great - I'm not sure just what that would be or mean. I can't sew at all but i think being a fashion designer and making floofy dresses for myself would be cool. Fairy Princess- there we go - that's the job for me.

As to tagging... I never know who likes to be tagged and who doesn't. So @seashells-and-bookshelves , @librarianlirael , @ndb-123 , @i-blame-this-on-sherlock , @freckles-and-books , and seriously anybody that wants to. I like reading your answers- so take these and run with em- and tag me (so's i can read em) if you do.

[fortunesrevolver]

When Marnie Was There (And Not in a Closet)

I used to have a Wordpress where I posted dumb stories and illustrated them with my derpy drawing skills. For my own convenience, I'll be posting them all here now.

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, MY FIRST MOVED POST.

Does anyone else remember When Marnie Was There was first advertised and we were all convinced it was going to be the first LGBTQA+ movie from Studio Ghibli? Or at least a ton of us did.

I remember countless posts from people praising it and gushing with excitement for what was to come. One post in particular (on tumblr, I think) stood out to me from a girl who said the movie was going to be so important, because she was going to see someone who was just like her from a big, respected company telling her that loving another girl was perfectly normal and she was going to grow up okay. Other little girls were going to see that and feel the same.

Hell, I admit, I was excited at the idea of seeing something so different.

Admittedly, I don’t think a lot of us knew it was based on a novel of the same name. I sure didn’t. Dunno how we missed that one. Or at least, how so many of us did. I’m just gonna blame it on the novel coming out in the 60’s in another country and me being too excited at the idea.

To be fair, the trailer wasn’t exactly edited as a ~family~ drama. This isn’t to say the movie was bad, for the record. The movie was actually really good, and addressed some really important elements about healing, depression, family, guilt, and abandonment… I highly recommend it. Good stuff. Emotional. Bring tissues if you’re a crier.

But the best part of the movie, at least for me, were the people I saw the movie with.The people I saw the movie with… Oh man. That was probably one of the greatest audiences I’ve ever had the pleasure of viewing a movie with. We laughed together, cried together, clapped together… I hadn’t ever felt such a communal feeling with a group of people in a movie before. Hell, I saw strangers sharing popcorn. Movie theater popcorn. You don’t share drugs like that with just anyone.

And then came the reveal of Anna’s past and who Marnie really was. Oh my god…

I’m pretty sure I felt part of that dude’s soul die in that moment, and I think a few others went with him. There was true pain in that cry.

It was around that point we’d figured out we weren’t seeing a story about two young girls falling in love and overcoming hardship together. At least, I like to think most of us figured it out. That poor guy sure did.

I won’t lie, at the time, I was kinda disappointed with the whole Marnie was actually Anna’s grandmother thing. I’d never read, nor heard of the novel at the time, so I was admittedly going in with the expectations of a summer romance and not to be punched in the face with a movie about feelings… All in all, I was really glad I saw the movie.

Honestly, that guy’s reaction alone was worth the price of the ticket.

Sometimes I still think about him and wonder where he went in life. If he ever got to see his summer romance movie. I sure hope so.